Thursday, December 4, 2014
Ship Breaker
Bacigalupi, Paolo.
2010. Ship Breaker. New York: Little Brown and Company. ISBN 0316056219
The author has created a fantasy story that seems to be a
real. A page turner with twist and turns, the story
is full of mystery and suspense. With
life- like characters, who seemingly, try to survive horrible living and
working conditions, the events unravel to reveal hope. Life
is hard. The main character, Nailer,
transitions from insecurity to finally holding his own. Nailer's identity is vague because he seems
emotionally lost because of his circumstances.
The plot of the story revolves around looking for copper wiring from abandoned
ships. This job is particularly
difficult but Nailer is up for the challenge.
Working to survive, is their motto. Nailer
, the daydreamer, imagines himself in different circumstances, wanting
something more. The setting is dreary,
sobering, and filled with hardships, as the story describes working and living
conditions. The Gulf Coast is the place
where the story is formed. From the description of work ethics, to the challenges,
the overall theme reflects the importance of making good decisions to benefit
oneself. The life of a scavenger means,
everyone for themselves. The style is
engaging because the story seems, as if, it took place in real life. Nailer's loyalty is with his crew until he
finds a girl in one of the ships?
Nailer's inner conscious is tested?
What will he choose to do? The
author has written a wonderful story that anyone can understand. The events that transpire, are great topics
of conversation for child, to examine.
Excerpts
From School Library
Journal
"With an interesting mix of fact and fantasy, this
title offers excellent potential for conversations on international child
welfare issues."
Wysocki, Barbara1. 2011. "Ship Breaker." School
Library Journal 57(3): 78-79.
From Library Media
Connection
"While slightly post-apocalyptic, this title is still
very realistic and will have cross-over appeal for both science fiction readers
and adventure readers."
Bergin, Melissa. 2010. "Ship Breaker." Library
Media Connection 29(1): 80.
From Horn Book
Magazine
"This thriller will grab and keep readers' attentions
as Nailer and Nita "crew up" in their fight to survive."
Ritter, Cynthia K. 2010. "Ship Breaker." Horn
Book Magazine 86(4): 98-99.
From Publishers
Weekly
"Bacigalupi's cast is ethnically and morally diverse, and the
book's message never overshadows the storytelling, action-packed pacing, or
intricate world-building."
2010. "Ship Breaker." Publishers Weekly
257(16): 54.
From Booklist
"Vivid, brutal, and thematically rich, this captivating
title is sure to win teen fans for the award-winning Bacigalupi."
Rutan, Lynn. 2010. "Ship Breaker." Booklist
106(18): 50.
Awards
Michael L. Printz Award 2011
Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book
Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011
Connections
other Paolo Bacigalupi books
The Doubt Factory ISBN 0316220752
The Windup Girl ISBN 1597801585
The Drowned Cities ISBN 0316056227
The Water Knife: A novel ISBN 0385352875
Activities
Ask children to think about how life on a scavenger ship
would be.
What would they try to salvage from the ship?
Personal Response
I believe the story touches base on loyalty to
family whether immediate or the scavenger crew.
The story shows how one can hope for better circumstances in order to
break free from difficult situations.
Nailer, a true dreamer, always hopes for better living and working
conditions. His life is not easy but
everyone has their own circumstances in life.
A great lesson for children is to learn about working, maybe not a ship
yard but in school. The hope to educate
themselves to further their careers. Another
lesson for children to learn is about making good decision
Babymouse: Heartbreaker
Holm, Jennifer L., and Matthew Holm. Babymouse: Heartbreaker. New York: Random House, 2006. ISBN 0375837981
The main character is Babymouse, who is looking for
love, on Valentine's Day. She is a
hopeless romantic and a dreamer. Children
can identify with the awkward social expectations of being different and
finding their first love. The story begins, as Babymouse, is daydreaming about
romance and love. Babymouse's mission,
is to locate, a dance partner for the
Valentine's Day dance. Readers can see a
familiar setting because it parodies famous movie lines, and follows fairy
tales to a certain extent. Babymouse
transitions between movie lines and fairy tales into different scenes, to
showcase her quest to find true love, or at least someone to dance with on
Valentine's Day. The comic strip, style
of writing, shows an informal format that children can comprehend. Each page number is encased, in a pink heart,
to further emphasize the Valentine's theme.
The author has done a marvelous job of showing real life situations such
as Babymouse encounters. She is rejected
to a dance by the first person she asks, and is not discourage by the
situation. The overall theme is to
follow your heart, and don't give up on the slightest deviation. Babymouse, prevails,
as she finds a dance partner on Valentine's Day.
