Module 15: Draw Me a Star

Bibliography
Carle, E. (1992). Draw me a star.
New York, NY: Philomel Books.
Summary
The narrator asks an artist to draw a star.  The star wants the artist to draw a warm sun.  The sun wants the artist to draw a tree....and so on, until, in the end, the moon wants the artist to draw a star.  The story is symmetrical and illustrations bright and crisp.
My Impression
Although Draw me a star is not high on my list of favorites, I found it appealing.  Mainly because Eric Carle dedicated and wrote it for his father.  Although it has been challenged for censorship, I found it to be a sweet story.  If it were not for the one illustration of  the naked couple, I would share it with my Prek class.  I did check it out once several years ago and did not pre-read it.  My class of four-year-olds said nothing about the picture, which surprised me.
Review
School Library Journal
"A young boy is told (reader is not sure by whom) to "Draw me a star." The star then requests that the boy draw it a sun; the sun asks for a "lovely tree" and throughout his life the boy/man/artist continues to create images that fill the world with beauty.  The moon bids the now-elderly artist to draw another star, and as the story ends, the artist travels "across the night sky" hand-in-hand with the star.  This book will appeal to readers of all ages, its stunning illustrations, spare text, make it a good choice for story hour and older children will also find it uplifting and meaningful.  Especially pleasing diagram within the story, accompanying rhyming instructions on how to draw a star: "Down/over/left and right/draw/a star/oh so/bright." An inspirational book in every sense of the word."
Use in Library
As the review from School Library Journal suggested, this really would be a good book for story time.  Librarian could ask students why each person or thing wanted the next thing to be drawn.  Older students could be asked about the symmetry used in the text.
Review. (1992, October 1). [Review of the book Draw me a star written by Eric Carle]. School Library Journal. Available from:  http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=14&sid=ab6a8b35-df98-49c1-809b-3492171f8f05%40sessionmgr13

Module 14: Rubber Houses

Bibliography

Yeomans, E. (2007). Rubber houses.

New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

Summary

Everything is going typically well for sixteen-year-old Kit and her family.  Then tragedy strikes in the form of cancer, which her brother, Buddy, is diagnosed with.  The free verse prose takes the reader through treatment and the eventual death of her brother.  Kit's mother and dad deal with the death in different ways, as they leave her to deal with the tragedy virtually on her own.  Finally, Kit begins group therapy and eventually begins to do volunteer work, which becomes her respite. Kit and Buddy had always had a love for baseball, so in the end Kit goes to the ballpark to tell Buddy goodbye. 

My Impression
This was a very sober look at a seemingly carefree time in a young girl's life.  It helped me to realize that regardless of how some young adults appear, there may be, and probably is, more going on underneath the surface.  I lost my husband to a sudden heart attack twelve years ago and this book brought back many of the emotions my children and I went through.  Yeomans did a great at portraying the common human emotions we have at a time of loss.

Review

School Library Journal

"Kit is in junior high school when her younger brother is diagnosed with cancer. Despite the difference in their ages, they are kindred spirits who share a love of baseball. When Buddy looses his battle with the disease, Kit is devastated. Suddenly her family no longer functions as a whole. Instead they are like "...islands/too distant to matter." The teen must find a way to own her grief in order to mourn Buddy but at the same time celebrate the characteristics and quirks that constituted his presence in her life.  Written in economical and accessible verse, this novel follows the pattern of the  baseball season. Despite major holes in the characterization of Kit and Buddy, this slim work speaks volumes about the grieving process. Yeomans has very precisely selected her words to convey the fear and the grief that Kit feels. As with baseball, even though it seems like Buddy's death has brought everything to a halt, winter does end, and spring training will begin again. This novel will fit nicely beside Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust (Scholastic, 1997) and Nikki Grimes Dark Sons (Hyperion, 2005)."
Use in Library
Unfortunately, tragedy occurs nearly every school year.  I believe this book would be a good one to share during, perhaps, a unit on poetry, although I do not think it necessarily should be put off until such a unit occurs in lesson planning.  Rubber houses is a good example of free verse literature, but more importantly to me, it is a good example of mourning.  Students could be asked to share their feelings, if they desire, about a tragedy in their life that was hard to overcome.  This possibly might help others in the grieving process.  

