Laurence Yep

Laurence Yep, a Chinese-American, is the author of several fictional series for children including the Golden Mountain Chronicles, the Dragon of the Lost Sea Fantasies, the Chinatown Mysteries, and The Tiger’s Apprentice Trilogy. When I spoke with Derrick, a student at my school, he recommended that I read The Tiger’s Apprentice: Book One. Derrick mentioned that I should read the book before the movie version airs on Cartoon Network in 2010. He sent me the following link to a news article about the movie: http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/9039.

The Tiger’s Apprentice is the story of a boy named Tom Lee and his search for identity after the death of his grandmother. Tom’s grandmother is the guardian of an ancient phoenix egg. The guardian protects the egg from the Vatten, a monster who wants to use the phoenix to bring chaos to the world. Tom’ grandmother dies defending the egg but now her old apprentice, Tiger (yes, an actual, talking tiger!) has become the new guardian and has taken Tom on as his apprentice. When the egg is stolen under Tom’s watch, the Tiger calls friends to help him find the egg. With the help of Mistral, a dragon banished from her homeland, and Monkey, a powerful ally, Tiger and Tom find the egg after a several battles. Tom would have died if not for the Tiger’s sacrifice. The foursome decides to take the egg to the dragon’s lands in order to protect it.

The plot incorporates many Chinese mystical and mythical elements. At the beginning of chapters in which a mythical Chinese creature is introduced, Yep incorporates their description from the Shan Hai Ching (an ancient book of myths). My favorite creature is the Po, who has “ ‘…the body of a white horse and a black tail. From its forehead springs a horn, from its mouth a tiger’s fang, from its feet a tiger’s claw’ ” (Yep, 2003, 139). Reading the description before the chapter not only helped me picture the creature within my mind’s eye but it also kept me interested in the story.

Yep’s writing mixes Chinese and American culture as easily as Rick Riordan mixes Ancient Greek and American culture. Many boys at my school are obsessed with The Lightning Thief series by Riordan and this series is the perfect companion. Yep gives Chinese American children a strong protagonist who is torn between ancient traditions and modern culture but who manages to live in both worlds. A great role model! I liked this book enough that I plan to conduct a book talk on The Tiger’s Apprentice in August and read the two sequels.

Yep, L. (2003). The tiger’s apprentice. New York: HarperCollins.

Jerry Pinkney

Jerry Pinkney, recipient of five Caldecott Honors and five Coretta Scott King awards, is truly a masterful children’s book illustrator. He has illustrated at least six of Julius Lester’s books, another author mentioned in this blog. He has also illustrated several fairy tales and more recently, bible stories. I read his version of Noah’s Ark, a book written and illustrated by Pinkney.

The biblical story of Noah’s Ark is reproduced in Pinkney’s picture book and while the words are well-written, graceful in their flow, the pictures outshine anything else on the page. The animals and characters are not cartoon-ish, a style very popular in children’s books, but are instead realistic. The realism, however, does nothing to diminish their magic. The watercolors are extremely detailed and this detail keeps the reader from simply flipping the page once the prose is read.

In one scene, the viewer is able to see underneath the ark and into the ever-rising ocean. Whales and other sea creatures are swimming through sunken cities. The double page layout of this scene is enchanting. As a child, I was always captivated by Noah’s story and the story of Atlantis. I was drawn to the idea of cities beneath the ocean, buried treasures, and I know I would have wanted to display this picture in my room! I showed this book to my mom and when she reached the image, she smiled and said I would have loved the picture.

Most of Pinkney’s works contain African-American protagonists and he works in conjunction with many famous African-American authors such as Mildred D. Taylor and Julius Lester. His has illustrated the following books:

-The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South
-Mirandy and Brother Wind
-Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry
-Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales
-John Henry
-Sam and the Tiger

Pinkney, J. (2002). Noah’s ark. San Francisco, CA: SeaStar Books.

Yoshiko Uchida

Yoshiko Uchida, a Japanese-American author, wrote for both adults and children. Much of her writing was centered on her cultural identity. As a young woman, Uchida lived in an American internment camp during WWII and this event seems to have greatly influenced her writing. I read Uchida’s version of a Japanese folktale, The Wise Old Woman, a book published posthumously.

The Wise Old Woman is the story of a farmer and his mother. It has been made law by the cruel lord that all people seventy and over are to be sent to the mountains to die. The cruel lord considers the elderly useless. The farmer, though, cannot bear to leave his mother in the mountains. He chooses to hide her in his home instead. One day, a stronger lord threatens to take over the village unless someone can solve his three impossible tasks. No one, not even the clever badger, can solve the tasks except for the old woman. When the cruel lord learns who saved his village he sees the wisdom in old age and changes his law. This story, of course, teaches readers to honor their elders’ wisdom and experience not only because it is right to do so but because it is the intelligent path.

