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1. Bibliographic Infomration
Hooper, M. (2008). Newes from the dead. New York: Roaring Book Press.
ISBN: 1-59643-355-8
263 pages
2. Plot Summary
Newes from the Dead tells the account of Anne Green and the doctors who attempt to perform an autopsy on her corpse. In 1650, Anne Green is a young girl serving at Barton Manor which is owned by Sir Thomas Reade. During her day to day chores, Sir Thomas’ grandson, Master Geoffrey continuously flirts with Anne. His attentions turn more passionate, however and against her better judgment, Anne agrees to sleep with him. Thinking that he might be sincere in his attentions, Anne is not worried about his ardor until she realizes she is pregnant. Upon hearing of Master Geoffrey’s proposal to another woman, Anne confronts Geoffrey. Geoffrey ignores her pleadings and Anne is left on her own. When she does give birth in the privy, the baby is stillborn. However, when the other maids of the household find out what she has done, they accuse her of infanticide. Upon her trial she is found guilty and condemned to hang. Following her hanging, a group of doctors begin to prepare for her autopsy. One of the doctors, though, notice her eyelids flutter. Has Anne been raised from the dead or is her soul just leaving her body?
3. Critical Evaluation
This novel, which is actually based upon a true account of Anne Green’s experiences with death, provides its readers with an interesting look at history during the middle ages. Readers are able to read about the different expectations of social classes, as well as better understand the life of a young maid. I especially enjoyed that each chapter switched from Anne’s “limbo” state to the actions of the doctors. Through this writing style, the author was able to create suspense as well as indicating the moral dilemmas that many doctors faced before autopsies were mainstreamed medical practices. The author began the story with the hanging of Anne Green, which creates an element of uncertainty with Anne as our narrator during her parts of the book. While the reader understands that Anne is in some ways coherent, it is through the doctors and their actions that the reader starts to wonder about Anne’s state. Overall, this book allows the readers to escape to a different time period, assess the morality of the middle ages, as well as read an interesting interpretation of a true story. Also included is the original document published in 1651.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Hanged for murder Anne Green tells her story from the grave. However, when the doctors who are about to perform her autopsy notice her eye flickering, perhaps her death is not permanent.
5. Information about the Author
Mary Hooper was born in Barnes, South West London. She has written other books for Young Adults including other historical fiction about Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. She now lives with her husband in Oxfordshire, England.
6. Genre
Historical Fiction
7. Curriculum Ties
This novel would be an excellent supplementary reading for students who are learning about the Middle Ages just before the Renaissance.
8. Booktalking Ideas
- Examine how people during the Middle Ages resorted to using religion to explain events. Is this different from today?
- Why do you think that infanticide was the only crime during the 17th century in which the accused was guilty until proven innocent?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this book is suitable for readers aged 15-18.
10. Challenge Issues
This book does have instances of sex, the death of a newborn, and some explanation of autopsy practices in the 1600s.
If there were any challenge issues I would refer patrons to the challenge form from the ALA website at: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it selected?
As a history major, I enjoy historical 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
Hooper, M. (2008). Newes from the dead. New York: Roaring Book Press.
Hooper, M. (2008). Newes from the dead. New York: Roaring Book Press.
ISBN: 1-59643-355-8
263 pages
2. Plot Summary
Newes from the Dead tells the account of Anne Green and the doctors who attempt to perform an autopsy on her corpse. In 1650, Anne Green is a young girl serving at Barton Manor which is owned by Sir Thomas Reade. During her day to day chores, Sir Thomas’ grandson, Master Geoffrey continuously flirts with Anne. His attentions turn more passionate, however and against her better judgment, Anne agrees to sleep with him. Thinking that he might be sincere in his attentions, Anne is not worried about his ardor until she realizes she is pregnant. Upon hearing of Master Geoffrey’s proposal to another woman, Anne confronts Geoffrey. Geoffrey ignores her pleadings and Anne is left on her own. When she does give birth in the privy, the baby is stillborn. However, when the other maids of the household find out what she has done, they accuse her of infanticide. Upon her trial she is found guilty and condemned to hang. Following her hanging, a group of doctors begin to prepare for her autopsy. One of the doctors, though, notice her eyelids flutter. Has Anne been raised from the dead or is her soul just leaving her body?
3. Critical Evaluation
This novel, which is actually based upon a true account of Anne Green’s experiences with death, provides its readers with an interesting look at history during the middle ages. Readers are able to read about the different expectations of social classes, as well as better understand the life of a young maid. I especially enjoyed that each chapter switched from Anne’s “limbo” state to the actions of the doctors. Through this writing style, the author was able to create suspense as well as indicating the moral dilemmas that many doctors faced before autopsies were mainstreamed medical practices. The author began the story with the hanging of Anne Green, which creates an element of uncertainty with Anne as our narrator during her parts of the book. While the reader understands that Anne is in some ways coherent, it is through the doctors and their actions that the reader starts to wonder about Anne’s state. Overall, this book allows the readers to escape to a different time period, assess the morality of the middle ages, as well as read an interesting interpretation of a true story. Also included is the original document published in 1651.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Hanged for murder Anne Green tells her story from the grave. However, when the doctors who are about to perform her autopsy notice her eye flickering, perhaps her death is not permanent.
5. Information about the Author
Mary Hooper was born in Barnes, South West London. She has written other books for Young Adults including other historical fiction about Queen Elizabeth and King Charles. She now lives with her husband in Oxfordshire, England.
6. Genre
Historical Fiction
7. Curriculum Ties
This novel would be an excellent supplementary reading for students who are learning about the Middle Ages just before the Renaissance.
8. Booktalking Ideas
- Examine how people during the Middle Ages resorted to using religion to explain events. Is this different from today?
- Why do you think that infanticide was the only crime during the 17th century in which the accused was guilty until proven innocent?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this book is suitable for readers aged 15-18.
10. Challenge Issues
This book does have instances of sex, the death of a newborn, and some explanation of autopsy practices in the 1600s.
If there were any challenge issues I would refer patrons to the challenge form from the ALA website at: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm/
11. Why was it selected?
As a history major, I enjoy historical 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
Hooper, Mary. (2010). Mary Hooper online: Mary Hooper-about me. Retrieved from http://www.maryhooper.co.uk/about.html
Hooper, M. (2008). Newes from the dead. New York: Roaring Book Press.
Picture
Amazon.com (2010). Newes from the dead. Retrieved from
http://www.amazon.com/Newes-Dead-Mary-Hooper/dp/1596433558/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268716994&sr=8-1 13. Awards
Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
NYPL Stuff for the Teen Age
USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Book
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens
Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List
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