Assignment: #3 of three graphic novels
Author: Art Spiegelman
Publisher: New York : Pantheon Books, 2004.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Graphic Novel
Recommended Grade Levels: 10th grade-adulthood
Summary: Art Spiegelman portrays the day and the days after the Twin Towers fell. He portrays his families personal accounts of September 11th and his political views following the attacks. The novel itself is large and has colored comic strips that interweave characters form Spiegelmans previous writings (MAUS). Art uses both older cartoons and his own to portray how he feels and also how America feels about the tragedy.
Comments: This was not a favorite of mine. It wasn't difficult to read but in some portions of the novel I had no idea what Spiegelman was talking about. I ended up looking up some of the political jargon and researching some of the older cartoons. It was then that I was able to figure out what he was trying to say. This story was not your everyday writing about the attack on September 11th. I know that Art has previously won a Pulitzer Prize for his writings but, I was not impressed.
VOYA: 3Q 3P
Sunday, March 4, 2007
DEMO by Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan
Assignment: #2 of three graphic novels
Author: Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan
Publisher:San Fransico: AIT Planet Lar, 2005
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Graphic Novel
Recommended Grade Levels: 10th grade-adulthood
Summary: Demo is a collection of 18 short stories that are depicted with comics. These stories depict stories about rebellious teenagers, drugs and alcohol, sex, anger,rage and family issues. It is a very graphic sentiment into the minds of teenagers and what they are feeling.
Comments: I was totally disgusted with this graphic novel. I found it to be very raw. The content was fantasy verses reality in some of the stories and others were just twisted tales of rage. The language choice was very offensive to me. The authors tell you in the foreword that these stories are based on there lives. I found it very disturbing that two people could feel the way that is depicted through the whole novel.
VOYA: 3Q 2P
Author: Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan
Publisher:San Fransico: AIT Planet Lar, 2005
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Graphic Novel
Recommended Grade Levels: 10th grade-adulthood
Summary: Demo is a collection of 18 short stories that are depicted with comics. These stories depict stories about rebellious teenagers, drugs and alcohol, sex, anger,rage and family issues. It is a very graphic sentiment into the minds of teenagers and what they are feeling.
Comments: I was totally disgusted with this graphic novel. I found it to be very raw. The content was fantasy verses reality in some of the stories and others were just twisted tales of rage. The language choice was very offensive to me. The authors tell you in the foreword that these stories are based on there lives. I found it very disturbing that two people could feel the way that is depicted through the whole novel.
VOYA: 3Q 2P
Pedro and Me by Judd Winick
Assignment: #1 of three graphic novels
Publisher: New York : Henry Holt, 2000. 187 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Graphic Novel
Recommended Grade Levels: 6-12th grade
Awards: Robert F. Seibert Informational Book Award 2001
Summary: This graphic novel is based around the MTV Real World Season 3: San Francisco. There were six strangers picked to live in a house and have there lives taped 24 hours a day 7 days a week. During the six month stay the author, Judd Winick, meets Pedro Zamora. Pedro has AIDS. Pedro becomes Judds best friend and teaches Judd about life, friendship, diseases and loss.
Comments: I was fortunate enough to have followed this season of the Real World. I was 14 at the time and it was my first time to watch MTV (I lead a sheltered life). The series itself was an eye opening experience. I had never heard of anyone having AIDS and now watching someone on TV was something new. This book was a great representation of how the series unfolded. I enjoyed reading this novel because it helped me to recollect the events that seemed so long ago. Judd does a great job depicting not only the series but the more in depth material that was not seen on TV.
Booktalking Ideas: AIDS awareness, Gay and Lesbian relationships
VOYA: 5P 5Q
Publisher: New York : Henry Holt, 2000. 187 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Graphic Novel
Recommended Grade Levels: 6-12th grade
Awards: Robert F. Seibert Informational Book Award 2001
Summary: This graphic novel is based around the MTV Real World Season 3: San Francisco. There were six strangers picked to live in a house and have there lives taped 24 hours a day 7 days a week. During the six month stay the author, Judd Winick, meets Pedro Zamora. Pedro has AIDS. Pedro becomes Judds best friend and teaches Judd about life, friendship, diseases and loss.
