SLIS 5420 Module 15 Dec. 7-10

Athletic Shorts

Six

Short

Stories

by

Chris Crutcher

Summary

This collection of short stories, while dealing with athletes, is not a "sports" book. Chris Crutcher deals openly and honestly with many taboo subjects and situations, as well as detailing the general pathos of being a young adult. The stories are told with humor and a sense of powerful realism.

My Thoughts

I normally don't enjoy short stories, but I honestly love this book. I can always tell a great book when I see myself nearing the end and I just don't want to get to that last page. After reading Athletic Shorts, I want to read everything Chris Crutcher has ever written. I guess I just love the honesty and lack of fear he seems to have in writing about topics that make people uncomfortable. Even though the topics are controversial, I don't get the "in your face" sense as I do from some authors who seem to have a goal of causing a firestorm. I like how he introduces each story and tries to give the reader background information or an explanation of his mindset as the author. I would really like to suggest this book to my students, but I'm a little afraid of parent reaction.

Reviews

The stereotype of jocks as insensitive dullards is challenged in stories that grapple with the big questions of life as well as with athletic prowess, told with good-natured aplomb and gritty reality."--School Library Journal

"If the stereotype of "bonehead jock" is ever to be defeated, it will be at Crutcher's hands."

--Publishers Weekly

Suggested Activities

Athletic Shorts offers endless possibilities for discussion, but one activity I might try is to have students write another version of "The Other Pin" from the viewpoint of Chris Byers. Since all of the stories center on male athletes, I think it might be interesting to compare the stories written by boys and girls from the perspective of a female wrestler.

SLIS 5420 Module 14 Dec. 1-6

Stop Pretending

what happened

when my big

big sister went

crazy

by

Sonya Sones

Summary

A novel told in verse, Stop Pretending details the events in the life of author Sonya Sones as a young girl when her older sister, whom she adores, is suddenly struck with mental illness which results in long term hospitalization. The poems chronicle life before the illness and the ensuing damage done to a family when one member slips away into an altered reality.

My Thoughts

Stop Pretending is the first novel in verse I have ever read. I found it much more enjoyable than a book of poems each with a different subject and theme. It is great to be able to follow such an intimate story told through poetry. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it did leave me wishing that I had more of the story. I am excited to have a new type of book to explore. Some poetry I love, but there is much that I don't enjoy. The story linking a novel in verse keeps me interested and in the case of Stop Pretending, the story flowed so easily I almost forgot I was reading poetry.

Reviews

"This debut novel shows the capacity of poetry to record the personal and translate it into the universal." --ALA Booklist

"The poems take on life and movement, the individual frames of a movie that in the unspooling become animated, telling a compelling tale."-- Kirkus Reviews

Suggested Activities

I would have students write a mini-novel in verse either using a particularly memorable time in their lives, or just chronicling the past year as a whole.

I think Stop Pretending could be used as a great discussion of how we each pretend at times in our lives that things are fine when in reality we feel our world crashing in. I think it would be a great experiment to have students for one day answer honestly to anyone who asks "How are you?". We could then discuss the reaction of the person who asked and talk about things we ask other people without wanting the truth.

SLIS 5420 Module 13 Nov. 23-30

The Boxcar Children
The Finders
Keepers Mystery

created by
Gertrude Chandler Warner


Summary

The Finders Keepers Mystery, #99 in The Boxcar Children Series follows the Alden Children in yet another mystery they must solve. Jessie, Violet, Henry, and Benny once lived as orphans inside a boxcar in the woods, until their grandfather found them and gave them a home. In their new neighborhood is a creepy old house that the children believe to be haunted. One day Jessie and Benny discover a young woman named Lina who has just moved into the house. They discover the house is not haunted and also discover a new friend in Lina. Lina's great, great aunt Hope used to live in the house and many of her things are still in the attic. The Alden children decide to help Lina clean out the attic and in the process find beautiful old quilts, all except the wedding quilt that Lina knew Hope had made when she was engaged. Soon the Alden children are in the middle of two mysteries when they discover that someone is trying to steal the quilts. They use their detective skills to track down the thief and the wedding quilt.

