Michael Printz YA Award Winner - The First Part Last

Bibliography
Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689849222

Plot Summary
At just 16, Bobby finds himself as a single parent after his girlfriend Nia suffers brain damage after delivering their daughter Feather. Although they had plans of giving her up for adoption, Nia's postpartum condition spurs Bobby to refuse to sign the papers and raise the baby himself. His choice results in him struggling to care for his daughter while trying to keep up with school, maintain his friendships, and live up to his parents' expectations of being a responsible man.

Critical Analysis
Angela Johnson gives readers at taste of what teenage pregnancy and fatherhood is like from the male perspective. The exhaustion of caring for baby Feather can be felt by readers such as when Bobby takes Feather for a doctor's visit and wishes that the doctor would write him an excuse for getting out of the constant attention a baby needs: "It just had to get me out of staying awake all night, changing diapers every hour, and doing nothing except think of the yawning little thing in the white booties, whose baby carrier was all I wanted to be in." Scenes in which Bobby expresses his love for Feather and her mother are beautifully worded and his effort to do the right thing (be responsible and mature) is demonstrated by the choices he makes: "I thought about laying her in the middle of my bed and going off to find my old Game Boy, but I didn't. Things have to change. I've been thinking about it. Everything. And when Feather opens her eyes and looks up at me, I already know there's change." In the final chapter, readers will be begging for more about this young father and daughter duo as they start a new life in Heaven, Ohio, the town where Bobby's brother lives and a seemingly pefect place for raising a child. Brief, but poetic and riveting, this novel is a great read for highschool students as it will grab listeners immediately and make it an ideal subject for class discussion.

Review Exerpt(s)
BookList - "Johnson makes poetry with the simplest words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again."
Kirkus Reviews - "It's the tale of one young man and his choices, which many young readers will appreciate and enjoy."

Connections
*This novel would make a great topic for discussion for highschool students regarding teen pregnancy.
*Other novels about teenage pregnancy:
Cole, Sheila. WHAT KIND OF LOVE?: THE DIARY OF A PREGNANT TEENAGER. ISBN 0380725754
Wild, Margaret. ONE NIGHT. ISBN 0553494341
Bechard, Margaret. HANGING ON TO MAX. ISBN 0689862687

Newberry Award Honor Book - Rules

Bibliography
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. RULES. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439443822

Plot Summary
Living with her autistic brother David, 12-year-old Catherine struggles to find order and balance in her life. While she loves David, she is embarrassed by his behavior. She makes rules to help him function more normally. Her longing to live a normal life so that she can receive as much attention from her parents as her brother does as well as make friends without being hindered by her brother's behavior is further complicated by her growing friendship with Jason, a paraplegic.

Critical Analysis
Cynthia Lord sheds light on the family dynamic created by a family member with a disability. Narrated by Catherine, readers are able to experience what it is like to grow up with an autistic brother. They are able to enter Catherine's topsy-turvy world filled with conflicting feelings about loving David but at the same time being embarrassed, impatient, and resentful of him. Catherine's concern for her brother is shown in the rules she makes for her brother, "so if my someday-he'll-wake-up-a regular-brother wish doesn't ever come true, at least he'll know how the world works, and I won't have to keep explaining things." At the same time, her wish to fit in with everybody else is hindered by her brothers abnormal behavior and the amount of attention he needs. Making "real friends" is not as easy for Catherine and unexpectedly becoming friends with Jason only makes the matter more complicated. Ultimately, Jason helps Catherine admit that her rules may really be excuses, opening the way for her to free herself from what she fears others will think: "You're a good friend, and I've been--Weak." Entirely convincing, her emotions come across vividly through her thoughts and actions. Readers will relate to the universal themes of being/feeling different and finding acceptance.

Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly - "A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' points of view."
School Library Journal - "A lovely warm read, and a great discussion starter."
Kirkus Reviews - "Middle-grade readers will recognize her longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences."
Booklist - "The details of autistic behavior are handled well, as are depictions of relationships."

Connections
*Students can be invited to write about an experience they had about feeling like they were different and not accepted by somebody else.
*Students can write about something that happened in the story through another person's point of view, such as Catherine's mother, father, or friend Jason.

Fantasy Series- The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide

Bibliography
DiTerlizzi, Tony & Holly Black. 2003. THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES: THE FIELD GUIDE. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689289368

Plot Summary
The Grace Children (13 year-old Mallory and 9 year-old twins Simon and Jared) and their recently divorced mother move into their great Aunt Lucinda's worn out Victorian house. There, Jared discovers a field guide, Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You--a hand book to faeries and other creatures. Often in trouble, Jared gets blamed for some unusual occurences until his siblings finally believe what the field guide says, after they see one of the creatures inside it for themselves.

