Why I Picked It Up
At first, I picked it up because it was on the Lone Star Reading list, but I got really excited when I realized it was about the Queen of Hearts. I LOVE Alice in Wonderland, but I am obsessed with the Queen of Hearts. If you know me, you know I tend to lean a little towards the evil characters, so this shouldn’t be a huge surprise.
Why I Finished It
This story is filled with surprising twists and turns that had me questioning everything I know about the original story. It’s the prequel I can get in to (unlike those Star Wars prequels…). This novel tells the story of Catherine who is battling her destiny of marrying the king. She has dreams of opening a bake shop and capturing the heart of her true love, Jest. The characters from Alice in Wonderland show up throughout the story, as well as other literary allusions. I couldn’t put the book down because I was trying to figure out what was going to happen, as well as looking for connections to the original tale.
Who I Would Give It To
Okay, I know this will upset some people, but this really is a “girl book”. That doesn’t mean a guy won’t enjoy it, but girls will love it. I do think that Middle School and High School teachers should have this in their library. Of course, all the readers who loved Meyer’s other series (The Lunar Chronicles) should be given this book!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpKilyApRbM
Integration Ideas
Theme
I love the idea of talking about fate vs. free will. Catherine is trapped by what is essentially her destiny, the hand she was dealt. Her free will is lost in her obedience to her parents’ wishes and the expectations placed upon her.
My essential question would be: Are we in charge of our own destiny?
As students read, they should analyze Catherine, Jest, The King, and the other characters and discuss whether or not they are in charge of their destiny. Make sure students back up their assertions with evidence from the text.
Descriptive Writing (mentor text for writing, character description, and analysis)
Meyer is a master at creating strong characters. The characters help the plot develop and each one is described with a depth that engages the reader. As I read, each description of a new character made me react out loud! It drove my husband crazy! My comments ranged from being absolutely repulsed to laughing out loud.
I would have the students perform a character analysis using the character descriptions presented in the text. When students reach a description of a new character, they can pause and decide on the character’s traits and feelings. Then, you can have students take it a step further, and decide what their character description says about their destiny or fate.
Next, use Meyer’s character descriptions as a mentor text for writing. In Writers’ Workshop, have students analyze Meyer’s moves. They should notice word choice, figurative language, and other ways she creates a picture for the reader. Then have them emulate in their own writing.
Vocabulary
Meyer’s text is full of rich vocabulary…why not try a Vocabulary App Smash? Here is a sampling of the vibrant language found in Heartless:
reverence (3)
meticulous (4)
knave (10)
incessantly (14)
repugnance (19)
sycophantic (19)
inadequacies (21)
extrapolate (25)
effervescent (28)
languidly (32)
yearningly (36)
vehemence (40)
jovial (41 and 106)
vexed (42)
hookah (75)
buoyant (89)
eschew (95)
feining (107)
arduous (113)
tyranny (140)
lithe (150)
scrutiny (154)
enraptured (106)
prudent (170)
ravenous (175)
fervent (181 and 231)
extricated (185)
sardonic (186)
naiveté (193)
exuberant (199)
décolletage (215)
treacherous (216)
palpable (232)
beguiling (237)
inscrutable (275)
ferocious (292)
delirium (300)
sycophants (338)
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