My Thoughts

I remember reading the Boxcar Children Mysteries when I was young and I recall enjoying them. I'm not sure if being an adult or just living in a different time now caused me to feel that the Finders Keepers Mystery was really corny and dated. Although the original creator of the series died in 1979, the series has continued. This book referred to modern things like researching the history of quilts on the computer, but the whole story felt like it was set in the 5o's. Everything was just a little too perfect and the children were way too excited about cleaning out the attic of a neighbor and helping her prepare for a garage sale. I knew where the wedding quilt was about a third of the way into the book, but kids might not know until close to the end and might feel satisfaction in figuring out the mystery. I think only very young readers might enjoy The Finders Keepers Mystery.

Reviews

There are no reviews available other than this short synopsis.

The Aldens help their neighbor Lina search for treasure, which may be hidden in her attic.

Suggested Activities

Since I believe the Finders Keepers Mystery would be best suited for younger readers, a nice idea would be for the librarian to have a treasure hunt set up in the library with each clue leading to the next. Each clue could be on the back of a square of paper with a quilt design. The final clue would lead to lemonade and cookies just like Lina made for the Alden children. The clues with the quilt pattern would then become a puzzle for the children to put together to make a miniature quilt.

SLIS 5420 Module 12 Nov. 16-22

The Voice

That Challenged

A Nation-

Marian Anderson

and the

Struggle for

Equal Rights

by

Russell Freedman

Summary

The story of the famous opera singer, Marian Anderson, is chronicled from the time she was a child growing up in Philadelphia to her death in 1993. The defining moment of her career was on Easter of 1939 when she sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a crowd of 75,000 after being denied a venue at Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution, who would only allow white performers to rent the space. Marian did not set out to be a civil rights champion, but her voice and determination opened doors for many other African Americans.

My Thoughts

I had a vague recollection of the name Marian Anderson, but I really couldn't have said for sure who she was. I read a lot of historical non-fiction, so I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't know her story. She was a remarkable woman, but I was glad to read also about her doubts and fears about her singing abilities. When she received less than stellar reviews for her first big New York concert, Marian was crushed and gave up on her singing career, at least for many months. It's good to see someone like her who did not have immediate success, but picked herself back up and tried again. She wasn't happy just being a good singer, she wanted to be a great singer. I like that she was quiet and unassuming, and although she didn't like controversy, she set precedents for African Americans. I thought it was interesting that her concert at the Lincoln Memorial may have been what prompted many similar events during the civil rights movement at that particular location. The connection between Marian and Eleanor Roosevelt was also a very interesting part of this book.

Reviews

"a fully realized portrait of a musical artist and her times...an outstanding, handsome biography. Freedman at his best. "-- Kirkus Reviews, starred

Awards/Honors

The Robert F. Sibert Medal

A Newbery Honor Book

Suggested Activities

I would have students find recordings of Marian Anderson's famous songs to share with the group. It is one thing to read about a brilliant voice, but another to actually experience it.

The book mentions several times that Marian was unable to stay in a hotel in the U.S. even after touring all over Europe and Asia. I would have the readers do some research to find out when the laws changed allowing African Americans to book hotel rooms. We would then discuss what it would be like to travel, but not have a reliable place to stay.

SLIS 5420 Module 11 Nov. 9-15

Who Was First?

Discovering the Americas

by

Russell Freedman

Summary

Was Columbus really the first explorer to "discover" the Americas? This notion has been challenged for years, but Russell Freedman goes beyond the "discovery" debate to explore who the original inhabitants of the Americas were and when they first arrived, which he theorizes was much earlier than we have previously thought.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed the concise way in which Freedman lays out the historical facts and mixes them with some less conventional ideas as to the origin of the earliest settlers in America. I knew a little bit about many older civilizations, such as the Aztecs, Olmecs, Mayas, and Incas, but I learned more about their origins, locations, and demise than I had previously known. I learned things about Columbus's struggles with his "discovery" and the people he first encountered called the Tainos. I have a great student named Savannah and I think she'll be surprised that her name is one of just a few surviving Taino words that made it into the English language. I love learning unique facts from history, so this was a great book for me.

Reviews

"Clear and packed with interesting details...this engaging work presents history as a story still being written. --Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"Students will discover fascinating information as well as a fine example of the research process in this thought-provoking work. --School Library Journal, Starred

Awards/ Honors

Junior Library Guild Premier Selection

Suggested Activities

I would have students work in groups to make and decorate a timeline depicting the explorations and settlements of the "New World", as well as recording the dates and interesting facts about ancient cultures.

