Some parents and educators scoff at comic books and graphic novels, but they have merit. We don't all learn the same way and we aren't all entertained by the same thing so when libraries and schools can offer a variety of formats with which to learn or be entertained then they can reach are larger portion of people. In David Rapp's article "Comic books' latest plot twist: Enhancing literacy instruction" Rapp discusses the advantages of comic book and graphic novels. He indicates that these types of resources can enhance inference making skills, encourage reluctant readers, and help develop critical thinking.
Children's graphic novels come in many forms. There are comic books on superheros, Pokemon, and Scooby Doo as well as class literature in graphic novel form like Journey to the Center of the Earth or the Odyssey. There are also graphic novels focused on education such Agnieszka's Exploring Ecosystems with Max Axiom, super scientist which is a non-fiction graphic novel. The variety of graphic novels available provides a plethora of opportunities as to how to use them, whether it be in a school setting or just for fun.
One example of children's graphic novels is Monster Christmas by Lewis Trondheim which I picked up and read in about 15 minutes to help get me in the Christmas spirit. This short graphic novel can be devoured in a small setting and can help those reluctant readers who don't want something to bog them down for a long period of time. This graphic novel is about a duck family, with a monster for a pet, who are going on a Christmas skiing vacation. On their way to the mountains they run across Santa being chased by a big orange monster and though they try to steer clear of the trouble they end up right in the middle of it. After saving Santa they decide to skip the vacation and have a nice relaxing holiday at home.
Another fine example of children's graphic novels are The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Spelling trouble by Frank Cammuso. This is the first in a graphic novel series about a young witch whose parents have no magical abilities. Salem has trouble learning her craft because her parents aren't able to teach her so her witchy aunt suggests that she get a magical animal companion who can help instruct her in the ways of witch craft. Whammy is a cat with 800 years of experience, but initially finds Salem a handful. This introductory novel is funny and has adorable illustrations and can be read in a short sitting without too much commitment. Unless you need to find out what misadventures she gets into next.
Teen and Adult graphic novels serve a similar purpose to those for younger readers. The main difference is that the content is more mature. Parents shouldn't assume that teen and adult graphic novels are suitable for kids simply because they are illustrated because sometimes the content i very mature in nature.
Freshman: Tales of 9th grade obsessions, revelations, and other nonsense is written by Corinne Mucha. This teen graphic novel depicts Richie and Annie's first year as freshmen in high school. While this graphic novel is a cute description of how school can seem to a teen, it does have some adult language and young adult situations such as smoking and drinking. Though the main characters don't always choose the best options, the scenarios seem realistic.
Sand Chronicles Volume 1 is written by Hinako Ashihara. This is another graphic novel where the intended audience is young adults. There's no cursing or terribly mature situations in this novel though it does have to subject of death and suicide involved. Ann is the main protagonist of this novel and she and her mother have to move in with Ann's grandmother because her mother is no longer with her father. Ann hates that she has to move because she moved from the big city to a small village and doesn't like the country as much. She ends up meeting a couple of friends and even finds a love interest, but her life is forever changed when her mother commits suicide.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Maryland Blue Crab Awards
The Maryland Blue Crab Award began in 2004 to recognize both fiction and non-fiction book for emerging reader. The Award was established to gain interest in this category of literature so that authors, publishers and illustrators would increase the amount of high quality materials they are generating.
Dolphins by Kate Riggs was awarded the 2011 Blue Crab Award. This book leads young readers on a discovery of what dolphins are,what kind of environments, they can be found in and what they like to eat. The facts are accompanied by beautiful pictures of these majestic creatures.
Never Smile At A Monkey is a children's non-fiction book written by Steve Jenkins. This book shows how various animals can be a danger to you. This book has fascinating and sometimes obscure knowledge about animals who can be dangerous and even deadly to humans. The interesting facts are paired with paper collage illustrations of the animal they are describing.
Chameleon, Chameleon is written by Joy Cowley with photographs by Nic Bishop. This children's non-fiction book won the Blue Crab Award in 2006. As could be guessed, this is a book about a Chameleon, what kinds of foods he eats, how he eats, and what kind of predators he has to look out for. The story is accompanied with some bright photos by Bishop.
