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/

A Simple Case of Angels

cover art

Adderson, C. (2014). A simple case of angels. Ontario, House of Anansi. $14.95. ISBN 9781554984305.

Gr 2–5— June Bug has behavior issues. She really can't help it. After all, she is just a puppy. But when her owner, Nicola, hears that June Bug's days with the family may be numbered, she decides that doing a good deed will solve the problem and ensure the dog's place in heaven and in the family. Shady Oaks retirement home is just the opportunity that Nicola, her new friend Lindsay, and June Bug need. But all is not well at the retirement home, and some patients are being kept against their will. Could these special patients be more than they appear? Will June Bug's and Nicola's good deeds be enough to save June Bug and keep her with the family? Young readers will enjoy and appreciate the struggle to "be good." Nicola is a relatable character with qualities that will resonate with girls and boys alike. The portrayed family dynamic is healthy, yet not without normal struggles. One of the most touching themes is the need to protect and respect the elderly and ensure that every person is treated with dignity. A sweet-natured and thoughtful read.—Elizabeth Speer, Cisco College, TX

Additional Reading:

Additional Books by Caroline can be found at http://www.carolineaddersonkids.com/books/

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab  ISBN 978-0545613781

Family Activities:

Visit a nursing home

Learn about therapy dogs

Make Angel wings:  This tutorial uses cardboard and a paper mache technique   http://www.creativelylivingblog.com/2012/12/how-to-make-huge-awesome-angel-wings.html

This tutorial uses paper plates:  http://lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com/2012/12/diy-angel-wings.html?m=0

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/ 

Sense & Sensibility

Sense & Sensibility




1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Austen, Jane. 2011. Sense and Sensibility. Adapted by Nancy Butler and Lonny Liew. New York: Marvel.  ISBN 978-0785148203

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

A graphic novel representation of Jane Austen's classic Sense and Sensibility.  This is the story of two sisters on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to emotions and intellectual views.  Elinor and Marianne along with their mother and younger sister must make their way in the world after the death of their beloved father totally dependent on the grace of others.  This visual representation of the original novel provides those who are unfamiliar with Austen's work a starting point from which to explore the family relationships for which she is known.   

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

Butler and Liew's version of Sense and Sensibility is a shortened and watered down version of the original which still somehow manages to retain the heart of the story.  Whereas the original work was conveyed largely through letters, Butler and Liew had to alter this aspect due to the nature of graphic novels.  Therefore, extensive changes had to be made by way of dialogue inclusion. 

 

The story contains all of the major events from the original work.  Readers unfamiliar with Austen will be able to easily follow the characters and events which are clearly laid out in an easily readable format.  Speech and though bubbles are used throughout as are text boxes to note major changes in locations and events.  Also, the adaptors did not lose the essence of political commentary which Austen included in her work.  The lack of rights for women and their dependence on the mercy of men in their lives is clearly defined without the lead female characters appearing overly weak. 

 

The artwork by Liew is done in a Victorian pallet which is complementary to the setting of the work.  However, readers who judge a book by it's cover will be disappointed in the harsh lines used throughout the work.  The cover art suggests more of a soft watercolor effect for the work. 

 4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

This graphic novel has not won any awards.  However, Nancy Butler has also adapted Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Northanger Abbey for Marvel. 

We've Got a Job to Do

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Levinson, Cynthia. 2012. We've Got a Job to Do: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March. Atlanta: Peachtree. ISBN 978-1-56145-627-6

2. PLOT SUMMARY

    

We've Got a Job to Do: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March by Cynthia Levinson is the true story of the 1963 childrens march on Birmingham.  Included within the text are stunning photographs which help to tell the story.  The book includes chapters on important players in the march, before and after effects of the march and the march itself.
 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

 We've Got a Job to Do: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March is incredibly well researched and written.  This is especially true considering the explosive nature of the content.  The civil rights era is still a hotbed topic for many Americans.  Cynthia Levinson manages to convey the events on the march and the feelings of the children and adults involved without being preachy or finger pointing.  The facts are clearly laid out and historical photographs are incorporated in a way that enhances the work and information. 

