Wednesday, July 20, 2011

On books and blogging...



Once Upon a Shelf is something I have been dying to create.  Through my children's literature course, I finally accomplished the task!  I very much enjoyed reading and blogging about these books.  I have continued to read and blog and will post after grades are taken.  Enjoy!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Book List


Chapter Book Titles

    
      1.       Becoming Naomi Leon - 1 Pura Belpre
      2.       One Crazy Summer - 1 Coretta Scott King
      3.       Turtle in Paradise - 1 -Bluebonnet
      4.       Home of the Brave - 2 Bluebonnet
      5.       Dying to Meet You - 3 Bluebonnet
      6.       The Cabinet of Wonders - 4 Bluebonnet
      7.       The Invention of Hugo Cabret - 1 Caldecott
      8.       When You Reach Me - 1 Newbery
      9.       The Underneath - 2 Newbery
      10.    Olive’s Ocean - 3 Newbery
      11.    Crispin - 4 Newbery
      12.    A Tale Dark and Grimm - 1 Notable Books for Children
      13.    Mockingbird - 2 Notable Books for Children
      14.    Twilight - Required
      15.    The Hunger Games - Required
      16.    The Giver - 1 Challenged Book List
      17.    A Wrinkle in Time - 2 Challenged Book List
     18.     James and the Giant Peach - 3 Challenged Book List
     19.     Love That Dog - 1 NY Times Best Seller





Picture Book Titles
 
      1.       Book Fiesta - 2 Pura Belpre
2.       Moses - 2 Coretta Scott King
3.       Henry’s Freedom Box - 2 Caldecott
4.       The Three Pigs - 3 Caldecott
5.       Rapunzel - 4 Caldecott
6.       Interrupting Chicken - 3 Notable Book
7.       Llama Llama Holiday Drama - 2 NY Times Best Seller
8.       Lego Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary - 3 NY Times Best Seller
9.      A Light in the Attic - 4 Challenged Book List
     10.    The Story of Little Black Sambo - 5 Challenged Book List

Home of the Brave

Home of the Brave
Bluebonnet Book

Applegate, Katherine. (2007). Home of the brave. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

This is the heartwarming story of an immigrant, Kek, coming to the United States as an African war refugee.  He comes to live with his aunt and cousin.  He doesn't know if his mom is alive or not.   It really makes you think about what it would be like to go somewhere not knowing anyone, anything, or the language.  This book is beautifully written in free verse with the best imagery ever.  He calls an airplane a flying boat.  He doesn't understand what the "unkind blanket of white" is and why the cold "is like claws on [his] skin" (p. 3-4).  He goes to school and is in a class for children learning English.  He decides to get a job helping a widow with her farm.  He makes best friends with a cow, Gal, that he takes care of and talks to.  Gal takes Kek home where cows are very important.  The widow eventually needs to sell her farm and Kek finds a place for Gal.  The story shows the relationships between Kek and Gal (the cow), Ganwar (his cousin), Hannah (a foster child), Lou (the widow), and his missing mom.  Home of the Brave is one of my new favorite books.  I think it would make a wonderful read aloud chapter book, a great opportunity for so many important discussions.

Llama Llama Holiday Drama

Llama Llama Holiday Drama
New York Times Best Seller

Dewdney, A. (2010). Llama llama holiday drama. New York, NY: Viking.

This book appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list back in December.  I bought it at the after Christmas half off sale for my niece.  I have all boys and I love to buy my two nieces girly books.  Boys will love it too, but it seems like my boys only did so much Christmas and then were off to play.  This book reminded me of me at Christmas as a child.  I had to have my hands in everything and Christmas always took sooo long to finally get here.  It is about all the fun (drama) building up to Christmas.  Little llama gets to help with all the shopping, counting down days, baking, counting down days, holiday school fun, counting down days, making Mom a present, counting down days, decorating, counting down days...and then have a little meltdown from too much waiting!  And, of course, she learns the lesson of the true gift of each other.  I really enjoyed this heartwarming little story of the anticipation of Christmas.  The rhythm and rhyme make it a perfect read aloud.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Underneath

The Underneath
Newbery Honor Book

Appelt, K. (2008). The underneath. New York, NY: Antheneum Books for Young Readers.

This is quite the book!  From reading the jacket-flap summary, it is not at all what I expected.  There are two stories going on through alternating chapters.  As the plot moves along, we can start to see them coming together.  It is quite ingenious really.  One story involves a mean owner, a dog, a cat and her twins.  The mama cat and her kitten must live "underneath" the porch to avoid the mean owner, Gar-Face.  The other storyline took me by surprise and I thought it was bizarre.  It includes Grandma Moccasin, her daughter, an alligator king and hawk man, all from the ancient world.  This is more of a mythological/fantasy story with some of the characters changing from one type of being to the other.  This book was really dark at times and uplifting at other times.  The relationships between the animals were as sweet as Charlotte's Web and as heartbreaking as Old Yeller.  I found it hard to switch my brain from what seemed like the two extremes of this book.  When it all came together, I think I liked it.  I was so undecided, I thought I would read some reviews and they are definitely mixed.  I do think it is beautifully and artfully written.  Maybe it calls for a certain type of audience to love it because some people really loved it.  It is a multiple award winner too.  I also think it is probably for a little bit older reader than what is recommended.

