Michelle's Reads

Whale Rider

2009-12-04T22:10:00.000-08:00

Caro, Niki (Director). Whale Rider. (DVD). New Market Films, 2002. Running time 101 min.

Plot Summary
Paikea's birth is never remembered fondly because it was also the death of her twin brother and her mother. Paikea's grandfather had been counting on his grandson to be the new leader of the Maori tribe. Her grandfather forms a cultural school to teach the boys how to be leaders. Then he will select a leader for the tribe. On the first day of lessons, Paikea shows up, but her grandfather turns her away saying that only boys can study. Nonetheless, Paikea gets other members of the tribe to teach her things and she studies hard. While Paikea's grandmother and uncle can see that Paikea is a natural leader and devoted to the tribe, her grandfather refuses to acknowledge her. Paikea calls to the whales for help, but in the end, the whales washed ashore need the help of the tribe.

Critical evaluation
Just like real life, none of the characters are as simple as they seem. Even the grandfather, Koro, is deeply conflicted. He is distraught that his own son doesn't want to lead the son and rests his hopes on the grandson he may never have. Despite his resentment and frustration, Koro forms a bond with his granddaughter, who clearly adores him. Koro is downright mean to Paikea in his words, but his actions are more mixed. For example, he gives her a ride to school every day while the other kids ride the bus. Paikea is equally conflicted knowing that she doesn't deserve her grandfather's anger, but forgiving the anger just the same. The depth of the characters makes this film so touching.

Readers Annotations
Paikea comes from a long line of chiefs. Every first born son of a first born son has lead the Maori people. But the chief has no grandson, he only has Paikea- a granddaughter. Despite her grandfather's disapproval, Paikea studies to be a leader and to make her people proud.

Information About the Director
Niki Caro was born in Wellington, New Zealand. She recently finished the movie The Vitner's Luck,although it has not been released in the United States.

Genre
Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties
none

Booktalking Ideas
Paikea's dreams for her tribe

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8+
Rated PG-13 for language and brief drug references

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Film Included
After watching lots of fantasy and animated films, I wanted to see a realistic films that was nonetheless appropriate for tweens.

Al Capone Does My Shirts

2009-12-04T21:26:00.001-08:00

Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone Does My Shirts. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2004. ISBN: 0-399-23861-1.

Plot Summary

Moose's father is a mechanic and guard at Alcatraz, so Moose's family lives on the island. Moose befriends the other guards' children, including Piiper who needs Moose's help with a crazy scheme. She's going to charge their classmates to have their laundry done on the island. Imagine! Mob boss Al Capone washing your shirt. Meanwhile, Moose's sister Natalie was supposed to be attending a special school in San Francisco, but they sent her home. Natalie carries around a box of buttons that she counts whenever she gets anxious, which is a lot. It's one thing to be a special child, but to be a special adult is harder so Moose's mom keeps telling people that Natalie is ten. The whole reason for moving to Alcatraz was to help Natalie, but if she doesn't improve the whole move will have been for nothing.

Critical Evaluation

Al Capone Does My Shirts is set on Alcatraz Island in 1935 and Choldenko thoroughly researched life on the island for the families of guards. She even includes a well written source note at the end of the book. On the other hand, the character of Natalie is based on Choldenko's personal experience with her own sister. While Natalie is undiagnosed in the novel, she clearly has autism, as does Choldenko's sister. In the source note, Choldenko explains a little about current autism research. She also says, "Autism wasn't identified until 1943, a full eight years after this book takes place. Children with what we now call autism received many different diagnoses during the 1930s and were sometimes institutionalized." I would argue that during the 1930s, children with autism, especially autism as severe as Natalie's, were frequently institutionalized. Thus despite the historical setting, the characters' reaction to and treatment of Natalie is wholly modern. Nonetheless, Natalie's characterization is sympathetic, honest, and encouraging to modern readers who deal with autism.

Reader's Annotation

Every day, Moose and the other children who live on Alcatraz Island take the boat into San Francisco to go to school. There, they tell the other kids, "Al Capone does my shirts," which is true. Famous mob boss Al Capone works in the laundry at the prison. But the kids have never seen him, yet.

About the Author

Gennifer Choldenko is the author of Notes From a Liar and Her Dog. She lives with her husband and two children in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Genre

Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties

The 1930s.

Local History of San Francisco

Autism

Booktalking Ideas

Describe Natalie

Describe Piper's plan to do her classmate's laundry

Reading Level/ Interest Age

Grades 4-6

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

Newberry Honor Winner

Why book was included

A recent Newberry Honor Winner

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

2009-12-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

Adamson, Andrew. (Director). The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. (DVD). Disney, 2008. Running time 142 min.

Plot Summary
Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia and find that 1300 years has passed. Narnia has been invaded invaded by the Telmarines and the Narnians live in hiding. Prince Caspian is one of the Telmarines, and heir to the throne but fearing for his life, he has run away. Prince Caspian joins forces with the Narnians and promises that if they can help him become king of Telmarine he will give the Narnians back their kingdom.

Critical evaluation
As with many film adaptations of novels, too much is crammed into the movie. Even with a running time of two and a half hours, the characters are poorly developed. On the other hand, the plot is fairly simple. The movie has a strong Christian message, with Lucy frequently admonishing her siblings to have faith. The movie has high production quality and the acting is better than most children's films.

Readers Annotations
Although it has only been a year in London, more than 1300 years have passed in Narnia. The Narnians have been driven into hiding and the Telmarines rule the land. Prince Caspian, in order to secure his place as King of Telmarine, joins forces with the Narnians in an epic battle.

Information About the Author
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is based on the novel by C.S. Lewis. It was directed by Andrew Adamson. His previous works include Shrek, Shrek 2, and The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe.

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum Ties
none

Booktalking Ideas
Why Prince Caspian ran away

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 4-10

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
None

Why Movie was Included
I enjoyed the first film and wanted to see the second.

The Fattening Hut

2009-12-04T20:22:00.001-08:00

Collins, Pat Lowry. The Fattening Hut. Houghton Mifflin, 2003. ISBN: 0-618-30955-1.

Plot Summary

Helen is in the fattening hut behind her father's house. The women in her tribe bring her several meals a day and all Helen has to do is eat the food and stay in the hut so that she gets heavy and curvy like a woman. Then she will be married. While in the hut, Helen hears about a ceremony called cutting. Her older sister vaguely answers some questions but the procedure isn't clear. Helen is afraid and she doesn't want to be married. She would rather be like her aunt- unmarried, living outside of the village. So Helen escapes, but she is pursued.

Critical Evaluation

Collin's novel admirably tackles a difficult subject- female genital mutilation, which is sometimes called female circumcision. However, she approaches the topic too obtusely. It wasn't until I read the author's afterword that I was sure that the "cutting" referred to in the text was FGM. The young adults who are the book's primary audience will probably be even more confused. Also, by inventing her own culture for the setting of the book rather than writing factually about a single culture, Collins' moral and political message loses footing against practitioners of FGM. This is not an argument for cultural relativism, but given the likely objections I wonder why Collins didn't chose to tell the tale of one of the women she mentions in the afterword. The true tale of a woman who left her own culture because she abhorred its practices would have been a stronger message. On the other hand, the vagueness of the story and the fact that she doesn't criticize any group in particular will make it harder for groups to take offense. It is not worth sacrificing the story to avoid criticism.

Subject matter aside, the book is well written. Helen's escape through the jungle is exciting for all of the details and the poetic form of the book is interesting, if only for its uniqueness.

Reader's Annotation

Helen is in the fattening hut, eating so that she will be voluptuous- with the body of a woman and ready for marriage. If that isn't bad enough she learns of a tradition called cutting that all of the women seem to know about but no one wants to talk about. The only woman who never went into the hut is Helen's aunt, who now lives alone, outside of the village. Given the choices, what would you choose?

About the Author

Pat Lowry Collins was raised in Hollywood CA. She went to USC and earned a Bachelor's in English. She now lives in New England with her husband. They have five grown children. She currently teaches creative writing at Lesley University.

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties

Novels in verse

Cultural relativism

FGM

Booktalking Ideas

Every day that Helen waits in the hut is one day closer to the cutting, but what choice does she have?

Reading Level/ Interest Age

Grades 6-8

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

The subject of The Fattening Hut is female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision. Some say that the practice is an honored cultural tradition equivalent to male circumcision. Others describe the practice as mutilation. It is a controversial subject, for sure. However, the practice is only alluded to, allowing readers to image a practice that is disturbing but unspecific. Teachers and parents may choose to explain further as they see fit. Furthermore, the subject is relevant to this age group as the procedure is often done at puberty.

Why book was Included

Recommended by a classmate

Chasing Vermeer

2009-12-04T20:21:00.001-08:00

Balliet, Blue. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. Chasing Vermeer. Scholastic, 2004. ISBN: 0-439-372941.

Plot Summary

Petra and Calder are not afraid to see the truth. They are beginning to see coincidences and when a Vermeer painting goes missing, those coincidences gain significance. An international art thief has stolen the painting to send a message. Inconsistencies in the paintings make the thief think that some of Vermeer's 35 works are fakes. Soon the whole world is talking about it, and Petra and Calder are following the trail of coincidences to find the missing painting. The trail is leading back to their Chicago neighborhood, to their sixth grade teacher and the strange old lady who lives down the street. Now the race is on. Can Petra and Calder unravel the mystery before it's too late?

Critical Evaluation

Chasing Vermeer is fabulous. It's a high stakes art theft meets Encyclopedia Brown. Mixed into the story are all sorts of puzzles. Pentominoes (a geometry puzzle like tangrams) figure prominently in the plot, as does the number 12. There are also word puzzles, secret codes, and a clue hidden in the illustrations. These brain teasers get the reader involved, even if the reader can't sneak into the university library at night. Besides the fun (and challenging) puzzles, the plot moves quickly with lots of twists and turns. Also, the value of the stolen painting makes the case important, so the whole world is watching. The character's excitement is believable.

Reader's Annotation

Coincidence? Sixth graders Petra and Calder don't think so. Willing to see the truth that's right in front of them, the pair sets out to solve an international art crime that even the FBI can't crack.

About the Author

Blue Balliet grew up in New York City. Then she moved to Nantucket where she wrote a collection of Nantucket ghost stories. She met and married her husband in Nantucket. They then moved to Chicago and Balliet taught third grade at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, just like the character in Chasing Vermeer.

Genre

Mystery

Curriculum Ties

Could accompany a unit on pentaminoes.

Could be used to teach art. Students could look at Vermeer paintings, or another artist.

Booktalking Ideas

Is a theft for noble reasons okay? Explain the thief's motives for stealing the painting.

Reading Level/ Interest Age

Grades 5-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

None

Why Book was Included

Recommended by a classmate

Wall-E (Motion Picture)

2009-12-03T19:18:00.000-08:00

Stanton, Andrew. (Director). Wall-E. (DVD). Walt Disney, 2008. Running time 98 min.

Plot Summary
Wall-E is a robot designed to deal with Earth's growing trash problem. When all of the inhabitants of Earth leave on a space cruise, Wall-E is left behind to clean things up. One day, a spaceship brings a robot named EVE, whose mission is to search for signs of plant life on Earth. Wall-E falls in love with EVE, but EVE is devoted to her mission. Wall-E and EVE deliver the plant specimen to the space colony and the capitan of the ship is excited to return to Earth. The ship's autopilot refuses to give up control of the ship so a battle ensues.

Critical evaluation
As usual, Disney Pixar has created a film with production quality beyond what is normally seen in family films. Since Wall-E doesn't talk besides some robotic grunts and beeps, his scenes are narrated by an original orchestral score. Wall-E is a sympathetic character, lonely yet curious. His companion EVE is less sympathetic, since she is so bound by her duty, but her transformation is admirable. The captain of the ship is one of the best characters of the film. Although he is an adult, and the captain of the ship his lack of life experiences makes him childlike. Overall, a good presentation and a good message.

Readers Annotations
The citizens of Earth have been sent on a little space vacation while the robots clean up the planet. 700 years later, Wall-E is all by himself, cleaning and wishing for a friend. Along comes EVE, who leads Wall-E to the humans' spaceship. The arrival of the robots jars the humans awake and they must decide what to do next.

Information About the Director
Andrew Stanton has worked as a writer, director, producer and voice actor. He is employed by Pixar and directed Finding Nemo and A Bug's Life in addition to Wall-E.

Genre
Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties
Climate change, responsibility for the Earth

Booktalking Ideas
Wall-E has been all alone for hundreds of years and now he has a friend!

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades K-6
(Rated G)

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Movie Included
Tweens, especially those with younger siblings, will enjoy many of Pixar's films.

Civilization Revolution

2009-12-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

Meier, Sid. Civilization Revolution. Video Game. Praxis, 2008. Available on PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS and XBox360.

