Haddix, Margaret Peterson. (2004). The House on the Gulf. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Subgenre: Mystery
Textbook Chapter: 6
Possible Curriculum Connections: Mystery genre study; Author study of Margaret Peterson Haddix
Book Summary:
This novel begins with Britt (short for Brittany), Bran (short for Brandon), and their mother moving into a new house for the summer. The family had moved to Florida so that the mother could go to college and earn a scholarship for single mothers. The three always struggled to survive, which left sixteen year old Bran to get two jobs, one at a restaurant, and one housesitting for the Marquis family. The three moved into the Marquis house for the summer, where they were living rent free. Things were finally starting to look up for them! However, as soon as they move in, the always responsible Bran starts acting strangely, and Britt catches him in several lies. Their mother is too busy and distracted to notice, but Britt is determined to get to the bottom of it. When Britt discovers that the family they are housesitting for is really the Marcus family, she begins to piece everything together. Marcus is her mother's maiden name, and Bran reveals that they are living in what he thinks is their grandparents' house. However, the trio is estranged from the Marcus family, so Bran doesn't want his mom to find out. In the end, it is not even their grandparents, as Bran had found the wrong Marcus family, and they almost get arrested for trespassing. However, everything worked out and the family was basically adopted by an elderly neighbor who had become friends with Britt.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I liked this book, but I did not love it! I thought there would be a little more suspense or mystery, but it was actually pretty predictable. I have read some novels by Haddix and really liked them, but this one was slightly disappointing. With that being said, it was an easy read and not unenjoyable. The story was intriguing, especially in the beginning, and it had a happy ending. I like stories where everything comes together. :-) I think teens would like to read this book because of the mystery aspect to the story. Although it was predictable, it was still fun to try to figure out what would happen next! Also, the main characters are both young adults, so teenagers may be able to put themselves in the character's shoes. The theme of finding one's identity is also present in the novel, which many teens can relate to. Overall, I would recommend this book to a young adult.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Book # 24- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Alexie, Sherman. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Hachette Book Group.
Subgenre: Realistic Fiction; Native Americans
Textbook Chapter : 6
Possible Curriculum Connections: Unit on Native American stereotypes; life on a Native American Reservation
Book Summary:
Junior is a freshman in high school who is living on an Indian Reservation, or rez, with his family. He lives with his mother, father, grandmother, and older sister, but always hangs out with his best friend, Rowdy. Junior is kind of an outcast, and was born with "water on his brain" and a variety of other ailments which have made him stand out in a crowd. He is very smart, and an interaction with one of his teachers made him realize that he had to have more in his life. He decided to move to a middle class white school outside of town to give himself hope. At first, he was ridiculed, and then ignored, but after punching a popular kid in the nose for making fun of him, he gained respect from the white people at the school. He gets a girlfriend named Penelope, and even becomes a star on the basketball team. However, he feels like he is only living his life halfway, as he is torn between his Indian side and his newly found "white" side. By the end of the book, he suffers enormous loss in his life, but realizes that he can stay true to his Indian roots as well as want better for himself. He overcomes the odds and is successful.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I loved this novel! I had heard several different people in our class mention it, so I decided it was worth a try! What a refreshing viewpoint! With humor, the author was able to address some stereotypes of Native Americans, and some even proved to be true in this story, like Native Americans enjoying drinking and gambling. I loved Junior's character, and truly felt his struggle between his native side and the white side that he entered in. I think that teens would want to read this book because it is an entertaining story with humor, love, some crude language, and clever illustrations! Teens would be able to relate to Junior's struggle with finding himself, although they may not have the exact same experiences. Overall, I thought this book was great, and I would highly recommend it to any young adult!
Subgenre: Realistic Fiction; Native Americans
Textbook Chapter : 6
Possible Curriculum Connections: Unit on Native American stereotypes; life on a Native American Reservation
Book Summary:
Junior is a freshman in high school who is living on an Indian Reservation, or rez, with his family. He lives with his mother, father, grandmother, and older sister, but always hangs out with his best friend, Rowdy. Junior is kind of an outcast, and was born with "water on his brain" and a variety of other ailments which have made him stand out in a crowd. He is very smart, and an interaction with one of his teachers made him realize that he had to have more in his life. He decided to move to a middle class white school outside of town to give himself hope. At first, he was ridiculed, and then ignored, but after punching a popular kid in the nose for making fun of him, he gained respect from the white people at the school. He gets a girlfriend named Penelope, and even becomes a star on the basketball team. However, he feels like he is only living his life halfway, as he is torn between his Indian side and his newly found "white" side. By the end of the book, he suffers enormous loss in his life, but realizes that he can stay true to his Indian roots as well as want better for himself. He overcomes the odds and is successful.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I loved this novel! I had heard several different people in our class mention it, so I decided it was worth a try! What a refreshing viewpoint! With humor, the author was able to address some stereotypes of Native Americans, and some even proved to be true in this story, like Native Americans enjoying drinking and gambling. I loved Junior's character, and truly felt his struggle between his native side and the white side that he entered in. I think that teens would want to read this book because it is an entertaining story with humor, love, some crude language, and clever illustrations! Teens would be able to relate to Junior's struggle with finding himself, although they may not have the exact same experiences. Overall, I thought this book was great, and I would highly recommend it to any young adult!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Book # 23- Required Reading- Clockwork Angel
Clare, Cassandra. (2010). Clockwork Angel. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Subgenre: Fantasy
Textbook: Chapter 7
Possible Curriculum Connections: Fantasy Genre Study in High school English Class
Book Summary:
Sixteen year old Tessa has just moved to London to find her brother Nate after her Aunt Harriet passed away. Tessa is surprised to find her brother is not at the station to pick her up, and instead, some scary looking women hand her a note from Nate that says she needs to go with them. Tessa soon realizes that these scary looking ladies really are scary! They are the Dark Sisters who are part demon, and they hold Tessa hostage and train her to use a power that she did not know she had. Tessa has the ability to change into any person, did or alive, if she has something of theirs in her possession. Luckily, two boys, Jem and Will, come to save Tessa, and they take her to the Institute, which is a place for people with magical gifts or abilities to stay safe. The Shadowhunters who live in the Institute are trying to find the Magister, who is the one responsible for holding Tessa hostage, and they are also trying to locate Tessa's brother, Nate. Throughout their quest, Tessa begins to make friends with Jem, and is beginning to fall in love with Will. The Magister tricks the Shadowhunters and breaks into the Institute by using robot like machines, and then escapes. The Shadowhunters will continue to look for the Magister and keep London safe in the next books in the series.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I had a difficult time reading this novel. Although I liked the overall idea of the book, I struggled with the heaviness of the beginning. I felt like I was bogged down with a lot of details, and I struggled to follow the plot. As the book went on, it did get better, but I am not sure that I want to read the next books in the series. I often struggle with the fantasy genre anyway, but this book did have a unique plot. It reminded me of Harry Potter mixed with Sherlock Holmes.
Although it was not my favorite novel, I feel like most young adults would like this novel. The plot is action packed, there is a bit of a love story, and fantasy is a very popular genre right now. I am sure that both male and female high school students would find something to like in this novel, and it is a plus that it is a series because series books are also extremely popular right now. This is a book I would recommend to high school students who enjoy the fantasy genre.
Subgenre: Fantasy
Textbook: Chapter 7
Possible Curriculum Connections: Fantasy Genre Study in High school English Class
Book Summary:
Sixteen year old Tessa has just moved to London to find her brother Nate after her Aunt Harriet passed away. Tessa is surprised to find her brother is not at the station to pick her up, and instead, some scary looking women hand her a note from Nate that says she needs to go with them. Tessa soon realizes that these scary looking ladies really are scary! They are the Dark Sisters who are part demon, and they hold Tessa hostage and train her to use a power that she did not know she had. Tessa has the ability to change into any person, did or alive, if she has something of theirs in her possession. Luckily, two boys, Jem and Will, come to save Tessa, and they take her to the Institute, which is a place for people with magical gifts or abilities to stay safe. The Shadowhunters who live in the Institute are trying to find the Magister, who is the one responsible for holding Tessa hostage, and they are also trying to locate Tessa's brother, Nate. Throughout their quest, Tessa begins to make friends with Jem, and is beginning to fall in love with Will. The Magister tricks the Shadowhunters and breaks into the Institute by using robot like machines, and then escapes. The Shadowhunters will continue to look for the Magister and keep London safe in the next books in the series.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I had a difficult time reading this novel. Although I liked the overall idea of the book, I struggled with the heaviness of the beginning. I felt like I was bogged down with a lot of details, and I struggled to follow the plot. As the book went on, it did get better, but I am not sure that I want to read the next books in the series. I often struggle with the fantasy genre anyway, but this book did have a unique plot. It reminded me of Harry Potter mixed with Sherlock Holmes.
Although it was not my favorite novel, I feel like most young adults would like this novel. The plot is action packed, there is a bit of a love story, and fantasy is a very popular genre right now. I am sure that both male and female high school students would find something to like in this novel, and it is a plus that it is a series because series books are also extremely popular right now. This is a book I would recommend to high school students who enjoy the fantasy genre.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Book # 22- The California Gold Rush
Hudson-Goff, Elizabeth. (2006). Graphic Histories: The California Gold Rush. Milwaukee: World Almanac Library.
Subgenre: Graphic Novel; Nonfiction
Textbook Chapter: 5
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle School United States history lesson on the history of the western United States.
Book Summary: The California Gold Rush is a nonfiction graphic novel found in my school's library. This book is a comic book and nonfiction informational book wrapped up in one! The book began with the history of the western United States, starting with the Native Americans that lived in the area. It continues with the Spanish soldiers and Catholic priests that settled the area, and then about how the state of California wanted to become its own country. Finally, the gold rush begins when Johann Sutter finds gold at his mill in California in 1848. This discovery spurred the great Californian gold rush! The book continues to describe the hardships that the goldrushers faced, like long hours, traveling great distances, and eventually, some rushers even died of disease or starvation. Finally, the book describes how the gold eventually ran out in California, and the rush moved north, to what is now Alaska and Canada.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
Although graphic novels and comic books are not my favorite genre, I did enjoy this book. I really like history, and the format in which this book was written made the facts easy to understand and interesting. Unlike some graphic novels I have read, this book's illustrations were not very distracting. Instead, the illustration enhanced the facts that the author was sharing with the reader. I think that teenagers would like to read this book because it is easy to read! The text is fairly simple, and there are many facts found in very few pages. Struggling teens who need to read informational text may choose to read these books because they are not as overwhelming, but still contain good information.
Subgenre: Graphic Novel; Nonfiction
Textbook Chapter: 5
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle School United States history lesson on the history of the western United States.
Book Summary: The California Gold Rush is a nonfiction graphic novel found in my school's library. This book is a comic book and nonfiction informational book wrapped up in one! The book began with the history of the western United States, starting with the Native Americans that lived in the area. It continues with the Spanish soldiers and Catholic priests that settled the area, and then about how the state of California wanted to become its own country. Finally, the gold rush begins when Johann Sutter finds gold at his mill in California in 1848. This discovery spurred the great Californian gold rush! The book continues to describe the hardships that the goldrushers faced, like long hours, traveling great distances, and eventually, some rushers even died of disease or starvation. Finally, the book describes how the gold eventually ran out in California, and the rush moved north, to what is now Alaska and Canada.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
Although graphic novels and comic books are not my favorite genre, I did enjoy this book. I really like history, and the format in which this book was written made the facts easy to understand and interesting. Unlike some graphic novels I have read, this book's illustrations were not very distracting. Instead, the illustration enhanced the facts that the author was sharing with the reader. I think that teenagers would like to read this book because it is easy to read! The text is fairly simple, and there are many facts found in very few pages. Struggling teens who need to read informational text may choose to read these books because they are not as overwhelming, but still contain good information.
Class # 6 Reflection
The majority of our class time in class number 6 was spent watching each other's book talks. Wow! Our class sure did do a great job! I loved seeing the different online tools that our classmates used to convey their booktalks, many of which I had never heard! I also now have a rather large list of young adult novels that I need to add to my summer reading list! What a great night of sharing young adult literature with each other! This has been very helpful to my personal reading list, as well as to my future career as a librarian.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Book 21: The Lightning Thief
Riordan, Rick. (2006). The Lightning Thief. New York: Hyperion Books.
Subgenre: Adventure/ Fantasy
Textbook: Chapter 6
Curriculum Connections: Integrated Social Studies unit on Greek Gods and Goddesses; Mythology
Book Summary:
The Lightning Thief is the first novel in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. As the book begins, Percy Jackson is attending an alternative school with his friend, Glover, who is in a wheelchair. Both Percy and Glover are outcasts, and the only class they do well in is Latin. However, soon, really strange things start happening to Percy. He and his mother try to go to the coast for a summer vacation, and they are attacked! Percy even thinks his mother is killed. After this attack, Percy learns that he is actually being targeted by Greek gods because he is half god, and his father is Poseidon. Percy and Glover are taken to Camp Halfblood, where Percy learns that Glover is actually a satyr. They are both given a quest with Annabeth, daughter of Athena, to recover Zeus's lost lightning bolt. The quest is full of twists and turns, and the trio eventally ends up at Mt. Olympus, which is actually above the Empire State Building! This is just the beginning of many adventures for Percy Jackson and his friends!
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this book:
I loved The Lightning Thief! I thought that Riordan did a great job of combining Greek mythology with an interesting plot. I am not a huge fan of mythology in general, but learning about the different gods' characteristics through the novel has peaked my interest in learning more! I can see why many middle school students are interested in the Percy Jackson series because of the action and adventure aspects of the novel. I think that deep down, all of us wish that we would wake up and find out we had hidden powers, which is a similar theme that we find in Harry Potter and other popular young adult books. I have not seen the movie about this novel yet, but I hear it is good!
