Rapunzel’s Revenge

Hale, Shannon and Dean Hale. 2008. RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children’s Books. ISBN 978-1-59990-288-3

 

Take the traditional Rapunzel fairy tale, add a typical Old West setting and another fairy tale character, and then mix it all together to create a hilariously action-filled tale in which Rapunzel uses her lasso-like braids to save the day, more than once, and takes revenge on bullies. Rapunzel’s Revenge is a delightfully witty graphic novel spinning off of a classic story. Set in the west, Rapunzel’s outlandish escapades are reminiscent of Slue-Foot Sue’s adventures in tales with Pecos Bill.

 

Divided into four parts, readers can easily follow Rapunzel’s adventures from panel to panel and on the hand-drawn map buried in the pages of the novel. Rapunzel changes from a shy demure teenage girl to a strong resourceful young heroine. Humorous and sarcastic dialogue adds to the enjoyment like when Rapunzel reflects by saying, “we passed a whole hour sleeping in our luxurious accommodations” as she and Jack sleep on the sidewalk in Pig Tree Gulch; or as Rapunzel “swings gracefully from [her] prison” crashing onto the forest floor. Themes of justice, heroism, and self-preservation permeate the story as Rapunzel and her side-kick, Jack, take on “Mother Gothel,” bandits, and “devourers.” The authors add a little romance with Rapunzel partnering up with Jack, his goose and his magic bean. Illustrator Nathan Hale depicts Rapunzel’s flashbacks to her earlier years with sepia-toned panels while each panel representing the present story is colorfully illustrated. His illustrations match the atmosphere of the story bringing the Old West to life. Each character’s expressions match their actions and words. “The easy-to-follow panel arrangements with their multicultural cast of characters guide even reluctant graphic-novel readers seamlessly through the fast-paced narrative (Coats, 18).” Cara von Wrangel Kinsey of the New York Public Library states, “…the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive.” Those that have read about Rapunzel will enjoy this twist on an old tale. Readers of all ages will enjoy this witty graphic novel.

 

Rapunzel’s Revenge has received various awards and recognition to include: 

• Young Reader’s Choice Award in 2011
• ALA Notable Children’s Book Award in 2009
• YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens Award in 2009
• Leah Adezio Award for Most Kid-Friendly Work Winner in 2009
• Cybils Award Winner in Graphic Novels in 2008 

If you are new to using graphic novels in the classroom, BloomsburyKids.com has a Teacher’s Guide just for you! Use this guide to help you get started sharing these literary treasures. http://www.bloomsburykids.com/sites/www.bloomsburykids.com/files/Rapunzel's%20Revenge%20Teacher's%20Guide_0.pdf. Or read the next episode of this graphic novel series called Calamity Jack!

 

Reference

 

Coats, Karen. “Rapunzel’s Revenge (review).” Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 62.1 (2008): 18-19. Project MUSE. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2255/ .

Von Wrangel Kinsey, Cara. 2008. “Rapunzel’s Revenge.” School Library Journal 54, no. 9:215. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 29, 2011).

 

 

 

33 Things Every Girl Should Know: Stories, Songs, Poems, and Smart Talk by 33 Extraordinary Women

Bolden, Tonya, editor. 1998. 33 THINGS EVERY GIRL SHOULD KNOW: STORIES, SONGS, POEMS, AND SMART TALK BY 33 EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0-517-70999-6

Delving into this book, Tonya Bolden starts by stating, “It’s no secret. This book is about girl build-up” noting immediately the audience she intends to appeal to and the purpose of the collection. Within in the pages, readers will appreciate the variety of literary approaches such as essays, comix, interviews, poems, a campaign slogan, a letter, book excerpts, diary episodes, a commencement speech,and short stories. Each of these written especially for this book by thirty-three strong, vibrant women offering advice on and experience about growing up as a teenaged girl to include actress Sigourney Weaver, author Sandra Cisneros, and successful businesswoman Anita Roddick. “The transition from childhood to adulthood isn’t easy, and the selections here are comforting and inspirational, with the contributors serving as both mentors and coaches (Rosenfeld).” Each of these authors has a unique style, voice, and perspective reaching out to girls of all kinds. Although each addition holds a message of its own, they are organized so each segues into the next with a similar, yet unique message especially building the self-esteem, self-acceptance, and self-respect of teen girls. Other subjects dealt with are popularity, overcoming obstables, sexual orientation, speaking up for oneself, talking to boys, success, and dealing with the formidable road to womanhood.

