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READING STYLE GUIDE

Jane Austen

3/29/2018

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"​A fondness for reading, which properly directed, must be an education in itself."
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Found it! The perfect gift for one of my literary-loving friends. She works as a children's librarian and is also an ardent fan of Jane Austen.
It's mind-boggling to consider that a quiet little novelist, who never published a book under her own name and died at the age of 41, remains a model of literary excellence. Two hundred years have not diminished interest in her life and writing. Her works have been made into multiple adaptations for television and movies. No one could have predicted that her work would be the inspiration for pop culture hits such as Clueless and Bridget Jones.

​Purists delight in Austen’s perceptive portrayals of life: gently skewering the pompous, revealing the mind of the ardent searcher, and lovingly sympathizing with the tender-hearted
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Brave Jane Austin: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel
by Lisa Pliscou ill Jen Corace

Lisa Pliscou's Brave Jane Austen: Reader, Writer, Author, Rebel is a thoughtful introduction to this well-known British author. Pliscou paints a portrait of a close-knit family who valued education and literary pursuits. The well-stocked family library included a globe and microscope. Her father read aloud to the family and her mother wrote poetry. When family finances permitted, Jane and her sister were sent away for schooling.
Jane's remarkable determination to remain true to herself and direct her own life is one of the distinguishing features of this narrative. Austen "presented the idea that a girl could use her intelligence to help her live the best life possible."
Back matter includes a brief statement on "The Life and Times of Jane Austen," selected quotations from the her writings, accolades from well-known authors, and a listing of additional resources.
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Jen Corace uses a soft muted color pallet and stylized shapes to capture the essence of Jane's world in the late 1770's to the early 1800's. Darker silhouettes against a creamy yellow background echo images often often seen during this historical period.
A lovely volume to share with young readers, feminists, and aspiring authors.

Pour Your Heart Out:
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A Journal of Wit, Wisdom, and a Touch of Charm

quotes by Jane Austen ill Clare Owen

This attractive journal features quotations from all six of Austen's novels: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey. Each quotation is followed by a journal entry prompt. For example, this quotation is paired with the following prompt. 
Quotation: "There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves. It is not my nature."
Writing prompt: "What are the craziest things you would do for a friend?"
Jane's feminist nature is revealed with statements such as "Songs and proverbs, all talk of women's fickleness. But perhaps you will say, these were all written by men"
​Clare Owen's calligraphy and lovely graphic designs add just the right touch to this easy-to-personalize journal.
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Additional Austin-inspired Gift Ideas

Literary Lust: Gift items celebrating the works of Jane Austen.
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Zippered Pouch
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Pemberly postcards
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Mr. Darcy Quote Pillow
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Obstinate Girl Mug

Bonus: Ten Jane Austin Adaptations

Which ones are your favorites?
Review copies provided by publishers
​Book Pub date: January 30, 2018       Publisher: Henry Holt and Co   ISBN: 978-1627796439
​Journal Pub date: March 27, 2018       Publisher: Penguin Books   ISBN: 978-0425290583
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What a Heroine Looks Like

3/27/2018

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Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

