Module 13: Amelia Rules! Volume 1:The Whole World's Crazy by Jimmy Gownly

Summary

Amelia’s parents are divorced and she has had to move out of Manhattan into Pennsylvania. There Amelia meets a whole new group of friends. Reggie, Rhonda, and Pajamaman soon make Amelia forget about her sadness and keep her occupied. Amelia’s aunt also helps Amelia deal with her heartache. Amelia has many situations that the average kids of a broken home must deal with. She may be forced to move again and at one point, her mother goes on a date!

My Impressions

This was a book that many children of divorce, me included, can relate to. Amelia is likable, but not without flaws. I had many problems with my parent’s divorce growing up and a book like this could have been a great relief. There are a wealth of these books now, but when I was growing up, they were scarce.
The graphic novel form is also very inviting. The pictures are all at once cartoonish and realistic. I think this might allow some kids that normally wouldn’t read a book on this subject be more likely to read it.

Reviews

Amelia is no sweet innocent, nor are her three G.A.S.P (Gathering of Awesome Superpals) buddies: Reggie, superhero in the making; Rhonda, Amelia's tough bete noire with a fourth-grade thing for Reggie; and quiet, mysterious Pajamaman.ealousy, meanness, sadness, and confusion, as well as surprising generosity, and love crisscross the pages in energetic, freewheeling, full-color cartoon art that unwraps a kid's-eye view of life honestly, poignantly, and with a hefty dollop of melodrama. --Stephanie Zvirin Copyright 2004 Booklist

With a Peanuts-like look and Charles Schulz's impeccable comic timing, a Calvin and Hobbes sort of attitude, and even a Yellow Kid homage (in Pajamaman's ever-changing chest emblems), this will appeal to the broader audience of comic strip readers as well as to comic book fans. (Only one small complaint: someone should check the spelling.) Throw in a wonderful Christmas story, which should be turned into an animated special immediately, and an Eisner Award nomination for best title for a younger audience, and the result is a book highly recommended for all ages and all libraries. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Uses in a Library Setting

This would be an ideal choice for a program on divorce. This could go easily into a story time kit. The kit can have a few Amelia books, a map of New York City and possibly a book on how to talk about feelings.

Module 12: Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein by Don Brown

Summary

Einstein grew up as brilliant, but kind of a loner. He was not into sports and he was the only Jewish child at his school. Einstein was also able to, at a very young age, build huge card houses. This is mainly talked about to illustrate how focused the Scientist was even from an early age. This story is more about Einstein as a child then illustrating his theories to children.

My Impressions

This is a very good book for children who are feeling isolated. They can identify with young Einstein and earn self esteem by witnessing his accomplishments. The illustrations are wonderful and quirky. I think that many children will be able to identify with this book.

Reviews

Brown's language dips into vagueness when it's time to describe the mature scientist's contributions, and the accompanying artwork is often disappointingly generic, awkwardly incorporating computer-generated elements that overwhelm the delicate ink-and-watercolor style used elsewhere. Still, this joins Frida Wishinsky's What's the Matter with Albert? 0 (2002) as one of the very few picture-book biographies of Einstein available. Try giving it to older elementary students, who will get the most out of the detailed author's note and bibliography featuring many books for adults. --Jennifer Mattson Copyright 2004 Booklist

Through eloquent narrative and illustration, Brown offers a thoughtful introduction to an enigmatic man. This book will pique the interest of readers with little or no knowledge of Einstein.-Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal

Brown's narrative and appealingly quirky pen-and-ink and watercolor art effectively illuminate the eccentricities and intelligence of Einstein the boy and the man. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Publisher’s Weekly

Usage in a Library Setting

This book would be good for a discussion on Scientists or people who grew up to be famous and influential. It may pair well with books on Barrack Obama, Thomas Jefferson or Marie Curie. These are people who may have had a difficult time growing up, but overcame their differences and became successful.

