A Little Writing:

Module 15: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

Summary: Arnold (also known as Junior) is a teenage boy living with his family on the Spokane Indian reservation. When he was born, he had too much cerebral spinal fluid in is brain. Doctors performed surgery to remove the fluid, but he has been left with lasting health problems that make him the target of constant harassment and bullying. After a confrontation with a teacher at the school on the reservation, Junior leaves the school and transfers to a high school in nearby Reardan, where he is the only Indian student. His best friend Rowdy feels betrayed and hurt that Junior is leaving him and lashes out at him. Junior’s transition to Reardan is difficult. Eventually, he starts to make friends and even gets a girlfriend named Penelope. As Arnold deals with tragedies like the deaths of his older sister and grandmother, he finds that he has the support and love of his new friends, and eventually patches up things with Rowdy as well.

Citation:
Alexie, S., & Forney, E. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Impression: Alexie’s book won the National Book Award in 2007, and it is easy to see why. The book is based on Alexie’s own experiences, and he has definitely captured an authentic teenage boy voice. Alexie doesn’t shy away from discussing all the things that teen boys are interested in— bodily functions, teenage girls, etc.— but he never does it in a graphic or gratuitous way. Junior is an extremely sympathetic character. Anyone who has ever been bullied or harassed will connect with Junior’s struggles on the rez and at Reardan, and they will cheer when things start looking up for him. (I was especially moved that he and Rowdy started to repair their friendship at the end of the book.) Also, Junior is an aspiring cartoonist, and the cartoons Forney has created to accompany the text are spot-on.

Review:
Horn Book:
The line between dramatic monologue, verse novel, and standup comedy gets unequivocally—and hilariously and triumphantly—bent in this novel about coming of age on the rez. Urged on by a math teacher whose nose he has just broken, Junior, fourteen, decides to make the iffy commute from his Spokane Indian reservation to attend high school in Reardan, a small town twenty miles away. He’s tired of his impoverished circumstances (“Adam and Eve covered their privates with fig leaves; the first Indians covered their privates with their tiny hands”), but while he hopes his new school will offer him a better education, he knows the odds aren’t exactly with him: “What was I doing at Reardan, whose mascot was an Indian, thereby making me the only other Indian in town?” But he makes friends (most notably the class dork Gordy), gets a girlfriend, and even (though short, nearsighted, and slightly disabled from birth defects) lands a spot on the varsity basketball team, which inevitably leads to a showdown with his own home team, led by his former best friend Rowdy. Junior’s narration is intensely alive and rat-a-tat-tat with short paragraphs and one-liners (“If God hadn’t wanted us to masturbate, then God wouldn’t have given us thumbs”). The dominant mode of the novel is comic, even though there’s plenty of sadness, as when Junior’s sister manages to shake off depression long enough to elope—only to die, passed out from drinking, in a fire. Junior’s spirit, though, is unquenchable, and his style inimitable, not least in the take-no-prisoners cartoons he draws (as expertly depicted by comics artist Forney) from his bicultural experience.

(2007, September/October). [Review of the book The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian, by S. Alexie]. Horn Book Magazine, 83(5), 563-564. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com/

Use in library: A library could use The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian as part of a discussion on banned and challenged books.

Module 14: Crank by Ellen Hopkins (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

Summary: Kristina lives with her mother and stepfather in Reno and has a fairly normal life. She visits her deadbeat father in New Mexico for a few weeks one summer, and her life takes a drastic turn when she tries meth for the first time. Kristina calls meth “the monster.” She becomes addicted quickly, and it sends her life into a downward spiral. The drugs bring out an alter ego she calls Bree. Bree is brash and reckless and not at all like Kristina. Kristina resorts to drastic measures to get access to drugs to satisfy her addiction. When Kristina is raped and becomes pregnant, she has to make some life-changing decisions.

Citation: Hopkins, E. (2004). Crank. New York: Simon Pulse.

Impression: Crank is one of those books that sucks you in and doesn’t let go. Kristina’s story is fascinating and heartbreaking. (When you think about the fact that it is based on Hopkins’s daughter, it makes it even more emotional.) Hopkins is an extremely descriptive writer, and she uses the free verse format to full advantage. She does interesting things with formatting. There are several poems where Hopkins separates out certain words on the page to create an entirely new poem. Some good examples of this include “Why Was Everyone,” (p. 286) and “I Would Celebrate Several Ways,” (pg 418). She also uses some concrete poetry, which creates visual interest. The subject matters make it suitable for older teens, and I think anyone who has seen someone struggle with drug addiction (or struggled with addiction themselves) would really connect with this story.

Review:
Kirkus:
Hypnotic and jagged free verse wrenchingly chronicles 16-year-old Kristina's addiction to crank. Kristina's dating alter ego, Bree, emerges when "gentle clouds of monotony" smother Kristina's life--when there's nothing to do and no one to connect with. Visiting her neglectful and draggy father for the first time in years, Bree meets a boy and snorts crank (methamphetamine). The rash is irresistible and she's hooked, despite a horrible crank-related incident with the boy's other girlfriend. Back home with her mother, Kristina feels both ignored and smothered, needing more drags and more boys--in that order. One boy is wonderful and one's a rapist, but it's crank holding Bree up at this point. The author's sharp verse plays with spacing on the page, sometimes providing two alternate readings. In a too brief wrap-up, Kristina keeps her baby (a product of rape) while Hopkins--realistically--offers no real conclusion. Powerful and unsettling.

(2004, October). [Review of the book Crank, by E. Hopkins]. Kirkus Reviews, 72(19), 961. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Use in library: Libraries could use Crank as part of a Poetry Slam for teens. Teens could get up in front of the crowd and read their favorite poems. The librarian could set out Crank and other poetry books for the teens to look through, and they could also encourage the teens to read their own original work.

Want to see my book trailer for Crank? Click here.

Module 13: Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-05T13:18:00.000-08:00

Summary: Rapunzel has grown up in a luxurious villa with Mother Gothel, but she’s never been completely happy. One day Rapunzel finds out that Mother Gothel is not her real mother at all. Gothel stole her from her real parents, and how her real mother is a slave in Gothel’s mines. When she confronts Gothel about it, she has Rapunzel locked in a tree. For four years, she is a prisoner in that tree (and her hair grows and grows). Rapunzel uses that hair to break out of her prison, and with the help of a new friend named Jack, she exacts her revenge and saves her real mother.

Citation: Hale, S., Hale, D., & Hale, N. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury.

Impression: I loved this book from start to finish. The Hales’ take on the take of Rapunzel is fresh and funny and should appeal to both boys and girls. The graphic novel format is the perfect format for this story because the visual elements add so much to the telling of the story. The quasi-Wild West setting lends itself to lots of action and adventure. Also, there is plenty of witty dialog, especially between Rapunzel and Jack. (I loved that Jack calls her Punzie.) Nathan Hale’s illustrations are full of visual humor. He gives the characters especially Rapunzel and Jack, some great facial expressions. I liked this book so much I immediately read its sequel, Calamity Jack, and I enjoyed it as well.

Review:
Booklist:
This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine. Young Rapunzel lives a lonely life, never knowing what lies beyond the high garden walls of her mother’s royal villa until one day she climbs the wall to see what’s on the other side. When she finds that the world outside is a dark place oppressed by her mother’s greed for power and uncovers the real secret of her own birth, she is imprisoned in a magic tree tower. In her years of captivity, she learns a lot about self-reliance and care for her exceptionally long hair, and eventually she is able to escape, vowing to bring down her mother’s cruel empire. Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.

Coleman, T. (2008). [Review of the book Rapunzel's Revenge, by S. Hale and D. Hale]. Booklist, 105(1), 100. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/

Use in library: Rapunzel’s Revenge could be used as a book for a middle school club. They could discuss the book, draw their own pictures of Rapunzel and Jack, and watch the movie Tangled.

Module 12: The Road to Oz by Kathleen Krull and Kevin Hawkes (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

Summary: This charming biography of L. Frank Baum tells readers about the various careers and circumstances that lead Baum to write the classic children’s book The Wizard of Oz.

Citation: Krull, K., & Hawkes, K. (2008). The road to Oz: twists, turns, bumps, and triumphs in the life of L. Frank Baum. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Impression: The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite books, but I never knew much about the man behind the book. After reading The Road to Oz, I know more about Baum’s story, and it makes me like his work even more. I thought The Road to Oz was captivating because Krull includes so many interesting details about Baum and his various careers— actor, chicken breeder, newspaper editor, and window decorator, just to name a few. She doesn’t skip over the more difficult parts of his life, such as how he was cheated out of some of his money by various business partners. I think this sends a positive message to young readers that they should keep pursuing their dreams and happiness, and not get discouraged by failures. Hawkes’ illustrations are a good match for Krull’s bright, cheerful text.

Review:
Publisher’s Weekly:
With customary vivacity and a fine sense of irony, Krull portrays her subject as a genial family man who suffered reverse after reverse thanks to a bad combination of deep-seated optimism and zero business sense--but pulled through when his love of storytelling and sense of audience at last led to a novel that instantly became (she notes) the Harry Potter of its day. She does mention Baum's anti-American Indian screeds, but in general tells a brisk, admiring tale that mirrors the tone of his talespinning--aptly illustrated by Hawkes's scenes of a frail, dapper looking gent, generally sporting a smile beneath a bushy mustache and gazing abstractedly into the distance. An admirable companion to Krull's Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up To Become Dr. Seuss (2004), this profile not only provides a similarly illuminating peek beneath the authorial curtain, but leaves readers understanding just how groundbreaking The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was, as an adventure story with both a female protagonist and no overwhelming Moral Lesson.

(2008, August). [Review of the book The Road to Oz, by K. Krull and K. Hawkes]. Kirkus Reviews, 76(15), 230. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Use in library: A library could use this book as part of a Wizard of Oz program. The librarian would read excerpts from this book and/or The Wizard of Oz, and other books on Baum and Oz would be out on display. Patrons would make a Wizard of Oz-related craft and watch the movie.

Module 11: Ballet for Martha by Jan Greenberg, Sandra Jordan, and Brian Floca (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

Summary: Greenberg, Jordan, and Floca tell the story of Appalachian Spring, a dance performance with choreography by Martha Graham, music by Aaron Copland, and set by Isamu Noguchi. The dance was first performed on October 30, 1944 in Washington, D.C. The authors and illustrator describe how the creative efforts of Graham, Copland, and Noguchi all came together in one cohesive work.

