Los Gatos Black on Halloween

Montes, M.  (2006).  Los gatos black on halloween.  New York:  Henry Holt and Company.
This book received the Pura Belpre Award. (2008)

October is my favorite month, so I became very excited when I came across this book.  This picture book is also a wonderful rhyming book. When I began reading this book, I was thinking how this book would be wonderful to use when discussing context clues.  Marisa Montes has incorporated Spanish words into this Halloween book.  The illustrations give a lot of support to students who do not know what the words mean.  Students should also be able to figure out what the words mean by using their context clues.  Marisa Montes has included a Spanish glossary at the end of the book.  

I teach at an extremely diverse school.  My classroom has a high percentage of Hispanic students.  I could already hear them getting excited about them already knowing what many of the words already mean.

I loved this book and I have already added it to the list of books I need to buy before the beginning of the school year.

Mirror Mirror

Singer, M.  (2010).  Mirror mirror.  New York:  Penguin Group.
Bluebonnet Book.

WOW!!  This book is super fun!  I found myself amazed and wondering, "How did she do that?"  Marilyn Singer created reverso poems about fairy tales.  One character's perspective is told when a reverso is read going down, but when you read it going up it changes the point of view.  For example, the Sleeping Beauty reverso had the princess speaking first.  When it is reversed, it is the prince that is talking.  The author has written both verses on one page.

The illustrations in this book are also a lot of fun.  The illustrator used bright and brilliant colors.  The illustrator was also able to make two illustrations into one.  This way both verses were illustrated.

This book really is quite impressive to see and read.  I tried to do my own reverso poem and, to put it mildly, was extremely unsuccessful.  I may not be doing the best job with describing the book, I just hope that you will go out and read it for yourself.  You too will marvel at the writing.

14 Cows for America

Deedy, Carmen Agra.  (2009).  14 cows for america.  Atlanta, Georgia:  Peachtree Publishers.
Bluebonnet Book (2010-2011)

Kimeli is heading back to his village in Kenya.  He has been living in New York where he received a scholarship and is studying to be a doctor.  His people are nomadic cattle herders called the Maasai.  Cows are of the utmost importance to the Maasai.  Kimeli tells his people a story about New York where the fire burned hot, and smoke and dust blocked out the sun.  An elder feels sorry for the people of New York.  Because the cow is a symbol of life for the Maasai, Kimeli offers his only cow to the people of New York.  A diplomat is summoned and goes to the village where 14 cows are presented.  The story Kimeli told to his people is the story of 9/11.  At the very end of this picture book, there is a note from the real Kimeli telling how he witnessed the dramatic events of that day.

Tears welled up in my eyes when I read this picture book.  To think how people so far away could care so much.  They gave the greatest gift they could to people they have never met.  This book had me remembering where I was when 9/11 happened and the feelings I possessed at the time.  It is an emotional book and touching.  The illustrations only add to this book.  They are done with beautiful and rich colors.  A book to add to your collection.

A Single Shard

Park, Linda Sue.  (2001).  A single shard.  New York:  Clarion Books.

This book received the Newbery Medal.

Set in 12th century Korea, twelve year old Tree-ear is an orphan that lives under a bridge with a gentle and wise man named Crane-man.  Crane-man has raised Tree-ear since he was 2 years old.  Tree-ear goes to work for a master potter named Min and learns the many lessons that Crane-man has been teaching him throughout the years.  Tree-ear learns courage along the way to Songdo, the city where Emissary Kim, to show the emissary the work of his master.   

Crane-man gives Tree-ear advice and together they ponder many moral and ethical questions.  The questions they examine have their place in today's day and age.

I was completely enthralled with this book.  I could hardly put it down.  This book read like poetry.  It was beautiful, smooth, and lovely.  The writing style of the book reminded me of Memoirs of a Geisha.  Memoirs of a Geisha also read like poetry and had many beautiful moments.  I highly recommend this book.

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night

Sidman, J.  (2010).  Dark emperor & other poems of the night.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

This book received the Newbery Honor Award

I will be going to the bookstore promptly and purchasing this lovely book of poems.  It will go nicely with my unit on nocturnal animals.  My students receive a poem every week that we read together.  I will definitely be sharing these poems with my students during my nocturnal animals unit.  The page opposite the illustration contains the poem, but next to the illustration are some fun facts and information regarding the animal or plant the poem is referring to.

The poems are beautiful and my students will benefit from the vocabulary that is used.  I like to "harvest" words with my students and these poems will provide many opportunities. 

I was not the biggest fan of the illustrations.  I felt that it was difficult to see, what should have been, the main focal point.  For instance, there is an enchanting poem about an owl.  The illustration that accompanies the poem had a mouse as the focal point.  The owl seemed like an afterthought.  The illustrations contain dark colors, but in some of the illustrations it was difficult to see where one object began and another ended.

