Genre 6 Book 3 – Fiction, Fantasy and Young Adult
1. Bibliography
Holm, Jennifer L. 2007. MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN MEATLOAF. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Illustrated by: Elicia Castald
ISBN 0689852819
2. Plot Summary
Ginny Davis is a seventh grade student whose life is full of ups and downs. In MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN MEATLOAF, readers are treated to a list of to do’s that Ginny hopes to accomplish. Through drawings, ticket stubs, newspaper clippings, diary entries and much more, Holm guides the readers through a year in the life of Ginny Davis.
3. Critical Analysis
The characters in MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN MEATLOAF are true to life. Ginny is a typical twelve year old middle school student enduring experiences both pleasant and not through the course of the year. For example, Ginny really wants to be the lead in the play and instead her ex best friend lands the role. She has a friend, Becky Soo, whom she shares feelings with through discussions and instant messaging. Brian Bukvic is the nerdy boy that eventually becomes so much more. Ginny has endured the tragic death of her father only to see her mother fall in love and remarry; therefore, forcing Ginny to adapt to a new stepfather. Through the diary notes and letters, Ginny “talks” as any other twelve year old. Looking at the instant messaging we see what is “normal” in this arena: “r u really quitting ballet??? because of what happened at the slumber party? Ginny!!!!! Who cares what Mary Catherine says!!”
The events are characteristic of middle school students. Ginny experiences bad hair days, fights with friends, bullying from boys, annoying big and younger brothers, and the need to purchase items that Mom says has to wait. As her thirteenth birthday approaches, the readers see growth in Ginny and the other characters. The setting takes place in school and at home primarily. Modern times are conveyed through the instant messaging and various events.
The underlying theme has to do with overcoming challenges in one’s life. Obstacles that young adults face seem life ending to them even though in the large scheme of life, they are learning experiences. Told through post-it notes, letters, school assignments, IM, ticket stubs and other paraphernalia, the reader enjoys the story told in a light-hearted care free style.
The illustrations are colorful and eye catching. Diary entries and letters are written in a child’s handwriting. Conversing via instant messaging is so “the thing to do” in these modern times. Ginny, the main character, will appeal to other young ladies who can relate to the ups and downs of middle school life. Young adult readers will fly through the pages of this delightful book.
4. Review Excerpt(s)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “…Holm's creative book should hook readers, especially girls who want something out of the ordinary.”
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE REVIEW: “The form is brilliant and the voice fresh and funny.”
5. Connections
Middle school is a transitional time in children’s lives. This is a good novel to share with students to add humor to the situation. It would be a great read aloud. Once it has been read, have students write papers depicting their middle school year’s experiences. Students might also write an extension to the ending of this novel.
Other books that might appeal to middle school students include: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID by Jeff Kinney, SCHOOLED by Gordon Korman, and LAWN BOY by Gary Paulson.
Another book by Jennifer L. Holm is PENNY FROM HEAVEN.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Genre 6 Book 2 – Fiction, Fantasy and Young Adult
1. Bibliography
Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York: Simon Pulse.
ISBN 068984923
2. Plot Summary
THE FIRST PART LAST is an interesting novel about teenage pregnancy and fatherhood. Bobby is your typical sixteen year old boy growing up in the city. This all changes when his girlfriend, Nia, announces her pregnancy. School and parties with friends are replaced with doctor and social worker visits. What once seemed important, no longer matters. Should they keep the baby or give it up for adoption? Bobby and Nia are faced with many choices as they face the impending birth of their child.
3. Critical Analysis
Angela Johnson has created a novel about teenage pregnancy written from the teenage father’s point of few. The short chapters alternating between the then and now adds mystery. The chapters titled “Then” are written during the time of the pregnancy while “Now” is in present time with Bobby caring for the baby, Feather. The reader is taken through a journey where Bobby struggles between being a child himself and becoming a parent.
Bobby and Nia are typical of teenagers growing up in urban New York City. For example, for his sixteenth birthday Bobby goes to the movies and then to his father’s restaurant for some cheese fries and ribs. So typical, only to end that day being told that his girlfriend is pregnant…so powerful. Also, the language and slang is also characteristic of teenagers creating a true picture.
