Module 8: Gregor the Overlander

Book Summary:

Gregor is a young eleven-year-old boy who follows his little sister down a mysterious air shaft in their New York City apartment building’s basement laundry room. They find themselves in a new world full of unusual giant talking creatures. They also discover the kingdom of Regalia with pale skinned people called Underlanders. The Underlanders believe Gregor to be the subject of a great prophecy and he sets out on a quest to save this new world and his father from the rats.

APA Reference of Book:

Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the Overlander. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Impressions:

This was an interesting story of fantasy and adventure. I’ve had this book on my to-read list for some time. The interactions between the Gregor and all of the Underland characters were enjoyable to read.  It was great fun to experience this new and different world. The gigantic roaches, bats, rats, and other creatures were described very well which made them seem so real. The descriptions of the Underlands were vivid enough to give the reader a good mental picture of this land. The adventure kept me interested and wanting to see what would happen to the characters. The story captured my attention and interest enough that I will probably continue reading this series.

Professional Review:

In a cavernous world beneath New York City, humans who long ago emigrated from the "Overland" live side-by-side with super-intelligent bats and loyal giant cockroaches. In a charming tip of the literary hat, debut novelist Collins introduces her young heroes Gregor and his little sister Boots into a wonderland through a trip down a long hole—in this case, an opening in a wall of their apartment building's laundry room. While passionately trying to find a way back home, 11-year-old Gregor learns about the Underlanders, their history and their unusual customs. Before long, Vikus, the noble patriarch of the Underlanders, reveals to Gregor an ancient prophecy—and why he believes that the boy is the foretold "overland warrior," come to liberate them from the giant rats. The relationship between Gregor and two-year-old Boots embodies much of the book's charm, and Gregor himself grows up before readers' eyes. His love for his lost father factors heavily into his personality; in a stunning turn of events, he discovers the reason for the disappearance of his father—who also plays a role in the prophecy. Collins does a grand job of world-building, with a fine economy of words—no unnecessary details bog down either the setting or the invigorating story. In her world, a child singing "Patty-Cake" can change the course of history and a stoic rat can mourn the fact that although he is able to read, he cannot write because he has no thumb. Unlike Gregor who cannot wait to leave, readers will likely find it to be a fantastically engaging place. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly. (2003). [Review of Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins]. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-439-43536-9.

Library Uses:

Gregor the Overlander can be used to help students work on their visualization skills. Students will construct or draw a scene from the novel and all scenes will be placed together to show a summary of the novel. This will help students understand what the story was about.

Module 7: Eleanor & Park

Book Summary:

It’s the first day at a new school for Eleanor and faced with riding the school bus with total strangers, she ends up sitting with Park. Park clearly has no interest in her but offers her a seat anyway. She’s had a rough life and things don’t look to be improving as she instantly becomes the recipient of ridicule from the kids on the bus and at school. Each day presents the same routine, the bus ride with Park and trying to ignore the comments from others. Then one day Eleanor finds herself reading Park’s comic books and a friendship begins. Park begins sharing more comic books and music with Eleanor. A romance soon begins and the two spend as much time as possible together. Soon complications in Eleanor’s life disrupt everything and difficult choices must be made. Rainbow Rowell takes readers through an emotional experience of young love with an ending that is heartbreaking yet hopeful.

APA Reference of Book:

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor & Park. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.

Impressions:

This was a story full of real, believable characters. I read the majority of the book in one day, I just couldn’t stop reading. At first I was surprised by the mature language but realizing how it was used appropriately for each situation provided more realism. Rowell’s use of alternating viewpoints and real situations helps the story flow nicely. Readers will fall in love with these beautifully flawed characters and root for their happiness. The minor characters are also developed so well that readers will have strong feelings for each of them. For example, the descriptions of Richie leave the reader with very strong feelings towards him. As Eleanor goes through problem after problem the reader will find themselves desperate for some good to come for Eleanor. You won’t want the story to end but will want to know what happens for Eleanor and Park. This was a great book with so many great lessons for readers in high school and older.

