Controversial Books

MODULE 15: CENSORSHIP ISSUES
December 7-10

Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies
By: Dav Pilkey
Ages: 7-12

Summary:

This exciting book tells the adventures of George and Harold, and these boys apparently love trouble. One day they decide to apply what they have learned in science class, and create a prank that leads to exploding cupcake batter. This causes the cafeteria lunch ladies to resign and provides the perfect opportunity for three space aliens to infiltrate the school and begin to take over the world. George and Harold, along with the help of Captain Underpants, manage to blow up the aliens and their spaceship, and escape the evil clutches of a giant dandelion.

My Impressions:

I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions as I read this book. I think it is incredibly funny, and I loved the subtle humor, such as the name of one of the cafeteria ladies is Miss Creant. I can understand why parents and teachers have concerns about this book, and I completely understand why children love this book. It is geared towards boys, but I think some girls would find it entertaining as well. This book is well written and extremely creative. I am definitely interested in reading more about George, Harold, and of course Captain Underpants.

Reviews:

"To reach his audience, Pilkey uses a straightforward narrative, plus cartoons, some clever and silly double-page flip book machinations, asides to the reader, and contemporary references which may be lost on adults of a certain age. The appeal of this series seems to be to boys, older reluctant readers, and those who like to read together while pointing out the humor to each other. School librarians will want several copies--parents could wait for the paperback if their readers will let them."-Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)

Lesson Plans:

Since this book is considered to be a highly controversial book, it may not be the best selection for school use. However, this book could be a great motivator for an afterschool book club for young boys. Students could be encouraged to create their own comics featuring a super hero from their imaginations.


Helper, Susan. "Children's Literature Reviews: Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. December 13, 2009.

Pilkey, Dav. Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies. New York: Blue Sky Press, 1999.

Poetry and Prose

MODULE 14: POETRY AND STORY COLLECTIONS
December 1-6

Jazz
By: Walter Dean Myers
Ages: 9-12

Summary:

This book of poems describes the evolution of jazz in the United States from its beginnings with slaves to ragtime and then onto modern jazz. Each poem is written in meter and rhythm of a particular style of jazz, and introduces the reader to great jazz musicians and the typical instruments.

My Impressions:

This is a beautifully written book. The poetry is very poetic and moving. Several of the poems had my feet tapping, and I could really hear the jazz rhythms pulsating under the words. One of the poems is titled "America's Music" and this is truly what jazz is. Very few people realize that jazz is music that is exclusively American, as it was born here and evolved here. This book provides the reader with a creative and interesting synopsis of our American musical heritage.

Reviews:

"In this extended jam session, historical moments, great jazz musicians, and the various forms and instruments of the genre each take a turn on stage. In his black ink and acrylic paintings Christopher Myers both follows his father's lead and suggests rhythms and moods of his own. As with blues journey, readers will find music coming irresistibly into their heads. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average."-Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2007)

Lesson Plans:

This book would complement a cultural and creative based curriculum. Of course it would pair very nicely with a unit on jazz music, but it would also complement a history curriculum. There is a time line of jazz history in the back, and it would be interesting to discuss significant historical events while listening to music associated with the same era. This book would make a great read aloud for an older audience of students, and would especially interesting with musical instruments and recordings accompanying each poem. Students could also be challenged to write poetry that explains, describe, or even sounds like their favorite types of music.

Horn Book. "Children's Literature Reviews: Jazz." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. December 13, 2009.

Myers, Walter Dean. Jazz. New York: Holiday House, 2006.

Books with Graphics

MODULE 13: GRAPHIC NOVELS AND SERIES BOOKS
November 23-30



Sea Dogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta
By: Lisa Wheeler
Ages 7-12

Summary:

This graphic novel is almost a story within a story, as the reader becomes a member of the audience watching an operetta unfold on the stage in front of them. It tells the tale of an old sea captain who longs for one last voyage on the sea. He gathers up a small crew and takes to the high seas when his ship is overtaken by a gang of vicious pirates. The pirates steal everything on board but manage to drop a treasure map and a young puppy in the process. The captain's crew set sail to capture the treasure, and run into the angry pirates once again. In the end the captain grows to love the stowaway and quickly realizes that he is ready for a real home.

