Module 15-The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

Book Info:
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler. Candlewick Press, 2003.

Summary:
Virginia Shreves does not fit in with her family. She constantly feels that she was switched at birth with someone else, given that her family are mostly thin and perfect while she's slightly plus-sized and awkward. However, her problems are compounded when her older brother, Byron, is suspended from college after being charged with date raping a girl. Soon Virginia begins to rebel in bigger ways than just sneaking Froggy Welsh the Fourth into her bedroom for commitment-free makeout sessions until she finally finds her own style and her own way of living in the world, rather than trying to avoid it entirely.
My Take: 
Given the title, I had always thought this book was a humor-filled teen comedy. However, there is far more gravity within this book as Virginia deals with her body issues and her family issues. This was a book I could really relate to (I, too, was a chubby teen with family issues, though none quite like Virginia's as most of my family is very similar to me…and more supportive for that matter), and I think a lot of girls could relate to it, even if they don't share the same issues as Virginia does (then again, most girls suffer from body issues of some kind, whether they're skinny or chubby). Still, there was a fair amount of humor to keep me giggling at different issues. This is a book that I feel could be enjoyed by a variety of readers, teen or adult, chubby or thin, pretty or plain. It can speak to a lot of people.

Reviews:
From the Publisher
An overweight teen is sure that she's the weakest link in her high-powered family - until her handsome, athletic, star-student brother has a shocking fall from grace.
Fifteen-year-old Virginia Shreves has a larger-than-average body and a plus-size inferiority complex. She lives on the Web, snarfs junk food, and follows the "Fat Girl Code of Conduct." Her stuttering best friend has just moved to Walla Walla (of all places). Her new companion, Froggy Welsh the Fourth (real name), has just succeeded in getting his hand up her shirt, and she lives in fear that he'll look underneath. Then there are the other Shreves: Mom, the successful psychologist and exercise fiend; Dad, a top executive who ogles thin women on TV; and older siblings Anaïs and rugby god Byron, both of them slim and brilliant. Delete Virginia, and the Shreves would be a picture-perfect family. Or so she's convinced. And then a shocking phone call changes everything.
With irreverent humor, insight, and surprising gravity, Carolyn Mackler creates an endearingly blunt heroine whose story will speak to every teen who struggles with family expectations - and serve as a welcome reminder that the most impressive achievement is to be true to yourself. Publishers Weekly
A "chubby" New York City teen faces pressures from her family to get thin, and her brother is suspended from college on charges of date rape. "The heroine's transformation into someone who finds her own style and speaks her own mind is believable-and worthy of applause," according to PW. Ages 14-up. (July) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information. Suggestions:
This would be great for a book talk presentation or even good for class discussion (though there might be some resistance by more conservative parents given the date rape and Virginia's belief that chubby girls must be willing to go further). But those issues could also open up a lot of talking points.

Module 14-Castles: Old Stone Poems

Book Info:
Castles: Old Stone Poems by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by Dan Burr. Boyds Mills Press, 2006.

Summary:
A poetry collection relating information and history about sixteen different castles spanning time, the planet, mythology, and fact. There are poems about legendary figures like Count Dracula, Anne Boleyn, and Leonardo Da Vinci, and lesser known figures like King Ludwig, who locked himself away in his castle to escape the harshness of reality, and the brave Danish prince, Eric, who was purportedly eaten by a dragon. The illustrations complement each poem by examining the difference between the castles depicted and the poems describing them and the events that took place there. Also included are bibliographic references, a timeline, and facts about castles.
My Take:
I've always enjoyed castle lore and anything to do with the medieval period, so I immediately gravitated towards this book. I loved how the poems did more than just relate facts or stories about the castles depicted; they evoked emotions relating to the castles and the places and people and events that happened there. The pictures are especially lush and intriguing; I know I definitely want to do some more research into these edifices and the history surrounding them.
Reviews:
Booklist (October 01, 2006 ; 1-59078-380-8 )
"Castles have a perennial allure for young people, and this illustrated poetry collection celebrates some of the most legendary, from England's Bodiam Castle and the Tower of London to Japan's Himeji Castle and California's Hearst Castle. Each spread focuses on a different location, and the words often reflect a contemporary viewer imagining long-ago life: "What splendor did the maid see / from that window long ago?" Lewis and Dotlich are frank about the bloodshed and terror that are part of the history, when "beheadings were as easy as breathing." Children may need help with some of the allusions ("Windows pierce the sky like hushed haiku," for example) and the historical context. Burr's paintings add immediacy and sense to the words in dramatic scenes of medieval courts and castles, and the extensive appended material includes a bibliography, time line, and background about each site. Suggest this for classroom exercises that show how poetry can help bring history into the present. Gillian Engberg Copyright 2006 Booklist"
Suggestions:
A fun and interesting way to look at poetry that will no doubt interest kids as not only are they learning about history, but also about poetry. This book would be great for storytimes, though the audience might need to be tempered given the mentions of violence and terror. This could also be beneficial in encouraging children to learn more about castles and the history surrounding them, especially with the timeline and "Medieval Minutes" sections.

Module 13-Maus

Book Info:
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1996.

Summary:
A comic presentation of a true story of survival and family issues, Art Spiegelman determined to record his father's story of survival during World War II in a cartoon form. But it is not only Vladek Spiegelman's story; it is also his son's story of trying to come to terms with his father's survival and how it has affected how he handles life and his family. But instead of portraying everyone as people, something readers might expect, he portrays the Jews as mice and the Nazis as cats. Part history, part biography, part suspense story, and part cartoon, this book is all the more interesting for appearing to be nothing more than a comic about mice and cats.
My Take:
I really loved this book. I've long been a fan of graphic novels and comics (read Archie and Jughead all the time as a kid, not to mention the X-Men and other comics as I progress), but to read one that is a true story and yet told in such a remarkable and strange, allegorical way was a real treat. I had no idea graphic novels could be so affecting, so interesting, and so real, all while still maintaining a cartoon experience. A brilliant tale within a tale, Art's story of working through his problems with his dad all while telling his father's tory was one of the most interesting bits.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (May 01, 1987 ; 0-394-74723-2 )
YA Told with chilling realism in an unusual comic-book format, this is more than a tale of surviving the Holocaust. Spiegelman relates the effect of those events on the survivors' later years and upon the lives of the following generation. Each scene opens at the elder Spiegelman's home in Rego Park, N.Y. Art, who was born after the war, is visiting his father, Vladek, to record his experiences in Nazi-occupied Poland. The Nazis, portrayed as cats, gradually introduce increasingly repressive measures, until the Jews, drawn as mice, are systematically hunted and herded toward the Final Solution. Vladek saves himself and his wife by a combination of luck and wits, all the time enduring the torment of hunted outcast. The other theme of this book is Art's troubled adjustment to life as he, too, bears the burden of his parents' experiences. This is a complex book. It relates events which young adults, as the future architects of society, must confront, and their interest is sure to be caught by the skillful graphics and suspenseful unfolding of the story. Rita G. Keeler, St. John's School , Houston
Library Journal (December 01, 1991 ; 0-394-55655-0 )
Spiegelman's Maus, A Survivor's Tale (Pantheon, 1987) was a breakthrough, a comic book that gained widespread mainstream attention. The primary story of that book and of this sequel is the experience of Spiegelman's father, Vladek, a Polish Jew who survived the concentration camps of Nazi Germany during World War II. This story is framed by Spiegelman's getting the story from Vladek, which is in turn framed by Spiegelman's working on the book after his father's death and suffering the attendant anxiety and guilt, the ambivalence over the success of the first volume, and the difficulties of his ``funny-animal'' metaphor. (In both books, he draws the char acters as anthropomorphic animals-- Jews are mice, Poles pigs, Germans cats, Americans dogs, and French frogs.) The interconnections and complex characterizations are engrossing, as are the vivid personal accounts of living in the camps. Maus and Maus . . . II are two of the most important works of comic art ever published. Highly recommended, espe cially for libraries with Holocaust collec tions. See also Harry Gordon's The Shadow of Death: The Holocaust in Lithuania , reviewed in this issue, p. 164; previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 7/91.-- Keith R.A. DeCandido, ``Library Journal''
Suggestions:
This is a great book for a book talk (I certainly used it for mine), but would also be good for teachers if they wanted to do a section on graphic novels and were afraid parents might accuse them of assigning frivolous reading material.

