Genre Six

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Gantos, Jack. 2000. JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN: 0439338980

PLOT SUMMARY:
JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL is about a kid who lives with ADHD and controls his symptoms with medicated patches. Instead of staying home for summer vacation, he is going to spend the summer with his father that he has not seen since he was a little boy. Joey’s father is just like him just not on medication. When his dad wants Joey to stop his medication, Joey is torn between wanting to please his father and being the “good” Joey that he has become.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Throughout JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL, the main character struggles with doing what he knows is right or gaining the love of a father that has recently reentered his life. Joey tells his story about the summer vacation when he goes to visit his father who lives three hours away from his home. He is nervous about seeing his father but also excited at the same time. While at his dad’s, Joey will have to make some tough decisions.

Mr. Gantos allows Joey to tell his story in his own way which is often in a rush of words. The fact that Joey has ADHD is evident in his words and actions throughout the novel. Joey talks frankly about his disease in a way that allows readers to understand his feelings and why he often makes the decisions that he does. He is honest about his circumstances and also talks about how his medication helps him be more like his “good” self. He is aware when he is making a bad choice but is often helpless to do otherwise.

Spending time with his father allows Joey to experience another person who has the same disease as he does. The only difference is that Joey’s father is not medicated nor is he aware that he has problem. Readers are immediately aware the Joey is not in a good situation almost from the moment he arrives at his father’s house. His grandmother makes him buy her cigarettes with his emergency money, his father begins drinking, and soon Joey’s dad convinces him to stop taking his medicine.

As Joey’s world begins to spin out of control, the readers are given insight into Joey’s thoughts and struggles with his dilemma. Even though the book is easy to read and follow, it is tough to know that a child is not being taken care of by the very people who should look out for his best interests. Joey is thrust into a world where he is being given bad advice by the people who he should be able to trust the most.

This book will have readers thinking about issues such as alcoholism and on some levels child abuse. Though Joey is not physically abused, decisions are made that could put him into danger. Ultimately, he is able to get the help he needs to escape his situation and get the medication he needs to lead the normal life he has become accustomed to.

JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL often has uncomfortable moments for the reader. It also provides a glimpse into a child that suffers from a disease that most people do not understand much about. Regardless of these difficult issues, readers will delight in the innocent mischief that Joey gets himself into and out of on almost a constant basis. This is a great story for children with ADHD and their parents to enjoy and learn how others deal with their situation.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Newberry Honor Book
Publishers Weekly Best Book
School Library Journal Best Book
ALA Notable Children’s Book
ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice
New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year

Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Sad, scary, blackly funny.”

Booklist
“Ganto's skillful pacing, sly humor, and in-depth characterization make it a truly memorable read.”

Publishers Weekly
“Like its predecessor, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear and courage with deceptive ease.”


CONNECTIONS:
Use JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL to help young children learn about children who suffer from ADHD.

This book could be read aloud to children in special education classrooms. It would be an opportunity for SPED students to read a story about others like themselves.

Genre Six

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0689849222.

PLOT SUMMARY:
Bobby and Nia are teenagers who are going to have a baby. They must make some grown up choices and they must make them quickly. When things suddenly go wrong, Bobby makes the choice to raise the baby all by himself. Bobby tells his story of becoming a father and raising a baby all while attending high school. He tells about his fears, his problems, and how extremely tired he always seems to be. THE FIRST PART LAST is a story about being a teenage parent but also about how the choices that are made can affect a family for a lifetime.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Angela Johnson has created a simple novel about a young teenage boy who is raising his daughter alone while trying to complete high school. Using figurative language and an honest teenage voice, Ms. Johnson has written a believable story that is sure to speak to many young readers and may even mirror the experience of some.

Set in New York City, THE FIRST PART LAST is told in the voice of Bobby. He tells his story using a “now” and “then” manner. With every other chapter titled either “now” or “then” Bobby tells his story using the present tense and through flashback. His direct manner while recalling events allows readers to experience his thoughts and feelings while learning how he became a single teenage father.

