Summary:A little girl dog goes to the opera with her mother. The opera starts. An old sailor seadog longs to go back to see and buys a ship with three friends. The ship is beautiful and they prepare it to sail. Once at sea, the ship is attached by pirates and they stole their loot but dropped a treasure map. They then find a stowaway pup. The seadogs head for the treasure on the island and begin to dig. Once they find the treasure chest they are found by the pirates. They escape and head for home. The old seadog stays behind with the pup while the friends sail on. The opera ends and everyone loves it, especially the little girl.
Citation:
Wheeler, Lisa, and Mark Siegel. Seadogs: an Epic Ocean Operetta. New York: Atheneum for Young Readers, 2004. Print.
Impressions:
This imaginative graphic novel was wonderful and needs to be read or sung aloud to get the true effect. The illustrations alone could entertain a child for hours and tell the story very well without a lot of text.
Reviews:
PreS-Gr. 2. A little Victorian girl dog goes to see a performance of Seadogs, an operetta, in this bouncy, colorful picture book that unfolds in detailed, comics-like panels. Children experience the event from the eager pup's largely silent perspective, getting a few backstage peeks as well as views of the audience and orchestra--and of the performance itself. The operetta concerns an old seadog who gathers a crew for one last adventure--among them, a good-hearted bar mistress and a young pup of dubious ancestry. The lyrics to the songs, usually boxed, tell about what's going on in the present (the daily chores, the unexpected appearance of pirates) and about the life each old dog left to come aboard. The little girl pup loves the show and remembers lively scenes from it in her memory as the hansom cab carries her away. A delightful book to share with pre-readers, who can return to the pictures on their own and relive the tandem stories of a grown-up night out and an epic voyage. Melodies for the songs would have made this graphic novel for the picture-book set even better. Francisca Goldsmith
Copyright © American Library Association., Booklist
Grade 1-4--Wheeler and Siegel do many things well in their comic-book-style story, but an unnecessarily convoluted plot ultimately sinks this lighthearted adventure. The opening illustrations show an excited pup arriving at the theater and the canine cast members getting ready backstage. Once the curtain rises, the tale is related through funny songs and verses. Old Seadog (the captain), Brave Beagle, and her love (a cowardly dachshund) set sail on the Beauty. They soon encounter a "Mongrel Horde" led by Captain Jacques Fifi. As the three friends hide, the pirates board their ship, loot it, and then, surprisingly, return to their own vessel. During the raid, Captain Fifi accidentally drops a treasure map and a stowaway sneaks aboard. This chubby little pup soon wins Old Seadog's heart. The heroes sail to the treasure isle and find the hoard, only to lose it again, but in the end, they realize that their true treasure is adventure and love. The text contains a good deal of whimsical humor and wordplay. The catchy verses milk the canine puns for all they're worth, but this slows the pace considerably. The cartoons add detail and comic twists; they often belie the words they accompany to ironic effect. Ultimately, the story feels a bit forced and drawn out; the pirates lack bite and adults will best appreciate much of the humor. With not enough action and too much verse, this venture comes up short.--Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved, via School Library Journal5
Use in Library Setting:
The book would be wonderful if used in a storytime presentation, complete with props and singing.
Summary:
Best friends Angela, Zoe and Maddie talk via Instant Message about everything going on in their lives. Angela has constant crushes and short relationships, Maddie gets sucked in by a popular girl and is consequentially humiliated at a fraternity party (even though she is in high school), and Zoe starts an innocent church related relationship with a male teacher and all is well until he starts hitting on her. At the end, everything works out and they are still friends, but readers see the everyday gossip that goes on between three friends in high school.
Citation:
Myracle, Lauren. Ttyl. New York: Amulet, 2004. Print.
Impressions:
First, I did not enjoy the way the book was formatted in Instant Messages. I found it difficult to read and it took way from the plot. While the book is controversial, I honestly think it is the most realistic book about teenage girls that I have ever read. Like it or not, the conversations that occur in this book happen every day at most American high schools. Because of the normality of these types of conversations, (which don’t always include events like teacher flirtation and alcohol abuse), I am confused by its popularity- girls could just read back through their own instant messages and get similar dramaticized stories!