Comments: I was fortunate enough to have followed this season of the Real World. I was 14 at the time and it was my first time to watch MTV (I lead a sheltered life). The series itself was an eye opening experience. I had never heard of anyone having AIDS and now watching someone on TV was something new. This book was a great representation of how the series unfolded. I enjoyed reading this novel because it helped me to recollect the events that seemed so long ago. Judd does a great job depicting not only the series but the more in depth material that was not seen on TV.
Booktalking Ideas: AIDS awareness, Gay and Lesbian relationships
VOYA: 5P 5Q
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Assignment: #8 of ten narratives
Author: Karen Hesse
Publisher: New York : Scholastic Press, 1997. 227 p.
Date: 03/07/07
Format/Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Grade Levels: 6th grade to adulthood
Awards: Newberry Award winnner 1998
Jefferson Cup Award Honor Book 1998
Summary: Fourteen year-old, Billie Jo is a girl who is learning to live without her mother. Her father caused the accident that took the life of her mother. Billie Jo and her father are learning to cope without her mother. Billie Jo is trying to forget her sorrows. The book is written in diary form. Billie also relates her feeling through her poetry. The book is set in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl.
Comments: This book is one of my favorites. It was my first exposure to Karen Hesse and her writing style. I personally enjoyed reading in her short verse journal style. The books itself is appealing due to it mixing history into a young girls story. When I student taught I did a literature unit on the book. The reluctant readers even enjoyed the book. Karen Hesse uses quite a bit of history about the Dust Bowl in the reading. The analogies to death, dust and stone all come back to the perfect setting, Dust Bowl.
Booktalking Ideas: I constructed a webquest for students about the Dust Bowl and the era in which the story took place.
VOYA: 4Q 5P
Author: Karen Hesse
Publisher: New York : Scholastic Press, 1997. 227 p.
Date: 03/07/07
Format/Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Grade Levels: 6th grade to adulthood
Awards: Newberry Award winnner 1998
Jefferson Cup Award Honor Book 1998
Summary: Fourteen year-old, Billie Jo is a girl who is learning to live without her mother. Her father caused the accident that took the life of her mother. Billie Jo and her father are learning to cope without her mother. Billie Jo is trying to forget her sorrows. The book is written in diary form. Billie also relates her feeling through her poetry. The book is set in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl.
Comments: This book is one of my favorites. It was my first exposure to Karen Hesse and her writing style. I personally enjoyed reading in her short verse journal style. The books itself is appealing due to it mixing history into a young girls story. When I student taught I did a literature unit on the book. The reluctant readers even enjoyed the book. Karen Hesse uses quite a bit of history about the Dust Bowl in the reading. The analogies to death, dust and stone all come back to the perfect setting, Dust Bowl.
Booktalking Ideas: I constructed a webquest for students about the Dust Bowl and the era in which the story took place.
VOYA: 4Q 5P
Witness by Karen Hesse
Assignment: #7 of ten narratives
Author: Karen Hesse
Publisher: New York : Scholastic Press, 2001. 161 p.
Date: 03/07/2007
Format/Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Grade Levels: 6th grade- adulthood
Awards: The Best Children's Book of the Year, 2002
Christopher Awards winner 2002
Summary: Lenora Sutter is a twelve year old girl living during 1924. She and her friend Esther,6 years old and Jewish, find themselves to be the target of the Ku Klux Klan. The story is set in a small town in Vermont where no one is safe especially the young girls. The book is told through the voices of the towns people. Everyone is a witness.
Comments: This is another one of Karen Hesse great novels. When I first picked up the book I was concerned that the story was being told by many characters. Hesse solved this problem by having pictures of all of the characters and their descriptions. This was a genius idea. The book was easy to follow with this help. My only concern for students would be the southern slang and the back in forth of looking to see who is talking.
Booktalking Ideas: Research the Ku Klux Klan and how there influence in Vermont at that time.
VOYA: 4Q 5P
Author: Karen Hesse
Publisher: New York : Scholastic Press, 2001. 161 p.
