NEW SEMESTER

This blog is being used for a requirement for LS 5653, Multicultural Literature for Children and YA at TWU. Book reviews will be posted during the 08 Fall semester. Happy reading!

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo is the story of ten year-old India Opal Bulone’s struggle to make friends after her preacher father moves them Naomi, Florida. A simple errand to the grocery store ends with Opal rescuing a dog about to be sent to the pound. She names the dog Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie eases Opal’s loneliness as she meets an interesting array of unique people in Naomi, including Miss Fanny Block, the librarian, Otis, the guitar playing criminal, and Gloria Dump, an old woman the kids believe is a witch.

Opal is a strong character with problems that face many young children today; mainly she misses her mother. Although a sad topic, it is dealt with in a positive and hopeful manner offering readers inspiration. The author shares Opal’s situation allowing readers a window into coping with daily life. The dog, Winn-Dixie permits readers to connect and perceive possible solutions to their problems. It is easy to understand how Winn-Dixie is a Newberry Honor Book and an ALA Notable Children’s Book. A dog and child story, this book offers incite to the many situations facing young people today. I was captivated by Opal when she announced she didn’t need the dog, he needed her. How can you resist logic like that?

I would recommend this book for students in grades 3-6.

Keywords: friends, alcoholism, love, acceptance, coping, differences

The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker

The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker by Cynthia DeFelice is the story of a twelve-year old losing his family to consumption in 1849. After burying his mother next to the rest of his family Lucas wanders the countryside for days, finally ending up south of his home at Doc Beecher’s house. The doc is looking for an apprentice and Lucas meets all his requirements. Working for Doc Beecher Lucas’ education begins; he faces the effects of consumption again, deals with his grief, and returns home to settle questions in his mind about the possibility of a cure for consumption.

The author of this fast paced story offers enough historical facts of the time, mixing it with an interesting story, to make digging up the dead seam reasonable. The presentation of consumption (tuberculosis), in this book is as harsh and unforgiving as the disease was. The lack of medical understanding adds to the believability of the story and of Lucas’s frustration. The suffering of Lucas immediately drew me into the story and kept my attention as he struggled to deal with the blows consumption had dealt him.
This book was a 1997 Parent’s Choice Award, an ALA Notable Book in 1996, and School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 1996.

I would recommend this book for students in grades 3 –5.
Keywords: apprentice, orphan, physician, consumption, grief, microscope, suspense

Speak

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is the emotional story of Melinda Sordino’s freshman year of high school. After calling 911 at an end of the summer party Melinda becomes an outcast her first year in high school. She retreats into herself, talking only when absolutely necessary. Her only solace during this period in her life is art. Working on her assigned “tree” provides distraction, comfort, and a voice while she works through her personal crisis.

Speak tackles an emotional and controversial topic with sensitivity and wit. Dividing the book into school marking periods with grades and adding details such as the mascot dilemma, lunchroom difficulties, and a “know-it-all” coach all enhance the realistic setting of this emotional situation without ever stating what the problem is. The social scene of high school is used to further Melinda’s feeling of isolation. The suspense of not knowing for sure what had happened to Melinda kept me entranced through the book. I thought this a very delicate yet baldly truthful handling of an emotional topic. This book has received the Golden Kite Award, State Awards in Kentucky, New Jersey, and Oklahoma, and was a Michael J Printz Honor Book.

I would recommend this book for students in grades 9 and above.
Keywords: rape, depression, emotional problems, coping, high school, cliques,

Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine uses the Cinderella story to tell Ella’s struggle to free herself from a “blessing” given to her at birth. Ella’s “blessing” is obedience to follow any order given to her. Life was good for Ella and her mother for years. When Ella was almost fifteen she and her mother became sick; Ella recovered, her mother did not. This is when Ella’s “blessing” really became a curse. Ella’s father, a trader, had financial difficulties and remarries to solve them. One of Ella’s new stepsisters discovers Ella’s curse and uses the knowledge to make life miserable. The bright spot in Ella’s life is her friendship with Prince Char, the heir to the throne. Ella journey to happiness leads her to a finishing school, elves, ogres, giants, and working as a scullery maid. Ultimately, Ella is able to break the spell to protect her friend, Char.

Ella is an expanded Cinderella fairy tale. The twist (plot) to this story, Ella breaking the curse, kept me captivated throughout the book. The themes of perseverance and rewarded kindness are contained within this story. This story contains the cruel stepmother, the good princess, and an earnest hero. The plot is simple and the conclusion follows the climax immediately. These elements of traditional fantasy are basic to this new tale of Cinderella. This book was honored with state awards in Alabama, Arizona, California, and Iowa and was an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book in 1997.

I would recommend this book for students in grades 4 – 8.

Keywords: enchanted, fairy, obedience, sacrifice, determination, imagination, fantasy

Cindy Ellen - A Wild Western Cinderella

Cindy Ellen - A Wild Western Cinderella by Susan Lowell takes Cinderella to the wide-open range of the west. In typical Cinderella fashion Cindy Ellen must do all the work. In this story, however, it is mending fence and tending cows. The handsome prince is the son of the biggest cattle king for miles around and the ball is a two-day celebration with a rodeo and square dance. Cindy Ellen’s fairy godmother has a pistol, not a wand and not only gives her fancy duds to wear but gumption. Cindy Ellen loses a diamond spur and Joe Prince, the rancher’s son, finds it. His search leads to the traditional Cinderella ending of happily ever after.

The traditional fantasy elements are present in this story. The simple and direct plot in a western setting with cowboy slang gives new life to the Cinderella story. The cruel stepmother and stepsisters are present to ensure Cindy Ellen is mistreated. Enhancing the western slang, the detailed illustrations bring life to the western setting and characters. The somewhat untraditional fairy godmother is an added treat in the story. The author, Susan Lowell, has used a western setting to retell “The Three Little Pigs” as “The Three Little Javelinas” also. I have used Cindy Ellen as a read-aloud and students love hearing the Cinderella story set in the west. They understand all the activities in the story and love comparing them to the original.

I would recommend this book for students in grades K-3.

Keywords: gumption, perseverance, western, kindness, jamboree, rodeo, cowgirl, stagecoach

The Talking Eggs

The Talking Eggs retold by Robert D. San Souci tells the story of a mean mother and two daughters, Rose; mean and spiteful like her mother and Blanche; kind and thoughtful. The mother and Rose mistreat Blanche. One day Blanche runs to the woods for solace and meets an old lady. The old lady treats the girl with kindness and rewards her behavior with riches. Upon Blanche’s return home, Rose and her mother want the same riches that Blanche has. Rose is sent into the woods to find the old lady, but does not treat the old lady kindly and is rewarded accordingly.

This folktale from the south offers fairy tale elements. The plot is fast paced and the setting timeless. The conclusion immediately follows the plot climax. The universal theme of rewarding good and punishing bad is conveyed in this book. This book was honored as an American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, a Randolph Caldecott Honor Book, and Colorado and Delaware State Awards. The engaging illustrations provide story detail and capture the readers’ imagination. I love the expressive illustrations in this book. They tell the story with memorable detail. The characters and setting of this book could be changed and the story would still be meaningful.

I would recommend this book to students in grades K –4. This would make a great read aloud book.

Keywords: imagination, poverty, spirit, promise, honor, wicked