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

The Devil is in the Details

The Devil’s Arethmetic

by Jane Yolen

Summary

As they drive to her grandparent’s house for a Passover Seder, 12-year-old Hannah tells her mother that she’s tired of remembering. Every year she hears the same stories and witnesses the same traditions being upheld, and she’s bored. She goes through the motions of the Seder, observing her younger brother and relatives. However, when she opens the door for the prophet Elijah, she looks outside and suddenly finds herself in the Poland of 1942. A woman is calling her by her Hebrew name of Chaya (meaning “life”), and she tries to figure out what is real - the life she remembers, or the one she is living in. As she begins to take part in the life of the villagers around her, Nazi soldiers arrive, and Hannah suddenly realizes that she is about to experience the Holocaust in ways she could never imagine.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Yolen’s story is fascinatingly heart-wrenching, and I could not put it down. By placing young Hannah in the middle of the history that she claimed to be “tired” of remembering, Yolen gives readers a new perspective on the horrors that countless Jewish people endured during the Holocaust. The story is full of sadness, but more than that, it depicts the amazing spirit that lived within the camp prisoners. As young Hannah learns, heroism is measured differently in the camps, and I mulled this book over for several hours after I finished reading it.

Reviews

“A triumphantly moving book.” - Kirkus Reviews, pointer review

“Yolen attempts to answer those who question why the Holocaust should be remembered ... Through Hannah, with her memories of the present and the past, Yolen does a fine job of illustrating the importance of remembering. She adds much to children's understanding of the effects of the Holocaust, which will reverberate throughout history, today and tomorrow.” - Susan M. Harding, School Library Journal

In the library

This would be a great book to include in a history class or lesson about the Holocaust. After reading the book, have students interview a family member about something they experienced or learned about from their ancestors that is important to remember.

For a library project, talk about why it’s important to remember what our families and the people who came before us did. Make a “family tree” out of butcher paper and have children write something they want to remember about their family on pieces of paper (or “leaves”) and affix them to the tree.

SLIS 5420

Module 10, Nov. 2-7

Buried Alive

What Happened to Cass McBride?

by Gail Giles

Summary

Cass McBride knows how to talk. She learned from her dad, a high-profile salesman, who climbed his way to the top of every ladder possible. But when her written words find their way into the wrong hands, everything falls apart. After David Kirby finds the note in which Cass tore him down, he takes his own life. His brother, Kyle, decides to avenge his death by burying Cass alive. While the police scramble to find out what happened to Cass, she’s fighting for her life and trying to use her words to make Kyle see what was really at the heart of David’s depression.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

I stayed up reading What Happened to Cass McBride the first night I started the book and proceeded to have nightmares. I was still anxious to know what happened, but I chose to read during the daylight hours after that. Gail Giles’ story is fascinating and disturbing, and it hooks you in immediately. Using alternating narrators was a great way to tell the story and let the reader piece things together. I think what frightened me most was the psychological aspect of the story - there are some deeply troubled characters here, and their problems are happening in real life every day. That being said, Cass McBride is a book that will have you turning pages as quickly as you can to find out what happens - not just to Cass, but to everyone involved.

Reviews

What happened to Cass McBride? Well, she has been buried alive by Kyle Kirby, who blames her for his brother David's suicide. After asking Cass out, David finds a note she leaves for a friend in which she laughs about an invitation from someone so low on the food chain. Then David hangs himself. Told in alternating voices, including that of a police officer, this intense story has some horrifying moments; readers will feel as terrorized as Cass as she struggles to survive, both physically and mentally. At the same time, there are plenty of psychological thrills as Cass tries to win her release by outwitting Kyle. In the teens' dialogues, it becomes clear that both have parents who have withheld love, and the brothers, especially David, have suffered extreme verbal abuse. The depiction of Kyle's mother goes over the top, but overall this packs a wallop. Readers won't forget David's suicide note, pinned to his skin: "Words are teeth. And they eat me alive. Feed on my corpse instead." - Booklist

In the library

This is definitely a book for high school-aged readers, and probably best read individually. The story’s dark content addresses many issues that face today’s teens, such as suicide, popularity, and trouble with parents. Use a group discussion time to address the power of words and how they can help and hurt people, and ask students to think about the impact of their words on others.

