Module 15: The Golden Compass

SLIS 5420/ Module 15/ April 29- May 2
The Golden Compass
By: Phillip Pullman

Bibliography: Pullman, P. (1995). The golden compass. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Summary:

The Golden Compass is ultimately the story of growing up and leaving behind childish pursuits. Lyra is the protagonist in the story and she is a precocious and mischievous child. Lyra spends most of her time getting into trouble with her best friend Roger. But when Roger is kidnapped Lyra leaves Oxford in order to find her best friend. In order to rescue him from the "Gobblers" Lyra gets help from a host of different characters like her daemon Pantalaimon, Serafina Pekkala, Iorek Byrnison, and Lee Scoresby.

Impressions:
This is one of my favorite books that I have read all semester. It has everything that you could ask for twisty family revelations, witches, alternate English realities, kidnappers called "Gobblers", gypsies, and what ever daemons are (I'm still not quite sure, but I know I want one). I had seen the movie version of this book, but I have to say this is definitely a case where the book is much better than the movie. Ii makes sense that this book is in the controversial module. The religious undertones really color the narrative. I was not at all insulted while reading the book, but I can see how it would affect some readers. I really enjoyed the book and am definitely looking forward to reading the sequels.

Review:
Kirkus Review
Pullman (The Tin Princess, 1994, etc.) returns to the familiar territory of Victorian England, but this time inhabits an alternate Earth, where magic is an ordinary fact of life. Lyra Belacqua and her daemon familiar Pantalaimon spend their days teasing the scholars of Jordan College until her uncle, Lord Asriel, announces that he's learned of astonishing events taking place in the far north involving the aurora borealis. When Lyra rescues Asriel from an attempt on his life, it is only the beginning of a torrent of events that finds Lyra willingly abducted by the velvet Mrs. Coulter, a missionary of pediatric atrocities; a journey with gyptian clansmen to rescue the children who are destined to be severed from their daemons (an act that is clearly hideous); and Lyra's discovery of her unusual powers and destiny. Lyra may suffer from excessive spunk, but she is thorough, intelligent, and charming. The author's care in recreating Victorian speech affectations never hinders the action; copious amounts of gore will not dissuade the squeamish, for resonating at the story's center is the twinkling image of a celestial city. This first fantastic installment of the His Dark Materials trilogy propels readers along with horror and high adventure, a shattering tale that begins with a promise and delivers an entire universe. (Fiction. 12+)

Library Setting:
I think it would be fun to include this book in a talk about books that are made into movies. Lots of patrons like movies and kids might find it fun to discuss the differences between the adaptations, for both good and bad. Other books that could be included are The Hunger Games, Twilight, Harry Potter, etc.

Reference Review:
Kirkus Reviews. (2010, May 20). The golden compass. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/philip-pullman/golden-compass/
Image: http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/Images/goldencompass.jpg

Module 14: Monsterologist

SLIS 5420/ Module 14? April 22- April 28
The Monsterologist
By: Bobbi Katz

Bibliography: Katz, B. (2009). The monsterologist. New York, NY: Sterling

Summary:
The The Monsterologist is written as a series of letters, memoirs, notes, and interviews of a monsterologist. The book is full of rhyme and is designed to look like an adventurer's journal. It is full of accounts about werewolves, vampires, witches, and all manner of monsters, all written in rhyme.

Impressions:
I thought that this was a very cool book. The poems and verse made the book different and engaging from some of the other books of this genre. I know that our library has several of these monsterologist, monstrology, fairy, oceanography, etc. types of books. Kids love the different mythical topics. I found myself very impressed with the overall construction quality of the book, from the binding and cover, to the cutouts and gatefolds in the interior of the book. I'm not always a big fan of books written in rhyme or poetry for that matter, but I thought that this was a very fun way to present this topic.

