A Crooked Kind of Perfect

Urban, L. (2009). A crooked kind of perfect. NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Ten-year-old Zoe Elias has big piano dreams. All she needs is a baby grand piano so she can start her lessons, and then she'll be well on her way to Carnegie Hall. But when Dad goes to the music store and ends up with an organ instead of a piano, Zoe's dreams fall apart. The organ isn't the only part of Zoe's life that's off key, with her Mom constantly at work, her Dad afraid to leave the house, and  Wheeler Diggs, following her home from school every day, she can't seem to get a break. However, when Zoe enters the annual Perform-O-Rama organ competition, she finds that life is full of surprises.

Textbook Assignment 3:

A Crooked Kind of Perfect, by Linda Urban, is a realistic fiction novel about a girl named Zoe who has big musical dreams. The character in this story is one many young girls can relate to. Especially when things don’t go the way you planned. The language in the novel feel fresh and believable. The theme for this novel is perseverance. At first Zoe doesn’t get want she wants, which is a piano, instead she gets an organ. But she makes the best of her situation. The theme in this novel is one that young readers can find meaningful and worthwhile.

Personal Website for Linda Urban:
http://lindaurbanbooks.com/

Video Book Trailer form Scholastic:
http://www.scholastic.com/teacher/videos/teacher-videos.htm#3190980626001/1731910632





 

Good Masters, Sweet Ladies!

Schlitz, L. A. (2007). Good masters, sweet ladies! Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village is a story with fictional characters, and is based on actual roles of people during the Middle Ages with real historical elements. The story is told by 23 characters in 19 monologues and 2 dialogues. The book encompasses medieval life in Europe as it describes all of the gory details of filth, disease, maggots, superiority, poverty, and more. The setting and theme of unfairness among the characters seem to correlate and provide insight for the reader of the cruel conditions of the Middle Ages. From 23 different perspectives, the book encompasses  almost every role needed for a Medieval village.

Textbook Assignment 4:

Centered around the Middle Ages, Good Masters, Sweet Ladies gives you an insight of what life was like for both the wealthy and the peasants of the time. The stories are told through a collection of small plays and they all have a connection. Each play tells of the struggles young individuals encountered during the medieval times. They are all told in the first person point of view giving the readers vivid details about their lives. From the story of the lord’s nephew, Hugo, to the beggar named Giles, the reader gets a glimpse of medieval life. This book contained seventeen monologues and two dialogues. Each giving the different perspectives of medieval children as they lived their lives according to their social status. This book is filled with traditions, ways of life, and religion during the Middle Ages.

Meet-the-Author Book Reading with Laura Amy Schlitz:
 http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=1228  

Personal Website for Laura Amy Schlitz:
 http://www.thenightfairy.com/

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1972). Bridge to Terabithia. NY: Crown.

Jess Aarons lived on a farm out in the country. Leslie, his new next door neighbor changes his life by leading him to the magical kingdom of Terabithia. Leslie's sudden death saddens Jess but he continues to be the King of Terabithia . He even invites his little sister MayBelle along to be the new queen. Paterson's style of having the characters begin in a real-life setting and then journey off into a magical kingdom is unique. It allows the reader to use their imagination as they join Jess and Leslie in Terabithia.

Textbook Assignment 3:

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson, is a realistic fiction novel about a boy and girl who become inseparable friends. They create the magical kingdom of Terabithia where they both rule. This novel contains a plot that is based upon events that could happen. One day Jess learns that’s his best friend Leslie drowned. He feels anger, fear and sorrow. Not too many children experience this type of lose, but some have and can relate to those emotions. The setting of the story is also believable. They live near the woods where they make up Terabithia. The school and the characters depicted are also believable.
 

Personal Website for Katherine Paterson :
 http://katherinepaterson.com/

Here is a link to the book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WA8-hRFs50

Timmy Failure

Pastis, S. (2010). Timmy failure. NY: Candlewick Press.

