Avi. (2002)New York: Hyperion Books for Children. 078682647-9
PLOT SUMMARY
The year is 1377 and when thirteen year old Crispin's mother dies he is suddenly on the run from the steward of the village where he lives. He reluctantly teams up with Bear, a large mysterious man masquerading as a juggler. Bear knows about Crispin's birthright through the cross of lead he wears around his neck, and has to help keep him out of harm's way.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
Set in a time when peasants were often treated harshly, this book opens eyes to the injustices of the world. The hardships that Crispin must endure create a strong character with whom the audience can sympathize. He displays admirable traits such as cleverness, quick-thinking skills, and loyalty. His faith keeps him strong, and while religion is not something that is part of everyone's life, it is still something that a reader can appreciate when a character who can draw strength from it.
READER'S ANNOTATION
Thirteen year old Crispin is on the run. He's being hunted for a crime he did not commit, and to confuse the matter, the priest that he's accused of murdering was about to tell him something about who his father was. When he finds himself a servant to Bear, a wandering juggler, he learns more about himself and the reason why he is being hunted.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Avi is the childhood nickname and pen name for Edward Irving Wortis. He writes prolifically for different age groups and genres with at least 70 of those books for children and young adults.
GENRE
Realistic Fiction
CURRICULUM TIES
History
Research the lives of peasants, dukes, lords, etc. during the time when this story was set. Research the effects of plagues on cities and villages.
BOOKTALKING IDEAS
What would you do if you had to live life on the run? What would you do if you felt you had no one in the world you could trust? How could a 13 year old boy make it on his own?
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
12-18
CHALLENGE ISSUES
Because of the time the book is set, there is also a lot of reference to religion. While it is not a book meant to be religious, there might be some conflict because of it, potentially in a school setting.
CHALLENGE DEFENSE IDEAS
Library's policies regarding choosing materials.
WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?
I liked when the book was set in time. It piques interest and curiosity in the past.
Friday, September 25, 2009
The City of Ember
DuPrau, Jeanne. (2003) New York: Yearling. 978-0-385-73628-2
PLOT SUMMARY
Ember is a city that is falling apart. Power outages, food shortage, lack of supplies, all work to bring down morale. Children are forced to work once they reach the age of twelve. The mayor says everything is allright, but two friends discover that he is hording food and supplies in a secret area under the city. Luckily, Lina and her friend Doon have an ancient set of instructions that they piece together which they hope will lead them to something better.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
The story is fast paced as we follow the two friends through the city so they can solve the mystery of the chewed up set of instructions. There is much that they do not know having lived in the underground city all their lives, but because they are young, full of adventure, and ready for change, as most tweens are, they tackle their problems with enthusiasm and cleverness.
Lina and Doon are likeable characters. Lina is somewhat free spirited, while Doon is easy to anger, but knows when he's gone too far. Their personalities complement each other as they work together to unravel the mystery.
READER'S ANNOTATION
The first in the Ember series, we find people living in a city without light. Lina and Doon have lived all twelve of their years in this city, and then are assigned to work for the benefit of the city. But it's hard to expect a person to be content to continue living the same way, especially when their way of life is falling apart. Things have to change. If it doesn't, who knows how much longer they'll be able to survive. Lina and Doon think they have found a way for the city to contine to survive, but it involves an ancient map, and finding a way out of the darkness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeanne DuPrau has had many jobs before her current one as a writer of children's books. Previously she was a high school teacher, a technical writer, and a freelance writer. The Books of Ember are her most famous works.
GENRE
Mystery/Adventure
CURRICULUM TIES
Social Studies
Discuss the corruption in government present in the book. How does a society avoid this type of corruption? What could have been done by Lina and Doon to expose the corruption? Research the child labor laws and how things are different now from before they existed.
BOOKTALKING IDEAS
Challenge students to live without electricity for at least a day.
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
12-16
CHALLENGE ISSUES
Kids rebelling; challenging the norm of society
WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?
For the exact reason why it might be challenged (see above.) Kids should be able to think freely and discover solutions to situations that pose a threat to them.