”Who are you?”
“Your worst nightmare. We're the Pandavas.”
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Full disclosure. I resisted reading this book. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed Riordan’s the Olympians series. But if this was another "child of a mythological god" wanna be, I wasn’t interested. Eventually I picked up the volume, started to read, and instantly realized that I was wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. The first few pages convinced me. This is no weak Percy Jackson remake.
​Roshani Chokshi has taken the concept, turned it inside out, ripped out the old construction, removed the fabric, woven a new tapestry and created something fresh and sparkling. She has breathed new life into a mythological adventure for middle grade readers. ​After the first chapter, I could not stop reading. I skipped meals and didn’t want to put the book down to search for food. Reading was more important than a growling stomach. This book is that good! Here some of the reasons why Aru Shah and the End of Time captivated me:
  • The setting. India's mythology is a rich source of fascinating lore that is less familiar to me. Twelve-year-old Aru and her mother live in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture. Her life is steeped in Indian stories and artifacts, from the giant stone elephant she passes each day to 400-year-old sea dragon statue where she hides her candy stash, Aru lives in a world that promises magic. Readers are introduced to a cast of exotic gods and goddesses. Fortunately, Chokshi includes a helpful glossary. It is possible to enjoy the tale without referring to this back matter. Usually I would wait until I came to a stopping place to use the glossary. I didn't like to disrupt the flow of the story.
  • Humor. Chokshi peppers her narrative with liberal doses of pop culture. Aru, dressed in her Spider-Man pajamas, travels to the Court of the Sky, visits the Pool of the Past, and seeks the Kingdom of Death. Her trip to Costco resembles my ventures into the massive warehouse and at the same time is unlike any shopping trip that I have experienced. It's a place of industrial concrete, frigid temperatures, and massive lines of people.  Aru and Mini head down the aisle of frozen foods seeing "black bean soup, lunch rolls, pizza, bagels, pizza bagels, tripe, codfish, catfish, I-can't-believe-it's-not-fish fish.....frozen waffles, frozen pancakes, frozen stars, frozen wings, ...frozen prophecies, frozen orreries, frozen gold, frozen..." you get the idea. Did I mention the chapter headings? They are so clever and snarky. It’s fun to read chapter headings such as: "#1 on Mini's Top Ten Ways I Don't Want to Die List: Death by Halitosis" "Bring on the Next Demon! Wait, Maybe Not..."
  • Parents are not perfect. Aru lives with a mother who is away from home. A. Lot. Her father, who has been absent from her life ,makes a startling entrance. He is the Sleeper. The bad guy. How could this man be her father? How could her mother have fallen in love with him? Why has her mother kept her parentage a secret?
This is a heroic tale. Aru learns that she is the spirit daughter of Indra, king of the heavens, god of thunder and lightning. Together with her newly discovered spirit-related sister Mini, she must defeat the Sleeper. If she fails to succeed, the Sleeper will reach the Lord of Destruction and time will end. The two sisters take upon themselves the monumental tasks of locating celestial weapons and thwarting the Sleeper's plans. Yes, there is plenty of action, adventure, and magic. But it’s basically a story of a girl who understands that she makes mistakes and that she is not perfect. Nonetheless, deep inside her are the qualities of a hero. Make that heroine.
To all those Rick Riodan fans who know every single character in the Percy Jackson series and can answer a bazillion Olympians trivia questions, meet a new heroine. Her name is Aru Shah and she has more exciting adventures in the heavens and earth than you could possibly dream. (Paraphrasing Shakespeare) Bonus: Aru has another book coming soon. Look for Aru Shah and the Song of Death.
”You will never be hero. You were never meant to be a hero.​”
“I already am. And it's not hero...It's heroine.”
Review based on uncorrected text copy.
Pub date: March 27, 2018       Publisher: ​Rick Riordan Presents     ISBN: 978-1368012355
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Creatures Great & Small

3/23/2018

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The Creature of the Pines by Adam Gidwitz ill Hatem Aly

