Book Review ~ A Big Guy Took My Ball!

Willems, M. (2013).  A big guy took my ball! NY: Hyperion.

Summary 

This is another book from the Gerald and Piggie series.  In this book, Piggie is really upset when a big guy takes the ball she was playing with.  Piggie  asks Gerald to help her with her problem.

Book review ~ A Crooked Kind of Perfect

Urban, L. (2009). A crooked kind of perfect. NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.Zoe Elias (10 years old) has big dreams; she dreams of owning the perfect piano andone day playing at Carnegie Hall. As an only child, she spends most of her time withher father who has a fear of leaving the house. He spends large amounts of thefamily’s money on frivolous programs from the Living Room University. When daddoes brave going out in public, he purchases Zoe an organ, along with free musiclessons to help her reach her dream. This realistic fiction follows the typical plotformat reaching its climax when Zoe competes in an organ competition call thePerform –O-Rama. Readers will cheer Zoe on as she reaches for her goal. Throughher lessons and determination, Zoe realizes that her life may not be perfect, butthere is nothing wrong with it either (theme).

Book Review ~ Balloons over Broadway

Sweet, M. (2011).  Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy's parade. NY: 

        Houghton.

Summary

Tony Sarg was a wonderful puppeteer.  Once he started working for Macy's Department store, he tried to bring his puppets to the parade.  The problem was that many people in the crowd couldn't see the puppets.  Through trial and error, Tony Sarg invented the balloons/puppets that have become a tradition for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  

Analysis 

Melissa Sweet, author of Balloons Over Broadway, took a different approach to catching the eye of her reader than many author's of nonfiction chose to do.  The style she used when writing this biographical piece makes it feel like a fiction book.  You can feel not only the passion of subject of the book, Tony Sarg, but the passion of the author.  The pictures are bright, colorful, and cartoonish.  It is written in a manner that informs the reader of Tony’s life experiences and gives the reader an uplifted feeling. Most children have seen a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on their television and have experienced the wonder of the balloons as they fly above the streets of New York City. They can connect to the material and now understand how this national tradition started.  

Balloons Over Broadway Activity Kit

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=27322&a=1

http://ksbillmartinaward.wikispaces.com/Balloons+over+Broadway-+activities

http://www.rif.org/documents/us/Balloons-Over-Broadway_RIF-Extension-Activities-for-Educators.pdf

Book Review ~ Wonderstruck

Selznick, B. (2007). Wonderstruck. NY: Scholastic.

Summary and Analysis 

This book appeals to readers for a few reasons.  The first thing that will catch the reader’s eye will be the captivating illustrations.  Originally, a reader might be overwhelmed with the size of this book, but once they flip through the pages they will realize that half of the book is illustrations.  Also, readers will be attracted to the fact that there are two stories being interwoven together and told simultaneously.  I read this book in my class during a DEAR day.  After I finished a students asked if she could read it.  She then recommended it to another student.  I believe the appeal to many books is the word of mouth recommendations from others.  I would use the art work and word of mouth from other student to “sell” this book to my students.

Books by Brian Selznick

1.     The Houdini Box

2.     Frindle

3.     The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Wonderstruck  is similar to these other books due to the amazing art work. There are real historical events involved in the stories, such as the World’s Fair and that Houdini was a real person.  However, the similarities end there. 

Wonderstruck website

Book Review ~ Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!

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

Summary and Analysis

In the foreword of this book, the author explains she wrote this books for the students in her school.  The students were studying the Middle Ages and needed a play to perform.  Like most children, they all wanted to be the star of the play.  To accommodate this desire, she wrote seventeen monologues belonging to seventeen different people that lived in an imaginary town.  Readers will enjoy how many of the characters are involved with the others in the story as well.  Social classes are obviously evident as well.   This is a different style for a historical fiction.  She maintains historical accuracy in the monologues with the language used.  There are footnotes explaining different vocabulary used in the speeches.  The author also includes segments that elaborate on a topic or situation that occurred in the previous story.  There is a four page bibliography available at the end of the book. 

