Module 15: The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried

by Tim O'Brien

O'Brien, T. (1990). The things they carried. Boston, MA: Mariner Books.

"It's astonishing. It fills the eye.  It commands you." p. 77 

Summary:

The Things They Carried is a blend of fiction and reality.  The author makes it clear that the stories contained within are works of fiction rooted within the truth and reality of what goes on during combat.  Set during the Vietnam War, it's a stick-with-you and change-your-narrow-perspective about war from veteran Tim O'Brien's point of view.  The collection of stories begins with "The Things They Carried," a story detailing what is literally and metaphorically carried by soldiers.   The stories that follow are intertwined, delicately slipping in and out of one another, introducing men the reader grows to care about and empathize with, and sharing with the reader the ugliness and beauty and stark awareness that can be experienced only on the battle field.  

Impressions:

I loved this book.  From the beginning when a soldier is defined by what he carries--from comic books to disease to all kinds of emotional baggage--to the heart of what it's like to be a soldier, O'Brien's stories slowly and deeply worm into the reader's consciousness.  Perhaps the most touching tales for me were about the women in the men's lives.  Mary Ann's spirit and Linda's strength will be in my heart for a long time.  The author invites the reader in and grabs hold.  I will never say I don't like war stories again, as this author at the very least made me realize that they are not stories about war, rather they are about the human experience, and at best, this book transformed me a little, awakened a sensitivity that I didn't know was there. 

Reviews:

From Library Journal:
Winner of a National Book Award in 1979 for Going After Cacciato ( LJ 12/15/77), O'Brien again shows his literary stuff with this brilliant collection of short stories, many of which have won literary recognition (several appeared in O. Henry Awards' collections and Best American Short Stories ). Each of the 22 tales relates the exploits and personalities of a fictional platoon of American soldiers in Vietnam. An acutely painful reading experience, this collection should be read as a book and not a mere selection of stories reprinted from magazines. Not since Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse - Five ( LJ 3/1/69) has the American soldier been portrayed with such poignance and sincerity. Literary Guild featured alternate. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 11/15/89.
- Mark Annichiarico, "Library Journal"

Citation: Annichiarico, M. M. (1990). The things they carried.  Library Journal, 115(3), 212. 

From Publishers Weekly:

Weapons and good-luck charms carried by U.S. soldiers in Vietnam here represent survival, lost innocence and the war's interminable legacy. "O'Brien's meditations--on war and memory, on darkness and light--suffuse the entire work with a kind of poetic form, making for a highly original, fully realized novel," said PW. 60,000 first printing. 

Citation: Kaganoff, P. P. (1991). Forecasts: Paperbacks. Publishers Weekly, 238(11), 71.

Library Activity:

The Things They Carried is required reading in many high school history and English classes.  O'Brien so eloquently states in the book that "stories are for joining the past and the future" (O'Brien, 1990, p. 36).  In collaboration with the teachers in your school, extend this experience to the library by inviting real soldiers for a day of discussion and insight.   Carve out a comfortable place in the library for the veterans to serve as guest speakers to share their stories with students.  In addition, bookmark the library homepage with the PBS interview with author Time O'Brien.

Tim O'Brien Interview on PBS

Module 14: Mirror Mirror

Mirror Mirror

by Marilyn Singer

Illustrated by Josee Masse

Singer, M.  (Ill. Josee Masse) (2010). Mirror mirror. New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books.

There are 

two sides 

to every story.

To every story,

two sides 

there are. 

Summary:

Mirror Mirror is a poetry book with two sides.  Each poem may be read forward and in reverse.  The collection's theme is fairy tales--the perfect subject for word play and multiple points of view.  There's lots of humor and insight, which is appreciated more and more with each reading.  The illustrations also match the poems; Masse created two sides to each illustrations as well, transitioning color and shapes perfectly to complement Singer's words.  Jack, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, the Ugly Duckling and many other familiar characters are showcased in this collection of 14 poems. 

Impressions:

What's so impressive about this book is its concept and clever execution.  I especially appreciated the two perspectives unveiled in many of the poems.  For example, in "The Sleeping Beauty and the Wide Awake Prince," the reader envisions poor Sleeping Beauty's suffering while she awaits her prince's arrival, and then the poem switches so the reader can equally sympathize with the Prince's plight of having to hack through briars to get to her.  And, in the title poem, "Mirror Mirror," the reader gets a glimpse of both Snow White and the evil queens' intentions.  Using the same words, Snow White comforts the dwarves after a long day's work, while in reverse, the queen plots how she will help Snow White and her friends get some "rest."  Only changing the punctuation and reversing the order, it's amazing how much the meaning alters.  Like a true puzzle, the reader will puzzle over how it was all done and long it took.  

Reviews:

From Booklist:

Grades 2-5. This ingenious book of reversos, or poems which have one meaning when read down the page and perhaps an altogether different meaning when read up the page, toys with and reinvents oh-so-familiar stories and characters, from Cinderella to the Ugly Duckling. The five opening lines of the Goldilocks reverso read: “Asleep in cub’s bed / Blonde / startled by / Bears, / the headline read.” Running down the page side-by-side with this poem is a second, which ends with: “Next day / the headline read: / Bears startled / by blonde / asleep in cub’s bed.” The 14 pairs of poems—easily distinguished by different fonts and background colors—allow changes only in punctuation, capitalization, and line breaks, as Singer explains in an author’s note about her invented poetic form. “It is a form that is both challenging and fun—rather like creating and solving a puzzle.” Singer also issues an invitation for readers to try to write their own reversos on any topic. Matching the cleverness of the text, Masse’s deep-hued paintings create split images that reflect the twisted meaning of the irreverently witty poems and brilliantly employ artistic elements of form and shape—Cinderella’s clock on one side morphs to the moon on the other. A must-purchase that will have readers marveling over a visual and verbal feast.

