Camp Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm

Bibliography:

Holm, Jennifer L.  Camp Babymouse. Ill. by Mathew Holm. New York: Random House, 2007. ISBN 9780375939884

Plot Summary:

Babymouse is very excited to be on her way to camp. Upon arrival, she finds her cabin and meets her roommates. They don't make her feel welcome and she feels left out on her first day at camp. Campers earn points through competitions; they can also lose points by not paying attention, being late, or for being messy. Babymouse loses points for her team by inadvertently doing things wrong. She overhears her cabin mates talking and how she is causing their team to lose. Babymouse is upset by this and calls her parents to come get her.

Later that evening, Babymouse goes outside to the latrine and runs into Susie. They are lost, but Babymouse remembers the rules and they find their way back to camp. Everyone is impressed with Babymouse and Susie is very grateful. Her cabin mates nominate Babymouse to be the team leader for the final competition, a scavenger hunt. Her parents arrive to pick her up, but she wants to stay. “But I don’t want to go home anymore! I love camp!” Babymouse’s team, the Buttercups, win the scavenger hunt, just to lose the cabin competition because they had so many demerits….and they end up washing dishes.

Critical Analysis:

I think most children could identify with Babymouse and how it feels to be the outsider. Children understand Babymouse and how she wants to fit in and be friends with the other campers. We all want her to be successful and to enjoy camp. Babymouse is a girl, but I think both girls and boys will enjoy this episode in the series. Babymouse is easy to like because she is one of us…even though she is a mouse.

The plot is fairly simple, but quite believable. It is the story of Babymouse going off to camp like many children do every year. What makes it fun and original is that Babymouse lets her imagination run wild and she has fantasy sequences throughout the actual story. We follow her adventures as she makes mistakes, makes friends, and learns a thing or two about being a camper.

The camp is the main setting, but it also includes her cabin, the latrine, the mess hall, and the surrounding forest. Much of the setting is detailed through the illustrations and the pictures tell a lot of the story. The story is satisfying as we go through Babymouse’s camp adventure together. We see her struggle and we see her become victorious. Through Babymouse, we learn to never give up and always strive to move forward, no matter what.

The style of the Babymouse series is a graphic novel format. The illustrations by Matthew Holm are simple and delightful.  His style includes limited colors; only pink, black, and white are used. The pages where Babymouse is using her imagination have lots more pink than the regular pages of the story. Another unique addition is the narrative voice that appears in the book; the narrator and Babymouse speak to each other throughout the story. Onomatopoeia is used throughout the story, which children love. 

Review Excerpts:

• Cybil Award finalist
• 2007 International Reading Association Children's Choices finalist, winner
• From Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews- "With her delightful trips into her own imagination and her 'conversations' with the reader - which are both hilarious and at times caring - this Babymouse tale is a delight to read. Its pink, black, and white graphic novel format is completely unique and without a doubt Babymouse is a character readers of all ages will find it hard not to fall in love with, for she is so much like us – full of dreams, hopes, flaws, and wonderful qualities that we can admire."
• Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) 2008 Best of the Year list nominee
• From the CCBC- "As in the earlier volumes, Babymouse’s vivid imagination provides an extra layer of whimsy to her daily escapades, as when she transforms the canoe disaster into a Moby Dick-esque voyage, or morphs climbing to the top bunk into a Mouse Kong feat. At her lowest point, Babymouse shows that she’s absorbed some of the Camp Wild Whiskers survival lessons after all, and helps a lost Buttercup camper find her way back to their cabin. Black, white, and pink illustrations deftly capture the humor and grade-school level drama of Babymouse’s exploits, sure to please her current fans and also gain new ones."

Connections:

Have students complete fun Babymouse activities, such as coloring, write your own comic or make a cupcake!

Babymouse Activities

Visit author Jennifer Holm's website:

http://www.jenniferholm.com/

Visit the

Babymouse website!

Show Babymouse book trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPWcnSuYFoM

Watch Jennifer Holm interview:

Jennifer Holm

Listen to Babymouse song:

Babymouse Song

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo

Bibliography: 

DiCamillo, Kate. Flora & Ulysses:  The Illuminated Adventures. Ill. by K. G. Campbell. Virginia: Candlewick Press, 2013. ISBN 9780763660406

Plot Summary:

This story revolves around a young girl named Flora, or Flora Belle as her infuriating mother calls her. Flora is a lonely girl who doesn't have many friends and turns to her comic books for all the answers to life's questions. One day while enjoying her favorite comic book, Flora sees her neighbor’s vacuum run around the backyard and suck up an innocent squirrel. Flora decides to save the poor squirrel after learning how to do CPR from her beloved comic books. She soon realizes this is no ordinary squirrel. The squirrel is a real life superhero she names Ulysses. This fun and quirky story takes you on an adventure and shows you what determination and love can really do.

Critical Analysis:

Flora and Ulysses are two characters any kid will love, laugh, and identify with through their zany adventures. Other youngsters who are also having family problems and trying to find their way through a divorce will understand Flora best. Readers will love Ulysses; will hope that he finds a home and some happiness. The storyline is different and original, but believable. Flora and Ulysses go on an entertaining journey, with many obstacles to overcome. But overcome them they do, and manage to have a lot of fun along the way.

The tale of Flora and Ulysses is set in mainly in Flora’s home and the surrounding neighborhood. The locale of the story is very normal with many details to help the reader visualize the surroundings. These include the description of the vacuum cleaner and the shepherdess lamp that are important parts of the story.

Along their journey together, Flora and Ulysses help each other believe in people, conquer loneliness, hope for good things and find love. They become close to each other and Flora develops a better relationship with her mom. Flora realizes she does have a family, friends who care about her, and that she is special. DiCamillo incorporates cartoons and wonderful illustrations throughout the book, while using a rich vocabulary.

   

Review Excerpts:

• 2014 Newbery Medal Winner
• From School Library Journal-"Campbell's rounded and gentle soft-penciled illustrations, at times in the form of panel art furthering the action, wonderfully match and add to the sweetness of this oddball story. Rife with marvelously rich vocabulary reminiscent of the early superhero era (e.g., “Holy unanticipated occurrences!”) and amusing glimpses at the world from the point of view of Ulysses the supersquirrel, this book will appeal to a broad audience of sophisticated readers. There are plenty of action sequences, but the novel primarily dwells in the realm of sensitive, hopeful, and quietly philosophical literature."
• From Booklist (starred review)-"Newbery winner DiCamillo is a master storyteller, and not just because she creates characters who dance off the pages and plots, whether epic or small, that never fail to engage and delight readers. Her biggest strength is exposing the truths that open and heal the human heart. She believes in possibilities and forgiveness and teaches her audience that the salt of life can be cut with the right measure of love."
• From Kirkus Reviews (starred review)-"Original, touching and oh-so-funny tale starring an endearingly implausible superhero and a not-so-cynical girl."
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review)-"Despite supremely quirky characters and dialogue worthy of an SAT prep class, there’s real emotion at the heart of this story involving two kids who have been failed by the most important people in their lives: their parents."
• From The New York Times Book Review-"In Flora and Ulysses, longtime fans will find a happy marriage of Mercy Watson's warmth and wackiness and Edward Tulane's gentle life lessons. In Flora, they will find a girl worth knowing, and one they will remember."

