Ghost LSSL 5385

Ghost

Best Fiction

Reynolds, J. (2016). Ghost. NY: Simon & Schuster.

Castle Crenshaw goes by the name Ghost because he can run fast. The first time he ran, he was running for his life!  His father pulled a gun and on him and his mom and used it.

Living in the projects of Glass Manor, dealing with his dad’s incarceration, eating leftover cafeteria food every night for dinner from his mother’s job and being bullied at school has been the way of life for him. 

His dad has been in jail for a couple of years but, the trauma is still there.  He and his mom have not slept in their rooms since the incident and Ghost has been getting into a lot of altercations at school.

One day he happens upon a track practice and decides to join all the other spectators. On an impulse, he decides to challenge one of the elite runners to a race-and wins.  The Coach takes notice and ask him to join the team. Coach sees the potential but also quickly realizes Ghost has more to work on than just running.  Coach decides to take him under his wing.  During the process, he gets into a few fights and shoplifts.  Jeopardizing his future on the team before it evens starts, Ghost finds himself caring enough about being on the team and changes his behavior for the better. Coach teaches him how to use running to move forward in life and not to escape the past. When the first competitive race is held, Ghost runs the hundred meters.  From that day, he learns you can’t run away from yourself, “ain’t nobody that fast.”

Reflection

Ghost is an excellent book for young readers.  No matter your gender, race or background, it is relatable.  It is a sensitive realistic depiction of a young boy dealing with trauma and trying to avoid the everyday struggles of living in poverty and despair.  His approach is refreshing and leaves you wanting more. The authors ability to bring the characters to life, the straightforwardness, and the authenticity is seamless.

Ghost YouTube Book Trailer

https://youtu.be/ahY5VcB81rc

Books by Jason Reynolds

Once and for All LSSL 5385

Once and for All

NYT Bestseller

Dessen, S. (2017). Once and for all. NY: Penguin Random House.

Louna is the daughter of famed wedding planner Natalie Barrret.  She has seen all sorts of wedding and it has made Louna a bit cynical to the notion that happily-ever-after-endings exist.  The death of her boyfriend Ethan in a school shooting derails her views even more on love.  Her mom hires Ambrose, the son of a client. Ambrose by no means is what you would want in a boyfriend.  He is a womanizer who has a different woman on his arm every night.  Louna doesn’t take him seriously at all.  He feels he has found the one and does everything wrong and write to convince Louna of the same.

Reflection

This is my first Sarah Dessen book. I was not impressed, maybe because of the time-restraint that I was under. I found Louna boring and flat. Ambrose was annoying and over-confident. Louna’s grief over Ethan’s death was not believable. I was also disturbed by the matter-of-fact-way the school shooting was handled. It wasn’t necessary. I will however give this novel another chance when I can read it for pleasure.

Q & A: Bestselling author Sarah Dessen shares about latest book, parenting, what next.

http://www.wral.com/q-a-bestselling-author-sarah-dessen-shares-about-latest-book-parenting-what-s-next/16767710/

Books by Sarah Dessen

50 Things You Should Know About Titanic LSSL 5385

50 Things You Should Know About Titanic

Quick Pick

Callery, S. (2016). 50 things you should know about titanic. CA: QEB Publishing.

The Titanic was hailed as the largest ocean liner of its time. It boasts the least technology with the most luxurious accommodations for relaxation and dining, The Titanic set sail on its first voyage ion April 10, 1912. To the horror of the world, four days late it was struck by an iceberg of the coast of Canada. It sank with more than a thousand poor souls perishing with it. This book outlines fascinating facts with a no-nonsense approach to the events, people, and personal accounts to one of the worst tragedies of our time.

Reflection

From eyewitness accounts and evidence from the wreckage, Sean Callery has once again done a wonderful job of capturing 50 facts about another history event. His depiction of the arrogance, greed and ambition of all those involved in the tragedy that is the Titanic is very well written in this book. I recommend it for all ages, especially those who love history and want a more detail account of what really happened that fateful day.

