A Sick Day for Amos McGee

This book was awarded the 2011 Caldecott Award

1. Bibliography
Stead, Philip C. 2010. A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Roaring Brook Press: New York. 978-1596434028.

2. Summary
This is the story of an elderly man who is a zoo keeper. He takes his job very seriously. He takes the time to take very good care of his animal friends, an elephant, rhino, penguin, turtle and owl. He plays games with them, reads to them, takes care of them when they are sick or just sits with them. One day Amos wakes up with a very bad cold and is unable to make it to work. What ensues is the story of what friendship is all about.

3. Impressions
This is one of my favorite children's books. It is such a sweet story. These animals have come to depend on Amos taking care of them everyday, but for them to show up at his house ready to take care of him is the epitome of friendship. I love to read this to children because it teaches them how a friend should behave. Amos took care of the animals because it was his job, but he played with them and sat with them because he cared about them. When Amos was sick, he didn't expect them to show up at his house. He was surprised. But that is what friends do. They help because they want to, not out of obligation. The illustrations in this story are lovely. They really add to the story. I recommend this book to anyone!

4. Reviews

This review was taken from http://www.amazon.com/Sick-Day-Amos-McGee/dp/1596434023/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322588228&sr=8-1

From School Library Journal



Kindergarten-Grade 2—Amos McGee, an elderly man who works at the zoo, finds time each day for five special friends. With empathy and understanding he gives the elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros, and owl the attention they need. One morning, Amos wakes up with a bad cold and stays home in bed. His friends wait patiently and then leave the zoo to visit him. Their trip mirrors his daily bus ride to the zoo and spans three nearly wordless spreads. Amos, sitting up in bed, clasps his hands in delight when his friends arrive. The elephant plays chess with him, and the tortoise plays hide-and-seek. The penguin keeps Amos's feet warm, while the rhinoceros offers a handkerchief when Amos sneezes. They all share a pot of tea. Then the owl, knowing that Amos is afraid of the dark, reads a bedtime story as the other animals listen. They all sleep in Amos's room the rest of the night. The artwork in this quiet tale of good deeds rewarded uses woodblock-printing techniques, soft flat colors, and occasional bits of red. Illustrations are positioned on the white space to move the tale along and underscore the bonds of friendship and loyalty. Whether read individually or shared, this gentle story will resonate with youngsters.—Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN

A Sick Day for Amos McGee on PhotoPeach

Out of My Mind

This book is one of the Texas Bluebonnet Nominees for 2011-2012

1. Bibliography
Draper, Sharon. 2010. Out of My Mind. Athenium Books for Young Readers: New York. ISBN 978-1-4169-7170-2.


2. Summary
 Melody is brilliant. She can remember everything she has ever heard, every fact. She is the smartest girl in her school, but no one knows it. Melody can't tell people about all of the information that is floating around in her head. Melody has Cerebral Palsy. She is unable to speak or walk. In fact she has very limited control of her body. Melody struggles to communicate with the world around her. Even her family struggles to understand what she is trying to let them know. She discovers a machine that can speak for her and give voice to all of the words that are stuck in her brain. Melody's world begins to change and open up, but not everyone one is ready to fully embrace her. She struggles to fit into her new inclusion classes and with her new "normal" classmates.

3.Impressions

This was a story that really made the reader think. The story was told through the eyes of a young girl with Cerbral Palsy. If you were to look at her, you would see a girl in a wheel chair who couldn't speak, couldn't control her body, and sometimes had a tendency to drool on her self or grunt. But behind the surface was a genius. The book described her mind as a video recorder that never stopped recorded, was constantly replaying and there was no delete button.  Even her parents don't know how smart she really is. The cover of the book speaks volumes. It comes from a story from the book where Melody has a fish. She wonders if he is just happen swimming around in the same bowl day after day. Then one day he just jumps completely out of the bowl. Melody is not able to get anyone in the room in time to save the fish. This is just like Melody. She is stuck in her wheelchair all the time and would love to have the opportunity to jump out. It really made me think about the way I look at the students that have disabilities. Just because there bodies limit them does not mean their minds don't work. This book told a beautiful story of one girl's struggle with this. However, I thought that Melody was the only character that had any depth to her. All of the other characters were very one dimensional. I also felt that the accident at the end of the story was just thrown in there for some drama. There were no details.  Overall, I would recommend this story. It was a very thoughtful read.

