Meet the Dullards

Pennypacker, S. (2015).  Meet the Dullards.  New York: Balzer +Bray.

Mr. and Mrs. Dullard are boring and want their children to be boring too.  They move to a new town so they can keep their family boring.  They do not like their welcoming neighbor with an applesauce cake.  They paint a room in their new house boring beige and watch the paint dry.  Unfortunately, for Mr. and Mrs. Dullard their children are not meant to lead a boring life and they sneak outside.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!

Schlitz, L.  (2007).  Good masters! sweet ladies!  Massachusetts:  Candlewick Press.

This is a collection of short one person plays for children between the ages 10-15.  The stories are about children who live in a manor in England in the year of 1255.  The plays tell of the hardships during these times.  These families have to suffer hunger and there is begging in the streets.

This unique book consists of short plays for twenty-three characters written for children ages ten to fifteen years old.  The setting is a manor in England in 1255.    Almost every play is a monologue so the book can be performed by children or can be used as a read aloud.  The plays teach about the people living in an English manor. The theme of the plays are survival.  In the Middle Ages, there were many poor people.  The plays discuss people being hungry and begging for food.  People are angry about being short changed by the miller.  Some people tried to run away.  If you could run away for one year, you could start a new life.  Hugo tells the story of killing a boar.  He was lucky to kill the boar because if he killed the boar he would get the kidneys, but if he failed he would be beaten.  Stories liked this shows the harshness these children faced.  There was a three-field system.  In Will’s play, we learn that the lord is not always just when giving out land.  The farmer would have to walk a long distance between the fields and the lord would always choose the best land for himself. One might think the doctor would be honorable, but this is not the case as we see in Thomas’s play.  Thomas says to make patients pay when they are ill, because they won’t pay when they are well.  There are a few stories of kindness in the book that show hope.  One is the story of Jacob Ben Salomon and Petronella.  This story shows kindness and playfulness between a Christian and a Jew which during this time is unheard of.  People today are still seeking religious freedom so hopefully this may be encouraging to readers and may seek them to learn more about Jews in Medieval Society.  In Jack’s play, Jack is always made fun of because of his lack of intelligence.  One day he shows kindness to a boy who was beaten.  The boy returns the favor by never calling him names.  This story shows the importance of kindness.  Historical fiction readers may be encouraged to put on a play or to learn more about how to survive the Middle Ages.

The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963

Curtis, C. (1995).  The watsons go to birmingham-1963. New York: Yearling.

The Watsons are an African American family in the 1960's.  The oldest son is causing trouble so they decide to take him from their home in Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama to stay with grandma.  The car ride in their Brown Bomber is quite a road trip.  When the family gets to Alabama, they are faced with a black church bombing in grandma's neighborhood.

Kenny Watsons’ family is considered weird by their neighbors, but his mother and father love all their children, want to teach them right from wrong, and want to keep them safe. The story takes place in the 1960’s during the Civil Rights movement.  Young readers might not relate to that, but they will be drawn in by the funny family drama.  They will love when Byron’s lips gets frozen to the car.  Readers will laugh at Momma for making the kids wear so many winter coats that they looked like zombies. Then, the family takes a road trip in their Brown Bomber all the way from Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama so the oldest son can get straightened out and go live with grandma for the summer.  This is the first time we see the discrimination in the south.  The Watsons are afraid to stop driving because there was no guarantee they could get a place to spend the night or a place to eat since they were African Americans.  They get to grandma’s house in Birmingham safely.  The family enjoys time together even though they have to get used to the heat.    Then, one Sunday morning, the divide between black and white comes to the Watsons’ doorstep.  There is a bombing at a neighborhood church.  Kenny thinks that his sister is a victim of the bombing, but she is not.  In the bombing, four girls died and two girls were seriously injured.  After the bombing, the Watsons returned to Michigan. Kenny felt powerless on that day of the bombing.  This historical fiction book may encourage readers to find out more about the Civil Rights Movement and to find strength on Kenny’s behalf on what they can do today to fight for equality.  

