Discovery Girls (Ages 8 & up)
Summary:
Discovery Girls is a magazine published bi-monthly with a Survival Guide issue published in June. There is a companion web site found at http://www.discoverygirls.com/. Catherine Lee, the founder of Discovery Girls, began the magazine to help girls like her daughter navigate their middle-school years. Each month, the employees of Discovery Girls travel to a state and select 12 “Discover Girls” to assist creating the magazine. There is also a photo shoot of the girls which is included in the print magazine. This magazine is subtitled, “Created by Girls, For Girls.” The majority of the magazine is filled with columns to which readers can contribute such as The Great Debate, Embarrassing Moments, Ask Ali, Mailbag, Health & Beauty, and The Worst Day. The central themes to the magazine’s articles are bullying, family relationships, friendship, puberty/body, life skills, self-esteem, and surviving middle school.
Review:
The interesting aspect of this magazine is the fact that it focuses on building positive, strong, and confident girls. Girls who are having problems in middle school will find this magazine helpful in two ways. It will provide advice to deal with the problems and it will show that they are not alone in experiencing these problems.
The magazine includes fashion articles, but this is not a fashion magazine. Additionally, the magazine doesn’t focus on one’s outward appearance, but focuses on the girls’ inner well-being. Personally, this is a welcomed change as there are many magazines that put a lot of focus on girls’ beauty. Interestingly, one reader wrote that she loves “the fact that the girls on the covers aren’t perfect models. I feel that they are just like me.”
One concern I have is that the topics may be too repetitious and girls might get bored with the magazine. The LMS Library just began receiving this magazine, and only two issues are on the shelf. It will be interesting to see the future variety of topics and how many different angles the Discovery Girls and editor can use to approach each topic.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Summary:
As a class assignment, Tish Bonner describes her life through a diary to which she allows her teacher limited access. On the top of each page, she writes “Don’t You Dare Read This” (or something similar) so that her teacher doesn’t read her personal thoughts. However, the reader will learn her personal thoughts about her relationships with friends, school life and home life. Her father has not been a consistent presence in her life, and her mother is unstable. After a brief stay at home by her father, he leaves and her mother follows him out west. Tish is left alone with her younger brother with little food and money. Tish realizes that she can’t take care of herself and her brother, and through the diary reaches out for help.
Review:
Tweens will enjoy Tish’s frank outlook and honesty in her journal writing. Tweens may be able to relate to the rocky relationships that Tish experiences and her attitude towards school. However, themes of child abandonment and sexual harassment may cause some parents concern about the availability of this book. Regardless, the book ends with a positive message of approaching a teacher for assistance.
Awards:
ALA Best Books For Young Adults ,
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers,
IRA Children's Book Award
Links:
Learn more about the author on her web site: http://www.haddixbooks.com/
Check out her publisher’s page: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Margaret-Peterson-Haddix/20539155
This book has been challenged! Find out why at http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/books/dontyoudare.asp
As a class assignment, Tish Bonner describes her life through a diary to which she allows her teacher limited access. On the top of each page, she writes “Don’t You Dare Read This” (or something similar) so that her teacher doesn’t read her personal thoughts. However, the reader will learn her personal thoughts about her relationships with friends, school life and home life. Her father has not been a consistent presence in her life, and her mother is unstable. After a brief stay at home by her father, he leaves and her mother follows him out west. Tish is left alone with her younger brother with little food and money. Tish realizes that she can’t take care of herself and her brother, and through the diary reaches out for help.
Review:
Tweens will enjoy Tish’s frank outlook and honesty in her journal writing. Tweens may be able to relate to the rocky relationships that Tish experiences and her attitude towards school. However, themes of child abandonment and sexual harassment may cause some parents concern about the availability of this book. Regardless, the book ends with a positive message of approaching a teacher for assistance.
Awards:
ALA Best Books For Young Adults ,
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers,
IRA Children's Book Award
Links:
Learn more about the author on her web site: http://www.haddixbooks.com/
Check out her publisher’s page: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Margaret-Peterson-Haddix/20539155
This book has been challenged! Find out why at http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/books/dontyoudare.asp
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
Summary/Review:
Monster is a mixed format book written as a screenplay with additional diary entries. The story describes the trial of Steve Harmon, who has been accused of the crime of felony murder. On December 22, Mr. Nesbitt, a storekeeper was murdered with his own gun during a burglary. A man named Osvaldo claims that he and three others planned the burglary. He accuses Steve Harmon of being one of the participants who acted as a look-out, casing the joint to make sure it was clear inside. James King is also on trial, but the book focuses on Steve Harmon and is told through Steve’s point of view. Steve must endure the confinement of jail, the trial and the possibility of life in prison/death; all for a crime he claims he did not commit. The prosecutor calls him a monster, and Steve must also deal with contemplating if he really is a monster.
