Asia's Book Blog

MODULE 1: RUNNYAWAY BUNNY

Bibliographic Citation:
Brown, Margaret Wise (2005). Runaway Bunny. HarperCollinPublishers: NY, NY.

SUMMARY:
The Runaway Bunny is a tale about a little bunny, who tells his mother that he wants to run away from home. His mother tells him that she will follow him because he is her little bunny. Since his mother says that she will find him, he says that he will become a series of natural elements. He will become a fish swimming in a trout stream, a rock on a mountain, a crocus hidden in a garden, a bird flying away from home, a little boat, a flying trapeze in a circus and finally a little boy running into a house. True to her word, the mother rabbit says she will become a fisherman so she can fish for him. She will also become a mountain climber so she can find his rock. A gardener, so she can find his crocus. A tree, so she can catch him in her leaves. The wind, so she can blow his sailboat, where she wants him to go. She will turn herself into a tight trope walker and then finally a mother, so she can catch and hug her little bunny. Exhausted, the little bunny agrees he will stay home.

OPINIONS:
I liked the Runaway Bunny for several reasons. The concept of the story is very sweet because it is a tale about a mother’s love. She will turn herself into any elements so she can bring her bunny home. The beautiful illustrations demonstrate this concept because they are sketched in pencil and paintings. When the little bunny tells his mother about his natural transformations, such as the sail boat, his illustrations are sketched in granite. His mother responses are painted in color. I think the authors presented the illustration in this ways because the mother loves her son. Most times, color represents love and passion and all the mother’s responses are in color. In contrast, the little bunny’s illustrations are sketched in pencil because he does not seem to understand that his mother loves him, until the end of the book, where the scene is painted in color. As mentioned before, the illustrations are very beautiful. I liked how they morphed the mother into each painted image. My most favorite image is the picture that shows the mother blowing her bunny, whose ears are large sails because it presents a little bit of comedy, plus the picture is adorable. Overall, The Runaway Bunny was a quick and interesting read, which is perfect for children.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
• Davis, E. K. (1992). Margaret Wise Brown (Book Review). The New York Times Book Review. 24.
Review: Mr. Marcus's description of Brown's creativity is especially interesting: she used parallel descriptions, unusual pairings of objects, patterns, unexpected reversals of patterns, surprises, noises, questions, rhyme. The origin of her great classic about constancy, 'The Runaway Bunny,' about a mother and child each undergoing a series of magical transformations, is in a medieval love ballad. 'Goodnight Moon,' with its simple, reassuring and cadenced text, elevated the craft of children's book writing to art. . . . As Leonard Marcus so clearly demonstrates, Margaret Wise Brown has left an enduring legacy for us and the generations to come. Review of Margaret Wise Brown.
(Retrieved on ESBCOHOST on April 29, 2011)

Review #2
• Stevenson, D. (1996). Samantha (Book Review). Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 49, 355.
Many children may wonder what it would be like to strike out on their own, but seldom imagine it as beautifully as the little bunny in this classic tale. The little bunny dreams of becoming a fish, a bird and even a “crocus in a hidden garden.” With each new incarnation the bunny imagines, his mother promises to become a fisherman, a tree and a gardener so that she may still watch over, guide and protect her little bunny. Realizing that his mother’s love is unwavering, the little bunny concedes defeat and decides he would be wise to stay home and just be himself. This picture book edition of the beautiful fable is perfect for even the smallest listener. Clement Hurd’s black and white and colorful, dream-like illustrations grace spreads throughout the book, bringing to life perfectly the imagination of the young and the depth of love a parent has for a child. Children and the adults who love them will treasure this story. 2005 (orig. 1942), HarperFestival/HarperCollins, $16.99 and $17.89. Ages 6 mo. to 5.
(Retrieved on Children's Literature Comprehensive Database on April 29, 2011)


USES IN LIBRARY:
During story time, I would read this story for my young children and we would discuss ideas about the mother and the little bunny. I would ask them why they think the bunny wants to run away from home. Then I would have the children make a bunny card from a paper, shaped like a bunny, to give to their mother on for mother’s day.


MODULE 2: CORDUROY

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Freeman, Don. (1968).Corduroy. New York, New York; Viking Press.



SUMMARY:
Corduroy is a story about lonely stuffed teddy bear, who desperately wants a friend. He rest on the shelves of a department store, waiting for a friend who would buy him and take him home. However, Corduroy has lived at the old toy store for a long and no one has brought him. Until, one morning, Lisa, a little girl, is shopping with her mother. She sees Corduroy and thinks he is the teddy bear that she has always wanted. Quickly, she begs her mother who is not so sure Corduroy is worth purchasing for her daughter. He is missing a button and does not look new. After they leave and the store closes, Corduroy desperately searches for his button, venturing through the dark department store. During his venture, Corduroy discovers his button on a bed, but it is stuck. Corduroy yanks the button hard and crash! He knocks over the floor lamp, alerting the night watchman. Alarmed and confused, the night watchman discovers Corduroy’s brown ears hidden under the covers of a large bed. He places the teddy bear back on the shelf of the toy store. After his big night, Corduroy closes his eyes and rest. Then, as he opens his eyes the next morning, he discovers Lisa’s warm smile. She has come to buy him with money from her piggy bank. She take Corduroy home and sew a new button on her new friend.

OPINIONS:
The story was very interesting because it is was about finding the right friend. Corduroy rests on the shelf for a long time. He waits for a friend, who comes in the shape of a little girl named Lisa. Looking beyond his broken buttons and ragged appearance, Lisa thinks Corduroy is a perfect friend for her. I also had other impression about this book. I liked that Freeman created Corduroy’s missing button, which prevents him from being brought by anyone until Lisa buys him with her own money. She also fixes his button at the end, which represents her fixing Corduroy’s problem, which could represent several thing-the reason he was not brought and fixing his dream of finding a friend and a home.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1

• Judith Sharman (Books for Keeps No. 52, September 1988)
These two books have hardly touched the shelves since I first read them aloud, passing from hand to hand and definitely looking well loved! Corduroy is a small teddy bear with a missing button who resides rather despondently in a department store until he is spotted by Lisa. Her mother refuses to buy him because he looks tatty. That night he sets off in desperation, braving all sorts of dangers in the pitch black store to search unsuccessfully for his button. Returned ignominiously to the toy department by the store detective, all seems lost when … Category: Nursery/Infant. . ...., Picture Puffin, D1.95 each. Ages 2 to 4. (Retrieved on Children's Literature Comprehensive Database on April 29, 2011)

Review #2
• Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)

Poor Corduroy, he has been sitting on the store shelf for a long time. A young girl named Lisa falls in love with Corduroy despite his missing button and shopworn look. It is a heartwarming story of the small stuffed bear's desire for a home and friends and his obtaining perfect fulfillment in the devotion of Lisa. Caldecott award winning illustrator Freeman created a book that has lasted for generations. 1968, Viking, $14.99, $4.99, $7.99 and $6.95 (book & tape). Ages 3 to 8. (Retrieved on Children's Literature Comprehensive Database on April 29, 2011)


USES IN LIBRARY:
I would use Corduroy in story times. I think it would be a good topic on teaching children about friendship. I think I would choose four books, including Corduroy. Then we would read the books and discuss different elements in the book.

MODULE 2: THE OUTSIDERS

Bibliographic Citation #2:
Hinton, S.E. Hinton. (1967). The Outsiders. New York: Dell Publishing.

SUMMARY:
Ponyboy Curtis would be all alone in the world, if it was not for his brothers, Sodapop and Darren “Darry” Curtis and his gang-Two-Bit Matthews, Dallas Winston, Steve Randle and Johnny Cade. To the world, they are greasers, common poor criminals living on the east side of town. However, Ponyboy and his brother are nothing how the world perceives them. Ponyboy is a smart kid, who attends honor classes. He may even, make it to college. Sodapop, a sixteen year old high school drop-out, works at a gas station so he can help Darry pay the rent. 22 year old, Darry works in construction, trying to keep the family together. Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darry have been living together since their parents were killed in a car accident a few years ago. They can stay together as long as they keep their noses clean and do not get into trouble. For Ponyboy, that is no problem unless he is jumped by some preppy Socials from the West side. The Socials are always causing problems. They cruise around in their red Corvairs, searching for greaser so they can beat them up. They are always throwing parties and getting into trouble. Since the Socials are rich, they are an “asset to society. Ponyboy has a few Social friends, though. At Dingo, a hangout for drive-in movies, Ponyboy meets sixteen year old Cherry Valence, whose interested in bad boy like his friend Dally. After saving her from Dally’s harassments, Ponyboy and Johnny becomes fast friends with Cherry. However, the boys know they do not have a shot with her because she is a Social, older than them and she is dating Bob Sheldon-a vicious Social. Angry at her boyfriend, Cherry allows Ponyboy and Johnny to walk her and her friend, Marcia, home, which sets a dark turn of events. Bob and his friends appear and take the girls back home. Ponyboy has a fight with Darry, which forces him to meet Johnny at the park, where an inebriated Bob and his friends show up. Johnny stab Bob, saving Ponyboy’s life and Dally sends them to an abandoned church. Right when they decide to go home, more events happen. The church catches on fire and burn Johnny as he and Ponyboy saves some kids from it. Finally, Ponyboy returns home, but Johnny is in critical condition at the hospital. Social tension also run high, ensuring a big fight, called the Rumble. On top of that, Ponyboy must sit through a trial, which may cause Ponyboy to be taken from his brother. After Ponyboy is absolved and the Western greaser and gangs beats the Socials, which stops the Socials from coming onto their territory, Johnny dies in the hospital. Dally is killed later by the police and Ponyboy must figure out what is important-his family.

