Week 10: The Things They Carried

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 Book Summary:

The Things They Carried is a book that focuses mainly on the experiences of several characters involved with the Vietnam War, especially the fictionalized version of the author himself. In a school setting, it would better be suited for grades 9-12. It is an unconventional book in that their experiences of this war are not simply being told by relating the facts. Each chapter is an expression of the horror or challenge each character perceived. For example, the title chapter, "The Things They Carried," is concerned with the burdens of a soldier - both physical and mental. "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Ba" is most likely a lie one soldier is telling the others about his girlfriend. "The Man I Killed" is a chapter dealing with how one's trauma at seeing his first victim and deals with it by staring at the corpse and fantasizing about the victims life with great empathy -- what his life was like back home and what it would have been like had he lived. The book intentionally confuses borders -- distinctions between fact and fiction, autobiography and novel, memory and fantasy, right and wrong -- just as the Vietnam War raised such confusion. This ambiguous spirit of the book is captured in the chapter, "How to Tell a True War Story," when the narrator writes:

            A true war story is never moral. It does not instruct, nor encourage virtue, nor suggest 

models of proper human behavior, nor restrain men from doing the things men have always done. If a story seems moral, do not believe it. If at the end of a war story you feel uplifted, or if you feel that some small bit of rectitude has been salvaged from the larger waste, then you have been made the victim of a very old and terrible lie.

(O’Brien, 1990, p. 65).

APA Reference:

O’Brien, T. (1990). The things they carried. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

My Impressions:

My impressions of this book/novel/collection of short stories/memoir is that war is hell, not only for the actual death and destruction that it brings, but also the psychological devastation it presents to young men who are still boys in many ways. It is somewhat confusing in places, due to its genre(s), the lack of a continuous plot throughout the book, ambiguous nature of what is true, etc. If one wishes to read a novel about war, he or she might be disappointed if the expectation is that it should be a coherent story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and a consistent narrator, and a clear sense of what is real and what is fantasy, what is truth and what is a lie. On the other hand, if you do not expect the traditional conventions of a novel, or autobiography, etc., and trust the author to express himself in a unique (and in this case, quite poetic way), then you will likely be as moved as I was. Relating the facts of the Vietnam War, after all, is not enough to express the deeper experiences these young men had. There were times the mother instinct in me wanted to tell them that everything would be okay, which would also be a lie. I believe this book will likely make a bigger impact on male readers than on female readers, however, as most of the main characters are young men behaving in distinctly male ways, and this may limit its audience somewhat. All in all, I consider The Things They Carried essential reading for anyone wanting to know the deeper "truths" of that era in American history.

Professional Review:

“Winner of a National Book Award in 1979 for Going After Cacciato ( LJ 12/15/77), O'Brien again shows his literary stuff with this brilliant collection of short stories, many of which have won literary recognition (several appeared in O. Henry Awards' collections and Best American Short Stories ). Each of the 22 tales relates the exploits and personalities of a fictional platoon of American soldiers in Vietnam. An acutely painful reading experience, this collection should be read as a book and not a mere selection of stories reprinted from magazines. Not since Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse - Five ( LJ 3/1/69) has the American soldier been portrayed with such poignance and sincerity. Literary Guild featured alternate. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 11/15/89.”

Review Reference:

Annichiarico, M. (1990, February 15). [Review of the book The things they carried, by

T. O’Brien]. Library Journal, 115(3), 212. Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 9-12

This book could be a part of a Memorial Day display to honor all the Veterans of wars. It would be set up during April on order to give students time to check out the book before school is out. Also, there could be some veteran guest speakers to speak to the English classes on a particular day coinciding with the display setup.

This book could be an inspiration for a photography contest. Students could take photographs honoring friends or family members that are veterans. They could photograph them in any way the veteran would be comfortable, in a uniform, or not. They could put a caption under the photo detailing their time and location(s) of their service to our country. The library could group the photos on a wall to honor all the veterans.

Week 10: Smile

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Book Summary:

This graphic novel is about Raina and her struggles through adolescence. The story begins with Raina falling down and knocking out some of her front teeth in 6^th grade. She goes through many dental procedures over the next several years. During this time, she is also experiencing a normal teenage life. She struggles with friendships, boyfriends, feeling inadequate, looking uncool, and many other issues. She does eventually find a group of good friends and does end up feeling more confident, with her smile and her life. Older children could also enjoy this book because of the relatable content but the focus ages are grades 3-7.

APA Reference:

Telgemeier, R. (2010). Smile. New York, NY: Graphix.

My Impressions:

I really liked this book. It features many situations that children, especially pre-adolescent and adolescent children, can relate to. It probably makes them feel like they are not alone in feeling inferior, because Raina feels that way, too. I remember feeling this way, too as a pre-teen and teen. This would have been a good book to have at the time. I could have found a lot of comfort in reading it when I struggled through similar times. These kinds of books are invaluable for children. The graphics are also a very important part of this book. Stephanie Yue and her use of color really brings life to these scenarios. Children can surely relate even more to this book because they are able to see the scenes of her life play out. They can see the expressions on Raina’s face. One of my favorite parts that I can especially relate to because I went through a similar situation, is when Raina gets “pantsed” by her so called “friends.” This is wear they pull her pants down in front of other classmates. After this, she finally pops…she just can’t take anymore disrespect from her so-called friends. She stands up to her “friends” and says enough is enough. She has taken all of their bullying and decides to take away their power by standing up to them. All in all, this is an excellent book for upper elementary school and middle school students and it just must be a part of every library collection.     

  

Professional Review:

“Gr 5 Up--When she was in sixth grade, Telgemeier tripped while running and lost her two front teeth. In the years that followed, she went through a torturous series of dental surgeries and repairs, the trauma of which was mirrored by the social struggles she experienced during her adolescence. A minor complaint is that there is no mention of when all of this took place, and readers may be puzzled by seeming anachronisms such as old-school Nintendo games. Telgemeier's full-color artwork is confident and light, and her storytelling is appropriately paced. This straightforward and entertaining autobiographical comic is sure to please.”