Students may enjoy this book for a variety of reasons. First, the mixed format of the book provides a more personal and interesting experience. Through diary entries, the reader learns Steve’s personal thoughts. The script tells the story in a segmented way, but provides cues for imagining the setting and situations. Additionally, readers will be hooked simply to reach the climax of the story and the desire to know if Steve Harmon is found innocent or guilty.
Awards:
2000 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Literature for Young Adults
1999 National Book Award finalist
2000 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
2000 Edgar Allan Poe Award nominee, Best Young Adult
1999 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
2000 L.A. Times Book Award nominee
2000 ALA Best Books for Young Adults
2000 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
1999 New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
1999 Notable Children's Book, The New York Times
2000-2001 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee in high school category
2002 Booksense 76 list
2002 Kentucky State Award Nominee
Booklist Editors' Choice
BCCB Blue Ribbon
Heartland Award for Excellence in YA Literature Finalist
"Fanfare:" The Horn Book Honor List
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
PW Best Books of the Year
Riverbank Review Children's Book of Distinction
Tayshas High School Reading List (TX)
Awarded Outstanding Achievement in Books Honor by Parent's Guide to Children's Media
Links:
Learn more about the book and the author on Myers’ site: http://www.walterdeanmyers.net/monster.html
Check out this digital book talk available through the University of Central Florida: http://digitalbooktalk.com/?p=17
Monster is a mixed format book written as a screenplay with additional diary entries. The story describes the trial of Steve Harmon, who has been accused of the crime of felony murder. On December 22, Mr. Nesbitt, a storekeeper was murdered with his own gun during a burglary. A man named Osvaldo claims that he and three others planned the burglary. He accuses Steve Harmon of being one of the participants who acted as a look-out, casing the joint to make sure it was clear inside. James King is also on trial, but the book focuses on Steve Harmon and is told through Steve’s point of view. Steve must endure the confinement of jail, the trial and the possibility of life in prison/death; all for a crime he claims he did not commit. The prosecutor calls him a monster, and Steve must also deal with contemplating if he really is a monster.
Students may enjoy this book for a variety of reasons. First, the mixed format of the book provides a more personal and interesting experience. Through diary entries, the reader learns Steve’s personal thoughts. The script tells the story in a segmented way, but provides cues for imagining the setting and situations. Additionally, readers will be hooked simply to reach the climax of the story and the desire to know if Steve Harmon is found innocent or guilty.
Awards:
2000 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Literature for Young Adults
1999 National Book Award finalist
2000 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
2000 Edgar Allan Poe Award nominee, Best Young Adult
1999 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
2000 L.A. Times Book Award nominee
2000 ALA Best Books for Young Adults
2000 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
1999 New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
1999 Notable Children's Book, The New York Times
2000-2001 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee in high school category
2002 Booksense 76 list
2002 Kentucky State Award Nominee
Booklist Editors' Choice
BCCB Blue Ribbon
Heartland Award for Excellence in YA Literature Finalist
"Fanfare:" The Horn Book Honor List
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
PW Best Books of the Year
Riverbank Review Children's Book of Distinction
Tayshas High School Reading List (TX)
Awarded Outstanding Achievement in Books Honor by Parent's Guide to Children's Media
Links:
Learn more about the book and the author on Myers’ site: http://www.walterdeanmyers.net/monster.html
Check out this digital book talk available through the University of Central Florida: http://digitalbooktalk.com/?p=17
Saturday, May 15, 2010
T4: a novel by Ann Clare LeZotte
Summary/Review:
T4 by Ann Clare LeZotte is a novel in verse that describes events in Paula Becker's life during the Holocaust. Paula is a deaf girl who lives with her family that includes her mother, father, sister and dog. Although her mother attempts to cure her deafness, Paula adapts to surroundings by seeing with her ears. Regardless of her success, she is living during the Holocaust and is subject to T4, a program under Nazi direction, which euthanizes disabled people including children and adults who are deaf. Father Josef, in order to save her from this fate, hides her with a lady named Stephanie Holderin. While staying with Stephanie, Paula learns to fingerspell and sign language. However, once again Paula finds herself in danger of being found, and Father Josef moves her to another safe shelter. During her time away from home, Paula meets others who are in danger including a Jewish family. She also meets Poor Kurt, who appears to be an old man. Unbeknownst to Paula, Poor Kurt is actually a young Gypsy who disguised himself to avoid persecution. T4 may appear to be a simple novel in verse about a young girl’s Holocaust experience, but it also introduces the many types of victims of the Holocaust.
The strength of T4: a novel is the educational message that it sends. In a great deal of Holocaust literature, readers learn about the persecution of Jews. However, LeZotte highlights the others communities that were victims of the Holocaust. While this is a short read, the verse is powerful and provides enough details to move the story along. However, this book will spur the reader to want to know more about this aspect of the massacre.