Regardless of the illustrations, the poems are ones that I will share again and again with my students.  I really did enjoy this book and am excited about sharing them next year.

Out of My Mind

Draper, Sharon M.  (2010).  Out of my mind.  New York:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

This is a Bluebonnet Award Nominee.

Out of My Mind is an incredible and emotional read.  Sharon Draper has written a beautiful, and at times poetic, novel about an eleven year old girl, Melody, that has cerebral palsy.  Melody cannot talk or walk, but is extremely intelligent and challenges strangers, teachers, and students to finally see that there is more to her than a wheelchair. 

At times I found myself feeling ashamed.  How many times have I made assumptions about someone who is disabled even though I know better?  How many times have I diverted my eyes as to not make myself uncomfortable?  Definitely not something to be proud of.

I also found myself becoming upset and mad at the teacher, Mr. Dimming.  To say the things he did in front of his class are unforgivable.  The embarrassment it caused Melody.  The elation I felt when Melody was finally able to communicate with her family and friends.  I cried when Melody was able, after so many years, to tell her parents that she loved them.  I cheered when Melody's mom did not allow doctors or teachers to treat Melody like a second-class citizen.  I rooted for Melody when she tried out for the Whiz Kids quiz team and was nervous anytime she answered a question.  I was devastated when Melody's plane was cancelled and she was not able to compete in Washington D.C., and I was extremely proud of her when she got the last word at the end of the book.

I admire and respect how Sharon Draper was able to write a book that can cause so many emotional reactions and a create a character that will be remembered. This is a book that I will highly recommend to teachers and students. 

Eclipse

Meyer, S.  (2007). Eclipse.  New York:  Little, Brown and Company.

This book was on the New York Times bestseller list.

This is my absolute favorite book from the Twilight Saga series.  I was torn between Team Edward or Team Jacob, so I decided that I was Team Both. This book actually had me fist pumping.  This is the book where Jacob fights for Bella's love and tries to prove to her that she not only loves Edward, but that she loves him too.

I fist pumped when Jacob kissed Bella unexpectedly.  I even let out a little squeal.  He got clocked by Bella, but he's a werewolf and he didn't really feel it.  Actually, Bella hurt her wrist pretty badly.  I must admit, I was tiny bit happy that she hurt herself a little.  I'm not Bella's biggest fan.  Does she really deserve these two great boys?

The vampire coven and Jacob's werewolf pack have to all get along to fight an army of vampires that has been made, by Victoria, to kill Bella.  Victoria still wants to avenge her mate's death.  Everyone is going to risk their lives for Bella...again.

I fist pumped again when Bella finally realized she does love Jacob too and she asked him to kiss her before he was about to go and fight the army of vampires.  Okay, I did more than fist pump, I screamed out loud.  What a kiss it was!  Stephenie Meyer described it well.

I love everything about this book, but what I love most is how this book makes me feel.  It just makes me happy, giddy, and feeling like a school-girl again.

New Moon

Meyer, S.  (2006).  New moon. New York:  Little, Brown and Company.

This book was on the NY Times Bestseller for Children's List.

I'm just going to say it now...I absolutely love the Twilight series.  I know it's not some piece of literary genius.  I enjoy these books because it just reminds me of being a teenager and being in love. And, I mean, it's EDWARD.  What girl doesn't want a guy to treat them like a queen and has an element of danger?

New Moon caused some pretty emotional reactions from me.  New Moon is where Edward leaves thinking it's the best way to protect his beloved, Bella.  When I came to the scene where he left, I was beside myself.  Leave?  What?  I didn't see any reason on why I should continue reading.  To say that I was upset would be a mere understatement.  Next comes the four pages where there is simply the name of the month that has passed written neatly and sadly on each page.  This is where I cried a little.  Yes, I cried.

Then, when hope it all but lost, enters Jacob.  Ah, Jacob.  Jacob reminds me of the easy going guy in high school that every girl liked and every other guy wanted to be.  Jacob just made me smile.  To top it off, Jacob is a werewolf.  A good looking werewolf.  He'll do anything to protect Bella from Victoria, the vampire that wants to kill Bella to avenge her mate's death.  He protects Bella and makes her feel safe.  Every girl wants that.  The beautiful and perfect Edward does return at the end of the book which now causes some turmoil.  We now have a little bit of a love triangle.

I can just get lost in this fantasy world of vampires that sparkle and werewolves.  It's a fun read and a book that can be read again and again.  Vampires, cute boys, and werewolves.  What else can a girl, or grown woman, ask for?

