Sunday, September 28, 2008
A Northern Light
Donnelly, J. (2004). A northern light. Orlando: Harcourt.
Historical fiction Highly recommended
At 16 years old, Mattie Gokey longs to get off the farm that she is left to help run in the Adirondaks since her mother died. She wants a life with books and learning. Mattie is inspired by her teacher who turns out to be married but has left her husband so she can write scandalous poetry. Mattie hopes to earn enough money working at a resort on Big Moose Lake to get to New York to go to college.
Around July 4th, a young couple checks in. The lady, Grace Brown, hands Mattie a handful of letters and tells her to burn them. Later the couple rents a boat but only the gentleman comes back. What happened to Grace? Mattie finds it difficult to get to the cellar to burn the letters so she reads them. The letters reveal (somewhat factually based) that Grace Brown is pregnant with Chester Gillette’s baby and she desperately wants him to marry her before anyone finds out. Other letters indicate Chester is already in love with someone else and has other plans.
Investigators theorize that Chester rented the boat, probably hit Grace over the head with a tennis racket that someone saw him take with him, which left a gash on her head. He flipped the boat, knowing she couldn’t swim, she drown and he made his escape. In the end, Mattie turns over the letters and sneaks off to New York to make a new life for herself.
*Deals with neighbor letting other farmer have sex with her (Jimmy’s momma) so she can have enough food to feed her children.
Ms. Wilson
Historical fiction Highly recommended
At 16 years old, Mattie Gokey longs to get off the farm that she is left to help run in the Adirondaks since her mother died. She wants a life with books and learning. Mattie is inspired by her teacher who turns out to be married but has left her husband so she can write scandalous poetry. Mattie hopes to earn enough money working at a resort on Big Moose Lake to get to New York to go to college.
Around July 4th, a young couple checks in. The lady, Grace Brown, hands Mattie a handful of letters and tells her to burn them. Later the couple rents a boat but only the gentleman comes back. What happened to Grace? Mattie finds it difficult to get to the cellar to burn the letters so she reads them. The letters reveal (somewhat factually based) that Grace Brown is pregnant with Chester Gillette’s baby and she desperately wants him to marry her before anyone finds out. Other letters indicate Chester is already in love with someone else and has other plans.
Investigators theorize that Chester rented the boat, probably hit Grace over the head with a tennis racket that someone saw him take with him, which left a gash on her head. He flipped the boat, knowing she couldn’t swim, she drown and he made his escape. In the end, Mattie turns over the letters and sneaks off to New York to make a new life for herself.
*Deals with neighbor letting other farmer have sex with her (Jimmy’s momma) so she can have enough food to feed her children.
Ms. Wilson
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Re: Parents checking out books
The only times I have come across a parent wanting to check out a book were when students were out for an extended period of time for various reasons. I checked the books out to the parents in the students' names. I then printed a "receipt" that showed the transaction. Usually this transaction was preceded by a heads from the principal, telling me it was ok to check out the book.
If you are worried about a parent wanting to check out a book for challenge reasons, I would say don't worry about the reason. If your policy is to check out a book to the parent only if the child is not able to attend school, make this clear and direct the parent to the local public library. If the purpose is to challenge a book, the parent will find the book no matter what. Also if the parent does want to challenge the book, make sure you hand the parent the county policy form he/she will have to fill out in entirety.
If you are worried about a parent wanting to check out a book for challenge reasons, I would say don't worry about the reason. If your policy is to check out a book to the parent only if the child is not able to attend school, make this clear and direct the parent to the local public library. If the purpose is to challenge a book, the parent will find the book no matter what. Also if the parent does want to challenge the book, make sure you hand the parent the county policy form he/she will have to fill out in entirety.
Parents want to check out books
Has anyone been approached by a parent who wants to check out a book? How did you handle this? Do you just check it out under the student's/child's name? I am concerned this parent wants to challenge a book.
Lillian, Carolina Middle School
Lillian, Carolina Middle School
Re: Hanover Middle book suggestion
Hi Stacey. A book I would recommend is Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings. Here is a detailed review I have written.
