Zora and Me: Valiant Stories of a Young Girl, Future Author

Zora Neale Hurston was a prominent African American novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist. Her love of storytelling and her inquisitive mind as a child allowed her to become a famous author as an adult. Born and raised in the all-black community of Eatonville, Florida, Zora was always getting into trouble and defying the rules to get an insider story. She quite frequently told largely exaggerated, or even entirely false, tales to her family, friends, neighbors, or anyone who would listen. She coveted books in the town's local bookstore, and one day she would find her own books at the same store. Having written over twenty books, short stories, plays, and articles, Zora's 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, was her most successful product. The ultimate tale of life and identity, Their Eyes Were Watching God was, and still is, a book that caused huge improvements in women and African Americans lifestyles. Zora received much acclaim for this novel and many of her other pieces of literature. She received the chance to work alongside Langston Hughes, a Harlem Renaissance poet and playwright, and is well respected in today's literary community. I recently read a book about Zora Neale Hurston before she was a famous novelist, Zora and Me, by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon, a tale narrated by Zora's best friend, Carrie.

Zora Neale Hurston, as an adult

Carrie, a fictional character, but based on real friends from Zora's life, has always been Zora's best friend, always following her around. Zora's shadow, you could say. But Carrie's quite alright being the shadow; she's quieter than loud, flamboyant Zora. Carrie always has a great time with Zora, hearing her recite her wacky stories. One day, Zora declares that there's a half-man/half-gator living in Eatonville. Of course, no believes her except Carrie, who is slightly skeptical herself. But if there is one thing that Zora is, it is determined. She stands by her story and will fight until she proves it. While traveling to their favorite tree, Zora, Carrie, and another friend discover a young man with a guitar, named Ivory. He is traveling to collect sap from the trees in Eatonville, and to sell it in the city. The friends like the kind man and enjoy his music.

Two children playing in Eatonville, FL

However, one day it is discovered that a "guitar-playing, hippie" is found dead, decapitated on the train tracks. Without needing to look, Zora and Carrie know who it is, their new friend Ivory. Saddened, the two friends go to the local swimming pond and discover that a local elderly woman, who considers herself a physic, has fallen off the edge of the cliff. The fall is declared accidental, but Zora thinks different. She believes that the same person that killed Ivory, attempted to kill the old woman. However, Zora doesn't think it was a person. She thinks it was the half-man/half-gator.

This leads the two friends on thrilling adventures, talking to the local officials, trespassing, eavesdropping, spying, and the most fun part: putting all the puzzle pieces together to solve the mystery.

This short, but fun, book gives, in amazing detail, the life of Zora. The reader is in advantage because the narrator is Carrie. If the book were to be narrated by Zora, we would be unable to get the descriptive words and imagery that come with viewing Zora's different journeys. Beautifully written and surprisingly thoughtful, Zora and Me is the perfect book for those that wish to know more about Zora Neale Hurston, or for those that have never even heard of her.

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars

Happy Easter!

 

- From your friends at The Bookshelf

Dystopian SmackDown!

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages! Welcome to the Dystopian SmackDown! I’m your host, Jacob Hopkins. Today, we are here to witness a possible change in history. The classic novel The Giver has been the Dystopian SmackDown Champion since its publication date in 1993. But two new novels have recently challenged The Giver for its prestigious title of being the best book about a once seemingly utopian society that is viewed differently after an initiating event caused by a young adult, thus causing the said young adult to rebel and view his world differently (try saying that three times fast). And The Giver isn’t happy about the competition. He has called for a Dystopian SmackDown; eager to prove that he’s the best out there. Let the competition begin!

In one corner, weighing in at 208 pages, is The Giver, by Lois Lowry! (Crowd cheers.) The current champ, The Giver is a short, no nonsense guy. His story is about Jonas, an eleven, going on twelve, year-old. Jonas lives in a Community, a protected area of populated land in an unnamed country, in what is believed to be the future. The Committee of Elders controls everything in the Community. They determine who you will marry, the number of children you will receive, and what job, known as an Assignment you will have. The Committee also makes many other decisions for the members of the Community, decisions that are considered too difficult and too dangerous to be made by the people themselves. Everything is regulated, and everything is the same. The Community believes that limiting and destroying choices and individuality will create for a better, more peaceful world.