Plot Summary
Civilization Revolution is a turn based game similar to Risk in which players move characters round a map and build units. Players may chose their civilization or the computer can randomly assign one. Different civilizations have different strengths. Start by founding a city, then set to building units. Use warriors to defend, explore or attack neighboring civilizations. At home, build a granary, a library or if you have the technology, a bank. Meanwhile, your scientists are working on new technology. You can chose what they focus on and their discoveries determine what you can build.

There are four different ways to win: domination, where you capture all enemy capitals; culture where you meet 20 different cultural milestones and build the UN; economic, where you aquire 20,000 pieces of gold and build the world bank; or technological, which is a space race. Different technologies are geared towards achieving different types of victory. But beware, even if you're not focusing on a domination victory, you'll still need military technology to defend your cities.

Critical evaluation
Civilization is a challenging strategy game that requires advance planning and multi-tasking. It's a game that can be played again and again, winning different ways and a different levels of difficulty. Unlike previous versions of Civilization, Civilization Revolution is simpler. There are less types of military units and less options for upgrading units. The game is also much shorter, which is a big improvement. Now, the game can be won in a matter of hours, rather than days. New gamers will have an easy time learning how the game works, especially if they start on the easiest level, which also serves as a tutorial. Unfortunately, this version of Civilization doesn't allow you to play against other people in your home, although it does allow multi-player gaming over the system network.

Readers Annotations
If you were the leader of a civilization, what kind of civilization would you be? Would you build up armies and crush your opponents, or would you build a culture so great that they would voluntarily join you? Maybe you would focus on technology and race into space. It's your civilization: it's your choice.

Information About the Creator

Sidney Meier is a programmer and videogame developer. He is also one of the founders of Praxis games, for which he serves as creative director. Besides Civilization, he has designed the games Pirates! and Railroad Tycoons. He currently lives in Maryland with his wife and son.

Genre
Turn based strategy

Curriculum Ties
Each civilization has a special attribute based on their culture. For example, the Spanish can build Conquistador units, which no other civilization can build. Information about these units and other elements of the game can be found in the "civilopedia".

Booktalking Ideas
How would you choose to rule the world?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5+ (Rated E for Everyone, but the game is a little complicated for younger kids)
Strongly recommended for teens and adults too!

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
If you play for a domination victory, the game is focused on military domination.

However, the military domination teaches strategy, thinking ahead, and resource allocation. The three other forms of victory focus on other aspects of civilization.

Why Game Included
One of my favorite games.

Notes from a Liar and Her Dog

2009-12-02T21:13:00.001-08:00

Choldenko, Gennifer. Notes from a Liar and Her Dog. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2001. ISBN:0-399-23591-4

Plot Summary

Antonia MacPherson is always in trouble. In fact, her little sister keeps a notebook of all the things Ant does wrong so that she can tell their mother. This time, Ant is in trouble for telling people that she was adopted. But it makes sense, she has dark hair where her sisters are blonde. Her mother is always praising her sisters, and always annoyed with Ant. So Ant writes letters to her real parents. She also finds comfort in her dog Pistachio. No one else in her family likes dogs, so Ant has to keep Stachi in her room and when she takes him to the vet, she just writes down the billing address wrong. Lately, Just Carol, the art teacher has been encouraging Ant and has agreed to take Ant to the zoo if she promises to stop lying. But no one believes Ant even when she does tell the truth. When Ant's Dad quits his job (again) and they might have to move (again) Ant and her sisters join forces for once to convince their family to stay.

Critical Evaluation

Although Ant doesn't show a lot of personal growth, I think Choldenko teaches the reader a lot about family dynamics. Just Carol is the voice of reason, calling the situation a "no-win" where when Ant does tell the truth, no one believes her. Besides, most of Ant's lies focus on ways to get her dog to the vet, which in another situation would be a sign on maturity. But even Just Carol is not a miracle, as her advice back fires and gets both her and Ant kicked out of the zoo. Each of the characters has a unique and reasonable view of the situation, given their past. Choldenko demonstrates how sometimes focusing on the past keeps us from acknowledging that people are trying to change. This book reminded me a lot of me and my sister, which speaks volumes for the truth and honesty of this story. Whether you are the good kid or the one no one listens to, you'll want to cheer Ant on as she gets the story with her family straight one small truth at a time.

Reader's Annotation

Ant must be adopted. How else could you explain the differences between Antonia MacPherson and the rest of her family? This is just one of many lies Ant tells. So when Ant starts to tell the truth, no one will believe her.

About the Author

Gennifer Choldenko has previously written picture books. This is her first novel for children. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two kids.

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Ciricculum Ties

None

Booktalking Ideas

Ant's love for Pistachio

Reading Level/Interest Age

Grades 4-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

None

Why book was Included

Appeared on a list of titles recommended for 5^th and 6^th graders that was compiled by the Sacramento Public Library.

Journey to the River Sea

2009-12-02T21:09:00.001-08:00

Eva Ibbotson. Journey to the River Sea. Dutton, 2001. ISBN: 0-525-46739-4

Plot Summary

Maia is an orphan who is sent from London to live with relatives in the Amazon. Maia and the Carters' new governess, Miss Minton, are excited to be in an exotic country, but the Carters are nasty people. The twins are mean, the mother is greedy and the father is a cheat. It seems they are going broke and only offered to care for Maia because her guardian offered them money.

Maia and Miss Minton make friends, including Clovis who is also an orphan and an actor for a traveling company that is going bankrupt. Clovis wants nothing more than to return to England and his foster mother. On the other hand, Finn Taverner, who was born in the Amazon has no desire to go to England. His father had only bad things to say about his home. So when a pair of detectives show up looking for Bernard Taverner's son, Maia, Finn and Clovis hatch a scheme that will make everyone happy. If it succeeds, Finn will be on his way up river to live with his mother's tribe but first they must trick the detectives and fool the townspeople. There are more adventures in store, including the professor's search for a giant sloth and Maia's own journey up the Amazon.

Critical Evaluation

Evan Ibbotson's Journey to the River Sea is an adventure, a mystery and a travel journal all in one. Set along the Amazon river in the early 1900's the scene is at once romantic and dangerous. All of the characters are connected in a way that is both surprising and delightful. Thrown together in an exotic location, the residents of Manaus, Brazil know each other's secrets. The plot is clever- unlikely but not impossible, which makes the story more fun. There are so many secrets and questions, but Ibbotson answers everything by the end of the novel.

Reader's Annotation

Set in the city of Manaus, Brazil, around the turn of the previous century, Journey to the River Sea is the story of Maia, an orphan sent to live with awful relatives. But she'll meet Miss Minton, a governess with a sense of adventure; the Professor, who dreams of finding a giant sloth that is supposedly extinct; Finn who is on the run from detectives who want to take him back to England; and Clovis, who is on the run from his acting company and wants nothing more than to return to England.

About the Author

Eva Ibbotson has a daughter and three sons, all grown. She lives in the north of England. Her books have been New York Times Bestsellers and her book The Secret of Platform 13 was a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.

Genre

Historical Fiction

Adventure

Curriculum Ties

English colonization of South America

Booktalking Ideas

How Maia and Miss Minton have tricked the Carters, especially the twins.

Reading Level/ Interest Age

Grades 5-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

None

Why Book was Included

Appeared on a list of recommended titles for 5^th and 6^th graders, compiled by the Sacramento Public Library

The Last Mimzy (Motion Picture)

2009-12-02T21:08:00.000-08:00

Shayne, Bob. (Director). The Last Mimzy. (DVD). New Line Cinema, 2007. Running time 96 min.

Plot Summary
The story begins in the future with a teacher telling her students about a time where humans were too dependent on technology and had lost their humanity. To save the future, a scientist their last chance, the last mimzy, back in time. Emma and her brother Noah find a mysterious box filled with toys while vacationing on the beach. Inside is a stuffed rabbit which Emma calls Nimzy, as well as some rocks that float and a glowing cube. With the toys, the kids can manipulate their surroundings, making things float and move through the air. Emma can talk to Mimzy. When the toys begin to glow and cause half of the state to lose power, Noah worries that they might be dangerous. Homeland Security, investigating the power outage tracks the family down, but by this time Emma is convinced that she must save Mimzy.

Critical Evaluation
The basic outline of the story is not particularly new. Someone (or something) is sent from the future and needs the help of someone special to save humanity.This is the plot of The Matrix, or Terminator. But unlike those movies, the future has lost its humanity so the future is saved through non-violent means. I also liked the incorporation of mandalas. Naming the rabbit Mimzy, after the word "mimsy" in Through the Looking Glass gave the story the perception of continuity, making the story feel epic even though its not. The acting was surprisingly well done and the production quality was high.

Readers Annotations
When a brother and sister find a mysterious box on the beach, the toys inside give them magical powers. The stuffed rabbit, named Mimzy is the key to saving future humanity but the siblings are unsure what the rabbit is asking of them.

Information About the Author
Robert Shane is a film producer, director or actor. He is also the co-founder of the film production and distribution company New Line Cinema.

Genre
Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties
Concepts of Utopian Society

Booktalking Ideas
The progression of skills the toys give the kids

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 3-6

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
The previews looked intriguing.

Eragon (Motion Picture)

2009-11-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

Fangmeier, Stefen (Director). Eragon. DVD. 20th Century Fox, 2007.

Plot Summary
A mysterious stone that Eragon finds turns out to be a dragon egg and thus Eragon becomes a dragon rider. In the tyrannical king's quest for power, he killed all of the other dragons; so, the birth of Eragon's dragon means hope for the land. The Varden, who are a band of rebels are particularly eager for Eragon to arrive. Pursued by the king's minions, Eragon and his teacher Brom set off towards the Varden's land. Along the way, Eragon learns about the magic of dragon riders and makes some friends. All of Eragon's work is in preparation for a battle with the sorcerer Durza, who represents the evil king.

Critical evaluation
Eragon is a fairly unoriginal quest story; however, lots of successful films are standard hero's quests. As far as the story goes, Eragon is exciting and thus the film is entertaining. Unfortunately, much of the dialogue is cheesy and Eragon's good looks are overdone. The final battle scene was dramatic, well directed and artistic. Its a shame that the scene was so short. Overall, the movie was good but not great.

Readers Annotations
It was believed that the only dragon left belonged to the evil king. So when Eragon finds a dragon, he finds that he is destined to battle the king, but first he must learn what it means to be a dragon rider.

Information About the Director
Based on the novel by Christopher Paolini, Eragon was directed by first time director Stefen Fangmeier. Fangmeier is better known as a visual effects supervisor.

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum Ties
none

Booktalking Ideas
Explain the legend, then end with "that dragon rider has appeared and his name is Eragon"

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8-10 Rated PG-13

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
There is some violence, mostly against monsters but also against humans.

The scenes are not particularly bloody or gruesome- just dramatic. Also, it is fantasy.

Why Movie Included
I haven't read the books, but I was interested to know more about the series. Maybe I should have just read the books.

Trollbridge: A Rock ‘N’ Roll Fairy Tale

2009-11-29T17:53:00.001-08:00

Yolen, Jane and Adam Stemple. Trollbridge: A Rock 'N' Roll Fairy Tale. Tom Doherty Associates, 2006. ISBN 0-765-31426-6

Plot Summary

Moira is a sixteen year old harpist prodigy, and she is also one of this year's dairy princesses. She'll have her likeness carved in butter and displayed at the Vanderby State Fair. At least it's good publicity. Meanwhile, the insanely popular music group, The Griffson Brothers, is taking a much needed break. Suddenly, The Griffson Brothers, Moira, and the eleven other dairy princesses are swept off of the Trollholm Bridge and into a strange land. It seems that by an ancient pack a family of trolls living under the bridge would leave the people alone if they received an offering of 12 maidens ever year. Trolls, being dumb, didn't mind that diary princesses had been substituted for real girls, but when the townspeople decide not to leave the butter on the bridge (something about hurting fish populations downstream) the troll takes the girls. Moira is saved by an enchanted fox named Fossegrim because he needs her help. The fox can't escape the troll's land without his fiddle and he knows that Moira, being a musician can get the fiddle and play the magic song that he needs. Uneasily, Moira makes a deal with the fox and they set out to find the others before the trolls eat them or worse, marry them. It seems that the youngest of the Griffson brothers is also a true musician, so he can also hear the fox speak. The fox shouldn't be trusted, but he may be their best bet for escaping the trolls alive. Interwoven with the story are songs and music is what eventually convinces the trolls to let the humans go.

Critical Evaluation

As usual, Yolen takes a classic tale and reinvents it so that it seems like the Scandinavian source tales have always belonged in the Midwest. The authors provide a helpful note at the beginning that explains the origins of the story and also what they have changed. The songs, which are interspersed throughout the story are interesting, but without the accompanying music, seem more like bad poetry than song lyrics. Also, as the songs tend to recap what has already happened in the text, they are redundant to the reader. Music aside, the characters were amusing and the setting was delightful. Setting the tale in modern day America makes the reader see everything in a new light, as if fairy tales are possible.