SLIS 5420

Module 10, Week of Oct. 26-31

Brain Rot

Whales on Stilts

by M.T. Anderson

Summary

In this bizarre spoof on every comic book adventure and cheesy science fiction story imaginable, young Lily visits her dad’s workplace on career day and discovers that his boss is a half-whale, half-human, and is planning to take over the world with an army of whales on stilts. While her dad refuses to see the strange goings-on he is taking part in daily, Lily knows something bad will happen, and summons the help of her two best friends (one of whom frequently battles vampires, zombies, and other frightening creatures, and the other, a brilliant inventor) to help her stop the whale invasion.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

This is a hard review for me to write. I have two differing viewpoints on this book, and have decided to share them both:

1. If I put myself in the mindset of a middle school student, somewhere around 10 or 11 years of age, I would find this book strangely hilarious. Everything about it - from the insane plot to the “advertisements” that appear at random in the story - is bizarre. At every turn, Whales on Stilts pokes fun at comic book adventures and bad science fiction stories, and I think that any young reader who has a decent sense of humor will appreciate the spoof.

2. Now, going back to my personal preferences and filters ... I could almost feel my brain cells dying as I read this book. It was terrible. I understand that it was supposed to be a spoof, but it was so utterly, over-the-top cheesy, that I found it annoying and could not wait to be finished with it. What bothered me the most was the author’s inconsistent style. The sentences are choppy. The story begins in third-person narrative, but then about one-third of the way in, Anderson begins referring to himself and telling his own stories as asides. Again, I realize this was done for comic effect, but I found it endlessly irritating.

My final thought is this: if you love comic books and spoofs and are between the ages of 10 and 12-years-old, read this book. If you’re older than 13, save yourself the frustration and read a decent fantasy/science-fiction book such as The Graveyard Book or The Phantom Tollbooth.

Reviews

"Goosebumps fans and readers who "get" Lemony Snicket's brand of humor will be rolling in the aisles." - star from Booklist

"Armed with an array of adjectives, non-sequiturs, bizarre asides, irrelevant footnotes and running gags, Anderson sends up decades of children's book series, and creates a hysterical tale of his own. . . . Highly wacky." - starred review in Publishers Weekly, May 16, 2005

In the library

Ask students to come up with a weird plot to take over the world. Provide paper, pencils and crayons and encourage them to make the “cover” of the book that would detail their story.

SLIS 5420

Module 8

Week of Oct. 18-24

The Power of Words

The Phantom Tollbooth

by Norton Juster

Summary

A boy named Milo who isn’t really interested in anything, and “regarded the process of seeking knowledge as the greatest waste of time of all,” comes home from school one day to discover a box in his bedroom. “One genuine turnpike tollbooth,” states the enclosed letter. Having nothing better to do, Milo puts together the tollbooth, hops in the accompanying car, and suddenly finds himself in a new country, his room and home having vanished completely.

As he heads toward the city of Dictionopolis, Milo begins encountering many odd and unusual people and situations. He passes through Expectations, gets stuck in the Doldrums, and meets up with the watchdog Tock, who becomes his traveling companion. The entire story continues in this vein, and Milo discovers people and places representing a myriad of thoughts, ideas and expressions. As Milo travels along, meets new people and hears new things, he begins to learn, and to see the value in words and numbers, the danger of jumping to conclusions, and the frightening prospect of what ignorance can lead to.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

The Phantom Tollbooth was a great book for me to stay up past bedtime with, but I wonder how well children would understand and appreciate the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) messages it conveys. I think it is a book that would be fun to read as a kid, and then equally enjoyable to return to later, because many of the figures of speech and word plays would be more understandable at an older age.

Overall, I loved the message of the book, and the amount of creativity that Juster used to tell the story. In our modern world of technical gadgets, constant communication, and instant gratification, I think it is more important than ever to remind children of the importance of words, numbers, and consideration of how we use our time and knowledge.

Reviews

"A classic... Humorous, full of warmth and real invention." -The New Yorker

In the library

Create your own word market like the one Milo visits in Dictionopolis. Set up tables with baskets full of words and have children visit them and pick out words they like or want to learn. Write the word on one side of the paper and the definition on the back. Encourage them to use the word in conversation sometime during the day.

SLIS 5420

Module 8

Week of Oct. 18-24

Big and Round

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things

by Carolyn Mackler

Summary

Virginia Shreves is surrounded by seemingly “perfect” people: her thin, ambitious siblings; her successful, thin parents; and the model-skinny popular girls at school. To top it off, her best friend has temporarily moved out of state for the year. While Virginia ponders her plump physique and the questions that come with her feelings for a certain boy in her school, she soon begins to see that the perfect people around her have problems too. As she goes about her days and observes the people in her life, she begins to see beyond their glossy exteriors and figure some things out for herself.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

As a young woman it is hard not to identify with Virginia and the issues she struggles with, and that's what kept me reading this book past bedtime. Even though my own high school experience was much different from Virginia’s, her concerns - about her appearance, the popular kids, and boys - are ones that most any girl can identify with at some point in life. This wasn’t my favorite book to date, but I enjoyed that author Carolyn Mackler didn’t shy away from some tough issues, such as eating disorders, date rape, and self-absorbed parents.

