Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World

Montgomery, Sy. 2014. Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World. Clarion Books. New York, NY. ISBN 978-0544339095

PLOT SUMMARY

In this biography about the writer, scientist, and engineer Temple Grandin, the author describes what it is to grow up with autism. Temple’s parents knew she was different ever since she was a little girl. She was unable to speak until she was close to five years old and would have temper tantrums unlike children her age. She would become over stimulated with loud sounds, sharp odors, or when someone would try to touch her. However, she was creative and enjoyed building contraptions and projects. She also enjoyed spending time with horses and cattle since she believed they had feelings like hers. After having serious panic attacks as a teenager, she noticed how cows would calm down in a chute contraption in her uncle’s ranch. She decided to crawl into the chute where she discovered it also made her feel at peace. This became her life’s goal, to help animals all over the world and fight for their rights in the livestock industry. She became a writer and a professor and uses her voice to protect animals and encourage those with autism to succeed. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This biography was written in chronological order with flashbacks into Temple Grandin’s early life. She places emphasis on the different struggles she had to deal with growing up. Her inability to communicate at an early age led to many others believing she was mentally unstable. She also described situations where she knew she was different from her friends. She recounts times in her life where others would call her names and how that made her feel. Her anxiety played a big role in developing a close relationship with farm animals, since she felt they also had fears and that no one understood them. Her involvement in the livestock industry, and her persistence in creating change for them allowed her to voice her concerns. The book has great pictures of Temple as a child and later as she began to develop her engineering projects. The way she describes how she saw in pictures, makes her ideas come to life. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Horn Book– "Montgomery's book not only tells the powerful story of one amazing woman's life journey, but also has the potential to help readers understand autistic people and animals."

Kirkus- "A well written, admiring and thought-provoking portrait."

CONNECTIONS

• This biography encourages all people with learning disabilities or differences to focus on their individual talents and creativity to overcome obstacles.

Other related books:

• Odd Girl Out  by Laura James

• The Way I see It  by Temple Grandin

Activity: Have students research great inventors and scientists who were diagnosed with autism

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Free Lunch

Ogle, Rex. 2021. Free Lunch. Norton Young Readers. New York, NY .ISBN 978-1324016946

PLOT SUMMARY

Rex Ogle recounts the hardships he experienced growing up in poverty. As a sixth grade student, Rex wants to do what all other six graders do. He wants to spend time with his friends, play football, and enjoy his afternoons. However, what hardly anyone in his circle of friends realizes is that Rex is extremely poor and lives in a battered apartment with abusive parents. His mother is always accusing him of things, and never offers a kind word to him. His stepfather and mother have a troubled relationship which only makes matters worse. No matter how much Rex tries to understand his mother, he feels anger and bitterness against her, and sometimes feels his mother only has resentment feelings towards him. His only salvation is his grandmother, who unfortunately lives a few hours away.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this heart wrenching memoir Rex is authentic in sharing his innermost feelings with the reader. His emotions are raw and as a teenager, often appear extreme. A theme that resonates throughout the book is that of poverty. Rex hates that he is part 

of the free lunch program at his school, and is embarrassed to accept this situation in front of his friends. He takes care of his younger brother, cleans the house, and tries to help out as much as he can, but nothing seems to make his mother content. The problem of eviction and living in subsidized housing is present in the story. Yet, what is most present is the theme of abuse and domestic violence. 

REVIEWS

Kirkus Review- “A mighty portrait of poverty amid cruelty and optimism.”

School Library Journal- “Heart-wrenching, timely, and beautifully written.”

Booklist- “ Rich in lived experience.”

Awards:

• 2020 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award

CONNECTIONS

• This book reminds readers of the struggles millions of students across America experience from poverty and family abuse.

Other related books:

• Roam  by C.H. Armstrong

• And Then Boom!  by Lisa Fipps

Activity: Research about poverty in America and students who overcome this and persevere. 

