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Module 15 - Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging

Summary: Georgia Nicolson keeps a diary of her life, including running around with her best friend Jas, the antics of her half-wild cat Angus, fashion, makeup, and, of course, boys. Georgia falls for Robbie (the sex god), and Jas falls for his older brother, Tom. Robbie starts dating a girl a year ahead of Georgia in school, but eventually, he comes around, and he and Georgia are able to engage in the "full-frontal snogging" of the title.


Rennison, L. (2003). Angus, thongs and full-frontal snogging, confessions of georgia nicolson. New York, NY: HarperTeen.

My Impressions: This book is hilarious. I, admittedly, have an affinity for British humor, and many American girls would need to use the helpful glossary in the back, but the humor still shines through. The reviews compare Georgia to Bridget Jones, but I honestly think she is funnier. I laughed out loud several times in just the opening pages. Georgia is an imperfect person, which is relieving to read. So many books have these perfect, idealistic protagonists. There were times, as an adult, I disapproved whole-heartedly of what Georgia does, but overall, she is a typical teenager. She professes to hate school, except for the social aspect of it, she is obsessed with fashion and appearing "edgy" to impress the boy she likes. She and her friends make up lists to rank activity with the boys, she gossips, and she is embarrassed by her family. Typical teen. She ultimately hooks up with the "sex god" of her dreams, just before her mother announces a trip to New Zealand. The rest of Georgia's adventures are in a series - ten books in all.

Reviews:
"The 'confessions of Georgia Nicolson' include plenty of laughable situations involving disappearing eyebrows, a stuffed olive costume, and other catastrophes in the life of an unusual 14-year-old girl. But it's Georgia's frenetic, yet witty narration that elicits the best moments, as she ruminates on boys, death, parents, self-improvement, cats, yoga, and countless other topics. Her self-centered dramatics are fun because she describes them honestly and with fresh language peppered with slang and often unintended irony. Audio version available from Recorded Books." -- School Library Journal

Engelfried, S. (2005). Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson. School Library Journal, 51(6), 57.  Retrieved November 2, 2011, from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6387192.html.

"Sincerest flattery was surely Louise Rennison's intention with this unabashed imitation of Helen Fielding's adult bestseller, Bridget Jones's Diary. Fourteen-year-old Georgia Nicolson's journal is just like Bridget's: improbable but undeniably funny, with our comic British heroine forever finding herself in embarrassing predicaments....As in Fielding's novel, it's personality rather than plot that carries the book, and while Georgia isn't quite as hilarious as Bridget, she's a close second....One edge this American edition has over its adult counterpart is that the Brit talk has been left in, with an appended glossary provided by Georgia herself. This teenage Bridget Jones will appeal to young readers more interested in the concerns of their own age group, and Rennison's fans, like Helen Fielding's, will be glad to know there's a sequel forthcoming. It does seem less like writing and more like copying, but Bridget herself would probably applaud the author's audacity." -- Horn Book

Branbander, J. M. (2000). Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging; Confessions of Georgia Nicholson. Horn Book Magazine, 76(3), 320-321.  

Uses in the Library: Teen Read Week. Display encouraging kids to journal about their lives.

Module 14 - Gothic!: Ten Original Dark Tales

Summary: This book is a compilation of ten gothic(ish) stories, selected by editor Deborah Noyes. They range from the classically gothic ("Lungewater," by Joan Aiken) to the tongue-in-cheek ("Forgotten Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Nameless House of the Night of Dread Desire," by Neil Gaiman). The topics range from lost love to ghostly hauntings to tyrannical fathers to vampires to animal transformations.




D. Noyes (Ed.), (2004). Gothic!: Ten original dark tales Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.


My Impressions: As with any compilation, some stories are better than others. The opening story, "Lungewater," is the most quintessentially gothic piece, with a brooding hero, miscommunication, the metonymy of mood (dark, foggy weather, anyone?), and a hard to reach estate. However, it is a bit confusing, and while I understand why Noyes opened with the story, I think there were probably stronger options. "The Prank," by Gregory Maguire, is a modern take on the genre, told from the perspective of a young girl sent to stay with her great-aunt after committing a hate crime. She finds that her aunt has a good reason for wanting the girl to stay out of the attic. The horror and disgust the reader feels at the revelation of the secret is powerful. "Stone Tower," by Janni Lee Simner, is the story that will appeal most to teenaged girls. The story involves a tyrannical father who disapproves of the protagonist's boyfriend and turns him into a bird. The girl becomes a "good girl," hearing her father's voice direct her in everything she does. True love wins out in the end, and the lovers are reunited. Overall, this book will appeal to those in high school who lean a bit to the dark side.




Reviews:


"The slightly generic cover design and forthrightly generic title of this collection may lead many readers to expect shrieking heroines, dreary castles, lurking vampires, and other tropes of the gothic tradition. They wouldn’t be wrong, but they wouldn’t be exactly right, either. Sure, many of these original tales, by the likes of Joan Aiken, Neil Gaiman, Gregory Maguire, and Vivian Vande Velde,
ape the vocabulary of the genre ('necromancer,' 'escritoire') and play with its abundant clichés (a house has as many 'curses as it has spiders and silverfish'). But the maidens in peril still have to do
their homework; twisted events are as likely to transpire in American suburbs as in dreary castles (in M. T. Anderson’s exceptional 'The Dead Watch,' shapeshifting witches eat Triscuits and use ATMs); vampires whine about the garlic in the spaghetti sauce and then attack their babysitters. Ideal for high-school literature classes studying Shelley or Stoker (Gaiman’s smirking contribution, which toys with genre definitions, would work particularly well in the classroom), this collection also provides an excellent opportunity to introduce fans of Koontz, Rice, and King to some of the most imaginative exponents of YA dark fantasy." -- Booklist

Mattson, J. (2004). Gothic!: Ten Original Dark Tales (Book). Booklist, 101(4), 404. 


"These ten terrific tales are guaranteed to raise the hairs on your neck — and just possibly a scream in your throat. The well-balanced collection ranges in tone from dark humor to eerie mystery to true terror....Gothic, by definition, 'insists on the burden of the past,' writes Noyes in her introduction, and many protagonists here must pay for their own crimes—or even the crimes of others—with often-tragic results. Intrepid readers will relish the delicious shivers—but may want to keep the lights on." -- Horn Book

Adams, L. (2004). Gothic!: Ten Original Dark Tales. Horn Book Magazine, 80(6), 714-715. 

Uses in the Library: A companion lesson to Gothic literature, such as Frankenstein, or in a Halloween book talk.