What I liked best about this book is that Virginia is able to look at the people in her life objectively and figure out why they act as they do and what that means (or doesn’t mean) to her. By doing this, she is able to realize that her mother has never dealt with her own childhood insecurities; her brother is not the hero she always painted him as; and her classmates lives are not perfect just because they are thin. Recognizing these shortcomings in others, and then taking control of her own, leaves Virginia strong, happy and self-aware.

Reviews

“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.” - Publishers Weekly

“Mackler writes with such insight and humor (sometimes using strong language to make her point) that many readers will immediately identify with Virginia's longings as well as her fear and loathing. Her gradually evolving ability to stand up to her family is hard won and not always believable, but it provides a hopeful ending for those trying stand on their own two feet.” - Booklist

-Michael J. Printz Honor Book, 2004

In the library

Mackler’s award-winning book has faced challenges and bans in some libraries across the country. She says the strong language and elements of sexuality she uses in the text help readers identify with her main character. Ask students to discuss what their thoughts on the issue are - did they find these elements offensive or realistic? Should authors try to make their characters as true to life as possible, and if so, how “real” should they be?

SLIS 5420

Module 7

Week of Oct. 11-17

A Shining Star

Stargirl

by Jerry Spinelli

Summary

Mica Area High School has never seen anything like Stargirl. Everything about her, from the way she dresses to her unrelenting positivity, makes her a target for the curiosity and criticism of her peers. She says hello to strangers in the hallways, sings “Happy Birthday” to her peers, and leaves candy on the desks of her homeroom class on holidays. Among those watching her every move is Jerry Spinelli’s narrator, junior Leo Borlock. While he watches Stargirl’s unique behavior in disbelief, Leo begins to realize that she is a real individual, and unlike any other at Mica.

When Stargirl tells Leo about her feelings for him, he must not only decipher the pangs of first love, but confront his own insecurities about conformity and popularity. While Stargirl appears immune to the sneers and judgmental glares of her peers, Leo is not so confident, and his experience leaves readers with many questions to ponder about love, friendship, happiness and being true to oneself.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

I stayed up past bedtime more than once in an effort to delay putting down Stargirl. During the days I was reading it, and in the days that followed, I could not get this book out of my head. Stargirl is someone you want to know, or maybe even emulate. She is strangely admirable, and her genuine regard for others is endearing. Stargirl is about the emphasis our society puts on conformity, and what happens when someone chooses to walk their own path. Spinelli does a wonderful job of posing questions and observations about these issues, leaving the reader mulling over their own thoughts long after turning the last page.

Reviews

“Part fairy godmother, part outcast, part dream-come-true, the star of Spinelli's novel shares many of the mythical qualities as the protagonist of his Maniac Magee. Spinelli poses searching questions about loyalty to one's friends and oneself and leaves readers to form their own answers.” - Publishers Weekly

“A magical and heartbreaking tale.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults

In the library

One of Stargirl’s traits is making homemade cards for people around the town of Mica. Following a classroom or library reading, direct students to a card-making station complete with construction paper, pens and decorations. Encourage them to make a card for someone for no particular reason - an “I’m thinking about you” card or a “thanks for being a great friend” card.

For a more serious activity, ask students about what it means to be unique and how they choose (or don’t choose) to express their own individuality. Talk about why Stargirl was ostracized for her behavior, and ask if students think it’s better to conform and be accepted or remain true to one’s own desires.