Dolphins by Kate Riggs was awarded the 2011 Blue Crab Award. This book leads young readers on a discovery of what dolphins are,what kind of environments, they can be found in and what they like to eat. The facts are accompanied by beautiful pictures of these majestic creatures.
Never Smile At A Monkey is a children's non-fiction book written by Steve Jenkins. This book shows how various animals can be a danger to you. This book has fascinating and sometimes obscure knowledge about animals who can be dangerous and even deadly to humans. The interesting facts are paired with paper collage illustrations of the animal they are describing.
Chameleon, Chameleon is written by Joy Cowley with photographs by Nic Bishop. This children's non-fiction book won the Blue Crab Award in 2006. As could be guessed, this is a book about a Chameleon, what kinds of foods he eats, how he eats, and what kind of predators he has to look out for. The story is accompanied with some bright photos by Bishop.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Coretta Scott King Award Winners
The Coretta Scott King Award is given to celebrate African-American Authors and Illustrators for their exceptional work with children and young adult literature.
Ellington Was Not a Street is written by Ntozake Shange and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This children's non-fiction book was awarded the Coretta Scott King Award in 2005 for it's illustrations. This historical book is about a girl growing up with famous figures from the Harlem Rennaisance. It has full page illustrations illustrations with warm colors and characters filled with emotion. Kadir is passionate about his work and has been an artist all of his life.
Moses is written by Carol Weatherford and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This children's picture book is an inspiring story about how Harriet Tubmn obtained her freedom and went on to help others become free from slavery as well. This book won the Coretta Scott King Award for it's illustrations in 2007. This book, like the first, has full page illustrations painted with rich colors that remind me of fall. The people illustrated in this picture book are so detailed that you can really glimpse the tenacity that Harriet must have had to accomplish her goals.
Not only did The First Part Last win a Coretta Scott King Award, but it also won the Printz award in 2004 as well. Angela Johnson is the author for this young adult novel and is a three-time Coretta Scott King Award Winner. In this book Bobby is a 16 year old high school student who evaluates his life now as well as before his daughter, Feather, was born. Throughout the book, the reader is aware that Bobby is a single parent, but the reader doesn't find out why until the past and the present come together in the final pages of this tear jerker. This book provides a unique perspective on teen parents as the main character is both a young man and a devoted father. He of course yearns to be responsibility free again, but he also works hard to fulfill his parental duties while also staying in school. This book is a quick read that is sure to touch your heart.
Ellington Was Not a Street is written by Ntozake Shange and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This children's non-fiction book was awarded the Coretta Scott King Award in 2005 for it's illustrations. This historical book is about a girl growing up with famous figures from the Harlem Rennaisance. It has full page illustrations illustrations with warm colors and characters filled with emotion. Kadir is passionate about his work and has been an artist all of his life.
Moses is written by Carol Weatherford and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This children's picture book is an inspiring story about how Harriet Tubmn obtained her freedom and went on to help others become free from slavery as well. This book won the Coretta Scott King Award for it's illustrations in 2007. This book, like the first, has full page illustrations painted with rich colors that remind me of fall. The people illustrated in this picture book are so detailed that you can really glimpse the tenacity that Harriet must have had to accomplish her goals.
Not only did The First Part Last win a Coretta Scott King Award, but it also won the Printz award in 2004 as well. Angela Johnson is the author for this young adult novel and is a three-time Coretta Scott King Award Winner. In this book Bobby is a 16 year old high school student who evaluates his life now as well as before his daughter, Feather, was born. Throughout the book, the reader is aware that Bobby is a single parent, but the reader doesn't find out why until the past and the present come together in the final pages of this tear jerker. This book provides a unique perspective on teen parents as the main character is both a young man and a devoted father. He of course yearns to be responsibility free again, but he also works hard to fulfill his parental duties while also staying in school. This book is a quick read that is sure to touch your heart.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Black-eyed Susan Award Winners
The Black-eyed Susan Award is a Maryland book award that began in 1992 and is given for books that students choose as their favorite (http://maslmd.org/about-bes/).