PLOT SUMMARY
Ember is a city that is falling apart. Power outages, food shortage, lack of supplies, all work to bring down morale. Children are forced to work once they reach the age of twelve. The mayor says everything is allright, but two friends discover that he is hording food and supplies in a secret area under the city. Luckily, Lina and her friend Doon have an ancient set of instructions that they piece together which they hope will lead them to something better.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
The story is fast paced as we follow the two friends through the city so they can solve the mystery of the chewed up set of instructions. There is much that they do not know having lived in the underground city all their lives, but because they are young, full of adventure, and ready for change, as most tweens are, they tackle their problems with enthusiasm and cleverness.
Lina and Doon are likeable characters. Lina is somewhat free spirited, while Doon is easy to anger, but knows when he's gone too far. Their personalities complement each other as they work together to unravel the mystery.
READER'S ANNOTATION
The first in the Ember series, we find people living in a city without light. Lina and Doon have lived all twelve of their years in this city, and then are assigned to work for the benefit of the city. But it's hard to expect a person to be content to continue living the same way, especially when their way of life is falling apart. Things have to change. If it doesn't, who knows how much longer they'll be able to survive. Lina and Doon think they have found a way for the city to contine to survive, but it involves an ancient map, and finding a way out of the darkness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeanne DuPrau has had many jobs before her current one as a writer of children's books. Previously she was a high school teacher, a technical writer, and a freelance writer. The Books of Ember are her most famous works.
GENRE
Mystery/Adventure
CURRICULUM TIES
Social Studies
Discuss the corruption in government present in the book. How does a society avoid this type of corruption? What could have been done by Lina and Doon to expose the corruption? Research the child labor laws and how things are different now from before they existed.
BOOKTALKING IDEAS
Challenge students to live without electricity for at least a day.
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
12-16
CHALLENGE ISSUES
Kids rebelling; challenging the norm of society
WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?
For the exact reason why it might be challenged (see above.) Kids should be able to think freely and discover solutions to situations that pose a threat to them.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Stardust
Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert de Niro, Claire Danes (Actors). (2007) Paramount Studios. Rated PG-13. B000WZAE1I
PLOT SUMMARY
A young man is in love with a young girl and pledges to bring her back a fallen star if she will marry him in return. He ventures into a forbidden land to find the star and finds adventure and a new love instead.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
The idea that a person will do anything for love is certainly romantic, and I admittedly found myself a bit teary eyed once during the film. The movie itself is not "mushy" by any means, and includes a good bit of action, a little suspense, and lots of fantasy to bring it to its happy conclusion. Those who read the book by Neil Gaiman may be somewhat disappointed, as often happens when books are adapted to the screen...but those who did not read the book will find the movie entertaining.
There is some violence, but no actual gore other than the blood that came from the neck of a slain prince (which was blue and not red). Also some situations (i.e. sex) that are implied but not shown.
GENRE
Fantasy/Adventure
CURRICULUM TIES
English
Compare and contrast the movie from the book.
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
10 and up
CHALLENGE ISSUES
Some violence and adult situations
WHY INCLUDE THIS MOVIE
Pure entertainment value. Journeying into the land beyond the wall is forbidden and tempting and appeals to the adventurous spirit that many tween have and will experiment with.
PLOT SUMMARY
A young man is in love with a young girl and pledges to bring her back a fallen star if she will marry him in return. He ventures into a forbidden land to find the star and finds adventure and a new love instead.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
The idea that a person will do anything for love is certainly romantic, and I admittedly found myself a bit teary eyed once during the film. The movie itself is not "mushy" by any means, and includes a good bit of action, a little suspense, and lots of fantasy to bring it to its happy conclusion. Those who read the book by Neil Gaiman may be somewhat disappointed, as often happens when books are adapted to the screen...but those who did not read the book will find the movie entertaining.
There is some violence, but no actual gore other than the blood that came from the neck of a slain prince (which was blue and not red). Also some situations (i.e. sex) that are implied but not shown.
GENRE
Fantasy/Adventure
CURRICULUM TIES
English
Compare and contrast the movie from the book.
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
10 and up
CHALLENGE ISSUES
Some violence and adult situations
WHY INCLUDE THIS MOVIE
Pure entertainment value. Journeying into the land beyond the wall is forbidden and tempting and appeals to the adventurous spirit that many tween have and will experiment with.