Date: 03/07/2007
Format/Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Grade Levels: 6th grade- adulthood
Awards: The Best Children's Book of the Year, 2002
Christopher Awards winner 2002
Summary: Lenora Sutter is a twelve year old girl living during 1924. She and her friend Esther,6 years old and Jewish, find themselves to be the target of the Ku Klux Klan. The story is set in a small town in Vermont where no one is safe especially the young girls. The book is told through the voices of the towns people. Everyone is a witness.
Comments: This is another one of Karen Hesse great novels. When I first picked up the book I was concerned that the story was being told by many characters. Hesse solved this problem by having pictures of all of the characters and their descriptions. This was a genius idea. The book was easy to follow with this help. My only concern for students would be the southern slang and the back in forth of looking to see who is talking.
Booktalking Ideas: Research the Ku Klux Klan and how there influence in Vermont at that time.
VOYA: 4Q 5P
Looking For Alaska by John Green
Assignment: #6 of ten narratives
Author: John Green
Publisher: New York : Dutton Children's Books, c2005. 221 p.
Date: 03/16/07
Format/Genre: Realistic Novel
Recommended Grade Level: 9-12th grade
Awards: Best Books for Young Adults, 2006
Micheal Printz Award 2005
Editors Choice: Books for Youth, 2005
Summary: Miles Calvary is a junior in high school. He is known only for his knowledge of famous peoples last words. He decides to go to a boarding school, Culver Creek, to find his place in society. This is also his fathers almamtuer. When Miles arrives he meets his roommate, the Colonel. The Colonel quickly begins to show Miles the ropes Culver Creek. Miles first year at school includes a prank that almost proves deadly, alcohol and cigarettes and meeting new friends Takumi, Lara and the gorgeous Alaska. The story ends in tragedy and the friends are left to figure out what really went wrong.
Comments: This book was a little difficult to get into. When I arrived near the middle of the book I was engaged. I couldn't put it down. The author brought all of the smallest details together and connected them with each character (ex. Alaska- candles, daisies- Miles(Pudge)-famous last words-Colonel-smoke, pranks). This particular novel was John Greens first. I believe that it was drawn out a bit but I will definitely be looking for upcoming books. I believe that YA's could really relate to this book,I know that I did. I experienced love and lost in high school and this book brought all the memories pouring back. When the characters are trying to figure out the whys of Alaska's accident, Green was able to weave in the characters feelings. I truly could feel there pain and sorrow. I give this one two thumbs up.
Booktalking Ideas: Death and the grieving process
VOYA: 5Q 5P
Author: John Green
Publisher: New York : Dutton Children's Books, c2005. 221 p.
Date: 03/16/07
Format/Genre: Realistic Novel
Recommended Grade Level: 9-12th grade
Awards: Best Books for Young Adults, 2006
Micheal Printz Award 2005
Editors Choice: Books for Youth, 2005
Summary: Miles Calvary is a junior in high school. He is known only for his knowledge of famous peoples last words. He decides to go to a boarding school, Culver Creek, to find his place in society. This is also his fathers almamtuer. When Miles arrives he meets his roommate, the Colonel. The Colonel quickly begins to show Miles the ropes Culver Creek. Miles first year at school includes a prank that almost proves deadly, alcohol and cigarettes and meeting new friends Takumi, Lara and the gorgeous Alaska. The story ends in tragedy and the friends are left to figure out what really went wrong.
Comments: This book was a little difficult to get into. When I arrived near the middle of the book I was engaged. I couldn't put it down. The author brought all of the smallest details together and connected them with each character (ex. Alaska- candles, daisies- Miles(Pudge)-famous last words-Colonel-smoke, pranks). This particular novel was John Greens first. I believe that it was drawn out a bit but I will definitely be looking for upcoming books. I believe that YA's could really relate to this book,I know that I did. I experienced love and lost in high school and this book brought all the memories pouring back. When the characters are trying to figure out the whys of Alaska's accident, Green was able to weave in the characters feelings. I truly could feel there pain and sorrow. I give this one two thumbs up.
