Module 7 Realistic Fiction

Book Cover:




Book Summary:
Melinda is ostracized at school when she calls the cops at a party. But we really don't know why the cops are called until later in the books. Melinda starts to not speak and we come to find out that Melinda was raped and her behavior was her way of trying to deal with it.

APA Reference of Book:

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak (1st ed.). New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Impressions:

I really identified with Melinda in this book. I pretty much loved school but sat in class and didn't participate or speak up and I just didn't get the whole hoopla about high school. I was bullied a lot in high school because I was quiet, always reading,  not good looking, wore funky clothes, and I wore glasses. Now as an adult I ask myself why didn't I ever say anything or do something about it. But I realize I was too scared and we didn't talk about things like that then.  So I totally got why Melinda was afraid even though I was not ever raped or even put into a situation close to this. The writing was authentic to me and I could see teens acting or speaking this way (or at least when I was a teen lol). One of the best realistic fiction books I have read (I don't tend to read a lot of this genre for teens I read more fantasy). I would recommend that all teens read this and discuss the issues in this book even though it is a tough topic and the tone in the book at times was dark or depressing.

Professional Review:

Gr. 8-12. Having broken up an end-of summer party by calling the police, high school freshman Melinda Sordino begins the school year as a social outcast. She's the only person who knows the real reason behind her call she was raped at the party by Andy Evans, a popular senior at her school. Slowly, with the help of an eccentric and understanding art teacher. she begins to recover from the trauma, only to find Andy threatening her again. Melinda's voice is distinct unusual, and very real as she recounts her past and present experiences in bitterly ironic, occasionally even amusing vignettes. In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.

Carton, D. (1999). Speak. The Booklist, 96(2), 247. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/235408112?accountid=7113

Library Uses:
This would be after the class has read the book. Read poems “Alone,” “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” and “Still I Rise.” by Maya Angelou who Melinda refers to in the story. Discuss why would Anderson use Maya Angelou as someone who Melinda finds comfort or strength in. Find parts in the poems that may have spoken to Melinda or that Melinda may have liked and discuss why.

My Rating: *****

Module 1 Winston the Book Wolf

Book Cover:

APA Reference of Book:
McGee, M., & Beck, I. (2006). Winston the book wolf. New York: Walker.

Book Summary:

Winston likes to eat words and isn't allowed into the library because he destroys it. Rosie (little red riding hood) shows him how to read. Once he learns he disguises himself as Granny and gets inside without any problems. He becomes the story lady and reads to the children without destroying the books or library.

Impressions:
The story was cute and included different fairy tale characters sprinkled through out the book. Text was used in mini boxs that were "bitten" and some curved around the pages. However the same font was used throughout even the bold and separated interesting words. The pictures were cartoony with a grainy or block printing look about them. While I liked the idea that Winston loved to eat words and learns to read,  I didn't like that he wasn't allowed in the library and had to trick them to get in. So I am torn about whether I liked it enough to use it again. I do think that it redeems itself a little bit when it talks about reading the books rather than eating them. It does have a few good words for vocabulary.

Professional Review:

Some wolves like to eat little pigs; some have a penchant for grannies, but Winston can't get enough of words. Banned from the library for literally devouring books (the paper-over-board book's cover has a bite-size die-cut hole), he's taken under the wing of Rosie, who just happens to sport a red-hooded sweatshirt. She tutors him in a more socially acceptable and personally fulfilling approach to savoring words. ""Winston caught on fast. He learned to eat words with his eyes, which is to say: Winston learned to read!"" With that mission accomplished, Rosie and Winston next conspire to get him back into the library-and with the help of some of Grandma's clothes and a natural flair for drag, Winston soon draws record crowds as the Story Lady. ""If anyone noticed the sharp, white teeth, no one complained,"" McGee says with a wink. The text may be wordy, but Beck's (Tom and the Island of Dinosaurs) illustrations exude a breezy, contemporary feel, from his delicate ink lines and washes of cheery color t

Winston the Book Wolf. (2006, August, 7). Publishers Weekly [Book Review]. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8027-9569-4

Library Uses: 
For grades kinder through fifth grade readers I would have a display wall of words that are great words that Winston may have eaten that students have found in their books that they are reading. I would put out index cards and crayons or pencils for them to write the word on and their name. Then either they would post them or I would provide a box to put them in to have an adult or help put up.