Excerpts
From Horn Book Magazine
"As in the previous books, the text and
illustrations successfully differentiate between reality and daydreams, and
there's a good amount of humor injected into both (the banter between Babymouse
and the disembodied narrator is especially entertaining)."
Flynn, Kitty. 2007. "Babymouse: Heartbreaker." Horn
Book Magazine 83(1): 67-69.
Awards
CBC Awards and Honors
Connections
Other Holm books Babymouse series
Babymouse: Queen of the World! ISBN 0375832297
Babymouse: Rock Star ISBN 0375832327
Babymouse: Skater Girl ISBN 0375839895
Activities
for Children
Children can be asked to write a Babymouse storyline
using a comic strip format.
Personal
Response
Babymouse: Heartbreaker was a wonderful book that I
would highly recommend to parents and children simply because there was a
profound message. Babymouse was rejected
to a school dance and as heartbreaking as that may be, it is a great way to teach
children that lesson. The character
shows courage to stand alone and find her true love. She wasn't afraid to ask others to the
dance. Children can learn about
following their dream as Babymouse did.
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Lord, Cynthia.
2006. Rules. New York: Scholastic
Inc. ISBN 0439443830
The story revolves around a young girl named
Catherine who struggles to cope with an autistic brother named David. Catherine's dilemma, is to try to get to her
brother to act normal, whatever that means.
She sets up, Rules for David, so that he can become independent without
having a constant companion to look after him.
Catherine's inner struggles comes from loving her brother, as she tries
to protect him, from the outside world. The
author has clearly shown the audience that families may be different but still
have the same issues such as babysitting siblings. She wants David to understand how society
makes judgments and not everyone is nice.
She wants a "normal life."
The setting jumps from several places including Catherine's house to
occupational therapy where she meets another patient named Jason. The relationship between Catherine and Jason
is a deep friendship, which helps her to understand her brother's condition. She shows her
compassion by helping Jason communicate through cards on his communication
board. She begins to write words and
corresponding pictures for comprehension.
People can relate to this situation, as many of us, are visual
learners. Catherine helps Jason break free from his silence,
to improve his communication skills and in turn she discovers, she is the one
who broke free, from her way of thinking.
The realization of coping with a disabled family member can be difficult
for everyone. The style of the story shows various emotions evolving from
frustration, happiness, stress, understanding and compassion. Catherine
evolves, as a character, to show inner growth.
The author examines the family dynamics through the eyes of Catherine. She shows that, disabilities, affect the
entire family. The story is filled with
humorous lines, to break the seriousness and challenges, of having a child with
autism. The story is believable and families with
autistic children can relate to the story.
Excerpts
From
Library Media Connection
"The first-person narrative is very engaging,
and readers will identify with Catherine's struggles and cheer for her at the
end. This is a great book to help
students gain some understanding about autism, while also providing a good
read."
2006. "Rules." Library Media Connection
25(2): 70.
From Publishers
Weekly
"In the able hands of the author, mother of an
autistic child, Catherine's emotions come across as entirely convincing,
especially her alternating devotion to and resentment of David, and her guilt
at her impatience with him."
2006. "Rules." Publishers Weekly
253(16): 188.
From School
Library Journal
"Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics
in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is
about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance."
Burns, Connie Tyrrell. 2006. "Rules." School
Library Journal 52(4): 142.
From Booklist
"A heartwarming first novel."
Dobrez, Cindy. 2006. "Rules." Booklist
102(12): 98-99.
Awards
Newberry Honor Medal
Schneider Family Book Award
ALA Notable Children's Book
Mitten Award (Michigan Library Association)
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (Vermont)
Great Stone Face Award (New Hampshire)
Connections
Other Cynthia Lord books
Half a Chance ISBN 0545035333
Touch Blue ISBN 0545035325
Hot Rod Hamster ISBN 0545035309
Activities
for Children
Draw a card for Jason's communication book.
Write a book report on "Frog and Toad are
friends"
Ask students to create their own rule book.
Personal
Response
I believe the story is relatable, as many families
know the challenges, of raising an autistic child. Catherine's viewpoints show how autism
effects family members in different ways. It is not always easy, but the support of a
good family, helps.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
The Game of Silence
Erdrich,
Louise. 2005. The Game of Silence. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0064410293
Summary:
The story is about a girl named Omakayas and her family
life. Omakayas's gift is a constant reminder of how she is
different from everyone else. She has
dreams that show real time events. The title of the book is significant to the story because the reader can see it
played throughout. The hierarchy of the
culture is evident throughout the book.
Each thing or place has significant meaning bringing a realistic view of
the time period and people. It is
filled with difficulties, sacrifices and rich in Ojibwe culture.
Characters:
The main character is Omakayas. She tells the story from her viewpoint. She seems like an ordinary girl, with a
special gift which make her relatable.
