THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books. ISBN 0060530944

PLOT SUMMARY: Escaping his family's murderer, Bod lives in a cemetery, raised by ghosts, educated by werewolves and hides from the killer.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Teen reader will enjoy this tale of an orphan boy Nobody Owens, who is raised by ghost in a grave yard, after this real family is murdered. The murderer is still after him and to keep him safe, he finds his way to a graveyard, where he is adopted by ghosts. The setting itself will be intriguing to the teen reader. Walking among grave sites, speaking to the inhabitants, sleeping in a crypt and living among the dead may appeal to the teen readers, who are into death, Gothic themes and supernatural elements. The other characters, ghosts as friends, escaping ghouls and having a werewolf/hound of hell as a substitute teacher, add to the mystery of the plot and with entertain the teen reader in this low fantasy/ghost story. Family is important to Nobody Owens, since his real family was murdered, his ghost family/guardian care for him very deeply and try to keep him safe.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Newbery Medal 2009, Hugo Awards 2009, Locus Awards 2009, Audie Award 2009, Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award2009, Book Sense Book of the Year 2009, American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2009, Carnegie Medal 2010, Bluegrass Award 2010


From School Library Journal
"...Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.—Megan Honig, New York Public Library
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From BookList
This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages. Grades 6-10. --Holly Koelling


CONNECTIONS:

ORPHANS
CEMETERIES
SUPERNATURAL
GHOSTS

THE BOOK THIEF (audio) by Markus Zusak





BIBLIOGRAPHY: Zusak, Markus. 2006. The Book Thief. New York: Random House Listening Library. ISBN 0739337270

PLOT SUMMARY: Death narrates a story about a young girl whose love for books and story-telling helps her family and herself survive Nazi Germany, and in particularly the Jewish man they are hiding.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Allan Corduner, Broadway and London's West End actor, lends his voice talents as the narrator to audio version to Zusak's The Book Thief. This eleven CD unabridged version, Corduner is single reader who changes his voice with each character. There is no background noises, music or additional sounds, other than Corduner's voice, which adds to the clear reading and great listening experience, given the subject matter of The Book Thief. Corduner changes his voice with each character. switching back and forth from German and Jewish accents, again, adding to the listening experience.
In this realistic adventure fiction, a young girl, Liesel Meminger, who steals to make a living in Germany during World War II, starts to "steal" books. Learning how to read and discovers to joy of storytelling, Liesel helps her foster family to survive and also helps the Jewish man hiding in their basement. Although set in the past, a young reader/listener can get enthralled in this novel. Liesel tries to find her identity in a strange country and with a foster family. Also, the setting in World War II Germany adds to the survival story of Liesel.


AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Michael L. Printz Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2007, National Jewish Book Awards 2006, Book Sense Book of the Year 2007, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year 2006, Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books 2006, Garden State Teen Book Award 2009

From School Library Journal
"...Zusak explores behind-the-lines life in World War II Germany, showing the day-to-day heroism of ordinary people. Relevant for class discussions on wars both past and present."
-Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


From Publisher's Weekly

"The storytelling aspects of this structure include asides to the listener, and lots of foreshadowing about what eventually happens to the various lead characters-appealing features for listeners."
(Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

CONNECTIONS:
DEATH
FOSTER FAMILIES
GERMANY
JEWS
HISTORY
WORLD WAR, 1939-1945
STORYTELLING
BOOKS AND READING

AMERICAN BORN CHINESE by Gene Luen Yang





BIBLIOGRAPHY: Yang, Gene Luen. 2006. American Born Chinese. Ill. Lark Pien. New York: First Second. ISBN 1-59643-208-X