OPINIONS:
I think The Outsider contains characters and plot, which are universal. Ponyboy’s character has several levels, like other people. He is a fourteen year old kid, who is trying to figure out who he is. Sometimes he does not like who he is, wishing that he looked like Paul Newman. He is also smart, a quality, which he struggles within himself because it is a rare quality in “greasers”. He also wants to be tough, like Dally and Two-Bit. He also struggles with his relationship with his brothers and friends. Sodapop is handsome and he hates being compared to him. His older brother is tough and he is always on him about using his head. Ponyboy struggles with his brothers, especially Darry, who has his life planned for him. I think Ponyboy struggles with that plan and how the world perceives him. In Ponyboy, S.E. Hinton reveals these various levels and discusses the social hardships and the social; tension, which occur in the world. The Outsiders also contains an interesting plot because it has murder, a key ingredient for suspense. The murder is complicated. It’s simple in terms of Johnny killing Bob to save Ponyboy, but society complicates it. Johnny and Ponyboy are greasers and Bob, a Socs. Their society punishes the greasers no matter what they do, and does not punish the Socs. This inequities arises from certain prejudice, which occur in the world at times. However, in the end, Ponyboy wins and has some future and some peace.

REVIEWS:

Review #1
• Schene, C. (2007). S. E. Hinton: Author of The Outsiders. School Library Journal, 53(11), 150. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Gr 5-8 --This well-written and informative biography weaves facts about Hinton's life with analyses of and reflections on her novels. What emerges is an interesting portrait of a gifted writer whose work continues to touch young people. A section entitled "In Her Own Words" provides further insight through speeches and interviews. A few photos of the author are scattered throughout. There are also several movie stills from film adaptations of her books, which feature some young actors who later became major stars, such as Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise, and Nicolas Cage. Familiarity with Hinton's work will make this a more compelling read although it could also serve as an introduction to the author and stimulate an interest in seeking out her enduring classics.


Review #2
• Piotrowski, R. (2003). THE OUTSIDERS (Book). Teen Tribute, 6(2), 34. Retrieved from EBSCOhost
Lined with an all-star cast, this movie was gold. But long before Matt Dillon and Patrick Swayze hit the silver screen as greasers, 17-year-old S.E. Hinton had Pony Boy, Dallas, Soda Pop, and all the rest of the gang down on paper. This is the timeless story of a group of denim-clad, greasy-haired teens trying to survive their poor neighbourhood, a serious lack of parental guidance, and the murder of a rival gang member. Somehow, its 150 pages or so are also packed with a lot more background about the lives of the tough-yet-tender Curtis brothers than the popular 1983 film. So get reading. Do it for Johnny, man. Do it for Johnny!

USES IN LIBRARY:
I would The Outsiders for middle school students. I would recommend this book for book clubs, where we would discuss the elements in the book, it characters, plus other ideas or issues behind this book. Perhaps, the discussion could be in a blog that way people could write out their thoughts.


MODULE 3: Jumanji

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Van Allsburg, Chris. (1981). Jumanji. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

SUMMARY:
Judy and Pater are left home-alone, while their parents are at the opera. The children are bored. They cannot mess up the house because their parents are bringing friends home after the opera. To elevate their boredom, Peter and Judy walk to the park and discover a jungle adventure game, Jumanji, which they bring home. Judy and Peter spread the game out on the table. The game loks like any other game with two players, but one warning-Once Jumanji is started, you cannot stop until you reach the golden city (Van Allsburg, 1981). As they play the game, Judy and Peter realizes that the game comes to live, bringing a jungle into their home. Before the siblings know it, they are battling lions taking Peter, messy monkeys destroying their kitchen, a stampede of rhinoceroses, floods, deadly pythons, and a crazy guide. Judy and Peter would have stopped the game, except for those directions. The directions say that they can stop playing the game until someone wins. The someone is Judy, but not until python, and an erupting volcano. Finally, Judy’s dice rolls a twelve, then she calls “Jumanji”. The house, suddenly, reverts back to normal. Frightened, Judy and Peter returns Jumanji to the park, where Danny and Walter find the game. However, these children do not read instructions.

OPINIONS:
I like stories that contain a mix of fantasy and adventure. At first, I saw the movie, Jumanji and did not know that it was a book. When I read the book, I loved the realistic illustrations, sketched by Chris Van Allsburg. My most favorite illustration is the image of the monkeys destroying the kitchen because you can see the mischief that they are causing in the kitchen. Some of the cabinets are open, the cups and bottle are knocked over. I also like the realism of the kitchen. For example, the table cloth look smooth and winkled. The monkeys’ emotions are very funny because their expressions expresses mischief. In another scene, the monkey sits next to Judy, looking at the game. I also liked the image of the lion on top of the piano. I think I liked Allsburg’s sketches because I like Art, especially on granite. The images keep the eyes moving and looking for new details in each image. These details bring a sense of humor and activity, which supports the text.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
• Gennari, Jennifer. (2007). Book Review: Jumanji. Common Sense Media Inc. Retrieved from http://a.family.go.com/entertainment/article-csm-118558-book-review--jumanji-t/.
Ages 4 and up: Stars: 5 out of 5-The book, written by Chris Van Allsburg, contains a subtle message below the story line: Bored children should be careful about what they wish for. Parents will appreciate that what saves the children is that they follow directions. The illustrations have a surreal quality that complements the story. Each object, animal, or person is distinctly drawn, in richly shaded detail, and familiar household objects convey an aura of spooky calmness among the chaos. At story's end the parents return, but readers don't see their faces; the view is from a child's eye. Peter's conspiratorial look at his older sister reminds readers to side with the child's version of reality. If you like the bizarre world of Van Allsburg, try his first book, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. Another great story that cautions against complaining and features wild birds is Hey, Al, by Arthur Yorinks.

Review #2
• (2004) Jumanji. A Kid's Review. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Jumanji-Chris-Van-Allsburg/dp/0395304482
Have there ever been monkeys jumping around in your kitchen, or a lion destroying your bedroom, with a huge volcano irrupting in your house? Was there ever a large stampede of rhinos running crazy in your living room? Well that is what happens to Judy and Peter in the sensational book, Jamanji. When they were both left home alone, Judy and Peter got really bored. They decide to take a stroll in the park. On their way to the park, they discover a game named "Jamanji" sitting under a tree. They take it home and immediately start to play. All of the sudden, the creatures from the game came to life, in their very own house! How will Peter and Judy get this jungle cleaned up before their parents come home? Will they clean up in time? This book is a great mystery for kids' ages 4 to12. It has a great plot and brings wonderful excitement to the reader. Each topic makes you eager to read more and find out the result of the mystery.

USES IN LIBRARY:
Jumanji would be one of the books that would be read with Tuesday, during story time, because it has some funny scenes. The game mysteriously has jungle animal coming from the game. After reading the book, I would ask the children why they think the game comes to life. Also, I would ask them, whether, or not they would play a game, if it had a warning, like Jumanji’s instructions.

MODULE 3: TUESDAY

Bibliographic Citation #2:
Wiesner, David. TUESDAY


SUMMARY:
Tuesday is a story about frogs mysteriously rising up on their floating lily pads on Tuesday evening. The mysterious floating explore the neighboring town, During their adventure, they run into laundry and are chased by a dog. Even with all the commotion, the frogs do not stir the residents in a nearby town. The residents sleep, continues eating a sandwich and reading their book. At dawn, the frogs falls from their floating lily and hop back to their pond. They leave their lily pads scattered around the town for the startled reporter and newspaper uncover the mystery on Wednesday’s morning. The next Tuesday, the pigs begin to fly.



OPINIONS:
Tuesday is truly a very funny book. When the librarian recommended the book to me, I was unsure about reading it. Once, I opened the book and started laughing. The illustrations were done by David Weisner and they are humorous because frog were simply flying. When they went through the laundry and was chased by the dog, the illustration helped me visualized the situation. I loved the end as the pigs begin to fly. The illustrations were all beautifully painted in warm blue and green colors. I t seems there is something in the air that makes the animals float of Tuesday evening.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
• Dooley, P. (1991). Tuesday (Book). School Library Journal, 37(5), 86. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
K-Gr 4--As the full moon rises over a peaceful marsh, so do frogs on their lily pads levitating straight up into the air and sailing off, with surprise with some laundry, hovering briefly before a TV left on. A dog chases one lone low coasting frog, but is summarily routed by a concerted amphibious armada. Suddenly the rays of the rising sun dispel the magic; the frogs fall to ed but gratified expressions. Fish stick their heads out of the water to watch; a turtle gapes goggle-eyed. The phalanx of froggies glides over houses in a sleeping village, interrupting the one witness's midnight snack, tangling the ground and hop back to their marsh, leaving police puzzling over the lily pads on Main Street. In the final pages, the sun sets on the following Tuesday--and the air fills with ascending pigs! Dominated by rich blues and greens, and fully exploiting its varied perspectives, this book treats its readers to the pleasures of airborne adventure. It may not be immortal, but kids will love its lighthearted, meticulously imagined, fun-without-amoral fantasy. Tuesday is bound to take off.

Review #2
Tuesday. (1991). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/childrens-books/david-wiesner/tuesday/?spdy=1991#review
On Tuesday, just as the full moon is rising, the lily pads take off--each topped by a serene, personable frog. This extraordinary flock startles some dozing birds and blunders into a line full of sheets before joining a woman drowzing by her TV; with dawn approaching, the frogs set out for home but don't quite make it before their magic carpets fall to earth, leaving them to hop back to the pond and the passing humans to marvel at the unusual debris in the road. This is a nearly wordless book (and its few words only add confusion: if the frogs' adventure is linked to the full moon, next Tuesday won't duplicate the magic as suggested). The illustrations are grand--the fey events are depicted with beguiling realism, the plump frogs washed in luminous moonlight, drifting silently on their eerie escapade. Wiesner varies his double spreads with occasional insets and frames, and provides plenty of intriguing visual details to ponder. Nifty! (Picture book. 3+)

USES FOR LIBRARY:
Tuesday is a fun book. I would read the book to children. Then, we would discuss what makes the frogs and pigs fly, mysteriously on a Tuesday morning. Also, we would discuss what they would do if they illustrated Weiser book. Would you have the residents have a reaction or not. Why? For fun, the children would draw their own picture of their own David Weisner scene, where they can choose the animals and their residents possible reactions.

