SLIS 5420, Module #6: One Crazy Summer

This week's genre: Historical Fiction! As a child, I loved reading historical fiction; I gobbled up anything about pioneer life and American History. I have such fond memories of my Aunt sending me letters with book lists in them. But, as an adult, I've fallen out of love with historical fiction. So, this week, I opened my mind and pushed myself to find a good book. I've heard a ton of good things from my students about One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia, so I thought I'd give it a try!

Summary

It's the summertime of 1968 and Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are headed from New York to Oakland to visit their mama, Cecile, for the summer. The girls have high hopes for their vacation- they can't wait to see the mother that left them over five years ago, see Disneyland, and explore California.

However, when the girls arrive, it becomes more than apparent to Delphine, who narrates One Crazy Summer, that the girls' summer- and mother- will not be what they expected. After arriving at Cecile's house, Cecile makes Delphine give her all the money her Papa gave her, and pushes them out of the house to pick up take out Chinese food. By the next day, the girls begin to think their mama is involved with the Black Panthers and their suspicions are confirmed when Cecile tells them to go the the "Center" for breakfast and not to return all day.

Things for Delphine and her sisters aren't all bad, though. The girls make friends at the Black Panther Summer Camp, enjoy their classes learning about the Panther's leader, Huey Newton, and even start to develop a strange, but endearing relationship with their mother. But, when Vonetta learns the kids at the Panther Camp will perform at a Black Panther rally, things start to get serious- as Delphine knows trouble always happens at the rallies.

The trouble increases ten-fold when the girls come back from a day sight-seeing in San Francisco only to see their mother and several members of the Black Panthers being arrested outside Cecile's house. The girls end up staying with a friend from Panther Camp and hope for their mother's safe return.

In a heart-warming conclusion at the Black Panther rally, the girls learn some secrets about their mother and the Black Panthers, as well as learn a lot about what sisterly love really means.

My thoughts

I haven't learned much about the 1960s or the Black Panthers and I can't think of a better way to start! True to high-quality historical fiction, One Crazy Summer is a great mix of fiction and historical facts. While I was reading the book, I totally felt like I was in the middle of a hot Oakland summer experiencing life as a child of a Black Panther. I can't wait to read more about this important time in American History!

In addition to learning a little history, I loved the characters in the book! Delphine is a big sister through-and-through and I couldn't help but feel for her as she struggled to protect her sisters from hurt- both from their mother and from the realities of being involved with the Black Panthers. Both of the younger sisters, Fern (the youngest) and Vonetta (the middle) are hilarious and most certainly possess unique personalities that made me really believe I was reading about real sisters. I can most certainly understand why One Crazy Summer has won a slue of awards including the 2011 Coretta Scott King Award and the 2011 Newbery Honor.

What have others said?

From Horn Book Magazine (2010):

Williams-Garcia writes about that turbulent summer through the intelligent, funny, blunt voice of Delphine, who observes outsiders and her own family with shrewdness and a keen perception of why they each behave the way they do. Never afraid to stand up to anyone or anything, Delphine copes with her equally strong-willed mother calmly, "because that's how you treat crazy people." She takes over when she has to, and during the course of their month-long visit she refines her understanding of her mother and herself. The setting and time period are as vividly realized as the characters, and readers will want to know more about Delphine and her sisters after they return to Brooklyn with their radical new ideas about the world.

And, from School Library Journal (2010):

Emotionally challenging and beautifully written, this book immerses readers in a time and place and raises difficult questions of cultural and ethnic identity and personal responsibility. With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.

Some ideas for the library or classroom

As a winner of both the Coretta Scott King Award and the Newbery Honor, One Crazy Summer is a perfect fit for a book talk and feature book during promotions for award winners. Many of my African-American girls are constantly seeking African-American literature and I know just who I am going to recommend this book to first when school starts again. I always like to promote historical fiction because the students learn something while reading- and One Crazy Summer definitely paints an accurate picture of the late 1960s in California. With the opportunity to use really photos of the Black Panthers in the 60s, the book will be perfect for a book trailer, too.

One Crazy Summer will work great as a read aloud in a 5th or 6th grade classroom- especially when paired with history lessons of the time period. The book offers a unique perspective on the Black Panthers; the group is not painted as "all bad" in the text. Typically, students learn much about Martin Luther King, Jr. in school, but not much about what else was happening in the country during that time period. The book will serve as a springboard for some tough conversations about whether violence is a way to solve injustice. After reading the text, students can research the time period and write a short story of an "alternate ending" or a "what happens next" after the book ends.

References

Lempke, S. (2010). [Review of the book, One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia]. Horn Book Magazine, 86(2), 77.

