I thought that Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine was gripping and incredibly interesting. The writing makes you laugh. Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine is about a boy named Murf Cooper who is torn between two worlds: the Super Hero world with the Super Zeros, his best friends, and the world with his family which soon gets shattered with the help of Magpie. I really like the illustrations in Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine because they help tell the story. I also like the characters, including Angel and the Super Zeros. The authors are funny and write with emotion and make you want to read the book. For example, on page 305 in the most intense part of the story, out of nowhere, the authors surprise you with a silly story. What I didn’t like about Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine was that it didn’t have the best first chapter, and it didn’t explain the characters’ backstories very well. It was also confusing at first, but at the time, I didn’t know it was the third book in the series. I would recommend that before you read Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine you read Kid Normal (book one), and Kid Normal and the Rogue Heroes (book two in the Kid Normal series). I liked this book so much I went back to read book one and book two. I would recommend Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine to people who like Harry Potter. Kid Normal is a lot like Harry in many ways. Magpie, one of the stories’ many villains, is also similar to Voldemort. I love how everyone in the story has a huge role and a big personality. I also thought that the plot was sweet and suspenseful, and I love how every moment that you read the book it draws you into the story. The authors use a style in which the characters talk directly to the reader. I would recommend this to anyone who loves action and adventure novels. The Super Zeros show courage and leadership through teamwork, and together go against all odds. I thought overall Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine was an interesting, action packed adventure novel filled with laughs and suspense. This was a great book, and one that kids of any age should read. “No!” screamed Magpie’s voice. “Get out of my head! Get out of my machine!” “It’s not your machine any more,” said Kid Normal calmly. “It’s mine.” Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine by Chris Smith and Greg James, illustrated by Erica Salcedo. Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2019. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process!
Book Reviews
The Hate U Give, Reviewed by Sita, 11
The Hate U Give, a powerful young adult novel by Angie Thomas, is an extremely relevant novel distinctly dealing with racism’s impact on society, as well as a moving read. After the death of Oscar Grant in 2009, Angie Thomas decided to write a book for teens about police brutality since she believes the teenage years are “a critical age.” The book, especially its title, which comes from the phrase, “THUG LIFE,” was inspired by the influential African-American rapper Tupac Shakur, born Lesane Parish Crooks. The Hate U Give has the overt message of how racism can cripple communities, and the undisguised theme of social justice, making it both timeless in its relevance and an especially fitting story today, due to the recent Black Lives Matter protests. In the book, sixteen year-old Starr Carter sees her best friend, Khalil Harris, get shot by a cop. He was just a teenager. He was unarmed. They were driving at night when a cop pulled them over, asking for their papers and license. When Khalil doesn’t do this and instead asks why he pulled the two of them over, Starr begs him to do exactly what the cops said; she knows not to disobey an armed cop. Khalil gives him his papers and license, after which the officer tells him he has a broken taillight, and tells him to get out of the car and put his “hands up, where I can see them.” The cop, suspecting there are drugs in the car, goes to search the car. Khalil comes over to Starr, opens the car door, and asks Starr if she is alright. The cop promptly shoots Khalil twice in the back. After Starr talks to the cops as a witness to Khalil’s murder, “on the Monday night news, [the media/society] finally gave Khalil’s name in the story about the shooting, but with a title added to it- Khalil Harris, A Suspected Drug Dealer. They didn’t mention that he was unarmed.” There are protests and riots speaking out against Khalil’s death, but the only way protesters can really let the public know that what happened to Khalil was wrong is by getting the “unidentified witness”-the one who was in the car with Khalil- to go to a public place, whether the TV or a televised protest, and speak about what really happened that night. But although Starr has said in the past that if she witnessed racially motivated violence, she would speak up publicly, now that her time has come, she is too afraid. The book continues by talking about how she is split between her majority-white school and black neighborhood, and how she finds her voice. The Hate U Give is a beautiful, inspiring book that, because of its theme of social justice and its connection to the Black Lives Matter movement, is extremely relevant and undoubtedly worth reading. Its message concerning speaking out against racism, police brutality, and social justice can be summed up by some of the book’s final words: “I’ll never forget…I’ll never give up…I’ll never be quiet.” The Hate U Give’s message is one that should be remembered always: keep fighting for what is right, never forget those who have been wronged, and always speak up when your words have the power to inspire change. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. Balzer & Bray, 2017. Buy the book here and support Stone Soup in the process! Plus, read another review of the book by a Stone Soup reader here.
