Compare/Contrast – Page 39 – Unleashing Readers

Review and Giveaway!: Journey Trilogy by Aaron Becker

July 25, 2016July 22, 2016 by Kellee

Journey Trilogy
Author and Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Journey Published August 6th, 2013
Quest Published August 26th, 2014
Return Published August 2nd, 2016
By Candlewick Press

Journey Summary: Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.

A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.

Journey Review: This book is very hard to explain the magic of it. Lorna (@notforlunch) described it the best, I think: “a wonderful mashup of a David Wiesner book and Harold and the Purple Crayon.” I think this is perfect. It has the illustration beauty and magic of a wordless David Wiesner picture book and it is about creativity (and a crayon) like Harold. The beauty of the castle she visited also reminded me of Cathedral by David Macaulay. This book is just full of amazing!

Originally published at: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1765 (10/5/2013)

Quest Summary: A king emerges from a hidden door in a city park, startling two children sheltering from the rain. No sooner does he push a map and some strange objects into their hands than he is captured by hostile forces that whisk him back through the enchanted door. Just like that, the children are caught up in a quest to rescue the king and his kingdom from darkness, while illuminating the farthest reaches of their imagination. Colored markers in hand, they make their own way through the portal, under the sea, through a tropical paradise, over a perilous bridge, and high in the air with the help of a winged friend. Journey lovers will be thrilled to follow its characters on a new adventure threaded with familiar elements, while new fans will be swept into a visually captivating story that is even richer and more exhilarating than the first.

Quest Review: Quest is a beautiful continuation of Journey. Aaron Becker starts where the first book left off, but Quest is as unique as Journey was. The kids we met in the first book are swept into an adventure to save a king who has armed them with the tools to save the kingdom. I read this book over and over again because there are so many different little nuances in this adventure that promotes creativity, imagination, and teamwork. To be honest, I almost like Quest better than journey because the kids work together.

First published at: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=4666 (11/12/2014)

Return Summary: Welcome the much-anticipated finale of Caldecott Honoree Aaron Becker’s wordless trilogy—a spectacular, emotionally satisfying story that brings its adventurer home.

Failing to get the attention of her busy father, a lonely girl turns back to a fantastic world for friendship and adventure. It’s her third journey into the enticing realm of kings and emperors, castles and canals, exotic creatures and enchanting landscapes. This time, it will take something truly powerful to persuade her to return home, as a gripping backstory is revealed that will hold readers in its thrall. Caldecott Honor winner Aaron Becker delivers a suspenseful and moving climax to his wordless trilogy, an epic that began with the award-winning Journey and continued with the celebrated follow-up Quest.

Return Review: You will adore the conclusion to the trilogy. Becker does an amazing job of tying the beginning of Journey to the end of Return. To think that all the books happened in a day! The girl had quite an amazing journey, quest, and return in only one day! It is amazing what can go on when magic is involved. I don’t want to give away much else about the finale, but I will say it is as much a must read as the first two.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: In my classroom, the first thing I would do is project the book and just have the students read it with me. No talking; just looking. Then we’d go back and discuss what is going on in the book, talk about some of the smaller parts of the illustrations, relive the journey. If I wanted to include a writing activity, we could add words to the book (although, I think this book’s illustrations stand alone). We could also discuss what we’d do if we had a magic crayon. I think this book would be a great addition to Dot Day and discussing creativity. Finally, I think a discussion of observing your surroundings would be appropriate as what the girl wanted the most was right in front of her at the beginning of the book. (From 10/5/13 post)

Additionally, this trilogy would be a wonderful mentor text to discuss narrative elements because Becker has given us a perfect plot arc filled with conflict, suspense, and resolution. It would also be interesting to talk to students about characterization in a wordless picture book because the characters still have very evident traits though it is through illustration and actions that we have to determine them. Although, I would be careful in taking the magic away from these books. I don’t want to analyze and dig into them too much because they are beautiful pieces of art that should be enjoyed first and foremost.

Journey Trilogy Activity Kit: https://www.scribd.com/document/312916399/Aaron-Becker-s-The-Journey-Trilogy-Activity-Kit

Q&A with Aaron Becker: https://www.scribd.com/document/132634414/Journey-by-Aaron-Becker-Q-A-with-the-Creator

Discussion Questions: What would you do with a magic crayon?; Why did the girl have to turn to a magical land instead of remaining at home?; Were you surprised about who finally saved the day?; What is happening on the final page of Return? How do you feel about this resolution to the story?; How did the story progress through each book?

