Module 15: Forever

Blume, J. (1975). Forever. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

Summary

Katherine is a high school student who starts dating Michael. This book is about their relationship, especially when they take it to a sexual level. Katherine is portrayed as responsible in that she goes to the doctor for birth control pills. The book explores not only teen sexuality but the love that so many teens think they have found.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Absolutely, I love Judy Blume, and this is no exception. While this book is usually found on controversial lists, in my opinion it is an excellent book that explores sexuality in a responsible way. I especially like the foreward in the newer version that mentions sexually transmitted diseases.

Reviews

More than thirty years ago, Judy Blume's sensational teen romance debuted to much controversy. A candid account of young love that provides details about everything from a young couple's first meeting through sexual curiosity, exploration, and activity, this book is as relevant for teens today as it was to teens in the seventies. From the moment Katherine and Michael meet at a friend's party, the sparks fly. Although they attend different schools, the pair get together every chance they can, and their relationship deepens. Before long, things are getting serious: they are thinking about sex, talking about sex, and planning for sex. It feels like they will be together forever. Then, summer comes, and family plans pull them apart. They write each other often and plan to reunite as soon as they can, but life—and love—can be unexpected. While employed as a camp counselor, Katherine meets Theo. She is surprised by the attraction she feels for him. What do such feelings say about love? Commitment? Forever? Michael? Modern readers may giggle at the lack of cell phones and other modern accoutrements, but they are sure to be drawn into this time-tested tale of first love.--Children's Literature

In The Library

I would recommend this book for high school students and think it would be a great book for a discussion group. I might also recommend it to the counselors for a group or even the health teacher.

Module 14: Cool Salsa

Carlson, Lori et. al (1995). Cool salsa. Logan, IA: Perfection Learning Corporation.

Summary

This is a collection of poems written by various Latin American authors. The poems are diverse in their style and subject matter. They are written in Spanish and English.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Yes, this was a very interesting collection of poems, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them. I thought it was very interesting to see the differences in cultures and also how the cultures are blended.

Reviews

As hot as jalapenos and as cool as jazz, this collection serves up "ingles con chile" and Spanish that "you feel in the blood of your soul." Lyrical, traditional poems share space with street-smart free verse, and works by the likes of Sandra Cisneros and Gary Soto are juxtaposed with entries from lesser-knowns. Illustrating the "beat and pulse" of generations of U.S. writers of Latin American heritage, the poems are presented both in the original and in translation; poems making use of both languages are easily accessible to English-only readers by virtue of an appended glossary of Spanish terms. In his introduction, Hijuelos ( The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love ) focuses on the "unrelenting, unending sense of second classness" that his parents experienced as Cuban emigrants and explains how this "sense" affected his uses of English and Spanish. The political agenda is not hidden, but the potency of the volume lies in Carlson's eclectic selection of voices--her volume approximates what one poet here calls "a Mixtec chant that touches la tierra and the heavens." Ages 12-up.--Publishers Weekly

This collection of eloquent and intensely personal poems by twenty-nine Latin American poets resonates with the conflicting emotions, cultural diversity, material hardships, sweet memories, occasional heartbreak, and joyous incidents that underscore the lives of those of us who have grown up as Latinos in the United States. From personal experience I can vouch for the authenticity of feeling and candid insight of these impassioned voices that clamor to be heard, and I understand the daunting task of a youngster coping with a strange language and unfamiliar customs while dealing with the marked differences between a deeply traditional home environment and the enticing wide open world waiting outside. We straddled this intangible but very real fence on a daily basis; as a result, and as demonstrated in these poems, we developed dual psyches, a cultural hybridization of sorts, not at all an unhappy condition since it allowed us to function in two very different worlds while holding fast to our ancestral heritage. The vivid images in these pages range from, among others, the fear of identity loss in Luis Alberto Ambroggio's Learning English; the difference in cultural customs in Dia De Los Muertos by Abelardo B. Delgado; the touching memories of a distant homeland in There's An Orange Tree Out There by Alfonso Quijada Urias; a heartfelt plea for understanding in Ana Castillo's We Would Like You To Know, as well as the joyful romp of Aquatic Show by Daniel Jacome Roca, and the free- wheeling rhythms in poems such as Why Do Men Wear Earrings On One Ear? by Trinidad Sanchez, Jr. and Where You From? by Gina Valdes that combine English and Spanish in a fluid lyrical stream. Oscar Hijuelos's excellent introduction gives us a perceptive look at what it means to grow up as a bi-cultural child who is also a first- generation American, and the glossary is particularly helpful in defining slang expressions which differ from country to country. I was impressed by the skillful translators who have captured both the authors' meaning and much of the musicality of the Spanish language, and although in a few cases I might have chosen slightly different terms, it is gratifying to see that they have all been faithful to the original poems. The biographical notes will help interested YAs to locate other works by these eminent writers. This exciting anthology entertains and illuminates, and will be enjoyed by poetry-loving YAs and all those who would like a glimpse into the heart and soul of what is now the fastest growing minority in the United States.--Voice of Youth Advocates, February, 1995.

In The Library

This would be great for a Hispanic Heritage Month display and for read-alouds. I would also recommend it to Spanish teachers of all levels to use in their classrooms.

Module 13: Nancy Drew #19: Cliffhanger

Petrucha, S. (2009). Nancy drew #19: Cliffhanger. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

Summary

Girl detective Nancy Drew is in the woods with a group of scientists searching for an area where a certain plant can grow that might help cure Alzheimer's. When a crime is committed, she chases the thief and in true Nancy fashion, she ends up in danger, hanging from a cliff, but luckily, her good friends and sidekicks George and Bess come to her rescue and help her catch the thief.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Being an old-school Nancy Drew fan, I was intrigued by this graphic series. I had never read comics or graphic novels before, and honestly, I don't think I'll start now. I didn't like the way Nancy, George, and Bess were drawn. It was just too different from the original series, and I guess I wasn't ready for change. The story itself was very similar to the old books in its formula.

Reviews

I could not find any reviews of this book.

