Monday, May 7, 2012

Book Review: Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos

Bibliography: 
Gantos, Jack. (2000). Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York, NY: Harper Trophy. ISBN 9781413108514.


Plot Summary: 
Joey plans on spending 6 weeks to get to know his dad, whom he does not know well at all. His mother worries and makes sure he has money to phone home and always asks about his medicine. Joey, his dog Pablo, his grandmother, and father have an interesting few weeks when Joey stops taking his medicine. Without the medicine, Joey is liable to lose control. Torn between knowing what is best for him and wanting to please his dad, Joey is put in a difficult situation. How will he handle it?


Critical Analysis: 
The character of Joey Pigza is fun-loving and hilarious. He is sort of a prankster and many students will identify with his high-energy character. Joey is put in many difficult situations and sometimes hesitates on how to handle them. Students learn the value of thinking their actions through in Joey Pigza Loses Control. Other characters in the book may remind students of adults in their own lives.

The setting is basic, taking place in a large city (Pittsburgh), with not too much detail about the surroundings in general. One particular place in the novel that was interesting was Storybook Land - the place where Joey's dad goes to think. Students who know nursery rhymes will find this place interesting.

Joey Pigza Loses Control sends the message to students that it is okay to be a little different. Joey has some good ways of dealing with his life trials and children will relate to that. Boys ages 3rd grade and up would most likely enjoy this novel, although girls will enjoy it as well. The book was easy to follow and engaging overall. After reading the novel I found out that Joey Pigza Loses Control is the sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. Perhaps the background knowledge from the first book would benefit the reader.


Awards: 
Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
Publishers Weekly Best Book
School Library Journal Best Book
NY Times Book Review Notable Book
Booklist Editors' Choice
Horn Book Fanfare Book

"Hilarious, harrowing, and ultimately heartening." -School Library Journal 

"A truly memorable read." -Booklist 


Connections: 
*Suggest to readers who like sports or are new to taking medications like Joey.
*Series: Read other books in the "Joey Pigza" series including Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key and What Would Joey do?
*Have students write their own journals in Joey's situation. Have students choose several events in the book that spoke to them in some way and write a response to the event as Joey.
*Joey feels torn between his mother and father, wanting to please them both. Discuss with students when they have ever felt pulled in multiple directions.
*(A few interesting and fun ideas can also be found here: http://kieferja.tripod.com/page3.htm)

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Book Review: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Bibliography: 
Anderson, Laurie Halse. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 0374371520.

Plot Summary: 
Melinda is a high-school student who had something terrible happen to her at the end of summer before freshman year. The novel walks through her freshman year, marking period by marking period, talking through her trials with family, friends, art class (among her other courses), and herself. Ultimately, the issues are not all resolved, but things are turning around for Melinda.


Critical Analysis: 
This young adult novel's main character is Melinda, a high school freshman. She is fighting to find herself and resolve the issue of what happened with "IT" during the summer. Many young adult readers would be able to identify with Melinda on different levels - from being the outcast to being a victim of violence. The "IT" male figure is not in a positive role, but the male teacher Mr. Freeman had a positive role and very relatable.

The setting of the book was well detailed and contemporary. Any high school student would related to switching classes, having difficult courses or teachers, the lunch room, etc. Middle school students may even relate to this, but I would not recommend this book for younger than 9th grade students due to subject matter and the age of characters. Students will be able to relate to issues with peers and parents presented in the book mostly likely.

The style of the book was interesting to me. I enjoyed the "mini-chapters" with sometimes humorous titles such as, "DEAD FROGS" or "LUNCH DOOM." Each heading tied into the next few paragraphs or pages. The book was sectioned off into marking periods, so students can relate to timing in the book as well. I felt the entire book was about Melinda overcoming her past. While the book didn't tell the reader everything was headed in the right direction, you get the idea that it is.


Awards: 
1999 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature
ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults
ALA Quick Pick
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Booklist Top Ten First Novel
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Horn Book Fanfare Title
New York Times Bestseller
See http://us.macmillan.com/speak/LaurieAnderson for full list

"An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from the first word to last." -The Horn Book 


"Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story." -School Library Journal 


Connections: 
*While students read this book, have them privately journal about their own experiences in the past and present. Have them venture in the end to write about their futures.
*Counselor's can use this book for students who have been victims of violence.
*Have high school students talk about "THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL" and "TEN MORE LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL." Open up conversation about fears and hopes for the coming years. What would students have on their "Ten Lies" list?
*Art Connection: Students make their own tree art project that Melinda studies and works on throughout the book.
*If appropriate, have students watch the movie Speak (film 2004) after finishing the study of the novel.
*Discuss the author's purpose and how it relates to our lives today.
*Author Study: Other books by Anderson - Catalyst, Twisted, Prom, Wintergirls, Thank you, Sarah, Chains, Forge, and Fever, 1793.

