Module 15: Censorship Issues

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is the coming of age story of a teenager named Charlie. Told through letters written by Charlie to a friend of a friend that Charlie thinks will listen and understand. Charlie is quiet and finds himself more of an observer than anything else. This story chronicles important parts of Charlie's life, experimentation with drugs, family issues with his sister and a mysterious Aunt Helen, sex, and all the other things that go with adolescence.

Chbosky, S.(1999). The perks of being a wallflower. New York: MTV Books.

Picture Credit: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22628.The_Perks_of_Being_a_Wallflower

Impressions:
This is a wonderful book narrated by an odd, isolated character in the same vein of Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the Rye. As an outsider, Charlie speaks frankly to the reader and the voice of a teenager who spends most of his time on the outside looking in is one any young person can relate to. Chbosky's prose is heartbreakingly relatable and Charlie is one character readers wont soon forget. I think this book does a really great job of handling difficult material. Charlie finds himself in situations that are realistic; his sister is in an abusive relationship and around his older friends he experiments with drugs and alcohol.

Reviews:

“Charlie is an observer. A bright loner, the new high school freshman becomes the mascot and confidant of a group of older students. In a voice that is both naive and omniscient, he records the tragic and mundane events in the lives of his friends and family, using a series of remarkable letters addressed to his "dear friend." From Charlie we learn about one friend's suicide, experiments with drugs, heterosexual and homosexual love affairs gone wrong, bitter family memories, and his own mysterious Aunt Helen. Chbosky never falters, always maintaining Charlie's perspective perfectly. By getting to know Charlie's pals, would-be girlfriends, teachers, and family, we find out a great deal about Charlie himself. In the same matter-of-fact voice, Charlie describes watching the rituals of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, taking his sister for an abortion, and being hospitalized for acute depression. Even when he is urged by his English teacher to become a participant and not an observer, he remains oddly detached. Only at the very end of the story do we learn the real reason for Charlie's detachment. The novel has the disjointed and almost dreamlike quality of a music video. Charlie's freshman year provides a framework for the story, with flashbacks to his childhood. Designation of this title as an "MTV Book" should ensure wide readership. I would recommend this coming-of-age story to readers who enjoyed Catcher in the Rye.”—Hansen, J. (1999). No title. [Review of the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower by S. Chbosky]. Voice of Youth Advocates. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“An epistolary narrative cleverly places readers in the role of recipients of Charlies unfolding story of his freshman year in high school. From the beginning, Charlies identity as an outsider is credibly established. It was in the spring of the previous school year that his best friend committed suicide and now that his class has gone through a summer of change, the boy finds that he has drifted away from old friends. He finds a new and satisfying social set, however, made up of several high school seniors, bright bohemians with ego-bruising insights and, really, hearts of gold. These new friends make more sense to Charlie than his star football-playing older brother ever did and they are able to teach him about the realities of life that his older sister doesnt have the time to share with him. Grounded in a specific time (the 1991/92 academic year) and place (western Pennsylvania), Charlie, his friends, and family are palpably real. His grandfather is an embarrassing bigot; his new best friend is gay; his sister must resolve her pregnancy without her boyfriends support. Charlie develops from an observant wallflower into his own man of action, and, with the help of a therapist, he begins to face the sexual abuse he had experienced as a child. This report on his life will engage teen readers for years to come”—Goldsmith, F. (1999). No title. [Review of the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower by S. Chbosky]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:
This book is an excellent recommendation for students who enjoy Catcher in the Rye or other coming-of-age stories. This book is already on the way to being considered a classic for a younger generation and it would be worth putting together a book group of teens to discuss some of the issues presented. For a more traditional route, this book could be included in a display with other books that tackle difficult subject matter or have a history of being censored.

Module 14: Poetry and Story Collections

Your Own Sylvia by Stephanie Hempshill is the beautifully crafted biography of Sylvia Plath. In this self-titled verse portrait, Hempshill creates a Plath that is both accessible to young adults but also true to the real woman. Hempshill is careful to include important moments in Plath's life, her childhood, college experiences, her struggle with depression and her marriage to Ted Hughes. In addition to staying true to Plath's life, Hempshill is careful to include citations and additional information about the people and events she writes about. This book is a beautiful journey that stays true to Plath's style.

Hemphill, S. (2007). Your own Sylvia: A verse portrait of Sylvia Plath. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Picture Credit: http://www.scls.lib.wi.us/sun/Memoirs.html

Impressions:
As a fan of Sylvia Plath I wasn't sure whether or not I would enjoy this book. Hempshill, however, does a great job of creating poetry that follows the same form that Plath's does. Each time Hempshill tackles another part of Plath's life, she models the verses after one of Plath's own poems. I think this really works to Hempshill's benefit; not only does she inform the reader of Plath's life but she also gets him or her accustomed to the poetry. Her information is accurate and she is sure to include references. This book is not only enjoyable but also educational and can act as a great introduction to Plath's work.

Reviews:

“Distinct, skillfully crafted character voices portray brilliant and beautiful Sylvia Plath, torn apart by her public ambitions, private life, and personal demons. "Drawing on both Plath's writing and nonfiction sources, each poem conveys an experience in the author's life told from the perspective of one of her family members, friends, fellow writers," or acquaintances. Hemphill includes a prose explanation of each poem's factual base. Burdened with guilt over her father's death when she is eight, Plath obsessively strives to prove her worth. She is never too thin, too popular, or too accomplished. Her drive and talent win scholarships to Smith and Cambridge but also require her to seek psychiatric help. Rejecting many suitors, she marries Ted Hughes, a British poet to whom she subordinates her work. After two children, Plath divorces her husband when he finds another woman. His rejection consumes her. Her failure as the perfect wife and mother drives her to suicide at thirty-one. In an absorbing and informative portrait, Hemphill leads readers to Plath's work through specific citations and sometimes uses the form and tone of other Plath poems to create the voices. Hemphill's concluding letter to the reader describes the journaling technique she used to write the text, and her last source note cites http://www.sylviaplathforum.com as an excellent site for research. Hemphill will immerse the mature student and many adults in Plath's life and work and motivate them to learn more about Plath and other poets”—Schall, L. (2007). No title. [Review of the book Your Own Sylvia by S. Hemphill]. Voice of youth Advocates. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“Hemphill ambitiously undertakes a fictionalized portrait of Sylvia Plath in poems, many of them inspired by Plath's own works. Hemphill stays true to the basic framework of the poet's life, highlighting her major milestones: her childhood, college years, her hospitalization and first suicide attempt, as well as her first meeting with poet Ted Hughes-whom Plath would marry (in a poem from his viewpoint, he describes her as "Blond and tall as a magazine/ swimsuit model. I nibble/ at the whippet's neck./ Her lips fury-red, she bites/ me-teeth tearing my cheek./ I retreat, imprinted, stunned")-and her suicide ("She could not help burning herself/ From the inside out,/ Consuming herself/ Like the sun./ But the memory of her light blazes/ Our dark ceiling," Hemphill writes, in the style of Plath's poem "Child"). Accompanying each entry, the author includes footnotes with background information about the people and events alluded to in the poems. Plath committed suicide during a prolific time in her life. Her autobiographical novel, The Bell Jar, had just been published, and she was working furiously on a collection of poems (Ariel) which would be published posthumously. Hemphill's innovative portrait may not shed any new light on this tragic figure, but it could well act as a catalyst to introducing Plath to a new generation. Ages 12-up.”—Publisher’s Weekly (2007). No title. [Review of the book Your Own Sylvia by S. Hemphill]. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:
This book would be a great start for younger patrons who show interest in Plath's work. It is filled with citations and references and will undoubtedly peak their interest. Since much of what Hempshill's does is modeling her own writing after Plath's, it could also be used in a creative writing program for teens as a means to help them create their own poetry.