Books by Sean Callery

Popular: A Memoir: Vintage Wisdom for A Modern Geek LSSL 5385

Popular: A Memoir: Vintage Wisdom for A Modern Geek

Nonfiction Award

Van Wagenen, M. (2014). Popular: a memoir: vintage wisdom for a modern geek. NY: PenguinGroup.

Popular: A Memoir: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek is an account of fifteen-year-old girl named Maya. By all accounts, she is not a part of the popular crowd and she has few friends. She’s rather spend her time reading and writing. One day she stumbles across a copy of “Betty Cornell’s Teen-Age Popularity Guide” from the early 50s. With the encouragement of her mother, Maya conducts a social experiment that span an entire school year. The results are painful at times, funny, honest, heartfelt with a few unexpected surprises.

Reflection

It took me a while to get into this book at first. I am not a huge fan of memoir. O was pleasantly surprised at the courage of this young girl to embark on a social experiment based on the popularity guide that was fifty years old. It has a relatable voice for youngster today who find it difficult to stand out. Maya could easily be a role model for adolescents facing social issues.  This was an enjoyable and impressive read.

YouTube Trailer

https://youtu.be/76_XtaNjzpY

YouTube Link: Pearls, Long skirts and vintage wisdom. Back to the 1950s

https://youtu.be/bUDiD9ukJW0

Tell Me Something Real LSSL 5385

Tell Me Something Real

Morris Awards

Devlin, C. (2016). Tell me something real. NY: Simon & Schuster.

The Babcock sisters are bonded by sadness.  They are struggling to hold the family together as they face the diagnosis of terminal cancer for their mother.  Vanessa is the shy, observant middle child who is also a gifted pianist.   Adrienne is brash, confident, artistic and extremely foul-mouthed.  Marie is the youngest, she is devoutly religious and the most beloved. Their father is a pushover and workaholic who basically leaves the girls to fin for themselves and take care of their mother.

They spend most of their summer traveling across the border to a clinic in Mexico for an experimental treatment that is banned in the US for the mother. When it is revealed that the mother does not have cancer, but Munchausen syndrome (a mental illness in which the person deliberately fakes a terminal disease to garner attention by any means), everyone’s world is turned upside down and they must fight to fight themselves in the madness.

Reflection

At first, I thought this was going to be another book about a family in crisis because of a love one dealing with cancer. I was pleasantly surprised at the twist and turns. This novel is not only about the bond of sisters, but also betrayal, love, and acceptance. Every character in this story had a unique way of coping with the betrayal of the mother. The unfolding of it all was both intriguing and well developed, a must read.

  

About the Author

Calla Devlin is a Pushcart nominee and winner of the Best of Blood and Thunder Award whose stories have been included included in numerous literary journals and anthologies. Including Because I Love Her: 34 Women Writers Reflect on the Mother-Daughter bond, for which she has features in San Francisco Chronicle.  Tell Me Something Real is her first novel.

Book by Calla Devlin

Nimona LSSL 5385

Nimona

Graphic Novel

Stevenson, N. (2015). Nimona. China: HarperCollins.

Ballister Blackheart was once a good knight who loses his arm in an accident. He decides to become a villain because no one wants or would believe in a one-armed hero. Alone comes Nimona, a helpful shape shifting girl (transforming into another creature) who was more than eager to become his sidekick. Together they wreak havoc across the kingdom. They are on a mission to prove that Sir Ambrosius Goldenlion and his buddies are not the heroes everyone thinks they are. Blackheart quickly realizes his sidekick as a past and a mind of her own. This journey is filled with wit, rescues of allies, friends and ultimately themselves.

Reflection

Nimona is a full-color graphic novel for those who are fans of web comics. I am not a fan of graphic novels, but this one surprised me. I thought the relationship between Blackheart and Nimona was going to be like a mentor-mentee situation but it turned out to be just the opposite with a lot of humor and flare.

Lumber Jane Series by Noelle Stevenson

Asking for It LSSL 5385

Asking for It

Printz Award

O’Neill, L. (2016). Asking for it. NY: Hachette Book Group.