Young readers will identify with the reality of this novel and enjoy a story about a teenager who is flawed much like themselves. Bobby lets the readers know how hard it is to be a father. He details the myriad of responsibilities that he took on basically overnight. He also tells the story of Nia, his girlfriend and the events that led her to not be a part of the baby’s life.

THE FIRST PART LAST is a story about Bobby and his choice to raise his daughter. Ms. Johnson does not try to teach all readers a lesson about sex or having children while still in high school. She simply tells Bobby’s story through his experiences and allows the readers enjoy the novel.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
2004 Coretta Scott King Award (ALA)
ALA Best Books For Young Adults
2004 ALA Michael L. Printz Award
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Booklist Editors' Choice
CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

U.S. News and World Report
“Johnson has carved a niche writing realistically about young people's issues.”

School Library Journal, starred review
“Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting.”

Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Readers will only clamor for more.”

Booklist, starred review
“Poetry.”


CONNECTIONS:
Use with teenagers to explore the consequences of actions.

This book is a good tool to reach reluctant readers, especially males, since it is a quick read and has a teenage boy as the main character.

Use this book for discussion in a teen book club

Genre Six

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lowry, Lois. 1993. THE GIVER. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0395645662.

PLOT SUMMARY:
In the community where Jonas lives life is uncomplicated and planned for its citizens. Every aspect of the community is decided by a group of Elders. When each citizen turns twelve, they are told what their job assignments will be for their future. Jonas is nervous about the ceremony where he will receive is job assignment but becomes confused when his name is not called. He soon realizes that he has been chosen for a special job as “The Receiver. “ Through his training for his job, Jonas learns that there is more to life than the “sameness” he has been taught all his life. Soon he knows about things he has not known before like pain, happiness, grief, and love. Jonas will soon have to make a choice that will change his life

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
THE GIVER is a modern fantasy novel that takes place is a community that could be located anywhere in the world. The reader is never told the name of the community or given any clues as to where it is located. The weather is always the same, seasons never change, and time is known to pass only as characters let the reader know. This setting is crucial to the story because it lends itself to the plot of the story.

The original plot by Lois Lowry gives a believable account of a utopia that could occur in the future. Though the main character is a young boy, readers of all ages will enjoy the story set in a perfect world with perfect people. THE GIVER, although a fantasy, will have readers questioning their own lives and the world they live in. Would a utopian society be better than the society we live in now?

The story is told from the point of view of Jonas, a young boy about to receive his job assignment for his adult life. He conveys all of his concerns and fears about such a big change in his life to readers who will identify with this character. Jonah tells the story through his thoughts and observations. He is a likeable character and most readers will sympathize with his struggles as he learns what is expected from him in his new profession and will root for him when he makes his life altering choices.

The story reveals the struggles Jonas faces; should he remain in his community even when he learns that they are living a “lie” or should he leave and seek a more meaningful life where he can make choices? This struggle with choice becomes a recurring theme in the story. Suddenly a young boy learns that his entire life, everything he knows, has been construed to fit a model. Not only must he deal with the new knowledge but he must also make choices that will affect his future and possibly those around him.

This simple story is told in a straight forward manner that leaves the reader with questions throughout the novel. Even the ending leaves the readers with questions. Will Jonas and Gabe reach civilization? What will happen to them next? Ms. Lowry allows the reader to make his or her own conclusions to the story by weighing the facts and making their own judgments.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
1994 Newberry Medal Winner
An ALA Notable Children's Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book
A Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare
The Regina Medal
An IRA-CBC Children's Choice
An NCTE Notable Trade Book for the Language Arts
An NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Book in the Field of Social Studies

Publishers Weekly Starred Review
"Lowry is once again in top form... unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers."

The New York Times
"A powerful and provocative novel.”

The Horn Book Starred Review
"The theme of balancing the values of freedom and security is beautifully presented.”

Booklist Starred, Focus Review
"The simplicity and directness of Lowry's writing force readers to grapple with their own thoughts.. . ."

CONNECTIONS:
Use THE GIVER in a creative writing assignment. Have students write their own ending to the story that describes what they think happens to Jonas and Gabriel.

This novel can be used in the study of utopias. Have students compare and contrast the utopia from the book with other real life utopias that are studied in class.

