Book Review: WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 13, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|25425359|23387850&mc=USA

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9780385737425

Winner of the Newbery Medal (2010), When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is written with a unique style that reflects the thoughts of a young girl expressed in a letter. Miranda is twelve years old, living in New York City, and experiences growth and maturity throughout the novel. In a language that reaches within her innermost thoughts and emotions, the author provides a sense of reflection upon the past with hints toward a future that the reader anticipates with each and every paragraph. The protagonist knows something the reader will only discover upon finishing the novel. This provides the element of anticipation that Stead produces with the unknown recipient of the letter. The reader wants to know more and this is a clever writing technique. 

Miranda’s life is a journey into maturity and self-discovery.  Her friends Sal, Anne Marie and Julia are also experiencing the growing pains that life brings on a universal level. Young readers will connect with these characters as they are each unique but credible in their own right. The theme includes a need for family, friends, and the attraction that young boys and girls feel toward each other. Serious things occur, as a mentally unstable adult is killed by an automobile while trying to avoid the death of Miranda’s friend Sal. These are topics that young people face and this novel reveals ways in which people react to such tragedies.


Although realistic in many ways, When You Reach Me takes the topic of time travel and presents the concept in a believable fashion. Even as Miranda’s mother prepares to compete on a game show, the reader will find the process engaging and each word leads to more possible endings for the novel. When You Reach Me can be used to allow young readers the opportunity to discuss many topics, including death, friendship, sorrow and hope. As Caitlin Augusta states in her School Library Journal review, “This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers” (Books in Print 2010).

References:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 13, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|25425359|23387850&mc=USA

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9780385737425

Book Review: CALAMITY JACK by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. Ill. by Nathan Hale

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 13, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|26710841|25369980&mc=USA

Hale Shannon and Dean Hale. Ill. by Nathan Hale. 2010. Calamity Jack. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781599903736

          Written by Shannon and Dean Hale, and illustrated by Nathan Hale, the graphic novel Calamity Jack is an entertaining adventure. As a high fantasy tale set in an imaginary setting, the reader is introduced to Jack, Rapunzel, Frederick, and even Prudence the pixie. Jack evolves from a sneaky, lawbreaker into an honorable hero. Although filled with monsters, giants and horrific creatures, the story contains the universal themes of love, family and honor. The quest of good over evil is clearly displayed as the evil giants are led by the horrible Blunderboar. Jack’s sense of self-awareness is clear in this young adult novel as he struggles with his own identity.

          The town of Shyport has businesses being destroyed in order to reduce competition. The theme contains complex ideas such as the organized crime of the giants trying to monopolize the city and industry. Calamity Jack is also appealing to youth with illustrations cleverly created by Nathan Hale. These illustrations are in comic book style, with vivid color and detail. The dreaded ant people have bright red eyes, and menacing claws. Although actually giants in disguise, they are drawn perfectly and provide an ominous visual effect. Although the plot is one of fantasy and adventure, Calamity Jack can be used with young adults to address topics such as how good and evil are in conflict, the desire to prove oneself to others, and the basic idea of friendship. This graphic novel includes comedy and young romance, as Jack struggles to express his attraction to Rapunzel.

          This graphic novel can be used to introduce the joy of reading to youth who do not ordinarily read novels. It is high adventure and fantasy with witty commentary by the characters. The illustrations will peak the interest of readers who are attracted to comic books and magazines. In his School Library Journal review, Eric Norton states, " It should satisfy readers who enjoy adventure, fairy tales, and anyone who loves a rogue" (Books in Print 2010). Although Calamity Jack is not an award recipient, it is definitely an entertaining graphic novel that will intrigue many young readers.


References:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 13, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|26710841|25369980&mc=USA

Hale Shannon and Dean Hale. Ill. by Nathan Hale. 2010. Calamity Jack. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781599903736

Book Review: SHIP BREAKER by Pete Bacigalupi

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 18, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|29180753|28193657&mc=USA

Bacigalupi, Paolo. 2010. Ship Breaker. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316056212

          The science fiction fantasy Ship Breaker, written by Paolo Bacigalupi, is an adventure set in a futuristic setting of the Gulf Coast. Winner of the Michael Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature (2011), this novel is the tale of a young male named Nailer who experiences life as a constant struggle to survive. As part of a crew who scavenge for copper wire, his life is not only scarred with the loss of his mother, but also the physical brutality of his father. In a method that emphasizes his detachment from his father, Nailer refers to his father as Richard Lopez. Everyone else in the novel receives a nickname.

