Module 10: Graphic Novels/Censorship Issues: The Sons of Liberty by Alexander and Joseph Lagos

Summary: Superheroes arrive in the 1700's, courtesy of Ben Franklin's sadistic, illegitimate son, graphic novel style. Set in revolutionary times, former slaves Graham and Brody attempt to exact revenge on wrong-doers in colonial America.

Citation: Lagos, A. and J. (2010). The sons of liberty. New York : Random House Children's Books.

My Thoughts: I don't care for graphic novels, but I can appreciate their appeal and support them as an element of collection development. The Sons of Liberty combines many elements that attract reluctant readers, chief among them graphics and superheroes. It is a contender for any graphic novel collection.

Reviews:

Jesse Karp (Booklist, Jun. 1, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 19)

Starred Review* The superhero, once the embarrassing social outcast of American culture, has lately been recognized as a potent metaphor adaptable to an array of themes and, now, historical eras. Two young slaves on the run, pursued by a bounty hunter and his ferocious pack of dogs, are experimented on by Ben Franklin’s heinous son William and wind up with electrically charged superpowers. Overseen by Ben himself as well as true-life abolitionist Benjamin Lay, the slaves bring some hurtin’ back to their tormentors. History offers few villains as vile as slaveholders, but this graphic novel is far from being a simple revenge thriller. The use of historical figures and well-researched (but embellished) history, and a willingness to flesh out characters and set up situations to pay off in future installments, makes for an uncommonly complex, literate, and satisfying adventure. The slick art, with wiry figures reminiscent of Mark Bagley’s Ultimate Spider-Man work, feels more modern than the story suggests and will be inviting to teen readers. In the style of Robert Morales and Kyle Baker’s Captain America: Truth (2004), this first installment of a series respects history (with some dramatic liberties taken) and uses superpowers effectively as an empowerment allegory. Grades 8-12

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 2010 (Vol. 78, No. 8)

In this distinctly different take on the American Revolution, electrical experiments by Ben Franklin's crazed son turn two young runaway slaves into human batteries capable for brief periods of amazing feats of speed, strength and intellect. Fortunately Graham and Brody come under the tutelage of (historical) abolitionist Quaker Benjamin Lay, whose misshapen body hides not only a fiery dedication to doing good but (not so historical) superb skill in Dambe, an African martial art. Having absorbed both the morals and the fighting techniques, along with a quick education, the boys hie off to Philadelphia to build new lives—packing cool masks that show off the way their eyes glow when they rev up for action. They go on to successfully take on a brutal slave hunter and his pack of ravening trained dogs, but when Lay is murdered an aborted attempt at revenge leaves them sad and confused. How will they fare against Franklin's son and other enemies? Stay tuned. Printed on coated paper and framed in solid black, the deeply shadowed graphic panels explode with melodrama (and, occasionally, blood) from start to finish. Not a source of accurate history, but it's hard to put down. 2010, Random, 176p, $18.99. Category: Graphic historical fantasy. Ages 12 to 14. © 2010 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Suggested Uses: The Son of Liberty lends itself to being an anchor book leading students to create their own graphic novels about superheroes set in other historical periods.

Module 10:Graphic Novels/Censorship Issues: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

Summary: Virginia suffers from teenage angst and all that entails. She struggles with self-image, budding sexuality, a horrific family secret, and a changing family dynamic.

Citation: Mackler, C. (2003). The earth, my butt, and other big, round things. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

My Thoughts: I found The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things to be this generation's The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. Containing fresh and edgy situations that today's teens can relate to on one level or another, this book really spoke to me.

