Versi
The Greatest: Muhammad Ali. (2001; New York: Scholastic Press; 172 p; ISBN 9780590543422)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates. (2005; Jonah Winter; New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers; ISBN 9780689856433)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Bone: Out from Boneville
Bone Volume One: Out from Boneville (Smith, Jeff; 2003) ISBN 0963660942
Bone is the first edition in a series of stories about three cousins who are on the run: Phoncible B. Bone (aka Phoney), Smiley Bone, and Fone Bone. The reasons for their plight help to explain some important character traits. Phoney Bone has been run out of town—Boneville—after Phoney shows disrespect for the town’s founder. Phoncible is highly motivated, but not entirely honest and upright. Protagonist Fone Bone is equipped with both courage and the ability to problem solve. Smiley Bone is more likeable than Phoncible, but far less intelligent than Fone.
Phoney and Smiley are separated from Fone, and the story splits into two different paths. While on his own, Fone meets up with Thorn, a young, courageous and talented girl with a secret past. Thorn lives with her hard scrabble grandmother, perhaps the toughest character in the story despite her age. Thorn helps Fone reunite with his cousins, though they encounter great danger and excitement in the form of rat creatures along the way.
Meanwhile, Phoney tries to run another scam with Smiley that may get him into hot water once again. Their storyline is lighter in tone that Fone’s is, and it provides many funny moments.
The Bone cousins’ story is told in black and white line illustrations. As with most graphic novels, it is accessible for a wide range of readers. Author Jeff Smith conveys a slew of emotions and moods among his characters, creating a lively pace for the story.
Bone is the first edition in a series of stories about three cousins who are on the run: Phoncible B. Bone (aka Phoney), Smiley Bone, and Fone Bone. The reasons for their plight help to explain some important character traits. Phoney Bone has been run out of town—Boneville—after Phoney shows disrespect for the town’s founder. Phoncible is highly motivated, but not entirely honest and upright. Protagonist Fone Bone is equipped with both courage and the ability to problem solve. Smiley Bone is more likeable than Phoncible, but far less intelligent than Fone.
Phoney and Smiley are separated from Fone, and the story splits into two different paths. While on his own, Fone meets up with Thorn, a young, courageous and talented girl with a secret past. Thorn lives with her hard scrabble grandmother, perhaps the toughest character in the story despite her age. Thorn helps Fone reunite with his cousins, though they encounter great danger and excitement in the form of rat creatures along the way.
Meanwhile, Phoney tries to run another scam with Smiley that may get him into hot water once again. Their storyline is lighter in tone that Fone’s is, and it provides many funny moments.
The Bone cousins’ story is told in black and white line illustrations. As with most graphic novels, it is accessible for a wide range of readers. Author Jeff Smith conveys a slew of emotions and moods among his characters, creating a lively pace for the story.
Interview with the author here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXwFRZ4nFXA
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Girl Stories
Girl Stories (Weinstein, Lauren R.; 2006) 237 pages; ISBN 9780805078633
An a-typical story about an actual, typical tween, Girl Stories is a series of tales told in graphic novel form by Lauren Weinstein and featuring a 13-year-old narrator named, perhaps autobiographically, Lauren. Weinstein approaches the travails of Lauren in graphic novel form. She does not sugar coat the often difficult, awkward, confusing years of pre- and early teen hood. The vignettes here tell of Lauren’s (embarrassing) hobby of playing with Barbies long after most girls have packed them away, her struggle to be accepted by the cool kids, and her brutally honest account of dropping a friend who might jeopardize her popularity index.
Weinstein explains in her intro that this book represents several years worth of work, and therefore the style of her illustrations changes over time. The straightforward pictures sometimes belie more serious topics and dialogue that address serious tween and teen issues. Angst over wanting a boyfriend or girlfriend and body issues are two such subjects, and though these can quickly evolve into more mature themes, they are also very important issues for young readers. Weinstein’s honesty in depicting one young girl’s struggle with these years is refreshing and comes across as authentic, which many tween readers will appreciate. However, that same honesty makes this titles more appropriate for older tweens than the younger or less mature readers in this group.