MODULE 4: HOLES

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Sachar, Louis.(1998). Holes. New York: Scholastic Inc.



SUMMARY:
Stanley Yelnasts’ family has always been cursed, thanks to his great-great grandfather, Elya Yelnats, stealing from a gypsy-or at least he think he stole from the gypsy. When Stanley is wrongfully convicted of a crime, he is given two options- go to jail or go to Camp Green. Stanley chooses camp because after all he has never been to camp before (Sachar, 1998). Stanley learns very quickly that Camp Green Lake is not like any other camp. Camp Green Lake is a correctional camp, located in the Texas desert, one hundred miles from any water. There are no long hot showers, but cold ones that last only four minutes and the food is horrible. Also, Stanley sleeps on a rotten cot in a tent on Section D. The only good thing is his friend, Zero, a.k.a Hector Zeroni, as well as some other friends from the camp. Zero helps Stanley dig his holes, which is their primary source of work. The warden, Ms. Walker, has them digging hole, which are five deep and five feet wide. For what, nobody’s really sure. Perhaps, it has something to do with that story about Kate Barlow burying some treasure. The same Kate Barlow, who robbed his great-great grandfather. As Stanley uncomfortably settles into his time at Camp Green Lake, the boys tell the warden that Zero has been helping Stanley dig his holes. The warden calls Zero stupid and Zero hits Mr. Pendanski, his counselor, with a shovel, then Zero disappears. Later Stanley leaves the camp so he can find Zero. He finds him near a boat called the Mary Lou. As Stanley stays with Zero becomes sick from Spoolsh and so they climb a mountain until Zero becomes unconscious. Stanley begins nursing Zero, trying to find water. Later, Stanley finds onions, which curse Zero’s fatal stomach virus. As Stanley takes care of Zero, he begins to like himself. Also, to his surprise Zero tells Stanley he was the one, who Clyde Livingston’s shoes. Stunned, Stanley continue to take care of Zero, until he is well. After Zero recovers, they return to find to camp so they can find Kate Barlow’s treasure, which they find near the camp. However, the warden, Mr. Sir and Pendanski finds them. The warden is thrilled because now she can give a body to the lawyer and Assistant General. The warden’s plan is to let Staley and Zero to get bitten by the poisonous lizards. But, the lawyer and the Assistant D.A show up and save their lives. In the end, Stanley finds his great-great grandfather stocks, which are worth close to a million dollar. He also find treasures and Camp Green Lake is closed down.

OPINION:
I really do not read books, in which a kid is wrongly convicted of a crime, then goes looking for treasure, However, Holes had some interesting moment. When Stanley tells the authorities the shoes fell out of the sky, I remembered the story of the Big Bad Wolf, who killed the kids. I thought that they would never believe him, which they did not. However, the judge overturns his decision. As a whole, I liked reading Holes because it the book has a sense of humor. The boys are called by their nickname-Armpit, Zero and Caveman. They had to dig a hole everyday for treasure. Even Staley reasoning for having bad luck had some humor.

REVIEWS:

Review # 1
• HOLES. (2005). Kirkus Reviews, 73(8), 14. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
As the winner of the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award in 1998, as well as the basis for the 2003 film adaptation (which grossed $67.3 million), Sachar's darkly comic tale has all the ingredients of a YA reading-group hit--crime, adventure, treasure and identifiable, likable characters. Falsely imprisoned in the juvenile detention center Camp Green Lake, Stanley Yelnats discovers clues to a secret treasure while digging holes in the rocky lakebed, the punishment impinged upon the prisoners by The Warden, who's obviously hiding something. But what? Stanley endeavors to find out, and according to Kirkus, "Through flashbacks, Sachar weaves a complex net of hidden relationships and well-timed revelations as he puts his larger-than-life characters under a sun so punishing that readers will be reaching for water bottles." Vicky Smith, Director of McArthur Library in Biddeford, Me., who used Sachar's novel in her own fifth-grade book group, says that the children loved the characters and enjoyed the challenge of the shifting narratives. She also notes that the discussion helped struggling readers to better understand the text. Reprinted as part of Random House's Reader's Circle series, this "rugged, engrossing adventure" will engage a wide range of young readers.

Review #2
• Holes (Book Review). (2000). Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 44(3), 285. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Punished for a crime he didn't commit, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a juvenile detention camp in the Texas desert. This story of fate is saturated with unique humor and ironic twists that will make you cheer for friendship, endurance, and the underdog.

USES OF LIBRARY:
I would recommend a blog, where we would discuss the elements in the book, it characters, plus other ideas or issues behind this book.

MODULE 4: ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS

Bibliographic Citation #2:
O’Dell, Scott. (2010). Island of the Dolphin, New York : Dell Publishing.


SUMMARY:
Karana lives on an island on the Island of the Dolphins for eighteen years. Karan’s story begins as an Aleuts ship, commanded by Captain Orlov arrives on their island. Captain wants one thing-to hunt for sea otter. Karan’s father, Chief Cowig, agrees but only if the captain pay for half of the otter. Reluctantly, the Captain agree and Chief Cowig allows him and his forty men to hunt for otter, One day, the Ghalas-at people discovers the Captain Orlov and his men packing. They figure out that they are leaving without paying them. A battle ensures, where Chief Cowig and most of the forty-four men of Ghalas-at at are killed in battle. After, only fifteen men return, the Ghalas-at people want to leave, stating that they had little water for everyone. The council disagrees and appoints a new chief, Kimki, who later leaves the island so he can find a better place for his people. Kimki leaves and his people wait for him. Finally, a ship with arrives to take them to another island. As Karana and sister Ulape are boarding the big ship, Karana realizes that her brother, Ramo, is missing. Just as she asks Nano about Ramo’s whereabouts, Ulape points to Ramo, who is still on the island. Desperate, Karan begs for them to go back to the island, but the captain refuses to go back. So, Karana jumps into the waters and swims to shore so she can be with her brother. Karana lives with her brother until he is killed by a pack of feral dogs. Alone, Karana decided that she will not return to the village, but live in the Island of the Dolphins. There, she makes a life for herself-building a home or canoe, hunting for food, making spears and taming animals, such as a wolf eyed dog named Rontu. Rontu and other tamed animals are her only friends until, Tutok, an Aleuts woman, comes to the island. Karan and Tutok become friends. They give each other gifts and enjoy each other company, until Tutok leaves the island. After Tutok leaves the island, Rontu dies and Karana finds his son, Rontu-Aru. The two lives on the island, until a ship takes them to a mission in California. There, Karan discovers that the ship carrying her people had sunk during a storm.

THOUGHTS:
I actually liked Island of the Dolphin because it was interesting watching Karan breaking the rules of her tribe. Growing up, she was taught that only men hunter, built houses and canoes. As Karan lives on the island she realizes that she must do these things so she can survive on her own. There were some sad situation, such as her father, brother and dog dying. I believe her sister died on the boat, which would have prevented anyone from coming back.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
"Island of the Blue Dolphins has the timeless enduring quality of a classic." (Chicago Tribune )
(Retrieved on April 30 on http://www.amazon.com/Island-Blue-Dolphins-Scott-ODell/dp/product-description/0547328613/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1304887445&sr=1-1)

Review #2
O'Dell tells the miraculous story of how Karana forages on land and in the ocean, clothes herself (in a green-cormorant skirt and an otter cape on special occasions), and secures shelter. Perhaps even more startlingly, she finds strength and serenity living alone on the island. This beautiful edition of Island of the Blue Dolphins is enriched with 12 full-page watercolor paintings by Ted Lewin, illustrator of more than 100 children's books, including Ali, Child of the Desert. A gripping story of battling wild dogs and sea elephants, this simply told, suspenseful tale of survival is also an uplifting adventure of the spirit. (Ages 9 to 12)

USES OF LIBRARY:
This book is a multicultural piece because Karan is Indian. I would use this book as a blog for a book club, so the member can reviews, post discussion and rate the book.

MODULE 5: THE BLACKER THE BERRY

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Thomas, Joyce Carol.(2008). The Blacker the Berry . HarperCollinPublishers: NY, NY.




SUMMARY:
The Blacker the Berry is a series of twelve poems, written by Joyce Carol Thomas and illustrated by Floyd Cooper. The poems celebrate the different shades of color and identity with children. The children represents many shades of raspberry black, cranberry red, coffee, biscuit brown, snowberries brown, plus many other shades. The jubilant children are celebrating in several colorful innate scenes. The scenes shows a little girl dancing under the moon, a boy, with raspberry skin, reading his grandmother’s journal in a field and a girl with golden goodness carrying a basket of purple summer flowers.


