Books and History

MODULE 10: HISTORICAL FICTION
November 2-8



The Wednesday Wars
By: Gary D. Schmidt
Ages: 11-15

Summary:

What begins as an awkward and uncomfortable standoff between student Holling Hoodhood and teacher Mrs. Baker develops into a wonderful relationship full of mutual respect and kindness. The reader begins to believe that perhaps Mrs. Baker really does hate Holling as he protests in the beginning. However as their sessions of Shakespeare on Wednesday afternoons progress, the reader quickly sees that Mrs. Baker is not only an excellent educator, but a caring and devoted individual as well. The book takes place over Holling's seventh grade year, and the reader sees him grow as an individual. The reader witnesses Holling become an actor, a successful cross country runner, a loving brother and boyfriend, and a young man with the courage to stand up to his father.

My Impressions:

This is an amazing book that is incredibly well written, full of humor, and emotion. Holling Hoodhood is the type of guy that you just can't help but adore and he reminded me a lot of the character Kevin from "The Wonder Years" television show. Not just because both the book and the show were set in the 1960's, but because of the free, narrative style of the author. The story feels almost like the reader is looking at a journal that Holling is writing. The reader truly gets an inside look at Holling and begins to feel like a friend or companion following him through his seventh grade year. I love the Shakespearean references, and I think that it is genius how the author works this in as a secondary theme and motive. After I finished this book, I found myself wanting to know more about what happens to Holling. I spent quite a bit of time wondering and imaging what comes next, a sure fire sign of an excellent book.

Reviews:

"Schmidt, whose Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (2005) was named both a Printz and a Newbery Honor Book, makes the implausible believable and the everyday momentous. Seamlessly, he knits together the story’s themes: the cultural uproar of the ’60s, the internal uproar of early adolescence, and the timeless wisdom of Shakespeare’s words. Holling’s unwavering, distinctive voice offers a gentle, hopeful, moving story of a boy who, with the right help, learns to stretch beyond the limitations of his family, his violent times, and his fear, as he leaps into his future with his eyes and his heart wide open."-Gillian Engberg, Booklist, Jun. 1, 2007 (Vol. 103, No. 19)

Lesson Plans:

This story could easily complement a history lesson on the 1960's. This book addresses a large amount of political and social issues. It would fit hand in hand with any school curriculum on the Vietnam War, the Civil Right Movement, and Feminism. It could complement a discussion on politics and constitutional rights such as freedom of speech and protest. It would also be an excellent choice for a book club because the diversity of topics mentioned in the story would all be great for discussion. Additionally, students could be asked to give their responses, feelings, and opinions to the war in Iraq and look for any similarities and differences between the late 1960's Vietnam Era and today.


Engberg, Gillian. "Children's Literature Reviews: The Wednesday Wars." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. November 24, 2009.

Schmidt, Gary. The Wednesday Wars. New York: Clarion Books, 2007.

Suspense and Mystery

MODULE 9: MYSTERY
October 26-November 1



The London Eye Mystery
By: Siobhan Dowd
Ages 10-14

Summary:

What begins as a friendly, everyday gathering of family and friends turns into disaster when a relative turns up missing. Salim is cousin to brother and sister duo Ted and Kat. After Salim's mother accepts a prestigious position which would cause them to move from London to New York city, they stop to spend a few days of vacation before relocating to the United States. Salim requests a visit to the London Eye tourist attraction in London. He steps into a pod which will take a thirty minute revolution around the giant ferris wheel type contraption. When the ride is over Salim disappears into thin air. At first everyone hopes that he just got lost in the city or decided to take a trip to see his father, but as the days go by his mother and relatives begin to become seriously worried. Ted appears to have Asperger's Syndrome, and has a mind like a computer, and his sister Kat feels responsible for Salim's disappearance. With her determination and Salim's incredible brain, they manage to solve the mystery and find him in the nick of time.

My Impressions:

I found this book to be completely mesmerizing. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery, and I was on the edge of my seat. It is full of suspense and excitement. But it is more than just a great mystery. There was a great deal of sentiment and moments that touched the heart, mind, and soul. This book is full of humor, and proves that a person with challenges can still overcome them and make a tremendous difference in the lives of the people around them. Ted is a remarkable character and the reader can't help but fall in love with him. I was particularly touched by his frustrations in getting others to just listen to what he had to say. He desperately tried to communicate his ideas and thoughts to the police, his parents, and even his sister Kat. They all assumed that because of his disability he wasn't able to contribute or help. In the end it was his amazing sleuthing skills and computer like brain that helped saved Salim's life.

Reviews:

"The author keeps the tension building, both in the dreaded possibilities that may have befallen Salim and in the efforts of Ted to interact with a world that he finds difficult to interpret. The story is told by Ted, putting the reader into his literal and logical mind and allowing readers to understand his struggles and join his progress in deciphering the world. Sharing Ted’s journey toward a better understanding of human interaction is as satisfying as saving Salim. Some of the British terms may need explanation (fags are cigarettes, the tube is the subway, and a lilo is an air mattress) although the context will help most readers figure them out. This is a great mystery story with characters that readers can empathize with and care about. It is highly recommended for elementary, middle school, and public libraries. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 5-8."-Ellen Simmons, The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 21, No. 2)

Lesson Plans:

This book would pair well with a geography lesson or unit. There are many British references and terminology that students could investigate in order to learn more about Great Britain, its customs, its cultures, and its people. As a mystery, this book could also pair well with lessons about deductive reasoning skills, analytical skills, and logic skills and help reinforce key concepts students need to understand.