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Impossible Escape

Sheinkin, Steve. 2023. Impossible Escape. Roaring Brook Press. New York, NY. ISBN‎ 978-1250265722

PLOT SUMMARY

Rudulph Vrba and Greta Sidnova are two Jewish teenagers who are forced out of Slovakia during World War II and endure plenty of trials and tribulations. Rudi is sent to Majdanek and then to Auschwitz Concentration Camp where he witnesses brutal and deadly acts against the Jewish community. By some form of miracle or mere luck Rudi survives several years in this living hell. His hope is to be able to escape to disclose all the horrors he has observed in the camps. He understands escaping is extremely dangerous, but he vows to keep his promise and let the world know the truth. While Rudi is trying to survive at Auschwitz, Greta, one of Rudi’s classmates, has escaped to Hungary with her family. They are living a secret life with forged documents and even pretending to be Catholic. However, remaining hidden is almost impossible with more Nazi soldiers zeroing into Hungary. Both Greta and Rudi fight to survive this historical nightmare.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Impossible Escape describes the horrors and brutal acts the Jewish community endured during World War II. Although death surrounds the story, Rudi’s hope of not only surviving, but being able to disclose what he observed at the camp gives a message of perseverance and hope. The author recounts what seems to be an impossible feat, to escape a concentration camp. With Rudi’s powerful memory, and his immense will to survive, he is able to accomplish his goal and save more than 100,000 Jewish of dying in the hands of the German Nazis. The book is told with simple, yet explicit details that outline both Rudi’s and Greta’s journey. 

REVIEWS

Kirkus Review-  “Passionate, absorbing, and unfortunately, more than a little relevant to current events.”

School Library Journal- “ Sheinkin has penned another must-read with this powerful and harrowing account.”

Horn Book Magazine- “In his latest masterful work of narrative nonfiction, Sheinkin’s tale of suspense is tinged with the physical and psychological horror of the Holocaust.”

Awards:

Sydney Taylor Book Award

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

A Kirkus Best book of 2023

CONNECTIONS

• The book reminds us that when there is hope things will get accomplished even when things seem to be impossible. 

Other related books:

• The Blood Year  by Elana K. Arnold

• We Are Not Free by Traci Chee

Activity: Students can make a timeline of the events that happened during World War II and can also continue to research the lives of both Rudulph Vrba and Greta Sidnova after they survived the war. 

 Cinder

Meyer, Marissa. 2020. Cinder. Square Fish. New York, NY. ISBN 978-1250768889

PLOT SUMMARY

Cinder is a young cyborg with exceptional mechanical skills. She lives in New Beijing with her stepmother, Linh Adri,  and her stepsisters, Linh Peony and Linh Pearl. Cinder is unable to remember much of her past, except that she was in an accident where her parents died. She only knows Linh Garan found her and brought her to live with his family before he passed. Cinder is not liked by her foster family, except for Linh Peony who seems to be kind to her. In New Beijing, a serious virus known as the plague is killing the population and nobody has a cure for it. While those on earth are battling this plague, the Lunars, who live on the moon are planning an secret earthly invasion. With the sudden death of the Emperor, Prince Kai, the emperor’s son, is trying to devise a plan to help his people without forming an alliance with the untrusting Lunars, especially Queen Lavana. By fate Prince Kai meets Cinder and begins to develop feelings for her. Yet, Cinder is unable to share her feelings with him because she has learned a shocking secret about her life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This fantasy book is an interesting cross between the beloved fairy tale Cinderella and a new science fiction twist. While some of the characters such as  the well-known wicked stepmother and stepsisters, and the Prince are represented in the original Cinderella, this story has other important characters that evolve throughout the story. The setting of the story is developed in the Eastern Commonwealth of New Beijing in a futuristic world. Cyborgs, like Cinder, roam freely through the area. Cinder is an independent and gifted young girl who knows how to fix and mend broken computer and robot pieces. She is often discriminated against for not being completely human, but she does not allow that to affect her. Prince Kai and Cinder form an uncommon bond when they meet, knowing they come from two separate and different societal places. Queen Levana, the Lunar queen is the antagonist who wants to control all those living on earth. She is unable to look into the mirror very much like the wicked witch in the other fairy tales who can only see beauty in herself. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Los Angeles Times- "Terrific”

The Wall Street Journal - “Prince charming among the cyborgs.”