The Giver

The Giver (The Giver, #1)
Most Challenged Book List

Lowry, Lois. (1993). The giver. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.

The Giver is on the Most Challenged Book list and is a Newbery Medal winner.  This definitely is a thought provoking book.  It takes place in a Utopian society where there are no real feelings of any kind.  It is supposedly a "perfect" world.  We, the reader, find out what is really going on because Jonas receives his job and learns all of the memories of their community and its previous chaos.  He now feels.  He feels pain, anxiety, sadness and fear along with love, by the end.  This book brought me back to high school when we had to read George Orwell's 1984, which I really don't remember.  All I remember is that it was also a society under the control of "Big Brother" in this case.  I may have to read that one again sometime.  I really enjoyed The Giver and its pondering of our rights to freedom verses our ultimate safety.  One of the main reasons that this book is so often challenged is its use of euthenasia to control the population.  I had a chat with my son who read it in middle school a couple years ago and he doesn't see what the big deal is.  He simply said the book put people to sleep to keep them out of pain, it is just a story, and that is what a Utopian society is, which is the point of the book.  He was very matter-of-fact about it.  He is suprised at how many of his required reading books have been challenged.  Interesting conversation with my high schooler.

Twilight

Twilight (Twilight, #1)

Meyers, S. (2005).  Twilight.  New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

This book is great fun.  It made me feel like a teenager again; urging Bella on, going to high school everyday with her, worrying about her friend problems, etc.  Talk about a page-turner, it was one of those books that I couldn't put down.  It has the mystery and intrigue of the killings that are taking place in Forks, WA.  It has the romance of Bella and Edward with his chivalry and his bad-boy intrigue because he's a vampire.  It also has the suspense of life and death danger and decisions.  When I first read Twilight a few years ago, it was not when it first came out.  I resisted the hub-bub of activity thinking it was for teens and I was quite busy at the time.  When summer rolled around, I finally gave in a bought it...I love to read fun books in the summer.  Wow!  I could not put it down.  I went to the store over and over to buy the next one and read them all in about a week and a half.  That was with 3 kids at home for the summer and they were much younger than they are now.  My sister read them all twice and I thought she was nuts : ) until I started reading it again for this class.  I almost think it is better the second time around.  I picked up on a lot that I hadn't before.  Highly recommended!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

A Light in the Attic

A Light in the Attic
Most Challenged Book List

Siverstein, S. (1981). A light in the attic.  New York, NY:  HarperCollins Publishers.

I was surprised to see this on the Most Challenged Book List.  My first few years of teaching, my first graders and I would read Where the Sidewalk Ends on a regular basis.  I even had a cassette tape of it that was loads of fun.  We loved to laugh at all the silliness and surprises sprinkled throughout the pages.  So, I decided to check out A Light in the Attic from the library and see why this one is so different.  Shel Silverstein still uses his silliness and surprises throughout, but, I guess this book includes a little more edgy topics?  I'm stretching...witches, devils, etc.  They are just scattered here and there.  There are also a few illustrations that show someone with their pants down - of course, they are pencil drawn in his cartoonish illustrative style.  Maybe it is challenged so much because the parents are expecting the same carefree fun of Silverstein's prior book.  They may be surprised that there is anything controversial in this one at all.  If it is for young children, maybe they don't want to to address the topic or the giggles that some of the pages may bring.  Interesting... I do have to add that I like Where the Sidewalk Ends much better.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The Story of Little Black Sambo

The Story of Little Black Sambo
Most Challenged Book List

Bannerman, H. (n.d.). The story of little black sambo. Philadelphia, PA: J. B. Lippincott Company.

This was one of my favorite books as a child.  I still have my original little book with the orange hardcover and the hand-drawn looking illustrations inside.  I loved it.  I am sorry that it offends people.  I never took it in an offensive way as a child.  I loved the cool clothes that Little Black Sambo gave to the tigers...and the tiger's ingenious ways of wearing them.  I loved that Little Black Sambo outsmarted the tigers, just like The Three Billy Goats Gruff and ended up getting his fine clothes back too.  As a child, I was fascinated by the idea of the tigers running so fast that they turned to butter.  Could this really happen?  Then, when Little Black Sambo returns home, they got to eat tiger-looking pancakes.  It doesn't get better than that to a young child.  I knew that it was a controversial book when I was young.  My Aunt told me that it would be banned (oooh) and to take good care of my copy.  I didn't even know what that meant, but I took good care of my copy.  To this day, I have it in my secretary behind glass doors.  The inside binding is in sad shape.  It is usually challenged as being racist.  In the preface of the book, it tells us that Helen Bannerman was living in India with her two girls.  She told them stories and drew and colored the pictures that went along with them too.  It states that in India, children are dark and tigers abound.  Makes sense to me that The Story of Little Black Sambo is not meant to be offensive at all.  It reminds me of a multi-cultural fractured fairy tale.  Food for thought!

