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.

Module 7: Informational NonfictionBiography: Bury the Dead: Tombs, Corpses, Mummies, Skeletons and Rituals by Christopher Sloan

Summary: Bury the Dead is a non-fiction book containing a plethora of full color, gruesome photos that are sure to enthrall any reader with an interest in the macbre practices surrounding burials, from the ancient to the modern.

Citation: Sloan, C. (2002). Bury the dead : tombs, corpses, mummies, skeletons & rituals. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.

My Thoughts: Although I am not a fan of the gruesome, I do appreciate its place in a collection, especially a collection that serves the male population or reluctant readers. As such, I appreciate the appeal that Bury the Dead has for the aforementioned patrons and therefore appreciate it, although it would not be my first choice of reading material on a long flight.

Reviews:

Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature)

Archaeologists have long known that if you want to know how a people lived, study how they buried their dead. Funerary rituals and skeletal remains of those long dead give a better understanding of how people lived and interacted as a society. Arranged in chronological order, beginning with 115,000 B.C., Sloan examines the burial practices of Cro-Magnon man and moves on to explain Egyptian mummification, exciting finds like the tombs of the Amazon women of Ukraine and the Moche Lord of Peru. Modern funerary rites are chronicled with insight on how the practice of embalming introduced during the Civil War changed burial practices. It is with some alarm and caution that Sloan states that the modern technique of cremation may leave little record for future archeologists. Crisp, full color photos of grinning skulls, bones resting side by side with priceless treasures are eerie, haunting, and a tremendous draw for the curious. Well researched, intelligently written, with the most complex ideas made kid-understandable, this is quality non-fiction. 2002, National Geographic, $18.95. Ages 10 to 14.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2002 (Vol. 70, No. 17)

Sloan (SuperCroc and the Origins of Crocodiles, not reviewed, etc.) surveys funerary customs around the world, from both archaeological and anthropological standponts. Beginning with the earliest evidence of "burial with care" over 100,000 years ago, he goes on to describe major finds that have cast light on ancient Egyptian, Scythian, Chinese, and pre-Inca practices that left mummies or other preserved remains, then finishes with a sweeping look at current practices, from marble tombstones to sugar Day of the Dead skulls. Writing in consultation with a grief specialist, the author tries for a sober, straightforward narrative tone-which falters when he mentions particularly exotic customs, such as the Yanomami practice of pulverizing and eating their dead, or has to contend with an artist's reconstruction of Scythian mourners cutting themselves, not to mention the numerous close-up photos of mummies and bones. Still, most of these illustrations and examples are striking without being sensationalistic; both thrill seekers and children seeking some perspective on death or grief will find this rewarding reading. (index, bibliography) 2002, National Geographic, $18.95. Category: Nonfiction. Ages 11 to 13. © 2002 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Suggested Uses: Bury the Dead is a high interest book that works well to reinforce non-fiction conventions. Using a scanner and chart paper, students in groups work to create a display with examples of selected non-fiction conventions, identified, scanned, and posted.

Module 6: Historical Fiction: Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora

Summary: Tomas is a member of a migrant farm worker family who discovers that reading provides a wonderful escape from reality and even more wonderful opportunity for a rich future.

Citation: Mora, P. (1997). Tomás and the library lady. New York: Random House.

My Thoughts: Tomas' experience is one that I plan to share with all of my students! He discovers the magic that waits inside the walls of the library, thanks to a helpful librarian, the kind of librarian that I aspire to be!

Reviews:

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, 1997)

A charming, true story about the encounter between the boy who would become chancellor at the University of California at Riverside and a librarian in Iowa. Tomas Rivera, child of migrant laborers, picks crops in Iowa in the summer and Texas in the winter, traveling from place to place in a worn old car. When he is not helping in the fields, Tom s likes to hear Papa Grande's stories, which he knows by heart. Papa Grande sends him to the library downtown for new stories, but Tomas finds the building intimidating. The librarian welcomes him, inviting him in for a cool drink of water and a book. Tomas reads until the library closes, and leaves with books checked out on the librarian's own card. For the rest of the summer, he shares books and stories with his family, and teaches the librarian some Spanish. At the end of the season, there are big hugs and a girl exchange: sweet bread from Tomas's mother and a shiny new book from the librarian--to keep. Colon's dreamy illustrations capture the brief friendship and its life-altering effects in soft earth tones, using round sculptured shapes that often depict the boy right in the middle of whatever story realm he's entered. 1997, Knopf, $15.00; PLB $16.99. © 1997 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hazel Rochman (Booklist, Aug. 1997 (Vol. 93, No. 22)

