Paramount Pictures, 2003. Starring Jack Black. Directed by Richard Linklater. ASIN: B00018U9G6
Plot Summary: Jack Black plays Finn, a musician who gets kicked out of his band for being too showy. He manages to get a job as a substitute teacher in a private school. Rather than teach the curriculum, he uses the opportunity to turn his class into a rock band. He plans for his new student band to win an upcoming battle of the bands contest to show up his previous bandmates.
Critical Evaluation: This is a good choice for tweens or for a family movie. It is humorous an also a good choice for a music lover. It is well acted, by Jack Black and the group of younger actors. It is funny and age appropriate.
Annotation: Finn (played by Jack Black) becomes a substitute teacher in a private school. He teaches his class how to rock and roll but it all must be a secret from parents and the school principal.
Author Info: N/A
Genre: Comedy
Curriculum Ties: Music
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 9-15
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, can be directed to read reviews of movie.
Selection Process: Recommended in Video store
Monday, November 9, 2009
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Lucas Arts. 2008 ASIN: B00104KJ3S
Summary: This game, rated "E for everyone" is a fun version of the popular Indiana Jones series. The game encompasses different scenes from all of the movies. Players play in scenes all over the globe and can play with over 60 different characters that are unlocked on different levels.
Reader's Annotation: N/A
Critical Evaluation: This is a fun game for all ages. The graphics, while sometimes a bit overdone with the lego, are interesting and clear. The game is very tongue in cheek, much like the movies. Over all, the game is fairly simple to play with clear instructions and is enjoyable. There are a variety of activities that layers take part in during the game which keeps it interesting through the levels.
Author Info: N/A
Genre: Video Game
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 8-15
Challenge Issues: There is violence in the game in the form of hand to hand combat. Those who do not agree with it can research the Indiana Jones movies and adventure movie and game genre.
Summary: This game, rated "E for everyone" is a fun version of the popular Indiana Jones series. The game encompasses different scenes from all of the movies. Players play in scenes all over the globe and can play with over 60 different characters that are unlocked on different levels.
Reader's Annotation: N/A
Critical Evaluation: This is a fun game for all ages. The graphics, while sometimes a bit overdone with the lego, are interesting and clear. The game is very tongue in cheek, much like the movies. Over all, the game is fairly simple to play with clear instructions and is enjoyable. There are a variety of activities that layers take part in during the game which keeps it interesting through the levels.
Author Info: N/A
Genre: Video Game
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 8-15
Challenge Issues: There is violence in the game in the form of hand to hand combat. Those who do not agree with it can research the Indiana Jones movies and adventure movie and game genre.
www.girlsense.com
www.girlsense.com
Plot Summary: This website is geared to tween girls with an interest in fashion. There are a variety of fashion focused games and users can create outfits and assemble wardrobes. There are also opportunities to create makeup looks and meet others with the same interests.
Critical Evaluation: This seems as thought it would be a fun website for this age group. The available outfits are not too revealing and are for the most part, age appropriate. The page is colorful and visually appealing. There is a great deal of variety in the activities and something to appeal to many personalities.
Readers Annotation: A website for tween girls focused on fashion and makeup.
Author Info: N/A
Genre: Website
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 9-13 years old
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, they could be advised to familiarize themselves with the site.
Selection Issues: Recommended on a forum.
Plot Summary: This website is geared to tween girls with an interest in fashion. There are a variety of fashion focused games and users can create outfits and assemble wardrobes. There are also opportunities to create makeup looks and meet others with the same interests.
Critical Evaluation: This seems as thought it would be a fun website for this age group. The available outfits are not too revealing and are for the most part, age appropriate. The page is colorful and visually appealing. There is a great deal of variety in the activities and something to appeal to many personalities.
Readers Annotation: A website for tween girls focused on fashion and makeup.
Author Info: N/A
Genre: Website
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 9-13 years old
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, they could be advised to familiarize themselves with the site.
