Friday, May 6, 2011

Book Review - Guys Read Funny Business, Short Story Collection













Guys Read Funny Business edited by Jon Scieszka
Walden Pond Press 2010
ISBN 978-0-06-19674-2
pp. 268


Humor can be dissected, as a frog can, but the thing dies in the process, and the innards are discouraging to any but the pure scientific mind.” – E. B. White

Guys Read Funny business is a compilation of ten humorous short stories featuring young male protagonists edited by Jon Scieszka,"A former teacher, Scieszka — the first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, appointed this year by the Library of Congress " (NY Times  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/books/review/VonDrasek-t.html).  In his introduction he explains the importance of humor – “…humor is seriously on of the best kids of reading…Your brain is doing some great work when it’s laughing.”  



Enjoy this youtube video of many of the participating authors - setting up "the joke" - I dare you not to chuckle.


These stories ran the gamut of wise-guy types to science fiction to the outrageous. The stories were all fun with likeable heroes and obnoxious villains. Some of the parents, too, were larger than life. They reminded me of the classic short stories the Wayside School by Louis Sachar.  I feel like these stories would fall into the same wonderful read aloud tradition that the Wayside School adventures.  I was drawn to this collection due to the many popular young adult authors that came together in this book - specifically Eoin Colfer, Jack Gantos and Jeff Kinney.  I am sure several of these names will grab young readers attention. My favorite story was written by Eoin Colfer named Artemis Begins (a play on his popular Artemis Fowl series). I laughed out loud at the pranks by the four brothers described in this short story and winced at the reactions they elicited from their poor mother.

Jon Scieszka has a great site that gives tons of suggestions for boys to read in all different genres - highly suggest this site for any educator or parent of boys. He suggests books by categorizing them in such fun ways as "at least one explosion" - take time to check in out here  http://www.guysread.com/






Other short stories to enjoy if Guys Read Funny Business was a good choice for you:

Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up  by Jon Scieszka



Thirteen Stories That Capture the Agony and Ecstasy of Being Thirteen edited by James Howe

Described as a "must read" for middle school students. See a full review here. http://www.amazon.com/review/RPBAXVTLKSOC0/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#RPBAXVTLKSOC0






Twelve Impossible Things Before Breakfast: Stories by Jane Yolen

Get an overview of this short story collection on the author's official site here.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Multicultural Texts for Young Adults


Extra Credit – Multicultural Texts for Young Adults
Sonya Kannam
EDU 524-50
Spring 2011


The Dreamer, Pura Belpre’ Award winner 2011
written by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated  by Perter Sís
Multicultural focus: Chilean culture
* full length fiction
Review by www.commonsensemedia.com
“In the early 1900s a gifted young boy named Neftali Reyes grows up with an emotionally abusive father and struggles to maintain his individuality. In Neftali's world, birds become words and words become flowers, and such dreaminess is highly discouraged by neighborhood bullies and ambitious fathers.  He is known as a gifted young writer, but endures constant cruelty from his father. Surrounded by the beauty of Chile, Neftali is compelled to write to survive and his talent is recognized by teachers and peers, yet he spends a lonely boyhood enduring his father's efforts to stomp out any artistic talent. A supportive uncle teaches him journalism, and becomes a role model who champions social justice. That sustains Neftali until, at 18, he is old enough to create a new identity, that of Pablo Neruda. Contains an author's note; some of Neruda's poems, and a source list.”




90 Miles to Havana, Pura Belpre’ Award Honor book 2011
 by Enrique Flores-Galbis
Roaring Book Press, 2010
ISBN 978-59643-168-3
pp.292
Multicultural focus: Cuban culture, refugee experience
*full-length fiction
Review on ALA’s Pura Belpre Award page:
“90 Miles to Havana is based on the author’s experience as one of 14,000 children in Operation Pedro Pan. Moving from Cuba to the refugee camp in Miami, Flores-Galbis’ writing is engaging, fast paced, and colorful with well-developed characters drawn from his personal experiences.”

