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8/29/2016

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Meet Castle Cranshaw, seventh-grade student with a past that he cannot escape "my dad's in jail for trying to shoot me and my mother", an anger that fuels his days "And I didn't feel nothing either. I just lifted my arms, fists tight, and lowered them like hammers onto Brandon's face.", and a natural talent for running. "Yeah, he can run. Like, really run."

Here's the good news, no actually the terrific news about Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Nine Reasons to read Ghost

It's for middle grader readers. This is a "sweet spot" for creating life-long readers.
It's the first in a series. A great series will keep young readers coming back for more.
It's a quick read. Coming in at 180 pages, the size is not overwhelming. (Try the old booktalk trick of casually rotating the book to reveal the width of the spine, in this case it measures half an inch.)
The cover is terrific. Love the yellow. Love the font, hinting both at the word "Ghost" and at running. Love the figure flying off the edge of the book, old shoes left behind.
The storyline is compelling. While readers can probably figure out where the story is heading and how it will resolve, some of the revelations are startling and will keep readers turning pages.
The pacing is excellent. There are short snappy chapters which feel like sprints. Some of the chapters go the longer distance and build slowly.
The ending is satisfying but definitely whets interest in what will happen next.
Without question, it's Cas aka Ghost who is the best part of the book. His voice is so authentic. His world, both the face he presents on the outside and his private inner struggle are clearly evident.

"This time I said it. 'Whatever,' and gave him my best ice grill to make sure he knew he didn't scare me."

While I have no idea what it would be like to live in a neighborhood like Glass Manor, what it would be like to live with so much pain and anger, Cas makes it real. And in a way that I cannot completely comprehend, I relate to him and his life. Reynolds' writing draws me in.

"I was the boy with the altercations and the big file. The one who yelled at teachers and punched stupid dudes in the face for talking smack. the one who felt...different. And mad. And sad. The one with all the scream inside."

p.s. Mr Reynolds, I couldn't help but wonder about the runner Chris Myers who eventually leaves the team. That name is so familiar. Will he be back in future volumes of the series?

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It's Complicated

8/27/2016

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The Bombs That Brought Us Together by Brian Conaghan

Life for fourteen year old Charlie Law and the residents of Little Town has taken a turn for the worse when the government is overthrown and the "Regime" assumes control. Although Charlie is too young to remember life before the Regime takeover, his parents can remember a time when there was no curfew, open political discourse was encouraged, and citizens had no fear of government henchmen known as Rascals.
Brian Conaghan has created a bizarre futuristic world. It's a totalitarian state where things have gone horribly wrong and terror reigns. Charlie becomes trapped. Blackmailed by the leader of the Rascals into actions which are morally repugnant, Charlie sees no way out.
MENTAL MEMO: Now the dark side has been entered it’s vital to find the door that leads straight out of it.

Conaghan inserts an interesting twist: the plight of refugees. Charlie's befriends newcomer Pavel Duda. Pav and his family have escaped from neighboring Old Country, hoping to find peace and stability within the regulated Little Town. The life of a refugee is difficult, especially when one's country of origin is considered a threat. It is tough for Pav to assimilate into a community when he looks, acts, and speaks differently from the other students. Charlie also begins to suspect that his friendship with Pav comes at a cost.
'That doesn’t make me from Old Country, does it?' I said.
'But hanging around with the enemy makes you the enemy too.'

Conaghan drops a few of his own plot bombs into this fascinating study of morality, friendship, and loyalty. Events leading up to the cracker-jack conclusion are riveting. Conaghan's tale offers teens thoughtful and compelling reading.

Companion books

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner
Fifteen year old Standish Treadwell befriends neighbor Hector Lush. The boys discover government secrets in this grim distopian novel. Printz Honor book.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Tan's wordless picture book brilliantly captures the experience of relocating in a foreign country. Images invite exploration and further discussion.

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Let's Hear it for The Girls

8/27/2016

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Cleonardo The Little Inventor by Mary GrandPré

I love, love, love all of the gorgeous new picture books featuring girls with inquisitive minds. Girls who are willing to think. Girls who are willing to try. Girls who are willing to fail.