Reader's Annotation

When the townspeople decide not to leave the carved dairy princesses on the Trollholm Bridge as they had done for centuries, they unwittingly break a pact with the family of trolls who live under the bridge. The trolls take their own princesses- this time real girls, Moira among them. Moira, a child prodigy harpist, teams up with an enchanted fox to save the other girls and escape the trolls.

About the Author

Jane Yolen is the author of more than 300 books. She is also a master storyteller, collecting and retelling folktales from around the world. She is known for her modern adaptations and reimaginings. Adam Stemple, Yolen's son, is a professional musician. They have also collaborated on Pay the Piper, another Rock 'n' Roll Fairy Tale.

Genre

Fantasy

Fairy Tale Adaptation

Curriculum Ties

Fairy Tales

Booktalking Ideas

What is the Fossegrim offering Moira, and why should she be worried

Reading Level / Interest Age

Grades 5-8

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

None

Why Book was Included

I wanted to read some of Yolen's more recent works.

PixelJunk Monsters

2009-11-29T17:45:00.001-08:00

Q-Games. PixelJunk Monsters. Sony, 2008. Availabe on PlayStation3. Available on PSP as PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe

Plot Summary

It's up to you to save the members of your small village from monsters. Every monster that reaches your base kills one of your neighbors. Using money, you can turn trees into weapons. Different weapons have different strengths and weaknesses and different costs. The monsters come in waves. Different types of monsters require different weapons so you'll need to buy based on what monsters are headed your way. When you kill the monsters, they turn into coins and gems. Use the coins to buy more weapons. Gems can be used to buy more advanced weaponry or to upgrade your current arsenal. Most of the monsters move pretty slow, but with limited funds and limited places to put weapons you'll be challenged.

Gameplay is fairly simple. Move through the map to get to different levels, unlocking pathways as you go. In each level, use the joystick to move and the other buttons to buy items. You'll acquire special abilities on some of the levels.

Critical Evaluation

Monsters is a fairly simple game, making it easy to learn. It's also really fun! Each level can be beat in only a few minutes, so it's not as time consuming as other games. I like that you can play by yourself, or with a friend. Monsters is also more challenging that its simple layout would suggest, making this game more of a puzzle. On the downside, the music is also simple and very repetitive. Overall, a good game for the price.

Reader's Annotation

Save the villagers from Monsters! Wave after wave of monsters march through your forest home on the way to your base. Strategically place cannons and arrow towers to get the monsters before they get to your friends. Different monsters, different weapons and different forest layouts make every level a new challenge.

Information about the Producer

PixelJunk is a series of games produced by Q-Games, headed by Dylan Cuthbert. Q-Games was founded in 2001 by Dylan Cuthbert and Kenkichi Shimooka. The company is base in Kyoto, Japan

Genre

Puzzle Game

Curriculum Ties

Brain teasers, puzzles

Booktalking Ideas

Describe the game as a play by play – the monsters are coming, I have to build an arrow tower, and a cannon tower, and look out, it's the flying ones! Now dance…

Reading Level/ Interest Age

Grades 3+ The game is rated E for Everyone and has several difficulty levels making it fun and challenging for all ages.

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

Yes, the game does involve killing monsters. But imagine monsters like pac man, not three dimensional beasts. Also, the onslaught of arrows does little to harm the monsters until they disappear in a cloud of coins. I would say that despite the "killing" of monsters, this game is not very violent.

The game is rated E for Everyone.

Why the Game was Included

This is one of my new favorite games.

Flower (Video Game)

2009-11-29T17:20:00.001-08:00

ThatGameCompany. Flower. (Video Game) Sony, Year. Available only on PS3.

Plot Summary

You are a flower petal on a breeze. As you fly by other flowers, petals break off to join you until you are a cloud of multicolored petals soaring across the landscape. In the scene that precedes each level you see a dark and dreary city devoid of life. The city is shades of grey. Then, you're in a meadow that is also grey, as you fly past the flowers, more flowers appear. Once you touch enough flowers, a portion of the landscape is colored and the screen lightens. A path of flowers appears leading you further into the dark. Follow the flowers until the whole landscape is bright and alive. Each level is progressively darker, with more signs of humans, but eventually even the city is overtaken with wildflowers.

A note about gameplay: At this time, Flower is only available on PlayStation 3 and takes advantage of the motion sensing controllers. To move, simply tilt the control from the horizontal axis. You can't turn the controller along the axis, it must be tilted. Press any button to gain speed. The game is designed to be intuitive, thus there is very little instruction and once the game begins there are no words only the path of flowers to guide you.

Critical evaluation

Flower is designed to be intuitive, thus there are few words and players are encouraged to explore. Luckily, exploring is fun and as you fly around you may inadvertantly unlock new pathways, and learn more about the game's quest. As far as a quest goes, the purpose of the game is simple, but profound. As a flower, fly around gathering more flowers in order to make the bleak human landscape colorful again. Flower is unlike most other video games, so frequent gamers won't have an advantage. The landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful and the game is accompanied by symphonic music that intensifies as the game progresses. Although short, Flower is worth playing.

Readers Annotations

Borne on a breeze, you are a petal, gathering both petals and speed as you fly through the landscape. You are bright and colorful in a dreary land. As you fly, you spread life across the meadow. Using the motion sensing controller, this game is as easy to play as it is enchanting.

Information About the Designer

Flower is produced by ThatGameCompany. The company website says, "our goal is to make video games that communicate different emotional experiences the current video game market is not offering. We encourage innovation and experimentation and believe that our creative games will appeal to new, yet untapped, audiences."

Genre

Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

none

Booktalking Ideas

What does it feel like to be on a breeze? How would you like to bring color back to the world?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Grade7+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

none

Why Game Included

This is one of my favorite games. It is really different from other video games, so I hope that people who don't usually play games will try it.

Earthborn

2009-11-29T11:14:00.000-08:00

Waugh, Sylvia. Earthborn. Delacorte, 2002. ISBN-10: 0-385-90060-0

Plot Summary
Nesta and her parents, Allison and Matthew live in York, England. When a story appears in the local papers about a boy who claimed to be from another planet before he went missing, Nesta's parents confess that they are also from another planet. Now, they must leave Earth because people are getting suspicious. Unlike her parents, Nesta was born on Earth and has no desire to leave. The plan is to enter the spaceship on Wednesday night, spend three days in the ship preparing to leave, then the ship will launch early Sunday morning. The ship will leave whether they are on it or not. So Nesta decides to run away- just until Sunday afternoon. That way, the ship will leave without her. Her parents may decide to leave without her, but that's a risk Nesta will have to take.

Critical evaluation
Earthborn is told in a lighthearted way, but the subject is distressing: as Allison puts it "My child means more than a myriad of ancestors" (p. 216). Allison's homeland pulls at her heartstrings, (Actually since this is science fiction, it pulls at her in a physical way too.) and she yearns to return. But Nesta, born on Earth, feels no such pull and refuses to return. So Allison and her husband Matthew have to make a choice- return home without their child, or stay on Earth and become permanent residents of Earth. Their dilemma is played out all across the world by thousands of immigrant families. In the end, the love between parents and child is strong enough to face their problems. Also, Nesta gets help from several strangers when she is running away from home, and to read about the kindness of a woman on the train who offers a distraught girl a packet of crisp is very heartwarming. Very heartily recommended.

Readers Annotations
Nesta's parents may be from another planet, but she is not. So when they tell her that the family has to return home, she refuses. Nesta was born in York, England and she will stay there. Hopefully her parents will stay too.

Information About the Author
Sylvia Waugh is a retired teacher. She lives in the North of England and has three grown children.
Genre
Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Why Nesta has decided to stay

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 4-6

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
None

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended books for 5th and 6th graders, compiled by the Sacramento Public Library.

My Father's Son

2009-11-28T21:11:00.000-08:00

Fields, Terry. My Father's Son. Roaring Brook Press, 2008. ISBN-10: 1-59643-349-3

Plot Summary
One day, Kevin turns on the TV and sees his father's face on the news. They've arrested Kevin's father and accused him of being the DB25 serial killer. Kevin thinks back to his life with his father and can't imagine his father as a killer. His mother also seems surprised, even though she isn't fond of her ex-husband. Kevin is worried, upset and feels out of the loop. Kevin learns that his parent's divorce wasn't as amicable as he had thought, and even stranger Kevin's paternal grandparents aren't dead. At first, Kevin was positive that his Dad was innocent but the longer his Dad is in jail, the less sure he feels.

Critical evaluation
My Father's Son is not the story of Kevin's father, who stands accused of murder. Instead, the story focuses on Kevin and his changing perception of his father. At first, Kevin thinks his father is the greatest- they play video games and his dad doesn't bug him about school. Then, he begins to learn about another side of his father- about his parents' courtship and their divorce. Although things are not as bad as the media would make it seem, Kevin learns that his father is more complicated than he thought. Despite the sensational setting, Fields' story will resonate with all readers who must come to terms with seeing their parents as individuals.

Readers Annotations
No matter what Kevin does, no matter how much he tries to distance himself from his dad, he is his father's son. The face on the TV of the accused serial killer, Kevin's dad, could be Kevin's face. And he has to live with that face.

Information About the Author
Terri Fields is the author of more than seventeen books for young adults. She is also a teacher and writing consultant. She lives with her husband in Arizona.

Genre
Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8-10

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Possible objections: Kevin's dad is accused of being a serial killer, and the crimes are briefly described. The killer targets women and tortures them before he kills them.

Defense of ideas: The purpose of Fields' story is to describe the feelings and reactions of Kevin. In order to understand the depth of his concern, the reader must know what the accusations are. References to violence are brief and are no more than is necessary for the sake of the story.

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended books for 7th and 8th graders compiled by librarians at the Sacramento Public Library

Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventures in Japan

2009-11-28T11:32:00.000-08:00

Steinberger, Aimee Major. Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventure in Japan. Go! Comi, 2007. ISBN-10:1-933617-83-1

Plot Summary
Aimee is an animator and fan of asian ball joint dolls. She decides to finally visit Japan, so she and two friends make the journey. They visit Kyoto, see a play, go shopping, dress up as Geisha and finally visit a VOLKS store. Aimee is six feet tall and definitely stands out in Japan, especially since she and her friends like to dress in costume. Japan Ai is Aimee's travelogue, full of drawings, all of which are captioned often with lots of arrows and explanatory notes. There are also pages of historical and cultural notes where needed, for example to explain Geishas.

Critical evaluation
Japan Ai is a text full of love for all things Japan. In Japanese, Ai means love. Fans of manga, cosplay, fashion or travel will enjoy Aimee's travel journal. The drawings are cute and Aimee's excitement for all things pink and fluffy is contagious. Although this is an animated story about Japan, it is not manga. There is very little storyline and some chapters are nothing more than descriptions of stores and merchandise with no commentary other than 'cool'. Japan Ai seems to be written for other fans of Japanese culture who share Aimee's love but does nothing to entice readers who aren't familrar with Japan to learn more.

Readers Annotations
Join Aimee and her friends as they take the trip of a lifetime to Japan. See shrines, ride the trains, see the fashions and visit the famous VOLKS doll store.

Information About the Author
Aimee Major Steinberger is a professional animator. She also is a staff writer for Haute Doll Magazine and is an administrator for denofangels.com, a website devoted to Japanese ball joint dolls. She is married and lives in California.

Genre
Travelogue

Curriculum Ties
Japanese culture

Booktalking Ideas
Travel vicariously through travelogues

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 7-10

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
None

Why Book Included
Recommended by comicsworthreading.com

The Castle of Cagliostro

2009-11-28T11:02:00.000-08:00

Miyazaki, Hayao (director). The Castle of Cagliostro. DVD. Sony, 2006 (1979) Running time 102 min.

Plot Summary
Master thief Lupin III and his sidekick Jigen have just robbed a casino of counterfeit bills. So they make a new plan- they'll steal the plates used to counterfit the money. Their plan takes them to the small principality of Cagliostro where they land in the middle of a royal wedding. The Count is going to marry Princess Clarisse against her will. If the Count and the Princess marry, and they unite the matching rings that they wear, a treasure will be revealed. So now Lupin has two reasons to save the princess. Of course, Inspector Zenigata is quick on Lupin's tail.

Critical evaluation
While the animation style is more befitting a children's film, this movie is really for ages 10 and up. If you can adjust your expectations, you'll find the film to be daring heist, similar to James Bond. Although this is the only feature length film to star Lupin III, there is also a tv series so some of the characters from the series show up but aren't explained. The princess was mostly passive, looking to Lupin to save her, although there is one scene where she attempts to escape and a car chase ensues. Luckily, Lupin's old paramour Fujiko is also in the film, and she is a take charge, adventurous character much like Lupin himself. All in all, a great adventure film that happens to be animated, rather than an animated adventure.

Readers Annotations
With car chases, gun fights, a runaway bride, a government conspiracy, hidden treasure and a samurai, The Castle Cagliostro is a fast paced animated adventure.