Module 13 - Knights of the Lunch Table

Summary: Artie King is the new kid in school, and he's an unusual character. He alone is able to open the locker of legend. He has a science teacher, Mr. Merlyn, who acts as his conscience, he has good friends named Wayne and Percy and Gwen. This modernization of the Arthurian legends tells of an epic battle between Artie and his friends and the Horde in a match of dodgeball. Artie, in an effort to fit in, has over-exaggerated his skills on the court. He goes on quests to find a way for his team, the Knights, to win, including taming a "beast" and fetching a Swiss Army Knife for a mysterious older boy who rules Arcadia, the arcade at Hadrian's Mall. Artie and his team, through their virtuous natures, defeat the evil horde in the epic dodgeball match.

Cammuso, F. (2008). Knights of the lunch table: The dodgeball chronicles. New York, NY: Scholastic.

My Impressions: As the teacher of students who read Arthurian legends every year, I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The adventures of Artie King and his friends are colorful, fun, and simply told, with plenty of tongue-in-cheek lines and inside jokes for those well-versed in the Arthurian legends, including "Hadrian's Mall," Artie's sister Morgan, the science teacher Mr. Merlyn, Artie's enemy Joe Roman, and allusions to former students Terry White (i.e., T.H. White, of The Once and Future King fame) and Tommy Mallory (i.e., Sir Thomas Malory, the chronicler of Arthur and his knights in Le Morte d'Arthur). The story is so engaging and so fun that I had to get the sequel.

Reviews:

"The funny, fast-paced tale of young Arthur's quest to defeat the bullies stands well on its own. The appealing illustrations are full of color, action, and life. Point new fans to one of the many retellings of the deeds of the Round Table while they wait for the second volume in the series." -- School Library Journal

Gallego, B. (2008). Knights of the Lunch Table. School Library Journal, 54(7), 119. Retrieved November 2, 2011, from http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/printissue/currentissue/859403-427/graphic_novels.html.csp.

"...this full-color, action-packed graphic novel is classic hi-jinks that any kid who has ever been picked on will relish, especially when the nerds best the bad boys in a game notorious for humiliating the weak." --  Library Media Connection

Gorman, M. (2008). Getting graphic: Comic adventure for tweens.Library Media Connection, 27(3), 44. 


Permalink: https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:9443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35445476&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Uses in the Library:

This is a great way to introduce younger students to King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. It can also be used as an example for older students to take an old story and update it to modern times. 

Module 12 - Martin's Big Words

Summary: This is the story of Martin Luther King, Jr., told through the lens of some of his more famous words. From his youth, when he faced "Whites Only" signs on public places through his death in Memphis in 1968, the book uses King's words to continue his message of love and tolerance.

Rappaport, D., & Collier, B. (2008). Martin's big words, the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. New York, NY: Jump At The Sun.

My Impressions: This book is a brief, episodic history of Dr. King and his influence on the Civil Rights Movement. His "big words" helped shape him as a person and helped define a movement for equality in the United States. Almost every page has a situation described, then, in larger text, King's words. The pages turn suitably dark when the author describes the last couple of days in Memphis, ending on a picture of a stained glass version of King and the simple words, "His big words are alive for us today." This book is beautiful, well-written, and a great way to introduce the life of one of the greatest Americans.

Reviews:

"Elegant and accessible, this powerful homage to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and beliefs is illustrated with glorious collage art made of cut paper, photographs, and watercolors. The narrative is interspersed with quotes from King himself and raises questions about oppression, prejudice, racism, and overcoming violence in nonviolent ways. An evocative introduction to the man who championed racial equality and who 'taught others to fight with words, not fists.'"  -- School Library Journal

Ralston, J. (2003). Martin's Big Words (Book). School Library Journal, 49(10), 98.



"This is one book you can judge by its cover The space on the front jacket is entirely filled with a large, inviting portrait of a smiling Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the usual publication data (title, author, illustrator) are printed on the back. Inside, the text is a mix of Rappaport's finely honed biographical narrative and appropriate quotes from King himself, emphasizing the concept that from his youth Martin had sought to inspire others with his words, as he had heard his father do. The essential and pivotal events of King's life, including the early days of the civil rights movement, the march on Washington, and King's assassination, are presented in a straightforward yet moving style. The facts are extended by Bryan Collier's breathtaking collage illustrations, which dazzle, challenge, and inspire with their repletion of motifs (such as stained-glass windows) and the mixture of symbols and realism (as in the depiction of black Americans carrying a flag as they march for freedom). This exemplary biography of one of the great leaders of the twentieth century will remind another generation of the grandeur of his legacy." -- Horn Book

Burns, M. M. (2002). Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Horn Book Magazine, 78(1), 105-106

Uses in the Library: The obvious use is Black History Month, but it can also be used in speech classes to discuss the power of rhetoric.

Module 11 - Poop Happened!

Summary: This book is an anecdotal history of how humans have dealt with the topic of waste elimination throughout history, from the ancients through how astronauts go in space. The book discusses the (lack of) hygiene, diseases, and fashions of various times throughout history, albeit mostly in the Western World.

Albee, S., & Leighton, R. (2010). Poop happened!, a history of the world from the bottom up. New York, NY: Walker Books for Young Readers.

My Impressions: This is a fun book to thumb through, full of trivia about the ways humans have dealt with a serious topic often seen as taboo. The pages are visually appealing, although the book would be even more stunning in full-color. The puns are funny, the information interesting, and the writing very conversational. The gross-out factor is pretty high, so this book isn't for the faint of heart. However, the topic is dealt with fairly well, without too many graphic details left in to scandalize.

Reviews:

"With candid humor, this book spotlights an important aspect of history, discussing human waste, from prehistoric times to the present. Featuring photographs, reproduced images, and cartoons, Albee's exposé explores the spread of diseases, the history of plumbing, and cultural attitudes toward excrement and hygiene, along with delightfully uncouth anecdotes (French courtiers used the "feathers attached to the neck of a dead goose" to wipe their behinds). Descriptions of stinky 18th-century London and the plight of the great unwashed throughout time should leave readers grateful for their porcelain thrones and glad to have taken the down and dirty--but informative--journey. Ages 8-12."-- Publisher's Weekly

Poop Happened! A History of the World from the Bottom Up. (2010). Publishers Weekly, 257(18), 51. Retrieved November 2, 2011, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-8027-2077-1.

"With a focus on the Western world in general and England in particular, the author touches on an array of topics from diseases such as cholera and plague to the development of increased sanitation in large urban areas such as London. The exciting format is comprised of a two-color (pastel green and blue) layout with numerous illustrations and photos. Interesting sidebars describe occupations and "hygiene heroes" such as Edwin Chadwick and bathroom fashion. The fluid writing style that ensnares and holds readers' attention from beginning to end. By bringing history alive, this captivating work is without a doubt an essential purchase." -- School Library Journal

Odom, B. (2010). Poop Happened!: A History of the World from the Bottom Up. School Library Journal, 56(5), 126.  Retrieved November 2, 2011, from http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/884743-427/grades_5_amp_up.html.csp.