In The Library

I might suggest this to reluctant readers to get them interested in mysteries and books in general.

Module 12: Harvesting Hope

Krull, K. (2003). Harvesting hope. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc.

Summary

This is the story of Cesar Chavez's life from early boyhood through his famous march across California to gain contracts and better working conditions for farmworkers. The book starts out when Cesar is a young boy, living on his family's ranch in Arizona. Life is good, and his family is doing well. In 1937, a drought hit the ranch, and Cesar's family is forced to go to California to look for work. Cesar's life changes dramatically. The living conditions are terrible, and they must work long hours under hard conditions on farms for very little money. The landowners in the book are very cruel and treat the farmworkers like animals. As Cesar grows up, he becomes a natural leader of the farmworkers and begins organizing them to try to fight for more pay and better working conditions. He preaches a message of nonviolence and organized strikes. The end of the book tells of Chavez's role in the creation of the National Farm Workers Association and of his famous march across California which ultimately led to contracts for farmworkers with better pay and better working conditions.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

In my opinion, this was a very sensational portrayal of Chavez's life and of the plight of American farmworkers. Some of the descriptions are a little extremist, for example, during the march, "he and many others had blood seeping out of their shoes". I completely agree that the farmworkers had terrible conditions, but since this is written for small children, I can only imagine the visual images they might get when reading this book. I also wondered if all landowners were as cruel as those portrayed in the book. Having said that, it's a good introduction for young children to what type of person Cesar Chavez was and what he stood for.

Reviews

Gr. 2-4. When Cesar Chavez was 10 years old, drought forced his family to leave its Arizona ranch and move to California. The family became migrant workers, poorly paid and badly treated. As an adult, Chavez organized a nonviolent revolt, culminating in a 300-mile protest march that produced the first farmworkers' contract. Krull's language demonstrates a poetic sensibility (The eighty acres of their ranch were an island in the shimmering Arizona desert, and the stars were all their own. ), but the vocabulary will challenge young children, and a few socio-cultural details aren't made clear: some kids will wonder about the White Trade Only signs and why Chavez couldn't speak Spanish in school. But Morales' gorgeous paintings, with their rounded, organic forms and lush, gemstone hues, more than make up for glitches as they draw children deeply into an inspiring picture-book account of a young boy who grew up to change the world. --Booklist, June, 2003.

r 3-6-The dramatic story of Chavez's 340-mile march to protest the working conditions of migrant farmworkers in California is the centerpiece of this well-told biography. Readers meet Chavez at his grandparents' home in Arizona where he lived happily amid a large extended family. His childhood was cut short when, due to financial difficulties, the family was forced to move to California to seek employment. After years of laboring in the fields, Chavez became increasingly disturbed by the inhuman living conditions imposed by the growers. The historic 1965 strike against grape growers and the subsequent march for "La Causa" are vividly recounted, and Chavez's victory-the agreement by the growers granting the workers better conditions and higher pay-is palpable. While sufficient background information is provided to support the story and encourage further research, focusing on one event makes the story appealing to younger readers. The text is largely limited to one side of a spread; beautifully rendered earth-toned illustrations flow out from behind the words and onto the facing page. A fine addition to any collection.--School Library Journal, June, 2003.

In The Library

This would be a great addition to a display for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Module 11: An Egg is Quiet

Aston, D. (2006). An egg is quiet. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

Summary

This is an absolutely beautifully written and illustrated book about eggs. The descriptions are simple to understand and match the pictures perfectly. Eggs are described in color, size, shape, and how they are developed. A very simple explanation of how the embryo is formed is offered with pictures showing the development of a chicken, a fish, and a grasshopper. Towards the end of the book, we see birds hatch and the final double page illustration is a variety of birds.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Yes, this is a beautiful book that would be wonderful to show to children to teach about eggs and the start of life.

Reviews

K-Gr 2-An exceptionally handsome book on eggs, from the delicate ova of the green lacewing to the rosy roe of the Atlantic salmon to the mammoth bulk of an ostrich egg. Aston's simple, readable text celebrates their marvelous diversity, commenting on size, shape, coloration, and where they might be found. The author occasionally attributes sensibilities to eggs ("An egg is clever," for example). Still, her quiet descriptions of egg engineering and embryo development (no mention of mating) are on the mark, and are beautifully supported by Long's splendid watercolor depictions of a wide variety of eggs. (One teeny carp-Steller's jays are not spelled with an "ar," though they are stellar performers when wheedling for your lunch at a campsite!) A beautiful guide to the unexpected panoply of "the egg."--School Library Journal, June, 2006.

PreS-Gr. 2. This beautifully illustrated introduction to eggs resembles pages drawn from a naturalist's diary. The text, scrolled out in elegant brown ink, works on two levels. Larger print makes simple observations that, read together, sound almost like poetry: An egg is quiet. . . . An egg is colorful. An egg is shapely. On each spread, words in smaller print match up with illustrations to offer more facts about bird and fish eggs across the animal spectrum. The illustrations are too detailed for read-alouds, but there's a great deal here to engage children up close. The succinct text will draw young fact hounds, particularly fans of Steve Jenkins' Biggest, Strongest, Fastest (1995) and his similar titles. Long's illustrations are elegant and simple, and the gallery of eggs, as brilliantly colored and polished as gems, will inspire kids to marvel at animals' variety and beauty. A spread showing X-ray views of young embryos growing into animal young makes this a good choice for reinforcing concepts about life cycles.--Booklist, April, 2006.

In The Library

This is an excellent book for young children that could be used as a storytime to supplement learning about eggs, embryos, etc.

Module 10: Esperanza Rising

Munoz, P. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Summary

This is an excellent book about a young girl named Esperanza (which appropriately means hope) who is growing up very rich in Mexico. Tragedy strikes her family, and they are forced to move to America to look for new opportunities. Instead of a life of privilege, she now has to work long, hard hours on a farm. She also has to face ridicule and prejudice in her new life in California. She is determined to rise above all of it.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Yes, this is a very good book that I found to be very interesting and uplifting in the end. It is hard reading about the struggles Esperanza has in California, but it's important to know about this type of life. Working in a school with immigrants, I found her story to be similar to some of my students: not the details, but the overall theme of leaving everything you know and experiencing something completely different.

