The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic by Allan Wolf
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3703-3
Wolf, A. (2011). The watch that ends the night: Voices from the titanic.  Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Plot Summary
Told in verse, the lives of 24 passengers onboard the Titanic and the iceberg they hit, are traced during the week they were traveling on “The Greatest Ship Ever Built.”  Passengers include some of the famous and infamous.  Margaret Brown, later to be known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” John Jacob Astor, and Thomas Andrews are among the famous, while Bruce Ismay is an infamous.  Then there are the children, Lolo and Frankie Goldsmith, who form a kind of club on the ship.  The rat scurries along, concerned only with finding food and avoiding capture. The iceberg is the most ominous, as it beckons the ship every closer.  Love stories blossom between Jamila and another passenger.  The background stories of passengers and why they are on the fated ocean liner are mentioned, as the characters themselves speak about their experiences.  Interspersed between the days leading up to the disaster are newspaper reports and the undertaker’s notes.  There are few surprises as to what happens at the end, some die and some are saved. 

Critical Evaluation

Written in a free-verse narrative structure, The Watch That Ends the Night provides a lyrical note to the Titanic tragedy, but is no less dramatic or tragic.  Through the poetry, one senses a sort of romantic feel to the characters, their lives, and reasons for traveling, which makes it all the more difficult to know some will die by the end of the book.  It is a novel, but Wolf uses real people who sailed on the Titanic, some famous, others forgotten by time, but all were affected by the sinking.  The voice of the rat can be irritating at times “food/food/scurry/scurry,” but his single-mindedness realizes the will of living beings to survive.  The most ominous of the characters is undoubtedly the iceberg, as it waits for a ship to cross its path.  In the end, it is reduced to nothing as it melts, much like the lives lost over 100 years ago.  The sheer number of characters makes remembering who is who a bit difficult in the beginning.  A list of characters helps with the confusion, and their unique voices eventually lead to remembering individual storylines.  The inclusion of summary biographies, references, and factual material in the appendices will leave readers both satisfied and questioning.  Satisfied that there is an ending to the story, and questioning how the disaster could have been prevented. 

Reader’s Annotation
The story of the Titanic told by 24 different characters in verse.  Who lives and who dies?

About the Author
Allan Wolf was born in 1963 in Storrs, Connecticut.  His family moved to Virginia, and he attended all his education, from elementary to graduate school in Blacksburg, Virginia.  Wolf attended Virginia Tech University and earned a bachelors and Master’s in English.  Although a poet at a young age, Wolf holds his life as a writer began when he was twelve, and started writing on his bedroom walls as a sort of diary.  After earning his Master’s, he taught college composition at his alma mater, but left to join Poetry Alive!, a traveling poet troupe.  His experiences with Poetry Alive! and schools led Wolf to begin writing books for children.  He usually writes longhand, and quickly and inaccurately types it later. 

Wolf has written seven books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults and children.  He has earned several honors including a School Library Journal Best Book and ALA Best Books for Young Adults.  His interest to poetry is not solely in writing; Wolf has memorized hundreds of poems.  Wolf is married, has three children, and lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Genre
Historical Fiction/Action & Adventure

Curriculum Ties
Titanic

Booktalking
In the point of view of one of the characters, pretend it is 50 years after the sinking, and what your life is like now.

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade           
IL: 9th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues may include the point of view of the rat and iceberg.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
The 100th anniversary of the Titanic was last year, and there is still immense interest in the disaster.

Others in the Series
N/A

References
Wolf, A. (n.d.). Biography.  Retrieved from http://allanwolf.com/bio.htm

A Soldier’s Secret: The Incredible True Story of Sarah Edmonds, Civil War Hero by Marissa Moss
ISBN:  978-1-41970-4277
Moss, M. (2012).  A soldier’s secret: The incredible true story of sarah edmonds, civil war hero.  New York: Amulet Books.