The selected participants give a human face to what is often overlooked or incorporated as one giant civil rights movement.  Often we forget that a movement has individuals with names and faces and stories. 

We've Got a Job to Do: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March  is not only the story of Birmingham, but also the story of many towns in the south.  However, the events of the first week of May 1963 are clearly detailed and the events of that week would help shape and change a nation.
 

4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

• -Starred review from Booklist
• YALSA award for excellent in nonfiction finalist 2013
• Starred review from Publishers Weekly
• Publishers Weekly best books of 2012
• Starred review from Kirkus

Accompanying website:  http://www.wevegotajob.com/index.html

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate



1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kelly, Jacqueline.2009. The Evolution of  Calpurnia Tate. New York: Henry Holt and Co.  ISBN 978-0-8050-8841-0

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Calpurnia Tate is an eleven year old girl in a family of six brothers.  Turn of the century Texas is not an easy place for a young girl with an inquisitive nature.  Exploring the world around her with her naturalist grandfather allows Calpurnia to discover many things about life with brothers, her grandfather, and who she is.  Amazing changes and surprises can happen in a girls life over the course of a year.

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is, at its heart, a love story between a young girls and her grandfather.  The novel is about discovery.  Calpurnia discovers her love of science when she notices that the yellow grasshoppers surrounding her home are much larger than the green ones.  With that discovery, Calpurnia finds a deeper understanding of the world around her because of her grandfather and Charles Darwin's The Origin of the Species.  Her discoveries do not stop with science, but continue throughout the novel with questions of place in society and the world.

Ms. Kelly manages to produce likable and historically realistic characters.  The role of women at the turn of the century is clearly portrayed as are the expectations of men.  The year 1899 was a time of great change in the world.  The publication of Darwin made people question the world around them, their beliefs, and their place in the universe.  The Origin of the Species was so controversial that Calpurnia was actually denied access to the book at the local library by the librarian. 

Calpurnia is a precocious child who does not understand why she has to learn cooking and cleaning while her brothers do not.  She questions her role as a girl and weighs what she wants in a future.  The historical setting of the novel make these questions especially prudent and controversial. 

Ms. Kelly does readily acknowledge that she has taken liberties with Texas history and scientific notation.  Readers from Texas may notice the errors when they occur, but few other readers will.  The slight liberties taken with history do not in any way diminish the quality of the story. 

While there are many tertiary characters, their existence is simply to provide a frame of reference for Calpurnia and her grandfather.  Her mother provides the archetype of what a woman of society should be and what society expects Calpurnia to become.  Calpurnia's brothers represent the "normal" male of the era with very clear ideas about where a woman belonged and what her rights were, in that she had none.  Perhaps the most interesting character is Calpurnia's grandfather.  Because of his experiences in the war he is self sufficient and knows how to darn socks and cook.  Calpurnia finds these skills fascinating in a man as she knows of no others who can do them. 

Throughout the novel, Calpurnia finds so much that is changing and evolving.  But, the most important discovery is that of the love that she and her grandfather develop and share.

4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

Newbery Honor Award

I Hunt Killers

I Hunt Killers





1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lyga, Barry. 2012. I hunt killers. New York: Little Brown.  ISBN 978-0-316-12584-0

    

