Chopsticks: A Novel

Chopsticks: A Novel by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral
Original ISBN 978-1-59514-435-5
Razorbill, 2012.
Unpaged

Plot Summary: Chopsticks: A Novel begins with the strange disappearance of Glory Fleming – a seventeen-year old piano prodigy who was recently committed to a mental institution due to her incessant playing of the song “Chopsticks.” The story, which is told through photos, takes the reader through the life of Glory beginning when she was a young girl and her mother deserted the family. We also experience Glory’s overprotective father, and her meeting and falling in love with Francisco Mendoza, the artistic
Argentinian who moves in next door. The photos take the reader
through a mystery and ask the question, “What happened to Glory Fleming?”

Critical Evaluation: To call Chopsticks a novel in the true sense of the word is truly not giving it the credit it deserves. Chopsticks is a multimedia novel that incorporates pictures, drawings, and song lists to weave a mystery and love story in a truly unique way. To assist in the multimedia-ness is a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4j55yz_iZg and software application which are meant to be companion pieces for they incorporate links to videos and music that is incorporated in the book. These links truly bring the characters of Glory and Francisco to life making the “reading” experience that much more enjoyable.

What is interesting about the novel is that there is no true “point of view.” Since there is no dialogue per se (there are a few screen shots of texts between the two teens), the reader must use the visual cues provided by the pictures and songs to interpret the characters’ motivations and actions.

Reader’s Annotation: This book isn’t just for reading; it’s a love story/mystery for the senses.

Author Information: I found very little information about Jessica Anthony  other than she has written one other novel and many short stories. In 2004, she won the inaugural Amanda Davis Highwire Fictional Award.

Rodrigo Corral is a designer and creative director for publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux. He has designed many book covers including John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. His website can be found at  http://www.rodrigocorral.com/

Genre: Multimedia fiction

Curriculum Ties: Art; English Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas: I would begin a booktalk by showing the YouTube video (link above).

Reading Level / Interest Age: Grade 9 and up

Lexile: Not applicable

Challenge Issues: There is sexual content as exhibited by tasteful nude sketches, but they are not overly graphic.

Reason for Item’s Inclusion: Chopsticks: A Novel is truly the most unique book EVER!

References:

Chopsticks. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://chopsticksnovel.tumblr.com/the-authors