Subgenre: Adventure/ Fantasy
Textbook: Chapter 6
Curriculum Connections: Integrated Social Studies unit on Greek Gods and Goddesses; Mythology
Book Summary:
The Lightning Thief is the first novel in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. As the book begins, Percy Jackson is attending an alternative school with his friend, Glover, who is in a wheelchair. Both Percy and Glover are outcasts, and the only class they do well in is Latin. However, soon, really strange things start happening to Percy. He and his mother try to go to the coast for a summer vacation, and they are attacked! Percy even thinks his mother is killed. After this attack, Percy learns that he is actually being targeted by Greek gods because he is half god, and his father is Poseidon. Percy and Glover are taken to Camp Halfblood, where Percy learns that Glover is actually a satyr. They are both given a quest with Annabeth, daughter of Athena, to recover Zeus's lost lightning bolt. The quest is full of twists and turns, and the trio eventally ends up at Mt. Olympus, which is actually above the Empire State Building! This is just the beginning of many adventures for Percy Jackson and his friends!
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this book:
I loved The Lightning Thief! I thought that Riordan did a great job of combining Greek mythology with an interesting plot. I am not a huge fan of mythology in general, but learning about the different gods' characteristics through the novel has peaked my interest in learning more! I can see why many middle school students are interested in the Percy Jackson series because of the action and adventure aspects of the novel. I think that deep down, all of us wish that we would wake up and find out we had hidden powers, which is a similar theme that we find in Harry Potter and other popular young adult books. I have not seen the movie about this novel yet, but I hear it is good!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Book vs. Movie Paper
Caitlin Hunter
Lib 5160
Dr. Truett
25 March 2012
Young
Adult Book vs. Movie Comparison
For my young adult book and movie comparison, I chose to
read and watch The Hunger Games,
which is a novel by Suzanne Collins. I
read The Hunger Games series a few
months ago, and was extremely impressed by the quality of the series. The books were well written, engaging, and
thought provoking. I particularly
enjoyed the first two books in the series: The
Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I could not put the books down, and although
there has been a lot of hype about the books and the movie, I can honestly say
that the series lives up to all of the excitement!
There are many aspects of The Hunger Games novel
that I found compelling. First of all,
the plot of the story is sensational!
The premise of the book is this:
A futuristic North American society is divided into thirteen districts,
with one district hosting the Capitol.
Years prior, the districts decided to rebel against the Capitol, and war
ensued. As a reminder that the Capitol
is in control, each year, they host The Hunger Games, which is an arena type
setting where two teenagers from each district are randomly chosen to fight to
the death, leaving a lone victor. The
book focuses on one tribute, Katniss Everdeen, and her plight of leaving her
family and fighting to survive. Overall,
this is one of the most unique, creative books that I have ever read!
Another aspect of the book that I found to be amazing was
the character development. The novel was
told from a first person perspective through Katniss’s eyes. By doing so, the reader is given insight into
all of Katniss’s thoughts and emotions throughout the story. We can quickly see that Katniss is no
ordinary teenager; instead, she is strong, mature, and wise beyond her
years. The reader cannot help but be
captivated by her story and pull for her to come out as the victor! Also, seeing the story unfold through
Katniss’s eyes gives the reader an opportunity to observe the other characters
in the story as Katniss does, which adds a new dimension to the story. Overall, I found that Collins did an
excellent job of developing the characters in the story, and forcing the reader
to become emotionally attached.
Since I loved the novels of The Hunger Games series so much, I was torn on whether or not to
see the movie. Although I wanted to see
it, I knew that there was no way that the movie could be better than the
book! It has been my experience in 99
percent of the films that I have seen that are based on books I have read, the
book is always better! However, I
overlooked my hesitation and went to see the movie on opening weekend! J
Overall, I thought the movie was a good representation of the book. Although it was not nearly as detailed as the
book, I did think that the movie kept the integrity of the story without
leaving out too much important information that made the book flow.
There were a few major differences between the book and
the movie. First of all, the movie was
told from a third person perspective, with no narrator, and the book was
written from the first person perspective of Katniss. I was wondering how the movie was going to
explain the plot without making it first person, and although I think they left
a few things out, they used the Hunger Games announcers to explain things that
the audience needed to know, like they were explaining it to the audience in
the movie. I thought that was a clever
way to cover the information! I still
felt like some emotions and thoughts were lacking in the film, and I am not
sure how someone who had not read the books would be able to understand
everything, but the movie did a pretty good job of covering the plot.
Another main difference between the book and the movie
was the elimination of the character Madge in the movie. In the novel, Madge was one of Katniss’s best
friends growing up, and she was the one who gave Katniss the infamous
Mockingjay pin, which would eventually be a symbol of revolution for the
districts. Madge was not even mentioned
in the movie, and I am not sure exactly why that was! Madge was central to Katniss’s life, so the
lack of her presence was definitely noticed!
In addition to missing Madge, I feel like viewers of the movie may be
missing the way that the movie was setting itself up for movie number two, Catching Fire. To those who read the book, it was obvious
that something ominous was about to happen in Katniss’s life at the end of the
first book, but the movie did not have quite as much foreshadowing.
Overall, I thought that the movie was a good
representation of the book, but there is no way that the book could have been
surpassed in greatness! One of the best
things about reading is that the reader can imagine the story however they
like, so I had developed my own visual images of the characters and setting
from the story. When I watched the
movie, everything was not as I had pictured it, which is slightly
disappointing. I hope that if people see
the movie, they will go back and read the books and realize the superiority of
literature to film! I would highly
recommend this series of books to any young adult, as I think there is a lot of
symbolism in the story that can be related to our world today. If you want to be entertained, seeing the
movie would be a good option as well!
Lib 5160
Dr. Truett
25 March 2012
Young
Adult Book vs. Movie Comparison
For my young adult book and movie comparison, I chose to
read and watch The Hunger Games,
which is a novel by Suzanne Collins. I
read The Hunger Games series a few
months ago, and was extremely impressed by the quality of the series. The books were well written, engaging, and
thought provoking. I particularly
enjoyed the first two books in the series: The
Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I could not put the books down, and although
there has been a lot of hype about the books and the movie, I can honestly say
that the series lives up to all of the excitement!
There are many aspects of The Hunger Games novel
that I found compelling. First of all,
the plot of the story is sensational!
The premise of the book is this:
A futuristic North American society is divided into thirteen districts,
with one district hosting the Capitol.
Years prior, the districts decided to rebel against the Capitol, and war
ensued. As a reminder that the Capitol
is in control, each year, they host The Hunger Games, which is an arena type
setting where two teenagers from each district are randomly chosen to fight to
the death, leaving a lone victor. The
book focuses on one tribute, Katniss Everdeen, and her plight of leaving her
family and fighting to survive. Overall,
this is one of the most unique, creative books that I have ever read!
Another aspect of the book that I found to be amazing was
the character development. The novel was
told from a first person perspective through Katniss’s eyes. By doing so, the reader is given insight into
all of Katniss’s thoughts and emotions throughout the story. We can quickly see that Katniss is no
ordinary teenager; instead, she is strong, mature, and wise beyond her
years. The reader cannot help but be
captivated by her story and pull for her to come out as the victor! Also, seeing the story unfold through
Katniss’s eyes gives the reader an opportunity to observe the other characters
in the story as Katniss does, which adds a new dimension to the story. Overall, I found that Collins did an
excellent job of developing the characters in the story, and forcing the reader
to become emotionally attached.
Since I loved the novels of The Hunger Games series so much, I was torn on whether or not to
see the movie. Although I wanted to see
it, I knew that there was no way that the movie could be better than the
book! It has been my experience in 99
percent of the films that I have seen that are based on books I have read, the
book is always better! However, I
overlooked my hesitation and went to see the movie on opening weekend! J
Overall, I thought the movie was a good representation of the book. Although it was not nearly as detailed as the
book, I did think that the movie kept the integrity of the story without
leaving out too much important information that made the book flow.
There were a few major differences between the book and
the movie. First of all, the movie was
told from a third person perspective, with no narrator, and the book was
written from the first person perspective of Katniss. I was wondering how the movie was going to
explain the plot without making it first person, and although I think they left
a few things out, they used the Hunger Games announcers to explain things that
the audience needed to know, like they were explaining it to the audience in
the movie. I thought that was a clever
way to cover the information! I still
felt like some emotions and thoughts were lacking in the film, and I am not
sure how someone who had not read the books would be able to understand
everything, but the movie did a pretty good job of covering the plot.
Another main difference between the book and the movie
was the elimination of the character Madge in the movie. In the novel, Madge was one of Katniss’s best
friends growing up, and she was the one who gave Katniss the infamous
Mockingjay pin, which would eventually be a symbol of revolution for the
districts. Madge was not even mentioned
in the movie, and I am not sure exactly why that was! Madge was central to Katniss’s life, so the
lack of her presence was definitely noticed!
In addition to missing Madge, I feel like viewers of the movie may be
missing the way that the movie was setting itself up for movie number two, Catching Fire. To those who read the book, it was obvious
that something ominous was about to happen in Katniss’s life at the end of the
first book, but the movie did not have quite as much foreshadowing.
Overall, I thought that the movie was a good
representation of the book, but there is no way that the book could have been
surpassed in greatness! One of the best
things about reading is that the reader can imagine the story however they
like, so I had developed my own visual images of the characters and setting
from the story. When I watched the
movie, everything was not as I had pictured it, which is slightly
disappointing. I hope that if people see
the movie, they will go back and read the books and realize the superiority of
literature to film! I would highly
recommend this series of books to any young adult, as I think there is a lot of
symbolism in the story that can be related to our world today. If you want to be entertained, seeing the
movie would be a good option as well!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Book #20: Required Reading- Catching Jordan
Kenneally, Miranda. (2011). Catching Jordan. Naperville: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Subgenre: Sports, Realistic Fiction
Textbook Chapter: 6
Possible Curriculum Connections: College Readiness; High School Literature Class
Book Summary:
Catching Jordan is a wonderful novel about a female football star named Jordan Woods. Jordan's father, Donovan Woods, is a star quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, and her brother is the starting quarterback for the University of Tennessee. Obviously, football is Jordan's life, and she has big dreams of playing college football at the University of Alabama. However, Jordan's father does not want her to play football because he is afraid she will get hurt, and this creates major friction in their relationship. Jordan has always been one of the guys, and her best friend Sam Henry practically lived at her house. However, Jordan suddenly becomes "girly" when new football player Ty moves to town. Jordan and Ty hit it off, and are soon in a relationship. However, Sam Henry starts acting strangely, and Jordan soon finds out that he has always been in love with her. After some tense times, Jordan realizes that she has always loved Sam as well. They both end up looking at playing college football in Michigan, and realize that they need to be together. Jordan's dad also recognizes her football talent and helps her find the right college. Everything ended well!
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I loved Catching Jordan! It was definitely an easy read, and it went by very quickly. The novel would appeal to both males and females, because there is a love story mixed in with a sports theme. Teenagers could also relate to the characters in this story. The characters struggle with love, preparing for their future, losing friendships, and relationships with thier parents. The characters in the story were typical high school students, and I think they were very real characters. I really enjoyed this novel because it was very light... there were not too many heavy concepts, so it made for an enjoyable pleasure read! I would recommend this book for high school students.
Subgenre: Sports, Realistic Fiction
Textbook Chapter: 6
Possible Curriculum Connections: College Readiness; High School Literature Class
Book Summary:
Catching Jordan is a wonderful novel about a female football star named Jordan Woods. Jordan's father, Donovan Woods, is a star quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, and her brother is the starting quarterback for the University of Tennessee. Obviously, football is Jordan's life, and she has big dreams of playing college football at the University of Alabama. However, Jordan's father does not want her to play football because he is afraid she will get hurt, and this creates major friction in their relationship. Jordan has always been one of the guys, and her best friend Sam Henry practically lived at her house. However, Jordan suddenly becomes "girly" when new football player Ty moves to town. Jordan and Ty hit it off, and are soon in a relationship. However, Sam Henry starts acting strangely, and Jordan soon finds out that he has always been in love with her. After some tense times, Jordan realizes that she has always loved Sam as well. They both end up looking at playing college football in Michigan, and realize that they need to be together. Jordan's dad also recognizes her football talent and helps her find the right college. Everything ended well!
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I loved Catching Jordan! It was definitely an easy read, and it went by very quickly. The novel would appeal to both males and females, because there is a love story mixed in with a sports theme. Teenagers could also relate to the characters in this story. The characters struggle with love, preparing for their future, losing friendships, and relationships with thier parents. The characters in the story were typical high school students, and I think they were very real characters. I really enjoyed this novel because it was very light... there were not too many heavy concepts, so it made for an enjoyable pleasure read! I would recommend this book for high school students.
Class #5 Reflection
I really enjoyed getting to see all of the great work that my classmates have completed during this class! I loved seeing the different booktalks that everyone did, and it was very interesting to see the different avenues that people took to complete their booktalks. I have added to my list of books to read based on the booktalks because they definitely convinced me that they are worthy books to read!
I also enjoyed learning more about the fantasy/ science fiction genre from the last group presentation. Fantasy and science fiction are some of my least favorite genres, but the books that the group presented made me want to give them a try! I do enjoy the Harry Potter series, but I think that they are an exception to the rule!
Hearing everyone's comments about Will Grayson, Will Grayson was also very entertaining! That was definitely a controversial book ,and everyone definitely had strong opinions about the novel. I enjoyed the book, but I could see how some of the content may not be appropriate for all young adults to read. I am looking forward to our next class where we can discuss Catching Jordan.
I also enjoyed learning more about the fantasy/ science fiction genre from the last group presentation. Fantasy and science fiction are some of my least favorite genres, but the books that the group presented made me want to give them a try! I do enjoy the Harry Potter series, but I think that they are an exception to the rule!
Hearing everyone's comments about Will Grayson, Will Grayson was also very entertaining! That was definitely a controversial book ,and everyone definitely had strong opinions about the novel. I enjoyed the book, but I could see how some of the content may not be appropriate for all young adults to read. I am looking forward to our next class where we can discuss Catching Jordan.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Book Talk Transcript
Girls
Who Rock! Book Talk
By:
Caitlin Hunter
Transcript:
Are you tired of reading about girls changing
everything that they are for a guy? Do
you get sick of reading about girls who never stand up for what they believe in? Do you wonder why all the “Cinderellas” are
waiting around for their Prince Charmings, when really, they should take charge
of their own lives? Here are some books
for you!!