 
Heart of a Samurai, Newberry Honor Book
By Margi Preus
Amulet Books, 2010
ISBN 978-0-8109-8981
pp. 301
Multicultural focus: Japanese culture, early 1600s
*full-length fiction

In 1841, fourteen-year-old Manjiro worked as the youngest fisherman aboard a small Japanese boat with four other men. After a severe storm caused their boat to drift far out to sea, the men finally found shelter on a small deserted island. Not only did sheer survival prove a growing challenge, but the men had to face the nagging worry of how Japanese officials would treat them if they were rescued. The government had closed Japan's borders to all foreigners in the early 1600s, and anyone who left the country could be put to death upon returning to Japan.

After six grueling months living as castaways, Manjiro and his compatriots were rescued by an American whaling ship and brought to Hawaii. During this period the captain and Manjiro developed a father-son connection, so Manjiro continued the voyage with him to Massachusetts. Although Manjiro enjoyed life on the captain's farm and he learned quickly at school, the discriminatory treatment he faced in the community as the only Japanese boy prevented him from feeling completely at home. Year later, California's gold rush provided an opportunity to save enough money for returning home, but would the Japanese government permit him to re-enter the country after such a long time of living with the "barbarians"?

Middle grade readers will appreciate this engaging tale of a courageous child who survived near starvation on a deserted island, earned the respect of a bunch of rough sailors on a whaling ship, adapted to an entirely different culture, and risked execution for returning to Japan. Intrinsic to the storyline are a set of useful economics lessons about jobs, savings, and natural resources. The historical context provides an interesting opportunity to discuss the repercussions of sealing a country's borders to the outside world, an issue that is still relevant today.”


American Born Chinese, winner of Michael L. Printz award 2007
 by Gene Luen Yang
Multicultural focus: Chinese-American culture
*graphic novel
Review found on www.ala.org
“Yang draws from American pop culture and ancient Chinese mythology in his groundbreaking work. Expertly told in words and pictures, Yang’s story in three parts follows a Chinese American teenager’s struggle to define himself against racial stereotypes. “American Born Chinese” is the first graphic novel to be recognized by the Michael L. Printz Committee.
Yang, who began drawing comics in the fifth grade, is a high school teacher in the San Francisco Bay area. The annual award for literary excellence is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of ALA, and is sponsored by Booklist magazine. The award, first given in 2000, is named for the late Michael L. Printz, a Topeka, Kans., school librarian known for discovering and promoting quality books for young adults.”



The Book Thief, Michael L. Printz honor book 2007
By Markus Zusak
Review found on www.amazon.com
*full-length fiction
Multicultural focus: Jewish-German culture during WWII

“This is a story told by Death. An interesting point of view perhaps, but as it is set in Germany during World War II, perhaps it is entirely appropriate. It is also a story of a young girl, who in spite of having a life that no one would wish on anyone, still manages to have glimpses of pleasure through many small things, including the few books that she manages to acquire (or shall we say, steal).

It is interesting to see that it appears to be targeted to young adult readers - please don't be put off by this - it is very much an adult story about children who are doing their best to live a normal life in times of unspeakable horror. It would also be a good way to introduce more mature readers to the history of the times. But be warned, it is quite confrontational at times, and considering whom the narrator is, very sad.

To add extra punch to the story, it appears that it is the true story of the author's grandmother. When you consider this, you realize how truly resilient we humans are, and how occasionally, and with a bit of luck, we can hold off death for a time.”

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Book Review - The Adoration of Jenna Fox


The Adoration of Jenna Fox
By Mary E. Pearson
Henry Holt and Company
2009
ISBN:978-0-312-59441-1
pp. 265


What makes you you? Is it your hair? Your eyes? Your personality? Your brain? What could you take away from yourself and still be “you”? While reading the novel The Adoration of Jenna Fox all of these questions knaw at you and truly never let go of you.

Jenna was not supposed to survive a terrible car crash, but she did. Set not too far in the future, the reader meets Jenna as she first “wakes up” from a long coma. What happened? Where is she? Why does her body look unharmed? Through Jenna’s eyes the reader slowly learns of Jenna’s past, her relationship with her parents, and her mysterious unscathed current state. As her parents encourage her to view videos of her past, she learns of their far reaching and perhaps all controlling love. She wonders out loud – can parents love too much? Do parents have the right to make life altering decisions for their children? At what age should those decisions be the child’s solely?

