Reading Rumpus

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

2011-12-31T07:00:00.000-05:00

Publisher's Blurb: Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he's seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home -- and his own art -- through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it's up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope.

My Thoughts: The One and Only Ivan is one of those books. One you know will garner all sorts of glowing reviews. One you know will really touch hearts. One you know will be on the shortlist for a Newbery. The poetic voice of Ivan the silverback gorilla is profound, authentic and, when needed, humorous. The fact that you are being told the tale from a gorilla’s point of view is one of the most forceful elements of the writing, and the writing is excellent. So many adjectives flood my thoughts as I try to describe the beauty of this book - poignant, convincing, bittersweet. The One and Only Ivan is very simply a story that makes you wiser for having read it.

Highly recommended for all elementary and middle classrooms and libraries.

----------------------- Teaching Resources & Ideas ------------------------

Genre: Fictional Animal Tale ... However, based upon true situation of a gorilla named Ivan now living at Zoo Atlanta
Age: 9-12
Pages: 320
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: January 17th, 2012
ISBN-13: 9780061992254

Themes: Friendship, Courage, Animal Rights, Artistic Aesthetics

Character Development: Perfect. No one is a "bad" guy even though the tale shows some poor choices on the part of humans

Plot Engagement: Slow to start, great once character investment occurs (fairly quickly)

Originality: Unique being a better word

Believability: Absolute suspension of disbelief for this reader

Thank You to Author Katherine Applegate for the advanced copy.

Advisory: Evolutionary theory is professed by Ivan, which I only mention here for parental knowledge. Censorship by parents exists so I defer to that right (even though I personally take issue with censorship of any kind). There is absolutely nothing in this book anti-religious or that children should not be exposed to in order to grow into critical-thinking adults.

BUY The One and Only Ivan HERE

Video of the real Ivan at Zoo Atlanta

Link: Here is an interview with the author at Publisher's Weekly.

Link: Here is a personal blog account of the real Ivan at Zoo Atlanta from Words from Willow.

Link: Here's Zoo Atlanta's site.

Link: Seattle Times article on Ivan finding love (great nonfiction pairing)

Link: Facts abut Gorillas on the Defenders of Wildlife website

Link: Great Apes Survival Partnership

Link: Discuss endangered animals and/or adopt a gorilla on one of these sites: Dian Fossey's Gorilla Fund International or the World Wildlife Federation

Idea: Study the gorilla Koko who can use sign language to communicate.

Idea: Look at personification from Ivan’s viewpoint, how he attributes gorilla behavior to humans and vice versa.

Idea: Read about, research, discuss any of the following: Silverback Gorillas, Koko the sign language gorilla or Dian Fossey. Just reading about Ivan sent me scrambling for more information on these subjects!

Idea: Research the difference between monkeys and apes.

Katherine Applegate has written many books for children, including the well known Animorphs series. She lives in California with her husband and children. She has a webpage, but it was not working at the time of this post. You can read more about her on the Harper Collins biography page here.

-------------------- That's all folks! --------------------

CYBILS Reading Weekend

2011-11-12T07:07:00.001-05:00

So...
I've been out of CYBILS nominees for about a week, patiently waiting on my library to deliver....

-------------Guess how my weekend is going to go? --------------------

Nowhere Girl by A.J. Paquette - book review

2011-10-08T23:58:00.003-04:00

Synopsis from the publisher: "Luchi Ann only knows a few things about herself: she was born in a prison in Thailand. Her American mother was an inmate there. And now that her mother has died, Luchi must leave the only place she's ever known and set out into the world. Neither at home as a Thai, because of her fair skin and blond hair, nor as a foreigner, because of her knowledge of Thai life and traditions, Luchi feels as though she belongs nowhere. But as she embarks on an amazing adventure-a journey spanning continents and customs, harrowing danger and exhilarating experiences-she will find the family, and the home, she's always dreamed of. Weaving intricate elements of traditional Thailand into a modern-day fairy tale unique unto itself, Nowhere Girl is a beautifully rendered story of courage, resilience, and finding the one place where you truly belong."

Nowhere Girl is told in first person and likable narrator Luchi Ann's coming of age search for a home tugs at the heartstrings. There is a bit of adventure and a bit of danger, enough to keep the plot from being totally stagnant. The Thailand setting provides an appealing addition to the tale. The beautiful cover art lends even more likability to Luchi Ann.

However, Nowhere Girl is a bit predictable and much of the story settles into too convenient a place. It is not strongly plot driven and would mostly appeal to a strong, realistic fiction reader. Reluctant readers would easily lose interest.

All that being said, Nowhere Girl is a well-written tale that many students will enjoy.

-------------------- Resources --------------------

Genre: Realistic fiction
Age: Middle Grade 10+
Pages: 256
Themes:

Character Development: Great
Plot Engagement: Fair
Originality: Good
Believability: Iffy at times

Thank You to Bloomsbury Kids for my advanced copy
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Date: September 2011
ISBN: 978-0802722973

BUY Nowhere Girl HERE

Book Site: Bloomsbury Kids

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author A.J. Paquette lives in Boston with her husband and two daughters. She is a chocolate connoisseur. You can read more about her on her website.

Interviews with the author on
From the Mixed Up Files of Middl Grades Authors: HERE
and
Cynsations: HERE

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Visionary of the century. RIP Mr. Jobs.

2011-10-05T20:03:00.005-04:00

I very rarely post off topic on Reading Rumpus, but....

Pick Me! Pick Me!

2011-10-01T16:29:00.001-04:00

I am thrilled to announce that I have been invited back to the CYBILS party!

Here's why the CYBILS rocks the Newbery:
The books are ones that kids WANT to read. Not to say that the Newbery Committee hasn't gotten it right a few times (The Giver, The Graveyard Book, Holes, Maniac Magee), but most Newbery winners require a bit of cajoling from an adult before a kid will engage. It seems the shiny medal doesn't call to them the way it does teachers and librarians.

