Hoffman, A. (2010). Green Angel. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN-13: 9780545204118
•Plot Summary
When Green's family goes to the city to sell the vegetables grown in their village garden, Green is left at home to further work the land, a fact she resents until she witnesses the city being bombed. Made partially blind by the rain of embers and ash in the air, she renames herself Ash as she struggles to survive in a house alone. Confronted by theft, and unable to drag herself out of her depression, she hides under a table with the family dog. Eventually, she pulls herself out, cuts off all her hair, places nails in her shoes, and thorns on her father's old cloak in order to trade with the locals. She tattoos thorns, bats, and other dark creatures on her body with pins and ink, the marks eventually evolving into sprouting roses as she helps her neighbors, local children, and mute boy she names Diamond, readjust to the world around them.
•Critical Evaluation
Green begins as a questionable character, but blossoms into one that is truly astounding. With its pointed allusions to the events of 9/11, this small book contains a marvelous heroine, and does not succumb to over emotional jargon to convey the lives of people trying to learn to live again after the deaths of their friends and family.
•Reader’s Annotation
Green is fifteen when the book begins, but makes a good role model for teen girls of any age. Characterizations are solid, and believable.
•Information about the author
Alice Hoffman was born in New Jersey in 1952, and was an avid actress in school plays until the age of 20, when she discovered writing. She received a B.A. in English and Anthropology from Adelphi University, and an M.A. in creative writing. By the age of 25, she has written her first novel, Of Property.
She has written for several television series, published almost twenty-five novels for adults, hand six novels in the young adult genre. Her novels are based primarily on historical or paranormal themes. She lived in New York City from 1983 to 2003, but currently lives with her husband and children in Boston.
•Genre
Fantasy
•Curriculum Ties
Current events
•Booktalking Ideas
Terrorism, mourning
•Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8-12/Ages 13-18
•Challenge Issues
N/A/
•Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
I wrote my author and genre study on Alice Hoffman, and this was one of her teen titles, but I would have included it anyway. It's a small book, but has huge impact, and the whole story is brilliant. Hoffman has a way of expressing even the saddest of events in a way that is bold, and grabs you.
