That's Brit Speak for "Kissing"

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging

by Louise Rennison

Summary

Louise Rennison captures a year in the life of British teen Georgia Nicolson in this hilarious journal-style novel. Georgia chronicles the happenings of her everyday life - from the antics of her cat, Angus (who is part Scottish wildcat) to her lessons in snogging (that’s Brit speak for kissing, for all you Americans) - and leaves no detail out. She shares her dealings with frustrating parents, boy-obsessed friends, and school teachers who get mad when she laughs at their unintentional double entendres. She learns a few lessons and provides many laughs as she makes her way through the year, and readers get to experience it all right alongside her.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

I can’t remember the last time I laughed out loud so much while reading a book. I loved Georgia’s dry humor and unashamed questions and observations of her life and the lives of those around her. She’s something of a Bridget Jones for teens, and asks all the questions and has all the thoughts that any girl her age can relate to.

This book has received some challenges regarding its content, and while I can’t find anything specific about what was being challenged, I’m guessing it’s Georgia’s use of a French swear word (which is never defined, so readers who don’t know French must do their own research) and her talk about snogging boys and wondering what else they want to do with girls. In my opinion, her words are far from offensive, and her thoughts are completely normal and relatable. This book would be a fun and worthwhile addition to any library’s young adult collection.

Reviews

In a spectacular YA debut (Rennison is a comedy writer and columnist), the author creates a winning protagonist in the persona of 14-year-old Georgia Nicolson, whose wry observations and self-deprecating humor covers everything from prudish parents and bed-wetting three-year-old siblings to errant cat behavior and kissing (aka snogging) lessons. Teens will discover that nothing is sacred here (e.g., "Talking of breasts, I'm worried that I may end up like the rest of the women in my family, with just the one bust, like a sort of shelf affair"). Rennison exquisitely captures the fine art of the adolescent ability to turn chaos into stand-up comedy. For instance, when Georgia's father finds a new job in New Zealand, the teen says she's already formed her opinion of the country based on the TV show Neighbours; when her mother says, "Well, that's set in Australia," Georgia thinks, "What is this, a family crisis or a geography test?" Written as diary entries, the novel flouts the conceit, as when Georgia reports on a tennis match that she's playing concurrently ("I fall to my knees like McEnroe and the crowd is going mad"). - Publisher’s Weekly

In the library

This is definitely a book that girls will enjoy, and it would be well-suited for a reading group or book club. Georgia uses plenty of British slang, so have the students compare the American words to the British (the American version of the book has a British slang dictionary at the back that would be conducive to this).

Georgia shares a lot her personal embarrassments, such as how she attended a costume party dressed as a stuffed olive. If the group is comfortable with each other, ask them to share an embarrassing story that they now find funny. Use the book as a way of showing girls that embarrassing things happen to EVERYONE, and it’s okay to laugh about it.

SLIS 5420

Module 15

Dec. 7-13

Every Face a Different Shade

Bronx Masquerade

by Nikki Grimes

Summary

A group of students in a Bronx high school are studying the Harlem Renessance, and the poetry of the era takes hold. The teacher declares Open Mike Fridays, and encourages his students to bring in their personal poems to share with the class. Author Grimes presents their poetry mixed in with the personal stories behind it, along with the observations of a few classmates, in particular, a student named Tyronne, who, before the unit began, hardly gave school a second thought.

The students poems reflect their fears, dreams, thoughts, and observations, and by sharing their personal experiences with each other in the form of poetry, they all begin to see each other differently, and with more respect. And as a class, they begin to show others that they are not just rowdy kids with no ambitions, but real people who cannot be classified based on their location or skin color.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Absolutely. I could not put this book down. I love how Grimes separates the poems with the students personal observations of what inspires the written words. Her teenagers are so real, and their problems and thoughts are so in-line with today’s young adults. I found myself relating to them and thinking back on my own high school experience as I read their words. The poems also have a lot to say about discrimination and the way many of the kids in Bronx are stereotyped simply based on their race or where they live. I enjoyed hearing their thoughts about those issues, and seeing their passion for rising above the rough and tumble street life so many people expect them to fall into.

Reviews

“As always, Grimes gives young people exactly what they’re looking for - real characters who show them they are not alone.” - School Library Journal

“All of the [students], black, Latino, white, male, and female, talk about the unease and alienation endemic to their ages, and they do it in fresh and appealing voices. Rich and complex.” - Kirkus Reviews

In the library

Read Bronx Masquerade aloud with students and then discuss their thoughts about poetry - both in the book, and in general. Students who may have been left with a bad taste in their mouth from previous poetry experiences might have something new to say after hearing Grimes’ fresh, teen-infused words.

Consider hosting an open mike poetry reading. Invite students to bring in their original poems, and kick the event off with a reading from Grimes’ book or something similar.

SLIS 5420

Module 14

Nov. 30-Dec.5

Eh. Ma. Gawd.

