Reading Posters Worthy of Mockery: The Jonas Brothers

I received an email this morning announcing in the subject line that "The Jonas Brothers Are Here!!!!!OMG!!!!!!YAY!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  

Okay, I'll admit it.  I added the exclamation points and OMG YAY! above.  But the sentiment was there and I found that I had to open the email IMMEDIATELY, knowing that my life would never be the same.  So, I hope you don't mind that I put the poster right at the top.  I didn't really give you the time to prepare yourself for the sight of teenage heartthrobs holding books.  I hope you didn't have a heart attack.  Still alive?

The ALA website tells me that they're reading Words from the Wise, The Alchemyst and A Wrinkle in Time.  To which I respond "Yay for quotes, fantasy and sci-fi!  Joy!"  And then I mumble that I haven't read two of those books, which limits my ability to mock.  I can say that choosing a classic such as A Wrinkle in Time written by a Christian author as a selection does not surprise me given the image the Jonas Brothers try to have in the media.

While I will admit that I have seen Camp Rock, all that my brain can actually seem to remember about the brothers is that one is named Joe (don't ask me which one) and that they're virgins.  Thank you pop culture, for making those facts take up space in my brain.

I suppose you are witnessing my transition from "a cool young thing" who knows all about popular culture into a fuddy-duddy who squints as she tries to decipher "kids today".  Clearly, I need to pick up The Alchemyst and find my way to immortality.  I think that's about the only thing that can save me now.

REVIEW: Chester's Back

Watt, M.  (2008).  Chester’s Back!  Toronto:  Kids Can Press.

 

9781554532872

 

As the title so aptly states, Chester’s Back!  This is a sequel to Watt’s successful Chester, published in 2007.  In both these books the cat named Chester takes over as author, encouraging youngsters to consider taking on the role of co-creator of books.  This series demonstrates that sometimes stories really do take on lives of their own.

 

This time around, the implied (and real) author, Melanie, gets tired of Chester’s many alterations to the story and decides to search for a replacement Chester to help her share the story.  Chester continues to interrupt the creation process, until Melanie must give in to Chester’s finicky demands for the story, but not without causing some trouble of her own.

 

This is a wonderful example of a book in which the illustrations are essential for a student to make meaning from a text.  And on top of that, they're very fun illustrations that will make kids itch to pick up a marker of their own.

 

 

Activities to do with the book:

 

Students can take Chester on as an example to co-create stories together or with already published books.  (Of course, some teachers and parents may take offense to the idea of writing in books)

 

Also, since Chester spends some time pretending to be a cave cat, a teacher could use this book to help with the concept of time and history.

 

Plus, Chester begins the story over again several times.  A teacher could emphasize this as a lesson that sometimes people have to keep trying, or that editing is an important part of the writing process.

 

Since the book also includes an open invitation for a replacement to Chester, a teacher could conduct auditions in a classroom—this could turn into a student talent show, or short letters to Melanie Watt explaining why students could take Chester’s place, etc.

 

Students could also choose old throw-away copies of books to recreate that text in their own way by adding or removing various pictures and words.  If a teacher is nervous about the idea of kids altering the books, children’s magazines or school newsletters could also be used.

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

“A long time ago, in a faraway land, lived a cat named Chester.”

 

“Now, Chester, let’s try this again. 

A long time ago, in a faraway land, lived a…”

 

“Chester, step away from the new Chester!”

REVIEW: Wintergirls

Anderson, L.H.  (2009).  Wintergirls.  New York:  Viking.

 

9780670011100

 

It is clear from the beginning of the book, Lia is dealing with some issues.  She responds with the sensitivity of freezing ice when she hears that her former friend, Cassie, is found dead.  She considers the calorie count of every potential breakfast item.  She has moved back in with her dad, stepmother and stepsister after living with Dr. Marrigan, her mother (who Lia is constantly trying to distance herself from...thus calling her Dr. Marrigan).

 

It turns out Cassie called Lia thirty-three times the night she died and Lia never picked up the phone.  33 calls.  As Lia seeks control and perfection in her body she also tries to avoid dealing with the loss of her former friend, a job complicated when Lia starts seeing Cassie’s ghost.