Critical Analysis
Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black prove to be a remarkable pair, as they introduce fantasy-loving readers to the story of the Grace children and the fantastical world of creatures around them. The Grace children's discovery of the mysterious faerie realm that exists around them pulls readers in, making them anxious to read more. The first creature readers are introduced to, is a peaceful brownie living inside the walls of the house. Unknowingly, the Grace children destroy his home in the walls, causing him to turn into an enraged boggart. Jared suspects this when he reads about brownies in the field guide: "The Arthur guy says it's a boggart. See, brownies are these helpful guys, but then if you make them mad, they go crazy. They start doing all these bad things and you can't stop them. Then they become boggarts. That's what I think we have." The boggart's ways of exacting revenge on three of them, such as knotting Mallory's hair to her headboard and freezing Simon's pet tadpoles into ice cubes all while making Jared's mom believe he is responsible for this, makes for a story with just enough menace and suspense. The clever headings of each chapter such as "In Which There Are Answers, Though Not Necessarily to the Right Questions," and the antique-style pen and ink illustrations are appealing to young readers. So is the book's opening letter from Holly Black to the reader, the note written to her and Tony DiTerlizzi by the Grace children, the map of the Spiderwick estate, and a handwritten note in Arthur Spiderwick's upstairs library, which will perhaps convince some that the story is real.

Book Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly - "Appealing characters, well-measured suspense and an inviting package will lure readers on to The Seeing Stone, due next month."
Kirkus Reviews - Readers who are too young to read Harry Potter independently will find these have just the right amount of menace laced with appealing humor and are blessed with crisp pacing and, of course, DiTerlizzi's enticingly Gothic illustrations."

Connections
*Other fantasy series:
Nimmo, Jenny. MIDNIGHT FOR CHARLIE BONE(CHILDREN OF THE RED KING, BOOK 1). ISBN 0439474299
Rowling, J.K. HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (BOOK 1). ISBN 0590353403
Mull, Brandon. FABLEHAVEN: RISE OF THE EVENING STAR (BOOK 1). ISBN 1590387422
Neff, Henry H. THE HOUND OF ROWAN: BOOK ONE OF THE TAPESTRY. ISBN 0375838945
Sage, Angie. SEPTIMUS HEAP BOOK 1: MAGYK. ISBN 0060577312
MacHale, D.J. THE MERCHANT OF DEATH (PENDRAGON SERIES #1) ISBN 0743437314

Scott O'Dell Award winning book - Elijah of Buxton

BibliographyCurtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439023443

Plot Summary
Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman was the first child born into freedom in the Canadian settlement of Buxton. His mother is concerned that he is such a "fra-gile" boy since he is quite gullible and sensitive. However, everything changes when a former slave who calls himself the "Right Reverend Deacon Doctor Zephariah Connerly the Third" runs off with money that Elijah's friend Mr. Leroy had saved to buy his family out of slavery. Feeling that he is to blame, Elijah journeys with Mr. Leroy to America to find the thief and bring him to justice. He soon sees the horrors of slavery that he had only heard about from his parents and other ex-slaves. Facing such horrors while finding the courage to save a child that would otherwise be immersed into slavery, he proves that he is not as "fra-gile" as his mother thought him to be.

Critical Analysis
Curtis takes us on an unforgettable journey through the eyes of Elijah Freedman, the first child "born free" to former slaves in Buxton, a settlement for ex-slaves in Canada. Through the eyes of Elijah, the reader is transported to the settlement in Buxton, a place united by the experiences of slavery shared by most of its residents. The setting is vividly described through the eyes of Elijah as are his feelings of being too "fra-gile" for a boy about to become a young man. Readers can find humor in the naivety and gullibility of Elijah such as when he visits a traveling carnival and really thinks that a mesmerist is going to shoot lightning bolts from his eyes and make him levitate: "The first thing I did was look straight up, partly so's I wouldn't have to see the stage, but mostly 'cause if the Preacher was gonna force me to watch and get floated off by lightning coming outta some white man's eyes, I wanted to see if there was something I could latch ahold on to afore I ended up in the clouds." At the same time, readers witness how the boy becomes stronger, capable of risking his neck to cross the border to help Mr. Leroy find the preacher who stole his money. As he does this, he is confronted with the horrors of slavery, which only proves to the reader that he is "fra-gile" no more but a hero for doing what was right and saving a young child that was bound for slavery.