Book 1: Heartbeat by Sharon Creech. “ Am I
supposed to do something important? It doesn’t seem enough to merely take up
space on this planet, in this country, in this state, in this town, in this
family.” (p 28).
I am twelve year old Annie and I would probably not
be the first character that you would think of as a “strong girl.” I am going through a lot of life changes… my
mom is expecting a new baby, my grandfather has Alzheimer’s, and my best friend
is always depressed and unhappy with life.
Read Heartbeat to find out just how Annie survives this tumultuous time
in her life and discovers who she is as a person.
Book 2: Get
Well Soon by Julie Halpern.
Funny. “Raisins again. I like raisins, but
I have a habit of losing one or two on the floor every time I eat them. I
always find them later and think they are: a) a mouse turd or b) a cockroach.
Then I figure out it's a raisin and sigh with relief. This pretty much happens
every time I find a lost raisin.”
Anna is a
teenager who suffers with depression.
Her parents decided to admit her into what she calls, “the loony bin,”
so that she can get her depression under control. Anna does not understand why she is forced to
stay in a hospital just because she is sad, but she soon begins to enjoy her
time in the mental hospital. Anna makes
friends, becomes a “popular” girl, and even has a love interest. All the while, she keeps everyone laughing
with her wit and funny stories. Read Get Well Soon to see how humor can help
Anna get out of any situation!
Book 3: Weedflower. By Cynthia Kadohata. Determined.
“This is what it felt like to be lonely:
1. Like everyone was looking at
you. Sumiko felt this once in a while.
2. Like nobody was looking at you. Sumiko felt this a lot.
3. Like you didn’t care about anything
at all. She felt this maybe once a week.
4. Like you were just about to cry over
every little thing. She felt this about
once a day.”
Hi! I am
Sumiko, and I am twelve. For many
reasons, I have never felt like I fit in.
I went to school, but I felt like an outsider because I was the only
Japanese American. My parents died when I was young, so often, I felt like an
outsider when living with my aunt and uncle. The only place I felt comfortable
was at home in the flower fields that my family grew. Weedflowers, or wild
flowers, are my favorite! However, my life changed dramatically when the
Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. My
family and I were forced to move to an internment camp, where strangely, I
actually began to feel accepted. Read Weedflower to discover how my
determination helped me in this difficult time.
Book 4: The Hunger Games: Strong. “My
spirit. This is a new thought. I'm not sure exactly what it means, but it
suggests I'm a fighter. In a sort of brave way. It's not as if I'm never
friendly. Okay, maybe I don't go around loving everybody I meet, maybe my
smiles are hard to come by, but i do care for some people.”
My name is Katniss Everdeen and here is my story! My
little sister, Prim, was chosen to participate in The Hunger Games, an annual
ritual where two older children or teens from each district are chosen to fight
to the death in a public arena. I just
couldn’t let that happen, so I volunteered to take Prim’s place in the Hunger
Games, and I was immediately whisked away to prepare for the games. During the games, I am faced with
dehydration, hunger, fire, and other obstacles that the Capitol throws my way
as I struggle to survive. Read The Hunger Games to see if my strong spirit, and my
relationship with Peeta, another
tribute, can help me survive the most intense games yet!
Book 5: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
Intelligent “Actually I'm highly logical which
allows me to look past extraneous detail and perceive clearly that which others
overlook” – Hermione
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the last book in the epic Harry Potter series. Throughout the series, I, Hermione Granger,
help keep my friends Harry and Ron alive as we fight the evil Lord Voldemort
and his Death Eaters. I use my wit,
intelligence, and overall nerdiness to solve problems, outsmart the villains,
and keep everyone in line! The last book
of the series is no different… as Harry, Ron, and I set off on a quest to find
and destroy horcruxes, which hold part of Lord Voldemort’s soul, we encounter
many obstacles. Will I be able to figure
out how to get myself and my friends out of this scary situation alive? Read Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows to find out!
.
Who Rock! Book Talk
By:
Caitlin Hunter
Transcript:
Are you tired of reading about girls changing
everything that they are for a guy? Do
you get sick of reading about girls who never stand up for what they believe in? Do you wonder why all the “Cinderellas” are
waiting around for their Prince Charmings, when really, they should take charge
of their own lives? Here are some books
for you!!
Book 1: Heartbeat by Sharon Creech. “ Am I
supposed to do something important? It doesn’t seem enough to merely take up
space on this planet, in this country, in this state, in this town, in this
family.” (p 28).
I am twelve year old Annie and I would probably not
be the first character that you would think of as a “strong girl.” I am going through a lot of life changes… my
mom is expecting a new baby, my grandfather has Alzheimer’s, and my best friend
is always depressed and unhappy with life.
Read Heartbeat to find out just how Annie survives this tumultuous time
in her life and discovers who she is as a person.
Book 2: Get
Well Soon by Julie Halpern.
Funny. “Raisins again. I like raisins, but
I have a habit of losing one or two on the floor every time I eat them. I
always find them later and think they are: a) a mouse turd or b) a cockroach.
Then I figure out it's a raisin and sigh with relief. This pretty much happens
every time I find a lost raisin.”
Anna is a
teenager who suffers with depression.
Her parents decided to admit her into what she calls, “the loony bin,”
so that she can get her depression under control. Anna does not understand why she is forced to
stay in a hospital just because she is sad, but she soon begins to enjoy her
time in the mental hospital. Anna makes
friends, becomes a “popular” girl, and even has a love interest. All the while, she keeps everyone laughing
with her wit and funny stories. Read Get Well Soon to see how humor can help
Anna get out of any situation!
Book 3: Weedflower. By Cynthia Kadohata. Determined.
“This is what it felt like to be lonely:
1. Like everyone was looking at
you. Sumiko felt this once in a while.
2. Like nobody was looking at you. Sumiko felt this a lot.
3. Like you didn’t care about anything
at all. She felt this maybe once a week.
4. Like you were just about to cry over
every little thing. She felt this about
once a day.”
Hi! I am
Sumiko, and I am twelve. For many
reasons, I have never felt like I fit in.
I went to school, but I felt like an outsider because I was the only
Japanese American. My parents died when I was young, so often, I felt like an
outsider when living with my aunt and uncle. The only place I felt comfortable
was at home in the flower fields that my family grew. Weedflowers, or wild
flowers, are my favorite! However, my life changed dramatically when the
Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. My
family and I were forced to move to an internment camp, where strangely, I
actually began to feel accepted. Read Weedflower to discover how my
determination helped me in this difficult time.
Book 4: The Hunger Games: Strong. “My
spirit. This is a new thought. I'm not sure exactly what it means, but it
suggests I'm a fighter. In a sort of brave way. It's not as if I'm never
friendly. Okay, maybe I don't go around loving everybody I meet, maybe my
smiles are hard to come by, but i do care for some people.”
My name is Katniss Everdeen and here is my story! My
little sister, Prim, was chosen to participate in The Hunger Games, an annual
ritual where two older children or teens from each district are chosen to fight
to the death in a public arena. I just
couldn’t let that happen, so I volunteered to take Prim’s place in the Hunger
Games, and I was immediately whisked away to prepare for the games. During the games, I am faced with
dehydration, hunger, fire, and other obstacles that the Capitol throws my way
as I struggle to survive. Read The Hunger Games to see if my strong spirit, and my
relationship with Peeta, another
tribute, can help me survive the most intense games yet!
Book 5: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:
Intelligent “Actually I'm highly logical which
allows me to look past extraneous detail and perceive clearly that which others
overlook” – Hermione
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the last book in the epic Harry Potter series. Throughout the series, I, Hermione Granger,
help keep my friends Harry and Ron alive as we fight the evil Lord Voldemort
and his Death Eaters. I use my wit,
intelligence, and overall nerdiness to solve problems, outsmart the villains,
and keep everyone in line! The last book
of the series is no different… as Harry, Ron, and I set off on a quest to find
and destroy horcruxes, which hold part of Lord Voldemort’s soul, we encounter
many obstacles. Will I be able to figure
out how to get myself and my friends out of this scary situation alive? Read Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows to find out!
.
Book 19- Waiting to Score
MacLeod, J.E. (2009). Waiting to Score. New Jersey: Westside Books.
Textbook Chapter: 6
Subgenre: Sports, Realistic Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High School Class English Class, Suicide Prevention, Making safe choices
Book Summary:
Waiting to Score is a young adult novel about Zachary Chase, a fifteen year old hockey star. Zach's father was a professional hockey player, but died before Zach was born because he was driving drunk and he wrecked his car. Now, Zach and his mother have moved back to their hometown after some time away, and Zach is trying to fit in to the new community and his new hockey team. He meets a girl named Jane at the hockey rink, and is immediately attracted to her, eventhough she is not his type. Come to find out, Jane is a very sweet girl, although she dresses gothic and wears dark makeup. Jane's twin brother is on the hockey team, and he has a severe drinking problem. Zach eventually wins Jane over, helps get her brother into rehab, and begins to fit in. However, Zach makes an enemy with Mac, the captain of the hockey team, who has a horrible attitude and actually takes advantage of girls who are drunk at parties. Zach tries to help a girl at a party when Mac takes advantage of her, but the girl commits suicide the next day at her home. The suicide rocks the town, everyone grows closer, and Mac's true colors are revealed. In the end, Zach is offered a hockey scholarship, and Mac is turned down because of his reputation.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
Waiting to Score was a pretty good book! The novel was a good mix of sports, realistic fiction, and a little bit of romance. It basically has something that everyone would enjoy! The book also deals with some very difficult issues like rape, suicide, and alcoholism. Although teenage drinking and partying are not portrayed as being negative when done in moderation in the book, the author does make teens see that extreme behaviors can have extreme consequences. Teens may be able to relate to the peer pressure in the novel, and would find Zach to be a good role model. Overall, this was a good book, and I do think most teens would enjoy it!
Textbook Chapter: 6
Subgenre: Sports, Realistic Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High School Class English Class, Suicide Prevention, Making safe choices
Book Summary:
Waiting to Score is a young adult novel about Zachary Chase, a fifteen year old hockey star. Zach's father was a professional hockey player, but died before Zach was born because he was driving drunk and he wrecked his car. Now, Zach and his mother have moved back to their hometown after some time away, and Zach is trying to fit in to the new community and his new hockey team. He meets a girl named Jane at the hockey rink, and is immediately attracted to her, eventhough she is not his type. Come to find out, Jane is a very sweet girl, although she dresses gothic and wears dark makeup. Jane's twin brother is on the hockey team, and he has a severe drinking problem. Zach eventually wins Jane over, helps get her brother into rehab, and begins to fit in. However, Zach makes an enemy with Mac, the captain of the hockey team, who has a horrible attitude and actually takes advantage of girls who are drunk at parties. Zach tries to help a girl at a party when Mac takes advantage of her, but the girl commits suicide the next day at her home. The suicide rocks the town, everyone grows closer, and Mac's true colors are revealed. In the end, Zach is offered a hockey scholarship, and Mac is turned down because of his reputation.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
Waiting to Score was a pretty good book! The novel was a good mix of sports, realistic fiction, and a little bit of romance. It basically has something that everyone would enjoy! The book also deals with some very difficult issues like rape, suicide, and alcoholism. Although teenage drinking and partying are not portrayed as being negative when done in moderation in the book, the author does make teens see that extreme behaviors can have extreme consequences. Teens may be able to relate to the peer pressure in the novel, and would find Zach to be a good role model. Overall, this was a good book, and I do think most teens would enjoy it!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Class # 4 Reflection
I thoroughly enjoyed our last class session on March 7th. I enjoyed our discussion of Playing with Matches and The Prosecution and Persecution of Leo Frank. It is always interesting to hear other people's reactions to novels, and to hear the varying opinions about the books. I always learn a lot from my classmates!
I also felt like the planning time for my group about the instructional unit plan was very beneficial. We have decided to do a unit on the Holocaust and World War II, and plan to incorporate centers, literature circles, and a small research project into our unit. We are excited about digging deeper into this project!
I also felt like the planning time for my group about the instructional unit plan was very beneficial. We have decided to do a unit on the Holocaust and World War II, and plan to incorporate centers, literature circles, and a small research project into our unit. We are excited about digging deeper into this project!
Book 18- Required Reading: Will Grayson, Will Grayson
Green, John and David Levithan. (2010). Will Grayson, Will Grayson. New York: Dutton Books.
Textbook Chapter: 4
Subgenre: Realistic Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High School literature class; Guidance Lessons on Acceptance;
Book Summary:
Will Grayson, Will Grayson is about two high school students who share the name, Will Grayson, and live in separate suburbs of Chicago. The two live very different lives, but are brought together by a twist of fate in the city of Chicago. Will Grayson and his best friend Tiny, and friend Jane, went to the city to see a concert, but Will was not allowed in because his fake id was bad. The other Will Grayson was lured to the city by a friend pretending to be a gay teen named Isaac who Will had formed a relationship online. It turns out that Isaac didn't exist, but Will Grayson did meet Tiny, and the two became boyfriends. However, this relationship did not last, but Tiny taught both Will Graysons a lesson in life. He taught them to be happy and to not be afraid to feel. In the end, Tiny produced, wrote and starred in a musical about his life, during which both Wills attended and showed Tiny their appreciation and everyone ended up happy.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I loved this book! It started out a little slow for me, and at first, I did not think I would like it. However, by the end, I was fully invested in the characters and desperately wanted everyone to be happy! I love the themes of the book: love, acceptance, taking risks, etc. I really think that teens would be able to relate to the characters in this book whether they are gay, straight, popular, outcasts, etc. There is someone that everyone can relate to! I also thought that this book did a great job of addressing some of the issues that homosexual teens face. Overall, I thought this book was worth reading and would recommend it to high school students!
