Module Fifteen...The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. 

Collins, S.  (2008).  The Hunger Games.  New York, NY:  Scholastic.

Synopsis:  In a post-apocalyptic North America, The Capital is the center of a country that is supported by thirteen districts.  District thirteen rebells and is crushed in the rebellion.  As penance, The Capital institutes The Hunger Games.  One boy and one girl from each district is lead to an arena and made to fight to the death against the other children.  At the 74th annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdean and Peeta Mellark are chosen from district twelve.  Katniss's father had died in the mines, which is the main industry for that district (each district had their own industry).  Despite her closed-off exterior, she is an instant favorite of those watching the games but is this enough to save her?

Impressions:  When I first read the book I was moved beyond words.  In some ways I was mad at the deaths of the children, especially sweet little Rue.  But at the same time I found myself thinking about the book well after I read it.  The characters were so well written and the story was wonderful.  I can not wait to read the rest.  I can understand why some find the story disturbing and I do not believe it is a story for the very young, but I think over all it is a great book.

Reviews:

THE HUNGER GAMES. (2008). Kirkus Reviews, 76(17), 941.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed May 1, 2013).

Katniss Everdeen is a survivor. She has to be; she's representing her District, number 12, in the 74th Hunger Games in the Capitol, the heart of Panem, a new land that rose from the ruins of a post-apocalyptic North America. To punish citizens for an early rebellion, the rulers require each district to provide one girl and one boy, 24 in all, to fight like gladiators in a futuristic arena. The event is broadcast like reality TV, and the winner returns with wealth for his or her district. With clear inspiration from Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" and the Greek tale of Theseus, Collins has created a brilliantly imagined dystopia, where the Capitol is rich and the rest of the country is kept in abject poverty, where the poor battle to the death for the amusement of the rich. Impressive world-building, breathtaking action and clear philosophical concerns make this volume, the beginning of a planned trilogy, as good as The Giver and more exciting. However, poor copyediting in the first printing will distract careful readers--a crying shame. (Science fiction. 11 & up).

Goldsmith, F. (2008). The Hunger Games. Booklist, 105(1), 97.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed May 1, 2013).

This is a grand-opening salvo in a new series by the author of the Underland Chronicles.  Sixteen-year-old Katniss poaches food for her widowed mother and little sister from the forest outside the legal perimeter of District 12, the poorest of the dozen districts constituting Panem, the North American dystopic state that has replaced the U.S. in the not-too-distant future.  Her hunting and tracking skills serve her well when she is then cast into the nation's annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death where contestants must battle harsh terrain, artificially conceited weather conditions, and two teenaged contestants from each of Panem's districts.  District 12's second "tribute" is Peeta, the baker's son, who has been in love with Katniss since he was five.  Each new plot twist ratchets up the tension, moving the story forward and keeping the reader on edge.  Although Katniss may be skilled with a bow and arrow and adept at analyzing her opponents' next moves, she has much to learn about personal sentiments, especially her own.  Populated by three-dimensional characters, this is superb tale of physical adventure, political suspense, and romance.

Library Use:

One of the best ways to use it would be as part of a discussion on banned books or books that are on lists that have controversial titles.  

Module Fourteen...The Monsterologist.

The Monsterologist: A Memoir in Rhyme ghostwritten by Bobbi Katz
Illustrated by Adam McCauley

Katz, B.  (2009).  The Monsterologist:  A Memoir in Rhyme.  New York, NY:  Sterling Publishers.

Synopsis:

This book is a clever list of poems about the travels of a man who is a self-proclaimed “monsterologist”.  The “monsterologist” tells the stories of historical monsters:  Count Dracula, trolls, ogres, werewolves, grendels, golems, Medusa, Cyclops, ghosts, witches, King Kong, Godzilla, Bluebeard the pirate, Frankenstein’s monster, Loch Ness monster, The Kraken, zombies, and The Yeti.  He also reports on some “newly discovered” monsters like “The Compu-Monster” (a monster that destroys hard drives), The Verbivore (a monster that destroys book and book spines), and the dredded “Suds-Surfing Sock-Eater”.  The book uses very descriptive language to describe the monsters (which is great for middle-school boys who still like gross things).

Reaction:  I enjoyed this book and thought it was well done.  It’s not Shakespeare but it is cute non-the-less.  I would not have enjoyed it as a young girl just because the writer uses a lot of “gross-out” language but I am pretty sure young boys will enjoy it.  The drawings were inventive and I thought they were perfect for this story.

Reviews:

Chipman, I. (2009). The Monsterologist: A Memoir In Rhyme. Booklist, 106(2), 61.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed April 28, 2013).

Definitely not to be mistaken as an entry in the increasingly ubiguitous Ology line, this book offers a collection of hideous beastie-based verses.  From an invitation to visit Count Dracule to an international zombie census, the quality of the poems is wildly inconsistent, sometimes as even from line to line, as when a clever gross-out (“Greasy green lizards / and raw chicken gizzards,”) gets a poem rolling, only to have it fall flat on its face with “spell binding spells / cast by spell-casting wizards.”  More often then not, thought, bursts of devilish humor and winking creepiness keep things moving, and McCauley’s well-designed pages-outfitted in a sort of loose, splashy collage, with a few sturdy fold-outs-have browsing appeal.  Cleverly, alongside old favorites-from medusas and witches to krakens and the Lock Ness Monster-Katz dreams up her own baddies, like the compu-monter, that gobbles up hard drives, and the voracious Verbivore (take heed, librarians!).

