Mod 15: And Tango Makes Three Review

What's It All About?

Tango's family isn't the typical setup you'd see in the zoo. Tango has two parents, both are male. This picture book is an illustrated version of the true tale of Tango and his papas.

What'd I Think?

I loved it. It's a sweet tale of two penguins who are in love and longing for a child. When they substituted a rock for an egg, it melted my heart. Tango is so lucky to have been raised by his adoptive family. This would even be a great story to read just regarding adoption and showing that you don't have to be the birth parents to show love to your child.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

Horn Book Guide

(October 01, 2005; 9780689878459)

Two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo court, build a nest, and raise their (adopted) daughter Tango. Highly anthropomorphized to maximize the sentimental but noteworthy lesson on family diversity, the story gains depth from the biological reality of same-sex penguin partnering. Gentle illustrations of the smiling penguin family add appeal, if not scientific accuracy, to this book based on a true story. (c) Copyright 2010.

Publishers Weekly

(May 16, 2005; 9780689878459)

Tango has two daddies in this heartwarming tale, inspired by actual events in New York's Central Park Zoo. Two male penguins, Roy and Silo, "did everything together. They bowed to each other.... They sang to each other. And swam together. Wherever Roy went, Silo went too.... Their keeper... thought to himself, `They must be in love.' " Cole's (The Sissy Duckling) endearing watercolors follow the twosome as they frolic affectionately in several vignettes and then try tirelessly to start a family-first they build a stone nest and then they comically attempt to hatch a rock. Their expressive eyes capture a range of moods within uncluttered, pastel-hued scenes dominated by pale blue. When the keeper discovers an egg that needs tending, he gives it to Roy and Silo, who hatch and raise the female. The keeper says, "We'll call her Tango,... because it takes two to make a Tango." Older readers will most appreciate the humor inherent in her name plus the larger theme of tolerance at work in this touching tale. Richardson and Parnell, making their children's book debut, ease into the theme from the start, mentioning that "families of all kinds" visit the zoo. This tender story can also serve as a gentle jumping-off point for discussions about same-sex partnerships in human society. Ages 4-8. (June)

What Do I Do With It?

Students can draw their own depiction of the penguin family based on real photos and the illustrations.

Mod 14: Hard Hit Review

What's It All About?

Ann Turner puts Mark's physical and emotional journey in verse in this heart-wrenching story.
Mark thought living up to his baseball coach's standards was tough and that his dad was always pushing him a bit too hard. His friends Eddie and Diane help take the tension off but even they can't help when his world turns upside down. His dad is diagnosed with cancer and he has to struggle to learn how to cope with this devastating diagnosis. 

What'd I Think?

Turner expertly got the emotional point across in this minimal word, verse novel. I wept many times throughout as I read of the ups and downs of living after the diagnosis.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

School Library Journal

(February 01, 2006; 9780439296809)

Gr 8 Up-As in Learning to Swim (Scholastic, 2000), Turner addresses an intense subject in lyrical poetry. Mike, 16, has the perfect life-star baseball player, cute girlfriend, and loyal best friend-until the phone call that turns his life upside down. His father has pancreatic cancer. While his friends continue to live their lives, time stands still for Mike. His dad suffers through and begins the wasting away that cancer causes. A short period of remission brings a brief period of celebration. In the end, however, Mike finds that his bargains with God and his attempts to get along better with his sister are all for naught. His father dies and he must find a way to go on with his life. Teens who have experienced serious illness and/or death in their family or with close friends will relate to Turner's profound novel that traces the journey of one young man through the stages of grief and recovery. National help lines, addresses, and Web sites are included for readers who need them.-Kathryn Childs, Morris Mid/High School, OK (c) Copyright 2010.

Booklist

(February 01, 2006; 9780439296809)

Gr. 7-10. Tenth-grader Mark Warren is a golden boy: good friends, a gorgeous girlfriend, and an awesome pitching arm, an arm that his dad has cultivated since Mark was small. Yet all turns gray and meaningless when Mark learns that his father has pancreatic cancer. In a carefully crafted, free-verse narrative, the teen tells of his struggle with faith, hope, and disillusionment as his family watches his father slip away--and the inevitable terror and guilt of those still living. It's a hard, sad, beautifully written book, spare yet with surprisingly well-developed characters. Unlike longer, more complex novels that build layers of emotion through description and events, Turner employs poetry to paint the reality of gradual loss, and the language conveys the absence of all the family has known and its emptiness without its central figure. A short bibliography of resources for children whose parents have died rounds out this special book. --Frances Bradburn Copyright 2006 Booklist

What Do I Do With It?

Students will write a one week journal in verse about their lives.

Mod 13: The Amulet #1: The Stonekeeper Review

What's It All About?

Emily and Navin must move with their mother to their deceased great-grandfather's house after their dad passes away. The house is strange and filled with secrets. When their mom is lured into the basement by an unknown creature they are the only ones who can save her. They end up stepping into a world filled with talking animals, and demons. Will they save their mom? What secrets will they find in this secret world?

What'd I Think?

I can definitely see why this is popular with the tween boy set. It is rich with fantasy and adventure on top of creepy demons. The illustrations are spot on. It wasn't my favorite graphic novel ever but it was a good read.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

School Library Journal

(January 01, 2008; 9780439846806)

Gr 4 Up-Hurrying to pick up her brother, Emily and her parents have a tragic accident, and her father dies. After this dark beginning, the story skips forward two years to when the remaining family members are forced to move to an ancestral house in a small town. Rumored to be haunted, it is unkempt and forbidding. The first night there, Emily's mother goes down to the basement to investigate a noise and doesn't return. The kids search for her and discover a doorway into another world, where their mother has been swallowed by a monster and is being taken away. An amulet that Emily found in the house tells her that together they can save her, but her brother isn't so sure that this voice can be trusted. Still, what other choice do they have in this strange place? Gorgeous illustrations with great color bring light to this gloomy tale. Filled with excitement, monsters, robots, and mysteries, this fantasy adventure will appeal to many readers, but it does have some truly nightmarish elements.-Dawn Rutherford, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA (c) Copyright 2010.