A Tale Dark & Grimm

A Tale Dark and Grimm
Notable Books for Children

Gidwitz, A. (2010).  A tale dark & grimm. New York, NY:  Dutton Children's Books.

This book was great fun!  It is the story of Hansel and Gretel told in the dark and grim way of the Grimm's Brothers.  It also takes Hansel and Gretel through a few other old tales.  One of my favorite stories when I was young was Hansel and Gretel so I was excited to read this.  As I first began to read, I loved how the author would give the reader warnings, like put the young ones to bed because it's going to get ugly.  His words are in bold and he sometimes gives a quick history of the next part, etc.  Then, as I read the bad parts, I was shocked...at one point Hansel and Gretel have to behead their father!  However, after reading the whole thing and taking it for what it was meant to be...bringing the violence and blood back from the original Grimm's fairy tales and rewriting it for 9-12 year olds - it's pretty cool.  I can really see boys and girls alike getting into this "fairy tale".  Even though I still like my old "safe" version the best, I do think this will be the next read for my son and me to read together.

When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me
Newbery Medal Book

Stead, R. (2009). When you reach me.  New York, NY: Yearling Books.

This is a cute story that takes place in the real world of a sixth grader.  I think the book is fun and even a little nostalgic for anyone who has watched the $20,000 Pyramid (her mother is trying to get on the show) or has read A Wrinkle in Time (Miranda's favorite book).  The kids walk home from school in that older and safer world that we lived in (though there is a weird man, "the laughing man", who seems to live under the mailboxes).  The book turns mystery when Miranda's house key is stolen and she starts to get notes left to her that she has to save someone's life. 

Becoming Naomi Leon

Becoming Naomi Leon
Pura Belpre Honor Book

Ryan, P. (2004). Becoming Naomi Leon. New York, NY:  Scholastic Inc.

This book is geared toward the 9-11 age group.  I really enjoyed it.  The book moved at a good pace.  Sometimes I think this age-range book seems rather slow or simple.  This one was not like that.  The characters and plot seemed well developed.  Although we've heard the storyline of kids left to be raised by their grandma before, this one also takes Naomi, the main character, and develops her understanding of "who she was meant to be".  One of things that I really enjoyed is how Naomi is a list-maker.  When I was a child, I was a list-maker, though not to the extent of Naomi . I loved to make lists on our Saturday cleaning day and then cross the things off that I had accomplished.  As I got older, I would make lists of what I needed to accomplish in a week (homework, practices, whatever) and then cross them off as I accomplished them.  Naomi's lists were quite different and sometimes comical.  She had "Things I am Good At", "Regular and Everyday Worries", and sadly,  a list of "Possible Moms".  She thought her name, Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw, was very strange and  she had a couple lists that addressed it.  She had her "Unusual Names" list and her "How to Get Boys to Stop Making Fun of My Name" list.  I do recommend this books for others to read and I would like to read Esperanza Rising by the same author.

Monday, July 11, 2011

James and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach
Most Challenged Book List


Dahl, R. (1996). James and the giant peach. New York, NY:  Puffin Books.

James and the Giant Peach is often challenged due to a variety of reasons.  Some reasons include language, abuse of James, promoting drug and alcohol use, and disobeying parents.  This is a book that I was never interested in reading.  As a child, I can't tell you how many time I read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by the same author.  But I have never had an interest in this particular book.  I have never seen the movie either.  When I saw this title on the most challenged list, I knew it was time for me to read it.  I have to say, I did not care for it at all.  I did not look up any reasons for the challenges prior to my reading it so as to not skew my opinion.  I, personally, did not like the choice of language in the name-calling that went on.  I did think things were a bit harsh at his aunts' house as I was reading the book.  When the giant peach rolled over the aunts, did they die?  Weird.  I also thought about how huge this adventure was, how far James and his friends went, the fact that James was with strangers from the moment he took the brown bag, and the whole thing started with sneaking off...    I don't think it should be banned or anything, but I can see why some parents wouldn't like it.  I am pretty strict with my own kids, but this is not something I would stop them from reading.  I just didn't care for it.

Lego Star Wars: A Visual Dictionary

LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary
New York Times Best Seller List


Beecroft, S. (2009). Lego star wars: A visual dictionary. New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley Unlimited.

What a surprise!!  I love that this is currently on the New York Times Best Seller list.  My boys now 11,15, and 17, have grown up loving all things Star Wars and Clone Wars.  This book came out when my youngest was 10.  Between his love of Star Wars and Lego, he had to have it!  It unlocks all the mysteries for him as to why his older brothers have this "Lego set" or that "Lego guy" and he can't find one to buy.  It includes a six page spread timeline of Lego set boxes from 1999 to 2009.  Then, each chapter has great pictures of the built sets as it takes you through the movies.  There is a page of all the mini sets, technic sets and collector sets too.  Another favorite page is the one with all the mini figures made throughout the years.  This has been one important informational book in our home collection!  It is one we will always keep.

Love That Dog

Love That Dog
New York Times Best Seller

Creech, Sharon. (2001). Love that dog. New York, NY: Harper Trophy.