Connections:

Gather other books written by Kate DiCamillo to share with students:

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane ISBN 9780763643676

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume One ISBN 9780763663391

The Magician’s Elephant ISBN 9780763652982

Because of Winn-Dixie ISBN 9780763644321

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread ISBN 9780763625290

Writing activity:  Both Flora and William Spiver need a friend. How do you make friends? What things do you do to become friends? What actions do Flora and William Spiver take? Write a short paragraph about friendship using Flora and William Spiver as your examples.

Writing activity:  If you were creating a superhero, what animal would you choose? Create your own superhero animal using Ulysses as a guide. You may want to include:

• a superpower

• a special name

• how that character hides his or her superhero self

• friends

• enemies

Art/Writing activity:  Have students create their own comic-book superheroes. Ask them to tell the superhero’s story with both words and pictures, using word bubbles as in a comic strip. After the comic strips are created, share them and discuss the process of this kind of writing.

Ask your students:

1. How hard is it to write in such limited space?

2. How do the words and pictures work together?

3. Did you choose to use color or black and white?

4. Was this hard to do or easy?

Poetry activity:  One of Ulysses’s special powers is being able to write poetry, and poetry is found throughout Flora & Ulysses. Ulysses’s first poem is on page 65, and on page 232 he writes the epilogue. Read Ulysses’s poems aloud, then ask your students: What does Ulysses communicate in his poetry?  Invite students to write their own poetry. Challenge them to try to write a poem as if they were Ulysses.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Bibliography:

Green, John. Looking for Alaska. New York: Dutton Books, 2005. ISBN 0525475060

Plot Summary:

Miles Halter is a sixteen-year-old who doesn’t have many friends, reads the end of biographies, and memorizes the last words of famous people. He decides to go away to boarding school to search for the “great perhaps”, the last words of Francois Rabelais. He leaves his home and parents in Florida and moves to the Culver Creek Preparatory School in Alabama.

His roommate is Chip Martin, otherwise known as “the Colonel”, who immediately nicknames him “Pudge”. The Colonel introduces Pudge to his friends; Alaska Young, Takumi Hikohito, and Lara Buterskaya. Pudge is immediately attracted to Alaska even though she is very moody, dramatic, and has a boyfriend. His life gets exciting as he becomes friends with this group. They study together, they smoke, get drunk, and play pranks on classmates. Miles feels like a normal kid, living a normal life…until a terrible accident changes everything and nothing will ever be the same again.

Critical Analysis:

On the surface, Looking for Alaska appears to be a book about unrequited love, teenage angst, or illicit behavior. But, really, it is about so much more than that. It is about finding our purpose in life. “Francois Rabelais. He was this poet. And his last words were ‘I go to seek a Great Perhaps.’ That’s why I’m going. So I don’t have to wait until I die to start seeking a Great Perhaps.” Teens can identify with wanting a purpose in their life. They will also relate to others themes found in the book including friendship, home, love, and choices. Set at Culver Creek Prep, Looking for Alaska goes beyond this setting and has implications for readers in many other situations. We’ve all struggled to make a friend or have experienced unreciprocated love. Many themes in this story are universal and touch us all in one way or another.

Each character in this novel is unique, fascinating, and memorable. Readers will feel a connection to one, if not all, of them. The five become great friends and that friendship is tested. All five characters are high school juniors and tell this story from a teenager’s viewpoint. The five of them make up different racial and social classes. Pudge is from a normal, middle-class, two-parent home and follows in his father’s footsteps. The Colonel comes from a single-parent household, is poor and attends Culver Creek on scholarship. He also adores his very cool mother. Takumi is Japanese and acts as a sounding board for Miles; he is also good at keeping secrets. Alaska is the troubled one…her mother is dead and she is haunted by this childhood tragedy. Lara is Romanian and joins the group later as Pudge’s girlfriend.

The book is divided into two parts, before and after. This is a unique style technique and very effective with this particular story. John Green is a big favorite with teens and now I understand why. He has a unique ability to speak their language and to make his characters real to teens. For readers, these are real people with real problems and they stay with us long after the story is finished.

What really resonated with me about this book was that when a tragedy happens such as a death or a suicide, we always want to know why it happened. What I appreciated about this story is that it shows us that there is not always an answer to questions such as these. We can look and search, but at some point we just have to accept it. I think this an invaluable lesson for teens, for us all.

Review Excerpts:

• 2006 Michael L. Printz Award 
• Finalist, 2005 Los Angeles Times Book Prize
• 2006 Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults
• 2006 Teens’ Top 10 Award
• 2006 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
• A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
• A Booklist Editor’s Choice Pick
• New York Times bestseller
• Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection
• 2005 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 
• From Horn Book- " The narrative concludes with an essay Miles writes about this event for his religion class -- an unusually heavy-handed note in an otherwise mature novel, peopled with intelligent characters who talk smart, yet don't always behave that way, and are thus notably complex and realistically portrayed teenagers."
• From Kirkus Reviews (starred) "What sings and soars in this gorgeously told tale is Green's mastery of language and the sweet, rough edges of Pudge's voice. Girls will cry and boys will find love, lust, loss and longing in Alaska's vanilla-and-cigarettes scent."
• From Library Media Connection- " Looking for Alaska will haunt readers with its memorable characters, its literary and philosophical questions about life and death that so fascinate teens, and its ultimate affirmation of a life lived fully. Highly Recommended."
• From Publishers Weekly- "But the novel's chief appeal lies in Miles's well-articulated lust and his initial excitement about being on his own for the first time. Readers will only hope that this is not the last word from this promising new author."
• From School Library Journal- "The language and sexual situations are aptly and realistically drawn, but sophisticated in nature. Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability. Like Phineas in John Knowles's A Separate Peace (S & S, 1960), Green draws Alaska so lovingly, in self-loathing darkness as well as energetic light, that readers mourn her loss along with her friends."

Connections:

Share other books written by John Green with students:

Will Grayson, Will Grayson ISBN 9780142418475

Paper Towns ISBN 9780142414934

An Abundance of Katherines ISBN 9780142410707

The Fault in Our Stars ISBN 9780142424179

Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Lauren Myracle, & Maureen Johnson ISBN 9780142412145

Have students create their own ideal last line.

Share other Young Adult books students might enjoy:

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs 9781594744761

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs ISBN 9781594746123

Before I Die by Jenny Downham ISBN 9780385751834

Surrender by Sonya Hartnett ISBN 97807633634230

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous ISBN 9781416914631

I am the Messenger by Markus Zurak ISBN 9780375836671

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff ISBN 9780553376050

Visit John Green's website & check it out!
http://johngreenbooks.com/

Have students write their own personal "before" and "after" story. They could also write a personal reflection on events which have changed the direction of their lives.

Willow Run by Patrica Reilly Giff

Bibliography:

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Willow Run. New York: Wendy Lamb Books, 2005. ISBN 9780440238010

Plot Summary:

Twelve-year-old Meggie Dillon is forced to move from her home in Rockaway, New York to Willow Run, Michigan so that her father can work in a factory during World War II. Meggie misses her home by the beach, her friends, and her grandfather. She also misses her brother, Eddie, who is serving in Europe. Life in in Willow Run is hard; her family is living in a cramped apartment, she has to make new friends, and her mother starts working in the factory. She spends her free time writing letters and entering contests so she can visit New York with her grandfather…someday.

