Module 12 Biographies: Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell

Image retrieved from:  www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/patrick-mcdonnell/mejane/

Book Summary:  

This is a sweet and short biography detailing some of Jane Goodall's childhood. It starts with her parents giving her a stuffed chimpanzee toy that she named Jubilee. This toy would go with here everywhere as she observed the outside world. The book describes how she studied about animals on her own and one of her first observational discoveries, how a chicken laid an egg. It goes on to describe her love of all nature and her desire to grow up and study animals which she eventually does. There is an afterword about Jane's life and how most people told her she would never be able to accomplish all she did. Also contained is a message from Jane about making and difference for the environment.  

APA Citation:  

McDonnell, P. (2011). Me... Jane. New York, NY: Little, Brown. 

Impressions:   

While not highly detailed this books is a perfect introduction into who Jane Goodall is and why she is an important figure. The book is meant to inspire young animal lovers by showing that Jane took her love of animals and made a worthwhile career and became an activist because of it. The book is short so that even the youngest child can understand. The images included some of janes own work are well constructed and help tell the story. The colors used are also not too bright, but vivid in their construction. Sweet and briefly informative introduction to the life of Jane Goodall. 

Professional Review:  

Little Jane Goodall and Jubilee (her toy chimpanzee) ramble outside their English country home observing everyday animal miracles and dreaming of a life in Africa, "living with, / and helping, / all animals." Readers familiar with the groundbreaking primatologist will love seeing her as a conventional, buttoned-up child, wearing a plaid skirt, classic bob and hair clip as she squats in a coop to watch a chicken drop an egg. McDonnell’s simple ink-and-watercolor illustrations appear as sunny, amorphous panels in ample white space. Purposeful black lines provide specificity with small suggestive strokes—a tiny apostrophic smile relays Jane’s complete contentment sprawled in grass. Opposite pages offer groupings of faint, intricate stamps that correspond with young Jane’s early outdoor experiences and engage readers with their fine details. The playful interplay among stamps, cartoonish drawings and real photographs of Jane reminds readers of a child’s hodgepodge journal—one like Jane’s, which appears as a double-page spread showing her animal studies, charts, games and doodles. Children will appreciate McDonnell’s original format and take heart that interests logged in their own diaries might turn into lifelong passions. Backmatter includes a pithy biography, additional photographs and a letter and drawing from Jane herself—children will thrill at the connection. (Picture book/biography. 2-10)  

 ME...JANE by Patrick McDonnell , Patrick McDonnell  (2011). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved November 20, 2015, from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/patrick-mcdonnell/mejane/  

Library Uses:  

This book would be a great read aloud for a Earth Day program. To inspire young kids to do something for the environment whether it is a small or large act every little bit helps. 

Module 11: Informational Books- Zombie Makers by Rebecca Johnson

Image retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Makers-Exceptional-Intermediate-Selection/dp/0761386335 

Book Summary:  

This informational picture book examines the existence of real zombie makers. These are devided into five groups discussed in five chapters. These zombie parasites are fungus, worms, wasps, viruses and more worms. The one thing all of the parasites have in common is the ability to infect or affect the brain so the host acts in away to help the parasitic entity reproduce. Each chapter begins with a narrative story describing a possible story of how a host is infected and zombified and then discusses the science behind the actions of the parasite and the reaction of the host.   

APA Citation: 

Johnson, R. (2013). Zombie makers true stories of nature's undead. Minneapolis, MN: Millbrook Press.  

Impressions:  

This book is the right level of gross and fascinating for the tween age group. Each chapter has both a real life narrative followed by the scientific reasoning for both the action of the parasite and the host. The text is written in an appropriate level for the audience. This book is not dry information, but fascinating. This book also gives the real life implications for each of these parasites, making the text more real because these zombie makers still exist and cause trouble for creatures and humans alike. A well constructed informational, educational, gross and fun read.  

Professional Review:  

KIRKUS REVIEW 

Solid (sometimes writhing) proof that the scariest zombie flicks have nothing on Nature. 

To demonstrate that there are indeed real zombies—“closer than you think”—Johnson (Journey into the Deep, 2010; iPad app, 2011) introduces a select set of fungi, worms, viruses and wasps that invade the bodies and take over the brains of their victims. Enhanced by large and often deliciously disturbing color photos, her descriptions of each parasite’s life cycle is both specific and astonishing; not only does the fungus O. unilateralis force a carpenter ant to clamp itself to a leaf (before sending a long reproductive stalk out of its head) for instance, it even somehow strengthens the ant’s mouth muscles. The author tracks similarly focused physical and behavioral changes not just in insects, but in other creatures too, including rabies-infected mammals. Lest human readers feel left out of the picture, she mentions the protozoan T. gondii, which causes rats to engage in reckless behavior and also has infected up to a quarter of all the adults and teens in this country. In each chapter, Johnson reports back on conversations with scientists engaged in relevant research, and she closes with a quick look at telling signs in the fossil record. 