Plot Summary
Sarah Emma Edmonds was born in Canada to a farmer and his wife.  She had a sickly brother who was unable to work in the fields, so Sarah took over the responsibility of working with her father.  Mr. Edmonds was abusive to his wife and son, but never mistreated his daughter.  When Sarah was fourteen, her father sold her favorite horse to a neighboring farmer.  Sarah was devastated and slept in the barn.  Two years later Sarah’s father told her he had arranged a marriage between Sarah and the man who purchased her horse, an old man.  This strengthened Sarah’s resolve and she ran away, disguising herself as a boy and named herself Frank Thompson.  Sarah’s travels took her to the United States where she convinced a storekeeper to hire her as a travelling salesman.  She was happy with this job until the Civil War began and Sarah knew she had to join the Union cause.  Much of the continuing novel is about Sarah’s time in the army.  While a soldier, she served as a battlefield nurse, regular soldier, mail carrier, personal secretary, and spy.  Sarah was captured by the Confederates, and had a few close calls about her gender, but always managed to keep her secret.  As Frank, she made close friends for the first time in her life, and found it increasingly difficult to keep Sarah to herself.  As the war drags on, and she falls in love with a fellow soldier, will Sarah make it to the end and see the Union victory?

Critical Evaluation

A moving novel based on the real-life experiences of Sarah Emma Edmonds.  Moss used Edmonds’ autobiography and other first-person documents to create a convincing first-person narrative of a woman living as a man and fighting in the Civil War.  The first-person point-of-view serves to make Edmonds a relatable individual despite her living over 150 years ago.  Her daily worries of being discovered as a woman and her friendships with fellow soldiers are all the more meaningful in first-person.  As Edmonds learns about war, friendships, and enemies, the reader is right beside her.  Realistic in the portrayal of wartime atrocities, Moss never goes so far as to be gratuitous.  Amputations, illness, pain, and death were a daily experience of Civil War soldiers, and are presented as realities in a way appropriate for a young adult novel.  Appendices include letters, timelines, and photographs to illustrate the historical nature of the novel.  Readers will also appreciate character biographies that explain who the real person was, and what really happened to them after the war.  Some battle descriptions were a bit long, but in a novel about war, were a necessary aspect.  A woman born before her time, Edmonds was a brave and loyal individual, dedicated to her adoptive country and people.

Reader’s Annotation
Sarah Emma Edmonds decides to dress as a man, call herself Frank Thompson, and join the Union Army during the Civil War.  Acting as a soldier, nurse, mail carrier, and spy will she be able to keep her secret?

About the Author
Marissa Moss sent her first book to publishers when she was nine, but it was rejected.  She tried again as an adult and had to wait five years before one of her stories was accepted.  Moss has now written over 40 books, and continues to writes.  She is most well known for her Amelia’s Notebook series in which a grade school student chronicles her life in black-and-white composition notebooks.  Amelia was not planned as a series, but it was so popular Moss decided to write more.  Moss typically writes for elementary-aged students, and A Soldier’s Secret is her first novel for young adults.

Marissa Moss has loved writing and drawing since she was a young child.  She was born in Pennsylvania, but moved to southern California when she was two.  Moss attended San Jose State University and studied art, but disagreed with the teachers and their philosophies.  She transferred to the University of California, Berkeley and changed her major to history.  She credits these classes as teaching her how to research, very helpful for her historical books.  After graduating, Moss took classes at the California College of Arts and Crafts, but it was too expensive and time-consuming to complete another degree.  Moss waited tables for a while until her first book was accepted, and considers herself fortunate to have made a career out of writing.

Genre
Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties
Civil War/Women’s History

Booktalking
Frank Thompson has a secret, a big one.  He is a soldier, mail carrier, and spy for the Union Army.  Frank Thompson is also female. 

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 8th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include a female disguising herself as a man.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
I felt I needed more historical fiction books, and I enjoyed Marissa Moss’ Amelia series when I was younger.

Others in the Series
N/A

References
Moss, M. (n.d.). Marissa moss: Author-illustrator.  Retrieved from http://www.marissamoss.com/abouttheauthor.php

Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9266-0
Gier, K. (2012). Sapphire blue.  (A. Bell, Trans.).  New York: Henry Holt and Company.  (Original work published 2010)

Plot Summary
After discovering she, and not her cousin Charlotte, has the time-traveling gene Gwyneth’s life has been much more complicated.  Gideon, her time-traveling partner, is gorgeous, but Gwen is unsure of his feelings towards her.  One day he’s kissing her, the next he’s ignoring her completely.  Gwen also is not sure why her cousin Lucy and Gideon’s cousin Paul are considered traitors and stole the first chronograph.  Was it because they want the secret power of the chronograph for themselves, or is were they trying to protect someone?  On one trip to the past Gwen and Gideon attend an evening soiree where Gideon flirts with an older woman and Gwen drinks too much.  Their meeting with Count Saint-Germain is somewhat informative as Gwen learns of the Florentine Alliance, a group dedicated to killing the time-travelers.  During one of Gwen’s time-traveling episodes, she goes to 1947 and meets her grandfather.  After their initial surprise, the two compare information about Lucy and Paul, and what their potential motives might have been.  They form a plan and agree to discuss any new information they find.  Aunt Maddy has a vision about a ruby stone pushed over by a lion, and shattering into blood.  Gwen is shaken and believes she is the ruby and Gideon is the lion.  Soon after Gideon clumsily admits to Gwen that he is in love with her.  They leave on another time traveling trip with disastrous results.

