Anne McCaffrey & Todd McCaffrey Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR: Kim Paluch
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On Pern, a planet far from Earth, a colony was formed by a group of Earth's inhabitants intent on creating a less technological society; one that was less violent and where all would be considered equal. But just as the colony was beginning to thrive, an apparently natural phenomenon created upheaval. In order to battle this natural phenomenon, the early inhabitants modified a species native to the planet, and created dragons. Another species was created -- the watch-wher. These watch-whers were of no use in fighting the phenomenon that fell from the skies, but were found, as the generations passed, to be quite useful in mining. At least some of the miners believed they were.
Kindan, a miner's son, lives at the mines with his family and their watch-wher. He attends lessons with the other children of the mining camp, enjoying life at the camp until a mining disaster strikes. The watch-wher helps locate and save many of the miners involved before it succumbs to a deadly injury. Among the dead are all of Kindan's family. Not only is he alone, but the camp has lost it's only remaining watch-wher.
Moved into the teacher's home, Kindan begins to learn new habits and a few secrets. And, when an opportunity to receive another watch-wher arises, Kindan steps into a role he did not anticipate: the owner of a watch-wher egg.
Kim Paluch, Resident Scholar
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Del Rey, Dec 2003, 24.95, 304 pp.
ISBN 0345461985
It is sixteen years until the next Pass of the Red Star and then Thread will rain down, destroying everything organic on Pern. A problem has arisen on Pern that could have serious repercussions for the next Turn if not solved now. Coal that the people depend on for a variety of tasks has played out on the surface and the people have to dig underground to find any.
Natalon has set up a promising camp that if it contains as much coal as he thinks will turn him into Lord Natalon and the camp into a designated Mine. The camp's watch-wher Dask saves many lives when the mine collapses but he and his bondmate die leaving Kindan an orphan. He is taken in by a Master Harper and he decides he wants to train in the Harper hold. However, the mines desperately need a watch-wher and Natalon asks Kindan to try an impress an egg. He succeeds with Kisk who he cares for while she is still in her egg and the two reach adulthood together, working together with a very special young woman to prepare Pern for when thread falls again.
Another piece of the puzzle that makes up Pern is solved as readers learn how humans, watch-whers and dragons become part of the fighting unit to take out thread. Kindan is a very special hero willing to give up his dreams to help the miners who need him and his special abilities. It is interesting to see how watch- whers help save miners lives because of their own unique abilities different than the dragons and their cousins the fire lizards.
Harriet Klausner
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- an adult (general)
Adversaries are…
- dragon buddy
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
GIANT monster(s)
Yes
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- student
- champion of justice
Age:
- a kid
- a teen
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- none
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Terrain
- Mountains
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a primitive/fantasy society
- humans in a contemporary society
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- none/very little science jargon needed
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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