I loved reading Love That Dog!  It appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list back in 2002.  You do not have to love dogs or poetry to enjoy this book.  As a matter of fact, I started reading it out loud at lunch with my 6th and 11th grade boys listening attentively and commenting.    This novel is all Jack's journal entries written in stanzas about the poetry that his teacher reads to the class and his own attempts at writing poems.  It shows Jack's journey from not liking poetry at all to understanding and writing poetry of his own.  He even writes to his new favorite poet, Walter Dean Meyers, to see if he will come visit his classroom.  This book uses a lot of insight.  As you read Jack's journal entries, you can figure out what Jack's teacher is saying by reading Jack's next entry.  What a great way to go about teaching poetry.  In the back of the book, the author includes the poems that the teacher read to the class.  I just started reading the poetry chapter in our text about how many children who once loved Mother Goose rhymes move to not liking poetry at all in school.  This made the insight in Love That Dog all the more interesting.  I was never one to like poetry much in school.  I did love nursery rhymes as a child and didn't mind making sentences with rhyming words in school.  But looking back, the depth of the poetry seemed too deep for the age group that it was being presented to which made it frustrating.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

One Crazy Summer

One Crazy Summer
Coretta Scott King Award

Williams-Garcia, R. (2010). One crazy summer. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Exposition:
This is the story of three sisters; Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern and their plight to get to know their estranged mom, Cecile, who left them and went out to California.  The oldest girl, Delphine, remembers only a few things about her mom.  Back home in Brooklyn, they live with their Papa and Big Ma (their grandma) who are quite strict with manners and rules.  It was Papa's doing to send them to meet Cecile.  The girls aren't too sure about it.  They are angry that they were left by their mother.

Conflict:
The girls end up wanting to get to know Cecile, but Cecile wants nothing to do with them.

Rising Action:
The girls are told that they are not allowed in the kitchen.  They must go eat breakfast at the center and stay there for camp all day too.  It happens to be a revolutionary group called the Black Panthers where the girls are taught about the people's power and rights.  Delphine, at the age of 11, is responsible for her sisters all day long, including getting them dinner, on the streets of Oakland, CA.

Climax:
The girls mom is arrested with a couple of black panthers right before the rally that the girls are going to perform in.

Falling Action:
The girls go to live with a neighbor for this time and decide to perform a poem written by Cecil, their mom.

Resolution:
Cecil makes it to the rally in time to see them.  Back at the apartment, Cecil has a conversation with Delphine that answers questions about their past.  When she takes the girls to the airport, the girls break out of line to run back to give Cecil a hug.  They will actually miss her.

Literary Qualities.
    1)  The dialogue in this story was used very well.  The three sisters would always have a comment one right after the other when they were speaking to someone. 
    2)  This story uses flashbacks as a way to show what Delphine remembers from the time when Cecile was home with them in Brooklyn.  It also uses flashbacks to show the difference in how the girls live in Brooklyn with Papa versus Oakland with Cecile.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

The Cabinet of Wonders

The Cabinet of Wonders (The Kronos Chronicles, #1)
Bluebonnet Book


Rutkoski, M. (2008). The cabinet of wonders. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.

Exposition:
Petra lives in Ocno with her father, Master Kronos, and her magical, mechanical pet Astrophil (Astro) that he made for her.  Her best friend at home is Tomik, who makes magic spheres which each contain something that when broken, multiply.  She goes to the Salamander Castle and makes a new friend, Neel who has magically extending arms that can pick locks.  She also befriends Iris as best she can.  Iris is in charge of The Dye Works where all the colors are made by experimenting with magic.  Iris has a terrible temper and when she is mad, her skin oozes acid, which melts everything it touches, including the floor.

Conflict:
Petra's father is returned home after working at Salamander Castle for the Prince of Praque - without his eyes.  Why? What we know is that the prince hired him to make the most magnificent clock for the town's square.  It will have magic that can control the weather.  Due to the prince sending Master Kronos back without his eyes, they suspect that he will use this clock for evil.  Master Kronos uses his eyes, his mind, and his magic to create things out of metal (like Astrophil).  He is the best of the best.  The prince doesn't want anything to ever compete with his clock, so he took his magic eyes.  Petra will get to the bottom of this.

Rising Action:
Petra decides to make her way to the castle by hitching a ride with Lucy and Pavo, Tomik's cousin.  She has decided to get a job and get inside the castle, which she does.  She works her way up to be able to work in the castle with Iris.  Now, she has a bit more access to try to figure out what has happened with her father's eyes.  She also discovers that there is one essential piece to the clock that was left unassembled.

Climax:
While the prince is at a dinner; Petra, Astro, and Neel sneak there way in to the prince's room to get into his Cabinet of Wonders.  They suspect that her father's eyes are hidden there under lock and key.  They find the eyes and the magical missing piece to the clock.  Now, everyone is after them.

Falling Action:
They make their way out of the castle using the different magic spheres that Tomik had given her to use in an emergency.  There are several emergencies.

Resolution:
Petra has figured out how to control the missing piece of the clock and destroys it with her mind (she has discovered that she has the same magic as her father).  The clock can't hurt anyone now.  She also gets her father's eyes back to him.

