Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems by Joyce Sidman Illustrated by Beckie Prange

Having learned about the essential illustrative elements of picture books and their vital tie to the picture book text I was enthralled with this book of poems. Most of the pages are illustrated with large framed pictures that apply the use of perspective to position the reader to most effectively experience the action within each poem written on the page. Each page requires a double-facing page spread, and a factual caption is included in the margin beside each double-faced illustration to supplement each poem's meaning with the facts that may be result from the curiousity illuminating the poems. The book includes poems about several pond creatures and living pond features including the water boatman and backswimmer, the wood duck, and a descriptive food chain among other living things. My favorite was about the water boatman (which was also mentioned in a poem from Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman) and the backswimmer. In the poem, "Song of the Water Boatman and Backswimmer's Refrain" both water bugs are coexisting and describing their survival habits and unique ways in a back-and-forth fashion. The waterboatman uses his legs as oars, and the backswimmer spends most of his time belly-up towards the surface of the water. The woodblock illustrations enhanced with watercolor bring out the quiet, yet vivid life in the habitat of a pond. "In the Depths of the Summer Pond" is a poem that mimics the "This is the House that Jack Built" style of chain story. Starting with the algae the poet relates the food chain of creatures who feed on the smaller creatures "in the depths of the summer pond." When reading the poem about the Wood Ducks I learned about the innate bravery of the baby ducks freely jumping out of their nests to their mother in the pond below. The factual caption describes that some ducklings survive and some don't. The illustration for this poem makes the reader sense the height of the ducklings getting ready to jump far down to the pond below. Some of the poems in this book rhyme, but most employ free verse. The figurative language effectively creates the images intended for the reader in these poems.

Don't Know Much About American History by Kenneth C. Davis

An unusual format enticed me to pick up this book in the bookstore to check my knowledge of basic historical facts. Since I collaborate with a history teacher in grade 6 I'm always interested in finding catchy ways to provide outside reading for my students. This informational book published in 2003 includes updated information on George Bush's terms as President as well as the recent disaster of the falling of the twin towers in 2001. This book of ten chapters is formatted in question-answer format: Frequently-Asked-Questions about history are categorized into ten periods of history over 217 pages. I was surprised to find answers that were unknown to me. For example: In chapter 3 about the Growth of a Nation I realized that this country went eleven years without a president during the time when the Articles of Confederation were in effect. Living in the South for so many years, I never really wondered about the relationship between the Native Americans and the Pilgrims. I was surprised to learn that the response is "True" to the statement, "An Indian walked into Plymouth and said, 'Welcome, Englishment.'" The Algonquian chief Samoset initiated friendly relationships with the Pilgrims from the start. Later in the book I learned the interesting response to the question, "Were the 1990s an age of rage?" Surprisingly, that period of time was full of violent events: the Oklahoma City bombing, race-related violence in 1991 and 1992, and violence in schools with the Columbine shootings. How do you think the first decade of the 21st century compares with that period of time? The book seemed to be reliable and authentic in its design and its factual details. Thorough source notes are included in the bibliography, and an index and an appendix of Presidents and Vice Presidents is included in the back. At the front of the book is a table of contents and an introduction providing background for the author in stating the purpose of his writing this book. He intended to break the "boring" tone of history books and to make history come alive. Bravo! This is a must-read for history buffs who want to brush up on important times in history.

Something BIG Has Been Here by Jack Prelutsky - Drawings by James Stevenson

This collection of poems provides several humorous poems that combine rhyming and free verse within one hundred fifty three pages. Prelutsky truly plays with language in the creative topics and antics portrayed in the poems. There is a humorous play on the types of meals served in school cafeterias that employs alliteration with catchy titles of entrees: "Fried Flying Fish Fins," "Pickled Pelican Parts," and "Cracked Crocodile Crunch" are some tasty examples. The name of the poem is "Grasshopper Gumbo." Another poem makes fun of people who thrive on complaining and disputing others' opinions: "The Disputatious Deeble." This poem quotes several retaliatory remarks from a grouchy person who is unable to see the good in a cheery adversary. "Lovely gravy!" may bring out the retort, "An awful sauce." If you say, "Sweet butter!" the Disputatious Deeble may say, "Salty Cheese." Another poem plays with phrases with multiple meanings, "I Wave Good-bye When Butter Flies." This poem is funny as it plays with common phrases in different contexts: "...It makes me sad when lettuce leaves, I laugh when dinner rolls, I wonder if the kitchen sinks and if a salad bowls..." Prelutsky entertains with his poems as the reader delilghts in the many possibilities for playing with language and conveying humor through carefree poetry topics.

But I’ll Be Back Again by Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant’s autobiography reveals a lot of feelings portrayed by some of the characters in her books. She grew up in a broken home, because her mother and Cynthia Rylant left her father when she was four years of age due to his alcoholism. Although he communicated with her with letters, she did not see him much at all after leaving him. He died of sickness four years later without saying goodbye to her. Rylant’s mother left her in the care of Cynthia Rylant’s grandparents for four years when she was off going to school for nursing. Rylant was cared for by grandparents, aunts, and uncles during this time. Her autobiography revealed the devastating emotional trauma of the loss of her father and temporarily her mother. Her experiences with loss fueled her writing, and she found writing to be a vehicle for coping with her sad childhood experiences of loss. Her grandparents, aunts, and uncles must have been loving caretakers for Rylant to emanate such a positive outlook on her life as she recalls memories of her childhood. She seems to cheerfully recall giggles with her aunts and fond memories of relationships with peers when she was growing up. She relates “crushes” she had had with some boys and her hero, Robert Kennedy. Her memories seemed to have spoken to her clearly to encourage her to want to become a writer. She notices that writing has given her the power to change things I could not change as a child.
Several of the books by Cynthia Rylant illustrate themes of loss and finding oneself: Missing May, A Fine White Dust, The Islander, I Had Seen Castles, and Waiting to Waltz. In all of these books Rylant develops the characters experiences with peers and families in a positive light. She often shows her protagonists as experiencing a significant loss and dealing with it in a steadfast way. This is evident in Missing May and in The Islander. Summer, the protagonist relates her inner struggle with caring for her uncle Ob and missing her Aunt May. Rylant also struggled with wondering as a child if her father had ever tried to communicate with her after his death. Her book Missing May describes such an experience as Summer relates missing May. The Islander related a story about a young boy who had lost his mother and father at an early age and had to learn to fit in to a community on an island while living with his grandfather. Rylant also relates in her autobiography her salvation experience in church when she was a young adolescent. Her struggles with her relationship with God become clear through the protagonist, Pete in A Fine White Dust as he pours out his emotions and soul describing his newfound commitment to God through his salvation experience from an encounter with an evangelist at his local church. I started to read Rylant’s A Heavenly Village, but I did not finish reading it. In that book I remember several implications that may relate to Rylant’s faith in God. Rylant stated in her autobiography that she chose to remember friends and places that communicated to her peacefulness and love. Most of her books seem to be illuminated with peaceful plots and caring characters. These traits are clear in many of her picture books: Thimbleberry, The Blue Hill Meadows, Little Whistle, The Relatives Came, Waiting to Waltz, and The Van Gogh Cafe.
Rylant seems to have found herself through writing, and she has shared her gift of storytelling in bringing to life her own stories to which so many of us can relate.

A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck

A Long Way From Chicago teases only a glimmer of a glimpse of the setting of this historical fiction novel set in the Depression era in a small town located a train ride away from Chicago. The story is narrated by Joe, an older man as he recalls memories of his childhood when he and his sister spent seven summers with their "tough as an old boot" Grandma. Without the rural, small-town setting and the main character, Grandma there surely would not have been a story. Grandma presents as a large, rough woman who has no fear and is not afraid to stand up to anybody and to "tell it like she sees it." This characterization lends the humor in the story as the reader contrasts Grandma against the stereotype grandmother one would expect two young children to visit every summer. The reader is able to sense the span of time not only over the course of seven summers between 1929 and 1935 but further ahead to 1942 when Joe recalls attending boot camp prior to his military duty in World War II. Who else could portray the necessary resourcefulness that must have been employed during the Depression era than Grandma herself? The novel is formatted into short stories, each connected to the other as in chapters; but each story is another year's summer recalled in detail by Joe. The reader is quickly engaged into the book and introduced to Grandma when she calmly and resolutely insists that a dead gangster's coffin reside in her parlor the night before his funeral. Traditionally the family stays watch over a dead family member's coffin the night prior to the funeral, but Shotgun Cheatham had no family. Grandma went one step further and guarded the house with her double-barrel shotgun. Joe and his sister, Mary Alice seem to be "putty in the hand" of Grandma this summer and the next following summers as they are directed to join Grandma in her many escapades and trickeries with the townfolk. Picture Grandma foiling two mischievious boys from the dairy delivery truck trying to trick her with a mouse in a bottle of milk. The fun never ends as the reader is brought into the story beside Joe and Mary Alice witnessing Grandma fishing in forbidden waters only to discover some of the town's men of authority drunk in their underwear on a porch of an old shack. Later in the story a blackmail opportunity surfaces. Other adventures ensue with Grandma, each more delightful to the reader than the last. Towards the end of the book Peck gently implies Grandma's softer side. There are a few chapters where Grandma sends Joe and Mary Alice to the attic to find things for a yard sale and later for a town centenniel celebration. The reader may figure out that this is Grandma's way to reveal for her grandchildren the nostalgia from her past without her surrendering her facade of "tough as nails." Grandma is really a deeply compassionate soul who winds up helping several people in her community and impacting her own grandchildren with her "hidden" goodness. This character trait surfaces more clearly at the end of the book as Joe passes by Grandma's house in a train bound for boot camp, and Grandma waves to the train knowing Joe is on it somewhere. Joe is touched by her wave and waves back. Throughout the book Joe and Mary Alice are outstaged by Grandma. They appear only as observant onlookers to the actions until the end of the book when Mary Alice "shows her colors" dancing with Ray Veech in the centenniel celebration. Mary Alice's boldness shows clearly, a trait she must have learned from Grandma. Joe may have turned out to be a more conservative character in the way that he told his tale, but his tenacity and toughness showed his readiness to fight in the war. I'm anxious to read A Year Down Yonder to again enjoy Grandma's antics. I've been acquainted with a couple of "Grandmas" in my life, and it continues to amaze me how the facets of human nature and compassion come in so many shapes, sizes, and personnas.