IMPRESSION:
The Blacker the Berry is an enjoyable book. The poems expressed the stories of what was happening on the illustrations, which was done by Floyd Cooper. I liked how the book covered every shade and blackness and discussed its beauty. One picture, with the little girl holding the umbrella, was very beautiful , as well as the other illustration. My favorite poem was the little boy reading his great grandmother journal in a field. There were other pleasing images, such as the girl dancing under the moon. In every image, the children are laughing and surrounded by nature.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
References
The Blacker the Berry. (2008). Kirkus Reviews, 76(22), 22.
"I was a teacher for many years, and I could see a need in students who were more closed off if they were dark complexioned or different in any way," says Joyce Carol Thomas of the themes of self-love and acceptance she addresses in The Blacker the Berry. "I wanted to emphasize that all colors are OK. It doesn't matter what color your complexion is, you count." Thomas's image-rich poetry, drawn forth by Floyd Cooper's vibrantly hued illustrations, celebrates the diversity of skin color among African-American children against the backdrop of nature's bounty. Thomas's lilting meters embrace skin tones across the spectrum, from the fair-skinned girl in the searing "Snowberries" who decries, "Beneath my snowy skin / Deep down where no one can see / I bleed the 'one drop of blood' / That makes Black me" to the ebony-completed child in the eponymous "The Blacker the Berry," who intones, "Because I am dark the moon and stars / shine brighter / Because berries are dark the juice is sweeter." In a starred review, Kirkus called it "an essential picture book that helps young children understand and appreciate differences in skin color." (Ages 5-10)
Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Review #2
Pfeifer, T. (2008). The Blacker the Berry. School Library Journal, 54(8), 114. Retrieved from EBSCOhost
Gr 1-4 --The varieties of African-American ethnic heritage are often rendered invisible by the rigid construction of racial identity that insists on polarities. This collection of 12 poems makes the complexities of a layered heritage visible and the many skin shades celebrated. Read-aloud-sized spreads offer luminous artwork that complements the verses in which children speak of their various hues: "I am midnight and berries…" a child says in the title poem. In another selection, a boy recalls his Seminole grandmother who has given him the color of "red raspberries stirred into blackberries." In "Cranberry Red," a child asserts that "it's my Irish ancestors/Who reddened the Africa in my face," understanding that "When we measure who we are/We don't leave anybody out." The large illustrations match the lyrical poetry's emotional range. Cooper's method includes "pulling" the drawing out from a background of oil paint and glazes. With his subtractive method, he captures the joy of these children-the sparkle of an eye, the width of a grin, the lovely depths of their skin, and the light that radiates from within. This book complements titles that explore identity, such as Katie Kissinger's All the Colors We Are (Redleaf, 1994).

SUGGESTION:
Blacker the Berry is recommended in a variety of ways for libraries. A librarian can read it to children during black history month. It is also useful for talking about poetry or identity. Once the book is read, the book can be discussed amongst children, middle school, high school students and adults.

MODULE 5: ESPERANZA RISING

Bibliographic Citation #2:
Ryan, Pam Munoz. (2002). Esperanza Rising. New York: Scholastic Inc.

SUMMARY:
Twelve year old, Esperanza Ortega has lived a relatively blissful life. She lives on a beautiful Mexican ranch called Rancho de las Rosas, with several servants who adore her. She is the only daughter of her parents, beautiful Ramona and successful Sixto Ortega. Her parents adore her and have taught her that their land is alive and well. They have always loved and given her anything that she needs. In fact, tomorrow, is Esperanza thirteenth birthday and she knows that her father will give her a porcelain doll. Also, everyone-her maternal grandmother, Abuelita, their housekeeper Hortensia, her husband Alfonso and their son Miguel-will celebrate her entrance into womanhood. However, on the eve of Esperanza’s birthday, her father is “murdered” by bandits. Suddenly, the land belongs to her vicious and crooked uncle, Tío Luis, who gives Ramona two options- sell the house or marry him. Ramona refuses the proposal. A few weeks later, their house burns into rubble and Abuelita breaks her ankle during the fire. After their house burns down, Tio Luis comes back with another proposal-marry me. Ramona agree but she and Esperanza flees Mexico for California, leaving behind Abuelita, with the promise that they will send for her. Esperanza and her mother leave with their faithful foreman, Alfonso, his wife Hortensia, and their son sixteen year old Miguel. As Esperanza escapes, she slowly discovers that her life will be different. She will not ride in clean cars, nor have servants to adore her. She will not have pretty dresses to wear or even a room of her own. Now, in Los Angeles, she will live in two cabins on a family camp. She and her mother will share a cabin with Alfonso’s family, while Alfonso’s brother, his wife and their three children will share the other cabin. She will also watch the babies, Pepe and Lupe, while their parents are at work. In addition, she will sweep the platform for cheaper rent. Life becomes harder, when Ramona becomes sick with Valley Fever and goes to the hospital. Now, Esperanza has to find work, cutting potato eyes, so she can pay the medical bills and bring her grandmother to California. As Esperanza works, a strike breaks out over working conditions. Miguel is passed over for working on the engines. Isabel is passed over for being “Queen of May” because they are Mexican. Frustrated, Esperanza snaps at Miguel for his hopeful nature, calling him a “peasant”. The next day, Miguel leaves to find work. Later, Ramona returns home and Esperanza discovers that Miguel has taken her money. Esperanza feels hurt until Miguel returns home with her grandmother. On her fourteenth birthday, Esperanza is happy again and she is ready to start over.
IMPRESSION:
Esperanza Rising was a good book, full of character growth, hardship and heart-ache. At the beginning, Esperanza is a spoiled child and later she matures into a person who overcomes what has been done to her. At times, the thing she said was shocking, but I understood why she felt the way that she did. For me, the title is perfect for this chacter because she rises about her behavior, her ideas, and the problems she experiences the United States.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
References
Happermann, C. M. (2001). Esperanza Rising. Horn Book Magazine, 77(1), 96. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
At times Esperanza Rising, although it takes place in Depression-era Mexico and the United States instead of Victorian England, seems a dead ringer for Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess. Both are dramatic riches-to-rags stories about girls forced to trade fancy dolls and dresses for hard work and ill-fitting hand-me-downs after their beloved fathers die. Thirteen-year-old Esperanza even possesses a touch of Sara Crewe's romantic spirit. The daughter of an affluent Mexican rancher, she had been taught by her father to believe that the "land is alive," that she could lie down beneath the arbors in her family's vineyards, press her ear to the ground, and hear a heart beat. Yet can this still hold true for Esperanza when she no longer reigns as queen of the harvest but labors in the fields of a foreign country, picking grapes on someone else's land for pennies an hour? The transition does net come easily for her, and thus her story ultimately diverges from The Little Princess's fairytale script to become a poignant look at the realities of immigration. Political as well as personal history inform the sometimes florid narrative (loosely based, we are told in an afterword, on the experiences of the author's grandmother). Esperanza's struggles begin amidst class unrest in post-revolutionary Mexico and intersect with labor strikes in the United States, which serve to illustrate the time period's prevailing hostility toward people of Mexican descent. In one of the more glaring injustices she witnesses, striking workers, who were born American citizens and have never set foot on Mexican soil, are loaded onto buses for deportation. Through it all, Esperanza is transformed from a sheltered aristocrat into someone who can take care of herself and others. Although her material wealth is not restored in the end, the way it is for Sara Crewe, she is rich in family, friends, and Esperanza — the Spanish word for hope


Review #2
ESPERANZA RISING (Book Review). (2000). Publishers Weekly, 247(41), 88. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Told in a lyrical, fairy tale-like style, Ryan's (Riding Freedom) robust novel set in 1930 captures a Mexican girl's fall from riches, her immigration to California and her growing awareness of class and ethnic tensions. Thirteen-year-old Esperanza Ortega and her family are part of Mexico's wealthy, land-owning class in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Her father is a generous and well-loved man who gives his servants land and housing. Early in the novel, bandits kill Esperanza's father, and her corrupt uncles threaten to usurp their home. Their servants help her and her mother flee to the United States, but they must leave Esperanza's beloved Abuelita (grand mother) behind until they can send for her.

Ryan poetically conveys Esperanza's ties to the land by crafting her story to the rhythms of the seasons. Each chapter's title takes its name from the fruits Esperanza and her countrymen harvest, first in Aguascalientes, then in California's San Joaquin Valley. Ryan fluidly juxtaposes world events (Mexico's post-revolution tensions, the arrival of Oklahoma's Dust Bowl victims and the struggles between the U.S. government and Mexican workers trying to organize) with one family's will to survive--while introducing readers to Spanish words and Mexican customs.

Readers will be swept up by vivid descriptions of California dust storms or by the police crackdown on a labor strike ("The picket signs lay on the ground, discarded, and like a mass of marbles that had already been hit, the strikers scattered..."). Ryan delivers subtle metaphors via Abuelita's pearls of wisdom, and not until story's end will readers recognize how carefully they have been strung. Ages 9-14. (Oct.)
SUGGESTION:
Esperanza Rising is recommended for middle school students. The book would be good for book talks, where we would read the book and discuss certain issues with the novel. I would also use the book as a display for the Mexican Revolution because it speaks about the revolution, throughout its pages.


MODULE 6: THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Scieszka, Jon. (1989). The True Story of The Three Little Pigs. NY, NY: Penguin Group.

SUMMARY:
The Wolf gives his version of the Three Little Pigs. He claims the events started when he was making a cake for his grandmother and ran out of sugar. So he could finish the cake, he went to his two neighbor’s house, who were pigs and brothers. Suffering from a cold, the wolf “accidently” sneezed down each house after he asked if the pigs were home. After he sneezed and due to the pig’s stupidities, their houses fell down and killed them. So they would not spoil, the wolf ate them and went to their brother’s house, who built his house from brick. After he knocks on the door, the wolf claims that the pig insulted his grandmother, which angered him so he tried to break down the door.

THOUGHTS:
I found this version of the story humorous because his defense does not make any sense. I mean, what type of animal would keep going to his next neighbor after he ate the other neighbor. On top of that, why would the wolf continue to make his grandmother’s cake with a cold? Wouldn’t she get sick? Although his defense seems crazy, it is plausible. The cartoonish illustrations, which were created by Lane Smith, represent the plot well. In the beginning, the scene shows his whole defense-the burger, sneeze and cup of sugar, which is the focal point of his whole defense. These images are kind of funny because I asked myself, how would sugar cause him to kill two little pigs. As the story progressed, he said he began eating the pigs, which was pretty callous. After he ate the second pig, I could have cared less about his defense. Finally, when he made it to the last pig, it was funny that he became mad at the last pig because the pig insulted his grandmother by saying she should sit on a pin was a funny response. After all, he did just kill and eat his brothers without calling the police.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. (1991). School Library Journal, 37(11), 154. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
K-Gr 5--A new slant on an old, familiar tale. The much maligned A. Wolf tells his side of the story and offers benign explanations for his bad behavior. This translation retains the colorful language and sense of fun found in its English counterpart. Some of the vocabulary is regionalized and may not be universally understood by all Spanish-speaking children without adult clarification. The stylized watercolors with dark shadowing, clever use of perspective, and textured detail will appeal to audiences sophisticated enough to enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humor.

