Module 10: The Hallelujah Flight

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Book Summary:  Phil Bildner’s true story covers the flight across the country by African-American pilot, James Banning and his co-pilot Thomas Allen.  They had the desire to bring hope to people during the Great Depression.  Even though people thought they were crazy and they were presented with many obstacles, these pilots made the trek and rewrote history.

APA Reference: 

Bildner, P. (2010).  The hallelujah flight.  New York, NY:  The Peguin Group.

Impressions:  I love that the story not only tells the impressive flight the African American pilots completed but also gives the reader a chance to see the journey through their eyes.  They had to overcome a huge feat, the flight, and also had to overcome racial prejudice at the time.  The illustrations are beautifully painted, each very descriptively.  The “Flying Hoboes” as they were called made history with their courage.

Professional Review:

Hazel Rochman comments, “In 1932, James Banning was the first African American to complete a transcontinental flight. Told from the viewpoint of his young copilot and mechanic, Thomas Allen, this dramatic picture book relates of their historic journey, in which they flew in a small plane from Los Angeles to New York in 21 days. Unframed, double-page paintings show the pair close-up in the cramped cockpit as they fly over the Grand Canyon and head into storms, the propeller whirring, while the ground passes not too far below. Some locals help, showing “the kindness of family and friends,” but the dramatic pictures also reveal the prejudice the pilots encountered when they are refused use of washrooms and restaurants. Finally, they reach New York and receive a hero’s welcome in Harlem. Along with the drama of the pioneer flight, kids will also enjoy the irreverent fun of the Flying Hoboes in their “flying jalopy.” The story of the pilots’ bonding is as memorable as the breakthrough flight. An introductory author’s note offers cultural and historical context.”

Rochman, H. (2010, February 01). The hallelujah flight by Phil Bildner. Retrieved from                     http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Hallelujah-Flight-Phil-Bildner/pid=3760855

Library Use:  This true story could be featured for Black History Month giving a great example for children and adults alike to see two men who overcame much to make history.  At the library, there could be a courage wall where people could post short descriptions of courage they (or others) have displayed on a star cutout.  

Module 9: The Trouble With Chickens

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Book Summary:  J.J. Tully is enjoying a lazy day when some chickens run into some trouble.  A mother chicken can’t find a couple of her baby chicks who’ve been kidnapped it seems.  Tully who at one point was an impressive rescue dog with great stories from his past seems over qualified for this task and has a bit of an attitude about helping the family of chickens.  He quickly finds clues including a note that lead him to the indoor dog, Vince the Funnel.  The plot gets thicker as the remaining baby chicks disappear and the true reasons for their disappearance is revealed.  Tully is the true target of the antagonist, Vince, and it appears the chicks were helping Vince all along.  Tully relies on his rescue dog days and the help of the chickens to narrowly escape his entrapment by Vince.  New and unexpected friendships are formed in the end.

APA Reference: 

Cronin, D. (2011). The trouble with chickens.  New York, NY:  Balzer + Bray.

Impressions:

The story was told in the clever voice that is reminiscent of old detective movies.  The animal characters definitely will appeal to the intended upper-elementary school readers.  The growing conflicts as the plot thickens keep the reader turning the pages and Kevin Cornell’s cartoon illustrations of the characters are hilarious.  I enjoyed the story but did get a bit confused when Cronin switched the narration from Tully to Vince and back.  After the first couple of times, it was easy to identify who was speaking but I think it might be even more difficult for younger readers to avoid the confusion.  I wished to know even more about Tully’s days as a search and rescue dog and hope there is a story written (or will be) to tell more of his tale.

Professional Review:

Ilene Cooper comments, “J. J. Tully, a former search-and-rescue dog, is supposed to be resting and relaxing after a noble career. But he is hardly settled into his new home before a mama chick named Mildred wants him to find two of her brood that have gone missing. Tully’s willing to take on the case for a hamburger, but a ransom note soon complicates things, and a house dog, Vince the Funnel (for the contraption wrapped around his head), is out to make sure that he is not the canine going to the vet to get tubes in his ears. The plot is a bit convoluted, and when the narrator changes in the middle of the book, even experienced readers might be confused. But the noirlike detective Tully and the funny chickens running around, well, like chickens make appealing characters, especially as drawn by Cornell, who knows how to get TV cartoon–style humor out of the action. Readers can expect to see more of Tully at work in future installments of this new series.”

Cooper, I. (2011, February 1). The trouble with chickens by Doreen Cronin. Retrieved                     from http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Trouble-with-Chickens-Doreen-                            Cronin/pid=4307323?pid=4307323

Library Use:

I can see this book being featured in a quick book talk at a library that could inspire readers to look for other J.J. Tully adventures and explore the mystery genre.  The librarian could have a magnifying glass to get the story started and let the audience help guess how the conflict will be resolved. The librarian could use this experience to help readers learn to find books in the library.  The readers could then pretend to be detectives on their own and search for specific mystery books using the Dewey decimal system.  

