Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie

Sonnenblick, Jordan. 2004. DRUMS, GIRLS, AND DANGEROUS PIE. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0-439-75519-0

Thirteen-year-old Steven Alper, drummer extraordinaire, writes in his journal about things that annoy him - journal assignments, being a skinny geek, and of course, his little brother Jeffrey while daydreaming about Renee Albert, the HOTTEST girl at school. On October 7th, Jeffrey, who likes to eat “moatmeal,” use Steven’s “special sticks” to make dangerous pie, and teases Steven incessantly about girls, gets diagnosed with leukemia which “turns everything upside down.” Drums become Steven’s escape as his family is enveloped by the overwhelming effects of cancer. To Steven, his dad is “faking human interaction,” his mother quits to work to take care of Jeffrey and becomes the target of Steven’s emotions, and yet he doesn’t see what’s right in front of his face when it comes to his friend Annette. Riding the emotional roller coaster about his brother’s cancer, Steven stops doing schoolwork, tries to keep his friends from finding out about Jeffrey, wonders when his ‘rents will notice him again, and begins to bargain with God. By graduation, Steven has been the brief star drummer in his spring jazz concert, returned to academia, and comes to understand that people aren’t always who you think they are. His greatest realization – don’t get caught up on what you can’t change, just the things you can change.

In his first novel, author Jordan Sonnenbeck skillfully and humorously deals with the ordinary traumas haunting middle schoolers like dances, infatuations and braces. He also lets his readers understand what it’s like to have a family member get diagnosed with cancer without over-dramatizing it or burdening it with extraneous details about treatments, and he artfully handles the emotions involved through italicized dialogue or Steven’s thoughts. “A story that could have morphed into melodrama is saved by reality, rawness, and the wit Sonnenblick infuses into Steven's first-person voice (Cooper 2005).” Claire Rosser concurs by writing, “Sonnenblick describes family life with great skill, and the frequently humorous anecdotes are entertaining, even when the basic story is grim. He manages to balance between horror and humor.” People handle grief and difficult situations differently, this novel would be an excellent book for discussion groups about grief or how people still navigate life while dealing with a crisis. This hilariously funny, yet heartwarming story about a teenage boy and his family in crisis is sure to be a hit with young adults.

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie has received many state awards and has been included on many state and national book lists like the American Booksellers Association 2005 Book Sense Kid’s Picks, 2005 Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth list, and the 2005 YALSA Teens’ Top Ten list.

References

Cooper, Ilene. 2005. "Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie." Booklist 102, no. 2: 63. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 29, 2011).

Rosser, Claire. 2005. "Sonnenblick, Jordan. Drums, girls & dangerous pie." Kliatt. 39, no. 5: 15. Literature Resource Center. (accessed September 29, 2011).

Along for the Ride

Dessen, Sarah. 2009. ALONG FOR THE RIDE. Narrated by Rachel Botchan. New York: Penguin Group USA Recorded Books. ISBN 978-1-4407-3027-6

Before she starts college in the fall, Auden impulsively decides it’s to get a break from her haughty controlling mother and spends the summer with her novel-writing father, his new young wife, Heidi, and their new baby, Thisbe, at their beach house in the tiny town of Colby. As she begins her summer “retreat” receiving occasional calls from her vagabond brother, she realizes not all is well with her father and Heidi and ends up reliving her insomniac nights, avoiding the turmoil at the beach house and the colicky baby, by driving from coffee shop to coffee shop. To help out and get out of the house, Auden starts doing the books at Heidi’s boutique shop, Clementine’s. Always having had to be a grown-up and feeling like she’s on the outside looking in, Auden watches and listens as the other employees, who’ve also just graduated from high school, chat away about benign frivolous things that in her mind, really don’t matter. As the summer progresses she develops friendships with “store-goers” and falls in love with another insomniac, Eli, who’s facing challenges after his best friend’s death. While fulfilling “quests” like learning to ride a bike, starting food fights, bowling for the first time, and going to the prom, Auden recaptures her youth and learns that “failing sucks, but it’s better than the alternative…not even trying.”

Rachel Botchan’s narration is perfectly suited the main character Auden capturing her teenage attitude, thoughts, and awkward personality. Susie Wilde (2009) states, “Botchan perfectly renders the teenage dialogue and emotionally charged situations upon which Dessen has built her reputation.”