Links:
Learn more about the murder of the disabled during the Holocaust: http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/disabilities/
T4 by Ann Clare LeZotte is a novel in verse that describes events in Paula Becker's life during the Holocaust. Paula is a deaf girl who lives with her family that includes her mother, father, sister and dog. Although her mother attempts to cure her deafness, Paula adapts to surroundings by seeing with her ears. Regardless of her success, she is living during the Holocaust and is subject to T4, a program under Nazi direction, which euthanizes disabled people including children and adults who are deaf. Father Josef, in order to save her from this fate, hides her with a lady named Stephanie Holderin. While staying with Stephanie, Paula learns to fingerspell and sign language. However, once again Paula finds herself in danger of being found, and Father Josef moves her to another safe shelter. During her time away from home, Paula meets others who are in danger including a Jewish family. She also meets Poor Kurt, who appears to be an old man. Unbeknownst to Paula, Poor Kurt is actually a young Gypsy who disguised himself to avoid persecution. T4 may appear to be a simple novel in verse about a young girl’s Holocaust experience, but it also introduces the many types of victims of the Holocaust.
The strength of T4: a novel is the educational message that it sends. In a great deal of Holocaust literature, readers learn about the persecution of Jews. However, LeZotte highlights the others communities that were victims of the Holocaust. While this is a short read, the verse is powerful and provides enough details to move the story along. However, this book will spur the reader to want to know more about this aspect of the massacre.
Links:
Learn more about the murder of the disabled during the Holocaust: http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/disabilities/
PS Longer Letter Later by Ann Martin and Paula Danziger
Summary:
Middle School often brings changes, but huge changes affect Elizabeth and Tara*Starr when Tara*Starr’s family moves away. However, this is just the beginning of the tremendous changes which the girls encounter. Through a series of letters sent between the friends, the reader learns of the family difficulties Elizabeth faces, the hurdles Tara*Starr faces as a new student, and the strains placed on the girls’ friendship. Elizabeth, whose family was once a financial comfortable, stable unit is now falling apart as her father loses his job. Elizabeth’s family is force to sell their house and belongings to make ends meet. Furthermore, Elizabeth has difficulty adjusting to life without Tara*Starr and will soon adjust to life without her father, too. Tara*Starr’s life is changing as well. While she must deal with being the new student, she is making friends and doing well. Her parents, who married and became parents at a young age, are becoming more responsible and more “parent-like.” This is an adjustment for Tara*Starr, but a good one. It is difficult for Tara*Starr and Elizabeth to share their feelings as one is doing well and the other is not. However, there is a positive outcome in which friendship endures.
Readers who have moved away from their hometown and those friends they left behind will relate to this book. Some readers will relate to the smooth transition of Tara*Starr, while others will have sympathy for Elizabeth’s difficult situation. Readers will enjoy the “tennis match of letters” that volleys between the two girls. This format fosters an inviting read as one wonders how the girls will respond. Interestingly enough, the authors probably felt the same way. According to the Scholastic web site (see below), the authors wrote the book “letter by letter” with each author responding to the other’s letter.
While the book ends in a satisfactory way in which loose ends are tied up, readers who enjoy this book can continue with its sequel, Snail Mail, No More.
Links:
Learn more about Ann Martin on the Scholastic web site: http://www.scholastic.com/annmartin/
Learn more about Paula Danziger on the Scholastic web site:
http://www.scholastic.com/titles/paula/
Middle School often brings changes, but huge changes affect Elizabeth and Tara*Starr when Tara*Starr’s family moves away. However, this is just the beginning of the tremendous changes which the girls encounter. Through a series of letters sent between the friends, the reader learns of the family difficulties Elizabeth faces, the hurdles Tara*Starr faces as a new student, and the strains placed on the girls’ friendship. Elizabeth, whose family was once a financial comfortable, stable unit is now falling apart as her father loses his job. Elizabeth’s family is force to sell their house and belongings to make ends meet. Furthermore, Elizabeth has difficulty adjusting to life without Tara*Starr and will soon adjust to life without her father, too. Tara*Starr’s life is changing as well. While she must deal with being the new student, she is making friends and doing well. Her parents, who married and became parents at a young age, are becoming more responsible and more “parent-like.” This is an adjustment for Tara*Starr, but a good one. It is difficult for Tara*Starr and Elizabeth to share their feelings as one is doing well and the other is not. However, there is a positive outcome in which friendship endures.
Readers who have moved away from their hometown and those friends they left behind will relate to this book. Some readers will relate to the smooth transition of Tara*Starr, while others will have sympathy for Elizabeth’s difficult situation. Readers will enjoy the “tennis match of letters” that volleys between the two girls. This format fosters an inviting read as one wonders how the girls will respond. Interestingly enough, the authors probably felt the same way. According to the Scholastic web site (see below), the authors wrote the book “letter by letter” with each author responding to the other’s letter.
