Stitches by David Small

Module 10/SLIS 5420/August 9-15

Bibliography

Small, David. (2009). Stitches: A Memoir. New York: W.W. Norton and Company
ISBN: 978-0-393-06857-3

Summary

David's father is a radiologist, and as an errant therapy to cure his son's sinusitis, exposes David to over 400 x-rays as a child. As a result, David gets cancer - but his parents don't acknowledge or address David's illness for years. Small, through his graphic novel, takes the reader through his sad, lonely life as a child of a mother who appears to be apathetic toward her children and husband and a father who cares more about his career than the health of his family.

My Impressions

This was a quick read, and although a downer, was quite enjoyable. The illustrations were the best part of the novel and told the story, many times without words, deftly - but the characters and plot seemed a bit shallow. I feel as though Small could have given me more. Because it was such a quick read, and skimmed the surface of David's childhood - by basically giving the gist of what happened to him and what he and his family are doing now - this book will go over well with young adults reading their first memoir. David Small, at the end, talks about how if the memoir were about his mother, not him, he would have delved into more detail about her issues, etc., but I feel as though he could have given more context to all of his family members, including himself. We see, in the beginning, that he likes to draw, but he uses this only a few times to illustrate his character as a child. We learn about his mother's mother, but then we never find out about his family history of mental illness. I felt like I was left with many questions. Maybe he will do a follow-up, but I think Small could have made this a bit longer, or at least a few volumes and added more detail to this interesting story.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly: Starred Review. "In this profound and moving memoir, Small, an award-winning children's book illustrator, uses his drawings to depict the consciousness of a young boy. The story starts when the narrator is six years old and follows him into adulthood, with most of the story spent during his early adolescence. The youngest member of a silent and unhappy family, David is subjected to repeated x-rays to monitor sinus problems. When he develops cancer as a result of this procedure, he is operated on without being told what is wrong with him. The operation results in the loss of his voice, cutting him off even further from the world around him. Small's black and white pen and ink drawings are endlessly perceptive as they portray the layering of dream and imagination onto the real-life experiences of the young boy. Small's intuitive morphing of images, as with the terrible post-surgery scar on the main character's throat that becomes a dark staircase climbed by his mother, provide deep emotional echoes. Some understanding is gained as family secrets are unearthed, but for the most part David fends for himself in a family that is uncommunicative to a truly ghastly degree. Small tells his story with haunting subtlety and power." (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal: Starred Review. Grade 10 Up–"Small is best known for his picture-book illustration. Here he tells the decidedly grim but far from unique story of his own childhood. Many teens will identify with the rigors of growing up in a household of angry silences, selfish parents, feelings of personal weakness, and secret lives. Small shows himself to be an excellent storyteller here, developing the cast of characters as they appeared to him during this period of his life, while ending with the reminder that his parents and brother probably had very different takes on these same events. The title derives from throat surgery Small underwent at 14, which left him, for several years, literally voiceless. Both the visual and rhetorical metaphors throughout will have high appeal to teen sensibilities. The shaded artwork, composed mostly of ink washes, is both evocative and beautifully detailed. A fine example of the growing genre of graphic-novel memoirs." –Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia

Suggested Library Use

I think graphic novels should be promoted more frequently as an excellent genre to engage reluctant readers and to introduce students into genres they might not otherwise pick up. Stitches is a great book to introduce teens to nonfiction and memoir.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Module 10/ SLIS 5420/ August 9-12 Bibliography

Chbosky, Stephen. (1999). The Perks of Being a Wallflower. New York: MTV Books
ISBN: 978-0-671-02734-6

Summary

Charlie lives on the fringe, but doesn't mind it so much. As he tells his story through a series of letters that act as a diary of his first year in high school, the reader learns along with Charlie what it's like to "participate" in life. Although at first Charlie may seem strange, this book will make you think again about the definition of strange and normal; good and bad. It will make you think again about what it means to be infinite.

My Impressions

This is one of the best YA books I have read all year. It reminds me a bit of how I felt when I read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Charlie's voice is so authentic that this book will resonate with teens, and hit a nerve for adults. Chbosky is able to convey Charlie's emotions with succinct writing and the observant Charlie is able to talk to the reader and make you care. Often controversial, this book is not light reading. Charlie goes through seriously depressive periods, learns about sexuality, deals with abortion, experiments with drugs, etc. But, if you give this book a chance, all that will not stand out as the main point of the story. Give it a chance, and I know you won't be disappointed.

Reviews

Amazon.com Review: "What is most notable about this funny, touching, memorable first novel from Stephen Chbosky is the resounding accuracy with which the author captures the voice of a boy teetering on the brink of adulthood. Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. He's a wallflower--shy and introspective, and intelligent beyond his years, if not very savvy in the social arts. We learn about Charlie through the letters he writes to someone of undisclosed name, age, and gender, a stylistic technique that adds to the heart-wrenching earnestness saturating this teen's story. Charlie encounters the same struggles that many kids face in high school--how to make friends, the intensity of a crush, family tensions, a first relationship, exploring sexuality, experimenting with drugs--but he must also deal with his best friend's recent suicide. Charlie's letters take on the intimate feel of a journal as he shares his day-to-day thoughts and feelings:

I walk around the school hallways and look at the people. I look at the teachers and wonder why they're here. If they like their jobs. Or us. And I wonder how smart they were when they were fifteen. Not in a mean way. In a curious way. It's like looking at all the students and wondering who's had their heart broken that day, and how they are able to cope with having three quizzes and a book report due on top of that. Or wondering who did the heart breaking. And wondering why.

With the help of a teacher who recognizes his wisdom and intuition, and his two friends, seniors Samantha and Patrick, Charlie mostly manages to avoid the depression he feels creeping up like kudzu. When it all becomes too much, after a shocking realization about his beloved late Aunt Helen, Charlie retreats from reality for awhile. But he makes it back in due time, ready to face his sophomore year and all that it may bring. Charlie, sincerely searching for that feeling of "being infinite," is a kindred spirit to the generation that's been slapped with the label X." --Brangien Davis

School Library Journal: Grade 9 Up "An epistolary narrative cleverly places readers in the role of recipients of Charlies unfolding story of his freshman year in high school. From the beginning, Charlies identity as an outsider is credibly established. It was in the spring of the previous school year that his best friend committed suicide and now that his class has gone through a summer of change, the boy finds that he has drifted away from old friends. He finds a new and satisfying social set, however, made up of several high school seniors, bright bohemians with ego-bruising insights and, really, hearts of gold. These new friends make more sense to Charlie than his star football-playing older brother ever did and they are able to teach him about the realities of life that his older sister doesn't have the time to share with him. Grounded in a specific time (the 1991/92 academic year) and place (western Pennsylvania), Charlie, his friends, and family are palpably real. His grandfather is an embarrassing bigot; his new best friend is gay; his sister must resolve her pregnancy without her boyfriends support. Charlie develops from an observant wallflower into his own man of action, and, with the help of a therapist, he begins to face the sexual abuse he had experienced as a child. This report on his life will engage teen readers for years to come." Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Suggested Library Use

Use during banned books month, or for a controversial reading program. It's also a great book to pair with a classic that is mentioned as one of the protagonists favorites to get teens interested in titles outside of the YA genre.

