tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36154884458595954222024-02-18T20:34:16.214-05:00The (Mis)Adventures of Michele: Teachings, Readings, and WritingShelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08923981288689155642noreply@blogger.comBlogger924125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-92194562517382658942015-03-12T11:40:00.001-04:002015-03-12T11:40:32.204-04:00I Wade In--Gender and Literature: Contemplating Issues Raised by Shannon Hale and Andrew Smith<div class="tr_bq">
So, within the last few weeks, for those of us who are passionate about YA and children's literature, the internet exploded. A few times.</div>
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First, Shannon Hale <a href="http://shannonhale.tumblr.com/post/112152808785/no-boys-allowed-school-visits-as-a-woman-writer" target="_blank">started a conversation</a> on Twitter and Tumblr about by discussing some of her school visits and how some schools only dismissed the female students to see her speak. As though only girls could benefit from hearing from her. A summary of that discussion by <i>School Library Journal </i>can be found <a href="http://www.slj.com/2015/03/authors-illustrators/when-boys-cant-like-girl-books/#_" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Although I have read some of Shannon Hale's <a href="http://thehungryreaders.blogspot.com/2010/01/blog-tour-calamity-jack-review.html" target="_blank">other books</a> in the past, in light of all the discussion, I did use this as an excuse to finally pick up <i>The Princess in Black.</i> I enjoyed this early chapter book. It's the story of Princess Magnolia, who despite her initial appearance of being the stereotypical princess in pink, must guard a secret from the Duchess Wigtower who has a taste for secrets. Magnolia is also the Princess in Black, a hero who protects the realm from monsters. While having tea with the Duchess, the princess is called away on one such mission to defeat a big blue monster.<br />
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I enjoyed <i>The Princess in Black</i>. I think it does a marvelous job of challenging stereotypes within princess cultures. I did, however, feel like the writing was weak. It could have used some refining.<br />
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So, that was my initial plan for this blog post. A simple book review.<br />
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Then, last night, Twitter started to respond to an <a href="http://www.vice.com/read/failure-of-male-societies-869" target="_blank">interview on male societies</a> that YA author Andrew Smith did. Particularly, some people took issue with his reply to the question below:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">"<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;">On the flip side, it sometimes seems like there isn't much of a way into your books for female readers. Where are all the women in your work?</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">I was raised in a family with four boys, and I absolutely did not know anything about girls at all. I have a daughter now; she's 17. When she was born, that was the first girl I ever had in my life. I consider myself completely ignorant to all things woman and female. I'm trying to be better though.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;">A lot of</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;">The Alex Crow </em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 27.2000007629395px;">is really about the failure of male societies. In all of the story threads, there are examples of male-dominated societies that make critical errors, whether it's the army that Ariel falls in with at the beginning, or the refugee camp, or Camp Merrie-Seymour for boys, or the doomed arctic expedition, they're all examples of male societies that think that they're doing some kind of noble mission, and they're failing miserably.</span>"</span></span></blockquote>
I highlighted the part that everyone is freaking out about. The essence of the criticism that Smith had received is summed up well by <a href="http://tessagratton.tumblr.com/post/113355208098/andrew-smith-and-sexism" target="_blank">Tessa Gratton on her tumblr.</a> She notes that despite Smith's impressive imagination, his comment implies that female experience is more foreign to him than the fantastic things he explores in his fiction.<br />
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What was I doing while all of this was going on? Posting pictures of my cat, of course:<br />
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So, I plan to share about both of these issues with my multicultural literature class. Instead of wading into the debate though, my hope is to focus on the following:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Gender is a socially constructed concept. We make it what it is. What it means to be male and female varies by time and culture. In contrast, sex is a biological fact. But even that is more complicated than just "man" and "woman." *Glances at the definition of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersex" target="_blank">intersex</a>.* (yes, that's right...I actually *did* just cite Wikipedia. Don't tell my students.)</li>
<li>When we think of gender as a dichotomy (or in terms of extremes of what it is to "traditionally" or stereotypically be male or female) we ignore a wealth of experience and we tend to get this sense of alien-ness that Smith was probably hinting at.</li>
<li>It can be more beneficial for everyone to think of gender more fluidly. To help demonstrate this, I show one of my favorite videos by John Green:</li>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/YTj8JwG2kKo/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YTj8JwG2kKo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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I show enough videos of John Green that a few of my students have accused me of being in love with him. I must then remind those students that it is actually Markus Zusak who will always have my heart.</div>
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After showing this particular video, the conversation will most likely deteriorate into "in your pants" jokes. But, I know my students will start to pay more attention to how gender is presented.</div>
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So, I'd like to leave you with one last quotation. It was a bit of perfect timing that Andrew Solomon just happened to say what I think is the perfect comment for this situation in his <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-middle-of-things-advice-for-young-writers?mbid=social_facebook" target="_blank"><i>New Yorker </i>article, "The Middle of Things: Advice for young writers": </a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: adobe-caslon-pro, Times, Georgia, serif; line-height: 28px;">We have equal things to teach each other. Life is most transfixing when you are awake to diversity, not only of ethnicity, ability, gender, belief, and sexuality but also of age and experience. The worst mistake anyone can make is to perceive anyone else as lesser. The deeper you look into other souls—and writing is primarily an exercise in doing just that—the clearer people’s inherent dignity becomes. So I would like to be young again—for the obvious dermatological advantages, and because I would like to recapture who I was before the clutter of experience made me a bit more sagacious and exhausted. What I’d really like, in fact, is to be young and middle-aged, and perhaps even very old, all at the same time—and to be dark- and fair-skinned, deaf and hearing, gay and straight, male and female. I can’t do that in life, but I can do it in writing, and so can you. Never forget that the truest luxury is imagination, and that being a writer gives you the leeway to exploit all of the imagination’s curious intricacies, to be what you were, what you are, what you will be, and what everyone else is or was or will be, too.</span>"</span></blockquote>
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Well, I'm off to try to live in someone else's perspective for a while.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-47711370892431027492015-02-17T19:15:00.003-05:002015-02-17T19:15:59.099-05:00Revisiting Wonder by Reading The Julian Chapter and Looking Over 365 Days of Wonder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkvsFE8LUzXNInZRo29A97xh9PMhx7eJyCaQoq4_B8EY_aGEGYzJBGssIyXfuJp0tYMm_ecNqlQfMhL-zg0zBhcN5X_fX7q3jhEAH7560WaIFyr8pQ69y4KETHrNUkIiwlXVeW6euTRs/s1600/imgres-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkvsFE8LUzXNInZRo29A97xh9PMhx7eJyCaQoq4_B8EY_aGEGYzJBGssIyXfuJp0tYMm_ecNqlQfMhL-zg0zBhcN5X_fX7q3jhEAH7560WaIFyr8pQ69y4KETHrNUkIiwlXVeW6euTRs/s1600/imgres-1.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMd1ppfSZzj_7SYpTf755Zp-gV1XB5VdYIFURyBStC-bXhfsfpaavn5UlGOrkZjBUgzZ_k0ffXvBlUuIUA8_vhp6_lWOLamaQXT7aE0IEt1mnGu0-nuCpJyX-VE-Ohpg7szMiUfrxittA/s1600/imgres-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMd1ppfSZzj_7SYpTf755Zp-gV1XB5VdYIFURyBStC-bXhfsfpaavn5UlGOrkZjBUgzZ_k0ffXvBlUuIUA8_vhp6_lWOLamaQXT7aE0IEt1mnGu0-nuCpJyX-VE-Ohpg7szMiUfrxittA/s1600/imgres-2.jpg" /></a></div>
I regularly teach <i>Wonder</i>. As I was preparing to teach it this semester, I decided I'd finally buy <i>365 Days of Wonder</i>--which includes a quotation or precept for each day of the year along with some observations from Mr. Brown. On Amazon, I noticed that I could buy an additional chapter--one for Julian, who is the most antagonistic character in Wonder and whose perspective was never included. <br />
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I was so excited for this addition. This excitement was lessened a little when I later learned this chapter is included in the latest edition of the paperback--there I was at the front of the class, exclaiming that there was a new short story with all of my students staring at me, thinking, "Crazy woman, we already read those sections...." Sigh. I'll seem way cooler when I teach it again in the fall.<br />
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In terms of the actual story, the first half of Julian's story is his perspective for the events in <i>Wonder</i>. I found this half to be "blah." It didn't really help me to empathize or sympathize with Julian. The second half, however, was far more engaging. Julian travels to France and learns some things about his grandmother's childhood that provides him with a new perspective. This made The Julian Chapter worth reading.<br />
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So, it's nice having this expansion to <i>Wonder. </i>It really is one of my favorite books to share with future teachers. I assign it to every single one of the students in my department when they take my class on diversity in schools. It's the very first work of fiction I assign to them. It demonstrates the value of empathy. I also show them this video, which distinguishes empathy from sympathy.<br />
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Recently, our department added murals throughout our building. I was excited, because I got to share my ideas with the artist and a lot of the books I teach were included. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCzz54_SV8tZwwtYpVLMrPN_IrZ2iOugIuO2jzeySz3RzxJT27hD9SIm44UUvwz4NbJEDU5sPwhyAu-d5PvkZt1bm1GAolUrq08OF2uErDhjlVblx_z6YmBt17DbxhqJap1qWwdLXibU/s1600/IMG_8150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCzz54_SV8tZwwtYpVLMrPN_IrZ2iOugIuO2jzeySz3RzxJT27hD9SIm44UUvwz4NbJEDU5sPwhyAu-d5PvkZt1bm1GAolUrq08OF2uErDhjlVblx_z6YmBt17DbxhqJap1qWwdLXibU/s1600/IMG_8150.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonder is included in the mural of giant books <br />near the entrance to my department.</td></tr>
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Now I'll have to teach <i>Wonder</i> for as long as our department is in this building.<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-57282762835906324362015-02-03T10:06:00.002-05:002015-02-03T10:06:26.706-05:00Rob Thomas (not the musician) Owns My Heart Forever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wDWar6NqiX32jO-8W-DfE3QIGwAel31c9e_zfXf-87Ir91L059gkRo2qUC7cxGfgLpOCapN4dd1_jNfOeLZW6iOg2FE66GFSvCFHDQjPonnDvFEy4_AFtFF3HRWkhbz4REdQEMkrkQw/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wDWar6NqiX32jO-8W-DfE3QIGwAel31c9e_zfXf-87Ir91L059gkRo2qUC7cxGfgLpOCapN4dd1_jNfOeLZW6iOg2FE66GFSvCFHDQjPonnDvFEy4_AFtFF3HRWkhbz4REdQEMkrkQw/s1600/imgres.jpg" /></a></div>