Literary qualities:
    1)  There are unexpected insights around every corner.  What else would we expect when there is so much magic involved?
    2)  The use of precise language and imagery were done extremely well.  Even though this was a world we don't know, a world with magic, we could picture the whole thing quite easily.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Mockingbird

Mockingbird
Notable Books for Children List

Erskine, K. (2010). Mockingbird.  New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

What I have written here does not do this book justice.  It is a fantastic book that allows the reader to see what is going on in the mind of someone who has something like Asperger's Syndrome.  I loved this book.  I considered myself knowledgeable about many differences that students have.  But this book is so powerful, I believe that every teacher should read it to get a real sense of the daily life challenges that some students face and what might be going on in thier mind.

Exposition:
The story begins with the realization that Caitlyn and her dad are suffering the loss of Caitlyn's brother.  We quickly find out that something is different about Caitlyn.  She categorizes everything.  For instance, she knows she needs to Look At The Person, or she knows that life is different now beginning with The Day Our Life Fell Apart.

Conflict:
Caitlyn has Asperger's Syndrome and not only has to learn to how to behave in a more "appropriate" way, but she also has to learn to deal with the loss of her brother.   She doesn't really have the help of her father who is swallowed up in his own grief.

Rising Action:
Caitlyn spends a lot of time in school with her counselor, Mrs. Brook.  She is trying to learn to have empathy for others.  She doesn't see how others feel as a result of some of her behaviors or lack of manners.  She is also trying to figure out why she feels so horrible.  She doesn't really get the connection with loosing her brother that she was very close to.

Climax:
Caitlyn makes friends on the playground with Michael, whose mother was killed in the same school shooting.  She really doesn't want to lose this new friend because of her behavior.  She wants to have empathy.  Caitlyn is very smart. She hears the word "closure" and looks it up in the dictionary. This is what she needs. This is what Michael needs.  This is what her dad needs too.

Falling Action:
Caitlyn keeps working on her Your Manners chart.  She continues to try to have empathy.  And she continues to try to find out how to obtain this closure.

Resolution:
Caitlyn forces the issue that she and her dad need to finish her brother's  Eagle Scout project, a trunk, and present it to the junior high school where this shooting occurred.  This act not only ends up bringing closure to Caitlyn and her father but to the whole community, including Michael.

Literary Qualities:
    1)  The dialogue that Caitlyn has going on in her head is astounding.  All her very different behaviors have real meaning behind them.  For instance, sometimes she flaps her hands.  That is because it helps to slow down the world around her when things get too confusing for her.
    2)  I also like the language that the author uses to categorize all of Caitlyn's thoughts.  It helps the reader realize that these are "things" to Caitlyn, not really behaviors.  (Look At The Person, Get It, etc.)

Rapunzel

Rapunzel
Caldecott Medal Book


Zelinsky, P. (Retold). (1997). Rapunzel. New York, NY:  Puffin Books.

Exposition:
The story opens with the traditional, "Long ago, there lived a man and a woman..." (p. 1).  From there we find that they are now expecting their first child, who shall be named Rapunzel after the beautiful plant that she craved.

Conflict:
Rapunzel wants to live with the prince, but the sorceress won't allow it.

Rising Action:
The wife wants to eat some rapunzel plant so badly that she says she will die without it.  The husband goes into the garden of the sorceress for some and gets caught.  He has to promise to hand over his daughter in return for some rapunzel so that his wife will live.  After Rapunzel is born, the sorceress puts her in the top of a tower with no entrance and climbs her hair to go up and see her.


Climax:
After Rapunzel secretly marries the prince, her stomach grows larger with pregnancy.  The sorceress discovers this and cuts Rapunzel's hair off, sends her to the wild country to live, and pretends like it is still Rapunzel who lets down her hair for the prince.

Falling Action:
The prince climbs her hair, sees the ugly sorceress and is grief stricken.  He falls to the ground.  He is now blind and stumbles around in misery. 

Resolution:
He finally finds his wife and her tears of joy cure his blindness.  They go back to his kingdom to live happily ever after.

Illustrations:
These illustrations are beautiful.  Each one looks like a masterpiece painting.  The pages are completely covered and the intricate detail is waiting to be discovered.  The old world look of the pictures perfectly lends to this beautiful retelling of an old favorite.

Henry's Freedom Box

Henry's Freedom Box
Caldecott Honor Book


Levine, E. (2007). Henry's freedom box.  New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Exposition:
Henry was a slave, a piece of property with not even a birthday.  He worked with his family in the master's house.  The master was pretty good to them.

Conflict:
Henry can't live and work for his master after his family is taken away.  He is too sad.  He decides to find freedom.

Rising Action:
Henry's master was very ill and he decided to give Henry to his son.  Henry worked for him in the factory, got married and had children of his own. This master was not as nice.   Henry finds out that his wife and children were sold at the slave market.

Climax:
Henry ships himself in a box to Philadelphia, to freedom.

Falling Action:
He is thrown about in his box, put on a ship, and even used as seat.

Resolution:
He arrives in Philadelphia, his new birthday!