Textbook Chapter: 4
Subgenre: Realistic Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High School literature class; Guidance Lessons on Acceptance;
Book Summary:
Will Grayson, Will Grayson is about two high school students who share the name, Will Grayson, and live in separate suburbs of Chicago. The two live very different lives, but are brought together by a twist of fate in the city of Chicago. Will Grayson and his best friend Tiny, and friend Jane, went to the city to see a concert, but Will was not allowed in because his fake id was bad. The other Will Grayson was lured to the city by a friend pretending to be a gay teen named Isaac who Will had formed a relationship online. It turns out that Isaac didn't exist, but Will Grayson did meet Tiny, and the two became boyfriends. However, this relationship did not last, but Tiny taught both Will Graysons a lesson in life. He taught them to be happy and to not be afraid to feel. In the end, Tiny produced, wrote and starred in a musical about his life, during which both Wills attended and showed Tiny their appreciation and everyone ended up happy.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I loved this book! It started out a little slow for me, and at first, I did not think I would like it. However, by the end, I was fully invested in the characters and desperately wanted everyone to be happy! I love the themes of the book: love, acceptance, taking risks, etc. I really think that teens would be able to relate to the characters in this book whether they are gay, straight, popular, outcasts, etc. There is someone that everyone can relate to! I also thought that this book did a great job of addressing some of the issues that homosexual teens face. Overall, I thought this book was worth reading and would recommend it to high school students!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Book 17- The Kite Rider
McCaughrean, Geraldine. (2001). The Kite Rider. New York: Harper Collins.
Textbook: Chapter 6
Subgenre: Adventure
Possible Curriculum Connections: Chinese Culture; Circus; Middle School Language Arts
Book Summary:
The Kite Rider is an adventure book about Chinese twelve year old Haoyou and his family. At the beginning of the novel, Haoyou witnesses his father's death as he was forced to fly on a kite to check the wind as punishment for his disrespectful behavior. Shocked and saddened by his father's death, Haoyou begins to make kites himself, and eventually builds a kite in which he can fly on. Word gets around about his talents at flying, and the leader of the Jade Circus makes a contract to have him fly in his circus as "Sun Sparrow." Come to find out, the leader of the circus was actually on a quest to assasinate the Khan, who was a great leader in China. Haoyou survived many different quests in this novel, and in the end, he saves his mother and sister from a life of servitude at a drinking house. Haoyou is blind in one eye due to a great fall he has on one of his quests, but he considers that to be a small price to pay for all of his adventures and quests. He, his mother, and sister all escape.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Not Want to Read this Book:
Personally, I thought this novel was difficult to read and follow. The plot was interesting, but the Chinese names and language made it confusing. There were a lot of details that bogged down the flow of the book, but I know that is simply a style choice by the author. I did enjoy the story line of the boy who goes on a quest and flies in kites through the sky, but overall, the novel was not my favorite. I do not think that teens would particularly enjoy this novel. Since the language is difficult and unfamiliar, I think the novel might frustrate the young adult reader. It is also a fairly long book and the plot is a little slow in the beginning, so many readers may give up on the book before they make it all the way through it!
Textbook: Chapter 6
Subgenre: Adventure
Possible Curriculum Connections: Chinese Culture; Circus; Middle School Language Arts
Book Summary:
The Kite Rider is an adventure book about Chinese twelve year old Haoyou and his family. At the beginning of the novel, Haoyou witnesses his father's death as he was forced to fly on a kite to check the wind as punishment for his disrespectful behavior. Shocked and saddened by his father's death, Haoyou begins to make kites himself, and eventually builds a kite in which he can fly on. Word gets around about his talents at flying, and the leader of the Jade Circus makes a contract to have him fly in his circus as "Sun Sparrow." Come to find out, the leader of the circus was actually on a quest to assasinate the Khan, who was a great leader in China. Haoyou survived many different quests in this novel, and in the end, he saves his mother and sister from a life of servitude at a drinking house. Haoyou is blind in one eye due to a great fall he has on one of his quests, but he considers that to be a small price to pay for all of his adventures and quests. He, his mother, and sister all escape.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Not Want to Read this Book:
Personally, I thought this novel was difficult to read and follow. The plot was interesting, but the Chinese names and language made it confusing. There were a lot of details that bogged down the flow of the book, but I know that is simply a style choice by the author. I did enjoy the story line of the boy who goes on a quest and flies in kites through the sky, but overall, the novel was not my favorite. I do not think that teens would particularly enjoy this novel. Since the language is difficult and unfamiliar, I think the novel might frustrate the young adult reader. It is also a fairly long book and the plot is a little slow in the beginning, so many readers may give up on the book before they make it all the way through it!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Book 16: Nonfiction
Rubin, Susan Goldman. (2009). The Anne Frank Case: Simon Wiesenthal's Search for the Truth. New York: Holiday House.
Textbook Chapter 11
Subgenre: Biography, Nonfiction, War,
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle School Unit on the Holocaust
Book Summary: Simon Wiesenthal, a Polish Jew, was a survivor of the Holocaust. He was within minutes of losing his life on two separate occasions in the concentration camps he was in, but was spared because of his artistic ability and by what he calls miracles. As a result, Wiesenthal spent the rest of his life trying to hunt down Nazi war criminals and see that they were punished according to the law. One of his most famous and most passionate cases was tracking down the Gestapo who arrested Anne Frank. He felt very passionately about this, as some Europeans believed that Anne Frank never existed, and that she was just a pretend martyr for the Jews. After years of searching and going down the wrong path many times, Wiesenthal got a break and found the soldier who arrested Frank's family. He admitted to arresting her, but he was not charged because there was no proof that he did anything against the law. Wiesenthal was disappointed with the results, but he was proud to have set the record straight that Anne Frank was real.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I personally love to read nonfiction, and especially biographies. This one was exceptional! Although it was not very long, the biography goes into great detail about Wiesenthal's experiences in the concentration camps, without being too graphic. The book also portrays a real life mystery of sorts, and teens would be caught up in trying to figure out who the actual man was who arrested Anne Frank. Students will be able to relate to Anne Frank's story, as well, and the book could be a good discussion starter about history's truths and how sometimes cultures like to ignore bad things about the past.
Textbook Chapter 11
Subgenre: Biography, Nonfiction, War,
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle School Unit on the Holocaust
Book Summary: Simon Wiesenthal, a Polish Jew, was a survivor of the Holocaust. He was within minutes of losing his life on two separate occasions in the concentration camps he was in, but was spared because of his artistic ability and by what he calls miracles. As a result, Wiesenthal spent the rest of his life trying to hunt down Nazi war criminals and see that they were punished according to the law. One of his most famous and most passionate cases was tracking down the Gestapo who arrested Anne Frank. He felt very passionately about this, as some Europeans believed that Anne Frank never existed, and that she was just a pretend martyr for the Jews. After years of searching and going down the wrong path many times, Wiesenthal got a break and found the soldier who arrested Frank's family. He admitted to arresting her, but he was not charged because there was no proof that he did anything against the law. Wiesenthal was disappointed with the results, but he was proud to have set the record straight that Anne Frank was real.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I personally love to read nonfiction, and especially biographies. This one was exceptional! Although it was not very long, the biography goes into great detail about Wiesenthal's experiences in the concentration camps, without being too graphic. The book also portrays a real life mystery of sorts, and teens would be caught up in trying to figure out who the actual man was who arrested Anne Frank. Students will be able to relate to Anne Frank's story, as well, and the book could be a good discussion starter about history's truths and how sometimes cultures like to ignore bad things about the past.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Book 15: Heartbeat by Sharon Creech- Poetry
Creech, Sharon. (2004). Heartbeat. New York: Harper Collins.
Textbook Chapter 5
Subgenre: Poetry
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle school poetry unit on narrative poetry.
Book Summary:
Heartbeat is a narrative poem written in book form about twelve year old Annie and the relationships she has with those around her. Annie's mom is expecting a baby, and the story tells how Annie at first fears having a baby sibling, but then gets excited as the birth gets closer. The book also highlights Annie's relationship with her grandfather, who appears to be suffering from Alzheimer's or dimentia, and sometimes does not remember important events in his life. Finally, the book tells about Annie's friendship with her friend Max, who struggles with loss in his life, but deals with that loss through running. Annie also finds joy in running. In the end, Annie's baby brother is born, and her grandfather gets to hold and enjoy the baby as well. Many of Annie's fears are relieved as the story progresses.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Novel:
I personally love Sharon Creech's books! She is one of my favorite authors. This book is a great mix of poetry and a narrative story, and it flows beautifully. I love reading her poetry books, and my students love them as well! Love that Dog, and Hate that Cat are two of my students' favorites, although they are written for a lower reading level. The story is interesting, and the poetry allows Annie to express her feelings in a different way than narrative writing would. I think teenagers would love this story because they can relate to Annie's fears and relationships. Annie is very mature for a twelve year old, and she is dealing with the birth of a new sibling and the aging of her grandfather, so her life is changing dramatically. Also, poetry is a great outlet for teens to express their thoughts and feelings, so this book may inspire those teens to pursue that further.
Textbook Chapter 5
Subgenre: Poetry
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle school poetry unit on narrative poetry.
Book Summary:
Heartbeat is a narrative poem written in book form about twelve year old Annie and the relationships she has with those around her. Annie's mom is expecting a baby, and the story tells how Annie at first fears having a baby sibling, but then gets excited as the birth gets closer. The book also highlights Annie's relationship with her grandfather, who appears to be suffering from Alzheimer's or dimentia, and sometimes does not remember important events in his life. Finally, the book tells about Annie's friendship with her friend Max, who struggles with loss in his life, but deals with that loss through running. Annie also finds joy in running. In the end, Annie's baby brother is born, and her grandfather gets to hold and enjoy the baby as well. Many of Annie's fears are relieved as the story progresses.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Novel:
I personally love Sharon Creech's books! She is one of my favorite authors. This book is a great mix of poetry and a narrative story, and it flows beautifully. I love reading her poetry books, and my students love them as well! Love that Dog, and Hate that Cat are two of my students' favorites, although they are written for a lower reading level. The story is interesting, and the poetry allows Annie to express her feelings in a different way than narrative writing would. I think teenagers would love this story because they can relate to Annie's fears and relationships. Annie is very mature for a twelve year old, and she is dealing with the birth of a new sibling and the aging of her grandfather, so her life is changing dramatically. Also, poetry is a great outlet for teens to express their thoughts and feelings, so this book may inspire those teens to pursue that further.
Book 14: Playing with Matches- Assigned Reading
Katcher, Brian. (2008). Playing with Matches. New York: Delacorte Press.
Textbook Chapter: 4
Subgenre: Realistic Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High School English Class
Book Summary:
Playing with Matches is a novel about a 17 year old boy named Leon and his experiences with love. Leon is a high school student who is not part of the "in" crowd. He rarely goes on dates, has a few friends, and is beginning to wonder why others do not want to hang out with him. However, he befriends a classmate named Melody, who has severe facial scars from a burn she suffered in childhood. A friendship quickly blossoms into a relationship, and the two are very happy together. However, Amy, a popular girl who Leon has had a crush on since elementary school, suddenly takes interest in Leon, and Leon dumps Melody for Amy, which crushes Melody's heart. After a few dates, Leon realizes that although Amy is beautiful, they have very little in common, and he does not really enjoy spending time with her. Melody is obviously furious with him, but in the end, she says that they can still be friends, but that is it.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens would want to read this novel:
This was book was just ok. If I were to give it a ranking out of 10, it would probably be a 5. I did enjoy reading a book that has a male protagonist, and I am sure that male high school students would enjoy reading a book from a similar perspective as their own. I did like that Leon, the main character, overcame the stereotypes of teenage boys, and actually did want to go back to the girl with the good personality, instead of the girl with the good looks. Teens would want to read this book because they can relate to it. Leon is just like any other teenage boy who is trying to find himself and form relationships with others.
Textbook Chapter: 4
Subgenre: Realistic Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High School English Class
Book Summary:
Playing with Matches is a novel about a 17 year old boy named Leon and his experiences with love. Leon is a high school student who is not part of the "in" crowd. He rarely goes on dates, has a few friends, and is beginning to wonder why others do not want to hang out with him. However, he befriends a classmate named Melody, who has severe facial scars from a burn she suffered in childhood. A friendship quickly blossoms into a relationship, and the two are very happy together. However, Amy, a popular girl who Leon has had a crush on since elementary school, suddenly takes interest in Leon, and Leon dumps Melody for Amy, which crushes Melody's heart. After a few dates, Leon realizes that although Amy is beautiful, they have very little in common, and he does not really enjoy spending time with her. Melody is obviously furious with him, but in the end, she says that they can still be friends, but that is it.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens would want to read this novel:
This was book was just ok. If I were to give it a ranking out of 10, it would probably be a 5. I did enjoy reading a book that has a male protagonist, and I am sure that male high school students would enjoy reading a book from a similar perspective as their own. I did like that Leon, the main character, overcame the stereotypes of teenage boys, and actually did want to go back to the girl with the good personality, instead of the girl with the good looks. Teens would want to read this book because they can relate to it. Leon is just like any other teenage boy who is trying to find himself and form relationships with others.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Class Number 3 Reflection
Wow! We covered a lot in our third class meeting! First of all, I enjoyed hearing the chapter presentations from the poetry and mystery/adventure groups. I saw some really great recommendations of new books to read in these subgenres. My group presents during the next class on historical fiction and history, and I have read some really great books in that subgenre this week as well!
I also enjoyed our discussion of the book, Delirium. It is always interesting to hear what other people think about books. The majority of my classmates enjoyed this novel, and I have begun to realize that one of my favorite subgenres is the utopian/ dystopian society subgenre. It is interesting to think about where our society is headed and how it may be in the future!
Finally, I think my favorite part of the evening was listening to everyone read their "I Was" poems. What wonderful insight into everyone's lives as adolescents! Some of the poems surprised me, and some I could have predicted pretty easily. It was great to learn more about my classmates, especially since we do not get to meet face to face. I can also see the value in letting students write "I Am" poems to get to know themselves and each other. Poetry is a great vessel for expression at any age! I am looking forward to reading some more poetry for this class and posting it in my blog.
I also enjoyed our discussion of the book, Delirium. It is always interesting to hear what other people think about books. The majority of my classmates enjoyed this novel, and I have begun to realize that one of my favorite subgenres is the utopian/ dystopian society subgenre. It is interesting to think about where our society is headed and how it may be in the future!
Finally, I think my favorite part of the evening was listening to everyone read their "I Was" poems. What wonderful insight into everyone's lives as adolescents! Some of the poems surprised me, and some I could have predicted pretty easily. It was great to learn more about my classmates, especially since we do not get to meet face to face. I can also see the value in letting students write "I Am" poems to get to know themselves and each other. Poetry is a great vessel for expression at any age! I am looking forward to reading some more poetry for this class and posting it in my blog.
