Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Walk Two Moons

Walk Two Moons
by
Sharon Creech

Summary
        Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech is about a thirteen-year-old girl, Salamanca Tree Hiddle, who is trying to find her missing mother. Salamanca’s mother left her family in order to find herself and never returned. After her mother is gone for a year, Sal and her father leave their farm in Bybanks, Kentucky and move to Euclid, Ohio when her father finds a new job thanks to Mrs. Margaret Cadaver. Sal does not like anything about Ohio including Mrs. Margaret Cadaver. Sal and her Gram and Gramps embark on a trip from Ohio to Idaho in hopes of finding Sal's mom, Sugar. As they travel, her grandparents ask Sal to tell them a story. She tells her grandparents about her new friend, Phoebe Winterbottom, and her family. Phoebe's mother also mysteriously vanished, but after her disappearance, strange anonymous messages began appearing on the family’s porch. As she tells her story Sal begins to think about her own family's history, including her mother's mysterious trip to find herself in Idaho. Will Sal find her long lost mother or something else instead?

Evaluation
     Walk Two Moons is a must read for children ages 8 years and up. Being a realistic story of love and loss, mixed with humor and suspense it keeps young readers engaged. Also the fact that there are stories-within-a-story helps the readers to compare the reactions of the two friends to their similar situations with their families. Most young children at this age have experienced the loss of either a loved one or a pet making Sal's journey through the grieving process very relatable. From denial to anger and finally acceptance of her mother's death Creech truly takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride.

The plot is semi complicated due to the three stories intertwined with each other. The reader really has to pay attention to whose story they are reading and follow them all. They also have to make parallels between the stories in order to truly understand what is going on in Sal's life and head. But, in the end Creech ties all the stories together in one twist and does not leave any loose ends for the reader.
I really like the female characters in this book. They are all flawed in one way or another but very strong women and intricate characters. For example, Pheobe's neighbor, a women who had to deal with the death of her husband and blind mother all by herself. Pheobe who is my favorite character in the book because she is so funny and quirky with her strange obsession with cholesterol and belief that everyone she meets is a lunatic. Or Gram, who has to help Sal find herself while dealing with her own loss of her daughter. Then there is Sal herself. An amazing and capable preteen who is trying to learn what life and death is all about. Having the main protagonist be a 13 year old girl also makes the story very relatable to her target audience. Sal is smart, interesting, inspiring, flawed, and exhibits many of the same feelings that preteens go through on their journey into adulthood. In essence it is a story about growing up and working through the difficult aspects of the changing world around them. Sal is forced to move to a new state and grow up all at the same time after her mother disappears. Though some readers might not have such a big tragedy happen in their life the world around them is still changing and they have to adapt to it.
The story is told from first person point of view through Sal herself. But, Creech is still able to communicate a wisdom that goes beyond Sal's own understandings and words. Sal also is very truthful even though sometimes it puts herself in a bad light. That said, Sal is an unreliable narrator because there is a lot that she does not tell you according to her stage in the grieving process. With all the subtle hints along the way the reader is sure to miss them the first time around so reading it twice is highly suggested.
All in all this is a must read for anyone 8 years and up.  The characters are wonderful and perfectly flawed, the story line was engaging, and the ending offered closure without confusion. This is the perfect coming-of-age book that teaches readers young and old, "don't judge a man until you walked two moons in his moccasins."


Classroom Extension activities:

Social Studies

  • When Sal and her grandparents stop at Injun Joe's Peace Palace Motel, Sal ponders the use of the term Indian vs. Native American. Sal's mom, Sugar, preferred the term Indian, but when Sal asks a man at Pipestone if he is a Native American he says, "No, I'm a person." When she inquires further he says that he is an "American Indian person." This part of the book would be good for the exploration of the issue of stereotyping versus historical cultural facts on Native Americans. Students can debate the use of Native American icons as sports mascots by writing a persuasive essay or creating a PowerPoint presentation.

Language Arts


  •  have students explore point of view using the characters from the book. Students could retell the story from the point of view of one of the other characters in the novel. For example, how would Phoebe's mom or Mike have told the story? Another interesting assignment could a project on character development. 
  • Using the famous quote from the book,  “Never judge a man before you've walked two moons in his moccasins,” as a starting point students could choose a character for and complete a character sketch. Students would be required to describe the physical appearance and emotional needs or wants of the character of their choice, and connect these traits to the story's plot. This will help them understand the elements of a character’s development through his/her words, actions, narrator's description, interaction with other characters, how motivations are revealed, character traits and motivations, stereotypes, relationships between character and plot development. Students would then share their character sketch with the class.
  •  As a culminating activity, students should write a letter to the author about what they liked the most about the novel. The author, Sharon Creech, will write a letter back in response to the students giving them a personal connection with the book.


