Fantasy #3 - Bone Gap

Author: Laura Ruby

Credit: Laura Ruby

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ruby, Laura. Bone Gap. New York, NY: Balzer Bray, an Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2015. ISBN 9780062317629.

PLOT SUMMARY

Laura Ruby brings together a mystery, a story about a small mid-western town called Bone Gap and it's citizens. Roza is kidnapped and there was a witness but he is unable to help, thus sets off a story about love and loss, regret, and the ultimate forgiveness. Will Roza be found in time?

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ruby writes an amazing fantasy novel about a small mid-western town called Bone Gap where everyone knows each others business. The perspective of the novel switches between characters; Roza and her horrible fate with her kidnapper, Finn and his desperate need to find Roza, and Petey the girl Finn is falling in love with and has formed a connection with bees may or may not be magical.  For example, Ruby does an amazing job writing from the perspective of the kidnapper and her fate and at one point she describes his fingers touching her flesh and how his icy eyes buried with a strange fire. You can feel his desire for her and Roza's desperate need to escape. The theme of the story is beauty or understanding who you are. Roza is kidnapped for her beauty, Petey is the "ugly" girl in town, and Finn is very dreamy and thus not able to recognize the face of Roza's kidnapper and is criticized for that.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

* National Book Awards Winner - 2015

* Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year Winner - 2015

* Michael L. Printz Award Winner - 2016

* Sequoyah Book Award Nominee -2017

* ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten - 2015

* ALA Booklist Editor's Choice - 2015

* "Ruby raises incisive questions about feminine beauty, identity, and power in a story full of subtle magic that is not compelled to provide concrete explanations. A haunting and inventive work that subverts expectations at every turn." - Publishers Weekly

* Told from the viewpoints of multiple Bone Gap citizens, this inventive modern fable whimsically combines elements of folklore, mythology, romance, and feminism." 

- Kirkus Review

CONNECTIONS

Activities To Use With This Book:

* Follow up with the author at the following link: http://www.lauraruby.com/news.php (copy and paste link).

Book Connections:

* Bad Apple - ISBN 0061243302 

* Lily's Ghosts - ISBN 9780060518318

* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

#2 Fantasy - The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman

Credit: Neil Gaiman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gaiman, Neil, and Dave McKean. The Graveyard Book. New York: HarperCollins Pub., 2008. ISBN 9780060530945.

PLOT SUMMARY

Nobody Owens is a typical boy, except he lives in a graveyard and ghosts raised him. The graveyard holds many dangers and adventures for Bod. Also, it is risky and dangerous outside the graveyard for Bod, in The Graveyard Book.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Neil Gaiman creates a fantasy novel made up of a cast of characters of ghosts, ghouls, vampires, werewolves, and witches. The setting primarily takes place in Bod's graveyard. The theme is good vs. evil; you have a variety cast of characters in The Graveyard Book such as Jack who killed Bod's family to Maureen Quilling, the bully who are human along with Bod as he grows from a baby to a teenager. The next variety of characters you have is creatures that are good, such as your werewolves and the Hounds of God and evil such as the ghouls. Gaiman's style of writing in The Graveyard Book is unique because each chapter reads like an episode in Bod's life from infant to when he leaves his "home" forever.

The illustrations by Dave McKean add life to The Graveyard Book. Black and white sketches are added to each chapter to showcase important events in Bod's life. For example, at the beginning of the novel when Jack enters Bod's house to kill his family Dave McKean shows you clips of Jack entering the house, going up the stairs with emphasis on the big knife. Another example as Bod leaves the graveyard forever at the end of the novel, his hauntingly beautiful mother (a ghost) is on a horse. The illustration is a simple, pale pencil sketch and is an important event in Bod's life as she wishes him a happy life, to go live life outside the graveyard. 

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

* Newbery Medal - 2009

* Hugo Award for Best Novel - 2009

* Locus Award for Best Young Adult Novel - 2009

* Carnegie Medal - 2010

* British Fantasy Award for Best Novel - 2009

* World Fantasy Award for Best Novel - 2009

* Mythopoeic Award for Children's Literature - 2009

* "Wistful, witty, wise and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a          child." - Kirkus Review

* Lucid, evocative prose and dark fairy-tale motifs imbue the story with a dreamlike quality."      - The Horn Book

CONNECTIONS

Activities To Use With This Book:

* Neil Gaiman has extension questions and activities to go along with his books at the following website: http://files.harpercollins.com/PDF/ReadingGuides/0060530928.pdf.

Book Connections:

* Coraline - Neil Gaiman ISBN 9780380807345

* Stardust - Neil Gaiman ISBN 9780061689246 

* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

Fantasy #1 - Graphic Novel  

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians

Author: Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Credit: Jarrett J. Krosoczka

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Krosoczka, Jarrett. Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. ISBN 9780375946844.