Kinnaird, K.  (2010).  The Monsterologist: A Memoir in Rhyme.  Librarians’ Choice Blog.   http://librarianschoices.blogspot.com/2010/03/monsterologist-memoir-in-rhyme.html

In this ghoulish collection of poetry, a renowned “Monsterologist” shares his wisdom with young readers. The scientist’s dangerous world travels and strange experiences with the paranormal are all documented in this clever “memoir” that encourages intrepid children to follow in his footsteps and practice “Monsterology.” Monsters as diverse as Count Dracula, Medusa, The Kraken, Yeti, and Godzilla are all included in this scary collection.

Katz’s bizarrely fun poetry covers a wide range by including both popular and some lesser known monster myths. Older readers will enjoy the rhyme and content of these accessible and entertaining poems. McCauley’s mixed media illustrations are appropriately gruesome and greatly add to the charm of the book. The embossed cover, letters written in script and fold-out pages lend a scrapbook feel to the memoir. This volume will be popular with young people looking for fantasy poetry.

Library Use:

This could be used as part of the display for Halloween, supernatural creatures or as a travel journal, because the “monsterologist” does a lot of traveling. 

Module Thirteen...Point Blank: The Graphic Novel

Point Blank:  The Graphic Novel.  by Anthony Horowitz.  Illustrated by Antony Johnson, Yuzuru and Kanako.

Horowitz, A & Johnston, A.  (2007).  Point Blank:  The graphic novel.  London:  Philomel

Synopsis:

Alex Ryder is a teenager and a spy, working for MI6 in London.  This is a graphic novel adaptation of the second novel in the Ryder series.  Alex is sent to investigate the deaths of two billionaires, one living in New York and the other near the Black Sea.  Both men had sons attending a school in the French Alps called Point Blanc.  A mysterious South African scientist, named Dr. Hugo Grief, runs the school.  Alex goes under cover at the school to find out what is happening to the parents of the students. 

My reaction:

I found the graphic novel entertaining and with, even though it has a bit of violence, it isn’t anything I wouldn’t let my kids or students read.

Review:

Point Blank: The Graphic Novel.

By Anthony Horowitz and Antony Johnston. Illus. by Kanako Damerum and Yuzuru Takasaki.  
June 2008. 144p. Philomel, paper, $14.99 (9780399250262). 741.5. Gr. 6–9.
Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed April 21, 2013).
 

As in Stormbreaker: The Graphic Novel (2006), rapid-fire action, appealing manga-style art- work, and a heavy reliance on the James Bond formula drive this second graphic adaptation of Horowitz’s best-selling Alex Rider books. The plot maintains the basic premise of the eponymous novel, published in 2002: Rider, a 14-year-old British spy, is sent to a mysterious Swiss boarding school to investigate the nefarious plot of its headmaster. With clear lines and carefully toned coloring, the art makes the most of the creepy castle setting, twisting pas- sages, gadgets, and death-defying snowboard escapes, while the mix of perspectives and pan- el sizes helps to reveal clues in quick succession. Suspense builds right up until the terrifying conclusion, which, because it involves body doubles, has high impact in this visual format, which showcases the mirror effects. A sure hit with both fans and newcomers, particularly reluctant readers. —Gillian Engberg
 

Library Use:

This would be great in a display on spy novels, graphic novels, and their companion books.

Module Twelve...We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin

We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin by Larry Danne Brimner.

Brimmer, L. D. (2007).  We Are One:  The Story of Bayard Rustin.  Honesdale, PA:  Calkins Creek, Pub.

Summary:  This book is a short biography about the life of Bayard Rustin, an organizer of the August 1963 March on Washington where Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I have a dream speech.”  The story tells of Rustin’s family background, his youth in West Chester, Pennsylvania and his college years.  The book also weaves the struggle for civil rights of African Americans, throughout the story of Rustin’s life.  He was a pacifist.  He protested America’s involvement in World War II and the arrest of those that for not fighting.  He was a member of the Young Communist League (YCL) before the war but he was also a Quaker.  He fought for every person that was denied his or her rights as Americans.  The interesting footnote to the book, written by the author, was the fact that Rustin was  homosexual and he was very vocal about this.  The author states that his sexual orientation and his past as a member of the YCL meant those at the forefront of the movement often relegated him to being a background player during crucial moments in Civil Rights history.  There were many leaders who did not want to be publically associated with a homosexual man.

My Reaction:

I thought Rustin’s story was very interesting and very well written.  I believe it is an excellent biography for students.  The author does an excellent job of not only describing Rustin’s life but the plight of African Americans during this time in history.  The book did not shy away from showing pictures of those murdered by lynch mobs and other hellish images of the treatment of African Americans.  I am not sure if they were pictures that should be in a children’s book, but I do not work in a children’s library so I do not know what else is on the shelf.  I was also a little surprised that the author would not write about Rustin’s sexual orientation in the body of the book but would bring it up at the end of the book.  If it was important to mention here, why not mention is during the body of the book?

Reviews:

Kochel, M. (2007). We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin. School Library Journal, 53(11), 142-143.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed April 14, 2013).

