These reviews are intended for potential purchasers (because it's an online store) and readers of the book. They could belong to any number of communities - but within the young adult genre, I'm sure it's as likely parents or grandparents looking for a gift as the young adults themselves. For instance, in the Ender's game review: "Also the themes of murder, deception, isolation, rules of engagement in battle might be viewed as inappropriate by parents for their kids."
Purpose
Review writers might have any number of reasons for taking the time to write reviews, but I think people are particularly inclined to share stories that they find inspirational. In one of the reviews: "'His Dark Materials' centers on Lyra, a feisty, smooth-talking, brave, highly independent, young, intelligent female protagonist. She absolutely explodes gender expectations and her adventurous, hilariously gutsy spirit leaves you realizing just how few strong female characters we have in fantasy children's (or young adult's) literature." This reader found the protagonist inspiring and the book more enjoyable for that reason.
Content/Subject
There is generally a summary of the story that doesn't give away too many details but rather focuses on the age of their characters, their disposition and relationships to one another, and the general theme of the story. The Ender's game review is a particularly good example of this. It would be inappropriate within this genre to give away the ending, but review writers might want to tease at it.
Structure
The structure varies, but most generally it involves a brief summary of the story, the themes, what the reviewer thought of the book overall, and finally, how appropriate it might be for the targeted age group. There were several comments throughout my chosen reviews about how adults might be able to better grasp the themes in the stories. There seems to always be a comment about how the social/political content might affect children on a moral level.
Style/Language
The style seems to be very personal and informal, which is nice because it lends an air of authenticity to the review - sometimes official reviewers in magazines, etc. sound a little stuff and out of touch. Perhaps this is because bias and subjectivity are more permissible in this genre. There really doesn't seem to be any specialized language that I can see, other than the word "recommend" being used a whole bunch.
Patterns
See above.
How might your discoveries guide you as you write your own review?
I think that looking at the genre more closely has freed me up to be very personal with the review, and look at the book from a more subjective perspective, rather than from the objective "good or bad" standpoint of most formal reviews. I don't often write from personal experience, so I think this will be a good experience.
ENDER'S GAME
This was a book recommended to me by a friend who also happened to tell me the ending before I read it. Remind me to give him a nasty stare!
Anyway, this book starts off with a rather long introduction which the author wrote himself about his influences and motivation for writing Ender's Game. The author has had the idea of a Battle Room since he was sixteen. Only much later did he piece together the story of Ender and his mission to save the earth.
Ender Wiggin is a special boy. He is the youngest (6 yrs old when the story starts) of a family of child geniuses (Peter being the eldest, then Valentine). This story is set in the future where aliens (called Buggers because of their physical and mental traits) have tried to invade the earth twice. Twice the Earth defeated them, but at great cost. The government is scrambling to make sure this never happens again by training the next set of star fleet commanders from childhood.
In this futuristic world, only the government could sanction the birth of a third child (for population control reasons). In a way, Ender was born for a purpose. Peter and Valentine were both tested for giftedness and they both possessed it; however, he was ruthless and evil, and she was too soft and kind. Ender was a perfect balance of decisiveness and innocence, and so chosen from the beginning to go through Battle School. It is in Battle School that Ender learns military strategy and the history of wars between the Earth and the Buggers. It is also in Battle School that Ender makes friends and molds the perfect platoon leaders.
What's really unique about this story is that Ender is forced to grow up so quickly by the "adults." The teachers of the school and high government officials all have one thought in their minds. And that is to eliminate the alien threat at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing the health and sanity of a child. Ender is subjected to so much isolation and abuse throughout the story, that I felt really bad for him. He has to learn to think like an adult through the eyes of a child. His biggest fear is becoming like his brother Peter (who, in Ender's eyes, is a cold blooded killer -- keep in mind that we're talking about the thoughts of a child who hasn't even reached puberty) is slowly becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy as he matures. The ending of this story is just amazing. I will not give it away!
I recommended this book to a 13 year old boy before having finished the book. Now I'm thinking twice about my recommendation. Although this book's main characters are children and centers around the premise that child geniuses will save the world, there are a lot of adult themes and references to ancient history that probably only an adult would appreciate. I believe references to the Warsaw Pact, the League of Nations, Locke and Demosthenes will confuse the younger readers. Also the themes of murder, deception, isolation, rules of engagement in battle might be viewed as inappropriate by parents for their kids. With this in mind, I urge the reader to consider the maturity of the intended audience before recommending this book even though this is a terrific story.