4. Reviews

This review taken from http://www.amazon.com/Out-My-Mind-Sharon-Draper/dp/141697170X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311030743&sr=8-1

Starred Review. Grade 4–6—Born with cerebral palsy, Melody, 10, has never spoken a word. She is a brilliant fifth grader trapped in an uncontrollable body. Her world is enhanced by insight and intellect, but gypped by physical limitations and misunderstandings. She will never sing or dance, talk on the phone, or whisper secrets to her friends. She's not complaining, though; she's planning and fighting the odds. In her court are family, good neighbors, and an attentive student teacher. Pitted against her is the "normal" world: schools with limited resources, cliquish girls, superficial assumptions, and her own disability. Melody's life is tragically complicated. She is mainly placed in the special-ed classroom where education means being babysat in a room with replayed cartoons and nursery tunes. Her supportive family sets her up with a computer. She learns the strength of thumbs as she taps on a special keyboard that finally lets her "talk." When she is transitioned into the regular classroom, Melody's undeniable contribution enables her class to make it to the national quiz team finals. Then something happens that causes her to miss the finals, and she is devastated by her classmates' actions. Kids will benefit from being introduced to Melody and her gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes and reveals the quiet strength and fortitude it takes to overcome disabilities and the misconceptions that go with them.—Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY

Ruby's Slippers

1. Bibliography

Rayburn, Tricia. 2010. Ruby's Slippers. Aladdin: New York. ISBN 978-1416987017.


2. Summary

Ruby is from a small town in Kansas. She's never heard of Facebook, doesn't have a cell phone, iPod or computer. However she is perfectly happy with her mom, best friend and wealth of friends in their small town. Then one day her mother decides to move to Florida so they can help Ruby's grandmother. However life in Florida is very different than life in small town Kansas. Ruby has a hard time adjusting and fitting in to her new school. She worries that she never will especially when she learns of the mandatory school talent show. Then she ends up in a group with the most popular girl in the school, who has taken a disliking to Ruby. Life at home is not going much better. Her mother and grandmother's tumultuous relationship causes even more problems for young Ruby. Will her life ever return to normal?

3. Impressions

I will admit that the only reason I picked up this book was because of the title. My daughter's name is Ruby and I buy all the books that I find that have her name in the title. However, this story turned out to be cute. I was intrigued by the notion of a young girl not knowing about any recent technology. I also like how the Wizard of Oz was tied into the story. But I was left very unsatisfied by this book. It seemed to me the author had put too many story lines in the book and didn't know how to make them all play out. I was left with a lot of questions at the end. I also wasn't crazy about the mother's character. She wasn't really developed enough. The idea of the story was very good, but the author didn't know how to make it work.

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4. Reviews

These reviews taken from:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Rubys-Slippers/Tricia-Rayburn/e/9781416987017#TABS

From Publishers WeeklyLike her idol, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, Ruby believes that there's no place like home; she's very happy living in Curly Creek, Kans., a place where there's no need for technology and the neighbors are family. But Ruby's mother is taking her to Oz--aka Coconut Beach, Fla.--to live with Ruby's Nana Dottie, who her mother had an unexplained falling out with years ago. Ruby sticks out like a pair of ruby slippers (if ruby slippers were red Chuck Taylors) among her sophisticated classmates, and her eccentric mother doesn't help (as when she gives Ruby a vintage ABBA lunch box that sets off the school's metal detector). While navigating emotional landmines at home, Ruby tries to make sense of the culture of cell phones and divas-in-training while holding onto her ideals; she is challenged by popular Ava, who is enraged when Ruby is put in her group for the illustrious school talent show. Secondary characters are less developed than Ruby, but Rayburn's (the Maggie Bean series) story is a fun romp over the rainbow with a plucky and entertaining heroine. Ages 9 13. (July)

Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck

1. Bibliography

Peck, Richard. 2007. Here Lies the Librarian. Puffin: New York. ISBN 978-0545046619.

