Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The View from Saturday

by E.L. Konigsburg
Realistic Fiction/ Middle School

I just finished reading The View from Saturday which I was excited to read since I loved From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Honestly, it was a tough start. I did though enjoy the book and really appreciated the message it offers. E.L. Konigsburg took four unique characters and related them through their experiences/ journeys. Students who understand and appreciate gifted students with remarkable amounts of knowledge would appreciate this story. It is great for teaching about character traits because these four have so many different qualities from one another, but yet they connected to become a team called The Souls.
Ungifted
by Gordon Korman
Realistic Fiction/ Middle School

WOW! Ungifted by Gordon Korman was a great read! The main character, Donovan, is an eighth grade boy who enjoys pulling pranks with his buddies. He has a reputation for getting in trouble. His most recent prank that went wrong and destroyed school property and interfered with a big basketball game lands him in a gifted academy. He does his best to hide out in this new school, but it can't last forever. In the meantime, Donovan learns responsibility and builds lasting friendships. This was one of those books I didn't want to put down.

Monday, July 20, 2015


Lost in the Sun 

by Lisa Graff

Realistic Fiction/ Middle School

Earlier in July I read Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff. This novel is about a boy, Trent, who experiences a traumatic event in his life which he feels responsible for causing. However, he is not to blame, but he suffers from PTSD and has tremendous difficulty coping and getting his life back to normal. At the moment his book of thoughts is his crutch. He is dealing with divorced parents and one has since remarried and is expecting a child. He is a so called model of the middle child syndrome and feels no love from his father. The people in his life see his anger issues and fear it. Trent must find a way to start over. He reluctantly becomes friends with a girl whose strong personality teaches Trent so much! This novel helps middle school students learn how to cope with so many changes, being true to yourself and others, and learning life lessons sometimes the hard way.

"When You Speak, Speak Truths"


Title: Lost in the Sun 

Author: Lisa Graff

Grade Level Recommendation: 7+ / 8



"He couldn't see the ball," she said.  "It must've been lost in the sun." (Graff, pg. 120)


Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff has many lessons to be learned about adolescent life- starting with:


1. Kids get angry. Sometimes, they don't know how to control that anger.  Trent Zimmerman doesn't quite know how to get a grip on his internal emotions, and often, the reader can be frustrated with his quick responses, and childish retaliations.  
   Trent has reason to be angry, however.  With divorced parents, his dad is remarried with a new baby girl, and his mom is dating her boss from Kitch'NThingz.  Trent is in the middle- his older brother Aaron takes on responsibility as older siblings sometimes do, and his younger brother Doug is still a child.
  Trent is angry at his life, but in actuality, he is angry with himself for what happened last February to Jared- Jared died of a heart condition, but it unfortunately came about after Trent hit him directly in the chest with a hockey puck.  Unfortunately, Trent suffers emotionally from the horrific event, and his "Book of Thoughts" seems to be his form of therapy dealing with the situation.

  The story has a slow start- the main character is just angry, and the reader is not sure what or who can help him.  Turns out, a friendship is his only hope.

Next lesson:
2. Sometimes speaking truths can open the path to finding happiness.  
Trent doesn't want to talk to his teachers, his mom, his brothers- but after Ms. Emerson invites him to speak truths, it sticks with him- like, of course, this is all he has to do.


Parallel- This book reminds me a lot of Freak the Mighty.  


FTM- Maxwell Kane has deepset anger that stems from his inner guilt and hatred for his dad.

LITS-Trent Zimmerman's anger stems from inner guilt about Jared Richards.

Both characters are outcasts and picked on in school- but one friend is all it takes to change their lives- for the better.

FTM- "Freak" aka Kevin is physically handicapped, but is very smart and "weird" as some may say.  However, he intrigues Max and makes him think, reflect, and become a better person.

LITS- Fallon Little is also referred to sometimes as a "freak" because of a scar across her face.  Though the reader never fully knows how she got the scar, the reader can make assumptions from Fallon's parents' comments and her own words to Trent.

Both stories, they become dynamic duos that are better people.  Many open-ended questions can be asked about these two stories together, as well as separate.