 

While I’m a huge fan of Anderson’s work.  (Literally, I almost cried when I was re-reading Speak recently because it was so well constructed)  My feelings are a little cooler (pun intended) when it comes to Wintergirls.  Anderson’s tendency toward metaphorical language seemed to be in overdrive for this book.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a good metaphor.  I love MANY good metaphors, but Wintergirls had too many metaphors even for me.  At times they seemed to contradict each other despite creating wonderful images or implications.

 

Incorporated throughout the book are a lot of allusions to literature and fairytales.  When speaking about her life before her parents’ divorce, Lia consistently uses the phrases “When I was a real girl,” which significance is worthy of discussion, particularly as the story evolves.

 

Recently, the book has been considered to be a potential “’trigger’ for anorexia” according to the New York Times Review.  I personally did not find this to be the case.  I must admit, after being completely immersed in reading the book for several hours, only to surface and be offered chocolate chip cookies by a classmate, my mind did do a little mental shriek, in a Lia would not approve sort of way.  But I still ate the cookie.  In fact, I ate two.  And took home a third. 

I also think book won’t serve as a trigger for a very simple reason:  Lia is annoying.  As a reader, I found Lia and her story compelling, yet it was still obvious to me that she was hurting herself, slowly killing herself.  And as a reader, I was frustrated throughout most of the book, a perfectly wonderful reaction with a book like this one.  I suppose not everyone is so far removed from Lia’s perspective as I am and there is no doubt Lia gives some sneaky tips on how to deceive a scale…but still a ‘trigger?’  I’m excited psychologists think a single book can be so powerful.  That’s quite a compliment to children’s literature, in a round-about, twisty way.

 

My issue with Wintergirls is the fact that I read it before, several years ago:  Girl struggles with cutting.  Reader sees consequences of bulimia and anorexia.  Upper-middle class girls have issues with their families.  Girls with such problems tend to end up in hospitals or institutions.  It’s called Cut and Patricia McCormick wrote it in 2002 (and I reviewed it here).

 

Don’t get me wrong, these books have very different plots.  And there should be multiple books that explore these issues from different perspectives.  But did Anderson have to overlap the issues presented so much?  (I’m sure she’d say yes)

 

Activities to do with the book:

 

A teacher could go over proper eating habits and hand out nutrition guides to students.  Beyond that, Wintergirls would be wonderful to start discussion on divorce, parental pressure, body image, eating disorders, need for control, loss of a friend, suicide, cutting and the list goes on.

 

Wintergirls could also be used to trigger students’ own writings with writing prompts to incorporate a scene with food, family, a friend or metaphorical language, using example scenes from the book.

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

“So she tells me, the words dribbling out with the cranberry muffin crumbs, commas dunked in her coffee.

She tells me in four sentences.  No, five.

I can’t let me hear this, but it’s too late.  The facts sneak in and stab me.  When she gets to the worst part

“…body found in a motel room, alone…””

 

“Goal Number Two is 095.00 [pounds], the perfect point of balance.  At 095.00, I will be pure.  Light enough to walk with my head up, meaty enough to fool everyone.  At 095.00, I will have the strength to stay in control.  I’ll stand on the blocks hidden in the toes of my satin ballet slippers, pink ribbons sewn into my calves, and rise above up in the air:  magical” (pp. 52-53).

 

“You’re not dead, but you’re not alive, either.  You’re a wintergirl, Lia-Lia, caught in between the worlds.  You’re a ghost with a beating heart” (pp. 195-196).

Certified Resolution Writing Endeavor Review Report: Week Twenty-Three

So the problem with switching back and forth among projects is that when you decide to go back to the first project--the one you haven't touched in at least a month--I find I have to reread it from the beginning to be certain of all the details I have included so far. 

The result?  A super-duper, shiny, polished beginning, a rough middle, no conclusion and one awesome ending paragraph.  But at least the first ten pages are so well polished that I can see myself in them.  Or as the case may be, I can't see myself in them at all.

Aside from grading and attending one last class, I'm done with spring quarter.  Which would be perfectly relaxing except for the fact that I have started to prepare for a week long intensive course that I'm taking in half of a month.  But nonetheless, I've still found a lot more time available to read books and write, which is all around awesome.