Turtle in Paradise

Holm, Jennifer L.  (2010).  Turtle in paradise.  New York:  Random House Children's Books.
This book received the Newbery Award and is a Bluebonnet Award Nominee.

Set during the Depression in Key West, Turtle is a girl that has had to grow up quickly because her mom sees everything through rose-colored glasses.  Turtle is sent to live with her aunt in Key West while her mom works as a housekeeper for a woman that does not like children.  Turtle lives with three male cousins, Kermit, Beans, and Buddy that add quite a bit of humor to this novel.  Turtle learns about a grandmother she never knew she had and was able to crack the grandmother's hard exterior.  Turtle and her cousins go on a treasure hunt adventure and survive a devastating hurricane. 

Turtle, the main character, is a sassy, witty, sarcastic, smart, patient, and caring girl.  The author, Jennifer Holm, has created a spirited character that comes to life from the pages.  Turtle in Paradise had me smiling and laughing out loud throughout this book.  I love how Turtle is not the typical teenage character.  Turtle does not create a lot of drama, which many teenagers do, and is a girl that can "keep up," and often surpasses, with the boys.  I remember hanging out with a group of kids all day long and keeping ourselves busy.  We didn't sit at home watching television or playing on the computer like kids do nowadays.  We stayed out until the streetlights came on.  That was our cue to go home.  This book doesn't have the typical happy ending you think it's going to have; however, it has the ending that it's supposed to have and leaves you smiling.  Absolutely loved this book!

Olive's Ocean

Henkes, K.  (2004).  Olive's ocean. New York:  HarperCollins Publishers.
This book received the Newbery Honor award.

I love Kevin Henkes and I read all his picture books to my class.  Needless to say, I was very excited about reading one of his chapter books.  I have never read any of his chapter books and I didn't know what to expect. 

Olive's Ocean is about a 12 year old girl named Martha Boyle.  Martha receives a visit from the mother of Olive, and girl Martha didn't really know and who has recently passed away.  Olive's mother gives Martha a page out of Olive's diary that says she wants to get to know Martha better next school year because she is the nicest girl in Olive's class.  Also mentioned on the page are some of Olive's hopes.  One hope is that she gets to see a real ocean.  Martha goes on vacation to Cape Cod to visit her grandmother.  She tries to cope with Olive's death and decides she will take a little bit of the ocean back home with her to give to Olive's mom.  While in Cape Code, Martha receives her first kiss and first heartbreak. 

Olive's Ocean had me smiling when I remembered the nervousness of my first kiss and the feeling of overwhelming sadness when my heart was broken for the first time.  I could also relate to being that teenager that was embarrassed by my parents, but regretting that feeling at the same time.  I have very fond memories of Cape Cod and I could feel and smell the ocean air when reading this book.  

I was pleasantly surprised by Olive's Ocean and I really enjoyed reading this book.  Kevin Henkes did a nice job grabbing my attention from the very first page.  He has proven that, not only is he the author of many wonderful picture books, he can write a heart-warming and touching chapter book.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

Willems, M.  (2004).  Knuffle bunny, a cautionary tale.  New York:  Hyperion Books for children.

This book received the Caldecott Honor (2005)

Exposition:  Trixie, who can only speak in garble sentences, goes with her daddy and her favorite stuffed bunny, Knuffle Bunny, to the laundromat.

Conflict: Trixie loses her much loved Knuffle Bunny.

Rising Action:  Trixie, Knuffle Bunny, and Trixie's daddy walk to the laundromat.  Trixie assists her daddy with loading the washing machines.

Climax:  Trixie and her daddy walk home when they are done loading the washing machines.  Trixie realizes she is not holding Knuffle Bunny.  Trixie does her best to let her daddy know about Knuffle Bunny, but she is only able to speak garble.  Her daddy does not understand what she's trying to say and everybody is pretty frustrated.

Falling Action:  When Trixie and her daddy arrive home, Mom notices immediately that Knuffle Bunny is missing. 

Resolution:  The family rushes back to the laundromat.  They find Knuffle Bunny in the washing machine.

Mo Willems is a master at showing wonderful and funny emotions on the faces of his characters.  Mo Willems uses a combination of real black and white photographs as backgrounds.  He uses colorful illustrations on top of the photographs.  His illustrations reinforce the text and develop the characters.  We can clearly see how much Trixie loves her Knuffle Bunny and how upset she is when she can't find it.  Every library and home needs the complete collection of Mo Willems books.  They will bring a smile to your face.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Weatherford, Carol Boston.  (2006). Moses: when harriet tubman let her people to freedom.  New York:  Hyperion Books for Children.
This book received the Caldecott Honor  (2007)

Exposition:  Harriet Tubman is a slave who is speaking to God. God tells her that He has sent the north star for her to follow.  She decides to leave towards freedom the next day.  Throughout the book she speaks to God and God leads her.