Created by Jesse Casey, Adam Gidwitz, and Chris Smith

Can we start with the ring?
This ring is the finger adornment that dreams are made of. 
     Defende Fabulos Defend the Imaginary
     Potege Mythica​ Protect the Mythical
Just think of it. ​It is noble. It speaks of grandeur.  This is one amazingly cool ring.
​I understand that it may only be worn by members of the Unicorn Rescue Society.
​​Professor Fauna, sign me up now. Please.
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It's Elliot Eisner's first day at a new school and already he's feeling more than a little uneasy. The day is starting with a field trip. Boarding a bus with students he doesn't know, supervised by a teacher he has never met, and heading into the Pine Barrens of New Jersey does not appear to be a promising start.  Elliot and his new-found friend Uchenna Devereaux soon learn that this field trip will not be like any other school excursion they have experienced. 
A very strange-looking man, with hair that "stood up from his scalp like he was in the habit of kissing electric eels" introduces himself to the busload of students as Professor Fauna and promises them a dangerous expedition. "Indeed. Danger is the greatest teacher."
Then it happens. Elliot and Uchenna encounter a small furry blue creature, shaped like deer, with claws on its two front  feet and red bat-like wings.  It is a Jersey Devil, resident of the Pine Barrens.  Not only do they see this mythical creature, they carefully hide it in Uchenna's backpack. 
It will take quick thinking, skillful maneuvering, and an enormous quantity of courage to protect the Jersey Devil from danger.   One constant threat to any mythical creature is the nefarious Schmoke Brothers, of Schmoke Industries. Their motto is "Making the World the Way We Want It to Be." They will stop at nothing to track down and capture mythical beasts.
Gidwitz's storytelling skills shine throughout the tale. He immediately takes readers into his confidence, sharing Elliot's thoughts as he boards the bus "They think I'm a weirdo." He mocks the eccentricities of adults. Miss Vole spoke to the students “like they were in kindergarten… if her voice got any higher, only dogs would be able to hear her. “ He keeps the action moving along, with plenty of hints suggesting possible peril. Short snappy sections are delicious little morsels, enticing readers on to the next page, paragraph, chapter.
Hatem Aly's black and white line drawings match character descriptions. Yes, Miss Vole does indeed resemble a vole.  The imposing figure of Professor Fauna completely towers over the children with eyes that look "like death."  Elliot and Uchenna have over-sized heads, giving them a slightly cartoonish quality.  It's like watching TV, only better.
My advice for libraries: begin clearing a shelf for this series. I worked with a group of youngsters last summer who could not get enough stories about Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster. Mythical creatures fascinated them. The Creature of the Pines is the first in a series that has the potential to be a sure-fire hit.
One final note about the end papers. The decision to show the "Official World Map" with edited improvements by Elliot and Uchenna is clever.  Let's hope that this map will evolve as the series progresses. 

Stay Connected to the Society

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The Unicorn Rescue Society Book Tour with Adam Gidwitz
  • April 7 Book Launch 4-6 pm @ Brooklyn Pubic Library, Central Library, Dweck Center 
  • April 19 California 4 PM @ Copperfield's Books, Petaluma 
  • April 21 Cavalcade of Authors Washington State University, Tricities
  • May 21 Chicago 4:30 PM @ The Book Stall, Winnetka
  • June 28 Follett's Reading Con, Northern Illinois University Conference Center,Naperville
  • July 13 BYU Books for Young Readers  @Provo City Library at Academy Square, Provo
Meet Mr.Gidwitz
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Join the Unicorn Rescue Society
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Get Ready for a New Adventure
Review, images, and text based on uncorrected copy.
Pub date: April 10, 2018       Publisher: ​Dutton Books for Young Readers      ISBN: 978-0735231702
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Story Pirates

3/20/2018

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Stuck in the Stone Age by Geoff Rodkey ill by Hatem Aly

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Have you ever read a book that was so funny that you found yourself laughing out loud? Have you ever found people looking at you and asking “What’s so funny?”
When this happens, you look up from your book and realize that you are making a public scene. Immediately you attempt to stifle the guffaws bubbling up inside you. Eventually you acknowledge that you can’t control your laughter. It is time to decide: either put the book away until you are alone or just keep reading and ignore the curious stares. This precisely describes my experience as I laughed my way through Stuck in the Stone Age by Geoff Rodkey. Note: I kept reading.
Tom Edison's dream (not THAT Tom Edison) is to become a world-famous scientist. Sadly, the study of science is not his forte. This fact is of no consequence. He is convinced that given the proper opportunity, he will prove his potential. First step on the ladder to greatness: a job as a janitor at CEASE- the Center for Extremely Advanced Science Experiments. There he meets the quiet researcher Dr. Marisa Morice. Through a bizarre twist of fate, the two unlikely companions find themselves transported via a time travel machine to the prehistoric era. This is a land of cavemen, bats with an inordinate amount of guano, and one very determined saber-tooth tiger. How will the ever-exuberant but dim-witted Tom and the brilliant but socially inept Dr. Morice work their way out of this dilemma and return to the present?
​This is one fast-paced, laugh-filled adventure. Be advised: If you read this book in public and start laughing uncontrollably, people will take note and you'll probably have to read it aloud to total strangers.
​"You think we'll be okay?"
"Definitely not."
"We'll survive, though, right?"
"Not a chance."
"Not even if we brace ourselves?"
"Did you take physics?"
"Yeah, But I got an H in it."
"What's an H?"
"It's a little worse than a G."
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Rodkey has created two things here: a hilarious time travel adventure and a how-to guide for aspiring young authors. Not since Adventures in Cartooning have I encountered such a successful and innovative approach to making a dual-purpose publication. The Story Pirates series takes it one step further. Rodkey solicitated Story Ideas from youngsters. He uses an idea from Vince Boberski, a boy from Memphis, as the premise for Stuck in the Stone Age. He explains the story creation process in a writing manual located at the back of the book. Throughout the text, references are made to sections within the manual which provide guidance and suggestions. The notations throughout the story are accompanied by clever illustrations. Helpful infographics are an added bonus.  Hatem Aly’s zany art provides the perfect complement to this wild adventure. This book is a gold mine for those who enjoy a good tale well told and/or those who want to tell their own amazing stories.