The Chosen by Chaim Potok: A Discussion Guide created by Sofie, 10
Introduction The Chosen by Chaim Potok is a wonderful book about coming of age and growth. It shows how you mature as you get older and the important things you understand about life. This book is also about Jewish history, tradition, and customs, some of which are in conflict with each other. It’s important to understand this because this is what leads the book on, the skeleton of the story. This concept is what leads to the main messages of the book and it’s also vital to understand what happened to different types of religions in the past. I loved this book because it was well written but it had amazing symbolism that went deeper and beyond the surface. The characters in this story were well – developed and represented so many important symbols that we can learn from. If you chose to read this book, I hope this discussion guide is helpful! Chapter 1 Why does Reuven attribute so much significance to the baseball game? What do you think Davey Cantor represents in the book, as he keeps repeating “you’ll see?” Why does Reuven describe Danny Saunders in so much detail? Why does Reuven feel that his whole life has led him to this ball game and his future life will depend on its outcome? What is the meaning behind Danny’s strange grin? Chapter 2 When the doctor asks Reuven, “can you see the light?” Reuven answers, “it’s a little blurred.” Based on the theme of vision, what might this symbolize? Why do you think Billy and Mr. Savo are on either side of Reuven in the hospital? What do you think they represent in the story? Why does Reuven introduce himself as Robert to Billy and Mr. Savo? How do you think Reuven’s injury affects his father’s health? When Reuven talks about the concept of blindness, what might the author be trying to convey? Chapter 3 Why do you think the author brings the radio into the story? Why does Danny return after Reuven dismissed him at first from the hospital? Why did Danny want to kill Reuven in the ball game? What does Reuven represent? When Danny recites the Talmud, why do you think it is described as “cold and mechanical?” Why did Danny have to convince his father to play in that baseball game? Consider the quote, “words distort what a person really feels in his heart.” What do you think of this? What do you think “talking in silence” means to Danny? What can you infer about Danny’s feelings about his religion based on his body language? What do you think “crazy world, cockeyed” (pg. 57) means? Why might it be important? Chapter 4 Explain what Reuven’s father means when he says “ ‘No one knows he is fortunate until he becomes unfortunate. That is the way the world is.’” (pg. 73) What do you think of the quote “people are not always what they seem to be?” (pg. 74) Is it true? How does that relate to Reuven’s father wanting Reuven to make Danny his friend? How does Danny’s analogy of ants to people relate to the mission of obeying God? Why did Reuven’s father not tell Reuven that he had been meeting Danny in the library? Why is Reuven’s father suggesting books for Danny to read? Thinking back to theme of vision, why is it so important that Reuven’s eyesight will recover? Contrast that to what happened to Mr. Savo. How does this also relate to things being out of focus, and objects being crystal clear? Chapter 5 What does Reuven mean when he says “there was newness everywhere?” Why do you think there is such a change in perspective leading back to the theme of this book? How does the author use the power of description to emphasize this theme? Describe Reuven’s transformation from his time in the hospital. Chapter 6 Why does Reuven’s father answer Reuven’s questions about Danny by going back a long time in history? What does the “silly baseball game” (pg. 110) mean to Reuven now? Does he really think it was silly? Why does Danny need a friend so badly? Why should that friend be Reuven? What do you think Reuven’s father was thinking at the very end of the chapter when he doesn’t finish his sentence? Chapter 7 As Reuven falls asleep, he’s thinking about the color blue and eyes. What is the significance of comparing blue sky and blue eyes? Why does Reb Saunders want to meet Reuven? Explain why a community would follow Reb Saunders from Russia to New York. Why do you think Danny’s neighborhood is in such a disarray? How does Reuven feel as he enters the shul with Danny? Why does Reb Saunders ask Reuven if he’s good at mathematics, and say “we will see?” What is Reuven’s reaction to how Reb Saunders tests Danny? How about when Reb Saunders tests him? What is the relationship between the gematriya and the structure of the book itself? Why does Reuven’s father say “it is a pity” that Reb Saunders lives in his own world, and so will Danny? What is the meaning of the change of emotions in Reb Saunders speech? Chapter 8 Why is Reuven considered a hero when he returned to school? What is important about the way Danny reads? How is it reflective of his perspective? Why do you think Danny is so interested in psychology? Based on what Reuven’s father says at the very bottom of page 169, why did Reb Saunders really want to meet Reuven? Why do you think Danny feels uncomfortable discussing with Reuven the silence between him and his father? Why does Reb Saunders raise Danny in silence? How does Reuven feel about the Talmud battle? Why does Reb Saunders ask Danny to go make tea? What is the significance of his discussion with Reuven? Chapter 9 Why does Reuven get so much enjoyment out of taking his final exams? How does Reuven