Review Reference:

Davey, D. (2010, March 1). [Review of the book Smile, by R. Telgemeier]. School Library

            Journal, 56(3), 186. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 4-7

This book would be a good book for a book club meeting with the theme “Self-esteem.” Many children struggle with feeling like they look awkward. They also feel inadequate sometimes compared to others in school. The librarian and students could have a discussion at the book club about their similar experiences and any advice they would give Raina.

This book would be a good inspiration for a bookmark contest. The students could draw, illustrate, and put captions if they want on their bookmark. They could use a smile and dress it up anyway they want. The winner would get a bookstore gift card and the library would make copies of the winning bookmark to distribute to patrons, including the winning artist’s name.

Week 9: Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings

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Book Summary:

This is a book of poems and paintings with a celestial and space theme. The title says it all.

Doug Florian is the author and illustrator. He uses collage, cutout pages, stamps, and brushstokes that give a very attractive backdrop for his poems. He has included poems on the planets, the sky, and the whole universe, too. He even includes a glossary at the end so the reader can learn more about the subject in each poem. While some of these terms are more complicated, the poems and paintings are well suited for children in grades 3-5.  

 

APA Reference:

Florian, D. (2007). Comets, stars, the moon, and Mars: Space poems and paintings.

            Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc.

My Impressions:

I really enjoyed these poems and paintings. This artist/author is very talented. I loved the texture his brushstroke technique created on the pages. I also loved the collage elements and the cutouts he included (or should I say, excluded) in this work of art. I thought his definitions were accurate and that a child in grades 3-5 really could understand them in poem form. I especially liked the “Universe” poem and artwork. The blue is so blue, it makes me smile. Also, I liked the way he wrote the “Galaxy” poem in a spiral shape. Those kinds of details will really attract children to his paintings and his poetry. In addition, as a teacher, I really was impressed that he took the time to research and include a glossary for the reader to learn more about the subjects in the poems (like the black hole and the solar system). The terms can be a little complicated for a younger reader, but with the help of a teacher, librarian, or parent, they can really learn more about the universe. Last but not least, his personality shines through on the book jacket. Instead of putting a picture of himself along with a quick bio, he painted a picture of himself as an alien. I am still laughing and marveling at his talent and am excited for young readers to get a hold of this book.

Professional Review:

“This large-format book looks at astronomy through the magnifying, clarifying lens of poetry. Each broad double-page spread features a short, accessible poem about a subject such as the sun, each of its planets, a comet, a constellation, or the universe, set within an impressive painting. A concrete poem entitled "a galaxy" is a curling spiral of words set against the midnight-blue sky and surrounded by other galaxies. Stamped type, cutout pages, collage elements with printed papers, and sweeping brushstrokes all figure prominently in the expressive collage artwork, which ably illustrates the verse. The last pages carry "A Galactic Glossary" with a paragraph on the topic of each poem, followed by a list of books and Web sites. Florian's ode to Pluto matter-of-factly notes its demoted status, but even better is his pithy poem on Jupiter: "Jupiter's jumbo, / Gigantic, / Immense, / So wide / Side to side, / But gaseous, not dense. / With some sixteen moons / It's plainly prolific-- / So super-dupiter / Jupiterrific!" Read this aloud. Carolyn Phelan”

Review Reference:

Phelan, C. (2007, April 1). [Review of the book Comets, stars, the moon, and Mars: Space

            poems and paintings, by D. Florian]. Booklist, 103(15), 50. Retrieved from

http://www.booklistonline.com/  

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 3-5

This book would be a great addition to a display of books on space and all things celestial.

This book would be a great supplement for the teachers when doing their space unit. The librarian could go in at the beginning of the unit and read some of the poems and show the pictures to get them excited about the unit and poetry.

Week 9: All the Broken Pieces

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Book Summary:

This is a novel written in verse. It is poetic but often reads more like prose. The main character is Matt, a half Vietnamese and half American 12 year old boy. He has been adopted by a wonderfully supportive family in the U.S. He left behind a mom and younger brother in Vietnam that he cannot forget. He also cannot forgive his (natural) American father for leaving him and his mom there in Vietnam. They all three haunt him, daily. Matt struggles through many challenges of being ashamed and shamed for being Vietnamese. There are children that tease him because of it. One kid, Rob, even calls him frog-face. When he joins the baseball team and has to deal with this boy, they find out they have more in common than they think. Can they come to an understanding and find real friendship? Will Matt be able to open up about his Vietnam past? This is an emotional and historically poignant book for middle school children. The target ages for this book are grades 6-8.

APA Reference:

Burg, A. E. (2009). All the broken pieces. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

My Impressions:

I really enjoyed this book even though it was a little sad at times. I loved the verse Burg used in this novel. It might really interest students to read a book organized in this manner. Also, it’s like reading poetry that one can actually understand. It is a tough subject but I think many middle school children could handle it and would enjoy learning more about another culture and a time in history. It is a touching story. One of my favorite parts, because of the language, is when Matt is describing his two brothers; the American one and the crippled, Vietnamese one. He describes his Vietnamese one as he does himself, “Fall.” The Vietnamese are darker (generally) and are from darker places. When he describes his American brother though, he calls him “Summer.” This is because he has blonde hair and a smiley face…he’s from a brighter place. Matt struggles with feeling abandoned by his mom because she sent him away. It made me tear up a bit when he was talking about this in the book. I am glad he later found out she was only trying to give him a chance at a “real” life by sending him to the States. I felt uplifted when he finally made peace with Rob (the one who always blames him for his brother’s death) and for finding peace within himself. I would recommend this to my students to get some experience with verse and with reading about a historical fiction-type book.     