Bratfest at Tiffany’s: A Clique Novel

by Lisi Harrison

Summary

As the girls of the Pretty Committee begin their eighth grade year (as the New Pretty Committee, NPC for short), they have a few problems on their hands: the boys from Briarwood will be invading Octavian Country Day School, not only threatening their space and good sense, but also their status as the most popular kids in school. NPC leader Massie will have none of it, and she declares a boyfast for her group.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Everyone needs a book that qualifies as brain candy or mindless reading now and then. I honestly believe it’s good for the soul to indulge in a little guilty pleasure like that now and again. The Clique novels are that indulgence for middle school-aged girls. While the lifestyles of the characters are most likely foreign to at least 80 percent of readers (the girls of the Pretty Committee are rich, upstate New Yorkers who are denied nothing money can buy), author Harrison captures the elements and behaviors of young teens and pre-teens in a format that is no doubt loved and mimicked by readers.

Reviews

The only reviews I dug up for this book were written by other bloggers. I checked Amazon and Barnes & Noble for editorial reviews (such as Booklist or School Library Journal), but there were none for this book. The independent reviews I read, such as those written by young readers or bloggers, were positive, and I saw many comments from middle school-aged reviewers who haled the books as being “true” in their depiction of young girls today.

In the library

This book would be best suited for individual reading or an all-girl book club. Display with other series books that would appeal to middle school-aged girls, using a variety of themes and genres.

SLIS 5420

Module 13

Nov. 23-29

Oh, The Places He'll Go

The Boy on Fairfield Street

by Kathleen Krull

Summary

Located just three blocks from the public library and six blocks from the zoo, the house at 74 Fairfield Street in Springfield, Massachusetts, was the perfect home for the young boy who would grow up to become Dr. Seuss. As a boy, Ted Geisel loved books and animals, as well as drawing, playing and generally being silly and having fun.

The Boy on Fairfield Street is a wonderful look at the childhood and early years of the author we all know as Dr. Seuss. Despite feeling out of place and not excelling in school, Geisel pursued his passions for drawing and writing, eventually finding newspapers and magazines that wanted to publish his work. This picture book biography tells the tale of his life from childhood to when he arrives in New York to start making a career for himself.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Most every child knows the name of Dr. Seuss, but how many know how he got that name? The Boy on Fairfield Street was a delight to read, and I eagerly absorbed every bit of information, from the details about Dr. Seuss’ childhood activities to the detailed account of his career in the author's notes at the end of the book. The beautiful illustrations are a wonderful accompaniment to the true-life facts of this biography, and many of Seuss' familiar characters appear above the page numbers. This is a must-read for any Seuss fan!

Reviews

Before Geisel became Dr. Seuss, he was a boy who "feasted on books and was wild about animals." This introductory sentence begins a delightful picture-book biography about Geisel that chronicles how he became an innovative writer and illustrator beloved by readers young and old ... Krull's pithy text is extended by full-page paintings that glow with the memory of yesteryear and capture the mix of humor and poignancy that comes with trying to fit in. - Booklist

In the library

Young Ted Geisel enjoyed drawing pictures that “broke the rules”. Giant fish, elephants with extra-large ears, horses with wings. Give children drawing materials and encourage them to draw some animals that “break the rules”. Make a “zoo” on a wall or display board where the children can display their animals.

For discussion, ask children what their favorite Dr. Seuss books are and what they like about them.

SLIS 5420

Module 12

Nov. 15-22

Everybody Out of the Water!

Megatooth

by Patrick O’Brien

Summary

One of the biggest creatures to ever inhabit the earth (bigger than Tyrannosaurus Rex!) was not walking amongst the dinosaurs. Rather, it was swimming the waters of the ocean before prehistoric man came into existence. In Megatooth, Patrick O’Brien introduces readers to Megalodon - meaning “megatooth” - a giant great-white type shark that was as much as 50-feet long. Megatooth is an exciting array of facts about this ancient creature, as well as others that were alive in prehistoric times.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

I was so excited by what I learned in this book! I was not aware of the existence of Megalodon, the giant shark that lived before humans came into existence. O’Brien’s book presents the information in a format that is extremely accessible for young readers. Colorful pictures demonstrate the mind-boggling facts about this ancient creature, and tidbits of information about Megalodon (and sharks in general) left me with new knowledge that I never knew I would enjoy acquiring so much. A must read for any young mind, and especially for any youngster with an interest in dinosaurs or big animals.

Reviews

O'Brien supplies children with several interesting facts that scientists have surmised about this fascinating creature from the huge teeth that have been found along seashores (as an afterword explains in more detail). The brief text is accompanied by oversized watercolor-and-gouache illustrations. This first look at a prehistoric animal is sure to be a hit with young dinosaur fans, who will appreciate the arresting cover illustration depicting a wide-open toothy jaw crunching on crumbling title letters. - School Library Journal

At the library

Megatooth has great visuals to demonstrate the size of the Megalodon. Mark a space that is the length of the shark (50 feet!) and have children measure themselves in comparison to it. Find pictures of dinosaurs from different eras for children to color and provide a timeline so they can hang them up during the era the dinosaurs lived in.

SLIS 5420

Module 11

Nov. 8-15