The graphic novel format of this book makes it an easy read for some who are put off by longer doses of text, but Weinstein’s language is challenging enough to keep strong readers plenty interested as well.
Recommended for ages 11 and up.
An a-typical story about an actual, typical tween, Girl Stories is a series of tales told in graphic novel form by Lauren Weinstein and featuring a 13-year-old narrator named, perhaps autobiographically, Lauren. Weinstein approaches the travails of Lauren in graphic novel form. She does not sugar coat the often difficult, awkward, confusing years of pre- and early teen hood. The vignettes here tell of Lauren’s (embarrassing) hobby of playing with Barbies long after most girls have packed them away, her struggle to be accepted by the cool kids, and her brutally honest account of dropping a friend who might jeopardize her popularity index.
Weinstein explains in her intro that this book represents several years worth of work, and therefore the style of her illustrations changes over time. The straightforward pictures sometimes belie more serious topics and dialogue that address serious tween and teen issues. Angst over wanting a boyfriend or girlfriend and body issues are two such subjects, and though these can quickly evolve into more mature themes, they are also very important issues for young readers. Weinstein’s honesty in depicting one young girl’s struggle with these years is refreshing and comes across as authentic, which many tween readers will appreciate. However, that same honesty makes this titles more appropriate for older tweens than the younger or less mature readers in this group.
The graphic novel format of this book makes it an easy read for some who are put off by longer doses of text, but Weinstein’s language is challenging enough to keep strong readers plenty interested as well.
Recommended for ages 11 and up.
Monday, April 25, 2011
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid [Motion Picture] 1985. ISBN 0800138074
Tweens who enjoyed last year’s Karate Kid remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan still have reason to check out the 1985 original. Daniel Larusso (Ralph Macchio), a newcomer to Los Angeles, is bullied and finds help from his apartment manager, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita, Jr. in an Oscar-nominated performance). Today’s tweens will not know Morita from “Happy Days” fame, but his performance as the wise and patient Karate master from Okinawa might still remind them of someone they know. Morita gets the details right, and along with Macchio’s best performance, creates a relationship that is even more believable than Larusso’s with his teen love interest, Ali (Elisabeth Shue).
The story resonates with tweens 25 years after its release, especially with so many recent high profile incidents of bullying among young people. In the film, Miyagi teaches Daniel that respect and inner peace are more important than physical dominance—as displayed by the more militaristic Cobra Kai martial artists (the bullies) in the film.
Among the highlights of the movie are the “wax on, wax off” scene in which Daniel realizes that seemingly endless household chores are actually lessons in Karate; more subtle are the scenes with Daniel and his mother (Randee Heller), who is having almost as much difficulty finding her way in a new environment as her son is.
While the music and fashion in Karate Kid are dated, the script is filled with realistic dialogue and timeless humor.
View a clip of the film here.
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Twelve Rounds to Glory
Smith’s story told in verse along with bold, colorful illustrations by Bryan Collier combine for a powerful biography of one of the country’s best known athletes. Smith divides the story into twelve rounds, each of which reads as a chapter explaining an important era of Ali’s life.
Each round begins with a quote pertinent to the upcoming chapter. The story begins with a lyrical description of the baby Cassius Clay, born in 1942 in racially divided Kentucky. Smith includes an anecdote in which someone steals Clay’s bicycle. He wants revenge but a police officer informs him, “First, kid, you hafta learn to fight!” Clay takes these words to heart, and his career in fighting begins.
Smith includes many of Clay’s boxing highlights, such as his gold medal turn in the 1960 Olympics, and he explains Clay’s conversion to Islam which leads him to change his name to Muhammad Ali, which means “worthy of praise, high-exalted one.” He also covers Ali’s refusal to join the Army when drafted because it conflicts with the beliefs of his faith. This decision costs him his boxing title and, for several years, his ability to compete.
The story also includes some of Ali’s most notable fights, such as those against George Foreman and Joe Frazier, and it concludes with his current and enduring battle, that against Parkinson’s disease. The portrayal here is one of a tough, disciplined, principled man who influenced his sport perhaps more than anyone else thus far. Twelve Rounds to Glory was awarded the Coretta Scott King award in 2008.