Illustrations:
I think the illustrations are good, but not my favorite.  They are large pictures that cover both pages with no white space.  They are dull and dark, which helps set the mood of the story.  They don't show a lot of depth or action though.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Exposition:
Katniss lives with her mom and sister, Prim, in a dystopian society.  She has a good friend, Gale, who she hunts game with.  They live in a poor district outside the Capitol where survival is tough.

Conflict:
Katniss will go to the Hunger Games and must be the last one standing in order to go home and see her sister again. 

Rising Action:
Prim's name is drawn for the Hunger Games and Katniss will go in her place.  A boy and a girl from each of the twelve districts will go.  They are actually prepared and pampered for the opening ceremonies.  Then they must enter the Games.  The battle starts with a flurry of activity and several deaths right away.  The rest scatter and make constant life and death decisions.  Other lives are lost along the way.

Climax:
Katniss has to kill or be killed, even her male counterpart from her district.  As death and survival in the Game continues, the Capitol decides that they like the "love story" between Katniss and Peeta.  They make an unheard of announcement that if the last two alive are from the same district, they can go home together. 

Falling Action:
It gets down to four, then three, then two...Katniss and Peeta.  But the Capitol makes another announcement retracting the first.  One must kill the other to survive...

Resolution:
Katniss and Peeta decide to eat poison berries to die together.  The Capitol will have no winner!  The Capitol stops them and they both will go home.

Literary Qualities:
    1)  The imagery was phenomenal.  It seemed as though you could see the blood, sweat, and tears.  You could feel their anxiety and emotion.
    2)  The author also used unexpected insights around every corner.  Who would have expected that while Peeta got water, one of the other players would come along and eat the berries he had gathered.  They ended up being poison berries and the other player died.  Peeta got credit for killing someone.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

CRISPIN: The Cross of Lead

Crispin: The Cross of Lead (Crispin, #1)
Newbery Medal Book

Avi. (2002). Crispin: The cross of lead. New York, NY: Hyperion Paperbacks
     for Children.

Exposition:
This book takes place in England in the year 1377.  The main character is Crispin, Asta's son.  He will later meet a big man called, Bear.  These two will travel together throughout the book.

Conflict:
Crispin is simply known as Asta's son.  He does not know his real name or his real father, but he has a cross of lead from his mom.  After the death of his mom, John Aycliffe and the hunting party are out to kill Asta's son.  Why?

Rising Action:
Asta's son has figured out that they are out to kill him, though he doesn't know why.  The local priest tries to help him get out of the village.  He reads the name engraved on the cross of lead - Crispin.  This is his name.  The priest is going to tell him more about his parents the next night.  But he is slain before he gets a chance.  Crispin barely makes it out of the village and is trying to get to a big city where he might find freedom.  That is when he meets Bear.  Is Bear good or bad?  Is he going to turn him in?  The two make their way toward London.  Everywhere they go, they find that someone spots Crispin and the hunt is on again.  Bear believes him and decides to start helping Crispin. 

Climax:
In the dark of night, they catch Bear.  Crispin has to get into the high walled castle to try to rescue Bear.  But how? 

Falling Action:
Crispin rescues Bear by showing his name etched on a cross.  Now they know that he is the illegitimate son of Lord Furnival.  Now they know why Crispin was protected all these years.  They were right in their thoughts that they must get rid of Crispin, as he is an heir to the throne. Crispin bribes them.  Let Crispin and Bear go free and he will never place claim to the throne.  He will keep his secret.

Resolution:
Crispin and Bear once again have to get away from the guards at the gate of the town.  They do after a bloody battle.  They are finally free and live together as a father and son would.

Literary Qualities:
    1)  There are many times when flashbacks are used to show Crispin remembering something he saw or something that his mom or the priest told him.
    2)  Imagery is very strong in this book.  You feel like you are right there in the villages in 1377.  Very good historical fiction.

Book Fiesta!

Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremos El dia de los ninos/El dia de los libros
Pura Belpre Award

Mora, P. (2009). Book fiesta! Celebrate children's day/book day.  New York,
      NY: HaperCollins Children's Books.

This is a fun book to help celebrate children and books.  When the author learned that Mexico celebrates El dia del mino (the day of the child) on April 30, she loved the idea and decided to add "books" to the celebration.  This beautiful book takes the reader on a whimsical trip.  Whether in the library or on a pirate ship - bring your book.  Or, you may choose to read in a car, a plane, or a train - just bring your book.  Maybe you want to read with lizards, puppies or elephants - make sure you have a book.  The author also incorporated Spanish words into the story, aside from writing all the sentences in English and Spanish on each page.  A great tribute to children and books!

Illustrations:
The big bold illustrations cover both pages with no white space.  They are bright and vivid in color and add to the whimsy and magical nature of the book.

Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken
Notable Books for Children List



Stein, D. (2010). Interrupting chicken.  Sommerville, MA:  Candlewick Press.

This book is tremendously fun!  Apparently, the little red chicken can't help but interrupt bedtime stories every night.  Although she promises not to, Papa can't get through one story.  As Papa reads such well known stories as Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and others, the little red hen jumps right into the story to save the characters.  Every story gets interrupted and, therefore, shortened in this manner.  The little red hen isn't getting sleepy at all.  So, Papa decides to have the little red hen tell a story.  As the little red hen draws... and draws... and tells his story... Papa falls asleep.