SLIS 5420 Module 10 Nov. 2-8

Chains

by

Laurie Halse Anderson

Summary

Thirteen-year old Isabel has lived her entire life as a slave, but she has yet to discover how difficult that life can be when her master dies and she and her younger sister are sold to a couple in New York during the midst of the American Revolution. Master Lockton is on the side of the British and has no patience with American Patriots. Isabel is befriended by a young slave boy owned by a Patriot master. The young boy convinces Isabel to pass messages for the Patriots to try to win freedom for herself and her sister. Isabel soon finds she can only depend on herself for survival, and she must do so carefully, so as not to incur the wrath of the hateful Mistress Lockton.

My Thoughts

I loved this book not only because it is well written, but also because I learned quite a bit about the American Revolution, and in particular slavery in New York during that time period. I have read quite a few fiction and non-fiction books about slavery, but all of them have been set during the 19th century. I also enjoyed the interview with the author at the end of the book because I could see how much research she put into making this book and the obvious passion she has for the subject of slavery and for getting the details of its history correct.

Reviews

"Laurie Halse Anderson's Chains is searing and has so many brilliant sparks I became lost in it. Isabel's harrowing journey into a nightmare realm of slavery, betrayal, loss, and ultimately hope quite literally had me sobbing." - Three time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Michael L. Printz Award winner, Angela Johnson.

Awards / Honors

A Junior Library Guild Premier Selection

Suggested Activities

Chains would be an excellent resource to use in the classroom for a study of the American Revolution. With this book I might incorporate a study of the development of New York City from its slavery roots during its more rural beginnings to the ban on slavery as the area developed into a much larger urban area. There is so much potential to study the geography, landscape, industry, and immigration patterns for New York City as it developed into what it is today.

SLIS 5420 Module 9 Oct.26-Nov.1

Acceleration

by

Graham McNamee

Summary

Duncan is working a summer job in the "lost and found" department for the Toronto Transit Commission. He is hoping it will at least help him forget about the girl who died at the beach; the girl he tried to save. What he thinks is going to be the most boring summer of his life, quickly becomes anything but dull when Duncan finds a beat up leather journal that holds the key to the mind of a killer.

My Thoughts

I think this is a book that teens would really like. It has enough edge that it would capture their attention like so many movies they see. The line "Me and you going after this guy...is like the Hardy Boys meet Hannibal Lecter" is right on the back of the book and I think it would get a kid's attention and make them choose the book. I think the story line of the boys tracking down the potential serial killer is well done and filled with the right amount of tension, but the parallel story line of Duncan's intense guilt over the accidental drowning of a girl he tried to save, is a little less believable and doesn't seem to have a concrete relation to the story. Overall, however, the book is well written and I enjoyed it. I think teens would like the fact that Duncan and his friends figured out everything on their own and never even told the police or their parents they had caught a potential killer.

Reviews

"McNamee smoothly integrates snapshots from Duncan's escapades with a new buddy and his wild best friend, who lives teetering on the edge of the law, with information plucked from the diary. He never overexploits the sensational potential of the subject and builds suspense layer upon layer, while injecting some surprising comedy relief that springs from the boys' friendship."-Booklist

Awards / Honors

Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

Suggested Activities

I would ask student to rewrite the end of the story. I would have them start at the point at which Duncan finds himself in the killer's basement, and have them create a new story line and resolution.

SLIS 5420 Module 8 Oct.19-25

Tithe

A modern faerie tale

by

Holly Black

Summary

Tithe is a fantasy story about a teenage girl named Kaye, who has a rather unsettled life. She has been moved around much of her life due to her mother's career choice of being in various small rock bands. Kaye and her mother end up back to Kaye's childhood hometown living with her grandmother. Kaye is no normal teen. Besides the fact of her unusual upbringing, she also has special abilities and has friends who are faeries. After Kaye's return home, she quickly finds herself on the dark side of the faerie world mixed up with some very strange characters. Kaye finds herself in love with an 'otherworldly being' and ultimately she must decide if this romance is worth risking her life.

My Thoughts

I think I've discovered that I'm just not a fan in general of fantasy novels. I was really drawn to this book because of its title and cover, but I was a little disappointed with the story. I like a story that is cutting edge, but it seemed to me that Holly Black was just trying to shock young readers with some of her language and situations. If I had liked the story more, perhaps I wouldn't have found some of the language so annoying. When Kaye finds out that she is not completely human, she seems to accept this news a little too easily. I also found the romance between Kaye and Roiben improbable and I never really felt connected to their story. For me, Tithe is one of those novels where you get to the end and don't really care what happened to any of the characters. Young people must find it more appealing than I do, however, because it is the first in a series of books about Kaye and her faerie friends. I think teens may like Tithe because it feels rebellious and forbidden to them.

