When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 0385737424

PLOT/SUMMARY

Miranda’s life is a challenging one, as she navigates the tricky waters of friendship at school, helps her mother prepare for her appearance on a popular game show, and wonders why her friendship with Sal went south. To add to the confusion she begins receiving notes that are cryptic, frightening, and intriguing all at the same time. Throwing in the concept of time travel connects all of these events as Miranda works to figure out who it is that is coming to reach her.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is such an interesting novel in that it combines a couple of different genres at once. There is the science fiction aspect, as there is a time travel connection. It can certainly be considered realistic fiction in every other way but for the time travel. There is also the ongoing mystery of the notes that young Miranda receives. The author creates an authentic representation of what it might have been like for a 12 year old girl growing up in 1970’s New York. The characters, and their interactions, feel very “real” to the reader, and might even cause the reader to reflect on their own experience growing up. Miranda is a smart girl just going about life, trying to figure out who her friends are, why Sal won’t talk to her anymore, and why Marcus would hit Sal like he did. The author pays homage to A Wrinkle In Time, by Madeleine L’Engle, and we find Miranda discussing her favorite novel with Marcus and theorizing on the finer workings of time travel. This proves to be critical to the plot later in the story as the author toys with the constructs of time. When Miranda begins to receive mysterious notes and “proofs” she toils to put the meanings together. With cryptic clues such as “I’m coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. First you must write me a letter.” the author requires Miranda to use her intuitiveness powers of observance to figure out how everything fits together. With her easy style of prose, the author has created a novel that will keep the reader guessing the whole way through, only to finish feeling invigorated and wanting to read it again with a new understanding.

REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

John Newbery Medal, 2010 Winner United States

Amazon Editors' Picks: Top 10 Books, 2009 ; United States
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2010 ; Bank Street College of Eduation; United States
Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 2009 ; American Library Association; United States
Booklist Top 10 Crime Fiction for Youth, 2010 ; American Library Association; United States
Choices, 2010 ; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Horn Book Fanfare, 2009 ; United States
Kids Reading List, 2010 ; Oprah/ALSC; United States
Kirkus Best Children's Books, 2009 ; United States
New York Times Notable Children's Books , 2009 ; United States
Notable Children's Books, 2010 ; ALSC American Library Association; United States
Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts, 2010 ; NCTE Children’s Literature Assembly; United States
NPR Best Young Adult Fiction, 2009 ; United States
Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books, 2009 ; United States
School Library Journal Best Books, 2009 ; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2010 ; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, 2010 ; American Library Association; United States

Andre Norton Award, 2009 Finalist United States
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2010 Winner Fiction and Poetry United States
Golden Duck Award for Excellence in Children's Science Fiction Literature, 2010 Finalist Eleanor Cameron Award for Middle Grades United States
Great Lakes Great Books Award, 2010-2011 Honor Book Grades 6-8 Michigan
Indies Choice Book Award, 2010 Winner Middle Reader United States
IRA Children's and Young Adult's Book Award, 2010 Winner Young Adult-Fiction International
National Parenting Publications Award, 2009 Gold Books for Ages 9 & Up United States
Parents' Choice Award, 2009 Gold Fiction United States

Starred Review in Booklist…”The ’70s New York setting is an honest reverberation of the era; the mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children and adults, are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest. Just as Miranda rereads L’Engle, children will return to this.”

Starred Review in Children’s Literature…”The movement between the ordinary and the fantastic creates a kind of magical realism, in which the extraordinary is every bit as acceptable as the everyday. Amusing, bemusing and occasionally plain puzzling, this book works its way to a deliciously twisty ending. It is an interesting, multi-layered book that can be read and interpreted at many levels.”

Starred Review in The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books…”The prose is streamlined and easygoing, while Miranda’s New York life is richly peopled and authentically urban; touches of quirky humor add energy to a subtly constructed story of individual growth. Offer this to kids who appreciate daily-life stories that reveal the unexpected.”

CONNECTIONS

*Students should read A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle (ISBN 0440498058) since it figured so prominently in this novel. Compare some of the concepts in the books and how the author uses them in their text.