Booktalking Ideas: Death and the grieving process
VOYA: 5Q 5P
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Assignment: #5 of ten narratives
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: New York : Viking Children's Books, c2006. 371 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Realistic Fiction
Recommended Grade Levels: 7-12th grade
Awards: New York Bestseller List
Summary: Annabel Greene is starting her junior year off on the wrong foot. Over the summer she made a huge mistake, she was caught with her best friend Sophie's boyfriend. During the story, Annabel reveals the secret of what really took place. Annabel begins the school year and finds that she has no one. She does find comfort in Owen, the loner of the school. Annabel is not only covering up her summer secret she is bearing the wait of her sisters eating disorder. Her family is denying that anything is wrong and continues this persona throughout the story. Annabel and Owen help each other through this time of anger, hurt and success of letting emotions flow.
Comments: Sarah Dressen has a way of writing about young adults. I was amazed at how well she was able to write about the details of a young adults life. When I was reading I was able to actually remember how I felt when I was in high school. I also enjoyed how Dressen wrote about the characters feelings. Near the end of the book I finally realized by she had titled the book Just Listen. Just Listen refers to Annable and her emotions and how she finds her different music tastes throughout these life changing experiences. The stories main tie is about being honest with feelings and relationships.
Booktalking Ideas: Eating Disorders, rape, relationships and emotions.
VOYA: 5Q 5P
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: New York : Viking Children's Books, c2006. 371 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Realistic Fiction
Recommended Grade Levels: 7-12th grade
Awards: New York Bestseller List
Summary: Annabel Greene is starting her junior year off on the wrong foot. Over the summer she made a huge mistake, she was caught with her best friend Sophie's boyfriend. During the story, Annabel reveals the secret of what really took place. Annabel begins the school year and finds that she has no one. She does find comfort in Owen, the loner of the school. Annabel is not only covering up her summer secret she is bearing the wait of her sisters eating disorder. Her family is denying that anything is wrong and continues this persona throughout the story. Annabel and Owen help each other through this time of anger, hurt and success of letting emotions flow.
Comments: Sarah Dressen has a way of writing about young adults. I was amazed at how well she was able to write about the details of a young adults life. When I was reading I was able to actually remember how I felt when I was in high school. I also enjoyed how Dressen wrote about the characters feelings. Near the end of the book I finally realized by she had titled the book Just Listen. Just Listen refers to Annable and her emotions and how she finds her different music tastes throughout these life changing experiences. The stories main tie is about being honest with feelings and relationships.
Booktalking Ideas: Eating Disorders, rape, relationships and emotions.
VOYA: 5Q 5P
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Assignment: #4 of ten narratives
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Publisher: New York : Little, Brown and Co., 2005. 498 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Fantasy Novel
Recommended grade levels: 9-12th grade
Awards: Best Books for Young Adults, 2006
Best Childrens Books, 2005
Top 10 Fantasy Books for Youth, 2006
Summary: Isabella Swan is a sun-loving girl who decides to move from Phoenix to Forks Washington. Forks is a town that is constantly in gloom. Her mother remarries and she decides to move in with her police chief father. Her senior year begins at Forks High School and love and romance is soon to follow. She meets eighteen year old Edward Cullen. What Bella does not know is that he and others in the town or Vampires. Bella quickly finds that Edward is hiding something and she is determined to uncover the mystery. She soon finds out that not all vampires are kind and she almost dies at the hands of a vampire. Edward saves her from her death. Her mother comes to take her from Forks, the place that she hated in the beginning of the story, to bring her to Florida and Bella has to choose. Her mother is astounded that she now wants to stay in a town with no sun. Bella knows that Edward would not be able to live in Florida and so she decides to stay in Forks. The two know that in order to stay together they must do the unthinkable.
Comments: This book was an excellent read. I was quite surprised that it kept me reading. I have never been a fan of books of fantasy but Meyers has a way of bringing in everyday life into a fantasy world. This book is one that makes someone believe that there may actually be vampires living amongst us. High School students would enjoy the way that Meyers weaves in suspense and romance into one story.