Eddie is reported missing in the Battle at Normandy and Meggie worries she has forgotten his face. Her family is trying to keep the faith and believe that Eddie will come home.  Meggie writes to his girlfriend and she writes back giving the family hope.

“Dear Meggie,

I’m so glad you wrote to me. I know about Eddie. All of Rockaway does, every single one praying for him. But I want to tell you something, Meggie. I know he’s coming home. Just believe it. He promised me.

Love,

Virginia.” 

Critical Analysis:

Characters:

Students will identify with Meggie and the struggles she and her family encounter during WWII. Meggie makes mistakes but she learns from them and matures. Meggie is a resilient and believable character. She faces many struggles that kids continue to encounter today: moving, making new friends, missing family members or friends, and the fear of losing someone you love. True to the time period, Meggie writes letters to friends and family. She looks forward to opening a letter with her brother when he gets home.

Plot:

This story centers around Meggie, a girl who tells the story of her family. Readers will understand her struggles to adapt to her family moving, missing a family member, and making friends in a new city. Giff’s descriptions of cars, clothes, and the stars of the period take readers back to 1944. She accurately describes the everyday struggles American families tackled during this tumultuous time in history. Willow Run is told simply, but with much heart.

Setting:

Willow Run, Michigan is a factory town and is an important part of Meggie’s story. Giff’s descriptions make it easy for the reader to picture Willow Run. “He started the car and drove along blocks of apartment houses with a few trailers here and there and a couple of shacks leaning against each other. Not a garden in sight. Grandpa would hate it.” The kids jumped rope, went to the movies, and chased the ice cream truck. The women went to work in factories, neighbors sat outside to visit, and all worried about family and friends. These activities contribute to the authenticity of Giff’s historical story.

Theme:

The theme of Willow Run is one of love and support for both family and friends during hard times, such as war. Other themes include those typical of teens; changing, friendship, and growing up. All of these themes that were important then are still relevant today.

Style:

Giff’s style is simple and straightforward. Meggie’s story and that of WWII are seamlessly blended together for an enjoyable read. Willow Run captures the feeling of the times, along with how people spoke and behaved. This is simply the story of a family that occurs long ago during a time of war.

Authenticity:

Giff does not include an author’s note, sources, or recommended reading at the end of Willow Run. She does, however, have a reputation as an excellent, award-winning writer of historical fiction.

Review Excerpts:

• From School Library Journal-"Giff's engrossing, heartwarming story will help readers understand how personally war affects people."
• From Booklist (starred review)"Giff artfully carves the sentiments so prevalent in times of war--anxiety, inspiration, boredom--into sharp relief while creating a cast of finely drawn characters (the kind of people Meggie would never have met had she stayed home), each with his or her own worries, fears, and hopes. Many story lines are threaded neatly together here, but what has happened to Meggie's brother, Eddie, who is fighting overseas, remains unknotted at the end. Tough and tender, this is an excellent addition to World War II shelves." 
• From Children's Literature- "Giff has given us a story of sacrifice, the power of family, and characters that embody the strength of spirit of those on the home front during WWII." 
• From Kirkus Reviews-"Spam and spies, 1940s songs and Victrolas and a lively cast of characters make wartime America pop to life in this finely wrought story of cowardice, courage, and digging deep."
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Willow Run follows Lily's best friend, Meggie, when her family must move to Willow Run, Mich., to work in a factory and help the war ffort."

Connections:

Gather historical fiction written by Patricia Reilly Giff to read:

Maggie’s Door ISBN 9780440415817

Gingersnap ISBN 9780440421788

Lily’s Crossing ISBN 9780440414537

Water Street ISBN 9780385730686

A House of Tailors ISBN 978-0440238003

Gather historical fiction written by other authors:

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park ISBN 9780547577319

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry ISBN 9780547577098

Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen ISBN 9780375859083

The Brooklyn Nine by Alan M. Gratz ISBN 9780142415443

Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy ISBN 9780152164270

Pair this book with Lily's Crossing, the prequel to Willow Run for an introduction to historical fiction.

Learn more about author Patricia Reilly Giff:
About the Author

Have fun at her website:
Patrica Reilly Giff

Use this book to introduce a unit about WWII.

Visit a museum about WWII.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Bibliography:

Vanderpool, Clare. Moon Over Manifest. Unabridged ed. New York:  Listening Library. 2011. ISBN 9780375858291

Plot Summary:

Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker lives with her father Gideon, her mother having left the family when she was a toddler. Times are tough living during the Depression, but Abilene and her daddy survive together. Her father gets a job on the railroad and sends Abilene to live with a family friend, "Pastor Shady" in Manifest, Kansas. Her father lived in Manifest as a boy and told her all about the bustling, mining town. Things have changed in Manifest and it is not the same town Gideon grew up in…it is much quieter.

Abilene wants to find out why her daddy sent her to Manifest for the summer and is curious about what his life was like while he lived there. She discovers a hidden cigar box full of trinkets and letters on her first night in Manifest. Abilene begins to seek out the history of the objects in the box and any information she can find out about her dad. Abilene makes friends with two classmates and with Miss Sadie, a diviner, who has significant knowledge of the town's history.

One letter from the box tells about two friends, Ned and Jinx, who lived in Manifest during the time it was a bustling mining town. The girls learn about “The Rattler” who was apparently a spy during this time. They are on a mission to find out the identity of the spy. Miss Sadie fills Abilene in on what happened in Manifest back during the war. These stories are related to the items in the box Abilene found. During this period, the townspeople come up with a plan to make and sell a special elixir to people with influenza.  Their goal is to come up with enough money to buy a valuable piece of land.

Abilene is looking for her father’s story, but she is also looking for her own…

                “Seems like everyone in this town’s got a story to tell.”

                Shady nodded. “I believe you’re right about that. The Lord himself knew the power of a good story. How it can reach out and wrap around a person like a warm blanket.”

                I thought it over. He was right. I just wished my daddy’d wrapped me up in that warm blanket instead of leaving me out in the cold.

Listening Experience:

I read Moon Over Manifest by listening to an audio book from Audible. The unabridged version was 9 hours and 31 minutes long. There were multiple female readers;  Jenna Lamia, Cassandra Campbell, and Kirby Heyborne. The sound quality was good and there were no sound effects or a musical soundtrack.

The reading was good, but about three-fourths of the way through the audio book I switched to a print book. I found myself wondering a bit while listening and didn't really pay attention to the dates that began that chapters. I found with the print book I focused more on the dates and it helped me understand which story (story within a story format) the chapter was about. I would recommend the print book to students because of the different time periods and the different stories.

Critical Analysis:

Characters:

Unique characters fill this special story. We begin with Abilene, a little girl trying to find her place in the world. I think many kids can relate to Abilene and the struggles she is going through. She meets several interesting characters throughout her journey. Most are believable, a few are rather eccentric…all are survivors. The most memorable would have to be Miss Sadie and Pastor Shady, who both add a lot of fun to the story.

Plot:

The plot of this story is fairly complicated: it is a story within a story with different time periods and lots of jumping back and forth. I found myself getting lost a time or two. I think it would be hard for younger students to read and understand; it is definitely more appropriate for older elementary or middle school students. The plot, however, is suspenseful and full of surprises.

Setting:

The Depression-era small town of Manifest, Kansas is a central part of the story. Manifest is throughly described and readers are definitely mindful that the story is set in a small town in Kansas during the Great Depression. Other important parts of the setting central to the story include World War I, Ku Klux Klan activities, and World War II.