Professional Review:

Right from the start of this tender debut, readers can almost hear the clock winding down on Eleanor and Park. After a less than auspicious start, the pair quietly builds a relationship while riding the bus to school every day, wordlessly sharing comics and eventually music on the commute. Their worlds couldn’t be more different. Park’s family is idyllic: his Vietnam vet father and Korean immigrant mother are genuinely loving. Meanwhile, Eleanor and her younger siblings live in poverty under the constant threat of Richie, their abusive and controlling stepfather, while their mother inexplicably caters to his whims. The couple’s personal battles are also dark mirror images. Park struggles with the realities of falling for the school outcast; in one of the more subtle explorations of race and “the other” in recent YA fiction, he clashes with his father over the definition of manhood. Eleanor’s fight is much more external, learning to trust her feelings about Park and navigating the sexual threat in Richie’s watchful gaze. In rapidly alternating narrative voices, Eleanor and Park try to express their all-consuming love. “You make me feel like a cannibal,” Eleanor says. The pure, fear-laced, yet steadily maturing relationship they develop is urgent, moving, and, of course, heartbreaking, too. --Courtney Jones

Jones, C. (2013). [Review of Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell]. Booklist. Retrieved from https://www.booklistonline.com/Eleanor-Park-Rainbow-Rowell/pid=5738131.

Library Uses:

Eleanor & Park could be used in the high school library to discuss the important issues from the novel. There are many great ideas for uses of this novel with students. Discussions about bullying and being more welcoming to all students is one such discussion possible. Having students develop ideas to welcome new students and stop any treatment similar to this is one activity to have students participate in. There is also the issue of domestic violence that can be discussed and then the discussion can stem into research on the topic.

Another activity would be to have students choose quotes they enjoyed in the novel. Students will be asked to add their favorite quote from the novel on a bulletin board created especially for the novel.

Module 6: The Day the Crayons Quit

Book Summary:

The Day the Crayons Quit is about the day Duncan sat down to draw and found letters from his crayons explaining their feelings and what they want done differently. There are crayons who feel like they aren’t used enough like black, white, and pink. There are the red, gray, and blue crayons who feel they are overused. The blue crayon specifically feels he’s the favorite and would like a break. Then there is the dispute between the orange and the yellow crayon over who is the color of the sun. Several other crayons write to Duncan expressing their feelings as well. In the end, Duncan creates a picture in an attempt to accommodate the wants and desires of all his crayons.

APA Reference of Book:

Daywalt, D. (2013). The day the crayons quit. New York: The Penguin Group.

Impressions:

This was a humorous and unexpected story about crayons. Never before have I heard from the crayons perspective and it made such an interesting story. The illustrations help bring the story alive and are quite entertaining. Through the perfectly childlike drawings, the reader is drawn in to the authenticity. It feels like you are reading letters from crayons with the accompanying proof of real children’s drawings. Even the front and back covers make you want to read the book. The tagline on the back cover of the book, "The Battle Lines Have Been Drawn", also adds to the interest. While some reviewers felt the letters to be tedious, I felt they were enjoyable. My teenage son also enjoyed the entire story. I feel it’s a true sign of an interesting and engaging story when a teenage boy loves the story. This is definitely a book I will read again and will use in the classroom.

Professional Review:

Duncan wants to draw, but instead of crayons, he finds a stack of letters listing the crayons’ demands in this humorous tale.

Red is overworked, laboring even on holidays. Gray is exhausted from coloring expansive spaces (elephants, rhinos and whales). Black wants to be considered a color-in color, and Peach? He’s naked without his wrapper! This anthropomorphized lot amicably requests workplace changes in hand-lettered writing, explaining their work stoppage to a surprised Duncan. Some are tired, others underutilized, while a few want official titles. With a little creativity and a lot of color, Duncan saves the day. Jeffers delivers energetic and playful illustrations, done in pencil, paint and crayon. The drawings are loose and lively, and with few lines, he makes his characters effectively emote. Clever spreads, such as Duncan’s “white cat in the snow” perfectly capture the crayons’ conundrum, and photographic representations of both the letters and coloring pages offer another layer of texture, lending to the tale’s overall believability.

A comical, fresh look at crayons and color. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews.  (2013, April 15). [Review of The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/drew-daywalt/day-crayons-quit/.

Library Uses:

The Day the Crayons Quit could be used in the library by once the story is read aloud to groups of students, they will then contribute to a school wide mural. The requirement is that students color things in the mural in nontraditional ways as done in the book by Duncan. Students will be given examples and shown the end product in the book for help. The final mural product will be hung in the library for all students to view.

Module 5: The Boy in the Black Suit

Book Summary:

The Boy in the Black Suit is about seventeen year old Matt dealing with life after the death of his mother. Now that his world is forever changed, Matt must find a way to carry on. He’s missed a few weeks of school and therefore lost the job for his school work study program. He must now find something else to help support him and his dad. He resigns himself to work at the Cluck Bucket but lucks out when Mr. Ray, the funeral home owner, offers him a job. Matt isn’t sure about it at first but he soon accepts Mr. Ray's offer. Dressed in his black suit, Matt somehow finds solace in the funerals of strangers. Then he meets Love and in her he finds someone who understands the grief he is experiencing. With the help of Mr. Ray and Love, Matt is finally able to move forward in his life.