*As the students are reading the novel they will notice the chapters are titled in a certain way, mimicking the categories from The $20,000 Pyramid. Have them write down the titles of these chapters and, next to it, write down why they think the author named the chapter in this way.

*Have the kids develop their own version of The $20,000 Pyramid, including the different rounds and bonus rounds. Make the categories and clues have something to do with the main events and details of the story.

*Students can create their own puzzle. Taking a blank sheet of paper, they can write out or draw the various events and details of the story and how they are all connected. Once they have done this they can cut the paper into puzzle shaped pieces and exchange with another student.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. Speak. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 014131088X

PLOT/SUMMARY

Melinda Sordino is dealing with the repercussions of being raped at an end-of-summer party. Calling the police did nothing to find her favor with any of her fellow students who have no clue her real reason for calling 911 and now consider her a snitch. She is ostracized, becomes withdrawn, and struggles to find healing. Healing does begin to arrive with the understanding and encouragement of her art teacher. The reader follows a spot-on rendering of a teenager in pain as she learns how to speak up for herself.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is contemporary realistic fiction at its most gritty and disturbing. The author has crafted a realistic depiction of high school, with its cliques and its superficial day to day concerns. Melinda is struggling with what happened to her at the party, along with the fact that no one knows the true reason she called the police. Anderson gives us a harsh look at the pain this caused the character and the far reaching effects it has on every aspect of her life. Likewise, we get to see the self-absorption and shallow nature of many of the students surrounding Melinda. The story is told in first person, and we, the reader, get to hear everything Melinda is thinking. She is a witty character, with an acerbic take on the different facets of the world around her. The author leads Melinda to seek solace in the janitor’s closet and places an accepting and available art teacher, Mr. Freeman, into her path to help break through her shell. It is through this wise use of character and plot that Melinda eventually does find her voice and a path to emotional recovery. The themes in this novel include loyalty, depression, self-mutilation, and searching for healing. The author deals with such topics in a sensitive manner, and makes this a must read for middle school and high school students.

REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

Michael L. Printz Award, 2000 Honor Book United States

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 1999 ; American Library Association; United States
Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Fourteenth Edition, 2001 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 1999 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
Capitol Choices, 1999 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Children's Literature Choice List, 2000 ; Children's Literature; United States
Dealing with Alienation, 2000 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Horn Book Fanfare, 1999 ; Horn Book; United States
Lasting Connections, 1999 ; American Library Association; United States
Not Just for Children Anymore!, 2000 ; Children's Book Council; United States
Parent's Guide to Children's Media, 1999 ; Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media, Inc.; United States
School Library Journal Best Books, 1999 ; Cahners; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2000 ; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2000 ; American Library Association; United States
Young Adults' Choices, 2001 ; International Reading Association; United States

ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award, 2000 Winner Young Adult Readers United States
Carolyn W. Field Award, 2000 Winner Author United States
Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the Year, 1999 Winner Best Novel for Older Teens United States
Edgar Allan Poe Award, 2000 Nominee Best Young Adult Novel United States
Golden Kite Award, 2000 Award Book Fiction United States
Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, 2001 Winner United States

Starred Review in Booklist…”Melinda's voice is distinct, unusual, and very real as she recounts her past and present experiences in bitterly ironic, occasionally even amusing vignettes. In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.”

Starred Review in Children’s Literature…”But the novel's real power lies in the story of Melinda's gradual reclaiming of herself through the help of a compassionate art teacher, her concerned parents, and some caring students, and of her ultimate redemption as she finally finds the courage to speak.”

Starred Review in Kirkus Reviews…”The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn, but it is its raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience that makes this a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.”

CONNECTIONS

*There is an excellent Reader’s Guide full of though provoking discussion questions located at www.pointofviewbooks.com. These can be utilized while reading and discussing the novel, either as a class discussion or having the students journal their thoughts individually.

*If funding allows, there is an opportunity to Skype with Laurie Halse Anderson available through her website, http://madwomanintheforest.com/. This would be an excellent opportunity for the students to interact with a successful author, ask her questions about any of her books, and find out more about her methods.

