Smackdown Books 2021

Ordinary Hazards
We Dream of Space
If These Wings Could Fly
We Are Not Free
The King of Jam Sandwiches
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team
The Companion
Punching the Air
Show Me a Sign
Land of the Cranes
Furia
Dragon Hoops
When Stars Are Scattered
Snapdragon
The Radium Girls: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark
American as Paneer Pie
Tune It Out
The Gilded Ones
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
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Monday, April 9, 2018

Smell of Other People's Houses Gleans Scythe

The Smell of Other People’s Houses
Something about this novel really stuck with a couple of us, and really think this would be a great fit for any Div 3 or 4 classroom. Sure, the happy ending  with everything tied up in a neat bow may b e  tiring, however,  the “searching for love and acceptance” narrative will resonate with many students. It was a quick and enjoyable read for all of us. The supernatural aspects, the religious undertones, and universal experiences of loneliness and loss offer a lot to young readers looking for a place in the world.

Scythe
Unfortunately, only 2 of our team read Scythe fully, the other two couldn’t get through it!  I was the only one who loved Scythe!  I am a fan of Dystopian fiction and found this book compelling and facsincating and really spoke to the good and bad of human nature.  In our digital world, increasingly supported by technology like Google Home, I found the sentient Thunderhead a fascinating concept.  The idea of hunder, poverty and disease being eradictated, but the population still needing to be controlled through gleaning speaks to the data based nature of computer decisions.  I think junior high students who are fans of books like Hunger Games, and Unwind will love this book/series!



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