This book is about a boy named Timmy Failure, and although his business is small now, he thinks eventually he will own the most successful detective business on the earth. For now he's stuck operating out of his mother's closet. Case after case, Timmy is becoming a better detective, that is until his competition, Corrina Corrina, starts stealing his cases... and his segway. Even though he's failing in school, his mom got a new boyfriend, and his best friend is being tutored by Corrina, Timmy is still determined to find a way to get back at her for stealing his segway, and with the help of Total, his pet polar bear, he comes up with a fool proof plan. That is until his mom gets a note from school saying he might have to go to summer school. With this Total is given to the local zoo, and worst of all, Timmy's detective agency is shut down. Now without his partner or his agency Timmy must find his missing segway and stop Corrina Corrina from stealing his cases.

Textbook Assignment 3:

Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, by Stephan Pastis, is a realistic fiction novel about an 11 year old boy who sees himself as a great detective and wants to start his own company. The style used by the author is very appealing for young readers who seem to really enjoy graphic novels.  The language used was somewhat controversial and maybe not all be appropriate for young readers, but it was funny.  Some readers however, can relate to the main character Timmy because they too might have ambitions of having their own business one day. The character also encounters some obstacles along the way that readers can relate to.

Video Book Trailer from Series Website:
http://www.timmyfailure.com/fail-safe-videos/

Website for Timmy Failure Series:
http://www.timmyfailure.com/

Blog for Stephan Pastis:
https://stephanpastis.wordpress.com/
 

Rules

Lord, C. (2008). Rules. NY: Scholastic.

Catherine's brother David is autistic and goes to therapy where she meets Jason a boy who is in a wheelchair. Embarrassed about his condition, Catherine avoids an invitation given to her by her neighbor and friend Kaiti. Jason and Catherine end up going to the dance. They both have a great time dancing and Catherine continues to be very loving a patient with David. Lord's use of the character's Catherine and David and the relationship they have helps the reader understand the challenges a family must face when having someone with autism. Despite being irritated with David at times, Catherine always remembers her brother's behavior is attributed to his autism. The character's in the story demonstrate how patience and communication is very important in solving problems.

Textbook Assignment 3:

Rules, by author Cynthia Lord, is a realistic fiction novel about feeling different and finding acceptance. When you read the story of twelve-year old Catherine and her autistic younger brother, David, you get a feeling of what life is like for families with children with autism. The theme of the novel was about dealing with people who are a little different than everyone else. The gender of the main character in the novel is also very important. Catherine is a girls who loves and understands her brother but feels somewhat neglected. Many young girls can relate to this character and might find comfort in knowing they are not alone.

 

This book received the Newbery Medal
and here is the link to the book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V3U5eNXIyQ

Personal Website for Cynthia Lord:
http://www.cynthialord.com/

Blog for Cynthia Lord:
http://cynthialord.livejournal.com/

 

Skulduggery Pleasant

Landry, D. (2007). Skulduggery pleasant. NY: HarperCollins.

Stephanie realized her uncle Gordon left her some things that put her life in danger. Skulduggery a skeleton detective and Stephanie are to protect the scepter of the ancients because of its great power. Serpine is desperate to get the scepter and in the wrong hands will cause destruction. Stephanie and Skulduggery will do whatever possible to keep it safe.

Landry's plot has you on the edge of your seat as Stephanie and Skulduggery go on this journey to locate the scepter which is actually beneath them. The fantasy world in which Skulduggey is part of collides with Stephanie's world to keep the reader hooked from cover to cover. The plot is well developed and easy to understand for young readers who are interested in crime solving detectives.

Textbook Assignment 5:

Skullduggery Pleasant is a vengeful detective, and a living skeleton with a wicked way for sarcasm. Readers can make a connection because he has a cool way of solving mysteries.

 

Skulduggery Pleasant has a plot involving mysteries that need to be solved. This fantasy novel has a way of wrapping you around and keeping you in suspense.  The events are believable although they include a living skeleton.

Here is a link to the book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvFtUp03mTg

Interview with Derek Landy:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/14522-children-s-bookshelf-talks-with-derek-landy.html

Comic Squad: Recess!

Holm, J. (2014). Comic squad: Recess! NY: Random House.

Comics Squad: Recess!is a graphic novel containing eight popular comics. The characters have different adventures with one thing in common-they all happen during recess. From the lunch lady battling a monster pizza, to a cupcake and her junk food friends as they take on the Green Gang of healthy fruits and veggies, you are sure to laugh and enjoy this book when you read it!