Rising Action:  Harriet Tubman runs away to freedom.  She must hide to keep away from slave hunters.  She does come across people who are willing to feed her and let her rest.  When Harriet feels she can no longer continue, she speaks to God and He provides her strength.

Climax:  Harriet Tubman has made it to freedom, but she misses her family.  God tells her to go back and retrieve them.  When preparing for her journey back to the south, Harriet discovers that the church she is at is a station along the Underground Railroad. 

Falling Action:  Harriet Tubman goes back to the south to rescue her family from slavery. She rescues her family along with other slaves she encounters.

Resolution:  She has successfully showed her family and the other slaves to freedom.  She returns to the south many times over to show other slaves the way to freedom.

Kadir Nelson illustrated this inspiring picture book.  Kadir Nelson illustrated another book that I previously blogged about, Henry's Freedom Box.  Once again, he created illustrations that prove to be nothing less than beautiful.  His illustrations establish the setting, develop the characters, reinforce text, and establish mood.  He uses bold and dark colors to assist with the feeling of fear, dread, and hope.  His illustrations show the reader the 1800's setting.  He shows the look of hope, courage, fear, and determination on Harriet Tubman's face.  A sensational picture book.

Henry's Freedom Box

Levine, E. (2007).  Henry's freedom box.  New York:  Scholastic Press.
This book received the Caldecott Honor (2008)

Exposition:  Henry is a slave boy, who does not know his birthday, and his master is good to him.  One day, when his master lays dying, he gave Henry to his son.  He worked in his new master's tobacco factory.  One day he met another slave named Nancy.  They married and had several children together.

Conflict:  Henry's wife and children are sold when Henry was at work in the tobacco factory.

Rising Action:  Nancy's master has lost a lot of money and she is worried that the master will sell the children.  While at work, Henry finds out that his family has been sold.  At lunchtime, he rushes to the town center and sees his wife and children carried away in carts.  Henry knows he will never see his family again.  Henry thinks about being free and asks James, another slave, and Dr. Smith, a white man who thought slavery was wrong, to help him be free.  Henry comes up with the idea of mailing himself, in a box, to a place where there are no slaves.  Dr. Smith decided to mail Henry to some of his friends in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Henry injured himself so that he can stay home from work. 

Climax:  Henry got into the box and James nailed the box shut.  The clerks were not careful with the box and Henry was thrown and put upside down and loaded onto a ship.

Falling Action:  Some men wanted to sit down.  The box was lifted to be right side up and the men sat down on Henry's box.  The ship takes the box to Pennsylvania.

Resolution:  Henry arrives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania safely.  He now has a birthday, March 30, 1849.  Everyone now calls him Henry "Box" Brown.

Kadir Nelson is the illustrator of this stunning picture book.  Kadir Nelson uses rich and dark colors to establish mood.  His illustrations depict the sadness when Henry's family is sold and he knows he will never see them again.  He uses a realism, or representational, style which add to the mood.  Beautiful illustrations added to an inspirational story. 

The Night Fairy

Schlitz, Laura Amy.  (2010).  The night fairy.  Somerville, Massachusettes:  Candlewick Press.
This book is on the Notable Books for Children List.

Exposition:  Flory is a night fairy.  One evening, while flying, a bat mistakenly tries to eat her.  Her wings are ripped off and she falls into the garden of a giantess.  She makes a home out of a birdhouse and upon waking in the morning, she decides she no longer wants to be a night fairy.  She has decided to be a day fairy because she likes the bright colors of day and the birds.  She now despises bats. 

Conflict: Flory has decided she no longer wants to be a night fairy because she is scared of bats. 

Rising Action:  Flory makes a deal with a squirrel.  If the squirrel will let her ride him, she will help him get the food out of the bird feeder. Her and squirrel become friends and she names him Skuggle.  One day, Flory sees a beautiful hummingbird and is captivated by its beauty.  She wants to ride a hummingbird and make it her own.  She goes to the hummingbird feeder and tries to talk to the hummingbirds, but they never pay her any attention.  One morning Flory is awakened by a blue jay who is saying that a hummingbird is trapped in a spider's web.  She decides to save the bird if the bird agrees to belong to her.  The hummingbird refuses to belong to Flory because she must get back to her nest and warm her eggs.  Flory tries to free her anyways, but is getting stuck in the web.  The hummingbird tells Flory to leave her and keep her eggs warm.  Flory casts a spell on the eggs and keeps them warm while she returns to the web to free the hummingbird.  The spider is wrapping the hummingbird in silk and Flory stops the spider.  Flory makes a deal with the spider to spare the life of the hummingbird.  The hummingbird cannot fly away because it is in a state of torpor.  Flory decides to stay with the hummingbird until morning.  She once again discovers the beauty of night while staying awake keeping watch over the hummingbird. 