Book Review: Babymouse the Musical by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

Bibliography: 
Holm, Jennifer L. (2009). Babymouse the Musical. Ill. Matthew Holm. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 9780375843884.


Plot Summary: 
Babymouse is going to try out for the elementary school musical in this graphic novel. She gets the part of understudy for the lead role. The lead gets a hairball, so Babymouse must go on stage with Henry Higgins, her crush. Babymouse certainly ends up "bringing down the house" during her performance ("Crash!") and literally breaks a leg! What happens with Babymouse and Henry?


Critical Analysis: 
The graphic novel is an interesting genre. Babymouse the Musical was my first experience with this form of text. I found it hard to follow the plot through the book. There were many side stories and references to outside texts/movies/shows. The illustrations by Matthew Holm were fantastic, some with more detail than others.

Students would be able to relate to this book easily, but the plot was overall not very believable. The lead role getting a hairball so Babymouse could be the lead was anticipated and not very realistic. Babymouse the Musical included a hint of romance between Henry Higgins and Babymouse. In the end, Henry just wanted to be around the "brilliant" star - not Babymouse herself. Babymouse says it is "typical" in the end. I don't feel that this sends a positive message to students about relationships.

Side stories and references were heavy in the book - from "Phantom of the Opera" to "American Idol" to "The Lion King", Babymouse the Musical takes side trips every few pages to an outside reference. Could students at the elementary level (where Babymouse takes place) relate to this? Will they get the references? Another part of graphic novels I question is if they are good for budding literacy or do they confuse students?  Overall, Babymouse the Musical was a cute, quick read. The series is consistent and encourages the reader to believe in this fantasy world. With the pink-black-white illustrations and female lead, the series seems geared towards girls (however, boys may enjoy it as well!).


Awards: 
Awards are for the Babymouse series, not Babymouse the Musical specifically.
-Winner 2006 Gryphon Award
-Winner 2006 ALA Notable Children's Book
-Winner 2006 New York Book Show Award

"Overall, Babymouse the Musical is an excellent book that early chapter readers will gobble up like chocolate.....Babymouse never fails to entertain and watching her in all those musicals is highly entertaining, although children might not know many of those musicals...yet." -ReadingReview.com (http://www.readingreview.com/earlychapter/babymouse-themusical.html)

"Another winning installment for the series' fans." -Booklist


"Nobody puts Babymouse in the corner." -Horn Book


Connections: 
*Have students create their own adventure using Babymouse as their muse - Choose an animal as their main character and write a story about them.
*Talk to students about the musicals referenced in the text.
*Read others in the Babymouse series: Babymouse for President, Babymouse Dragonslayer, Babymouse Monster Mash.
*Discuss the animal type of characters in the book (porcupine, cat, mouse, etc.)

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

A Side Note: Audiobook Format

I wanted to take a moment to tell about my experience with audiobook format. Our professor encouraged us to use audio format for one of our historical fiction novels. Before going into the assignment, I really imagined I would enjoy the audiobook experience, as I had enjoyed audio-poetry earlier in the semester. When I was a child, I really enjoyed hearing story books on record and on tape while reading along with the speaker.

Elijah of Buxton was my choice for historical fiction. I checked out the audiobook and the physical book from my local library. Before starting the audiobook I did read the first chapter in the actual book (I couldn't help myself!). I sat down one evening to listen to the first few chapters of Elijah of Buxton. The first ten minutes were okay, but I quickly lost track of what was happening in the story and who was speaking. After the first 3 chapters, I was completely confused. So confused that I tried again from the beginning. The audio format still didn't click, so I started another book.

I felt that the audiobook turned me off from even the physical book because I was so confused by it. I wanted to document my experience on my book review blog. Audiobooks can be a great tool, but for me they may not be the best choice when reading an entire novel. I think I enjoyed poetry and storybooks but not the novel because of the difference in length and perhaps rhythm.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Book Review: Hiroshima by Laurence Yep

Bibliography: 
Yep, Laurence. (1995). Hiroshima. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0590208322.

Plot Summary: 
Yep takes the reader inside Hiroshima before, during, and after the atomic bomb was dropped on the city by the United States in attempt to end World War II. A survivor, young girl Sachi, is highlighted along with the one group of "Hiroshima Maidens" who came to the U.S. to receive medical treatments. Hiroshima created hospitals for the survivors to go to as well. Today you may visit a park in Hiroshima to pay your respects. This book tells the reader about the aftermath of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.


Critical Analysis: 
This historical fiction novel gives many interesting perspectives from people involved in the bombing of Hiroshima. It is most appropriate for grades 3rd and above. The book is a quick read, only 55 pages long. Yep includes sources and background of characters and facts included in the novel.

The setting is described in detail, down to the melted bottles after the bomb is dropped. The story flows well and includes important information regarding the bombing. Characters in the story are typical of the time period and the event. An interesting aspect of this novel is that Sachi, the main character, is a composite of several children who survived and later came to the United States. Students will be able to identify with the characters, especially Sachi.  Yep does an excellent job of showing the devastation and aftermath of the bombing in Hiroshima to young students.


