Module 10: Rapunzel's Revenge, by Shannon and Dean Hale

Summary: This graphic novel is a colorful reimagining of the Rapunzel fairy tale. In it, Rapunzel discovers that her mother is in fact her kidnapper, and that her real mother is a slave in the woman's mining camps. When she attempts escape, the woman who raised her imprisons her in a tower deep within an enchanted forest, where Rapunzel's hair magically grows. When Rapunzel's locks have grown long enough, she uses them to escape her prison, planning to rescue her real mother from enslavement. Beyond the forest is a Wild West-type obstacle course, where Rapunzel and her new friend Jack battle outlaws and save kidnapped young ladies, as they make their way back towards the villa where Rapunzel grew up. Rapunzel brandishes her long braid like a whip as she engages in skirmishes with bandits and gunslingers, and she and Jack eventually manage to infiltrate Mother Gothel's fortress and rescue Rapunzel's mother.

Reference: Hale, S., and Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel's Revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books.

Impressions: I like the spin this graphic novel puts on the familiar trope of the damsel in distress, making Rapunzel gutsy and witty as she takes her own destiny in hand. Even though she teams up with and falls in love with Jack, it's Rapunzel who saves them from the outlaws by slinging her whip-like braids, defeats Mother Gothel's henchmen, and whose help Jack needs with his giant problem back home. The dialogue is funny and irreverent, and Nathan Hale's illustrations are compliment the narrative.

Review: The popular author of Princess Academy teams with her husband and illustrator Hale (no relation) for a muscular retelling of the famously long-haired heroine's story, set in a fairy-tale version of the Wild West. The Hales' Rapunzel, the narrator, lives like royalty with witchy Mother Gothel, but defies orders, scaling villa walls to see what's outside--a shocking wasteland of earth-scarring mines and smoke-billowing towers. She recognizes a mine worker from a recurrent dream: it's her birth mother, from whom she was taken as punishment for her father's theft from Mother G.'s garden. Their brief reunion sets the plot in motion. Mother G. banishes Rapunzel to a forest treehouse, checking annually for repentance, which never comes. Rapunzel uses her brick-red braids first to escape, then like Indiana Jones with his whip, to knock out the villains whom she and her new sidekick, Jack (of Beanstalk fame), encounter as they navigate hostile territory to free Rapunzel's morn from peril. Illustrator Hale's detailed, candy-colored artwork demands close viewing, as it carries the action--Rapunzel's many scrapes are nearly wordless. With its can-do heroine, witty dialogue and romantic ending, this graphic novel has something for nearly everybody. 

Rapunzel's Revenge [review]. (2008). Publishers Weekly, 255(31), 63.

Suggested Use: I would present this book to middle school kids along with Paul O. Zelinsky's Rapunzel, a more traditional presentation of the fairy tale. I'd ask kids to talk about the different approaches each book takes to the fairy tale, including dialogue, narrative, and illustration style. I'd then ask the kids to consider their own favorite fairy tale, and reimagine the hero or heroine as the protagonist of a modern graphic novel. They could either write a brief story about the character, draw and illustration or two of the character's adventures, or both. 

Module 10: And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Summary: The authors of this book inform us that, every year, penguins pair off to start families. Usually, male and female penguins pair up. And Tango Makes Three is the true story of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo named Roy and Silo, who become partners. They perform the same mating behavior as the other penguin couples, even building a nest and sitting on a rock as though it were an egg. When the zookeepers observe this behavior, they bring an egg for Roy and Silo to hatch. The two male penguins carefully tend the egg until it hatches. The baby penguin is called Tango, and Roy and Silo care for her exactly as the other penguin pairs care for their young, feeding her, keeping her warm, and teaching her how to swim.

Reference: Richardson, J., and Parnell, P. (2005). And Tango makes three. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Impressions: Even though I understand why some people would want to ban this book, it's hard to understand how they could justify it. After all, it's just the true story of some penguins. Authors Richardson and Parnell don't discuss the politics of penguin sexuality, or the ways in which Tango's family might be like human families. The great thing about this book is that it makes its point by presenting a true, simple story of a family that behaves much like any other. The illustrations are sweet and the penguins are adorable, because penguins always are.

Review: In this true, straightforwardly (so to speak) delivered tale, two male chinstrap penguins at New York City's Central Park Zoo bond, build a nest and--thanks to a helping hand from an observant zookeeper--hatch and raise a penguin chick. Seeing that the penguins dubbed Roy and Silo "did everything together. They bowed to each other. And walked together. They sang to each other. And swam together," their keeper, Mr. Gramzay, thinks, "They must be in love." And so, when Roy and Silo copy the other penguin couples and build a nest of stones, it's Gramzay who brings a neighboring couple's second egg for them to tend, then names the resulting hatchling "Tango." Cole gives the proud parents and their surrogate offspring small smiles, but otherwise depicts figures and setting with tidy, appealing accuracy. Unlike Harvey Fierstein's groundbreaking The Sissy Duckling (2002), also illustrated by Cole, this doesn't carry its agenda on its shoulder; readers may find its theme of acceptance even more convincing for being delivered in such a matter of fact, non-preachy way.

AND TANGO MAKES THREE [review]. (2005). Kirkus Reviews, 73(11), 642.

Suggested Use: Like I said, my favorite thing about this book is its simple presentation of a penguin family at the zoo. I wouldn't draw any negative attention to this book by emphasizing its banned/challenged status. I'd simply include it in a book display about zoo animals, and maybe include it in a story time, with penguin puppets. It'd be a hit, I'm sure.

Module 9: This is Just to Say, by Joyce Sidman

Summary: This is a collection of poems by Joyce Sidman, written in the voices of a fictional group of sixth-graders and their teachers, friends and parents, and patterned after William Carlos Williams' poem of the same title. The poems, written in a variety of forms, are presented in two sections: one for apologies by students, and one for responses. For instance, in one poem, a boy from the class apologizes to his father for vandalizing the garage windows. The boys father responds with a poem of his own, forgiving him for the broken windows and expressing pride in the boy's academic achievement. Some of the poems are written by students in the voices of other people and creatures, who either can't or won't respond.

Reference: Sidman, J. (2007). This is just to say: Poems of apology and forgiveness. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.

Impressions: My favorite thing about this book is illustrations. Supposedly done by a student in the class, Pamela Zagarenski's collage-like illustrations are saturated in blues, golds, and reds. The background for each poem is a different color, and the poems are illustrated with folk art-like drawings and what looks like dictionary text. The poems themselves are entertaining, and each is a lovely example of a different type of poem, like a haiku or pantoum. This book would be a great introduction to poetry for early grade school to middle school aged children. I enjoyed the way Sidman created a unique voice for each poet.