Review:
Booklist Review
Definitely not to be mistaken as an entry in the increasingly ubiquitous Ology line, this book offers a collection of hideous beastie-based verses. From an invitation to visit Count Dracula to an international zombie census, the quality of the poems is wildly inconsistent, sometimes even from line to line, as when a clever gross-out ( Greasy green lizards / and raw chicken gizzards, ) gets a poem rolling, only to have it fall flat on its face with spell-binding spells / cast by spell-casting wizards. More often than not, though, bursts of devilish humor and winking creepiness keep things moving, and McCauley's well-designed pages outfitted in a sort of loose, splashy collage, with a few sturdy fold-outs have browsing appeal. Cleverly, alongside old favorites from medusas and witches to krakens and the Loch Ness Monster Katz dreams up her own baddies, like the compu-monster, that gobbles up hard drives, and the voracious Verbivore (take heed, librarians!).--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2009 Booklist

Library Setting:
This book would make a great book for a Halloween program or monster program. The fact that it is written in verse makes it different from other books that could be read at the event. It would also be fun to include some kind of craft idea like making monster masks, have the  children write their own monster poems, and/or listen to "The Monster Mash".

Reference Review:
R.R. Bowker LLC. (2009). Books in print. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:4442/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|25690942|24377977&mc=USA
Image:
http://designarchives.aiga.org/assets/images/000/100/331/100331_lg.jpg

Module 13: Amulet

SLIS 5420/ Module 13/ April 15- April 21
Amulet
By: Kazu Kibuishi

Bibliography: Kibuishi, K. (2008). Amulet. New York, NY: Graphix.

Summary:

Amulet is the story of a girl, named Emily,  and the extraordinary adventure that she embarks upon. After Emily's father is killed in a car crash, Emily's mother moves the family to their ancestral home in Norlen. The house is big, old, and needs a lot of TLC. When the family arrives and begins to clean it, Emily stumbles upon a stone amulet in one of the rooms. Before the family can enjoy even one night in their new home Emily's mother is abducted by a creature and carted off to a mysterious land that can be reached by a mysterious door in the basement of the house. Emily and her brother David enter the alternate land in order to find their mother, but what they find is more than they could imagine.

Impressions:
I really enjoyed reading Amulet. I think that it is a good example of a juvenile graphic novel the writing was sophisticated and not condescending. The art while less stylized than many adult graphic novels was not cutesy or overtly childish. This book has a lot of potential and I was glad to see that there are a whole series that go along with it. It is also nice to see a juvenile graphic novel that stars an intelligent and capable girl as the main protagonist. So often in comics and graphic novels the female characters are stuck playing second fiddle, the girlfriend or the damsel-in-distress, to the male characters. Emily and David both seem like real kids who just happen to be set in extraordinary circumstances. I would definitely recommend the Amulet series to library readers, for its narrative and visuals.

Review:
Kirkus Reviews
With many a SZZT! SZRAK! FWOOM! and SKREE!, young Emily learns to use an energy-bolt-shooting amulet against an array of menaces to rescue her captured Mom in this graphic-novel series opener. When a scuttling “arachnopod” sucks down their widowed parent, Emily and younger sib Navin pursue through a door in the basement and into the alternate-Earth land of Alledia. Finding unexpected allies in rabbit-like Miskit, grumpy Cogsley and other robots created by their mysterious great-grandfather, the children weather attacks from huge, tentacled Rakers, a pointy eared elf prince with shark-like teeth and other adversaries to get her back—only to discover that she’s in a coma, poisoned. Off to Episode Two, and the distant city of Kanalis, for a cure. The mid-sized, squared-off panels are sometimes a little small to portray action sequences clearly, but the quickly paced plot is easy enough to follow, and Kibuishi is a dab hand at portraying freaky monsters. Fans of Jeff Smith’s Bone will happily fret with the good guys and hiss at the baddies. (Graphic fantasy. 10-12)

Library Setting:
This would be a fun book to include in a book talk. It is an excellent example of an appropriate and fun graphic novel for kids. This talk could also be specifically targeted to young girls since the main character, Emily, is an empowered youth trying to save her family. Other books that could be included in the talk Nancy Drew, Sisters Grimm, Ramona, and Matilda.

