As a special gift to Star Wars fans, Del Rey will be offering Book One in the series, Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Betrayal, as a free downloadable PDF, audio book, and eBook. This promotional offer will run for two weeks, from 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, until midnight on Tuesday, May 13. The free download, which can be shared, e-mailed or printed, will be available on Random House's site at <http://www.randomhouse.com/
delrey/starwars/sw_legacy.html>.
Harry Potter isn't just for children and their parents. It has officially made it into the hall of academia as well. CNN correspondent Patrick Lee describes how the Potter-verse is being integrated into college classrooms across the country. It seems there's no spell that J.K. Rowling can't conjure. Read the complete story see CNN's site at:
<http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/03/25/cnnu.potter/index.html>.
AUTHOR: Martha Brooks
AGES: High school
REVIEW: This is another novel that got me in a big way. It ended up where I didn't even know it was going. The story is primarily told from teenager Odella's point of view. However, other characters' points of views are sprinkled in throughout the novel. The British Columbia Teacher Librarians Association (in Canada) awarded Mistik Lake the 2008 young adult book award, describing the story as:
In Martha Brooks’ Mistik Lake, family secrets are explored in an intergenerational narrative. When Odella’s mother leaves for another man, Odella must confront her mother’s past and cope with the impact it has on the way she sees the world. In this haunting and introspective story, Brooks creates a thoughtful character that will emotionally resonate with her readers.
In another post, Lauren W. described a novel called Speak. I found Speak's themes and mature content to be similar to Mistik Lake. Mistik Lake is full of very mature themes, including promiscuity and homosexuality. I recommend using this novel with care in a classroom.
AUTHOR: Watt Key
AGES: 5th-9th grades
REVIEW: With Alabama Moon, I think children from today's times would have a difficult time relating to the character. I think boys would find the adventure of Moon living off the land by himself and with his friends to be exciting. But I think children would have a trouble relating to how Moon's father reacted to the Vietnam War. I think even with the current War in Iraq, children would find the plot plausible but the reasoning that created the plot to be too far removed from their lives. Adult readers of this book will easily connect with how Moon's father came back from the Vietnam War with anger toward his country and government. To read this book with a class would require some time discussing the air that pervaded the Vietnam era, linking it to the current sentiments with the War in Iraq may help children relate.
In Abby the Librarian's blog, she describes Alabama Moon as "the Dukes of Hazard meet Hatchet," which is probably a very apt description. The deep South and backwoods setting certainly conjure images of Bo and Luke Duke complete with a corrupt sheriff, like Roscoe P. Coltrain. The survival aspect also align with Gary Paulson's Hatchet books with a young boy alone in the wilderness. Abby offers a great synopsis of the book and a great review. I encourage you to visit her blog post for more.
Overall, I really enjoyed Alabama Moon. Abby the librarian suggest the ending came together a little too neatly, and I can see that except that I was almost half expecting for two or more of the boys to be put together at the end. There is quite a it of profanity, so a teacher would really need to gauge this with her children. You may need to go with older children because of this. While the text and vocabulary could be handled by fifth through eighth graders, you may want to use this novel with older students because of the profanity.
AUTHOR: Richard Wright
AGES: 14-18 years old
REVIEW: “The Man Who Was Almost a Man” comes from Richard Wright’s book of short stories entitled Eight Men. This story is about the extremes that a young man goes through to prove that he is a man. This is a really good book for high school students in grades 9-12. This book is great for high school students, because during this time period many children are going through a transition phase in their life. Often times, children have questionable judgment when it comes to what makes a person a man or woman. Reading this story helps correct some of their thinking because they begin to admit that certain behaviors does not make you a man.
The young man in the story wanted to feel like a man and prove his manhood, so he went out and purchased a gun. My students were really interested in this story and could relate with him as well. Even though my students get pleasure out of watching violence, they considered the young man foolish for buying the gun. Every chance my students get they are sneaking onto a fight website or talking about a fight that happened in their neighborhood, however, this story really got them to thinking about their actions.
Guest Blogger: Gregory M. is a graduate student and a first year teacher at a local high school in Memphis, TN. Gregory teaches African American literature, English 10 and English 11. Gregory received his bachelors in English from the University of Memphis in December of 2007. He did not realize that he would find a teaching job as quickly as he did, but he is more than ready to face the challenge. Gregory is a student in Dr. Grant's IDT 7061, Spring08 course.