<i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080417072X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=080417072X&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20&linkId=LLGMPJBVUANWJGL2%22%3EVeronica%20Mars%20(2):%20An%20Original%20Mystery%20by%20Rob%20Thomas:%20Mr.%20Kiss%20and%20Tell%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=080417072X%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Mr. Kiss and Tell</a>. </i>Someone whom Veronica hadn't been able to save during high school is brutally sexually assaulted. Even though the survivor doesn't want Veronica on the case, she finds herself drawn in, pushing Veronica to the point in which she may have to break some of her own rules.<br />
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Unlike the first book, <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0804170703/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0804170703&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20&linkId=7Q36LGGJLF2SMBHF%22%3EVeronica%20Mars:%20An%20Original%20Mystery%20by%20Rob%20Thomas:%20The%20Thousand-Dollar%20Tan%20Line%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0804170703%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">The Thousand Dollar Tan Line</a></i>, that continues Veronica Mars's story post-movie, <i>Mr. Kiss and Tell</i> is <u>not</u> narrated by Kristen Bell. This automatically made the audiobook a disappointment.<br />
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<i>Mr. Kiss and Tell</i> is narrated by Rebecca Lowman, who I know best for narrating several of the books by Rainbow Rowell, including <i>Fangirl</i> and <i>Eleanor & Park</i>. She's a great reader. She has a wonderful way of drawing out the emotional resonance of a story (which is why she's a great match for Rowell's audiobooks). But, she couldn't really capture any of Veronica's toughness or sass. <br />
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<span style="color: red;">*Vague spoiler* </span> It is also worth noting that the title of the book does come from a plot point in the story. I like the title, but when the name was introduced into the story, I felt like a part of the mystery was lost...because it was obvious who the primary suspect would be. <span style="color: red;">*End vague spoiler*</span><br />
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Now begins the wait for the next book....<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-72319694661367684132015-01-19T21:14:00.000-05:002015-01-19T21:14:53.292-05:00Audiobook Review: Lockwood and Co. (The Screaming Staircase AND The Whispering Skull)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IdQuqUEELAEayE4SBninaj0-74noT9eGMZezCoLL62Id-7Qv93oTFFMCIDUtLuGxgYaioK5xdzKfgVuRqWQcH6OOoQ9UC3QrH9aKiAReBrSreYc5GRKrLW3VkkrOJbCBDtBpPBh2irQ/s1600/imgres-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IdQuqUEELAEayE4SBninaj0-74noT9eGMZezCoLL62Id-7Qv93oTFFMCIDUtLuGxgYaioK5xdzKfgVuRqWQcH6OOoQ9UC3QrH9aKiAReBrSreYc5GRKrLW3VkkrOJbCBDtBpPBh2irQ/s1600/imgres-1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8d0oSQ1dj8saYPSfe0_4a3S0yvbIVSsToeKmLJGTAparghUWHbyjTTPxpZv2onV52N-O-bLXaw9XiajcSEBZQODohMn-bZeMB8VNVZhevFqGfWGLqUZIO2IFSF_oH6VEFOzzqJlBg4A/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8d0oSQ1dj8saYPSfe0_4a3S0yvbIVSsToeKmLJGTAparghUWHbyjTTPxpZv2onV52N-O-bLXaw9XiajcSEBZQODohMn-bZeMB8VNVZhevFqGfWGLqUZIO2IFSF_oH6VEFOzzqJlBg4A/s1600/imgres.jpg" /></a></div>
After her career ends tragically, Lucy moves to London looking for a new beginning and a new job as a ghost hunter. She manages to find a home at the small agency Lockwood and Co. Her only co-workers are Lockwood himself and a boy named George. Together they seek jobs to seek out and put to rest ghosts.<br />
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Set in a world where iron is sold for its ability to fend off ghosts and where only children and teens can detect ghosts, it's up to those with special senses to seek them out while most of the adults remain safely inside. Ghost hunters' services are desperately needed, because the world has been faced with "The Problem" of ghosts emerging everywhere for several decades now.<br />
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Jonathan Stroud's Lockwood and Co. series is action packed and fun to read. I stayed up late to finish reading <i>The Screaming Staircase</i>. Though my excitement dwindled a little with <i>The Whispering Skull</i>, I will be on the lookout for the third book in the series (<i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1484709683/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1484709683&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20&linkId=QW3UBOGYXYEMYSXE%22%3ELockwood%20&%20Co.%20Book%20Three:%20The%20Hollow%20Boy%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1484709683%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">The Hollow Boy</a></i>--due out in September of 2015!). <br />
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A new friend had recommended this series to me. She's a children's librarian at at a local school. I'll admit, part of my goal was to assess her judgement. I downloaded <i>The Screaming Staircase </i> on Audible. At first, I struggled to get into it. This can probably be blamed on my tendency to multitask more than the story itself. I actually stopped listening for several days. But, eventually, I decided it was worth a second chance and restarted the story from the beginning. This time, the exchanges between Lockwood and Lucy as they battled a ghost caught my interest and I became more hooked as the story continued. Suffice to say, my friend passed with flying colors and I'll be talking about more middle grade children's books with her.<br />
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My biggest issue with this series is the setting. Not the location--London is perfect for some ghostly adventures. The timing though. Every time a television was mention I was taken out of the reading. It felt like this book should have been set in the early 1900s, or at least before 1940.<br />
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As I was reading, I was vaguely reminded of Maureen Johnson's <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142422053/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0142422053&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20&linkId=PAYSZISWGFMFAFSF%22%3EThe%20Name%20of%20the%20Star%20(The%20Shades%20of%20London)%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0142422053%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Shades of London</a> series. (Admittedly, the similarities pretty much end at <i>ghosts + London</i>. But still, while waiting for the next book in one series, you can get hooked to another. Story of my life. Truth.)<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!. (3.5--four explanation points for <i>The Screaming Staircase</i> and three explanation points for <i>The Whispering Skull)</i></b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-67831882803964149152015-01-11T13:49:00.002-05:002015-01-11T13:49:29.307-05:00Quick Review: Skip Girl Online and Stay Offline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpE4LcEFyzDJ6U5q0hs9G3hC4fy-La4X0UHMMUdX92mb_wpsXdsXUnp3_2SsNf8qdjUkuDNhIlJl5oL7YPXeH60zO8oZyr3WohcfzntN34nsFC_mVxfczDQ6p4yONJ6KtInGTelsZ73rI/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpE4LcEFyzDJ6U5q0hs9G3hC4fy-La4X0UHMMUdX92mb_wpsXdsXUnp3_2SsNf8qdjUkuDNhIlJl5oL7YPXeH60zO8oZyr3WohcfzntN34nsFC_mVxfczDQ6p4yONJ6KtInGTelsZ73rI/s1600/imgres.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a></div>
I finished listening to the audiobook of <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476797455/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1476797455&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20&linkId=V3TPVIXWHAO3ITIC%22%3EGirl%20Online:%20The%20First%20Novel%20by%20Zoella%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1476797455%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Girl Online </a></i>a couple of days ago and wanted to share some thoughts on the story.<br />
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First for those of you who haven't heard of <i>Girl Online</i>, the story is narrated by Penny who lives in Brighton, England and loves taking photos and anonymously posting to her blog, which eventually goes viral. When her parents have the opportunity to go to New York City over Christmas, Penny leaves behind frienemies, a crush, and many recent embarrassments and stumbles into a potential new romance.<br />
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<i>Girl Online</i> first blipped on my radar when the book sold so many copies. I hadn't previously seen any of the videos by the author who is a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/zoella280390" target="_blank">Youtube celebrity in England, Zoella</a>. The fact that there was then drama about the fact that Zoe had the help of a ghostwriter moved the book up to the top of my to-be-read mountain of books. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.<br />
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I was not impressed with the story. It was wish fulfillment fluff. Having said that though, even fluff has its time and place. It's a good recommendation for a young reader looking to escape reality. It kind of brings <b>Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging</b> into the present day...but with fewer laughs and even more awkwardly embarrassing moments for the protagonist.<br />
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Here's the book trailer for Girl Online. Hope you like Taylor Swift.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Us2BTyx0wjo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I feel bad that both the author and ghostwriter have found themselves at the center of a hurricane of craziness. I can't help but find it ironic though, given that both Zoe and her character Penny find themselves hiding from their online communities due to drama. Best wishes to everyone involved!<br />
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I did enjoy the audio book interpretation though. It did a good job of adding cell phone sound effects. I felt that the reader, <a href="http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_1_srNarr?searchNarrator=Hannah+Tointon&qid=1421002094&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Hannah Tointon</a>, did a good job of bringing Penny to life.<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!</b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-27996703339170742302015-01-05T07:00:00.000-05:002015-01-05T07:00:05.860-05:00Quick Review: In Real Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSkA1_WES4yTr-5hr7DOdhyKb6-SoWmd8BstM22Lycp0PowPmEnvmp_zyJ-wH1C0DLek1wTrMDFYehfZA73HDHOCakcSW6o5T3XkRJ4x58JC2VmCHe4mxFi_BOvBWb8Or2I6pmY-ilsI/s1600/20575446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSkA1_WES4yTr-5hr7DOdhyKb6-SoWmd8BstM22Lycp0PowPmEnvmp_zyJ-wH1C0DLek1wTrMDFYehfZA73HDHOCakcSW6o5T3XkRJ4x58JC2VmCHe4mxFi_BOvBWb8Or2I6pmY-ilsI/s1600/20575446.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a><b>Doctorow, C., & Wang, J. (2014). <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596436581/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1596436581&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20&linkId=V2HN4PCKMH5IZIBI%22%3EIn%20Real%20Life%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1596436581%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">In Real Life</a>. </i>New York: First Second.</b><br />
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175 pages.<br />
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<b>Appetizer:</b> After a guest speaker visits her school and after her mom establishes some rules for her online life, Anda joins Coarsegold, a multiplayer online fantasy game in which participants go on quests, and begins to make money by going on missions for other players. As she meets people through Coarsegold, she learns that not everyone has the advantages she does and that she may be in a unique position to help a teenager who goes by the name Raymond who is struggling to survive in his job in China.<br />