Personal Reaction- I am very frustrated by the last chapter.  It reminds me of "Lady, Or the Tiger?" by Frank Stockton.  Readers like finality- readers like to know.  But, I guess how Fallon said, "I could just tell you, but then the mystery would be gone.  Because then, you just know, and that's it."  
While reading I kept thinking more was going to happen- he DID change for the better, but I guess I just was wanting more from the author.  


*Thanks for the recommendation @TSchaefer- I'm interested to see/read your take on this novel! 

Sunday, July 19, 2015

                     
No Promises In The Wind

by: Irene Hunt

This story seems to be in keeping with themes that we have studied last year. This is a gripping tale of a young man's struggle to find his way during the Great Depression.
Again this can be used in conjunction with another novel taking place during the Great Depression. Great for a interdisciplinary unit in Social Studies. A great writing piece to compare and contrast with another novel of your choice with the same setting and theme.


Saturday, July 18, 2015

The Invention of Wings
by Sue Monk Kidd

Historical Fiction*
Grade level 7 and up
920L

Inspired by the true story of early-nineteenth-century abolitionist and suffragist Sarah Grimké, the author creates a moving portrait of two women inextricably linked by the horrors of slavery. Sarah, daughter of a wealthy South Carolina plantation owner, exhibits an independent spirit and strong belief in the equality of all. Impeded from fulfilling her dreams of becoming a lawyer by her father, she struggles throughout life to find an outlet for her convictions. Handful, a slave in the Grimké household, displays a sharp intellect and brave, rebellious disposition. She maintains a compliant exterior, while planning for a brighter future. Told in first person, the chapters alternate between the two main characters’ perspectives, as we follow their unlikely friendship (characterized by both respect and resentment) from childhood to middle age. While their pain and struggle cannot be equated, both women strive to be set free—Sarah from the bonds of her families beliefs and Southern bigotry, and Handful from the inhuman treatment of slavery. 

*This book is perfect for a more advanced readers who has a strong interest in history. Even though it is classified as "historical fiction" the information about the main character Sarah Grimke is all true. It inspired me to do further research into the lives of Sarah and Angelina Grimke. A large portion of the events presented in the story are facts from the Grimke sisters' lives. 
Rules 
by Cynthia Lord

Realistic Fiction
Grade level 6 and up
780L

Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules-from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public!"-in order to head off his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a surprising new sort-of friend, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask. After meeting Jason at the occupational therapist, Catherine is forced to come to terms with:  What is normal?

Out of My Mind

by Sharon Draper

Realistic Fiction
Grade level 6 and up
700L

The story is told from the point of view of eleven year old Melody who has a photographic memory. She is most likely the smartest kid at her school, but no one know it. Melody was born with Cerebral Palsy which has crippled her physically with the inability to speak, but not mentally. Her inability to verbalize her thoughts and feelings causes her to struggle with being misunderstood by everyone, including her own parents. All Melody wants is to do the same things anyone her age can do- have friends her own age to laugh and talk to or go shopping at the mall. Finally, thanks to the determination of her aide Catherine and her next door neighbor Mrs. V., Melody is able to purchase the Medi-Talker. This computerized communication device is the tool Melody needs to solve her problems, or is that enough? 

This story very aptly tells the thoughts and feelings from a child with a physical disability. It strongly sends the message that no one should make assumptions about people based on appearances. 




Saturday, July 11, 2015

If I Stay....Where She Went

Title: Where She Went

Author: Gayle Forman

Grade Level Recommendation: 8+, 9-12


In a continuation of If I Stay, readers learn the fate of Mia Hall in her decision to stay.  Some background information- Mia Hall was home with her family on what deemed a snow day in Oregon.  Her parents took the day as an opportunity to spend some time together, go for an outing.  What should have been a day to remember turned into a nightmare when a horrific car crash killed Mia's parents instantly and her brother Teddy in an emergency room.  Mia, left in a coma (see book review below) wavered back and forth between staying wither her grandparents and her boyfriend Adam, or be with her family.
Right away, we see the perspective of Where She Went is from Adam's point of view.  He has moved on to a successful music career, a common theme Gayle Forman brings to her characters.  We learn Mia has been accepted into Juilliard in NYC. Her decision to stay, yet leave her loved ones behind, is a mystery that Forman brings the reader through.