     Video based on the book

Book Review ~ Bridge to Terabitha

Summary and Analysis

Paterson, K. (2010). Bridge to Terabithia. NY: Crown.Jess is the only son and middle child in his family. He loves draw, but usually does itin secret because it make him a “sissy” in his father’s eyes. As school approaches, heis determined to be known as the fastest kid in 5th grade. However, when a new girl,Leslie Burke, moves in next door, his life changes. The two create a magical,imaginary land called Terabithia, where they are royalty and good always wins.Written in first person, readers will cheer him on as he struggles with life at home,deals with bullies, and discovers true friendship. Children will relate with thedynamic protagonist as he matures and realizes there is more to life than just beingthe fastest kid in 5th grade. The author intricately weaves the theme finding onesplace in life throughout the story. This touching story will by children and adultsalike.
Book is now a movie

Teacher's resourceshttp://www.readworks.org/lessons/grade5/bridge-terabithia
http://librarysparks.com/pdf/librarysparks/2007/lsp_jan07_lessons.pdf
Book Study Guide

Book Review ~ Timmy Failure

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

Summary

Timmy Failure is just that a failure. He attempts to run a detective agency namedTotal Failure Detective Agency Inc. with his sidekick, Total (a polar bear). Hecompletely misses the most obvious of clues for every case that he is hired for. Thisbook has humorous black and white illustrations on every page. This book isdesigned for students leaving pictures books and venturing into longer chapterbooks. The illustrations help those reluctant readers to feel more confident inreading a longer book. Older students can appreciate the comedy and sillinesssprinkled through the plot line of the book.

Timmy Failure Website

Book Review ~ Primates

Ottaviani, J. (2013). Primates.NY: FirstSecond.

Summary 

Another book with an interesting design is Primates by Jim Ottaviani.  In this book, Ottaviani covers three women researchers, Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas, as they observe and document different primates.  He wrote it as a graphic novel.  All three of their stories are told through comic pictures type illustrations and dialogue bubbles.  What a great way to get students to read a biographies or nonfiction books in general! He also includes a bibliography to document the accuracy of his research and lists other good books that students might be interested in.    

Book Synopsis

Example pages from the book

Book Review ~ We are the ship

Nelson, K. (2008).  We are the ship. NY: Hyperion.

Summary and Analysis 

The book entitled, We are the Ship by Kadir Nelson is the story of the Negro League baseball.  It explains how African Americans were not allowed to play professional baseball.  It tells the tale of their segregation and discrimination and how they struggled to play America's game.  The book is valuable example of an author's style.  Nonfiction books should be informative and enjoyable.  Nelson captures the love of baseball and the struggle to be able to play the game in this book to make this book enjoyable. The art work is breathtakingly realistic.  It incorporates documented facts (bibliography, end notes, acknowledgement, and filmography), while bringing to life the stories of the African American players on the teams.  

http://www.wearetheship.com/

Book Review ~ Me....Jane

McDonnell, P. (2011). Me...Jane. NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Summary

This is an easy to read biography of Jane Goodall's life starting with her childhood, her toy chimpanzee, and her dream of learning about and helping animals.




Analysis 
Me…Jane, by Patrick McDonnell uses the design approach to attract the readers.  This very easy biographical picture book on the life of Jane Goodall is designed for younger readers.  With the audience in mind, the author places one or two short sentences about Jane and her life on each page. There is large font, colorful, inviting artwork, and it ends with an actual photograph of the real Jane Goodall.  In the back of the book, the author has included a much more in depth article about the subject and websites readers can go to research more information.  


Read aloud

Book Reveiw ~ Rules

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

Summary
Catherine is a typical 12-year-old girl, but her home life is far from typical. Heryounger brother, David, has autism. She has made a list of rule to help David better
understand the world around him like: “No toys in the fish tank. “ and “Don’t standin front of the TV when other people are watching it.” Catherine’s love of drawinghelps her become friends with a paraplegic boy, Jason, as she illustrates word cardsfor his word book. As a community dance approaches, she struggles with her ownfeelings about Jason and what her other friends may think. Readers will beenthralled with this female main character as she defends her brother andtransforms her perception of what being “normal” or acting normal means.
Book Trailer

Cynthia Lord's Website*This site includes a teacher resource for her books.