The author Sarah Dessen accurately portrays the personality of Auden, a young adult that escapes from life’s stresses by exceeding at academics and her evolution to the realization that “people change.” “Taut, witty first-person narration allows readers to both identify with Auden's insecurities and recognize her unfair, acerbic criticisms of people (Kirkus 2009).” Her secondary characters also have substance as they deal with their own hurts and triumphs through typical teenage events like bonfires with alcohol, deciding what to do after work, and learning there’s more to life than bikes and jeans. This book offers readers an opportunity to examine relationships between families and friends. Comparing and contrasting these characters can give readers insight to their relationships with their own families and friends. Young adults will enjoy this witty, light-hearted novel about teens that are smarter than their parents and growing up.

Along for the Ride was included on the 2010 YALSA Teens’ Top Ten list and was nominated for two of the 2010 Indigo Teen Read Awards in Canada.

References

Wilde, Susie. 2009. “Audiobook Reviews.” AudioFile Magazine. http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/dbsearch/showreview.cfm?Num=47119 . (accessed on September 28, 2011).

2009. "ALONG FOR THE RIDE." Kirkus Reviews 77, no. 10: 198. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed on September 28, 2011).

Before I Die

Downham, Jenny. 2007. BEFORE I DIE. New York: Random House. ISBN 978-0-385-75183-4

“Life is made up of a series of moments, each one a journey to the end.”

Before I Die shares the last days of seventeen-year-old Tessa when she finds out she’s dying of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In a form of rebellion, Tessa’s new habits are writing on walls and creating and carrying out a list ten of things to do before she dies including having sex, doing drugs, and breaking the law. Tessa’s relationships with her divorced parents, brother Cal, and best friend Zoey, are revealed as she stops going to school, cocooning herself in her room, trying to deal with the hospital visits, visits from the home nurse, and inevitably death. At the age of twelve and when Tessa was diagnosed, her mother left. Her father, dedicated to Tessa, quit his job to take care of her and doesn’t understand her quest to complete the items on her list. When her best friend Zoey becomes pregnant, Tessa’s life values and views begin to change. And as she begins to fulfill her list and do random acts, she meets someone willing to be there for her until the end; she begins to escape the walls of her room and her list evolves to include those around her.

Not a typical angst young adult novel, yet the British author Jenny Downham captures the anguish a teen would feel knowing that life won’t last much longer through a first person point of view. With vivid descriptions as Tessa’s sense heighten, the reader experiences that which Tessa does. Hazel Rochman of Booklist writes, “The clear, beautiful prose brings out all the elemental emotions—especially Tessa’s anger and frustration at being stuck in bed while others get on with their lives—and the passionate present-tense narrative will draw readers deeply into story and make them wonder, “What if it was me?” In the end, Downham uniquely uses white space and clipped sentences to portray Tessa’s semi-consciousness and final moments of her life.

Before I Die has been included on a number of best book lists like the 2008 YALSA Teens’ Top Ten List, 2007 Kirkus Best Young Adult Books List, and The Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books of 2007. It has also received honors and awards such as United Kingdom’s 2008 Branford Boase Award and the 2008 Sheffield Children’s Book Award.

There are many dealing with grief. This novel offers an opportunity for deep discussion on the various emotions such as sorrow, anger, loneliness, anxiety and guilt. By looking at each character, students can see how different people deal with the same event in different way helping them to understand the nature of others and learn about themselves.

References

Rochman, Hazel. 2007. "Before I Die." Booklist 104, no. 6: 53. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed September 28, 2011).

Nation

Pratchett, Terry. NATION. New York: HarperCollins Publishing. ISBN 978-0-06-143301- 6

Two worlds “collide” when a tidal wave hits the area around the islands in the Great Pelagic Ocean and the Russian Plague invades England. Mau, “demon boy,” returning to his island home in his dugout canoe after isolation on Boy Island, finds he’s lost all he’s ever known. After surviving a mutiny, “ghost girl” Daphne, an English girl of nobility sailing on the Sweet Judy to meet her father, becomes shipwrecked on this same island. Is their meeting by chance, or have the gods orchestrated it? Each of their wills and faith are tested by the death of those they love and respect, murder, and adaptation to the unknown. Together they create a “Nation” of refugees who are washed ashore and also devastated by the tidal wave, building new huts, learning new customs and even going to trial.