On fate, chance, and coincidence- Adam runs into Mia in NYC at Zankel, Carnegie Hall. Her success had brought her to graduate from Juilliard in three years and start touring as a solo cellist.  Adam, also a successful musician in a punk-rock band, went to see her performance.  They have not spoken since Mia cuts ties with him when she left for New York.

The author brings their chaotic love story in a maze of reminiscing moments of her parents, high school memories, and explanations of why things happened the way they did.  The reader can't help but think, it is all too coincidental they came to find each other, and spend the night meandering through New York, Brooklyn, the ferry.. Since this novel is from Adam's perspective, we see the questions, the heartbreak, and his own insecurities of why she left.

It isn't until the end of the novel that they really have a discussion about the past, why she left, and what her reasoning was.  There is a happy ending, through many tears and spoken emotions of resentment, hate, and moving on.



Because of language and content intended for older audiences,  I wouldn't recommend this to anyone younger than 8th (even eighth grade being questionable).

Thursday, July 9, 2015

A Mexican Tale of Walk Two Moons...Esperanza Rising


Title: Esperanza Rising

Author: Pam Munoz Ryan

Grade Level Recommendation: 6/7

Aquel que hoy se cae, se levantara mañana
"He who falls today may rise tomorrow."

   In a "coming of age" tale that mirrors Salamanca Tree Hiddle, Esperanza is a privileged daughter and only child on El Rancho de las Rosas in Aguascalientes, Mexico.  Her Papa is a caring, giving, wealthy man that takes care of his workers- which reminded me of the caring, good-natured soul of Sal's father in Walk Two Moons.  Esperanza is loyal to her Papa, and treasures the special memories he makes with her, such as her birthday celebration following the grape season.


The eve of her thirteenth birthday changes everything.
Her father's death starts a mirage of unfortunate events for the crumbling family. Her uncle knew his brother's demise meant possibility for himself.  After destroying their home in a raging fire and grape fields, their memories, connections, and income of Mexico was no longer.  The choice to leave and move to a Mexican work-camp in California became the only solution.

Just as Salamanca struggled with the new everyday lifestyle, Esperanza struggled in her new town in California.  Her new friend, Isabel, was her only connection and confidant to where she could tell the stories of lace, silver, extravagant fiestas and birthday celebrations.  Now, living in a two room house with newspaper as insulation, it is hard for Esperanza to accept the lifestyle that offers so little.  She must face the harsh truths of living, and death, to realize there is love all around her.


The Grape Season.  So many seasons, so much work to be done.  I enjoyed how Pam Munoz wrote chapter titles as fruit, as if the reader was traveling through the harvest times of peaches, grapes, almonds, cotton.  We also learned about one of the horrific side effects of the dust storms in 1930 when Esperanza's Mama develops Valley Fever,  a disease of the lungs that is caused by dust spores.  It is often an infection that can lead to pneumonia, and with poor diet can be very hard to fight off.  The remaining half of the novel, the reader is relying on hope.  Relying on the grim prognosis that Mama is weak and can no longer stay awake, but she will be ok.  Just as the reader is hopeful for Salamanca, that even though the author hints to the reader  so many times that her mother is no longer alive, we the readers are hopeful.  Especially with heartache and sadness that has already hovered Esperanza's 13th year, we are hopeful.

We see the changes within the following months of her mother falling ill. Esperanza learns so much to care for, work, look after.  She no longer looks as herself as a privileged princess, but as a determined young girl to save her mom.  Pam Munoz Ryan brings the story full circle, and the reader sees Esperanza has made peace with her new life and accepted the "mountains and valleys" of life.

Here are some reflective quotes from the novel:

"Do you remember the story of the phoenix, the lovely young bird that is reborn from its ashes? We are like the phoenix- Rising again, with a new life ahead of us."

"Do not ever be afraid to start over."

It is no wonder that in Spanish, esperanza means hope.