The novel is accompanied by beautiful pictures, crafted after Asian ink and watercolor paintings. The paintings compliment the simple, straightforward language of the story, and I enjoyed them. The moral seemed very familiar to me and while I can’t place where I originally read this story, I’m sure it was through a folktale from a different culture. I think this book would be interesting addition to a unit studying folk tales of different cultures. After hearing the story and discussing the moral, students could be asked to write about a time they learned something from their grandparents or an elderly person. I know I would have written about my grandfather teaching me to tie my shoes. My parents couldn’t teach me, they were both left-handed, but my grandfather was right-handed like me.

Uchida, who died in 1992, provided some of the first books for and about Japanese-American children including the following:

-Journey to Topaz
-A Jar of Dreams
-The Bracelet
- Journey Home
-The Best Bad Thing
-Samurai of Gold Hill
-The Promised Year
-The Magical Listening Cap: More Folk Tale from Japan
-The Dancing Kettle and other Japanese Folktales

Uchida, Y. (1994). The wise old woman. Hong Kong: South China Publishing.

Seuss-ical II

The Lorax is my favorite picture book. Hands down. No contest. Numbero uno. I like Dr. Seuss but I can only name a few of his other books. Name some now? How Now Brown Cow. The Grinch (never should have been a live-action movie). Green Eggs and Ham. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. And that one everyone buys for high school graduates. There, I named a handful but The Lorax is my all-time favorite. I was surprised to learn that it was not lauded after its release in 1971. The message is so appealing to me.

The Lorax is the story of the Once-ler, a man who knew opportunity when he saw it, Truffula trees. He transformed every Truffula tree he could find into a thneed, something everyone needs. The Lorax warns him that he is destroying the home of many creatures, not to mention the trees by depleting the forest and polluting the air and water. The Once-ler doesn’t listen but later regrets his decision. He gives the last Truffula seed to a young boy and tells him, “UNLESS…someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, its not” (Seuss). The story is a metaphoric moral. The Once-er represents industry and the Lorax represent all of nature, the planet. Unless the reader cares for the planet, nothing will improve.

The Lorax shows how people alter their environment and what will happen to our home if we don’t start taking better care of it. Apparently, this message hit home with many people in the 70s because it was controversial. I think it probably sparked guilt in many readers. This book is not only a good story with colorful pictures and funny words, it is a fable. It teaches the readers a moral. So, what modern books teach a moral as well as The Lorax?

That is a tough one. Blabbermouse by True Kelley teaches students to help a friend who can’t keep secrets. Odd Velvet by Mary Whitcomb teaches children that everyone is unique and it is okay to be different. A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue written by Julia Cook teaches students about what it tattling and what is not. While all of these books teach a lesson, I don’t think they equal the power of The Lorax and its message. The Lorax was intended for a young audience but it could be read to high school or college age students and the moral would remain as strong. I’m not sure I can name a contemporary book as didactic as The Lorax. Any suggestions? Does this mean that children’s literature has been dumb-ed down or that it is too much about entertainment?

Seuss, D. (1971). The Lorax. New York: Random House.

Suess-ical I

When I first read about the supposed “tension” in The Cat in the Hat, I laughed aloud. It’s just a silly children’s book, right? To give the argument a chance, I reread the text for maybe the thousandth time in my life and realized that, yes, there is a battle between good sense and nonsense within its pages. The cat’s suggestions of what constitutes good fun challenges the children to make a decision: abandon all reason and join the cat or remember lessons learned from their absent mother. The kids align with the voice of reason, their fish, and capture Thing 1 and Thing 2 to end their chaotic reign. Is there a modern text that presents this type of tension?

I’ve pondered this question for days and took a trip to Barnes and Noble to read through children’s books looking for a similar tension. It isn’t easy to identify. I appreciated the quandary in Mo Willem’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The book begins with a bus driver who leaves his vehicle for a moment. Immediately, a very cute pigeon hops onto the page and starts begging the reader to let him drive the bus! The pigeon tries every trick he knows to get permission to drive the bus. The reader, though, knows it is good sense to not let the pigeon drive the bus but it seems so nonsensical the reader wants to say, “Sure Pigeon, go ahead and try!” Unlike The Cat in the Hat, the reader must choose between anarchy (birds driving buses!) or the delightful picture of the very likeable pigeon driving the bus. The reader is forced to choose good sense when the bus driver returns and the pigeon hightails it out of there.

The pigeon doesn’t create as high a degree of tension as the cat does but one has the idea that letting the pigeon or cat get what they want may be somewhat dangerous. The Cat in the Hat still appeals to children today because children still experience the boredom of a rainy day. The books still contains relevant vocabulary presented in an entertaining, endearing way. What child wouldn’t want to have someone come and entertain them all day? This particular cat pushed the fun a little too far but it’s hard not to like him. After all, it’s hard to be angry with the cat when he returns to clean up his mess before the children get into trouble.