Reviews

"Dark, edgy, beautifully written, and compulsively readable." - Booklist

"Debauchery, despair, deceit, and grisly death-what more could you ask for from a fairy tale?...A luscious treat for fans of urban fantasy and romantic horror. - Kirkus reviews

Awards / Honors

YALSA Best Book for Young Adults

YALSA Teen's Top Ten Booklist

Suggested Activities

I would have students try to draw a picture or make a computer generated image of how they think Kaye looks without her "glamour", or in other words, her appearance as a faerie.

Because this is the first book in a series, I would have teens write a creative extension of the story, predicting what will happen to the character's in the future.

Life As We Knew It

by

Susan Beth Pfeffer

Summary

Miranda is tired of hearing about the asteroid at school, and even more tired of getting writing assignments about it in every class. The whole neighborhood is out to watch the night the asteroid is supposed to hit the moon. Everyone has been assured it will be something they won't want to miss. What no one knew is that life would never be the same. Miranda and her family must learn to survive life as they never dreamed it could be. She records her thoughts, despair, and longings in her journal. Miranda ultimately learns all that she has been given, even when she has very little left.

My Thoughts

I can't say enough about this book. It will make you things of things you have never thought of before, and things you hope you never have to know. Life As We Knew It is often disturbing, but it is so authentic that it is difficult to put down. Pfeffer seems to have thought of almost every nightmare one would face in the event of a global disaster. I found myself thinking of Miranda and her family several times a day. I happened to have a flood at my house while reading this novel, and while things were frustrating, I kept thinking how much worse they could be. I kept wondering if I would have thought of half of the things Miranda's mother thought of at the beginning of the crisis. I also wonder if I would have the will to keep living if I had to face everything Miranda and her family suffered.

Reviews

"Clear some space in your schedule: you won't want to be interrupted as you read this nail-biting drama. Could these events really happen? I sure hope not, or else life as we know it will become the stuff of legend." -Jennifer Armstrong, co-author of the Fire-Us trilogy.

"This fascinating and engrossing story shows how quickly 'normal' life as we know it could disappear, and how something as innocent as the moon could become a horrible threat. But Miranda's tale is also reassuring, as her diary shows how love, family bonds, and the will to live all remain strong even in the face of disaster."- Margaret Haddix Peterson, author of Among the Hidden.

Awards / Honors

A Junior Library Guild Premier Selection

A Listening Library Selection

Suggested Activities

I would have students research the effects the moon has on earth and compare them with the events in the novel. Students could then evaluate the probability of the events happening as described in the book.

Students would work in teams of four or "family" teams to chart the supplies they would need in the event of a global disaster. They could also chart the duties of each member of the family.

I think it would be great to discuss how many services and supplies we take for granted.

Students could think of things they would have to provide for themselves that are normally provided by government authorities, parents, or other adults.

SLIS 5420 Module 7 Oct. 12- 18

My Louisiana Sky
by
Kimberly Willis Holt


Summary

Tiger Ann Parker lives in a small, rural town in Louisiana in the 1950's. She lives with her parents, who are both described as "slow", and with her grandmother. Tiger relies heavily on her grandmother for guidance and advice and generally keeping Tiger's life running smoothly. Tiger feels like a bit of a misfit because she likes to play sports with the boys and is rejected by girls her age. When Tiger's grandmother dies, it changes her world completely. She embarks on a journey to figure out where she belongs in the world, only to find out she has everything she needs in Saitter, Louisiana.

My Thoughts

I didn't realize until I had already begun My Louisiana Sky that it was written by the same author as Mister and Me, which I reviewed in my previous blog. Kimberly Holt definitely knows how to capture both small town life and the struggles that young girls face. I think Tiger's struggles to fit in with her peers is a universal theme for kids and teens. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Tiger and Jesse Wade, a boy who lives on a neighboring farm. He is Tiger's friend and protector, and through a series of events including an awkward kiss, Jesse and Tiger decide that they need one another simply as friends.

Reviews

"In this unusually auspicious debut, a girl living in a small Louisiana town in 1957 must choose whether to care for her mentally slow parents or to move in with a glamorous aunt in Baton Rouge. The author presents and handles a sticky dilemma with remarkable grace" .