Markson, T. (2010). [Review of the book, One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia]. School Library Journal, 56(3), 170.

Williams-Garcia, R. (2010). One Crazy Summer. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.



SLIS 5420, Module #5: Skellig

This week's genre: fantasy! Here's a secret: when I hear the word fantasy, all I can think about is wizards, magical potions, and mystical creatures! However, I have once again been proved wrong... First up: Skellig by David Almond! Which, is truly fantastical, but unlike any of the wand-shaking, cloak-wearing fantasy I've read in the past!

Summary

Michael has just moved into a new house with his family: his mother, father, and very-ill baby sister. He begins exploring the desperately-needs-to-be-renovated house and finds a very strange, human-and-bird-like creature squatting in the dilapidated garage. Seeking answers and looking for an escape, Michael soon befriends the strange creature- only to find out that Skellig is much more than just a homeless being in search of good Chinese food (#27 and #53 on the take-out menu, to be exact).

As his sister becomes more ill, Michael stays home from school to help get the house ready for her when she returns from the hospital. He becomes close friends with his neighbor, the homeschooled and quirky Mina, who coincidentally is currently obsessed with birds. After revealing his angel-like wings, both Mina and Michael fall in love with Skellig, spend time helping him gain strength and philosophising Skellig's true identity.

As Skellig comes to a close, so does Skellig's time with Mina and Michael. Thankfully, Michael's newly named sister, Joy, survives heart surgery and joins the family once again just as Skellig goes away. Perhaps it was Skellig, an angel, love, or medical's miracle that saved Joy, but Michael, Mina, and readers will never really know.

My thoughts

Angels do exist. Faith and love can conquer all. There is a movie?!?

David Almond's Skellig has sat on my library shelves for a year- a year!!- and I haven't recommended it to anyone. Unlike other books I have blogged about, however, Skellig's pretty little blue and feathered-covered book has been on display on the top shelf of the library all year long. It's been sitting their, calling for someone to open it's beautiful pages and fall in love just as I have.

I am not a faith-based person. I don't often ponder the likes of life, angels, and miracles. Yet, Skellig has pushed me to do so. I appreciate Almond's mysterious tone and lack of detail- his style just works for this book.

Furthermore, I love and appreciate Almond's extraordinary creation- a bird-like, owl-pellet-making, angelic-wing-possessing, crass-talking Skellig. I have never read a book featuring such a unique creature, which makes Skellig that much more enjoyable in my mind's eye.

What have others said?

From Horn Book Magazine (1999):

The line between reality and fantasy can be very thin, and the interval between life and death even thinner. Michael becomes aware of both these truths in the course of this narrative, which begins when he and his family move into a new house.

And, more from  Horn Book Magazine (1999):

Is he an angel? An owl-man? We're left with mysteries just beyond our grasp. In his first novel for children, British author David Almond has given them something singular to reach for.

And, from School Library Journal (1999):

The plot is beautifully paced and the characters are drawn with a graceful, careful hand. Mina, for all her smugness, is charmingly wide-eyed over Skellig. Michael is a bruising soccer player but displays a tenderness that is quite touching and very refreshing. Even minor characters are well defined. The plot pivots on the question of what Skellig is. It is a question that will keep readers moving through the book, trying to make sense of the cleverly doled out clues. The beauty here is that there is no answer and readers will be left to wonder and debate, and make up their own minds. A lovingly done, thought-provoking novel.

Some ideas for the library or classroom

Skellig would be a great addition to a week or month promoting fantasy. I can see it now, "Fantasy Appreciation Month" in the library- books from Harry Potter to Twilight featured to draw readers in, with not-so-popular but oh-so-wonderful books like Skellig on display. The book will make a fantastic addition to my Goodreads shelf (Check out my books on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8188598-sara) and I'll be sure all of my angel-loving readers get a hold of this book soon!

As for the classroom, the text is heavily-rooted with faith-based connotations, so I don't think it would make for a good read aloud. However, there are some powerful quotes that can most definately get kids thinking and talking, so I'd strongly suggest Skellig be used as a literature circle text during a unit on fantasy. The short length also contributes to its literature-circle friendliness and I can see it being assigned one week and discussed the next.

Here's a fantastic quote to get the conversation flowing (location 530 of 2454):

"They say that shoulder blades are where your wings were, when you were an angel," she said. "They say they're where your wings will grow again one day."

References

Almond, D. (1998). Skellig. New York, NY: Yearling.

Dollisch, P. A. (1999). [Review of the book, Skellig by David Almond] School Library Journal, 45

     (2), 104.