Bonus Resources

Interested in story creation? Story Pirates website is storytelling central. With live performances, educational programs, and online resources that include podcasts and videos, this is a treasure chest filled with imaginative delights.  Enjoy this sample of videos from the Story Pirate's YouTube channel.
Review, images, and text based on uncorrected copy.
Pub date: March 6, 2018       Publisher: Rodale Kids        ISBN: 978-1635650891
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The Bully and Me

3/15/2018

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What Happens Next by Susan Hughes ill Carey Sookocheff

Just this week. Just this week. A tween was in tears because of a cutting remark about her body size/shape. As tears and hurt and shame spilled from her eyes and lips and heart, I kept thinking, "What can she do?  What can I do? What can we all do to prevent this type of ugly treatment?"
Susan Hughes offers some thoughtful things to consider in What Happens Next. 
Told through a series of statements usually beginning with the word "what,” a young girl describes events in her life.  Each statement is followed by her observations and inner thoughts.
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What Bully B. Does at School Today:
Blocks my way.
Asks me questions that aren't really questions. Like,
"Why are you so weird?"

What Her Friends Do:
Laugh

What Everyone Else Does:
Nothing

What I Say When Mom Asks How 
My Day at School Was:

Fine
Her feelings are real and raw. It hurts to read of her endless pain. Her only solace is her dog Sparky. Eventually she is able to share her feelings with her mother and together they formulate a plan to help her cope with the hostility she encounters. The book ends on a hopeful note. 
​​While all problems with bullies are not quickly and easily solved, Hughes' book can serve as resource for helping children and adults acknowledge the problem of bullying and suggest positive proactive steps to deal with bullies. 
Sookocheff's line drawings are punctuated with blue and green blocks of color, echoing emotions.  This use of color is particularly evident in the  blue wash used to identify the narrator.  Near the story's conclusion, small hints of red are introduced.
Written for children, this picture book can serve as a resource for parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with young people who face the constant threat of bullying.
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Review, images, and text based on uncorrected copy.
​Pub date: March 15, 2018       Publisher: Owlkids        ISBN: 978-1771471657
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With a Little Help from My Friends

3/15/2018

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Arnold the Brave by Gundi Herget ill Nikolai Renger

Arnold is no ordinary member of the flock. While others fill their days grazing on the hillside, playing cards, and knitting, Arnold is in training. Push-ups, squats, pull-ups: this is a serious workout.  Arnold aspires to be a strong and fearless hero, a Super Sheep. Look at that muscle, which he proudly sports on the cover of Arnold the Brave. 
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No one in the meadow seems to take him seriously. He does have one fan, Milo the mole, who cheers for Arnold from an underground hole.
Things change the day that a wolf is seen on the horizon and appears to be heading toward the flock.
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This imposing canine has the sheep terrified.  Whatever will they do?
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They decide that hiding from the wolf is their best recourse.
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But not our fearless Super Sheep. He is ready to take on any foe. He has no fear and boldly approaches the wolf. ​Little does he realize that he has a secret accomplice: Milo bravely puts into action his own scheme to thwart Mr. Wolf.
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Reader who are attentive to the images will catch on and knowingly smile when they realize the secret to Arnold's moment of triumph.   Herget's clever tongue-in-cheek narrative gently pokes fun at Arnold. Renger's illustrations are spot-on, lovingly spoofing the super hero while letting readers in on the inside joke.