 

Gr 6-10 --This is a captivating biography of the man who has been called the "intellectual engineer" of the Civil Rights Movement. The book begins and ends with the March on Washington, August 28, 1963, which Rustin organized. His mentor was A. Philip Randolph and he was a lifelong adviser to Martin Luther King, Jr. Rustin was a complex, multitalented man-he was a musician, an intellectual, an organizer, and a war objector who chose to go to prison rather than serve in World War II. He was a controversial figure partly because he was at one time a Communist and he was homosexual (the latter mentioned only in an author's note). Brimner keeps the focus on Rustin's work for social justice, including his being beaten and taken to the police station in 1942 for sitting at the front of a bus; his early restaurant sit-ins; and his Journey of Reconciliation, which was a precursor to the Freedom Rides. The author's writing is lively and clear, and he adeptly places Rustin in the larger context of the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights Movement. The attractive design, with large, clear, black-and-white photographs and plenty of white space, enhances the readability of the text. Red and blue bars emphasize important quotations, lyrics to spirituals, and some photo captions. A gem for students studying the Civil Rights Movement and an excellent addition to any American history collection.

We Are One: The Story of Bayard Rustin. (2008). School Library Journal, 5456.

BRIMNER, Larry Dane.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed April 14, 2013).

 

Gr 6-10 An advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr. and organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, Rustin played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement. This large-format biography honors his singular contributions with numerous black-and-white photographs and a compelling, readable text. BOOK

Library Use:

This book can be used for any number of displays:  American History, Civil Rights History, African American History, and even LGBT history. 

Module Eleven...Basketball Belles

Basketball Belles:  Basketball belles: How two teams and one scrappy player put women's hoops on the map by Sue Macy.  Illustrated by Matt Collins.

Macy, S.  (2011).  Basketball belles:  How two teams and one scrappy player put women's hoops on the map.  New York, NY:  Holiday House.


Synopsis:

This is a very good book that discusses the very first women's college basketball game between Stanford and UC Berkley centered around the main character of Agnes Morley a young woman raised in New Mexico on her family's range.  It is set 1896.  It is a true story written from Agnes' point of view.  The book describes the rules for women's basketball and how women started playing the games.  The girls had to play indoors and with only women in attendance because UC Berkley had a rule against men watching women play basketball.  The back of the book gives a brief history of Agnes' life and a timeline of women's basketball through history.  


Reaction:  I loved this book.  I thought it was very well written and the illustrations are wonderful.  The book doesn't talk down to the reader either.  It also doesn't talk about the get upset about the division in women's sports.  It just tells it like it is.  There is no agenda here.  


Reviews:  

Nightingale, S. (2011). Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women's Hoops on the Map. Library Media Connection, 30(1), 95.

Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women's Hoops on the Map Macy, Sue Illustrated by Matt Collins. 2011. 32pp. $16.95 he. Holiday House. 978-0-8234-2163-3. Grades 3-6.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed April 7, 2013).  

Women's basketball is gaining popularity thanks to the dedication of countless players and coaches. Macy chronicles the very first intercollegiate women's basketbal game between the University of California-Berkeley and Stanford University in 1896. The narrator is Agnes Morley who was sent to Stanford to acquire an education and social graces, but instead acquired a love of the game ofbasketball. James Naismith's game was adapted for women by dividing the court into three sections; female players could not travel up and down the court. Macy captures the competitive spirit of the teams and their desire to win. The narrative is accompanied by colorful, bold illustrations, the vivid uniforms pop off the page. The players' body language and facial expressions are portrayed realistically; large illustrations cover double-page spreads. An extensive author's note gives additional background information, and a timeline of women's basketball provides a historical framework. A list of books and places to visit offers additional opportunities for learning more about this fascinating subject. Basketball Belles is a treasure and would be a welcome addition to a school library collection.

******

BASKETBALL BELLES How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women's Hoops on the Map. (2011).Kirkus Reviews, 79(4), 317.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed April 7, 2013).

In 1896, a historic basketball game was played between the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University. It was the first women's intercollegiate game, played five years after basketball was invented. Agnes Morley, a rancher's daughter, narrates the story and excels as a Stanford player during the groundbreaking event. The focus is on the play-by-play of the game, which had different rules for women and was attended by 500 cheering female spectators. Collins' digitally created artwork captures the dynamic game and develops the characters, from Morley's determination as she brands a calf on her ranch to her team's exuberance at their victory in the game. While seemingly meant to introduce readers to the history, of women's basketball, the story is so brief as to seem slight. Readers will crave more information: What types of shoes do the players wear? Why are the nets closed? How did this particular game come about? What happens next? An author's note fleshes out some biographical details about Morley and the other placers and discusses women's basketball in America. A timeline is included, but unfortunately it ends in 1997 with the introduction of the WNBA. A resource section lists books and places to visit, and a photograph of the 1896 Stanford women's basketball team concludes the book. The excellent backmatter, however, doesn't compensate enough for the too-slim story. (Nonfiction 7-11).

Library Use:  This books will be a great book to use for displays for sports history, women in sports, and women's history.

Module Ten...The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing:  Traitor to the Nation by M. T. Anderson.

Anderson, M.T.  (2006).  The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing:  Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party.  Cambridge, Mass.:  Candlewick Press.

Synopsis:  

This book is about Octavian the son of Cassiopeia, an African Princess.  His is brought up as a prince and lived in colonial Boston with a house full of scientists who are doing tests to explain the differences between the African race and the white race.  He and his mother are nothing more than test guinea pigs.    Octavian is very smart and well education.  Pretty soon he realizes that his education comes at a high price:  slavery.  What can Octavian and his mother do when they are seen as nothing more than property.