Science writing at its grossest and best, though as the title (not to mention the blood-spattered pages) warns, not for the squeamish. (author's note, glossary, notes, bibliography, further reading, index) (Nonfiction. 10-13) 

 ZOMBIE MAKERS by Rebecca L. Johnson | Kirkus Reviews. (2012). Retrieved November 20, 2015, from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rebecca-l-johnson/zombie-makers/  

Library Uses:  

I would use this book as the basis for a tween Halloween program entitled Zombies the Truth. In this program we would read through the book and examine each of the creatures and viruses. I would included video clips. This program would also include zombie themed snacks.

Module 10: Historical Fiction -- Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pam Munoz Ryan

Image retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Amelia-Eleanor-Ride-Munoz-Ryan/dp/059096075X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448122502&sr=8-1&keywords=amelia+and+eleanor+go+for+a+ride

Book Summary:

This story is a the fictional account of a night flight that Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt took on one spring night. Amelia is visiting the White House for dinner. While at dinner Eleanor mentions to Amelia that she has received her pilots training license, Amelia says she would be happy to teach Eleanor. Through the dinner conversation the attendants ask  Amelia what it's like to fly a night. She tells them how beautiful the sky is and how wonderful the city looks. That gives Amelia the idea to take Eleanor for a flight that very night. In the book Amelia flies them all over DC. When they return Eleanor then takes Amelia for a ride in her new car. To end the night they have one of Eleanor's favorite desserts.

APA Citation:  

Ryan, P., & Selznick, B. (1999). Amelia and Eleanor go for a ride: Based on a true story. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Impressions:  

This book was a wonderful fictional representation of the real life friendship between Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt. The book is beautiful with wonderful black and white pictures depicting a memorable night in the lives of these astounding women. The author gives a historical references listing the actual events. Her interpretation juxtaposing the lives of these two women and how they are alike, but very different give a historical reference for the reader. I like how independent, strong and different these two women were during their time and how the author stresses this in her book.  Overall a great short historical fiction book based on a real event. This book also is the right length and has the right sentence structure to make it a great read aloud.

Professional Review:   

KIRKUS REVIEW

Ryan and Selznick skillfully blend fact and fiction for a rip-roaring tale of an utterly credible adventure. On April 20, 1933, Amelia Earhart had dinner at the White House with her friend, Eleanor Roosevelt. Amelia’s description of flying at night so entranced Eleanor that the two of them, still in their evening clothes, flew in a Curtis Condor twin-motor airplane and were back in time for dessert. Eleanor herself had studied for a pilot’s license, but had to be content driving instead. Selznick has created marvelous graphite pictures, with slight washes of color, for scenes based on accounts and descriptions of the evening, right down to the china on the White House table. Using a slightly exaggerated style and a superb sense of line and pattern, he plays with varying perspectives, close-ups, and panoramas to create a vivid visual energy that nicely complements the text. There is sheer delight in the friends’ shared enjoyment of everything from a formal dinner and fine gloves to the skies they navigated. A final historical photograph shows the two on the plane that night. (Picture book. 5-10)

AMELIA AND ELEANOR GO FOR A RIDE by Pam Munoz Ryan. (1999). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved November 18, 2015, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/pam-munoz-ryan/amelia-and-eleanor-go-for-a-ride/

Library Uses:   

I would include this picture book in a program promoting important women in history. As this book contains two strong women it would be perfect as a read aloud for this program. 

Module 9 Mysteries: 43 Old Cemetery Road Dying to meet you - By Kate Klise

Image retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Meet-You-Cemetery-Road/dp/0547398484

Book Summary:

I. B. Grumply is looking for a place to write the newest long awaited book in his Ghost Tamer series. He wants somewhere quiet and away from children. What he ends up renting  is a haunted mansion already occupied by a young boy named Seymour. Grumply’s writers block continues to get worse as he is pestered by the ghost of Olive C. Spence. Who first tries to get rid of him, then tries to correct and assist his writing, then falls in love him, then leaves him. Grumply’s relationship with Olive is complicated to say the least. In the end they will make up when Grumply acknowledges her contributions to his writing. Together they will write a brand new best selling novel. The proceeds from the new book are enough to buy the run down mansion saving it from being it destroyed. Since Seymour's parents have abandoned him, because his belief in ghosts undermines their career, Grumply and Olive take in Seymour as their own. This book is an introduction to this series so its purpose is to introduce all the characters for later stories.

APA Citation:

Klise, K., & Klise, M. (2009). Dying to meet you. Boston, MA: Harcourt.

Impressions:

This book is written in the form of correspondence from one main character to another. This made for a quick read. The book was humorous and sweet. The play on names and intelligent humor make the reader think and expand their knowledge while also being amused. This story was not a straight up mystery, but rather and introduction to the characters.The only real mystery is whether on not Gumply and Olive will end up together. This book is meant to set up the plot for later stories in the series. As such it was a good introduction to the characters and location of the stories. Overall a good read, but not necessarily a mystery.