AUTHOR: Charles Dickens
AGES: 9th - 12th grades
REVIEW: I was first introduced to this book when my daughter had to read it for high school about 10 years ago. Great Expectations is about love, family and the pursuit of happiness. The main character is a young man, Pip, whose life is traced as an orphanage from early childhood to adulthood. The book is divided into three expectations of Pip’s life. The first being how he grows up in a difficult situation being adopted by a blacksmith’s family. The second will be how he meets an escaped convict and found happiness and the meaning of friendship that turned his life around to accomplish great expectations. The third and the last stage would be my favorite, because it is about how Pip was introduced to moral, physical and financial challenges. These are challenges that we all go through at some point in life.
The book is a lengthy, but very good life book, and I think every high school should have this book on the summer reading list. The book is available for review at Barnes and Noble’s web site. You can locate another review of the book from The Literature Network and from The Atlantic Online.
Guest Blogger: Angelia E. is an admissions supervisor at a higher learning institution who is presently working on a second career. She holds both a bachelors and a master’s degree in business which gives her the great passion to teach high school business courses. She feels that she has some tips to offer high school aged kids before going to college or directly into the real world. Young people should look ahead and make good decisions in life about attending college, career, credit, and accepting responsibility. Everyone should evaluate their life choices and rethink them before making a big change or first move. Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations is her favorite high school age book; because she feels there are great expectations for everyone and the sooner one discovers it, the better it will be. Angelia is a student in Dr. Grant's IDT 7061 class for the Spring 2008 term.
AUTHOR: Brenda L. Murray
AGES: All ages
REVIEW: Myambi’s Second Chance by Brenda L. Murray is a wonderful story that explores the current social conditions of African children. In this story, Myambi and his brother are orphaned by the AIDs virus and find themselves homeless and hungry. It is a touching story about their survival. Myambi and his brother are rescued and become a part of Watota Child Care where they live with a new mother and six brothers and sisters. Based on a true storey, this is a wonderful way for children of all ages to learn more about the poverty and AIDs crisis that exists within our world.
What I love about this story is that it is a true story that explores what happens to people who are touched by AIDs. It is filled with adventure and triumph at the end.
If you would like to review a summary of this book, there is one available at Watoto Child Care Web Site and also a personal review is available.
Guest Blogger: Elizabeth N. is a graduate student at the University of Memphis. She worked almost six years with pre-school children and is currently employed in the financial field at a doctor’s office. Elizabeth and her husband Michael also serve full-time at their church as youth pastors. Elizabeth is aspiring to be a middle school teacher for the Memphis City or Shelby County Schools. She is a student in Dr. Grant's IDT 7061, Spring08 course.
AUTHOR: Stephen Chbosky
AGES: High School (14-18)
REVIEW: In the tradition of Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, Chbosky’s novel follows the painfully inept Charlie as he struggles to make a place for himself at his school. In this short novel, Charlie, an awkward sophomore in high school, writes letters to an unidentified friend, presumably the reader. Charlie chronicles his attempts to navigate high school, make friends, meet girls, and figure out who he is. His English teacher recognizes his potential and points him towards books that might help him.
What I like most about this book is that Charlie’s descriptions of high school are ruthlessly accurate. When Charlie’s best friends, who are seniors, leave for college, you feel exactly how sad Charlie is. Students will immediately latch on to the realistic details of high school life. Blogger Stewie81 says on his blog that this novel is a “caricature of real life apt enough to make some people consider their own experiences.” In another blog (Sellers Library Teens) the reviewer says that “this is a classic coming-of-age novel with a striking perspective.”
This novel is well suited for high school students, but be cautious—the same realistic elements that make this book easy to relate to are also quite adult in nature (including both sex and drugs). I would definitely discuss the ending with the class (in which the Charlie remembers being molested as a child). This difficult ending is also one of the weaknesses of the novel; it seems as if Chbosky wants to “explain” Charlie’s sensitivity and awkwardness with this revelation. Students who identified with Charlie throughout the novel might not be able to relate to this fact of his life.
