Historical Fiction- NORY RYAN'S SONG by Patricia Reilly Giff

Bibliographic Data

Nory Ryan’s Song by Patricia Reilly Giff
Delacorte Press ©2000
ISBN: 9780385321419

Brief Plot Summary

It’s 1845 and Nory Ryan’s Family is on the brink of starvation on the west coast of Ireland. After the potato crops fail food becomes scare. The people of Maidlin Bay become increasingly desperate. Meanwhile, Nory becomes in debt to the fearsome Anna, a healer. In the process of working her debt away Nory and Anna learn from each other and become unlikely friends. Nory’s friends and family leave the bay either for America or for the afterlife. This heart-wrenching tale ends ambiguously, but happily.

Critical Analysis

The protagonist, Nory, may have the maturity of someone beyond her years becomes of the harsh conditions of life at the time. But she has her moments that make readers readily identify with her. One event in particular is when she and her sister argue over their mother’s comb. They pull on it in opposite directions and it breaks in half.

The plot of this story is brutally real. Readers agonize and rush to the end enduring detailed descriptions of changing starving bodies. We can understand why they gag through the smell of rotten potatoes. We wince when Nory’s face is scratched by the bird when she steals eggs. Death is abundant and life is cruel.

Readers fondly dance through the landscape of Maidlin Bay. Frequently Giff paints scene for the audience to visualize. “It was a beautiful day, the sea laid out flat and gray, and in the back of me the sun coming up over the cliffs” (p. 110). We learn the texture of blades of grass on the edge of the beach. We feel the warm comfort of Nory’s home where a fire is always burning, or at least smoldering.

Determination and loyalty are the major themes of this book. Nory grows up before our eyes as she makes sacrifice after sacrifice for her friends and family. Nory maintains a sense of humanity when so many around her do not. She has a character greater than most adults.

Irish vocabulary and accents create the voice of this book. A glossary at the beginning features frequently used words from the Irish language. Readers can easily refer to it when the vocabulary comes up. The chosen words are used repeatedly driving the meaning home.

Review Excerpt(s)

“The finely paced novel balances the physical and emotional horrors of famine--described in visceral detail--with Nory's courage and intelligence, the love she has for her family, and her close friendship with Sean, a local boy.” - Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Sep. 15, 2000 (Vol. 97, No. 2))

“This powerful first-person narrative, sprinkled throughout with Celtic terms, captures the rhythm and sound of Irish speech.” - Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature)

Awards

Golden Kite Award, 2001 Honor Book Fiction United States

Parents' Choice Award, 2000 Gold Fiction United States

Connections

Discussion Questions by Multnomah County Library:
https://multcolib.org/nory-ryans-song

Random House Teaching Guide:

http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780440418290&view=tg

Historical Fiction- DEAD END IN NORVELT by Jack Gantos

Bibliographic Data

Dead End In Norvelt

By Jack Gantos Read by Jack Gantos

MacMillan Audio ©2011

ISBN: 9781427213563

Brief Plot Summary

Jack Gantos is a young boy growing up in Norvelt, Pennsylvania during the 60’s. This story follows his summer of being grounded for firing his father’s Japanese rifle. He’s only escape is when he goes to Ms. Volker’s house to help her with an unusual chore, writing obituaries. It is a fictional autobiography of sorts.

Critical Analysis

The protagonist, Jack, relates to readers of today. He is grounded and must finish chore after chore. His best friend Bunny guilt trips him for not spending time with her. He speaks like children do today, starting sentences with, “hey” and exclaiming, “whaaaat?” Jack Gantos reads for the audio book version of this story. It is likely that he mimics cadence and does impressions close to the real thing. The era of this story comes through. Readers find Jack waiting next to the telephone for Ms. Volker call. Also he drives a car at 13 while taking paid jobs, which is clearly illegal these days.

Set in a small dying town of Norvelt during the sixties, the reader is explicitly told histories of the city through Ms. Volker’s obituaries and rants. She speaks freely about her political views. Readers find that Jack’s mother has a similar disposition in that she thinks there should be help for the less fortunate. Films Jack watches and history books he recounts depict world relations of the time, particularly post WWII relations with the Japanese.

The people of Norvelt were a metaphor for the city of Norvelt. The elderly were near death. The old women as a collection were almost gone. People left just as the homes were being sent away. Dead End in Norvelt is a story about the death of a town.

The plot of this story is not sugar coated. Gantos speaks of death honestly and frequently. He describes dead bodies, drunk people behaving badly, fear of the Hell’s Angels, and his alarming nose bleeds.