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Module 9/SLIS 5420/August 2-7

Bibliography

Hopkins, Ellen. (2004). Crank. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN: 978-0-689-86519-0

Summary

Through verse, Ellen Hopkins relays the tale of Kristina - a girl who gets caught up in the madness and monster of meth. The verse relay two tales - that of Kristina (the good girl) and that of her alter ego, Bree, who she has developed after a summer with her doped up Dad. Through word play and honest emotions, Hopkins tells a story that hits close to home, as it mirrors issues that she and her daughter dealt with in real life.

My Impressions

I really enjoyed the verse in this novel. I know that, for many, verse novels are tough to get through, but the word play and structure make this an interesting read, while the topic and raw emotion make it a page-turner. Once Kristina visits her Dad and meets the "monster" that is meth, it's hard to turn back and no longer be "Bree." This book has it all, falling in love, drugs, LGBTQ issues, and a lot more and - on top of all that - it's based on a true story: cautionary tale.

Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Amazon.com Review: "Ellen Hopkins's semi-autobiographical verse novel, Crank, reads like a Go Ask Alice for the 21st century. In it, she chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank. Soon, her grades plummet, her relationships with family and friends deteriorate, and she needs more and more of the monster just to get through the day. Kristina hits her lowest point when she is raped by one of her drug dealers and becomes pregnant as a result. Her decision to keep the baby slows her drug use, but doesn't stop it, and the author leaves the reader with the distinct impression that Kristina/Bree may never be free from her addiction. In the author's note, Hopkins warns "nothing in this story is impossible," but when Kristina's controlled, high-powered mother allows her teenage daughter to visit her biological father (a nearly homeless known drug user), the story feels unbelievable. Still, the descriptions of crystal meth use and its consequences are powerful, and will horrify and transfix older teenage readers, just as Alice did over 20 years ago." --Jennifer Hubert

School Library Journal: Grade 8 Up–"Seventeen-year-old Kristina Snow is introduced to crank on a trip to visit her wayward father. Caught up in a fast-paced, frightening, and unfamiliar world, she morphs into "Bree" after she "shakes hands with the monster." Her fearless, risk-taking alter ego grows stronger, "convincing me to be someone I never dreamed I'd want to be." When Kristina goes home, things don't return to normal. Although she tries to reconnect with her mother and her former life as a good student, her drug use soon takes over, leaving her "starving for speed" and for boys who will soon leave her scarred and pregnant. Hopkins writes in free-verse poems that paint painfully sharp images of Kristina/Bree and those around her, detailing how powerful the "monster" can be. The poems are masterpieces of word, shape, and pacing, compelling readers on to the next chapter in Kristina's spiraling world. This is a topical page-turner and a stunning portrayal of a teen's loss of direction and realistically uncertain future."–Sharon Korbeck, Waupaca Area Public Library, WI

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Suggested Library Use

I plan to use Crank at a middle school/high school age book talk on realistic fiction. I figured throwing in a verse novel might interest the teens to check out more verse and poetry.

Your Own, Sylvia by Stephanie Hemphill

Module 9/SLIS 5420/August 2-7 Bibliography

Hemphill, Stepahnie. (2007). Your Own, Sylvia. New York: Random House
ISBN: 978-0-375-83799-9

Summary

Stephanie Hemphill attempts to portray a biography of Sylvia Plath's life through verse and through the eyes of her friends, family, professors etc. Each poem is from a different point of view - each describing Sylvia from their perspective. The poems take the reader from her beginning at Smith through and after her suicide.

My Impressions

I really wanted to like this book, because I really love Sylvia Plath (both her poetry and prose). But, and I realize I may be alone in saying this, it just didn't do it for me. Now, I understand the poems are for young adults, but let's give them more credit than this book. These aren't poems, they are prose that are artificially broken up into verse. I wish the author would have written actual poetry - that would have given the young adults who read this a challenge and opened their mind up to Plath. Anyone can pick up one of Plath's biographies or - better yet - read her unabridged journals, but skip this. I knew it would be hard to write a book in verse about Plath - because her poetry is tough to live up to - but this didn't even attempt at coming close.

Reviews

School Library Journal: Grade 8 Up—Through a series of skillfully crafted poems, Hemphill has pieced together a collage of the life and work of the American writer. Arranged chronologically from Plath's birth to the month of her suicide, the poems are written from the points of view of people involved in her life. The voices of Plath's mother; her poet husband, Ted Hughes; and other intimates are interspersed with those of more fleeting acquaintances, each chosen to underscore a unique aspect of the subject's fiery life and tumultuous literary career. Hemphill rises to the challenge of capturing the life of a poet through poetry itself; the end result is a collection of verse worthy of the artist whom it portrays. Form is of paramount importance, just as it was to Plath herself. Many of the selections were created "in the style of" specific Plath poems, while others are scattered with Plath's imagery and language. While the book will prove an apt curriculum companion to Plath's literary works as touted on the jacket, it will also pull the next generation of readers into the myth of Sylvia Plath.—Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Booklist: *Starred Review* As in Margarita Engle's The Poet Slave of Cuba (2006), this ambitious portrait uses poetry to illuminate the facts of a famous life, in this case, Sylvia Plath's. Although classified as fiction, the book draws from numerous nonfiction sources, including biographies and Plath's journals and letters, and each poem is accompanied by footnotes grounding Hemphill's imagined scenes within the facts. Rather than write in Plath's voice, Hemphill channels the voices of those who knew the poet in chronologically arranged poems, written from the perspective of family members, friends, colleagus, even Plath's doctor. Plath's own voice is evident in the poetic forms, though, with many of the poems written "in the style of" specific works. The result is an intimate, comprehensive, imaginative view of a life that also probes the relationships between poetry and creativity, mental fragility, love, marriage, and betrayal. Some readers may be slowed by the many poems that chronicle the bitter dissolution of Plath's marriage, and readers who know the Plath poems Hemphill references will have an advantage. But Plath's dramatic genius and personal struggles, particularly the difficulties of reconciling the writing life with the roles of wife and mother, have long attracted teen interest, and this accomplished, creative story may ignite new interest in Plath's original works. A bibliography of sources is appended. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Suggested Library Use:

I probably would rather use Plath's own journals and poetry in a Plath or poetry segment at the library.

The A-List by Zoey Dean

Module 8/SLIS 5420/July 26 - 31 Bibliography

Bibliography

Dean, Zoey. (2003). The A-List. New York: Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 0-316-73435-7

Summary

Anna Percy chooses to leave her perfectly predictable, private school life in Manhattan for a new, exciting and spontaneous life with her father in Los Angeles. Along the way, literally, she meets who she thinks might be the man of her dreams... but is he? Beverly Hills has some surprises for Anna - new frenemies, new school (public! gasp!) and a whole new perspective on life.

My Impressions

I really expected to hate this book. I thought it would be fluff and annoying, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined. Dean portrays her private-school, academic characters as witty and intelligent, if they are snobby and back-stabbing. Unfortunately, I think this is an accurate portrait of many rich, LA and Manhattan teens. Does that mean it is quality reading? Not necessarily, but it is fun and it's not bad writing.

Reviews

School Library Journal: Grade 9 Up-"Moving from Manhattan's elite world to "Hollyweird" presents Anna with quite a culture shock, but one that she's ready for. White gloves and tea give way to her drugged-out dad in the gazebo and a Hollywood celebrity's wedding where she is introduced to Ahi rolls. She discovers that all is not without controversy in LaLa land, and that beautiful girls are not always welcome in the inner circle, especially those who pick up the hunk whom all the insiders are lusting after. After surviving the evil competitors, bad yogurt, and a vengeful seatmate on the plane, Anna proves that gorgeous good girls can, and do, survive in L.A. All of those nasty, high-society types that populate the "Gossip Girl" series (Little, Brown) can be found here in bikinis and Oakleys instead of wool pashminas and Blahnik boots. Unfortunately, this book tries to be more than the others of its genre by making frequent use of words and phrases that don't fit the beach-baby scene, such as "-she wasn't one to snivel over the vagaries of her own existence." Fans of the series will flock to this book, but they may be a tad disappointed with the replay."
Lynn Evarts, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie du Sac, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Suggested Library Use

I'm not sure I can think of another use for this besides incorporating it into a "Summer Beach Read" list or book talk.