Reaction:

This book is a piece of historical fiction that is very accurate in regards to portraying slavery exactly as it is.  It is a harsh look at the life of a slave.  It is excellent written but very sad.  Even though it is a young-adult fiction book it was hard to get through at places.  

Reviews:

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Traitor to the Nation: Volume 1: The Pox Party. (2007). Publishers Weekly, 254(15), 57.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 31, 2013).

 

James's crisp annunciation and measured intonation is well-suited to tile 18th-century language and phrasing Anderson employs in his fascinating, provocative Revolutionary War--era novel, winner of the 2006 National Book Award for Young People's Literature and also a 2007 Printz Honor Book. As young Octavian's story slowly (sometimes too slowly) unfolds, the boy learns that he is a slave and that the scientists and philosophers with whom he and his mother (an African princess who was kidnapped by slave traders) live are studying them as part of an experiment to determine whether Africans are "a separate and distinct species." The ill-advised Pox Party of the title, during which the philosophers inoculate their guests against the scourge of smallpox, marks a dramatic turning point that sends Octavian's lifejourney in a new direction. There's no question the premise is intriguing and the examination of issues noble. However, the meaty subject matter and Anderson's numerous stylistic devices (e.g. the use of different points of view and letters in dialect from another character) render this a challenging listen even for a sophisticated audience. Ages 14-up. (Jan.)

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation (Volume I: The Pox Party)

M.T. ANDERSON. Candlewick.   Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 31, 2013).

Anderson (Whales on Stilts) once again shows the breadth of his talents with this stunningly well-researched novel (the first of two planned) centering on 16-year-old Octavian. The author does not reveal the boy's identity right away, so by the time readers learn that he is the son of an African princess, living a life of relative privilege and intense scrutiny among a group of rational philosophers in pre--Revolutionary War Boston, they can accept his achievements--extraordinary for any teen, but especially for an African-American living at that time. These men teach him the violin, Latin and Greek. Anderson also reveals their strange quirks: the men go by numbers rather than names, and they weigh the food Octavian ingests, as well as his excrement. "It is ever the lot of children to accept their circumstances as universal, and their particularities as general," Octavian states by way of explanation. One day, at age eight, when he ventures into an off-limits room,Octavian learns he is the subject of his teachers' "zoological" study of Africans. Shortly thereafter, the philosophers' key benefactor drops out and new sponsors, led by Mr. Sharpe, follow a different agenda: they want to use Octavian to prove the inferiority of the African race. Mr. Sharpe also instigates the "Pox Party" of the title, during which the guests are inoculated with the smallpox virus, with disastrous results. Here the story, which had been told largely through Octavian's first-person narrative, advances through the letters of a Patriot volunteer, sending news to his sister of battle preparations against the British and about the talented African musician who's joined their company. As in Feed, Anderson pays careful attention to language, but teens may not find this work, written in 18th-century prose, quite as accessible. The construction of Octavian's story is also complex, but the message is straight forward, as Anderson clearly delineates the hypocrisy of the Patriots, who chafe at their own subjugation by British overlords but overlook the enslavement of people like Octavian. Ages 14-up. (Oct.)

Library Use:

This book is strictly a historical fiction book and should be used in an exhibit under this title.  It could be used as a Black History Month.

Module Nine...The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose

The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose! by Gabby Gosling.  Illustrations by Tim Banks. 
 

Gosling, G., Banks, T.  (2004).  The top secret files of Mother Goose!  Milwaukee, WI:  Gareth Stevens Pub.


Summary:

Detective Mother Goose is hot on the trail of the one responsible for theft of the tarts that belong to the Queen of Hearts.  Questioning everyone from Little Miss Muffett to The Cat and the Fiddle, she is determined to discover what happened.  


Reaction:  

This book is really cute and really well written.  The pictures are vibrant and engaging.  The story was easy to follow yet it kept me interesting.


Reviews:


Jenkinson, D. (2003). The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose (Book). CM: Canadian Review Of Materials, 10(2), N.PAG.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 24, 2013).

The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose belongs with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs and Rosalind Alchin's The Frog Princess as another excellent example of the fractured fairy tale. As a bonus, this slim picture book also contains the features of an adult detective novel: a crime, a number of clues, numerous suspects with motives, and a sleuth who ultimately deduces the perpetrator's identity. The crime in question is the theft of the Queen of Hearts' breakfast tarts, and, because of his previous criminal record, suspicion immediately falls on the Knave of Hearts. To solve the theft, the Queen enlists the assistance of Mother Goose, Chief Detective of Nursery Rhyme Crime, who narrates the rest of the book. Mother Goose can immediately eliminate the Knave for he has a solid alibi; he's on holidays in Hawaii; however, the Knave suggests that "Mary Contrary might have some information." As Mother Goose follows up on each individual, that person either suggests yet someone else who may be connected to the crime or Mother Goose simply follows the trail of crumbs which leads to yet another suspect. In addition to the Knave and Mary Contrary, Mother Goose questions Miss Muffet, Bo Diddle, Little Boy Blue, Miss Bo Peep, Patrick "Patty Cake" Buttermore, Peter Peter and Humpty Dumpty before recognizing the true significance of one of the clues which points to the real culprit's identity. Banks even follows one of the "rules" of detective fiction by introducing the thief early in the story while disguising the person's means and motive. As the crime genre demands, the "criminal" is punished but, in this instance, in a manner with which kids will be able to identify.