  

Professional Review:

“Gr 6-8-- In 1977, 12-year-old Matt Pin lives a fractured life. He is the son of a Vietnamese woman and an American soldier and was airlifted to safety from the war zone. Adopted by a caring American couple, he has vivid and horrific memories of the war and worries about the fates of his mother and badly injured little brother. Matt's adoptive family adores him, and he is the star pitcher for his middle school baseball team, but there are those who see his face and blame him for the deaths of the young men they lost in the war. The fractured theme runs the course of this short novel in verse: Matt's family, the bodies and hearts of the Vietnam vets, the country that is "only a pocketful of broken pieces" that Matt carries inside him. Ultimately, everything broken is revealed as nonetheless valuable. While most of the selections read less like poems and more like simple prose, the story is a lovely, moving one. Use this in a history class or paired with Katherine Applegate's Home of the Brave (Feiwel & Friends, 2007).”

Review Reference:

Campbell, H. M. (2009, May 1). [Review of the book All the broken pieces, by A. E. Burg].

School Library Journal, 55(5), 101. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 6-8

This could be a part of a display to remember war veterans. It could be set up in April so the students would have a chance to read it before Memorial Day.

This book could be used as a social studies supplement when the students are studying past wars.

The librarian could even visit the classroom and read excerpts from it when they study Vietnam.

Week 8: Junie B., First Grader (at last!)

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Book Summary:

This is another great Junie B. Jones series book. But this time, she is going to first grade! First grade should be great, right? Well, Junie is off to a rough start. Her bestest friend from last year trades her in for two newer models, her teacher is kind of scary, the chalkboard looks a little blurry, she has to deal with annoying May, and she has to miss recess to write in a big, dumb journal. These are just some of the struggles she will have to go through in these first days of first grade. The words of Barbara Park and illustrations of Denise Brunkus, come together to create another hilarious Junie B. book. The target grades for this book are 1-3.   

APA Reference:

Park, B. (2001). Junie B., first grader (at last!). New York, NY: Random House.

My Impressions:

I actually really enjoy Junie B. Jones books. When I first read one with my daughter when she was much younger, I was a little apprehensive. Her grammar and spelling are, like most kindergarteners or 1^st graders, in need of some revisions. I got over that really quick, though, after laughing so hard at Junie’s silly antics and funny made up words and seeing how engaged my daughter was by it. This featured book has many funny moments just like the others. One I like the best is when she is writing in her journal about having to copy sentences from the board from Mr. Scary (her teacher). She says, “I do not actually approve of this” (Park, 2001, p. 39). This just shows that her character hasn’t changed a bit. She is sassy sometimes but so funny you forgive her. I think any book that can grab and keep a reader’s attention has to be worthy of being in a school library. In light of this, these series books would be great to use with reluctant or struggling readers.  

Professional Review:

“Gr 1-3 --While first grade offers a whole year of exciting possibilities for Junie B., things get off to a confusing start. Feeling tentative about her new teacher, she renames him Mr. Scary. Her last year's best friend now has two new best friends and her old bus pal has a new buddy. Then, Junie's teacher discovers that she needs glasses. Now that is something to worry about. "What if Room One laughs their head off at me? What if I look like a goonie bird and no one wants to be my friend?" However, her classmates, who already agree that twins with rhyming names, a boy with a spiky gel hairdo, and bilingual Jose are fascinating, determine that Junie B. and her purple glasses are definitely cool. As always, Park is in touch with what the kids know and how they feel. A satisfying read, especially for fans.”

Review Reference:

Pearce, S. R., Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Larkins, J.

(2002, January 1). [Review of the book Junie B., first grader (at last!), by B. Park].

School Library Journal, 48(1), 108. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 1-3

This book would be good to use with reading buddies. The librarian could oversee the kindergarten or first grader meeting with the older (4^th or 5^th grade) reading buddy. It is a funny book and easy enough for the buddy to read to (or with) the younger reader. It would surely grab the emerging reader and keep her interested in reading forever.

Week 8: Cam Jansen and the Birthday Mystery

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 Book Summary:

Cam is a young detective that is very skilled at what she does. She has a special gift; a photographic memory. This helps her solve crimes and mysteries that many others cannot. In this volume, Cam has thrown a surprise birthday party for her parents but their partying is cut short. Her grandparents call from the airport in a fright and say they have been robbed. Much to Cam’s dad’s dismay, Cam insists on going and helping to solve the crime. Cam will use her special skills to find the culprit and get her grandparents’ things returned. She surely has impressed everyone, especially the police officers who could not solve the crime. This is part of a series of mystery books and they are all well suited for grades 2-4. 

APA Reference:

Adler, D. A. (2000). Cam Jansen and the birthday mystery. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

My Impressions:

I really liked this mystery book. It was nice and short, just the right length for children in younger elementary grades. Children generally love mystery books and ones that they can read without too much difficulty. It encourages them to keep on reading and practicing their reading skills. Mystery books are a very important part of a school library. It is one of the youth’s favorite genres, boys and girls alike. This book series is appropriate for girls and boys but I love the fact that Cam is a girl detective. It gives girls a good, smart role model to read about. I liked the way Cam used her natural gift of a photographic memory to later realize where the criminal was. I also like the way she says, “click” when she is wanting to remember a scene. Much like these mystery books, I loved the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Mystery books when I was this age. It really did get me excited about reading. I know these Cam mysteries will do the same for kids these days. This would be a great book (and books series) to have in any school library.  

  

Professional Review:

“Gr. 2-4. In this beginning chapter book, the twentieth in the Cam Jansen series, Cam throws a surprise birthday party for her parents. An even bigger surprise comes when her grandparents call from the airport to ask for help in recovering their luggage and parcels, which a man has just stolen. Police and parents bumble about, well meaning but ineffective, but Cam's photographic memory provides a clue that leads to the thief's arrest. Though the plot relies on coincidence (Cam's dad happens to park next to the van where the thief has stashed the stolen goods), series fans will enjoy seeing their heroine triumph once again. Susanna Natti's cheerful ink drawings appear throughout the book. For larger collections.”

Review Reference:

Phelan, C. (2000, November 1). [Review of the book Cam Jansen and the birthday mystery,

            by D. A. Adler]. Booklist, 97(5), 536. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/  

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 2 through 4

This book would be great to include in a “Mysteries” themed book trailer.