Climax:  A raccoon comes and tries to eat Flory. Her spells are not working very well on the raccoon because the raccoon is  much bigger than she is. 

Falling Action:  A bat comes to her rescue.  The bat scares scares away the raccoon and saves Flory.

Resolution:  Flory is frightened of the bat, but the bat reassures her that he will not harm her.  It is the same bat that mistakenly tried to eat her.  The bat tells Flory that he's been looking for her everyday to apologize.  He tells Flory that her wings are growing back.  They become friends and Flory now thinks that she wants to be a day and a night fairy.  When the hummingbird awakens, the hummingbird lets Flory ride her and takes her to the eggs.  Inside the nest there are now two little baby hummingbirds. 

Laura Amy Schlitz has created a whimsical book with her use of dialogue and vocabulary.  The dialogue she uses for Flory shows that Flory is a determined, sometimes rude, and likable fairy.  Laura Schlitz has written a beautiful book.  She uses just the right vocabulary to create an almost poetic book.

The Magician's Elephant

DiCamillo, K.  (2009).  The magician's elephant.  Somerville, Massachusetts:  Candlewick Press.
This book was on the NY Times Bestseller for Children's List (2010)

Exposition:  10 year old Peter Augustus Duchene's parents have past away and he lives in Baltese, at the end of the 1800s, with an old soldier named Vilna Lutz.  Vilna Lutz is training Peter to be a soldier.  Peter goes to the market and instead of buying what he is supposed to, he spends the money asking a fortune teller, after she has already to him that his sister is alive, how he can find his sister.  The fortune teller tells Peter to follow the elephant.

Conflict:  Peter finds out the Vilna Lutz has been lying to him about his sister, Adele.  She has been alive all along.  He must now find a way to get to the elephant to find his sister.

Rising Action:  A magician is performing at the local opera house.  He attempted to bring forth a bouquet of lilies, instead, an elephant crashes through the roof of the opera house and cripples Madam LaVaughn.  The magician is imprisoned.  While at the market place the next morning, Peter overhears about the elephant.  Countess Quintet decides to purchase the elephant to show her wealthy and powerful friends.  Meanwhile, at the Orphanage of the Sisters of Perpetual Light, Adele has been dreaming about the elephant.  She dreams that the elephant comes to the orphanage to find her, but always has to leave before Adele can go with her.  The countess decides to let everyone see, for free, the elephant on the first Saturday of the month.  Leo Matienne, a police officer that lives below Peter, tells Peter the good news. 

Climax:  Peter goes to see the elephant and upon seeing her, he sees the elephant's sadness and knows he must get her back to where she came from.  Peter asks Leo Matienne to help him.

Falling Action:  Leo Matienne takes Peter to talk to the magician.  The magician says he needs the elephant and Madam LaVaughn to do his magic.  Leo Matienne and Peter go the Countess Quintet's house and retrieve the elephant without her knowledge. 

Resolution:  When walking the elephant back to the prison, they pass the orphanage and Adele sees the elephant.  She runs out to the elephant and Peter and Adele are reunited.  The magician performs his magic and the elephant is sent home.  Adele and Peter go live with Leo Matienne and his wife.

Kate DiCamillo uses figurative language and precise vocabulary to make this novel come to life.  Through the language she uses, she is able to paint a picture in the reader's mind.  There are pleasant unexpected insights weaved throughout the story.  It is a story about hope, courage, forgiveness, and love.

City Dog, Country Frog

Willems, M.  (2010).  City dog, country frog.  New York:  Hyperion Books for Children.

This book is from the Notable Books for Children list.

Exposition:  It's springtime and City Dog is in the country for a visit.  He starts to run as far as he can and spots a frog sitting on a rock.  City Dog asks Country Frog what he is doing and Country Frog says he is waiting for a friend, but that City Dog will do.

Conflict:  When it's winter, City Dog runs to find his friend, Country Frog, but Country Frog is nowhere to be seen.

Rising Action:  City Dog and Country Frog become friends in the springtime.  Country Frog teaches City Dog frog games.  During the summer, City Dog runs to find his new friend, Country Frog.  City Dog teaches Country Frog dog games.  In the fall, City Dog runs to find his old friend, Country Frog.  Country Frog says he is tiring and doesn't want to play frog or dog games.  He simply wants to play remembering games.  They remember all the good times they have had together.