Emma O’Donovan is eighteen years old, beautiful and she knows it.  She comes from a small town in Ireland where all the homes on her street are painted canary yellow with black window frames and doors, sensible, boxy cars that line the paved driveways. 

One summer night, Emma’s world is forever changed when she is brutally gang raped at a party by members of the football team. Pictures from the party go viral and are posted online thus causing a frizzy of mixed emotions, opinions, sides taken, blame, confusion, and arrogance. Before she is raped, by all accounts she is the definition of “mean girl, she is jealous of her friends, flirty with the boys, drinks alcohol, does drugs and is a liar.  Unfortunately, these negative behaviors come back to haunt her.  The boys/rapist are portrayed as good boys who lives will be ruined by this horrific act. Everyone wants a piece of her and thinks they know her.  Emma must fight for her voice and her dignity in the most unsettling of ways by going against double standards, victim shaming, what is consent and social media.

Reflection

There are so many “Emma’s” in the world!  This novel raises a lot of questions still today on the taboo of sexual assault, lack of support, stigma, and the part that the media plays in it. Louise O’Neill opens a door for more education to teach girls that they have a choice, to teach boys they are not entitled to a girl’s body, to teach what sexual consent is, to teach the negative effects of rape-physically, mentally and emotionally. This was not an easy but to read, but a necessary one to read. I think this book should start a lot of conversations and should be read by everyone.

Louise O’Neill’s Novel ‘Asking for It’ Set for World Premiere at the Everyman Theatre

http://www.broadwayworld.com/ireland/article/Louise-ONeills-Novel-Asking-For-It-Set-for-World-Premiere-at-the-Everyman-Theatre-20170713

YouTube Link: She Was Asking for It-Women-one Word

https://youtu.be/-p_upUj4jyo

Textbook Assignment 11-13......LSSL 5385

Textbook Summary Ch.11-13 LSSL 5385

Nonfiction Chapter 11

“Nonfiction is the only kind of book defined by what it is not.”  (Small, R.)

Nonfiction is based on facts, real events and people.

Nonfiction can include:

Narrative

Expository

Biography

Autobiography

Memoir

Criteria for Evaluating Nonfiction for Children

Quality

Accuracy

Purpose/Scope

Organization

Visuals

Reflection

Nonfiction is one of the two main divisions in writing literature, particularly in libraries. Nonfiction can indeed be fabricated (ex. newspaper articles). The issue is not whether the accounts are real, but whether the accounts claim reality, no matter the speculation. The use of the criteria for evaluating nonfiction is not only helpful but, makes it easier when reading with a purpose or pleasure.

Fantasy and Science Fiction Ch. 12

Stories that violate the laws of physical reality.

Science Fiction is a sub-genre of Fantasy.

Criteria for Evaluating Science Fiction and Fantasy for Children

1.      Characters must behave in consistent and believable ways.

2.      Must be rules for the fantasy world.

3.      Authors must assist readers in the willing suspension of disbelief.

4.      The theme should explore universal truths.

Reflection

I am not a fan of science fiction and fantasy at all. Science fiction is mostly science, fantasy is not grounded in reality.  I honestly get them confused with one another. I do not find it appealing, maybe because my experience with this genre is limited.  I personally would find the criteria for evaluating science fiction and fantasy helpful to me and my students because I feel it is not tapped into enough.

Graphic Novels Ch. 13

Graphic Novels are not a genre.

Graphic Novels are a form/format.

Graphic Novels are a logical extension of the comic book.

Graphic Novels tell a story using:

 pictures in sequence 

panels

speech balloons

other conventions of the comic book form/format

Graphic Novels can be:

History

Fantasy

Nonfiction

All the sub-genres

Graphic Novels vs Illustrated/Picture Books

GN generally longer and more developed narrative.

GN illustrations are an integral component of the story.

