Thursday, December 2, 2010

The Graveyard Book


Bibliography

Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780060530921

Summary

Nobody (Bod) Owens is just like any other boy. He must go through the trials and tribulations of growing up and deciding right from wrong. He is very different from most other boys though. He is being raised by the dead in a small town Brittish graveyard. The Graveyard book takes the readers through chapters of Bod's life as a cast of ghoulish characters protect him from the man Jack, who earlier murdered his family, and teach teach Bod the importance of community and family.

Critical Analysis

Nobody Owens is a very relatable character considering he is being raised by Mr. and Mrs. Owens, a couple that were not able to have children in life, but are happy to raise Bod in death. He is curious about the world around him which saved his life when he wandered into the graveyard to avoid the man Jack, a man who had murdered the rest of his family. His curiousness could be the death of him now though, as leaving the graveyard ensures that the man Jack will be looking for him now. Young readers are able to relate to Bod as he battles right from wrong while helping a young witch and standing up to the bullies at school. The reader also feels a comfort in the relationship Bod builds with those that care for him, the dead and his gaurdian Silas who can travel between the living and the dead, proving that family isn't given to you by blood, but by the support you give one another.

The setting of this story is both chilling and warming. Gaiman's dark tone and descriptions of the graveyard present the reader with the traditional feel of being surrounded by the dead, however the warmth given to the supporting characters as they guide Bod through his life create a sense of warmth in such a dark place, making it feel almost homey.

Neil Gaiman takes us through the coming of age of Nobody Jones. Each chapter is disconnected from the other, almost as if each chapter is an episode in a television series called "The Graveyard Book." Each even that Nobody goes through could be read on their own, although the lessons learned by the various graveyard inhabitants all come together in the end of the story. The theme of the novel of family, companionship and going out into the world on our own unfolds magically and left me with a tear in my eye as we watch a not so young Bod leave the graveyard and enter the real world to live his life. It is Gaiman's rich and magical tone that allows the reader to become so attached to the character.

Review Excerpts


Awards:

Carnegie Medal Recipient 2010
Newberry Medal Recipient 2009

Reviews:

"Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery and family." -School Library Journal

"Wistful, witty, wise - and creepy. ...Closer in tone to American Gods than to Coraline, but permeated with Bod's innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child." -Kirkus

Connections:

Reader's Guide for the Graveyard Book
Book Club questions for The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman's Official Website

Other Books by Neil Gaiman:

-Coraline
-M Is for Magic
-Stardust
-The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish
-Neverwhere
-American Gods

Going Bovine


Bibliography

Bray, Libba. 2009. Going Bovine. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 9780385733977

Summary

Cameron is a 16 year old, apathetic, pot smoking high schooler that is doing his best to get by on just the bare minimum. Life is passing him by until he gets diagnosed with a human form of mad cow disease and is given on a couple weeks to live. While dealing with the stress and fear of the end of his life, Cameron is visited by a punk rock angel named Dulcie and given a mission. Find Doctor X to stop him from destroying the word and saving his life. Cameron sets off on a cross country adventure with a video game loving, life fearing dwarf and a yard gnome while he experiences the unbelievable and the mundane and finally lives!

Plot Analysis

Libba Bray introduces the reader Cameron, a character who is, quite frankly, unlikable at the beginning of the story. His apathetic outlook on life makes the reader want to scream, DO SOMETHING, but Cameron is content going through the motions and stopping to get a new "Great Tremolo" record every now and then. As the plot continues Cameron experiences seizures and hallucinations landing himself in the hospital due to a rare case of human mad cow disease. I personally found this story slow to get started. It wasn't until chapter fifteen that the reader learns of the main problem in the story and Cameron hears from his pink haired, punk rock angel that sends him on a mission to find Doctor X to cure himself and save the world. Cameron, along with a lovable hypochondriac, video game loving, mama's boy dwarf set off on a cross country trip where they essentially learn to drop their apathetic ways and live life. While the trip progresses through situations that are as mundane as bowling to the unrealisticness of encountering Norse gods, Cameron becomes a likable character that has learned life can't really begin until you set out to live it! And experiencing that first love, or first magical kiss with someone can make your life worth living.