Because of Winn-Dixie is written by Kate DiCamillo and won the Black-eyed Susan Award in 2001. The Black-eyed Susan Award is not the only Award that DiCamillo has received. She was also Awarded the Newbery Award for her novel The Tale of Despereaux. Awards are not the only mark of achievement as both of these books were so well received that they have also been adapted to film. I will be excited to see what DiCamillo will do next.
Because of Winn-Dixie is a touching novel about a young girl named India has recently had to move to a rural town in Florida where she doesn't know anyone. She and her dad live alone ever since her mother left them when India was very young. Though it was several years ago she and her dad both struggle with the loss. It is this loss combined with living in a new town that create a feeling of profound loneliness within India.
While shopping at Winn-Dixie one day, she discovers a mangy looking mutt getting into trouble in the store and to save the dog, India claims that it is her dog. She names the dog Winn-Dixie and quickly falls in love with this dog that helps to fill a void in India. Though her dad is reluctant, he quickly falls in love with him too. Winn-Dixie possesses an ability to befriend anyone and it is this quality that helps India begin to make friends in her new town.
This is a heart felt novel that feels like a warm hug to read.
Frindle is written by Andrew Clements and was the Black-eyed Susan Award winner in 1998 for grades 4-6. This book also won the Christopher Award, the Great Stone Face Book Award, the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award, and many more.
What if a we weren't told what to call something? How would we ask for it? Nick discovers how language works and how words are created from his teacher Mrs. Granger. When Nick begins 5th grade he has the dreaded Mrs. Granger as a teacher and he tries is usual antics only to find out that Mrs. Granger means business. In an attempt to stall class and leave without homework his plan backfires and he is made to do an extra homework assignment and tell the class how words are created. It is this assignment that leads Nick into the battle of his 5th grade year.
Nick renames pen as a Findle. He works strategically to get his whole school and even the whole town calling pens, Frindle. His teacher gets irritated because the process causes a disruption at the school which leads to media coverage and everything spirals out of control from there and Nick finds that his word no longer belongs to him, but belongs to the world now. He and his teacher make amends and their battle creates a long lasting friendship between the two rivals in this thought provoking novel.
Ungifted by Gordon Korman was nominated for a Black-eyed Susan Award in 2014. Korman is a prolific author having published more than 70 books. This award winning author has been writing since he, himself was a kid.
Ungifted starts with a trouble maker, making trouble at his school. The novel's main character Donovan can't help himself when it comes to pranks and this last one was a doosie. He wrecks a statue and in the process destroys a bit of the school too. It's no wonder that he gets dragged into the principles office. What is surprising is that in his haste the principle accidentally adds Donovan's name to the Gifted and Talented list rather than the suspension list. So when Donovan his home biting his nails over a letter from the school, you can imagine his reaction when he finds that he is being sent to the GT school rather than getting punished.
Donovan soon learns that he is in over his head in this school. He can't keep up with the school work, but the teachers are flummoxed because he couldn't have gotten into the program unless he should truly be there so they initially ignore the problem. While avoiding the principle by staying in this school Donovan discovers that he has talents that are needed by these sometimes overworked and too intense students.
In using this book for book talks in schools with 5th and 6th graders I discovered that the book is sought after by gifted and talented students. As soon as my spiel was over, the students went to the stacks to find the books.
Because of Winn-Dixie is written by Kate DiCamillo and won the Black-eyed Susan Award in 2001. The Black-eyed Susan Award is not the only Award that DiCamillo has received. She was also Awarded the Newbery Award for her novel The Tale of Despereaux. Awards are not the only mark of achievement as both of these books were so well received that they have also been adapted to film. I will be excited to see what DiCamillo will do next.
Because of Winn-Dixie is a touching novel about a young girl named India has recently had to move to a rural town in Florida where she doesn't know anyone. She and her dad live alone ever since her mother left them when India was very young. Though it was several years ago she and her dad both struggle with the loss. It is this loss combined with living in a new town that create a feeling of profound loneliness within India.