The colloquial language of the characters brings authenticity to the story, making readers feel even more "in the moment" and the author's note at the end lets readers know that the settlement of Buxton is a real place. Knowing that much of the story is based on fact, readers young and old will no doubt feel immensely touched by a story written so true to the history of the time.

Excerpt Review(s)
BookList - "Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edge of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears."
Kirkus Reviews - "It's 1859, in Buxton, a settlement for slaves making it to freedom in Canada, a setting so thoroughly evoked, with characters so real, that readers will live the story, not just read it."
School Library Journal - "Curtis' talent for dealing with painful periods of history with grace and sensitivity is as strong as ever."

Connections
*Books about the history of slavery:
Hamilton, Virginia. MANY THOUSAND GONE: AFRICAN AMERICANS FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM. ISBN 0679879366
Lester, Julius. TO BE A SLAVE. ISBN 0141310014
Lester, Julius. FROM SLAVE SHIP TO FREEDOM ROAD. ISBN 0140566694

Historical Fiction - The Midwife's Apprentice

Bibliography
Cushman, Karen. 1996. THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. New York: HarperTrophy. ISBN 006440630X

Plot Summary
One evening an orphaned girl with no home or name but Brat is found by Jane, a cold and ill-tempered midwife, who calls her Beetle and takes her in as her apprentice. It's a hard-working life for Beetle, but she makes a place for herself, adopting a cat and befriending one of the village boys. Anxious to learn the trade, she secretly observes Jane's midwifery skills, something that the midwife tried to keep her ignorant of. As her confidence builds, she gives herself a real name at last: Alyce. However, when she is requested to deliver a baby and fails, she runs away, believing she is too stupid to be of any worth. With time, she discovers that she is capable of doing some things right and returns to Jane, determined to continue her apprenticeship this time around without giving up.

Critical Analysis
Cushman paints a realistic picture of medieval England as the people and language of the time come to life with her witty detail as when she says "Beetle sometimes feared Jane Sharp was a witch, for she mumbled to herself and once a pail of milk curdled as she passed, but mostly she knew Jane was what she first appeared, a woman neither young nor old, neither fat nor thin, with a sharp nose and sharp glance and a wimple starched in sharp pleats." With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman captures our attention with the story of a homeless and nameless young girl (Alyce) looking to find her place in the world. It's a theme most readers can relate to, as many of us come to doubt who we are as she does after failing to deliver a baby during a diffcult birth. She is struck by failure, thinks that she is too stupid to be the midwife's apprentice, and runs away. Through her experiences she finally discovers the truth in what her friend from the village had told her, "You got guts and common sense. Just because you don't know everything don't mean you know nothing. Even Jane Midwife herself don't know everything, though she think she do." Finally seeing the beauty and self-worth in her that others did, she returns to the village to continue her apprenticeship. Her determination is felt when she tells Jane, "Jane Sharp! It is I, Alyce, your apprentice. I have come back. And if you do not let me in, I will try again and again. I can do what you tell me and take what you give me, and I know how to try and risk and fail and try again and not give up. I will not go away." The story is wonderfully told and carries a message that readers will be happy to hear.

Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly - "Cushman has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent."
BookList - "Kids will love this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone."
School Library Journal - "Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal rememdies attached to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature."

Connections
*Students can be asked to write about something they failed at and how that made them feel.
*Students can research how different times and different places saw midwives differently.

Classic work of historical fiction - The Whipping Boy

Bibliography
Fleischman, Sid. 1986. THE WHIPPING BOY. by Peter Sis. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 0439441420

Plot Summary
Jemmy is an orpahned rat-catcher taken from the village to serve as the whipping boy for obnoxious Prince Brat. Since it is forbidden to physically harm the heir to the throne, Jemmy must suffer the punishment for the spoiled prince's mischief. Jemmy, tired of being thrashed, plans to run away, but Prince Brat beats him to it. He demands that Jemmy come with him and the two embark on an adventure involving two dangerous outlaws chasing after them. By the end, the two boys manage to escape and become friends and Prince Brat is changed for the better.