The thing that makes the CYBILS so great is the desire to find quality literature that also calls to kids all on its own, without much cajoling (because lets face it, in today's information saturated environment, we have to cajole toward books a little, period).

I'll be looking at middle grade titles in the first round and sending the best of the best of the best onward to the round two judges. My fellow round one judges include:

Colby Sharp of Sharp Read
Jennifer Donovan of 5 Minutes For Books
Karen Yingling of Ms. Yingling Reads
Grier Jewell of Fizzwhizzing Flushbunker
Michael Gettel-Gilmartin of Middle Grade Mafioso
Beth Gallego of Points West

I'm starting my reading/judging today!
____________________________________________________________

The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett with illustrations by Poly Bernatene

2011-09-25T22:00:00.001-04:00

Synopsis from the publisher's website: “There's been a terrible mix-up in the royal nursery. Priscilla the princess has accidentally switched places with Pigmella, the farmer's new piglet. The kindly farmer and his wife believe it's the work of a good witch, while the ill-tempered king and queen blame the bad witch-after all, this happens in fairy tales all the time! While Priscilla grows up on the farm, poor yet very happy, things don't turn out quite so well for Pigmella. Kissing a frog has done wonders before, but will it work for a pig? Sure to hog all the attention, this story's frequent nods to well-known fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Princess, and Thumbelina-plus hilarious illustrations-will delight readers of any age”

This rollicking fractured fairy tale has quite a bit of opportunity for classroom discussion, especially when considered as the culminating book of a fairy tales unit that includes the mentioned books. The comparison of text themes and inferences between multiple pieces of text is excellent for critical thinking and analysis with teacher guidance.
-------------------- Resources --------------------

Genre: Fractured Fairy Tale
Age: Advanced first grade through fourth grade
Pages: 32
Themes: Honesty, Family Love, Jumping to conclusions
Thank You to Bloomsbury Marketing for my advanced copy
Publisher: Walker
Date: September 2011
ISBN: 978-0802723345
BUY The Princess and the Pig HERE

Here are some ideas for using the text critically:
(Please note that all page numbers are estimated as my publisher copy did not have page numbers)
P. 1-2: What can we tell about the farmer? (He is kind because he took a piglet that nobody wanted)
P. 3-4: Why does the farmer stop under the castle? (It is a hot day and he uses the castle’s shade to rest)
P. 5-6: What can we tell about the queen? (She is not very kind because she let her baby fall from the balcony)
P. 9-10: How does the king compare Sleeping Beauty to the pig/daughter? (Students need background knowledge on Sleeping Beauty to understand that the fairies in Sleeping Beauty interfere. The king thinks this has also happened to his daughter)
P. 11-12: How does the farmer’s wife compare Thumbelina to the daughter/pig? (Students need background knowledge on Thumbelina to understand that the fairies in Thumbelina interfere. The wife thinks this has happened to the pig)
P. 19-20: What does the farmer think has happened? (Student’s need some background knowledge on The Prince and the Pauper to know that the farmer thinks the pig and the princess have been switched).
P. 21: Why does the farmer’s family decide to tell the king and queen? (They are honest people).
P. 22: Predict what will happen after the king and queen have heard the farmer’s story….
P. 23-24: What do the king and queen think the farmer’s family is trying to do? (Trick the rich, like Puss in Boots – again some background on the story is necessary)
End: How is this story different from The Frog Prince? (When the creature was kissed, she didn’t turn into a princess)

Author Jonathan Emmett not only writes children's picture books, he is also a talented poop-up book maker. He lives in England. You can read more about him here. You can read more about the illustrator, Poly Bernatene, here. ____________________________________________________________

The Man in the Moon by William Joyce - The first in the Guardians of Childhood series

2011-09-19T00:40:00.002-04:00

I must have been living under a rock to miss all the hype surrounding The Guardians of Childhood series. With thirteen scheduled books, in a mix of both picture and chapter formats, and a DreamWorks movie, starring Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, and Jude Law, how could anyone overlook it? Yet, when the big book version of the first book in the series arrived on my doorstep last week, I sort of pushed it to the side. I had lots of more important books to read. Then I saw quotes from two of my favorite living writers: “It instantly became my children's favorite book” - Michael Chabon, “A fabulous recapturing of an old, real fairytale world. Dark. Mysterious. Stunning!” – Maurice Sendak. Those two literary gods alone were enough hype to turn my attention!

Author William Joyce has been working on the idea of telling the histories of childhood icons for twenty years. The first release in the series is The Man in the Moon is an origin story, explaining not only how the man in the moon came to be, but also why the earth’s moon glows. The book is chock-full of gorgeously luminous illustrations and a whimsical fun. Yet, The Man in the Moon also has a sinister mysteriousness about it.

While The Man in the Moon makes for a fantastic read aloud, it is not an easy picture book to read. Though listed as appropriate for four years+, I assert that the four year old would need to be quite advanced to understand the intricacies of the story. My educated guess would place miM at the primary level of six years+. As for independent reading, and I have not actually leveledThe Man in the Moon,my educated guess would be third grade+. Even then, some vocabulary will be troublesome.

The Man in the Moonis the first of six picture and seven chapter books by William Joyce. They will tell the stories of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, the Easter Bunny and Jack Frost. The DreamWorks movie, Rise of the Guardians, is due November of 2012 and rumored to be in 3-D.

-------------------- Resources --------------------
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Picture Book
Age: 4 - 8
Pages: 56
Themes: Friendship, Courage, Love
Character Development: Fair - I think more will come as the series progresses
Plot Engagement: Good
Originality: Excellent
Believability: Good
Thank You to the publisher for my advance copy
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Date: September 2011
ISBN: 978-1442430419
Check out the fabulous Book Site HERE

Here’s the book trailer to further your interest:

The next book in the series is a chapter book titled Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King. You can read the first chapter HERE.