While shopping at Winn-Dixie one day, she discovers a mangy looking mutt getting into trouble in the store and to save the dog, India claims that it is her dog. She names the dog Winn-Dixie and quickly falls in love with this dog that helps to fill a void in India. Though her dad is reluctant, he quickly falls in love with him too. Winn-Dixie possesses an ability to befriend anyone and it is this quality that helps India begin to make friends in her new town.
This is a heart felt novel that feels like a warm hug to read.
Frindle is written by Andrew Clements and was the Black-eyed Susan Award winner in 1998 for grades 4-6. This book also won the Christopher Award, the Great Stone Face Book Award, the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award, and many more.
What if a we weren't told what to call something? How would we ask for it? Nick discovers how language works and how words are created from his teacher Mrs. Granger. When Nick begins 5th grade he has the dreaded Mrs. Granger as a teacher and he tries is usual antics only to find out that Mrs. Granger means business. In an attempt to stall class and leave without homework his plan backfires and he is made to do an extra homework assignment and tell the class how words are created. It is this assignment that leads Nick into the battle of his 5th grade year.
Nick renames pen as a Findle. He works strategically to get his whole school and even the whole town calling pens, Frindle. His teacher gets irritated because the process causes a disruption at the school which leads to media coverage and everything spirals out of control from there and Nick finds that his word no longer belongs to him, but belongs to the world now. He and his teacher make amends and their battle creates a long lasting friendship between the two rivals in this thought provoking novel.
Ungifted by Gordon Korman was nominated for a Black-eyed Susan Award in 2014. Korman is a prolific author having published more than 70 books. This award winning author has been writing since he, himself was a kid.
Ungifted starts with a trouble maker, making trouble at his school. The novel's main character Donovan can't help himself when it comes to pranks and this last one was a doosie. He wrecks a statue and in the process destroys a bit of the school too. It's no wonder that he gets dragged into the principles office. What is surprising is that in his haste the principle accidentally adds Donovan's name to the Gifted and Talented list rather than the suspension list. So when Donovan his home biting his nails over a letter from the school, you can imagine his reaction when he finds that he is being sent to the GT school rather than getting punished.
Donovan soon learns that he is in over his head in this school. He can't keep up with the school work, but the teachers are flummoxed because he couldn't have gotten into the program unless he should truly be there so they initially ignore the problem. While avoiding the principle by staying in this school Donovan discovers that he has talents that are needed by these sometimes overworked and too intense students.
In using this book for book talks in schools with 5th and 6th graders I discovered that the book is sought after by gifted and talented students. As soon as my spiel was over, the students went to the stacks to find the books.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Newbery Award Winning Books
I guess it should be no surprise that I've liked almost all of the Newbery Award winning books that I've read, but it's true. The only exception that I've come across is The Westing Game.
The Westing Game was written by Ellen Raskin and originally published in 1978 and it won the Newbery award in 1979. While the plot was intriguing I was completely lost some of the time because I couldn't figure out who was saying what. The novel is about a very wealthy man Samuel Westing whose death brings together 16 unlikely people to hear the reading of his will. The will pairs people together to play a game of who dun it to discover who murdered Samuel Westing. I think that this novel would have been so much better had the dialogue been easier to follow.
Holes is an absolutely amazing book written by Louis Sachar and originally published in 1998. It won the Newbery Award in 1999. This book so well liked, that it was not only turned into a movie, but also earned a spot on the Publisher's Weekly Bestseller List and won a Christopher Award for Juvenile Fiction.
This novel follows Stanley Yelnats as he is transported to Camp Green Lake where he will serve 18 months for stealing a pair of shoes. Camp Green Lake is no camp of fun and games. It's a camp where young adults are supposed to work in place of going to jail or a juvenile detention center. Stanley didn't actually steal any shoes, he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This could be the result of his no good pig stealing great great grandfather, but no one can be sure. While we follow Stanley through this hard time in his life we also follow the story behind the curse of his great great grandfather. Though Stanley has a hard time adjusting to his time at Camp Green Lake by the time he leaves for home he discovers that the Camp has actually transformed him into someone he can respect.
A Year Down Yonder is written by Richard Peck and was published in 2000 and won the Newbery Award in 2001. It's the sequel to A Long Way from Chicago though it's great as a stand alone book too.