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Although a quick read, I struggled to get into <i>In Real Life</i>. I think I wanted more elaboration into how Anda originally became a gamer (as opposed to how she specifically began playing Coarsegold). I was a little confused about Anda's beginning situation at the start of the graphic novel. She'd just moved and didn't seemed particularly happy about it, yet she already also seemed to have a group of friends (and maybe was in a club for gamers?). This also left me confused as to why Liza McCombs, the guest speaker who originally encourages Anda and other female gamers to join her guild, was speaking to her class. What class is this?! (Eventually, these confusions were cleared up: Anda is in the sci-fi club and her class seemed to be a computer programing one with the assignment that students had to create their own games. This would have been nice exposition to have before pages 42 and 161 though.)<br />
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So, based upon the cover and title, my expectations were a little skewed going into <i>In Real Life</i>. Instead of the girl making friends online and in real life at a new school narrative that I had been expecting, I got insights into the economics of gaming and insights about those who farm or cheat the system by buying the things that most gamers earn through a lot of work. Which is also a good takeaway--one that has some uses for in the classroom. Along with the exploration of economics--which is fleshed out more fully in Doctorow's introduction to the book--I also like the secondary issue of addressing gender in gaming and the encouragement for more empowerment among female gamers.<br />
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<i>In Real Life</i> did end up addressing the issues I'd assumed it would (noting that online life <i>is </i>real and economically relevant and showing that Anda can make friends both online and at school). But, those themes took backseat to examining the economic realities of games and to showing the treatment of a teenaged employee in China.<br />
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I would definitely consider using <i>In Real Life</i> in a classroom. It addresses important issues of economics and social justice in a unique way. I do, however, think some concepts will need extra support if students are not already familiar with multiplayer online games.<br />
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For those interested, here's a link to Doctorow's <a href="http://www.salon.com/2004/11/15/andas_game/" target="_blank">original story</a> that inspired <i>In Real Life</i> from Salon.com.<br />
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Also, for a lighter take on online gamer culture, I recommend watching Felicia Day's series <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSC2TMwyqzg" target="_blank">The Guild</a></i>. It is fun. (The series is also on Netflix.)<br />
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<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!. (3.5 explanation points)</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-17327187310132946062015-01-01T17:08:00.004-05:002015-01-02T14:39:05.520-05:00Tis the Season: A Quick Review of My True Love Gave to Me<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6G3hwP-W6auxtDDJo2Qjg9J4lQqf7ZHfWsRLWuFo5uI7C5N_EybfnRCuxjETgoX-pbiq9IkKp6Yng1VTXKniQqGCDqXNGIiI48oCENYWLWrYfNYiV_QVARfXJQz2FIwWAV4bx8y5ARU/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6G3hwP-W6auxtDDJo2Qjg9J4lQqf7ZHfWsRLWuFo5uI7C5N_EybfnRCuxjETgoX-pbiq9IkKp6Yng1VTXKniQqGCDqXNGIiI48oCENYWLWrYfNYiV_QVARfXJQz2FIwWAV4bx8y5ARU/s1600/imgres.jpg" /></a><br />
It's snowing outside and I'm about to make myself some hot chocolate. So, it seemed like the perfect time to post this review.<br />
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<b>Perkins, S. (2014). </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">My True Love Gave to Me. </i><b> New York: St. Martin's Griffin</b><br />
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<b>Appetizer: </b>This anthology features twelve festive short stories by some of the most popular authors in YA literature. The vast majority of the stories are realistic, but there is a touch or two of the fantastic (most notably in Holly Black's "Krampuslauf" and in Laini Taylor's "The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer"). There is a lot of inclusion in terms of the holidays/festivities covered (and quite a bit of cultural and LGBTQ representation...though, most of the writers representing those groups seem to be from white and middle class backgrounds--NOT ALL, but some). A few of the experiences included are choosing a Christmas tree, celebrating Chanukah, welcoming the New Year, participating in a Nativity play (or trying to), dressing up as Santa, living in a place named Christmas, etc. There's pretty much something for everyone among the stories--but most notably, there's romance. <br />
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This has been a fun book to go through during the holiday season. I enjoyed reading each story and then trying to match it to the pairs of characters on the cover.<br />
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Although enjoyable, I found myself wishing there was less romance and focus on protagonists having revelations about their lives. Call me cold-hearted (or, perhaps more appropriately, call me Scrooge), but several of the stories felt forced when they tried to wrap-up the ending with a festive kiss just as the protagonist has had an epiphany I'm particularly thinking of "What the Hell Have You Done, Sophie Roth?" which features a big-city freshman stuck on her small-town campus for a few days after the semester has ended. Another example occurs in "It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown" in which a young animator seeks out the help of an attractive Christmas tree salesperson with an amazing voice to add to her latest project.). <br />
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The emotional climax in Kiersten White's "Welcome to Christmas, CA" also felt forced, although that one was less focused on romance and more on a revelation about her family as the protagonist, who has always hated living in a place called Christmas, realizes she does have a sense of home. Eh, bah humbug. Stop forcing the feels and let me giggle over a character slipping on some ice or something.<br />
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I'd have to say, overall, my favorite story was "Midnights" by Rainbow Rowell. It explored the friendship (and maybe more!) relationship between Mags and Noel over multiple New Year's parties. The story featured the strong character development that Rowell is so gifted at giving her readers as well as a strong conclusion (where generally she struggles more).<br />
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P.S. Be jealous--my copy of this book is autographed by both Rainbow Rowell and David Levithan. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeal. <br />
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<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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"It was cold out on the patio, under the deck. Frigid. Dark.<br />
Dark because Mags was outside at midnight, and dark because she was in the shadows.<br />
This was the last place anyone would look for her--anyone, and especially Noel. She'd miss all the excitement.<br />
Thank God. Mags should have thought of this years ago." (p. 1)<br />
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"Marigold loved this Christmas tree lot. It was brighter --and maybe even <i>warmer</i>--than her mother's apartment for one thing." (p. 99)<br />
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"It's hard not to feel just a little bit fat when your boyfriend asks you to be Santa Claus.<br />
But I'm Jewish," I protest. "It would be one thing if you were asking me to be Jesus--he, at least, was a member of my tribe, and looks good in a Speedo. Plus, Santa requires you to be jolly, whereas Jesus only requires you to be born.'" (p. 133)<br />
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"The whole mess started when I lit the church on fire." (p. 203)<br />
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'"Also terrible? 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.'"<br />
"Santa as Big Brother. Just imagine his posters, staring at you from every wall. SANTA IS WATCHING."<br />
"I love Christmas, but Santa is creepy."<br />
"Thank you, yes! No one understands. If someone is watching me sleep, it had better be a hot vampire, otherwise I'm calling the cops." (p. 242)<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><br />
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In tangential news, one of my own New Year's resolutions is to dust off this blog and write more regularly. So, hopefully you'll be seeing more of me in the future.<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-14377613312939031062014-12-30T13:09:00.000-05:002014-12-30T13:09:44.016-05:00Quick Review: El Deafo by Cece Bell.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP52peoZqGWDkx-AfbTUyq5Ij7UijYQm7fdJ2ZyMxGWvuGxTqTrtXRr2niOjhhxfF6tmuETllz-2wZoCvhaDsQroTuZ0VZidtk_LQH7VR4Y_w5qHCVWZE4UkXUte5HEYot0sYXRzL6RKw/s1600/jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP52peoZqGWDkx-AfbTUyq5Ij7UijYQm7fdJ2ZyMxGWvuGxTqTrtXRr2niOjhhxfF6tmuETllz-2wZoCvhaDsQroTuZ0VZidtk_LQH7VR4Y_w5qHCVWZE4UkXUte5HEYot0sYXRzL6RKw/s1600/jpeg.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<b>Bell, C. (2014). <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419712179/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1419712179&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20&linkId=XDQ3OE7PUQGOLEHV%22%3EEl%20Deafo%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1419712179%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">El Deafo</a>. New York: Amulet Books.</b><br />
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<b>Appetizer: </b>El Deafo is the memoir of Cece Bell, who after a bout of meningitis was left severely deaf. She shares about learning to read lips, going to school and wearing a Phonic Ear, and making (and sometimes losing) friends. <br />
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Over the years, I've taught a few students who have requested that I wear a microphone. I was always thankful that one such student warned me that if I wore the microphone to the restroom, she would still be able to hear everything I was doing. So, I've been able to avoid the embarrassing fate of some of Cece's teachers:<br />
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This dates both myself and Cece Bell, but I appreciated that the book went into her school attempting<br />
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to teach about emotional intelligence and the way individuals' words can impact others as "warm fuzzies" or "cold pricklies." I was actually talking to a few friends recently about how I was taught about giving warm fuzzies or cold pricklies to others, and they attempted to complicate it, noting that a lot of people can give one another warm pricklies or cold fuzzies. As a child, I don't remember a book ever being attached to learning about fuzzies and pricklies, but apparently (and according to Cece Bell) <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0915190087/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0915190087&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20&linkId=ISVDAQ34M5JYOAEP%22%3EThe%20Original%20Warm%20Fuzzy%20Tale%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0915190087%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">there is a book</a>. (Now I know what I want for my birthday....)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zxIS54GUFxH-X8rP_EmCZkhzvBE-pev4rFySdqfMtqM9P4PnK4tHGGaniiMoMhx7o602CBxl2qJdyGigZ8qbFnk79tPLG33P_ouEnaiGgssbUHH0dTKFhkV0TRgdDLlpxeUMcKv06FM/s1600/41EENMMB1WL._SS80_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zxIS54GUFxH-X8rP_EmCZkhzvBE-pev4rFySdqfMtqM9P4PnK4tHGGaniiMoMhx7o602CBxl2qJdyGigZ8qbFnk79tPLG33P_ouEnaiGgssbUHH0dTKFhkV0TRgdDLlpxeUMcKv06FM/s1600/41EENMMB1WL._SS80_.jpg" /></a><br />