Citation: Greenberg, J., Jordan, S., & Floca, B. (2010). Ballet for Martha: making Appalachian Spring. New York: RB/Flash Point.

Impression: Ballet for Martha is a beautiful book, and it tells the story of what must have been a beautiful dance performance. I was glad the authors discussed both the ups and downs of creating Appalachian Spring because it gives the reader a realistic picture how difficult yet rewarding the production experience can be. For example, during the rehearsal process Martha “has a tantrum. She screams. She yells. She throws a shoe. The dancers wait. Martha always figures it out” (p. 17). They also emphasized the collaborative nature of the work and discussed how each of the three people on the creative team effected the final product. A thorough bibliography at the end of the book provides resources for anyone who wants to learn more about Graham, Copland, or Noguchi.

I was especially impressed with Floca’s watercolor illustrations. One of my favorite is a two page spread of composer Aaron Copland. Copland is sitting at the piano, and the background of the pages is a piece of sheet music. I thought the spread was clever and well-composed. There are many illustrations of the dancers in rehearsal for the production and at the first performance, and I was also fascinated that he was able to indicate the movement of the dancers so well.

Review:
School Library Journal:
Gr 2-6 --If Martha Graham's choreography for "Appalachian Spring" was a "valentine" to the world, as critics wrote in 1944, then this book is a love letter in return. Simple, poetic prose tells the story of the creation of one of the world's most-loved ballets and compositions, and Floca's graceful watercolor illustrations take admirers through every part of its development. Written in the present tense, the narrative has a sense of drama that carries readers along as if the events were happening in real time. Fascinating details about the collaboration among Graham, Copland, and Isamu Noguchi (set design) are well documented in the lengthy "curtain call," notes, and resources pages, which read like a fantastic set of liner notes. Floca varies the illustrations from vignettes to bird's-eye views to landscapes and expertly capture the fluid movements of the dancers. The page layouts are well planned to create the most movement and interest. The authors researched extensively but found a way to crystallize all of the information into a gem that is approachable for young readers. More than anything, this work emphasizes the value of collaboration and celebrates the work that Graham, Copland, and Noguchi did to bring together the performing and visual arts. Readers may be inspired to go to Russell Freedman's Martha Graham: A Dancer's Life (Clarion, 1998) and should be encouraged to check out one of Leonard Bernstein's definitive recordings of "Appalachian Spring" and a video of the ballet.

Dobbs, C. (2010). [Review of the book Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring, by J. Greenberg, S. Jordan and B. Floca]. School Library Journal, 56(8), 119-120. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Use in library:
Libraries could use this book as part of a display or booktalk featuring books on the creative arts.

Module 10: Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T20:08:00.000-08:00

Summary: In August of 1973, an epidemic of yellow fever hits Philadelphia. 14-year-old Mattie lives with her mother and grandfather above the coffeehouse they own and run, and their lives are forever changed by the plague. When her mother becomes ill, Mattie and her grandfather leave the city in the hopes of avoiding the disease. They both become ill and never make it to their final destination, but eventually they recover and return to Philadelphia. They find that Mattie’s mother has gone to try and meet them in the country, and their shop has been ransacked. When Mattie’s grandfather dies, she feels like she is truly alone in the world. By relying on her own resourcefulness and determination, as well as accepting the help of a few kind friends, Mattie is able rebuild her life.

Citation: Anderson, L. H. (2000). Fever 1793. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Impression: I really liked that Anderson used a first-person narrator for this book. Having Mattie tell the reader her story herself made her a very sympathetic character. (My heart broke for her when her grandfather died.) She faces hardship after hardship, and you root for her every step of the way. I also appreciated that each chapter started with a quote from a historical figure or historical publication. I felt like it added to the authenticity of the text. The book also includes an Appendix with more information on some of the subjects touched on in the text. I had never heard of Philadelphia’s yellow fever outbreak before, and reading Mattie’s story piqued my interest and made me want to know more.

Review:
Horn Book:
For fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook, the epidemic begins with the news of the sudden and unexpected death of her childhood friend Polly. It is summer 1793, and yellow fever is sweeping through Philadelphia; the death toll will reach five thousand (ten percent of the city's population) before the frost. Mattie, her mother, and grandfather run a coffeehouse on High Street, and when others flee the city, they choose to stay--until Mattie's mother is stricken. Sent away by her mother to escape contagion, Mattie tries to leave, is turned back by quarantine officers, falls ill herself, and is taken to Bush Hill, a city hospital run by the celebrated French doctor Steven Girard. Without ever being didactic, Anderson smoothly incorporates extensive research into her story, using dialogue, narration, and Mattie's own witness to depict folk remedies, debates over treatment, market shortages, the aid work done by free blacks to care for and bury the victims, the breakdown of Philadelphia society, and countless tales of sufferers and survivors. With such a wealth of historical information (nicely set forth in a highly readable appendix), it's a shame that the plot itself is less involving than the situation. While Mattie is tenacious and likable, her adventures are a series of episodes only casually related to the slender narrative arc in which she wonders if her mother has survived the fever and whether they will be reunited. Subplots concerning Mattie's own entrepreneurial ambitions and her budding romance with a painter apprenticed to the famous Peale family wait offstage until the end of the book. Still, Anderson has gone far to immerse her readers in the world of the 1793 epidemic; most will appreciate this book for its portrayal of a fascinating and terrifying time in American history.

L. Burkam, A. (2000). [Review of the book Fever 1793, by L. Anderson]. Horn Book Magazine, 76(5), 562-563. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com/

Use in library: This book could be used in a booktalk or display featuring books about little-known events in U.S. History.

Module 10: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

Summary: Calpurnia “Callie” Tate, an 11-year-old girl living in Fentress, Texas, spends the summer and fall of 1899 studying nature with her grandfather. They bond over their observations, and Calpurnia records their findings in a notebook. Although Callie’s mother pushes her to do more “feminine” things like playing the piano and needlework, Callie would much rather discuss plants and animals with Granddaddy. When they discover a new species of plant, Callie feels like their work is validated and people finally see how important it is to her.

Citation: Kelly, J. (2009). The evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York: Henry Holt.

Impression: The thing that stuck out to me the most about this book is Callie’s irrepressible spirit and enthusiasm. She has to reconcile her family’s expectations for her to look pretty, play the piano, and learn how to cook with her own desire to work with her grandfather and learn more about the world around her. I think the fact that she remains true to herself and continues following her passion for scientific study send a positive message to young readers.

Based on what I already knew about the book, I expected it to be somewhat dry and laden with scientific facts and terminology. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the scientific aspects of the book are presented in such a way that they are not overwhelming or difficult to understand. However, this book will definitely hold the most appeal for young readers who have an interest in science to begin with.

Review:
Publisher’s Weekly:

Life at the turn of the century is not easy for a girl who loves books and science. Kelly's first novel presents spirited heroine Calpurnia (Callie) Virginia Tate, a middle child with six brothers, growing up in the isolation of Fentress, Tex., in 1899. To her family's dismay, Callie is stubborn, independent and not interested in darning socks or perfecting her baking skills like a lady. "I would live my life in a tower of books," she thinks to herself. She spends most of her time with Harry, "the one brother who could deny me nothing," slowly befriending her Granddaddy, a mysterious naturalist who studies everything from pecan distillation to microscopic river bugs. Together they dream up experiments and seek answers to backyard phenomena, discovering something new about the invisible world each day. Callie follows her passion for knowledge, coming to realize her family "had their own lives. And now I have mine." Callie's transformation into an adult and her unexpected bravery make for an exciting and enjoyable read. Kelly's rich images and setting, believable relationships and a touch of magic take this story far. Ages 10-up.

(2009, May 4). [Review of the book The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by J. Kelly]. Publishers Weekly, 256(18), 51. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/

Use in library: A school library could use this as part of a joint project between an English class and a Science class. The librarian could discuss the literary aspects of the book with the English class and the scientific aspects of the book with the science class, and both classes could discuss how those two elements work together. The teachers could also come up with some kind of joint assignment based on their book and their discussions.

Module 9: The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T19:58:00.000-08:00

Summary: At only 12 years old, Mary Quinn is about to be hanged as thief. She is rescued and take to Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls. At the school she is given the opportunity to stay and the school and train to be a spy for the Agency, a secret, all-female team of detectives. Five years later, Mary is trained and sent out her first mission: to pose as a companion to a young woman named Angelica Thorold and look for evidence that her father, Henry, is using his trade company to smuggle valuable goods into the country. At first her efforts hinder rather than help the investigation, but ultimately she helps uncover truth. She also learns a little bit about her own past and experiences her first romance.

Citation: Lee, Y. S. (2010). The Agency: A spy in the house. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

Impression: Yee does a fantastic job evoking the Victorian setting. Her descriptions of the fog, the stifling heat of a London summer, and the smell of the Thames River are vivid. She has also created some memorable characters, especially the feisty Mary and the petulant Angelica. Mary is a very determined young woman. She takes initiatives to try and move the investigation along, even though it doesn’t always work out in her favor. However, she does learn from her mistakes.

I particularly enjoyed the banter between Mary and James Easton, a young an who has his own reasons for investigating the Thorolds. Also, the blossoming relationship between Mary and James will satisfy those readers who like a little romance in their historical mystery, but it won’t turn off anyone just looking for a straight historical mystery.

Review:
Kirkus:
During the early summer of 1858, a funky miasma hovered over London--the streets, the river, the air, everything stank. Something, too, was rotten in the house of Thorold, or many things, actually. Seventeen-year-old Mary Quinn, rescued from the streets by a benevolent society-cure-detective agency, has been dispatched in the guise of a governess to determine just how shady Mr. Thorold's business dealings are. What follows is a hearty mystery with a heaping side of love interest. Debut author Y.S. Lee keeps the story wound tight, lacing it with gingery humor. "I described an earlier version of The Agency, when it was still an adult novel before becoming one for young adults, as 'Anne Perry with a sense of humor,' " she says. "in rewriting the book, I worked hard to sustain the darkness and complexity of Victorian London." Sparkling repartee fuels the story, but it's not so snappy as to undercut Mary's vulnerability--she's a saucy, smart heroine it will be a pleasure to meet again. (Ages 12 & up)

(April 2010). [Review of the book The Agency: Book 1: A Spy in the House, by Y. Lee]. Kirkus Reviews, 78(7), 11. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Use in library: Libraries could use this book as part of a display or booktalk featuring books with a Victorian setting or historical mysteries.