At age twelve, Jonas receives his Assignment, one that is rarely given out or spoken of, the Receiver of Memories. For his Assignment, Jonas must report to the current Receiver, known to Jonas as the Giver. Jonas’s job is to “receive” memories of life before the Community, before Sameness, the process of making everything the same and equal. The Giver, a wise, kind, old man, “gives” these memories to Jonas by pressing his hands to Jonas’s back. It is important that at least one person in the Community knows these memories, so that someone can aide and give guidance to the Committee when they are making important decisions for the Community. Soon, Jonas learns about colors and sunshine and hills – things he never knew about before. He also learns about emotions, and he especially wants to know love. But not all the memories of the best are pleasant and friendly. Jonas receives memories about hunger, war, and pain. Jonas is unsure if Sameness helps or hurt. His world as he knew is turned upside down, and Jonas doesn’t know what to think, what to do. This book ultimately leads to a breath-taking conclusion that leaves readers questioning and imagining.

That’s The Giver, folks! And it looks like his score is pretty good – no, not pretty good, his score is perfect. That’s right, The Giver has received 5.0 out of 5 stars! Looks like the other novels have some tough competition! (Crowd goes wild with delight.)

In another corner, stands Delirium, by Lauren Oliver, weighing in at 448 pages. Delirium is a young competitor – he was only published a few months ago, in February – but a fierce one, too.  (Crowd gives a non-enthusiastic applause. Some taunt.) Delirium’s story has many similarities to that of The Giver’s, but it is overall a different, yet still enthralling, tale.

This story follows Lena, short for Magdalena, based off the name Mary Magdalene, a seventeen-year-old that is eagerly awaiting her eighteenth birthday. Lena lives in a society where, at age eighteen, you have a procedure to cure yourself from Amor Deliria Nervosa, which is what they refer to as love. Love is viewed as a disease in the society, and most people, Lena included, cannot wait to rid themselves of love. Before the procedure, you have an Evaluation, done by people known as the Evaluators, to determine who your spouse will be. Citizens of the society are not allowed to make physical contact, surround themselves with people of the opposite gender, or express feelings of love. Lena begins the book as a strong believer in the cure because it is all she knows. She believes that curing herself of love, and all other feelings and actions that come with it, will allow her to move away from her rocky past. Lena’s father died from cancer when Lena was very young. And, after three failed attempts of being cured, Lena’s mother committed suicide when Lena was only six. Before Lena’s mother left the world, she said the three most dangerous words in the society to Lena, “I love you”.

So you can easily see why Lena wants to leave her former life behind and start a new one as a Cured. However, when Lena accidentally meets an Invalid, an uncured person who lives outside the society, named Alex, her thoughts are changed. She sees how much Alex enjoys life, and how he isn’t sick from being uncured. In fact, Alex is happy and healthy. And Lena finds herself doing what she would have never expected, falling in love.

The results are being collected, and – oh! – it looks like Delirium has received 4.75 out of 5 stars! What an unexpected turn of events! The judges like how at the beginning of the novel, Amor Deliria Nervosa is viewed as a disease that kills, but as the book progresses, Lena discovers that, yes, love may kill but it saves, too. How about that?! (Crowd begins to stir – unsure what to think.) I believe it’s time to present the final book in this surprising event!

Our final contender is Matched, by Allie Condie. Weighing 384 pages, Matched is an unexpected novel that is expected to give the The Giver’s title a run for its money! Once again taking place in a society located in a future America, Matched explores the concept of being “matched” with someone who you will be marrying.

Cassia is a confident, obedient young woman, who, just like Lena and Jonas, believes everything is right in her world and that the society knows best. When Cassia attends her Match Banquet, a dinner ceremony where seventeen-year-olds are given their matches, who they will marry at the age of twenty-one, she arrives with her Xander, her best friend, but leaves with her Xander, her Match. Cassia is ecstatic because usually you are not matched with someone from your area and she is – matched to her best friend! Later that night, at home, Cassia goes to insert her microcard, a card that holds information about Xander and dating in the society, into the family Port, an advanced computer/phone, but when it is inserted, someone else’s face comes up, but for only a second, then flickers away to Xander’s face. Cassia is shaken and scared for two main reasons: 1) it isn’t like the society to make mistakes and 2) she recognizes the face she saw on the screen – it is another friend, Ky.

From there on, Cassia keeps seeing Ky everywhere. She’s intrigued by him and wants to know more about him. Not only that, she wonders more and more about why his face was on the Port. And after a series of encounters with Ky, Cassia begins to question whether Xander is her true Match and maybe if her microcard was correct – that Ky is meant to be her Match.

