Bibliographic
Information
Divergent by
Veronica Roth. Katherine Tegen Books. (2012).
Price: $9.99 for paperback
Pages: 576 for
paperback
Note: This book was originally published in 2011. Also,
the paperback is a true gem containing lots of bonus materials including a
question/answer session with Veronica Roth, quotations that inspired Divergent, the novel’s playlist, writing
tips from the author, discussion
questions, Veronica Roth’s thoughts on the dystopian genre and faction naming,
a faction quiz, and each faction’s manifesto.
Plot Summary
Sixteen-year-old Beatrice lives in a world ruled first by
one’s faction and then one’s family. Because of a devastating past war five
factions have come to dominate society each believing they have the solution to
end war forever. Fortunately, all agree to coexist by agreeing that once a
person comes of age at sixteen they will be allowed to choose the faction they
wish to live in for the rest of their lives. As such, Beatrice must choose to
return to Abnegation, the faction she was raised in or else choose a different
faction ensuring that she will have little to no contact with her parents and
brother ever again. In order to aid her and her classmates’ decision tests are
administered to them the day before they must make their choice. Most receive a
clear result however there are a few, including Beatrice, who are labeled divergent, capable of belonging to more than one faction. To receive
this result is hazardous to one’s health as divergents usually end up
mysteriously dead or missing. Ordered by
her test administrator to keep her results a secret lest she join the dead,
Beatrice must now decide where she truly belongs, in selfless Abnegation with
her family, in brave Dauntless where she yearns to go, or in Erudite,
arch-rivals to Abnegation. Wherever she goes she must keep her divergent status
a secret and pass initiation unless she wishes to become factionless, an
outcast to all.
Critical
Evaluation
Divergent is a
whirlwind of a read where readers will want to simultaneously skim the book to
discover what happens next to Beatrice while wishing to take notes on all the
different factions’ beliefs. Additionally, the book causes readers to analyze
where they would fit best. Would it be in Amity, a faction that values peace
and friendship or Dauntless, a faction that values courage? Could they hack it
in Erudite where knowledge rules or Abnegation where selflessness is valued
above all else? Maybe they could join Candor if they tend to be brutally
honest? Even though Beatrice joins a particular faction readers do catch
glimpses throughout the novel of the various other factions while being tantalized
by the vague threat of becoming factionless. Roth reveals little about how the
factionless live which works very well as it makes readers more anxious for
Beatrice’s future as she struggles to claim a spot within her chosen faction.
Not only is the book’s plot well-paced and action-packed
but the themes within the novel will cause readers to reflect on their own
beliefs regarding war, non-violence, belonging, family, and friendship. Although
reminiscent of The Hunger Games as
both series contain civil war Divergent is
a wonderful book in its own right as it hooks readers from the beginning and
leaves them begging for more!
Reader’s
Annotation
When sixteen-year-old Beatrice must choose which faction
to belong to for the rest of her life she is torn between the selfless faction
of her childhood and the courageous faction she has always admired.
About the
Author
Veronica Roth is a true inspiration with two best-selling
books to her name even though she is only twenty-four years old. She is
currently working on the third book in the Divergent trilogy due out in October
2013. As a side note, if she had to choose a faction she would choose
Abnegation.
To learn more about Veronica Roth visit her website
here.
Genre
Dystopian fiction, Romance
Readalikes
Insurgent by
Veronica Roth
·
The sequel to Divergent
Legend by Marie
Lu
·
Another dystopian novel that features a
militaristic class
The Selection by
Kiera Cass
·
Although not nearly as well-written and
decidedly fluffier than Divergent it
features a female protagonist living in a dystopian world that must go through
an elimination process
Tags
16 yr. old, courage, elimination, family, friendship,
government corruption, power struggles, testing, twins, virtues, war
Awards
Won/Lists On
2011—Goodreads Choice Award for Favorite Book
2011—Goodreads Choice Award for Best YA Fantasy &
Science Fiction Book of the Year
2012—ALA Teens’ Top Ten Nominee
2012—Children’s Choice Book Award Nominee for Teen Choice
Book of the Year
2012—YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults
2013—Wyoming Soaring Eagle Nominee
ABC New Voices Pick
Amazon.com Beat Ya Books of the Year
Chapter/Indigo Top Teen Summer Read
IndieBound Indie Next List
New York Times Bestseller
Publishers Weekly Best Book
School Library Journal Best Book
Professional
Reviews
Publishers Weekly
(starred review)
School Library Journal
(Q & A session with Veronica Roth)
School Library Journal
(blog entry)
Booktalk Ideas
Which Would You Choose?
·
Abnegation
o Selflessness
o “Human
reason can excuse any evil; that is why it’s so important that we don’t rely on
it” (102)
o Government
leaders
o War
is caused by selfishness
·
Candor
o Honesty
o “Politeness
is deception in pretty packaging” (81)
o War
is caused by duplicity
·
Dauntless
o Courage
o “Preparation
eradicates cowardice, which we define as the failure to act in the midst of
fear” (77)
o Guards,
security
o War
is caused by cowardice
·
Erudite
o Knowledge
o “Knowledge
is the only logical solution to the problem of conflict” (Appendices, 43)
o Teachers
and researchers (43)
o War
is caused by ignorance
·
Amnity
o Peacefulness
o Values
trust, self-sufficiency, forgiveness, kindness, involvement (Appendices,
37-38)
o Farmer,
counselor, caretakers (43)
o War
is caused by aggression
Bibliotherapeutic
Usefulness
This book could be used for those who have lost family
members through forced separation. It could also be used for teens exploring
their core values and personality traits.
Reading
Level/Interest Level
Reading Level: 5th grade
Interest Level: 9th-12th grade
These levels are according to AR Bookfinder
Challenge
Issues
This book includes the following potentially
controversial elements:
·
Attempted murder
·
Brainwashing//manipulation of free will
·
Bullying
·
Child abuse
·
Corruption
·
Graphic fist fights
·
Initiation exercises
·
Mention of sex
·
Murder by shooting others
·
Slight profanity
·
Taking Lord’s name in vain
·
War
Librarians can point out that while this book contains
difficult elements it does portray civil war accurately. It also inspires
discussions over what it means to belong to a group, the idea of family, and
the place of non-violent resistance.
Why Was This
Included?
While I did have to read a book from the dystopian genre
I specifically chose Divergent because
I had been wanting to read it for a while. I found the idea of factions
fascinating and wanted to learn more about them in order to figure out which
faction I would best fit into. I’ve decided that I would probably fit best in
Amity or possibly Abnegation.
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