THE GRAVEYARD BOOK - Audiobook

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Audiobook. New York. HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

ISBN#  978-0-06-155189-5 (audio)  ISBN# 978-0-06-170939-5 (text)

PLOT SUMMARY:

His family murdered, the little boy, who soon is named Nobody Owens (Bod for short), wanders down the street to an old graveyard. It is here where he finds a new life. With a killer still on the loose and looking for him, the ghostly inhabitants of the graveyard protect, care and educate him until the day he faces his family’s killer in the confines of the graveyard.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The unabridged audio CD format is narrated by Neil Gaiman, the author of the book. This 7 CD set has very good quality of sound in its narrative. Gaiman does an excellent job of changing back and forth between the language of the graveyard and the language of the world. Since the inhabitants of the graveyard date back as far as the 1700’s, the language is obviously different. Words such as “mistress” instead of “Mrs.” and “lad” instead of “boy” are used in the graveyard and not heard in the world outside. The changes in Gaiman’s voice and tone inflections as he takes on the persona of each character keeps the recording from being boring and monotonous. It does however move a little slower than I would like. Musical excerpts, arranged and performed by Bela Fleck, throughout the recording add a mysterious and eerie tone to the overall performance.

The story follows Bod through the years from toddler to young man. It is during this time that he learns about life’s lessons from both his ghostly family and the world outside the graveyard. Readers who have ever tried to do the right thing and been ridiculed or harassed for it, will identify with Bod when he attempts to attend school and as he survives his first heart break when his childhood friend Scarlett moves back to town. Not really belonging in the graveyard and not fitting into the world, Bod struggles with who he is and what his name really is. His journey brings him to the realization that he is Bod Owens.

REVIEWS:

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

“Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.”

AUDIOFILE:

“Gaiman communicates his understanding of his own stories and characters from beginning to end.”

BOOKLIST:

“This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters.”

AWARDS:

Newbery Medal

Carnegie Medal

Hugo Award

Locus Award

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book

Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book

Audiobook of the Year

ALA Notable Children's Book

ALA Best Book for Young Adults

ALA Booklist Editors' Choice

Horn Book Fanfare

Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book

Time Magazine Top Ten Fiction

Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice

New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

New York Public Library Stuff for the Teen Age

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (Vermont)

CONNECTIONS:

Neil Gaiman’s website has interactive games based on this book. Students would love visiting this website and playing the games which range from Sudoku to rearranging letters in words to make new ones. The site is located at http://www.mousecircus.com/

The book discusses grave rubbing. Doing this on a real headstone in a graveyard and then researching the person is one option mentioned on the website. However, this can be done around your school with any kind of plaques or wall hangings which are engraved. Using paper and a pencil, place the paper over the writing and rub the pencil back and forth over the paper.



THE BOOK THIEF

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Zusak, Mark. The Book Thief. 2005. Ill by Trudy White. New York. Alfred A. Knopf.

ISBN#  978-0-375-84220-7

PLOT SUMMARY:

            Liesel Meminger’s life changes forever with the death of her brother and the theft of a book found in the graveyard. The book, The Grave Digger’s Handbook, becomes the means used by her foster father Hans to calm her after the nightmare episodes begin. The book also leads to the beginning of more book stealing from the mayor’s wife’s library, from the infamous Nazi book burnings and is the instrument Hans uses to begin Liesel’s reading and writing lessons.  When her foster father hides a Jew in their basement, the entire family is put in danger and Liesel’s somewhat sheltered world becomes a thing of the past.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            Narrated by Death, the book tells the story of scared, 9 year old Liesel who witnesses the death of her little brother, is abandoned by her mother, put into foster care and how she struggles to make sense of it all growing up. Readers who have ever been abandoned, put in foster care, lost someone they loved or has ever been teased and made fun of will identify with Liesel.

