Have you read the Spiderwick Chronicles?
Or Magic Treehouse?
What about Goosebumps?
Books in the Artemis Fowl series?
Any books written by Lois Lowry?
Please post a review of any of these books!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou 1971 New York: Bantam Books (read October 2008)
Recommended (high school, 11th/12 grade)
*Contains sexually explicit material, depicts child rape that happened to Maya at age 8.
The story begins with Maya, age 3 and 4-year old brother Bailey Johnson, Jr. being sent by train (under care of a porter and a note pinned to their clothing) from Long Beach, California to Stamps, Arkansas to live with their paternal grandmother. Maya is never sure why her parents sent them away. The brother and sister enjoy a rather simple life in Stamps, where Momma (what they called their grandmother) owned a general store and cared for their crippled Uncle Willie. During the Great Depression, Maya’s family kept the neighbors supplied with staple goods by trading or using credit.
At about age 7, Maya’s father showed up (she and Bailey, Jr. thought their parents might be dead) to take the children to St. Louis to live with their mother and maternal grandparents (father continued on to California). Their uncles were a rowdy bunch who defended their family fiercely. When they enrolled in school in St. Louis, Maya and her brother thought their classmates were ‘backward’ and so they were moved up a grade so as not make their classmates ‘feel inferior.’ Maya said they were good at math from working in the store and good at reading since there was nothing else to do in Stamps. After a year and half in their grandparents’ house, Maya and Bailey moved with Mother Dear (their biological mother) to another home that was shared with their mother’s boyfriend Mr. Freeman, a big Southern man who at first seemed kind and provided the basics for them. After some time Mr. Freeman molested Maya. Later, he raped her.** He told her he would kill Bailey, Jr. if she ever told. When the truth was found out, Mr. Freeman went to trial, was found guilty, but released the same day. Two days later Mr. Freeman was found dead (probably at the hands of the uncles). Maya felt tremendous guilt about his trial and death. From the trauma, Maya stopped speaking and eventually she and Bailey, Jr., were sent back to Arkansas.
A few years later, the brother and sister were taken from Arkansas by Momma (grandmother) to live in Oakland, California with their mother, whom they both describe as beautiful as a movie star. 'Daddy Clidell' lived there too and everyone thought Maya was his daughter. They both seemed proud of the declaration.
Eventually when Maya was about 15 and living with the family in San Francisco, she wanted to work on a street car as a conductorette-unheard of for a black woman in those days. Through perseverance she was given the job and kept it for a semester until she returned to school. Later in Maya’s late teenage years, she tells of a one-time encounter with a neighborhood boy and becomes pregnant. The story ends with the birth of her son Guy.
Recommended (high school, 11th/12 grade)
*Contains sexually explicit material, depicts child rape that happened to Maya at age 8.
The story begins with Maya, age 3 and 4-year old brother Bailey Johnson, Jr. being sent by train (under care of a porter and a note pinned to their clothing) from Long Beach, California to Stamps, Arkansas to live with their paternal grandmother. Maya is never sure why her parents sent them away. The brother and sister enjoy a rather simple life in Stamps, where Momma (what they called their grandmother) owned a general store and cared for their crippled Uncle Willie. During the Great Depression, Maya’s family kept the neighbors supplied with staple goods by trading or using credit.
At about age 7, Maya’s father showed up (she and Bailey, Jr. thought their parents might be dead) to take the children to St. Louis to live with their mother and maternal grandparents (father continued on to California). Their uncles were a rowdy bunch who defended their family fiercely. When they enrolled in school in St. Louis, Maya and her brother thought their classmates were ‘backward’ and so they were moved up a grade so as not make their classmates ‘feel inferior.’ Maya said they were good at math from working in the store and good at reading since there was nothing else to do in Stamps. After a year and half in their grandparents’ house, Maya and Bailey moved with Mother Dear (their biological mother) to another home that was shared with their mother’s boyfriend Mr. Freeman, a big Southern man who at first seemed kind and provided the basics for them. After some time Mr. Freeman molested Maya. Later, he raped her.** He told her he would kill Bailey, Jr. if she ever told. When the truth was found out, Mr. Freeman went to trial, was found guilty, but released the same day. Two days later Mr. Freeman was found dead (probably at the hands of the uncles). Maya felt tremendous guilt about his trial and death. From the trauma, Maya stopped speaking and eventually she and Bailey, Jr., were sent back to Arkansas.
A few years later, the brother and sister were taken from Arkansas by Momma (grandmother) to live in Oakland, California with their mother, whom they both describe as beautiful as a movie star. 'Daddy Clidell' lived there too and everyone thought Maya was his daughter. They both seemed proud of the declaration.
Eventually when Maya was about 15 and living with the family in San Francisco, she wanted to work on a street car as a conductorette-unheard of for a black woman in those days. Through perseverance she was given the job and kept it for a semester until she returned to school. Later in Maya’s late teenage years, she tells of a one-time encounter with a neighborhood boy and becomes pregnant. The story ends with the birth of her son Guy.
