Cynthia Voigt. Simon Pulse, 2005. ISBN: 978-1416903413
Plot Summary: Samuel Tillerman, or Bullet as he is know in his school, lives to be alone and to run cross country. He lives with his father and mother in an isolated area of the community. His brother and sister have already fled the home and Bullet struggles to gain Independence from his strict, close minded father, and to find love from his mother, who is unable to show love. Bullet is a loner who has few friends. The only person he feels close to is Patrice, a man who works on boats with Bullet. When a black teenager joins Bullet's track team, Bullet's racist views surface. While he struggles to become the man he wants to be, he learns something about relationships and what makes people become who they are.
Critical Evaluation: This is a very well written book that tackles some big issues such as racism, emotional abuse, and loneliness. While there are some mature themes, situations, and language in the book, overall it is a good choice for tweens and teens.
Reader's Annotation: There is nobody in the school faster than Bullet. He spends all his time alone and training for cross country. He runs to get away from his parents, his home, and to isolate himself. He can't run forever so will he change or will people change him?
About the Author: Cynthia Voigt is the author of many books for tweens and young adults including the "Tillerman Series", which focuses on the lives of the tillerman family.
Genre: Fiction, coming of age
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking Ideas: Focus on relationship between Bullet and his father.
Interest Level: 10-14
Challenge Issues: There is racist behavior and language in the book. For those who are upset by it, they can be directed to research the time period the book takes place.
Selection Process: I read it for my author study.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bad Girls
Cynthia Voigt. Scholastic, 1997. ISBN: 978-0590601351
Plot Summary: Mikey and Margalo meet on the first day of 5th grade. They are both new to the school and uneasy about fitting into their new class. The seating is alphabetical which puts them together. They discover very quickly that while on the surface they appear very different, inside they both like being bad, although for different reasons. As a pair, they quickly put the rest of the class on alert. No-one knows what the pair will do next. Mikey likes to settle things physically, while Margalo schemes and manipulates. Together they become a force to be reckoned with as they slowly begin to trust each other and form a friendship.
Critical Evaluation: This would make a good read for tween girls. It deals with a lot of issues that are big for that age group such as fitting in, problems with teachers, and how to manage anger and hurt. The characters of the two girls makes for an interesting examination of the motivation behind "bad" behavior as they each have very different motivations. The book is well written and tackles difficult issues while still being accessible to a tween audience.
Reader's Annotation: Mikey and Margalo share more than the same initials, they share a love of causing trouble in their 5th grade classroom. No-one is a match for these two as between them they have brain and brawn.
About the Author: Cynthia Voigt is the author of numerous books for youth and young adults. She has won a number of awards and is recognized as a writer of quality youth fiction. Other works include: Homecoming, The Runner, Dicey's Song.
Genre: Humor, Fiction
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking: Focus on relationship between Margalo and Mikey, focus on pranks they pull in the classroom.
Interest Level: Ages 9-12
Challenge Issues: There is physical violence between students.
If reader's object, they can be directed to research the author or reviews of the book.
Selection Process: I read it for my author study.
Plot Summary: Mikey and Margalo meet on the first day of 5th grade. They are both new to the school and uneasy about fitting into their new class. The seating is alphabetical which puts them together. They discover very quickly that while on the surface they appear very different, inside they both like being bad, although for different reasons. As a pair, they quickly put the rest of the class on alert. No-one knows what the pair will do next. Mikey likes to settle things physically, while Margalo schemes and manipulates. Together they become a force to be reckoned with as they slowly begin to trust each other and form a friendship.
Critical Evaluation: This would make a good read for tween girls. It deals with a lot of issues that are big for that age group such as fitting in, problems with teachers, and how to manage anger and hurt. The characters of the two girls makes for an interesting examination of the motivation behind "bad" behavior as they each have very different motivations. The book is well written and tackles difficult issues while still being accessible to a tween audience.