CONNECTIONS

• This story will remind us of the classic fairy tales, and how they can have an interesting and entertaining twist. 

Other related books:

• The Selection by Kiera Cass

• Matched  by Allie Condie

Activity: Have students make a comic strip of the story using the most important characters within the main events of the book.

Compare and contrast the similarities between the original fairy tale Cinderella and Cinder.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Riggs, Ransom. 2011. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Quirk Books. New York, NY .ISBN 978-1594744761

 PLOT SUMMARY

Jacob Portman is a quiet lonesome sixteen year old boy who establishes a special relationship with his senile and delusional grandfather, Abraham Portman. His grandfather has shared many extraordinary stories and odd pictures about the time he lived on an island off the coast of Wales in an orphanage.One day a tragic event happens, and Jacob finds his grandfather injured in his backyard. His grandfather’s death haunts Jacob who decides to visit the island and look for the orphanage for more information. When he gets to the island he finds a delapidated building and soon realizes something is odd and strange about the place. After visiting the house several times, he is one day surrounded by peculiar children who at first run away from him, but soon become his friends. He learns that these children have special talents and live under the protections of Mrs. Peregrine. However, Jacob learns that  they live on an endless loop that takes place on September 4, 1940 and are unable to leave the island. Jacob also discovers a group known as wights, who are monsters that have eaten so many peculiar people that has made them revert back to have some human resemblance. The wights have an evil plan to become immortal and take over the world. Together with his new friends, Jacob, Emma, Millard, and a few more peculiars try to stop this disaster from happening. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a mysterious and fantastically brilliant written story about a group of children with unique and powerful talents. Each character is described with their extraordinary abilities that almost seem like magic. As with many fantasy books there are villainous characters that depict monstrous nightmares.  The wights and hollowgasts are set out to destroy the lives of many peculiars that have been in hiding for centuries. The setting of the story jumps from the present to the 1940s during World War II. The book has vintage photographs of many of the characters which adds a realistic quality to the story. The language and vocabulary used by the characters in the past add to the realism of the story. The characters from the 1940s live in Wales and speak a different language than modern English. 

REVIEWS

Associated Press- “Riggs deftly moves between fantasy and reality, prose and photography to create an enchanting and at times positively terrifying story.”—

Awards:

New York's Time bestseller

CONNECTIONS

• This book reminds me of the X-Men comic books where the characters have certain mutant powers that make them different and feared.  

Other related books:

• The Young Elites  by Mary Lu

• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Activity: Students can create a character with a peculiar quality and add it to the list of peculiars. 

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The Lost Years of Merlin

Barron, T.A. 1996. The Lost Years of Merlin. Tom Doherty Associates LLC. New York, NY. ISBN‎ 978-0812577778

PLOT SUMMARY

A young boy, Emrys, washes us on a shore of a distant and unfamiliar place with a woman who has healing knowledge. The woman, Branwen, insists she is his mom and takes care of the boy as he is unable to remember anything about his past. Branwen keeps to herself and on random occasions will share with him insignificant details about their lives. Emrys realizes that he possesses some form of magical powers that lets him sense trouble before it starts, and an agility to climb high up on trees. After accidentally injuring a bully villager, Dinatius, Emrys decides to leave and embark in a mythical and imaginative journey where his sole purpose is to discover anything he can about his past, his home, and his family. In this journey he meets several important characters such as Rhia, a young and kind girl who needs help for her land. Emry carries with him a powerful pendant known as the Galator that Branwen gives him which contains enough power to destroy evil. Emrys is unaware of who he is, but soon discovers information about his past that helps him understand why Branwen escaped and hid for many years. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is filled with mythical creatures and characters filled with magic. The setting of the story changes between Earthly places and magical worlds filled with imagination. Most of the story takes place in the woods where creatures such as giants, goblins, and ghouls roam the place. The ability of Emrys to foretell the future and his relationship with nature depict the importance of the magic he possesses. However, Emrys is cautious in using any of his powers because part of him fears that he is unable to control it, and therefore could end up hurting others. The villain, Rhita Gawr and Stangmar are in search of all the power known to their kind, and Emrys is unaware that he is the only thing that can save the people from them. With the use of imagery, the plants and animals in the forest come to life and they demonstrate a true connection with the people that surround them. 

