Some great teen reads

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Wonder by RJ Palacio

A very powerful read, yet one that I would highly recommend for kids in grades 6-8^th. This is a story about a young boy that has been born with some serious malformations of his face due to a genetic disease. Yet inside he is a very normal 5^th grade boy. Like we always say in life, don’t judge a book by its cover, and don’t judge a person by his/her face. This is a story with many lessons in it; this is a story that can provide for many conversations in a classroom. This is a story about life, for good or for bad. But mostly it is a story about kindness. I highly recommend this remarkable book!

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Another powerful yet soulful story that I would recommend for teens, grades 8^th and up. This is a story about cancer, cancer in teenagers. It is about life, death, and love. Hazel is 16 with terminal cancer when she meets Augustus at her kids-with-cancer support group the two fall in love. The only caveat is they both don’t know how much longer they each have. A deeply moving story that will make you laugh and cry at the same time.  A powerful story written by an amazing author, a New York Times bestseller as well as a Printz Medal and Honor and the Edgar Award.

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Macker

This is not only a great story for teens, but also a quick easy read for those of us who were teenagers during the mid-1990’s. It is a story that shows us what life was like when the Internet just became popular. When AOL sent discs in the mail so that everyone could go online and sign up for an AOL email account. Remember those days? Now think ahead, what would life been like in the 1990’s if you could see into the future, “Facebook” future. This is a story about two teenagers, Josh and Emma, that suddenly see into the future after logging onto their AOL account and find facebook 15 years later. They see what their life might be like. For good or for bad. a cute story that really shows us how Facebook has changed our lives.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This is a very powerful book about teen suicide full of suspense and emotion. Hannah Baker is dead but before taking her life she talked about the reasons why she wanted to die and recorded them onto cassettes that she later sent out to the young people in her life she felt responsible for her death.  When Clay Jensen receives the box of her tapes in the mail he doesn’t want to have anything to do with the tapes. He feels her secrets should be buried with her but instead he begins listening to the tapes and his life is changed forever. This is truly a book that you will never get out of your mind but at the same time a book that probably has saved many lives as well. The author has created a story that many teens and parents should read on such an important topic. 

The Tail of Emily Windsnap

This is the first book in a wonderful little adventure story for middle grade girls about a mermaid. Emily is a sweet 12 years old. She has never met her father and she lives with her mother on a houseboat. The weird thing is, Emily has never learned how to swim. She isn't sure why her mother doesn't want her swimming but she has decided it is time to learn. Little does she know that once she gets into the water, her legs turn into a tail. Once Emily finds out she is a mermaid she is afraid to let her secret out. Follow Emily through her sea-filled adventures and her quest to find her father. This little series combines the life of a mermaid and that of a middle schooler.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap
Emily Windsnap the Monster from the Deep
Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist
Emily Windsnap and the Siren's Secret

Dream Big, READ!

Please check out my reading lists by grade levels!

Why is Summer Reading Important?

Why do public libraries have summer reading programs and why are they so important? Each year studies have shown that when children continue to read over the summer there is no “loss” of reading skills. This is why it is imperative that children participate in summer reading programs through the public libraries. These programs encourage reading, encourage participation in a special summer programming, that could really be considered an enrichment program that are geared towards kids to make coming to the library and reading fun. Reading is important because it is also essential to helping students become better readers, writers and spellers. It encourages self-selection of books, which can be very motivating for reluctant readers.

The reason why these programs are so powerful is because they provide activities and a range of reading materials to accommodate all diverse learners and learning styles. The goal isn’t only to advance literacy rates among children and engage them in reading related activities but to also foster a love of reading. This also involves parents and all family members, young and old. Summer reading increases the success of reading experiences as well as providing a great access to books and other materials that libraries provide. Putting books into the hands of the children, isn’t that what it is all about? 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This month on March 23^rd, the popular teen novel, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins will be released nationwide as one of the biggest films to hit the screens since Harry Potter. While this story takes place in the not so distant future, it shows the U.S. as a collapsed world weakened by drought, famine, fire, war as well as a corrupt government. The world has now been divided into 12 districts with one capital and each year, two young teenagers are representatives from each district where they participate in the Hunger Games. It is similar to a reality show, although the stakes are much higher. You fight until the death and only one survivor remains. This is a story, the first in a trilogy, where a young 16-year-old girl, Katniss, volunteers herself to participate in the games in order to save her younger sister who has been originally chosen for the games. This is a story not only of survival but also of friendship and love. The recommended reading level for this book is for grades 7 and up.

As we have seen with everything else, once a book has gained immense popularity someone usually buys the rights and makes it into a movie, so there is no surprise that this best selling novel published by Scholastic that has over 16 million copies in print just in the U.S. has developed a massive following. "The Hunger Games" directed by Gary Ross, and produced by Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik releases on March 23rd. The movie has been rated PG-13 and has already sold more early tickets than the infamous “Twilight Series” so they expect this movie to break some box office records. The movie includes an incredible cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth ,Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci and many more.