In this novel Mary Alice has to go live with her grandmother because the setting is shortly after the great depression when times are tight for everyone. Mary Alice's father is out of work and there are just too many mouths to feed so Mary Alice is sent south to live with her grandmother for a year, until her father gets back on his feet again. Though Mary Alice is used to spending time with her grandmother's house in the Summers, she is not altogether pleased with having to stay there a whole year. She feels like and outsider in a place where everyone knows everyone else, but she comes to find that she likes living with her grandmother and actually is uncomfortable with the idea of having to leave her after the year is up.
I enjoyed reading A Year Down Yonder in an unexpected way. I thought the book may remind me of a Little House on the Prairie type book (not that there is anything wrong with Little House on the prairie), but I was pleasantly surprised. The wholesomeness to this book is well balanced with the brazen who gives a shit attitude of the protagonist's grandmother. I loved the solutions that the grandmother came up with for everyday problems, like putting butter on the paws of a cat when a cat first moves to a new place. This story made me giggle and really gave a good impression of what it must have been like during the time period.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman was the Newbery Award winner for 2009. The Newbery Award isn't the only Award given to Gaiman's work. He has won many awards for several of his books including his Sandman series of which number 19 won a World Fantasy Award, as well as Endless Nights and The Dream Hunters won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Illustrated Narrative. His work, Coraline, was awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novella, the Nebula Award for Best Novella, and the Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers. Needless to say his writing speaks to people in a profound way.
I thought The Graveyard Book would be a morbid downer and I'm happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The book follows Nobody Owens as he escapes a murder as a toddler by toddling into a graveyard. As a result the ghosts of the graveyard take him in and promise the ghost of his mother that they will take care of him. He is given a unique education by the inhabitants of the graveyard until he is old enough to find closure to his murdered family and take care of himself. Though the book is somber, I found the characters and setting comforting and the final pages were touching and heart wrenching at the same time.
When You Reach Me is written by Rebecca Stead and won the Newbery Award in 2010. Though Stead has only written a few books, the books that she has written come with glowing reviews, award nominations and a few awards. Stead is definitely an author to keep an eye on in the future.
When You Reach Me is a book about a girl who grows up with a single mother in New York City. She begins getting these letters asking her to do things and so the story is her writing a letter in response the her mystery pen pal. She comes to find that the letters must be written by someone who has gone back in time to stop something terrible from happening, but she can't tell anyone about it because they will think that she's crazy. Though this book sounds like a Sci-fi book, it's actually more of a realistic fiction with time travel playing just a small part in the overall plot.
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village is written by Laura Amy Schlitz and illustrated by Robert Byrd. This book was a Non-fiction Newbery Award winner in 2008. This book gives a depiction of what it was like living in the Medieval Ages from various perspectives. Often these depictions are through verse and contain wonderful pencil and ink illustrations that reinforce the verse's sentiments. I've seen it said that the line between education and entertainment is a fine one and I see this illustrated in this book. It is a quick and easy read that creates a picture of the Medieval ages while also entertaining by giving the people stories.
Amos Fortune: Free man was written by Elizabeth Yates and published in 1950. It won the Newbery Medal in 1951 and has certainly touched my heart. This book is a biography of a man named Amos who was born a prince and destined to be king before his father was murdered and he taking into captivity to be sold as a slave in America. Though Amos longed to break free and save his people, he was unable to. He was sold as a slave, but was given the name fortune because he was fortunate enough to have been bought by a man who treated him as family and was willing to set Amos free. Unfortunately his master died before being able to set Amos free and so he was sold again to a man who agreed to have Amos live with him and learn a trade in order to buy his freedom. After working hard and learning a trade he was able to earn what should have been his all along. He was a skilled tanner who sought out on his own and became a pillar of his community setting people free whenever he could. Amos was an amazing man with tenacity and kindness in abundance and forgiveness beyond what I could muster. I flipped the final page with a sigh of sadness at knowing I will never get to meet this extraordinary individual who could have surely taught me a thing or two about life.