Module 12-Starry Messenger

Book Info:
Starry Messenger by Peter Sis. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2000.

Summary:
Using Galileo's own words, simple language, and rich illustrations, Peter Sis relates the story of Galileo, one of the greatest minds in the history of the world. He includes history, such as that Galileo and Shakespeare were both born in the same year, and that Michaelangelo died then, too, as well as details about Galileo's persecution from the Inquisition.. Though Galileo was eventually found guilty of heresy by the Inquisition, nearly 300 years later the Church pardoned him, and shortly before his pardon, in 1989, the Galileo spacecraft was launched.
My Take:
While this book is both interesting and beautiful, at times the playfulness of the illustrations, especially how Sis plays with the placement of text, the book can be a bit hard to read and understand. Despite those readability issues, this is still a very interesting book, especially for anyone who wants to learn more about Galileo. The illustrations are interesting and brilliant; if only the text were a bit more readable.
Reviews:
Booklist (October 15, 1996 ; 0-374-37191-1 )
Gr. 4^-6. Sis celebrates the life, ideas, and genius of Galileo in a picture book that achieves a brilliance of its own. Relating events in Galileo's life, the book offers a sense of the world in which he lived and makes readers understand why his work was dangerous to the church and ultimately to himself. Large, beautiful drawings reflect the ideas, events, books, maps, world view, and symbolism of the times. These intricate ink drawings, idiosyncratic in concept and beautifully tinted with delicate watercolor washes, are complemented by smaller drawings and prints that illustrate a side-text of significant dates, time lines, quotations, comments, and explanations. These are printed in cursive and sometimes in serpentine or circular shapes that force the reader to turn the book around to make out the words. Without a doubt, this unusual picture book will attract an audience of adults who appreciate the art of Sis as well as the legacy of Galileo. The questions of whether children will be drawn to the book and what they will take away are more problematic, since the text and illustrations will be more rewarding for a reader who already has some knowledge of Galileo and the period. Still, those drawn to the book will find that it works on many levels, offering not just facts but intuitive visions of another world. An original. --Carolyn Phelan
Suggestions:
This book would be very interesting (and a bit hard to use) at a storytime event, given the hard to read text. But the illustrations are wonderful and would most likely be enjoyed. Perhaps if the storyteller memorized all of the facts and figures and then just used the pictures as they related the information it could work.

Module 11-Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow

Book Info:
Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. Scholastic, Inc., 2005.

Summary:
Using archival photographs and personal recollections from people who were part of the Hitler Youth group, Bartoletti presents a riveting perspective on World War II and the Nazi movement by examining the children and teens who were caught up in the movement, either members of the Hitler Youth or those who fought against them or were targeted by the Nazis. She unflinchingly presents the truth of these children and their experiences whether good or bad and without any sugar-coating of what happened to them or what they did at the behest of their leaders. This is a powerful book for anyone who might be curious as to how anyone could follow Hitler and just how easy it was for him to mislead and use the young's loyalty and hopefulness.
My Take:
I've been interested in WWII for many years, going back to the stories related by my grandfather about his experiences during the war and her service in the Navy immediately after the war's end. Having long been one of those people who wondered how anyone could fall under the sway of such a monster, this book puts a very relatable face on the people who followed Hitler as well as the ones who fought against him from within his own country. It was also an affecting read in that Bartoletti's intent was not just to inform people of what the Hitler Youth did and how they basically brainwashed; she also wanted to point out that this was not some random circumstance. Given the right leader and the right atmosphere in a country, any leader could follow Hitler's example and turn their youth to their own purposes no matter how dark. A scary lesson, but one that is worthwhile learning.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (June 01, 2005 ; 0-439-35379-3 )
Gr 5-8-Hitler's plans for the future of Germany relied significantly on its young people, and this excellent history shows how he attempted to carry out his mission with the establishment of the Hitler Youth, or Hitlerjugend, in 1926. With a focus on the years between 1933 and the end of the war in 1945, Bartoletti explains the roles that millions of boys and girls unwittingly played in the horrors of the Third Reich. The book is structured around 12 young individuals and their experiences, which clearly demonstrate how they were victims of leaders who took advantage of their innocence and enthusiasm for evil means. Their stories evolve from patriotic devotion to Hitler and zeal to join, to doubt, confusion, and disillusion. (An epilogue adds a powerful what-became-of-them relevance.) The large period photographs are a primary component and they include Nazi propaganda showing happy and healthy teens as well as the reality of concentration camps and young people with large guns. The final chapter superbly summarizes the weighty significance of this part of the 20th century and challenges young readers to prevent history from repeating itself. Bartoletti lets many of the subjects' words, emotions, and deeds speak for themselves, bringing them together clearly to tell this story unlike anyone else has.-Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book could be used especially when studying this period of history in school, either in junior high or high school. This could also be good if used in a book talk to try and encourage kids to learn more about history, though not through a boring old history textbook. Instead they could use this interesting and unflinching portrait of the Hitler Youth and how Hitler was able to accomplish much of what he did through appealing to the young people of his country.

Module 10-The Book Thief

Book Info:
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Random House Children's Books, 2007.