Critical Evaluation
As with Ruby Red, Bell has translated so wonderfully that it does not seem to have been written in a language other than English.  The jokes and sarcasm come off as naturally as if a friend spoke them, and there are no awkward sentences or phrasing.  Sapphire Blue begins just minutes after Ruby Red, the first installment, ended.  Readers unfamiliar with the first novel will have a challenging time trying to keep up and understanding the time-traveling problem.  Gwen comes off convincingly as a sixteen-year-old girl. It is not the time-traveling that has her crying or talking about for hours, but a boy.  Like a regular teenager, life takes second place when a boy issue is at stake, and Gwen’s best friend is ready to listen.  Gwen’s mother also acts as a real mother, one who loves her children deeply and will do anything to keep them safe.  Though a major plot point, the time-traveling explanation remains elusive.  There is no convincing explanation of how or why it started, and the chronograph makes little sense.  The timing is also difficult to understand as characters in the past experience visits with Gwen linearly, but Gwen hops back-and-forth between time.  Despite these complications, Gier has written a captivating story with likeable characters and intriguing plot points.  Fans will be waiting eagerly for the last installment. 
 
Reader’s Annotation
Gwen and Gideon continue their time-traveling adventures and their feelings for each other grow. 

About the Author
Kerstin Gier is German and all information I could find was in German, but I used the translate feature.

Ruby red and the two sequels are Gier’s first youth adult fantasy novels.  It has been translated into seventeen languages include English, Spanish, Polish, and Norwegian.  Anthea Bell is the German to English translator.  Ruby Red has also been turned into a German-language film.  Before turning to young adult, Gier wrote 13 novels for adults.

She has enjoyed reading fantasy since childhood, but finally decided it was a good time.  Gier has published novels under the pseudonyms Jule Fire and Sophie Berard.  However, Gier now just writes under her own name.  She says she used to write more prolifically, but now just has need for one name.  Gier is married and has ason.  During book tours Gier’s mother takes care of her son.  Favorite authors include Nick Hornby, Marian Keyes, Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Stroud, and Antje Babendererde.  She lives in Bergisches Land on the western side of Germany.

Anthea Bell is a well-known translator.  Her most recognizable translation are Cornelia Funke’s children’s novels.  Other than English, Bell is fluent in German and French, and can also translate Danish, though she does not speak it.  Bell attended Oxford University and took a special English course on language development.  Bell was married at 21 and became a secretary.  By chance, someone asked if anyone read German and could give a publishing house an opinion on a German book.  From there, Bell began reading books in German and eventually turned to translating them.  She has won the Batchelder Award for book translations four times and has been honored an additional three.  Bell currently lives in England.

Genre
Fantasy/Romance

Curriculum Ties
History

Booktalking
Are Gideon’s feelings genuine and what is going on with Paul and Lucy?
What does Aunt Maddy’s vision means?

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 7th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues may include time travel and murderous threats.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
I loved Ruby Red and definitely needed to read the sequel right away and add it to this assignment.

Others in the Series
Ruby Red (Book #1)
Emerald Green (Book #3- Not yet translated into English)

References
Lear, Elizabeth (2011, May 19). Q & A with anthea bell. Publisher’s Weekly.  Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/47327-q-a-with-anthea-bell.html
Swiss, Tine. (2009, November 30). Interview with kerstin gier.  Tines World Books.  Retrieved from http://tinesbuecherwelt.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/interview-mit-kerstin-gier/

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
ISBN: 0-02-770130-1
Paulsen, G. (1987).  Hatchet. New York: Bradbury Press.
Read by Peter Coyote
Produced by Blane and DeRosa Productions Listening Library

Plot Summary
Brian Robeson’s parents are newly divorced and he is headed off on a small plane to visit his father in Canada.  The pilot suffers a heart attack and suddenly dies, leaving Brian alone to pilot the plane.  He manages to land suddenly, but is alone, out of range of the plane’s radio, without any resources.  Brian immediately despairs, but has a hatchet to help.  He makes a small shelter against a boulder and finds berries to pick and eat.  A few days after landing, a plane flies overhead, but leaves without seeing Brian.  Brian understands it was a search plane, and likely will not return.  He concentrates on making a bow and arrow as well as a spear for hunting.  Just as Brian is feeling comfortable and getting a handle on life a moose attacks him.  Days later a tornado hits and his shelter and food reserves are destroyed.  When Brian recovers he finds that the plane is now in the water, and remembers there is a survival pack.  What is in the survival pack?  Will there be food, a sleeping bag, a radio?