Gantos portrayed strong values in this book. Readers found a deep political divide of what life should be. He shows us how history is important making his audience want to protect people and history. How many times did he say that history repeats itself? He also demonstrates a respect for elders in his protagonist. Jack dropped anything, even being with his best friend, to help Ms. Volker. He looked out for her and respected her.

One of the most important aspects of historical fiction is its authenticity. In the interview at the end of the audiobook Jack Gantos says that all the facts about Norvelt are true as well as the information on Eleanor Roosevelt, whom the town was named after. This story is fixated on history. The reader senses Gantos’ sincere passion for it.

Review Excerpt(s)

“Looking for a great audiobook for boys? This is it.” - Jenn Dowell (Audiofile, September 2011)

“Jack makes a tremendously entertaining tour guide and foil for the town's eccentric citizens, and his warmhearted but lightly antagonistic relationship with his folks makes for some memorable one-upmanship.” - Ian Chipman (Booklist, Aug. 1, 2011 (Vol. 107, No. 22))

Awards

Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, 2012 Longlist United Kingdom

John Newbery Medal, 2012 Winner United States

School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2012 Nominee United States

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 2012 Winner United States

Connections

Jack Gantos’ Official Website:

http://www.jackgantos.com/

Farrar, Straus and Giroux lesson plans:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/macmillan/DeadEndBG.pdf

Along with discussion of this book read picture books about Eleanor Roosevelt, such as:

A Picture Book of Eleanor Roosevelt by David Adler

Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pan Munoz Ryan

Historical Fiction- WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary D Schmidt

Bibliographic Data

Wednesday Wars

By Gary D. Schmidt Read by Joel Johnstone

Scholastic Audiobooks ©2007

ISBN: 9780439925013

Brief Plot Summary

Holling Hoodhood is the son of a cold architect and the brother of a teenage flower child in 1967. On Wednesdays when his classmates go to their religious lessons, Holling spends his afternoons with Mrs. Baker who’s husband is M.I.A. in Vietnam. At first they seem to be adversaries they grow closer together as Mrs. Baker teaches him Shakespeare and how to run like an athlete. The story concludes with the year-end camping trip and Mrs. Baker’s husband is found.

Critical Analysis

Children’s historical fiction should have a protagonist that readers can identify with. Holling Hoodhood is not popular, but he is not a social reject either. He faced many obstacles kids today face like mean teachers, bullying, and homework. However the era is evidenced through his daily life. He listens to the radio for entertainment. The politics his sister and father argue over are of the times. One of his school chores is to clean chalk board erasers.  

Also the style of the story is of this era. Hollings voice, especially on the audio of this book is reminiscent of the Wonder Years television show. His voice is naïve, cynical, introspective, and dense with hyperbole. It also shows his kind character. He frequently gives people benefit of the doubt.

The type of historical fiction this story is is United States historical fiction. The plot of this story does not sugar coat the tumultuous year of 1967 and its sensitive issues. Holling recounts tearful moments such as Mrs. Bigio losing her husband in Vietnam, his family mourning the death of President Kennedy, and the cruelty Mai Thi faced. Holling is frank and genuine as he describes the screams and facial expressions in this emotional, but also happy story.

Wednesday Wars boasts strong themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Holling was loyal to his sister when she becomes stranded in another city. Determined, he found money and brought her home himself. Mrs. Baker sacrifices her time with good deeds for other military wives as well as her students, particularly Holling. Mai Thi and Mrs. Bigio achingly forgive each other and end up living together.

Authenticity is an important characteristic of historical fiction. This story has a good amount of facts that are verifiable. We know that refugees from Vietnam were brought to the United States during the Vietnam War. We know when Kennedy was assassinated. People are still around from that era so the author could easily gather information on the period.

Review Excerpt(s)

“Holling's unwavering, distinctive voice offers a gentle, hopeful, moving story of a boy who, with the right help, learns to stretch beyond the limitations of his family, his violent times, and his fear, as he leaps into his future with his eyes and his heart wide open.” -Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Jun. 1, 2007 (Vol. 103, No. 19))

“This story interweaves the issues of the period with grace and power, resulting in historical fiction both entertaining and endearing.” -Janice DeLong (Children's Literature)

“Schmidt has a way of getting to the emotional heart of every scene without overstatement, allowing the reader and Holling to understand the great truths swirling around them on their own terms.” -Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 10))

Awards

Books of the Year, 2007 Winner Favorite Middle Grade Novel United States

Cybil Award, 2007 Finalist Young Adult Fiction United States

International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Honor List, 2010 Honour List Writer Canada

John Newbery Medal, 2008 Honor Book United States

Connections

Gary D. Schmidt’s Official Website:

http://www.hmhbooks.com/schmidt/

Read excerpts pertaining to reading Shakespeare. Act out choice scenes or simply read lines aloud casting different readers as characters.