Module 15: Hunger Games

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Book Summary: The first book of the Hunger tells the story of a dystopian future where children are forced to play a terrible and fatal game put on by The Capital for entertainment as well as to reinforce the memory of how the districts came to be.  Each year the games are played and children are forced to fight for their survival until there is only one left alive.  Katniss volunteers to take the place of her sister representing her district in the games.  Her former classmate Peeta is also chosen and she finds she remembers his kindness from the past.  Their relationship builds as they prepare for the games and it turns out Peeta has been in love with Katniss from afar.  This affection becomes the strength and story they need to find success in the horrific hunger games.  They excel in different survival and defense traits and in the arena combine their efforts to try and win the games.

APA Reference: 

Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. (Vol. 1). New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Impressions: This is an incredible story, which caught me completely off guard.  I had no idea I would enjoy reading about a dystopian future with a sixteen-year-old heroine.  The style of writing made for a quick read and the action as well as the love story kept me turning the pages.  The character development was well done and even though I am an adult reader I felt a connection to the protagonist.  I enjoyed the unexpected surprises in the plot and was thrilled this was only the first book in the trilogy.  

Professional Review:

 “This is a grand-opening salvo in a new series by the author of the Underland Chronicles. Sixteen-year-old Katniss poaches food for her widowed mother and little sister from the forest outside the legal perimeter of District 12, the poorest of the dozen districts constituting Panem, the North American dystopic state that has replaced the U.S. in the not-too-distant future. Her hunting and tracking skills serve her well when she is then cast into the nation’s annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death where contestants must battle harsh terrain, artificially concocted weather conditions, and two teenaged contestants from each of Panem’s districts. District 12’s second “tribute” is Peeta, the baker’s son, who has been in love with Katniss since he was five. Each new plot twist ratchets up the tension, moving the story forward and keeping the reader on edge. Although Katniss may be skilled with a bow and arrow and adept at analyzing her opponents’ next moves, she has much to learn about personal sentiments, especially her own. Populated by three-dimensional characters, this is a superb tale of physical adventure, political suspense, and romance.”

Goldsmith, F. (2008, September 01). The hunger games by Suzanne Collins. Retrieved                  from http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Hunger-Games-Suzanne-                                      Collins/pid=2739783

Library Use:  I think fantasy books are quite popular with middle and high school readers especially as movies and media are covering the Hunger Games and Twilight books.  Many know this story but this book could be used for a book talk with young adult readers to bring them not only into the library but into reading more fantasy books.  Using this book the librarian could draw in readers to explore other dystopian stories by various authors.  

Module 14: Comets, Stars, The Moon, and Mars

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Book Summary:  Douglas Florian’s book of poems discusses facts about each of the planets and many other objects in space through clever rhyme.  Each page has a new poem and painted illustration to complement the lighthearted text.  Young readers will have the chance to learn more about space through both the illustrations and short poems.  His poems are simple but full of good information so the book can appeal to many age groups.

APA Reference:
Florian, D. (2008). Comets, stars, the moon, and mars, space poems and                                      paintings. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Children's Books.

Impressions:  This book of simple poems was fun to read, but more than that I loved Florian’s illustrations.  Both his poetry and illustrations were easy to understand and kept me turning the pages.  He added a bit of humor to a many of the poems, which still gets the facts across about planets and space but in a very entertaining way.  One of my favorites discusses the fact that “Pluto was a planet.  Till one day it got fired” (Florian, 2008, p. 37).  His mixed media paintings on each page feature the subject of the poem including letters, words, and some names of planets.  Overall, Florian’s book of space poems was very enjoyable.

Professional Review: “With interesting die cuts and richly textured multimedia illustrations done on brown bags, each of the twenty poems will captivate young readers and listeners. This title is sure to get prospective astrophysicists asking questions about our universe and its planetary inhabitants.”

Celestial poetry. (2010, March 31). Retrieved from                                                                           http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6724808.html

Library Use:  This book would coincide wonderfully with a field trip to a planetarium, or with special space units at each grade level.  If the school has access to a star lab (inflatable and portable mini planetarium) this book would be a wonderful introduction and a great way to help the library time incorporate enjoyable literature into the curriculum.  I can see students displaying a report on a planet or constellation in the library along with a feature on this book.  

Module 13: Nancy Drew: The Demon of River Heights

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Book Summary:  The book begins with Nancy Drew and her friends starring in an amature movie about The Demon of River Heights filmed by some college friends.  Later, when the guys don’t show up Nancy gets suspicious of a real monster.  They girls go searching and come across multiple obstacles along the way including a grizzly bear, a grumpy police chief, and no gas in the car when trying to get out of the woods fast.  They split up to follow some leads and find the monster is not real but the real crime is monstrous.

APA Reference:

Petrucha, S. (2005). Nancy Drew: The demon of river heights. (Vol. 1). New York, NY:                 Aladdin Paperpacks.

Impressions: I’ve never read a graphic novel before but was curious about this one as I loved Nancy Drew books as a child.  I actually had a difficult time following the text bubbles throughout the first chapter.  It did get easier but I would much rather read a traditional book for this kind of entertainment.  The story was creative and the illustrations were what I expected from a graphic novel.  I think graphic novels are just not my genre but it was fun to read a light mystery…even through pictures and text bubbles.  I don’t see myself reading anymore of the series.

Professional Review: "In The Demon, Nancy, the classic American teenage heroine, manages to solve cases that baffle local police. This time she becomes involved in a student film about a local monster legend, which may turn out to be real, and a suspicious stranger arrives in town. For the most part, the artwork is crisp enough, but several pages appear to be substandard reproductions of original art."

