Module 5 Book Reviews: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett

Bibliography

Balliett, Blue.  2006.  The Wright 3.  Ill. by Brett Helquist.  New York, NY:  Scholastic Press.  ISBN:  0-439-69367-5.

Tag along with three young super-sleuths - Petra, Calder, and Tommy - in the hunt for information that will help save Frank Lloyd Wright's innovative architectural artwork, the Robie House, built in 1910 and in danger of being cut into pieces and shipped to different museums.  Spurred on by an eccentric teacher, Ms. Hussey, who likens the segmention to murder, the Wright 3 take charge of their own personal investigation as an underlying mystery thickens.  Eerie coincidences abound, the house seems to move as if it were alive, and strangers haunt the night.  Can Petra's copy of The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells help them unlock the code Frank Lloyd Wright left behind, or will Calder's 3 dimensional math tools and Tommy's jade fish talisman reveal the answers behind the inexplicable?  This determined trio gets more than they bargained for in a suspenseful tale with some surprising twists.  Balliett includes a map, a note explaining Calder's pentominoes, a note about patterns hidden in the artwork, and a note detailing the true history behind the Robie House - marvelous extensions that make this puzzle even more thrilling.   

Module 5 Book Reviews: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Munoz Ryan

Bibliography

Ryan, Pam Munoz.  2004.  Becoming Naomi Leon.  New York, NY:  Scholastic Press.  ISBN:  0-439-26969-5. 

Becoming Naomi Leon is the compelling story of a once content, and somewhat mousy, 5th grade girl's search for identity, pride and inner strength.  When Naomi's long-absent mother unexpectedly knocks on the door of Baby Beluga (the family's airstream trailer) and turns her sheltered life upside down, both the old and new questions are irrepressible.  Though Gram says it's best to leave the past in the past, Naomi's new friend Blanca believes that asking lots of questions gets lots of answers.   Naomi yearns for information concerning her distant father, in Oaxaca City, Mexico, and her incongruous mother, all the while dealing with long pent up feelings of rejection.  Through events beyond her control, Naomi is set on a difficult path that propels her into self-discovery.  By the end of her journey, each one of Naomi's names - Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw - match a portion of her new-found identity and the puzzle pieces of her life have come together to form a complete picture.  Becoming "Naomi the Lion," she is the same on the outside, but now very different on the inside.  Munoz has woven a story of circumstances, cultures, family strength, and unconditional love into a heart-warming, and sometimes heart-wrenching, search for truth that unravels cleanly and assuredly.

Module 5 Book Reviews: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Bibliography

Birdsall, Jeanne.  2005.  The Penderwicks.  Ill. by David Frankland.  New York, NY:  Alfred A. Knopf.  ISBN:  0-375-83143-6.  

Anything can happen in three weeks - if you spend them with the Penderwicks!  Birdsall has beautifully captured the innocence of summer, infused it with inevitable growing pains, then entangled it with a troupe of light-hearted sisters and host of other lively characters - both two-legged and four-legged.  The sisters' personalities are as varied as the flowers in Mrs. Tifton's extravagant gardens and entice troubles of all different sorts.  But to the Penderwicks, family trumps all else and their love for each other is refreshingly evident through and through.  With problems enough to keep the story moving and solutions enough to appease, the family tackles one last obstacle before heading home from Arundel Cottage - saving Jeffrey from the ills of his mother - the insufferable Mrs. Tifton.  Birdsall has conceived a laudable feel-good story full of summer's simple childhood pleasures and raucous family dynamics - a treat in every aspect!     

  

Module 5 Book Reviews: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

Bibliography

Pennypacker, Sara.  2006.  Clementine.  Ill. by Marla Frazee.  New York, NY:  Hyperion Books for Children.  ISBN:  0-7868-3882-5.

Buckle your seat belts and hang on for the ride!  From one page to the next a very high-spirited Clementine will entertain even the shiest of readers with her comical antics and fresh ideas. Clementine represents the one kid we've all known - with the perpetually unzipped backpack spewing wrinkled papers and books, a lively attention span that bounces like a rubber ball, and a penchant for finding trouble.  A week in the life of Clementine involves multiple trips to the principal's office, some very short hair, a bit of glue, and two brightly colored markers, and that's only at school!  This short novel is fast-paced, engaging, and Marla Frazee's ink drawings are just enough to forever imprint the well-intentioned Clementine into our imaginations!

Module 4 Book Reviews: Poetry

The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury by Jack Prelutsky

Bibliography

Prelutsky, Jack, selector.  1999.  The 20th Century Children's Poetry Treasury.  Ill. by Meilo So.  New York, NY:  Alfred A. Knopf.  ISBN:  0-679-89314-8.

Review

This cheery anthology of over 200 poems from 20th century America is a collection that Jack Prelutsky feels represents the "scope and variety of children's verse."  Poem selections from each decade - mostly from the last half of the century - cover topics such as food, seasons, animals, music, and secrets.  Works from authors Ogden Nash, Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, Kristine O'Connell George, Douglas Florian, Dr. Seuss, Nikki Grimes and many others span the pages along with comical watercolor illustrations.  An introduction from Prelutsky praises the renaissance of poetry in recent years and anticipates its continued popularity in the years to come.  This publication includes an Index of Titles with the year of original publication, an Index of Authors, and Acknowledgements of previous publishers.  A thorough 85 page compilation - this book provides an easily manageable foray into the world of poetry - for leisure or research.  

Module 4 Book Reviews: Poetry

Toasting Marshmallows - Camping Poems by Kristine O'Connell George

Bibliography

George, Kristine O'Connell.  2001.  Toasting Marshmallows - Camping Poems.  Ill. by Kate Kiesler.  New York, NY:  Clarion Books.  ISBN 0-618-04597-x.

Review

Anyone who has ever gone camping will certainly express delight in the authenticity of the subjects and illustrations in this topical collection of poetry.  As for the fledgling camper, the excitement and joys of these camping poems will serve as a snippet of information for future camping trips.  Accented by warm and inviting acrylic illustrations of nature’s beautiful and magnificent attributes, topics include setting up the tent, campfires, toasting marshmallows, rainstorms, and various encounters with wildlife, all written from a young girl’s perspective and in storylike form.  Kristine O’Connell George has struck gold with this collection of contemporary poetry for children.

Module 4 Book Reviews: Poetry

¡Pio Peep!  Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes by Alma Flor Ada, F. Isabel Campoy and Alice Schertle

Bibliography

Ada, Alma Flor and F. Isabel Campoy, comp.  Adapted by Alice Schertle.  2003.  ¡Pio Peep!  Traditional Spanish Nursery Rhymes. New York, NY:  Harper Collins Publishers.  ISBN: 0-688-16019-0. 

Review

¡Pio Peep! is a wonderful combination of age-old spanish nursery rhymes - some that crossed the ocean from Spain and a few that originated in Mexico, and modern English adaptations of the rhymes.  The hardback collection contains an explanation of the selections and sources by the authors, a table of contents, as well as an introduction to hispanic oral folklore written in both spanish and English.  What a treat for English speakers to be able to experience the history and content of spanish rhymes and folklore!  Full and double paged watercolor spreads connect the paired English and spanish poems with robust, expressive characters and a rainbow of colors captured between bright yellow endsheets.  True to the culture behind the rhymes, decorative borders outline introductory pages and characters showcase traditional clothing.  This book is a must-have for any library's poetry shelves.