          A universal theme of the need for love and connection, Nailer befriends the young Nita, nicknamed Lucky Girl. He and his friend Pima save Lucky Girl from sure death and their path takes them near death on many occasions. Their world is a dystopia, where the modern world is turned upside down. Cities have been destroyed, and there exists a species of half dog, half man that control others through fear, brutal strength and violence. Bacigalupi creates the character named Tool, who is one of these creatures. With a unique writing style, the author gives Tool a human essence. The reader connects to this character. His fantastic existence becomes reality.

          Ship Breaker is an excellent example for introducing young adult readers to the world of fantasy and science fiction. Many youth are not interested in reading longer novels, and this book will grab and maintain their attention until the last page. The application of this novel to the learning environment can be quite varied. In her School Library Journal review, Barbara Wysocki states, “With an interesting mix of fact and fantasy, this title offers excellent potential for conversations on international child welfare issues” (Books in Print 2011).

References:

Bacigalupi, Paolo. 2010. Ship Breaker. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316056212

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 18, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|29180753|28193657&mc=USA

Book Review: TURTLE IN PARADISE by Jennifer L. Holm

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 11, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|28467717|38172476&mc=USA

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780606238779

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm is the story of a young girl sent to live in the Florida Keys with her cousins during 1935. Nicknamed “Turtle,” the girl finds herself surviving and adapting to living with her Aunt Minnie and scoundrel cousins. During that period in history, money was scarce and families often dispersed in order for parents to find work.

In the Keys, everyone has a nickname and this gives a sense of the unique essence of island life. The first page in the book is a definition of the word “conch.”  The conch sponge is gathered for sale and throughout the story is a recurring theme. Holm uses vivid descriptions of the surroundings, as well as the heat and tropical weather. When a hurricane hits and Turtle fears for her life beside her cousins, the reader almost feels as if they too are in danger of being swept away by the ocean waves.

       The theme is one of survival, love and family. Over time, Turtle builds relationships and discovers that the old woman named “Nana Philly” is actually her maternal grandmother. The concept of wanting to have a home to share with her mother is a timeless desire for a stable family life. Turtle in Paradise is an excellent resource for sharing what life was for some children during the Great Depression. It is not overly graphic in its descriptions of poverty, but does explain how hunger is connected to poverty during hard times. Young readers will enjoy the topic of Turtle and her cousins searching and finding buried treasure.

At the close of the reading, the author provides an extensive author’s note. Here, photographs are provided for the real sites of different locations within the novel. In addition, some of the characters are based upon real people whose photos are included. A brief list of Web sites are included, along with resources for further reading about the Great Depression and the Labor Day hurricane that hit the Florida Keys in 1935.

        Turtle in Paradise received a number of award nominations including the Bluebonnet Award (2012) and the California Young Reader Medal (2013). As Stephanie Malosh writes in her School Library Journal Review, "Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won't want to miss it" (Books in Print 2010).

References:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 11, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|28467717|38172476&mc=USA

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780606238779

Book Review: THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE by Karen Cushman

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 04, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|1220566|1038994&mc=USA

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780395692295

Winner of the Newbery Medal (1996) The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman is a gripping tale of an oppressed orphan who struggles to maintain alive in a brutal environment. The girl does not even know her own name, is given pejorative nicknames such as “Brat” and “Beetle,” as she slept in dung as would a dung beetle. Later, someone mistakes her for a child named “Alyce” and she embraces this as her own, real name.

The novel does not directly give the time and place of the setting. It is implied through the mention of locations where different activities are going to occur. Alyce becomes the apprentice of a harsh, yet capable midwife. The language used to describe the suffering in this story is intense and often disturbing.

 There are no direct source notes or specific references to exact dates in time. There are hints that suggest another time and place in the past. Reference to Halloween as “All Hallows’ Eve” and the frequent mention of witches and other vocabulary might imply Medieval England. However, prior to reading the author’s source notes, the reader would need a background in history to be able to place the novel in that era. Midwives are used even in current times, all over the world. 

The one specific reference to the setting in time is the acknowledgement that the king is indeed “King Edward.” It is not clarified whether this is King Edward III or his father. This is also not provided in the author’s notes. Although a moving and touching story, it does not appear an example of sharing specific historical detail with young readers. As Hazel Rochman notes in her Booklist review, “…it is a fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers she’s not stupid, ugly or alone” (Booklist 1995).