William Joyce is well known for the Rolie Polie Olie books and animated series which won him three Emmys. In addition his named is attached in one way or another to the animated movies Toy Story, Robots, A Bug's Life and Meet the Robinsons. You can read more about him HERE. ____________________________________________________________ © 2007-2011 Cheryl Vanatti for www.ReadingRumpus.com

Every Day On Earth: Fun Facts That Happen Every 24 Hours by Steve Murrie & Matthew Murrie

2011-09-15T06:23:00.000-04:00

I always have a hard time effusing over nonfiction books. This is why I have never joined the Kidlitosphere's popular Nonfiction Monday. I like nonfiction well enough, but that 'you must go read this now' element is just not there in my writing. So when I tell you about Every Day On Earth: Fun Facts That Happen Every 24 Hours, please don't think it lacking. It's a great book and a great follow-up to the popular Every Minute On Earth. Would it be enough to say that I believe that both should be in every 4th -8th grade classroom?

Like its predecessor, Every Day On Earth is a non-fiction categorized book of facts. Boy, I sure made it sound boring.... when it is anything but. The Every Minute On Earth. and Every Day On Earth books both have that elusive 'wow' factor that nonfiction books need in order to pull a reader inside. Both books have huge kid appeal with random factoids to make them ponder the enormity held within just one minute or day on our planet. Every subject is covered and math is handled especially well. A list of sources at the back provide jumping points for further investigation. Natural curiosity and reflection are a given when reading this book. Perfect for the 8-12 crowd!
-------------------- Resources --------------------
Genre: Nonfiction
Age: 8-12
Pages: 224
Thank You to the authors for sending me a review copy
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: August 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0545297066
BUY Every Day On Earth: Fun Facts That Happen Every 24 Hours HERE

Classroom Ideas:
* For this little unexpected moments where you need a quick 'filler' activity.
* Fantastic recommendation for reluctant readers
* Lesson lead-ins to pique interest
* Science lab investigative leads
* Authentic literacy applications for mathematics

Steve and Matthew Murrie are a father/son writing team. Both are life-long educators.
(photo courtesy their book website)
____________________________________________________________

A teacher who REALLY loves reading....

2011-09-14T19:16:00.001-04:00

found via 100 Scope Notes
P.S. I sure hope he got media releases on all of these students......
____________________________________________________________

A 9-11 Lesson from Tom Brokaw on "A Society Just Going About Their Business"

2011-09-11T09:17:00.001-04:00

I wasn't going to do a 9-11 post. There would be too many, "here's a list
of 9-11 books" posts; I was sure. A post detailing my, "where were you" moment (teaching a 6th grade class) would hold little attention when compared to what others were doing (loading bombs onto fighter jets - like my husband). But then, I saw the New York Times/YouTube collaboration and stumbled upon Tom Brokow's reflection. Not his reflection on his own place in history, but his reflection on where he thought we would go and where we have gone.

My teacher wheels started spinning..... and I threw together this quick lesson plan with Mr. Brokaw's help:

Essential Question: "Should the terrorist acts on 9-11-2001 have changed America?"

Preview/Activation of Prior Knowledge Activity:
Because the students are now too young to remember, I would begin with some sort of
discussion/K-W-L/anticipation guide on what the students think/know about 9-11. Then, I would
show Tom's original broadcast:

Read for understanding activity:
I would follow the video with clarification/questioning (including the fact that Mr. Brokaw is an award-winning news reporter and his co-reporter, David Bloom, died in the war) whilst they add their thoughts to their anticipation guides.

Before reading Mr. Brokaw's New York Times op-ed piece written two weeks later: Into An Unknowable Future (click that link to print it), students will need some front-loading of vocabulary (discernible, immutable, gratuitous, titillating, bipartisan, cataclysmic). Remember: front loading vocabulary is a slippery slope; you can't just give them the definitions....

Working in groups/pairs have the students use the following questions as they read the article (make sure the vocabulary words are posted or easily accessible):
1. What are Mr. Brokaw's predictions and concerns for the future? (making generalizations/author's purpose)
2. How does Mr. Brokaw compare the attacks on 9-11 to past events in history? (making comparisons/inferences)

Once finished, gather common answers/thoughts on the reading to the board or chart paper. Discuss which of Mr. Brokaw's predictions and concerns came true and things that have happened that he did not foresee.

Culminating Activity:
After the students have discussed the op-ed piece thoroughly, show them Mr. Brokaw's video for the ten year anniversary reflecting on his original op-ed piece and what did not change that should have:

Assessment Activity: Hold a brief discussion clarifying any questions about the second video and/or any parts of the entire lesson. Using a rubric which requires the students to use the three sources and their notations, have the students write an essay on the essential question: "Should the terrorist acts on 9-11-2001 have changed America?"

I wrote this in 30 minutes and though I would love to give you a rubric, I am off to my bacon and eggs, my sunshiny day and my lack of sacrifice. Today, some military family will get a horrible dispatch so that I can do that.

P.S. Opened Sunday's newspaper to a Parade Magazine article from Mr. Brokaw that adds beautifully to this lesson: HERE

______________________________________________

Serendipity Saturday

2011-09-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

Haven't been good with the Serendipity Saturday thing this year. I am here to rectify that! In case you are a newbie to Reading Rumpus, Serendipity Saturday is where I rant about bookish (and sometimes personal) things.....

Here are some books that I have, but need to read:

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

The Man in the Moon (Guardians of Childhood)

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories

Every Day On Earth: Fun Facts That Happen Every 24 Hours

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier

And WHY haven't I been reading what appears to be a fatastic stack of escapism just waiting to happen? A picture is worth a thousand words... or several thousand in this case:

Another reason I'm not completing my weekly two book ritual?