Critical Analysis
Fleischman makes this tale of a bratty prince come to life as the story mentions the trouble he causes with his practical jokes such as dumping bullfrogs in the moat to disturb everyone's sleep, hog-greasing the horses' saddles so that the knights slip and fall off, and tying the lords and ladies' wigs to their chairs so that when they stand up their wigs come flying off. His meaness and selfishness is reflected in him seeking to find pleasure from the whipping boy's pain. "A whipping boy is supposed to yowl like a stuck pig! We dress you up fancy and feed you royal, don't we? It's no fun if you don't bawl!" Jemmy, the whipping boy, is made to be a respectable hero as he endures the pain of the punishments without a noise uttered. He turns out to be not only street wise but more educated than the prince himself as he takes note of the prince's lessons while the prince refuses to learn how to read and write, saying "Pish-posh. I can always get someone to write my name for me." The plot is simple and entertaining, as the reader finds interest in the runaway adventure of Prince Brat and Jemmy to see if they can put aside their differences and work together to escape the clutches of Hold-Your-Nose Billy and Cutwater, two dangerous outlaws. To the reader's delight, annoying Prince Brat returns to the castle a changed person, which is demonstrated when he places Jemmy under his protection for saving him and the two become friends.

Short chapters make this story easy to read, giving readers a nice change of pace. Not only are the characters vividly portrayed, but the adventures of the boys are splashed with humor as when the reader finds out at the end of the story that the two outlaws escaped from the rat infested sewers only to unknowingly board a ship full of convicts "bound for a speck of island in distant waters. A convict island." Sis' black and white pen and ink illustrations capture the humor of the text and emphasize particular events in the story to match the author's comic style.

Review Excerpt(s)
Kirkus Reviews - "A rollicking tale of adventure and mistaken identity, written in a style reminiscent of 19th-century melodrama."
School Library Journal - "Supplmentary characters are well-drawn both by Fleischman and by Sis, so the whole hangs together in basic appeal."

Connections
*Other stories set in Medieval times:
De Angeli, Marguerite. THE DOOR IN THE WALL. ISBN 0440227798
Cushman, Karen. CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 0064405842
Cushman, Karen. THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. ISBN 006440630X

Historical Non-fiction - An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

Bibliography
Murphy, Jim. 2003. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1793. Clarion Books: New York. ISBN 0395776082

Plot Summary
In this Newberry Honor, National Book Award Finalist, and Robert F. Sibert Medal winning book, Jim Murphy recreates the devastation experienced by the city of Philadelphia in 1793 caused by an incurable outbreak of a disease known as yellow fever. Along with the yellow fever epidemic, Murphy details the major social and political events of the time, as well as medical beliefs and practices.

Critical Analysis
Murphy transports readers to the city of Philadelphia during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. He chronicles this terrifying time based on firsthand accounts both medical an non-medical. The ever present sense of fear and impending doom during the crisis is vividly expressed in the text. Murphy tells of a headstone of a yellow fever victim that bore the words "Stay Passenger where I lie/ As you are now so once was I/ As I am now so You shall be/ Prepare for Death and follow me."

Interweaved throughout the text are the social and political conditions of the time. Heroes such as the Free African Society whose life-saving efforts helped the infected while most Whites fled were still regarded with indignitity as a book published during the time villified Black nurses as extortionists. President George Washington's conflict with the French because of his refusal to support them in their war against Britain is also cited throughout the story. Murphy explains how the fever had a significant impact on the situation, quoting John Adams--"nothing but the yellow fever...could have saved the United States from a total revolution of government." The medical beliefs and practices of the time are also noted, such as bloodletting, removing blood from the body in an effort to cure patients. Although many of the medical treatments seem ludacris, they give us an intersting look into the world of medicine in the 18th century.

Archival artwork and photocopies of documents bring the story to life by helping the reader picture what the city was like back then. A comprehensive history in the book's final chapter details the yellow fever phenomenon. It gives the reader insight to other outbreaks, its causes, and ways it has tried to be prevented, although the fact that it has no cure is sure to make some readers uneasy. Source notes, acknowledgements, a note about the illustrations, and an index prove the accuracy of the book.

Review Exerpt(s)
BookList - "History, science, politics, and public health come together in this dramatic account of the disastrous yellow fever epidemic that hit the nation's capital more than 200 years ago."
Kirkus Reviews - "A mesmerizing account that will make readers happy they live in the 21st century."
School Library Journal - "Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories"

Connections
*Other plagues that students can read about:
Farrell, Jeanette. INVISIBLE ENEMIES: STORIES OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. ISBN 0374336075
Corine, Phyllis. THE BLACK DEATH. ISBN 1560062991
Marrin, Albert. DR.JENNER AND THE SPECKLED MONSTER: THE SEARCH FOR THE SMALLPOX VACCINE. ISBN 0525469222

Biography - Houdini:Greatest Mystery Man and Escape King

Bibliography
Krull, Kathleen. 2005. HOUDINI: WORLD'S GREATEST MYSTERY MAN AND ESCAPE KING. by Eric Velasquez. Walker and Company: New York. ISBN 0802789536

Plot Summary
Author Kathleen Krull and illustrator Eric Velasquez team up to tell the remarkable story of Harry Houdini, the world's most famous magician. His life story is interspersed with tellings of his most famous feats such as "The Underwater Handcuff Release" and "The Suspended Straight Jacket." His story is not only entertaining but inspiring as it tells how he came from nothing (being homeless at times) to making a name and fortune for himself.