Reviews

The author of Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride (1999) and Riding Freedom (1997) again approaches historical fiction, this time using her own grandmother as source material. In 1930, Esperanza lives a privileged life on a ranch in Aguascalientes, Mexico. But when her father dies, the post-Revolutionary culture and politics force her to leave with her mother for California. Now they are indebted to the family who previously worked for them, for securing them work on a farm in the San Joaquin valley. Esperanza balks at her new situation, but eventually becomes as accustomed to it as she was in her previous home, and comes to realize that she is still relatively privileged to be on a year-round farm with a strong community. She sees migrant workers forced from their jobs by families arriving from the Dust Bowl, and camps of strikers—many of them US citizens—deported in the "voluntary repatriation" that sent at least 450,000 Mexicans and Mexican-Americans back to Mexico in the early 1930s. Ryan's narrative has an epic tone, characters that develop little and predictably, and a romantic patina that often undercuts the harshness of her story. But her style is engaging, her characters appealing, and her story is one that—though a deep-rooted part of the history of California, the Depression, and thus the nation—is little heard in children's fiction. It bears telling to a wider audience. (author's note) (Fiction. 9-15)--Kirkus Reviews, October, 2000.

This exciting, well-written historical novel is based on the true-life experiences of the author's grandmother, Esperanza Ortega. Thirteen-year-old Esperanza and her newly widowed mother are forced to leave their fairytale existence at beautiful Rancho de las Rosas in Mexico, to live and work in a migrant worker camp in the San Joaquin Valley during the Great Depression. Adjustments to her new life are difficult for Esperanza and the harsh living conditions and hard labor are so different from her earlier life of privilege and wealth, especially after Mama becomes seriously ill with valley fever. But like the phoenix in her beloved grandma's story, Esperanza endures, "Rising again, with a new life ahead..." The author does a very good job of portraying the caring and solidarity, as well as the hardships, of Mexican-American labor camps of the era. An author's note is included. This book would be a great choice for a multicultural collection.--Children's Literature.

In The Library

I would recommend it to middle school and early high school students. This is a great book for immigrant students to read because they could identify with the overall theme. This would also be a good book to include in a Hispanic Heritage Month display.

Module 9: Somebody

Springer, N. (2009). Somebody. New York, NY: Holiday House.

Summary

This is the story of a fifteen year-old girl who moves frequently with her brother and father. She has been told that her mother abandoned them when she was a little kid. She begins to wonder why she has to change her name and hair color with every move. Her father is emotionally abusive to her and changes his story almost as frequently as they move. One day, she remembers a name, Sherica, and realizes that is her real name. She goes to the library and googles her name and discovers that she was kidnapped by her father when she was little. A computer geek who works at the library named Mason ends up helping her with her search for truth and in finding her mother. Ultimately, this is the story of a young girl searching for answers in a life that has been built on lies.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Yes, I liked this book and was compelled to see how it turned out. The first person narration of the story helped me really get inside Sherica's head and understand what she was thinking and going through. Her father's cruel abuse and attempts to keep her fat and unhealthy were hard to read yet necessary to understand the character.

Reviews

Gr 6-9-Suspicious of her family's secretive lifestyle, 15-year-old Sherica finally decides to investigate her past. Just why do she, her older brother, and their father move so frequently, always assuming new names and changing their hair color? Why do Daddy's stories about her mother keep changing? Why don't they have family photos, cell phones, or Internet access? She summons up the courage to apply for her first library card so she can use the computer to search online. When she discovers a picture of herself at age five accompanied by the message, "Help this girl's desperate mother find her," she runs from the building in shock. With the help of a geeky teenage library employee, who learns her secret when he assists the next computer user, Sherica gradually decides to contact her mother while attempting to avoid getting her father into trouble with the law. The plot of this book is ridiculously unbelievable and the characters are flat and undeveloped. Because the topic of child abduction is of great interest and the author is known for other, far superior works, many youngsters will be drawn to this novel only to be disappointed. Those looking for a worthwhile read on this subject should stick with Caroline Cooney's perennially popular The Face on the Milk Carton (Delacorte, 1990).--School Library Journal, August, 2009,

Debbie, Suzy, Louanne, Rose, Patty, Marsha, June, Nancy, Ginny, and Dot are the names by which Sherica has been known as her father moved her and her brother from state to state, town to town. Each move always involves a new hair color, a new school, a new house, and a new job for her father. The only constant in her life is her perpetual eating, a ploy to fill the void inside her. She is told that her mother is a slut who left them for a pony-tailed motorcycle rider, but somehow that does not ring true to her. Sherica is befriended by Adelle, the friendly cashier at the Handy Hardware Store and Locksmith, and Mason, a dweeby, skinny library employee with family problems of his own. With their support, she searches the Internet for her mother and finds words like "abducted," "kidnapped," and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She desperately wants to locate her mother but does not want to get her father in trouble. This story just does not work. What fifteen-year-old girl would not wonder whether her constant locations changes were a little strange? Would she not think that rental homes, new jobs, and new names were a tad bizarre or doubt that Mason and his family's escape in the middle of the night was standard? Sherica evokes no sympathy or compassion and has no concern for whether or not she becomes somebody. One would expect more from such a talented and proven author. Give readers of this type of book Caroline B. Cooney's The Face on the Milk Carton (Delacorte, 1990) or Twice Taken by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Delacorte, 1994/VOYA June 1994) as alternatives.--Voice of Youth Advocates, April, 2009.

In The Library

I would recommend this to late middle school or high school girls for reading. It could also be used in a book group.

Module 8: James and The Giant Peach

Dahl, R. (1961). James and the giant peach. New York, NY: Penguin.

