Jellico Road

~Abandoned on Jellico Road-
~~Found by Hannah-
~~~Taylor Markham
       must listen to her heart
       and follow her dreams.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Marchetta, Melina. Jellicoe Road. New York: HarperCollins. 2006

ISBN 9780061431845

Melina Marchetta

PLOT SUMMARY:

Taylor was abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road and has grown-up in a boarding school. She is a now senior at that school and in charge of one of the dorms. Along with these challenges she must also decipher her dreams, figure out why her mom left her, learn who Hannah really is, decide what to do about Cadet Griggs and her feelings for him. Hannah has left without telling Taylor where she is going or why. This eats away at Taylor; all she knows is “that there is something not right. It’s in my dreams, it’s inside my heart, and without Hannah here, it’s an all-consuming feeling of doom. Like something’s coming and it’s something bad.” As Taylor tries to put the puzzle of her life together, she must still unearth and discover pieces from her past that lead to her present. As she is lies in bed thinking about her life and the answers she knows it comes to her, “All this time I thought the answers were her. But now I know that Tate took those answers with her and that somehow Hannah’s caught up in it.” This revelation leads her down a path she took before “but this time without being chased by a Brigadier, without experiencing the kindness of a postman from Yass, and without taking along a Cadet who will change the way I breathe for the rest of my life.” Despite Taylor’s plans Jonah is waiting for her, he tells her, “I’ve got a car … And you’ve got somewhere to go.” Their journey to Sydney will help Taylor find answers to some of her bothersome questions – it is this path to the past that will answer questions to the future.

CRITCAL ANALYSIS:

Melina Marchetta takes readers on the gut-wrenching and heart-warming journey of Taylor Markum. Told from the first person point of view, Taylor introduces the readers by launching them into the middle of her perplexing life. The beginning of the book is slightly confusing as a result of Marchetta’s writing style – readers are thrown into a world of names, words, places, and phrases they have yet to be introduced to --- “The boy in the tree sobs uncontrollably when I tell him about the Hermit and my mother, yet his eyes light up each time I mention Hannah. And every single time he asks, Taylor, what about the Brigadier who came searching for you that day? Whatever became of him?” These four characters are referenced on page five of the book; it is not until significantly later in the novel do we find out who the boy is, who the Hermit is, how Hannah is connected, and why Hannah and the Brigadier play a significant role in Taylor’s life. As Taylor, the main protagonist in this story, chronicles her life and we learn how troubled she truly is and to what extent she will go to in order to find out about her past. As Taylor tries to decipher bits of information, she wonders “how munch Hannah is a part of this story and this school. Was she the leader of a community who thought she was weak and usurped her first opportunity they got? Did she experience a coup at the hands of a Richard-like, fascist-loving, backstabbing creep? And where did she get this idea that there was peace between the Townies and Cadets and us?” These complex and often convoluted inner inquisitions allows the reader to feel the lost and raw emotion Taylor Markum has dealt with for most of her life. As the story unravels, people, places, and phrases come to have some meaning for the reader. It turns out; the “territorial wars” were started out of boredom. Taylor informs Griggs, Raffy, and Chaz that “Web … He began the territory wars, …But it was a joke. I mean, his best friends were Cadets and Townies and the only reason the boundaries came about was because they were bored…” Finally the readers have some answers, the some of the exact answers Taylor had been searching for; and by this time readers are so connected and involved with Taylor’s character the pages and the story cannot stop. Taylor and Jonah set out to find her mom in Sydney – what they find is more questions and some answers. It is not until their return to the Jellicoe Road are all the questions ultimately answered.

Readers will be able to relate to at least one of the characters in this Melina Marchetta novel. Despite the slow and somewhat bewildering beginning when readers finish this novel they will hope Ms. Marchetta is working on a sequel. We all have dreams of finding happily ever after – hopefully Taylor, Jonah, Raffy, Chaz, Hannah, the Brigadier, and the rest of this awesome cast find happiness.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Booklist: Taylor Markum isn't just one of the new student leaders of her boarding school, she's also the heir to the Underground Community, one of three battling school factions in her small Australian community (the others being the Cadets and the Townies). Only this year, it's complicated: Taylor might just have a thing for Cadet leader Jonah, and Jonah might just be the key to unlocking the secret identity of Taylor's mother, who abandoned her when she was 11. In fact, nearly every relationship in Taylor's life has unexpected ties to her past, and the continual series of revelations is both the book's strength and weakness; the melodrama can be trying but when Marchetta isn't forcing epiphanies, she has a knack for nuanced characterizations and punchy dialogue. The complexity of the backstory will be offputting to younger readers, but those who stick it out will find rewards in the heartbreaking twists of Marchetta's saga.

CONNECTIONS:

*Students will list the similarities and differences between the
  three factions
*Students will review the rules that govern the territory wars then
  create their own rules for a similar game
*Students will investigate the similarities and differences
  between public schools, private schools, and
  boarding schools
*Addictions to various substances will be discussed
*Students will choose one from below and draw a picture
  of what they think the:
   -boarding school looks like,
   -prayer tree looks like,
   -clubhouse looks like

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid

~~First, it is a JOURNAL,
      not a diary....

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid. New York: Amulet Books. 2008.