Want to see my book trailer for The Agency: A Spy in the House? Click here.

Module 9: Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T19:50:00.000-08:00

Summary: In Chasing Vermeer, Chicago sixth graders Calder and Petra get caught up in an international art mystery. A series of coincidences bring Petra and Calder together and they start to become friends. When a Vermeer’s A Lady Writing is stolen, the coincidences keep happening. For example, after the painting is stolen Petra realizes she had vision of the woman in the painting before she knew about the painting. Petra and Calder soon realize they can use the coincidences as clues to solve mystery and save the priceless painting.

Citation: Balliett, B., & Helquist, B. (2004). Chasing Vermeer. New York: Scholastic Press.

Impression: I love a good mystery, and this one definitely kept me guessing. A Newsweek reviewer called it “A Da Vinci Code for tweens,” and I think that’s a very apt description because of the art-related theme and the sublet yet clever way in which Balliet has woven all the elements of the plot together. For example, the number 12 figures prominently in the book, right down to the number of letters in the main character’s names. There are many other plot points that make Chasing Vermeer interesting and unique, like Calder’s pentominos, and how Calder and Petra eat blue M&Ms as they work out the clues to the mystery. Like Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game, Chasing Vermeer gives readers enough pieces of the puzzle that they can solve some of the mystery on their own, but Balliet throws in enough red herrings to keep everyone guessing until the end.

Reviews:
Newsweek:
Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling is "happily writing," says Scholastic Book Group president Barbara Marcus. But sorry, kids: there won't be a new installment this year. Instead, Harryheads can turn to "Chasing Vermeer," a mystery out this month that critics are calling a "Da Vinci Code" for tweens. ( "It's darn clever," says Joe Monti, a buyer for Barnes & Noble. "A real gem," says Linda Bubon, co-owner of the Chicago bookstore Women & Children First.) The tale, about a sixth-grade girl and boy searching for a stolen Vermeer painting, is by first-time author Blue Balliett, a former art-history major and teacher. Brett Helquist, illustrator of the Lemony Snicket series, arted the book, which five U.S. publishers bid on. "If somebody had told me that [would happen] when I was picking salamior old gum off my classroom floor, I would have said, 'No way'," Balliett says. She's already writing a sequel, a mystery surrounding a Frank Lloyd Wright house in Chicago's Hyde Park. Will she go for seven, like Rowling? "One at a time!" she says.

Springen, K. (2004). The Kid 'Code. [Review of the book Chasing Vermeer, by B. Balliet]. Newsweek, 143(20), 14. Retrieved from http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek.html

School Library Journal:
Two 12-year-olds set out to discover what happened to a painting that disappeared en route to the Art Institute of Chicago. A fast-paced, exciting mystery with a host of quirky characters, puzzles, and plot twists.

(2005, April 2). [Review of the book Chasing Vermeer, by B. Balliet]. School Library Journal, 5154-55. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Use in library: A library could use Chasing Vermeer as part as of a program for elementary school students about secret codes and cypher. Students love to create secret codes with their friends so they can send notes. The librarian running the program could talk about Calder and Tommy’s pentomino code, along with other codes, and help them create their own code.

Module 8 Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

Summary: No one can enter the prison called Incarceron, and no one can leave either. Finn lives in the bleak world of Incarceron, but somehow he has memories of the outside world. Claudia is the daughter of the warden of Incarceron, and she is facing an arranged marriage and unhappy future. When Finn gains possession of an unusual crystal, he finds that he can communicate with Claudia in the outside world. With Claudia’s help, Finn finally does escape Incarceron, but he finds himself thrust into the middle of a world full of political intrigue and people concealing their true identities and intentions. Finn’s story has just begun, and it continues in a sequel, Sapphique.

Citation: Fisher, C. (2010). Incarceron. New York: Dial Books.

Impression: Fisher is a master of suspense and action. Incerceron had me on the edge of my seat from the opening scene where Finn is tied to a set of railroad tracks, to the final climatic scene after he escapes from the prison. The world Fisher has created is extremely detailed and nuanced. The world of Incarceron and the world outside are so different, and early on in the book you learn that the outside world is not exactly as it seems. It’s hard to describe without giving away some of the secrets of the book, but I can say that Fisher has a knack for revelaing strategic pieces of information in surprising ways.

I also enjoyed the characters in Incarceron. The two main characters are likable protagonists. Finn is incredibly brave and loyal, and Claudia is intelligent and is driven by her desire to do the right thing. The secondary characters, especially Claudia’s tutor Jared and Finn’s oath brother Kiro, are also well drawn.

Review:
Publisher’s Weekly:
Fisher (the Oracle Prophesies series) scores a resounding success in this beautifully imagined science fantasy set in a far future where, many years earlier, civilization was artificially frozen at late-medieval levels in order to save the world from dangerous technologies. Simultaneously, all of the world's malcontents and madmen were sealed into an unimaginably vast, sentient prison named Incarceron, where a dedicated group of social engineers intended to create utopia. Claudia, the brilliant daughter of the cold-blooded warden of Incarceron, has been raised from birth to marry and eventually control Caspar, the simpleminded heir to the throne. Finn, a young man without a past, is a prisoner in Incarceron, which has become a hideous dystopia, an "abyss that swallows dreams." When Claudia and Finn each gain possession of a high-tech "key" to the prison, they exchange messages, and Finn asks Claudia to help him attempt an escape. While he negotiates the hideous maze of the prison, Claudia makes her way through the equally deadly labyrinth of political intrigue. Complex and inventive, with numerous and rewarding mysteries, this tale is certain to please. Ages 12-up.

(2009, December 7). [Review of the book Incarceron, by C. Fisher]. Publishers Weekly, 256(49), 49. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/

Use in a library: This would be a great selection for a teen book club. Fantasy is extremely popular with teens, and this particular title would appeal to both teen boys and teen girls. It would lead to discussions on topic like bravery, identity, loyalty, crime and punishment, and social classes.

Module 8: Plain Kate by Erin Bow (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T19:39:00.000-08:00

Summary: Plain Kate is the best carver in her village, second only to her father. When father dies, she is left with nothing. She tries to out eek out a living, but strange things start to happen and the people of the village accuse her of being a witch. She makes a deal with a mysterious man named Linnay. He helps her escape the village and gives her cat Taggle the power of speech, but in return he takes her shadow. Plain Kate starts traveling with a group of people called Roamers, but soon they turn on her as well. She eventually meets up with Linnay again and discovers that he is using her shadow as part of a powerful spell that will harm many people. Plain Kate must rely on her bravery and her true friends to put a stop to Linnay’s plan.

Citation: Bow, E. (2010). Plain Kate. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.

Impression: Plain Kate is a very moving story. This is due in part to Bow’s simple yet lyrical writing style. For example, when Kate finds a note from Linnay, Bow describes the handwriting as “so fierce it threatened to topple and break like a wave,” (p. 310). Kate is such a likable and admirable heroine, and the reader feels sorry for the trials she suffers— the death of her father, her treatment at the hands of her village and then the Roamers, and her efforts to stop Linnay. The ending is ultimately hopeful, but there is a feeling of sadness and loss that runs throughout most of the book. However, Bow does provide some comic relief in Kate’s cat Taggle. Taggle is one of my new favorite animal characters in literature. He provides a few welcome moments of levity that offset the otherwise somber mood of the book. Bow gives him some witty one-liners that made me laugh out loud and wish my own two cats could talk.

Review:
Kirkus:
Bow's debut novel takes the stuff of Disney (spunky orphaned heroine and talking animal sidekick) and uses it to tell a surprisingly dark fantasy. When Plain Kate, an orphaned woodcarver, trades her shadow to Linay, a wandering stranger, for her heart's desire, she gets more than expected: The deal draws her (and her now-talking cat) into Linay's scheme to destroy those who burned his sister as a witch and throws her in with the Roamers (gypsies), who are more tied to Linay than Plain Kate could have guessed. The vaguely medieval, quasi-Eastern European setting works well, especially with the Roamer elements, but the real strength is the characterization; even cold, often cruel Linay evokes sympathy, and Taggle is a truly remarkable feline, especially as the power of speech renders him oddly human. Don't be fooled by Plain Kate's youth: This is full of blood magic and unhappy people doing unpleasant things, but there's lots of heart and redemption, too. A haunting, chilling (but never gory or graphic) tale with a fantastic girl at its center.

(2010, September). [Review of the book Plain Kate, by E. Bow]. Kirkus Reviews, 78(17), 850. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Uses in a library: This would be a great book to use as a part of a display or booktalk featuring books with strong heroines.

Module 7 : Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackwell (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

Summary: Bean’s mom wants her to start playing with Ivy, the new girl across the street, but Bean doesn’t want to because she thinks Ivy seems boring. When Ivy helps Bean hide after she plays a trick on her older sister Nancy, the two girls find that they have more in common than they thought. Bean helps Ivy dress up as a witch, Ivy agrees to help Bean put a “dancing spell” on Nancy, and they become fast friends.

Citation: Barrows, A., & Blackall, S. (2006). Ivy + Bean. San Francisco, Calif.: Chronicle Books.

Impression: This is the first book in the Ivy + Bean series, and it is clearly the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Ivy and Bean are both fun, precocious characters that will appeal to young readers, especially young girls. They will relate to Ivy and Bean’s adventures doing things playing pranks on siblings, dressing up, and getting in trouble for running across a neighbor’s backyard. Blackall's black and white illustrations are whimsical and capture some of the most amusing moments in the text, like when Ivy and Bean throw handfuls of worms at Nancy. The book also teaches an important lesson that first impressions aren’t always accurate, and that you shouldn’t be afraid to get to know new people.