Summary

This is the story of a little boy named James who loses his parents in an accident and has to live with two mean, cruel aunts. One day he receives magic crystals from a strange man and accidentally drops them near the peach tree in his yard. One peach begins to grow until it is, well, giant! James goes inside the peach and begins a new fantasy life with insects.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Absolutely, this is a well-loved children's classic. I couldn't really remember the story (except for the giant peach part!) so I re-read it for this module and thoroughly enjoyed it. It has all the elements of a great children's story: mean, evil aunts, friendly insects, and fantasy galore.

Reviews

Lane Smith trades stinky cheese for fantastic fruit with his black-and-white illustrations for Roald Dahl's classic 1961 novel, James and the Giant Peach. The reissue is timed to coincide with the release of the Disney animated motion picture based on Smith's suitably subversive visual interpretation.--Publisher's Weekly, April, 1996.

This newly illustrated edition of an avowed children's favorite has all the makings of a classic match-up: Milne had Shepard, Carroll had Tenniel, and now Dahl has Smith. Yes, there is a movie tied in to all of this, but more importantly, author and illustrator were made for each other, and it's of little consequence that it took almost 35 years for them to meet.--Kirkus Reviews

In The Library

I recommend this book to middle elementary grades. This is also an excellent books to recommend to parents for read-alouds at home. It is a classic that every child should experience.

Module 8: My Summer on Earth

Lombardi, T. (2008). My summer on earth. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster.

Summary

This is the story of Clint, an alien sent to Earth to bring back another alien who went to Earth and didn't return and has become an actor in Hollywood. When Clint arrives in Los Angeles to look for the alien he is supposed to bring home, he comes in the form of a teenage boy. Instead of getting the job done and taking the alien home, he settles into the life of the teenager. He enjoys the beach and meets lots of interesting characters including a runaway named Zoe whom he falls hard for. Clint has no experience with human sex and much of the book is very graphic as he explores this new area.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Not for me, thank you. I found this book too graphic and honestly, I had to make myself finish it. Science Fiction is not a favorite genre of mine, and this is not a book I would want to pick up again.

Reviews

Clint, an alien disguised as a human, is on a mission to Los Angeles. His orders are to retrieve another being who defected from his planet to became an Oscar-nominated actor on Earth. The aliens fear the alien-turned-actor plans to make a film about their planet that will threaten their existence. In order to assimilate into Earthling culture, Clint wears an Earth suit modeled after a younger version of a prominent actor on Earth, Clint Eastwood. Clint has always wanted an adventure, but he is unprepared for life on Earth as a teenage male. Clint is quickly distracted by earthling females and becomes obsessed with experiencing Earthling sex. He is drawn to Zoe, a local runaway, forcing Clint to decide between following through with the mission or defecting to stay with Zoe. Alien disguised as teenage boy seems like a great premise, but this book falls flat quickly. The intended humor of clueless and foul-mouthed Clint fumbling through teenaged life on Earth is lost through the excessive profanity and extreme overuse of the word douche-for example douchey mission. The book's irony is the mature content in the face of excessively immature writing and characterization. The sexual content can be over-the-top, especially when readers discover Clint has a larger than average penis size. The poor writing, crude toilet humor, and mature scenes give this book a very limited audience.--Voice of Youth Advocates, August, 2008.

A potty-mouthed young alien disguised as a teenager wades ashore on Southern California's Venice Beach and discovers that he has a lot to learn, both about impersonating a human and about getting laid. Who better to teach him than a junkie beach bum, a 15-year-old runaway named Zoë, and a member of his own species masquerading as a fading Hollywood superstar? Well, yes, almost anyone else but there you are. Lombardi's debut covers so many bases (romantic comedy, SoCal satire, and a poignant coming-of-age tale) that many readers will suffer mental whiplash, but the inspired premise, the frequent raunchy bits, and hilarious misunderstandings will elicit gales of guffaws from some young echo boomers. Not a first purchase, but fun for some.--Booklist, March, 2008.

In The Library

Honestly, I'm not sure. This is very graphic book with explicit sexual content that would need to be monitored closely.

Module 7: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

Mackler, C. (2003). The earth, my butt, and other big round things. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Summary

Virginia is a young high school girl growing up in New York City whose best friend has just moved away. She is overweight which her adolescent psychologist mother constantly reminds her about. While she has a strained relationship with her mom, she has a pretty close relationship with her dad, although they mostly bond by watching TV and eating Chinese food. Her older brother is away at college. When he date rapes a girl on campus, Virginia's family shuts down and becomes even more dysfunctional. All the while, Virginia is developing a relationship with Froggy Welsh the Fourth who doesn't talk to her much at school but likes to kiss her and touch her in the seclusion of her bedroom. After her brother's crime, Virginia begins to rebel, the culmination being when she buys a ticket to visit her friend in Seattle, dyes her hair and gets a piercing. It is only at the end of the book that she and her mother start to communicate in a more healthy way.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Definitely! This was an excellent book that I couldn't put down. I highly recommend it to high school girls. Mackler does an excellent job at really getting into the mind of Virginia and helping the reader see everything from her perspective.

Reviews

Gr 7-10-Overweight 15-year-old Virginia Shreves is the misfit in what she perceives as her perfect, thin, good-looking, exceptional family in this novel by Carolyn Mackler (Candlewick, 2003). Her usually absent father and adolescent psychologist mother are so stifling that Virginia's older sister joins the Peace Corp to escape. Big brother Byron is universally adored by all, particularly Virginia, until halfway through the novel when he is suspended from college for date rape. Virginia slowly comes to realize that Byron is the cause of many of her insecurities, and she is the only one in the family to acknowledge and do something about the fact that he did commit this terrible crime. The absence of Virginia's best friend, romantic entanglement with Froggy Welsh, and the many casual cruelties perpetrated on her by the in-crowd cause Virginia stress and create a serious lack of self- esteem. However, once she realizes her perfect family isn't quite as flawless as she thought, Virginia is empowered to stand up to her awful but well-intentioned mother, reestablish contact with Froggy, and even do the ultimate in teen defiance-get a body piercing. Johanna Parker is a superb narrator for this first person novel. She successfully portrays the angry mother, clueless father, whiny and irresponsible brother, vapid in-girls and, best of all, the appealing main character. Pacing is excellent and Parker perfectly conveys the nuances of teen insecurity in all its painful glory. While the author tries to deal with too many issues and ends up giving many of them short shrift, teens will certainly care and root for the marvelous Virginia Shreves.-B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Harbor, NY--School Library Journal, December, 2004

A "chubby" New York City teen faces pressures from her family to get thin, and her brother is suspended from college on charges of date rape. "The heroine's transformation into someone who finds her own style and speaks her own mind is believable-and worthy of applause," according to PW. Ages 14-up.--Publisher's Weekly, August, 2005

In The Library

While it has been considered controversial, I believe this is an excellent book for high school students, especially girls. There is so much to this book that would lead to thought-provoking discussions; it's a perfect choice for a girls' book discussion group.