Review #2
Rockman, C. (2008). The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. Booklist, 105(8), 59. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Scieszka’s sardonic retelling (1989) of the old tale from the wolf ’s point of view is given new life in this read-along. Giamatti’s soft, slightly raspy voice is a perfect, satiric match for Lane Smith’s stylized, hip illustrations. Adding an occasional chuckle at appropriate moments, Giamatti creates a full-bodied characterization of Alexander T. Wolf as he tells his side of the story, making the case that he was framed. Sound effects for the wolf ’s huge sneezes excellently back up his claims that a bad cold caused the destruction of the pigs’ houses of straw and twigs. Understated music never overwhelms this fine production, which includes a hardcover book. Also available in DVD for $59.95.
—Connie Rockman

USES FOR LIBRARY:
If I used this book, I would use it for fractured fairy tales. I would read the book to some young children. Then we would discuss whether or not they believed the big bad wolf. Then I would ask them if the big bad wolf was actually bad by making a smiley face (good) and a scowl for bad. I would listen, just to hear their responses.



MODULE 7: THE OTHER HALF OF MY HEART

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Frazier, Sundee. (2010). The Other Half of My Heart. New York: Random House, Inc.

SUMMARY:
Eleven year old twins Minerva “Minnie” King and Keira Sol King are daughters of a white father and black mother. The girls have a strong bond, except for one thing - Minnie is white, while Keira is black. Regardless of the gawks of people or their personality differences, the girls believe that they will always remain close. That is, until their African American grandmother, Grandmother Johnson, persuades their mother to send the girls to North Carolina, so they will participate in Miss Black Pearl of America Program. Kiera is ecstatic. However, Minnie King’s insecurities about her identity intensify. Currently, she constantly questions her identity. Is she white, like how the world perceives her or is she black. Minnie feels mixed, but that changes after she takes a test and the woman tells her to circle white. The way people treat her differently is not much better, especially their rude questions to her parents, “they both yours?” (Frazier, 2010).
Minnie has never been away from her parents and she wonders how different will the people in Raleigh, North Carolina, which is culturally more diverse than Port Townsend, treat her. Will the pageant people accept her white skin? Anxious, Minnie arrives in North Carolina, to Grandmother Johnson, who has her own issues with dark skin, good hair and her own mixed perspectives. Not too thrilled to be there, Minnie and Keira struggle with their grandmother outlandish behavior, such as her nailing a bag of do poop to her neighbor door. In addition, they must deal with her nasty treatment towards Keira because of Keira has dark skin and nappy hair. However, Grandmother Johnson does open up a whole new world for Minnie. She takes Minnie and Keira to Raleigh’s African American Museum of History and Civil Rights. There, Minnie learns about passing, which she knows that she can never do. She also learns about civil rights leader and her idol, Martin Luther King. Surprisingly, Minnie learns her grandmother attended his speeches at a church. Even though the museum helps Minnie understand more things about who she is, Minnie struggles with her shyness, the pageant members questioning her light skin, and a nasty bully, named Alisha. Minnie begin to feel more like an outsider in North Carolina and begins to understand how Keira feels in Seattle. Her shyness does not help much because other pageant contestant begins to feel like she is better than them. These issues create tension between Minnie and Keira, which makes Minnie begin to question whether their bond is strong enough to withstand anything. In the end, Keira and Minnie reconcile. In addition, Minnie learns that she must stand up for herself and Keira against her people, like their grandmother, who treat them unfairly. Through it all, Minnie learns from people, like Laverna Oliphant, her grandmother neighbor, that her identity must fit her “mixed” soul and her sister is the other part of her heart.

THOUGHTS:
I really thought this book was a great coming of age story, where Minnie must struggle with who she is. As a pre-teen, Minnie wants to be like her mother and sister. She feels that since she has lighter skin, that she does not fit into their family. She also hates her name. As I read this book, I could relate with Minnie on many levels of struggling with her shyness and Keira’s outgoing behavior. As a whole, I felt this book was very good for several reasons. (1) Frazier wrote the character’s very well. She develops and describes the character, and plot. well (2) She also provides good relatable experiences or issues. That is, the events and people, which Minnie and Keira are experiences are events, issues and thoughts, which people have encountered in their life.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
The Other Half of My Heart. (2010). Kirkus Reviews, 78(10), 462. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Funny and deeply affecting, this novel by the Steptoe Award winner for Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It (2007) revisits the still largely unexplored world of multiracial heritage. Twin daughters of a black mom and white dad, Minerva and Keira King, 11, fly from Washington State to North Carolina to stay with oppressive Grandmother Johnson and compete in the Miss Black Pearl Preteen pageant. The narrator, shy Minnie, who appears white, is reluctant; outgoing Keira, who appears black, is thrilled. Back home, Minnie has unknowingly benefited from white privilege, while Keira's appearance has subjected her to bias. In North Carolina, Keira fits in, and Minni stands out. Although she's favored by their grandmother, Minnie’s white appearance leads others to question her right to identify as black. As their experience of race threatens to divide the sisters, Minnie struggles to heal the rift. Frazier highlights the contradictions, absurdities, humor and pain that accompany life as a mixed-race tween. Never didactic, this is the richest portrait of multiracial identity and family since Virginia Hamilton's 1976 novel Arilla Sun Down. An outstanding achievement. (Fiction. 9-12)

Review #2
Dare, K. (2010). The Other Half of My Heart. School Library Journal, 56(7), 88. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Gr 4-6-Twins Keira and Minnie, 11, are used to the funny looks their "chessboard family" receives: Keira takes after their black mother and Minni resembles their white father. In spite of differences in appearance and personality, the girls share a bond that they are convinced is unbreakable. When their maternal grandmother invites them to fly from their coastal Washington town to North Carolina and enroll in the Miss Black Pearl of America Program, their mother is hesitant, but finally agrees. Keira is ecstatic to enter, but introverted Minnie is not happy. Her reservations seem well founded when they arrive: Grandmother Johnson is as persnickety as ever, and the program's president questions whether Minnie qualifies to participate in an event for black girls. Minni learns what it feels like to be the odd person out in terms of appearance, and Keira is resentful that, up until now, Minnie really hasn't understood what her sister was going through in their white Seattle suburb. The girls mature and learn a few things about their grandmother's struggle to be seen as an equal by the white community. As in Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It (Delacorte, 2007), Frazier addresses issues faced by mixed-race children with a grace and humor that keep her from being pedantic. The story is enjoyable in its own right, but will also encourage readers to rethink racial boundaries and what it means to be black or white in America.

USES OF LIBRARY:
The book is perfect for teaching students about different cultural identities and experience. For library use, the book is a Coretta Scott King Award, and so the book would be a prime example for a display on Black History Month.

MODULE 7: NINTH WARD

Bibliographic Citation #2:
Rhodes, Jewell Parker. (2010). Ninth Ward. New York : Little, Brown and Co.


SUMMARY:
Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in the impoverished section of New Orleans’ Ninth Ward. Lanesha’s mother died giving birth to her and none her relatives, who lives in the richer part of New Orleans, will raise he . However, Lanesha has Mama Ya-Ya, her eighty-two year old caregiver. Lanesha loves Mama Ya-Ya more than anything in the world (Rhodes, 2010). Mama Yay-Ya knows everything because she can see the future. One day, Mamma Ya-Ya prophesizes that a storm. Lanesha hears her, but doesn’t think it is a big deal because they have a storm every year. As the week wears on, Lanesha watches her grandmother become more worried. She learn that the storm is called Katrina, and it is going from a level 2 to 3, which Lanesha cannot understand. Finally, school is cancelled. Everybody is busy packing, shops are closing with bare shelves and suddenly the news calls for a mandatory evacuation from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Lanesha want to leave, Mama Ya-Ya does not have a car. Thankfully, Mrs. Watson offers them a ride, but Lanesha knows that her and Mama Ya-Ya will not fit in the cars and so she tells them that her people are coming for them.
Most of the people are leaving, including Tashon, her best friend. She makes him one promise-she will take care of his dog, Spot. After Tashon leaves for the Superdome, Lanesha sees more ghosts standing around, which means something bad is going to happen. Not long after, the storm comes and shakes the house so bad that Lanesha, Mama Ya-Ya and Spot hide in the old but studier tub. After the storm is over, Lanesha and her grandmother eat chicken, trying to blot out the events of Hurricane Katrina. Even with the storm gone, Mama Ya-Ya acts strangely. Later, Mama Ya-Ya tells Lanesha that she is wearing down and that she will die soon She also tells Lanesha that Tashon is coming. Suddenly, Tashon arrive and tells Lanesha that he could not find his parent and so he hitched a ride with a woman so he can see if his parents came back home. When Lanesha goes outside, she notices that the water has risen. Later, the water rises to the stair. Lanesha realizes the water is coming from the Mississippi River. Terrified and unable to swim, Lanesha and Tashon helps Mama Ya-Ya, who is very weak, up to the attic, where they must hide. However, Lanesha figures out that the water will rise up to the attic in two hour. Lanesha does not want to frighten Tashon so she let him sleep. However, as the door rises to the door, Lanesha wakes Tashon, who asks about Mama Ya-Ya. She tells him that she is dead and that they must survive. In the end, Lanesha, Tashon, and Spot crawl onto to roof. They stay on the roof for a few days. Until, they find Mr. Henri’s fishing boat and sail to safety.