New York Times bestselling author, Terry Pratchett, takes his readers on adventure in raging seas and through a dense rain forest dodging sharks, bullets, falling bodies, and the VOICES of the gods. Narrated by both Mau and Daphne, readers of all kinds will relate to the two protagonists as they change becoming stronger and find their own identity. They learn what truly matters. Also connecting readers, “is a cast of colorful and interesting supporting characters to move the plot to its satisfying conclusion(Decker 2009).” In this fast-paced novel, Pratchett successfully weaves historical and imaginary events, myths and a story about survival. “Leadership, fear, questioning authority, and a sense of wonder all come together to make an unforgettable journey” (Vess 2008).The setting is believable and vividly pictured in the minds of readers. Throughout the novel subtle sub-themes of racism, tradition, feminism, maturing, and religious views permeate. “The theme of carrying on despite grief and in the face of death seems especially poignant and apt, as Pratchett has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease (Rohrlick 2008).” Humor such as the interpretations of Mau and Daphne as they try to communicate with each other and the foul-mouth captain’s parrot are added elements making this a book that should be on everyone’s “must read” list. “An absorbing novel of survival and discovery, liberally infused with Pratchett's trademark wit (_____ 2009).”  

Nation has received numerous honors and has been on many best books lists to include:  the Michael Printz Honor Book Award in 2009, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature in 2009, Odyssey Honor Award in 2009, Booklist Best Books for Young Adults in 2009, ALSC’s Outstanding International Books in 2009 and YALSA’s Best Books for Young Adults in 2009.

References

_____. 2009. "Nation." School Library Journal 55, 40. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 13, 2011).

Decker, Charlotte. 2009. "Nation." Library Media Connection 27, no. 4: 76. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 13, 2011).

Rohrlick, Paula. 2008. Pratchett, Terry. Nation. Kliatt, 42, no.5: 20. Literature Resource Center via Gale: http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2263/ps/start.do?p=LitRC&u=txshracd2583 (accessed September 13, 2011).

The Tequila Worm

Canales, Viola. 2005. THE TEQUILA WORM. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 0-85-74674-1

Sofia yearns to be a comadre, “someone who makes people into a family,” yet she’s unsure how to become one. Growing up in the barrio of McAllen, Texas with her tightly woven family, Sofia finds herself torn between the Mexican-American heritage of her family and the desire to become herself in the immense world and “be brave enough to eat a whole tequila worm.” In her mule-headed way, she “kicks” the girl who called her Taco Head and earns a scholarship to a boarding school, St. Luke’s Episcopal School, which is three hundred and fifty miles away in Austin. Determined to gain her family’s blessings to attend, she reminisces about her childhood and begins to embrace the traditions of her family and church. Her best friend and cousin, Berta, aspires to be a wife and mother, yet Sofia dreams of going to Harvard and becoming a lawyer. After deciding not to have a quinceanera, she works diligently sorting cucumbers to earn the extra money it will take to attend the new school. She begins her sophomore year at the new school, and then becomes homesick. To fill that void and as a member of a family of storytellers, she writes vivid and humorous stories about her youth, strengthening her ties to her family and their rich customs.

The author, Viola Canales, winner of the Pura Belpre Award in 2006 and many other honors, mirrors her own life in the barrio of McAllen, Texas with warmth and charm. “Canales shows snapshots in the life of her protagonist from childhood squabbles to her return to the barrio as an adult (Semifero 2005).” She richly blends Mexican-American traditions throughout the novel peppering the paragraphs with Spanish words and phrases. “It combines wonderfully absurd humorous moments with serious issues like discrimination, family separation, and the death of a parent (Semifero 2005).”

“Absolutely essential for multicultural literature collections,” exclaims Claire Rosser, a KLIATT reviewer.

Interested in another book by Viola Canales or about Mexican-American heritage? Read Canales’ first book Orange Candy Slices (2001) ISBN 978-1558853324.

References

Semifero, Angela. "The Tequila Worm." Voice of Youth Advocates 28.3 (2005): 212-213. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 8 Sept. 2011.

Rosser, Claire. "Canales, Viola. The Tequila Worm." Kliatt July 2005: 8. Literature Resource Center. Web. 8 Sep. 2011.

The Pigman

Zindel, Paul. 1968. THE PIGMAN. New York: HarperCollins Publishing. ISBN 0-06-026827-1

“We murdered him!” captures the essence of why two high school students create an oath to tell “the truth and nothing but the truth, until this memorial epic is finished.” This oath signed by the two students humorously, yet seriously, starts the novel setting the tone; it makes the characters realistic especially with their signatures at the bottom.

