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

 

Module 8: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

SLIS 5420/ Module 8/ March 4-March 11
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
By Rick Riordan

Bibliography: Riordan, R. (2005). Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. New York, NY: Hyperion Books

Summary:
The Lightning Thief is the first book in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. In this book Percy learns that he is the son of Poseidon and a demigod. Percy's life takes a drastic change due to this knowledge soon he finds himself at Halfblood Hill, an academy/summer camp for the children of the gods, where they can train and learn. It isn't long, however, before Percy must set out on a quest with his friends Grover, the satyr, and Annabelle the daughter of Athena. Someone has stolen Zeus' master lightning bolt and all evidence leads to Percy. Percy must find the lightning bolt and return it to Zeus before the summer solstice in order to prevent a war among the gods.

Impressions:
I chose this book off of the list because it is always very popular at the library in which I volunteer. I wanted to see what the big deal is. I have always been a fan of Greek and Roman myths, so I really liked that aspect of the book. Rick Riordan manages to root his characters and universe in these myths while also making his book seem fresh and new. I liked how Percy and the other demigods were often diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia because their brains are actually "hardwired for ancient Greek". Little nuances like that make the book seem more realistic. The writing did seem a little juvenile to me, but I am not the author's target audience and so that first person sarcasm and attitude must appeal to elementary and middle school readers since this series is a best seller.

Professional Review:
Edgar Award–winning Riordan leaves the adult world of mystery to begin a fantasy series for younger readers. Twelve-year-old Percy (full name, Perseus) Jackson has attended six schools in six years. Officially diagnosed with ADHD, his lack of self-control gets him in trouble again and again. What if it isn’t his fault? What if all the outrageous incidents that get him kicked out of school are the result of his being a “half-blood,” the product of a relationship between a human and a Greek god? Could it be true that his math teacher Mrs. Dodds transformed into a shriveled hag with bat wings, a Fury, and was trying to kill him? Did he really vanquish her with a pen that turned into a sword? One need not be an expert in Greek mythology to enjoy Percy’s journey to retrieve Zeus’s master bolt from the Underworld, but those who are familiar with the deities and demi-gods will have many an ah-ha moment. Along the way, Percy and his cohort run into Medusa, Cerberus and Pan, among others. The sardonic tone of the narrator’s voice lends a refreshing air of realism to this riotously paced quest tale of heroism that questions the realities of our world, family, friendship and loyalty. (Fantasy. 12-15)

Library Setting:
This book would work well as a tool to introduce the school subject of Greek mythology. It would make a good part of a display on Greek and Roman myths as well as a display on popular or new series for middle school and elementary readers.

Reference Review: Kirkus Reviews. (2012). Percy jackson and the olympians: the lightning thief. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rick-riordan/lightning-thief/
Image: http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120426104003/olympians/images/f/f8/The_Lightning_Thief-1.jpg

Module 7: The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl

SLIS 5420/ Module 7/ February 24-March 3
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl
By Barry Lyga

Bibliography: Lyga, B. (2007). The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl. New York, NY: Graphia.

Summary:
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl tells the story of a high school boy named Donnie. Donnie's life has always been plagued by bullies and family drama, but lately it has taken a turn for the worse. Donnie's mom is pregnant with his HALF sister or brother, the stepfascist is still married to his mother, and the bullying is just getting worse. Luckily Donnie has his one escape, Schemata. The graphic novel he has been working on for years. If he can just show it to Brian Michael Bendis at the comic-con coming up in a couple of weeks everything will turn around. Then Kyra enters his life and his world goes topsy-turvy again. Fanboy might not survive Goth-girl.

Impressions:
I really enjoyed reading this book. I love comic books, superheroes, and all of those nerdy types of things. So I could really relate to Donnie's desire to meet Brian Michael Bendis. The characters in the Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl are also complex and deep, they seem like real people which is always nice to find in YA fiction. This book also deals with lots of teen angsty issues like suicide, bullying, divorce, death, and betrayal, but in a realistic and sympathetic way. I think it is nice to see such serious issues treated in a respectable way.

Professional Review:
Lyga has crafted credible protagonists in his first work of fiction about two misfit teens who forge a friendship. Donnie (aka Fanboy) is a comic-book aficionado, who lives with his newly remarried, pregnant mother and his “step-fascist.” Rule-abiding and honest, Fanboy’s goal in life is to meet writer and illustrator Brian Michael Bendis, to show him his own graphic novel. Unfortunately, Fanboy is tormented at school and has fantasies about school massacres; he finds comfort in his talisman, a single bullet. Enter Kyra (aka Goth Girl), who is confused and frustrated with Fanboy as she observes him refusing to stand up for himself. She reaches out to him, and the two quickly establish an uneasy albeit powerful relationship based on their mutual disdain for most of their peers and their love of comics. Although it seems likely that Goth Girl’s recklessness and cynicism will have a detrimental effect on Fanboy, he begins to see her as vulnerable, and helping her gives him new purpose. Because it’s authentic and well-written, teen readers will appreciate the complexities of these unique characters, and root for them to triumph. (Fiction. YA)

Library Setting:
This book would work well as part of a suicide, bullying, or high school issues book display or discussion. Even if the readers haven't dealt with any of these specific problems themselves The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl makes the characters easily relatable. This book can be used to bring these issues to light and make students aware of the issues their class mates might be facing.