The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose is the first book from Walrus Books, a new children's imprint from Whitecap Books. Author/illustrator Tim Banks is a graduate of the Savanna College of Art and Design which is located in Savanna, Georgia. The book is cleverly designed. With the exception of the opening pages which set up the plot and the concluding pages which reveal the thief's identity and punishment, the remaining pages, initially marked PRIVATE CONFIDENTIAL TOP SECRET (Don't read past this point!) are the detective's "file folders" relating to the case. Each folder deals with one of the "Usual Suspects" and contains a full-page illustration [photograph] of the "suspect" and Mother Goose's description of her encounter with that person. As well, a page of "file notes" relating to the suspect and "torn" from Detective Goose's notebook is "paper clipped" to every file.

Following the stylistic demands of true detective fiction, Chief Detective Goose is minimally characterized. Referring to suspects as "Toots," she sounds like a hard-nosed gumshoe from one of Mickey Spillane's novels while her staccato questioning style would not be out of place coming from Jack Webb in a black and white episode of the original Dragnet. The suspects are naturally types, but, if readers thought they already knew these characters from traditional literature, they will be seeing them in entirely new ways. For example, Little Miss Muffet is a health food and cleanliness fanatic while Little Boy Blue has abandoned his rural roots to blow horn in Bo Diddle's band.

One of the challenges in reviewing fractured fairy tales is that of identifying the audience as readers' enjoyment of the variant is directly related to their knowledge of the original tales. Consequently, The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose potentially has a very wide audience. While the book obviously belongs in early years collections, it would not be out of place in middle and senior years schools where, in addition to just providing enjoyment, it could be used as a catalyst for creative writing. Though public libraries won't likely purchase a copy for their adult collections, the book should be part of any display of "Picture books for adults."

Edwards, L., & Mandell, P. (2004). The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose! (Book). School Library Journal, 50(5), 112.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 24, 2013).

K-Gr 4-- When the Queen of Hearts discovers her strawberry tarts missing, she calls in Mother Goose, "Chief Detective of Nursery Rhyme Crime." The clues include a trail of crumbs, a dish and a spoon, and a hankie with the initials HM. As Mother Goose questions each suspect, a full-page illustration of that individual appears opposite the text, which is printed on a manila-folder background. A handwritten note with humorous details about that particular character appears to be paper clipped to the file. Readers may question the detective's technique as she chases down alleged perpetrators who do not have the correct initials. However, logic aside, the comical rewording of familiar facts will appeal to those who are conversant with nursery rhymes. The vibrant cartoons pop off the pages, and the witty details will have youngsters studying the pictures with interest. Serving as a foil for the boisterous cast of characters, Mother Goose appears almost too charming and sweet to be pitted against this wild and wacky lineup of possible criminals, but that only adds to the comedy. With its retro artwork and imitation of hard-boiled detective speech, this text-heavy mystery is more appropriate for older children, but the story and its solution may be a bit too simplistic to hold their attention. Fans of Jon Scieszka's humor seem the most likely audience for this book's campy art and puns.

Library Use:

This book will be a great asset to any library.  It can be used as part of exhibits for Mother Goose nursery rhymes and the expanded universe.  It can also be used as part of an exhibit for mystery books.

Module Eight...Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer.

Colfer, E.  (2001).  Artemis Fowl.  New York, NY:  Hyperion Books For Children.

Synopsis:
Artemis Fowl II is the son of an Irish crime lord.  Artemis has inherited the family gift of criminal activity.  Artemis has done research and found that fairies are in fact real and he has traveled to Vietnam to capture a fairy in order to find an ancient book that he can sell to help his family who have lost their fortune.  Slowly Artemis begins to realize his actions may be hurting others even though he is trying to save his family.  Can Artemis do the right thing at the same time he saves his family?

Reviews:

Fiction

Zaleski, J. (2001). ARTEMIS FOWL (Book Review). Publishers Weekly, 248(15), 75.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 10, 2013).
 

Colfer's (Benny and Omar) crime caper fantasy, the first in a series, starts off with a slam-bang premise: anti-hero Artemis Fowl is a boy-genius last in line of a legendary crime family teetering on the brink of destruction. With the assistance of his bodyguard, Butler, he masterminds his plan to regain the Fowls' former glory: capture a fairy and hold her ransom for the legendary fairy gold. However, his feisty mark, Holly, turns out to be a member of the "LEPrecon, an elite branch of the Lower Elements Police," so a wisecracking team of satyrs, trolls, dwarfs and fellow fairies set out to rescue her. Despite numerous clever gadgets and an innovative take on traditional fairy lore, the author falls short of the bar. The rapid-fire dialogue may work as a screenplay with the aid of visual effects (a film is due out from Talk/Miramax in 2002) but, on the page, it often falls flat. The narrative hops from character to character, so readers intrigued by Artemis's wily, autocratic personality have to kill a good deal of time with the relatively bland Holly and her cohorts, and the villain/hero anticlimactically achieves his final escape by popping some sleeping pills (it renders him invulnerable to the fairy time-stop). Technology buffs may appreciate the imaginative fairy-world inventions and action-lovers will get some kicks, but the series is no classic in the making. Ages 12-up. (May)

~~~~~~~~

 

Mitnick, E. (2001). Artemis Fowl (Book Review). School Library Journal, 47(5), 148.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 10, 2013).

Gr 5-8 --Twelve-year-old genius Artemis Fowl decides to reinvigorate his family fortunes by kidnapping a fairy and demanding its gold. Having obtained and decoded the Book, a tome containing all of the fairies' secrets, Artemis captures an elf named Holly Short and holds her captive at his family mansion in Ireland. However, he hasn't reckoned on the resources and cunning of the LEPrecon Unit, an elite branch of the fairy police force, whose members will stop at nothing to rescue Captain Short. It seems that the wicked ways of the Mud People (humans) have driven most of the magical creatures underground, where a gritty, urban fairy civilization is flourishing. The fairy characters are mouthy and eccentric, but Artemis is too stiff and enigmatic to be interesting; the story bogs down when the focus is on him. The combination of choppy sentences and ornate language will appeal to some readers, although not necessarily to Harry Potter fans; the emphasis here is more on action (some of it gory), technology, and deadpan humor than on magic, and only one character (Artemis) is a child.

