Michael L. Printz Award

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a historical-fiction book published in 2005 by Picador. The story is narrated by Death, and takes place in Germany, in a small city, called Molching, during WWII. The story begins with Liesel, a young girl, moving in with her new foster parents, and the next four years of her life on Himmel street, which changes dramatically with the heightening of WWII. On Himmel street, she meets Rudy Steiner, her best friend, and Max Vandenburg, a Jewish fistfighter. The…

Looking for Alaska by John Green is a mystery filled with twists and turns. This novel tells the story of Miles Halter, a boy obsessed with last words. Miles is new at culver creek, he has no idea what to anticipate the only thing he knows are the story’s of his father when he went to this school. On his first day there he already makes two friends and buys cigarettes, and met the presumable love of his life. Everything Alaska did within the book was impulsive. I don't think she…

Entertainment and Recreation in Oryx and Crake Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake is a fiction novel written around the split narrative between a future dystopian society and a post-apocalyptic world. The narrative follows the thoughts and flashbacks of Snowman, one of the lone survivors of the apocalyptic plague, as he dreams of memories with whom he deems as the most important figures in his life, Oryx and Crake. Within these flashbacks, Snowman reminisces the days of going to school with Crake…

The eventful journey of Miles, otherwise known as Pudge, commenced with loneliness. Miles was a high school student from Florida with an insufficient number of friends, so he decided to attend Culver Creek, a boarding school in Alabama. The first person he was introduced to there was Chip, also known as Colonel. He and Miles became closer as they went through copious obstacles together. Miles then met Alaska. Alaska altered the way Miles viewed life, and taught him many superb things. They all…

Of all the texts a high school student can read, what makes each text memorable? Is the author reaching its audience or is it just another half written essay that has no meaningful points and seems to exist for the sake of filling out a library.? The book looking for alaska by John Green tells the story about Miles, who is tired of his friendless, dull life in Florida, and convinces his parents to send him away to boarding school in Alabama so that he can seek "the Great Perhaps." Once there he…

“Thomas Edison’s last words were: ‘It’s very beautiful over there.’ I don’t know where there is, but I believe it’s somewhere, and I hope it’s beautiful.” - Looking for Alaska by John Green. The way that this quote has changed the way that I approach the world is that it makes me view circumstances differently. Generally, I would have a negative outlook on situations but this line in Looking for Alaska has made me step back and see the beauty instead of the pessimistic side of reality. If I had…

Tayla Cahoon The Book Thief August 2, 2017 The Book Thief It is 1939. Nazi’s have taken over Germany. Everyone is holding their breath except for Death. In the novel The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak;“Death narrates the life story of Liesel Meminger all while being busier than ever. In this breathtaking piece of fiction, Zusak exemplifies power, change and connections. He portrays power by showing how Adolf Hitler forced many Jewish men and women to either face death or play a nerve…

Steve Turner. Amber Waves and Undertow: Peril, Hope, Sweat, and Downright Nonchalance in Dry Wheat Country. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2009. Adams County, Washington is the topic of journalist Steve Turner’s book Amber Waves and Undertow. Partly inspired by his own experiences within the region, and acting as a county history, Turner’s work examines the various modern cultures that have inhabited this portion of Washington State. From dry wheat farmers and cattle ranchers to…

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak develops the story of Liesel Meminger throughout World War II. Zusak selects a interesting and unique character for narrator: Death, and develops him as an omniscient first person narration throughout the story. The research question was selected because of this different choice of narrator and this investigation will examine the possible reasoning for Death as a narrator and overall, the effectiveness of this technique through examination of Death’s character…

In the novel Looking For Alaska, Miles “Pudge” Halter is the new student at Culver Creek Prep in Alabama. Although, he was nervous about making friends, his roommate Chip “Colonel” Martin immediately takes him under his wing. He meets Alaska Young and instantly falls in love with her. His friends let his experience many new things such as smoking, drinking, and romance. After Christmas break, the friends plan and prosecute the pre-prank called Barn Night. Where Pudge and Takumi get the Eagle (Mr…