Module 13: Graphic Novels and Series Books

Kin, the first book in Holly Black's Good Neighbors series is the story of a young girl named Rue whose mother disappears and father is accused of murdering one of his students. Rue also begins to see strange looking people in the place of normal ones--people with wings, and horns, and long unearthly fingers. Soon Rue learns that she has the second sight, a gift given to her by her faerie mother. This is only the beginning of Rue's complicated journey into finding her true self and accepting what's in her blood--faerie.

Black, H. (2008). The good neighbors book #1: Kin. New York: Graphix.

Picture Credit: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/holly-black/kin.htm



Impressions:
This graphic novel is a beautifully illustrated book. It not only tells the story of Rue and her journey to understand herself but also incorporates a great deal of old folklore and mythology. Black has done her research and this lends a feeling of well-known truth to the story. The art by Ted Naifeh is beautifully done and some of the fairy illustrations are reminiscent of older fairy drawings by renowned fantasy artist Arthur Rackham. This book was my first experience with Holly Black and I was a little hesitant to jump on the Black bandwagon. I actually really liked this book and I think it it has a lot to do with the fact that Black obviously knows her stuff. She doesn't drop older myths or folklore but uses them to her advantage.

Reviews:

“Readers meet Rue Silver at a pivotal time in her life-on the day she starts seeing things for what they truly are. Her ethereal mother has disappeared, and there is a possibility that her professor father has had something to do with it. Further complicating her situation, the people around her begin to resemble creatures from another world. When her mother's strange family takes her under its wings, she realizes and tries to reject her ties to the fairie world, but the gift of sight that is awakening in her will prove too seductive to refuse. The story ends at the beginning of Rue's acceptance of her supernatural birthright and her determination to solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance. Black's provocative characters and story line blend perfectly with Naifeh's shadowy black-and-white illustrations. The melding of high school reality and the fairie existence that is taking over Rue's world is skillfully done, and the story's themes of family and how it is perceived and of how one see the world are profound. Black is no stranger to the fairie realm, and her first foray into graphic novels is a ringing success.”—Lehner, L. (2009). No title. [Review for the book Kin by H. Black]. Voice of Youth Advocates. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“After her mother suddenly disappears, Rue Silver finds out that the woman was a faerie. Rue's father, Thaddeus, a human, is suspected of murdering her, as well as one of his students. As Rue solves these two mysteries, she also finds out more about her parents' relationship, and her own relationship with them. Willowy, brooding Rue and her Goth punk friends don't look too different from the glamorous, aloof faeries, and this sophisticated tale is well served by Naifeh's stylish, angular illustrations. This book will appeal to readers of Holly Black's fiction and fans of intelligent, otherworldly stories such as Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" series (Vertigo).”—Goldstein, L. (2008). No title [Review of the book Kin by H. Black]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:
Although I only read the first book, this series would be great for a book group focusing on fairy tales or old folklore. It could also be used as an example of newer books that incorporate older mythologies.

Module 12: Biography and Autobiography

One Beetle Too Many by Kathryn Lasky chronicles the adventuresome life of Charles Darwin. The story begins by painting a picture of the character of the young Charles Darwin as a curious boy with a vast collection of bugs, plants, and nature's curios. Lasky follows Darwin through his school life, early career, and his eventual introduction into his life as a naturalist. Lasky's approach gives readers an honest and objective view of the life of Darwin. She writes about the concern he felt when writing Origin of the Species and the fact that he never intended people to take it as an attack on Christianity. Overall the book is a fair and basic introduction to the life of a brilliant man.

Lasky, K. (2009). One beetle too many: The extraordinary adventures of Charles Darwin. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Picture Credit: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/One-Beetle-Too-Many/Kathryn-Lasky/9780763614362

Impressions:
I really enjoyed this book. The biography of a naturalist could be a difficult thing to write into a children's book, but Lasky manages to convey Darwin's quirks with humor. In One Beetle Too Many, Darwin's life becomes a beautifully illustrated adventure. Matthew Trueman's illustrations are are rich in color and the animals are vividly portrayed. Lasky writes about Darwin with obvious admiration but she also manages to paint a fairly objective picture of his life and beliefs. It was a relief to read something about Darwin that didn't demonize his character or beliefs.

Reviews:

“Darwin's legendary five-year voyage to South America aboard the Beagle forms the centerpiece of this informative picture book for confident readers. Lasky begins with Darwin's childhood as a poor but remarkably curious student; he landed his spot as the naturalist on the Beagle more due to his enthusiasm than any standing in the scientific field. With clarity and style, Lasky recounts the puzzling things that he found on the trip, explores the questions he began asking, and hints at the conclusions he would arrive at, both in terms of biology and geology. Trueman's skillful blend of inks, watercolors, pencils, gouache, and collage nicely capture Darwin's fascination with the natural world, with fanciful scenes of Darwin peering through ferns, exploring islands, and even riding a giant turtle. With only a quick rundown of the hullabaloo surrounding the publication of The Origin of Species, the focus here is clearly on Darwin's travels, and this accessible jaunt will easily situate the man as a natural adventurer in kids' minds before he becomes just another stuffy old scientist.”—Chipman, I. (2009). No title. [Review of the book One Beetle Too Many by K. Lasky]. Booklist. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“Large and humorous mixed-media illustrations will draw children to this large-format biography. Using watercolor, graphite pencil, gouache, acrylic ink, colored pencil, and collage, Trueman captures Darwin's world and adventures. Cartoonlike people have prominent noses, expressive faces, and enormous hands. Throughout, the naturalist appears to be both curious and hapless, a description he might have given himself in his own modest journals. Lasky's text balances the exuberant artwork with well-organized information, gracefully sprinkling in quotes from Darwin's own writing. Touching briefly on his childhood, the text devotes most of the space to Darwin's years on the Beagle, explaining how his discoveries in geology, paleontology, and animal anatomy on that trip led to his theory about evolution. Lasky uses Darwin's own words to show that he questioned the literal nature of the Bible and the divinity of Jesus, but that he wrote several times praising God as the Creator. Although the text is brief, it creates a clear view of a man who was troubled by the implications of his observations and who, at the end of his life, was more interested in experimenting with earthworms and carnivorous plants than in promoting his theory.”—Heath, E. (2009). No title. [Review of the book One Beetle Too Many by K. Lasky]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:
Because the illustrations are so beautiful, this item would work well in a story time with informational books about strange or curious animals. It would also be neat to brings some bugs in, either alive in a bug box or ones pinned on a board, to use as part of the storytime.