Review. (2007, March 1l). [Review of the book Rubber houses, by Ellen Yeomans]. School Library Journal. Available from: http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=14&sid=2a63f63f-5b10-42fa-87f5-ed93a0a707d7%40sessionmgr10

Module 10: The Book Thief

Bibliography
Zusak, M. (2006). The book thief.
New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary
Liesel, a nine-year-old girl living in the 1940's, witnesses her brother's death and then is left by her mother to live with a Jewish couple during Hitler's reign.  Hans and Rosa grow to love Liesel and she them, but their happiness together is short lived as they try to survive the hardships and trials of their plight.  Along the way Liesel finds friendship and some normalcy.  She wants to learn to read and Hans finds a way by using old paint from his jobs.  Liesel begins to steal books along the way, sometimes risking her very life.  Hans and Rosa allow a Jew to live in their basement, hoping the end of their terror is near, but Death, which is the narrator of The book thief has a way of catching up with nearly everyone Liesel meets.  Liesel survives and eventually has a family of her own, but those most dear to her do not.
My Impression
My impression of The book thief is that it impressed me.  This book touched my heart in the way The diary of Anne Frank did when I first read it years ago.  I listened, rather than read The book thief and possibly this was why the story had such a profound effect on me.  Zusak's portrayal of the characters were for tender and raw, especially the children, and I found them authentic.
Review
Library Media Connection
"Death hates to admit it, but there are some human stories that distract him, haunt him, and the book thief's story is one of these. Nine-year-old Liesel arrives at the Himmel (Heaven) Street home of foster parents Hans and Rosa in Germany. It is 1939 and Liesel has already stolen her first book. The irony is Liesel cannot read. Haunted by nightmares, it is her gentle foster father, hardly literate himself, who interrupts his own sleep and teaches Liesel to read as she wakes each night. Liesel begins to settle in with the neighborhood, but war and the Fuehrer start to change things. Hans' political beliefs cause him to lose work and the economy causes Rosa to lose customers. Soon they are hiding a young Jewish man in their basement. While Liesel faces the completely ordinary challenges of growing up, extraordinary things are happening in her world that she must learn to deal with and act on based on her own beliefs. The narrative jumps and detours through linear time into foreshadowing and related tangents so that the entire story arc and how it fits together is not completely revealed until the end of the story in 1943. Part Holocaust tale, part coming-of-age story, and part the book thief's story, this title will have readers thinking and talking. Highly Recommended."
Use in Library
The book thief would be a good read for students studying history, specifically the reign of Hitler.  The book could be read orally in the library to classes and then possibly the movie version shown.  Great discussion starters in The book thief regarding war and how one race was treated and the possibility of this happening again in our lifetime. Also, discussion would make a good journal prompt about feelings about Liesel's survival.  Finally, The book thief could be compared to other historical fiction books written about this time, including The diary of Anne Frank.
Review. (2006, March 1). [Review of the book The book thief by Marcus Zusak]. Library Media Connection. Available from: 00&ei=S7WQT92wIemw2wXTq8zzBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=852&vpy=204&dur=8025&hovh=279&hovw=181&tx=89&ty=153&sig=105352971646151683921&page=4&tbnh=166&tbnw=108&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:85,i:13&biw=1525&bih=714
Image from: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1034&bih=595&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=G_bBGs2Bi8udpM:&imgrefurl=https://www.msj.edu/view/about-the-mount/mount-info/outreach-2/author-series.aspx&docid=SFkRP_8nC12sHM&imgurl=https://www.msj.edu/CMSFiles/image/BookThief.jpg&w=363&h=565&ei=s8OmT77FPMmr2AW4nsymAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=341&vpy=4&dur=3216&hovh=280&hovw=180&tx=83&ty=96&sig=115865965754767268567&page=1&tbnh=132&tbnw=86&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:9,s:0,i:94

