Module 15: Olive's Ocean

Summary

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes is the dramatic story of Martha, a 12-year-old girl who goes along with her family to visit her aged grandmother, Godbee, who lives near the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. While there, she and her brother, Vince, reconnect with some friends, Jimmy and Tate Manning. She is originally interested in seeing Tate again because he is her same age, but she develops a crush on Jimmy instead. She believes Jimmy returns her crush and starts spending time with him. He is deceptive, however, leading her to a place where he gives her her first kiss, but instead of being sincere, very inappropriately captures the kiss on camera as a way of winning a bet. Martha is crushed and embarrassed, blaming her brother for his part in the bet and refusing to have anything to do with Jimmy or Tate. In the background, we get two more stories, the first of which deals with Godbee's desire to know more about her near-teen granddaughter. The second, and the one from which the story gets its title, deals with a classmate, Olive, who was tragically killed when a car hit her while she was riding her bike home. Olive's mother pays a brief visit to Martha just before her family leaves for their vacation to deliver a journal entry Olive had written stating that she really hopes she can become friends with Martha because she thinks she may be the nicest person in her class. This entry and tragedy will ultimately lead Martha on a mission to bring some ocean home to Olive's mother as an act of kindness and representation of the fact that Olive had never and will never see the ocean firsthand.

Personal Impressions

I chose to read Olive's Ocean due to the recommendation of a friend who took this class a semester prior. From the moment I first opened it to the moment I finished it, I didn't want to put it down. It is this beautifully inspiring story about a girl who comes to the realization of life's imperfections. In a ideal world, a 12-year-old girl wouldn't have to die, a brother wouldn't betray his sister by taking part in a hurtful bet, and a boy wouldn't fake a crush just to win a bet. The reality is that we do not live in an ideal world. I think Henkes was trying to relay the message that life is not always enjoyable because of the harsh reality that sometimes bad things just happen even if they are not deserved. It's a beautiful yet painfully true message. I believe it is a challenged book in elementary schools due to this advanced theme. I know there is one part that mentions something about sex, but it is extremely minor and doesn't say much. For an elementary aged student, maybe the concepts of death, redemption, and deep relationships are a little advanced. I was told that Henkes is typically an elementary author, which could have something to do with the challenge as well. After reading the book, I told my students I think it is the perfect novel for them to read because it depicts the emotions they go through at this age. Henkes did a fabulous job relaying a deeper theme through the characters in this novel. It's a beautiful book, and I would definitely recommend it to my students.

Professional Reviews

from Horn Book magazine, 2003
Kevin Henkes, Olive's Ocean
217 pp. Greenwillow 8/03 ISBN 0-06-053543-1 15.99
Library edition ISBN 0-06-053544X 16.89
(Intermediate, middle school)
Martha opens the door. A strange woman holding an envelope announces: "Olive Barstow was my daughter." Olive, a schoolmate that Martha had barely noticed, has recently been killed in a car accident; the envelope contains an extract from Olive's diary in which she shares her dreams, including the hope that Martha, "the nicest girl in my whole entire class," would become her friend. With this original and compelling opening scene Henkes draws into one summer in the life of a familiar, convincing, fully realized twelve-year-old girl. Olive's Ocean has all the elements of a traditional summer novel: a grandmother with a house by the sea, sandcastles, Parcheesi, a summer crush, and the idea of summer as the time between, the hinge time of growth and change. The book is a web of relationships with Martha at the center. A beloved older brother begins to pull away. Martha sees her grandmother with new eyes. Martha and her mother can't seem to stop irritating each other. The crush-object turns out to have feet of clay. In other hands, this might be too much material, but Henkes has a jeweler's touch, strong and delicate. All of Henkes's strengths as a fiction writer--economy, grace, humor, respect for his characters, a dramatist's eye for gesture, and an underlying good-naturedness--are given wonderful play here. In her diary Olive reveals that she dreamed of writing a book. "Not a mystery or adventure one, but an emotional one. Maybe I can make kids change their opinions on emotion books like some authors did to me." Who were those authors, we wonder. Very likely somebody just like Kevin Henkes. SARAH ELLIS