Review: Mrs. Merz assigns her sixth-grade students to write poems of apology, and what emerges is a surprising array of emotions, poetic forms, and subjects from dead pets and biting hamsters to angry siblings and betrayal of trust. The children decide to create their own book of these poems, complete with an introduction and occasional notes by editor Anthony K. Fast-talking Thomas writes a humorous poem patterned after William Carlos Williams's "This Is Just to Say," apologizing to Mrs. Garcia in the office, for stealing the jelly donuts in the teachers' lounge: "Forgive me/they were delicious/so sweet/and so gloppy." Mrs. Garcia's response poem says, "Of course I forgive you./But I still have to call your mother." A more serious concern emerges in "Next Time," written by Jewel: "Please, please come back./Don't leave me spinning alone,/like a slow, sad tornado./I'm sorry, Daddy./Next time I'll be/perfect." In the response poem, Jewel describes her father's wrenching reply telling her that, "None of the stupid things/I have ever done/are even close to being your fault." Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched. Zagarenski's delicately outlined collage drawings and paintings are created on mixed backgrounds-notebook paper, paper bags, newspaper, graph paper, school supplies. This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom.

Bock, L. (2007). This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness [review]. School Library Journal, 53(5), 162.

Summary: As I said, this book would be a great introduction to poetry. A librarian could work with a school teacher to create an activity where students read the poems aloud, discuss the elements of poetry and its forms, and then create their own poems. They could choose their favorite type of poem represented in the book, and use that pattern to write their own poems. I wouldn't ask them to do apologies, but I would ask them to write a poem for another person, perhaps about why that person is important, or what they like about them.

Module 9: Crank, by Ellen Hopkins

Summary: Crank is the story of crank addict Kristina, told in verse, When Kristina visits her deadbeat father one summer, she falls in love with Adam, the boy downstairs, who introduces her to the drug crank. Crank makes Kristina feel confident and excited, like a totally different person,. The romance with Adam doesn't last, but the habit does, as Kristina (and her alter ego, Bree) spirals out of control and into full-blown addiction. In seemingly no time, Kristina is skipping school, lying to her parents, and selling the drug to feed her raging habit. After Kristina is raped by a guy who charges her afterwards for the drugs they smoked together, she finds herself pregnant.

Impressions: This book is a quick read, and I can see why young people enjoy the novel in verse; the poems Hopkins uses to tell Kristina's story are vivid and highly illustrative. To me, the story seemed melodramatic to the point of being didactic: Hopkins is clearly trying to make a point about the dangers of drug use, and her language (outdated teenage slang) seems cliche and overdone.

Reference: Hopkins, E. (2004). Crank. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Review: Nonfiction author Hopkins pens her first novel, written in verse, introducing 15-year-old narrator Kristina, who reveals how she became addicted to crank, and how the stimulant turned her from straight-A student to drug dealer, and eventually a teen mom. On a court-ordered visit to see her slimy and long-absent dad, she meets-and is instantly attracted to -- Adam, who sports a "tawny six pack,/and a smile." Soon, Adam introduces her to "the monster" (there, she also unleashes a new personality, id-driven Bree). Her addiction grows, as does Bree's control. Readers get a vivid sense of the highs and lows involved with using crank ("I needed food, sleep,/but the monster denied/every bit of it"). Her life changes quickly: Soon she's dating two guys, both of whom use crank; says "Fuck you" to her mom, can't keep tip with school, and loses her old friends. There are plenty of dramatic moments: The first time she does crank, for example, her dad joins her. That same night, she stumbles into a bad area and is almost raped, and Adam's girlfriend tries to kill herself. Later in the book, she does get raped and starts selling the drug for the Mexican Mafia. Readers will appreciate the creative use of form here (some poems, for instance, are written in two columns that can be read separately or together), and although the author is definitely on a mission, she creates a world nearly as consuming and disturbing as the titular drug.

CRANK (Book). (2004). Publishers Weekly, 251(44), 63-64.

Suggested Use: I would use this book for a teen book club during National Poetry Week. Poetry often seems dry and inaccessible to young people; one thing this book does well is show how poetry can be engaging and offer a new approach to story telling. I'd like to hear what teens had to say after reading the novel, about poetry and about Kristina's experiences.  

Module 8: Cam Jansen and the Wedding Cake Mystery

Summary: Cam and her friends are performing in the talent show at the senior center where she and her dad help out. When she and her friends arrive, they meet Ken the baker. Ken has made a cake for a wedding later that evening, and the cake is waiting in his van. When Ken returns to his van after the show, he finds the cake missing. Luckily, Cam has a photographic memory, which she uses to track down the cake thief and save the wedding. 

Reference: Adler, D.A. (2010). Cam Jansen and the wedding cake mystery. New York, NY: Viking. 

Impressions: My niece chose this book to read, so it must have some entertainment value for early chapter-book readers, but it seemed very boring to me. The mystery is uninteresting and there's not much characterization. Also, once Cam locates the cake and the crook is apprehended, the author doesn't give any explanation for the theft. I guess the thief just wanted some cake...

Review: David A. Adler has done it again. His newest addition in the popular Cam Jansen series, Cam Jansen and the Wedding Cake Mystery, is sure to please fans of our favorite sleuth and attract new ones. While helping out at a senior center program, Cam is called on to help solve the mystery of a missing wedding cake and other tasty treats. Adler uses humor, suspense, and the unexpected to keep the reader captivated until the very end. Readers will also enjoy the chance to be “super sleuths” of their own through questions and activities at the end of the book.

McNeil, A. (2011, May 17). May Teacher Advisor Reviews [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://bookboxdaily.scholastic.com/2011/05/17/may-teacher-advisor-reviews/. 

Suggested Use: I would use this or another, more interesting mystery, to inspire a mystery activity for young chapter-book readers. The kids could be given a set of clues, which they would use to track down some fun missing object (a book or something silly, like a sandwich). The team to solve the mystery would win a small prize. 

Module 8: The Ruby in the Smoke, by Philip Pullman

Summary: This is the story of Sally Lockhart, whose father has just mysteriously died at sea, leaving her an orphan in Victorian England. At her new home with a sour and unaffectionate relative, Sally receives a confusing note warning her to "beware the Seven Blessings," and to locate a man called Marchbanks. Sally soon finds herself in mortal danger as she tries to solve the mystery of her father's suspicious death, and becomes embroiled in the hunt for a priceless ruby.

