Please post on your choice reading in this category. Remember, you are reading like a media specialist, so it is not about your personal likes and dislikes. Include in your post:
No plot summaries and no spoilers please. Failure to follow that rule will result in revocation of your authoring rights, guaranteed!!
a. Audience for whom the book is written
b. Audience to whom it will appeal (might differ from a.)
c. Particular strengths of the book
d. Particular weaknesses of the book
e. Any special considerations (artwork, curriculum links, community values, beliefs espoused, etc)
f. And, in the School Library Journal’s format: Your verdict, supported with details
No plot summaries and no spoilers please. Failure to follow that rule will result in revocation of your authoring rights, guaranteed!!
The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry
ReplyDeletea. Audience for whom the book is written. gr 8 and up
b. Audience to whom it will appeal. gr 6 and up.
c. Particular strengths of the book. It's a fast paced thriller. Story is the widest doorway without a doubt. The first chapter is so enthralling that a reader can NOT put it down. Hard to talk about without giving anything away...but it's so good!
d. Particular weaknesses of the book: If a reader's doorway is character, they may not feel a connection with this book.
e. Any special considerations: the cover+ the title= perfection:)
f. And, in the School Library Journal’s format: Your verdict, supported with details. A perfect mystery to get even the most hesitant reader hooked.
I love books that are so good that you cannot put them down!
DeleteBearwalker
ReplyDeleteAudience: The title Bearwalker is from a legend of the Mohawk Bear Clan. Baron is a member of the Mohawk Bear Clan and learned about this legend from his elders. Is it really just a legend though? Baron’s eighth grade class is about to find out on this class field trip! The target audience is fifth to eighth grade.
Appeal: Students that enjoy fast-paced action, a little mystery and a little horror will like this story.
Strengths: Baron has a sarcastic sense of humor, which kids may enjoy. He is also a smaller kid and gets picked on for being different than his peers since he is the only Native American at his school. Baron learns to take risks socially by sharing his culture with others. He also discovers his own strengths and capabilities through the story as he tries to help save his classmates from danger. Those awesome themes are included in an action-packed story though that will keep kids reading, boys in particular.
Weaknesses: Will not appeal to kids that are scared by chase stories, potential violence or horror stories.
Special Considerations: Native American writer is telling this story about a Native American boy. This is a great choice for a unit on Native Americans.
Verdict: Worth inclusion in your library because it is an action/adventure story with heart.
It's always good to hear about recommendations for building your Native American collection.
DeleteFor this group of genres, I read two from the class list, Ghost and Bellweather Rhapsody. I chose to blog about Ghost.
ReplyDeleteGhost, by Jason Reynolds
Audience. The audience for Ghost (Book 1 in the Track Series), by Jason Reynolds, is grades 5-6. It is written at a fifth grade level and readers will likely not struggle with the readability or conceptual level: a middle schooler, Ghost (Castle Cranshaw), joins a track team after a coach recognizes his innate ability. A highly accessible text and a quick, fast-paced read at 180 pages.
Appeal. This book will appeal to mostly younger readers and some middle schoolers. It is written in first person and has a sly, humorous, conversational style. It reads like the narrator is speaking to a group of friends and attempting to entertain or regale them with fun facts and stories. The narrator is talking to a “buddy” and it is easy to lean in to the story he’s telling because of the informal style.
Strengths. Kids will identify with Ghost’s story of having a raw talent shaped by an adult and the dynamics of being a part of the team, The Defenders. Each member has a unique story and particular reasons for competing. Each subsequent book in the series is told from the perspective of one of four members of the track team. Readers will respect Ghost because of his challenges and look up to his coach for his generosity. The end of the book is a cliffhanger and readers will want to go directly to the next book (this reader did).
Weaknesses. Some readers may believe that this book plays into the stereotype of sports books appealing to “boy readers” who want to read about sports and grossness. While the book mainly appeals to middle school boys, the conversational, informal style that Reynolds employs is appropriate and engaging and fun for all students. The other books in the series—Patina, Sunny, and Lu—have similar styles and both male and female narrators.
Special considerations. This book is the first in a series of four. There are no instances of profanity or sexuality. Ghost steals a pair of running shoes, and, while he gets away with it at first, it becomes a major learning experience for him because of his coach. Ghost’s father has a violent past involving guns and his family. Audiobook is available and read by Guy Lockard. National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature.
Verdict: Get multiple copies of the whole Track Series for your middle school or upper elementary media centers. Do not assume the only audience will be middle school boys.—Kendrick Davies, Library Media Specialist Candidate, Earle Brown Elementary STEAM, MN.