Nightmare by Joan Lowery Nixon

Module 8/SLIS 5420/July 26 - 31

Bibliography

Nixon, Joan Lowery. (2003). Nightmare. New York: Delacorte press
ISBN: 0-440-23772-4

Summary

Emily Wood's has had the same haunting recurring nightmare since she was little. Now, at seventeen, she is about to find out why. A certified "slacker," Emily's parents are sending her to Camp Excel to help her with her motivation and grades - but Emily will get quite a bit more out of her visit. Who is haunting her dreams? Only someone at Camp Excel knows.

My Impressions

I did not really enjoy this mystery. The plot seemed simplistic and the dialogue and character development was contrived. However, I am an adult - and the purpose of this mystery book is to appeal to "tweens" who are not quite ready for adult mysteries and their complex plot, but are too mature for children's mysteries. This is a good bridge book, for that purpose, but the writing certainly doesn't stand out.

Reviews

School Library Journal: Grade 5-8-Since childhood, 10th-grade Emily has had nightmares about a shadowy, slimy place where she is entangled with vines and sees a body lying in water. She is so petrified by this dream about the open-mouthed and blankly staring corpse that she is unable to confide in anyone. Her parents are upset because she won't let them help her and are frustrated because she doesn't take after her two brilliant sisters. They send her to Camp Excel, an experimental program for underachievers, where Emily has a sense of deja vu, and her true nightmare begins when she realizes her life is in danger. Elements of suspense and mystery are cleverly integrated with the teen's problems resulting from what she witnessed as a child. Readers will once again fall under Nixon's spell as they enjoy this page-turner.
Susan Cooley, formerly at Tower Hill School, Wilmington, DE
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Booklist: Gr. 6-10. The nightmare has haunted teenage Emily Wood since she was a child: a crumpled body lying half in and half out of the water; dead eyes in a pale, bloody face; a mouth open in a scream that no one can hear. Did it really happen? Whose body is it? Who was the killer? And who is now stalking Emily at Camp Excel, the summer camp for underachievers that her parents have forced her to attend? There's some heavy coincidence, but the late Nixon was a multiple award winner for her YA mysteries, and this one, published after her death, continues her inimitable blend of horror and whodunit, this time with a touch of shivery mysticism and a lively contemporary cast. Readers will rush with Emily to solve the puzzle, even as they shudder at the occasional terse statements by the killer, who is steadily getting closer to another victim. The climactic confrontation in a creepy cave in the Texan Hills is unforgettable. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Suggested Library Use

As mentioned in my impressions, this is a good recommended read for students or "tweens" who have not yet graduated to adult mysteries but want a good bridge in between. Good book for a mystery book talk, as well.

What the World Eats by Faith D'Aluisio

Module 7/SLIS 5420/July 18-25

Bibliography

D'Aluisio, Faith. (2008). What the World Eats. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press.
978-1-58246-246-2

Summary

D'Aluisio's book features families all over the world from Bosnia to Chad, Mongolia to Mali and the United States, and shows us, truly, what the world eats. Not only does D'Aluisio tell the story of a week's worth of food for each family, but also breaks down how much money they spend on a week's worth of food, how they get the food and what the food means to each culture. Interspersed throughout each family's food-story are various facts, information and graphics about the world and food.

My Impressions

This is one of the most interesting books on food for young adults and children. It's easily relate-able because D'Aluisio features families, and it's interesting because, who doesn't want to peek inside a stranger's fridge/pantry? Especially if that stranger lives in Poland, Egypt, etc? There are just so many great parts of this book, I don't know where to begin. I absolutely love the breakdown of cost for a week's worth of each family's groceries. It's startling, for young people, how little can be spent on food - but additionally, how few processed foods some families live on. When you take a look at US families as compared to, say, Guatemalan families, there are so many pre-packages, pre-made foods, but then you look at the colorful, delicious array of fruits and veggies that the Guatemalan family use in their everyday cooking, and it makes your mouth water. Maybe this book will give kids a reason to try new foods and understand how important food is within each unique culture.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly: Starred Review. "Adapted from last year's Hungry Planet, this brilliantly executed work visits 25 families in 21 countries around the world. Each family is photographed surrounded by a week's worth of food and groceries, which Menzel and D'Aluisio use as a way of investigating not only different cultures' diets and standard of living but also the impact of globalization: why doesn't abundance bring better health, instead of increased occurrences of diabetes and similar diseases? These points are made lightly: delivered almost conversationally, the main narrative presents friendly, multigenerational portraits of each family, with meals and food preparation an avenue toward understanding their hopes and struggles. A wealth of supporting information—lush color photographs, family recipes, maps, sidebars, etc.—surrounds the text (superb design accomplishes this job harmoniously) and implies questions about global food supplies. Pictures of subsistence farmers in Ecuador cultivating potatoes from mountainous soil form sharp contrasts with those of supermarkets in a newly Westernized Poland. Fact boxes for each country tabulate revealing statistics, among them the percentage of the population living on less than $2 per day (47% in China, where the average daily caloric intake is nonetheless 2,930 per person); the percentage with diabetes; number of KFC franchises. Engrossing and certain to stimulate." All ages. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Suggested Library Use

I would use this book during an international food or food and culture themed program. It would be great to incorporate some different "food tastings" to allow kids to taste different foods that are featured within the book. Tasty, informative and fun - you can't lose.

An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Aston

Module 7/ SLIS 5420/ July 18-25

Bibliography

Aston, Dianna. (2006). An Egg is Quiet. Vancouver, BC: Raincoast Books.
ISBN: 978-0-8118-4428-4

Summary

Dianna Aston introduces children to the artistic and scientific world of eggs with style and whimsy. Illustrating the shapes, sizes, textures and many details of eggs, An Egg is Quiet, is a non-fiction, informational book that will pique children's interest in biology. The soft pastel colors and swirly, mischievous text add a perfect visual element to the bite-size, but poignant facts.

My Impressions

I know I should 'never judge a book by its cover,' but this one is oh-so lovely. The whirly, twirly text and soft pastels called out to me. Then, to my delight, the facts and beautifully written text perfectly matches the gorgeous and whimsical illustrations. Aston has turned the possibly dry topic of eggs into a page-turner. Some of my favorite text/illustration pairings are on the "An egg is shapely" page. Aston writes about the "tubular" egg of a lesser-spotted dogfish. Her vocabulary usage is peculiar enough to get kids asking, "what does that word mean?" without being too complicated. I loved everything about this book!