PLOT SUMMARY

This humorous graphic novel is about lunch ladies who secretly stop crime with the help of Dee, Terrence, and Hector. Something dark is lurking in the library and it is up to them to find out what is wrong. Join LUNCH LADY and the League of Librarians as they solve their newest case!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jarrett Krosoczka has created a humorous graphic novel with fun, likable, characters you can relate to. For example, characters such as Lunch Lady and Betty are similar to your superhero and sidekick, such as Batman and Robin and children can relate to them.  Just as Dee, Terrence, and Hector are likable characters as they create The Breakfast Bunch. They all have a purpose in the book, superheroes, crime fighters. The setting of Lunch Lady is primarily at their school.  The plot and theme are evident when you have a mystery, good over evil is present throughout the story. You have the villains, League of Librarians coming up with their evil plan and then you have our superheroes, Lunch Lady, Betty, and The Breakfast Bunch to take them down and stand up for the greater good.

Illustrations are added in LUNCH LADY and the League of Librarians, primarily in white, black, gray, and yellow. Yellow is used primarily throughout the book to highlight key elements such as Lunch Lady's apron and key details. This makes it stand out and very easy to recognize. All the illustrations are in a comic style format, along with characters, and dialogue. 

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

* Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices - 2010

* “This tongue-in-cheek superheroine graphic novel will hit the spot for chapter-book readers." - Book List

* With its appealing mix of action and humor, this clever, entertaining addition to the series should have wide appeal." - School Library Journal 

CONNECTIONS

Activities To Use With This Book:

* Create own comic strip/version of a graphic novel using Pixton or Comic Caption. Read a novel and turn it into your own graphic novel.

Book Connections:

Graphic Novels

* Lunch Lady series - Jarrett J. Krosoczka

* Babymouse series - Jennifer & Matthew Holm

* The Baby-Sitters Club - Ann M. Martin and Raina Telgemeir

* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

#3 - HISTORICAL FICTION 

THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE

AUTHOR: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. The War That Saved My Life. NY: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015. ISBN 9780147510488

PLOT SUMMARY

During WWII, young Ada escapes Hitler's bombs and her mother's wrath with her brother to the countryside of London. Ada starts a new life for herself with Susan Smith. With Susan Smith, Ada learns to enjoy life and thus begins her journey of self-discovery, becoming independent with her club foot. Will Ada have to return to her mother or will she be able to continue or the new life with Susan Smith?

CRICTIAL ANALYSIS

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley weaves together a beautiful historical novel about a brave young girl that faces many obstacles in her young life and her journey of self-discovery. Ada has a twisted foot, even though her mother tries to hide her away from the world, she finds a way to escape her own prison.  Bradley creates a strong character in Ada as she escapes the mental and physical abuse of her mother. Many examples are shown throughout the book that also shows Ava as a strong young lady as learns to ride a pony for the first time, learns to read, her escape from her mother, and the ability to trust in Susan Smith.  The plot and setting of The War That Saved My Life stay consistent throughout the book as Lilly leaves her home of London for the safety of the countryside during the bombings of WWII as many children did stay with families that took them in. The theme of the novel is about self-discovery, acceptance, and family. Bradley does an amazing job with Ava as she slowly accepts Susan into her life, after all, she never had a good role-model of a family. Soon learns that Susan, Ada, and Jamie were meant to be a family. Bradley is an exceptional writer that blends history into fiction.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

• Newbery Honor Book Honor - 2016
• Odyssey Award Award 2016
• Schneider Family Book Award - 2016
• Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award - 2015
• Winner of the Josette Frank Award - 2015
• Wall Street Journals Best Children’s Books - 2015
• New York Public Library’s 100 Books for Reading and Sharing - 2015
• Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best Books - 2015
• Publishers Weekly Best Books - 2015
• Kirkus Best Books - 2015
• Horn Book Fanfare Book - 2015

* "Achingly lovely...will have readers wincing at Ada's stumbles and rejoicing to the point of tears in her victories." - The Wall Street Journal

* "THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE is an unforgettable gripping story, one that is not only earmarked to be an award-winning novel but also has the potential of becoming an all-time classic." - KidsReads

* "Set against a backdrop of war and sacrifice, Ada's personal fight for freedom and ultimate triumph are cause for celebration." - Kirkus Review 

CONNECTIONS

Activities To Use With This Book:

* Research the history of WWII and share with class - students can create a powerpoint or Prezi presentation to share with the class.

* Research kids and adults with disabilities in the early 1900's.

* Research kids that escaped Hitler and went to the country of families that took them in.

Book Connections:

* Jefferson's Sons - ISBN # 9781101529454 

* For Freedom - ISBN # 9780440418313 

* The Presiden's Daughter - ISBN # 9780923891237

* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

#2 - Historical Fiction

Lily's Crossing

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

Credit: Patricia Reilly Giff

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Giff, Patricia R. (1997). Lily's Crossing. New York. ISBN 978-0440414537

PLOT SUMMARY

Lily is on her way to Rockaway with her Grams, father and best friend Margaret.  Soon all that changes when WWII comes calling.  Lily is devastated when her hopes of a fun filled summer are dashed due to Margaret and her family moving away, and her father is going to Europe to help the War. Lily meets Albert, a boy from Hungry, a boy with secrets, and eventually, they become friends. Will these secrets cost them Albert or Lily's life? 