Reviews:
Gr. 6-10. The story of three friends' tenth-grade lives is told entirely in IMs, replete with g2gs and CAPS LOCKED SCREAMING. At the start of their sophomore year, Zoe, Maddie, and Angela promise to remain best friends for life. But soon Zoe is spending way too much time with her vaguely creepy teacher; Maddie abandons her real friends in favor of uberpopular Jana; and both Maddie and Zoe tire of Angela's never-ending Boy Drama. The plot is familiar and often pedestrian, but the girls' distinctly compelling IM voices are the hook here. Myracle cleverly manages to build rich characters and narrative tension without ever taking the story outside of an IM box. Although some backstory is awkwardly inserted and a few of the pop-culture references are already dated, Chat-savvy readers will identify with these teens and their problems, and Myracle neatly demonstrates how IM can bolster real-life friendships. John Green Copyright © American Library Association., via Booklist
A perfect book for morons destined to drop out of school at 15 stoned and pregnant. If that's your aspiration for your kids, by all means buy this book for them. This book has no redeeming value what-so-ever; I tossed our copy (I'm ashamed that I didn't look more closely when my daughter bought it) in the recycling bin after my daughter came to me suggesting that, perhaps, it wasn't appropriate for her. She was right. It's not appropriate for anyone. It is trash.-Kevin W. Plaxco, via Amazon.com
I want to know if I read the same book as the people who gave this thing 5 stars. Reading TTYL made me want to break down in tears. Is that how society truly views teenage girls? As a sophomore in high school, trust me on this, no middle/jr/high school female acts like that. The whole book basically made it seem as if all we're interested in is boys, sex, and boys. I was deeply disappointed in the fact that the author was promoting this. Although, I have more issues with the publisher who thought this one was a winner. And I don't believe anyone on this planet, or the next, types like that.
Do yourself a favor, and don't even bother reading TTYL. You've much better things to do with your time, like watching the grass grow.—C. George, via Amazon.com
Use in Library Setting:
This book could be used to demonstrate the new textual formats being used in contemporary YA literature. In addition, several of the issues in the book such as an overly flirtatious teacher and peer pressure could be used to teach teens about these real life situations.
Summary:
A collection of poetry written by Latinos. It touches on many issues faced by Latinos growing up in the United States.
Citation:
Carlson, Lori M. Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing up Latino in the United States. New York: H. Holt and, 1994. Print.
Impressions:
The poetry is moving and inspiring. Living in Texas, I am not Latino, but I recognize the struggle identified in the poems.
Reviews:
The founder of the bilingual children's magazine Azul offers a collection of poetry by Gary Soto, Oscar Hijuelos (who also contributes an introduction) and other contemporary Latino writers from both the edges and the heartland of our country. Most, but not all, of the poems were written in English first; they appear here in the original, and also in translations: sometimes literal, sometimes free, sometimes by the poet, generally by another. Gathered by theme--``School Days,'' ``Hard Times,'' ``Time To Party,'' etc.--they express a wide range of experience and feeling in direct ways, from Gina Vald‚s's ironic ``English con Salsa'' (``Welcome to ESL 100, English Surely Latinized'') or Pat Mora's ``Mango Juice'' (``Eating mangoes/on a stick/is laughing/as gold juice/slides down/your chin...'') to Luis J. Rodr¡guez's account of being beaten upon venturing into a white neighborhood to buy groceries (`` `Race' Politics''). Six of the poems here are truly bilingual, mixing languages in intriguing ways. In ``Why Do Men Wear Earrings on One Ear?'' Trinidad Sanchez Jr. exclaims: ``Sepa yo!/Maybe por costumbre, maybe porque es la moda/or they have made promesas...because la chica selling them was sooooo mamacita...'' Carlson assumes that most of her readers will be more comfortable in English; the English version of each poem comes first, and Spanish phrases are translated (``Sepa yo: How should I know?'') in an appended glossary. Poetry with a distinct flavor: a skillfully mixed appetizer for After Aztlan: Latino Poets of the Nineties (1992) and other larger collections. Biographical sketches. (Poetry. 10-up) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Gr. 7-12. "Welcome to ESL 100, English Surely Latinized, / ingl{‚}es con chile y cilantro, English as American / as Benito Ju{ }arez. Welcome, muchachos from Xochicalco, / learn the language of d{¢}olares [dollars] and dolores [pains], of kings / and queens, of Donald Duck and Batman. Holy Toluca!" Gina Vald{‚}es' "English con Salsa" leads off this anthology, setting the stage, as it were, for a wonderful assortment of poems that express Latino culture and the concerns of growing up in the U.S. Some of the poems are presented bilingually, translated from the original English or vice versa; others are a telling mix of both languages--"not necessarily Spanglish," according to Carlson. And although the poems are quite diverse stylistically and in subject matter, they all speak to the teenage experience, and the central sense that emerges from the whole is that the very mingling of the two languages is important in assimilating the two cultures and in maintaining an awareness of yourself and your heritage. Hence, slang and fractured grammar slip into both languages here, but at times the Spanish rendition is awkward. (For example, why call the living room el living, rather than la sala?) Some of the pieces express the pain of facing prejudice or brutality; others celebrate the beat of Latino life--the joys of good hot dogs, parties, mangoes, dancing, love. Sally Estes, Booklist
Use in Library Setting:
The poems in this book could be used in a library setting to encourage Latino patrons to read poetry. It could also be used to assist non Latinos in understanding the difficulties and struggles that Latinos often face in this country.