- Publishers Weekly

Awards/ Honors

A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

Suggested Activities

The teacher or librarian could lead a discussion about gender roles and wanting to be accepted by others your age. It would be good to allow the kids to tell stories of times when they felt they did not fit in, and compare that with Tiger's life.



This book would definitely be a tool to discuss people with mental disabilities and how they are treated in our society.



Kids could research television in the 1950's and compare how many families had television then as compared to now. A project that might help kids realize how much time they spend watching television would be to encourage kids to apply the limits Tiger's grandmother set for television time. I think if children spent a week limiting themselves to two hours of television/computer viewing, it would be great to discuss how successful each child was and how it affected other family members.









Monster

by
Walter Dean Myers


Summary


Steve Harmon is a young man charged as an accessory to robbery and murder. He has grown up in Harlem, and as he has grown into adolescence, Steve has struggled with resisting the pull of some of the bad influences in his neighborhood. He is getting a close up view of the reality of prison life as he awaits the outcome of his trial. Steve is a student film maker and decides to use his time in prison to journal and sketch out his situation in the form of a movie. Steve discovers that whether he is found guilty or not, his normal teen life has been irrevocably changed.

My Thoughts

I really love the way this novel is portrayed alternately as a journal and movie script. The text used in the journal entries makes it seem more authentic in that the writing is irregular and it changes in size, shape, and boldness in accordance with Steve's emotions. The majority of the novel in script form gives the sense that Steve is detached from his own story, and by the end of the novel I could see that he had to detach himself in order to survive. To me, the most haunting part of the novel is when Steve tries to hug his defense attorney, who is supposed to be on his side, and she recoils from his touch. He knows that he will be labeled for life by some people just because of the choice he made to associate with bad people.

Reviews

"This riveting courtroom drama... will leave a powerful, haunting impression. An insightful look at a teenage suspect's lost innocence" - Publishers Weekly

Awards / Honors

National Book Award Finalist

Coretta Scott King Award

Michael Printz Award


Suggested Activities

With older readers I would suggest a writing activity. The students would choose an important or troubling time in their lives, and have them journal about the situation. The students would then turn their story into a script.

Because Monster is already in script form, it would be great to choose passages to be read aloud by students, or even to be dramatized and filmed.

Reading Monster could foster a discussion about race and poverty in determining how a person is treated, or how the person makes decisions. Students could also research racial profiling by law enforcement as it relates to teens.

Steve Harmon is labeled "monster" by the prosecutor, and it has a profound effect on how he views himself. I would have teens make a list of labels they give to each other and then have them discuss the effect the names have on people.

SLIS 5420 Module 6 Oct. 5-11

Mister and Me
by
Kimberly Willis Holt




Summary

Mister and Me follows the life of young Jolene, an African American girl in the 1940's. She lives with her mother and grandfather quite happily, and is none too happy when her mother begins dating Leroy. Jolene's father died when she was very young, and she can't understand why her mother would need more than her and her grandfather. Jolene decides to call Leroy "Mister", and set about making his life difficult.

My Thoughts

I thought this was an endearing book that really makes the reader feel the emotions of a young girl who fears losing a close relationship with her mother. Mister and Me is set in 1940, but is very relevant today. Kids are frequently dealing with the boyfriend or girlfriend of a parent, and the relationship often becomes contentious. It is natural for kids to fear losing their mom or dad to someone else, especially when they have already gone through the pain of divorce. In dealing with teens, the struggle with these types of relationships comes up frequently in their conversations.

Reviews

"The story is heartwarming and the prose is lucid, making this a book sure to captivate readers" - Children's Literature

Awards / Honors

A Texas Bluebonnet Master List Book

Suggested Activities

Mister and Me could spark some great discussion about blending families, including the difficulties and rewards. I know from experience that middle school children are eager to talk about this issue.
Another possible activity would be to have the children learn about crazy quilts and their place in recording history. It would be great to have someone demonstrate how to make a crazy quilt and show examples. Children could make their own crazy quilt by applying materials or paper to a large sheet of paper, which could be hung in the library or classroom.

SLIS 5420 Module 5 Sept. 28-Aug. 4

Chicka Chicka
Boom Boom


by
Bill Martin Jr.
and
John Archambault




Summary



In this rhyming book for young children, each letter of the alphabet races up a coconut tree with a fun rhythm- chicka, chicka, chicka. Will the tree hold all of the letters? What do you think? Boom, Boom!