Publishers Weekly

(January 28, 2008; 9780439846813)

Almost too clever and poignant, Amulet is, on the surface, about navigating the murky waters of adolescence and, beneath that, an exploration of abandonment and survival. Emily and Navin are lost children, literally lost in a dark, new world and struggling to save their mother, who has been kidnapped by a drooling, tentacled beast. With stellar artwork, imaginative character design, moody color and consistent pacing, this first volume's weakness lies in its largely disjointed storytelling. There is the strong, young, heroine; cute, furry, sidekicks; scary monsters-all extraordinary components, but pieced together in a patchwork manner. There is little hope in his dark world as Kibuishi removes Emily and Navin's frame of safety. Their hopes rest in a magic amulet that seems to be working in the interest of the children-until it suddenly isn't. The most frightening element of Amulet is the sense of insecurity we feel for Emily, fighting her way through uncharted terrain with no guide and no support system. This first volume of Amulet isn't a disappointment, but it does feel like a warmup to the main event. If anything, it's a clear indication that Kibuishi has just begun skimming the surface of his own talent. (Jan.) (c) 

What Do I Do With It?

After reading this graphic novel and discussing the format students can create their own graphic novel showing how they think the series will continue. Once the novels are complete they can be compared/contrasted with the second book in the series.

Mod 12: Odd Boy Out Review

What's It All About?

Brown has created a picture book focused on young Albert Einstein. Children can see that he wasn't always this old man sticking his tongue out. He was ornery, and strange but brilliant. Brown's book does a fine job of illustrating the fact that we all start somewhere.

What'd I Think?

While the story about Einstein's young life was enlightening, he comes out looking worse in my mind than he did going in. Who knew he was such a jerk in his younger years? It's not the authors fault as they didn't commit the bad behaviors listed but it just put a sour taste in my mouth. THe illustrations were fantastic.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

Booklist

(September 01, 2004; 9780618492985)

Gr. 3-5. Young readers won't come away from Brown's newest picture-book biography understanding the theory of relativity, but they will be heartened by the parallels between their own experiences and those of an iconic science guy. The author-illustrator of Mack Made Movies 0 (2003) and other books presents the future Nobel Prize winner as a sallow, sunken-eyed little boy who lingers on the sidelines as other boys roughhouse, spends hours building a house of cards "fourteen stories high," and vexes his teachers (one tells him that "he would never get anywhere in life"). Brown's language dips into vagueness when it's time to describe the mature scientist's contributions, and the accompanying artwork is often disappointingly generic, awkwardly incorporating computer-generated elements that overwhelm the delicate ink-and-watercolor style used elsewhere. Still, this joins Frida Wishinsky's What's the Matter with Albert? 0 (2002) as one of the very few picture-book biographies of Einstein available. Try giving it to older elementary students, who will get the most out of the detailed author's note and bibliography featuring many books for adults. --Jennifer Mattson Copyright 2004 Booklist

Publishers Weekly

(October 18, 2004; 9780618492985)

Brown (Mack Made Movies) shapes an impressionistic portrait of Einstein in his early years, opening with comments of family members gazing upon the newborn (his grandmother says he is "much too fat" and "his mother fears his head is too big"). Writing in the present tense, the author shares anecdotes that reveal young Einstein's character: his temper tantrums scare away his tutor; he brings "a single-minded attention" to such pastimes as building elaborate houses of cards; his parents so encourage his independence that they allow him to wander the streets of Munich alone at the age of four; and the boy early on displays an extraordinary skill at and fascination with mathematics (though other schoolwork bores him). True to the book's title, Brown emphasizes ways in which Einstein fails to fit in with his peers. He dislikes sports, is disturbed rather than excited at the sight of soldiers parading in the street and, as the only Jewish student in school, is taunted by his classmates. The writing occasionally becomes muddy when discussing Einstein's scientific thinking and discoveries ("He says that everything is in motion and when something moves very fast, as fast as light, strange things happen, like clocks running slower and objects becoming shorter"), targeting the book more to kids who identify with the hero's personality traits than to those interested in the man's ideas. But Brown's narrative and appealingly quirky pen-and-ink and watercolor art effectively illuminate the eccentricities and intelligence of Einstein the boy and the man. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

What Do I Do With It?

Students will create a timeline of Albert Einstein's life. They can add enhancements such as pictures or drawings of him at varying ages, his discoveries, etc.

Mod 11: Dogs on Duty Review

What's It All About?

Patent shows how man's best friend becomes a soldier's best friend on the battlefield. She elaborates on the history of service dogs, what they can contribute, and what kind of life they lead once their duties are finished. Dogs on Duty is an excellent sampling of brave K-9 heroes in the United States Military.

What'd I Think?

I've never really been one for non-fiction books but this one captured my attention from the start. The story was fast-paced and filled with interesting tidbits. The full-color photos were a lovely addition to the timeline of America's service dogs. I found the book riveting and enlightening!

I give it 4 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

School Library Journal

(September 01, 2012; 9780802728456)

Gr 3-6-The invaluable contributions of Military Working Dogs are well documented in this book. Patent discusses their special attributes such as the night vision and sense of smell that help MWDs to keep their human partners safe. The roles they have played in World Wars I and II, in Vietnam, and in Iraq and Afghanistan are highlighted. Brief histories of individual dogs such as Stubby from World War I and Eli in Afghanistan are touchingly told. Present-day training and equipment are also explained. The excellently selected, full-color photos constantly capture these devoted canines selflessly performing their duties and sometimes just offering comfort and affection to their human counterparts. The author points out that the military continues to classify these dogs as equipment in spite of their unique service, and many were abandoned in Vietnam when the U.S. left the country. Today, more are returning home and being adopted or continuing to serve in other capacities. Their story is impressive and the author has told it well.-Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA (c) Copyright 2012.