Return Book Trailer:

Journey Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxUs41jB4Ts

Quest Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO774UmBjQc

Read This If You Loved: Shy by Deborah Freedman, The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas, The Typewriter by Bill Thomson, The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski, Float by Daniel Miyares, Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, Blackout by John Rocco, David Weisner wordless picture books, Cathedral by David Macaulay, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Henri Mouse by George Mendoza, Chalk by Bill Thomson, Art & Max by David Weisner, Weslandia by Paul Fleishman, Narnia (series) by C.S. Lewis

Recommended For:

Giveaway!

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**Thank you to Raquel at Candlewick for providing copies for review and giveaway!!**

Animal Planet’s Animal Atlas

July 6, 2016 by Kellee

Nonfiction 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!

Animal Atlas
Published May 24th, 2016 by Animal Planet

Goodreads Summary: Animal Planet’s definitive atlas of animal life takes readers on a continent-by-continent and habitat-by-habitat passport to adventure!

What is a habitat? How is the North Pole’s animal life different from the South Pole’s? How and why do animals adapt to their environment? Is a food web different from a food chain? Animal Planet Animal Atlas answers all of these questions and many more. Through detailed maps, fun infographics, simple charts, and Find It! Fact boxes readers can track their favorite animals across the globe, learning about how animal habitats are affected by climate, food and water availability, migration, and human environmental impact.

Kellee’s Review: Nonfiction informational texts are really stepping up their game! Over the last few months, we’ve been sharing a lot of Animal Planet and National Geographic texts, but it is because they are worth sharing! This text is filled with such a wealth of information. First and foremost, I see it as a beautiful atlas. It focuses on not only the different continents and oceans, but it teaches about the biomes within the world also. Within each biome in each continent, animals who lie and thrive are shared along with interesting information about the animals. Some of my favorite parts though are the “Animal Close Up” sections which focus on one animal, where it lives, why it lives there, and what it eats and the animal travel guides who pop up within each continent and give out tidbits of information. This plethora of information combined with breathtaking photographs allows this book to take you on a journey all around the world!

Ricki’s Review: I loved this book. My toddler and I probably spent 45 minutes reading it, and we didn’t even read all of the facts! There is so much information in this book, and it is all incredibly fascinating. I think we are going to enjoy this text for a long time yet! My favorite part about it was the way the book was divided up by continent and then further by biomes. My son and I were able to talk about the similarities between the animals and insects within biomes and why that might be. When we reached each new continent, we flipped back to the big atlas to talk about where that continent was in comparison to our home. I also loved the sections that compared the animals to humans. It was neat to talk about our similarities and differences. I’d highly recommend this text for any child of any age. I think it would appeal to all ages and interest levels!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This is such a beautiful text that begs to be used cross curricularly. In Florida, 6th grade learns about life science and one of the unites focuses on habitats and biomes. This book would be an asset either in the science classroom or in an ELA classroom supporting the science standards. Also, in late elementary school this text would be a perfect way to combine science, social studies, reading, and writing.

Discussion Questions: Which biome is the hardest for animals to live in?; Which continent has the least amount of animals?; What are the differences between the different biomes?; Which animal/habitat/continent would you like to learn more about?

We Flagged:

animal atlas spread — (c) 2016, Animal Planet

Read This If You Loved: National Geographic titles such as Awesome 8 or National Parks USA Guide, Animal Planets Animal Bites series, Seymour Simon’s animal books or Extreme Oceans

Recommended For:

and

Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm, Audio Book Collection by Listening Library

June 23, 2016 by Ricki

Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Author: The Brothers Grimm;
Narrators: Award Winning Cast (Various)
Published: May 10, 2016 by Listening Library

Goodreads Summary: Read by a cast of award-winning narrators, this collection contains some of the most timeless and enchanting folk and fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm.

The Brothers Grimm collected the original fairy tales that Americans are most familiar with today. Lyrically translated and beautifully narrated by an all-star cast, these 21 tales are selected from The Complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales and presented just as Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm originally set them down: bold, primal, just frightening enough, and endlessly engaging.

