Koss, A. G. (2006). Poison Ivy. New Milford, CT: Roaring Brook Press
Plot Description: The Evil Three, Ann, Sophie and Benita, are on trial in their government class for being mean and torturing Ivy, or as everyone calls her, Poison Ivy. They have been at it for years and everyone in the class knows it, but most are too afraid to speak up or desperately want to be a part of their group. There is a surprising ending where good does not always triumph evil, and sometimes things don't work out the way they should.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Group: This book is appropriate for grades 6-9.
Series Information/Similar Books: Some other books that deal with the same type of issues are The Girls and The Cheat also by Amy Koss.
Personal Thought: This book accurately portrays how out of hand bullying can become in school. Many of the characters are easy to relate too. It looks at all the issues from eight student’s points of view and gives a great perspective on how different minds think.
Subject/Themes: Cliques, Bullying
Character Description: Ivy is a middle-schooler who is the plaintiff in the trial. She has been picked on and tortured for years by Ann, Benita and Sophie. She is a loner in school and does not have many friends. In order to deal with the humiliation and pain she often uses the sea its creatures as analogies to describe things.
Marco is considers himself a nerd and mostly keeps to himself. He is also a juror on the trial.
Ann is the leader of Sophie and Benita (The Evil Three), who have been picking on Ivy for years. She is beautiful and popular but most students are afraid of her. She is selfish and does not care who she hurts. She has a huge crush on Marco but he does not seem to notice her.
Daria is Ivy’s lawyer. She is painfully shy, but also extremely intelligent. When she gets upset she prefers to escape through reading.
Ms. Gold is the government teacher who is under investigation. She is very excited that she finally has an issue that can be used in the Mock court. She has favorite students in the class.
Cameron is a laid back student who is new to school and on the track team. He is the process server who falls asleep a lot during class.
Annotation: If you have ever been in middle school you know how desperately everyone wants to fit in and be part of the popular crowd. This school is no different but these popular girls known as "The Evil Three" take their status to a new level through their constant terrorization of a fellow classmate, Ivy. Listen to the various narratives from students in the class during a mock trial to determine how you think this story should end.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Beezus and Ramona
Cleary, B. (1955). Beezus and Ramona. New York: Avon Books.
Plot Description: Beezus really wants to be a good older sister but Ramona is making it hard. Ramona is always doing something that bothers her and she finds it hard to keep her patience with her. There are times that Ramona is quiet and peaceful and Beezus enjoys reading her books, but there are other times when Ramona is extremely exasperating and doing things such as baking her doll into Beezus’ birthday cake or eating one bite out of an entire box of apples. Beezus finally reaches her breaking point during her birthday dinner and admits that she doesn’t always love Ramona. After hearing stories from her mother and Aunt Beatrice’s childhood Beezus feels relieved and realizes that things are going to be okay between her and Ramona.
Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction
Age Group: This book is appropriate for grades 4-7.
Series Information/Similar Books: If you want to follow Ramona as she continues to get older and get into more mischief check out some other books by Beverly Cleary: Ramona and Her Father, Ramona and her Mother, Ramona Forever, Ramona the Brave, Ramona Quimby, Age 8, and Ramona the Pest.
Personal Thought: This book does an excellent job in showcasing the relationship between older and younger siblings and adds a bit of humor in the process.
Character Description: Beatrice (aka Beezus) is is a quiet nine year old girl who likes reading and sewing. She is the older sister to four year old Ramona. She struggles to try to find a balance between being nice and wanting to disown her sister.
Ramona is a loud and rambunctious four year old. She is always getting into mischief and bothering her sister. She has a wild imagination which leads to a lot of her trouble.
Subject/Themes: Sisters, Ramona Quimby Series
Annotation: Beezus is trying to be a good older sister but it is hard to keep her patience with a little sister like Ramona Quimby. Follow Beezus as she tries to deal with all the impossible things that Ramona is constantly doing.
Miscellaneous Information: This is the first book in the Ramona series. It has been made into a Motion Picture which was released in July 2010.
Plot Description: Beezus really wants to be a good older sister but Ramona is making it hard. Ramona is always doing something that bothers her and she finds it hard to keep her patience with her. There are times that Ramona is quiet and peaceful and Beezus enjoys reading her books, but there are other times when Ramona is extremely exasperating and doing things such as baking her doll into Beezus’ birthday cake or eating one bite out of an entire box of apples. Beezus finally reaches her breaking point during her birthday dinner and admits that she doesn’t always love Ramona. After hearing stories from her mother and Aunt Beatrice’s childhood Beezus feels relieved and realizes that things are going to be okay between her and Ramona.
Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction
Age Group: This book is appropriate for grades 4-7.
Series Information/Similar Books: If you want to follow Ramona as she continues to get older and get into more mischief check out some other books by Beverly Cleary: Ramona and Her Father, Ramona and her Mother, Ramona Forever, Ramona the Brave, Ramona Quimby, Age 8, and Ramona the Pest.
Personal Thought: This book does an excellent job in showcasing the relationship between older and younger siblings and adds a bit of humor in the process.
Character Description: Beatrice (aka Beezus) is is a quiet nine year old girl who likes reading and sewing. She is the older sister to four year old Ramona. She struggles to try to find a balance between being nice and wanting to disown her sister.
Ramona is a loud and rambunctious four year old. She is always getting into mischief and bothering her sister. She has a wild imagination which leads to a lot of her trouble.
Subject/Themes: Sisters, Ramona Quimby Series
Annotation: Beezus is trying to be a good older sister but it is hard to keep her patience with a little sister like Ramona Quimby. Follow Beezus as she tries to deal with all the impossible things that Ramona is constantly doing.
Miscellaneous Information: This is the first book in the Ramona series. It has been made into a Motion Picture which was released in July 2010.
Henry Huggins
Cleary, B. (2000). Henry Huggins. New York: Harper Trophy
Plot Description: Henry normally lives a dull, ordinary life where nothing exciting ever happens to him. He does the same things every day and is bored with his life until he finds a skinny, scruffy dog at the drug store and his life changes forever. He names the dog Ribsy (due to his protruding ribs) and embarks on many exciting adventures such as raising guppies, picking night crawlers, getting covered in green paint and entering a dog contest. All of his adventures almost come to an end when he comes face to face with the dog’s prior owner.
Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction
Age Group: This book would be suitable for grades 4-7.
Series Information/Similar Books: If you want to read more about Henry and Ribsy’s adventures check out Henry and Beezus, Henry and Ribsy, Henry and the Clubhouse, Henry and the Paper Route, or Ribsy.
Personal Thought:This is a great book that teaches children the responsibility needed in order to own a pet. It also shows how time-consuming yet fulfilling pet ownership can be.
Subject/Themes: Responsibility, Friendship, Pet Ownership
Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Book
Character Description: Henry Huggins is a third grader who is bored with his life. He feels like nothing exciting ever happens to him. He finds a dog named Ribsy and everything becomes more exciting.
Beezus is Henry’s neighbor and friend. She has a younger sister Ramona.
Ribsy is Henry’s dog. He is a mixed breed mutt that is loyal but sometimes likes to get into trouble.
Annotation: Henry is an ordinary boy who is bored with his life until one day when he finds a stray dog he names Ribsy. Follow Henry and Ribsy as they embark on adventure after adventure from picking nightcrawlers to turning green.
Plot Description: Henry normally lives a dull, ordinary life where nothing exciting ever happens to him. He does the same things every day and is bored with his life until he finds a skinny, scruffy dog at the drug store and his life changes forever. He names the dog Ribsy (due to his protruding ribs) and embarks on many exciting adventures such as raising guppies, picking night crawlers, getting covered in green paint and entering a dog contest. All of his adventures almost come to an end when he comes face to face with the dog’s prior owner.
Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction
Age Group: This book would be suitable for grades 4-7.
Series Information/Similar Books: If you want to read more about Henry and Ribsy’s adventures check out Henry and Beezus, Henry and Ribsy, Henry and the Clubhouse, Henry and the Paper Route, or Ribsy.
Personal Thought:This is a great book that teaches children the responsibility needed in order to own a pet. It also shows how time-consuming yet fulfilling pet ownership can be.
Subject/Themes: Responsibility, Friendship, Pet Ownership
Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Book
Character Description: Henry Huggins is a third grader who is bored with his life. He feels like nothing exciting ever happens to him. He finds a dog named Ribsy and everything becomes more exciting.
Beezus is Henry’s neighbor and friend. She has a younger sister Ramona.
Ribsy is Henry’s dog. He is a mixed breed mutt that is loyal but sometimes likes to get into trouble.
Annotation: Henry is an ordinary boy who is bored with his life until one day when he finds a stray dog he names Ribsy. Follow Henry and Ribsy as they embark on adventure after adventure from picking nightcrawlers to turning green.
Fifteen
Swift, T. (2008). Fifteen [Recorded by Taylor Swift]. On Fearless [CD]. Big Machine Records, LLC.