Photographs and graphics are complementary to each authors’ piece such as the photographs of Grechin Rosenkranz from birth to age 14 showing her will to surpass her obstacles with spina bifida or the picture of a diary/journal with Joan Jacobs Brumberg’s piece “It’s Okay to Talk to Yourself” encouraging young adults to keep a diary. Some might consider this a handbook for teenage girls because of its tone of empowerment and encouragement. Judith Oritz Cofer encourages readers to “embrace each and every day,” and Taibtha Soren lets girls know that “the process of self-acceptance takes time.”

The book is well-organized and offers features that enhance its use. The table of contents provides an easy way for readers to find what they are looking for listing the title of the selection, the author and page number. Varied fonts, font sizes, sidebars, speech bubbles, bulleted lists, and borders also add appeal to the text. Those wishing to learn more about the contributor of a selection can read about that person in the “About the Contributors.” The editor, Tonya Bolden also provides information about herself and Acknowledges the original works that these excerpts have been taken from.

Credited as a 1999 Best Adult Book for High School Students by the School Library Journal, 33 Things Every Girl Should Know: Stories, Songs, Poems and Smart Talk by 33 Extraordinary Women was also listed as a 1999 YALSA Best Book for Young Adults. It has also been included in the H.W. Wilson Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog in its eighth and ninth editions, 2000 and 2005 respectively.

References

Rosenfeld, Shelle. 1998. “33 Things Every Girl Should Know: Stories, Songs, Poems and Smart Talk by 33 Extraordinary Women.” Booklist May 15, 1998: 1611+. Literature Resource Center (accessed November 22, 2011).

A Northern Light

Donnelly, Jennifer. 2003. A NORTHERN LIGHT. New York: Harcourt Inc. ISBN 0-15-205310-7

Based on a true story, A Northern Light tells about the death of a young girl in 1906 at a renowned Adirondacks hotel through the eyes of 16-year-old Mattie Gokey who has been given letters from the young girl to destroy. In this first person narrative, this historical novel alternates between Mattie’s life before she became a serving girl at the hotel and her experiences at the time of Grace Brown’s drowning. Mattie yearns to be a writer some day, yet feels responsible for her family and a promise she made to someone. Yet to herself, she emotes,“Voice is not just the sound that comes from your throat but the feeling that comes from your words!”

In her second YA novel, Jennifer Donnelly blends historical fiction, mystery, and romance into an intriguing young adult coming-of-age novel set in the early 1900s. The setting rings true to the time and place showing Donnelly’s dedication to researched details bridging today’s readers to the past. Poverty, single-parent families, racism, and pregnancy are handled honestly and as depicted of that time. Another well-developed theme is the coming-of-age of Mattie and her friends – Weaver an aspiring African-American lawyer, Minnie the mother of twins, and Royal the furture farmer. The chapters alternate between moments on the farm before Mattie goes to her job at the hotel signified by chapter titles of her syllabicated “words of the day” or during Mattie’s job at the hotel (and murder) that are not titled. Donnelly creatively includes the “vernacular of the Mississippi” with local terms which Maggie uses like “tottish” and “meaching” as her words of the day. Aspiring to be a writer, Maggie also refers to literature and authors of the time weaving them into the story yet not dragging the story down. Each character’s personality is distinctive in a way that endears the reader to them or to rally against them. For example, “Cook is snappish” when it comes to working in the kitchen, yet opens her heart to feed Tommy Hubbard, a poor boy from a family of seven. Or Royal Loomis, Mattie’s betrothed, who helps take care of the farm when her father and sisters are sick, but ruthlessly bids on the impoverished Hubbard family’s homestead when they can’t pay the taxes. According to Courtney Williamson of The Christian Science Monitor, “The best thing about this book, however, is Mattie’s smart, vulnerable voice. We share her desires, if not her unique challenges, on every page.”  

