Module 10 - Amulet

Book Cover

Book Summary
Emily and her brother and mother move from their home in town to a family home in a very small town in the country.  The house belonged to Emily's great-grandfather who disappeared until very mysterious circumstances and the people in town believe the house to be haunted.  Emily quickly discovers why when she acquires an unusual amulet and her mother and brother are captured by a very strange beast.  Emily must learn how to use the power of the amulet to get her family back, and along the way she discovers some very strange things about her family and the amulet.

APA Reference of Book
Kibuishi, K. (2008). Amulet. New York, NY: Graphix.

Impressions
I enjoy fantasy and this book has all the best elements of a good fantasy.  The young protagonist must use newly discovered powers to save herself, her family, and a newly discovered (by her) world with the help of just a few new friends.  This book will appeal to older elementary readers who like fantasy and would be a good introduction to the genre for reluctant readers or anyone who is not sure if they will enjoy the genre.  There are monsters and robots and magic, some of which might be a problem for younger readers.  The strong female main character will likely appeal to girls, but the strong adventure plot and the presence of her brother as a sidekick will appeal to boys.

Professional Review
"With many a SZZT! SZRAK! FWOOM! and SKREE!, young Emily learns to use an energy-bolt-shooting amulet against an array of menaces to rescue her captured Mom in this graphic-novel series opener. When a scuttling "arachnopod" sucks down their widowed parent, Emily and younger sib Navin pursue through a door in the basement and into the alternate-Earth land of Alledia. Finding unexpected allies in rabbit-like Miskit, grumpy Cogsley and other robots created by their mysterious greatgrandfather, the children weather attacks from huge, tentacled Rakers, a pointy-eared elf prince with shark-like teeth and other adversaries to get her back--only to discover that she's in a coma, poisoned. Off to Episode Two, and the distant city of Kanalis, for a cure. The mid-sized, squared-off panels are sometimes a little small to portray action sequences clearly, but the quickly paced plot is easy enough to follow, and Kibuishi is a dab hand at portraying freaky monsters. Fans of Jeff Smith's Bone will happily fret with the good guys and hiss at the baddies."

[Review of Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi]. (2007). Kirkus Reviews, 75(22), 1201. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Library Uses
This would be a great book to book talk as part of an anime/manga group, especially for younger readers.  The book is the first of a series so if readers are hooked they can read more of the story.

Module 10 - Draw Me a Star

Book Cover

Book Summary
The artist in this book begins by drawing a star.  The star asks for a sun, and the sun asks for a tree.  Each new drawing asks for another until the artist has drawn an entire world.  After drawing a final star, the now old artist holds on to the star to be flown across the sky.

APA Reference of Book
Carle, E. (1992). Draw me a star. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Impressions
Typical of Eric Carle books, this book has beautiful illustrations and a simple, but sweet story.  The main character uses his artistic skill to shape the world around him.  This book encourages budding artists to keep drawing and shape their world as well.  I find the controversy that often follows this book to be undeserved.  Yes, there is a naked couple in the book, but they are general outlines and not graphically depicted at all.  The claims that the book forces creationism on the reader I feel are unfounded.  The artist in the book draws a world for himself, but I find no indication that this drawn world is supposed to represent the world in general or that the artist is supposed to represent God as the creator.  In fact, in the author's note, Carle describes a dream he had which ended with him flying across the night sky with a star.  Clearly, that part of the book, at least, was inspired by his dream.

Professional Review
"A young boy is told (readers are not sure by whom) to "Draw me a star."  The star then requests that the boy it a sun; the sun asks for a "lovely tree," and throughout his life the boy/man/artist continues to create images that fill the world with beauty.  The moon bids the now-elderly artist to draw another star, and as the story ends, the artist travels "across the night sky" hand-in-hand with the star.  This book will appeal to readers of all ages; its stunning illustrations, spare text, and simple story line make it a good choice for story-hour; but older children will also find it uplifting and meaningful.  Especially pleasing is a diagram within the story, accompanied by rhyming instructions on how to draw a star: "Down/ over/ left/ and right/ draw/ a star/ oh so bright."  An inspired book in every sense of the word."

Larkin, E. (1992). [Review of  Draw me a star by Eric Carle]. School Library Journal, 38(10), 80. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses
This would be a good book for an early elementary aged art program.  The book provides simple instructions for drawing a star, but there are many other suggestions in the book of things that children can draw just like the artist in the book.

Module 9 - Mirror, Mirror

Book Cover

Book Summary
The poems in this book show different sides of popular fairy tales.  For each fairy tale, the poem reads both top to bottom and bottom to top to tell two sides of each tale.  The punctuation does differ on some lines, but the words themselves stay the same.  For instance, in "Have Another Chocolate", the first poem is the witch telling Hansel to eat more so he will fatten up, but the second poem is Gretel telling Hansel not to eat so much so he won't get fatter.

APA Reference of Book
Singer, M. (2010). Mirror, mirror. New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books.

Impressions
I really like this book. The poems are clever on their own, but the way they tell two sides of a story just by reversing the order of the lines is amazing.  The mood of several of the poems also shifts dramatically with the line reversal.  In "In the Hood", Red Riding Hood's poem is light and happy as you would expect from a girl skipping through the woods to visit her grandmother.  The wolf's poem is more sinister as he stalks Red Riding Hood through the woods.

