Module 15: The Hunger Games

Bibliography:

Collins, S. (2008). The Hunger Games. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.   

Book Summary:

 Katniss lives in Panem, what used to be North America. It is divided into twelve districts, and as punishment for their ancestors uprising, two children from each district must be given as tributes to fight gladiator style to the death. When the name of her sister is drawn, Katniss volunteers as tribute, and embarks on an adventure that will change her life forever. 

My Thoughts:

Wow. I mean really, just wow. What can I say about THG that hasn't already been said? The pace of the book was so fast that I literally devoured it in a matter of hours. The connection with the characters and their plight is intense, and becoming wrapped up in the story in inevitable. I know that it gets challenged quite a bit, but I think it has so much to offer young readers that I hope it never gets banned. 

Professional Reviews:

*-In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in TheHunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 14 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like "Survivor" and "American Gladiator." Book one of a planned trilogy.

Baird, H. (2008). [Review of the book The hunger games by Suzanne Collins]. School Library Journal, 54(9), 176-177.

* Survivor meets "The Lottery" as the author of the popular Underland Chronicles returns with what promises to be an even better series. The United States is no more, and the new Capitol, high in the Rocky Mountains, requires each district to send two teenagers, a boy and a girl, to participate in the annualHunger Games, a reality show from which only one of the twenty-four participants will emerge victorious -- and alive. When her younger sister is chosen by lottery to represent their district, Katniss volunteers to go in her stead, while Peeta, who secretly harbors a crush on Katniss, is the boy selected to join her. A fierce, resourceful competitor who wins the respect of the other participants and the viewing public, Katniss also displays great compassion and vulnerability through her first-person narration. The plot is front and center here -- the twists and turns are addictive, particularly when the romantic subplot ups the ante -- yet the Capitol's oppression and exploitation of the districts always simmers just below the surface, waiting to be more fully explored in future volumes. Collins has written a compulsively readable blend of science fiction, survival story, unlikely romance, and social commentary.

Hunt, J. (2008). [Review of the book The hunger games by Suzanne Collins]. Horn Book Magazine, 84(5), 580.

Suggested Activities:

Lead a discussion with teens about what they would do if they were in Katniss' situation. Having a THG themed event where everyone dressed as their favorite character would also be a fun activity to do. 

Image link: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ab/Hunger_games.jpg/200px-Hunger_games.jpg

Module 14: Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings

Bibliography:

Florian, D. (2007). Comets, stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space poems and paintings. Orlando, FL: Harcourt.

Book Summary:

This beautifully illustrated book houses twenty poems about space. These poems are informative and help give the reader information about astronomy, planets, and space! 

My Thoughts:

My friend is going to be an astronaut, so I was immediately drawn to this book of poems. I was not disappointed by what I found inside! I really loved the paintings, especially the way the words would spiral in and out, even if I did have to tilt my head at a funny angle to read some of them! I also really appreciated the fact that the author included a bibliography for further readings on space, even if it was a bit advanced for children.

Professional Reviews:

*"Though they're leavened with humor, the compact verses are genuinely informative rather than jocular, providing an enticing introduction to astronomy for kids fonder of language arts than science and offering the science-inclined some gems for recitation. Florian's in absolute top form in his celestial illustrations. . . . This offers a galaxy of possibilities for use for reading aloudand alone and for just poring over the enticing view. A glossary explains more about the poems' subjects, and a list of further reading (fairly ambitious reading, with titles including Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time) is included."

Stevenson, D. (2007). [Review of the book Comets, stars, the Moon, and Mars by Douglas Florian]. Bulletin Of The Center For Children's Books, 60(10), 413-414.

*Pluto was a planet. / But now it doesn't pass. / Pluto was a planet. / They say it' s lacking mass. / Pluto was a planet. / Pluto was admired. / Pluto was a planet. / Till one day it got fired." Moving from universe to galaxy to solar system to sun, then back out through the planets to the constellations and"the great beyond," Florian sums up the heavens in twenty snappy rhymes, all agreeably tongue-in-cheek but never so much so as to distort theinformation he conveys. Variants of flame-orange and its complementary blues predominate in the full-spread paintings, which incorporate collage-like accents that sometimes echo historical astronomy--antique sun-faces doubling as sun spots, snippets of maps on the moon, a Roman mosaic of Neptune. Casually positioned words add both texture and meaning--e.g., a tangerine Pluto is studded with possible new classifications: "Ice dwarf? Debris? Asteroid? Plan-etesimal?" With its gorgeous palette, sweeping vistas, and ingenious effects (including occasional die-cut holes), this is an expansive and illuminating view of its subject. A glossary pins down and somewhat extends the information; a minimal bibliography lists six sources, mostly for adults.

Long, J. (2007). [Review of the book Comets, stars, the Moon, and Mars by Douglas Florian]. Horn Book Magazine, 83(3), 296-297.

Suggested Activities:

We would paint/draw pictures of space and write our own poems on the pictures. They would be displayed for everyone to see and appreciate. 