Joyful Noise - Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman - Illustrated by Eric Beddows

Once again Paul Fleischman's artful genius surfaces to the top! The orchestration of words and phrases creates a harmony of meaning and description that transcends the printed word. This collection of poems about insects makes the reader empathize with the life of each insect in a celebratory way. The first poem in the collection, "Grasshoppers" gives the sensation of movement and energetic leaping with the concurrent chorus of words read by two voices. The emphasis on action verbs is evident and creates the imagery so evident in this poem. The next poem, "Water Striders" emanates the feeling of plodding along in a slow, but steady manner. There is rhythm in the phrasing that seems to emulate the sense of striding as befits the insect's name, water striders. I was particularly affected by the poem, "Fireflies" which imbues the metaphoric description comparing fireflies to writing: 'Light is the ink we use...' and 'six-legged scribblers....signing the June nights.' How long have those fireflies waited for that poem to celebrate their unique design? I always wondered how and why moths are so attracted to lights. The poem, "The Moth's Serenade" entwines the words as if two lovers are singing a duet and courting with passionate exchange - a moth and it's light, Ahhh! Again the harmony of the two voices speaking in unison to embrace the words and the solo emphasis on the meaningful words sparkles within the phrases . The poem, "The Digger Wasp" seemed to be a self-written epitaph from a martyr. She seemed so devoted to the life of her young, and she was committed to be part of the circle of life she so articulately described. The last poem in the book seemed most masterful, "Chrysalis Diary." I had never thought to try to think about life around the chrysalis as it goes through the metamorphasis of becoming a butterfly. Again, the use of two voices to share the oberservation from the chrysalis's point of view is figurative language to its utmost. Imagine the chrysalis viewing falling snowflakes from its window! What a vision! Indeed, Fleischman has set a precedent with his orchestrating words to blend and flow to create these unique images. For students who are not involved with music in any way this collection of poems enables those students to experience the sense of harmony that can be created by blending the beautiful sounds and meanings of words in these poems.

Waiting to Waltz – A Childhood (Poems by Cynthia Rylant) Drawings by Stephen Gammell.

This book is a series of short poems about significant people, events, or places in the town of Beaver. The poems are written in free-verse and seem to describe meaningful memories in Cynthia Rylant’s life. I connected with the poem about “Wax Lips,” because I remember those from my own childhood and the fun we had with them around Halloween. I remember sending letters to my uncle in Quincy, Indiana where everyone knew him just with the General Delivery address. I always thought he must be very important to have mail delivered that way. I was grateful for Rylant’s poem about “Sam the Shoe Shop Man,” and I wanted to cheer in celebrating with her the heroic qualities of the simple man who must have been an optimistic light to those who knew him. The poem about “Band Practice” showed Rylant’s persistence in working on fitting in and finding her own place. That must be one of her telling qualities even as a writer. She evidently learned a lot about playing in more ways than one. The illustrator inspired mood and hints about the town’s simple qualities. Especially revealing was the illustration showing looking out from inside Sam’s Shoe Shop. The double page spread of the thunder storm following the poem, “The Rescue” shows the stark desolate backdrop of the lone house amid the thunderstorm. The pencil sketch sets the mood appropriately.

Long Night Moon by Cynthia Rylant Illustrated by Mark Siegel

This book seemed to be a similar book to Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back by Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London. The book describes the names and legends of the Native American Moons that describe seasons or periods during the year. The January Moon must have been very bright to be able to show your way home. The March Sap Moon must be the dawn of spring, since small green trees and melting ponds are mentioned with it. The May Flower Moon is described as bright and cheerful. The illustration effectively shows it to light up the night. I like the description of the August Harvest Moon compared to a “big ripe melon” and “blessing the calm fields of hay.” The creatures must look up to the September Coon Moon for guidance as Rylant aptly describes thee moon showing creatures a “better path.” The title of the book seems to be named after the December moon, the Long Night Moon that must guard us through the night until morning in its faithfulness to light up the sky. I appreciated the illustrator’s note about how he chose his medium for illustrating Rylant’s poems about Long Night Moon. She brought out the unique night magic that the moons highlight over nature.

Bull Run by Paul Fleischman

This historical fiction novel is formatted similarly to Fleischman's Seedfolks but with fewer connections evident among characters. I started reading the book by simply opening the front cover and beginning reading, so when I realized that different characters begin to narrate again on subsequent pages I found myself turning back to the character's previous story to try to make connections. Having an interest in music I chose to follow Toby Boyce's depictions of the war. It seemed that by his fifth narration he had matured and had seen enough of war to make one's toes curl. I also discovered a stark truth about myself. In reading and comparing the narrations of southern Flora Wheelworth and northern Lily Malloy I found myself identifying more closely with Flora. This realization surprised me, because I've always identified myself as a "transplanted Yankee," having grown up in my first 12 years in Massachusetts and New York. Flora's straightforward religious faith and resolve to stay strong seemed to show values that I try to live. Lily seemed to live a lonely life mentally distanced from her father and family. She so suffered the loss of Patrick, but she seemed not allowed nor able to share her emotions openly with her family. What a travesty! Yet in all my recent years visiting back in Massachusetts and New York I've noticed the same "aloofness" or "distance," if you will among members of some families. The close-knit bond is not as evident as that with families in the South. This is probably just my perception and opinion. I would hope it is really not so.

I Had Seen Castles by Cynthia Rylant

The horrors of the World War II period became immediately real and vivid with the backdrop of our country's stance in the war with Iraq. Cynthia Rylant showed a different side of herself in her writing of this book. Others of her books that I have read show her writing style as simple yet reflective with children as her main characters in situations requiring reflection and/or deep soul-searching. In her typical style of narrating a story simply and without needless rhetoric she effectively crafted the story of a young man's experience becoming involved in the war with a series of flashbacks and flashforwards strategically placed throughout the story. The character of Ginny brought out the passionate, caring side of John as they grew to be close friends and lovers. John's family members were clearly experiencing stations in life common through the World War II times. Rylant's portrayal of John through his war experiences showed the ugliness of war but John's steadfastness in dealing with each new challenge of it. The reader knew from the beginning of the book that John survived the war, but the terrors and tragedies of the war were no less gruesome as the reader was felt to be standing beside John witnessing those horrible deaths and tragic wounds. The castle appeared to be an icon of hope for John, and he seemed to associate the castle with hopes and dreams that he allowed himself to realize in his adult years living in Europe. He must have seen a need to be needed there. That is one common feature that is becoming evident to me in Rylant's books: the perceptive ability for the main character to endure tough times yet to feel needed by one or more characters around him/her. This book is a to-the-point "must-read" in the genre of historical fiction to enable the reader to connect present stresses of war with stresses of times past in war.