My Impressions:

This is a wonderful story that is full of humor, and detailed drawings. The story is cute and very entertaining. The reader gets caught up in the story which is familiar, but still different because this time around the characters are dogs. The graphics are excellent, colorful, and well done. Although the suggested age for this book is elementary and early middle school readers, I believe that older readers would really enjoy this story as well. I especially like how it is technically a graphic novel, but still feels like a book. This duality provides for an interesting experience for the reader.

Reviews:

"This unusual book scores in both its design and commitment to fun. Young readers will revel in the light-hearted language (as when the dachshund laments his job as cook, “Doggone it! I am meant for more than sausage links and kibble.”). As the cast takes their curtain call, the puppy from the first page is literally standing on her seat to applaud. The story comes full circle as she, in a post-theater glow, imagines herself starring in all the roles."-CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2005)

Lesson Plans:

This graphic novel provides a great opportunity for creativity in students. It could make an excellent stage presentation, and students would really enjoy learning and performing the humorous poems. Students could be encouraged to create their own tunes and music to the poems as they are written in a very lyrical and musical way. Students would also enjoy creating their own operettas with accompanying drawings and graphics.


Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices. "Children's Literature Reviews: Sea Dogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. December 13, 2009.

Wheeler, Lisa. Sea Dogs: An Epic Ocean Operetta. New York: Simon & Schuster , 2004.

Real People, Tragedies, and Triumphs

MODULE 12: BIOGRAPHY AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY
November 16-22

When Marian Sang
By: Pam Munoz Ryan

Summary:

This picture book describes the life and struggles of Marian Anderson, the first major African American Opera star in the United States. This book tells of her hardships and the discrimination she encountered. It describes her perseverance, and how she never gave up. Marian Anderson eventually traveled to Europe where she was accepted and achieved critical acclaim. She came back home and slowly achieved great success in the United States as well.

My Impressions:

This is a delightful biography of an incredibly important person in African American history written for elementary school aged children. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the poetry of the Negro Spirituals add another dimension of beauty and majesty to the book. This story is very well written, historically accurate, and fascinating. It has a wonderful message of hope and proves that one can accomplish anything, if one sets one's mind to it.

Reviews:

"Most likely, few of the book's intended elementary school audience has heard of Marian Anderson, but all will be won over by the story of how her enormous talent and unrelenting drive helped her overcome significant obstacles in pre-Civil Rights America. Readers will find themselves enthralled by Marian's powerful life story -- due to Ryan's beautifully chosen words and Selznick's gorgeously detailed renderings -- and will especially be haunted the moving images of a young Marion singing with closed eyes, enraptured by the power of song. The subject's courage and subsequent success holds enormous appeal to a wide audience, particularly elementary school children seeking to study cultural role models. "When Marian Sang" is a first class tribute that deserves to join the creative team's previous effort, "Amelia and Eleanor Go For A Ride," on every children's library shelf."-Vicki Arkoff, (Midwest Book Review, "Vicki's Bookshelf" column, March 2003)


Lesson Plans:

This book would obviously be a great choice for a read aloud for Black History Month. It could also work well for a Women's History Event or Program. It would be excellent for Story Time as children would find the pictures and words interesting. This book would also be great for a discussion and general history lesson on slavery because of the multiple Negro Spirituals present within the book. Students could learn the purpose and tunes of the Spirituals and then have a sing a long.


Arkoff, Vicki. "Children's Literature Reviews: When Marian Sang." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. December 10, 2009.

Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marian Sang. New York: Scholastic Press, 2002.