MISTER PIP by Lloyd Jones - 2008 Best Books for Young Adults Top Ten

Cruel violence by rebels and military troops that are supposed to protect you once again has a profound influence in this 2008 Best Book for Young Adult Top Ten winner. MISTER PIP by Lloyd Jones takes you to an island shortly after it has been overtaken by rebels because of its copper mine. The military (redskins) are there to defeat the rebels and "protect" the island villagers.

Matilda lives in a tiny village on the beach. The only white man on the island, whom is believed to be very awkward by the villagers, volunteers to become the children's teacher. He is an oddity due to his white skin, the way his eyes stick out, the red clown's nose he sometimes wears, and the fact that he pulls his nonspeaking black wife through town as she stands in a trolley. But this strange man, Mr. Watts, takes the students through the book GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens to another place and time. The students are engrossed in learning about the outside world, since their world has so little. It doesn't matter that it occurs long ago. Matilda is especially touched by the book. She feels a connection with it. Some of the women feel the book is not teaching things properly and determine that Mr. Watt's does not believe in God. Mr. Watt's tries to make the village parents more comfortable with him by asking them to come and share what they know of the world. It doesn't help Matilda's mom who sees Mr. Watts as an enemy.

The military want to know who "Pip" is that is written in the sand thinking it is a rebel they are harboring in their village. When the villagers give them an answer they don't believe, the military burn their things, then their homes upon their next visit when they are not pleased with the answer. When rebels come and the village is fearful for their lives, Mr. Watts tells them he will tell everyone who he is but he can't be interrupted for 7 days (secretly a boat is coming then to rescue them) or asked questions. Then Mr. Watts proceeds to intertwine his embellished life story, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, and the stories shared by the parents into an elaborate tale of his life. It holds off the rebels from killing them. But on the last evening when they will finally find out about what happened to Mrs. Watts to make her they way she was, the rebels have disappeared and the military come. They brutally kill Mr. Watts, thinking he is Pip. They brutally kill Matilda's mother, when she states she will be God's witness to what they have done to a white man. Matilda lives, gets off the island, manages to be sent to her father, and lives to become the "writer" of the story.

Amazing how Lloyd Jones is able to write to the point that you truly believe this is Matilda's story, not fiction. Teachers of secondary and high school will love to use this book to show how a book could take these children to another place and time. How a book saved their lives. How becoming a part of a book through acting gives you the freedom to become someone you are not. Wonderfully powerful story!

A LONG WAY GONE: MEMOIRS OF A BOY SOLDIER by Ishmael Beah - 2008 Best Books for Young Adults Top Ten

I have to honestly admit that I was not fully aware of the genocide going on in some African countries until I saw the movie BLOOD DIAMOND. That night on the news, a story about Darfur caught my attention. A LONG WAY GONE: MEMOIRS OF A BOY SOLDIER by Ishmael Beah brings the reality of what is going on in Sierra Leone to the forefront. This book definitely deserves the honor of 2008 Best Books for Young Adults Top Ten.

Ishmael Beah shares the memoir of his life, servitude as a boy soldier, and escape in this compelling book. Ishmael's horror begins when he is with friends in a neighboring village preparing for a talent show and hears that his village has been attacked by the RUF (Revolutionary United Front). Ishmael and his friends attempt to find their families to no avail. Then they wander aimlessly trying to escape the violence. After many near misses of being killed by either RUF fighters or suspicious villagers, Ishmael and his friends have almost located his family only to hear sudden screams and gunshots. The village where the family had evacuated is decimated. Although he can't locate his family among the remains, Ishmael feels hopeless. When the military for Sierra Leone eventually captures them, Ishmael follows their directions in order to survive. Service with the military is much like what service to the RUF would have been. It leads to years of drug abuse and brutal killing done by Ishmael. He has become a dreaded enemy. Then UNICEF arrives and convinces the commander to let them take some of the younger soldiers. Ishmael is taken to be rehabilitated in Freetown and relocated with an uncle. Ishmael is even chosen to speak before the United Nations in New York City. He finally thinks he may now be able to live as a child, even though he is now 15. But the unimaginable happens when the RUF takes over Freetown. Ishmael knows that if he doesn't escape he will either be killed or end up becoming a boy soldier again. Ishmael barely escapes to Guinea and is adopted by a storyteller he had met during his trip to New York. He now resides in New York City.

WOW!! I believe Ishmael's speech is so powerful that he delivers to the U.N. This is definitely a book older students (NOT elementary) should read to realize what a wonderful life they have and to encourage them to do what they can to help end violence around the world. I will include Ishmael in my prayers each night for the powerful message he shares through his memoir.

THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie - 2008 Best Books for Young Adults Top Ten

The cover of this book reminds me of the only other book I have ever read about Indians, THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD! But that was not truly about Indians, but THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie tells about a modern day Native American boy, his struggles on the reservation, and desire to make his life something more. Not only did this book make the top ten of the 2008 Best Books for Young Adults, but it also was the National Book Award Winner for 2007.

Arnold Spirit, Jr., has been fighting the odds since birth. After surpassing expectations when he was born with hydrocephalus, Arnold is teased at the reservation school for his lisp, stutter, and appearance. His defender, Rowdy, is the child of an abusive, alcoholic parent. But Arnold wants more out of his life. He knows he is smart but is also aware that he will not be able to achieve anything if he continues to go to school on the reservation. So Arnold chooses to go to the white school in the neighboring town. After a short struggle to be accepted, Arnold proves himself as a student and in basketball. He makes friends. These friends support him through the loss of his beloved grandmother, father's best friend, and older sister. Even though Arnold feels bad for deserting his way of life on the reservation, he knows that if he stayed there he would fall into the curse of alcoholism that so many Native Americans struggle with.

This book is a book of perseverance and having the courage to do what you know/think is the best for your future against all the criticism others throw at you. It is a good book for older middle school through high school students. Reading a book from the Native American's perspective was wonderful to experience.