Johnson authors a genuine book on teenage pregnancy. Included are the feelings the teenagers experience as well as their parents. For example Bobby tries to comfort Nia, and her reply is “Are you having this damned baby, Bobby?” (28) Also, the twist of alternating chapters has the reader guessing why Bobby is raising the child on this own. Complications related to pregnancy are revealed at the end solving the mystery and creating a tragedy the reader really doesn’t suspect. Told with a roller coaster of emotion, this fast reading novel will keep readers enthralled.
4. Review Excerpt(s)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Grade 8 Up-Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting…”
BOOKLIST: “Johnson makes poetry with the simplest words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again.”
5. Connections
THE FIRST PART LAST is an excellent read for junior high or high school students. It provides a great dose of reality. So many students think it can’t happen to them…it can. Also, the revelation of what happens to Nia can kick off a discussion on pregnancy complications for health class.
Other books dealing with sensitive teenage issues are Sharon N. Drapers TEARS OF A TIGER, Laurie Halse Anderson’s SPEAK, and Sharon Flakes WHO AM I WITHOUT HIM.
Other books by Angela Anderson are LOOKING FOR RED and HEAVEN.
1. Bibliography
Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York: Simon Pulse.
ISBN 068984923
2. Plot Summary
THE FIRST PART LAST is an interesting novel about teenage pregnancy and fatherhood. Bobby is your typical sixteen year old boy growing up in the city. This all changes when his girlfriend, Nia, announces her pregnancy. School and parties with friends are replaced with doctor and social worker visits. What once seemed important, no longer matters. Should they keep the baby or give it up for adoption? Bobby and Nia are faced with many choices as they face the impending birth of their child.
3. Critical Analysis
Angela Johnson has created a novel about teenage pregnancy written from the teenage father’s point of few. The short chapters alternating between the then and now adds mystery. The chapters titled “Then” are written during the time of the pregnancy while “Now” is in present time with Bobby caring for the baby, Feather. The reader is taken through a journey where Bobby struggles between being a child himself and becoming a parent.
Bobby and Nia are typical of teenagers growing up in urban New York City. For example, for his sixteenth birthday Bobby goes to the movies and then to his father’s restaurant for some cheese fries and ribs. So typical, only to end that day being told that his girlfriend is pregnant…so powerful. Also, the language and slang is also characteristic of teenagers creating a true picture.
Johnson authors a genuine book on teenage pregnancy. Included are the feelings the teenagers experience as well as their parents. For example Bobby tries to comfort Nia, and her reply is “Are you having this damned baby, Bobby?” (28) Also, the twist of alternating chapters has the reader guessing why Bobby is raising the child on this own. Complications related to pregnancy are revealed at the end solving the mystery and creating a tragedy the reader really doesn’t suspect. Told with a roller coaster of emotion, this fast reading novel will keep readers enthralled.
4. Review Excerpt(s)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Grade 8 Up-Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting…”
BOOKLIST: “Johnson makes poetry with the simplest words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again.”
5. Connections
THE FIRST PART LAST is an excellent read for junior high or high school students. It provides a great dose of reality. So many students think it can’t happen to them…it can. Also, the revelation of what happens to Nia can kick off a discussion on pregnancy complications for health class.
Other books dealing with sensitive teenage issues are Sharon N. Drapers TEARS OF A TIGER, Laurie Halse Anderson’s SPEAK, and Sharon Flakes WHO AM I WITHOUT HIM.
Other books by Angela Anderson are LOOKING FOR RED and HEAVEN.
Genre 6 Book 1 – Fiction, Fantasy and Young Adult
1. Bibliography
Gaiman, Neil. 2008. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
ISBN 9780060530921
Illustrated by: Dave McKean
2. Plot Summary
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK began with a man named Jack attempting to murder an entire family. He successfully killed both parents and a little girl; however, an eighteen month old boy escaped death. The little boy crawled out of his crib and wandered into a cemetery. The residents of the cemetery rescued the young child and agreed to keep him safe.
His new parents were a ghost couple, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, who named the young boy Nobody Owens. He was called Bod for short. In addition, a guardian, who was neither alive nor dead, was appointed for Bod – Silas. Gaiman captures the events of Bod’s life as he grows into adult hood. Jack is still out there trying to kill him, and the cemetery residents will do anything to keep him safe.