Information About the Director
Hayao Miyazaki is the director of such award winning films as Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. He has worked in Japanese animation since the 60's. Miyazak is married to fellow animator Akemi Ota. They have two grown sons.

Genre
Adventure

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
First person as Lupin discussing his ideas for breaking into the castle.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 10+ Rated PG-13

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Possible objections to the language (mild curses, but frequent) or to the violence (gun fights, but no graphic injuries)

The movie is rated PG-13, so parents should have an idea if the movie is appropriate for their kids.

Why Film Included
Recommended by a classmate

Persepolis

2009-11-28T10:22:00.000-08:00

Satarpi, Marjane and Vincent Paronnaud (Director). Persepolis. DVD. Sony, 2007. Running time 95 min.

Plot Summary
Marjane Satrapi is an Iranian living in Paris. As the movie begins, she is in an airport, and she remembers her life as a journey between two worlds. Marjane grew up in Tehran, coming of age during the Iranian Revolution. At first, her family is excited by the overthrow of the king, especially since Marjane's uncle Anoosh is released from prison. Unfortunately, Anoosh is soon arrested by the new government, and eventually executed for refusing to denounce communism. At home, family life goes on, with Marjane and her mother wearing hajib when they go out, but living a more western life at home. At one point, Marjane's mother even gives Marjane money so that she can buy Iron Maiden cassettes from a bootlegger. As the Iran-Iraq war continued, Marjane's parents decide to send her to Vienna for school. In Vienna, Marjane feels liberated, but also persecuted. She meets boys, but has her heart broken. Marjane returns to her home country and marries, despite her mother's worries. Alas, the marriage doesn't work so Marjane moves to Paris, which is where she is when the story begins.

Critical evaluation
Persepolis is an autobiographical work, based on a graphic novel of the same name. The animation is a combination of still backgrounds with moving characters that mimics the graphic novel. Marjane's memories, which make up most of the movie, are in black and white. The story is honest, showing Marjane's mistakes in addition to the societal problems. While the focus of the tale is Marjane and her family, the historical backdrop makes Persepolis more than just a coming of age story.

Readers Annotations
Marjane's doesn't seem to fit in anywhere. At home, in Iran, she must watch how she looks, and what she says. She can't be caught buying punk music, or drinking alcohol. But when goes to school in Vienna, she doesn't fit in there either. Back and forth, back and forth, Marjane fittingly tells her life story from an airport.

Information About the Author
Marjane Satrapi was born in Iran and was educated in Iran and Europe. She currently lives in Paris where she writes graphic novels and children's books. Persepolis is her autobiography.

Genre
Autobiography

Curriculum Ties
Iranian Revolution, Iran-Iraq War

Booktalking Ideas
The contrast between Marjane's permissive parents, and the rules she must follow when she's away from hom

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8-12

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Possible complaints are mainly political. The Iranian government has tried to stop the showing of this movie. Other possible objections are to the depiction of pre-marital sex (mostly alluded to) and the smoking of hashish in Vienna.

Defense of Persepolis
ALA's 2009 Fabulous Films for Young Adults
2007 Academy Award Nominee for Best Animated Film
2007 Jury Prize Cannes Film Festival

Why Film Included
One of ALA's Fabulous Films for Young Adults

Monster

2009-11-27T14:11:00.000-08:00

Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. Harper Tempest, 1999. ISBN-10: 006028077-8

Plot Summary
Steve Harmon is in jail awaiting trial for felony murder. He is 16. He is also an aspiring filmmaker. So to deal with the stress of incarceration, Steve writes down his experience as if it were a screenplay. Steve is accused of the being the look-out to a drugstore robbery that ended with the store owner killed. Steve knows the guys who were at the robbery but he claims that he wasn't involved. His defense attorney is working hard, but Steve isn't sure that she believes he's innocent. The prosecution has a lot of witnesses but they are all criminals, trying to strike a deal. Steve is never sure which way the trial will go until the verdict is announced.

Critical evaluation
Monster is full of questions that, in trying to answer, force the reader to look inward. Steve is clearly the product of a bad neighborhood- a black man in Harlem. It's no wonder that he knows thugs and drug dealers. But does living in the same neighborhood, even being friendly to criminals, make Steve as guilty as they are? The story is told as if it were a movie, directed by the book's main character and the reader is to understand that perspective- camera angles etc.- can alter the audience's view of the situation. Monster is at once the story of a teen's struggle for maturity and personal responsibility and the story of racism in the criminal justice system.

Readers Annotations
The lookout was supposed to give a sign if there were cops in the store. If he gave NO sign, that was also a sign- a sign that the store was clear. So by saying nothing, by minding his own business, is Steve guilty? This is the question that Steve's murder trial will answer.

Information About the Author
Walter Dean Myers grew up in Harlem and many of his stories take place there. He has written thirty books for young adults and has received the Coretta Scott King Award five times. In 1994, Myers was awarded the ALA's Margaret A. Edward's Award for lifetime contribution to young adult literature.

Genre
Realistic Fiction
African American Interest

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
What makes someone guilty
How does it feel to be in prison, possibly forever?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 10-12

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Possible objections are the characters' references to sexual assault in prison and Steve's description of the sounds of a gang rape.

Defense: Monster is the winner of the Michael L. Printz award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. Winner of Coretta Scott King Award, which awards African American authors and illustrators whose works "promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples". Also, Monster is now required reading for many high school students.

Why Book Included
I've never read this title, although many students now read Monster in high school.

Rapunzel's Revenge

2009-11-27T13:47:00.000-08:00

Hale, Shannon and Dean. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. Rapunzel's Revenge. Bloomsbury, 2008. ISBN-10:1-59990-288-5

Plot Summary
Rapunzel grows up with Mother Gothel in a walled villa but on her sixteenth birthday she ventures over the wall and finds her real mother, who is a slave in Gothel's mines. For her disobedience, Mother Gothel puts Rapunzel in a tower, which Rapunzel escapes from after four years. Rapunzel meets Jack and the two of them set off to discover the source of Gothel's power and destroy it. Along the way they meet many groups who have been wronged by Gothel and who lend their help to the pair. This version of Rapunzel features a heroine who needs no rescuing set in a wild west frontier land. Jack is also a fairy tale character, but I won't say which one.

Critical evaluation
This graphic novel is well done. The artwork mostly follows the text but often adds and extra dimension, such as a smirk or a sideways glance. I liked that this is not the story of Rapunzel, but rather the story of her revenge. Well written, amusing with a great example of a courageous heroine who doesn't need a prince to save her but rather needs a friend by her side. Heartily recommended.

Readers Annotations
This Rapunzel isn't going to sit around waiting for a prince. Using her long braids as a pair of lassos, she swings down from her tower prison and sets out to get revenge on the evil witch. The rootinest, tootinest Rapunzel yet.

Information About the Author
Shannon Hale has written six books for young adults and two novels for adults. Her novel, Princess Academy was a Newberry Honor Book. For her graphic novels, she teams with her husband Dean Hale. The husband and wife team live in Salt Lake City with their two young children. Nathan Hale, a children's book illustrator, is no relation to the authors.

Genre
Graphic Novel
Fairy tale adaptation

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Rapunzel's horror at finding out the truth about Mother Gothel

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
School Library Journal Starred Review

Why Book Included
I'm always looking for graphic novels appropriate for younger teens.

Tale of Despereaux

2009-11-27T09:49:00.000-08:00

DiCamillio, Kate. The Tale of Despereaux: being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread. Candlewick, 2003. ISBN-10: 07636-1722-9

Plot Summary
Despereaux is a strange mouse, with ears too big and a body too small. Also, he likes to read and listen to music. When he falls in love with the Princess Pea (a human) and the other castle mice see him talking to her, Despereaux is sent to his certain death in the dungeon.

In the dungeon, Roscuro is a strange rat, who is enchanted by light and doesn't enjoy torturing the dungeon's prisoners. Roscuro escapes the dungeon and visits a party in the castle's banquet hall. But the presence of a rat isn't appreciated, and Roscuro returns to the dungeon vowing to seek revenge for his poor reception.

Miggery Sow, a poor mistreated servant girl, is Roscuro's accomplice in his revenge plot against the castle.

Now Desperaux, like a knight in shining armor, is on a quest to save the princess.

Critical evaluation
The Tale of Despereaux is a very charming tale, sure to warm readers' hearts. Despereaux is unfailingly noble, but the evil Roscuro turns out to be not so evil. Also, the narrator's many asides to the reader make the tale sounds like a bedtime story, with lots of commentary and rhetorical questions. The illustrations, which were dark and done in smudged pencil, didn't fit the tone of the book. Recommended to fans of animal stories and fans of The Princess Bride.

Readers Annotations
Like a knight in shining armor (well, more like a mouse wearing a red thread and a sewing needle for a sword) Despereaux sets off to save his princess (she really is a princess) from the evil dragon (okay, an evil rat. A mouse eating rat).

Information About the Author
Kate DiCamillo grew up in Clermont, Florida. She now lives in Minneapolis. Although she is single and has no children, she is the aunt to three children. The Tale of Despereaux won the Newberry Medal.

Genre
Fantasy
Animal adventure

Curriculum Ties
none

Booktalking Ideas
Despereaux is an unusual mouse, but as we all know, usual people are destined for great adventure.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 3-6 (Younger children may like the tale read aloud)

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Now a popular motion picture

Kensuke's Kingdom

2009-11-27T09:39:00.000-08:00

Morpurgo, Michael. Kensuke's Kingdom. Scholastic, 1999. ISBN-10: 0-439-38202-5

Plot Summary
When Michael's parents lose their jobs, they take their severance pay and buy a sailboat to sail around the world. Then one night, Michael and his dog Stella are alone on deck and the pair fall overboard. Miracurously, the two survive and wake up on the beach of an almost deserted island. Almost, because the island is inhabited by a Japanese man named Kensuke, who was shipwrecked during WWII. Together Kensuke and Michael build a hesitant friendship and a routine on the island. They fish, furnish their cave-home and spend afternoons painting. While their life is relatively pleasant, Michael wants to return to his family, but Kensuke, who heard that his hometown of Nagasaki was bombed during the war, has no wish to leave and fears discovery.

Critical evaluation
At first, the story seems to be common shipwreck tale, but the presence of Kensuke makes the story more complex. In fact, even though the story is about Michael, Kensuke steals the reader's imagination. His understanding of the outside world is based on rumors and his fear that the world has changed keeps him trapped on the island. Kensuke is afraid that he doesn't understand the world, but Michael finds the unknown to be an inviting challenge. Michael's optimism is inspiring to anyone who is facing uncertaintly, while Kensuke's fear is a warning. The inclusion of a letter from Kensuke's son, who survived the bombing, is further evidence that the unknown is not necessarily to be feared.

Readers Annotations
Cast ashore with nothing but his dog, Michael would probably starve except that a dish of clean water and a plate of fish appear outside his cave every morning. It seems that Michael is not alone on his island.

Information About the Author
Michael Morpurgo is the author of more than sixty books for children. He and his wife live in England.

Genre
Realistic fiction
Adventure

Curriculum Ties
WWII

Booktalking Ideas
The conflict between Michael, who wants to be rescued, and Kensuke, who doesn't.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended books for grades 5-6 compiled by Sacramento Public Library

Return to Sender

2009-11-22T21:13:00.000-08:00

Alvarez, Julia. Return to Sender. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. ISBN-10: 0-375-95838-0

Plot Summary
Tyler's father can't work on the farm very much since a tractor rolled on him and he crushed his arm and leg. In order to keep the farm running, Tyler's parents hire three Mexican immigrants to work. So Mari, along with her father, her two uncles and her two younger sisters come to live in a trailer on the family farm. Mari is worried that her mother will come looking for the family in North Carolina and won't know that they've moved to Vermont. Mari's mother had returned to Mexico when Mari's grandmother was dying and was supposed to cross back over the border through an Indian reservation, but she never arrived and no one knows what happened to her. Now, there is talk on Immigration raids and Mari is worried that her family will be torn apart.

Critical evaluation
Alvarez's timely novel speaks directly to current immigration debate. The title of the novel takes its name from a real program conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in which thousands of illegal immigrants were deported. Despite the political undertones, the book's strength is the characters. Alvarez draws a parallel between the Mexicans who were no longer able to make a living farming and the Vermont farmers who would lose their farms if not for the Mexican laborers. The friendship between Mari and Tyler, which develops over their shared interest in astronomy, humanizes the debate.

Readers Annotations
With Tyler's brother going off to college in the fall, Tyler's father will have a lot of work to do. When Tyler's father is in a tractor accident, the family doesn't know how they will manage the farm. Tyler's mother calls them Mexican Angels. With the help of Mari's dad and uncles, Tyler's family can afford to keep the farm. But at what cost?

Information About the Author
Julia Alvarez is a Chicana author who now lives with her husband in Vermont. Return to Sender was inspired by real life encounters with the Mexican immigrants that work on her neighbors' farms.