Plot Description: This song depicts a girl entering her first year of high school. It describes how naïve girls are at that age and how easily they fall in and out of love. It also illustrates how carefree and trusting they can be especially when it comes to relationships.
Genre: Country
Age Group: This song is appropriate for all ages but it is especially popular for girls.
Similar Songs: Forever and Always, Breathe, The Way I Loved You all by Taylor Swift
Personal Thought: This sweet song brings back memories of the thrill of new experiences during high school.
Subject/Themes: High School, Romance
Awards: Choice Country Song in 2010 at the Teen Choice Awards.
Annotation: Do you want to be brought back to the innocence and thrill felt during your first year of high school? Meeting new people, going on your first date…if so then listen as Taylor takes you on the journey.
Plot Description: This song depicts a girl entering her first year of high school. It describes how naïve girls are at that age and how easily they fall in and out of love. It also illustrates how carefree and trusting they can be especially when it comes to relationships.
Genre: Country
Age Group: This song is appropriate for all ages but it is especially popular for girls.
Similar Songs: Forever and Always, Breathe, The Way I Loved You all by Taylor Swift
Personal Thought: This sweet song brings back memories of the thrill of new experiences during high school.
Subject/Themes: High School, Romance
Awards: Choice Country Song in 2010 at the Teen Choice Awards.
Annotation: Do you want to be brought back to the innocence and thrill felt during your first year of high school? Meeting new people, going on your first date…if so then listen as Taylor takes you on the journey.
Love Story
Swift, T. (2008). Love Story [Recorded by Taylor Swift]. On Fearless [CD]. Big Machine Records, LLC.
Song Description: This is the modern day story of Romeo and Juliet. They have to hide the fact that they seeing each other from their family and eventually Juliet thinks that Romeo has become sick of the secrecy. He then surprises her with a marriage proposal; she says yes and they find out that her family approved all along.
Genre: Country
Age Group: This song is appropriate for all ages but it is especially popular for girls.
Similar Songs: Mine, White Horse, You Belong to Me all by Taylor Swift
Personal Thought: This is song about love with a catchy chorus that makes everyone believe in true love.
Subject/Themes: Love, Romance, Relationships
Awards: Video of the Year in 2009 at the Academy of Country Music Awards, Music Video of the Year in 2009 at the Country Music Association Awards, Hot Radio Song of the Year in 2009 at the Billboard Music Awards, Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year in 2009 at the CMT Music Awards, Fave Song in 2009 at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids’ Choice Awards, Favorite Country song in 2009 at the People’s Choice Awards, Favorite International Music Video in 2010 at the MYX Music Awards
Annotation: Everyone knows how the real story of Romeo and Juliet ends. If you are looking for a happy ending then you will enjoy this love story.
Song Description: This is the modern day story of Romeo and Juliet. They have to hide the fact that they seeing each other from their family and eventually Juliet thinks that Romeo has become sick of the secrecy. He then surprises her with a marriage proposal; she says yes and they find out that her family approved all along.
Genre: Country
Age Group: This song is appropriate for all ages but it is especially popular for girls.
Similar Songs: Mine, White Horse, You Belong to Me all by Taylor Swift
Personal Thought: This is song about love with a catchy chorus that makes everyone believe in true love.
Subject/Themes: Love, Romance, Relationships
Awards: Video of the Year in 2009 at the Academy of Country Music Awards, Music Video of the Year in 2009 at the Country Music Association Awards, Hot Radio Song of the Year in 2009 at the Billboard Music Awards, Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year in 2009 at the CMT Music Awards, Fave Song in 2009 at the Nickelodeon Australian Kids’ Choice Awards, Favorite Country song in 2009 at the People’s Choice Awards, Favorite International Music Video in 2010 at the MYX Music Awards
Annotation: Everyone knows how the real story of Romeo and Juliet ends. If you are looking for a happy ending then you will enjoy this love story.
Monday, August 30, 2010
fudge-a-mania
Blume, J. (1990). fudge-a-mania. New York: Puffin Books
Plot Description: Peter and his family go on a three week family vacation to Maine. They are sharing a connected house with the Tubmans,whose daughter Sheila, is Peter’s nemesis. Peter is dreading the vacation because he will be around Sheila and will also have to put up with his annoying little brother Fudge. Peter’s only saving grace is that his friend Jimmy Fargo will be coming to spend a week with him. Throughout the vacation Peter, Fudge, Sheila and Jimmy embark on adventures that include meeting a famous baseball player and almost getting thrown overboard during a sailing trip. Just when Peter and Sheila think they have survived the entire three weeks and can get away from each other they find out that their Grandfather and Grandmother are getting married.
Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction
Age Group: This book would be suitable for grades 4-7.
Series Information/Similar Books: If you want to continue to keep up with Peter and Sheila check out the other books in the Fudge series; Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Superfudge and Doublefudge.
Personal Thought: This is a humorous book that outlines the adventures of Peter Hatcher while he deals with his younger siblings and his arch nemesis Sheila Tubman. It accurately portrays relationships of siblings and also male and female interactions in middle school.
Subject/Themes: Sibling Relationships, Family, Adolescent Relationships
Character Description: Peter Hatcher has just finished sixth grade and is looking forward to an exciting summer. He has a younger brother Fudge, who is always asking questions and bugging him. He is still at the stage where girls have cooties.
Sheila Tubman is the same age as Peter. They both do not get along and are constantly fighting. During the vacation Sheila becomes Fudge’s babysitter which brings her and Peter in constant contact.
Annotation: Peter who has just finished sixth grade learns that he is going to embarking on a three week family vacation that includes sharing a house with his sworn enemy Sheila. Near the end of the three weeks both are in for a big surprise when an unlikely wedding changes their lives forever.
Plot Description: Peter and his family go on a three week family vacation to Maine. They are sharing a connected house with the Tubmans,whose daughter Sheila, is Peter’s nemesis. Peter is dreading the vacation because he will be around Sheila and will also have to put up with his annoying little brother Fudge. Peter’s only saving grace is that his friend Jimmy Fargo will be coming to spend a week with him. Throughout the vacation Peter, Fudge, Sheila and Jimmy embark on adventures that include meeting a famous baseball player and almost getting thrown overboard during a sailing trip. Just when Peter and Sheila think they have survived the entire three weeks and can get away from each other they find out that their Grandfather and Grandmother are getting married.
Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction
Age Group: This book would be suitable for grades 4-7.
Series Information/Similar Books: If you want to continue to keep up with Peter and Sheila check out the other books in the Fudge series; Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Superfudge and Doublefudge.
Personal Thought: This is a humorous book that outlines the adventures of Peter Hatcher while he deals with his younger siblings and his arch nemesis Sheila Tubman. It accurately portrays relationships of siblings and also male and female interactions in middle school.
Subject/Themes: Sibling Relationships, Family, Adolescent Relationships
Character Description: Peter Hatcher has just finished sixth grade and is looking forward to an exciting summer. He has a younger brother Fudge, who is always asking questions and bugging him. He is still at the stage where girls have cooties.
Sheila Tubman is the same age as Peter. They both do not get along and are constantly fighting. During the vacation Sheila becomes Fudge’s babysitter which brings her and Peter in constant contact.
Annotation: Peter who has just finished sixth grade learns that he is going to embarking on a three week family vacation that includes sharing a house with his sworn enemy Sheila. Near the end of the three weeks both are in for a big surprise when an unlikely wedding changes their lives forever.
Eidi
Bredsdorff, B. (2009). Eidi. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux
Plot Description: A group of family and friends live in a settlement called Crow Cove. Eidi, a girl about ten years old, decides that the house is too full with the addition of her new step-brother Cam and decides to leave. She sets off to stay with her friend Rossand to help him with his sheep. While on travel to the market in another city Eidi meets a young orphan boy named Tink, who lives with a man named Bandon. Eidi is not happy with the way the boy is being treated, and decides to take him back to her settlement in Crow Cove so he can have a better life. Eidi’s family readily welcomes the addition of Tink to their family and is happy about Eidi’s return.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: This book is meant for grades 5-7
Series Information/Similar Books: This is the second book in The Children of Crow Cove series. If you want to find out how Eidi and her family ended up in Crow Cove check out The Crow-Girl.
Personal Thought: This is a heartwarming story about a girl who rescues an orphan and gives him a better life.
Subject/Themes: Orphans, Country Living, Family
Awards: It is the winner of The Batchelder Award, an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a Booklist Editors’s Choice and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.
Character Description: Eidi is a ten to twelve year old girl who leaves home because she feels like the house she is living in is too full with the addition of her new step brother. She is very independent for her age due to the experiences she has had.
Annotation: Eidi knows that she needs to leave her house but is not sure where her journey will take her. Follow her as she meets Tink, a small orphan, and helps him find a better life.
Miscellaneous Information: The book was translated into English in 2009 from the original book which was written in Danish.