Review:
School Library Journal:
Seven-year-old Bean likes stomping in puddles, climbing fences into neighbors' backyards, and playing tricks on her older sister, Nancy. She wears dresses as seldom as possible and avoids big books. Her new neighbor appears to be a quiet, orderly girl who sits on her front step day after day reading tomes. The two seem to have nothing in common, and Bean is not interested in getting to know Ivy, despite her mother's prodding to make friends with the nice girl next door. Then Bean gets into trouble, and Ivy helps her out. She discovers that Ivy is practicing to be a witch, and when they decide to cast a spell on Nancy, their friendship is sealed. With echoes of Beverly Cleary's "Ramona" series, this easy chapter book will appeal to children who are graduating from beginning readers. The occasional black-and-white illustrations highlight the text and provide visual clues. The characters are appealing, the friendship is well portrayed, and the pranks and adventures are very much on grade level.

Stone, E. (2006). [Review of the book Ivy and Bean, by A. Barrows and S. Blackall]. School Library Journal, 52(7), 68. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Use in library: A library could use this as part of a program called “Best Friend Day.” They could read an excerpt from the book and have other books about friendships on display, play games, and have the children make a craft to give to their best friend.

Module 7: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

2011-12-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

Summary: It’s Christmastime in New York City. Following a suggestion from her brother Lily, leaves a red Molskine notebook with a dare inside it on a shelf among the books in the Strand bookstore. Dash finds the book one day and accepts her dare. He leaves a dare for her in return, and the two teens exchange dares and get to know each other via the notebook. The first time they meet face-to-face it is completely unplanned, and it doesn’t go well. After their disastrous first meeting, they each have to reconcile the person they got to know in the notebook with the person they met in real life.

Citation: Cohn, R., & Levithan, D. (2010). Dash & Lily's book of dares. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Impression: One of the things I liked best about Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares was the strong characterization, especially when it came to Dash and Lily. The story is told from Dash and Lily’s perspectives in alternating chapters. (Cohn wrote Lily’s chapters and Levithan wrote Dash’s.) This gives the reader great insight into their personalities and feelings. Dash is extremely intelligent but has a curmudgeonly streak. Lily is a perpetual optimist with an irrepressible desire to spread the holiday spirit. Some of the plot elements stretch believability, but there are some laugh-out-loud moments and you get so caught up in rooting for the characters that you don’t mind suspending your disbelief. I also really enjoyed the book’s evocative setting. Cohn and Levithan perfectly captured the hustle and bustle of New York City at the holidays. (I especially liked the scene where Lily sent Dash to Macy’s two days before Christmas.)

Review:
School Library Journal:
Dash and Lily, 16, find themselves on their own in Manhattan at Christmas. Dash is alone by choice--he's told each of his divorced parents that he's spending the holiday with the other, leaving them both to take vacations out of town. Lily's parents are taking the honeymoon they couldn't afford when they got married. They think that Lily is in the capable hands of her older brother, but he's less interested in her than in his new boyfriend, and then he gets sick and spends most of the holiday in bed. He does, however, start in motion the activity that is central to the story. It involves a red Moleskine notebook with a list of literary clues that Lily leaves in the stacks at the Strand bookstore. Bookish and erudite Dash finds it and is intrigued enough to follow Lily's lead and leave some clues of his own. The dares in the book's title refer to innocent things such as going to various crowded places like Macy's and FAO Schwartz to pick up messages. As the dares go on, the teens reveal more and more about themselves in the pages of the notebook, until they finally meet under the worst possible circumstances. While the words, ideas, and sentiments are not those of typical kids, they are not out of the realm of possibility for well-read teens. As they did in Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (Knopf, 2006), the authors combine their talents to write an appealing book. It makes readers long to buy a notebook, begin filling its pages, and find a friend who might turn out to be more. This book will spend as much time off the shelf as Lily's notebook.

Roush, S. (2010). [Review of the book Dash & Lily's Book of Dares, by R. Cohn and D. Levuthan]. School Library Journal, 56(10), 110. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Use in the library: Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares would be a good book for a teen book club. It brings up issues of first impressions, communication, and friendship, and would lead to some great discussion. The librarian running the discussion could also come up with his or her own “book of dares” for the teens.

For my book trailer for Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, click here.

Module 6: Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T19:24:00.000-08:00

Summary: A little girl and her favorite stuffed animal, a monkey, have fun pretending to be different animals. At the end of a long day of pretending, they take a well-deserved nap.

Citation: Gravett, E. (2008). Monkey and me. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Impression: I enjoyed this book immensely because of its interactive elements and emphasis on imagination. For example, there is a chunk of text that repeats throughout the book, which will help children read along with the story. Also, there are plenty of opportunities to encourage kids to user their imagination and pretend along with the book. As an adult reads the story to a child, they could ask them to guess which animal the little girl and monkey are pretending to be. After they turn the page and reveal the answer, they could have the child pretend to be that animals as well. Gravett’s illustrations are sweet and endearing. They have a fuzzy quality and she uses muted colors, but they still convey the energy and joy of the little girl as she plays with the monkey.

Review:
Kirkus:
"Monkey and me, / Monkey and me, / Monkey and me, / We went to see, / We went to see some … / PENGUINS!" An ebullient little girl plays with her toy monkey, imagining visits to penguins, kangaroos and monkeys, of course, among others in this joyous tribute to the preschooler's imagination. The bouncy text never varies, except for the payoff line, which is set up by a spread of the two friends' playing at animal imitations. Gravett's smudgy pencil-and-watercolor vignettes feature a ponytailed little girl in a skirt and Velcro sneakers, her rumpled red tights and red-and-white striped shirt (which flops down, revealing her belly button as she hangs upside-down like a bat) the only bright spots in otherwise gray-and-sepia sketches. The broadly smiling tot needs no more color, her complete absorption in her play rendered with happy abandon. These vignettes dance across the lead-in spread; turn the page, and "BATS!" flap, "ELEPHANTS!" clomp. Playfully set typography finishes off this fizzy offering, which is perfectly in tune with the way a child's imagination and a beloved toy are all the ingredients needed for happiness.

(2008, February). [Review of the book Monkey and Me, by E. Gravett]. Kirkus Reviews, 76(3), 147. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Use in library: Monkey and Me is ideal for storytime. As mentioned above, there are so many ways to make the story interactive. A musically-inclined librarian could even make the words of the book into a song to sing with the children.

Module 6: Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

Summary: Little Pea loves to do things like play with his friends and spend time with his mother and father. One thing he does not like to do is eat his candy for dinner. Mama Pea and Papa Pea promise that if he eats his candy dinner, he can have his favorite dessert— spinach!

Citation: Rosenthal, A. K., & Corace, J. (2005). Little Pea. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Impression: Like many of Rosenthal’s other books, Little Pea is extremely clever. The premise of this book— that peas eat candy for dinner and vegetables for dessert— is especially fun and unexpected. Corace’s bright, simple illustrations pop against the white background of the pages. She was able to give the peas, especially Little Pea, distinct facial expressions that are entertaining. (His expressions while he’s eating the five pieces of candy are priceless.) This charming book is short and simple enough to hold the attention of even the littlest “peas,” and is sure to please kids and parents alike. (Although it may have kids asking for candy for dinner and wanting to skip the spinach dessert.)

Review:
Publisher’s Weekly:
Peas, the oft-reviled legumes that can make dinnertime a battle, take center plate in Rosenthal's (Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, for adults) silly picture book about food choices--and picky eaters--turned topsy-turvy. Little Pea enjoys an ordinary life with his parents and pea pals playing, reading stories and getting lovingly tucked into bed. But the one thing Little Pea has trouble with is candy, the icky entrée that his parents insist he eat for dinner each night. As Mama and Papa Pea say, "If you want to grow up to be a big strong pea" or have dessert, candy must be eaten. Once Little Pea whines through his required five-piece serving of sweets, he's happy to top off his torture with a special treat-spinach! Young readers will take glee in Little Pea's absurd yet familiar predicament, while parents will surely identify with Mama and Papa Pea's universal struggle. Newcomer Corace's warmhearted ink-and-watercolor paintings plays up the most of ample white space, which plays up the vibrant greenness of the Pea family. Images of tiny, bouncing peas playing hopscotch, and Papa Pea flipping his boy off the end of a spoon are especially memorable. Kids are likely to view their veggies with new eyes when mealtime rolls around.

(2005, May 5). [Review of the book Little Pea, by A. Rosental and J. Corace]. Publishers Weekly, 252(19), 69. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/

Use in library: Little Pea would be a perfect book for a food-themed storytime. Kids would get a kick out of the fact that peas eat candy for dinner and spinach for dessert.

Module 5: Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T19:15:00.001-08:00

Summary: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson’s book tells the reader about the fascinating life of Bass Reeves, a black man who served as a Deputy U.S. Marshall from 1875 to 1907. Micheaux Nelson gives the reader information about his early life as a slave, his family life, and his 32-year career with the U.S. Marshalls.

Citation: Nelson, V. M., & Christie, R. G. (2009). Bad news for outlaws: the remarkable life of Bass Reeves, deputy U.S. marshal. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.

Impression: Bad News for Outlaws is an extremely captivating read. I had never heard of Bass Reeves before, and this book brought him to life for me and made me want to learn more about him. First of all, Nelson’s text reads like fiction. Her writing is very descriptive, and she includes memorable details from several specific warrants Reeves carried out, including one for his own son, Benjamin. She uses lots of Western words and phrases, which help set the scene and transport the readers back in time. She defines these words in a helpful glossary in the back of the book. She also includes a timeline and bibliography for readers who are interested in learning more. Christie’s paintings compliment Nelson’s text. He uses lots of neutral colors and broad brush strokes match the rough, dusty life lived by Reeves and the outlaws he chased.

Review:
School Library Journal:
Reeves is an unsung hero of the American West whose honesty and sense of duty are an inspiration to all. In a frontier brimming with treachery and lawlessness, this African-American peace officer stood out as a fearless figure of unparalleled integrity, arresting more than 3,000 outlaws during his 32 years of service as a deputy U.S. marshal, all without suffering an injury. He was a former slave who became a successful farmer and family man before accepting the appointment to serve as a lawman in the Indian Territory in 1875. While Gary Paulsen's The Legend of Bass Reeves (Random, 2006) mixes fact and fiction to great effect, Nelson chooses to keep her telling as close to documented research as possible. Selected anecdotes ranging from a humorous encounter with a skunk to an intense gunfight with an outlaw provide a sense of the man's courage and character. The text is chock-full of colorful turns of phrase that will engage readers who don't "cotton to" nonfiction (a glossary of "Western Words" is included). Christie's memorable paintings convey Reeves's determination and caring, while rugged brushstrokes form the frontier terrain. Youngsters will find much to admire here.