Professional Review: 

Plenty of fun lurks in this ghost-story comedy when a dried-up, unsociable writer, I.B. Grumply, rents an old house already occupied by Seymour Hope, an abandoned boy, and his best friend, Olive, an active and bossy lady ghost. All told through letters, newspaper articles and other documents, the story also stars M. Sarah Klise’s whimsical line drawings, which add substance to the plot. Readers learn that Mr. Grumply’s writer’s block has continued until he’s penniless; he’ll have to open up and make friends with his new roommates if he wants to produce that next bestseller. Kate Klise fleshes out the plot with back stories on the house, Seymour’s catastrophic, absent parents and Olive’s haunting of the house. Suspense intrudes when Seymour’s parents reappear and decide to demolish it. Everywhere they look, readers will find comedy, even in the headers on the letters and character names. Of course it’s all going to come out magnificently in the end, thereby setting up the next book in the planned series. A quirky, comedic romp. (Fiction. 8-14)

DYING TO MEET YOU by Kate Klise , M. Sarah Klise.(2009). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved November 18, 2015, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kate-klise/dying-to-meet-you-2/

Library Uses: 

This book would be very useful in a program to introduce different storytelling methods. I would use this story to introduce epistolary storytelling or the telling of a story through letters. 

Module 8 Fantasy: Hold Me Closer Necromancer by Lish McBride

Image retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Hold-Me-Closer-Necromancer/dp/0312674376/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445735920&sr=8-1&keywords=hold+me+closer+necromancer

Book Summary:

 Sam is a Necromancer, but he does not know that. Unfortunately the big bad Necromancer in town knows and is determined to either take him over to the dark side or kill and take Sam’s power. Douglas the big bad necromancer decides to kill one of his best friends and brings her head back to life to show how serious he is. Sam finds out that necromancy runs in his family and that he inherited it from his father's side. To add to all the chaos around Sam he also finds out that his mother is a witch and she to keep him safe bound his powers not once, but twice. This leaves him completely vulnerable around Douglas unable to tap into his powers. In the process of trying to understand what he is, Sam is abducted by Douglas and put in a cage with a young women Brid who is actual a fey hound or werewolf. Another necromancer who Sam had made contact with before he was abducted  sends him a messenger of the dead. This messenger named Ashley will for the small fee of waffles for an entire year will let someone know where he is hidden. Ashley let's Sam's Mom know that she must unbind his powers so that he can have a chance at survival and possibly escape. All the while Douglas is trying to train Sam unsuccessfully. The story comes to a head when simultaneously Sam’s full powers are restored, the were hounds come to save Brid and Douglas is in the process ceremonially killing Sam to take his power. Sam prevails accidentally killing Douglas in the process. At the end of the story Sam has taken Douglas's place inheriting his house, his place on the supernatural council, and as the new big (but nicer) necromancer in town. 

APA Citation:

McBride, L. (2010). Hold me closer, necromancer. New York: Henry Holt.

Impressions:

The mix of humor and horror in this novel make it quite enjoyable. I enjoyed it so much that I have picked up the next book in the series. The darker parts of the story were bearable because of the humor in the authors writing. The author did a great job of interweaving the real world with the fantastical. I was rooting for Sam all the way, he's the underdog. Unaware of what he is, this world is new frightening, but this character takes it in stride thinking on his feet. What the reader knows at the conclusion of this tale is that things are looking up for Sam, but will they stay that way for long? This books nicely sets up the next book, its part horror, part romance, and mystery. I would highly recommend this novel to young adult readers who like a little scary with their fantasy.

Professional Review:

After a lighthearted opening packed with Buffy-esque wackiness, Samhain Corvus Lacroix is dragged from his dead-end food-service job into a terrifying magical power struggle. When a visitor to the Plumpy's fast-food restaurant identifies unexceptional college-dropout Sam as a necromancer, narrator Sam writes the whole day off as an encounter with an unpleasant eccentric. But he can't ignore the rapid downward spiral of events: the attack by a super-strong thug in the parking lot, the murder of a friend, the appearance of his dead friend's reanimated head. Occasional chapters narrated in the third person introduce readers to the intrigues of Seattle's mystical underworld, with its Council led by an evil necromancer and its packs of fey hound-werewolf crossbreeds. When Douglas, the evil necromancer, kidnaps Sam outright, the adventure takes a turn to the downright gruesome, with semi-graphic descriptions of torture (interspersed with occasionally steamy romantic interludes). Despite uneven pacing and abandoned plot threads, this quirky urban fantasy will compel fans of horror and supernatural romance--and heroic skateboarding slackers. (Urban fantasy. YA)

Citation: HOLD ME CLOSER, NECROMANCER by Lish McBride (2010). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved October 23, 2015, from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lish-mcbride/hold-me-closer-necromancer/

Library Uses:

I would put this on a display of books with a fantastical and horror element, possibly around the time of Halloween.