From School Library Journal:
Olive's Ocean(unabr.). 2 cassettes or 3 CDs. 2:30 hrs.Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. byListening Library/Books on Tape.2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-20727-7: $23;CD, ISBN 0-307-20728-5: $30.
Gr 5-8-- Olive Barstow was killed in a recent bicycling accident. Although Martha Boyle had never befriended the loner, she is surprised to find out that one of Olive's goals was to make friends with her. Keeping this news to herself, Martha and her family go to spend their usual summer vacation on the ocean at her beloved grandmother's house on Cape Cod. Godbee is a practical, crusty old lady who patiently draws out Martha on her feelings and problems. Martha experiences a crush on a local boy that has a disappointing end, but she realizes there is someone nearby who has always liked her. Themes of death, growing up, family relationships, and the mysteries of life are seamlessly interwoven into this engrossing story by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, 2003). Actress Blair Brown narrates briskly, sounding very much like a New Englander. When necessary, she alters her voice to portray characters or specific emotions. Occasional violin music separates some of the many short chapters. While Brown is perhaps too perfunctory to truly capture the spirit of Martha's introspective summer of self-realization, the story is so involving and the characters are so well developed that this production will likely be popular with middle schoolers.

~~~~~~~~

By B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Editor Phyllis Levy Mandell

Library Uses

In an effort to showcase more middle school literature in our middle schools, I think librarians should display books with characters and themes that appeal to this particular age group. The showcase could occur in a blog format, where the librarian blogs about the books. It could also appear as a display table, and the librarian could conduct a 2-3 minute book talk over one of the books each time a class comes in. It would also be a good book to teach tone and mood; however, most classroom teachers have a set amount of time that they and their classes spend in the library. Asking the librarian to read the book would not be a feasible request. If paired with the English teacher, the librarian could facilitate a mini-lesson on tone and mood using the book, assuming it is being read in the ELAR classes. Again making the same assumption, the librarian could have students get on Google Earth, find the setting of the story, and go on a sort of virtual fieldtrip of the area. This activity could also be conducted with one computer and a projector, where the entire class goes on a virtual fieldtrip together.

References

Ellis, S. (2003). Olive's Ocean. Horn Book Magazine, 79(6). Retrieved 03 December 2012 from www.hbook.com.

Gray, A. (2004). Olive's Ocean. School Library Journal, 51(10). Retrieved 03 December 2012 from www.schoollibraryjournal.com.

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

Module 14: What My Mother Doesn't Know

Summary

This is the story of Sophie, a ninth grade girl who thinks her mother doesn't really know much about her feelings. It tells about three of her crushes, beginning with the handsome blond boy who calls her Sapphire, Dylan. After she breaks up with Dylan, she "dates" a boy named Chas, an Internet junkie whom she has never met. Chas turns out to be a sort of creep, so the relationship is "terminated." From there, Sophie finds love with a mystery man who sweeps her onto the dance floor, twirls her around, and never reveals his true identity. This mystery boy is who she will end up with at the end of the story. This is a romantic tale that truly pinpoints exactly how young teens feel when it comes to growing up, making lifelong friends, and trying to find the man of your dreams.

Personal Impressions

Sonya Sones writes a fantastic verse novel. I know it sounds strange, but until this module, I had not really experienced any verse novels. The three that I read for this module, What My Mother Doesn't Know included, were among my favorite books in the class. I remember feeling very similarly to Sophie at times during my teenage years. I remember thinking that my mom didn't really know anything about me or what I was up to. It seems that the opposite is often true, as in the case of Sophie and really even myself. Her characters were very real. I see some of the girls at my school and how dramatic everything is at that age. I know some of the girls I teach cry all the time, feel lonely, bounce from relationship to relationship, etc. I loved this book primarily because it was unique to me. I didn't want to put it down once I started, read it straight through, and stayed up way later than I probably should have. I went to school the following day and recommended it to a student. I also used it for my book talk assignment. I am pretty sure that once I turned it in, it was almost immediately checked out by a student. Whereas I really would put it at a high school level, I think my middle school students would still relate to it and enjoy it.

Professional Review

From Publishers Weekly

*Starred Review* Drawing on the recognizable cadences of teenage speech, Sones (Stop Pretending) poignantly captures the tingle and heartache of being young and boy-crazy. The author keenly portrays ninth-grader Sophie's trajectory of lusty crushes and disillusionment whether she is gazing at Dylan's "smoldery dark eyes" or dancing with a mystery man to music that "is slow/ and/ saxophony." Best friends Rachel and Grace provide anchoring friendships for Sophie as she navigates her home life as an only child with a distant father and a soap opera-devotee mother whose "shrieking whips around inside me/ like a tornado." Some images of adolescent changes carry a more contemporary cachet, "I got my period I prefer/ to think of it as/ rebooting my ovarian operating system," others are consciously clich‚d, "my molehills/ have turned into mountains/ overnight" this just makes Sophie seem that much more familiar. With its separate free verse poems woven into a fluid and coherent narrative with a satisfying ending, Sophie's honest and earthy story feels destined to captivate a young female audience, avid and reluctant readers alike. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Library Uses

I really think the poetry/verse novel genre could use some promoting in the schools in my district. Most people either love or hate poetry, not realizing how much it contributes to a library collection. With verse novels such as What My Mother Doesn't Know, I would recommend that the school librarian keep a blog designed to promote books and is linked to the school website. A collection of verse novels could be spotlighted in the library, either on display, on top of shelves, or on a table. It would also be great for the school librarian to conduct book talks when classes come to the library. If time doesn't allow for book talks, then the librarian could project the blog on a screen and/or have it open on all of the computers. This book would be a good one to review on a blog or give a book talk over. 

References

Publisher's Weekly. (2001). [Review] What my mother doesn't know. Retrieved 1 December 2012 from: www.publishersweekly.com

Sones, S. (2003). What my mother doesn't know. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Module 13: Cirque du Freak series

Summary

In the first books of this twelve-book series, we meet Darren Shan, a 16-year-old boy who acquires a most interesting fate when he steals a poisonous spider from none other than the vampire, Larten Crepsley. In exchange for the life of his friend, Steve Leonard (AKA Steve Leopard), Darren agrees to become an assistant to the vampire, who transforms him from a normal kid to a half-vampire. Darren explores his new identity, leaves the home of his parents only after feeling the urge to drink his own sister's blood, and sets out on a life-changing journey with Mr. Crepsley and his friends, the other members of the Cirque du Freak. While with the Cirque, Darren develops strength, makes a life-long friend named Evra Von, and basically learns the ways of the vampires. Harboring quite a bit of resentment toward his master, Darren often thinks about murdering Mr. Crepsley while he sleeps in his coffin or fleeing and setting out on his own. While Darren is discovering himself, a war is raging between vampire and Vampaneze, the purple-skinned vampire cousins who drink to kill. In the midst of a journey to Vampire Mountain, Darren faces a round of trials called the Trials of Initiation, in which he faces extreme tasks and must rely on his vampirism to be triumphant. When he fails, he is sentenced to death; yet, he flees and uncovers a plot by Kurda Shmaldt, a vampire who is in line to become a prince, to kill the princes and make a treaty with the Vampaneze. When he reveals this plot to the vampire Princes, he is vindicated and made into a Prince himself, the youngest one ever known. As the War of the Scars rages on, Darren finds himself caught up in the brawling action and, along with his little-person friend, Harkat Mulds, Mr. Crepsley and a vampire Prince known as Vancha March, hunts for the presumed Lord of the Vampaneze, a human-turned-Vampaneze who withstood the coffin of fire and is said to bring about the complete destruction of the vampires if he is not defeated. In a revelation following the death of his master and friend, Steve Leopard lets it be known that he is the Lord of the Vampaneze. This series has it all--from vampires to witches and everything in between.

Personal Impressions

I am actually in the process of finishing up the 12th and final book of this series. I found that with each new book, Shan's writing improved. The plot thickened, and my interest heightened. I chose to read this series because my students were reading them. The librarian could hardly keep them on the shelves last year. I guess I wanted to know what the hype was all about. I am really glad I did, because this series is just phenomenal. I have always been a fan of the mythical creatures that inhabit literature and movies. Shan paints a very unique perspective of vampires, one I have never seen prior. I love that his vampires are not evil, have religious beliefs, have consciences. It's just completely original. I can't wait to finish the final book and see how it all ends. I understand why it is a big hit with my students.

Professional Reviews

The following review was featured in the online journal, CM: Canadian Review of Materials.

It was a flyer, an advertising pamphlet for some sort of traveling circus. There was a picture of a wolf's head at the top. The wolf had its mouth open and saliva was dripping from its teeth. At the bottom were pictures of a spider and a snake and they looked vicious, too.

Just beneath the wolf, in big red capital letters, were the words:

CIRQUE DU FREAK

Cirque du Freak is the first of a series of four books by Darren Shan, an Irish writer who has long been fascinated by vampires. The novel is full of thrills and chills and slowly building suspense and will appeal greatly to any reader interested in the horror genre.

Darren and his friend, Steve, obtain tickets for a freak show in a rather dirty, dingy, run-down old theatre which, in itself, lends an air of the macabre and supernatural to the story. Fifty pages of the book are given to a detailed, gross and gruesome description of this unreal entertainment. The freaks run the gamut from a vicious wolf man to a contortionist, a fat man, and a spider who apparently works from telepathic signals. The boys are mesmerized by their journey into this world of grotesque creatures and find their experience both thrilling and disturbing, amazing yet horrifying.

Steve is attracted by Mr. Crepsley whom he recognizes to be a famous vampire. Darren, on the other hand, has always been intrigued by spiders and so is fascinated by Mr. Crepley's pet, Madame Octa. This love of arachnids ends up changing Darren's life completely.

Events spiral out of control: Darren steals the performing spider and subsequently Madame Octa bites Steve, leaving him paralyzed and in a coma, near death. To obtain the necessary antidote, Darren must...... literally..... sell his soul.

Shan introduces themes of horror, magic and friendship. The book is somewhat reminiscent of R. L. Stine, but Shan's writing is darker and more frightening and, therefore, would probably appeal to somewhat older readers. The entire story is told from the viewpoint of an adolescent boy, and so there is a definite emphasis on the gross qualities of the freakshow, yet the book remains imaginative and displays a rather dark sort of humour. There is plenty of chilling action throughout as the boys get caught up in an unexpected trap which leads to an equally unexpected ending. Certainly the reader is left wanting to know more about Darren's adventures in the sequels!

Cirque du Freak is soon to be a motion picture from Warner Brothers, and, as well, the novel won the IRA Children's Choice Award in 2002.

Highly Recommended.