Uses in the Library: Support for history projects or a display of "Gross-Out" books that might bring in some of the more reluctant boy readers.
 

Module 10: A Big Cheese for the White House

Summary: The town of Cheshire, Massachusetts is known for its cheese, so when word comes that President Thomas Jefferson is using cheese from Norton, Connecticut, to serve his guests, John Leland comes up with a big plan to put Cheshire back on the map. Gathering milk from nearly 1000 cows, the townspeople work together to make a cheese wheel that weighs over 1200 pounds! John Leland and Phineas Dobbs travel together to take the cheese to Washington, D.C., where they present the giant wheel to President Jefferson at his residence.


Fleming, C., & Schindler, S. D. (2004). A big cheese for the white house, the true tale of a tremendous cheddar. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR).

My Impressions: The author sets a disclaimer at the beginning that all of the characters, except President Jefferson and John Leland, are fictional. The events are fictionalized, but a 1235 lb. cheddar was delivered to President Jefferson, where it lasted for years. The history is told as it needs to be: through the lens of the people involved in creating this mammoth cheese wheel. The story of the townspeople is engaging, and Phineas Dobbs, serving as the pessimistic foil to John Leland's optimist, is no less an engaging character for his dour predictions about the town's pet project. The author herself admits a few historical inaccuracies for the sake of story-telling, including calling Thomas Jefferson's presidential mansion "The White House," even though the White House wasn't called that for several years after the events of this book. This is a fun book to introduce kids to cheese-making and travel in the early days of the country.

Reviews:

"As she did in The Hatmaker's Sign, Fleming once again parlays a little-known historical nugget into a diverting picture book....With his finely detailed, droll pen and watercolor pictures, Schindler, who collaborated with Fleming on Madame LaGrande and Her So High, to the Sky, Uproarious Pompadour, wryly captures both the period flavor and tall-tale tone of the story. A satisfying, well-aged slice of American lore." -- Publisher's Weekly

A Big Cheese for the White House (August 30, 1999). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved November 2, 2011, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7894-2573-7.

"Sometimes, as this lively picture bock proves, truth is stranger than fiction. At the time of Jefferson's presidency, the folks in Cheshire, Massachusetts, home of the best cheese in the United States, "heard news that threatened to sour their curds forever."... How they solved problems...is a triumph of Yankee ingenuity documented in a reportorial, tongue-in-cheek style, extended in droll, elegantly limned pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations. The book is handsome — as pleasing to look at as it is delightful to read."  -- Horn Book

[A big cheese for the White House] [book review]. (1999). The Horn Book, 75(5), 594. 


Uses in the Library: This book would be great for a "slice of early American life" story time that includes a taste of traditionally made cheddar cheese (not the mass-produced and overly-processed cheese in Kraft singles). 

Module 9: They Never Came Back

Summary: Cathy is a young girl taking an intensive Latin course in a neighboring, well-to-do town. One day, during lunch, she is spotted by a boy named Tommy, who identifies her as his long-lost cousin Murielle. Cathy denies the claim, but the reader soon learns that Cathy is indeed Murielle, who disappeared when her parents were accused of embezzlement, ruining the lives of many around them. Cathy's classmates at the summer school take an intensive interest in her history and the case of her parents. They become convinced that Cathy is, indeed, Murielle. Once her cover is blown, the FBI hot on her parents' trail, Cathy must choose between her adoptive family and the aunt and cousins she left five years prior.

Cooney, C. B. (2010). They never came back. New York, NY: Delacorte Books for Young Readers.

My Impressions: I really did not like this book. It tries to be a mystery, but it reveals the truth by chapter five. It tries to make me feel sorry for Cathy/Murielle, which I did, for a while, but I came to realize that she is as manipulative as her parents were. I am supposed to root for Cathy to get back with her rich family, but I would have rather she stay with her foster family, who love her unconditionally. I was really bothered by the scene where Cathy's younger foster brother is taken from the family, which crushes them. Not two days later, Cathy forsakes these people who have given her a good home for her rich aunt. I feel that her primary motivation, like that of her parents, is money. The ending, wherein Cathy's classmates make a MySpace page for her and her parents answer, is far-fetched, and the ultimate resolution, when Cathy tells them to "RUN" is out of character for a girl who, not a chapter before, had talked about how much she hated her parents for putting her through all this. An unsatisfying read.

Reviews:

"Cooney’s (The Face on the Milk Carton ) tightly constructed thriller teems with suspense and has a touch of romance. The third-person narration initially switches between Cathy and 10-year-old Murielle, who is coping with her parents’ flight, but like the story itself, it evolves and grows in complexity. Through a large cast of convincing characters, Cooney expertly plumbs the lingering emotional aftereffects of the Lymans’ actions, raising difficult questions about family, loyalty, and self. Ages 12–up." -- Publisher's Weekly

They Never Came Back. (January 11, 2010). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved October 20, 2011 from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-385-73808-8




"Cooney has crafted another thriller with a lot of appeal. With chapters alternating between Murielle's past and Cathy's present, readers will speed through the pages. The book couldn't be more relevant in light of the Bernie Madoff scandal; Cooney's adaptation of a complex fraud story for this age group is interesting if one can look beyond some weaknesses. For example, Cathy's classmates at times come across as unrealistically invested in the possibility of Cathy being Murielle. This book will appeal to the same crowd that's been reading Cooney's reluctant-reader-friendly titles for years."
                                                                                       -- School Library Journal


Barnes, J. (January 1, 2010). They never came back. School Library Journal. Retrieved October 20, 2011 from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6712875.html.

Uses in the Library: The climax of this book is a great discussion starter for Teen Privacy Week and encouraging students to be safe with their information online. 

Module 8: The Grimm Legacy

Summary: Elizabeth has been forced to go to a new school because her stepmother has coerced her father into paying for her daughters' educations instead of Elizabeth's. After writing a paper on the historical aspects of the Brothers Grimm works, Elizabeth's history teacher sends her to the New York Circulating Material Repository to work as a page. The Repository houses items, not books, that people can check out. Elizabeth soon earns the right to access to the Grimm Collection, a room that holds actual magical items from fairy tales, such as Snow White's stepmother's mirror and the seven-league boots. Something strange is afoot, however. The items start disappearing and are being increasingly replaced with non-magical ones. Elizabeth and her fellow pages must discover who is behind the thefts and how to stop them. 

