The Fallen by Paul Langan
ISBN: 978-0-545-45019-5
Langan, P. (2007). Shattered. New York: Scholastic.
Plot Summary
Martin has had an impossible year. First, his beloved younger brother is shot in a senseless drive-by. Second, his mother moves them to a new neighborhood and new school for a fresh start. Third, it’s the second week of school and Martin already has an enemy in Steve, a star athlete. Fourth, he finds out the shooter was aiming for his former friend and gang member Frankie. Fifth, Martin has just been expelled from Bluford High. Sixth, Frankie wants to kill him. The only bright spot in his life is Vicky, a girl in school who seems to see the real him. However, Martin has pushed her away, afraid for her safety with Steve and Frankie in his life. Officer Ramirez, a friend of Martin’s mother, has offered to help Martin, but can he really trust a cop?
When Martin is given the chance to speak to the superintendent about his behavior the last two weeks Martin has a choice. Should he confess all, telling about Steve’s bullying behavior, Frankie’s threats, and the real reason behind his brother’s shooting? Or does he play the tough guy, where nothing bothers him, and hope his silence buys his life?
Critical Evaluation
Written for middle and high school “struggling” readers, The Bluford High series fills this role well. The Fallen is number 11 in the series and is a companion to #9. However, it can be read as a stand-alone. Although it examines violent situations, such as a drive-by shooting, gangs, and death, the language is less graphic when compared to other “urban lit” novels, and is appropriate for this age group. The vocabulary is low level, in keeping with the use for “struggling” readers; the dialogue uses slang and only mild profanity. The characters are well-developed (considering the short length of the book) and the reader will be sympathetic to Martin for all his challenges, even though some of which are self-imposed through poor choices. This book could also be categorized as a morality tale and used to show students how to make good decisions. Martin is faced with a difficult decision, and he carefully weighs his options. He is portrayed as mistrusting police officers, like many in his community, and this fits within the wider narrative of the series. Past experiences, When he chooses to speak out it is handled realistically.
Reader’s Annotation
Forming budding gang member Martin recounts the last two weeks of his life as he stands in front of the school’s superintendent, trying to stop his expulsion.
About the Author
Paul Langan began writing with the Bluford series after working for Townsend Press. He has written or co-written eleven of the novels. Many of the stories draw from his personal experiences of growing up without a father and the struggles teenagers face in high school.
Born in Philadelphia, Paul Langan moved to New Jersey with his mother as a child. He attended public schools and held a number of unusual jobs, attendant at a horse ranch, a night-shift stockperson, and a landscaper at a mental hospital. He attended Camden County College for a year before transferring to La Salle University. Langan majored in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. During college he had a Kenyan roommate. He travelled to his friend’s home country, worked as a prison tutor, and found his call to writing. After graduation, Langan was hired by Townsend Press as an Assistant Editor. He taught college English classes as well as contributing to textbooks with TP. Langan recently finished a Master’s in Education from University of Pennsylvania and lives near Philadelphia.
Genre
Street Lit/Realistic Fiction/Social Issues
Curriculum Ties
Social Issues- friendship
Booktalking
Did Martin take the right course of action?
Is Martin right to be so suspicious of police officers?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 6th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Realistic themes including bullying, gangs, and murders may be concerning to some.
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 Bluford High novels are written at a lower reading level, but contain more mature subject matter. They are particularly attractive to slower or lower-level readers who still want books about people their age.
Others in the Series
Bluford High (Books #1-20)
References
Scholastic. (2013). Biography: Paul langan. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/paul-langan
ISBN: 978-0-545-45019-5
Langan, P. (2007). Shattered. New York: Scholastic.
Plot Summary
Martin has had an impossible year. First, his beloved younger brother is shot in a senseless drive-by. Second, his mother moves them to a new neighborhood and new school for a fresh start. Third, it’s the second week of school and Martin already has an enemy in Steve, a star athlete. Fourth, he finds out the shooter was aiming for his former friend and gang member Frankie. Fifth, Martin has just been expelled from Bluford High. Sixth, Frankie wants to kill him. The only bright spot in his life is Vicky, a girl in school who seems to see the real him. However, Martin has pushed her away, afraid for her safety with Steve and Frankie in his life. Officer Ramirez, a friend of Martin’s mother, has offered to help Martin, but can he really trust a cop?
When Martin is given the chance to speak to the superintendent about his behavior the last two weeks Martin has a choice. Should he confess all, telling about Steve’s bullying behavior, Frankie’s threats, and the real reason behind his brother’s shooting? Or does he play the tough guy, where nothing bothers him, and hope his silence buys his life?
Critical Evaluation
Written for middle and high school “struggling” readers, The Bluford High series fills this role well. The Fallen is number 11 in the series and is a companion to #9. However, it can be read as a stand-alone. Although it examines violent situations, such as a drive-by shooting, gangs, and death, the language is less graphic when compared to other “urban lit” novels, and is appropriate for this age group. The vocabulary is low level, in keeping with the use for “struggling” readers; the dialogue uses slang and only mild profanity. The characters are well-developed (considering the short length of the book) and the reader will be sympathetic to Martin for all his challenges, even though some of which are self-imposed through poor choices. This book could also be categorized as a morality tale and used to show students how to make good decisions. Martin is faced with a difficult decision, and he carefully weighs his options. He is portrayed as mistrusting police officers, like many in his community, and this fits within the wider narrative of the series. Past experiences, When he chooses to speak out it is handled realistically.
Reader’s Annotation
Forming budding gang member Martin recounts the last two weeks of his life as he stands in front of the school’s superintendent, trying to stop his expulsion.
About the Author
Paul Langan began writing with the Bluford series after working for Townsend Press. He has written or co-written eleven of the novels. Many of the stories draw from his personal experiences of growing up without a father and the struggles teenagers face in high school.
Born in Philadelphia, Paul Langan moved to New Jersey with his mother as a child. He attended public schools and held a number of unusual jobs, attendant at a horse ranch, a night-shift stockperson, and a landscaper at a mental hospital. He attended Camden County College for a year before transferring to La Salle University. Langan majored in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. During college he had a Kenyan roommate. He travelled to his friend’s home country, worked as a prison tutor, and found his call to writing. After graduation, Langan was hired by Townsend Press as an Assistant Editor. He taught college English classes as well as contributing to textbooks with TP. Langan recently finished a Master’s in Education from University of Pennsylvania and lives near Philadelphia.
Genre
Street Lit/Realistic Fiction/Social Issues
Curriculum Ties
Social Issues- friendship
Booktalking
Did Martin take the right course of action?
Is Martin right to be so suspicious of police officers?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 6th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Realistic themes including bullying, gangs, and murders may be concerning to some.
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 Bluford High novels are written at a lower reading level, but contain more mature subject matter. They are particularly attractive to slower or lower-level readers who still want books about people their age.
Others in the Series
Bluford High (Books #1-20)
References
Scholastic. (2013). Biography: Paul langan. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/paul-langan
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