From the immigrant slums of New York City to the fields of California, it's an elemental American experience: the uprooted child who finds a home in the library. Mora's story is based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomas Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and university president. Far from his home in Texas, the small boy is working with his family picking corn in Iowa. Inspired by the Spanish stories his grandfather (Papa Grande) tells, Tomas goes to the library to find more stories. The librarian welcomes him into the cool, quiet reading room and gives him books in English that he reads to himself and to his family. He teaches her some Spanish words. Then, as in so many migrant stories, the boy must leave the home he has found. He has a new, sad word for her, "adios. It means goodbye." Colon's beautiful scratchboard illustrations, in his textured, glowingly colored, rhythmic style, capture the warmth and the dreams that the boy finds in the world of books. The pictures are upbeat; little stress is shown; even in the fields, the kids could be playing kick ball or listening to stories. Perhaps the most moving picture is that of the child outside the library door, his face pressed against the pane. In contrast is the peaceful space he finds inside, where he is free to imagine dinosaurs and wild adventure. Category: For the Young. 1997, Knopf, $15 and $16.99. Ages 4-8.

Suggested Uses: Tomas and the Library Lady is a great starter for a publicity display entitled: "What My Library Means To Me." In the display stakeholders write and share all of the ways in which the library enriches their life.

Module 6: Historical Fiction: What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

Summary: Evie, a teenager in a post-World War II nuclear family, finds that things aren't always as simple as they seem. Upon meeting and developing a romantic interest in a soldier who served with her stepfather, Evie is soon torn between her allegiance to him and her parents.

Citation: Blundell, J. (2008). What I saw and how I lie. New York: Scholastic Press.

My Thoughts: I am fascinated by World War II and enjoyed this coming of age thriller set in this historical period. Evie's struggle as she finds out that sometimes perception is not reality is very poignant and, at time, painful to experience alongside her.

Reviews:

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, October 1, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 19)

Spontaneously moving to Florida seems like a dream come true to 15-year-old Evie, her mother, Beverly, and her stepfather, Joe, newly home from World War II. They move into a mostly abandoned hotel in Palm Beach, where Evie meets her first crush, Peter, a war buddy of Joe’s. After a deal with a New York hotel owner falls through, Peter dies, and Joe and Beverly become murder suspects. What Evie sees turns out not to be much at all, and how she lies about it takes up a grand total of ten pages. In fact, what she sees are only small, deceptive fragments of a larger scandal involving money that Joe and Peter stole during the war, fragments left for the reader to piece together. Awkward Evie, slowly gaining worldliness through her new surroundings, is interesting to follow, but the book falls prey to too many conventions: The first major plot twist comes at exactly the halfway point, a second plot twist around the three-quarter mark, and the denouement contains just the required amount of symbolism. Disappointing. 2008, Scholastic, 288p, $16.99. Category: Mystery/historical fiction. Ages 13 up. © 2008 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Jennifer Hubert (Booklist, Nov. 1, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 5)

In this sophisticated thriller, 15-year-old Evie grows up quickly when she discovers her adored parents are not the people she thought they were. While on vacation in Palm Beach in 1947, Evie’s parents, Joe and Bev, get involved in a shady business deal with the Graysons, another couple on holiday. Meanwhile, Evie begins a flirtation with Peter, a handsome ex-GI who served with Joe and just happens to be staying at their hotel. Evie soon learns that Peter’s presence is no coincidence and that he threatens to uncover a terrible secret that Joe has kept since the war. Then Bev, Joe, and Peter go boating, but only two of them return. Evie must sort through secrets, lies, and her own grief to find the truth. Using pitch-perfect dialogue and short sentences filled with meaning, Blundell has crafted a suspenseful, historical mystery that not only subtly explores issues of post–WWII racism, sexism, and socioeconomic class, but also realistically captures the headiness of first love and the crushing realization that adults are not all-powerful. Grades 8-12

Suggested Uses: What I Saw and How I Lied is a great historical fiction novel to accompany a unit on World War II. Due to the challenging nature of the content, it lends itself to a discussion group. A novel approach would be to use technology for students to discuss via a message board. This way additional classes, perhaps from additional schools, could join in the discussion.

Module 5: Science Fiction: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Summary: The story's namesake, Edward Tulane, is a toy rabbit who loves noone, or so he thinks. When he becomes separated from his owner he begins a journey that changes him forever.

Citation: DiCamillo, K. (2006). The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane. Cambridge, Mass. : Candlewick Press.

My Thoughts: I very much enjoy stories of personal transformations, and to experience that through DiCamillo's masterful words was a real treat! Edward's amazing adventures are nothing short of miraculous, as it is whenever anyone learns to love. This book speaks to the little bit of Edward in all of us.