Selection Issues: Recommended on a forum.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Grossology and You: Really Gross Things About Your Body
Sylvia Branzei. Illustrated by Jack Kelly. Price Stern Sloan, 2002. ISBN: 978-0843177367
Plot Summary: The human body can be pretty gross and this is the book that really demonstrated that. Find out about dead skin cells, funny smells and noises, and all of the gross things that make up the human body. This book makes you see your body in a whole new way!
Critical Evaluation: This book manages to be educational and appealing to our tween age group at the same time. There are lots of color photos, cartoons, and random disgusting facts that will keep the reader entertained for hours.
Reader's Annotation: Curious about toe cheese? Like to read about farts? Find out about these fun facts and a million others.
Genre: Non-fiction
Curriculum ties: Science
Booktalking Ideas: Do you even know how gross you are? Would you like to find out?
Interest Level: 9-12
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, can be recommended they research other books on the human body.
Selection Process: Saw in library display and I wanted to have a "body book" in the assignment.
Plot Summary: The human body can be pretty gross and this is the book that really demonstrated that. Find out about dead skin cells, funny smells and noises, and all of the gross things that make up the human body. This book makes you see your body in a whole new way!
Critical Evaluation: This book manages to be educational and appealing to our tween age group at the same time. There are lots of color photos, cartoons, and random disgusting facts that will keep the reader entertained for hours.
Reader's Annotation: Curious about toe cheese? Like to read about farts? Find out about these fun facts and a million others.
Genre: Non-fiction
Curriculum ties: Science
Booktalking Ideas: Do you even know how gross you are? Would you like to find out?
Interest Level: 9-12
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, can be recommended they research other books on the human body.
Selection Process: Saw in library display and I wanted to have a "body book" in the assignment.
People in the Past: Ancient Greek Children
Richard Tames. Reed Educational and Professional Publishing, 2003. ISBN: 978-1403401311
Plot Summary: This is a non fiction work covering the children of ancient Greece. The book contains 21 chapters covering topics such as : slavery, toys and games, babies, growing up, and how do we know?
Critical Evaluation: This book would be a good resource for students studying the time period. While some of the pages are a little dense with text, for the most part the language is clear and has an appropriate vocabulary level for the tween age group. There are also a great deal of illustrations and photographs of artifacts that provide visual interest.
Reader's Annotation: An non-fiction work about the children and their daily lives in ancient Greece.
About the Author: Richard Tames is the author of a large number of non-fiction works both for youth and adults. Richard Tames has a Master's Degree in politics form Birkbeck College, London and was a founder member of the Politics Association.
Genre: Nonfiction, History
Curriculum Ties: History, Social Studies
Booktalking Ideas: What was life like in the ancient world? Were the lives of children different than your life today?
Challenge Issues: None.
If any arise, they can be directed to research the author or the time period discussed in his book.
Interest Level: 9-13
Selection Process: I have an interest in the subject area and wanted to see a version of non fiction for this age group.
Plot Summary: This is a non fiction work covering the children of ancient Greece. The book contains 21 chapters covering topics such as : slavery, toys and games, babies, growing up, and how do we know?
Critical Evaluation: This book would be a good resource for students studying the time period. While some of the pages are a little dense with text, for the most part the language is clear and has an appropriate vocabulary level for the tween age group. There are also a great deal of illustrations and photographs of artifacts that provide visual interest.
Reader's Annotation: An non-fiction work about the children and their daily lives in ancient Greece.
About the Author: Richard Tames is the author of a large number of non-fiction works both for youth and adults. Richard Tames has a Master's Degree in politics form Birkbeck College, London and was a founder member of the Politics Association.
Genre: Nonfiction, History
Curriculum Ties: History, Social Studies
Booktalking Ideas: What was life like in the ancient world? Were the lives of children different than your life today?
Challenge Issues: None.
If any arise, they can be directed to research the author or the time period discussed in his book.
Interest Level: 9-13
Selection Process: I have an interest in the subject area and wanted to see a version of non fiction for this age group.
The Middle Ages
Sarah McNeill. Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN: 0-19-521394-7
Plot Summary: This is a nonfiction work containing information on the Middle Ages. It is part of the Spotlight Series which publishes books on different time periods and topics for use by students. Topics covered in the book include: war, castles, learning, trade, homes and families and many others.