Critical Analysis
Krull's biography of Houdini gives us a brief look into his life and accomplishments. Krull includes a quote from Houdini himself--"My mind is the key that sets me free." This quote is supported by Krull's account of how when the magician put his mind to it, he held steadfast to his goals. "When learning something new, he would practice six, seven, eight hours a day...he practiced the hardest at conquering fear." Krull not only shares his life story, but entertains us by sharing his incredible and daring feats presented in a stage performance-like manner, narrated by an announcer in a top hat and tails.

Velasquez's oil illustrations are dramatic, as dramatic as the dangerous stunts Houdini performs and which the illustrator brilliantly freeze-frames. The illustrations are appropriately reminiscent of the advertisements seen in the period in which Houdini lived. A "Behind the Scences" endnote gives the reader clues as to how Houdini was able to perform such magnificent feats, such as spitting on his wrists before being bound to make them slippery. A bibliography is also included, which is great for readers who want to read more about this man of mystery.

Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal - "Readers get a sense of Houdini's commitment, determination, and dedication to is family. His belief in hard work, self-education, and the value of books is emphasized."
Kirkus Reviews - "Adding posters and other evocative details to the settings, the artist accurately depicts the magician, his wife and many of the trunks, cases, shackles and other constraints from which he escaped with (seeming ease)."

Connections
Other books about Houdini:
Fleischman, Sid. ESCAPE!: THE STORY OF THE GREAT HOUDINI. ISBN 0060850949
Selznick, Brian. THE HOUDINI BOX. ISBN 0689844514
Sutherland, Tui. WHO WAS HARRY HOUDINI? ISBN 0448426862

Nonfiction - Animals Nobody Loves

Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 2001. ANIMALS NOBODY LOVES. SeaStar Books: New York. ISBN 1587170809

Plot Summary
Seymour Simon gives us the facts about 20 of the most unloved animals in nature ranging from bats to the gila monster to piranahs. His purpose is to reveal the truth about these animals, some of which are misunderstood, so that we can decide how we feel about some of nature's weirdest, most dangerous, but also fascinating creatures.

Critical Analysis
Simon sets out to erase the "bad reputation" of the most unloved animals and help readers understand and respect them for what they are. However, sentences such as "The great white shark has a huge appetite and will eat any animal or person that it finds in its path" and "In just one tentacle, there are thousands of stingers that can hurt people as badly as the stings of a huge swarm of bees or wasps" only reinforces their "bad reputation."

Each animal is presented in a two page spread with a full page or larger photo and accompanying paragraphs of information. Although the information gives interesting facts and dispels a few myths such as the belief that bats are blind, it is very brief in length. The book is more useful for browsing the attention-grabbing photos and maybe learning a few interesting tidbits more than for research purposes. It includes a table of contents but has no index or list of sources.

The full color photographs are definitely eye-catching but do not do much to make the animals appear any more pleasing. Photographs such as a vulture picking at a dead carcass, a rattlesnake's gaping mouth revealing venemous fangs, and a wasp stinging another insect only make the animals more repulsive and scary to readers.

Review Excerpt(s)
BookList - "The photos (and even the text) won't do much to change the reputation of animals such as the vulture and the rat, but there's no denying they'll draw a crowd and a chorus of "Gross."
Kirkus Reviews - "Despite his introduction, Simon seldom notes the value of these disliked animals."

Connections
Other books about unliked animals:
Collard, Sneed B. CREEPY CREATURES. ISBN 0881068365
Pringle, Laurence P. ANIMAL MONSTERS: THE TRUTH ABOUT SCARY CREATURES. ISBN 0761450033

Verse Novel - Stop Pretending: What happened when my big sister went crazy

Bibliography
Sones, Sonya. 1999. STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 0439250706

Plot Summary
In this very personal verse novel, Sonya Sones writes about her feelings as a thirteen-year-old girl coping with her older sister's mental illness. Her series of poems come together to tell the story of how her sister's condition affects her and her family--she fears she will go crazy too, her former friends shun her, and her parent's marriage nearly falls apart. However, the story also has its pleasant surprises too--she discovers a love for photography, uses it as an outlet to heal herself and her sister, makes a new friend, meets a boy and falls in love.