REVIEW: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Park, B.  (1992).  Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus.  New York:  Random House.

 

0679826424

 

Junie B. Jones (Don’t forget the B!) is about to begin kindergarten.  While the thought of school doesn’t make her stomach feel all squishy, the thought of having to get on a big yellow bus does.  When her fears prove true, Junie B. goes to extreme measures to avoid having to go home on the bus after her first day of kindergarten. 

 

The strengths of these long lasting and extensive book series are Junie B.’s authentic experiences and voices.  Many young kids can relate to Junie b., her experiences and actually grow with her a Junie B. grows through kindergarten and on into the first and second grades.

 

While many absolutely love this series, there are many teachers and librarians who absolutely HATE it.  They cite the fact that Junie B. regularly uses improper grammar, breaks rules and insults people.  Cause real kids never do that.

This book also serves to give a good moral to adults as well:  Listen to children when they seem concerned about something.  Sometimes, when you listen to a kid's worries and talk them out, you can avoid losing said child and having them cause chaos.  

 

 

Activities to do with the book:

 

This is a wonderful first chapter book read aloud to share with kids have are about to, or have just started kindergarten.  What’s wonderful about this series is the fact that if I child gets hooked to having them read aloud to them, these books are an easy transition to a child’s (most often a girl’s) first chapter book read on his or her own.

 

If a teacher is reluctant to share these books because of the improper use of some words, as an activity they could share some of the sample improper sentences and ask students to correct them orally or using red markers on poster board.  It would be very important to keep the activity fun.

 

Also, since Junie B. has an “Emergency” and calls 911, a teacher or parent could emphasize what actually constitutes a 911-worthy emergency

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

“My name is Junie B. Jones.  The B stands for Beatrice.  Except I don’t like Beatrice.  I just like B and that’s all.

I’m almost six years old.

Almost six is when you get to go to kindergarten.  Kindergarten is where you go to meet new friends and not watch TV” (p. 1).

 

“I have on my new shoes.”

I held my foot way high in the air.

“See how shiny they are?  Before I put them on, I licked them” (p. 2).

 

“I stayed scared about the bus for a whole week.  And last night when my mother tucked me into bed, I still felt sickish about it” (p. 9).

REVIEW: Black Hands, White Sails

McKissack, P., & McKissack, F.L.  (1999).  Black Hands, White Sails:  The story of African-American whalers.  New York:  Scholastic Press.

 

0590483137

 

Black Hands, White Sails considers the history of whaling in the United States with special attention to the experiences of African American and in relation to major events that have shaped American history.  For example, did you know one of the five killed at the Boston Massacre was a mulatto man named Crispus Attucks?  That’s a detail I don’t remember being included in my grade school history textbooks.

 

In this Coretta Scott King book, the McKissacks patiently give accounts of multiple escaped slaves, free blacks and supportive whites famous or otherwise and their experiences with whaling.  Among those stories included, is a partial account of the famous orator Frederick Douglass.

 

Black Hands White Sails extends out to emphasize the experience of a new sailor or greenie (due to all the sea sickness), where they’d sleep, the jobs they and other crew members would have, the shanties they would sing, the terms and superstitions common etc.  While there is a description of the layout of a general whaling ship, a diagram would have been nice. (There are a number of old photos included, however)

 

I found one of the most amusing part of the book was the list of “whalemen’s commandments”:

1.     “Steal but not from a friend
2.     Lie but never about anything important.
3.     Fight anytime you think you can win.
4.     Run when you think you can’t win.
5.     Cheat before you get cheated
6.     Swear but never in front of a good woman.
7.     Drink as much as you can hold.
8.     Love as many women as you can catch.
9.     Never tattle.
10. Never volunteer” (pp. 90-91).

I don’t know how I feel about number eight there, but other than that I’m pretty amused.  Turns out whalers are just as cool as the old school pirates.

 

 

Activities to do with the book:

 

This information book can help give a new more minority-friendly perspective on American history.  It includes information on the Underground Railroad, the slave trade, the civil war, etc.

