Module 9: The Dollhouse Murders

Book Summary

Amy is tired of looking after Louann, her special needs sister.  She gets the break she's looking for when her Aunt Clare invites her to stay at the old family house with her for a while.  Amy finds a dollhouse in the attic that is an exact replica of the old house.  She soon discovers that the dolls in the dollhouse are moving by themselves and she thinks they're trying to tell her something.  Amy's Aunt Clare refuses to listen so Amy starts investigating on her own.  she soon discovers the mystery and uncovers the truth about what happened a long time ago in the old house.

APA Reference

Wright, Betty R. (1983).  The dollhouse murders.  New York, NY:  Holiday House Inc.

Impressions

This is a great suspensful mystery that will keep you guessing right up until the end.  Amy is a well-rounded character; she is inpatient with her sister and somewhat jealous of the attention her parents give her, yet you can sympathize with her wariness and longing for "normalcy".  The author does a great job of setting the scene and making you feel like you are there in the old house.  The story is a little dated -Aunt Clare speaks of a phonograph, Amy uses the micro-film at the library and listens to her music on tapes -but it's still an enjoyable story.

Professional Review

Grade 4-6-This scary mystery by Betty Ren Wright (Holiday, 1983) is sure to keep the interest of students, mainly girls. Narrator Carol Jordan Stewart does an excellent job. Her diction, pacing, and characterization are well-done. Twelve-year-old Amy is having difficulties at home being responsible for her brain-damaged sister, Louann. While visiting her Aunt Clare at the old family home, she discovers an eerily-haunted dollhouse in the attic-an exact replica of the family home. Whenever she sees it, the dolls, representing her relatives, have moved. Her aunt won't listen to Amy's claims that the dolls are trying to tell her something. This leads Amy to research old news reports where she discovers a family secret-the murder of her grandparents. The two sisters unravel the mystery. Amy grows to accept her sister and to understand that Louann is more capable than she had first thought. This audiobook would be an excellent choice for schools and public libraries.

Kohlbeck, K. (n.d.).  [Review of the book The dollhouse murders by Betty Ren Wright].  School Library Journal.  Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Dollhouse-Murders-Betty-Ren-Wright/dp/0823421724/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351384488&sr=1-1&keywords=the+dollhouse+murders.

 

Library Uses

Students can work in pairs to create a newscast reporting the murders that took place in the book.

Book cover image from:  http://www.holidayhouse.com/title_display.php?ISBN=9780823421725

Module 8: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Toulane

Book Summary

Edward, a handsome porcelain toy rabbit does not know the meaning of love.  One day while his owner is on vacation, Edward gets lost at sea and sinks to the bottom of the ocean.  He winds up in a fisherman's net, and so begins his adventure from one place to another and into the hands of several different people.  As he meets different people, Edward slowly learns the meaning of love.

APA Reference

DiCamillo, K. (2006).  The miraculous journey of Edward Toulane.  Somerville, MA:  Candlewick Press.

Impressions

Being aware of all the accolades this book has received, and being a huge fan of DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie, I expected to really like this book.  I must say I was a little disappointed, but then I usually am when it comes to fantasy fiction.  I felt like DiCamillo was trying to evoke sympathy for Edward near the end, but I wasn't feeling it.  I felt much more invested in all the characters that Edward meets along his journey.  Edward was porcelain rather than stuffed, he was cold and uncaring at the beginning on the story, he sat at the bottom of the ocean and then under a garbage pile... none of these things made me feel like I wanted to snuggle up with him (even if he had changed).  The ending seemed contrived to me -that Edward would end up back with Abilene, but I guess that's why it's fantasy.  The story has an underlying message that is worthwhile, but I wonder how apparent it is to young readers? 

Professional Review

As she did in her Newbery Medal Book, The Tale of Despereaux (2004), DiCamillo tucks important messages into this story and once more plumbs the mystery of the heart--or, in this case, the heartless. Edward Tulane is a china rabbit with an extensive wardrobe. He belongs to 10-year-old Abilene, who thinks almost as highly of Edward as Edward does of himself. Even young children will soon realize that Edward is riding for a fall. And fall he does, into the sea, after mean boys rip him from Abilene's hands during an ocean voyage. Thus begins Edward's journey from watery grave to the gentle embrace of a fisherman's wife, to the care of a hobo and his dog, and into the hands of a dying girl. Then, pure meanness breaks Edward apart, and love and sacrifice put him back together--until just the right child finds him. With every person who taouches him, Edward's heart grows a little bit softer and a little bit bigger. Bruised and battered, Edward is at his most beautiful, and beautiful is a fine word to describe the artwork. Ibatoulline outdoes himself; his precisely rendered sepia-tone drawings and color plates of high artistic merit are an integral part of this handsomely designed package. Yet even standing alone, the story soars because of DiCamillo's lyrical use of language and her understanding of universal yearnings. This will be a pleasure to read aloud. Category: Books for the Young--Fiction. 2006, Candlewick, $18.99. Gr. 2-4. Starred Review


