Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Zora and Me

Authors: Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon
Publisher: Candlewick Press (October 12, 2010)
Grade Level: Grades 4th to 7th
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source:  Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:
When a young man’s body is found by the railroad tracks, the murder and its mysterious circumstances threaten the peace and security of a small Florida town. Zora believes she knows who killed Ivory, and she isn’t afraid to tell anyone who’ll listen.
Whether Zora is telling the truth or stretching it, she’s a riveting storyteller. Her latest tale is especially mesmerizing because it is so chillingly believable: a murderous shape-shifting gator-man — half man, half gator — prowls the marshes nearby, aching to satisfy his hunger for souls and beautiful voices. And Ivory’s voice? When Ivory sang, his voice was as warm as honey and twice as sweet.

Zora enlists her best friends, Carrie and Teddy, to help prove her theory. In their search for the truth, they stumble unwittingly into an ugly web of envy and lies, deceit and betrayal. Just as unexpectedly, the three friends become the key that unlocks the mystery and the unlikely saviors of Eatonville itself.

Best friend Carrie narrates this coming-of-age story set in the hometown of American author Zora Neale Hurston (1891 1960). Drawing on Hurston’s stories, novels, and life, debut novelists Victoria Bond and T.  R.  Simon create an utterly convincing echo of a literary giant in this, the only project ever to be endorsed by the Zora Neale Hurston Trust that was not written by Hurston herself.

In this debut novel, Bond and Simon work to capture the vibrant personality, colorful storytelling, and wandering spirit of a young Zora Neale Hurston.  The story takes place at the turn of the last century in the all black community of Eatonville, Florida where Hurston grew up.  Though many of the details of the story are based on actual details and facts taken from the time period as well as from Hurston's life, it should be noted that it is still a fictionalized account of the author's childhood.

At the beginning of the story, and through the eyes of Zora's best friend Carrie, we discover that a young man in the community was attacked by an alligator.  Zora uses this and other information to create a tale of a creature that is half man and half gator to explain some of what is happening in her town during this time.  As the reader is learning about Zora's natural penchant for elaborating on all that she sees and hears, the authors are also weaving a mystery about a Gator Man which Zora and her friends seek to solve.  

Bond & Simon doing an excellent job in bringing alive both the town and characters.  There is a strong sense of place and setting which provides the necessary background and understanding for some of Zora's desires.  Additionally, readers are given a solid portrayal of the issues of race and class during that time period as well.  

The story is interesting and would be an excellent read aloud for children in the grades 4 to 7. In addition to being an excellent introduction to Zora Neale Hurston, the writing provides opportunities for numerous questions and discussions.  

* Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays were started by Shannon over at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe.  You can check out her Marvelous Middle Grade Monday choice and Giveaway Post here. 

Book Review - The Twelve Bots of Christmas

Author/Illustrator: Nathan Hale
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Children (October 1, 2010)
Reading Level: 4 to 8 years old
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:
Take one robotic Santa, nine cyber-reindeer pulling his techno-sleigh, and twelve days of Christmas circuitry and wizardry—and this incredible holiday offering is guaranteed to add up to every gear-head's delight!
This unique spin on the familiar song just begs to be read aloud, as it retains the cadence and lyricism of the original. With two turbo doves and three wrench hens leading the way, young readers will be thrilled to join Robo-Santa on his annual round of gift giving. Nathan Hale has created a special delivery for all robot fans.

If you are a fan of The Twelve Days of Christmas and like collecting various versions of the same book, then Nathan Hale's The Twelve Bots of Christmas would be a fun addition to a collection.  The verse follows the traditional song with substitutions such as "Two Turbo-Doves" for "Two Turtle Doves" or "Four Calling Borgs" vs. "Four Calling Birds" which allows for children to sing the song as you would its traditional counterpart. 

The brilliant part of this book for me was the illustrations.  The book opens with Robo-Santa in a space-ship like sled led by eight mechanical reindeer.  Rather than a partridge in a pear tree though there is a"cartridge in a gear tree".  The realistic eyes of the "wrench hens" are designed from screws and the neck/head/beak of the "geese-o-matics" truly conjure up images of geese.  I admire the work and illustrations of Hale.  He uses bright colors, and sharp images that make the imaginative pictures pop on the page.  Readers will pick up new things with each perusal through the book.  And I have feeling that if I was more of a sci-fi fan that there may be some nods to the work of other famous robots.