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Maisy's Wonderful Weather Book

Maisy's Wonderful Weather Book
by
Lucy Cousins

Summary:
 The lovable little mouse, Maisy, embarks on a wonderful science adventure and teaches the reader all about different kinds of weather. 

Evaluation:
 This is a wonderful book for children ages 3-5 years to help them understand the weather. It is very interactive which holds their attention even longer because they have to use the pull tabs to help Maisy see what is happening weather wise. For example, when it is sunny and hot Maisy changes from her clothes to her bathing suite by having the child pull the tab. On the windy day the child has to turn the wheel to make the leaves blow in the wind along with Maisy's hat and kite. There are very few words on a page and the pictures relate fabulously. The topic is great for young children because no matter where they are weather is happening all around them every day. Many children at this age also have many questions about the weather and this helps them to begin to understand what is going on. The pictures are very bright and colorful and the tabs and wheels are easy for small hands to work. 
The only downside of this book is if you have a rough child the pull tabs are not very sturdy and do rip if pulled to hard. But all in all I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a preschooler!

Annie Oakley: Young Markswoman

Annie Oakley: Young Markswoman
by
Ellen Wilson

Summary: This is a wonderful biography of Annie Oakley. It focuses mainly on her childhood but does end up diverging into her adult life. Annie was a young girl of many talents but her best one was hunting. When she was only 7 years old, she built a trap to get dinner for her family. Then another night a wolf was terrorizing her families chickens. She ran inside got her gun and CRACK! The wolf was dead in front of them. Annie was from a very poor family and the children had to live in other houses. Annie was never able to go to school even though she wanted to very much. Instead she was stent to a home where she worked around the clock. Things were so terrible for her that she ended up running away. It was in Cincinnati when she was living with her sister that she entered a shooting contest and became the most famous female shooter in the country. She ended up marrying the most famous male shooter in the country who she met and beat at the same contest. 

Evaluation
 This is a must read for children ages 9 years and above!  There are quite a few words on a page but they are interspersed with pictures. The pictures clearly show what Wilson is talking about. Growing up I use to love reading about Annie Oakley. She was such an inspiration and I believe children today will still see her as that. Children, especially girls, will love Annie Oakley because she defied all odds and was a true female American hero. She was unable to go to school like many young girls today but she was so determined to beat her odds and became a legend. Both girls and boys will be able to relate to her because she is from a poor family and was an avid hunter. Today there are many children who hunt, those it isn't necessarily to put food on the table many times that is what happens. Wilson clearly explains everything and the biography reads easily like a narrative keeping the reader engaged and interested in her life. 
The only part of this book that I would consider being a negative aspect would be the illustrations. They are all in black and white ink drawing. They do seem to convey what the author is talking about but are not very captivating. They could use a little more work and then this book would be all and all amazing!
I would still recommend this to anyone age 9 years and older because it is a great book and biography!

The Story of Italian Immigration Passage to Liberty and the Rebirth of America

The Story of Italian Immigration Passage to Liberty and the Rebirth of America
by
A. Kenneth Ciongoli and Jay Parini

Summary
This is a wonderful nonfiction book about how Italian's have influenced and changed America. It tells the story of how Italians became America citizens and accomplished their dreams of rebuilding the image of Rome. Ciongoli and Parini focus on important Italians who have shaped America. For example, Cesar Rodney and William Paca who were two Italians who signed the Declaration of Independence. Woven into the famous historical facts throughout the book is the story of Antonio, grandfather of one of the authors. Making this not only a wonderful resource of history but a narrative that brings to life the experiences of a people whose talents, self-sacrifice and contributions helped shape America. 