Libba Brays style of writing is one that bounces from one idea to a next. Some might even describe it as schizophrenic. This writing style, along with a character that so many reluctant readers can relate to make this book a perfect tale for a cool, middle to high school dude. With her quirky sense of humor and exceptional writing, readers want to read through the slow beginning to see how it all goes down, and where the yard gnome from the cover comes into play. However, due to the themes and language in this book, it is a Young Adult novel that is best read by those that that have passed the prepubescent years.

Reviews

Awards:

2009 Children's Book Sense Pick
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year
Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice in 2009
2010 Michael L. Printz Award winner

Reviews Excerpts:

"It's a trip worth taking, though meandering and message-driven at times. Some teens may check out before Cameron makes it to his final destination, but many will enjoy asking themselves the questions both deep and shallow that pop up along the way." -School Library Journal

"Libba Bray not only breaks the mold of the ubiquitous dying-teenages genre--she smashes it and grinds the tiny pieces into the sidewalk. For the record, I'd go anywhere she wanted to take me." -New York Times

Connections:

Going Bovine Website
Libba Bray Website
Writing Exercises from Libba Bray


Other Books By Libba Bray:

-The Restless Dead
-21 Proms
-A Great and Terrible Beauty
-Rebel Angels

Rapunzel's Revenge



Bibliography



Hale, Shannon and Dean. Ill. by Nathan Hale. 2008. Rapunzel's Revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsberry. ISBN 15999007o.

Plot Summary

Rapunzel has been trapped in a tower for too long, and now that she has freed herself, she wants revenge. Not just for herself or her real mother, who she has been kept away from her entire life, but for everyone who has been treated badly by "Mother" Gothel. Rapunzel, assisted by her new found sidekick Jack (of hte Beanstalk variety) get themselves into trouble and find their way out of it while they seek the revenge Rapunzel so deserves.

Critical Analysis

In Rapunzel's Revenge we are introduced to a new type of Rapunzel. In the classic tale, Rapunzel is a typical damsel in distress who is rescued by her prince and lives happily ever after. Shannon and Dean Hale have created an empowering character that knows what she wants and is going to do what she can to get it...usually while helping he sidekick (from the beanstalk) get out of trouble. The characters in this story are easily relatable to people of all ages and background. Nathan Hale has done a wonderful job of creating a cast of characters that span many different cultures. Shannon and Dean have created a strong female and a quirky con man male that balance each other well. Jack's humor allows the reader to experience Rapunzel's wit and Rapunzel brings out the adventurer in Jack.

The plot of Rapunzel's Revenge is one that is easy to follow. The beginning of the story finds the reader in familiar territory reading of a girl who has been taken from her mother and rasied by "Mother" Gothel until Rapunzel discovers the truth and is promptly placed in a high tower for safe keeping. At this point in the story, the classic tale changes. Instead of waiting to be rescued by her prince charming, Rapunzel uses her long locks to swing out of the tower and rescue her real mother from the depth of the mines. Rapunzel finds herself smack day in the middle of the old west with a goofy, dress wearing sidekick named Jack. The odd due find themselves traveling from town to town getting into trouble, as to be expected. Rather than the male always coming to the rescue of the female though, it is often Rapunzel's smarts that get her and Jack out of trouble. In the end good prevails over evil and Rapunzel is able to save her mother and put and end to Gothel. She happens to fall in love with her partner in crime while she's at it as well.



The author kept in the style of the wild west action adventure throughout the entirety of the book giving Rapunzel phrases such as "Well, I'll be swigger-jiggered and hung out to dry." While the talk was written in the first person perspective of Rapunzel, the illustrations would often tell another story, the true story. A shining example of this would be on pg. 34 when Rapunzel is describing her escape from the tree. She claims "I managed to lasso the tree...swing gracefully from my prison...climb down the tree's branches...and land triumphantly on the forest floor." However, Nathan has shown us the reality with a falling Rapunzel crashing to the forest floor. Hale's illustrations did a marvelous job of showing the details like the one previously described when the story needed it, but also showing the whole of the situation to help guide the readers on their journey through the wild west.

