A Book of Coupons – Batchelder Award novel

Bibliography:

Morgenstern, Susie. 2001. A BOOK OF COUPONS. Ill. by Serge Bloch. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-670-89970-4.

Plot Summary:

Monsieur Noel is a new teacher at Marie Curie School in France.  As the children enter the class on the first day they are shocked their new teacher is not young and athletic but old and fat.  Monsieur Noel does not greet the class like any other teacher would but instead he greets them with his big booming voice and tells the class he’s brought a present for each child.  Each child is presented with a book of coupons to be used at any time during the current school year; once the school year ends the coupons expire.  The children are shocked to read that the coupons can be used for such things as sleeping late one morning, skipping a day of school, sleeping in class one time and eating in class one time!  The principal, Madame Incarnation Perez, soon discovers the coupon books and sets out to force Monsieur Noel into retirement.  Monsieur Noel teaches the students many lessons in a very unconventional, fun way that has the children wanting to be in class!

Critical Analysis:

Monsieur Noel and Madame Incarnation Perez are well developed characters; anyone who has gone through school, regardless of what country, can probably imagine a teacher or principle that reminds them of these two characters.  The children reacted just the way you would expect children to react when they see that their teacher for a whole year is not a young, athletic person that they can admire but old and fat.  They are disappointed and think this is going to be the most boring school year and they will never get to go to recess or the gym.  Principals are often seen as mean and looking to yell at people and get them in trouble and Madame Incarnation Perez lives up to that stereotype! 

This story is identifiable to children and adults who have been in a school classroom because it’s true to life; the addition of Monsieur Noel and his fabulous coupons adds an exciting element to a rather bland classroom setting.   Even though the setting is France, the translation of teachers, school and children is easily transitioned into an English translation.  The idea of giving coupons for skipping school, sleeping late and eating in class are universal things that all kids want to be able to do regardless of where they live. 

The style of writing translates well from French to English; obviously children in America don’t say Monsieur or Madame when addressing adults.  The one phrase that stood out to me that is not very American is “making love,” this is not a term found in children’s books often or something that is discussed in children’s books unless it’s a specific type of book.  It is known that the French are much more open when discussing this topic unlike Americans.   

The black and white drawings in this book add a nice element to the story.  This is a traditional chapter book but it’s nice to see drawings to help express or emphasize parts of the story.  It’s not common for elementary school children to read Charles Dickens so it’s nice to have an illustration emphasizing the dramatic element in Dickens’ work.  The illustrations add to the overall story, they do not distract or cause wonder of whether the book is closer to a picture book, it’s a nice addition. 

Overall the book is well written, the story and lessons learned are very valuable.  I like when Monsieur Noel asks the class who he admires most, the students without any coupons left or the ones with all their coupons left?  He explains that if the students used their coupons then they were living life, they were having experiences, getting out there and learning new things.  There is a great lesson to this story that many children need to remember.  There are a lot of adults who need to be reminded of this lesson too, this is a great book to read as a family as a reminder to get out and live life, have experiences and have fun doing it. 

I think the children in this book could have been a bit more developed, I felt like they were jumbled together as just a class of students with random names thrown into the text.  I would have liked to have felt as much of a connection to the children as I did Monsieur Noel.  I love how Monsieur Noel is described, it makes him such a huggable, loveable character, just like Santa as he states in the story.   Because this book was originally written in French I imagined I would see more of a French influence in the story but I did not and that was disappointing.  I would have liked to have learned something that was specifically French but nothing besides Monsieur and Madame jumped out as being “French.”

Review Awards and Excerpts:

ALA Notable Book

1999 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book

Booklist Editors’ Choice Book

American Bookseller “Pick of the List”

Connections:

·         I would have children create a coupon book like Monsieur Noel and Charles created but create it for someone who would appreciate the coupons, possibly someone going through a difficult time.  I would have a discussion with the group to see what they felt the meaning of giving coupons to someone could mean and how it could positively impact that person.  A coupon book could be used by a child’s family to do fun things together, there are many different ways and reasons to create coupon books that can help someone or bring a family together.

The Book Thief - Fiction



Bibliography:

Zusak, Markus. 2005. THE BOOK THIEF. New York: Alfred A Knopf. 978-0-375-84220-7.