Publishers Weekly

(August 06, 2012; 9780802728456)

In informed prose and photographs of conflicts past and present, Patent explores the timely topic of dogs trained to assist soldiers. Images from contemporary wars depict such breeds as the Belgian Malinois (the breed of the dog that famously assisted with the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound) being trained by handlers and at work in the field, while vintage photographs of soldiers and their dogs from WWII and other past wars reveal how dogs have been involved in combat for generations. Profiles of "Hero Hounds" appear throughout, offering specific accounts of dogs at war. A moving portrayal of the powerful human-canine partnership. Ages 4-up. (Sept.) 

What Do I Do With It?

Students can write a poem about what makes military dogs heroes in their eyes.

Mod 10: Penny From Heaven Review

What's It All About?

11-year-old Penny's family is far from normal in the summer of 1953. No one mentions her father, her Uncle lives in his car with a perfectly good house right in front of him, and her mom won't speak to any of her dad's Italian family. When Penny gets hurt, she overhears something startling about her dad. Could it really be true? What did being Italian in America during the 50s REALLY mean?

What'd I Think?

Holm's depiction of the off-the-wall family raising Penny was flawless. She gets you invested in them to the point of feeling like you are a part of the family as well. I ugly sobbed towards the end. I had no idea that things like this happened to Italian families not so long ago in American history.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

Publishers Weekly

(August 28, 2006; 9780375936876)

Newbery Honor author Holm (Our Only May Amelia) conjures a nostalgic 1953 New Jersey summer in this novel with a plucky 11-year-old narrator at its center. Penny divides her time between two extremes: her overprotective single mother (who is "afraid of just about everything that involves fun") and the maternal grandparents with whom she lives, and her deceased father's colorful Italian family. Despite her passion for the Brooklyn Dodgers and gentle comic voice, Penny emerges primarily as an observer witnessing the antics of her more zany relatives, including her favorite uncle Dominic who lives in his car, her scheming cousin Frankie (who doubles as her best friend) and her perennially black-clad grandmother Nonny, who lives to feed people and feuds with her daughter-in-law, an ex-Rockette. In the conflict between Penny and her mother's beau, the narrative offers a fresh take on a familiar plight. The relaxed pace picks up after an accident lands Penny in the hospital and she overhears a rumor about her father. Holm includes telling historical details, including information about WWII Italian internment camps and how Penny's mother will not allow her to swim in a public pool or visit a movie theater because of the risk of polio. Readers will enjoy observing Penny's growth, how she mediates a peace among her family members and offers a glimmer of heaven. Ages 8-12. (Aug.)

Booklist

(April 15, 2006; 9780375936876)

Gr. 5-8. Penny lives with her plain old American mother and grandparents, but she has an open invitation to visit her deceased father's Italian family, where the delicious aromas are as inviting as the boisterous relatives who welcome her. Against the backdrop of these contrasting 1950s households, the author of Newbery Honor Book Our Only May Amelia (1999) charts the summer of Penny's twelfth birthday, marked by hapless episodes as well as serious tensions arising from the estranged families' refusal to discuss her father's death. Penny is a low-key character, often taking a backseat role in escapades with high-spirited cousin Frankie. However, Holm impressively wraps pathos with comedy in this coming-of-age story, populated by a cast of vivid characters (a burping, farting grandpa; an eccentric uncle who lives in his car--not exactly normal for people in New Jersey ). Concluding with a photo-illustrated endnote explaining Holm's inspirations in family history, this languidly paced novel will appeal most to readers who appreciate gentle, episodic tales with a nostalgic flavor. Hand selling may be necessary to overcome the staid jacket illustration. --Jennifer Mattson Copyright 2006 Booklist

What Do I Do With It?

Penny carries a magic/lucky bean with her everywhere she goes. What do the students imagine the bean looks like based on any descriptions from the book and filling in the rest with their imagination. They will create a bean in this image using air-dry clay and paint.

Module 9: The Dollhouse Murders Review

What's It All About?

12-year-old Amy is always having to look after her sister, Louann, who is brain-damaged. THis costs her friendships and the joy of being a kid with no responsibilities. When Aunt Clare lets Amy stay with her for a while she discovers an exact replica of the family home in dollhouse form. THis isn't just any dollhouse though, it is haunted by a past family mystery and won't stop until someone hears what the dolls within have to say. With the help of her sister, they'll dig up the past and solve the mystery once and for all.

What'd I Think?

I'm not typically into paranormal-type mysteries as I am what one might call a "Pansy." THis one had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out just what had happened in that old house. Wright does a great job of keeping the suspense up and illustrating the ups and downs that come with being the sister that is always counted on.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

School Library Journal

(August 01, 1999; 9780874995206)

Gr 3-7-When she witnesses peculiar events surrounding her aunt's old dollhouse in the attic, 12-year-old Amy unravels a mystery that involves a deadly family secret. By Betty R. Wright. (c) Copyright 2010.

Publishers Weekly

(May 10, 1999; 9780874995237)

Wright's taut, suspenseful novel proves a solid choice to kick off the Live Oak Mysteries audio series. The attic is always a great place to look for nuggets of one's family history, but when 12-year-old Amy explores her great-grandparents' attic, she uncovers clues to a chilling family secret. As Amy and her Aunt Claire sift through clothes, trinkets and other memorabilia, Amy comes across Aunt Claire's long-forgotten dollhouse, a finely crafted replica of the house they are in. Aunt Claire seems unusually distressed about the dollhouse and Amy is determined to find out why. The real fun begins when Amy learns that the dolls in the dollhouse move of their own willÄand that they seem to be trying to tell her something. After a little sleuthing at the local library, Amy learns that her great-grandparents were murdered years ago and that Aunt Claire's fianc‚ (who died in a car accident that same night) was the prime suspect in the unsolved case. Before long, Amy unravels the mystery, helping Aunt Claire to resolve her feelings about the past. A subplot about Amy's relationships with her parents, younger sister and best friend adds depth and warmth to this crisply paced tale. Stewart handles the narration with aplomb, using her voice to give listeners a hint of each character's personality. Her portrayal of Aunt Claire, who delivers a few chillingly snappish retorts to Amy, is particularly strong. Ages 8-up. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

What Do I Do With It?