Be like me and follow the Pigeon on Twitter! http://twitter.com/The_Pigeon

Seuss, D. (1957). The cat in the hat. New York: Random House.

Willems, M. (2003). Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus! New York: Hyperion.

Movie v. Book: Inkheart

Inkheart is the story of a Meggie and her father Mo. Mo is a slivertongue, a person who can read items and characters out of books and into our world. Mo has been on the hunt for a special book called, Inkheart, and in the beginning of the movie, he finds it. Meggie’s mom disappeared suddenly when Meggie was a baby and after finding Inkheart, Mo is on the run from a man named Capricorn. Meggie knows there is a connection between her mother, this book, and a man named Dustfinger. With the help of her eccentric aunt, Meggie decides to solve the mystery to save her father and her mother.

Inkheart is a large book, over five hundred pages, and the story unfolds rather slowly. The plot is interesting but I found myself wanting to skim pages and chapters to discover what would happen without having to read the extensive descriptions. Family is emphasized as extremely important in the novel, especially Meggie’s relationship with her father. I like the values the book promotes. The adults in this novel are not stereotypes as mean or stupid or un-cool. The adults are important in Meggie’s life and she truly loves her family. I like the example it provides readers. And, of course, what librarian couldn’t like a book that promotes a love of reading?

Overall, I am not a fan of this book. I love the idea and I love the plot but I was bored throughout the majority of it. In the book’s defense, my best friend loves it and swears I am crazy. Children who enjoy fantasy novels will enjoy this book. It adds some much needed action to the children’s market but this is not a novel for reluctant readers by any means.
Inkheart, the movie, was released in January 2009. The movie stays very true to the novel’s plot until the very end of the story. The movie’s ending ties up all lose ends whereas the novel is the first book in a trilogy and leaves events unfinished. For example, in the movie all of the characters return to their perspective books except for Farid who was in love with Meggie. In the book, Dustfinger and a few of Capricorn’s men stay in our world. In the movie, the author of Inkheart is sent into the book at his request but in the novel he is accidently sent there. These subtle differences will make creating a sequel difficult. Funke’s website, though, hints at the possibility of an Inkspell movie.

Inkheart the movie was fast-paced and the characters transferred well to film. Fans of adventure movies will appreciate the action and the villains. In fact, I liked the movie better than the book! Can you believe that? I felt like the book was a slow read even though I wanted to know the ending. I hope Inkspell is made into a movie because I would love to know more of the story but I just don’t think I can read it…

Funke, C. (2005). Inkheart. New York: Scholastic.

Softley, I. (Producer & Director). (2008). Inkheart. [Movie Picture]. Germany: Internationale Filmproduktion Blackbird Dritte.

Movie v. Book: Prince Caspian

Prince Caspian is the fourth book, chronologically but second in publication date, in C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. This book continues the story of the four Pevensie siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. A year has passed since the children first ventured into Narnia, became Queens and Kings of that country, and return to England through the Wardrobe. The children are now on their way back to school but are drawn into Narnia while in the train station. And yet, this Narnia is very different from the land they remember.

Centuries have passed in Narnia and the Pevensie children have turned into legends and then myths as has Aslan. Few animals are able to speak and those that can hide in the forests with other magical creatures. Many new characters appear in the tale such as Trumpkin, the dwarf and Caspian, the true king of Narnia. Caspian’s throne has been stolen by his Uncle Miraz. The Pevensie children realize they have returned to Narnia to restore the country to its former glory with Caspian as king.

This book kept all of the magic from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (LWW). My new favorite character was Reepicheep, the little mouse full of chivalrous honor. His tail was cut off during battle but Aslan later restored it. I can imagine children laughing at the wonderful pictures of the tiny mouse and his minuscule sword poking the enemies on their ankles! The blurbs I’ve read promise Reepicheep’s return in The Voyager of the Dawn Treader (VDT) and I can’t wait to read more of his adventures.

I did not read these stories as a child and was only made aware of their existence when the first movie was popular. I’ve read many adult works by Lewis but I find that I enjoy his children’s series just as much. The story slows in the middle but picks up again. I found that I became angry when the Pevensie children didn’t believe Lucy when she saw Aslan. How many times will they doubt Lucy? They doubted her in the LWW as well. Overall, the story is well-written and the world Lewis created is a charming escape. The religious metaphors aren’t as apparent in this novel but the moral lessons are perfect for children.

A film version of Prince Caspian was released in 2008. The film was beautifully made and I especially appreciated the scenery. It broke my heart to see the ruined castle, Cair Paravel—this is how I knew the setting was a success. It looked like the imagines I’d created in my mind while reading the text. How can a reader ask for better?