2. Plot Summary

PeeWee McGrath lives with her older brother Jake and works in the garage with him in 1914. PeeWee acts and dresses like a boy and fully plans on working on cars for the rest of her life. That is until four women show up at their garage one day and changes everything for PeeWee. The four women want to become the librarians in the town library and cause quite a stir in the small town. PeeWee befriends the women and begins to realize that being female is not the worst thing that could happen. She even gets her first taste of driving a new car. Life becomes more exhilirating with these four women in her life.

2. Impressions

I bought this book because it was about a librarian. I had never read a book by Richard Peck. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The story was lighthearted. There were many times where I laughed out loud. The characters in the book had such personality. Peck really draws the reader into this small town and into the lives of the characters.

Most young adults will enjoy reading this book. The story is humorous and fun to read. Young girls will be particularly drawn to this story as it shows young women how being a strong, vocal woman does not mean giving up your femininity. The four librarians in this story are very strong women and the most feminine women that PeeWee has ever seen. This is an issue that she struggles with throughout the story. How to meld the expectations that come with being a woman with the strong bond she feels with her brother and her love of working on cars. While girls today don't have the same problems to deal with, they will enjoy reading a story about one of the early warriors in the war between the sexes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was an easy and fun read. Richard Peck does a superb job of bringing this story to life. While older teens may find this a little young for their tastes, it is a not to be missed book. I will certainly be reading more from this author.

3. Reviews

Reviews taken from http://www.amazon.com/Here-Lies-Librarian-Richard-Peck/dp/0142409081/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228173591&sr=8-1

From School Library Journal Grade 6-9–Richard Peck seems determined to create his own sub-genre: nostalgic fiction. Just like A Long Way from Chicago (Dial, 1998) and A Year Down Yonder (Dial, 2000), this title (Dial, 2006) is a keeper. Set in rural Indiana, circa 1914, tomboy PeeWee works with her adored older brother Jake. The automobile is replacing the horse and buggy and the young brother and sister run a fledgling gas station. When a tornado rips through town and tears up the defunct library, the town elders are shamed into re-opening it. Irene Ridpath and three of her sorority sisters fresh out of library school arrive and set the small town on its ear. Motherless PeeWee has never encountered women with such sophistication, and she begins to re-examine her own femininity. Jake is determined to win a rough and tumble automobile race, but when hes injured, PeeWee jumps in and finishes the event. Peck is a master at creating enchanting characters—even his dead librarian has personality. The setting is vivid—listeners can almost hear the sound of those first automobiles chugging up the road. Narrator Lara Everly brings the story to life with great charm. Listeners will enjoy this well-done audiobook that weaves in facts about rural life in the early 20th century, feminism, and automobile history.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist Gr. 5-8. Stubborn, fearless, and loyal, 14-year-old Peewee (Eleanor) McGrath, who dresses like a boy, lives with her brother, Jake, in Indiana, "way out in the weeds." Together, they run a struggling garage, where Jake is building a racecar. It's 1914, and the electric self-starter has made automobiles more accessible to women. One day, four female drivers, library students all, arrive in a Stoddard-Dayton in need of repair; later, they return to reopen the town library. With these young women as role models, Peewee comes to realize that being female and being independent aren't mutually exclusive. Peck's one-liners, colorful physical comedy, and country dialect, prominent in most of his recent novels, are great as usual. And his characters, if not fully developed, are wonderfully quirky. Yet even with some exciting scenes of old-time dirt-track racing, the pace lags, and the story is choppy. Young fans of Danica Patrick, today's "Queen of the Road," may want to read this, but it will probably be librarians who'll have the most fun. Peck recounts an incident in an endnote in which one of the characters appears at the Indianapolis 500 with Janet Guthrie; unfortunately, there's not enough explanation to know whether or not it's all true. Stephanie Zvirin Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

The Mediator: Shadowlands by Meg Cabot

1. Bibliography
Cabot, Meg. 2000. The Mediator: Shadowlands. Avon Books: New York. ISBN 0-06-072511-7.

2. Summary
Suze feels different from other kids her age. That is because she is a mediator. She has a "gift" that enables her to see dead people and help them crossover. She doesn't feel blessed to have this ability. Because of this, Suze doesn't have much of a social life and not many friends. Unfortunately, her mother has remarried and they are moving from New York to California. Suze is happy for her mother, because she seems to really be happy for the first time since Suze's dad died. Suze has a chance to start over in a new place with brothers. However, when she moves into her new house she finds her room is inhabitated by a very good looking, young ghost. To make things even worse, there is the angry spirit of a young girl who has recently committed suicide and she is not happy with Suze. Suze finds herself in the position of trying to save lives and send spirits to the "other side" all the while trying to control her feelings for the dead guy who lives in her room. This is book 1 in the mediator series.