Book Review ~ Skuldugger Pleasant

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

Summary

This is the first book in a series by Derek Landy.  In these fantasy books, Skulduggery Pleasant is an actual undead skeleton detective that also knows magic.  His arch nemesis is Nefarian Serpine and like most evil bad guys he wants to ruin the world as we know it.  In this book, Stephanie Edgley (who becomes Valkyrie Cain) inherits her uncle's fortune when he dies unexpectedly.  She becomes aware of this secret subculture and jumps right in with both feet.  Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain become partners to uncover her uncle's murder and foil the plot of the evil villain.

 Analysis 

Like most fantasy stories, the plot in this introduction book to a series starts in the real world without the main character realizing the magical world that she lived in undetected. There are many twists and turns in the plot as they try to defect the evil sorcerer.  Again we have a good versus evil theme along with a distinct style that includes vocabulary that only exists in these stories. 

Book Trailer

Teacher resources

http://www.worldbookday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Skulduggery-Resources.pdf

http://www.edhelper.com/books/Skulduggery_Pleasant_Scepter_of_the_Ancients.htm

*This is not for this first book, but for Scepter of the Ancients.

Book Review ~ Comic's Squad

Holm, J. (2014).  Comics squad: Recess! NY: HarperCollins

Summary
This book is full of eight comic shorts that include the popular characters Babymouse and Lunch Lady.  These humorous stories have many main stream like characters that are all somewhat school related; mainly recess.  This book is part of a series called Comic Squad.  There are also Babymouse and Lunch Lady books available all in the graphic novel format.

Analysis 

Comic’s Squad: Recess!  does take on the genre of fantasy in some of the short stories. are two very different forms of fantasy. Even though they are short, they follow the plot and design of a fantasy story.  The style of these books is very recognizable.  There are numerous books in this series that draw the attention of many readers. 

Book Trailer

Tweeks Review

Book Review ~ It's So Amazing

Harris, R. (1999). It's so amazing. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

Summary

There is a time in every parent's life that they dread...having "the talk" with their child.  This book has all the information that a parent could ever want to share about the male and female reproductive organs, puberty, birth, babies, and even on families.  Parents can chose to have their child read this book and then answer any questions or go over it with them together.  The book give factual information in the most child friendly way possible. It is full of resources as well.

Analysis
In addition to being accurate, a nonfiction book should have a clearly recognizable organization.  It’s So Amazing!, is organized into sections with a table of contents and an index. It explains the basics of anatomy before going into the more complex idea of reproduction.  This type of organization is patterning the information in a simple-to-complex format.  

Robie H. Harris' webstie

Book Review ~ Rapunzuel's Revenge

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

Summary and analysis

Rapunzel’s Revenge is a very different forms of fantasy.  I typically don't read graphic novels, which is the format of this book. In Rapunzel’s story, the author takes a traditional story that we have all heard and gives it a new twist.  Her character is definitely strong willed and determined to do the right thing.  Once she finds out that her “mother” Gothel was a cruel and magical dictator, she stands up against her.  This choice gets her locked in a magical tree tower.  Upon her escape, the reader is introduced to Jack.  These two characters stand up for what is right, but unfortunately have to bend or break a few rules to make it happen.  Even though these characters are technically fairytale characters, they are realistic enough, multidimensional individuals that grow and change, that a reader cares about them and their adventure to stop Mother Gothel.  This is also another story that entwines good versus evil themes throughout the pages.  It deals with the guilt of choices that are made (such as Jack destroying his mother’s house and stealing horses to get away from bad guys).

Book Trailer

Interview with the author

Book Review ~ Rosa

Giovannia, N. (2005). Rosa. NY: Holt.



Summary and Analysis

Rosa, by Nikki Giovanni, is a biography about a turning point in American history.  This book uses a completely different form of organization to inform the reader of an event that not only changed the life of Rosa Parks, but the lives of millions of people in America.  The author started the book on the morning of the incident.  It follows her through her regular day of work and her bus ride home.  By using chronological order in this manner,  the author is able to make the story of Rosa Park’s life changing bus ride and the repercussions of the following events easier for children to comprehend.  

