Annotation #3: Science Fiction

Armada

by Ernest Cline

Release Date: July 14th, 2015

Genre

Science Fiction 

Appeals of the Book

• Likable Characters

• Action-Packed

• Very Detailed 

Synopsis
Zack Lightman is a nerdy young adult who seeks his own adventure. He is a big fan of science fiction games, books, and movies. His favorite game is Armada, an aerial combat game that features humans vs. aliens. He lives with his mother in a small town outside Portland, Oregon. His father died in a tragic accident when he was a baby. Left behind by his father was a journal claiming the United States military is working with video game and science fiction movie developers to prepare humans for an alien invasion. Sounds crazy, right? But one day while staring out his classroom window, Zack sees an alien spaceship from Armada hovering in the sky. Is this just his imagination? Or was his father right all along?


Characteristics That Fit Into Science Fiction:

• Story allows the reader to think about social and ethical issues. The main character and the rest of Earth face deeply troubling issues that are possible only because of the settings, plot, and alien characters present in the story. Because of these aspects, the reader is forced “… to think differently when considering the available possibilities” (Saricks 246). 
• Outer Space is part of the setting. 
• Wide-range of characters having different cultures, race, and sexual orientation. Aliens are also part of the character list. 
• Tone ranges from comical to dark at times. The dark tones featured forces the reader to “…reimagine situations and events in other contexts” (Saricks 249). 
• Contain a “richness of concepts and ideas” (Saricks 246). 
• Technology featured is beyond our understanding. 
• Fast-paced due to the heavy amount of action scenes. 

Read-A-Likes
Soda Pop Soldier by Nick Cole *
This Is Not A Game by Walter Jon Williams *
The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu **
After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn **

* Suggested by NoveList
** Suggested by Kirkus Review

Works Cited
Saricks, Joyce G. The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. Chicago, IL: ALA, 2009.

Prompt Response Week 7

In my experience I have found it hardest to talk about memoirs, biographies, and other “true stories,” especially books that talk about the lives of political figures. I have had many experiences where patrons chat about a recent political biography they’ve read, and they ask me things like “Can you believe what this person has done?!” It is awkward when these conversations begin because I must suppress all my biases and beliefs and remain professional. It isn’t hard for me to do so, but patrons give me a look that appears to say “Don’t you have an opinion?”

I also have patrons who get angered by memoirs, biographies, political biographies, asking us “Why do you have a book about this garbage man,” or “Why do you have this book? It is obvious what political beliefs you have!” Being a history major who has read quite a few political biographies, I understand that no one book is 100% true, but that can probably be said about many nonfiction titles.

The most recent example of these kinds of interactions came when “Fire and Fury” by Michael Wolff was released. The book is about the first year of President Trump’s time in office. When we announced on Facebook that we would be ordering extra copies due to extremely high demand, some people criticized us both online and in person, commenting that we are biased and they no longer have respect for us. The library contains and continues to order items that are controversial or biased, but that is because we allow books of all kinds and information. We promote the freedom to information and the freedom to read. It is unfortunate people are angry with us, but we are only doing our job. You cannot please everyone!