Review Excerpts


Reviews:

"The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive." -School Library Journal

"This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wile West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine...Hale's art matches the story well, yielding expressinve characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers." -Booklist

Awards:
-ALA 2009 Notable Children's Book
-YALSA 2009 Great Graphic Novel for Teens
-Cybil Award Winner

Connections:

Book Trailer for Rapunzel's Revenge
Shannon Hale's Official Site
Rapunzel's Revenge Reader's Theater
Rapunzel (Original Version) teaching guide

Other book by Shannon Hale
-Calamity Jack
-Austenland
-The Actor and the Housewife
-Princess Academy





Thursday, November 11, 2010

Elijah of Buxton




Bibliography


Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. Elijah of Buxton. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 9780439023443

Plot

Elijah Buxton is the first born free child in Buxton, Canada. Buxton is a settlement that was started as a safe place for former slaves in 1849. Elijah learns about the burdens of those that are stuck in slavery as he hears tales from every one of the adults living in Buxton who had physical and emotional scars from their past. When Elijah is forced to accompany Mr. Leroy to Michagan in an effort to save his family Elijah is face to face with the terrible condition of the slaves and is forced to make a decision most eleven year olds would never have to make.


Critical Ananlysis


In Elijah of Buxton we are introduced to an eleven year old that is much like every eleven year we have ever met. He has a sense of humor, a skill that some would find useless (chunking rocks), is a magnet to mischeif and a pro at finding a way to not have to be responsible. He's very different from the eleven year olds of today though because he is the first born free child in a community estabolished for former slaves just over the Michigan border in Canada. While Elijah has grown up hearing tales of slavery, and in turn the reader hears them too, it isn't until he, and the reader, experience the terror themselves that the freedom he has is really appreciated.


Christopher Paul Curtis introduces the reader to a setting that is filled with hope and warmth within the members of the Buxton Community as they welcome in newcomers to the community. Family ties are strong and community members work together to create a support system, helping to overcome the battles the adults have all faced in their pasts. While the community is tight knit, they must deal with the threats of those that are ignorant and still believe in the ideas of slavery.


While hope and family are a central theme in the book, perhaps the most important theme, and the theme that educates the reader is that of racism and slavery. Elijah, who is aware of the struggles those around him faced, grows up in front of the reader as he steps up to the plate to do what is right for Mr. Leroy and his family, making a decision most eleven year olds would never even dream of. The authenticity of the the novel, from the stereotypes to the forming of such settlements gives the reader a history lesson they are sure to enjoy.


Review Excerpts


Awards:
-A Newbery Honor Book
-Coretta Scott King Award Winner
-A School Library Journal Best Book
-Parent's Choice Gold Award Winner
-NAACP Image Award Nominee
Reviews:
"Inexperienced and prone to mistakes, yet kind, courageous, and understanding, Elijah has the distinction of being the first child born in the Buxton Settlement, which was founded in Ontario in 1849 as a haven for former slaves. Narrator Elijah tells an episodic story that builds a broad picture of Buxton's residents before plunging into the dramatic events that take him out of Buxton and, quite possibly, out of his depth. In the author's note, Curtis relates the difficulty of tackling the subject of slavery realistically through a child's first-person perspective. Here, readers learn about conditions in slavery at a distance, though the horrors become increasingly apparent. Among the more memorable scenes are those in which Elijah meets escaped slaves—first, those who have made it to Canada and, later, those who have been retaken by slave catchers. Central to the story, these scenes show an emotional range and a subtlety unusual in children's fiction. Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears. A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller." - Booklist
"Christopher Paul Curtis knows how to write characters so engaging and believable you want to meet them in person. In fact, after reading his books, you feel like you have...Readers will slip into the story as they, along with eleven-year-old Elijah, assume a life of freedom, but this is the 1850's and slavery still exists in America, alarmingly close to the freed slave community of Buxton, Canada...Elijah's heroism is believable, growing from almost accidental, to faltering, to determined, albeit limited, saving one tiny soul rather than a whole group, which is all that can be expected of a child. Indeed, giving a child the opportunity to learn the horrors of the past but understand the hope of the future is the most we can ask of a character—and of an author." -Children's Literature
Connections
Other books by Christopher Paul Curtis:
-The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963
-Bud, Not Buddy
-Mr. Chikee's Funny Money
-Bucking the Sarge
-Have students research other notable figures from slave backgrounds
-Track the underground railroad and other routes slaves would take to freedom