Climax: When winter comes City Dog goes looking for his good friend, Country Frog.  He could not find Country Frog.

Falling Action:  Springtime comes again and City Dog is sitting on the rock.  Country Chipmunk sees City Dog and asks what he is doing.  He says, sadly, that he is waiting for his friend. 

Resolution:   He then smiles a froggy smile and says that Country Chipmunk will do.

Jon J. Muth is the illustrator of this lovely book.  His illustrations look like water colors and they do a beautiful job of establishing the mood.  The winter scene shows how sad City Dog is when he can't find his friend, Country Frog.  He uses bright colors when they are playing together.  Definitely a picture book to add to your collection.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Willems, M.  (2003).  Don't let the pigeon drive the bus!.  New York:  Hyperion Books for Children.
This book is a Caldecott Honor book.

Exposition:  The bus driver has to leave for a little while and asks that you make sure the pigeon does not drive the bus.

Conflict:  The pigeon does everything he can to make you let him drive the bus. 

Rising Action:  The pigeon is very sweet to you to convince you to let him drive the bus.  He even acts very depressed hoping that you'll change your mind.

Climax:  The pigeon has an absolute fit that he's not allowed to drive the bus.

Falling Action:  The bus driver comes back.

Resolution:  The pigeon sees an eighteen-wheeler and now he wants to drive that.

Mo Willems is also the illustrator in this very funny picture book.  The drawings are very simple, but he makes the facial expressions on the pigeon look very realistic and humorous.  His illustrations of the pigeon define who the pigeon is and bring him to life.

We are in a Book

Willems, M.  (2010).  We are in a book!.  New York.  Hyperion Books for Children.

This book is from the Notable Books for Children List.

Exposition:  Piggie and Gerald are sitting quietly together.  Piggie says, "Thank you,"  to the person reading the book.

Conflict:  Gerald thinks a monster is looking at them.  Later in the book, Gerald learns that the book will come to an end.  He is worried about the book ending.

Rising Action:  Gerald and Piggie figure out that it is a reader that is looking at them and that they are in a book.  Piggie tells Gerald that he can make the reader say a word if the reader is reading out loud.  Piggie makes the reader say banana and Gerald thinks it's hilarious.  Piggie asks Gerald if he wants a turn at making the reader say a funny word before the book ends.

Climax:  Gerald starts to panic that the book is going to end.  He doesn't want the book to end because he has more to give.  He just wants to be read.

Falling Action:  Piggie has an idea and whispers it in Gerald's ear.

Resolution:  Gerald asks the reader to read them again.

The illustrations in this book are simple, but they don't need much.  Mo Willems has a wonderful ability of showing emotions on his characters.  He is able to develop his characters by showing their reactions and they will always make you laugh.

Blubber

Blume, J.  (1974).  Blubber.  New York:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
This book is on the 100 Most Challenged Books list.

Exposition:  Jill is a fifth grader who, along with her friends Tracy, Caroline, and Wendy begin bullying a girl named Linda. Jill and her best friend, Tracy, put rotten eggs in the mailbox of a neighbor.

Conflict:  Jill and her friends are bullying, both emotionally and physically, a fellow student named Linda.  The neighbor finds out who put the rotten eggs in the mailbox and everyone suspects Linda told on them.  Eventually, Jill begins being bullied by Linda, Wendy, and Caroline.

Rising Action:  Jill, Caroline, Tracy, and Wendy begin calling a fellow classmate blubber.  On Halloween night, Tracy and Jill put rotten eggs in the mailbox of a neighbor named Mr. Machinist.  Mr. Machinist is bound and determined to find out who the culprits were.  The bullying of Linda continues and escalates to physical bullying.  Mr. Machinist finds out that it was Tracy and Jill that put the rotten eggs in his mailbox.  The girls are punished for the incident.  The girls suspect that it was Linda that told on them, but then begin to suspect that maybe it was Wendy and Caroline.  During lunch, the class decides to hold a mock trial to determine if it was Linda that told on Jill and Tracy.  When Linda doesn't have a "lawyer" to represent her, Jill defies Wendy by calling off the trial.

Climax:  The day after the trial, Jill is confronted by Linda and Wendy where they begin to call her names and pick on her.  Now it is Jill that is being bullied.

Falling Action:  Jill speaks with her mother about what is going on at school.  Her mother advises her to laugh at herself. 

Resolution:  When students begin to make fun of her, Jill is able to poke fun at the comments and the bullying begins to slow.  Although Jill is no longer friends with Wendy and Caroline, she realizes she'll always be best friends with Tracy.