Now in their sophomore year, John, the rebel who smokes and drinks, and Lorraine, riddled with self-loathing and whose mother is overprotective and critical of her looks, find friendship in their freshman year of high school while laughing hysterically on a bus ride home. The author, Paul Zindel, with his accurate character identification, alternates between Lorraine and John narrating the chapters telling “the facts about their experiences” with “the Pigman.” During one of their many practical jokes, they befriend the lonely old widower, Angelo Pignati, who seems just a little crazy with his big sparkling smile. This unusual life-altering friendship blossoms and they begin to spend more and more time at Mr. Pignati’s house becoming more comfortable there than in their own homes. The School Library Journal review expresses it as “conflicted teens [who] feel alienated from everything, but the Pigman's enthusiasm for life soon spills over onto them.”

In the beginning, John says, “Actually, I hate school, but then again most of the time I hate everything” hooking some of Zindel’s reluctant readers with similar feelings that they may be having. Interacting with their classmates, parents’ and “the Pigman,” John and Lorraine exhibit their adolescent lives at parties, trips to the zoo, nights at the cemetery and hospital stays. This story is as relevant to today’s teens as it was when it was first published in 1968. Only a few items like typewriters and telephones with dials date it. Zindel says of his writings, "I believe I must convince my readers that I am on their side." He accomplishes that with honesty, dignity, and humor (Scales 2002).

Those who enjoy The Pigman can also read The Pigman and Me, an autobiographical tale about Zindel’s own turbulent childhood and his relationship with his own “Pigman” or the sequel The Pigman’s Legacy about a vagrant living in Pignati’s abandoned house.

Looking for a way to use this novel in the classroom? Check out the Glencoe Literature Library Study Guide at http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/pigman.pdf.

Do you know a teen that needs support or information on alcoholism? They can visit http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/for-alateen.

Reference

Scales, Pat. "The Pigman and He. (cover story)." School Library Journal 48.6 (2002): 52. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 8 Sept. 2011.

The Book Thief

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zusak, Markus. 2005. THE BOOK THIEF. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0-375-84220-7

AWARD(S) and STARS

• ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2007
• Michael L. Printz Honor Book, 2007
• NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, 2007
• Book Sense Book of the Year, 2007
• Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award, 2006
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2006
• Daniel Elliott Peace Award, 2006

PLOT SUMMARY
This powerful story of friendship and survival, narrated by Death, tells of Liesel Meminger, who at the age of nine, went to live with her foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann becoming part of Hitler’s Youth, stealing, keeping secrets and “discovering the power of words.” Liesel learns to read and write under the compassionate tutelage of her stoic accordion-playing foster father using her stolen books, paint and a basement wall. She befriends the neighbor boy Rudy, the reclusive and depressed mayor’s wife, the hidden Jew, Max, and her foster mother’s spiteful enemy. As “the human race likes to crank things up a bit,” the reader will learn that “even Death has a heart.”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Beautifully written and interspersed with figurative language, Markus Zusak creates a visual picture of all that is ugly and heart-warming about World War II in Germany. Zusak’s uses vivid and poetic language to describe events like the foreboding feeling about the war as it “waltzed through the window with the draft” or when Rudy raced ahead “[l]ike an elastic rope, he lengthened his lead…” He sprinkles the horror with bits of humor, for example when Rudy continually asks Liesel for a kiss or when Liesel brings a “weather report” to Max by building a snowman in the basement. Throughout the novel, Zusak also uses snippets of German terms and creatively includes their translation. Without sugarcoating or sensationalizing the devastation, readers will empathize with the characters as they courageously live while “the world is an ugly stew.”

Markus Zusak gives thanks to Trudy White in his acknowledgements for her artistic ability when rendering the few illustrations for Max’s books. Her simple black and white illustrations expertly depict someone who would have been painting a story on torn out book pages that had been painted white.

In the back of the paperback version is included a brief summary of the book, questions for discussion, related titles, internet resources and a short interview/ conversation with Marcus Zusak. These resources would assist anyone wanting to conduct a book group, research more about the time, and of course, learn more about Zusak.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2005) – “Zusak has created a work that deserves the attention of sophisticated teen and adult readers… Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward. Death is not a sentimental storyteller, but he does attend to an array of satisfying details, giving Liesel’s story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves.”
• HORN BOOK (2006) - "Exquisitely written and memorably populated, Zusak's poignant tribute to words, survival, and their curiously inevitable entwinement is a tour de force to be not just read but inhabited."
• BOOKS FOR KEEPS (2007) – “ [I]t is about survival; the survival of people in the first instance, but it is also a reflection on the survival of books despite efforts to eradicate them, and of words too in the face of a political system which makes everyone afraid of saying too much.”