Shulman, P. (2011). The Grimm legacy. New York, NY: Puffin


My Impression: This is a fun book for those well-versed in fairy tale lore. There is typical teenage drama, including unrequited crushes, popularity issues, and the ubiquitous "evil stepmother" conflict. Since the book is told from Elizabeth's perspective, the reader is taken along her journey of trusting, then mistrusting, then trusting her friends. We feel her jealousy at the other pages' romance and her embarrassment at Snow White's mirror revealing hidden feelings between her and another page. The pages break rules, subvert authority, and sneak around, but it is all for the best of the repository. Their adventure in saving the artifacts, and two of their friends' lives, is a fun adventure reminiscent of some of the best of children's fantasy.

Reviews:

"This modern fantasy has intrigue, adventure, and romance, and the magical aspects of the tale are both clever and intricately woven, from rhyming charms to flying-carpet rides. The author brings the seemingly disparate elements together in the end, while still making certain that her protagonist's problems are not completely solved by the world of magic. Shulman's prose is fast paced, filled with humor, and peopled with characters who are either true to life or delightfully bizarre. Fans of fairy tales in general and Grimm stories in particular will delight in the author's frequent literary references, and fantasy lovers will feel very much at home in this tale that pulls out all the stops." - School Library Journal


Menaldi-Scanlan, N. (June 1, 2010). Grades 5 & up: The Grimm Legacy. School Library Journal. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/printissue/currentissue/884612-427/grades_5_amp_up.html.csp.


"Shulman (Enthusiasm) intermingles classic fairy tale elements and modern-day conflicts in this clever novel set in New York City. The story begins when teenager Elizabeth Rew lands a plum part-time job, working as a page in the "New-York Circulating Material Repository," an institution housing rare objects to be lent to an exclusive circle of patrons. The most secret and by far most interesting section of the building is the basement, where magic objects mentioned in the Grimm Brothers' tales are stored. Much to the librarians' dismay, however, some of these valuable items go missing. With the help of her fellow pages, Elizabeth gets to the bottom of the mystery, but catching the thief poses enormous danger and necessitates the aid of some powerful equipment, including Snow White's mirror, a pair of winged sandals, and a magical golden key. Mixing tongue-in-cheek humor (like the magic mirror's blunt appraisal of Elizabeth's beauty: "Bitsy Rew is brave and true./ A pity she's not pretty too") with suspense, Shulman conjures an enticing slice of magic realism that fairy tale buffs should relish. Ages 10–up." - Publisher's Weekly.

The Grimm legacy (June 28, 2010). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved October 13, 2011, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-25096-5.

Uses in the Library: This could be used to support a unit on fairy tales, or to highlight an often overlooked genre, urban fantasy. 

Module 7: If I Stay

Summary: Mia, a 17 year old cellist, is involved in a horrific car accident that kills the rest of her family. While Mia's body lies comatose in the ICU, her spirit must reflect on her life and her future and decide whether she should stay or move on. She deals with her insecurities, including whether to travel to Julliard or stay with her boyfriend in Oregon, her quality of life without her family, and what her leaving will mean to her grandparents and friends.

Forman, G. (2010). If i stay. New York, NY: Puffin.

My Impressions: This book hooked me. I was an orchestral musician in high school, although not as talented as Mia, and I was able to identify with her passion for music. The car crash scene was perfectly surreal and hyper-real simultaneously, and the rest of the book kept me eager to find out Mia's decision. The book is well-written, the characters real, and the debate in Mia's mind excruciating. Should she continue her life of such promise and be with her boyfriend, her best friend, her grandparents? Or should she succumb, forfeiting all the grief she'd feel knowing she was the sole survivor of her family's tragic car crash? Forman keeps you guessing until the end, and she makes a good case for both sides.

Reviews:

"Forman creates a cast of captivating characters and pulls readers into a compelling story that will cause them to laugh, cry, and question the boundaries of family and love....Readers will find themselves engrossed in Mia's struggles and will race to the satisfying yet realistic conclusion. Teens will identify with Mia's honest discussion of her own insecurities and doubts. Both brutal and beautiful, this thought-provoking story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned." - School Library Journal


Rashid, L. (May 1, 2009). Grades 5 & up: If I stay. School Library Journal. Retrieved October 8, 2011, from http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/857319-427/grades_5_amp_up.html.csp.


"Intensely moving, the novel will force readers to take stock of their lives and the people and things that make them worth living. Ages 14–up." - Publisher's Weekly.

If I stay. (March 2, 2009). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved October 8, 2011, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-525-42103-0.

Uses in the Library: Teen read week. It also might be useful as a conversation starter before prom, homecoming, etc., to discourage drinking and driving. Even though Mia's dad isn't at fault, the agonizing decisions Mia must make as she hangs between life and death might make some kids stop and think twice about driving drunk.

 

Module 7: The Other Half of My Heart

Summary: Minni and Keira King are one-in-a-million twins: Minni is fair with red hair, like their father, and Keira is dark skinned like their mother. Minni and Keira are the best of friends, with an unbreakable bond, until their grandmother from North Carolina calls them out to participate in the Miss Black Pearl of America Program. Minni faces complete acceptance from their grandmother but racism from the other girls in the pageant, while Keira finally feels like she belongs with the other girls, but her grandmother is hyper-critical of her. The girls learn that it isn't easy being in the other's shoes, and the conflict threatens their relationship. Through the strife of the pageant, Minni and Keira come to realize that they are each other's best support - two halves of the same heart.


Frazier, S. T. (2012). The other half of my heart. New York, NY: Yearling Books.

My Impression: This is now one of my favorite young adult books. The strife Minni and Keira feel is palpable. Minni's confusion, heartbreak, and ultimate realization that she isn't as saintly as she thought she was is a lesson that many young girls need to learn. The characters are realistic; the only two-dimensional character really is the twins' father, who is wonderfully supportive but a bit cardboard. The women in the story are nicely rounded. Grandmother Johnson, who starts out as a bit of a caricature, eventually gets her chance to show the girls who she is and her motivation for worrying over Keira's kinky hair and darker skin. This is one of the best realistic fiction novels for upper elementary/middle school students I have read.


Reviews:

"As in Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It (Delacorte, 2007), Frazier addresses issues faced by mixed-race children with a grace and humor that keep her from being pedantic. The story is enjoyable in its own right, but will also encourage readers to rethink racial boundaries and what it means to be black or white in America." - School Library Journal

Dare, K. (July 1, 2010). Grades 5 & up: The other half of my heart. School Library Journal. Retrieved October 7, 2011, from http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/printissuecurrentissue/883830-427/grades_5-up.html.csp.