Wringer
Spinelli, Jerry. (1997)New York: Harper Collins Children's Books. 0-06-024914-5
PLOT SUMMARY
Palmer Larue is friends with a group of hooligans--according to his mother. He likes being part of the gang, but is soon finding that perhaps his mother was right. He is quickly approaching his tenth birthday when it will be expected that he participate in Family Fest at the end of summer as a "Wringers"--one who wrings the necks of the pigeons that were shot for sport on festival day.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
Palmer's need to be accepted is understandable, but as much as he likes his new friends, he is also afraid of them, and at some point can't even trust them. This dichotomy makes him the type of character with which an audience can sympathize because as much as we would like to be able to say things with resolve, there are times when things just aren't so black and white. We have to be able to bend with the wind. It's part of how we learn, and in this story, Palmer discovers these things as well.
READER'S ANNOTATION
A boy's tenth birthday should be one filled with jubilation, but for Palmer, it is filled with anxiety. He is hiding a pigeon from his hooligan friends because he does not want them to think he is sympathetic to the birds that they will soon be wringing the necks of at the end of summer festival.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jerry Spinelli decided to become a writer after his father had a poem of his published in a local paper. He writes children's fiction and has won awards for his work.
GENRE
Fiction
CURRICULUM TIES
Have students discuss the bonds of gang mentality. Even though the characters in the novel are not in a "gang" how are they similar? What do they do that makes them intimidating to Palmer? Is it cruel to shoot pigeons in the way they are doing in the book? Would animal rights activists have a good argument against their practice?
BOOKTALKING IDEAS
How does it affect a person who has to keep a secret from others? How is Palmer able to stick with it? What are his reasons for keeping the pigeon a secret? Why doesn't he just come clean?
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
11-14
CHALLENGE ISSUES
Some people might find offense at the sport of shooting pigeons.
WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK
The theme of acceptance is one that many young tweens have to go through, and this book illustrates well how one person is able to deal with those issues.
PLOT SUMMARY
Palmer Larue is friends with a group of hooligans--according to his mother. He likes being part of the gang, but is soon finding that perhaps his mother was right. He is quickly approaching his tenth birthday when it will be expected that he participate in Family Fest at the end of summer as a "Wringers"--one who wrings the necks of the pigeons that were shot for sport on festival day.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
Palmer's need to be accepted is understandable, but as much as he likes his new friends, he is also afraid of them, and at some point can't even trust them. This dichotomy makes him the type of character with which an audience can sympathize because as much as we would like to be able to say things with resolve, there are times when things just aren't so black and white. We have to be able to bend with the wind. It's part of how we learn, and in this story, Palmer discovers these things as well.
READER'S ANNOTATION
A boy's tenth birthday should be one filled with jubilation, but for Palmer, it is filled with anxiety. He is hiding a pigeon from his hooligan friends because he does not want them to think he is sympathetic to the birds that they will soon be wringing the necks of at the end of summer festival.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jerry Spinelli decided to become a writer after his father had a poem of his published in a local paper. He writes children's fiction and has won awards for his work.
GENRE
Fiction
CURRICULUM TIES
Have students discuss the bonds of gang mentality. Even though the characters in the novel are not in a "gang" how are they similar? What do they do that makes them intimidating to Palmer? Is it cruel to shoot pigeons in the way they are doing in the book? Would animal rights activists have a good argument against their practice?
BOOKTALKING IDEAS
How does it affect a person who has to keep a secret from others? How is Palmer able to stick with it? What are his reasons for keeping the pigeon a secret? Why doesn't he just come clean?
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
11-14
CHALLENGE ISSUES
Some people might find offense at the sport of shooting pigeons.
WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK
The theme of acceptance is one that many young tweens have to go through, and this book illustrates well how one person is able to deal with those issues.
Twelve
Myracle, Lauren.(2007)New York: Dutton Children's Books. 978-525-47784-6.
PLOT SUMMARY
Twelve year old Winnie is growing up. She's starting middle school, has a new best friend, and is learning about boys and her body.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
There is so much going on in a twelve year old's world. Changing body's and minds have much to do with how they deal with their problems. Issues regarding friendships, learning how to deal with parents who want you to act responsibly when they are still feeling not quite grown up, learning about love, etc. are all part of the big picture when it comes to the tween years. This book does a good job of capturing the persona of a tween girls so that we can suffer through her troubles and rejoice in her triumphs.