I found <i>El Deafo</i> enjoyable, but it didn't blow my mind. It often felt a little unfocused (which often happens with memoirs), which makes it put-down-able. But having said that, it's still a very valuable book that I will recommend to my students. This is a great recommendation for readers who like the realistic graphic novel by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20target=%22_blank%22%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/Raina-Telgemeier/e/B001IODNTC/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&linkCode=ur2&qid=1419636650&sr=1-1&tag=sjke-20&linkId=63HTWDHFCHAGBSFS%22%3EName%20Your%20Link%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=ur2&o=1%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Raina Telgemeier</a>. <br />
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<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-12302941832046540762014-12-11T13:00:00.001-05:002014-12-11T13:00:23.845-05:00Quick Review: The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry (Drink tea as you read this book...make make sure nobody is trying to poison you first...)<br />
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I just finished listening to the audiobook version of <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596439564/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1596439564&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20&linkId=ROO6RSBFEASGOBCR%22%3EThe%20Scandalous%20Sisterhood%20of%20Prickwillow%20Place%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1596439564%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place</a> </i> by Julie Berry<i>.</i></div>
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Set in the Victorian era, after the seven girls at their finishing school realize that their headmistress and her brother have been murdered with poison, the girls decide to bury the bodies in the backyard. Fearing that they would all have to return to their families if they summoned the police, the young women scheme to try to run the school for themselves and to find the murderer that may live among them.</div>
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This book was an enjoyable listen. I was thankful that the girls were given epithets to help identify who they were. I struggle with names as it is.....</div>
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Although, some of the epithets were troubling: Pocked, Dour, Disgraceful. But, that was part of the point.</div>
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Here's the book trailer:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ysUUOtZxak?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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I thought the ending was a little predictable, but the story was still enjoyable enough that it was good to confirm my suspicions.</div>
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The author's note at the end left me wanting to research more about Victorian poisons. This is a good recommendation for students who love this era in history.</div>
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-61900053390227169602014-12-03T08:52:00.000-05:002014-12-03T08:52:00.055-05:00Quick Review: The School for Good and Evil (Deconstructing )<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just finished listening to the audiobook of <i style="font-weight: bold;">The School for Good and Evil </i>by Soman Chainani.<br />
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I really enjoyed it. The book gave me Harry Potter flashbacks. It felt like a commentary on how characters from certain houses almost always turned out to be "good" or "evil." <i style="font-weight: bold;">The School for Good and Evil </i>finds best friends, Sophie and Agatha, from a small town forced to attend a school in which the students are automatically sorted into the good side or evil side of the school. Sophie, who landed in Evil, feels certain that she belongs in Good and Agatha isn't exactly certain that she belongs in Good either. As the students are prepared to play roles in fairy tales, Agatha and Sophie are uncertain whether their friendship or they themselves can survive.<br />
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A former student recommended this book to me almost three years ago. I certainly took my sweet time in reading the book. I don't want to be *that* girl, but part of my delay was that the cover didn't impress me. I know, I know.<br />
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I am glad I read it though. I'll most likely continue with the series and will read <i style="font-weight: bold;">A World without Princes</i> at some point.<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-69401044793290144262014-11-30T11:33:00.000-05:002014-11-30T11:33:35.227-05:00REVIEW: Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Long Haul (AKA the worst road trip ever)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Kinney, J. (2014). <i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The long haul. </i>New York: Abrams.</b><br />
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217 pages.<br />
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<b>Appetizer: </b>Inspired by a <i>Family Frolic</i> magazine article, Greg's mom has required the entire family go on a road trip together. The adventure that ensues will prove harrowing for poor Greg and will feature a piglet, hungry seagulls, a trip to a vet, underpants bandits, lost keys, and a lack of space in the back of the van.<br />
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I laughed out loud a few times while reading <i>The Long Haul</i>, which is a step up from several of the previous Wimpy Kid books. I really liked the description of Choose Your Own Adventure books and Greg feeling like he was faced with a similar choice. (Although, this element did make me feel like the end of the book lacked a conclusion. I kept turning the last page back and forth to see what I was missing.)<br />
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I also liked the family trip to the vet's office (see the last two pictures below).<br />
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This book left me feeling pleased that I don't have any road trips scheduled for awhile....<br />
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<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-78096642988968579912014-05-14T15:19:00.000-04:002014-05-14T15:19:13.022-04:00Quick Post: Every day by David Levithan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG4gg-5Rs8Du8A_cmCTPPt2juinWUfK4gnikFe_mOWC65r0lEO_7SxiwKEQJkDewMESL9wYUMcJgBBw2NYa6KGszB-wxlsIHj2q5Grdr1NxZzwCWQ8qUisqnJdJy3aM4QtsJsZTXrmGU/s1600/url.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG4gg-5Rs8Du8A_cmCTPPt2juinWUfK4gnikFe_mOWC65r0lEO_7SxiwKEQJkDewMESL9wYUMcJgBBw2NYa6KGszB-wxlsIHj2q5Grdr1NxZzwCWQ8qUisqnJdJy3aM4QtsJsZTXrmGU/s1600/url.jpg" /></a><br />
<b>Levithan, D. (2012). <i>every day</i>. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.</b><br />
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<b>322 pages.</b><br />
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<b>Appetizer: </b>Each morning, A wakes up in the body of a new teenager, to live the life as him or <br />
her for a single day. One morning, he/she finds him/herself in the body of Jason and attracted to his girlfriend, Rhiannon, with strong feelings he's never really felt before. Now, each morning, A wakes trying to get as close to her as A can, hoping to have his/her first real relationship despite the fact that every physical aspect of A's existence changes daily. His/her persuit of getting to know Rhiannon will have unintended consequences.<br />
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I really love the concept of this novel: Of someone with no physical presence experiencing all of these different lives. It is a wonderful vehicle to explore some great issues. One of the most notable moments is when A wakes up in the body of a girl with depression and he/she disccuses the cycle of depression:<br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;">"The body is working against you. And because of this, you feel even more despair. Which only amplifies the imbalance. It takes uncommon strength to live with these things. But I have seen that strength over and over again. When I fall into the life of someone grappling, I have to mirror their strength, and sometimes surpass it...I have to keep reminding myself--<i>this is not me</i>. It is chemistroy. It is bilogy. It is not who I am. It is not who any of them are." (pp. 119-120.</span><br />
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Very powerful!<br />
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I found the ending to be a little disappointing. The plot had finally increased the tension in a way that could have opened the door to a suspense series, then dismissed the conflict. It was a little frustrating. I know Levithan wasn't interested in writing a suspense thriller so much as he was interested in exploring some philisophical questions regarding gender and love, but it felt like a dropped possibility.<br />
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<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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"I wake up.<br />
Immediately I have to fiture out who I am. It's not just the body--oeping my eyes and discovering whether the skin on my arm is light or dark, whether my hair is long or short, whether I'm fat or thin, boy or girl, scarred or smooth. The body is the easiest thing to adjust to, if you're used to waking up in a new one each morning. It's the life, the context of the body, that can be hard to grasp." (p. 1)<br />
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"As I take Justin's books out of his locker, I can feel someone hovering on the periphery. I turn, and the girl standing there is transparent in her emotions--tentative and expectant, nervous and adoring. I don't have to access Justin to know that this is his girlfriend. No one else would have this reaction to him, so unsteady in his presence. She's pretty, but she doesn't see it. She's hiding behind her hair, happy to see me and unhappy to see me at the same time.<br />
Her name is Rhiannon. And for a moment--just the slightest beat--I think that, yes, this is the right name for her. I don't know why. I don't know her. But it feels right." (p. 4)<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-36285081682157666162014-03-09T19:19:00.002-04:002014-03-09T19:20:28.594-04:00Audio Book Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgFV_c5Y9RgMbVraecHKlqMgoLo4fLPUWq0fJohw6Y03dDOUwrDa4jnVj15ibSfvVoRE-y_qPiO_RsljdrSRIugfXpK-KSKxxH34tuORnN5YnjnjbSp95Smgd4RlUk9JC0JJZSx9uvew/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgFV_c5Y9RgMbVraecHKlqMgoLo4fLPUWq0fJohw6Y03dDOUwrDa4jnVj15ibSfvVoRE-y_qPiO_RsljdrSRIugfXpK-KSKxxH34tuORnN5YnjnjbSp95Smgd4RlUk9JC0JJZSx9uvew/s1600/images.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></div>
The third book in the Lunar Chronicles, <i>Cress,</i> is a very enjoyable read. I enjoyed it more than <i>Scarlet,</i> the second book in the series.<br />
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Like the fairy tale of Repunzel, Cress has been trapped in a satellite orbiting Earth. Her path will soon collide with Cinder, Scarlet and the rest of their little band of rebels.<br />
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As a whole, this series has a bit of a Star Wars vibe: the team forced to separate to go on various misadventures only to come together at just the right moment to help each other.<br />