How many people see themselves different from others? Her
extended family is also mentioned throughout the book and the reader can see
each role the individual plays. Daily
chores are done to accomplish the goals of the community. Children can relate to doing chores at home
which makes the book believable. The
pencil drawings assist the reader to understand and picture the story in their
mind. It also depicts the characters of
the story.
Plot:
The plot can be followed quite easily. It is broken down into seasons so that the
reader can establish a time period. The
story is filled with daily activities that have to be accomplished for survival. The depiction of the life during the time
period is clearly described in the story.
The game of silence is not a foreign concept. Everything from harvesting crops to hunting
animals, make the book realistic. The
only difficulty children might encounter is the language dialect which is
extremely complex.
Setting:
The setting is a small island next to Lake Superior,
Michigan around 1849. A map of the
island is in the back of the book to show the reader, the location of
significant places in the story.
Theme:
The Ojibwe each have a specific role in their society. There are individuals who hunt, some cook,
other gather supplies, each learning a trade that can benefit the culture. The people live in a collective society and
share their goods among the rest of the tribe. There is a common goal of survival. Family unity is a familiar quality that can
be seen today.
Style:
The style of the story is cohesive and draws a correlation
to traditions. The author gives insight
to a culture rich in traditions and storytelling.
Additional Criteria:
The author notes that she is a descendent to the Ojibwe
people and has written an open letter to the reader, giving a personalize look
into her ancestry and traditions. The
author has given the reader a dictionary of Ojibwe language to translate the
native dialect of the tribe. A mini
family tree also provides additional information, as well, as a map of the
island, where the story takes place.
Excerpts
From Book Links
"In this powerful novel of love and sorrow, loss and
change, readers will mourn with Omakayas when she finally leaves her adored
home but will also share her hope for the future."
Tillotson, Laura. 2006.
"The Game of Silence." Book Links 15(3): 30.
From Library
Media Connection
"Author Louise Erdrich has a wonderful facility with
language as she draws readers oh so gently into a peaceful life of Omakayas and
her tribe."
2006. "The Game of
Silence." Library Media Connection 24(4): 70.
From Book Links
"In addition to an abundance of detail about life
through the seasons, Erdrich deals with the wider meaning of family and
Omakayas' coming-of-age on a vision quest."
Rochman, Hazel. 2005.
"The Game of Silence." Book Links 15(1): 13.
From Publishers
Weekly
"When she's not fighting with her pesky brother Pinch,
helping her mother, or gleaning advice from mentor Old Tallow, Omakayas starts
to discover more about her talent for reading dreams."
2005. "The Game of
Silence." Publishers Weekly 252(30): 68.
From
Horn Book Magazine
"Erdrich’s own gifts are
many, and here she has given readers another tale full of rich details of 1850s
Ojibwe life, complicated supporting characters, and all the joys and challenges
of a girl becoming a woman."
Smith, Robin. 2005. "The
Game of Silence." Horn Book Magazine 81(4): 469.
From Kirkus Reviews
"Eager readers
beguiled by her sturdy and engaging person will scarcely notice that they have
absorbed great draughts of Ojibwe culture, habits and language. It's hard not
to weep when white settlers drive the Ojibwe west, and hard not to hope for
what comes next for this radiant nine-year-old."
2005. "THE GAME OF
SILENCE." Kirkus Reviews 73(9): 538.
From
Booklist
"In this heartrending novel
the sense of what was lost is overwhelming."
Rochman, Hazel. 2005.
"The Game of Silence (Book)." Booklist 101(18): 1674.
From School
Library Journal
"Although the story
is set on an island in Lake Superior in 1850, readers will identify with the
everyday activities of the Ojibwa, from snowball fights to fishing excursions,
providing a parallel to their own lives while encouraging an appreciation for
one that is very different."
Monaghan, Kimberly, Trevelyn
E. Jones, Luann Toth, Marlene Charnizon, Daryl Grabarek, and Dale Raben. 2005.
"The Game of Silence." School Library Journal 51(7): 102.
Awards
ALA Notable Books
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Connections
The Birchbark House ISBN 0786814543
The Porcupine Year ISBN 0064410307
Chickadee ISBN 00660577908
Activities for
Children
Children can create a family tree, as the author, has shown a
how to demonstration in the back of the book.
Children can be asked to talk about their ancestry or family
traditions.
Personal Response
I believe there is an authentic quality to the
book. I especially loved the roles of
the individuals and how each worked together for a common goal. I particularly could relate to the story
because I have learned how to do specific tasks from my grandparents and
parents. Children can associate tasks
from a family member such as cooking a traditional meal or learning a skill
like sewing or creating a tent. Keeping
family tradition is important and should be passed down generations, like the
Ojibwe people have.