"Funny and deeply affecting, this novel by the Steptoe Award winner for Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It (2007) revisits the still largely unexplored world of multiracial heritage....Frazier highlights the contradictions, absurdities, humor and pain that accompany life as a mixed-race tween. Never didactic, this is the richest portrait of multiracial identity and family since Virginia Hamilton's 1976 novel Arilla Sun Down. An outstanding achievement." -- Kirkus Reviews

 The Other Half of My Heart. (2010). Kirkus Reviews, 78(10), 462.


Uses in the Library: Black History Month, or as part of a display of books about family.

Module 6: My Friend is Sad

Summary: Gerald the Elephant is sad, so his dear friend Piggie decides to cheer him up. She dons various costumes, but nothing seems to work. Eventually, Piggie finally presents herself to Gerald without a costume, trying to figure out why Gerald is so sad when he's seen all these wonderful characters.  Gerald moans, "But you were not there to see [them]!" Piggie learns that having friends around is more important than being entertained by costumes. She also realizes, in typical Mo Willems style, that Gerald needs new glasses.

Willems, M. (2007). My friend is sad. New York, NY: Hyperion.

My Impressions: I love the Elephant & Piggie books. Okay, I actually love pretty much anything Mo Willems does. Gerald and Piggie have a sweet, supporting relationship. There is little text on each page, and what is there is graphically designed to indicate emphasis, so it is a perfect book to help kids learn expressive reading. The sly asides to the audience are entertaining for kids as well as adults. Willems often breaks the fourth wall in his books, and the results are hysterical.

Reviews:

"Nevertheless, even inexperienced readers will not be busy long, whether or not they pause to chuckle at the dueling characters' changing facial expressions. Compared to Willems's more nuanced character studies, these episodes feel all too brief. Still, readers will likely clamor for more." - Publisher's Weekly


Today I will fly!; My friend is sad. (February 26, 2007). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved September 29, 2011, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4231-0295-3.

"When Elephant appears to be inconsolable, Pig pulls out all the stops to cheer him up–dressing like a cowboy, doing clown tricks, and acting like a robot. But when nearsighted Elephant confesses that he just wants to be with Pig, the two friends find that the solution was right there in front of Elephant the whole time." - School Library Journal 


My friend is sad. (March 26, 2008). School Library Journal. Retrieve September 29, 2011 from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6544806.html.

Uses in the Library: A storytime themed around friendship or emotions would be a great venue for this book. 

Module 5: Esperanza Rising

Summary: Esperanza is a young wealthy Mexican girl who is raised on a ranch in Aguascalientes. Her parents dote on her, and she is supremely happy. Tragedy strikes early in the novel when Esperanza's father is brutally murdered by bandits, and her scheming uncle tries to force her mother to marry him. when she refuses, he burns the ranch. The only hope Esperanza and her mother have is to accompany their former servants to America, where promises of work in California have drawn many thousands of other refugees from all parts of the United States and Mexico. Unfortunately, the Dust Bowl victims and the Mexican nationals are trapped. They have no money, and there are few jobs. The owners of the land in California keep wages as low as they can by pitting starving men and women against each other. Esperanza goes through an utter transformation, from spoiled rich girl to hard-working, caring young woman who puts others before herself.

Ryan, P. M. (2002). Esperanza rising. New York, NY: Blue Sky Press.

My Impressions: Esperanza is a plucky heroine. Even though she is spoiled, I never got the feeling she was ungrateful for her lot in life. She is keenly aware of the separation between her and the other classes, and while living in penury is challenging, Esperanza is willing to learn. Is it hard? Sure. Is her life easy once she adapts? No. Esperanza is a hard-working, willing learner. There really is a small adjustment period between her leaving Mexico and her resolve to make the best of her new life. This actually speaks volumes to Esperanza's upbringing. Her parents, while loving and indulgent, instilled proper values in their daughter, which makes her adjustment to life in a migrant camp perhaps a little easier than it would be otherwise. Even so, it doesn't detract from the disparity of Esperanza's existence before and after her father's murder.

 Reviews:

"Ryan poetically conveys Esperanza's ties to the land by crafting her story to the rhythms of the seasons. Each chapter's title takes its name from the fruits Esperanza and her countrymen harvest, firs in Aguascalientes, then in California's San Joaquin Valley. Ryan fluidly juxtaposes world events...with one family's will to survive - while introducing readers to Spanish words and Mexican customs. Readers will be swept up by vivid descriptions of California dust storms or by the police crackdown on a labor strike....Ryan delivers subtle metaphors via Abuelita's pearl's of wisdom, and not until story's end will readers recognize how carefully they have been strung. Ages 9-14." - Publisher's Weekly.

Esperanza rising. (September 11, 2000). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved on September 26, 2011, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-439-12041-8.


"Esperanza's struggles begin amidst class unrest in post-revolutionary Mexico and intersect with labor strikes in the United States, which serve to illustrate the time period's prevailing hostility toward people of Mexican descent. In one of the more glaring injustices she witnesses, striking workers, who were born American citizens and have never set foot on Mexican soil, are loaded onto buses for deportation. Through it all, Esperanza is transformed from a sheltered aristocrat into someone who can take care of herself and others. Although her material wealth is not restored in the end, the way it is for Sara Crewe [of Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess], she is rich in family, friends, and esperanza — the Spanish word for hope." -- Horn Book

 Happermann, C. M. (2001). Esperanza Rising. Horn Book Magazine, 77(1), 96.


Uses in the Library:

A perfect book for display in Hispanic Heritage Month.

It could also be used in a book club that learns to crochet as Esperanza does as they listen to someone read the book.

Module 5: Zora and Me

Summary: Told from the perspective of Zora Neale Hurston's childhood friend, Zora and Me details a time in the lives of the girls when their town is upset by the deaths of a couple of their men. Zora claims she sees a "Gator King" whom she blames for the troubles. The others do not believe her, and Carrie finds herself in the position of having to defend her friends to the rest of the community. They risk much to discover the truth, with help from a kindly white man from the town over. They deal with racism, the idea of "passing" for white, and why people would kill someone based on skin color.

Bond, V., & Simon, T. R. (2010). Zora and me. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick.


My Impressions: This was a fun, imaginative way to address some of the more serious issues of the deep South in the early part of the twentieth century. The over-reaction of the children, who are outraged by the events, along with the quiet resignation of the adults, reminds me of the quotation from To Kill a Mockingbird: "They did it before and they'll do it again, and when they do it - it seems that only children cry." Carrie is perfectly happy to stay where she is, but her friend Zora knows she is going places. Zora knows she must try to make a difference.