~~~~~~~~

By Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

Library Use:  The book (and all the books in the series) will be great in a display with other fantasy books like Harry Potter and others.  This book could also go along with the book I looked at last week as a sort of mystery book.

Library Use:  This would be great in a display of books on superheroes or supernatural creatures.

Module Seven...Son of the Mob AND The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman.

Korman, G. (2002).  Son of the Mob.  New York, NY:  Hyperion Books for Children.

Synopsis:
Vince Luca is a seemingly typical high school student who is just trying to get a date and get his school work done along with his best friend Alex.  But Vince is different from the typical high school student because his dad happens to be a mob boss and Vince wants nothing to do with his dad's life as a mob boss.  Also making his life hard is the FBI agent who has bugged the family home, recording their every word.  On top of all of that Vince discovers that the girl he has a crush on is the daughter of the FBI agent who has bugged their home.  Vince must choose between keeping his family of prison and the love of his new girlfriend.

Reaction:  
I enjoyed reading this book.  The writer of this story is spot on in telling a believable story of the life of a teenager.  The story is also very interesting.  I read it in one sitting because I really wanted to know how Vince is able to navigate some of the problems caused by him family’s business and keep a relationship with a girl whose father is the FBI agent assigned to monitor Vince’s family.

Reviews:  

Peters, J. (2002). Son of the Mob (Book). Booklist, 99(5), 485.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 3, 2013).

Gr. 6–8. The Sopranos meets Romeo and Juliet in this briskly comic romance, costarring a crime kingpin’s son and an FBI agent’s daughter. Tony and Kendra are mad for each other, but that doesn’t mean that Tony is ready to tell Kendra who his father is—espe- cially after his horrifying discovery that her father is on the listening end of the bugs and wiretaps scattered through his house. Real- izing that it wouldn’t be wise for either dad to find out what’s what, Tony has to do some fancy footwork to keep the fathers, and Ken- dra’s suspicions, at bay—a task considerably complicated by his unwilling involvement with a pair of petty hoodlums. Stubbornly battling to preserve his illusion that the fam- ily “business” has nothing to do with him, Tony presents a winning mix of good instincts and innocence that will have read- ers cheering him on as he weathers a succes- sion of amatory and ethical crises, to emerge at the end of this expertly plotted escapade with relationships, self-respect, and even conscience more or less intact. —John Peters

SON OF THE MOB (Book). (2002). Kirkus Reviews, 70(17), 1313  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 3, 2013). 

As if life as a high-school senior isn't hard enough, what with sports, SATs, college applications, and girls (or rather, the lack thereof), Vince Luca has to cope with the special complications of his father's involvement in the vending-machine business--the family euphemism for organized crime. Case in point: Vince gets a date with the oh-so-hot Angela O'Bannon, but when he goes to get a make-out blanket from the trunk, he discovers the unconscious body of Jimmy the Rat, who's just been worked over by his older brother. Poor Vince: his family just keeps getting in his way. After the debacle with Angela, Vince begins a real romance with the cute and spunky daughter of the FBI agent who has been assigned to bring the Lucas down; the bugs he has planted in the house force all vending-machine business--and heart-to-heart parent-son conversations--into the basement. Korman (No More Dead Dogs, 2000, etc.) can reliably be counted on to deliver a hilarious story; he delivers in spades here, as Vince desperately tries to hold out as the only legitimate member of the family while at the same time inadvertently getting himself deeper and deeper in the family business when he tries to get Jimmy the Rat off the hook. Maintaining the balance between situational humor and the real violence and ugliness of organized crime is no easy matter, but Korman pulls it off in frae manner, managing to create genuinely sympathetic characters in Vince's family--people who love him and want the best for him, but who can at the same time call out a hit on someone as casually as ordering a pizza. Laced with running gags--the hijacking of Vince's class-project Web site by his brother is priceless--here's a laugh-out-loud addition to the ranks of dreary teen fiction. (Fiction. YA).

Library use:

This book can be used as part of a realistic fiction display.  It can also be used as part of a display that tell stories of students solving mysteries because there is a little bit of a mystery in the story which Vince must figure out in order to protect his family.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka.  Illustrated by Lane Smith.