*There are some pretty ‘heavy’ topics covered in this novel, including cliques, rape, self mutilation, and depression. If the students are able to handle it, and it is considered age appropriate, the teacher might invite a guest speaker from a support agency to come and talk to the class. This might be most appropriate when they’ve finished reading the novel, and the teacher has already guided some class discussion on the topics.

*Study some of the art produced by the artists that Melinda is introduced to in the story, including Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and Pollack. The students can write about what this art makes them feel and attempt to create art that is in the same style as any of the above mentioned artists. How does art help Melinda open up?

*Encourage the students to read books with similar themes to Speak. These might include…

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls by Mary Pipher (ISBN 0345392825)
Ophelia Speaks: Adolescent Girls write about their Search for Self by Sara Shandler (ISBN 0060952970)
Real Boys: Rescuing our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood by William Pollack (ISBN 0805061835)
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (ISBN 0553279378)
Boys Lie by John Neufeld (ISBN 0789426242)
So Much To Tell You by John Marsden (ISBN 0449703746)

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hinds, Gareth. 2010. The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763642681

PLOT/SUMMARY

Gareth Hinds does a fabulous job retelling the story of Odysseus and his travels home to his loving wife, Penelope, after fighting in the Trojan War. His graphic novel rendering will engage readers of all levels as we follow Odysseus on his dangerous journey.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

All of the criteria are present. There are strong characters at every turn, and a plot with twists that you don’t see coming. The themes are plentiful, and loyalty, vengeance, perseverance, and bravery play out on every page. It is really the style where Gareth Hinds takes it to another level. Retelling the epic tale of The Odyssey in lavish fashion, the reader is treated to almost 250 pages of fully painted art. Using effective watercolor and pencil art, he uses color throughout to tell his version of the epic poem, which he put together based on earlier adaptations. He uses various shaped frames for his illustrations and is not afraid to let those illustrations tell the story when it’s appropriate.  The author has taken an epic poem and made it relatable and exciting for today’s young readers.

REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2011 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars , Sept. 15, 2010 ; American Library Association; United States
Kirkus Best Young Adult Books, 2010 ; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, October 1, 2010 ; United States
Pure Poetry, 2010 ; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States
YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2011 ; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2011 ; American Library Association; United States

School Library Journal Battle of the Kids' Books, 2011 Nominee United States

Starred Review in Kirkus Reviews…” Hinds adds another magnificent adaptation to his oeuvre (King Lear, 2009, etc.) with this stunning graphic retelling of Homer's epic. Following Odysseus's journey to return home to his beloved wife, Penelope, readers are transported into a world that easily combines the realistic and the fantastic.”

Starred Review in Library Media Connection…” Gareth Hinds’ retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey will attract your adventure-loving boys and graphic novel fans. This adaptation belongs in every collection where the epic poem is studied. Using various sized panels to either accommodate larger than life characters and action, or to show close-up facial expressions and detail, Hinds often lets the illustrations stand alone to tell the story.”

Starred Review in The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books…”A hair-raising adventure tale that’s lasted well over two millennia can hardly be said to need new life breathed into it. A fresh retelling, though, is always welcome, and with this graphic-novel interpretation Hinds will hook some of those holdouts who have thus far resisted The Odyssey’s lure. Hinds notes in an afterword the translations consulted and favored for his opus, and his own narrative style stays true to the epic in both tone and form.”

CONNECTIONS

*The Odyssey is brimming with themes the students can relate to, such as vengeance, perseverance, and loyalty. Ask the students to pick two or three modern books or movies that they’ve read or seen recently that they consider to contain themes similar to The Odyssey. Have them write about the similarities and connections that can be made between this classic tale and more modern cinema and literature.

*This is a great opportunity to delve further into Greek mythology and learn more about the gods and goddesses. You can have the students pick one particular god or goddess from the book to research more about. How are they represented in other works of literature and art?