Using a shoebox, students could create a diorama/dollhouse of any type they choose. It could be based on a house from a story, real life, or even just their imagination. They will create objects such as tables, and couches using recycled materials.

Mod 8: Nightmares! Review

What's It All About?

Charlie Laird can't catch a break. When his mom passed away his dad married, Charlotte, whom he is 99.9999% sure is a witch. They had to move to HER house, this weird purple mansion. Worst of all, he can't sleep for fear of running into a nightmare that won't go away.

What'd I Think?

Jason, baby, honey, what are you doing?! I had such high hopes for this novel when I heard you were behind it. Your screenwriting has been brilliant thus far and your acting never leaves me wanting. not to say I thought the book terrible. There were definitely some good comical parts but overall it felt like it was a plot that was stretched too thin and would have been better had it not been made to drag on.I do think kids will enjoy the silly bits and jokes that have been thrown in but won't be overly frightened of the monsters within.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

Booklist

(September 15, 2014; 9780375991578)

When Charlie Laird's mom died, he was, of course, devastated, and he's devastated all over again when his dad marries Charlotte, the kooky herbalist with unruly red hair. After they all move to Charlotte's family home a spooky, purple mansion Charlie begins having terrible nightmares starring a cauldron-stirring, red-haired witch, and he starts believing that his stepmom is not who she seems. While investigating her workroom in the tower of the house, he stumbles through a portal into the Netherworld, a creepy, fractured version of his own town that's populated with elements from kids' nightmares, including bunnies with toothy jaws for faces and a fedora-wearing gorgon. There he discovers who's really behind his bad dreams as well as some secrets about not only Charlotte but also his own mother. Segel (of The Muppets movie) and Miller build an entertaining, cartoony world full of scary (but not too scary) monsters, silly jokes, plucky kid heroes, and a cinematic plot that trundles onward to a satisfying conclusion, with a promise of adventures to come. Final illustrations not seen.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2014 Booklist

School Library Journal

(September 01, 2014; 9780385744256)

Gr 4-6-Eleven-year-old Charlie Laird is absolutely convinced that his stepmother Charlotte is a witch. She dresses funny, serves seriously strange food (kale pancakes), and runs a store called Hazel's Herbarium. Charlie's dad, little brother, and friends all like Charlotte and think Charlie's still grieving for his mom. He's also suffering from terrible nightmares, and living in Charlotte's crazy purple mansion isn't helping. The evil witch who stars in those nightmares threatens to follow the protagonist into the real world and kidnap his brother. Instead, he is tricked into the Nightmare World, peopled with monsters and madness: gorgons, goblins, crazy clowns, scary bunnies, tests filled with gibberish, and the monomaniacal President Fear (who also inhabits the real world as the truly terrifying Principal Stearns). But all is not what it seems, and some of the scariest creatures turn out to be sympathetic-or even allies. There are lessons to be learned about facing fears and uncovering the real enemy in this tale. Pals Alfie, Rocco, and Paige are interesting and fairly three-dimensional; most of the adults (with the exceptions of Fear/Stearns and Charlotte) are merely background. The fear is as much psychological as anything, and there's humor and a fairly high ick-factor, but relatively little violence. A good choice for elementary-aged scare-seekers.- Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library (c) Copyright 2014. 

What Do I Do With It?

Students will create their own monster. They must give it a name, powers/scare tactics, as well as other valuable information about it should be mentioned. Their imagination is key here. They will then put the monster on a "wanted" poster to display in the hallway.

Mod 7: Umbrella Summer Review

What's It All About?

Annie is careful. VERY careful. That's because there's a million bad things that could happen. Giving up all the fun things kids her age like to do - such as riding a bike - is a small price to pay to know that she'll stay safe. She wasn't always this way though. She was carefree before her brother Jared unexpectedly died. Can Annie ever go back to the way she was before or is she stuck in her ever-evolving hypochondria bubble?

What'd I Think?

Whew. Watching the heartbreak that Annie goes through after she has lost her brother is rough. All I wanted to do was wrap her up in my arms and tell her it would all be okay, and then take her to feed the ducks like they always did on the Fourth of July.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

Horn Book Guide

(October 02, 2009; 9780061431883)

After her brother Jared dies from a rare heart condition, Annie copes by reading about illnesses; though prepared, she's not healing. That comes slowly, aided by understanding friends and a close-knit community of complex, concerned (but never cloying) characters. Expect tears, but also expect to cheer for Annie's recovery as she gradually learns to honor Jared's life and care for her own. (c) Copyright 2010.

School Library Journal

(June 01, 2009; 9780061431883)

Gr 4-6-After her brother's unexpected death from a rare heart ailment, adventurous Annie Richards changes into an overly cautious child who diligently tries to prevent any illness or accident happening to her. Each cut or bump is bandaged. Instead of racing her friend Rachel on her bike, the 10-year-old invents turtle racing to see who can ride the slowest. Games she deems too dangerous are avoided. Annie's neighborhood is filled with friends and neighbors who care, but too often she sees the "dead brother" look on their faces. Only when Mrs. Finch moves into the long-vacant "haunted" house in the neighborhood, and Annie attempts to sell her outdated Junior Sunbird cookies, do things begin to change. Friendship, shared moments, and some careful listening help Annie close her umbrella of sadness. As in The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower (2008) and The Thing About Georgie (2007, both HarperCollins), Graff has created a lively, quirky individual who tells her story with frankness and humor. Annie's three friends come across as real kids who treat Annie's eccentricities with a mixture of understanding and occasional anger. A more complex read than Andrea Beaty's Cicada Summer (Abrams, 2008), Annie's story deals with death with sensitivity, love, and understanding.-Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH (c) Copyright 2010. 