Vasilakis, N. (1999). [Review of the book, Skellig by David Almond] Horn Book Magazine, 75(3),

     26.

SLIS 5420, Module #5: Cosmic

Woo hoo! It's science fiction time everyone! And, I just can't get enough! Funnily, I'd previously read nearly every science fiction book on the reading list (because science fiction rocks!!!)... So, I had to branch out and try reading a book that I'd previously abandoned! Here's to second chances- yay! for Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce and yay! for Sci-Fi!!

Summary

Liam, a much taller-and-older-looking than your typical thirteen year-old boy (complete with facial hair) who is fascinated with travelling and theme parks, wins a "Once in a Lifetime!" trip to a new theme park- all he has to do is ask his super-busy dad to take him... Or, convince his friend from school, Florida, to join him in China, posing as his son... And, so, the out-of-this-world adventure begins!

Liam tells the tale of his theme-park adventure gone wrong from space (yes! space) as he is sure him and the other four passengers (all children, mind you) are lost in a far away galaxy forever. What begins as an innocent trip for fathers and sons/daughters to China, spirals quickly out of control when the lucky theme-park visitors realize their children are headed to space to become the first children "taikonauts." While this new development is exciting for some, Liam, posing as a father won't get the chance to head to space unless he can convince the mastermind-behind-it-all, Dr. Drax, to let him tag along.

After many humorous competitions, team-builders, and trainings, Liam, Florida, and the others head to space. Of course, Dr. Drax's fool-proof plan for sending minors to space with only one adult (who also happens to be a minor), goes terribly awry. But, with a little teamwork, video-gaming skills, and father-child love,  the space-travelers find their way successfully back to Earth and back in the arms of family members they love!

My thoughts

I'd originally recommended this book to one of my special needs students, as he has a fascination with the planets and outer-space. While I hadn't made time to finish the book myself (hence the abandonment statement from above), I thought Cosmic would be a great transfer from non-fiction to fiction for him since the topic included outer-space. Well, he ended up loving the book, I ended up finishing it, and I can't wait to get back to school to talk to him about it!

Two nice surprises came from the book: 1) I really enjoyed the brief mentions of fact and information. There are several sprinklings of the history of space-travel and it was fun to learn a bit about the influential players from the past. 2) The father-son and father-daughter relationships in the book are just too touching to not appreciate. The dynamics between both father-child pair in the book are classic, humorous, and heart-warming (and, don't get any ideas, they are not PERFECT! Just sweet!) :)

What have others said?

Here's a quote from School Library Journal (2011):

The story evolves slowly, emphasizing Liam's early misadventures and the problems that result based on adults' assumptions and his own immaturity. Kirby Heybome's first person narration captures both Liam's innocence and delight in the "opportunities" afforded him, and his regret at the later consequences. He also gives realistic performances as Liam's parents, other adults and children.

 And, from my favorite School Library Journal blogger, Fuse #8 (2010):

Fifteen years from now, I like to think, I’ll meet you again. And I’ll tell you to close your eyes. I’ll tell you to lean back. I’ll tell you to take a breath and to think. Think about a book about kids in space that is memorable, classic, and in the pubic consciousness. And maybe, just maybe, your eyes will flutter open and you’ll shoot me a pitying look of mild disgust as you say sarcastically, “Uh, like ‘Cosmic’? Hello?” That’s what I’m shooting for right now. Because as novels for kids go, Boyce has managed to write one that’s just the right mixture of fun and philosophy. Kids will love it and grown-ups will love to read it with them. Doesn’t matter how tall or short you are, because Cosmic is for you.

 If you haven't already, definitely check out Fuse #8's other reviews! You can read her whole review on Cosmic here:  http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2010/01/08/review-of-the-day-cosmic-by-frank-cottrell-boyce/ 

Some ideas for the library or classroom

Cosmic is for sure, without a doubt, a great pairing for informational non-fiction on space travel! I can see the display now... Cosmic on one easel and Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream, by Tanya Lee Stone on the neighboring stand...

One of my fellow SLIS 5420 classmates mentioned that she'd like to start a father/son and mother/daughter book club. I am not going to take credit for that idea, but I think Cosmic would be an awesome and fun book for boys and their Dads to read together.

As for the classroom, Cosmic would lead the way for some great conversations on fantasy versus reality- I can think of some great discussion starters:

• If you were given the opportunity to be one of the first children in space, would you go, even knowing the risks? Why or why not?
• Do you think Liam made the right decision by posing as Florida's dad and going to the theme park without his parents? Explain.
• Do you think children will ever go to space? Is the idea a good one? Is it possible?
• The United States goverment has stopped funding much space research and travel. Should space travel be a priority? Why?