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Jasper, or Jazz as he prefers to be called is the teen son of a notorious serial killer.  His father taught him how to think like a killer with the intention of Jazz joining the family business.  Now that his father is behind bars Jazz fights to have a conscious and live a normal life.  But how do you unknow how a killer thinks and feels?  Then a body is discovered in a field missing fingers and without any clothes.  Jazz is sure it is a serial killer.  Now he must find a way to work with the police and catch the latest threat to small town Lobo's Nod.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Barry Lyga manages to create a dark and disturbing world which readers will happily immerse themselves.  Jazz is a well thought out and developed character who, due to circumstances beyond his control, does not have a fully developed conscience.  Lyga manages to allow Jazz to be both likable and slightly scary.  Due to the nature of the story and the gruesome plot of dead bodies with missing fingers, it is easy to forget that Jazz is a 17 year old boy.  His insight into the mind of a serial killer due to his fathers teachings makes the character seem much older at times.  However, his social awkwardness and poorly developed internal sense of right and wrong balance out the adult knowledge base and bring him back into the teen realm quite nicely.

There are several secondary and tertiary characters within the novel that act as Jazz's support system.  His best friend and partner in crime Howie is extremely important.  Because of Howie's hemophiliac medical condition he could bleed to death from a simple injury.  The delicate balance which has to be maintained and the control which Jazz must use in his dealings with Howie make Jazz a better person who is more aware of what a small amount of physical damage can do to a person.  Jazz's girlfriend Connie, an African American theater lover, acts as a "jiminy cricket" for Jazz and provides him with the normal perspective on his actions.  Also important for Jazz is Sheriff G. William Tanner.  After catching and putting Jazz's father in jail, the sheriff acts as both a watchman and surrogate father figure for Jazz.

The technical aspects of the book are disturbing but really well researched and act to allow the reader to follow the morbid, murderous aspects of the novel.  The dark twists and turns and surprises which continuously appear are more often found in adult crime fiction than in YA literature.  The combination of a teen protagonist and the adult content of the novel make for an interesting read. 

4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

• There is a sequel to the novel titled Game
• I Hunt Killers has been purchased for development as a TV series.

Fracture

Fracture

 



 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Miranda, Megan. 2012. Fracture. New York: Walker Books.  ISBN 978-0-8027-2309-3

    

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

 Delaney was dead.  Her heart was not beating and her lips were blue when Dekker pulled her out of the icy water and breathed life back into her.  After awakening from a coma her brain scans show massive damage.  And yet she is fine.  But now she feels death around every corner.  But she is not alone.  Troy also awoke from a coma with the gift.  But is it a gift or a curse?  Can they feel death or cause it?   

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Megan Miranda's Fracture is a young adult supernatural story.  The supernatural element comes from a tragic accident in which Delaney falls through the thin ice of a lake and is not pulled free for eleven minutes.  Delaney languishes in a coma for six days before she awakens.  The naturally resulting medical brain damaged does not cause any impairment and  Delaney is able to speak, walk, and function normally with one small exception, she can feel death. 

 

Delaney is a fairly well rounded main character.  She is not perfect.  In fact, she is a bit clumsy and curvy and sees herself as brainy and definitely not athletic.  Her imperfections make her likable and enhance the novel.  Her relationship with Dekker and her parents are established enough to make the reader interested in what happens between them, but not developed enough to create a sense of urgency about the outcome of any differences. 

 

Dekker is only mildly developed as a character.  His role is that of best friend/rescuer/love interest.  The best aspect of Dekker is his uncertainty about how to handle almost losing Delaney and where they go from this point.  His guilt is well written and understandable.  And, Dekker is not infallible which he proves with his relationship with Tara. 

 

Delaney's relationship with Troy feels forced.  The fact that they both were in comas and have a connection to death is the only thing that truly keeps them together.  Further, the relationship is not healthy and the fact that Delaney is scared of Troy one moment and attracted to him the next does not help move the storyline or lend any feelings of empathy to the situation.

 

The title of the novel is especially representative of the story.  Delaney falls through a fracture in the ice.  Her life is fractured from the experience as are her relationships with Dekker and her parents.  Her ability to determine reality is slightly fractured as she discovers the nature of her gift.  And unfortunately, the story feels fractured and disjointed at times.