Module 9: Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown

Bibliography
Adler, D. (1991). Cam Jansen and the mystery of the circus clown.
New York, NY: Puffin.
Summary
Aunt Molly takes Cam, a young girl with a photographic memory to the circus with her friend, Eric.  They are enjoying the show when Aunt Molly realizes her wallet is missing.  Cam, Eric, and Aunt Molly retrace their steps from the time they enter the circus to find the thieves.  They talk to many people, narrow the clues, and ultimately catch the thieves, two people dressed as clowns.
My Impression
This is one book from the Cam Jansen series.  These books do not have a deep, developed plot, but I think they are great for struggling readers or those students that need some familiar text to deepen their reading comprehension.  Predictable, but well written and fun for young readers.
Review
School Library Journal
"What wrongdoer is any match for Cam Jansen, the amazing girl with the photographic memory?  Certainly, not a couple of pickpockets disguised as clowns.  It all starts with Aunt Molly takes Cam and her friend Eric to the circus.  When Aunt Molly has a collision with one of the clowns, Cam takes a mental picture of him.  Later, when Aunt Molly discovers her wallet is missing, Cam and Eric figure it was the clown that stole the wallet and the hunt is on.  Using Cam's mental pictures and plenty of old-fashioned hustle, the kids capture not one but two pickpockets and are rewarded with two free passes to the next circus.  The excitement of the big top plus Cam's usual resourcefulness and unusual gift makes this a welcome addition to Adler's series."
Use in Library
A good way to introduce series books, if all readers in classes have the ability to read at this level, it would be fun for each student to read a Cam Jansen book and have Booktalks about the book they chose.
Review. (1983, May 1). [Review of the book Cam Jansen and the circus clown by David Adler].  
Available from: http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=14&sid=af047ebd-923f-4a8a-95b5-d0605bcc7054%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=5683185

Module 8: Airborn

Bibliography
Oppel, K. (2006) Airborn. 
Solon, OH: Findaway World.
Summary
In this science fiction novel from a future time, Matt Cruse enjoys his role as a menial worker on the Aurora, the airship his father manned before his death.  Matt sends money home to his mother and sister and dreams of becoming someone important on the airship.  When Matt witnesses and listens to the story of an old man who barely makes a safe landing to come aboard the Aurora one night, his curiosity is piqued.  Then, he sees one of the creatures the old man spoke of before he dies.  They are strange creatures indeed.  Matt, along with a beautiful rich young passenger, solve the mystery of the creatures and save the airship from pirates.
My Impression
This was the first science fiction I have ever read, or listened to.  I borrowed the Playaway version from my local library.  Even though I have always said I do not like science fiction or fantasy books I loved this story.  Yes, it was outlandish, but the plot of the story was well written and the relationships and story were developed and well written.
Reviews
School Library Journal
"Once in a long while, an adventure story captures the mind and the heart of listeners/readers, creating a miniature world that makes a deep impression on them. Such is the case with Kenneth Oppel's Printz Honor Book (Eos, 2004) which weaves a magical tale of adventure, treachery, friendship, and courage. Taking place in a future where airships and blimps travel across the Atlanticus and the Pacificus Oceans, cabin boy Matt Cruse, on board the Aurora, battles pirates and prehistoric cloudcats, accompanied by spirited heiress Kate DeVries. A cast of 32 actors, including high school sophomore David Kelly (as the voice of Matt Cruse), delivers riveting narration and excellent vocal special effects (such as the ship's captain speaking through his radio). Full of fun, adventure, and heart, Airborn makes for a one-of-kind listening experience. Fans of period history, science fiction, and adventure will cheer Matt along. This ALSC 2007 Notable Recording and YALSA 2007 Selected Audiobook for Young Adults is a must for young adult collections."
Use in Library
Airborn would be a good read to introduce young students to fantasy fiction.  The young characters would appeal to young teens.  Students could brainstorm other creatures using a combination of various animals.
Review. (2007, March). [Review of the book Airborn, by Kenneth Oppel]. School Library Journal. Available from:  http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/detail?vid=10&hid=17&sid=70c5da72-abd1-4cfd-a56f-58b3945173c9%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=24321124
Image from: http://www.kennethoppel.ca/pages/books/airborn_reviews.shtml