Plot Summary:

Liesel Meminger is a young girl in Nazi Germany, her brother has died and her Mom is taking her to live with a foster family.  During her brothers funeral Liesel finds a book partially buried in the snow and takes it as her own, this begins the story of Liesel’s obsession with books, taking them when she finds them; becoming The Book Thief.  During these difficult times Liesel builds a relationship with her new foster family especially her foster father Hans who teaches her to read, a Jewish boy named Max who her foster family is hiding from the Nazi’s and a neighbor boy named Ruby who will ultimately become her best friend.  This captivating story follows Liesel as she begins her obsession with books and reading and the relationships she builds during such a horrific time in Germany.

Critical Analysis:

Liesel is a young girl that many girls can admire and possibly identify with.  She never learned how to read but discovers a love of books.  She is admired by Ruby, the boy next door, but never gives into his desire to kiss her until she kisses him when he tragically dies.  And she develops a lovely relationship with her foster father who teaches her how to read. All circumstances that Liesel finds herself in are realistic, situations that many people can understand.  Being a young girl and developing these relationships allows young girls to identify with Liesel’s character and then the culture and dynamic of which she is now living. 

It is always tragic to read books that take place during World War II and discuss Nazi’s, concentration camps and the death of beloved characters but The Book Thief is written beautifully.  One unrealistic aspect of The Book Thief is the voice of Death, this is something many people and children can contemplate but The Book Thief gives Death interesting qualities.  The style of which Death is written is very unique and one that is not often found in books.  He has a voice periodically throughout the book but I think one of the most reassuring statements is when Death says, “When the war was over and Hitler delivered himself to my arms…”  Death is a topic that can scare children and adults alike and to read a book that gives Death a voice and to associate colors with circumstances is downright interesting.

The Book Thief’s plot is realistic in that it takes place during World War II Nazi Germany, there are Jewish people in hiding to keep from being captured by the Nazi’s and there were book burnings that took place per Hitler’s request.  These are all true events that took place in our world’s history.  This is one of the reasons this book is so intriguing, these are events that have taken place in history and we continue to be fascinated by the sequence of events and then to read about those events in a fictional novel makes it a special read.   

Review Awards and Excerpts:

Winner of the Michael L. Printz Honor Book Award

Winner of the Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Children’s Literature

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award

A Booklist Best Book of the Year

A Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

A Kirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

An American Library Association Notable Book

“Beautiful and important.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred

“An extraordinary narrative.” – School Library Journal, Starred

Connections:

·    The Book Thief is a young adult book that many adults have found enjoyment in reading too.  It deals with a true piece of world history, World War II and the impact it made on thousands of people’s lives.  This type of literature can be used as a tool to help teach children and adults about our history and what we can learn from it.  Dealing with different religions and opening the door to a conversation about being open minded of other people’s religious reviews is an incredibly important lesson to learn.  Reading The Book Thief aloud and having conversations about different aspects of the book will allow for a lively conversation that could possibly make a life long impact.

• Because The Book Thief takes place during World War II it would be a fantastic piece of literature   to use in a history class.  Doing a comparison of historical facts that are listed in history books and what is in the storyline would be an interesting assignment.  This is not considered a non-fiction book so there are aspects of the book that are probably fabricated or embellished so doing a comparison of what is real versus what is not would be a great lesson.

Babymouse Puppy Love - Fantasy

Bibliography:

Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. 2007. BABYMOUSE PUPPY LOVE. New York: Random House. 978-0-375-83990-0.

Plot Summary:

Babymouse is an animal loving, rambunctious and imaginative little mouse.  She unfortunately has a problem keeping her goldfish alive!  As she and her mom go to the pet store to get her 6^th goldfish she talks her Mom into letting her have an animal that is a little less boring and one she can hold, and she goes home with Hammie the Hamster.  Babymouse doesn’t have all of her attention on Hammie and Hammie and he gets out of his cage and is lost.  As the story progresses Babymouse thinks of all different types of animals she could have and her mom lets her have some of them but it’s up to Babymouse to keep them from getting out and lost!  You discover that what Babymouse really wants is a dog, does she get one and can she keep from losing it?   

Critical Analysis:

Even though Babymouse is a mouse she has many characteristics that are similar to a humans’ and many of her mannerisms are similar to a child’s.  Many children get incredibly excited at the thought of having their own pet to care for, Babymouse is this way and her facial expressions show that excitement.  She gets frustrated and upset when she loses her pets just the way a child would.  Babymouses mom behaves in a way that many parents would too by lecturing her on how she could lose her animal but giving it another try to help build her confidence as a caregiver.  The simple yet realistic illustrations in Babymouse show these human and childlike characteristics which help a child identify with Babymouse.