Professional Review
"Talented poet Singer here creates her own poetic form, dubbed by her "reversos": a verse that reveals a different poem when the lines are reversed bottom to top, with changes only in punctuation, capitalization, and line breaks. Fourteen such top-to-bottom/bottom-to-top pairings are featured, all focusing on folklore, most on particular tales, and the result is neatly, astonishingly clever. "In the Hood" follows Red Riding Hood in one direction ("picking berries to eat—/ juicy and sweet/ what a treat!"), the waiting wolf in the other ("But a girl!/ What a treat—/ juicy and sweet"); "Have Another Chocolate" provides in turn the witch's ("Fatten up./ Don't/ keep her waiting … ") and Gretel's ("Keep her waiting/ Don't/ fatten up") views of Hansel; the genuinely reflective "Do You Know My Name?" gives voice to both Rumpelstiltskin ("I am/ famous/ but not/ liked") and the girl he saves ("I am liked/ but not/ famous"). The art, full page 'tale-scapes facing each page of poetry, reflects the duality in the verses, with each painting possessing a vertical axis that operates variously as scene divider, pivot point, or boundary between the two concepts; though the draftsmanship is a little cartoonish at times, the vivid, cheerful colors and humorous tone add accessibility to the already open and inviting pages. Kids will want to try the form out, if only to find out how tough it really is, and the poems will make a worthy addition to discussions of viewpoint and folklore."

Stevenson, D. (2010). [Review of Mirror, mirror: A book of reversible verse by Marilyn Singer]. Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 63(8), 353. Retrieved from: http://bccb.lis.illinois.edu/

Library Uses
This book is perfect to use as part of writing program during National Poetry Month.  Read students selections from the book as examples and then have them write their own reversible poems.

Module 9 - Inside Out & Back Again

Book Cover

Book Summary
Ha and her family live in Saigon during the Vietnam War.  Her father has been listed as missing for a year and they are surviving the best they can when they are forced to flee before the city falls.  They are sponsored by an American and move to Alabama.  The neighbors do not like them and the other kids at school pick on her and mock her inability to speak English well.  The physical journey described in this book is overshadowed by the mental and emotional journey of adjusting to a new home in such a different place.

APA Reference of Book
Lai, T. (2011). Inside out & back again. New York, NY: Harper Collins Children's Books.

Impressions
This is a powerful book about a family's journey physically, mentally, and emotionally to a new home that is almost completely alien to what they once knew.  The book is written in verse which I feel makes it more accessible in some ways.  The readers gets to know Ha more intimately this way than might be possible in a narrative book.  The verses feel more reflective and provide only the view from inside Ha's mind.  The verse format also flows quickly leading the reader from one moment to the next smoothly.

Professional Review
"An enlightening, poignant and unexpectedly funny novel in verse is rooted in the author's childhood experiences. In Saigon in 1975, 10-year-old Kim Hà celebrates Tet (New Year) with her mother and three older brothers; none of them guesses at the changes the Year of the Cat will bring. (Hà's father's been MIA from the South Vietnamese Navy for nine years.) On the eve of the fall of Saigon, they finally decide they must escape. Free verse poems of, usually, just two to three pages tell the story. With the help of a friend, the family leaves, and they find themselves trapped at sea awaiting rescue. Only one of her brothers speaks English, but they, pick America as their destination and eventually find a sponsor in Alabama. Even amid the heartbreak, the narrative is shot through with humor. Ha misunderstands much about her new home: Surely their sponsor, who always wears his cowboy hat, must have a horse somewhere. In a school flail of strangers and bullies, she struggles to learn a language full of snake's hissing and must accept that she can no longer be at the head of her class…for now. In her not-to-be-missed debut, Lai evokes a distinct time and place and presents a complex, realistic heroine whom readers will recognize, even if they haven't found themselves in a strange new country (Historical fiction/verse. 9-12)"

[Review of Inside out & back again by Thanhha Lai]. (2011). Kirkus Reviews, 79(2), 129. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/
 
Library Uses
This book would be a good way to introduce free verse in a poetry writing program.  Many students assume that all poetry must rhyme and the poems in this books are excellent examples of verses that do not rhyme and that are about a personal event.

Module 7 - Actual Size

Book Cover

Book Summary
This book illustrations show the actual size of several wild animals, or part of them at actual size, along with a description of why the animal is remarkable.  For example, the giant squid's eye is twelve inches across and a giant anteater's tongue is two feet long.  At the end of the book, each animal gets a paragraph describing them in more detail.

APA Reference of Book
Jenkins, S. (2004). Actual size. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Impressions
I love this book.  The illustrations are very realistic paper collage.  The concept of the book makes it fascinating for children who are interested in animals.  They are an enlightening look at the true size of animals that many children have only seen on tv or in other books.  It's one thing to know that giant squid are really big, but seeing that their eyes are about the size of a volley ball makes it much more real.

Professional Review
"Jenkins's signature cut-paper collages are once again amazing in this oversize book in which life-size illustrations of eighteen creatures (or parts of them) invite reader participation. A nearly twelve-inch-long gorilla hand entices readers to see how their own hands measure up; the foot-across Goliath birdeater tarantula will inspire a similar reach. Included are creatures great and small: a dwarf goby fish barely registers on the page, while the Alaskan brown bear's head overflows a double-page spread. The relative sixes are accentuated by the white backdrop and are grounded by the straightforward information that accompanies the creatures — one or two brief sentences followed by the animal's height/length and weight — as they parade across the expansive pages. For dramatic appeal, a single-page foldout unveils itself halfway through this lesson in size: on one side an imposing saltwater crocodile's snout proudly displays a full mouth of teeth, while on the other side the greater part of a Goliath frog is shown in mid-leap. Additional information about each creature is included at the back, along with a complete picture of each animal, helpful in those cases where only part of an animal fits on a page."

Raece, L.E. (2004). [Review of Actual size by Steve Jenkins]. Horn Book Magazine, 80(3), 345. Retrieved from: http://www.hbook.com/horn-book-magazine-2/

Library Uses
This book is perfect for a science or animal program.  The facts and illustrations will spark interest and can be tied into other applications and even crafts.

Module 8 - The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose!

Book Cover

Book Summary
The Queen's tarts are missing and Mother Goose has been called to solve the mystery.  Mother Goose questions many familiar nursery rhyme characters in an effort to discover who stole the tarts.  Each character swears innocence and gives Mother Goose a lead to the next character.

APA Reference of Book
Gosling, G. (2004). The top secret files of Mother Goose!. Milwaulkee, WI: Gareth Stevens Publishing.