All actors from the first film reprised their roles and they looked and sounded just as they should. Although, I’m not sure Caspian was meant to be so old. The movie contained a lengthy battle scene that was not in the novel. I don’t think the scene added anything to plot except to make Peter look foolish. However, the battle scene was suspenseful and was probably mean to satisfy modern audiences. I take issue with one other scene, the scene where the White Witch was summoned back to life. In the novel, she did not actually return. She did in the movie and the creature that summoned her was hokey, not scary. It definitely took away from the seriousness of the situation. The Witch’s presence did give Edmund a chance to truly redeem his actions from the LWW. He is the one who destroyed the White Witch utterly in the film.

Fans of Harry Potter films will enjoy this movie. It translated well from book to film and stayed true to the story. The next book, VDT, will also be turned into a movie but not by Disney. Disney passed on the film rights and Walden Media picked up the project to be released in 2010. I plan to read VDT before the movie comes out!

Lewis, C.S. (1951). Prince Caspian. New York: HarperTrophy.

Johnson, M. & Adamson, A. (Producer & Director). (2008). Prince Caspian. [Motion Picture]. United Kingdom & United States: Walt Disney Pictures.

Movie v. Book: City of Ember

The City of Ember, the popular first novel in the Ember series, is the story of Lina Mayfleet and the mysterious origins of her city. Lina’s home, Ember, is slowly darkening. Ember’s only light is supplied by an enormous amount of light bulbs but the bulbs are running out as are all of other supplies. Lina can’t figure out why Ember’s builders would leave its people in such dire need. Her friend Doon happens to be pondering the same question. Together Lina and Doon work to decipher an old document, a document that gives clues to a way out of Ember!

The novel reads as a mystery and readers must accept the fact that Ember’s citizens do not possess common knowledge of items like flashlights or of nature in general (sun, animals, etc.) In fact, the “feel” of the book reminded me of The Giver. In both books, the protagonists are given jobs at the age of 12, Messenger instead of Receiver, and then they begin to learn their home is not as it appears. In fact, the protagonists of each city wish to escape their home once they learn there is more to the world than they’ve been taught.

Both books allude to a brain-washing of the people by their government but The City of Ember takes this a step further. Ember residents have a religion based around the creators of their city plus a religious text written by the builders that children memorize. DuPrau doesn’t necessarily encourage readers to question the beliefs passed onto them by their parents but her characters would not have escaped the city if they blindly followed the words of the builders (creators). Young readers, at least the majority of them, will not make the connection between the worship of the builders and the worship of God but thinking adults certainly will. I’m not sure all parents will appreciate this subtle message.

As far as the story goes, readers can actively solve the mystery with Lina and Doon but will probably be somewhat frustrated with the slow pacing of the novel. The prologue entitled, “The Instructions” is sure to capture any reader’s attention and is a perfect set-up for the complicated history of Ember. Once Lina and Doon find the Instructions and begin working through the clues, the story’s pace quickens considerably. The book ends with the children solving the mystery completely and embarking into a new world, one they were not prepared for by the builders. This novel is a great all-around read.

The film based on this book was released in 2008 and was considered a flop by students at my school. I couldn’t comment until now but I wholeheartedly agree. The atmosphere of Ember, tatters and desperation, is dead-on. Inclusion of machines that no longer work like telephones and washing machines is a great addition to the feel of dilapidation. The special effects, especially during the river ride, were well-done as well. My problems with the movie begin with the actors.

The actors playing Lina and Doon were too old, definitely teenagers or older, not preteens. The mayor was escalated from a greedy, old-man to a super-villain. The addition of the mole monster was outrageously unnecessary and the fact that it eats the evil mayor is even worse! How can the mayor be held accountable by the citizens of Ember now?

The movie, though, isn’t too long or too violent—both pluses and the language is quite appropriate. I might have enjoyed the movie if I had not read the book first. I yelled at the television the entire time I watched it and was astounded by the ending. When Lina and Doon throw their message into Ember, Ms. Murdo (a woman who desperately needs to redeem herself) doesn’t find it but rather Doon’s father! The changes from book to movie to make it “cooler” only serve to weaken the plot. Invest your money in the book, not the movie!

DuPrau, J. (2004). The city of Ember. New York: Random House.

Kenan, G. (Producer & Director). (2008). The city of ember. [Motion Picture]. United States:
Walden Media & Playtone.

Julius Lester

Julius Lester is an author that I’d heard of but had never read. In fact, a fellow Language Arts teacher gave me one of his books to read this summer because she is interested in purchasing a class set of the title. Day of Tears, a 2006 Coretta Scott King Award Winner, is a fictitious account of a historical event called “the Weeping Time.” J. Lester (2005) describes this actual event as “the largest auction of slaves in American history” (172).