CONNECTIONS

• Zusak offers four suggestions if related titles: In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer, Milkweed, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Tunes for Bears to Dance To. Other suggested readings would include:
• THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK by Anne Frank, ISBN 978-0582017368  
• NUMBER THE STARS by Lois Lowery, ISBN 978-0547577098
• EMIL AND KARL by Yankev Glatshteyn, ISBN 978-0312373870  
• SURVIVORS: TRUE STORIES OF CHILDREN IN THE HOLOCAUST by Allan Zullo, ISBN 978-0439669962
• Rich with poetic and figurative language, dialogue and vivid descriptions, The Book Thief would be a good book for a reader’s theater. Some suggested scripts could be when Liesel and Rudy are describing their thieving talents to the new gang leader Viktor Chemmel or when the Nazi Party is going house to house looking for deep basements for shelters Liesel purposely injures herself by running into another soccer player so she can go inside to warn her Mama and Papa knowing that Max, the Jew, is hidden in her basement.
• Zusak offers two websites for more information about this difficult time:
• www.ushmm.org
• www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org
• Below are a few more relevant websites for information or research:
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/
• http://www.besthistorysites.net/WWII.shtml
• http://www.wwiianimated.com/

Baby Mouse: Queen of the World!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. BABYMOUSE: QUEEN OF THE WORLD! New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0-375-83229-1

AWARD(S) and STARS

• Gryphon Honor Book Award, 2006
• ALA Core Collection: Great Graphic Novels for Younger Readers, 2006
• ALSC Notable Children’s Books, 2006
• Booklist Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth, 2006

PLOT SUMMARY
The first of the popular Babymouse graphic novel series, Babymouse: Queen of the World “squeaks” volumes about the desire to be popular with the “in” crowd and friendship that outlasts everything. Spunky Babymouse shares her “typical” days of lockers that are stuck and whiskers that just won’t straighten out while using her imagination to battle squids, become “Babymouserella,” fly into space and navigate the spooky castle. Babymouse: Queen of the World will win your heart with its humor, quirkiness and links to real life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jennifer and Matthew Holm, a brother and sister team, create a lively tale about a young mouse navigating school, friends and life. Jennifer Holm, also known for her Newbery Honor Book winners Penny in Heaven, Our Only May Amelia and Turtle in Paradise, composes the snappy easy-to-follow manuscript based on brainstormed ideas that she and her brother remember about their childhoods. Children will relate to Babymouse’s life because it could easily be their own. Every part of this book has Babymouse appearing with a comment even on the copyright page she’s peering at all the information and comments in a speech bubble, “What is all this stuff?”

Matthew Holm creates the images from the storyboard his sister has created using black felt marker and splashes of pink. Most of the text is delivered in boxes and speech bubbles in regular comic strip format. Humor is also indicated in the illustrations like when the caption is “The Joy of Learning,” the giraffe is bent over backwards snoring, the cat is turned around in her seat, Babymouse is reading her detective book and another character is filing her nails. This is a great novel to get young girl readers interested in graphic novels.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS (2005) – “A new hero emerges in these graphic novels about the resolute mouse, Babymouse, who faces the average third-grade set of problems with an audacious sense of humor and a vivid imagination…. The artwork is simple and accessible; the black lines are sturdy yet energetic, and pink accents indicate Babymouse’s frequent daydream sequences and add touches of color. The sometimes sarcastic and always informative contrast between the understated narrative captions and the high-energy speech bubbles of the characters helps establish the separation between the way life appears to adults and the way it actually feels to children. Graphic novels for the early elementary set are rare, and this humorous and adventurous series will be snapped up.”
• CHILDREN’S LITERATURE (2005) – “Babymouse’s imaginative subplots are hilarious, as are the wonderful illustrations that give life to Babymouse and her friends and acquaintances. A delightful read for the middle elementary female reader who is looking for a quick read.”
• COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER CHOICES (2006) – “A perfect entrée into the land of graphic novels for grade school girls, Babymouse brims with humor and imagination. Babymousewill be met with open arms by libraries everywhere that are anxious to meet high demand for graphic novels, and especially eager to find good choices for younger readers.”