The core fans for this movie are teenagers and young adults based on who has read the trilogy. But, let’s not forget that this story is about surviving, killing in order to survive. While many young fans will want to see this movie, there is a tremendous amount of violence as the premise for this story is about kids killing kids. 

 For me personally I read the first book only and yes I couldn’t put it down. While I enjoyed the story and was definitely on the edge of my seat, I didn’t feel the need to finish the trilogy. I will be the first to admit that I am more of a conservative reader and my biggest problem with this story was the concept of kids killing kids while others watched on a large screen. It is a reality show gone wrong. But I also know the audience for this wonderfully written trilogy couldn’t get enough and while I know the movie will be a surefire hit, I would be very careful in recommending this movie to anyone under 13.

I also do strongly recommend that you read the book before heading to the movie. This has always been my policy, read first then see the movie. The book always provides so much more in the way of details and in all instances the books are always better than the movies. There is no possible way to include all the details of a well-written book into a two-hour time frame of a movie. I believe this will be the case with Hunger Games as well. But most important I think about the author, the incredible person that came up with the story first. Don’t you think we owe it to them to read their story before watching it on the big screen? If you haven’t read The Hunger Games yet by Suzanne Collins, you have exactly 27 days until the release of the movie. Go find a copy now! You won’t be disappointed.

Some websites of interest based on the movie and book:

http://www.thehungergames.co.uk/

http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Suzanne-Collins/dp/0439023483

http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/index.htm

Caldecott Challenge 1996

1996 Caldecott Medal Winner: 
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
A sweet, sweet story about friendship. Officer Buckle takes Gloria, the police dog, wherever he goes when giving his safety speeches. Little does Officer Buckle know that Gloria is the one that really steals the show. The illustrations are done in bright colors with cartoon characters that are outlined in black ink which really make the ilustrations stand out. **** Grades K-3

1996 Caldecott Honor Winners:
Alphabet City by Stephen Johnson
This fabulous ABC book is done with pastel, watercolor, gouache, and charcoal paintings that are so completely realistic you would think that the images are actual photographs. Each page has a different letter. This is a wordless picture book that takes the reader on sights from Times Square to the Brooklyn Bridge.*** Grades K-3

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin illustrated by Marjorie Priceman and written by Lloyd Moss
This story is about ten instruments that take their parts, one by one, in a musical performance. The illustrations are done in Gouache with clever jazzy verses on each page. *** Grades K-4

The Faithful Friend illustrated by Brian Pinkney and written by Robert San Souci
This is a retelling of a folktale from the Fresh West Indies where two friends meet danger, love, and zombies on the island of Martinique. The illustrations are done in scratchboard and oil.
** Grades 2-4

Tops and Bottoms adapted and illustrated by Janet Stevens
This is a lovely story that comes from an African American folktale about a hare that turns his bad luck into good luck by striking a clever deal with the rich and lazy bear down the street. Illustrations are done in watercolor and colored pencils. A wonderful story with just gorgeous double page illustrations that very much bring the characters alive. ***Grades K-2

Caldecott Challenge 1997

1997 Caldecott Medal Winner:

Golem by David Wisniewski
This story is a dramatic retelling of an old tale with masterly cut-paper illustrations. A Rabbi brings life to a clay giant who helps him watch over the Jews during the 16th century in Prague. The illustrations in this story are truly magnificent as the reader can see the fine cuts of paper and details in every illustration. *** Grades 3 and up

1997 Caldecott Honor Winners:
Hush! A Thai Lullaby illustrated by Holly Meade and written by MinFong Ho
This is a Thai lullaby that asks animals to be quiet and not disturb the sleeping child. It is a lovely story with repeating verse on each page. The illustrations are combined cut paper, watercolor, and ink drawings. A wonderful bedtime story for any child. Pre-K- 2nd  ****

The Graphic Alphabet  will review at a later time

The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey
A story of a paperboy, in the days of paperboys, and the quiet of morning as he goes through his route. The illustrations are done in acrylics with india ink. Simple text shows the paperboy waking up and going through his route from darkness to light. Grades K-3 ***

Starry Messenger by Peter Sis

From School Library Journal. Grade 1-6. In Follow the Dream (Knopf, 1991), Sis depicted both the humanity and heroism of Christopher Columbus. In Starry Messenger, Sis turns his considerable talents to another infamous Italian?Galileo Galilei. He layers his telling so that young children or groups may focus on the short version printed in large type at the bottom of each page. Older readers will glean more from the quotes pulled from the astronomer's treatise (the work that inspired this title) and other primary sources, such as Inquisition documents. This second layer is printed in script and presented in a variety of decorative patterns (suggesting ideograms) to distinguish it. The sophisticated details of Sis's watercolor, pen, and rubber-stamp illustrations provide yet another dimension as well as ambiance. A master of symbol, the artist creates scenes that focus on the subject?"a boy born with stars in his eyes"?and shows how he shines against the darker aspects of his time. The aging scientist stands alone in a circle of yellow light, suggesting his identification with the heliocentrism for which he was being condemned, surrounded by a sea of red-clad Cardinals. The text is no less powerful: "He was tried in the Pope's court, and everyone could see that the stars had left his eyes." The pathos, the painstaking copies of Galileo's famous sketches of the heavens, and the attention to current scholarship make this book a fascinating find. Leonard Everett Fisher's Galileo (S & S, 1992) is a useful companion for a more straightforward approach.?Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA

Caldecott Challenge 1998 and 1999

We have now entered into the 20th century. I think going backwards and looking at some of these fabulous books is also very interesting in regards to how illustrations have really changed over the years through the different medias used.