My Rating:  ***

Everafter Review

The Everafter by Amy Huntley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hardcover, 248 pages

Published October 1st 2009 by HarperCollins (first published September 16th 2009)

purchashed hardcover


Book Blurb from Goodreads:

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this - she is dead. And alone in a vast, dark space. The only company Maddy has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things she lost while she was alive. And soon she discovers that, with these artifacts, she can reexperience - and even change - moments from her life.
Her first kiss.
A trip to Disney World.
Her sister's wedding.
A disastrous sleepover.
In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and frightening truths about her life - and death.

My Review:
This book kept me thinking through the whole book how did she die? What did each object mean to her and how did she lose them? I must say that this idea is pretty unique, connecting objects to going back to spots in your life where you lost them. The learning about each thing to help you understand who you are and how you lived. It was really thought provoking to me since I have lost my mom and brother to cancer.

Now each object is not given it's own chapter but over all that is how the chapters are set up which helps you understand what is coming and to not get lost in the story. However there was a few times when there were multiple jumps between objects and time periods (from very young then to teenage) which was a little jaring at first. One jump I didn't care for was the baby one it was a little weird even though it was there to show how much she remembers her mom and associates her to safety and love.

The underlying love story between her and her boyfriend and the love of/and for her friend was heart wrenching because you know something bad happened. There were a few clues about what happened to Maddy. I thought about 2 ways her death could happen and the way it did was one of my ways I had thought. The actual event doesn't happen until the very last chapter of the book and I thought that was appropriate because while the reason for her death was all Maddy wanted she actually learned things about herself she didn't know before dying and became ready to let go with what happened. I was sad that the story ended and I want to know more about what happened to her friend even though we get the epilogue. Since Maddy didn't meet her family or her friend in the "Am"/"Is" we don't really know. But I think that Maddy's death really helped her friend in the long run.

The one thing I didn't like was that she only sees/talks with 2 people in the "Am/Is". I would think there would be more people but maybe that is the Everafter and not there. Maybe they are alone so they can learn why they are there. Again makes me think. I am still thinking about this book the next day. A very thing for a book to do~

For parents there is some cursing, slight mature subject matter appropriate for teens only (kissing, making out, drugs, alcohol, physical abuse). I think these topics were handled with a light hand and not very graphic as some teen books I have read.

Slimy, Spiky, Smooth: What is Texture? Review

Slimy, Spiky, Smooth: What Is Texture? by Jane Brocket
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**Provided by NetGalley/Publisher for honest review**

I must say that Texture is a very hard subject to talk about sometimes, particularly with ESL/Second Language learners who have very little experience with vocabulary. Also my students also seem to have little back ground other than with simple texture vocabulary. Words like smooth, hard, and soft are easy to come up with but harder or more descriptive and juicy words are not as common (aha I used a texture word!)

I loved the bright colorful pictures in this book because they chose for the most part pictures that were easy to see the textures and used mostly everyday objects. They were also close up but you could still identify with what it was. I only had 2 complaints: with the butterfly they really couldn't tell why it was powdery from the picture and when they talked about the watermelon's skin and inside they only showed the outside of an unusual looking watermelon or at least angle of the shot (round watermelon with no stripes). Some kids may not have seen the inside of a watermelon before to know that it is juicy. However with both of these you can bring in additional pictures to supplement this. Not a major distraction or problem.

I also loved the vocabulary that described the textures and explain why it was that texture. Usually they gave 2 words too which was even better! Since it is very vocabulary rich I would use it as a read aloud for all levels and for individual reading on their own for possibly high 2nd grade or 3-5 grade.

I sure wished I had this book when I taught summer school to ESL/Bilingual Science students! I really had a hard time coming up with a book that had great pictures as well as vocabulary. This book will be highly recommended for that as well as any grade that talks about texture in science or writing!

