Where the Sidewalk Ends

ALA Notable Children's Book 1974

Citation:

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.  (HarperCollins Publishers, 2004).  183p. Poetry Junior Book.

Summary:

A humorous collection of poems that a reader of any age could enjoy.

Critique:

a.         The silliness and fun of the poetry and drawings delights the mind and the heart.

b.          The drawings are simple yet provide a story to the poem.  The word choice and adventures in the poem take the reader on a giggling journey.

c.         “KERPLOP” (p. 31) describes to your mind the sound of Sky Seasoning.  “But what’s one dentist, more or less?” (p. 66) leads the reader to conclude the ending in “The Crocodile’s Toothache.  “I have a Band-Aid on my finger,” (p. 140) is just the start of the Band-Aid explosion.

Curriculum Connection:  

Where the Sidewalk Ends is a collection of poetry that offers various styles of prose and rhyme.  The diversity of form could be used in any and all poetry lessons.

Meanwhile

3,856 Story Possibilities

Citation:

Meanwhile by Jason Shiga.  (Amulet Books, 2010).  75p. Graphic Novel Junior Book.

Summary:

Chocolate or Vanilla?  The answer you give will take you on a different adventure that could lead to doom or delight.

Critique:

a.         The chance to alter the story and have a different adventure each time you read this book will engage the same reader time and again.

b.         The opportunity to follow a different path by moving up, down, left, and right is an entertaining as it is frustrating.  You may have chosen a path that ends in doom, and you have to start over taking a different path hoping to find the one that leads to happiness and delight.  The frame pictures and different color paths allow the easy navigation of your story.    

c.         “END” (p. 20, 22, 25, 38, 58) is all it says when your path has finished.  Time to start over.

Curriculum Connection:  

Meanwhile is a great graphic novel that will pull in the most reluctant reader.  The opportunity to change the ending or the middle would be a great connection to language arts lessons on alternate endings.

No Talking

Mock Newbery Winner 2007
Young Readers Choice Award -Junior Nominee 2010

Citation:

No Talking by Andrew Clements.  Illustrations by Mark Elliott.  (Simon & Schuster Books, 2007).  146p. Contemporary Realism Junior Book.

Summary:

Dave and Lynsey lead the fifth grade boys and girls in a competition to see which group can win a no talking contest. 

Critique:

a.         A challenge of boys against girls fuels the story as a battle of the adolescent sexes unfold as the reader turns the pages.

b.         The timeless tale of male versus female is told in a new updated younger version that proves that an old concept can be given new life.  The story is well written to pull the reader into the story by hoping that their choice will win, but rooting for Dave the narrator. 

c.         “And there’s a way to prove that girls talk way more than boys.  Unless you’re afraid of some competition” (p. 21) is how the challenge begins.  “She had made the contest an exact tie” (p. 145) allows the battle to rage on for future generations.

Curriculum Connection:  

No Talking will delight any adolescent reader that remains apprehensive about the opposite sex.  The competition in the story could easily be used as an introduction to the importance of body language.  The idea of Dave and Lynsey keeping a record of words could also assist in the math lesson of tally marks.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

John Newbery Medal Honor Book 1939

Citation:

Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard & Florence Atwater.  Illustrations by Robert Lawson.  (Little, Brown and Company, 1939).  139p. Fantasy Junior Book.

Summary:

Mr. Popper receives a large crate from Antarctica that alters his life forever. 

Critique:

a.         The story unfolds as Mr. Popper’s desire is granted when he receives a penguin from Antarctica.

b.         The lively and entertaining story engages the reader in the dreams of Mr. Popper and the antics of his penguin, Capt. Cook and how it affects the Popper house hold.  The story evolves with the addition of Greta and eventually the chicks, and the actions and tricks continue to evolve and grow.  

c.         Capt. Cook needed a place to nest so he was given the refrigerator and the food was removed (p. 29) and the cellar was turned into a frozen haven for the Popper Penguins (p. 75) were only a few of the changes that the Popper’s endured for their pets. The way of life the Popper’s were used to was just beginning to change.

Curriculum Connection:  

Mr. Popper’s Penguins is a timeless classic that will entertain and intrigue young readers to see what the Penguins will do next.  The book could be used to introduce seasonal changes or the different climates required for arctic animals, while engaging the student.

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.