While the book ends in a satisfactory way in which loose ends are tied up, readers who enjoy this book can continue with its sequel, Snail Mail, No More.
Links:
Learn more about Ann Martin on the Scholastic web site: http://www.scholastic.com/annmartin/
Learn more about Paula Danziger on the Scholastic web site:
http://www.scholastic.com/titles/paula/
Letters From Rifka by Karen Hesse
Personal Note: I’d like to be professional as I write this summary and review, but it will be difficult! I LOVED this book. I laughed, l cried, and enjoyed every minute of reading it.
Summary/Review:
Through un-mailed letters to her cousin Tovah, Rifka, a Russian Jew, chronicles her escape from Russia to Ellis Island. However, her journey was not an easy one, especially for a young girl of 12 years. She encounters rude guards who inspect her naked body as she enters Poland, and a greedy young girl who steals her food. She must deal with sickness, being separated from her family for months, and traveling across the ferocious ocean by herself. She is saddened by the death of a friend and the loneliness caused by the separation from her family. On the other hand, she meets caring and generous people who aid her on her journey. She, in turn, shows compassion for those who are meeting more difficult fates than hers. With all that she endures upon traveling to America, she has one more hurdle to overcome as she is detained from entering at Ellis Island. Read the book to find out if Rifka makes it to America.
This book provides can serve as a historical fiction selection, but also serves those readers looking for a story about culture and the immigration process. It smoothly incorporates a heartwarming story of perseverance, Jewish culture and the difficulties immigrants faced as they desperately tried to leave their country and enter the United States. Though the letters that present this story are unanswered, the reader will finish the book with hope that they will find their intended audience and that Rifka will succeed in reaching her final destination.
Awards:
Christopher Award
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
ALA Notable Book
IRA Children's Book Award
National Jewish Book Award
Sydney Taylor Book Award
Links:
Building background knowledge for this book by watching this video:
Learn more about Karen Hesse at: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3214
Read more about Ellis Island at: http://www.nps.gov/archive/stli/serv02.htm
Summary/Review:
Through un-mailed letters to her cousin Tovah, Rifka, a Russian Jew, chronicles her escape from Russia to Ellis Island. However, her journey was not an easy one, especially for a young girl of 12 years. She encounters rude guards who inspect her naked body as she enters Poland, and a greedy young girl who steals her food. She must deal with sickness, being separated from her family for months, and traveling across the ferocious ocean by herself. She is saddened by the death of a friend and the loneliness caused by the separation from her family. On the other hand, she meets caring and generous people who aid her on her journey. She, in turn, shows compassion for those who are meeting more difficult fates than hers. With all that she endures upon traveling to America, she has one more hurdle to overcome as she is detained from entering at Ellis Island. Read the book to find out if Rifka makes it to America.
This book provides can serve as a historical fiction selection, but also serves those readers looking for a story about culture and the immigration process. It smoothly incorporates a heartwarming story of perseverance, Jewish culture and the difficulties immigrants faced as they desperately tried to leave their country and enter the United States. Though the letters that present this story are unanswered, the reader will finish the book with hope that they will find their intended audience and that Rifka will succeed in reaching her final destination.
Awards:
Christopher Award
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
ALA Notable Book
IRA Children's Book Award
National Jewish Book Award
Sydney Taylor Book Award
Links:
Building background knowledge for this book by watching this video:
Learn more about Karen Hesse at: http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3214
Read more about Ellis Island at: http://www.nps.gov/archive/stli/serv02.htm
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Guts by Gary Paulsen
Guts by Gary Paulsen
Summary:
Guts provides the stories behind some of Gary’s Paulsen’s books. Paulsen discusses his experiences in the wilderness that lay the foundation for his books. For example, the setting of Hatchet in rooted in his time hunting and fishing in Canada. In Guts, Paulsen also discusses the importance of hunting and fishing to Paulsen as he was growing up. However, through these stories, the reader will also learn about Paulsen’s hard work, perseverance and emotions he felt as he interacted with the wilderness.
Review:
If you like watching shows such as “Survivorman” or “Man vs. Wild” on the Discovery Channel, you will probably like “Guts” by Gary Paulsen. If you read and enjoyed Paulsen’s books such as “Hatchet”, you will probably like “Guts.” The book is packed with details about survival methods. However, Paulsen also sprinkles the survival stories with humor. One warning: If you are squeamish when it comes to descriptions of disgusting items to eat, you may want to skip this book.
Links:
Visit Gary Paulsen’s page on the Random House web site: The site includes his Iditarod Journal, biographical information, and his Top Ten Survival Tips: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/
Read more about Gary Paulsen on Jim Trelease’s page: http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/paulsen.html
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