Reviews:

Ilene Cooper (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2003 (Vol. 100, No. 1)

Fifteen-year-old Viriginia Shreves is the blond, round, average daughter in a family of dark-haired, thin superstars. Her best friend has moved away, and she's on the fringes at her private Manhattan school. She wants a boyfriend, but she settles for Froggy Welsh, who comes over on Mondays to grope her. The story follows Virginia as she tries to lose weight, struggles with her "imperfections," and deals with the knowledge that her idealized older brother has committed date rape. There's a lot going on here, and some important elements, such as Virginia's flirtation with self-mutilation, are passed over too quickly. But Mackler writes with such insight and humor (sometimes using strong language to make her point) that many readers will immediately identify with Virginia's longings as well as her fear and loathing. Her gradually evolving ability to stand up to her family is hard won and not always believable, but it provides a hopeful ending for those trying stand on their own two feet. Category: Books for Older Readers--Fiction. 2003, Candlewick, $15.99. Gr. 7-10.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2003 (Vol. 71, No. 12)

Froggy Welsh the Fourth is trying to get up my shirt," begins this eminently accessible journey from self-hatred to confidence. Virginia is 15 and likes fooling around with Froggy, but she's mortified by her fatness, a shame fueled continually by her emotionally distant and pressuring family. Has she been switched at birth? Why isn't she perfect like her adored, overachieving older brother? But her brother isn't perfect after all, and he commits a horrifying act that rocks her world-and prompts her to begin questioning her family's values. Readers will be rooting for Virginia all the way as she moves from isolated TV-watcher to Website-creator with purple hair and an eyebrow ring. Sexuality, refreshingly, is treated as a good thing. Virginia's emotions progress from despondence to anger, joy, and strong independence, all portrayed with clarity. An easy read with substance and spirit. 2003, Candlewick, $15.99. Category: Fiction. Ages 13 up. © 2003 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Suggested Uses: A quick book talk will have this teen tome flying off the shelves. Virignia's predicaments are sure to speak to all teens, on one level or another.

Module 9: Poetry/Short Stories: Comets, Stars, the Moon and Mars by Doug Florian

Summary: Easily accessible book of poetry on the topic of the solar system and beyond, punctuated by beautiful illustrations.

Citation: Florian, D. (2007). Comets, stars, the Moon, and Mars: space poems and paintings. Orlando: Harcourt Books.

My Thoughts: The beautiful illustrations in Comets, Stars, the Moon Mars, along with its simplistic, easily comprehensible poetry, serves to create a wonderful literary accompaniment to a unit on the solar system. I will certainly use this to support our Science program at school!

Reviews:

Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, Apr. 1, 2007 (Vol. 103, No. 15)

This large-format book looks at astronomy through the magnifying, clarifying lens of poetry. Each broad double-page spread features a short, accessible poem about a subject such as the sun, each of its planets, a comet, a constellation, or the universe, set within an impressive painting. A concrete poem entitled "a galaxy" is a curling spiral of words set against the midnight-blue sky and surrounded by other galaxies. Stamped type, cutout pages, collage elements with printed papers, and sweeping brushstrokes all figure prominently in the expressive collage artwork, which ably illustrates the verse. The last pages carry "A Galactic Glossary" with a paragraph on the topic of each poem, followed by a list of books and Web sites. Florian's ode to Pluto matter-of-factly notes its demoted status, but even better is his pithy poem on Jupiter: "Jupiter's jumbo, / Gigantic, / Immense, / So wide / Side to side, / But gaseous, not dense. / With some sixteen moons / It's plainly prolific-- / So super-dupiter / Jupiterrific!" Read this aloud. Category: Books for Middle Readers--Nonfiction. 2007, Harcourt, $16.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 6)

Stunning mixed-media illustrations accompany a series of poems that celebrate the wonder and mystery of space. From the universe, the sequence narrows its focus to the galaxy, the solar system and then each body in turn, from the sun to poor demoted Pluto, and beyond. The verse is characteristically playful, wrapping itself around astronomical facts with ease. Readers will learn about the temperature and size of the sun, our moon's phases and Voyager 2's discovery of Neptune's rings. Delightful as the poems are, however, it's this volume's illustrations that surpass. Bright gouache on brown paper bags lend texture to each spread; stamped words allow the illustrations to incorporate such details as names of moons and "sun" in several different languages; collage elements add further whimsy to the whole. To top off this feast for the eyes, occasional die-cuts provide telescopic windows onto adjoining spreads, firmly establishing for the reader the truth that space is a vast continuum, with new surprises in every corner of the sky. Each poem receives a thumbnail gloss at the end, offering additional facts or extending the information presented earlier. Glorious. 2007, Harcourt, 56p, $16.00. Category: Picture book/poetry. Ages 7 to 12. Starred Review. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Suggested Uses: Share these wonderful poems and illustrations to stimulate interest in Science topics! Student created poems and illustrations work together to create a fantastic display.