 

4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

• -Starred review from Publishers Weekly
• -Indiebound Winter 2012 Kids' Next List selection
• -a Boston Globe Best Young Adult Books of 2012 pick
• -a 2013 IRA Young Adults’ Choices Reading List selection
• -a Best Children's Books of The Year pick from the Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education

 

 

 

In Darkness

In Darkness book jacket

In Darkness



1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lake, Nick. 2012. In Darkness. New York: Bloomsbury.  ISBN 978-1599907437

 2.  PLOT SUMMARY

            Shorty is a 15 year old Haitian boy who has witnessed the brutal murder of his father and the capture of his twin sister.  Now, trapped in a collapsed hospital with a bullet in his arm drinking blood to survive he remembers how he came to be injured and he begins to hallucinate.  Through the hallucinations of Toussaint L'ouverture and his battle against Napoleon to free the slaves of Haiti, Shorty finds his strength and an unexpected connection to a man long dead.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

            Jumping back and forth in time, In Darkness is a haunting analysis of life and tragedy in Haiti.  Although the novel is fiction, certain circumstances presented within the pages have the authenticity of real tragedy occurring within a country controlled by gangs.  The struggle to survive is clearly defined within the work. The title is fitting in many ways. Shorty struggles to survive in a collapsed hospital surrounded by darkness.  But more than physical darkness is the bleak dark of oppression and tragedy which permeates the pages of Lake's novel. Shorty clearly establishes the bleakness of his situation when he says in darkness I count my blessings and the only blessing he can count is that he is alive. 

            Shorty's hallucinations show the reader as much about the state of his physical existence as it does his emotional state.  The desire to help free the Haitian slaves from the French is as much about his desire to be free from the oppression of the future as it is about the history of a nation. 

            Woven into the novel are comments about guns and the desire to kill.  The want to end a life combined with the knowledge that to do so would be morally wrong battles within Shorty.  And yet, sometimes the only way to survive is to keep others at bay or join forces with those who are in power.

            Further, Lake presents the idea of power joined with responsibility.  L'ouverture faces the dilemma of freeing the slaves only to have to control the situation which follows and of the possibility of going from one oppressor to another. 

            In Darkness offers a glimmer of hope without providing any answers or resolutions to the problem of life in Haiti.  It is a dark and engulfing story of pain and danger combined with a level of enticement which does not often find its way into young adult literature.

 

4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

·         Michael Printz Award

·         ALA Best Fiction for Young Readers

·         Carnegie Medal in Literature Nominee

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe




Audio Book Cover

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Saenz, Benjamin Alire. 2012. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. New York: Simon & Schuster.  ISBN 978-1-4424-0892-0
   

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

It is the summer of 1987 and Aristotle is an angry young man about to begin a journey of discovery which will take him through trials and tribulations and possibly lead him to the secrets of the universe and it will all begin with Dante and swimming lessons.  Ari and Dante are two Mexican-American young men who do not seem to fit in with others and yet forge a bond of friendship that changes who they think they are and allows them to discovers truths about themselves and the world around them.  An honest look at coming of age in a time of intolerance and confusion, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe offers a glimpse into the reality of two different young men whose bond will be tested through books, laughter, love, shame, and acceptance. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

 Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an exceptionally well written, honest look at the struggle with who we are and who we want to be and what we will allow ourselves to become.  Saenz does a masterful job at developing the personalities of not only Aristotle and Dante, but also those of their parents allowing for a depth of character development and understanding of interpersonal relationships which is not often seen in young adult literature.  The exploration of anger, confusion, love, and acceptance which takes place between the covers of the novel provides the reader with an emotional roller coaster ride of sensations. 

 

Aristotle or Ari as he insists on being called is an angry young man who does not truly understand why he is angry and sad all the time.  He has few friends and little desire to make any.  What he does have are two loving, if slightly damaged parents who must silently fight their own demons.  What Ari gains is Dante.