Critical Analysis
The author's poems paint a very real picture of how mental illness affects not only the person afflicted but also family as well. The emotional power of the author's feelilngs can be felt in lines such as "I blink/and there you suddenly are/inhabiting your eyes again....and a trap door/ at the back of my skull/ swings open,/ letting the gloom/ swirl out." The poems are deeply felt and insightful for those who have never experienced such difficult issues. Together, the poems tell a story that is bleak but glimmers with hope at the end. It is a book that someone who has experienced deep sadness or difficult events can relate to and even be inspired by.

Review Exerpt(s)
Kirkus Reviews - "Collected, they [poems] take on life and movement, the individual frames of a movie that in the unspooling become animated, telling a compelling tale and presenting a painful passage through young adolescence."
BookList - "Based on Sones' own family experience, this debut novel shows the capacity of poetry to record the personal and translate it into the universal."

Connections
*This could be a great book to use when introducing or discussing the serious topic of mental illness.
*Other books about teens facing difficult issues:
Dessen, Sarah. THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER. ISBN 0670036390
Hesse, Karen. OUT OF THE DUST. ISBN
Wolff, Virginia Euwer. MAKE LEMONADE. ISBN 0805080708

Poetry - The New Kid on the Block

Bibliography
Prelutsky, Jack. 1984. THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK. by James Stevenson. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0688022715

Plot Summary
Prelutsky's The New Kid on the Block is a collection of over 100 humorous and silly poems about such strange creatures and people as underwater wibbles and Granny Grizer.

Critical Analysis
Prelutsky's rhymes are a laughfest for the young and young at heart. In no way predictable, his poems feature characters and events you'd never dream of from a boneless chicken to a zoosher to a boy with a nose between his toes to a woman washing garbage before she throws it out. The rhymes are sprinkled with alliteration, tongue twisters, and flow in perfect rhythm. Stevenson's black and white loose pen and ink sketches are lively, a perfect partner for the author's playful poetry.

Review Excerpt(s)
Horn Book: "A fine prescription against the blues at anytime of year."
Kirkus Reviews: "A wealth of funny new verse from a favorite poet...Hilarious black and white art. Another winner from this talented pair."

Connections
*Other poetry books written by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by James Stevenson:
SOMETHING BIG HAS BEEN HERE. ISBN 0688064345
A PIZZA THE SIZE OF THE SUN. ISBN 0688132359
IT'S RAINING PIGS AND NOODLES. ISBN 006029194X

Poetry - Little Dog and Duncan

Bibliography
George, Kristine O'Connell. 2002. LITTLE DOG AND DUNCAN.by June Otani. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 061811758X

Plot Summary
In this companion to Little Dog Poems, Kristine O'Connell George puts together a series of poems about a little girl and her experiences with her dog and a dog visitor who comes over to spend the night. The poems describe the two dogs of different sizes who turn out to be alike in many ways.

Critical Analysis
George's simply-worded poems tell a heartwarming tale of Little Dog and Duncan, two dogs of opposite sizes. The owner of Little Dog, a young girl, tells about the goings-on about the house as the two dogs interact with each other and despite their differences, end up having a good time together. The touches of humor in "Seating Plan," "Walk" and "No Way" are endearing to readers, especially dog owners, who can relate to canine antics. June Otami's watercolor illustrations show the tender story with bright colors and white backgrounds making the characters and events stand out.

Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal - "Glowing with warmth and gentle humor, this book makes a great choice for reading aloud, or for quiet sharing while children are snuggled up with their favorite pet or stuffed pooch."
BookList - "This time the poems coalesce into a simple, loving story."

Connections
*Invite children to compose their own poems about a pet or favorite animal.
*Companion book to Little Dog and Duncan:
George, Kristine O'Connell. LITTLE DOG POEMS. ISBN 0395822661

Collection of Traditional Literature: Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales

Bibliography
Philip, Neil. 2003. Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618194630

Plot Summary
Neil Philip shares his collection of Mexican folklore, some of which were collected in Mexico and many others from the Mexican population of Colorado and New Mexico. The folktales are varied, with characters including cats, magicians, witches, priests, lovers, and supernatural beings. A witch turns a girl's brothers into blue oxen, a tailor outsmarts the devil in a sewing contest, a priest unknowingly spends many years viewing just one glimpse of glory. An introduction, notes on the stories, and a bibliography are included for reference.

Critical Analysis
Folklorist Neil Philip puts together a varied and entertaining collection of folktales from the Mexican and Mexican American storytelling traditions. The retellings are witty and spiritual, inviting readers into a magical world populated by an assortment of characters. Jacqueline Mair's colorful illustrations are bold and whimsical. They are crafted in the style of Mexican folk art, which fits the theme of the collection and complements the text perfectly.

