DECEMBER 19, 2010
The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan
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Who spins the elaborate web that entraps the timid spirit?" This is a fictionalized beginning biography about Chilean poet Pablo Neruda who became a Nobel prize winner. As a boy, Neftali Reyes (his real name) was extremely shy, timid, and sensitive - not the strong boy his father hoped would one day become a doctor or dentist, or even businessman. His overbearing father continually belittled him and left Neftali questioning his inquisitive nature and passion for words and the natural world around him. Luckily, he was surrounded by a supportive, though meek, mother and an uncle whose more humanitarian views toward the indigenous people and nature help Neftali shape his opinions, Unfortunately, these views drew the attention of an extremely suppressive government to both uncle and, eventually, Neruda.
The text is beautifully accompanied by black and white illustrations by Peter Sis. One thing I appreciated about the book was that is showed Neruda as a questioning boy, but also an obedient one who respected his father and tried his best not to embarrass him. Even if we don't agree with his parenting skills, his father's actions are well-intentioned, and although Neftali is pretty sure in his gut that he will not be a doctor ("How did Father know what Nefali would become when he did not know himself?") and he knows he will continue to write poetry in college despite his father forbidding it, he finds a way to do so in a way so as not to humiliate him. Large print and illustrations will be encouragement for reluctant readers. Recommended for readers in grades 4-8 who enjoy biographies, or who are also dreamers. It's a slow book without a lot of dialogue and action, but full of emotion. An author's note is included providing more information about Neruda, as well as some of Neruda's poetry.
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DECEMBER 16, 2010
LUCKY: Maris, Mantle, and My Best Summer Ever by Wes Tooke
Built around the home run race between New York Yankee greats, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle in 1961, this novel recounts the exciting events of that summer as seen through the eyes of twelve-year-old Louis May. Although Louis has a "rag arm" and can't ordinarily perform well in neighborhood sports, at one memorable Yankees game, he makes a spectacular catch. This leads to a visit with Roger Maris and an offer to serve as a batboy. To a guy who is a "walking baseball card" this is a dream come true. At the same time, his home life presents distinct challenges. He has problems with his new stepmother and her son and also with some of the neighborhood boys. While the focus of the book is primarily on the red-hot race to see whether or which batter will break Babe Ruth's single season record of sixty home runs, readers do also witness an improving relationship between the members of Louis's blended family. Middle school boys will be most interested in this tribute to baseball history.
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DECEMBER 16, 2010
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
I absolutely loved this book! Eleven-year-old Melody was born with Cerebral Palsy. Unable to walk, talk, or do just about anything for herself, she is often misunderstood by doctors, teachers, and other children as also having mental disabilities. But nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, Melody is actually quite brilliant, not that she is able to let anyone know. But her mother knows that she is not deficient and fights for her daughter to remain out of a mental institution and be included in classes at school. Still, Melody is frustrated listening to the same nursery rhymes and alphabet letters repeatedly. She is tired of not being able to answer questions in class like the other students. She is about to go out of her mind. She has a limited vocabulary she can access on the board she keeps on her wheelchair, but it cannot help her when her goldfish jumps out of his bowl, or when her newest teacher doesn't review the last teacher's notes about Melody enjoying books-on-tape. Only when a fellow classmate shows up at school one day with a new laptop does it suddenly occur to her that she needs a computer too, a special one that she can operate with only her thumbs. Once Catherine, her helper at school, understands her desire, they search and locate the "Medi-Talker" that finally allows Melody to communicate. As she and her next-door neighbor Mrs. V. program the machine to include thousands of words and phrases, Melody is finally able to participate better in her classes, and begin to change the opinions of her teachers and classmates, though not without resistance and disbelief. Melody eventually qualifies for the academic team and is beyond ecstatic when her team is chosen to head to the national competition in Washington D.C. But don't believe for one minute that this will have a fairy tale ending. This is both a hopeful and heart-breaking story highly recommended for readers in grades 4-8.