Module 9: Poetry/Short Stories: Tour America: A Journey Through Poetry and Art by Diane Siebert

Summary: A variety of art mediums punctuate Siebert's poems from a ten year sojourn across and throughout the United States.

Citation: Siebert, D. (2006) Tour America : a journey through poems and art. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

My Thoughts: Siebert lived my dream: to pack it all up and take off for the great unknown. Although I have neither the gumption nor the fortitude to do so, living vicariously through Tour America was a great substitute.

Reviews:

Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Jun. 1, 2006 (Vol. 102, No. 19)

From the Washington Monument to Mount Saint Helens, Siebert's latest poetry collection celebrates sights and structures unique to the United States. Each spread focuses on a state, pairing a poem with arresting, mixed-media artwork. The poems celebrate the man-made (the Las Vegas strip; Bemidji, Minnesota's giant Paul Bunyon statues) as well as natural beauty, such as Alaska's northern lights ("sweet sparks of wonder"). With a few exceptions, Siebert writes mostly in rhyming couplets, and the relentlessly bouncy meter sometimes distracts from the more contemplative selections, such as "Great Salt Lake." Still, the form works well for humorous poems, as in an opening selection that cleverly groups colorful town names in a rollicking, rhyming list: "Belchertown, Ben Station, Gas; / Homosassa, Sassafras." The accessible words, open design, and appealing geographic approach make the book ideal for classrooms. Johnson's impressively varied, sophisticated images of towns and landscapes may expand the book's audience to older art students. Steer younger children to Peter Sis' TheTrain of States (2004). Category: Books for Middle Readers--Nonfiction. 2006, Chronicle, $17.95. Gr. 4-7.

Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature)

America is full of so many amazing places that it must have been difficult for Siebert to select only twenty-six. Her choices include the famous and the fascinating, natural beauty, and man-made wonders. Visits to the Washington Monument, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Las Vegas, and the Kentucky Derby inspired poems about our history, culture, and symbols. Lesser-known artworks, such as the “Cadillac Ranch” near Amarillo, Texas, and “Lucy the Elephant” in Margate, New Jersey, show us the more idiosyncratic side of Americans. Here one can read about the awesome power of Niagara Falls and Mount Saint Helens, the vanishing beauty of the tall grass prairie and the everglades, the Aurora Borealis in Alaska, UFOs in Roswell, New Mexico, and the Vortex in Gold Hill, Oregon. Next to the poem and above a rectangle with information about the area are small outline maps of the contiguous United States and the state in the title of the poem. Red lines indicate the location of each place. Siebert’s poems are fresh and vibrant. Each is distinct in its pace and tone, reflecting the mood of the place. Just as distinctive are the illustrations that accompany the poems, giving a broader picture to the reader. Johnson uses a wide range of art and mediums and lists them in the back of the book. Watercolor, oil, collage, photography, colored pencil, and more have been used, sometimes alone and sometimes mixed, and the results are amazing. With a bit of a postmark on each page, it truly feels like Siebert and Johnson have sent postcards from each of these places. Wonderful for geography, history, science, art, and English classes--why it can even become a math lesson in determining how far it is from one place to another. What a great way to get children to look at their surroundings and write their own poems. This is a beautiful book to hold, to peruse, and to read aloud. It is definitely a “first purchase” for libraries, and an excellent choice for a gift. 2006, Seastar Books/Chronicle Books, $17.95. Ages 7 up.

Suggested Uses: Students will enjoy choosing their own destination and creating inspired poetry and accompanying artwork. An interesting display connected to a map of the United States (or the world) concludes.

Module 8: Mystery and Series Books: Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet

Summary: Eleven year old Petra and Calder become art mystery sleuths when a Vermeer painting disappears. Their ensuing adventurers seek to solve an international art mystery and make the connections between a group of seemingly unrelated characters.

