Izzy & Oscar

* This review is provided to you prepublication from the wonderful people at Sourcebooks.

Izzy & Oscar cover art

Estes, A. & Stark, D. (2015). Izzy & Oscar. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks.  Illus. by T. Dockray. ISBN: 978-1492601500

Plot Summary:

Izzy wants a pet.  All of her friends have a pet.  So when she finds Oscar the octopus she decides to keep him.  Teaching an octopus to be a good pet is hard.  But their are things that he can do that other pets can not do.  And that makes him just right for Izzy.

Review:

Izzy & Oscar is a simple, yet endearing tale of a girl and her octopus.  While not the pet for everyone, Izzy embraces Oscar's unique qualities.  Readers will delight in learning about octopuses and the amazing things that they can do.  The illustrations by Tracy Dockray are fun and colorful and provide a wonderful addition to the story.  The pencil and dye technique adds color and whimsy to the books making it a perfect choice for the story.  A sweet story of love and acceptance or differences and finding strengths.

Activities:

Make your own octopus  http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/24999/toilet-paper-roll-craft

Try an octopus craft http://seattle.todaysmama.com/2012/02/octopus-party-ideas/

Little Man

Little Man cover art

Bibliography:  MANN, Elizabeth. Little Man. 208p. Mikaya. Oct. 2014. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781931414494; pap. $8.95. ISBN 9781931414500.  

Every so often I am asked to review books for School Library Journal.  Sometimes these books are really well written.  This was one of those times.  Below you will find my published review for Little Man.

Gr 4-7 -- A charming story of a Caribbean middle school boy named Albert. Small for his age, Albert is dubbed Little Man by schoolmates. Lonely after his best friend moves and feeling out of sorts in a new school, Albert is not quite feeling like himself. While attending his father's music gig, the boy is introduced to a group of Mocko Jumbies, or stilt walkers. He is invited to join in and learn their craft. He soon begins an exciting journey of self-discovery and faces his fears. This slim novel begins slowly, but quickly picks up steam and carries the momentum all the way to the last page. Albert is a likable and relatable character. The setting is an integral part of the story and is clearly explained without feeling like a geography lesson. Readers will enjoy learning about the fabulous art of stilt walking and Albert's journey to find his place among the tall performers. Overall, a well written and enjoyable tale with Caribbean flair and the wonders of childhood discovery. -- Elizabeth Speer, Cisco College, TX

Citation:
Speer, E. (2014). Little man. School Library Journal, 60(10), 106.

Additional Reading:

Sky Dancing by Ellen Erwin    ISBN 978-0982555422

Fun Activities:

Make coffee can stilts - http://www.education.com/activity/article/Coffee_Can_Stilts/ 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower



The Perks of Being a Wallflower
movie tie-in book jacket

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chbosky, Stephen. 1999. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. New York: Gallery Books.  ISBN 978-1-4516-9619-6
  

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Charlie is an awkward teen who, after the suicide of his best friend and the death of his Aunt Helen, sits outside of life looking in at others.  Set during the early 1990's during Charlie's freshman year of high school, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is told through letters written to an anonymous "friend" at part of Charlie's prescribed treatment.  Through the letters Charlie introduces us to his family, his newfound group of older friends including the beautiful Sam and homosexual but wonderful Patrick.  The novel is a journey through first dates, drug experimentation, sex, music, and truth even when it is painful and damaging.  Through the journey Charlie discovers, with the help of friends, family, his English teacher Bill, and therapy that growing up and navigating life are hard but ultimately worth the ride.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a hauntingly accurate and heartbreaking coming of age story about a boy who is emotionally fragile.  The novel is well written and cleverly uses the letter format to soften the harsh reality of Charlie's world which is filled with suicide, sex, drugs, molestation, abuse, and loneliness. 

 

The characters are portrayed as rather two dimensional.  Chbosky fails to fully develop any character other than Charlie.  However, due to the nature of the book and letter format this oversight does not detract from the storyline or ultimate conclusion.  Rather, the flatness of the other character lends to a realness to Charlie which enhances his appeal and allows the reader to develop a relationship with him through his painful past. 

 

One area in which Chbosky succeeds is the presentation of the feelings associated with adolescents.  The natural mistrust of adults, especially parents, accompanied by the need to belong to a group of peers and find acceptance drives the novel and establishes an honesty within the text.  Also, the use of a large cast of supporting characters provides a glimpse into the many facets of Charlie's world.  And finally, the use of foreshadowing throughout the novel in the form of discussions and memories of Aunt Helen lead the reader down a winding path with Charlie toward truth and discovery. 

 

The novel also makes excellent use of music and literature selections as a form of communication.  Within the book Charlie is given additional reading materials by Bill and introduced to musical selections from multiple sources.  Knowledge of these literary and musical items helps forward the storyline and provides insight into Charlie's emotional state.

4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

While the novel has won no major awards it is important to note that according to the American Library Association this book is frequently banned or challenged due to the content.  It should also be noted that the ALA does not support banning books and believes in intellectual freedom.  For more information please visit the following website:  http://www.ala.org/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

The book was made into a film in 2012.  The film adaptation stars Logan Lerman and Emma Watson and features a screenplay by the author Stephen Chbosky. 