The Westing Game was written by Ellen Raskin and originally published in 1978 and it won the Newbery award in 1979. While the plot was intriguing I was completely lost some of the time because I couldn't figure out who was saying what. The novel is about a very wealthy man Samuel Westing whose death brings together 16 unlikely people to hear the reading of his will. The will pairs people together to play a game of who dun it to discover who murdered Samuel Westing. I think that this novel would have been so much better had the dialogue been easier to follow.
Holes is an absolutely amazing book written by Louis Sachar and originally published in 1998. It won the Newbery Award in 1999. This book so well liked, that it was not only turned into a movie, but also earned a spot on the Publisher's Weekly Bestseller List and won a Christopher Award for Juvenile Fiction.
This novel follows Stanley Yelnats as he is transported to Camp Green Lake where he will serve 18 months for stealing a pair of shoes. Camp Green Lake is no camp of fun and games. It's a camp where young adults are supposed to work in place of going to jail or a juvenile detention center. Stanley didn't actually steal any shoes, he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This could be the result of his no good pig stealing great great grandfather, but no one can be sure. While we follow Stanley through this hard time in his life we also follow the story behind the curse of his great great grandfather. Though Stanley has a hard time adjusting to his time at Camp Green Lake by the time he leaves for home he discovers that the Camp has actually transformed him into someone he can respect.
A Year Down Yonder is written by Richard Peck and was published in 2000 and won the Newbery Award in 2001. It's the sequel to A Long Way from Chicago though it's great as a stand alone book too.
In this novel Mary Alice has to go live with her grandmother because the setting is shortly after the great depression when times are tight for everyone. Mary Alice's father is out of work and there are just too many mouths to feed so Mary Alice is sent south to live with her grandmother for a year, until her father gets back on his feet again. Though Mary Alice is used to spending time with her grandmother's house in the Summers, she is not altogether pleased with having to stay there a whole year. She feels like and outsider in a place where everyone knows everyone else, but she comes to find that she likes living with her grandmother and actually is uncomfortable with the idea of having to leave her after the year is up.
I enjoyed reading A Year Down Yonder in an unexpected way. I thought the book may remind me of a Little House on the Prairie type book (not that there is anything wrong with Little House on the prairie), but I was pleasantly surprised. The wholesomeness to this book is well balanced with the brazen who gives a shit attitude of the protagonist's grandmother. I loved the solutions that the grandmother came up with for everyday problems, like putting butter on the paws of a cat when a cat first moves to a new place. This story made me giggle and really gave a good impression of what it must have been like during the time period.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman was the Newbery Award winner for 2009. The Newbery Award isn't the only Award given to Gaiman's work. He has won many awards for several of his books including his Sandman series of which number 19 won a World Fantasy Award, as well as Endless Nights and The Dream Hunters won the Bram Stoker Award for Best Illustrated Narrative. His work, Coraline, was awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novella, the Nebula Award for Best Novella, and the Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers. Needless to say his writing speaks to people in a profound way.
I thought The Graveyard Book would be a morbid downer and I'm happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The book follows Nobody Owens as he escapes a murder as a toddler by toddling into a graveyard. As a result the ghosts of the graveyard take him in and promise the ghost of his mother that they will take care of him. He is given a unique education by the inhabitants of the graveyard until he is old enough to find closure to his murdered family and take care of himself. Though the book is somber, I found the characters and setting comforting and the final pages were touching and heart wrenching at the same time.
When You Reach Me is written by Rebecca Stead and won the Newbery Award in 2010. Though Stead has only written a few books, the books that she has written come with glowing reviews, award nominations and a few awards. Stead is definitely an author to keep an eye on in the future.
When You Reach Me is a book about a girl who grows up with a single mother in New York City. She begins getting these letters asking her to do things and so the story is her writing a letter in response the her mystery pen pal. She comes to find that the letters must be written by someone who has gone back in time to stop something terrible from happening, but she can't tell anyone about it because they will think that she's crazy. Though this book sounds like a Sci-fi book, it's actually more of a realistic fiction with time travel playing just a small part in the overall plot.
