Module 9 Cam Jansen and the School Play Mystery by David Adler

Summary

In this popular series, Cam Jansen uses her photographic memory to solve crimes. This book is no exception. Cam’s friend is starring in the school play about Honest Abe. While her classmates are selling tickets, they realize that much of the money from the collection is missing. Cam tells her teacher and calls police. Cam deduces that there is one boy at the school who has been unaccounted for and asks him if he took the money. He admits to it. The teacher makes him watch the rest of the play to see if he learned anything.

My impressions

I wish that I had read another book in this series. From all that I have read about this book, it is not indicative of the series. It seems as if there were no context clues for young readers to figure out who committed the crime. The criminal seemed random. I am told that the other books are not like that, so I may have to read one of those to really get a better idea of how the series is usually written.

Reviews

Of course, Cam has a following and children will probably want to read this book, but there are better mysteries out there.-Holly Belli, Bergen County Cooperative Library System, West Caldwell, NJ Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal

The latest Cam Jansen mystery is not for newcomers to the popular mystery series. Told mostly in dialogue, the story is more complicated than usual, with Cam's friends on stage acting in a historical play about Honest Abe Lincoln while she's investigating the real-life theft of the theater admission money. --Hazel Rochman
Booklist

Usage in a Library Setting
This book would be a wonderful book for a “crime night” at the library. Obviously not a murder, but like a murder mystery dinner theater. The library can set up some sort of crime where something goes missing (perhaps a staff member?) and the group has to use context clues to find them.

Module 8 Thirteen Child by Patricia Wrede

Summary

Because Eff was born a thirteenth child, she is supposed to bring bad things to those around her, including her family. Even though her family knows this, they move close to the barrier that settlers from the magical creatures of the Wild West. Eff's twin brother, Lan is supposed to bring luck, because he is the seventh son of the seventh son.

My Impressions

This book moves a little slow. It was probably one of my least favorite of our readings. That said, I must admit that I am not a big fan of Fantasy. It seems like Eff is meek and not very assertive.

Reviews

Eff's life in Lan's shadow will ring true to all siblings of a particularly talented child, but at the conclusion it's Eff who uses her own magic to rescue her twin. Reminiscent of Orson Scott Card's "Alvin Maker" books (Tor), this is an interesting, but often slow-moving tale.-Beth L. Meister, Milwaukee Jewish Day School, WI Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal

This book will require patient readers who like their fantasies low impact. For a livelier American frontier with magic, suggest Orson Scott Card's Tales of Alvin Maker series.-Rebecca Moore. Fans of Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles will snatch up Thirteenth Child, encouraged by the dragon on the cover to expect another beautifully written and lighthearted fairytale. Although the book is beautifully written and certainly has its amusing moments, the cover is deceptive; mystical creatures and magic come into the story only as a detail. The book is much more about the characters' individual lives, which, although fascinating, are not what readers will anticipate. -Hannah Preisinger, Teen Reviewer.
Voice of Youth Advocates

Usage in a Library Setting

This would start a good discussion on magic and could lead to many other Fantasy books.

Moduule 8-Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians by Bryan Sanderson

Summary

This is the story of Alcatraz Smedry who has been sent to many different foster families. He has destroyed things that have been important to each of his foster parents. At his birthday, Alcatraz receives a bag of sand. A group of Librarians tries to steal his bag of sand. Soon after, he sets his foster parent’s kitchen on fire. His caseworker came to his foster home and yelled at him for ruining the parent’s kitchen.

Shortly thereafter, an old man comes by the house and says that he is Alcatraz’s grandfather. He tells him that he has a gift for breaking things. It turns out that the Librarians are secretly trying to take over the world. Alcatraz must go to the library to infiltrate them.

My Impressions

Of course I am going to love any book that involves evil, power hungry Librarians. The writing was witty and I loved that the writer made something that seemed like a negative trait and turned it into a talent. The author seemed to do that with a lot of other things in the book too, which made this world seem more advanced.