REVIEWS

Kirkus Review, “Barron transforms the early years of the mythical wizard's life into a vivid, action-filled fantasy, replete with deep forests, ruined castles, and evil spells: a promising first installment of a projected trilogy.”

Awards:

Grummond Medallion

Nautilus Award

CONNECTIONS

• The book reminds us of the power of love between a parent and their child and the ability to conquer even the darkest days with it.

Other related books:

• The Once and Future King   by T. H. White

• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Activity: Students can create illustrations of the worlds and characters encountered in the books. 

Out of the Easy

Sepetys, Ruta. 2014. Out of the Easy. Philomel Books. New York, NY. ISBN 978-0147508430

PLOT SUMMARY

  

Josie Moraine is a smart, mature young girl living in New Orleans during the 1950s. She is the daughter of a prostitute that works for Madame Willie in the French Quarter. Josie’s mother has always been interested in money and fame, and she has no concern for her own daughter who lives alone in a small room above the bookstore she works at. Josie has dreams of leaving New Orleans and attending Smith College in Massachusetts. However, a series of unfortunate events make it difficult for her to follow her dreams. Although she has never felt affection from her mother, she receives love and support from others such as Mr. Charlie and Patrick, the bookstore owners, and Cokie, Madame Willie’s driver. Madame Willie, the head behind the brothel, may seem to lack compassion, but she is always there to support Josie.

 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Out of the Easy paints an interesting historic picture of New Orleans during the 1950s. It describes how the high society members tend to live a double life in the French Quarters while they live a false luxurious life back home.  During a time where the mob was strong in New Orleans, the author portrays the life of those that followed that kind of life. Mr. Hearne was killed unjustly due to someone drugging him which seemed to be a common form of stealing from the rich in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. 

An important theme covered in the book was to follow one's dreams even when the circumstances make it difficult. Josie wanted to attend Smith College and even after receiving her denial letter, she embarked on the journey to try to achieve her goal.  Although she dislikes the life the prostitutes lead, Josie realizes they are caring and want to help her throughout the story. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS


Kirkus, starred review- "With a rich and realistic setting, a compelling and entertaining first-person narration, a colorful cast of memorable characters and an intriguing storyline."

Booklist “A page-turner that noir romance fans will gobble up. The legions of fans that Sepetys earned with her best-selling debut novel will all be lining up for this."

CONNECTIONS

• This book gives you a historical overview of the French Quarter during the 1950s. It gives a detailed description of the life of prostitutes in the brothels, and the expansion of the mob.

Other related books:

• Chasing the Devil’s Tail by David Fulmer

• The Last Madam: A Life in the New Orleans Underworld  by Christine Wiltz

Activity: Research New Orleans in the 1950s, creating a timeline to important events and people that were recognized during the era. 

The Downstairs Girl

Lee, Stacey. 2021. The Downstairs Girl. G.P Putnam’s Sons. New York, NY .ISBN 978-1524740979