APA Reference of Book:

Reynolds, J. (2015). The boy in the black suit. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Impressions:

Jason Reynolds wrote an engaging narrative about this young man losing his mother. Through some light moments and many sad, tearful moments, the reader is able to experience Matt’s true feelings. While I did not grow up in this type of setting, I felt that I could relate to the loss and sadness that was depicted throughout the story. It was very real for me being that I have lost a parent as well. I appreciated the emphasis on Matt learning that there will be healing after a loss but that he will never forget the person who is gone. I also liked that the author allowed the characters to express their feelings for their past loss and then use the experience to assist the main character, Matt. As with many books, I missed a more clear conclusion but I also think it’s a work in progress. Matt’s life is moving on and he will continue to mourn the loss of his dear beloved mother and honor her memory with his achievements.

Professional Review:

Reviewed from final copy

Sometimes people who are grieving can find comfort in structured routines. Matt Miller, the titular boy of The Boy in the Black Suit, doesn’t just adopt a routine; he gets a job at a local funeral home where he will witness other people’s grief every day. Quietly sitting in on the services and observing the mourners helps Matt feel like the pain he’s felt following the death of his mother is the same as everyone else’s. It gives him a sense of normalcy when everything in his life has changed. He’s a regular fixture at the funeral home where he meets, of course, someone who challenges everything he thinks he knows about mourning, and that someone is a girl who will change his life.

Jason Reynolds’s sensitive novel about dealing with loss and falling in love has weighty subjects, but reads like a light vignette. He excels at writing an authentically teenage voice—furthermore, Matt really sounds like a teen from Brooklyn—and his characters are believable without being predictable. Even with all of the good here, a Printz award might be a real stretch for this one.

The true stars in this novel are Reynold’s voice and his characters. The first person narration here is deceptively simple. Matt Miller speaks to the reader with a casual, easy tone. He’s warm despite his pain and he’s effortlessly funny. Describing a dreary fall morning, he says, “…there’s a constant mist like someone or something is continuously spitting on you.” The simile is cute; it’s the inclusion of “something,” in the sentence that gives Matt a personality. Reynolds has a great ear for dialogue overall and his transitions into memories and back to the present of the narrative are seamless.

In terms of theme, the book is fairly straightforward in what it has to say about growing up, losing a parent at a young age, and finding someone who “gets” it. The novel’s main weakness is in the plot. Reynolds is focused on setting the scene—Brooklyn is brilliantly rendered—and developing characters while the plot meanders, opening up in various directions. By the end of the novel, some of those plot threads are left dangling. Endings wrapped up like presents are not the right thing for every book, but some of these subplots, especially one involving Matt’s boss/mentor at the funeral home, are tied to characters whose lives were so integral to the main story. When a character is that important and developed, it seems odd when his story just fades away. I could probably make a counter argument about life sometimes taking those turns, but I’d rather hear what you all have to say about it (I’m open to arguments on either side).

Although it’s not perfect, I’m surprised that The Boy in the Black Suit only has one star. Reynolds is an exciting author to watch and his work here is good. Personally, I’m looking forward to reading his next book, All American Boys, co-written with Brendan Kiely (The Gospel of Winter). So how about you, readers? (And by the way, hello! It’s nice to be talking Printz again.) Tell us what you think in the comments!

Piedmont, Joy. (2015, September 15). [Review of The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://blogs.slj.com/printzblog/2015/09/15/the-boy-in-the-black-suit/.        

   

Library Uses:

The Boy in the Black Suit could be used in the library when introducing various African American authors in celebration of African American History month in February. The librarian could read aloud from various authors and allow students the choice to check out the books to finish on their own (this book is for more mature students, it contains several instances of curse words). The librarian could also highlight authors and their books that won the Coretta Scott King Award, so children can associate the books with the award. The librarian should also explain how the awards are chosen so students can understand their importance.