Book 13: Historical Fiction- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Boyne, John. (2006). The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. New York: Random House.
Textbook Chapter: 8
Subgenre: Historical Fiction/ The Holocaust
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle school social studies integration with World War II and Holocaust Unit
Book Summary:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a novel set in Poland during World War II. The book focuses on Bruno, a nine year old boy, who has recently moved due to his dad's promotion at work. Bruno does not like moving to a new place, misses his friends, and is bored because he only has his sister, Gretel, around to play with. However, Bruno soon discovers that there are many people that live on the other side of the fence that borders his property. Bruno soon learns that the people living on the other side of the fence are in a place called "Out With" that seemed very unpleasant, and Bruno is told to never explore in that area. However, Bruno is curious and lonely, and he ventures to the fence, where he meets a young boy in striped pajamas named Shmuel. Shmuel and Bruno form a friendship from either side of the fence, and enjoy each other's company. Bruno begins to bring Shmuel food, and they tell each other about life on either side of the fence. Soon, Bruno finds out he is moving back to Berlin, and he and Shmuel make a plan to let Bruno wear a pair of striped pajamas and see what life is like on the other side of the fence. However, the novel turns tragic as the trip to the other side of the fence is not fun and games like Bruno thought it would be. The "Out-With" camp was actually Auschwitz concentration camp.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book
This story is a tear jerker! I could not believe the ending when I read it! Although the protagonist in the story is a nine year old boy, the book is definitely not appropriate for a nine year old. The book is more appropriate for middle and high school students. There are many allusions to people and places from World War II that are never directly stated, and younger readers may never understand. For example, "Out With" is never directly referred to as Auschwitz, and "the Furor" is never directly referred to as Hitler. Many of the themes of the story would be lost on a younger reader, even the ending. However, I think this is a must read for a young adult who is learning about the Holocaust. The story is well written, thought provoking, and tragic. The reader gets attached to both Bruno and Shmuel, and sees the beauty in their friendship. This story is a hard one to read, but is necessary! I highly recommend this book!
Textbook Chapter: 8
Subgenre: Historical Fiction/ The Holocaust
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle school social studies integration with World War II and Holocaust Unit
Book Summary:
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a novel set in Poland during World War II. The book focuses on Bruno, a nine year old boy, who has recently moved due to his dad's promotion at work. Bruno does not like moving to a new place, misses his friends, and is bored because he only has his sister, Gretel, around to play with. However, Bruno soon discovers that there are many people that live on the other side of the fence that borders his property. Bruno soon learns that the people living on the other side of the fence are in a place called "Out With" that seemed very unpleasant, and Bruno is told to never explore in that area. However, Bruno is curious and lonely, and he ventures to the fence, where he meets a young boy in striped pajamas named Shmuel. Shmuel and Bruno form a friendship from either side of the fence, and enjoy each other's company. Bruno begins to bring Shmuel food, and they tell each other about life on either side of the fence. Soon, Bruno finds out he is moving back to Berlin, and he and Shmuel make a plan to let Bruno wear a pair of striped pajamas and see what life is like on the other side of the fence. However, the novel turns tragic as the trip to the other side of the fence is not fun and games like Bruno thought it would be. The "Out-With" camp was actually Auschwitz concentration camp.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book
This story is a tear jerker! I could not believe the ending when I read it! Although the protagonist in the story is a nine year old boy, the book is definitely not appropriate for a nine year old. The book is more appropriate for middle and high school students. There are many allusions to people and places from World War II that are never directly stated, and younger readers may never understand. For example, "Out With" is never directly referred to as Auschwitz, and "the Furor" is never directly referred to as Hitler. Many of the themes of the story would be lost on a younger reader, even the ending. However, I think this is a must read for a young adult who is learning about the Holocaust. The story is well written, thought provoking, and tragic. The reader gets attached to both Bruno and Shmuel, and sees the beauty in their friendship. This story is a hard one to read, but is necessary! I highly recommend this book!
Book 12: Required Read- An Unspeakable Crime The Prosecution and Persecution of Leo Frank
Alphin, Elaine Marie. (2010). An Unspeakable Crime- The Prosecution and Persecution of Leo Frank. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.
Textbook Chapter: 9
Subgenre: Nonfiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High school social studies class on early 1900s culture; child labor; hate crimes; KKK; the justice system.
Book Summary: An Unspeakable Crime is a nonfiction book written about the trial of Leo Frank, a superintendent of a pencil manufacturing company in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1913, Mary Phagan, a thirteen year old employee of Frank's company, was found murdered in the pencil factory after going to receive her wages for the week. It was a brutal murder, with varying accounts by witnesses about what really happened. The police, lawyers, and people of Georgia demanded that justice be served for Mary Phagan, and the hunt for her killer began. Several suspects were questioned, including Leo Frank, Newt Lee (a night watchman at the factory), and Jim Conley (custodian). Both Lee and Conley were African American, and Frank was white. In the end, Frank was put on trial, and through baited testimonies, lies, and bribes, Frank was convicted of killing Mary Phagan, despite a lack of physical evidence to convict him. The community wanted Frank's head because he was a wealthy white Yankee who stood for everything that they did not have living in the poor south. After years of appeals, Frank's sentence was lessened to life on a work prison, but Frank was lynched by a group of well to do men who came and kidnapped him from the prison. Most people agree that Frank did not get a fair trial, and that guilty or not, justice was not served. Years later, one of the star witnesses for the prosecution recanted his story, which could have easily set Frank free.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I love reading nonfiction, so I thoroughly enjoyed this book! From the first chapter, the author does a great job of grabbing your attention and setting you up for the sad story of both Mary Phagan and Leo Frank. Throughout the book, I went back and forth about who I thought was guilty of the murder, and was often angered by the way the case was handled. The photographs, newspaper clippings, and other artifacts from the case that were included in the book definitely made the story seem real to me. The nonfiction text features like subheadings, quotes, a table of contents, timeline, and index also provided important information to the reader aside from just the text. I think that this book would be best suited for high school students because of the nature of the crime and how detailed some of the photos were, especially those of the lynching. An older teen may enjoy reading this book because it is a true life mystery, one that is hard to fathom in today's courts. Teens would feel passionately about the case, which would cause them to keep reading. This would be a great example of nonfiction text features to use in a lesson as well.
Textbook Chapter: 9
Subgenre: Nonfiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High school social studies class on early 1900s culture; child labor; hate crimes; KKK; the justice system.
Book Summary: An Unspeakable Crime is a nonfiction book written about the trial of Leo Frank, a superintendent of a pencil manufacturing company in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1913, Mary Phagan, a thirteen year old employee of Frank's company, was found murdered in the pencil factory after going to receive her wages for the week. It was a brutal murder, with varying accounts by witnesses about what really happened. The police, lawyers, and people of Georgia demanded that justice be served for Mary Phagan, and the hunt for her killer began. Several suspects were questioned, including Leo Frank, Newt Lee (a night watchman at the factory), and Jim Conley (custodian). Both Lee and Conley were African American, and Frank was white. In the end, Frank was put on trial, and through baited testimonies, lies, and bribes, Frank was convicted of killing Mary Phagan, despite a lack of physical evidence to convict him. The community wanted Frank's head because he was a wealthy white Yankee who stood for everything that they did not have living in the poor south. After years of appeals, Frank's sentence was lessened to life on a work prison, but Frank was lynched by a group of well to do men who came and kidnapped him from the prison. Most people agree that Frank did not get a fair trial, and that guilty or not, justice was not served. Years later, one of the star witnesses for the prosecution recanted his story, which could have easily set Frank free.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I love reading nonfiction, so I thoroughly enjoyed this book! From the first chapter, the author does a great job of grabbing your attention and setting you up for the sad story of both Mary Phagan and Leo Frank. Throughout the book, I went back and forth about who I thought was guilty of the murder, and was often angered by the way the case was handled. The photographs, newspaper clippings, and other artifacts from the case that were included in the book definitely made the story seem real to me. The nonfiction text features like subheadings, quotes, a table of contents, timeline, and index also provided important information to the reader aside from just the text. I think that this book would be best suited for high school students because of the nature of the crime and how detailed some of the photos were, especially those of the lynching. An older teen may enjoy reading this book because it is a true life mystery, one that is hard to fathom in today's courts. Teens would feel passionately about the case, which would cause them to keep reading. This would be a great example of nonfiction text features to use in a lesson as well.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Book 11: Historical Fiction- Weedflower
Kadohta, Cynthia. (2006). Weedflower. New York: Atheneum Books.
Textbook Chapter: 8
Subgenre: Historical Fiction/ War
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle School Social Studies Unit on World War II/ Japanese Internment/ Native Americans
Book Summary: The novel is about a twelve year old Japanese American girl names Sumiko and her family. Sumiko and her little brother, Tak Tak, live with their uncle, aunt, grandfather, and two cousins on a flower farm in California in 1941. Life is good on the farm, until the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Sumiko's uncle and grandfather were moved to a prison camp because they were from Japan, and the rest of the family was relocated to an internment camp in Arizona with the other Japanese Americans. The family lived in barracks on a Native American reservation that turned into an internment camp. Although life was not as it once was, Sumiko makes friends, plants a garden, and actually begins to like life in the camp. She befriends a Native American boy, and helps he and his family begin a farm of their own. In the end, Sumiko does not want to leave the camp, but knows she must in order to start a new life with her family. She was sad to leave her friends, but she knew that it was necessary to start over.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this book:
I really liked Weedflower. It was written for a younger audience, as the vocabulary was not very difficult, and the protagonist in the story was twelve years old. The novel touched on important themes from the Japanese Internment, and it did not sugar coat how difficult that time period was for Japanese Americans. Sumiko, the main character, was endearing and it would be easy for many adolescent girls to relate to her as she struggles with making friends, caring for her family, and growing up. The merging of two minorities (Native Americans and Japanese Americans) during World War II was something I had never thought about before, so the book provided a unique perspective. Overall, this was a well-written, easy to read book that dealt with a subject that teens may not know much about. I would highly recommend this book!
Textbook Chapter: 8
Subgenre: Historical Fiction/ War
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle School Social Studies Unit on World War II/ Japanese Internment/ Native Americans
Book Summary: The novel is about a twelve year old Japanese American girl names Sumiko and her family. Sumiko and her little brother, Tak Tak, live with their uncle, aunt, grandfather, and two cousins on a flower farm in California in 1941. Life is good on the farm, until the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Sumiko's uncle and grandfather were moved to a prison camp because they were from Japan, and the rest of the family was relocated to an internment camp in Arizona with the other Japanese Americans. The family lived in barracks on a Native American reservation that turned into an internment camp. Although life was not as it once was, Sumiko makes friends, plants a garden, and actually begins to like life in the camp. She befriends a Native American boy, and helps he and his family begin a farm of their own. In the end, Sumiko does not want to leave the camp, but knows she must in order to start a new life with her family. She was sad to leave her friends, but she knew that it was necessary to start over.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this book:
I really liked Weedflower. It was written for a younger audience, as the vocabulary was not very difficult, and the protagonist in the story was twelve years old. The novel touched on important themes from the Japanese Internment, and it did not sugar coat how difficult that time period was for Japanese Americans. Sumiko, the main character, was endearing and it would be easy for many adolescent girls to relate to her as she struggles with making friends, caring for her family, and growing up. The merging of two minorities (Native Americans and Japanese Americans) during World War II was something I had never thought about before, so the book provided a unique perspective. Overall, this was a well-written, easy to read book that dealt with a subject that teens may not know much about. I would highly recommend this book!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Book 10: Historical Fiction- Elijah of Buxton
Curtis, Christopher Paul. (2007). Elijah of Buxton. New York: Scholastic.
Textbook Chapter: 8
Subgenre: Historical Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle school social studies unit on slavery and the Underground Railroad.
Book Summary:
Elijah of Buxton is a novel set in Buxton, Canada, which is located right on the border of Michigan and Canada. The novel is set prior to the Civil War, when slavery in the United States was a big business. Elijah Freeman was the first free child born in the settlement of Buxton, and he was 11 years old at the time that the book takes place. The story is about Elijah and his interactions with the other people in his community. Frederick Douglass visited Buxton when Elijah was a baby, and he played a large role in the development of the settlement. Elijah works for a man named Mr. Leroy who is trying to buy his wife and children out of slavery in the United States. When Mr. Leroy is given a gift of money, a crooked preacher offers to take the money and go get Mr. Leroy's family. However, the preacher ends up running off with the money and uses it for gambling. Elijah and Mr. Leroy go and try to find the preacher to either get the money back or kill him. However, Mr. Leroy dies on the journey, and Elijah finds out the preacher has been killed as well. In the end, Elijah finds a group of runaway slaves that are being held captive, and he tries to help them escape into Canada. He cannot help the adults be free, but he ends up taking a baby girl with him back to Buxton so that she can grow up free.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens would want to read this book:
I thought the beginning of this book was a little slow and difficult to follow. The dialect that the author uses in his writing was tough for me to pick up on at first, but as I read more, it got easier. It is also a pretty long book, as it is about 350 pages. However, after the first few chapters, I started to really enjoy the book. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and the book gave an interesting perspective about the Underground Railroad in Canada. I think that this book would be great for a middle school library. There is nothing inappropriate about the story, and the writing is geared more for the younger teen. The main character is 11, so younger teens would probably be able to relate more to him than high school students. Overall, I thought this was a good book that could easily be integrated into a social studies unit about slavery and the Underground Railroad. I have read Curtis's book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 which I think I enjoyed even more than this novel. However, Curtis is a great historical fiction author!
Textbook Chapter: 8
Subgenre: Historical Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: Middle school social studies unit on slavery and the Underground Railroad.