Genre
Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties
Political science

Booktalking Ideas

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 7-9

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Alvarez's story is sympathetic to illegal immigrants, especially those families where the children are American citizens. Nonetheless the story is realistic, and undoubtedly will ring true for some young readers.

Why Book Included
Recommended by a classmate

The House on Mango Street

2009-11-22T12:03:00.000-08:00

Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. Alfred A. Knopf, 2003. ISBN-10:0-678-43335-X

Plot Summary
Esperanza lives in a house on Mango Street with her parents, her two brothers and her little sister Nenny. Esperanza tells not only her story but also the story of the whole neighborhood. Sally who is beautiful and good but whose father beats her runs away and gets married before she finishes 8th grade. There is Sire, who stands around laughing, talking, drinking beer with his arm around his girlfriend, who Esperanza's parents say is a punk. There is Mamacita who speaks no English and cries when her baby learns English. Told in short, stand alone chapters, the stories of these characters make up the neighborhood of Mango Street.

Critical evaluation
The House on Mango Street, originally published in 1984 has already won much critical praise and rightly so. It tells a story few other books do- the story of latino youth in the sixties. The format is akin to poetry- a series of vignettes all between two and six pages. Written in spoken English, every word is a description of the scene. I also found the author's note interesting, but would have preferred it as an afterword. I read this book straight-through, but would recommend reading it more slowly, stopping between the chapters.

Readers Annotations
The House on Mango Street is at once a novel and a collection of short stories that describe life in the latino neighborhood of Chicago. In these crowded city blocks, Esperanza knows everyone even though she doesn't understand everyone. She tells what she sees in a way that is both candid and dignified.

Information About the Author
Sandra Cisneros grew up in Chicago and Mexico City, moving frequently between the two places. Thus, she strongly identifies as Chicana and her works feature Mexican-American characters. Although none of her books were intended as young adult novels, her works appeal to a wide range of ages and are often taught to young adults in school.

Genre
Realistic fiction
Short story

Curriculum Ties
Chicano culture

Booktalking Ideas
Read one of the shorter chapters

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
This book is over twenty years old now, and has earned its place as a classic. It is now taught in many high schools and junior highs.

Why Book Included
I've never read this book, even though it is taught in many schools

Incantation

2009-11-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

Hoffman, Alice. Incantation. Little, Brown & Co., 2006. ISBN-10: 0-316-01019-7

Plot Summary
Estrella deMadrigal lives in Spain in the year 1500. Her family is well respected and her brother is even studying to be a priest. Her best friend is her next-door neighbor Catalina. On the day the Jewish man's books are burned in the town square, Catalina stays to watch, but Estrella's mom sends Estrella home. Soon proclamations are posted warning that false conversos- Jews who are pretending to be Christian- should be reported. Catalina, angry that her betrothed seems interested in Estrella begins asking questions. Why doesn't Estrella's family eat pork? Why do they light candles on Friday night? Why indeed? Even Estrella doesn't know, but she knows that terrible things could happen if anyone reports them.

Critical evaluation
Told in Hoffman's magical, mystical style, Incantation is the story of many magics: the magic of Judaism with its hidden secrets and traditions so important that they're worth risking life for; the power of friendship and the power of betrayal; mesmerizing quality of fire and the enchantment of bookburning. Hoffman manages to give a topic as grim as the Spanish Inquisition an ethereal quality.

Readers Annotations
Estrella has always known that her family was mysterious. Her grandfather holds secret study sessions with other scholars, and her grandmother uses words that Estrella doesn't understand. But Estrella always thought that she was excluded from the secrets because she was too young, or too dumb. Not until the Spanish Inquisition threatens to expose the secrets does Estrella learn that she has been kept in the dark for her own safety.

Information About the Author
Hoffman was already an established author of adult fiction when she began writing for children and young adults. Her work is characterized by magic realism, and romance.

Genre
Historical fiction

Curriculum Ties
Spanish Inquisition

Booktalking Ideas
Read the proclamation that identifies false conversos and Estrella's reaction to the proclamation.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 6-9

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2007

Why Book Included
I've enjoyed Hoffman's novels for adults, so I wanted to read some of her young adult fiction.

Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur

2009-11-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

Yolen, Jane. Sword of the Rightful King: A Novel of King Arthur. Harcourt, 2003. ISBN-10: 0-15-202527-8

Plot Summary
Queen Morgause doubts Arthur's claims to the high throne of Britain. So, she sends her sons to court as spies. There are rumors that she has also sent an assassin. Morgause isn't the only own who rejects King Arthur's authority so Arthur and his mage Merlinnus devise a plan. Merlinnus will put a sword in a stone that only Arthur can pull out. Then they'll start a rumor that whoever can pull the sword from the stone will be the rightful king of Britain. The story is told through the perspective of Gawen, a young boy who comes to court to be a knight and ends up apprenticed to Merlinnus instead. Arthur gives all challengers to the throne until solstice to pull the sword from the stone, then he, hopefully will prove his place as the rightful king. That is, if Morgause doesn't find a way to kill him first.

Critical evaluation
The lore of King Arthur is at once appealing and confusing. There are so many variations and interpretations. By sticking to a small part of the legend, Yolen can go into greater detail and keep the interest of readers whether they are familiar with the tales or not. Some of the terms and spellings will be difficult for hesitant readers. On the other hand, interest in the story may carry the reader through. Overall, I liked Yolen's version of the story.

Readers Annotations
King Arthur sits on the high throne of Britain, but there are those who would challenge his throne. How can he prove that he is the rightful king? Without bloodlines or tradition to support him, how can Arthur make everyone loyal to him? Arthur and his trusty mage Merlinnus devise a trick- a sword in a stone...

Information About the Author
Jane Yolen has been writing for children and young adults since 1963. To date she has written over 300 books and continues to write. In addition to being an author, she is a master oral storyteller and collects folktales from around the world. Many of her works are retellings or interpretations of traditional tales. She also invents new tales.

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum Ties
King Arthur tales/ folklore

Booktalking Ideas
The untold story-- Arthur was in on the plot all along! The sword in the stone was his idea!

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8-10

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none
Why Book Included
I wanted to include a book by Yolen since she is such a respected and prolific writer.

Midnight Magic

2009-11-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

Avi. Midnight Magic. Scholastic, 1999. ISBN-10: 0-590-36035-3

Plot Summary
Fabrizio is the servant of Mangus the Magician. Mangus has recently renounced magic after an embarrassing trial. So when the king summons the magician to the castle, Mangus is suspicious. It seems that the princess has been haunted by a green glowing ghost that she says is her brother Lorenzo. The evil Count Scarzoni wants to discredit the princess so he can marry her and inherit the throne. The superstitious king won't let the marriage take place if the castle is haunted. The princess wants Fabrizio to prove that the ghost is real, while Mangus is devoted to exposing the truth. There is definitely and strange ghostly light outside the princess' chamber, but is it a ghost or a trick?

Critical evaluation
This well written mystery presents the clues as Fabrizio finds them. Then, Mangus explains his thought process aloud to the superstitious and overeager Fabrizio. Readers will find themselves in a race to figure out the mystery before Mangus makes his conclusions. Fabrizio is a comic servant- making fun of his master, telling jokes and shedding light on his master's hypocrisy. Although following a classic form (which is good practice for readers who will be called upon to read Shakespeare in a few years) Midnight Magic is nonetheless imaginative, thrilling and humorous.

Readers Annotations
Mangus has always taught Fabrizio that magic is nothing more than slight of hand and dazzlement. But the princess swears that the ghost who haunts her is reals and she wants Fabrizio to prove it. Count Scarzoni wants Mangus to prove that it is not real. Whatever Mangus the Magician and his servant Fabrizio discover, the fate of the kingdom rests on the truth!

Information About the Author
Avi is the pen name of Edward Irving Wortis. The name was given to him by his twin sister when they were toddlers. He has written 70 books for children and young adults including the Newberry Honor books The True Confessions of Charolette Doyle and Nothing But the Truth. He won the Newberry Medal for Crispin: The Cross of Lead. He is best known for his works of historical fiction.

Genre
Mystery

Curriculum Ties
none

Booktalking Ideas
Fabrizio is torn in different directions: loyalty to his master, devotion to the princess.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Recommended by a classmate

Love That Dog

2009-11-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

Creech, Sharon. Love That Dog. Joanna Cotler Books, 2001. ISBN-10: 0-06029289-X

Plot Summary
Jack has to write a poetry journal for Miss Stretchberry's class. His very first poem says, "I don't want to/ because/ don't write poetry./ Girls do." Grudgingly, Jack writes poems, mimicking the styles of the poems they read in class. He writes "So much depends/ upon/ a blue car/ splattered with mud/ speeding down the road." When his teacher asks, why? Jack is hesitant to say, but slowly, through a series of poems the story emerges. Jack tells the story of his dog, meanwhile learning about poetry.

Critical evaluation
The story is told through Jack's journal. While the reader never sees the teacher's words, Jack's responses make it obvious what the teacher has said. For example, Jack writes, "Yes, I used to have a pet./ I don't want to write about it." It is clear through his writing that Jack is learning to enjoy poetry, and although he is a little embarrassed, he is proud when his teacher asks to put his poems up on the board. Love That Dog is a touching story about a boy and his dog- a pure love that kids will relate to, even if they struggle with other themes of poetry. This book is also a good way to teach poetry, since all of the poems referenced (The Red Wheelbarrow, Love that Boy, etc.) appear at the end.

Readers Annotations
When Jack has to write a poetry journal for school he is hesitant. But with his teacher's encouragement and the example of famous poets, Jack begins to write the story of his dog.

Information About the Author
Sharon Creech is the author of Newberry Medal winner Walk Two Moons, in addition to Love That Dog. She is married and has two grown children.

Genre
Poetry

Curriculum Ties
Poetry

Booktalking Ideas
Talk about dogs, and one's love for dogs

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 4-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
School Library Journal Best Books of 2001.
Recommended reading for many elementary and middle schools.

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended titles for 5th and 6th graders, published by the Sacramento Public Library

Robot Dreams

2009-11-22T09:19:00.001-08:00

Varon, Sara. Robot Dreams. First Second, 2007. ISBN: 1-59643-108-3

Plot Summary

A dog gets a robot kit in the mail and builds a robot friend. The pair go to the beach and have a grand day swimming and lounging on the sand. But at the end of the day, the robot realizes that he has rusted and can't move. Sadly, the dog goes home without his robot. With great effort, the robot closes his eyes and dreams. The dog goes about his life, but the robot is stuck on the beach as the snow piles around him and scavengers pick over his metal body for scrap. Nonetheless, the robot has magical dreams of far of places.

Critical evaluation

Told entirely through pictures, with no words at all, the story of the robot is amazingly vivid. Varon imagines what a robot would dream about if he was stuck on a beach unable to move. The story is divided into months and takes place over a year. The robot's dreams are told in gray to differentiate them from reality. On one hand, since Robot Dreams doesn't have any words, it is approachable to those who have difficulty reading. On the other hand, Robot Dreams uses sophisticated graphic story telling techniques and could be a gateway to more graphic novels.

Readers Annotations

Dark. Alone. Sandy. A beach. A beach towel. Two eyes wide open in fear. Two eyes belonging to a robot. The robot is stuck, rusted in place. He can't move. He only watches as critters come and go. Passersby poke and prod. But the robot doesn't move. Finally, and with great effort, he closes his eyes. The robot dreams.

If you were a robot , stuck in one place for a whole year, what would you dream about? Would you dream about being made? About escaping? About your friends? Or would you dream about the things you see in your tiny world?

What does the robot dream about? Read Robot Dreams to find out.

Information About the Author

Sara Varon has written three graphic novels to date. She is originally from Chicago and now lives in Brooklyn.

Genre

Graphic novel

Curriculum Ties
none

Booktalking Ideas

POV of robot

Reading Level/Interest Age

Grade 3+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included

Truly all ages graphic novel that is enjoyable to kids and adults alike.

Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered

2009-11-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

Paulsen, Gary. Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered. Harcourt, 1993. ISBN-10:0-15-2928774

Plot Summary
The boy's parents are drunks so he is often sent to live with different relatives. The summer that he is eleven, he is sent to live on a farm with the Larsons. Harris sets about treating the boy as a partner in crime. They "battle the commie japs" who are played by unsuspecting sows. The pigs are not too happy when two boys come flying into their pen. They have cob fights in the corn field and create elaborate adventures involving farm machinery, the draft horses and Roy Rogers. While the story is mostly episodic, chronicling the wild imaginations of two boys in summer, there is an underlying story about the boy's acceptance into the Larson family. The difference between Harris and his cousin is not just that one is from the city and the other from the country. One of the boys is without a permanent home and Harris is from a family that works together and loves each other.

Critical evaluation
Overall a laugh-out-loud, feel good story told entirely in first person. I really liked the way that the boys know they are doing something dangerous, rationalize it, then acknowledge that they are rationalizing it, and do it anyway. The boys are realistic and loveable.

