The Selection

Bibliography: Cass, K. (2012). The Selection. New York: HarperTeen. 

ISBN: 978-0062059949

Genre: fantasy, romance

Reading Level/Interest Age: 12+

Plot Summary: America Singer is named after the once great nation of America. The world she lives in is dominated by a monarchy and a caste system that severely restricts all citizens. America’s family, artists by profession, are close to the bottom of the social ranks. Money is scarce. Opportunities are scarcer. So when a letter arrives from the royal family that America has been chosen to compete for Prince Maxon’s hand in marriage, her mother is ecstatic. America, however, is not. She doesn’t want to marry the prince--she’s in love with Aspen. Her family’s future is at stake, though. Because they will be paid as long as America remains in the competition, she decides to enter and stay in as long as possible. She knows her competition is fierce, so she has no doubt that she will be eliminated and can return home to Aspen. Prince Maxon takes a liking to her, though, finding in America a confidant and friend. He knows of her disinterest and is willing to keep her in the contest simply to have an ally. Aspen, unaware of America’s plans, believes her to now be in love with the prince. When he arrives as the castle where the contestants live during the competition, America is thrilled. Their feelings are rekindled, but doubt has crept in. Will America find her future in the passion she has with Aspen or in the comfort she has with Prince Maxon?

Critical Evaluation: The Selection is a casual read, chick lit for the younger crowd. While it doesn’t qualify as strong literature, it doesn’t need to. That’s not what author Kiera Cass was going for. She created this story as pure entertainment. And entertaining it is. The pacing of story was fantastic. It immediately pulled me and, just as my 15 year old daughter promised, I could not put the book down until I’d read the last page. Two literary elements in particular propelled each scene forward: character development and building questions in the reader’s mind. We know from the first chapter that the protagonist is strong-willed, but loyal. The process of balancing these two qualities requires that she mature from a child, focused on herself and her own needs/wants, to an adult, where she assesses how best she can serve others. The gamut of emotions she feels during her maturation process varies wildly, from desperate fear to exquisite joy and it’s through those emotions that the reader connects so completely with her. Author Cass masterfully builds question upon question in the reader’s mind, from the obvious (“Will America win the contest?”) to the more subtle (“Is her family honestly proud of her or is she just fulfilling an expectation?”). It is absolutely painful, though, that the end of The Selection is completely inconclusive. The first two chapters of the sequel are included just in case the reader needs more to whet her appetite.

Reader’s Annotation: America Singer is the only girl in the nation who doesn’t want to marry the prince. Her heart is already spoken for, but does family duty mean more than true love?

Author Information: Kiera Cass graduated from Radford University with a degree in History. She grew up in South Carolina and currently lives in Blacksburg, Virginia, with her family. In her spare time, Kiera enjoys reading, dancing, making videos, and eating unhealthy amounts of cake.¹

Kiera published her first book, The Siren, via IUniverse after being rejected by 70 publishers. After she picked up a three book deal with Harper Collins, she was given the opportunity to published The Siren through them. It will be released on January 26, 2016.

Curriculum ties: none

Booktalks: sacrifice, caste system

Challenge issues: breaking family rules

Challenge Issue Resources:

• Library Selection Policy
• Rationale explaining why the item was chosen for the collection
• Active listening skills
• Awards
• Reconsideration form (as a last resort)
• Illinois Library Association (Banned Books Listings)
• National Council of Teachers of English “Right to Read”
• Positive and negative reviews: expert, parent, student
• ALA Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials
• ALA Bill of Rights on Intellectual Freedom
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

Reasoning: The Selection is light, fast reading. It grabs the reader’s imagination and allows teen girls to bask in their fantasy of becoming a princess, complete with beautiful dresses and sparkling jewelry, all while keeping their independent spirit (and modern-day amenities!) The target age group easily spans all the way from 12 years to young 20-somethings, so the book has a strong chance for high circulation.

References: 

¹Cass, K. (n.d.). Kiera Cass. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from http://www.amazon.com/Kiera-Cass/e/B002IYX8ZU/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Dmatriccino. (2010, August 11). From Self-Published Author to 3-Book Deal: The Story of Kiera Cass. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/digitization-new-technology/from-self-published-author-to-3-book-deal-the-story-of-kiera-cass