Book Summary:
Elijah of Buxton is a novel set in Buxton, Canada, which is located right on the border of Michigan and Canada. The novel is set prior to the Civil War, when slavery in the United States was a big business. Elijah Freeman was the first free child born in the settlement of Buxton, and he was 11 years old at the time that the book takes place. The story is about Elijah and his interactions with the other people in his community. Frederick Douglass visited Buxton when Elijah was a baby, and he played a large role in the development of the settlement. Elijah works for a man named Mr. Leroy who is trying to buy his wife and children out of slavery in the United States. When Mr. Leroy is given a gift of money, a crooked preacher offers to take the money and go get Mr. Leroy's family. However, the preacher ends up running off with the money and uses it for gambling. Elijah and Mr. Leroy go and try to find the preacher to either get the money back or kill him. However, Mr. Leroy dies on the journey, and Elijah finds out the preacher has been killed as well. In the end, Elijah finds a group of runaway slaves that are being held captive, and he tries to help them escape into Canada. He cannot help the adults be free, but he ends up taking a baby girl with him back to Buxton so that she can grow up free.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens would want to read this book:
I thought the beginning of this book was a little slow and difficult to follow. The dialect that the author uses in his writing was tough for me to pick up on at first, but as I read more, it got easier. It is also a pretty long book, as it is about 350 pages. However, after the first few chapters, I started to really enjoy the book. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and the book gave an interesting perspective about the Underground Railroad in Canada. I think that this book would be great for a middle school library. There is nothing inappropriate about the story, and the writing is geared more for the younger teen. The main character is 11, so younger teens would probably be able to relate more to him than high school students. Overall, I thought this was a good book that could easily be integrated into a social studies unit about slavery and the Underground Railroad. I have read Curtis's book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 which I think I enjoyed even more than this novel. However, Curtis is a great historical fiction author!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Book 9: Require Reading: Autumn Bends the Rebel Tree
Guy, Carolyn. (2011). Autumn Bends the Rebel Tree. Vilas: Canterbury House Publishing.
Textbook Chapter: 8
Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High school social studies class about the Great Depression, World War II, Rural Appalachia, etc.
Book Summary:
Autumn Bends the Rebel Tree is a novel set in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina during the Great Depression and World War II. The novel tells the story of Clarinda, a girl born in a poor family during this time period. It tells how Clarinda grows up, meets her husband Rufus as a teenager, and then goes on to have 17 children of her own. Unfortunately, Clarinda suffered many tragedies in her life. The first was the death of her twin babies who died at just a few months of age. Next, her beloved husband, Rufus, passed away of a stroke at a very young age. Later on in the story, her home catches on fire, and some of her children were burned. Another tragedy in Clarinda’s life was the fact that her son, Olis, died while fighting in World War II. Clarinda eventually marries a man who promises to take care of her and her children, but ends up treating them poorly. Eventually, Clarinda and her children move back to their home place, and many of her children get married and begin families of their own. Overall, the book was simply about the struggles of surviving life in rural Appalachia.
Personal Reactions/ Why Teens Would or Not Read this Novel:
I am sad to say that I did not love this book. I really struggled with the dialect and the way that it was written. I felt like the flow of the book was kind of jumpy as well. I enjoyed learning about the time period and how life was really like in the Appalachian Mountains, but I struggled with the character development of all the children and the way the chapters were segmented by year and jumped around. However, I loved the fact that this novel was based on the author’s family, and that Guy is a local author. I think that the ideas within the book were great, and it was interesting to see how Clarinda, the main character, grew up from a teenager to an older lady. She was definitely strong, and she sets a good example of an independent female protagonist! I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy learning about the Appalachian culture and those who enjoy reading different dialects. However, I am not sure that young adults would want to read this novel. It does not meet many of the criteria of young adult literature, like telling the story from a young adult’s perspective, fast paced, etc. Some teens may enjoy this novel, but I do not think it would have widespread acclaim from teens.
Textbook Chapter: 8
Sub-genre: Historical Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: High school social studies class about the Great Depression, World War II, Rural Appalachia, etc.
Book Summary:
Autumn Bends the Rebel Tree is a novel set in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina during the Great Depression and World War II. The novel tells the story of Clarinda, a girl born in a poor family during this time period. It tells how Clarinda grows up, meets her husband Rufus as a teenager, and then goes on to have 17 children of her own. Unfortunately, Clarinda suffered many tragedies in her life. The first was the death of her twin babies who died at just a few months of age. Next, her beloved husband, Rufus, passed away of a stroke at a very young age. Later on in the story, her home catches on fire, and some of her children were burned. Another tragedy in Clarinda’s life was the fact that her son, Olis, died while fighting in World War II. Clarinda eventually marries a man who promises to take care of her and her children, but ends up treating them poorly. Eventually, Clarinda and her children move back to their home place, and many of her children get married and begin families of their own. Overall, the book was simply about the struggles of surviving life in rural Appalachia.
Personal Reactions/ Why Teens Would or Not Read this Novel:
I am sad to say that I did not love this book. I really struggled with the dialect and the way that it was written. I felt like the flow of the book was kind of jumpy as well. I enjoyed learning about the time period and how life was really like in the Appalachian Mountains, but I struggled with the character development of all the children and the way the chapters were segmented by year and jumped around. However, I loved the fact that this novel was based on the author’s family, and that Guy is a local author. I think that the ideas within the book were great, and it was interesting to see how Clarinda, the main character, grew up from a teenager to an older lady. She was definitely strong, and she sets a good example of an independent female protagonist! I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy learning about the Appalachian culture and those who enjoy reading different dialects. However, I am not sure that young adults would want to read this novel. It does not meet many of the criteria of young adult literature, like telling the story from a young adult’s perspective, fast paced, etc. Some teens may enjoy this novel, but I do not think it would have widespread acclaim from teens.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Class #2 Reflection: February 8th
I really enjoyed our last class. I learned a lot from discussing the articles that we read with my group. The article that I read about contraceptive use in young adult literature was very interesting, and I have started looking for contraceptive use in the books that I am reading for class. I also enjoyed learning more about graphic novels from the first group's presentation. I was not a huge fan of graphic novels before their presentation because I find them difficult to follow and distracting. However, after reviewing the group's Glogster and reading a graphic novel for this course, I can definitely see how that genre would be helpful for struggling readers. I also think that graphic novels can get students hooked on reading, and maybe help them broaden their horizons. I am looking forward to class again this week! I know we have a lot to discuss and learn about this week, and I am especially excited to discuss our "I was" poems that we posted.
Book 8: Assigned Reading: Delirium
Oliver, Lauren. (2011). Delirium. New York: Harper Collins.
Textbook Chapter: 7
Subgenre: Dystopian/ Utopian Societies; Science Fiction
Book Summary: Delirium is a novel set in Portland, Maine, sometime in the future. The book's protagonist, Lena, is a seventeen year old high school student who loves to run with her best friend Hana. Lena appears to be a normal teenager, but her family is scarred because of her mother's suicide when she was younger. In the novel, all people must be "cured" around their 18th birthday, or they are imprisoned, killed, or exiled. The cure is a procedure that removes the part of a person's brain that makes them feel love. According to the government, love is what destroys people's lives, and makes them go crazy, so every person must be cured in order to remain in the city. Lena is following along with the plan, and knows she must be cured, until she meets Alex, who is an Invalid, or a person who lives in the Wilds, and is not cured. Alex has a fake identity which allows him to live in the city, and he and Lena fall in love despite all the risks. Alex also shows Lena that her mother was not dead, but had been imprisoned for 12 years. This fact made Lena decide to runaway with Alex to the Wilds. Lena and Alex are caught trying to escape into the Wilds by regulators from the government, and Lena is forced to get the cure early. However, Alex comes to rescue her, and she is able to escape into the Wilds. Alex, on the other hand, sacrificed himself to save Lena, and is killed by the Regulators.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I thought this book was great! It was interesting and kept my attention throughout the novel. The futuristic aspect of the novel reminded me of The Hunger Games, and I am seeing a trend in Utopian/Dystopian societies in young adult literature. I think that teens find this subgenre intriguing because they wonder where their life is going, and what life will be like in the future. This book is also a great read for teens because of the relationships between the characters. The novel has many parallels with Romeo and Juliet, and the theme of forbidden love will always draw a reader back for more. I know that many teens can relate to Lena in the story as she struggles with authority, relationships, and maturing into an adult. I highly recommend this book for any teen!
Textbook Chapter: 7
Subgenre: Dystopian/ Utopian Societies; Science Fiction
Book Summary: Delirium is a novel set in Portland, Maine, sometime in the future. The book's protagonist, Lena, is a seventeen year old high school student who loves to run with her best friend Hana. Lena appears to be a normal teenager, but her family is scarred because of her mother's suicide when she was younger. In the novel, all people must be "cured" around their 18th birthday, or they are imprisoned, killed, or exiled. The cure is a procedure that removes the part of a person's brain that makes them feel love. According to the government, love is what destroys people's lives, and makes them go crazy, so every person must be cured in order to remain in the city. Lena is following along with the plan, and knows she must be cured, until she meets Alex, who is an Invalid, or a person who lives in the Wilds, and is not cured. Alex has a fake identity which allows him to live in the city, and he and Lena fall in love despite all the risks. Alex also shows Lena that her mother was not dead, but had been imprisoned for 12 years. This fact made Lena decide to runaway with Alex to the Wilds. Lena and Alex are caught trying to escape into the Wilds by regulators from the government, and Lena is forced to get the cure early. However, Alex comes to rescue her, and she is able to escape into the Wilds. Alex, on the other hand, sacrificed himself to save Lena, and is killed by the Regulators.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I thought this book was great! It was interesting and kept my attention throughout the novel. The futuristic aspect of the novel reminded me of The Hunger Games, and I am seeing a trend in Utopian/Dystopian societies in young adult literature. I think that teens find this subgenre intriguing because they wonder where their life is going, and what life will be like in the future. This book is also a great read for teens because of the relationships between the characters. The novel has many parallels with Romeo and Juliet, and the theme of forbidden love will always draw a reader back for more. I know that many teens can relate to Lena in the story as she struggles with authority, relationships, and maturing into an adult. I highly recommend this book for any teen!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Book 7: Challenged Book
Ockler, Sarah. (2009). Twenty Boy Summer. New York: Hachette Book Group.
Textbook Chapter: 4
Subgenre: Realistic Fiction
Book Summary:
Twenty Boy Summer is a novel about two teenage girls, Frankie and Anna, who are lifelong best friends, neighbors, and practically sisters. Frankie’s older brother, Matt, was also extremely close to his sister and Anna, and the three were basically inseparable. However, Matt and Anna begin to be more than just friends, and they fall in love. Before they can tell Frankie or really act on their feelings, Matt dies in a car crash due to a heart condition, but Frankie and Anna survive the accident. The story continues a year later as Anna continues to try to protect Frankie from being hurt and travels with Frankie and her parents to California on vacation. While there, Frankie and Anna challenge themselves to meet at least 20 different guys, and Frankie tries desperately to help Anna find a guy with which to lose her virginity. While in California, Anna and Frankie meet two guys, Jake and Sam, and eventually Anna does lose her virginity to Sam. After this, Frankie finds out about Anna and Matt and is devastated by the secret Anna had hidden from her. As it turns out, Frankie was actually a virgin, and had been lying to Anna all along. After a terrible fight, the girls eventually work things out when they get home, and Frankie even accepts the fact that Anna and Matt were in love. Frankie gave Anna Matt’s most prized possession, his turquoise sea glass necklace, and the girls remain best friends despite their grief.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I really enjoyed this book. I can tell it is written more for high school students, as the vocabulary, sentence structure, and content are more mature than several of the other books I have read for this class. I thought the story was heart wrenching, and the author does an excellent job of describing the protagonists’ feelings of loss, love, and betrayal. I think teens would want to read this book because many of them can relate to the main characters. Although most teens have not lost a sibling, they have continued to search to find someone to love them, despite their past. Teens will be able to relate to the feelings that the author describes about finding love, friendship, and acts of rebellion. There was some sexual content in the book, as one of the main characters loses her virginity to her summer love. However, the book does mention that they use a condom, which relates back to the article I read about contraceptive use in teen novels. It is rare to find a book where condom use is talked about, and I am glad they included that part in the novel. Overall, I think this is an excellent book and I can see how it might be a favorite among high school girls.
Why was this book banned?
Twenty Boy Summer was challenged in a Missouri school district in 2010 because it was “soft-pornography” and “glorifies drinking, cursing, and pre-marital sex.” An associate professor at a Missouri college is the person who challenged the book because it taught things that opposed the views of the Bible. As of July, 2011, the schools in Republic, Missouri removed this book from their shelves as a result of a school board vote to ban the book. This created a lot of uproar in the community, and students at a nearby college protested by holding public readings of the book on campus. Another book, Slaughterhouse Five, was also removed from the shelves.
I can see how this book would be perceived in a negative way if some of the scenes and descriptions of the novel were taken out of context. However, the main point of the novel is not to glorify drinking, cursing, or premarital sex; instead, it is to discuss how the teens are dealing with the death of a sibling and boyfriend. The drinking, cursing, and sex were the result of negative choices made by the characters as they dealt with their grief, and the book ends with resolution that the characters were not happy with their choices and are going back on the right path. The book is more about overcoming obstacles and maintaining friendships during tough times, than about sex and drinking!
Reviews:
All of the reviews that I read for this book were positive. The review from Booklist raved about the way that Anna, one of the main characters, approached the tragedies and issues in her life with great maturity. The review also states that the mix of romance, tragedy, and drama will draw in many teen readers. A review from Children’s Literature is also glowing. The review notes that the characters are well developed and the reader will feel compassion for the characters and their difficult situations. The review does mention the fact that there is explicit sexual discussion, but also states that this book would be a great discussion starter for teens dealing with loss. Overall, the reviews were very positive!
*I did not find any awards that the book had won at this time.