As Jenna learns more about her past, she struggles to understand more about her current life. The discovery that she truly has been altered – a choice her parents made in a desperate attempt not to lose her – both shocks and consumes her. Desperately trying to be her “own person”, Jenna finally rebels from her parents’ tight grasp and demands to go out into the world and attend school. School opens her up to many risks and many discoveries. Through her classmates she experiences love, loyalty, sadness and confusion – but can she really be having these feelings as a “created being”? Jenna’s journey of self-discovery although in a very altered experience seem to be universal enough to appeal to any young adult trying to discover themselves, their place in the world, and their meaning of life.

I would highly recommend this book to young adults from age 12 and up and would also highly recommend this book for adults. The questions of who we are, what makes us us, and how we all make decisions in the face of death are incredibly intriguing and will keep the reader turning pages sometimes faster than they can read them.

Other books that I  recommend that deal with scientific experimentation on humans for this age group:


The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson
Although my middle school library has multiple copies of these books - I cannot keep them on the shelves. The main character is Max, a mutant teenager with wings, she along with her mutated group of friends struggle to define themselves in a "normal" world while they fight to survive against their scientific creators.
Click here for a more detailed book review click here.



Dr. Franklin's Island by Ann Halam
A scientist captures two young girls and turns them into animals. As their bodies change they work to maintain their true human spirit of courage, love, and friendship. Does it matter what they look like? What makes them "them"? My sixth grade book group truly enjoyed using this book as a discussion for self-identity and discovery.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Book Review - TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY

TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY
a novel by Jay Asher
Published by the Penguin Group
ISBN 978-1-59514-171-2
pp.288




In high school I was trained to answer a suicide hotline - to this day, I can remember how nervous I was that the phone would actually ring. 


Could I really help someone overcome the desire to end their life? Could I really reel someone in from the abyss of confusion, of  hopelessness, of despair?  The question still lingers - could I really help?


13 Reasons Why is a heartwrenching 268 page suicide note. Instead of leaving her last thoughts down on paper, the main character Hannah records her last thoughts and  her13 reasons why she decides to take her life on cassette tapes for a specific list of people to listen to - whether they want to or not. From beyond the grave, she guilts her listeners into hearing their impact, their domino-like effect why a young, beautiful, full of life high schoolers would choose to end it all.


From the very first page to the very last, the reader is compelled to keep "listening" along with Clay Johnson, one of the members of the "list"to find out how they fit into Hannah's puzzle of self-destruction.  With the weight of knowing that Hannah already has commited suicide, each listener must agonize through Hannah's eyes the responsibility that they had in her death.  What DID they do? What DIDN'T they do? Could they have been the ONE person that could of stood between Hannah and death?


Each side of a cassette tape is dedicated to a single person on Hannah's list - they need to know what they did.... Did they not listen to her? Did they start rumors about her? Did they turn their back on her? Did they let other's bully or sexually harass Hannah? Did they provide the last drip of deceit and pain that tipped Hannah's life vessel over to never be refilled again? Did they "kill" Hannah?


This book is a hard one to put down, even though the reader knows Hannah's fate from the very beginning, it is very hard not to hold on to some hope that there is a way to turn back time, to undo the hurtful deeds that led to Hannah's death. Many times throughout this story I found myself hoping that the next tape would actually reveal that Hannah was alive, recovering somewhere, that her attempt at suicide had failed.


The references of bullying, sexual harassment, gossip, fake friends, rumors, love lost, feeling alone and hopeless are unfortunately very personal for many young adults...hopefully this book may also provide a turning point for some readers...to act, to not look away, to stop before saying or doing such hurtful acts to others no matter how trivial they may seem,  and in turn maybe be the one to save someone else...




Due to some of the sexual content of this book, I would recommend it for 14 and up, but the subject matter of suicide is something that needs to be discussed at an early age. According to the Centers for Disease Control...
One of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers is suicide... it is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. Even more disturbing is the fact that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14."


Here are some resources for that discussion.


If suicide even remotely comes to mind:


Please reach out and talk to someone at 1-800-SUICIDE


RESOURCES for TEACHERS, PARENTS, KIDS along with CRITICAL WARNING SIGNS CLICK HERE!