How many children have had to flush a goldfish down the toilet?  Probably quite a few, this is a main storyline in Babymouse Puppy Love and one that children will understand.  The plot is logical; she loses one pet and would like to replace it with another.  Babymouse wants to prove she is responsible and can care for animals, very similar to how a child of a certain age would feel.

 I love how a narrator type character pops up throughout the book.  When Babymouse decides she wants to get a hamster the narrator jumps in and asks, “Do you know anything about hamsters, Babymouse?” and Babymouse actually answers the questions looking very pleased with herself by saying, “I got a book!”  It’s a very unique way to write a book and very engaging for the person reading it.

Review Excerpts and Awards:

“The text and illustrations successfully differentiate between reality and daydreams, and there’s a good amount of humor injected into both.” – The Horn Book magazine, starred

“Ruff, ruff!  Four paws up!” – The Canine Courier

Connections:

• The Babymouse series is perfect for pre-teens, Babymouse Puppy Love is a great book to read aloud and discuss different types of animals since so many are mentioned in this book.  Make a poster of all the different animals that live amongst the students in the classroom and discuss them, their needs and how to care for them. 

• In Babymouse Puppy Love there is a daydream where Babymouse is part of another well known book, Charlotte’s Web; this is a great way to segue into reading this book aloud.  She also daydreams of being in a circus and riding a horse on the open range so a teacher or librarian could look for another book dealing with either of these ideas to keep the theme going.   

Joey Pigza Loses Control - Realistic Fiction



Bibliography:

Gantos, Jack. 2000. JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL. New York: Scholastic Inc. 0-439-33898-0.

Plot Summary:

Joey Pigza is a young boy who has ADD and has gone to live with his father for the summer.  Joey and his Dad are looking to start over and get a real father son relationship started.  Joey’s mother is rather nervous about the arrangement and Joey understands why when he sees his father for the first time.  “When I looked in the mirror I could see it in my eyes, and now I could see it in his.  Even with my medicine working real good.  I felt nervous inside he was so hyper.  Now I knew what Mom meant when she said he was like me, only bigger.”  Unfortunately Joey’s summer and the relationship between he and his father does not turn out the way he would have liked. 

Critical Analysis:

The characters in Joey Pigza Loses Control are very real characters; they have characteristics that many children will be able to identify with.  Joey is a sweet young boy who loves his dog Pablo but he also suffers from ADD which is a constant struggle for Joey and his Mom.  Joey’s Mom is a hard worker who wants the best for Joey and it is very difficult for her to drop Joey off at his father’s house for the summer as she is the most familiar with who this man really is.  Joey’s father is someone who has struggled with his own demons for a long time; he has suffered from alcoholism and a smoking addiction but he also suffers from many of the same ADD characteristics that Joey does.  These are all very real characteristics for people to have and ones that are very difficult for anyone to deal with.    

Joey Pigza Loses Control is a great realistic fiction novel for older children and younger teens to read but I wonder based on the subject matter how many children will seek this book out on their own.  The plot line is a serious one, dealing with very serious issues.  I like that the main character is male because I believe there are many books available dealing with similar issues for girls with the main character being female but not so much for boys.  There isn’t any sugar coating these serious subject matters and they are realistically represented within the storyline.  This book is a great way to open a conversation about a serious subject matter such as ADD or alcoholism.  The style in which the book was written is very natural and the way a young teen would actually speak, and the things Joey does are realistic such as play baseball.  At the beginning of the story Joey is bored playing his trumpet so he starts throwing things and pretending he’s throwing things at a moose which ultimately gets him into trouble, this is such a typical boy thing to do! 

Many children have to spend time between parents due to separation and divorce so I am sure many children can identify with the scene within the book where Joey’s mom is dropping him off at his Dads house for the summer.  She gives him emergency quarters for the pay phone if he needs it and an emergency $20.  It is clear she is scared to leave her son which I’m sure many children have seen in the eyes of their own mothers or fathers as they were dropped off to spend time with another parent or caregiver.  Scenes such as this one make this book so incredibly real and identifiable for children.  It’s heartbreaking to think so many children can identify with such aspects of the book but at the same time it’s reassuring to children that others experience similar things and feel the same way.    