Dealing with Social Anxiety?
What You Must Think of Me by Emily Ford 2007 New York: Oxford University Press
Nonfiction
Life seems normal for Emily in elementary school. She is popular with other girls and does well in school. Until 5th grade. She begins to become painfully aware of herself and what she thinks others think of her. Her parents and teachers think she is shy. As she goes through high school, the problem gets worse. Emily thinks others are talking about her. She feels left out when she sees other girls with close friendships . The book concludes with Emily in her present life. She is dealing well with her social anxiety, but not without a lot of help from psychologists and money to pay for it all from her parents. This book may speak to a high school student going through similar feelings.
Nonfiction
Life seems normal for Emily in elementary school. She is popular with other girls and does well in school. Until 5th grade. She begins to become painfully aware of herself and what she thinks others think of her. Her parents and teachers think she is shy. As she goes through high school, the problem gets worse. Emily thinks others are talking about her. She feels left out when she sees other girls with close friendships . The book concludes with Emily in her present life. She is dealing well with her social anxiety, but not without a lot of help from psychologists and money to pay for it all from her parents. This book may speak to a high school student going through similar feelings.
Similarities for Muslim teenage girl
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah, Published 2005 Pan McMillan Austrailia Highly recommended
Amal is in her 11th year in school in Austrailia when she decides she might be ready to wear a hijab. It is the scarf worn by Muslim women in the presence of men, other than immediate family, to cover their hair. Over Christmas break, Amal discusses it with her parents who try to convince her that she does not have to wear the hijab if she doesn’t want to. However Amal seems to see wearing the scarf as a sign of maturity and faith, even though she worries about being made fun of. When school starts again in January, Amal seeks out her favorite teacher to ask if she can have a private place to pray at lunch. The teacher gladly offers his office to Amal. To Amal’s surprise, her friends still accept her and don’t make much of the hijab. The boy she likes (who is not Muslim) remains friends with her. Only the few popular girls at school seem to say anything, but they make fun of everyone. The story is a girl coming to accept herself and her religion, even if it means being different.
Amal is in her 11th year in school in Austrailia when she decides she might be ready to wear a hijab. It is the scarf worn by Muslim women in the presence of men, other than immediate family, to cover their hair. Over Christmas break, Amal discusses it with her parents who try to convince her that she does not have to wear the hijab if she doesn’t want to. However Amal seems to see wearing the scarf as a sign of maturity and faith, even though she worries about being made fun of. When school starts again in January, Amal seeks out her favorite teacher to ask if she can have a private place to pray at lunch. The teacher gladly offers his office to Amal. To Amal’s surprise, her friends still accept her and don’t make much of the hijab. The boy she likes (who is not Muslim) remains friends with her. Only the few popular girls at school seem to say anything, but they make fun of everyone. The story is a girl coming to accept herself and her religion, even if it means being different.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Summer of My German Soldier
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
Great book for boys middle to high school, younger students may struggle to read but content is exciting.
Highly recommended (high and middle school)
12 year old Patty Bergen is the Jewish daughter of two store-owner parents who think she is too skinny, with messy hair and doesn’t say much worth listening to. Mom has been referred to as the most beautiful woman to come to Jenkinsville, while the father has a temper that seems to only be taken out on Patty. Little Sister Sharon is their favorite with her beautiful hair and pleasant personality. Housekeeper Ruth loves Patty and tries to guide her even though her father, Mr. Bergen frequently hits her for things he thinks are foolish (hitting passing car’s hubcaps with rocks-it flew up and broke the windshield).
On a summer day a train brings German Nazis to a prison camp just outside of town. A few days later, as Patty is in the store-she usually isn’t allowed to help-several of the Germans come in to purchase hats to protect them from the Arkansas sun as they pick cotton. She helps Anton Reiker select stationery, a pencil sharpener, and a fancy pen and notices how well he speaks English. Anton calls her PB.
A few weeks later, she discovers Anton by the train tracks in his shirt that says POW on the back. She hides him above the garage and brings him food and clothing. He is there maybe a week when Ruth figures out Patty’s secret and gives her food to take the Nazi. Anton makes his escape for the train a short while later but leaves Patty the ring his great grandfather gave him-from the University in Gottenburg. While showing the ring to Sister, an employee at the store, sister tells the girl’s father and an investigation on her involvement in helping the German escape begins. When investigators later show Patty the clothes Anton was wearing, it is clear she gave them to him. The shirt was embroidered with HB, her father’s initials. The father didn’t seem to like the shirt when she gave it to him but now there were two bullet holes in it and what looked like bloodstains. Anton had been shot and killed.
Patty is taken away to be interviewed by the FBI but leaves the ring with Ruth. Patty eventually ends up at a Girls’ Reform School and stays until she is 18 (nearly 6 years). Ruth is her only visitor, bringing her fried chicken and hush puppies. While Patty sadly remembers her German friend and the ring, Ruth produces the 24 kt gold token of friendship and gives it back to Patty.