Have students create their own utopias either individually or in groups. Have them describe in detail where the utopia will be located, who will live there, the rolls that will be assigned to members, and other aspects of daily life. Use these utopias as topics of class discussions and compare them to Jonas’ world.

Genre Five - Historical Fiction

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 1995. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM – 1963. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN: 0385321759.

PLOT SUMMARY:
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM – 1963 is the story of an African American family living in Flint, Michigan in 1963. Nine-year old Kinney tells the story about his family that has been nicknamed the “Weird Watsons.” When Kenny’s older brother, Byron, gets into trouble again the family decides to take a trip to Birmingham in order to visit their grandmother. While little sister Joetta is attending church, a bomb goes off and the ensuing aftermath changes the Weird Watsons forever.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Nine year old Kenny Watson tells the story of his family living in Flint Michigan. Readers see the world of 1963 through Kenny’s eyes and receive an innocent view of the time period from a young child who has not experienced many of the racial injustices that his African American neighbors in the South have endured. The book cover includes photos of a family that are black and white and obviously from the past.

Christopher Paul Curtis sets the stage of the novel by explaining the items bought for their car before their trip to Birmingham. The items are from the 1960’s and are described in such detail that one can picture exactly what they look like even if they have never one. The record player for the car is one such unusual item that the Watsons used during their trip.

Kenny’s use of figurative language keeps the reader in the world of a kid. His use of timely phrases never let one forget that this story takes place in a different time. The author uses humor to keep the story interesting and moving at a pace that is easy to keep up with and understand.

As the story changes settings from the north to the south the reader is introduced to the many differences between the two areas in the 1960s. The figurative language used by the characters is more pronounced when the setting is in Birmingham. As Mr. Curtis moves toward the climax of the story, which is the bombing of the church, the story picks up the pace and keeps the reader involved in the story. While the bombing is based on actual events, Mr. Curtis is careful not to make this bombing the real bombing from history. Instead he mirrors the events and creates an occasion that Kenny witnesses and then deals with in the aftermath of the tragedy.

It is not until the Epilogue that the author explains about the bombing that occurred in Birmingham at the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church. He also explains about the four girls who lost their lives on September 15, 1963. This clarification really brings home the events from the story. Mr. Curtis also explains more about other events happening in the South during the 1960’s. His novel is also dedicated to the four young girls who lost their lives that fateful day.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
A Newberry Honor Book
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A New York Times Book Review Best Book
A Bulletin Blue Ribbon
A Publishers Weekly Best Book

School Library Journal, Starred Review
“Ribald humor…and a totally believable child’s view of the world will make this book an instant hit.”

Publishers Weekly, Starred, Boxed Review
“An exceptional first novel.”

The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review
“Curtis’s control of his material is superb as he unconventionally shifts tone and mood, as he depicts the changing relationship between the two brothers, and as he incorporates a factual event into his fictional story.”

CONNECTIONS:
Use this book as an extension when teaching children about the civil rights movement.

Have students research the church bombings in Birmingham, Alabama.

Use this novel to discuss family dynamics and open up discussions for students to tell their stories about older or younger siblings.

Have students write a story about their own “weird” family. It could be a story about a trip or an odd incident such as when Byron gets his tongue stuck to the icy car. Students can also write about a fiction event for a creative writing assignment.

Read this story aloud to students age 9-14.

Genre Five - Historical Fiction

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Pearsall, Shelley. 2002. TROUBLE DON’T LAST. New Your: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 0375814906.

PLOT SUMMARY:
TROUBLE DON’T LAST is the story of Samuel, an eleven year old slave in Kentucky. Late one night, Harrison, an older slave wakes Samuel and the two of them run away from their master’s home in search of freedom in Canada. Using the famous Underground Railroad, Harrison and Samuel face many hardships on their journey north but also find goodness in a world that does not always accept them.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Beginning with a dark cover it is apparent that most of this story takes place at night. This is most appropriate since most runaway slaves were forced to travel on the Underground Railroad in the cover of darkness. The story of the two runaway slaves, Samuel and Harrison, is told through Samuel who is a child and has little idea of what is happening. He learns as the reader does of the trouble and dangers that await him on his journey. The author’s use of figurative language puts the reader into the world of a slave who has never had any formal education. This creates some of the fear that reader and character experience since they do not always understand what is happening or what will come next.