Glasscock, L. (2009). [Review of the book Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal, by V. Nelson and R. Christie]. School Library Journal, 55(11), 134-135. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Uses in a library: Bad News for Outlaws could be used as part of booktalk highlighting books on little-know historical figures, or in a display for Black History Month in February.

Module 5: Goin’ Someplace Special (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-12-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

Summary: In Goin’ Someplace Special, a young girl named ‘Tricia Ann asks her grandmother if she can go off on her own to a special place. As she travels to her special place, she sees the unfairness of segregation all around her— she has to sit at the back of the bus, and she can’t sit down on a bench and enjoy a beautiful fountain. When she gets caught up in a crowd and ends up inside a swanky hotel, she is yelled at and thrown out. Tricia Ann starts to despair that she will ever make it to her special place, and wants to turn around and go home. However, with the help and encouragement of her friends, she finally arrives at her special place where all are welcome— the public library. The illustrator of the book, Jerry Pinkney, won the 2002 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for the book.

Citation: McKissack, P., & Pinkney, J. (2001). Goin' someplace special. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Impression: Goin’ Someplace Special is such a touching book. It is even more heartbreaking knowing that it was based on the author’s own experiences growing up in Nashville. Many books have been written about segregation and the Civil Rights movement. This book stands out because it comes from the perspective of a child and it shows the many ways in which segregation affected the daily lives of black people during that time. This combination and the picture book format make Goin’ Someplace Special a great tool for teaching children about segregation and the role it played in our history.

Ultimately, Goin’ Someplace Special is a hopeful book. Tricia Ann is one determined and spunky girl. I especially liked the scene where she told a little boy and his sister that she would never sit in the back rows of the movie theater, “even if watermelons bloomed in January.” I also liked how the support and advice of her like friends Jimmy Lee and Blooming Mary helped give her the strength to continue on her journey to her “someplace special.” (Of course, as a public librarian, I loved that her special place was the public library.)

Review:
Horn Book:
Young Tricia Ann is off to Someplace Special — and about to "burst with excitement" because her grandmother is letting her go there alone for the very first time. The journey is not an easy one: she must face the indignities of life in the Jim Crow South. She has to sit behind the sign on the bus that says "COLORED SECTION," She is not allowed to sit in the park by the Peace Fountain her stonemason grandfather helped build. She visits her friend the doorman at the elegant Southland Hotel and is asked to leave. "What makes you think you can come inside? No colored people are allowed!" the manager says. Despite these humiliations, Tricia Ann is strengthened at every turn by people who care about her and who bolster her with reminders to "Carry yo'self proud" and "Don't let those signs steal yo' happiness." Soon she reaches her beloved Someplace Special — the public library The words carved in stone proclaim: "Public Library: All Are Welcome." Jerry Pinkney's illustrations place Tricia Ann at the center of each page, willing to face the challenges the outside world throws at her. Whether Tricia Ann is in her grandmother's kitchen (surrounded by bountiful fresh fruits and vegetables and the love they symbolize) or fearfully looking over her shoulder on the bus, Pinkney makes it clear that she will triumph. Though this story takes place in an unnamed Southern city, the helpful author's note states that McKissack was raised in Nashville, where, unlike many other Southern cities of the 1950s, the public libraries welcomed African Americans. The library pictured on the final pages, bathed in hopeful lemon sunshine, is the downtown library of 1950s Nashville. There are many books about a child's first trip alone, and many books about racism and the struggle for civil rights, but this book is about more than either: it is the story of a child facing a difficult time sustained by the support of the adults in her life. McKissack and Pinkney strike just the right balance in a picture book for young readers and listeners: informative without being preachy; hopeful without being sentimental.

Smith, R. (2001). [Review of the book Goin' Someplace Special, by P. McKissack and J. Pinkney]. Horn Book Magazine, 77(6), 736-737. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com/

Uses in a Library: A public library could use this as part of a display for Black History Month during February or in a display of award-winning books. A school library could use it as part of a display of book on the Civil Rights movement.

Module 4: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-11-14T18:59:00.000-08:00

Summary: The residents of the Sunset Towers apartment building get wrapped up in a mystery masterminded by an eccentric millionaire named Samuel Westing. After Westing is found dead, his lawyer follows Westing’s instructions and gathers the 16 people named in his will for a reading of the document. In his will, Westing outlines the rules for what he calls the Westing game. He claims he was murdered (by one of the people in the room) and challenges them to find the culprit. The person who solves the mystery will inherit the substantial Westing fortune. The 16 “heirs” do their best to decipher Westing’s clues and unravel the mystery, but one of them isn’t who they claim to be. Westing keeps the contestants (and the reader) guessing until the very end, and it takes one especially clever contestant to win the Westing game.

Citation: Raskin, E. (2001). The Westing game. New York: Puffin Books.

Impression This wonderful mystery from Ellen Raskin won the 1979 Newbery, and I can see why. One of the biggest things that struck me about this book is that even though it was first published in 1978, it doesn’t feel dated at all. I started the book expecting to come across lots of technology and popular culture references that would date the book for modern readers. I was pleasantly surprised when I didn’t find many at all. (The only reference that really dates the book is Turtle listening to stock reports on a transistor radio.) The dialog and descriptions all have a timeless sort of feel that modern readers will connect with and appreciate.

Another strength of the book is pacing. Raskin reveals just enough information to help readers solve pieces of the puzzle. For example, most readers will realize the initial clues given to the heirs form the lyrics to a famous song. However, she keeps the answer to the big mystery under wraps until the very end. I am an avid mystery reader. I love trying to solve the mystery along with the characters, and I can usually figure out whodunit. The end of The Westing Game was a complete surprise to me, and it made me want to read it again so I could pick up on all the clues I missed the first time.

Review:
School Library Journal:
Another mystery puzzle for fans of Raskin’s earlier novels. This one centers on the challenge set forth in the will of eccentric millionaire Samuel Westing. Sixteen heirs of diverse backgrounds and ages are assembled in the old “Westing House,” paired off, and given clues to a puzzles they must solve— apparently in order to inherit. (Not so coincidently, most of these characters have recently moved into a new luxury apartment building behind the mansion.) So the race is on, intensified by the shifting identities and the suspicion that Westing was murdered by one of the heirs. Readers may solve the initial puzzle sooner than the characters, but the central mystery holds until the end. The heroine is 13-year-old Tabitha-Ruth “Turtle” Wexler, and she the only character that’s given more than one dimension— though most are wittily conceived that all serve admirably for this genre. Young readers will be satisfied that Turtle turns out to be the real winner and they will enjoy the process by which she learns— and earns— her reward.

Dorsey, M. A., (1978). [Review of the book The Westing Game, by E. Raskin]. School Library Journal, 24(8), 87. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Uses in a library: A library could have their own version of the Westing Game. It would be a wonderful program for older elementary school or middle school students. Librarians could create their own murder mystery, scavenger hunt, or treasure hunt based on the book.

Module 4: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-11-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

Summary: Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery-winning book tells the reader a story about a young mouse Despereaux Tilling. Mice like Despereaux are supposed to be scared of humans, but Despereaux falls in love with light and music and a human princess named Pea. He commits the ultimate mouse faux pas when he speaks to Pea. He is shunned by the rest of the mice and sent to the damp, dark dungeon with the rats. While there, he is saved by Gergory, the jailer. Before he escapes, he overhears a conversation between a rat named Roscuro and a serving girl named Miggery Sow. Roscuro plans to use Miggery to help him exact his revenge on humans by kidnapping Princess Pea. Despereaux realizes it’s up to him to become an unlikely hero and save the day.

Citation: DiCamillo, K., & Ering, T. B. (2003). The tale of Despereaux. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

Impression: I was sucked into this book from the very beginning. It has the feeling of an old-fashioned fairy tale, which is enhanced by the occasional illustrations from Timothy Basil Ering. DiCamillo’s language is formal and elegant and weighty, without using an advanced vocabulary with too many words that children won’t know. Sometimes DiCamillo’s omniscient narrator address the reader directly and asks questions, which will lend well to reading out loud and interacting with kids.

The characterization is another one of the book’s strongest elements. It’s easy for the reader to sympathize with the humans, mice, and rats in the story. I was rooting for poor, sweet Despearaux from the moment when his mother named him Despereaux “for all the sadness, for the many despairs in this place” (p. 3). There are and there are even moments when you feel for the villainous rat Roscuro. In the dedication for the book DiCamillo says the book is for “Luke, who asked for the story of an unlikely hero.” DiCamillo has definitely created that hero I in Despereaux, I think the underdog aspects of the story will really appeal to kids.

Review:
Horn Book:
Despereaux Tilling is not like the other mice in the castle. He's smaller than average, with larger than average ears. He'd rather read books than eat them. And he's in love with a human being--Princess Pea. Because he dares to consort with humans, the Mouse Council votes to send him to the dungeon. Book the First ends with Despereaux befriending a jailer who resides there. Books two and three introduce Roscuro, a rat with a vendetta against Princess Pea, and Miggery Sow, a young castle servant who longs to become a princess. Despereaux disappears from the story for too long during this lengthy middle section, but all the characters unite in the final book when Roscuro and Miggery kidnap Princess Pea at knifepoint and Despereaux, armed with a needle and a spool of thread, makes a daring rescue. Framing the book with the conventions of a Victorian novel ("Reader, do you believe that there is such a thing as happily ever after?"), DiCamillo tells an engaging tale. The novel also makes good use of metaphor, with the major characters evoked in images of light and illumination; Ering's black-and-white illustrations also emphasize the interplay of light and shadow. The metaphor becomes heavy-handed only in the author's brief, self-serving coda. Many readers will be enchanted by this story of mice and princesses, brave deeds, hearts "shaded with dark and dappled with light," and forgiveness.