The Klondike Kid: Sailing for Gold Review

Sailing for Gold by Deborah Hopkinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I originally read this book a couple of years ago for my 3rd grades since we studied this in our Social Studies unit and they really liked it. I read again this year and while it wasn't as such a big hit the kids did like it. This seems pretty accurate and the pictures and language are not boring but exciting for kids to listen to. The idea that the boy lived by himself in a boarding school and worked was a topic for discussion in both grade levels. We talked alot about the vocabulary and why things were taking place since kids were asking questions about it particularly in 2nd because the didn't have much background knowledge about this time period. I would diffinitely use this as only a read aloud in 2nd and 3rd grade and allow your higher readers read it after the read aloud. It is also an A.R. test which our library has! I have not read the second or third book yet.

View all my reviews

The Deadly Sister Review

The Deadly Sister by Eliot Schrefer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Overall I really liked this book. It kept me guessing and made me keep thinking did Maya do it? I just couldn't buy into that she did it by the way she was described. My next thoughts as I read was who did I think could do it? The suspect list was many. I liked how the story telling started and it just kept accerrating at a faster and faster pace. There were a few things that I didn't get with the story but once the person who did it was reveled some of it made sense. From the beginning I thought it may be this person but the clues were very minor. Like who was Caitlin? I figured out that it was a nickname/pyseudonym but for who? However I didn't get the ending all that much. I can't go into it because it would tell you who did it. I just didn't get the character's response at the end about being honest or lying.

This author has several books out and I will have to check them out!
**For parents there is some very mature subject matter in regards to drugs, alcohol, relationships, and crime. You may want to preview this book before they read it**

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by Mélanie Watt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

OMG I LOVE Scaredy Squirrel! A writing teacher read the first book for a writing lesson and it is soooooo funny! Needless to say there is many spinoffs and this is the second one I have read. I am looking forward to reading the others!

This one deals with Scaredy not liking the beach but wanting the experience so he gets stuff to set up a pretend one in his yard to act like he is at the beach. But he doesn't have the sound of the beach so he goes to the beach to get a shell. Well just like the other book it shows you all the things that Scaredy is afraid of and how he goes about trying to get around his fears. Needless to say Scaredy learns a lesson.

Some of the humor younger students may not get but older students and adults will laugh. The pictures are great however they are a little busy on some pages.

If you haven't read at least one of these books go check them out!

Babymouse: Puppy Love

Babymouse: Puppy Love by Jennifer L. Holm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was searching the school library for graphic novels and saw this among the ones left. I have really wanted to get my hands on one of these to see if my students in 2nd grade would like them and whether it would be appropriate content. Well I read it while the students checked out books and the kids gathered around while I read it and laughed out loud several times. So there was definite interest even by the boys.

The pictures are cute in white and pink and the words for the most part I think are appropriate for 2nd grade and above. Some of the features like Baby Mouse talking to the narrator and some inferences may be beyond early 2nd graders I think mid year 2nd graders should have no problems.

My favorite chuckle was the animals hiding under the bed too funny! I also liked the talking back and forth between the narrator and Baby Mouse which is not a common thing in the graphic novels I have read so far. Pretty unique and a good example of adding voice to writing.

Overall I will definitely look into purchasing at least the Puppy Love volume of Babymouse and look into the other volumes as well!

Before I Fall

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really thought this book was thought provoking and did like it but I just couldn't give it a higher mark.

I liked Sam's progression from the beginning to the end and while I didn't agree with her choices they made since for a teenager to make. The growth that Sam makes isn't too over the top and I soo wanted the book to end differently than it did but I understand why it ended that way. I really didn't care for any of the characters except for Kent who I thought was adorable. There was also an ICK factor for me in this book. This is the second book that I have read that has a teenager get into a relationship/encounter with a teacher. While realistically this does happen I just don't like to see it or read it in books. The other book a House of Night book stopped me from reading the rest of the series. I am not a prude I read a wide selection of books but being a teacher it is just a hot button for me.

