Silenced: A Novel - Softcover

DeVita, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1571319379 ISBN 13: 9781571319371

Publisher: Milkweed Editions, 2015

Synopsis

Marena struggles to remember the past: a time before the Zero Tolerance Party murdered her mother and put her father under house arrest. A time before they installed listening devices in every home and outlawed writing. A time when she was free. But it feels like the only thing the new, repressive government wants is to have Marena forget. When the Minister of Education, Helmsley Greengritch, cracks down on Marena’s youth training facility, she knows she has to fight back. In the spirit of her revolutionary mother, she forms her own resistance group the White Rose. With nothing but words and a hunger for freedom, Marena fights for what she knows is right, only to discover the ZT Party's horrifying plans for the country. A thrilling story of resistance and the power of art, The Silenced draws upon the true story of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose group's resistance to the Nazi party.

About this title

Review:

Praise for The Silenced:

Wisconsin Library Association 2008 Outstanding Book
2008-2009 Texas Tayshas Reading List
2008-2009 Bookpage Notable Title
Read on Wisconsin! Book Choice

This is far and away the best young adult novel I have read for years It has a marvelously vibrant and courageous young heroine, and friends who may betray or help hard to predict. Best of all it is based on one of the most ultimately tough young women to grace this earth. The White Rose. After reading this book, you will want to read more about her.” Louise Erdrich

Tautly plotted novel ripe for discussion.” Kirkus Reviews

Gripping suspense combined with satisfyingly capable teen characters make this a good YA read a convincing dystopia.” Booklist

The Silenced is unique I would recommend this book to students and libraries for its unique approach and readability, and I believe it could be well used in a literature or social studies class to approach an introduction to Holocaust Education” Shoah Education

The gripping plot will engage readers and raise fundamental questions about individual responsibility and the cost of conscience.” VOYA

The book keeps up a fast pace that will appeal to teen readers. An interesting discussion of freedom and control that can be used as a conversation-starter as readers grapple with the question posed to Marena and the other students: 'Who do you think you are?'" Children’s Literature

James DeVita’s grim and sure-to-be-controversial novel of adolescence in a police state excellent, though troubling, novel." Bookpage (Notable Title)

Escapism with substance.” Seattle Times

With plenty of twists and betrayals, the fast-paced plot still gives readers time to reflect: Would they risk their lives for what they believe.” Stephanie Dunnewind

This surrealistic and grim world, wherein children are recruited to spy on their parents, lobotomized resisters are turned into unquestioning guards, and painting a rose can get you murdered, is hauntingly well developed, serving as the perfect challenge for the irascible and resolute Marena Compelling protagonist, terrifyingly realistic (sometimes only slightly exaggerated) setting, and gripping pace.” The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

This is a gripping read and young adults will certainly empathize with the characters' conflicts between self-expression and a desire to fit in. They will find the Zero Tolerance credo that the state's first priority must be the safety of its citizens to have a chilling resonance with statements in the news today.” School Library Journal

Praise for Blue:

American Booksellers Association Pick of the List
Virginia Center for Children’s Books Best Bet for the Classroom
The Center for Children’s Books Best Book of 2001

A cheerfully diverting fantasy about a boy who demonstrates that you really can become anything you want if you only believe.” Booklist

About the Author:

James DeVita, an author and actor, has published two award-winning novels for young readers as well as numerous plays. He is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship and a member of The Dramatists Guild and Actor’s Equity Association. He lives in Wisconsin with his wife and two children.

About this edition

• Publisher: Milkweed Editions
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1571319379
• ISBN 13: 9781571319371
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 448