Citation: Austin, P. (2010). Mirror mirror: A book of reversible verse. Booklist, 106(9/10), 81. 

From Horn Book Magazine:
Through a poetic invention she dubs the reverso, Singer meditates on twelve familiar folktales, and, via the magic of shifting line breaks and punctuation, their shadows. Each free-verse poem has two stanzas, set on facing columns, where the second is the first reversed. Red Riding Hood, contemplating berries, thinks, "What a treat! But a girl / mustn't dawdle. / After all, Grandma's waiting" while across the page the wolf lurks: "After all, Grandma's waiting, / mustn't dawdle... / But a girl! / What a treat..." In the main, the poems are both cleverly constructed and insightful about their source stories, giving us the points of view of characters rarely considered. Similarly bifurcated illustrations, Shrek-bright, face the poems: Goldilocks ("ASLEEP IN CUB'S BED, / BLONDE / STARTLED BY / BEARS") awoken; the bears surprised ("BEARS STARTLED / BY BLONDE / ASLEEP IN CUB'S BED").

Citation: Sutton, R. (2010). Mirror mirror. Horn Book Magazine, 86(2), 79-80.

Library Activity:

Students will be amazed by Singer's genius in this book and will want to explore how "reverso" poetry is written.  For a library activity, organize a Skype visit with Marilyn Singer.  Prepare students for her virtual visit by also sharing some of her other works.  Singer has published many children's picture books, nonfiction books, and young adult books in addition to her poetry books.  She's a great choice for schools with grades K-8 since she has such a diverse body of work. 

http://marilynsinger.net

Module 13: Rapunzel's Revenge

Rapunzel's Revenge

by Shannon and Dean Hale

Illustrated by Nathan Hale

Hale, S., &  Hale, D. (Ill. Nathan Hale) (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsbury.

"Once upon a time, there was a beautiful little girl." p. 4

Summary:

This graphic novel is a twist on an old fairy tale.  Hale plucked Rapunzel from her castle and dropped her in a western to see what she would do.  All the familiar parts are there--the hair, the tree "tower," the origin of her name, her real mother--but Hale adds more depth and character to this beloved princess and turns her into one tough teenage girl we all can root for.  Her long hair becomes her weapon, and Jack (beanstalk Jack) becomes her sidekick once she learns what her "mother" has really been up to.  The tale is a journey of growth and discovery on Rapunzel's part and satisfaction on the reader's part.  True to the title, revenge is on Rapunzel's mind, but don't worry, it all works out in the end.    

Impressions:

This book was a hoot!  I loved the original take on the fairy tale and enjoyed the way Hale smartly wove Jack from "Jack and the Beanstalk" into Rapunzel's world.  The illustrations were well done.  The writing and artwork were balanced and worked on a story level, complementing each other.  Young adults and middle grade readers alike will be intrigued and satisfied with the plot twists and depth of story.  There's a lot going on in the story, but it never strays too far from its roots.    

Reviews:

From Booklist:

Grades 5-8. This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine. Young Rapunzel lives a lonely life, never knowing what lies beyond the high garden walls of her mother’s royal villa until one day she climbs the wall to see what’s on the other side. When she finds that the world outside is a dark place oppressed by her mother’s greed for power and uncovers the real secret of her own birth, she is imprisoned in a magic tree tower. In her years of captivity, she learns a lot about self-reliance and care for her exceptionally long hair, and eventually she is able to escape, vowing to bring down her mother’s cruel empire. Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive 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.

Citation: Coleman, T. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge.  Booklist, 105(1), 100. 

From Horn Book Magazine:

Shannon and Dean Hale's graphic novel treatment transforms Rapunzel into a spunky, hair-whip-toting cowgirl. After her eyes are opened to her stepmother Gothel's evil nature, Rapunzel is imprisoned high in a tree in a magic forest, where the ambient growing magic leaves her with twenty-foot braids for use as lassos or weapons. Escaping on her own initiative (a pompous would-be rescuer arrives too late), sixteen-year-old Rapunzel then joins with a stolen-goose-toting rapscallion named Jack to rescue her enslaved mother and end Gothel's reign of terror. Readers familiar with graphic novels will feel at home with the conventions of image cropping, text placement, and facial emotional cues. Newbies may not realize how particularly well-matched the Hales' gutsy tale is to its format, but this introduction -- with its high action quotient, immediate sensory thrills, and wisecracking heroes -- should win many converts. Illustrator Nathan Hale mixes the familiar and offbeat in his settings, transporting our heroine from Gothel's eerily deserted villa to the carved sandstone of dusty arroyos to a birch forest that's home to the Duggers, miniature miners who bring to mind the seven dwarfs. Rapunzel's maturation and growing sophistication are enjoyable to watch, as is the deepening friendship-flowering-into-romance between her and Jack (and yes, he's that Jack). With such a successful debut, one hopes to see more graphic novels from this trio.

Citation: Burkam, R. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. Horn Book Magazine, 84(6), 705-706.