Mod 7: Stargirl Review

What's It All About?

Stargirl breezes into the hallways of Mica High and throws a blanket of colors on the student's drab lives. Leo is smitten from the start. How could he not be. The students can't get enough of her quirky behavior until her optimism is shared with the wrong team. When the tides turn can Leo get her back in the school's good graces? Can Stargirl stay true to herself?

What'd I Think?

I wanted to love this. I did. I had seen it on the shelves time and time again when I was a shelver and think, "I should check that out sometime." I kind of wish I had left it on the shelf so it could still hold its mystique it once held over me. The book came off as overly preachy about the horrors of changing for others as well as her overly eccentric lifestyle.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

Publishers Weekly -

(June 26, 2000; 9780679886372)

Part fairy godmother, part outcast, part dream-come-true, the star of Spinelli's latest novel possesses many of the mythical qualities as the protagonist of his Maniac Magee. As narrator Leo Borlock reflects on his junior year in a New Mexico high school, Stargirl takes center stage. Even before she appears at Mica High, Spinelli hints at her invisible presence; readers, like Leo, will wonder if Stargirl is real or some kind of mirage in the Sonoran Desert. By describing the girl through the eyes of a teen intermittently repulsed by and in love with her, Spinelli cunningly exposes her elusive qualities. Having been homeschooled, Stargirl appears at Mica High dressed as a hippie holdover and toting a ukulele, which she uses to serenade students on their birthdays; she marks holidays with Halloween candy and Valentine cards for all. As her cheerleading antics draw record crowds to the school's losing football team's games, her popularity skyrockets, yet a subtle foreboding infuses the narrative and readers know it's only a matter of time until she falls from grace. For Leo, caught between his peers and his connection to Stargirl, the essential question boils down to one offered to him by a sage adult friend: "Whose affection do you value more, hers or the others'?" As always respectful of his audience, Spinelli poses searching questions about loyalty to one's friends and oneself and leaves readers to form their own answers. Ages 12-up. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Horn Book Magazine -

(July 01, 2000; 9780679886372)

(Intermediate, Young Adult) Cynics might want to steer clear of this novel of a contemporary Pollyanna, whose glad-game benevolences include singing Happy Birthday to her classmates, dropping change in the street for children to find, and-to her downfall-joining the cheerleading squad and rooting for both teams. High school junior Leo is at first nonplussed by Stargirl's not-so-random acts of kindness, but he really loves her from the start. After Stargirl is shunned for her disloyal cheerleading, Leo persuades her to go along with the crowd, and she even reclaims her birth name, Susan. Predictably, this doesn't work for Stargirl; on the author's part, it occasions much heavy-handed moralizing about conformity. While it is true that we are meant to see Stargirl as larger-than-life (""She seems to be in touch with something that the rest of us are missing""), there are no shadows to contour her character, and thus her gestures seem empty. While Spinelli's Maniac Magee was on the run for a reason and Pollyanna needed something to be glad for, Stargirl has nothing to lose. But as a story of high school outsiders and light romance, this will find an audience, and the book does bear many strong similarities to Maniac Magee, offering a charismatic female counterpart. r.s. (c) Copyright 2010. 

What Do I Do With It?

Students could have a classroom talent show to showcase their own weird quirky talents. Dressing up in over the top, movie wardrobe clothing is highly encouraged.

Mod 6: Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg Review

What's It All About?

Cowpoke Clyde has spent all day long making sure everything was completely clean. Just as he’s about to relax he realizes he’s forgotten one very important, very dirty thing – Dawg. When he tries to get man’s best friend all cleaned up hijinks ensue. 

What'd I Think?

It's not often that I come across a cowboy themed picture book that can hold my attention span but this one did just that! It had a great rhythm to the story and the illustrations were a perfect match. I could even share this with the preschool age kids at storytime without fear that they would be bored before I could finish a page.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

School Library Journal -

(April 01, 2013; 9780547239934)

K-Gr 1-At the end of a satisfying day, Cowpoke Clyde decides that the only thing he'd forgotten to clean was his "ol' Dawg, his faithful, snorin' friend, /all caked with mud from end to end." However, corralling Dawg is definitely not a snap, and Clyde's continued efforts result in a cumulative disaster of frantic chickens, flying feathers, spilled soup, biting fleas, a slippery hog, hissing cats, and a braying mule, all "gettin' soaked" instead of Dawg. Even the hog gets a wide-eyed close-up here. Finely crafted acrylic scenes contain a wide range of angled perspectives and shadows within Clyde's tiny shack and outside on the ranch. Cartoon figures cavort across the spreads and escape their frames. Rhyming couplets reveal a cowboy twang of missing final "g's." A first purchase for most libraries.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX (c) Copyright 2013.

Booklist -

(June 01, 2013; 9780547239934)

Neatnik Cowpoke Clyde savors his tidy house until he notices Dawg, caked with mud. Determined to rectify this oversight, he attempts to bathe his pooch but Dawg has other ideas. In the ensuing chase, feathers fly, fleas jump, hogs skitter, cats topple soapy pails, and mules kick, leaving poor Clyde no choice but to bathe by himself in the moonlight. The author of Cindy Moo (2012) offers here another humorous, rhyming picture book, this one filled with clever language and anticipatory page turns that will delight young listeners: But Dawg ignored his mighty pleas. / Instead Dawg left a trail of . . . / FLEAS. Austin's vibrant acrylic-and-pencil illustrations exaggerate the tall-tale humor. In one spread, both Clyde and Dawg appear to run across the hog's enormous back; in another, airborne Clyde tumbles helplessly after being kicked by the mule. This makes a good choice for story hours or one-on-one sharing. Pair with Jeanne Willis' I Want to Be a Cowgirl (2002) or Amy Timberlake's The Dirty Cowboy (2003).--Weisman, Kay Copyright 2010 Booklist.