The Giver
Lois Lowry establishes a setting without conflict, strife, or other forms of unpleasantness. It is also a setting of sameness, one in which everything from the weather to collective memories are completely controlled and predictable. Young Jonas, age 12, is about to receive his life assignment from the Elders in the community. This ritual bestows a duty to each child based on the skills they have demonstrated, and Jonas unexpectedly receives the rare and prestigious job of being the Receiver of Memory. Though an important honor, the proclamation terrifies Jonas.
Jonas trades playing games with his peers for training sessions with the man whose job he will take over, the aging Receiver who is now known as the Giver (as he will give the ability to remember to Jonas). Jonas is surprised and alarmed at much of what he learns from the Giver. One of the most disturbing things he learns is that when a member is “released” from their society (such as when the elderly become unwell or when members break society rules), they are not sent off to the mysterious “Elsewhere,” but rather they are killed.
Jonas’s misgivings about his new responsibility come to a head when he finds that a young child they have been fostering, Gabriel, is to be released soon for failing to grow at an acceptable rate. Jonas must make an important decision: remain faithful to his society and his role as the Receiver knowing that Gabriel will be killed, or attempt to save Gabriel by betraying everything and everyone he has ever known.
Lowry’s book has received many awards, including the Newbery Medal.
--Ages 11-14
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Hunger Games
If you took the Olympics, reality television, and Roman gladiator fights and mixed them all up, the results might look something like The Hunger Games. This is the story of Panem, which used to be the United States but now is 12 districts surrounding one powerful capitol. Years ago, the hungry, oppressed people of the districts attempted to overthrow the capitol but were unsuccessful. As a yearly reminder of their failed revolution, each district must now send two of its young people to the capitol to participate in the Hunger Games; all residents of Panem are required to view round the clock coverage of the games, and only one of the 24 competitors may live.
Collins tells the story primarily through the experience of Katniss Everdeen, at 16, a contender in the Games. Katniss has one advantage in the games because her deceased father taught her years earlier how to use a bow and arrow, but those in charge of the games are able to play on each competitor’s weaknesses and darkest fears so Katniss’s strengths may not be enough to help her survive. Her life at home is a difficult one; since her father’s death in a coal mine accident, Katniss’s mother has suffered debilitating depression and can barely provide for Katniss and her charming younger sister, Prim. Life in the districts is not easy for anyone, but Katniss soon learns that even that existence is much easier than participating in the cruel games.
Though the story is wrapped up, the ending of The Hunger Games also leaves readers wanting more. Fortunately, Collins rounds out the story with two additional tomes, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. Readers of the first title will not be satisfied until they have devoured the whole trilogy.
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Outsiders
The Outsiders (Hinton, S.E., 1967, 192 pages, ISBN 9780140385724)
Though it was written more than 40 years ago, The Outsiders remains a relevant and compelling novel for young readers today. The author, S.E. Hinton, knew a few things about teens and tweens, as she was only 15 when she began writing the novel. The Outsiders is about two rival groups of teenage boys, the Greasers, poor boys from the wrong side of the tracks, and the Socs, society boys with money and privilege. Certainly the tension between those two classes has not dissipated since the time of this book.
The protagonist, Ponyboy, is a Greaser living with his two older brothers after their parents have died. Though he is not terribly violent, Ponyboy finds himself involved in a knife fight that goes awry when Greaser Johnny kills a Soc. Johnny is on the run but about to turn himself in when he and Ponyboy come upon a church on fire with children trapped inside. Their heroism ultimately costs Johnny his life, and Ponyboy must face the aftermath of the tragedy and destruction in which he has been involved.
A subplot to the story is Ponyboy’s friendship with Cherry, a Soc. The two develop a sweet though forbidden friendship that helps Ponyboy realize not all Soces are alike. Through this storyline, Hinton interjects poetry by Robert Frost. Readers would not expect a Greaser to be fond of poetry, and readers who are not already familiar with Frost benefit by their exposure to the beauty of his words. The Outsiders will evoke a range of emotions, and the timeless story of a hero who does not know his place in the world is sure to continue to be relevant and universal.