Set in 1939 Nazi Germany, Mark Kusak has written a story that brings home the mindset and trials of the German people during the war.  Detailed accuracy of book burnings and Jewish persecution make this story very believable. The neighborhood Liesel lives in could easily be any neighborhood today. Her friendship with Rudy begins innocently enough but along the way it changes as they grow older and mature. Several times in the book, Death foreshadows what is to come but the path Kusak chooses to get to that point keeps the reader guessing as to when it will happen.

This book is a must read for teenagers and is reminiscent of The Diary of Anne Frank.

REVIEWS:

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:  “Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward.”

KIRKUS:  "Elegant, philosophical and moving...Beautiful and important."

AWARDS:

Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award

Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children

National Jewish Book Award

ALA Notable Book

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Booklist Best Book of the Year

CONNECTIONS:

Students may study the following subjects in relation to this book:

World War II, Adolf Hitler, Nazi Party and Persecution of the Jews

Find examples from the book of the following figurative languages:

            Simile, metaphor, personification



RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Hale, Shannon and Dean. 2008. Rapunzel’s Revenge. Ill by Nathan Hale. New York, New York. Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children’s Books.

ISBN# 978-1-59990-288-3

PLOT SUMMARY:

The love of a girl for her mother is a strong bond. In this graphic novel by Shannon and Dean Hale, elements of the age old stories of Rapunzel and Jack in the Beanstalk are woven together with some very unexpected and unusual twists.

Mother Gothel, Rapunzel’s mother, spends more time with her business than with her daughter. When Rapunzel finds out that Gothel is not her mother and that she was stolen from her real mother, rebellion begins and Rapunzel is taken to a tall tree tower and left. What follows is the story of a girl anxious to save her real mother, to defeat the villain and the obstacles she faces in trying to do so.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            If readers are expecting a basic retelling of the classic story Rapunzel, they will be surprised.  Readers will still be drawn to and identify with the new Rapunzel, who has been wronged and lied to for many years. As the story progresses, instead of feeling sorry for her, the reader will find themselves cheering Rapunzel on in her quest.

  Rapunzel’s quest to free her mother from the mine camp begins after she frees herself from the tree tower. As in most fantasy novels, her journey back to Gothel’s villa is filled with adventures and obstacles to overcome. Along with her new friend Jack and his goose, every obstacle she overcomes such as fighting boars and large snakes to outwitting bounty hunters and Gothel’s henchmen, leads to another source of information as to how she can defeat Gothel and possibly take away her magic powers. Throughout the story, it is Rapunzel’s love for her real mother that gives her the power to defeat evil.

Nathan Hale’s illustrations help the reader visualize the setting much more clearly than the text does. Pictures of green forests and desolate wasteland give the reader a clear picture of the roads and lands that Rapunzel and Jack have to travel which are reminiscent of the Old West. Words and phrases such as “Don’t you cut a swell,” “cow-folk” and “outlaws” also add to the Old West feel of the story. In the end, good triumphs over evil and love has given Rapunzel a power of her own.

AWARDS:

ALA Notable Children's Book (ALA)

Amelia Bloomer Project Selection (ALA)

An Al Roker Today Show Book Club Pick

An IndieBound Next Pick

Cybils Award (Graphic Novels)

Great Graphic Novels for Teens (YALSA)

Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (YALSA)

Texas Maverick Graphic Novel List

Utah Book Award

Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee

REVIEWS:

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from

the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive.”

BOOKLIST: “Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that

will become a fast favorite of young readers.”

CONNECTIONS:

           

            Students may wish to compare and contrast elements of Rapunzel’s Revenge with the fairy tale Rapunzel. This could also be done with the fairy tale of Jack In The Beanstalk.

            With the Old West theme throughout the book, connections can be made as to how the story is true to the Old West era and how it is different. This may also lead to a study about the culture of the Old West.



THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife’s Apprentice. New York. Harper Trophy.