Orellana , C. (2005, May 15). Demon of river heights, by Stefan Petrucha. Retrieved from                http://booklistonline.com/The-Demon-of-River-Heights-Stefan-                                            Petrucha/pid=239753?pid=239753

Library Use: I think it would be interesting to have readers or students in the library to have the chance to compare and contrast traditional Nancy Drew books versus Petrucha’s graphic novel versions.  The students could note if the stories are similar and the main character Nancy Drew is consistent in the two types of books.  The differences will be easier to see but maybe some guidelines could help in noting other major differences between the classics and the newer graphic versions.

Module 12: Odd Boy Out

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Book Summary: A biographical narrative of the childhood and early adulthood of one of the modern era's most advanced thinker.  This story sheds light on the early days of Albert Einstein in a way that allows young children to relate and learn.  From his rambunctious early years to his calm and pensive fatherhood Albert Einstein pursued a life of problem solving.

APA Reference:

Brown, D. (2004). Odd boy out: Young Albert Einstein. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin                           Company.

Impressions: My impression is Don Brown attempts to write in such a way as to let young readers try to identify with Albert Einstein.  Einstein's childhood into adulthood is perceived as a journey of self discovery and expression.  As a boy he was angry, but through observation and travel he found his passion of problem solving.  I envision children reading this book and obtaining inspiration to know even the most intelligent adults can start off as a frustrated child whose school performance was questionable at times. It also teaches a lesson of making the best of situations.  Einstein did not immediately find a job in academia, but gained access to new thoughts by working in the patent department.  

The language of the book allows for a young reader to manage most of the subject matter, but it will also prompt questions regarding scientific terms.  The full page illustrations should not be overlooked in this book as they are rich with details and they portray Einstein with vacant thought and lost in a busy world.  However, the narrative brings the reader back to reiterate the vacant appearance was caused by extensive pondering about topics many people cannot understand.

Professional Review: Jennifer Mattson's review on Booklist stated "Young readers won’t come away from Brown’s newest picture-book biography understanding the theory of relativity, but they will be heartened by the parallels between their own experiences and those of an iconic science guy. The author-illustrator of Mack Made Movies(2003) and other books presents the future Nobel Prize winner as a sallow, sunken-eyed little boy who lingers on the sidelines as other boys roughhouse, spends hours building a house of cards “fourteen stories high,” and vexes his teachers (one tells him that “he would never get anywhere in life”). Brown’s language dips into vagueness when it’s time to describe the mature scientist’s contributions, and the accompanying artwork is often disappointingly generic, awkwardly incorporating computer-generated elements that overwhelm the delicate ink-and-watercolor style used elsewhere. Still, this joins Frida Wishinsky’s What’s the Matter with Albert? (2002) as one of the very few picture-book biographies of Einstein available. Try giving it to older elementary students, who will get the most out of the detailed author’s note and bibliography featuring many books for adults." 

Mattson, J. (2004, September 1). Odd boy out: The story of the young albert einstein.                      Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/Odd-Boy-Out-The-Story-of-the-                  Young-Albert-Einstein-Don-Brown/pid=256549

Library Use: Collaborate with teachers to have students research different major scientific accomplishments or Nobel Prize Winners and present on not only their accomplishments, but also any personal details.

Module 11: Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin'

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Book Summary: A revealing series of succinct narratives about some of the most visionary musical instrument makers in United States history.  This informative resource describes eight different stories of musical innovation in America from electric guitars and drums to pianos and electronic organs.  

APA Reference:

VanHecke, S. (2011). Raggin' jazzin' rockin'. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press.

Impressions: Susan VanHecke thoroughly describes eight selected musical instrument manufacturers from their youth through their success.  As a series of informative narratives, this book is designed to take someone who may already have some knowledge of musical instruments to the next level to understand the commitment, innovation, and business savvy qualities of American instrument builders.  I found the selection of individuals used as the focus of the book to be quite insightful.  VanHecke makes a statement simply in who she picked to write the stories about.  The instruments represented are cymbals, pianos, brass, guitars, drums, and keyboards.  By selecting these instruments she makes the statement that these instruments would be the most appealing to young readers.  She covers the essential makeup of modern music in America.

VanHecke takes the reader through a deep dive of information in the series of narratives.  However, what the book measures in depth it lacks in breadth.  This is not to say it doesn't accomplish its goal.  The author clearly meant for the chapters to focus on one story at a time.  However, this book should not be mistaken for a broad and shallow study of the musical instrument manufacturing industry as a whole.  It is a deep and narrow study of individual people and companies in a biographical tone.  

Professional Review: Carolyn Phelan's review on Booklist stated "VanHecke traces the history of these individuals and companies, telling how they succeeded through innovation and business acumen as well as linking themselves to tradition. Although a final spread introduces Ben Franklin’s glass armonica, the main discussion focuses on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. With good use of color and many well-chosen illustrations, the broad, glossy pages are inviting. Readers drawn to chapters on specific instruments may soon find themselves exploring others as well. Sidebars introduce related information, historical sidelights, and significant musicians. Back matter includes a brief section of notes as well as a source list of books and websites. A handsome, clearly written book on a topic seldom presented to young people." 

Phelan, C. (n.d.). Raggin', jazzin', rockin': A history of american musical instrument                       makers, by susan vanhecke|booklist online. Retrieved from                                                   http://www.booklistonline.com/Raggin-Jazzin-Rockin-A-History-of-American-                   Musical-Instrument-Makers-Susan-VanHecke/pid=4653788

Library Use: In a library environment students can work to identify additional instruments not included in this book.  Instruments from around the world can be appreciated as well as their construction and role in modern or historical music.