Module 11: Informational Books

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World, by Jennifer Armstrong, is a detailed account of the Antarctic Expedition of Ernest Shackleton and the crew members aboard the Endurance. This is an amazing true story of the men who set out to explore uncharted territory and ended up spending over a year in the hostile Antarctic environment. This book chronicles Shackleton's journey from start to finish and makes excellent use of crew journals, photographs, and primary sources kept in a museum.

Armstrong, J. (2000). Shipwreck at the bottom of the world: The Extraordinary true story of Shackleton and the Endurance. New York: Random House.

Picture Credit: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/jennifer-armstrong/shipwreck-at-bottom-of-world.htm

Impressions:
I'm usually a fan of fiction so I wasn't sure whether or not I would enjoy this book. I also had a vague familiarity with the topic so I decided to go ahead and give it a try. To my complete surprise, I really enjoyed it. Armstrong describes Shackleton's journey in great detail and interjects her well-written narrative with information concerning different aspects of exploration. Armstrong's informational writing is not at all dry, but is every bit as interesting as her narrative. The events of this journey are so remarkable that sometimes it's hard to remember that everything is true. There is never a boring or slow moment in this book.

Reviews:

“When their ship, Endurance, became icebound in Antarctica and sank in 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his 27 crewmen were 100 miles from land. Unbelievably, they all survived. At first, the men played on the ice to kill time, but after Endurance sank, they took to their life boats, and spent a year and a half traveling over ice, water, and mountains to reach safety. Taylor Mali's narration of the book by Jennifer Armstrong (Crown, 1998) is riveting, and his shifts from one accent to the next are effective and not at all distracting. The text moves from diary entries to explanations of how to read the sun, and the descriptions of the terrain and weather are superb. This is a very effective presentation of not only how the disaster occurred, but of the toll it took on the crew and how they rose to the challenge.” –Moesch, C. (2000). No title. [Review of the book Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance by J. Armstrong]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“Filled with intriguing details and written with dramatic style, this riveting account of the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition reads like an adventure novel. In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton attempted to be the first explorer to cross Antarctica by foot "from sea to sea." On the eve of World War I, he set out with a crew of scientists and sailors on a specially designed ship, Endurance, but he and his team never reached their objective. The ship became entrapped in ice, and the men were forced to abandon their mission and try to survive in the brutally harsh Antarctic wasteland for 19 months. Thanks to Shackleton's leadership, the bravery of his crew, and a lot of luck, everyone survived. The astonishing circumstances of their ordeal include a treacherous hike across miles of frozen wasteland, an 800-mile open-boat journey through savage seas, and a perilous trek across the uncharted mountain ranges of South Georgia Island. Armstrong brings all of these experiences vividly to life, frequently using quotes from members of the expedition. Excellent black-and-white photographs taken during the journey document the entire adventure story. Elizabeth Cody Kimmel's Ice Story (Clarion, 1999) has larger and more plentiful photographs but Armstrong's text is far more engaging. Kimmel relates all of the facts skillfully, but Armstrong crafts them into an unforgettable story of true heroism and the triumph of the human spirit. A book that will capture the attention and imagination of any reader.”—Sullivan, E. (2010). No title. [Review of the book Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance by J. Armstrong.]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:

This book would fit perfectly in a display about historical explorations. Additionally, it could also be used in displays about other survivor stores. I had a hard time thinking of an interesting activity to go along with this book, namely because it would take longer than one sitting to read through.

Module 10: Historical Fiction

The Dreamer, by Pam Munoz Ryan, is the story of a young Chilean boy named Neftali who eventually grows up to be the poet Pablo Neruda. As a young boy, however, Neftali is a dreamer, his imagination and creativity is deemed unacceptable by his father who wants him to grow up to be strong, not a "weakling". Despite his father's wishes, Neftali wants nothing more than to go into the forest and observe the beauty of the world. As he gets older, Neftali begins to write and before he knows it, his writing is published in his uncle's paper. In a time of civil unrest and war, Neftali must find it within him to be his own kind of strength.

Munoz-Ryan, P. (2010) The dreamer. New York: Scholastic.

Picture Credit: http://yalitfan.blogspot.com/2010/07/books-in-verse.html

Impressions:
As a fan of Pablo Neruda, I was very excited about reading this book. The prose is absolutely beautiful and the illustrations by Peter Sis help to create an otherworldly atmosphere, even through the pages of a book. Although the style of writing is odd at first, the reader becomes absorbed and soon the story is as entrancing as any fairy tale. Students who are also "dreamers" will find solace in Neftali's oddball ways and be encouraged by the eventual strength he finds.

Reviews:

“Neftali Reyes is indeed a dreamer, a young boy easily distracted by an old discarded boot, a wayward umbrella, an oddly shaped stone, or even a pinecone. Items like these he proudly displays, while other treasures containing words he has written on small scraps of paper remain hidden away-words that even a stuttering boy finds beautiful and manageable, especially when applied to stories or poetry. Neftali's father has no tolerance for such idle thought and considers his writing a meaningless distraction. He demands his son knuckle down and become something sensible, like a businessman, doctor, or dentist. Over time, Neftali matures from a somewhat frail boy into a thin but confident young man and begins to question and resent the limited nature of his father's belief system. Ultimately, and in an effort to remain true to his own convictions, Neftali develops a few ideas of his own. Fictionally based on the childhood of Pablo Neruda (1904¤1973), this book artfully weaves known facts into a tale that depicts the early years of this internationally renowned poet. Infused and alive with nature, drama, mysticism, and grace, this story easily captures the imagination that transports the reader in a way many books aspire to but few attain. Each notable in their own right, the award-winning dream-team collaboration of Munoz-Ryan and Sis has resulted in a marvelous montage of story telling, poetry, and illustration. The Dreamer should readily appeal to both genders, as well as young and old alike.”—Brink, J. (2010). No title. [Review of the book The Dreamer by P. Munoz-Ryan]. Voice of Youth Advocates. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“Readers enter the creative, sensitive mind of Pablo Neruda, the Nobel Prize-winning poet, in this beautifully written fictional biography. Ryan artfully meshes factual details with an absorbing story of a shy Chilean boy whose spirit develops and thrives despite his father's relentless negativity. Neruda, who was born Neftali Reyes, sees, hears, and feels poetry all around him from an early age. Luckily he finds understanding and encouragement from his stepmother and his uncle, whose humanitarian and liberal attitudes toward nature and the rights of the indigenous Mapuche people greatly influence his developing opinions. In early adulthood, Reyes starts using the pseudonym by which he becomes known, taking his last name from that of a famous Czechoslovakian poet. Ryan suggests that this was how he hid his activities from his father. Her poetic prose style totally dovetails with the subject. Interspersed with the text are poems that mimic Neruda's style and push readers to think imaginatively and visually. Sis's whimsical pen-and-ink pointillist illustrations enliven the presentation. Each chapter is preceded by three small drawings that hint at something to come. The perfect marriage of text and art offers an excellent introduction to one of the world's most famous poets. An appended author's note gives further insight into Neruda's beliefs and accomplishments. In addition there are excerpts from several of his poems and odes. This unusual selection would be a fine companion to Deborah Kogan Ray's To Go Singing Through the World (Farrar, 2006).”—Steinberg, R. (2010). No title. [Review of the book The Dreamer by P. Munoz Ryan]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:
This book would be a great addition to a display about poets and poetry. Librarians (and/or teachers) could use this book in conjunction with some of Neruda's poetry to help students create their own works of poetry. Accompanied by Sis' drawings, they could also illustrate their own poems and present them to a group. Perhaps a poetry night could be held for younger patrons to show of their work!