Other books young adult readers may compelled by this book:


A story of taking two friends taking their "list" of people that they hate and doing something about it:
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
see a review here.
see a youtube trailer of the books storyline here.



















A classic and tragic story of depression and the toll it takes:
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath


See a synopsis at the following link.
http://depression.about.com/cs/truestories/fr/thebelljar.htm

Monday, April 4, 2011

Pathfinder Pam Munoz Ryan - something for everyone


Something for everyone...
Pam Munoz Ryan reaches into her reader's minds and helps them to get more comfortable about : who they are, who they might become, where they fit in in our world and how to relate to one's family, friends, and peers. Through the diverse genres of young children picture books all the way to young adult literature Pam Munoz Ryan takes these universal themes and makes them accessible to all readers.  Hopefully, 
this pathfinder is for teachers and students to learn more about the award winning author but also to find something for themselves..

Biography - Who is she?
Pam Munoz was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. Her days after school were spent at her grandmother's pouring over books. Her grandmother's story of arriving in California from Mexico is loosely portrayed in Ryan's award winning book, Espernaza Rising. Later in her school years, she attended a new school where she felt uneasy with herself and her peers - she took refuge in books. They were her "place to escape". Her career started in early childhood teaching and administration. When she went back to school for a master's in education, two separate friends asked her to consider writing as a career - they knew she had talent. Like many writer's beginnings turn out, her manuscripts were rejected left and right - "too many to count" she shares.  Finally, after many trials and tribulations her first book was published in 1994. Lucky for us, she has not stopped since and has published over 30 books for kids - from picture books, anthologies, young adult books, and even biographies.




Watch a video interview here.

Books - How many? For who?
Pam Munoz Ryan has been a very busy and successful writer. A few of her books are highlighted below. For a complete list of her books, a brief synopsis of each, and the many awards/honors that each has received please visit her comprehensive official website here.

1998 Riding Freedom - Life is hard for Charlotte growing up as an orphan in the mid-1800's. Find out how she and a secret defy all the odds.



1999 Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride - Following a true story of these friends adventure one night - flying in the face of convention.




2000 Esperanza Rising - Learn how losing everything can sometimes realize all that you actually have got.



2001 Mice and Beans -  A colorful story of a big family celebration. How does one feel special?


2002 When Marian Sang - A famous symbol of the Civil Rights movement. This story tells of Marian Anderson's successes and obstacles.


2004 Becoming Naomi Leon - Think positive. Can that truly save your family?


2011 Tony Baloney - How does a penguin stay out of trouble in his big family? How does he find love and mischief?

Awards/Honors - What do they mean?
It is very special to receive any award in writing - whether from fans, critics, or organizations. What makes Pam Munoz Ryan so unique is not only the number of awards that her books have been given, but the diversity of awards it truly amazing and awe inspiring. Her awards include: The Pura Belpre Award (for outstanding Latino/Latina topic book), ALA Notable Children's Book, IRA Notable Book for a Global Society, Starred Review Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, Teacher's Choice Award, The Willa Cather Award (for presenting the west in literature), Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award, Jane Addams Children's Book Award (for promoting peace and understanding amongst each other), ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year, NY Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, Smithsonian Best Book of the Year Award, over 50 state young reader awards, and many more... click here to see more awards and for which specific book they were awarded to. For more detailed descriptions of all the awards please visit the 
American Library Association website here.




Websites for more information/lesson resources:
- Scholastic has a very comprehensive site that will provide author interviews, Book Discussion guides, and teacher resources.
-  Reading Rockets has 3 video interviews available that give more insight into Pam Munoz Ryan's writing. 










Write to the author:
Pam Munoz Ryan
Scholastic Inc.
537 Broadway
NY, NY 10012


Email the author:
PMunozRyan@aol.com


Follow the author on Facebook or Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pam-Munoz-Ryan-Day/143501092341796




http://twitter.com/PamMunozRyan








Contributions:Pam Munoz Ryan is a writer that has had a wide impact on the world of young adult to young children's literature. Specifically, she has shown the strength of young female protagonists, often of Latina heritage throughout many of her books - this is a very important contribution in today's multicultural society. With growing number of Latinos throughout America, it is essential to have characters that young Latinos can relate to and aspire to learn life lessons from while providing a positive representation of their culture to the mass public. Many library and schools highlight and use her novels like Espernanza Rising and Becoming Namoi Leon to open up discussions about this unique and ever growing part of our population. Visit www.girlsinc.org/downloads/latinaresources_forgirls.pdf
for more ideas for great books on this topic.

