The Lions of Little Rock

 

Levine, Kristin, and Annie B. Ericsson. The lions of Little Rock. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2012. Print.

ISBN:   9780399256448

Audience: Ages  9-14, Grade 4-8

Summary: It’s 1958 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and twelve year old Marlee doesn’t talk – at least not to anyone outside her family. But then she meets Liz who is brave and stands up to the mean girls. When Liz is forced to leave school because she was a black girl passing as while, Marlee has to take on the community and danger in order to keep her best friend.

Strengths:  While the historical context of this story makes it perfect for 5th grade curriculum integration, there is so much more here. The main character is a fully realized girl. Marlee shows courage and growth throughout the story, and the relationships she forms are amazing. The theme of having the courage to stand up for what is right resonates just as strongly for current times as it does in the historic setting.  Levine doesn't sugarcoat the realities of integration, but she also draws people who are not just one-dimensional. 

Weaknesses:  There are some instances of discrimination and prejudice that could be upsetting to particularly sensitive readers. Some background knowledge of the time period would probably help to make the book most accessible for readers.

Uses:  The historical elements of the book make it perfect for the TN 5^th grade standards that have to do with segregation and civil rights, but it would also be a good read aloud for other grades that are studying black history. The characters are wonderfully drawn (CCSS ELA:RL.3 Grades K-6), and the story elements would be easily identifiable (CCSS ELA: RL.5 Grades 2-5). 

Read-alikes:

·      Goin’ Someplace Special – Patricia C. McKissack (A picture book about growing up in the segregated South.)

·      A Friendship for Today – Patricia C. McKissack (A novel about desegregation in Missouri.)

·      The Watsons Go to Birmingham – Christopher Paul Curtis (A Michigan family travels to Birmingham and gets caught up in a racially charged environment.)

·      Through My Eyes – Ruby Bridges (memoir of Ruby Bridges about becoming the first black student at an elementary school in Louisiana) 

·      Ruby Bridges (movie) – Disney film about the segregation story of Ruby Bridges

Awards: 

NYT Editor’s Choice Award

Other:   Starred reviews from Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal

Resources for Librarians & Teachers:

Reader’s Guide: http://www.us.penguingroup.com/static/images/yr/pdf/LionsLittleRock_ReaderComp.pdf

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Grabenstein, Chris. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library. New York: Random House, 2013. Print.

ISBN:   978-0-375-87089-7

Audience: Ages 9-12, Grade 4-6

Summary: Kyle Keeley is the class clown and a lover of all kind of games.  The gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello is his idol. So when Kyle finds out that Lemoncello is the brains behind the new town library he eagerly applies to win a spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library. Kyle wins, and gets to spend the night for a sleepover full of gaming. But when morning comes, the kids are locked in and they must solve the secret mystery in order to find the way out. 

Strengths:  This creative book is homage to libraries and books. It is full of creative puzzles and word play and references many famous novels and authors. The adventure is accessible and many kids will want to play along.

Weaknesses:  At times, the references are a bit dated, and the authors and books might not be ones that kids would easily recognize. The characters are flat and a bit stereotypical – I would have liked to see some growth in them over the course of the story.

Uses:  With all of the puzzles and word play, this book is perfect for teaching inference (CCSS ELA: RL.1 Grades 4-6). There is a great deal of figurative language to read and interpret as well (CCSS ELA:L.5 Grades 1-6). The story elements would be easy to identify (CCSS ELA: RL.5 Grades 2-5).

Read-alikes:

·      Charlie & the Chocolate Factory -   Roald Dahl (story of a boy who goes into a wacky world)

·      The Westing Game – Ellen Raskin (mystery story where the residents of an apartment building try and solve a puzzle to win a large inheritance)

·      A Night at the Museum (movie) – (movie where the characters are stuck overnight in a museum)

·      Chasing Vermeer – Blue Balliett (art mystery where kids try and to solve clues to recover stolen paintings)

·      The Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler – E.L. Koningsberg (two runaways hide in a museum and discover a mystery)

Awards: 

·      ALSC Notable

·      Cybils Finalist

·      Parents Magazine Best Book

·      NYT Best Seller

·      Bank Street College Best Book

·      Washington Post Best Book

Other:   Starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and Shelf Awareness

Resources for Librarians & Teachers:

Study Guide:  http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/PDFs/escape-from-mr-lemoncellos-library-study-guide.pdf

Flora & Ulysses

DiCamillo, Kate, and K. G. Campbell. Flora & Ulysses: the illuminated adventures. Somerville, Mass: Candlewick Press, 2013. Print.