This book would be a great one to use with reluctant or struggling readers. It is shorter but still has chapters so they can feel a sense of accomplishment when they have completed it. Along the way, the teacher and librarian can ask predicting questions to see what the student(s) think will come next.

Week 7: Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow

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 Book Summary:

This informational book tells how Hitler and the Third Reich used the German youth to build a motivated and dedicated army of the future. This book follows the lives of many German Nazi youth and also many Jewish families. The Hitler youth for the most part did what they were told and did not question the Nazi party. The Jews were persecuted and many perished in death camps. Later, many Nazi youth claimed they did not really know Hitler was using these death camps and they were horrified at learning the truth. Were they brainwashed or were they just ignoring a real truth that was put in front of their faces everyday? Regardless, the author uses many stories and photographs to convey the real “truth” as many saw it. She received an award for Excellence in Research while in her Ph.D. program. She used many sources in this book from personal accounts and diaries to National Archive documents. This book was a Newbery Medal Honor book, a Sibert Medal Honor book, and also earned several other awards. The target grades for this book are 7-12.     

APA Reference:

Bartoletti, S. C. (2005). Hitler youth: Growing up in Hitler’s shadow. New York, NY:

Scholastic Nonfiction.

My Impressions:

This was a great informational book about Hitler’s Germany. There were many things I learned that I did not really know before. For example, I did not know the youth were so dedicated (and possibly brainwashed) that they would turn in their own parents to the Nazi police if they were not devout Hitler followers. I did not know that each youth (of acceptable heritage) had to serve Germany for one full year when they turned 18. I really appreciate the research the author did for this book to make sure is portayed an accurate telling of the Hitler youth and of Nazi Germany. She also has an extensive bibliography at the end of the book so the reader can see exactly where she retrieved her information. That is very important in a book like this. Even though I knew quite a lot about the events surrounding the Holocaust, it is still chilling to realize a nation can commit mass genocide against some of their own. It’s truly unbelievable. One of my favorite parts that I did not know occurred right after the war was over. The American soldiers took the Hitler youth to visit the liberated Dachau death camp. One of the Hitler youth realized those “rumors” of using crematoriums to exterminate the Jews, was no rumor. Those memories will live with the Hitler youth forever. Because of the great historical knowledge and accuracy in this book, it would be great to use with social studies’ classes on lessons related to WWII or the Holocaust, etc. Even though it was a sad time in history, Bartoletti does the Jewish people some justice by telling the truth in her pictures and with her words.

  

Professional Review:

 “Gr 5-8-- Hitler's plans for the future of Germany relied significantly on its young people, and this excellent history shows how he attempted to carry out his mission with the establishment of the Hitler Youth, or Hitlerjugend, in 1926. With a focus on the years between 1933 and the end of the war in 1945, Bartoletti explains the roles that millions of boys and girls unwittingly played in the horrors of the Third Reich. The book is structured around 12 young individuals and their experiences, which clearly demonstrate how they were victims of leaders who took advantage of their innocence and enthusiasm for evil means. Their stories evolve from patriotic devotion to Hitler and zeal to join, to doubt, confusion, and disillusion. (An epilogue adds a powerful what-became-of-them relevance.) The large period photographs are a primary component and they include Nazi propaganda showing happy and healthy teens as well as the reality of concentration camps and young people with large guns. The final chapter superbly summarizes the weighty significance of this part of the 20th century and challenges young readers to prevent history from repeating itself. Bartoletti lets many of the subjects' words, emotions, and deeds speak for themselves, bringing them together clearly to tell this story unlike anyone else has.”

Review Reference:

Medlar, A., Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Raben, D. (2005, June 1).

            [Review of the book Hitler youth: Growing up in Hitler’s shadow, by S. C. Bartoletti].

School Library Journal, 51(6), 174. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 7-12

This book would be a great addition to a display on the Holocaust or in a grouping of “Historical Events.”

This book would be a great curriculum supplement in social studies’ classes when they study wars, genocide, Hitler, or WWII. The librarian could highlight some sections when the students come into the library for research or she could do a quick book talk on it in their English classes.

Week 7: Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

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 Book Summary:

This biographical book is about the real spark that started the Montgomery bus boycott. Claudette Colvin was just 15 years old and was tired of being treated like a 2^nd class citizen. She decided one day not to give up her seat to a white lady and it got her arrested. She did not even violate the bus seating laws of that time but she was still arrested and mistreated along the way. Rosa Parks does later also protest on the bus but Claudette did it first. She continues to fight this injustice as a plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle. She and the other plaintiffs were successful in the suit and struck down the segregation laws in Montgomery. This book is suited for grades 7-12.  

APA Reference:

Hoose, P. (2009). Claudette Colvin: Twice toward justice. New York, NY: Melanie Kroupa

            Books.

My Impressions:

I really enjoyed learning more about the Montgomery bus boycott and how Claudette was the real inspiration. I had no idea there was someone before Rosa Parks. While Rosa does have her place in history, and a vital one, Claudette, a 15 year old girl, was the first brave one to fight for her rights to be equal. I think the teens that read this book will be inspired to stand up for what they believe in. It is always more interesting for this age group of students (or any, really) to have a peer aged character to read about. It really allows them to become more engaged in the story, especially when it is about a historic event. I was pleased to see that Dr. Martin King, Jr. supported Claudette in her cause. The author also does a good job telling the truths of the time (regarding Claudette’s teen pregnancy) while still remaining respectful.     