Module 9: Mystery

The Case of the Missing Marquess is the first book in the Enola Holmes Mystery series written by Nancy Springer. This book introduces the Enola Holmes, the much younger sister of the famous detective Sherlock. Enola is odd for a girl in her time; she is taught primarily by her mother, shows dislike for conventional female expectations, and is fiercely independent. When Enola's mother goes missing, Enola seems to be the only one concerned. She decides to solve the mystery on her own and proceeds to run away to London in order to get away from the pressures of her older brothers.

Springer, N. (2006). The case of the missing marquess. New York: Penguin.

Picture Credit: http://bookyurt.com/scouting/book-reviews/the-enola-holmes-mysteries-series-review/


Impressions:
I was a little hesitant about this book at first, although the premise was intriguing--as was the cover--I felt slightly concerned that I wouldn't find the book interesting. I've never read any of the original Sherlock Holmes books and I wasn't sure how closely this series would be tied to the original books. Fortunately, however, this book was enjoyable and made just as much sense on it's own. Enloa is a terrifically strong female character; she is independent but not to the point that her strength is unbelievable. She is worried about life on her own and has moments of self-doubt. This makes her more realistic and provides a character that readers can identify with.

Reviews:

“In what is hopefully the start of an exciting new series, Missing Marquess features the intriguing, much younger sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. Enola was a late-life baby, causing something of a scandal in society. Her rather vague mother is a 64-year-old widow who disappears on Enola's 14th birthday. It takes the girl a short time to realize that her mother left her some ciphers that indicate why she went away and how she is faring. The teen reluctantly enlists the services of her adult brothers, who quickly determine that Lady Holmes has been padding the household accounts for years. When they decide that their sister belongs at a boarding school, Enola escapes and heads for London dressed as a widow. There she is able to solve a mystery involving the disappearance of young Viscount Tewksbury. She decides to stay in the city, adopting a number of disguises, and become a "Perditorian," or finder of lost things or people. Springer focuses a great deal on the restrictions placed on Victorian females by showing how unusual Enola's bravery and common sense are, even as she often struggles with conventional reactions. She wants her brothers' affection, or indeed anyone's, but knows that a socially accepted life will strictly limit her freedom and learning. Enola's loneliness, intelligence, sense of humor, and sheer pluck make her an extremely appealing heroine who hopefully will one day find the affection for which she so desperately longs.”—Gray, A. (2006). No title. [Review for the book The Case of the Missing Marquess by N. Springer]. School Library Journal. Review for Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:
This book will work as an excellent introduction to more classical literature. If students enjoy the old fashioned mystery of Enola Holmes' case, then they might also enjoy Arthur Conan Doyle's original work. It might also be fun for the library to host a mystery night, perhaps something similar to a mystery dinner theater, where patrons get to work on a mystery set up by the librarians.

Module 8: Fantasy and Science Fiction

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins is a great and wildly imaginative book about a young boy named Gregor who finds himself in a world unlike his own in New York. Gregor follows his younger sister down a New York City grate and ends up in the Underland, a world being torn apart by different factions of creatures: fliers (bats) and their human-esque allies, crawlers (cockroaches), spinners (spiders), and the ferocious gnawers (rats). In order to save his family and make it out of the Underland alive, Gregor must face his destiny and make a choice that will change his life forever.

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

Picture Credit: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/gregor_the_overlander__book_one_in_the_underland_chronicles_48384.htm

Impressions:
This book was fun to read and perfect for elementary to middle school aged students. The plot is easy to follow while still remaining enthralling and interesting. When he ends up in a different world, Gregor reacts the way most people would act: he tries to escape and does not accept everything that is told to him right away. Gregor resists being told that he's the Overland Warrior and remains skeptical until he is forced to make a choice. I really enjoyed The Hunger Games trilogy also written by Collins and I wasn't sure how she would do when writing for a younger crowd. Compared to the Hunger Games, this book was not has heavy or dense and I think it made for a much more fun reade for younger students. Overall this book is enjoyable and serves as a great start to the series.

Reviews:

“What if Alice fell down an air vent in a New York City apartment building instead of down a rabbit hole? Collins considers a similar possibility in her exceptional debut novel, a well-written, fast-moving, action-packed fantasy. Eleven-year-old Gregor expects a long, boring summer of baby-sitting his two-year-old sister, Boots, and his senile grandmother. Distracted with thoughts about his father, who disappeared three years ago, Gregor belatedly notices that Boots has crawled into an air vent in the laundry room. He dives in after her, and the two are sucked downward into the Underland, a fantastic subterranean world of translucent-skinned, violet-eyed humans, and giant talking cockroaches, bats, spiders, and rats. Eventually, the terrified Gregor is transformed into a warrior hero who leads a successful battle against an army of invading rats and discovers his father, who has long been held prisoner by the enemy. Collins creates a fascinating, vivid, highly original world and a superb story to go along with it, and Gregor is endearing as a caring, responsible big brother who rises triumphantly to every challenge. This is sure to be a solid hit with young fantasy fans.”—Sullivan, E. (2003). No title. [Review for the book Gregor the Overlander by S. Collins]. Booklist. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“In this accessible, almost-cinematic fantasy, Gregor and his two-year-old sister fall into an amazing underground world. Taken in by people who have lived beneath the earth for centuries, the 11-year-old learns about the giant-sized talking creatures that also reside there, including bats, cockroaches, and vicious rats. Gregor just wants to get home, but a prophecy hints that he may be the "overlander" destined to save the humans from the warlike rodents. He is reluctant until he learns that his father, who disappeared from their New York City home a few years before, is a prisoner of the rats. Gregor is not an eager hero, but with common sense, quick thinking, and determination he grows into the role. His sister, who provides some comic relief, also plays a key part because of her ability to befriend creatures, especially the giant cockroaches. Plot threads unwind smoothly, and the pace of the book is just right. Exciting scenes and cliff-hanger chapters are balanced by decisions and interactions that drive the action. Gregor is not the most compelling figure at first, but as the story progresses he becomes more interesting, maturing through the challenges he faces. Supporting characters are generally engaging, particularly the enigmatic warrior rat that claims to support the protagonist's mission. This is an engrossing adventure for fantasy fans and for those new to the genre.”—Engelfried, S. (2003). No title. [Review for the book Gregor the Overlander by S. Collins]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:
This book would go perfectly in a display of alternate world sci-fi/fantasy book series. It is a fun book that is perfect for younger students and is an excellent example of fantasy. This would be a perfect jumping off point for middle school aged students to create their own stories about alternate worlds, complete with illustrations.