Catherine, called Birdy
Cushman,
Karen. 1994. Catherine,
called Birdy. New York: Clarion
Books. ISBN 0395681863
Summary:
The story revolves around a young girl, age fourteen, named
Catherine. She has created a diary to
record her daily observances and uses
corresponding saints to describe each memo.
Catherine includes dates, people, events, and places to describe her surroundings and how she lived
in 1290. Her dislike for marriage leaves Catherine wondering, how she could
change her destiny? She wants to be
independent and does not understand how she could be seen as property. She wants to have more self worth than to be
a wife, sold to the highest bidder.
Catherine's father, in true tradition, looks for various suitors for an
arranged marriage that is profitable to him.
Characters:
Catherine, is the main character, is a girl, whose
viewpoints exceed the time period of 1290.
She has dreams of becoming something other than a housewife. She wants to be independent and yearns to find out what the world is like outside her home. Catherine does not want an arranged marriage,
and goes to extremes to see that it does not happen. Catherine's father seems to be a believable
character in the way he is described in detail.
His attitude, his viewpoints and his need to climb the social ladder
makes his character, real. Her character
is somewhat believable in some respects because she wants to be her own
person. Children can appreciate
Catherine's need to be independent, like most teenagers, today. The storyline creates a cohesive correlation
to the description of the diary entries.
Plot:
The plot revolves around Catherine and her father, Rollo, who
is intent on marrying his daughter to a wealthy man in order to modify his
social status. Each entry of the diary,
is a descriptive circumstance of the day.
Catherine's mother is trying to teach her how to be a wife but all
Catherine can think about is the outside world.
She fantasizes about being something or someone else, other than a wife. The book does veer off into the relationships
of Catherine's brothers and her friends who have similar situations. The
overall book revolves around finding a husband for Catherine. The book has a lot of details because it is
structured in a journal format. The
only difficulty were the names of individuals that seemed unfamiliar to today's
society.
Setting:
The story takes place in Stonebridge, England in 1290. The
depiction of the setting is vivid, throughout the book. Each description of a place or things can be
seen in each diary entry. The
description of the village or how people are perceived are described in
detail. Catherine describes people's
emotions, her dislike for her potential suitors and what it is like to live in
the specific time period. Her distaste
for her father is evident throughout because she makes insulting references to
his character.
Theme:
The idea of arranged marriage is not uncommon and can be
see, today, in many cultures. The moral dilemma
for Catherine, is that cultural customs must be honored. At the same time, Catherine stand her ground,
and believes arranged marriage for money is not for her. Readers can appreciate the character's need
for independence.
Style:
The book does keep in line with the time period from the medicinal
concoctions to what is eaten on a daily basis.
The language used is in the English language with various words spelled
differently giving the reader, the authenticity of the storyline.
Additional Criteria:
The author's notes in the back of the book, recommends
several titles of the time period for further reading. The author does note that research was done
for the completion the book.
Excerpts:
From Horn Book
Magazine
"Her diary of the year 1290 is a revealing, amusing, and
sometimes horrifying view both of Catherine's
thoughts and of life in the Middle Ages."
A.A.F. 1994. "Catherine,
Called Birdy." Horn Book Magazine 70(4): 457-458.
From School Library
Journal
"From the number of fleas she kills in an evening to
her herbal medicines laced with urine, Birdy reveals fascinating facts about
her time period. A feminist far ahead of
her time, she is both believable and lovable."
Shook, Bruce Anne. 1994.
"Book review: Junior high up." School Library Journal 40(6):
147.
From Kirkus
Reviews
"The period has rarely been presented for young people
with such authenticity; the exotic details will intrigue readers while they
relate more closely to Birdy's yen for independence and her sensibilities
toward the downtrodden."
Kirkus Reviews.
1994. "Review of Catherine,
called Birdy by Karen Cushman. Accessed November
11. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/karen-cushman/catherine-called-birdy/.
Awards
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
1995 Newberry Honor Books
Notable Children's Books 1995
Top 10 First Novels for Young Listeners- Booklist November
15, 2003
School Library Journal- Best Books 1994
Booklist Best of the Best One-Hundred
Connections
Other Karen Cushman books
The MIdwife's Apprentice ISBN 0547722176
Ballad of Lucy Whipple ISBN 054772215X
Activities for
Children
Ask children to create a diary so that they can write about
their daily activities in school.
Personal Response
I believe the book is a great depiction of the time period
because the characters seem realistic.
Although arranged marriages are not in every culture, it does still
exist in many. The story shows a teenage
seeking independence and tries to go
against the social norm to be her own person.
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