CRICITIAL ANALYSIS

Patricia Giff writes an amazing historical fiction novel about a feisty young girl named Lily. Lily is very down-to-earth, a real-life character,  and is very easy to identify with her as a reader. For example, she hides her report card from her Grams, her dislike of school, and her being so upset that her best friend Margaret is moving away for the summer. The plot and setting of Lily's Crossing stay consistent throughout the book.  The theme of Lily's Crossing is friendship and love and is shown throughout the book between Lily and Albert, especially when Lily saves Albert's life in the end when she pulls him out of the water. Also, between Lily, Margaret, and her family. Patricia Giff has a wonderful style of writing. She beautifully blends history into a fictional novel. Lily's Crossing is a historical fiction novel, many true events of that period of the 1940's happen to families like Lily's were true. For example, jobs were created during World War II for our U.S. families to help build airplanes, etc. In addition, the fear for our country was evident throughout the U.S., spies, etc. This is a beautiful novel, one of friendship, mystery, and love.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

* Horn Book For Excellence in Children's Literature - 1997

* Honor Book Fiction and Poetry in U.S. - 1997

* M. Jerry Weiss Book Award - 2000

* Best Children's Books of the Year - 1998

* Notable Children's Books - 1998

* Teachers' Choices - 1998

* "Details are woven with great effect into a realistic story." - The Horn Book Magazine

* "Exceptional characterizations and a robust story line...this has all the ingredients that best   reward readers."- Kirkus Review

* "With wry comedy and intense feeling...Giff gets across a strong sense of what it was like on the homefront during World War II...The friendship story is beautifully drawn." - Booklist

CONNECTIONS

Activities To Use With This Book:

* Research World War II, jobs and employment during World War II.

* Label on a map Atlantic Ocean and Rockaway Beach.

* Compare and Contrast Albert and Lily as characters and discuss their friendship.

Book Connections:

* Nory Ryan's Song - ISBN 9780440418290

* Maggie's Door - ISBN 9780756951023

* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!

#1 - Historial Fiction

Dash

Author: Kirby Larson

Credit: Kirby Larson

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Larson, Kirby. Dash. New York: Scholastic Press, 2014. ISBN 978-0545416368

PLOT SUMMARY

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, young Mitsi Kashino, and her family is sent to an incarceration camp. Mitsi is separated from her beloved dog, Dash. With the help of a neighbor, Mitsi remains connected to Dash in a unique way. Will the war ever end, will the Kashino family be able to return home and Mitsi see her beloved dog again?

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kirby Larson writes a beautiful historical fiction novel about a Japanese-American family forced into an incarceration camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Larson brings realistic characters to life in Dash. For example, you have Mitsi and her family is forced into an incarceration camp, forced to leave their homes, jobs and only allowed to take what they can carry on their backs. The young girl is devastated when she finds out her beloved pet can't go with her. Larson does another fantastic job of creating a unique situation and having Mitsi's neighbor write letters to Mitsi composing them from Dash's point of view. These events change Mitsi's  outlook on life in the camp. The plot and the setting of Dash are true events of our history and what happened to Japanese-American's and their families in the United States. Larson does an unbelievable job of telling accurate facts through the Kashino family. The theme of the story is how one strong family pulls together through adversity and comes out strong in the end. This is displayed all throughout the book. For example, Mitsi shows courage by leaving her beloved pet with her neighbor, leaving her home for the camp, etc. There are many examples of courage throughout the book. 

At the end of the book, Larson includes an "Author's Note" that adds factual information about our U.S. history about the War Relocation Camps after Pearl Harbor is bombed. Of the families, one of them was called "Mitsi Shiraishi" who loved her dog Chubby. Larson goes on to give factual information about the real Mitsi and Chubby. I had the privilege of meeting Kirby Larson at my school last year, and she talked about how she had to change the name of her book to Dash, because her book publisher didn't think children would buy a book called Chubby; thus they came up with the name Dash. Larson has created several War themed books around animals, thus adds to the style of writing. 

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

* Scott O’Dell Historical Fiction Award

* NAPPA Gold Award

* State Young Readers Choice Award Nominations

* Mississippi Magnolia Award

* New Hampshire Book Award

* Tennessee Volunteer State Award

* Virginia Reader’s Choice Award

* "This emotionally satisfying and thought-provoking book will have readers pulling for Mitsi and Dash." - Kirkus Review

* "An incisive tale of loyalty, patriotism, sacrifice, and bravery." - Publishers Weekly.

* A good example of how bravery comes in all shapes, sizes, and breeds." - Booklist

CONNECTIONS

Activities to use with this book:

* Research Japanese War Relocation camps, create a Prezi/PowerPoint to share with the class.

* Research Pearl Harbor, World War II, and the Atomic Bomb.

* Research why animals were not allowed in camps per the General and share with the class.

Book Connections:

* Duke - ISBN 978-0545416382

* Liberty - ISBN 978-0545840712

* Two Bobbies - ISBN 978-0802797544

* Blog created for the purpose of TWU, Children's Literature Course #5603, and for the love of reading!