Module 13- Diary of a Wimpy Kid

A. It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary. In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion. B. Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid. New York: Amulet Books. C. The main character, while sometimes funny, lies, manipulates, underachieves, sneaks, disrespects his parents, and isn't even that great a friend. While the books have a creative concept and may be okay for middle school and up, the subject matter and flaws of the main character make them not so great for more impressionable younger readers. It’s not something I would recommend to any child without strong parents or their own intrinsic sense of right and wrong. D. Greg Heffley has actually been on the scene for more than two years. Created by an online game developer, he has starred in a Web book of the same name on www.funbrain.com since May 2004. This print version is just as engaging. Kinney does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious. Greg is a conflicted soul: he wants to do the right thing, but the constant quest for status and girls seems to undermine his every effort. His attempts to prove his worthiness in the popularity race (he estimates he's currently ranked 52nd or 53rd) are constantly foiled by well-meaning parents, a younger and older brother, and nerdy friends. While Greg is not the most principled protagonist, it is his very obliviousness to his faults that makes him such an appealing hero. Kinney's background as a cartoonist is apparent in this hybrid book that falls somewhere between traditional prose and graphic novel. It offers some of the same adventures as the Web book, but there are enough new subplots to entertain Funbrain followers. This version is more pared down, and the pace moves quickly. The first of three installments, it is an excellent choice for reluctant readers, but more experienced readers will also find much to enjoy and relate to in one seventh grader's view of the everyday trials and tribulations of middle school.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA E. Older elementary and middle school students love these books and could also be tempted to create their own comics in a similar style to relate their favorite scenes from the book, what they learned, or for other library uses. I see this book starting a create comic-a-thon.

Module 15- The Hunger Games

A. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. B. Collins, S. (2010). The hunger games. New York: Scholastic Press. C. I would be lying if I said this wasn’t one of my new favorite books and that I hadn’t read it more than four times. I LOVE this book! The idea was very unusual to me and it took me awhile to agree to read it, despite urging from those that had. When I started it I was done a few hours later. I absolutely devoured The Hunger Games! It’s hard to explain the addiction I have to the entire series. Is it the author’s style? The storyline? The characters? It’s all of the above and more! Such a great read and so compelling. D. I’ll admit it, I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins because my wife did and I didn't… we can’t have that now. Can we? I can certainly see why the book was such a hit. The novel struck many chords and many themes (teenage anguish, love, work, poverty and more), was an easy and quick read, as well as full of action. Ms. Collins built a fantastical and believable world where the United States is no more and instead the country is now called Panem which is run from “The Capital” and divided into 12 districts. The story progresses quickly and fluently with well-defined characters who have lame names. Don’t tell me that the baker’s son is named Peeta (Pita) by accident. I can certainly understand how the YA crowd fell head over heels for this novel. For me though, and I understand perfectly well I’m not the target audience, the love triangle was cliché, but I loved the violence and speed of this novel. The constant suspense kept me turning page after page as, I assume, most of those who read the book. Once I got over my name prejudice, I even liked the protagonist – a bow and arrow wielding female Wilhelm Tell, how can you not like her? Ms. Collins’ prose is efficient in a no-nonsense style filled with humor which causes the book to become addictive. Like any good story, you are immersed in the universe built around you, yet you know it is not real but you can’t stop reading. That being said, there were some aspects of the book which were too convenient, when Katniss babysits Peeta in the second half of the book, the stuff she needs floats down from the sky. That might be passable for the intended audience, but not for me. Also the ending was a bit disappointing. I especially disliked the mutated werewolves but, since this is part of an extremely successful trilogy and the audience certainly stuck around to find out what happens – who am I to say anything? E. This novel would be the perfect addition to my “Survival” theme book showcase. There are so many youth interested in this series due to the release of the movies right now, that it would be a sure-fire hit with older, more reluctant readers. The Hunger Games competition is fascinating despite its violence and many high school or middle school students might be tempted to participate in some library activities modeled in the same way. (Same style, less violence that is!)

Module 11- Bodies from the Ash: Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii

A. On August 24, AD 79, the people of ancient Pompeii awoke to what seemed to be a normal summer day. They had no reason to suspect that most of their lives would soon be over. Small tremors had been shaking the area for several days, though they didn’t worry because the region had been subjected to many earthquakes over the years. It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that the people of Pompeii realized that the earthquakes were caused by Mount Vesuvius. By the next afternoon, the city of Pompeii had been covered by nine feet of pumice and debris. Days later, those that had escaped returned home to an unfamiliar landscape. Pompeii was virtually a forgotten city until 1763 when it was discovered by treasure-hunting excavators. In 1860, a new excavator named Giuseppe Fiorelli implemented many procedures that helped preserve Pompeii. Today, Pompeii is both an archaeological site and a modern town. People come from all over the world to see the ruins of Pompeii, plus the body casts, and artifacts housed in the museum. This book contains over 50 photographs that show dig sites, ruins, artifacts, jewelry, and casts of the dead. The subject matter and the fascinating photographs make this nonfiction book very compelling reading that will attract many middle school students including those who may not be avid readers. B. Deem, J. (2005). Bodies from the ash: Life and death in ancient pompeii. New York: Houghton Mifflin. C. My first impression of this book was one of intense awe and interest. Upon opening the pages and glancing at all the horrific body casts of victims of Mt. Vesuvius, my interest quickly waned! The stories of what likely happened to the victims were quite upsetting to me and yet I couldn’t quit reading it! Like a bad car wreck, Pompeii and its demise caught and held my attention despite strong feelings against the text. In the end, I really wish I hadn’t read it as the stories and many pictures to go along with it really upset me. D. On August 24, 79 C.E., the long-silent Mt. Vesuvius erupted, and volcanic ash rained down on the 20,000 residents of Pompeii. This photo-essay explains what happened when the volcano exploded--and how the results of this disaster were discovered hundreds of years later. A tragedy this dramatic demands an affecting text, but this one begins rather ploddingly with the events of August 24 and 25, and moves through the rediscovery of the city and the surrounding areas, with progressively more being learned. What the text lacks in excitement is made up for by the enormous amount of information Deem offers, some of which was acquired in on-site research. The excavations and body preservation techniques are explained in detail; everyday life in the city and the later tourist activity centered in Pompeii are also highlighted. But the jewels here are the numerous black-and-white (and some color) photographs, especially those featuring the plaster casts and skeletons of people in their death throes. The horizontal format, with pages looking as though they were partially bordered in marble, makes an attractive setting for the art. Excellent for browsers as well as researchers. Ilene Cooper, ALA E. Because of the upsetting nature of this book’s content, I wouldn’t recommend it to elementary students. I would probably only recommend this book to middle school or high school students who were completing research on the topic.

Module 10- Pink and Say

A. In a true story, Pinkus Aylee, a black Union soldier, finds Sheldon Curtis left for dead and carries him home to be tended by his mother, but when the two boys attempt to rejoin the Union troops, they are captured and sent to Andersonville Prison. B. Polacco, P. (1994). Pink and Say. New York: Philomel Publishers. C. I think this book has some fantastic insights and painted a wonderful picture of what life was like for soldiers in the Civil War. That’s about the only positive I experienced from it. I will not be reading it to my students as it was one big sob fest for me! I am so uncomfortable with the idea of war and men fighting against each other in general, and then the shooting and then subsequent dying of one of the main characters was too much for me! It was a good thing for me to read once, but never again! D. This heart-wrenching historical picture book, based on a true story, presents us with two men from the Union army who meet after a battle of the Civil War. Say, the white younger man, has been wounded. Pink, a black man, carries him home to where his mother is surviving in ruins of a deserted plantation. Pink is determined to rejoin his unit in spite of mother's protest. Say, who was deserting when wounded, only agrees because of the danger they present to Pinks mother. Marauders come and kill her while they hide in the cellar. On the way to the front lines they are captured by confederates and taken to Andersonville prison, Pink is hung. Say survives to become author's great-great grandfather. Hurst, C.O. (1996). Hurst, C. O. (1996). Pink and say review. Teaching K-8 Magazine. Retrieved fromhttp://www.carolhurst.com/titles/pinkandsay.html. E. This book is great for students who are interested in the military or in the Civil War as it is fairly accurate and an emotional portrayal of what that event was like. It’s definitely a book to be shared or highlighted for when the older grades study the Civil War.

Module 9- Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds

A. Fifth-grade sleuth Cam Jansen uses her photographic memory to catch a jewel thief. B. Adler, D. A.(1977). Cam Jansen and the mystery of the stolen diamonds. Logan: Perfection Learning Publishers. C. When you're a kid, you read all of these stories about magic powers, mystery, and adventure. But everyone tells you magic can't exist. Cam Jansen manages to solve every case without the use of magic... she's a real girl. That's what makes her special and what makes you want to red more and more. Cam Jansen is a real kid superhero, which is why my students love her. D. "What wrongdoer is any match for Cam Jansen, the girl with the amazing photographic memory?" ( Booklist) "An uncluttered plot, a clever heroine, clear language, and a dash of humor make for a zestful mystery."(School Library Journal) E. I’m not a fan of reading tons of these books as I find them a tad repetitive. They fly off the shelves though especially when new students discover them. I will definitely use them as a showcase series for my middle elementary readers.