What is this?! The judges have declared that Matched is to be awarded a perfect score – 5.0 out of 5 stars! (Crowd gasps. Cries of outrage.) This means that we have a tie! This is unheard of! This leaves the judges to decide the ultimate Dystopian SmackDown Champ! The judges stand up, ready to reveal the winner.

(Silence, as the drumroll begins.)

The judge says in a deep, booming voice, “The title of Dystopian SmackDown Champion is to be awarded to...Matched!” Oh, my! What an unexpected surprise! A new champion has been born! “We thought Matched used wonderful imagery and poetic language to create a superficial and thought-provoking world,” the judge continues, “We fell in love with this book, as we are sure you will too!” (Crowd begins a round of applause that gradually turns into a great cheer.) It appears the crowd is satisfied with the new champion! And hopefully Matched, just as The Giver, will be the champion for years to come. Look forward to the sequel to Matched, Crossed, coming in November.

It appears that’s all we have for today! Until next time, this has been Dystopian SmackDown!     

Great Reads for this Spring

Ahhh. Spring. The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the sun is coming out of hibernation, glowing and spreading its warmth to Earth. What better time to enjoy nature, start fresh, or to dig into a great book? Never.

I’ve read, and heard about, so many great books lately that I feel that I must share them with you, the readers of The Bookshelf. I feel that I have compiled a list of books, new and old, fiction and true, to support you through the great season of spring. Books take you on adventures, provide you with guidance, and, well, are the greatest thing ever invented. Nothing compares to them. That’s right. Nothing. I hope you enjoy the following books as much as do and have a great spring reading and cherishing them.

Books that will make this spring the best one yet:

•       Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: I, unfortunately, have not had the opportunity to read this book yet. However, I have not heard a single negative review of this historical novel. This book, which is already racking up tons of honors and slots on bestseller lists, explores the life of Lithuanians being forced into labor-camps during the Soviets’ rule. These camps, which are very similar to the Nazi concentration camps, prove to be foul, horrible places. But as the reader follows the journey of Lina, a sixteen-year-old    Lithuanian, it is discovered that courage and determination can conquer the odds. This harrowing novel is on the top of my to-read list, and I hope to review it once I am finished.

•          If I Stay by Gayle Forman: I read this book about a year ago, a month or so before the creation of The Bookshelf. Mia is an aspiring cellist and has hopes of making it into the prestigious Juilliard School, a preforming arts college in NYC. However, after a sudden car accident, Mia’s parents die, and she and her younger brother are taken to the hospital in critical condition. While comatose, Mia narrates the story, ultimately trying to make the decision to live or die. She is able to hear and see everything while she is in the coma and must face the difficult truth that if she were to live, her world would be completely different. This is a strong novel about life-altering decisions and willpower.

•          White Cat by Holly Black: Cassel Sharpe comes from a family of cure workers: people who are able to control the lives of others. Each curse worker is given the ability to control different things in people such as, emotions, luck, dreams, memories, physical pain, et cetera, all with the touch of a bare hand. Cassel, however, is the only one in his family that was not born a curse worker. Though Cassel is viewed as a con man or criminal like curse workers are, he still feels like one because he murdered his best friend. The reader is taken on an adventure of cons, shady pasts, lies, and unclear intentions as we the readers, and Cassel himself, attempt to discover what caused him to kill his best friend. A stellar read – review coming soon.

•           What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell: Another book that explores the art of lying and deception. Taking place after the end of World War II, Evie, an average ‘40s teen, is swept into a web of lies when her stepfather returns from war. Everything seems bright and cheery at first, but when Evie and her family go to Florida for a vacation, a whole other side is revealed to Evie of her once simple life. Many events occur that reveal shocking secrets about her once picture-perfect family. And when tragedy strikes, Evie must decide between what is right and what will ultimately save her family, whom, despite everything, she still cares for. The ending to this novel caught me by surprise as I’m sure the whole book will for you.

•          A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle: I am actually currently reading this classic book, perfect for all ages. What begins with the simple life of Meg Murry, quickly sky rockets into a time-traveling, space-defying tale of a genius four-year-old, three mysterious old ladies, and a being called IT. Originally published in 1962, this timeless classic will take you on an adventure and touch your heart.  

Well, there you have it; your ultimate list of what to read this spring – because no spring would be perfect without the presence of books!