My Thoughts

I enjoyed Chicka Chicka Boom Boom for its wonderful rhyming and bold colors. I think small children would really enjoy this book because of the bright, colorful pages and the silly words used in the rhymes. I also think it would give young children a sense of accomplishment to be able to participate in storytime by using their knowledge of the alphabet to help the story progress.

Reviews

Children will revel in seeing the familiar alphabet transported into this madcap adventure.
-Publishers Weekly


Suggested Activities

I would suggest making a large coconut tree maybe on a felt board, or even a three dimensional tree and colorful letters. Children could attach letters during the reading of the story. It would be great if the tree were actually flexible and could be tipped lower and lower with each letter.
I would also suggest a coloring page with the parts of the tree separate, so the children could color the different parts and glue them together to make their own tree. I would also provide outlines of letters on colored paper the children could attach to their finished tree.

SLIS 5420 Module 4 Sept. 21-27

Rabbit Hill


by
Robert Lawson

Summary


A group of animals nervously awaits the arrival of a new family to the home that sits in the middle of their field. Each animal has his own personality and own idea about the new folks that are are coming. The animals share their fears and excitement, but all are pleasantly surprised when the new folks seem very animal friendly. Some in the animal community have their doubts about the new inhabitants when one of their own is injured by an automobile and disappears. In the end, however, the animals learn to work together and trust in the humanity of their new neighbors.



My Thoughts


I wasn't looking forward to this book mainly because it seemed very old fashioned judging by it's cover and the first couple of pages. I still can't say that it is one of my favorites, but it does have many nice themes that are still relevant today. Rabbit Hill was published in 1944, a turbulent time in the world, much like current times. I can see several issues which could be addressed in this book. The fact that the animals are all very different, but manage to work together for the good of all is definitely a lesson for children and adults alike. I could see a nice lesson for children with the character of Uncle Analdus, who mistrusts the human family even after he has seen proof of their goodness. His negative attitude also influences some of the other animals until even Uncle Analdus can't deny what the humans have done for the animals. We have started a new program this year in my school district really emphasizing respect and understanding among teachers and students. While I don't know that my high school students would be convinced to read Rabbit Hill, I think it could be a nice teaching tool for upper elementary students. I'm glad I decided to go ahead and read the book after my initial reaction because I would like to suggest it to some teacher friends who have younger students.


Reviews


"With a skillful blending of humor and whimsy, Robert Lawson has given a distinct personality to each animal, not only by his exquisitely fine drawings but by word pictures as well. Recommended for every library." - Library Journal

Awards / Honors

Newbery Honor Book


Suggested Activities


Rabbit Hill could be used for a discussion for children about working together for a common goal.


It could also be an opportunity for children to study and research the different animals and their eating habits.


If possible, it might be a nice project to have the children attempt a small seed garden.













The First Part Last

by
Angela Johnson


Summary

Bobby is a teen who finds himself in the position of having to tell his parents that his girlfriend is pregnant on his sixteenth birthday. Due to a tragic event, Bobby becomes a full time single parent to his new baby girl. He juggles school, caring for his daughter, and the emotional ups and downs that come with this enormous task. Bobby's life changes completely as he learns his new role. This powerful story shows the rarely seen side of teen pregnancy, that of the young father.

My Thoughts

I thought The First Part Last was a great way to see teen pregnancy from the male point of view. The tender moments that Bobby spends with his baby are touching, and they show a side of teen boys that we sometimes forget young men possess. I like the fact that he takes responsibility, but we still see the times when he doubts himself or utterly fails. I think this would be a great book for teen boys and girl. It is a true portrayal of how one's life is never his own again after bringing a child into the world. I wish the book had been less vague about Nia's illness. It just seemed to be an abrupt, cloudy explanation.

Reviews

"A combination of meditation and mystery...Angela Johnson conveys delicately the workings of a community of grief" -Chicago Tribune

"The novel's strong sense of place and of familial relationships provides readers with some solid ground from which to make connections or gain insights." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Awards

Michael Printz Award

Suggested Activities

I just think this would be a great opportunity to read The First Part Last with teens and discuss all the aspects of teen pregnancy, especially the effects on teen boys.
If I were to do a book talk with this book, I think it would be powerful to have a teenaged girl and boy who have experienced the birth of a child. It would be good for the other kids to hear about the challenges and how drastically life changes after having a child. I also looked on YouTube and found a number of videos with teens sharing their perspective on parenthood, which would also work to show to the reading group.