Module 8- Twilight

A. Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite. B. Meyer, S. (2008). Twilight. New York: Little, Brown Publishers. C. Twilight is my guilty pleasure book. When I want to regress back to teenager-hood once again I always pull it out and get lost in Bella’s insecurities and Edward’s dreaminess. I love the story line and the improbability of it all. It’s a teenage girl, and probably a grown up woman’s ultimate fantasy- complete and total adoration from a perfect man. Who wouldn’t like it? D. Headstrong, sun-loving, 17-year-old Bella declines her mom's invitation to move to Florida, and instead reluctantly opts to move to her dad's cabin in the dreary, rainy town of Forks, WA. She becomes intrigued with Edward Cullen, a distant, stylish, and disarmingly handsome senior, who is also a vampire. When he reveals that his specific clan hunts wildlife instead of humans, Bella deduces that she is safe from his blood-sucking instincts and therefore free to fall hopelessly in love with him. The feeling is mutual, and the resulting volatile romance smolders as they attempt to hide Edward's identity from her family and the rest of the school. Meyer adds an eerie new twist to the mismatched, star-crossed lovers theme: predator falls for prey, human falls for vampire. This tension strips away any pretense readers may have about the everyday teen romance novel, and kissing, touching, and talking take on an entirely new meaning when one small mistake could be life-threatening. Bella and Edward's struggle to make their relationship work becomes a struggle for survival, especially when vampires from an outside clan infiltrate the Cullen territory and head straight for her. As a result, the novel's danger-factor skyrockets as the excitement of secret love and hushed affection morphs into a terrifying race to stay alive. Realistic, subtle, succinct, and easy to follow, Twilight will have readers dying to sink their teeth into it.–Hillias J. Martin, New York Public Library E. I would use this book in my library as a spring board to introduce readers to other similar literature. Twilight is something that almost every young adult girl and even a few guys have already read, but often they get stuck with one book they like and aren’t able to branch out to other similar yet wonderful pieces of similar genre. Students who are enamored with a book need to be guided towards other great pieces that would be a sure-fire hit with their interests.

Module 7- Jane

A. Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance. But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing secret from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must decide: Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love? An irresistible romance interwoven with a darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers. B. Lindner, A. (2010). Jane. New York: Hachette Book Group. C. Jane is a modern retelling of the classic story by Charlotte Bronte of a rather plain and inconspicuous young woman named Jane who is educated but then falls into some bad fortune when her parents die. She doesn’t have the advantage of looks or fortune going for her, so she hires out as a governess for a wealthy man- in this case, Nico Rathburn. Nico turns out to be a famous rock star and semi-dead beat dad to young Madeline, yet the ever sensible Jane manages to fall in love with both him and his daughter, though he routinely ignores and obsesses over her. I enjoy the story but have never bought the romance and love between the two main characters- in either edition I’ve read. I did like this version of Jane much better than the original, but felt the opposite way about Mr. Rathburn. All in all, it was a fantastic version of Jane Eyre and well worth the read for young teenage girls who would fall madly in love with the original were they only comfortable reading the language. This is the perfect book to lure them in to reading more classic love stories and literature. D. "A fascinating, fantastical story line of secrets and star-crossed love....Set against a vivid, well-drawn, contemporary world, this is a compelling adaptation of an ageless romance." Booklist "A fresh and addictive adaptation." Publishers Weekly "I couldn't put Jane down! Whether you love literature, romance, thrillers, or anything in between, you'll get swept up in Jane all the way to its scrumptious, satisfying end."-Sara Shepard, New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars series "There's nothing plain about Jane. April Lindner executes the cool trick of being stubbornly loyal to the well-loved original while creating something totally new and captivating."-Cecily von Ziegesar, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Gossip Girl series "A sparkling new novel of impossible love, tragic deceit, and a wicked fine guitar solo."-Anne Osterlund, author of Aurelia "A remarkable, rocking good love story."-Justina Chen, author of North of Beautiful E. In a library setting, this would be my go-to recommend book for any high school or middle school girl seeking romance. I could see recommending it as a read along/comparison to those who might struggle to read the original Jane Eyre, or as an extension read to those who just finished it. I remember being required to read it in high school, so I feel high school girls would be the most appropriate recommendation for this novel.

