Sunday, March 31, 2013

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 Materials10(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

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 Weekly248(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)
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Mitnick, E. (2001). Artemis Fowl (Book Review). School Library Journal47(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.
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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.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

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


Front Cover

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). Booklist99(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 Reviews70(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.

Truestorythreepigs.jpg

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 Journal35(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.