Author’s Purpose/Perspective/Bias – Page 25

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

February 4, 2016February 4, 2016 by Ricki

More Happy Than Not
Authors: Adam Silvera
Published: June 2, 2015 by Soho Teen

GoodReads Summary: In his twisty, gritty, profoundly moving debut—called “mandatory reading” by the New York Times—Adam Silvera brings to life a charged, dangerous near-future summer in the Bronx.

In the months after his father’s suicide, it’s been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again–but he’s still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he’s slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely.

When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron’s crew notices, and they’re not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can’t deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can’t stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute’s revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is.

Why does happiness have to be so hard?

Review: After Aaron’s father commits suicide, he finds it difficult to find his place in the world, and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist is just one reminder of this struggle. Aaron considers turning to an institute that has the capability to alter his memory—because he wants to forget that he is gay. The text is heart-wrenching, emotionally profound, and deeply moving. Weeks after I read it, I found that I was still referencing it in daily conversations with teacher friends. I also designed a conference proposal based on a concept from this book. This is an important book that belongs in classrooms.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Students will enjoy debating the ethics of the Leteo Institute’s procedure. My book club had a heated debate, and at the end, I still didn’t know where I stood! Teachers might bring in other examples from the media of people who have experienced trauma and ask students—would it be okay for this person to have the procedure done? When is it ethically okay (if ever)?

Discussion Questions: How does the author unfold the plot for the reader? How does this impact the telling of the story?; Which of Aaron’s friends are loyal? Why?; What does this procedure say about humanity? Do you think people would undergo the procedure? Who might be most likely to undergo the procedure?; How does the author end the novel? What does this teach us?

We Flagged: “Memories: some can be sucker punching, others carry you forward; some stay with you forever, others you forget on your own. You can’t really know which ones you’ll survive if you don’t stay on the battlefield, bad times shooting at you like bullets. But if you’re lucky, you’ll have plenty of good times to shield you.”

Read This If You Loved: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Recommended For:

Where’s Will?: Find Shakespeare Hidden in His Plays by Tilly (Illustrator) and Anna Claybourne

June 13, 2016November 25, 2015 by Ricki

Where’s Will?: Find Shakespeare Hidden in His Plays
Illustrator: Tilly; Author: Anna Claybourne
Published September 1, 2015 by Kane Miller Books

Goodreads Summary: Spot Will Shakespeare and a selection of colourful characters from ten of his best-loved plays! Can you pick out Puck in the midsummer night? Will you spy Cecilia hidden in the Forest of Arden? And can you see Shakespeare making a cameo in every scene?

First, get to know each play by reading a snappy synopsis of the plot and meeting the main characters. Next, hunt for the characters, who are hidden in the detailed and beautifully illustrated pictures of the plays’ settings.

My Review: This book was a lot of fun for me to read! Readers of all ages would enjoy it. My son (age two) enjoyed pointing to all of the animals and people in the book. An elementary schooler or middle schooler would enjoy finding Will, the characters, and the pig in all of the pictures. A high schooler or adult will appreciate the brief (about 300 words) synopses of each play and illustrations (along with finding Will, of course). Each play features a two-page spread similar to a graphic novel, where the play is depicted in illustrations and words. At the top of each spread are cameos of the main characters of the play. Then, the reader can turn the page and search for the characters, Will, and the pig in a very detailed illustration (see below).

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I haven’t read the full version of each play featured in the book, but I am quite inspired to read them now! High school teachers would love this book. It shows the complexity and greatness of Shakespeare’s work. After reading one of Shakespeare’s plays, a teacher could show the students the synopsis and the spread. This provides a picture of the time period and also allows for conversations about why the author may have made decisions to include/exclude specific plot details. If my tenth graders had all read Romeo & Juliet the previous year, it would be neat to show them that play. Then, when we read another Shakespeare play, I could ask them to illustrate their own scenes. This would be an intense final project, and I would give the option for students to use video games as a platform for this kind of world-building.

Discussion Questions: How do the illustrations of the plays differ? Why might the illustrator have chosen to depict the play with these colors/moods?; What tough decisions might the author have faced when choosing the plot details to include in the 300-word synopses?; How do these illustrations/synopses give us fuller depictions of the plays?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Plays by William Shakespeare; Where’s Waldo? books

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Lynn for providing a copy for review!**

Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar by Sally Derby

October 24, 2015October 7, 2015 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

Jump Back, Paul: The Life and Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Author: Sally Derby
Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Published September 22nd, 2015 by Candlewick Pres

Goodreads Summary: Discover the breadth and depth of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry—and learn how it reflects his singular life as a late-nineteenth-century black man.