Critical Evaluation
Paulsen could easily have written a thrilling, fascinating adventure story about survival in the forest, but Hatchet is much more than that. Paulsen covers the dual themes of survival and isolation, both physical and emotional.  Just as Brian learns to survive in the wild forest he learns to survive his parents’ divorce.  This one-person story balances the adventure and survival aspect with Brian’s growth as a young man who is prepared to deal with the disintegration of his family.  Because of the divorce Brian has a self imposed emotional isolation from his parents as he does not want to reveal the hurt and anger he feels. Now, stranded on the island physical isolation threatens his life.  When Brian is rescued the reader will recognize that he has come to terms with both threats. He is no longer a whiny, helpless teen, but a stronger and more mature young man.

Coyote's reading of Hatchet is a solid effort.  There is not much need for varying voices and tones, but Coyote manages to make a one-person story interesting.  At times the reading sounded awkward and stilted, but it also may have been the written book not translating well to spoken narration.  The background music was often distracting and unnecessarily ominous.  The book is already dramatic enough without overdone music or background noise.  Individual chapters in the novel were not spoken, which created a flowing listening experience, but also made finding a stopping point difficult.  At the same time, track changes were seamless, preventing a break in the story.  Overall, an enjoyable audiobook that likely increased the suspense and investment to Brian.

Reader’s Annotation
After Brian crash lands in the wilderness, he must somehow learn how to survive alone until someone can save him.

About the Author/Reader
While working in California Paulsen realized he wanted to be a writer.  He quit his job and spent a year proofreading magazines in Hollywood.  Paulsen moved to the woods in Minnesota and wrote his first novel.  Hatchet came about from his survivalist experiences living in the woods.  He received so many letters from readers about the sudden ending in Hatchet that Paulsen decided to write Brian’s Winter, an alternate ending that continues Brian’s adventure in the wilderness.

Gary Paulsen was never a strong student, but after a visit to the library, he became a lifelong reader.  He ran away at 14 to join a carnival, and held a variety of jobs including engineer, construction worker, ranch hand, truck driver, and sailor.  Paulsen became interested in dog sled racing and participated in the Iditarod twice.  After becoming ill, Paulsen stopped racing and turned his efforts to writing instead.  He has written more than 175 books, 200 articles and short stories, has had three Newbery Honor books, and his books appear on American Library Association’s best book lists.  Paulsen is married to Ruth Wright Paulsen and live part-time in New Mexico and a boat.

Peter Coyote was born Rachmil Pinchus Ben Mosha Cohon in New York.  At sixteen, Coyote began acting classes at the Neighborhood Playhouse.  He attended Grinnell College and became an activist organizer.  He graduated with a BA in English Literature and then attended San Francisco State University for Creative Writing.  Coyote continued to be a part of San Francisco’s counter-culture.  In the late 1970s he returned to acting and has now been part of 70 films.  In the 80s, Coyote began doing voiceovers and won an Emmy in 1992.  Other than Hatchet, Coyote has read several other audiobooks.  Coyote has two adult children and married Stefanie Pleet in 2000. 

Genre
Action & Adventure/Survival
Audiobook

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Booktalking
Brian is fourteen, alone in the wilderness, without food, water, or shelter.  What does he do?

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 6th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include the survivalist and independence Brian experiences away from adults.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
I had never read Hatchet, but it is a popular book and on school reading lists in my area.  Additionally, it was a 1987 Newbury Honor.

Others in the Series
Brian’s Winter (Book #2- Alternate Ending)
The River (Book # 3)
Brian’s Return (Book #4)
Brian’s Hunt (Book #5)

References
Coyote, P.  (1998) Biography.  Retrieved from http://www.petercoyote.com/biography.html
Random House. (2004).  About gary.  Retrieved from http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/about.html

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
ISBN: 978-1-59514-584-0
Rhodes, M. (2012). Falling kingdoms.  New York: Razorbill.