 Reviews:

"A spirit of gentleness pervades this story, along with an air of mystery and natural magic....The authors have taken great care with historical accuracy, and the book is endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust. Zora’s reputation for tall tales and her urge to see the world are directly tied to the real Hurston’s natural storytelling ability and desire to travel. A brief biography, time line, and annotated bibliography are included." - School Library Journal


Knapp, M. (November 1, 2010). Grades 5 & up: Zora and me. School Library Journal. Media Source, Inc. Retrieved September 25, 2011, from http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/reviewsgrade5andup/887014-316/grades_5__up.html.csp.



"Debut authors Bond and Simon do their subject proud, spinning a tale about the childhood of writer Zora Neale Hurston, who 'didn't have any trouble telling a fib or stretching a story for fun"....The maturity, wisdom, and admiration in Carrie's narration may distance some readers from her as a 10-year-old ('The bad things that happen to you in life don't define misery—what you do with them does'). Nevertheless, the authors adeptly evoke a racially fraught era and formative events—whether they're true or true enough—in Hurston's youth. Ages 10–up." - Publisher's Weekly


Zora and me. (September 27, 2010). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved on September 25, 2011, from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7636-4300-3.

Uses in the Library: Black History Month, in conjunction with a book by Zora Neale Hurston.

 

Module 4: The Graveyard Book

Summary: The story opens with murder. A toddler has somehow escaped the slaughter of his entire family and makes his way down the road to the graveyard, where sympathetic ghosts take him in and raise him for his parents. The ghosts understand what the child does not: that the murder of his family was really an effort to kill him. The ghosts christen him Nobody Owens, or "Bod" for short. Bod grows up happily, learning to fade away, move in and out through solid surfaces, and other ghostly activities. Bod eventually grows up, though, and must be re-assimilated into the land of the living. He tries a stint at school, which is largely unsuccessful. When his presence among the living is noticed by the society who seeks his death, Bod must travel to a dark and dangerous place to overthrow them once and for all.

Gaiman, N., & McKean, D. (2008). The graveyard book. New York: Harper Collins Children's Books.

My Impressions: This book captivated me from the opening page. I was almost desperate to see what would become of the baby who escaped his family's murder. The genius of Gaiman's writing is that he takes a scene that should be completely emotionally charged and somehow renders it impassive without detracting from its impact. Every time the book seemed to veer toward the emotional, the maudlin nature vanished, like the ghosts in the graveyard. The story of Bod's growing up with such a rag tag group of mentors harkens back to Oliver Twist and many other orphan stories, but the take is so original the reader doesn't mind the homage. The climax is suitably suspenseful, and the final confrontation with the Man Jack is eerie and triumphant, all in one. Gaiman said he was surprised this book won the Newbery, as he didn't intend to write a children's book. The book, however, is a bildungsroman that transcends both the age of its protagonist and the ages of its readers to have a broad appeal.

Reviews:

"A lavish middle-grade novel, Gaiman's first since Coraline , this gothic fantasy almost lives up to its extravagant advance billing. The opening is enthralling....When the chilling moments do come, they are as genuinely frightening as only Gaiman can make them, and redeem any shortcomings. Ages 10–up." - Publisher's Weekly

The graveyard book. (September 29, 2008). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved September 15, 2011 from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-053092-1.

"Lucid, evocative prose...and dark fairy-tale motifs imbue the story with a dreamlike quality. Warmly rendered by the author, Bod's ghostly extended family is lovable anachronistic; their mundane, old-fashioned quirks add cheerful color to a genuinely creepy backdrop....Gaiman's assured plotting is as bittersweet as it is action-filled - the ending, which is also a beginning, is an unexpected tearjerker - and makes this ghost-story-cum-coming-of-age-novel as readable as it is accomplished." -- Horn Book

 Gross, C. E. (2008). [The graveyard book] [book review]. The Horn Book, 84(6).

Uses in the Library: A display of "spooky reads" for Halloween.

Module 4: The Giver

Summary: Jonas lives in a seemingly perfect world. Each person is given a profession that matches his or her personality. There are particular rituals everyone faces during their lives: the distribution of children to the family units, the first bicycles, etc. Jonas is due for his Ceremony of Twelve, in which he and all of his peers will be selected for their own professions. To Jonas' surprise, he is selected to be trained by the Receiver, the keeper of memories and knowledge. As Jonas trains with the Receiver (whom he calls "the Giver," he learns that his perfect society isn't so perfect after all. He learns of war and poverty and violence, and he learns that undesirables, such as the weak infants and the elderly, are euthanized. He also learns to see in color, to understand the beauty of the real world around him. Unable to stand the hypocrisy of his world, he snatches a baby due for "liquidation" and takes off into the wilderness to seek a better life.



Lowry, L. (2002). The giver. New York, NY: Dell Laurel Leaf.

My Impressions: I teach dystopian literature, and year after year, my students remember this book with great fondness. I was glad I had the chance to read it. The Giver is bleak, no doubt. As an adult, I could see where the treatment of the geriatrics was going before middle school students, but it did not lessen the impact of the revelation Jonas experiences. Lowry is gifted in making predictable scenes feel suspenseful, as the Ceremony of Twelve is. The reader knows from the cover, the blurbs, and from lots of clues that Jonas will be picked to be the next Receiver, but the Ceremony scene still urges us to keep reading, to continue on. As Jonas realizes that his perfect town is really a lie, the reader feels just as disillusioned and disheartened as he. We feel the weight of the burden that is being the Receiver as well as the beauty that comes with it. In this short novel, Lowry helps her readers appreciate the vast range of the human experience - the highs AND the lows.

Reviews:

"In a departure from her well-known and favorably regarded realistic works, Lois Lowry has written a fascinating, thoughtful science-fiction novel....The story is skillfully written; the air of disquiet is delicately insinuated. And the theme of balancing the values of freedom and security is beautifully presented." -- Horn Book

Flowers, A. A. (1993). The Giver. Horn Book Magazine, 69(4), 458.  Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

"Despite occasional logical lapses, The Giver, a powerful and provocative novel, is sure to keep older children reading. And thinking." -- New York Times

Karen, R. (1993). Children's books. New York Times Book Review, 26.  Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Uses in the Library:

The Giver always tops the list of challenged books, so it is perfect for a Banned Books Week display.
 

Module 3 - Officer Buckle and Gloria

Summary: Officer Buckle is serious about safety. He lectures to crowds on the importance of being safe, but his lectures tend to put people to sleep. Enter Gloria, Officer Buckle's police dog. As Buckle gives his speech, Gloria mimes each safety tip behind him on stage. The audiences cheer, and Buckle thinks he's finally broken through. When he sees a clip of himself and Gloria on the news, he feels hurt, but eventually, Buckle comes to love working with Gloria because she helps him get his message across to all the people.