Review Excerpt(s)
Booklist - "useful and attractively presented...stories are simply yet effectively retold...exuberant illustrations...illuminating introduction...An extensive bibliography...a solid collection"
School Library Journal - "Richly varied collection...distinctive flavor...stylish and humorous retellings...alive with bright color...a well-put-together package. Clearly superior...enjoyable volume."

Connections
*Other folktale collections:
Hayes, Joe. The Day It Snowed Tortillas/El dia que nevaron tortillas: Folktales told in Spanish and English. ISBN 0938317768
Mandela, Nelson. Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales. ISBN 093329909
Milbourne, Anna. Stories from India. ISBN 0794511511

Cinderella Variant - Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story

Bibliography
dePaola, Tomie. 2002. Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story. by Tomie dePaola. New York: Puffin Books. ISBN 0142401870

Plot Summary
After the death of her mother and later, father, Adelita becomes servant to her stepmother and stepsisters, who evict the family housekeeper, Esperanza. One morning her stepmother announces they are invited to a party at Senor Gordillo's ranch to celebrate their son Javier's homecoming (who happens to be Adelita's childhood friend). Rumor is that he will be looking for a wife. Adelita is not allowed to go, but finds a way to get there and something to wear with the help of Esperanza. Upon first sight, Javier falls in love with her and looks for her after her early departure from the party. He remembers the beautifully embroidered shawl she wore and finds her when he sees it hanging from her window. They marry, invite Esperanza as their housekeeper, and live happily ever after.

Critical Analysis
Tomie dePaola's Mexican Cinderella story is a delightful folktale variant. The text is straightforward and spanish phrases and their translations are placed throughout the text to bring authenticity. The story has no magical elements, which makes for a more realistic tale.

The acrylic paintings display Mexican themed borders and colors. Details within the pictures such as religious objects, pottery, and Mexican themed decor create authentic-looking Mexican settings. DePaola does an excellent job capturing not only the Mexican culture, but also the reader's eye through his splendid illustrations.

Review Excerpt(s)
Publisher's Weekly - "There's no pumpkin coach or glass slipper in sight, but Cinderella fans will find much to like in dePaola's original twist, infused with Mexican warmth and color."
BookList - "DePaola uses all the familiar elements but removes much of the magic, giving this version a realistic patina that in no way diminishes listening enjoyment."

Connections
*This folktale variant can be compared and contrasted to the Disney version of Cinderella that we all know.
*Other Mexican Cinderella stories:
Coburn, Jewell Reinhart. Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition. ISBN 1885008139
Hayes, Joe. Estrellita de oro/Little Gold Star: A Cinderella Cuento. ISBN 0938317687

Traditional Literature - The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

Bibliography
Goble, Paul. 1978. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses. by Paul Goble. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN 0689716966

Plot Summary
The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses is a retelling of a Native American tale about a girl's love and special understanding of wild horses. One day, while she takes a nap among the grazing horses, a storm comes and separates the girl and pack of horses from the tribe. She lives contentedly with the horses until one day members of her tribe find her. They take her home to reunite with her people, but she becomes lonely and ill, because she longs to live with the wild horses. Sensing her special connection to the animals, her people allow her to return to roam free with the wild horses where she feels a true sense of belonging and happiness.

Critical Analysis
Paul Goble's retelling of this Native American folktale is smoothly done. The main character's special love for and connnection to the wild horses is truly felt throughout the story. The text lends itself to be read aloud and enjoyed, especially by those with a fondness for animals.

The illustrations are perfectly executed to compliment the text. The southwestern style watercolor paintings beatifully depict the Native American culture and the bold colors enhance the reader's feeling of the true beauty of nature.

Review Excerpt(s)
Horn Book - "Both storytelling and art express the harmony with and the the love of nature which characterize Native American culture."

Connections
*This is a great book to use for a Social Studies unit on Native Americans.
*Other Native American folktales:
DePaola, Tomie. The Lengend of the Indian Paintbrush. ISBN 0698113608
Oughton, Jerrie. How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend. ISBN 0395779383
McDermott, Gerald. Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale. ISBN 0140502114

A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal

Bibliography
Marcus, Leonard S. 1998. A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. New York: Walker and Company. ISBN 0802786561

Plot Summary
Book historian Leonard S. Marcus celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Caldecott Medal by presenting the profiles of six winners of the award, one from each decade of the medal's history--Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Wiesner. The path to each artist's success as as a noted illustrator is shared with readers.