 

Textbook Assignment 5:

Comics Squad Recess! is a collection of eight small comics. Each author showcases very different styles. Pencil work, pen work, watercolor, and digital art were used to give this fantasy book a very unique style. One of the stories that used fantasy was “ Betty and the Perilous Pizza Day.” The illustrations are simple to understand and very entertaining. I really enjoyed the part where the pizza turns into a monster and escapes into the building.

Another short comic included in this book was “The Magic Acorn.” The author and illustrator does a great job in describing the setting not with the words but with the illustrations. It was very funny to see the squirrels’ expression of annoyance by the other squirrel.

Personal Website for Jennifer L. Holm:
http://www.jenniferholm.com/

Interview with Jennifer L. Holm:
http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/holm

 

Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. NY: Bloomsbury.

Rapunzel was taken by Mother Gothel at a very young age and had been warned never to look over the wall that surrounded their home. Rapunzel disobeyed, found her real mother, and got locked away in a tree for four years. Eventually Rapunzel escapes and takes Mother Gothel's magic and returning the land to what it was.

Hale's plot for Rapunzel to seek and carry out her revenge for everything Mother Gothel does to her family helps the reader understand Rapunzel's choices. Through Rapunzel's patience and persistence, Hale demonstrates how she overcomes Mother Gothel's magic and is happy to be reunited with her real mother.

Textbook Assignment 5:

Shannon and Dean Hale created a graphic novel combining a fairy tale and a western. Rapunzel’s story has been moved from the typical fairy tale genre into a more darker genre. Rapunzel must save herself, but must also become the heroine who saves everyone from an evil ruler. Illustrations done by Nathan Hale uses humor, color and perspective to improve the storytelling and keep the reader’s attention between pictures and words.

 

In Rapunzel’s Revenge Rapunzel and Jack fight bad guys, rescue children, meet a hermit, bandits and other interesting folk and are hunted by everyone for a reward. Readers will be engaged by the adventures that Rapunzel and Jack will have to endure.

Here is a link to the book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4_Slu5J67M

Personal Website for Shannon Hale:
http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html

 

Out of my mind

Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. NY: Atheneum.

Melody is trapped in her body without a way to communicate because of her cerebral palsy. A device that allows her to communicate uncovers how smart Melody actually is. Melody qualifies for a national competition but gets left behind by her team, which eventually apologizes for their actions.
Melody demonstrates what a person who has cerebral palsy goes through on a daily basis. Draper allows the character Melody to connect with the reader on a deeper level despite her disability.


Textbook Assignment 3:

Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper, is a realistic fiction novel about a girl with cerebral palsy who cannot speak or write and feels trapped. Family and acceptance are the theme of this realistic fiction novel. Her parents understand her disability and help her anyway they can. The style of this novel was also very unique. Being told from the point of view of Melody, the reader gets a feeling of what it must be like to be a person with cerebral palsy.  The way the main character Melody tells her story is very inspirational and at times humorous.
 

Here is a link to the book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCG6e2DifxY

Meet-the-Author Book Reading with Sharon M. Draper:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=4495

The Graveyard Book

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book. NY: HarperCollins.

Nobody Owens family was murdered when he was just a baby leaving him to be raised by some ghosts named the Owens and a caretaker named Silas. Growing up in a graveyard, Bod wondered about life beyond the gates. Bod's life was still in danger but he manages to escape the murderer Jack and eventually leaves the graveyard to explore the world. Gaiman's use of Nobody and all the ghosts in the graveyard as characters adds a special twist to the story. A young living boy having the ability to interact with the dead is intriguing to older aged readers. Gaiman ability to give Bod ghostly abilities while remaining human will capture to readers imaginations. Gaimans' use of various ghost and ghouls adds suspense to the plot of the story and keeps the reader at the edge of their seat.

Textbook assignment 5:

The Graveyard Book offers the theme of death. In The Graveyard Book, there is a dead people everywhere. People exist as ghosts in the place where they were buried. They aren't haunting the graveyard, though. They're just hanging out and going about their business. Neil Gaiman makes death seem nice, you get to be reunited with all of your dead friends and family members. Also, everyone at the graveyard believes that life is special. They all want for Bod to get an opportunity to experience life among the living before it’s too late.