Reference: Pullman, P. (1985). The Ruby in the Smoke. New York, NY: Random House Children's Books.

Impressions: This book is so much fun, especially for fans of historical fiction. It's moody and atmospheric, and the villains are genuinely creepy in a Dickensian sort of way. I love how this book takes the template of a Victorian mystery, but instead of making Sally dainty and mercurial, as a true Victorian-era thriller like The Moonstone would, Sally is tough and take-charge, navigating the opium dens and slums of London to find her father's murderer and locate the ruby that is his legacy to her. The supporting characters are equally entertaining.

Review: The first volume in Philip Pullman's Sally Lockhart series (Random, pap. 1988) offers listeners an exemplary experience with classic melodrama. Sixteen-year-old Sally was orphaned when her father's investigation of illicit activities in his trading company led to his death halfway around the world from their home in 19th century London. When mysterious messages lead Sally to his old offices and, apparently, involve her in frightening a staff member there literally to death, she realizes that she needs to explore more fully what led to Lockhart's death and take matters of her present living conditions into hand. With the assistance of a young photographer and his bohemian household, the information provided by an opium addicted sailor and his vicious landlady, and the energetic guidance of the messenger boy at her father's old workplace, Sally uncovers not only the reasons for her father's death but the truth about her own parentage. Shakespearean actor Anton Lesser creates a host of accents and personalities to match this diverse cast of characters. Not only is this a rip-roaring mystery, but the insights offered on Victorian society and technology will intrigue both newcomers to historical fiction and those who thought Dickens would have the ultimate word on representing the era in fiction.

Goldsmith, F., & Mandell, P. L. (2004). The Ruby in the Smoke[review]. School Library Journal, 50(12), 78.

Suggested Use:  COSTUME NIGHT! Kids could come dressed as their favorite characters from historical or steam punk fiction. I think kids who enjoy steam punk would find this book entertaining. It lacks the sci-fi/fantasy element of steam punk, but it really nails the smokey, gritty atmosphere of London during the era of steam power, so I'd include this in a list of suggested books for steam punk or historical fiction costume night!

Module 7: Witch Hunt: The Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials, by Marc Aronson

Summary: Author Marc Aronson revisits the Salem Witch Trials, using new and old research, as well as primary documents, to put the trials and executions into context. Aronson discusses political tensions and social realities that influenced Salem's reaction to the accusations of witchcraft, and ties this dark historical period to the contemporary experience. The author includes a handy timeline of Puritan history and of the trials, as well as a useful appendix discussing Arthur Miller's well-known play about the Salem witch trials, The Crucible.

Reference: Aronson, M. (2003). Witch-hunt: the mysteries of the Salem witch trials. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Impressions: Like many, I've had a lasting interest in the Salem witch trials, and I found Aronson's book illuminating. We tend to view the Salem witch trials as an isolated incident, but Aronson is careful to explain seventeenth-century culture, particularly in England and the colonies, in a way that sheds light on how these accusations were able to gather the momentum that they did. Aronson also clears up several myths, like the origins of Tituba, who is frequently portrayed as African, though she was actually an Indian from Barbados. The author also explores some of the psychological aspects of the case along with political and historical, so that it becomes easier to imagine how a girl like Ann Putnam, Jr., might become embroiled in the frenzy of accusations and trials. I was especially interested to read about the political tensions between the farmers of Salem Village, with their own church, and the larger, more commercial Salem Town.

Review: The Devil made them do it. So said Puritan minister Increase Mather in 1692, finally speaking out against the accusers and ending the hanging of townsfolk found guilty of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. But, delving into the evidence of court documents and the interpretations of numerous modern scholars, Aronson argues a much more complex case. His deeply researched examination becomes a multilayered lesson in the study and understanding of history. While what actually happened in Salem is not easily discerned, Aronson offers plenty of discussion of possible motives and causes as characters and events are introduced. An opening note to the reader refutes the accuracy of most popular accounts, and several themes and ideas about interpreting the Salem story recur in the substantial introduction and prologue and throughout the analytical text. Early on, Aronson makes an analogy to the social extrapolation of witch characters encountered in folk and fairy tales, and he repeatedly alludes to the events of September 11 as an example of crisis coloring accusations and judgments. He has a particular interest in the erroneous but compelling account Arthur Miller created in his play The Crucible, and references to this are expanded, in a long appendix, which also suggests ways teachers might approach this oft-assigned work. It may well be that teachers will be this book's most apt audience, though teen readers will surely gain insight into the complexities of history itself and the reading and writing of historical material. With as much historiography as history, it's all a bit heavy going, yet the story — what happened and why it may have happened — retains its luster as an intriguing, dramatic exemplar of human experience. A timeline, bibliography, extensive notes, and an index round out the discourse.

Bush, M. A. (2004). Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials [review]. Horn Book Magazine, 80(1), 96-97.

Suggested Use: In an academic library, I would recommend this book to high school or early-college (freshman and sophomore) students of American History. The Salem Witch Trials have always held a special place in the imagination for those interested in history, and this book puts the trials in a new, more logical context. This would be great for a classroom book report or project.

Module 7: Fabulous! A Portrait of Andy Warhol, by Bonnie Christensen

Summary: This picture book biography chronicles the rise of Andy Warhol from a sickly kid in Pittsburgh to one of the most famous artists and personalities in modern history. The author uses replicas of Warhol's works to illustrate vignettes from the artist's life.

Reference: Christensen, B. (2011) Fabulous! A portrait of Andy Warhol. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co.

Impressions: This is a great introduction to the works and the life of the renowned pop icon. I enjoyed Christensen's method of describing moments in the artists life, like snapshots, that capture his journey from awkward youth to celebrity, artists, and critic. Each turn of the page reveals a new, dazzling illustration, accompanied by a paragraph about a time in Warhol's life. It's a great start to teaching kids about this enigmatic character, and will hopefully inspire some to learn more about modern and postmodern art, as well as the artist himself.

Review: Shy, sickly Andy spent many lonely hours resting in bed. Warhol's mother understood his uniqueness, and instead of forcing him to attend school, stand up to bullies or play sports, she unfailingly nurtured his talents and accepted and supported his interests. Andy attended art classes at the Carnegie Museum art school in Pittsburgh and was encouraged by teachers who also recognized his promise. Comics, movie magazines, glamorous superstars and luminous icons from his Eastern Orthodox parish church fueled his imagination. Christensen effectively re-imagines Warhol's unmistakable style for 21st-century kids while offering a developmentally appropriate take on Warhol's life. She focuses on his early graphic work and the exciting, transformative era of Pop Art. She conveys the explosive impact of his Campbell's soup cans and Marilyn as she discretely limns the early activities of "The Factory."