Rathmann, P. (1995). Officer Buckle and Gloria. New York, NY: Putnam Juvenile.


My Impressions:  The illustrations in this book are so charming. Gloria's antics are as funny for the reader as they are for the students at the school. The story is of a sweet relationship between a police officer and his dog. Ultimately, they decide that their styles can work together and decide that sticking with your buddy is the best safety tip of all. The end papers have great illustrations of Gloria acting out more of Officer Buckle's safety tips. There are plenty of jokes for the adults to enjoy in the background while the children laugh at Gloria's re-enactments of Officer Buckle's safety tips.

Reviews:

" Rathmann's high-voltage cartoons, outlined in black ink for punchy contrast, capture her characters' every feeling, from Gloria's hammy glee and Buckle's surprised satisfaction to Gloria's shame at having tricked her partner. In a sound and sensitive conclusion, Gloria's disastrous attempt to go solo inspires Buckle's 'best safety tip yet': 'Always stick with your buddy!'" - Publisher's Weekly

Officer Buckle and Gloria. (September 25, 1995). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved September 9, 2011 from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-22616-8.

 "Filled with both slapstick and subtle humor, Rathmann's Caldecott Medal-winning artwork makes this a fun read for all ages." -- Book Links

 Lempke, S. (2004). Officer Buckle and Gloria (Book). Book Links, 13(4), 40.

Uses in the Library:

This is a great book for Community Helpers week to read to young students about some of the other great things that police officers do.  

Module 3 - The Lion and the Mouse

Summary:This is a wordless re-telling of Aesop's fable of the Lion and the Mouse. Pinkney uses no words, other than onomatopoeia to represent the animal sounds and the scratching of the mouse's teeth against the poachers' ropes.

Pinkney, J. (2009). Lion and the mouse. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.


My Impressions: The illustrations in this book are simply wonderful. The story, set on the African Savannah, highlights not only the interactions between the title characters, but also the idea of family. The mouse, upon release from the lion, rushes back to her nest. After she returns the favor and saves the lion's life, she returns to her babies again. The animals are realistic while being slightly anthropomorphic. Their expressions are spot on, and the warmth of the Savannah comes through the warm tones of the watercolor paintings.

Reviews:

" Pinkney enriches this classic tale of friendship with another universal theme—family—affectingly illustrated in several scenes as well as in the back endpapers, which show the lion walking with his mate and cubs as the mouse and her brood ride on his back. Pinkney's artist's note explains that he set the book in Africa's Serengeti, 'with its wide horizon and abundant wildlife so awesome yet fragile—not unlike the two sides of each of the heroes'....Pinkney has no need for words; his art speaks eloquently for itself. Ages 3–6. (Sept.)" - Publisher's Weekly

The lion and the mouse. (July 27, 2009). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved September 8, 2011 from    http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-316-01356-7

"[Pinkney's] newest book has a singular ability to do something most artists do not even hope to try for. It is appealing to both die-hard Pinkney fans and the folks who could take him or leave him. Everybody likes this book. It's actually a little weird, but who are we to argue? The Lion and the Mouse takes a classic Aesop tale and spins it into wordless picture book gold. A must have, and a must purchase." -- School Library Journal

Bird, E. (July 20, 2009). Review of the day: The lion and the mouse by Jerry Pinkney. School Library Journal. Retrieved September 8, 2011 from http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2009/07/20/review-of-the-day-the-lion-and-the-mouse-by-jerry-pinkney/

Uses in the Library:

This book could be used as an example to get kids to re-interpret and draw their own version of one of Aesop's fables. 







 

Module 2: Harriet the Spy

Summary: Harriet M. Welsch wants to be a writer. She is never found without her notebooks, and she spends her afternoon "spying" on her neighbors, really for character study more than anything else. Sport, her best friend, is a boy whose dad is an absent-minded writer. Sport has to do all the cooking and cleaning in his house. Harriet's parents are socialites who are more interested in their superficial status than their own daughter. Harriet is essentially raised by her nanny, Ole Golly, who is no-nonsense but who understands Harriet. She is Harriet's only grounding force in the book.

Harriet is brutally honest in her observations she keeps in her notebook, as all writers should be. Her life seems fine, until two traumatic events happen: Ole Golly takes off and gets married, and Harriet's notebook is found by her classmates. Harriet must face their wrath and learn how to navigate the social world without her moral compass. She ultimately comes to understand that little white lies to spare your friends' feelings are far better than complete honesty all of the time.

Fitzhugh, L. (2001). Harriet the spy. New York, NY: Yearling.

My Impression: I really wanted to like this book. I was a precocious child myself, and one who would rather wear jeans than dresses. I understand Harriet. However, as an adult and a parent, I could not enjoy this book. I don't mind reading about characters with absent, frivolous parents. I don't mind reading about characters who are raised by nannies. I don't mind reading about characters in conflict with their peers. What I do mind is how mean-spirited much of the book was. Harriet is brutal in her observations. Her friends' responses to finding her writing is over-the-top, and even Harriet's making good on the issue involves spreading gossip and nasty rumors (even if they're true) about her friends' parents. The classmates only let up on Harriet when they can point the finger and laugh at someone else.

Harriet suffers no disciplinary consequences for her actions. The only suffering she does is being temporarily ostracized by her class, many of whom she looked at with disdain before the notebook incident. Her parents stay unconnected to her, ineffectual and lenient, like she is a doll to play with occasionally. The only time they really seem to care deeply for her is the night Harriet goes out with Ole Golly and her beau. When they return late, Harriet's parents rage against the "lower class" people and fire Ole Golly on the spot. Eventually, they calm down and let Ole Golly stay until she leaves to marry. One might think that this incident might change their ways, but no. At the end of the book, Harriet's parents announce they are going to live in Paris for three months without Harriet. They are just going to leave her in the hands of their cook, who doesn't like Harriet at all. With parents like those as role models, it's no wonder that Harriet is so mean-spirited about others.


Reviews:

"Harriet M. Welsch's watershed brand of cantankerousness, considered outrageous and unattractive in the sixties when her story was first published, still has a contemporary authenticity to it. Rebellion is, after all, rebellion, and the brand of privileged neglect that Harriet experiences has not yet gone out of fashion." -- Horn Book

 Beavin, K. (1999). Harriet the Spy. Horn Book Magazine, 75(6), 762. 