 

For young adult students, it could be paired with lessons of Moby Dick, especially since the book spends a number of pages giving accounts of real whaling ships that had experiences that most likely inspired Herman Melville.  It could also be paired with some of Frederick Douglass’s writings.  For younger ships who are still hooked on the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, the vocabulary and superstition section will probably hold a lot of appeal

 

This would be a good recommendation for students to go through when working on research projects.

 

Fun projects that a teacher could use if they assign students to read this book include researching and making a list of other groups/cultures ‘ superstitions, write their own sea shanties,

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

“There is no evidence that the Indians ever endeavored to make whaling a business venture.  But the colonists did right away.  And black men were a part of the process from the beginning—first as slave laborers, then as freemen” (p. 2).

 

“When someone wanted to describe a man who was bold, strong, and wildly daring, they referred to him as a “Nantucket Whaleman”” (p. 15).

 

“It didn’t matter what color the hands were that handled the sails or pulled the oars.  The rules were clear.  All men had to work together if they were to survive.  This reality is what earned blacks respect, or at least they were tolerated, even though they were not always accepted” (p. 16).

 

“It wasn’t likely that a man who had hunted a creature 400 times his size would not have a sense of self-pride.  He usually held his head a little higher and pulled his shoulders back a little farther” (p. 26).

If You Love 'The Dragon of Trelian', then check out some of these goodies...

 

Fond of Dragons like Jakl in The Dragon of Trelian?  

Below you'll find a list of some other children's books that feature the fun creatures, for better or for worse.

 

First off, readers may love Robin McKinley’s The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown.

I LOVED these books when I was in the fifth grade. While I felt the start of both of the books were slow, once I was immersed I wanted to become a dragonslayer. At the very least, I wanted a sequel to the series.

More recently, McKinley has published Dragonhaven. (Which I'll admit, I haven't gotten to read yet...it's in the stack...)

Word on the cover is that this book is about Jake, who lives with his father the Smokehill National Park, where they watch over the two hundred remaining dragons and protect them from extinction.

Another classic look at dragons comes from one of the kings of fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien.  

When the Wizard Gandolf arrives, he insists that Bilbo Baggins go off with him on an important quest. Despite loving to stay at home, Bilbo goes. A certain dragon enters into the climax of The Hobbit and is truly a creature to be feared.

Also, in case you hadn't heard, a new movie version is underway for 2012.

 

For a more positive look at dragons, check out Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle. (The first book, Eragon, was made into a movie a few years ago) The series kicks off with Eragon, a teenage boy discovering that he is a Dragon Rider and must go off on a quest of his own.

 

Want something for a younger reader? The classic The Paper Bag Princess is a picturebook, a parody and a wonderful example of early feminist children's literature.

When a dragon steals Prince Ron away, Princess Elizabeth, who was left in the rubble of her destroyed castle, must venture forth to save her prince.

Like the concept of touch young girls dealing with huge, tough dragons? It's a story type that's become quite popular (and could be worthy of some literary analysis. To contribute to your study, you can check out Dealing with Dragons, which kicks off the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede.

Can you think of some more children's books that feature dragons?  

Feel free to add to this list in the comments section.

 

For more information on Michelle Knudsen, her works, or The Dragon of Trelian, check out the blogs below:

A Christian Worldview of Fiction, Abby the Librarian, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Homeschool Book Buzz, KidzBookBuzz.com, Novel Teen, Reading is My Superpower, Reading to Know, Small World Reads, The 160 Acrewoods, Through a Child’s Eye, Through the Looking Glass Reviews

REVIEW: Dragon of Trelian

Knudsen, M.  (2009).  The Dragon of Trelian.  Somerville, MA:  Candlewick Press.

 

9780763634551

 

Calen, a mage’s apprentice, befriends the witty and tough Princess Meg of Trelian just when her older sister is marrying the prince of Kragnir to make peace after a century of war.  Meg, without thinking, decides to let Calen in on a HUGE secret--a secret that has scales and will soon learn to fly and breath fire.  As the two young teens form a friendship around keeping their secret, Meg learns that she has a special link with the young dragon, Jakl.  She cannot leave the dragon alone, but fears what will happen if the dragon comes to close to the Trelian castle or eats a farmer's cattle.  Making all of this tension worse, a strange giant creature has attacked several guards on the castle grounds.  From there, the problems and betrayals only get bigger.