If there is a robot fan in your life, then this would make a great gift.   

Book Review - A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas

Authors: Ralph Covert, G. Riley Mills
Illustrator: Wilson Swain
Reading Level: 3rd to 5th grade
Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 21, 2009)
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:
This is no ordinary Nutcracker! This time, it's Fritz's story. The traditional Nutcracker tale gets turned on its head in this rollicking Christmas adventure, based on the hit musical A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas by the popular family music rock star Ralph Covert and playwright G. Riley Mills. Includes a bonus CD of songs from the musical, featuring a read-aloud track with the music and story woven together.

This holiday classic receives a modern redux with a change of point of view and rather than a ballet children are drawn into a video game.  First, I will say up front that I have never been a huge fan of the original version which I saw performed on stage before reading it.  Second, I have not seen the musical version that the book is based on.  I am purely reviewing the book version.  

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book version of the Nutcracker.  Instead of being from Clara's point of view, it is told from Fritz's POV.  The book begins with Fritz breaking Clara's nutcracker and being required to stay at home with an elderly neighbor while his family goes out to see the Nutcracker performed.  Fritz also lost the privilege of playing his video game Mouse Hunter 5000.  When the neighbor answers the phone, Fritz sneaks a chance to play his game.  Surprisingly the Mouse King from the game has come alive.  Fritz is then joined by a real live Nutcracker (a girl) and together they go after the Mouse King to save the day.  Of course, a similar twist occurs at the end, where Fritz awakes and wonders if it was all a dream. He then meets the neighbor's niece Marie who looks surprisingly like the Nutcracker.  

I am not sure what it says about me that it is easier for me to accept falling into a video game vs. having a regular dream (and no I did not grow up with video games) but the book really does have a feel of children trapped into the Mouse Hunter 5000 game.  It is humorous and charming in it's own way.  The illustrations are bright, busy, and have a magical quality to them.  The over-sized heads and eyes of the characters provide a cartoon-like feel to the images.  

If you are a Nutcracker purist, this might not be for you.  However, if you like a little twist to your classics, then I would suggest giving a Nutty Nutcracker Christmas a chance.  It is a nice addition to any collection, and may appeal a little more to boys than the original.  My students enjoyed this alternate version and I hope yours do as well.

Note:  The book is accompanied by a CD which includes 5 songs from the play and a read-aloud track with a musical background.

Book Review - My Brother Charlie

In this series of book reviews celebrating National Inclusive Schools Week, today I am focusing on a story that looks at the subject from a sibling's perspective.  

Author: Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Elizabeth Peete
Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Publisher: Scholastic (March 1, 2010)
Reading Level: 4 to 8 years old
Source:  Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Description from GoodReads:
Callie is very proud of her brother Charlie. He’s good at so many things  --  swimming, playing the piano, running fast. And Charlie has a special way with animals, especially their dog, Harriett.

But sometimes Charlie gets very quiet.

His words get locked inside him, and he seems far away.

Then, when Callie and Charlie start to play, Charlie is back to laughing, holding hands, having fun.
Charlie is like any other boy – and he has autism.

In this story, told from a sister’s point of view, we meet a family whose oldest son teaches them important lessons about togetherness, hope, tolerance, and love.   

Holly Robinson Peete, bestselling author, actress, and national autism spokesperson, has paired with her daughter, Ryan, to co-author this uplifting book based on their own personal experiences with Holly’s son and Ryan’s brother, RJ, who has autism.

I had a chance to hear Holly Robinson Peete speak about My Brother Charlie at the SCIBA dinner this past February.  She was so honest and straight-forward and compassionate about the topic of autism and what it was like being a parent of a child with autism.  Also, it was interesting to hear her speak about her daughter's experiences.  