Sieruta, P. D. (2003). [Review of the book The Tale of Despereaux, by K. DiCamillo]. Horn Book Magazine, 79(5), 609-610. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com/

Uses in a library: The Tale of Despereaux would be a great choice for a book club for elementary students. It would lead to a great discussion about bravery, friendship, and good versus evil. It would also be a great read aloud for a library or a classroom.

Module 3: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-11-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

Summary: Sylvester is a young donkey who loves to collect rocks. One day he finds a bright red pebble and discovers that it can grant wishes. He makes several wishes to test out the rock’s power, then starts home to share his amazing discovery with his family. On the way home he crosses paths with a lion, and in his panic he wishes to become a rock so he can avoid the lion. Without the magic pebble, Sylvester can’t turn himself back. Sylvester is afraid that he will have to stay a rock forever, but a happy coincidence turns him back into a donkey and reunites him with his loving family.

Citation: Steig, W. (1969). Sylvester and the magic pebble. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Impression: I can see why Steig’s Caldecott-winning book has stood the test of time.
The premise of the book is interesting and doesn’t become dated easily. The idea of an ordinary object having such extraordinary powers will always be fascinating to children and adults alike. Even though Sylvester and the Magic Pebble was originally published in 1969, Steig’s illustrations don’t feel old fashioned. He used many bright colors, especially in the characters’ clothes and home furnishings. His drawings are simple enough that children could try to replicate them, but detailed enough to provide lots of visual interest.

I also think the book still resonates because young readers can connect with the different emotions Sylvester experiences. Seig’s words and illustrations work together perfectly to convey emotions, like Sylvester’s excitement at finding a treasure like the magic pebble, his fright at running into the lion, the despair of his parents when he goes missing, and their joy at being reunited. One of best examples of this is a panel where Sylvester’s mother sits in a rocking chair, a tear coming down her check. Part of the text on the page reads “Mr. and Mrs. Duncan no longer knew what to do,” and there is a vase with wilted flowers in the background. Steig was great at including those little details in the illustrations to help readers get the whole story.

Review:
Kirkus:
Sylvester's "only chance of becoming himself again was for someone to find the red pebble and to wish that the rock next to it would be a donkey"--surely the prize predicament of the year and, in William Steig's pearly colors, one of the prettiest. How Mother and Father Duncan (donkey), despairing of finding their son, do eventually break the red pebble's spell and bring back Sylvester is a fable of happy families of all breeds.

(1969, March 1). [Review of the book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, by W. Steig]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Uses in a library: Sylvester and the Magic Pebble could be used in a storytime about magic. Afterwards, the children could decorate their own magic pebble. If the students or patrons are a little bit older, they could write a simple story about their pebble’s magic powers.

Module 3: A Sick Day for Amos McGee (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-11-07T21:46:00.000-08:00

Summary:

This sweet picture book was the winner of the 2011 of the Caldecott Medal. Amos McGee is a faithful zookeeper who has made friends with all the animals at the zoo. One day, Amos is sick and can’t come to work. The animals go in search of their friend and when they find him sick at home, they all help take care of him and make him feel better.

Citation: Stead, P. C., & Stead, E. E. (2010). A sick day for Amos McGee. New York: Roaring Brook.

Impression: A Sick Day for Amos McGee is one of the sweetest books I have read in a long, long time. I’m a sucker for a good animal story, so I loved the plot of this book. The way Amos interacts with the animals at the zoo and the way they repaid the favor when he was sick is so touching. (I especially loved how he plays games with the elephant and the tortoise.) I was also impressed with how Erin E. Stead’s illustrations compliment her husband Philip C. Stead’s story perfectly. Stead’s illustrations are reminiscent of Robert McCloskey and have a slightly old-fashioned feel, but that’s not a bad thing. Stead uses lots of soft, muted colors with pops of brighter color (a red balloon, a red scarf, etc.) for emphasis. Her illustrations give the book a cozy, homey feel. All the elements of the book combine to make a story that feels warm and soft like a favorite blanket, and just begs to be read at bedtime.

Review:
Publisher’s Weekly:
With quiet affection, this husband-and-wife team tells the story of a zookeeper whose devotion is repaid when he falls ill. On most days, the angular, elderly Amos rides the bus to the zoo, plays chess with the elephant ("who thought and thought before making a move"), sits quietly with the penguin, and spends time with his other animal friends. But when Amos catches a cold, the animals ride the bus to pay him a visit, each, in a charming turnabout, doing for Amos whatever he usually does for them. The elephant sets up the chessboard; the shy penguin sits on the bed, "keeping Amos's feet warm." Newcomer Erin Stead's elegant woodblock prints, breathtaking in their delicacy, contribute to the story's tranquility and draw subtle elements to viewers' attention: the grain of the woodblocks themselves, Amos's handsome peacock feather coverlet. Every face--Amos's as well as the animals'--brims with personality. Philip Stead's (Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast) narrative moves with deliberate speed, dreaming up a joyous life for the sort of man likely to be passed on the street without a thought. Ages 2-6.

(2010, May 10). [Review of the book A Sick Day for Amos McGee by P. Stead and E. Stead]. Publishers Weekly, 257(19), 41. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/

Uses in a library:
A library could use A Sick Day for Amos McGee as a part of a storytime. It would fit in with several different themes, including friendship and being sick. It could also be a part of any display or program about the Caldecott Award.

Module 2: How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-11-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

Summary: Boys will be boys in this classic book first published in 1973. It all starts when a boy named Alan dares another boy named Billy to eat 15 worms in 15 days. If Billy can do it, Alan owes him $50 dollars, which he doesn’t have. Alan’s friend Joe and Billy’s friend Tom get involved too, and the two teams go to great lengths to win the bet. Between Billy’s creative ways to choke down the worms and Alan’s ingenious (but devious) schemes to stop him, it’s unclear who will win the bet right until the very end.

Citation: Rockwell, T., & McCully, E. A. (2006). How to eat fried worms. New York: Random House.

Impression: How to Eat Fried Worms is completely different than the books I normally read, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. I felt that even though it was published in 1973, for the most part it still holds appeal for readers today. Kids, especially boys, will relate to the sense of competition and rivalry between the characters in the book. They will also love the gross-out factor of Billy eating the worms. I think readers will be surprised at some of the things Billy does to try and make the worms edible. (Although I don’t think it will inspire anyone to go out and eat a worm themselves— thank goodness.) The only drawback to the book is that some of the language is dated and stilted, which can be a real stumbling block for modern readers. For example, Alan calls Billy a lunk and a fink, and Joe says his mother “collapsed all helter-skelter” (pg. 36). These kinds of words and phrases will be unfamiliar to most modern readers, which could make them frustrated and take away from their enjoyment of the books. Overall, I think the premise of book and the humor in it will win over modern readers. How to Eat Fried Worms was made into a movie in 2006, which will also help bring modern readers to this classic book.

Review:
Kirkus:
Even fried with ketchup, mustard and horseradish sauce or baked as "Alsatian Smothered Worm" with onions and sour cream by Billy's supportive Mother, fifteen nightcrawlers are still a lot of worms to eat. Having made a fifty dollar bet, Billy persists in his one-a-day regimen much to the disgust of his friend Alan, who knows his father won't let him use his money this way in any case and tries all sorts of schemes to sabotage and psych Billy into quitting. The person who comes off best here is Billy's mother, who after a quick call to the doctor accepts the plan with perfect equanimity, but Rockwell's sensibilities (if that's the word) are so uncannily close to those of the average ten year-old boy that one begins to admire Billy as a really sharp operator.

(1973, September 01). [Review of the book How to Eat Fried Worms by T. Rockwell and E. McCully]. Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/

Uses in a library:
A library could read How to Eat Fried Worms as a part of a book club. After discussing the books and eating snacks (gummy worms, of course), the participants could watch the 2006 movie based on the book. Once they’ve watched the movie, they could have another discussion about the differences between the book and the movie.

Module 2: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-11-06T16:26:00.000-08:00

Summary: In Where the Wild Things Are, a little boy named Max loves to cause trouble. One night after he’s sent to bed without supper, he takes a journey to land full of monsters called the wild things. He becomes king of the wild things and has many adventures with them, but eventually he decides to return home and finds a wonderful surprise waiting for him.

Citation: Sendak, M. (1963). Where the Wild Things Are. New York: HarperCollins.

Impression:
This was my first time reading Where the Wild Things Are, and I can see why it won the Caldecott Medal and why it has become such a classic. Many elements of Sendak’s story, like Max’s room turning into a magical forest and his wild rumpus with the wild things, still hold a lot of appeal for kids. Also, his illustrations of the wild things are bold and unusual, but not too scary— in most images they are smiling. However, there are some darker elements to the book as well. There is an image of Max chasing the family dog, he tells his mother “I’LL EAT YOU UP,” and the wild things “roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth.” These darker elements don’t take away from the book or make it inappropriate for young children. Instead, they add another layer of interest and complexity to the book.

Where the Wild Things Are was made into a movie in 2009. The movie captures the look and feel of the book perfectly, but there are significant differences. Parents, especially with parents with very young children, should be aware that the movie emphasizes the harsh, almost violent elements of the book.

Review:
Booklist:
*Starred Review* This simply written but subtle book became a classic not only because it legitimized children's angry feelings and their ability to use their imaginations to deal with those feelings but also because it showed punishment and love coexisting in a parent-child relationship. When mischievous Max, wearing his wolf suit, romps around the house and drives his mother to distraction, she calls him Wild Thing and sends him to bed without his supper. But in the quiet of his room, a forest grows, where claw-footed monsters with horns, Wild Things just like Max, lurk and leap. Max joins their wild rumpus and is made king of all wild things, but still he misses his home. When he finally returns, he discovers his supper waiting, and it is still hot. Where the Wild Things Are, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1964, has never gone out of print and is now available in several editions including paperback and a twenty-fifth anniversary remastered version. The year 2008 is sure to bring even more attention to this beloved children's book: Dave Eggers will publish an adult novel based on the 338-word story at the same time that a combination live-action and animatronic movie, scripted by Eggers and directed by Spike Jonze, is released. How Jonze will translate Sendak's exceptional crossed-hatched-watercolor artwork to the screen remains to be seen.

