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.
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