More Real Life Tales

MODULE 7: REALISTIC FICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS
October 12-18



Flush
By: Carl Hiassen
Ages 12-14

Summary:

This book is about a nice kid named Noah, and his equally nice sister Abbey. They represent the average youth growing up in the United States and they face problems and challenges many other ordinary kids face every day. For example, one everyday problem is that there is some tension between their parents who constantly bicker and argue over Paine's, the father's, decisions. There is even talk of divorce, but they work things out and life improves. What makes this book especially interesting is that in spite of all of the normalcy in the characters there is this incredible mystery unfolding behind the scenes. Someone is polluting the waters around Thunder Bay, and when Paine Underwood is unable to convince the community that it is Dusty Muleman, the children take it upon themselves to solve the mystery and prove that their father was right afterall. They come up with an ingenious scheme to catch Dusty red handed or fuchsia handed as they exclaim in the book, and save the day.


My Impressions:

This book was incredibly spellbinding for me. I absolutely adored the characters. I admired Noah's love for and faith in his dad. I loved how Abbey was so intelligent and spoke her mind. I agreed with the mom that the dad had gone overboard and wasn't behaving in the proper way for a husband and father. But I couldn't help talking to the pages and telling her that she needed to trust him a little more. I hated the impulsiveness of the father and wished that he would spend just a little more time reflecting and a little less time acting-but I admired his passion and moral compass. Essential as the reader, I became completely involved and emotionally connected to the characters and themes in the story. I believe that it is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to readers of all ages.


Reviews:

"In his second children's book, Hiaasen offers a great action adventure without any of the didacticism that crept into Hoot. He sets this eco-mystery in Florida and peoples it with crooks, idealists, everyday heroes, and oddball characters. While the plot offers enough twists and turns to satisfy even the most serious adventure junkies, it's the multidimensional characters who give the novel vitality. Ages 12 to 14. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average."-Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2006)


Lesson Plans:

This book would pair well with science lessons relating to the environment and environmental issues. Students could be encouraged to look at the issue of illegal dumping, toxic waste, and pollution and its effect on people and wildlife. Students could examine newspaper articles from the past and current events. There is also an element of mystery and suspense in this book, and students could be encouraged to write their own mysteries using elements and themes found in Hiassen's book. Several reviewers compared this book to Hiassen's first children's book Hoot, and as a critical thinking exercise students could also compare and contrast elements and themes found in both books.



Hiassen, Carl. Flush. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.

Horn Book. "Children's Literature Reviews: Flush". Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. October 18, 2009 .

More Real Life Tales

MODULE 7: REALISTIC FICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS
October 12-18



The Penderwicks
By: Jeanne Birdsall
Ages 9-12

Summary:

A classically written story about four girls who spend the summer having a grand time and exhilarating escapades is simply one way to describe this book. The author writes on the inside jacket "by the time I was ten or eleven, I'd run out of books to read. I promised myself that I'd become a writer someday, to give readers like me a few more books to discover and enjoy." Jeanne Birdsall lives up to her goals and creates a charmingly, lovely story about the Penderwick sisters. The oldest sister Rosalind experiences her first crush and the peaks and valleys that come with puppy love. The next sister Skye befriends Jeffrey, begins to build a relationship with her youngest sister, and stands up to Mrs Tifton and defends the honor of her family. The next sister Jane practices her soccer moves and finishes her next edition of Sabrina Starr who manages to rescue a real person this time. Finally Batty, the youngest sister, accidentally taunts a bull, befriends rabbits Yaz and Carla, and finds her little voice when she is being bullied.


My Impressions:

I was pleasantly surprised when I began to read this book. The cover is simple, reminiscent of old china, and gives off this impression of an old book. It is very deceiving, but perhaps is the image that the author intends to send. This book is written in a classic style, with a wholesome storyline, innocent characters, and a happy ending. Some reviewers liken The Penderwicks to Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. This is perhaps a good comparison because it is written in an almost old fashioned way. This style, grace, and charm is what makes this book a fantastic story. This book has become one of my all time favorites, and I am delighted that there is a sequel. One aspect of the book which I am especially impressed about is the way the author is able to make all of the girls come alive. As I began reading, I thought that one girl would emerge as the predominant charcter, perhaps Skye, because of her confidence and high self esteem. Yet I was surprised and then happy to find that all of the girls have their moments. Birdsall manages to give equal time to the development and description of each sister. She does this while still managing to keep the story interesting and the adventures interwoven into one excellently written and cohesive book.