~~~~~~~~

Review by Ann Ketcheson

Due to the fact that there are twelve books that comprise this series, I am including another review from School Library Journal.

Section:

GRADES 5 & UP

Fiction

A Living Nightmare.

SHAN, Darren. 266p. (The Saga of Darren Shan Series, Bk. #1). CIP. Little, Brown. 2001. Tr $15.95. ISBN 0-316-60340-6. LC 00-045648.

Gr 4-8 --In his introduction, 12-year-old Darren claims that this is a true story, though the names have been changed and the country (obviously England) kept secret. When a bizarre-sounding freak show comes to town, he and his friend Steve sneak out to attend, and Steve recognizes one of the performers-as a centuries-old vampire. Darren decides he must steal the vampire's performing, poisonous spider. The theft is successful, and he learns to control Madam Octa with a combination of flute music and ESP-until she bites Steve. Darren must then sell himself into vampire slavery to get the cure to the spider's poison. This volume is neither as well written nor as compulsively readable as the "Harry Potter" books (Scholastic), though surely J. K. Rowling's endorsement on the cover will win it a few fans. Most of the characters aren't developed much beyond their names and a brief description. The slowness of the plot in the beginning might turn some readers off, but once the supernatural enters, they will be hooked. The fun here is in the details and in the uniqueness of the non-evil vampire monster. Several volumes of the series are already out in England, and the movie rights have already been purchased, ensuring that this title and probably its sequels will be in demand.

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By Timothy Capehart, Leominster Public Library, MA

Library Uses

For any student who likes the macabre nature of vampires, the Cirque du Freak series is a must-read. I think in a library setting, it would be a great idea to spotlight Shan's series and display the books on a table, special shelf, or even just on top of the shelves. Along with the display, a poster containing facts about the author and series could be displayed. It would be a great thing to do around Halloween actually. In an effort to maximize student interest, the librarian could blog about the series, reviewing it and even perhaps providing a link to the movie trailer. This blog could be accessed from the library's homepage, from the school's homepage, and even be up on the computers or projected onto a white screen so students can read about the books featured and decide more easily what to check out. 

References

Capehart, T. (2001). Cirque du freak (Book review). School Library Journal, 47(5). Retrieved 05 December 2012 from www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Ketcherson, A. (2003). Cirque du freak. (The Darren Shan saga) (Book). CM: Canadian Review Of Materials, N.PAG. Retrieved 05 December 2012 from www.umanitoba.ca./cm/

Shan, D. (2000). Cirque du freak: A living nightmare. London, UK: Collins.

