Book Review - BABYMOUSE QUEEN OF THE WORLD!

Book Review – BABYMOUSE – QUEEN OF THE WORLD!

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holm, Jennifer and Matthew Holm. 2005. BABYMOUSE – QUEEN OF THE WORLD! New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 0-375-93229-1

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

Babymouse is an imaginative young mouse with perpetually curly whiskers that dreams of being queen of the world.  She longs to get an invitation to the popular Felicia Furrypaws’ upcoming slumber party and would do anything to get one.  So Babymouse consents to give Felicia a book report she has written in exchange for a coveted invitation.  Unfortunately, she forgets that she had already promised to go over to her friend Wilson the Weasel‘s house to watch a monster movie!  Babymouse goes to the slumber party anyway with high expectations of a wonderful evening, only to have her hopes dashed by a boring evening full of disappointment.  Felicia turns out to be a mean, shallow cat that isn’t worth her time.  She leaves the party and goes to watch a movie with her true buddy, Wilson.  Babymouse realizes that she is lucky to have such a good friend and that she is already queen of the world!

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This first graphic novel in the long running Babymouse series offers an important lesson to its young readers about what true friendship is all about.  Written by a brother/sister team, the writing is very clever with several themes like peer pressure, acceptance, and friends that students will easily identify with.  The drawings are simple, yet capture the emotions of the characters quite effectively.  One nice effect is how the drawings feature plenty of pink when Babymouse is using her imagination, and revert to black and white when she is back to the real world.  These imaginative portions can inspire creativity and do a good job of conveying the emotion of our hero.  Reluctant readers might be especially attracted to this fast-paced initial entry to the series, and girls may find an entry point into the world of graphic novels here.  Children in late elementary or middle school may find a positive role model in this smart, imaginative, and independent young mouse that loves to read.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “The Holms spruce up some well-trod ground with breathless pacing and clever flights of Babymouse's imagination, and their manic, pink-toned illustrations of Babymouse and her cohorts vigorously reflect the internal life of any million-ideas-a-minute middle-school student.”

Reviewed in CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “The graphic novel format has arrived in the elementary school with a charming anthropomorphic heroine with whom female readers in particular can identify. The visual narrative is presented in a variety of frames and vignettes, with most of the text in speech balloons, as is standard in comic strips. There is a driving energy to the drawings, along with animation, dramatic adventures, and lots of fun.”

5.       CONNECTIONS

Jennifer Holm is the Newberry Winning Author of these books:

Holm, Jennifer. OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA. ISBN 978-0613359955

Holm, Jennifer. TURTLE IN PARADISE. ISBN 978-0375836886

The official Babymouse website can be found HERE.

http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/babymouse/homepage.htm

A full listing of the Babymouse series, complete with plot summaries, can be found on Jennifer Holm’s site HERE.

http://www.jenniferholm.com/02_mybooks/11_babymouse.html

More Babymouse adventures:

Holm, Jennifer and Matthew Holm. BABYMOUSE #2: OUR HERO. ISBN 978-0375832307

Holm, Jennifer and Matthew Holm. BABYMOUSE #3: BEACH BABE. ISBN 978-0375832314

Book Review - SPEAK



Book Review – SPEAK

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. SPEAK. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 978-0374371524

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

Ninth grader Melinda Sordino has a terrible beginning of ninth grade.  She is a social pariah, failing to fit in with any group at school and shunned by all her former friends.  There are also problems at home, with bickering parents who are unaware of what has happened to their daughter.  It is revealed that in August, just before school began, Melinda called the police and broke up a party after she was raped by a senior named Andy Evans.  Only no one but her knows the full story of what happened that night because she refuses to speak and reach out for help.  Instead, Melinda withdraws from the world, questions herself, and even hurts her own body all while her grades plummet and her school attendance becomes sporadic.  Most of the staff members at her school are clueless as to what she is going through, except for the kind art teacher, Mr. Freeman, whom she eventually opens up to at the novel’s conclusion.  In the last quarter of the book, Melinda begins to get her life back together, drawing strength from a variety of sources.  These range from her assertive new friend David Petrakis, a suffragette report, a motivating poster of Maya Angelou, and more.  When her attacker tries to attack her again, this time she is mentally and physically ready and a victim no more.