Summary:
Liesel Meminger is sent to live with the Hubermanns after her mother is branded a "Kommunist" by the Nazis. On the trip to the Munich suburb where the Hubermanns live, Liesel little brother dies, which is how the narrator, Death, first meets Liesel. This is also when she steals her first book, a gravedigger's handbook, even though she cannot read. This act leads to many more acts of theft and vandalism as Liesel struggles to learn to read with the help of her foster father Hans and as she struggles to understand what exactly is happening in her country. When a Jewish man shows up on her foster parents' doorstep, Hans and Rosa take him in, despite the very dire trouble they would get into were they found out. They hide Max, and Liesel and he steadily become friends, but their situation becomes quite dire when the Allies begin bombing Munich and other areas of Germany. While Liesel works through these problems with reading and writing and small acts of rebellion, the war that goes on around her constantly threatens to destroy her and her family's lives.
My Take:
I had been looking forward to reading this book ever since I looked through the reading list for historical fiction (one of my favorite genres); this didn't disappoint. A fantastical tale narrated by Death but told in such a realistic way that the horrors and atrocities aren't lost despite the sometimes fantastic way the story's told. Though this book was hard to read given the source material, Liesel's determination to fight against the Nazi oppression, no matter how small her fight might be makes for a compelling read, one that was hard to put down once I'd picked it up. The most affecting moments were when Max went away to keep the Hubermanns from being found out, when Liesel witnesses him being marched to a concentration camp, and when Rudy finally gets his kiss from Liesel only after he has died. I also really enjoyed how, using Death as the narrator, events jumped around every once in a while, with Death almost preparing the reader for something sad and tragic that was going to happen several chapters away.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (March 01, 2007 ; 0-7393-3800-5 )
Gr 9 Up-With Death as narrator, Markus Zusak's haunting novel (Knopf, 2003) follows Liesel Meminger, The Book Thief, through the fear-filled years of Nazi Germany. The story opens as the ten-year-old girl takes her first book shortly after her younger brother's death. Both children were en route to the foster home of Hans and Rosa Hubermann in a Munich suburb. Despite Rosa's sharp tongue and Hans's lack of work, their home is a loving refuge for the nightmare-ridden girl. It also becomes a hideout for Max, a young Jewish man whose father saved Hans's life. Liesel finds solace with her neighbor Rudy and her creative partnership with Max. Accompanied by Rudy, the girl copes by stealing food from farmers and books from the mayor's wife. There are also good moments as she learns to read and plays soccer, but Hans's ill-advised act of kindness to a Jewish prisoner forces Max to leave their safe house. The failing war effort and bombing by the Allies lead to more sacrifices, a local suicide and, eventually, to great losses. Reading books and writing down her experiences save Liesel, but this novel clearly depicts the devastating effects of war. Narrator Allan Corduner defines each character with perfect timing. He's deliberate as the voice of Death, softly strong as Liesel, and impatient, but not unkind, as Rosa. With richly evocative imagery and compelling characters, Zusak explores behind-the-lines life in World War II Germany, showing the day-to-day heroism of ordinary people. Relevant for class discussions on wars both past and present.-Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book would be great in a classroom discussion after looking at the events of World War II from a historical perspective. In that case this book can be used to give a more personal experience of the War and how it affected not only the world but also random and seemingly unimportant people.

Module 9-The Ruby in the Smoke

Book Info:
The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman. Random House Children's Books, 2008.

Summary:
Sally Lockhart has run in to a bit of trouble lately. Her father's ship has been lost at sea, her father dead, and the money she was supposed to inherit is mysteriously missing. Add on to all of that a mysterious warning, "beware the seven blessings," and Sally has a mystery she can't solve all on her own. She seeks out one of her father's former employees, but when he hears the mysterious phrase, he dies of fright. After that Sally learns to be quieter as she delves into the mystery of her father's death and a stolen ruby. With death all around her and mysterious figures seeking her out for what she might know, Sally must keep her wits about her if she hopes to not only solve these mysteries but also to survive.
My Take:
I've never been a big fan of mysteries (though I do enjoy police procedurals and movie mysteries). I don't know if it's just that I got into fantasies really early and never really got around to mysteries, but for whatever reason I was never a big fan. In recent years, I've read a few more mysteries (and am still longing to read some Agatha Christie after that great "Doctor Who" episode), but it's never really something I gravitate so. So this week was an interesting one for me as I tried to figure out which mysteries I might like best. I settled on this one partly because I like Philip Pullman and because I'd watched part of one of the BBC adaptations of the books on PBS (starring another of my favorite things from "Doctor Who," Billie Piper). I wasn't disappointed. I ended up really liking this first book in the series, mostly because Sally was so resilient and brave no matter the danger she faced. Despite being a Victorian girl, she was no shrinking violet or some shrieking, fainting girl who needed a man to save her; she could save herself, but was also willing to ask for help when she needed it. This would be a great introduction to many young readers into the mystery genre.

Reviews:
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up A rip-roaring good adventure story filled with cutthroat villains, dastardly deeds, sleezy opium dens, filthy London slums, and a delightful 16-year-old heroine. Sally, orphaned when her father dies at sea, becomes ensconsed in mystery and treachery when she learns that a legendary ruby is rightfully hers. With the help of two friends, she sidesteps several attempts on her life, helps rescue a young girl from the clutches of a ruthless blackmailer, and finds the hidden fortune that her father had left her. There are twists and turns at every moment, with new characters constantly entering and old ones exiting (not by their own choice). Descriptions are vivid, colorful, and fully realized. Subtle innuendos enhance character development, and the understated humor keeps readers from taking the story too seriously. There are a few lapses in plotting and several contrivances, but these are minor flaws in a story that pulls together to become a rousing tale of murder and adventure in London in 1872. It's a book for sophisticated readers because of the variety of motivations and schemes as well as the shifts in setting within chapters, and one that's not for the timid because of the many murders. Trev Jones, ``School Library Journal''

 
Suggestions:
A really great mystery, especially for readers not too keen on or adept at mysteries. It wasn't so difficult that only an expert could figure things out, but it was tricky enough that it takes some thinking to figure out all the twists and turns. This could be very good for a discussion group or book talk, especially if you were trying to interest girls in reading mysteries and for readers looking for an interesting heroine who's strong and smart but not infallible.

Module 8-Graceling, Impossible, and Ender’s Game

Book Info:
Graceling by Kristen Cashore. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.