ADDICTED.

Tonight, as hubby engaged in his evening boob tube flipping ritual, I caught sight of The Boy In the Striped Pajamas. I can't do it. Knowing the premise of this book is enough. Not even certain I'd want to read it with kids. Probably turn me into the same blubbering fool that tried to read Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes with students.

Spent the last three days with Florida's new Teacher Evaluation System. We'll soon get paid according to this system plus an equation called "Value Added." If you have an interest in eduction policy, you can read more HERE (via Orlando Sentinel) and HERE (via the Learning Sciences International site).

Really worried after reading a few reviews on the new Sendak book...
BUMBLE-ARDY

But, I'm also interested so will probably pop into a Barnes & Noble over the weekend to grab it.

Finally, I'll close with some books I am coveting once I download the latest:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill

_____________________________________________________________

CYBILS time again!

2011-09-03T18:26:00.001-04:00

I am so glad to see the CYBILS getting good press all over the place. While the Newbery is that pretty gold seal that fancies up a children's book, it is many times a better pick for teachers and librarians than for 'kids.' That is what I really enjoyed about judging last year....really looking for good books with kid appeal.

I bought 30 copies of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda this school-year and our 6th grade kids are eating it up and running out to buy Darth Paper Strikes Back! What more can a reading specialist ask for?

In case you missed them.... Here are last year's winners: CYBILS 2010.
Keep your eyes peeled for the 2011 awards. They are announced on Valentine's Day each year (that's 2/14/2012 :-)
____________________________________________________________

New York Times, James Patterson & Rick Riordan on inspiring reluctant readers

2011-09-01T04:00:00.000-04:00

This Thing Called the Future by J.L. Powers - book review

2011-08-31T04:21:00.000-04:00

Khosi is a fourteen year old South African girl living under the shadow of AIDS. Everywhere she turns there are signs, warnings and people dying from the disease. Some superstitious people believe that it is a curse. Everyday men make disgusting comments to Khosi and a ‘witch’ in her neighborhood is taunting her.

But Khosi is a regular teenage girl, focused on regular teenage thoughts: a cute boy, her education and her future. Set in modern day, many of the villagers hold on to old cultural customs, creating an interesting science vs. religion/culture conflict. This conflict would make for excellent discussion within the classroom. However, This Thing Called the Future is not a book for ‘light’ reading. Mature readers and advanced students could handle this topic, but most students would benefit from teacher direction. There are great themes and interdisciplinary opportunities within this story. Recommended for high school library purchase.

-------------------- Resources --------------------
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age: High School
Pages: 208
Themes: Coming of age, Science Vs. Religion, South African culture
Character Development: Very well drawn in main character, somewhat stereotypical in some characters
Plot Engagement: Not plot driven. Focus on coming of age for one girl.
Originality: Good cultural depiction on AIDS epidemic in South Africa
Thank you to author J. L. Powers for my review copy
Advisory: Sexual Situations
Publisher: Cinco Puntas Press
Date: May 2011
ISBN: 978-1933693958

BUY This Thing Called the Future HERE

Great teacher lesson ideas and background on the culture: HERE

J.L. Powers has taught African history and writing at a variety of universities and community colleges and is semi-proficient in three languages. She loves to travel and has a husband and a son. You can read more about the author on her website: HERE

____________________________________________________________

Runner by Carl Deuker - book review

2011-08-30T21:25:00.001-04:00

I very rarely buy class sets of books for students without first having read them, but I bought a class set of Runner by Carl Deuker on a whim with some spare cash left from last year’s budget. I read it over the summer and was a bit worried because the conclusion is sad (and a bit cheesy). However, today, as I passed through one of my 8th grade classrooms, the teacher was singing its praises and the students were enthralled. I’ll be excited to see how they feel about the ending……

Synopsis: Chance Taylor is a high school senior who lives on an old dilapidated houseboat in Puget Sound with his alcoholic father. Chance gets the opportunity to make some money when a man notices him running around the pier and docks and approaches him about delivering some packages during his run. It doesn’t take long for Chance to figure out that something fishy is happening at the pier (oh…. such a bad pun, but too easy :-). Throw in a cute girl, a terrorist threat and a climactic ending and you’ve got an exciting read for all readers, reluctant readers especially.

-------------------- Resources --------------------
Genre: Action/Adventure Fiction
Age: Young Adult - 7th grade and up
Pages: 224
Themes: coming of age, making tough decisions, friendship, father-son relationships Interdisciplinary Content: Running, Alcoholism, US military, Terrorism
Character Development: Not a character driven book, but characters are likable and realistic
Plot Engagement: High energy and engaging to reluctant readers especially boys
Originality: Good premise. Well thought & executed

Believability: Some loss of believability during the conclusion, but kids are more forgiving than older folk like myself

Advisory: Terrorism will need to be discussed with younger students. No specific population is profiled, so terrorism is handled broadly.
Publisher: Graphia
Date: April 2007
ISBN: 978-0618735051
BUY Runner HERE

Here's the book's website

Carl Deuker grew up in San Fransisco and is a Giants baseball fan. In the 1960's he was a student and English major at UC Berkley. There he participated in many protests during the Vietnam War Era. After graduating, he taught for many years. You can learn much more about him on his bio. page.

____________________________________________________________

Jay Asher interview at School Library Journal

2011-08-27T03:00:00.000-04:00

Ever since I read Thirteen Reasons Why, I have been obsessed with it. I recommend it to everyone and wrote extensively about it HERE. Well, author Jay Asher finally has a new book coming out. Here's the scoop on School Library Journal: Check out the interview here

____________________________________________________________

© 2007-2011 Cheryl Vanatti for www.ReadingRumpus.com

Hunger Games sneek peek on Sunday 8/28!