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DECEMBER 15, 2010
As Simple As It Seems by Sarah Weeks
Verbie is a typical young lady graduating from fifth grade and ready for sixth grade middle school. She is trying to figure out who she is and why she is often moody and mean to her mother. Her best friend, Annie, seems to have found a new best friend leaving Verbie feeling abandoned. Verbena, her given birth name, finds out at the end of fifth grade that she has come to her parents by adoption. Not only that fact but the fact that her birth parents had some serious problems; Verbie’s biological mother with alcohol and her birth father ended up in prison. Trying to figure out things after learning this bit of surprising information only complicated the puzzle. Life is not “as simple as it seems.” Verbie has learning disabilities and mild features that now make sense after knowing she was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Verbie meets a boy that has come to her hometown just for the summer. Pooch, as he is called for a nickname, is from an altogether different situation but is trying to make sense of things, also. Verbie and Pooch strike up a friendship that add some mystery and adventure to a special summer which will be one to remember. This is an excellent book for discussion on various topics (both typical and special needs) faced by early middle school readers in grades 4-6. The appeal to girls might be apparent but boys would enjoy this book as well.
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DECEMBER 14, 2010
Amazing Monty by Johanna Hurwitz
Monty is an amazing first grade boy who loves to read. In this book Monty has some surprises and changes. He learns to deal with change like any typical first grader.
Monty reads a sign about two parakeets including the cage available to the first caller. After waiting to ask his dad, Monty finds out the parakeets have already been spoken for by an earlier caller. Monty handles the disappointment and then finds out his teacher is the one who spoke for the parakeets to be class pets.
Monty struggles with asthma. In the middle of a car wash with neighborhood friends, Ilene and Arlene and their mom, Monty has an asthma attack. He is able to get his inhaler out and take care of his problem.
Monty is an only child but finds out he soon will become a big brother. Monty becomes an amazing big brother, when his baby sister, Amanda Lee is born.
First and second grade boys will find Mostly Monty, Mighty Monty and Amazing Monty wonderful books to read as Monty truly is a role model for young boys.
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DECEMBER 10, 2010
Sabotaged by Margaret Peterson Haddix
This third book in
The Missing series is another exciting adventure for Jonah, Katherine, and now, Andrea. This trio is heading back to 1590 Roanoke, to reunite Andrea with her tracer, Virginia Dare. The problem, no one really knows that much about Virginia Dare, other than that she was the first English child born on American soil. We only know this because John White, Virginia's grandfather, recorded her birth and baptismal dates.
During their journey back through time, Andrea changes the code and then loses the Elucidator, and so now, the kids have no communication with the present, and they have no idea where or when they are. They have to suffer through many obstacles, including saving the life of John White, Virginia's grandfather. This thrilling story will have kids on the edge of their seats as they discover the identity of Second and try to figure out what will happen next. The cliff hanging ending will have readers anxious for the next installment in this series. The author, in her end notes, gives additional information about Roanoke, and the lost colonists. It is helpful to have read the first two books in the series, before reading the third book. Recommended for grades 5-9.
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DECEMBER 9, 2010
Dancing Through the Snow by Jean Little
In the mood for a "They lived happily ever after" Christmas story? This is the book for you! Min, a ward of the Children's Aid Society in Ontario, Canada, has been bounced through four different foster families. Now she is about to be evicted again - and this time it is the week before Christmas. Although she prays for a miracle, she can hardly believe her good fortune when Dr. Jess Hart, a former foster child herself, decides to give Min a real home. The traumas she has endured have left their mark however. Depressing, terrifying nightmares, an inability to accept an offer of friendship, fear of a playground bully, and a sense of monumental deprivation because of having no familial past must all be worked through with loyal support from her new foster mother, Dr. Hunt, and the doctor's godson, Toby. Middle School readers will respond favorably to this upbeat, positive story written by the celebrated author, Jean Little.
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