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Overall, I am enjoying this sci-fi interweaving of various fairy tales. I look forward to reading the next book. Hopefully I won't have to wait too long!<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-49783872148200291932014-01-03T12:19:00.000-05:002014-01-03T12:19:00.030-05:00Just One Year Audio Book --A quick and dirty review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-o_kQVfHld4ubglyECVicDLcD3vG0AMnjnsmXYqtJwWnW5zsPeCdGBd7Kwz1Pvmbs-N89El93APWtI3Ksgz7gdSSxwGC5xg-y152RI2-EgYaEfTuEHkwJs9IVCbDrq0E4kA0yn4MIXA/s1600/51wsjP2af8L._SL150_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-o_kQVfHld4ubglyECVicDLcD3vG0AMnjnsmXYqtJwWnW5zsPeCdGBd7Kwz1Pvmbs-N89El93APWtI3Ksgz7gdSSxwGC5xg-y152RI2-EgYaEfTuEHkwJs9IVCbDrq0E4kA0yn4MIXA/s1600/51wsjP2af8L._SL150_.jpg" /></a></div>
So, for those of you not in the know, <i>Just One Year</i> by Gayle Forman overlaps with the events of her previous title, <i>Just One Day</i> (which I always struggled with the name of, because while must of the focus is on one day, a lot of the story was about the following year as well). <br />
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So, this book was kind of a do-over, title-wise. And instead of following Lulu, this novel shows Willem's perspective on the events of <i>Just One Day</i>, beginning with the moment that he disappeared from Lulu's life after their momentous day together and then following his year-long search for Lulu and resolutions of his familial conflicts.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">*Vague Spoiler* </span>The plot lacked tension for much of the story because, if the reader had picked up the companion book, then he or she knew that most of Willem's initial search wouldn't turn up Lulu. The story did pick up speed, but I still found the ending to be dissatisfying because Lulu makes a choice to bring the story to a resolution. Willem's a bit passive in the final exchange. And since one of the main tensions of the book is whether or nor he will be more assertive over his choices, this ending left a lot to be desired. <span style="color: red;">*End vague spoiler*</span><br />
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Daniel May, the reader for the audio book, did an excellent job! The various accents he had to take on throughout the story were done very well!<br />
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So, pick it up if you feel like a light romance that will take you around the world. But be sure to have read <i>Just One Day </i>first!<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-69803899873563875472014-01-01T12:11:00.001-05:002014-01-01T12:11:35.846-05:00REVIEW: Bink & Gollie: Two for One (A light tale of friendship)Yay, first post of 2014! Happy new year, few but dear readers! May your year be filled with many enjoyable books, but no paper cuts!<br />
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One of my resolutions for the year is to try and focus more on my writing. I may try to post about my progress on my blog to help keep myself accountable. Another goal will be to post more about what I have been reading. And with that goal in mind, here's my first review of the year...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLNvOaBc0x8dFA6fdjDMMVf8AkpfN3s2TXfxzDAugoHX1oPMQUjNI5iGyMvKmYTfI7xtQbuMmzfRVqawj01KU-6hD74HZAseC2fOSvcsJAn8mI7_cIaZI2Ng2fF3Zf30Ttl910jSWdvE/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLNvOaBc0x8dFA6fdjDMMVf8AkpfN3s2TXfxzDAugoHX1oPMQUjNI5iGyMvKmYTfI7xtQbuMmzfRVqawj01KU-6hD74HZAseC2fOSvcsJAn8mI7_cIaZI2Ng2fF3Zf30Ttl910jSWdvE/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a><b>DiCamillo, K., & McGhee, A. (2012). <i>Bink & Gollie: Two for One. </i>Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.</b><br />
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80 pages.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Appetizer: </b>Bink and Gollie decide to tackle the state fair. But there's a chance the fair may not be ready for the two friends. In three short episodic chapters, Bink attempts to win the world's largest donut, Gollie appears in a talent show, and they both visit a fortune teller. At the heart of all three stories is a sense of friendship and love and support.<br />
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I loved the first Bink and Gollie book and I actually think I enjoyed <i>Two for One</i> even more. Set on an ordinary day and in relatable experiences, the illustrations and word choices and humor and delight to the story. I giggled in surprise when Bink's first ball toss didn't hit its intended mark:<br />
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The illustrations are in black and white with a accents of color. (I know that as a wee child, I would have wanted photocopied pages to color in the rest of the scenes.) They include a lot of signs and cues that an adult can point out to kids to help them read both the written text and the images. A teacher could emphasize some of the vocabulary and idioms (like fearing "this can only end in tragedy" or "in a manner of speaking."<br />
<br />
I also love the different characterizations of Bink and Gollie (and this would be a good book to start a discussion of characterization or foils with young kids). From their size differences, clothes and language choices, and attitudes they're easy to contrast.<br />
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<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpMcz-XJ2xL0pv_UPcSK8sSpr3Ws2g1_YT3AJx1TF7UBlj9inb8IdDlkLdgKxlw0Uyge9VS4sqsfWCJ38R6YFFbCuCDEqw9MuqBieqp6rv-3cO8-L4Z5Yrhzu1ECtDZDIv_FXoqxjYDM/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpMcz-XJ2xL0pv_UPcSK8sSpr3Ws2g1_YT3AJx1TF7UBlj9inb8IdDlkLdgKxlw0Uyge9VS4sqsfWCJ38R6YFFbCuCDEqw9MuqBieqp6rv-3cO8-L4Z5Yrhzu1ECtDZDIv_FXoqxjYDM/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-7119160466499024102013-12-31T10:28:00.000-05:002013-12-31T10:28:01.824-05:00REVIEW: The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett (might make you cheer for Jabba)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SnNDNOHXSi0xR56UlzknjHRBkU3Vc1i8AbwejTCzAGXTY0ciAWer9qL31-jZWikXqi1oZXUyV_uEAWRuQAjBjXY_vBlqBOLtVAIW0v7QHcp1pkVDVwcOYnhZ0hYzbPoxUgh7R86Q-h4/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SnNDNOHXSi0xR56UlzknjHRBkU3Vc1i8AbwejTCzAGXTY0ciAWer9qL31-jZWikXqi1oZXUyV_uEAWRuQAjBjXY_vBlqBOLtVAIW0v7QHcp1pkVDVwcOYnhZ0hYzbPoxUgh7R86Q-h4/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="240" /></a><b>Angleberger, T. (2013). <i>The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett.</i> New York: Abrams.</b><br />
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208 pages.<br />
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<b>Appetizer: *The author of this blog insists you hum or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG5OsfOuEy0" target="_blank">listen</a> to the opening credits of one of the Star Wars movies as you read the following*</b><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It's the start of the spring semester, and Dwight has returned to McQuarrie, but it is still a dark time for the middle school. The evil empire of school administrators have implemented a new program called "FunTime" to ensure students learn the <u>fun</u>damentals of the core subject areas for standardized tests that are months away. The actual video-based lessons prove to be anything but fun. All electives, like music and art, have been abolished. It falls to a rag-tag band of seventh graders to try to maintain the culture of creativity and Star Wars fandom that they have worked so hard to create. They must search for other brave students to start a rebellion.</blockquote>
I love this series so much! It's not just because of all of the Star Wars puppets. I love the way Angleberger addresses major issues in education (like the ridiculous over-emphasis on standardized testing!) in an accessible way. Such an important critique. <br />
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It does seem that addressing the issues of testing, overuse of worksheets, and test prep programs are taking over this series. My biggest critique of this particular book is that it seemed to struggle to find a balance between taking on the fight against standardized testing and dealing with the usual issues of the middle school social scene. A few "does she like me? Does she like him now?" scenes were forced in. There should have either been more attention to those concerns near the end (which is the route I would have preferred), or the initial scenes probably should have been cut.<br />
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While there is a small resolution at the end of the book in regards to the Origami rebels fight, the characters are left gearing up for a larger battle and I'm very curious to see how Angleberger will take it on in the next book: <i><b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419710524/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1419710524&linkCode=as2&tag=sjke-20%22%3EPrincess%20Labelmaker%20to%20the%20Rescue!:%20An%20Origami%20Yoda%20Book%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sjke-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1419710524%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue</a></b></i>.<br />
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One of the reasons I love showing this series to my education students is because all of the books are framed as being an inquiry. In <i>The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett</i>, one of the main characters, Harvey, who is often the nay-sayer of the group, attempts to do an experiment to track the learning of himself and his cousin. At one point, Harvey's dad pipes in with a critique of the experimental design. The plot also features several of the characters doing a variety of calculations to determine how many students have to get certain scores for their testing rebellion to have an impact. So many across-the-curriculum connections!<br />
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As always, the end of the book provides the how-to steps to create finger puppets. This time both an illustrated guide for Jabba AND an Ewok are included. Here's a picture of the Jabba I made from the cover page of a draft of my tenure-track portfolio for work. I'm thinking of handing it in with the final portfolio:<br />
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<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
<br />
<br />
"Me and Kellen knew we would be starting a new case file when Dwight got back.<br />
We just didn't know what it would be about.<br />
I mean, you never, never know what to expect from Dwight." (p. 2)<br />
<br />
"Today was January 6, the first day of the spring semester.<br />
We found out that there are going to be a lot of weird changes at school.<br />
Judging by how excited Principal Rabbski was about them, they could not possibly be good. And judging by the posters that were going up around school--"Get Ready for a Fun Time with FunTime!!!!"--they're probably really, really bad." (p. 3)<br />
<br />
"Instead of going to your elective classes each day, you'll be assigned to a new classroom, where you'll use the FunTime system to prepare for your upcoming state Standards of Learning tests." (p. 13)<br />
<br />
"The first thing on the worksheet was the exact same problem that the Professor had done on the video. Then there were nine more very similar problems. It took about twenty seconds to do the whole thing. Like I said, we all learned how to do these a long time ago.<br />
When we were all done, Mr. Howell hit the play button and Gizmo went over the answers....very, very slowly...and showed us how to do each one...very, very slowly. <br />
And then he sang!" (p. 20)<br />
<br />
"By the time we all met in the cafeteria for lunch, we were all thinking the same thing: How is Origami Yoda going to get us out of this?" (p. 22)<br />
<br />
"'It is time for faithfulness...solidarity...courage...all the qualities of a Jedi.'<br />
"But for what?" Kellen and I asked at the same time.<br />
Origami Yoda looked at each of us...even at Dwight. For a second I thought about how crazy it was, all of us sitting there staring at a finger puppet and then the finger puppet staring back at us watching while the finger looked at the guy who owns the finger.<br />
But something else told me it wasn't crazy. When Origami Yoda looked at me with his crinkly eyes, I knew what he was going to say. And I knew I was going to agree.<br />
