Day of Tears: a novel in dialogue by Julius Lester

Day of Tears: a novel in dialogue by Julius Lester

Summary:

This historical fiction book presents the Weeping Time, an account of the largest slave auction in American history. The story is told through the voices of a cast of characters, but focuses on the life of Emma. The short sections include simple dialogue, memories, and thoughts involving different characters. Emma is a slave owned by Pierce Butler, a master who has amassed a large debt. To pay off this debt, he auctions hundreds of his slaves including one he said he wouldn’t, Emma. Without any notice, Emma is sold to an owner in another state, never to see her parents again.

Review:

This well-written book is a quick read but may stop readers dead in their tracks! Short sections written from the perspective of various characters foster an inviting read. The need to know what happens to certain characters will keep the pages turning! However, the horror and reality of the situation is devastating, and may be difficult for some readers to stomach.

Awards:

2006 Coretta Scott King Award Winner
2006 Capitol Choice Noteworthy Book for Children
VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle Grade Readers
2006 Cooperative Children's Book Center Best-of-the-Best List
Boston Authors Club Finalist for Young Readers
Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth
Booklist Editor's Choice 2005
Booklist Top Ten Black History
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2005
New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing 2005

Links:

To learn more about Julius Lester, visit his site: http://juliuslester.net/

Read Nancy Keane’s book talks about Day of Tears: http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/lester_day.htm

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook : Middle School by David Borgenicht, Ben H. Winters, and Robin Epstein.

The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook : Middle School by David Borgenicht, Ben H. Winters, and Robin Epstein.

Summary:
This book provides students with tips and advice on navigating middle school situations and problems. The book covers academic situations such as working in groups and communicating with teachers. It also addresses social dilemmas such as dealing with a bully, surviving a BFF break-up, and talking with crushes.

Review:
This book should prove to be interesting reading for incoming 6th-graders, and helpful reading for current middle schools. Some of the information mirrors exactly what my LMS students will hear in school. For example, the authors devote a few pages to explaining how to use a planner, similar to the LMS Binder Reminder. However, some information is contradictory to what is learned in school. For example, the authors recommend wearing a hat to deal with bad haircuts. However, hats are banned in school!
This book was written by 3 authors from a variety of backgrounds. Interestingly, none list teacher in their biography. This may allow a new perspective on surviving middle school. In a sequel to this book, advice from current middle school students would be appreciated!

Listed:
2010 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Links:
Read another review of the book: http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2009/07/worst-case-scenario-survival-handbook.html

Check out the publisher’s web site: http://www.chroniclebooks.com/worstcasejunior/. It includes a worst-case scenario blog: http://www.chroniclebooks.com/worstcasescenario/.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

Summary:

A Single Shard presents the story of an orphan boy named Tree-ear, who has lived with his friend, Crane-man, under a bridge for many years. After admiring and then accidently breaking a potter’s work, Tree-ear works for Min to repay his debt for the mishap. Tree-ear continues to apprentice for Min after he repays the debt. Although the boy wanted to learn how to create pottery, Min simply requires Tree-ear to chop wood and collect materials. Min’s wife shows a bit more affection, providing meals for Tree-ear. Tree-ear, in turn, saves half of his food for Crane-man.

Min’s lifelong desire is to receive a commission to create pottery for the emperor. When the emperor’s representative visits the village to view potters’ work, another local potter receives a commission for his new technique. Min, although a more talented and detailed potter, only receives a second chance. He is given the opportunity to use the new technique and bring it to the emperor’s royal palace. While Min is too old and weak to make the trip, Tree-ear volunteers to make the treacherous trek. Min warns Tree-ear of the dangers including the bandits.

Will Tree-ear succeed in reaching his destination? Will Min earn a commission? What will the future hold for Tree-ear and Crane-man? Find out in A Single Shard!