The Dragon of Trelian switches back and forth between Calen and Meg's points of view, considering Calen's work as a studying mage and Meg's concerns over growing older, falling in love for the first time and having her older sister leave her after Maerlie's approaching wedding.  (In fact, this emphasis on Meg's first romance and her strange connection to a Jakl could allow a parent to discuss healthy relationships, if such a talk were necessary)

While it may take some time to ease into this book The Dragon of Trelian includes a lot of gentle humor before the drama really begins around page 115.  Beyond that, my one critique are the character names.  I feel like for most of the book, Knudsen was having too much fun with syllables and alternate spellings.  I caught myself thinking "where'd that name come from?" or "which of Meg's sisters is which?  All their names start with M's," more often than I would like. 

 

Ten bucks says there will be a sequel.

Activities to do with the book:

 

A teacher could draw parallels between this fantasy and history to accommodate how countries create alliances or trigger wars with the assassination of a single person.  Another option would be to compare this fantasy to others that the students had read or viewed. 

A teacher could also direct a conversation to (or consider for their own teaching process ) the teaching methods Serek, the mage, uses to teach his apprentice Calen magic.  Are his methods good?  Why or why not?  How can a teacher best help their individual students? 

Since several monsters and places are described, students could create detailed illustrations or models of what they envision those creatures or places look like.

There are also scenes in which herbs are used for medicinal purposes.  In response groups could research various flora and how and when they were discovered to help with various maladies.   

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

“Calen tried not to look down.  This was the best vantage point in the east wing of the castle—a thick window ledge that looked out over both the main gate and a good bit of the Queen’s Road beyond.  It was by no means the highest point in the castle, but it was still a good deal higher than Calen normally preferred to go.  Climbing up to sit on the ledge had taken all his courage.  He couldn’t help imagining what it would be like to fall, screaming in terror and watching the shaped hedges rush up at him from below until he hit the ground and died a horrible and painful death” (p. 1).

 

“Technically, he hadn’t exactly disobeyed.  Serek had only implied that Calen should return directly; he hadn’t actually said it.  Not that this distinction would hold much weight with Serek, but it was enough to soothe Calen’s conscience.  Besides, it wasn’t like there was anything to rush back for.  Calen thought back to the argument they’d had earlier.  Well, argument wasn’t really the right word.  Mostly it had been Serek making pointed comments about how lazy Calen was and glaring at him whenever he opened his mouth to defend himself” (p. 3).

"They walked in silence for a while, but Meg's mind was anything but quiet.  Was this a comfortable silence?  Or an awkward silence?  How did one tell these things?  Should she say something?  She should say something.  But she couldn't think of anything to say" (pp. 62-63).

"One of the worst parts of being a mage, he often thought, must be having to spend so much time cooped up in a dark study.  As an apprentice, at least he got to travel to the market once a week and run occasional errands outside the castle, but most of the business of magic itself seemed to require darkness and dust and shadows.  He couldn't even remember the last time he'd seen Serek [the mage] outside in the daytime.  No wonder the man was always in such a foul mood" (p. 73).

"Yesterday he had been alone, and not particularly happy with his lot.

Today he had a friend and a secret.  And a spark" (p. 122).

For more information on Michelle Knudsen, her works, or The Dragon of Trelian, check out the blogs below:

A Christian Worldview of Fiction, Abby the Librarian, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Homeschool Book Buzz, KidzBookBuzz.com, Novel Teen, Reading is My Superpower, Reading to Know, Small World Reads, The 160 Acrewoods, Through a Child’s Eye, Through the Looking Glass Reviews

An Introduction to Michelle Knudsen and a Review of Library Lion

This year children's author Michelle Knudsen is coming out with The Dragon of Trelian.  

This work of children's high fantasy represents a departure from Knudsen's previous works.  

In the past she has written mainly picturebooks for younger readers, featuring topics from religious holidays, to frogs, to bugs and (my personal favorite) mold.  Knudsen has even adapted a version of Raymond Briggs's classic The Snowman for Step into Reading with text (instead of the story being solely told in panels of illustrations).  She has crossed genres from fantasy, to realistic fiction, to information books.