What Do I Do With It?

Rodeo is a very popular theme in the Houston area in March as that's when the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo always gets underway. It is attended by people from all over the United States and is a source of great fun for schools when they choose it as a field trip destination. Pairing this book with other fun cowboy tales is a sure way to add to the hype. Songs sung could include "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain" and "Giddy-Up" (the last being a favorite in our Lapsit and Toddler storytimes.) After the stories have been read and the songs sung, a cowboy themed craft such as a paper cowboy hat or horse made using a paper bag could be made.

Mod 5: Going Bovine Review

What's It All About?

In Going Bovine, we are introduced to Cameron who describes his best day ever as the day he was 5 and almost died at the It’s a Small World ride at Disney. He is just trying to make it through high school as the “lesser twin.” His sister is part of the cool kids and concerned with her grades while Cameron doesn't see the point in trying so hard. Then he receives a diagnosis of Mad Cow Disease. In order to find the cure, he sets off on an adventure with a host of wacky characters looking for random signs and a mysterious time traveling Doctor X.

What'd I Think?

Damn you, Libba Bray! You hit me right in the feels every time. This book is a twisting and turning quixote-like journey that kept me asking what was real and what was fake, and whether or not Cameron would make it through. With his sidekick, Gonzo, by his side surely, he can't fail! 

I give it 5 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

Publishers Weekly -

(August 03, 2009; 9780385733977)

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

Booklist -

(August 01, 2009; 9780385904117)

*Starred Review* In a giant departure from her Gemma Doyle historical fiction trilogy, Bray's latest offering is an unforgettable, nearly indefinable fantasy adventure, as immense and sprawling as Cervantes' Don Quixote, on which it's based. Here the hero is Cameron, a 16-year-old C-plus-average slacker who likens himself to driftwood, but he suddenly becomes the center of attention after he is diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human variant of mad cow disease. In the hospital, he meets Dulcie, an alluring angel clad in fishnet stockings and combat boots, who presents him with a heroic quest to rescue the planet from an otherworldly, evil force. Guided by random signs and accompanied by a teen dwarf named Gonzo, Cameron sets off on a wild road trip across the U.S. to save the world, and perhaps his own life. Talking yard gnomes, quantum physics, cults of happiness, mythology, religion, time travel, the blues, Disney World, the vacuous machine behind reality TV shows, and spring break's beer-and-bikini culture all figure prominently in the plot, and readers may not feel equally engaged in each of the novel's lengthy episodes. But Bray's wildly imagined novel, narrated in Cameron's sardonic, believable voice, is wholly unique, ambitious, tender, thought-provoking, and often fall-off-the-chair funny, even as she writes with powerful lyricism about the nature of existence, love, and death. Familiarity with Don Quixote certainly isn't necessary, but those who know the basic plot will want to start over from the beginning and pick up on each sly allusion to the classic story.--Engberg, Gillian Copyright 2009 Booklist.

What Do I Do With It?

Students will take a poster-size map of the United States and chart Cameron's epic journey with clip art and photos from pivotal stops along the way. They can enhance the map in anyway they like as long as they make sure to stick to the path listed in the book.

Mod 5: Talkin' About Bessie Review

What's It All About?

Bessie's tale is a truly inspirational tale of a woman who wouldn't take no for an answer when it came to her dreams. Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman vowed to become the first African-American female pilot after hearing about the Wright brothers taking flight. She was a mere 11 years old at the time. Through determination and will she proved that no matter obstacles stand in your way, you can overcome them.

What'd I Think?

This is a powerful tale about a very strong woman. I'd never heard of her through all my history classes and travels. Her story is one that I think could start a spark in any young girl's heart to believe in their selves. 

I give it 3 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

Horn Book Guide - 
( April 01, 2003; 9780439352437 )

At Coleman's death, Grimes invites twenty individuals to a fictional wake and, in first-person testimonial verse, has each remember Bessie and the forces that shaped her life. Small sepia-toned portraits personalize the tributes. Watercolors on facing pages evoke each incident and often soften the harshness in Coleman's life. Grimes separates fact from fiction in an introduction and an endnote. Like Bessie, this tribute to her life soars. Bib. (c) Copyright 2010.

School Library Journal -
( October 01, 2002; 9780439352437 )

Gr 3-8-This fresh contribution to the spate of relatively recent titles about Coleman has a decidedly unique tone. Talkin' is a well-conceived, well-executed, handsomely illustrated, fictionalized account of the life of the first black female licensed pilot in the world (CIP places the book in the 600s). An introductory note puts the aviatrix in historical context, but neglects to explain some references (e.g., Jim Crow laws). The text consists of 21 poetic vignettes of Coleman delivered by "speakers" at a funeral parlor, all of whom have come to mourn the pilot who died at age 34 in a plane accident. Their reminiscences on stark white pages are illustrated with miniature portraits bordered in sepia, each one facing a full-page watercolor capturing a moment in the woman's life. Skillfully drawn and occasionally photographic in their realism, the pictures perfectly match each speaker's recollections. A concluding note states rather definitively in regard to her death: "The cause of the crash remains a mystery" despite some evidence to the contrary. No sources are listed. While fictional, this is a fine piece to use to set a tone or inspire more research into Coleman's life. It could also serve as an exceptional writing model for students. The concept, much like Marilyn Nelson's Carver: A Life in Poems (Front Street, 2001), is noteworthy.-Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010.

What Do I Do With It?