SLIS 5420

Module 7

Week of Oct. 12-17

Whistling (Winn) Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo

Summary

Sometimes strength can come from the least expected places. For 10-year-old Opal, the stray dog she finds in the Winn-Dixie supermarket in Naomi, Florida, provides her the strength she needs to tackle questions about her mother and make friends in her new hometown. Named after the store she found him in, Winn-Dixie quickly becomes Opal’s confidant as she works up the courage to talk to her father about her mother, who disappeared when she was just a baby. Winn-Dixie also leads to new friendships with people in town, helping Opal understand and accept a variety of people into her life, making her feel at home in a new place.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Oh yes. I knew little about this book before reading it, and was amazed at how quickly I became absorbed in the story. Opal is a timeless character, and her questions, concerns and fears could just as easily be applied to children 20 years in the past or future. As she and Winn-Dixie explore the town of Naomi, her heart and mind are open, allowing her to befriend people who might have been avoided by others, such as the old librarian who loves to tell stories; Otis, the young man who runs the pet store but was once in jail; and Gloria Dump, an old woman on the outskirts of town who some of the other children call a witch. Winn-Dixie isn’t afraid of these people, and his ease and friendly manner make it easy for Opal to see them clearly as well. He also provides her the confidence to ask her father about her mother, a woman whom she knows virtually nothing about. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal is able to look at people and situations in new ways, and understand how to be happy and appreciate all the blessings in her own life.

Reviews

Newbery Honor Book, 2001

A New York Times Bestseller

“Through the love she gains from her new pet, a girl gains the courage to ask her father about the mother who abandoned them. In this exquisitely crafted first novel [a Newbery Honor book], each chapter possesses an arc of its own and reads almost like a short story in its completeness.” - Publishers Weekly

At the library

For fourth or fifth graders, this book would be great to read aloud or individually. Talk about why some people, like Gloria Dump and Otis, get unfairly stereotyped by others, and what Opal did to see past those labels.

For a more personal experience, ask students to write a journal entry about the book. Many may be able to relate to living in a single-parent household and having questions about the absent parent.

SLIS 5420

Week of Oct. 4-11

Aggle flaggle klabble!

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

by Mo Wiliems

Summary

In Mo Williems’ Knuffle Bunny, Trixie, who is still at the age “before she could even speak words,” goes to the laundromat with her daddy. The two walk through a Brooklyn neighborhood, then arrive at the laundromat, where Trixie’s antics distract her father, causing him to shove her beloved Knuffle Bunny into the wash with all the clothing. As the two walk home, Trixie realizes Knuffle Bunny is gone, and does her best to tell her daddy what’s wrong. But without words, her cries and sputters do nothing more than baffle her father.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

You definitely need to stay up to find out what happens in Knuffle Bunny. This book is a treat and I found myself laughing out loud at Williems’ depiction of young Trixie’s behavior. The sepia-toned photographs of a real neighborhood layered with color sketches are fun to explore, and Trixie’s attempts to tell her father that Knuffle Bunny is missing had me in stitches. Williems has done an excellent job of portraying the toddler temper tantrum: babbled words ("aggle flaggle klabble! wumby flappy!"), going “boneless” when her daddy tries to pick her up, and eventual wide-eyed shock and worry as the family tries to find her beloved toy. Any child who has ever lost or misplaced a favorite toy will relate to this story, and adults will recognize the children they have known, making this a great read for any age.

Reviews

"Personalities are artfully created so that both parents and children will recognize themselves within these pages. A seamless and supremely satisfying presentation of art and text." School Library Journal

“Willems chronicles this domestic drama with pitch-perfect text and illustrations that boldly depart from the spare formula of his previous books. Sepia-tone photographs of a Brooklyn neighborhood provide the backdrops for his hand-drawn artwork, intensifying the humor of the gleefully stylized characters--especially Trixie herself, who effectively registers all the universal signs of toddler distress, from the first quavery grimace to the uncooperative, "boneless" stage to the googly-eyed, gape-mouthed crisis point. Even children who can already talk a blue streak will come away satisfied that their own strong emotions have been mirrored and legitimized, and readers of all ages will recognize the agonizing frustration of a little girl who knows far more than she can articulate. Jennifer Mattson, Booklist

In the library

This book can be enjoyed by young children and adults alike. Read aloud and use exaggerated voices and faces to express the emotions of the characters. Go “boneless” like Trixie does for extra laughs.

Module 5

Week of Sept. 28 - Oct. 3

Just Lucky I Guess

The Higher Power of Lucky

by Susan Patron

Summary

Ten-year-old Lucky Trimble continually hears about the Higher Power found by attendees at the 12-step anonymous meetings at the Found Object Wind Chime Museum and Visitor Center in her hometown of Hard Pan, Calif. Lucky wants to find her Higher Power too, because she’s worried that her Guardian, Brigitte, wants to move back home to France. When she finds Brigitte’s passport sitting out one day, Lucky decides that she has “hit rock bottom” and the only thing to do is run away. She will surely find her Higher Power after by doing so. Which wouldn’t be so hard, except for dealing with all the things she has to take along, her dog, her younger neighbor, Miles, and the giant sandstorm that kicks up.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Yes. Lucky is a headstrong and clever girl who I enjoyed staying up for. The hardships that have affected her from such a young age (she lost her mother at age 8 and now lives in a very poor community with a legal guardian) have given her a different view of the world and its inhabitants, and it was a delight to follow along with her train of thought and see things through her eyes. She has a kind heart and sees the good qualities in everyone, from her best friend who has an obsession with tying knots, to Short Sammy, who lives in the old town water tank and cooks everything with bacon grease. I think kids would easily relate to her on many levels.