 

Dante is a softhearted young man who boldly offers to teach Ari to swim on the first day of summer at the local pool.  His demeanor and relationship with his parents are not what Ari is used to encountering.  Theirs is a family who hugs and kisses and expresses emotion freely.  Ari is pulled into their life and loved with abandon by all.

 

The friendship of Aristotle and Dante is a progression from loneliness to honest and unprecedented love amidst confusion and shame from themselves and a world which can be unaccepting and cruel.  Through the love and acceptance of their families and the acceptance of who they truly are inside, Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of themselves and where they fit within the universe.

4. AWARDS and INFORMATION

ALA Notable Children's Books

Bank Street Best Books of the Year

Kirkus Best Young Adult Book

Lambda Literary Award Finalist

Pura Belpre Award

School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Texas Tayshas High School Reading List

Stonewall Book Award

Michael Printz Honor Book

Click the link below to view my book trailer for this title.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ3i-i-2R8w
 

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. 

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Taylor, Mildred D. 1976. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. New York: Dial Books.  ISBN 0-8037-2647-3
 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY
Set in the Depression of the 1930's, this Newbery Medal winner is the story of the Logan family and their struggle to keep the land that they own and love in rural Mississippi.  But, more than that, it is the story of the loss of innocence and the journey into understanding of how things should be and how they are for Cassie Logan who has felt the protective blanket of her family's love against the brutal truth of hate and racism.  As Cassie and her family struggle against injustice and fight to keep what they own despite growing racial hostilities, they learn what is worth fighting for and that sometimes battles are larger than one person or family.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, though fiction, is a wonderful depiction of a complicated time in American history.  Through realistic characters and settings, Mildred D. Taylor manages to transport the reader back in time to the 1930s and the Great Depression.  Further, without sounding "preachy" she weaves the injustices and racism faced my African Americans into the work with a sad authenticity.  The work is well written and the story progresses at a pace which manages to not only hold the readers interest but allows for the realistic development of Cassie's realization of the harsh truths of the world in which she lives.  The use of language within the text is authentic to the period and location.  Clothing descriptions, when used, are appropriate to the setting and economic condition of the characters. 

Ms. Taylor manages to present the Logan family in a way that shows the strength of character of each and the love which exists between them.  The roles held by each member are appropriate for the time period and are presented as an accepted norm.  For readers unfamiliar with the gender and racial roles of the era, this may present some confusion and questioning.  However, this presents an excellent opportunity for the gaining of new knowledge by the reader. 

Even 37 years after the publication of the work, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, presents itself with a level of truth that cannot be denied.  The racism which existed in Mississippi during the early 20th century is still, unfortunately, a presence in many parts of the country, though one would hope not to the extent in which it appears within the work.  The novel is a valid work of historical fiction which can and should be held by libraries and utilized within classrooms as part of the American experience.

4. AWARDS

Newbery Award (1977)

 ALA Notable Book

 

 

Does My Head Look Big In This?

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abdel-Fattah, Randa. 2008. Does My Head Look Big In This? New York: Scholastic  ISBN 978-0439922333

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Amal is your typical 11th grader in most ways.  She likes shopping and boys and her friends.  But when she decided to wear the hijab full time and further explore her Muslim faith she must deal with preconceived notions and prejudices. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Amal is a wonderfully developed character.  Abdel-Fattah has done an excellent job of showing the dynamic between Amal and her family.  The characters interact with each other in a way that is positive and loving and a direct contrast to the issues which she faces from her school.  Further, Abdel-Fattah manages to give information about the Muslim faith without coming across as preachy or boring.  She also manages to point out differences in cultures and home life of Muslims who share a faith, but not everything. 

Amal is forced to examine her own belief system while interacting with the beliefs of others who do not fully understand what it means to her to wear the hijab.  Along the way she makes many typical teenage mistakes such as lying to her parents and unfairly judging others while not wanting to be judged herself.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(s)

School Library Journal- While the novel deals with a number of serious issues, it is extremely funny and entertaining, and never preachy or forced.