Shan, D. (2000). Cirque du freak: The vampire's assistant. London, UK: Collins.

Shan, D. (2000). Cirque du freak: Tunnels of Blood. London, UK: Collins.

Shan, D. (2001). Cirque du freak: Vampire Mountain. London, UK: Little, Brown, and Company.

Shan, D. (2001). Cirque du freak: Trials of death. London, UK: Little, Brown, and Company.

Shan, D. (2002). Cirque du freak: The vampire prince. London, UK: Little, Brown, and Company.

Shan, D. (2002). Cirque du freak: Hunters of the dusk. London, UK: Little, Brown, and Company.

Shan, D. (2002). Cirque du freak: Allies of the night. London, UK: Little, Brown, and Company.

Shan, D. (2003). Cirque du freak: Killers of the dawn. London, UK: Little, Brown, and Company.

Shan, D. (2003). Cirque du freak: The lake of souls. London, UK: Little, Brown, and Company.

Shan, D. (2004). Cirque du freak: Lord of the shadows. London, UK: Little, Brown, and Company.

Shan, D. (2006). Cirque du freak: Sons of destiny. London, UK: Little, Brown, and Company.

Module 12: Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka

Summary

Scieszka, a well-known author of such children's books as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheese Man, now writes his autobiography. He was raised as one of six brothers, attended Catholic school as a boy, and was forced to use proper terms when referring to one's anatomy due to the fact that his mother was a nurse. It's a very humorous conglomeration of tales chock full of true stories and adventures, comics, cooking, and just plain Scieszka. The stories included are shameless and would most definitely reach a male population of students. Some pictures of Scieszka as a boy accompany the stories. He grew up in Flint, Michigan, where his family was comprised of pretty much all boys (save his mother, naturally), even the family pets were boys. He devotes a chapter to each of his parents and a chapter to his grandparents. I think it is clear that he loved his family and childhood.

Personal Impressions

This book was really humorous and a little crude. Scieszka didn't leave much to guessing. He covered his favorite and some of his not-so-favorite childhood memories. The writing is not too difficult, and the chapters are short. It's a pretty quick read due to those factors. I really think upper elementary and middle school boys would like this kind of book because it's primarily about boys. I have been a fan of Scieszka's books since I started teaching, and I can see where he gets some of the ideas for his stories. His childhood was a little atypical because not a lot of people are raised in a household full of boys, but the way he tells the stories makes them enjoyable and relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Scieszka. This book only added to my appreciation of him.

Professional Reviews

Booklist (September 1, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 1))

Grades 4-7. In this arch, glib, unapologetically shame-free outing, Scieszka, who grew up as the second of six sons, has written an autobiography about boys, for boys and anyone else interested in baseball, fire, and peeing on stuff. The format of the book is perfectly suited to both casual and reluctant readers. The text is divided into two- to three-page nonsequential chapters and peppered with scrapbook snapshots and comic-book-ad reproductions. The accessibly irreverent language pushes the boundaries of moderation even as it reflects a sort of skewed wholesomeness. But the real testosterone payoff here is in the stories, which range from losing battles with fractious parochial-school nuns to taking turns watching little brothers (wherein the author watched brother number six eat a cigarette butt and charged neighborhood kids to watch him do it again). By themselves, the chapters entertain with abrupt, vulgar fun. Taken together, they offer a look at the makings of one very funny author—and a happy answer to the dreaded autobiography book report.

Horn Book (January/February, 2010)

Our reigning ambassador of children's literature offers three dozen or so entertaining and allegedly true tales from his childhood in Michigan, growing up in a family of six boys and two blessedly good-natured parents. Short, conversational paragraphs showcase Scieszka's instantly recognizable, expertly timed delivery: "There are a lot of advantages to being one of the oldest in a big family. You get more food. You get newer clothes. You get more attention. You get to beat up on the smaller brothers." And who could have known how much this prankster enjoyed military academy: "It was the place where I learned to really truly read, to write, to learn how to learn." The anecdotes are loosely chronological but discrete, and the browsability of the book is enhanced by a profusion of family photos. There's also a helpful index: "smartest, 11; see also Jon." Scieszka's legion of young fans will enjoy this; it might have even more appeal to the dads and granddads who identified with Bill Bryson's The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid.

Library Uses

I think biographies of any sort have applications in the library. It's a little hard to promote biographies, though, because so much else is out there and the genre is sometimes just pushed off to the side. With the increased rigor of the STAAR and other state tests, it is essential that the library shelve and promote books of this genre. My instinct says that books such as this need to be promoted in order for them to get checked out and read by the student population. One way of using this book in the library would be for the librarian to do an author spotlight every couple of weeks, where he/she promotes a certain author, conducts book talks over books written by that author, perhaps make a bulletin board display over the author and his books, and displays those books in an area of high traffic. Since Scieszka has written books that would appeal to students on a variety of reading levels, he is the perfect author to spotlight.

References

Barthelmess, T. (2008). Knucklehead: Tall tales and almost true stories of growing up Scieszka [Review]. Booklist, 105(1). Retrieved 20 November 2012 from www.booklistonline.com

Philpot, C. (2010). Knucklehead: Tall tales and mostly true stories of growing up Scieszka. Horn Book Magazine, 86(1). Retrieved 20 November 2012 from www.hbook.com

Scieszka, J. Knucklehead: Tall tales and mostly true stories of growing up Scieszka. New York, NY: Penguin Books

Module 11: Orangutans Are Ticklish

Summary

What do you actually know about orangutans, elephants, alligators, zebras, lions, and just wild animals in general? In this book, you can learn all sorts of interesting facts about those and other animals. It is chock full of elaborate, real photographs and information of all the animals you only hear about but don't get to see unless you embark on an African safari! This is a short but highly interesting book. Kids will love it because the pictures are so well done. Adults will love it because it has great information. And everyone else in between will love it because it's just plain interesting!