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel was a true page turner, and it was easy to see the appeal it would have to young women entering high school.  A biting study of the high school experience, it potently mixes humor, insight, and critically important warnings about the world that these young people are entering.  All readers will recognize aspects of this stage of life ranging from struggling for acceptance by your peers to the vast divide that separates freshmen from seniors.  The dialogue has been cleaned up, but was believable.  It’s unfortunate that many of the teachers (though not all) are portrayed as clueless, racist, or apathetic to the needs of the students in their classes.  Only the art teacher comes across as particularly understanding (though the car ride Melinda takes with him would be ill-advised in the real world).  The other students are balanced, with her friend David being a positive male character to balance IT (the attacker, Andy).  The protagonist, Melinda Sordino, shows true emotional growth and the future is looking brighter by the novel’s end, though she clearly will carry emotional scars for quite a while.  The first person writing style allows the reader to truly experience the novel, as all of our hero’s inner thoughts, motivations, and feelings are described in depth. 

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

Reviewed in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Anderson expresses the emotions and the struggles of teenagers perfectly. Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.”

Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.”

5.       CONNECTIONS

Another book by Laurie Halse Anderson that won the Scott O’Dell Award for historical fiction:

Anderson, Laurie Halse. CHAINS. ISBN 978-1416905868

A great suggested lesson plan for ninth graders can be found HERE.

http://www.viterbo.edu/perspgs/faculty/GSmith/LessonPlanforSpeak.htm

The official website for this book can be found HERE. There is also a suggested playlist, website links, and the author reads a poem that she created based on letters that she received in response to the book.

http://madwomanintheforest.com/youngadult-speak/

Book Review - JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL



Book Review – JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gantos, Jack. 2000. JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0-374-39989-1

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

As the story begins, Joey Pigza’s mom is driving him toward Pittsburgh to live with his father (Carter) and grandmother for six weeks.  Nervously, mom leaves the boy in his care.  Soon, they are on their way to Storybook Land to do some bonding, but Joey quickly realizes that his dad is an older version of his old self.  Not who he is now, but who he was before he received help from his special education teachers and got some medication that allowed him to focus and calm down.  Carter is immature, has some OCD tendencies, is possibly alcoholic, and talks incessantly, never allowing Joey to engage him in a real conversation.  Dad also likes to refuse his treatments to help him stop smoking, stating that the cure sometimes is worse than the disease.  He pulls Joey into a baseball league that he is coaching to avoid jail time following a run-in with the law.  Fortunately, Joey is a natural when it comes to pitching, and the team starts to win.  Back at home, Carter decides that Joey needs to be free of his medications and flushes them down the toilet.  On a solo trip downtown, the young boy starts to feel the effects of not having his meds, but lies to his mom about it.  Carter then starts floating the idea of Joey living with him and his new girlfriend, Leezy.  All the while, Joey’s symptoms keep creeping back and he starts to feel more wired and out of control (rubbing his head until it bleeds).  After a scary night out with dad, the championship baseball game finally arrives.  The pressure is too much for young Joey, who runs off the field after a series of wild pitches.  He flees to the mall, calls mom, and hides out till she arrives.  Joey has a new understanding of his mom, his dad, and most importantly, himself.

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Joey Pigza Loses Control is a potent contemporary fiction book, covering topics that are unusual for books aimed at this age group.  Joey definitely grows during the course of the story, learning some tough lessons from dealing with his dysfunctional father and grandmother.  The internal and spoken dialogue ring true, and a lot of kids these days, unfortunately, probably easily relate to his struggles dealing with a broken home, ADHD, alcohol abuse, and manipulation.  Readers will easily picture the familiar settings of the mall, the baseball field, and downtown.  The plot rings true, and does not have obvious moralizing.  The reader sees the results of making poor decisions such as the grandmother’s need for constant oxygen due to years of smoking.  As the story develops, the reader will probably notice that Joey, of all people, is actually the more responsible one, trying to help his dad and encouraging him to seek real help like he did.  With Carter’s prompting, he does things that he knows are wrong, and ultimately, it all ends badly.  Joey desperately wants to please his father, and to have a whole family.  Unfortunately, like in real life, this is not always possible.  It’s sad to think that there are parents out there like this, but it’s important for the kids to know that they are not alone and it’s not their fault.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

Reviewed in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Like its predecessor, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear and courage with deceptive ease. Struggling to please everyone even as he sees himself hurtling toward disaster, Joey emerges as a sympathetic hero, and his heart of gold never loses its shine.”

Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “Gantos has given Joey a remarkably vivid personality, and, blending irrepressible humor with a powerful depiction of a child's longing for normalcy, he has written a dead-on portrayal of a young person assessing the often self-serving behavior of the adults who control his life. Few children these days don't know someone wrestling with ADHD; meeting up with Joey is a fine way to gain insight into the problems "hyper" children face. But the story is more than message. Gantos’ skillful pacing, sly humor, and in-depth characterization make it a truly memorable read.”

Newbery Honor Book

5.       CONNECTIONS

More JOEY PIGZA books by Jack Gantos:

Gantos, Jack. JOEY PIGZA SWALLOWED THE KEY. ISBN 978-0312623555

Gantos, Jack. WHAT WOULD JOEY PIGZA DO? ISBN 978-0312661021

Author Jack Gantos’ webpage can be found HERE.

http://www.jackgantos.com/

The JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL page is HERE.  It features the awards and recommendations the book received, a summary, and a biography of the author.

http://us.macmillan.com/joeypigzalosescontrol/JackGantos

This is a good story to lead into a discussion about facing and resolving conflicts.

Book Review - TURTLE IN PARADISE



Book Review – TURTLE IN PARADISE

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holm, Jennifer. 2010. TURTLE IN PARADISE. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 978-0375836886

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

During the Great Depression in 1935, a young girl named Turtle is sent by her mother to live with her Aunt Minnie in the Florida Keys.  When she arrives, she discovers a different world.  Not only will she be living with a number of her cousins (Kermit, Buddy, Beans), there are a number of other adjustments to be made.  These range from getting used to mosquitoes, hurricanes, crying babies, scorpions, and the stifling heat.  Over time, the girl begins to fit in, learning about her new home and trying to achieve membership in the “Diaper Gang”.  Eventually, Turtle is surprised to meet her grandmother and struggles to establish a relationship with her.  In her home, she also finds a treasure map which leads to a great adventure and buried pirate gold.  When her mom comes to get Turtle, she learns a hard lesson about life.  She soon discovers, however, that a loving family can be the greatest treasure of all.

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This historical fiction novel works well on many levels.  The characters are well-rounded and interesting, with various flaws, both physical and mental.  The story is constantly name dropping comics, Hollywood actors, and popular products of the time which will introduce young children to them, even if they don’t recognize them.  Readers will learn quite a bit about popular foods of Key West, along with general information about the area such as local slang and why the kids don’t wear shoes.  The story makes the setting feel alive by providing many details.  Hazards that kids might not have thought of such as hurricanes, scorpions, and grumpy grandmothers are also touched on, giving the story an authentic feel.  While the story offers plenty of authentic details of the 1930’s, it also features many universal themes, such as unique family arrangements, and kids trying to get away with things and being naughty.  In addition to a fascinating Author’s Note with pictures, there is also a short resource list complete with relevant web sites.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

Reviewed in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This richly detailed novel was inspired by Holm's great-grandmother's stories. Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won't want to miss it.”

Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “Holm uses family stories as the basis for this tale, part romp, part steely-eyed look at the Depression era. Reminiscent of Addie in the movie Paper Moon, Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure. The many references to 1930s entertainments (Terry and the Pirates, Shirley Temple) will mostly go over kids' heads, but they'll get how much comics and movies meant to a population desperate for smiles.”

A Newbery Honor Book

5.       CONNECTIONS

More Newbery winners by Jennifer Holm:

Holm, Jennifer. PENNY FROM HEAVEN. ISBN 978-1439518823

Holm, Jennifer. OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA. ISBN 978-0613359955

The official website for this book can be found HERE.

http://www.jenniferholm.com/02_mybooks/13_turtle.html

This book would complement the understanding of any lesson on the 1930’s by highlighting elements of society during that time period.