Module 8: Divergent

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Book Summary: Veronica Roth tells the story of Beatrice Prior a girl who is approaching her sixteenth birthday. She lives in post-apocalyptic Chicago, which is made up of a society separated into different factions.  Each faction blames a specific characteristic for nearly ending the world and therefore lives with the goal of a particular virtue.  She lives a simple, selfless life as a part of the Abnegation.  Her faction blames selfishness for destroying the world.  The Dauntless blame cowardice so they uphold bravery as their virtue.  Erudites work towards intelligence, Candor is known for honesty, and Amity are known as the peaceful.  All sixteen-year-olds take a test, which helps them choose which faction they will remain a part of for the rest of their lives.  Sadly, this means they may leave their family and the life they’ve always known.  Beatrice’s test results show her strengths lie not in just one faction but in three!  She is one of a very few that are called Divergent since she doesn’t seem to lean towards just one faction.  She quickly finds that being Divergent must stay a secret, as it’s considered dangerous to the current society.  She chooses to become Dauntless and like all the other sixteen-year-olds must complete initiation to truly become apart of the faction.  She shortens her name to Tris and surprises herself with her bravery and strength during the ruthless initiation.  Initiates must compete for a few coveted spots in the Dauntless faction or find themselves factionless.  Throughout initiation, each person must prove themselves through brutal trials forcing them to find their courage and loyalty.  Tris discovers imperfections with the faction system and struggles to keep her secret from anyone including the Dauntless.  Through friendships and romance during initiation she discovers herself but must figure out where she belongs.

APA Reference:

Roth, V. (2011). Divergent. New York, NY: Katherine Tegen Books.

Impressions: I didn’t expect to get drawn in so quickly to Divergent.  It was an exciting dystopian story with a likeable heroine.  The idea of a people choosing to group themselves into factions based off of their similar views and virtues is not that foreign but I think it is important for readers to see how that this type of organization of societies is flawed.  It is an interesting alternative future, though.  The relationships Tris makes in the story are appealing to readers as well and you find yourself rooting for her success with her initiation.  I ended up reading Insurgent as well since I enjoyed Roth’s first book of what will be a trilogy.  I hope to read the third when it comes out next year (I believe). 

Professional Review: "In the future, you are born into one of five factions, each of which has its strength and focus: Abnegation (service), Candor (truth), Erudite (intellect), Amity (friendship), or Dauntless (fearlessness). But on your sixteenth birthday, you can choose a new faction if you are so compelled, and that’s what happens to Tris, who shocks everyone by exchanging the drab gray robes of Abnegation for the piercing and tattoo stylings of Dauntless. What follows is a contest, where only the top 10 initiates are accepted into the final group. This framework of elimination provides the book with a built-in tension, as Tris and her new friends—and new enemies—go through a series of emotional and physical challenges akin to joining the marines. Roth is wisely merciless with her characters, though her larger world building is left fuzzy. (Is there a world beyond this dystopian version of Chicago?) The simplistic, color-coded world stretches credibility on occasion, but there is no doubt readers will respond to the gutsy action and romance of this umpteenth spin on Brave New World."

Kraus, D. (2011, March 01). Divergent, by Veronica Roth. Retrieved from                                             http://booklistonline.com/Divergent-Veronica-Roth/pid=4560042

Library Use:  I think this book could be featured in a dystopian future week along with Insurgent and The Hunger Games books.  If these books were highlighted, I think the media around The Hunger Games could bring in some excitement and spark curiosity towards lesser-known authors writing about the same topic. 

Module 7: There's A Boy In The Girl's Bathroom

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Book Summary: Bradley Chalkers is the bully everyone hates.  He already repeated 4th grade and is on track to repeat 5th.  He doesn't care about what others think, and can't stand to apply himself in school.  That is until Jeff Fishkin, the new kid in Bradley's class, and the new school counselor, Carla, come into Bradley's life.  The respect Carla shows Bradley eventually transforms his attitude and self image.  Jeff's friendship and Carla's motivation help Bradley on his road to help himself.

APA Reference:

Sacher, L. (1987). There's a boy in the girls bathroom. New York, NY: Random House                  Children's Books.

Impressions: This story seemed like the quintessential teenage angst novel.  That is not to say it wasn't well written or unoriginal.  The character of Bradley Chalkers is a classic lost young man who has potential that simply must be unlocked by the right key.  The key being people who talk with him, treat him with respect, and help him improve his self image.  My impression is that this book is a very approachable to young readers.  It can make a real connection with kids who are going through a very awkward and hormonal phase.  This story is so relatable not only to children who connect with Bradley, but also kids who relate to Bradley's victims.  The story can help any adolescent understand the complex social construct that rules the pre-teen years.  Appropriately, the story starts during Bradley's decline, but then he receives help from his counselor to eventually function properly without his counselor.  Sacher's language and mood really seem capture the emotion of a fifth grade boy.

Professional Review: "This book was humorous and was really interesing.  My partner and I thought that this book would be boring but the first page was very weird.  Some charaters that are in the obok are Bradley, Jeff, Carla, and Colleen and back up girls Lori and Melinda.  Bradley is the oldest kid in the fifth grade and tells enormous lies.  No one likes Bradley except the new school counselor Carla.  she thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and even enjoys his out of the world stories.  She’s the only one who thinks Bradley can change if he wasn’t so scared to.  In the end Bradley gets invited to a irthday party and starts to be nice and do his homework.  He was the new Bradley and now no one could change him."

Anthony-Bey, J. (n.d.). Lion's lair - there’s a boy in the girls’ bathroom by Louis Sachar.                      Retrieved from http://mathnut.edublogs.org/student-book-reviews/theres-a-                        boy-in-the-girls-bathroom-by-louis-sachar/

Library Use:  Take the theme of bullying and approach this topic with students giving them tools on dealing with bullies.  Give the children all available options regarding not only bullies, but generally strained interpersonal relationships.