Cooper, I. (2006, Jan. 1).  [Review of the book The miraculous journey of Edward Toulane by Kate DiCamillo].  Booklist.  Retrieved from  http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/05/24/top-100-childrens-novels-59-the-miraculous-journey-of-edward-tulane-by-kate-dicamillo/#_.

 

Library Uses

In the book, Edward gets a new name and sometimes a different outfit with each new person he meets.  Have the students each come up with their own name and outfit for Edward and draw a picture depicting how they see him.


Book cover image from:  http://www.tower.com/miraculous-journey-edward-tulane-kate-dicamillo-book/wapi/112224249?download=true&type=1

Module 7: Umbrella Summer

Summary

Ever since her brother died, Annie has been extra careful in everything she does.  She doesn't eat hot dogs anymore and she always wears a helmet and pads when riding her bike.  A new neighbor moves into the "haunted" house across the street and quickly befriends Annie.  With the help of Mrs. Finch, Annie begins to close her umbrella of sadness.

APA Reference

Graff, L.  (2009).  Umbrella summer.  New York, NY:  HarperCollins.

 

Impressions

Get out the tissue because this one's a tear-jerker!  It is a beautifully written book with genuine, lovable characters that you will remember!  Annie is sad for good reason, and has developed all kinds of funny "quirks" as a way of dealing with things.  Her friends try to be patient with her but she makes them angry and Mrs. Finch is a doting Grandmother figure.  The book largely deals with grief, but there's plenty of humor mixed in!

Professional Review

Ten-year-old Annie Richards has led a happy, carefree life…until the sudden death of her older brother, Jared. Five months later, as Jared's 12th birthday approaches, the Richards' family is coping the best they can: Annie's dad is physically present but emotionally absent; her mom has locked Jared's bedroom; and Annie has turned into a hypochondriac. Convinced the only way to be safe is "to know exactly what could get me and all the ways to stop it," Annie steals a neighbor's encyclopedic tome (The Everyday Guide to Preventing Illness), and clings to it like a life preserver. Annie's over-the-top anxieties worry her mom and alienate her friends; then Mrs. Finch comes along. A new 70-something neighbor and recent widow, Mrs. Finch both befriends, and identifies with, Annie and her grief, explaining that "it's easier to be worried than to be sad." Together, loveable Annie and the lovely Mrs. Finch help each other grieve and heal. As she did with The Thing About Georgie, Graf has crafted a funny, sad and ultimately uplifting book with characters the reader will not only enjoy meeting, but will remember long after the last page. Highly recommended.

Milliner, N. (n.d.)  [Review of the book Umbrella summer by Lisa Graff].  Children's Literature. Retrieved from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/umbrella-summer-lisa-graff/1100718364#product-commentary-editorial-review-1.

Library Uses

Reader's Theater using Umbrella Summer free download found here:  http://www.txla.org/TBA-theater-2010.

Make an umbrella book marker using the directions found here:  http://www.lisagraff.com/umbrella-bookmark.html.

Book cover image from http://www.lisagraff.com/umbrella-summer.html

Module 7: Faith, Hope, and Ivy June

Book Summary

Ivy June (a country girl) and Catherine (a city girl) participate in a school exchange program which requires them to stay at each other's home and record the experience in a journal.  The two girls try very hard to set aside prejudices and, as both face troubling circumstances, they find out that they are more similar than they thought.

APA Reference

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. (2009).  Faith, hope, and Ivy June.  New York, NY:  Delacorte.

 

Impressions

The theme of this book reminded me a little bit of Country Mouse and City Mouse.  Naylor does a good job with setting and describing the differences between Ivy June's world and Catherine's world.  I thought the characters were a little unbelievable at times; a little too much on the polite side.  I believe in reality there would be a liitle more tension than what was portrayed.  I struggled with timing at the beginning of the story - at first I was under the impression that the story was taking place sometime in the past, mostly due to my own misconceived notions that not many people in our country would be living without indoor plumbing today.  Then it is mentioned that Catherine has a cell  phone so I figured it must take place in present day.  The story is told from both girls' points of view through their journal entries which adds insight and interest.  It is definitely a book with a valuable message.