Following its publication, The Higher Power of Lucky became the subject of much controversy due to author Susan Patron’s use of the word “scrotum” on the first page. While I could easily loose myself in a discussion about reactions to such issues, I will leave it at this: having read the book, I found the term completely inoffensive, and thought Lucky’s reaction to hearing it was entirely normal and representative of how a 10-year-old would react. Lucky even plucks up the courage to ask what the word means at the end of the book, and the resulting answer is entirely appropriate and honest. I think providing readers with a heroine whom they can identify with is one of the best ways to engage young minds, and I think Patron has done this wonderfully.

Reviews

-Winner of the 2006 John Newbery Medal

“Lucky, age 10, lives in tiny Hard Pan, California (population 43), with her dog and the young French woman who is her guardian. With a personality that may remind some readers of Ramona Quimby, Lucky, who is totally contemporary, teeters between bravado--gathering insect specimens, scaring away snakes from the laundry--and fear that her guardian will leave her to return to France. Looking for solace, Lucky eavesdrops on the various 12-step meetings held in Hard Pan (of which there are plenty), hoping to suss out a "higher power" that will see her through her difficulties. Her best friend, Lincoln, is a taciturn boy with a fixation for tying knots; another acquaintance, Miles, seems a tiresome pest until Lucky discovers a secret about his mother. Patron's plotting is as tight as her characters are endearing. Lucky is a true heroine, especially because she's not perfect: she does some cowardly things, but she takes pains to put them to rights.”

-Francisca Goldsmith, Booklist

In the library

I think this would be a great book to read aloud or independently. Lucky talks about finding a Higher Power to help her when things get bad. Ask children to write a journal entry about what helps them when life is hard or they are having trouble with something.

For a more light-hearted topic, take the French phrases that Brigitte uses in the book and translate them, then teach children how to say them in French. Children will be calling each other “ma puce” (my flea) and heading home to give their mothers bisious (kisses) before bed.

SLIS 5420 / Module 4

Week of Sept. 20-26

How Nobody Came to the Graveyard

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

Summary

Neil Gaiman’s story begins with murder. Three members of a family have been slain, and the murderer plans to finish off the fourth member, a baby, who’s room is at the top of the house’s long staircase. But the front door was left open, and the baby is an adventurous one. He climbs out of his crib and out the door, unaware of the danger he is escaping. His journey takes him to a graveyard, where the murderer, the man Jack, follows but looses sight of the baby as the ghosts of the graveyard take him in and promise his mother, a ghost herself at this point, that they will protect him. They name him Nobody, Bod for short, because his anonymity is a factor in his safety.

The Graveyard Book follows Bod as he grows up in the graveyard, raised by ghost parents, and protected and mentored by a guardian who walks the line between living and dead. He has adventures and dangerous encounters in the graveyard and he learns lessons about the living and the dead, and beyond the gates of his home, a murderer is searching for him.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Yes. A thousand times, yes. I could not put this book down once I started reading, and I cannot get it out of my head now that I’ve finished. With Nobody Owens, Gaiman has achieved that amazing balancing act of creating a protagonist who is admirable yet fallible; intelligent, but willing to learn more. Bod’s lessons about life and death, taught to him by his guardian, Silas, and the residents of the graveyard, never felt preachy, only wise and thought-provoking. Bod’s graveyard home is wonderfully imaginative yet not so outlandish that I found it unbelievable. I imagined reading the book at a younger age and could feel the chills I would get from some of the scarier moments of the story.

Having finished the book, I keep finding my gaze wandering to the graveyard that lies just beyond my kitchen window, and I wonder how it would feel to walk through it with Gaiman’s story in my head.