Mary GrandPré introduces readers to Cleonardo Wren, a girl who comes from a long line of inventors, including father Geonardo and grandfather Leonardo.
While father crafts clever inventions of wood and metal, Cleonardo Wren finds inspiration from nature: among other things the sticky substance of vines and the power of insect wings. Both daughter and father hope to create something special for the Grand Festival of Inventions.
GandPré's luminous illustrations are clearly inspired by images from the Renaissance and have a rich tapestry-like feel. The style is symbolic of this historical "Age of Discovery". Readers will rejoice as Cleonardo discovers the wonders of the world, her own abilities, her love for her father, and his reciprocal love for his daughter.

Companion Books

There has been a renaissance in picture books about inventive young girls and women. Students can experience their own "Age of Discovery" with these recently published titles. They are well worth reading and adding to your collection.

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Message in a Bottle

8/23/2016

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The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas ill by Erin E Stead

Meet the man with no name who lives alone, recovering message bottles found at sea and delivering the bottle to its intended recipient.
Michelle Cuevas poignant tale of longing for friendship is exquisitely illustrated by Erin E. Stead is certain to find a home in the hearts of young and not-so-young readers.

Why not encourage students to create their own Message in a Bottle?
Small plastic beverage containers make excellent message vessels. They are readily available, reusable, and recyclable.
After reading and discussing The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles with young readers, try crafting a message and sending it out into the world. Including the name and contact information of a school or library may result in a few responses to this message-writing message-sending activity.

Create a message in a bottle:

Wash and remove the label from a plastic beverage bottle. (A plastic bottle is safer for young readers and can be recycled.)
Write a message on a small piece of paper.
Roll the message into a thin scroll.
Add a return address.
It's fun to add a few goodies like confetti or a balloon.
Tightly screw the cap on top of the bottle.
Your message is ready to send out into the world.

"a letter can hold the treasure of a clam-hugged pearl"

Companion book

Somebody Loves you Mr. Hatch
by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Paul Yalowitz
This is a similar tale of a lonely man who discovers a message of friendship.
While the style is different, the soft pastels and effective use of color enhance this poignant story in a manner similar to Stead's work.

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Look Dick! Look Jane!

8/11/2016

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Hello Dick. Hello Jane. These familiar figures bring back memories of my early reading experience.
I spent countless hours in my first grade reading circle going through page after never-ending page, following along as Jane instructed Dick to "Look Dick. Look." Look and Look and Look and Look.
It's a wonder that I ever managed to find reading engaging after all those hours of "Look Dick. Look Jane." Well to be fair, there was Sally. Sometimes we got to look with Sally.
I have this lovely standee to remember the days that I spend with this little duo. I actually enjoy this piece of nostalgia so I'll keep the standee. Fortunately, years ago I discarded those painfully repetitive readers. Once I discovered the magic of stories which captured my imagination and engaged my mind there was no going back.

Elephant & Piggie Like Reading

Time to good-and-truly say goodbye to my childhood friends Dick and Jane. Now there are so many excellent choices in books for Early Readers. I love this new series from Disney Hyperion: Elephant & Piggie Like Reading. Each title features an introduction from Mo Willems and concludes with response to the story from Elephant & Piggie. It's a brilliant concept and great new direction for a well-loved series. Students have already loved the covers off of the Elephant & Piggie books. So this seems like a terrific match.

The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat

Now this is what an early reader should look like: a bright cover with crazy cartoon characters: Hippo, Croc, Squirrels. Each is sporting an impressive set of teeth. Why teeth? Because there are cookies. Of course, there should always be cookies.
The what-should-be-simple task of sharing three cookies becomes complicated when the number of friends exceeds three. What to do?
Things get crazy. Things get violent. It becomes a fiasco. (Isn't that just the best word ever?)
Mental machinations will keep readers puzzling and thinking. The only thing better to accompany this book is a plate of homemade cookies.
Who knew that Santat could make learning to read delicious?

We Are Growing by Laurie Keller

In the summer heat, my herb plants are looking a little dilapidated, but they seemed like the perfect background for Laurie Keller's book about grass. Yes, grass. I never suspected that watching grass grow could be fun.
Until....
The sound effects start up (in giant bold letters) comencing as each blade began to grow "Boing!" " Ping!" "Bam!" "Zap!"
That's when the competition heats up with each blade of grass attempting to outgrow all the other blades of grass.
Trust me, it's really funny.
How will this contest of blades end? Readers who examine the cover will find a hint.
Great fun with grass.