Stories include:
Rapunzel, read by Katherine Kellgren
Cinderella, read by January LaVoy
Little Red-Cap, read by Simon Vance
Little Briar-Rose, read by Grover Gardner
Little Snow-White, read by Kate Rudd
Rumpelstiltskin, read by Jim Dale
The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces, read by Alfred Molina
A Riddling Tale, read by Janis Ian
The Twelve Brothers, read by Graeme Malcolm
The White Snake, read by Scott Brick
The Elves, read by Bahni Turpin
The Six Swans, read by Davina Porter
The Twelve Huntsmen, read by Dion Graham
The Goose-Girl, read by Edoardo Ballerini
Sweet Porridge, read by Jayne Entwistle
The Golden Goose, read by Luke Daniels
Eve’s Various Children, read by Roy Dotrice
Snow-White and Rose-Red, read by Julia Whelan
The Frog-King, or Iron Henry, read by Kirby Heyborne
The Sea-Hare, read by Mark Bramhall
Hansel and Gretel, read by Robin Miles

Ricki’s Review: I particularly loved the variety in this collection. The narrators provide their own personal touches to each fairy tale, and I found every story to be captivating. The audio format enhances the ways the stories are told. The collection contains the more popular fairy tales along with the more lesser known, and I loved listening to the stories that I had never read before. Grimm’s Fairy Tales are a staple of my childhood, and I feel lucky to share these stories with my son. I think he will really enjoy the audio form, and I hope to play them in long car rides. It will be great to stop after each fairy tale to discuss the characters and themes. I will wait until he is a bit older because the fairy tales are a bit more gruesome than the popular renditions. I appreciate the fact that Listening Library didn’t go with the typical, clean, popularized versions of the stories. It gives readers a stronger sense of the true, original works.

Kellee’s Review: I really enjoy fairy tales of all kinds and have read Grimms collections of various types over the years, but this collection is the first time that I found myself completely enthralled in the stories even though I already knew them like they were new to me. The narrators that Listening Library chose are the best in the business. I can’t even pick a favorite because they all make each story shine.

While listening, I found so many opportunities to have discussions. From theme to similarities/differences to changes in popular versions to repetition within and through tales. I think these stories will make wonderful read alouds within my house or in my classroom.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This collection provides excellent opportunities for teachers to ask students to compare and contrast elements across the fairy tales. The could listen to a different story each day (they are brief enough that this would be a great listen-aloud). Alternatively, it might be neat to have students work in groups, select stories of their choice, and share out what they learned. Then the entire class could discuss what they are hearing across stories. It would also be fun to discuss the lesser known fairy tales and why these tales may not have become as popular as the others. Lastly, students might discuss the cleansing of the works of The Brothers Grimm. Robin Kirk’s article “Painted on the Surface: The Marbury Lens and Gore in Young Adult Fiction” in the Fall 2015 issue of The ALAN Review is a great resources for teachers to consider gore in fiction, and it discusses the cleansing of The Brothers Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

Discussion Questions: Which fairy tales did you find most captivating? Why?; Which common themes across any of the fairy tales? Which themes seem to be unique to specific fairy tales?; Some of these fairy tales are more popular than others. Why do you think that is? Do you wish any of the lesser known fairy tales were more popular?

Book Trailer:

Read This If You Loved: Grimm’s Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm, Fairy Tale Comics by Chris Duffy, Any Fairy Tales

Recommended For:

and

**Thank you to Katie at Penguin Random House for providing copies for review!**

Teacher Appreciation Blog Tour with Review, Excerpt, Video, and Giveaway!: Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson

June 17, 2016 by Kellee

Ms. Bixby’s Last Day
Author: John David Anderson
Published June 21st by Walden Pond Press

Summary: Everyone knows there are different kinds of teachers. The good ones. The not-so-good ones. The boring ones, the mean ones, the ones who try too hard. The ones you’ll never remember, and the ones you want to forget. But Ms. Bixby is none of these. She’s the sort of teacher who makes you feel like the indignity of school is worthwhile. Who makes the idea of growing up less terrifying. Who you never want to disappoint. What Ms. Bixby is, is one of a kind.