Theme:

The theme of Moon Over Manifest is told to us by Shady…it is the power of a story. It can be the story of a town, the story of a person, or our own story. Abilene is looking for where she belongs in her story and also her father’s story. Abilene is looking for where she belongs; home. Universal themes present in this story also include: loneliness, perseverance, community, friendship, and prejudice.

Style:

The author’s style captures the feeling of the times with letters from Pvt. Ned Gillen and newspaper columns from Hattie Mae’s News Auxiliary and articles from the Manifest Herald. Vanderpool wrote two different storylines that come together at the end. I listened to the story most of the way through, but found it easier to understand the time changes when I read the actual book.

Authenticity:

Author Clare Vanderpool includes an author’s note, sources, and suggestions for further reading at the end of the book. An Educators Guide is also included with thematic connections, curriculum connections, and a conversation with Clare Vanderpool. She achieves a nice balance of fact and fiction, which leads to an award winning story.

Review Excerpts:

• 2011 NEWBERY Medal Winner
• 2011 Spur Award: Best Western Juvenile Fiction~Western Writers of America 
• 2011 Kansas Notable Book
• From author Patricia Reilly Giff- "The best book I've read in ages. I'll long remember Abilene and the people she loved... An amazing book! I laughed and cried and ached for Abilene."
• From Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "The absolute necessity of story as a way to redemption and healing past wounds is at the heart of this beautiful debut, and readers will cherish every word up to the heartbreaking yet hopeful and deeply gratifying ending."
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Witty, bold, and curious, Abilene is as unforgettable as the other residents of Manifest, and the variety of voices allows the town's small mysteries to bloom. Replete with historical details and surprises, Vanderpool's debut delights, while giving insight into family and community."
• From School Library Journal- "But I definitely think this is one of the strongest novels.This, too, is character-driven–with Abilene, Jinx, and the entire town of Manifest drawn in fine detail–but it’s also a very plot-driven book, and I am a plot-driven reader so it’s no surprise that I would warm up to this as I got past those early chapters into the meat of the story."  
• From Booklist- "Vanderpool weaves humor and sorrow into a complex tale involving murders, orphans, bootlegging, and a mother in hiding. With believable dialogue, vocabulary and imagery appropriate to time and place, and well-developed characters, this rich and rewarding first novel is 'like sucking on a butterscotch. Smooth and sweet.'"
• From Horn Book- "It's 1936 and Abilene's father, himself looking for work, sends her to his hometown of Manifest, Kansas, to live with Pastor Shady, a bootlegger-turned-preacher. There Abilene uncovers secrets about her family and the entire community. The setting jumps between the Depression era and WWI; mysterious letters and enlightening newspaper articles help set the scene for this captivating tale."
• From Library Media Collection- "Anyone interested in historical fiction would be mesmerized by this story, even students who enjoy stories about adventurous kids will be satisfied."

Connections:

Gather other historical fiction books to share:

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne ISBN 9780385751537

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 by Lauren Tarshis ISBN 9780545207003

George Washington’s Socks by Elvira Woodruff ISBN 9780590440363

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia ISBN 9780060760908

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai ISBN 9780061962790

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac ISBN 978-0142405963

Gather other books by Clare Vanderpool to share:

Navigating Early ISBN 9780385742092

Internet Resources:

World War I Propaganda Posters
WWI Posters
The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum
woodrowwilson.org/
Great Depression Facts
Great Depression Facts

A Memento for Abilene-After the end of the story, Abilene's father gives her one more memento to add to her collection. Describe in detail the new memento and its significance.

The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages

Bibliography:

Klages, Ellen. The Green Glass Sea. Unabridged ed. New York: Recorded Books, Inc. 2007. ISBN 9781456128630

Plot Summary:

Dewey Kerrigan is a 10-year-old girl who hasn't had an easy life. Her mother ran away long ago and Dewey lived with her grandmother, until she had a stroke. Without a caregiver, Dewey is sent to live with her father in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She rides a train alone from St. Louis, Missouri to New Mexico. Her father, a former math professor at Harvard, now works on a top-secret project for the government. One benefit of living in Los Alamos is that science geek Dewey is surrounded by some of the world’s best scientists.

Dewey is a different type of kid. She enjoys tinkering with things, messing with building projects and going to the dump for parts. She is quiet, likes to read, and enjoys spending time on her own. These interests make her different from other kids her age, and she doesn't have many friends. Dewey does make friends with a couple of boys who invite her to spend time in their secret tree house and they trust her with their valuable comic book collection while on vacation.

Papa has to attend to business in Washington, so Dewey moves in with the Gordons and their daughter Suze. Suze is a bit of a bully and hasn't been very nice to Dewey. Neither are thrilled with the arrangement....but, both could use a friend. They have lots in common and realize this after a few hits and misses.

Listening Experience:

I listened the unabridged  audio book of The Green Glass Sea through Audible. I listened to it on my iPad and the listening time was 7 hours and 24 minutes. It was narrated by Julie Dretzin. The sound quality was good and there were no background effects. There was no front or backmatter material included. Dretzin uses her voice for all the characters and does an excellent job. I really enjoyed listening to this story and found the narration added to my enjoyment of the story. I think students would enjoy listening to Dewey's story and the audio format will add to their understanding and enjoyment.

I loved this story and it hit close to home for me. I was born at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, and my dad was a military man. After he retired from the Air Force, he worked at the high speed race track at White Sands Missile Range. Because of my dad's career, we did talk about things like the atomic bomb and what happened at Los Alamos. It really brought back a lot of memories of growing up as an Air Force brat.

Critical Analysis:

Characters:

I think students will identify with the characters in The Green Glass Sea. Some might see themselves in Dewey, an unusual kid who struggles to make friends and is different from most other kids. “She is small for her age, thin and wiry, with dark unruly hair and big front teeth that she has not quite grown into.” Others might recognize themselves in Suze; Suze also struggles with making friends, but tends to handle it by being a bully. All the characters are very believable, but also likable. I really felt for Dewey and wanted some happiness to come her way. The language, clothing, and attitudes seemed appropriate for the time period (early 1940's), and I could definitely see myself in this story during this time. Listening to the audio version of the story made the characters really come alive for me. It was easy to follow the story and the different characters because of the narration by Julie Dretzin.

Plot:

This story is historically accurate and is presented so that children can understand what is going on during this time. The Green Glass Sea is realistic to the time period and is not overwhelmed with too many details. There are just enough specifics to get the feel of the times without overpowering the narrative. References are made to merchandise, music, and historic figures which add to the plot.

Setting:

The book is set during World War II from 1943 to 1945 in Los Alamos, New Mexico.  Los Alamos is referred to as "The Hill" and it is a deserted military base surrounded by mountains, canyons, and desert. The setting an important part of the story.  Los Alamos is described perfectly...from the garbage dump, to the family's homes and to the boys' tree house. Dewey spends her free time reading, tinkering with her projects, and visiting the dump. The parents spending time together eating, talking, working, or drinking. All these activities contribute to the authenticity of the story.

Theme:

The Green Glass Sea has several themes. A major one is the protection of our country and how far we are willing to go to do this. Suze's mother struggled with the building of the atomic bomb and the actual use of it. This reflects the universal theme of right versus wrong. We can all relate to this. Another theme is of family. We observe different types of families, note that families can change and see they can be made up in different ways. Dewey has a fractured family and Suze has a fairly normal one; Dewey’s family is changing and Suze’s stays the same. One last theme is of friendship. Dewey and Suze were different, but they had many things in common. I am sure neither dreamed they would not only become friends, but family.