Summary:
This collection of short stories cover every aspect of friendship, from anger, bullying, love and family.
Citation:
Rochman, Hazel, and Darlene Z. McCampbell. Who Do You Think You Are?: Stories of Friends and Enemies. Little, Brown for Young Readers, 1997. Print.
Impressions:
This collection of short stories is an example of how a story about friendship almost always resonates with anyone familiar with the sensation.
Reviews:
Representing a variety of American cultures and ethnic groups, this collection of intimate stories and excerpts from novels by such renowned writers as Joyce Carol Oates, John Updike, Carson McCullers and Maya Angelou explores how children and young adults are affected by key figures: heroes, opponents, classmates and siblings. The majority of the selections deal with peer relationships. Updike's "The Alligators," Oates's "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?" and Gish Jen's "What Means Switch" trace adolescent infatuations that ultimately end in disappointment. "Good Grief!" by Ray Bradbury, taken from Dandelion Wine , commemorates the loss of a best friend, while Sandra Cisneros's "My Lucy Friend Who Smells Like Corn" celebrates the delight of discovering a kindred spirit. Other stories express the spiritual drifting apart of brothers (Louise Erdrich's "The Red Convertible"), wartime confrontations between enemies (excerpts from Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried ) and a mute child's profound encounter with a highly respected and learned woman (from Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings ). Meticulously chosen and arranged, these works crystalize moments of vulnerability, sorrow and understanding; together, they serve as an excellent introduction to modern American writing. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc., Publisher’s Weekly
Use in Library Setting:
This book could be used in a library setting to encourage young patrons to read something other than chapter books. The short story format could also encourage weak readers to read a small story instead of an entire chapter.
Summary:
Janie was content with her two parents and traditional middle class life. However, she notices a picture of a missing child on her milk carton and realizes that it’s her! Janie confronts her parents and tries to follow the many clues that eventually lead her to her true identity. The rollercoaster ride of a novel is filled with suspense and nail biting moments.
Citation:
Cooney, Caroline B. The Face on the Milk Carton. New York: Bantam, 1990. Print.
Impressions:
The fast paced novel is a perfect mystery for middle school students. It’s funny and coincidental and certainly captures your sense of imagination.
Reviews:
Grade 7-10-- The message on the milk carton reads, "Have you seen this child?" Three-year-old Jennie Spring was kidnapped 12 years earlier, but Janie Johnson, looking at the photo, suddenly knows that she is that child. Fragments of memory and evidence accumulate, and when she demands to know about her early childhood years, her parents confess what they believe to be true, that she is really their grandchild, the child of their long-missing daughter who had joined a cult. Janie wants to accept this, but she cannot forget Jennie's family and their loss. Finally, almost against her will, she seeks help and confides in her parents. Her mother insists that she call the Spring family, and the book ends as she calls them. Many young people fantasize about having been adopted or even kidnapped, but the decisions Janie must face are painful and complex, and she experiences denial, anger, and guilt while sorting her way toward a solution. Janie's boyfriend--sensible, funny, with problems of his own--is an excellent foil for her intensity. Their romance is natural and believable. Cooney again demonstrates an excellent ear for dialogue and a gift for protraying responsible middle-class teen-agers trying to come to terms with very real concerns. A good choice for readers of Norma Fox Mazer's Taking Terri Muller (Morrow, 1983). --Tatiana Castleton, Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library, CA
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc., School Library Journal
Use in Library Setting:
This book could be used to introduce students to mystery novels.
