Module 9/ SLIS 5420/ October 26-November 1

Chasing Vermeer

By

Blue Balliett

Bibliography

Balliett, Blue. Chasing Vermeer. Scholastic, 2004. ISBN. 978-0-439-37294-7

Summary

Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay live on the same block but, and are not friends. Calder and Petra are in the same class at the University of Chicago Laboratory School. They suddenly become friends when a famous vermeer painting disappears from the Art Institute of Chicago called a A Lady Writing. Calder and Petra follow all leads to uncover the mystery of the missing painting including looking at their 6th grade teacher Ms. Hussie and Mrs Sharpe who has an interest in the vermeer painting. Petra and Calder explorer the University of Chicago panel rooms looking for the hidden painting in the dark. They soon find the painting and play a game of cat and mouse with someone who wants it back.

For The Young at Heart

I enjoyed the twists and turns of this mystery waiting to find out what was going to happen next. I enjoyed the main characters Petra and Calder inquisitive nature. The book had a lot of imagination. What a great read!

Reviews

Art, intrigue and plenty of twists and turns make this art mystery a great read. Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay sets out to find the connection between their eacher (freewheeling constructivist teacher), the eccentric woman in their neighborhood, the bookstore owner, and the international art theif.

Kirkus Reviews, May 2004

Fans of Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game ( Dutton, 1978) and E.L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Turtleback, 1967) will welcome this novel about two classmates determined to solve the mystery of a missing painting

School Library Journal, July, 2004

Suggested Activities

I would like to use this book as an introduction to mysteries and book talk the book to classes of fifth graders.

Module 8/SLIS 5420/October 19-25

Whittington

by

Alan Armstrong

Bibliography

Armstrong, Alan. Whittington. Random House, 2005. ISBN. 978-0-375-92864-2

Summary

A battered cat name Whittington arrives at a barn and is taken in by the barn animals. Whittington meets Lady the duck and she is in charge of the barn. Whittington finds himself at home with other talking animals a chicken, a goat, a horse and rats. Whittington meets Ben and Abbie whose mother's has died and they are being raised by their grandparents. Ben is struggling with his reading and Abbie and the barn animals try to help Ben with his reading. Whittington tells his story about how he became Whittington and the 14th century merchant Dick Whittington who he is named after. There is a storytime session that Ben and Abbie along with the other animals listen too. Ben does learn to read by going to remedial reading classes and is not kept back from the next grade.

For the Young at Heart

A very interesting book if you like fantasy and talking animals. This genre is one of my least favorite, but it was quite interesting read. Sometimes I hard time following the talking animals and the children talking t0 the animals as well. I listen to the book on audio (CD).

Reviews

This superior novel interweaves animal fantasy and family story with a retelling of the English folktale "Dick Whittington and His Cat." A battered tomcat named Whittington arrives one-late-fall at a New England barn, where he gradually befriends the equally ragtag group of animals already adopted by the barn's taciturn but soft-hearted owner, Bernie

School Library Journal, August 2005

In three entertaining plot strands,Ben and his sister listen in as the titular descendant of Dick Whittington's cat negotiates a truce between the creatures in their grandfather's New England barn.

Horn Book Guide Reviews, Spring 2006.

Suggested Actvities.

I would read this book aloud and pair the book with Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village and discuss living in the time period.

Module 8/SLIS 5420/ October 19-25

Twilight

by

Stephenie Meyer

Bibliography

Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. Little Brown. 2005. ISBN. 978-0-316-16017-9

Summary

Bella Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington to live with her father Charlie. Bella attends the local high school and becomes mesmerised with Edward Cullen who is in her biology class. Edward tries to ignore his attraction to Bella, but can't help himself. Bella is attracted to Edward Cullen and his entire family. Edward finally tells Bella he is a vampire and their love grows. When evil vampires find out about Bella, Edward must protect Bella at all cost.

For The Young at Heart

This book is a fun an exciting read. The book starts out very slow and and the main plot is at the end. I recommend this book for teen girls. I have read the first three books and they are all similar. Teen boys have no interest in Twilight.

Reviews

Edward is just fascinated with Bella, and their attraction to one another grows.

School Library Journal, February 1, 2006

In the tradition of Ann Rice and YA ttles such as Anette Curtis Klause's The 0 Silver 0 ( 1999) comes this heady romance that interwines Bella Swan's life with that of Edward, an alluring and tormented vampire.

Booklist, November 15, 2008

Suggested Activities

I would have a Twilight night at the public library and watch the movie. We would have a discussion and compare the book to the movie. We would also have great snacks to enjoy.

Module 7/ SLIS 5420/October 12-18

Monster

by

Walter Dean Myers

Bibliography

Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. Harper Collins. 2001. ISBN. 978-0-064-40731-4

Summary

Written in a screen play format of his life, sixteen year old Steve Harmon is accused as a accessor to a murder of a store owner. Steve explains to his audience his life and his expereince in prison. The attorney that is representing Steve. Kathy O' Brien has doubts about Steve and his guilt. Steve's life is flashed before his very eyes and he pleads for himself not to spend the rest of his life in prison. We get to see the perception in the court room, the jury, Steve's parent's, prison, and Mr. Nesbitt the store owner who was shot.