Did you know that Paul Laurence Dunbar originated such famous lines as “I know why the caged bird sings” and “We wear the mask that grins and lies”? From his childhood in poverty and his early promise as a poet to his immense fame and his untimely death, Dunbar’s story is one of triumph and tragedy. But his legacy remains in his much-beloved poetry—told in both Standard English and in dialect—which continues to delight and inspire readers today. More than two dozen of Dunbar’s poems are woven throughout this volume, illuminating the phases of his life and serving as examples of dialect, imagery, and tone. Narrating in a voice full of admiration and respect, Sally Derby introduces Paul Laurence Dunbar’s life and poetry to readers young and old, aided by Sean Qualls’s striking black-and-white illustrations.

My Review: I came into this book not knowing much about Paul Laurence Dunbar aside from knowing that the line “I know why the caged bird sings” was written by him which inspired Maya Angelou’s autobiography’s title; however, I didn’t know much else about his life or his poetry. Derby’s book does a fantastic job remedying that. Not only are you exposed to more than 20 of Dunbar’s poems, you are exposed to them in very specific ways as Derby tells Dunbar’s life story. Each poem’s inclusion is purposeful and perfectly timed. When finished, I wanted to read more of Dunbar’s poems and actually hear some of them being performed (his dialect poems are screaming to be read aloud). Qualls also does a brilliant job, as always, illustrating the tone of the text in beautiful black-and-white drawings.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book not only can be used to share information about Paul Laurence Dunbar’s life and his poetry, but it also includes fascinating information about what it was like to live after the Emancipation Proclamation then after Plessy v. Ferguson.

First, in an English classroom, this text truly puts Dunbar’s poems in a perspective which will allow more depth when analyzing. The way Derby set up the narrative of Dunbar’s life around his poems helps the reader understand the underlying meaning of his poetry even better than they would with a cold read.

Also, cross-curricularly while studying Dunbar’s poems, during history, a tie-in to this tumultuous time period would be easy and effective. The time period that Dunbar lived in is not often discussed as it is a time after slavery but before segregation that many students may not know about.

Discussion Questions: Who do you think had the biggest influence on Dunbar becoming a poet?; Do you think Dunbar’s father’s absence affected how he was as a husband to Alice?; How do you think Frederick Douglass influence Dunbar?; How was the voice that told the story chosen by Derby? Do you think the way she structured and told the story was helpful in understanding Dunbar’s life and poetry?

We Flagged: “You never heard of the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar? Child, where’ve you been? I got to have a word with you. Why, back in the day, you’d have whole families sitting around listening while one of them performed “When Malindy Sings” or “Little Brown Baby” or “A Negro Love Song” (which folks most always call “Jump Back, Honey”).”

Read This If You Loved: Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Henry Aaron’s Dream by Matt Tavares, The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Candlewick for providing a copy for review!!**

Blog Tour and Review!: Monster Needs Your Vote by Paul Czajak

August 21, 2015 by Kellee

Monster Needs Your Vote
Author: Paul Czajak
Illustrator: Wendy Grieb
Expected Publication September 4th, 2015 by Mighty Media Kids

Goodreads Summary: Election season is here and Monster is ready to vote! But why cast your ballot when you can run for president instead? With speeches, debates, and a soapbox or two, Monster’s newest tale is a campaign encouraging kids to take a stand and fight for what they believe in.

Kellee’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Monster wants to make a difference, but he has to go about it a little bit differently than he had planned. Monster Needs Your Vote is a great look at politics and making a difference in your community within a fun story with enjoyable characters. Monster is a little bit like Elephant in the Elephant and Piggie books. He gets so excited and wants to just go, go, go. The Boy is a bit more like Piggie. He reins Monster in. It is a great relationship! Then you add the fun story and the movie-like, colorful illustrations, and you have a book that kids, parents, and teachers are going to enjoy. Since there is such an underlying political charge to the book (who can be president, voting, education advocacy, etc.) teachers can use it in conjunction with introduction voting and democracy to students.

Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: What a wonderful text to introduce kids to politics! Teachers might consider asking the class to look at different platforms that politicians might select. Then, they could consider different political platforms that interest them. Depending on the age of the students, these platforms could be silly or serious. Teachers might use this text to introduce the basic concepts of the election process or the requirements to run for presidency. As a child, I loved when we had mock votes in elementary school. This book is just in time for the election season and would be a fantastic way for teachers to connect literature to current events!