As I've said before, Judy Blume does a great job with dialogue.  The dialogue gives a feel for the severity of the bullying that is being conducted.  Even though this story was written back in the 1970s, the theme is one that is familiar.  Bullying has come to the forefront the past several years and this book can still resonate with students.

Deenie

Blume, J. (1973).  Deenie.  New York:  Laurel-Leaf.
This book is on the 100 Most Challenged Books list

Exposition:  Deenie is a beautiful teenager whose mother wants her to be a model.  Deenie really doesn't want to become a model, but is being pushed by her mother.  Deenie's mother is constantly setting up interviews with modeling agencies.   The agencies all agree that she is a beautiful girl, but there's something just not quite right about the way she walks and moves.

Conflict:  Deenie is diagnosed with adolescent idiopathetic scoliosis and must wear a brace for four years to correct the condition.  She is concerned about how the brace will make her look, especially since she likes a boy named Buddy Brader.

Rising Action:  Deenie's P.E. teacher suspects that there might be a problem with Deenie's spine.  Her parents take her to a doctor where she is diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.  Deenie wants to have surgery to correct the problem, but the doctor says she must wear a brace, for four years, instead.  After much contemplation, Deenie decides to attend a mixer that is being sponsored by her school.  There she experiences her first kiss with Buddy Brader, but doesn't kiss back because she is extremely self conscious about her brace.

Climax:  Deenie has been invited to a party at one of her best friend's house.  She doesn't want to wear the brace, but her father say she must.  Deenie decides that when she gets to her friend's house she will remove her brace even after promising her dad that she will wear it.

Falling Action:  Deenie does not remove the brace at the party because she doesn't want to break her father's trust.

Resolution:  Deenie and Buddy share another kiss and this time she kisses him back.

Judy Blume does such an incredible job at making this story believable.  Every teenage girl is self conscious, but add the extra drama of a brace and that would send any girl into turmoil.  Judy Blume uses dialogue that real teenagers would use.  You can feel Deenie's tantrums and frustration with the brace. Deenie is also a well developed character.  We get to understand that even though she's beautiful, she's not conceited and does not use her looks to get what she wants.  Even though she has to wear this brace, she is brave and faces everyone head-on.

Goosebumps

Stine, R. (2008). Revenge of the living dummy. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
This book is on the 100 Most Challenged Books list

Exposition:  Britney is upset when she is told that her cousin, Ethan, whom she cannot stand, is coming to live with her and her family.  Ethan shows up with a ventriloquist's dummy that he calls Mr. Badboy.  Her best friend, Molly Molloy, has a father that is a professor of folklore and travels the world searching for and collecting weird, scary, strange, and interesting objects.  When Ethan brings Mr. Badboy to Molly's house, Professor Molloy says that the dummy looks familiar.

Conflict:  Strange things are happening around Britney's house.  Ethan is blaming Mr. Badboy for the mean and rude things that he is doing.  Ethan tells Britney that the doll is alive and makes him be his slave.  Britney doesn't believe Ethan until one evening she sees the doll sit up and talk all by itself.

Rising Action:  Britney sees Mr. Badboy sit up and he talks to her.  She is scared and goes to Molly's house to look for information on why Professor Molloy thought the dummy looked familiar.  While searching his files, she comes across a photo of Mr. Badboy and it says that the dummy's real name is Slappy and was cursed by a magician back in the 1800s.  It makes all its owners turn into slaves for him.  The bottom of the picture has six words that Britney must say to put him back to sleep.  Britney goes back to her house and says the six words to Slappy.  She believes that Slappy is now no longer alive.  Britney and Molly find a remote control in Ethan's room that makes Slappy move and talk.  Britney has been tricked once again by her cousin Ethan.

Climax:  While sleeping, Britney feels a tap on her shoulder.  It's Slappy!  When she said the six words to him earlier he was already sleeping.  Saying the six words had really waken him up.  She must now stop Slappy from going to the cemetery to dig up a doll, that had been buried earlier, that will erase her mind and make her Slappy's slave.

Falling Action:  Britney follows Slappy to the cemetery. A fight ensues for the doll that can erase minds.

Resolution:  Britney is able to prevent Slappy from getting the doll that would erase her mind.  Instead, she is able to erase Slappy's mind with the doll and she buries Slappy.  Britney won free tickets to an amusement park called HorrorLand.  She goes to the amusement park with her family and her best friend, Molly.  While there, she is unable to find her parents after they have checked into the hotel.  She looks on her father's camera for any clue to where they might have gone.  What she finds is a picture of...Slappy!  Goosebumps is a series and now there is a new conflict and there is no real resolution.  The next book in the series is called Creep from the Deep.

R.L. Stine has created a mood for young readers that will keep them on the edge of their seats and a little frightened.  He also creates a setting that adds to the mood of the book.  He uses a creepy attic and cemetery.