Citation: Balliett, B. (2004). Chasing Vermeer. New York: Scholastic Press.

My Thoughts: I very much enjoyed Chasing Vermeer, especially the twists and turn in the story plot. I look forward to using this along with From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and The Westing Game.

Reviews:

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 10)

Art, intrigue, and plenty of twists and turns make this art mystery a great read. Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay set out to find the connection between their teacher (a freewheeling constructivist teacher), the eccentric woman in their neighborhood, the bookstore owner, and an international art thief. Balliett intersperses fascinating information about Johannes Vermeer and his paintings throughout the two friends' quest to solve the mystery-a mystery layered with pentominoes (a mathematical tool consisting of 12 pieces), puzzling clues, and suspicious strangers. Helquist's detailed black-and-white chapter illustrations hold hidden messages, clues related to the pentominoes, and more puzzles. Fans of E.L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler or Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game will find equal pleasure in this debut by a talented writer. 2004, Scholastic, 272p, $16.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 11 to 14. Starred Review. © 2004 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ilene Cooper (Booklist, Apr. 1, 2004 (Vol. 100, No. 15)

The Westing Game, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler--how exciting to find a book that conjures up these innovative, well-loved titles. That's exactly what Balliett does in her debut novel, which mixes mystery, puzzles, possibilities, and art. The story is set in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood at the University of Chicago's Lab School, where Balliett was a teacher. There, outsiders Petra and Calder become friends as they try to find out what happened to a missing Vermeer painting. That's really all the plot one needs to know. More important are Balliett's purpose in writing and the way she has structured her story. The former seems to be to get to children to think--about relationships, connections, coincidences, and the subtle language of artwork. To accomplish this, she peppers her story with seemingly random events that eventually come together in a startling, delightful pattern. The novel isn't perfect. It glides over a few nitty-gritty details (how did the thief nab the picture), and occasionally the coincidences seem more silly than serendipitous. However, these are quibbles for a book that offers children something new upon each reading. Adults who understand the links between children's reading and their developing minds and imaginations will see this as special, too. Helquist, who has illustrated the Lemony Snickett books, outdoes himself here, providing an interactive mystery in his pictures. Category: Books for Middle Readers--Fiction. 2004, Scholastic, $16.95. Gr. 5-8. Starred Review

Suggested Uses: Integrate a read aloud with the possibility to use petominos al a Calder. Available at http://www.scholastic.com/titles/chasingvermeer/pentominoes.pdf

Module 8: Mystery and Series Books: The Dollhouse Murders

Summary: Amy and her mentally-challenged sister experience a mystery surrounding a dollhouse and dolls that hold the secret of murders from years ago.

Citation: Wright, B. R. (1983). The dollhouse murders. New York: Scholastic.

My Thoughts: I did not care for The Dollhouse Murders. Similar to snakes, dolls that move on their own accord are one of my biggest fears. I chose this book because of its popularity with my students. My curiosity is now satisfied.

Reviews:

From Publishers Weekly

Wright's taut, suspenseful novel proves a solid choice to kick off the Live Oak Mysteries audio series. The attic is always a great place to look for nuggets of one's family history, but when 12-year-old Amy explores her great-grandparents' attic, she uncovers clues to a chilling family secret. As Amy and her Aunt Claire sift through clothes, trinkets and other memorabilia, Amy comes across Aunt Claire's long-forgotten dollhouse, a finely crafted replica of the house they are in. Aunt Claire seems unusually distressed about the dollhouse and Amy is determined to find out why. The real fun begins when Amy learns that the dolls in the dollhouse move of their own willAand that they seem to be trying to tell her something. After a little sleuthing at the local library, Amy learns that her great-grandparents were murdered years ago and that Aunt Claire's fianc? (who died in a car accident that same night) was the prime suspect in the unsolved case. Before long, Amy unravels the mystery, helping Aunt Claire to resolve her feelings about the past. A subplot about Amy's relationships with her parents, younger sister and best friend adds depth and warmth to this crisply paced tale. Stewart handles the narration with aplomb, using her voice to give listeners a hint of each character's personality. Her portrayal of Aunt Claire, who delivers a few chillingly snappish retorts to Amy, is particularly strong. Ages 8-up. (Mar.)