Style:

I enjoyed Ellen Klage's style of writing. Her characters are bold, realistic, and sympathetic. Her descriptions of New Mexico are vivid and true to life. She captures the complicated feelings of people who lived during this time. She tells a story about fictional characters within a historical framework and makes it believable and enjoyable.

Authenticity:

Ellen Klages includes a bibliography and author's notes that add to the authenticity of her book. She does a great job balancing the facts with the story so that it is an enjoyable read that is not bogged down with too much information. Additional websites for research can be found in Penguin’s An Educator’s Guide to The Green Glass Sea.

Review Excerpts:

• 2007 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction Winner
• 2007 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature Winner
• 2007 Quill Awards (Young Adult) Finalist
• 2007 Locus Awards (Best First Novel) Finalist
• Winter 2006-2007 Book Sense #1 Children's Pick
• Starred Review in Publisher's Weekly
• Starred Review in The Horn Book
• A Horn Book Fanfare selection
• A Junior Library Guild selection
• A Scholatic Book Club selection
• From School Library Journal-"...Ellen Klages's impeccably researched novel is set in Los Alamos, New Mexico, between 1943 and 1945. Accomplished actress Julie Dretzin's narration is unhurried, relaxed, and inviting. Discussions of physics, mathematical function, cultural boundaries of gender and race, censorship, and the vulnerable child raised by a single parent make this exceptional story even more fascinating." 
• From Booklist-"The characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes."
• From The Horn Book (starred Review) "Klages evokes both the big-sky landscape of the Southwest and a community where "everything is secret" with inviting ease and the right details, focusing particularly on the society of the children who live there.  Cameo appearances are made by such famous names as Richard Feynman (he helps Dewey build a radio) and Robert Oppenheimer, but the story, an intense but accessible page-turner, firmly belongs to the girls and their families; history and story are drawn together with confidence."
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Klages makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulously researched novel set during WWII.  Details about the era-popular music, pastimes and products-add authenticity to the story...the author provides much insight into the controversies surrounding the making of the bomb and brings to life the tensions of war experienced by adults and children alike."

Connections:

Read the the second book about Dewey by Ellen Klages:
White Sands, Red Menace ISBN 978014241584

Here are a few web pages to visit to learn more about World War II, the Manhattan Project, the book and the author:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project
http://www.yourlibrary.ws/ya_webpage/ritba/ritba09/greenglasssea.htm
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=32045

http://ellenklages.com

Show students book trailer for The Green Glass Sea;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpdpXe2pKQU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWQLbW7K32E

Have students reread the letters Jimmy Kerrigan writes to Dewey. Show passage where Dewey explains the code to Suze. Have students write letters to a classmate using a code like the one Jimmy used. See if they can break their classmate's code.

Dewey and Suze enjoy reading comic books. Have students create their own comic book hero or heroine. Give characters a name and special powers.

What To Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley

Bibliography:

Kerley, Barbara. What to do About Alice? Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. ISBN 9780439922319

Plot Summary:

Theodore Roosevelt's eldest daughter, Alice, was born in 1884 and her mother died two days later. Roosevelt remarried and had other children, but it was Alice who kept him on his toes. The family often moved because of Roosevelt's career. Alice "ate up the world"...she did everything and anything it was possible to do. She loved to read and was taught at home. When Alice got older, she would have to wear braces because her legs were not growing correctly. She would not let this slow her done either. Alice was supposed to attend boarding school, but she talked her father into letting her study in his library instead. "She came up with her own solution for her education. She said to Father, 'LET ME LOOSE IN YOUR LIBRARY.' She taught herself astronomy, geology, even Greek grammar."

Alice became interested in politics as her father's career took off. He became president in 1901, and the family moved into the White House. Alice became a goodwill ambassador for her father and made him very proud. However, she still had lots of fun and everyone loved her. She even had a song and a color named after her! Alice traveled with the American delegation to Asia and had a wonderful time dancing, swimming, touring, and receiving many gifts. She returned after four months with many boxes and lots of gifts...she also came back with a fiancé...Congressman Nicholas Longworth! She excelled as a congressman's wife and also as a trusted adviser and champion of her father's. AND...she still had fun!!!

Critical Analysis:

Author Barbara Kerley has won several awards for her picture books, including a Caldecott Honor award and an ALA Notable Book award for The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins. She also received the Sibert Honor Book for Walt Whitman: Words for America. An author's note is included at the end of the book which gives more biographical information about Theodore and Alice Roosevelt. This information will give children just enough knowledge about Alice to want to find out more about her.

 

The story is organized in a comprehensible progression beginning when Alice was born to her later life as a wife and advocate for her father. The book is playful, inviting and very readable. The illustrations complement the text and give readers an exceptional picture of who Alice's character and life. The illustrations fit the story of Alice very well...they are whimsical, lively and exciting...just like Alice! The style and clothing is reminiscent of the 1800’s and 1900’s. The illustrations have the feel of old time pictures even though they were achieved in digital media. Bold text is used throughout the story to emphasize important thoughts or statements. "I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice I cannot possibly DO BOTH."

What to do About Alice? makes an excellent read aloud book. I enjoyed learning about this unconventional woman and I think children would also.  I do not think they would pick it up on their own, however, so I would definitely incorporate it into a lesson for my students.

The book got me interested in learning more about Alice, and I found out that she did live a very interesting life and lived it by her own rules. Some of it is probably not appropriate for elementary students, but older students would find her and her travels through life fascinating.

Review Excerpts:

• Sibert Honor Book
• Boston Globe-Horn Award Honor Book
• Parents Choice Award
• Irma Black Award Honor Book
• A Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
• A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
• A Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
• An ALA Notable Book
• New York Public Library: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
• From Booklist (starred review)"Irrespressible Alice Roosevelt get a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was...Kerley's text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line...The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art." 
  
• From School Library Journal (starred review) "Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp  her style, dives fully clothed into a ship's swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father's trusted advisers.... Fascinating."
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review) "It's hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt."
                  

Connections:

Students can learn more about Alice and see some great photographs of her, visit:
http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/alice.html
http://www.stacycordery.com/books/alice-roosevelt-longworth/

What is it like to live in the White House?  Learn about other kids who grew up in the White House:
K-3:  K-3 First kids

4-8:  4-8 First Kids

Learn more about Roosevelt's family, visit:
Roosevelt Family

Read other books about the Roosevelt family, such as:
Mind Your Manners, Alice Roosevelt! by Leslie Kimmelman ISBN 9781561454921
Who was Theodore Roosevelt? by Michael Burgan ISBN 9780448479453
America's First Families by Carl Sferrazza Anthony ISBN 9780684864426

Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Bibliography:

Greenberg, J. & Jordan, S. Action Jackson. Ill. by Robert Andrew Parker. Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press, 2002. ISBN 9780312367510

Plot Summary:

Action Jackson is the biography (and nickname) of painter Jackson Pollock. This picture book biography describes how Jackson made one of his most famous paintings, Lavender Mist, using his drip method. We learn about his creative process, how he thinks about a painting long before he paints it, and how he uses his whole body to make the painting. “He swoops and leaps like a dancer, paint trailing from a brush that doesn’t touch the canvas.” Jackson becomes part of the painting. He expresses that ‘the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through.’ We also learn he was a regular guy with a dog, a wife, and a home near the beach.  The end of the book contains an extended biography that explains more about Pollock’s life and adds some interesting information about him that children will find fascinating.