Module 7- Speak

Speak- Module 7 A. High school should be the best time of Melinda's life. Instead, freshman year is a nightmare as Melinda finds herself rejected by her friends, cut off from her parents, and unable to reveal a terrible secret. In fact, she isn't speaking at all. Melinda's slow healing process is a realistic and compelling one, and readers will cheer for her when she finally does use her voice. B. Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York: Square Fish. C. Speak is one of my favorite books to date! The first time I read it, I completely changed some of the views I had on teaching children. Though I am young, Speak reminds me what it’s like to be a high school girl, something I thought I would be anxious to forget and never remember or think about. Speak reminded me that there are so many things teachers overlook when they shouldn’t because we are so busy and often overworked, but that our students depend upon us noticing. A young child going through severe trauma, like Melinda did in Speak, leaves clear signals that no one should have missed in the novel. Those closest to Melinda completely missed/chose to remain ignorant of the changes going on inside and outside of her, much to Melinda’s detriment. I am reminded of how important it is to listen and to pay attention every time I read this book and I love it even more each time. D. In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. Divided into the four marking periods of an academic year, the novel, narrated by Melinda Sordino, begins on her first day as a high school freshman. No one will sit with Melinda on the bus. At school, students call her names and harass her; her best friends from junior high scatter to different cliques and abandon her. Yet Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine through her pain and holds readers' empathy. A girl at a school pep rally offers an explanation of the heroine's pariah status when she confronts Melinda about calling the police at a summer party, resulting in several arrests. But readers do not learn why Melinda made the call until much later: a popular senior raped her that night and, because of her trauma, she barely speaks at all. Only through her work in art class, and with the support of a compassionate teacher there, does she begin to reach out to others and eventually find her voice. Through the first-person narration, the author makes Melinda's pain palpable: "I stand in the center aisle of the auditorium, a wounded zebra in a National Geographic special." Though the symbolism is sometimes heavy-handed, it is effective. The ending, in which her attacker comes after her once more, is the only part of the plot that feels forced. But the book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired. E. Speak would be a fantastic book to do a book club with, especially for middle school or high school girls. There are tons of important topics within it that young girls need to talk about and be exposed to, as well as lots of complicated metaphors and imagery. I bet when reading it, no one would suspect that it could be educational and entertaining, but this book definitely is. I love tricking kids into learning while they enjoy themselves and this book is just the one to accomplish that.

Module 6- The Very Hungry Caterpillar

A. A very hungry caterpillar emerges from an egg and spends an entire week feasting on all kinds of foods, including strawberries, a lollipop, and a piece of pie. As he eats through each food, he also eats holes in the book big enough for little fingers to fit through. At the end of the week he’s a very full caterpillar with a bellyache. He eats a leaf to relieve his indigestion and builds a cocoon where he sleeps for two weeks. At the end of the second week, he emerges as a beautiful butterfly. B. Carle, E. (1987). The very hungry caterpillar. New York: Philomel Books. C. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of those iconic childhood reads that many grow up memorizing even before they can read. I was no exception! Every time I hear this book I think of my childhood and my mom reading it to me while I was sitting on her lap. The words of the story almost have no effect as I get lost in the memories and the effect they cause within me. The writing is fantastic and wonderfully repetitive, which children love. All in all, a great read and something I will always have in my house for my children! D. “This early work by a premier author marked an exciting breakthrough in the traditional children’s book format. Carle uses clever cutout pages to depict a caterpillar eating his way through the calendar week. Caterpillar also brilliantly displays Carle’s ability to integrate a concept (days of the week), scientific information (the life cycle of a caterpillar), and an appealing story. (Ages 3-6)” - by Judith Rovenger, Sesame Street Parents, July/August 1994 “Carle's classic tale of a voracious caterpillar who eats his way through the days of the week and then changes into a beautiful butterfly has been reissued in a sumptuous twenty-fifth anniversary edition with a shiny, silver-coated cover and wonderfully thick, durably pages.” -The Horn Book Guide Volume VI, Number 1 July-December 1994 "The very hungry caterpillar literally eats his way through the pages of the book—and right into your child's heart..." -Mother's Manual "Gorgeously illustrated, brilliantly innovative..." -The New York Times Book Review Every child should experience this wonderful, cumulative story, with its brightly coloured pictures of the tiny but greedy caterpillar that eats his way through one apple, two plums and three pears before turning into a beautiful butterfly. The board version stands up well to the inevitable poking of little fingers through the holes in the pages. (2-4 yrs) -Kirkus UK E. This book is very important to utilize as a read aloud because of its repetitive nature and renown as a children’s classic. Children recognize it and feel comfortable with the story line of the hungry caterpillar- making them feel comfortable and known in an unknown place- the library. Sometimes libraries can be overwhelming to the very young simply through the size of the building or the largeness of the open space. When you gift them with the familiar- like a familiar story- they immediately feel at ease and comfortable enough to begin to explore more.