3. Impressions
I have read other books by Meg Cabot. I enjoyed the Princess Diary series, however I was really impressed by this book. I thought the premise sounded interesting, but this is an idea that has been overdone as of late. But the story was really good. The story of the young girl, jilted in love and committing suicide only to come back as an angry poltregeist bent on revenge made the story unique. The idea of a mediator is different also. Not only can Suze see dead people, she must help them in order for them to get where they are suppose to go (i.e. the afterlife). She is plagued with requests from the dead that she feels obligated to fulfill. She even has frequent visits from her dead father. All the while, her poor mother fears that she does not have enough friends or much of social life. If only she knew!
While I did enjoy the story, I was disappointed in the writing. It seemed very juvenile. Also, there was a point in the story where it seemed the author thought the story had gone on too long and just ended it. Suze was convinced that she needed to run for class Vice President. She doesn't have many friends and she has only been in the school for one week. She reluctantly agrees that she might do it and then the next day she is called and told congratulations, you won. She never ran and there was never an election. It just seemed the author stuck that in and then saw the story was running too long and left some parts out. I was confused at the end of the story.
I think that most young adults would enjoy this story, especially girls. This is another story that shows the power and strength that girls possess. It might seem a little creepy to some girls that Suze has feelings for a dead guy, but that really seems to fit with who she is. I really look forward to reading the rest of this series.


4. Reviews

These reviews taken from http://www.amazon.com/Shadowland-Mediator-Book-Meg-Cabot/dp/0060725117/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228188886&sr=1-2

From Publishers Weekly The inaugural installment of The Mediator series introduces high school sophomore Suze, who, in her words, has "this unfortunate ability to communicate with the dead." As a "mediator," the girl helps ghosts put unresolved issues to rest so they can move on to the next world. When her mother remarries, Suze moves from New York City to California, where she and her three stepbrothers attend a Catholic academy headed by a priest. Conveniently, the priest is also a mediator (the first of her kind that Suze has ever met). During the course of this rather repetitious and intermittently sluggish caper, Suze encounters two ghosts: a handsome young man from the 19th century who haunts her bedroom and a girl who was a student at the academy until she killed herself when Bryce, her boyfriend, broke up with her. As Suze attempts to protect Bryce from the angry apparition's wrath, the ghostly girl grows determined to get revenge on both her former beau and Suze. Suze finally resorts to an exorcism to get rid of her. As a narrator this teen is a bit too tough-talking and cocky to be credible. Still, the intriguing premise of a 16-year-old with a sixth sense may stand more than a ghost of a chance at snaring teen readers. Ages 14-up. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc

Cirque du Freak: Trials of Death by Darren Shan

1. Bibliography
Shan, Darren. 2003. Cirque du Freak: Trials of Death. Little Brown and Company: New York. ISBN 0-316-60367-8.

2. Summary
Darren is a vampire's assistant. He is really only considered a half vampire, but in order to be accepted into the vampire family, Darren must travel to Vampire Mountain and endure the Trials of Death. This is 5 tests that he must either pass or die. While many are in his favor, there are some who do not want Darren to pass the trials. One by one, Darren goes through the trials until something goes terribly wrong. Then Darren uncovers a deception that could be the demise of the vampires.

3. Impressions
I am a fan of vampires. I love to read the books by Anne Rice and I like to watch movies about vampires. However, I was not pleased with this book. This book is the fifth book of the series and I was very confused when I started reading it. There were so many characters introduced in the first two chapters that the reader has a hard time keeping them straight. I almost didn't finish after reading the first few pages. But I muddled through and actually became interested in the story. Darren's tests that he must pass were painted in vivid detail. However, the author tried to put too much in this book. At the end, there were so many questions that I had, like what about the spiders that they found deep within the cave? How did those ever come into play? And what about the strange humans who are the keepers of the dead?
I think that young adult males would enjoy these stories. However, I feel like you must start with the first book in the series. Starting with the fifth book left me not understanding much of what was happening in the story. I plan to go back and read the first book to see if I get a better understanding of what was happening in this story. I think that might make me enjoy this book more.