Though readers will need to consult the backmatter for the details of the more complex and tumultuous years from the mid-'60s to his death in 1987, they will find this a vital and exciting child-appropriate introduction to an American icon. 

FABULOUS! A Portrait of Andy Warhol [book review]. (2011). Kirkus Reviews, 79(8), 678-679.

Suggested Use: I'd love to do an art-themed story time for elementary-aged kids (6-9), using this book and a couple others. For the story time craft, kids could do self-portraits, or portraits of their friends. 

Module 6: One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia

Summary: It's 1968, and Delphine and her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, are headed to Oakland to spend the summer with their estranged mother, Cecile. Expecting trips to Disneyland and days at the beach, the girls instead find in their mother a prickly, distant poet, who refuses to let them use the kitchen and sends them to spend their days at day camp held by the local chapter of the Black Panthers. Until now, Delphine has heard the Black Panthers described as radicals and revolutionaries, but at the day camp she learns of the work they do for their communities, and she and her sisters become involved in a rally to free the Panthers' founder, Huey Lewis. The girls also learn more about their mother, and why she left them back in New York.

Reference: Williams-Garcia, R. (2010) One Crazy Summer. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children's Books.

Impressions: Garcia won a variety of awards for this book, and I can see why. I found it equally entertaining and informative. I enjoyed the characters of all three girls, and Delphine's voice is confident and well-developed; I loved following along as she navigates her relationship with her mother, her sisters, and the people she meets at the community center. Even today, the Black Panthers are portrayed primarily as violent radicals, and little attention is given to services they performed within black communities, like providing free breakfast, child care, and anemia tests, so I enjoyed learning, along with Delphine, about these other aspects of the Panthers' activities. I also think Garcia-Williams did a great job of communicating the energy and atmosphere of Oakland in 1968, at the height of the Civil Rights movement. I look forward to reading the sequel, P.S. Be Eleven.

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

Markson, T. (2010). One Crazy Summer [book review]. School Library Journal, 56(3), 170.

Suggested Use: This  historical novel would be a great read for middle-school students learning about Civil Rights and other political movements. While I think it would be good anytime, and that books about black history should be promoted at beyond national Black History month, this book gives such a strong impression and flavor of a tumultuous time in Civil Rights history that I think it would be a great featured book for Black History month. I would give a book talk directly to a middle school social studies or history class about One Crazy Summer; I think it would be a valuable supplement to the curriculum.

Module 6: Pink and Say, by Patricia Polacco

Summary:  Pink and Say are union soldiers, one black, one white and gravely injured. Pink rescues Say, risking his life to transport Say to the home of his mother, Moe Moe Bay, where Say can be fed and nursed until he is well. Moe Moe Bay's home is warm and safe, but the boys know it's a matter of time before their presence draws danger to Pink's childhood home, and they begin to think about rejoining the fray. Just as they're about to head out, the war finds them again.

Reference: Polacco, P. (1994). Pink and Say. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Impression:  This book, written by the descendant of Say himself, presents the cruelties of slavery and war in a way that is appropriate for young children. I appreciated that it didn't gloss over the issue of slavery or the fates of Pink and his mother, which are tragic, and brought me to tears. It's difficult to know how to talk to kids honestly about slavery and racism. I think this story would be a good introduction. What makes this book even more unique is that, while it's written for young children, the intensity of the story and Polacco's lovely illustrations, can be appreciated by all ages. After all, the two main characters are boys of sixteen.

Review: This book, the story of Polacco's great-great-grandfather, has been passed down from generation to generation in the author-artist's family. Fifteen-year-old soldier Sheldon Russell Curtis - Say to his family - has been left for dead on a Civil War battlefield somewhere in Georgia. A fellow Union soldier, Pinkus Aylee, who is African American - "I had never seen a man like him so close before. His skin was the color of polished mahogany" - discovers him and, with much effort, drags the feverish Say home, where his mother, a slave named Moe Moe Bay, nurses Say back to health. As the boys regain their strength, they become as close as real family and discuss things close to their hearts. Pink shares his special talent: Master Aylee, his owner, had taught him how to read. "'To be born a slave is a heap o' trouble, Say. But after Aylee taught me to read, even though he owned my person, I knew that nobody, ever, could really own me.'" Say receives special comfort from Moe Moe when he admits that he deserted his troop and is afraid to return to the war. On the morning the two boys plan to leave and search for their respective troops, marauding Confederate soldiers arrive and kill Moe Moe. Pink and Say are later captured and become prisoners of the Confederate Army, in Andersonville. Although Say lived to tell this story of friendship and brotherhood, Pink was hanged within hours of arriving at the dreaded prison. Told in Say's colorful, country-fresh voice, the text incorporates authentic-sounding dialect and expressions - such as darky - that would have been used at the time. Polacco's characteristic acrylic, ink, and pencil illustrations are suitably dramatic and focus on the intense physical and emotional joy and pain of the story's three main characters. The remarkable story, made even more extraordinary in its basis in actual events, raises questions about courage, war, family, and slavery. A not-to-be-missed tour de force.

Fader, E., & Silvey, A. (1994). Pink and Say. Horn Book Magazine, 70(6), 724-725.

Suggested Use: I think this book would make for another worthy collaboration between classroom teacher and librarian. When kids are learning about the civil war, they could read Pink and Say as a class, and discuss the effects of the civil war, and of slavery, on the men who fought, and on their families. I think this powerful story speaks for itself, so a simple read aloud could provoke a meaningful, important discussion. This book could honestly be used in discussions for kids from six to sixteen.

Module 5: Valiant, by Holly Black

Summary: Furious and hurt by a stinging betrayal, Val runs away from her suburban home to live on the streets of New York City. There she meets Luis, Dave and Lollie, three street kids with strange connections and access to magical drugs. Determined to learn the purpose of the clandestine errands that Dave and Luis run for mysterious clients, Val soon finds herself embroiled in a sort of magical street war, and indentured to an ogre.