Module 7: Stargirl

Spinelli, J. (2004). Stargirl. New York, NY: Random House.

Summary

This is the story of a girl named Stargirl who is new to Mica High School. At first, the other students are amazed by her quirkiness and unique personality (for example, playing a ukulele at school). She is extremely kind-hearted and charitable. Soon she becomes extremely popular and begins dating a guy named Leo, the narrator of the book. Eventually, the school decides she isn't so great, and her world (and Leo's) starts to unravel. Leo wants her to conform to the norm and give up individuality.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Yes, this is a very interesting book that explores popularity in high school, conforming to fit in, and what happens when you don't conform. For me, it was a quick read and a real page turner. I was anxious to see how it all played out.

Reviews

Gr 6-10-High school is a time of great conformity, when being just like everybody else is of paramount importance. So it is no surprise that Stargirl Caraway causes such excitement and confusion when she arrives at Mica High in Arizona. Initially, everyone is charmed by her unconventional behavior- she wears unusual clothing, she serenades the lunchroom with her ukulele, she practices random acts of kindness, she is cheerleader extraordinaire in a place with no school spirit. Naturally, this cannot last and eventually her individuality is reviled. The story is told by Leo, who falls in love with Stargirl's zany originality, but who then finds himself unable to let go of the need to be conventional. Spinelli's use of a narrator allows readers the distance necessary to appreciate Stargirl's eccentricity and Leo's need to belong to the group, without removing them from the immediacy of the story. That makes the ending all the more disappointing-to discover that Leo is looking back imposes an unnecessary adult perspective on what happened in high school. The prose lapses into occasionally unfortunate flowery flights, but this will not bother those readers-girls especially-who will understand how it feels to not quite fit the mold and who attempt to exult in their differences.-Sharon Grover, Arlington County Department of Libraries, VA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.--School Library Journal, August, 2000.

Part fairy godmother, part outcast, part dream-come-true, the star of Spinelli's latest novel possesses many of the mythical qualities as the protagonist of his Maniac Magee. As narrator Leo Borlock reflects on his junior year in a New Mexico high school, Stargirl takes center stage. Even before she appears at Mica High, Spinelli hints at her invisible presence; readers, like Leo, will wonder if Stargirl is real or some kind of mirage in the Sonoran Desert. By describing the girl through the eyes of a teen intermittently repulsed by and in love with her, Spinelli cunningly exposes her elusive qualities. Having been homeschooled, Stargirl appears at Mica High dressed as a hippie holdover and toting a ukulele, which she uses to serenade students on their birthdays; she marks holidays with Halloween candy and Valentine cards for all. As her cheerleading antics draw record crowds to the school's losing football team's games, her popularity skyrockets, yet a subtle foreboding infuses the narrative and readers know it's only a matter of time until she falls from grace. For Leo, caught between his peers and his connection to Stargirl, the essential question boils down to one offered to him by a sage adult friend: "Whose affection do you value more, hers or the others'?" As always respectful of his audience, Spinelli poses searching questions about loyalty to one's friends and oneself and leaves readers to form their own answers. Ages 12-up.--Publisher's Weekly, June, 2000.

In The Library

I would recommend this for middle school or early high school students. Because of the themes of popularity, conformity, cliques, etc. it is a great book for a group discussion. It would provoke lots of thought provoking questions and comments.

Module 6: Clementine

Pennypacker, S. (2006). Clementine. New York, NY: Hyperion.

Summary

Clementine is a little girl with reddish orange hair who keeps finding herself in trouble without trying to do anything wrong. She means well, and her mischievous ways really are the result of her trying to do what she thinks is the right thing. This book is about one particularly bad week when she cuts her friend Margaret's hair, draws on her head with permanent marker (to replace the cut hair), continuously gets sent to the principal's office, etc. She lives in the basement of a New York City apartment building with her artist mom and building handy-man dad and little brother.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Yes, the Clementine series of books are fun, quick reads that make me smile. I like her spunky attitude and somewhat clueless nature. She always thinks she's doing the right thing but always manages to get in trouble. In today's world, Clementine would be labeled ADD and prescribed medicine. I like how she gets to float through life leaving mischief in her wake in these stories.

Reviews

Gr 2-4-In Sara Pennypacker's beginning chapter book (Hyperion, 2006), Clementine is always being told that she doesn't pay attention to her teachers, but she does focus on details that are important to her. These observations get Clementine into trouble, but often help her save the day, such as dealing with a pigeon problem in the front of her apartment building. Pennypacker shows empathy for the third-grade experience as Clementine describes the ups and downs of a week in her life via a series of very humorous scenarios. Jessica Almasy's childish tone is completely believable in her first-person narration. Have the book available so listeners can read along and see Marla Frazee's wonderful pen-and-ink illustrations that perfectly capture Clementine's spirit. An entertaining listen for classes or individual students.-Cynthia Grabke, Halifax Elementary School, MA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.--School Library Journal, November, 2007

As Clementine says, Spectacularful ideas are always sproinging up in my brain. All the better for readers who like to laugh. Reminiscent of both Ramona and Junie B. Jones, Clementine is an ingenuous third-grader with a talent for trouble and a good heart. Her best friend is her neighbor Margaret, a fourth-grader who experiences both qualities firsthand. After all, plenty of kids may have had their hair chopped off by a helpful friend in an effort to get the glue out, but how many of those friends would think to improve matters by drawing hair back on the scalp, forehead, and neck with a Flaming Sunset permanent marker? It looked beautiful, like a giant tattoo of tangled worms, Clementine observes in the fresh, funny, first-person narrative. Frazee's expressive ink drawings capture every nuance of the characters' emotions, from bemusement to anger to dejection. Sometimes touching and frequently amusing, this engaging chapter book is well suited to reading alone or reading aloud to a roomful of children.--Carolyn Phelan, Booklist, October, 2006

In The Library

This is a fun book to recommend to mid-late elementary age students. I think that even boys would like it because Clementine is always getting into trouble and feels that it is unfair.