Lester’s story revolves around several people but mainly around a young slave named Emma. Emma lives with her parents on Pierce Butler’s plantation. Butler’s father was considered a good master, he treated the slaves humanely, and Pierce followed in his father’s footsteps until his wife leaves him. His wife, an English woman, does not believe in slavery and refuses to live on the plantation. When his wife leaves, Pierce gambles to deal with his emotions and apparently, his is a horrible gambler. He loses so much money he is forced to sell the majority of his slaves. Emma’s parents had been close to Pierce since childhood but he sells Emma anyway. Pierce fears his daughters rely on Emma too much and look to Emma as a mother.

This book is noteworthy not only because of the plot but also because of its structure. The story is told through the character’s thoughts (monologues), dialogue, and flashbacks. The book looks like a mixture of diary entries (thoughts and flashbacks) and a play (dialogue). In fact, this novel could easily be read aloud as a play. Due to the structure, the plot moves quickly and is straightforward. Students, though, will no doubt be shocked by the language—the N word is used casually and often.

The stories of the individual characters are powerful and many do not have happy endings. The most powerful, for me, was the minor love story of Jeffrey and Dorcas. Jeffery and Dorcas were in love before the auction but had not yet married. This meant they would not be sold as a family but separately. Jeffery, who was bought first, begged his new master to purchase Dorcas. His mater agreed but found he could not afford her. The two lovers were moved to different states but Jeffery ran away at any opportunity to find Dorcas. He was always catch and punished, severely. After the war, Jeffery is free to look for Dorcas and he finds her! She is married with children, she didn’t wait for him. He was so heartbroken he decided to drown himself to find peace.

This book is depressing but very necessary. This is the kind of book that shapes minds and lives. It will impact its readers, regardless of their knowledge of slavery, and will leave them curious about the actual events. The author’s note is a smart inclusion, I devoured the information it held, and the references page provides a starting point for further research. I highly recommend this book for 7th grade and up because of its influence on readers. I think play-reading this book will pull students into the story, especially when coupled with a unit on the Civil War. There are few books for middle schoolers, that I can name, that deal with this subject matter so powerfully and in such an attainable way.

Lester, J. (2005). Day of tears: A novel in dialogue. New York: Hyperion.

Other books by Lester:

To Be a Slave

Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit

More Tales of Uncle Remus

John Henry

Sam and the Tigers

The Knee-high Man and other Tales

Coretta Scott King I

Walter Dean Myers has been honored with the Coretta Scott King award five times and this is the reason I choose to read his book, Monster. Monster (2000 Author Honor Book) is the story of Steve Harmon, a young boy who is on trial for murder. Pretrial, Steve enjoyed his school film class, and he decides to record his trial in screenplay format. The screenplay format is intermixed with Steve’s thoughts (diary form) as well as frequent flashbacks. Readers watch Steve make the decisions that land him in trouble with the police and ultimately in prison.

I love the format of this novel! I can only compare the format with dialogue novels like Day of Tears by Lester. Monster’s screenplay includes stage directions and a class could easily act out the courtroom drama, Law and Order style. The book contains some adult language, appropriate for the characters and scenes, but mature for middle schoolers. It will need to be addressed by a teacher. Students will need to be guided through the text and a student led discussion would be engaging. The courtroom vocabulary will also prove challenging and should be addressed before reading.

The ideas tackled within the novel are what make it so great. Readers begin to question their own morals when considering the following issues:

-Do you support the death penalty?
-Is it ever okay to lie?
-Would you lie to save a friend?
-Can you tell your parents the truth about everything?
-What if an innocent person is punished?
-What is a guilty person is freed?
-Does our justice system work?
-Should you be punished forever for one bad decision?

These questions are debated by adults but they are very real for children as well. Steve, only 16, made a series of bad decisions, escalating in seriousness (petty crime to felonies), and was pulled into a murder. It’s scary to realize that your destiny is of your own choosing and that you can be liable for your mistakes even if you’re remorseful. Readers will find this message haunting especially when considering Steve’s quest to answer the question: Am I a Monster?

I recommend this book being read in ethic classes or during constitutional studies because Myer has successfully presented adult legal controversies as children’s literature. Books like The Cats in Krasinski Square bring forth moral issues (All are people equal? Do all people have the right to be free?) but I think Monster takes this concept to a new level. I dare anyone to read it and not think.

Myers, W. D. (2001). Monster. New York: HarperCollins.

Newbery II

Imagine a remote mountaintop community where villagers sleep in the same room as their goats to stay warm in the winter. Now, imagine that from this secluded community the kingdom’s prince must choose his wife! What is a prince to do? Create the Princess Academy, of course! The Princess Academy is a school to groom country girls into disciplined courtesans. Miri, one of the girls sent to this academy, isn’t sure if she can be the next princess but along the way she discovers her true loves—reading and possibly, a country boy named Peder.