 Summary:
A spellbinding fantasy about a world where people born with magical powers or "Graces" are easily identified by their different-colored eyes. Katsa, King Randa's niece, is one such Graceling. However, her Grace is unique as it is a killing Grace. Because of her talents, Randa uses her as his enforcer, sending her out to hurt, punish, or kill anyone who does not comply with his orders or wishes. However, Katsa and some of her fellow nobles and friends, including Randa's son, form a secret council which seeks to subvert Randa's plans and cruelties by stealthily fighting against injustice throughout the Seven Kingdoms. When their latest mission has Katsa rescuing the grandfather of Lienid royalty, Katsa encounters a man with a Grace of his own, a Grace for fighting. He's almost a match for Katsa, and she soon discovers that this man is Prince Po of Lienid. After defying her uncle's wishes, Katsa and Po flee Randa's kingdom, intent of finding out who wanted Po's grandfather kidnapped and why. What they find out could change all of the Seven Kingdoms for years to come, and could change both Katsa and Po in ways they could never imagine.
My Take:
I loved this book. Friends had told me how good it was, but I hadn't had a chance to read it (though I had bought its sequel, Fire already). I figured, given all the recommendations, that I should just buy it, and I wasn't disappointed in my purchase. For some reason, given the blurb on the back, I had thought the book was about younger characters, so I was pleasantly surprised that the characters were older and more mature, as it meant they could go on bigger adventures than if they were in their early teens as I had first thought. Katsa was a fun and interesting character, reminding me a lot of some of Tamora Pierce's heroines, and the romance between Katsa and Po was beautiful and intriguing, but not so simple as to be improbable or unbelievable. This is a great book for anyone who enjoys historical/supernatural fantasy with a little romance mixed in, or anyone who enjoys strong heroines who still have faults and problems despite all their strength.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (October 01, 2008 ; 0-15-206396-X )
Gr 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 2008 Reed Business Information.
The New York Times - Katie Roiphe
In the course of her dark and eventful tale, Cashore plays with the idea of awkwardness, how at a certain age gifts and talents are burdens, how they make it impossible to feel comfortable in the world. And in this she writes a fairly realistic portrait of teenage life into the baroque courts of her outlandish kingdoms…In many respects Graceling is a study of mysterious angers: it offers a perfect parable of adolescence, as its characters struggle with turbulent emotions they must learn to control. The consequences are more tangible than they usually are in more mundane settings—if Katsa loses control, she breaks someone's jaw by accident—but the principle is the same. The teenage characters in this novel, like some we may know in life, grow into their graces. They realize that their monstrous individuality is not so monstrous after all.
Suggestions:
This book would be great for a book talk, especially if you were trying to encourage teens to read new and interesting fantasy with strong and likable characters. This could also be good for a book discussion group for teens, opening the doorway to other teen supernatural fantasy (other than Twilight). 


Book Info:
Impossible by Nancy Werlin.

Summary:
Inspired by the song "Scarborough Fair", this book blends modern life with a capricious Elfin Knight and a curse. Lucy Scarborough is a seventeen year old girl with a very pragmatic way of looking at the world, despite her mother being a mentally ill homeless woman who gave her up for adoption. Despite having very steady and normal parents, Lucy is still troubled by the occasional visits from her mother which have become more and more frequent as Lucy has neared seventeen. There's also Lucy's childhood friend, Zach, who Lucy's been a little in love with since they were children, but as he's older and about to go to college, Lucy allows herself to like another boy her own age, going to prom with him. Something strange happens at prom though, and Lucy's date rapes her, leaving Lucy pregnant. Soon after Lucy discovers a letter from her mother and a diary which warns her of an ancient family curse which states that each girl will become pregnant at the age of seventeen and then go mad after they give birth unless they can complete the three impossible tasks laid out in the song. Unlike the other women before her, Lucy's steady adoptive parents and friend Zach help her work out how to solve the curse and escape from the Knight's clutches.
My Take:
One of the most brilliant and moving books I've read in a long time. I couldn't stop reading this book from the moment I picked it up. So beautiful and haunting that I cried more than once while reading it (and it takes a bit to make me cry when reading). I had originally thought that this book was set in the past and was surprised and delighted to find out it was a modern story with elements of fantasy that were an interesting juxtaposition to the modernity. Lucy was a great character, one I really routed for, and her romance with Zach was sweet and beautiful and moving (and also a bit unexpected just in how quickly it progressed, especially their marriage). The climax was exhilarating and had me yelling at the book when Lucy almost gave up, and the resolution was absolutely brilliant. I can't recommend this book enough.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (September 01, 2008 ; 0-8037-3002-0 )
Gr 9 Up-Werlin combines magic, romance, and a family curse in this 21st-century fairy tale based on the ballad "Scarborough Fair." On the night of her prom, Lucy, 17, is raped by her date and becomes pregnant. She decides to keep the child, and she is supported by her foster parents and Zach, her childhood friend whose love for Lucy changes from platonic to romantic as the story progresses. The teen discovers the curse on the women in her family when she reads her birth mother's diary. Lucy is destined for madness at 18 unless she can perform the three impossible tasks described in the song and break the curse of the Elfin Knight. She is determined to rid herself and her unborn child of the curse, and her family and Zach help her as she works to solve the riddles. This unique story flows smoothly and evenly, and the well-drawn characters and subtle hints of magic early on allow readers to enter willingly into the world of fantasy. As in The Rules of Survival (Dial, 2006), Werlin addresses tough topics. Rape, teen pregnancy, and family madness set the story in motion, but the strength of Lucy's character and the love of her family and friends allow her to deal with such difficult matters and take on the impossible. Teens, especially young women, will enjoy this romantic fairy tale with modern trappings.-Jennifer D. Montgomery, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
Probably better for a discussion group (though it would also work for a book talk) this book would be best for older teens, more specifically girls given that the story is told from a 17 year old girl's POV.

Book Info:
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC, 2002.

Summary:
Ender Wiggins, a six year old genius, is recruited into Battle School, effectively ending his childhood as he must strive to become the best soldier he can be so that Earth can defeat the alien "buggers." Though Ender is very young and a lot smaller than the other cadets, he soon learns to hold his own despite his age and size, defeating enemies at Battle School as well as greater enemies. With some really great twists and a likable character, this is a book that can appeal to a myriad of audiences, teens or adults.
My Take:
This was a book that had been recommended to me by several friends over the years, but one I hadn't read as I typically don't like sci-fi fiction (though I love sci-fi movies). Once I got into it, I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know so badly what was going to happen to Ender. Now I can't wait to read the other books in the series. Ender is a fun and interesting character, with problems that make him realistic enough to still be likable despite his genius status. I think my favorite character though was Valentine, Ender's sister, who is torn between the power her older brother offers her as a political commentator and the love she has for her younger brother and how she wants to protect him from her older brother's machinations. Despite this type of sci-fi typically being geared towards guys, I think women could equally enjoy the book if they give it a chance.
Reviews:
Library Journal (March 02, 2009 ; 0-7653-4229-4 )
A space-age Lord of the Flies thrill ride (sans the psychological couch trip), this follows six-year-old Ender Wiggin's odyssey from being the smartest, smallest boy in Battle School to savior of humankind. To prepare for an upcoming war with a devastatingly murderous insectoid race (the "formics," aka "buggers"), select earth children are trained on "the Battle Game." Aptest pupil ever Ender quickly rises to the top of Battle School, which has twice the nasty of any boarding school and all the charms of a snake pit (Battle School dude factors are endless). Many Card novels are spun outward from this tale, including the recent Ender in Exile. Dude factor: While these works can be enjoyed individually, they tend to enhance one another. For example, reading Ender's Shadow, which focuses on the fascinating and tragic character of Bean, is heightened by knowing all about Bean's hyperdevotion to (and competition with) Ender. The chronological details of various books remain in neat order, with some entries complementing others during simultaneous time frames and others serving as prequels or sequels. Also fascinating is the shift between the blunt action of Ender's Game and its two immediate sequels, Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide; these are completely different in style, yet similarly captivating on a philosophical plane. In 2008, Tor published Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind in one big gift set, ISBN 978-0-7653-6243-8. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This would be a great book for a discussion group or book talk to help interest teens in science fiction. Though there are things which can be confusing (the aliens, the rules about multiple children, the concept of Battle School, etc.) to readers, the story's compelling enough that most readers will be drawn in if they give the book a chance.