Topher, Brand, and Steve know this better than anyone. And so when Ms. Bixby unexpectedly announces that she is very sick and won’t be able to finish the school year, they come up with a plan. Through the three very different stories they tell, we begin to understand just what Ms. Bixby means to Topher, Brand, and Steve—and what they are willing to go to such great lengths to tell her.

About the Author: John David Anderson, the author of many books for young readers including Sidekicked, Minion, and The Dungeoneers, returns with a story of three kids, a very special teacher, and one day that none of them will ever forget. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his wife, two kids, and perpetually whiny cat in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at www.johndavidanderson.org.

Click to read a 48 page excerpt!

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review: Ms. Bixby is one of those teachers that you read about and you want to be (if you are a teacher) or you want to have (if you are a student). As you can see from all the praise it has been receiving, John David Anderson wrote a home run book with this one. Our three main characters are diverse, funny, sweet, and stubborn, and Anderson’s voices for each are unique and alternate beautifully throughout the book. Though I must warn: This is a roller coaster book. You will laugh, smile, cry, get angry, and cringe. It is all there.

But this tour is about more than just the book, it is about focusing on our Ms. Bixby. Ms. Bixby is described as a “Good One” in the book. A “Good One” is a teacher who “make[s] the torture otherwise known as school somewhat bearable. You know when you have one of the Good Ones because you find yourself actually paying attention in class, even if it’s not art class. They’re the teachers you actually want to go back and say hi to next year. The ones you don’t want to disappoint.”

My Ms. Bixby: We all have a wide variety of teachers; however, there are those that change your life. When I was in 12th grade, I was a high school fish just floating my way through school. I was a high achiever who was okay with only doing okay in classes. I didn’t know what I was good at. I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I just thought I was another face in the crowd; nothing special. Then I entered Miss Hazel Haley’s classroom. When I had Miss Haley in 1999-2000, he had been teaching for 63 years, 61 of them at Lakeland High where I took my academic classes and 54 in the same classroom (in a building named after herself). She was a spit fire: She showed the Romeo and Juliet film from the 60s even though it showed a breast, she would speak her mind no matter what, and she cared and remembered every single person she’d ever taught. We were her kids. She never married or had children of her own, and she would tell you it was because she didn’t have to–we were her kids.

But it wasn’t all of this that made Miss Haley my Ms. Bixby. Actually, at first I really didn’t like her. She didn’t put up with my talking or note passing. She didn’t tolerate my Cs and Bs when she knew I could do better. She saw something in me. Finally, on one of the assignments I’d halfheartedly completed, she made me stay after school to work on with her. She told me I couldn’t get away with working the way I had been with the brain I had. She told me, “You are a good writer.” And she told me, “You are smart.” And for some reason her telling me stuck. And everything changed. I now knew that I was good at something. That I could accomplish something. And I have.

Lakeland Ledger article on Miss Haley’s legacy

NPR soundbite and transcript on Miss Haley’s retirement

When I decided to become a middle school teacher, I thought right away of Miss Haley. I know she would be proud of me. I wish I could tell her. And mostly, I hope that I can be someone’s Miss Haley, or Ms. Bixby. I hope my students know I care for them as if they are my own children. I know first hand that one teacher can definitely make a difference.

Walden TV Episode 17 — “LIST IT: Ms. Bixby’s Last Day:”
Have you ever had a favorite teacher? Maybe someone as AWESOME as Ms. Bixby? Mike & Julian certainly have! Follow along their list of favorite teachers–real and fictional!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: In addition to a wonderful classroom library addition and a read aloud, Ms. Bixby is just one of many teachers I’ve read about that show how a teacher can change a life. Ms. Bixby’s Last Day would be a perfect addition to a “Teacher Appreciation Text Set” along with Wonder, Fish in a Tree, Bluefish (YA), Love that Dog, Jumped In (YA), and The Summer of May.

Publisher’s Educators Guide:

Discussion Questions: Why did the author choose to use three different points of view?; How did Ms. Bixby affect each of the boys’ lives?; What made Ms. Bixby a “Good One?”