Esperanza Rising- Module 5

A. This powerful and realistic novel is set in 1930's. The main character, Esperanza, is a wealthy young Mexican girl that has grown up on a ranch called El Rancho de las Rosas near Aguascalientes, Mexico. She is used to the care-free life of riches and privileges, surrounded by her loving parents, Ramona and Sixto Ortega, parties, dolls, servants, and silk dresses. But everything changes when one night, a day before Esperanza's 13th Birthday, her father is killed by the bandits. Esperanza, her mother, and Abuelita (grandmother) find themselves in a very precarious position - they cannot own the ranch without Papa, a man, a head of the family. Esperanza's evil uncles take over the land, and one of them suggests that Ramona should get married to him. When Esperanza's mother refuses the proposal, their mansion gets set on fire at night, leaving them with nothing at all. Esperanza and her mother had no choice but to leave Mexico and flee to a migrate camp of agricultural work in California, leaving behind Abuelita and their riches and privileges. Instead, experiences of loss, poverty, separation, prejudice, humiliation and fear surround Esperanza on the way to her new life. She is no longer a princess but a worker. What's even more, her mother gets very sick, and Esperanza has to work hard to pay the hospital bills. Will she manage the long hours of work and months of separation from her mother and Abuelita? Will she find a way to rise from ashes and make a new life for herself? Inspired by the experiences of author's own Mexican grandmother, this compelling story of immigration and assimilation is written in deeply authentic voice. The descriptive writing paints a well detailed picture for the reader. Spanish words, culture and traditions are woven in throughout the story, making it even easier to root for Esperanza. B. Ryan, Pam Munoz. (2002). Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic Press. C. I really liked the storyline of this novel, but it seems like only the more recognized books are the saddest stories! Poor Esperanza and her mother have one bad event after another happen to them, and yet somehow manage to persevere. The story is uplifting and amazing, even more so as it’s taken from actual events in the author’s family’s past. D. In Esperanza Rising, Pam Munoz Ryan tells the story of Esperanza Ortega, only daughter of a wealthy Mexican landowner and his wife. The story begins in 1924 in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on El Rancho de las Rosas, the ranch where Esperanza's father cultivates grapes and raises cattle. The day before Esperanza turns twelve, her beloved Papi is killed by bandits, and the girl's life of wealth, privilege, and security is shattered. Esperanza and her mother leave Aguascalientes with the people who were previously their servants and travel by train to California. There, they find work on a company farm, picking and packing produce. Esperanza and her extended family struggle through the hardships of the Depression- and Dust Bowl-era United States, and they even begin to flourish in the land of opportunity. As the plight of immigrants and migrant workers continues to be of concern for many of us living in the Southwestern United States, this book speaks to adolescents from a variety of backgrounds. The occasional Spanish phrase increases the level of authenticity in the story, and Ryan is always careful to translate the phrases so that even someone who does not speak Spanish may easily comprehend. This book is an excellent choice for anyone interested in the Depression-era United States, the change in fortunes of immigrants from Mexico to the U.S., or the life of migrant workers in the past and present. Harris, J. (n.d.) Book Review [Review of Esperanza Rising]. The University of Texas Books R4 Teens. Retrieved from http://www.edb.utexas.edu/resources/booksR4teens/book_reviews/book_reviews.php?book_id=29. E. I would love to use this book as part of a multicultural celebration highlight. Maybe a focus on Hispanic authors who have won awards or written something amazing in celebration of their culture. My campus is 72% Hispanic, so I know this type of highlight or distinction would be well received and welcomed and that my students would be greatly interested in successful male and female Hispanic authors.

Island of the Blue Dolphins- Module 4

A. The heroine of the story, Karana, tries to save her brother from being left alone on their island home when her tribe decides to leave. As a result of her heroic effort to save her brother she herself is stranded alone on an island where she lives alone for most of her life. The book is richly detailed with the particulars of Karana's struggle to survive and deal with overwhelming loneliness. She ends up befriending a wild dog, perhaps one that killed her brother, when her kind heart cannot let her turn her back on the suffering creature. The fact that the story is historical fiction based on a real life Indian woman makes it very poignant. B. O’Dell, S. (1960). Island of the blue dolphins. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. C. I enjoyed the story very much mainly because I love books that show strong female characters. I can see a nature loving child or one interested in learning survival skills becoming engrossed in the particulars of the story that the author so vividly details. It is a powerful story, beautifully written. It made me want to read Zia, the sequel to the book and any other books by Scott O’Dell. This is one of the saddest books I have ever read though! D. A true story about a young American Indian girl left behind by her people when they move from their remote island home to the mainland. This subdued book is about how she survives alone for years, but of all her survival skills, the most important thing she learns is how to cope with loneliness. When I say it is true, I mean the bare bones of the story are true. For when The Lost Woman of San Nicolas, as she became known, was finally rescued after eighteen years, she could speak only in sign language. All her own people had long since disappeared. This story, then, written as though she is telling us in her own words, owes a lot to the writer's imagination. There is an Author's Note at the back of the book to tell you the true facts about this story. Karana's tribe number more than forty when this story begins, and they live quite comfortably on a small island. They forage for their food, mainly from the sea, but also roots and seeds from the land. Occasionally they are visited by hunters from the far north, (the Aleutian Islands of Alaska), who come to camp on their island for a few weeks and hunt the sea otter for their pelts. This is where the disaster begins, for the hunters deal unfairly with the islanders and in the ensuing battle most of the menfolk of the tribe are wiped out. After that there really are not enough people left to live successfully on the island, to share the work load, and so one man is sent to fetch help. Eventually, a ship comes to take everyone away to the mainland. Things would have gone differently if only Karana's young brother, Ramo, had not forgotten his fishing spear and gone back to fetch it. The rest of the tribe, including Karana, board the ship in bad weather and rising seas. In an astonishing act of bravery, when Karana looks back to the cliff to see Ramo left behind, she jumps overboard and swims back to him. Thus, there are two left behind when the ship sails. Now, although they are alone, these two children are at home, and they are perfectly well able to feed themselves. They simply continue foraging, mainly for abalone fish. At first, of course, they expect the ship to come back to pick them up, and every day they look out for it on the horizon. It may be home, but it is dangerous. The island is roamed by a pack of wild dogs, there are poisonous and paralyzing fish in the sea, and a huge herd of sea elephants on the shore. Ramo does not survive for long, and after that Karana is alone with the empty, whispering huts of her village. There is no denying, this is a very sad story. I think you will find Karana's resourcefulness fascinating, and her loneliness excruciating. Was her life wasted? See what you think. Smith, H. (2008, November 27). Island of the blue dolphins. Reading Matters. Retrieved from http://www.readingmatters.co.uk/book.php?id=61. E. This book really started me thinking about other survival books like My Side of the Mountain, Hatchet, Julie of the Wolves, and several others I have read throughout the years. I would like to take this book, along with others that are similar and do “Survivor” themed book tour, where books are highlighted for interested students. I think this might be better for middle school students, where I could include books like The Hunger Games, Swiss Family Robinson, and The Giver. If I did this with elementary kids I might have a harder time finding survival stories on an appropriate reading level and theme- but they would enjoy it just as much as the older kids!