ISBN 9780810993136

Jeff Kinney

PLOT SUMMARY:

Grey Heffley is starting middle school, 7th grade do be exact; he is neither an athlete nor popular, what he is the average normal adolescent middle child, which may sometimes be known as a wimpy kid. Greg would like to be popular at school or at the least be accepted by his peers. Greg has a miserable life at school and at home -- he has an older brother, Rodrick and a younger brother, Manny -- between school and his brothers -- Greg's entire life seems destined for misery. Rodrick enjoys playing tricks on Greg; at the beginning of summer, “Rodrick woke [him] up in the middle of the night. Rodrick told me I slept through the whole summer, but that luckily I woke up just in time for the first day of school.” As far as Manny is concerned, Greg realizes he is the baby of the family and he always “runs to where Mom is and tells on him and [Greg] knows he is in big trouble.” Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately Greg has a friend, Rowley -- these two are constantly getting in trouble at school – from “bringing personal music players to school” to “hanging posters for Class Treasurer with ‘fabrications’ about the other candidates.” Greg’s life, in all its chaotic splendor, is chronicled through his first year in Middle School.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

 Jeff Kinney has created a wonderful novel in cartoons with the main character / protagonist being Greg Heffley along with his sidekick Rowley Jefferson. The plot is centered around Greg and his entire life; from entering middle school where he says “for the record I think middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. You got kids like me who haven’t hit their growth spurt yet mixed in with these gorillas who need to shave twice a day” to his home life where he begs his Mom “not to make him sign up. Those school plays are always musicals, and the last thing he needs is to have to sing a solo in front of the whole school.” Greg is always in turmoil with his older brother, Rodrick – who could be seen as one of the antagonists. I think this novel has a few antagonists – Manny, the younger brother, entering middle school, life in general, and even Greg himself is both the protagonist and antagonist. The novel is realistic, Mr. Kinney is able to draw on real-life experiences and put them on paper – both in words and stick figures. Greg received a much unappreciated Big Wheel from Rowley as a Christmas present – well, finally in January Greg figured out “a way to have some fun with … the gift.” The game is “one guy rides down the hill and the other guy tries to knock him off with a football. Rowley was the first one down the hill, and I was the thrower.” The scenario is hilarious but the stick pictures add a lot to the tale – the entire event is knee slapping, side-splitting comical.

As Greg struggles to find acceptance and figure out who he really is, lives little ironies continue to follow him. His friend Rowley broke his hand while playing the Big Wheel game because Greg “finally knocked Rowley off the Big Wheel but it didn’t happen the way [he] expected. [Greg] was trying to hit him in the shoulder, but missed and the football went under the front tire. Rowley tried to break his ball by sticking out his arms, but he landed pretty hard on his left hand.” Now “Christmas vacation is over and they’re back at school.” Rowley’s broke hand is garnering all kinds of attention, “everyone was crowding around him like he was a hero or something.” Greg “tried to cash in on some of Rowley’s new popularity, but it totally backfired.” He thought he would share the news that he was the reason Rowley broke his hand but classmates were not impressed, they called him a “MEANIE!” Greg quickly figures out “Rowley’s injury thing is a pretty good racket;” therefore, he goes home gets some gauze and wraps his hand “to make it look like it was hurt.” Again, this backfired on him, the girls did not swarm him, no one wrote their name on his bandage and the only “attention the bandage received was from a couple of people, but believe me, they were not the type of people he was going for.” The trials and tribulations of Greg’s life continue in the Diary of the Wimpy Kid series.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

Publisher's Weekly: "Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud 'novel in cartoons,' adapted from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through an academic year's worth of drama."

CONNECTIONS:

* Have students create a list of traits they think
   would be considered wimpy
* Have students create a list of their characteristics / traits
* Discuss these lists and how people should treat others
   that are different
* Discuss family dynamics -- older brother, middle child, baby brother
* Continue reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

Joey Pigza Loses Control

~~What if.....??

~Can I get back to you on that?

~~What if.....??

 ~Can I get back to you on that?

~~What if.....??

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: HarperCollins. 2000.

ISBN 0064410226

Jack Gantor

PLOT SUMMARY:

 Joey Pigza, a kind but impulsive boy that is taking medication for his hyperactivity, convinces his reluctant mother to allow him and Pablo, his Chihuahua mix dog, to go spend the summer with his absentee-estranged father. A short time after Joey arrives, Carter Pigza, Joey’s father, decides his son does not need to be on any medication-patches to help control his agitated and frantic behavior. He tells Joey, “I bet if you didn’t wear them you’d never know the difference.” For Joey, this is the beginning of losing control over his recently found and vaguely managed behavior. Joey wants his dad’s acceptance and love so he tries to his best to be a “Real man and tough it out.” Despite doing his best, “taking a deep breath, like Mom told” him and remembering what she said – “if you want to make good choices, think one thought at a time” – Joey was unraveling and about to “go around the bend and off the deep end.” Luckily for Joey he has an innate ability for self preservation and a loving mother to help him return to the new and improved Joey -- the Joey Pigza that Joey wants.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Jack Gantos has created a wonderful character that most everyone can connect with; Joey Pigza is either themselves or someone they know – Joey Pigza is that kid in every classroom and every home that we all have seen and either ignored or was mean too. As the protagonist, Joey Pigza is the typical only child from divorced parents. Joey is meeting his father, the first time he can remember him and his father tells him “you can call me Carter,” Joey knows “he is never going to call him that” and begins understanding why mom “said he was just like me only bigger.” As the story begins to unfold, Joey along with the reader can see/picture the antagoinist, Carter Pigza, hyper-active characteristics and tendencies. “Carter kept whipping around and finally an uneven sound came out of his mouth like a car engine that wouldn’t start” Carter proclaimed he had “been thinking about what they should do today, and [he] had the perfect idea.” Joey takes Joey to the “Storybook Land Fun Park and proclaims “Joey you have to see this place…it is the place where my whole life turned around.” In front of the Humpty Dumpty wooden display Carter tells Joey that he “woke up here after having too many drinks one night” and “he didn’t want to be a pathetic broken egg with everyone trying and failing to put [him] back together again. Joey is not sure what to make of this revelation but he does see some the “old Joey” in his dad and wants very much for them to connect and have a father and son relationship. Joey is eager to do whatever his dad says, even if he believes it will do him more harm than good. One night Carter Pigza decides that Joey does not need to be on his medication. He tells Joey, “I’ve been thinkin’ about these patches … I bet if you didn’t wear them you’d never know the difference.” Joey tries to explain his “is real medication from a doctor” but Carter is insistent, Joey “doesn’t need them. You’re going to be a winner without them. Real men can tough it out. Be determined…” Carter takes all of the patches and flushes them down the toilet. Losing control will be underway shortly.