PLOT SUMMARY: In this comic-style book, three seeming unrelated stories: that of the ancient Chinese folktale of the Monkey King, a young boy tries to fit in with his schoolmates and a young man embarrassed every year by his visiting cousin from China; all become intertwined in a surprising ending.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: All three characters, the Monkey King, Jin Wang and Danny have one thing in common; they are trying to fit in and try to find their identity, but get laughed at in the process. With the subtopic of realistic fiction of self, all three characters are searching for a sense of self, exploring the "purpose" in school, at home and with friends and holding on to those friendships. In trying to find their identity each encounter prejudice, discrimination and comments that are on the verge of racism. Aside from ancient China, the setting of Danny and Jin's tale are primarily in school. Although transporting back and forth from ancient China and modern-day high school adds to the style of the book. Chin-Kee, Danny's cousin, character is over-the-top, stereo-typical and almost racist. However, this leads to the over-all charm of the book and the moral of all three stories.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
2006 A National Book Award finalist
2007 ALA's Printz Award winner
2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album
2007 Havey Award for Best Colorist (Lark Pien)

From Voice of Youth Advocates
"This graphic novel first appeared as a long running Web comic on http://www.Moderntales.com, where it enjoyed an enthusiastic following. The artwork is clean and distinctive, with varying panel styles and inking that is visually appealing." -Sherrie Williams

From Booklist
Yang helps the humor shine by using his art to exaggerate or contradict the words, creating a synthesis that marks an accomplished graphic storyteller. The stories have a simple, engaging sweep to them, but their weighty subjects--shame, racism, and friendship--receive thoughtful, powerful examination. --Jesse Karp Copyright 2006 Booklist


CONNECTIONS:
CARTOONS AND COMICS
CHINESE AMERICANS
IDENTITY
SCHOOLS

The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Klages, Ellen. 2006. Green Glass Sea. New York, NY: Viking Juvenile. ISBN 9780670061341

PLOT SUMMARY: Eleven-year-old Dewey Kerrigan comes to live with her father at a secluded community in New Mexico.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Klages's setting of Green Grass Sea will appear to the young reader because it is secluded and a secret place, even the soldier escorting Dewey can not tell her. Moving to live with her father on "The Hill" is challenging for Dewey but is it realistic to tweens and teens. Even though she is with her father, he always working and doesn't spend time with her. Even when she befriends other adults- she's always alone. This may appeal to a teens because of their own feeling abandonment, isolation, "no one understands me", "play attention to me" feelings. Dewey often times visits the dump to collect old parts for her "inventions"- again, all alone. Dewey had been in the care of her grandmother when her mother is not in her life; the grandmother suffers a stroke, then Dewey is sent to live with her father, who in turns dies. Once again, the feeling a abandonment is noticed. Authenticity of teen-age life is also experienced by Dewey. She is bullied and made fun of because of her love of math, science and her mechanical knowledge. She is called names and must confront the meanest bully of all, when she goes to live with Suze, who is also ridicule and bullied herself. but just like teenagers, Dewey labels the people around her, the physicists are "fizzlers" and the chemists are "stinkers". In the end, Dewey has a new family and has witness the testing of the first atomic bomb

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT:
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature
New Mexico State Book Award (YA)


From Booklist
The novel occasionally gets mired down in detail, but the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes. John Green


From School Library Journal
Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR


CONNECTIONS: Themes that can be associated and connected in a classroom are father/daughter relationships, friendships, scientist, atom bomb race, WWII, death and abandonment. Historical people/events and locations mentioned: Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, Los Alamos and atomic/nuclear bomb testing.

Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Napoli, Donna Jo. 1997. Stones in Winter. New York, NY: Dutton's Children's Books. ISBN 0525458425

PLOT SUMMARY: Young Venetian boys learn how to survive, when forcibly taken by Nazi soldiers to work in a work camp.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Students of the WWII will be riveted by the setting of this book. First set in beautiful with the descriptions of the water and gondolas quickly changes to the atrocities of child labor camps. The description of a cold winter, harsh living conditions in the camp, the feeling of starvation and the life of an escapee will transport a young reader to Europe during WWII. Samuele and Roberto are rounded up with other boys attending a movie. They are sent to a work camp, where Samuele helps Roberto to cope by telling him stories. Working on a "pen", the boys befriend two Polish Jewish girls. Sharing the little food rations they have with the girls, they give Roberto a present "stones". When Samuele dies after a fight over Roberto's boots, Roberto escapes. The second story of survival is filled with accounts of  Germans trying to track him, fighting off wolves, starvation, eating slugs and freezing cold. After helping Jewish people. Roberto is a hero. This riveting story of friendship and hardship will be an addition to any WWII lesson.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
An NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