Module 7: Realistic fiction

This book is the witty and fun adventure of two teenagers, Dash and Lily. Although most of the book is a wild scavenger hunt through New York City--the author's favorite place to write a romp--Dash and Lily remain anonymous to one another for the majority of the book. The story begins when Dash finds a red notebook hidden away in a bookshelf at a large used bookstore. The book contains a challenge which Dash finds himself accepting. Delighted with himself, he leaves a similar challenge in the book which Lily finds. She accepts this challenge and thus begins the playful adventure of Dash and Lily.



Cohn, R., & Levithan, D. (2010). Dash and Lily's book of dares. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Picture Credit: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/rachel-cohn/dash-and-lily-s-book-of-dares.htm

Impressions:
Having read two other books written by Cohn & Levithan, I had high hopes for this book. These two writers are wonderful together, they're witty and they capture the voice of teenagers perfectly. Although this book was engaging and clever, I was also slightly disappointed. I wouldn't go so far as to say the story is predictable but it plays out much in the way one would imagine. Cohn & Levithan have found a formula of witty pop-culture and literary references mixed with introspective and anti-romantic teenagers. This mix is successful and fun but by the third book is a little tiring.

Reviews:

“With Christmas vacation looking dismal, Lily accepts her brother's challenge and leaves a red moleskin notebook cleverly positioned on a shelf in the Strand bookstore. Inside are clues that she hopes will lead to her perfect mate, date, or even first kiss. Word nerd Dash discovers the notebook and relishes the escape from the ersatz cheer of Christmas that the puzzle-like dares propose. As the notebook travels back and forth, the clues encourage Lily and Dash to reveal their inner thoughts. But when they eventually meet, it is far from kismet. On New Year's Eve they accidentally get locked inside the Strand. It is neither the perfect date nor the perfect kiss, but it does give them the perfect opportunity to anticipate a special relationship. Cohn and Levithan (Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist [Knopf/Random House,2006/VOYA April 2006]) obviously had fun creating the alternating voices of Lily and Dash. Both are refreshing and likable in their individuality and quest for self-discovery. Love of the literary does not preclude them from acting like other sixteen year olds. Lily takes sips of alcohol (disastrous results), and Dash spews the odd f-bomb. Full of New York City experiences-Madame Tussaud's Wax Gallery-and humorous slapstick scenes-Dash's encounter with Macy's Santa-the plot also contains a few twists. Although a gay relationship is out in the open, there is no graphic sex. Full of crisp vocabulary and diverse media and literary references, this light-hearted romance should have broad appeal.”—Johnston, B. (2010). No title. [Review for the book Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by R. Cohn & D. Levithan]. Voice of Youth Advocates. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“In their third collaboration, Cohn and Levithan present another clever New York romance. Levithan writes the chapters narrated by Dash, a bookish 16-year-old spending Christmas break alone. He finds a red moleskin notebook amid the shelves of the Strand bookstore. Are you going to be playing for the pure thrill of unreluctant desire? asks Cohn's Lily in the first coded message of the notebook, with an invitation to respond. Lily is aglow with the yuletide and devastated that her parents are spending the holidays in Fiji. Armed with anonymity, Dash and Lily exchange the notebook in various locations around the Big Apple, filling it with their greatest hopes and deepest fears, and ultimately find themselves falling in love. Not surprisingly, the young pair's perceptions of each other don't entirely reflect reality; Dash's ex asks if he is in love with the girl writing in the book or the girl he is picturing in his head. The spirit of the season amplifies Dash and Lily's loneliness and heightens the connection between them, in another surefire hit from the creators of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.”—Jones, C. (2010). No title. [Review for the book Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by R. Cohn & D. Levithan]. Booklist. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:

I think this book is a good for high school students. It could be used an example of two writers of the opposite sex collaborating to create two different voices within one book. Librarians could use this book in a display that has other books that do something similar. It could also be used to to create an activity for the students in the spirit in the red book, and include fun challenges or dares to do in the library.

A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend, by Emily Horner, is a terrific story that both unpredictable and a realistic read. Sixteen year old Cass finds herself dealing with the death of her best friend Julia and all of the self-revelations that come with losing the person who had the biggest impact on her life. The book is split into two parts, one set in the past immediately after Julia's death and the other set in "present" times. Cass deals with a myriad of issues: Julia's friends, old enemies, independence, and her sexuality. At the end of the book Cass is still struggling but she is one step closer to figuring out some serious truths about herself.

Horner, E. (2010). A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend. New York: Dial Books.

Picture Credit: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Story-Starring-Dead-Friend/dp/0803734204

Impressions:

I absolutely loved this book. The title was the first think that caught my eye and from there the story only got more interesting. Cass's character is so unique and interesting but not so unique that she is unrealistic. Horner does a good job of making all of her characters believable and her dialogue has teenager written all over it. The jump between the past and present is flawless and does not confuse the reader but rather gives a greater understanding into Cass and her life.

Reviews:

“Cass, a Midwestern teen just beginning her senior year in high school, has to reconcile herself to last spring's unexpected death of her best friend, Julia, as well as to her unexpressed romantic feelings for her. This novel alternates between the present-day preparations for a tribute production of a musical written by Julia that unites Julia's friends and serves as the mechanism for them to move on with their lives; and the literal and metaphorical journey that Cass makes during the summer vacation after Julia's death, to deliver her ashes to the California coast. Both storylines reveal the backstory of the friendship between Cass and Julia, including the disagreements they faced within their circle of friends. Only when Cass develops new romances, one in each storyline, can she move beyond her unfulfilled attraction for Julia. By intertwining storylines and revealing the complete picture slowly, the author keeps the reader engaged. The banter of the drama crowd will engage readers from that social group-a fringe audience-and teenage girls uncertain of their sexuality will also find this book engaging.” –Ingram, J. (2010). No title. [Review of the book A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by E. Horner]. Voice of Youth Advocates. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“After the death of her best friend, Cass finds herself questioning her own identity, sexuality, and place in the high school hierarchy. Before she died, Julia had been working on a top-secret project: a musical called Totally Sweet Ninja Death Squad. Now that she is gone, her boyfriend, Oliver, and her other theater friends are determined to stage the show as a tribute. Cass is committed to helping backstage, building spectacular traps and weapons-until Heather, Cass's middle school nemesis, is cast as the female lead. Heather was the first person to tease Cass about her close friendship with Julia and suggest that Cass wanted it to be something more, and since Julia's death, Oliver has been making barbed remarks, as well. In the face of these complications, Cass sets off on a quest of her own: biking cross-country to take Julia's ashes to California. She tells herself that she is not running away from Oliver's hostility, Julia's friends' cold shoulders, or Heather's disconcerting new niceness. The journey helps her discover things she never knew about herself, and when she finds herself at rock bottom, she learns that Julia's friends are her friends, too. This funny, touching, and sweet coming-of-age story explores serious themes in a fresh way. Cass's tentative questioning of her own sexuality and her hesitant approach toward her first serious romantic relationship will delight readers who struggle with similar issues, as well as those who simply enjoy a well-crafted story.”—Tidman, M. (2010). No title. [Review of the book A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by E. Horner]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:

This book is an excellent book for students high school and up. It can be used for students who have recently experienced loss or even for those struggling to fit in and gain their independence. Because of the content, I think this book works best as a personal recommendation or as a discussion for an already established book group whose members are familiar with one another.

Module 6: Picture books

This picture book tells the story of a young hyena named Pinduli who is teased about her appearance by other East African savanna dwellers. As Pinduli makes her way across the desert, she encounters different animals and as each teases some aspect of her appearance, she tries her best to hide it. As Pinduli makes her way back home with her ears flattened and coat dusted in pale sand, the animals who previously made fun of her become terrified. At first Pinduli doesn't understand and then she realizes that the other animals think she is a spirit. After this realization, she plays a trick on the other animals and convinces them to confront the animals that teased them. By the end of the story, the animals have made peace with one another and Pinduli and her mother no longer have to scavenge for food.

Cannon, J. (2004). Pinduli. New York: Harcourt Inc.

Picture credit: http://questgarden.com/28/51/3/061104082445/

Impressions:

I fell in love with this book right away. The story is incredibly sweet and clever and the art is really entrancing. Even though Pinduli is a hyena, she has the same feelings and insecurities that a normal child would have. She is concerned with her appearance, especially after other animals tease her. What really added the human aspect to Pinduli, however, was the line about her mother always telling her she was the most beautiful hyena (something most mothers would tell their little girls). In addition, the art really captured the emotion and spirit of the story. Pinduli's expression of dismay is perfectly drawn on her sweet hyena face and the disappointment she feels is practically tangible. I really enjoyed the way she tricks the other animals but instead of being malicious, she finds a way to make the animals stop being mean to one another.

Reviews:

"After sleeping through the hot East African afternoon, it is time for Mama Hyena and her child to go hunting. Pinduli promises to stay close by, but then trots off. She comes across a pack of wild dogs, a lion, and a zebra, and all tease her about her looks. She rolls in the dirt until her striped coat is a pallid gray and her ears are pinned back. The animals think that she is a "ghost" that has come for them. All of the creatures then confess that they teased the young hyena because another animal had made fun of them. The "ghost" understands and advises them to "find your tormentors and make peace-. And always leave a bit of every meal as an offering." By story's end, the animals have reconciled, and with all the food offerings left, Pinduli and her mother never have to scrounge around looking for meals. The animals' expressions and antics are hilarious and endearing; Cannon has pulled off quite a feat in creating a cuddly hyena protagonist. This touching book about personal growth and self-acceptance gently demonstrates how the actions of one can have far-reaching effects on many others. An appealing and worthwhile purchase”—Oluonye, M.N. (2010). No title. [Review of the book Pinduli by J.Cannon]. Library Journals. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print

“Cannon, best known as the author/illustrator of Stellaluna (1993), here introduces Pinduli, a little hyena who lives in East Africa. One afternoon, Pinduli encounters a pack of wild dogs that make fun of her ears, a bald lion that calls her fur a prickly fringe, and a zebra that criticizes the haziness of her stripes. After transforming her flaws as best she can, Pinduli inadvertently tricks these animals into thinking that she is the Great Spirit. They confess their misdeeds and agree to make amends. Children will find Pinduli's hurt feelings understandable and her quick thinking admirable. The artwork, executed in colored pencils and acrylics, uses a restrained palette in the large pictures depicting the main story on the right-hand pages. On the left, below the text, a series of small ink drawings create a visual counterpoint by showing what Pinduli's mother is doing while events unfold. A four-page endnote discusses the various species of hyenas and their characteristics. Though a bit purposeful, the story may give teachers and parents a starting point for discussing insults.” –Phelan, C. (2004). No title. [Review of the book Pinduli by J. Cannon]. Booklist. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:

This book would be a really terrific story time book and would also work really well for a number of short lessons. Librarians can use this story as a jumping off point for younger children and older children about insecurities and peer pressure. In addition, this story also has a little bit of a African folk-story feel to it so other books about African folk-tales would work well in a unit. At the back of the book, Cannon also includes a small summary of each of the African animals she includes in the story. Librarians can use this book as an introduction to African wildlife and will also fit in with a display of other African wildlife.

Module 5: Other Award Winners

Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes is a Coretta Scott King award-winning book about Hurricane Katrina and the impact it had on the Ninth Ward of New Orleans. The story revolves around a young girl named Lanesha who is orphaned at birth and taken in by Mama YaYa--the local healer. Although this book is set in 2005 and is based on real historical events, Mama YaYa's premonitions and Lanesha's ability to see ghosts adds an element of the supernatural. Lanesha's character is resilient and her ability to see people and things beyond what is really there does not just include ghosts. The story begins a short time before Hurricane Katrina and includes a cast of realistic characters that make up the New Orlean's Ninth Ward. The hurricane hits, the fear is tangible, and somehow the characters survive.
Rhodes, J.P. (2010). Ninth ward. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Picture Credit: http://asunews.asu.edu/20100804_ninthward

Impressions: From the get-go, this book is attention grabbing. The cover art is beautiful and rich and depicts the steadfast spirit of a community no matter what comes its way. The story itself is also award-worthy; Lanesha's character is believable and lovable all at once and it is her narrative that connects the reader so deeply to the story. Rhodes captures the spirit of the community perfectly in her words by describing neighborly interactions with precision. The pages in which Hurricane Katrina makes landfall and passes through New Orleans is accurate in a way that only someone who has survived a hurricane can understand, and the description of life after the storm is rich enough in detail that any reader can understand. What struck me the most about this story, however, is that Rhodes writes towards a younger audience so her writing is simple and therefore storyline seems fairly straight-forward; as an adult though, the complexities of the characters is astounding and even some of the underlying themes made me stop and think.