Critical Analysis:

Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan are collaborators who have written many notable books about art. Action Jackson is a Sibert Honor book and they have received a number of other Sibert Honors for their nonfiction books. One of their latest, Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring has received a Sibert Honor and an NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children. In Action Jackson, the authors have included a 2-page biography about Pollock which tells a bit more about his upbringing and his struggles. Notes and sources, along with a bibliography, are included at the end.

This picture book biography tells about a specific period in Pollock’s life when he created one of his most famous paintings, Lavender Mist, or Number 1, 1950. The story tells about his creative process and his everyday life in a logical sequence that is easy for kids to understand. The illustrations capture his unique painting technique with a spirited, free quality that feels similar to one of his paintings. Thumbnails of some of his paintings give readers an idea of what a Pollock painting looks and feels like; however, I think the addition of a full-size photo of one of his paintings would help kids get a better idea of his work.

The writing of the book is vibrant, fascinating, and enjoyable to read. Children will enjoy learning about artist Pollock and his unique painting style. This biography will pique student’s interest in art and artists such as Pollock. The biography at the ends gives just enough information about Pollock to satisfy the reader’s curiosity and may encourage some to do some additional research about Jackson Pollock.

Review Excerpts:

• A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
• A New York Times Best Book of the Year
• A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: Blue Ribbon Book
• An ALA Notable Book 
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review) "...abstract artist Jackson Pollack takes the spotlight in this outstanding picture book biography.  Whether capturing the intensity of the creative process and the artist's unique choreography or the spare vistas of sea and sky near the artist's Long Island home, Parker's impressionistic pen-and-watercolor illustrations pay homage to the painter's sweep of line and color ("energy and motion made visible," to quote Pollack). An extensive afterword offers notes and sources, as well as photos of Pollack at work and quotes from his friends and colleagues."
• From Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Art history specialists Greenberg and Jordan (Boston Globe/Horn Book-winning Chuck Close, Up Close, 1998; Sibert Honor-winning Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of An Artist, 2001) have again pushed the nonfiction envelope with this astonishing biography cum evocation of action painter and abstract expressionist icon Jackson Pollock.    Greenberg and Jordan make strategic use of contemporaneous accounts and press sources including Hans Namuth’s photos and documentary film.  The book’s back matter includes the terrifically interesting and surprisingly complete two pages of notes and sources. Parker evokes Pollock’s painting with his own painter’s hand.  He masterfully conveys painting as an active dance of form and color.  This stunning collaboration is both a tour de force and an uncommon pleasure. 
• From Booklist (starred review) "Using spare, lyrical words, the authors layer the exciting story with deep observations about what art is, how it is made, and why Pollock was so extraordinary.   Parker’s scribbly pen-and-watercolor illustrations get the mood just right; the loose lines have an improvised, energetic quality that echoes Pollock’s painting."

 Connections:

Visit the National Gallery of Art to see Lavender Mist and other works by Pollock:
http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/highlights/highlight55819.html

Gather other books written by Greenberg and Jordan to read such as:

The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius ISBN 9781596438101

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring ISBN 9781596433380

Chuck Close: Up Close ISBN 9780789424860
Andy Warhol, Prince of Pop ISBN 9780756979522
Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist ISBN 9780440419174

Watch video of Greenberg and Jordan discussing the writing of Action Jackson:

Greenberg & Jordan video

Have children make their own drip (“action”) painting. Decide
what type of paint to use. To keep things clean, spread newspaper on the floor or
conduct the activity outside. Give everyone a smock, or let parents know in
advance that children will be painting and may get their clothes dirty. Hand
each child a piece of paper to spread out on the floor. Provide assorted sponges,
paintbrushes, spatulas, marbles, and string. Have children flick, sweep, drip, or
splatter paint onto their “canvases” using different colors, instruments, and
techniques. Encourage them to paint “like a dancer” as Pollock did. Afterwards,
ask children how they felt while they were painting. Have children
think of names (or numbers!) for their painting, then label and sign them.

Have children do individual chalk drawings outside, or have them work
together on a chalk mural.

Read other fun books about art, such as:
Through Georgia’s Eyes by  Rachel Victoria Rodríguez ISBN 9780805077407
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds ISBN 9780763619619
Willy’s Pictures by Anthony Browne ISBN 9781406313567
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg ISBN 9780761157281
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt ISBN 9780399255373

Invite a local artist or illustrator to visit, show the children some
of their art, talk about their creative process, and do a live demonstration. Before
the artist comes, brainstorm questions children can ask. Another option would
be to have the artist lead children in an art activity (making stamps or block
paintings, tattoos, henna, batik, etc.). 

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo by Sy Montgomery

Bibliography:

Montgomery, Sy. Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea. Photos. by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. ISBN 9780547248929

Plot Summary:

In this fascinating book, we learn about Matschie's tree kangaroo...a rare and beautiful creature...only found in New Guinea. It is one of ten kinds of tree kangaroos on the planet. It is also one of the rarest creatures on the earth and in danger of becoming more rare. A research team sets out to explore the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea and to learn the secrets of the tree kangaroo. Scientist Lisa Dabek leads the team every year to learn more about her favorite animal. "Impossibly soft, with a rounded face, button eyes, pink nose, pert upright ears and a long thick tail, it was about the size of a small dog or an overweight cat, with plush brown and golden fur." Author, Sy Montgomery, and photographer, Nic Bishop, join the difficult, but rewarding and exciting journey.

Critical Analysis:

This large book catches the eyes of children with a cover of a sweet, furry creature snacking on something green. Upon opening the book, readers will see large and small colorful photos of the native people of New Guinea, the cloud forest jungle, rare animals, and so much more. Each photograph is explained and ties in with the text. The pictures are so vibrant and interesting, they really leave you wanting more. Their placement on the pages is inviting and has good use of variation as far as size, color, and photo bleeding. Though entrenched with good material, the text is not overly small and the headings are large and colorful.

The text follows a chronological order. It is lively and includes interest, personal stories, and factual information. The book also includes a list of words from the native language of Tok Pisin. Readers can refer to the list of “Tree Kangaroos Near You” in order to experience the delight of seeing one in person. The author and field researcher are both women with impressive backgrounds. Sy Montgomery is an award-winning author who experiences her writing first-hand by exploring the world. Dr. Lisa Dabek worked at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island as the zoo’s director of conservation and research. Photographer Nic Bishop is an acclaimed photographer of children’s books and also holds a doctorate in biological sciences.

This story can be read by people of many ages and is interesting to all! Personally, I found it simply fascinating. The text is clear, readable, and exciting. As you begin reading the book, you will be immediately drawn into the events and you will celebrate when Lisa and her team discover tree kangaroos. “There’s nothing more inspiring than seeing a tree kangaroo up close,” Lisa says. “To know one is to love one. They’re so endearing. They are truly the ambassadors for their wild cousins. When people see them eat, watch them move, see what they do, they’ll want to help them.” After reading, kids will want to learn more about the elusive tree kangaroo.