SLIS 5420 Module 3 Sept. 14-20

Flotsam

by David Wiesner

Summary

A young boy is playing on the beach when an old, underwater camera washes on shore. The boy finds a roll of film in the camera and takes it to be developed. He is shocked to find pictures of mysterious creatures under the sea doing all kinds of strange activities. The last picture he sees is the image of a girl standing on the beach holding a photo. The young boys notices that the photo the girl is holding is a picture of a boy who in turn is holding a photo of another girl. The young boy who found the camera inspects the photograph under magnification to discover a history of children who have found this same camera. He then sets about adding himself to the group before returning the magical camera to the sea.

My Thoughts

I absolutely love this book! The best part of the book is that it tells a very complex story with only the use of pictures. The book has no dialogue, yet tells a magical and intriguing story. I'm not sure that young children would be able to follow the story without the help of a parent, but I think older children would love it. It is a beautiful book with great illustrations. Each page tells its own story and the reader can find something new each time the book is "read".

Reviews

"Wiesner offers another exceptional, wordless picture book that finds wild magic in quiet, everyday settings." -Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

"New details swim into focus with every rereading of this immensely satisfying excursion." -Publishers Weekly, Starred

"A mind-bending journey of imagination." -School Library Journal, Starred

Awards / Honors

Caldecott winner 2007

Suggested Activities

In preparation for storytime, the librarian could fold sheets of art paper into six or eight squares. After reading Flotsam, the children would each get a sheet of paper and unfold it. The librarian would have the children try to tell a story by drawing a part of the story in each box using no words to help explain what is going on.

Esperanza Rising

by

Pam Munoz Ryan

Summary

The journey of a young Mexican girl begins as Esperanza Ortega is six years old, growing up in a life of privilege on El Rancho de las Rosas in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The story follows the many sad and tragic turns that occur in Esperanza's life beginning with the murder of her father. She goes from a pampered, secure girl to a fearful young lady who must struggle to help her family survive in a new unfamiliar country. Along the way, Esperanza learns that while a privileged life is an easy life, the love of family and friends provides true riches.

My Thoughts

I was so happy to have taken the suggestion of one of my students to read Esperanza Rising. It is a story that so many can relate to their own lives. We all have times when we are fearful of new things and we all have times of tragedy that we must not only endure but use to propel ourselves to a new life. I think so many of us dream of the life that Esperanza had as a young child. We dream of what it would be like to be rich and to have people wait on us. It is always a good reminder that riches are found so many times in relationships and not in possessions.

Reviews

"A lyrical...robust novel." -Publishers Weekly

"Easy to booktalk, useful in classroom discussions, and accessible as pleasure reading, this well-written novel belongs in all collections." -School Library Journal, starred review

Awards / Honors

Pura Belpre Award

ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist

Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year 2000

Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2000

Suggested Activities

This would be a great novel to use as a springboard for adolescents to find out about their heritage. Pam Munoz Ryan would not have been able to write Esperanza Rising if she had not listened to the stories of her grandmother's childhood. During the course of reading the novel, I would have students interview a grandparent or other relative to find out the differences and similarities of a child's life in the past and the life of the student today. I would have students share their stories with others in the reading group. It would also be great to actually have one of the grandparents come to share their own story.

SLIS 5420 Module 2 Sept. 7-13

Slake's Limbo

by

Felice Holman

Summary

Aremis Slake is a young boy living in New York who has experienced many difficulties in his short life. He has been passed from relative to relative and has suffered from abuse, neglect, and constant hunger. Slake is constantly bullied at school and seems to have no safe place to turn. He always keeps a subway token handy in case he has to flee his attackers. One fateful day while running from bullies, Slake rides the subway until he is too far from home to return and does not have any tokens left. He sneaks back into the subway terminal but is seen by the change booth attendant. Before he can be caught, Slake jumps from the platform into the dark subway tunnel. While feeling his way through the dark tunnel, Slake discovers a small opening with leads to a small "room" within the tunnel walls. This becomes his home for the next 121 days. Slake's journey of survival eventually becomes one of self discovery.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book even though it did not at first sound appealing. I seem to constantly be telling my students to be grateful for the things they have, and I also have to remind myself sometimes, as well. The poignancy of this book is that we never know what may be going on in someone else's life, and we should always try to find compassion instead of making quick judgments of others. Part of the appeal to me is that I also had moments in my childhood when I felt alone and neglected, and like Slake, I discovered at a young age that you sometimes only have yourself to depend on. Slake's discovery that he can care for himself better than the adults in his life have cared for him gives him a sense of power. However, at what would seem the most difficult situation of his life, he discovers that there are adults in the world who will watch out for him. When Slake discovers the joys of a full stomach and not having to look over his shoulder in fear constantly, he is able to make a home out of the most unlikely place.