Luckily for Joey, he is smart, has a strong sense of self-preservation, and has a mother that truly knows and loves him. As Joey begins losing control he tries his best to think and remember what is mom had told him, she had said “taking a deep breath…and thinking if you want to make good choice, think one thought at a time.” But Joey knows he is “losing it, he will be going around the bend and off the deep end” soon unless he gets his medicine. It is at this point Joey becomes both the protagonist and antagoinist. Joey figures out a way to get his medicine, he shows his dad what he had done, he “pulled up his shirt and showed his dad the tattoos [he] had drawn on his stomach with a pen.” The out-of-touch Dad still did not get it and Joey’s unraveling began to happen at a quicker pace.

Joey knows he has to call his Mom and he tells her he “has not been taking [his] medicine and [he] thought [he] could be normal but [he is] not normal and now [he is] back to [his] old self and [he is] in trouble with Dad and really scared.” These words and feelings are easy for readers to hear and feel – we have all been in situation we thought we could control but could not and knew we had done something to make another person mad. The sad part is this is not the child’s fault, this is the adult’s fault but unfortunately the child is on a better road (literally and figuratively) than the father.

Joey’s mother makes it to the mall – they get Pablo and head home. Joey is still being a typical youth with divorced parents, he states he “wanted it to work out with Dad,” the Mom understands his feelings but quietly says “He blew it again … Looks like it’s just you and me.” On the way home Joey asks a very poignant question, “Do you think [Dad] will ever really turn himself around?” This is the ultimate fork in the road – Joey sees he has a choice regarding his behavior and his future.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Publisher's Weekly: "Like its predecessor, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, frea and courage with deceptive ease."

Amazon.com: "Jack Gantos's second book about Joey Pigza is just as delightful and soulful as his first. Joey's attempts to keep the fragile peace in his life intact are touching, and his intense longing to just be normal will mirror the feelings of most prettens, whether they have ADD or not. Joey Pigze may sometimes lose control, but he never loses his heart. This is an exceptional sequel."

CONNECTIONS:

*Have students create a list of acceptable age-appropriate behaviors
*Have students create a list of unacceptable age-approproate behaviors
  they have actually seen
*Discuss why some individuals behave differently than others
*Discuss appropriate ways studnets should handle/react to
   unusal and/or different behavior
*Have students read another Jack Gantos - Joey Pigza book

Elijah of Buxton

Being fragile has nothing to do with
 being a man or a grown-up --
Having emotions is a wonderful
 human characteristic~~

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Curtis, Christopher Elijah of Buxton. New York: Random House. 2008.

ISBN 9780739364154

Christopher Paul Curtis

PLOT SUMMARY:

Eleven year-old Elijah Freeman is famous for two things: being the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada and for throwing-up on Frederick Douglass as a baby. A sweet natured boy who is "too fragile for his age" according to his mother and according to himself, he can "throws chunking stones at most any fish and brings home nuff fer his family and mores." As the story progresses, Elijah learns through personal experiences that life is difficult and grown-ups are even more "troublesome to tries and figures out why they says what they says and does what they does." Elijah and Buxton are both unique.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Christopher Paul Curtis creates a tale so believable and heartfelt that readers will find themselves smiling and crying as the main character, Elijah of Buxton, a young black boy in the mid-1800s, goes through life and struggles trying to understand and overcome the cruelty and inhumanity of slavery and racial injustice. Because of Mr. Curtis's linguistic cleverness, Elijah and the other authentic characters found through out the book are colorful and lively with personalities that capture the reader's interest  as easily as Elijah's "chunking stones captures the fish." Through his skillful writing, Christopher Curtis is able to transport readers back in time to Buxton,Canada -- a place that is both heaven and a haven for slaves fleeing the American south. Elijah's parents want him to have a better life and future than them; therefore, he attends school regularly and it is here he "realizes that he isn't the brightest bulb in Mr. Travis's class" but he is "lots brighter than others" --- A few things set Elijah apart from his "best friend Cooter, ... Cooter pays less attention to his studies than" Elijah and Elijah gives far more attention to the "growned-up folks around him and what theys be sayin" and most importantly he thinks before he acts. Christopher Curtis uses his literary skills in creating the characters -- it is quickly and vividly apparent that Elijah Freeman respects and honors his parents -- by his actions and words. As the narrator, Elijah takes the readers through his experiences, it is these thoughts we hear through out the book; as he goes from one tale to another story to another adventure. Elijah is thrust into the "growned-up world" by Mr. Leroy, a "growned-up friend," who is willing to risk everything to buy his wife and children out of slavery. As the story unfolds, it is left up to Elijah to safe himself and another -- along with using his wits and skills to survive he must put his knowledge  of “growned-up peoples and how theys says things backwards and what they really means to says they don’t says and yous gots to figures out whats theys really meaning” -- he must do all of this in order to make it back north to Buxton. 