ISBN# 978-0-06-440630-7

AWARDS:

Winner of the Newbery Medal

ALA Notable Children’s Book

ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults

ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice

School Library Journal Best Book

PLOT SUMMARY:

            The Midwife’s Apprentice revolves around a young girl who has no family, no friends and no one to love her. With very low self-esteem and known only by the name Brat, the story begins with Jane, the village midwife, finding Brat asleep in a dung heap.  The midwife takes her in, calls her Beetle and puts her to work as her apprentice. Just as Beetle is becoming aware that maybe she is someone of worth, something happens, she feels like she has failed and runs away. It is during this time that she comes to realize that she is a person of worth and returns to finish her apprenticeship.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: 

            Set in the Middle Ages, in a time of history before doctors and hospitals, Karen Cushman does an outstanding job of weaving a story with characters readers will identify with. The trials Beetle goes through are very close in nature to trials children of all ages have today. Being bullied and mistreated her whole life, she feels worthless and her self esteem is nonexistent. Much of this is still seen in the neighborhoods and playgrounds today. Others who have been ridiculed and despised will form an instant attachment to Beetle.

             Descriptions and explanations of village life and social classes give the reader an accurate portrayal of the Medieval England setting of the story which Cushman has researched. Her author’s notes at the end of the book are informative and portray just how much research she has done even though the research is not cited.

REVIEWS:

HORN BOOK (starred review)  '. . .A fascinating view of a far distant time.'

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: "With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of  Medieval England.”

CONNECTIONS:

            Have a discussion unit on bullying. Compare the feelings Beetle had when being bullied to those children feel today.

            Vocabulary building: This book has many words not used today (such as dung, dung beetle, miller, midwife, etc….). Students can define the words and write what word means the same thing but is used in modern day.

            Other activities and a reader’s guide may also be purchased for this book.

Other books by Karen Cushman set in Medieval England:

            Catherine, Called Birdy

ONE CRAZY SUMMER

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2009. One Crazy Summer. New York. HarperCollins e-books.

ISBN # 978-0-06-196667-5

AWARDS:

Coretta Scott King Book Award 2011

John Newbery Medal Honor Book 2011

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction 2011

PLOT SUMMARY:

            It is the summer of 1968 and Delphine Gaither and her two younger sisters begin a journey to visit their mother. While it is not unheard of for children to visit a parent in the summer, this visit was to be anything but normal. The girls have not seen or heard from their mother since she walked out on them when they were little. When they arrive, their mother comes across as uncaring and she does not want them to be with her. She views the girls as a hindrance and does not even feed them or take care of them. It is up to Delphine to take care of her sisters and stay out of trouble. The girls spend most of their summer at a Black Panther Summer Camp because their mother doesn’t want to be bothered with them. During the course of their stay, they learn a little about the civil rights movement and they also view first hand some of the racial issues the negro people faced during this time. By the end of the book, the girls are drawn closer to their mother and a bond is forged.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            Told from the perspective of Delphine who is an 11 year old negro girl, Williams-Garcia takes three girls from Oakland and places them in an environment that is totally out of their comfort zone and worlds away from a loving father and grandmother. Girls who have to take care of their younger siblings will relate to Delphine and her attempts to take care of her sisters. Other girls will relate to Vonetta and Fern who do not like to be “bossed” about at the hands of an older sibling.  

Rita Williams-Garcia’s softer portrayal of the Black Panther Party is a direct contrast to the ruthless and violent characterizations that we often associate with this group. The history and events of the party and this important time in black history blend nicely with the story to lend an authenticity to the book that makes it believable and educational.

REVIEWS:

BOOKLIST: “Set during a pivotal moment in African American history, this vibrant novel shows the subtle ways that political movements affect personal lives; but just as memorable is the finely drawn, universal story of children reclaiming a reluctant parent’s love.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.

CONNECTIONS:

            *Students may do further research on the Black Panther Party, its history and ideals,

            * Students may research the Civil Rights movement at this time and compare how it relates and affects the world today.

            * Discuss different types of families and responsibilities. (one parent, two parent, sibling relationships, etc..)





Penny From Heaven

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Holm, Jennifer L. 2006. Penny From Heaven. New York. Random House.