“Many teens will connect with Mattie’s deep yearning for independence and for stories, like her own, that are frank, messy, complicated, and inspiring (Engberg, 2003).” Students may like to “word duel” like Mattie and Weaver did or taste candies of the era – lemondrops or maple sugar. Those wishing to discuss the book can use the Multnomah County Library Discussion Guide - http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-northern.html. In the paperback edition, Donnelly includes Author’s Notes about the original event of Grace Brown’s murder, Acknowledgements, Sources and Suggestions for Further Reading, information about herself, an interview with Donnelly, and a Reader’s Chat Page offering additional discussion questions.

A Northern Light received the 2004 Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature and was listed on the YALSA’s 2004 Teens’ Top Ten List. It was also listed on numerous best book and state reading lists including the 2004 Amelia Blooomer List a part of the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table, the 2004 Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth, and the 2003 School Library Journal Best Books list.

References

Engberg, Gillian. 2003. “A Northern Light (Book).” Booklist 99, no.18:1663. MAS Ultra-School Edition, EBSCOhost (accessed November 22, 2011).

Williamson, Courtney. 2003. “[A northern light] [book review].” The Christian Science Monitor (Eastern Edition) 95, 17. Book Review Digest (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost (accessed November 21, 2011).

Hole in my Life

Gantos, Jack. 2002. HOLE IN MY LIFE. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 978-0-374-43089-4

Jack Gantos, author of Rotten Ralph children’s books and the Joey Pigza series, shares his life and his ambition to become a writer in this compelling autobiography, Hole in My Life. Gantos starts his story as a prisoner in the medium-security Federal Correctional Institution in Ashland, Kentucky rewinding to his years in high school. He then shares his entire life circling back to his time in prison arriving at the moment he leaves and briefly sheds light on his future endeavors. He begins his novel with a quote from Oscar Wilde – “I have learned this: it is not what one does that is wrong, but what one becomes as a consequence of it.” This is a powerfully meaningful quote describing Gantos’ life in that although he had a troubled life, he used his difficulties to become a writer and a better man. “Above all, this is the story of a young writer trying to find inspiration for his work. Ultimately, he finds the greatest inspiration within himself (Hames, 2002).”

In his autobiography, readers will be lead through the harsh reality of Gantos’ life especially while in prison. Although a writer of children’s books, this is a book for older teens or adults as he describes his experimentation and addiction to alcohol and drugs, the brutal fights in prison, and the gang rape of an acquaintance. Teens will appreciate his candor about the events in his life. Gantos effectively uses descriptive imagery to convey his experiences when he describes his and Hamilton’s ability, or lack of, to steer the boat as “crash(ing) into them like kamikaze yachtsmen,” when he drank too much and “power barfed,” and the moment he entered his new apartment at The King’s Court he encountered “musty smelling sheets folded over an exhausted pillow.” Helping readers related to the time period, he includes events of the 70s such as the racial turmoil in Puerto Rico and culture of easily-attained drugs. Gantos weaves quotes and snippets from authors he admires relating his life at times to things he’s read. The tone of the book seems almost comical when Gantos relates his high school year then becomes fearful and somber as his life spirals into a life of drugs and crime. Students dealing with difficult situations will be able to relate to Gantos’ trials and find hope in that things can get better. “Gantos’s honesty and directness in describing the whole experience make reading this book a gut-wrenching experience (Blasingame, 2002).”

Hole in My Life has received many honors to include the 2003 Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award and the 2003 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal. It was also included in numerous best book and state book lists such as the 2002 Children’s Literature Choice List, the 2003 YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, the 2002 Smithsonian Magazine’s Notable Books for Children, and the 2002 School Library Journal Best Books list. Students, teachers and librarians wishing to learn more about Jack Gantos and his books can visit his website at http://www.jackgantos.com/.

References

Blasingame, James. 2002. “Home in My Life Book Review.” Voice of Youth Advocates, 25.2. Library Lit & Inf Full Text. WilsonWeb (accessed November 21, 2011).

Hames, Thomas Nigel. 2002. “Clip and File YA Book Reviews: Hole in My Life.” The ALAN Review, 29: 3.http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/v29n3/ (accessed November 21, 2011).