While the book seems a little slow and disjointed at times the reader still finds themselves turning the pages -- that is what reading is all about -- getting caught-up and lost in the story. Mrs. Curtis is truly a great storyteller.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Booklist: "After his mother rebuke him for screaming that hoop snakes have invaded Buxton, gullible 11-year-old Elijah confesses to readers that 'there ain't nothing in the world she wants more than for me to quit being so doggone fra-gile.' Inexperienced and prone to mistakes, yet kind, courageous, and understanding, Elijah has the distinction of being the first child born in the Buxton Settlement. Narrator Elijah tells an episodic story that builds a broad picture of Buxton's residents before plunging into the dramatic events that take him out of Buxton and, quite possibly, out of his depth."

CONNECTIONS:

* Using a map of North America locate and label states, cities, and settlements mentioned in the book

* Elijah's ma sees him as 'fra-gile' -- What are the characteristics of a 'fra-gile' person?

* Draw your most memorable scene from the book

* Image, if Ms. Chloe could have written a letter to Hope, what she would tell her

* List emotional and physical scares slavery left on the residents of Buxton

The Midwife's Apprentice

From Brat --- 
   to Beetle ---
    finally Alyce ~~~
A book of journey
    and growth

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

Cushman, Karen The Midwife's Apprentice. New York:

Clarion. 1995. 

ISBN 0395692296 

Karen Cushman

PLOT SUMMARY:

Karen Cushman takes readers on a journey back to the fourteenth century, to a young girl -- motherless, nameless and homeless -- she lives on the streets and sleeps on a dung heap for warmth -- "the rotting and moiling give forth heat" so here she finds her bed. The only name she could ever recalling hearing was Brat and this name is soon changed by the village boys to Beetle - for "Dung beetle! Dung beetle! Smelly old dung beetle sleeping in the dung." One day Beetle's luck changes for the good, "an important looking woman, with a sharp nose and sharp glance" takes her in -- this lady is a midwife. Beetle, who eventually takes a proper name, works for the midwife performing menial chores. Ultimately she stops running and learns that she too has a place in the world.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Karen Cushman transports the reader into medieval England. We learn about daily life at this time through the eyes of a young homeless girl. The author also provides us a look into the practice of midwifery. As a reader, we learn techniques, herbs, and payment for such services and in the importance of it. According to Beetle, no one likes the midwife, her “greed angered the villagers, but they needed her” she was the only one of her kind around so she was their only choice. The midwife is also very harsh and unfeeling, if payment could not be arranged she would not go to the laboring mothers; “twice the midwife refused to come to laboring mothers who had nothing to pay” and the “unfortunate women had to bring forth their babies with none but a neighbor to help.” The midwife makes sure that Beetle, who later renames herself Alyce, does not learn too much so as to avoid competition. However, the midwife's knowledge is being preserved in an encyclopedia because the author felt it was important. As the story progresses, Alyce goes through many growing pains as she tries to find what she wants in life, which happens to be, “A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in their world.” Alyce has begun the road to carving out her own identify -- a midwife’s apprentice and a beautiful person. 

History is very well represented in this story with the optimum blend of fiction and historical information. Aside from the historical facts included in the story, Cushman has created a quick read with humor and themes of confidence, bullying, loneliness, and finding your place in the world. Each reader can identify with the heroine through one of these themes or others that can be found within this book.  

Teenagers will identify with the characters insecurities with her abilities and in her looks.  Young adults will be able to identify with the road Brat/Beetle/Alyce took in order to find her place in this world. 

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Amazon.com Review: "Karen Cushman likes to write with her tongue firmly planted in her cheek, and her feisty female characters firmly planted in history. This time our protagonist is Alyce, who rises from the dung heap (literally) of homelessness and namelessness to find a station in life--apprentice to the crotchety, snagglethoothed midewife Jane Sharp. Disappointingly, Cushman does not offer any hardships or internal wrestling to warrant Alyce's final epiphanies, and one of the book's climatic insights is when Alyce discovers that lo and behold she is actually pretty!

Publishers Weekly: "The strengths of this new, relatively brief novel match those of its predecessor: Cushman has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent."

CONNECTIONS:

* Create two lists --- characteristics of low self-esteem and high self-esteem

* Discuss differences and similarities between midwifes, nurses, and obstetricians

* Create a timeline displaying the evolution of the protagonist

* Use information in this novel and integrate it with various science and health lessons

* Read other Karen Cushman books

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Karana - the only human on the
  island but she is not alone --
Animals soon become her family.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

O'Dell, Scott Island of the Blue Dolphins. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin. 1960.

ISBN 0395069629

Scott O'Dell

PLOT SUMMARY:

Scott O’Dell takes the reader on a journey to a small island, that “is two leagues long and one league wide,” off the coast of California. When the Aleuts sea hunters come and kill most of the island’s tribe; on when that  “fateful day had dawned, the tribe numbered forty-two men ...when that night came and the women had carried back to the village those who had died on the beach of Coral Cover, there remained only fifteen”   -- soon the remaining members decided to move to the mainland. As the ship is leaving, an Indian girl named Karana, sees her brother has been left behind. She begs that the ship be turned back, but they don’t, so she jumps overboard to go back to him.She and her brother are left alone on the island. This is the beginning of a long journey for Karana. Her brother Ramo is killed by the wild dogs  -- she is now completely alone -- she vows to kill the wild dogs. Karana has many hard-ships and adventures --she must build shelters, gather food, make clothing, create weapons, and yes -- conquer the wild dogs that killed her younger brother.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Scott O’Dell creates a tale so unbelievable still yet credible -- readers quickly meet the protagonist and main character, twelve year old Karana, a Ghalas-at Indian girl on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. After the Aleutians killed most of the Ghalas-at tribe, the remaining members decided leaving the island would be best. Finally the day came when a ship arrived, Nanko informed the diminished dynasty that the ship did “not belong to our enemies, the Aletus. There are white men on this ship and they have come from that place where Kimki went...The ship has come for one reason,...To take us away from Ghalas-st.” It is believed that the remainder of the tribe is aboard the ship; “ My brother Ramo was there too, Nanko said” however, as the ship is leaving Karana sees her brother, Ramo, “running along the cliff, the fishing spear held over his head” -- he was not on board. Karana pleaded for the ship to turn around and get her brother but Chief Matasaip “grasped [Karana’s] arm” and said “We cannot wait for Ramo,...”If we do, the ship will be driven on the rocks.” Karana’s pleas fell on death ears so she does the only thing she can think of -- jumps ship to stay with her younger brother -- they are the only one’s left an the island everyone was fleeing. Shortly after this, Ramo is killed by a pack of wild dogs. Karana is truly all alone -- she vows to avenge his death and live.