Illustrations:
The illustrations are great.  When we are in the little red hen's room, the illustrator uses a look of vivid pastels.  When we are in the many stories that Papa tries to read, the illustrations are inside a book and look more pencil drawn.  When the little red hen jumps in, he is drawn in vivid pastels.  This idea lends well to the story and will really help younger children decipher what is going on.

Olive's Ocean

Olive's Ocean
Newbery Honor Book




Henkes, K. (2003).  Olive's ocean.  New York, NY:  Greenwillow Books.

Exposition:
Martha is packing for the family trip to visit Godbee (her grandma) on Cape Cod when she receives a journal entry from deceased Olive's mother.  Martha's family, and the Manning boys on Cape Cod are the major characters in Olive's Ocean. 

Conflict:
Martha wants to be a writer, even though her father is also an aspiring writer.  Martha doesn't want to tell anyone because being like her dad is the last thing she wants.  Olive's journal entry lists her hopes.  She wants to go the real ocean, she wants to be a writer and she wants to become friends with Martha.  Martha doesn't really even know Olive.  Through all the family dynamics, Martha's teenage angst and new interest in the Manning boys, Martha must find herself.

Rising Action:
Godbee talks Martha into sharing something that Godbee doesn't know about her each day of the trip.  Godbee will do the same.  Martha ends up confiding things that she never thought she would.  Olive's journal entry still haunts Martha and she realizes that they have so many parallels in who they are.  Martha and the older Manning boy seem to become a couple.  Martha is secretly writing.

Climax:
The older Manning boy wants to create a film.  He has already shown Martha all his clips of the real life drama that goes on in his family.  Unbeknown to Martha, he then films their first kiss. This is her first kiss and she is mortified.  Later she has decides to get some ocean water in a bottler to take to Olive's mom. She sees "him" walking up the beach and doesn't want to see him.  She goes in the ocean by herself and slips off the sandbar. She almost drowns.  She doesn't care to save herself.  She thinks about Olive and how she must have felt when she was dying after being hit by the car.  Martha remembers all Olive's unfulfilled hopes.

Falling Action:
Martha decides to save herself.  She realizes that it is the younger Manning boy that truly cares for her and has been so nice.

Resolution:
Martha's dad has decided to go back to work and not be a writer right now. This gives Martha great relief.  Martha makes it known that she wants to be a writer.  When they get back home, Martha takes the bottle with the ocean to give to Olive's mom so that Olive has been to the beach.  When she arrives, she discovers that her mom has moved away.  She uses the water and writes Olive's name her step that she always sat on...over and over...until the ocean water is gone. 

Literary Qualities:
    1)  The dialogue lended to the authenticity of this novel.  The conversations between Martha and her aging grandma really showed that Godbee understood and was also young once.
    2)  There were a lot of understatements used.  Again, between Martha and Godbee, Martha would really have to process what Godbee was telling her in an understated way.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time
Challenged Book List


L'Engle, M. (1962). A wrinkle in time. New York, NY:  Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

Exposition:
Meg, Charles Wallace and their mother are riding out a hurricane in their cozy, safe home when Mrs. Whatsit appears.  We soon find out that Meg's mom and dad are scientists and something has gone awry.  We meet Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which and Calvin in subsequent chapters.

Conflict:
Meg's dad is missing.  He has time travelled and it is up to Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin to "tesseract" to save him.

Rising Action:
Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which tell the kids it is time and they must go on this journey together to find their dad.  They all go through many phases of this time travel to get used to it.

Climax:
The three kids must go to Camazotz alone to find the place where their dad is.  He is in a trance-like state due to fighting off IT.   The kids must confront IT to try to save their dad.

Falling Action:
They have gotten their dad, but Charles Wallace is now taken over by IT and he was left behind.

Resolution:
Meg must return to save her brother.  She learns that she has something IT doesn't have and IT can't fight it.  She has love... with love, she saves her brother and they all return safely home.

Literary Qualities:
    1)  The use of unexpected insights occurs many times in this book.  The big one is the love that Meg finds she has from everyone.  I especially like her relationship with Aunt Beast, who doesn't see but feels way more than anyone can see.
    2)  There is also great use of imagery throughout the story especially on Camazotz.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

The Three Pigs

The Three Pigs
Caldecott Medal Book


Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs.  New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Exposition:
This book starts with the traditional story when the wolf comes knocking, huffing, and puffing at each of the three pigs houses.

Conflict:
The three pigs have to get away from the big bad wolf!

Rising Action:
The pigs find a way to get off the page in their book.  They even make a paper airplane out of a page from their book and ride it!  Next they find themselves inside other stories.

Climax:
They decide they need to go back to their own story and go into the pig's brick house.  The wolf is trying to get them again.

Falling Action:
Characters from other stories enter the pages of the pig's book.

Resolution:
The three pigs, with the help of the other characters from the other books, catch and cook the wolf.  They all share some soup.