The protagonist, Ponyboy, is a Greaser living with his two older brothers after their parents have died. Though he is not terribly violent, Ponyboy finds himself involved in a knife fight that goes awry when Greaser Johnny kills a Soc. Johnny is on the run but about to turn himself in when he and Ponyboy come upon a church on fire with children trapped inside. Their heroism ultimately costs Johnny his life, and Ponyboy must face the aftermath of the tragedy and destruction in which he has been involved.
A subplot to the story is Ponyboy’s friendship with Cherry, a Soc. The two develop a sweet though forbidden friendship that helps Ponyboy realize not all Soces are alike. Through this storyline, Hinton interjects poetry by Robert Frost. Readers would not expect a Greaser to be fond of poetry, and readers who are not already familiar with Frost benefit by their exposure to the beauty of his words. The Outsiders will evoke a range of emotions, and the timeless story of a hero who does not know his place in the world is sure to continue to be relevant and universal.
They Called Themselves the KKK
They Called Themselves the KKK: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group (Bartoletti, Susan Campbell; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010; 172 p.; ISBN 9780618440337)
Bartoletti documents the beginnings of one of the most feared groups of humans in the history of this country. She uses clear, concise language to explain how a group of white men in the South hatched a plan in an attempt to quash any upward social movement—and even some basic freedoms—of African Americans. It is an account of the horrifying potential for man to inflict devastation as a reaction to personal fear.
The author begins with a brief history of the Civil War, using many primary sources to give as thorough a picture of the issues as possible in the limited space of a chapter. Her accounts are vivid and her own narrative is nonjudgmental. The real story begins in Pulaski, Tennessee when six officers from the Confederate army decided not to accept their defeat, but rather to gather other white men who feared any gain in power and privileges among black men and women and squash it down. This secret group grew into the Ku Klux Klan, a name that originally was taken from the Greek “kuklos,” or circle.
Many pictures and illustrations accompany the accessible text, making this an appropriate text for younger readers who may not yet have the attention span for a more advanced text. The chapter titles alone are enough to pique most readers’ interest, such as “Boys, Let Us Get Up a Club,” “They Say a Man Ought Not to Vote,” and “A Whole Race Trying to Go to School.” The author includes a time line of Civil Rights, quote attributions, a bibliography and thorough source notes, and an index.
Ages 12 and up
Bartoletti documents the beginnings of one of the most feared groups of humans in the history of this country. She uses clear, concise language to explain how a group of white men in the South hatched a plan in an attempt to quash any upward social movement—and even some basic freedoms—of African Americans. It is an account of the horrifying potential for man to inflict devastation as a reaction to personal fear.
The author begins with a brief history of the Civil War, using many primary sources to give as thorough a picture of the issues as possible in the limited space of a chapter. Her accounts are vivid and her own narrative is nonjudgmental. The real story begins in Pulaski, Tennessee when six officers from the Confederate army decided not to accept their defeat, but rather to gather other white men who feared any gain in power and privileges among black men and women and squash it down. This secret group grew into the Ku Klux Klan, a name that originally was taken from the Greek “kuklos,” or circle.
Many pictures and illustrations accompany the accessible text, making this an appropriate text for younger readers who may not yet have the attention span for a more advanced text. The chapter titles alone are enough to pique most readers’ interest, such as “Boys, Let Us Get Up a Club,” “They Say a Man Ought Not to Vote,” and “A Whole Race Trying to Go to School.” The author includes a time line of Civil Rights, quote attributions, a bibliography and thorough source notes, and an index.
Ages 12 and up
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Touching Spirit Bear
Touching Spirit Bear (Mikaelsen, Ben; 2001; New York: Harper Collins; 241 pages; ISBN 9780380977444)
This story begins with a description of a very angry 15-year-old Cole Matthews arriving by boat at the remote corner of Alaska that will be his home for the next year. Guilty of brutally beating a classmate, Cole thinks he is pulling one over on the system by agreeing to a year of banishment and intense survival training instead of being locked up. The arrangement is part of “circle justice,” a system that focuses on healing after a violent crime rather than punishment, but Cole’s commitment to healing is fraudulent. He does not feel remorse for his crime any more than he feels affection toward his distant, abusive parents. The only emotion he truly feels is anger.