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village is written by Laura Amy Schlitz and illustrated by Robert Byrd. This book was a Non-fiction Newbery Award winner in 2008. This book gives a depiction of what it was like living in the Medieval Ages from various perspectives. Often these depictions are through verse and contain wonderful pencil and ink illustrations that reinforce the verse's sentiments. I've seen it said that the line between education and entertainment is a fine one and I see this illustrated in this book. It is a quick and easy read that creates a picture of the Medieval ages while also entertaining by giving the people stories.
Amos Fortune: Free man was written by Elizabeth Yates and published in 1950. It won the Newbery Medal in 1951 and has certainly touched my heart. This book is a biography of a man named Amos who was born a prince and destined to be king before his father was murdered and he taking into captivity to be sold as a slave in America. Though Amos longed to break free and save his people, he was unable to. He was sold as a slave, but was given the name fortune because he was fortunate enough to have been bought by a man who treated him as family and was willing to set Amos free. Unfortunately his master died before being able to set Amos free and so he was sold again to a man who agreed to have Amos live with him and learn a trade in order to buy his freedom. After working hard and learning a trade he was able to earn what should have been his all along. He was a skilled tanner who sought out on his own and became a pillar of his community setting people free whenever he could. Amos was an amazing man with tenacity and kindness in abundance and forgiveness beyond what I could muster. I flipped the final page with a sigh of sadness at knowing I will never get to meet this extraordinary individual who could have surely taught me a thing or two about life.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Blood Trail
Blood Trail a Joe Pickett novel by C.J. Box is a mystery thriller that keeps you guessing the whole way through. Hunters are being hunted as Box's story unfolds, slowly revealing pieces of the puzzle that make you wonder who the murderer is and what the motive is for killing. Is the murderer just simply killing people for sport or because they disagree with the act of hunting or is there something more going on? This is a fast paced read that has a lot of chapter breaks making it an easy book to pick up for a couple of minutes though you may have trouble setting it down wondering what will happen next.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Chapter Books
Chapter books are ideal for children in their in between year. The years between being a kid and a teen. These books sometimes have a few pictures in them here and there, but are predominately text. The vocabulary begins to become more advanced and themes can become more mature in some of the books.
When I think of chapter books I think of Beverly Cleary. She has written numerous books and won many awards for her work, including 35 statewide awards based on the votes of her young readers. Ramona is a major character that Cleary works with. She is a spunky child who has a penchant for trouble. She sometimes just can't help herself. In Ramona the Pest she has just begun kindergarten and is getting to know how school works. She absolutely loves her teacher Miss Binney and seeks her approval with everything. Many times Ramona felt that Miss Binney was the only one who understood her. No matter how hard Ramona tries, she can't help but get into trouble. Ramona doesn't mean to get into sticky situations, but sometimes she just looks at the world in a different way than others and it causes minor conflicts. Checkout the book to see if she becomes a kindergarten dropout or survive her first year in school.
Everybody knows Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and The BFG. These aren't the only books that Roald Dahl has written, but they are household names that have earned a spot on many bookcases. The Witches is another popular chapter book by Dahl and starts with a tragic beginning. The book is about a young boy whose parents die and he is to live with his grandmother. The boy loves his grandmother dearly and she tells him stories about how to recognize a witch and exactly what they are capable of. You can tell that the boy is skeptical, until the one day he is hiding in a room that fills with witches. Though he tries to stay hidden, he is sniffed out and the cruel witches turn him into a mouse, but as a mouse he manages to slip away. As a mouse he decides to try and eradicate witches from the world so that what has happened to him, will never happen to anyone else. Does he succeed? You'll have to read to see.
Rick Riordan is a best selling author who has a variety of series. One of his best known works are the Percy Jackson novels the first two of which have become big screen movies. Riordan is collaborating with many other authors on The 39 Clues series. The first in the series, The Maze of Bones is written by Riordan and is a fast paced exciting adventure. This chapter book follows Amy and Dan Cahill as they attend the reading of their grandmothers will and are assigned the task to find 39 clues and forever change civilization. Several family members are tasked with the same challenge and compete against each other for the clues that could make the winner a very powerful person. The clues are not easy to find and the danger mounts with each piece of the puzzle. The book leaves wondering what will happen next and anxious to read the next in the series.