Professional Review

Ivy June worries that all Lexington girls are rich, arrogant snobs. Catherine fears that all backwoods mountain people lack intelligence, teeth and indoor plumbing. Despite their prejudices, both Kentucky girls volunteer to take part in a seventh-grade school exchange, in which each will spend two weeks as part of the other's family. Ivy June finds Catherine's life relatively easy, with few chores, her own cell phone and a loving family-though she recognizes Catherine's concern for her sick mother. Catherine appreciates the natural beauty and extended community that surround Ivy June, even as she's shocked by the family's poverty. This finely crafted novel, told mostly through Ivy June's eyes, with forays into both girls' journals, depicts a deep friendship growing slowly through understanding. As both girls wait out tragedies at the book's end, they cling to hope-and each other-in a thoroughly real and unaffected way. Naylor depicts Appalachia with sympathetic realism, showing readers the harsh, inescapable realities of coal country and the quiet courage of people doing their best. Highly recommended. (Fiction. 9-14)

Faith, hope, and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor.  [Review of the book Faith, hope, and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor].  Kirkus Reviews.  Retrieved from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faith-hope-and-ivy-june-phyllis-reynolds-naylor/1013821158.

 

Library Uses

After reading this book, have students research a neighboring town or city and report the differences between where they live and the place they have researched.  Compare things that Catherine and Ivy June experienced in the story such as culture, festivals, standard of living, geography, etc...

Book cover image from:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/faith-hope-and-ivy-june-phyllis-reynolds-naylor/1013821158

Module 6: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Book Summary

A hungry caterpillar awakes and looks for food.  Each day of the week he eats a little more than the previous day and on Saturday he really splurges which results in a stomach ache.  On Sunday he eats some good food intended for caterpillars - a green leaf - and then he feels better.  The caterpillar makes his cocoon and transforms into a butterfly.

APA Reference

Carle, E. (1969).  The very hungry caterpillar.  New York, NY:  Philomel Books.

 

Impressions

I'm pretty sure I've read this book at least 100 times to my four children and I never get tired of it.  The illustrations are bright and fun.  Children love to try to poke their little finger through the "holes" in the book, and the varied page sizes ad interest as well.  It is very interactive, and young children will want to count how many fruits are on each page.  The illustrations correspond well to the text which makes it a great book for early readers -lots of clues!!  I love the illustrations and I love how so many concepts (counting, days of the week, metamorphosis, nutrition) are conveyed in a simple and engaging way.  A classic book that every child should have!

Professional Review

A caterpillar hatches out of his egg and is very hungry. On his first day, he eats through one piece of food; on his second, two, and so on. Little holes cut in the pages allow toddlers to wiggle their fingers through the food, just like the caterpillar. Vivid and colorful illustrations and ingenious layered pages help preschoolers learn the days of the week, how to count, and how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. This picture book is considered a must for every toddler's library.

The very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle.  [Review of the book The very hungry caterpillar by Eric Carle].  (n.d.).  Retrieved from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/very-hungry-caterpillar-eric-carle/1100472822

 

Library Uses

Use this book to collaborate with a teacher on a metamorphosis unit.  Get some caterpillars to keep in the library and each week when the students come in for their library time they can record the changes and draw a picture.  They will be so excited when they come in one week and there are butterflies!!

Book cover image from:  http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/06/28/top-100-picture-books-2-the-very-hungry-caterpillar-by-eric-carle/

Module 5: The First Part Last

Book Summary

A young man, Bobby, tells about the struggles of raising his newborn daughter.  The story goes back and forth between present day and the time leading up to the birth.  At first Bobby and his girlfriend Nia are unsure what to do, but by the end of the pregnancy Nia has decided that she wants to give the baby up for adoption.  Ultimately, Bobby ends up raising the baby by himself.  Bobby still lives with his mother, but she offers him little help, requiring him to be responsible.  Although it's hard to juggle the baby, and school, and friends, a tenderness shows through in Bobby's character and it's clear that he loves his daughter and is confident about his choice to raise her instead of giving her up for adoption. 