Cole overestimates his ability to skip out on his consequences, and his disrespectful, hostile attitude leads to a vicious attack by a large “spirit bear” that leaves him close to death. Only when he reaches this desperately low point does Cole begin to think about what has brought him here, and how he will get past it if that is still possible.
Many people are ready to give up on Cole—and he makes it easy for them to do so with his lack of contrition or civility—but his parole officer and a Tlingit Indian elder have enough faith in Cole to try to help him learn other ways of dealing with the path he has chosen up to this point. This novel addresses themes of survival, forgiveness, trust and respect for nature through a captivating story line and clear, concise, compelling writing. It is a story that can penetrate the hardest of hearts and will appeal to a wide variety of readers.
She's All That! Poems About Girls
Hollyer has collected a variety of poems about girls and/or issues that many girls face. Includes black and white illustrations by Susan Hellard, an index of poets, and an index of first lines.
Ages 9 and up
Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat
Celebrated poet Nikki Giovanni edits and writes an introduction to this collection by a range of poets, including Gwendolyn Brooks, Gary Soto, Langston Hughes and Lucille Clifton, among many others. Musical artists featured in the book include Kanye West, Mos Def, and Queen Latifah. The book comes with a CD that includes many of the poems recorded to a beat.
Ages 9 and up
A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children
Kennedy has compiled a variety of poems that younger readers will respond to and older readers will continue to enjoy. Several of the poems are included at the end of the book in their original language as well. Illustrator Jon J. Muth’s watercolors complement the works.
Ages 8 and up
Cesar: Si, se puede! Yes, we can!
Cesar: Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! (Bernier-Grand, Carmen T.; 2004; New York: Marshall Cavendish; 48 pages; ISBN 9780761451723)
This biography of the influential farm workers’ rights activist Cesar Chavez is told through poems and with vivid illustrations by David Diaz.
Ages 9-12
Shiver
Fans of the current wave of vampire and werewolf stories will want to read about Grace’s fascination with the wolves who live in the woods behind her house. Grace’s soft spot for one particular wolf grows into love after she realizes that these wolves all have human forms as well.
View a short teaser for this book.
Ages 12 and up
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Mockingbird
Young Caitlin navigates her way through life with much assistance from her older brother, Devon. But when Devon is suddenly gone and Caitlin’s father is desperate with grief, Caitlin does not understand the situation nor how to cope with it. This novel deals with two important issues—Asperger’s syndrome and random acts of violence—in a way that is accessible for young readers.
Ages 10-14
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The City of Ember
The City of Ember
(DuPrau, Jeanne; 2003; New York: Random House; 270 pages; ISBN 9780375822735)
Ember is a domed (and doomed?), underground city built to help ensure the future of the human race. Set in the year 241, the story follows 12-year-old Lina and Doon who are given new permanent jobs that lead them to investigate the peril that Ember and its inhabitants may be in.
Ages 8-12
Found
Found
(Haddix, Margaret Peterson; 2008; New York: Simon & Schuster; ISBN 9781416954170)
Found is the first book in The Missing series, in which a group of 13-year-old children who have all been adopted by various families discover the strange story of their origin: they were on board a plane that delivered 36 babies, unaccompanied by adults, and then disappeared. Two of those children now lead the effort to discover the truth about this mystery.
Ages 10-14
Whales on Stilts
Whales on Stilts
(Anderson, M.T.; 2005; Orlando: Harcourt; 188 pages; ISBN 9780152053406)
The title of this book is not as strange as it sounds when the reader finds out that the protagonist’s father makes whale stilts for a living. Why would a whale need stilts, one might ask? Well, to carry out a secret plot in which whales will take over the world, of course. When Lily finds out what her father’s evil boss is up to, she and her two friends take on the cause of defending the world against this dasterdly plan.
Ages 10 and up
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