Finally, like I mentioned earlier, Cosmic refers to many historical space missions and figures. It'd be fun to have students (or a class) keep track of all the mentions to history and complete mini-research projects on them after finishing the book.

Happy Reading!

References

Bird, E. (January 8^th, 2010). Review of the day: Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce. Message posted to http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2010/01/08/review-of-the-day-cosmic-by-frank-cottrell-boyce/

Boyce, F. C. (2008). Cosmic. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

Ching, E. (2011). [Review of the book, Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce]. School Library Journal, 57(7), 48. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?
vid=6&hid=106&sid=538d7066-abe6-405c-8f84-c32852eaafa1%40sessionmgr110

SLIS 5420, Module #4: Paper Towns

Some people's guilty pleasure is chocolate. For others, gambling. Mine? Young adult realistic fiction. There is so much depth in young adult realistic fiction- I love that each reader, young or old, can connect in so many different ways with teen fiction. Just ask my friends- I am not the only one that is a fan! So, when John Green appeared on this week's reading list, I was ecstatic! (If you haven't read Will Grayson, Will Grayson yet, you must!) This week, I chose one of the few of Green's works I haven't read yet, Paper Towns.

Summary

Quentin's senior year is shaping up to be a pretty uneventful year until one night, when his long time neighbor (and crush), Margo, appears at his window and invites him to join her on what ends up being the most exciting night of his life. Margo Roth Spiegelman is legendary- both in Quentin's mind and at school. And, when Margo finds out her boyfriend has cheated on her, she plans and designs a series of pranks that are just as legendary as her. Quentin joins Margo and the two spend the night pranking all involved in the cheating scandal. From stashing fish under car seats to spray painting M on windows, the night really is the best night of Quentin's life.

Just as things start looking up for Quentin (how couldn't things improve after spending the night hanging with Margo?), Margo disappears. While she's been known to take off for a few days, leaving "clues" for her parents to follow, she's never left this long before. Ironically, it appears as if Margo left a series of clues for Quentin to follow her path.

Quentin enlists the help of his two best friends, Ben and Radar, and the trio set off hot on the trail of Margo. But, when clues (such as a highlighted quote in an epic poem) start leading to dead ends and Margo continues to stay missing, Quentin sets out on an epic road trip (in lieu of graduating naked in his gown) with his friends. The boys (and Ben's new girlfriend, Lacey) soon find themselves chasing Margo's path and ultimately find her hiding out in an old barn outside of New York. But, while the group has found Margo, they soon learn that she actually wanted to remain hidden, proving that sometimes, you just have to follow your own path, not someone elses.

My thoughts

I love John Green. I love that his writing pushes the boundaries on teen literature and gets readers thinking about relationships and life all while providing an entertaining read. True to the other books I have read of Green's, Paper Towns is an enjoyable, quizzical, and provocative work. However, I couldn't help but feel like I'd read the book before... Interestingly, in an endnote, Green mentions that he found inspiration in Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, the book about Christopher McCandless' great Alaskan adventure. Despite similarities in tone, Paper Towns kept me happily reading (and clue hunting) until the very end.

What have others said?

From School Library Journal (2008):

Green's prose is astounding- from hilarious, hyperintellectual trash talk and shtick, to complex philosophizing, to devastating observation and truths. He nails it- exactly how a thing feels, looks, affects- page after page. The mystery of Margo- her disappearance and her personhood- is fascinating, cleverly constructed, and profoundly moving. Green builds tension through both the twists of the active plot and the gravitas of the subject. He skirts the stock of coming-of-age character are- Quentin's eventual bravery is not the revelation. Instead, the teen thinks deeper and harder-about the beautiful and terrifying ways we can and cannot know those we love. Less-sophisticated readers may get lost in Quentin's copious transcendental ruminations- give Paper Towns to your sharpest teens.

And, from Booklist (2008):

Yes, there are echoes of Green's award-winning Looking for Alaska (2006): a lovely, eccentric girl; a mystery that begs to be solved by clever, quirky teens; and telling quotations (from The Leaves of Grass, this time) beautifully integrated into the plot. Yet, if anything, the thematic stakes are higher here, as Green ponders the interconnectedness of imagination and perception, of mirrors and windows, of illusion and reality. That he brings it off is testimony to the fact that he is not only clever and wonderfully witty but also deeply thoughtful and insightful. In addition, he’s a superb stylist, with a voice perfectly matched to his amusing, illuminating material.