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-This scary mystery by Betty Ren Wright (Holiday, 1983) is sure to keep the interest of students, mainly girls. Narrator Carol Jordan Stewart does an excellent job. Her diction, pacing, and characterization are well-done. Twelve-year-old Amy is having difficulties at home being responsible for her brain-damaged sister, Louann. While visiting her Aunt Clare at the old family home, she discovers an eerily-haunted dollhouse in the attic-an exact replica of the family home. Whenever she sees it, the dolls, representing her relatives, have moved. Her aunt won't listen to Amy's claims that the dolls are trying to tell her something. This leads Amy to research old news reports where she discovers a family secret-the murder of her grandparents. The two sisters unravel the mystery. Amy grows to accept her sister and to understand that Louann is more capable than she had first thought. This audiobook would be an excellent choice for schools and public libraries.
Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

Suggested Uses: The Dollhouse Murders is a great addition to a display on mysteries due to its popularity with students.

Module 7: Informational Nonfiction/Biography: Aliens are Coming: The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcasts

Summary: Aliens are coming! recounts the story of Orson Welles' fateful radio broadcast that brought panic to many.

Citation: McCarthy, M. Aliens are coming!: The true account of the 1938 War of the worlds radio broadcast. New York: Knopf.

My Thoughts: I am a loyal listener to Prairie Home Companion and enjoy reliving the beginnings of the media explosion through radio's early days. Aliens are coming! is a wonderful book about an accident of effectiveness and exciting to enjoy. I do still feel remorseful for those negatively affected, however.

Reviews:

Jesse Karp (Booklist, Feb. 1, 2006 (Vol. 102, No. 11)

In an average American living room of 1938, folks gather around the radio for a night's entertainment, when there's a new bulletin: "Aliens are coming!" Orson Welles' infamous Halloween trick, his October 30 broadcast of H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds, is greatly excerpted and put together with quirky, imaginative artwork that reinforces the fantasy. McCarthy sets the scene in a preface, ostensibly delivered by a radio commentator, and clearly identifies the speakers in colored type before each quote. Using a 1930's art style, and a palette comprising mostly muted grays and reds, McCarthy evokes an era gone by, at the same time creating a cozy nostalgia. Even somewhat older, media savvy kids, who may view the gullibility of the characters with a disdainful eye, will be disarmed by the depictions of panicked faces and slimy Martians, eyes on stalks, that appear amid eerie red light. An abrupt ending notwithstanding, this is packed with age-appropriate thrills and scares. A lengthy author's note includes necessary background on both figures. Category: Books for the Young--Nonfiction. 2006, Knopf, $16.95, $18.99. Gr. 1-3.

Bruce Adelson, J.D. (Children's Literature)

When I first saw this book, I was skeptical. After all, a children’s book about the 1938 Invasion from Mars spoof radiobroadcast that made Orson Wells famous? Why would this story be attractive for young readers? This reviewer is delighted to admit the error of his preconceptions. The author has done a marvelous job of bringing that famous radio play to life, in a way that is perfect, and not frightening, for children. She deftly recounts the story, using quotations from the actual broadcast, and bright, eerie illustrations to tell the tale. Indeed, her storytelling is quite gripping--effectively leaving young readers on the edge of their seats, much the same way radio listeners were glued to their sets in 1938. The author also provides excellent context for the broadcast. She explains that radio was the main source of home entertainment in the 1930s. She uses an Author’s Note to further explain the times surrounding the broadcast, also describing how history repeated itself in 1974 when a Rhode Island radio station presented H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, and reprised Orson Wells’ technique. This is a truly excellent title, deserving of a special place in libraries of all kinds. 2006, Alfred A. Knopf, $16.95. Ages 5 to 10.

Suggested Uses: Aliens are Coming lends itself to a Reader's Theater presentation of Orson Well's classic radio broadcast, sounds effects included. It could also be used as an anchor book for a unit on great hoaxes, albeit unintentional, in this case.