Twilight

Meyer, S. (2005). Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Exposition:  Isabella Swan (Bella) has just moved to rainy and dreary Forks, Washington to go live with her dad, Chief Charlie Swan.  She has left sunny Phoenix to let her mom, Renee, move around with her new husband who is a minor league baseball player.  Bella soon meets Edward Cullen, who is a vampire, that can read minds but is unable to read Bella's thoughts.

Conflict: Bella abhors living in cold, cloudy, and rainy weather, but meets Edward Cullen and begins to have an interest in the mysterious young man who is her lab partner in biology.  Edward Cullen is a vampire that only feeds on animal blood but is strongly attracted to Bella's scent and is extremely dangerous to her because he does not know if he is able to control his thirst around her.  Edward soon starts to fall in love with Bella, but is he able to control himself when he is around her?

Rising Action:  Edward Cullen saves Bella's life by stopping a van, with his bare hands, before she is crushed between two cars.  Bella begins to suspect that Edward is something other than human.  Edward tries to stay away from Bella but is unable to do so.  Edward and Bella begin to start dating and he takes Bella to introduce her to his "adopted" family.  On one occasion, Edward takes Bella to play baseball with his family where they encounter three wandering vampires.  One of these vampires, James, is a tracker and wants to kill Bella.

Climax:  Bella has to try and escape from Forks to save herself and her father from James who is now tracking her. She flees to Phoenix but is soon found and tricked into meeting James at her childhood ballet studio.  Edward and his family arrive just in time to save Bella from James, but not before he has had a chance to bite her, and kill him. 

Falling Action:  Edward sucks out the venom from Bella so that she will not turn into a vampire.  She is hospitalized for her injuries. 

Resolution:  Bella goes back to live in Forks and asks Edward to turn her into a vampire so that they may spend eternity together.  Edward refuses to take away her soul.  Twilight is the first book in a series and there is no real resolution to a new problem that has now arisen.

Stephenie Meyer has done an incredible job with character development.  We all begin to understand how strong-willed, clumsy, and determined Bella is.  Most of all, most female readers of the series fall in love with Edward. Stephenie Meyer also does a nice job of developing the mood.  We all can feel the teenage angst and remember what first love was all about.

The Hunger Games

Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York: Scholastic.
Exposition:  Katniss Everdeen is sixteen years old and lives in District 12, from the nation Panem which is located in North America. Katniss lives with her mother and younger sister, Prim.  Katniss has become a provider for her family after her father was killed in a mining accident.  Katniss secretly leaves District 12 everyday to hunt for food with her best friend, Gale.  Peeta is the son of the baker in District 12 and will soon be involved in a battle for his life along with Katniss.

Conflict:  Prim was selected, by lottery, to participate in the annual Hunger Games.  Katniss volunteers to take her younger sister's place. Peeta was also selected to participate in the Hunger Games.  In all, 24 contestants are selected among the districts.  The Hunger Games is a battle to the death where the winner is determined by being the only contestant left alive.  The Hunger Games are broadcasted live and are mandatory for all districts to watch.

Rising Action:  Peeta and Katniss are sent to the Capitol to prepare for the Hunger Games. While there, they are dressed, fed, and prepared for their participation in the battle.  During the battle, Peeta is seriously injured while saving Katniss' life.  During the Hunger Games, the rules have been changed to allow two contestants to win as long as they are from the same district.  Katniss seeks out Peeta where she now saves his life from the injuries he received while saving hers.

Climax: Katniss and Peeta are the only contestants left alive, but the rules of the games have changed once again.  The broadcaster announces that only one contestant may win.  Katniss has a plan to trick the broadcaster into letting them both live.  Katniss has poison berries and is going to have her and Peeta eat them in the hopes that the broadcaster will not want to have no winner.  When they are about to consume the berries, the broadcaster stops them and says that they are both winners of the Hunger Games.

Falling Action:  Peeta and Katniss are taken back to the Capitol to be cleaned up, fed, and prepared for their final interview.  Katniss is told to pretend she loves Peeta during the final ceremony and interview.  Peeta is already in love with Katniss and has been since they were little.

Resolution:  This book is the first book in a series and is not really resolved.  Katniss feels she may be in love with Peeta, but is unsure about her feelings for her best friend, Gale.  Katniss tells Peeta that she has been pretending to be in love with him because she was told to do so.  Peeta is hurt and they go home.

Susan Collins does very well with creating characters that are well developed.  We get a clear understanding of who Katniss and Peeta really are.  She also sets the mood throught the story.  At the beginning there is sadness, in the middle there is tension and fear, and at the end there is turmoil.