 

Some ideas for the classroom or library

First priority- book talks on Paper Towns and John Green's other books! Because of its mystery and the fun, over-the-top pranks, Paper Towns is a great candidate for a book talk with my older readers. All it will take is a quote or two, and I know several readers will be excited to read the book. Moreover, Paper Towns is a great "gateway book" to some of Green's deeper novels- I can see some of my high schoolers try his others after enjoying Paper Towns.  

Paper Towns will work great as a book for older readers to discuss in class- especially with the references to classic texts and unique topics ("paper towns" are neighborhoods have two interesting meanings). Paper Towns is a great recommendation for fans of Into the Wild; the opportunities for compare and contrast are abundant. Like Lewis alludes to in his review for School Library Journal, Paper Towns is deep (and a bit lengthy) so it's best suited for voracious readers as the text might be overwhelming to those not yet hooked on John Green.

References

Cart, M. (2008). [Review of the book, Paper Towns by John Green]. Booklist, 104(19/20), 79. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? vid=3&hid=106&sid=538d7066-abe6-405c-8f84-c32852eaafa1%40sessionmgr110

Green, J. (2008). Paper towns. New York, NY: Dutton Books.

Lewis, J. (2008). [Review of the book, Paper Towns by John Green]. School Library Journal, 54(10), 148. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?
vid=3&hid=106&sid=3a126bab-247d-4f57-b11d-62a6c4d947b1%40sessionmgr112

SLIS 5420, Module #4: Anything But Typical

This week's reading: realistic fiction! Yay! Woo Hoo!! I love reading realistic fiction- there is just something about realistic stories and realistic characters that I connect with. Realistic fiction provides readers with insight about people they can relate to and characters that might be new to them. This week's favorite: Anything But Typcial by Nora Raleigh Baskin. The book, about a young boy with austism, won the Schneider Family Book Award in 2010 and won my heart, too.

Summary

In Anything But Typical, readers meet Jason, a 12 year-old boy with ASD (autistic spectrum disorder). Jason narrates Anything But Typical, illustrating for readers his 6th grade school year, the trials and tribulations that come along with being a pre-teen and the unique challenges that come with being different from his peers.

In the beginning of Anything But Typical, Jason has just started attending class with neurotypical (NTs) students all day long, without his beloved one-on-one aid. While Jason struggles to adjust at school (which is made more difficult due to his lack of friendships), Jason thrives on the computer. He doesn't talk much, but finds he can easily express himself through creative writing.

Jason has a favorite website, Storyboard, a creative writing site particularly popular with fan-fiction writers, and even posts some of his stories, too. One of Jason's pieces catches the attention of PhoenixBird. Soon, Jason and PhoenixBird (a girl!) begin sharing daily emails and Jason begins to consider her his "girlfriend."

While things are going well on Storyboard, Jason's homelife is a bit complicated. Jason's parents are loving and supportive, but also become openly frustrated with his lack of speech and his inabilty to show emotions like his brother, Jeremy. Jason knows his mom struggles with his condition and wants her to know that he loves her, but finds it difficult to communicate that to her. So, when Jason's parents surprise him with a trip to Storyboard's national convention, he is extremely happy and things just couldn't get any better. But, when Jason learns that PhoenixBird will be attending the conference and is looking forward to meeting him, Jason becomes fearful that PhoenixBird won't accept him if they meet in person.

In an honest and heart-wrenching conclusion, readers watch as PhoenixBird and Jason meet, which true to Jason's fears, doesn't go well. However, Jason's trip to the Storyboard convention doesn't end in failure; he attends an inspirational session on writing and does some special relationship building with his mom. Anything But Typcial ends as Jason and readers begin to realize Jason's disablities might not make him typical, but sometimes, it might be better to be anything but.

My thoughts

As I read Anything But Typcial, I felt like Jason and his story were real. Even though he struggles to share his feelings with his family, I could feel what he was feeling. It is a special thing when an author can communicate to readers the feelings of a fictional character and even more special when a writer can share the feelings of  a child with disabilities in such a real way.

Currently, I work with two students on the autism spectrum. As I read Anything But Typical, I couldn't help but think about them. Is life as different for my two students as life is for Jason?

Even more than thinking about my two students, I thought about just how relatable Jason is for every middle school student. Every young person struggles with what they are feeling and how to communicate their feelings in one way or another, and Jason shows readers that its okay to be that way.

What have others said?

From Booklist (2009):

With stunning economy, Baskin describes Jason’s attempts to interpret body language and social expectations, revealing the extreme disconnect created by his internalization of the world around him. Despite his handicap, Jason moves through his failures and triumphs with the same depth of courage and confusion of any boy his age. His story, while neither particularly heartbreaking nor heartwarming, shows that the distinction between “normal” and “not normal” is whisper-thin but easily amplified to create the chasm between "different" and "defective." This is an enormously difficult subject, but Baskin, without dramtics or sentimentality, makes it universal. As Jason explains, there's really only one kind fo plot: "Stuff happens. That's it."