Book Review - THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES



Book Review – THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yep, Laurence. 2006. THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES. New York, NY: Harper Trophy. ISBN 978-0060008468

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

This gripping novel describes the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 from two perspectives.  The first is from the affluent Travis family, who are at home when the quake strikes at 5:12 AM.  The other perspective is from their housekeeper, Ah Sing and his son Chin.  When the quake strikes, the two have returned home to their tenement building.   The book then alternates back and forth between the two experiences, describing how they survive and what they see.  The children soon realize how brave and heroic their parents are when other’s lives are threatened.  These adults put Marshall Earp and other fantasy heroes from the Penny Dreadfuls to shame!  Also mixed in are descriptions of what is occurring deep underground and how firefighters are attempting to battle the blaze.  Near the end, the two groups reconnect in Oakland, and the Travises move in with Ah Sing and Chin’s cousin.  They vow to rebuild!

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In THE EARTH DRAGON AWAKES, author Laurence Yep blends several authentic threads together to make an impressive historical fiction book.  One thread describes the basics of plate tectonics and tells what caused the quake.  The next thread is how people from different cultures reacted to the catastrophic earthquake.  In Chinatown, there is much talk about the Earth Dragon being angry and moving around, causing the ground to shake.  This also ties into brief descriptions sprinkled throughout the novel of how Chinese Americans were discriminated against before, during, and after the earthquake.  Another thread is describing how a fire caused by an earthquake gets started, how it spreads, and how the firemen can fight it.  The author does an impressive job giving “life” to the fire, describing how it is “hungry” to consume more of the city of San Francisco.  Finally, there are accurate descriptions of the highs and lows in how people respond to the tragedy.  Some try to turn a quick profit, while true heroes sacrifice their life so that others may live.  The whole book feels realistic, and does a great job making children think about the situation and how they would respond.   The two young boys have a believable friendship, and the fact that they are the same age as the book’s target audience works to pull in readers.  The novel ends with an afterword, filling in some details of what happened next.  Also included are suggestions for further reading and photos from that fateful day, which could also help children picture what it was like to be there.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

Reviewed in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “But the story as a whole should appeal to reluctant readers. Its natural disaster subject is both timely and topical, and Yep weaves snippets of information on plate tectonics and more very neatly around his prose.”

Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “Henry and Chin’s stories are told in alternating chapters with a few interruptions for the insertion of earthquake information. Told in the present tense, the narration provides a "you are there" sense of immediacy and will appeal to readers who enjoy action-packed survival stories.”

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

5.       CONNECTIONS

Newbery Honor Books by Laurence Yep:

Yep, Laurence. DRAGONWINGS. ISBN 978-0822213260

Yep, Laurence.  DRAGON’S GATE. 978-0785761549

Short chapters would make this a great read aloud to learn more about natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires.   The book could also serve to prompt a discussion about racial discrimination.

The publisher’s page for this book can be found HERE.

http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/books/Earth-Dragon-Awakes-Laurence-Yep/?isbn13=9780060275259&tctid=100

Another great early chapter book for kids interested in the quake:

Osborne, Mary Pope.  EARTHQUAKE IN THE EARLY MORNING.  978-0679890706

Book Review - ELIJAH OF BUXTON



Book Review – ELIJAH OF BUXTON

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0439023443

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

Young Elijah is the first child born free in the town of Buxton, a settlement of runaway slaves across the border in Canada.  We first learn about the community he lives in and his family members.  Elijah’s a sensitive boy, described as being fragile because he is a bit gullible and cries easily.  He also had a unique encounter with Frederick Douglass when he was a baby!  When his friend, Mr. Leroy, saves enough money to buy his family out of captivity in the American south, tragedy strikes in the form a former slave preacher who steals the money and escapes to Michigan.  Now it’s up to young Eli to help get it back!  After Mr. Leroy sadly dies of a heart attack, he finds a group of captured slaves and the preacher, also dead.  It’s a race back to the border to bring the group’s young baby to safety in Buxton.  Elijah even makes his peace with Mr. Douglass on the journey back (with the baby’s help)!

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is an interesting story set in a period of time that is important, yet not widely known.  What happened to the former slaves that did escape to the north?  It covers a wide array of emotions, from capturing daily life for the first child born free in Buxton to giving young readers what might be their first description of what it was like to live in slavery.  The story does not water down or sugar coat the issue of slavery and the desperate need to escape, and offers an uplifting ending.  Young readers will see a lot of themselves in young Elijah, with all of the faults and insecurities.  He comes across as a real boy, yearning to grow up and be a hero.  The author has a great feel for writing dialogue and capturing an authentic feel of the era.  Elijah of Buxton also features an interesting author’s note where Christopher Paul Curtis describes what Buxton means to him and what it meant to the freed slaves.  “Buxton is an inspiration, and its importance in both American and Canadian history deserves to be much more recognized.  I feel so honored to have been able to set my novel is such a beautiful place”.  There is also a set of 15 Literature Circle questions that are matched to Bloom’s Taxonomy, along with a list of suggested activities.  This is a great work of historical fiction that offers a lot of truth to young readers, and an appreciation of the freedom that they enjoy every day.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears. A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller.”