Module 7-The Penderwicks & Speak

Book Info:
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall. Random House Children's Books, 2007.

Summary:
When the Penderwick family goes on summer vacation, they are surprised to find that their vacation rental is a small cottage on the Arundel estate, a beautiful and lavish house complete with sprawling gardens, a kindly cook, an attic full of old clothes and other treasures, a cute gardener with a pair of rabbits, and the estate owner's son, Jeffrey Tifton. Though his mother is set on Jeffrey going to a military academy after the summer's over, Jeffrey and the Penderwicks have other plans, including run-ins with a dangerous bull, soccer games, and first love.
My Take:
I adored this book! The characters were great and I loved each of the girls for their very individual personalities. The story was really fun, seeming bigger in scope than it actually was because the events, though small for most people, were bigger to the girls. It actually reminded me a little of Little Women: four sisters, a lonely little boy who lives next door and becomes their friend, absent parent (though this time it's the mother rather than the father), etc. I think my favorite parts involved Rosalind and her crush on the 18-year-old gardener, Mr. Penderwick's unwavering love for his daughters, and how Mrs. Tifton, though seeming to be the intractable evil mother figure, eventually learns to listen to Jeffrey's wishes and desires for his life and resolves to spend more time with him and to let him make his own decisions about where he'll go to school and what he'll do with his life.
Reviews:
School Library Journal ( July 01, 2006 ; 0-307-28577-4 )
Gr 4-6-In Jeanne Birdsall's humorous novel (Knopf, 2005), four motherless sisters-Rosalind, 12, Skye, 11, Jane, 10, and Batty, 4-their absentminded professor dad, and the family dog share a summer retreat on the Massachusetts estate of Arundel. Owned by the frosty Mrs. Tifton and her lonely son, Jeffrey, Arundel's pretentious mistress treats the oddly-matched Penderwick sisters and their doting father as social misfits. Feisty Skye and sensitive Jeffrey become best friends, drawing the reluctant Mrs. Tifton and the entire Penderwick clan into a series of hilarious misadventures, including runaway pets, an encounter with a bull, and a first crush. The sisters are determined to help Jeffrey escape being sent to the Pencey Military Academy, "Where boys become men and men become soldiers." Susan Denaker's gentle narration of this 2005 National Book Award winner perfectly captures the subtle humor and charm of each character. Fans of Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family or Maud Hart's Betsy-Tacy novels will love this updated version of a comfortable childhood adventure. Just the ticket for an extended family car trip.-Celeste Steward, Alameda County Library, Fremont, CA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book would be a great recommendation for late elementary and early junior high kids, and could also be used in book talks, especially if teachers or librarians were looking for a book to act as a gateway between older books like Little Women and other similar books with idyllic themes of growing up and the adventures you can have as a child).


Book Info:
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Penguin Group, 2006.

Summary:
In her first year of high school, Melinda Sordino finds herself ostracized and ignored, completely snubbed by her former friends all because she called the cops during an end-of-summer party. Melinda sequesters herself inside her head, speaking only when absolutely necessary, and trying to navigate through high school as quietly and below-the-radar as she possibly can. However, even within the sanctity of her own mind, there are things Melinda doesn't want to remember, doesn't want to think about. Though her grades suffer drastically all year, the only class she seems to do well in is her art class, a place where she feels safe and where she feels she can express herself without words. But when things start to go from bad to worse for one of Melinda's former friends, Melinda finds that she can't stay silent for much longer.
My Take:
A beautiful and lyrical book that scared the bejeesus out of me. It's wonderfully written, but about such a horrifying topic that it's beauty acts as a brilliant juxtaposition to the horror of what Melinda went through. Despite the topic, I didn't want to put this book down; I wanted to know how Melinda would finally speak out, how her art project would turn out, whether she'd be able to return to some kind of normal life despite everything that had happened to her. I highly recommend this book to anyone, teen or adult. It's beautiful and horrifying but well worth the sadness and terror it reveals.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (October 01, 1999 ; 0-374-37152-0 )
Gr 8 Up-This powerful novel deals with a difficult yet important topic-rape. Melinda is just starting high school. It should be one of the greatest times in her life, but instead of enjoying herself, she is an outcast. She has been marked as the girl who called the police to break up the big end-of-the-summer party, and all the kids are angry at her. Even her closest friends have pulled away. No one knows why she made the call, and even Melinda can't really articulate what happened. As the school year goes on, her grades plummet and she withdraws into herself to the point that she's barely speaking. Her only refuge is her art class, where she learns to find ways to express some of her feelings. As her freshman year comes to an end, Melinda finally comes to terms with what happened to her-she was raped at that party by an upperclassman who is still taunting her at school. When he tries again, she finds her voice, and her classmates realize the truth. The healing process will take time, but Melinda no longer has to deal with it alone. Anderson expresses the emotions and the struggles of teenagers perfectly. 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.-Dina Sherman, Brooklyn Children's Museum, NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book could be very useful in a book talk or a teen discussion group, especially as it might help teens learn that they can talk about things that trouble them, including topics like abuse and rape.

Module 6-Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls: Best Friends and Drama Queens

Book Info:
Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Best Friends and Drama Queens by Meg Cabot. Scholastic, Inc., 2009.

Summary:
When Allie and her friends learn that a new girl is moving to their town from Canada, they are very excited to have someone so interesting and foreign entering their class. However, the new girl, Cheyenne, is not as fun and exciting as they thought she would be, especially when she starts ordering everyone in their fourth grade class around. If they don't do what she says, she deems them "babies" and bullies them relentlessly until they buckle. The only girls to resist Cheyenne are Allie and Rosemary (though everyone's too intimidated by tom-boy Rosemary), and Allie is constantly picked on for not "going" with a boy until their teacher realizes what's going on and puts a stop to Cheyenne's bullying.
My Take:
Though I was a bit rankled by how most of the girls treated Rosemary oddly because she's a tom-boy and not "girlie," I really ended up liking these books. At first I was also annoyed with the very juvenile writing style…but then I remembered finding one of my elementary school diaries at my mom's house a few years ago and realized that my writing style had sounded remarkably like Allie's at that age. All in all, it was a very funny book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Allie and her friends, even though I really just wanted to punch the bullying Cheyenne at times. I especially liked Allie's uncle who helped Allie deal with her problems without being too parenty or over-bearing.
Reviews:
School Library Journal ( July 01, 2009 ; 0-545-03968-1 )
Gr 3-5-Allie Finkle is anxious to return to school after a rather boring winter break. Her spirits perk up when she hears about a new girl from Canada who will be joining their fourth grade class. However, Cheyenne is not what Allie and her best friends expected: she's a bully and thinks all the girls are immature. Cheyenne forms a new clique and institutes a new game which involves chasing boys on the playground and kissing them when caught. She orders all girls to "go with" a boy, even though most of Allie's classmates don't have a clue what they means. In this third book (Scholastic, 2009) in Meg Cabot's series, Allie decides she's not quite ready to be a grown-up and wants to enjoy life as a kid, no matter what Cheyenne tells her. Narrator Tara Sands perfectly voices the naive but charming nine-year-old, expressing Allie's rollercoaster of emotions. She easily transitions from incredulous Allie and strong willed Cheyenne to sweet but authoritative Miss Hunter. The pacing is faultless and the production quality is first-rate. An excellent choice for individual or classroom listening.-Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book would be fun for a book talk with older elementary school or junior high girls, especially ones who might be dealing with bullies and peer-pressure.