Reader's Annotation: Mikey and Margalo share more than the same initials, they share a love of causing trouble in their 5th grade classroom. No-one is a match for these two as between them they have brain and brawn.
About the Author: Cynthia Voigt is the author of numerous books for youth and young adults. She has won a number of awards and is recognized as a writer of quality youth fiction. Other works include: Homecoming, The Runner, Dicey's Song.
Genre: Humor, Fiction
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking: Focus on relationship between Margalo and Mikey, focus on pranks they pull in the classroom.
Interest Level: Ages 9-12
Challenge Issues: There is physical violence between students.
If reader's object, they can be directed to research the author or reviews of the book.
Selection Process: I read it for my author study.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Boys Body Book: Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up YOU.
Kelli Dunham. Illustrated by Steven Bjorkman. Applesauce Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1933662749.
Plot Summary: This is the book for any boy who has questions that he is too shy to ask his parents, teacher, or friends. It provides accurate and accessible information about puberty, sex, changing bodies, etc. There are pictures, graphs and all sorts of factual information about what is happening in the body of boys arriving at puberty.
Critical Evaluation: This book would be a good choice to give to a boy who has questions about his body. The way the book is written is assessable to the age group and is written with a degree of humor. The information is presented in a format that is easy to follow and it is simple to find answers to specific questions.
Reader's Annotation: Curious about body hair, voice changes, sex or what is going on in your body? This book will answer all your questions and then some.
About the Author: Kelli Dunham is the author of a variety of information books for tweens, young adults, as well as families and parents. Her home page describes her as "everyone's favorite ex-nun, nerdalicious author and comic." She is registered nurse and a stand up comic.
Genre: Nonfiction, Self Help
Curriculum Ties: Sexual Health
Booktalking Ideas: Do you have questions about your body? Are you wondering about puberty? Then this is the book for you!
Interest Level: 8-14
Challenge Issues: Some parents may not want their children reading about sexual health and their bodies. I would recommend to them that they research their school districts policies about sexual education and research how to best talk to their kids about puberty and their bodies.
Selection Process: I saw it listed on the author's website.
Plot Summary: This is the book for any boy who has questions that he is too shy to ask his parents, teacher, or friends. It provides accurate and accessible information about puberty, sex, changing bodies, etc. There are pictures, graphs and all sorts of factual information about what is happening in the body of boys arriving at puberty.
Critical Evaluation: This book would be a good choice to give to a boy who has questions about his body. The way the book is written is assessable to the age group and is written with a degree of humor. The information is presented in a format that is easy to follow and it is simple to find answers to specific questions.
Reader's Annotation: Curious about body hair, voice changes, sex or what is going on in your body? This book will answer all your questions and then some.
About the Author: Kelli Dunham is the author of a variety of information books for tweens, young adults, as well as families and parents. Her home page describes her as "everyone's favorite ex-nun, nerdalicious author and comic." She is registered nurse and a stand up comic.
Genre: Nonfiction, Self Help
Curriculum Ties: Sexual Health
Booktalking Ideas: Do you have questions about your body? Are you wondering about puberty? Then this is the book for you!
Interest Level: 8-14
Challenge Issues: Some parents may not want their children reading about sexual health and their bodies. I would recommend to them that they research their school districts policies about sexual education and research how to best talk to their kids about puberty and their bodies.
Selection Process: I saw it listed on the author's website.
Tiger Beat
Summary: Tiger Beat is a celebrity gossip magazine geared for tween girls. It contains write ups on celebrities admired by tweens. There are a large number of photographs, and tear out posters. Information such as celebrity likes and dislikes, movies and music are all covered in teh magazine.
Critical Evaluation: This is the type of magazine that no one over the age of perhaps 16 can understand why a person would read. There is very little actual information and the contents of the magazine seem to be repeated from month to month. There are a great deal of glossy, heavily stylized photographs and also a great deal of "teenspeak", which makes it appealing to tweens and almost unreadable for others.