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler- Module 4

A. What child has not become angry with their parents and dreamed of running away from home? In this delightful book the adventure begins when Claudia decides to teach her parents a lesson in "Claudia appreciation." She chooses her little brother Jamie to participate with her in the adventure of a lifetime. Together they run away to live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Obviously gifted children, Claudia and Jamie manage to elude the guards and settle in for a long stay at the museum where they become engrossed in trying to solve a mystery for the ages. B. Konigsburg, E.L. (1967). From the mixed up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. New York: Aladdin Publishers. C. The book is fun and smart and a great read for upper elementary children, especially the bright ones who will identify with Claudia's spirit. Her feelings of being unappreciated quickly disappear as she become engrossed in solving the mystery of who carved the statue. She wants it to be Michelangelo so much she can taste it. I could personally identify with Claudia’s love of adventure and a good mystery. I also love the fact that she is an independent, strong female character. I want to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art now and try to locate all of Claudia and Jamie’s hiding places. D. From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is Mrs. Konigsburg's second novel, for which she won a Newbery Medal in 1968. It is the story of Claudia Kincaid and her quest for... something. She starts out thinking she is running away because of what she terms "injustice:" the unequal assignment of chores simply because she is the oldest, and the fact that her life seemed to be one big boring routine without end, and the fact that her allowance was hardly enough to do much of anything with. Yes, Claudia was unappreciated, and she intended to call attention to that fact by running away. But by the time her adventure is over, Claudia discovers - with the help of the mysterious "Angel" sculpture in the museum and the eccentricities of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - that she had a much deeper reason for running away. It was a reason she somehow knew, but yet didn't know, and living in the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a week (and her adventures and experiences there) led her step-by-step to the very conclusion she needed to find. Wheedleton, K. (2008, May 30). Book review: From the mixed up files of Mrs. Basil. E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsburg [Review of the book From the mixed up files of Mrs. Basil. E. Frankweiler]. Retrieved from http://bugsandbunnies.blogspot.com/2008/05/book-review-from-mixed-up-files-of-mrs.html. E. I think I would most be interested in using this book as a library book club selection for fourth and fifth graders. I LOVED it when I was a student and we read it in class my fifth grade year. I don’t believe that the book is often used now in our current curriculum, but has so many awesome extension activities and social studies connections that could be taught with the book. Also a neat idea- reading the library and then doing a library sleepover with students, teachers, and parents like the characters in the book do in the Metropolitan museum!