THOUGHTS:
Ninth Ward was very really good book to read, but it was sad. There re some elements about the book, which makes it a little weird, such as the fact that Lanesha can see ghost. Her mother’s ghost is a constant theme. Even though she can see her mother, she also misses her mother because her mother does not talk to her until she saves her from drowning. As a whole, Ninth Ward seems like a story of strength and love. She loves her guardian and Tashon, who remarkably holds a connection to Lanesha. Mamam Ya-Ya was helped “birth” them. I say this is a story about strength because Tashon and Lanesha fight to stay alive. Mama Ya-Ya also tells them that they are, saying that Tashon holds fast to life and Lanesha fought to keep them safe during the storm.

REVIEWS: (2)
Review # 1

Melgaard, T. (2011). Ninth Ward. School Library Journal, 57(3), 77. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Gr 5-8--Hurricane Katrina is whirling toward New Orleans in this touching novel (Little, Brown, 2010) by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Twelve-year-old Lanesha is a confident loner in her Ninth Ward neighborhood. Other kids tend to avoid her because she has the sight--she sees ghosts--and casually ignores them. Lanesha concentrates on her studies. She loves math, words, her teachers, and above all things, midwife Mama Ya-Ya who took her in when her mother died giving birth. Lanesha has snooty light-skinned uptown relatives, but they abandoned her to the loving care of Mama Ya-Ya. Lanesha watches in amazement as her beloved Ninth Ward prepares for the storm of the century. Fortitude, a vocabulary word Lanesha relishes, will be necessary to see her through the storm. After Mama Ya-Ya dies, Lanesha must be brave and save herself and her best friend when the water begins to rise. Sisi Aisha Johnson, a gifted narrator, brings richness and texture to each character and her performance emanates with the humor, warmth, and grace of this fine story. This 2011 Coretta Scott King Honor Book is not to be missed.

Review #2

Ninth Ward. (2010). Publishers Weekly, 257(30), 46. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
With a mix of magical and gritty realism, Rhodes's (Voodoo Dreams) first novel for young readers imagines Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding through the eyes of resourceful 12-year-old Lanesna. Lanesna lives with Mama Ya-Ya, an 82-year-old seer and midwife who delivered Lanesha and has cared for her since her teenage mother died in childbirth. Living in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, Lanesha is viewed as an unusual child (she was born with a caul and is able to see ghosts) and is ostracized at school. Lanesha finds strength in Mama Ya-Ya's constant love and axioms of affection and reassurance ("When the time's right… the universe shines down love"). The story becomes gripping as the waters rise and Lanesha, with help from a young neighbor and her mother's ghostly presence, finds a way to keep body and soul together. The spare but vivid prose, lilting dialogue, and skilled storytelling brings this tragedy to life; the powerful sense of community Rhodes evokes in the Ninth Ward prior to the storm makes the devastation and the hardships Lanesha endures all the more powerful. Ages 10-up. (Aug.)

USES IN LIBRARY:
Ninth Ward is recommended for middle school students for book discussions on certain issues and decision that the character made. The book is also a historical peace because it discusses the events of Katrina. .


MODULE 8: NEVERMORE

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Creagh, Kelly. (2010). Nevermore. New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
SUMMARY:
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is shocked after she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project on an American author Not only is the English project due on the day of the rival game, but she has to deal with social outcast, Varen,. To make matters worse, her boyfriend and friend are not too thrilled that she is his partner. She could change her partner, but she knew it would be hopeless. All she has to do is grin and bear writing a report on Edgar Allan Poe. But one day, Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, which begins her dissent into Varen’s world. Suddenly, Isobel is introduced to a new realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. Now she must rescue Varen, smashing his journal, saving him from his own nightmares.

THOUGHTS:
Nevermore was an intriguing but weird novel. I liked that Isobel began stepping away from her friends and her over possessive boyfriend, Brad, who only cares about being popular. I found Varen’s character interesting because Isobel does not even begin to understand him until she sees how his mother and stepfather treat him. With an abusive home, it is easy o see why Varen creates his own little world. The weird part is the world that he creates. Edgar Allan Poe is the ring leaders. One thing I must say is that this book had great character development

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
NEVERMORE. (2010). Kirkus Reviews, 78(14), 671. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

In this competently executed entry in the still-growing paranormal-romance genre, sunny, self-absorbed cheerleader Isobel Lanley falls for the Poe-obsessed and darkly named Varen Nethers. The obstacles? Controlling meathead Brad and his crew, whom Isobel dumps for mistreating Varen; Mr. Lanley, who forbids his daughter from associating with a "hooligan," even to work on their joint English project; and a host of ghosts, ghouls and poltergeists who begin terrorizing Isobel as soon as she snoops into Varen's private journal. Though star-crossed longing between cheerleader and brooding gothboy is familiar territory, a few unique elements stand out. Verses from Poe's poems and synopses of his stories are woven seamlessly into the story, and the ghoulish spirit Pinfeathers is memorably menacing and gory. One needs to wonder, though, whether all 560 pages are absolutely, positively necessary. For paranormal-romance devotees who won't mind the long buildup to a creepy, otherworldly climax. (Paranormal romance. 14 & up)

Review #2
Henning-Sachs, C. (2010). Nevermore. School Library Journal, 56(12), 110. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Gr 7 Up--Cheerleader Isobel (another Bella?) becomes the reluctant partner of Goth Varen Nethers for an English assignment on Poe. Predictably, she falls hard for him, and he may not be a lost soul trapped between the real world and the dream world; psychologically abused by his father; or just a strange kid. There are so many dropped threads in the story that are just begging to be picked up in sequels that readers aren't really sure what has happened and what hasn't. The characters and story are interesting enough, however, to justify anticipation of further installments.

USES IN LIBRARY:
I would definitely use this book for high school students for making book talks. As mentioned before, I would use this book for a book club, and then it would be really awesome if I set up a contest for the member to makes a book trailer. I would want to see what they come up with.

MODULE 9: THE FACE ON THE MILK CARTOON

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Cooney, Caroline. (1990). The Face on the Milk Cartoon. New York: Bantam Book.

SUMMARY:
15-year-old Janie Johnson is a typical student with the prospects of having a new boyfriend, Reeve. Until, one day, she recognizes her face on the back of a milk carton. Shocked, Janie reads the box and discovers the “missing” girl’s name is Jennie Spring, who was kidnapped in a shopping center as a four year old girl. Janie begins wondering if she is Jennie Springs. She begins having memories from the day of the kidnapping, where she is shopping for red shoes with her family. However, they are not the Johnson, her parents. Janie wonders if her parents are her kidnaper, until she remembers the woman, who bought her an ice cream and took her for a ride. Looking for answers, Janie looks though the boxes in the attic. She discovers an old pink dotted dress she had seen on the milk carton and an old school papers with the name Hannah J. Distraught, Janie demands answers from the Johnsons, who explains that she is their granddaughter. They tell her that Hannah was a disturbed child, who joined a cult and married a cult member. One day, she showed up at her parents' house with Janie and returned to her cult. In fear that Hannah would return, the Johnsons changed their named and moved to a different state. Even though, Janie believes her parents, something troubles her-the memory of a family. Anxious for answers, Janie researches the kidnapping and find out where the Spring’s lives. Unable to drive because she is not sixteen, Janie persuades Reeve to take her to New Jersey so she can look at them. When they find the Springs, Janie watches their children and realizes that their red hair signifies that she is Jennie Spring. Upset, Janie returns home and eventually accepts that she must tell the Johnsons. At the end of the book Lizzie, Janie tells her parents, who insist that they must call the Springs.

THOUGHTS:
The Face on the Milk Cartoon was an intriguing book because you just did not know who The Johnson were her parents or not. The idea was that they were not and low and behold that turn out to be true. I do wonder what will happen next..

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
The book zone. (1999). Scholastic Scope, 48(5), 7. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Janie's life changes when she sees an old picture of herself displayed on a milk carton, under the heading "Kidnapped." With help from her friend Reeve, Janie searches for her real family. This book reminds me to never give up, even if something seems impossible.
Review #2
From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10-- Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton (Bantam, 1990) involved a 15-year-old girl who discovers she had been kidnapped when she was 3. Those left hanging by the ambiguous ending to that story will want to read this sequel in which Janie goes to live with her biological parents and four siblings. Although all of the family members are eager to include her, she's determined to remain emotionally aloof. Finally, Janie asserts her desire to return to her adopted family, and her biological parents love her enough to let her go. The strength of this book is that all of the parties are easy to empathize with. They are well-rounded characters with quirks and annoying qualities, yet all have compassion for "the other guy," even while feeling their own pain. The suspense centers around the question of which family needs Janie more and which she will choose. There is no clear answer to her dilemma since both love her and have suffered through no fault of their own. While Janie ultimately puts her own feelings first by choosing the family that is "real" to her, the stage is set for future changes of heart and perhaps another sequel. Meanwhile, this book won't gather dust on the shelf. --Jacqueline Rose, Southeast Regional Library, NC

USES IN LIBRARY:
I would recommend this book for book clubs, where we would discuss the elements in the book, it characters, plus other ideas or issues behind this book. Perhaps, the discussion could be in a blog that way people could write out their thoughts.

MODULE 10: HENRY’S FREDOM BOX

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Levine, Ellen. (2007).Henry’s Freedom Box. New York; Scholastic Inc.

SUMMARY:
Henry’s Freedom Box is a story about a slave’s journey to freedom. The story begins with a young slave, Henry, who works in the big house with his brothers and sisters. One day, Henry’s master is sick and he beckons Henry to his bedside. Henry, who believes his owner will free him, learns that his owner will give him to his son so he can work in the master’s factory. After a few years, Henry meets his wife Nancy, but she is owned by another master. After getting their master’s consent to marry, Henry and Nancy marry, and then happily raise a family. Until, one day, Nancy’s master loses some money and sell Nancy and their children to another master. Distraught, Henry decides that he must be free and creates a plan that will mail him to the North. With the assistance of James and Dr. Smith, Henry is mailed to Pennsylvania, where he for men welcome his to his new home, Pennsylvania.

