FICTION, FANTASY, & YA

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gaiman, Neil. 2008. “The Graveyard Book” Ill. By Dave Mckean. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 9780060530921

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The inhabitants of the ancient graveyard christen the baby Nobody when he wonders into their domain. The only survivor of the murdered family, Bod as he is called, is adopted by the ghosts of Mr. and Mrs. Owens and becomes a living resident of the cemetery. Growing up among the ruins , Bod is taught reading and writing and how to slip through shadows and fade from awareness. He encounters the invisible Sleer , a creature which guards an ancient barrow deep underground. He also befriends the spirit of a young witch for whom he makes a headstone from glass paperweight. But all through these adventures looms the mystery of his family’s murder about which his enigmatic protector Silas knows more that he will say. Then one day the truth is finally revealed. The Order of Jacks of All Trades , which murders to gain magical powers, must kill Bod to prevent the fulfillment of the prophesy that he would destroy them. The Jacks launch their attack but the tide is turned when Bod and his ghostly friends lure them deep into the graveyard where one by one, hey are disposed of. In the final confrontation, Bod leads Jack Frost , who killed his family, into the clutches of the Sleer from which there is no escape. As the story ends, Bod leaves the graveyard to enter the world outside. Having learned the secrets of the dead, he is ready to face the world of the living.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although Nobody is a character in a fantasy novel he represents every human being who comes of age in an isolated situation. His knowledge of the word is confine to the graveyard and the dead who dwell there as is the knowledge of any child limited to his community. Neil Gaiman’s light and breezy style makes this world seem perfectly ordinary and gently draws the reader into story. There is no doubt that we “ feel a kinship with the protagonist” and “ care about what happens to him .” (Vardell, p.218) The others characters are only sketchily delineated as is only appropriate given the vague and misty nature of their existence . (This sense of incompleteness is reinforced by Dave McKean’s illustrations.) The author’s metaphysical exploration has created an intriguing, topsy - turvey reality wherein a graveyard is a metaphor for life from which we die to fully live in the world beyond.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT
“Gr 5-8-- A baby, orphaned when his family is murdered, finds his way to a graveyard and is raised by its ethereal inhabitants. Gaiman is a master storyteller and this tale won him the 2009 Newbery Award Medal “
(2009). The Graveyard Book. School Library Journal, 5540. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

5. CONNECTIONS

Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York: Scholastic Press.ISBN: 9781410419866

FICTION, FANTASY, & YA

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Holm, Jennifer L. 2007. Middle School is Worse then Meatloaf: a Year told through Stuff. New York: Athenaeum Books. ISBN:9780689852817

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Ginny Davis enters the seventh grade and begins a school year much like any other, full of hopes and fears, triumphs and failures. Events are recorded in a series of school notices and reports, class assignments, store receipts, e-mails, personal notes and list – the “stuff” of our daily lives. Ginny copes with babysitting, accidentally her hear pink, writing school essays, truing out for the lead in a ballet recital and losing, dealing with obnoxious brother and a new stepdad, attending a prom , breaking and arm, and baking a model brain for the science fair. The year ends with dreams of summer and the inevitable next year.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

By depicting the school year through the ephemera of Ginny’s life, the author allows each reader to flesh out the bare bones of the story from his/her own personal experience. It is a literary equivalent of Andy Warhol’s pictures of soup cans, inviting us to peer deeper and seek out the hiding meaning. A delightful koan of a book that deftly pulls one into the whirl of school days.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT
“Humor balances the serious issues. Middle - school readers will recognize Ginny's world and enjoy piecing together the plot through the bits and pieces of "Stuff" depicted in Castaldi's collages. A delightful collaboration. (Graphic fiction. 10-14)”.
(2007). MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN MEATLOAF: A Year Told Through Stuff. Kirkus Reviews, 75(13), 667. Retrieved from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text database.

5. CONNECTIONS

Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid: Greg Heffley's journal. New York: Amulet Books. ISBN: 9780810993136

FICTION, FANTASY, & YA

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Rosoff, Meg. 2004. How I live now. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN: 0385746776

2. PLOT SUMMARY

When fifteen year old Daisy arrives from New York to spend the summer with her relatives in England she has no idea what to expect. Certainly not to fall in love with her cousin Edmond and then to be caught up in a new world war. Soon after her aunt leaves on a diplomatic mission a series of terrorist bombing escalate into open warfare with the result that England becomes occupied by the never – identified enemy. Daisy and her young cousin Piper are separated from the others and placed in a British Army encampment. When hostilities reopen, the girls escape during a battle and go searching for the others. Traveling on their own, they learn to scavenge and live off the land . They finally reach their home only to discover it deserted. Daisy and Piper struggle to repair the damage and eke out an existence on the farm. A phone call out of the blue signals the end of the war. Daisy is sent back to America only to return later to be with Edmond and help him recover emotionally from his war - time experience

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Intense characterization highlights this novel as Daisy’s first – person narrative provides the reader with an anchor point from which to view the dramatic events as they unfold. Her on- going commentary tinged with sarcasm which evolves through feelings of love, horror, and determination to a state of fateful acceptance of whatever life brings. The exigencies of war and the struggle for survival act as a catalyst to transform a self – absorbed teenager into mature women. Meg Rosoff has written a powerful and totally believable novel that will linger in the reader’s mind long after is finished.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT
“Though the novel has disturbing elements, Rosoff handles the harshness of war and the taboo of incest with honest introspection. This Printz award winner is a good choice for book discussions as it considers the disruption of war both physically and emotionally and should be on every high school and public library shelf. “
Wysocki, B., & Mandell, P. (2005). How I Live Now. School Library Journal, 51(8), 68. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