Textbook Chapter: 4
Subgenre: Realistic Fiction
Book Summary:
Twenty Boy Summer is a novel about two teenage girls, Frankie and Anna, who are lifelong best friends, neighbors, and practically sisters. Frankie’s older brother, Matt, was also extremely close to his sister and Anna, and the three were basically inseparable. However, Matt and Anna begin to be more than just friends, and they fall in love. Before they can tell Frankie or really act on their feelings, Matt dies in a car crash due to a heart condition, but Frankie and Anna survive the accident. The story continues a year later as Anna continues to try to protect Frankie from being hurt and travels with Frankie and her parents to California on vacation. While there, Frankie and Anna challenge themselves to meet at least 20 different guys, and Frankie tries desperately to help Anna find a guy with which to lose her virginity. While in California, Anna and Frankie meet two guys, Jake and Sam, and eventually Anna does lose her virginity to Sam. After this, Frankie finds out about Anna and Matt and is devastated by the secret Anna had hidden from her. As it turns out, Frankie was actually a virgin, and had been lying to Anna all along. After a terrible fight, the girls eventually work things out when they get home, and Frankie even accepts the fact that Anna and Matt were in love. Frankie gave Anna Matt’s most prized possession, his turquoise sea glass necklace, and the girls remain best friends despite their grief.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Want to Read this Book:
I really enjoyed this book. I can tell it is written more for high school students, as the vocabulary, sentence structure, and content are more mature than several of the other books I have read for this class. I thought the story was heart wrenching, and the author does an excellent job of describing the protagonists’ feelings of loss, love, and betrayal. I think teens would want to read this book because many of them can relate to the main characters. Although most teens have not lost a sibling, they have continued to search to find someone to love them, despite their past. Teens will be able to relate to the feelings that the author describes about finding love, friendship, and acts of rebellion. There was some sexual content in the book, as one of the main characters loses her virginity to her summer love. However, the book does mention that they use a condom, which relates back to the article I read about contraceptive use in teen novels. It is rare to find a book where condom use is talked about, and I am glad they included that part in the novel. Overall, I think this is an excellent book and I can see how it might be a favorite among high school girls.
Why was this book banned?
Twenty Boy Summer was challenged in a Missouri school district in 2010 because it was “soft-pornography” and “glorifies drinking, cursing, and pre-marital sex.” An associate professor at a Missouri college is the person who challenged the book because it taught things that opposed the views of the Bible. As of July, 2011, the schools in Republic, Missouri removed this book from their shelves as a result of a school board vote to ban the book. This created a lot of uproar in the community, and students at a nearby college protested by holding public readings of the book on campus. Another book, Slaughterhouse Five, was also removed from the shelves.
I can see how this book would be perceived in a negative way if some of the scenes and descriptions of the novel were taken out of context. However, the main point of the novel is not to glorify drinking, cursing, or premarital sex; instead, it is to discuss how the teens are dealing with the death of a sibling and boyfriend. The drinking, cursing, and sex were the result of negative choices made by the characters as they dealt with their grief, and the book ends with resolution that the characters were not happy with their choices and are going back on the right path. The book is more about overcoming obstacles and maintaining friendships during tough times, than about sex and drinking!
Reviews:
All of the reviews that I read for this book were positive. The review from Booklist raved about the way that Anna, one of the main characters, approached the tragedies and issues in her life with great maturity. The review also states that the mix of romance, tragedy, and drama will draw in many teen readers. A review from Children’s Literature is also glowing. The review notes that the characters are well developed and the reader will feel compassion for the characters and their difficult situations. The review does mention the fact that there is explicit sexual discussion, but also states that this book would be a great discussion starter for teens dealing with loss. Overall, the reviews were very positive!
*I did not find any awards that the book had won at this time.
Book 6: Challenged Book
Halpern, Julie. (2007). Get Well Soon. New York: Feiwel and Friends.
Textbook Chapter: 4
Subgenre: Realistic fiction
Book Summary:
Get Well Soon is a novel about sixteen year old Anna, who suffers from anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. After laying out of school and threatening suicide, Anna’s parents admit her into a mental hospital to receive treatment. Anna is put on suicide watch for a few days, and the only thing she has to keep her occupied is a pencil and paper. As a way to deal with her situation, Anna begins to write about her experiences in the mental hospital in letters to her friend, Tracy. The book is in letter format, and is told through Anna’s point of view. As Anna spends more time in the hospital, she begins to make new friends, lose weight, and even has a forbidden relationship with one of the other patients. Although everyone else who is in the hospital cannot wait to get out, Anna begins to feel like it is the only place she belongs. However, after several different rounds of therapy, Anna’s insurance runs out, and she is sent home to deal with the real world. After arriving home, Anna realizes that she is better, as she gets angry, stands up to her mother, and does not feel any anxiety. Overall, Anna finds confidence in herself, and gains a new appreciation of who she is from her time in the mental hospital.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teenagers Would Read this Book:
In my opinion, this book was just ok. I thought the author did a good job of approaching the sensitive issue of mental illness in teens, but I was not a fan of the letter format. I think that teens would identify with the book, as the protagonist is a sixteen year old who struggles with body image, relationships, and feeling comfortable in her own skin, although she does have deeper issues than most teens. The book is definitely written the way a teen would write and think, with curse words, subtle digs at others, and funny asides. I can see how the word choice and style would appeal to the teenage reader. I do think it is important that teens are aware of how depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts can affect their perceptions about the world and themselves, and this book would definitely make teens think. Overall, this would not be my first choice to read again, but I think it does a good job of addressing a difficult issue.
Why was this book banned?
Get Well Soon was challenged by a parent of a teen in a public library in Wisconsin for inappropriate language and content that was inappropriate for children. The parent claimed that the “f-word” was not suitable for this age group, and the content of the book was not appropriate for her twelve year old. The parent was angry and asked a supervisor to remove it from the shelves of the library, and it was then thrown in the dumpster, without question, and without going through proper challenge procedures. This book was also challenged at a middle school library. However, the middle school responded to the challenge by keeping the book on the shelves.
Get Well Soon received great reviews! A review from Booklist says that teens will be able to relate to Anna’s character and her humorous sarcasm about her situation. It also says that teens will be able to connect to the way Anna is trying to shape her own life into what she wants it to be. A review from the Library Media Connection also gives good reviews and recommends the book. That review states that the book will have readers laughing and although there is some swearing, it is in line with how teens talk and think. It cites one of the important themes of the book in the review, saying that the book is about the relationship between teens and those who they would not typically associate. Overall, the reviews I read were very positive.
Awards Won:
Kirkus Best Young Adult Books: 2007
Young Adults’ Choices: 2009
YALSA Quick Picks for Young Adult Readers, 2008
Overall, I feel like this book should not have been challenged. Yes, the book does have some swearing, and the f-word does appear on the first page, but the words are not the focus of the story. They are used in a way that teens would use them, and they do not detract from the content. The benefits of teens reading about other teens dealing with mental illness far outweigh the bad language that most teens read, hear, or say on a daily basis. I am sad that the public library in Wisconsin threw the book away and did not follow proper challenged book procedures, but I am glad that the middle school chose to keep the book on the shelves as it does have great value to teens.
Textbook Chapter: 4
Subgenre: Realistic fiction
Book Summary:
Get Well Soon is a novel about sixteen year old Anna, who suffers from anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. After laying out of school and threatening suicide, Anna’s parents admit her into a mental hospital to receive treatment. Anna is put on suicide watch for a few days, and the only thing she has to keep her occupied is a pencil and paper. As a way to deal with her situation, Anna begins to write about her experiences in the mental hospital in letters to her friend, Tracy. The book is in letter format, and is told through Anna’s point of view. As Anna spends more time in the hospital, she begins to make new friends, lose weight, and even has a forbidden relationship with one of the other patients. Although everyone else who is in the hospital cannot wait to get out, Anna begins to feel like it is the only place she belongs. However, after several different rounds of therapy, Anna’s insurance runs out, and she is sent home to deal with the real world. After arriving home, Anna realizes that she is better, as she gets angry, stands up to her mother, and does not feel any anxiety. Overall, Anna finds confidence in herself, and gains a new appreciation of who she is from her time in the mental hospital.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teenagers Would Read this Book:
In my opinion, this book was just ok. I thought the author did a good job of approaching the sensitive issue of mental illness in teens, but I was not a fan of the letter format. I think that teens would identify with the book, as the protagonist is a sixteen year old who struggles with body image, relationships, and feeling comfortable in her own skin, although she does have deeper issues than most teens. The book is definitely written the way a teen would write and think, with curse words, subtle digs at others, and funny asides. I can see how the word choice and style would appeal to the teenage reader. I do think it is important that teens are aware of how depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts can affect their perceptions about the world and themselves, and this book would definitely make teens think. Overall, this would not be my first choice to read again, but I think it does a good job of addressing a difficult issue.
Why was this book banned?
Get Well Soon was challenged by a parent of a teen in a public library in Wisconsin for inappropriate language and content that was inappropriate for children. The parent claimed that the “f-word” was not suitable for this age group, and the content of the book was not appropriate for her twelve year old. The parent was angry and asked a supervisor to remove it from the shelves of the library, and it was then thrown in the dumpster, without question, and without going through proper challenge procedures. This book was also challenged at a middle school library. However, the middle school responded to the challenge by keeping the book on the shelves.
Get Well Soon received great reviews! A review from Booklist says that teens will be able to relate to Anna’s character and her humorous sarcasm about her situation. It also says that teens will be able to connect to the way Anna is trying to shape her own life into what she wants it to be. A review from the Library Media Connection also gives good reviews and recommends the book. That review states that the book will have readers laughing and although there is some swearing, it is in line with how teens talk and think. It cites one of the important themes of the book in the review, saying that the book is about the relationship between teens and those who they would not typically associate. Overall, the reviews I read were very positive.
Awards Won:
Kirkus Best Young Adult Books: 2007
Young Adults’ Choices: 2009
YALSA Quick Picks for Young Adult Readers, 2008
Overall, I feel like this book should not have been challenged. Yes, the book does have some swearing, and the f-word does appear on the first page, but the words are not the focus of the story. They are used in a way that teens would use them, and they do not detract from the content. The benefits of teens reading about other teens dealing with mental illness far outweigh the bad language that most teens read, hear, or say on a daily basis. I am sad that the public library in Wisconsin threw the book away and did not follow proper challenged book procedures, but I am glad that the middle school chose to keep the book on the shelves as it does have great value to teens.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Book 5: Graphic Novel
Reed, Gary. (2005). Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Graphic Novel. New York: Penguin Books.
Subgenre: Science Fiction/ Graphic Novel
Book Summary:
This book is a graphic novel interpretation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein. The novel is written on an upper elementary school grade level, but the content is more suitable for young adults. The book begins with an ill man describing the tragedies of his life to some sailors who had found him traveling. The ill man was named Victor Frankenstein. Victor tells the story of his wonderful childhood, and how he found the love of his life, Elizabeth, at a very early age. However, his life was changed dramatically when his mother died as he was preparing to attend a university. His mother’s death made him question death, and his love of science led him to create a creature from the parts of dead humans. However, his creature did not turn out as planned, and was actually a dangerous man-like monster with amazing strength and intelligence. Victor did not know what to do with this monster, and he ran away in fear. All that the monster wanted was to be accepted and loved, but no humans would accept him because of his looks and strange actions. The monster then went on a killing spree, and killed every human who was close to Victor. In the end, Victor died of a broken heart, as all that he loved had been taken from him, and the monster ran away and also died.
Personal Reactions/ Why a Teen Would Read this Novel:
I am not a huge fan of graphic novels, personally. I can definitely see why they are popular with children and young adults, but I would not choose to read a graphic novel just for pleasure. I find them difficult to follow, and I do not enjoy the simplicity of the text. However, this book was easy to follow, and the graphics helped to enhance the plot. The vocabulary in this text was simple, but more difficult words were written in bold. Overall, this book was a quick read, as there were just a few sentences per page, but I would prefer to read a novel with more detail. I have never read the Shelley’s Frankenstein, but the graphic novel did peak my interest in the story, so I may want to go read that next!
I believe that an older child or teen would enjoy reading this book. As I said, the text is simple and easy to understand, and there are not many words on a page. Struggling readers would appreciate the simple vocabulary that describes a complex story like Frankenstein. The graphics and comic book like features of this novel really appeal to the younger reader, and in my experiences, male students seem to be drawn to the graphic novel. Although this type of literature is not my personal favorite, I can definitely see the reasons why they are popular and I think they would be appropriate to use in the classroom.
Library Lesson/ Collaboration with Classroom Teacher:
Although I have not read the original Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, I think the graphic novel lends itself to being used in the library as a method of comparing and contrasting two different versions of a story. As a media coordinator, I could collaborate with a classroom English teacher to prepare a series of lessons on comparing and contrasting. Students could read both the original novel, Frankenstein, and the graphic novel in their English classes, and then come to the library to work on various literacy skills.
After students read the novel, I would work with the classroom teacher to schedule a three week unit to analyze the works of literature in the media center. To start the unit, students would make a Venn diagram, comparing and contrasting the two different versions of the story, in small groups. I would then regroup the students and have them share their similarities and differences with the other groups, and we would create a large Venn diagram together. Based on what the students came up with in their groups, I would then use the information to dig further into what makes a graphic novel enjoyable to students. We would discuss the text features (dialogue, bold print, graphics, etc) and how those features affect the readability of the novel. We would discuss plot development, sequencing, and character development in the graphic novel, and how that relates to the original novel. Finally, after several classes of analyzing the similarities and differences in the two different versions, I would allow students to create a brief graphic novel based on another short story they have read in class. Students would not be able to make a full length graphic novel, but they would be able to make a short story work. We would use a comic making website to finalize and publish the works for the students. The teacher and I would be observing the students as they created their own graphic novel, and would grade the students based on a rubric that we created.
Subgenre: Science Fiction/ Graphic Novel
Book Summary:
This book is a graphic novel interpretation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, Frankenstein. The novel is written on an upper elementary school grade level, but the content is more suitable for young adults. The book begins with an ill man describing the tragedies of his life to some sailors who had found him traveling. The ill man was named Victor Frankenstein. Victor tells the story of his wonderful childhood, and how he found the love of his life, Elizabeth, at a very early age. However, his life was changed dramatically when his mother died as he was preparing to attend a university. His mother’s death made him question death, and his love of science led him to create a creature from the parts of dead humans. However, his creature did not turn out as planned, and was actually a dangerous man-like monster with amazing strength and intelligence. Victor did not know what to do with this monster, and he ran away in fear. All that the monster wanted was to be accepted and loved, but no humans would accept him because of his looks and strange actions. The monster then went on a killing spree, and killed every human who was close to Victor. In the end, Victor died of a broken heart, as all that he loved had been taken from him, and the monster ran away and also died.