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

The Tiger Rising is epitomized as a metaphor in response to the protagonist, Rob's deep-seated turmoil over the death of his mother in this realistic fiction novel. DiCamillo reveals Rob's character as reserved, serious young boy who continually tries to stifle his deep thoughts as he grapples with coping with his mother's recent death. Throughout the book DiCamillo metaphorically shows Rob keeping his not-thoughts in his suitcase which he endeavors not to open. He tries not to succumb to his emotions. Rob carves things from wood in his spare time, and it seems to reflect his thinking at least at a surface level. Living in a motel where his father works to scrape a meager living for the two of them turns out to be the least of Rob's obstacles. He is plagued by a severe rash on his legs that causes him to be teased by bullies at school and eventually dimissed from school to allow the rash to heal. The itching annoyance of the rash is exacerbated with every stressor that surfaces for Rob in the plot of the story. Rob meets an improbable friend in Sistine, a newcomer in his school; and he carves an image of her soon after meeting her. Sistine is a young girl who has been displaced by her family, and her demeanor emanates the anger and frustration she tries to hide by her resistant attitude towards people in her new home. Her interactions with Rob reflect this most clearly. At the beginning of the book Rob discovers a tiger in a cage by the woods near his motel home. He keeps this a secret while he is dealing with other issues relating to life in a motel, bullying by classmates, and getting acquainted with the strange new character of Sistine. He learns unsolicited advice from Willie May, the motel maid to whom he shares the secret of the caged tiger. He carved Willie May a bird in memory of the bird she lost when it was released from its cage. She perceptively nailed the idea that Rob and Sistine were quite a pair with both of them dealing with deep-down anger and stress issues. As Rob sees things in common with Sistine he seeks to befriend her by showing her the tiger. She immediately is fixated on freeing the tiger. The reader is surprised with how simply the plot unfolds to Rob the opportunity to gain access to the keys to the tiger's cage when the motel owner, Beauchamp gives Rob the job of feeding the tiger. As the reader wonders how the tiger will fit into the entwined drama of the deep, disturbing emotions in Rob and Sistine Rob continues his quest to get to know Sistine and to show her that he cares for her situation. Together Rob and Sistine finally agree that the tiger should be freed. The despicable character Beauchamp and the prophetess Willie May seem to have a compounding effect on both Rob and Sisine to decide to free the tiger. The reader wonders why the children to not realize the ultimate consequences of a tiger on the loose in the community, but considering the depths of their deep-seated emotions and their need for satisfying their stresses, freeing the tiger seems to lead to releasing the weight of the anger and unrest within them. The freeing of the tiger was the tiger rising with the anger rising up and out of both main characters in the story. Rob's father is the victim of Rob's unleashed emotions as Rob hits him and irrationally blames him for his unhappiness after Rob's father shoots the tiger found released and running. The killing of the tiger is instrumental in bringing Rob and his father to terms with their situation, and at last Rob is able to carve a likeness of the tiger. Life is brighter for Rob at the end of the story, and he anticipates the return to school and to furthering his friendship with Sistine who has called Rob her best friend.
This book is unlike DiCamillo's other books in its serious tone and theme of finding oneself amid tragedy. It was not one of my favorite of DiCamillo's books, but its metaphoric elements were intriguing and food for thought.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

This rich fantasy masterpiece is surely distinctive among other animal fantasies that have preceded it. The story begins with a vivid description of Edward that within the first two pages gives the reader the image of a distinguished and intellectual gentleman of a rabbit. He is dressed in fine clothes with a pocket watch. As the story continues to unfold the reader eventually ascertains that the love bestowed upon the rabbit by his owner, the young girl, Abilene Tulane is strangely unrequited by Edward.
He waits placidly in the chair where the girl places him never far from her side. Edward presents as an observant yet haughty toy rabbit who resents the intimidating remarks from those of the household who show by their words and actions that they do not appreciate his finer qualities. Soon after Abilene's grandmother Pellegrina tells her a story about an unloving princess turned into a warthog by a witch the grandmother drops the reader a hint of foreshadowing by whispering to Edward that she is disappointed in him.
Edward's thoughts are descriptively revealed by the author as she narrates the story. He thinks matter-of-fact thoughts about his observations about people and situations around him, but the reader infers that he lacks emotion and is incapable of feeling deeply. At this point in the story I became personally involved in the intricacies of the unfolding story. The nostalgia of my children's beloved favorite animal toys that seemed melded to their every adventure and excursion awashed my connections to the book.
The plot began to tumble quickly into a mass of twists and turns like a sudden dip in a roller coaster. Edward's fate was so undeserved and tragic the reader wants to just shout at the characters who seem to recklessly disengage from Edward's deep unknowing needs. I gasped when I read that Edward was tossed overboard by an uncaring young boy who was taunting Abilene on board a ship taking her family to England. I felt Abilene's pain and loss vividly as I knew my daughter's tragic loss of a stuffed animal on a trip. Meanwhile Edward shares his thoughts about his unseemly condition and plight in his usual mundane fashion. I kept wanting Edward to be found by his owner and showered with love and affection to draw out the hidden passion that must be within that fine china self. But alas, his unfortunate adventures had only begun. Subsequently dark and narrow escapes await Edward as he tosses and tumbles through his life's maze. Edward was rescued from the sea by a fisherman, later unearthed by a hobo's dog and endeared by the hobo, and thrown off a train by another hobo. He was rescued from a scarecrow pole by a young boy, Bryce to be given to his dear, dying sister. Later, Edward is victim to an angry man smashing him to the floor and breaking him. Through all this Edward is beginning to realize sentiments of loss and love, and it begins to pain him. Edward survives and is patched back to doll life by a toy mender. DiCamillo had magically entwined me in Edward's near-death experience in doll heaven when the scene changed. At the end of the story I was sitting right beside Edward on a shelf in a doll shop as Edward finally poured his heart out to an old antique doll who tries to contend with him about his decrepit worth. He now knows why grandmother Pellegrina had been disappointed in him. At last Edward has soul. He knows love, because he has been loved by a young girl, a fisherman, a hobo, a dying girl, and a young boy. I felt devasted by the many tragedies of Edward's life at this point, and I could only expect a glimmer of a hopeful ending of the story. DiCamillo crafted her magic at the close of the story with a symphony of mended pieces: A woman and a small girl wearing a locket came into the doll shop. Edward has been found and reclaimed by Abilene who was wearning Edward's long lost pocket watch around her neck, and Edward rejoiced at the reunion.
This book will surely be cherished as a classic piece of literature as it reveals the transpiring soul of a china rabbit seeking recognition and honor in bridging his own need for love with that of his grateful owner.

Penny From Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm

I was drawn to this book for the opportunity to experience recollections of the 1950s and to seek understanding of life for Italian Americans during that time. My uncle (my mother's sister's husband) was Italian, and I always wondered what made him "tick." I remember him as a very strong yet tender-hearted man who loved baseball. He used to make homemade ravioli for many family gatherings with his brothers, mother and family when they joined our side of the family for long Sunday aftertoon reunions. Penny From Heaven brought back a lot of those memories for me. Nonny's macaroni and homemade Italian foods and the many-course meals that seem to last all day were reminiscent of my earlier years. Penny, the protagonist presented as a regular young girl who grabbed life's gusto as much as she could along with her cousin and best friend, Frankie. Penny did not seem to be vain and proper, but she spoke her mind and built rapport with her extended family with ease. She seemed to be well-known by all in her community. Throughout the book she reflected on who her late father really was and how he died. Her family consisted of her mother who was portrayed as a rather minor character in contrast to her uncles, grandparents, Aunt Gina, Nonny, and Frankie. Holm characterized Penny's maternal grandparents as very down-to-earth people with typical yet annoying mannerisms: Pop-pop burped too much, and Me-Me couldn't cook well. Penny's extended family from her father's side lived near by, and Penny often visited them on Sundays. Penny seemed to feel more akin to her Italian uncles, aunt, Frankie, and Nonny, her paternal grandfather. Although the Italian side of the family showed a quarreling Aunt Gina and Nonny, they all tolerated and supported each other in love. Most of them treated Penny like a princess. The first two thirds of the book was mostly descriptive of Penny's day-to day life helping Frankie with deliveries from her uncle's meat store to playing baseball to hanging out and talking about family times with different family members. The plot took a drastic turn when Penny accidentally got her arm caught in the wringer of the washing machine when she and Frankie were under the guise of volunteering to do the laundry in the basement. Frankie wanted time in the basement to search for hidden treasure from his grandfather, and Penny was helping him do the laundry in the basement while he searched the walls. Penny's arm was seriously injured, and she spent a long stay in the hospital waiting and hoping for it to heal. The doctors were skeptical about Penny regaining use of her arm. One day in the hospital Penny overheard bits and pieces of a story about how her Italian father was a spy and how he died. This aroused a barrage of questions in her mind, and she was able to inquire again of a trusted aunt about what really had happened to her father. At long last Penny heard the true story about how her father was unfairly discriminated against as an Italian and an enemy alien . It seemed that now knowing the true story, Penny had new hope that enabled her arm to heal. One day she tried to reach for her lucky bean on the table beside her bed. To her surprise her fingers could curl around the bean. From that momement on the story took several upbeat turns. Her mother married the milkman who moved into her grandparents' house with them, she became a very popular girl at school, the boy with whom she had a crush asked her out to a movie, and her favorite Uncle Dominic returned after having abandoned her with the wringer accident. Uncle Dominic who had always slept in an old abandoned car out back finally moved into the basement of the house. Penny now had her family together: near and dear to her heart in more ways than one.