Al Capone Does My Shirts


Bibliography
Choldenko, Gennifer. 2004. Al Capone Does My Shirts. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 0439674328
Plot Summary
Al Capone Does My Shirts introduces us to Mosse Flanagan, a twelve year old boy growing up in the 1930's who has just found him living on the island of Alcatraz. As if life on a rock that houses some of the country's biggest criminals isn't hard enough, Moose has a sister that adds to the difficulty of life. While balancing annoying children sharing space on The Rock with him and trying to make new friends at his school, he is expected to babysit his 16 year old autistic sister while their mother works to get Natalie into a special school for autistic children. Through some twists and turns in the story, Moose finds that Al Capone could possibly play an important role in the lives of Moose and Natalie.
Critical Analaysis
Moose is your typical 12 year old which makes this novel and easy one for students to enjoy. He has a mother and father that sometimes expects more from him than he feels that they should and he has a sister who he loves, but is hard to deal with. He plays basketball, is annoyed by the seven year old that constantly shows up unnexpected and a bossy girl named Piper who gets him involved in a scheme to make some money. What kid can't relate to Moose? While he is relateable by children of this generation, he shows the reader the simplicity of his generation.
Throughout the plot of this story Gennifer Choldenko gives us a subtle history lesson on Alcatraz in its hayday and the mobster metality of Al Capone. Perhaps one of the biggest history lessons we learn about in Al Capone Does My Shirt is the lack of knowledge of Autistic children then, something that is diagnosed and dealt with on an everyday basis today. We also become a part of the stuggle Moose faces trying to decide right from wrong when it comes to the care of his sister. Does he stay in the apartment with with his sister like he knows he should, does he take her with him as he explores the ins and outs of Alcatraz with the other children and risk losing track of Natalie. The battle of right from wrong is tested, and he learns some lessons the hard way.
The diary style of writing makes the relationship between Moose and the reader a more intimate relatioship, making the reader want to pour over every page. Without a doubt, the tid bits of history Moose reveals in his entries will make the reader want to absorb even more about the Mobster days of Al Capone.
Review Excerpts
Awards:
-Newbery Honor Book
-2005 CBC-NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
-ALA Notable Book
-American Literacy Corporation Literary Choice Award
-Best Book for Young Adults
-Book Sense PIck of the List Summer 2004
Reviews:
"Basing her sotry on the actual experience of those who supported the prison in the '30s-when Al Capone was an inmate-Choldenko's pacing is exquisite, balancing the tense family dynamics alongside the often humorous and riviting school story of peer pressure and friendship." -Kirkus
"The Flanagan family is believable...Moose makes a sympathetic main character....the story, told with skill and humor, will fascinate readers with an interest in what it was like for the children of prison guards and other workers to actually grow up on Alcatraz Island." -School Library Journal
Connections
Other books by Gennifer Choldenko:
-Al Capone Shines my Shoes
-Moonstruck
-No Passengers Beyond This Point
-Research other mobsters of the era

Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles


Bibliography

Lasky, Kathryn. 2000. Marie Anoinette: Princess of Versailles. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 04390766678

Plot Summary

Marie Antoinette is a 13 year old girl with many more problems than typical teenage girls. She is set to be the queen of France and has much to learn before that happens. Not to mention she has a proposal from Dauphin Louis XVI coming her way. The princess Diaries gives us a peek into Marie's life as she learns everything from reading and writing in English and French to how to dance and gamble. We watch her grow from a young child of 13 to a young woman at the age of 15 as she gets to know her Dauphin and learns the ins and outs of prepping to be a Queen.

Critical Analysis

This tale introduces the reader, intended to be a 5th-9th grader, to a headstrong, independent Marie Antoinette. While Marie grew up in a different time, country and is on track to be a queen, she is a character that the reader can relate to. She argues with her mother, has a love/hate relationship with her siblings, dislikes her lessons and is nervous about meeting the boy she is promised to.

While dealing with the ups and downs she is presented with, Marie grows from a young girl to a young woman. She struggles with the cultural changes she faces while she prepares herself for life in the French Court, a very different atmosphere than that of the Austrian lifestyle she has grown up in. While some of the new adventures excite her, she must deal with those that scare her as well.

Written in the style of a diary, the reader is introduced to the history of the time period in a way that a middle school aged student can understand and enjoy. Terms and situations are broken down and described as to keep the reader from feeling overwhelmed. With this writing style, readers are sure to learn more than expected about 18th century Austria and France and the etiquette of the French Court.

At the end of the novel, the reader will find an epilogue and historical note which gives a peek into Marie's reign as Queen of France. This also helps to feed our appetite for more informationon the decadance of Marie's life. The author has also included a detailed Habsburg-Bourbe Family tree and images of Marie Antoinette throughout her life, including a portrait of her done while being led to the guillotine for her execution.