Life on the Chesapeake Bay is about family and friends for 8th grader Brady. Brady helps his father pulling in crab pots, although the supply of crabs is dwindling, probably because all the Northerners moving in and developing, causing pollution (so the locals say). Brady’s best friend Digger is mad about his grandfather’s farm being sold to some rich couple (the DiAngelos) to build a big house on. J.T. who helps his family run a chicken farm, although a good friend, is mostly just a follower. Brady one day half-joking suggests they drill holes in Mr. DiAngelo’s red kayak so he will have to swim back to shore. Brady would never have followed through. Digger secretly drills holes in the kayak with Brady’s dad’s drill while J.T. serves as the look-out. On a chilly and misty April day, Mrs. DiAngelo takes their 3 year old son for a paddle. The boat sinks and Brady and others go out looking for the mother and child. Mother is rescued and Brady finds Ben hooked on to old piling, blue and near lifeless. Although Ben is alive when Brady gets to the dock and turns him over to rescuers, he later dies. Over the summer, Brady discovers the drowning was caused by his two friends. He debates what to do but ultimately tells his parents, gets an attorney who negotiates immunity for him in turn for his testimony. Digger and J.T. are found guilty of 2nd degree murder and sent to a juvenile forest camp for 9 months.
From Amy Wilson, Onslow Middle School
Life on the Chesapeake Bay is about family and friends for 8th grader Brady. Brady helps his father pulling in crab pots, although the supply of crabs is dwindling, probably because all the Northerners moving in and developing, causing pollution (so the locals say). Brady’s best friend Digger is mad about his grandfather’s farm being sold to some rich couple (the DiAngelos) to build a big house on. J.T. who helps his family run a chicken farm, although a good friend, is mostly just a follower. Brady one day half-joking suggests they drill holes in Mr. DiAngelo’s red kayak so he will have to swim back to shore. Brady would never have followed through. Digger secretly drills holes in the kayak with Brady’s dad’s drill while J.T. serves as the look-out. On a chilly and misty April day, Mrs. DiAngelo takes their 3 year old son for a paddle. The boat sinks and Brady and others go out looking for the mother and child. Mother is rescued and Brady finds Ben hooked on to old piling, blue and near lifeless. Although Ben is alive when Brady gets to the dock and turns him over to rescuers, he later dies. Over the summer, Brady discovers the drowning was caused by his two friends. He debates what to do but ultimately tells his parents, gets an attorney who negotiates immunity for him in turn for his testimony. Digger and J.T. are found guilty of 2nd degree murder and sent to a juvenile forest camp for 9 months.
From Amy Wilson, Onslow Middle School
Book needed for 8th grade boy, reluctant reader
Hi! I am looking for a book for a 13 year-old boy who would enjoy an easy-to-read adventure, not too many characters, basic plot.
Stacey, Hanover Middle School
Stacey, Hanover Middle School
Perfect- a review
Friend, N. (2004). Perfect. Minneapolis: Milkweed Editions.
Recommended
Isabelle Lee is dealing with the death of her father and it is more than she can handle. The stress causes Isabelle to develop an eating disorder. She finds out the most beautiful and poplar girl in the school is not so perfect, either. She, too, has an eating disorder and a family that is falling apart.
*Great read for middle school and high school girls.
From Amy Wilson, Onslow Middle School
Recommended
Isabelle Lee is dealing with the death of her father and it is more than she can handle. The stress causes Isabelle to develop an eating disorder. She finds out the most beautiful and poplar girl in the school is not so perfect, either. She, too, has an eating disorder and a family that is falling apart.
*Great read for middle school and high school girls.
From Amy Wilson, Onslow Middle School
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Speak-a review
Anderson, L. H. (2001). Speak. New York: Puffin Books.
It is Melinda’s freshman year at Merryweather High School and she has no friends. You see, at the end-of-summer party after a few drinks, a senior led her away from the crowd. Before she knew it she was on the ground, shorts pulled down with the strong field hockey player on top of her. She didn’t want it to happen, to be raped. Scared and alone she called 9-1-1. When the cops show up and bust up the party, everyone blames Melinda. Melinda who never told anyone about the rape. Melinda finds an unused closet to spend some of the school day in. It is her refuge. Until one day, the boy who attacked her at the party tries to attack her in her one place she can get away. She screams and fights him off long enough for some other field hockey players to come upon their situation. It is only then that others understand what she has been dealing with.
It is Melinda’s freshman year at Merryweather High School and she has no friends. You see, at the end-of-summer party after a few drinks, a senior led her away from the crowd. Before she knew it she was on the ground, shorts pulled down with the strong field hockey player on top of her. She didn’t want it to happen, to be raped. Scared and alone she called 9-1-1. When the cops show up and bust up the party, everyone blames Melinda. Melinda who never told anyone about the rape. Melinda finds an unused closet to spend some of the school day in. It is her refuge. Until one day, the boy who attacked her at the party tries to attack her in her one place she can get away. She screams and fights him off long enough for some other field hockey players to come upon their situation. It is only then that others understand what she has been dealing with.
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