Plot Summary
Princess Cleo, her soon-to-be-betrothed Aron, friend Mira, and bodyguard Theon are from the wealthy sourthern kingdom Auranos.  While on a trip, Aron wants to buy good Paelsia wine, the middle kingdom known for its superior wine, but nothing else.  Unfortunately, their bartering turns into murder as Aron stabs the wine seller’s eldest son Tomas.  The Auranos party hurriedly returns to their ship as Jonas, Tomas’ younger brother, vows vengeance.  Gaius Damora, a cruel and demanding man, is king of the northern kingdom Limeros.  Sixteen years previously he called upon his mistress to kidnap Lucia, a baby, whom he has raised as his daughter.  According to prophesies, Lucia should be a sorceress, and the key to Limeros’ future.  Meanwhile, the mythical Watchers live in their world away from the kingdoms, but it has begun to decay, much like Paelsia and Limeros.  Young Watchers are able to transform into hawks and watch the humans, as Alexius has been told to do.  Gaius, greedy and unhappy, and his son Magnus join forces with the Paelsian chief Hugo Basilius with the intent of invading Auranos. Meanwhile, Cleo’s sister is very ill and can only be healed with magic seeds.  With the help of the squire Nic, Cleo ventures into Paelsia in search of the seeds.  While searching, Cleo is captured by Jonas.  Paelsia and Limeros invade Auranos with disastrous consequences, and it becomes even clearer that King Gaius is not to be trusted.

Critical Evaluation
Written in four different points-of-view by four of the main teenage characters creates early confusion.  That, combined with three different settings, and a large cast of characters makes the beginning rather bogged down with information.  Favorite characters will be quickly determined, and the other viewpoints, while necessary and important, serve to slow down the narrative until the favorites return.  The lists of characters at the beginning might be useful pages to photocopy and jot down notes until readers become more familiar with the details.  With the introductions finished, Falling Kingdoms becomes a fantastic read with complex plot details, multifaceted characters with their own agendas, and a complete new world fill with its own difficulties and successes.  The death toll is exceedingly high, as several secondary characters are killed or die.  In particular, one love interest is killed minutes after declaring his feelings for the princess and she reciprocates.  This shocking development hits readers that all is fair in war, and no character is safe.  A possible incestual love infatuation may cause some to stop reading in disgust and horror, but it serves to explain character motives and actions.  The interesting plot and captivating characters make Falling Kingdoms a great read and leaves readers eager for the next one.

Reader’s Annotation
Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are four teenagers living in three different kingdoms.  Their lives are about to intersect as their actions, and the actions of their parents, lead to war, kidnapping, murder, and intrigue. 

About the Author
Morgan Rhodes is a pseudonym used by Michelle Rowen for her young adult novels.  Michelle Rowen writes paranormal romances, young adult fantasy, and urban fantasy.  She has won awards for her vampire romances and first novel.  Falling Kingdoms is Rowen’s first high fantasy novel.

Rowen currently lives in Southern Ontario with her two cats.  She enjoys travelling, reality TV, photography, and reading.  Before deciding on becoming an author, Rowen wanted to be a self-sufficient princess who used swords and saved princes from fire-breathing dragons. 

Genre
Fantasy/Action & Adventure

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Booktalking
Discussion of Lucia, Magnus, Jonas, and Cleo, different teens, different countries, all connected.
Justify Jonas’ quest for vengeance

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 8th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues may include the use of magic, a hint of an incestual relationship, and war.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
I love fantasy, probably my favorite genre, and I loved Falling Kingdoms.

Others in the Series
Rebel Spring (Book #2 Released Fall 2013)

References
Razorbill. (2012). Author. Retrieved from http://www.fallingkingdoms.com/author.html
Rowan, M. (2013). About michelle. Retrieved from
http://www.michellerowen.com/bio/

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9252-3
Gier, K. (2011).  Ruby red.  (A. Bell, Trans.).  New York: Henry Holt and Company.  (Original work published 2009)

