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.

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.