This story would be great either during Women's History month or Black History month as a means of introducing students to someone they may not have heard about. After doing so they could research another unsung hero in whichever category they choose. They would then share the story with the class in the form of a picture book of their own creation showing highlights in that person's life. 

Mod 4: The Higher Power of Lucky Review

What's It All About?

Ten-year-old Lucky lives with her French guardian, who happens to be her dad's ex-wife from before her mother. They live with her dog, HMS Beagle, in Hard Pan,  California where they just try to make do. She gets by with her friends Miles, and Lincoln and earns a little extra cleanign up after a myriad of twelve-step anonymous programs. When Lucky believes her guardian has plans to leave her behind and head back to France, she decides it's time to run away. 

What'd I Think?

The story was okay but only reading it as an adult. Reading it from a child's point of view, I think it misses the mark and I can understand why it doesn't get checked out regardless of the fact that it won the Newbery award. This is one of the many books that was listed in an article about award comittees choosing books that are more obscure or unique but that don't really have the factor that the kids crave. 

I give it 3 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

School Library Journal -
(December 01, 2006; 9781416901945)

Gr 4-6-When Lucky's mother is electrocuted and dies after a storm, Lucky's absentee father calls his ex-wife, Brigitte, to fly over from France to take care of the child. Two years later, the 10-year-old worries that Brigitte is tired of being her guardian and of their life in Hard Pan (pop. 42) in the middle of the California desert. While Lucky's best friend ties intricate knots and the little boy down the road cries for attention, she tries to get some control over her life by restocking her survival kit backpack and searching for her "Higher Power." This character-driven novel has an unusually complicated backstory, and a fair amount of exposition. Yet, its quirky cast and local color help to balance this fact, and the desert setting is fascinating. Lucky's tendency to jump to conclusions is frustrating, but her struggle to come to terms with her mother's death and with her new life ring true. Phelan's cover and line drawings are simple and evocative, a perfect complement to the text. Fans of novels by Deborah Wiles and Katherine Hannigan will be happy to meet Lucky.-Adrienne Furness, Webster Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010.

Horn Book Guide -
(April 01, 2007; 9781416901945)

Ten-year-old Lucky lives in Hard Pan, California, a tiny enclave on the outskirts of the Mojave Desert. Her legal guardian is a beautiful, melancholy Frenchwoman, Brigitte. Patron's episodic tale of a grieving, insecure little girl is never heavy-handed or maudlin, due in part to quiet bursts of humor. Her sensory descriptions, supported by Phelan's gentle spot art, animate this unique community. (c) Copyright 2010.

Mod 4: The Witch of Blackbird Pond Review

What's It All About?

Kit Taylor is an orphan transplant in the Connecticut Colony far from her life on the Caribbean island where she grew up. She joins relatives she hasn't seen in years in their Puritan community where she is expected to follow the rules including attending multiple church services. Feeling out of place, she finds a friend in the old Quaker woman who lives in the meadows. The only problem is that the woman has been deemed a witch by the community and leads to troubles for herself she never saw coming.

What'd I Think?

I had heard of many people reading this novel in school either for pleasure or school assignments but its just one of those that never fell in sync with my younger self's reading schedule. I am sorry that I waited so long to pick it up! The friendship formed between Kit and Hannah as well as the help she gives to young Prudence warmed my heart and had me begging that everything would be okay for them in the end.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

Horn Book Guide - 
(October 01, 2001; 9780395913673)

This edition of the Newbery Award-winning novel is illustrated with twelve watercolor paintings. Moser's portraits do a fine job complementing the text, with one jarring exception: an oddly anachronistic portrait of young Kit and her grandfather on the island of Barbados shows a contemporary-looking child in a sundress and a flowered headband. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal -
(April 01, 2003; 9780807207499)

Gr 5-8-Mary Beth Hurt gives an excellent performance in this reading of the Newbery Award-winning novel by Elizabeth George Speare (HM, 1958). The setting is the Colony of Connecticut in 1687 amid the political and religious conflicts of that day. Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler unexpectedly arrives at her aunt and uncle's doorstep and is unprepared for the new world which awaits her. Having been raised by her grandfather in Barbados, she doesn't understand the conflict between those loyal to the king and those who defend the Connecticut Charter. Unprepared for the religious intolerance and rigidity of the Puritan community, she is constantly astounding her aunt, uncle, and cousins with her dress, behavior, and ideas. She takes comfort in her secret friendship with the widow, Hannah Tupper, who has been expelled from Massachusetts because she is a Quaker and suspected of being a witch. When a deathly sickness strikes the village, first Hannah and then Kit are accused of being witches. Through these conflicts and experiences, Kit comes to know and accept herself. She learns not to make hasty judgments about people, and that there are always two sides to every conflict. There are several minor plots as well, including three romances, which help to bring this time and place to life. Hurt's use of vocal inflection and expression make this an excellent choice for listening whether as an enrichment to the social studies curriculum or purely for pleasure.-Maureen Cash Moffet, St. Anne's Catholic School, Bristol, VA (c) Copyright 2010.

What Do I Do With It?

This novel could be a tie-in during a unit on early settlers in America. Classes can discuss the different religions presented in the book and why they felt the way they did towards each other. Students can then look up information on other witch trials that actually happened and report what they discover. They could even perform a mock witch trial. 

Mod 3: Officer Buckle and Gloria Review

What's It All About?

Officer Buckle is VERY safety conscious. In fact, he knows more safety tips than anyone else in his town of Napville. He loves sharing them with the local schoolchildren. While normally the kids tend to fall asleep during his dull presentations until Gloria the police dog is thrown in the mix. They can’t help cheering and laughing at all of his presentations. Officer buckle is thrilled that they are finally beginning to appreciate safety until he learns that his dog Gloria has been up to some slapstick nonsense behind his back – literally!

What'd I Think?