Interview with the author

Lesson plans and activities

Scholastic - lesson plan ideas

Discussion Guide

http://gatheringbooks.org/2011/08/22/nonfiction-monday-rosa-nikki-giovanni-bryan-collier/

Book review ~ The Graveyard book

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

Summary

This fantasy book focuses more on the paranormal aspect of the genre.  Instead of going to another world, readers see a side of our world that they were unaware that existed.  The plot of this book begins in the real world that we all live in.  A family is being brutally murdered by an unknown assailant for an unknown reason.  Luckily, the baby manages to get out undetected.  He toddles his way to the cemetery where ghosts decided to protect and raise him as their own.  The plot follows a normal plot pattern sprinkled in with fantasy aspects.  The boy goes on small journeys, gets into trouble, and finally must face his family’s murderer.   This story also contains a universal theme.  Like many fantasy stories, there is the battle between good and evil forces.  The protagonist has to also deal with his internal battle of wanting to avenge his family’s death.  

Entire book read by the author during his book tour 

Activities for students

The Ghoul Gate

Teacher's Guide

*  Chapter tests, vocabulary words, etc...

Book Review ~ Out of my mind

Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. NY: Atheneum.* Out of all the books I have read in recent months, this one is my absolute favorite!!!Summary & AnalysisMelody is a tremendously intelligent girl with a photographic memory, but she isutterly unable to share her thoughts and knowledge. Melody was born withcerebral palsy. No matter how hard she tries Melody cannot communicateeffectively with others. She struggles daily with her frustrations as she is put in aneducational environment for mental disabled children. Finally, with the help of heraide at school, Melody learns of a computer that she can use to finally communicateher thoughts and wishes. Unfortunately, most of her classmates still do not accepther. Through these challenges, the reader can see Melody persevere and become astronger individual. Draper writes a superb plot with heart wrenching momentsand thrilling triumphs. This story told through Melody’s perspective will make givestudents and adults alike feel a new appreciation for others with disabilities afterexperiencing this powerful story.

Sharon Draper's webpage

Book Review ~ The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963

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

Summary

This Caldecott and Coretta Scott  King Honor book is told by 9 year old Kenny, the middle child of an African American family living in Michigan.  Kenny’s brother Byron is always in trouble.  He doesn’t follow the rules, skips schools, bullies other kids, and plays with fire.  The parents realize that the city of Flint is not the best environment for the boy.  The family plans and saves up to travel the long trip to Grandma’s house in Birmingham, Alabama. They are sure that Grandma can get him on the straight and narrow path again.  The children experience what living in the south during the 1960s was like.  Readers can begin to understand the confusion of the children as they experience racism for the first time.  This book is set in a specific time period and place in history when the south was in turmoil over civil rights and full of race related violence.  The author does include one actual event in history (the explosion of a church where four African American girls lost their lives).  Mr. Curtis uses dialect from the south where appropriate and expressions from the youth of the time.  This story of one family’s trip to the south will help readers to connect with the emotion of this particular time in history.

Hallmark Movie based on the book

Book Trailer

Lesson plans or activities

http://www.walden.com/watsons-go-to-birmingham-7-creative-classroom-activities/

Unit Plan for The Watsons

http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=7193&a=1

http://www.brighthubeducation.com/middle-school-english-lessons/89239-the-watsons-go-to-birmingham-activities/

Book Review ~ Love That Dog

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

Summary and Analysis

This is an interesting take on a journal or poetry book.  Poetry is usually considered a “girl thing.”  However, this shows how boys can also love it as well.  The appeal to students is that it is a different format than most books.  It is 100% written in first person and told by a child.  It appeals to students, because it shows that it is okay to be different. The selling point for this is that it is realistic and in the view of a child.

Other popular books by Sharon Creech

1.    Walk Two Moons

2.    The Great Unexpected

3.    Hate that Cat

The only similarity that jumps out at me is the fact that Hate that Cat and Love that Dog are a series of books with the same character.  The other two books are not related.  Ms. Creech style is noticeable in each book, but the stories stand alone. 

Teacher's Guide for Love that Dog (from Sharon Creech's website)