Module 5-Dooby Dooby Moo

Book Info:
Dooby Dooby Moo by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2009.

Summary:
At this year's county fair there is to be a talent show with the first prize of a trampoline, which all of the farm animals desperately desire. Again Duck and the other animals must outwit Farmer Brown so that they can perform and win the talent show and the trampoline. However, all of the animal acts meet with disappointment when they don't receive very favorable scores, leaving Duck to go out on stage and try to win the trampoline for them all.
My Take:
I found this book really hilarious and silly, which is just great fun to read. The illustrations add to the witty writing, making the animals look like a fun cartoon while still retaining enough of a likeness to their real-life counterparts so that children could easily recognize the real thing (however, let's hope they don't expect pigs to do an interpretive dance or ducks to sing). Though not a book which enriches the reader with brilliant language and increased vocabulary, this and the authors' previous works are fun reads which can be enjoyed by both kids and parents, especially if they read the books together.
Reviews:
School Library Journal ( August 01, 2006 ; 0-689-84507-3 )
K-Gr 3-When Duck discovers an ad in the paper announcing a talent show at the county fair (first prize, a slightly used trampoline), Farmer Brown's animals are unstoppable. The cows and sheep concentrate on their singing while the pigs work on interpretive dance. How the suspicious farmer could ever confuse all this noise with routine snoring is a bit of a stretch, but the hilarious late-night practice scenes inside the barn will help readers make the leap. At the talent show, the cows and sheep impress some of the judges, but lack of sleep has the pigs truly snoring when it is time to perform. Fortunately, Duck steps in to save the day with a winning version of "Born to Be Wild." After the talent show, Farmer Brown suspects nothing until he hears "boings" coming from the barn. Comical watercolor illustrations provide the punch lines to many jokes within the well-paced text. Some of the sophisticated humor will go over the heads of most children, especially the witty footnotes that pepper the story. However, like Click, Clack, Moo (2000) and Giggle, Giggle, Quack (2002, both S & S), this story makes a great read-aloud, and fans of the series will be ecstatic to see another episode of mischief in the barnyard.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
A very fun book to use at storytimes, especially if they're used in conjunction with the other Duck books by Cronin and Lewin. The illustrations will (hopefully) tickle children's funny bones as will the story itself as it relates all of the antics the animals get up to.

Module 4-Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH and The Graveyard Book

Book Info:
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien, illustrated by Zena Bernstein. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1999.

Summary:
A widowed mouse, Mrs. Frisby, encounters some dire problems when moving day comes too early and her youngest son, Timothy, is sick with pneumonia. After helping a crow escape before the farmer's cat can catch them both, the crow offers to take her to the wise old owl in the woods who may be able to give her some good advice. Though the owl does not typically consort with mice (other than in the natural way), because of the bravery of Mrs. Frisby's husband, Jonathon, he advises her to seek the help of the Rats of NIMH who live on the farm. After learning who Mrs. Frisby is and relating the story of their escape from NIMH, the Rats agree to help her, though she will have to go on some adventures of her own to bring about her family's salvation.
My Take:
I remember watching this movie a lot when I was younger but I had never read the book. After reading it, I actually found that I liked the book a lot more than the movie, despite all the times I had watched it as a child. I think what I enjoyed most about the book was how realistic (other than the talking animals) and down-to-earth (hardee-har-har) the book was as compared to the movie (which used all of these magic and supernatural elements to explain why the Rats were special rather than them being experimented on to increase their intelligence and longevity). I also found this to be a welcome change from The Runaway Bunny as it depicted a mother's love in a more healthy way: while Mrs. Frisby loves her children enough to do something dangerous and crazy, she doesn't seek to stifle them with her love. She is simply content to protect them and love them until they're able to better take care of themselves.
Reviews:
From the Publisher
Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service. (Barnes & Noble.com)
Suggestions:
This book would be fun to use for a book talk with younger kids, either late elementary or early junior high. It's a fun story with a great adventure, and it would be fun to show them the video as well so they could compare the two (and maybe even show them the sequel which features Timmy as the hero).

 
Book Info:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (audio book). HarperCollins Publishers, 2008.

Summary:
Nobody Owens, also known as Bod, is an orphan who has been raised by ghosts in a graveyard even since he was a toddler. Outside of the protection of the graveyard, there is a man named Jack who is out to get Bod, aching to finish his mission in wiping out Bod's entire family. His only non-ghostly guardian is a man named Silas, who lives in the graveyard but is neither living nor dead. Eventually Bod finds another friend (this time one who's alive) named Scarlett with whom he has many adventures as a child. However happy Bod's life is in the graveyard, he longs to go outside of it but cannot as Jack would surely find and kill him.
My Take:
This was a very interesting and fun book to read (or listen to). A boy raised by ghosts is an interesting enough concept, but add in all the intrigue and the mystery and it's even more fun. The thing I liked best, though, was listening to Gaiman narrate the book with such flair and panache, making it seem like some old-fashioned radio performance. Bod is a fun character, as is Scarlett, and it's especially interesting how Gaiman weaves in the supernatural (like vampires and werewolves) in a seamless way as if there was nothing strange about them, or about a boy being raised by ghosts in a graveyard.
Reviews:
School Library Journal ( March 01, 2009 ; 1-4361-5884-2 )
Gr 5-8-"There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife." So begins the tale of Nobody Owens, a child raised in a graveyard by ghosts. The man Jack, a member of an elite and despicable organization, is sent to slit the throats of an entire family. As he prepares to finish off the last and most important family member, he is enraged to discover that the baby boy has eluded him by climbing from his crib and going out the door. The youngster toddles to a nearby graveyard, where the ghostly inhabitants take him in. Little Nobody (Bod) flourishes in the graveyard, a place alive with adventure and mystery. But he longs to enter the world of the living, a place where danger, and the man Jack, await. What a wicked delight to hear this inventive, sinister story (HarperCollins, 2008) read by multi-talented author Neil Gaiman. His voice ranges from silky to gravelly and gruff to sharp-edged. Those who enjoyed Gaiman's Coraline (HarperCollins, 2002) will be eager to hear his inspired reading of this novel. Winner of the 2009 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Produciton, This captivating production makes the story accessible to younger students as well as reluctant readers.-Lisa Hubler, Memorial Junior High School, South Euclid, OH Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Suggestions:
This book would be very fun in a book talk setting, especially if both the regular book and the audio book were utilized to give readers more options as to how they wish to approach the story, whether with text and illustrations or with a dramatic reading. It would also be interesting, in a school setting, to compare this story to The Jungle Book (which was one of Gaiman's inspirations for the book) and to talk about how he uses devices from The Jungle Book but also creates his own fable that is more relatable to modern children.