I enjoyed finding all the funny extras going on in the illustrations such as the many rules Officer Buckle posted. The partnership between the dog and his handler is a warm one that I think will resonate well with children as well as show the power of teamwork. It can't be all work or all play, you need a good mix of both to provide the best experience.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

School Library Journal -

(September 01, 1995; 9780399226168)

K-Gr 3‘A fresh, funny story about the wonders of teamwork. Officer Buckle is a safety-conscious policeman who spends his time devising tips for avoiding accidents. Unfortunately, the children of Napville School are an ungrateful audience, snoring through his lectures and ignoring his advice. Enter Gloria, Napville's new police dog and Officer Buckle's new partner. She accompanies him when he gives his lecture and performs her duties with aplomb. Buckle is surprised to see the children so attentive, but each time he checks on Gloria, she is sitting at attention. Thanks to the humorous illustrations, readers know what Buckle does not Gloria is performing to beat the band, acting out the various accidents behind his back. Things are swell until a news team videotapes Buckle and his amazing sidekick and he learns that the reason for his newfound popularity is really Gloria's comedy routine. This sends the officer into quite a slump. Her act is a complete flop without him, however, and Napville School has its biggest accident ever after her solo performance. In the end, Buckle realizes that they're only successful as a team, and he is jolted out of his self-pitying funk. The vibrant palette of the cartoon art, as well as the amusing story, make this title an appealing read-aloud choice. Older children will enjoy poring over the many safety tips presented on the endpapers, all illustrated by Gloria's antics. A five-star performance. Lisa S. Murphy, formerly at Dauphin County Library System, Harrisburg, PA (c) Copyright 2010.

Booklist -

(November 01, 1995; 9780399226168)

Ages 4-7. When rotund, good-natured Officer Buckle visits school assemblies to read off his sensible safety tips, the children listen, bored and polite, dozing off one by one. But when the new police dog, Gloria, stands behind him, secretly miming the dire consequences of acting imprudently, the children suddenly become attentive, laughing uproariously and applauding loudly. The good policeman is first gratified with the response, then deflated to learn that Gloria was stealing the show. Finally, he realizes that he and Gloria make a great team, and they take their show on the road again, adding a new message, "ALWAYS STICK WITH YOUR BUDDY!" Like Officer Buckle and Gloria, the deadpan humor of the text and slapstick wit of the illustrations make a terrific combination. Large, expressive line drawings illustrate the characters with finesse, and the Kool-Aid-bright washes add energy and pizzazz. Children will enjoy the many safety-tip notes tacked up on the endpapers and around the borders of the jacket front. Somehow, the familiar advice (like "Never leave a bar of soap where someone might step on it" or "Never tilt your chair back on two legs”) is more entertaining accompanied by little drawings of Gloria hamming it up. --Carolyn Phelan

What Do I Do With It?

During a special safety week, students can come up with their own set of tips for safety in the classroom, at home, and in the community!

Mod 3: The Hello, Good-Bye Window Review

What's It All About?

A young girl visits her grandparents and talks about their magical window. They can see so many things outside the window (and IN!) She tells of all their adventures and encounters centered around the window.

What'd I Think?

While the story was okay, the drawings were just too abstract for my taste. The colors are bright which adds to the warmth of the story but some of the proportions lean towards the scary side.

I give it 2 out of 5 stars!

What'd They Think?

School Library Journal -

(March 01, 2005; 9780786809141)

PreS-Gr 1-The window in Nanna and Poppy's kitchen is no ordinary window-it is the place where love and magic happens. It's where the girl and her doting grandparents watch stars, play games, and, most importantly, say hello and goodbye. The first-person text is both simple and sophisticated, conjuring a perfectly child-centered world. Sentences such as "When I get tired I come in and take my nap and nothing happens until I get up" typify the girl's happy, imaginative world. While the language is bouncy and fun, it is the visual interpretation of this sweet story that sings. Using a bright rainbow palette of saturated color, Raschka's impressionistic, mixed-media illustrations portray a loving, mixed-race family. The artwork is at once lively and energetic, without crowding the story or the words on the page; the simple lines and squiggles of color suggest a child's own drawings, but this is the art of a masterful hand. Perfect for lap-sharing, this book will find favor with children and adults alike.-Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Hillsboro, OR (c) Copyright 2010.

Publishers Weekly -
(February 21, 2005; 9780786809141)

Juster (The Phantom Tollbooth) crafts a cozy portrait of a grandchild and her grandparents in this endearing book, illustrated in paint box colors by Raschka (Be Boy Buzz). A curly haired girl-who dances with wiggly energy in Raschka's lush paintings-describes playful visits to her Nanna and Poppy, whose kitchen window provides the perfect venue to say hello and goodbye. "You can climb up on the flower barrel and tap," she says, "then duck down and they won't know who did it." Her grandparents welcome her into a sunlit, spacious kitchen filled with plants, where she doodles and listens to Poppy play "Oh, Susannah" on the harmonica. At night, the "Hello, Goodbye Window" functions as a mirror, and the girl jokes about being outside looking in: "Poppy says, `What are you doing out there? You come right in and have your dinner.' And I say, `But I'm here with you, Poppy,' and then he looks at me in his funny way." Juster departs from the over-the-top punning of his earlier works to create a gently humorous account of a family's conversations and games, all centered on the special window. Raschka warms the pages with glowing yellow, emerald, sapphire and golden brown, and he pictures the garden and trees in emphatic midsummer greens. The characters smile at one another with a doting twinkle in their eyes, and grandparents especially will be charmed by this relaxed account of how a child's visit occasions everyday magic. Ages 2-up. (Apr.) 

What Do I Do With It?

This book allows for the beginning of a great dialogue with younger children. Questions such as what traditions they have with their grandparents, what do they call their grandparents (Nana, Granny, Nanny, Meemaw, etc.), and what new traditions they'd like to start with their grandparents.