READER'S ANNOTATION
Losing a cool best friend, gaining a not so cool one, graduating to middle school, blossoming into womanhood, falling in love, make for in interesting twelfth year. With so much happening it's no wonder Twelve is such a fun read.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Myracle was born May 15, 1969. She was once a middle school teacher and writes primarily for young adults.
GENRE
Fiction
CURRICULUM TIES
Have students discuss the stresses (in school and out) that can affect their learning environments.
BOOKTALKING IDEAS
How are the three friends similar/different to your own friends. Are they believable? Annoying? How do their personalities mesh together?
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
10-13
CHALLENGE ISSUES
Some might find offense in the "growing up" that she does during the story: she gets her period, talks about erections, using a tampon, etc.
WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK
It is amusing and the main character deals with her situations with such humor that tweens will find fun. They can also relate to her situations and mortifications that occur in the story.
PLOT SUMMARY
Twelve year old Winnie is growing up. She's starting middle school, has a new best friend, and is learning about boys and her body.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
There is so much going on in a twelve year old's world. Changing body's and minds have much to do with how they deal with their problems. Issues regarding friendships, learning how to deal with parents who want you to act responsibly when they are still feeling not quite grown up, learning about love, etc. are all part of the big picture when it comes to the tween years. This book does a good job of capturing the persona of a tween girls so that we can suffer through her troubles and rejoice in her triumphs.
READER'S ANNOTATION
Losing a cool best friend, gaining a not so cool one, graduating to middle school, blossoming into womanhood, falling in love, make for in interesting twelfth year. With so much happening it's no wonder Twelve is such a fun read.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Myracle was born May 15, 1969. She was once a middle school teacher and writes primarily for young adults.
GENRE
Fiction
CURRICULUM TIES
Have students discuss the stresses (in school and out) that can affect their learning environments.
BOOKTALKING IDEAS
How are the three friends similar/different to your own friends. Are they believable? Annoying? How do their personalities mesh together?
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
10-13
CHALLENGE ISSUES
Some might find offense in the "growing up" that she does during the story: she gets her period, talks about erections, using a tampon, etc.
WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK
It is amusing and the main character deals with her situations with such humor that tweens will find fun. They can also relate to her situations and mortifications that occur in the story.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Ratatouille
Actor Ian Holm. (2007) Walt Disney Video. Rated G. B000VBJEEG.
PLOT SUMMARY
Remy is a rat obsessed with gourmet food. He is forced from his home and befriends Linguini, a garbage boy in a fancy restaurant. Remy can cook and Linguini is clueless in the kitchen, but together they create fantastic dishes that deserve to win awards. This doesn't last long when an esteemed food critic comes to dine.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
Good graphics. Interesting twist using a rat, the complete embodiment of all that is dirty and unhealthy, as the hero and food loving chef.
Lots of unsavory characters, conflict between Linguini and the staff, and Linguini and Remy keeps the audience riveted.
READERS' ANNOTATION
When Remy the food obsessed gourmand rat gets separated from his family during their flee from their home, he finds himself in the heart of food culture--Paris, France. He teams up with Linguini, a garbage boy working in the restaurant of Remy's food idol. Wanting to live up to the expectations of the restaurant, he directs Linguini's cooking by sitting under Linguini's chef's hat and manipulating him like a puppet. That is until they and the rat army helping in the kitchen are discovered and their whole world comes tumbling down.
GENRE
Fiction
CURRICULUM TIES
Research/discuss the cultures of the world and their foods. How is food integral to the shaping of those cultures?
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
4 and over
CHALLENGE ISSUES
none
WHY INCLUDE THIS MOVIE?
The relationship that people have with their food is an interesting one. Savvy eaters, junk food lovers, health nuts, there is so much to explore. I like how the gourmet aspect is presented to an audience that might otherwise be satisfied with a burger and shake.
PLOT SUMMARY
Remy is a rat obsessed with gourmet food. He is forced from his home and befriends Linguini, a garbage boy in a fancy restaurant. Remy can cook and Linguini is clueless in the kitchen, but together they create fantastic dishes that deserve to win awards. This doesn't last long when an esteemed food critic comes to dine.
CRITICAL EVALUATION
Good graphics. Interesting twist using a rat, the complete embodiment of all that is dirty and unhealthy, as the hero and food loving chef.
Lots of unsavory characters, conflict between Linguini and the staff, and Linguini and Remy keeps the audience riveted.