Module 3-Cinderella and Rapunzel

Book Info:
Cinderella and the Glass Slipper by Charles Perrault. Illustrated by Marcia Brown. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 1997.

Summary:
It's the classic story of a sweet and virtuous girl named Cinderella who is kept from the ball by her wicked Stepmother and Stepsisters. However, thanks to a Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is able to attend the ball and win the heart of the Prince, though she forgets her Fairy Godmother's warning to leave the ball before midnight. Though it seems that her fun is to be short-lived, the Prince seeks out the girl who won his heart using the glass slipper she left behind, determined to find her if he has to try it on every girl in the kingdom's foot.
My Take:
I really liked this take on the fairy tale. While still maintaining the Perrault version of the story, Marcia Brown creates a new story by imbuing the book with
almost juvenile illustrations. They're an interesting mash-up of subtle and yet specific ink lines mixed with smudges of color that almost look like they're from a kid's coloring book (albeit a very talented kid's coloring book). The illustrations look deceptively simple, which would no doubt appeal to children as they almost look like drawings the kids themselves could do and yet are still lively and relate to the story as to keep kids interested as it works with the text of the story. While not much of the story was changed, the illustrations make this a worthwhile read for anyone who likes fairy tales and wants some very rich and interesting illustrations to accompany their favorite stories.

Reviews:From the Publisher
Cinderella...or The Little Glass Slipper
There is perhaps no better loved, no more universal story than CINDERELLA. Almost every country in the world has a version of it, but the favorite of story-tellers is the French version by Charles Perrault.
This translation is excellent for storytelling and also reading aloud. Marcia Brown's illustrations are full of magic and enchantment from the little cupids putting back the hands of the clock to the last scene at the palace. They are pictures that will stay in a child's mind.

Children's Literature
It was Charles Perrault who, as the book jacket points out, compiled the collection of fairytales that included Cinderella, Bluebeard, Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, and The Sleeping Beauty. This is a translation from the French, which has attempted to retain the essence of the original while making the classic story of the lovely and virtuous Cinderella accessible to the readers of today. The story of the harsh treatment of Cinderella by her cruel stepmother and hateful stepsisters is familiar. In this version, Cinderella leaves the ball at a quarter to twelve. It is when she attends a second ball that she forgets the promise she made to her fairy godmother. Cinderella dances the whole night away with the prince until the clock strikes twelve. When her secret is found out, Cinderella's stepsisters beg for forgiveness and she is able to totally forgive them.

 
Suggestions:
Given that this version is fairly faithful to the version most children are familiar with, this would be a great book to use for a storytelling event, especially with its rich and beautiful illustrations. It could also be used for a book talk or discussion group with teens if you were looking at different representations of classic fairy tales, especially from an art perspective.

 Book Info:
Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky (adapted from the story by The Brothers Grimm). Penguin Group, 2002.

Summary:
After a longing for rapunzel from a sorceress's garden, a husband and wife barter away their unborn daughter to save their lives, agreeing to let the sorceress take her away and bring her up as her own. The sorceress imprisons the girl she names Rapunzel in a tall tower with no doors or stairs, only a high window. As Rapunzel has a mass of long hair, the sorceress uses it to climb up and down from the tower. One day a prince passes by the tower and hears Rapunzel singing up in the tower, but he cannot fathom how to reach her until he witnesses how the sorceress gets into the tower. He begins to visit Rapunzel, marrying her in secret, which eventually leads to the sorceress discovering their perfidy when she figures out that Rapunzel is pregnant. The sorceress banishes the pregnant Rapunzel from the tower and then blinds the prince, leaving them to wander around a barren wasteland until they can find each other again.

My Take:

Though Zelinsky doesn't really do much for the original story, the illustrations are beautiful (despite the illustrator's self-deprecating comments in the end-notes) and really capture that Italian Renaissance feel that Zelinsky was going for. Every time I turned a page I expected to feel the texture of oil paint, the illustrations were so rich. I understood perfectly why this book was chosen for the Caldecott award, especially as it not only beautifully illustrated this classic story but might also interest its young readers in classic art and history from the Renaissance period. This is a book that, while appropriate for younger children, will probably be better understood and appreciated by older readers, including adults. It is interesting in that it uses parts of the story which are usually left out (such as the secret marriage and pregnancy), which can provide new insights into the story for readers only familiar with the more commonly known version.



Reviews:

Booklist

( November 15, 1997 ; 0-525-45607-4 )

Gr. 3^-5, younger for reading aloud. After his wildly exuberant illustrations for Anne Isaacs' tall tale Swamp Angel (1994), Zelinsky turns to the formal beauty of Italian Renaissance art as the setting for his glowingly illustrated version of an age-old story. And, like Donna Jo Napoli's YA novel Zel (1996), this story is as much about the fierce love of mother for child as it is about the romantic passion between the imprisoned Rapunzel and the prince. Drawing on the Grimms' and earlier versions of the tale, Zelinsky begins with a childless couple, who are thrilled when the wife finally becomes pregnant. She develops a craving for the herb rapunzel, and when her husband is caught stealing it for her, the sorceress makes a terrifying bargain: if she can have the baby, she will allow the wife to live. The stepmother raises Rapunzel, "seeing to her every need," then locks her in a tower away from the world. Only the sorceress can enter the tower, by climbing Rapunzel's flowing hair. Then one day, the prince hears Rapunzel sing, falls in love with her, and learns to climb into the castle. They marry secretly. When Rapunzel becomes pregnant, the furious sorceress drives Rapunzel out, cuts off her hair, and blinds the prince. The lovers wander separately in the wilderness, where Rapunzel gives birth to twins; then the couple find each other, her tears make him see, and they come home to the prince's court. The rich oil paintings evoke the portraits, sculpture, architecture, and light-filled landscapes of Renaissance art. The costumes are lavish, the interiors intricate. Rapunzel is both gorgeous and maidenly. The sorceress is terrifying: the pictures also reveal her motherliness and her vulnerability, especially in the two double-page narrative paintings that frame the drama. One shows the sorceress taking the baby--and we see how she lovingly cradles it in her arms; in the climactic painting, when Rapunzel, the prince, and their children find each other, the whole natural world of rock and sky and tree seem to close around them in a loving embrace. Children--and adults--will pore over the intricate detail and glowing colors; they will also be moved by the mysterious tale of nurture and passion and terror. --Hazel Rochman

Suggestions:
This book would be great in a storytelling session given its brilliant and rich illustrations. It would also be worthwhile to share this with any students who have an interest in art and wish to experience different styles in a fun and easy way.