Plot Description: A group of family and friends live in a settlement called Crow Cove. Eidi, a girl about ten years old, decides that the house is too full with the addition of her new step-brother Cam and decides to leave. She sets off to stay with her friend Rossand to help him with his sheep. While on travel to the market in another city Eidi meets a young orphan boy named Tink, who lives with a man named Bandon. Eidi is not happy with the way the boy is being treated, and decides to take him back to her settlement in Crow Cove so he can have a better life. Eidi’s family readily welcomes the addition of Tink to their family and is happy about Eidi’s return.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: This book is meant for grades 5-7
Series Information/Similar Books: This is the second book in The Children of Crow Cove series. If you want to find out how Eidi and her family ended up in Crow Cove check out The Crow-Girl.
Personal Thought: This is a heartwarming story about a girl who rescues an orphan and gives him a better life.
Subject/Themes: Orphans, Country Living, Family
Awards: It is the winner of The Batchelder Award, an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a Booklist Editors’s Choice and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.
Character Description: Eidi is a ten to twelve year old girl who leaves home because she feels like the house she is living in is too full with the addition of her new step brother. She is very independent for her age due to the experiences she has had.
Annotation: Eidi knows that she needs to leave her house but is not sure where her journey will take her. Follow her as she meets Tink, a small orphan, and helps him find a better life.
Miscellaneous Information: The book was translated into English in 2009 from the original book which was written in Danish.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: A Novel in Cartoons
Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: A Novel in Cartoons. New York: Amulet Books
Plot Description: Greg Heffley has just entered middle school. He is undersized for his age and is dealing with many of the issues that students face at this age. This book details one year of his life through diary entries. He is trying to be popular and fit in and still have fun with his friend Rowley at the same time. Throughout the book Rowley and Greg go through some friendship issues, but are able to work everything out in the end.
Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction
Age Group: This book is meant for grades 3-7.
Series Information/Similiar Books: This is the first book in a series of four with the fifth book set to come out on 11/9/10. If you found this book to be interesting check out others in the series: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth (Nov 2010).
Personal Thought: The journal layout of this book and the illustrations throughout make it fun to read. It also deals with many of the issues faced by middle school students.
Subject/Themes: Adolescent Issues, Friendship
Awards: Nominated for the Quill Awards in 2007, Won the Original Voices Award in 2007, Won the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award in 2009, Nominated for the Garden State Children's Book Awards in 2010.
Character Description: Greg Heffley is the main character in the book who feels unappreciated at home and school. He is smaller than most of his classmates and continues to try to fit in and be popular at school
Rowley is Greg’s best friend. At the beginning of the book Greg considers him to be nerdy but by the end he is trying to be like him due to his increased popularity. Rowley is comfortable with himself and throughout the book he is able to teach Greg a few things through his actions.
Annotation: Greg Heffley is a middle school student who desperately wants to fit in and be popular. He is in a new school that is full of kids that are bigger and taller than he is. Follow him through the adventures in his first year of middle school to find out if his wish comes true.
Plot Description: Greg Heffley has just entered middle school. He is undersized for his age and is dealing with many of the issues that students face at this age. This book details one year of his life through diary entries. He is trying to be popular and fit in and still have fun with his friend Rowley at the same time. Throughout the book Rowley and Greg go through some friendship issues, but are able to work everything out in the end.
Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction
Age Group: This book is meant for grades 3-7.
Series Information/Similiar Books: This is the first book in a series of four with the fifth book set to come out on 11/9/10. If you found this book to be interesting check out others in the series: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth (Nov 2010).
Personal Thought: The journal layout of this book and the illustrations throughout make it fun to read. It also deals with many of the issues faced by middle school students.
Subject/Themes: Adolescent Issues, Friendship
Awards: Nominated for the Quill Awards in 2007, Won the Original Voices Award in 2007, Won the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award in 2009, Nominated for the Garden State Children's Book Awards in 2010.
Character Description: Greg Heffley is the main character in the book who feels unappreciated at home and school. He is smaller than most of his classmates and continues to try to fit in and be popular at school
Rowley is Greg’s best friend. At the beginning of the book Greg considers him to be nerdy but by the end he is trying to be like him due to his increased popularity. Rowley is comfortable with himself and throughout the book he is able to teach Greg a few things through his actions.
Annotation: Greg Heffley is a middle school student who desperately wants to fit in and be popular. He is in a new school that is full of kids that are bigger and taller than he is. Follow him through the adventures in his first year of middle school to find out if his wish comes true.
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