To date, her most successful book has been Library Lion.  Published in 2006, this light picturebook documents the experience of a lion when he wanders into a library.  Since he's not a rulebreaker, the lion is allowed to wander the library, enjoy story hour and help out around the building.  

The kind and helpful lion is very child-like.  It checks out all aspects of the library (including the out-dated card catalog) and throws a tantrum when story hour comes to an end.  He even has traits of Lassie the dog when an emergency arises (No, nobody fall down a well).

The illustrator, Kevin Hawkes, lends very classic looking drawings (with some multicultural representation) to the mix.  

My one over all complaint (despite the fact that it contributes to the old school feel of the book) is the treatment of the librarians.  They have that stereotypical frumpy, past-their-prime, nerdy vibes to them.  Tres un-chic.

With a Chris Van Allsburg Jumanji feel, this book could prompt students to reexamine the ordinary space of a library, and create illustrations of various creatures in the building and play with a lot of fun "What if..." scenarios.  Since Library Lion does address some of the common rules in libraries across the country, a teacher could share this story before a class's first trip to the public library or even a school's media center.  For students who have already spent a great deal of time in libraries, a teacher or parent could urge them to compare their school or hometown library to the one depicted in the book.

In general, this book lends itself to discussion of rules and what to do in emergencies.

Among my favorite quotes were "One day, a lion came to the library."

"But there's a lion!" said Mr. McBee.  "In the library!"

"Is he breaking any rules?" asked Miss Merriweather.  She was very particular about rule breaking.

"Well, no," said Mr. McBee.  "Not really."

"Then leave him be."

"If he promises to be quiet, can [the lion] come back for story hour tomorrow?"

For more information on Michelle Knudsen, her works, or The Dragon of Trelian, check out the blogs below:

A Christian Worldview of Fiction, Abby the Librarian, All About Children’s Books, Becky’s Book Reviews, Cafe of Dreams, Dolce Bellezza, Homeschool Book Buzz, KidzBookBuzz.com, Novel Teen, Reading is My Superpower, Reading to Know, Small World Reads, The 160 Acrewoods, Through a Child’s Eye, Through the Looking Glass Reviews

Certified Resolution Writing Endeavor Review Report: Week Twenty-Two

Almost done with finals!  Just a little more editing needed and a glance at a few more references than I'm declaring myself done.

Of course, there's still a lot of grading in my future...but that's the future...you know, next week.

This week, my biggest struggle is trying to decide how many courses to take this summer.  There are a number of them that seem interesting, but I have to balance dying of over-work, needing a break, doing fun-reaidng, writing this blog and creative writing.  

So with such a huge decision, I obviously rested my summer future in a very wise and trusted selection process.  I texted a friend to choose between the numbers 1 and 2.  (I decided if she texted back '1' I would take the classes, and if she chose '2' I wouldn't)  She chose 1.  So that decision is made.  Glad I can stop worrying about it.

REVIEW: The Westing Game

Raskin, E.  (1978).  The Westing Game.  New York:  Scholastic Inc.

 

0439412811

 

The new tenants of Sunset Towers become aware of a mystery when smoke rises from the Westing Mansion nearby, the owner of which was thought long gone.   A few days later, all of the building’s residents are called together and partnered up to compete for the deceased Samual W. Westing’s fortune.  Not everyone is who he or she seems.  And some will go to drastic measures to claim the what they want.

 

This classic mystery has been sparking interest in students for over thirty years now and is still regularly used or recommended in middle grade elementary schools.  It includes subtle themes of empowerment in terms of disability, gender and race, while incorporating a lot of humor and even more tension to keep the student reading.

 

There are only two potential hesitations that I would have over sharing this text.  First, the narrative does include a bomber who sets several small explosions with fireworks.  There are a few injuries due to the bombs, but nothing too serious and there’s no real damage to the building.  But nonetheless, in a post 9/11 world, that alone could give some teachers and parents some serious pause.  The other reason is the fact that the book jumps from perspective to perspective, including those of adults.  The adults would still manage to entertain most readers, but the repeated shifting in points of view may be more difficult for some.

Also, while the text still manages to feel very present, there are a few references that a teacher could take on as a "teaching moment."  One example is a mention of the Black Panthers.