The plot is based on historic events which O’Dell not only transports the readers to that island but he also telaports them back to the 1800s. This achievement allows the reader to believe, comprehend, detect the day to day struggles Karana faces. 

REVEIW EXCERPT:

School Library Journal: "A haunting and unusual story...A quiet acceptance of fate characterizes her order."

A Kids' Review: "If you like heart breaking, touching, and sad books, you should definitely read the Island of the Blue Dolphins..."

CONNECTIONS:

* Make a list of all the problems Karana faces alone on the island and how she solves each
* Karana's skills help her survive on the island alone -- list some skills people would need to survive in today's world
* What is your first impression of Karana? Does it change as the story progresses? Is Karana someone you would like to know?
* Choose a favorite passage and create a drawing/painting that comes to them from the imagery of the passage
* Visit and explore Scott O'Dell's website.

The Boy On Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up To Become Dr. Seuss

"Today you are you, that is truer

   than true. There is no one alive

   who is youer than you."

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Krull, Kathleen. The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up To Become Dr. Seuss.  New York: Random House. 2004.

ISBN 0375822984

PLOT SUMMARY:

Kathleen Krull takes the reader on the journey of how Ted Geisel became Dr. Seuss. From his childhood experiences on Fairfield Street to the endeavors trying to figure out who he was and what he was meant to be and do -- Dr. Seuss would eventually emerged. The son of a zoo keeper, Ted found comfort and enjoyment in watching the animals -- inspiration inevitably evolved.

CRITICALY ANALYSIS:

Kathleen Krull creates a charming and fascinating biography of Ted Geisel. She recounts childhood memories with  amazing detail and candor--the reader is drawn in and feels as if they are experiencing the exact moment. Krull examines if the boy "who loved reading, singing, animals, and drawing funny pictures changed from being a goof off to becoming a successful author named Dr. Seuss." As a boy, he "feasted on books and was wild about animals;" it is difficult to discern if he changed or (more likely) he changed the reading world. The author does an excellent job peaking the reader's interest and grabbing their attention through words and pictures. Krull uses paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher to illustrate the various times and settings in Ted's life. Showing Ted blissfully drawing in art class and having the teacher look at his work in a disapproving manner -- Dr. Seuss emergence was already showing and would soon flourish.

The author seems to run out of pages and time; therefore, compacting -- no cramming and crushing Ted Geisel's later life and years into a few pages. This takes away from the overall joy of the book; however, the enjoyment and fascination Krull created in the previous pages carry the reader through with pleasure. The final pages list all the written works and illustrations by Dr. Seuss. This gives the reader an image of how far-reaching and encompassing Dr. Seuss' vocation was and why his life's works will continue to be enjoyed.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Amazon.com: “Young doodlers and dreamers of the world, take heart--the famous Dr. Seuss, creator of Whos and Sneetches, was a doodler and dreamer, too. Kathleen Krull's engaging picture-book biography of Ted Geisel, the real Dr. Seuss, takes us from his early childhood on Fairfield Street in Springfield, Massachusetts, to the time when he's 22 years old in Greenwich Village and just starting to think he might make a go of it as a person who draws flying cows. Krull tells a lively story, carefully including details that help us understand how Seuss became Seuss, from playground injustice (Geisel was a German American and World War I loomed large) to his love for Krazy Kat comics.”

CONNECTIONS:

* Create a timeline of Dr. Seuss' accomplishments
* Draw a picture from one of your favorite Dr. Seuss books
* Read more nonfiction books by Kathleen Krull
* Choose a Dr. Seuss book and create a skit

M.L.K Journey of a King

"I must go back to
   Montgomery...
I have begun the struggle,
   and
I can't turn back.
I have reach a
   point of no return."

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Bolden, Tonya. M.L.K. Journey of a King. New York: Abrams Books
for Young Readers, 2007.