Reviews:

"Four sisters, Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty, spend a few weeks with their father and dog at a cottage on the grounds of a stately home in the Berkshires, where they complicate the lives of a handsome gardener, a lonely boy, and the boy’s officious mother. Rosalind, Skye, and Jane, at twelve, eleven, and ten, provide the majority of the action, aided by the boy, Jeffrey, who is eleven, while Batty manages to effortlessly focus the story at a four-year-old level for brief stints, making this a prime choice for multiple-grade reading aloud. The prose is simple yet sophisticated in style, Birdsall doesn’t waste words, yet through her writing the girls (even Batty) emerge as passionate and complex people whose motherless state encourages a particularly poignant bond with one another and with their gentle, abstracted father. Though the plot formula and even in-text references tie this story firmly to the Bastable and March family dramas, this is an independent, hearty tale with recognizably modern characters. Readers will remember the antics of these four highly personable sisters, whose adventures they will want to revisit. Review Code: R -- Recommended. Grades 4-7-Timnah Card,The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September 2005 (Vol. 59, No. 1)


Lesson Plans:

This book would be perfect for a read aloud, and would work perfectly in a setting where the educator could read a chapter or so everyday. This book could also inspire children to write a truly creative and imaginative story of their own. Students could be asked to create a wonderful summer adventure as apart of a creative writing assignment.



Birdsall, Jeanne. The Penderwicks. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.

Card, Timnah. "Children's Literature Reviews: The Penderwicks". Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. October 18, 2009 .

Real Life Tales For Children

Module 6: REALISTIC FICTION FOR YOUNGER READERS
October 5-11




Brian's Winter
By: Gary Paulsen
Ages 13-18

Summary:

This story takes readers to an alternate universe. A universe where the well loved and familiar character, Brian from Paulsen's original story The Hatchet, is not rescued right away, and has to stay the winter in the wilderness after his plane crashes in the middle of nowhere. At first Brian breaks the first rule he has learned out in the wilderness and that is to pay attention. Slowly summer drifts to fall and winter almost creeps up on Brian unexpectedly. He realizes in the nick of time and spends the rest of his fall preparing for winter. His gun breaks, and he is forced to find other means of survival. He creates his own bow and arrows, spears, and even uses rabbit skins and other animal hides to clothe himself. This book is all about Brian's trials and errors as he struggles to survive the treacherous winter, all alone, in the wilderness.


My Impressions:

I had always loved the book The Hatchet and I was completely unaware that Gary Paulsen had continued the stories, and has made almost a sort of franchise out of the character Brian and his adventures. I was delighted to discover this option and dove right into Brian's Winter. I was not at all disappointed and completely adored this book. It was exciting and funny; full of adventure and intrigue. I was left breathless at the scene where he hunted the moose. I am greatly looking forward to exploring all of the other Brian adventure books.


Reviews:

"Paulsen describes in precise detail how Brian crafts snowshoes, makes a strong bow and arrowheads of flint, sews fur clothing and hunts game. Fans of Paulsen's tales of wilderness survival will welcome the authentic information, and Brian remains a sympathetic and believable character as he learns from his mistakes and comes to live in harmony with his harsh but beautiful environment. --Exceptional book, recommended for junior and senior high school students. Ages 13 to 18."-Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT Review, March 1998 (Vol. 32, No. 2)


Lesson Plans:

This idea of survival is very intriguing and interesting to children and youth of all ages. This book could be paired up with lessons in survival skills, safety skills, and emergency preparedness skills. Educators could present students in small groups with various scenarios and students would have to write out and even dramatize how they would survive each scenario. This book could also be paired with non fiction books depicting real life survival stories, their heros and heroines. Again safety issues, basic survival skills, etc. could be emphasized to really show the relevance of this work while still encouraging reading.





Paulsen, Gary. Brian's Winter. New York: Delacorte Press, 1996.

Rohrlick, Paula. "Children's Literature Reviews: Brian's Winter". Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. October 18, 2009 .