Module 3- Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

A.Sylvester is a donkey that finds a magic red pebble and uses it to make wishes. He very quickly runs into trouble when he wishes himself into a rock. He isn’t seen or heard of for almost a year and his parents are devastated. One day they decide to go on a picnic and end up on top of Sylvester’s rock. The red pebble is discovered and Sylvester soon wishes himself back into existence and is reunited with his parents. B.Steig, W. (1969). Sylvester and the magic pebble. New York: Aladdin Publishing. C.I can see why this book is deserving of a Caldecott! The pictures are fantastic. The donkeys in the story are given human characteristics and walk around on all fours, and yet the perfectly resemble regular animals. I didn’t enjoy the story, though the moral is worth children being exposed to. The story made me very sad and uncomfortable with the idea of a child being separated from their parents for an extended period of time. Sylvester vanishes into thin air and his poor parents have no idea what happened to him- a fact that many parents with missing children are devastated by each and every day. I was reminded of so many children who disappear and their parents have no hope of return just like Sylvester’s. D.Sylvester is a donkey with the odd hobby, for a donkey anyway, of "collecting pebbles of unusual shape and color." This pastime gets him in trouble one day when he finds a magic red pebble that grants wishes: 'What a lucky day this is!' thought Sylvester. 'From now on I can have anything I want.' Sadly, a lion comes along and Sylvester unthinkingly says: "I wish I were a rock." His wish is granted, but he is no longer able to grasp the pebble and so cannot wish himself back to donkey hood. His parents search desperately for him, until one day they actually picnic upon the boulder he has become. Happily, they pick up the pebble and order is restored. And, despite the awesome power of the pebble they lock it away in a safe: Some day they might want to use it, but really, for now, what more could they wish for? They had all that they wanted. The story is that simple and the drawings too are pretty basic, though charming. The real beauty of the tale lies in the timeless message that it is not "things" that will make us happy, but the comforts of family and home. In his Caldecott Award acceptance speech, William Steig revealed his debt to an earlier classic: It is very likely that Sylvester became a rock and then again a live donkey because I had once been so deeply impressed with Pinocchio's longing to have his spirit encased in flesh instead of in wood. It is altogether fitting that Steig's story has become a classic in its own right. 2002, January 12). Caldecott Award Winners (1970) [Review of the book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble]. The Brother Judd. Retrieved from http://brothersjudd.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/reviews.detail/book_id/45. E.I’m afraid that the reading level of this picture book really limits its appeal to kids in the library. My third graders and fourth graders last year were dying to read chapter books and chapter books only. A younger child might be interested in it for the illustrations but prevented from checking it out due to the fourth grade reading level.

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans, Book Trailer

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Flotsam by David Wiesner, Book Trailer

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Skippyjon Jones, Class Action, Book Trailer

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Module 2- Goodnight Moon and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Goodnight Moon

Summary
Goodnight Moon by: Margaret Wise Brown begins with the setting of a nighttime bedroom scene painted with some beautiful rhyming phrases that seems to calm the reader and almost force the voice to hush and whisper. The story is very simple- a description of a setting and then a repeated word- goodnight- as items in the room are “put to bed”. 

Bibliography

Brown, M. (1947). Goodnight moon. HarperCollins Publishers: New York.

My Thoughts

Goodnight Moon was a book that I know my mom read me as a child until, I’m sure she was blue in the face. I think that this book will be a MUST to read to my future children. I loved reading it and felt so calm and relaxed afterwards. Reading the cadence Brown’s words are written in was so soothing to me, I can imagine how young children who are already tired would react- instant sleepy time. The gradual shift of the illustrations towards darkness was a nice touch and interesting to watch. The room shifted from light to darkness and the illustrations of individual items in the room shifted from color to black and white. Very creative of the illustrator, whom I found no information on, to include in the book. Overall a great and enjoyable read for children and adults.  

Reviews

Goodnight Moon covers a lot of territory and will make the perfect gift for a new baby or a child who is just entering the world of books. Most adult readers will sigh and smile as they turn the pages and renew old friendships. The magical first words of Goodnight Moon, published in 1947, still sound fresh and spare and alive: "In the great green room/There was a telephone/And a red balloon/And a picture of/The cow jumping over the moon."
Beckwith, L. (2002). Gift ideas for the budding bibliophile. Retrieved from http://bookpage.com/review/harpercollins-treasury-of-picture-book-classics%3A-a-child%27s-first-collection/gift-ideas-for-th.

In The Library

In my library, I would use Goodnight, Moon as a lead off to a kinder-second grade author study. Margaret Wise Brown has written so many wonderful children’s books but not many people are aware of this because the book Goodnight, Moon is so widely read and vastly more popular than any of the other wonderful tales she’s written. I would use the book to introduce the author as it is the book most students will instantly recognize and be familiar with and then use it as a guide to finding more books by Brown.

                   

 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Summary

In her debut effort, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Rowling crafts a tale of magical mayhem truly worthy of the often over-used phrase, a contemporary classic.
Harry, like many orphans of literature, must fend for himself among dim-witted relatives who neither understand nor appreciate him. The Dursleys are indeed dudleys when it comes to their treatment of Harry, but all of that changes with the arrival of his 11th birthday and his only gift of the day the knowledge that he is not merely a Muggle (i.e., human), but also a wizard. This translates into instant freedom for Harry in the form of a scholarship to The Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he learns far more than just charms, spells, and potions. Harry perceives that things are often more than they appear to be, that friends will often show themselves when least expected, and that smarts and courage are, indeed, components of a young boy's destiny.

Bibliography

Rowling, J.K. (1999). Harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone. Scholastic Publishers: New York.