Avi - The Library of Author Biographies by Michael A. Sommers

Two of my favorite novels to plan to use in the classroom are written by Avi: Nothing But the Truth and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. I chose to read Avi's biography in hopes to learn more about the background behind these books, but I did not learn much new from reading the biography. I had known that Avi had a learning disability, and I found this interesting relating to the population of learning disabled students that I have taught. I did learn from the biography that Avi was always an avid reader, and the literary background of his mother and father and extended family must have paved his way for pursuing authoring books. I am grateful for Avi's persistence in writing in spite of all the negative feedback he had received as a young writer. He has proved his talent at weaving a complex plot with rich characterization and gripping action. I appreciate the implied rebelliousness in some of his characters. Middle school students have lots with which to relate in Avi's books in dealing with issues of growing up and making choices. The biography emphasizes Avi's interest in historical fiction for middle schoolers. He thoroughly researches his characters and setting before finalizing his books, and he finds a lot of pleasure in the research phase of his writing process. There was limited background in the biography for the books I would like to read by Avi, but I know I can research reviews on his books before reading them. The source notes and bibliography at the end of the biography were helpful, and I appreciated the note about the website for the publisher for undated biographical information on Avi.

Mole Music written and illustrated by David McPhail

The picture book, Mole Music is a story about a mole who learns to play beautiful music on his violin while above ground marvelous effects are shown from the music emanating from the roots of the oak tree above Mole's house. The story embodies the theme showing how music enriches, comforts, and enlivens our lives with its beauty and harmony. Mole realized that his life was satisfying but humdrum. He was inspired one night when he was relaxing in front of the TV listening to a man playing a violin. He decided he wanted to play beautiful music, too. Mole ordered a violin in the mail, and upon receiving it he persevered in practicing steadily. After a month he began to play a simple song, and as years went by he played more beautiful music. While he was imagining and wishing he could play for large audiences of people and wishing he could change the world and “melt hearts” with his music extraordinary events were occurring above ground: The oak tree above its roots sticking through Mole’s ceiling was growing and thriving. The tree was providing a peaceful perch for many birds, opposing armies were making peace with each other, and presidents and common people were finding peaceful solitude or shelter under and around the oak tree above Mole’s home where he played his beautiful music. The inviting aura around the tree above ground seemed to attract people and birds, and at the end the soldiers were contentedly sleeping in and around the tree while Mole played one last song below before going to sleep and pleasantly dreaming. The book is an inspiration to aspiring young musicians, and it invites them to work with the same tenacity and verve as Mole as he seeks to develop his musical skill for the pleasure of others.

In Flight with David McPhail - A Creative Autobiography

David McPhail has loved drawing since he was a child, and he has been doing it as long as he can remember. His drawings seem to show rough edged sketching with pencil or ink, and he creates shadowing in his figures with just a few pencilstrokes. The result of his drawings appear mostly lifelike, but I notice that his drawings of people are slightly disproportionate, in that the heads are somewhat larger in proportion to the bodies. McPhail relates with a very clear image to the reader on page 5 of his autobiography that pictures just "dance" through his head and are "fuzzy and out of focus" until he draws them. He can then see them. The illustration on page 5 shows fuzzy colored drawings superimposed on a sloppy draft of a page of writing. It seems to show as he describes in his biography that the pictures come into his head when the writing becomes clear. He relates that the stories he writes find him, "not the other way around." Because of this he likes to always have his writing tools handy, so he can quickly get a story down when it comes his way. The autobiography describes his early books mostly about bears and pigs. He shares with the reader the communication he has with his editor in a form of argument back and forth until both are satisfied with his stories. He reads his story over and over many times before beginning his illustrations, so he can quickly sketch with the story clearly in his head. He draws a picture from many angles and perspective before he decides which one best fits his story, so he draws numerous illustrations before deciding on the final ones to go on the pages of the dummy book. He illustrates mostly with watercolors and ink. He has written and illustrated about fifty books, and he has illustrated fifteen more. His goal is to write one book every year or two. He loves getting paid to do what he loves best.

A Fine White Dust by Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant reveals the depths of the protagonist's soul in this book more than other books I have read by this author. I was drawn to read this book to see how a seventh grader may perceive the rich experience of making a commitment to become a Christian. Rylant portrays Pete as a vulnerable sponge ready and willing to soak up everything the Preacher Man has to say to him. Pete highly respects this Preacher who is in town for a series of evangelistic meetings. After being saved by the things preached by the Preacher Man Pete experiences new feelings and a new and different outlook on life. He comes to realize a chasm of differences with his best friend, Rufus who is an atheist. As the book progresses the reader begins to think that Pete will give up everything and follow the Preacher Man in his travels, but the story ends with Pete being "stood up" by the Preacher Man in favor of a young girl who the Preacher Man prefers to take with him. Pete felt let down and discouraged, but Rylant has a way of making the reader hold out hope that Pete is still a changed young man in spite of the deception of the Preacher Man. Rufus remains steadfast and loyal to Pete throughout the book, and he even stays up all night waiting for Pete to return from his wait to escape town with the Preacher Man. At the end of the book Pete questions Rufus about his belief in God, and his response to Pete gives the reader hope that perhaps Pete's influence on Rufus may eventually bring about a good turn for Rufus. This realistic fiction work is a deep perceptive view into the life of a seventh grader at the age where he is questioning his own purpose and station in life.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Curtis

This historical fiction book set in the 1960s takes the reader from a hilarious narrative of nonstop mischief with Byron, Kenny's older brother to their close call with tragedy in the horror of the church bombing in Alabama. Kenny, the bookworm narrates the story throughout the book. His older brother Byron gets in so much trouble his parents resort to sending him off to spend a summer with Grandma in Alabama. At first the reader laughs at the one-of-a-kind pranks that keep Byron ticking and his little brother packing away the memories. Byron inceasantly teases his younger brother, but Kenny copes and watches his brother challenge the rules of society. Byron makes burning toilet paper parachutes in the bathroom . Kenny and his little sister Joetta cringe as their mother gets ready to burn Byron's finger to teach him a lesson. Byron deals with the bully who painted his brother's lost gloves with black shoe polish. He appears in front of his mother with an Afro resulting in a shaved head as punishment. Kenny portrays Byron as a fool, and between the lines the reader can almost witness him gloating as Kenny's parents finally resort to planning to drive Byron to Alabama to endure some Grandma remedy. The book takes a sudden turn in mood when the family arrives in Alabama. Kenny ventures into a forbidden water hole and almost drowns after he has a vision that will later push him to become a hero for his little sister. Byron's character changes as he becomes a helpful older brother to Kenny. The climax occurs when the family is startled with a huge blast that turns out to be the bombing of a church where Joetta was attending church school. When Kenny fears Joetta missing and finds a black shoe like the one she left the house in we see a new heroic side of Kenny appear. He shows a big brotherly side at the end of the book when he invites Joetta into his room with a new compassionate side to him. The family pulls together in the wake of the tragedy, and they vicariously suffer with the families who lost loved ones in the bombing.

The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton

This captivating mystery about a significant historical time of the Underground Railroad was a book that was very hard to put down: Truly an all-nighter, because so many deep issues were intertwined with the plot. Set in the 1960's this book centers around a young black protagonist named Thomas Smalls. Thomas Smalls and his family moved to Ohio to rent an old house dating back to the time of the Underground Railroad. Thomas never felt accepted in the new town, and even the folks at church did not seem to welcome the Smalls. At the beginning of the book the reader wonders if someone was breaking into the house to rearrange furniture for some strange reason. Being a curious young boy Thomas must investigate. Finding strange tin triangles stuck in the door jams who would think that these must be part of a puzzle for Thomas to try to solve? Strange things are happening to the Smalls throughout the book. The strange Darrows family seem to try to scare the Smalls out of the house. The reader wonders if the Darrows are in cahoots with Pluto, the eccentric caretaker of the old house. The high point of the book seemed to be the practical joke played on the Darrows to scare them off, yet later in the book after Thomas had discovered a secret tunnel and passageway under the house the reader discovers two Plutos. A rich and valuable treasure awaits Thomas beneath the house that connect him to his past and to learn gems of knowledge about the Underground Railroad. This book is a must-read, and the true twists and turns of the novel must be saved for those who have not yet picked up this book.

Missing May by Cynthia Rylant

This book was a puzzling yet celebratory experience for me. The first half of it just did not reach me, because it forced me to face again my father's death about a year ago. I just did not want to read on at that point. But Cynthia Rylant is true to her down-to-earth way of touching readers in that part of the soul that says, "Yeah, I've experience that, too." The last half of the book came around to giving me a huge hug to affirm that my circle of grief had been completed much in the same way as Summer's had. There was a tremendous healing effect of that good long cry and allowing a living loved one to feel needed and to be healed by feeling needed. A couple of full circles of grief interlocking and becoming strengthened by them.
I could only wonder if May and Ob were the aunt and uncle that Rylant grew up with after losing her mother and father. Summer was always cautiously looking on and worrying about Ob, yet she always shared thoughts that let me believe she was ready to be the caretaker of him and their trailer home. Cletus was the nonconformist who turned out to be the character who enabled Summer and Ob to process through losing May. He was have been a comfort to Ob as an optomistic conversationalist who knew how to draw out a person's thoughts in conversation. Though Summer found Cletus annoying in his propensity for being overly observant and collecting things he must have earned her respect by the end of the novel. Perhaps when she became acquainted with Cletus's parents she was able to see him in a different light. The climax was clearly when Ob decided to turn the car around to follow through with the original plan to visit the capitol building. That must have been the point when Ob realized that his sole purpose in life was to be needed by Cletus and Summer. At the end of the book Summer must have finally realized how much Ob had wanted to "fill May's shoes" in caring for Summer. The italicized narrative of May speaking to Summer's conscience was touching and seemed to mirror the feelings Ob must have conveyed to Summer through his embrace to comfort her and to wipe away her tears. I wonder if the book were to continue if Cletus would eventually become an adopted member of Ob's home.