Personal Impressions

Wow, this book truly has amazing photos. Steve Grubman, how do you do it?! This is an amazing informational text about wild animals. Some of the information was even brand new to me! I personally have a thing for elephants, and I learned something new about them even! My daughter was fascinated by the orangutan because she related it to Curious George, her favorite show right now. Even my 21-month-old son had his eyes glued to the pictures. I really think almost anyone would enjoy this book, but I would probably place it at grades 3 and up. It would also be a good book for teachers to have on hand, as it contains some unique facts about the animal world that might be used for the sake of research. I definitely recommend the book and think the pictures are the best part.

Professional Reviews

Booklist (August 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 22))

Grades 2-4. “Kangaroos can’t hop backward, but they can hop forward as fast as 30 miles per hour!” The artfully selected facts and observations in this handsomely produced photo gallery are practically guaranteed to rivet budding naturalists, and Grubman’s 13 sharply detailed studio portraits of large wild animals placed against plain, pale backgrounds put on a show that’s every bit as engaging as the accompanying commentary. Grubman brings the challenges of animal photography to the fore by leading off with a nontechnical description of how the indoor shots were set up and by adding amusing comments on every spread about each photo session. A section of additional pictures and facts caps this broadly appealing introduction to a photographer and his sometimes unpredictable subjects.

Library Uses

Why not pair with the science teacher and send the students on an animal scavenger hunt? The teacher could provide the guidelines, the librarian could house the books, and the students could document facts about their favorite animals! It would be an excellent way to introduce such topics as the animal kingdom, food chain, or even just nature in general. Each student could be told to write down ten facts about a certain animal (either one assigned or chosen, but where each student selects a different animal). They could draw pictures of their animals to accompany the facts, and the pages could be bound into a book.

References

Grubman, S. and Davis, J. (2010). Orangutans are ticklish: Fun facts from an animal photographer. New York, NY: Schwartz and Wade 

Peters, J. (2010). Orangutans are ticklish: Fun facts from an animal photographer [Review]. Booklist, 106(22), 50. Retrieved 12 November 2012 from www.booklistonline.com

Module 10: Crosswire

Summary

Crosswire is of the historical fiction genre and set in the early Western days (late 1800s) when the Texas Rangers were pursuing outlaws, which were rather rampant at the time. Ethan, an older and somewhat defiant son, manages to convince his younger brother, Jessie, to steal away with him to a saloon, where he has been gambling away his father's life savings. Jessie, unbeknownst to the fact that the money Ethan uses is actually his father's stolen money, eyes a stranger with a cowboy hat and steely eyes at the bar. This stranger is Jackson Wade. After Ethan is caught by his father and disowned, Jessie's mother shuts herself in her room, mourning the loss of her eldest boy, for days on end. Jessie and his father divide the duties to keep their poor farm up. In town, Jessie's father hires Mr. Wade, a man who supposedly doesn't even own a pistol, to help around the farm. He allows him to reside in the run-down shed at the end of their property. In the background, we have this story of some outlaws cutting fences and stealing precious water, a commodity that is running thin due to the drought. Jessie's suspicion of Mr. Wade continues to grow steadily, until Jessie is convinced he is actually one of the fence cutters. He breaks into the shed one night and discovers a pair of wire cutters and a very nice pistol that's been hidden away in a locked box. He takes the pistol with him and sets out to follow Mr. Wade in an effort to reveal his true identity to his father, who is in hot pursuit of the fence-cutters and in company of several other men. When Jessie finds Mr. Wade, he is indeed with two of the wire cutters. Jessie threatens at first, reveals the pistol he stole, and ends up tied down and in need of rescue. It is Jackson Wade that ends up being the hero, as he is actually a Texas Ranger pursuing the outlaw fence-cutters by pretending to be one of their own. Jessie earns favor in his father's eyes, Ethan comes home due to an injury caused by the bear traps his father set out, and Jackson Wade returns to his home in a different part of Texas. All ends well.

Personal Impressions

I absolutely love a good western any day, honestly. Western movies, western books--it really doesn't matter because I like it all. This book was extremely interesting and enjoyable for me. I've been fascinated with Texas history since childhood, and being a native Texan myself, I just love books about Texas. Dotti Enderle is also a native Texan and knows her stuff. I can tell she did research on the Texas Rangers and on this particular time period. The fence-cutters were very real, which she states in the afterword of the book. True, the characters are made up, but they are so believable. Their actions, words, and even emotions are resemblant of real people trying to defend what they have worked so hard to obtain. I did not find any of the characters or events too far-fetched. It's a very realistic story. After reading it, I recommended it to one of my students, who went to check it out. Our school library currently does not have a copy, but I mentioned to our school librarian that we need to get one. Anyone interested in Texas history will enjoy this book.