ISBN 0810954761

Tonya Bolden

PLOT SUMMARY:

Not only does this book introduce young readers to the person behind the icon, it also takes them on a literal and visual journey of one man's personal life -- with his wife Coretta Scott King and their four children -- to his public struggle for equal rights and the belief that agape -- the selfless love for one's neighbor is the tie that binds all mankind. From his birth in 1929 to his death in 1968; this book truly shows the journey of a King -- M.L.K., born "Michael, his father changed his name to Martin Luther King in 1934 after her returned from a Baptist convention in Germany, birthplace of the sixteenth-century theologian Martin Luther, a leader of the Protestant Reformation." M.L. -- "his father's nickname for him," preferred "keeping it simple long before his life became so intense." Martin Luther experienced prejudice early in life, at the age of eight, outside a store, while "waiting for Mother Dear his face and spirit stinging from a white woman's slap and slander: 'Your are that nigger that stepped on my foot,' -- one might say this was the beginning of his journey to put an end to racism.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Coretta Scott King - Honor Winner, Tonya Bolden, has written a biography that is more than interesting -- it is compelling and it is accurate. Ms. Bolden brings words and pictures together in such a manner that the reader feels as if they have walked with M.L.K. and they have fought his fight and struggled his strife. Tonya Bolden provides documentation of her journey and research that took place while writing this book.  Her author's notes, selected sources, photography credits, and acknowledgments give a glimpse into Bolden's pilgrimage. Bolden choose to organize the book in a chronological manner. The layout is logical and easy to understand. Beginning with Michael's birth to his name change through formative years and experiences on to dating and marrying Coretta Scott and raising their young family;  to his commitment and steadfastness to Civil Rights and finally ending with his murder in 1968 -- his diverse, complicated yet simple and basic life is presented in such a manner that both young and old readers will be captivated. Bolden pointed out on several occasions Martin Luther's belief in nonviolence  and "he preached nonviolence to his followers in part for practical reasons. If blacks resorted to violence, the authorities might well call on the entire city police force, state troopers, and if necessary, the National Guard." M.L. believed in the Civil Rights Movement and hoped and prayed that "...God help [him] to see that where [he] stands today, [he] stands because others helped [him] to stand there and because the forces of history projected [him] there." The quotes by themselves are moving but coupled with the emotional and inspiring pictures -- this book goes beyond interesting to  charismatic, compelling, captivating and consuming. Tonya Bolden uses language and delivery that takes readers back in time, to another era when a "crowd of fifty thousand, the largest civil rights demonstration to date in America, and where M.L. gave his first national address." As readers progress through the book questions about that time are popping up in their minds and amazement of how far mankind has come and has yet to go -- welcome to the future.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

BookList: "Do libraries need another biography of King? Yes, if it's as good as this one, which will reach a wide audience. In an author's note, Bolden says she chose not to detail King's flaws but rather to focus on the "dream." The chatty style is accessible (why, though, does Bolden call King by his personal nickname, M. L., throughout?), and the handsome book design will encourage browsers. Stirring, beautifully reproduced, well-captioned photos (at least one on every double-page spread) accompany the text, supplemented with boxed quotes. Everything is fully documented in notes, and Bolden supplies a bibliography and a very detailed time line.

CONNECTIONS:

* Re-enact their favorite M.L.K. speech / moment
* Draw a timeline of M.L.K.'s life (birth, school, marriage, etc...)
* Draw a scene from the book -- how they imagine it would
    have been
* Read other biographies from that timeframe
* Read other bookis from Civil Rights Era

Oceans

If you visit the shore, you'll soon notice
the daily rise and fall of the water, which
we call tides.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Simon, Seymour. Oceans. New York: Smithsonian HapreCollins

Publishers, 1990.

ISBN 0688094538

Seymour Simon

PLOT SUMMARY:

The Earth, unlike any other planet, more liquid water than surface -- come explore the currents, depths, and tides of the ocean. Oceans bring us life and death; beauty and brutality  -- oceans are a beautiful contradiction that play a vital role in Earth's existence and human activity. Life in the ocean "began millions of years ago and is home to an incredible number of living things, from microscopic plants and animals called plankton to giant whales larger than any dinosaur." The ocean is awakening and full of life and "throughout the ages, the sea has been the inspiration for art, music, and poetry..."and this perpetual game will continue all "a source of food and a highway to travel."

CRITICALY ANALYSIS:

Seymour Simon begins this book and journey from space looking at the Earth and discussing it's distinct surface; the fact that "more than 70 percent of the earth's surface is covered by oceans" speaks volumes to our existence and ability to continue existing. The images and pictures help to demonstrate the Simon's text. As Simon introduces and discusses the "ocean currents of the world" and how they "flow in huge circular paths called gyres," the "computer-generated picture shows water temperature in colors from the warmest (red) to the coolest (blue);" without this visual the reader is left to image where the warm and cool waters flow. Seymour Simon's usage of basic words and simple language along with detailed images and vivid pictures brings a unique style that is attractive to all readers. As Simon ventures into the ocean depths to show a different world and more specific life forms  we learn that "all sea animals depend upon the multitudes of tiny plankton plants, which drift in the surface waters of the ocean" and these "tiny plants are eaten by small fish and other animals, which are eaten by large animals, and which are eaten, in turn, by even larger animals." The food chain is alive and working; as a matter of fact, "tons of sea animals of all kinds are eaten each day by people all over the world" which brings the food chain to the Earth's surface. Seymour Simon also points out that mankind has mistreated the oceans and in an eloquent manner informs readers that "the seas have always been able to renew itself, but we are reaching the limits of this vast ocean world;" this elicits critical thinking and questions from readers. What should we do; what can we do to stop this and preserve our oceans.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Booklist: "Remarkable."

The Horn Book: "Visually stunning."

                  
Lalith Polepeddi: "This is a very edicational, easy-to-read book that gives information on the single body of water that the world is covered in. I especially liked all the interesting facts mentioned in this book and it was an informational and short read. Some of the facts that I found interesting were that the ocean has more tha one-and-one-half quintillion (15 followed by 17 zeros) tons of water - that 100 billion gallons of water for each person in the world - , how scientists use echo sounding to find out the physical features of the ocean, the cause of tides in relation to the moon and the sun, and the incredible numbers of life forms in the sea. There are also a couple of pages talking about waves - both destructive (tsunamis, hurricane waves) and normal waves that you see at the beach. The fantastic color photographs are simply breathtaking. This book also has good diagrams and the text is clear and concise."

CONNECTIONS:

* Develop a fact sheet from the book

* Draw a picture of your favorite ocean creature

* Create a 3-dimensional representation of the Earth
    (accuaracy is important--remember 70% of Earth's
      surface is water)
* Read other books by Seymour Simon
* Read other books about the Earth
* Compare and contrast the food chain -- Earth & Oceans

What My Mother Doesn't Know

 "It's like/ my mind/

and my body/ and my heart/

just don't seem to be able to agree/o

on anything.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2001.