Professional Review:

“Gr. 7-12. Nine months before Rosa Parks’ history-making protest on a city bus, Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old Montgomery, Alabama, high-school student, was arrested and jailed for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. Hoose draws from numerous personal interviews with Colvin in this exceptional title that is part historical account, part memoir. Hoose’s lucid explanations of background figures and events alternate with lengthy passages in Colvin’s own words, and the mix of voices creates a comprehensive view of the Montgomery bus boycott and the landmark court case, Browder v. Gayle, that grew from it. At the center of the headline-grabbing turmoil is teenager Colvin, who became pregnant during the boycott; and her frank, candid words about both her personal and political experiences will galvanize young readers. On each attractively designed spread, text boxes and archival images, including photos and reproduced documents, extend the gripping story. As in Hoose’s We Were There, Too! Young People in U.S. History (2001), this inspiring title shows the incredible difference that a single young person can make, even as it demonstrates the multitude of interconnected lives that create and sustain a political movement. Thorough chapter notes and suggestions for further reading close this title, which will find an avid readership beyond the classroom.”

Review Reference:

Engberg, G. (2009, February 1). [Review of the book Claudette Colvin: Twice toward justice, by

            P. Hoose]. Booklist, 105(11), 49. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/  

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 7-12

This book could be a part of a display during Black History Month. A teaser could be displayed with it letting the students know that Claudette was really the first Montgomery bus protestor, and she was only 15 years old. This would draw the students’ attention and they would be more likely to pick the book up and read more.

This would be a great book to do a book talk on during Black History Month using the same teaser mentioned above. This talk would be done in the English classes and would hopefully bring students to the library to check it out.

Week 6: Turtle in Paradise

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Book Summary:

Turtle is the main character in this coming of age book. She gets her name from hiding behind a shell, like a turtle, and not letting many people in. She does not like children and thinks they are basically rotten. She learned how to keep people at arms length because her mom is never able to have and hold onto any relationships. She is always looking for Mr. Right. Turtle is sent to spend some time with relatives she hardly knows and ends up learning how to create friendships. She also learns a lot about growing up and standing on her own two feet. Even though this is a learning trip for her, she does have some scary and exciting adventures including treasure hunts and finding out about long, lost relatives she never knew she had. It takes place during the Great Depression era, so there are many references to olden times and old Hollywood, but children of this modern era can still relate to many situations. This Newbery Honor book will surely entertain children, especially grades 3-6.

APA Reference:

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

My Impressions:

I really like this book and how it addresses Turtle’s psychological well-being, in a little less serious manner. She begins the book being closed off to most relationships because she and her mother have had so many disappointments with them in the past. Her mom, however, keeps on trying to find the perfect man. Turtle, on the other hand, keeps herself closed off, at least until she moves to be with her cousins. While in Florida, Turtle learns to open up a little more. She learns to be more responsible. I like the surprises the author has for her when she meets her grandma and when she discovers another very important long, lost relative. When the book ends with her mom coming to get her and them both finding happiness in the arms of family and hopefully, a new nuclear family, I was very satisfied. I felt so sorry for her having to be on her own and never really being able to experience the family she surely has always wanted. Even though this story was set back in the 30’s, I think children of today can relate to the issues single parents have and issues we all have with our own extended family. In the end, though, they are family. I think that theme will resonate and be a positive message for elementary aged students.

  

Professional Review:

“Eleven-year-old Turtle is not one to suffer fools gladly. And she runs into a lot of fools, especially the no-goods her starry-eyed mother meets. So it's a tough little Turtle who arrives in Key West in June of 1935. She's been sent to Florida to stay with relatives because her mother's latest housekeeping job doesn't allow children. Unfortunately, Mama has neglected to tell Aunt Minnie she's coming, and Turtle gets the stink eye from cousins with monikers like Buddy and Beans. As Turtle soon learns, everything is different in Key West, from the fruit hanging on trees to the scorpions in nightgowns to the ways kids earn money. She can't be part of her cousins' Diaper Gang (no girls allowed), which takes care of fussy babies, but when she finds a treasure map, she hopes she'll be on Easy Street like Little Orphan Annie. Holm uses family stories as the basis for this tale, part romp, part steely-eyed look at the Depression era. Reminiscent of Addie in the movie Paper Moon, Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure. The many references to 1930s entertainments (Terry and the Pirates, Shirley Temple) will mostly go over kids' heads, but they'll get how much comics and movies meant to a population desperate for smiles. An author's note (with photos) shows Holm's family close-up.”

Review Reference:

Cooper, I. (2010, April 15). [Review of the book Turtle in paradise, by J. L. Holm]. Booklist,

            106(16), 60. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 3-6

This book would be a good addition to a “Summer is Coming” themed display. The librarian can display it a right after spring break so the students have a chance to check it out, along with other themed books, before school is out.

This book would be a fun read aloud and summer collage inspiration. The teacher and librarian could take turns reading the book over time and when completed, the students can create a collage of summertime pictures and trinkets.

Week 6: Tomas and the Library Lady

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

This book is about a migrant farming family who travels from Iowa to Texas to work the crops at harvesting time. Tomas visits the library and makes a new friend in the librarian. She encourages him to read and to keep learning. They read together sometimes and he even teaches her some Spanish words. When he reads, he gets lost in the books. He loves his time in the library. Nevertheless, one day he has to leave Iowa again and head for Texas. He has to say goodbye to his new friend but she presents him with his very own book. He shares this book with his family and keeps reading and learning. This book is well suited for grades 2-4.

APA Reference:

Mora, P. (1997). Tomas and the library lady. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

My Impressions:

I really liked this book. Of course, anytime a teacher or librarian encourages a student to read and they end of loving it, that makes for a great book. I liked that the author was using true life events to inspire this story. This helps it be more historically accurate. I enjoyed learning about migrant farmers in more detail. I really appreciate any book that helps children learn about different cultures. It was a little sad when Tomas had to leave Iowa and the library lady to go back to Texas, but he obviously kept on reading and learning. In real life, Tomas went on to become a very well educated person. He was a writer, professor, and university chancellor in California. I think the fact that this was based on true events, makes it a more appealing book. I think children would also enjoy that fact and it also give the book more authority on the subject. Raul Colon, the illustrator, also helps bring an honest look at migrant life with his detailed artwork.  