For the Young at Heart

This is a very compelling and revieting story. I could not put this book down. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Steve Harmon. It did take me some time to get use to the screen play format. Overall this book was an excellent read.

Reviews

Steve Harmon, 16, is accused of serving as lookout for a robbery of a Harlem drugstore. the owner was shot and killed, and now Steve is in prison awaiting trail for murder.

School Library Journal, July 1999

Arrested and charged with murder, sixteen-year-old-Steve harmon is writing a screenplay of his ordeal. Interspersed with his handwritten journal entries, Steve's script makes up a novel that in both form and subject guarantees a wide audience.

Horn Book Magazines Review, March 1999

Suggested Actvities

This would be a great book for a boys book club to book talk and each boy take a part in the Steve Harmon's screen play.

Module 7/SLIS 5420/ October 12-18

Speak

by

Laurie Halse Anderson

Bibliography

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1999. ISBN. 978-0-374-371524

Summary

Melinda Sordino is an outcast at Merryweather High School. She called the cops at a party, but nobody know why. As the events begin to unravel, we get to know Melinda and her use to be best friend from third grade. Melinda does not speak up for herself and soon learns to speak up and tells how she was raped at the party and that is why she called the cops. When the altercation presents itself again, Melinda does speak up for herself .

For the Young at Heart

Speak is a very powerful novel about a subject that is rarely spoken about.

The book is an excellent book even though the subject manner is tough.

Reviews

This powerful novel deals witha difficult yet important topic-rape. Melinda is just starting high school. It should be one of the greatest times in her life, but instead of enjoying herself, she is an outcast.

School Library Journal, October 1999

A frightening and sobering look at the cruelty and viciousness that prevade much of contemporary high school life, as real as today's headlines.

Kirkus Reviews, September 1999

Suggested Actvities

I would us this book as a media specialist in the high school for a girls book club and discuss about Melinda being an outcast at school and discuss feelings that highs school girls have.

Module 6/SLIS 5420/October 5-11

Clementine

by

Sara Pennypacker

Bibliography

Pennypacker, Sara. Clementine. Hyperion, 2006. ISBN. 978-07868-3883-7

Summary

Clementine, a high spirited third grader can not keep herself out of the principal's office. First, she cuts off her friend's Margaret's hair in the girls bathroom with plastic sissors. Second, Clementine colors Margaret's hair with colored markers. Clementine doesn't mean to do the wrong thing,but she does. Clementine always finds herself in trouble. Clementine's father enlists Clementine's help him with a pigeon problem. The book has wonderful pen and ink drawings by Marla Frazee.

For the Young at Heart

Clementine is a wonderful humorous read. I really enjoy the book and the pen and ink drawings by Marla Frazee. I love this book because it reminded me of Beverly Cleary's Ramona the Brave, and Junie B. Jones.

Reviews

Clementine, a not-so common third grader, knows her way around the principal's office as well as she does the art-supply closet.

School Library Journal, February 2006

As Clementine has, spectacularful ideas are always sproinging up in my brain. All the better for readers who like to laugh.

Booklist, October 2006

Suggested Activities

Clementine wouldbe a great book to use for a book club for girls in the third grade. The book is funny and would defintely keep their attention.

Module 5/SLIS 5420/ September 28-October 4

Llama Llama Mad at Mama

by

Anna Dewdney

Bibliography

Dewdney, Anna. Llama Llama Mad at Mama. Viking, 2007. ISBN. 978-0-670-06240-9.

Summary

In rhyming text, Dewdney has written an endearing story about Llama going shopping with his mama. The story is told in rhyming text through out the story.The illustrations are bright and cheerful as Llama goes shopping with his mama. The story and illustrations work well together from Llama to the car seat to the Shop-O-Rama. Llama goes on a shopping experience with his mama till he gets tried at Shop-O-Rama and has a melt down tantrum and gets mad at mama. Mama explains to Llama that she does not like to shop either, but she is there with him. Llama leaves the store with mama and at the end of the story loves his mama.

For the Young at Heart

This is such a wonderful story for preschoolers. I enjoyed reading this story. The illustrations are colorful and appealing, and the rhyming text makes it even better. The book cover tells you what's to come and it is so funny with Llama, face on the front jacket pouting.

Reviews

The inviting, oversized paintings are bold and colorful, and Llama Llama's priceless expressions carry the emotional arc of the story to its gentle conclusion.

School Library Journal, September 2007

The well-told story, along with bold colors of the illustrations and the precisely rendered expressions on Llama Llama's face from dismay at having to put away his toys to going shopping, to rage, and he throws his temper tantrm, to chargin in its aftermath, to pure delight as he enjoys his ice cream cone, make this a perfect choice for preschool read-alouds.

Kirkus, August 2007

Suggested Actvities

I would share this book with my preschool story time group. I already have and they love this story. The parents like to recite along with the rhyming text. It is one of my parents favorite books.