You can check the plot summary at Barnes and Noble or at The Book Marque.
Guest Blogger: Edward C. is an Algebra I teacher and Chess Team coach at a high school in Memphis, TN. He is an avid reader and constantly on the search for new books. Edward is in the Teacher Education program at the University of Memphis. In the future, Edward sees him self continuing to teach and continuing to improve himself through higher education. Edward is a student in Dr. Anna Clifford's IDT 7061 course, Spring 08.
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel
AGES: 4 – 8 years old
REVIEW: The Lorax, even though controversial, is a great book for children to read. It is important for them to understand the value of taking care of our world at a young age. The story begins when a boy wanders into an area where everything is dark and lonely and where very few living things live. At this time, the Once-ler appears and begins telling the boy how the town was once beautiful, lively, and full of animals. The Once-ler notices a neat tree and uses it to create a thneed. The Lorax protests the cutting down of the tree. However, the Once-ler sells his first thneed and sees a new business. The Lorax continually warns the Once-ler about the pollution his business is creating. Everything is fine for this thneed-selling business until the last Truffala tree is cut down. Everyone leaves the town, and the Once-ler is by himself in this town. The Once-ler realizes he has a seed left and gives it to the boy and tells him to go plant a tree. For a plot summary, please visit amazon.com.
The point of the story is, first of all, plant new trees as you cut them down. This is evident when the Once-ler leaves the boy the one remaining seed. The authors are saying that no matter how bad a situation can get that we can still make a difference, even if it is just one tree at a time. We have to start somewhere. They also make the point that we should do what we can to protect living creatures in the area, even if it may be inconvenient for a company. The Once-ler could have listened to the Lorax and taken a few minor changes to save the nearby animals without a major sacrifice on his behalf.
The story also hints about the importance of property rights. Furthermore, Jonathan Adler states in his blog that “the Lorax is easily seen a story about property rights…and the inevitable environmental consequences of poor institutions.” I see his point of view, and even though we do not know who owns the trees, environmental regulations should have been in place. Even if the Once-ler owned the land, he has a responsibility to protect the surrounding environment. Today, regulations are in place to discourage the abusive practices.
I like a post by Rogers Sweeny that states “a person who really wanted to make money would have cut down only some of the trees, then planted more so he could harvest them later and make money for years and years to come.” The point is well-made and is a good model for any lumbering company. People should not let laziness or greed lead them to such actions that the Once-ler took. Visit Mr. Sweeny's comment to read the complete post. The video-version of The Lorax is a great resource and can be seen at Google Video.
Guest Blogger: Matthew T. is a graduate student at the University of Memphis who is pursuing degrees in teaching and accounting. Matthew has gained and still is gaining experience as a tutor at the University of Memphis and Southwest Tennessee Community College. He currently volunteers at local children’s homes in the Memphis area and in children’s ministries at his church. He ultimately plans to teach high school mathematics. Matthew is a student in Dr. Anna Clifford's IDT 7061 course, Spring 08.
AUTHOR: Dr. Seuss
AGES: 5-12 years old
REVIEW: Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is a poetic journey about a young boy in his pajamas who faces life challenges, the good and the bad. Although the story is written for children, anyone can apply Seuss’ message that life is a voyage of ups and downs. This book addresses various life issues such as success, failure, choices, happiness, sadness, determinism and patience. For a more in depth summary, visit Barnes and Noble.
I received this book for a high school graduation present. Laughing at the idea of receiving a children’s book at the age of 18, I soon realized the relevance to my life at the time. Preparing to enter a new stage in life, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! gives an honest yet encouraging outlook on life’s journey. With his poetic devices, Dr. Seuss engulfs his audience into a journey full of world-winds. By personally speaking to the reader (i.e. “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!), Seuss places the responsibility of making decisions into the hands of his audience. To read another review visit Powell's Books.
To find out more about the author and his books, check out Dr. Seuss’ Seussville, where children can explore the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss and even travel to different places.
Guest Blogger: Queria M. is a sixth grade teacher at a local middle school. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Queria earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. She loves reading to her students and applying themes to real-world situations. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is one of her all time favorite books. The simple yet meaningful language describes life’s journey from childhood to adulthood.
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