ISBN#: 0-375-83687-x

AWARDS:

Newbery Honor Book 2007

ALA Notable Children’s Book 2007

PLOT SUMMARY:

            Penny Falluci’s summer does not quite live up to her expectations. Her mother begins dating the milk man of all people and won’t let her go swimming in the public pool because she is afraid that Penny will get polio. Her mother and her father’s families do not get along, her Uncle Dominic lives in a car and her cousin Freddy ends up in major trouble. As if this was not enough, Penny injures her arm while washing clothes and faces the possibility of never being able to use it again. It is during this time that she learns the truth of how her father died and a healing process hesitantly begins between two families.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            Penny From Heaven is a story about the ups, downs and intricacies of families. Everyone experiences a time when they wished their family was not their family and readers are bound to find an experience in this book which they can relate to. Whether it is growing up without a father, having an overprotective mother, or simply the trouble one can be drawn into because of peer pressure, there is something that will bring back a memory for everyone.

            Set in New Jersey in 1953, a mere 8 years after the end of WWII, the book addresses how Italians and Italian Americans were treated during the war and after the war. The term “enemy aliens” was used to refer to the Italian people who were in the United States when France declared war. Penny’s father was sent to an internment camp and died while he was there. The book also portrays examples of how suspicious people were towards people of Italian descent.            

      Inspired by the stories of her Italian American family, Jennifer Holm includes author’s notes of how the stories came to be and includes pictures and posters of actual people and items of this time in American History. Her resource listed in the back gives further indication that this book definitely has historic evidence of this time period.

REVIEWS:

BOOKLIST: “……this languidly paced novel will appeal most to readers who appreciate gentle, episodic tales with a nostalgic flavor.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The period is lovingly re-created, from the fear of catching polio to Penny's use of the word swell.”

CONNECTIONS:

            This book can be tied to many different areas of research and discussion.

·         Students may research Internment camps and how people lived and were treated in them.

·         Research polio: the causes, effects, cures and history of it.

·         Family relationships: Penny has a different relationship with each side of her family. Students can discuss the difference and compare it to their own family.



BODIES FROM THE ICE



BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Deem, James M. 2008. Bodies from the Ice: Melting glaciers and the Recovery of the Past.  New York. Houghton Mifflin Company

ISBN#  978-0-618-80045-2

PLOT SUMMARY:

            Since the dawn of time, glaciers have covered large portions of the earth. How were they created?  What secrets lay beneath the cold, icy surfaces? Why are they disappearing? Author and retired college Professor James Deem has traveled across the world and in this book, he takes the reader on a journey to uncover the truths, myths, stories and mysteries behind these fast disappearing mountains of ice.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            This book about melting glaciers and what they are revealing is phenomenal. The book is well-written without the abundant use of hard to understand technical terms. Actual photographs of discoveries beneath the ice and the paintings of what artists perceive the expeditions to be like are used together to create perfect harmony with the text. From Incan children sacrificed to the gods to missing hikers and explorers, the stories printed in this book will hold and capture the reader’s interest. Sidebars and captions are used effectively to give additional information about an object, event and pictures. Detailed research sources for the information and illustrations are provided as well as an index for locating information easily. James Deem has truly done an exemplary job on this informational book.

AWARDS:

2009 Robert F. Sibert Informational Award Honor Book

Kirkus Reviews' Best Children's Books of 2008

Notable Book for Children 2009

2009 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K- 12

2009 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

CCBC Choices 2009

REVIEWS:

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

“Deem superbly weaves diverse geographical settings, time periods, and climate issues into a readable work that reveals the increasing interdisciplinary dimensions of the sciences.”

BOOKLIST:

"There are books about melting glaciers and books about frozen bodies, but this attractive offering combines the topics in a way that will intrigue readers.”

CONNECTIONS:

Science: Students may visit one of the websites listed in the back of the book for
              further research on glaciers and the discoveries they reveal.

              Students may also do research or activities on the list of glaciers from the
              book.

Social Studies: Students may engage in activities to learn about the cultures of the
                       geographic regions from the book.
                       Students may study the Incan beliefs and culture.