Lesson Plans:
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/watsons-go-to-birmingham-1963-lesson-plans.html

Bridge to Terabithia

This is a beautiful story of the friendship between Jess and Leslie.  They come from very different backgrounds, but they quickly become friends.  Jess and Leslie create a castle in the woods and name it Terabithia.  They go to this magical place after school and the weekends with their dog Prince Terrien.  Then, one day there is a terrible accident and nothing will ever be the same again.

The setting is Lark Creek where Leslie and Jess made their own kingdom just for their own imagination.  This was a place they could go after school and talk, read, and draw.  They took their puppy here and they pretended to be King and Queen.  Unfortunately, this is the place where Leslie’s accident happened.

Jess is a sensitive character who changed throughout the story.  At first, he wanted to be the fasted runner, but Leslie changed that goal.  Then, he became friends with Leslie which was different since she was a girl.  He opened up to her about his drawing.  Leslie taught him about different family life styles.  When Leslie’s accident happened, he had to take that strength to help his sister. 

Discussion Questions from Scholastic:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/bridge-terabithia-discussion-guide

Timmy Failure

Pastis, S. (2013).  Timmy failure mistakes were made.  New York:  Candlewick Press.

Timmy Failure and his polar bear Total run an investigation agency.  The cartoon illustrations make the story funny since the drawings are supposed to be drawn by Timmy.  Timmy does not like school since it takes away time from his job as CEO of his detective agency.  He complains about his best friend Rollo because he studies too much.  The best story line is his enemy Corrina Corrina who has a competing detective agency.

Timmy Failure is an unforgettable character.  He is the CEO of a detective agency.  He does all his own drawings for the book.  Timmy changes throughout the book.  He starts out living in a house and for financial reasons they have to go live in an apartment.  Timmy goes from almost repeating his current grade level to getting a good report card when a new teacher arrives.  His polar bear Total has to go live at the zoo.  He does continue to fight his enemy Corrina Corrina.

The style of the book is unique because it is told from a first-person point of view.  It has a large font.  The drawings look like cartoons.  The book is funny because Timmy is always trying to solve a case, but he is very bad at it.  He is so bad at school that it is funny.  Even his name Timmy Failure is funny.  

Book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch6eXUoe-RY

Information about book and author from Scholastic:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/stephan-pastis

Orbiting Jupiter

Schmidt,G. (2015).  Orbiting jupiter.  New York:  Clarion Books.

Jack and his family have a foster boy living with them named Joseph.  Joseph is a troubled boy who is in eighth grade and has a baby girl named Jupiter.  Joseph was in love with Jupiter's mother and wants to find Jupiter.  Jack and his family provide Joseph with a dependable family life including milking cows.  Joseph finds trouble for Jack including getting kicked off the bus, falling through ice, and getting into a fight.  Readers will keep rooting for Joseph and when one is most hopeful  the unthinkable happens.

The setting of a farm in Maine is important because foster child Joseph needs a structured place and family to take care of him.  Joseph needs the routine of milking cows every morning and every night. He needs hard work and to have fun like cutting down a Christmas tree.  He needs a brother like Jack to have his back.

The plot is very original and grabs the reader right away with the idea that Joseph is in eighth grade and has a baby named Jupiter and he tried to kill his teacher.  The events leading to finding Jupiter and having Joseph stay with the foster family are very hopeful. The bond that forms between Joseph and Jack is strong.  The ending takes the reader by surprise. 

Book Trailer/conversation with author
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrTHRKiOedWvzUAXi9XNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA21jYWZlZQRncHJpZANBV2R6MkNLT1NxS1B4MDVaY2M4OEtBBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3VnZwM0BG9yaWdpbgNzZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMwBHBxc3RyAwRwcXN0cmwDBHFzdHJsAzI5BHF1ZXJ5A29yYml0aW5nIGp1cGl0ZXIgYm9vayB0cmFpbGVyBHRfc3RtcAMxNDU3OTk0MjQx?p=orbiting+jupiter+book+trailer&fr2=sb-top-search&fr=mcafee&type=C211US1264D20160210

George

Gino, A.  (2015)  George.  New York:  Scholastic.