Awards & Reviews:
No awards were given for this particular novel.
"This powerful chronicle ensures that what was done on that awful day will remain in readers' memories for a very long time." -Publisher's Weekly (http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-590-20832-1)


Connections:
Humanities Connection: Make paper cranes to send to the Hiroshima monument in Japan.
Geography Connection: Before and after reading Hiroshima, study the geographic location of Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Author Study - Laurence Yep: Highlight Yep and other works by him including Dragon Child, The Earth Dragon Awakes, and others.
Topic Study - Hiroshima: Find non-fiction books about Hiroshima along with other historical fiction novels about Hiroshima or the atomic bomb (The Green Glass Sea for example) to read as part of a themed unit.
Poetry Connection: Write a poem about peace and the bombing/recovery of Hiroshima.

Book Review: Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Bibliography: 
Holm, Jennifer L. (2010). Turtle in Paradise. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 9780375936883.

Plot Summary: 
The book takes place during the Great Depression. Turtle goes to live with family in Key West, Florida and opens herself to a great deal of adventure with the "Diaper Gang." After finding what seems to be a treasure map in their grandmother's home, they embark on a quest to find treasure. Turtle is moved from a pessimistic-type child to a girl who can see the chance of a "Hollywood" happy ending.


Critical Analysis: 
Turtle in Paradise is an interesting historical fiction novel. The characters are detailed and fit the time period of the Great Depression. Many characters have nicknames! From the boy who has a heart condition who needs to take it easy to the overly tired mother who takes in one more child, Holm creates characters who are easy to identify with and are true to the time period of the book. She ends the book with an Author's Note about the history of the book - what the characters were based on and even some photos of the Key West area during the Great Depression.

It is important to note the setting and plot. Holm does an excellent job describing the surroundings (all true to the time period) of several cities, transportation, ideas, values and jobs. Details like the dialect are even taken into consideration (for example, the "alligator pear" versus an avocado). The story is an adventure and it would be good for students grades 3rd and above. The authenticity of the book can be credited by the resources in the back. The book is set in the 1930s, but still connects to the children reading it today.


Awards: 
2011 Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
Booklist Editor's Choice
Texas Bluebonnet List
New York Times bestseller

Review: "Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure." -Booklist 


Connections: 
--Read the text while studying the era of the Great Depression
--Study Turtle in Paradise along with Key West, Florida
--Art connection: Make your own drawing of the treasure map from the book
--Language Arts: Have the students create a reading response journal from their reading of this book.
--Social Studies connection: Verify facts and cultural environment about the time period from the book
--Other books by Jennifer Holm: Our Only May Amelia, Penny from Heaven, and Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf.
--Note: Jennifer Holm and her brother write the Babymouse series.

Book Review: The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages

Bibliography: 
Klages, Ellen. (2006). The Green Glass Sea. New York, NY: Viking. ISBN 978670061341.


Plot Summary: 
The Green Glass Sea follows residents of "The Hill," a top secret base where scientists are working on a "gadget" to end World War II. Suze and Dewey are two young girls, daughters of the scientists working on the gadget. The girls encounter different trials and tribulations through the story, including getting to know each other in close quarters and the death of Dewey's father. In the end, the gadget works. On Suze's birthday, the family goes to the site where the bomb was tested.


Critical Analysis: 
The Green Glass Sea is most appropriate for grades 4 and above. This historical fiction novel gives credit in the end to different entities for their knowledge and information sharing, which shows us the historical setting was well researched. Klages suggests several titles for readers interested in knowing more about the making and testing of the atomic bomb.

The characters in the book are well written and intertwined. Several real key-players in the nuclear bomb are casually mentioned in the text. Without the background knowledge of these characters, they will be passed over by readers most likely (as I myself passed them up). Building some background knowledge of the non-fiction characters before reading would likely benefit readers.


Awards/Reviews: 
2007 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
2007 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature
2007 New Mexico State Book Award (YA)

"Klages makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulousy researched novel set during WWII. Writing from the points of two displaced children, she successfully recreates life at Los Alamos Camp, where scientists and mathemiticians converge with their families to construct and test the first nuclear bomb." -Publishers Weekly


"Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way." -School Library Journal


Connections: 
Art Connection: Have students use different media to make their own "Trinitite" as described in the book.
History Connection: Study characters mentioned in the book like Richard Oppenheimer and their contributions to the making of the atomic bomb.
Author Study: Read the follow up novel White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages. See other books at http://ellenklages.com.
Geography Connection: Discuss the geographic location and features of "The Hill." (Desert, near Santa Fe, etc.) Draw a map of the location if desired.
Humanities Connection: Discuss the isolation the girls may have felt throughout the book (especially in the beginning) not being able to talk or write about where they were or what they saw.