ISBN: 076366040X

Audience: Ages 8-12, Grade 3-6

Summary: Flora Belle Buckman loves comic books and superheroes, but she doesn’t believe much in happy endings. When a squirrel is accidently vacuumed up by her neighbor, Flora steps in and rescues it with amazing consequences. The squirrel has super powers – Ulysses is strong, can fly, and writes poetry! Flora helps protect Ulysses from his nemesis, experiences some amazing adventures, and discovers hope for her world along the way.  

Strengths:  There are some laugh out loud funny parts to this story and the amazing illustrations would appeal to comic book lovers. The message is an endearing one of hope, and DiCamillo has created some unforgettable characters.

Weaknesses:  At times, the book could become too quirky for some readers. The parents’ decision to kill the squirrel could be upsetting to kids who are animal lovers. I find it difficult to pinpoint a good reading level for this book – while the illustrations and style would most appeal to a younger reader, the vocabulary is often very advanced and would be most appropriate for an older one. I think it would be an excellent read aloud or a recommendation for an advanced younger reader.

Uses:  The characters in this book are quirky and memorable and would easily lend themselves to a character study (CCSS ELA:RL.3 Grades K-6). The vocabulary is advanced (CCSS ELA:L.4 Grades 3-5) and the writing style is unique (CCSS ELA:W.3 Grades K-6). The poetry could be used to study poetic style (CCSS ELA:RL.10  Grades 1-6). An art teacher could use this as an example of illustration and cartoon.

Read-alikes:

·      Mercy Watson – Kate DiCamillo (From the same author, the book series about a pet pig who loves cars, trick or treating, and especially toast.)

·      Lulu and the Brontosaurus and Lulu Walks the Dogs- Judith Viorst (Feisty heroine Lulu is determined to get what she wants. Illustrated novel.)

·      Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney (Illustrated novel series about a boy’s trials in school.)

·      Clementine- Sara Pennypacker (Illustrated novel series about a girl who is always into some kind of mischief.)

Awards: 

Newbery Medal

Parents’ Choice Gold

Publisher’s Weekly Best Books

Texas Bluebonnet Award

Other:  Starred reviews in Kirkus, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly

Resources for Librarians & Teachers:

Teacher’s Guide: http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/076366040X.btg.1.pdf

Freaky Fast Frankie Joe

 

Clifton, Lutricia. Freaky Fast Frankie Joe. New York: Holiday House, 2012. Print.

ISBN:  978-0823428670

Audience: Ages 8-12, Grade 3-6

Summary: Frankie Joe Huckaby lives with his mother in Texas, until her cheating ways catch up with her and she ends up in jail. Suddenly Frankie has to go live in Illinois with his mostly absent father, an unknown stepmother, and four sneaky half-brothers. Determined to get back to his trailer park home, he starts a delivery service with his old bike and some local clients to try and save money for the long trip. But as he starts to become part of the rural community and realizes that maybe his mother isn’t what he thought, he is faced with the challenge of figuring out where he really belongs. 

Strengths:  The characters in this book are unforgettable and well drawn. The kids are very believable, especially the “villain” in Frankie’s oldest brother. The members of the community are quirky but they never cross over to silly. The story contains a lot of situations that kids could identify with – divorce, siblings, working, and disappointment.

Weaknesses:  Some parents could have problems with kids reading about Frankie’s mother – who is neglectful and ends up in jail. Frankie is allowed to skip school and has no supervision when he is in her care. Also, there are a few questionable choices in what pop culture is included that could date the story.

Uses:   This book would be excellent for discussing literary structure since it has a strong problem/solution arc (CCSS ELA: RL.5 Grades 2-5). Themes in the book include dealing with divorce, siblings, and disappointment  (CCSS ELA: RL.2 Grades K-6). The characters are well written in this story and would be good ones for a character study (CCSS ELA:RL.3 Grades K-6).  This book is perfectly suited to put in the hands of reluctant readers, especially boys.

Read-alikes:

·      The Great Gilly Hopkins -  Katherine Paterson (the Newbery honor award book about a girl in foster care)

·      The Pinballs – Betsy Byars (three foster children who’ve been taken in by the same family)

·      Joey Pigza- Jack Gantos (series about a boy with ADHD, similar main character)

·      Three Times Lucky – Sheila Turnage (mystery story with a similar small town setting)

Awards: 

IRA Children’s Choice Award

Texas Bluebonnet Award

SC Children’s Book Award

Nebraska Golden Sower Award

Other:  Starred review in Kirkus

Resources for Librarians & Teachers:

 Educator’s Guide: http://www.holidayhouse.com/docs/Freaky_Fast_Frankie_Joe.pdf