Library Activity:

Graphic novels are very popular among school age readers and young adults.  Parents and educators, however, have a hard time buying into graphic novels and often question the quality of the writing.  For a library activity, invite students, and teachers and parents, to the library for a reading from Rapunzel's Revenge.  Because it's a visual work too, be sure to project pages while reading and to allow time for the silent pages to speak for themselves.  Play western instrumental music in the background to develop a sense of the time and place.  Follow up the reading with handouts of the Rapunzel paper doll.  Shannon Hale has several other books that are well received by readers and critics, including the Newbery honor book, The Princess Academy.  Be sure to mention these as a bit of author background and to add credibility to the graphic novel genre.  
Shannon Hale's Website
Rapunzel Paper Doll 

Module 12: Just Being Audrey

Just Being Audrey

by Magaret Cardillo

Cardillo, M. (2011). Just being Audrey. New York, NY: Blazer + Bray.

"She has that je ne sais quoi . . . that certain something." p. 10

Summary:

Just Being Audrey is a brief biography about Audrey Hepburn's life.  It highlights her passions, determination, and gentle spirit.  Born in Europe and eventually moving to America to become a movie star, Audrey's story is like a fairy tale.  Cardillo tells of Audrey's dreams of becoming a dancer and how kind and modest Audrey was.  She tells of how stardom didn't change Audrey's kind heart and how Audrey eventually won the Presidential Medal of Freedom for all for her goodwill efforts.  The beautiful pastel water color illustrations capture Audrey's beauty inside and out.  A timeline and bibliography are included in the back along with author and illustrator notes.   

Impressions:

Just Being Audrey is a sweet biography that young children, especially girls will like.  The illustrations are just as lovely as the star the book portrays.  I enjoyed her story and appreciated that an author took the time to write a story about such an unlikely iconic figure.  Most children will not be familiar with Audrey Hepburn, but I suspect they'll want to know more about her after reading Cardillo's book.  The timeline at the back, as well as the author and illustrator notes are interesting additions to the book.  

Reviews:

From Booklist:

Grades 1-3. It’s hard to believe life for Audrey Hepburn was ever anything but smart clothes, quirky expressions, and wistful gazes into the eyes of Cary Grant, but Cardillo makes a strong case to the contrary. Growing up in WWII–era Europe, Audrey wanted only to be a dancer, but the other girls made fun of her physical hurdles: “She was too tall, her feet were too big, and her neck was too long,” and “her eyes seemed too big for her head.” Young readers will get the message: these were precisely the traits that made Audrey an iconic beauty as an adult. In short order, she was spotted by entertainment heavyweights for her je ne sais quoi and quickly catapulted to fame. Denos’ soft pastel illustrations cut just the right Audrey outline (complete with flapping neck scarf), and fans will especially enjoy picking out the movie roles depicted in a two-page spread of costumes. Her later humanitarian deeds are given their due, but it is Audrey’s simple kindness that is emphasized throughout.

Citation: Kraus, D. (2010). Just being Audrey.  Booklist, 107(7), 43. 

From Publishers Weekly:

Audrey Hepburn proves as irresistible a character in the pages of a children's book as she is in those soigne roles of the silver screen. Denos (Grandma's Gloves) is spot-on in her watercolor portraits of Hepburn at each stage of her life; even those readers who haven't seen Sabrina, Roman Holiday, or Charade (at least not yet) will understand instantly how Hepburn's ballerina bearing, gamine chic, and openhearted worldliness made her a one-of-a-kind star and fashion icon. Debut author Cardillo's literal, matter-of fact storytelling could have used a little more elan (especially given that her subject once spoke the urbane words of Peter Stone, Billy Wilder, and George Axelrod), but she gets her point across: "Audrey had become more than an actress; she was an inspiration. While most Hollywood starlets were curvy and wore glamorous outfits, Audrey would only be herself." And the story is packed with fascinating details about Hepburn's upbringing in WWII Europe and foray into acting. Any grownup who bemoans the way Katy Perry et al. dominate contemporary popular culture should buy this for their favorite girl-ASAP. Ages 4-8. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Citation: Just being Audrey (2010). Publishers Weekly, 257(48), 47.

Library Activity:

Audrey Hepburn was a 1950's icon.  Use the '50s theme not only to introduce young readers to the era, but also to promote biographies in general.  Begin by reading aloud and discussing Just Being Audrey.  If possible, follow up the read aloud with a short video clip from one of Hepburn's films, such as "Roman Holiday."  This brief clip will give readers a feel for the era and a visual of Audrey, including her sense of fashion that was mentioned in the book.  In addition, display 50 biographies around the library to pique interest in the genre and to introduce readers to other historical figures and pop culture icons.      

Module 11: Frogs

Frogs 

by Nic Bishop

Bishop, N. (2008). Frogs. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

"A frog's life is all about eating." p. 17

Summary:

Frogs is nonfiction book about everything frogs.  Nic Bishop is both the writer and photographer for Frogs.  From the red-eyed tree frog to the African bullfrog, from tadpole to food chain, each page highlights an aspect of a frog's life, as well as a different species.  Bold color photographs fill the pages.  Varied text, interesting captions, and focused close-ups make this book appealing to readers of all ages.  

Impressions:

Nic Bishop's work is impressive.  Frogs' unique blend of photographs and factoids, written concisely, yet dense with information, make it perfect for light research or entertainment for those interested in the animal world.  Though no bibliography is included at the back of the book, readers may visit Bishop's Web site to obtain one.  In the author's note, Bishop shares his own fascination with the species and inspires the reader to observe the world around him or her just as closely.