Review Excerpts:

• A 2007 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
• 2007 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Winner
• From School Library Journal (starred review)-"Montgomery and Bishop continue their outstanding collaboration to introduce readers to scientists at work. Here, they document their participation in an expedition to the rugged and remote cloud forest of Papua New Guinea in search of the elusive and fascinating Matschie's tree kangaroo. The book's fascinating glimpses into a little-explored region will hold the attention of anyone interested in unusual creatures and the efforts to study them."
• From Booklist (starred review)-"Montgomery and Bishop follow award-wining titles such as The Tarantula Scientist (2004) with another beautifully illustrated entry in the Scientists in the Field series. Montgomery gives a chronological, sometimes moment-by-moment account of the challenging climb into the remote cloud forest, the conditions in camp, and the awe-inspiring encounters with barely studied animals. She also communicates the thrill of studying animals in the wild, making observations, and discovering new information. As usual, Bishop's color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in stunning close-ups of creatures and of the team at work. 
• From Publishers Weekly (starred review)-"...another commendable title from an experienced team."
• From Horn Book-"Montgomery's friendliness and curiosity set the tone...Bishop's photography is, as always, outstanding...Dabek's advice to young naturalists...[is a] useful addition."
• From People Magazine-"In this fact-packed adventure with stunning photos, readers joins scientists in New Guinea to radio-collar the way-cute tree-dweller."

Connections:

Have students complete a research project about the Kakapo of New Zealand...visit Sy Montgomery website

What would YOU would pack on an expedition to New Guinea? Make a list of the stuff
you use daily, starting with when you get up in the morning. Which of these items would
you want to bring to Papua New Guinea? What would you leave behind? What would you substitute?
And what would you need for an expedition that you don’t normally use? Compare with
your classmates. (Now, can you carry that uphill for three days?)

What other animals intrigued you in Papua New Guinea? Do a report on one of them.
Then write up all the unknowns about the animal. Maybe you will be the next person to
study it!

Journaling: for five days, try to keep a journal like the author did. Try not to merely list
everything you did; try to make it into an interesting story with a theme. Remember you
don’t have to put in every single thing that happened. Just put in the parts that are most
interesting to you. Tell us why these things were interesting or important. What about
each day would you want to share with a friend?

Share some other books written by Sy Montgomery with students:
Journey of the Pink Dolphins: An Amazon Quest ISBN 9781603580601
Spell of the Tiger: The Man-Eaters of Sundarbans ISBN 9781603580595
Walking with the Great Aples: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, Birute Galdikas ISBN 9781603580625
Chasing Cheetahs: The Race to Save Africa;s Fastest Cat ISBN 9780547815497
The Tapir Scientist: Saving South America's Largest Mammal ISBN 9780547815480

What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

Bibliography:

Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know. New York: Simon Pulse, 2003. ISBN 9781442493858

Plot Summary:

Sophie is 15 and she is really into boys, as are most girls at this age. This book covers all the things teen girls typically going through: boys, friends, fights with mom, and growing up in general. Dylan is Sophie's first boyfriend in the story and he is perfect. Then Sophie starts to notice things about Dylan...that she doesn't like. He tells her she shouldn't mention that she is Jewish when she meets his mom. His mom uses the phrase "everyone kept trying to Jew her down on the prices" and this didn't seem to bother Dylan at all, but it bothered Sophie. He is too short; his hands are like a little boy's. He tells her he loves her and all she wants to do is cry. She breaks up with Dylan. She then meets Chaz online and is in love...again! They chat online for hours until he tells her that he likes to "jack off in libraries" and that's the end of that brief relationship.

She goes to a dance with her friends in a dress her mom doesn't approve of and dances with a "masked man." While waiting for her mom an older boy in a group of boys grabs her breasts and she is very upset. She forgets to change her dress and her mom discovers her deceit. Mom rips up the dress at home and becomes very depressed...Sophie feels guilty about causing her sadness. She accidentally meets her friend Murphy (homely Murphy) at the museum and they have fun...they start hanging out. They have lots in common and she likes him more and more. But they are just friends, right?

Critical Analysis:

Sones uses free verse to tell Sophie's story and it is quite effective. The poems or chapters are typically one to three pages long; some are quite short and others ramble on a bit. This alternating rhythm makes the novel a quick, enjoyable read. The poems read easily and flow well from one to the next. It feels like a story or a diary, but without a lot of extra details. Occasionally, there are a few e-mails and chat conversations mixed in within the poems.

The language used by Sonya Sones fits the typical teen girl. Sometimes Sophie is mature and wise beyond her years; other times she is childish and bratty. The inclusion of chat conversations and e-mails adds to the interest of the book and is very appropriate for teens. It is something they do themselves and it helps them to relate to Sophie even more.

Some of Sonya Sones' books are somewhat controversial and maybe some parents don't agree with everything that is in them. However, I feel that What My Mother Doesn't Know sends a great message to girls about listening to your inner voice, being strong, and trusting your feelings.

I know from being a junior high school librarian that Sonya Sones' books are very popular in the library, I could not keep them on the shelf. Girls love them...even some boys read them too!

Excerpt from What My Mother Doesn't Know:

I Wish

I wish I could drink a magic potion and
shrink way down till I was small
enough to fit right into his shirt pocket and live
there tucked near to 
his hear listening
to it beating in
rhythm with
mine every
minute of
every 
day

Review Excerpts:

• From Booklist (starred review) "Fast, funny, touching."
• From Publishers Weekly-"With its separate free verse poems woven into a fluid and coherent narrative with a satisfying ending, Sophie's honest and earthy story feels destined to captivate a young female audience, avid and reluctant readers alike."
• From Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "A verse experience that will leave readers sighing with recognition and satisfaction."
• ALA 2003 Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
• ALA 2002 Best Book for Young Adults
• Booklist Editors' Choice 
• Listed by the American Library Association as one of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books (2204, 2005, 2010, 2011) 
• 2003 International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice
• 2003-2004 Texas Lone Star State Reading List Choice 

Connections:

Gather other books written by Sonya Sones to read such as:
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies ISBN 9781442493834
What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know ISBN 9781442493841
Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy ISBN 9780064462181
To Be Perfectly Honest: A Novel Based on an Untrue Story ISBN 9780689876042

Have students write a poem or a short story in verse form.

Visit Sonya Sone's website to learn more about her and her other books: http://www.sonyasones.com/index.htm.

Have students tell about a week in their life through verse form, share with class.

Tell students about the little illustrations in the bottom corner of the pages towards the end of the book, it's a tiny flip book by Sonya Sones! When you flip the pages, the couple kisses. Sones used to be an animator...very interesting.

Please Bury Me in the Library By J. Patrick Lewis

Bibliography:  

Lewis, J. Patrick. Please Bury Me in the Library. Ill. by Kyle M. Stone. Orlando: Gulliver Books. ISBN 9780152163875

Plot Summary:

This book is a collection of sixteen poems by J. Patrick Lewis about books, libraries, words, and reading. It explores the joy that reading and books bring to so many people. Lewis includes haiku, traditional rhymes, acrostic, quatrains, couplets, and free verse poetry in his delightful collection. Kyle M. Stone illustrates the poems with whimsical illustrations. My favorite illustrations are the on the front cover and the back of the book.

Excerpt from Please Bury Me in the Library:

Are You a Book Person?