Reviews

School Library Journal: Kindergarten-Grade 2–"An exceptionally handsome book on eggs, from the delicate ova of the green lacewing to the rosy roe of the Atlantic salmon to the mammoth bulk of an ostrich egg. Aston's simple, readable text celebrates their marvelous diversity, commenting on size, shape, coloration, and where they might be found. The author occasionally attributes sensibilities to eggs (An egg is clever, for example). Still, her quiet descriptions of egg engineering and embryo development (no mention of mating) are on the mark, and are beautifully supported by Long's splendid watercolor depictions of a wide variety of eggs. (One teeny carp–Steller's jays are not spelled with an ar, though they are stellar performers when wheedling for your lunch at a campsite!) A beautiful guide to the unexpected panoply of the egg."–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Booklist: PreS-Gr. 2. "This beautifully illustrated introduction to eggs resembles pages drawn from a naturalist's diary. The text, scrolled out in elegant brown ink, works on two levels. Larger print makes simple observations that, read together, sound almost like poetry: "An egg is quiet. . . . An egg is colorful. An egg is shapely." On each spread, words in smaller print match up with illustrations to offer more facts about bird and fish eggs across the animal spectrum. The illustrations are too detailed for read-alouds, but there's a great deal here to engage children up close. The succinct text will draw young fact hounds, particularly fans of Steve Jenkins' Biggest, Strongest, Fastest (1995) and his similar titles. Long's illustrations are elegant and simple, and the gallery of eggs, as brilliantly colored and polished as gems, will inspire kids to marvel at animals' variety and beauty. A spread showing X-ray views of young embryos growing into animal young makes this a good choice for reinforcing concepts about life cycles." Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Suggested Library Use

There are so many great uses for this book. This could be used during a biology program, a bird program, and Easter program, etc.

Testing the Ice by Sharon Robinson

Module 6/SLIS 5420/July 12-17

Bibliography

Robinson, Sharon. (2009). Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
978-0-545-05251-1

Summary

Jackie Robinson wasn't only the first black baseball player to shatter the barrier and join Major League Baseball, but he was an even more courageous dad. Through this story, his daughter, Sharon Robinson tells the story of Jackie Robinson's greatest achievment - being a great father.

My Impressions

I adored this story. Robinson is able to juxtapose her father testing the ice in both baseball and one of his biggest fears. Although he won't swim, for his kids, he goes out onto the cold Connecticut lake to test the ice for his eager, skate-happy kids, and proves himself to be the bravest dad in the world. It's a heart-warming story about family that teaches kids history too!

Reviews

School Library Journal: Grade 1–3—"An affectionate tribute to Robinson's father's courage and character. In 1955, the family leaves New York City for a lakeside home in an idyllic, woodsy setting in Connecticut. Sharon and her brothers quickly make friends with the neighborhood kids and spend much of their time playing in and around the lake, though she notices that her dad never joins them in the water. Her new friends are awestruck by him and his stories of his breakthrough into the Major Leagues. When he bravely tests the ice so that the children can play on the frozen lake, Sharon realizes that he can't swim. Robinson neatly sums up the significance of her father's achievements while depicting him as a loving family man. Nelson's large paintings, done in pencil, watercolor, and oils, dramatically convey Robinson's public persona, the intensely competitive athlete, and contrasts that with the relaxed, yet commanding father Sharon and her brothers knew. This book is for a younger audience than the author's Jackie's Nine: Jackie Robinson's Values to Live By (2001) and Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America (2004, both Scholastic), but it adds another facet to children's understanding of the man and should resonate with a wide range of readers." —Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

Suggested Library Use

I would use this book for a variety of library activities - a history segment, baseball history or a Father's Day story time.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson

Module 6/SLIS 5420/July 12- 17

Bibliography

Anderson, M.T. (2006). The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing. Cambridge: Candlewick Press
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3679-1

Summary

Octavian and his mother live a life of aristocratic luxury. He has the best education and is taught by the scholars of a philosophical college in Boston during the revolution. But soon, Octavian uncovers a secret that changes everything - a secret that will change his and his mother's lives forever and greatly alter his relationship with his mentors.

My Impressions

I have mixed feelings about this book. I will say that when I put it down, I was thoroughly satisfied, but there were some bumps in the beginning and middle. First, the language is a bit muddy because Anderson uses historically accurate language for the class and time about which the book is written. After you master that, however, the book starts out slowly until you realize the secret of Octavian's true identity (which I will not give away) and then it picks up. However, it slows down again until the pox party (for which the first volume is named). I think the party should have happened a bit sooner in the story, rather than so close to the last third of the book. Once the pox party occurs, the books picks up the most speed and, I think, ended quite well. The last few chapters have some of the most moving and profound passages of the entire book, and are worth muddying through the beginning and middle. Overall, this is a MUST read. I know it doesn't sound like one - but once you put it down, you will know why.

Reviews

School Library Journal: Starred Review. Grade 9 Up–"In this fascinating and eye-opening Revolution-era novel, Octavian, a black youth raised in a Boston household of radical philosophers, is given an excellent classical education. He and his mother, an African princess, are kept isolated on the estate, and only as he grows older does he realize that while he is well dressed and well fed, he is indeed a captive being used by his guardians as part of an experiment to determine the intellectual acuity of Africans. As the fortunes of the Novanglian College of Lucidity change, so do the nature and conduct of their experiments. [...] Readers will have to wait for the second volume to find out the protagonist's fate. The novel is written in 18th-century language from Octavian's point of view and in letters written by a soldier who befriends him. Despite the challenging style, this powerful novel will resonate with contemporary readers. The issues of slavery and human rights, racism, free will, the causes of war, and one person's struggle to define himself are just as relevant today. Anderson's use of factual information to convey the time and place is powerfully done."–Sharon Rawlins, NJ Library for the Blind and Handicapped, Trenton
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Booklist: *Starred Review* "M. T. Anderson's books for young people reflect a remarkably broad mastery of genres, even as they defy neat classification. Any labeling requires lots of hyphens: space-travel satire (Feed, 2002), retro-comic fantasy-adventure (Whales on Stilts, 2005). This genre-labeling game seems particularly pointless with Anderson's latest novel, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation (2006), an episodic, highly ambitious story, deeply rooted in eighteenth-century literary traditions, which examines, among many other things, pre-Revolutionary slavery in New England.

The plot focuses on Octavian, a young black boy who recounts his youth in a Boston household of scientists and philosophers (The Novanglian College of Lucidity). The Collegians believe so thoroughly in the Age of Reason's principles that they address one another as numbers. Octavian soon learns that he and his mother are objects of one of the Collegians' experiments to learn whether Africans are "a separate and distinct species." Octavian receives an education "equal to any of the princes in Europe," until financial strains shatter Octavian's sheltered life of intellectual pursuits and the illusion that he is a free member of a utopian society. As political unrest in the colonies grows, Octavian experiences the increasing horrors of what it means to be a slave.

The story's scope is immense, in both its technical challenges and underlying intellectual and moral questions--perhaps too immense to be contained in a traditional narrative (and, indeed, Anderson has already promised a second volume to continue the story). As in Meg Rosoff's Printz Award Book How I Live Now (2004), in which a large black circle replaces text to represent the indescribable, Anderson's novel substitutes visuals for words. Several pages show furious black quill-pen cross-hatchings, through which only a few words are visible, perhaps indicating that even with his scholarly vocabulary, Octavian can't find words to describe the vast evil that he has witnessed. Likewise, Anderson employs multiple viewpoints and formats--letters, newspaper clippings, scientific papers--pick up the story that Octavian is periodically unable to tell.

Once acclimated to the novel's style, readers will marvel at Anderson's ability to maintain this high-wire act of elegant, archaic language and shifting voices, and they will appreciate the satiric scenes that gleefully lampoon the Collegians' more buffoonish experiments. Anderson's impressive historical research fixes the imagined College firmly within the facts of our country's own troubled history. The fluctuations between satire and somber realism, gothic fantasy and factual history will jar and disturb readers, creating a mood that echoes Octavian's unsettled time as well as our own.