Reviews:

From Booklist:

Grades 2-4. Bishop, who illustrated Cowley’s Red-Eyed Tree Frog (1999) and his own Nic Bishop Spiders (2007), presents a number of large, striking photos illustrating a clearly written discussion of the physical characteristics and habits of frogs. Dominating the book are Bishop’s remarkably fine color photographs of frogs from around the world. One dual-foldout spread carries a stop-action scene showing five stages of a frog’s motion as it leaps into the air and dives into water. Even the images that are magnified to many times life-size, such as the underwater shot of a tadpole in the clutches of a predatory water bug, are exceptionally clear. Another remarkable shot shows the underside of a tiny glass frog with its internal organs visible through its transparent skin. In an appended, illustrated note, Bishop relates some of his encounters with the frogs he photographed. Even libraries with dozens of frog books on the shelf should make room for this eye-catching volume.

Citation: Phelan, C. (2008). Nic Bishop frogs. Booklist, 104(9/10), 68. 

From Kirkus Reviews:

Gliding frogs, glass frogs, growling grass frogs--who knew there were so many frogs in the world? Stupendous photographs combine with a genuinely enthusiastic text to open readers' eyes to this lowly amphibian like nothing has before. Gorgeous full-bleed photos present ordinary garden toads and wood frogs with as much affection and admiration as their more exotic counterparts, golden eyes, glistening skin and all captured with incredible clarity. The text is a series of happy factlets that, when finished, provide a surprisingly thorough overview of frog physiology and behavior. In their detail, these tidbits go straight to kids' interests--one African bullfrog downed 17 young cobras! A gliding frog can soar for 50 feet! Tadpoles absorb their tails as food! The beautiful design picks up on the frogs' colors, a boldly indigo text box complementing a dart poison frog and a comfortable brown one, the spadefoot toad. A chatty author's note gives insight into both Bishop's enthusiasm and the painstaking techniques behind the spectacular images; a glossary and index complete the superlative whole. (Nonfiction. 4-8)

Citation: Nic Bishop frogs. (2007). Kirkus Reviews, 75(24), 1292.

Library Activity:

Nic Bishop has many nonfiction titles like Frogs.  Share Frogs with students by reading some fascinating frog facts from Bishop's book.  Then, for a library activity, have a Nic Bishop scavenger hunt.  Connect several titles of Bishop's books by placing index cards in each one of them, leading students to the next title in the scavenger hunt.  Have students form teams.  Start by giving each team a different Bishop book title to find.  Challenge students look up the title in the online catalog and retrieve it, peruse it, and return it, and then hunt for the next title.  When each team is done locating and perusing their string of books, challenge students to check out a nonfiction book for the week.      

Module 10: Goin' Someplace Special

Goin' Someplace Special 

by Patricia C. Mckissack

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Mckisack, P. (Ill. by Jerry Pinkney) (2001). Goin' someplace special. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks.

"A Place for Everyone"

Summary:

Goin’ Someplace Special is a true memory from the author’s life with a fictionalized setting.  The author provides a note at the end of the story, sharing her personal experience.  In the story, a young girl steps out by herself to visit “someplace special.”  She encounters many places where she is not allowed because of the color of her skin.  She holds her head high each time and says she is going someplace special.  She finally ends up at the public library where everyone is welcome. 

Impressions:

Having not read the blurb, I had no idea where 'Tricia Ann was headed in the story.  It was such a surprise that the young girl ended up at the library.  The mix of watercolor by Pinkney and thoughtful text by McKissack was perfectly balanced.  I appreciated the first hand account and how such a simple experience can make a huge difference in someone's life.  My favorite scene in the book is when 'Tricia Ann interacted with a six year old boy at the Grand Music Palace.  I loved that the young boy didn't care about her skin color and would have rather joined 'Tricia Ann on her adventure than to stay for the performance.

Reviews:

From Booklist (starred):

Ages 5-8. Tricia Ann excitedly gets her grandmother's permission to go out by herself to "Someplace Special"--a place far enough away to take the bus and to have to walk a bit. But this isn't just any trip. Tricia's trip takes place in the segregated South of the 1950s. That means Tricia faces sitting at the back of the bus, not being allowed to sit on a whites-only park bench, and being escorted out of a hotel lobby. She almost gives up, but a local woman who some say is "addled,"but whom Tricia Ann knows to be gentle and wise, shows her how to listen to the voice inside herself that allows her to go on. She arrives at her special destination--the public library, whose sign reads "All Are Welcome."Pinkney's watercolor paintings are lush and sprawling as they evoke southern city streets and sidewalks as well as Tricia Ann's inner glow. In an author's note, McKissack lays out the autobiographical roots of the story and what she faced as a child growing up in Nashville. This book carries a strong message of pride and self-confidence as well as a pointed history lesson. It is also a beautiful tribute to the libraries that were ahead of their time.

Citation: Wilms, D. (2001). Starred reviews: Books for youth.  Booklist, 97(22), 2117. 