Essential Elements of Graphic Novels

Color

Lines

Composition

Frames

Speech balloons

White space

Media/Technique/Style

Reflection

Graphic novels can be a great transition for readers from picture books to chapter books and the graphic novels. It is fun to read, illustration is vivid and it provides a wide range of information for the reader to interpret.

Ten Questions to Ask About a Novel by Richard Peck (1978)

Richard Peck is an American novelist known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature.

Peck’s Questions?????????????

1. What would this story be like if the main character were of the opposite sex? Specify which main character you are discussing.

2. Why is the story set where it is (not what is the setting)?

 3. If you were to film this story, what characters would you eliminate if you couldn’t use them all? Why would you eliminate those characters?

4. Would you film this story in black and white or in color? Why?

5. How is the main character different from you? Give at least three ways he/she is different. Specify which main character you are.

6. Why would this story make a good TV series? Give at least three reasons.

7. What’s one thing in this story that has also happened to you?

8. Reread the first paragraph or Chapter 1. What’s in it that makes you read on?

9. If you had to design a new cover for this book, what would it look like?

10.What does the title tell you about the book?

Reflection

Richard Peck’s ten questions to ask when evaluating a novel is still relevant today. These questions are very helpful in gaining a better understanding of the author’s purpose.

Crowd-source List of Middle School Authors

A compiled Excel spreadsheet of middle school authors.

Here are a few examples of authors and one novels:

List of Young Adult Authors

J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter series

Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games series

John Green

The Fault in Our Stars

Rick Riordan

Perry Jackson & the Olympians

Veronica Roth

Divergent series

J. R. R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings

C. S. Lewis

The Chronicles of Narnia

Ronald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments series

Lois Lowry

The Giver

Reflection

This list is a great tool to use to keep students and librarian updated on the most popular and relevant authors in young adult literature. It is also a great resource for librarian when making decisions for new purchases and adding to the library collection.

Booked LSSL 5385

Booked

Alexander, K. (2016). Booked. NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

Summary

Nicholas Hall is a twelve-year-old eight grader who loves soccer. Most of his time is spent day dreaming about girls (one in particular-April), soccer and the next tournament.

Nick wrestles with a lot of family drama and bullying at school. His parents are on the verge of divorce and their expectations are extremely high. His father is a writer and his mother works with horses. At school, he is constantly being bullied by the Eggleston twins. This is a major problem for Nick because he doesn’t stand up for himself.

Soccer is Nick’s refuge. Emergency surgery derails that for a while. During his hiatus, he strikes up an unusual friendship with the librarian, Mr. McDonald. He decides to keep up reading and discovers he likes it and has been missing a lot. As he recovers, Nick becomes physically, emotionally and mentally stronger. He finds courage to go after the girl he likes, stand-up to his bullies, cope with his parent’s eventual divorce and continue the game of soccer that he loves.

Reflection

Kwame Alexander wrote this novel in free-verse. He masterfully depicts the challenges young people face with their own self-worth, self-identity, adversity and expectations. I found this book to be relevant, satisfying, breath-taking captivating till the end. A great follow-up to Crossover!

YouTube

Imitating Great Writers: Kwame Alexander

Article

How to Get Kids Hooked on Books? “Use Poetry. It is a Surefire Way!"

Running Loose LSSL 5385

Running Loose

Crutcher, C. (1983). Running loose. NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Summary

Louie Banks is in his senior year of high school.  He lives in a very small town in Trout, Idaho were everybody knows everyone, the good, the bad and the ugly.  Things seem to be going great for Louie. He and his best friend Carter work out all summer to earn a starting spot on the football team.  The challenging work pays off and Louie is a starter on the team.  The Trout’s have been state champions for the past two seasons.  When it came time to pay the second-place team, things turned bad.  The head coach of the Trout’s, Coach Lednecky knew the only way they would win was to intentionally hurt the starting quarterback of the opposing team, taking him out of the game.  The player was an African American boy by the name of Washington who was very good and the secret weapon of the other team.  Louie knew of this plan.  When it came to fruition, Louie got upset and walked off the field because he felt it was racist and unfair.  He vowed to never play football again.  Louie had the support from his best friend Carter, his girlfriend Becky and his parents.  Louie was banned from planning any other sport.  Becky was the love of his life.  She was beautiful, athletic, funny, and smart.  She could have any guy in the school but, she had eyes for Louie.  Becky was involved in a car accident that killed her. Louie was devastated, lost, sad and angry for a long time.  He couldn’t understand why.  Coach Madison the principal to let Louie run track.  After some convincing, he joins the team. Louie did well and was able to go all the way to the regionals.  By the end of the school year, Louie had endured love, death, racism, victory and defeat.  He came out stronger and more mature, read you face the world.