Module 7: My Louisiana Sky

Bibliography
Holt, K. (1998). My Louisiana Sky.
New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
Summary
Tiger, the protagonist of My Louisiana sky, faces what many young people face in life.  The feeling that they are different and not accepted because their family is different.  Tiger's mother and father are mentally challenged, a fact that constantly bothers her and makes her feel alienated from her peers. The story follows Tiger as she deals with ridicule and rejection because her parents are different, but also reveals her friendship with Jesse Wade and support from her grandmother and aunt.  Tiger's grandmother is the strong member of the family, but when she suddenly dies Tiger turns to her mother's sister to rescue her from Saitter.  After moving away from her parents and into the city with her aunt, Tiger learns that her mother was not born with a disability, but suffered a life changing accident as a child.  Tiger decides to return to her hometown to help her mother and daddy and realizes the true friendship she has in Jesse Wade.
My Impression
This was one of my favorite reads.  The plot contains such a relevant theme of young people-that of being rejected for being different.  Holt had a way of drawing me into the plot and feelings of Tiger, her mother, Granny, and even her Aunt Dorie Kay.
Review
Horn Book Magazine

"For eleven-year-old Tiger Ann Parker, Saitter, Louisiana, is not only the place where she has lived her whole life with Momma and Daddy and Granny, but also a place where some people think that her "Momma and Daddy should have never been allowed to get married because they're different" — or "retarded." Momma giggles and coos in front of the new rabbit-eared television from morning 'til night ("It's Howdy Doody time…") and Daddy can't even do simple math. Granny, the backbone of the household and an integral source of strength for Tiger, tells her, "People are afraid of what's different. That don't mean different is bad. Just means different is different." But for Tiger, "different" has become just plain embarrassing. Why can't her parents be more like Aunt Dorie Kay, Momma's younger sister, who wears high-heels and make-up and has a fancy job in Baton Rouge? When the death of her grandmother presents Tiger with the opportunity to move with Dorie Kay to Baton Rouge, even in her grief she can hardly leave Saitter fast enough. But after cutting her hair a la Audrey Hepburn and going by "Ann" for a while, Tiger begins to see the ways of her parents that, while not glamorous or book-smart, root her to home and to herself. Holt's languid storytelling style is as unhurried as a Louisiana summer, a soft steady breeze turning the pages. She exercises unusual restraint for a first-time novelist as she eases the action along with a low-key, unpretentious plot, never resorting to over-dramatization or sentimentality in developing her uncannily credible characters. So honest is Holt's portrayal of Tiger, Momma, Daddy, Granny, and the rest that one wonders if she wrote their story while sitting in a rocker on a Saitter front porch, under the vast promises of a Louisiana sky."
Use in Library
Great book for discussion of feelings for pre and young teens. This book could be read aloud to classes, or if it is read in the classroom, the library would provide time for extensions of discussion of what makes people reject others.  Librarian could list suggestions by classes as to how campus can be known as tolerant for those facing hardships.
Review. (1998, July/August). [Review of the book My Louisiana sky, by Kimberly Willis Holt]. Horn Book Magazine. Available from:  http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2104/ehost/detail?vid=7&hid=17&sid=70c5da72-abd1-4cfd-a56f-58b3945173c9%40sessionmgr4&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=856875

Image from: http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=1Zi&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&tbm=isch&tbnid=jSUDwmKXHbrwyM:&imgrefurl=http://www.kimberlywillisholt.com/mlsguide.html&docid=LaTCUTKgB6Xb8M&imgurl=http://www.kimberlywillisholt.com/kimwholt/8680196.jpg&w=236&h=348&ei=abOQT6_NKum02gXY0cmdBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=194&vpy=126&dur=223&hovh=273&hovw=185&tx=94&ty=142&sig=105352971646151683921&page=1&tbnh=166&tbnw=133&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:70&biw=1525&bih=714