"Come the time has...." Origami Yoda said slowly, "for rebellion."<br />
Snort," snorted Harvey." (pp. 25-26)<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-79536222957115683702013-12-26T17:24:00.003-05:002013-12-26T19:07:09.838-05:00I'm Alive I Swear! And REVIEW: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hard Luck*Brushes the dust off the blog.*<br />
<br />
Oh, hello there!<br />
<br />
Please excuse the lack of posting. It proved to be a crazy semester.<br />
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Whenever I wasn't reading for my classes, I was reading for the <a href="http://www.cybils.com/" target="_blank">Cybils YA fiction award</a>. I've been sharing all of my thoughts on the books with my fellow panelists. Let me tell you, we have some wonderful contenders for the book award this year!<br />
<br />
As the book judging winds down, I hope to focus in a little more on reading for the blog.<br />
<br />
On to my first review in the post-crazy-semester haze:<br />
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<b>Kinney, J. (2013). <i>Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard luck</i>. New York: Amulet Books.</b><br />
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<b>Appetizer: </b>In the eighth book of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Greg spends March and April dealing with the fact that his best friend, Rowley, is in a relationship (the boy-girl kind!), and no longer has a lot of time for Greg. Left alone, Greg struggles to shape another friend into the best friend that Rowley had been to him. <br />
<br />
He also must deal with an impending visit of relatives from his mom's side of the family (including one aunt who hates children, another whose children are monsters, and yet another who relies heavily on a psychic). During the Easter visit, most of the relatives engage in a desperate hunt for a missing heirloom that has pitted sister against sister. <br />
<br />
Frustrated with all of the difficulty little and big decisions he faces, Gregg turns to an old Magic Eight Ball for answers. What could possibly go wrong?<br />
<br />
As with other installments of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, I'm impressed by Kinney's ability to access issues that are currently huge in elementary and middle schools. (In this case the positive reinforcement movement in anti-bullying campaigns and the "Find a Friend" station on the school playground come to mind.)<br />
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At this point, you should know what you're getting if you pick up a Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. <i>Hard Luck</i> maintains the selfish protagonist, humor, fun perspectives, and amusing drawings that readers have come to expect for the series. <i>Hard Luck</i> isn't my favorite in the series, but it's still an enjoyable read. It definitely made me chuckle out loud a few times in the cafe where I was reading.<br />
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This page was the main chuckle culprit:<br />
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You'll have to read the book to find out how Greg's Dad got in this situation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-24962167273911721482013-10-05T21:19:00.001-04:002013-10-05T21:19:49.029-04:00REVIEW: Rules<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfembEHGq1v8pRdFBTYKdzU28L-l6O9UPshOa8M9_S5riM5gjRWDI5IOQsGgDfdZS-nO-okI_QxiI0Q_5xkbZAmj_HUzSwgExD_dd75rkpVmwiMj_QA2BS1y_qiwwm27PDofzuhVCkZE/s1600/url.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfembEHGq1v8pRdFBTYKdzU28L-l6O9UPshOa8M9_S5riM5gjRWDI5IOQsGgDfdZS-nO-okI_QxiI0Q_5xkbZAmj_HUzSwgExD_dd75rkpVmwiMj_QA2BS1y_qiwwm27PDofzuhVCkZE/s200/url.jpeg" width="136" /></a>Lord, C. (2006). <i>Rules</i>. New York: Scholastic.<br />
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200 pages.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Appetizer: </b>Catherine is looking forward to the summer, especially since she learned that another girl her age is moving-in next door. Catherine has her hopes set on making a new best friend. She's also worried that her 8-year-old brother, David, might get in the way of any friendships she hopes to form. David has autism and sometimes struggles to follow the rules his big sister has made for him. On top of that, Catherine starts to get to know another boy while waiting for David at his speech therapist's office. Jason cannot move most of his body and must rely on pointing to cards to speak. Catherine may be the perfect person to help him find his voice.<br />
<br />
I assigned <i>Rules </i>to my Diversity in Education course. After a few students declared Palacio's <i>Wonder</i> to be one of the best books ever, I wondered whether <i>Rules </i>would take the other book's place in their hearts--or best of all, would their hearts expand to equally love both?<br />
<br />
My students definitely enjoyed the book. Our discussion focused heavily on Jason. Since <i>Rules</i> contains hints that he has quite the crush on Catherine, their attention focused on the romantic future of a teen with Jason's condition.<br />
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A great read!<br />
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<br />
<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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<br />
"'Come on, David.' I let go of his sleeve, afraid I'll rip it. When he was little, I could pull my brother behind me if he didn't want to do something, but now David's eight and too strong to be pulled.<br />
Opening the front door, I sigh. My first day of summer vacation is nothing like I dreamed. I had imagined today warm, with seagulls winging across a blue sky, not overcast and damp." (p. 1)<br />
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"He might not understand some things, but David loves rules.<br />
I know I'm setting up a problem for later because Dad's always late, but I have rules, too, and one of mine is: <i>Sometimes you've gotta work with what you've got</i>." (p. 4)<br />
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"Sometimes I wish someone would invent a pill so David'd wake up one morning without autism, like someone waking fro a long coma, and he'd say, "Jeez, Catherine, where have I been?" And he'd be a regular brother like Melissa has--a brother who'd give back as much as he took, who I could joke with, even fight with. Someone I could yell at and he'd yell back, and we'd keep going and going until we'd both yelled ourselves out.<br />
But there's no pill, and our quarrels fray instead of knot, always ending in him crying and me sorry for hurting him over something he can't help." (p. 8)<br />
<br />
"And there are only two people I haven't already drawn: Jason and his mother.<br />
I worry that glancing will turn into staring too easy for Jason, and I hate when people stare at David." (p. 18)<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-69984269562141307232013-09-29T20:10:00.002-04:002013-09-29T20:10:23.133-04:00REVIEW: a + e 4EVER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mercy, I. (2011). <i>a + e 4 EVER</i>. Maple Shade, NJ: Lethe Press, Inc.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Appetizer: </b>Ash is the new kid at McMillan High. He's attracting a lot of attention due to the fact that he looks very effeminate. The only friend he manages to make initially is Eu, a fellow artist. Any potential romantic relationship between the two is complicated by the fact that Ash fears being touched (aphenphosmphobia!) and also has a slightly too touchy-feelie relationship with his sister, Lena. As Ash has his first sexual encounters, experiments with drugs, and starts acting in a play, it becomes uncertain whether his and Eu's friendship can survive. <br />
<br />
I was really excited to read <i>a + e 4EVER</i> because of the beautiful art work, but when I actually sat down and did it, I was a little overwhelmed. Generally, I consider myself to be very good at reading graphic novels, but some of the fonts were hard to decipher. At times, I couldn't tell who was talking or thinking. This was unfortunate, especially since <i>a + e 4EVER </i>is a little more text heavy than many other graphic novels.<br />
<br />
I personally also had some trouble relating to the content. The drug use and the fact that a character's first sexual encounter occurred while on drugs (and was essentially rape), were really hard for me to read. I completely understand that these are the realities of some readers and I'm so glad they're depicted here, but it made the book difficult for me to read. Even the consensual sex was more explicit than in most YA novels. (It really made me wonder if this was more of a crossover book, intended for adults but picked-up by teens.)<br />
<br />
So, my concerns with this book are kind of major, but I'm also passionate about some of <i>a + e 4EVER</i>'s strengths: It demonstrates the inadequacies of labeling people, it gives voice to many experiences that are ignored in most books, it's brutally honest and realistic, and as an extension of that, the graphic novel's ending is 100% believable.<br />
<br />
So, yeah, I left the book with mixed feelings. But it's a book that I'd love to hear others' thoughts about.<br />
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<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-78123844697693485822013-09-05T12:06:00.001-04:002013-09-05T12:06:41.039-04:00Review: The Catcher in the Rye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Salinger, J.D. (1945). <i>The Catcher in the Rye. </i>Boston: Little, Brown and Company.<br />
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<b>Appetizer: </b>16-year-old Holden Caulfield is about to be kicked out of his prep school. Rather than waiting for the letter to reach his parents' house in the dorm, he decides to take the train to New York City to spend several days in the city before arriving home to face his family's disappointment.<br />
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His trip is far from a lighthearted skip through town, rather he feels lonely and depressed as he contemplates his boardings school acquaintances, the girls he's almost slept with, and his siblings. He seeks out people from his past, has a run-in with a young prostitute and her pimp, and seeks out his little sister, Phoebe. His few days in New York won't quite be the vacation he'd been hoping to enjoy.<br />
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This is my third time reading <i>The Catcher in the Rye</i> (once as a high school sophomore or junior at my father's recommendation, once as required reading when I was in my MFA program, and now, for the first time, as a teacher. I have joined The Catcher Cult!) I absolutely hated this book both the first and second times that I read it. This time around...I can't believe I'm typing this, but I enjoyed it more. It's still a book that as I read, I quietly wonder when a plot will develop, and contemplate what exactly is Holden's damage. But this time, his voice did feel honest as I read it. So many contemporary YA novels try so hard to capture an angsty, quirky, YA voice. <i>The Catcher in the Rye</i> just *is* that voice, with Holden's unwillingness to shy away from the darker aspects of his character.<br />
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During this reading, I was struck by all of the subtle ways Holden desires to help others maintain their innocence. <br />
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I was still far from crazy about the way all of the female characters were depicted.<br />
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But now I'm left to ponder if it's my <strike>ever advancing</strike> age that has changed my mind about <i>The Catcher in the Rye</i>. All of my students, who range in age from about 19 to somewhere in their 40s, gave the book mixed reviews. There was one person each at the extremes of loving and hating the book and a scattering of everyone else along the spectrum. <br />