And, from School Library Journal (2009):

While humor resonates throughout the book, the pathos of Jason's situation is never far from readers' consciousness. If only he could act on what he knows he needs to do, his life would be so much easier. Jason also shows himself to be a deep thinker and an excellent writer. Through his stories and thinly veiled fictional characters, Baskin reveals not only the obstacles that Jason faces, but also his fierce determination to be himself at all costs. Jason is a believable and empathetic character in spite of his idiosyncrasies. Baskin also does a superb job of developing his parents and younger brother as real people with real problems, bravely traversing their lives with a differently abled child without a road map, but with a great deal of love.

Some ideas for the classroom or library:

I haven't heard of the Schneider Family Book Award before reading Anything But Typical, but I can't wait to find out more now! The award winners would make a great display to promote in the library, especially given how our school's population of students with disabilities is growing. So often, we talk about tolerence in terms of race and ethnicity, but not in terms of special needs. Promoting books about special populations in the library will help create awareness and an appreciation for all types of unique differences.

The 5th graders usually read Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key as their first read-aloud. Anything But Typical will make a great paired text. Students can read the book independently or in literature circles. Students can compare and contrast Joey and Jason; both characters have similar stories, but Joey is presented in a much more humorous way than Jason. Even if students don't elect to read all of Anything But Typical, there are several chapters that will work well as read alouds for discussion. I'd love to see how students respond to the end of the book where Jason and PhoenixBird meet for the first time in person- the meeting would make for a great discussion topic and as an essay prompt (an especially powerful prompt would include students using the text to support thier ideas with evidence). Finally,  Baskin addresses several different labels for autism in the text- all of which would make for great topics to conduct simple Internet research about.

References



Baskin, N. R. (2009). Anything but typical. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young

Readers.

Chipman, I. (2009). [Review of the book, Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh]. Booklist, 105(11), 40. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewervid=4&hid=106&sid=538d7066-abe6-405c-8f84-c32852eaafa1%40sessionmgr110

Smith-D'Arezzo, W. (2009). [Review of the book, Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh]. School Library Journal, 55(3), 141. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=106&sid=538d7066-abe6-405c-8f84-c32852eaafa1%40sessionmgr110

SLIS 5420, Module #3: Ninth Ward

This week's genre: Award Winners! Let's start with the 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor book, Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes.

Summary
In the beginning of Ninth Ward, readers meet the narrator, Lanesha, and learn right away she is very special. Lanesha is unique for several reasons, one being she sees the spirits of those passed on, another being that she lives with her adopted grandmother, Ninth Ward's old midwife, Mama Ya-Ya.

Lanesha narrates her story of living in the Ninth Ward pre and post Hurricane Katrina, from just days before when Mama Ya-Ya starts sensing danger unlike troubles she's ever known to actually experiencing Katrina's wrath and the days of flooding that follow after. Perhaps what makes Ninth Ward so special, however, is the kindness Lanesha shows to TaShon, a boy from her neighborhood that has always been the "quiet-type" until the two meet up after TaShon saves a stray dog, Spot, from some neighborhood bullies.

As the news stations begin to report that a hurricane is brewing, and Mama Ya-Ya gets more and more distressed, Lanesha begins to prepare for a storm. Her neighbors begin to evacuate and some head to the Superdome and it becomes more and more apparent to Lanesha that Mama Ya-Ya needs Lanesha more than she needs Mama Ya-Ya.

Lanesha's narrates the night of the hurricane in chilling detail, but its not until the next day when TaShon shows up after losing his parents and Mama Ya-Ya becomes even more ill, that life for Lanesha will never be the same. As the flood water begins to raise to drastically high levels, Lanesha must remain strong for her friends, family, and the spirits around her.

My thoughts
I recently recommended Ninth Ward to one of my students that is a Katrina Evacuee. She was looking for a shorter book that represented her culture and I knew the book was perfect for her. What I didn't expect was for her to come back to the library the very next day, raving about the book and inquiring where she could get a copy of her own. The book seemed to have touched her in a special way that I haven't seen before- I knew then that I'd have to read the book for myself.

Ninth Ward brought up a lot of memories from Hurricane Katrina. While I wasn't in New Orleans during the storm, I'd just moved from Seattle to Houston and knew nothing of hurricanes, let alone the disaster that was Katrina. Ninth Ward's narrative, almost poetic, style touched me, shocked me, and has left behind a special place in my heart for Lanesha, Spot, and TaShon.