Reflection

This book was extremely interesting and relatable.  The main character faced some deep issues that he was able to overcome.  Death, racism, victory and defeat are all things we all face to some degree. Running Loose was a very good depiction and attempt at how a teenager would deal with any one of these adversities.

YouTube Trailer

Running Loose Trailer

The following books are by the author.

Doll Bones LSSL 5385

Doll Bones

Black, H. (2013). Doll Bones. NY: Simon and Schuster.

Summary

Poppy, Zach and Alice are friends.  They love playing with action figures, using their imagination, being adventurous and hero’s. Zach’s father totally disapproves of Zach playing with dolls.  He throws them away.  Zach is so embarrassed that he stops playing with and being friends with the girls.  The girls visit Zach and tells him about a china doll name Eleanor in her dreams.  In the dreams, Eleanor just wants to go home.  Poppy is convinced it is haunted.  The three set out on a wild and crazy adventure to find the place where Eleanor should be buried.

Reflection

Did not like this book at all!  It was very hard to get into.  Maybe it’s because I’m a chicken and totally not into horror.  I would recommend it for whoever is into that genre.

Goodbye Strangers LSSL 5385

Goodbye Strangers

Stead, R. (2015). Goodbye strangers. NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

Summary

Bridge, Tab and Emily have been best friends forever. Bridge suffered a near death experience and is now secretly suffering from anxiety.  Tab is heavily involved in social justice.  Emily is totally engrossed in social media and her changing body.  Now entering the seventh grade together, they have vowed to never fight.

The story is told by Bridge.  She comes from a pretty stable family, a little eclectic (cat ears to school every day) and a bit of a people pleaser.  She lands the attention of a fellow student name Sherm. They began a friendship that is grounded in genuineness and a mutual understanding. 

Things start to change when Emily reveals to Bridge that a boy name Patrick is pressuring her to send a risky pic of herself.  She is torn but decides to help her do it.  This proves to be a big mistake!  The pic is sent to the entire school and they get in trouble.  To get back at Patrick, Tab decide to send out the pic that he initially sent to Emily.  She figured that would-be justice and that he would then know how it felt to be ridiculed. It backfires and they all quickly learn that there is a double standard when it comes to how the same issues are dealt with based on gender.

The rife between the girls is huge.  They eventually fall back on their promise to every fight and find their way back to each other strengthening old friendships, new friendships, dignity and love.

Reflection

Goodbye Stranger is a delightful read.  It deals with the issues of social media, the dangers of it and the consequences for poor decisions.  It shows that through true friendship and strong family support that young people can endure tough adversities and come out on top.

The following books are by the author.

The Baby-Sitters Club, Claudia and Mean Janine LSSL 5385

The Baby-Sitters Club, Claudia and Mean Janine

Telgemeier, R. (2008). The baby-sitters club, Claudia and mean Janine. NY: Scholastic Graphix.

Summary

Claudia and her sister Janine might as well be from two different worlds!  Claudia cares little about school.  Her focused is all about drawing, painting, making jewelry and customizing her own clothes. Janine is all about school and maintaining her straight A average.  They totally see the world in two diverse ways.

The girls live with their parents and Grandma Mimi.  Grandma Mimi is the glue that holds them altogether.  She finds herself between the sisters and their differences quite often.  Later the family will realize just how important Grandma Mimi is to the family.