Module 5: Llama Llama Misses Mama

Dewdney, A. (2009). Llama llama misses mama. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

Summary

This is a very sweet story of Llama Llama's first day of school. In a nice rhyming pattern, we read about the things he does to get ready to go to school and what happens when his mama walks him into his classroom. The pictures are darling and very colorful. All of Llama Llama's animal friends will be especially appealing to young children. While the other animals seem to be enjoying their day at school, Llama Llama is sad and feels lonely. He doesn't understand why his mama left him there. When he starts to cry at lunch, the teacher talks to him and tells him that it's okay to miss his mama and that she'll be back at the end of the day. Soon he gets distracted and starts to play with the other animals. Before he knows it, his mama has returned to pick him up.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

This one would go great with a cup of Sleepytime tea! This is one of the sweetest picture books I have read in a while. The author has other Llama Llama books that are equally as good. I think that all young children would love this as a bedtime story due to the rhyming and cute pictures.

Reviews

Dewdney's third book in the series retains the charm of the earlier titles. This time the little llama is starting school. He feels shy and lonely and misses his mama, but the day is saved by friendly intervention from his teacher and classmates. She reassures him, "Don't be sad, new little llama!/It's OK to miss your mama./But don't forget-/when day is through,/she will come right back to you." The children invite him to play and keep him busy and happy until his mother arrives. In a satisfying conclusion, the little llama realizes that he can love both Mama and school. Emotionally realistic storytelling, a bouncing rhythm, skilled rhyming, and expressive paintings in bright colors make for a pleasing package. Youngsters just beginning school will relate to Llama Llama's feelings, and caregivers will appreciate the story's supportive message.-Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL--School Library Journal, June, 2009.

Llama Llama starts school in the third of Dewdney's gentle series. When Mama Llama waves goodbye to Llama Llama, he starts to feel sad. Despite Llama Llama's trepidations, bright colors and bold patterns make the school welcoming: the teacher is a hip zebra wearing pink and purple, and the other children (cat, goat, sheep and giraffe, among others) enthusiastically make art and play together. Slowly, Llama Llama comes around and decides that "he loves Mama... and school too!" The expressive animal faces and attention to detail make it a charming addition.--Publisher's Weekly, March, 2009.

In The Library

This is a great storytime book for pre-school and Kindergarten students who might be experiencing the same loneliness and sadness as Llama Llama. It could also be used in daycare centers for older ones who have trouble saying goodbye in the morning.

I would also recommend it as a bedtime book to any parent who mentions having trouble dropping off in the morning due to a clingy child who doesn't want Mama (or Daddy) to go.

Module 4: Jacob Have I Loved

Paterson, K. (1980). Jacob have I loved. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Summary

Sara Louise is the least favored of twin girls growing up on an island in the Chesapeake Bay during World War II. She is more of a tomboy, helping her father with fishing and crabbing while her sister excels in singing, eventually going to Julliard on scholarship. Growing up, Sara Louise is jealous of her sister and can't understand why she doesn't get the praise that Caroline gets. She resents the attention showered on her sister and feels left out. Eventually, as an adult, Sara Louise moves away and finally comes into her own person.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

This is a good book, although I felt it dragged at times. There is a lot to the book however and definitely worth reading.

Reviews

1981 Newbery Award

Katherine Paterson's acclaimed novel (HarperCollins, 1980) tells of Sara Louise, a girl with a twin so beautiful, talented, and charming that Sara can find no real place or identity for herself either with her family or on the small island in the Chesapeake Bay which is her home. While Sara Louise spends her days in the shadows helping her father with the crabs and oysters that are their livelihood, Caroline becomes a star performer in island concerts, wins a scholarship to Julliard, and eventually claims Sara Louise's fishing buddy as her adoring fiancee. Set during World War II, the story builds slowly to a powerful and believable climax in which Sara Louise realizes that she can come out of the shadows by leaving her family and the island behind. Narrator Christina Moore is more than equal to the difficult task of telling the story from Sara Louise's viewpoint by sounding resentful at times, but never resorting to an unbroken bitterness that would become grating. Her Sara Louise is understandably human with energy, intelligence, and wit that causes listeners to side with and believe in her. The island setting has more than its share of salty, Bible pounding characters, and Moore is able to capture them. All libraries will benefit from owning this outstanding telling of a remarkable tale.--School Library Journal, October, 1998.

Set in the 1940s on an island in the Chesapeake Bay, this novel allows the reader to grow with Louise Bradshaw as she develops from an angry, bitter, and jealous twin sister to an emotionally healthy adult. Characterization, plot, setting, and theme are interwoven to make this a rich literary experience.--Booklist, March, 1990

In The Library

This is a great book for late middle school and high school. Girls especially will enjoy this story of growing up in the shadow of a sibling, striving for parents' attention.