Critical Evaluation: Students would likely utilize this book when doing research for a history project. The book contains a great deal of color illustration and photographs. There is a great deal of information but is is laid out in a way that makes it easy to access.Along with the table of contents, there is also an index in the back of the book. Overall, it would be a good resource for information on the Middle Ages.
Reader's Annotation: A non fiction book containing facts and information about the Middle Ages.
About the Author: Sarah McNeill has published other works of non-fiction on subjects such as the ancient Romans, and the people of ancient Egypt.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Curriculum Ties: History, Social Studies
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, can be directed to research Spotlight series or the time period written about in the book.
Interest Level: 9-12 years old
Selection Process: Wanted to cover some non-fiction and this work seemed age appropriate.
Plot Summary: This is a nonfiction work containing information on the Middle Ages. It is part of the Spotlight Series which publishes books on different time periods and topics for use by students. Topics covered in the book include: war, castles, learning, trade, homes and families and many others.
Critical Evaluation: Students would likely utilize this book when doing research for a history project. The book contains a great deal of color illustration and photographs. There is a great deal of information but is is laid out in a way that makes it easy to access.Along with the table of contents, there is also an index in the back of the book. Overall, it would be a good resource for information on the Middle Ages.
Reader's Annotation: A non fiction book containing facts and information about the Middle Ages.
About the Author: Sarah McNeill has published other works of non-fiction on subjects such as the ancient Romans, and the people of ancient Egypt.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Curriculum Ties: History, Social Studies
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, can be directed to research Spotlight series or the time period written about in the book.
Interest Level: 9-12 years old
Selection Process: Wanted to cover some non-fiction and this work seemed age appropriate.
Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid
Lemony Snicket. Harper Collins, 2007. ISBN-10: 0061240060
Plot Summary: There is no story to this book but it is described as containing "a bouquet of alarming but inescapable truths from the work of Lemony Snicket." Each page contains a quote from a book or from "unpublished papers or remarks he made at dinner.The book is divided into 13 chapters, each with a different focus. Chapters include: Home, Family, School, and A Life of Mystery.
Critical Evaluation: This book contains a mix of "wisdoms". Some are very age appropriate for the intended age group and some are likely a little too dry and will go over many heads. Overall, the book is amusing and is a good one to pick up and read for a few minutes and then put back down. Fans of the Series of Unfortunate Events will likely enjoy his dry style.
Reader's Annotation: This book contains pearls of Wisdom of Lemony Snicket. The Cover reads "Life is a turbulent journey fraught with confusion, heartbreak, and inconvenience. This book will not help."
About the Author: Lemony Snicket is also the author of the Series of Unfortunate Event Series.
Genre: Humor/Anecdotal
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Booktalking Ideas: How do you look at life?
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, they could be advised to research author or read reviews of other works by Lemony Snicket.
Interest Level: 9-12 years old
Selection Process: This Book was featured in a library display.
Plot Summary: There is no story to this book but it is described as containing "a bouquet of alarming but inescapable truths from the work of Lemony Snicket." Each page contains a quote from a book or from "unpublished papers or remarks he made at dinner.The book is divided into 13 chapters, each with a different focus. Chapters include: Home, Family, School, and A Life of Mystery.
Critical Evaluation: This book contains a mix of "wisdoms". Some are very age appropriate for the intended age group and some are likely a little too dry and will go over many heads. Overall, the book is amusing and is a good one to pick up and read for a few minutes and then put back down. Fans of the Series of Unfortunate Events will likely enjoy his dry style.
Reader's Annotation: This book contains pearls of Wisdom of Lemony Snicket. The Cover reads "Life is a turbulent journey fraught with confusion, heartbreak, and inconvenience. This book will not help."
About the Author: Lemony Snicket is also the author of the Series of Unfortunate Event Series.
Genre: Humor/Anecdotal
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Booktalking Ideas: How do you look at life?
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, they could be advised to research author or read reviews of other works by Lemony Snicket.
Interest Level: 9-12 years old
Selection Process: This Book was featured in a library display.
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