Readers Annotations
Harris and me had quite a summer together. Most everything was Harris' idea. It was his fault that the horses were scared of us by the end of the summer and it was his fault that I was kicked in the head by Vivian, but I got back at him. And boy was he sore.

Information About the Author
Gary Paulsen is the author of more than 175 books for children and young adults, including the Newberry Honor books Hatchet and The Winter Room. He has led an adventurous life, racing the Iditarod twice and living by himself in a cabin in Minnesota. He is now married and continues to write.

Genre
Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties
None.

Booktalking Ideas
1st person from the narrator. Tell the story of jumping on the horses.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 4-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Paulsen is a favorite author of mine.

The Thief Lord

2009-11-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

Funke, Cornelia. The Thief Lord. Scholastic, 2003. ISBN-10:0-439-42089-X

Plot Summary
Prosper and Bo have run away from their aunt to the city of Venice where they are taken in by The Thief Lord. The kids live in an abandoned movie theater and get by selling the things The Thief Lord steals. Victor is a private detective hired to find Prosper and Bo. Victor doesn't particularly like the boys' aunt and isn't in a hurry to return them. However, he is a threat nonetheless, so the kids are eager to lose him. Then, the kids are hired by a mysterious Conte to steal a strange wooden wing. The Conte is offering a lot of money, but now the kids are worried that they can't trust The Thief Lord, who frequently disappears and never spends the night in the theater. In the end, curiosity about the purpose of the stolen wing drives the gang out to magic island from which no one has ever returned alive.

Critical evaluation
Funke perfectly captures the magic of Venice, even in this modern day tale. The canals and winding alleys are the perfect setting for this old time detective story that also includes a supernatural merry-go-round. It's hard to describe this story without giving too much away since each new twist is a delightful surprise. Plot aside, the characters are all endearing. Even the flat characters are so flat that they transcend this story and remind the reader of every evil parent, every bearded underworld villain in every fairy tale ever read. While some of the adults are pure evil, some of the other adults are inexplicably paternal and take the children in, which leaves the reader feeling warm and comfortable. The Thief Lord gets a 5 star rave review.

Readers Annotations
Cold and hungry alone in the city of Venice, Prosper and Bo are invited to the gang of The Thief Lord. The gang of orphans live in an abandoned movie theater. The Thief Lord himself lives elsewhere, although no one knows where. When the gang is offered money to steal a very specific item, they find themselves in the middle of an even bigger mystery.

Information About the Author
Cornelia Funke is a German author who won international acclaim with her fantasy novel Dragon Rider. Funke continues to write in German, although she now lives with her husband and two kids in Los Angeles, California.

Genre
Mystery

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Prosper and Bo when they first meet The Thief Lord

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 6+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
School Library Journal Best Books 2002
Kirkus Book Review Stars

Why Book Included
Recommended by a classmate

Backwater

2009-11-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

Bauer, Joan. Backwater. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1999. ISBN-10:0-399-23141-2

Plot Summary
Ivy Breedlove is the lone historian in a family of lawyers. If not for Aunt Tib, Ivy might think she was born into the wrong family. But Aunt Tib encourages Ivy to dig deeper into the family's past and learn about the Breedlove's who weren't lawyers. Ivy is writing a family history for Aunt Tib's birthday but she is missing one important story: the story of her aunt Jo. Jo lives all alone with her pet wolf and a the birds she treats as patients at her animal hospital. So Ivy does a little detective work to find Jo's hideaway and hires Mountain Mama to take her across the rugged terrain to interview her aunt. As a condition of the interview, Mountain Mama leaves Ivy alone, but when the worst blizzard in years blows in, it will take everything the women have to get out safely.

Critical evaluation
Backwater is both a thrilling adventure about the trials of wilderness and a touching story about the common bond of family. Ivy eloquently explains her interest in history, while at the same time is unable to express her interest to her father. Jo seems happy to be the outcast of the family, living on her own away from the pressure of tradition, but if not for the presence of Ivy, she would have died in the blizzard. Jo not only needs her family to survive, but also enjoys the company of her family for their shared history and mutual respect, even if they are dissimilar. Utimately, Joan Bauer tells a story of respect and acceptance that will resonate with many teens who are struggling to find their place in their family.

Readers Annotations
The Breedlove family speaks of their sister Jo so infrequently its as if she never existed. But Ivy is a devoted historian and she won't rest until she has Jo's story for the family history book. After some detective work, Ivy sets off across the mountain ridge to Jo's remote home. In the town of Backwater, where Jo is mayor and only resident, Ivy learns that she's not the only one who feels left out in the Breedlove family.

Information About the Author
Joan Bauer is a celebrated author who has won a Newberry Honor Medal and whose books have been selected as an ALA top ten books for young adults. She and her three sisters were raised by her mother and grandfather. Bauer now lives with her husband and has grown children of her own.

Genre
Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Feeling left out

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 7-12

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended books for middle schoolers that was published by the Sacramento Public Library

Emily the Strange: The Lost Days

2009-11-08T14:38:00.000-08:00

Reger, Rob and Jessica Gruner. Emily the Strange: The Lost Days. Harper, 2009. ISBN-10: 0-06-145230-7

Plot Summary
A girl wakes up on a park bench, not knowing who she is or where she is. In the town of Blackrock, the girl who calls herself Earwig starts taking notes to figure out who she is. So far she knows that the girl at the coffee shop is incredibly dumb and there is a traveling gun, doll and medicine show in town. With the show is Jakey, who can read minds and Attikol, whose family is part of a centuries old feud over a magic object. Also, Earwig look suspiciously like Emma LeStrange, the town's founder. Earwig begins to wonder if her amnesia is self inflicted, when she winds up sitting on the park bench again with no memory except what's written in her notebook. Somehow, amnesia is necessary for Earwig to solve the mystery of the town's founding and carry out a mission from Emma LeStrange herself.

Critical evaluation
Presented as Emily's notebook, this mystery unravels as Emily finds new clues. The premise is interesting and the characters even more so. The story is easy to follow- a quick amusing read that nonetheless transports readers to a strange foreign place. The world of Emily is creative. The notebook format is well done with doodles, pasted in artifacts, lists, notes, and observations. This layout makes the text easy to read and encourages a broad understanding of literacy. Emily is already a well loved character who has many fans in the tween age group. They will undoubtedly love this book as well.

Readers Annotations
Waking up in a strange town in bad enough, but learning that her amnesia is self inflicted was ridiculous. Emily must have some serious detective work to do if it involves amnesia, doppelgangers and games of high-stakes calamity poker to settle a centuries old feud.

Information About the Author
Emily the Strange is actually the creation of Rob Reger in association with his comic book company Cosmic Debris. Emily has a website, clothing line, and many books.

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Read one of Emily's many lists

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 6-10

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Emily is a "goth" meaning that she dresses in black, likes black cats and prefers the night. The story also includes elements of magic. However, Emily's brand of goth goes no further than eccentric clothing and self defined preference for nighttime. She is overall a polite girl who would never deliberately harm anyone. As for the magic, the book neither encourages nor discourages magic in real life.

Why Book Included
On the new book shelf at the local library

Running Out of Time

2009-11-08T13:49:00.000-08:00

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Running Out of Time. Simon & Schuster, 1995. ISBN-10: 0689800843

Plot Summary
Jessie is stunned to learn that it isn't 1840. The pioneer town of Clifton is really a re-creation village in 1996. But the town is too authentic. The owners of the village are refusing to treat a diptheria epidemic so Jessie, who has never even heard of cars or phones, is sent for help. Alone and in an unfamiliar world, Jessie makes her way to a pay phone. When Mr. Neely is not the the help Jessie expected, Jessie decides to call the board of public health herself. It seems that the owners of Clifton village have their reasons for keeping Jessie quiet about the diphtheria epidemic. They might even kill her to keep her quiet. So she calls a press conference too! The only problem is Jessie is only 13 and she's never seen a press conference.

Critical evaluation
Running Out of Time is a thrilling mix of historical fiction, mystery, adventure and science fiction. Reviewer Richard Peck called it a mix between The Giver and Ray Bradbury. Although a little slow to start, the story picks up quickly. In the end the story is about authority, bravery and responsibility. Tween will love this story of individual action in the face of institutional misdeeds.

Readers Annotations
On the same night that Jessie learns that she has been living in an experiment, she is sent out into the real world where it is 1996, not 1840 and medicine exists to cure diphtheria. Outside the small town of Clifton, many people are working to make sure Jessie doesn't get the medicine her friends need and to make sure that their twisted science experiment stays a secret. Jessie is determined to get the help her town needs, but she'll have to outwit quite a few people first.

Information About the Author
While this was her first book, Margaret Peterson Haddix has since written over 20 books for children and young adults. Before writing fiction, she worked as a newspaper reporter. She and her family live in Columbus, Ohio.

Genre
Science fiction

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Being on the run

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 6-9

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Some readers may disagree that vaccines are necessary.

Defense
The real issue is choice- the children in the story didn't have the choice to vaccinate or not. Nor did they get the medical care that they wanted. The book makes no commentary on those who willingly forgo modern medicine.

Why Book Included
Margaret Peterson Haddix appeared on several lists of recommended authors

Kira-Kira

2009-11-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

Kadohata, Cynthia. Kira-Kira. Atheneum, 2004. ISBN-10: 0-689-85639-3

Plot Summary
The story starts when the Takeshima family decides to move from a Japanese community in Iowa, to the deep south of Georgia so Katie's parents can find work at a hatchery. Besides teh changes associated with moving, Katie and her family change in other ways. Katie's sister, Lynn is ess interested in spending time with Katie and has a new friend, Amber, with whom she giggles about boys. Katie's, parents both work double shifts. When Katies brther sam in born Katie looks after kim the way Lynn used to look after her. When Lynn gets sick with cancer, Katie finds herself wanting to care for her too, as the whole family does.

Critical evaluation
Set outside the relatively protected Japanese communities of San Francisco or Seattle, Kadohata's story is one of racism and poverty. It is also a story of sickness and family. Told from the point of view of Katie, who is in elementary school, Kira-Kira relies on powerful description. Katie doesn't know what lymphoma means, but she can see the changes in her sister. While Lynns' sickness is heartbreaking and the family's work ethic exhausting, Kira-Kira is ultimately hopeful. Katie's well described growth into responsibility make this make this book strongly recommended for young tweens.

Readers Annotations
My mother said we were misusing the word. But to Lynn and me, anything could be kira-kira, Japanese for 'glittering'. Anything that shone and sparkled like the stars in the night sky, I called kira-kira. When my older sister got sick, I tried my hardest to see the world as she had taught me. I tried to see kira-kira.

Information About the Author
Cynthia Kadohata is a Japanese American who was born in Chicago. Kira-Kira was her first novel for children. She has published four children's books to date.

Genre
Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties
Japanese immigration/ racism
Sickness

Booktalking Ideas
Describe Katie's typical day of caring for her siblings while her parents are away at work

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 4-8

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Newberry Medal winner 2005

Fairest

2009-11-08T12:43:00.000-08:00

Levine, Gail Carson. Fairest. Harper Collins, 2006. ISBN-10: 0-06073409-4

Plot Summary
Found abandoned in one of the inn's rooms when she was a baby, Aza is raised as one of the innkeepers' own children. Except Aza is far far uglier than the rest of her family. She is stocky, tall, with strange hair and a pale face. In a land of singers, her talented voice wins her friends. Because Aza can throw her voice like a ventriloquist, the land's new queen (who can't sing) wants to use Aza's voice as her own. Aza can't refuse the powerful queen but she feels dishonest, and the queen's volatile temper makes Aza fear for her life. The queen has made a lot of enemies at court, following the advice of her advisor- a strange mirror that gave the queen her beauty. Aza also seeks beauty from the mirror and the queen is upset that Aza is now the "fairest". Like the story of snow white, the queen will do anything to remain the fairest in the land, even kill.

Critical evaluation
Although set in the same land as Levine's Ella Enchanted, Fairest does not equal the first book in humor or interest. Certainly, portions of the book are delightful, including the scenes set at the inn. And the queen is a much more interesting character in this version than in other versions of Snow White. However, the relationship between the prince and Aza, was unsatisfactory, especially considering that the relationship between the prince and Ella is so well developed in Ella Enchanted. The prince falls for Aza immediately and without reason, then he is alternately distrustful and friendly to Aza until he decides to marry her after only a few months. Also, the books few allusions to Lucinda, the fairy godmother in Ella Enchanted will amuse those who have read the previous book, but will add nothing to new readers. Overall, I would only recommend this book if readers are clamoring for more fairy tale adaptations.

Readers Annotations
It's a good thing Aza can sing, because she is really really ugly. There are even rumors that she's part ogre. But her voice wins her friends and admirers, especially queen Ivi who uses Aza's voice as her own. When Aza finds the queen's magic mirror, which is the source of her beauty, and uses it to make herself beautiful, the queen's jealousy puts Aza in grave danger.