Module 4: The First Part Last

Johnson, A. (2003). The first part last. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Summary

This is the story of Bobby, a sixteen year-old father who is raising his infant daughter and trying to stay in high school. The story bounces between "then" and "now", before the baby and current time. It is a realistic book that describes his intense fatigue from being up with the baby all night, his mixed emotions with his friends; and his desperate attempts to do what he thinks is right for the baby without a lot of support. Bobby's mom allows him to live with her but does not help with the baby. He does consider giving the baby up for adoption but decides to keep her. Throughout the book, we only read about Nia, the baby's mother, in the "then" chapters. By the end of the book, we learn why she is not involved with the baby.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

I found this book to be a real page-turner and a quick read. I hadn't read anything dealing with teenage pregnancy from the father's point of view and enjoyed this book. It is both tragic and heartwarming to read the story of this somewhat lost sixteen year-old who is desperately trying to raise his baby whom he adores. I found myself feeling sympathetic for him and at the same time, sad for all of the teenagers who have made choices and are now in this same position. I work in a high school with many teenage parents, and I see their struggles on a daily basis, but honestly, I usually see this from the mother's perspective, not the father's. It was very interesting reading this from Bobby's point of view. The situation with Nia had me guessing until the end when we learn about her fate.

Reviews

Coretta Scott King Award, 2004

Michael L. Printz Award, 2004

This Printz and Coretta Scott King Award winner has one of the best covers ever put to a teen book, depicting a beautiful and devoted father cradling a sleeping infant. It is almost a shame that the awards stickers cover so much of it. Bobby is a teen father left to raise his daughter, Feather, when her mother suffers from irreversible brain damage. He must navigate the responsibility of caring for an infant and all the anxiety that comes from hoping for a better future for her. Why It Is for Us: If you read the book aloud, it sounds less like prose than pure poetry. Bobby is in love with his baby girl, and you feel it on every page. While he considers giving her up for adoption, he ultimately decides to parent her himself. "I'm supposed to suck it up and do all the right things if I can, even if I screw it up and have to do it over." True words for any father, 16 or 36.--Library Journal, March, 2009

Gr 7 Up-Angela Johnson's Printz Award-winning novel (S & S, 2003) is perfectly suited to the audiobook medium, and Khalipa Oldjohn narrates this first person tale with poignant authenticity of tone and pacing. At 16, Bobby struggles to be a father to his newborn daughter while keeping up with school, maintaining his boyhood friendships, and trying to live up to his parents' expectations. Told in alternating passages of "Now" and "Then," the back-story that has brought Bobby to this point falls steadily but deliberately into place, with the revelation of why Bobby is a single father arriving only near the very end. In spite of its brevity, the story is complex and satisfying. Bobby is both boy and man, responsible and overwhelmed, near panic and able to plan an intelligent and loving future for Feather, the daughter he adores and nurtures. In audio format, this story can readily be shared in just a class period or two and will grab listeners immediately, making it an ideal subject for class discussion. It will also be instantly popular for leisure reading outside of school.--School Library Journal, February, 2005

In The Library

With parent permission, this would be an excellent selection for a boys reading group in late middle school or high school.

I would also recommend it to a school counselor doing a group for teenage fathers.

Module 3: The Tequila Worm

Canales, V. (2005). The tequila worm. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

Summary

This is a wonderful book about Sofia, a young girl growing up in a barrio of McAllen, Texas. She longs to explore another life and gets an opportunity when she wins a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school in Austin. She has to convince her traditional Mexican family to allow her to make the move to Austin for high school. The book is filled with rich descriptions of her Mexican heritage, holiday traditions, and daily life in the barrio. The characters come to life through the story telling aspect of the book.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Definitely! Although, you might find yourself wanting some hot chocolate while reading this book because Sofia drinks it quite often throughout the book. I loved this book and highly recommend it. Canales has a gift for characterization, and everyone in the book comes to life. Living in Texas and working with Hispanic students made the book that much more interesting to me. When the book ended, I wanted to know more about the adult lives of Sofia, Berta, and Lucy. I found myself wishing there was a sequel.

Reviews

Gr 5-8-Sofia, 14, lives in McAllen, TX. What she lacks in material possessions, she makes up for in personality and intelligence. When she is called a "taco head" by a student at her school, she decides to "kick that girl" by getting better grades and being a better soccer player than her tormentor. As a result of this determination, Sofia is offered a scholarship to the elite Saint Luke's school in Austin. Now she must convince her family and herself that she is up to the challenge. Canales includes vivid descriptions of life in a Mexican-American community. Her prose is engaging and easy to read, making this novel a good choice for reluctant readers. The momentum slows a bit after Sofia's arrival in Austin in contrast to the portion of the book set in McAllen. Still, the story is a good addition to most collections.-Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX--School Library Journal, February, 2006.

This tender first novel suffers somewhat from an awkward structure. Narrator Sofia, whose life story hews closely to the author's own Texas barrio-to-Harvard Law trajectory, begins by relating quotidian childhood experiences as vignettes. Three successive chapters go from first communion to dyeing Easter cascarones to trick-or-treating. A quarter of the way into the novel, she is suddenly 14 and has been offered a scholarship to a boarding school in Austin, Tex., 350 miles from her home in McAllen. The loosely connected anecdotes then shift to a conventional narrative thread about convincing her parents to let her attend. What will keep readers enthralled are the details of Sofia's home life-from the sobremesa, a "sacred time" after dinner in which the family reconnects through conversation, to the worm of the title, a critter soaked in mescal that acts as a "cure for homesickness" when eaten. Readers may well feel unprepared for both a death at novel's end and Sofia's out-of-the-blue neighborhood activism-but the characters are real and engaging, the vignettes funny and enlightening, and Sofia's lack of cynicism is refreshing. Ages 12-up.--Publisher's Weekly, November, 2005

In The Library

This would be a great selection for an older elementary/middle school girls book club. Lots of great discussion questions can be created from this excellent story.

It would also be a good book to spotlight in a display during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Module 3: So You Want to Be President?

St. George, J. (2000). So you want to be president? New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Summary

So You Want to Be President? is a humorous and informative look at our nation's first 42 presidents. David Small won the Caldecott Medal in 2001 for his awesome illustrations that add much to the story. The story combines descriptions of the presidency with trivia about the men who have held its office. For example, it lists the number of presidents with certain names (six James, four Johns, etc.) and recounts the military service of so many of our presidents. St. George includes interesting stories about individual presidents. For example, William Harrison "walked to market every morning with a basket over his arm." She adds facts that children would find appealing, such as which presidents had what types of pets. Historical information is included as well as the oath that each president takes upon inauguration. The overall message is that there are a lot of similarities among our presidents and some differences too, but each one tried to do his best to serve our country well.