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Also, just this past weekend NPR's Weekend Edition just reported on a new biography of Salinger. Part of the <a href="http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=217786593&m=217843171" target="_blank">broadcast</a> focused on the creation of and the reception of <i>The Catcher in the Rye. </i>It's a good <a href="http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=217786593&m=217843171" target="_blank">listen</a>. I'd planned to show it to my students, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSR8J6LUaT8" target="_blank">along</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqfThmVIIAc" target="_blank">with</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUnQ-wOPGUE" target="_blank">John</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R66eQLLOins" target="_blank">Green's</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI1CusL7Ceo" target="_blank">comments </a>about the book, to get the conversation going. But, when it came time for my class to meet, it was the absolute *perfect* weather to have class outside. So, we went "old school" and technology free to have an intense discussion of the book in the shade of a tree that sits beside a pond on campus.<br />
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<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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"If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to now is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." (p 1)<br />
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"I forgot to tell you about that. They kicked me out. I wasn't supposed to come back after Christmas vacation, on account of I was flunking four subjects and not applying myself and all. They gave me frequent warning[s] to start applying myself--especially around midterms, when my parents came up for a conference with old Thurmer--but I didn't do it. So I got the ax. They gave guys the ax quite frequently at Pencey. It has a very good academic rating, Pencey. It really does." (p. 4)<br />
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"All of a sudden, I decided what I'd really do, I'd get the hell out of Pencey--right that same night and all. I mean not wait till Wednesday or anything. I just didn't want to hang around any more. It made me too sad and lonesome. So what I decided to do, I decided I'd take a room in a hotel in New York--some very inexpensive hotel and all--and just take it easy till Wednesday. Then, on Wednesday, I'd go home all rested up and feeling swell. I figured my parents probably wouldn't get old Thurmer's letter saying I'd been given the ax till maybe Tuesday or Wednesday. I didn't want to go home or anything till they got it and thoroughly digested it and all. I didn't want to be around when they <i>first</i> got it My mother gets very hysterical. She's not too bad after she gets something thoroughly digested, though. Besides, I sort of needed a a little vacation My nerves were shot. They really were." (p. 51)<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-43773888811835165852013-08-15T22:00:00.000-04:002013-08-17T00:14:13.356-04:00I'm Back! (And I'd like to share about what I did and read while I was in China) Hello!<br />
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I am back state-side and (slowly) recovering from my jet lag from the 12-hour time difference.<br />
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My adventure in China was awesome.<br />
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I had wonderful students:<br />
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I was teaching conversational English to English teachers. Some of the highlights of working with them included visiting one of their schools and speaking to a class of high school students, watching students barter with sales clerks to help us clueless Americans get decent prices, teaching them idioms and slangs (I have videos of some of the skits I made them do for practice!), discussing pedagogy and customs in our different cultures.<br />
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I also got to tour around and see some beautiful sights:<br />
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Although there wasn't much in the way of down time, I did manage to do some reading:<br />
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How dare Jo not personally tell me that she'd written another book! I totally would have kept her secret.<br />
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I enjoyed the quality of the writing in <i>The Cuckoo's Calling</i>, but I did feel as though the book was too dialogue-based and that it included a lot of mystery-genre cliches without really twisting them or challenging them. I wanted some more action!<br />
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I did think the characterizations were very well done. I really liked the evolution of the relationship between Strike and Robin. <br />
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After taking on <i>The Cuckoo's Calling</i>, I returned to YA literature and read <i>Prom and Prejudice </i>by Elizabeth Eulberg. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN81Il1em61LfcUHCjKy3E6hS5JEDMCXMvW63W3g_JuZ7ptZjldnSISiFFhmz8KCz3o4e-_Fa48_gLx_Vcz81OgL81X1Rc5Q5zy6EEkCjlR6HcoO5DQVBP2ougfzOUimxBZRhBAPU5VjQ/s1600/imgres-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN81Il1em61LfcUHCjKy3E6hS5JEDMCXMvW63W3g_JuZ7ptZjldnSISiFFhmz8KCz3o4e-_Fa48_gLx_Vcz81OgL81X1Rc5Q5zy6EEkCjlR6HcoO5DQVBP2ougfzOUimxBZRhBAPU5VjQ/s200/imgres-1.jpeg" width="130" /></a>I'd previously read <i>The Lonely Hearts Club</i> by Eulberg and had really enjoyed it, so I began <i>Prom and Prejudice</i> with some hope. Alas, my hopes were dashed and I found Eulberg's modernization of Jane Austin's <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> to be very disappointing.<br />
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There were a lot of class tensions that I think Eulberg handled well, but the mentions of how Lizzie Bennet (who is a scholarship kid bullied by all of her rich classmates) was constantly being pranked wasn't very effective. I also found the actual writing to be mediocre--like worse than the average work of fan fictions. Characters were under-developed and I didn't really believe Lizzie's voice.<br />
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For a beautiful adaptation, just want The Lizzie Bennet Diaries on Youtube:<br />
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I can't wait for the DVDs of this series to finally arrive! Love!<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-5633193174202673112013-06-24T15:04:00.003-04:002013-06-24T15:04:44.254-04:00REVIEW: In a Glass Grimmly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Gidwitz, A. (2012). <i>In a Glass Grimmly.</i> New York: Dutton Children's Books.</b><br />
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314 pages.<br />
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<b>Appetizer: </b>In the companion to <i>A Tale Dark & Grimm</i>, Gidwitz weaves more fairytales together as cousins Jack and Jill (and a talking frog!) weave their way through and among elements from classic folktales like the Emperor's (or in this case, the princess's--new clothes, Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack the Giant Killer, and other tales.<br />
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As I read, I found myself thinking back more fondly upon <i>A Tale Dark & Grimm</i>, which seemed a little more intricate with slightly higher quality writing. <br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, the writing quality of <i>In a glass Grimmly</i> is still very good...it just felt, I don't know, rushed or a little less revised. The voice of the narrator also felt as though it wasn't adding as much to the text as it did in <i>A Tale Dark & Grimm. </i>On the plus side, this novel included more references to familiar folktales and rhymes, making it easier for the reader to make connections to the classic tales. There was also a lot of humor and clever trickery.<br />
<br />
As the narrator threatens, there are some uncomfortable moments in the book. In the adaptation of the princess who wears such fine silk that it can't be seen (AKA she's naked!), I found the fact that the man designing her invisible dress, who looked at her with "heat and danger," to be more than a little unnerving.<br />
<br />
Overall, a fun and enjoyable read.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
<br />
<br />
"Once upon a time, there was a kingdom called Marchen, which sat just next to the modern countries of England, Denmark, and Germany." (p. 5)<br />
<br />
"At this point, I ought to make something clear. There are three versions of this story:<br />
There is the kiddie version, where they kiss. Obviously false.<br />
There is the Grimm version, where she throws him against the wall, and then they get married. Which is, if you ask me, even more ridiculous than the kiddie version.<br />
And then there is the true version. What actually happened." (p. 20)<br />
<br />
"But you're right. As far as fairy tales go, it wasn't very horrible.<br />
Don't worry.<br />
Things get worse." (p. 23<br />
<br />
"Once upon a time there was a little girl who had the most wonderful mother you could possibly imagine.<br />
Go ahead. Try to imagine the most wonderful mother you can.<br />
Have you?<br />
All right. Not good enough. Not even close." (p. 27)<br />
<br />
"Now, at this point, perhaps you think you know this story. And I'm sure you've heard some version of it, mangled and strangled and made almost sweet by years and years of telling it to little children.<br />
But the way you know it is not the way it happened.<br />
The real way is...different." (p. 37)<br />
<br />
"Yet another time, the boy invented a song. It went, "Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jump over the candlestick." Because the boy's name was Jack. Then he actually tried to jump over a candlestick. He knocked it over. The house burned down. Completely.<br />
As the years went by, Jack remained a dreamer. But he became something else, too. He became a follower." (p. 57)<br />
<br />
"Once upon a time, there was a beanstalk.<br />
It started as a tiny shoot, peering up from the black soil where the bean had been planted, tender and green in the bright moonlight. Next it was a plant, small but sturdy. Then it was the size of a young tree.<br />
All in a matter of seconds.<br />
Soon, the beanstalk was as thick and as tall as an oak. And still it grew and grew and grew. Thick branches began to shoot out from its trunk, over every few feet, twisting upward around the great green stalk.<br />
A little boy named Jack looked at a little girl named Jill.<br />
"Don't do it,: warned a three-legged from named Frog. 'Don't even think about it.'" (p. 79)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
On a personal note, I'll be leaving the country for several weeks. I don't know to what extent I'll be able to read for fun or update. So, chances are good, if I'm in a position to update, it'll be a personal post.<br />
<br />
Have a wonderful summer!<div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-69509835428730233512013-06-06T07:00:00.000-04:002013-06-06T07:00:05.857-04:00REVIEW: The Madness Underneath ("Never get stabbed--it makes everything awkward")<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Johnson, M. (2013). <i>The Madness Underneath. </i>New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
290 pages.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Appetizer:</b> After the traumas she experienced at the end of <i>The Name of the Star</i>, Louisiana native, Rory, is recovering in Bristol and seeing a shrink several times each week. She wants nothing more than to return to Wexford, her school in London, return to her kinda-sorta boyfriend, Jerome, and return to the secret government organization that hunts troublesome ghosts and that demanded her silence before disappearing. But, Rory has to get into contact with that organization after confirming her dangerous new ability--the ability to destroy any ghost with a single touch. Even after she gets her wish and returns to Wexford, adapting to her old routine will be far from easy, especially with new ghostly murders occurring and final exams for the winter semester approaching.<br />
<br />