Reference: Black, H. (2005). Valiant: a modern tale of faerie. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Impressions: This one's a little soapy, but I enjoyed it. I like the way Black takes familiar themes, like homelessness, drug use, and youthful disillusionment, and mixes them with the fantastical and otherworldly. I also like that Val, while she's tough and resourceful, is struggling with things like peer pressure and abandonment, so that, though the story is a fantasy, the heroine is recognizable; her problems are accessible and familiar for many teenaged readers.

Review: The author of Tithe (S & S, 2002) returns to her dark, dangerous, and amazing world of Faerie. When 17-year-old Valerie catches her boyfriend and her mother fooling around, she runs away to New York City. There she falls in with a small group of teens who live in the subway tunnels. But there is something more to their stories than that of normal street kids. When Valerie begins to notice odd things about the deliveries they make, and when she meets Ravus, a troll, she understands that there is an entire world that she has never known existed-the world of Faerie. Valerie and her friends begin to steal from Ravus's deliveries, using the Never that he provides to the faeries as a drug. But those who receive the deliveries are being found dead. Is Ravus the poisoner or could it be another of the fantastic creatures they have met? This dark fantasy includes drug use and strong language, but beneath its darkness readers find well-rendered characters, a gripping plot, and pure magic.

Saecker, T., Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Raben, D. (2005). Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie. School Library Journal, 51(6), 148.

Suggested Use: Many high school and college-level English and Literature classes focus on folk and fairy tales, which are not static, but change and evolve as they are handed down through generations. I think a librarian and instructor could collaborate to compose a reading list of traditional and modern fairy tales, which would include this book. Students could compare and contrast the different kinds of fantasy story, and look for common themes and elements throughout.

Module 5: The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau

Summary: Ember is a city with no sun, moon, or stars. The town’s only light is produced by a rickety, increasingly untrustworthy generator deep underground. Food, lightbulbs, toiletries all come from storerooms that are nearly empty. No one from Ember knows what lies beyond the flickering lights of the city. Young Lina and her friend Doon discover what they think may be directions to another place, outside of Ember. Will they make it out before the lights go out for good?

Reference: DuPrau, J. (2003). The City of Ember. New York, NY: Random House Children's Books.

Impressions: I felt that The City of Ember had a lot of really fascinating elements, but the story never really got off the ground. I didn't realize at first that this is the first entry in a series, so I was disappointed that some of the conflicts, like Doon and Lina's battle with Ember's shady mayor, weren't resolved. It felt to me that the story was just taking off when the book ended, and I wasn't engrossed enough to embark on the sequel. That said, there are some really thought-provoking aspects to the story of a city built underground, where power and light are finite, and words like "sky" and "sun" have no meaning, because no one has ever seen either, and common items like thread and yarn and utensils are used until they disintegrate, because no one knows how to make more. The most interesting mystery, to me, is why " the Builders" created Ember in the first place, and what Doon and Lina will find when they escape. But, I haven't decided if I'm going to make it that far.

Review: DuPrau debuts with a promisingly competent variation on the tried-and-true "isolated city" theme. More than 200 years after an unspecified holocaust, the residents of Ember have lost all knowledge of anything beyond the area illuminated by the floodlamps on their buildings. The anxiety level is high and rising, for despite relentless recycling, food and other supplies are running low, and the power failures that plunge the town into impenetrable darkness are becoming longer and more frequent. Then Lina, a young foot messenger, discovers a damaged document from the mysterious Builders that hints at a way out. She and Doon, a classmate, piece together enough of the fragmentary directions to find a cave filled with boats near the river that runs beneath Ember, but their rush to announce their discovery almost ends in disaster when the two fall afoul of the corrupt Mayor and his cronies. Lina and Doon escape in a boat, and after a scary journey emerge into an Edenlike wilderness to witness their first sunrise-for Ember, as it turns out, has been built in an immense cavern. Still intent on saving their people, the two find their way back underground at the end, opening the door for sequels. The setting may not be so ingeniously envisioned as those of, say, Joan Aiken's Is Underground (Turtleback, 1995) and Lois Lowry's The Giver (Houghton, 1993), but the quick pace and the uncomplicated characters and situations will keep voracious fans of the genre engaged.

Peters, J., Jones, T.E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Larkins, J. The City of Ember (book review). School Library Journal (49)5, 150.

Suggested Use: Kids love dystopian fiction! (So do adults, for that matter.) However, some (like The Hunger Games) might be a bit mature for younger kids. I'd set up a sci-fi themed book display featuring The City of Ember and other sci-fi and dystopian novels, including the ones mentioned in the review above) for middle-school aged children. 

Module 4: Rules, by Cynthia Lord

Summary: The title of this book refers to a list of appropriate social responses collected by the narrator, Catherine for her little brother, David, who is autistic. Catherine spends a lot of time wishing her family was normal, and when a new girl moves in across the street, Catherine becomes even more self-conscious about her brother’s behavior, and about her friendship with a boy she meets at David’s therapy sessions.

Reference: Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Impressions: Reading Rules was like reading one of Judy Blume’s books for middle school-aged kids, in the way that it deals with Catherine’s fear of not fitting in, and her realization that “normal” isn’t always best, or easily identifiable. I appreciated the nuances of Catherine’s relationships with David and her parents. She loves them, and she’s protective of her little brother, but she also resents them. She craves attention and normalcy. The story was a little slow for me, but I think it will appeal to young fans of realistic fiction (10-12). Some of David’s actions are comical, but not over the top or jokey.

Review: Twelve-year-old Catherine has conflicting feelings about her younger brother, David, who is autistic. While she loves him, she is also embarrassed by his behavior and feels neglected by their parents. In an effort to keep life on an even keel, Catherine creates rules for him ("It's okay to hug Mom but not the clerk at the video store"). Each chapter title is also a rule, and lots more are interspersed throughout the book. When Kristi moves in next door, Catherine hopes that the girl will become a friend, but is anxious about her reaction to David. Then Catherine meets and befriends Jason, a nonverbal paraplegic who uses a book of pictures to communicate, she begins to understand that normal is difficult, and perhaps unnecessary, to define. Rules of behavior are less important than acceptance of others. Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. Her love for her brother is as real as are her frustrations with him. Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter.

Burns, C.T. (2006). Rules [book review]. School Library Journal 52(4), 142.

Suggested Use: I would include this book on a suggested reading list for 10-12 year-olds. I think it's right about at this age that kids start really worrying about fitting in with their peers (at least, it was for me). In any reading list, I'd try to include books with diverse characters and perspectives, and Lord's novel would have dual value in that some kids will receive the benefit of identifying with Catherine's experiences, and others may learn from them. 