Flagged Passages: “You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose. That’s something my dad told me. Turns out…not entirely true. I mean, the middle part is obviously true. But the last part isn’t true at all.” (p. 25)

Funny story you’ll have to read the book to read (p. 25-27)

“You can pick your friend’s nose. But there’s a difference between can and should.” (p. 27)

Read This If You Loved: Wonder by RJ Palacio, Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Bluefish by Pat Schmatz, Love that Dog by Sharon Creech, Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott, The Summer of May by Cecelia Galante, The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart, Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest

Recommended For:

Don’t miss out on the other stops on the Blog Tour!

6/2/2016	Nerdy Book Club
6/3/2016	Next Best Book
6/6/2016	Walden Media Tumblr
6/7/2016	Teach Mentor Texts
6/8/2016	This Kid Reviews Books
6/9/2016	Read, Write, Reflect
6/10/2016	Flashlight Reader
6/13/2016	Julie Falatko
6/14/2016	A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust
6/15/2016	About to Mock
6/16/2016	Kid Lit Frenzy
6/16/2016	The Hiding Spot
6/17/2016	Unleashing Readers
6/20/2016	Ms. Yingling Reads
	Novel Novice
6/21/2016	Maria’s Melange
	Novel Novice
	All the Wonders
6/22/2016	Lit Coach Lou
	Novel Novice
6/23/2016	Novel Novice
6/24/2016	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
	Novel Novice
6/27/2016	Librarian’s Quest
6/28/2016	Educate.Empower.Inspire…Teach
6/29/2016	Bluestocking Thinking
6/30/2016	Mindjacked
7/1/2016	All the Wonders

Candlewick Nonfiction Picture Books: Who’s Like Me? by Nicola Davies; Can We Help? by George Ancona; Belle, the Last Mule at Gee’s Bend by Calvin Alexander Ramsey & Bettye Stroud; and The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower by P.J. Lynch

June 12, 2016June 8, 2016 by Kellee

Nonfiction Wednesday

Who’s Like Me?
Author: Nicola Davis
Illustrator: Marc Boutavant
Published February 28th, 2012 by Candlewick Press

Goodreads Summary: Lift the flaps and learn about animal life in this fresh, fun-filled book for curious preschoolers.

A bunny is furry and breathes air. Who else is like that — a pigeon, a fish, a chameleon, or a fox? Some animals have fins to swim with, some have feathers and a beak, some have skin that is scaly, or smooth and wet. But whatever features a creature has, someone else has them, too. Can you guess who? Big flaps and a matching spread at the end make animal classification fun.

My Thoughts: This flap book is going to be a big hit in my house both because it is entertaining and because it is informative. First, the author does a great job making the identification of animal types a game including flaps and comparisons/contrasts then she ensures that factual information follows the matching to explain the type of animal and the characteristics of the type.

Can We Help? Kids Volunteering to Help their Communities
Author: George Ancona
Published August 25th, 2015 by Candlewick Press

Goodreads Summary: Real kids make a real difference in their communities in this vibrantly photographed chronicle by George Ancona.

George Ancona celebrates the joy of kids giving back. In one after-school program, middle-school students mentor and tutor younger children. Via a special partnership, schoolchildren help professionals train assistance dogs for people with disabilities. At a community farm, families plant, grow, and harvest produce for soup kitchens and charities. In these and other examples of volunteering, kids of all ages work together knitting hats and scarves for those who could use warm clothes, packing hot meals to deliver to housebound people, and keeping roadways clean. Young humanitarians reading these accounts may well be inspired to find ways that they can help, too.

My Thoughts: I think this picture book would be a wonderful one to read in conjunction with the 31 Ways to Change the World because that book includes suggestions while this one gives us narratives about those actually making a difference. I love the variety of ways the author highlights: from knitting to a community farm to training dogs and mentoring. These stories are inspiring and will make the reader (adult or child) want to do something to make a difference!

Belle, the Last Mule at Gee’s Bend
Authors: Calving Alexander Ramsey and Bettye Stroud
Illustrator: John Holyfield
Published September 13th, 2011 by Candlewick Press

Goodreads Summary: A true story inspires the moving tale of a mule that played a key role in the civil rights movement– and a young boy who sees history anew.