Mockingjay

Collins, Suzanne. 2010. MOCKINGJAY. N         ew York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 978-0-439-02351-1

“Let the 76^th Hunger Games begin!”

Katniss Everdeen returns in this third novel in the Hunger Games trilogy. She’s competed and survived two Hunger Games, angering the Capitol with her clear disobedience. Still taunted by President Snow and his promise of revenge, symbolized by a “perfect white rose,” Katniss must now decide whether to be Mockingjay, the icon for the rebels, in this revolution between the Capitol and rebels. Will she rise and fight with the rebels or hide as a refugee in District 13?

Once again Suzanne Collins keeps her readers spell-bound with the suspensful adventures of heroine Katniss Everdeen in this third and last dystopian novel of the series. Readers will relate to the emotional turmoil Katniss endures throughout the book from the devastation of her home in district 12 to her love for Peeta and Gale.  With rich imagery and powerful language, readers find themselves hurled into the realm of war and it’s effects on those fighting it and their loved ones. Having created a believable setting in her previous novels Hunger Games and Catching Fire, Collins connects each novel with the same familiar settings of outer districts desiring to be like the utopian Capitol to new vividly described pods with their dangerous and deadly traps like one that melts flesh or one with barbed metal nets. In this imaginary yet believable world, “holos,” portable holographic diagrams, and hovercrafts that release silver parachutes with timed explosives connect the future with the technological advances of today. “Collins is absolutely ruthless in her depictions of war in all its cruelty, violence, and loss, leaving readiers, in turn, repulsed, shocked, grieving and, finally, hopeful for the characters they’ve grown to empahtize and love (Baird, 2010).”

With themes of coming of age, war, violence, trust, survival, power, peace, and justice, young adults will be able to evaluate their own beliefs as they relate to the characters of the book. This novel lends itself for great discussions on loyalty, self-sacrifice, war, materialism, and the effects of television or media. In Mockingjay, “propos,” or propoganda videos, are created to help wage the war. Students could create their own “propos” for or against a topic in the book or another focus of interest.

Mockingjay has received a number of honors such as being a USA Today bestseller, 2010 Kirkus Best Book of the Year, and a 2010 Booklist Editors’ Choice. It has also been included on the following lists: the 2011 Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices list, the 2010 New York Times Notabale Children’s Books list, and the 2010 Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books list.

Reference

Baird, Jane Henriksen. 2010. “Mockingjay.” School Library Journal 56, no. 10:110. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 1, 2011).

The Dead and the Gone

Pfeffer, Susan Beth. 2008. THE DEAD AND THE GONE. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-547-25855-3

The moon has been thrusted closer to Earth after an asteroid collided with it; tsunamis hit, volcanoes erupt, and other natural disasters bombard the Earth. “The world was coming to an end.”Seventeen-year-old Alex Morales becomes the “man of the family” making difficult life decisions for his two sisters since his father is in Puerto Rico for his grandmother’s funeral and his mother has not come home from work.  Will they survive?

Susan Beth Pfeffer uses a journal style to deliver this riveting, heart-wrenching story of survival in New York after the moon has shifted closer to the Earth. This style and its accurate descriptions makes the novel fast-paced and a good book for reluctant readers. Each catoclysmic event seems researched especially in light of our current climate changes making this a believable novel, hinting toward the possible and scary.Intertwined with Spanish terms like bodega and dramatica and devote Catholic traditions, readers will empathize with the characters and their emotions as they deal with the daily events of these catastropic events. Using picturesque words like “quiet as a grave” or “the sun has died” helps readers visualize the world in which they live in. The mood of the story fluidly changes from event to event and from grave to hopeful as Alex deals with tragedy (the death of his newest and best friend) and survival (bartering for cans of food). Themes of faith, family, loyalty, courage and morality make this a powerful novel for young adults. Readers with siblings will relate to the conversations between Alex and his sisters, Julie and Brianna, as they argue, share secrets, protect one another and celebrate. “Moments of humor and affection remind readers of the strength of human connections (French, 2008).” The novel is well-founded on the beliefs and traditions of the Morales’ Catholic faith, yet does not become preachy. “This haunting book will appeal to anyone who likes dystopian novels (Grob, 2008).”

