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

NY Times review here http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/books/review/VonDrasek-t.html

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.

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:

http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/belpremedal/index.cfm

“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

Review by Yana V. Rodgers "www.econkids.rutgers.edu"

“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.”