From Horn Book Magazine:
Young 'Tricia Ann is off to Someplace Special-and about to "burst with excitement" because her grandmother is letting her go there alone for the very first time. The journey is not an easy one: she must face the indignities of life in the Jim Crow South. She has to sit behind the sign on the bus that says "COLORED SECTION." She is not allowed to sit in the park by the Peace Fountain her stonemason grandfather helped build. She visits her friend the doorman at the elegant Southland Hotel and is asked to leave. "What makes you think you can come inside? No colored people are allowed!" the manager says. Despite these humiliations, 'Tricia Ann is strengthened at every turn by people who care about her and who bolster her with reminders to "Carry yo'self proud" and "Don't let those signs steal yo' happiness." Soon she reaches her beloved Someplace Special-the public library. The words carved in stone proclaim: "Public Library: All Are Welcome." Jerry Pinkney's illustrations place 'Tricia Ann at the center of each page, willing to face the challenges the outside world throws at her. Whether 'Tricia Ann is in her grandmother's kitchen (surrounded by bountiful fresh fruits and vegetables and the love they symbolize) or fearfully looking over her shoulder on the bus, Pinkney makes it clear that she will triumph. Though this story takes place in an unnamed Southern city, the helpful author's note states that McKissack was raised in Nashville, where, unlike many other Southern cities of the 1950s, the public libraries welcomed African Americans. The library pictured on the final pages, bathed in hopeful lemon sunshine, is the downtown library of 1950s Nashville. There are many books about a child's first trip alone, and many books about racism and the struggle for civil rights, but this book is about more than either: it is the story of a child facing a difficult time sustained by the support of the adults in her life. McKissack and Pinkney strike just the right balance in a picture book for young readers and listeners: informative without being preachy; hopeful without being sentimental.

Citation: Smith, R. (2001). Goin' someplace special. Horn Book Magazine, 77(6), 736-737.

Library Activity:

As a library activity, this book should be read aloud to students of all ages at the beginning of the school year.  When students discover that the library is the young girl's destination, discuss the freedoms information affords us all.  The library should be a place for people to feel safe and respected.  Talk about the freedom to read, the freedom to select books that interest them, and how respecting each other's freedom is just as important, if not more in order for our society to be successful.

Module 9: 43 Old Cemetery Road

43 Old Cemetery Road:

Hollywood, Dead Ahead

by Kate Klise

Klise, K. (2013). 43 Old Cemetery Road: Hollywood dead ahead. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Is stardom in the cards?

Summary:

The 43 Old Cemetery Road gang is back again and clever as ever.  This time their collective talents have landed them an offer for a movie deal for their books.  But, the path to fame is never easy as the family of three soon realizes.  Iggy and Seymour get caught up in their own transformations from ordinary to slick Hollywood extraordinary, while Olive is left out in the cold.  Will she be able to save her family in time from being swindled?  Will their story ever make it to the big screen?  Will a clause in their contract become deadly?

Impressions:

I am continually impressed with this series.  Each installation is zanier and more detailed than the last as Klise's audience grows up.  I felt like this edition was more complex and the wordplay more intriguing.  I love the family bond between Olive, Iggy and Seymour, and I see the potential for several more installations as the family itself continues to grow.  Lots of humor and heart, and cleverness dispersed throughout.  Postcards, newspaper clippings, and pictures round out the "Hollywood" experience.  

Reviews:

From Kirkus Reviews:

This fifth hilarious excursion to Seymour Hope's address in Ghastly, Ill., takes the little, idiosyncratic family to Hollywood when an unscrupulous movie mogul decides to film their stories. Young Seymour and ghost Olive can't wait to become movie stars, while crotchety Ignatius remains cautious. Pushed into it by majority rule, Ignatius signs the lengthy contract, only to learn later that he has signed away all rights to the trio's books, past and future, for no compensation whatsoever. When they arrive in Hollywood, everything goes wrong. Ignatius becomes consumed with his image makeover, especially his new teeth. Seymour auditions to play himself in the movie and wins the part, but Olive fumes because the movie company ignores her (she is invisible, after all). They find an ally in Ivana Oscar, the 92-year-old former star tapped to play Olive when Ivana learns that her contract demands her death in order to boost profits for the film. As always, the comedy depends on deliberately awful puns, especially in the characters' names, such as Moe Block Busters, Hugh Briss and Phillip D. Rubbish. M. Sarah Klise's exuberant drawings contribute half of the book's content. Kate Klise delivers the text in the form of letters, memos and newspaper articles, with humor stuffed into every corner. Another winner for this inventive series. (Humor. 8-12)

Citation: Hollywood, dead ahead. (2013). Kirkus Reviews, 81(3), 225. 


From Horn Book Magazine:

In their fifth book, young Seymour and his collaborators/caretakers Grumply (alive) and Olive (a ghost) land a movie deal for their bestselling on-going serial ghost story, 43 Old Cemetery Road. But Tinseltown isn't all glitter--producer Moe Block Busters changes the script, and fame changes the writers. This mild mock-gothic tale is told through playful narrative devices: letters, newspaper extracts, and black-and-white illustrations.

Citation: Hedeen, K. (2013, October 7). From the guide: Slightly spooky middle-grade tales.  The Horn Book. Retrieved October 26, 2013, from http://www.hbook.com/2013/10/choosing-books/from-the-guide-slightly-spooky-middle-grade-tales/#_ 

Library Activity:

One of the qualities that makes Klise's 43 Old Cemetery Road series unique is the writing.  She intermixes newspaper articles, letters, postcards, and illustrations to tell her tales.  Begin by sharing one of her books, such as her most recent work, Hollywood, Dead Ahead. Either read pieces of it aloud and provide some background on the series.  Invite kids to participate by assigning characters to students.  You might even want to use a document camera to project the book pages since much of the interpretation relies on visuals.  As a follow-up activity, discuss the importance of written communication by sharing blogs written by popular children's authors.  Many authors, including the Klise sisters, offer writing advice, book recommendations, and personal insights on their blogs.  Link the authors's blogs to library Web site.  In addition, share user-friendly blogging sites with students so that they too may start a blog. 