Booklist-*Starred Review* - Without heavy preaching, the issues of faith and culture are part of the story, from fasting at Ramadan to refusing sex before marriage. More than the usual story of the immigrant teen's conflict with her traditional parents, the funny, touching contemporary narrative will grab teens everywhere.

 

(starred) "Determined to prove she's strong enough to 'wear a badge of my faith,' Amal faces ostracism and ridicule as she dons her hijab with both good humor and trepidation. . . .

 

(starred) "Using a winning mix of humor and sensitivity, Abdel-Fattah ably demonstrates that her heroine is, at heart, a teen like any other. This debut should speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider for any reason." --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

 

Winner - Australian Book Industry Awards 2006 - Australian Book of the Year for Older Children

Notable Book - Selected as a Notable Book by the Children's Book Council 2006

Long listed for the UK Galaxy Book Awards 2006

Short listed for the Grampian Children’s Book Awards UK 2006

5.  CONNECTIONS

Visit the authors website: http://www.randaabdelfattah.com/novel.asp?ID=6&title=Does%20My%20Head%20Look%20Big%20In%20This

Read other books by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Explore works by Arab Americans such as Naomi Shihab Nye

Learn about different kinds of head scarves worn by Muslim women at http://www.cbc.ca/news/interactives/who-muslimheadscarves/

Amal is Australian.  Explore Australia via the internet.  How might Amal's experience have been different if she was American?

 

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

The Year of the Dog

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lin, Grace.2005. The Year of the Dog. New York: Little Brown. ISBN-5

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Year of the Dog is a story of Pacy and her search to "find herself" during the year of the dog. Pacy struggles throughout the year, but manages to find friendship and luck all the same.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Grace Lin moves away from picture books and tackles her first juvenile novel with The Year of the Dog.  Pacy, or Grace to her school friends, is determined to discover her talents.  The year of the dog is supposed to be for discovering new friends and yourself.  Written with a diary like quality, The Year of the Dog is an easy read that will allow children to connect to Grace on a friendly, personal level. 

Scattered throughout the book are short family tales that help to share the Taiwanese culture.  Within these short stories are cultural gems that help the reader to understand the customs and mannerisms of the Taiwanese American way of life.  Although the stories sometimes feel as if they have caused a disjointedness within the story as a whole, their value culturally is worth the slight off feeling which occurs. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
• 2006 Fall Publisher's Pick
• Starred Booklist Review
• 2006 ALA Children's Notable
• 2006 Asian Pacific American Librarian Association Honor
• 2006 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) GOLD Winner
• 2007-2008 Texas Bluebonnet Award Masterlist
• 2007 Nene Awards Recommended List (Hawaii's Book Award Chosen by Children Grades 4-6)
• 2007 Cochecho Readers' Award List (sponsored by the Children's Librarians of Dover, New Hampshire)
• NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2006
• Kirkus Best Early Chapter Books 2006
•2006 Booklist Editors' Choice for Middle Readers
•Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice 2007
•Boston Authors Club Recommended Book
•2007-2008 Great Lakes Great Books Award nominee
•2007-2008 North Carolina Children's Book Award nominee
•2007-2008 West Virginia Children's Book Award nominee
•2009 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award (OR) nominee
•2009 Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award (WA, OR, ID)nominee

5. CONNECTIONS

Visit the authors website at http://www.gracelin.com/content.php?page=book_yeardog

What "year" were you born in?  Learn about the Chinese zodiac.

What is the Chinese New Year?  Learn about it here: http://www.chinaholidays.com/guide/chinese-culture/chinese-new-year.html

Read additional books about Chinese New Year:

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Chinese New Year: With Fireworks, Dragons, and Lanterns by Carolyn Otto (Jan 13, 2009)

A New Year's Reunion: A Chinese Story by Li Qiong Yu and Zhu Chen Liang (Oct 31, 2011)

The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale by Ying Chang Compestine and Sebastia Serra (Jan 6, 2011)

Pacy is Tiawanese.  Learn more about Taiwan at http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/

Make a paper lantern to celebrate the new year.