Princess Academy, a 2006 Caldecott Honor Book, is a fairy tale of a the girl who doesn’t snatch the prince. The plot is woven together expertly and with complete characterization. Throughout the story, Hale stresses the value of a solid education and of kindness to others. The girls in princess training learn how to read and the reading opens the girls to a world of possibilities. In fact, Miri uses what she learns in books to better her village as well as open a school for the boys to learn.

While the book has a definite fairy tale feel, it is neither too cute nor too predictable. Miri does not ultimately become the princess but instead helps her awkward friend find love with the prince. Miri loves a young boy from her village and the books ends with a promise of their future romance. The romance of the novel is not the main event and much of the book is spent watching a mean girl, Katar, bully Miri. Miri grows through the bullying and in true fairy tale style, Miri and Katar become friendly and each has her own happy ending.

I am a Shannon Hale fan and enjoy her other books, especially her adult novel Austenland, but many young girls will find this novel boring. The book sets a steady pace and while there are exciting moments (the girls are held hostage by bandits) young girls will find the romance lackluster and the action too sparse. Hale’s writing holds true literary merit but fans of The Clique or Twilight will not relate to Miri’s world. Her novel is not for reluctant readers but rather the well-read needing something different, new, and fresh. Hale certainly provides a break from the OMG and IDK dialogue so popular nowadays.

Hale, S. (2005). Princess academy. New York: Bloomsbury.

Newbery I

Neil Gaiman’s latest novel, The Graveyard Book (2009 Newbery Winner), begins with a chilling sentence, “There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife” (N. Gaiman, 2008, 2). A toddler stumbles onto the scene and manages to evade a man named Jack who has murdered the toddler’s family. Jack pursues the toddler all the way into a graveyard but the baby is discovered by a family of ghosts and a vampire, all who hide him from Jack and call him Nobody Owens. Bod, for short.

Within the graveyard, Bod has parents in the Owens, Miss Lupescu for a teacher, and Silas as a protector. He has ghost children for friends but meets a living girl, Scarlett, who becomes a friend as well. As he grows older, Bod has many adventures such as meeting a witch and the strange, eerie Sleer. The story is about Bod’s physical growth but more so his developing ideas and attitudes about life.

Neil Gaiman is a hit or miss author. You get him or you don’t. I loved his novel, Stardust, but despised Coraline and was extremely disappointed in The Graveyard Book. Gaiman hooked me with that opening line and the brilliant illustrations by Dave McKean that appeared in each chapter. The older Bod became, the less interested I was and when the bizarre Sleer made their appearance I didn’t wish to continue reading. I trudged through to the end and found that the chapters read as individual stories connected only by the protagonist but not connected by an intricate plot.

As Bod began to long for Life (even though he was alive he lived as if he was not), he lost his ability to see the ghosts. In fact, Bod’s story seemed to be a quest for life. He toddled into the graveyard away from certain death and eventually left the graveyard to embrace Life, fully aware of his decision and the consequences. I can appreciate that this novel is Gaiman’s play on the Jungle Book but if one wants Kipling’s Jungle Book, read the original.

Watch a trailer for the book that includes the book's artwork: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1660HKJT8UK7W

Gaiman, Neil. (2008). The graveyard book. New York: HarperCollins.

Caldecott Part V

The House in the Night is one part picture and one part poetry and wholly enchanting. This picture book is the newest Caldecott winner, 2009, and the perfect bedtime book. One can easily imagine parents reading sleepy children this peaceful storybook. The illustrations are dark with touches of golden light dotting each page and the language, while sparse, is melodious.

The story, according to the jacket is “naming nighttime things [that] are both comforting and intriguing” (S. Swanson, 2008, Jacket Cover). The story does indeed identify items like a book and a bird in the book but the naming will confuse older children. I found myself confused when the young girl reading the book was pictured flying on the bird from the book. I began to understand she was imagining being a part of the story after I reread the pages several times.

I took the time to read customer reviews of this book on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com alongside editorial reviews. Readers seem to either LOVE or HATE this book, capital letters intended. I attribute the intense reactions to the poetic language used in the text. The meaning of the poem isn’t clear at first reading—there is mention of light and love throughout the book and I’m inclined to think the author intended the light to make the reader feel warm and loved but I think the language turns some readers off. Preschoolers and younger children will enjoy the pictures and flow of the words while older children, children used to specific stories like Kitten’s First Full Moon, might be confused by the plot and not like the book. The House in the Night is reminiscent of Goodnight Moon, a book that accomplishes the same goals but with a solid plot.

The intent of the author is for this book to be read at bedtime, when children are in need of soft voices and sparse, comforting, loving light. If read properly, the book should have a calming effect on young children, making way for pleasant, easy dreams. I think this could be frustrating and meaningless when read by someone who desires an obvious story. And yet, the book could be everything the author intends when read to the proper audience.