 

Neil Gaiman does a terrific job in describing the settings in The Graveyard Book, from the details included in the house where the murders take place to the graveyard where Bod spends his entire childhood. It was very easy to visualize the setting as I was reading the book. I could literally hear, see and feel the setting as I was reading.

This book receive the Newbery Medal and here is a link to the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_08iP4x-94

Book Website for The Graveyard Book:
http://www.thegraveyardbook.co.uk/

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963

Curtis, C. P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963. NY: Delacorte.

Kenny Watson and his family decide to go to Birmingham in 1963 because his older brother Byron kept getting into trouble. Kenny has a close call with death and witnesses some young children being injured in a church explosion. Kenny's family returns home where Kenny deals with his emotions with the help of his older brother.Curtis' theme of the power of a families love is evident throughout the entire story. Curtis portrays the Watsons as being very close and this allows them to be able to work through their problems.

Textbook Assignment 4:

Kenny’s family consist of him, his mom, his dad, sister Joetta, and big brother Byron. The setting for this novel is placed in 1963 in Flint, Michigan. Kenny’s older brother had been acting up and getting into trouble like a typical teenager. The parents decided to go to Birmingham, Alabama to visit their grandmother in hopes that she could help them straighten out Byron. It is during their visit that a bombing occurs at a church nearby killing 4 innocent little girls. At one point they feared that Joetta might be one of the children killed in the bombing. This historical fiction book helps the reader visualize what segregation was like during this time in our history.

This book received the Coretta Scott King award and is a Newbery Honor Book.
Here is a link to the book trailer:
https://vimeo.com/13895187

Meet-the-Author Book Reading with Christopher Paul Curtis:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=3602

  

Love That Dog

Creech, S. (2001). Love that dog. NY: HarperCollins.

Jack doesn’t care much about writing poetry or reading it. With the help of his teacher he begins to write poems of his own including his lovable dog that he lost. Slowly, he realizes that he can write poems. After meeting one of his favorite writers, Walter Dean Meyers, Jack writes a special poem about a painful experience in his life, the death of his dog. By the end of the book, Jack realizes that writing and reading poetry is enjoyable and that writing can be a way of dealing with difficult memories. Poetry can help turn those painful events into something creative and meaningful.  

Textbook Assignment 6:

This is a book of humor and poetry. Jack is a boy who lost his dog and is writing about it in his poetry journal. If you love poetry then this book is for you. Emotions are better expressed through poetry. This book will help you get ideas and be inspired.

Another title by Sharon Creech that you might enjoy because is also written in poetry format is:

Heartbeat                          

I also highly recommend a novel by Sharon Creech that you will surely enjoy. Although different in format, it is a Newberry Medal Award winning book:

Walk Two Moons           

Meet-the-Author Movie with Sharon Creech:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/author_collection.cgi?id=11&mid=20

Blog for Sharon Creech:
http://sharonkaycreech.blogspot.co.uk/
 

Gregor the Overlander

Collins, S. (2004). Gregor the overlander. NY: Scholastic.

Gregor is an eleven year old boy who follows his two year old sister, Boots, through a grate in their apartment building's laundry room. There they discover an Underland world filled with giant cockroaches, bats, spiders, and rats. The kingdom of Regalia is inhabited by pale-skinned, violet-eyed humans called the Underlanders. Gregor's presence initiates a war between the Underlanders and the rats. However, when he learns that his missing father has been kept prisoner by the rats for over two years, Gregor takes it upon himself to save his father and the Underlanders.

Textbook Assignment 5:

In Gregor the Overlander eleven year old Gregor falls into an Underland below the city. At first he just wants to return home, but decided to stay and fight. At one point Gregor sacrifices himself and is seen as a warrior. By the end of the story Gregor and his family return to the surface. Readers can identify with Gregor because he was so brave and selfless.

Suzanne Collins began her story grounded in reality. A family who lives in an apartment in New York city. It isn’t until Gregor fall to the Underland that the fantasy world begins. Gregor must overcome many quest and obstacles along the way.

Website for Underland Chronicles:
http://www.scholastic.com/underlandchronicles/

Personal Website for Suzanne Collins:
http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/