Extension Activities

Ball of Yarn

This is an excellent opportunity to teach the term unravel to those unfamiliar with knitted sweaters. Obtain an old sweater and demonstrate the process of unraveling. Then have some fun with a ball of yarn by playing the web game. Share something you have in common and pass the ball on, holding onto a piece of the string.  Keep it going until you have created your group’s tangled web.
At the conclusion, get out the scissors. Everyone gets a yarn bracelet.

School Heroes

Sometimes the heroes are the ones we don't notice.  Milo is that type of hero: supporting his friend's efforts, cheering for him on, and recognizing his accomplishments.  This might be an excellent opportunity to recognize the unsung heroes students encounter at school.  Perhaps the honoring the school lunchroom staff and campus custodian would be a good place to start. 
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May 4, 2018 is School Lunch Hero Day. Visit this website for biographies of real life lunch staff members. Get downloadable flyers, cards, lesson plans, and other resources.
Review, images, and text based on uncorrected copy.
Pub date: March 1, 2018       Publisher: Peter Pauper Press, Inc        ISBN: 978-1441326508
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Childhood: Heritage Lost. Heritage Found.

3/13/2018

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Islandborn by Junot Díaz ill Leo Espinosa

Lola por Junot Díaz ilustrado por Leo Espinosa

"Every kid in Lola's school was from somewhere else"
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Lola is faced with a dilemma. Her teacher has assigned each member of the class the task of creating a picture of the country of his/her origin. Lola has no recollection of her native land.  She left the country of her birth when she was a baby. After consultation with the teacher, she devises a plan. She will ask family, friends, and people in her community about her homeland. She hears delightful memories of sights and sounds, learns of special places and contented feelings. Her conversations expose not just the good things about her island home. She also learns of the horrors inflicted on innocent people, which forced her family to flee the island.
Lola fulfills the assignment, creating a pastiche of images incorporating joyous memories with painful ones. The finished product is evidence her of understanding of the past, appreciation for the present, and hope for the future of her homeland.The evil that once threatened this island will not destroy the life and love and hope of its people. ​
Without mentioning a specific individual, Díaz uses the imagery of a monster to explain the cruelties of life under a ruthless dictator. He handles this difficult topic with a sensitivity and understanding appropriate for young readers.
Espinosa's vibrant illustrations capture the wonder and vitality of the island. Pages brimming with details of island life invite exploration. The full-page spread depicting the monster attacking the island is frightful. However, the overall tone of the images throughout the book, especially facial expressions and body language, depicts a family that offers reassurance and security in times of distress.
Islandborn is the English edition and  Lola, the Spanish edition of this picture book from 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Díaz.
"Just because you don't remember a place doesn't mean it's not in you."
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Extending the family story experience

The beauty of this book is the acknowledgement of this universal truth: often children do not remember events from early childhood. They rely on family and others within their circle to help them construct a sense of identity, history, and heritage.
After reading Islandborn, youngsters can be encouraged to search for information about their own family history and heritage. Research may take the form of interviews, family stories, music, recipes, artifacts, and more. Many years ago, I attended a workshop presented by Alma Flor Ada. She suggested that schools can help children discover and appreciate their identity and heritage. I was inspired by her presentation and decided to implement a few of her suggestions with a group of eight-year-old youngsters. Here's what we did:
Each student interviewed a family member, organized the results of individual research into a biography, and published the personal narrative as a book. Text was enhanced with copies of family photographs and student-created illustrations. We also (a suggestion from Dr. Ada) solicited recipes from families and compiled a cookbook of family recipes. A copy of the cookbook was prepared for the family of each student.
Then came the celebration! Families were invited to school to read the amazing family stories and to sample the delicious dishes from a variety of cultures. This became an annual event, shared with extended families.
Review, images, and text based on uncorrected copy.
Pub date: March 13, 2018 Publisher: Dial Books ISBN: 978-0735229860 (English)  978-0525552819 (Spanish)
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Simply Irresistible