Those that enjoyed this novel may want to read other companion novels in this The Last Survivors series by Susan Beth Pfeffer - Life as We Knew It and This World We Live In. Each centered around the asteroid event yet different plots would make these good books to compare and contrast.

The Dead and the Gone was a finalist in Yound Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction for the 2008 Cybil Award and received Review Stars from Booklist in their May 15, 2008 edition and Publishers Weekly in their May 19, 2008 reviews. It was also included in Booklist’s Core Collection: Science Themed Youth Novels in 2008.

References

French, Cheryl. 2008. “The Dead and the Gone Review.” Voice of Youth Advocates. 31, no. 1 Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed November 1, 2011).

Grob, Jonah Stewart. 2008. “The Dead and the Gone Review.” Voice of Youth Advocates. 31, no. 1 Library Lit & Inf Full Text, WilsonWeb (accessed November 1, 2011).

Uglies

Westerfeld, Scott. 2006. UGLIES. Narrated by Carine Montbertrand. New York: Recorded Books, LLC. ISBN   978-1-4407-2640-8

“Could you walk away from everything you know?”

Tally lives in Uglyville, but is looking forward to her sixteenth birthday when she’ll receive the operation that will remove all her “ugly” features for a predetermined uniform set and become one of the “New Pretties.” Unfortunately, before she can have her operation, she must assist the Special Circumstances by becoming a spy to find her runaway friend, Shay, and divulge the exhistence of a rebel settlement. But, she learns “the truth about being pretty” and has to decide her own future.

In this quick-paced postapocolyptic novel, Scott Westerfeld writes to the hearts of teens honing in on their desire to be like others and self-consciousness about their looks creating a world torn by this desire and the need to be who they are. Using the details of post-war devastation like rusted metal and “old-fashioned handphones,” Westerfeld combines these with technological advances, such as hoverboards that learn the riders moves, self-programable bunjee jackets, and operations that can make everyone “equal,” to provide the backdrop for this adventurous tale. “Surprising plot twists and dangerous circumstances keep the reader guessing (Hallman, 2005).” Skateboards and surfers alike will relate to the hoverboard adventures as they ride along with the characters escaping cruel pretties and hovercars. Rich language and vivid descriptions fill readers’ minds with accurate images as in “the early summer sky was the color of cat vomit” or “the crackle of dry brush enflamed.” Imaginitive words and items like Littlies, minders, Rusties, and hovercars create this futuristic world and are consistently portrayed making this a believable future.

“Highly recommented for science fiction fans or anyone who likes a good, thougtful adventure (Musher, 2005).” “Teens will be entranced, and the cliffhanger ending will leave them gasping for the sequel,” claims Patty Campbell of Amazon Reviews. Those interested in more of the Uglies series can read Pretties, Specials and Extras.

Carine Montbertrand skillfully narrates Uglies portraying Tally’s emotions throughout the novel. Her ability to alter her voice for various characters adds realism to the telling making this a good choice for those preferring to listen to books.

Throughout the novel, themes of loyalty, betrayal, friendship, social class, justice, free will vs. conformity, and survival help readers relate to this future world. This novel would be a good book for group discussions about these themes and how they relate to events of today. For example, how do students feel about automatically getting an operation to be made the same at the age of 16? What would be the benefits or drawbacks of a society like this one?

Uglies has received numerous  honors and awards and has been included on many prominent book lists. Below is a sampling of these accolades:

• The 2005 American Library Association’s Best Books for Young Adults
• The 2005 Kirkus Best Children’s Books
• The 2006 American Library Association’s Core Collection: Character Education in YA Fiction
• The 2006 YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

References

Campbell, Patty. 2005. “Uglies.” Amazon Reviews. Retrieved on October 23, 2011 from http://www.amazon.com/Uglies-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/1442419814/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320762068&sr=8-1.

Hallman, Carlee. 2005. “Uglies Review.” Children’s Literature. Retrieved on October 23, 2011 from http://www.amazon.com/Uglies-Scott-Westerfeld/dp/1442419814/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320762068&sr=8-1.

Musher, Samantha. 2005. “Westerfeld, Scott. Uglies.” Kliatt. Mar. 2005:29. Literature Resource Center. Retrieved on October 23, 2011.