Sitting on a bench waiting for his mother, Alex spies a mule chomping on greens in someone’s garden, and he can’t help but ask about it.””Ol Belle?” says Miz Pettway next to him. “She can have all the collards she wants. She’s earned it.” And so begins the tale of a simple mule in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, who played a singular part in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. When African-Americans in a poor community– inspired by a visit from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.– defied local authorities who were trying to stop them from registering to vote, many got around a long detour on mule-drawn wagons. Later, after Dr. King’s assassination, two mules from Gee’s Bend pulled the farm wagon bearing his casket through the streets of Atlanta. As Alex looks into the eyes of gentle Belle, he begins to understand a powerful time in history in a very personal way.

My Thoughts: This story adds an extra truth to the story of Martin Luther King that many of us know. MLK was an advocate and leader and activist for all African and Black Americans and this meant a lot to so many communities of people around America including Gee’s Bend. To learn about Belle and King’s reason for having Belle pull his coffin really just shows how true his intentions of being a man of the people while fighting for the rights of all. And I loved how this story was told as a story from a Bender to a young boy visiting the town. Gee’s Bend is such a historical place, and I love this new part of their history that I didn’t know. (I love the quilts produced in Gee’s Bend! If you haven’t viewed them, Google it now!)

The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower or John Howland’s Good Fortune
Author and Illustrator: P.J. Lynch
Published September 22nd, 2015 by Candlewick Press

Goodreads Summary: In the first book he has both written and illustrated, master artist P.J. Lynch brings a Mayflower voyager’s story to vivid life.

At a young age, John Howland learned what it meant to take advantage of an opportunity. Leaving the docks of London on the Mayflower as an indentured servant to Pilgrim John Carver, John Howland little knew that he was embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. By his great good fortune, John survived falling overboard on the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, and he earned his keep ashore by helping to scout a safe harbor and landing site for his bedraggled and ill shipmates. Would his luck continue to hold amid the dangers and adversity of the Pilgrims’ lives in New England? John Howland’s tale is masterfully told in his own voice, bringing an immediacy and young perspective to the oft-told Pilgrims’ story. P.J. Lynch captures this pivotal moment in American history in precise and exquisite detail, from the light on the froth of a breaking wave to the questioning voice of a teen in a new world.

My Thoughts: I have to start my review with discussing the art work. Describing P.J. Lynch as a master artist is a perfect statement. His watercolor and gouache full page plus illustrations are so lifelike and beautiful that the reader will spend time on each page viewing the art in addition to reading the text. And what makes the book even better is that the text is interesting. Told in first person from John Howland’s point of view, we travel from London to America through storms, a fall off the Mayflower, death, disease, famine, and shows how friendship and kindness pay. In the classroom, this text would be an informational and interesting introduction to the Mayflower voyage and Plymouth.

All Recommended For:

Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in Tiger Trouble! by Grant Goodman

May 20, 2016 by Kellee

Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in Tiger Trouble!
Author: Grant Goodman
Published May 4th, 2015 by CreateSpace/Smashwords

Goodreads Summary: SECRET MISSIONS. SPIN KICKS. SINISTER GHOSTS.

Thirteen year-old Agent Darcy is one of the top students at the Bureau of Sneakery, where there are three rules every agent must follow: never make friends with an outsider, never speak of the Bureau, and never reveal your real name. Lately, Darcy has hit a rough patch: her rival, Agent Serena, keeps outdoing her. If things keep going this way, Darcy is convinced that no one will ever assign her a real mission.

Ninja Steve’s city, Ninjastoria, is the home of sword fights, throwing stars, and Tae Kwon Donuts. Unlike his genius older sister, twelve year-old Steve isn’t the best ninja student. He’d rather be swinging a sword instead of taking notes in class. Steve, however, is about to learn that being a true ninja means far more than being able to use a sword.

When Darcy is sent to Ninjastoria as an exchange student, it will turn both of their lives upside-down and raise all kinds of questions: What do the mecha-moles want? Who is the man in the gray mask? What do ninjas eat for lunch? And why is there a menacing tiger on the cover of this book?

Time to read and find out!