Anderson's book is both chaotic and highly accomplished, and, like Aidan Chambers' recent This Is All (2006), it demands rereading. Teens need not understand all the historical and literary allusions to connect with Octavian's torment or to debate the novel's questions, present in our country's founding documents, which move into today's urgent arguments about intellectual life; individual action; the influence of power and money, racism and privilege; and what patriotism, freedom, and citizenship mean." Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Awards

Michael L. Printz Honor Book
National Book Award Winner

Suggested Library Use

This book must be used during American history lessons. Children often get a glossed over version of American history, but they rarely see history from this point of view. Although it is historical fiction, the events and surrounding life of Octavian are all based on true historical events, and even the trials that Octavian encountered were based in truth.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Module 5/SLIS 5420/June 4-10

Bibliography

Cashore, Kristin. (2008). Graceling. Orlando: Harcourt
ISBN: 978-0-15-206396-2

Summary

Katsa has a gift - if you can call it that - she is one of the graced. Marked with one blue and one green eye, she is known to be a graceling, but her power is feared by many. Although many gracelings are graced with sport, domestic or intellectual talents, Katsa is graced with the ability to kill. Though she feels as though she is an outcast, and is treated as a brutish minion of her ruling king, her life's purpose and luck changes when she meets Po. Together, Katsa and Po must use their combined talents to take on a dangerous mission.

My Impressions

There are so many reasons to love this book. First, Katsa is a strong, independent female protagonist - who I think is a great role model for young women. So often, we see stories about warriors who are boys, but Katsa is a smart female warrior. Next, Po is a perfect sidekick for Katsa and gives the story great balance. Although there is romance, Po really gives Katsa her freedom and is a great example of what a loving, respectful relationship is. Cashore does a great job combining fantasy and realistic elements. She tackles all the mystical and magical but also weaves in real issues that teens deal with - independence, gender issues, freedom, etc. This is a great book and a great example of a strong female character and role model.

Reviews

Amazon.com Review: "If you had the power to kill with your bare hands, what would you do with it?

Graceling takes readers inside the world of Katsa, a warrior-girl in her late teens with one blue eye and one green eye. This gives her haunting beauty, but also marks her as a Graceling. Gracelings are beings with special talents—swimming, storytelling, dancing. Katsa's Grace is considered more useful: her ability to fight (and kill, if she wanted to) is unequaled in the seven kingdoms. Forced to act as a henchman for a manipulative king, Katsa channels her guilt by forming a secret council of like-minded citizens who carry out secret missions to promote justice over cruelty and abuses of power.

Combining elements of fantasy and romance, Cashore skillfully portrays the confusion, discovery, and angst that smart, strong-willed girls experience as they creep toward adulthood. Katsa wrestles with questions of freedom, truth, and knowing when to rely on a friend for help. This is no small task for an angry girl who had eschewed friendships (with the exception of one cousin that she trusts) for her more ready skills of self-reliance, hunting, and fighting. Katsa also comes to know the real power of her Grace and the nature of Graces in general: they are not always what they appear to be.

Graceling is the first book in a series, and Kristin Cashore’s first work of fiction. It sets up a vivid world with engaging characters that readers will certainly look forward to following beyond the last chapter of this book." (Ages 14 and up) --Heidi Broadhead

School Library Journal: Starred Review. Grade 8 Up—"In this debut fantasy novel, Cashore treats readers to compelling and eminently likable characters and a story that draws them in from the first paragraph. In Katsa's world, the "Graced," those gifted in a particular way, are marked by eyes that are different colors. Katsa's Grace is that she is a gifted fighter, and, as such, she is virtually invincible. She is in the service of her tyrannical uncle, king of one of the seven kingdoms, and she is forced to torture people for infractions against him. She has secretly formed the Council, which acts in the service of justice and fairness for those who have been accused and abused. Readers meet her as she is rescuing the father of the Lienid king, who has been abducted. The reasons for his capture are part of a tightening plot that Katsa unravels and resolves, with the help of Prince Po, the captive's grandson. He has his own particular Grace, and he becomes Katsa's lover and partner in what becomes a mortally dangerous mission. Cashore's style is exemplary: while each detail helps to paint a picture, the description is always in the service of the story, always helping readers to a greater understanding of what is happening and why. This is gorgeous storytelling: exciting, stirring, and accessible. Fantasy and romance readers will be thrilled."—Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Suggested Library Use

This would be my first pick for a Book Talk for tween and teen girls. It has the perfect balance of strong characters, romance and adventure.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Module 5/SLIS 5420/July 4- 10 Bibliography

Juster, Norton. (1961). The Phantom Tollbooth. New York: Random House
ISBN: 0-394-82037-1

Summary

Milo is bored. He's never satisfied - whether in school or out, whether outside or in - that is, until he receives a mysterious package: "one genuine turnpike tollbooth." So what is Milo to do except assemble the booth, climb in his car and let the adventure begin. As he makes his way through Dictionopolis, the Doldrums and various other fantastical locations, he learns the intricacies of language, the ridiculousness of boredom and that there is always a new adventure waiting around the bend.

My Impressions

If you've already been down the rabbit hole, The Phantom Tollbooth must be your next destination. Not only is it an excellent fantasy book for kids, it gets even better as you grow older and are able to appreciate Juster's hilarious use of language. This book stands the test of time - written in the 60s but still expanding imaginations today. Explore Dictionopolis, Digitopolis and even take a plunge into the Doldrums - you won't regret it.

Reviews

Amazon.com Review: "It seems to me that almost everything is a waste of time," Milo laments. "[T]here's nothing for me to do, nowhere I'd care to go, and hardly anything worth seeing." This bored, bored young protagonist who can't see the point to anything is knocked out of his glum humdrum by the sudden and curious appearance of a tollbooth in his bedroom. Since Milo has absolutely nothing better to do, he dusts off his toy car, pays the toll, and drives through. What ensues is a journey of mythic proportions, during which Milo encounters countless odd characters who are anything but dull.

Norton Juster received (and continues to receive) enormous praise for this original, witty, and oftentimes hilarious novel, first published in 1961. In an introductory "Appreciation" written by Maurice Sendak for the 35th anniversary edition, he states, "The Phantom Tollbooth leaps, soars, and abounds in right notes all over the place, as any proper masterpiece must." Indeed.

As Milo heads toward Dictionopolis he meets with the Whether Man ("for after all it's more important to know whether there will be weather than what the weather will be"), passes through The Doldrums (populated by Lethargarians), and picks up a watchdog named Tock (who has a giant alarm clock for a body). The brilliant satire and double entendre intensifies in the Word Market, where after a brief scuffle with Officer Short Shrift, Milo and Tock set off toward the Mountains of Ignorance to rescue the twin Princesses, Rhyme and Reason. Anyone with an appreciation for language, irony, or Alice in Wonderland-style adventure will adore this book for years on end." (Ages 8 and up)

Suggested Library Use

This book fits perfectly with a language/English segment in both the classroom or the library. Juster's clever use of language and double entendre will make kids laugh as they learn.

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Module 4/SLIS 5420/June 28 - July 3

Bibliography

Dessen, Sarah. 2004. The Truth about Forever. New York: Penguin Group
ISBN: 0-670-03639-0

Summary

Macy is in search of perfection. A year-and-a-half after her father dies, Macy seeks to put order and control back into her life - even if it means she is barely living it. She has the perfect boyfriend, the perfect grades and perfect job at the library for her college transcripts. But, when the staff of Wish catering (and more specifically a boy named Wes) whirl into her life, she might learn that perfection is last on her list of priorities.