Dowd, Siobhan. The London Eye Mystery. New York: Fickling Books, 2008.

Simmons, Ellen. "Children's Literature Reviews: The London Eye Mystery." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. November 24, 2009.

Fantastic People, Places, and Things

MODULE 8: FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION

October 19-25

The City of Ember

By: Jeanne DuPrau

Ages: 9-14

Summary:

Although considered a selection from the science fiction genre, this book is more than just science fiction. It is a work of fiction that could also fall into the mystery category as the two principal characters Doon and Lina, struggle to unravel the mystery of the city of Ember. The prologue gives the reader that insight that there is a set of instructions that has been misplaced. The book begins with a flash forward to the year 241. It is graduation day, and the students receive their work assignments. Doon has a fiery, passionate, and sensitive nature and strongly desires to solve the problems of Ember, while Lina begins as a happy messenger and soon learns that all is not right in Ember. They reignite their old friendship and begin working together when Poppy, Lina's baby sister, nearly destroys the old typewritten set of instructions found in Lina's closet. They slowly manage to piece together the message and discover the way out of Ember.

My Impressions:

I found this book to be very enjoyable. I really liked the characters and how they developed and grew over time. Lina and Doon were all very believable, realistic, and almost lifelike. I understood Doon's frustrations, and felt sadness for Lina when her grandmother died. Even though this is a science fiction novel, the events really seemed plausible to me. It was interesting and well written, and I found myself wondering what would happen in the future books of the series.

Reviews:

"Well-paced, this contains a satisfying mystery, a breathtaking escape over rooftops in darkness, a harrowing journey into the unknown and cryptic messages for readers to decipher. The setting is well-realized with the constraints of life in the city intriguingly detailed. The likable protagonists are not only courageous but also believably flawed by human pride, their weaknesses often complementing each other in interesting ways. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers clamoring for the next installment."-Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2003 (Vol. 71, No. 10)

Lesson Plans:

This book provides a great opportunity to examine books and films created from books. After reading the book, students will view the movie, and determine the similarities and differences. This comparison will provide the basis for a good discussion on books and movies.

DuPrau, Jeanne. The City of Ember. New York: Random House, 2003.

Kirkus Reviews. "Children's Literature Reviews: City of Ember." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. November 24, 2009.

Fantastic People, Places, and Things

MODULE 8: FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION

October 19-25

Princess Academy

By: Shannon Hale

Ages 9-15

Summary:

This is a timeless David and Goliath story, and reminds us that even the smallest among us can do great things. Miri is an unstoppable young girl who loves and cherishes her family and home on Mount Eskel. When prophecy declares that the next princess will be from her home, an academy is built to help prepare the mountain girls for life as royalty. All young girls must leave behind their parents and attend the academy where after a year's time the prince will visit and select his bride. Although the tutor chosen to run the academy, Olana, makes life extremely difficult for the girls, the girls recognize how significant the opportunity to become a princess is. They also appreciate the opportunity to learn. Miri, in particular, excels in her studies, and earns the honor of Academy Princess. She takes her newly learned knowledge and finds ways to make life better for her village, finds her true love, solves the mysteries in her father's heart, and discovers her purpose in life.

My Impressions:

This is a wonderful book that had me laughing at times and crying at others. I absolutely adore a good underdog story, and this is one of the best ones that I have read. I loved the way Miri is so small, and feels that she is a burden to her family and village. Yet she is the one who is able to bring more prosperity to her village because she is such an excellent student while at the academy. I love how the author reminds us that unless one makes the effort to know someone, we can never really understand their behaviors or intentions. At first Miri assumes that Britta thinks she is better than everyone else because she is a lowlander. However her opinion changes as she gets to know Britta better, and they quickly become great friends. The budding romance between Peder and Miri is a lovely part of the story as well. It is pretty clear to the reader that they both care deeply for each other at some point or another, but they seem to be clueless to how the other is feeling. This creates a sense of reader interaction because one just can't help yelling at the book, telling them to stop being so blind! This is an emotionally charged book full of great life lessons, positive messages, and universal truths.

Reviews:

"As usual, Hale ties her characters to the land in which they have been born and to Nature itself. This is an engaging, plain “good read” that just happens to be filled with life lessons about friendship, acceptance, courage, endurance, and finding the right path. Guard against dismissing this fantasy as more of the same old genre; there are a lot of fresh ideas and solid truths to be had in this finely-crafted novel." -Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature)

Lesson Plans:

This would be an excellent read aloud book for the library and the classroom. In addition, before each chapter there is a brief poem or poetic phrase that ties into the following chapter. The idea of quarry speech is a poetic form of communication, linking memories to convey messages. Students could use this book to create poetry to fit and describe each chapter or major scene or event in the book. Students could then present their poems to the class. Similarly students could create poetic memories to convey a message, students could spend a portion of class time sharing these poetic messages and seeing if anyone else is able to decipher them.



Egan, Sheilah. "Children's Literature Reviews: Princess Academy." Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. November 24, 2009.


Hale, Shannon. Princess Academy. New York: Bloomsbury, 2005.

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 .