1999 Caldecott Medal Winner: 
Snowflake Bentley illustrated by Mary Azarian and written by Jacqueline Martin
A fabulous biography on a self-taught scientist who photographed thousands of snowflakes in order to study their unique formations. The illustrations are woodcuts, hand tinted with watercolors. A great book to honor a great man. Grades K-3. ***

1999 Caldecott Honor Winners:
Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra illustrated by Brian Pinkney and written by Andrea Pinkney
This wonderfully written book is a brief recounting of Duke Ellington's career as a jazz musician and composer. The illustrations are unique in that each picture is prepared as scratchboard rednerings with luma dyes, gouache and oil paint. Duke Ellington was one of the greatest composers of the 20th century and was considered the king of keys. Well written with bright bold colorful illustrations. Grades 1-4 **

No, David!  by David Shannon
A creative remake of a story written and illustrated by David Shannon as a 5 year-old that he has brought to life. David Shannon has created a double paged spread with brightly colored illustrations and simple text about a little boy, himself, always getting into trouble. A great story for preschoolers!  Pre K- 2. **

Snow by Uri Shulevitz
This is Uri Shulevitz's second Caldecott honor. This book is a sweet celebration of the coming of snow. Written with simple text and wonderful illustrations in the subtle gray tones, Shulevitz paints entire city scapes in different shades of gray. This is the companion book to Dawn and Rain, Rain River. Grades Pre K- 2. ***

Tibet Through the Red Box by Peter Sis
This book reminds me of Peter Sis and his book, The Wall. Once again Peter Sis has written a very personal book.  I can't do justice to review this book. This is what School Library Journal has to say.
Grade 7 Up-Through personal memories, old tales, and intriguing pictures, Sis opens a door to the little-known land and religion of Tibet. There is a room, a study, in a house in Prague where a red box waits to be opened. It holds a diary of a long ago journey to Tibet made by the author's filmmaker father, sent to record the building of the first road from Communist China into the high mountains of Tibet. The room appears again and again, suffused with the colors of memory. Throughout the book are small sketches and large landscapes, and handwritten diary pages on yellowed sheets with the texture of parchment. Similar in structure and art style to Sis's The Three Golden Keys (Doubleday, 1994), this book is more solidly grounded in the reality of an adventurous journey to central Asia. Then, like a nest of boxes, it reveals layers of memory, tales of Tibet and, finally, references to the present era of political oppression and the hopes that rest on the singular figure of the Dalai Lama. Most intriguing are the eight full-page illustrations inspired by circular, symmetrical patterns and detailed symbols of the Tibetan wheel of life, creatively adapted to the text. Who will venture to study and decipher this artful book with its postmodern structure, its mysterious figures, and its interweaving of past and future? Adults will see the book as a way to introduce children to the geography, culture, and religion of Tibet. Attentive young people will be drawn to puzzle out the meaning of the stories and pictures. Art-conscious readers of all ages will appreciate the author's groundbreaking, creative use of the picture-book format in ways that challenge both eye and mind. Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ

1998 Caldecott Medal Winner:
Rapunzel by Paul Zelinsky
Paul Zelinsky has been a Caldecott honor medalist three previous times. The illustrations in this classic fairy tale are just breathtaking. They are oil paintings with a Renaissance feel to them. Zelinksy also does a wonderful job retelling this classic tale and brings Rapunzel to life for not only children but adults too. *****

1998 Caldecott Honor Winners:
The Gardener illustrated by David Small and written by Sarah Stewart
This sweet story is about a young woman during the Great Depression that has to move into the city and takes her love of gardening with her. The story is creative in that the author has created it through a series of letters back and forth from a little girl, Lydia Grace, to her father while she lives in the city with her Uncle. The illustrations are wonderful with expressive characters, ink-line details, and patches of pastel. The muted backgrounds convey the urban 1930s setting both in the city and in the country.
Grades K-3 ****

Harlem illustrated by Christopher Myers and poem by Walter Dean Myers.
This wonderful poetry about life in Harlem with bold collage art in bright colors connect pictures with the words. A great book for all ages that shows the spirit of Harlem through music, art, literature and everyday life. Grades 1-4 ***

There Was an Old Lady Who Swalloed a Fly by Simms Taback.
 This is one of America's favorite folk poem, first heard in the 1940's and re-written many different ways. This book is unique in that the author/illustrator shows the reader what actually happens on the inside of the old lady's stomach using die-cut collage with bright colors and mixed media. Grades K-3
***