2011-08-25T18:53:00.000-04:00

____________________________________________________________

© 2007-2011 Cheryl Vanatti for www.ReadingRumpus.com

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

2011-02-14T20:46:00.002-05:00

The CYBILS winners have been announced and I can finally talk about Origami Yoda! I really thought it would be the winner, only threatened by Kneebone Boy. I wanted to say, "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is going to win" in my last CYBILS post, but that wouldn't have been fair! I'm re-reading it tomorrow with five adorable seventh grade boys (no, that's not an oxymoron!) as part of our school-wide book clubs (topic for another post, perhaps). Congratulations to all the CYBILS winners!

Anyway, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda.....

Here's the blurb I wrote as a CYBILS panelist:

"There are kids all over McQuarrie Middle School who believe Origami Yoda can tell the future. Others think he's just a stupid finger puppet made by the 6th grade's biggest loser, Dwight. Tommy HAS to know the truth. He has to know if Origami Yoda is real before he makes a complete fool of himself. Tommy reasons that Origami Yoda MUST be the real thing because there is no way a loser like Dwight could ever offer such great advice. Still, what if he takes Origami Yoda's advice and makes a fool of himself? In order to find out, Tommy opens a case file where his classmates explain their experiences with Origami Yoda's Jedi-like advice. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda will delight readers. It's filled with humor, great characters, a unique plot and the occasional glimpse of the force at work. Read it, you must."

-------------------- Educational Resources --------------------
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age: 9-12
Pages: 160
Themes: Friendship, Uniqueness,Making Decisions
Character Development: Good
Plot Engagement: Excellent
Originality: Excellent
Believability: Excellent
Awards: CYBILS Middle Grade Fiction Winner
Thank You to publisher, Amulet Books, for my copy
Date: March 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0810984257
BUY The Strange Case of Origami Yoda HERE
Visit the really cool site HERE
Folding Instructions and links to more origami Star Wars HERE

Better yet... Watch author Tom Angleberger talk you through the process:

Interview with author Tom Angleberger on StarWars.com HERE (He reveals the next book title!!!)

Lesson/Discussion Ideas:
1. Great for teaching point of view! Have students discuss the various character's points of view. Similarities, Differences, Etc...
2. One character, Dwight, is 'different.' Discussions on tolerance, bullying & being true to one's uniqueness would work well when analyzing him.
3. Investigate how the book's cover was developed (a inside look at book designing, in general) on Mishaps & Adventures: HERE.

4. Read more about how author Tom Angleberger created the story and got the rights to use Yoda on his guest post at Cynsations: HERE.
5. If you really wanna' drive your students crazy, see if they can solve this puzzle from a quote Tom Angleberger gave to interviewer Madelyn Rosenberg, "The story I heard was that the person in charge of approving books at Lucasfilm took the book home for her son to read. And the son read it and said, “Let them do it.” That kid’s name is hidden in the book as a secret thank-you."
6. If you really want to get wild in the classroom, research Chubby Checker's "The Twist" and have a twist contest!
____________________________________________________________

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead - review (sort of) post

2011-01-28T00:15:00.001-05:00

Last summer, I got the bright idea that I was going to start these happy little book clubs all over the school where children could read for pleasure and talk about books. There wouldn't be worksheets; there wouldn't be projects; no mention of standardized test skills would leave our lips. With my principal's blessing and cute name (Book Dens), I went forth to conquer our school.

Lots of students signed up! Plenty of teachers jumped on board too! I got them all going and then, finally, I got my group. I didn't play favorites, I took the leftovers: Six boys, seventh grade, all labeled 'struggling readers.'

At our first meeting I touted their luck. They got the reading specialist, the one in charge, the one who held the key to all the books available. While the other groups were selecting from 3 or 4 titles, they would get to choose from the whole lot!

And they chose one of my favorites. "Trickery," my fellow den leaders called. It was my secret wish, my fingers crossed, eyes tightly shut hope. My boys picked When You Reach Me, the 2010 Newbery winner.

Isn't it amazing when you re-read a book you've loved and are reminded why you loved it? I read a lot of books. I wish I were a more tenacious writer and told about them all here. I should have written about When You Reach Me. Though the fancy gold seal and mandated library purchase now trail the glowing reviews, I should have told you that the last chapters will leave you breathless. You'll want to read it again. And maybe, if you're lucky like me, you'll get to read it again with those seeing it new. Magical!

-------------------- Resources --------------------
Genre: Mostly historical fiction, turning to science fiction at the very end
Age: 9 - 12
Pages: 208
Themes: Friendship, Coming of Age, Family Life, Time Travel
Character Development: Fantastic & unique characters
Plot Engagement: Slow at start, good in middle, whiz-bang ending
Believability: 100% suspension of disbelief intact
Awards: Newbery 2010
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Date: July 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0385737425
BUY When You Reach Me HERE

Lesson Activities: Some book group discussion questions: HERE
Random House excerpt: Here
Scholastic reading guide & project ideas: HERE

Here's the author discussing her writing style the book:

Rebecca Stead has an excellent quote that makes me feel so much better about myself. She says, "Some people will tell you that real writers don’t use parentheticals (which is nonsense). The most important thing to know about writing is that there are no rules." You read more about her on her website: here.
____________________________________________________________

The Kneebone Boy by Ellen Potter - book review

2011-01-16T09:04:00.001-05:00

Magical Realism. My favorite. The ability to see the real world through a glimmering eye. I should have known this would be one of my favorite reads of 2010, just from that cover!

