Breath by Donna Jo Napoli

Bibliographic Information:
Napoli, D. J. (2003). Breath. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN# 0689861745

Plot Summary:
The story follows young Salz as he grows up during the Middle Ages with his family: Father, brothers, and grandmother. Salz has some unidentified medical condition that prevents him for doing any serious physical labor. So instead of farming etc., Salz works with the priest using his intellect and logic. His grandmother, a devote Christian as well as a mystical herbalist, helps keep Salz’s condition under some control with her herbs. Problems starts when first the town’s livestock and then the people fall ill to a mysterious disease. The town’s leadership believes the disease to be caused by the ever increasing rat population. Salz is heralded when he suggests having the Piper charm the rats away with his pipe music. When the disease remains, even after the rats are gone, Salz is blamed, first by his own family and then by the town as large, as he is one of the few people who has not gotten sick.

Critical Evaluation:
While Breath is loosely based on the story of the Pied Piper, the story is mostly about the superstitions of the Middle Ages. It is interesting to follow the growth of fear in the townspeople and in Salz’s family as more and more people fall ill. Though it is sad that Salz’s family betrays him, this betray can be important to some teens. While they may not be able to relate to the setting, they might be able to relate to the betrayal as well as Salt’s sense of being an outsider. Today’s teens can also relate to fear portrayed in the story. It can be compared to the fear of terrorism that has permeated our society since 9/11. The story is greatly enhanced by the Author’s note regarding cystic fibrosis and ergot poisoning. By including this information, Napoli makes the story that much more believable. It is easy to see how an early society without the benefits of modern technology and medicine could come to their conclusions.


Reader's Annotation:
Set during the Middle Ages, a town tries to save itself when animals and people become mysteriously ill. Local boy, Salz is at first heralded when he suggests enlisting the help of the Piper to rid the town of rats, the suspected cause, and then vilified as more people become sick and he mysteriously does not.


Information about the author:
Donna Jo Napoli has written numerous books, short stories, and poems and has received multiple awards. She has co-written books with several of her five adult children. Breath is her favorite book that she has written for older readers. Napoli has a BA in mathematics and a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures. She has taught linguistics at several universities both inside and outside the US.
http://www.donnajonapoli.com/biography.html

Genre: Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts; Social Studies

Booktalking Ideas:
• Retell the story of the Pied Piper. How is this book similar/different?
• What is cystic fibrosis?
• Discuss the believe system of Salz and his grandmother – Christianity, herbal remedies, witchcraft. Would these beliefs be combined today? Why/why not?
• Discuss how Salt’s family changes, specifically in their opinion of Salz.
• How does this story tie in with the Salem Witch trials?
• Could something similar happen today? Why? Why not?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
According to the reviews, the widest age range is 12 – 18.


Challenge Issues:
Abuse; sexual inhibitions; murder

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
• Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Eight positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on four Best Books Lists
• Received one award

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~pBdnRW:4
http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~pBdnRW:4 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.