George is a fourth grade boy who feels like a girl.  George's class is doing a play for Charlotte's Web and George wants to play Charlotte so everyone can see him like a girl.  George and his best friend Kelly practice for the play, but his teacher won't let him have a girl part.  George finally confides to Kelly about how he feels like a girl.  So, the day of the play, George and Kelly, come up with a surprise plan on how he can have a perfect part in the play!  This story is about gender roles, friendship, and acceptance.

The character of George changes throughout the book.  He wants everyone to know he feels like a girl.   In the beginning of the book he sneaks girl magazines into his room.  Later, the readers see him practicing the role of Charlotte for the school play.  George feels like if he is a girl in a play, then everyone will see him as a girl.  He finally reveals his feelings to his best friend.  Then, he tells his mom and he becomes Charlotte in the school play.  There is a huge transformation in George’s confidence.

The setting of the school is crucial to this story because it allows a place for George to tell others that he feels that he is a girl.  The play was a platform for him to shine as Charlotte.  His best friend Kelly and the principal were very accepting of George being a girl.

Interview with Alex Gino:
http://www.slj.com/2015/09/interviews/alex-gino-on-debut-novel-george-and-the-importance-of-transgender-voices-in-the-kid-lit-world/#_

Crossover

Alexander, K.  (2014).  Crossover.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Josh Bell and his twin brother Jordan love basketball.  This story written in rhyme and rhythm, tells a
story of the two boys and their famous basketball player father. Their mom is a principal of the school and they are expected to keep up their grades while they are all stars on their school basketball team.  Their relationship changes when a girlfriend comes between them and what happens when a father faces a major health crisis. Everyone will become wrapped up in this story, whether or not they are basketball fans.

The style of this book is rhythm and beat.  The story is written like a rap, so readers want to read more and it goes perfectly with the twin boys playing basketball. The character’s names go with the style. Josh is called Filthy and his twin brother Jordan is called JB.  The girlfriend’s name is Sweet Tea.  The story is told from Josh’s point of view.

The theme of the story is the importance of family.  The twin boys learn not to let a girlfriend get in between them.  Then, when dad is gone, the boys know that family and loyalty is most important. 

Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=modPFEyuBYg

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983).  Dear mr. henshaw. New York:  Morrow Junior Books.

Leigh's parents are recently divorced and he is in 4th grade.  Ever since he was in second grade, Mr. Henshaw was his favorite author.  He has written letters back and forth to Mr. Henshaw for school reports.  Then, he decides he needs to start writing a diary to keep track of his life and feelings.  Instead of writing "Dear Diary", he writes to "Dear Pretend Mr. Henshaw".  Many kids will relate to having a dad away, money struggles, and the feeling of not belonging.  Readers will root for Leigh as he makes his lunch box alarm and when he enters a writing contest.

Leigh is the main character in Dear Mr. Henshaw. Readers are able to see Leigh’s difficulties of being a child of divorced parents and his feelings of being an outcast at school as we read his journal entries titled “Dear Mr. Pretend Henshaw.”  Leigh feels let down that his truck driver dad does not phone or come see him very often.  He shows determination when someone at school keeps stealing his lunch and he builds a burglar alarm for his lunch box. Leigh changes from a beginner writer who is unsure of how to write his favorite author to winning an Honorable Mention in a writing contest at the end of the book.

The plot is relevant to children in elementary school.  The story deals with divorce and a boy missing his dad.  Readers will like how Leigh deals with the problem of someone stealing his lunch.  The story wraps up nicely with Leigh entering a writing contest and his dad coming for a visit.  

Lesson plan from Scholastic:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/dear-mr-henshaw-teaching-plan