5. CONNECTIONS

Rosoff, M. (2006). Just in case. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.ISBN: 9780385746786

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Park, Linda Sue. 2004. When my name was Keoko. Ney York: Random House. ISBN 00440419441

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The story takes place during Japanese occupation of Korea in World War II and deals with how the invaders dominated society and imposed their culture on the Korans. Everyone must read and write Japanese and take Japanese names. Young Sun – hee becomes Keoko and, although forced to act Japanese, struggles to maintain a hold on her culture. A series of events unfolds covering the full period of Japanese control from 1940 to 1945. With the liberation of Korea we leave Keoko, now Sun-hee again, retrieving her suppressed identity and rebuilding her life.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Linda Sue Park imparts a subtle eloquence to this fascinating and disturbing story of culture clash. Through the thoughts of Sun –hee and the other characters we share the fears and confusion of their daily lives under Japanese. Readers gain insight into Korean culture as well as respect for people engaged in a hidden struggle to salvage their heritage. The novel provides much material for discussion as it reminds us that wars are fought not only with guns but also words and ideas.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT

“Linda Sue Park's historically and emotionally accurate novel (Clarion, 2002) about Korean life under Japanese domination during World War II helps listeners understand how individuals cope in times of political repression.(…) This is an excellent addition to middle school collections, offering an angle that has long been missing from the literary shelf. ”

Mandell, P., & Goldsmith, F. (2003). When My Name Was Keoko. School Library Journal, 49(12), 76. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

5. CONNECTIONS

Kadohata, C. (2004). Kira-kira. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.ISBN: 9780689856396

Historical Fiction

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lowry, Lois. 1989. Number the Stars. New York: Bantan Doubleday Publishing Group, Inc. ISBN 0440227534

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Ii is 1943 and German soldiers patrol the streets of Copenhagen. It has been three years since Denmark surrendered to Hitler’s forces. Young Annemarie Johansen, age 10, learns that her best friend Ellen Rosen, along with her family, are going to be “relocated” because they are Jews. Vowing to do all they can to protect the Rosens, Annenmarie’s parents take Ellen in and pass her off as their daughter while helping the rest of the family get away. When the Nazis become suspicious, the girls are sent to Uncle Henrik’s an the coast. Once there Ellen is reunited with her family and they are all smuggle to safety in Sweden.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Lois Lowry won Newbery Award for this novel of hope and courage in an age of persecution. The well crafted story keeps the reader in suspense until the final page, never certain if t he Rosens will make it or not. This is an important novel for young people today since it reminds us of the extremes that hatred and bigotry lead to.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT
“What would you do for a friend? In this suspenseful novel set in Denmark in 1943, Annemarie Johansen answers this question with true bravery. When Annemarie discovers that her best friend Ellen is in danger, she tries to save her from the Nazis before it's too late. This is a touching story about the beauty of friendship..”

(2002). Number the Stars. Scholastic Scope, 50(17), 19. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.


5. CONNECTIONS
Kathy Jordan. (2004) A Guide for Using Number the Stars in the Classroom. Teacher Created Resources. ISBN 1557344248

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2008 Chains. New Yourk: Thorndible Perss. ISBN 1416905863

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Two slave girls, Isabel and her younger sister Ruth, are brought to New York to serve the Lockton’s family. It is the height of the American Revolution and the Lockton’s are staunch Loyalists. A slave boy named Curzon convinces Isabel to spy on her owners. Learning of a plot to assassinate George Washington, Isabel steals a list of the conspirators and delivers it to the rebels. In the meantime, Curzon enlists in the American Army and is captured and imprisoned. Isabel eventually helps Curzon escape and leads him to safety. The book ends with promises of a sequel as Isabel hopes to rescue Ruth, who has been sent to the Lockton’s estate in Charleston.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Laurie Halse Anderson has written an enthralling tale of the evils of slavery and the furor of the colonial rebellion against England. The story unfolds at a fast pace as one incident leads smoothly into another. The characters speak in a believable manner without any embarrassing modernisms. The reader is left with an indelible impression of the casual acceptance of the subjugation of one group of people by the Americans at the same time they were fighting for their own freedom.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT

“The metaphor of chains, as suggested in the title, is primary in the novel. Chains are heavy; they are used to bind, constrict, and control, and Isabel is covered in them. She is bound by her race, her status, and her sex. Yet even when she cannot physically remove

these chains, she can mentally break free from them. Isabel reads, learns, and expands her mind. She keeps her ears and her heart open to possibilities; even her liabilities become her strengths. From this, young readers will find themselves easily connecting to Isabel and her plight, delighting in the idea that one person, much like themselves, can make a difference, can be brave enough to risk it all in hopes of a better life..”

Walsh, L. (2009). Chains. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 53(3), 263-265. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database.

5 Connections

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. Speak. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 9780374371524

NONFICTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Krull, Katleen. 2007. Marie Curie. Ill. Boris Kulikov. New York: Viking. ISBN 9780670058945.

