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1. Bibliographic Information
Westerfeld, S. (2009). Leviathan. New York: Simon & Schuster Audio.
Audiobook read by Alan Cumming
7 Disks
ISBN: 978-0-7435-8388-6
2. Plot Summary
This story begins in an alternate world at the start of World War I. The Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie have just been poisoned after a failed assassination attempt in Serbia. The son and prince, Aleksander Ferdinand is forced to flee from his palace home, when his relatives threaten his life. Running for the Swiss border, he is aided by his fencing teacher, a mechanic and a few other members who remain loyal to Alek. To move from Austria to Switzerland, the band uses Clanker technology to employ steam-driven machines as a means of transportation and protection. Unfortunately, his relative’s allies are not far behind. During this time, a young girl named Deryn has hopes of joining the British Air Service. However, they do not allow girls into their program. Deryn decides to pass as a boy. On her first day, she ends up stranded in a Huxley drifting over London. When she is rescued by the Leviathan, a whale-like air-ship, she convinces the captain to let her stay aboard. High in the Swiss Alps, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross. With so many secrets and the inevitability of war, how safe are Alek and Deryn?
3. Critical Evaluation
In many ways the themes in this story are nothing new. Leviathan focuses on the lives of Deryn and Alek, both of whom are pitted against one another while trying to prove their worth. Both are somewhat hampered by their birth; Deryn because she was born a girl, and Alek because he was born a prince. Nevertheless, it is the setting that Westerfeld presents as well as Alan Cumming’s narration that makes the book interesting. Westerfeld’s alternative history becomes exciting because it pits two different types of technologies against each other forcing the listener to question these modes of weaponry. It somewhat goes back to the cliché: just because we can does not mean we should. In fact, using this line of reasoning, Westerfeld’s novel becomes more than just a simple science fiction tale. While the novel does look at the characters it also makes a comparison between the growth of mechanical technology as well as animal testing in today’s world. Furthermore, Deryn and Alek debate the very same questions when comparing the two technologies. Alan Cumming’s narration also has an undeniable impact upon the listener. His tone, voice and pacing allows the listener to be transported to Westerfeld’s new World War I.
4. Reader’s Annotation
On the eve of World War I a 15 year old girl passes as a boy so she can fulfill her dreams of being an airman in the British Air Service. Additionally, Prince Aleksander Ferdinand, son of the Archduke Ferdinand, must flee Austria-Hungary and lay low until he can complete his destiny. When their paths cross their lives will change forever.
5. Information about the Author
Scott Westerfeld was born May 6, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. He has written other books for teens including the Uglies Series. He currently lives in New York and Sydney, Australia with his wife. His sequel to Leviathan is due in the fall and is to be title Behemoth.
6. Genre
Science Fiction (more specifically: Steampunk Fiction)
7. Curriculum Ties
Since this book is about an alternate reality during World War I, I would just encourage students to read this book as an outside reading book.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-What are some of the social and gender rules during Westerfeld’s Leviathan? How is this different from today?
-Through Deryn and Alek’s discussion regarding the technologies between the Clankers and the Darwinists, how does Westerfeld question the role of animals and machines in science and technology?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this book would appeal most to 15-16 year olds.
10. Challenge Issues
I do not feel that this book presents any challenging issues to the age group that this book was written for. However, if anyone were to challenge this book I would refer he/she to the ALA’s challenge form found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it selected?
I am a fan of steampunk fiction.
12. Citation Page
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Westerfeld, S. (2010). Scott facts. Retrieved from http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/about-the-author/scott-facts/
Picture
Amazon.com (2010). Leviathan [Audiobook][Unabridged] (Audio CD). Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Leviathan-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/0743583884/ref=tmm_abk_title_0
Westerfeld, S. (2009). Leviathan. New York: Simon & Schuster Audio.
Audiobook read by Alan Cumming
7 Disks
ISBN: 978-0-7435-8388-6
2. Plot Summary
This story begins in an alternate world at the start of World War I. The Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie have just been poisoned after a failed assassination attempt in Serbia. The son and prince, Aleksander Ferdinand is forced to flee from his palace home, when his relatives threaten his life. Running for the Swiss border, he is aided by his fencing teacher, a mechanic and a few other members who remain loyal to Alek. To move from Austria to Switzerland, the band uses Clanker technology to employ steam-driven machines as a means of transportation and protection. Unfortunately, his relative’s allies are not far behind. During this time, a young girl named Deryn has hopes of joining the British Air Service. However, they do not allow girls into their program. Deryn decides to pass as a boy. On her first day, she ends up stranded in a Huxley drifting over London. When she is rescued by the Leviathan, a whale-like air-ship, she convinces the captain to let her stay aboard. High in the Swiss Alps, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross. With so many secrets and the inevitability of war, how safe are Alek and Deryn?
3. Critical Evaluation
In many ways the themes in this story are nothing new. Leviathan focuses on the lives of Deryn and Alek, both of whom are pitted against one another while trying to prove their worth. Both are somewhat hampered by their birth; Deryn because she was born a girl, and Alek because he was born a prince. Nevertheless, it is the setting that Westerfeld presents as well as Alan Cumming’s narration that makes the book interesting. Westerfeld’s alternative history becomes exciting because it pits two different types of technologies against each other forcing the listener to question these modes of weaponry. It somewhat goes back to the cliché: just because we can does not mean we should. In fact, using this line of reasoning, Westerfeld’s novel becomes more than just a simple science fiction tale. While the novel does look at the characters it also makes a comparison between the growth of mechanical technology as well as animal testing in today’s world. Furthermore, Deryn and Alek debate the very same questions when comparing the two technologies. Alan Cumming’s narration also has an undeniable impact upon the listener. His tone, voice and pacing allows the listener to be transported to Westerfeld’s new World War I.
4. Reader’s Annotation
On the eve of World War I a 15 year old girl passes as a boy so she can fulfill her dreams of being an airman in the British Air Service. Additionally, Prince Aleksander Ferdinand, son of the Archduke Ferdinand, must flee Austria-Hungary and lay low until he can complete his destiny. When their paths cross their lives will change forever.
5. Information about the Author
Scott Westerfeld was born May 6, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. He has written other books for teens including the Uglies Series. He currently lives in New York and Sydney, Australia with his wife. His sequel to Leviathan is due in the fall and is to be title Behemoth.
6. Genre
Science Fiction (more specifically: Steampunk Fiction)
7. Curriculum Ties
Since this book is about an alternate reality during World War I, I would just encourage students to read this book as an outside reading book.
8. Booktalking Ideas
-What are some of the social and gender rules during Westerfeld’s Leviathan? How is this different from today?
-Through Deryn and Alek’s discussion regarding the technologies between the Clankers and the Darwinists, how does Westerfeld question the role of animals and machines in science and technology?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this book would appeal most to 15-16 year olds.
10. Challenge Issues
I do not feel that this book presents any challenging issues to the age group that this book was written for. However, if anyone were to challenge this book I would refer he/she to the ALA’s challenge form found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it selected?
I am a fan of steampunk fiction.
12. Citation Page
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Westerfeld, S. (2010). Scott facts. Retrieved from http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/about-the-author/scott-facts/
Picture
Amazon.com (2010). Leviathan [Audiobook][Unabridged] (Audio CD). Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Leviathan-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/0743583884/ref=tmm_abk_title_0
13. Awards
ALA Best Books For Young Adults
ALA Notable Children's Books
Bank Street Best Books of the Year
Outstanding Merit Kirkus Best Young Adult Book School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
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