Author: Jeff Kinney
Published: 2007
Target Age: 9-12
Genre: Children/Graphic Novel ('A novel in cartoons')
Series: First of 3
Synopsis: Greg is a middle school student dealing with the typical issues of adolescence--girls, grades, bullies, siblings, parents, etc.
My Thoughts:
A quick, easy read. The humor is definitely geared toward middle schoolers, but I found myself laughing--particularly at the illustrations. There's not really a plot line, but I guess I shouldn't have expected one from a diary. I think what I liked most about this was the ideas it gave me--this book could be a great launching pad for getting students to write their own diaries, or as Greg would rather have it called, journals.
My Recommendation:
Great for middle school students, especially boys and the 'reluctant reader.' Parents will enjoy reading it with their children.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Graveyard Book
Author: Neil Gaiman
Published: 2008
Pages: 320
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Target Age: 9-12
Other books by Gaiman: Coraline, Good Omens, Stardust, American Gods
Awards: Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal
Synopsis: When a baby boy's family is murdered, he is taken in and raised by the ghosts in a nearby graveyard.
My Thoughts:
I had high expectations for The Graveyard Book--who wouldn't? It won an award for being the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Unfortunately, (IMHO) 'distinguished contribution' does not always mean 'enjoyable' (just look at 2008's winner, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!--or don't look, because it's not worth your time). To be fair, there are some things I like about Gaiman's book--it is rich with literary and historical allusions that provide plenty of opportunities for kids to explore and find meaning (although this could also prove to be a barrier to understanding for some readers). Gaiman acknowledges that his inspiration for the story comes from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, and although he states that if you've only seen the Disney film you don't know the full story, the book did feel like the movie in that for most of the book the protagonist, Nobody Owens, was meandering the graveyard having small, unrelated adventures. Not until the last two chapters does the plot really take off, and it's done in such a hurry that the whole reason for Nobody's family being murdered is not even thoroughly (or convincingly, or satisfactorily) explained. Hanging over the entire story like a mist is a melancholy that left me feeling 'blah'--along with the obvious reasons for this malaise (images of death, etc), the book ended with the feeling that, as they say, 'you can't go home again.' I'm not saying children's books have to end all honky-dory, but if a book is going to have a serious ending, I want there to be a compelling reason, or lesson, or message that has lead to it the entire time, and while some might argue that that message is about growing up and reaching your potential in The Graveyard Book, I don't think Gaiman does a convincing job of getting that across.
My Recommendation:
It saddens me to say I wouldn't recommend a Newbery Medal winner, but I can't find a compelling reason to encourage folks to read this, unless they've read other Gaiman books and enjoyed them or are (like me) on a mission to read all the Newbery winners.
Published: 2008
Pages: 320
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Target Age: 9-12
Other books by Gaiman: Coraline, Good Omens, Stardust, American Gods
Awards: Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal
Synopsis: When a baby boy's family is murdered, he is taken in and raised by the ghosts in a nearby graveyard.
My Thoughts:
I had high expectations for The Graveyard Book--who wouldn't? It won an award for being the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Unfortunately, (IMHO) 'distinguished contribution' does not always mean 'enjoyable' (just look at 2008's winner, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!--or don't look, because it's not worth your time). To be fair, there are some things I like about Gaiman's book--it is rich with literary and historical allusions that provide plenty of opportunities for kids to explore and find meaning (although this could also prove to be a barrier to understanding for some readers). Gaiman acknowledges that his inspiration for the story comes from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, and although he states that if you've only seen the Disney film you don't know the full story, the book did feel like the movie in that for most of the book the protagonist, Nobody Owens, was meandering the graveyard having small, unrelated adventures. Not until the last two chapters does the plot really take off, and it's done in such a hurry that the whole reason for Nobody's family being murdered is not even thoroughly (or convincingly, or satisfactorily) explained. Hanging over the entire story like a mist is a melancholy that left me feeling 'blah'--along with the obvious reasons for this malaise (images of death, etc), the book ended with the feeling that, as they say, 'you can't go home again.' I'm not saying children's books have to end all honky-dory, but if a book is going to have a serious ending, I want there to be a compelling reason, or lesson, or message that has lead to it the entire time, and while some might argue that that message is about growing up and reaching your potential in The Graveyard Book, I don't think Gaiman does a convincing job of getting that across.
My Recommendation:
It saddens me to say I wouldn't recommend a Newbery Medal winner, but I can't find a compelling reason to encourage folks to read this, unless they've read other Gaiman books and enjoyed them or are (like me) on a mission to read all the Newbery winners.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wish List II
Some more books on my list...
