Teen Book Review Blog

Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht

In Bertolt Brecht’s influential play Mother Courage and her children, originally published in 1941, he chronicles the Thirty Years’ War. The war takes place in 17th Century Europe, and it is between the Catholics and Protestants. The story of Mother Courage, a woman who sells the soldiers from this war food and supplies off of her wagon, is played out throughout the 12 scenes. Some scenes include triumph while others include loss and sorrow which are seen through the dynamic of Mother Courage’s relationship to her children as well as the influence on her and the family from the ongoing war. Bertolt Brecht, who is the founder and creator of Epic Theatre, incorporates his teachings and system of theatre into this play. Brecht began Epic Theatre from his fueled hatred of World War 1, leading him to write plays that criticized the political systems in place. His plays focus on the use of Alienating the audience and reader (also known as the Verfremdungseffekt), didacticism, and historification. Epic Theatre is used to open the reader and audiences mind to the state of the real world, rather than suspend their disbelief. 

A Suffragist's Guide to the Antarctic" by Yi Shun Lai

“A Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic,” by Yi Shun Lai is about a suffragist in the 1900s who struggles to show her feelings about women. This book is a great historical fiction book for teens who want to know more about the struggles for women's rights and young suffragists in the 1900s.Yi Shun Lai based this book about Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to Antarctica in 1914, but she adds something that is not accurate. This is having a woman on board the expedition. In the early 1900’s, having a woman on board was considered bad luck. Clara Ketterling-Dunbar who is 18 years old but claims to be 21 boards a ship named The Resolute. After this ship sinks once they make it to the Antarctic, the 28 Members of The Resolute survive on top of ice floes and have to work together to live. Clara tries to do other things except for just making biscuits and fixing clothing. Clara is a character who is constantly struggling with social problems, and makes readers want to flip pages until an amazing, heartfelt conclusion.

January 10, 2024

Review by Kelly

All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

In All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, the author juxtaposes the stories of two characters: Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner, a German soldier. However, due to World War II and fate, their paths cross. The story describes how Marie-Laure adapts to her environment and survives when the Germans invade her home country. Despite being blind, Marie-Laure can “see” everything and helps those in need through her own ways. On the other hand, Werner joins the Nazis to fight in hopes of accomplishing his dreams of becoming an inventor. In addition, the novel dives into themes involving family, identity, freedom, and perseverance. With each character discovering their true roles in society, the story is an emotional roller coaster with each turning page