Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Author Biography: Beth Revis grew up in western North Carolina reading CS Lewis and Madeleine L'Engle. Her debut novel, a sci fi novel for teens who don't like scifi, is Across the Universe. Information retrieved from Amazon.com
Published by: Razorbill
ISBN: 9781595144676
Genre: Science Fiction/Romance
Reading Level: Ages 14 and up
Reader’s Annotation:
Amy is the daughter of two important people, people so important she gets to be cryogenically frozen and sent into space to live on a new Earth. The journey is slated to take 300 years, but Amy is woken early by the curiosity of one of the ship dwellers. Amy must learn to survive inside cold walls in a mono-ethnic society that does not like her simply because they do not understand her.
Plot Summary:
Amy is the daughter of two esteemed parents whom are very important to the U.S. Government. As a result she has to make the decision of a life time: should she stay on Earth and continue to live the comfortable existence she knows without her parents? Or should she be cryogenically frozen and sent on a 300 year trip to space?
Amy makes the decision to join her parents in their journey and could never have been prepared for the events to come. Godspeed, the ship Amy and her family is traveling on, is inhabited, worked on, and powered by generation after generation of ship dwellers. Over the years they have become a mono-ethnic society lead by an Elder System where the youngest from one generation is the oldest of the next, and thus the rightful leader.
Once Amy is raised from her cryogenic rest, she must learn to hide from the ships' inhabitants who are afraid of her, or find a way to gain their trust. She befriends Eldest, the Elder-in-training, and begins to learn about the ship and how different everything is from Earth. As time passes she learns of the lies, deceit, and lessons that have brought the people of Godspeed where they are today.
Critical Evaluation:
Across the Universe is the beginning to a unique trilogy that almost feels like it’s in movie form. The detail in the verbiage as well as the map of the ship Godspeed that is included really lets the reader feel like they are part of this new world. Teens from all walks of life can enjoy this story because of the depth of the story line and how easy it is to relate to the characters. With all of the technological advances in science over the past few years, it really makes the reader think that nearly everything in this book is very well possible.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
Defensive Maneuvers:
Book Talking Ideas:
If you were given the chance to give up everything and fast-forward your life into an entirely new age with new people, would you do it?
Why This Book?
Across the Universe is a wonderful way to get teens into the Sci-Fi genre. The side love story along with the perception of the realness in the crises at hand makes it an exhilarating read. Readers can easily take many situations that are happening in space and apply them to present day issues such as climate change, tolerance, and fear of the unknown.
Published by: Razorbill
ISBN: 9781595144676
Genre: Science Fiction/Romance
Reading Level: Ages 14 and up
Reader’s Annotation:
Amy is the daughter of two important people, people so important she gets to be cryogenically frozen and sent into space to live on a new Earth. The journey is slated to take 300 years, but Amy is woken early by the curiosity of one of the ship dwellers. Amy must learn to survive inside cold walls in a mono-ethnic society that does not like her simply because they do not understand her.
Plot Summary:
Amy is the daughter of two esteemed parents whom are very important to the U.S. Government. As a result she has to make the decision of a life time: should she stay on Earth and continue to live the comfortable existence she knows without her parents? Or should she be cryogenically frozen and sent on a 300 year trip to space?
Amy makes the decision to join her parents in their journey and could never have been prepared for the events to come. Godspeed, the ship Amy and her family is traveling on, is inhabited, worked on, and powered by generation after generation of ship dwellers. Over the years they have become a mono-ethnic society lead by an Elder System where the youngest from one generation is the oldest of the next, and thus the rightful leader.
Once Amy is raised from her cryogenic rest, she must learn to hide from the ships' inhabitants who are afraid of her, or find a way to gain their trust. She befriends Eldest, the Elder-in-training, and begins to learn about the ship and how different everything is from Earth. As time passes she learns of the lies, deceit, and lessons that have brought the people of Godspeed where they are today.
Critical Evaluation:
Across the Universe is the beginning to a unique trilogy that almost feels like it’s in movie form. The detail in the verbiage as well as the map of the ship Godspeed that is included really lets the reader feel like they are part of this new world. Teens from all walks of life can enjoy this story because of the depth of the story line and how easy it is to relate to the characters. With all of the technological advances in science over the past few years, it really makes the reader think that nearly everything in this book is very well possible.
Curriculum Ties:
- Science
- Survival
- Tolerance
- Ignorance
- Problems with Authority
Challenge Issues:
- Suicide
- Depression
- Revolt
- Murder
Defensive Maneuvers:
- Have the library's collection policy on hand and memorized. Even though you may have it committed to memory, being able to show specific provisions as proof with strengthen your position.
- Be familiar with the book. Having great knowledge of it will prove you understand the content and the way the challenged matters interact with each other.
- Cite any awards the book may have. Though the patron may disagree with the book, showing that it is well known and seen as having great literary merit will strengthen your defense.
- Have a few reviews ready from respected sources such as Amazon or VOYA. At the very least, you can prove you understand the material and reviews will corroborate that.
- Have a strong idea WHY that item is in the library. Explain its merits, who the intended audience is, and so on.
- State your library's commitment to providing intellectual freedom as written in the Library Bill of Rights.
- Stay calm. Getting defensive or hot under the collar will only weaken your position.
- And finally, be open to discussion and LISTEN. Even if you do not agree with the patron, their concerns are still legitimate and you should show that you are engaged with them. Listening to their concerns may be enough to take the edge off.
Book Talking Ideas:
If you were given the chance to give up everything and fast-forward your life into an entirely new age with new people, would you do it?
Why This Book?
Across the Universe is a wonderful way to get teens into the Sci-Fi genre. The side love story along with the perception of the realness in the crises at hand makes it an exhilarating read. Readers can easily take many situations that are happening in space and apply them to present day issues such as climate change, tolerance, and fear of the unknown.