Review:
A Single Shard is an interesting story that students may not be interested in picking up simply based on the cover and title. Some students may begin reading the book and find the story a bit slow. However, I believe in the end, A Single Shard is a story they won’t be able to put down. The “set up” in the beginning of the book made the ending one that I anxiously anticipated and “couldn’t wait to find out what happened.”

Awards:
2002 Newbery Medal Book
2002 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
2002 ALA Notable Book for Children
2001 Booklist Editor's Choice
2001 Capitol Choices Selection
2001 School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year
2001 New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
2004 Sequoyah Book Award (OK)
2006 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award Master List (IL)

Links:
Learn more about the author, Linda Sue Park, at http://www.lindasuepark.com/awards.html.

Learn more about Celadon Pottery at http://www.korean-arts.com/about_korean_celadon.htm

Read another review of A Single Shard: http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/singleshard.html

Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman

Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman

Summary:

Sid Fleischman presents the biography of the great magician, Harry Houdini. The biography provides information about his birth, career, personal life and death. The book not only focuses on his life of magic, but also presents his other endeavors in acting, flying, publishing and Spiritualism. The book includes over 40 photographs/illustrations, an index and an annotated bibliography.

Review:

The topic of the book, Houdini, will draw tweens to the book. However, the writing style and perspective will keep the tween reading. In this book, the reader learns about Sid Fleischman in addition to the main topic, Houdini. Fleischman’s personal comments and perspective makes the book a bit more personal. However, the real genius in this book is Fleischman’s artistry as he uses imaginative and challenging words to describe each situation. As a result, the tween reader may need to keep a dictionary handy!

I chose to read this book while considering it as a new addition to the school district’s summer reading list. While I think the merits of the book support its inclusion, I also believe it’s a fitting honor for one of the city’s local authors who passed away on March 17, 2010.

Awards:

* New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing"
* School Library Journal Best Book
* ALA Notable Children’s Book
* ALA Best Book for Young Adults
* New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
* Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Honor Book
* Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Masterlist (Vermont)
* School Library Journal Best Book
* ALA Notable Children’s Book
* ALA Best Book for Young Adults
* New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
* Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Honor Book
* Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Masterlist (Vermont)

Links:

Read about Sid Fleischman in SLJ’s recent article: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6723533.html

Check out Sid Fleischman’s web site: http://www.sidfleischman.com/

Learn about the Society of American Magicians at http://www.magicsam.com/. Harry Houdini served as President of SAM from 1917-1926.

News:
Sid Fleischman’s book, Sir Charlie: Chaplin, the Funniest Man in the World, will be available through Amazon in June 2010.

The E.N.D.

THE E.N.D. by the Black Eyed Peas

I admit I am a Black Eyed Peas fan. I have been for a number of years. I became a fan because they make the best music to listen to when walking or exercising. Nine times out of ten, I walk while listening to Monkey Business and Elephunk. Last year, when THE E.N.D. was released, I immediately purchased it. I listened to the cd once and quickly lost it. It obviously was not a huge lost to me since I didn’t purchase it again (until this past week). When I first listened to it last year, I remember thinking, “What did they do?” and “What were they thinking?” I was not a fan.

While viewing Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2010 web site, I was surprised, and a bit concerned, to see the Black Eyed Peas as the Favorite Music Group. Their newest cd is titled The E.N.D. E.N.D. means the Energy Never Dies, and the music definitely reflects this characterization. The best term to describe their new album is futuristic, but reminds me of my “clubbing” days in the 1990s with its techno sound.

Parents may have some concerns about their tweens listening to this cd. One concern that parents may have is the use of expletives in many songs. Additionally, some songs reference taboo subjects such as the lyric in “Imma Be”: Imma be, f#@kin her… Imma be ya banker loading out semen. However, other songs such as “One Tribe” present themes of acceptance, unity and peace.

After reading the lyrics and listening to the songs, this album is not a literary or musical masterpiece. However, the music is a bit addictive and the rhythms keep you moving. It’s a departure from the comfortable and familiar sound of Monkey Business. However, now that I’ve listened to some of the songs on the radio for the past year, THE E.N.D. has grown on me. I still prefer the more-grounded sounds of Monkey Business, but the new album is slowly becoming a staple on my iPod’s “Walking” playlist.