3/7/2018

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Pignic by Matt Phelan

The sun is shining. The weather is balmy. That can only mean one thing: It's the perfect day for a pignic. 
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​​​​A jovial porcine family is set for a day of frolicking in the great outdoors.
They've got a basket filled with lunchie-munchies: Pretzel! Pies! Pickles! Plums! They've got a kite.
​They are excited. So excited. Watch them skip and leap as they head out for an afternoon of fun.
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Who can resist this cover? Mr Phelan gets it right, down to the curly pigtail flourishes on the title letters G and C. 
When they reach their destination, problems arise.  An exploration leaves them stranded until an animal friend comes to the rescue.  When the kite cannot be launched, Phelan provides a brilliant solution that is a clever comic twist on a fairy tale trope. Suddenly the sky darkens. Rain drenches the piglets.  It appears that the day is a disaster. Not so. Phelan works his storytelling magic with the perfect solution.
Soft water color images exude personality and are well-suited to the setting.  Illustrations give young readers visual cues needed to decode unfamiliar words.  Repetitive phrases, limited vocabulary, and large font centered within plenty of white space provide readers additional support. 
Pignic is a delightful adventure for young and not-so-young readers.
Review based on uncorrected copy.
Pub date: March 6, 2018       Publisher: Greenwillow Books     ISBN: 978-0062443397
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One Line Changes Everything

3/6/2018

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The Night Diary by Veera Hirandani

"I will never understand, as long as I live, how a country could change overnight from only a line drawn."
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By the time that I reached the concluding chapter of The Night Diary, Veera Hiranandani had succeeded in shattering my heart into a thousand tiny pieces.
At the tender age of twelve, Nisha's world has already been turned upside down. Living with her widowed father, younger brother Amil, and grandmother, she already experiences tension at home, as her grieving father plunges himself into his work as a physician at the Mirpus Khas city hospital. He becomes cold and aloof to his children, particularly to Amil.
However, life for Nisha becomes immensely more difficult after the 1947 partition of India. Two self-governing countries, India and Pakistan, are created to separate Muslim and Hindu populations.
Nisha's father is Hindu and her mother was Muslim. Nisah's family is forced to leave the India that they know and cross the Pakistani border. The journey becomes dangerous as religious hostilities escalate. Note: The author asserts that during this time over 14 million people crossed borders. An  estimated one million people were killed during this migration .
The family flees on foot with only a sack of personal items, bedrolls, mosquito netting, and limited amounts of food and water. Travel is treacherous. Water becomes scarce. Dehydration, exhaustion, and fear of enemy attack become their constant companions. One time Nisha is held at knife point. Although they refuse to give voice to the thought, the possibility of death hovers in the minds of Nisha and her family. ​
The story concludes on a positive note. The family escapes intact and begins life in a new city. Nisha discovers that she possesses the courage to trust others, a willingness to make a new friend, and the strength to recover and share her voice.

Resources

Hiranandani’s novel, based on her family’s history, opened my mind and my heart to new ideas and experiences. Supplemental resources enriched my understanding and appreciation for The Night Diary.

Food and Phrases

"He taught me how to fold the dough over the filling and dab the edges with water before pressing the corners together.​ Each samosa felt like a small animal, soft and warm in my hand."
The author provides a glossary of words commonly used in India and Pakistan. I was fascinated by the references to food. Sampling regional dishes is an excellent way to bring Nisha's story to life. Yumm!
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Dal
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Kheer
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Samosa
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Roti

Journal

"...I've decided I'm going to write in it every day if I can. I want to explain things to you as if I'm writing a storybook, like The Jungle Book except without all the animals. I want to make it real so you can imagine it."
Kazi, the family's cook and Nisha's friend, gives her with a diary as a birthday gift. She begins to record the events of her life, including the family's journey.  Her account brings a child's perspective to the way that political strife affects the young. The book also serves as a model for keeping a record of events and thoughts. 