"A gripping, meticulously researched story." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"An intense, gripping tale." --School Library Journal, starred review

"An affecting coming-of-age novel with a vivid and undeniable message about the human costs of war." --The Horn Book

CONNECTIONS: Connect in the classroom with themes of survival, German-occupied Italy, WWII, Italy, and work camps. Historical events, figures and locations: German Work Camps, Nazis, Italian Resistence Movement- Partigiano

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Choldenko, Gennnifer. 2004. Al Capone Does My Shirts. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0399238611

PLOT SUMMARY: Twelve year-old Moose Flanagan moves unto Alcatraz Island, where his father works as a guard and electrician at the prison.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Teens and tweens will be enchanted by the fact of Choldenko's setting- Alcatraz Island. An island in the middle of San Francisco Bay inhabited by criminals serving time in the penitentiary. Choldenko's story will interest readers in what it was like to live and grow up on "the Rock". Moose moves away from friends and gives up his favorite sport, baseball. As any teen who is uprooted from a comfortable home, Moose has to make sacrifices. His older sister, Natalie who is "ill" needs sopeical attention. He never sees his father because the job and hos mother tends to Natalie. Moose can not enjoy a minute's free time because she takes care of Natalie when he is not on school. Much like teens today, who babysit other siblings when their parents need them to. Moose befriends the warden's daughter, Piper, who through peer-pressure gets him to take part in her schemes. There is a lot of family tension because of Natalie's illness, which puts a strain on everyone. All these aspects of dealing with his sick sister, strained family life, peer pressure, and his "yearning" for Piper can be idenitified by young readers.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
A Newbery Honor Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Notable Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection

From School Library Journal
The story, told with humor and skill, will fascinate readers with an interest in what it was like for the children of prison guards and other workers to actually grow up on Alcatraz Island.--Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library

From Booklist
With its unique setting and well-developed characters, this warm, engaging coming-of-age story has plenty of appeal, and Choldenko offers some fascinating historical background on Alcatraz Island in an afterword. Ed Sullivan

CONNECTIONS: Some themes to incorporate in the classroom can be Alcatraz Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island, Autism, Al Capone, family problems and brother/sister relationsips. Noted historical figures/events and locations: Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Alcatraz Penitenitary. Pair with choldenko's second book in the series, Al Capone Shines My Shoes and The Children of Alcatraz: Growing Up on the Rock by Claire Rudolf Murphy

Never Smile at a Monkey



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Jenkins, Steve. 2009. Never Smile at a Monkey. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780618966202

PLOT SUMMARY: A book about animal natural defenses against its predators.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: This survey informational and wonderfully illustrated book of cut and torn paper will entice the younger elementary school reader. The front cover, for example will automatic interest a potential reader. The "rules" stated for each animal, such as, "Never cuddle a [bear] cub or "Never swim with a squid" in engage older elementary students. Jenkins informs the reader on animal self defense mechanisms and how they ward off their predators. Jenkins provides facts and notes that some encounters are deadly, which may frighten the younger readers. The design of Never Smile at the Monkey is very attractive and the book will entertain as well as inform its reader. The organization adds to the book's attractiveness. The "rule" is stated separately and the fact underneath it. Some of the pictures lay-out over both pages, which is visually stimulating. With not too much information, Jenkins invokes curiosity and wonder, which is the world of animals, in general, to children.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
From Booklist
"Although some kids might choose to never again venture outdoors, most will find the alarmist details ( a kangaroo can deliver a kick powerful enough to cave in a person's chest ) irresistible."- Chipman, Ian Copyright 2009.

From School Library Journal
"This exceptionally well-written portion of the book is generously illustrated."--Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC

CONNECTIONS: Elementary School Science thematic unit on animals. Include other informational books by Steven Jenkins in classroom collection.