Summary:
Four siblings, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny are orphans. They look for a place to live and eventually find an old boxcar in the woods and are able to set up house. A dog, Watch is helped by Jessie and comes to live with them also. Henry does odd jobs for a doctor in the nearby town to get money for food. One night, Violet gets very sick and Henry asks the doctor for help. The children move in with the doctor for a while and eventually meet their grandfather through the doctor and move in with him.
Citation:
Warner, Gertrude Chandler, and L. Kate, Deal. The Boxcar Children. Niles, IL: A. Whitman, 1977. Print.
Impressions:
This enchanting book completely captured my imagination. I think kids will love the concept of being self sufficient and living in a boxcar.
Reviews:
“An impeccable production of a compelling story..." --Publishers Weekly
I loved this book as a child and read it over and over, more than any other book. I lived in the boxcar with the children (I had a very vivid imagination as a child), loving the sanctuary of this home in the woods, free from adults and making use of resources available.
When I found a copy about a year ago, I was thrilled. I still love reading it.
My 8-year-old granddaughter hated to read. She skimed through books she was forced to read. I introduced this book to her (along with the Nancy Drew series), and now she loves to read, and she can't wait to get on to the next book. I've been reading each mystery too, and we love to talk about them.
I plan to get every book of the series. I enjoy Ayn Rand, Anne McCaffrey, Alice Walker, and other authors, but it's also enjoyable to sit down and read some of the simple books your kids read and your grandkids read, especially this series.
If you know anyone in this age group who hates to read, give them the Boxcar Children as a gift. You'll see them turning into an avid reader. A Customer, via Amazon.com
Use in Library Setting:
This book could be used as a part of a display about siblings, camping or as a great book for beginning readers.
Summary:
Cesar Chavez lived on a ranch in Arizona until he was ten, and every night was like a fiesta with all of the happy family members around him. Bus in 1937, when Cesar was ten, a drought occurred in Arizona, and the Chavez family had to leave their wonderful ranch. Cesar and his family joined many others on the road to work in California, with all of their belongings. Once in California, they worked the hard painful work of picking fruits and vegetables as migrant farm workers. Cesar thought the inhuman way they were treated was not fair and decided to organize a nonviolent march for justice to the state capitol. Cesar Chavez was then able to sign the first contract for farmworkers in American history. Everyone celebrated and yet knew that they still had a lot of work to do for equality.
Citation:
Krull, Kathleen, and Yuyi Morales. Harvesting Hope: the Story of Cesar Chavez. San Diego: Harcourt, 2003. Print.
Impressions:
The book was very emotional and really evoked the struggle that Cesar Chaves and his family went through. I thought it was very well written and historically accurate as well as using wonderful imagery to describe the pain and struggles.
Reviews:
Grade 3-6-The dramatic story of Chavez's 340-mile march to protest the working conditions of migrant farmworkers in California is the centerpiece of this well-told biography. Readers meet Chavez at his grandparents' home in Arizona where he lived happily amid a large extended family. His childhood was cut short when, due to financial difficulties, the family was forced to move to California to seek employment. After years of laboring in the fields, Chavez became increasingly disturbed by the inhuman living conditions imposed by the growers. The historic 1965 strike against grape growers and the subsequent march for "La Causa" are vividly recounted, and Chavez's victory-the agreement by the growers granting the workers better conditions and higher pay-is palpable. While sufficient background information is provided to support the story and encourage further research, focusing on one event makes the story appealing to younger readers. The text is largely limited to one side of a spread; beautifully rendered earth-toned illustrations flow out from behind the words and onto the facing page. A fine addition to any collection.
Sue Morgan, Tom Kitayama Elementary School, Union City, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc., School Library Journal
Use in Library Setting:
This book could be used to raise awareness of historical Hispanic figures in communities as well as teach children about multiculturalism.