Author Info: N/A
Genre: Celebrity Magazine
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 8-12
Challenge Issues: None
If any, can be directed to research the Tigerbeat/Bop magazine or research tween hobbies and fascination with celebrities.
Selection Process: I was a huge fan of this magazine when I was young.
Critical Evaluation: This is the type of magazine that no one over the age of perhaps 16 can understand why a person would read. There is very little actual information and the contents of the magazine seem to be repeated from month to month. There are a great deal of glossy, heavily stylized photographs and also a great deal of "teenspeak", which makes it appealing to tweens and almost unreadable for others.
Author Info: N/A
Genre: Celebrity Magazine
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 8-12
Challenge Issues: None
If any, can be directed to research the Tigerbeat/Bop magazine or research tween hobbies and fascination with celebrities.
Selection Process: I was a huge fan of this magazine when I was young.
www.girlsinc.org
www.girlsinc.org "Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold."
Summary: This website is designed to assist girls of all from 8 and up develop healthy self esteem and set positive goals. The website focuses on education, current events, and physical and emotional strength. There are areas for girls to post poems and artwork. There are also ideas for activities and projects and how to get started being active in their communities.
Critical Evaluation: This is a great website for girls who want to be well informed about what is happening in the world and their communities. There are countless ideas and opportunities outlined for girls to empower themselves with knowledge and by being strong in their daily lives. The website is also well put together and easy to use.
Reader's Annotation: A website geared towards tween and teen girls that focuses on empowerment, current events, and being the best that they can be.
Author Info: girlsinc is a national non profit organization "dedicated to inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold".
Genre: Website
Curriculum Ties: Would be a useful tool in many classrooms
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 8-16
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, can be directed to research organization or look at the website.
Selection Process: Found for a client.
Summary: This website is designed to assist girls of all from 8 and up develop healthy self esteem and set positive goals. The website focuses on education, current events, and physical and emotional strength. There are areas for girls to post poems and artwork. There are also ideas for activities and projects and how to get started being active in their communities.
Critical Evaluation: This is a great website for girls who want to be well informed about what is happening in the world and their communities. There are countless ideas and opportunities outlined for girls to empower themselves with knowledge and by being strong in their daily lives. The website is also well put together and easy to use.
Reader's Annotation: A website geared towards tween and teen girls that focuses on empowerment, current events, and being the best that they can be.
Author Info: girlsinc is a national non profit organization "dedicated to inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold".
Genre: Website
Curriculum Ties: Would be a useful tool in many classrooms
Booktalking Ideas: N/A
Interest Level: 8-16
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, can be directed to research organization or look at the website.
Selection Process: Found for a client.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Freddy and the French Fries#1 - Fries Alive
David Baldacci. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006. ISBN: 978-0316059015
Plot Summary: Freddy has an unusual family that run an unusual restaurant. His sister thinks she was meant for the stage and his father is convinced that healthy eating is the way of the future and serves only super healthy options in his failing restaurant. Across the street, business is booming at the local fast food super outlet. Freddy comes up with a plan to draw in diners - he constructs 5 "Super fries", each with their own big personality. Will it be enough to convince people to eat tofu dogs? When Freddy loses control of the fries as the battle with the competition is heating up, things get even more interesting.
Critical Evaluation: This book has a fairly original plot line and very vivid characters. I also like that it has a focus on healthy eating, although Freddy's family does come off as a little wacky when it comes to food. I think that tweens would enjoy this book - both boys and girls although it does seem to be more focused on the male audience.
Reader's Annotation: Freddy Funkhouser has come up with a great idea to save his families failing healthfood restaurant. He makes 5 mechanical french fries that each have their own distinct personalities.
About the Author: David Baldacci is a New York bestselling author of several novels geared for adult readers.
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Curriculum Ties: Science, Food and Nutrition
Booktalking Ideas: Focus on character of Freddy's David's sister and father, focus on science and making robots with personalities, focus on health food VS fast food
Interest Level: 9-12
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, could be recommended to research reviews of the series.