A WRINKLE IN TIME
After hearing some high praise of this children's classic, I finally decided to give it a try to see what all the hype was about. I had somehow missed being exposed to this as a child, so this review is really from an adult perspective. First, I found this book to be a very enjoyable, light read, with enough excitement and imagination-stimulating content to keep it interesting. The characters and settings were convincing, but vague and undefined enough to allow for plenty of fill-in-the-holes type visualizations. The story itself is a kind of fantasy/mystery/SciFi melding that succeeds at all three, and comes to a satisfactory ending (while leaving enough unsaid for there to be follow-up novels). I highly recommend this book to any reader who hasn't previously experienced it, and think it would be a great option for those looking for something to get their children to read (~11+).
Like many others, I was surprised by the repeated references to God and Jesus throughout this book. While the story is not overtly religious, the characters within, including time-travel-experimenting scientists and extraterrestrial beings, are obviously Christian. It makes the book seem a bit strange with our modern-day perspectives and sensibilities, but I think the God references are more of a sign of the times than they are an attempt at indoctrination. Written at a time when the vast majority of Americans at least identified themselves as Christian, these references probably went largely unnoticed in the past. And, unlike many other reviewers who seem to be somehow offended by the inclusion of God in the story, I didn't find it to be a problem, just a bit confusing and surprising to see in an otherwise secular novel.
As with all children's literature, the moral of this story is easy to discern. A lot of the moral content could have come right out of an Ayn Rand novel, praising individuality and independence while condemning conformation and reliance on others. IMO, these are some of the most powerful and important lessons to teach young people, so they greatly increased my appreciation for, and enjoyment of, this book. Obviously, many other readers disagree with that sentiment. Again, these themes were popular ones at the time of the book's writing, pertinent to the political happenings both at home (in the USA) and abroad, with fears of rising Communism. I'm not sure if the rest of Madeleine L'Engle's books contain such overt political messages, but as long as they are in the same vein as this one, it'd be fine by me if they do.
HIS DARK MATERIALS TRILOGY
I just finished re-reading Phillip Pullman's astonishing trilogy for the third time. No, I'm not an eager 11-year-old desperate for a Potter substitute. I'm a thirty-two year old English teacher happily immersed in the modern day renaissance that is children's fantasy. Of course, like any renaissance, there are the founding fathers, such as C.S. Lewis. There are the, at times, appallingly bad writers like Stephenie Meyer and there are the highly capable, thrilling storytellers like Madeleine L'engle, Lois Lowry, and J.K. Rowling.
And then there is Phillip Pullman outstripping them all with his spiritually complex, daringly original trilogy, "His Dark Materials."
The great thing about Pullman's series is that it works on two levels. Adult readers (and even academics) will note his ingenious use of literary allusions, scientific theories, history, and various myths and religious beliefs to bring to life not just multiple worlds, but multiple universes. Young readers will appreciate his carefully crafted, highly suspenseful plot, his exciting descriptions of exotic worlds, and his heroic, compelling characters, all of whom must suffer and make difficult choices in a time of great upheaval.
I dare not give any plot details away--the twists and turns are too clever to ruin--but I do want to say a word about Pullman's contribution in terms of fantasy literature for young girls. This series is certainly one that boys will enjoy, chalk full as it is with giant armored bears, action-packed battle sequences, texas ballooners, gyspies, and a young boy, Will, who becomes the second protagonist when he shows up in book two and learns to wield a knife that cuts through the very fabric of the universe.
However, unlike, say, "The Chronicles of Narnia," which demonizes female power, or "The Lord of the Rings," which pushes women to the side, or even "Harry Potter," which, let's face it, is mostly about a young boy's quest, "His Dark Materials" centers on Lyra, a feisty, smooth-talking, brave, highly independent, young, intelligent female protagonist. She absolutely explodes gender expectations and her adventurous, hilariously gutsy spirit leaves you realizing just how few strong female characters we have in fantasy children's (or young adult's) literature. Pullman reverses expectations again with his sympathetic depiction of female witches and with his complex portrayal of Mrs. Coulter, who is neither entirely good nor entirely evil.
Come with an open mind and you will not be disappointed.
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