Impressions
This is a really cute book and a great introduction to mysteries.  Each page showcases an interview with a new suspect and includes a small notebook page with additional background information about the character.  The mystery itself ties into the Mother Goose rhymes and, of course, the first suspect to be questioned is the Knave of Hearts who is the thief in the nursery rhyme.  The interviews with each of the subsequent characters are short, consisting of only a couple of questions, and often offer only the suspect's word that they did not steal the tarts before they point the finger at some else.  I had solved the mystery before Mother Goose left the castle to begin her search, but then I have years of mystery reading and observation skills behind me. 

Professional Review
"When the Queen of Hearts discovers her strawberry tarts missing, she calls in Mother Goose, "Chief Detective of Nursery Rhyme Crime." The clues include a trail of crumbs, a dish and a spoon, and a hankie with the initials HM. As Mother Goose questions each suspect, a full-page illustration of that individual appears opposite the text, which is printed on a manila-folder background. A handwritten note with humorous details about that particular character appears to be paper clipped to the file. Readers may question the detective's technique as she chases down alleged perpetrators who do not have the correct initials. However, logic aside, the comical rewording of familiar facts will appeal to those who are conversant with nursery rhymes. The vibrant cartoons pop off the pages, and the witty details will have youngsters studying the pictures with interest. Serving as a foil for the boisterous cast of characters, Mother Goose appears almost too charming and sweet to be pitted against this wild and wacky lineup of possible criminals, but that only adds to the comedy. With its retro artwork and imitation of hard-boiled detective speech, this text-heavy mystery is more appropriate for older children, but the story and its solution may be a bit too simplistic to hold their attention. Fans of Jon Scieszka's humor seem the most likely audience for this book's campy art and puns."

Edwards, L. (2004). [Review of The top secret files of Mother Goose! by Gabby Gosling].  School Library Journal, 50(5), 112. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/
 
Library Uses
This book would work well as part of a nursery rhyme based program.  The book is better suited to older children and would be a good way to keep them interested in such a program.

Module 8 - The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives

Book Cover

Book Summary
Sabrina and Daphne Grimm have been moved from family to family after their parents disappeared over a year ago.  Now they are being sent to someone who claims to be their grandmother, but that they've never met.  It turns out that they are descendents of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm and the fairy tales are actually history.  The Everafters, as the fairy tale characters call themselves, moved to America to avoid persecution, but they were restricted to the very small town where the Grimm sisters find themselves living with their grandmother who is very odd.  Someone has brought a giant into town and the Grimms have to find out who and stop the giant before he tears up the whole town.

APA Reference of Book
Buckley, M. (2005). The sisters Grimm: The fairy-tale detectives.New York, NY: Amulet Books.

Impressions
I really enjoyed this book.  The characters are well-developed and there are several unexpected twists in the plot that keep readers guessing what will happen next.  As the first book in a series, the book does a good job of setting up the major characters and introducing the various conflicts that are likely to happen over the course of the series.  The reader is introduced to many familiar fairy tale characters who all appear a bit different from when they were last seen in their original tale due to being confined to a small town for several hundred years.  Overall, the book is a good light mystery for kids.

Professional Review
"Readers will definitely have to be up on their folktales, as well as children's lit classics in general, to catch all the references in this terrific, head-spinning series opener. Dumped roughly out of foster care into the arms of Relda, a twinkly-eyed woman claiming to be their grandma, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, 11 and seven, find themselves in Ferryport Landing, a seemingly normal New York town originally (and more accurately) dubbed Fairyport Landing. It's inhabited by the likes of Mayor Charming, three chubby cops named Boarman, Swineheart and Hamstead and vulpine Mr. Canis--all transported overseas for their own safety long ago by four-times-Great Grandpa Wilhelm Grimm. Borrowing a flying carpet and a certain pair of silver slippers from a fashion-conscious Magic Mirror, Sabrina and Daphne quickly find themselves springing the renowned Jack from jail to help deal with a destructive giant who has snatched Relda. All is, however, not as it seems. Rich in well-set-up surprises and imaginatively tweaked characters, this tongue-in-cheek frolic features both a pair of memorable young sleuths and a madcap plot with plenty of leads into future episodes. (Fantasy. 10-12)"

 [Review of The sisters Grimm: The fairy-tale detectives by Michael Buckley]. (2005). Kirkus Reviews. 73(19), 1077. Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Library Uses
This book would be a good set up for a mystery night at the library.  The book can be used to give the general outline of the program and the kids could solve the mystery just like the Grimm sisters.

Module 7 - How they Croaked: The Awful End of the Awfully Famous

Book Cover

Book Summary
This book describes the deaths of 19 prominent historical figures.  Each section gives a brief overview of the person's life and any conditions of incidents that led to the cause of death.  At the end of each section there are two or three short discussions on things related to the person, their occupation, their illness, or treatments they underwent. 

APA Reference of Book
Bragg, G. (2011). How they croaked: The awful end of the awfully famous. New York, NY: Walker Publishing.

Impressions
This book provides an interesting look at the end of many famous people students usually study in school.  The details given about their deaths and medical treatments are a grim and disgusting reminder of how far medical science has come over the years.  This book should appeal especially to 5th - 9th grade boys.  I learned new details about everyone in the book, even those people I knew a lot about already.

Professional Review

"In this gruesomely funny volume, Bragg examines the lives and deaths of nineteen historical figures, from King Tut to Albert Einstein. Sure to appeal to middle school students, this book highlights the peculiar and gross aspects of individual deaths, such as Henry VIII exploding in his coffin, or the use of blister beetles to treat George Washington. Interesting facts about related subjects are included between the chapters. O'Malley's black and white drawings compliment the text and add humor.