Review Excerpts and Awards:

Newbery Honor Book

National Book Award Finalist

ALA Notable Book of the Year

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Connections:

• This is a book that would be best read with a parent or teacher out loud to allow a discussion of what is occurring in the story.  This story takes on such topics of ADD, divorce, dysfunctional adults, and alcoholism which can be very difficult for children to understand and then verbalize.  Joey gives a voice to these issues and it’s a great opportunity to have an open discussion or to write down personal thoughts of how any of this has affected each child or if each of them knows of someone that one of these issues has affected.  Creating a conversation about these topics is very important, it would allow a child to ask questions and get answers of why things happen the way they do.  It can be difficult for children to understand adult relationships and why they don't work sometimes or if an adult is suffering from a very serious illness such as alcoholism.

Moon Over Manifest – Historical Fiction



Bibliography:

Vanderpool, Clare. 2011. MOON OVER MANIFEST. New York: Random House. 978-0-385-73883-5.

Plot Summary:

Abilene Tucker’s father Gideon has been put Abilene on a train bound for Manifest Kansas to live with one of Gideon’s friends so Gideon can do work on the railroad.  Abilene is confused about why he would send her off since they’ve always managed before but what starts out as a boring time in Manifest turns into a mystery of who Gideon really is.  Abilene discovers a cigar box of various personal objects including a letter referring to a spy named the Rattler and with the help of her friends Lettie and Ruthanne they seek out the truth of Gideon’s past.

Critical Analysis:

The story of Gideon and piecing together the characters and timeline is a rather difficult thing to do in the audiobook version of Moon over Manifest.  The narrator does not change her voice significantly when speaking for different characters so it takes awhile to figure out who she is speaking for.  The book is listed for ages 9-12 but I am not sure if this book in the audiobook version is the easiest book to follow along with for this age group. 

The plot of Moon over Manifest is a pretty intricate one that brings up points in history that do not have a huge focus in children’s history books.  The Alcohol Prohibition of the 1920’s is a major focus within this story and is an example of this.  I would imagine it would take some additional explaining for children to fully understand that aspect of the story.  Another major point in history during this time period that children may not fully understand is the Influenza outbreak and how towns were quarantined with the intention of trying to control the outbreak.  Children are more familiar with what the flu is but not so much Influenza. 

The storyline and the mystery of who the Rattler is and who Gideon is is really remarkable and interesting but it is my belief there are aspects of the plot line that would require some additional explaining.  I feel for a young child to read or listen to this story on their own might be a little advanced but in a classroom setting read out loud by a teacher or a parent reading it with their child there would be an opportunity to explain certain points in history that a child might not fully understand. 

Overall this story is unique, interesting and entertaining.  Abilene is a sweet, adventurous girl who is put in situations that would scare many girls her own age such as getting on a train by herself and going to live with a man she’s never met.  Watching Abilene form a bond with Ruthanne and Lettie is so sweet because it’s a type of friendship you know Abilene has never experienced before.  You feel for Abilene and cheer for her through this story, hoping she finds what she is looking for in figuring out who Gideon really is.

Review Excerpts and Awards:

2011 Newbery Medal Winner

2011 Spur Award for Best Western Juvenile Fiction

“Readers will cherish every word up to the heartbreaking yet hopeful and deeply gratifying ending.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Replete with historical details and surprises, Vanderpool’s debut delights, while giving insight into family and community.” – Publishers Weekly

“Ingeniously plotted and gracefully told.” - The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Connections:

·         It would be fun for children after reading this story to create a box of personal objects that represent who they are and share them with the class or have the class try to piece together who the person is based on the objects in the box. 

R My Name is Rachel – Historical Fiction



Bibliography:

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2011. R MY NAME IS RACHEL. New York: Random House. 978-0-375-83889-7.

Plot Summary:

Rachel loves school, books, Clarence her cat and Miss. Mitzy the owner of the flower shop down the street.  Rachel lives in the city with her dad, brother and sister, her mom died when she was about 2 years old.  It’s 1936, The Depression, Franklin Roosevelt is president and Rachel’s father has lost his job at the bank but he has heard of a bank job upstate in North Lake.  This move will require the family and Clarence to Rachel’s relief, to move to a farm without electricity and many unknowns. 

Critical Analysis:

Patricia Reilly Giff gives a voice to Rachel that is so sweet and genuine; she is someone if you were to meet her in real life you’d just love.  She is twelve years old and Patricia Reilly Giff has given an appropriate voice, emotion and feeling to Rachel that is so true to life.  I’m not sure how many twelve year olds would handle taking care of a house and farm, younger siblings and worrying about how to pay rent but Rachel does and it’s a remarkable story.  The relationship between Rachel who lost her mother at a young age and Miss. Mitzy is one to envy.  She was a support for Rachel; it gave her something else to think about during such a difficult time.