Professional Review:

“Ages 4-8. From the immigrant slums of New York City to the fields of California, it's an elemental American experience: the uprooted child who finds a home in the library. Mora's story is based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomas Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and university president. Far from his home in Texas, the small boy is working with his family picking corn in Iowa. Inspired by the Spanish stories his grandfather (Papa Grande) tells, Tomas goes to the library to find more stories. The librarian welcomes him into the cool, quiet reading room and gives him books in English that he reads to himself and to his family. He teaches her some Spanish words. Then, as in so many migrant stories, the boy must leave the home he has found. He has a new, sad word for her, "adios. It means goodbye." Colon's beautiful scratchboard illustrations, in his textured, glowingly colored, rhythmic style, capture the warmth and the dreams that the boy finds in the world of books. The pictures are upbeat; little stress is shown; even in the fields, the kids could be playing kick ball or listening to stories. Perhaps the most moving picture is that of the child outside the library door, his face pressed against the pane. In contrast is the peaceful space he finds inside, where he is free to imagine dinosaurs and wild adventure.”

Review Reference:

Rochman, H. (1997, August). [Review of the book Tomas and the library lady, by P. Mora].

            Booklist, 93(22), 1906. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/  

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 2-4

This book can be used in a display of Latin American books.

This book can be used in a read aloud then the librarian and classroom teacher can use it in an extension activity. The students can write about a time when someone helped them. This would be great practice for the state writing tests, as well. 

Week 5: Unwind

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

This book is set in the future in a dystopian society. The government is abusing technology and has almost complete control over its people. Parents are able to abort their children if they decide to when the kids are between the ages of 13 and 17. They call it being “unwound”. You can be unwound if you are tithed to society, are a troublemaker and your parents are tired of you, are an orphan and do not show enough special talent to keep draining the states’ services, or for many other reasons. Those are the reasons the three main characters are on the run from society, however. They are trying to avoid their unwinding. If they do get caught, they will be unwound, their organs will be donated, and they will cease to exist as a whole entity…a person. This Scifi thriller is best suited for young adult readers, grades 9 and up.

APA Reference:

Shusterman, N. (2007). Unwind. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for

            Young Readers.

My Impressions:

Even though Science fiction is not my favorite genre, I did enjoy this book. I think the suspense and unusual, likely immoral, capability of aborting children once they have been born, held my attention. This could be seen as a controversial book because it discusses issues like abortion, organ harvesting (mostly without consent of the donor), religion, and other often political issues. Nevertheless, and maybe because of the controversy, many teens will be engaged by Connor leading the group on their journey of escape. Connor’s parents gave up on him and secretly were going to hand him over to the state for unwinding. Nonetheless, he still believes he is worth saving, and his new friends, too. It was strange to encounter a tithe, one who was always to be eventually unwound, that accepted his destiny. He actually felt like it was his duty to society and God to allow himself to be unwound. Regardless of the circumstances, I think teens will enjoy this read and would love to discuss the values, morals, and outcomes of these teen refugees.  

Professional Review:

“Gr 9 Up This dark futuristic thriller is set after the Second Civil War when parents have the option of retroactively aborting their troublesome teens and donating their organs to others in need. Two Unwinds and a Tithe (a 10th child in a family expressly conceived to be unwound) escape their transport to Harvest Camp and discover an underground network of supporters. A gripping and compellingly told story offering fodder for thought and discussion.”

Review Reference:

[Review of the book Unwind, by N. Shusterman]. (2008, April 2). School Library Journal, 54,

            74. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 9-12

This book would be a good book club book that both girls and boys would enjoy. It lends itself to many interesting discussions.

This book would be a good candidate for a series of book trailers on science fiction. It is suspenseful and engaging and would entice students to pick up the book at the school library.

Week 5: The Doll People

Book Cover Image:

 Book Summary:

This book is about a group of porcelain dolls that are “alive” and have lived in the same house for a hundred years. Annabelle Doll is the main character and has many adventures in this book. She is forever 8 years old and meets a new friend, Tiffany Funcraft that is plastic. She is a newer doll but they are just the right age to become best friends. This book mainly features an adventure these two girls go on, and to some extent this whole doll world goes on, to find Annabelle’s Auntie Sarah who has been lost for 45 years. With the help of Auntie Sarah’s journal, they just might find her. They have several exciting ventures out of their doll houses that are sometimes scary. If they get caught by a human doing something so human-like, like talking, they could become a permanent doll and live in doll state forever. This is because the Doll family took an oath to protect their secret way of life and this would jeopardize that life. The punishment is to become a regular doll again and not “live” like the other dolls. This book is suspenseful and is recommended for grades 3 through 5.

  

APA Reference:

Martin, A. M., & Godwin, L. (2000). The doll people. New York, NY: Hyperion Books

            for Children.

My Impressions:

This is a great book for grades 3 through 5. I think even 2^nd grade would really enjoy this but maybe as a story time book. It has much of what children this age like in a book, mystery and fantasy. There is quite a lot of action, too. There are several great parts of this book that really stuck out. One was when Annabelle Doll asked her family if she were missing would they come out of the doll house and try to find her. This shows how courageous Annabelle Doll is to risk so much to find her Aunt Sarah. Another moment in the book that I thought was really sweet and many little girls reading this could relate to, is when Tiffany gave Annabelle a best friends necklace. Each of them have half the heart to wear that says, “Best Friends.” And the last favorite part I like is the ending of this book where the Doll’s current owner, Kate, wonders if they are really “alive.” I love the way children are encouraged to imagine and fantasize with the events of this book. Also, the illustrator, Brian Selznick does a fantastic job bringing life to the dolls with his pencil drawings. It gives the old world feel like back in the day when many girls actually played with porcelain dolls. Even though this book might be leaning toward more of a girl type book, boys this age can also enjoy the fantasy and mystery part of it. 