PLOT SUMMARY

Marie Curie was born Maria Skłodowska on November 7, 1867. She grerw up in Warsaw, Poland which was at that time under the domination od Russia. Excelling in school, Marie became a teacher after graduation. In 1891, she moved to Paris to further her education were she earned degrees in the physical sciences and mathematics. It was in Paris that she met Pierre Curie and in 1895 they were married. Fascinated by recent discovery of radioactive phenomena, she began her own research and went on to discover radium and polonium (last one named after her native Poland). She won two Nobel Prizes for her research and became international celebrity. Her work on radium continued throughout her life and, sadly, resulted in her death. After decades of exposure to radioactive substances, Marie curie died in 1934 from radiation poisoning.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kathleen Krull gives thorough coverage of the life of Marie Curie from her birth and school years to her fame as one of the world’s greatest scientists and her tragic death. The vocabulary of the text is adult with an occasional modern slang expression to appeal to young readers. The illustrations by Boris Kulikov are dark and claustrophobic, limning a life spent frequently in confine workrooms and laboratories. Included also are a bibliography, a list of web sites, and a comprehensive index. Krull’s book is an exellent introduction to the life of this famous scientist and should act as gateway to other resources.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“Gr 4-8 --A refreshing look at the renowned scientist, warts and all. Curie was born in Poland in 1867 to a family that valued education.(…) This enlightening portrait of Curie goes beyond the basic facts of her life. It conveys her successes and remarkable achievements, but also the affair the widowed Curie had with a married man and her workaholic nature. The scattered drawings further humanize the subject but add little to the presentation. Nonetheless, this is a realistic portrait of a flesh-and-blood woman, not just a famous name. ”
Oravec, K. (2007). Marie Curie. School Library Journal, 53(12), 154. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2053 Retrieved October 26, 2009, from Academic Search Complete

5. CONNECTIONS
McClafferty, C. K. (2006). Something out of nothing: Marie Curie and radium. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN: 9780374380366

NONFICTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books For Children. ISBN: 978618966363.

PLOT SUMMARY

This is a young person’s introduction to marine life and the wold of the oceans. Jenkins begins by describing the oceans in general, then progresses to the birds and fish that live above and on the surface, then plunges into the many levels below to present the varied forms of undersea life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jenkins divides his book into separate two page spreads that cover different aspects of the subject. The illustrations combine detail with simplicity in a way that captures the mysteries of t he deep. The accompanying text provides essential information about the area covered. Each spread also has an adjunct in the back of the book where more detailed information is provided. This method presents those readers who want to learn more with the opportunity to do so without disrupting the flow of the primary text. Each section also has a helpful “depth gauge” showing to what level the information pertains. This helps to orient the reader in his explorations. “Down, Down, Down…” is an excellent place for middle- schoolers to begin their discovery of the oceans around us. Parents and teachers will find this book a useful and entertaining resource.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“With his characteristically breathtaking paper-collage illustrations, Steve Jenkins takes readers from the surface of the western Pacific Ocean, where a great white shark's splash "could empty a swimming pool," down 10,000 feet to the Dark Zone, where the Sperm Whale hunts the Giant Squid in utter darkness, to the Pacific's deepest point in the Marianas Trench, nearly seven miles below sea level. Jenkins says that the book began with the convergence of several experiences. He read The Universe Below by William Broad, watched a BBC documentary about ocean life(…)”
(2009) Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea. Kirkus Reviews, 77(8), 14. Retrieved October 24, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2053

5. CONNECTIONS

Jenkins, S. (1999). The top of the world: Climbing Mount Everest. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
ISBN 9780395942185

NONFICTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2005. Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler’s Shadow. New yourk: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 9780439353793


PLOT SUMMARY

This is a story how the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party affected the young people of Germany. The Hitler Youth organization was formed to inculcate the proper Nazi values in the minds of the young and create the next generation of warrior – citizens for the Third Reich. The stories of several individuals unfold as they gain training in Nazi ideology and sports. Boys were taught military tactics and weapons use. Girls learned nursing and instructions in household duties and social work. Schooling was carefully regimented with an emphasis on sports and gymnastics and downplaying of academics. Hitler Youth were only allowed to study certain approved writers and subjects. Hatred of all people and things non-German was demanded of all young people. Manual labor was required of all boys. All those too young to serve in the military worked as support laborers digging foxholes and bunkers. By the end of the war, many young people were actively fighting Allied troops. The Hitler Youth existed from 1926 to 1945 and only anded with the defeat of Hitler’s Germany.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a handsome book on a grim subject. It is extremely well designed with print that is crisp and easy to read. The vocabulary is adult without being academic. There are black and white photographs on nearly every page accompanied with detailed captions. These supplement the main body of the text. This is a book for young adults and every young adult should read it. We all need to be constantly reminded that there was a time when light of civilization was almost extinguished forever. Totalitarian forces are still with us and the more we know of their methods the better armed we will be. Only through studying this and other books, books that tyrants would ban, will young people learn about the past and, perhaps, save the future.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“With clarity and apt quotation (scrupulously sourced), Bartoletti takes readers from the prewar beginnings of Hitler Youth, through its significant role in gaining Hitler the government, to its ultimate position as a feeder for the German war machine. (…) The power of the account is matched by the many period candid and propaganda photographs, well-married to the text by strong captions and placement and an unobtrusive but period-evocative Art Deco page design. Appended material includes capsule information about what happened to each of the young people featured in the book (several of whom were interviewed by the author), first-rate source notes, a thorough bibliography and reading list, and an index.”
Smith, R. (2005). Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow. Horn Book Magazine, 81(3), 345-346.

CONNECTIONS
Murphy, J. (2003). An American plague: The true and terrifying story of the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780395776087

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. 2002. Eureka! Poems about Inventors. Ill. By K.Bennett Chavey. Rookfield, Connecticut: The Millbrook Press. ISBN 0761316655

PLOT SUMMARY

This book is a tour through the history of invention told in poetic form. It is divided into four sections:

The Tapestry of the Past-
explores the discovery of clay, the invention of paper, the printing press, and the creations of Leonardo da Vinci.