Synopsis:  The Big Bad Wolf is getting his day in court but he states that the entire episode with the three pigs is nothing more than a giant misunderstanding.  He sneezes, the house just happens to fall over and a few pigs die.  What is a wolf to do?  He can't let the meat go to waste.  Can he convince the courts he is just a victim of circumstance?

Impression:  I thought this book was clever, although I did not like it as much as I liked the book by David Wiesner that I reported on earlier.  The book is still lavishly illustrated and clever.

Scieszka, J.  (1989).  The True story of the three little pigs.  New York, NY:  Viking Press.

Peters, J., Jones, T. E., Toth, L., & Suhr, V. J. (1989). The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (Book). School Library Journal, 35(14), 108.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 3, 2013).

Victim for centuries of a bad press, Alexander ("You can call me Al") T. Wolf steps forward at last to give his side of the story.  Trying to borrow a cup of sugar to make a cake for his dear old Granny, Al calls on his neighbors-and can he help it if two of them built such a shoddy houses?  A couple of sneezes, a couple of dead pigs amidst the wreckage and, well, it would be shame to let those ham dinners spoil, wouldn't it?  And when the pig in the bring house makes a nasty comment about Granny, isn't it only natural to get a little steamed?  It's those reporters from the Daily Pig that made Al out to be Big and Bad, that caused him to be arrested and sent to the (wait for it) Pig Pen.  "I was framed," he concludes mournfully.  Smith's dark tones and sometimes shadowy, indistinct shapes recall the distinctive illustrations he did for Meriam's Halloween; the bespectacled wolf moves with a rather sinister bonelessness, and his juicy sneezes tear like thunderbolts through a dim, grainy world.  It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny.

La verdadera historia de los tres cerditos (The True Story of the Three Little Pigs) (Book). (1991). School Library Journal,37(11), 154.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed March 3, 2013).

K-Gr 5--A new slant on an old, familiar tale. The much maligned A. Wolf tells his side of the story and offers benign explanations for his bad behavior. This translation retains the colorful language and sense of fun found in its English counterpart. Some of the vocabulary is regionalized and may not be universally understood by all Spanish-speaking children without adult clarification. The stylized watercolors with dark shadowing, clever use of perspective, and textured detail will appeal to audiences sophisticated enough to enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humor.

Library Use:  This would go great in a display on variations of fairy tales or Mother Goose stories.

Module Six...Diary of a Worm

Diary of a Worm by Dorren Cronin.  Illustrated by Harry Bliss.

Cronin, D.  (2003).  Diary of a worm.  New York, NY:  Jonna Cotler Books; An Imprint of Harper Collins Books.

Summary:
The title of this book tells the reader exactly what the books is about:  It is a diary of a worm.  We do not know the worm's name but the diary is an inside look at the life of a young worm.  We learn that the worm lives in the dirt, goes to school, is friends with a spider, goes to dances with his friends, where they do the "hokey pokey"..."but that is all we can do", he laments.  He is sad that he cannot chew gum  or get a dog as a pet.  He is also sad that he has too much homework.  The great thing about being a worm however, is the fact that he never has to go to the dentist, never gets "in trouble for tracking mud through the house", and never has "to take a bath."  In the end he says its not easy being a worm because they are small and often forgotten except by the earth that "never forgets we're here."

Impression:  I found this to be a very delightful book.  It was smart and funny.  It teaches children to see that everything has its job and place in the universe.  No animal is without person and by extension, no person is without a place in the universe.  The illustrations are bright and cheerful which is a great accomplishment since this is a book about brown worms that live in brown dirt.  I would recommend this to any children's librarian or homeschool parent.

Reviews:

Diary of a Worm (Book) (2004).  School Library, 5028.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed February 24, 2013).

A down-to-earth invertebrate comments on friendship, family life, school and his place in the universe.  An amusing worm's-eye view of the world with a tongue-in-check text and wry illustrations.

Oliff, G. (2007).  Diary of a Worm.  School Library Journal, 53(8), 44.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed February 24, 2013).

Cronin combines the silly (practicing manners by saying hello the first ant in line only to realize there are 600 more) and the information ("when we dig tunnels, we help the earth to breathe") in this clever glimpse into the daily life of a worm.  Comical cartoon illustrations with varying perspectives aptly convey a worm's-eye view and just might spark interest in a classroom worm farm.

Engelfried, S.  (2005).  Diary of a Worm.  School Journal, 51(6), 55.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed February 24, 2013). 

This worm's-eye view describes the dangers (hopscotch and fishing season) and pleasure (scaring kids and eating garbage) of life in earth.  The diary format provides deadpan explanations of worm school, worm play, and the worm version of the "Hokey Pokey."  Droll illustrations pack personality into each expression.  Scrapbook "photos" on the end pages complete the portrait of a very funny invertebrate.

Libary Use:  This is a great book to use in a unit of life science. 

Module Five...Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves AND The Blacker the Berry

Bad News for Outlaws:  The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson.  Illustrated by R. Gregor Christie.

Nelson, M. N. (2009).  Bad News for Outlaws:  The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal.  Minneapolis : Carolrhoda Books.

Summary: 
The book tells the story of Bass Reeves, who was the first African American U.S. Marshal in United States history.  He was born a slave, escaped to live in Indian Territory.  He was considered an honorable man who arrested over three thousand men and women during his career.  He was an excellent sharper shooter who was part of several series gun fights in his career.  When he retired from the Marshal service he moved to a small town and served on their small police force. 