With many touches of humor and insights into London, <i>The Madness Underneath</i> is certainly an enjoyable read. I got into just as easily as I did the first book and had a "welcome back" feeling. I had flashbacks to my own time in London and was left wishing I could be there now. Yayz! I love a book that can do that.<br />
<br />
There were aspects of <i>The Madness Underneath</i> that I did find disappointing though. Mainly, I had an issue with this book's villain. From the very first descriptions of the character, I knew this person was up to no good (and I believe, ideally, the reader wasn't supposed to be completely clued in to that fact). Being a book and movie nerd, I often do suspect evil-doing characters long before they're revealed, but this villain was still a little too obvious, even for those usual suspicions. So, with each conversation with this character and especially when Rory eventually makes choices that involve taking this villain's advice, the "No! Don't open that door!" or the "He's right behind you holding the knife. Turn around, you idiot!" feeling wasn't satisfying or empathetic. It was more of a "You're an idiot. You will regret this. Such an idiot. I told you so, idiot." moment. Not quite on the level of throwing the book through a closed window a la Silver Linings Playbook, but close.<br />
<br />
I missed some of the themes and issues that were in the first book, like the emphasis on seeing and being seen. Although, the discussions of recovering from trauma and seeking empowerment were a nice touch. I think Johnson did a wonderful job of presenting how Rory was dealing with this. I also liked the attitude Rory eventually had towards her relationship with Jerome. I was still left expecting and wanting a little bit more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
<br />
<br />
"Back at Wexford, where I went to school before all of this happened to me, they made me play hockey every day. I had no idea how to play hockey,, so they covered me in padding and made me stand in the goal. From the goal, I could watch my fellow players run around with sticks. Occasionally they'd whack a small, very hard ball in my direction. I would dive out of the way, every time. Apparently, avoiding the ball isn't the point of hockey, and Claudia would scream, "No, Aurora, no!" from the sidelines, but I didn't care. I take my best lessons from nature and nature says, "When something flies at your head--move."<br />
I didn't think hockey had trained me for anything in life until I went to therapy." (p.9)<br />
<br />
"I'd tried to make a new friend, and I had blown him up.<br />
I'd been told to keep quiet, and I had. But it wasn't going to work anymore. I needed, Stephen, Callum, and Boo again. I needed them to know what was going on with me. I had bade a few efforts to find them in the last week. Nothing serious--I'd just tried to find profiles on social networking sites. No matches. This much I expected.<br />
Today I was going to try a bit harder." (p. 28)<br />
<br />
"'In my opinion, I feel...very strongly...that Rory should be returned to Wexford.'<br />
I seriously almost fell off the sofa.<br />
"I'm sorry?" my mother said. "You think she should go back?"<br />
"I realize what I'm saying may run counter to all your instincts," Julia said, "But let me explain. When someone survives a violent assault, a measure of control is taken away. In therapy, we aim to give victims back their sense of control over their own lives. Rory's been removed from her school, taken away from her friends, taken out of her routine, out of her academic life. I believe she needs to return. Her life belongs to her, and we can't let her attacker take that away." (p. 34)<br />
<br />
"So you are the only terminus. Then I saw what happened to you...I needed to show Thorpe that there was one terminus left. I also needed a good reason to bring you back. I was never comfortable with you being sent away like that, on your own, with no support. This solved both problems. We'll be allowed to keep going for a while now that he's seen." (p. 65)<br />
<br />
"The room and I had been broken, and we had a similarly shaped reminder of what had happened to us. And if the Ripper came back, which he wouldn't, I would blast him into a giant ball of white light and smoke. One brush of my hand, and that was all it would take. I was empowered, literally. That's what I had to remember. I was bigger and badder than any ghost that crossed my path. That hadn't occurred to me before. They needed to fear me. I'd never been fearsome before." (p. 87)<br />
<br />
"I just wanted to go back to bed and wake up when I was twenty-five." (p. 197)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-22930006796431217272013-06-03T16:15:00.000-04:002013-06-03T16:15:16.788-04:00REVIEW: Lulu Walks the Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Viorst, J., & Smith, L. (2012). <i>Lulu Walks the Dogs</i>. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
144 pages.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Appetizer: </b>Lulu is back after her adventures with a dinosaur. This time she wants money for something that not even her eager-to-please parents can provide. So, she'll have to earn and save the money herself.<br />
<br />
As the title reveals--a point the narrator also points out--she decides on dog walking; walking three dogs to be precise. Things do not exactly run smoothly for strong-willed Lulu, and whether she wants his help or not, the perfect Fleischman is going to insist on helping her.<br />
<br />
<i>Lulu Walks the Dogs</i> is an amusing early chapter book with a lot of humorous moments and illustrations (I'm seriously thinking about making a collage of some of Lane Smith's pictures from this series). There is good use of repetition, varying font sizes, narrator interruptions, and emotions that young readers will relate to. Having typed that though, I didn't find that this book tickled me as much as <i>Lulu and the Brontosaurus</i> did. Perhaps it was because the first book was a little more fantastic or because I approached this one knowing what to expect.<br />
<br />
There are still a lot of great take-aways from <i>Lulu Walks the Dogs</i> though. I like how Lulu's goal (the one she's saving all her money for) is so lofty and that she struggles to save her money (a brief mini-lesson on the importance of saving money from a young age, anyone?). I won't reveal what it is, since this is a secret throughout most of the book. <br />
<br />
I also like the way Lulu gradually learns to care for the dogs. After seeing how Fleischman handles the three "savage" beasts, Lulu's approach to do the same is to buy the cheapest toys/treats possible. This struck me as being something very true to what an actual new dog walker with Lulu's disposition would do. <br />
<br />
The heart of this story is the developing friendship between Lulu and Fleischman. From what I remember of second and third (and fourth, and fifth, and sixth...) grades, dealing with the frustrations and quirks of a potential friend was a central part of my daily drama. Reading about Fleischman and Lulu's disagreements and steps to slowly become friends was giving me flashbacks. Eventually, while both characters try to make compromises and help each other, I like that neither one attempts to change who they are. After all, Lulu would never want to be boring.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
<br />
<br />
"Lulu--remember Lulu?--used to always be a big pain, till she met Mr. B, a lovely brontosaurus. Now she is just a sometimes pain, and not nearly as rude as before. But unless what she wants is utterly, totally, absolutely, and no-way-Jose impossible, she's still a girl who wants what she wants when she wants it.<br />
So, what is it, exactly, that our Lulu wants? Right now I'm just saying it costs a lot of money. Furthermore, he mom and her dad, who give her almost everything she asks for, said to her--with many sighs and sorries--that they couldn't afford to buy it for her and that she would HAVE TO EARN THE MONEY TO GET IT." (p. 3)<br />
<br />
"Lulu went home and thought and thought, and then she thought some more, trying to figure out what her jobs should be. But since the name of this story I'm telling is <i>Lulu Walks the Dogs,</i> you already know, of course, what she decided." (p. 15)<br />
<br />
"On Sunday, Lulu met three different dogs at three different houses, all in Lulu's neighborhood. Her mom went with her to every house, waiting outside on the sidewalk00just as she always did on Halloween--in case the people inside were witches or ogres. None of them were." (p. 23)<br />
<br />
"Jimmy, Johnny, Joseph, Jake. How much money will I make? Laurie, Lucy, Lynne, LaVerne. How much money will I earn? Money! Money! Money! Money! Money!" (pp. 32-33)<br />
<br />
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615488445859595422.post-15917448348114015172013-05-31T07:30:00.000-04:002013-05-31T07:30:00.948-04:00REVIEW: Drama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Telgemeier, R. (2012). <i>Drama.</i> New York: Scholastic.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
233 pages.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
So, after getting stranded in reading <i>In Darkness</i> for months and after going through getting the chance to act in a production of <i>Five Women Wearing the Same Dress </i>at my local community theater, <i>Drama</i> seemed like the perfect graphic novel for me to jump back into reading and blogging with, especially since I enjoyed Telgemeier's debut <i>Smile </i>so much.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Appetizer: </b>Callie and her friends work back stage in all of her school's drama productions at Eucalyptus Middle School. As they prepare to put on <i>Moon Over Mississippi</i>, their final production of the year, just as much drama occurs backstage as on stage as crushes, in-likes, dislikes, realizations about sexual orientations, and fights unfold.<br />
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I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The structure of the book mirrored that of a performance with an overture, acts and an intermission. I also really liked that the focus was on the people who work behind the scenes of a musical instead of on the actors (which is what the audience usually focuses on).<br />
<br />
Telgemeier does an excellent job of bringing the experience of middle school to life (I remember being equally impressed with this in <i>Smile</i>). There's the crushes, new relationships, and heartbreaks of realizing your crush is interested in someone else (so much unrequited love!). There's the embarrassing family members who you still love dearly. There's the commitment to a club and the ceaseless effort to get it right.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4683AHRsQL93LA4E2LcC1JjnJRv7EnxFcfO1B_4M1k6uNQSW0mar4LyWeVvI4ah7Z8noc1ATDHmvmXvI4P8ei5qLeYVvpQdOvzGsiTAvtu3ZJMQhQF19txSBSBQ3S2ExWJUyhDgEdvE/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4683AHRsQL93LA4E2LcC1JjnJRv7EnxFcfO1B_4M1k6uNQSW0mar4LyWeVvI4ah7Z8noc1ATDHmvmXvI4P8ei5qLeYVvpQdOvzGsiTAvtu3ZJMQhQF19txSBSBQ3S2ExWJUyhDgEdvE/s320/photo+5.JPG" width="320" /></a>I liked Callie as a character and her commitment to set design. I think it could really encourage readers to think about what they're passionate about.<br />
<br />
As Callie makes new friends with twins Jesse and Justin, I found that keeping the twins straight was the biggest difficulty of reading this story. They do have different hair styles, but I found myself wishing that they didn't both have names that began with J's. <br />
<b><br /></b>
I also struggled a little with the character of Bonnie, a mean girl who auditions for one of the main roles in the musical. There is no redemption for her. Since so much of the story was about revealing who you are and what you want, I was hoping that at some point there would be more insights or empathy for why Bonnie was the way she was.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>Dinner Conversation:</b>
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<b>Tasty Rating: !!!!</b><div class="blogger-post-footer">TheHungryReaders.com
sjkessel@sjkessel.com</div>Shelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15144660975343755499noreply@blogger.com0