The Age of Invention –
covers the early French balloonists, the chocolate bar, the dishwasher, the use of silver nitrate in medicine, and the self lubricated engine.

A light Interlude -
a poem celebrating inventors whose names have become synonymous with their inventions, such as Jules Leotard and Rudolf Diesel.

Dawn of the Modern Age –
deals with the works of Marie Sklodowska – Curie, the invention of the Velcro, Frisbee, the work of Barbara Mc Clintock, and the creation of the World Wide Web.

There are also biographical pages which provide information in support of the poetry.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Each of the poems in this collection reveals insight into an inventor and creation of his invention. The language is often both subtle and intense enough to hold the attention of young people at the upper middle school and high school levels. The mood of the individual poems varies from the serious to the whimsical depending upon the nature of the invention. The background information is essential to an understanding of many of the works. These poems are very well written; the illustrations are breathtaking and display a grainy texture reminiscent of nineteenth –century photographs. This book is guaranteed to send young readers into reference mode as they scramble for more information about these important men and women.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“Gr 4-8-From the prehistoric genius who first shaped clay into a bowl to the World Wide Web's inventor Tim Berners-Lee, Sidman celebrates the combination of sudden insight and profound patience that were behind most of the world's great inventions.”
Peters, J. (2003). Eureka! (Book). School Library Journal, 49(5), 103. Retrieved October 12, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2052


5. CONNECTIONS

Sidman, J., & Krommes, B. (2006). Butterfly eyes and other secrets of the meadow. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618563135

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Florian, Douglas. 2006. Handsprings: Poems and Paintings. Greenwillow Books.
ISBN 978006009280

PLOT SUMMARY

In this book , Douglas Florian presents his reader with a group of poems dealing with the coming of spring. We say goodbye to winter,, watch plants grow, do handsprings, play ball, endure rainstorms, pick berries ride bikes and engage in spring cleaning. All the common spring activieties receive their own poems.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

There is a light, breezy feel to these poems that recreates the carefree joys of childhood in spring. Joyous wordplay combines with simple vocabulary and gentle rhymes to induce a sense of peaceful relaxation in the mind of the reader. The author’s child like drawings, done in watercolor and colored pencil, reinforce the atmosphere generated by the words . This is a book for parents to sit back and enjoy with their children on a lazy spring day. Afterwards they will feel the urge to get up and take a walk together outside. The word is waiting.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“…Florian's latest collection celebrates spring and all it has to offer. From longer days and staying outdoors to thunderstorms and bee stings, Florian's clever poems and watercolor and colored-pencil paintings provide a refreshing look at this season.”

Dunne, D., & Ebeling, P. (2007). Poetry Pals: Communicating through Verse. Book Links, 17(1), 33-36. Retrieved October 8, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2052



5. CONNECTIONS

Florian, D. (2003). Autumnblings: Poems & paintings. [New York]: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 9780060092795

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hesse, Karen. 2003. Aleutian Sparrow. New York: Margaret K. Mc Elderry Books. ISBN 0689861893

PLOT SUMMARY

In this verse novel for young adults, Hesse tells of the forced relocation of a young girl named Vera and people from the Aleutian Island after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Their homes no longer safe due to the nearness of the Japanese forces, they are moved to sites on the Alaskan mainland. Surrounded by a strange and unfriendly culture, the Aleuts struggle to survive. Some, weakened by hunger, succumb to illness. Vera and her friends encounter prejudice as they try to fit into this strange world while maintaining their own cultural identity. At the war’s end, they find their villages destroyed but are determined to start over.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

“The best verse novels are built on poems that are often stand-alone works of poetry. A narrative unfolds poem by poem, often with multiple points of view and in colloquial, conversational language.” (Vardell, p116) Hesse tells her story in a series of vignettes in verse. Each poem provides the reader with a glimpse into the word of Vera and her people. The poems are free verse and conversational in style. Evoking the feeling of being right on spot observing events of each providing a base for what follows. Hesse creates an atmosphere of sadness which never gives way to despair. Her young heroine finds the strength in her community to face anything and carry on. Ultimately, “Aleutian Sparrow” provides inspirations inspiration to all who read its words and hear its song.


REVIEW EXCERPT
“Some of the poems are quite graceful, conveying much in just a few lines, but in general, the format of this novel-in-verse doesn't serve the author well, resulting in meager characterization and, despite its elemental story of oppression and survival, a surprisingly unaffecting plot.”

Brabander, J. (2004). Aleutian Sparrow. Horn Book Magazine, 80(1), 82. Retrieved September 26, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2052


5. CONNECTIONS

Hesse, K. (1997). Out of the dust. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780590376198

BIBLIOGRAPHY

George, Kristine O’Connell. 2001. Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems. Ill. By Kate Kiesler. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 061804597X

PLOT SUMMARY

This book of poetry, like “In my Tent” by M. Singer, is a sequence about a young girl and her family’s experiences on a camping trip. They set up a large orange tent and observe several animals, including a deer, chipmunk, and moose. They build a campfire, struggle with sleeping bags, go exploring and discover the remains of and old cabin, endure a storm, and mosquitoes, go fishing and rowing, explore the cave and hear an owl in the night. At the end of this trip, the girl promises to return next year.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The poems in this collection, while covering the same themes, are more structured then those in Singer’s book. The language is simple and yet successfully communicates its message to young readers. The act is appealing and varied with some scenes being more detailed than others. The poetry and the illustrations are melded together, with the poems themselves frequently printed on the art. This provides the structure that combines the two elements into a verbal – visual work. The poem “Owl” is a prime example, its words describing the girl’s hearing of the owl in the night as it majestically flies across the bottom of the page. Children will love the words and pictures and their parents will enjoy sharing them.