For parents there is mature subject matter that middle and high school students would normally have access to so please be aware for younger readers.

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Skid and the Too Tiny Tunnel

** I recieved this book through NetGalley review**

Title: Skid & the Too Tiny Tunnel
SubTitle: A story of courage based on Deuteronomy 31:6
Publisher: Warner Press
Imprint: Warner Press Kids
Pub Date: 01/01/2009
 ISBN: 9781593173555
Author: Jeffery Stoddard
Genre: Fantasy (talking machines)
Reading level: grades 3-5
Interest level: grades 1-5

I have never read anything by this author before so when I saw it I thought this would be a great book to read first on NetGalley. It seemed like a book I could use to teach character. I was a little wary about the reference to Deuteronomy and the Bible because I teach in a public school and usually religion references are frowned upon even though most of my students talk about going to church at some point in the year. But after reading it was not really discussed at all except on the cover. So I shouldn't have a problem having this in my  classroom. Things I liked:

• The  illustrations are nice and simple with color being done in crayon.
• Vocabulary is great, lots of unusual words that students need to be exposed to like massive, belching, careeening, and chuckled. 
• The moral of the story was great. The story talked about having fear of doing something and doing it anyway and not sit and complain it. Also about even the smallest person can make a big difference. Great for character lessons as I thought!

Things I didn't like or readers may have difficulty with:

• The vocabulary can be difficult to read for lower readers but this can be fixed by reading first in a read aloud or with a partner who has a higher reading level.
• At the end of the story with Pillar there was a section where Skid first comes upon Pillar that was a little awkward. I think more showing rather than telling would have worked better. Seeing as this was the only thing I didn't like it is really only a minor thing.

Overall I really liked this book and would purchase it for my classroom. The story had a great message and I think students will identify themselves in Skid. It reminded me a lot of the story of the Little Engine that Could.

Rating:****

 

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamarillo

genre: YA Fantasy (talking animals)
propriate for: grades 2-adult
rating: ****

I have wanted to read this book since it came out a couple of years ago but have never gotten around to it. I loved Kate's The Tale of Desperaux which I had read aloud to my students in Third Grade. This would was a great story and used a lot of great writing techniques that I point out to writers in my class even now (the best book for voice I have found). So when I found it at the library and it was the end of the year I decided for it to be one of the choices for our read aloud in 2nd grade. Needless to say after reading the flap and flipping through the chapter titles once the kids heard the words Hobo camp they were determined that was the one they wanted to read.

One thing that drew me to this story was the cover and beautiful illustrations. This book reminded me of books I had read when I was growing up. There were a few minor things I didn't like but over all I definitely would read this again to my students.

What I liked:

• The beautiful illustrations.
• That there was a moral to the story about love and how important it is.
• How Kate showed the passage of time and movement from one owner to the next. Also it didn't just cover a couple of days or a year but many years. Different time periods were learned about in a round about way while I was reading. Several times I stopped to answer some questions about why certain things were happening or to explain a little about what was going on. This would be good to use for a mentor text in writing.
• That it dealt with some tough issues in a good way such as homelessness, poverty, and death. I almost cried at the end and the students where like what is wrong Miss Dudley? They couldn't believe I had such emotions for a book. Any book that draws such emotion from me is a great book since it is hard to get me to cry.

Some things I didn't like or that may cause problems for readers:

• While the illustrations were beautiful sometimes they were placed after the part they represented in the story. I stopped and showed the picture on the next page several times.
• The tough issues that I liked may be too difficult for some students. My students had no problems but other students may in particular be upset over the death of the little girl from tuberculosos. I believe though that my students have experienced death and should be exposed to how people react and deal with death (I teach in a low income area).
• The note at the end I didn't get at first when I read it. I had to read it a second time then I got it (a good teaching technique but the students may have difficulty getting the circular ending).

The students LOVED this book. They always reminded me of read aloud time and were silent as mice when I read it, even my most difficult students (which is a sure sign that they like it). I loved it just as much as they did and plan to add this to my student library.