The story begins in Kentucky where our two main characters are enslaved. It follows the pair as they sneak away in the night, encounter strangers who are helpful but also suspect in their motives. Samuel and Harrison do not always trust the people who help them but often have little alternative. Their trip on the Underground Railroad is never spoken about or given a name but the author leaves little doubt in the reader’s mind that this is the vehicle that the two slaves are traveling.

Since the story is told through the experiences of a young child, young readers can instantly sympathize with his feelings in the story. Being a child he must follow the directions of adults but once he is on the run he must make many grown up decisions for himself. Readers will be anxious with worry for Samuel and Harrison as each page could be the page where they are caught and sent back to their master in Kentucky. Shelley Pearsall does a great job of ending each chapter with a question of what will happen next on their journey.

At the end of the book Ms. Pearsall includes a map of the journey taken by Samuel and Harrison. It puts into perspective how far they had to travel and how much of it they had to walk. She also provides an Author’s Note that explains in more detail the Underground Railroad and how she researched her novel. She points out what is factual and informs readers of the parts that she made into fiction. This is a wonderful story to introduce readers to the Underground Railroad and other historical events such as the Fugitive Slave Law that existed in the years before the Civil War.


REVIEW EXCERPTS:
2003 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
2003 Ohioana Library Book Award, Juvenile Fiction
2003 Best Children's Book of the Year (age 9-12) with asterisk for Outstanding Merit, Bank Street College of Education
2002 Editor's Choice by Booklist
2003 Jefferson Cup Honor Book
New York Public Library selection in "Children's Books 2002: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"
Top Ten First Novels by Booklist
Lasting Connections book by Book Links
Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth by Booklist

School Library Journal
"Strong characters and an inventive, suspenseful plot.”

Booklist, Starred Review
"Powerful historical novel...thrilling escape story, right until the very last chapter."

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"Action-packed, tautly plotted first novel presents a quest for freedom on the Underground Railroad that realistically blends kindness and cruelty...gripping from beginning to end."

CONNECTIONS:
Use examples from the book to teach “figurative” language in ELA classes.

This novel can be used in American History classes to study the Underground Railroad or as an extension to a Civil War Unit.

Genre Five - Historical Fiction

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Freedman, Russell. 1993. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 0899198627.

PLOT SUMMARY:
Eleanor Roosevelt’s life story is told in the biography, ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY. Widely known as the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor had a rich life of her own outside of being the First Lady. This book examines her story from a young child, through her teen years, as First Lady, and her life after the death of her husband.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Russell Freedman gives a very detailed account of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt while making the material interesting for young children. He manages to explore some touchy subjects such as alcoholism, and verbal insults, and adultery while still being sensitive to Mrs. Roosevelt’s nature. Mr. Freedman also fills the biography with actual photographs of Mrs. Roosevelt and her family and friends. These pictures lend a glimpse into the life of Eleanor Roosevelt and her beloved family.

It is made clear in the book that Mrs. Roosevelt was a warm, caring person and that all who came into contact with her felt this warmness and knew what a genuine person she was. By using quotes from primary sources such as letters and newspaper articles, the author is able to allow the reader to make a personal connection to Mrs. Roosevelt.

It is evident that Mr. Freedman wants to honor Mrs. Roosevelt’s privacy and legacy by the way he approaches the sensitive subjects in her private life. When the subject of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s infidelity arises, the subject is dealt with in a straight forward manner but also with the sensitivity that Mrs. Roosevelt could appreciate given that it was such a private matter. The same is true when he writes about her shyness and the alcoholism that her father battled in her early years.

While this book was written for children as the primary audience, it is not written “down” to children. Readers of all ages will enjoy the smart writing and photos about Eleanor Roosevelt as her life unfolds on the pages. As she grows in body and mind, we can cheer her triumphs and morn her losses. Being able to see the faces of the people she loved and cared for in the many photos allow readers to connect with her on a very personal level.

