Z for Zacharia

Resource type: book (fiction)

Cover (O'Brien, 1974)

In a secluded valley, protected by mountains on all sides from the rest of the world, lives Ann Burden, a 16 year old teenager who once had dreams of becoming a teacher. That future is now out of her reach. Outside her valley the world has been destroyed by nuclear and biological war, and she lives now, alone, sustaining herself, a small  brood of chickens, and the beginnings of a cow herd, on the farm that she grew up on.

This book is Ann's diary, and in it she documents her activities, her dreams and how she is coping with being alone. She is independent and self-sufficient, making use of skills she learnt growing up, and the stock of the nearby farm store. Every day she must tend to the garden, care for the animals and maintain the farm. There's also long-term decisions to be made - the seed in the store will spoil on the shelves, and she must decide which crops she can plant and grow to ensure they don't become extinct.

But she is afraid. A strange, sick man slowly makes his way into the valley. He is wearing protective clothing, and is travelling alone. Ann's had no contact from other humans for a year now, since the radio stopped, and she doesn't know who this man is, what his intentions are, or if he is trustworthy.

This gripping novel follows Ann closely through her life. On the one hand, it is simple - the day-to-day activities of farm life, making food, feeding chickens. But on the other hand, she is faced with decisions that would fill anyone with fear and apprehension: the future of the human race.

From the start, there is a sense of dread, of living on the edge of madness. And the fear does not stop.

This is an engaging and eerie book about a teenage girl surviving in a dystopian world, and is highly recommended.

Bibliographic details:

O'Brien, C. R. (1974). Z for Zachariah. New York: Simon Pulse.

Northern Lights

Resource type: audiobook (fiction)

Cover (Pullman, 2003)

Imagine if part of who you are, part of your identity, was separate from you? A dæmon, a separate animal that could shape shift and talk? You'd always have a friend, disputes with other people could be resolved by having your dæmons fight and people could understand you better by your demon's expressions. Would this be easier? Would it be a cure for loneliness? Could we understand each other better?

These questions are asked in Northern Lights. 

The story follows Lyra Belacqua, and her dæmon Pantalaimon, in an alternate universe where lanterns are used as projectors, and cars don't exist. It's a Steampunk world, there's more dust and dirt, the Church and and academic colleges run the country, and there's a bear king who lives in the north. Lyra plays a very important part in the future of this world, but she must not know. A Steampunk contraption called an alethiometer makes it's way in to Lyra's hands. It's kind of like a barometer (used for checking air pressure) but this is used to tell truths.
Lyra must learn to use it, and quickly! Children are disappearing, there are rumours of the church conducting experiments on humans, and there is a rescue mission to find the missing children.

In this audio adaptation of Phillip Pullmans first epic novel in the dark materials trilogy, the characters come to life and the story plays out inside your head as you listen with headphones. While you walk to the train, watching cars and houses pass you in the street, a fantastic adventure full of opulence, academics, magic and mystery plays out. You hear a moth flit past you, and you can almost feel the softly worn leather as someone sits down in an old leather armchair.

Although this is only an abridged version of the full story in The Golden Compass, the audiobook format is an extremely engaging medium in which to experience this story.

Bibliographic details:

Pullman, P. (2003). Northern lights. [Audio Recording]. Bath, UK: BBC Audiobooks.

Howl's Moving Castle

Resource type: movie (fiction)

Poster (Miyazaki, 2004)

Like a ship appearing out the mist, the Steampunk castle looms ahead. But as the air clears, the absurd spindly little legs carrying monstrous castle appear, and it's not so terrifying anymore.

Howl's Moving Castle directed by Hayao Miyazaki is an anime movie based on the fantasy novel of the same name, by Diana Wynne Jones.

We are taken on a whirlwind ride along with Sophie, a young woman only just starting to take on responsibility in her family's hat shop. Her life feels stiffled amongst all the ribbons and bows, and there's warnings across the land that all young women should watch out for the dangerous Wizard Howl, who lives in the moving castle. But the jealous and compulsive Witch of the Waste makes and entrance and, for reasons unclear, puts Sophie under a curse. She finds herself transformed into a wrinkly and grey - but lively - old woman.

Sophie decides that the hat shop is no longer the place for her, and sets out in the world, with a new found sense of freedom and lack of responsibility. She can't have that much more bad luck, and anyway, who's going to bother with a little old lady?

On her journey she finds the magical castle, which decides that Sophie's alright, and lets her take refuge. But she must live alongside Howl, the impetuous, dazzling, vain, impulsive and powerful wizard, and his household of characters - Calcifer the fire demon who strikes a deal with Sophie to let her stay, Markl, Howl's apprentice wizard in training, and Turnip-Head, a scarecrow that Sophie helps to get out of a sticky situation, and now won't leave her alone.

The characters have depth - the baddies are terrifying, but are simply working towards their own goals, while the goodies may have a touch of bad in them, or maybe it's a sense of mystery.

And the mysterious Wizard Howl. Can Sophie trust him? Can she break her curse? Does she even care enough about herself to break it?

This is sumptuously animated movie, brings life, movement and layers of visual delight to Jones' classic fantasy novel. Watch this movie for the food, the flying and the adventure, magic and romance. 

Bibliographic details:

Jones, D. W. (Writer), & Miyazaki, H. (Director). (2004). Howl's moving castle [Motion Picture]. Japan: Toho.