Information About the Author
Gail Carson Levine is known for her adaptations of fairy tales, most famously her retelling of Cinderella, Ella Enchanted, which one a Newberry Honor.

Genre
Fantasy
Fairy tale retelling

Curriculum Ties
Fairy Tales

Booktalking Ideas
From the point of view of the mirror

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-8

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
I always enjoyed Ella Enchanted and wanted to see if this book was on par.

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

2009-11-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Mackler, Carolyn. The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things. Candlewick, 2003. ISBN-10:0-7636-1958-2

Plot Summary
Unlike her slim and attractive family, Virginia is fat. Between her father admiring skinny women on TV and her mother scheduling appointments with nutritionists, how could Virginia forget? Virginia is sort of starting something with Froggy, a guy in her class, but Virginia knows that fat girls shouldn't ask for too much in the relationship department. When her brother moves home from college, suspended because he's been accused of date rape, Virginia swears off boys completely. Her older brother, her idol, is suddenly not so admirable. When Virginia starts to doubt her brother, she sees her whole family in a new light and decides to take steps in her own direction.

Critical evaluation
Mackler tackles tough and timely issues in a humorous, realistic way. Mackler clearly draws a parallel between Virginia's overeating and her unhappiness at home. Thus, when Virginia takes action to improve her family relationships, her weight problems also improve. Although somewhat idealized and simplistic, Virginia's story encourages addressing core issues and standing up to those you're most afraid to stand up to. The message is not unusual- stand up for yourself and love yourself, but its a good message and its well told.

Readers Annotations
Virginia is living in the shadow of two perfect older siblings, who are slim, popular, beloved by classmates and teachers alike. On the other hand, Virginia is plump, chubby, maybe even fat.When her parents put her on a diet, Virginia finally wins some attention. But not the kind of attention her older brother is winning, who has gotten into trouble at college. As a result of "the ordeal", as her family calls it, Virginia gets angry. She's angry enough to see that her family isn't so perfect. And for once, Virginia is standing up for what she wants.

Information About the Author
Carolyn Mackler has written four books for young adults. This book was the winner of the Michael J. Printz award. She is married and lives in Manhattan.

Genre
Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Read some of Virginia's lists.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8-10

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Subjects include date rape, bulimia and sexual activity of teens, although Virginia and her boyfriend go no further than french kissing.

Why Book Included
Recommended for reluctant readers

My Brother Sam is Dead

2009-11-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

Collier, James Lincoln and Christopher Collier. My Brother Sam is Dead. Simon & Schuster, 1974. ISBN-10:0-02-722980-7

Plot Summary
Tim, his parents and his older brother Sam run a tavern in Redding CT, on the eve of the Revolutionary War. Although most of the town are Tories, Sam, who has been away at college has taken up the rebel uniform. While Sam is away fighting, Tim is at home trying to balance his respect for his loyalist father and his admiration for his adventurous older brother. As the war continues, it gets harder and harder for the family to stock the tavern. Soldiers from both sides stop in for food and a place to sleep but only one side's currency will be worth anything when the war is over. Some of the locals settle their bills with cattle rather than cash, but cattle at at risk of being stolen, either by roving bandits or one of the armies. When Tim's father is taken captive by bandits, Tim and his mother must run the tavern alone. At the end of the war, Sam is dead, but it's not a heroic death and Tim doesn't know how the family will continue.

Critical evaluation
Well researched and well written, this piece of historical fiction is a modern classic. While the title of the book suggests heroic battle, akin to the Red Badge of Courage, the truth is much less glamorous. All throughout the book, readers will wonder when Sam dies. In fact, as a soldier, Sam's death is almost expected. Instead, readers are surprised and hurt by the other deaths in the story. My Brother Sam is Dead tells the story of the Revolutionary War from a new perspective that is less glorifying and more realistic. The book includes a well written historical note.

Information About the Author
James Lincoln Collier is a children's book author who lives in New York City. He co-wrote My Brother Sam is Dead with his brother Christopher Collier, who is a professor of history at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. His specialty is the Revolutionary War.

Genre
Historical fiction

Curriculum Ties
Revolutionary War, War

Booktalking Ideas
Quote the scene where Tim fools the cattle thieves.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-8

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Newberry Honor Book

A Crooked Kind of Perfect

2009-10-31T13:16:00.000-07:00

Urban, Linda. A Crooked Kind of Perfect. Harcourt, 2007. ISBN-10:0-15-206007-7

Plot Summary
Zoe Elias pictures herself at Carnegie hall, seated in front of a grand piano, a respected master. Her father, knowing her desires, buys her a Perfectone D-60: an electric organ he finds at the mall. Adding insult to injury, Emma, who used to be Zoe's best friend but doesn't seem to be anymore, gets a baby grand for her birthday. Meanwhile, Zoe and her father, who is afraid to leave the house, spend their afternoons working through the Perfectone lesson book "The Hits of Seventies" and her father's lesson books from Living Room Universtiy. Add to the cast of characters Wheeler, a boy in Zoe's class who starts hanging out at her house every day after school. Zoe's dad theorizes that Wheeler needs a place to go, but in the end Zoe's dad needs Wheeler's encouragement to get out of the house and get to Perform-O-Rama. Perform-O-Rama isn't Carnegie hall, but it's the Perfectone equivilent and it's Zoe's big chance.

Critical evaluation

The plot is absurd, but it doesn't matter because the characters and emotions are realistic. In a lesser book, Zoe's father and his Living Room University courses would be an amusing background. In Urban's work, they demostrate the depth of his anxiety, which affects the whole family dynamic. Zoe's mother is a work-a-holic and Zoe is accepting of the situation to a fault, putting even her small desires aside for the good of the family.

Told in short chapters, each with an explanatory title, this book is well written for out of practice or inexperienced readers who will appreciate a rest for their eyes every few pages.

Nonetheless, A Crooked Kind of Perfect will appeal to all readers who are looking for loveable characters, zany, funny situations and real drama.

Readers Annotations

Zoe's father doesn't like to leave the house. He's easily overwhelmed by the unfamilar sounds, smells and sights. Thus, he's easily influenced by the Perfectone D-60 salesman, which is how Zoe ends up with an electric organ instead of a grand piano. Now Zoe is practicing for the Perform-O-Rama but she may never have a chance to perform unless she has a way to get there. Will her work-aholic mother find a way to leave work? Or will her father find the courage to brave driving and staying in a hotel? And in the end, will the Perfectone measure up to Zoe's Carnegie Hall dreams?

Information About the Author
Linda Urban also got an electric organ instead of a piano. She grew up in Michigan but currently lives in Vermont. A Crooked Kind of Perfect is her first novel.

Genre
Humorous fiction

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Anxiety
Disappointing Parents

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-8

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Recommended by Green Bean Teen Librarian

Twilight

2009-10-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. Little, Brown & Co., 2005. ISBN-10:0-316-160172

Plot Summary
Isabella Swan moves to the Pacific Northwest to live with her father for the first time since she was a tot. At school, she makes friends with all the kids except for the strange Cullen family who stick to themselves. But as Bella gets to know her lab partner Edward Cullen she realizes that there is more to the family than it first seems. Yes, the Cullens are vampires. But they only hunt animals, not humans. Making an uneasy pact with the local indians, the Cullens settle into town and live life among the living. While Edward knows he can't hunt humans, he was an almost unsatiable attraction for Bella, which is part romance and part something deeper. Once Bella learns the Cullen's secret she is suddenly fair game, not for the Cullens, but for the other vampires that roam the earth. Can Edward stop the other vampires? And when he smells Bella's fresh blood, can he stop himself?

Critical evaluation
I would classify Twilight as a guilty pleasure book. The plot is nothing new and the characters' dramatic professions of love are also familar. On the other hand, the story is dramatic, fast paced and full of twists. Edward's moral struggles about hunting humans are interesting, but not fully developed.

I would recommend Twilight because it is a fun read, and there is nothing wrong with a fun read every now and then.

Readers Annotations
Isabella Swan is making the best of her new situation- living with her dad in a small, wet, cloudy town in the Pacific Northwest. Isabella makes friends with most of the kids except her lab partner Edward Cullen who is alternately dismissively rude and alluringly sweet. Edward is also super-humanely strong and prone to missing school. One night Bella finds herself googling vampires and wonders, could Edward and his odd siblings be vampires? Bella knows she should turn and run but her complicated feelings for Edward make it hard to just leave. But is this supernatural romance worth risking the safety of her new vampire friends and her human family? Is this romance worth risking it all?

Information About the Author

Genre
Fantasy
Supernatural

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Loving the worst possible person

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8+
This book is more suited for teen readers, but undoubtedly some pre-teens will be reading this book, especially now that has been made into a movie

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Some may object to the subject matter, especially the books sympathetic feelings towards vampires. Readers who object to Harry Potter will likely object to Twilight as well. However, the book is New York Time's Bestseller and will be requested by many patrons.

Why Book Included
I wanted to see what all the fuss was about!

The Singer of All Songs

2009-10-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

Constable, Kate. The Singer of All Songs. Scholastic, 2002. ISBN-10:0-439-55478-0

Plot Summary
Calwyn is on track to be a priestess of Antaris when she meets Darrow who has someone crossed the city walls and who knows how to sing magic. Darrow is being hunted by a man who strives to learn all of the magic in the world and unite the world under his rule. To help Darrow escape, Calwyn leaves the protection of Antaris and journeys into far away lands where priestess who can sing magic aren't revered- they're feared.

Calwyn learns that her chantment- the power of ice- isn't the only chantment. There are actually nine chantments. The man who calls himself the Singer of All Songs is traveling the world learning or stealing the chantments. Calwyn and the friends she meets along the way are chasing the Singer of All Songs, journeying farther and farther from home in a race to save the world.

Critical evaluation
The Singer of All Songs jumps right into a mystical world where many things are strange and different, but Constable shows the reader as the story progresses so that the setting does not distract from the story. Calwyn is a powerful and intelligent heroine. Although she is young and some of the other characters belittle her for her mistakes, Calwyn learns from her experiences and eventually takes the lead in the journey. Its nice to see a strong female lead in a story that will appeal to both genders.

Readers Annotations
Calwyn can sing the chantment of ice, and the mysterious man who appears inside their city walls can sing a song that controls iron. The man is being chased by one who calls himself The Singer of All Songs. If Calwyn's single song has the power to slow blood, build a wall or dowse a fire, what could someone who knew all of the songs do? And how can they stop him?

Information About the Author
Kate Constable grew up in Paupa New Guinea. She now lives in Thornbury, Australia with her family. The Singer of All Songs is her first novel.

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Magical lands
Talk from the point of view of Calwyn's mother

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 7+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Included on a list of recommended books for middle schoolers that was published by the Sacramento Public Library

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

2009-10-10T13:37:00.000-07:00

Blume, Judy. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Antheneum, c1970 reprinted 2001. ISBN-10: 0-689-841582

Plot Summary
Margaret and her family move from Manhattan to New Jersey just before Margaret begins sixth grade. Margaret believes the family moved to get away from her dad's mother who her parents worry has too much influence on Margaret. Margaret is sad to be leaving her grandmother, even if she does always ask if she has met any nice Jewish boys.

Margaret is not Jewish, like her dad's family. She is not Christian, like her mom's family, either. As a year long project, Margaret sets out to discover exactly what she is. Nothing seems to fit her personal relationship with God, in which Margaret is free to share her concerns and her deepest wishes.

As a pre-teen, many of Margaret's wishes center around being "normal". She worries about her developing body, her lack of a period and her feelings about boys. Margaret and the other members of the Pre-Teen Society keep close tabs on this sort of thing and share their worries together.

At the end of the year, Margaret has changed, but Margaret is also the same sweet, thoughtful girl.

Critical evaluation
Margaret is a very realistic character, who is understandably beloved. Her concerns are mostly timeless. Even her concerns about religion are universal in that they are also concerns about her relationship with her family. Her Jewish grandmother is always asking if she's met any nice Jewish boys, while her parents discourage her form choosing a religion at all. Blume tells Margaret's story with respect and dignity. Margaret's problems are not fodder for jokes, nor are they treated more serious than they are. All in all, Blume strikes a balance of confusion, anxiety and joy that will be familiar to pre-teen readers.

Readers Annotations
Margaret and her parents move from Manhattan to New Jersey just before Margaret begins sixth grade. Margaret and her friends form a secret club - The Pre-Teen Society where they discuss all of the important subjects. Which boys are the cutest? Who wears a bra yet? Who has gotten her period? And perhaps more importantly, who hasn't?

In school, their teacher has asked them to spend the year working on an individual project of their choosing. Margaret decides to settle the subject of religion once and for all. Is she Christian like her mother's family or is she Jewish like her father's family?