ISBN0689841140

PLOT SUMMARY:

In this verse novel, Sonya Sones chronicles the life of a ninth grade student, Sophie. Sophie, an apparently boy-crazed teenager, shares the struggles of her daily life from her first love to fighting with her best friends and much more -- the normal life of every teenage girl. Sophie thinks she loves Dylan but she soon realizes they are not right for each much less a match made in heaven. After Dylan breaks her heart by asking her not to mention she is Jewish in front of his prejudice mother, Sophie meets Chaz, on the Internet in a chat room. This relationship also fizzles but leads to a more meaningful relationship with an unpopular boy named Robin. Sophie spends a majority of her time struggling to be understood and to understand people around her.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Sonya Sones has written this verse novel from the first person point of view, Sophie. In doing this the readers are taken through Sophie's daily, weekly, and monthly trials - tribulations and joy - jubilance.  Sophie informs readers quickly that "This book is about me. It tells/the heart-stoppingly riveting story/ of my first love. And also of my second. And, okay my third love, too." Despite these three intoxicating and all consuming loves, Sophie states, "It's not that I'm boy crazy," she believes she is just having a "...hard time/ trying to figure out the difference between love and lust." The chapters are the individual titles of each poem. Each poem deals with something specific in her life. Readers are able to identify with the issues the protagonist encounters; these are common everyday occurrences for adolescence -- family, friends, love, hate, race, and gender. Sones writes in narrative poetry, which is easy and enjoyable to read; especially for the individuals with an aversion to reading.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Publishers Weekly: "The author keenly portray ninth-grader Sophie's trajectory of lusty crushes and disillusionment whether she is gazing at Dylan's 'smoldery dark eyes' or dancing with a mystery man to music that 'is slow/ and/ saxophony.' Best friends Rachel and Grace provide anchoring friendships for Sophie as she navigates her home life as an only child with a distant father and a soap opera-devotee mother..."

CONNECTIONS:

* Create their own poem from their favorite chapter

* Discuss and predict what might occur in the sequel

* Read the sequel to this book, What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know

* Discuss how and why people feel lonely when they are  surrounded by other

   people (family, friends, etc.)

* Read other verse novels my Sonya Sones

Footprints on the Roof

Celebrating the wonders and beauty of our world ~~

Inspiring and stunning ~~
          visual images of
          seas and oceans-      
          deserts and dunes--

Read and See our beautiful planet

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Singer, Marilyn ; illustrated by Meilo So. FootPrints on the Roof: poems about the earth. New York: Knopf Books for Young, 2002.

ISBN 0375810943

PLOT SUMMARY:

An exhilarating and discerning collection of poems ranging from rabbits and worms to space and wind and everything in between. Even Go-Betweens are discussed, trees -- "Trees are go-betweens listening to the stories of both earth and sky the conversations of vireos and star-nosed moles..."  As imagery takes over, the reader is swept up into the high branches of the trees, the Go-Between who can listen to the conversations "of eagles and worms Trees know the soft secrets of clouds the dark siftings of soil..." Through Marilyn Singer's  words, a diverse and lavish representation of our environment is mentally created.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Footprints on the Roof celebrates and memorializes the allurement and wonders of our celestial body -- Earth. Marilyn Singer's usage of free verse and idyll lyrics is filled with visual representation. Her poems touch on topics from mud and ice to islands and deserts; always utilizing prose that do not limit but allow the reader to find the fluid boundary of our universe. Environmentally based, Singer uses metaophr and personfication throughtout the book Footprints on the Roof --
                 "Dormant Dragons /Volcanoes there are that sleep/ 
                   the sleep of dragons/ with cool head
                   and hot bellies/they crouch/solid and still..."
                 "Go-Betweens /Trees...listening to stories/of both
                    earth and sky..."  
Comparing dormant volcanoes to sleeping dragons is a great use of metaphor. Singer also demonstrates her knowledge and use of personification when she has the trees listening to stories from the earth and sky.

The illustrations provided by Meilo So are analogous with Singer's poems -- they are simple yet complex, basic and primary. The artwork gives compassion and conviction to each poem.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Publishers Weekly: "Sometimes I'm in the mood for mud When my toes have tasted too many sidewalks. In the park or by the rive I choose ooze," writes Marilyn Singer in "Mud," one of several environmentally-themed offerings in Footprints on the Roof.

CONNECTIONS:

* Choose a poem and draw a picture representing the poem and/or the feelings/images you had
* Use in conjunction with a social studies lesson and/or science lesson regarding our planet
* Create your own poem using other matter,items, things in nature

Little Dog Poems

~Little Dog,
~~Little Dog,
~~~Little Dog --
"loves to supervise the neighborhood"

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

George, Kristine O'Connell; illustrated by June Otani. Little Dog Poems. New York: Clarion Books, 1999

ISBN 0395822661

PLOT SUMMARY:

Little Dog Poems is a book brimming with short, sweet poems about the life of a cute little dog and its owner. The book begins with the adorable dog waking its master with its Cold Nose which "is better than any alarm clock."As the book progresses so does the dog's day from battling with the Enemy -- "Little Dog barks and chases the noisy enemy around the house until the vacuum learns its lesson and stops growling" to the pooch's Morning Nap and finally Coming Home -- Little Dog is "jumping so high, trying to turn yourself inside out," Little Dog is happy [my] owner is home.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Kristine O'Connell George relies on both free-verse and concrete poetry, sometimes called visual poetry,  This book of Little Dog Poems is lacking what most people think of as poetry -- there is no rhyme, rhythm or cadence but this book certainly does conjure a Carpe diem spirit. This simple book covertly urges the reader to continue reading -- turning the pages -- even though the reader is intrinsically aware what will be on the next page -- they turn the page and another event of Little Dog's day is exposed. George speaks the words that every dog owner is cognizant of -- they know their dog wants to go outside and is always ready to battle a beetle. George does not use alliteration or versification in these poems, her poetry is based more on emotions. She is able to capture the moments of Little Dog's day and the various feelings -- sadness of the master leaving to happiness riding in the car and the owners arrival back home. Little Dog has an delightful and eventful day.