My Impressions

The first 50 pages or so were a bit slow - but after that, the story picks up and I couldn't put it down. Dessen does a great job of weaving a believable summer romance that keeps you turning the pages, but also focuses on the issues that Macy is facing with her family and her emotions. After realizing that she is sacrificing herself for the pursuit of perfection, Macy's character really opens up and comes alive.

Reviews

School Library Journal: Grade 7 Up– "Macy, 16, witnessed her father's death, but has never figured out how to mourn. Instead, she stays in control–good grades, perfect boyfriend, always neat and tidy–and tries to fake her way to normal. Then she gets a job at Wish Catering. It is run by pregnant, forgetful Delia and staffed by her nephews, Bert and Wes, and her neighbors Kristy and Monica. "Wish" was named for Delia's late sister, the boys' mother. Working and eventually hanging out with her new friends, Macy sees what it's like to live an unprescripted lifestyle, from dealing with kitchen fires to sneaking out at night, and slowly realizes it's not so bad to be human. Wes and Macy play an ongoing game of Truth and share everything from gross-outs to what it feels like to watch someone you love die. They fall in love by talking, and the author sculpts them to full dimension this way. All of Dessen's characters, from Macy, who narrates to the bone, to Kristy, whose every word has life and attitude, to Monica, who says almost nothing but oozes nuance, are fully and beautifully drawn. Their dialogue is natural and believable, and their care for one another is palpable. The prose is fueled with humor–the descriptions of Macy's dad's home-shopping addiction are priceless, as is the goofy bedlam of catering gigs gone bad–and as many good comedians do, Dessen uses it to throw light onto darker subjects. Grief, fear, and love set the novel's pace, and Macy's crescendo from time-bomb perfection to fallible, emotional humanity is, for the right readers, as gripping as any action adventure."–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Booklist: Gr. 9-12. "Dessen returns to a familiar theme and recognizable characters: the "perfect" girl at odds with a controlling mother and keeping boys at arm's length because of father issues. Here the girl is Macy Queen. Her father has died, her mother can't grieve, and every time Macy tries to break out of the automaton state in which she is trapped, Mrs. Queen reels her back. Macy gets a job with a catering company, whose employees mirror and mask similar emotions to her own--among them, a girl who is scarred on the outside, but not on the inside, and two motherless brothers, the older of whom, Wes, helps Macy break through. As is often the case with Dessen, the novel is a mixed bag. Much of it is wonderful. At its purest, the writing reaches directly into the hearts of teenage girls: Macy's games of "truth" with Wes are unerringly conceived, sharply focused on both characters and issues. Yet a subplot about Macy's job at the library features cardboard characters and unbelievable situations. This seesawing between spot-on observations and superfluous scenes slows the pace and makes readers wait too long for the book's best moments." Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Suggested Library Use

This one is another great book for a summer reading book club and even a book talk. The summer romance aspect and the fact that this book is a page-turner will make it the perfect summer read for a teen girl.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Module 4/SLIS 5420/June 28 - July 3

Bibliography

Spinelli, Jerry. 2000. Stargirl. New York: Dell Laurel Leaf
ISBN: 0-440-41677-9

Summary

Stargirl throws the whole school for a loop when she comes out of her home-schooled cocoon and joins the public school world. When she isn't playing the ukulele and singing at lunch, she is bouncing and cheering for both teams during the school football and basketball games. At first, she's a hit - someone new and exciting, but soon the school turns against her and it's up to the shy and cautious Leo to help Stargirl succeed in a world of normal.

My Impressions

I keep flipping back and forth with this book. I did like it - and I do think that the message was a great one, but much of the time that I read it, I felt that the story, especially Stargirl's character and the student body at large, was contrived. I think Spinelli went a bit too far trying to make Stargirl over-the-top weird and ended up with an in-your-face version of a hippie, when he meant to create a believable girl. The only character that I felt was developed well was Leo. He is timid, cautious, genuine and scared. Showing his transformation and the issues he faces while connected to Stargirl were the most real sentiments in the entire book - which, alone, I think make it worth reading.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly: "Part fairy godmother, part outcast, part dream-come-true, the star of Spinelli's novel shares many of the mythical qualities as the protagonist of his Maniac Magee. Spinelli poses searching questions about loyalty to one's friends and oneself and leaves readers to form their own answers, said PW in our Best Books citation." Ages 12-up.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

School Library Journal: Grade 6-10-"High school is a time of great conformity, when being just like everybody else is of paramount importance. So it is no surprise that Stargirl Caraway causes such excitement and confusion when she arrives at Mica High in Arizona. Initially, everyone is charmed by her unconventional behavior- she wears unusual clothing, she serenades the lunchroom with her ukulele, she practices random acts of kindness, she is cheerleader extraordinaire in a place with no school spirit. Naturally, this cannot last and eventually her individuality is reviled. The story is told by Leo, who falls in love with Stargirl's zany originality, but who then finds himself unable to let go of the need to be conventional. Spinelli's use of a narrator allows readers the distance necessary to appreciate Stargirl's eccentricity and Leo's need to belong to the group, without removing them from the immediacy of the story. That makes the ending all the more disappointing-to discover that Leo is looking back imposes an unnecessary adult perspective on what happened in high school. The prose lapses into occasionally unfortunate flowery flights, but this will not bother those readers-girls especially-who will understand how it feels to not quite fit the mold and who attempt to exult in their differences."
Sharon Grover, Arlington County Department of Libraries, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Suggested Library Use

Stargirl would be perfect for a summer reading book club - it's short and has a strong message that will give students something to think about while outside of the school environment.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Module 3/SLIS 5420/June 21-27

Bibliography

Stead, Rebecca. (2009). When You Reach Me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books
ISBN: 978-0-385-73742-5

Summary

Miranda and Sal used to be best friends - until a strange boy, on the New York City sidewalks, punches him on the way home from school. After that, Miranda's life won't be the same. New friends, new feelings, a wacky but insightful mom and a great cast of characters all help Miranda through some stick adolescent adventures. Once Miranda starts receiving cryptic notes from the future - anything is possible!

My Impressions

Stead tells Miranda's story in the perfect voice for the tween crowd. Even though the story is set in 1979, it's apparent that the foibles of late elementary/ early middle school are universal. Although I was hoping for more time travel, I am now settling into the idea that the book balanced fantasy and reality quite well. A quick read, and definitely a book that will stand the test of time for tweens in the future.