Reviews:

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 2)

Once again, DiCamillo harkens back to an older storytelling style, filled with magic and the transformational power of love. Edward Tulane is a china rabbit-dapper and serious and more than a little superior. His mistress, Abilene Tulane, loved him and "thought almost as highly of Edward as Edward thought of himself." Edward is interested in little beyond his own comfort and beauty. Indeed, everyone except for Abilene's grandmother, Pellegrina, condescends to him. She commissioned his making, ordered his dapper clothing and smart pocket watch and, in the end, demanded a good deal more of Edward than he thought he wanted to give. Her warning, "You disappoint me," thrusts Edward into the adventure that becomes his life. He learns about love, loss and consequences. Somewhere between fairy tale and fable, DiCamillo spins the tale of Edward, transformed by the lives he touches. The reader will be transformed too. Sumptuous gouache illustrations complement the old-fashioned, dramatic narrative. Keep the tissues handy for this one. 2006, Candlewick, 228p, $18.99. Category: Fiction. Ages 7 up. Starred Review. © 2006 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Sharon Williams (Library Media Connection, April/May 2006)

I have read hundreds of books and only a few have brought tears to my eyes. Edward, a quite handsome and rather self-centered china rabbit, is transformed through a journey across time and space that takes him far away from the lap of luxury and the arms of the girl who loves him to the bottom of the sea, to a lowly fisherman's hut, to a garbage dump, to a tramp's shoulder, to a dying girl's bed-side, to a broken heap on the sidewalk, to a doll doctor's shop, to-the miraculous conclusion. He doesn't become real in the literal sense like the Velveteen Rabbit, but Edward learns to love and by learning to love he becomes real in a spiritual sense that is eternal. Bagram Ibatoulline illustrates the book with exquisite color art plates that enhance the text and add depth and texture to the words. A DVD interview with Kate DiCamillo accompanies the book. If one can buy only one new children's book, this is the one. Highly Recommended. 2006, Candlewick Press, 228pp., $18.99 hc. Ages 5 to 12.

Suggested Uses: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane has so many adventures that it lends itself to a Reader's Theatre production. Students can either recreate Edward's experiences or write their own new adventures for him.

Module 5: Science Fiction: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Summary: Protagonist Katniss makes the ultimate sacrifice by taking her sister's place in The Hunger Games - an annual competition - to the death. Her cunning and wit make The Hunger Games an enjoyable competition - and book!

Citation: Collins, S. (2008) The Hunger Games.New York : Scholastic Press.

My Thoughts: I love dystopian literature, so I especially enjoyed The Hunger Games. Katniss is a great female role model who shows that you are stronger than you think and can bravely face any obstacle.

Reviews:

Francisca Goldsmith (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 1)

Starred Review* This is a grand-opening salvo in a new series by the author of the Underland Chronicles. Sixteen-year-old Katniss poaches food for her widowed mother and little sister from the forest outside the legal perimeter of District 12, the poorest of the dozen districts constituting Panem, the North American dystopic state that has replaced the U.S. in the not-too-distant future. Her hunting and tracking skills serve her well when she is then cast into the nation’s annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death where contestants must battle harsh terrain, artificially concocted weather conditions, and two teenaged contestants from each of Panem’s districts. District 12’s second “tribute” is Peeta, the baker’s son, who has been in love with Katniss since he was five. Each new plot twist ratchets up the tension, moving the story forward and keeping the reader on edge. Although Katniss may be skilled with a bow and arrow and adept at analyzing her opponents’ next moves, she has much to learn about personal sentiments, especially her own. Populated by three-dimensional characters, this is a superb tale of physical adventure, political suspense, and romance. Grades 9-12

Gail C. Krause (Children's Literature)

In a futuristic society, the United States is divided into 12 districts, each based on their area’s natural product. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12, an area once known as Appalachia. District 12’s product is coal. Almost everyone is a miner. It is not a wealthy area. Residents are forced to eat whatever they can find or pay with a chance on their child’s life to obtain government surplus foods. Luckily Kat’s father taught her how to hunt and gather before he was blown up in a mine explosion. After his death her family depends on her for survival, until the very worst thing happens to them: She is sent to the Hunger Games to represent District 12 in a fight to the death. If she wins, both her family and her district will be rewarded with all the food and wealth they need. Kat is ready to do battle with the wilderness and the other tributes, but she isn’t ready to fall in love. What happens when she finds she has feelings for her partner and knows she must kill him to win the games? The first in a new YA trilogy from Suzanne Collins offers and excellent story and is highly recommended. Readers will oo forward to the sequels. 2008, Scholastic Books, $17.99. Ages 12 up.

Suggested Uses: The Hunger Games is the modern flagship series for dystopian literature and as such would work as a great anchor book for a literature circle containing books with a dystopian theme.