While generally well researched and well written, the book can, at times, perpetuate stereotypes and generalizations; for example, stating that "things were perfect" for Pocahontas before the English arrived and that the English of 1615 bathed only once a year. There are also a few factual errors, such as stating Elizabeth I and Bloody Mary were stepsisters rather than half-sisters; however, these errors are minor. Bragg has definite opinions on most of her subjects and is not afraid to share them, calling Charles Darwin "a few cards short of a full deck," and Henry VIII a "hateful, 320-pound ogre." Because of the irreverent style used through out the book, some readers may have trouble separating facts from opinion and hyperbole. Teens, however, looking to get their fill of gory, gross, and funny, will not be disappointed. It will be a popular addition in school and public library collections serving middle school students."

Martin, B. (2011). [Review of How They Croaked: The Awful End of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg]. Voice of Youth Advocates, 34(3), 300. Retrieved from: http://www.voyamagazine.com/

Library Uses
This book would be a fun addition to a teen Halloween program.  Several of the people in the book had gruesome deaths and many were dug up and moved around years after their death.  Also, some of the medical practices described are scary on their own.

Module 6 - Boxes for Katje

Book Cover

Book Summary
In the aftermath of World War II, many people were short on food, clothing, and basic necessities.  One day, Katje receives a box from America.  She is surprised, but she is more surprised when she opens it to find soap, wool socks, and chocolate.  She sends a letter to Rosie, who sent the box, to thank her for the unexpected gifts and mentions that sugar is scarce.  Soon, Katje receives another box, and another.  Soon, the whole town benefits from Katja's boxes.

APA Reference of Book
Fleming, C. (2003). Boxes for Katje. New York, NY: Melanie Kroupa Books.

Impressions
I really enjoyed this book.  The story of poverty after the war is told simply so that young readers can understand that the characters had little, but without too much detail that would make the story too sad.  The gifts that Katje, her family, and the town receive will inspire other children to generosity.  The story ends on a hopeful note that leaves the reader certain that everything works out well for the town and that life gets easier.  There is also a sense that Rosie benefits from the exchange of letters and friendship that develops during the story.  The author's note about her mother inspiring the book may be my favorite part.  Knowing that the book is based on actual events elevates the story and makes it more inspiring.

Professional Review
"Gr 1-4- "After the war, there was little left in the tiny Dutch town of Olst. The townspeople lived on cabbages and seed potatoes. They patched and repatched their worn-thin clothing, and they went without soap or milk, sugar or new shoes." Set in post-World War II Holland and based on an actual incident, this story illuminates a little-known episode in history. To offset the devastation left by the war, the Children's Aid Society and other relief agencies encouraged American students to send boxes of basic necessities to victimized children. When Katje in Olst receives such a box from Rosie in Mayfield, IN, the two begin a correspondence that eventually triggers a relief effort that enables this small Dutch town to make it through an unbearably frigid winter. Fleming does an estimable job of bringing time and place into focus, and presents endearing, fleshed-out characters with whom readers can easily empathize and sympathize. Dressen-McQueen's warm-toned colored-pencil, oil-pastel, and acrylic illustrations accurately reflect dress, architecture, and other details, and the facial expressions and body postures of the characters effectively convey their joy in these much-appreciated gifts. A good choice for storyhour as well as for independent reading and an excellent discussion starter."

Oliff, G. (2003). [Review of Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming]. School Library Journal, 49(9), 177-178.  Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses
This book would make an interesting addition to a story time program about heroes.  Most people think of super heroes or maybe community helpers and military when they think of heroes, but Rosie is a hero to Katje and her town.  The books shows that anyone can be a hero.

Module 6 - Catherine, Called Birdy

Book Cover

Book Summary
Catherine is the daughter of a knight in 1290.  This means that she must be a lady and not a tomboy.  It means that she has to marry whomever her parents decide.  It means she can't be a crusader or a monk.  He brother, who is a monk, teachers her how to read and write because education is important to him even if it is not really to the rest of the family.  As she turns 13, Catherine's father begins trying to find her a husband and she resists as much as possible and does everything in her power to get rid of each one in turn, even though it means being punished.  Throughout the year covered in the book, Catherine must come to terms with her fate and learn a little more about life along the way.

APA Reference of Book
Cushman, K. (1994). Catherine, called Birdy. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Impressions
I enjoyed this book.  It was well-written, but the diary format was difficult for me at times.  I enjoy being completely sucked into the world and story of a book and the dairy format was jumpy and often pulled me out of the story.  The setting and descriptions of life in the Middle Ages was very well done.  Many things, such as privys, were discussed that are often left out because they are a dirty part of life most people wish to avoid talking about.  I feel like all of these descriptions did a good job showing just how different life was then as well as how, even for reasonably well off people like Catherine's family, life was dirty and smelly, baths were infrequent, and medical help was questionable.  The book also did a good job showing how limited women were in what they could do with their lives as well as showing how they were able to make the most of those options and make the best life for themselves possible.  I do think that Catherine was perhaps a little too free to do as she pleased and was allowed to object to her upcoming marriage more than probably would have been allowed in most families.

Professional Review
"Catherine, called Birdy because she loves animals and keeps caged birds in her room, is in her fourteenth year, the daughter of an impoverished knight, when she begins a record of her daily life. Her diary of the year 1290 is a revealing, amusing, and sometimes horrifying view both of Catherine's thoughts and of life in the Middle Ages. Every entry is preceded with a description, sometimes funny, sometimes obscure, of the saint for that day. The diary is filled with wry comments and presents a candid look at the customs of the times, sparing few appalling details: her mother's long, dangerous labor in giving birth; her father's drinking and consequent suffering from "ale head"; the total lack of privacy; the smells of the cesspool and the rushes on the floor fouled with bones and offal and filth of all kinds; the unabashed selling of a girl in marriage to the highest bidder. The diary relates Catherine's efforts to avoid this fate — altering her appearance with blacked-out teeth and uncombed hair, spreading rumors about herself, setting the privy on fire with a proposed suitor in it, running away — but all to no avail. Although she escapes marriage to a repulsive middle-aged knight she calls "Shaggy Beard," at the end of the novel she is resigned to marrying his son. Catherine's envy of the everyday life of the villagers, hardworking but at least free of the constraints of being a lady, and her lively dislike of her father and her brother Robert are presented in forthright terms. Catherine's rebellious nature, questioning mind, and underlying kindness to all creatures make her an amusing and sympathetic figure; the vivid picture of medieval life presents a seemingly eye-witness view of a culture remote from contemporary beliefs. Fascinating and thought-provoking."