Image Link:

http://mentallyalive.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/comets.jpg

Module 13: Goosebumps: The Ghost Next Door

Bibliography:

Stine, R. L. (1993). The Ghost next door. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Book Summary:

 Hannah has a new neighbor that she's never seen before. In fact, she doesn't even remember when he moved in. Apparently they also go to school together, but they don't know any of the same people. After he pulls a few disappearing acts in addition to some other fishy things, Hannah begins to wonder if her new friend is a ghost. 

My Thoughts:

Growing up, Goosebumps were one of my most favorite series. Of course when I saw it on the reading list, I jumped at the opportunity to read some of the ones I never got around to reading when I was younger. I was not disappointed, and got such a kick out of it. The twist at the end was unexpected, and the book was definitely entertaining. I will also be going back and reading the books in the series that I missed when I was growing up! 

Reviews:

*Have you, the reader, ever lived next to a ghost? Well I bet you haven't and neither have I. Yet this girl I'm going to talk about has experience. You'll know when you read "The Ghost Next Door". The book is called "The Ghost Next Door" by R.L. Stine. Hannah your ordinary 12 year-old gir, lives in a town Greenwood Falls. She has twin brothers named Bill and Herb, a mom, and a dad. Then Hannah notices a kid named Danny. Hannah noticed that she had never seen him before, and nobody had ever lived there. Hannah also noticed that Danny's mom was deaf. That was one of her reasons why she thought he was a ghost. The time also had a lot to do with the book I'm reading. You can be reading for 10 pages and it's day. The next five or more pages and it changes to night. Danny and his friends wouldn't be trying to trust Mr. Chesney's yard during the day. Everything they did was usually during the day, so he wouldn't notice them. Then something happens that makes Danny wonder the same thing about Hannah. Danny wants to know if she is a ghost. Let me tell you one last thing. Reader beware... Your in for a scare! 

(2004, May 10). [Review of the book The ghost next door by R.L. Stine]. Building Rainbows Book Reviews. Retrieved from http://buildingrainbows.com/bookreview/reviewid/4120

*One of my favorite Goosebumps, and one worth reading if you want a twist ending. 
Hannah tries to figure out who Danny is, and learns more about herself along the way (literally). Then things start to make sense. I liked the ending because it also reminded me that even if we lose people we like (I'd say love but it might hit a sensitive point) we can still remember them in our minds and hearts. Anyone who has lost a loved one should read this book. 

(2004, June 23). [Review of the book The ghost next door by R.L. Stine]. Building Rainbows Book Reviews. Retrieved from http://buildingrainbows.com/bookreview/reviewid/4694

Suggested Activities:

Have children make up their own ghost stories, with surprise endings! We could also watch the t.v. show version and compare the book with the show and decide which we like better. 

Image Link:

http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328867787l/125549.jpg

Module 12: The Boy on Fairfield Street

Bibliography:

Krull, K., Johnson, S., Fancher, L., & Seuss, . (2004). The boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel grew up to become Dr. Seuss. New York, NY: Random House.

Book Summary:

 This is the story of how Theodore Seuss Geisel grew up to be Dr. Seuss. He grew up on Fairfield St with his immigrant parents, Ted was a very imaginative boy who used to draw on the walls of his room. As he got older, it was his mother's dream that he would grow up to be a doctor. Little did she know, her creative son would become a very memorable Dr., just not quite the kind that she thought. 

My Thoughts:

I have always been a big fan of Dr. Seuss, and learning about his life really gave me some perspective on him. This particular book provided an abundance of quality information about one of the most beloved children's book authors of all time. It really was a great read, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone that wants to learn about the life of the great Dr. Seuss! 

Professional Reviews:

*“Once upon a time, there lived a boy who feasted on books and was wild about animals.” So begins this young biography of Dr. Seuss. Taunted at school because he was German, his escapes were drawing, the comics he loved, and the zoo, where his father was the parks superintendent in Springfield, Mass. His high-school art teacher warned him he’d never be successful at art; in Dartmouth he was voted “Class Artist and Class Wit,” and he left Oxford to draw and write verse. Truly only about his youth, the narrative ends at age 22, when Seuss goes to New York City to launch his career. Four following pages provide a synopsis of his life and a timeline up to his death in 1991. Bordered, full-page oil-on-gessoed-paper illustrations evoke pertinent scenes, while spot art of Seuss drawings dot the opposite pages. Some of these original images are absolutely haunting; the magic of his name will make this a huge hit, but it’s the lively writing that puts the hat on the cat. 