CONNECTIONS

• New to using graphic novels in the classroom? This website has a Teacher’s Guide just for you! Use this guide to help you get started sharing these literary treasures: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/teachers_guides/9780375857126.pdf.
• Want to get better connected to Babymouse? Try the Babymouse website at http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/babymouse/homepage.htm. Learn about Babymouse and her books, create your own Babymouse story, read about the authors, print posters, play games and send e-cards.
• After reading Babymouse: Queen of the World and other Babymouse graphic novels, students will realize they can create stories about their “typical” days. Using a storyboard format, have students create a comic strip story using an event from their day. Keep them simple and perhaps add one “splash” color to add emphasis like Matthew Holm does.

When You Reach Me

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. WHEN YOU REACH M: Listening Library CDs. Performed by Cynthia Holloway. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0739380727

OR
Stead, Rebecca. 2009. WHEN YOU REACH ME. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0-375-85086-8

AWARD(S) and STARS

• John Newbery Medal Winner, 2010
• ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2010
• Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature, 2010
• Indies Choice Book Awards Winner, 2010
• IRA Children’s and Young Adult’s Book Award Winner, 2010
• NCSS/ CBC Notable Children’s Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies Winner, 2010
• NCTE Notable Children’s Trade Books in Language Arts Winner, 2010
• Parents’ Choice Gold Award, 2009
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2009
• Andre Norton Award Finalist, 2009

PLOT SUMMARY
Miranda, also known as Mira, receives mysterious notes about saving someone’s life while navigating her own life during her sixth grade year in 1978. How does the person sending the notes know what’s going to happen before it actually happens? Miranda and her mom’s boyfriend Richard prepare her mom to be a contestant for “The $20,000 Pyramid” television game show. Learning to show sensitivity to a homeless man, finding out about epilepsy, becoming friends with her former “enemy” and taking the brunt of jokes for a girl too shy to ask to go to the bathroom, Mira realizes that “there are days when everything changes…”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Deemed a mystery and science fiction novel, Rebecca Stead merges a tale of a young girl trying to find her identity with a story about time travel, yet artfully keeps it a mystery until the end of the book. Narrated by Miranda as if she’s talking to the writer of the notes, readers will relate to Miranda’s relationship with her mother, new found love and budding friendships, while remembering old friendships and frustrations in flashbacks. Readers will see the courage and risks that Mira takes. In order to emphasize the climax, Stead artfully uses numbers, bold print and italics to emphasize events pinpointing the story’s peak exactly when it occurs.

Cynthia Holloway performs the narration of When You Reach Mealmost flawlessly. Her strong voice and tone keep the reader engaged in the story. She changes her voice slightly for different characters, yet not always accurately. This does not detract from the telling of the story. Offering this novel in audio form will delight readers of all ages and abilities.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• BOOKLIST (2009) -"[T]he mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children, and adults are honest bits of humanity no matter in whatplace or time their souls rest."
• HORN BOOK (2009) - "Closing revelations are startling and satisfying but quietly made, their reverberations giving plenty of impetus for the reader to go back to the beginning and catch what was missed."
• SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2009) "This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers."
• CHILDREN’S LITERATURE (2009) – “The movement between the ordinary and the fantastic creates a kind of magical realism, in which the extraordinary is every bit as acceptable as the everyday. Amusing, bemusing and occasionally plain puzzling, this book works its way to a deliciously twisty ending. It is an interesting, multi-layered book that can be read and interpreted at many levels.”
• LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION (2009) – “This well-written book is planned and executed to keep readers engaged until the very end. The author’s style is appealing because of her character development and clever plot vehicles. The topics are interesting and the short chapters keep the pace flowing quickly.”

CONNECTIONS

• In When You Reach Me, Miranda is reading “her” book, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Have several copies of this book available for students to read or to refer to as Miranda tells the story to Belle.
• Miranda is helping her mother prepare for the $20,000 Pyramid. Have students watch some clips of former episodes of the television show (YouTube offers a number of clips). The kids will probably get a kick out of the fashions and hairstyles of the contestants! Then have students create their own categories and lists to play $20,000 Pyramid with each other. This would be a great way to prepare for a culminating test to a subject area or vocabulary practice.
• Students will be intrigued by the time travel element from the novel. Have other books available with the time travel theme such as:
• TIME TRAVEL TRAP (Twisted Journeys) by Dan Jolley, ISBN 978-0822588740 – In this 111-page graphic novel the reader chooses what will happen next allowing for rereading and different combinations of plots.
• NICK OF TIME by Ted Bell, ISBN 978-0312380687 – Nick is thrown back and forth through time fighting pirates, Napoleon’s naval forces, and Nazi spies – a sure read for middle school boys.
• THE TIME MACHINE by H.G. Wells, ISBN 978-1403709905 – The classic 1895 science fiction novella offers students a view of the inspirational book that coined the concept of a “time machine.”