The Van Gogh Cafe by Cynthia Rylant

This tiny book is a powerhouse of little miracles that really seem to convince the reader to recognize the little things in this simple little cafe and its effect on the community. It was strange to me to see the whole book written in present tense. It almost felt like it was narrated by a newspaper reporter. Nonetheless the effect was fitting for the type of book it was. It was like looking at a living museum. Clara must have been a quiet, observant little girl for the things she noticed. The poem on the napkin was the most captivating miracle in the way that Marc's poems came true in someone else's life. I laughed at the image of all the pigeons sitting on the roof and then jumping onto the truck bound for California. This book was light reading, and it swept me off to a place I decided I wanted to imagine and see. Our family used to frequent a little restaurant during our summers in Indiana. All the waitresses knew us on a first name basis, and the same neighbors came often to the restaurant as we did. I just remember the overwhelming friendliness and homey feeling about the place. I imagined the Van Gogh cafe in this way. Once again Cynthia Rylant crafts the wonder and curiosity of a little girl seeking validation and meaning in the people and events around her.

Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman

This little novel is packed with themes! It would be a mighty tool in the classroom for exemplifying themes in literature. One of the themes may be: Gardens yield not only fruit to feed souls, but gardens also yield generosity and compassion in encouraging weary souls to hope. If only that little Vietnamese girl knew the impact her little garden had on so many lives. She truly did honor her father in starting a garden. Her garden inspired Wendell to avoid complaining and to get busy with better things. The reader wonders what she would say to the people gathered on that once-empty lot at the end of the book. Fleischman crafted a unique plot bringing 13 diversified people together to develop a powerful place of beauty and life amid the muck and downtrodden slums of the city. Gonzalo made a very perceptive statement when he said that older people get younger when they come to the United States. But his statement yields a negative connotation connecting youth with vulnerability. The garden became a healing solution for his father who was out of his element when he first came to the United States. Assertive Leona tried to appeal to the authorities about cleaning up the lot that had been discovered by the neighbors for gardening. Smiling Sam added cheer and optimism to the garden community. As others discovered the potential power of growing things in a garden the reader's heart melts with compassion as Nora brought hope and vitality back to Mr. Myles in his wheelchair as she accommodated a garden place for him to tend. No longer was he a

salmon traveling upstream.

The garden renewed hope in an unwed mother and
to all the rest of the community of gardeners over time. At the end of the novel the reader is assured that another season of community building and healing is about to begin as the little girl again digs a spot to plant her beans.

The Islander by Cynthia Rylant

This short novel is a fantasy of a young boy, Daniel who lives with his grandfather on an island called Coquille off the coast of British Columbia. Daniel initially struggled with fitting in and feeling a part of the island community, but he found a mermaid comb and witnessed a brief visit by a mermaid along the beach one day. Curious, he returned to the beach and stayed there past his curfew just to witness another visit. Later in the book Daniel tries to communicate with the mermaid by leaving a message in a bottle on a rock on the beach. He did not see the mermaid again, but he received a message from her through an otter who threw Daniel a shell from the water one day. To Daniel's surprise the shell held a key. Throughout the rest of the book Daniel wore the key around his neck. As he helped rescue birds with his grandfather after a huge storm Daniel discovered that the key quivered at times. Daniel made the connection that when the quivering was strongest he was standing near a living bird or animal that was in need of rescuing. In his rescue efforts with his grandfather he also found a sense of belonging as he helped island neighbors and they helped him after his grandfather died. The story ends happily, because a child he helped rescue because of the quivering of the key turned out to become his girlfriend in later teenage years soon after his grandfather died. Daniel threw a message out to sea in a bottle thanking the mermaid for providing him the family that the islanders had become to him. This book was a thought-provoking escape into a fantasy world that made me hear the waves beating on the beach.

The Clay Marble by Minfong Ho

This historical fiction novel is set in the 1970s in Cambodia during the effects of the Vietnam War The protagonist, a young Cambodian girl named Dara is victim with her family as they are directed to leave their home and to head to the Border of Thailand to gather supplies and restore their lives before returning to the war-torn homeland in Cambodia. Dara's father had been killed, and her mother, brother and extended family members set off with numerous other refugees to find food and shelter near the border. The plot takes the reader into more desolate lands where Dara and her family meet other refugees who are struggling. Dara's brother joins the army and saddens Dara who feels neglected now. The struggle for Dara and her family to keep the family together drives the plot. One of Dara's new-found friends makes her some clay marbles which Dara later treasures, because her friend dies in one of the refugee camps near the border. The clay marbles symbolize hope, however. Dara realizes the treasure in the hopefulness shared by her late friend. Dara's family is given rice in Nong Chan to take back with them to their homeland. Soon the effects of the war dwindle, and it is safe for Dara's family to return home and to again plant rice and to restore their harvest. Dara realizes the hope of the marble is not required to to make wonderful things happen. She realizes that the hope and joy in her now is a lasting result from the traumatic experiences she had shared with family and new friends.

The Golden Goose Book being the stories of The Golden Goose, The Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, and Tom Thumb illustrated by L. Leslie Brooke

The original author of this collection of fairy tales is not mentioned in this book, but the numerous color and black and white illustrations brought back so many memories of the image of fairy tales as I remember. I couldn't resist picking up this book and reliving the time when I sat by my great grandmother as she read these stories in her tender voice. It seemed that every time I turned a page I could smell her linen flowered handkerchief with scent of lavender scented soap. Although the illustrations in the book are far removed from the images of present-day illustrations, the whimsical nature of the pictures captured the pleasant memories of those stories as I saw them as a child. This 95 page collection thoroughly related each of the tales with a clear plot, story problem, and happy-ever-after ending. The one tale that seemed most descriptively written was The Three Bears. Numerous detailed illustrations showed the facial expressions about which the text eloquently described. The language in the tales made me laugh: Words such as thereupon, and Yonder stands an old tree; hew it down all invoked old-fashioned unique qualities to the tales that have been modernized in so many ways. Although I would probably not choose this book to read-aloud to a child I was again brought back to the couch where I was read these tales over and over again with family members.

Poor Goose - a French folktale retold and illustrated by Anne Rockwell

This folktale was a frequently-requested read aloud by my two children. The original folktale was titled The Four Friends and published in 1968. The Poor Goose version was published later in 1976. The story is a cumulative journey tale about four animals who meet along Goose's journey to the castle to get some tea to make her headache better. The folk-art style of the illustrations emphasizes scenes and objects typical of those seen in France. The drawings are simple and child-like, and they lack perspective. The pictures very effectively supplement and extend the text, however. Each page shows a framed illustration on a different colored a patterned background that seems to add charm to the story and to focus the reader's attention on the pictures. The text in the folktale even applies the French style of quotation marks. As the journey progresses Goose meets Cat, the two of them meet Lamb, and the three of them meet Cow. Each chooses to join the others in the journey to the castle, because each wishes to find something different for themselves there. The climax of the tale occurs when they all hear a wolf howl, and they are scared into an old woman's house on the hill. Throughout the tale a recurring verse is recited by the animals,

Cric-Crac, kitchen spoon, Over the hill, We'll get there soon.

. This verse adds rhythm to the oral reading of the tale, and the predictable page turns add to the interest to this read-aloud. In the end the animals never arrived at the castle, but they found a new and comfortable home and caring in the home of the old woman who gladly took them in. This folktale implies the lesson about realizing that your desires may realized in simpler things than you choose to dream, and happiness can be found unexpectedly.

The Tale of Three Trees- a traditional folktale retold by Angela Elwell Hunt Illustrations by Tim Jonke

"The Tale of Three Trees" tells stories of Christ Jesus through the ultimate uses of three simple trees in the forest. From the early life of the trees each tree wishes to be used and made into something grand and glorious. As the trees grow to maturity the dreams are squelched as woodcutters cut down the trees, but the description of how the wood is used from each tree points to parts of the story of Jesus. One of the trees was made into a manger, another tree made into a simple boat to carry Jesus and his friends, and another tree was cut into planks to form the cross on which Jesus died. In the end the reader realizes the trees were used for a greater good that that for which each had originally wished. The folktale had numerous underlying messages for the reader to discover about serving others and finding joyful meaning in life. The illustrations in this book revealed clear clues to the meaning of the text, and without them the reader would need to know the story of the life of Jesus to make the connections with the text. This folktale creatively tells a timeless story that can enrich a reader's understanding of serving others.