School is out!  Claudia barely passes but Janine skates by with all A’s as usual.  Janine is delighted to be on summer break.  Now she can focus all her attention on her art and expanding The Baby-Sitters Club she has formed with her friends.  In Janine’s world, you would never know school was out.  She continues her educational aspirations by taking computer classes.

In unimaginable happens, Grandma Mimi has a massive stroke.  Everyone is devastated.  After weeks of recovery in the hospital, she his released to the care of the family.  Everything they ever knew has now changed to accommodate the needs of Mimi.  In this process, the girls learn that they are not as different as they presumed.

Reflection

This book is told from Claudia’s point of view.  It is a graphic novel originally written by Ann Martin. It is a classic example of how one’s perception of their reality can either break or make any relationship.  Raina Telgemeier does a suitable job at relaying that message with the characters and the illustration.

YouTube Read Along Link

The Baby-Sitters Club, Claudia and Mean Janine Read A Long

The following books are by the author.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson LSSL 5385

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Green, J. and Levithan, D. (2010). Will Grayson, Will Grayson. NY: Dutton Books.

Summary

This novel is about two boys with the same name, Will Grayson.  The first Will Grayson lives in the suburbs with his parents who are both doctors.  The second Will Grayson lives in Chicago as well with his mother who struggles daily for their survival.  This two Will’s might as well be from different worlds!  Will #1 is somewhat reclusive.  His best friend is a flamboyant, obese, gay football player, name Tiny.  Will #1 also thinks he likes Jane. Will #2 is depressed, gay, pities his Mom and has friends by default.

The two Will’s meet by chance at a porn shop after Will #1 goes to a concert for his favorite band Neutral Milk and discovers its impostors.  Meanwhile, Will #2 thinks he is meeting a boy name Isaac that he has been chatting with online.  Too his dismay, Isaac does not exist, it is his friend Maura.

Tiny and Jane meet up with the two Wills after the concert.  Tiny takes a liking to Will #2 immediately.  Will #1 has he eyes set on Jane as well. Before the night is over both couples are kissing.  After a brief romance, Tiny and Will #2 call it quits. Will #1 and Jane decide to take a shot at romance.  In the end, Tiny puts on a fabulous musical that unites everyone!

Reflection

This novel was written by two authors-John Green and David Levithan.  I found that their writing blended well together, although I found Will #1 more interesting to read about.  I also found it to be a delightful read that kept my attention throughout.

YouTube Trailer

Trailer for WIll Grayson, Will Grayson

The following book is by the author.

Everybody Sees the Ants LSSL 5385

Everybody Sees the Ants

King, A. S. (2011). Everybody see the ants. NY: Little, Brown and Company.

Summary

Lucky Linderman must be the unluckiest person ever-ironic that is name is “Lucky”!  His mother is in total denial of how dysfunctional her family is, so she spends a lot of time at the pool to avoid the problems.  His father is distant because he never got over his father not returning from the Vietnam War and to top all of that off, he is viciously being bullied by Nader McMillian.

Lucky is suffering from a great deal of stress.  The bullying is relentless and cruel.  He has thoughts of suicide that he denies even exist.  His parent’s inability to deal or react to his dilemma only frustrate him.  To escape his reality, Lucky dreams often of his Granddad Harry trapped in the jungles of Laos. In Laos, he is always the hero and can be whoever he wants to be.  He also encounters these ants that function as his thoughts and feelings.  In the end, his dreams relieve what really happened to his Granddad Harry and the love he has for his father.

Reflection

This novel touched on a lot of serious issues.  The effects of bullying are and can be emotionally, physically mentally draining.  It not happened appropriately, it can lead to devastating consequences.  It magnifies how difficult it is as a parent to relate to, protect and be present for your children.  If not handled, appropriately, it can lead to distant and lots of misunderstandings.  These unhealthy issues can lead to abuse of one’s self.  Lucky chose to escape his reality through dreams.  This novel does a good of bridging those gaps.

YouTube Trailer

Trailer for Everybody Sees the Ants

The following books are by the author.