My Thoughts

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is my number one favorite book of all time. I remember being 11 years old when the first book came out and then 12 when the second came out- the same exact age as Harry in the novels and just in time to grow up right along with him. And what fun it was to grow up with an imagination and dreams full of wizards and wands, broomsticks and spells. I loved the premise of this book so much as a child and even still as an adult that I took a trip last March to England and Scotland to see it! I will never forget standing at the REAL platform 9 ¾ and walking through the REAL Hogwarts in Oxford, England. (Or rather where they REALLY filmed Hogwarts.) JK Rowling’s book meant so much to me as a child with its inspiring tale of love and friendship rising about all evil and was such a fantastic escape for me and still is today. I cannot say enough positive things about Harry’s tale.

Review

Rowling clearly possesses both an ear and an eye for the unexpected, working her own brand of magic with turns of phrase and flashes of humor that are subtle and sly. In terms of its prose, this book reads like spreading soft butter. Harry is as dear a boy as anyone could hope for, and the characters who support, confound, and downright threaten his life at Hogwarts are lively, engaging, and utterly believable. It is not a feat of intricate plot twists and turns that Rowling uses to such great effect here, but rather the wildly creative and imaginative trappings she weaves in along the way. Brooms bear model names like the Nimbus Two Thousand; magic hats spew out the truth of a person's character as though gathered from the brain around which they sat; and giants bear strength enough to break down walls as well as hearts soft enough to harken after baby dragons.
Published to praise and awards, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is as inventive and engaging a title as one could hope to find. Designated for ages 8 to 12, but written for anyone who loves a good tale well told, this is a book to engage the mind and grab the heart .
Yagel, D. (1998). Review. Retrieved from http://bookpage.com/review/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerer%27s-stone/review.

In The Library

Every year I always read Harry Potter to my students to share my love of the series and love of fantasy with them. When I start my library position I know it will be the same- my go-to book of choice for upper grade level read aloud. I actually own a set of Hogwarts robes that I wear each year for the storybook character parade on Halloween and I imagine I will find a way to incorporate costumes, drama, or staging with Harry Potter inspired themes to highlight a fantasy or holiday themed unit.

                   

Module 1- Love You Forever

Module 1 Love You Forever

A.      Love You Forever takes you through time following a young boy and his mom through the stages of childhood into adult hood and then to the end of a life. The boy changes as his life ages but the mom’s love stays true up until the end of the book where there is a very poignant switching of roles. This book will make you cry and sigh, and then call and spend some time with loved ones you haven’t appreciated in awhile. Read it with a box of Kleenex! 

B.      Munsch, R. (1986). Love you forever. Ontario: Firefly Books.

C.      Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is a much loved classic… by adults. I honestly do not know one child who enjoys that book and I know hundreds of children of all ages. I myself can’t stand the emotional rollercoaster I embark upon every time I glance at the cover. Forget opening it- Love You Forever launches my heart into my throat merely upon gazing upon the cover! The book has the one overriding quality that most children’s books have and most children need- repetition! The language and phrases of the book repeats a lot. The boy was “growing and growing” on every other page and of course the most well loved portion of the book that repeats “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.” This book is not a favorite of mine and is not something I’m likely to read to any students or children of my own. I’d be lying though if I said it didn’t make me immediately call my mom to tell her I love her.

D.      Anonymous. (1999, December 14). Moving story about loving your child (Review of the book Love you forever). Amazon.com Customer Reviews. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/ review/R1NTRRFGUVAHET/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0920668364&nodeID=283155&store=books.

This is a fantastic picture book that is a metaphor for the overwhelming love one feels for their child (no matter what age). For all of those readers who can only read in co-dependent, Oedipal, or Freudian themes into this book, you have missed the entire point and have hearts of stone! The fact is that the author Robert Munsch wrote this book as a tribute to his TWO still-born children and that makes this story even more moving especially if you've lost a child or had a miscarriage. The story is an expression of imagining his kids and what they would have been like and how much he would have loved them their whole lives. I found this to be a very emotional and touching story (and I am not a sentimental woman at all). My 3-year-old, rough and tumble, only-loves-the-outside-and-trucks kind of boy really likes this story and has been requesting it for bedtime almost every night. He especially enjoys the verse that is the theme of the book, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as you're living, my baby you'll be." My son wants to hear us say that to him. And again to all those who wrote and thought that this book was "sick"; face it, you might not have liked how this book was portrayed, but you'll love your kids forever, no matter how old they'll get, and in spite of what they will do throughout the phases of their lives that might frustrate you. In fact, my husband likes this story so much that he plans to get it for his mother for Mother's Day. This is a must-have children's book!

E.       I can honestly say that I would NEVER read this book aloud in my library at the risk of completely breaking down in front of students and teachers. It’s too much of a risk for embarrassment! I would however use it as a showcase book to go with a mother’s day unit. I have this idea to promote books during mother’s day week in May for students to take home and enjoy with their mothers and/or grandmothers as part of a community outreach to promote the holiday. Book marks could be included inside the feature literature suggesting activities the students could do with their mothers to celebrate them.