The People Could Fly - American Black Folktales told by Virginia Hamilton Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

This rich collection of folk tales originated with African Americans telling stories about their environment and the curious creatures around them during times of slavery before the end of the Civil War. This collection includes twenty-four folk tales categorized by animal tales; tales of real, fancy, and fanciful; tales of the supernatural; and tales of freedom. I chose to read three of the animal tales in this collection. The tales are rich with dialect reflecting the type of storytelling done by African Americans long ago. "He Lion, Bruh Bear, and Bruh Rabbit" is a tale that implies a lesson about boasting and selfishness as He Lion's neighbors tactfully try to encourage He Lion to change his ways, so they could all live peacefully among themselves. In the end, boastful and confident He Lion dares to face Man. After getting shot and hurt by Man He lion learned new respect for a being other than himself. Another folktale, "Doc Rabbit, Bruh Fox, and Tar Baby" was similar to another version of this same folktale found in "The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit" from stories collected by Joel Chanler Harris retold by David Borgenicht. In "The People Could Fly" collection version of the tale the tar baby was shaped like a rabbit. The fox had set up a trap to catch Bruh Rabbit, and it worked well. Bruh rabbit grew frustrated at the tar rabbit not responding to him, and Bruh Rabbit wound up getting stuck to the tar baby everytime he touched it. It would seem that the Rabbit was victim to the trickery, but in the last sentence Bruh Fox let Rabbit go free. The fox is ultimately foiled. The similarity between this tale and the Bref Rabbit Tales is that Brer Rabbit tricked the fox into releasing him from the tar by feining fear about the fox throwing him into the briar patch. Bruh Rabbit knew that the briars would help release him from the holds of the tar, and he used his cunning to craft an effective escape. A third folk tale in "The People Could Fly" collection relates a story of how a turtle got it's shell markings. After an eagle had dropped Tapppin the Turtle into the water after an unsuccessful flying lesson Tappin tries to find food for his children by seeking the counsel of the King of the underworld under water. After the king's temporary fix of the dipper filled with food failed Tappin, the turtle again consulted the King only to be given a cowhide that magically and unpleasantly beat him causing his markings. The tale seemed to connect to the life of the slaves trying to sustain life and trying to endure the beatings from the master.

Thirteen Moons of Turtle's Back - A Native American Year of Moons by Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London Illustrated by Thomas Locker

This collection of narrative poems for each of 13 moons of a year begins with a grandfather explaining to his grandson the stories behind each of the 13 scales on a turtle's back. Some of the most vivid descriptions with figurative language seemed evident in four or five of the poems. The winter Moon of Popping Tree describes a Frost Giant that cracks his club against the cottonwood trees warning animals to stay inside until the Coyote's sing to signal safety to venture out again. Another poem about a winter moon, Baby Bear Moon seems to warn against disturbing bears as they sleep, because long ago a young child was taken in and protected by the bears. Disturbing the sleeping group is discouraged. An unusual poem that seems to tell of coming spring is the Frog Moon relating competing ideas among the moose, the beaver, and the frog concerning the decision of how many moons of snow there are. Finally all agreed with frog that there are as many moons of snow as are toes on his foot. The illustrations show the reader how the connections between our traditional seasons of the year fit in with the thirteen moons. This collection of poems bespeaks the respect for the interactions of living things and the balance and order of how life and its phases work together for a greater good. The text appears on the left side of the left facing page, and the text appears on a simulated rough paper surface similar to a sheet of birch bark. This three-inch text border is rough edged as if to portray torn paper. The illustrations covering the rest of the left page and the entire right page is done in pastels showing rich shades and softly outlined shapes. The illustrations enhance the text on each page and aid in helping the reader imagine the workings of the different phases of nature creating the thirteen moons.

The Classic Tales of Brer Rabbit from Stories Collected by Joel C. Harris Retold by David Borgenicht Illustrated by Don Daily

The detailed facial expressions and clothes on the animal characters on the cover drew me to open this book and read it. This collection of folk tales included seven folk tales that each seemed to try compete in the way that they related stories about Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and other characters including turtles, wolves, and opossums. In each folk tale the animal characters tried to outwit each other in playing tricks on one another. Brer Rabbit seemed to be the most mischievious in six of the tales and the most clever. He managed to trick Brer Bear into hanging in his trap for him, fooled the fox into dropping into a well, foiled Brer Wolf's plot to lure him into Brer Fox's trap, proved himself the fool in his race with Brer Turtle, stole the Fox's chickens, and tricked the Fox into releasing him from the Tar-Baby. Several of the full-bleed illustrations invited the reader to be part of the scene and to feel like one of the characters in the story. For example, the illustration showing Brer Rabbit and Brer Turtle getting ready to race at the starting line positioned the perspective of the reader standing next to Brer Crow by the fence looking on with the other animals. Each folk tale started off with a richly colored and wooden alphabet letter starting the text on the page. This technique complimented the wooden fences and signs pictured throughout the story. The dialogue among the animal characters was generally congenial and polite which added to the charm of the narrative. For example: '"Howdy, Brer Rabbit," said Brer Bear, tilting his head to look Brer Rabbit in the face. "How are you doing this fine morning?" "Very fine, Brer Ber, very fine..."' Each of the folk tales described in cunning ways how the animals politely fooled each other into situations the others would not have expected. Brer Fox was one character who always seemed to get "the short end of the stick." Brer Rabbit tricked his way out several predicaments with Brer Fox. This collection of folk tales would be very effective in generating "what if.." conversations among students in small groups in the classroom. The tales seem to invite an in depth study of characterization.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

This thought-provoking Newbery Award Winner of 1994 opened doors of curiosity in my mind as I wondered about such a civilization as that of young Jonas. I remember about ten years ago trying to read this book, and putting it down in disgust when reading the part about the Stirrings followed soon after with the mention of the "meticulously ordered community" in which it is expected for everyone to fit in. At the time I wanted to gag and roll my eyes and move on at the thought of entertaining such a way of life. Now after giving the book another chance and reading it to the end I chastise myself for the missed instructional opportunities this book could have provided in my years past teaching language arts. Alas, when the sacred rules revealed that Jonas could lie I realized tantalizing possibilities in the now quickening plot. I hung on...this time on the edge of my seat. The characterization of the other characters was minimal yet just enough to imply pointing the focus on sending me spiraling into the thick of the plot and the intertwined characterization of Jonas and the Giver. Strange that Jonas's new title of "Receiver" was not sufficiently promulgated throughout the community to even give his new position judgment. Just accepted as all things are in Jonas's community. I expected conflict with the issue of status, and perhaps I was looking for somewhat of a caste system. But again, none. Instead the author divulged the inner thoughts and shared wisdom of the Giver privy only to Jonas. This contrast only drove me to want to know them, to be in the training room with them, to make connections with them. Eloquently and with impelling craft the author wrapped the reader in Jonas's developing training from the Giver. It seemed that Jonas learned his new job quickly and with ease, and he grew even wiser as he began questioning the ways of his community. When he realized that indeed his own father was the antagonist of the book his actions took some intrepid turns. He was emboldened to the point of risking leaving for Elsewhere. I was disappointed when towards the end Jonas left without the Giver, yet the Giver made the reader fully appreciate his purpose for staying to impart wisdom and expected protection upon the remaining members of the community. Leaving with Gabriel was a risky choice, but I could just imagine the search helicoptors trying to reclaim the young misfit. It seemed that Jonas left us at the end fully trained and ready for Giving to others in the true sense of the word - selflessly and with the wisdom of having experienced the cold, sterile civilation of life without true feelings, memories, and vital emotions. If there was a sequel to this book I would be anxious to read about Gabriel and how Jonas was able to bridge civilizations and forge on equipped to carry the torch as a wise man in the land of Elsewhere.

True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

This historical fiction novel set in 1832 is a murder mystery that is a master epic for teaching examples of complex yet exciting plot development and intriguing characterization. Charlotte, a dainty young lady from an upstanding and distinguished family changes into a sly and daring, bold sailor who can wield her way around a boat and cavort easily among her shipmates. And to top all this she is charged with murder! The story twists and turns and rocks on the waves across the Atlantic Ocean as Charlotte travels from England where she has been going to school to Rhode Island with the rough and crass crew of the Seahawk. Captain Jaggery is implicated as having quite a questionable reputation from the start when even a porter would not approach the ship with Charlotte's luggage. Although Captain Jaggery is a gentleman and a kind friend to Charlotte at the beginning of the journey he becomes the mighty antagonist as the story progresses. Zachariah, an old mate Charlotte met in the cargo hold was among the roughest of the crew. He gave Charlotte a dirk (knife) soon after meeting her, and as the reader wonders what she would ever do with it the story finds its use several times at the end of the story. The plot reaches climax when Charlotte tries to get into the captain's quarters to get a key only to be found by the captain. There is almost a mutiny on board as crew members work together to try to release Charlotte from the brig. When Charlotte finally reaches Rhode Island, her destination and her home she is punished for the contents of the journal she had kept and for the things about which she wrote concerning her adventures on the ship. Her father burned the journal. As the novel ended Charlotte left her home and ran away back to the ship to join the crew once again. A sailor is a sailor forever onward. Avi ends the chapters with words of suspense and intrigue that make this book difficult to put down after starting it.

