Battle of the Books, 2011Unit 2

Black Star, Bright Dawn by O’DellMaddie Takes the Ice by HouseThe House of the Scorpion by FarmerLincoln: A Photobiography by FreedmanNory Ryan’s Song by Giff

When her father is injured during a training run, 18-year-old Bright Dawn must take over his position as the village's dog racer in the Iditarod, a 1179-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome. She is befriended by Oteg, an older Eskimo who gives advice and reminds her of the folklore and wisdom of her people. But this headstrong girl does not always listen, and while she is first at the halfway point, she is last at the finish line. Bright Dawn does not race to beat the others, but only to do her best, and does win the sportsmanship prize for helping other competitors.

--- Susan Schuller, School Library Journal

Black Star, Bright Dawn by O’Dell

Madison Albright is one of the best figure skaters at Chicago's Arctic Circle Figure Skating Club. She is told by many people that she is the favorite to win Regionals and Junior Nationals. She has a supportive family and good friends, but one of the skaters at her home rink is jealous of Maddie and bullies her. Her coach is tough on her and does not understand the pressure that Maddie faces.

Maddie Takes the Ice by House

Matteo Alacrán was not born; he was harvested. His DNA came from El Patrón, lord of a country called Opium -- a strip of poppy fields lying between the United States and what was once called Mexico. Matt's first cell split and divided inside a petri dish. He is a boy now, but most consider him a monster -- except for El Patrón. El Patrón loves Matt as he loves himself, because Matt is himself. As Matt struggles to understand his existence, he is threatened by a sinister cast of characters, including El Patrón's power-hungry family, and he is surrounded by a dangerous army of bodyguards.

The House of the Scorpion by Farmer

Freedman begins by contrasting the Lincoln of legend to the Lincoln of fact. His childhood, self-education, early business ventures, and entry into politics comprise the first half of the book, with the rest of the text covering his presidency and assassination. Freedman makes clear the controversy and vilification that Lincoln engendered and endured during his presidency.

--- Elaine Fort Weischedel, School Library Journal

Lincoln: A Photobiography by Freedman

Set at the beginning of the Irish Potato Famine in 1845, this survival story is told by lively, 12-year-old Nory Ryan. She shares a small dwelling with her family, hens, and a pig in a subsistence-farming village on the country's west-central coast. They are anxiously awaiting the return of their Da, who has gone to sea to earn money. Their English landlord is evicting tenants who cannot pay rent, forcing them into the streets, and destroying their thatch-roofed huts. Hunger is common before blight destroys the potato crop; with no potatoes, the people face starvation. The Ryans are eager to join the lucky ones who have obtained passage to America.

--- Laura Scott, School Library Journal

Nory Ryan’s Song by Giff