Reviews:
"Communicating with ghosts, including the spirit of her mother who died giving birth to her, is a gift that Lanesha, 12, has had for as long as she can remember. The girl's beloved caretaker, Mama Ya-Ya, a midwife and healer, has a gift that allows her to predict the future. When she begins to sense that a big storm is coming to their much-loved New Orleans neighborhood, both she and Lanesha must trust in their senses and in one another to survive. Lanesha is a wonderful character who exudes resilience and fortitude in the face of a catastrophe as well as a personal vulnerability in terms of her status as an orphan and an outsider. Words, numbers, and colors as seen through her eyes show the magic and wonder that exist in everyday things. The unique writing style even allows the unlikely combination of elderly Mama Ya-Ya's heady scents of Vicks Vapor Rub and Evening in Paris perfume to seem wonderful and inviting. Although the outcome of Hurricane Katrina is known, the clever writing allows the unavoidable tragedy to unfold in such a haunting and suspenseful manner that the extreme sense of foreboding and ultimate destruction is personalized and unforgettable. Heartbreak and hope are reflected in Lanesha's story, which will capture even reluctant readers due to the inventive storytelling and the author's ability to bring history to life."--Aguste, M. (2010). No title. [Review of the book Ninth ward by J.P. Rhodes]. Library Journals. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print.

"New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina is the setting for this tense novel that blends the drama of the catastrophic storm with magic realism. Twelve-year-old Lanesha's teenage mother died while giving birth to her, and, because her mother's wealthy uptown family won't have anything to do with her, she is raised in the Ninth Ward by loving Mama Ya-Ya, 82, who feels like her mother and grandmother both. Born with a caul over her eyes, Lanesha is teased at school, but she is strengthened by her fierce caretaker's devotion and by a teacher who inspires Lanesha to become an engineer and build bridges. Lanesha also has second sight, which includes an ability to see her mother's ghost. As the storm nears and the call comes for mandatory evacuation, Mama Ya-Ya envisions that she will not survive, but Lanesha escapes the rising water in a small rowboat and even rescues others along the way. The dynamics of the diverse community enrich the survival story, and the contemporary struggle of one brave child humanizes the historic tragedy"--Rochman, H. (2010). No title. [Review for the book Ninth ward by J.P. Rhodes]. Booklist. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print.

Suggestions:
This book would go really well in a display about (recent) historical fiction or in a display with other fiction books about natural disasters. This book could also be used in a book club to discuss cultural differences as well as to understand what it is like on the other side of a natural disaster--to put faces and people to something only spoken about abstractly.


The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano, written by Margarita Engle, is a Pura Belpre award-winning book about the life of Cuban-born Juan Francisco Manzano. This story begins with Manzano's early life as a "pet" to his owner, Dona Beatriz. Because of his amazing ability to memorize verses and recite them at length, he become something of a prize or trophy and she shows him off as one. Once she dies, Manzano remains a slave and ownership is passed to the dangerous Marquesa de Prado Ameno. The Marquesa is a venomous women who does not allow Manzano to express himself through reading or writing and he is horrifically abused.

Engle, M. (2006). The poet slave of Cuba: A biography of Juan Francisco Manzano. New York: Henry Holt & Co.
Picture credit: http://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/Memoirs.html

Impressions:
I found this book to be simultaneously wonderful and horrid. The subject matter is difficult and Engle is to be applauded for the way she handles it. Although she does not dance around the descriptions of violence, her prose written in verses helps to alleviate some of the heaviness while not distracting the reader from understanding what is going on. I think this book is important for young readers. The character of Manzano is so carefully constructed and the narrative allows the reader to understand the situation from a first-person perspective. Young readers should be made aware of slavery and I can think of no better book to do this.

Reviews:
"This is an absolutely lovely book about the unlovely subject of slavery. It is the biography of an extraordinary young man, with extraordinary intellectual powers, who was born into slavery in Cuba in 1797. Told in verse, it recounts the sufferings and trials of Manzano. As a boy, he was capable of memorizing and reciting poetic verses in many different languages. He could recount epic tales read to him, and in this way served as the entertainment for his mistress and her many guests. Later, when he became the property of a crueler mistress, his talents helped him endure numerous beatings and confinements. It is amazing that he was able to survive, and even more astonishing that he was able to maintain his humanity and his sensitive poetic nature. Manzano's sufferings are almost too painful to read about, but the experience is made bearable by Engle's skillful use of verse. Qualls's drawings are suitably stark and compelling, wonderfully complementing the text. This is an exceptional book on two levels. First, it introduces Manzano to an American public. Second, it introduces readers to slavery as it was practiced in a country other than the United States. Both are noteworthy. This is a book that should be read by young and old, black and white, Anglo and Latino.”—Collins, C.J. (2010). No title. [Review of the book The poet slave of Cuba: A biography of Juan Francisco Manznao]. Library Journals. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“This lyrical biography of a little-known African Cuban slave highlights a seldom scrutinized period in Cuban history and is told in seven voices: that of the poet himself, his white owner, his owner's son, the poet's biological parents, the poet's godmother, and the plantation overseer. The poet slave was born into the household of a wealthy plantation and slave owner in Cuba in 1797, and although he is denied an education, he is a bright and observant child who learns much by watching others. Early on, he demonstrates a remarkable talent for poetry. Juan's original owner is kind, indulges him, and calls him her own baby, but she often treats him more like a pampered pet. She eventually grants him his freedom, but upon her death, Juan's godmother, a cruel and capricious woman, takes arbitrary control and continues his enslavement, making the young man's life a hellish ordeal. Despite years of physical and mental abuse, Juan's ever hopeful spirit remains strong and focused on attaining his freedom. Eventually and against all odds, the courageous youth makes his getaway on horseback. Juan's literary genius is evident in the excerpts of his poems and although many of his autobiographical notes have been lost, it is known that he became an inspiring and influential writer much admired for the intrinsic beauty and sensitivity of his works and for his profound honesty and goodness. In impassioned and eloquent free verse, Engle captures not only the deep sensibilities of the various characters but also the enervating atmosphere of nineteenth-century Cuba. This captivating and bittersweet book is an exultant hymn to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and it will make an wonderful addition to any young adult collection”—Culberson, D. (2006). No title. [Review of the book The poet slave of Cuba: A biography of Juan Francisco Manznao]. Voice of Youth Advocates. Retreived from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:

This is a difficult book to make suggestions for because the content is so difficult. For the most part, I don’t think children under the age of 13 or 14 should read this book because of the violence and graphic nature of some parts. I think it would be best used in a program involving the creation of free verse and the way it works to convey messages/ stories that may be difficult to write about otherwise.

Module 4: Newbery Winners

The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare, is a great historical fiction novel for young adults. The story is set in the 1700s and centers around a young girl named Katherine (Kit) who is forced to leave her sunny and carefree life in Barbados for a significantly different one in the Puritan community of Wethersfield, Connecticut. As Kit realizes how different she is from those around her, she also begins to understand how dangerous being different can be in the small community. As Kit, time and time again, shocks those in her new life by doing everything from swimming to acting out scenes from the Bible she is seen as an outcast. Because of this judgment, Kit becomes friends with Hannah Tupper, a Quaker who is also believed to be a witch. This means trouble for both Kit and Hannah and the two eventually become the target of a type of witch-hunt.