5. Beloved (1987) by Toni Morrison (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize). "Morrison paints a somber picture of the brutal effects of slavery. It examines both the mental and physical trauma caused by slavery as well as its effect on survivors. The book follows the story of Sethe (pronounced "Seth-uh") and her daughter Denver as they try to rebuild their lives after having escaped from slavery."
6. The Namesake (2003) by Jhumpa Lahiri (Author of Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Maladies). "The novel describes the struggles and hardships of a Bengali couple who immigrate to the United States to form a life outside of everything they know."
7. Cosmos (1980) by Carl Sagan (astronomer, astrochemist, author, Cornell professor). "Cosmos was first and foremost intended to help the public better understand astronomy and astrophysics. Although the focus of the book is on astronomy and the world outside of the earth, it is also about human perception of the Cosmos throughout history. It is a history of how our matter originated in the stars, how consciousness sprang from that dead matter, and how unique our planet is."
8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007) by Jeff Kinney. "Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud 'novel in cartoons,' adapted from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through an academic year's worth of drama."
5. Beloved (1987) by Toni Morrison (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize). "Morrison paints a somber picture of the brutal effects of slavery. It examines both the mental and physical trauma caused by slavery as well as its effect on survivors. The book follows the story of Sethe (pronounced "Seth-uh") and her daughter Denver as they try to rebuild their lives after having escaped from slavery."
6. The Namesake (2003) by Jhumpa Lahiri (Author of Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Maladies). "The novel describes the struggles and hardships of a Bengali couple who immigrate to the United States to form a life outside of everything they know."
7. Cosmos (1980) by Carl Sagan (astronomer, astrochemist, author, Cornell professor). "Cosmos was first and foremost intended to help the public better understand astronomy and astrophysics. Although the focus of the book is on astronomy and the world outside of the earth, it is also about human perception of the Cosmos throughout history. It is a history of how our matter originated in the stars, how consciousness sprang from that dead matter, and how unique our planet is."
8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007) by Jeff Kinney. "Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud 'novel in cartoons,' adapted from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through an academic year's worth of drama."
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wish List
Part of my dilemma is the ever-growing list of books that I want to read--the following are just a few of those that I hope to complete in the near future. I'd love any recommendations you might have--things I should take off my list, move to the top, add, etc.!
1. Heroes of the Valley (2009) by Jonathan Stroud (Author of the Bartimaeus Trilogy, which I loved). "An epic fantasy thriller, featuring murder, revenge and a slightly diminutive protagonist."
2. Guys Write for Guys Read (2005) edited by Jon Scieszka (Author of the Time Warp Trio Series). "Features brief contributions from scores of heavyweight authors and illustrators like Walter Dean Myers, Dan Gutman, Chris Crutcher, Avi, Brian Jacques, Dav Pilkey, Stephen King, Daniel Pinkwater, Jerry Spinelli, Will Hobbs, Chris Van Allsburg, Laurence Yep, and frequent collaborator Lane Smith. If there's one overarching theme here, it's the simple but important message: read what you like, when you like, whatever that happens to be."
3. People of the Book (2008) by Geraldine Brooks (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March). "One of the earliest Jewish religious volumes to be illuminated with images, the Sarajevo Haggadah survived centuries of purges and wars thanks to people of all faiths who risked their lives to safeguard it. In the hands of Hanna Heath, an impassioned rare-book expert restoring the manuscript in 1996 Sarajevo, it yields clues to its guardians and whereabouts: an insect wing, a wine stain, salt crystals, and a white hair."
4. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2007) by Malcolm Gladwell (Author of The Tipping Point). "Blink is about the first two seconds of looking--the decisive glance that knows in an instant. Gladwell campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Building his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course, selling cars, and military maneuvers, he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of "thin slices" of behavior."
1. Heroes of the Valley (2009) by Jonathan Stroud (Author of the Bartimaeus Trilogy, which I loved). "An epic fantasy thriller, featuring murder, revenge and a slightly diminutive protagonist."
2. Guys Write for Guys Read (2005) edited by Jon Scieszka (Author of the Time Warp Trio Series). "Features brief contributions from scores of heavyweight authors and illustrators like Walter Dean Myers, Dan Gutman, Chris Crutcher, Avi, Brian Jacques, Dav Pilkey, Stephen King, Daniel Pinkwater, Jerry Spinelli, Will Hobbs, Chris Van Allsburg, Laurence Yep, and frequent collaborator Lane Smith. If there's one overarching theme here, it's the simple but important message: read what you like, when you like, whatever that happens to be."
3. People of the Book (2008) by Geraldine Brooks (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March). "One of the earliest Jewish religious volumes to be illuminated with images, the Sarajevo Haggadah survived centuries of purges and wars thanks to people of all faiths who risked their lives to safeguard it. In the hands of Hanna Heath, an impassioned rare-book expert restoring the manuscript in 1996 Sarajevo, it yields clues to its guardians and whereabouts: an insect wing, a wine stain, salt crystals, and a white hair."
4. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2007) by Malcolm Gladwell (Author of The Tipping Point). "Blink is about the first two seconds of looking--the decisive glance that knows in an instant. Gladwell campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Building his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course, selling cars, and military maneuvers, he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of "thin slices" of behavior."
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: 2008
Genre: Young Adult
Target Age: 12 and up
Series: Book 1 of 2 (2nd forthcoming)
Other books by Collins: The Underland Chronicles (See earlier post)
Synopsis:
In the future, the land once occupied by the United States is home to Panem, a nation of 12 alienated Districts ruled by the powerful Capitol. Each year, to remind the Districts of their subjugation, 2 children from each District are chosen at random to compete in the Hunger Games, in which the 24 'tributes' battle to the death as the nation watches. (Warning: slight spoiler ahead.) Katniss, a 16-year old from the impoverished 12th district, volunteers for the games when her younger sister's name is drawn.
My Thoughts:
Even though it's only February, I would venture to guess that this is quite possibly the best book I will read this year. I loved Collins' Underland Chronicles and she has outdone herself in Hunger Games. I finished it last night and would gladly read it again. Much like in the Underland Chronicles, Collins not only tells a riveting story, she also deals with social and moral complexities that add an intriguing and poignant depth to the tale. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!
My Recommendation:
Everyone should read this! My only caution is that the violence is not appropriate for young children.
Published: 2008
Genre: Young Adult
Target Age: 12 and up
Series: Book 1 of 2 (2nd forthcoming)
Other books by Collins: The Underland Chronicles (See earlier post)
Synopsis:
In the future, the land once occupied by the United States is home to Panem, a nation of 12 alienated Districts ruled by the powerful Capitol. Each year, to remind the Districts of their subjugation, 2 children from each District are chosen at random to compete in the Hunger Games, in which the 24 'tributes' battle to the death as the nation watches. (Warning: slight spoiler ahead.) Katniss, a 16-year old from the impoverished 12th district, volunteers for the games when her younger sister's name is drawn.
My Thoughts:
Even though it's only February, I would venture to guess that this is quite possibly the best book I will read this year. I loved Collins' Underland Chronicles and she has outdone herself in Hunger Games. I finished it last night and would gladly read it again. Much like in the Underland Chronicles, Collins not only tells a riveting story, she also deals with social and moral complexities that add an intriguing and poignant depth to the tale. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!
My Recommendation:
Everyone should read this! My only caution is that the violence is not appropriate for young children.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austin
Published: 1813
Pages: 400 (depends on edition)
Target Audience: Teens and older (women)
Other books by Austin: Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion
Movies: Made into a 6-part television mini-series (A&E, 1995) starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth; also adapted for film in 2005 starring Keira Knightley.
Synopsis:
Set in 19th century England, this story follows Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters on their quest to find suitable husbands.
My Thoughts:
Many of the 'classics' I've had to read for school have disappointed, and so I was worried that Austin's writing would be tedious and difficult to read, but was pleasantly surprised to find it light and witty. The book started off at a quick enough pace but slowed down about a quarter of the way through and had it not been for the promise of viewing the six hour A&E version with a friend, I might have abandoned it. Luckily, at about the half-way point, the excitement resumed and carried me eagerly to the end. Austin's characters are lively and amusing and I particularly enjoyed her word choice (most surprising: "super-excellent"). Several people have recommended that if I liked Pride and Prejudice I should try Austin's other novels, and I believe I will!
My Recommendation:
If you're in the mood for a light-hearted romance novel, Pride and Prejudice is a super-excellent choice!
Published: 1813
Pages: 400 (depends on edition)
Target Audience: Teens and older (women)
Other books by Austin: Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion
Movies: Made into a 6-part television mini-series (A&E, 1995) starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth; also adapted for film in 2005 starring Keira Knightley.
Synopsis:
Set in 19th century England, this story follows Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters on their quest to find suitable husbands.
My Thoughts:
Many of the 'classics' I've had to read for school have disappointed, and so I was worried that Austin's writing would be tedious and difficult to read, but was pleasantly surprised to find it light and witty. The book started off at a quick enough pace but slowed down about a quarter of the way through and had it not been for the promise of viewing the six hour A&E version with a friend, I might have abandoned it. Luckily, at about the half-way point, the excitement resumed and carried me eagerly to the end. Austin's characters are lively and amusing and I particularly enjoyed her word choice (most surprising: "super-excellent"). Several people have recommended that if I liked Pride and Prejudice I should try Austin's other novels, and I believe I will!
My Recommendation:
If you're in the mood for a light-hearted romance novel, Pride and Prejudice is a super-excellent choice!
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