Annotated Bibliography

Campbell Bartoletti, Susan. (2010). They called themselves the KKK. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 9780618440337.
The Called Themselves the KKK is a student accessible history of an American hate group. Campbell Bartoletti tells the tale from the inception of the KKK in 1866 to the modern day prejudices that many American’s still face daily. Through the use of pictures, newspaper cartoons and articles, and other primary sources Campbell Bartoletti’s book is a history lesson that doesn’t feel so much like a lesson but more a call to action to end hate. It would work well with any unit on prejudice, bias, bullying, or hate.

Dashner, James. (2009). The maze runner. New York: Delacorte Press. 9780385737944.
Thomas suddenly appears in a new, strange world. He is brought there by way of an elevator. Thomas doesn’t know how he got in th elevator, where he came from, or what he is supposed to do. All That Thomas knows is that he must learn to survive in this new world called the Glade with the bunch of rag-tag boys who call themselves the Gladers. Dashner’s novel is a new age telling of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Dashner explores human nature and the role that power plays in our lives.

Muli Wa Kituku, Vincent. (1997). East African folktales. Little Rock: August House Publishers, Inc. 0874834899.
Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku’s collection of folktales provides a look into the culture in which the author grew up. Rich in cultural heritage, East African Folktales is a compilation of tales used to teach lessons from generation to generation. Muli Wa Kituku adds a unique insight into his culture by providing page by page translations of these tales. They are written in both English and in Kikamba, the language of the author’s East African culture.

Shakespeare, William. (2008). Macbeth. Ill: Ken Hoshine. New York: Spark Publishing. 97814114987116.
This No Fear Shakespeare adaptation of Macbeth does not let the reader off with a simple summary and analysis of Shakespeare’s famous play of witches and royalty. Instead the student must read through the graphic novel using Shakespeare’s own words and an Hoshine’s illustrations to understand the plot. This graphic novel adaptation of Macbeth is a useful tool in making the Bard’s work accessible to all students, regardless of reading level.

Stiefvater, Maggie. (2009). Shiver. New York: Scholastic Press. 9780545123266.
Stiefvater’s novel of love, lust, adventure, and warewolves is sure to please any fan of Twilight. Grace knows there is something special about the wolves in the forest behind her yard. She has been watching them and they have been watching her ever since that fateful night when she was a young girl and the wolves attacked her. Shiver parallels The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet and would be a useful tool in teaching the lasting effect that Shakespeare had on the world of literature.