What have others said?

From School Library Journal (2010):

Lanesha is a wonderful character who exudes resilience and fortitude in the face of a catastrophe as well as a personal vulnerability in terms of her status as an orphan and an outsider. Words, numbers, and colors as seen through her eyes show

the magic and wonder that exist in everyday things. The unique writing style even

allows the unlikely combination of elderly Mama Ya-Ya's heady scents of Vicks Vapor Rub and Evening in Paris perfume to seem wonderful and inviting.

And, from Kirkus Reviews (2010):

Born with a caul, 12-year-old Lanesha can see and sometimes communicate with spirits, and her guardian, former midwife Mama Ya-Ya, has dreams and visions that foretell the future. Their exquisitely happy, though poor, life in the New Orleans Ninth Ward is disrupted by news of a powerful storm approaching. Mama Ya-Ya knows it will get bad, but she has no means to get Lanesha out of the city. Knowing she herself will soon die, Mama Ya-Ya decides to wager that Lanesha's talents, both her supernatural skills and her more commonplace pluck and creativity, will see the young girl and her friend TaShon through Hurricane Katrina safely. The two children must confront not only the intense storm and Mama Ya-Ya's death but rapidly rising flood waters to survive. Rhodes's characters are likable and her story gripping. Unfortunately, though, romanticized depictions such as this one threaten to undermine our collective sense of the true plight of pre- and post-Katrina Ninth Ward residents. A good title for discussion when balanced with historical accounts of Katrina and her aftermath.

And, another thought from me:

After reading the thoughts from Kirkus Reviews, I have to admit, I was a bit shocked that the reviewer felt the book "...threaten[ed] to undermine our collective sense of the true plight of pre- and post-Katrina Ninth Ward residents." True, I think Ninth Ward does paint a hopeful and slightly-less-intense version of the Ninth Ward, but above all, I think it's important that we recognize and remember the disaster that was Katrina. And, I think Ninth Ward will truly help us remember not to forget.

Some ideas for the library or classroom
I have several students in mind whom I will recommend Ninth Ward to when school starts again. I've ordered another copy to ensure that it gets in as many hands as possible. Furthermore, after learning about several award-winning books this semester, I am excited to promote award winners more in the library. The Coretta Scott King awards winners (and honor recipients) are a must on my list of awards to begin promoting in the library.

As for the classroom, Ninth Ward lends itself to narrative and descriptive writing very well. There are several powerful excerpts that can be read aloud and discussed before students begin writing their own personal narratives. The book will also work well in a Civics classroom or Current Events unit, particularly when discussing the events of Katrina and the unrest that ensued.

References

Auguste, M. (2010). [Review of the book, Ninth ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes]. School Library Journal, 56(8), 110-110.

Ninth ward. (2010). [Review of the book, Ninth ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes]. Kirkus Reviews,

(14), 682-682.

Rhodes, Jewell Parker. (2010). Ninth Ward. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

SLIS 5420, Module #3: Dead End in Norvelt

Every year, when the Newbery winners come out, I get so excited! I cried and cried after reading 2010's winner, When You Reach Me and while, admittedly, I haven't loved every Newbery winner, I love Jack Gantos, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on Dead End in Norvelt. Cheers to 2012's winner!

Summary

It's 1962 and after getting grounded for the entire summer (!) for shooting off his dad's Japanese war rifle, young Jack (aka the author, Jack Gantos), will do just about anything he can to get out of the house.

He quickly comes to the rescue of Norvelt's medical-examiner-and-obituary-columnist old Mrs. Volker. While she may be too old to type up the obits, Mrs. Volker is one of the last standing original Norvelter's and she's made a promise to the great lady Eleanor Roosevelt to stay in town until all of the founding elders pass on. Jack serves as Mrs. Volker's "boyfriend," going on deliveries, typing up obituaries, and even driving Mrs. Volker's car.

Despite being grounded, missing out on baseball games, and digging a "bomb shelter" (aka runway) for his dad, Jack's summer is full of action. From solving a mystery of why Norvelt's old ladies start dropping like flies, to stopping his [massive, gushing, extremely bloody, sporadic and anxiety-driven] bloody noses, Jack proves that Norvelt isn't just a "dying town," but a friendly community of lively folk in need of a little less rat poison...

My Thoughts

Gosh, I sure have read about death and dying a lot recently! Good news, Dead End in Norvelt takes a humorous point of view of death and dying... Which is a much needed break from all of the serious stuff I have been reading! I didn't find the book nearly as gory as the reviewers below, but I can certainly see why this is a "boy's book" through and through.