Reviews

Those wanting a linear tale are out of luck, although the snarkier set, among them Lemony Snicket fans, may want to hang on for the ride. Ages 9-up. Simultaneous release with the Scholastic hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 19, 2007). (Nov.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Publisher’s Weekly
Readers whose sense of humor runs toward the subversive will be instantly captivated: not only does the author poke fun at librarians, he lampoons books (including this one) in frequent passages directly addressed to readers: "You are saying to yourself, 'The story just lost me. It degenerated into pure silliness.... I'm going to go read a book about a boy whose dog gets killed by his mother. Twice.'" Like Lemony Snicket and superhero comics rolled into one (and then revved up on steroids), this nutty novel isn't for everyone, but it's also sure to win passionate fans. Ages 9-up. (Oct.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Publisher’s Weekly

Though there's intentionally more humor than drama, Alcatraz becomes a more complex figure by the time his adventure is through as he discovers the value of friendship, courage, and family. Readers who prefer fantasy with plenty of humor should enjoy entering Alcatraz's strange but amusing world.-Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal

Readers are indeed tortured, with quirky, seemingly incompetent heroes; dastardly villains fond of torture; cars that drive themselves; nonstop action; and cliffhanger chapter endings. And as soon as they finish the last wickedly clever page, they will be standing in line for more from this seasoned author of such adult-marketed titles as Elantris (Tor, 2005/VOYA October 2005).-Arlene Garcia.
Voice of Youth Advocates

Usage in a Library Setting
This may be a good book to include in a program about Fantasy. It would be great to include in a book discussion. Kids will really enjoy this book and are likely to discuss it with their friends.

Module 7 Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

Summary

Dallas and Florida are orphans known as the trouble twins. They live in an orphanage run by the Trepids, who are very strict. Most of the adults in their life have been awful to them so far. Then the twins are taken away by Tiller and Sairy to join them on their separate vacations. Neither pair has been separated for any extended period of time. Tiller goes with Florida on an expedition down river. Sairy and Dallas go birding on an island. At first, Dallas and Florida don't know what to make of Tiller and Sairy's kindness, bu they are eventually one over. Tiller and Sairy realize that this may be the perfect time to let these children into their lives.

My impressions

This was an interesting read and you do really start rooting for the kids. It was amazing how incredibly mean the adults were to these kids. All of the main characters are likable. The author does an excellent job of portraying the character's relationships with each other. The way the characters interact is also very well-written.

Reviews

“In an unusual approach for a children's book, Tiller and Sairy's points of view are at least as important as those of Dallas and Florida; and how the foursome play off one another is one of the key points of the narrative. There's a larger-than-life feel to this novel that makes the minor characters and subplots feel a bit out of scale--or out of sync--but the main story rests squarely on the four well-drawn characters. A stylized yet solid story from the author of the Newbery-award-winning Walk Two Moons”
Phelan, C. (1994). Reviews. Booklist, August


“This poignant story evokes a feeling as welcoming as fresh-baked bread. The slow evolution of the siblings who are no angels parallels the gradual building of mutual trust for the Moreys. The novel celebrates the healing effects of love and compassion. Although conflicts emerge, readers will have little doubt that all will end well for the children and the grandparently”

(1994). Reviews. Publisher's Weekly, August

Suggestions for use in a Library Setting

This is too advanced and lengthy to be read in class. Chapters could be read weekly, however this may be a semester long project. It might be a great project to have kids write about how they would react to the orphans if they were their parents or guardians. This could be made into a journal type project.