(2003, December 15). [Review of the book The boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel grew up to become Dr. Seuss by Kathleen Krull]. Kirkus Review. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kathleen-krull/the-boy-on-fairfield-street/#review

*Krull's (V Is for Victory ) fond tribute to Dr. Seuss focuses on the well-loved author/artist's youth. Growing up in Springfield, Mass., Ted Geisel "feasted on books and was wild about animals" and "excelled at fooling around." The informal, anecdotal narrative explains that Geisel early on demonstrated a passion for drawing (even on his bedroom walls) "whatever popped into his head." He took only one art class, in high school, and quit when the teacher scolded him for "breaking rules" and told him he would never be successful. While attending Dartmouth, Geisel was admired for his "talent for silliness" and, Krull notes with comic irony, "He was clearly gifted, though no one knew at exactly what. It wasn't as if men could doodle for a living." The tale ends rather abruptly as the 22-year-old Geisel arrives in New York City to embark on his artistic career. A four-page addendum, presented in a smaller font, chronicles the highlights of Dr. Seuss's publishing career and provides intriguing tidbits about the creation of some of his beloved books. Johnson and Fancher's (New York's Bravest ) representational, nostalgic paintings effectively evoke both the period and Geisel's appealingly puckish personality. Featured in spot art, familiar Seuss characters frolic through these pages, thematically complementing the illustrations while reminding readers why Geisel's life is worth celebrating. 

(2004, January 12). [Review of the book The boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel grew up to become Dr. Seuss by Kathleen Krull]. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-375-82298-8

Suggested Activities:

I will do a Dr. Seuss themed storytime and we will make crafts for the children to take home. Some options would be to draw pictures of favorite Dr. Seuss characters, make Cat in the Hat hats out of construction paper, or even the Lorax (by tracing their hands for his mustache and gluing them to a pre-cut head). 

Image Link:

http://childrensbooksguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/the-boy-on-fairfield-street-image.jpg

Module 11: What If You Met a Pirate?

Bibliography:

Adkins, J. (2004). What if you met a pirate?: an historical voyage of seafaring speculation. Brookfield, Ct: Roaring Brook Press.

Book Summary:

 What would you do if you ever met a pirate? Would you be able to identify if he were a real life pirate, or an impostor? These are just a few of the questions that can be answered by this book. Packed full of information about pirates, this non-fiction book gives you the tools to recognize different pirate traits, and even debunks common myths about them. If you want fun facts about the lives of pirates and their daily activities, look no further!

My Thoughts:

Who doesn't love pirates? Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this fun book about what to anticipate if you really did meet a real life pirate. It is a funny book, with lots of fun facts about the lives of pirates. I also loved the illustrations, especially the ones that helped to identify the different parts and accessories of the pirates. This book is great for readers of all ages, especially those who want to learn about pirates in a fun way. 

Professional Reviews:

*Adkins rejects the conventional glamorous image of the pirate to construct a scruffier, though only slightly less romanticized, one in this sweeping history of privateers, buccaneers, freebooters, and similar nautical nogoodnicks. Though he may characterize them as “violent, wicked criminals,” he downplays the more lurid tales of their bad behavior, focusing instead on generalities about their habits, hygiene (“Most pirates had bad teeth, and not very many of them”), and seamanship. He also introduces Sir Francis Drake, William Kidd, Henry Morgan, and other piratical luminaries—often so that he can go on about their bad ends. Scattering loosely drawn but practiced vignettes of men and ships around snippets of historical fact, Adkins offers nothing new beyond a distinctly personal tone, but the topic is hot just now, and there’s enough about ships and sailing here to draw more than narrowly focused pirate fans. (Picture book/nonfiction. 8-10)

(2004, September 1). [Review of the book What if you met a pirate?: an historical voyage of seafaring speculation by Jan Adkins]. Kirkus Review. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jan-adkins/what-if-you-met-a-pirate/#review

*   Many of us have a very colorful image of what a pirate must have been like. They wore flamboyant clothes, had a parrot sitting on their shoulder, usually only had one leg, and were armed to the teeth. This is a wonderful image to imagine when you are playing at pirates at the bottom of the garden but real pirates weren’t really like this. They were, in fact, sailors. Most of the time they had to take care of their ship raising sails, scrubbing decks, and doing any number of normal everyday sort of jobs. Every so often a pirate would be called on to attack a ship, but it was not something that happened all the time. 

  Pirates were really nothing more than thieves at sea who worked for themselves or for others. They were often dirty, ill-fed, and injuries were not uncommon, for being a sailor was a dangerous profession. Many were sailors who had once been in the navy and who had run away from that miserable life. As pirates they had more control over their lives and were not subjected to the cruel punishments that the navy was famous for.
  In this excellent book, many pirate myths and fables are laid to rest but that does not mean that pirates come out looking boring. Far from it. Readers discover that they had a fascinating history, that they lived in interesting times, and that many of their number were very colorful characters indeed. If you have ever wondered how pirates attacked their quarry, how they sailed their ships, what they did all day, and how they lives their lives, then this is the book for you. Packed with facts and filled with colorful annotated illustrations, this book is a must for young pirate fans

(N.d.). [Review of the book What if you met a pirate?: an historical voyage of seafaring speculation by Jan Adkins]. Through The Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews. Retrieved from http://lookingglassreview.com/html/blank_review_for_copying32.html

Suggested Activities:

I would most definitely have talk like a pirate day after reading this at story time! I would also have the children make pirate hats, eye patches, and decorate construction paper treasure chests, and have them glue pictures (cut from magazines by me beforehand) of what they considered to be treasure onto them.  

Image Link:

http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312064728l/27030.jpg