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This is a recurring column written by a Literature Enthusiast!!
 I
LOVE BOOKS!!
By Miss
B
Title: A Pup Just for Me / A Boy Just for Me
Author:
Ed Young
Publisher: Philomel Books
Copyright Date: 2000
Genre:
Picture Book
Ed Young's story combines two stories in one. The first is from
a boy's point of view. The young boy, Roddy, wanted a puppy more than anything
else. He needed a puppy to feed and to play with and even to sleep with him in
bed. His family and his friends tried to give him birds, rabbits, turtles, kittens,
and fish. Finally, Roddy runs down to the animal shelter and asks to see the puppies.
He looks them over and then sees the perfect one… a puppy just for him. The second
portion of Young's story is from a puppy's point of view. This puppy just wants
a boy more than anything in the world. He searches and searches, moves from one
owner to the next. He begins with Mr. Brumblepaster, who mistreats him, but runs
away and lives with Joanna Jellibee, who is nice, but doesn't have time to play
with the little, black puppy. Next, he moves in with three small children who
dress him up like a clown and then with a train station agent. Again, he runs
away in search of a boy. He has to avoid an old lady with too many cats, but finally,
he meets a man who sees that he needs a home. The puppy is taken to the shelter,
and it is there that he meets… that wonderful boy. This story would be great to
discuss point of view with children. They can look at it from each point of view
presented in the story: first from the boy's and then from the dog's. They can
talk about the similarities and differences from each perspective. Also, it might
be fun to have students read another book that shares a variety of points of view.
Becoming exposed to these changes in view might help students understand the way
that people think about things differently. A fun writing assignment that could
be attached to this is to write letters to people, trying to persuade them to
do something. For instance, a child could write a note to his dad about why he
should have a puppy and then write one to his mom about the same topic. The child
might find that it takes different ideas to persuade each parent. This story could
also be related to the desire for a pet. The students could all share about the
types of pets that are their favorites. I really enjoyed the idea of this story.
The rhyming it makes it more fun and playful; it helps to show the desires of
both the boy and the puppy. I also like the way that the story includes perspectives
from many people. We, as readers, are able to see the differences between various
owners of pets: those that are busy, kind, mean, playful, etc. We are also able
to see the types of pets that people feel are perfect: cats, dogs, fish, turtles,
bunnies, etc. I liked the way that Young built toward the culminating meeting
between boy and puppy from the perspectives of each. It added a unique intricacy
to the story. Similarly, the mere design of the book helps to create the break
in point of view. Children will find it fun to turn the book over to read the
next story within a story.
Title:
Maniac Magee
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Copyright Date: 1990
Genre: Realistic Fiction Maniac
Magee is the
story of Jeffrey Magee, a boy who loses his parents and is forced to live with
an uncaring aunt and uncle. When he finally becomes fed up, he runs away, returning
to a town near his birth place called Two Mills. Two Mills is a town divided into
east and west, black and white. Maniac becomes a legend to kids from each side.
They rave about how fast he is, how well he can play sports, how quick he can
untie knots, and most of all, how brave he is. Despite his fame, Maniac is just
a boy, searching for an address, for a place to call home. While he bounces from
the Beales to Grayson to the McNabs, he is never quite complete. He is also trying
to connect the two world he knows, black and white, trying to show them that they
are all the same. In the end, this lovable, energetic, boy finds the home he is
looking for. Maniac Magee is a story with which many kids can connect. Everyone
knows of "a legend," someone that everyone admires and talks about. Have students
discuss or write about a legend that they know and about what makes a person become
a legend. Maniac Magee is also a boy who knows about right and wrong. He is not
blinded by black or white, good or bad…he just wants people to understand each
other. Ask students to describe how we know this. Ask them to brainstorm other
ways Maniac could have helped. Finally, students can try to discover what Maniac
is really looking for. If he is so cool and popular, why is he not happy; why
can't he find a place to call home. He knows that he could stay with anyone in
the entire town of Two Mills, but what is holding him back. Students can take
a unique look into what Maniac is thinking and feeling. Have your students ever
felt that way? This is a great way for them to explore their own and others feelings.
From the moment I lifted the book, I really liked the story of Maniac Magee. While
it seems somewhat unrealistic for a boy of his age to hold such an understanding
of the world, it is just that which drew me in. I was captured by the way that
Maniac learned to get along with everyone he knew, and even better, that that
wasn't enough for him. He not only wanted to get along with them, but wanted them
to get along with each other. Sachar's story is one that is great for predictions.
I liked the way that it is laid out. For instance, the end of almost every chapter
leads the reader to turn the page. I read this story in one sitting, and due to
Spinelli's writing style, a child could do the same. In addition, while I would
not say this is the most literary book I have ever read, I really enjoyed some
of the descriptive passages which were included. For instance, the point when
Maniac is walking down the center of Hector street with the blacks on one side
and the whites on the other connects very well to Maniac's life as a whole. He
seems to walk straight down the middle throughout the whole story, never choosing
one side over another. Similarly, I loved the way that Spinelli chose to describe
vowels when Maniac was teaching Grayson how to read. It is one that I would never
have imagined. Overall, I really enjoyed this story; it was not only a great tale,
but one that was filled with literary characteristics which constantly enhanced
to plot.