Nothing But the Truth by Avi

This realistic fiction documentary novel is formatted in the form of a play with several different conversations between characters. This format presents as a unique reading experience for the reader, and it invites reader's theater opportunities within the classroom. An adolescent named Philip Malloy is charged with showing disrespectful singing through the National Anthem played during morning announcements at school. As the plot thickens the blame against Philip for breaking a school rule escalates to opposing views about a huge allegation involving a student charged for showing patriotism in school that is circulated nation-wide with the media. Philip's grades decline, and his chances to participate in track are in jeopardy along with his relationships with his parents and friends. Philip has been chastised by his father, his track coach, his teacher Miss Narwin, and the school administrators; and he has even been suspended from school for declining the choice to apologize to Miss Narwin. Even through this Philip appears cool, calm, and collected except for his woe about missing track and not impressing a girl friend. The irony of the book seems to be his nonchalance amid the hubbub of media attention and heated arguments and rifts among parents, teachers, school administrators, school board members, and radio, TV and newspaper reporters concerning who is to blame about Philip getting in trouble for singing to the National Anthem in school. The novel is a viable springboard for teaching persuasion both in written and debate form in middle school. The book reads easily and invites reluctant readers to give it a try. The topic and content relates well to current issues in school, and middle schoolers can quickly relate and connect the contents of the novel to their own experiences. This book is a must-read for every middle school English teacher.

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

This realistic fiction book was pleasant breakfast-reading for the past week, and such a light, refreshing time of escape from the daily grind! I once had a dog like Winn Dixie. Her name was Sophie, and she was an absolute riot when she pulled back her lips, showed her teeth and smiled. Combined with wiggling all over while she madly wagged her tail her smile usually also resulted in a huge sneeze. Then she would tap dance with delight awaiting her patting on the head. What a fond memory! Winn Dixie certainly did create a community and become the social leader of Naomi, Florida. He really was instrumental in helping Opal adapt to her new home. The friends Opal and Winn Dixie met from all walks of life colored the story with captivating character elements that piqued the reader's interest. Gloria Dump turned out to play the role of wise grandmother to Opal, and the unique relationship that Opal described of her father the preacher made the reader wonder about the closness of Opal's relationship with her father. Opal was making connections and dealing with her sad memories of missing her mother throughout the book. The new friendships forged with Amanda and Gloria Dump seemed to enable Opal to connect with them in a healing way. Gloria was helpful in teaching Opal to accept her foes and to include them in the neighborhood party. Even Otis's prior jail time and desired seclusion from people made Opal feel needed to "pull him out of his shell" and to make him feel accepted in the community. The highlight of the book was finding Winn Dixie after the storm and after the fear of having lost him. Truly the book was titled correctly, because all the wonderful events and friendships started in the book were "Because of Winn Dixie."

Sidewalk Circus by Paul Fleischman and Kevin Hawkes

The cover of the book shows the shadow of a sign worker man appearing as a ringleader of a circus. This wordless picture book invites the reader to eagerly turn pages from the cover to the endpages through the front matter through the illustrated story through to the back cover where the illustrator's use of circus figure shadows for normal people and characters on a city street. Fleischman and Hakes utilize light on the illustrations to highlight the shadowing effects and to portry the people on the streets of daily city life as circus performers. The onlookers are either city people shadowed off to the side or the little girl on the bench illustrated in bright colors among the people in the shadows. The story portrays a construction worker as a tight rope walker, a delivery man as a Goliath, the strongman, two boys skateboarding as clowns, a cook flipping pancakes is a juggler, etc. Most pages are full-bleeds with a few framed pictures of the girl sitting on a bench watching the "show." Towards the end of the book the girl boards a bus and a young boy walking toward the bench takes her place as onlooker at the circus-like action of the city. This book invites a "read-aloud" opportunity for an adult to make up a story with the pictures and encouraging a child to create parts to the story. What a wonderful follow-up to a trip to the circus, and what an opportunity to teach a child how to make connections!

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman

This book is a victorious tribute to overcoming bullying and celebrating a child's capacity for unique creativity at developing leadership skills. The cover of the book certainly draws in the reader. The illustrator employs the use of perspective, because the cover seems to put the reader on the ground looking up at Wesley standing on his huge flower stalks as though they are stilts lifting him above his own ground. After reading the book the reader can sense the symbolism in Wesley rising above his problem of being labeled "the different one."
Imagine the pressure on a young boy feeling ostracized by his own parents as well as his peers just because he does not conform to his peers. The bullying is evident with the full-bleed illustration of half-bald bullies chasing Wesley while he wards off projectiles such as rotton tomatoes and bananas with his make-shift shield of his backpack shored up with plywood. This illustration effectively extends the text on those pages about Wesley's skill at evading his tormentors. The illustrator's use of diagonal arrangement of lines and pictures creates the action and energy of that scene. The colors are vivid and bright throughout the book, and the full-bleed illustrations creatively apply perspective in the placement of graphics on the pages. The illustration of Wesley suddenly realizing how he can use his gardening skills to start his own civilization portrays Wesley head-on with his glasses lit up with sparks and yellow and read concentric lines that bespeak a "Wow" of an idea. This clearly shows a turning point in the story line, and the reader begins to zoom into the pages of the forthcoming adventure. The diagonal spiral breeze from the newly planted garden up to the wafting curtains into Wesley's sleepless night in his bedroom ignites an anticipatory page-turn to a different perspective that invites the reader to inspect Wesley's newly sprouting plants with him. On these full-bleed pages the reader is a worm or possibly a new plant looking up at Wesley. Several of the full-bleeds invite a page-turn. For example, The horizontal placement of picture elements of the bullies peeking over the fence and from behind one of Wesley's weavings to stare at his odd home-made outfit and his busy work in his garden makes the reader want to turn the page to see what Wesley will show his onlookers next. The following page surprises the reader who sees he mosquito-ridden bullies helping Wesley with his work and paying him for his mosquito repellant. Most of the rest of the illustrations put the reader at the perspective of looking up at the characters and actions in the story. This illustrative element blends well with the text and enlightens the text with added meaning. A few of the illustrations give the perspective of looking down on the picture such as the view of Wesley's sundial and the view of all of Weslandia as it turned out. Wesley's new civilization was comprised of more comfortable clothing, new vegetables, fruits, and food, a new language, and new games. The product of his creativity invited curious peers and earned him new respect from them. At the end he surfaced a leader with plenty of followers who had adopted his ways. No need for bullying now!

Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

What a crafty tale with such unlikely props to wield such a welcome ending! Gor!
I could not have imagined when I began reading how a needle, a spool of thread, and soup could be the tools of victory. In spite of the fact that Miggery Sow's plans were foiled in her attempt to become princess, her antagonistic character highlighted the esteemed characters of Despereaux and the princess. Between the lines the reader could see a cool, calm, and collected demeanor in Despereaux as he ultimately played the hero in the story. The bravery and wit that sent him from the dungeon to the grand rooms of the castle were carried out with finesse that seemed unbeatable around other likely "wanna-be" heros in the story. I almost wonder if those early-opened eyes were symbolic of the wisdom that Despereaux applied to his adventures from the beginning. This book was an enlightening window into the fun of nonsense that books can provide to our imagination with fantasy. The rule about outlawing soup lightened up the plot just in time. The beginning of the story was somewhat dark and ominous in its predictions of doom for Despereaux, but in the end what a well-rounded mouse to have been so diplomatic with the rat! I wonder if the mice would finally take in Despereaux as the prodigal son.

The Great American Mousical by Julie Andrews Edwards & Emma Walton Hamilton Illustrated by Tony Walton

This fantasy was written by Julie Andrews Edwards who is none other than Julie Andrews who played in the Disney version of Mary Poppins! I was delighted to notice that the character she played in Mary Poppins seemed to have jumped right into the pages of this book. Her passion for theater and entertainment illuminated the pages like a spotlight on the stage. Several mice characters played in the cast and crew for the miniature Sovereign Theater in Times Square. The humans were concluding their final performance in the big Sovereign Theater while the mice were preparing to rehearse their New Years Eve performance in the miniature model of the theater in the basement. Edwards propelled the plot into a dual spin when the reader learns of two story problems to be developed in a parallel manner. The leading mouse lady, having been caught in a mousetrap is taken off in a truck and dumped into the snow across town in New York City. During her absence the plot thickens two-fold: The cast and crew struggle to adapt the mouse performance without her while mourning their loss, and at the same time Adelaide, the leading mouse lady finds her way back with an adventurous journey complete with meeting new mouse friends along the way. Each friend helps her further her journey home, and one of them accompanies her and results in the two of them falling in love. The reader is riddled with suspense and rejoices when Adelaide makes it back across the city and to the final act of the performance where she makes a surprising entrance on stage. Her appearance on stage astonishes and delights the mouse audience, and the reader begins to be satisfied that the problem has been resolved....BUT... Some interesting complications spice up the plot as it gains momentum. Ironically a baseball misplaced by a small boy early in the story serves as the means by which one of the mice learns the humans are talking about how the theater will soon be demolished. Yet at the end of the book that same baseball serves as a tool to roll down the stairs and to lure the small boy to retrieve his ball and to discover the miniature model of the Sovereign Theater that leads to the humans realizing the theater's worth and value thus their change of heart in cancelling the demolition plans. The reader is twice delighted and satisfied with the resolution to the story, and all seem to live happily ever after as the mice celebrate that the show will go on and their leading lady has been returned.