Professional Reviews

Library Media Connection

Enderle, Dotti
Crosswire
2010 144pp. $17.95 be. Calkins Creek (Boyds Mills
Press). 978-1-59078-751-9. Grades 6-10
WWMost stories of western farming are those of pioneers struggling against nature ro survive. What makes this story unique is that it chronicles the struggle to protect a family farm from wire-cutting cattlemen. Young Jesse, the youngest son of a cotton farmer in Texas, Is caught in the middle. Jesse's fear of firing a weapon puts him at odds with his father and older brother, Ethan. When Ethan is kicked out of the house because of his gambling, Jesse has to bear the brunt of the work and the horror of the wire-cutters. Jesse has to face his fear of firearms in order to save the life of their hired hand. This well written novel has believable characters in a historically accurate setting. The cattle wars of Texas are often glossed over, but they are full of adventure. Enderle does an excellent job of portraying the time period, the characters, and the wars. An afterword explains the cattle wars and how they were finally halted. Bibliography. Recommended. Sandi Jordet, Librarian, Brush (Colorado) Public Schools

Kirkus Reviews (October 1, 2010)

"Something there is that doesn't love a wall," says the voice in Frost's "Mending Wall," which is certainly the sentiment of the free-range cattlemen in 1883, when drought made them desperate enough to cut farmers' barbed-wire fences to get at water for their herds. Farmers reacted, setting off the Fence-Cutting Wars in Texas. Thirteen-year-old Jesse and his family are farmers, and when his father hires a mysterious man named Jackson to help in mending fences and fighting back, Jesse's too afraid of guns to be counted a man in this conflict. It's his coming-of-age story that will involve readers, who will feel the mounting tension as Jesse must eventually decide what it means to be a man in a conflict with no easy answers. A solid, unassuming prose style perfectly matches the Texas setting to tell a tale about a little-known but fascinating part of American history. Enderle writes with restraint, her research neatly woven into the story, her characters carefully drawn. A small gem of a story. (afterword, bibliography) (Historical fiction. 10 & up)

Library Uses

I actually think this book would be a great one for the librarian to pair with the social studies and ELAR teachers. So much history is in this book, despite that it is historical fiction. The ELAR teacher could use the librarian's help and expertise to conduct a research project over the cattle wars mentioned in the book while the students are reading the novel in class. The history teacher could have the students draw a map of placed where the fences were being cut or even map out the trails of the Texas Rangers. In a mini-study, the librarian could facilitate the research portion by discussing things such as citation, providing resources for the students, and even pulling literature of a similar nature (with the same theme or of the same genre) for students to explore and check out if they like this book. In a blog, the school librarian could blog about why the book is considered historical fiction and what parts of the story are based on truth.

References

Enderle, D. (2010). Crosswire. Honesdale, PA: Calkins Creek

Kirkus Reviews. (2010). [Review] Crosswire. Kirkus reviews, 78(19). Retrieved 05 December 2012 from: www.kirkusreviews.com

Jordet, S. (2011). Crosswire. Library media connection, 29(5). Brush, CO. Retrieved 05 December 2012 from www.librarymediaconnection.com

Module 9: Herculeah Jones: The Black Tower

Summary

Herculeah Jones has a knack for detective work, even if it gets her in trouble. In this book by Betsy Byars, Herculeah uncovers the secret of the black tower at the "Haunt Mansion," as she and her friends at school call it. Her mother, a private detective, requests of Herculeah that she go read to Mr. Hunt, a lonely man who cannot move, speak, or communicate other than by batting his eyes. Engrossed in the mystery surrounding this man and his home, Herculeah vows to uncover the truth. In the end, she discovers the real identity of the nurse taking care of Mr. Hunt, saves the real nurse, and discovers what really happened that fateful day at the Hunt House when the governess died.

Personal Impressions:

This story, geared toward upper elementary students, is entertaining, interesting, and suspenseful. From the first pages when a story is being told of a young girl who is climbing the stairs knowing something horrible is awaiting her to the end when all is revealed, it is full of good stuff that will entice any upper elementary reader. As an adult, the book is a little predictable and cheesy, but the targeted audience is not adults. When I was a kid, I loved books by Betsy Byars; she was one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed this book and think upper elementary girls especially would enjoy it, too.

Professional Review

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–Herculeah is back in another exciting adventure. Here, she is reading to her mother's friend, a lonely stroke victim who cannot speak, and becomes involved in a family feud and mystery involving money and murder. Against her friend Meat's better judgment, she keeps going back to the house and puts her own life in danger. A fast-paced plot and well-developed, likable characters keep readers turning pages. Fans of the series as well as those new to it will enjoy the suspense that Byars is so famous for building.–Krista Tokarz, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Library Uses

This would be a good read aloud where the librarian reads a chapter to the students and asks them to make inferences about what is going to happen. He/She could pair with the ELAR teacher to evaluate student responses to questions such as "What do you think will happen next?" and "Why do you think Herculeah can't stay away from the story behind the black tower?" Mysteries are great for making inferences. It would also be a good way to sell students on this particular genre. If the librarian was to pair with the art teacher, she could read the book while the art teacher has the students design their own tower. 

References

Byars, B. (2007). Herculeah Jones: The black tower. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

Tokarz, K. (2006). Reviews: Herculeah Jones: The black tower. Retrieved 15 November 2012: www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Module 8: Twilight

Summary

The main character is Bella,  short for Isabella, the daughter of the Forks police chief. Bella realizes her mother's need to spend time on the road with her new husband, so she decides to move to Forks, WA, and live with her dad. Forks is a boring place and they don't really have much of a relationship in the beginning. Her dad does surprise her with an old truck for her birthday, so Bella has a way to get to school. There, she makes a few friends and inquires of them who the pale-skinned, beautiful people she sees in the school cafeteria are. After finding herself in a seat next to Edward Cullen, one of the pale-skinned, beautiful people, Bella is set on a path that will change the course of her future for forever. Murders are mysteriously happening around the town, Edward disappears for days and returns only in time to shove Bella out of the way of a moving car in a completely supernatural method, and she starts researching vampires. After confronting Edward about his true vampire identity, the two fall in love and begin dating. Bella befriends Edwards vampire parents, brother, and sister, Alice, who can see the future. After a revelation from Alice, Bella is forced to flee from an evil, predatory vampire who is after her. Edward comes to her rescue, kills the vampire, and sucks the poison from the vampire's bite out of her. This novel explores the supernatural world of vampires and their vices in a unique way.