Review Reference:
Kirkus, R. (2010, May 20). The stonekeeper. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/Kazu-Kibuishi-77820/the-stonekeeper/
Image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7Y_4q2V3aU40LZKvMojcNMXXgaLl_V6VbL8CfquSY4xG07Seidd1tlc1rsQw_2ozgEnGlYjbeNJbyJ9ioALoYFraZPxi0jt8VSH-3gbzUO_V-FtjUPtcukC97Yy8A_1VKRpg8OCxE0Y/s1600/Autumn_Leaves.jpg

Module 12: Just Being Audrey

SLIS 5420/ Module 12/ April 8- April 14
Just Being Audrey
By: Margaret Cardillo

Bibliography: Cardillo, M. (2011). Just being Audrey. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Summary: Just Being Audrey is the biography of a young Audrey Hepburn. It chronicles the pivotal events of Audrey Hepburn's life from her childhood during the height of World War II, her rise to stardom in Hollywood, and her work later in life with UNICEF.

Impressions: This is an incredibly cute book for children who may have seen Audrey Hepburn in a movie and want to know more about her, or for parents who want to introduce their children to a real Hollywood legend. The book is an authentic biography that is written for a younger audience. Readers won't find a lot of specifics in this book, but it does touch on many of the most famous aspects of Audrey Hepburn's life. It is also worth reading and sharing for the pictures alone! The drawings are so simple and beautiful. I think that they really capture the essence of Audrey Hepburn.

Review:
School Library Journal
K-Gr 3-In this delightful introduction to Audrey Hepburn, readers learn that as a child, she was gangly and imaginative, in a world of her own. When she announced that she wanted to be the prima ballerina of all of Europe, her mother told her that the world was bigger than she was, and to always be kind, a tenet that seems to have stuck with her for life. She was born into a family of some privilege (her mother was a baroness), but their small wealth was no match for the advancing Nazi troops in World War II. Along with her family and 40 others, she hid in a country house with no heat and little to eat. Through the ordeal, she kept dancing and taught the other children. As the war in Europe ended, a UN volunteer gave her a chocolate bar, an act of kindness that seemed to inspire her. After the young woman realized that she would be more suited to acting, her Cinderella career took her from London to Broadway to Hollywood, but the power in this book lies beyond her fame in the spotlight. Her generous humanitarian spirit is seen through her actions and deeds as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF as she used her celebrity as a vehicle to assist others. With a light, sweet narrative style, readers can almost picture Hepburn dancing as they turn the pages. Evocative of the period, Denos's almost impressionistic pen-and-ink and watercolor artwork is lively and colorful. This picture-book biography is a great addition to any collection.

Library Setting:
This would be a great book to introduce a unit about biographies and autobiographies in school. It could also be used to introduce a nonfiction setting to young children.

Reference Review:
http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2063/ehost/detail?vid=3&sid=6370407d-d00e-48cb-8fed-6f5fbd766ec4%40sessionmgr4&hid=15&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#db=brd&AN=518529267
Image: http://shannoneileenblog.typepad.com/.a/6a0120a5c8d9a9970c0148c7f71315970c-320wi

Module 11: Almost Astronauts

SLIS 5420/ Module 11/ April 1- April 7
Almost Astronauts
By: Tanya Lee Stone

Bibliography: Stone, Tanya. (2009). Almost Astronauts. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press

Summary:

Almost Astronauts is the story of the "Mercury 13" a group of women in the 1960s who dared to dream that they too could be astronauts. The book tells the story of these 13 women through the trials and tribulations that they faced both during the space testing and afterwards when they were publicly mocked for their belief that women were just as fit if not more so than men for space flight and exploration. It is story of dreams, discrimination, despair, fight, and triumph.

Impressions:
I thought that this book was amazing. It was by far my favorite book that I read for this module. I came into the book not knowing anything about the Mercury 13. I was not even aware that women went through astronaut testing during the 60s or that they did so well! I think that this book is an incredible resource for children who are interested in space. The overall book design leans more towards older readers. The book is almost 200 pages long and the text takes up entire pages. There is, however, a wealth of beautiful historic photographs that younger readers will enjoy, that lend well for older readers who want to put faces to the names in the book. I learned a lot from reading this book. I was dismayed by the discrimination and political hijinks that crushed these women's dreams and at the same time uplifted by their determination to never quit and to blaze a path for future generations of women.