Illustrations:
The illustrations are what makes this book so different from all the other versions of The Three Pigs.  The reader figures out that each page of the real book has four pages drawn from the Three Pig's storybook.  The characters start to come in and out of the pages of the storybook.  The illustrations do a great job of showing this action.  Also, when the pigs make and fly on their paper airplane.  It takes several pages of the book - again - great action.

Moses


Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
Coretta Scott King Award

Weatherford, C. (2006). Moses: When Harriet Tubman led her people to
     freedom. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

Exposition:
One summer night, Harriet Tubman goes outside to pray about what she should do because her Masters own her.

Conflict:
Harriet decides that, with God's help, she will flee.  However, it is very scary because the Masters do not want to let their slaves get away.  They will be hunted down.

Rising Action:
Harriet sneaks through the dark night relying on God to show her the way.  She must find safe places to hide and safe havens for refuge.  Through darkness, fear, water, bleeding feet, and patrollers, she must listen for God to tell her where and when to go. 

Climax:
Harriet hides in a potato hole for 7 days, weak and dreaming of being buried alive.  She thinks she has not been able to make it.

Falling Action:
She finally leaves the hole and starts out again by moonlight holding God's hand all the way.

Resolution:
When she thinks she can go no further again, God sends her a couple in a wagon to to take her the last leg of her journey to the safety of Philadelphia.  After she gains strength, she decides to go back and save others.

Illustrations:
The pictures are fantastic.  One large picture covers both pages with the words placed on top of the colored background.  Each and every picture looks like a painting depicting a very moving scene.  Most are in the dark night and do such a great job of showing the emotion of the story.

Dying to Meet You

Dying to Meet You: 43 Old Cemetery Road
Bluebonnet Book

Klise, K. (2009). Dying to meet you. New York, NY: Sandpiper.

Exposition:
Author, Ignatious B. Grumply,  moves into an old Victorian house at 43 Old Cemetery Road for the summer.  But, someone else is there too...

Conflict: 
He has already been paid by the publisher to write the promised 13th Ghost Tamer book. He has had writer's block for years though.  He thought staying somewhere for the summer would inspire him.  However, at his new address, he finds that there is a young boy, Seymour Hope, and his cat living on the third floor.  And why is he making sooo much noise?   He must write this book!

Rising Action:
Even though he didn't read it, Mr. Grumply has signed the contract that the boy's parents have written which gives the renter guardianship of the boy, so Seymour must stay.  As Ignatious B. Grumply tries to get along with the boy and his cat and still write his book, he finds that there is also a ghost living there. A very noisy ghost!  Olive C. Spence was a writer, though never published, who built this house.  She is a friend of Seymour and wants to help Mr. Grumply write. It is still her life's (or afterlife's) goal.   Mr. Grumply has come to realize that he isn't capable of writing anymore because he has such a sour attitude.  He starts to discuss the idea of her help and friendship sneaks in. 

Climax:
When they finally proceed with their plan, Ignatious B. Grumply is raved about.  But, he does not give Olive C. Spence the credit she deserves.  She decides to "vacate the premises" and quit helping.

Falling Action:
Ignatious realizes how much he misses their dinners, their stories, their laughter and their writing together.  He decides that his writing career doesn't matter as much as their friendship. He realizes he has never been that happy before.

Resolution:
They all decide to live in the old house together as their own kind of family.  They also do some great writing!

Literary Qualities:
    1)  This book uses precise vocabulary which enables great fun with all of the play on words.
    2)  It also used dialogue in a variety of ways.  Each character is represented with their own font.  The entire book is written in letters, emails, and newspaper columns.  Great fun to read!

Turtle in Paradise


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Holm, J. (2010).  Turtle in paradise. New York, NY:  Random House

Exposition:
In 1935, during the Depression, 11 year old Turtle is in a truck with Mr. Edgit who is paying his debt by driving Turtle to Key West, Florida. 

Conflict:
Turtle's mama gets a hard-to-come-by job as a housekeeper.  The problem is that the woman who hired her does not like children. Turtle's mama sends her daughter to live back in her old hometown with her sister in the Keys. Turtle has to figure out how to live in this "foreign place" without her mama.  She doesn't even know if her mama will return for her. 

Rising Action:
The kids are different, the words are different, her aunt is different, even the food is different.  Turtle meets several long-lost relatives and she is learning to become part of the group of kids.

Climax:
Turtle has found a treasure map in her long-lost grandmother's house.  Turtle and her new friends borrow a boat to go find the hidden treasure. Turtle thinks it will solve all her mama's money problems so that she can come get Turtle.  Turtle and the gang get caught on an island in a hurricane.

Falling Action: 
The owner of the boat, who ends up being her father, finds and rescues the kids.

Resolution:     
Mama comes back for Turtle and the money, but brings along her current boyfriend.  He steals it all!  Mama is shocked.  She ends up facing her past.  Turtle ends up coming out of her shell and is able to voice her opinion that they should stay in the Keys with their relatives and new friends.  This is where they belong.

Literary Qualities:
     1) Flashbacks are used throughout to tell the story of how Turtle is on her way to Key West, about the many boyfriends and jobs of her mama, and the old stories her mama had told about her childhood.
     2) Figurative language is used throughout the whole book.  The fantastic imagery allowed me to see, hear, and feel Old Key West.