Zvirin, S. (2007, November 01). [Review of the book Where the wild things are, by M. Sendak]. Booklist 104(5). Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/

Uses in a library:
One of the ways libraries could use Where the Wild Things Are is to hold a “Wild Rumpus” night. They could invite children and their families for a storytime featuring Where the Wild Things Are and similar books, have children draw a picture of their version of the wild things or what they would look like as king or queen of the wild things, and watch the movie.

Module 1: The Plot Chicken by Mary Jane and Herm Auch (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-11-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

Summary: The Plot Chickens is a story about a plucky chicken named Henrietta who loves reading. One day she decides she wants to write her own book. She gets some ideas and help from the other chickens on the farm and from a writing book. She sends her book. The Perils of Maxine, off to the publisher, but she gets rejected. When she publishes the book herself, it gets poor reviews. Just when Henrietta really starts to gets discouraged, she finds that some very important people do like her book.

Citation: Auch, M. J., & Auch, H. (2010). The plot chickens. New York: Holiday House.

Impression: I thought this was an extremely charming book. I love wordplay and puns, and The Plot Chickens is full of both— Henrietta types on a Hunt & Peck typewriter, the librarian suggests she send her book to The Corn Book for review, etc. (I don’t want to give away all the clever little surprises.) I also really enjoyed the illustrations. According to the jacket flap, the illustrations were created by combining oil paintings and digital techniques. The result is crisp illustrations with lots of bold, bright colors and a surprising amount of detail. Another reason I liked the book was because the overall message was that you should never let anyone discourage you from pursuing your dreams.

Review:
School Library Journal:
K-Gr 2-Henrietta the chicken, star of Souperchicken (Holiday House, 2003), is an avid library user and decides that because reading is so much fun, "writing books must be eggshilarating." She finds a manual of writing rules and creates her own story-with the unsolicited help of the other fowl. When it is rejected by a publisher, Henrietta decides to self-publish. She takes a copy to her librarian, who tells her to send it to The Corn Book Magazine for review. Henrietta gets another rejection: "odoriferous." Then she wanders into the library at storytime and sees that her book was chosen best of the year by the children. Henrietta is asked to read it aloud. "She read with dramatic expression. Of course, all the children heard was BUK, BUK, BUK.." The illustrations, a combination of oil paints and digital technology, are bold and colorful. The pictures are busy, with Henrietta at her typewriter while her friends cavort around her. There are imagined scenes in cloud shapes, word balloons, and jokes aplenty. A droll chicken with a repeating line adds to the humor. This offering works on two levels. It's a funny picture book that could be used as a manual on writing.-Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

Bates, I. (2009, March 01). [Review of the book The Plot Chickens, by M. Auch and H. Auch]. School Library Journal. 55(3). Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Uses in a library:
An elementary school library could use The Plot Chickens with older students (2nd through 5th graders) who are working on creative writing projects. Hearing Henrietta’s story will entertain them and encourage them to write their own stories. A public library holding some kind of writing program could use it in the same way. A really ambitious library could turn it into a puppet show, play, or reader’s theater. The humor in the book would make it a hit with kids and parents alike.

Module 1: I Already Know I Love You by Billy Crystal (SLIS 5420 review)

2011-10-02T19:39:00.001-07:00

Summary: I Already Know I Love You is a sweet picture book where a grandfather tells his unborn granddaughter about all the things he wants to do with her once she’s born. He talks about milestones like going to the circus, flying kites, and taking her to her first movie. He just can’t wait to meet his “little sweet one.”

Citation: Crystal, B. (2004). I Already Know I Love You. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Impression: This picture book written by actor Billy Crystal and illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles is absolutely charming. It’s one of those books that makes you want to curl up with a loved one and tell family stories and reminisce about days gone by. It is based on Crystal’s own experience, which gives the sentiments expressed in the book a genuine, heartfelt quality. Sayles’ soft illustrations match the tone of the book perfectly. Grandparents will relate to the things the grandfather wants to experience with his granddaughter, like seeing her in her Brownie uniform and taking her to a baseball game. I Already Know I Love You is similar to books like Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman, and grandparents will want to share this sweet book with their grandchildren.

Reviews:
School Library Journal: “As a grandfather-to-be anticipates the birth of his grandchild, he expresses excitement for all of the special moments and activities he can't wait to share: bear hugs, the ocean, a Yankees game, a movie. The rhyming text is basic and yet effective. Crystal manages to come across as sincere rather than sappy so that the special nature of this intergenerational relationship shines through. As the narrator imagines the future, the soft pastel art depicts the baby nestled snuggly in Grandpa's arms. Other pictures show the wide-eyed red-headed child getting older, her grandpa and a fuzzy stuffed monkey by her side. The longevity and importance of this family relationship is thus visually supported and celebrated. After readers see and hear about all of the enjoyable events that will occur, the book comes full circle and ends with the birth of the child, ‘Get ready, little sweet one–/your life will be just great./I'm going to be your grandpa, and.../I can hardly wait.’”

Topol, M. (2004, June 01). [Review of the book I Already Know I Love You, by B. Crystal and E. Sayles]. School Library Journal 56(1). Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Uses in a library: This would make a great storytime book because of the endearing illustrations and the rhyming text. Librarians or teachers working with older children could take it to the next level by having the children discuss what they think their grandparents or parents wanted to tell them before they were born, or even having them write a story like I Already Know I Love You from their own grandparents’ perspective.

I’m back!

2011-10-01T20:59:00.000-07:00

After a two year hiatus, I am back to blogging! A lot has happened professionally and personally for me in the last two years. I received a promotion at work in January 2009, and I bought my first home in July 2010. Needless to say, those two things have kept me extremely busy! I am also pursuing my Master’s degree in Library Science online from the University of North Texas, which is part of the impetus to start blogging again. I am taking a children’s literature class this semester and one of the requirements of the class is to write reviews of the books we read for class and post them on a blog or website. Since I already had this blog set up, I thought I would revive it and post my reviews here. The reviews I write for class have to contain certain elements, like a citation for the book and my ideas for how to use the book in the library. The reviews for class will also have “SLIS 5420 review” after the title and in the tags.

Along with the reviews for class, I will also be posting reviews of the other books I read, along with musings on theater, music, movies, and more. I am looking forward to blogging again. I promise I won’t go two years between posts this time.

Jack is back: A new season of "24."

2009-01-11T20:47:00.000-08:00

After a year of waiting, the season premiere of the hit drama “24” aired tonight on Fox, and it was definitely worth the wait. Kiefer Sutherland is back as Jack Bauer, the CTU agent who always does what it takes to save the day, even if that means going rouge every now and then. As this season begins, we find that CTU has been disbanded, but Jack is on trial for some of his more questionable actions as a CTU agent. But it doesn’t take long until the FBI realizes they need Jack to save the day once again. He’s whisked away from the trial and debriefed on a critical situation: a series of recent technology thefts that could pose a serious threat to our nation’s infrastructure.

If the first episode is any indication, we are in for another season full of drama, action and twists we don’t see coming. (There’s a big one in the first episode, but I hate spoilers, so I won’t mention it here.) Sutherland is still excellent as Jack, but he is also surrounded by a strong supporting cast including Colm Feore as Henry Taylor, Jeffery Nordling as Larry Moss, and Janeane Garofalo as Janis Gold. (Garofalo adds a few welcome moments of levity to the otherwise tension-heavy show.) I am glad Jack is back, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T19:42:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2008 was a great year for all of you, and I hope 2009 is even better. In honor of the new year, here's a list of resolutions from a bevy of Broadway stars. (I especially like Tom Hewitt's.) Enjoy!

Money money money: The economy and Broadway

2008-12-18T23:11:00.000-08:00

Last year it was a strike. This year, it’s the economy.

The holiday season should be one of the busiest times of the year for Broadway, but this year the economy has hit the theater industry with some pretty powerful blows. This New York Times article from Patrick Healy is a smart, in-depth look at the situation, but this is what it boils down to: people are cutting out a lot of the extras in their lives to save money, and that includes pricey theater tickets. That means that means many shows aren’t playing to capacity, and dependable shows like “Gypsy” and “Grease” are closing earlier than expected. That in turn means that producers are hesitant to invest in new shows. It’s a vicious circle.

Like Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, I’m a cock-eyed optimist, and I can’t help but feel that Broadway will come out of this slump. As Healy points out in his article, there are some productions that are doing well right now, and there are several highly-anticipated productions opening in the spring. Plus, I’m sure I’ll spend a few hundred dollars on shows when I got to New York in January. Somehow I don’t think that will be quite enough to make a difference. If I got all my friends and family and random people on the street to do the same thing, then maybe we’d be in business!

Magic Valley Chorale

2008-12-16T21:28:00.000-08:00

Here's my latest from The Times-News. I did a preview piece for Magic Valley Chorale's annual Christmas concert. Music is one of my favorite things about the holidays, and it's a surefire way to get me in the Christmas spirit. I was out of town and wasn't able to make the concert, but the chorale always puts on a great show!

The Great Green Way

2008-12-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

Call it the Green White Way, because Shrek has officially opened on Broadway.

The stage adaptation of DreamWorks’ animated film opened at the Broadway Theater on Sunday, and it’s been getting decent reviews. New York Times theater critic Ben Brantley particularly liked Sutton Foster’s performance. I’m hoping to see the show when I come to New York in January. I’ve always thought the story of the cranky green ogre was clever and endearing, and some of my favorite Broadway actors are in the cast— Sutton Foster, John Tartaglia, and Brian d’Arcy James, just to name a few. For some fun Shrek features, check out Broadway.com. They’ve got a photo slideshow from the green carpet on opening night, and another one that gives a peek into Sutton Foster’s pre-show routine.

The modern mix tape

2008-12-09T21:26:00.000-08:00

So I was doing a little Christmas shopping online, and I came across this little gem on Target’s website. It’s a modern take on the mix tape. Now, being old enough to have made (and received) quite a few actual mix tapes, I think this is quite clever. I know that most of the iPod and mp3 generation probably won’t appreciate the throwback to the way people used to share music, but anyone who grew up in the 80s will love it.

Fireworks in December

2008-12-08T20:55:00.000-08:00

Here's my latest story from The Times-News. It's about an annual charity event called Christmas in the Nighttime Sky. The centerpiece of the night is an elaborate fireworks show, and it always draws a huge crowd!