June Otani's watercolor illustrations in this book tell the perfect story -- realistic and heat-warming moments are captured for the readers. Little Dog approaches the Enemy vacuum curiously and protectively and when it is nap time the gentle and soft colors coupled with Little Dog's peaceful slumber has the reader relaxing and wishing happy thoughts for the pooch. The choice of watercolor adds a sense of gentleness and affection between owner and canine. Otani continues to mesmerize readers with the dogs happy expression on the Car Ride to it's effervescent bounce as Little Dog see it's owner Coming Home. True devotion is evident, it exists between Little Dog and the owner.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Kirkus Reviews: These agreeable poems from George chronicle a day in the life of a little dog doing little dog things. After the obligatory cold nose wakes the dog's young keeper, the dog duels the vacuum cleaner, surveys the territory from the window, gives the letter carrier notice, curls like a watch spring into a spot on sunlight, snoozes, duels with a beetle, makes a mess, tears things apart, serves and protects.

CONNECTIONS:

* Read other poems by Kristine O'Connell George
* Discuss similarities of Little Dog and their pets
* Read what other animals need regarding care, food and shelter

Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales

~~~don't forget
~~the flea and the oxen
~the moon and the sun

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Philip, Neil ; illustrated by Jacqueline Mair. Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales. New York: Clarion Book, 2003

ISBN 0618194630

Neil Philip

PLOT SUMMARY:

These fourteen Mexican folktales are entertaining; they are packed with wonderment and amazement. Culture and religion are woven into a majority of these folktales. It is evident that many of these folktales are based on the country's solid Catholic faith; however, a person does not need to be of the Catholic faith to enjoy the tales. The folktales range from the one page tale, The Priest who had a Glimpse of Glory,  to the five page tale of Pedro the Trickster.  These classic tales are embedded with magic and transformation.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Neil Philip brings together fourteen wonderful folktales from our neighbor to the south. Philip's introduction  gives the reader a brief background  in the culture, types of tales usually told and possible reasonings for the "cleverness and stupidity" that exist in many of the tales. These Mexican tales are enhanced by the exuberantly colorful illustrations of Jacqueline Mair. Mair's work brilliantly conceals and reveals details of each folktale. Her illustrations are phenomenal -- they are alive with rich vibrant colors and befitting embellishments.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Children's Literature: "As Hispanic culture weaves itself into the American landscape with an ever-increasing saturation, this book of Mexican folktales proves to be a vibrant addition to the folktale genre to which children today are so rarely exposed."

CONNECTIONS;

* Choose a folktale, choose and assign characters, and act it out
* Draw a picture from one of the folktales
* Read other Mexican folktales
* Read other ethnic folktales
* Review other woks by Jacqueline Mair

Jacqueline Mair

Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale

Bubba's fairy godcow swished her tail and transformed his raggedy clothes into the handsomest cowboy duds and changed a nearby steer into the most beautiful white stallion.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Ketteman, Helen. Bubba The Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale. New York; Scholastic Press, 1997
 ISBN 0590255061

Helen Ketteman

PLOT SUMMARY:

 Bubba, the Cinderella Cowboy Prince, is pushed around and walked on at the family ranch by his hateful step-dad and his horrible step-brothers. Bubba does not complain mainly because he is a real cowboy and enjoys working the ranch.

Miz. Lurleen is lonesome and wants to find herself "a feller and it wouldn't hurt if he was cute as a cow's ear, either." She wants a true cowboy to help with her ranch. She  decides to throw a ball and send out invitations to all the ranchers in Texas.

Bubba has to help his horrible step-family prepare for the ball and when he asked if they will wait for him they laugh at him and say "You smell more like the cattle than the cattle do" and leave Bubba at behind to stay at home alone.

Luckily, Bubba's Fairy Godcow is watching over him as he rides to the pasture to check on the herd. The Fairy Godcow creates some Texas magic and Bubba and a steer are transformed. Bubba rides to the ball on his white stallion and Miz Lurleen meets the cowboy of her dreams.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Helen Ketteman does a wonderful job with this Cinderella parody with a Texas twist. This uncommon story has all of the elements of the traditional Cinderella fairy tale. Bubba's character will give all readers enjoyment and laughs. Warhola's illustration exhibit a high quality of artwork with Texas flavor from cowboys in ten gallon Stetson hats to Miz. Lurlenn and her big Texas hair. The illustrations are colorful yet soft and whimsical with irony. The detail in each illustration is amazing -- from the wicked step-father missing various teeth to the cows under the thunder storm; which is really Bubba's fair godcow.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Kirkus: "A fairy "godcow" comes to the aid of an overworked cowboy named Bubba, who hilariously embodies an overblown and Texas-grown Cinderella. "Appealingly whimsical, delightful visual surprises."

CONNECTIONS:

* Create a list comparing and contrasting Bubba the Cowboy Prince to Cinderella.
* Have students create their own fractured fairy tale.
* Create/continue the fairy talk of Bubba and Miz Lurleen.
* Draw a picture from their favorite part of the fairy tale.
* Read other books by Helen Ketteman.
* View and discuss other artworks by James Warhola.

James Warhola