Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Little Island (2018), Edition: 2nd Alternate, 286 pages
Description
Letta, charged with collecting and saving words, uncovers a sinister plan to suppress language, robbing the people of Ark of the power of speech, and realizes she must also save the culture, itself.
User reviews
LibraryThing member LibStaff2
3.5 Stars
A middle-grades dystopia that is reminiscent of many of the classic dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels with a few original elements.
4 Stars - The worldbuilding, the overall plot, the pace, and the setup.
3 Stars - The gaps in the story and some characters needed a little more
If you read dystopias, I would give this book a chance, especially if you're a younger YA fan.
Net Galley Feedback
A middle-grades dystopia that is reminiscent of many of the classic dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels with a few original elements.
4 Stars - The worldbuilding, the overall plot, the pace, and the setup.
3 Stars - The gaps in the story and some characters needed a little more
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development (although some were well-written).If you read dystopias, I would give this book a chance, especially if you're a younger YA fan.
Net Galley Feedback
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LibraryThing member StephLamb
The List by Patricia Forde, published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky - a fabulously imagined middle grade fantasy novel.
Set in a future where climate change and global warming have culminated in a great "Melting", leaving only the city of Ark as the last habitable place on Earth. Ruled by John Noa who
I grabbed The List on a whim, seeing it on the shelf at the library. I love fantasy novels so was pretty sure I would love this one. To be honest I almost abandoned it at the beginning. When the characters are speaking "List" I found it off putting and broken and wasn't sure I would be able to keep going with the halting words. I continued on and quickly realized the broken sentences and halting speech was a device used by the author to make the reader uncomfortable, to make us question the actions of the leaders of Ark, and to open our eyes to the power and beauty of words and language. I believe The List is a timely book, in a time when words are being used to cause hate, to confuse, and to deflect, it is worth examining what makes us rich and what separates us from the other creatures of the world. Language, art, music, creativity are some of what makes our lives colourful. Without these things, there would be nothing to force accountability from leaders, to speak opinions and truths, and to show love.
The List is a fantastic middle grade novel, promotional material indicates ages 10 and up.
Set in a future where climate change and global warming have culminated in a great "Melting", leaving only the city of Ark as the last habitable place on Earth. Ruled by John Noa who
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fiercely guards language and considers it the root of all of mankinds problems. The List is the story of Letta, a wordsmith, whose job it is to create the lists of words that are allowed to be spoken by the people of Ark. When Marlo enters the wordsmith shop one day, he sets off a chain reaction of events that will change Letta's perception of the ideal society in which she believes she lives.I grabbed The List on a whim, seeing it on the shelf at the library. I love fantasy novels so was pretty sure I would love this one. To be honest I almost abandoned it at the beginning. When the characters are speaking "List" I found it off putting and broken and wasn't sure I would be able to keep going with the halting words. I continued on and quickly realized the broken sentences and halting speech was a device used by the author to make the reader uncomfortable, to make us question the actions of the leaders of Ark, and to open our eyes to the power and beauty of words and language. I believe The List is a timely book, in a time when words are being used to cause hate, to confuse, and to deflect, it is worth examining what makes us rich and what separates us from the other creatures of the world. Language, art, music, creativity are some of what makes our lives colourful. Without these things, there would be nothing to force accountability from leaders, to speak opinions and truths, and to show love.
The List is a fantastic middle grade novel, promotional material indicates ages 10 and up.
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LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: Yes, a mimic of The Giver, but with a very interesting premise and perhaps a more approachable plot--female protagonist, a little bit of romance, foreshadowing and cliff hangers. Reading Interest: 10-13
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: Yes, a mimic of The Giver, but with a very interesting premise and perhaps a more approachable plot--female protagonist, a little bit of romance, foreshadowing and cliff hangers. Reading Interest: 10-13
LibraryThing member JanesList
In this future dystopia, the leader of survivors of a Big Melt decides that words and our ability to deceive with words are what got humans into all this trouble. So he limits the vocabulary of his settlement and bans music and art. And then he limits it more and more. Letta, the new Wordsmith
This book was not well written - I rarely believed Letta would be able to pull off whatever brave thing she was doing next, and the feelings and chemistry of the characters mostly did not read well. There were plot holes you just had to keep reading past. This book was an interesting idea that did work as well as intended.
(SLIGHT) SPOILER BELOW:
What was this author thinking in using the word "Nicene" to refer to a chemical? I was so confused because it has a meaning of its own.
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(keeper of words) when her mentor disappears, finds that all is not as she thought, and starts to meet those who live outside the settlement, and outside the rules.This book was not well written - I rarely believed Letta would be able to pull off whatever brave thing she was doing next, and the feelings and chemistry of the characters mostly did not read well. There were plot holes you just had to keep reading past. This book was an interesting idea that did work as well as intended.
(SLIGHT) SPOILER BELOW:
What was this author thinking in using the word "Nicene" to refer to a chemical? I was so confused because it has a meaning of its own.
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LibraryThing member HeatherLINC
I picked this novel up after it was recommended by a Year 9 student. It had an interesting premise where a post-apocalyptic society is limited to a 500 word vocabulary - all other words are forbidden to be spoken. I found the thought fascinating.
Although I found the pace a bit slow, the plot
Although I found the pace a bit slow, the plot
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lacking at times and I wasn't a big fan of the ending, "The List" had good characters and enough mystery and tension to keep me reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lindsay_W
Sure, it’s a dystopian novel about the power of language but also a cautionary tale about ignoring warnings of global warming and the dangers of authoritarian states. Thank goodness for the rebels who remind us that there is an alternative way to be. Lots of action, subterfuge and strong female
Not sure about the choice of the use of biblical terms Noa, The Ark, and Nicene, and though its marketed as middle grade, there is discussion of torture and self harm that might need to be unpacked for younger students
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characters.Not sure about the choice of the use of biblical terms Noa, The Ark, and Nicene, and though its marketed as middle grade, there is discussion of torture and self harm that might need to be unpacked for younger students
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Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2014
Physical description
286 p.; 7.76 inches
ISBN
191241712X / 9781912417124
Other editions
The Wordsmith by Patricia Forde (Paperback)