Module 4: Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell

Summary: Park’s first impression of Eleanor is that she’s all wrong. Wrong hair, wrong clothes, wrong attitude. He shares his seat with her on the bus just so people will stop staring and pointing. Eleanor isn’t much fonder of Park, who shuts himself off with comic books and mix tapes. Before they know what’s happening, Park and Eleanor are sharing comic books, becoming friends and more in no time. But mean kids and Eleanor’s nasty stepfather threaten the happiness that Park and Eleanor have found.

Reference: Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor and Park. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.

Impressions: I love Eleanor and Park. I think the characters are wonderfully complicated, and Rowell writes about first love beautifully. The feeling of being awkward and trying so hard to find yourself, and then finding the one person who really makes you feel like the person you’re supposed to be is in this book. I also love the musical references. This story is sad and funny and hopeful in turns. I’d like to talk to young people about Eleanor and Park, to see if they respond the way that I did. I think a lot of the references might be lost on them, and I wonder if the ‘80’s setting, which seemed accessible to me, would be alienating for teenagers. I think, though, that Rowell writes well enough of the terrors and wonders of high school and first love to make this story a great experience for readers of any age.

Review: Half-Korean sophomore Park Sheridan is getting through high school by lying low, listening to the Smiths (it's 1986), reading Alan Moore's Watchmen comics, never raising his hand in class, and avoiding the kids he grew up with. Then new girl Eleanor gets on the bus. Tall, with bright red hair and a dress code all her own, she's an instant target. Too nice not to let her sit next to him, Park is alternately resentful and guilty for not being kinder to her. When he realizes she's reading his comics over his shoulder, a silent friendship is born. And slowly, tantalizingly, something more. Adult author Rowell (Attachments), making her YA debut, has a gift for showing what Eleanor and Park, who tell the story in alternating segments, like and admire about each other. Their love is believable and thrilling, but it isn't simple: Eleanor's family is broke, and her stepfather abuses her mother. When the situation turns dangerous, Rowell keeps things surprising, and the solution--imperfect but believable--maintains the novel's delicate balance of light and dark. Ages 13-up. Agent: Christopher Schelling, Selectric Artists. (Mar.)

Eleanor and Park [book review]. (2012). Publisher’s Weekly, 259(50), 62-63. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2200/ehost.

Suggested Use: An Eleanor and Park movie is in the works, but, no matter how well it turns out, the experience of reading this book would be a shame to miss. I think a “soon to be a movie” book talk would be a good way to get kids to read books like this one that are about to become films. I would also put together a complementary book display of young adult novels whose movie versions are in progress, with Eleanor and Park front and center.

Module 3: How I Live Now, by Meg Rosoff.

Summary: Daisy leaves an unhappy home to live with her cousins in an ancient English manor house. When she gets there, Daisy finds the home she’s been missing with Edmond, Isaac and Piper, though her feelings for Edmond are a little more complicated. The idyll is soon interrupted by a mysterious war, and Piper and Daisy are separated from the brothers. Everything’s falling apart, but Daisy is determined to find her way back to Edmond.

Reference: Rosoff, M. (2004). How I live now. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.

Impressions: Daisy is an entertaining, challenging character, and I love her voice. The entire story is told from her perspective, and Rosoff narrative style is representative of a 15-year old’s speech patterns. Daisy is funny and prickly, and her journey from isolated, bitter teenager to family member is touching. I also liked Rosoff’s description of the changes brought by war, gradual at first, then world-shattering. I could see parents being sensitive about this book, because it treats anorexia and incest casually, but it's all part of Daisy's metamorphosis from a sullen, self-centered youth to young woman, protecting her family and struggling to survive. 

Review: This first novel is intelligent, funny, serious, and sweet; a winning combination of acerbic commentary, innocence, and sober vision. Sent from Manhattan to live with four English cousins on their farm, fifteen-year-old Daisy is smitten with the lush, pastoral beauty around her, but especially with her cousin Edmond, who surprises her "in about half a million ways each day." Daisy's and Edmond's idyllic love is interrupted when an unnamed enemy power invades the country (à la Marsden's Tomorrow, When the War Began): the British army confiscates the farm, and the children are split up and evacuated to separate places. As the violence escalates, Daisy and youngest cousin Piper escape their caretakers and make their way home through an uncertain countryside, where fields and woods may yield either carnage or sustenance. Daisy's account, in eccentrically punctuated run-on sentences, has a breathless directness, a mixture of urbane self-mockery and first-time wonder,  that is utterly captivating. Through her eyes, we see the practical effects of the occupation--how civilians rally to bring in the harvest, provide medical care, and even milk cows in the absence of electricity. Refreshingly, Rosoff understates Daisy's transformation from self-absorbed, defensive anorexic to generous, loving hero, but that inner evolution is always apparent in her bracing wit and intense response to beauty, both human and natural. Hilarious, lyrical, and compassionate, this is, literarily and emotionally, deeply satisfying.

Baker, D.F. (2004). How I live now [review]. Horn Book Review, (80)50, 597-80. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2308/ehost/.

Suggested use: This could be featured in a book display of award-winning young adult books. There are such a wealth of books written for teenagers that it can be hard to sift through and find the best ones. Such a book display would highlight quality literature for high school-aged kids. 

Module 3: Lockdown, by Walter Dean Myers

Summary: Lockdown is the story of Reese Anderson, a juvenile offender serving time at a facility called Progress. With good behavior, Reese has a chance of getting out of Progress early, but he’s having a hard time. When Reese tries to defend a smaller kid at Progress, the other guys pick fights with Reese, and the patients at the retirement facility where Reese works give him a hard time. And, just when Reese thinks he’s on his way to early release, he finds himself facing new charges, and in danger of spending several more years behind bars. Will Reese get a second chance, or will he be in lockdown for good?

Reference: Myers, W.D. (2010). Lockdown. New York, NY: Harper Collins Children’s Books.

Impressions: This book is a little slow, but I really liked the character of Reese, who wants to get out of Progress so that he can support his little sister, and help her go to college. Myers does a really good job of showing how young people get trapped in the justice system, and how those consequences influence not only a child’s future, but also their sense of self, and of self-worth.

