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.)
Showing posts with label jennifer holm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jennifer holm. Show all posts
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
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.
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.
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