Campaign Kit: http://mightymediapress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MMP_MonsterCampaignKit.pdf
The kit contains presidential timelines, infographics, and activity sheets—even a ballot so kids can practice voting!

Info about the purpose and vocabulary in the Monster and Me series: http://www.bigredpaint.com/words_edit.mp4

Mini Monster and Me story: http://monsterwants.com/

Discussion Questions: Why wasn’t Monster able to run for President? What other laws are there for who can run for President?; Monster advocates for libraries and education. What would be your platform if you ran for President right now?; Why wasn’t summer and food something that drew attention from the masses? What did the people want instead?; How are Monster and the Boy different? How do they help each other?; What is the author’s purpose for writing this book?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Other Monster and Me books, Books about politics, the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems, the Mal and Chad series by Stephen McCranie

and

**Thank you to Sammy at Mighty Media Press for providing copies for review!!**

What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada

May 20, 2015 by Ricki

What Do You Do with an Idea?
Author: Kobi Yamada; Illustrator: Mae Besom
Published: February 1, 2014 by Compendium Inc.

Summary: This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child’s confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who’s ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It’s a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s just getting started.

Review: I read this book slowly and purposefully. By page two, I realized I had come upon something very special, and I wanted to savor the moment—because while we can enjoy books over and over again, we can never read a book for the first time twice. When I think of this book, I will remember reading it quietly aloud (cross-legged on the floor of the bookstore) as my son played with trains beside me. What Do You Do with an Idea? illustrates the complexity of ideas, which are inherently imbued with feelings of self-doubt. The child in this book learns to treasure his idea and comes to realize the beauty of its potential. After I read this book, I immediately mailed a copy to my younger sister (who works at Google) because her mind brims with ideas. This book is inspirational for people of all ages. I hope you find it to be inspirational, too.

Check out Kellee’s review of this text.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: The author and illustrator combine efforts to illustrate an abstract idea as a physical thing. Readers might consider how they do this with words and illustrations. Then, they could try to illustrated a different abstract idea in a story of their own.

Discussion Questions: Why might the illustrator have chosen to characterize the idea as an egg with a crown?; How is color intentionally used to tell the story?; Why might the author have chosen to use a first person point-of-view? How might the story have been different otherwise?; What is the author’s purpose?; Why/How might this book resonate with readers of all ages?

We Flagged:

Image from: www.amazon.com

Read This If You Loved: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires; The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock, Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers, Journey by Aaron Becker

Recommended For:

Look! by Jeff Mack

May 14, 2015 by Kellee

Look!
Author and Illustrator: Jeff Mack
Published April 7th, 2015 by Philomel Books

Goodreads Summary: This hilarious tale of a friendship that develops over a love of books is the perfect picture book for fans of It’s a Book and Officer Buckle and Gloria!

Everyone needs a little attention from time to time. Just ask our gorilla who will stop at nothing to be noticed by the boy with his eyes glued to the TV set. But for the gorilla, it’s going to take more than a quiet nudge to steal away the boy’s attention. When his usual antics fail to catch the boy’s eye—LOOK OUT! The gorilla has some other tricks up his sleeve.

Using only two words—LOOK and OUT—Jeff Mack relates an adorably hilarious story about an attention-loving gorilla, a television-loving boy, and a friendship that develops over books. Simple in construct yet richly creative, this interactive and colorful tale will leave children laughing and loving books for years to come.

Ricki’s Review: Ah! It only uses two words! This creative story about a friendship between a gorilla and a boy captured my heart. It teaches kids the importance of avoiding the TV and picking up a book instead. I am an unapologetic book pusher, so I always appreciate books that promote reading. Readers are forced to use their imaginations to follow the storyline, and the illustrations and characters’ personalities will make them giggle. This playful tale is sure to capture readers’ hearts.