Review: Maurice "Reese" Anderson is sentenced to 38 months in Progress, a juvenile detention center in New York, for stealing prescription forms for use in a drug-dealing operation. After 22 months, Reese, now age 14, is assigned to a work-release program at Evergreen, an assisted-living center for seniors. There he meets racist Mr. Hooft, who lectures him on life's hardships (having barely survived a Japanese war camp in Java), which causes Reese to reflect on his own choices. More than anything, he wants to be able to protect his siblings, who live with his drug-addicted mother, before they repeat his mistakes ("The thing was that I didn't know if I was going to mess up again or not. I just didn't know. I didn't want to, but it looked like that's all I did"). Reese faces impossible choices and pressures--should he cop to a crime he didn't commit? stick out his neck for a fellow inmate and risk his own future? It's a harrowing, believable portrait of how circumstances and bad decisions can grow to become nearly insurmountable obstacles with very high stakes. Ages 12-up. (Feb.)

Lockdown (review). 2010. Publisher’s Weekly 257(2), 49. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2200/ehost/pdfviewer/.

Suggested Use:  This book would be good to include in a book talk about realistic fiction suggestions. Besides featuring believable, interesting characters, I think Myers does a great job of representing the perspective of a young person who feels defeated by the justice system, and some of the problems that might lead to such a state. I think it would be easy script a book talk that attracts young readers to this book, and could bring some valuable perspective to a discussion.

Module 2: Rapunzel, by Paul O. Zelinsky

Summary: In his retelling of the classic folktale popularized by the Brothers Grimm, author and illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky draws from sources older than the Grimms’ publications, reaching back to the story’s earlier Italian and French roots to tell the story of the girl imprisoned by a witch in a tower with no door, so that the witch must gain entrance by climbing the girl’s long, beautiful hair.  Zelinsky’s Italian Renaissance-style illustrations are inspired by Rapunzel’s Neopolitan history, and the book includes an author’s note, in which Zelinsky recounts the origins and evolution of the fairy tale.

Reference: Zelinski, P.O. (1997). Rapunzel. New York, NY: Dutton Children’s Books.

Impressions: Though Zelinsky does include elements from earlier versions of the Rapunzel tale, his retelling aligns pretty closely with the modern version: Rapunzel is tricked into lowering her hair for a prince, with whom she falls in love. When the witch learns of Rapunzel’s betrayal, she banishes Rapunzel and blinds the prince, who wanders the wilderness in search of his love. Zelinsky’s language is simple but elegant, and evokes the magic and darkness of the classic fairy tale. The Renaissance-inspired illustrations are lovely, mimicking the colors and textures of early Italian Renaissance art, and intricately detailed. The expressions on the faces of Zelinsky’s characters are especially striking, as is his use of light and shade. This is a really lovely picture book for older children. I also loved Zelinsky's notes on the history of the Rapunzel story, its beginnings and connections to other folk traditions. 

Review: Reduced to its plot, the story of "Rapunzel" is the ultimate melodrama: a hapless child, because of her mother's longing for a particular herb, is given to a sorceress to be raised in a formidable tower until an undaunted prince breaches the defenses. Pregnant, she is banished; he is blinded by a fall. Both must wander through a desolate wilderness until their final triumphant reunion. But, as Zelinsky's extensive notes reveal, the tale is far more than a folktale version of a long-running soap opera. Dating back to Basile's Il Pentamerone (1637), it underwent several meta-morphoses before being included by the Brothers Grimm in the first edition of their Household Stories (1812). Various retellers obviously knew a good story when they found one-and "Rapunzel," with its roots in the human psyche, is all of that. But it takes a scholar's mind and an artist's insight to endow the familiar with unexpected nuances-which Zelinsky does with passion and dazzling technique. Given the story's Italian origins, his choice of a Renaissance setting is inspired, allowing for many allusions to the art and architecture of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. Yet these are not slavish imitations of masterpieces; rather, he has assimilated the sources and transformed them, giving depth to the characters and endowing the story with an aura of otherworldiness that enlarges upon the historical references. There is both love and menace in the sorceress's face; the landscape through which Rapunzel and the prince wander is both beautiful and desolate. Simply put, this is a gorgeous book; it demonstrates respect for the traditions of painting and the fairy tale while at the same time adhering to a singular, wholly original, artistic vision.

Burns, M. M. (1998). Rapunzel (review). Horn Book Magazine 74(1), 85-86. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu.

Suggested Use:  This book could be the center of a really fun art activity for older elementary school-aged kids (2^nd-4^th) grade. After reading the book and studying Zelinsky’s sumptuous artwork, kids could design an illustration for their own favorite folk or fairy tale. Activity leaders could explain why Zelinsky chose to use Renaissance-style artwork, and kids could be urged to illustrate their fairy tales in whatever style they feel best suits the story. In addition to colored pencils and markers, scrap paper and old magazines could be provided, for kids who want to use collage. I’m sure the kids would come up with some really fun, original artwork for classic stories! 

Module 2: Shark vs. Train, by Chris Barton. Illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld.

Summary: In Shark vs Train, a toy shark and train face off in a variety of increasingly far-fetched competitions. Who can run the best lemonade stand? Who will beat whom at bowling, or high diving, or tightrope sword fighting? The shark wins at pie-eating, while the train is a master marshmallow-roaster. They’re both pretty bad at video games, what with the lack of thumbs. The text of this book is simple, but the illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld depicting bizarre battles are bright and silly, and the action portrayed in them tells as much of the story as the words. In addition to the narrative, speech bubbles convey the toys’ verbal sparring.

Reference: Barton, C. & Lichtenheld, T. (Illustrator). (2010). Shark vs. Train. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

Impressions: I found this picture book really entertaining! This book is a wonderful example of the way that good illustrations work together with narrative to make a stimulating story time for children. The pictures are amusing, and the toys’ verbal asides, shown in speech bubbles, will make kids giggle, as well. The toys, personified with smirky grins and rolling eyes, are illustrated in bright, saturated colors that will be visually stimulating for very young children, and older ones will get a kick out of the snarky one-liners and ridiculous situations.

Review: “A pair of spiky-haired preschoolers ransack a toy box in the opening panels, grabbing up their favorite tokens of aggression. By the time we reach the title page, their chosen toy shark and train have anthropomorphized, and they are trash-talkin' with backs arched and teeth bared: "'I'm going to choo-choo you up and spit you out.' 'Ha! I'm going to fin-ish you, mackerel-breath.'" As Barton quickly demonstrates, though, the arena determines the victor: in the ocean Shark has the upper fin while Train sinks like an iron ingot; in a marshmallow roast-off, however, Train rules, toasting the treat over his glowing smokestack as Shark drips on his pathetic little stick fire. The set-ups run on and on with excessive length—longer, perhaps, than audience enthusiasm may last—and listeners are apt to forget that there are human buddies directing the action. Intergalactic travel, sword-fighting on a tightrope, and distance jumps off of ramps even begin to weary the protagonists: "'Okay, this is getting ridiculous.' 'Now would be a good time for a break. . . . '" Then it's lunchtime, the little guys reenter the scene, and toys are tossed back in the box awaiting a postprandial rematch. Lichtenheld renders some of the most comically muscle-bound entities since McMullan's trucks and tugs (I Stink!, BCCB 6/02, et al.) and the pugilists' clever adaptation to each preposterous new setting mitigates the daunting largeness of the number of smackdowns. Time to raid the toy chest and make some noise.”