Make a snake craft to celebrate 2013 as the year of the snake (instructions at http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mspiralsnake.htm)

Tea with Milk

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Say, Allen. 1999. Tea with Milk. Ill. Allen Say.  New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780547237473

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Tea with Milk is the story of Masako, or May to her friends in San Francisco.  May was born and raised in America, but must return to Japan when her parents decide to return home.  May must learn to assimilate into a culture which is hers and yet feels strange and out of place.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Tea with Milk is written in a linear format.  It is the story of one young woman's journey away from one home and to another.  Say pays wonderful tribute to his mother and tells the story of two people who feel like outsiders and how they made a home. 

Cultural markers run throughout the work.  Say incorporates the differences between Japanese culture and American culture seamlessly through May's homesickness and acceptance of her new home.  The differences begin to be highlighted on the first page of text.  "At home she had rice and mi so soup and plain green tea for breakfast.  At her friends' houses she ate pancakes and muffins and drank tea with milk and sugar" (p.4).  Perhaps the most striking cultural difference which is depicted is the different role and expectation of women between the two cultures.  May had planned to attend college, work, and live on her own in San Francisco. However, in Japan she is expected to learn to serve tea and marry well.

Say helps to depict the sadness of May with his illustrations.  The illustrations progress from shades of gray and muted pastels to a firmer, darker landscape as May finds her way in her new world and creates a home for herself.  Traditional kimonos and school uniforms help to define the landscape and provide identifying cultural markers even without the text. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(s)

Say's masterfully executed watercolors tell as much of this story about a young woman's challenging transition from America to Japan as his eloquent, economical prose.- Publishers Weekly

This is a thoughtful and poignant book that will appeal to a wide range of readers, particularly our nation's many immigrants who grapple with some of the same challenges as May and Joseph, including feeling at home in a place that is not their own.- School Library Journal

This perfect marriage of artwork and text offers readers a window into a different place and time.- Library Journal(May)

Painted with characteristic control and restraint, Say's illustrations, largely portraits, begin with a sepia view of a sullen child in a kimono, gradually take on distinct, subdued color, and end with a formal shot of the smiling young couple in Western dress. - Kirkus Reviews

"Continuing to explore place and home, Say tells the story of his mother, first introduced to readers in TREE OF CRANES. Born in California to Japanese immigrants, Masako is miserable when she moves to Japan with her parents after high school. The illustrations capture Masako's unhappiness and also her eventual contentment as she learns to combine two cultures." Horn Book

5.  CONNECTIONS

Read more about author Allen Say at http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/allensay/author.shtml
Read an interview with the author at http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/allen-say-interview-transcript-1

Have a tea ceremony.
Explore Japanese culture.  Compare Japan to America.  How are we the same?  How are we different?

The Name Jar

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Choi, Yangsook. 2001. The Name Jar. Ill. Yangsook Choi.  New York: Dragonfly Books. ISBN 9780440417996

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Name Jar tells the story of Unhei, a young girl who has come to America from Korea.  Unhei wants to make friends but worries that no one will be able to pronounce her name.  She decides to have a name jar and choose a new name from the suggestions in the jar.  But, what name should she choose?

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Name Jar is written from the perspective of a young Korean girl who is trying to decide who she is in her new home.  Unhei does not want to be made fun of for her name which is difficult to pronounce for her new classmates.  She decides to pick a new American name and begins to collect suggestions in her name jar. 

Yangsook Choi does a wonderful job of incorporating Korean culture into the short picture book.  Unhei is giver her name carved into a block of wood which can be used as her signature when she is in Korea.  Also, she and her mother visit Mr. Kim's market where they purchase groceries to make traditional Korean food.  Choi also includes information about Korean traditions such as the use of a name master when selecting the name for a new baby. 