3. Critical Analysis
The characters of THE GRAVEYARD BOOK consist primarily of ghosts, witches, and spiritual beings. The uniqueness of each character creates an intriguing story. The ghosts’ inhabitants spanned many time periods, and Bod could seek advice or hear stories from them. The Sleer was a three headed monster which guarded some valuables. Silas, Bod’s guardian, walked amongst the living and the dead. A mystery constantly surrounded this character. Gaiman strategically hinted at Silas’ true place in the world throughout the story and revealed it at the end. The ghouls in ghoul land added that disgusting feeling that one gets when thinking about monsters. For example, “…mouths that grinned to reveal sharp, stained teeth; bright beady eyes; clawed fingers that moved and taped.” is how they were described. (76) One of the most interesting characters in the novel was the witch, Liza Hempstock. Although she was technically a witch, Gaiman twisted here traits up and created a character that aided Bod on various occasions. The main character, Bod, was a human boy who was able to interact with the living and the dead
The powerful plot and subplots grab the reader’s attention and make them want more. The interactions between the various characters ensure that the characteristics true to the fantasy Genre exist. Also, the plot contains a balance between good and evil, serious and humorous, safety and danger. As Bod is running around the graveyard interacting with the ghosts or his human friend Scarlett, the storyline feels relaxed. Before the reader has a chance to “relax”, he/she is thrown into the world of ghouls or the man Jack is back.
Readers can really escape from the “real” world while reading THE GRAVEYARD BOOK”. The characters and the setting create a wonderful fantasy world with an intriguing and satisfying storyline.
4. Review Excerpt(s)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “The opening is enthralling: "There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife."
5. Connections
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK is an excellent read for middle school students who enjoy fantasy novels. It would be great to use as a quick book talk to a class in order to pique the interest of students.
Other books by Neal Gaiman include CORALINE, and M IS FOR MAGIC.
1. Bibliography
Gaiman, Neil. 2008. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
ISBN 9780060530921
Illustrated by: Dave McKean
2. Plot Summary
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK began with a man named Jack attempting to murder an entire family. He successfully killed both parents and a little girl; however, an eighteen month old boy escaped death. The little boy crawled out of his crib and wandered into a cemetery. The residents of the cemetery rescued the young child and agreed to keep him safe.
His new parents were a ghost couple, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, who named the young boy Nobody Owens. He was called Bod for short. In addition, a guardian, who was neither alive nor dead, was appointed for Bod – Silas. Gaiman captures the events of Bod’s life as he grows into adult hood. Jack is still out there trying to kill him, and the cemetery residents will do anything to keep him safe.
3. Critical Analysis
The characters of THE GRAVEYARD BOOK consist primarily of ghosts, witches, and spiritual beings. The uniqueness of each character creates an intriguing story. The ghosts’ inhabitants spanned many time periods, and Bod could seek advice or hear stories from them. The Sleer was a three headed monster which guarded some valuables. Silas, Bod’s guardian, walked amongst the living and the dead. A mystery constantly surrounded this character. Gaiman strategically hinted at Silas’ true place in the world throughout the story and revealed it at the end. The ghouls in ghoul land added that disgusting feeling that one gets when thinking about monsters. For example, “…mouths that grinned to reveal sharp, stained teeth; bright beady eyes; clawed fingers that moved and taped.” is how they were described. (76) One of the most interesting characters in the novel was the witch, Liza Hempstock. Although she was technically a witch, Gaiman twisted here traits up and created a character that aided Bod on various occasions. The main character, Bod, was a human boy who was able to interact with the living and the dead
The powerful plot and subplots grab the reader’s attention and make them want more. The interactions between the various characters ensure that the characteristics true to the fantasy Genre exist. Also, the plot contains a balance between good and evil, serious and humorous, safety and danger. As Bod is running around the graveyard interacting with the ghosts or his human friend Scarlett, the storyline feels relaxed. Before the reader has a chance to “relax”, he/she is thrown into the world of ghouls or the man Jack is back.
Readers can really escape from the “real” world while reading THE GRAVEYARD BOOK”. The characters and the setting create a wonderful fantasy world with an intriguing and satisfying storyline.
4. Review Excerpt(s)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “The opening is enthralling: "There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife."
5. Connections
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK is an excellent read for middle school students who enjoy fantasy novels. It would be great to use as a quick book talk to a class in order to pique the interest of students.
Other books by Neal Gaiman include CORALINE, and M IS FOR MAGIC.
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