Reviewed in THE NEW YORK TIMES: “His latest book is another natural award candidate and makes an excellent case, in a story positively brimming with both truth and sense, for the ability of historical fiction to bring history to life.”

Newbery Honor Book

Coretta Scott King Award

Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction Winner

5.       CONNECTIONS

More Newberry winners by Christopher Paul Curtis:

Curtis, Christopher Paul. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM-1963. ISBN 978-0440228004

Curtis, Christopher Paul. BUD, NOT BUDDY. ISBN 978-0553494105

Christopher Paul Curtis’ Biography can be found HERE.

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/christopher-paul-curtis

A list of resources, including a link to the Elijah of Buxton Video Trailer, can be found HERE.

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collection/christopher-paul-curtis-author-study

Book Review - SIX DAYS IN OCTOBER

Book Review – SIX DAYS IN OCTOBER: THE STOCK MARKET CRASH OF 1929: A WALL STREET JOURNAL BOOK FOR CHILDREN

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Blumenthal, Karen.   SIX DAYS IN OCTOBER: THE STOCK MARKET CRASH OF 1929: A WALL STREET JOURNAL BOOK FOR CHILDREN. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002.  ISBN 978-0689842764

2.       PLOT SUMMARY

This book delves into the stock market mania of the 1920’s, which culminated in the crash of 1929.  It covers all the major corporate players, the individuals enticed into placing all of their savings into the market, and the government response to the situation.  After setting the stage, it goes day by day and describes the reaction as the stock market goes down, up slightly, and then nose-dives off the cliff.  Efforts by the banks and government to reverse the situation are described and it tells how some in power shamelessly tried to profit from the terrible situation of their own making.  There is also an epilogue that describes what eventually happens to the personalities and markets that defined the era.  The book finishes with a list of sources, picture credits, acknowledgements, and an index.

3.       CRITICAL ANALYSIS

I read this book with an eye toward finding parallels between what happened in 1929 versus what happened just a few short years ago.  The pictures and cartoons of the era were very interesting and gave a unique view into events of the day.  The anecdotes, misdeeds, and personal stories of the corporate players and Hollywood actors such as Groucho Marx were also enlightening.  The writing style and explanation of stock market terms were perfect for the middle school age student audience.  The book was an entertaining and engaging read.  I was disappointed by two things in the book, however.  First, the book repeats several times that the stock-market crash of 1929 did not start the Great Depression.   It says “what it did do was slash the wealth of the richest” (Blumenthal, 131).  This does not square with the first part of the book where it explains how a great number of average Americans were sucked into playing the market with promises of great wealth, and suffered devastating losses.  This kind of large event shook the confidence of all Americans in the stock market and the worth of businesses across the nation.  It did not single handedly cause the depression, but it did contribute greatly.  To quote the book, “After the crash, American life would never be the same” (Blumenthal, 134). The second disappointment was the book did not delve into the government response much at all, such as the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933.  Did it help or hurt and why?  The book does not say.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “A Wall Street Journal bureau chief, Blumenthal combines a fascinating overview of the infamous stock market crash in 1929 with a rare and useful primer of financial basics.”

Reviewed in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “This fast-paced, gripping (and all-too-timely) account of the market crash of October 1929 puts a human face on the crisis.  A compelling portrait of a defining moment in American history.”

Robert Sibert Honor Book

5.       CONNECTIONS

Another great book by Karen Blumenthal for middle school readers:

Blumenthal, Karen.  LET ME PLAY: THE STORY OF TITLE IX: THE LAW THAT CHANGED THE FUTURE OF GIRLS IN AMERICA. 978-0689859571

This book would be an excellent introduction to the stock market, and would complement the study of U.S. History in the 1920’s.

Here is Karen Blumenthal’s Official Publisher Page.