4. Reviews


Reviews taken from http://www.amazon.com/Cirque-Du-Freak-Trials-Darren/dp/0316000957/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228190128&sr=1-1

From School Library Journal Grade 4-7-This is the fifth novel in the continuing saga of the youthful half-vampire assistant to Larten Crepsley, a full vampire. Crepsley has brought Darren to Vampire Mountain to undergo the Trials of Death, an elective ritual periodically undergone by vampires in order to bond with the clan and prove their worth. As a half-vampire, Darren is in more danger of failing the trials than the others who usually participate, but he is determined to go ahead. The penalty for failing without dying is execution. In the background a new conflict looms, involving the vampaneze, purple-skinned killers who resemble vampires but who are nothing like the beings whom Darren has come to respect and admire. When it appears that he will not survive the trials, his vampire friends urge him to escape. Escorting him out through the mountain's underground tunnels, they run smack into an incoming vampaneze invasion. In the final pages, the plot and action finally pick up to fever pace as Darren is caught between invaders, defenders, and possibly a traitor in the ranks of the faithful. Characters are mostly one-dimensional, and the plot plods along until the final conflict heats up the action. Although the story stands on its own, there isn't much reason to read this one aside from following the series. Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Forever by Judy Blume

1. Bibliography



Blume, Judy. 1975. Forever. Simon Pulse: New York. ISBN 978-1-4169-3400-4.

2. Summary



Katherine has very little experience with guys. She is awkward and shy around boys until she meets Michael at her friend Erica's cousin's New Years Eve party. They start to date and their relationship blossoms into young love. Katherine is not sure exactly how far she wants to go with Michael, but she is sure that she loves him. Her parents, while supportative of her first romance, don't want her to get too involved with the relationship. They understand how first love goes and how it usually doesn't last forever. Katherine is sure their love will last and wants to change her college plans so that they can be together. Her parents will not let her. Katherine finally makes a trip to Planned Parenthood and she and Michael begin their love affair. However, as their senior year draws to a close they begin making plans for the summer. Katherine's father wants her to take a job as a tennis instructor at her sister's summer camp. In fact he insists on it. Katherine is furious, but does as her parents say. While away at summer camp, life becomes complicated when she realizes that maybe her first love won't last forever.

3. Impressions



This book is one of the books that is banned from many schools. I can definitely see why. The story is sweet. The ups and downs of teenage love are so evident in this novel. However, the story seems to center more on the sexual relationship between Katherine and Michael and less on the feelings and emotions that come with first love. I know that as a parent I would not want my young daughter reading this book. While I don't have a problem with open and honest discussion about sex with young people, this book is not like that. There are many scenes in which sex is described in detail and seem a bit inappropriate for young adults. I am not naive enough to think that teens don't know about sex or even watch it on television or even do it. However, I think for a young adult novel, this could have been handle in a more appropriate way.
I did like the book. It was well written and easy to read. I read it in one sitting. I can see that older teens would be drawn to this book. They would enjoy the fast pace of the novel and the story is interesting. I could feel Katherine's pain of being separated from her boyfriend for a summer and her fear of what might happen if they are apart for a prolonged period. I think older teens could relate to how Katherine is feeling and her confusion when she goes to camp and starts to have feelings for someone else. I don't think it is for younger teens, but older young adults can definitely relate to this novel.





4. Reviews


Reviews taken from http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Richard-Jackson-Books-Blume/dp/0689849737/ref=pd_bbs_sr_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228256984&sr=8-7

Amazon.com Review "Going all the way" is still a taboo subject in young adult literature. Judy Blume was the first author to write candidly about a sexually active teen, and she's been defending teenagers' rights to read about such subjects ever since. Here, Blume tells a convincing tale of first love--a love that seems strong and true enough to last forever. Katherine loves Michael so much, in fact, that she's willing to lose her virginity to him, and, as the months go by, it gets harder and harder for her to imagine living without him. However, something happens when they are separated for the summer: Katherine begins to have feelings for another guy. What does this mean about her love for Michael? What does this mean about love in general? What does "forever" mean, anyway? As always, Blume writes as if she's never forgotten a moment of what it's like to be a teenager.