I don’t think I’ll ever not like a book written by Vikki VanSickle, and The Winnowing is no exception. This is her first foray into sci-fi, and it definitely had me wanting more.
1. I bought The Winnowing without knowing what the book is about. That’s how much I trust VanSickle in her ability to tell a great story. I’ve read all of her other books, and the one thing that ties them all together is that they are written with so much authenticity … I almost believe that her characters are real. Marivic Stone is loyal, curious, and courageous. She’s your typical teen, but when the people in her life are threatened or hurt, she does what she can to make sure the good guys win. But she’s also flawed in that great way I love about pre-teens and adolescents. She, like other great MCs, wants so badly to help that she almost trips over herself in her desire to do something even without a fully formulated plan. Marivic (a great name with roots I’m very familiar with) feels so many emotions, and you just can’t help but cheer her on.
2. As an English teacher (with a specialist degree in linguistics), I LOVE VanSickle’s word play and allusions throughout the novel. She has created a story with homages to or hints of The Giver (Dr. Lowry and just generally the dystopian setting), Ender’s Game (the Kesla), and Brave New World (Somnease and the in/fertility issue). Add to that references to J.J. Abrams, Gene Roddenberry, Krypton, and the X-Files (I’m guessing, since the setting is New Mexico, but as I haven’t actually seen any X-Files episodes, I can’t be sure …), and you’ve got a treasure trove of bread crumbs left for conspiracy-loving readers. I’m sure there are some other sci-fi-specific references that flew by me.
3. I love the banter/arguments/fights between Kamal and Marivic. I’m sure Marivic hated them at first, but it’s just so much better to have scenes where the two principal players despise one another. To his credit, Kamal slowly becomes a team player, even displaying a bit of sympathy towards Marivic at some point.
4. This book reads like it’s meant to be a standalone, but I could definitely see there being a follow-up to explore the stories of Ren, Abbott, and even Gumps. VanSickle’s developed the other characters enough to keep her readers interested in their back stories.
5. In general, I wouldn’t put sci-fi stories very high on my list. But even though this book is very clearly steeped in the sci-fi genre, what shines more are the topics of friendship, growing up, and accepting who you are. Marivic and her friends (and non-friends) are tested in terms of their loyalty to one another, obsequiousness towards authority, and accepting their differences as strengths rather than weaknesses. Because of this, The Winnowing can absolutely be read by anyone … even those who aren’t fond of Mulder and Scully.
6. Teachers, Vikki VanSickle is a wonderful storyteller and read-aloud artist. If you get the chance to have her visit your class/school, do it! Your kids will love listening to her read from her novel (picture above taken during her reading at the Word on the Street festival), and they may even be encouraged to put pen to paper to write their own stories.
Vikki VanSickle’s Online Corners
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All Squinklethoughts expressed herein are entirely my own.
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