Maps

"Sometimes the world as you know it just decides to become something else."
I found it helpful to use maps to help me visualize past and present political boundaries. Tracing Nisha's life and her travels graphically brought context to the story.
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Social Issues

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind," Papa said.
This middle grade novel is both unique to the 1947 conflict in India and universal as it explores the themes of racism, refugees, political turmoil, and religious oppression.  It would be enlightening to compare current conditions with those Nisha experienced in 1947. In what ways is her experience still relevant in today's world?

Conversation with Author 

​Review and quotations from an uncorrected text.
Pub date: March 6, 2018       Publisher: Dial Books     ISBN: 0735228515
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Artisan Box of Chocolates

3/6/2018

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Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Pénélope Bagieu

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Recently I received a box of artisan chocolates. This was not your ordinary drug store variety. Each bonbon was a unique creation with a complex blend of flavors. Think burnt caramel, tarragon grapefruit, Piedmont hazelnut.
Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World is the literary equivalent to a box of artisan chocolates. The gorgeous case holds a selection of biography bonbons.
Like an assortment of confections, the micro-biographies are presented without regard to chronology, geography or sphere of influence. Entries showcase distinctive details of each woman's life, morsels to be savored.
This graphic novel format introduces twenty-nine remarkable women. The names of some are well known. Others are less familiar. All share one distinguishing feature: every woman lived her life as a rebel. Some faced obstacles because of birth. Others were challenged by circumstances. Each found herself straining against cultural norms, injustice, and personal hardship. Each overcame adversity and became a champion of change.
So many stories to sample. Where to begin?
​Do you want something sweet? Try Giorgina Reed, Lighthouse Keeper; Josephina Van Gorkum, Obstinate Lover; or Temple Grandin, Animal Whisperer.
Are you looking for something complex? Learn about Leymah Gbowee, Social Worker; Christine Jorgenson, Reluctant Celebrity; or Mae Jemison, Astronaut.
Read the book from cover to cover or dip in and sample the variety of stories as you fancy. Either way, it's savory and satisfying reading.
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Pénélope Bagieu has created a fascinating and highly entertaining compendium of female trailblazers. Each vignette consists of an introductory portrait with basic biographical  information.
Most pages follow a six or nine panel-per-page format. Black and white line drawings are punctuated with bright spots of color. A chapter's color pallet is unique to the life and reflects the personality of the highlighted woman. Each entry concludes with a gorgeous two-page full color illustration, celebrating the life of this woman and her contributions to her world.
Emphasis is placed on the circumstances which compelled each to take a stand. Bagieu's adds her own observations and witty asides to the narrative. Sometimes her tone is slightly sardonic. This is not an exhaustive in-depth historical treatise. The author is here to tell the story of rebels. In keeping of her purpose, she at times merely alludes to and occasionally omits historical details.
Back matter includes a list of thirty additional ladies who rocked the world.
Note: One hopes that these individuals will receive expanded treatment in a follow-up volume.  Bagieu also provides her own author's biography with a layout similar to that of the twenty-nine featured women.
Look for tales of firebrands, revolutionaries, visionaries, and nonconformists. This scrumptious collection of vignettes will entertain, provoke thought, and provide a starting place for further study and research.  Enticing reading.
Sample pages: Meet Nzinga, Queen of Ndongo and Matamba Empress Wu Zetian. 
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Note the vivid color and lush design featured in this two-page spread highlighting the life and accomplishments of Annette Kellerman.  She was a remarkable pioneer who revolutionized women's swimwear. Kellerman designed functional swimming suits for women.  At the time her creations were considered scandalous.  She also built a career as an actress, appearing in about twenty films.  Later she became an author and advocate for health and fitness. ​

​Review copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 6, 2018       Publisher: First Second    ISBN: 978-1626728691
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