  

Professional Review:

“Grade 3-5-A lighthearted touch and a dash of drama make this a satisfying read. When Annabelle Doll finds her Aunt Sarah's journal, she hopes it offers a clue to the whereabouts of her aunt, who has been missing for 45 years. Annabelle is forever eight years old-the same age as Kate, the current owner of the Victorian dollhouse in which she and her family have lived for the past century. Their new neighbors, the all-plastic Funcrafts, who arrive for Kate's younger sister's birthday, are modern and brashly confident. Their pink plastic house has a barbecue, a computer, and a VCR. Tiffany, the Funcraft doll-girl, is just the right age to be a first real friend for Annabelle, and her daring spirit inspires the child's quest for her aunt. Determined and brave, she persuades her cautious parents to let her venture out of the dollhouse in search of her relative. Along with the usual perils of moving about in the real world, there is the risk of being seen by a human and succumbing to "doll state" or even worse, "permanent doll state." Selznick's illustrations are perfectly suited to the innocent charm of the dolls and do much to draw readers into their world. The delightful endpapers, which resemble pages from toy catalogs past and present, tell their own tale about the characters. A light and uncomplicated fantasy/adventure in the tradition of Rumer Godden's doll stories or even Pam Conrad's The Tub People (HarperCollins, 1989).”

Review Reference:

Meizner, K. (2000, November 1). [Review of the book The doll people, by A. M. Martin

& L. Godwin]. School Library Journal, 46(11), 128. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: elementary students grades 3 through 5:

This book could be used as the first chapter book used in a series reading. It would probably take all school year to finish the whole series. The librarian could read to the students at story time and the classroom teacher could, too. Once this series of books is completed, the class could hold a discussion of the process of this series reading.  Also, between books, they could do write some predictions of what they think will occur throughout the book series. They could then share their predictions once completed.

Week 4: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Round Things

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

This is a realistic fiction book of a 15 year old trying to find her place in this world. She is faced with many trials that a teen faces, especially a teenage girl. She battles with her weight, boys, her mom, and fitting in with her classmates. Virginia, the main character, learns to deal with negative comments from her family and classmates about her weight and how she is nothing like her popular, cute brother. Over the course of the school year, she encounters a brush with love, self-mutilation, tattoos, and other deep issues. She will have to find a way to deal with all of these trying issues that many teens also face. This book is best suited for grades 7 and up, focusing on upper middle school and high school.

APA Reference:

Mackler, C. (2003). The earth, my butt, and other round things. Cambridge, MA:

            Candlewick Press.

My Impressions:

I really liked this book and think it would be a great book for most teen girls. Almost every girl goes through the insecurities that Virginia suffers. Being perfect is an unrealistic feat and I love the way Virginia finally comes to grip with learning to love and accept herself. For example, she deals with her mom’s disapproval of her weight and finally starts showing some independence. She runs off to Seattle to spend time with a friend and while there, she gets a tattoo that her mom will surely disapprove of. Her mom is an adolescent psychologist and really does not know how to deal with her daughter. This is a great cause of Virginia’s problems but over time, they figure a way to have a better, healthier relationship. I think many girls can relate to the body image issues and the parental relationship issues. It could really help teens get through some tough times in their lives. Even though it does deal with some deeper, possibly controversial issues like date rape and self injury, it is a great addition to middle and especially high school libraries.

Professional Review:

“Gr 7 Up-- Virginia is the sassy, sad, chubby teen in a perfect, prominent family. Cracks occur when idolized college brother, Byron, commits date rape. Piercings and wild clothes symbolize Virginia's rebellion, enhance her confidence, and unexpectedly help heal family rifts. The teen's funny, rocky journey to self-acceptance also includes a brush with self-mutilation, incredulity that the boy she experiments with sexually likes her, and the support of a sister who escaped to the Peace Corps.”

Review Reference:

Hofmann, M. (2005, November 1). [Review of the book The earth, my butt, and other

round things, by C. Mackler]. School Library Journal, 51(11), 58. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 7-12

This book would be a great “Just Between Us Girls” themed booktalk or bookclub. The librarian can hold this talk after school and open it to all girls who are interested. They can all be invited to read the book before the event and bring a conversation starter question they may have. This could be a valuable way to use a book as a therapeutic outlet. 

This book could be a part of a special collection on bullying. Most schools have some sort of anti-bullying efforts and it could be displayed when the bullying campaign begins.

Week 4: Because of Winn-Dixie

Book Cover Image:

Book Summary:

This is a book catering to grades 1 through 5. It is about a 10 year old girl named, Opal. She and her preacher father are on their own and have to move from town to town every few years because he is a preacher. Her mom left them when Opal was little and sometimes she gets a little lonely. One day she finds and adopts a stray dog and names him Winn-Dixie, since that is the store in which she found him. Throughout the book, Opal is finding misfits, just like her and Winn-Dixie, to befriend. She ends up bringing a whole community together just by trying to appreciate everyone and their individuality.

APA Reference:

DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

My Impressions:

I did like this book for its sweet message of accepting others for who they are. Winn-Dixie is a stray dog that looks like one but Opal takes him in and through that relationship, is able to extend her love to others in the community who are not always appreciated. She befriends an ex-convict, an old lady who runs a private library, and a “witch-like” lady that all the local children are afraid of. She is not as comfortable with children her own age probably because she has had to grow up quicker than most. She has had to move many times and has not been able to develop close relationships with classmates. There are some realistic and unrealistic elements in this book that will probably entertain many elementary aged children. For example, one day Opal goes into the pet shop and notices the storekeeper is playing his guitar to all the pets. However, none of them are in cages and none of them are trying to escape. That of course, is not realistic but I think many younger readers will enjoy that and will keep reading to see what other surprises are in store for them. It is a mainly light-hearted book with a few more serious issues but overall, most children in elementary school would enjoy.