Flowers, A.A. (1994). [Review of Catherine, called Birdy by Karen Cushman]. Horn Book Magazine, 70(4), 457-458.  Retrieved from: http://www.hbook.com/horn-book-magazine-2/

Library Uses
This book would be a good book club book.  The diary style would be easy for kids to read and follow, while still allowing for good historical description.  The discussion of life in the Middle Ages would make the subject more interesting for students when they study it in school and give them a new perspective on their own lives.

Module 5 - Leviathan

Book Cover

Book Summary
Deryn poses as a boy to join the British Air Service.  Alek is the son of the Archduke.  It is the beginning of World War I, but not quite.  In this story, the Germans and their allies use giant steam-powered war machines.  And the British and their allies use genetically altered animals.  The Darwinists and the Clankers are heading into war when Deryn and Alek meet and must figure out how to work together for the good of both.

APA Reference of Book
Westerfeld, S. (2009). Leviathan. New York, NY: Simon Pulse.

Impressions
I really enjoyed this book.  The steampunk take on a historical situation works really well.  The historical parts of the story are pretty accurate and the invented technology is fascinating.  Westerfeld finds a good balance between explaining the technology of both sides enough that the reader can understand the good and bad of each way of thinking without going into so much detail that the reader is bored or confused.  I look forward to finishing the series.

Professional Review
"The fate of many rests in the hands of an Austrian schoolboy and a British airman, both in disguise. Alek is the son of the recently assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, hiding from European nations hostile to his father. Midshipman Dylan is really Deryn, a girl passing as a boy in order to serve in the British Air Service. Alek has fled home in a steam-powered Stormwalker, one of the great manned war machines of the Central Powers. Meanwhile, Deryn's berth is on a massive airbeast, a genetically engineered hydrogen-breather, one of the Darwinist ships of the Allied Powers. The growing hostilities of what is soon to become the Great War throw the two together, and Darwinists and Clankers must work together if they all want to survive. Two Imperial forces meet, one built with steam and the other built with DNA, producing rich, vivid descriptions of the technologies that divide a continent. The setting begs comparisons to Hayao Miyazaki, Kenneth Oppel and Naomi Novik, but this work will stand--or fly--on its own. (Science fiction. 12-15)"

[Review of Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld]. (2009). Kirkus Reviews, 77(17), 965.  Retrieved from: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Library Uses
This book would be a great lead in to discussing World War I.  Even thought the book is a science fiction version of the events, the basics are there and Alek's story makes the events more relatable for students.  The scene where Count Volger and Alek are fencing in the barn and Volger keeps asking him questions about politics would be a great starting place for describing how all the alliances led to the war.  The Afterward gives the historical background for the events of the book and would help with tying the book into the history lesson.

Module 5 - The City of Ember

Book Cover

Book Summary
The City of Ember tells the story of an underground city that doesn't know it is underground.  The people have no idea where they came from, and no idea how long they have been there.  The instructions for leaving were lost long ago and things are starting to fall apart and run out.  Lina and Doon have just left school and started their first jobs and discover a secret that they think will help, but they don't know who to tell.  They have to try to find out the best way to do what they can to save their city before it is too late.

APA Reference of Book
DuPrau, J. (2003). The city of Ember. New York, NY: Yearling.

Impressions
I really enjoyed this book.  It is a distopian setting which I usually find too dark to really enjoy, but this book remains hopeful throughout and shows more good than bad in society.  The characters all feel real and even though they are very young, it is easy to imagine Lina and Doon actually doing the things they do.  They have no special skills, just a natural curiosity and desire to help that propels them forward.

Professional Review
"This truly superb audio recording of the novel by Jeane DuPrau (Random, 2003) takes place in the dark city of Ember, a decaying place with no natural light surrounded by the vast Unknown. Although ancestors had arranged for information on leaving Ember to be made available after the inhabitants have spent 200 years there, a corrupt mayor lost the information many years before the novel begins. Two hundred and forty-one years later, Ember's electrical lighting frequently fails, supplies are dwindling, and the populace is growing increasingly frightened. Twelve-year-old Doon and his acquaintance Lina are intent on finding a way to save Ember. After Lina finds a mysterious and fragmented paper titled "Instructions for Egress," they think they have a way out. Can they escape from the villainous mayor and his soldiers? Can they figure out the missing letters and words in the message? Do they find their way out of Ember and up to a post-apocalyptic Earth? Wendy Dillon, one of the most talented readers of audiobooks, does an amazing job of creating different voices for each character, has absolutely perfect diction, and skillfully conveys the building suspense. Exceptional care has been taken to faithfully convey the author's excellent tale through a combination of a superior narrator and evocative sound effects. This engaging novel is an exceptional audiobook."

Mandell, P. L., & Gray, B. A. (2004). [Review of The city of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau]. School Library Journal, 50(10), 84.  Retrieved from:  http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses
This book would be a good book for a read aloud or book club with discussion about how the city works civically and how it differs from ours.  There are similarities and differences that can be discussed as well as discussions about how the city developed from where it likely started.

Module 4 - An Abundance of Katherines

Book Cover

Book Summary
Child prodigy Colin Singleton has been dumped by the 19th Katherine in a row.  In an attempt to pull him out of his post-dumping funk, his best friend convinces him that a road trip is the best possible medicine.  They end up in a tiny town in middle Tennessee working for the owner of the local factory collecting stories from the people in town.  During the summer, Colin makes a new friend, develops a grand formula of relationships, and learns a lot about himself, his friends, and life in general.