THOUGHTS:
Henry’s Freedom Box is a beautifully crafted children book. The illustrations, designed by Kadir Nelson, contain vibrant color, which brings the scenes to life. In the beginning of the book, Henry is with his mother, who tells him that slave children are torn from their mother. In this scene the brick wall is so life-like that it looks as if the bricks are discolored. The scenes following the first scenes are just as beautiful and realistic. The characters are also realistic. Their emotions are etched into their faces and body language. The scenes look historical because the artist paints his character in clothing of that period. The shops and adaptations of the town also reinforces a colonial time.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story. (2007). School Library Journal, 5326. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Gr 2-5 --In 1849, after seeing his wife and children sold on the auction block, Henry "Box" Brown had himself shipped North to freedom in a wooden crate. The straightforward, sympathetic text imagines Brown's history while darkly radiant and haunting paintings reflect his emotional pain, determination, and eventual triumph. B

Review #2
TEACHERS' CHOICES for 2008. (2008). Reading Teacher, 62(3), 267-274. Retrieved from EBSCOhost
Stunning illustrations tell the historical account of Henry, a runaway slave who mailed himself 350 miles in a box to freedom from Richmond, VA, to Philadelphia, PA. Simple text delivers a heartbreaking and inspiring story of Henry Brown, a real-life hero who never knew his age or birthday, and his escape from slavery. CU: All grade levels will benefit from this introduction to the era to be authors themselves and to write their own stories. CU: Young children beginning a writer’s workshop would be motivated to write and illustrate stories by listening to this book. It could also be used to introduce or review the different sections of a library and genres of books. JH rams Books for Young Readers. 32 pp. US$15.95.Robert Haas'

USES IN LIBRARY:
For library use, I would read this book to young children for teaching Black History Month.

MODULE 11: I DREAMED I WAS FLYING LIKE A BIRD

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Haas, Robert B. (2010)I Dreamed I Was Flying Like a Bird. Washington, D.C. : National Geographic.

SUMMARY:
Robert Haas, a photographer with National Geographic, presents his aerial photographs of animals of flamingoes, seals, buffalos, Rams, lions and a host of other animal. Robert photographed these animals from the shot from the air. To accompany these images, he provides narrations, These narration discusses a sequence in a photograph. For example, he goes from a moving herd to a lions. He then describes their behaviors. He also discusses his dream as a child of flying and how his dream are accomplished now.

THOUGHTS:
Robert Haas has beautiful pictures. The picture that I loved the most was the image of the flamingoes in the shape of a flamingo. In act, all the images

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
Thompson, J. S. (2011). I Dreamed of Flying Like a Bird: My Adventures Photographing Wild Animals from a Helicopter. School Library Journal, 57(2), 127. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Gr 6 Up--Haas describes the challenges and successes he has experienced in his work and shows off some of his most famous photos, including one of flamingos standing in a formation that resembles a huge pink bird. Most pictures appear full bleed opposite the text. Plenty of white space, broad margins, and widely spaced lines contribute to the book's clean look. For each of the eight creatures featured there is a caption detailing an aspect of the animal, such as its conservation status, diet, behavior, or habitat. This is a coffee-table type of book with visuals that wow and a simple, thrilling narrative that is easily dismissed for the photos. Shelved with books on photography, it serves as a beautiful but additional purchase.

Review #2
Peters, J. (2010). I Dreamed of Flying like a Bird: My Adventures Photographing Wild Animals from a Helicopter. Booklist, 107(4), 44. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
On the heels of his African Critters (2008),Haas, a veteran wildlife photographer, proffers another set of photos from several of his albums for adults. Here he accompanies the pictures—which range from shots of a herd of wildebeests harassed by lions to Alaskan bears in a salmon stream, humpback whales cavorting in waters off Greenland, and a stork mincing oh-so-carefully past a group of watching caimans in Brazil—with anecdotal commentary on the hazards and pleasures of viewing nature from an aerial perspective. Highlights include one gory shot of a crocodile chowing down on an unidentifiable haunch and Haas’ renowned picture (which he swears is not Photoshopped) of a bird-shaped flock of flamingos. Though many of the animals on view are not identified in either captions or the index, this does provide young viewers with an unusual perspective on the natural world. —John Peters

USES IN LIBRARY:
This book is useful for talking about poetry or animals for Book Clubs.

MODULE 12: MARITCHA: A NINETEENTH CENTURY AMERICAN GIRL

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Bolden, Tanya. (2005). Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl. New York: Harry N, Abrams, Inc.

SUMMARY:
Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl is Tonya’s Bolden adaptation of Maritcha’s Redmond’s memoirs, Memories of Yesterday: All of Which I Saw and Which I Was. The biography was written after careful research from libraries in New York and Rhode Island. The biography narrates Maritcha’s life from her birth on May 28, 1848 to her graduation from Providence High on May 1869. She was a black girl, who lived in New York City, twenty-one after New York ended slavery. The biography narrates Maritcha as a little girl, who loved make-believe games, hop-scotch and porcelain dolls, made out of wax. Maritcha was the second oldest girl to Albro and Mary Redmond. Growing up, Maritcha experiences many historical places, such as the Crystal Palace and she took trips to the Elysian Fields. She also experienced the era of the draft during the Civil War, a riot destroying her family home during the “Reigns of the Rabble” and her civil struggle to enter a predominately white school, Providence High. As an adult, Maritcha became an assistant principal to Brooklyn‘s Public School No. 83.

THOUGHTS:
Maritcha: A Nineteenth Century American Girl is a one of the most unique and creative biographies. The biography has actual historical art pieces, newspaper clipping, copy of her paper, and other images which bring Maritcha and her family to life. The information in this book allows the user to use it for not only research about Maritcha’s life, but other people and places as well.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
MARITCHA: A Nineteenth-Century American Girl. (2005). Publishers Weekly, 252(1), 57. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Bolden (The Champ, reviewed above) lucidly relays the illuminating life history of Maritcha Rémond Lyons, born a free black in 1848 in lower Manhattan. The author draws her biographical sketch primarily from Lyons's unpublished memoir, dated one year before her death in 1929. Bolden uses research about the period to speculate about what chores Maritcha may have performed and games she may have played, and recaps Lyons's descriptions of some of the highlights of her childhood and family history (including her grandmother's memory of the day Frederick Douglass visited the family home) as well as of her role models, including her parents, whose boardinghouse (which catered to black sailors) also served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. One of the strongest sections of the book documents the Draft Riots (protests against a military draft during the Civil War) of July 1868, and the impact of them on Maritcha and other citizens: their home was vandalized and looted, and the family relocated to Rhode Island. There Maritcha successfully petitioned the state legislature for permission to attend Providence High School, from which she was the first black student to graduate. A concluding note summarizes her adult life as a highly respected educator and orator, while elegantly framed family photos and clearly reproduced archival drawings and maps make for a handsome presentation. An illuminating life story. Ages 5-9. (Jan.)

Review #2

Maritcha: A Nineteenth-Century American Girl. (2005). School Library Journal, 5143. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Gr 4 Up-- This eloquently told story of a girl born black and free in New York City in 1848 incorporates material gleaned from Maritcha's journal--including a compelling account of her family's experiences during the Draft Riots of 1863. Family photographs and archival documents illustrate this well-designed volume. B


SUGGESTION:
This biography is recommended for middle school students for book discussions on certain issues and decision that the character made. The book is also a historical peace because it discusses the events of Katrina. .

MODULE 13: GOSSIP GIRL

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Von Ziegesar, Cecily. (2002) Gossip Girls.

SUMMARY:
Gossip Girl is a book series about a group of students, living on the plush upper east side of New York. The series begins with beautiful Serena Van Der Woodsen, who has just returned from a boarding school. Her reemergence back into high society is just as mysterious as the mysterious reasons of why she left. The only people, who are happy that she is back, is wealthy Nate Archibald and brooding poet, Dan Humphrey, who carries a secret torch for Serena. Everyone else, including Serena’s best friend, Blair Waldrof, is a little weary of her intentions about why she is back, as well as why she left. Serena left because she slept with Nate Archibald, who is Blair longtime boyfriend. After sleeping with him, Serena decided that she felt guilty and ran away to boarding school so she wouldn’t have to face her best friend as well as makes some changes in her life. Her actions and abrupt departure created a rift between Nate and Blair, who still does not know about his indiscretion. Currently, Nate questions who he is and he heavily uses drugs to escape his parent’s intentions of going to college and Blair’s expectations of her relationship. After Serena return, Nate meets Jenny Humphrey in a park with his friend Chuck. He instantly likes her because of her “endowments” and she is a distraction from the pressures of the expectations in his life. Eventually, Nate dumps Blair, however he does tell her. Instead, Nate abandons her at a party. Eventually, Blair, who carries a secret anorexic problem and loves in a world where she is destined to marry Nate, cannot figure out what to do with her after he dumps her. She cannot turn to Serena, who is still mad at her. Even with her arrival, Serena, Nate and Dan deal with college interviews at Brown University and struggle with their relationship amongst themselves and others as well as personal struggles or pressures.

THOUGHTS:
Truthfully, the characters were interesting because they all had hidden problems. Blair was bulimic and stuck in her own world, Nate was a stoner, Dan was a loner poet and Serena was REALLY self-absorbed. There were some hilarious parts in the book, particularly how Nate broke up with Blair. Serena was funny too. She royally messed up her interview with Brown and I mean royally. The funny thing is she was so self-absorbed with herself that she did not even realize it. Overall, the greatest thing about this book was the personality flaws, but it was not written well at all.