The Depression is a time in history that can be difficult to explain to younger children. Patricia Reilly Giff did an amazing job showing the effects of how the Depression effected people but didn’t feel it necessary to go into all of the extreme explanations of how it happened.  It would be easy for an author to get too much into the why’s and how’s the Depression occurred but of course this is not something children will understand.  In real life much of a child’s understanding of something that is above their head is their parents’ interpretation or comments of what is happening so for Patricia Reilly Giff to give phrases such as, “Can’t you ask Uncle Elliot for help with money?  Just until President Franklin Roosevelt fixes the Depression?”  From a child’s understanding they are naive in believing someone can fix something like the Depression and Rachel has that nativity that is so true for children especially children who are thrust into adult situations similar to Rachel’s. 

Review Excerpts and Awards:

“Rich characters and raw, real emotions make this much more than the usual horse story.” – The Horn Book Magazine

“The horror of war is clearly conveyed without graphic specifics, and the historical framework makes this a strong classroom choice.  It is the intertwined, personal stories of the two girls, though, they will win hearts.” – Booklist

“As usual, Giff’s characters are beautifully nuanced and entirely real, her prose is as streamlined and efficient as a galloping Thoroughbred and her quiet ending breaks your heart.  A stakes winner.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred

“Thoughtfully crafted narratives…alternate between each heroine…As she brings these characters and history alive, Giff again demonstrates her own gift for storytelling.” – Publishers Weekly, Starred

Connections:

·         This book is a perfect opportunity for a discussion and many lessons on the Depression and why it occurred.  There are many layers from a government and business aspect of why the Depression occurred and if explained in the correct manner children can understand the Depression.  A lesson who Franklin Roosevelt was and what he did as our President during the Depression can be included too.  There are many age appropriate Biographies where children can do some research and bring facts back to the class to discuss further.   



Elijah of Buxton – Historical Fiction



Bibliography:

Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York: Scholastic Press. 978-0-439-02344-3.

Plot Summary:

Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada just north of the United States border.  He is proudly the first child to be born into freedom in a settlement of runaway slaves.  Elijah is fortunate to be growing up in an area where he has his best friend Cooter, school and a town full of people that know each other but he will soon see what horrific things the settlers of Buxton had to endure during their days as slaves in the United States.  When one of Elijah’s friends is robbed of the money he was going to use to buy his family out of slavery, Elijah sets off on a journey that open his eyes to a world he is not familiar. 

Critical Analysis:

There is a fine line that authors have to be aware of when writing historical fiction and making sure they do not stereotype characters.  Christopher Paul Curtis does an amazing job writing in a style that is indicative of this timeframe but does it in a way that doesn’t ever come across as offensive or demeaning.  He shortens and combines words to capture how they would be spoken in a more broken English and under educated manner that really makes you realize how little or no education many slaves didn’t receive.  A good example of this type of writing is, “And y’all choosed the most beautifullest, most perfectest day for doing it!  Only thing I’s got to ask is, what kept you?” 

Anyone who reads Elijah of Buxton will realize how much research Christopher Paul Curtis had to do to honor who the characters are and the setting of which the story takes place.  Due to this story taking place in the 1800’s Christopher Paul Curtis had to do enough research on Buxton Canada and slavery to create a visual image in his head so he could describe it accurately in his story.  He stated, “This novel came to me in a way that was far different than any other.  From the word ‘go’ Elijah and I became close friends.  When I’d go to the library to write, it was as if he were anxiously waiting for me, waiting to tell about his life, his worries, his adventures.”  This can be seen, heard and felt in Christopher Paul Curtis’ writing. 

Review Excerpts and Awards:

Newbery Honor

Coretta Scott King Author Award

Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

TD Children’s Literature Book Award

CLA Book of the Year

Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Literature Finalist

Connections:

·         This book discusses slavery, this is a perfect opportunity for children to delve deeper into the United States’ history and learn more about slavery.  Where did slaves come from?  How were they captured?  What states practiced slavery?  A classroom of children could ask questions about slavery, compile a list and each student could be responsible for researching the information and bringing it back to the class and sharing it.  Slavery is a difficult topic to discuss but to do it as an open forum of question and answer would help all students learn and get the information.