At the end of the book there is a photo album of pictures from various events in Eleanor Roosevelt’s life. There is information about Val-Kill the “only national historic site dedicated to the memory of a First Lady.” In addition there is also a section that mentions other books about Eleanor Roosevelt. This is more than just a list of books but he details what each book is about, the authors or authors, her autobiographies and even magazine articles that are available on the subject of the former First Lady. This is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the remarkable woman who made a difference in America.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
1993 Booklist Editors' Choice
1993 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
1993 School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year
1993 AIGA 50 Books Show Selection
1994 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
1994 ALA Notable Book for Children
1994 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award
1994 Newbery Honor Book
1994 Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
1994 Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
1994 Library of Congress, Children's Books of the Year
1998 Not Just For Children Anymore! Selection (CBC)

Horn Book
"Freedman has created a sensitive biography of Eleanor Roosevelt -- certainly sympathetic but not overly adulatory; it captures her spirit. The beautifully crafted text flows smoothly and is accompanied by over one hundred black-and-white photographs portraying Roosevelt at every age. Young readers will find inspiration, hope, and guidance in the life of the outstanding woman. Bib., ind."

Kirkus Reviews with Pointers
"Freedman at his best: a splendid achievement."

CONNECTIONS:
Use in Social Studies classes studying famous Americans.
Use in Language Arts classes when studying biographies.
Have students create a timeline of Eleanor Roosevelt’s life.
Use in conjunction with the study of the United Nations or U.S. Presidents.

Genre Four - Nonfiction

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Murphy, Jim. 2003. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1793. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395776082.

PLOT SUMMARY:
AN AMERICAN PLAGUE THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1793 is the true story of an outbreak of yellow fever in the city of Philadelphia in 1793. The residents of Philadelphia are becoming ill and no one knows why. While many people fled the city to avoid the illness, half of those who remained died from the disease. George Washington was one of those who fled the city (then the capital of the United States) and this act caused a constitutional crisis. It details the events that occurred in Philadelphia during the epidemic including the role free blacks played in tending to those who were sick. Jim Murphy tells this horrific tale in gory detail that leaves nothing to the imagination. Anyone interested in American History or science will love this story.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The story of the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia is told through a progression of events that leads the reader through the first year of the disease. Each chapter begins with a newspaper article or other primary source of information on the opposite page of the chapter’s text and a quote from the era is also included. This gives readers a taste of what the chapter is about and makes the readers eager to continue reading.

This book is filled with drawings, sketches, newspaper clippings, and other artifacts from historical societies and other sources to allow the reader to know that this was a real event in our past. Mr. Murphy has done an immense amount of research as shown in his extensive list of sources and acknowledgements. Famous historical figures, such as George Washington are mentioned in the book as well as regular people.

Historically accurate, the gruesome details provided about the tolls of the disease, allow the reader to experience what life was like in the 1700’s before sanitary and medical advances were made. Murphy not only does his research on historical events but also in the medical field. The last chapter of the book provides suggestions about how the disease began and was spread. He explains how mosquitoes were eventually identified as the culprit.

This book is great for young as well as older adults. As a U.S. History teacher I will be sure to add this book to my collection of ancillary teaching tools. I recommend this book to history lovers as well as science enthusiasts alike.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Publishers Weekly
"Leisurely, lyrical tone...Murphy injects the events with immediacy...archival photographs...bring the story to life...comprehensive history."

School Library Journal Starred
"solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories...extensive and interesting...you'll have students hooked on history."

The Washington Post
"Nobody does juvenile nonfiction better than Murphy."

2003 National Book Award Finalist

2004 Newberry Honor Book

2004 The Robert F. Sibert Medal

2004 ALA Best Book for Young Adults

2004 Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

2004 Orbis Pictus Award

CONNECTIONS:
Use as a tool for teaching the concepts of primary and secondary sources.
Use as a reading extension in American History.
Have students create a timeline of the book.
Students can publish their own newspaper about the events of 1793.
For science class, students can read this book and study the spread of disease through mosquitoes.