Module 11: What If You Met a Pirate by Jan Adkins

Summary

This book starts out with a stereotypical picture of a pirate. The image is straight out of a movie and it is the image that most of us see in our heads when we think of the word “pirate.” The text around the pirate debunks many of the myths surrounding pirates. There are many surprises. Pirates did not force people to “walk the plank.” The author does a great job of illustrating what hard workers pirates are.
The illustrations are bright with heavy lines. They have an aesthetic quality that both children and adults can enjoy. The illustrations work very well with the text to show a different side of the pirate life.

My Impressions

This book is very enjoyable and I learned a lot. As you can tell, I really enjoyed the illustrations. I think they worked perfectly with the text and have rarely seen such a good marriage of the two. I honestly did not think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. This is why it is always a good idea to open up to new genres and ideas.
This book reminded me of the DK Series books. In my opinion, there is no higher compliment.

Reviews

In a send-up of current book marketing, the back cover carries appreciative comments by the likes of Queen Elizabeth I and Leonardo da Vinci. Where pirate fever runs high this spirited presentation will find an enthusiastic audience. For more titles, see the Read-alikes, Ship Ahoy! BKL S 1 04. --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2004
Booklist

Adkins's detailed renderings will be as familiar to fans of his other nonfiction books as his tongue-in-cheek humor, both of which appeal to a broad range of ages. A fun and informative read.Laurie Edwards, Infinity Charter School, Harrisburg, PA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

School Library Journal

Usage in a Library Setting

This would be an excellent book to highlight unusual careers although it may offend some due to recent events. Shockingly, there are still people in this world who make their living pirating. (Obviously the inclusion of pirates would only be for discussion. Children and parents would have a disclaimer letting them know that stealing is illegal and wrong morally.) This could lead to a lengthy discussion on morality, but this discussion would have to be entered into carefully.

Module 10 Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy by Phil Bildner

Summary

Shoeless Joe was given that name because he once played an entire game in his socks. He was in a slump and he knew what he had to do to get out of it. He decided to have a bat made that pitchers would honor and fear. He went to a bat smith and had him make Betsy. He had her dyed black with tobacco juice to make her dark and scary to the opposing team. This book has a lot of facts about “Shoeless” Joe and it is perfect for a young baseball fan.

My Impressions

This is a beautifully illustrated book that really makes Betsy come to life. I enjoyed this book immensely, but I feel that it stretches the definition of “historical.” That is okay though, because I feel that this kind of entertaining book will get kids to read more historical books in the future.

Reviews

This title is in the same league as David A. Adler's fine Lou Gehrig (1997) and Peter Golenbock's important Teammates (1990, both Harcourt).-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
School Library Journal

A lengthy afterword discussing Jackson's role in the 1919 Black Sox scandal fails to mention that, while Joe didn't participate in throwing the World Series, most sources agree that he did accept money to do so. Younger children with good attention spans may enjoy hearing this read aloud. --Bill Ott
Booklist

He strews the conversational prose with appealing colloquialisms in a catchy refrain ("sure as the sky is blue and the grass is green"). Payne's (The Remarkable Farkle McBride) portraits take on a tall-tale quality suffused with nostalgia; his strong-featured characters offer a riveting blend of humor and gravity. An afterword fills in the details of Jackson's life and career, including the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Ages 5-8. (Mar.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Publisher’s Weekly

Payne's (Brave Harriet, p. 944, etc.) mixed-media illustrations are gorgeous: the fuzz is in the flannel and the light is just right. And so are his perspectives, angles, and other compositional choices that make for the right mix of mystery and narrative to draw the reader in. A lengthy synopsis of Joe's entire career and his statistics are appended. (Picture book. 5-8)
Kirkus Reviews

Usage in a Library Setting

This book would be great for a sports related story time for older children. As discussed in class, some older elementary students enjoy picture books but are not permitted to do so, this book gives them an opportunity. The baseball theme also encourages an audience that might previously not enjoy sitting for a normal story time.