Swanson, S. (2008). The house in the night. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Caldecott Part IV

Henke’s Kitten’s First Full Moon (2005 Winner) is exactly what comes to mind when I think of picture books: simple plot, cute pictures, and a sweet kitten. The story is easy to follow: a sweet kitten sees the full moon and mistakes it for a large bowl of milk. The kitten does all he can think of to reach the moon but fails. He returns home tired, hungry, and wet only to find a big bowl of milk awaiting him on his comfy porch. Very sweet. Sickeningly sweet.

Perhaps it’s because I’m a middle school teacher or perhaps it’s because I adore Children’s chapter books and YA literature but I didn’t like this book in the least. It fits the mold too well. Its cookie cutter. Give a cute animal a silly goal and let them find their hearts desire at home. After all, home is where the heart is, right?

Aside from my main objection of too cute, I appreciated the author’s illustrations. Although black and white, the illustrations were not as simple as the plot but rather captivating. Young readers will follow the kitten’s story quite easily with help from the drawings and might even find the kitten’s adventures comical. In one scene, the kitten notices the moon reflected in a pool of water and proceeds to leap into the water. My stomach dropped at the idea of a kitten jumping into water (what if he couldn’t swim?) but children would probably think the kitten funny or silly.

I have to concede that one of my favorite childhood books falls into the same mold, The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. The bunny wants to run away from home by becoming a fish or a flower but another main character, his mother, follows him on his journey becoming a fisherman or a gardener. The bunny, like the kitten, finds what he desires at home because his mother is there. My mother and I read this book together often and it usually ended with a hug and me feeling my mother’s love. Now that’s a book!

Kitten’s First Full Moon leaves young readers with images of a cute kitten but The Runaway Bunny left me feeling loved by my mother. Maybe my standards are too high, but I think Kitten’s First Full Moon falls short.

Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten’s first full moon. New York: HarperCollins.

Caldecott Part III

The term picture books brings to mind certain words and phrases—simple plots, cute pictures, and sweet kittens. This is simply not the case with the book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2008 Winner), a picture book that combines sketches, film, and novel elements.

Hugo Cabret, a young boy who loses both his father and uncle, must fend for himself while he cares for the train station’s clocks. Hugo is in possession of automaton, a mysterious mechanical man who can write, but the device is broken. Even Hugo’s father couldn’t fix it after analyzing the machine and keeping a notebook on his progress. Hugo has a talent for mechanics like his father but since he is only thirteen, he cannot yet make a living and is forced to steal to survive. While stealing from a toy vendor, the owner catches Hugo and claims the notebook! The man acts as if he recognizes the automaton in the drawing and keeps the notebook. Hugo desperately wants it back but in order to get the notebook, he must discover the automation’s origins.

This novel uses both words and pictures to weave a complicated plot worthy of any mystery novel. The sketches are shown in succession, usually for several pages, and provide an action view of the plot. This method of picture story-telling is particularly successful during several of the story’s chase scenes. The novel’s plot is based around the film work of George Méliès and several film screen shots enhance the novel.

Selznick’s take on the picture book turned my perception of the genre upside down. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and can think of little with which to compare it except a graphic novel. I find this genre mixing completely innovative and immediately searched Amazon.com to see what else Selznick had written. Selznick has written two other novels that include his sketches and I’ve already placed them on my GoodReads.com to-read list.

Watch the author discuss this book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m3KZSLAU46TQLF

Selznick, B. (2007). The invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic.

Caldecott Parts I & II

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale is a simple story, a story about a little girl named Trixie and her beloved stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny. Trixie walks with her father to the laundromat where Knuffle Bunny is accidentally mixed-in with the laundry. On the way home, Trixie realizes that Knuffle Bunny is missing but can’t verbalize her problem. She becomes frantic, trying to tell her father about her missing friend but he can’t fathom why Trixie is acting up. Trixie’s mother understands the problem immediately and the family rushes back to the Laundromat where Knuffle Bunny is safe and sound, if a little wet. Trixie, thrilled at being reunited with her beloved friend, speaks her first words, Knuffle Bunny.

The plot line is simple and sweet which will attract parents but the pictures are what will mesmerize children. The book jacket describes the images as a “melding of hand-drawn ink sketches and digital photography” (M. Willems, 2004). The background of each picture is a true black and white photograph taken of real places likes the story’s laundromat. Ink drawings are superimposed overtop of the photographs and filled with bright, attractive colors. The contrast of hard, realistic, black and white images with cartoon-ish, vibrant sketches is striking. The plot and black and white image were quite realistic but the sketches saved the story from being too harsh or too boring for young readers. In fact, I was so attracted to this Caldecott 2005 Honor book that I read its sequel, a 2008 Caldecott Honor book.