Module 4: The One and Only Ivan

Book Summary:

The One and Only Ivan is the story of an unexpected friendship between a gorilla, an elephant, and a dog who live in a mall circus. Ivan, the gorilla and Stella, the elephant live in glass “domains” next to each other. Bob, the stray dog sleeps in Ivan’s domain. For twenty-seven years Ivan has lived in his enclosure with a television and his painting to entertain him. One day things changed when Ruby, a baby elephant arrives from the wild. Ivan begins to see life and his art differently with the help of Ruby. Stella takes care of Ruby and they soon have a strong bond. When Stella becomes ill, Ivan makes a promise to always care for Ruby. He isn’t sure how he will accomplish this until he decides to use some art supplies the janitor’s daughter has brought him to communicate a message of help. Before long people begin to take notice of the conditions of the circus and people from the zoo begin to visit. Read and find out how friendship and hope can change the lives of these animals.  

APA Reference of Book:

Applegate, K. (2012). The one and only Ivan. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books.

Impressions:

The story about Ivan and the mall zoo is a touching story about the lives of animals in captive. Inspired by a true story, this was an easy but enjoyable reading experience. The voice of Ivan is perfect from the very start. It’s written simply but it completely engaging. As Ivan describes his enclosure and everything he sees, it is easy to visualize where he lives and what he sees. The wonderfully written first person narrative makes the reader feel quite deeply for the welfare of all the characters. Somehow these animals seem so real and the reader will find themselves caring about what happens to them. I experienced sadness, relief, and happiness. This was a great story that will be the type of Newbery Award book that will stand the test of time. This story will appeal to readers everywhere for years to come.

Professional Review:

KIRKUS REVIEW

How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage.

Living in a "domain" of glass, metal and cement at the Big Top Mall, Ivan sometimes forgets whether to act like a gorilla or a human—except Ivan does not think much of humans. He describes their behavior as frantic, whereas he is a peaceful artist. Fittingly, Ivan narrates his tale in short, image-rich sentences and acute, sometimes humorous, observations that are all the more heartbreaking for their simple delivery. His sorrow is palpable, but he stoically endures the cruelty of humans until Ruby the baby elephant is abused. In a pivotal scene, Ivan finally admits his domain is a cage, and rather than let Ruby live and die in grim circumstances, he promises to save her. In order to express his plea in a painting, Ivan must bravely face buried memories of the lush jungle, his family and their brutal murder, which is recounted in a brief, powerful chapter sure to arouse readers’ passions. In a compelling ending, the more challenging question Applegate poses is whether or not Ivan will remember what it was like to be a gorilla. Spot art captures poignant moments throughout.

Utterly believable, this bittersweet story, complete with an author’s note identifying the real Ivan, will inspire a new generation of advocates. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus  Reviews (2011, September 28). [Review of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/katherine-applegate/one-and-only-ivan/   

Library Uses:

The One and Only Ivan can be used as a read aloud to students in advance of learning how to utilize the library resources to conduct research. After reading about Ivan, students can learn how to use the available databases in the library to learn more about the real Ivan. Learning how to use the library resources in a uniform way will then help students know how to use them for any other topic in the future.

Module 3: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear

Module 3: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear

Book Summary:

This is the story of a mother who tells her young son, Cole, the story of a man and a bear. The story begins one hundred years earlier with a veterinarian named Harry Colebourn. He is called up to care for the animals in the war and has to leave his beloved Winnipeg behind. On his way to report for duty he encounters a man with a baby bear. After much thought he decides to purchase the bear and take it along with him. The colonel is not pleased to see this bear when they arrive, but is immediately taken with the bear. Harry chooses to name the bear Winnipeg, Winnie for short. The bear proves to be a very useful companion and trains with the other soldiers. When the time arrives for the men to go fight, Harry makes the difficult decision not to take Winnie along with them to France. He instead chooses to take him to the London Zoo to live. Here a new story begins. A story of love and friendship and family. One that will forever forge the lives of young Cole, Harry, and Winnie, the world’s most famous bear.

APA Reference of Book:

Mattick, L. (2015). Finding Winnie: The true story of the world’s most famous bear. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Impressions:

This was an amazing story with such beautiful illustrations. As I read the story I was immediately drawn into the young mother’s story to her son and with the turn of every page was pulled deeper into the amazing story. I had several friends read this book and we all gasped at the same surprising point. There was an unexpected revelation and then it got even better. It is important to go into this story with no more than that much information. Don’t read any spoilers about this book. Everyone should read this story and go into without any additional information. This book is at the top of my favorites list. It is a surprising story with so much to make it endearing. This story will stand the test of time and is sure to be a classic. Everyone who has read it so far wants to own this priceless story. I do not want to give too much away because it’s important to allow the story to unfold on its own. It is a truly spectacular story that you will want to read over and over.

Professional Review:

A mother tells a true bedtime story about the bear that inspired Winnie-the-Pooh’s name.