Look at the three Hardscrabble siblings. There's Otto. He's is the oldest and has not uttered a word since he was eight, around the time his mother disappeared. He wears a scarf and communicates through an invented sign-language. The middle Hardscrabble is Lucia. She's quick-witted, daring, a bit controlling and understands Otto's invented language. Max, the youngest, is a brainy boy, often deep in thought. One of them is the narrator of the tale, though we wonderfully never get to know which. Mr. Hardscrabble is a portrait painter who travels frequently, returning with glorious tales of the royalty he meets. Through a series of missteps, the siblings end up in the home of their maternal aunt. It is there that the real story begins. The children learn of a mysterious Kneebone Boy, locked away in a castle tower. They, of course, decide that they must rescue him. And in rescuing him, they solve the mystery of their missing mother.

One thing I especially liked was The Kneebone Boy's genre defying uniqueness. For the same reason I shun mainstream media, I embrace those stories (and tellers) who see the world in a different slant, those who are able to impart a bit of magic into the mundane without throwing us into a fantastical world of escapism (don’t get me wrong, I like a good fantasy occasionally too). It’s the ability to look at a situation of normalcy with a magical eye that fascinates me, makes me want to readjust my own lens.

Quirky, odd, charming, witty, affecting, weird: I’ll be waiting to hear more from the Hardscrabble children……

-------------------- Resources --------------------
Genre: Magical Realism with Mystery, Adventure and Gothic too!
Age: 9-12
Pages: 288
Themes: Non-Traditional Family, Love, Acceptance, Mental Illness
Character Development: Unique and Interesting Characters
Plot Engagement: Propelled by mystery of Kneebone Boy, with foreshadowing hints of missing mother
Originality: Very Original
Believability: Good, though Gothic and magical seeming, always within the realm of plausibility
Awards: Nominated for Middle Grade CYBILS Award
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Date: September 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0312377724
BUY The Kneebone Boy Here

Lesson Activities:
Genre - Keep track of parts that make this realistic story seem like fantasy
Inference - Have students guess which of the three Hardscrabble children is the narrator. Must support with examples from the story!
Cover Art - Examine several books. Discuss how the artist's depiction of the story entices (or doesn't entice) a reader. Closely examine The Kneebone Boy for clues of the story BEFORE anf then AFTER the story. You can also read author Ellen Potter's essay on the day she saw her book's cover on the Macmillan Kids Blog HERE. Study more about the artist, Jason Chan, HERE on his Blog. And HERE on his website bio.

An Excerpt from Blogger Book Rat on YouTube:

Ellen Potter used to watch people in her NYC building's elevator and make up stories about their apartments. She knew she wanted to be a writer from the time she was eleven years old. You can learn more about her and her books on her website.
____________________________________________________________

Cybils Shortlists Announced!

2011-01-01T11:17:00.000-05:00

I have been waiting sooooooo patiently, barely able to control myself. Wanting to tell you.
Head over to the CYBILS website to see all the nominees.

It was so much fun, a lot of work to try to get through all the titles (like 150!), but really great fun. I got to meet some fantastic people which I'll plug again here with our middle grade nominee blurbs from the CYBILS site.

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: David Richardson
Rob Buyea, a teacher and first time author, has written Because of Mr. Terupt. It is a beautiful book about a class of fifth graders and their new teacher. The book is told by seven students. They write about their experiences with a special teacher. The students share the impact that tragedy has on their young lives. The experiences are sad, touching and life changing. Jessica, one of the students, tells Mr Terupt early in the book that she likes happy endings. This book does have one.- Kyle Kimmal @ The Boy Reader

Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs
Simon & Schuster
Nominated by: Jennifer Rembold
This is a humorous mystery that takes place in a zoo. The main character Teddy along with Summer, the zoo owner's daughter, must figure out who murdered the zoo's famous mascot, Henry the Hippo. The characters are well developed and will be loved by both children and adults alike. Listed for 8 - 12 year olds it is probably best for the higher ages due to some mild language. Children will love the gross descriptions and side splitting antics along with the believable parents in the book. The environmental element adds to the flavor of this book. Humor, save the animal type themes, and independent, can't stay out of trouble kid. Who could ask for anything more?- Sandra Stiles @ The Musings of a Book Addict

Betti on the High Wire by Lisa Railsback
Dial
Nominated by: Mary Ellen Thompson
Babo is one of the leftover children. In an unnamed, war-torn country, she lives in an abandoned circus turned orphanage. She is a storyteller, she has friends, and she is happy. Then she's adopted by an American couple, who change her name to Betti. In this heartbreaking, yet humorous and touching book, you get to know Betti as she struggles to adapt and adjust and come to terms with her new life while still yearning for the old. Nothing in this book is black and white: every character and situation is complex, appealing to the older readers, but yet the book is simple enough for younger ones as well. It's a book that will generate discussion about war, refugees, adoption and immigrants. It's not depressing, though; Betti is a spitfire, and readers of all ages will end up cheering for her and falling in love with both her and the book.- Melissa @ The Book Nut

Crunch by Leslie Connor
Katherine Tegen Books
Nominated by: Deena Lipomi
Gasoline is not available at any price, so Dewey Marriss and his siblings have to tough it out until their parents can get back into town. Dewey was left in charge of the Marriss Bike Barn, and business is booming to say the least. We loved the believable characters and thought provoking circumstances of this story. It has a retro feel, but could easily be set in the near future. A mini-mystery keeps the plot moving along but doesn't distract from the big question: What would life without gas be like? Crunch is a shoo-in for boys and girls ages 8 to 800. - Alysa @ Everead

