The Serpent King

 The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

Bibliographic Data 

Zentner, J. (2018). The serpent king. London Anderson Press. ISBN: 9781783446476 

Summary 

This is the story of three friends who are thought of as misfits in their rural town in Tennessee.  Dillan is the son of a preacher who was sent to prison, Travis “lives” in his fantasy world of books much to the disappointment of his father and Lydia is the social media phenomena of fashion and strong women that does not fit the mold of high school girls in this small rural town. They are seniors and Lydia is making plans to leave to go to college while Dillan and Travis accept that they will stay in their rural town doing the same thing the day after day. An unexpected tragedy arises, and lives are changed dramatically. 

Critical Analysis 

The author Jeff Zentner has written a book that has drawn the reader into each character's personal life. The reader is given more insight into who the characters are and what they are facing at home, in their heart and mind. The characters think they know each other but they really do not. Horn Book Guide review states “The friends' relationships are complex and credible; Zentner vigorously wrestles with issues of faith, family history, poverty, and mental health.”. This comment supports what the readers are feeling about each character. As readers our heart breaks for Dillan and Travis. Even though they are labeled as misfits, we know what makes them who they are. Dillan and Travis hide so much of who they are and what they experience from everyone that no one sees them for the beautiful people they truly are. Even with heartbreaking tragedy Zentner leaves the reader with hope that through faith, friendship, and love, life still goes on and dreams can still be made even when it is difficult. 

Reviews and Awards 

Horn Book Guide, 04/01/2017 

Three misfits have vastly different posthigh school options. Dill, son of a disgraced preacher, and Travis, whose father has grown more abusive since Travis's brother's death, are unlikely to escape small-town Tennessee. But for blogger Lydia, senior year marks "the beginning of the beginning." 

School Library Journal, 01/01/2016 

Zentner offers a contemporary young adult novel that explores many issues common with teenagers today—bullying, life after high school, and the coming together and breaking apart of high school friendships. 

Publishers Weekly Starred, 12/14/2015 

As the novel, Zentner’s debut, builds to a shocking act of violence that shatters the friends’ world, this sepia-toned portrait of small-town life serves as a moving testament to love, loyalty, faith, and reaching through the darkness to find light and hope. 

Awards 

Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award: Winner 2017 

William C. Morris Award: Winner 2017 

Connections 

1. Early in the chapter, you find out the three friends have diverse backgrounds. Describe Dillan, Travis, and Lydia's background. 
2. Lydia was a social media phenomenon; What are your thoughts about her never having her friends on her blog?  
3. Read Jeff Zentner’s book In the Wild Light 

 

All Fall Down : An Embasy Row Novel

 All Fall Down by Ally Carter

Bibliographic Data 

Carter, A. (2015). All fall down. [Bk. 1]. Scholastic Press, An Imprint Of Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 9780545654746 

Summary 

This is the story of 16-year-old Grace who 3 years earlier, witnessed her mother being murdered by a man with a scar on his face. After much counseling and trying to put her life back together, she is sent to live with her grandfather who is a US Ambassador in a fictional foreign European country. While Grace is there, she is reminded of her mother everywhere she turns. It becomes difficult to put her mom's murder out of her mind. Grace does meet a few friends, but she is afraid to get close to them because they may think she is crazy. Then she sees the man who murdered her mother, and she begins to make plans to bring him to justice. 

Critical Analysis 

The author Ally Carter has created a novel that starts off fast pace at the beginning and slows down just enough for the reader to catch up with all the information that Grace has uncovered in the fictional city of Aria. The reader is immediately given background knowledge of what Grace has faced and why she is now living with her grandfather. She is hesitant to make friends because in previous years, “friends” have thought she was crazy. Grace is constantly re-living in her past, trying to make the right choices in the present. The reader witnesses the struggle going on inside of Grace. According to Publishers Weekly, the characters and setting are somewhat underdeveloped, and plotting can be farfetched, including Grace’s admission that she never wondered why someone would kill her mother. I disagree with this review because I felt like the author did a particularly great job of creating an image of who Grace was and the fact that Grace was re-living the “murder” of her mother had the reader asking questions about what truly happened. I also thought the setting was amazing the way Carter explained Embassy Row and how the buildings were laid out and then including the tunnels under the city was another aspect that added to the suspense of the story.

 

Reviews and Awards 

Horn Book Guide, 10/01/2015 

Everyone says her mother's death was an accident, but Grace knows better: she saw the scarred man murder her mother, and now she's seen him again. 

Publishers Weekly, 11/17/2014 

Nobody believes that Grace saw a scarred man shoot her mother three years ago, insisting that she died in an accidental fire. Now, after being hospitalized and treated like she is “crazy,” 16-year-old Grace is getting a fresh start with her grandfather, the American ambassador to a fictional European country called Adria. 

School Library Journal, 11/01/2014 

With the assistance of some unexpected allies, Grace plots a way to bring the man she believes to be her mother's killer to justice. Grace's justifiable anger and spunk are sure to resonate with teens. 

 

Connections 

1. This is a mystery; consider the clues and mystery behind what is happening around Grace. Make a list of questions that you might have. 
2. Grace’s grandfather is keeping information away from Grace. Why do you think this is? Turn and Talk 
3. All Fall Down leaves the reader with unanswered questions about Ms. Chancellor and Grace. Read book 2 of the Embassy Row series to find out what happens next.