Title:
Reading With Dad
Author: Richard Jorgensen
Publisher: Waldman House
Press
Copyright Date: 2000
Genre: Picture Book
Reading With Dad
is a wonderful story about a girl's memories of reading with her father. While
she first recalls her earliest memory of reading with her father, she then goes
on to tell her life story through the books and the times that she's spent reading
with her dad. This trail continues until she is reading to her own children while
her father listens in. She then sits at his side while he rests his old body in
bed, and they read from their favorites, including the Bible. The story ends with
a promising truth: "The best of the best times that I've ever had/ are all of
those times I've spent reading with Dad." Teachers can use Reading With Dad to
discuss many ideas with students. One of the most apparent is a love of reading.
When teachers are trying to instill a
love of reading in their young students,
they can present this book. Students can see and feel the joy that this woman
feels while sharing a book with her father. This story can also be used to discuss
the first memories that students have of their own reading. Did they do it by
themselves? Or with a parent? Do they still read with their mother, father, brother,
or sister? Will they read to their children? Teachers might also use this story
as the opportunity to include shared reading--possibly even between elder volunteers
and students. Students might even take this story home to read to their own parents,
accomplishing three goals simultaneously: reading practice, quality time with
family,
and the chance to show parents how important reading to children can
be.
This story is incredibly sweet. It reminds me of times that I have shared
reading with my own family members. It will hopefully do the same for children
who read it. The quality of the story is increased further through the way in
which it is written. As a tribute to the first book this girl and her father ever
read together (The Cat and the Hat), Jorgensen writes his story in rhyme. This
adds a special effect to the story's purpose. Also, the way that he uses literature
and its discussions to present passing time is truly artful.
All of these
qualities combine to make Reading with Dad a wonderful, endearing story.
Title:
The Wednesday Surprise
Author: Eve Bunting
Publisher: Clarion
Books
Copyright Date: 1989
Genre: Picture Book
Anna is a young
girl who shares a secret with her grandmother. When her
grandmother comes
over to babysit on Wednesday nights, Anna can't wait to see her. The two share
a special bond. And they are preparing a special surprise for Anna's father's
birthday. They can only practice on Wednesday night because it is the only night
that Anna's mom, dad, and brother are gone. They practice very hard and are excited
about the secret. When Anna's father returns home, they all wish him a Happy
Birthday. Anna's grandma arrives and carries her heavy bag (full of books) up
the stairs. He opens all his presents and has his birthday cake. As a final birthday
surprise, Anna's grandma pulls out her first picture book and begins to read.
Everyone is amazed and praises Grandma for her accomplishment. After so many years,
she has learned to read. And best of all, it was Anna, her own grandmother, who
taught her. The Wednesday Surprise is a story which is great for predictions.
It might be used as a read aloud. Along the way, children can venture guesses
about what the surprise will be. I bet that they'll be quite surprised with the
ending. As a connection to math, the student's guesses could even be tallied or
graphed. The Wednesday Surprise can also be used as a motivational tool. It is
a way to show students that reading with people
is important and that it is
always a help to everyone involved. For older elementary students, this book could
be a good way to encourage them to read with younger brothers or sisters or even
other friends. Also, it could the beginning of a lesson on how to read to share
a reading partnership with younger students (kindergarteners or first graders).
Another way which the story could be used is as the inspiration for a story. Students
could use the story of Anna and her grandmother as a way to create ideas for stories
of their own. For instance, they might write about someone that they read with
or about a special relationship that they have with one of their family members.
While I was not completely impressed with the intricacies or particular
style
of this story, it was definitely sweet. I think that it possesses a quality that
will stand out to children. For many kids, reading with an adult is a great experience.
This story takes that type of encounter and makes it even more special.
Title:
Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day
Author: Jamie Lee
Curtis
Publisher: Joanna CotlerBooks
Copyright Date: 1998
Genre:
Picture Book
This story is one that is full of fun and craziness. It outlines
the moods of a young girl. Day by day she explains how she feels and why. Sometimes
there is a reason and other times not, just like the moods that everyone feels.
This girl experiences feeling silly, bad, angry, joyful, confused, quiet, excited,
cranky, lonely, happy, discouraged, frustrated, sad, and great. Today I Feel Silly
is a great book to share with children. Many kids do not quite understand the
moods that they have or even why they have them. As a teacher, this would be a
great book to pull off the shelf to talk about some "craziness" that's going on
in the class that day or any other "normal" day. Students need to know that it's
alright to have days where they feel happy or sad. They just need to know how
to deal with their feelings. A teacher can help by talking to children about these
feelings. This story can be explored in a variety of ways. Besides group discussion,
it might be fun to have children engage in a writing project. Students
could
each write a short poem about how they feel that day, being sure to include a
descriptive illustration. Each child's contribution can be combined into a class
book. Students can look at this when they need to explain their feelings or frustrations.
Specifically, it might be fun to role play each situation that this young girl
experiences, as well. Students can act out the way they might feel if it was they
who got left out
of a play date, fell in love with their teacher, had a sleepover,
or fell when roller-blading. I find that I am really drawn to this story. I think
that it revolves around a wonderful idea…that people have many different unexplainable
and/or reasonable feelings, that these feelings can change suddenly or for no
reason at all. I like the way that Curtis uses rhyme. It think that it adds to
the flow of the story. Also, the illustrations are wonderful. They are very descriptive
and detailed, making the reader feel like he/she knows exactly how that girl is
feeling. Similarly, the one page in the book which is vertical, rather than horizontal,
really contributes to idea of the story; it is not only a
fun addition for
that particular page, but shows that even books can change on the spur of the
moment.
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