Mom tells little Cole about Harry, a veterinarian in Winnipeg “about a hundred years before you were born.” En route to his World War I muster, Harry buys a bear cub from a trapper and names her Winnipeg “so we’ll never be far from home.” Winnie travels overseas with the Canadian soldiers to training in England, but when they ship out to France for actual combat, Harry leaves her at the London Zoo. “That’s the end of Harry and Winnie’s story,” but another section begins, about a boy named Christopher Robin Milne who plays with Winnie at the London Zoo. Christopher Robin names his stuffed bear Winnie-the-Pooh after her, and his father—A.A. Milne, of course—takes the name and runs with it. Mattick’s prose has a storyteller’s rhythm and features the occasional flourish (repeating “his heart made up his mind”); Blackall’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations have a peaceful stillness that’s welcome in a book that, though not about combat, concerns the trappings of war. A photo album includes snapshots of Winnie with her soldiers and with Christopher Robin. The piece has something of a split personality, and the Winnie-the-Pooh angle comes so late it seems almost an afterthought.                                        

Beautiful but bifurcated, with the two stories in one making it a challenge to determine the audience. (photo album) (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus  Reviews (2015, June 23). [Review of Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lindsay-mattick/finding-winnie/

Library Uses:

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear could be used to introduce students to the history behind a beloved character. Students could also find the story helpful when preparing to write a narrative in English. This is a good example of the telling of a past event. I also believe that the surprise that comes in the story, for those who don’t who this story is about, can help show students how to create interest in their own writing.

Module 2: Anne of Green Gables

Module 2: Anne of Green Gables

Book Summary:

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a brother and sister who live together in their childhood home in Prince Edward Island, Canada, adopt a young girl named Anne to assist them on their farm, Green Gables. For the first time in her life, Anne feels loved. She makes friends and frequently finds herself in unusual predicaments. Through these trials she learns many valuable lessons for life. She achieves academic success and even wins a prestigious Avery scholarship to attend college. Through the loss of her beloved Matthew and Marilla’s illness, Anne chooses to forego college to stay in Avonlea to teach school and care for Marilla.

APA Reference of Book:

Montgomery, L.M. (1908). Anne of green gables. New York, Duke classics.

Impressions:

This book was a great story about a very likeable character. Throughout the story the reader will find themselves rooting for young Anne as she tries to find her way. Anne’s innocence is so appealing and it’s very touching to experience the relationships as they develop. The closeness that Matthew and Anne develop is so very sweet. He immediately becomes the doting dad to his and especially Marilla’s surprise. The relationship between Marilla and Anne is also something special and it’s very touching to watch it grow. Though, the couple were meant to adopt a boy, they come to realize that this happy mistake was providence. This is quite the heartwarming moment. The author developed the characters so well that the reader can empathize with them as they go through all their ups and downs.

Professional Review:

Parents need to know that this classic 1908 children's novel by L.M. Montgomery remains a perennial favorite thanks to its memorable heroine: irrepressible red-headed orphan Anne Shirley. Anne's adventures are full of amusing (and occasionally mildly dangerous) scrapes, but she's quick to learn from her mistakes and usually has only the best of intentions. Although Anne gets her best friend drunk in one episode (it's an honest mistake), there's very little here that's at all iffy for kids -- though younger readers might get a bit bogged down in the many descriptions of Anne's Prince Edward Island, Canada, home. A sad death may hit some kids hard, but the book's messages about the importance of love, friendship, family, and ambition are worth it.

QUALITY

More than a century after she first beguiled readers, Anne Shirley is still one of the most beloved characters in children's literature -- and for good reason. You can't help but be charmed by her mix of chatter, imagination, fierce loyalty, and enthusiasm. Her tendency for the dramatic -- both the dizzying heights of joy and the depths of despair -- makes her relatable and sympathetic, and her ability to see beauty in everything is inspiring.

Montgomery's knack for creating memorable characters and realistic dialogue makes ANNE OF GREEN GABLES extremely readable, though reluctant readers (or younger kids in general) may balk at her many descriptions of Prince Edward Island's natural splendors. Those who are ready for Anne's adventures, though, will find her a delightful companion -- and will be excited to follow her through the book's multiple sequels.

Bozdech, B. [Review of Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery]. Common sense media. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/anne-of-green-gables#

Library Uses:

This is a story that can be shown to students in an effort to introduce them to the genre of historical fiction. Reading some excerpts, particular those involving some of Anne’s antics, might interest students to read this novel.