My Review: This book was such a fun read! Goodman had a very easy flow of writing that made the story so smooth and fast-moving. I ended up really liking the story for a few different reasons. First, it was action-packed and kept me reading. Although it was the exposition of what I assume will be a series, it never was slow or boring. Goodman introduced aspects of the plot in clever ways. Second, I love that there is a boy and girl narrator. It is not gender-oriented at all. The book and the cover both are perfect for all types of readers. Aspects of both characters will be easy to relate for all readers. Darcy is competitive and a hard worker. Steve is living in the shadow of a sibling. All gender neutral feelings. Finally, I love the humor in it. Goodman did a great job throwing in zingers and laughs throughout the book to make it just that more entertaining.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This is a book like Alex Rider and Percy Jackson that kids are going to love to read. It will be great for a middle school read aloud and should be accessible to kids.

Discussion Questions: What are the differences between Ninjastoria and the Bureau of Sneakery?; How are the expectations different for the kids who live in each place?; How did Agent Darcy being sent to Ninjastoria propel the action of the story?; Even though Steve wasn’t as genius as his older sister, he has talents that helped them on their journey. How did each character effect the outcome?; How did Darcy and Steve cause the mayhem that ensues in the book?; How is Darcy and Steve’s confrontation with Toran like redemption for their parents?

Flagged Passage: “Steve held his position. Sensei Raheem nodded.

‘On three,’ Sensei Raheem started. ‘One. Two.’

The ground lurched. Steve wobbled. The ground split open. Steve fell. His instinct took over.

On the way down, he sheathed his sword and made sure he was right side-up, ready to deal with the impact. There was a red light coming from below, and Steve braced for landing. He hit the gravel-covered bottom and broke into a roll to the side.

Steve got up and brushed some gravel off his arms. He wished now that he hadn’t worn his short sleeve black ninja shirt. Some rocks had dug deep into his skin.

The air he breathed was thick and smoky. The soft red light came form everywhere and nowhere at once. No matter which direction he moved in, he couldn’t track the source of it.” (Location 753-765 on the Kindle Version)

Read This If You Loved: Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, Moonshadow series by Simon Higgins

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Shannon Thompson and Grant Goodman for providing a copy for review!**

Review and Teaching Guide!: Poptropica: Mystery of the Map by Jack Chabert

August 21, 2016May 19, 2016 by Kellee

Poptrpica: Mystery of the Map
Author: Jack Chabert
Illustrator: Kory Merritt
Idea: Jeff Kinney
Published March 1st, 2016 by Amulet Books

Goodreads Summary: Based on a concept by Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney comes Poptropica, a brand-new graphic novel adventure series by Jack Chabert and Kory Merritt. In “Mystery of the Map,” Oliver, Mya, and Jorge take a ride in a hot-air balloon, only to crash-land on an unknown island filled with extinct animals and a horde of angry Vikings. Welcome to Poptropica, an uncharted group of islands whose existence is hidden from the rest of the world. As the three friends embark on a perilous search for a way home, they quickly discover the shocking reason they were brought there something that threatens the very existence of Poptropica and their ability to ever make it off the island!

My Review: I love learning about new graphic novels because they are so popular in my classroom, and I think this one will be another one that will be loved by students. Although the Poptropica idea was made by Jeff Kinney, I see it more as a ladder rung for late elementary school/early middle school before students jump to Amulet or Doug TenNapel books. I also know that there are millions of Poptropica users who will love to explore Poptropica through Oliver, Mya, and Jorge’s journey.

Although, I hadn’t played Poptropica when I first heard about the book, as soon as I knew I was getting it, I went onto the website to play, and I loved it! I can see why so many kids/teens like it–it is a role-playing game with adventure, puzzles, and a great story. However, I will say that when I read the book, it would not have mattered if I’d played the game or not. I think that is the beauty of it. It can be an extension of the game, an intro to the game, or an adventure-filled graphic novel separate from the game.

The graphic novel itself is very well done. The graphics are fun and easy to read, the story is a page turner filled with adventure and humor, and it has fun history facts. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation, Discussion Questions, and Flagged Passages:

The teaching guide below that I wrote for Abrams Books includes vocabulary, cross-curricular activities, and cross-curricular discussion questions as well as example passages.

You can also access the teaching guide here.

Read This If You Loved: Bird & Squirrel series by James Burk, Rutabaga series by Eric Colossal, The Great Pet Escape by Victoria Jamieson, Little Robot by Ben Hatke, Salem Hyde series by Frank Cammuso

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