Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. WEEDFLOWER. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Kadohata takes the reader though an emotional journey as Sumiko, a young Japanese-
American girl living in California, is forced to go to an internment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Sumiko, once thriving by producing beauty on her family’s flower farm, must face life in a dreary desert camp where there is little to brighten her world. After befriending an older gentleman next door, they set out to create a garden outside their barracks that might bring relief to the heat and dust storms that plague the area. After meeting a Frank, a Mohave Indian friend, Sumiko is faced with the knowledge that the Indians do not want the Japanese around either. Will she be able to leave the safety she finds in the internment camp and face the world of mistrust and anger that awaits her? Kadohata writes in a powerful way that brings the emotions of the times to light in a way that the reader can not help but to feel for the unjust treatment of the Japanese-Americans during this time. The reader is drawn into the setting and can almost feel the searing heat of the desert, along with Sumiko. End notes are included with information on the 442nd Regimental Comabat Team, composed mostly of Japanese American’s during World War II, and its accomplishments.
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Midwife's Apprentice
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIVE’S APPRENTICE. New York: Clarion Books.
In THE MIDWIVE’S APPRENTICE, Cushman tells of a time when a young girl sleeping in dung can be taken and shaped into a valued member of the society, a midwife. The Midwife is training the apprentice, whom she named Dung Beetle, yet she is very harsh in the way that she treats her during the process. Dung Beetle sees that she is worth a proper name and commences to rename herself Alyce. Lacking in confidence after two birthing mishaps, Alyce runs away. Will she have the courage to return to the training that will allow her to perform a service for her community that tugs at her heart? Cushman does not sugar-coat the realities of the time as she depicts the harsh conditions of the Middle Ages. The dialog is fresh and engaging, as readers are excited to find out what happens to the young apprentice through her many mishaps. Cushman includes historical notes on the times that give the reader insight into historical background of midwifery.
In THE MIDWIVE’S APPRENTICE, Cushman tells of a time when a young girl sleeping in dung can be taken and shaped into a valued member of the society, a midwife. The Midwife is training the apprentice, whom she named Dung Beetle, yet she is very harsh in the way that she treats her during the process. Dung Beetle sees that she is worth a proper name and commences to rename herself Alyce. Lacking in confidence after two birthing mishaps, Alyce runs away. Will she have the courage to return to the training that will allow her to perform a service for her community that tugs at her heart? Cushman does not sugar-coat the realities of the time as she depicts the harsh conditions of the Middle Ages. The dialog is fresh and engaging, as readers are excited to find out what happens to the young apprentice through her many mishaps. Cushman includes historical notes on the times that give the reader insight into historical background of midwifery.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
O’Dell, Scott. 1960. ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. New York: Yearling.
O’Dell creates a remarkably engaging story of doing what is necessary to survive on a deserted island. Refusing to leave her brother alone on the island, Karana jumps from the ship taking her people to a new land. After the death of her brother, Karana is left alone on the island to learn to find water, create a shelter, find food, and defend herself from wild dogs. Karana spends many years alone, with only a self-tamed dog for a friend, before being rescued by people of the “others.” O’Dell includes notes at the end of the story that give the historical background on the Island of the Blue Dolphins, the Indians from this island, and Robison Crusoe (The Lost Woman of San Nicolas), a girl who lived alone on the island from 1835 to 1853. With engaging text, the reader will be captivated with the story. O’Dell does a remarkable job of describing the setting while still entertaining the reader. This story would be easily paired with other survival stories.
O’Dell creates a remarkably engaging story of doing what is necessary to survive on a deserted island. Refusing to leave her brother alone on the island, Karana jumps from the ship taking her people to a new land. After the death of her brother, Karana is left alone on the island to learn to find water, create a shelter, find food, and defend herself from wild dogs. Karana spends many years alone, with only a self-tamed dog for a friend, before being rescued by people of the “others.” O’Dell includes notes at the end of the story that give the historical background on the Island of the Blue Dolphins, the Indians from this island, and Robison Crusoe (The Lost Woman of San Nicolas), a girl who lived alone on the island from 1835 to 1853. With engaging text, the reader will be captivated with the story. O’Dell does a remarkable job of describing the setting while still entertaining the reader. This story would be easily paired with other survival stories.
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Choldenko, Gennifer. 2004. AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS is a story of a twelve year old boy, Moose Flanagan, and his family as they move to Alcatraz Island in 1935 so Mr. Flanagan can work in the prison as an electrician and part-time guard. Facing the problems of living on the island prison grounds, going to school off-island, having a sister, Natalie, with “special” needs and problems, and desperately wanting to fit in and have friends, Moose tells the story of his first six months in the form of a diary. Moose will learn to face problems like a sneaky warden’s daughter and caring for an “unusual” sister instead of playing baseball with other kids, while learning about the prisoners housed on the island such as Al Capone. Will Moose’s friends see though Natalie’s problems to the caring person inside and will a convicted criminal be able to help her get into a school that could help her? At the beginning of the story is a photographic map of Alcatraz Island, with locations from the story labeled. Choldenko includes notes at the end of the story that give historical information on Alcatraz Island, the families that lived there, the inmates that were serving time in the facility (Al Capone) and children with autism. Students will be mesmerized as they read this story and be compelled to search for more information on the island and the inmates that inhabited it during this time to see if the information in the story is accurate.
AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS is a story of a twelve year old boy, Moose Flanagan, and his family as they move to Alcatraz Island in 1935 so Mr. Flanagan can work in the prison as an electrician and part-time guard. Facing the problems of living on the island prison grounds, going to school off-island, having a sister, Natalie, with “special” needs and problems, and desperately wanting to fit in and have friends, Moose tells the story of his first six months in the form of a diary. Moose will learn to face problems like a sneaky warden’s daughter and caring for an “unusual” sister instead of playing baseball with other kids, while learning about the prisoners housed on the island such as Al Capone. Will Moose’s friends see though Natalie’s problems to the caring person inside and will a convicted criminal be able to help her get into a school that could help her? At the beginning of the story is a photographic map of Alcatraz Island, with locations from the story labeled. Choldenko includes notes at the end of the story that give historical information on Alcatraz Island, the families that lived there, the inmates that were serving time in the facility (Al Capone) and children with autism. Students will be mesmerized as they read this story and be compelled to search for more information on the island and the inmates that inhabited it during this time to see if the information in the story is accurate.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Laughing Out Loud
For students in 2nd to 4th grade, finding a chapter book that contains characters to which they can relate and contain a realistic story within the confines of such a short number of pages might seem like a challenge, but there are three ares to which these readers can turn to experience fresh and engaging true-to-life stories just for them. These stories, though lacking in deep characters and rich settings, create a world where kids can see the humor in the situations that life throws at them.
Sacher creates a compelling character, Marvin Redpost, that has hilarious adventures with frank dialog and real dilemmas that kids face. In “Is He a Girl?” Marvin faces the old-wives tale about kissing your elbow and turning into a girl, every boy’s worst nightmare. How will he face life as a girl and can he ever return to the normal “boy” world that he knows so well? Follow Marvin through this adventure, plus many more as he faces some of the questions that kids come up with.
Lowry creates a real-life boy, Sam, that shows the dilemmas that boys can easily find themselves in. From cutting his hair to flushing the fish down the toilet, life is never dull with a younger brother around! “All About Sam” tells the beginning of Sam’s life story and begins a series that is especially tailored for young boys in need of a character to which they can identify, even if many of the story elements clearly date the book to the 1980’s.
Junie B. Jones is one character that will appeal to all audiences, with her truly laugh-out-loud adventures that beg to be read aloud! With problems like getting into a fight at the school carnival to winning only a fruit cake in the cake walk, Parks shows how kids can and will turn life upside down with real life dialog and scenes between the kids at school and family members at home. Students will relate to the emotions that Junie B. feels as she faces her different adventures.
Lowry, Lois. 1988. ALL ABOUT SAM. New York: Yearling Books.
Parks, Barbara. 1999. JUNIE B. JONES AND THE YUCKY BLUCKY FRUITCAKE. New York: Scholastic.
Sachar, Louis. 1993. MARVIN REDPOST: IS HE A GIRL?. New York: Scholastic.
Sacher creates a compelling character, Marvin Redpost, that has hilarious adventures with frank dialog and real dilemmas that kids face. In “Is He a Girl?” Marvin faces the old-wives tale about kissing your elbow and turning into a girl, every boy’s worst nightmare. How will he face life as a girl and can he ever return to the normal “boy” world that he knows so well? Follow Marvin through this adventure, plus many more as he faces some of the questions that kids come up with.
Lowry creates a real-life boy, Sam, that shows the dilemmas that boys can easily find themselves in. From cutting his hair to flushing the fish down the toilet, life is never dull with a younger brother around! “All About Sam” tells the beginning of Sam’s life story and begins a series that is especially tailored for young boys in need of a character to which they can identify, even if many of the story elements clearly date the book to the 1980’s.
Junie B. Jones is one character that will appeal to all audiences, with her truly laugh-out-loud adventures that beg to be read aloud! With problems like getting into a fight at the school carnival to winning only a fruit cake in the cake walk, Parks shows how kids can and will turn life upside down with real life dialog and scenes between the kids at school and family members at home. Students will relate to the emotions that Junie B. feels as she faces her different adventures.Lowry, Lois. 1988. ALL ABOUT SAM. New York: Yearling Books.
Parks, Barbara. 1999. JUNIE B. JONES AND THE YUCKY BLUCKY FRUITCAKE. New York: Scholastic.
Sachar, Louis. 1993. MARVIN REDPOST: IS HE A GIRL?. New York: Scholastic.
Sahara Special
Codell, Esme Raji. 2003. Sahara Special. New York: Hyperion Books For Children.Codell creates a compelling story where a girl must face her fears of success and let the world know that not only can she write, but that she is smart. Facing 5th grade for the second time can be daunting, but when Sahara gets an amazingly different teacher, things start to look up. Will Sahara have what it takes to shine in this class? Written in a way that which today’s students can relate, the characters in Sahara Special are typical inner city kids facing real life problems. The dialog is believable and the use of “street language” instead of properly constructed sentences enhances the mood of the story. Sahara speaks to the children that are indeed struggling in school and offers a ray of hope for not only a chance to feel smart, but for finding a person that believes in the student that they can become. A must read for not only a struggling student, but for teachers, as it shows the power of a teacher that stands up for and believes in her students.
So B. It
Weeks, Sarah. 2004. SO B. IT. New York: Laura Geringer Books. ISBN 9780064410471Told as reminiscent story of her first thirteen years of life, SO B. IT is a tale of family, friendship, devotion, and growing up as Heidi and a beloved neighbor struggle to raise Heidi’s mentally disabled mother, So B. It. With no knowledge of her past, a newly discovered set of pictures from a Christmas party in her mother’s past, and her mother’s spoken word “soof”, Heidi is compelled to search for the answers to all of her questions about her history. After traveling across the country, will Heidi find the answers for which she is looking and will the answers be worth what she misses back at home? Weeks creates believable characters that the reader will connect with easily and want to know “what happens next?” even after the story ends. The problems facing Heidi become so real that the reader will be moved to tears as the “mystery” is unfolded.
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