 PLOT SUMMARY

Jo Kuan, an Asian American seventeen year old, shares her personal journey living in Atlanta during the late 1800s. During this time women are considered a minority and are fighting for the right to vote. Being a woman and being Asian makes it harder for witty and intelligent Jo to find her place. Jo lives secretly in the Bell’s basement with Old Gin, who has taken her in after her parents abandoned her. Jo is hard working, perseverant and outspoken. Living in the basement allows her to learn new things through the lives of the Bell’s who own the town’s newspaper. Jo eavesdrops and hears that the Bell's newspaper business is dwindling, so she decides to anonymously write letters to be published as an advice column. This gives the newspaper a boost in sales, although her column causes quite a stir in the small town due to the shocking topics. During this time she also  works as a lady’s maid at the Payne’s household and takes care of stubborn and feisty Caroline. With time, Jo discovers a terrible secret that involves her parents. She has to learn to accept this new situation and realizes that she is surrounded by people who love and admire her like Old Gin, Naomi, and Nathan Bells.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Girl Downstairs describes a time in the late 1800s when women want to be treated fairly and equally. This time demonstrates the inequality of the moment. Suffragettes are rallying and finding their voices. Jo gives a glimpse of living as an Asian woman during this era. She finds it unfair that she is unable to voice her opinions and has to go under the pseudonym, Mrs. Sweetie, to write a column for the Focus newspaper. Women are expected to marry into society and to act decently. Jo is let go of her job at the millinery because she gives advice about fashion when she is not asked to do so. Jo’s character has a charm that defies the stereotype of the typical quiet Asian woman. Jo learns to persevere even when all odds are against her. 

REVIEWS

Kirkus Reviews, starred review - “Luminous . . . An optimistic, sophisticated portrayal of one facet of Chinese-American—and simply American—history.”

Booklist, starred review -“This spectacular, voice-driven novel raises powerful questions about how we understand the past, as well as the ways our current moment is still shaped by that understanding.” 

School Library Journal, starred review- “Unflinching in its portrayals of racism yet ultimately hopeful and heartfelt, this narrative places voices frequently left out of historical fiction center stage.”

Awards:

New York's Time bestseller

CONNECTIONS

• This book reminds us of the importance of culture and family. Sometimes learning about our past can make us realize our present is complete.

Other related books:

• Tokyo Everafter  by Emiko Jean

• Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See

Activity: Research about millineries and horse racing in the south during the late 1800s.

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The Book Thief

Zusak, Markus. 2007. The Book Thief. Knopf Book. New York, NY. ISBN‎ 978-0375842207

PLOT SUMMARY

The Book Thief is centered in Germany during World War II in a time of horror and desolation. Death, the narrator of this story, is diligently working to pick up souls of those dying during the war. Death encounters a young girl named Liesel Meminger who is to be fostered by the Hubermans. Liesel yearns to learn how to read and her foster father Hans Huberman helps her achieve her goal. However, she has to find or steal the books to read because most of the books are being burned by Nazi soldiers. In an unexpected turn, a Jew, Max Vanderburg, secretly seeks asylum with the Hubermans. Knowing that this could become a death sentence for all of them, they decide to hide him in the basement. Liesel and Max become friends during an extremely difficult time. During his time in hiding, Max becomes extremely ill and is taken care of by Liesel and the Hubermans. The young girl learns about compassion and realizes that words can be powerful in both a negative and a positive way.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is powerful and unexpected in many ways. Having death be the narrator makes the book appear chilling, but sometimes comical in some parts. Death shares his beliefs and feelings ,and his thoughts appear in small bolded excerpts throughout the book. There is a moment when one's opinion of death changes from that of fear to that of empathy. At the end, as death explains, it is just doing its job. Death describes humans as being the cause of their own misfortunes. The book is divided into ten parts and in some of the parts, Max Vanderburg, the Jewish character, shares his drawings about his frustrations. While hiding in the basement, Max materializes his dreams by making a thirteen page booklet depicting himself as a bird. In the booklet he describes the importance of Liesel’s presence and how she gives him hope for a better future. Max’s drawings bring the story to life. Liesel’s search for books gives power to the ability that words may have on others.

REVIEWS

School Library Journal, Starred–"An extraordinary narrative."

The Horn Book Magazine, Starred–"Exquisitely written and memorably populated, Zusak's poignant tribute to words, survival, and their curiously inevitable entwinement is a tour de force to be not just read but inhabited."

Awards:

National Jewish Book Awards for Children’s and Young Adults Literature

Kathleen Mitchell Award

CONNECTIONS

• The book reminds us of the horrors lived in World War II and about the importance of friendship and empathy during such a terrible time. 

Other related books:

• All the Light We Cannot See  by Anthony Doerr

• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Activity: 

Students can research World War II and learn about concentration camps and the harsh and deplorable living conditions experienced by the Jews during that time.