Author: Neal Shusterman
Why Selected: Teacher suggestion
Literary Merit: A story about two kids, one who seems to always find trouble and one who is not noticed. As punishment they become dog walkers for the one guy in town everyone fears. They befriend a blind girl who accepts them both. It is not terribly deep but can make you think at the same time. Shusterman has a clever way of writing and some neat nuances, like using a Schwa, which is included in his name on the cover.
Share: A fun story for 5-7 grade, sequel may appeal to those that want to continue reading.
Appeal: Has some appeal to the kids who don't fit in or are constantly in trouble.
Awards: None
Friday, January 7, 2011
Starting up again
A lot has changed since the summer this project was started. A new job in a library, plus school, plus kids = not a whole lot of time for reading or posting. I've squeezed in a few and will hit them up soon.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Skeleton Creek
Author: Patrick Carman
Why Selected: Use of Library 2.0, internet and a book
Literary Merit: Suspenseful story that seems to lack something. While the videos are scary and help move the story in an interesting way. How long will this book sustain because without the videos the story makes no sense. And technologically it can limit the audience in a way. A good cliff hanger make the book intriguing but as far as I can tell there is no sequel?
Share: Example of creative way to blend book and internet.
Appeal: Grades 4-6
Awards: None
Why Selected: Use of Library 2.0, internet and a book
Literary Merit: Suspenseful story that seems to lack something. While the videos are scary and help move the story in an interesting way. How long will this book sustain because without the videos the story makes no sense. And technologically it can limit the audience in a way. A good cliff hanger make the book intriguing but as far as I can tell there is no sequel?
Share: Example of creative way to blend book and internet.
Appeal: Grades 4-6
Awards: None
Go Ask Alice
Author: Anonymous
Why Selected: Class suggestion
Literary Merit: Diary account of a young girl who becomes addicted to drugs. It's poignant and scary, but has some uplifting moments. Representative of the highs and lows experienced under the influence.
Share: Suggested read to a troubled teen.
Appeal: Grades 7-12
Awards: None
Why Selected: Class suggestion
Literary Merit: Diary account of a young girl who becomes addicted to drugs. It's poignant and scary, but has some uplifting moments. Representative of the highs and lows experienced under the influence.
Share: Suggested read to a troubled teen.
Appeal: Grades 7-12
Awards: None
Dinothesaurus
Author & Illustrator: Douglas Florian
Why Selected: Author suggestion
Literary Merit: Fun poems about different dinosaurs. Many add a human touch like having one scratch your back or size comparisons. A great way to bring the prehistoric to the current. Art work is very muted, using dinosaur figurines would be a good supplement for this book to show kids how they are represented in the artwork.
Share: Just a fun book to have in the collection, could read aloud too.
Appeal: Preschool-3rd grade
Awards: None
Why Selected: Author suggestion
Literary Merit: Fun poems about different dinosaurs. Many add a human touch like having one scratch your back or size comparisons. A great way to bring the prehistoric to the current. Art work is very muted, using dinosaur figurines would be a good supplement for this book to show kids how they are represented in the artwork.
Share: Just a fun book to have in the collection, could read aloud too.
Appeal: Preschool-3rd grade
Awards: None
Lives - Poems About Famous Americans
Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Illustrator: Leslie Staub
Why Selected: Author suggestion
Literary Merit: Great poems about famous American presidents, sports stars, astronauts and civil rights leaders. It includes several different types of poetry in terms of meter and rhyme.
Share: Good to have for different times of the year and to study poetry.
Appeal: Grades 1-4
Awards: None
Illustrator: Leslie Staub
Why Selected: Author suggestion
Literary Merit: Great poems about famous American presidents, sports stars, astronauts and civil rights leaders. It includes several different types of poetry in terms of meter and rhyme.
Share: Good to have for different times of the year and to study poetry.
Appeal: Grades 1-4
Awards: None
Sonia Sotomayor - A Judge Grows in the Bronx
Author: Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Edel Rodriguez
Why Selected: Spanish and English content
Literary Merit: The early life tale of the first Latino Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor. The text is in English and Spanish in separate paragraphs. This is more of an illustration biography book for younger kids. The story is inspirational, no matter what your heritage.
Share: Good to have for bilingual or ESL classes.
Appeal: Grades 2-4
Awards: None
Illustrator: Edel Rodriguez
Why Selected: Spanish and English content
Literary Merit: The early life tale of the first Latino Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor. The text is in English and Spanish in separate paragraphs. This is more of an illustration biography book for younger kids. The story is inspirational, no matter what your heritage.
Share: Good to have for bilingual or ESL classes.
Appeal: Grades 2-4
Awards: None
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