Evaluation
This is a must read for the target reading age level group for this book of 12-15 years and up. There are a log of words on each page but they are not overwhelming and every page includes either a picture of the person they are talking about, an illustration of an event, or replicas of old passports, hand-written recipes, coupon books from an old immigrant mutual-aid insurance policy, and even the jury's verdict form from a trial of Al Capone. This book truly brings history to life in more ways than one. It is keeps its readers engaged because it becomes a personal experience through the story of Antonio. 
Young readers who are of Italian heritage would find this book extremely interesting because it shows them what their ancestors went through. Each page has an attention catching title and does not labor on one topic for too long. Some examples are: Pasta and Pizza and Evolving Italian-American Cuisine, Hostility and Hangings From New Orleans to Sacco and Vanzetti, etc. The following  paragraphs keep the reader engaged with their living words. 
For example on the page of Hostility and Hangings it starts out with, 
"Let's get those dirty dagos."
"Those black guinea bastards are gonna get what they deserve."
"Not guilty! Is that jury crazy? Those lazy, ignorant wops-let's get 'em!" The mob came into being, and a crescendo shook the ground. It was a terrifying sight.
A shrill voice cried out: "Billy O'Connor heard the superintendent whisper, just as he died, that the dagos did it. Right O'Connor?"
A tall, pot-bellied, orange-freckled man, William O'Connor, nodded.
The voice continued, "There is no room in New Orleans for these criminals. The wops are an inferior race. They get along with the Negroes because they're just like them. I say, lynch them all now!"
The crowd turned and rushed the jailhouse. Without resistance, they emptied the cells and hung all the occupants.
As you can see from this small selection the topic and the way the author reveals America's history keeps the readers engaged and interested.
There is nothing negative about this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone age 12 years and above!

On Beyond Bugs! All About Insects

On Beyond Bugs! All About Insects
by
Tish Rabe

Summary: This is a very cute nonfiction book all about insects. The Cat in the Hat and his friends give readers an up close view of life as a bug. Readers learn how insects see, communicate, smell, and pollinate. They also see how much of a pests some bugs can be but all in all make life better for us here on earth.

Evaluation: This is a wonderful nonfiction book about insects. It teaches young children interesting facts about insects through rhyme and bright illustrations. For example,
Watch these honey bees and I am sure you'll agree that these bees are as busy as busy can be! Worker bees collect food and they keep the hive clean. They protect it from danger and wait on their queen. She must stay in one place. It is her job to lay dozens and dozens of eggs every day.
The pictures do an amazing job of depicting what the words are saying. The illustration that goes along with this picture is of a big bee happily laying on her side eating while she is surrounded by smaller bees with fake stick guns and other bees are cleaning up with brooms around her.
It is a great beginning middle reader because it has minimal words on each page, which are larger print  and they are spread out so the child will not get over whelmed when reading. When it comes to the hard words such as chrysalis it has a glossary in the back to help them understand and pronounce the word. 
The topic is right on target for its age group of 5-8 years old. Most boys and some girls are fascinated by insects. Even my 4 year old has asked me why fly's buzz. This book gives the young reader the interesting facts without boring them. Being a Cat in the Hat book also might capture the attention of young readers who normally would not read a book about insects. The pictures draw the reader in and rhyme keep the reader engaged. 
Overall there is nothing negative that I can say about this book. I would highly recommend it!


Saturday, April 6, 2013

Knots in My Yo-Yo String

Knots in My Yo-Yo String
by 
Jerry Spinelli

Summary:
This is a autobiography about Jerry Spinelli, a Newberry Medalist and excellent children's author. In his book he takes the reader from his first memories as a child to high school. He has the reader reliving his first kiss, first fight, first trip to the principal's office, first humiliating sports experience, and overall life growing up in the 1950's. Even though he only read comic books and cereal boxes as a child, he shows the reader how the seeds of a great writer were planted.


Evaluation:
 I would highly recommend this book to anyone ages 10 years and up. Though this is his autobiography it engages the reader as much as his fictional books do. He writes in a warm conversational tone, making the reader feel as though he is right beside them telling his life story. The black-and-white pictures are engaging and amusing images from his past that help to capture what he is telling his readers about his life. Being a famous and well published children's author Jerry Spinelli's autobiography is both interesting and relevant for his target audience. The issues and events that he relives in his book are very relatable to children ages 10 and up because they are for the most part a universal part of growing up. His side-splitting recollections of preadolescent and adolescent events are sure to keep the reader engaged. 
Spinelli talks about how his dreams and accomplishments as a child effected and shaped him as an adult and writer. Young readers are sure to relate to this and feel empowered by their dreams and accomplishments. He also gives the reader a sense of hope. Having so many relatable childhood and adolescent experiences lets the young reader feel that even if there are some painful, embarrassing, or not so nice things going on in their life right now that in the end it might all be ok.
A definite must read for all!