Links:

Check out Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2010 web site at http://www.nick.com/kids-choice-awards/

Learn more about the Black Eyed Peas at http://www.blackeyedpeas.com/

Another review of the THE E.N.D.: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/06/album-review-black-eyed-peas-the-end.html

Darkside by Tom Becker

Darkside by Tom Becker

Summary:

Through the prologue, the reader learns Ricky has gone missing, abducted!

Jonathan Starling has been self-sufficient for some time and his father has always been distant. Often spending countless hours in his secretive study, Jonathan’s father, Alain, has not spent a lot of “quality” father-son time with Jonathan. When, once again, Alain becomes ill and experiences one of his “darkenings”, Jonathan finds himself alone. This is the perfect chance to investigate his father’s secret study, which leads Jonathan to the Darkside, a mysterious and seedy side of London. Jonathan also comes under attack, and Alain refers him to Carnegie, a resident of the Darkside for protection. Jonathan needs Carnegie’s protection as he is being hunted for an evil form of Darkside entertainment, while Ricky has already been captured for this purpose.

To the Lightside of London, it appears that Jonathan has also gone missing.

Residents of the Darkside are hunting for Jonathan, while authorities of the Lightside are also searching for Jonathan. Who will find him first? Will good win over evil? Will Jonathan and Ricky survive? Come over to the Darkside to find out…if you dare.

Review:
Full of mystery, vampires and werewolves, and a dose of history, this was a wonderfully suspenseful book that I could not put down! It was eerie enough that I wanted to continue reading, but not full of gore that it was too gross to read. The best part of this book was its unexpected twist during which I let out an audible gasp as I read it! I am not alone in my opinion of this book. The Lincoln Middle School book club read this book for its March selection. All participants gave this book a 10! Luckily, the series continues with Lifeblood. Available in the UK, the series contains 5 books in total which many American readers anxiously await.

Awards:

2007 Waterstone's Children's Book Prize


Links:

For more spookiness, or to learn about the author, visit the Darkside http://www.welcometodarkside.co.uk/index.tao?PageId=home

The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

Summary:

During a visit by cousin Salim and his mom Gloria to Ted and Kat’s house, the three cousins decide to ride the London Eye. While standing on line to the large “Ferris wheel”, they are offered a ticket. They accept the ticket and agree that Salim should enjoy the ride while Ted and Kat wait. After they watch him embark and they wait for 30 minutes, Salim does not get off the wheel when Kat and Ted expected. Salim has vanished. During the next few days, Ted and Kat work together to solve Salim’s disappearance. Meanwhile, Aunt Gloria and mom Faith are distraught. Ted, described with traits of Asperger’s syndrome (although never explicitly diagnosed) and Kat devise and investigate 9 theories of Salim’s disappearance. One will be correct, but will it be too late to save Salim?

Review:

What a fun read! Would I say it’s my favorite book? No, but a satisfying read all the same! The investigation undertaken by Kat and Ted kept me turning the pages. I was also intrigued by how Dowd consistently used weather conditions to describe the characters or scenes of the book. Additionally, I believe the (British) English vernacular will offer the American reader their own chance to act as context clue investigators as they decipher new phrases. My one complaint about this book is the too tidy ending that I believe students may figure out before it is explained. I decided to display this book on the circulation desk and it has received excellent and amazingly-positive responses from students who have already read it.

Awards:

WINNER 2008 - Book Sense Children's Pick List
WINNER 2008 - School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
WINNER 2008 - Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
WINNER 2008 - Horn Book Fanfare
WINNER 2008 - Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books
WINNER 2008 - Book Links Lasting Connection

Links:

Learn more about the author, Siobhan Dowd, and her Siobhan Dowd Trust at http://www.siobhandowdtrust.com/.

Learn more about the London Eye at http://www.londoneye.com/.