10000 Dresses

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ewert, Marcus. 2008. 10,000 Dresses. Ill. Rex Ray. New York: Seven Stories Press.  ISBN 978-1-58322-850-0.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Bailey dreams about dresses every night.  10,000 dresses in all.  The only problem is that Bailey is a boy.  His parents don't understand but he finds a kindred spirit in a girl who loves to make dresses.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

10,000 Dresses is a simple introduction to the concept of transgender.  Bailey, though technically a boy refers to himself as her and feels like a girl.  His parents and older brother tell him that these feelings are wrong or even gross, but he finds acceptance with Laurel who loves dresses as much as he does. 

While the story of ultimate acceptance is wonderful, the young audience for whom the book is intended will most likely be confused by the use of both he and she for Bailey.  Further, the artwork created for the book is very gender neutral which also complicates the issue.  Transgender is a complicated issue and this book could in fact cause more questions then answers.  However, the book is a wonderful starting point for children who are transgender or know someone who is transgender.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(s)
The first book of its kind, 10,000 Dresses has received wide critical acclaim, awards and honors from the American Library Association, and has become a staple of anti-bullying curricula throughout North America. It’s also been banned a few times!

"I had a graduate student come up to my reference desk the other day asking for picture books where the characters acted out non-traditional gender roles. When this happens (and it happens more than you would think) I tend to begin with the stories that can be interpreted multiple ways, like The Story of Ferdinand. Then I pluck out The Paper Bag Princess, Elena's Serenade, and William's Doll. The piece de resistance is our very special copy of X: A Fabulous Child's Story which you will not find circulating in just any library system, thank you very much. However, the book I most wanted to show off was 10,000 Dresses."—School Library Journal   "If you are a member of an LGBT family with young children, or the friend or ally of an LGBT family with young children, and want to expose your children to what the broad LGBT community looks like, you need to expose yourself and these children to the picture book 10,000 Dresses."—Pam's House Blend   "Bailey may continue to inspire families in new ways with her bravery and artistic vision."—Bay Windows, New England's Largest GLBT Newspaper   "Bailey is a wonderful creation, but then again so are the dresses she dreams up; the illustrations by Rex Ray have a sleek, artful look."—Edge Boston   "Marcus Ewert's 10,000 Dresses is a joyous book about self-acceptance and identity. It is also the only children's picture book that features an openly transgender protagonist, and does so with both sensitivity and celebration."—Philadelphia Gay News   "It is a wonderful story that lets you see the world through the eyes of a gender variant child."—Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Newsletter   "Great for any kid who knows someone who is different or who may feel a little different themselves sometimes."—Rainbow Rumpus   "This charming book offers a subtle and touching approach to introducing kids to the maze of gender identity." —GT/Gaytimes(UK)

5.  CONNECTIONS

Read an interview with the author at http://taralazar.com/tag/10000-dresses/
Read Be Who You Are by Jennifer Carr (information on the book is found here http://tgmentalhealth.com/2011/01/09/a-new-children%E2%80%99s-book-%E2%80%9Cbe-who-you-are%E2%80%9D/)

The Pirate of Kindergarten

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lyon, George Ella. 2010. The Pirate of Kindergarten. Ill. Lynne Avril. New York: Antheneum Books for Young Readers  ISBN 978-1-4169-5024-0.

2.  PLOT SUMMARY
Ginny loved school.  She loved reading circle.  But sometimes Ginny had trouble.  Things she saw moved.  And sometimes things she saw weren't even there.  But when a nurse comes to school to test everyones vision everything changes and Ginny becomes....the pirate of kindergarten.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Pirate of Kindergarten is a wonderful introduction to differences.  Ginny appears to be just like all of the other kids in kindergarten.  But Ginny sees doubles and seeing a rabbit with three ears causes all kinds of problems.  The solution is a simple eye patch.  Which turns Ginny into a Kindergarten Pirate.  Her eye patch, rather than causing more trouble eases her way and allows Ginny to be "normal".

The chalk, pencil, and acrylic drawings of Lynne Avril allow the reader to see things through Ginny's eyes.  With double lines around chairs and moving letter, the illustrator effectively translates Ginny's frustrations to the reader.  Further, lending to the pirate concept, Ginny is always seen wearing nautical inspired clothing adding an element of foreshadowing.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(s)

ALA Schneider Family Book Award,

Volunteer State Book Award Master List (TN)

School Library Journal—Lyon's short, descriptive sentences set up the situation deftly

Booklist-Even children who have not experienced Ginny’s problem will understand her occasional frustration and find it intriguing that one person can literally see the world differently from another. 

5.  CONNECTIONS

Read another book about a child with an eye patch:

Julia Chen Headley's The Patch (Charlesbridge, 2006)

Visit the authors website:

http://www.georgeellalyon.com/

Visit the illustrators website:

http://www.lynneavril.com/

Complete an activity from the following website:

http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/multicultural/the-pirate-of-kindergarten.htm