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.