Personal Impressions

The first part of the book was pretty drawn-out in my opinion. It seemed like the climax took to long to get to. When I finished it, though, I ended up really liking it. Meyer writes a vampire story that is unlike any I've ever read. I liked that she presented a positive side to what is often relayed in literature as a monster. Many of my students are familiar with this book and its three subsequent parts. I think the further you get into a series, the more you tend to enjoy it. This is one of those cases. I think Meyer did a good job intertwining the  romance with the murders occurring in the city. The foreground of the story is definitely the romance between Edward and Bella, but in the background is a whole different story. It is interesting how they end up connecting.

Professional Reviews

Booklist starred (November 15, 2005 (Vol. 102, No. 6))

cpg1252 Gr. 9-12. In the tradition of Anne Rice and YA titles such as Annette Curtis Klause's The0 Silver Kiss 0 (1999) comes this heady romance that intertwines Bella Swan's life with that of Edward, an alluring and tormented vampire. Bella's life changes when she moves to perpetually rain-soaked Forks, Washington. She is instantly drawn to a fellow student, Edward Cullen, beautiful beyond belief and angrily aloof. Bella senses there is more behind Edward's hostility, and in a plot that slowly and frighteningly unfolds, she learns that Edward and his family are vampires--though they do not hunt humans. Yet Edward cannot promise that his powerful attraction to Bella won't put in her in danger, or worse. Recklessly in love, Bella wants only to be with Edward, but when a vicious, blood-lusting predator complicates her world, Bella's peril is brutally revealed. This is a book of the senses: Edward is first attracted by Bella's scent; ironically, Bella is repelled when she sees blood. Their love is palpable, heightened by their touches, and teens will respond viscerally. There are some flaws here--a plot that could have been tightened, an overreliance on adjectives and adverbs to bolster dialogue--but this dark romance seeps into the soul.

Library Uses

I think it would be great for the librarian to spotlight literature from this genre around Halloween. The librarian could blog about the books, make a display of fantasy literature, and conduct book talks about some of the novels included. Since it is geared toward high school students, it may be difficult to conduct a book talk. In my district, the high school students don't really schedule visits to the library unless it for research. But, they can visit the library on their own any time and check out books. I definitely think blogging would be the way to promote high school literature. Twilight would be a good one to include because the movies are pretty popular.

References

Cooper, I. (2005). Twilight. Booklist, 102(6). Retrieved 12 November 2012 from: www.booklistonline.com.

Meyer, S. (2005). Twilight. New York, NY: Little Brown.

Module 7: Stargirl

Summary

Stargirl's parents let her choose her own name, so she goes by Stargirl. She's new to Mica High, and everyone wonders if she is "real." She's quite eccentric, strums a ukulele and sings "Happy Birthday" to people in the cafeteria, she dresses in odd clothes, and sends presents to people she doesn't even know. When Leo, the narrator of the story, first meets her, he doesn't really know what to think. As a matter of fact, he and his friend try to put her on "Hot Seat," the school's informal radio show. Eventually, Stargirl gets to Leo, and they begin dating. He finds that she doesn't care what other people think about her, is very good-hearted, has a great sense of humor, and even has pretty normal parents. But, Leo worries whether his popularity is going to be jeopardized as a result of the relationship. After telling Stargirl that she doesn't have to be the way she is, he is pleasantly surprised when Susan emerges, wearing big hoop earrings and popping bubble gum just like all the other girls. A big part of her identity is lost, but Leo is happy to be associated with normalcy. The relationship ends when Stargirl realizes that she just doesn't want to change herself for a boy.

Personal Impressions

I really liked this story because it teaches a lesson that you should always be yourself. Stargirl did seem pretty far-fetched, and I wondered what high school would allow a girl to strum her ukulele and sing during lunch time. But, perhaps one of the more appealing things was that Spinelli writes about the eccentric. I love a good teenage romance story any day, so I enjoyed the book. Leo is a very realistic character, and how he feels seems relatable. My favorite part is when they start making up greeting cards for random people they see at the mall. Leo makes one up about a lady he saw wipe a booger off. It's funny.

Professional Reviews

Book Report (January/February 2001)

Spinelli spins a poignant and bittersweet story that captures the essence of nonconformity and teenage culture. Stargirl has been home schooled until she enters Mica Area High School in Mica, Arizona, in the 10th grade. Everything about Stargirl is different: She plays her guitar and sings Happy Birthday to students during lunch, commits random acts of kindness, and does not mind remaining anonymous. The students do not know how to deal with her. They are curious and speculate about her. They ignore her, embrace her, shun her, and then accept some of her ideas. One student, Leo, becomes Stargirl's significant other. In assuming this role, he must come to terms with wanting her to be like everyone else and yet not wanting her to change and lose her special qualities. Leo is not mature enough to accept the shunning and some of the other negative consequences of his relationship with Stargirl. He walks away, experiencing an overwhelming sense of loss. He is able to come to terms with this only after many years. This is a story that will ring true both to the young reader and to the older reader who remembers being young. This title is a must for all libraries. Highly Recommended. By Sandra Morton, Middle School Librarian, Friends School of Baltimore (Maryland)

Booklist (Vol. 96, No. 19/20 (June 1, 2000))