Reference Review: Kirkus Reviews. (2012). The astonishing adventures of fanboy and goth girl. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barry-lyga/the-astonishing-adventures-of-fanboy-and-goth-girl/
Image: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lgoey4spop1qe0xj3o1_400.jpg

Module 7: The Penderwicks

SLIS 5420/ Module 7/February 25-March
The Penderwicks
By Jeanne Birdsall

Bibliography: Birdsall, J. (2005). The Penderwicks. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Summary:
The Penderwicks is a family made up of a father, four daughters, and their dog Hound. To make their summer more magical they take a trip to Arundel and rent the cottage on the back of the estate. The girls bond throughout their three weeks at Arundel with the boy who lives in the main house, the gardener, and two friendly rabbits. Throughout their vacation the sisters forge deeper bonds between them and learn about friends, family, and growing up.

Impressions:
The Penderwicks is as charming a book as the cover suggests. I immediately fell in love with all four of the Penderwick sisters. Their Rosalind's devotion to family and honor, Batty's ladybug wings that never left her back, the adventures of Sabrina Starr as created by Jane, and Skye's inability to not say everything that is on her mind. The author brings the innocence of youth and summer play into each sentence in the book. The characters are as vivid as the setting. When I finished the book I immediately wished that I could visit the magical Arundel, but since that is unlikely, I better just find the sequel.

Professional Review:
Kirkus Review
Echoes of Alcott contribute to the intimate charm of this story of “summer and magic and adventure.” Not since the Marches have readers met more engaging girls than the Penderwicks: Rosalind, 12, pretty and practical; Skye, 11, smart and blue-eyed; Jane, ten, aspiring author, whose alter ego, Sabrina Starr, is fearless and clever; and butterfly wing–wearing Batty, four. Dear Father is a botanist, fond of spouting witticisms in Latin; Mommy is in heaven. This year, vacation will be spent at the cream-colored cottage at Arundel, estate of snooty Mrs. Tifton, whose house is “like a museum, only without armed guards.” Unless she has a change of heart, Jeffrey, her gentle, music-loving only child, is doomed to be sent to Pencey Military Academy, “Where Boys Become Men and Men Become Soldiers.” Despite a few mishaps, the children become fast friends and partners in the sorts of lively plots and pastoral pastimes we don’t read much about these days. Their adventures and near-disasters, innocent crushes, escaped animals, owning-up and growing up (and yes, changes of heart) are satisfying and not-too-sweet. (Fiction. 8-12)

Library Setting:
I think that the Penderwicks could be used on a library display with its audio book version to draw new readers or children who don't like reading. The cover is inviting and the subject matter light and warm. The reader for the audio book also does excellent versions of each of the different characters that really capture their individual personalities.

Reference Review: Kirkus.com. (2013). Kirkus reviews: The penderwicks. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jeanne-birdsall/the-penderwicks/
Image: http://www.jennysbookreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/penderwicks_jeanne_birdsall1.jpg

Module 6: How to Clean Your Room in 10 easy steps

SLIS 5420/ Module 6/ February 18-24
How to Clean Your Room in 10 Easy Steps
By Jennifer LaRue Huget and Edward Koren

Bibliography:
Huget, J. L., & Koren, E. (2010). How to clean your room in 10 easy steps. New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books.

Summary:
The narrator of the book How to Clean Your Room in 10 Easy Steps provides readers with 10 easy to follow steps to have a cleaner room. While her advice may be solid in some instances most of the steps should be taken with a grain of salt and a fair share of humor.

Impressions:
I both like and dislike this book. I enjoyed the narrative storyline. The big sister in the book that is supposed to be "cleaning" her room reminds me of my own in some ways. "Pizza crusts many be munched on if they are less than a month old. If you can't remember how old they are, go over to your sister's room and give them to her". I think that most younger siblings will empathize with the younger sister in this book while all readers will enjoy the roundabout ways that "cleaning" gets done. The pictures are both the high and low points of this book. I love the way the illustrator puts funny little extra moments into the illustrations. For example, the fish whose hair and mannerisms mirror the main protagonists. At the same time, however, I was kind of turned off by the sheer amount of lines in the artwork. It kind of made the illustrations look like chicken scratch more than the clean cut lines and coloring that made up the other books I read this module. 

Review:
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-A girl demonstrates how to get results and have fun at the same time. Dusting can be done with a sock, dust bunnies can be hidden away in a dresser drawer with the candy wrappers ("You know, for crafts"), and unwanted and broken toys can be wrapped up and given to a younger sibling. The things that you love should be shoved into the closet with the door secured tightly. "Watch out. It might explode." The tongue-in-cheek humor in Koren's pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations and Huget's writing will be appreciated by children who are responsible for cleaning their own rooms. They may not have a pet cat and dog helping them as Ann Erica Kelly does, but her story lightens the burden of this most dreaded chore.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. 

Library Setting:
This book could be part of a storytime for younger readers that teaches counting and or the concept of irony. The protagonist of the books goes through easy to understand steps in a 1-10 interval that children can count with. Teaching irony with this book would be as easy as reading the story out loud and then having the kids point out the parts of the picture that don't fit.

Reference Review:
R.R. Bowker LLC. (2010). Books in print: How to clean a room in 10 easy steps. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:4442/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|27216677|25984142&mc=USA
Image:
http://bellaonbooks.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/how-to-clean-your-room-in-10-easy-steps.jpg