Great book for boys middle to high school, younger students may struggle to read but content is exciting.
Highly recommended (high and middle school)
12 year old Patty Bergen is the Jewish daughter of two store-owner parents who think she is too skinny, with messy hair and doesn’t say much worth listening to. Mom has been referred to as the most beautiful woman to come to Jenkinsville, while the father has a temper that seems to only be taken out on Patty. Little Sister Sharon is their favorite with her beautiful hair and pleasant personality. Housekeeper Ruth loves Patty and tries to guide her even though her father, Mr. Bergen frequently hits her for things he thinks are foolish (hitting passing car’s hubcaps with rocks-it flew up and broke the windshield).
On a summer day a train brings German Nazis to a prison camp just outside of town. A few days later, as Patty is in the store-she usually isn’t allowed to help-several of the Germans come in to purchase hats to protect them from the Arkansas sun as they pick cotton. She helps Anton Reiker select stationery, a pencil sharpener, and a fancy pen and notices how well he speaks English. Anton calls her PB.
A few weeks later, she discovers Anton by the train tracks in his shirt that says POW on the back. She hides him above the garage and brings him food and clothing. He is there maybe a week when Ruth figures out Patty’s secret and gives her food to take the Nazi. Anton makes his escape for the train a short while later but leaves Patty the ring his great grandfather gave him-from the University in Gottenburg. While showing the ring to Sister, an employee at the store, sister tells the girl’s father and an investigation on her involvement in helping the German escape begins. When investigators later show Patty the clothes Anton was wearing, it is clear she gave them to him. The shirt was embroidered with HB, her father’s initials. The father didn’t seem to like the shirt when she gave it to him but now there were two bullet holes in it and what looked like bloodstains. Anton had been shot and killed.
Patty is taken away to be interviewed by the FBI but leaves the ring with Ruth. Patty eventually ends up at a Girls’ Reform School and stays until she is 18 (nearly 6 years). Ruth is her only visitor, bringing her fried chicken and hush puppies. While Patty sadly remembers her German friend and the ring, Ruth produces the 24 kt gold token of friendship and gives it back to Patty.
It's Not the End of the World by Judy Blume
It’s Not the End of the World by Judy Blume 1972
Questionable... if you do not already have this book in your collection you may wish to purchase something more current.
Middle child Karen is looking forward to starting 6th grade in the fall. Her home life changes all that. Her parents are getting divorced after 16 years of marriage. When Karen tries to seek information from 14-year old brother Jeff, he doesn’t want to talk to her or anyone. 6-year old Amy has to sleep in Karen’s room every night because she is scared everyone is going to leave like Daddy did.
Karen meets and becomes friends with her Dad’s downstairs neighbor Val, whose parents are divorced and her mom is dating (but not dating her dad). Seventh-grade Val tells Karen about a book to help explain divorce to kids. Karen is constantly worried her mom or dad will meet someone else and marry and then they won’t get back together. She is constantly thinking of ways to get them together-get sick, bring Dad inside the house to see her project. Mom gets a job and takes classes in typing and shorthand. She explores the idea of getting her college degree because she only went to college one year before getting married. Jeff feels like it is his fault for Mom not finishing college and runs away. When he returns he advises Karen not to ever run away because it is difficult on your own. Eventually Karen realizes her mom and dad only fight when they are together and they are better apart, accepting in her heart and mind that they will divorce and not ever get back together.
Questionable... if you do not already have this book in your collection you may wish to purchase something more current.
Middle child Karen is looking forward to starting 6th grade in the fall. Her home life changes all that. Her parents are getting divorced after 16 years of marriage. When Karen tries to seek information from 14-year old brother Jeff, he doesn’t want to talk to her or anyone. 6-year old Amy has to sleep in Karen’s room every night because she is scared everyone is going to leave like Daddy did.
Karen meets and becomes friends with her Dad’s downstairs neighbor Val, whose parents are divorced and her mom is dating (but not dating her dad). Seventh-grade Val tells Karen about a book to help explain divorce to kids. Karen is constantly worried her mom or dad will meet someone else and marry and then they won’t get back together. She is constantly thinking of ways to get them together-get sick, bring Dad inside the house to see her project. Mom gets a job and takes classes in typing and shorthand. She explores the idea of getting her college degree because she only went to college one year before getting married. Jeff feels like it is his fault for Mom not finishing college and runs away. When he returns he advises Karen not to ever run away because it is difficult on your own. Eventually Karen realizes her mom and dad only fight when they are together and they are better apart, accepting in her heart and mind that they will divorce and not ever get back together.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
My son can't have that
Hi, a parent at our high school left a note stating his child may not check out certain fantasy books that deal with magic or spells and the like. The parent listed the specific books. As a librarian, I will not deny a child a book he/she wants to check out but how do I respond to this parent if at all? Does our county have a policy about this?
Ms. Wilson
Ms. Wilson
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