The Klise sisters's blog: http://www.kateandsarahklise.com/our-blog.html

Module 8: Gossamer

Gossamer

by Lois Lowry 

Lowry, L. (2006). Gossamer.  Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

Where do dreams come from?

Summary:

Several story lines are intertwined in Gossamer.  An elderly woman takes in a young boy who is abused.  A young woman works hard to turn her life around and regain custody of her only son.  A new dream-giver learns how to bestow dreams on the inhabitants of the house to which she is assigned.  Evil nightmare givers, sinisteeds, work against the dream-givers.  Each story line crosses paths delicately to weave a tender tale of a new dream-giver and her mission to heal the wounds and heartache of the young boy and old woman through their dreams using fragments of memories.  

Impressions:

Lois Lowry is one of my favorite authors.  All of her books are touching with themes that transcend place and time.  Gossamer is no exception.  Though a fantasy novel about dream creatures, deeper questions about the impact of memories, the affects of abuse and how one heals are beautifully woven into the story, which feels like a dream itself.  As a reader, I appreciate how Lowry makes no judgements here.  The boy's mother is portrayed with depth and sensitivity.  Even the sinisteeds, the evil dream-givers, are complex with a backstory.  It's a sensitive, mature read that packs a punch at times.    

Reviews:

From Kirkus Reviews starred:

Thin Elderly and Littlest One are dream-givers. They bestow dreams, using fragments collected from buttons, toys, photographs, shells and other personal objects that collect and hold memories over the years. The collected fragments become stories of the person to whom they belong, and as dreams they transmit restorative feelings of love, pride, happiness, companionship, laughter and courage. However, Sinisteeds are at work here, too, inflicting nightmares and undoing the careful work of the dream-givers. Readers familiar with The Giver will most appreciate Lowry's riff on the value of memories and dreams and the importance of the sad parts of our lives, too. For such a slim work, the characterizations of Thin Elderly and Littlest are strong-she the sprightly little girl learning her trade, he the bemused and patient elder. The prose is light as gossamer; the story as haunting as a dream. (Fiction. 10+)

Citation: Gossamer. (2006). Kirkus, 74(5), 235. 

From Horn Book Magazine:

Curious, unconventional Littlest One is a dream giver, an ethereal spirit who "bestows" dreams on humans by touching (very lightly; it's dangerous to "delve") items that contain pleasant memories, gathering these "fragments," and wafting them gently into sleepers' ears. Littlest One is apprenticed to Thin Elderly, whose dream-giving territory is a house belonging to a lonely but loving old woman who is fostering an angry, emotionally scarred eight-year-old boy. When a horde of Sinisteens, dream givers who've gone over to the dark side, bring the boy terrifying nightmares (graphically described) of his father's abuse, Littlest One fights back with healing fragments of the boy's triumphant at-bat in a baseball game, his attachment to the old woman's dog, the comfort of his favorite stuffed animal. Like Lowry's recent dystopic novels, this book is rife with symbolic names and weighty-sounding terms; and, like them, this book's meaning is all right there on the surface, barely related to character or plot. In fact, the humans are such stock characters that they might as well be named Troubled Boy, Wise Older Woman, and Single Mom Trying to Get Her Act Together. Lowry's touch here is hardly gossamer, but this allegorical novel doesn't require it: Lowry's distilled prose bypasses the particular and goes right to the universal.

Citation: Parravano, M. V. (2006). Gossamer. Horn Book Magazine, 82(4), 446. 

Library Activity:

One theme in this book is family diversity.  A discussion following this book could be focused on family dynamics.  The young boy in Gossamer is living with a foster mother until his mother can care for him again.  Many children have a hard time identifying with abuse or what may have led to the fracturing of a family.  Reading Gossamer and other books about nontraditional families or orphans can provide them with some experience and enable them to empathize with children in their school who may be going through a similar situation.   

Module 7, Book 2: Olive's Ocean

Olive's Ocean

by Kevin Henkes 

Henkes, K. (2003). Olive's ocean. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books

What if?

Summary:

Though she barely knew her, Martha learns that a girl named Olive in her school, who recently died, looked up to her.  Olive's mother gives Martha a page from Olive's diary.  A few things come together as a result.  Martha and her family visit her grandma during a summer trip.  As Martha gets to know Olive through the diary page, she makes a deeper realization about herself and the importance of family.  Martha makes it her mission to learn more about her grandmother as they share pieces of themselves with each other.  Martha discovers that she is truly passionate about is writing.  Martha also discovers that life is vulnerable and to treasure all that she can.  In doing so, Martha brings back a bit the ocean to Olive's mother. 

Impressions:

I was surprised at how heartfelt this book was.  Most of my exposure to Kevin Henkes has been through his picture books.  Olive's Ocean is a Newbery Honor book, which is thoroughly deserved.  It's well written and tackles big themes thoughtfully: mortality, family, and growing up.  It's honest and tender.  The reader will appreciate Martha's insight and identify with her experiences in the romance department, with the pain she feels after being betrayed, and with the relationship dynamics in her family. 