APA Reference

Johnson, A. (2003).  The first part last.  New York, NY:  Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers.

 

Impressions

I thought it was very interesting to read about teen pregnancy from the father's point of view; definitely a different perspective than we are used to.  Movies, books, and television have all thoroughly explored this topic as it pertains to teen mothers, but we rarely hear how it affects the fathers.  I think the characters in this story are very real and believable!  The author created honest characters who have faults, but also are easy to feel sympathy for.  The ending felt a little rushed for me and I didn't feel that there was enough information given about the events that led to Nia's condition.  It felt to me like the author was looking for a quick and easy way to get Nia out of the picture in order to keep the emphasis on Bobby. 

Professional Review

“The rules: If she hollers, she is mine. If she needs to be changed, she is always mine. In the dictionary next to ‘sitter,’ there is not a picture of Grandma. It’s time to grow up. Too late, you’re out of time. Be a grown-up.” Sixteen-year-old Bobby has met the love of his life: his daughter. Told in alternating chapters that take place “then” and “now,” Bobby relates the hour-by-hour tribulations and joys of caring for a newborn, and the circumstances that got him there. Managing to cope with support, but little help, from his single mother (who wants to make sure he does this on his own), Bobby struggles to maintain friendships and a school career while giving his daughter the love and care she craves from him at every moment. By narrating from a realistic first-person voice, Johnson manages to convey a story that is always complex, never preachy. The somewhat pat ending doesn’t diminish the impact of this short, involving story. It’s the tale of one young man and his choices, which many young readers will appreciate and enjoy.

The first part last by Angela Johnson [Review of the book The first part last by Angela Johnson].  (2010, May 20).  Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/angela-johnson/the-first-part-last/.

Library Uses

Hmmm... maybe the librarian could collaborate with the school nurse on this one?  Or the Health teacher?  I think it would definitely get teenagers talking about pregnancy, risky behavior, and contraception!  It could be used for a writing prompt... "what would you do if you were Bobby?"  You could use it to lead into a research assignment on teenage issues.


Book cover image from:  http://store.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_The+First+Part+Last_12632_-1_10052_10051.

Module 5: Esperanza Rising

Book Summary

Esperanza, the daughter of a ranch owner, lives in a beautiful home in Mexico.  She has everything she wants including servants who wait on her.  An unfortunate turn of events causes Esperanza and her mother to flee Mexico and immigrate to America during the Great Depression.  Esperanza must overcome many obstacles as she adjusts to living at a migrant camp in California.

APA Reference

Ryan, Pam Munoz (2000).  Esperanza rising.  New York, NY:  Scholastic Inc.

Impressions

I thought this was a beautifully written book.  I tend to shy away from historical fiction because it tends to get bogged down with historical facts.  Ryan does a great job of highlighting the Mexican culture and time period without boring you with a history lesson!  I especially liked how the author included Mexican Proverbs and Spanish language.  It was interesting to read about Mexican immigrants during the Great Depression; I don't think there are many books on this topic!  The main character is spoiled yet likable, and you will find yourself rooting for her as she makes a new start in a new country.  This is a great multicultural book, especially for areas with a large Spanish population! 

 

Professional Review

Moving from a Mexican ranch to the company labor camps of California, Ryan's lyrical novel manages the contradictory: a story of migration and movement deeply rooted in the earth. When 14-year-old Esperanza's father is killed, she and her mother must emigrate to the U.S., where a family of former ranch workers has helped them find jobs in the agricultural labor camps. Coming from such privilege, Esperanza is ill prepared for the hard work and difficult conditions she now faces. She quickly learns household chores, though, and when her mother falls ill, she works packing produce until she makes enough money to bring her beloved abuelita to the U.S.. Set during the Great Depression, the story weaves cultural, economic, and political unrest into Esperanza's poignant tale of growing up: she witnesses strikes, government sweeps, and deep injustice while finding strength and love in her family and romance with a childhood friend. The symbolism is heavy-handed, as when Esperanza ominously pricks her finger on a rose thorne just before her father is killed. But Ryan writes movingly in clear, poetic language that children will sink into, and the books offers excellent opportunities for discussion and curriculum support.

Engberg, G. (2000, December 1).  [Review of the book Esperanza rising by Pam Munoz Ryan].  Booklist, 97(7), 708.

Library Uses

Put this book on an e-reader at a listening center!  The combination of English and Spanish language would make it an enjoyable book for students to listen to.

Book cover image from:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esperanza_Rising