 

After finishing this book, a teacher could recommend Agatha Christie herself as a comparative follow-up.

 

 

Activities to do with the book:

 

This is a wonderful book to encourage students to create charts to track characters,  their traits, their relationships and plot developments involving them.  But instead of presenting it as homework or an organization technique, a teacher can introduce the process as a detective’s tool.  That may spark some interest.

 

This is a fun and classic literature circle mystery or read aloud that does a good job of creating interest with most readers.  It could provoke discussions on race, disabilities, feminism, death and the classic sketch “Who’s on First," as well as lessons on how to play chess.

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

“The sun sets in the west (just about everyone knows that), but Sunset Towers faced east.  Strange.

Sunset Towers faced east and had no towers” (p. 1).

 

“Who were these people, these specially selected tenants?  They were mothers and fathers and children.  A dressmaker, a secretary, an inventor, a doctor, a judge.  And, oh yes, one was a bookie, one was a burglar, one was a bomber, and one was a mistake.  Barney Northrup had rented one of the apartments to the wrong person” (p. 6).

 

“[Turtle Wexler] was pure of heart and deed; she only kicked shins in self-defense, so that couldn’t count against her” (p. 20).

Reading Posters Worthy of Mockery: Denzel Washington

He looks so happy!  I've seen many of Denzel's movies, but rarely seen such a nice smile from him.  Could that be the power of the great Dr. Seuss to cause such joy?

Perhaps it's because Denzel has set a record:  First grown man to enjoy reading Dr. Seuss from the comfort of an leather arm chair while wearing a suit and tie.  All that he's missing is a crackling fire and a pipe.  Maybe a glass of wine in one hand too.  Or would that be overkill?  I bet Dr. Seuss's writing would be especially fun for an adult who has had a glass of wine or two.

I'm sure Dr. Seuss would appreciate the gesture of dressing so nicely to read about refusing to eat green food--green food that has no business being green unless you're looking forward to dying from food poisoning.  (I know I would be.  Except I don't eat ham.  Damn, it feels good to be a vegetarian.)

REVIEW: Talkin' About Bessie

Grimes, N.  (2002).  Talkin’ About Bessie:  The story of aviator Elizabeth Coleman.  New York:  Orchard Books.

 

0439352436

 

 

Bessie Coleman is quite the amazing historical figure.  The day she realized she wanted to become a pilot, she quit her job.  She then learned French so she could go to flight school in France.  After an accident that grounded her in a hospital, her first plan was to get back up in the air.  Bessie is a wonderful role model of dedication.

This Coretta Scott King Award winning biographical sketch has a unique frame of including the voices of the first African American female aviator’s family and friends’ voices describing her and the events of her life.  The premise is that 20 people in Bessie’s life have gathered for her funeral.  What follows are multiple accounts of Bessie as she aged in poetic form—her desire for education, to go North, to find the right career, to fly. 

 

The paintings of Talkin' About Bessie are realistic and wonderful.  E.B. Lewis included portraits of each person who is “speaking” about Coleman, which is a nice addition.

 

The book would probably need some added support from a teacher if it’s used with a child under third grade to remind the child among the speakers’ connections to Coleman and to explain the historical context.

 

 

Activities to do with the book:

 

This would be a wonderful recommendation for a student who is interested in black or female trailblazers or interested in aviation.  After doing a lesson on the Wright brothers or Amelia Earhart a teacher could easily transition to sharing Coleman’s story.

 

If a teacher were using the book Let It Shine, this would be a wonderful book to share as a shorter alternative with many same themes (achievement, education, service, literacy, etc).

 

On the creative side, students could take on the perspective of others and write poems of what they think those people would think of them.  Another option would be to write positive stories about other students’ achievements.  Students could also dramatize each eulogizer’s speech to turn the book into a speech project.

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

“The form of the following story is fictional,

But the story itself is based on fact.”

 

“When it came to knowledge, Bessie was a miser,

hoarding facts and figures like gold coins she was

saving up to spend on something special.”

 

“I haven’t made up my mind about being a pilot,

but Bessie made me believe I could be anything.”

 

What is it about the back of a man's head that sells?

Hitman movie

M.T. Anderson's Feed

Two bald dudes,

Two very different stories.