Reviews

-Winner of the 2008 John Newbery Medal

“While “The Graveyard Book” will entertain people of all ages, it’s especially a tale for children. Gaiman’s remarkable cemetery is a place that children more than anyone would want to visit. They would certainly want to look for Silas in his chapel, maybe climb down (if they were as brave as Bod) to the oldest burial chamber, or (if they were as reckless) search for the ghoul gate. Children will appreciate Bod’s occasional mistakes and bad manners, and relish his good acts and eventual great ones. The story’s language and humor are sophisticated, but Gaiman respects his readers and trusts them to understand.”

-Monica Edinger, The New York Times Book Review

In the library

This book would be great to read aloud or individually. The ghosts in the graveyard all come from various centuries and time periods throughout history, something which is immediately evident by their speech and mannerisms. Teachers could discuss the different social settings from these times, and touch on a major event from each century the ghosts represent.

SLIS 5420 / Module 4

Week of Sept. 20-26

A Simpler Time

Ox-Cart Man

by Donald Hall

Pictures by Barbara Cooney

Summary

Readers meet Donald Hall’s Ox-Cart Man as he loads up his wagon for his annual trip to Portsmouth Market, where he will sell the foods and handiwork his family has been producing during the last year on their New England farm. Potatoes, maple sugar, knitted mittens, goose feathers and linen are all loaded for the 10-day journey. Upon his arrival, Ox-Cart Man sells everything, even the cart he traveled to market in. After procuring some necessary supplies with his earnings, Ox-Cart Man returns for the winter and his family settles in for the winter and begins the annual process again. Planting, knitting, sewing and harvesting.

Worth staying up past bedtime?

If you have a reader who likes history, pioneer times, or even simply animals on a farm, Ox-Cart Man is a good book to stay up for. It is not dynamic or flashy, but I loved its steady rhythm and simple story line. With our increasingly busy and technology-filled lives growing louder every day, I think it is important to remind children of how people lived in years past. Barbara Cooney’s wood-painted illustrations are beautifully detailed, and they made me feel nostalgic for a simpler time, the way I imagine some people feel when looking at a Norman Rockwell painting. Ox-Cart Man is a breath of fresh air that I think many children can enjoy.

Reviews

"Like a pastoral symphony translated into picture book format, the stunning combination of text and illustrations recreates the mood of 19-century rural New England."

-The Horn Book

1980 Caldecott Medal Book

In the library

Read Ox-Cart Man for a group story time and set out a table with some of the items mentioned in the book for children to see afterward - feathers, wool, maple sugar, candles, knitting. Consider having the reader dress in period clothing.

SLIS 5420 / Module 3

Week of Sept. 13-19

Something That Floats

Flotsam

by David Wiesner

Summary

What would you do if you found a camera washed up on the beach? After an unsuccessful search for the owner, the young boy in David Wiesner’s Flotsam develops the film inside and is taken on a journey through the ocean that the underwater camera made before it washed up in a tangle of seaweed. There is no doubt a strange and exciting world beneath the water’s surface, from tiny seashell communities to giant starfish that tower above whales. And this isn’t the first time the camera has washed up on shore ...

Worth staying up past bedtime?

Flotsam: Something that floats. If it floats in the ocean, it may wash up on the beach, where someone may find it and be astonished, and share the discovery with someone else. (from the inside cover of Flotsam.)

Flotsam is a discovery that is definitely worth staying up for! Told entirely through illustrations, the story is a fantastic work of imagination, and I quickly found myself caught up in the underwater world Wiesner created. I loved the look of shock on the young boy’s face when he developed the photos and discovered that things are not necessarily as they seem below the water’s surface. A mechanical fish, an octopus family enjoying a book, and eventually, a photo that leads to the camera’s origins. I was just as surprised as the young boy when I discovered the journey the camera had made, and I have been telling friends about this book from the moment I put it down.

Reviews

Though wordless, this intriguing book is a storytelling marvel. With stunning, meticulously painted watercolors, award-winning Wiesner tells the fanciful tale of a young boy who discovers an old-fashioned camera washed up on the beach. The developed film reveals fantastical underwater shots, including octopi reading in armchairs and elaborate cities built of seashells. Children will savor the magic of this surreal underwater world and the book's mind-bending conclusion.

-Child Magazine

In the library

For older children, starting a chain letter between libraries or schools. As a group, write a short letter about the book and take a polaroid photo of them at the library. Then mail the letter to another library or school, asking them to pass it along with a letter and photo of their own once they’ve read the book.

For younger children, make ocean artwork. Use paper, markers, glitter and glue to make starfish, shells, fish, and of course, flotsam! Provide an “ocean” for their completed work to be displayed on and hang it up in the library.

SLIS 5420 / Module 3

Week of Sept. 13-19