Information About the Author
Judy Blume has written dozens of books for children and young adults and has been awarded many substantial honors. In 2004, she was awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. In 1996 the American Library Association selected Blume for its Margaret A. Edwards Award for her contributions to young adult literature. Blume received the Library of Congress Living Legends award in the "Writers and Artists" category in April 2000 for her significant contributions to America's cultural heritage. Blume says that Margaret's experiences are based on her own.

Genre
Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Menstruation
Secret Clubs

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Some may object to the book's abivilence towards religion, neither upholding nor rejecting any particular religious ideas. However, some readers may identify with the ambivilence and find the book enjoyable for the same reason others find it objectionable.

Some may object to the book because of the frank discussions about menstruation. However, many girls do begin menstruating in the sixth grade. Some girls begin menstruating even earlier. Therefore, to say that the subject is to mature for sixth graders does not apply to all sixth graders.

Why Book Included
I thought it was about time that I read this famous book. I also liked the new cover and think this book will continue to be popular.

My Almost Epic Summer

2009-09-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

Griffin, Adele. My Almost Epic Summer. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0-399-23784-4

Plot Summary
Irene hopes to have a really epic summer, the kind that she reads about in her books with a fabulous heroine and a great story. Irene hopes to have a story worth writing to her friends about. But instead, Irene is fired from her own mother's beauty salon and finds work babysitting the Prior kids, who don't even have a TV. Irene and her charges spend most of the summer at the lake swimming where they make the acquaintance of Starla the stunningly beautiful and popular lifeguard. Starla and Irene are sorta friends, but then there is this particular boy that works at the snack shop...

Critical evaluation
Fans of the Traveling Pants series with find much to like in My Almost Epic Summer. At first, Irene seems a little ditzy and I was put off by the cutesy cartoon cover. However, Irene reads classic literature for more than just great hairstyles (although she does make note of the hairstyles, especially if she likes the heroine) and she ends up being a great babysitter. Irene is an admirable mix of self-concious, childish, grown up, and romantic.The characters are well developed and their interactions are both honest and humourous.

Overall Recommended

Readers Annotations
Irene may not have the glamorous life she hoped for and she's certainly no literary heroine, but by the end of the summer she finds herself to be a hero to at least one little girl and the star of Starla's not so nice blog.

Information About the Author
Adele Griffin lives in New York City and has written many books for young adults including Amandine an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
Genre

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Literary Hairstyles

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 5-8

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Cover looked light-hearted. Like a guilty pleasure, girly book. Which it is.

Go Ask Alice

2009-09-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

Anonymous. Go Ask Alice. Simon & Schuster, 1971. ISBN-10:0-671-66458-1

Plot Summary
Presented as the true diary of a fifteen year old girl, Go Ask Alice chronicles the diarist's experiments with drugs. The diary begins with the young girl worrying about boys, her weight and the move to a new town and school. After the diarist unknowingly takes LSD at a party her diary turns to musings about drugs and descriptions of drug use. The diarist begins dressing like a hippy and taking drugs routinely. From that point, the book follows anonymous' journey to San Francisco, her struggles to quit drugs and her battles to stay clean. In addition to her struggles with drugs, anonymous struggles with her aging grandparents, her parents and her place in school. In fact, much of Anonymous' struggle is the difficulty in ignoring the kids who use drugs and making friends with the good kids.

Critical evaluation
As a true diary, this book is shocking, which is part of its power. The diarist's experiences are absolutely terrifying including rape, secret drugging of children, homelessness and harassment. The implication is that all of these troubles are the result of the diarist's drug use. Therefore, while some might object to the explicit descriptions, overall Go Ask Alice is anti-drug. In fact, the book also suggests that those who dress the wrong way and don't listen to their parents will fall to drugs.

Some have suggested that this book is actually a fictionalization of a teen's diary, which seems probable.

Readers Annotations
Sure, it's difficult being a teen, worrying about boys, friends and family. But life gets a million times more difficult once this 15 year old girl discovers how intoxicating can be.

Information About the Author
This book was originally published as the true diary of a young girl. Beatrice Sparks is credited as editor. However, later editions of this book are described as fiction. Beatrice Sparks is an LDS youth counselor and therapist who has published other true diaries of teens supposedly based on the experiences of her patients.

Genre
True diary

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Summer of love or summer of drugs

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
Go Ask Alice is one of the most frequently challenged books as reported by the ALA. The narrator describes illicit drug use, sex, prostitution, and homosexuality. Nonetheless, the message of the work is clear. The consequences of the narrators drug use are so drastic that this book could only be described as discouraging drug use.

Why Book Included
I've never read this famous book and thought it was about time!

Money Hungry

2009-09-20T22:28:00.000-07:00

Flake, Sharon G. Money Hungry. Hyperion, 2001. ISBN-10:078682476x

Plot Summary
Raspberry is obsessed with money. She is always doing odd jobs and selling things at school to make money. Raspberry believes that having money will keep her and her mother off of the streets. Raspberry's friends don't necessarily understand her need for money but they stick up for their girl. In turn, Raspberry helps her friends with their problems- Mai who struggles with her biracial heritage, Zora whose parents are recently divorced and Ja'nae who lives with her grandparents because her mother lost custody. Raspberry's mother works two jobs and goes to school but she still has trouble making the move out of the projects.

Critical evaluation
This book attacks urban poverty in an honest and humorous way so the reader is sure to empathize with Raspberry. The characters speak African American Vernacular English, which may be off-putting to some readers at first, but once you get used to the language your connection with the characters will keep you reading. I like the narrator makes no excuses for her situation leaving the reader to make his own conclusion. At the same time, the book realistically discusses the issues facing those struggling against poverty. For example, Raspberry and her mother qualify for section 8 housing (which the narrator explains) but the neighbors don't want them to move in. This is one of those rare books that lets the reader live another's life.

Readers Annotations
Raspberry thinks that if she has enough money she'll never have to be homeless again. But how much is enough and what will she have to sacrifice to get it?

Information About the Author
Sharon G. Flake is a winner of the Coretta Scott King- John Steptoe award for new authors. She is a former youth counselor. She currently lives and works in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

Genre
Realistic fiction
African American Interest
Bi-racial interest

Curriculum Ties
Poverty
Black history

Booktalking Ideas
Ways to make a buck

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 6+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
This book is written in AAVE, but this gives the book credibility as a realistic portrayal of urban African American youth.

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended books for tweens published by the Sacramento Public Library

Son of the Mob

2009-09-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

Korman, Gordon. Son of the Mob. Hyperion, 2004. ISBN-10: 0786809183

Plot Summary
Vince Luca is the son of New York City's biggest crime boss who is hoping to leave organized crime behind when he starts film school in LA. Keeping his family's business a secret is getting difficult considering his friends-- his girlfriend's father is the FBI agent in charge of his father's case and his roommate is the son of a congressman. Soon his brother shows up at his dorm room for an extended visit and his mob uncles show up shortly after. When a union organizer gets kidnapped Vince gets suspicious. Does the arrival of his relatives have anything to do with the union worker's disappearance? How can Vince stay loyal to his family and maintain his stance against crime?

Critical evaluation
This story is ridiculously improbable but wonderfully entertaining. Korman's portrayal of the mob is completely based on the movies, to which the characters freely allude. This book is mostly about eating pasta, making calls on pay phones, and the usual college stuff like frat parties, roommates and intimidating professors. But it also examines the relationship between Vince and his family. Interestingly, Vince's relationship with his father is contrasted with his roommate's relationship with his own father. While one man is a wanted criminal who is devoted to his friends and family, the other is an upstanding citizen who neglects his family. When taken together with the antics of Vince's "uncles" and his brother Tommy, this story moves along with plenty of laughs.

Recommended

Readers Annotations
Vince hopes to leave the mob behind when he leaves for college but when his family shows up for an unexpected visit is seems the mob is in California too.

Information About the Author
Gordon Korman wrote his first book when he was 12 and he has written over 50 books. He now lives in Long Island with his wife and three children.

Genre
Humor

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Mobsters

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Gordon Korman appears on several favorite tween author lists

East

2009-09-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

Pattou, Edith. East. Harcourt, 2003. ISBN-10:015204563

Plot Summary
Unlike her siblings, Rose is a wanderer at heart. So when a white bear promises to cure her sister in exchange for Rose, Rose goes with the bear. Far away from her home in Norway, Rose and the bear live in an enchanted castle. But instead of breaking the spell, Rose endangers the white bear further. Rose sets out to make things right, trying to unravel the mystery of the troll queen and the white bear who is neither man nor bear. Her journey takes her across land, sea and ice meeting foreign people and strange creatures.

Critical evaluation
This story is slow to start and follows the story of Beauty and the Beast too closely. But I'm glad I persevered because I was delighted with the new twists. In fact, the Beauty and the Beast story is only the half of it, the rest is a heroic journey that weaves elements of fairy tale with pure adventure.

Readers Annotations
Here, Redwall Abbey meets Jane Yolen with a bit of old norse mythology thrown in.

Information About the Author
Edith Pattou is the author of the YA series Songs of Eirren. She lives in Columbus Ohio.

Genre
Fantasy; adventure

Curriculum Ties

Booktalking Ideas
Heroines

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 7+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended books published by Sacramento Public Library

Hush

2009-09-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

Woodson, Jacqueline. Hush. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2002. ISBN-10:0399231145

Plot Summary
Toswiah's father is a cop. He's also black, but that doesn't matter because he's a cop first. But when he witnesses two cops shoot a black teen because he looked suspicious he makes a decision that drives the family into hiding. Toswiah's father testifies and the family enters the witness protection program. So Toswiah and her sister have to start over. New names, new schools, new everything. Their parents also struggle- their mother finds religion and their father falls into depression. Nonetheless, this is a coming of age story. But how do you find yourself when you are suddenly someone else?

Critical evaluation
At first, Hush reads like any other adolescent angst story, but this book is so much more. Toswiah struggles with a new school, fighting with her older sister, making friends, leaving her old friends. She also struggles with racism, justice, and parents who are fighting their own struggles. This book puts the anguish of middle school years in larger perspective and suggests that it's worth examining who you are.

It's a short read great for middle school students. It introduces the topics of racial violence and depression without being too graphic.

Readers Annotations
Toswiah is not from Denver. Her father did not testify against cops. Her name is not Toswiah. Her name is Evie.

Information About the Author
Jacqueline Woodson is the winner of a Coretta Scott King Author award and many of her books have been ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She lives in Brooklyn.

Genre
Bildungsroman

Curriculum Ties
Racism, the justice system

Booktalking Ideas
The power of names
Religion

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 6+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
This book deals with institutionalized racism. The cops believe that they have a right to defend themselves, but how well do cops judge real threats? In this story, some cops shoot a black teen, believing that he had a gun; however, their worries that he had a gun turn out to be based more on prejudice that visual evidence.

The discomfort that some readers may have with this subject matter only speaks to the timeliness of the story.

Defense
National Book Award Nominee, 2002
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2003
Booklist Book Review Stars, 2002
School Library Journal, Best Books 2002

Why Book Included
Appeared on a recommended reading list published by Sacramento Public Library

The Amulet of Samarkand

2009-09-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Stroud, Jonathan. The Amulet of Samarkand. Hyperion, 2004. ISBN-10: 0786852550

Plot Summary
Nathaniel is unfortunately apprenticed to a rather mediocre magician. So when Nathaniel decides to take revenge on a high ranking magician he finds the spells he needs in the library. Without the guidance of a more experienced magician he summons a djinn named Bartimaeus to steal the Amulet of Samarkand. As it turns out, the Amulet is more than an expensive trinket- some might argue it's worth murdering for. Despite Bartimaeus' disdain for lowly magicians he needs to keep Nathaniel alive and well in order for Nathaniel to undo the curse of entrapment before the month is up. Nathaniel's plan of revenge turns out to be more complicated than expected and he ends up a wanted fugitive trying to stop a violent government takeover.

This is book one in the Bartimaeus Trilogy.

Critical evaluation
Told alternately by Nathaniel and the djinn Bartimaeus the story is a mix of youthful idealism and the non-chalance that comes with millenia of experience. While Nathaniel is sometimes painfully headstrong and stubborn, Bartimaeus is sarcastic, self-aggrandizing and witty. The combination moves the story along easily. The footnotes take some getting used to, but in general I found the djinn's asides worth it.

Nathaniel's easy acceptance of the djinn's slavery was troubling, but I think that we may see the issue addressed in later books. Also, a conflict between commoners and magicians is introduced but not discussed. I'm eager to see where the series goes. Nonetheless, this book could be read independent of the series.

Recommended

Readers Annotations
When is revenge more complicated than it seems? Always. Especially when your revenge plot involves summoning and controlling a know-it-all djinn then stealing a precious artifact right from under the government's nose.

Information About the Author
Jonathan Stroud lives in England with his wife, son and daughter.

Genre
Fantasy; Magic

Curriculum Ties
Middle Eastern mythology (Alladin etc.)

Booktalking Ideas
Incompetent teachers

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 6+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended books for middle schoolers, published by the Sacramento Public Library