Selection Process: Saw in youth section of library.
Plot Summary: Freddy has an unusual family that run an unusual restaurant. His sister thinks she was meant for the stage and his father is convinced that healthy eating is the way of the future and serves only super healthy options in his failing restaurant. Across the street, business is booming at the local fast food super outlet. Freddy comes up with a plan to draw in diners - he constructs 5 "Super fries", each with their own big personality. Will it be enough to convince people to eat tofu dogs? When Freddy loses control of the fries as the battle with the competition is heating up, things get even more interesting.
Critical Evaluation: This book has a fairly original plot line and very vivid characters. I also like that it has a focus on healthy eating, although Freddy's family does come off as a little wacky when it comes to food. I think that tweens would enjoy this book - both boys and girls although it does seem to be more focused on the male audience.
Reader's Annotation: Freddy Funkhouser has come up with a great idea to save his families failing healthfood restaurant. He makes 5 mechanical french fries that each have their own distinct personalities.
About the Author: David Baldacci is a New York bestselling author of several novels geared for adult readers.
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Curriculum Ties: Science, Food and Nutrition
Booktalking Ideas: Focus on character of Freddy's David's sister and father, focus on science and making robots with personalities, focus on health food VS fast food
Interest Level: 9-12
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, could be recommended to research reviews of the series.
Selection Process: Saw in youth section of library.
The English Roses 3 - The New Girl
Madonna. Illustrated by Jefferey Fulvimari. Puffin Books, 2007. ISBN: 978-0412408841.
Plot Summary: The English Roses are five best friends who do everything together. They are in the midst of preparing for the annual school talent show when one of the girls has a friend that she has met on holidays come for a visit. The whole group dynamic is thrown off when jealousy become an issue between the girls. Eventually, the girls learn to appreciate each other and their differences.
Critical Evaluation: This book is fairly formulaic and predictable. There are no surprises in the plot and the characters are one dimensional. Some readers may enjoy reading about the affluent lifestyle of the main characters but it is unlikely that many tweens will be able to identify with the characters who are all wealthy, pretty, talented and popular.
Reader's Annotation: Nicole, one of a group of 5 best friends, is excited when her friend from the US comes to visit. Unfortunately, the addition of a new girl to the group threatens to wreck their performance in the school talent show. Will the girls be able to stay best friends?
Author Info: Madonna is a popular singer, song writer and performer. She has published several books in the "English Rose" series.
Genre: Fiction
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking Ideas: Focus on relationship of the 5 best friends, Have you ever felt like you didn't belong?
Interest Level: 8-12
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, could be directed to research reviews of the series.
Selection Process: I was curious to read something written by Madonna.
Plot Summary: The English Roses are five best friends who do everything together. They are in the midst of preparing for the annual school talent show when one of the girls has a friend that she has met on holidays come for a visit. The whole group dynamic is thrown off when jealousy become an issue between the girls. Eventually, the girls learn to appreciate each other and their differences.
Critical Evaluation: This book is fairly formulaic and predictable. There are no surprises in the plot and the characters are one dimensional. Some readers may enjoy reading about the affluent lifestyle of the main characters but it is unlikely that many tweens will be able to identify with the characters who are all wealthy, pretty, talented and popular.
Reader's Annotation: Nicole, one of a group of 5 best friends, is excited when her friend from the US comes to visit. Unfortunately, the addition of a new girl to the group threatens to wreck their performance in the school talent show. Will the girls be able to stay best friends?
Author Info: Madonna is a popular singer, song writer and performer. She has published several books in the "English Rose" series.
Genre: Fiction
Curriculum Ties: None
Booktalking Ideas: Focus on relationship of the 5 best friends, Have you ever felt like you didn't belong?
Interest Level: 8-12
Challenge Issues: None.
If any, could be directed to research reviews of the series.
Selection Process: I was curious to read something written by Madonna.
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