Speare, E.G. (1958). The witch of blackbird pond. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Picture credit: http://www.tower.com/witch-blackbird-pond-elizabeth-george-speare-hardcover/wapi/101806330

Impressions: My immediate impression of this book was: classic. I know a lot of people (both teachers and students) who are familiar with this book through required reading. I never read it, however, so I was eager to catch up on a book I missed. This story surpassed my expectations and I enjoyed it immensely. Although it is a historical fiction novel, the character of Kit is very easy to relate to and realistic. Because Kit is a stranger to the Puritan community of Wethersfield, it helps the reader become attached to her and we are able to explore Puritan life through a character who is also unaccustomed to it. This, of course, is what the Newbery award is about. Speare writes a story that is believable because the characters are so realistic, and at the same time she teaches her readers a little history. The story, as I expected, also wrapped up neatly by the end of the book. Everything seemed to work out in the end--Hannah gets away safely, Kit and Nat end up together as do John and Mercy. Although it was realistic for historical fiction, I felt that the ending was just a little too neat and polished.

Reviews:
"The setting is the Colony of Connecticut in 1687 amid the political and religious conflicts of that day. Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler unexpectedly arrives at her aunt and uncle's doorstep and is unprepared for the new world which awaits her. Having been raised by her grandfather in Barbados, she doesn't understand the conflict between those loyal to the king and those who defend the Connecticut Charter. Unprepared for the religious intolerance and rigidity of the Puritan community, she is constantly astounding her aunt, uncle, and cousins with her dress, behavior, and ideas. She takes comfort in her secret friendship with the widow, Hannah Tupper, who has been expelled from Massachusetts because she is a Quaker and suspected of being a witch. When a deathly sickness strikes the village, first Hannah and then Kit are accused of being witches. Through these conflicts and experiences, Kit comes to know and accept herself. She learns not to make hasty judgments about people, and that there are always two sides to every conflict. There are several minor plots as well, including three romances, which help to bring this time and place to life." Moffet, M.C. (2003). No title. [Review of the book The witch of blackbird pond by E.G. Speare]. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print.

"Forced to leave her sunny Caribbean home for the bleak Connecticut Colony, Kit Tyler is filled with trepidation. As they sail up the river to Kit's new home, the teasing and moodiness of a young sailor named Nat doesn't help. Still, her unsinkable spirit soon bobs back up. What this spirited teenager doesn't count on, however, is how her aunt and uncle's stern Puritan community will view her. In the colonies of 1687, a girl who swims, wears silk and satin gowns, and talks back to her elders is not only headstrong, she is in grave danger of being regarded as a witch. When Kit befriends an old Quaker woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond, it is more than the ascetics can take: soon Kit is defending her life. Who can she count on as she confronts these angry and suspicious townspeople?

A thoroughly exciting and rewarding Newbery Medal winner and ALA Notable Children's Book, Elizabeth George Speare's The Witch of Blackbird Pond brings this frightening period of witch hysteria to life. Readers will wonder at the power of the mob mentality, and the need for communities in desperate times--even current times--to find a scapegoat."--Coulter, E. [Review of the book The witch of blackbird pond by E.G. Speare]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0395071143/ref=dp_proddesc_1?ie=UTF8&n=283155

Suggestions:
This book would work especially well in a unit about early American life, Puritan life, and the early American fear of witches/ witch hunts. This would also be a really good book for a display of Newbery Winners or historical fiction.

The Tale of Despereaux is a Newbery award winning book written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Timothy B. Ering. This four part book begins with the story of Despereaux Tilling, a small large-eared mouse who falls in love with the human Princess Pea and is sent to the dungeon because of how different he is from other mice. The second part of the book is the story of Roscuro, a rat that loves light and is forced back into a life of darkness in the dungeon when he falls into the Queen's soup which causes her to die of a heart-attack and all the rats to be hunted. The third part of the book revolves around a peasant girl named Miggery Sow who is sold into slavery and beaten by her owner. She is then taken to work at the castle where she desperately wants to wear Princess Pea's crown and is later manipulated by Roscuro to kidnap the princess. The fourth part of the book ties the story together in a way that weaves all the characters to each other and allows for a happy resolution for each.

DiCamillo, K. (2003). The tale of Despereaux. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.
Picture credit: http://childrensbooksforparents.com/the-tale-of-despereaux/

Impressions:
I picked this book because I know many people who have read it but have never been able to read read it myself. I watched the movie with my niece and enjoyed it and was expecting something totally different from the book. When I started reading it I was a little apprehensive, however once I got further along I realized that I enjoyed it a great deal more than the movie. The characters were very intricate and well thought out and despite the fact that two of the four were rodents. DiCamillo's use of the underdog-as-hero formula worked really well with the traditional hero story nuances that laced the story. For me, this made the book all the more appealing. Even though the end of the story resolved happily for each main character, I think that DiCamillo avoided the saccharine happy ending by inserting other, darker elements earlier in the story.

Reviews:

"With allegorical elements such as quests for love and light, and dangerous encounters that lead to forgiveness and redemption, Kate DiCamillo's novel (Candlewick, 2003) is a multi-layered fantasy. The hero is Despereaux Tilling, a young mouse who is improbably, but deeply, in love with a very human Princess Pea. On the dark side, there's a misguided rat named Roscuro and a serving girl, Miggery Sow, who wishes to be a princess. The traumatic events that shape the lives of these four characters, and bring them all to the brink of disaster, are resolved with some gentle lessons on the power of kindness."--Wysocki, B. (2004). No title. [Review of the book The tale of Despereaux by K. DiCamillo]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print.

"Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is as soul stirring as it is delicious. Despereaux, a tiny mouse with huge ears, is the bane of his family's existence. He has fallen in love with the young princess who lives in the castle where he resides and, having read of knights and their ladies, vows to honor her. But his unmouselike behavior gets him banished to the dungeon, where a swarm of rats kill whoever falls into their clutches. Another story strand revolves around Miggery, traded into service by her father, who got a tablecloth in return. Mig's desire to be a princess, a rat's yen for soup (a food banished from the kingdom after a rat fell in a bowl and killed the queen), and Despereaux's quest to save his princess after she is kidnapped climax in a classic fairy tale, rich and satisfying. Part of the charm comes from DiCamillo's deceptively simple style and short chapters in which the author addresses the reader: Do you think rats do not have hearts? Wrong. All living things have a heart. And as with the best stories, there are important messages tucked in here and there, so subtly that children who are carried away by the words won't realize they have been uplifted until much later. Ering's soft pencil illustrations reflect the story's charm"--Cooper, I. (2003). No title. [Review for the book The tale of Despereaux by K. DiCamillo]. Booklist. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print.

Suggestions:

In my opinion, this book is a perfect mix of realistic elements, fantasy, with a heavy dose of traditional hero/epic elements. Because of this I think The Tale of Despereax would be a perfect fit in a display of heroic tales across the spectrum. The library could even have a hero night, where the kids could dress up as heroes--from superheroes, to firemen, to good old fashioned knights.