REVIEW EXCERPT

“The poems are varied and inventive, replete with marvelous images and universal truths. There's even a selection devoted to the "Mosquito Song." Each one is accompanied by a well-executed and evocative acrylic painting. Some of Kiesler's artwork sweeps across double pages to provide a dramatic vista-a meandering hiking trail, a field of wild mustard, a star-studded night sky-while other pictures reveal small, but equally telling details. In "Flannel," the child is shown holding her pine-, smoke-, and moss-scented camping shirt to her face, paired with the words, "I keep it hidden/in my bottom drawer-/where no one will find it/and wash away/my memories." A terrific idyll for summertime sharing, even for confirmed couch potatoes.”

Jones, T., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Larkins, J. (2001). Toasting Marshmallows (Book Review). School Library Journal, 47(7), 93.Retrieved September 26, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2052


5. CONNECTIONS

George, K. O., & Kiesler, K. (1997). The great frog race and other poems. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780395776070

Poetry

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Singer, Marilyn. 1992. “In my tent”. Ill. By Emily Arnold McCully. New York:
Macmillian Publishing. ISBN 0027827011

PLOT SUMMARY

In a series of poems, Marilyn Singer tells of a little girl’s camping trip with her family. They load up the car and head for the woods where she has her own orange tent to sleep in. Se watches the golden firefly in the night, gets lost in the woods, with her mother, listens to ghost stories, observes a gang of raccoons, goes canoeing, and gets caught in a storm. Later in the year she visit her boxed tent in the cellar before going out to play in the winter snow.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story of a family outing unfolds in a series of discrete episodes, with each vers libre poem enchantingly complemented by one of McCully’s rustic, almost impressionistic, paintings. The combination creates a joyous serenity in the mind of reader, inviting parents who share this book with their children to wax nostalgia about the days of their own youth. Young reader themselves will catch a glimpse of the simple pleasures still available to those who journey to the country an become involved with the nature. The total effect is to create a yearning for more; an unsatisfied desire that leads one to start over once having finished the trip. A fun book to visit again and again.


REVIEW EXCERPT
"A young girl experiences the pleasure of camping with her family -- canoeing, telling ghost stories by firelight, wading in the river, discovering a squirrel's nest -- in this evocative collection of verse. Impressionistic watercolors complement the poems." - Horn Book Magazine, 1992


5. CONNECTIONS

George, K. O., & Moser, B. (2004). Hummingbird nest: A journal of poems. Orlando: Harcourt. ISBN 9780152023256

Traditional Lit.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Goble, Paul. 1988. Her Seven Brothers. Ill. By Paul Goble. New York: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0027379604

PLOT SUMMARY

This book retells the ancient Cheyenne myth that recounts the origin of the constellation The Big Dipper. At the urging of the dream, a Cheyenne girl sews clothes for seven men who are destined to become her brothers. After a journey of many days she arrives at their tipi and sets up housekeeping for them, becoming their sister. Soon the chief of the Buffalo Nation appears and demands the girl. When he is refused, he leads an attack of the Buffalo People. The youngest brother shoots an arrow into the sky and creates a pine tree which they climb. At the top they step off into star – prairies and become The Big Dipper.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Goble’s engaging style conjures the image of a storyteller reciting his tale to an eager and receptive audience; inviting the reader to join the circle and listen. The protagonist is a strong young women who has the courage to go forth and meet her destiny. The straightforward plot unfolds in a dynamic prairie setting where people live and hunt and face danger.
Goble’s illustrations are drawn with pen and india ink and then filled in with the watercolor “to capture something of the bright colors that one sees in the clear air of the Great Plains.” (Goble, p35). His skill succeeds in evoking the atmosphere of Native American culture. This is a book that will charm adults and inspire children to look at the night sky with wonder.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“Gr. 2-4 – Goble once more combines a respectful retelling of Cheyenne legend with dynamic paintings depicting both traditional Indian life and the beauty of the natural world”.
MacDonald, E. (1988, June). Her Seven Brothers (Book Review). School Library Journal, 34(10), 97. Retrieved September 26, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.


5. CONNECTIONS

Goble, Paul. 1978. The girl who loved wild horses. Scarsdale, N.Y.: Bradbury Press. ISBN 9780878881215

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Coburn, Jewell Reinhart with Lee, Tzexa Cherta. 1996. Jouanah : A Hmong Cinderella. Ill. By Anna Sibley O’Brien. Arcadia, CA: Shen’s Books.
ISBN 1885008015