Reviews:

From School Library Journal:

Gr 5-8-As Martha and her family prepare for their annual summer visit to New England, the mother of her deceased classmate comes to their door. Olive Barstow was killed by a car a month earlier, and the woman wants to give Martha a page from her daughter's journal. In this single entry, the 12-year-old learns more about her shy classmate than she ever knew: Olive also wanted to be a writer; she wanted to see the ocean, just as Martha soon will; and she hoped to get to know Martha Boyle as "she is the nicest person in my whole entire class." Martha cannot recall anything specific she ever did to make Olive think this, but she's both touched and awed by their commonalities. She also recognizes that if Olive can die, so can she, so can anybody, a realization later intensified when Martha herself nearly drowns. At the Cape, Martha is again reminded that things in her life are changing. She experiences her first kiss, her first betrayal, and the glimmer of a first real boyfriend, and her relationship with Godbee, her elderly grandmother, allows her to examine her intense feelings, aspirations, concerns, and growing awareness of self and others. Rich characterizations move this compelling novel to its satisfying and emotionally authentic conclusion. Language is carefully formed, sometimes staccato, sometimes eloquent, and always evocative to create an almost breathtaking pace. Though Martha remains the focus, others around her become equally realized, including Olive, to whom Martha ultimately brings the ocean.-Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Citation: Jones, T. E., & Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., Larkins, J., & Salvadore, M. B. (2003). Olive's ocean. School Library Journal, 49(8), 160. 

From Booklist (starred):

Gr. 5-8. More than anything Martha wants to be a writer. The problem is that her father does, too. Is there room for two writers in a single family? This is only one of the many questions that beg to be answered during Martha's twelfth summer. Here are others: Is Godbee, the paternal grandmother whom the family is visiting at Cape Cod, dying? Why is Martha's father so angry? Could Jimmy, the eldest of the five neighboring Manning brothers, be falling in love with her (and vice-versa)? And what does all this have to do with Olive, Martha's mysterious classmate, who died after being hit by a car weeks earlier? Olive, who also wanted to be a writer and visit the ocean, and hoped to be Martha's friend. Like Henkes' Sun and Spoon (1997), this is another lovely, character-driven novel that explores, with rare subtlety and sensitivity, the changes and perplexities that haunt every child's growing-up process. He brings to his story the same bedrock understanding of the emotional realities of childhood that he regularly displays in his paradigmatically perfect picture books. This isn't big and splashy, but it's quiet art and intelligence will stick with readers, bringing them comfort and reassurance as changes inevitably visit their own growing-up years.

Citation: Cart, M. (2003). Olive's ocean (book). Booklist, 100(1), 122. 

Library Activity:

Kevin Henke's body of work is diverse. He is well known among children everywhere.  As a library activity, share Olive's Ocean by revisiting some of his picture books.  Middle grade readers will enjoy the nostalgia and appreciate the growth they've made, which is paralleled Henke's books.  Then, explore Olive's Ocean, which believably touches upon the sensitive topic of death and explores how it affects one's life.  The main character, Martha, struggles with how she feels about the death of a classmate and transfers this feeling to the realization that she will someday lose her grandmother and parents.  This is a tough topic for young readers, especially intermediate and young adult readers who may have experienced loss already.  Excerpts of this book may be read aloud or shared and discussed during a book club or book discussion group.

Module 7, Book 1: Frindle

Frindle

by Andrew Clements 

Illustrated by Brian Selznick

Clements, A. & Selznick, B. (illustrator). (1996). Frindle.  New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks

Is it more than just a fad?

Summary:

Nick, a well-read fifth grader, is known for his excellent delay tactics, posing just the right question at the just the right time to throw a teacher's entire schedule off.  Nick forms a plan to challenge the formidable Mrs. Granger, his English teacher.  He decides to rename an object to prove a point.  What follows is a humors tale of how one word can change everything.  Has Nick finally met his match?  Will he win the battle of words?  Or, will Mrs. Granger prevail?

Impressions:

My first thought after reading this book is how deep it was.  It reaches the reader on many levels.  The surface being the challenge of a precocious young boy and the evolution of his experiment.  But, underneath there is a moral about the value of language and a good teacher.  It's also a message from the writer to the reader about the power of words.  In addition, the characters are well-rounded and likable, and the story moves at a fast pace.  I loved that the teacher was portrayed as stern, but in a positive light.  Making her be the "villain" was unexpected and clever.    

Reviews:

From School Library Journal:

Gr 4-6--Nicholas Allen, a sharp, creative, independent thinker starts fifth grade looking for a way to sabotage his Language Arts class. The teacher, Mrs. Granger, is a legend, and he believes her when she states that it is the people who decide what words go into the dictionary. Picking up a dropped pen triggers a brilliant idea. He coins a new word for pen-frindle. It's all for fun, but frindle catches on and Nick finds himself on the "Late Show" and "Good Morning America" explaining his new word. Readers will chuckle from beginning to end as they recognize themselves and their classrooms in the cast of characters. A remarkable teacher's belief in the power of words shines through the entire story, as does a young man's tenacity in proving his point. Outstanding and witty.--Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA

Citation: Jones, T. E., & Toth, L. (1996). Grade 3-6: Fiction. School Library Journal, 42(9), 201. 


From Horn Book Magazine:

The author has created a fresh, imaginative plot that will have readers smiling all the way through, if not laughing out loud. Nick, a champion time-waster, faces the challenge of his life when confronted with the toughest teacher in school, Mrs. Granger. Always counted on to filibuster the impending test or homework assignment away, Nick has met his match in "Dangerous Grangerous," who can spot a legitimate question in a second and has no patience with the rest. In answer to "Like, who says that d-o-g means the thing that goes 'woof' and wags its tail? Who says so?" she replies, "You do, Nicholas. You and me and everyone in this class and this school and this town and this state and this country." And thus is born frindle, Nick's new name for pen, promising and delivering a classic student-teacher battle along the lines of — but far funnier than — Avi's Nothing But the Truth (Orchard). The battle assumes the proportions of a tall tale, and although outrageous and hilarious, it's all plausible, and every bit works from the premise to the conclusion. The brisk narration is rapid-fire, and Nick is one of the most charming troublemakers since Soup. The merchandising future of this one is too terrible to contemplate; the cutting-edge gift this Christmas has got to be a frindle.