Plot Summary
Gwen has been waiting for the day her cousin Charlotte will time travel.  At sixteen, it should be very soon; the telltale headaches are present, and Charlotte’s training nearly complete.  Their family has a special time travel gene that manifests in individuals born on certain days, at least according to Sir Isaac Newton.  By all accounts, Gwen was born on the wrong day, so why is she getting headaches too?  While running an errand, Gwen suddenly feels dizzy, she collapses, and when she rises the entire street has been transformed.  The clothing is different, the cars are different, the flowers are different.  There has been a mistake.  Charlotte, with all her training, is not the one with the time travel gene, but Gwen, the less intelligent, less popular, less prepared cousin.  Gwen’s mother quickly takes her to the Lodge of Count Saint-Germain, the secret society for time travelers and their keepers.  The switch is rather a shock to everyone, especially eighteen-year-old Gideon.  An experienced time traveler, Gideon has been collecting blood for a chronograph from all the deceased travelers to complete an old prophecy.  He does not like that a new girl without training is his traveling partner.  Not trusting Gideon, or any of these new people, Gwen does not tell anyone she is able to see and communicate with ghosts.  Gwen and Gideon travel to the 18th century, but are nearly murdered.  Gwen learns there is some conspiracy with the chronograph, and her cousin Lucy stole one and disappeared to prevent the prophecy from happening.

Critical Evaluation
Until now, Gwen’s most pressing concerns were high school, her perfect cousin Charlotte, and boys, a thoroughly normal teenage girl.  Gwen has moments of brilliance, but is happiest gossiping with her best friend and acting silly.  Other than the time-traveling gene and communicating with ghosts, Gwen is a completely normal teenager, a rarity now with genius intelligence or super strength, witty and sarcastic dialogue, or any of the other unlikely traits bestowed upon teenage girls.  She is a rather refreshing protagonist who does not understand the position she is in or what to do about it, but has a remarkable ability to keep it all in stride.  Some of the time-traveling explanations become a bit wordy and detailed, but the plot remains intriguing enough to just bypass the slower parts.  Gwen has a dedicated mother, her father is deceased, and is remarkably kind to her younger sister and brother.  She understands who her true friends are, and which family members to confide in and trust.  For a recent time-traveler, Gwen refuses to fall into hysterics and decides to use her own strengths to survive.  She is shrewder than her family or the secret alliance realizes, and waits to pass judgment until she knows something for sure.  Overshadowed by her cousin, Gwen will finally have her opportunity to show her family just how special she really is.  Time-traveling, an engaging heroine, and a love interest combine to make this trilogy an entertaining read.

Reader’s Annotation
Gwen finds out she, not her cousin, has the time traveling gene, she travels three times in two days, is nearly murdered, and is able to talk to ghosts.  If that’s not enough, she has a grumpy, but hot time travel partner, and it’s up to them to complete a prophecy.

About the Author
Kerstin Gier is German and all information I could find was in German, but I used the translate feature.

Ruby red and the two sequels are Gier’s first youth adult fantasy novels.  It has been translated into seventeen languages include English, Spanish, Polish, and Norwegian.  Anthea Bell is the German to English translator.  Ruby Red has also been turned into a German-language film.  Before turning to young adult, Gier wrote 13 novels for adults.

She has enjoyed reading fantasy since childhood, but finally decided it was a good time.  Gier has published novels under the pseudonyms Jule Fire and Sophie Berard.  However, Gier now just writes under her own name.  She says she used to write more prolifically, but now just has need for one name.  Gier is married and has ason.  During book tours Gier’s mother takes care of her son.  Favorite authors include Nick Hornby, Marian Keyes, Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Stroud, and Antje Babendererde.  She lives in Bergisches Land on the western side of Germany.

Anthea Bell is a well-known translator.  Her most recognizable translation are Cornelia Funke’s children’s novels.  Other than English, Bell is fluent in German and French, and cal also translate Danish, though she does not speak it.  Bell attended Oxford University and took a special English course on language development.  Bell was married at 21 and became a secretary.  By chance, someone asked if anyone read German and could give a publishing house an opinion on a German book.  From there, Bell began reading books in German and eventually turned to translating them.  She has won the Batchelder Award for book translations four times and has been honored an additional three.  Bell currently lives in England.

Genre
Fantasy/Action & Adventure

Curriculum Ties
History

Booktalking
What time period would you most want to travel to?
What are some potential problems you would face?

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 8th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues may include the fantastical element of time travel and brief instances of profanity.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
I love fantasy and historical fiction.  Combining the two sounded like a great idea, and it was!

Others in the Series
Sapphire Blue (Book #2)
Emerald Green (Book #3- Not yet translated into English)

References
Lear, Elizabeth (2011, May 19). Q & A with anthea bell. Publisher’s Weekly.  Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/47327-q-a-with-anthea-bell.html
Swiss, Tine. (2009, November 30). Interview with kerstin gier.  Tines World Books.  Retrieved from http://tinesbuecherwelt.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/interview-mit-kerstin-gier/