Review:
Kirkus Reviews
The fascinating, dramatic story of the “Mercury 13,” a group of women aviators who proved to be as courageous, intelligent and fit as any man, but who were nonetheless barred from NASA’s astronaut program because of their gender. At the center of the story is Jerrie Cobb, a veteran pilot who successfully completed every test given to male astronauts. Her performance, and that of the others, proved women had the “right stuff,” but these findings were not enough to overcome the prevailing prejudices of the time. It took 20 years before NASA admitted women into the astronaut program. Stone poignantly chronicles how the efforts of Cobb and her colleagues were ridiculed and thwarted by everyone from Vice-President Lyndon Johnson to Mercury astronauts Scott Carpenter and John Glenn and—in a bitter irony—Jackie Cochran, a highly respected, trailblazing female pilot, who appeared to be motivated by jealousy and spite. The author offers great insight into how deeply ingrained sexism was in American society and its institutions. Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering story will leave readers inspired. (foreword, source notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)

Library Setting:
In my opinion this book belongs in every library's nonfiction section. This books would work well in a classroom setting during a discussion of the 1960s. It could serve as a representation of the other side of NASA's space program as well as spark discussion on sexism in America. I think that this book could be used to inspire both girls and boys to not let anyone tell them what they can and cannot do, and to also shoot for the stars literally, pursuing science and math after being shown the practical applications of what you can do with this type of education.

Review Reference:
Kirkus Reviews. (2013). Almost astronauts review. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tanya-lee-stone/almost-astronauts/
Image: http://childrensbookalmanac.com/wp-content/uploads/Almost-Astronauts.png

Module 10: Greetings from Planet Earth

SLIS/ 5420/ March 25- March 31
Greetings from Planet Earth
By Barbara Kerley

Bibliography: Kerley, B. (2007). Greetings from Planet Earth. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Summary: Greetings from Planet Earth is the story of a boy named Theo searching for identity. It is 1977 and Theo's family lives with the fact that his father never came back from Vietnam. There are two rules in their household, 1) Never talk about their father and 2) Pretend like everything is ok. THeo is given an assignment in school related to NASA's Voyager 2 mission. They are to make a one minute tape recording of what the most important thing about planet Earth is and bring a picture. What seems a simple assignment soon turns into a quest for answers as Theo seeks information that he has been denied for years. Theo wants to know his father, the war that took him away, and why his family shrouds itself in lies and secrecy.

Impressions: I flew through this book starting and finishing it in a single day. I was moved by Theo's story and search for answers. The setting was historical and reflected life in 1977 America while filling it with fictional characters. I admired Theo's hunt for the truth and cheered when he turned to the library for answers. I think that this is ultimately a story about both the good and bad parts of humanity. This theme is reflected in the narrative changes between Theo's search for his father and more information about the Vietnam war and his obsession with space and the moon. The former describes war and the terrible acts that mankind can inflict upon itself while the latter shows the heights that mankind can achieve once we decide to accomplish something.

Review:
Kirkus Reviews
The upcoming Voyager 2 space probe sparks 12-year-old Theo’s discoveries about life on earth in 1977. His teacher, Mr. Meyer, decides that the class should put together a golden record for the Voyager to share with any aliens encountered. Each kid in the class has to contribute the sounds of what they consider the best thing on earth. Theo’s close family consists of a busy mother, his older sister Janet and grandmother JeeBee, who lives nearby in their Virginia suburb. The absence of his father begins to ache like a sore tooth, and Theo’s exploration of his world, as he tries to figure out his contribution, gradually discovers inconsistencies and strange messages that he’s never really put into a logical sequence before. Finding letters from Vietnam written by his dad years earlier, Theo proves capable of probes that will lead him to the truth. Kerley’s structure is in alternating transcripts of a recording for an unknown reader, and a third-person account of Theo’s life with various sections labeled with geographic place names from the moon. The space capsule assignment reveals much about earthlings, and Mr. Meyer’s insightful questioning brings a depth and universality to what is essentially one family’s struggle with the past. (Fiction. 10-14)

Library Setting:
I think that this book would work well in a middle school classroom session discussing the space race, Vietnam war, or the 1970s in general. The book has vivid descriptions of family life at the time and moments like the Voyager 2 departure and Life magazine that make the setting come alive. I think that this book could also be used in conjunction with some newer more modern books or books about World War II to help explain what the wars did to society and families during those time periods. I think that sometimes in school we only get the broad view of "we won" or "fought for a noble purpose" I think it is important to impress upon children what we lost as well

Reference Review: Kirkus Review. (2010, May 20). Greetings from planet earth review. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barbara-kerley/greetings-from-planet-earth/
Image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDzOnNGxEmosIqD0Hf-_2vqdIAqAHQn7LQvhc26VPjNn0xoXwVdYMNi-6YVKyhjYH0mCiZYuwJXFrp5bouiJPxhkcNKsXQQKAFTyJf_kplGCKOIZtyLzrJK-2e1l7rNkSqxrdIqUUH5Sz/s400/planet+earth.jpg

Module 9: The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose!