PLOT SUMMARY

In the clearing in the mountains, a Hmong farmer lives with his wife and daughter, Jouanah. Needing a cow to plow his fields, the farmer accepts his wife’s proposal and transforms her into the needed animal. Later the farmer, instead of restoring her, marries another woman with a daughter of her own. The cow dies of a broken heart and than the farmer dies, leaving Jouanah with her stepmother. Jouanah is left behind to work when stepmother and daughter leave to attend New Year festivities. The spirit of her mother creates beautiful clothes for Jouanah. She goes to the celebration and falls in love with Shee- Nang, the son of the village elder. Jouanah rushes home leaving behind one of her shoes. After seeking high and low, Shee – Nang matches the shoe to its rightful owner and they live happily ever after.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Hmong people are people who live in the hills of Southeast Asia and the origins of this story are lost in antiquity. The Cinderella theme is an archetypal motif which recurs in many cultures around the world. Coburn and Lee’s retelling succeeds in creating for the reader a sense of this people and their lives. As in all the variants, the characters represent specific human traits - Jouanah is familial loyalty, her mother love, her father emotional weakness, and her stepmother and her daughter selfishness. The story unfolds in a brisk and straightforward manner which holds the reader’s attention. O’Brien’s captivating paintings vibrate with life and provide texture and form the tale. This is a beautiful book in every way which will show children that even the most distant people share the same experiences.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“Children’s Literature”: “There are no surprises in the telling of this familiar story. The beauty is in the language and the art, which depict the clothing and life-style of the Hmong people. Each spread contains a full-page illustration with the text on the opposing page, enclosed in a border design that incorporates a small inset illustration. A true delight for the eyes, and a good story of a young woman who prevails over hardship and injustice. A great choice for libraries and classrooms .(…) Ages 5 to 10.” Marylyn Courtot


5. CONNECTIONS


Louie, Ai-Ling, and Ed Young. 1982. Yeh-Shen: a Cinderella story from China. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN: 9780399209000

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Simonds, Nina, and Swartz, Leslie. 2002. Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats. Ill. by Meilo So. New York: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152019839

PLOT SUMMARY

This children’s introduction to Chinese culture provides the reader with a tales, crafts, and recipes. Among the many things covered are how to prepare sweet rice bals and moon cakes, and how to make dragon boats and pinwheels. The book contains folktales, riddles, information on holidays, and facts about the Chinese Zodiac. There is also a bibliography and guide to Chinese pronunciation

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a fascinating book that will hold the attention of young readers and their parents for hours. The stories and articles are full of information on Chinese holidays and beliefs and are told with charm and skill. The instructions for the crafts are easily followed and the accompanying illustrations provide extra guidance.
The bright colors of the artwork that fills the book evokes in the reader a feel for Old China. This is a book that children will dip into often to learn ancient crafts while gaining in knowledge.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“Gr. 4–6. This brightly illustrated, large-format book introduces Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival, Qing Ming and the Cold Foods Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.(…) The activities—riddles to tell and paper lanterns to make, among them—look like fun for young people. Lists of books and Web sites and a pronunciation guide round out the treatment.”
Phelan, C. (2002, October 15). Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats (Book). Booklist, 99(4), 404. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.


5. CONNECTIONS
Gee, Judith Karen, and Chen-zhi Huang. 1989. A book of Chinese festivals. [Osoyoos, B.C.]: Steam RR Publications. ISBN 9780969249948
Stepanchuk, Carol. 1994. Red eggs and dragon boats: celebrating Chinese festivals. Berkeley, Calif: Pacific View Press. ISBN 9781881896081

Picture Books

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cummings, Pat. 1992. Talking with artists. New York: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0027242455

PLOT SUMMARY

This is a juvenile nonfiction book aimed at readers age 9 and up. It consists of conversations between Pat Cummings and 14 children’s book illustrators, one of whom is herself. Each section of the book begins with a short essay titled “My story” in which the subject provides information about his background and how he became an illustrator. This is follow by a series of eight questions.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The answers provide informative and entertaining reading. (Nearly all state they include family, friends, and pets in their art, sometimes unconsciously.) The language used is appropriate for junior high / high school readers. The background essays provide insight into the workings of the creative process and are written in an entertaining manner that holds the interest of the reader. Fans of the illustrators will find this book full of insights about their works. This is a highly readable book of interest to young artists and others interested in the creative process.

REVIEW EXCERPT

“Each segment offers an interesting autobiographical sketch. Companion interviews by Cummings answer questions from "Where do your ideas come from?" to "Do you have any children or pets?" The profiles exemplify the artists' backgrounds, ordinary or extraordinary lifestyles, and creative strengths. Illustrated with photos and drawings.
Follos, Alison. 2004. "Talking with Artists, Volume 2 (Book)." School Library Journal 50, no. 11: 65-65. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 9, 2009).

CONNECTIONS

Marcus, Leonard S. 2008. A Caldecott celebration: seven artists and their paths to the Caldecott medal. New York: Walker & Co. ISBN: 9780802797032

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE New York: Hyperion Books for Children ISBN 0786818700

PLOT SUMMARY

Through the clever combination of sepia- toned photographs and color drawings, Mo Willems tells the story of what happens when a father takes his daughter along to do the laundry and her precious stuffed toy becomes mislaid. Unable to speak, young Trixie does all she can to make herself understood, but it takes Mom’s insight to identify the problem and lead to its solution.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

By placing the character drawings onto photographic backgrounds, Willems engages the reader’s attention and pulls him into the story. We see Trixie and her father leave home with the laundry, walk down the street, go through the park, pass the school, and finally enter the laundry. The photographs manage to convey a sense of distance, transforming a simple walk into an adventure. As Trixie has a great time at the laundry, her father watches her so closely he fails to notice that Knuffle Bunny has been thrown into the washer with the clothes. As they head home, Trixie screams and acts up in an attempt to tell her father the toy is missing. Once they reach home, Mom spots the problem immediately and they all race back to the laundromat where Knuffle Bunny is rescued. Young readers who have been drawn into the story will share the relief when Knuffle Bunny is safely returned to Trixie, as will adults. Words are used minimally on each page to serve as an addition to the illustrations which convey the largest part of the story. Knuffle Bunny is a very popular book amongst young children because it is so engaging. Readers can relate to the characters, and the emotions expressed throughout the book are very realistic.