Gr. 6-9. Sixteen-year-old Leo recounts Stargirl's sojourn at Mica High in an allegorical story that is engagingly written but overreaches. Everyone notices Stargirl when she comes to school. She wears a granny gown, strums a ukulele, and sings "Happy Birthday" to kids in the cafeteria. She also carries around a pet rat. Her classmates veer between ignoring her and being discreetly fascinated by her weirdness--dancing when there's no music, speaking in class of trolls and stars. Slowly, Stargirl attracts a following, especially after she gives a spellbinding speech in an oratorical contest and singlehandly stirs up school spirit. But her intense popularity is short-lived as, predictably, the teens turn on her. Leo is attracted by Stargirl and her penchant for good works. But just about the time they get together, the rest of the school is shunning her, and to his confusion and despair, Leo eventually turns his back on Stargirl, too. Spinelli firmly captures the high-school milieu, here heightened by the physical and spiritual barrenness of an Arizona location, a new town where people come to work for technology companies and the school team is called the Electrons. Dialogue, plot, and supporting cast are strong: the problem here is Stargirl herself. She may have been homeschooled, may not have seen much TV, but despite her name, she has lived on planet earth for 15 years, and her naivete is overplayed and annoying. When Leo tells her that not everyone likes having somebody with a ukulele sing "Happy Birthday" to them, she is shocked. That she has not noticed she is being shunned is unbelievable, and, at times, readers may feel more sympathy for the bourgeois teens than the earnest, kind, magical Stargirl. That's too bad, because Spinelli's point about the lure and trap of normalcy is a good one. But to make it real, Stargirl needed to have at least one foot on the ground.

Library Uses

This would be a good book to conduct a book talk over. I know students constantly ask the librarian for book recommendations. If the librarian were to spotlight various books at the beginning of class, it may alleviate some of the requests. I also think it would be good idea to highlight literature on a blog that is linked to the school library page. The librarian could blog about books and make recommendations in an online format. Students could access the blog when they come in for library visits, see what books the librarian is spotlighting, and get recommendations from there. Stargirl is the perfect book for both of these activities because it is really too long to read in a library setting, but kids would enjoy reading it. 

References

Cooper, I. (2000). Books for youth: Books for older readers. Booklist, 96(19/20). Retrieved 25 November 2012 from: www.booklistonline.com

Morton, S. (2001). [Review] Stargirl. Book Report, (Jan./Feb. 2001). Retrieved 24 November 2012 from:  www.bookreporter.com

Spinelli, J. (2000). Stargirl. New York, NY: Knopf.

Module 7: Frindle

Summary

Andrew Clements, a well-renowned juvenile fiction author, relays the tale of Nick, a 5th grade student who invents a new name for an ordinary ink pen while studying the origins of words in the English language. His new word is "frindle," and it catches on fast. Despite the threat of detention and writing sentences, Nick and his friends persist and the popular new word eventually replaces the ordinary word "pen" around their town. It ends with a letter from his teacher congratulating him for the induction of "frindle" in to the Oxford English Dictionary. The entire debacle was really just a ploy on her part to get the word inducted.

Personal Impressions

This was a very quick and fun read for me. Since I am an English teacher, I personally am interested in the formation of new words and how those words just seem to "take." I think Andrew Clements probably did some research because what happens sort of makes sense and is seemingly possible. I mean, the slang term "bling-bling" was added into the Oxford English Dictionary within the past five or so years! So why not! Really, this is one I would recommend to 4th-6th graders. Some of the annoying things Nick does, such as the bird chirp in the middle of class, are hilarious and exactly like things my own students do. Clements is such a great writer anyway. His books are very popular amongst upper elementary and middle school because they can relate to his characters. The same thing is true about the characters in this book. I personally can relate to the teacher; the kids can relate to Nick; and it peaks everyone's curiosity as to whether they could actually invent a new word and have it catch on entirely.

Professional Reviews

Booklist (Vol. 93, No. 1 (September 1, 1996))

Gr. 3-6. Ten-year-old Nick Allen has a reputation for devising clever, time-wasting schemes guaranteed to distract even the most conscientious teacher. His diversions backfire in Mrs. Granger's fifth-grade class, however, resulting in Nick being assigned an extra report on how new entries are added to the dictionary. Surprisingly, the research provides Nick with his best idea ever, and he decides to coin his own new word. Mrs. Granger has a passion for vocabulary, but Nick's (and soon the rest of the school's) insistence on referring to pens as "frindles" annoys her greatly. The war of words escalates--resulting in after-school punishments, a home visit from the principal, national publicity, economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and, eventually, inclusion of frindle in the dictionary. Slightly reminiscent of Avi's Nothing but the Truth(1991), this is a kinder, gentler story in which the two sides eventually come to a private meeting of the minds and the power of language triumphs over both. Sure to be popular with a wide range of readers, this will make a great read-aloud as well.

Horn Book starred (November, 1996)

Nick's teacher explains that a word means something only because people decide it does. And thus is born frindle, Nick's new name for pen, promising and delivering a classic student-teacher battle. The battle assumes the proportions of a tall tale, and although outrageous and hilarious, it's all plausible, and every bit works from the premise to the conclusion.

Library Uses

This book in particular would be great to co-teach a lesson on word study. In an elementary school setting, or at least in the ones in my school district, students typically visit the library once a week. I think it would be interesting for the librarian to divide the book up in to about 5 or 6 sections, and read aloud one of the sections a week until the book is completed. The classroom teacher could then conduct a mini lesson on dictionary skills, vocabulary, or even do a Q & A to test reading comprehension. The reverse of the lesson, where the classroom teacher reads the book and the librarian helps with the mini-lessons could also happen. Another use would be for the librarian to do a book talk over the book and have the students discuss word origins. Librarians have a lot more to offer than simply making book recommendations. Some of the librarians at the schools in our district have intervention periods, where they are responsible for working on particular skills with a small group of students in an effort to boost comprehension. I think it would be great to see more librarians pair with classroom teachers for lessons such as the one I mentioned.

References

Clements, A. (1996). Frindle. New York, NY: Aladin Paperbacks.

E.S.W. (1996). Horn Book Magazine. Retrieved 23 November 2012 from: www.hbook.com.

Weisman, K. (1996). Books for youth: Books for middle school readers. Booklist, 93(1). Retrieved 23 November 2012 from: www.booklistonline.com.