Movie - Bridge to Terebithia

The setting (place) seemed very appropriate and complementary to that of the book, and the characters in the movie seemed to fit the parts well. It seemed, however, that the setting should have been in earlier times with more of the "down home simplicity" to portray the characters and situations more in line with the author's purpose. The implications of modern conveniences seemed to get in the way of that simple-life feel. The monsters in the woods and their comical appearances added some levity to the story line, but they seemed to detract from the movie-watcher's sharing of Leslie's and Jess's imaginative creations. The movie producer seemed to have done an effective job of portrying Jess's grief and his surfacing from it by showing him as more assertive and passionate about sharing his Teribithia dream with young May Belle. Though there are expected differences between a book and the movie I think the theme was captured well in the movie to positively reflect that of the book.

Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Criss Cross is a realistic fiction Newberry Award Winner for 2006. The title Criss Cross seems to connect to the unique plot plan showing about four main characters each described and involved in mostly separate settings and events that only seldom "criss cross" events in common. The four main characters appear to be Lenny, Hector, Debbie, and Patty; and they are teenagers trying to find themselves and to relate to their peers. Hector appears to be in love with girls and wanting to impress his peers. Lenny is quieter and perhaps a bit more reserved, but he gets involved with some mischief by trying to teach a girlfriend, Debby how to drive his dad's truck. Patty is Debbie's close friend, and she seems to follow Debby's lead as they try to pursue boys. The novel seems to have no defined plot, and several different and unrelated things seem to be happening concurrently throughout the book. Occasionally when the characters interact the reader begins to think they will all meet together and share in an event by the end of the book. This does not happen, however Hector and Debby have a "criss crossing" moment at the end of the book when the reader begins to think a relationship is about to "gel." The reader is left hanging when these two characters go their separate ways, and the expected connections never happen. Although the author used the term "criss cross" periodically throughout the book in varied contexts the reader is left bewildered about the term's real purpose in the book. The author used some vivid imagery and figurative language occasionally throughout the book that seemed to add zest to the characters and scenes, but the absence of traditional plot was unsettling.

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Curtis

Bud, Not Buddy, 2000 Newbery Award winner is set during the Depression era in and around Flint, Michigan. The book falls into the genre of historical fiction due to its ties to the Depression and implications of the Civil Rights Movement. Young Bud was orphaned at age six, and the adventures he endures and shares with peers and new friends (young and old) compel the reader to want to jump into the pages and befriend him. Bud quickly acquires resourcefulness in his independent quest to search for his long-lost father, and along the way his charm and "guts" involve him in some unique situations: a short stay at a foster home with a mean-spirited bully spoiled by his mother, a few visits to a mission for free meals, a few nights sleeping under a tree near the library, a late-night walk along a road where Bud is picked up by a man in a car with a container of blood in the front seat, a visit to Hooverville and a chance to ride the rails with a pal to Chicago, and finally meeting some exceptional caring friends who are members of Herman E. Calloway's band. These events and situations shape Bud's appreciation and thankfulness in finding his home in an unlikely place. His journey to Grand Calloway Station taught him persistance and resourcefulness, but the reader is surprised to realize that the members of Herman E . Calloway's band and Callowy himself seem to learn valuable lessons of acceptance and nurturing through taking Bud into their fold. The book suggests several subplots that could be explored in greater depth through mini-research projects about jazz, picketing relating to Civil Rights, President Hoover's initiatives, and the Depression era characteristics. I was surprised toward the end of the book when Bud learns that Herman E . Calloway is his grandfather instead of his father. The story seemed to evolve and "come together" at this juncture of the story as the reader could tie in the character of Bud's mother more clearly at this point. This book is a captivating work with which middle school readers can relate and question their own values and resourcefulness while learning about essential characteristics of the Depression era.

The Blue Hill Meadows by Cynthia Rylant Illustrated by Ellen Beier

The title of this book turned out to surpise me in its connection to the story. The book is divided into 4 sections, each about the meaningful life memories and events of the Meadows famly comprised of Sullivan and Eva Meadows and their two boys Ray and Willie. The story seemed to be told through the actions of the youngest boy, Willie; but the story was told in third-person point of view. The 4 sections were each described as the four different seasons of the year, starting with summer when the Meadows' new dog gave birth to seven puppies. The next section was my favorite about the fall fishing trip with just Willia and his Dad sharing a special day together. I was inspired by Sullivan's use of corn, honey, peanut butter, and wheat bread mixed together for bait. It must have worked, because the story showed them catching several fish. The fishing story brought back special memories of times when I would go out in our family's 16-foot boat with my husband and two small children in the pre-dawn hours just to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the colorful sunrise. I could almost smell the musty wood smell of the rickety country store where we stopped for beef jerky and sasparilla soda on the way home. I wonder if this is the type of place where Willie and his Dad shared grilled cheese sandwiches.
The whole book warmed my heart with memories of my childhood growing up in the country. Willie and his brother were looking for ways to make home-made sleds just like my sister and I used to do when we finally wound up with flattened cardboard boxes as sleds. Willie's lid to a washing machine beats that! In the last section of the book Willie is trying to outdo his brother in finding the perfect Mother's Day gift for his mother. Willie realizes she loves watching the wild rabbits out of her kitchen window, and I imagine his face looking triumphant when his mother sees that he is planting alfalfa, carrot, radish, and lettuce seeds around her favorite cherry tree to attract the rabbits. I can see my daughter's joy and pride in Willie's spirit in this section of the book, because my daughter began making me calendars with her poems and pictures every year. What a delightful gift for a mother to receive - a thoughtful gift made from the heart. The illustrations were strategically placed throughout the story to add to the visualization of the setting and the events. The pictures were small and softly painted with just enough detail and pastel effect to make the reader feel like one is looking through a window at scenes that revive appreciation of home and its warm beauty through all seasons.

Bridge to Teribithia

Starting out this book seemed to be just another book about a child's growing relationships with family members as well as peers and adults away from home. Leslie's character was a refreshing addition to the environment in which Jess and his family lived, and the reader delights in imagining what types of rapport will be built with Leslie's parents and the townspeople considering how unique that family is characterized to be in the book. I was surprised with how quickly Jess acquiesced to Leslie's strong skill with running and outrunning him at school. Jess must have needed the friend that Leslie became so quickly for him. Their relationship seemed indomitable even in the face of their peers unaccepatance of Leslie's unique character. Jess and Leslie seemed to have some memorable and special times together just living simply and enjoying being with each other. The coming-around of Jancie Avery after her bullying acts seemed to highlight Leslie's goodness even more. Throughout the first two thirds of the book I did not think much of the affinity Jess perceived for Miss Edmunds, and when he impulsively seemed to agree to go with her to Washington D. C. I was left wondering how he could make such a quick decision. There seemed to be so much detail left out when he left his house to leave with Miss Edmunds, and I was left hanging at this point. I can't even imagine the horror and guilt and remorse that must have welled up inside of Jess when he returned home only to learn that Leslie had died a tragic death at their special spot in the woods. At the end of the book, though Jess seemed to be healing from the loss of his best friend, and the love and caring for May Belle was so beautifully and touchingly restored at the bridge that Jess planned to memorialize Leslie. The highlight of the book for me was the end where Leslie's spirit seemed to live on in Jess through his heroic saving of May Belle and in his continuing his imaginative dream of Teribithia. Jess indeed characterized an inspiration to push on in the face of tragedy and to live more strongly towards considering others.

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

How incredibly effective are the simple black and white illustrations in showing so many emotions in the curious adventures of Kitten's striving for the bowl of milk! I can see my own children's faces in the kitten as he determinedly leaps for his prize...yet falls in defeat. Each faux pas attempt in reaching the milk seems to drive the little explorer to try even more challenging feats in reaching his prize. And the huge full-page image of despair and hunger tickles the reader to want to share in the hunt with the kitten. This book is begging to be read aloud to a little child, and the words are marbles wanting to tumble recklessly and with delightful abandon to delight the reader and child with lucious language and laughing.

Mirette On the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

An observant little Mirette is enchanted by the diversified actors who stay at her mother's boarding house in France. Doing her chores with the laundry she's captivated watching a border named Monsieur Bellini practice his high-wire walking over the clothesline of sheets. "Her feet tingled, as if they wanted to jump up on the wire beside Bellini." Despite her pleading to him to teach her his craft he refuses. We come to realize Mirette's drive to try this new skill of satisfying her feet's desire to rise to the wire. Taken with her tenacity to succeed on the wire Bellini concedes to train her. The simulated water colored illustrations marvelously highlight the plot development with rich, clear color that seems to mirror the bold daring of the high-wire performers. The growing bond developing between the artist and his protege lift us to the pinnacle of their partnership when Mirette artfully comes to his rescue in a beautiful moment of joining her teacher to amaze the audience with new wonder.

Mirette On the High Wire is a Caldecott Medal Winner.