A good book is a kind
Of person with a mind
Of her own,
Who lives alone,
Standing on a shelf
By herself.
She has a spine,
A heart, a soul, And a goal--
To capture, to amuse,
To light a fire
(You're the fuse),
Or else, joyfully,
Just to be.
From beginning 
To end,
Need a friend?

by J. Patrick Lewis

Critical Analysis:

This collection of poetry begins  with a table of contents , includes page numbers, and large poem titles. The poems range from being very short to one page. All of the poems are different in style and rhyme scheme but they work together as a collection because of the topic of each poem. I found that the delightful illustrations enhanced each poem and added to the imagery of the poem. These poems are fun, silly, and children will delight in them. A personal favorite is the acrostic poem Necessary Gardens:
                Libraries 
                Are
                Necessary
                Gardens,
                Unsurpassed
                At
                Growing
                Excitement.

The book includes silly poems such as Flea-ting Fame, What if Books Had Different Names?, and The Big-Word Girl. Sweet, nostalgic poems are included such as A Classic and Are You a Book Person? Some poems are more appropriate for younger children and some work better with older children. Adults will enjoy all the poems.

Review Excerpts:

• From Booklist-"Lewis' poetry is continually clever, whether pithily summing up children's classics (a book that is excitedly read by a kid of 6 to another kid of 63) or capturing the thrill of reading in the dark."
• From School Library Journal-"A semi-swell collection of 16 poems celebrating books, reading, language, and libraries." 
• Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award 2006-2007
• From Library Media Connection-" Although this beautifully illustrated picture book of clever poems is primarily for young children, it will tickle the fancy of most book lvoers. Every poem has something to do with either books or reading."
• From Kirkus Reviews-"...this offering from the prolific Lewis won’t stay buried long, no matter where it’s planted."

Connections:

Have students explore J.Patrick Lewis' fun website: http://www.jpatricklewis.com/

Visit the online magnetic poetry site: http://play.magneticpoetry.com/poem/Original/kit/

Visit Giggle Poetry:  http://www.gigglepoetry.com/

Gather other poetry collections to share with students such as:
Poetry Speaks to Children edited by Elise Paschen and Dominique Raccah ISBN 9781402203299
Poems to Learn by Heart by Caroline Kennedy ISBN 9781423108054
The Random House Book of Poetry for Children compiled by Jack Preltusky ISBN 9780394850108
National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! by J. Patrick Lewis ISBN 9781423310096
The Bill Martin Jr. Big Book of Poetry edited by Bill Martin ISBN 9781416939719

Have students create acrostic poems with Necessary Gardens as their example.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Bibliography:
Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan. Ill. by Patricia Castelao. New York: Harper, 2012. ISBN 9780061992254

Plot Summary:

Ivan is a a gorilla who lives in the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade along with his friends Stella the elephant and Bob the dog. Ivan likes to watch television, eat, and make beautiful art. Stella has a lame leg and is very sick. Ivan is older and doesn't attract as many visitors as he used to in his younger days. Their owner, Mack, decides to buy a baby elephant in hopes of bringing more business to the zoo. Stella immediately bonds with little Ruby and helps her adjust to her new life.

Stella's injured foot causes her to become very ill. The owner of the mall, Mack, cannot afford a veterinarian and does not call one to look at her. Stella dies, but before shes does she makes Ivan promise to give Ruby a different life than the one she has led. Ivan promises his good friend her dying wish, but is unsure how he will accomplish this.

Critical Analysis:

The One and Only Ivan is written in free verse style poetry and I wasn't sure if I liked it at first. After reading a few chapters, though, I enjoyed the style. I think that verse works well in this book. It is a natural fit for Ivan's voice since he is a gorilla. He is intelligent, but he doesn't have the language skills of a human. He says very little at times, but he means much more. Applegate's writing is entrancing and her sentences are sometimes simple, yet they hold so much meaning. She uses language in unusual ways. She describes a mop as it "moves across the empty food court like a giant brush, painting a picture no one will ever see."

The imagery in this story was very vivid and I could picture Ivan in his cage painting pictures and making a plan. I felt Stella's pain and her desire for a different life for Ruby. I could see Bob prancing in and out of Ivan's cage, a free spirit. I could picture Ruby feeling afraid, asking lots of questions, and missing her home. I understood Julia's empathy for the animals and her desire to help them.

This is a poignant story which made a deep emotional impact on me when I read it. I fell in love with Ivan and felt his pain, his isolation, and his frustration. I also loved Stella, Ruby, and Bob. They all made a lasting imprint on my heart.

The illustrations in the book are kept to a minimal. They are very sweet and add to the tale without taking away from the story. The pictures are almost too sweet...they don't reflect the sadness that occurs in the book. I'm not sure they need to reflect any sadness, however, since the characters do an excellent job of this through their words and thoughts.

I think this story will appeal to children for many reasons. Children will love Ivan and his zany group of friends. They will feel sorry for Ivan and want to help him and his friends. I know many students will like the verse style of the book and find it fun and easy to read.

Excerpt from The One and Only Ivan:

I straighten to my full height. "I promise, Stella," I say in a voice like my father's.

"But you haven't even heard what I'm asking yet," she says, and she closes her eyes for a moment. Her great chest shudders.

"I promise anyway."

Stella doesn't say anything for a long time. "Never mind," she finally says. "I don't know what I was thinking. The pain is making me addled."

Ruby stirs. Her trunk moves, as if she is reaching for something that isn't there.

When I say the words, they surprise me. "You want me to take care of Ruby."

Stella nods, a small gesture that makes her wince. "If she could have a life that's...different from mine.

She needs a safe place, Ivan. Not--"

"Not here," I say.

It would be easier to promise to stop eating, to stop breathing, to stop being a gorilla.

"I promise, Stella," I say. "I promise it on my word as a silverback."

Review Excerpts:

• 2013 Newbery Medal Winner
• #1 New York Times Bestseller
• Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
• From Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage. … Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author's note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates."
• From School Library Journal (starred review) "Applegate makes a powerful statement about the treatment of animals–especially those living in captivity–and reminds readers that all creatures deserve a safe place to call home. Castelao's delightful illustrations enhance this lovely story, and the characters will capture readers' hearts and never let go. A must-have."
• From The Horn Book- "The choice to tell this story in the first person and to personify the gorilla with an entire range of human thoughts, feelings, and emotions poses important questions to the reader, not only about what it means to be human but also about what it means to be a living creature, and what kind of kinship we all share. An author’s note describes the true incident that inspired this story and includes more information about the real Ivan."

Connections:

Have students visit the The One and Only Ivan website (http://theoneandonlyivan.com/) where they can watch a dramatic book trailer and learn about the real Ivan's story. They can also learn about author Katherine Applegate and see where she will be making appearances.

Listen to some of the backstory about Ivan from author Katherine Applegate and listen to her read an excerpt from the book (http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=7533&a=1).

Have students research and write a report or a presentation about the mountain gorilla and investigate how they can help the gorilla population. Students can visit www.gorillas.org to learn about efforts to protect gorillas.

Have students investigate friendships between unlikely animal friends and share what they find with classmates. This can include books, photos, or videos.

Gather other nonfiction books about gorillas to share with students:
Gorillas by Seymour Simon ISBN 9780060891015
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate ISBN 9780544252301
Face to Face With Gorillas by Michael Nichols ISBN 9781426304064
Gorilla Doctors: Saving Endangered Great Apes by Pamela S. Turner ISBN 9780547014333
Eyewitness Books: Gorilla, Monkey, & Ape ISBN 9780789460363