Shades of Earth 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: 1595143998
Genre: Science Fiction/Romance
Reading Level: Ages 14 and up
Reader’s Annotation:
Shades of Earth, the final installment of Revis’s series, moves the location of the story from the ship Godspeed to the planet they have been striving to find - Centauri-Earth. The dwellers of Godspeed that have decided to descend onto the new planet find themselves at ill-ease being lead into the unknown by the “frozens.” With their revival come a host of personality conflicts amid Elder's people's difficulties of adjusting to life outside the ship.
Plot Summary:
Shades of Earth is quick from the start as the people of Godspeed begin to come to terms with moving to the planet. Once they arrive they notice it appears someone or something has lived on the planet before. As the story progresses we find out that Godspeed was not only hundreds of years late on its landing, but it was also not the first ship to land.
The scientists and government officials from Earth set up shop and survey the land around them. In the process they find dwellings that the group all moves into, but it’s apparent that they were built long ago for someone else. Amy begins to distrust her Father and his people as she finds a unique glowing power source that no one seems to explain. The government officials set up a perimeter and do not let any of the “common folk” from Godspeed pass the line, but continually expect them to dig trenches for the good of the entire group.
As time goes on it becomes more and more apparent that they are not the only ones on the planet as many of Godspeed’s people as well as scientists have gone missing and are later found dead. There is only one thing that Amy and Elder can do to save all of their remaining people and they must go to the ends of space accomplish it.
Critical Evaluation:
Shades of Earth continues in the same fashion moving a bit out of the mystery genre and back into a full-on sci-fi story at the concluding point. The story is fast paced and ties the entire series together quite nicely. Any reader that has stuck with the series through the end will not be disappointed.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
Defensive Maneuvers:
Book Talking Ideas:
You've been leader of a group for some time, but suddenly someone appears that attempts to take control of your group. How exactly would you handle that situation?
Why This Book?
Shades of Earth is a captivating conclusion to the Across the Universe series. The reader finds themselves feeling a gambit of emotions throughout this book as the characters all fight in their own way to survive. Survival for everyone means something different and the reader thinks about what it would mean for them if in such a unique situation. The characters are all very well developed at this point and feel like real people. This is certainly a series that you don’t want to be over.
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: 1595143998
Genre: Science Fiction/Romance
Reading Level: Ages 14 and up
Reader’s Annotation:
Shades of Earth, the final installment of Revis’s series, moves the location of the story from the ship Godspeed to the planet they have been striving to find - Centauri-Earth. The dwellers of Godspeed that have decided to descend onto the new planet find themselves at ill-ease being lead into the unknown by the “frozens.” With their revival come a host of personality conflicts amid Elder's people's difficulties of adjusting to life outside the ship.
Plot Summary:
Shades of Earth is quick from the start as the people of Godspeed begin to come to terms with moving to the planet. Once they arrive they notice it appears someone or something has lived on the planet before. As the story progresses we find out that Godspeed was not only hundreds of years late on its landing, but it was also not the first ship to land.
The scientists and government officials from Earth set up shop and survey the land around them. In the process they find dwellings that the group all moves into, but it’s apparent that they were built long ago for someone else. Amy begins to distrust her Father and his people as she finds a unique glowing power source that no one seems to explain. The government officials set up a perimeter and do not let any of the “common folk” from Godspeed pass the line, but continually expect them to dig trenches for the good of the entire group.
As time goes on it becomes more and more apparent that they are not the only ones on the planet as many of Godspeed’s people as well as scientists have gone missing and are later found dead. There is only one thing that Amy and Elder can do to save all of their remaining people and they must go to the ends of space accomplish it.
Critical Evaluation:
Shades of Earth continues in the same fashion moving a bit out of the mystery genre and back into a full-on sci-fi story at the concluding point. The story is fast paced and ties the entire series together quite nicely. Any reader that has stuck with the series through the end will not be disappointed.
Curriculum Ties:
- Science
- Survival
- Decision Making
Challenge Issues:
- Premeditated 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:
You've been leader of a group for some time, but suddenly someone appears that attempts to take control of your group. How exactly would you handle that situation?
Why This Book?
Shades of Earth is a captivating conclusion to the Across the Universe series. The reader finds themselves feeling a gambit of emotions throughout this book as the characters all fight in their own way to survive. Survival for everyone means something different and the reader thinks about what it would mean for them if in such a unique situation. The characters are all very well developed at this point and feel like real people. This is certainly a series that you don’t want to be over.