The Unsinkable Walker Bean

From Mild Geek to Courageous Explorer

The Unsinkable Walker Bean by Aaron Renier.  First Second A Aaron Renier Book, 2010).  195 p.  Graphic Novel Junior Book.

Voyage, Creatures, Treasure, Journey, Curse, Courage, Pirate, Expedition, Explosive, Together

Walker together with his friends courageously embarks on an expedition.

Walker’s crew goes on a voyage to return a cursed treasure to the creatures that sought the skull.  Their journey places them with pirates and challenges to meet and defeat including avoiding the curse and surviving the creatures.  The explosive culmination of Walker’s journey is both riveting and sad.

Athena Grey-Eyed Goddess

School Library Journal Best Books Winner 2010

Citation:

Athena Grey-Eyed Goddess by George O’Connor.  (First Second A Neal Porter Book, 2010).  77p. Graphic Novel Junior Book.

Summary:

Athena, a descendant of the Fates, life and relationships are explored visually.

Critique:

a.        The pictures engage the reader in the story of the Greek Goddess, Athena.

b.        The frames and speech bubbles give a comic book feeling to the story which assists in engaging the student in reading the learning the history of the Greek Gods.  The information pages at the culmination of the book are also written with young readers in mind with limited words and brief explanations.

c.         Athena’s battle with Pallas over the affection of Zeus altered Athena’s life in a way she could not have envisioned at the start of the fight (p. 20 – 24) expresses her anger, determination, and sorrow within the context of individual frames.  Information pages include sacred symbols and legacy and other key information.

Curriculum Connection:  

Athena Grey-Eyed Goddess is a story that will engage young readers and peak their interest.  This would be a good book to use in the third grade study of ancient Greece or in the introduction of mythology.

Turtle in Paradise

John Newbery Medal Honor Book 2011

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm.  Random House, 2010.  191 p.  Historical Fiction Junior Book.

Adventure, Discovery, Family, Challenges, Depression, Swindler, Heritage, Treasure, Journey

Turtle’s adventure begins when she discovers life with family.

Turtle is sent to Florida during the Depression to live with family where she discovers her heritage.  She endures challenges and embarks on journeys that allow self discovery.  A long lost treasure is found and divided until the Swindler takes it, which leaves Turtle with the best treasure of all – family.

Someone Named Eva

Junior Library Guild Spring Selection 2007

Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf.  Clarion Books, 2007.  200 p.  Historical Fiction Junior Book.

Nazi, Identity, Reunion, Brainwash, Removed, Hidden, Memories, Family, Treasure, Aryan

Milada’s Aryan features elicit removal from her family by German Nazis.

The Nazi’s change Milada’s identity to Eva.  Subsequent trainings and brainwashing encourage Eva to become a good German girl, but she keeps memories of her Czech family hidden.  Milada hides and wears a pin her grandmother gave her and holds on to the treasure until she is reunited with her mother.

Go Big or Go Home

A meteorite blazes the way to extreme adventure

Citation:

Go Big or Go Home by Will Hobbs.  (HarperCollins  Publishers, 2008).  185p. Science Fiction Junior Book.

Summary:

After FRED, a meteorite, crashes into Brady’s bedroom, he begins to experience physical changes.

Critique:

a.         The effects that Brady experiences after his encounter with Far Roaming Earth Diver (FRED) unfold leaving the reader experiencing feelings of excitement and concern.

b.         The encounter with FRED has side effects that Brady initially welcomes and eventually leaves him in jeopardy.  The supernatural, extreme adventures involve Brady and his cousin, Quinn who enlist the help of others within their Black Hills community.

c.         “ ‘That’s how Brady got the Mars bacteria into his system.  Well, Attila dropped in his tracks only a matter of hours after Brady did…So maybe Attila’s only dormant!’ Buzz cried” (p. 171) provides an extraterrestrial twist to young boys who revel in all things extreme.  

Curriculum Connection:  

Go Big or Go Home is extreme.  It is extreme in descriptions, adventures, and celestial experiences.  This book could be used in a science lesson about space travel and meteorites to discuss and test the possibility of reactions to foreign objects. There are several references to caverns, stalactites and stalagmites, and topography that it could also be used to compare the book descriptions to actual opportunities of a field trip to Luray Caverns or the Caverns at Natural Bridge.

A Suitcase of Seaweed

Claremont Stone Center Recognition of Merit Award Winner

Citation:

A Suitcase of Seaweed and other poems by Janet S. Wong.  (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1996).  42p. Poetry Junior Book.

Summary:

A collection of poems representing the multiple facets of growing up multicultural within America.

Critique:

a.         Wong’s introduction before each cultural section of poems helps the reader make personal connections regardless of ethnicity.

b.         Separating the cultural poetry references – Korean, Chinese, and American – helps Wong compartmentalize her poems while making familial connections anyone can relate to.  The poems are simple yet telling about Wong’s childhood memories.

c.         “Our family / is a quilt / of odd remnants/ patched together/ in a strange/ pattern,/ threads fraying,/ fabric wearing then--/ but made to keep/ its warmth/ even in bitter / cold” (p.42) is easily related to regardless of ethnicity or culture and explains Wong’s heritage and family connections in one simple, easy to read poem.  

Curriculum Connection:  

A Suitcase of Seaweed is a book of poetry that would be a nice addition to a middle school English classroom that is studying the various styles of poetry and how feelings and memories can be conveyed in a few simple words.

Among the Hidden

ALA Best Book for Young Adults

Citation:

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix. (Aladdin Paperbacks, 2000).  153p. Science Fiction Junior Book.

Summary:

Luke, a third child, lives hidden and in fear of being discovered by the Population Police until he befriends another “third.”

Critique:

a.         The story of Luke, a shadow child, pulls at the heartstrings of a parent of multiple children and reels in the reader with the feelings of fear, sympathy, and hope.

b.         The plight of Luke unfolds as the narrator shares his feelings of being alone, hopeless, scared, and brave as he searches for a life outside of the shadows.  When at his lowest point of self-pity, Luke makes a discovery that consumes his thoughts and eventually alters his life and future.  The author describes Luke’s feelings with such detail that the reader can envision him in situations and sympathize for his circumstances.

c.         “He took a deep breath, looking forward toward the Sports Family’s house, then back again toward his own.  He thought about returning home – trudging up the worn stairs, back to his familiar room and the walls he stared at every day.  Suddenly he hated his house.  It wasn’t a sanctuary.  It was a prison” (p.55) is the exact moment that Luke’s life changed in a way he never could have expected or fathomed.  

Curriculum Connection:  

Among the Hidden is a story that a middle school student could read when expected to understand laws that limit personal liberties or how a few people can make a difference.  The story may be interesting to upper elementary age students as well, but the graphic descriptions may be too much for them, unless it is being used as a follow-up to the Social Studies Trail of Tears lessons.