Dragon’s Gate

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yep, Laurence. 1993. DRAGON’S GATE. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0-06-440489-7

AWARD(S) and STARS

• John Newbery Medal, Honor Book, 1994
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, 2005

PLOT SUMMARY
Part of the Golden Mountain Chronicles, Dragon’s Gate is the story of Otter, adopted by a wealthy family friend living in Three Willows Village, China. Through an unfortunate accident, he kills a Manchu and must leave his “charmed life” to go to the “Land of the Golden Mountain”- America, to work with his Uncle Firefox and Father Squeaky constructing the transcontinental railroad. Otter befriends a young westerner named Sean, the son of the railroad bosses, realizing he’s an “outcast among outcasts,” yet heir to his uncle’s dreams and wisdom, he learns to “change things or go on being changed by events.” Through his tribulations and those of others – frostbite, whippings, explosions and an avalanche, Otter shows his ingenuity and backbone becoming the man he’s meant to be.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Laurence Yep weaves the events of 1865 to 1869 as he tells the story of 14-year-old Otter, the heir of his adoptive father Squeaky and Uncle Foxfire. He begins the story with great detail depicting the time and events occurring in China. The Chinese culture emerges throughout the book sometimes through conversations between Otter and his friend Sean like when they talk about chopsticks and forks. Vivid descriptions bring the reader to each scene, for example, “storm clouds like black-hulled warships on the attack” or “the (snow-covered) ridge reminded me of a tiger crouching, ready to spring.” Readers will relate to Otter as he changes becoming strong and unites his fellow workers.

Throughout the book Yep uses italics to indicate when the characters are speaking English instead of a Chinese dialect. At the conclusion of the book, an afterwards tells about the writing of Dragon’s Gate, the real events within the story and thanks to those who made it possible. Yep also includes a brief list of references aiding those interested in learning more about these events.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• BOOKLIST (1994) – “This is an engaging survival-adventure story, a social history, a heroic quest. While the long tale brings together the many hardships known to have been suffered by Chinese laborers--cold and hunger, poverty and exhaustion, maimings and death--it is leavened by some humor. The language has an appealing naturalism, and the concerns (equality, identity, family loyalty, ethnic conflict) are universally human.”
• KIRKUS (1993) – “In a story enlivened with humor and heroism, Yep pays tribute to the immigrants who played such a vital role in our country's history.”
• SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (1994) – “Combining believable characters with thrilling adventure, Yep convinces readers that the Chinese railroad workers were indeed men to match the towering mountains of the west. Because the first few chapters, set in China, may be a bit confusing to children who have not read the previous two books, this will likely need booktalking.”

CONNECTIONS

• This story is the tale of a Chinese immigrant during the construction of the transcontinental railroad. There are other tales of Chinese immigrants. Offering an array of books both fiction and nonfiction about immigration would enrich the knowledge of the “melting pot” of America and strengthen students’ understanding of diversity. Here are a few books to consider:
• THE DRAGON’S CHILD: A STORY OF ANGEL ISLAND by Lawrence Yep, ISBN 978-0060276928
• PUZZLE OF THE PAPER DAUGHTER: A JULIE MYSTERY by Kathryn Reiss, ISBN 978-1593696580
• LANDED by Milly Lee, ISBN 978-0374343149
• THE GOLD RUSH: CHINESE IMMIGRANTS COME TO AMERICA (1848-1882) by Jeremy Thornton, ISBN 978-0823989591

·         The building of the transcontinental railroad was a momentous occasion in United States history. Researching about the construction of the railroad and its effects would make students realize its effect. Also learning about the railroad and its uses today would help students realize its impact. If available, visiting a nearby railroad museum would be invaluable. To start, visiting Yahoo! Kids list of eight sites: http://kids.yahoo.com/directory/Around-the-World/Countries/United-States/History/Westward-Movement/Transcontinental-Railroad .