APA Reference of Book
Green, J. (2006).  An abundance of Katherines. New York, NY: Dutton Books.

Impressions
I have long avoided John Green books because they always make everyone I know cry.  This book had caught my attention several years ago, before I knew who John Green was, but I never got around to reading it.  I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.  It is not a typical John Green book.  No one has a terminal illness and no one dies.  The journey Colin goes on (mentally, not so much physically) is something to which most teenagers can relate.  That floundering that happens when you are afraid you will never be able to be what you have always wanted as well as the sense of loss and emptiness after a breakup are pretty universal.  The book ends on a very hopeful note, but a very realistic one as well.

Professional Review
"Former child prodigy Colin, faced with the real-world uselessness of his genius for trivia and word games, has no idea what to do with his life. Floundering, he lets his best friend Hassan drag him on a road trip while he attempts to recover from his breakup with Katherine XIX (he only dates girls named Katherine). Visiting the grave of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Tennessee, they befriend the tour guide, Lindsey Lee Wells, and accept summer jobs from her mother. As the three teens grow closer, Colin deals with his Katherine baggage by attempting tocrack the code of love with his “Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability” (his last chance, he thinks, to “do something that matters”). Flashbacks to the various Katherine romances flesh out Colin’s character (a pitch-perfect blend of self-doubt and oblivious narcissism) and provide hilarious insight into the peculiarities and universalities of insecure love. Hassan, often the butt of his own Muslim jokes, subverts the “jolly fat guy” stereotype with a quick wit and mounting frustration with being the sidekick. The final confrontation between Colin and him is the heart of the story, far more affecting than Colin’s romantic tribulations. Laugh-out-loud funny, this second novel by the author of Printz winner Looking for Alaska (rev. 3/05) charts a singular coming-of-age American road trip that is at once a satire of and tribute to its many celebrated predecessors."

Gross, C. E. (2006). [Review of An abundance of Katherines by John Green]. Horn Book Magazine, 82(5), 583-584.  Retrieved from: http://www.hbook.com/

Library Uses
This book would make a good addition to any discussion of romantic relationships and friendships. 

Module 4 - Wonder

Book Cover

Book Summary
August was born with a perfect storm of health issues that left him with sever facial abnormalities even after many surgeries.  After being homeschooled for his whole life, in the 5th grade he begins attending a local school.  Wonder follows his adjustment to the world outside his home and the world's adjustment to him and his differences. 

APA Reference of Book
Palacio, R.J., (2012). Wonder. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Impressions
I really enjoyed this book.  I didn't love it like my daughter does, but it is a very good book.  The book has so much to show children about how what they do and say affects those around them - both intentionally and unintentionally.  The book is told from the various viewpoints of August and people around him who take part in his story.  This gives a very complete view of the different challenges of being the one who is so different, or their friend, or their sister, and even the sister's boyfriend.  Through the eyes of all of these characters there is something to be learned about how we treat those around us.

Professional Review
"Gr 4–7--Due to a rare genetic disorder, Auggie Pullman's head is malformed, his facial features are misshapen, and he has scars from corrective surgery. After much discussion and waffling, he and his parents decide it's time for him to go to a regular school for the fifth grade instead of being homeschooled. All his life Auggie has seen the shocked expressions and heard the whispers his appearance generates, and he has his coping strategies. He knows that except for how he looks, he's a normal kid. What he experiences is typical middle school--the good and the bad. Meanwhile, his beautiful sister is starting high school and having her own problems. She's finding that friendships change and, though it makes her feel guilty, she likes not being labeled as Auggie's sister. Multiple people tell this story, including Auggie, two of his new school friends, his sister, and his sister's former best friend. Palacio has an exceptional knack for writing realistic conversation and describing the thoughts and emotions of the characters. Everyone grows and develops as the story progresses, especially the middle school students. This is a fast read and would be a great discussion starter about love, support, and judging people on their appearance. A well-written, thought-provoking book."

Reeder, N. P. (2012). [Review of Wonder by R. J. Palacio]. School Library Journal, 58(2), 130. Retrieved from: http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses
This book could be the cornerstone of a discussion on kindness and bullying.  There is a companion book called The Julian Chapter that tells the year from the perspective of one of the mean kids from Wonder that would add even more to the discussion.

3 Picture Book Trailers

Trailer for But Excuse Me, That is My Book by Lauren Child.

Trailer for Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judy Viorst.

Trailer for This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen.

Module 3 - American Born Chinese

Book Cover

Book Summary
This book contains three story lines that seem to be have nothing to do with each other.  Until the end when they all come together.  The first is the story of a boy who moves into a new school district where is the only Chinese-American child in the school.  He has no friends at first and never truly fits in.  The second story is about the Monkey King and his struggles to be accepted as one of the gods and to change his true nature.  The third is the story of Danny; a popular and athletic boy who ends up changing schools constantly because his embarrassingly stereotypical Chinese cousin comes to visit and alienates him from the rest of the school.  The stories come together in the end in a very surprising way.

APA Reference of Book
Yang, G. L. (2006). American born Chinese. New York, NY: First Second.

Impressions
I really enjoyed this book.  The story of the Monkey King was particularly interesting to me because I enjoy legends and fairy tales and this was a new story to me.  I feel like Jin Wang's story is something to which any kid who has had to move to a new school can relate.  That feeling of isolation is more complete in his case because of his ethnicity, but many feel the same way at first.  Danny's story is also relatable for many teens.  Teens often are embarrassed by family and other teens are quick to ostracize those who are different or are connected to someone different.  I really enjoyed the ending of the book, but it did feel very sudden and a bit rushed.

