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