I can see why the Newbery commitee chose Dead End in Norvelt as a winning book: it is charming, funny, nostalgic tale of small towns and growing up.
Here are a few of my favorite quotes (I have to share them here because Colin keeps getting irritated by how much I've stopped and read from the book!):

A timeless example of how hunting can be, well, a bit stinky (location 924 of 4010):

He kept his eye pressed against the sight as he tracked the deer between the crisscrossing tree trunks, and all I could think about was my twitching sphincter. I was trying to open it just a tiny bit so a whisper-thin stream of gas would noiselessly escape into the air and stealthily warn the deer without Dad knowing it was me.

And, who doesn't like a bit of blood and drama before the first chapter is even finished?? (location 122 of 4010):

I tasted blood. "Oh cheeze!" I shouted. "I've been shot in the mouth!"

With the dish towel clutched in her hand, she pressed it against my forehead.

"Am I dying?" I blubbered. "Is there a hole in my head?Am I breathing?"

"It's just your nose problem!" She said exasperated. "Your dang bloody nose!" 

What have others said?
Here is a review from Kirkus Reviews (2011):

An exhilarating summer marked by death, gore and fire sparks deep thoughts in a small-town lad not uncoincidentally named "Jack Gantos."

The gore is all Jack's, which to his continuing embarrassment "would spray out of my nose holes like dragon flames" whenever anything exciting or upsetting happens. And that would be on every other page, seemingly, as even though Jack's feuding parents unite to ground him for the summer after several mishaps, he does get out. He mixes with the undertaker's daughter, a band of Hell's Angels out to exact fiery revenge for a member flattened in town by a truck and, especially, with arthritic neighbor Miss Volker, for whom he furnishes the "hired hands" that transcribe what becomes a series of impassioned obituaries for the local paper as elderly town residents suddenly begin passing on in rapid succession. Eventually the unusual body count draws the-justified, as it turns out-attention of the police. Ultimately, the obits and the many Landmark Books that Jack reads (this is 1962) in his hours of confinement all combine in his head to broaden his perspective about both history in general and the slow decline his own town is experiencing.

And, a quote from Publishers Weekly (2011):

Gore is a Gantos hallmark but the squeamish are forewarned that Jackie spends much of the book with blood pouring down his face and has a run-in with home cauterization. Gradually, Jackie learns to face death and his fears straight on while absorbing Miss Volker's theories about the importance of knowing history. "The reason you remind
yourself of the stupid stuff you've done in he past is so you don't do it again."

Some ideas for the library or the classroom

Dead End in Norvelt is a must-read-aloud for all 5th and 6th grade classrooms! There are several arguments I could make here for why this book is perfect for a read-aloud, but I will just name a few:

1) Historical fiction at it's best, there are countless historical references throughout the text! In Texas, we study US History in 5th grade and this would be an ideal paring for late in the year. Jack's father is obsessed, and quite frankly a bit scarred, from the war and discussing his character would be a good way to start talking about war, soldiers, and veterans. Life for Jack in Norvelt could easily be compared and contrasted to life today. Also, Jack reads several history texts and Mrs. Norvelt ties each of her obituaries to an important day in history- both lend themselves well to further classroom research.

2) The book is HILARIOUS! I won't get over the passing-gas-while-hunting chapter for a long, long time! And, Jack's mom thinks she's killed all of the old ladies in town with her cooking! Sweet!

3) Talk about figurative language! Dead End in Norvelt is jam-packed to the brim with fun metaphors and similes! Yay!

"It was as if she could preserve her anger and store it in a glass jar next to the hot horseradish and yellow beans and corn chowchow she kept in the dank basement pantry," (location 822 of 4010).

"Miss Volker's yellow house which was glowing under the morning sun as if it had been carved out of melting butter," (location 1117 of 4010).

"I felt as if I were trapped inside that house, as if I couldn't escape the broiling walls- as if my life and the life of that house were burning down together," (location 2214 of 4010).

Oh! And, one more thing...

Please read the book for yourself! I want everyone to fall in love with Jack just as I have!

References

Dead end in norvelt. (2011). [Review of the book, Dead end in norvelt by Jack Gantos]. Publishers Weekly, 258(30), 54-55. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2103/login.aspx?direct=true&db=brd&AN=503015704&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Dead end in norvelt. (2011). [Review of the book, Dead end in norvelt by Jack Gantos]. Kirkus Reviews, 79(16), 1466-1466. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2103/login.aspx?direct=true&db=brd&AN=65258786&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Gantos, Jack. (2011). Dead end in norvelt. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.