Impression:  This is a well written and well illustrated book that tells the life story of an interesting and honorable man.  I found it interesting that he ever arrested his own son for murder.  His perception of right and wrong had no grey areas to it.  This book is one that is a great example of someone overcoming the limitations of a harsh childhood to excell in their adult life.  Reeves' story can be an example to everyone, no matter their ethnicity. 

Reviews:

B., C. C. (2009).  Bad News for Outlaws:  The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal.  Horn Book Magaine, 85 (6), 698-699.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2013).

Bass Reeves's life is the stuff from which legends are made.  Born a slave, he escaped to Indian Territory (now known as Oklahoma), captured over three thousand men and women as a deputy US Marshal, and spent his few years of retirement on a small-town police force.  Reeves, as a fellow sharpshooter once said, "could shoot the left hind leg off a contended fly sitting on a mule's ear at a hundred yards and never ruffle a hair," and was a man of such honor that he arrested his own son for murder.  This captivating biography, told in language as colorful as Reeve's career, grabs readers with an 1884 gunfight, then flashes back to Reeve's early life and continued until his death.  Section headings ("Slave Days, 1840s-1860s"; "Freedom and Family, Late 1860s-1874") underscore the chronology, while boldfaced subheadings provide a textbook lesson on how topic sentences work.  Typically, the subheadings offer an opinion ("Bass was respected, and he was hated") followed by a paragraph or two of supporting information.  Accentuated with a palette knife, Christie's sharply textured paintings create an impressionist background of an unformed land as well as a detailed portraits of this multi-dimensional individual, his bold black hat conveying unmistakable authority.  Includes documentation, a glossary, a timeline, recommended readings and bibliography, and historical author notes.  B.C.

Weber, J. (2010).  Bad News for Outlaws.  School Library Journal, 56(10), 62.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2013).

This picture-book biography (Carolrhoda, 2009), written by Vaunda M Nelson and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, recounts the life of Bass Reeves, the first African-America Deputy U.S. Marshal.  He was appointed by Judge Issac C. Parker and served as a peace officer in Indian Territory during the late 1800s.  Reeves grew up in slavery, became a runaway during the Civil War, and settled down in the Wild West.  Although Reeves was unable to read, he had the ability to memorize the charges against every criminal who had outstanding warrants.  He made thousands of arrests in over 30 years of serves, but killed only 14 men.  The plot is a straightforward retelling of Reeves's life.  This tale of a remarkable hero of the Old West is a Coretta Scott King Book Award winner and deserves a place in all library collections.

Library Use:
This book would be a great addition to any and could be included in various displays.  First, it could be used in a display of prosperous former slaves.  Another display could be a collection of African Americans in the Old West.  It could be part of a display on all areas of the Old West.  Also a story about law enforcement during the Old West days. 



The Blacker the Berry by Joyce Carol Thomas.  Illustrated by Floyd Cooper.

Thomas, J. C.  (2008).  The Blacker the Berry.  New York, NY:  Harper Collins.

Synposis:  This is a book of poetry geared to celebrate the beauty of African Americans.

Impression:  These are powerful poems written with love and to empower children to love who they are and to celebrate their beauty.

Reviews:

Pfeifer, T. (2008). The Blacker the Berry. School Library Journal, 54(8), 114.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2013).

Gr 1-4 --The varieties of African-American ethnic heritage are often rendered invisible by the rigid construction of racial identity that insists on polarities. This collection of 12 poems makes the complexities of a layered heritage visible and the many skin shades celebrated. Read-aloud-sized spreads offer luminous artwork that complements the verses in which children speak of their various hues: "I am midnight and berries…" a child says in the title poem. In another selection, a boy recalls his Seminole grandmother who has given him the color of "red raspberries stirred into blackberries." In "Cranberry Red," a child asserts that "it's my Irish ancestors/Who reddened the Africa in my face," understanding that "When we measure who we are/We don't leave anybody out." The large illustrations match the lyrical poetry's emotional range. Cooper's method includes "pulling" the drawing out from a background of oil paint and glazes. With his subtractive method, he captures the joy of these children-the sparkle of an eye, the width of a grin, the lovely depths of their skin, and the light that radiates from within. This book complements titles that explore identity, such as Katie Kissinger's All the Colors We Are (Redleaf, 1994).

THE BLACKER THE BERRY. (2008). Kirkus Reviews, 76(12), 147.  Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed February 17, 2013). 

"What shade is human?" Thomas's evocative, colorful poetry seeks to answer that question with this celebration of the diversity of African-American children across the spectrum. From "Raspberry Black" to "Golden Goodness," Cooper's soft and realistic illustrations almost leap from the page, incorporating natural images from the text in their depiction of a gallery of beautiful, self-confident children. Difficult intraracial social issues related to skin color are handled with truth and respect. For instance, in the poem "Snowberries," a fair-skinned child speaks back to those who would question her identity: "The words cut deep down / Beyond the bone / Beneath my snowy skin / Deep down where no one can see / I bleed the 'one drop of blood' / That makes Black me." On the page opposite, an auburn-haired girl smiles at the reader, eyes twinkling. An essential picture book that helps young children understand and appreciate differences in skin color. As the epigraph states so truthfully, "Colors, without black, / couldn't sparkle quite so bright." (Picture book/poetry. 5-10).

Library Use:  This is a great book for displays on poetry, African American history and books written by African American writers.