Sonatina Saturday

2008-11-21T21:50:00.000-08:00

Here's my latest article from The Times-News. It's a story about a sonatina festival that was held at the College of Southern Idaho last weekend. I got to spend a couple hours doing interviews and taking pictures of the students and parents, and I really enjoyed myself.

In other news, I just got back from seeing Twilight. Expect a blog about it later. Can't. type. right. now. Still. too. twitchy.

All I want for Christmas...

2008-11-20T22:04:00.001-08:00

is a walk-on appearance in Wicked!!!

My good friend and fellow theater buff Linda let me know about this amazing eBay auction, and I just about had a conniption. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is auctioning off a one-time, walk-on appearance in Wicked. You get a day of rehearsal, make-up and hair consultations, a costume fitting, photos with the cast, the works. What I wouldn't give to win that auction... Like I told Linda, if I wasn't so practical (and financially responsible) I would sign up for a bunch of credit cards and max them all out so I could have the winning bid. Oh well. Maybe Santa will put it under my tree. I've been a good girl this year!

Two more reasons to love The New York Times

2008-11-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

There were two articles in today’s New York Times that reminded me why I like that paper so much. NCIS has been one of my favorite shows for a couple years now, and I never feel like it gets the credit it deserves. Well, that seems to be changing this season. There have been several articles and features about it over the last month or so, including this one from today’s New York Times. It put the show’s success in context, and talks a little bit about what makes it so great.

And with “Twilight” opening on Friday, it’s a perfect time for an article about my favorite vampire, Robert Pattinson. The article talks about the chaos that ensues as he makes mall appearances to promote the film. My favorite part of the article is when the author talks about a t-shirt one of the fans was wearing:

“I never got my letter from Hogwarts,” the front said, and on the back it continued, “So I am moving to Forks to live with the Cullens.”

Brilliant. I think I may have to steal that and put it on a shirt to wear to opening night.

Snowflakes, part two

2008-11-14T21:26:00.001-08:00

As promised, here are photos of some of the snowflakes I made.

Here are some kissy lips for Valentine's Day.

And some betterflies and tulips for spring...

How about a cluster of stars for the Fourth of July?

And last but not least, some Nutcracker ballerinas for Christmas!

Vicariously “Wicked” via YouTube

2008-11-11T22:53:00.000-08:00

I just spent the last 45 minutes watching clips from the Broadway show “Wicked” on YouTube. I have the show's original Broadway cast recording memorized, and I feel like I could step in and play Elphaba anytime you need me to. Unfortunately, I’ve never actually seen the show. Thanks to YouTube, people can experience the show (or at least parts of it) without actually being there. Without leaving my house, I was able to watch clips from the Broadway and London productions and see some of my favorite actors on stage in the show, including Idina Menzel, Norbert Leo Butz and even Taye Diggs. One of my favorite clips was this one from the London production with Kerry Ellis and Oliver Thompsett as Elephaba and Fiyero singing “As Long As You’re Mine.” Their chemistry together really drew me into their story.

I honestly don’t know how I feel about this phenomenon… One on hand, I love that YouTube and other sites like it offer people who don’t live anywhere near New York City (like me) the opportunity to experience shows we wouldn’t get to see otherwise. The downside is that most of the clips I found were from audience members who managed to sneak their cameras into the theater and record part of the show, and I know that’s wrong. I think it all comes out even in the end because the clips on YouTube are bringing theater to more people, and they aren’t necessarily taking any business away from the theaters. I can’t speak for the other thousands of people who watched the “Wicked” clips on YouTube, but I’m still planning on seeing the show live and in person— hopefully when I come to NYC in January!

Snowflakes: Not just for winter anymore

2008-11-10T23:26:00.000-08:00

Remember making paper snowflakes back in elementary school? You’d fold up the crisp, white paper into a triangle and take your time carefully cutting out the intricate designs and patterns. Well, think of that, then times about 100, and you’ve got “Snowflakes for All Seasons” by Cindy Higham.

“Snowflakes for All Seasons” is a craft book I came across while I was at work today. When I saw it, it immediately took me back to my childhood. It has patterns for 72 different holiday and seasonal snowflakes, and they are all beautiful. There’s a kissy lips pattern for Valentine’s Day, pots of gold for St. Patrick’s Day, and even profiles of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for President's Day. One of the most detailed designs is a girl swinging from two trees to represent summer. (I haven’t attempted it yet, but I’m planning on it. If I’m successful, I’ll post pictures.)

The book is incredibly easy to use. It starts by explaining how to fold your paper, then gives you one pattern per page. Each page has the pattern you need to create your snowflake and shows what the completed snowflake should look like. The patterns are the exact size you need for snowflakes made from regular 8 1/2x11 paper, but they can easily be copied and resized for smaller or larger snowflakes.

Of course, I had to try a few of the patterns. (I’m always on the lookout for new programs and crafts to do with the teens at the library.) I did the stars for the 4th of July, the butterflies and tulips for spring, and the Nutcracker ballerinas for Christmas, and they all turned out surprisingly well. (Hopefully, I’ll have pictures of my creations posted here soon.) I showed the snowflakes to some teens who were there at the time, and they loved them. I had a lot of fun doing it, and I think I found my next teen program!

Save Tin Pan Alley!

2008-11-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

I was so sad to read this AP article about Tin Pan Alley in New York City. According to the article, the six historic buildings on West 28th were put up for sale this fall, but (thankfully) the sale fell through. They wanted to tear them down and replace them with a high rise, which would have been an absolute travesty. That site is so important to early American music, and to Broadway music in particular. I would hate to see it go, so I’m glad to hear there are people fighting to keep it around and give it the respect it deserves!

In happier news, I just bought plane tickets to come visit NYC in January! (I hope Tin Pan Alley is still around when I get there…) I’ll be staying with some friends from grad school, seeing the sights, and going to as many Broadway shows as I can. (“Spring Awakening,” “Equus,” and “Wicked” are at the top of my list.) I couldn’t be more excited! I'm already starting to count down the days, and you can definitely expect lots of photos and updates from my adventure!

Best. Set. Ever.

2008-11-08T20:56:00.000-08:00

I came across this picture today and I had to share it because this has got to be the best set for a play. Ever. It was an outdoor set for a 2005 production of “Ivanov” by Anton Chekhov at the Theater het Amsterdam Bos. Somehow, the fact that it was a Chekhov show makes it even better, because 19th century Russian drama and a trailer park so go together, right? Right…

TIME for the Jerome High School Marching Band

2008-11-07T21:22:00.001-08:00

Here's an article I wrote about TIME, a new show from the Jerome High School marching band. I spent some time at one of their rehearsals, and it completely took me back to my own middle school/high school band days. I have so many fond memories of being in band and choir, and it was fun revist them.

All Ben Brantley, all the time

2008-11-06T22:43:00.000-08:00

I found something kind of fun the other day. Ben Brantley from The New York Times is one of my favorite theater critics, and the Times website has a whole section devoted just to him. It’s got a recent editorial from Brantley on why he loves theater and what it’s like to be a critic, a list of his favorite theater resources and websites, and links to some of his best reviews. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t stumbled upon this compilation of all things Brantley before! Now that I found the site, I’ll definitely be going back to it to keep up with what’s happening on Broadway.

A Little "Twilight" music

2008-11-05T23:33:00.001-08:00

Do you hear that sound? All those teenage girls screaming? That’s because the world is one step closer to the release of “Twilight,” the movie. The movie doesn’t hit theaters until November 21, but Atlantic Records released the official soundtrack for the film on Tuesday.

For those of you who have been hiding under a rock (or paying attention to other equally important things, like, oh, say, the presidential election), “Twilight” is based on Stephenie Meyer’s novel about the tumultuous romance between 17-year-old human Bella Swan and uber-perfect vampire Edward Cullen. As an avid fan of the series, I was extremely pleased to find that the album’s eclectic mix of music truly captured the mood of “Twilight,” and now I’m more eager than ever to see the movie.

Many of the artists that inspired Meyer as she wrote “Twilight” appear on the movie’s soundtrack. The CD starts off on a high note with the infectious, danceable “Supermassive Black Hole” from Muse. There are other fast-paced, driving tracks like “Tremble for my Beloved” by Collective Soul and “Spotlight” by Mutemath, that keep you moving as you listen.

On the softer side, there’s the mellow “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” from Iron and Wine, and “Bella’s Lullaby,” a soothing instrumental by Carter Burwell. My favorite track is “Full Moon” by British duo The Black Ghost. The combination of the legato vocals with the staccato guitar is incredibly catchy.

The CD also features actor Rob Pattinson, who plays Edward in the movie. Pattinson wrote and performed two tracks, “Never Think” and “Let Me Sign.” His soulful voice is reminiscent of Jonny Lang or Paolo Nutini, and his guitar playing is subtle and nuanced. The only drawback is his Dylan-esque mumbling, but that shouldn’t be enough to deter most listeners. Teenage girls (and even grown women) will still eat it up— they’ll just imagine he’s whispering sweet nothings in their ear. (I’m not saying that’s what I did, but I betcha other people do it…)

My favorites from The Times-News

2008-11-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

I have been a freelance writer for The Times-News, the daily newspaper in Twin Falls, Idaho, for over a year now. My family and friends are always asking me what kind of articles keep me so busy, so here are links to some of my favorite pieces— in no particular order.

Here’s a story about a music scholarship program started by local comedian and musician Danny Marona.

This is one of my news pieces about a group of parents who were denied the opportunity to speak at a local school board meeting.

Everyone knows I enjoy a good musical, so I had a great time hanging out at rehearsals for a local production of “Titanic.”

This story is about a student-led theater group and their production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Ever been owl watching? I hadn’t until I went out with a local bird watching group for this story.

This was a fun story to report. It’s about a man leading a wagon train from Montpellier, Idaho to Nampa, Idaho.

A local community theater group did a production of “The Laramie Project” this summer, and it was very timely for our community.

Director Rocco DeVilliers, who grew up in Twin Falls, recently brought his film “The Flyboys” to the local movie theater.

Finally, a new blog

2008-11-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to start this new blog for quite some time, and now I'm finally putting fingers to keyboard and doing it. My goal is that this will be a place for me to share my thoughts on everything from theater to books to travel, and to hear what you have to say as well.

Wish me luck!!!