Citation: E.S.W. (1996). Frindle. Horn Book Magazine, 72(6), 732-733. 

Library Activity:

The theme of this book is the power of language.  Use this book to kick of a library "Dictionary Day" celebrating Noah Webster's birthday, October 16th.  Set up word games in the library and encourage teachers to do the same in their classrooms.  Highlight and display books in the 400's.  Display the covers of different kinds of informational word books.   Invite students to bring devices and have them visit the online versions of print dictionaries.  Use this opportunity to encourage students to check out something new from the language section of the library.

Module 6: Duck for President

Duck for President

by Doreen Cronin 

Illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Cronin, L. & Lewin, B. (illustrator). (2004). Duck for president.  New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Does Duck have what it takes?

Summary:

Duck tires of working on the farm and decides to overthrow the farmer through the democratic process.  After being elected to run the farm himself, Duck quickly tires of that and moves on to bigger and better things.  Duck decides to run for and becomes governor.  After becoming disenchanted with that, he moves on to the presidential campaign.  Will Duck become president?  Or, will he head back to the farm?

Impressions:

I liked this book because of its humor and simple prose.  The watercolor illustrations complement the tale appropriately.  It makes for a terrific read aloud during election time.  Parents will enjoy the commentary about candidates and our political system; children will enjoy Duck.  He's charming and represents the average "Joe."  The farm setting is engaging for young readers, who will glean some insight about the election process.  

Reviews:

From School Library Journal:

PreS-Gr 2-This award-winning team returns with a third story of farm animals with ambition. Duck is tired of doing his chores (mowing the lawn and grinding the coffee beans), and decides to hold an election to replace Farmer Brown. When he wins, Duck quickly realizes that running a farm requires too much hard work, and sets out to run for governor. With the help of the hens, and speeches "that only other ducks can understand," he eventually ends up running the country. Executive office gives him a headache, however, so Duck returns to the farm to work on his autobiography-on a computer, with the typewriter from Click, Clack, Moo (S & S, 2000) in the wastepaper bin next to him. Lewin's characteristic humorous watercolors with bold black outlines fill the pages with color and jokes. Cronin's text is hilarious for kids and adults and includes a little math and quite a bit about the electoral process. The animals, who have no verbal language that humans can understand, are empowered by the use of the written word, and the subliminal message comes through loud and clear-one can almost hear youngsters thinking, "Watch out grown-ups! Just wait till I learn to read."-Jane Barrer, Washington Square Village Creative Steps, New York City Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Citation: Barrer, J., Jones, T.E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Larkins, J. (2004). Duck for president (Book). School Library Journal, 50(3), 155-156. 

From Kirkus Reviews:

Kirkus Reviews starred (January 1, 2004)

Just in time for an election year, the feathered troublemaker of Click, Clack, Moo (2000) and Giggle, Giggle, Quack (2002) enters the political arena, with sidesplitting results. Weary of chores, Duck organizes a farmyard election and ousts Farmer Brown-only to discover that running a farm is harder than it looks. So Duck moves on, campaigning first for Governor, than President, and winning each time by, well, a nose. Lewin follows Cronin's lead in losing no opportunity to lampoon recognizable political figures. Seeing Duck flash a two-fisted "V For Victory" sign, edge out a decidedly Hillary-esque gubernatorial incumbent, play saxophone on late-night TV, and lean wearily on the presidential desk may amuse grownups more than children-but the comedy flows freely on more levels than one, and there's sufficient hilarity for all. Seeing the error of his ways, Duck finally returns to the farm, and is last seen working not on chores, but, graduating from typewriter to computer, his memoirs. All things considered, he has plenty to write about. (Picture book. 6-8)

Citation: Duck for president (Book). (2004). Kirkus Reviews, 72(1), 35. 

Library Activity:

Although targeted for a presidential election year, Duck for President is a great lead-in for a discussion on reliable sources during an election month when candidate news abounds.  After reading it aloud, discuss what makes a Web site reputable.  Visit various sites such as whitehouse.gov, wikipedia, and news media sites.  Discuss what qualities to look for in sources used for reports and how to recognize biases.     

Elementary School Book Trailers

Credits:
Rosado, R. & Aguirre, J. (illustrator). (2012). Giants beware. New York, NY: First Second.
Paper slides by Alleasha Austin
Music and video background, courtesy of Animoto.




Credits:
L'Engle, M. (2007, c1962). A wrinkle in time. New York, NY: Square Fish, Straus and Giroux.
Music and video background, courtesy of Animoto.
Short video from Animoto library.

Space photo:

Ney, Paul. starfield1.jpg. May 20, 2010. Pics4Learning. 6 Oct 2013 http://pics.tech4learning.com

Credits:
Applegate, K. (2012). The one and only Ivan. New York, NY: Harper.
Music and video background, courtesy of Animoto.
Elephant image from Animoto library.

Gorilla photo:

Hagemann, Judy. img_0129.jpg. November 2006. Pics4Learning. 6 Oct 2013 http://pics.tech4learning.com