Reviews

School Library Journal - Starred Review. Grade 5-8–"Sixth-grader Miranda lives in 1978 New York City with her mother, and her life compass is Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. When she receives a series of enigmatic notes that claim to want to save her life, she comes to believe that they are from someone who knows the future. Miranda spends considerable time observing a raving vagrant who her mother calls the laughing man and trying to find the connection between the notes and her everyday life. Discerning readers will realize the ties between Miranda's mystery and L'Engle's plot, but will enjoy hints of fantasy and descriptions of middle school dynamics. Stead's novel is as much about character as story. Miranda's voice rings true with its faltering attempts at maturity and observation. The story builds slowly, emerging naturally from a sturdy premise. As Miranda reminisces, the time sequencing is somewhat challenging, but in an intriguing way. The setting is consistently strong. The stores and even the streets–in Miranda's neighborhood act as physical entities and impact the plot in tangible ways. This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers." –Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly - "Twelve-year-old Miranda, a latchkey kid whose single mother is a law school dropout, narrates this complex novel, a work of science fiction grounded in the nitty-gritty of Manhattan life in the late 1970s. Miranda's story is set in motion by the appearance of cryptic notes that suggest that someone is watching her and that they know things about her life that have not yet happened. She's especially freaked out by one that reads: 'I'm coming to save your friend's life, and my own.' Over the course of her sixth-grade year, Miranda details three distinct plot threads: her mother's upcoming appearance on The $20,000 Pyramid; the sudden rupture of Miranda's lifelong friendship with neighbor Sal; and the unsettling appearance of a deranged homeless person dubbed 'the laughing man.' Eventually and improbably, these strands converge to form a thought-provoking whole. Stead (First Light) accomplishes this by making every detail count, including Miranda's name, her hobby of knot tying and her favorite book, Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. It's easy to imagine readers studying Miranda's story as many times as she's read L'Engle's, and spending hours pondering the provocative questions it raises. Ages 9 — 14. (July)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Awards

2010 John Newbery Medal

Suggested Library Use

Excellent book for middle school-ers. I think pairing this book as a suggested read with A Wrinkle in Time would be perfect for a summer reading book discussion.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Module 3/SLIS 5420/June 21-27

Bibliography

Bray, Libba. (2009). Going Bovine. United States: Delacorte Press.
ISBN: 978-0-385-73397-7

Summary

Cameron Smith isn't the most enthusiastic 16-year-old. Although smart, school doesn't interest him and it doesn't help that his "perfect" twin sister, Jenna, is part of the in-crowd - and he's not. His parents are drifting apart, both from each other and him, and his dating life is nonexistent. On top of all that, he finds out that he has mad cow disease, and the outlook is grim. Luckily, with the help of a hypochondriac dwarf name Gonzo, a viking yard gnome and a punk angel named Dulcie, he is on an adventure to discover the meaning of life and, hopefully, a miracle.

My Impressions

Who knew a book about a teen dying of mad cow disease could be so hilarious? I know how that sounds, but read the book before you judge! With most of the adventure story taking place in the main character's "fever dream" or mad cow dream state, the story takes the reader on a ride to discover the true meaning of life - living in the moment, no matter what might come. Character development is superb, plot is exciting and the ending is satisfying. What a great read - and one that both teens and adults can enjoy.

Reviews

School Library Journal - Grade 8 Up—"In this ambitious novel, Cameron, a 16-year-old slacker whose somewhat dysfunctional family has just about given up on him, as perhaps he himself has, when his diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jacob, "mad cow" disease, reunites them, if too late. The heart of the story, though, is a hallucinatory—or is it?—quest with many parallels to the hopeless but inspirational efforts of Don Quixote, about whom Cameron had been reading before his illness. Just like the crazy—or was he?—Spaniard, Cam is motivated to go on a journey by a sort of Dulcinea. His pink-haired, white-winged version goes by Dulcie and leads him to take up arms against the Dark Wizard and fire giants that attack him intermittently, and to find a missing Dr. X, who can both help save the world and cure him. Cameron's Sancho is a Mexican-American dwarf, game-master hypochondriac he met in the pot smokers' bathroom at school who later turns up as his hospital roommate. Bray blends in a hearty dose of satire on the road trip as Cameron leaves his Texas deathbed—or does he?—to battle evil forces with a legendary jazz horn player, to escape the evil clutches of a happiness cult, to experiment with cloistered scientists trying to solve the mysteries of the universe, and to save a yard gnome embodying a Viking god from the clutches of the materialistic, fame-obsessed MTV-culture clones who shun individual thought. It's a trip worth taking, though meandering and message-driven at times. Some teens may check out before Cameron makes it to his final destination, but many will enjoy asking themselves the questions both deep and shallow that pop up along the way."—Suzanne Gordon, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA

Publishers Weekly Review - "Cameron Smith, 16, is slumming through high school, overshadowed by a sister 'pre-majoring in perfection,' while working (ineptly) at the Buddha Burger. Then something happens to make him the focus of his family's attention: he contracts mad cow disease. What takes place after he is hospitalized is either that a gorgeous angel persuades him to search for a cure that will also save the world, or that he has a vivid hallucination brought on by the disease. Either way, what readers have is an absurdist comedy in which Cameron, Gonzo (a neurotic dwarf) and Balder (a Norse god cursed to appear as a yard gnome) go on a quixotic road trip during which they learn about string theory, wormholes and true love en route to Disney World. Bray's surreal humor may surprise fans of her historical fantasies about Gemma Doyle, as she trains her satirical eye on modern education, American materialism and religious cults (the smoothie-drinking members of the Church of Everlasting Satisfaction and Snack 'N' Bowl). Offer this to fans of Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy seeking more inspired lunacy. Ages 14 — up. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Awards

2010 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature

Suggested Library Use

I might integrate this book into a book talk about classics and modern re-tellings or books that are inspired by the classics. Integrate a few classic novels with more contemporary novels and encourage students to try the contemporary picks before diving into the more dense, classic literature.

Flotsam by David Weisner

Module 2/SLIS 5420/June 16-20

Bibliography

Weisner, David. (2006). Flotsam. New York: Clarion Books.
ISBN: 0-618-19457-6

Summary

Told completely through vibrant illustrations, Flotsam, is the story of a curious boy who loves collecting objects on the beach to examine. One sunny day, he finds an underwater camera that has drifted ashore from the deep blue sea. Eager to see what is on the film of this old-fashioned camera, he takes the photos to be developed and generations-old mystery is unlocked.

My Impressions

Flotsam is the kind of story I would have cherished if it were around when I was a child. The images are incredible - often panning in and out of shots as if a movie camera - but what stands out is the incredible story telling that these pictures are able to accomplish. It's one thing to have beautiful images illustrate a book, but it's another when those images not only tell a story well, but unlock a mystery, one page at a time and tell a compelling story that you want to read over and over again.

Once the boy finds an antique camera washed ashore, he develops the pictures to find out that the underwater sea life live much more fantastical and exciting life than we could ever imagine... but it's what he finds at the end of the roll that pulls the story together into an unforgettable tale. I don't want to give it away - you have to pick it up yourself and experience Flotsam.