Professional Review
"A National Book Award finalist and ALA's Printz Award winner, this fable stars the mythological Monkey King, realistic youngster Jin Wang of Taiwanese parentage, and TV sitcom teen Danny. All three are dogged by an unwanted identity and humiliated by others' prejudice. The Monkey King trains to be a god but is unceremoniously bounced out of heaven and urged by "he who is" (the great god) to be what he is: a monkey. Jin tries to be accepted and romance a fellow student but gets picked on by classmates. Danny does well with friends until Chinese cousin Chin-Kee, a bitingly funny bundle of racist stereotypes, makes his annual visit and behaves so offensively that Danny must change schools. Finally, the three stories suddenly merge, to center on Jin coming to terms with his minority experience and moving beyond his own fear and hostility. Coalescence comes almost too quickly, but the trivision approach and treatment are unique and moving. The art is simple, colorful, and both attractive and effective. Some potty humor; recommended for teen and adult collections."

Cornog, M. (2007). [Review of American born Chinese by G. L. Yang]. Library Journal, 132(5), 54.  Available from:  http://lj.libraryjournal.com/

Library Uses
This book is a good addition to any examination of Chinese or Asian cultures.  The book is a quick read which will appeal to many teens.  The book covers both the struggles of Asian students to fit in and be accepted and some Chinese legend.  The book also provides talking points about the danger of stereotypes and ethnic slurs.

Module 3 - One Crazy Summer

Book Cover

Book Summary
Three sisters go to Oakland to spend time with their mother, who none of them remember except the oldest.  They arrive to discover that their mother does not want them there and is determined that they will disturb her as little as possible.  They end up spending all of their days at a summer day camp run by the Black Panthers.  They girls make a few friends and learn a lot about the Panthers and their ideals.  Along the way they learn about each other and their mother.

APA Reference of Book
Williams-Garcia, R. (2010). One crazy summer. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Impressions
It took me a while to really enjoy this book.  The beginning is very tense and strained because of Cecile's attitude towards the girls.  She even refuses to call the youngest by her name, instead referring to her as "Little Girl".  As the focus shifts a bit to be more about the girls and their time at the center, I began to enjoy the book more and could better focus on the story.  The book is very well written and a good view into both the world and Oakland during this time and the differences between the attitudes of African-Americans in different parts of the country and of different generations.  Ultimately, the book is about family and understanding each other.

Professional Review
"It is 1968, and three black sisters from Brooklyn have been put on a California-bound plane by their father to spend a month with their mother, a poet who ran off years before and is living in Oakland. It's the summer after Black Panther founder Huey Newton was jailed and member Bobby Hutton was gunned down trying to surrender to the Oakland police, and there are men in berets shouting "Black Power" on the news. Delphine, 11, remembers her mother, but after years of separation she's more apt to believe what her grandmother has said about her, that Cecile is a selfish, crazy woman who sleeps on the street. At least Cecile lives in a real house, but she reacts to her daughters' arrival without warmth or even curiosity. Instead, she sends the girls to eat breakfast at a center run by the Black Panther Party and tells them to stay out as long as they can so that she can work on her poetry. Over the course of the next four weeks, Delphine and her younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, spend a lot of time learning about revolution and staying out of their mother's way. Emotionally challenging and beautifully written, this book immerses readers in a time and place and raises difficult questions of cultural and ethnic identity and personal responsibility. With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading."

Markson, T. (2010). [Review of One crazy summer by Rita Williams-Garcia]. School Library Journal, 56(3), 170.  Available from: http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses
This book would work well as part of a study of the civil rights movement.  Units on the civil right's struggles in the 1960's tend to focus on Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks and desegregating schools.  This book would be a good addition because of the difference in focus.  It shows a very different side of the struggle for equality.

Module 2 - The Day the Crayons Quit

Book Cover

Book Summary
In this book, Duncan opens his desk to use his crayons one day only to discover a large stack of letters from his crayons.  Each crayon has a complaint ranging from being overused to being underused to an argument over who is the real color of the sun.  Duncan proceeds to draw a picture that solves everyone's problems and earns him an A+ for creativity.

APA Reference of Book
Dewalt, D. (2013). The day the crayons quit. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Impressions
This is a cute book.  I like the personification of the crayons and the way that they air their grievances.  Everyone has something to discuss, but everyone is polite, even orange and yellow who are not speaking to each other.  I also like that Duncan takes their problems seriously and tries to draw a picture that will make everyone happy.  The real star of the book for me is the illustrations.  The simple faces and limbs on the crayons somehow make them seem like real characters and manages to show their emotions.


Professional Review
"Duncan's crayons are on strike.  One morning he opens his desk looking for them and, in their place, finds a pack of letters detailing their grievances, one crayon at a time.  Red is tired.  Beige is bored.  Peach is naked!  The conceit is an enticing one, and although the crayons' complaints are not entirely unique (a preponderance centers around some variation of overuse), the artist's indelible characterization contributes significant charm.  Indeed, Jeffers' ability to communicate emotion in simple gestures, even on skinny cylinder of wax, elevates the crayon drawing to remarkable heights.  First-class bookmaking, with a clean design, ample trim size, and substantial page stock, adds to the quality feel.  A final spread sees all things right, as Duncan fills a page with bright, delightful imagery, addressing each of the crayons' issues and forcing them into colorful cooperation.  Kids who already attribute feelings to their playthings will never look at crayons the same way again."

Barthelmess, T. (2013). [Review of The day the crayons quit by Drew Dewalt]. Booklist, 109(21), 77-78. Available from: http://www.booklistonline.com/

Library Uses
 This book would be a good fit for a library program on friendship or how to deal with conflict.  Both are topics that need to be addressed occasionally in lower elementary school as children make new friends and begin to experience some of the problems that often arise in a larger group of varied friends.

Module 2 - Kitten's First Full Moon

Book Cover

Book Summary
Kitten sees what she thinks is a little bowl of milk in the sky.  She tries everything she can think of to get the bowl of milk, but she never makes it.  Kitten sadly goes home, only to find a real bowl of milk waiting for her one the porch.