SLIS 5420/ Module 9/ March 18- March 24
The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose!
By: Gabby Gosling

Bibliography: Gosling, G. (2004). The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens, Inc.

Summary:

In The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose, the Queen of Hearts has had her strawberry tarts stolen and it has made her quite cranky. To find the perpetrator of the especially heinous crime the King and Queen call in the Chief Detective of Nursurey Rhyme Crime Mother Goose. Mother Goose investigates all of the chief suspects including the Knave of Hearts, Little Miss Muffet, and the Big Bad Wolf. But it will take all of Mother Goose's intellect and rhyming ability to discover the true chararacter behind this crime.

Impressions:
I picked this book off of our reading list without knowing a thing about it. I liked the title and that was about it. So I was really surprised when I went to pick up the book from the library and it turned out that I had chosen a picture book mystery. I had never really thought about pictures books fitting into genres like horror, mystery, or fantasy before this module. Anyway I was immediately drawn into this Mother Goose book. The illustrations are beautiful and the rhyming isn't overly cutesy, like what is so often found in children's books, but actually furthers and enhances the storytelling. It might not hold the attention of very young readers since the art is stylized and there is quite a bit of text on the pages, but older readers as well as adults should find the book amusing at least. I also liked how the author took fairytale characters that have been around forever and that readers are most likely intimately familiear with and turned them on their heads. Like how Little Miss Muffet didn't just sit on her tuffet, but was really doing yoga, and how the chef from the song "Patty Cake" was actually the baker of the Queen of Hearts favorite tarts. I would definitely recommend this book to readers.

Review:
School Library Journal
K-Gr 4-- When the Queen of Hearts discovers her strawberry tarts missing, she calls in Mother Goose, "Chief Detective of Nursery Rhyme Crime." The clues include a trail of crumbs, a dish and a spoon, and a hankie with the initials HM. As Mother Goose questions each suspect, a full-page illustration of that individual appears opposite the text, which is printed on a manila-folder background. A handwritten note with humorous details about that particular character appears to be paper clipped to the file. Readers may question the detective's technique as she chases down alleged perpetrators who do not have the correct initials. However, logic aside, the comical rewording of familiar facts will appeal to those who are conversant with nursery rhymes. The vibrant cartoons pop off the pages, and the witty details will have youngsters studying the pictures with interest. Serving as a foil for the boisterous cast of characters, Mother Goose appears almost too charming and sweet to be pitted against this wild and wacky lineup of possible criminals, but that only adds to the comedy. With its retro artwork and imitation of hard-boiled detective speech, this text-heavy mystery is more appropriate for older children, but the story and its solution may be a bit too simplistic to hold their attention. Fans of Jon Scieszka's humor seem the most likely audience for this book's campy art and puns.

Library Setting:
I have always wanted to do a detective program at a library. I could fill up an entire display of books devoted to mysteries like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, Box Car children, The Great Mouse Detective, etc. I think that this book would work so well in a display or program setting. It could also be used in a storytime session that dealt with rhyming and narratives. Younger children could be encouraged to play with words to make them rhyme. Pairing the book with something like Dr. Seuss would work well since both nursury rhyme characters and Dr. Seuss' characters are well known to many children.

Review Reference:

Edwards, L. (2004). The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose! (Book). School Library Journal, 50(5), 112.

Image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYdTkNo1jkdC49-GDK81SSPLVxnewunpK3BJruCY9vY_KyKUg-CvdTZDFeFt54eBPjSOokNsL-me9I6Ssifjo7BfA6tqYpdEBQVnkgu2PuOeI6TfQrS8PBNgbwK_j2SHC7Z7VEy-aghu0/s1600/Top+secret+files+of+mother+goose.jpg