Excellent verdict! I have never read anything from Jason Reynolds that wasn't well crafted.
DeleteThe Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
ReplyDeletea. The recommended age for this book is 7th grade and up.
b. I think that this would be good for 8th grade and up. The Jack the Ripper content can be a little scary and there are more mature themes in the novel.
c. Maureen Johnson wrote a page turner with this novel and it has twists that I do not think students will see coming. It would be great for students that have been to or want to go to London. It’s also a great mystery that ties in a mystery that people already know, Jack the Ripper. I think this book is great and students will want to continue on in the series.
d. I think the biggest weakness is that it is a genuinely scary novel. I love mystery but will not watch a horror movie and this novel creeps into the horror category. It is super engaging and something you cannot put down, but I had a hard time reading it at night.
e. I think that the Jack the Ripper theme is a special consideration, it gives students an interesting way to learn more about a well known serial killer.
f. Verdict: This would be a phenomenal addition to any high school media center that has students that have expressed interest in mysteries, this is a really strong novel and readers will find it engaging and captivating. It would be worth it to get the entire series, so students could continue following Rory in London.
It seems to me that the US is fascinated with the UK and this book will be no exception.
DeleteI haven't heard of this book, but it sounds like a good one! I have read a different book by this author and she definitely knows how to write a page turner.
DeleteChasing Vermeer
ReplyDeleteBy Blue Balliett
a. This book is recommended for ages 9-12.
b. This book would appeal to students in middle school. I would also recommend this to older students who are interested in art and mysteries, and as a read aloud for upper elementary students.
c. Strengths - I think that the story was interesting as the reader tries to solve the mystery with the main characters as well as several puzzles and codes throughout the story. The main characters are also very relatable and readers will be able to connect with their strengths and weaknesses.
d. Weaknesses - Some readers may not like the combination of story and codes, or that a group of kids can solve the mystery of the missing painting.
e. Special Considerations - This book is for students who love puzzles and codes. There is even a code using the beautiful illustrations.
f. Verdict: A must read for middle readers who love of mysteries such as From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or The Westing Game. Balliett’s goal of writing a book that combines Art and mystery is a success!
Have you read Pieces and Players by Blue Balliett? She wrote that one in 2015.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that not all readers love codes, but The Westing Game is one of my favorites!
The only one that I didn't particularly enjoy by Blue Balliett was "The Danger Box." The Westing Game is one of my favorites too!
DeleteOne of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
ReplyDeletea. This book is recommended for grades 8 and up.
b. This book would appeal to older middle school students, high school students, and adults. It would appeal to anyone who likes a murder mystery.
c. Strengths: This book is told from four different perspectives. Each perspective has a strong and individual voice, with all four main characters showing growth throughout the book. The author does a good job of misleading the reader so that they are always questioning what happened.
d. Weaknesses: While the author does a fairly good job misleading the reader, if enough attention is paid to details, it isn’t too difficult to solve the mystery early on. Ultimately, the solution to the mystery brought up some mental health issues that were then not addressed. Additionally, the development of several characters relied heavily on high school clique stereotypies.
e. Special Considerations: This book does provide opportunities for discussions surrounding social-emotional learning. It won recognition from several sources, including being a YALSA 2018 top ten selection and a New York Public Library Best Book for Teens selection.
f. Verdict: This fast-paced mystery is a good selection for middle and high school libraries looking for materials to engage reluctant readers.
I always enjoy a novel written from multiple perspectives. I think that takes real writing talent!
DeleteI enjoyed this book too. I can't wait to read the sequel!
DeleteThings That Make White People Uncomfortable by Michael Bennett
ReplyDeletea. Audience: This version of the book was adapted for a young adult audience, grades 7 and higher.
b. Appeal: This book will appeal to people who are interested in social change, social justice, and the platform and role that athletes play in that space.
c. Strengths: This book does not press pause or take any breaks whatsoever. The through-line that Bennett crafts so well is how he can affect change in this world, from the food we all eat to ensuring that the world is better and more equitable for women and people of color. He is unafraid to shine a light everywhere, even on himself and his experiences in order to be the change agent he knows he can be.
d. Weaknesses: As with many books that contain political views, it is quite likely that this book will be dismissed out of had by a large portion of the population. The language is strong at times, and the themes discussed challenge established thinking, which again, many people may not be ready for or seeking out.
e. Considerations: This is the YA adapted version of the New York Times Best Seller. Sports fans and particularly football fans may be more interested in this book than those who do not follow athletics.
f. Verdict: This book is ready to shake up the status quo, challenging its readers to question widely held assumptions about everything from food and Black Lives Matter, to feminism and forgiveness. I recommend this book for every middle school and high school library.