Reviews

School Library Journal: " Kindergarten-Grade 4–A wave deposits an old-fashioned contraption at the feet of an inquisitive young beachcomber. Its a Melville underwater camera, and the excited boy quickly develops the film he finds inside. The photos are amazing: a windup fish, with intricate gears and screwed-on panels, appears in a school with its living counterparts; a fully inflated puffer, outfitted as a hot-air balloon, sails above the water; miniature green aliens kowtow to dour-faced sea horses; and more. The last print depicts a girl, holding a photo of a boy, and so on. As the images become smaller, the protagonist views them through his magnifying glass and then his microscope. The chain of children continues back through time, ending with a sepia image of a turn-of-the-20th-century boy waving from a beach. After photographing himself holding the print, the youngster tosses the camera back into the ocean, where it makes its way to its next recipient. This wordless books vivid watercolor paintings have a crisp realism that anchors the elements of fantasy. Shifting perspectives, from close-ups to landscape views, and a layout incorporating broad spreads and boxed sequences, add drama and motion to the storytelling and echo the photographic theme. Filled with inventive details and delightful twists, each snapshot is a tale waiting to be told. Pair this visual adventure with Wiesners other works, Chris Van Allsburgs titles, or Barbara Lehmans The Red Book (Houghton, 2004) for a mind-bending journey of imagination." –Joy Fleishhacker
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Booklist: PreS-Gr. 2. "As in his Caldecott Medal Book Tuesday (1991), Wiesner offers another exceptional, wordless picture book that finds wild magic in quiet, everyday settings. At the seaside, a boy holds a magnifying glass up to a flailing hermit crab; binoculars and a microscope lay nearby. The array of lenses signals the shifting viewpoints to come, and in the following panels, the boy discovers an old-fashioned camera, film intact. A trip to the photo store produces astonishing pictures: an octopus in an armchair holding story hour in a deep-sea parlor; tiny, green alien tourists peering at sea horses. There are portraits of children around the world and through the ages, each child holding another child's photo. After snapping his own image, the boy returns the camera to the sea, where it's carried on a journey to another child. Children may initially puzzle, along with the boy, over the mechanics of the camera and the connections between the photographed portraits. When closely observed, however, the masterful watercolors and ingeniously layered perspectives create a clear narrative, and viewers will eagerly fill in the story's wordless spaces with their own imagined story lines. Like Chris Van Allsburg's books and Wiesner's previous works, this visual wonder invites us to rethink how and what we see, out in the world and in our mind's eye." Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Awards

Winner of the 2007 Randolph Caldecott Medal
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2006
Booklist Editor's Choice 2006
School Library Journal Best Book of 2006
Horn Book Fanfare Title
Book Sense Children's Pick, Autumn 2006
Washington Post Top 10 Picture Book of the Year
Parents' Choice Award Winner
New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading & Sharing
Chicago Public Library, Best Books of the Year

Suggested Library Use

Flotsam is a great book to use during an ocean program - because of it's lovely illustrations. But, and even more interesting program or activity to use along with Flotsam would be a time capsule. Having kids come up with their own time capsule idea - or something similar to the camera in the story would be a great way to incorporate a discussion about the history and ancestors that came before us and how we can link our past with our future and connect to those that will come after us.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Module 2/SLIS 5420/June 16-20

Bibliography

Selznick, Brian. (2007). The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic Press.
ISBN: 0-439-81378-6

Summary

Orphan, Hugo Cabret lives in the walls of a Paris train station running the clocks for his long-disappeared uncle. Making a living by pilfering goods from local shops at the station, Hugo eventually gets caught by a local toy seller and his life changes forever. With a mystery revealed at virtually every page turn, The Invention of Hugo Cabret will keep you on the edge of your seat.

My Impressions

It's clear why this book won the Caldecott Medal - it's illustrations are incredible. As a result, if one were to judge this book by its 530-page size, one would not assume it was a picture book for slightly younger readers, but it is. However, readers young and old will enjoy this story, enhanced with highly detailed and gorgeous images. The images truly boost the story by giving clues and insight into the plot that are not necessarily found in the text, and by filling in some holes in the text's lack of description. The book, as a whole, is a fun adventure, but Selznick's story-telling leaves a bit to be desired. The dialogue falls flat and is slightly contrived, while the character development is weak. Selznick "tells" rather than "shows" - but only in the text. This is why the images pick up where the text leaves off, allowing the reader a clearer and more vibrant understanding of the characters' emotions.

Reviews

"Here is a true masterpiece—an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching.Twelve-year-old orphan Hugo lives in the walls of a Paris train station at the turn of the 20th century, where he tends to the clocks and filches what he needs to survive. Hugo's recently deceased father, a clockmaker, worked in a museum where he discovered an automaton: a human-like figure seated at a desk, pen in hand, as if ready to deliver a message. After his father showed Hugo the robot, the boy became just as obsessed with getting the automaton to function as his father had been, and the man gave his son one of the notebooks he used to record the automaton's inner workings. The plot grows as intricate as the robot's gears and mechanisms [...] To Selznick's credit, the coincidences all feel carefully orchestrated; epiphany after epiphany occurs before the book comes to its sumptuous, glorious end. Selznick hints at the toy maker's hidden identity [...] through impressive use of meticulous charcoal drawings that grow or shrink against black backdrops, in pages-long sequences. They display the same item in increasingly tight focus or pan across scenes the way a camera might. The plot ultimately has much to do with the history of the movies, and Selznick's genius lies in his expert use of such a visual style to spotlight the role of this highly visual media. A standout achievement. Ages 9-12. (Mar.) " - Publisher's Weekly
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School Library Journal: "Grade 4–9—With characteristic intelligence, exquisite images, and a breathtaking design, Selznick shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking in this magical mystery set in 1930s Paris. He employs wordless sequential pictures and distinct pages of text to let the cinematic story unfold, and the artwork, rendered in pencil and bordered in black, contains elements of a flip book, a graphic novel, and film. It opens with a small square depicting a full moon centered on a black spread. As readers flip the pages, the image grows and the moon recedes. A boy on the run slips through a grate to take refuge inside the walls of a train station—home for this orphaned, apprentice clock keeper. As Hugo seeks to accomplish his mission, his life intersects with a cantankerous toyshop owner and a feisty girl who won't be ignored. Each character possesses secrets and something of great value to the other. With deft foreshadowing, sensitively wrought characters, and heart-pounding suspense, the author engineers the elements of his complex plot: speeding trains, clocks, footsteps, dreams, and movies—especially those by Georges Méliès, the French pioneer of science-fiction cinema. Movie stills are cleverly interspersed. Selznick's art ranges from evocative, shadowy spreads of Parisian streets to penetrating character close-ups. Leaving much to ponder about loss, time, family, and the creative impulse, the book closes with a waning moon, a diminishing square, and informative credits. This is a masterful narrative that readers can literally manipulate." —Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Booklist: "Selznick's "novel in words and pictures," an intriguing mystery set in 1930s Paris about an orphan, a salvaged clockwork invention, and a celebrated filmmaker, resuscitates an anemic genre--the illustrated novel--and takes it to a whole new level. The result is somewhat similar to a graphic novel, but experiencing its mix of silvery pencil drawings and narrative interludes is ultimately more akin to watching a silent film. Indeed, movies and the wonder they inspire, "like seeing dreams in the middle of the day," are central to the story, and Selznick expresses an obvious passion for cinema in ways both visual (successive pictures, set against black frames as if projected on a darkened screen, mimic slow zooms and dramatic cuts) and thematic (the convoluted plot involves director Georges Melies, particularly his fanciful 1902 masterpiece, A Trip to the Moon .) This hybrid creation, which also includes movie stills and archival photographs, is surprising and often lovely, but the orphan's story is overshadowed by the book's artistic and historical concerns (the heady extent of which are revealed in concluding notes about Selznick's inspirations, from the Lumiere brothers to Francois Truffaut). Nonetheless, bookmaking this ambitious demands and deserves attention--which it will surely receive from children attracted by a novel in which a complex narrative is equally advanced by things both read and seen." Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Awards

2008 Caldecott Medal
National Book Award Finalist
A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2007
2007 Quill Award Winner
2007 Borders Original Voices Finalist
2007 #1 Best Book for Kids from Barnes and Noble
(Information from www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/about_brian_books.htm)

Suggested Library Use

Incorporate this book in a discussion of how pictures and images enhance a story. By discussing the plot and how the images (often treated as scenes from a movie - both panning in close and panning out) help the reader understand the characters and their thoughts and feelings is a great way to talk about how art is about more than just drawing, it's about telling a story or expressing ideas, emotions and thought.