Module 2-The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh

Book Info:
The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne. Illustrated by Ernest H. Shephard. Penguin Group, 1996.

Summary:
“Short and stout” and with a constant “rumbly in [his] tumbly,” Winnie-the-Pooh is such a well-known figure that most people would have no trouble identifying him or any of his friends from the Hundred Acre Woods, be it Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga and Roo, Eeyore, Owl, or Tigger. In this collection, the original Winnie-the-Pooh and its companion collection, The House At Pooh Corner, are collected along with Shephard’s original illustrations of Milne’s son’s (Christopher Robin) toys. In this collection, readers can revisit the classic stories of Pooh getting stuck in Rabbit’s doorway, the joy of playing Poohsticks, Eeyore’s almost forgotten birthday, and the introduction of the one, and only, Tigger.

My Take:
This is one of my favorite childhood books, though I haven't read any of the stories in a long, long time. I don't even really remember reading the stories when I was little, though I do remember watching the cartoons all the time when I was little. Tigger was always my favorite character because he's so fun-loving and silly, unlike Rabbit who's taciturn and worrisome (and reminded me a lot of my sister, which always tweaked her a bit if I pointed that similarity out). I still enjoy watching the Tigger Movie every once in a while with my mom or my little cousins (but then I still love watching most Disney movies, apart from the ones with rubbish writing but good songs--Pocahontas, Hercules, The Hunchback of Notre Dame), so rereading these books was really fun and interesting. I still love Pooh and Piglet, and especially Tigger (and hold as one of my prize possessions a stuffed animal Tigger which is modeled after the original illustrations rather than the later Disney version), and found myself very happy to return to the Hundred Acre Wood and revisit some of my very good friends.

Reviews:
Children's Literature
Perhaps you have only read one or two of the stories by Milne or a few of the poems. Bits and pieces have appeared in myriad forms since their publication in 1926 and 1928. This beautiful single volume brings together all of the stories found in Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. Young children will be entranced, and like their parents and grandparents before them, they will fall in love with Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Christopher Robin. And for those who may not know it, Tigger didn't appear until the second volume of stories. This collection is too heavy for little hands, but it is a real treasure for parents and teachers who can read sections to attentive audiences. The illustrations have been recolored and they too will continue to delight readers, young and old. The introduction contains a bit of background material regarding the author and illustrator, but the real delight is reading the stories and enjoying the illustrations.

Suggestions:
Though this is a larger book, it would be very useful at a storytelling event for younger children as the larger pages makes the illustrations easy to view and the characters are most likely already well-known to many children who attend. It might also be fun to have some examples of the later illustrations, especially the cartoons and movies, so that kids can see how the characters have changed over time.

Module 2-Little Women

Book Info:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.  Online Version published by The Literature Network, 2000-2010. http://www.online-literature.com/alcott/littlewomen

Summary:

Originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1896, this story of four sisters learning how to survive and economize during tough times (namely due to their father’s service in the Civil War) is one that has been loved for generations, so much so that it has been adapted into a play, a musical, an opera, several films, and even an animated film. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March all face hardships while their father is away, serving as a Chaplain for the North, either from being on dire financial straits or from trying to rebel against the strictures their sex and its perception in society has placed on them, all while trying to determine their own happy ending.

My Take:

Sadly, I had never read the book before (I remember my sister owning a copy when we were younger, but I never ended up reading it as I did most of her other books). However, I do remember watching the animated movie several times as a child, and a few of the films at various times throughout my growing up. Since then I’ve gone on to try and watch every film version I could find (much thanks to TCM, especially as I had no idea Katherine Hepburn and June Allyson had both played Jo, and I still can’t decide which performance I like better…though I’m definite on liking both of them better than Winona), but I still hadn’t read the actual book until this class. Though it took some time (especially as I ended up reading it online), I definitely enjoyed the book, especially the extended ending (not really extended, just never really touched upon in most of the film versions) about Jo’s school for boys and the sort of coda which showed how everyone turned out (one of my pet peeves in books are when the ending is just left hanging, like they could ride off happily into the sunset, or they might get hit by a bus. I need a little more than that please). I’m very glad that I finally got a chance to read this book, mostly because it resonates much more with me now given that, like Jo, I also have three sometimes silly sisters who I love dearly and an itch to write (and I’m the second-oldest like Jo, too!).

Reviews:

Jandy's Reading Room (Blog) 10/26/2005 http://www.jandysbooks.com/children/lttlwmen.html

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March live in New England with their mother while their father has gone to fight in the American War Between the States. Once their family had been well-to-do but their circumstances had reversed. While the March family doesn't have monetary riches, they have love and family riches. Meg and Jo have jobs, Beth stays home with Marmee, and Amy goes to school.

Jo is the adventurous sister, the one who acted like a boy. She didn't often act like a lady like her sisters would. Jo is the one who befriended the lonely boy next door, Theodore Laurence. Soon Laurie is involved in many of the girls' adventures. As the five grow up, they enjoy many activities that grew from and strengthened their imaginations.

In time Mr. March returns home and the girls grow. They move from girlhood to womanhood, with the romances and businesses involved with that activity. Beth, the favorite of all the family, suffers from a life-threatening disease. Although she recovers, she never regains her full strength. Jo's untempered words get her in trouble more than once. Meg, then later Amy, meet the men who become the loves of their lives. Beth continues to comfort the March family. Laurie falls in love with Jo and is rejected - she knows they are better in a brother/siser relationship rather than husband and wife. Given time, a wise grandfather, and the right woman, Laurie recovers from Jo and discovers a new love. Jo continues to write, trying to make a small amount of money with her stories. She is certain she is to never marry, but even Jo finds someone who changes her mind.

This novel for girls is about 150 years old and is still charming to a young girl's heart. The March girls excite the imagination of the young reader. Miss Alcott brings the girls and her time period to life through a loving haze. Bad things happen in the book - tears are inevitable - yet overall this is a joyful book, full of hope.

I first read Little Women more years ago than I want to admit. I hope young girls can still enjoy this endearing novel, but they may be too jaded with all the amusements available in their environments. As an adult I find it overly sweet at times. It's overdone for my tastes now, but was perfect for my young imagination.

Yes, Little Women is a must read for all young girls, probably 10 and older. Us adult girls will enjoy it too, as long as we can let go of our cynicism. This is a charmer. A girl has to like Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.

Suggestions:

It would be interesting to use this in a classroom or library setting to help interest children, especially young girls, in historical events, like the Civil War. While not ideal for a storytelling event (unless there is a condensed and more illustrated version), it might be good for a book talk presentation, and could perhaps be supplemented with the various film versions to help pique the kids’ interest.