Kellee’s Review: I love how this book teaches a lesson about the importance of getting away from electronics without seeming preaching. The gorilla is entertaining, and it’d be fun to predict what he is going to do next to try to get the boy’s attention. I also think the book will make kids get mad at the boy then will need help realizing that they may be doing the same thing on a daily basis. The use of only two words is also going to be a big conversation starter as well. Look! would also be a good first book to introduce the idea of theme. What is this book trying to teach the reader? And like Ricki, I am big fan of books that promote reading, and this one is a great addition to those out there!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: We are suckers for books that feature only a few words. One great, fun way to improve speaking skills is to give students only the words of the book to start (the book should remain hidden). Students pair up or work in small groups to speak the words in expressive way to tell a story. They perform a skit for the class, and then the class discusses the various ways that words can be interpreted. Then, the teacher reads the book for the first time to the students. Ricki used to do this in her class each year to introduce speaking skills. She stole the idea from her methods class with Wendy Glenn. 🙂

Discussion Questions: How do the illustrations help you understand the book? What do the characters teach you?; Why might the author have chosen to feature only two words in the book? Did you think it was effective?; What is the theme of Look!?

We Flagged:

Image from www.jeffmack.com.

Read This If You Loved: Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka, Moo by David LaRochelle, Ball by Mary Sullivan, It’s a Book by Lane Smith, Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann, Smick by Doreen Cronin, Miss Books Loves Books! by Barbara Bottner

Recommended For:

and

**Thank you to Penguin Young Readers for providing a copy for review!**

Author Interview and Review!: I’ll Hold You Forever: An Adoption Story by Dawn Marie Hooks

May 8, 2015 by Kellee

I’ll Hold You Forever: An Adoption Story
Author and Illustrator: Dawn Marie Hooks
Published January 2nd, 2015 by Paper Moon Publications

Goodreads Summary: A young girl walks through the countryside when she begins to wonder: Is Mommy really her real mom? Mommy turns the question into a story of the child’s adoption. Soon the child is reassured that her mom is real and will hold her forever. A touching story about the beauty of adoption and the warmth of a mother’s love is told through charming watercolor illustrations and clear, simple text that even the youngest child can understand. Notes from the author include suggestions on how to talk to children about adoption.

Kellee’s Review: I think this book has two very important purposes. First, I think it would be a wonderful book to read with a child who was adopted. It does a very good job of honoring all parts of adoption. The “Notes from the Author” section gives some great suggestions for talking to children about adoption which is a wonderful jumping off point after reading the book. Second, I think this book could be used to discuss adoption with students who are not adopted. It is so important to talk to kids about all kinds of different types of families. This book beautifully captures the power of love between a mother and her child and would be a great text for classrooms.

Author Interview: We are so happy to have Dawn Marie Hooks here to answer some of our questions about I’ll Hold You Forever:

Unleashing Readers: What was your main purpose in writing I’ll Hold You Forever?

Dawn Marie Hooks: My main purpose in writing I’ll Hold You Forever is to communicate the love surrounding adoption. I hope adoptive families will use this book to talk to their children about their adoption stories and all readers will be touched and inspired by the beauty of adoption.

UR: What inspired you to write I’ll Hold You Forever?

DMH: This story comes from my heart, the heart of a mom. It was inspired by the adoptions of my two beautiful daughters. Actually, I drew and painted some of the illustrations using our personal photographs. We adopted our girls through a private adoption agency in Redmond, WA called Antioch Adoptions. Both children were adopted at different times and through different circumstances. Every step was full of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We were extremely blessed to finally become parents to two precious girls who “fit perfectly in our family.”

UR: What other picture books do you recommend that discuss adoption?

DMH: My favorite picture books about adoption are God Found Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren and How I Was Adopted by Joanna Cole. For the very young, there is a cute board book called Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis. There are many more but these are the ones that I’ve read over and over.

I also recommend that families who adopt create their own photo books to tell the children their unique story.

UR: What do you hope readers of I’ll Hold You Forever will take away?

DMH: I love when moms they get tears in their eyes and that “ahhhh” feeling. I love when children ask lots of questions.

I hope the readers will feel the love surrounding adoption and I hope they learn a little more about the adoption process. At the end of the book, I included a few notes for adults about how to talk to children about adoption. Of course, since it’s a picture book, it’s brief. So, on my website (www.dawnmariehooks.com), I posted an information sheet about adoption as well as a discussion & activity guide on the topic of FAMILY for I’ll Hold You Forever. (I’m a former teacher, so I love writing those helpful little tools to go along with children’s books.)

Discussion Questions: The above-mentioned discussion and activity guide as well as more information about adoption can be found at http://dawnmariehooks.com/books/ill-hold-you-forever-an-adoption-story-2/

We Flagged:

“Mommy, are you really my real mom?

I’m your mom, and I am real.”

Read This If You Loved: And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson, When Otis Courted Mama by Kathi Appelt, The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairy Tale by Grace Lin, A Mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Melanie at Paper Moon Publications for providing copies for review!**