"As a milestone of the "new realism" in U.S. children's literature, Harriet the Spy changes the rules. Harriet does not feel fictional, and that is her power and her allure. In previous so-called realist books such as Five Little Peppers and How They Grew and Little Women, the parents are glowingly idealized and the children irritatingly "good." Fitzhugh does not shy away from the fact that home life can be less than perfect." -- Ms.

Dodds, K. (1996). Harriet the Spy: A hero for the '90s. Ms, 7(1), 80.

Uses in the Library

 This book could be used as a starter for a writing club. The students could be encouraged to keep a journal like Harriet's (although maybe not as brutally honest about their classmates!).

Module 2: The Big Red Barn

Summary: The simple story of a day in the life of the animals on a farm is told through basic rhyme and endearing illustrations. The book covers from dawn until the "moon sails high/in the deep night sky."


Brown, M. W., & Bond, F. (1992). Big red barn. New York, NY: HarperFestival.

My Impression: The sleepy language of this book makes it good bedtime reading. The pace and the rhythm slow down as the day progresses. Perhaps too simple for young school children, this book works well with toddlers, who are learning the names and sounds of the various animals found on a farm. This is a book I've read many times to my own children, and the text almost invites you to read the last couple of pages in a hushed voice. There is something comforting about the simplicity of Brown's text, and Bond's pictures are sweet and realistic, without being too complicated.

Reviews:

"Brown's simple story comes to life with Bond's new illustrations. Originally published in 1956, this is the story of a wide variety of animals who live in the big red barn. The rhymed text tells of the animals from sunrise to dark. The large illustrations are somewhat stylized, but still have a strong sense of detail and reality. The bright colors will attract young readers. The short text on each page is superimposed on the picture, but always in a way that is easy to read. children will enjoy studying each of the pages as the day progresses from early morning to night. Some readers will discover that there is a butterfly on almost every page. Even if the original edition is available, this one is having. -- School Library Journal

 Younce, E.(1989). Big Red Barn (Book). School Library Journal, 35(10), 84.


"A very peaceful ending makes this an informational book suitable for bedtime reading." -- The Reading Teacher

DeGroff, L. (1990). Informational books: Topics and structures. Reading Teacher, 43(7), 496-501.



Uses in the Library:

This is a great book for story time with toddlers. They love to hear the different sounds the animals make, and the text is short and simple enough to keep their attention.

Another use might be to use during Western Day festivities in the spring. In my district, we hold a Western Day during the opening of the Rodeo season. Students are encouraged to dress as cowboys and cowgirls. In this largely suburban community, few realize what life on a farm is really like.  

Module 1: Bats at the Library

Summary:  Someone has left a window to the library ajar. The bats, bored of their night flight and bug-eating, rush in to enjoy the books inside. The little ones resist sitting still, but eventually, they all become engrossed in books and read until the dawn. 

Lies, B. (2008). Bats at the library. Boston: Follettbound.




My Impression: Brian Lies' followup to his popular book Bats at the Beach tells the story of a colony of bats who get word that a window has been left open at their favorite haunt: the library. Told in delightful rhyme, with plenty of alliteration and onomatopoeia to make the trip even more exciting, Lies portrays the bats as avid readers who cherish the rare occasion they can sneak into the library and lose themselves in books. He describes the difference between the neophyte young bats, who are at first more intrigued by the copy machine and overhead projector, and the older bats, who settle in immediately to pick up where they left off in their favorite stories. Eventually, all the bats find themselves engrossed in classic children's literature that has been "bat-i-fied" through Lies beautiful artwork: Peter Rabbit, Mr. Toad, the Velveteen Rabbit, and many other beloved characters are transformed into bats. Ultimately, the bats nearly overstay their night in the library, and the message is clear: there is a wondrous world to be found in books. The world of Lies' bats is no exception. I absolutely love this book and can't wait to buy it for my own library at home. The illustrations are just beautiful, and Lies is able to capture such winsome personalities in the little bats' faces. The rhythm of the text, combined with the beautiful paintings makes this book a great choice for young readers.



Reviews for Bats at the Library
"Lies's (Bats at the Beach ) much-lauded bats are back and the library's got them—thanks to a window left open by an unsuspecting (or perhaps sympathetic) librarian. Although the young ones initially misbehave (they make photocopies of their bodies and turn the water fountain into a splash pool), Lies cuts them a little slack: “It's hard to settle down and read/ when life flits by at dizzy speed.” Story time settles everyone (upside-)down, and soon the furry creatures are “completely swallowed up” in books, giving Lies comic license to bat-tify the signature visuals from classics like Make Way For Ducklings ; Pippi Longstocking ; Goodnight, Moon and Peter Rabbit . As with its predecessor, this book's richly detailed chiaroscuro paintings find considerable humor at the intersection where bat and human behavior meet. But the author/artist outdoes himself: the library-after-dark setting works a magic all its own, taking Lies and his audience to a an intensely personal place. Ages 4–8." -- Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review

Bats at the library (August, 2008). Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved August 28, 2011 from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-618-99923-1.

"PreS-Gr 3—In this companion to Bats at the Beach (Houghton, 2006), Lies pays homage to the pleasures to be found within libraries and books. The story opens on three winged creatures clinging to an autumnal branch against the backdrop of evening. Observant readers will recognize the young bat with yellow "water wings" from the earlier title and notice that the chimney and trees at the top of the page point downward—a cue to attend to perspective. The bats are bored, but an antidote is announced: someone left a window open in the library. The golden glow from spotlights on the side of the building and an Arts and Crafts-style reading lamp illuminate the nocturnal adventures in this handsome, traditional space. The bats cluster according to interests. Some peruse "guides to fancy foods" (insect books) and form literary discussion groups. The younger mammals make images of themselves at the copier, frolic in the fountain, play at the computer, and explore the gingerbread castle in a pop-up book. An impromptu storytime brings everyone together, however, and after the pint-size protagonist is literally drawn into the featured book, two spreads reveal a montage of scenes from classic stories, with bats in the starring roles. Lies's acrylics are a successful fusion of fantasy and reality. The rhyming narrative is generally smooth, with enough humor and sophistication to propel readers along. And who can argue with the message?" -- School Library Journal

Lukehart, W. (Nov. 1, 2008). [Review of Bats at the Library]. School Library Journal(11). Retrieved August 28, 2011 from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6611759.html.

Uses in the Library

This book would be a great Halloween tie-in for a night-time story hour. Bats are just spooky enough to work with the season, but friendly enough not to scare the smallest of patrons.

Another possible tie-in would be for librarians in Austin, TX, or Whites City, NM, and their bat colonies. The library could sponsor "Befriend a Bat Night," teach patrons about the benefits of bats as well as their own bat colonies, and raise awareness for conservation of these amazing creatures.