REVIEW EXCERPT
"The natural audience for this offering is a little older than its main character: they will easily identify with Trixie's grief and at the same time feel superior to her parent--and rejoice wholeheartedly at the happy reunion. (Picture book. 2-5) 2004."
"KNUFFLE BUNNY: A Cautionary Tale (Book)." Kirkus Reviews 72, no. 15: 750-750. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 7, 2009).

CONNECTIONS
Willems, Mo. 2007 Knuffle Bunny too: a case of mistaken identity. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 1423102991

1 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wiesner, David. 2006. Flotsam. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618194576

2 PLOT SUMMARY

In a series of evocative images, Wiesner depicts a young boy’s discovery of an old camera washed up on the beach. The development of the film reveals many suprising facts about life under the sea , the camera itself, and it’s previous owners.

3 CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Wiesner is a master at combining realistic art with fantastic, sometimes surreal, subjects. As the story opens, a young boy is exploring the beach and examining some crabs when he is caught in the surf. The wave deposits an old box camera and, in a series of photo - like images, the boy discovers an anachronistically modern roll of film inside and takes it to be developed. The film reveals a phantasmagoria of bizarre scenes – sea turtles with sea shell cities on their backs, giant starfish walking amid sperm whales, little green men riding fish. At this point the story is marred, however, by a sort of photographic infinite regress depicting the camera’s previous owners. This sequence is obtrusive and detracts from the wonder of the fantasy scenes. It just brings the boy back to his world. With photos of the previous owners it shatters the illusion created by the fantastic scenes and therefore detracts from the flow of the story. Overall, this story is easily understood, even by preliterate children as it unfolds well without words, since its primary purpose is to present a series of visual images. Children will enjoy this book but may be left wanting more.

4 REVIEW EXCERPT

“Masterfully altering the pace with panel sequences and full-bleed spreads, he fills every inch of the pages with intricate, imaginative watercolor details. New details swim into focus with every rereading of this immensely satisfying excursion. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)”
2006. "Flotsam." Publishers Weekly 253, no. 29: 56-57. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 9, 2009).

5. CONNECTIONS

Wiesner's earlier book, "Tuesday", is superior in every respect. It tells an original and imaginative story in beautifully - rendered pictures. "Tuesday" displays a unity and rhythm sadly lacking in "Flotsam".

Wiesner, David. 1991. Tuesday. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395551137
Wiesner, David. 1999. Sector 7. New York: Clarion Books ISBN 0395746566

Website example

Through a Google search for teens and public library programming I found several excellent public library sites to choose from. The Hennepin County Library TeenLinks site lists all activities happening at the library for teens as well as book reviews. The site has a good design and lots of information.

I am especially interested in the programming they are doing at this library. Finding other public library sites and investigating their activities is a great way to discover innovative programming. It is also interesting to see how many libraries have pages on social networking sites and try to connect to teens through them. The Hennepin site has information about the activities they are doing for teens, and I will be taking note of some of them for the future.
http://www.hclib.org/teens/SummerProgram.cfm

Research visual overlap

The following image was taken from an article titled "Teens and Information Literacy...and the Public Library written by Katie Day. The article was found through a Google search for research on teens in the library.

The article can be found here: http://librarianedge.pbworks.com/f/KDay_Teen_InfoLit_and_Libns.html

The author has done an extensive literature review to determine the role of the public library in the literacy development of teens. The image illustrates how school libraries have a greater impact on teen information literacy than do public libraries, yet the role of public libraries is not insignificant.

A picture is worth how many words?

This image was found through a search on Google Images for teens in the public library. As an aspiring teen librarian, I am interested in learning about teen advisory boards. I think it is important to ask your community members for input, and what better way than asking teens what they would like to see at the library. The picture is of the Board of Library Teens at a Swanton, Ohio public library. This group plans activities for the library and excursions for teens.

http://www.swanton.lib.oh.us/teen_bolt.html

LexisNexis and a Citation Pearl Growing Search

For the Citation Pearl Growing search I started by entering the terms "teen library use" into the search box in LexisNexis. I am interested in finding statistics on how many teens use public libraries in the United States.

I was pleasantly surprised to retrieve 999 hits.

I chose to view one article titled "Libraries tune into teens." At the bottom of the page of the article, subjects are listed. One of them is public libraries so I decided to conduct the search again using teen public library use as the search terms.

This narrowed the search to 961 hits.

I noticed United States was a subject heading for some of the hits so I added it to my search resulting in 625 hits.

One of the hits had "statistics" listed as a subject so I added it to my final search to find 16 articles, all of which are not relevant. At least I was able to handle browsing 16 hits rather than the last 625 hits. I found one of the 16 particularly interesting...Libraries shelve old ways.

The Citation Pearl Growing Search worked well in LexisNexis. This is particularly useful if you do not know the best terms to search since it is possible to look at articles to find subject headings. LexisNexis uses a controlled vocabulary; therefore, the type of search used here is perfect for this database. My search terms were not terrible complex, but the citation pearl growing search should be used in cases where the user is not sure of the technical language. The technique used in this type of search could be applied to other types of searching when subject headings are presented in the results.

LibLit and a Browsing Search

Since Library Literature has a browse feature, I chose it for the Browsing Search.

I was interested in finding some critiera for choosing young adult books for my library's collection.


First I chose to enter "book selection" into the search box.

Of the hits, "book selection/evaluation" looked the most interesting.

The 18 records found are all along the lines of my initial search. On the left side of the page, there are like searches to choose from so I would be interested in selecting other topics from the list.

Once I selected Book selection/Evaluation on the left, I found an article called Commentaries on Collection Bias I would like to read.