Bush, E. (2010). Shark vs Train (review). Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 63(9) 370.

Suggested Use:  I love the depiction of imagination in this book: in it, the shark and train are actually being wielded by a couple of rowdy little boys who make up stranger and wackier situations as they go. I think it would be fun to have a bring-your-favorite-toy day for kindergarten or first-grade aged kids. After reading this story, kids could be encouraged to make up stories about their own toys. This would be a great exercise in creativity!

Book Trailer: Lockdown, by Walter Dean Meyers

Book Trailer: How I Live Now, by Meg Rosoff

Book Trailer: Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell.

Module 1: The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin

Summary: On a cloudy day in November, the residents of Sunset Towers gather in a gloomy mansion to hear the will of late, eccentric millionaire Sam Westing. Imagine their surprise when the will turns out to be a challenge, an invitation to solve Westing’s own murder! The heirs are paired off and provided with $10,000 and a couple of cryptic clues, which they must use to find the murderer and inherit Westing’s millions. As we uncover the secrets of Westing’s heirs, we learn that nothing is as it seems, and neither are the players of this mysterious, and possibly deadly, game.

Reference: Raskin, E. (1978). The Westing Game. New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books. 

Impressions: I love mysteries and thrillers, and I enjoyed this book, written for adolescents, as much as I have any book intended for adults. This is one of the few "classics" that I think will really stand the test of time: it's fast-paced, clever, and humorous, and the puzzle at the center of the story will keep kids engaged through to the last page. I especially love the characters of the book, and the sly way that Raskin reminds us, as we're flipping pages to learn whodunnit, how very misleading appearances can be. Each player in the game is revealed to have hidden depths, motives and motivations that belie first impressions. It's also one of the few older books with a diverse cast of characters. 

Review: "A supersharp mystery, more a puzzle than a novel, but endowed with a vivid and extensive cast. In the Christie tradition, Raskin isolates a divers group of strangers—the mysteriously hand-picked tenants of a new apartment building within sight of the old Westing Mansion—and presents them with the information that one of them is the murderer. Actually, it turns out that there is no corpse, but no one is aware of that when they are all assembled for a reading of old Westing’s fiendish will, which pairs them all off and allots each pair four one-word clues to the murderer’s identity. As the winning pair is to inherit Westing’s fortune, there is much secret conferring, private investigating, far-out scheming, and snitching and scrambling of the teasing, enigmatic clues. (For example, those of black judge Josie Jo Ford, which she takes for a racial insult, read SKIES AM SHINING BROTHER.) As a result of the pairings, alliances are made and suspended, and though there is no murderer there is a secret winner—the pigtailed youngest of the “heirs”—plus extravagant happy endings for all. As Westing had warned, all are not what they seem, and you the reader end up liking them better than you expected to. If Raskin’s crazy ingenuity has threatened to run away with her on previous occasions, here the complicated game is always perfectly meshed with character and story. Confoundingly clever, and very funny."

(1978). The Westing Game. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ellen-raskin-0/westing-game-raskin/. 

Suggested Use: This book would be a great choice for a summer reading challenge for middle-school-aged kids. It's well-written and clever, but it's also fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining, so kids won't feel like they're wasting their summer vacation reading. Afterwards, kids could be led in a discussion about how the characters are revealed to be much more complex than appearances imply. 

Module 1: You Were Loved Before You Were Born, by Eve Bunting

Summary: You Were Loved Before You Were Born describes the preparations of a family anticipating the arrival of a new baby. The story is narrated as if a parent is speaking to the child, telling the story of each family member’s contributions in anticipation of the child’s entrance to the home. The family prepares the baby’s room, makes toys, and sorts hand-me-downs as they get ready to welcome the new baby.

Reference: Bunting, E. & Barbour, K (Illustrator). (2008). You Were Loved Before You Were Born. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Impressions: The prose of this story is simple and rhythmic, which would make it a good book to read aloud to very young children. The review below indicates that this book is intended for younger grade school kids, but I actually think it'ts more appropriate for even younger children, perhaps in the three to five-year old range. I didn't really enjoy the text of this book. Even for young children, I think it wouldn't be particularly interesting; it's not funny, and there's no real story line or narrative. As I said, I could see a parent reading it to a small child in their lap to put them to sleep, but the story isn't that engaging. The illustrations, on the other hand, are beautifully done. Karen Barbour's vibrantly colored woodcuts would, I think, be visually appealing to kids of many different ages. You Were Loved Before You Were Born is, in my opinion, an excellent example of a picture book whose true value lies in the illustrations. They enhance the relatively dry story, and are works of art in themselves. 

Review: In this second collaboration between Bunting and Barbour, a mother, speaking in soothing tones, narrates an idyllic portrait of how a child is anticipated and then welcomed into the world: “The minute Daddy and I found out we were going to have you, we loved you.” Grandmother plants a rosebush in the garden “that will grow as you grow,” and grandfather brings over the rocking chair that rocked an earlier generation. An aunt paints the moon and stars on the walls of the baby’s room. Even the family pets cooperate. Barbour’s gorgeous woodcuts are alternately nostalgic and psychedelic, perfectly fitting the sweet, boundless dreams that can precede a child’s arrival. The trees are magnificent, multicolored orbs with trunks painted in unusual hues; the butterflies appear big as eagles; and the sky tint varies from hot pink to a buttery yellow. Since there are no images of the mother growing larger, the book will work equally well for adoptive and expectant families. —Abby Nolan

Nolan, A. (2008). You Were Loved Before You Were Born. Booklist 104(13), 74. 

Suggested Use: This book might be a good addition to a list of reading choices for a parent-child reading club, where parents read along with their young children. I think the value of this story book lies in the spectacular artwork, which parents and kids could enjoy together, and in the intimate nature of the text, which is written as though spoken by a mother to a child. I definitely think this book would be enjoyed more in a one-on-one reading, rather than in a group setting.