Review Excerpts

"Lasky takes historical fact and weaves it into a sympathetic account of an adolescent Marie Antoinette." -School Library Journal

"The descriptions of the fantastic hair styles and dresses and the elaborate rituals and etiquette required at the Court of Versailles should fascinate today's young adults. The author's depiction of the political and dynastic reasons for the marriage of the young royals establishes the historical context of the novel that engages young readers learning about this period in history." -VOYA

"This book entertains and teaches at the same time. It's great for a study of the French Revolution, and it's a fun book to read as well." -Parent Council Reviews

Connections:

Other books by Kathryn Lasky:
-Lost Tales of Ga' Hoole
-Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor
-Mary, Queen of Scotts: Queen Without a Country

-Use novel as a jump start on research of Marie Antoinette
-Read other novels in the series to compare and contrast the women

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream


Bibliography

Stone, Tanya Lee. 2009. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763636111

Plot Summary

Almost Astronauts tells the story of 13 women fighting to be admitted into the NASA space program. While they all had a background in flying, some clocking more flight hours than John Glenn, these women were not able to pursue the path they wanted to because of the fact they were women. This book tells us of the fight these women fought for gender equality in the space program as well as introducing the reader to the fight for gender equality and women’s rights across the country in the 1960’s. While these women didn’t find their way into the NASA space program, they paved the way for those women to follow.

Critical Analysis

Almost Astronauts is the epitome of a traditional nonfiction text. This well researched text introduces the reader to a group of women that worked to get gender equality into the NASA space program. The book, backed by the curator of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is well researched and presented in a manner that keeps a reader’s attention while delivering facts.

As with many traditional nonfiction texts, Almost Astronauts is one that does not need to be read from cover to cover, while it is enjoyable enough to be done this way. The reader is presented with a table of contents and an index to help the reader locate the specific information they may be looking for. Sources are broken down chapter by chapter in the back of the book to assist in locating more information if this text is being used for research purposes.

While this text can be used easily for research, with the passion shared by Stone and the rich photographs included keep the reader wanting to read not only about the 13 women themselves, but the ideology of the United States in the 1960s and the women that were ultimately able to partake in the NASA space program due to the path the “Mercury 13” paved.

Review Excerpts

Awards:
2010 Sibert Medal Award Winner
YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Honor
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor
NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor
Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award

Reviews:
“Space gals. Astronettes. Astrodolls . . . Who do these women think they are?” The media mocked them. Male astronauts did not want them, and neither did then vice-president Lyndon Johnson. If they were to let women into the space program, blacks and other minorities would be next. Nearly 20 years before the U.S. officially admitted women into the astronaut program, 13 women, known as the Mercury 13, fought for the right to soar into space. This dramatic, large-size photo-essay covers their stories, along with the exciting politics of the women’s liberation struggle in the 1950s and ’60s (“What is a woman’s place?”) and the breakthrough science and technology surrounding space exploration, including details of the would-be astronauts’ tests and training. The chatty, immediate style (“Picture this”) and full-page photos make for a fast read, and the crucial civil-rights history will stay with readers. The long, spacious back matter is part of the story, with detailed chapter notes and a bibliography.” –Booklist

“Stone adopts a tone of righteous indignation in chronicling the quixotic efforts of 13 women to win admission into NASA's initial astronaut training program in the early 1960s. The women were all pilots (one, Jerrie Cobb, had more hours in the air than John Glenn or Scott Carpenter), earned high scores in preliminary tests, and even counted a senator's wife among their number. But resistance came from all directions—including NASA regulations, which were weighted toward men; media coverage that reflected contemporary gender expectations; political maneuvering by then vice president LBJ and other officials; and the crushing opposition expressed by renowned aviatrix Jackie Cochran in a 1962 Congressional hearing. Properly noting, however, that losing "depends on where you draw the finish line," the author closes with chapters on how women did ultimately win their way into space—not only as mission specialists, but also as pilots and commanders. Illustrated with sheaves of photos, and based on published sources, recently discovered documents, and original interviews with surviving members of the "Mercury 13," this passionately written account of a classic but little-known challenge to established gender prejudices also introduces readers to a select group of courageous, independent women.” –School Library Journal
-Have students research women astronauths such as Mae Jemison that were inspired by the "Mercury 13"