*Together, as a class, develop a list of characters and a phrase describing their personality or archetype. Examples would be Odysseus as the Hero, Penelope as the Faithful Partner, or Antinous as a Bully. Once they have worked together to develop this list, have them pick which one they feel they most closely resemble. Have the students write why they feel they resemble this character the most.

*The author makes use of text as well as letting the illustrations tell the story when it’s appropriate. Take any section of the story that doesn’t already have text written for it and let the students provide what they think the words should say in that particular section.

Willow Run

Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2005. Willow Run. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN 0385730675

PLOT/SUMMARY

Meggie’s world is turned upside down. Her brother, Eddie, is off fighting in World War II and her father has announced they are moving to Willow Run, Michigan to do their part in the war working in a factory building bombers. Meggie convinces her German grandfather to stay in Rockaway partially for his safety and partially because she is embarrassed by him with his German surname and mixing up his v’s and w’s. When Meggie arrives and meets some of her neighbors in Willow Run, we witness even more the sacrifice that families and individuals made for the war effort, “for the duration”, way back when. This is ultimately a well written story of bravery, and not just Meggie’s.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Giff has a talented way of weaving together story lines in this work. We are immersed in the tense climate that is the United States during World War II, where anyone might be a spy or a Nazi according to some. Meggie’s family moving to Michigan introduces other families fighting the same fight and making sacrifices for the good of their country. From troublesome Harlan who lost his uncle in the war to Ronnelle, waiting anxiously for her husband to return so he can meet his daughter we see how the cast of characters support each other and band together during a very difficult and uncertain time. When Eddie goes Missing In Action, Meggie and her family are surrounded by strangers who have become family. There is no sugar-coating of the loss of life or how deep the hurt when the news from the warfront is not positive, but the author keeps the setting very simple and understated to match the bare bones atmosphere they lived in. Meggie’s father summarizes the theme perfectly when, together, they go out searching for an open field and something growing…”We have to keep thinking of places like this,” he said. “Things growing, reaching for the sky, instead of being torn down.”

REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars , Jul. 1, 2005 ; American Library Association; United States
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2005 ; American Library Association; United States
Children's Books 2005: One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2005 ; New York Public Library; United States
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 15, 2005 ; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Ninth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson Company; United States
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2006 ; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States
Teachers' Choices, 2006 ; International Reading Association; United States:

Mitten Award, 2005 Honor Book Fiction Michigan

Kirkus Starred Review…” This is a rare, vivid glimpse of the wartime sacrifices of American families who stayed behind during WWII. Eleven-year-old Meggie Dillon's story begins in 1944 in Rockaway, N.Y., just as her family's moving to Michigan's Willow Run so her father can work in a B-24 bomber factory. Meggie imagines a great adventure, but without the accompanying trauma.”

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Starred Review…” The Dillons’ sacrifices soon pale in comparison to the news that Eddie is missing in action, and although the novel ends without word of Eddie’s fate, Grandpa rejoins the family at Willow Run to offer the support they desperately need. Giff pays equally respectful attention to the grating annoyances, comical childhood obsessions, and heartbreaking uncertainty that fill Meggie’s stay at Willow Run, and readers can be confident that the Dillons are strong enough to weather whatever the War sends them.”

VOYA Starred Review…” Her prose is sparse yet vivid, and the poverty and transience of Meggie's world is palpable. Meggie is as intriguing as Lily and matures quietly and emotionally, coming to realize what courage really is by looking within herself. Inspired by the hope in those around her, Meggie is finally able to offer hope to others. Hers is the story of the sacrifices made back home, where the battle is ultimately won.”

CONNECTIONS

*Read the companion book, Lily’s Crossing (ISBN 0440414539), also by Patricia Reilly Giff and compare Meggie’s and Lily’s experience.

*Study more about World War II and the sacrifices people of the country made “for the duration” in order to support the soldiers. Take note of which ones were mentioned in the book.

*Meggie writes letters to Eddie, her grandfather, Lily, and various other folks. Have students imagine they are one of the other characters in the book (perhaps Harlan, Patches, Rollie, or the ice cream man). Have them write a letter to someone and tell about life from their perspective.