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg
Aladdin
Nominated by: Elizabeth Bird
It's a story with a sad premise -- a boy trying to deal with the death of his mother. However, it reads like a surprisingly normal "kid overcoming an obstacle" kind of story.
Milo's dad isn't really up to talking about serious topics, and he keeps moving the family from house to house, seeming to avoid the memories of his wife. That means that Milo is dealing with yet another new school. At this school he finds a good friend who appreciates him for who he is and what he likes (Freezies drinks from the local convenience store) and a next door neighbor who keeps leaving him sticky notes. These friends and a widow neighbor fill part of the hole that his mother's absence has left. Readers will cheer with Milo as he takes charge of overcoming his situation.
This story will speak volumes to any child who has lost a parent or is trying to help a good friend deal with that loss. But this book's humor, use of line-drawings and cartoons throughout, and universal themes such as struggling in Math, having a crush, the power of friendship, and moving to a new home or new school will entertain and enlighten other readers as well. - Jennifer Donovan @ 5 Minutes for Books

The Kneebone Boy by Ellen Potter
Feiwel & Friends
Nominated by: Jennifer Donovan
Dashes of Dahl. Snippets of Snicket. Heaps of Horvath. Those are the comparisons from the blurb on the back of this rather gothic middle grade adventure novel that I read breathlessly to the end in one day. I would add: A modicum of Monty Python. Pinches of The Princess Bride (without the kissing). Even a whisper of Joan Aiken's Wolves of Willoughby Chase.
No spoilers here, but it won't hurt to tell that The Kneebone Boy has no vampires, no magic, only one very small ghost, one large castle and one small play castle, lots of adventure, many oddities, and a few crazies. Also, there's not much blood, and lots of stuff happens at night . . . in the dark . . . in a spooky forest. Oh, and there's a dungeon and a secret passageway. How can any kid with an inkling of imagination resist? - Sherry @ Semicolon

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
Amulet
Nominated by: Sarah (aquafortis)
There are kids all over McQuarrie Middle School who believe Origami Yoda can tell the future. Others think he's just a stupid finger puppet made by the 6th grade's biggest loser, Dwight. Tommy HAS to know the truth. He has to know if Origami Yoda is real before he makes a complete fool of himself. Tommy reasons that Origami Yoda MUST be the real thing because there is no way a loser like Dwight could ever offer such great advice. Still, what if he takes Origami Yoda's advice and makes a fool of himself? In order to find out, Tommy opens a case file where his classmates explain their experiences with Origami Yoda's Jedi-like advice. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda will delight readers. It's filled with humor, great characters, a unique plot and the occasional glimpse of the force at work. Read it, you must. - Cheryl Vanatti @ Reading Rumpus (Me)

Again... It was an extreme pleasure!

____________________________________________________________

JOEY FLY Freebies & Contest Reminder

2010-12-21T06:20:00.002-05:00

I wrote about Joey Fly, Private Eye, Book 2: Big Hairy Drama yesterday and posted an awesome cool contest. Seriously, go back a post and enter... But today, I have some great masks for you to print out to add to the Joey Fly fun:

____________________________________________________________

Joey Fly, Private Eye in Big Hairy Drama - Book Review, Holiday Ornaments & Super Cool Contest !!!

2010-12-20T07:00:00.066-05:00

Joey Fly and his sidekick, Sammy Stingrear – er… Stingtail, are back again with another crime to solve! In this case, Harry Spyderson, tarantula director of the Scarab Beetle Theatre, has asked Joey to find his leading lady, Greta Divawing. It seems Greta has gone missing and Harry can’t stage Bugliacci without her!

Joey Fly, Private Eye, Book 2: Big Hairy Drama follows the same great format as the first. I enjoyed Joey Fly, Private Eye: Creepy Crawly Crime (here) and the second one is another champion for my classroom bookshelf. Together, Aaron Reynolds and Neil Numberman have created a unique and captivating landscape. Though I’m no soothsayer, I will easily prophetize their continued success (I’ll be waiting for Joey #3!). They have a winning combo: Reynolds’ gritty wit and word play mixed with Numberman’s eye for detail and ability to paint the joke without giving away too much.

I can’t remember him doing it last time, but Numberman has added hidden characters to search for, adding even further detail to the already eye-popping panels kids will love to dissect.

Recommended for strong readers, middle school students and lovers of the graphic novel format. Also great for inclusion in science classes or during a lesson on insects.

-------------------- Resources --------------------
Genre: Graphic Novel / Crime Mystery
Age: Middle Grades (use in high school for determining literary elements also!)
Pages: 128
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Date: November 2010
ISBN: 978-0805082432
Themes: Perseverance, Patience, Humor, Friendship
Character Development: Strong & continued well from first
Plot Engagement: Strong
Originality: Very original and unique
Thank You: Mr. Reynolds & Mr. Numberman for my copy :-)
Buy Joey Fly, Private Eye, Book 2: Big Hairy Drama HERE

Just in time to complete your Christmas tree: FREE Joey Fly ornaments!

(Click to embiggen :-)

Teaching Ideas:
Mood & Tone Literary Devices: The monochromatic illustrations will assist educators when looking at mood & tone in the story. Have students identify mood & tone by offering copied panels with the words deleted. Later, offer the words to check their assumptions. Would make a great pair or group activity.

Genre: Look at the traditional stylings of a crime mystery: Examine detectives & their gritty speech patterns. Add other examples – like old movie clips in black & white. Examine the darkness. I’m thinking a clip from the latest Batman movie will stir up some interest. Discuss how these elements create a feeling in the genre.

Making Inferences: Discuss how small details lead to making inferences about who has committed the crime. Discuss false leads the author has planted to make us think one way. Discuss how to eliminate those false leads to draw a correct conclusion. I’m visualizing a flow chart….. students in pairs…justifying their reasoning (of course do this before you let them read the ending!).

Figurative Speech: Once again Mr. Reynolds gives us a ton of great opportunities to look at figurative speech.