Classroom Extension Activities:

Language Arts Classroom

  • Have students write a journal about their dreams and aspirations and the obstacles they might have to over come to accomplish them.
  •  Compare growing up in the 1950's to today
Math Classroom

  • Compare the price of living from the 1950's to today (price of bread, gas, etc.)
History Classroom

  • Expand upon topics from the 1950's such as the Cold War, communism, capitalism, Space Race, nuclear weapons, etc.



House of the Scorpion

House of the Scorpion

by 
Nancy Farmer

Summary:
Matteo Alcran was created inside a petri dish and then cultivated in the womb of a cow. He is a clone of El Patron, the drug lord of Opium. Most clones have a procedure done at birth that turns them into thoughtless monsters, but not El Patron's clones. Matt was raised up to be like a normal boy. As Matt comes to grips with his existence as a clone, he is threatened by El Patron's power-hungry family. Escape is the only chance Matt has to survive. With help from his personal body guard and his mother he embarks on an incredible journey that might just change his world forever.

Evaluation
This is an incredible book and I would highly recommend it to anyone over 12 years old! This book truly draws its readers young and old into its plot through its unique setting and interesting characters. Farmer really has the reader feelings as if they were learning, suffering, and experiencing life right alongside of Matt. The characters in this book are so believable that they make the reader have true feelings of compassion for the eegits and clones, and anger and disdain for those who treat Matt and other humans as worthless animals.Being told from third person point of view the reader is drawn into Matt's struggle as he tries to understand his purpose in life and read through the lines of what his loved ones are telling him about his future. Farmer ingeniously uses figurative language to keep the pages turning and drawing out the suspense. One great example of this from the book is, "So many hints! So many clues! Like a pebble that starts an avalanche, Matt's fear shook loose more and more memories. Why had Maria run from him when they found MacGregor's clone in the hospital? Because she knew! They all knew!"
This book is wonderful for its target audience of 12 years and above. Though it is classified as a science fiction novel it is also an extraordinary suspense and mystery as well, appealing to a wider range of readers. Preteens and juveniles alike can relate to Matt because they too are trying to find their place in the world. Just like Matt who has El Patron's same DNA, young readers at this age are usually trying to become their own person and separate themselves from their parents. Major topics in this book such as drugs, morals, stem cell research, immigration laws, nature vs. nurture, and disabilities are all tops that the target age group should be familiar with and relate to.


Links:
Orphan Black is the newest hit series to come out of the UK. It's plot is very similar to The House of the Scorpion and might be of interest to those reads who enjoy the book.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!

I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!
by
Dr. Seuss

Summary: The Cat in the Hat is back in this book with a smaller sidekick version of himself to show how much fun you can have reading with both eyes open.

Evaluation: This is a fantastic beginning reader! My 4 year old daughter loves it! The rhymes and colorful illustrations keep the reader engaged the whole time. With this book Dr. Seuss makes the wonderful point that while you can read somethings with your eyes closed (through memorization) it is much more fun to read new and exciting things with your eyes opened. The words are for the most part easy and spaced out so it makes it easy for beginning readers to read. My daughter's favorite part is when they make reference to another one of her favorite Dr. Seuss books, Oh the Places You'll Go

The more that you read,
the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, 
the more places you'll go.

He incorporates other famous stories of his in here as well which is great for children who have already heard them and can relate them to what they are reading in this book.
This book also encourages the reader to work on their speed which is an important skill for beginning readers to work on. He even says:

And when I keep them open
I can read with much more speed.
You have to be a speedy reader
'cause there's so, so much to read! 

I would highly recommend this book to any beginning reader!

Lindy's Happy Ending

Lindy's Happy Ending
by
Valerie Tripp

Summary: Lindy always has great ideas that her classmates usually go along with. The only problem with her ideas is that they usually are more work then necessary and Lindy never finishes what she starts. When she forgets to put the lid back on the ducklings' cage, her classmates have had enough. They decide that it is time to help Lindy become a responsible young lady.

Evaluation: This is a great early chapter book! The vocabulary in it is easy and age appropriate and the plot keeps the readers attention. Responsibility even at a young age is crucial and this book does a great job teaching it. I really liked how her classmates helped her learn this valuable lesson. Even though they get frustrated with her they help to teach her how to finish what she starts and be responsible. This book is very relate able to its target audience. I think first and second graders have all known someone like Lindy and this shows them the appropriate response to the problem. The illustrations and story line all help keep the reader engaged. I would highly recommend this book!