Reviews

"...utterly convincing in its detail and moving in its concern and admiration for the stubborn, human will to survive."

New York Times Book Review

Awards / Honors

An ALA Notable Book

A YASD Best Book for Young Adults

Winner of the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

Suggested Activities

This would be a great book to read with middle schoolers. I might have students do some research about the subway system in New York before beginning the book. I think this would be helpful for students in Texas to be able to fully visualize Slake's surroundings.

This book would also be a great way to open a discussion about bullying in school and its effects on the victim. The librarian should be prepared to discuss the causes and effects and ways to prevent bullying.

George and Martha Round and Round

by James Marshall

Summary

George and Martha Round and Round is a collection of five short stories for children. Each story focuses on the ups and downs of the friendship between two hippos named George and Martha. These two seem to always be up to some mischief with one another, but they always find a way to make things right and remain the best of friends.

My Thoughts

While reading George and Martha Round and Round I was drawn to the fact that the books seems that it would definitely appeal to children, but many of the situations seem especially written to appeal to an adult sense of humor. I think this a trait of a good children's book because the parent and child can both enjoy the book at the same time. The stories have a good message for children about the enduring nature of true friendship, and as an adult I enjoyed some of the sarcasm and irony between the two main characters.

Reviews

"If you and your children have not met George and Martha yet, you are in for a real treat!"

"James Marshall has become one of the children's book superstars in recent years."

Stephen Frasier , Senior Editor , Weekly Reader Books

"The dear, ditzy, down-to-earth hippos bring serious pleasure to everybody.

Maurice Sendak

Suggested Activities

These stories would be great for a discussion with young children about friendship. Children could share stories of occasions when they weren't getting along with a friend and how they eventually resolved the problem.

For Story Number Three - The Artist, the children could be given paper and art supplies and asked to each draw the same picture as described by the librarian. When the children are finished they can compare how each picture is very different even though they were given the same instructions. The librarian can point out the different styles and what makes each piece of art special. This will tie in well with the story because George and Martha both had extremely different approaches to painting the same scene, and each thought his was the best. This would be a great opportunity to discuss art on a level children can understand. It might also work well for the librarian to have examples of two famous works of art in which a similar subject is portrayed in two completely different styles.

SLIS 5420 Module 1 Aug.31-Sept.6

The Giving Tree


by Shel Silverstein


Summary

The Giving Tree is a story about a boy and a special tree. When the boy is young, he loves spending time climbing his favorite tree. He makes things from its branches and loves to eat its apples. This special tree is able to play with the boy each day, and the tree begins to love the boy just as the boy loves the tree. However, as the boy gets older, he begins to find other things to do with his time and begins to neglect the tree. Long periods elapse between the boy's visits, yet the tree is always happy to see him. Each time the boy comes back to the tree he is just looking for some way to use the tree in order to make money for himself believing that possessing things will make him happy. The tree willingly gives of himself until one day there is nothing left but a stump. The boy finally returns at the end of his life to find the tree still loves him and has been waiting for his return.



My Thoughts

I couldn't help but think about my grandma and grandparents in general while reading The Giving Tree. We all love the novelty of spending time with our grandparents when we are young. We take for granted that they love us unconditionally as the tree loved the boy. However, as we grow older and find more ways to spend our time, we sometimes neglect the ones who love us most. I'm sure many grandparents have felt a pang of sadness when they realize their grandchildren are mainly interested in the money and gifts they can provide. My grandma suffered many years from Alzheimer's, and while I know I didn't neglect her to the extent that the boy neglected the tree, I also know that I could have been there for her more. At the end of her life, much like the giving tree, she didn't have much left to give. She didn't always know who I was, but I took comfort in knowing she had loved me all my life, even on the days I probably didn't deserve it.



Reviews


This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return. --Publishers Weekly( April 14, 2003 )


Suggested Activities

Children would be provided with craft materials to draw the trunks and limbs of a tree. They would then cut out large leaves of different shapes. On each leaf the child would write the name of someone he/she loves to spend time with, and also write one or two ways they could show that person that they care about them.

Children could be asked to find two or three leaves to bring to story time. The children could compare leaves and talk about their similarities and differences. The librarian could facilitate a conversation about diversity.