Megan McDonald is the award winning author of the popular Judy Moody series amongst many other books as well. McDonald has written and published more than 60 books geared toward children. It's no wonder that McDonald is a well known name in the world of books. Judy Moody Saves the World is just one of many in the series and follows Judy as she learns about being green. Judy does her best to do her part in saving the environment, but once in a while her good intentions go horribly wrong and she becomes frustrated until one of her ideas inspires her whole class. You'll have to pick up this installment to see if she can inspire you or your children to go green too.
Greg Kinney's number one bestselling book Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been wildly popular with children in later elementary and middle school years. There are currently 8 books in the series with the newest 9th installment Hard Luck coming soon. In Diary of a Wimpy Kid Greg Heffley writes a diary explaining the trials of his life at home, with friends and at school. The reader will quickly discover that middle school isn't as easy as it sounds. It's filled with unwritten rules and unspoken popularity contest. The diary follows Greg as he navigates all of these challenges. This is a cute book written in diary format with a few graphics thrown in to emphasize the things that Greg discusses.
When I think of chapter books I think of Beverly Cleary. She has written numerous books and won many awards for her work, including 35 statewide awards based on the votes of her young readers. Ramona is a major character that Cleary works with. She is a spunky child who has a penchant for trouble. She sometimes just can't help herself. In Ramona the Pest she has just begun kindergarten and is getting to know how school works. She absolutely loves her teacher Miss Binney and seeks her approval with everything. Many times Ramona felt that Miss Binney was the only one who understood her. No matter how hard Ramona tries, she can't help but get into trouble. Ramona doesn't mean to get into sticky situations, but sometimes she just looks at the world in a different way than others and it causes minor conflicts. Checkout the book to see if she becomes a kindergarten dropout or survive her first year in school.
Everybody knows Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and The BFG. These aren't the only books that Roald Dahl has written, but they are household names that have earned a spot on many bookcases. The Witches is another popular chapter book by Dahl and starts with a tragic beginning. The book is about a young boy whose parents die and he is to live with his grandmother. The boy loves his grandmother dearly and she tells him stories about how to recognize a witch and exactly what they are capable of. You can tell that the boy is skeptical, until the one day he is hiding in a room that fills with witches. Though he tries to stay hidden, he is sniffed out and the cruel witches turn him into a mouse, but as a mouse he manages to slip away. As a mouse he decides to try and eradicate witches from the world so that what has happened to him, will never happen to anyone else. Does he succeed? You'll have to read to see.
Rick Riordan is a best selling author who has a variety of series. One of his best known works are the Percy Jackson novels the first two of which have become big screen movies. Riordan is collaborating with many other authors on The 39 Clues series. The first in the series, The Maze of Bones is written by Riordan and is a fast paced exciting adventure. This chapter book follows Amy and Dan Cahill as they attend the reading of their grandmothers will and are assigned the task to find 39 clues and forever change civilization. Several family members are tasked with the same challenge and compete against each other for the clues that could make the winner a very powerful person. The clues are not easy to find and the danger mounts with each piece of the puzzle. The book leaves wondering what will happen next and anxious to read the next in the series.
Megan McDonald is the award winning author of the popular Judy Moody series amongst many other books as well. McDonald has written and published more than 60 books geared toward children. It's no wonder that McDonald is a well known name in the world of books. Judy Moody Saves the World is just one of many in the series and follows Judy as she learns about being green. Judy does her best to do her part in saving the environment, but once in a while her good intentions go horribly wrong and she becomes frustrated until one of her ideas inspires her whole class. You'll have to pick up this installment to see if she can inspire you or your children to go green too.
Greg Kinney's number one bestselling book Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been wildly popular with children in later elementary and middle school years. There are currently 8 books in the series with the newest 9th installment Hard Luck coming soon. In Diary of a Wimpy Kid Greg Heffley writes a diary explaining the trials of his life at home, with friends and at school. The reader will quickly discover that middle school isn't as easy as it sounds. It's filled with unwritten rules and unspoken popularity contest. The diary follows Greg as he navigates all of these challenges. This is a cute book written in diary format with a few graphics thrown in to emphasize the things that Greg discusses.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)