Knuffle Bunny: A Case of Mistaken Identity continues the story of Trixie who now speaks continuously and is in preschool. Trixie brings her still beloved Knuffle Bunny to school for show and tell where she discovers the existence of a second Knuffle Bunny! Sonia, a student in Trixie’s class, also owns a Knuffle Bunny (distinguishable only by inner ear color) and the two girls have their bunnies taken away by the teacher. The teacher returns the bunnies but to the wrong owners. Both girls discover the mix-up around 2:30 am, when their loving fathers traipse through the night to restore the bunnies to their rightful girls. The girls, of course, become best friends (Knuffle Bunnies excluded).

The sequel is completed in the same fashion as the first and the images are equally impressive. The storyline is more complex, due to the aging protagonist, but fans of the first book will love the second as well. I love the storyline because I can remember my own Knuffle Bunny—a white bear with a black nose named Snowball, who was purchased on a family vacation from a Cracker Barrel. I don’t remember losing Snowball as Trixie does Knuffle Bunny in the first book but I do recall showing him to friends at school just like Trixie does in the sequel.

Parents will find humor in the plight of Trixie’s father in each book while children will identify with the story of a favorite toy. The universal link of a favorite toy combined with the unique artwork make the Knuffle Bunny books must-have for children’s libraries.

Willems, M. (2004). Knuffle bunny: A cautionary tale. New York: Hyperion.
Willems, M. (2007). Knuffle bunny too: A case of mistaken identity. New York: Hyperion.

Award Winners: The Answer

Award Winners—The Answer!

Caldecott. Newbery. Coretta Scott King. Oh my! I’ve now read at least two books that have won or been nominated for each of the aforementioned awards. Are these books really better than their contemporaries? Here are my findings:

From what I’ve learned, each of these honors focus on different aspects of books/different types of literature. The Caldecott is awarded to picture books based upon their artistic quality. The pictures should reflect the plot and should be appropriate for children. The Newbery Medal is awarded to children’s books that have literary merit and clear literary elements (plot, characters, setting, etc.). The Coretta Scott King award is given to children’s literature that has literary merit and is created by African-American authors or illustrators.

I can’t claim that one award is better than another but since I work with older students, sixth grade and up, and since I have no children, I haven’t developed an affinity for picture books. However, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is one of my favorite books and I think this is because the message is so strong—you are in charge of your own future and the world needs you to make a difference. Caldecott winners like Kitten’s First Full Moon, while sweet, don’t usually carry the same intense messages. They are meant for a very young audience and cater to them.

The Newbery Medal also awards books for a young audience but on the basis of literary merit and I can relate to this award more than the Caldecott. However, I am not a fan of Newbery books as I’ve mentioned and I did not become a fan. I found The Graveyard Book to be boring and Princess Academy, while enjoyable, not particularly engrossing. I feel that the Newbery Medal doesn’t takes actual children’s opinions into consideration when honoring novels. They award literature that adults would like for children to read while the Caldecott awards books that children will actually enjoy.

The Coretta Scott King (CSK) awards illustrators and authors, a combination of the Caldecott and Newbery awards, but the CSK only honors African-Americans. Out of the nine awarded books I read, I liked the CSK books best. I plan to use Day of Tears for a morning reading book next year at my school and want to incorporate Monster as an eighth grade class set.

I don’t think awarded literature is better than what else is “out there” but I think it can prove useful as a guide to librarians. Below are the citations for the nine awarded books I read and their respective categories. You can read my review of each book in coming blogs.

Caldecott:
Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten’s first full moon. New York: HarperCollins.
Selznick, B. (2007). The invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic.
Swanson, S. (2008). The house in the night. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Willems, M. (2004). Knuffle bunny: A cautionary tale. New York: Hyperion.
Willems, M. (2007). Knuffle bunny too: A case of mistaken identity. New York: Hyperion.

Newbery:
Gaiman, Neil. (2008). The graveyard book. New York: HarperCollins.
Hale, Shannon. (2005). Princess academy. New York: Bloomsbury.

Coretta Scott King:
Myers, Walter Dean. (2001). Monster. New York: HarperCollins.
Lester, Julius. (2005). Day of tears: A novel in dialogue. New York: Hyperion.

Award Winners--Are these books really better?

Caldecott. Newbery. Coretta Scott King. Oh my! All of these names represent prestigious literary awards. Book covers proudly display their flashy seals. And yet, I can’t help but wonder--are award winning books really better than their cotemporaries?

As a librarian-in-training, I should be embarrassed to admit it, but, 75% of the time I dislike Newbery award winners! Your mouth is hanging open in complete disbelief, I just know it, but I’m reconsidering my opinion. My LME 518: Adv Children’s Literature course asks that I read books recognized by each of the aforementioned awards and perhaps my taste for awarded literature will change. Regardless, I’ll analyze my findings in the following posts and like my header mentions, don’t hesitate to comment on the titles or even my opinions. And now, let the quest begin!