The Browsing Search is easy to accomplish but not terribly useful when looking for something very specific. Some databases have this option but not all. Usually one can search subject headings, yet the researcher needs some technical knowledge of the subject in order to choose the terms closest to the search in mind. I had a hard time beginning my search in Library Literature because it was necessary to determine the correct heading to look for initially. Even so, I was able to figure out the best terms to use in order to find the articles I sought.

Project Muse and the Specific Facet First

In this search I was interested in finding articles concerning reviews of young adult fiction titles. My facets included books reviews, young adult or teen, and fiction.


I started with book reviews.


The result was 16634 hits which is an unmanageable amount of articles.

In order to narrow down the hits I added the second facet of teen which yielded 1474 hits.

The third facet, fiction, narrowed the results to 626 hits, and the titles appear to be more along the lines of what I am looking for.

This is still more than I would like to comb through so I decided to limit the search by date in order to find the most recent articles. Using 2009 found 232 hits, many of which I am interested in looking at for ideas for conducting a teen book club. One of the first hits, Sucks to Be Me: The All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire, is a book I have not read but would like to know more about.

The specific facet first search worked well for this search even though the initial term was not a terribly specific phrase. Even so, it was the most specific phrase in the search so it was used first. I did not want to narrow this particular search to just one or two articles because my interest is in finding many reviews of recent young adult literature. If the final searches had narrowed the results to just a couple of articles, I would have removed the last search term to broaden the search. It was important to find quite a few articles to look through, and I was able to do this in Project Muse with this particular query.

WorldCat and a Building Block Search

The first search I conducted in WorldCat was to discover works which deal with young adults and programming. I started broadly by looking for keywords programming and library. Using those terms as keywords yielded 10543 hits. At a quick glance I could tell many of the hits referred to topics not close to my interest.

To narrow the search further I decided to add student or teen since my primary interest has to do with that population. The 101 hits are much closer to the topic I am interested in, yet there are still items I do not want to spend time reading through.

I still found hits which did not interest me, and I wanted to add another keyword in order to limit the search to public libraries.

The final result was 19 hits, many of which interest me. One in particular, Thinking Outside the Book: essays for innovative librarians, is something I would like to borrow through our ILL.

The building block search worked really well in WorldCat for this query. It was important to determine which words would yield a more narrow search through each step of the process. Examining the results each time led me to know what to add to the subsequent search. Building block is a search I use frequently. I was pleased to see how well it worked in WorldCat.

Library Thing Tagging

2006(11) 2007(11) adventure(13) beauty(33) body image(8) borrowed(4) Conformity(8) cosmetic surgery(6) dystopia(72) Fantasy(43) fiction(81) friendship(10) Future(35) futuristic(20) Image(4) library(7) Paperback(6) plastic surgery(14) post-apocalyptic(13) Pretties(6) read(21) read in 2007(4) rebellion(5) romance(14) sci-fi(60) Science Fiction(112) Scott Westerfeld(12) self image(5) sequel(7) series(40) sf(13) speculative fiction(10) tbr(14) teen(33) teen fiction(10) Trilogy(12) Uglies(23) Uglies trilogy(16) unread(8) utopia(10) ya(104) Young Adult(120) Young Adult Fiction(19) young adult literature(4)

http://www.librarything.com/work/112043#

I chose a very popular young adult novel by Scott Westerfeld titled Pretties. Pretties is one title in a trilogy, all of which are commonly asked for at the public library.

YALSA RSS

LibWorm Query: yalsa

http://www.libworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=yalsa

The YALSA RSS feed gives up to date information on what is going on in this organization, the division of ALA dedicated to young adult services. Topics include book reviews, conference news, and programming ideas all relevant to teens in the public library setting.

Poetry Podcast

Lansing Library Teen Dept. Teen Poetry Podcast

http://www.podcastdirectory.com/podshows/1452963

This podcast from the Lansing Public Library was found through the Podcast Directory. The podcast gives listeners the opportunity to hear participants of the Lansing Library's Teen Poetry Cafe. I chose this particular podcast because it is an example of using technology to enhance a program for teens. Poetry readings are an old concept, but recording the session and posting it for others to hear is an idea that would appeal to today's teens who are always connected through their computers, mp3 playes, and cell phones. Posting this podcast also creates a larger audience for those who participated in the actual event.

Same topic, different blog

Alternative Teen Services

http://www.yalibrarian.com/

The following excerpt is from the blog which was found through a Google blog search for teen programming in public libraries.

"How does one celebrate the life, or rather death, of the undead? With the popularity of series such as Twilight, Vampire Kisses, and Blue Bloods, throwing a vampire party is a great way to get teens excited about reading. But where to begin? In my mind, every successful party includes cake. And what better variety of cake to serve at a party devoted to blood suckers than red velvet? Even if you don't have the budget to purchase a bakery cake, you can find velvet cake mixes and mix it up yourself."

The Alternative Teen Services blog presents new ideas for teen programming along with book reviews for books geared towards young adults. Finding programs that will appeal to this age group can be difficult, and blogs such as this one can be a great resource. By sharing programs that work, librarians can help each other save precious time. This excerpt is the beginning of a post about throwing a vampire party complete with blood red cake, an idea which would appeal to readers of vampire novels such as Twilight.

Blog Introduction

This blog has been designed to fulfill the requirements for LS501322. Through my postings I will be addressing the competancy exercises discussing and demonstrating information storage and retrieval.

I am in my second semester of library school. I currently work in a public library. My area of interest is young adult programming, and I will be researching ways to bring more young adult patrons into the public library.