Flush by Carl Haissen Module 7

Summary

This book is told from the perspective of Noah, a boy that is about 12. He lives with his parents and sister, Abbey in the Florida Keys. His father, Paine is in jail because he sank a local businessman's boat. He sank the boat because he thought the businessman, named Dusty, was dumping waste into the Keys. While Paine is in jail, the kids find out that there mother may want a divorce. Meanwhile, Paine wants Noah to get a man called Lice Peeking and his girlfriend Shelley to help verify that the businessman is dumping. Lice later goes missing and Shelley helps the kids expose Dusty by dumping food coloring into his ship's toilets. The plan goes off pretty well, but somehow, on their way back home, they get lost at sea.
They are saved by the coast guard which also sees the food coloring. Throughout the story, there is an old man that keeps helping the kids get out of sticky situations. In the end, the kids find out this is their long lost grandfather. Later, Lice is found and Shelley takes him back. Dusty's boat ends up being accidentally burned down by his own son, who had been picking on Abbey and Noah throughout the novel.

My Impression of the Book

I enjoyed this book and was more than a little surprised that this is a book for teens. The themes are very mature. Many of the adults are fallible, even and most especially Paine, the father. It was interesting to get Noah's point of view on his father's exploits. While Noah agreed with Paine's stance, his father's moral stance is taking a toll on the family. It was refreshing to see a book for teens that is written this way.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the children. They are smart, but not so smart as to see unrealistic. Also many times when there are smart children's characters, this is often at the expense of the parents. I think many authors feel as though they need to make the parents seem dumb in order to make the kids smart.

Reviews

"Hiaasen's action-packed mystery set in the Florida Keys offers a colorful cast of dastardly villains and eccentric heroes, along with his signature environmental themes," wrote PW. Ages 10-up. (Aug.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information. “

”Haasen's award-winning first foray into young adult novels, Flush deals with serious ecological and personal issues. With good insight into real world relationships plus a mix of solid citizens and offbeat good guys”

Usage in a Library Setting

This book would be great to discuss during the week of Earth Day. This could lead to all sorts of discussions on if Paine was right to sink the ship. It might also be a good idea to discuss the implications of dumping in a public water supply.

References

(2007). Reviews. Publisher's Weekly, August 6,2007, Retrieved September 9, 2009, from www.library.unt.edu
(2006). Reviews. School Library Journal, January 1, 2006, Retrieved September 9, 2009, from www.library.unt.edu

Module 6 Piper Reed, Navy Brat

Summary

Piper is in a military family. Her father works for the Navy and this means their family has to move around often. Piper has two sisters, one younger and one older. Piper has just found out that the family will be moving to Pensacola, Florida from San Diego. Each person in the family deals with this in a different way.
This book chronicles the families' move across the country. The family is so used to moving that they have different rituals and mores for the trip. They see family that live on the way. The book also chronicles Piper's attempts at fitting in at her new school. Piper has dyslexia and is worried that she will be ostracized. Her fears are allayed when she meets a good group of friends.

My impressions

I enjoyed this book. I have a friend that grew up in a military family and it helped me see things from her point of view. All of the characters are enjoyable. Piper's older sister, Tori, is especially nice comic relief as the angst-ridden teenager. The parents are relatable and seem like model parents.
The illustrations accompany the text very nicely. However, the story stands on it's own.
There is not a deep plot, but I think the plot is appropriate for this age group.

Reviews

“This entertaining read will appeal to fans of Judy Moody and Ramona Quimby.” “Davenier's amusing pen-and-ink illustrations capture the personalities of the Reed sisters. A welcome addition to middle-grade fiction shelves.” (School Library Journal 2007)

“Holt (When Zachary Beaver Came to Town) relays quotidian events with humor and insight, believably portraying a likable girl's rapport with her siblings and parents. Davenier's (The First Thing My Mama Told Me) dynamic line drawings convey the narrator's spunky personality.” (Publisher's Weekly 2007)


References

(2007). Reviews. Publisher's Weekly, July, 30.

Dorio, T. (2007). Reviews. School Library Journal, August 1

Uses in a Library Setting

This would be a good book to highlight during programming revolving around Veteran's or Memorial Day. It is nice to get a child's perspective of what it is like to live in a military family. The program may be enhanced by having a military family talk about what it is like to be in the military and about the places they have lived.