 The theme includes the universal need for love, acceptance and identity. Alyce is orphaned and terribly lonely. This crosses all boundaries of time and place. The story may be used to describe the lifestyle in areas where midwives are prevalent, and how a village might become dependent upon someone with these talents. Young readers are often unaware that midwives are, and always have been, an integral part of childbirth all over the globe. 

The author’s notes contains an emphasis on midwifery and how it was seen as an element of superstition and witchcraft because it was practiced by women. There are no recommendations listed within the book for further reading on any of the topics addressed.

References:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 04, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|1220566|1038994&mc=USA

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780395692295

Book Review: THE GREEN GLASS SEA by Ellen Klages

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 04, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|16598565|13275110&mc=USA

Klages, Ellen. 2006. The Green Glass Sea. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 9780670061341

Winner of the Scott O’Dell Historical Fiction Award (2007) The Green Glass Sea, written by Ellen Klages is a moving story about a young girl, orphaned during World War II. Her father, a scientist working for the military, is killed and the young girl must adjust to life with a family that is also living in the military facility.

The plot revolves around a military project where scientists and their families live in a designated area of Los Alamos, New Mexico during World War II. The details of every action, thought and setting for everything in the novel is described at length. Although this provides a mental picture of the written text, this may become cumbersome for a young person reading the novel.

There is a significant degree of authenticity to the setting. An author’s note is included at the close of the reading to provide which elements are facts of history, and which are fiction. The basis of the story is the “Manhattan Project,” which is the military project that developed the atomic bomb. In addition, Klages includes recommended reading to further discover details about what took place in Los Alamos during World War II.

The theme is one based on the universal experiences of friendship, loss of loved ones, and a need for family connections. The pain a child experiences when orphaned is a timeless one, and is not limited to any particular era. The novel can be used as an example for young readers learning about general history, or specifically the era in which the atomic bomb was developed.

The style is one of much detail, where certain elements characteristic of the era are highlighted. For example, Dewey waits to see her father’s green Studebaker. Although the vehicle exists in current day as an antique model, in that era it would have been more commonplace. Other examples of including the flavor of the times into the story include young Dewey listening to the classic tune “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” on a box radio.

           

        In the acknowledgements, Klages indicates that she relied on a variety of sources, including that of Life magazine from issues dated during the period of World War II. Sources are not directly cited for this novel. In addition, the author states that the final chapter of The Green Glass Sea is based on a short story she had written. Klages also used post cards and out-of-print books to reflect upon life during the 1940’s. As indicated by Ava Donaldson in her Voice of Youth Advocates review, "The Green Glass Sea is a wonderful representation of the hardships and little wonders of World War II" (Books in Print 2007).

References:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 04, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|16598565|13275110&mc=USA

Klages, Ellen. 2006. The Green Glass Sea. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 9780670061341

Book Review: CATS by Seymour Simon

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed October 24, 2013.
http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|7174085|6291210&mc=USA

Simon, Seymour. (2004). Cats. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
ISBN 9780060289409

            Cats is a beautiful, full-color, photo essay book authored by world renowned Seymour Simon.  As noted in Kirkus Reviews, “Simon has a well-established format, matching striking photographs to lucid text” (Books in Print 2004). Cats is part of the Smithsonian Collins Series. The Smithsonian Institution’s mission includes providing quality scientific education. Simon’s Cats is a simple, but informative way for young children to find an interest in the behavior and life of the domestic cat. Cats does not contain source notes or extensive bibliographic references.

            Designed to develop the interest of young children, the book contains full-page photographs that coincide effectively with the accompanied text. As indicated by Sylvia Vardell, Simon’s name is “nearly synonymous with the photo essay format” (Vardell 2008, 249). An excellent resource for a Story Time with young children, Cats will stimulate a desire to learn more about the true world of animals. Although not overly complex, Simon does provide data regarding the behavior and development of the domestic cat.

            Simon provides facts, but also includes a personal touch to the concept of owning a cat. Furthermore, the book is dedicated to two of his own pet cats. Although not the recipient of a particular award, Cats is written and illustrated in Simon’s classic style, which has won many awards and accolades throughout his history as an author. As material for approximately preschool to third grade, the book encourages further reading for older children into the complex world of the domestic cat. Simon even includes a page regarding the ancient history of the domestic cat. Children can use Cats in their first attempts at research on a scientific level.

References:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed October 24, 2013.

http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|7174085|6291210&mc=USA

Simon, Seymour. (2004). Cats. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
ISBN 9780060289409

 Vardell, Sylvia M. (2008). Children's Literature in Action: A Librarian's Guide. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.