The illustrations which were also done by the author depict wonderful diversity within the children of Unhei's class.  Each child has varied skin tones as well as varied hair styles and textures.  Unhei and her family have several authentic physical features which are common among Korean Americans.  Unhei's hair is smooth, black and straight.  Her eyes have a slight tilt to them.  And her skin is a lovely creamy tan.  Anyone who has had Korean friends will recognize that Unhei is Korean from the illustrations.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(s)
WINNER 2003 Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Master List
NOMINEE 2005 Arizona Young Readers Award
"Cultural details freshen the story"- New York Times Book Review

"Choi draws from her own experience, interweaving several issues into this touching account and delicately addressing the challenges of assimilation"- Kirkus

5.  CONNECTIONS

Visit the author's website at http://www.yangsookchoi.com/

Read an interview with the author at http://andychuang.com/thenamejar.html

Have children select a symbol that represents their name.  Create apple or potato stamps of their symbol and have each child stamp their "name"

Create your own name jar.  If you could choose any name for yourself what would it be?

Research the meaning and origin of students names.

Other books by Yangsook Choi:

Behind the Mask, Frances Foster Books, Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2006 ISBN 0-374-30522-6

Earthquake, Frances Foster Books, Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2001 ISBN 0-374-39964-6
Gai See, Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2007, ISBN 0-810-99337-6 7
Good-bye, 382 Shin Dang Dong, National Geographic, 2002, ISBN 0-7922-7985-9
Landed, Frances Foster Books, Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2006 ISBN 0374343144

New Cat, Frances Foster Books, Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1999, ISBN 0-374-35512-6
Nim and the War Effort, Frances Foster Books, Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1997, ISBN 0-374-35523-1
Peach Heaven, Frances Foster Books, Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2005, ISBN 0-374-35761-7

Rice Is Life, Henry Holt, 2000, ISBN 0-8050-5719-6
The Sun Girl and the Moon Boy, Knopf, 1997, ISBN 0-679-88386-X
This Next New Year, Frances Foster Books, Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2000, ISBN 0-374-35503-7

Thirteen Moons

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruchac, Joseph, and London, Jonathan. 1997. Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons. New York: Putnam Berkley Group. Ill. by Thomas Locker. ISBN 0-698-11584-8

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This picture book includes 13 poems reflecting the 13 moons of the calendar year.  Each poem is a retelling of a different tribes moon legend.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Each poem in this collection represents a different tribe or nations legend about a moon cycle.  Told as if an adult is instructing a child the poems are presented as a complete lunar cycle. The turtle is used as a guide and reminder of the lunar cycle due to the 13 scales which always appear on the shell.

While each poem is well written and a beautiful interpretation of a legend.  The book falls short of providing any signfigant details of tribal life.  The illustrations are beautiful by themselves.  However, they do not provide any additional insight into the poems.  Further the illustration placement within the book further distances the picture from the text.  Each poem is located on the left hand side of the page with the illustrations seperated onto the right 3/4 of each layout.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Notable Children's Trade Book in the Language Arts
IRA Teachers' Choice Book
Notable Children's Trade Book in the field of Social Studies
"This unusual and intelligent book is an exemplary introduction to Native American culture with its emphasis on the importance of nature."- Publishers Weekly
"dignified retellings of Native American legends "- Kirkus

5. CONNECTIONS
Have students explore and research one of the Native American tribes or nations that contribute a legend to the book.

Do all turtles have 13 scales on their backs.  Have students research different types of turtles.

Create your own turtle time calendar (download available at http://rhythmofthehome.com/2011/05/turtle-time-creating-using-13-moon-calendar-activity-children/)

Find out more information about lunar phases and the effects of the moon on our planet.

Read more by Joseph Bruchac.  An index of published works can be found on the author's website http://www.josephbruchac.com/published_books.html