She also is a true inspiration to aspiring writers. Pam Munoz Ryan mentions in many of her interviews that writing is not only her passion but her job that she takes very seriously. She has proven by the sheer  number of books written and with their consistency of quality which is recognized by both their popularity and their many, many awards, that prolific writers can also be high quality writers. On her official she devotes a whole page to give advice to both adults that inspire to be writers and students that want to be writers. Writers are encouraged to visit http://www.scbwi.org/ created by the Society of Children's Bookwriters and Illustrators, http://www.ralphfletcher.com/,  and many more to get started. Visit http://www.pammunozryan.com/ to get the complete list.  It is unique  to see an author take such steps to ensure that the next generation of writers is so supported and nutured.

Great Website Sources for teachers and students:
http://www.pammunozryan.com/ - official author website

http://www.ala.org/ - American Library Association, award explanation, book lists

http://www.scholastic.com/ - Book talks, lesson plans, interactive book activities, author interviews

http://www.readingrockets.org/ - website for young readers, author interviews, book reviews

http://english.clas.asu.edu/wq-naomi-leon - webquest for Becoming Naomi Leon





Written in Bone - Non-fiction Book Review














Written in Bone - Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland

by Sally M. Walker, 2006 Sibert Informational Book Award winner
Non-Fiction 
pp. 144
Carolrhoda Books 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8225-7135-3
















Part history, part forensic mystery, and part archeology this eye-catching book takes the reader on a journey they will not soon forget. Sally M. Walker, winner of the Sibert Informational Book award in 2006, details the work of forensic anthropologists with detailed maps, diagrams, text, yet most appealingly through the use of big, bright, and fascinating photographs. 


This book is a great pull for young adult readers that are not pulled in by fiction - the detailed pictures, diagrams, and explanations may help many young adults that you do not have to be reading a novel to be a "reader".  I tend to use this book as an example to my middle schoolers of great nonfiction choices available to them.  I also would highly recommend this book to your history buff adult friends - it provides a wonderful eye into the local history of Maryland and the surrounding areas.  Feel free to stop by my house to get a first hand look at this great book - it is on my coffee table right now, being enjoyed by a wide variety of ages!


This large format book uses American history of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland to give a detailed account of how forensic anthropologists do their work.  It starts with introducing a Sally M. Walker herself as an anthropologist by study and how thrilled she was to be asked by Dr. Owsley of the Smithsonian to write a book about the Colonial settlers of the Chesapeake areas of Virginia and Maryland.  She describes Dr. Owsley and his fellow forensic anthropologists as translators of our history through the use of discovered skeletons. The mysteries of how one died, how one lived, who one was, and where one came from can often be solved by studying the dead and their remains. But as Ms. Walker points out - this is a tricky business and these scientists that are experts in many detailed works must also be very meticulous in the handling of human remains..."in all cases, human remains must be handled in a manner that respects the dead and well as the customs of the living."


Walker uses beautiful pictures to pull the reader in and detailed, yet succienct written descriptions to tell the story of how these anthropologists use burial sites in Jamestown and Colonial Maryland to discover the deceased's age, sex, birthplace, station in society, and even their length of time in the colonies.  Readers can easily become engrossed by the colorful pictures and Walker's captions provide a lot of information, but it is equally fascinating and recommended to take the time to read the painstaking journey that each of these scientists go to individually and in teams to truly discover the lives of their subject matter. 


It is hard to describe the visual appeal of this book without experiencing the pictures oneself, so I invite you to take a minute to enjoy an interview from the head anthropologist showing his work by clicking on this youtube video.













Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Twilight the Graphic Novel Volume 1 - Book Review

Twilight the Graphic Novel  Volume 1
by Stephanie Meyer
Art and Adaptation by Young Kim
Hachette Book Group
2010
ISBN: 978-0-7595-2943-4
$19.99
pp 160