Critical Analysis
Marcus' introduction to the book explains the origin of the Caldecott Award and its significance. The profile of each artist featured is uniform in format. Each begins with a picture of the winning book's front cover, a photograph of the illustrator, the year in which the medal was awarded, brief biographical facts, the publisher, and the medium used to create the illustrations. A quote from the artist's acceptance speech is framed, creating interest to the reader.

Marcus dedicates five to eight pages to each artist, relating the artist's life and mixing it with commentary from the artist himself. The commentary is insightful, as it reveals the ways in which the artists work and their personal reactions to receiving the award. The pages attract attention with a multitude of illustrations, some of which show preliminary drawings leading up to the finished art for the winning book. This allows readers to see the evolution of the artists' ideas and get a more in depth understanding of the creation of a picture book.

Review Excerpt(s)
The Horn Book - "The text is remarkable for the smooth integration of explanatory material with overall commentary, and selective detail creates a sense of intimacy and understanding. The research never overpowers the narrative, but the reader knows that it is there--a firm footing for the structure it supports."
Book Report - "This 'celebration' supplies valuable background material for teachers and librarians and an informative and inspirational resource for students interested in picturebooks and their creators."

Connections
*Other books about the creation of chidren's picture books:
Salisbury, Martin. Illustrating Children's Books: Creating Pictures for Publication. ISBN 0764127179
Evans, Dilys. Show and Tell: Exploring the Fine Art of Children's Book Illustration. ISBN 0811849716

Picture Book: Leonardo the Terrible Monster

Bibliography
Willems, Mo. 2005. Leonardo and the Terrible Monster. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786852941

Plot Summary
In this comical picture book, Mo Willems writes about Leonardo, a monster who is terrible, that is, terrible at being a monster. He cannot scare anyone, so in desperation, he looks to find a scaredy-cat kid to scare "the tuna salad" out of. He finds Sam, a depressed and vunerable-looking boy. After his monster act, the victim sheds a tear, not out of horror, but because he is having a very bad day. This leads Leonardo to make an unexpected decision, to be Sam's friend instead of a terrible monster.

Critical Analysis
Willem's writing is simple but engaging. His comparisons of Leonardo to other scarier monsters creates a character we feel is desperate in his desire to be up to par. The text is printed in a large, unique font and all in caps, with certain words and phrases printed in a different color for added emphasis. Willem's illustrations are simple and uncluttered. His use of muted pastels convey mood, such as the gray background for depressed Sam and the purple background for gloomy Leonardo as he finds out about Sam's bad day.

Review Exerpt(s)
Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books - "In his visuals, Willems once again proves that a few well-paced lines, simple shapes, and evocative fonts can be wonderfully effective in the hands of a master animator."
The Horn Book - "Willem's story plays out like a theatrical perfomance on tall, uncluttered, muted-color pages.

Connections
*Other books about monsters:
Leuck, Laura. My Monster Mama Loves Me So. ISBN 0060088605
Sendak, Maurice. Where the Wild Things Are. ISBN 0064431789

Caldecott Award Medal Book: Flotsam

Bibliography
Wiesner, David.2006. Flotsam. by David Wiesner. New York, NY:Clarion Books. ISBN 0618194576

Plot Summary
In this beautifully crafted wordless picture book, David Wiesner shows the unexpected discovery of a young boy spending what initially seemed to be a regular day at the beach. That is, until an old camera washes up on shore. Photographs captured by the camera reveal to the boy a secret kind of underwater world he never could have imagined and a series of kids, who like him, happened to stumble upon the camera during their day at the beach.

Critical Analysis
Wiesner's watercolor illustrations do the talking as his sequence of scenes reaveal the story's events. Subtle tones are used to show scenes on the beach, while deeper and more vibrant tones are used to depict the fantastical underwater world. This secret underwater world is revealed in full page illustrations that capture the eye and stimulate the imagination. Wiesner ingeniously creates a photograph of a picture within a picture, within a picture and so on, to reveal to the boy all those who discovered the camera before him.

Review Excerpt(s)
The Horn Book - "The meticulous and rich detail of Wiesner's watercolors makes the fantasy involving and convincing."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books - "There are a multitude of appeals in the story--the fanciful undersea world, the kids-only secret, the web of connections across time and distance--and Wiesner's cinematic visual narrative fills the story out cunningly."

Connections
*The worldless format of the book makes it great for students to write a story based on the illustrations.
*Other wordless picture books:
Lehman, Barbara. The Red Book. ISBN 0618428585
Bang, Molly. The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher. ISBN 0689803818