REVIEWS:
Review # 1

Roback, D., Brown, J. M., Britton, J., & Zaleski, J. (2002). GOSSIP GIRL (Book). Publishers Weekly, 249(3), 91. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
At a New York City jet-set private school populated by hard-drinking, bulimic, love-starved poor little rich kids, a clique of horrible people behave badly to one another. An omniscient narrator sees inside the shallow hearts of popular Blair Waldorf, her stoned hottie of a boyfriend, Nate, and her former best friend Serena van der Woodsen, just expelled from boarding school and "gifted with the kind of coolness that you can't acquire by buying the right handbag or the right pair of jeans. She was the girl every boy wants and every girl wants to be." Everyone wears a lot of designer clothes and drinks a lot of expensive booze. Serena flirts with Nate and can't understand why Blair is upset with her; Blair throws a big party and doesn't invite Serena; Serena meets a cute but unpopular guy; and a few less socially blessed characters wonder about the lives of those who "have everything anyone could possibly wish for and who take it all completely for granted." Intercut with these exploits are excerpts from www.gossipgirl.net (the actual site launches in February), where "gossip girl" dishes the dirt on the various characters without ever revealing her own identity amongst them. Though anyone hoping for character depth or emotional truth should look elsewhere, readers who have always wished Danielle Steel and Judith Krantz would write about teenagers are in for a superficial, nasty, guilty pleasure. The book has the effect of gossip itself--once you enter it's hard to extract yourself; teens will devour this whole. The open-ended conclusion promises a follow-up. Ages 15-up. (Apr.)
By Diane Roback, SENIOR EDITOR; Jennifer M. Brown, FORECASTS EDITOR; Jason Britton, ASSOCIATE EDITOR and Jeff Zaleski, FORECASTS EDITOR

Review #2

GOSSIP GIRL (Book). (2002). Kirkus Reviews, 70(8), 580. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Deliciously catty and immediately engrossing, this is the ultimate beach mad for teenage girls, offering them a titillating peek into the heady world of Manhattan's well-heeled teens, private-school kids who "have unlimited access to money and booze," and--since their prominent self-involved parents are terribly busy and largely disinterested--"tons of privacy" as well. Appearances reign in von Ziegesar's world, and the kids are free to do as they choose as long as they don't "embarrass... the family by puking in public, pissing their pants, or ranting in the streets." Loading it with labels and writing in a breathless style, yon Ziegesar amusingly and succinctly sums up her characters. For example, a mother's less-than-classy new boyfriend is described as looking "like someone who might help you pick out shoes at Saks." The plot in this private-school intrigue/slice-of-life drama concerns the homecoming of Serena van der Woodsen, a captivating hottie who "every boy wants and every gift wants to be." Once the undisputed ruler of the reigning clique at the select Spenford School, Serena becomes an instant outcast, as the jealous and ambitious Blair Waldorf, the new queen bee, is not willing to surrender power or her handsome boyfriend. It should be noted that various youngsters smoke cigarettes, have sex, use marijuana, drink alcohol, and throw up after meals, and while these activities are not glamorized, they are presented as business as usual. That caveat aside, girls should find this lightweight novel spicy, entertaining, and their own trashy fun. (Fiction. YA)

USES IN LIBRARY:
I would not use this book for anything because I would need some consent from parent to even put to use it with teenagers. For adults, it is more of a teen thing. .

MODULE 14: HERE IN HARLEM: POEMS IN MANY VOICES

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Myers, Walter Dean. (2004) Here In Harlem: Poems in Many Voices. New York: Holiday House, c2004. c2004.

SUMMARY:
Walter Dean Myers presents fifty-four poems in the voices of the residents who make up the legendary basketball players, teachers, mail carriers, jazz artists, maids, veterans, etc. The voices ranges in ages from twelve to eighty-one, who narrates their hoped, dreams and present or past experiences. Myers presents a photograph, which represents each voice.

THOUGHTS:
Myer’s book is a very beautiful book. Each poem voices a certain experience. My favorite poem is the student who wants a school named after her. Even though she is twelve, I like her aspiration. Another poem that I liked was the mail bearer because he talks about a mail barrier, whose short and tall. He watches the sweat trickle down. Myer presents several other interesting and inspiration voices. You just have to read them to find out.
REVIEWS: (2)
Review # 1
• Salvadore, M. (2011). Here in Harlem: Poems in Many Voices. School Library Journal, 57(3), 76. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Gr 6 Up--Inspired by Edgar Lee Master's Spoon River Anthology, Walter Dean Myers presents another distinctive community in a series of evocative poems (Holiday House, 2004). Harlem comes to life through the voices of those who have lived there, each unique in diverse poetic forms, age of speaker, experience presented, and emotional context. Before the introduction is read by Myers, a poem in the voice of a 33-year-old English teacher opens the book: "…I take my stand in Harlem, and sing of jubilee/Here my fretful soul flies wondrous free." Multiple voices then present a diverse community which embraces its music, history, education, daily challenges, and joys. Each voice is carefully chosen to bring individual characters to life. Music and sound effects enhance the mood. Have the book available so listeners can peruse the period photographs that augment the poems' settings and moods. This rich, moving performance brings a place, a period, and poetry to life.

Review #2
• HERE IN HARLEM: Poems in Many Voices (Book). (2004). Publishers Weekly, 251(46), 61. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
In nearly 60 poems, Myers (145th Street) treats readers to a tour of Harlem's past and present, its hopes and fears, through the voices of narrators young and old. Together they create a pastiche of the community's fixtures, the church ("Wake up Lazurus! Wake up Paul!/ Wake the congregation and lift their hearts"), the barber shop for men, the hairdresser for women ("My mouth is sealed, you don't even see a crack,/ 'Cause I ain't the kind to talk behind nobody's back"), rent parties (where people gathered to eat, drink and to help the host pay the rent) and Sylvia's restaurant. "Clara Brown's Testimony," parts I-IV provides a continuity through the collected impressions, as she describes her love for Harlem, through heartbreak (when she and her sister do not make the Cotton Club chorus line, she's told it's because her skin is too dark: "That was the day I learned that being black wasn't no simple thing, even in Harlem") and more often joy. Myers offers differing perspectives on milestone events such as Jackie Robinson joining the Dodgers, as well as subjects closer to home, such as young love, or a pairing of poems by a father and his drug-addict daughter. Another especially moving cluster of poems rotates among three WWII vets from the 369th Infantry, known as the "Harlem Hellfighters," one of them blinded by a Southern sheriff after the war, on their way home. And Harlem is indeed home, to all of the people who give voice to its pains and pleasures. Readers will want to visit again and again. Ages 12-up. (Nov.)

USES IN LIBRARY:
A librarian can read it to children during black history month. It is also useful for talking about poetry or identity. Once the book is read, the book can be discussed amongst children, middle school, high school students and adults.


MODULE 15: To Kill A Mockingbird

Bibliographic Citation #1:
Lee, Harper. (1982). To Kill A Mockingbird. New York: Warner Books.


SUMMARY:
Five years old Jean Louise Finch, known as Scout, lives in relatively peaceful and sheltered life in the sleepy Alabama town of Maycomb, Arkansas, during the Great Depression. Scout lives with her older brother, Jem, and her father, Atticus Finch. Atticus is a prominent lawyer, who turns Scout’s life, when he agrees to take on the unpopular defense of black laborer, Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson is accused of raping a poor, white girl named Mayella Ewell, who comes from a prominent family. Filled with prejudices, the townspeople believe Tom is guilty and wants Tom to die. Contrary to their beliefs, Atticus believes that Tom is innocent and defends Tom, stating that Tom’s withered left arm makes it physically impossible for him to attack Mayella. As Atticus defends Tom, Scout and her older brother, Jem, experiences taunts at school and experiences a fight to defend their father and Tom. Even though, Atticus proved that Tom is physically incapable of committing the crime and accuses Bob Ewell, Mayella father, of the rape, the jury’s verdict of Tom Robinson is guilty. Shortly, after Atticus appeal the decision, Tom is fatally shot during an escape from jail. Some time, later, as Scout and Jem is on their way home, Bob Ewell attacks eight year old Scout and breaks Jem’s arm. However, Bob Radley is killed by Boo Radley.

OPINIONS :
Once I began reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. Partly, I couldn’t because the book was written well Scout was a character. In the beginning, she is ery sheltered and she is a tomboy because she is raised around her father and brother. I found it funny y that they had brought their aunt into help Scout become more lady-like. I really did not think that it would work, but Scout does change a little bit. I was a bit sadden when they found Tom guilty of a crime and that people looked the other way, They only saw what they wanted to see. Even though the book was pretty long, I sort of wished that they would have shown Scout as an assault. However, the way the book ended, was satisfactory because

REVIEWS:
Review # 1
To Kill a Mockingbird. (2006). Publishers Weekly, 253(35), 59. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Lee's beloved American classics makes its belated debut on audio (after briefly being available in the 1990s for the blind and libraries through Books on Tape) with the kind of classy packaging that may spoil listeners for all other audio-books. The two CD slipcases housing the 11 discs not only feature art mirroring Mary Schuck's cover design but also offers helpful track listings for each disk. Many viewers of the 1962 movie adaptation believe that Lee was the film's narrator, but it was actually an unbilled Kim Stanley who read a mere six passages and left an indelible impression. Competing with Stanley's memory, Spacek forges her own path to a victorious reading. Spacek reads with a slight Southern lilt and quiet authority. Told entirely from the perspective of young Scout Finch, there's no need for Spacek to create individual voices for various characters but she still invests them all with emotion. Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1960 novel, which quietly stands as one of the most powerful statements of the Civil Rights movement, has been superbly brought to audio. Available as a Perennial paperback. (Aug.)

Review #2
References
• Lee, H., & del Rosario, J. (2000). To Kill a Mockingbird. Scholastic Scope, 48(18), 5. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

This book is about how a white lawyer tries to save an innocent black man who was accused of a crime he didn't commit. This was the period of time when black people had little power in the law, and the law wasn't always fair. This book helped me understand better how society works.

USES IN LIBRARY:
I would use this book for middle school and up, I woutd also use it for book clubs and blogs, so they can discuss Scout, Racism and other events that occurred in the book.