READERS' ANNOTATION
When Remy the food obsessed gourmand rat gets separated from his family during their flee from their home, he finds himself in the heart of food culture--Paris, France. He teams up with Linguini, a garbage boy working in the restaurant of Remy's food idol. Wanting to live up to the expectations of the restaurant, he directs Linguini's cooking by sitting under Linguini's chef's hat and manipulating him like a puppet. That is until they and the rat army helping in the kitchen are discovered and their whole world comes tumbling down.
GENRE
Fiction
CURRICULUM TIES
Research/discuss the cultures of the world and their foods. How is food integral to the shaping of those cultures?
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
4 and over
CHALLENGE ISSUES
none
WHY INCLUDE THIS MOVIE?
The relationship that people have with their food is an interesting one. Savvy eaters, junk food lovers, health nuts, there is so much to explore. I like how the gourmet aspect is presented to an audience that might otherwise be satisfied with a burger and shake.
Hoot
Hiaasen, Carl. (2002) New York: Alfred A Knopf. 0-375-82916-4
PLOT SUMMARY
Three unlikely friends--a wimpy new kid, a girl jock, and her elusive stepbrother--are on a mission to stop the construction of a new pancake house in order to save the burrowing owl.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Chapters might be a little long for the younger tweens, but with such colorful characters embarking on such an admirable mission, it is enough to hold the attention of the older tweens. The conflict between the bully and the main character, as well as the conflicts between the three friends create a tension with which tweens can identify.
READER'S ANNOTATION
When new kid Roy moves to Coconut Cove, he reluctantly befriends girl jock Beatrice and her quirky runaway stepbrother. Little does he know they have a secret that they must tell others in order to protect it, and with time being a factor, they must do it before it's too late.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carl Hiaasen was born and raised in Florida. He is a journalist who began writing novels in the early eighties and Hoot is his first book for teens.
GENRE
Mystery/Adventure
CURRICULUM TIES
Sometimes companies do things that may not be legal in order to get things done. Discuss the importance of "policing by the people." How should citizens get involved? How can they make a difference in public policies?
BOOKTALKING IDEAS
What other things could the friends have done to stop the construction, aside from vandalising the construction site and property? What negative consequences should they suffer for their "illegal" activities? Explain why/if society should forgive these sorts of activities when there is a "good cause" involved.
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
13 and over
CHALLENGE ISSUES
The illegal activities of the kids
WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?
While this book is geared more toward older teens, I liked the strength of the characters, especially ninety pound Roy who is courageous enough to befriend Beatrice even though she might have knocked him out during their first meeting. The fact that he broke the nose of his archnemesis, and is still brave enough to continue taking the bus, makes him a hero to me.
PLOT SUMMARY
Three unlikely friends--a wimpy new kid, a girl jock, and her elusive stepbrother--are on a mission to stop the construction of a new pancake house in order to save the burrowing owl.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Chapters might be a little long for the younger tweens, but with such colorful characters embarking on such an admirable mission, it is enough to hold the attention of the older tweens. The conflict between the bully and the main character, as well as the conflicts between the three friends create a tension with which tweens can identify.
READER'S ANNOTATION
When new kid Roy moves to Coconut Cove, he reluctantly befriends girl jock Beatrice and her quirky runaway stepbrother. Little does he know they have a secret that they must tell others in order to protect it, and with time being a factor, they must do it before it's too late.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carl Hiaasen was born and raised in Florida. He is a journalist who began writing novels in the early eighties and Hoot is his first book for teens.
GENRE
Mystery/Adventure
CURRICULUM TIES
Sometimes companies do things that may not be legal in order to get things done. Discuss the importance of "policing by the people." How should citizens get involved? How can they make a difference in public policies?
BOOKTALKING IDEAS
What other things could the friends have done to stop the construction, aside from vandalising the construction site and property? What negative consequences should they suffer for their "illegal" activities? Explain why/if society should forgive these sorts of activities when there is a "good cause" involved.
READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE
13 and over
CHALLENGE ISSUES
The illegal activities of the kids
WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?
While this book is geared more toward older teens, I liked the strength of the characters, especially ninety pound Roy who is courageous enough to befriend Beatrice even though she might have knocked him out during their first meeting. The fact that he broke the nose of his archnemesis, and is still brave enough to continue taking the bus, makes him a hero to me.
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