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Yes, this is a very entertaining book that includes a lot of interesting historical information. As a former social studies teacher, I found myself saying "huh, I didn't know that" several times throughout the book. It gives a very good overview of the presidency and even though George W. Bush and Barack Obama aren't included, it is timely and relevant. I really enjoyed the illustrations by Small and chuckled at several of them. This is a great book that I highly recommend!

Reviews

Caldecott Medal, 2001

Gr 4-8-Curious tidbits of personal information and national history combine with humorously drawn caricatures to give this tongue-in-cheek picture book a quirky appeal. "There are good things about being President and there are bad things about being President." So begins a walk through a brief history of facts, successes, oddities, and mishaps. For example, most readers won't know that William Howard Taft weighed over 300 pounds and ordered a specially made bathtub. Small's drawing of a naked Taft being lowered into a water-filled tub by means of a crane should help them remember. Another spread depicts a men's shop where Andrew Johnson (a tailor) fits Ronald Reagan (an actor) for a suit while Harry Truman (a haberdasher) stands behind the counter. While the text exposes the human side of the individuals, the office of the presidency is ultimately treated with respect and dignity. A list of presidents with terms of office, birthplace, date of birth and death, and a one-sentence summary of their accomplishments is provided. This title will add spark to any study of this popular subject.-Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.--School Library Journal, August, 2000

This lighthearted, often humorous roundup of anecdotes and trivia is cast as a handbook of helpful hints to aspiring presidential candidates. St. George (Sacagawea; Crazy Horse) points out that it might boost your odds of being elected if your name is James (the moniker of six former presidents) or if your place of birth was a humble dwelling ("You probably weren't born in a log cabin. That's too bad. People are crazy about log-cabin Presidents. They elected eight"). She serves up diverse, occasionally tongue-in-cheek tidbits and spices the narrative with colorful quotes from her subjects. For instance, she notes that "Warren Harding was a handsome man, but he was one of our worst Presidents" due to his corrupt administration, and backs it up with one of his own quotes, "I am not fit for this office and never should have been here." Meanwhile, Small (The Gardener) shows Harding crowned king of a "Presidential Beauty Contest"; all the other presidents applaud him (except for a grimacing Nixon). The comical, caricatured artwork emphasizes some of the presidents' best known qualities and amplifies the playful tone of the text. For an illustration of family histories, Small depicts eight diminutive siblings crawling over a patient young George Washington; for another featuring pre-presidential occupations, Harry Truman stands at the cash register of his men's shop while Andrew Johnson (a former tailor) makes alterations on movie star Ronald Reagan's suit. The many clever, quirky asides may well send readers off on a presidential fact-finding missionDand spark many a discussion of additional anecdotes. A clever and engrossing approach to the men who have led America. Ages 7-up. (Aug.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.--Publisher's Weekly, July, 2000

In The Library

This is an excellent book for early elementary classes studying the presidency. An activity would be to describe our current president by researching some of the items found in the book. For example: What pet does he have? How tall is he? What is his religion? etc.

It would also be great for library displays that spotlight President's Day, an electoral season, or an inaugural season.

Module 2: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Blume, J. (1970). Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. New York, NY: Atheneum Books.

Summary

Margaret Simon is a sixth grader who has just moved from New York City to a suburb in New Jersey and is facing lots of changes and questions in her life. She misses her grandmother who lives in the city and is also dealing with the physical changes (or lack thereof in Margaret's case) of puberty. She makes friends in New Jersey, and they form a secret club where they talk about the boys they like, make a pact to start wearing a bra (whether they need one or not), and frequently checking in to see if anyone has started her period yet. Throughout the story, Margaret is also trying to figure out what religion she is because she has been raised without religion. Her father was raised Jewish, and her mother was raised Christian, but as a family, they don't practice any religion. Margaret continues her own close relationship to God and frequently talks to him, always starting with, "Are you there God? It's me, Margaret."

Worth Another Cup of Tea?

Absolutely! Judy Blume is an expert in YA literature, and this one is no exception. I think this is an excellent book for young girls to read. Even though it was written in 1970, its themes are still timely and relevant. I believe it is written in such a way that today's girls would enjoy it and not think of it as an older book.

Reviews

Judy Blume's body of work returns to her original editor, Richard Jackson, with the rerelease of four classics in hardcover. An African-American family moves to all-white Grove Street in Iggie's House, to be released in April. The author's breakthrough title, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, about 11-year old Margaret Simon's struggles with puberty and religion, is now available in hardcover as well as in a Spanish-language edition, Estas ahi Dios? Soy yo, Margaret. Two additional titles came out last season: Blubber takes on preteen teasing; and It's Not the End of the World explores the effects of divorce. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.--Publisher's Weekly, March, 2002

If anyone tried to determine the most common rite of passage for preteen girls in North America, a girl's first reading of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret would rank near the top of the list. Judy Blume and her character Margaret Simon were the first to say out loud (and in a book even) that it is normal for girls to wonder when they are ever going to fill out their training bras. Puberty is a curious and annoying time. Girls' bodies begin to do freakish things--or, as in Margaret's case, they don't do freakish things nearly as fast as girls wish they would. Adolescents are often so relieved to discover that someone understands their body-angst that they miss one of the book's deeper explorations: a young person's relationship with God. Margaret has a very private relationship with God, and it's only after she moves to New Jersey and hangs out with a new friend that she discovers that it might be weird to talk to God without a priest or a rabbi to mediate. Margaret just wants to fit in! Who is God, and where is He when she needs Him? She begins to look into the cups of her training bra for answers.--Amazon.com

In The Library

This would be good for individual reading for girls in late elementary and early middle school or possibly in a book group. Personally, I don't find the contents to be inappropriate, but I can see how some could find this book to be controversial. I think that parent permission would be a good idea before using it in a book group.