  

Professional Review:

"My name is India Opal Buloni, and last summer my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes and I came back with a dog"--so begins this exquisitely crafted first novel. Each chapter possesses an are of its own and reads almost like a short story in its completeness; yet the chapters add up to more than the sum of their parts. Opal, the 10-year-old narrator, will win readers over just as quickly as the stray she names Winn-Dixie wins her over. Abandoned by her mother when she was three years old, Opal gains the courage to ask her father about her mother through the love she gains from her new pet. True to its title, the story develops as her furry companion leads the heroine into new and unlikely friendships with Miss Franny Block, the town librarian; Gloria Dump, a loner whom her neighbors, the Dewberry brothers, deem a "witch"; Otis, a misfit but gifted musician who runs the local pet store; her peer, "pinch-faced" Amanda; and the canine also leads Opal into a deeper connection with her preacher father. Scenes of Winn-Dixie raising a ruckus in the church (converted from a grocery store) or racing through their trailer-park home in terror of a thunderstorm deftly combine tension and humor. This bittersweet tale of contemporary life in a small Southern town will hold readers rapt. Ages 9-12. (Mar.)”

Review Reference:

[Review of the book Because of Winn-Dixie, by K. DiCamillo]. Publishers Weekly,

            247(8), 88. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 1-5

This book can be used in a read aloud. Once completed, the library can host a movie night showing the movie version. The students and librarian can discuss the similarities and differences between the book and the movie. They can tell which one they prefer and why it might be more beneficial the read the book before watching the movie of the same title.

Week 3: My People

Book cover image:

Book Summary:

This book’s base is a poem by Langston Hughes. Charles Smith has added photographs along with Hughes’ poem to create this new product. Smith has photographed various black people to help illustrate Hughes’ poetry. He uses photos of old, young, females, males and highlights emotions and beauty of his subjects. This new translation earned a Coretta Scott King award for outstanding illustrations by an African American. Even though all ages can enjoy this book, it would be best used with preschool and elementary aged children though the 3^rd grade.

APA Reference:

Hughes, L. (2009). My people. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

My impressions:

I really like this new translation. The poem itself is lovely. However, with the addition of the photographs, it becomes an even more powerful piece. Smith has really captured the emotion and beauty inside each of these people. It seems like you can really see inside of their souls. The children show joy and excitement in their faces. The adults show experience and wonder of what might be. Charles R. Smith, Jr. has intentionally kept the backgrounds dark and has not overly exposed their faces to light. I love that he did this. It really highlights their beautiful, brown skin. They seem proud to be brothers and sisters, just like Hughes wrote. It is a very short poem but with the photographs added, it allows more opportunities to reflect and appreciate this culture. I can see why it earned the Coretta Scott King award.

Professional Review:

“PreS-Gr. 3. Some 86 years after its original publication, Langston Hughes’ poem “My People” finds celebratory interpretation in Charles R. Smith Jr.’s elegant sepia photography. Echoing the graceful simplicity of Hughes’ verses, Smith’s pictures capture African American faces of every size, shape, age, and hue, their countenances shining out from fields of glossy black. The expressions are as varied and captivating as the subjects, from crying babies to radiant children and adults. The pages outnumber the words, 40 to 33, allowing the text, printed in gold, to sweep across the darkness with the titular refrain. In an endnote, Smith shares the questions he asked himself as he began his photographic interpretation, noting Hughes’ intent “to celebrate the pride he had for his black brothers and sisters.” In the aspects that he has captured, and their artful arrangement across the page, he does just that.”

Reference:

Barthelmess, T. (2009, February 1). [Review of the book My people, by L. Hughes].

            Booklist, 105(11), 56. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades preschool-3

This book could be used during Black History Month. The librarian could read it and show the pictures then they could do some extension activities. They could write a short poem detailing what they are proud of about themselves. When finished, they could discuss the book and their poems and how they are similar and different. The classroom teacher could also help in assisting them with their poems.

Week 3: Before We Were Free

Book cover image:

Book Summary:

This historical fiction book tells of many events during the reign of dictator Trujillo of the Dominican Republic. Some embellishments to the story did occur but many of them, especially the ones detailing her family’s fight for independence, did occur. It’s suspenseful, engaging, and sad at times. It reflects what many families in the Dominican Republic and other Latin American countries went through to achieve independence from dictators. There are many geopolitical issues presented in this book that many people can relate to. Alvarez won the Pura Belpre award for outstanding literature by a Latina/Latino writer for this book. While all ages from grades 6 and up can enjoy this book, it is best used with middle/high school students grades 6-12.

APA Reference:

Alvarez, J. (2002). Before we were free. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

My impressions:

This book tells of a time during the 60’s when many Latin American countries had to battle dictators. Specifically, this book looks at the Dominican Republic and their fight for independence from the Trujillo regime. I like the way the author focuses on one extended family and close friends and how far they will go to achieve freedom. The main character, Anita, is 12 years old which automatically appeals to the targeted age group of middle and high schoolers. The trials that her and her family go through will really grab the reader’s attention and keep it throughout the book. For example, after her father and brother were captured for assisting in the kidnapping and murder of the dictator Trujillo, she and her mother had to hide out in her aunt’s closet indefinitely until they could escape their country. She writes in a diary and plays games and talks with her mother to keep herself going. She shows much courage and I think students will really take to this book. It is a good way to introduce them to historical fiction of a more serious nature.

 

Professional Review:

“Gr 5-8-- Twelve-year-old Anita de la Torres's physical maturation is matched by an increasing social awareness, not only of the boys around her but also of the mounting danger to her family, active opponents of the Dominican dictator, Trujillo. His assassination in 1960 leads to a final splintering and dispersal of Anita's once-flourishing extended family. A rich coming-of-age story reminiscent of Anne Frank's and similarly compelling, told in a convincing first-person voice by a believable and sympathetic character.”

Reference:

Isaacs, K. T. (2005, March 1). [Review of the book Before we were free, by J. Alvarez].

School Library Journal, 51(3), 68. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:

Focus ages: grades 6-12

This book could be a part of a multicultural display. The students will be exposed to books about other cultures which will allow them to learn about history in a more interesting way.

This book could be a part of a community read where Latin American guests that have experienced similar situations could read an excerpt from the book. They could answer questions the students have. The students could then write a summary of the experience in their English class.