APA Reference of Book
Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten's first full moon. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Impressions
This book is beautifully illustrated.  The black and white pictures offer the perfect amount of contrast to keep the focus on the white cat and the white moon.  The kitten in the book shows great determination in her quest to get the bowl of milk in the sky.  She tries so many different ways and doesn't give up.  But she also knows when to back up and regroup when nothing works.  I think this is a good lesson for kids.  Young children especially need to be shown that things will not always work out on the first try.  They also need to know that sometimes it is best to take a step back and reconsider the problem and the possible solutions.

Professional Review
"Henkes takes a break from his signature mice — and from illustrating in color — to tell this sweet story about a kitten who thinks the full moon is a bowl of milk. The black-and-white forms, with subtle gradations of gray, are larger and more solid-looking than Henkes's usual work, with less interior line. Nevertheless, the kitten, whose white fur glows against the charcoal-gray sky like the moon she desires, is sprightly and expressive as she fails repeatedly ("Poor Kitten!") to get at that milk. Small children, for whom the rhythmic, action-oriented text is just right, will appreciate the gentle slapstick of the kitten getting a firefly on her tongue when she tries to lick the moon and getting drenched in the pond when she tries to drink the moon's reflection. Anyone who has ever watched a cat spasmodically pounce and chase for no apparent reason will enjoy the imaginative, unpretentiously poetic method Henkes reads into this madness."

 Heppermann, C. M. (2004). [Review of the book Kitten's first full moon, by Kevin Henkes]. Horn Book Magazine, 80(3), 314-315. Available from: http://www.hbook.com/

Library Uses
This book is perfect for a Toddler Story Time about cats or the moon.  The text and illustration are both perfect for very young children.  The repetitive use of circles in the illustrations also allow for a lesson on the shape.

Module 1 - Open This LIttle Book by Jesse Klausmeier

Book Cover

                                                                                                                                                            Book Summary
Animals in this book are each reading a book about the next.  The book begins by asking the reader to open a book (the next page).  From there, each animal opens a book of a different color about a new animal who opens a new book.  This continues until each animal closes their book in turn.

APA Reference of Book
Klausmeier, J. (2013). Open this little book. San Fransico, CA: Chronicle Books LLC.

Impressions
This is a really ingenious book. Each book read by an animal is slightly smaller and a different color than the one before.  The books get smaller and smaller until the giant can't open her book because her hands are too small.  The novelty of having several books inside a bigger book is executed well and the tiny pictures are so detailed that they invited repeated examining.

Professional Review

"In this series of opening story lines, the rolling text gently instructs readers. "Open this… Little Red Book and read about Ladybug, who opens a… Little Green Book and reads about Frog, who opens a… Little Orange Book and reads about Rabbit, who opens a…." The plot quickly turns when a giant lacks the agility to open her tiny rainbow book featuring each of the previous characters, so the story's companions read the giant's tale instead. With the final turn of the page, the group decides to read another story in a cozy final spread. The format reflects changes in size and scope; pages become smaller and smaller until the giant's story and then the illustrations grow accordingly. The book requires careful manipulation as the story expands and shrinks to reflect the characters' experiences. Individual book covers provide a visual clue to the delightful details within as each book becomes physically smaller and smaller on the page; the little red cover features prominent polka dots for the ladybug, and the yellow book highlights honeycombs on its cover. Nimble lines highlight quiet participation as the characters star in their own stories. Pencil and watercolor spreads allow the colors to extend beyond the featured designs. Digitally manipulated scenes reflect the interactive qualities within this gentle narrative. This charming format creates a thoughtful package of interwoven beginnings and connected endings."

 Smith, M. (2013). [Review of Open this little book by Jesse Klauseier]. School Library Journal, 59(4), 134. Available from: http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses
This book would work well in any library program about books or books about books.  A good companion to this book would be But Excuse Me That is My Book by Lauren Child or The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara.

Module 1 - Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Book Cover

                                                                                                                                                                     Book Summary
In this book, Big and Little Nutbrown Hare are attempting to describe how much they love each other.  For each measurement Little Nutbrown Hare comes up with, Big Nutbrown Hare is just that much bigger or stronger.  The book ends with Little Nutbrown Hare falling asleep thinking he has won their contest only to be outdone once again as Big Nutbrown Hare whispers goodnight.

APA Reference of Book
McBratney, S. (1994). Guess how much I love you. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Impressions
I really like this book.  The play between father and son shows very clearly the loving, fun relationship they have.  Little Nutbrown Hare is like many other children in that he tries to be just as big and strong as his father.  Big Nutbrown Hare plays along and copies the things that Little Nutbrown Hare uses to try to describe his love.  The ending is very sweet without being sappy.  Big Nutbrown Hare tucks his son in seeming to have let Little Nutbrown Hare have the last word, only to whisper his response to his sleeping son.

Professional Review
"In this simple story, a father and son try to outdo one another in expressing their affection.  Little Nutbrown Hare says that he loves his father as high as he can reach.  Big Nutbrown Hare replies that his son as high as he can reach--which is very high.  Father seems to be winning--until the young rabbit tells his dad that he loves him right up to the moon--which his father agrees is very far away.  But as he kisses his son goodnight, he replies, "I love you right up to the moon--and back."  the watercolor illustrations are composed of scratchy lines and large areas of watery washes that are charming, but not too sweet.  Large typeface and repetitive refrains invite beginning readers.  It's refreshing and realistic to see a father and son relationship that is both competitive and loving."

Radtke, K. K. (1995). [Review of Guess how much I love you by Sam McBratney]. School Library Journal, 41(5), 86. Available from: http://www.slj.com/

Library Uses
This book would be a good choice for a bedtime or sleepover themed library program such as a teddy bear sleepover.  For an event like this, I would read two or three books about bedtime, have a few crafts that children could make, and then have a sign-in/drop-off for their stuffed friends.  After all of the children have left, pictures could be taken of the animals as a souvenir of their fun night.  The next day the children could come pick up their stuffed friends and take home the pictures of the night's activities.