“The Tale of Despereaux,” by Kate DiCamillo

“The Tale of Despereaux,” by Kate DiCamillo is a Newbery Award Medal winning tale about a young mouse who is in love with a human princess. From the day he was born his parents knew that something was wrong with Despereaux. Most mouse babies are born with their eyes closed, but Despereaux was born with his eyes wide open. He was also the runt of the litter, much smaller than all the other mice. And his ears were ridiculously large! Despereaux’s parent were sure that he would die soon after birth. But to their surprise Despereaux does survive, though he grows up to be very different from other mice. Read the rest »

“The Giver,” by Lois Lowry

“The Giver,” by Lois Lowry is a Newberry Award Medal science fiction novel about a boy living in a Utopian community of the future. It is designed to be read in parallel with “Gathering Blue” and “Messenger.”

Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a world that is seemingly perfect. There is no conflict, war, poverty or suffering. Everyone seems to be happy, respecting each other and working together. Everyone is employed, working special jobs chosen by elders who have observed them for years to determine their strengths.

In Jonas community there is a annual ceremony in which the twelve year olds are assigned the special jobs that they will work for the rest of their lives. Read the rest »