Lake, N. (2012). In darkness. New York, NY: Bloomsbury.
Summary: Shorty is trapped under a hospital after an earthquake. He is flooded with memories of his life which is filled with tragedy. Alternatively, Toussaint is organizing slaves to fight for their freedom. These two are connected through Haiti's trajectory.
Review: A difficult an intense examination of Haiti from its successful slave uprising to the corruption of Westerners interfering for the worse when tragedy strikes during present day.
Diversity: Although written by an English man, this book speaks to the hardship and extreme poverty of Haiti. Shorty's character has much humanity.
Diversity: Although written by an English man, this book speaks to the hardship and extreme poverty of Haiti. Shorty's character has much humanity.
Suggestions for Teachers: This would be a good core text to teach. High on the complex level. Could connect it to a study of Haiti with Social Studies.
Reading Level:
- Quantitative: Lexile 800L, ATOS Book Level 9.67-12.01, Flesh-Kincaid 8.32-12.12, 8.41-10.81 RMM
- Qualitative: This text is very complex; the organization goes back and forth between Shorty in present day 2010 post earthquake and Toussaint, hundreds of years back. The language is also very complex and vernacular infused with some Creole. Life experiences and cultural knowledge of Haiti will make this more accessible.
Common Core State Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.5
Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.6
Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.
Relevant links: Teaching Books, Bloomsbury Guide
Subjects/Themes: Haiti, revolution, acceptance, family
Awards: Printz Award
Series Information: N/A
Series Information: N/A
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