VOYA: 4P 4Q
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Publisher: New York : Little, Brown and Co., 2005. 498 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Fantasy Novel
Recommended grade levels: 9-12th grade
Awards: Best Books for Young Adults, 2006
Best Childrens Books, 2005
Top 10 Fantasy Books for Youth, 2006
Summary: Isabella Swan is a sun-loving girl who decides to move from Phoenix to Forks Washington. Forks is a town that is constantly in gloom. Her mother remarries and she decides to move in with her police chief father. Her senior year begins at Forks High School and love and romance is soon to follow. She meets eighteen year old Edward Cullen. What Bella does not know is that he and others in the town or Vampires. Bella quickly finds that Edward is hiding something and she is determined to uncover the mystery. She soon finds out that not all vampires are kind and she almost dies at the hands of a vampire. Edward saves her from her death. Her mother comes to take her from Forks, the place that she hated in the beginning of the story, to bring her to Florida and Bella has to choose. Her mother is astounded that she now wants to stay in a town with no sun. Bella knows that Edward would not be able to live in Florida and so she decides to stay in Forks. The two know that in order to stay together they must do the unthinkable.
Comments: This book was an excellent read. I was quite surprised that it kept me reading. I have never been a fan of books of fantasy but Meyers has a way of bringing in everyday life into a fantasy world. This book is one that makes someone believe that there may actually be vampires living amongst us. High School students would enjoy the way that Meyers weaves in suspense and romance into one story.
VOYA: 4P 4Q
When I Was Older by Garret Freymann-Weyr
Assignment: #3 of ten narratives
Author: Garrett Freymann-Weyr
Publisher:Boston:Houghton Mifflin, 2000. 167 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Realistic Novel
Recommended Grade Levels: 7-10th grade
Recommending Source: Bulletin Blue Ribbons 2000
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Sophie Merdinger is trying to deal with many problems in her life;two years ago her eight year-old brother, Erhart, died of leukemia, during his suffering her father was having an affair and was thrown out of the house by her mother and now she is dealing with her mother beginning to date. She doesn't think that any girl her age has this many problems. Her older sister cannot figure out why she has not moved. Her mom begins to date a man named Nick who has seventeen year old son, Francis. Francis and Sophie begin to find that they have many things in common. Sophie slowly begins to let down her emotional wall and her and Francis begin to deal with the tragedy of Ekharts death and also the death of Francis mother together. This common thread brings them closer together and Sophie soon finds out that she can live without the daily reminders of her past.
Comments: I enjoyed reading this book. The author really brings the reader into the life of Sophie. He references tiny things in everyday life that can mean nothing to some or alot to others (ex. ceiling hook or birds in central park). Throughout the book Sophie is dealing with a writing assignment about something that she dislikes, time. The way that the author weaves the time element into a story about death is intriguing. Time is truly the saving grace when you lose someone. Fremann-Weyr also has a wonderful way of developing Sophie's character in a short time (only 167 pgs.). This book is a short and simple read that keeps the reader intrigued.
Booktalking Ideas: The elements of Death and Time and how they relate to each other.
Voya: 4Q 4P
Author: Garrett Freymann-Weyr
Publisher:Boston:Houghton Mifflin, 2000. 167 p.
Date: 03/04/07
Format/Genre: Realistic Novel
Recommended Grade Levels: 7-10th grade
Recommending Source: Bulletin Blue Ribbons 2000
Summary: Fifteen-year-old Sophie Merdinger is trying to deal with many problems in her life;two years ago her eight year-old brother, Erhart, died of leukemia, during his suffering her father was having an affair and was thrown out of the house by her mother and now she is dealing with her mother beginning to date. She doesn't think that any girl her age has this many problems. Her older sister cannot figure out why she has not moved. Her mom begins to date a man named Nick who has seventeen year old son, Francis. Francis and Sophie begin to find that they have many things in common. Sophie slowly begins to let down her emotional wall and her and Francis begin to deal with the tragedy of Ekharts death and also the death of Francis mother together. This common thread brings them closer together and Sophie soon finds out that she can live without the daily reminders of her past.
Comments: I enjoyed reading this book. The author really brings the reader into the life of Sophie. He references tiny things in everyday life that can mean nothing to some or alot to others (ex. ceiling hook or birds in central park). Throughout the book Sophie is dealing with a writing assignment about something that she dislikes, time. The way that the author weaves the time element into a story about death is intriguing. Time is truly the saving grace when you lose someone. Fremann-Weyr also has a wonderful way of developing Sophie's character in a short time (only 167 pgs.). This book is a short and simple read that keeps the reader intrigued.
Booktalking Ideas: The elements of Death and Time and how they relate to each other.
Voya: 4Q 4P
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