Personal Reactions/ Why a Teen Would Read this Novel:
I am not a huge fan of graphic novels, personally. I can definitely see why they are popular with children and young adults, but I would not choose to read a graphic novel just for pleasure. I find them difficult to follow, and I do not enjoy the simplicity of the text. However, this book was easy to follow, and the graphics helped to enhance the plot. The vocabulary in this text was simple, but more difficult words were written in bold. Overall, this book was a quick read, as there were just a few sentences per page, but I would prefer to read a novel with more detail. I have never read the Shelley’s Frankenstein, but the graphic novel did peak my interest in the story, so I may want to go read that next!
I believe that an older child or teen would enjoy reading this book. As I said, the text is simple and easy to understand, and there are not many words on a page. Struggling readers would appreciate the simple vocabulary that describes a complex story like Frankenstein. The graphics and comic book like features of this novel really appeal to the younger reader, and in my experiences, male students seem to be drawn to the graphic novel. Although this type of literature is not my personal favorite, I can definitely see the reasons why they are popular and I think they would be appropriate to use in the classroom.
Library Lesson/ Collaboration with Classroom Teacher:
Although I have not read the original Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, I think the graphic novel lends itself to being used in the library as a method of comparing and contrasting two different versions of a story. As a media coordinator, I could collaborate with a classroom English teacher to prepare a series of lessons on comparing and contrasting. Students could read both the original novel, Frankenstein, and the graphic novel in their English classes, and then come to the library to work on various literacy skills.
After students read the novel, I would work with the classroom teacher to schedule a three week unit to analyze the works of literature in the media center. To start the unit, students would make a Venn diagram, comparing and contrasting the two different versions of the story, in small groups. I would then regroup the students and have them share their similarities and differences with the other groups, and we would create a large Venn diagram together. Based on what the students came up with in their groups, I would then use the information to dig further into what makes a graphic novel enjoyable to students. We would discuss the text features (dialogue, bold print, graphics, etc) and how those features affect the readability of the novel. We would discuss plot development, sequencing, and character development in the graphic novel, and how that relates to the original novel. Finally, after several classes of analyzing the similarities and differences in the two different versions, I would allow students to create a brief graphic novel based on another short story they have read in class. Students would not be able to make a full length graphic novel, but they would be able to make a short story work. We would use a comic making website to finalize and publish the works for the students. The teacher and I would be observing the students as they created their own graphic novel, and would grade the students based on a rubric that we created.
Book 4: Series Book 2: The Hunger Games
Collins, Suzanne. (2008). The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press.
Textbook Chapter: 7
Subgenre: Survival; Dystopian Society; Science Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: Compare/Contrast The Hunger Games with similar futuristic books like Z for Zachariah or The Giver.
Book Summary: The book is based on a future North American society called Panem. Panem is broken into 12 districts, and to remind all of the districts that the Capitol is in control, each district has to sacrifice two older children/ teenagers to participate in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is an annual competition where each teen has to fight to the death in an arena like setting, where the Capitol adds obstacles like rain, fire, crazed animals, etc, to make the competition more difficult and more exciting to watch. In the end, whoever survives is the Hunger Games champion, and they are revered throughout Panem. Throughout the Hunger Games, a love story develops between Peeta and Katniss, who are two of the chosen teens for the Hunger Games, and between Katniss and Gale, who is Katniss’s best friend from District 12. The reader follows Katniss and Peeta throughout the Hunger Games as they struggle to survive. In the end, the love story between Katniss and Peeta helps to save their lives.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Read this Book:
I LOVED The Hunger Games! It was an interesting, captivating read with a unique plot! I know that the movie that comes out in March has added extra hype to the books, but they are legitimately great! By including Peeta, Gale, and Katniss in the novel, almost all teens will be able to identify with one of the main characters. They are all very different, but they are still typical teens. The book is also action-packed, with many twists and turns that make the reader want to see what comes next. The series is small, with only three books, but the author does a great job of setting the plot up for the next book. The end of The Hunger Games definitely makes the reader want to read the next book, Catching Fire. Overall, I am extremely impressed with this series!
Personal Reaction/ Why Teens Would Read this Book:
I LOVED The Hunger Games! It was an interesting, captivating read with a unique plot! I know that the movie that comes out in March has added extra hype to the books, but they are legitimately great! By including Peeta, Gale, and Katniss in the novel, almost all teens will be able to identify with one of the main characters. They are all very different, but they are still typical teens. The book is also action-packed, with many twists and turns that make the reader want to see what comes next. The series is small, with only three books, but the author does a great job of setting the plot up for the next book. The end of The Hunger Games definitely makes the reader want to read the next book, Catching Fire. Overall, I am extremely impressed with this series!
Book 3: Series Book 1: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Rowling, J.K. (2007). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York: Scholastic Press.
Textbook Chapter: 7
Subgenre: Fantasy
Possible Curriculum Connections: Fantasy genre study; Plot and character development lessons
Book Summary:
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the final book in the epic 7 volume Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The book begins in the midst of turmoil in the wizarding world. Lord Voldemort, the series’ ultimate villain, has come back and the Ministry of Magic has been overtaken by Death Eaters, who are Voldemort’s followers. Harry, Ron, and Hermione begin a quest to find and destroy all of the Horcruxes, which contain parts of Lord Voldemort’s soul. The trio is in terrible danger as they try to decipher the clues and gifts that Dumbledore gave them to defeat the Dark Lord. After a bloody battle at Hogwarts where several of the book’s beloved characters were injured or killed, good overcomes evil and Lord Voldemort’s horcruxes (and himself) were destroyed! An afterword was included that gave information about what Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the other characters ended up years later.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teenagers Would Read this Book:
The Harry Potter series is my all-time favorite series of books, young adult or otherwise! I think J.K. Rowling is a genius! Her ability to develop her characters is simply amazing! I have never read a book that gave as much detail about a character’s thoughts, actions, and looks as those from the Harry Potter series. This book, specifically, was action packed! I honestly could not put it down, and something new and exciting happened during every single chapter!
I think a teenager would enjoy reading this book because of the fantasy aspect of the story. The fact that teenage Harry Potter started out as an ordinary boy, living in a life that was unpleasant, but turned into something magical, would appeal to many teens. Teens may also want to read this book because it is fast paced, and it does have a lot of action. In general, I think that young adults like series books because they can relate to the characters, and are able to grow up with the characters as well. For example, in the Harry Potter series, we first get to know the characters at age 12, and then we end the Deathly Hallows with a glimpse of life in the future for the main characters.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Book 2: Found
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. (2008). Found. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Textbook Chapter: 7
Subgenre: Science Fiction
Possible Curriculum Connections: Time travel, Adoption, Famous Missing Persons from History (Amelia Earhart, Virginia Dare, etc)
Book Summary:
Found is an excellent beginning to The Missing Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The prologue to the book grabs the reader's attention as a mysterious plane filled with only babies appears and disappears at a US airport roughly 13 years prior to the book. The plot unfolds several years later as Jonah, an adopted 13 year old boy, and Chip, his new neighbor and friend, begin receiving notes in the mail saying "You are one of the missing." and "Beware! They're coming back for you!" These mysterious notes lead Chip into discovering that he, too, was adopted, although his parents had hidden that from him his entire life. As Jonah, Chip, and Jonah's sister Katherine begin investigating these notes, they follow a lead to FBI agent, James Reardon, who is anything but helpful. While at the FBI, the teens are helped by a "ghost" who shares a file with them about other kids who were also "missing." Upon further investigation, all of the teens on the list were adopted around the same time, were close to the same age, and all live in the same area. After a meeting with an airport worker who witnessed the plane disappear years earlier, the teens believe that they may be part of something bigger and scarier than they thought. Finally, the book concludes as the trio attend an adoption conference, where they notice that they are paired with all of the other "missing" kids from the list. They end up being tricked into a cave which was actually a time continuum by two opposing time travelers/ manipulators. The reader discovers that the teens are not actually teens, but are actually famous missing people from history that have been transported to present day America. The book ends with the trio being transported back to the 15th Century. I guess I will have to read the next book in the series to discover what happens next!
Personal Reaction/ Why Young Adults would Read this book:
From the very beginning, this book caught my attention! The prologue was definitely a hook for the reader, as discovering who the missing babies were, where the plane went, and what was going to happen next became my life for the next several days! However, after the prologue, I felt that the book was a little slow in developing. Although it is a great plot, the climax does not happen until the very end of the book in the cave. I know that series books are written in this manner to keep the reader wanting more, but I would have liked a little more action, a little sooner! The science fiction aspect of the book was very interesting! The combination of historical figures and science fiction makes the book unique for sure! I definitely want to read the next books in the series to see what happens next because the end of the book was one of the best climaxes I have read in a long time!
I think that young adults would like to read this book. The plot develops slowly, but steadily, and the twists, turns, and surprises were fairly easy to follow. The main characters in the novel were 12 and 13 years old, which would appeal to the age of the intended audience. Also, what teen, or anyone really, wouldn't want to time travel!? The themes in the book were teenage appropriate and would also appeal to the reader. Finally, the adoption theme would tie into adolescence because just like the characters in the story, most teenagers are struggling to find out who they really are, both literally and figuratively. This would be a great series for both male and female young adults to read!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Book 1: Young Adult Book Award Winner
Blundell, Judy. (2008). What I Saw and How I Lied. New York: Scholastic Press.
Textbook Chapter: 6
Subgenre: Mystery/ Suspense
Possible Curriculum Connections: Social Studies- Post World War II society in America; Mystery/ Suspense study
Book Summary:
What I Saw and How I Lied is a book set in the United States in 1947. World War II had recently ended and life was returning to normal in America. The main character of the novel, teenager Evie Spooner, and her mother Bev have just welcomed home Evie’s stepfather, Joe Spooner, back from the War. Everyone was happy, but Joe had a secret. He told Bev and Evie that they were going on vacation to Florida to “get away” but really, he owed a fellow soldier, Peter Coleridge, money from an underhanded deal they made in the War.
In Florida, Peter catches up with the Spooner family. Evie and Bev do not realize that there is trouble, and Joe tries to play it cool. However, Evie develops a crush on Peter, and Bev also has a secret affair with Peter. Joe knows something is going on with his wife and Peter, and things really get interesting! Joe, Peter, and Bev go out on a boat ride right before a hurricane hits Florida, and Peter never returns. Joe and Bev say he was washed overboard and they could not rescue him, but when his body is found, the authorities suspect foul play. Joe and Bev were put on trial, and although Evie knows her stepfather killed Peter, she lies and testifies that she was the one having an affair with Peter, and that her stepfather never could have killed Peter. Both Joe and Bev were cleared of all charges, and life continued as normal for the Spooner family.
Personal Reaction/ Why Teenagers Would Read this Book:
I loved this book! Although it was a little slow at first, the plot really picked up the pace after the first few chapters. I think that the novel encompasses many themes that young adults would enjoy. First of all Evie Spooner is kind of an outcast in her home in New York, and struggles to find herself as they journey to Florida. She is changing from a plain looking child, to a mature woman, and she continues to mature as the novel progresses. Secondly, the novel discusses what Evie calls her first love, but what others see as just as childhood crush. I know that teenagers could definitely relate to how adults perceive their relationships at a young age. Also, there is a mystery aspect to the novel which would intrigue the reader and make them want to keep reading! Overall, I thought this was an excellent young adult novel!
Awards Won:
What I Saw and How I Lied won the National Book Award for the Young People’s Literature Category in 2008. The National Book Award is administered by the National Book Foundation and has been awarded since 1950. It is given to writers, by writers. The National Book Award has four categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people’s literature. Publishers nominate books each year, and 20 judges decide who wins in each category. The judges are made up of authors who write in different genres of literature. The winners of the National Book Award receive $10,000 and a bronze statue, as well as public recognition of their excellent works. (Source: (2012). How the National Book Awards Work. Retrieved from http://www.nationalbook.org/nba_process.html. )
I believe What I Saw and How I Lied won the National Book Award because it was well-written, thought provoking, and it appealed to the young adult audience. The themes of love versus lust, moral dilemmas, and coming of age all catch the reader’s attention and leave the reader wanting to read more! The novel also is relatively easy to read, but has more complex plot than a child’s novel. The book has unexpected twists and come to an amazing climax. The novel obviously caught the attention of the writers who were the judges for the book award, and I agree that it was worthy of a national award!
Reflection: January 25, 2012
I am always a little anxious to begin a new semester in school, whether it be as a teacher or as a student. It is a little nerve-wracking to start something new! However, after our first class on Wednesday, I feel much better about the semester. I always like "seeing" everyone in Teleplace and getting caught up on what is going on in their lives, and now that I know the expectations for the semester, I am ready to get started!
I enjoy the ladies of our cohort so much! Everyone has a great, positive attitude about our classes, and everyone is so passionate about literature! That is definitely a great environment in which to work! The discussion we had about young adult literature was thought provoking and interesting, as everyone had great points to add. I also really enjoyed decorating our teen room. Teleplace is sometimes very frustrating, but we were able to add a couch, some bean bag chairs, and some great teen posters. I hope that it would be an inviting place for teens to come read some great literature! I am excited to delve into some great young adult literature now!
I enjoy the ladies of our cohort so much! Everyone has a great, positive attitude about our classes, and everyone is so passionate about literature! That is definitely a great environment in which to work! The discussion we had about young adult literature was thought provoking and interesting, as everyone had great points to add. I also really enjoyed decorating our teen room. Teleplace is sometimes very frustrating, but we were able to add a couch, some bean bag chairs, and some great teen posters. I hope that it would be an inviting place for teens to come read some great literature! I am excited to delve into some great young adult literature now!
Welcome to My Book Blog!
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to my Lib 5160 book blog! I am super excited to read all of the great Young Adult literature this semester! I love to read, and I think it is extremely important that my students share that love of reading with me! I am excited to be able to share some of the literature I read with my students, and I am also excited to discover new books and authors during this class!
Welcome to my Lib 5160 book blog! I am super excited to read all of the great Young Adult literature this semester! I love to read, and I think it is extremely important that my students share that love of reading with me! I am excited to be able to share some of the literature I read with my students, and I am also excited to discover new books and authors during this class!
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