Kidsmomo did a great interview with the Joey Fly Guys:

DID YOU MAKE IT ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE? ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE SUPER COOL CONTEST? HERE IT IS:

MR. NUMBERMAN WILL DO A BUG CARICATURE FOR YOU. YES, YOU (and maybe you & you too)

FOR EVERY 10 COMMENTS, I'LL USE RANDOM.ORG TO SELECT ONE WINNER. 20 COMMENTS = 2 WINNERS, 50 COMMENTS = 5 WINNERS....

SO START TALKING IN THAT COMMENT BOX!

(contest ends January 1st, 2011)

Aaron Reynolds is a human, not a bug, but he often writes about bugs. He is the author of Chicks and Salsa, Superhero School, Buffalo Wings, and, of course, the Joey Fly, Private Eye graphic novels. You can read more about him and his other books on his awesome website.

Neil Numberman is a termite currently residing in New York City. Joey Fly, Private Eye is his first graphic novel, but he is also the author/illustrator of the picture book Do NOT Build a Frankenstein. Stop by his website.

P.S.: Wants some cool stocking stuffers? I'll be posting Joey Fly, Private Eye, Book 2: Big Hairy Drama masks tomorrow ..... so check back for some more Joey Fly fun!

____________________________________________________________

Blessing's Bead by Debby Dahl Edwardson - book review

2010-11-09T06:04:00.003-05:00

Here I go again…. Another title that would have lounged on a library shelf never to cross my mind had it not been for the Cybils:

Blessing's Bead is a mix of historical fiction brought into the modern day through a familial connection across the years and miles of Alaska. The first section of the book tells the story of Nutaaq who travels with her family to an annual trading fair. While there, Nutaaq’s sister meets a Siberian boy and is married. Before she sails for Siberia, she promises Nutaag that when they meet at the next fair, she will bring a beautiful blue bead for each member of their family. Nutaaq never gets to see her sister again as the flu epidemic of the early 20th century changes their course in history.

The second section of Blessing's Bead tells the story of Blessing, a girl sent to live with her grandmother in northern Alaska while her mother battles her personal demons in modern day Anchorage. Raised away from the Inupiaq culture, Blessing feels alone and different. But when Blessing finds a blue bead, she learns the story of her great-grandmother, Nutaaq, and comes to understand what it means to be Inupiaq.

The story’s strength lies in it’s metaphorical examination of the harsh setting in relation to the realities of the characters. It is an atmospheric treat to visit Alaska through the eyes of both Blessing and Nutaaq. The author further assists with her addition of an author’s note on cultural and linguistic accuracies at the end.

Blessing's Bead is a good read, but it really should have been two books. The characters in either section are strong enough to hold their own story and they desperately needed more development. Although the ending creates a beautiful connection between the generations, and I suspect this is the reason the author chose to tell the two stories in one, it could have been accomplished as companion books.

The lack of character development is always a deal breaker for me when choosing books for young people. For the right student, this is a beautiful story, but the average ten-year-old will have some difficulty without the character connections.

-------------------- Resources --------------------
Genre: Historical & Realistic Fiction
Age: 9 - 12
Pages: 192
Themes: Multicultural, Coming of Age, Strength of Character
Publisher: MacMillian
Date: November 2009
ISBN: 978-0374308056
BUY Blessing's Bead HERE

Find teaching discussion & activity guides, excerpts and author info on the publisher's website: HERE

Debby Dahl Edwardson lives with her family in Barrow, Alaska. She always wanted to be a writer, but worked several other jobs before becoming one. You can read more about it on her website.
____________________________________________________________

One Crazy Summer by Rita Willaims-Garcia - book review

2010-11-08T05:56:00.057-05:00

Even with all the buzz surrounding One Crazy Summer, I didn’t really expect to like it and I certainly wouldn’t have ever picked it off the shelf as a fun read. I thought I’d quietly read the 50 pages (like I promised my Cybils pals) and move on to the next one. Of course I always read the last chapter (because I’m an ending freak), so I thought I’d spend maybe an hour with One Crazy Summer and move along to the next title on our massive 146 book list. Four hours later, while soaking in a nice warm bath, I found a tear rolling down my cheek as I closed the book on a historical time period I never thought I’d care to know much about.

I’m still not certain that I can appreciate the Black Panther movement of the 60’s, but I know that I can appreciate a protagonist with a voice so compelling I’m forced to read forward. That’s eleven-year-old Delphine, who, along with her two sisters, flies out to Oakland California to meet a woman she barely remembers when her father thinks it’s high time for his girls to get to know their mother. The three girl’s mother turns out to be a poet involved with the Black Panthers and she’s not much nicer than their paternal grandmother has told them. In fact, for all the character development of Delphine and her sisters, the author never got me to invest in their mother. Even as Delphine and her sister forgave their mother her faults, I muttered about a too tidy ending.

Could I ever invest in a character like Delphine’s mother? Could I feel some sympathy if the situation were extreme enough? Maybe author Williams-Garcia simply understood that most folks wouldn’t be shedding any of those tears for Delphine’s mother. I'm sure Ms. Williams-Garcia knew it was Delphine and the crazy summer she grew into a young lady of strength her mother could never have that makes One Crazy Summer an award-nomination worthy title.

-------------------- Resources --------------------
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age: 9 - 12
Pages: 224
Themes: Self-Reliance, Courage, Honor, Non-traditional Families, Black Panther Movement & Civil Rights Era
Character Traits: Excellent
Plot & Engagement: Good
Plausibility: Some loss at ending, but excellent for discussion
Awards: Nominated for 2010 National Book Award & 2010 Cybils
Publisher: Harper Collins Website Extras HERE
Date: January 2010
ISBN 0060760885
BUY One Crazy Summer HERE

Great author video discussing her books with students at Vermont College of Fine Arts

By the time she was twelve, author Rita Williams-Garcia was already sending stories to magazines in hopes of publication. If she's not writing, she's daydreaming and plotting. You can read more about her on her website.

____________________________________________________________