When I finally had a chance to read the story, I was pleased to see that the book reflected that same honest, straight-forward compassion.  Additionally, I loved that it was from a sibling perspective.  In My Brother Charlie, Callie is the twin to Charlie who has autism.  Her voice rings true and when I hit the page that talks about how Charlie doesn't let anything stop him when he wants something - even if it is dangerous, I found myself shaking my head in full understanding.  But when Callie says that sometimes Charlie can ruin a playdate, I wanted to clap and give Callie (Ryan) a hug.  


There needs to be more books and more honest portrayals of what it is like for a sibling of a child with autism.  Sometimes I think they are the forgotten ones in the whole journey called "autism".  This book provides a parent or a teacher a chance to talk in a raw and real manner with a child about both the joys and the pitfalls of being a sibling of a child with special needs.  Over the years, as a teacher of children with autism, I have watched the impact the world of autism has had on the child(ren) without autism in a family.  It is more than time to celebrate the way it can shape siblings into warm, caring, and understanding people.  


The mixed media illustrations by Shane W. Evans are engaging and I loved the facial expressions - particularly the eyes of the characters.  Evans captured the spirit of the book.  


At the end of the book, there is a page with recommendations and suggestions for understanding individuals with autism.  I was particularly in awww of the ideas and thoughts presented by Ryan.  She is certainly one awesome and amazing young person.  Her suggestions about an Autism 101 class for her classmates was spectacular.  


Thank you Holly, and Ryan for finding a way to share about your life with RJ through the relationship of Callie and Charlie.  I am proud to be able to feature this book as part of our Inclusive Schools Week activities.  Continue to share your story so that others may be touched as well.

Book Review - Stand Straight, Ella Kate

 

In this series of book reviews celebrating National Inclusive Schools Week, I am focusing on a story about a slightly different kind of special needs. 

 

Author: Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Children (April 29, 2010)
Reading Level: 3rd to 5th grade
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Description from GoodReads:

Ella Kate Ewing was born in 1872. She started out small, but she just kept on growing. Soon she was too tall for her desk at school, too tall for her bed at home, too tall to fit anywhere. Ella Kate was a real-life giant, but she refused to hide herself away. Instead, she used her unusual height to achieve her equally large dreams.
The masterful Klise sisters deliver a touching and inspiring true story about a strong-minded girl who finally embraced her differences. It’s the perfect book for every child who has ever felt like an outsider.

Familiar to me for their creative and humorous 43 Old Cemetary Road Series, the talented Klise sisters take on the true story of Ella Kate Ewing.   Imagine living in the late 1800's in Missouri and exhibiting amazing growth?  In Stand Straight, Ella Kate, Klise tells Ewing's story with matter of care and just the right balance of humor.  Ewing began her accelerated growth at age 7 and by the time she was 17 she stood 8 feet tall.  Throughout her childhood, Ella Kate was teased by those around her.  Unable to find clothes that fit properly or to even place her legs under a desk, Ewing coped by attempting to slouch.  Her supportive parents would remind her to "stand straight".  At 17 years of age, Ella Kate was offered a job in the Museum of Chicago.  Despite her parents' concern and her own insecurity about her height, Ella Kate accepted the job.  Her time with the museum taught her that she could use her height to her advantage.  Not only did she become an exceptional business woman which allowed her to help care for her parents, but she was also able to build a home that was designed to fit her.  When she accepts a position in the circus as "The tallest lady on earth", her life veers into an adventure with  experiences that were not typically available to women during that time period.

There were quite a number of things that I really enjoyed about this book.  There is a timelessness to this story that will make it appeal to readers of various ages.  Young children will appreciate the book from the perspective of hearing a well developed story.  Older children can learn from the book how to appreciate individual differences and to face diversity.  Ewing was able to turn what might have been seen as a negative into a chance to live her life financially comfortable but to also travel the world.  Sarah Klise's illustations add an extra dimension and perspective to the book.  And at the conclusion of the book there is information about Ewing's medical condition (gigantism) and a photo of the real Ella Kate. 

It was interesting to see how the author and illustrator work together to provide a wonderful story with illustrations that truly enhance the reader's understanding.  A solid addition to any classroom collection of books on celebrating/recognizing differences.

As part of this week's series, I am giving readers a chance to win one of three books.  Please check out the details here.