1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hale, Shannon. 2005. PRINCESS ACADEMY. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Children’s Books. ISBN 1582349932.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Way up on top of Mount Eskel lived a small village where a family made their living by mining stone and trading it to the detested lowlanders for provisions. All able-bodied members of the village worked in the mine to provide for their families – except for Miri. She felt that she was either too small or not loved enough to be allowed by her father to work by his side. Soon, they all got word that the Prince was going to pick a wife from their village and the girls between 14 and 18 years of age were required to attend a Princess Academy. Through a year and a half of hard work, charm classes, and education, the girls emerge prepared to place their village on the map. With Miri’s expertise, that is exactly what they do.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Most little girls dream about becoming a princess. Some of the girls on Mount Eskel are reluctant, or even resistant to the idea. Shannon Hale writes a compelling novel about a group of uneducated mountain girls gaining much more than the title of princess. Hale shows us the culture and lifestyle of these girls, their hopes and dreams, and even their motivation for wanting to marry a man they have never met. Competition and jealousy are intertwined with heartwarming friendships and a desire to improve the quality of life for everyone they love. Hale makes the story less about a girl getting a coveted title, and more about their journey in life and how far that will take them in the future. Enemies become friends and the meek, a teacher becomes a servant, and the small girl, Miri, becomes a hero.
Hale takes the fantasy of becoming a princess and mixes it with the realities of life and hard work. She shows her readers that there are more noble things to strive for in life than a title, and even the most unlikely person can be a hero to many.
4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
NEWBERY HONOR BOOK
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL starred review: “Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home.”
BOOKLIST: “Hale nicely interweaves feminist sensibilities in this quest-for-a-prince-charming, historical-fantasy tale. Strong suspense and plot drive the action as the girls outwit would-be kidnappers and explore the boundaries of leadership, competition, and friendship.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Students may booktalk about the choices Miri made and compare them to what the children would have done
*Look for these other stories:
Armstrong, Alan. WHITTINGTON. ISBN 0375828656
Patron, Susan. THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY. ISBN 1416975578
Holm, Jennifer L. PENNY FROM HEAVEN. ISBN 0375836896
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
THE FIRST PART LAST by Angela Johnson
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689849222.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Angela Johnson captures the essence of teenage parenthood in her novel The First Part Last. She describes the thoughts and emotions of a teenage father, both before his baby is born and caring for her afterwards. We see the realities of this father’s life and how parenthood has changed him, the baby’s mother, and everyone that was close to the family. We also get to celebrate with the family as the father triumphs over obstacles that he never thought he could conquer. This touching novel shares the heartrenching lows and eventual maturation that comes with being a teenage parent.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this novel, Johnson shares with us the thoughts and feelings of a new teenage father. She compares his life before his daughter with that of his maturity that is gained with his new responsibility. Alternating between ‘now’ and ‘then’, the readers get a clear understanding of where this father came from and how much he has changed. This gives the novel a more realistic feel by drawing on the past and relating it to the present.
This book is very realistic and the reader gains a perspective of the difficult situation Bobby is in. He talks about his urban neighborhood and how he longs for a simpler life for his daughter. He tells us about all the challenges he faced when his girlfriend was pregnant, and continues to face now that she is born. We see clearly, the shift of maturity that he undergoes from being a young teenage boy to a responsible father.
4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD
PRINTZ AWARD
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Up-Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting.”
BOOKLIST: “Johnson makes poetry with the simplest words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Adolescents may discuss orally (booktalk) or in journals about a time that required them to mature and grow.
*Students may write a letter to Bobby voicing their support, criticism, and reactions to his situation and actions.
*Read more about Bobby in HEAVEN.
*Look for these other stories:
Booth, Coe. TYRELL. ISBN 0439838800
Draper, Sharon. NOVEMBER BLUES. ISBN 1416906991
Sitomer, Alan Lawrence. HOMEBOYZ. ISBN 142310031X
Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689849222.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Angela Johnson captures the essence of teenage parenthood in her novel The First Part Last. She describes the thoughts and emotions of a teenage father, both before his baby is born and caring for her afterwards. We see the realities of this father’s life and how parenthood has changed him, the baby’s mother, and everyone that was close to the family. We also get to celebrate with the family as the father triumphs over obstacles that he never thought he could conquer. This touching novel shares the heartrenching lows and eventual maturation that comes with being a teenage parent.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this novel, Johnson shares with us the thoughts and feelings of a new teenage father. She compares his life before his daughter with that of his maturity that is gained with his new responsibility. Alternating between ‘now’ and ‘then’, the readers get a clear understanding of where this father came from and how much he has changed. This gives the novel a more realistic feel by drawing on the past and relating it to the present.
This book is very realistic and the reader gains a perspective of the difficult situation Bobby is in. He talks about his urban neighborhood and how he longs for a simpler life for his daughter. He tells us about all the challenges he faced when his girlfriend was pregnant, and continues to face now that she is born. We see clearly, the shift of maturity that he undergoes from being a young teenage boy to a responsible father.
4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD
PRINTZ AWARD
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Up-Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting.”
BOOKLIST: “Johnson makes poetry with the simplest words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Adolescents may discuss orally (booktalk) or in journals about a time that required them to mature and grow.
*Students may write a letter to Bobby voicing their support, criticism, and reactions to his situation and actions.
*Read more about Bobby in HEAVEN.
*Look for these other stories:
Booth, Coe. TYRELL. ISBN 0439838800
Draper, Sharon. NOVEMBER BLUES. ISBN 1416906991
Sitomer, Alan Lawrence. HOMEBOYZ. ISBN 142310031X
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID by Jeff Kinney
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kinney, Jeff. 2007. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. New York, NY: Amulet Books. ISBN 9780810993136.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Jeff Kinney brings us an intriguing look into the mind of a middle school student named Greg Heffley. Greg never wanted a diary and he only writes in it to pass the time. He jots down his thoughts and ideas as he tries to make sense of his environment and life. We experience his adventures throughout his first year in middle school, which can sometimes be funny, scary, and life changing. He writes about things that have crossed all our minds, but dismiss for various reasons. This compelling and comical book tells the truth about growing up in middle school.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Adolescents and adults alike can enjoy this book for its humor and candid view on life. Written in a journal format, Kinney masterfully involves the reader in a journey of a teenage mind. The typefont used looks like easy to read handwriting. He includes small illustrations scattered on each page, breaking up the text nicely and helping the reader visualize what is in the character’s mind. These drawings are typical of what a child his age might do in a journal of this type. Instead of using dates, which would quickly age the book, he just uses days of the week and special events, such as Halloween and Christmas. This will allow readers enjoy this work for years without the story feeling old or out of date.
The story itself is comical; stating ideas that I have thought about. For instance, he was talking about a red wool sweater that his mom gave to the “Giving Tree Guy” for Christmas. He stated, “I’m sure our Giving Tree guy will throw his sweater in the trash, along with the ten cans of yams we sent his way during the Thanksgiving Food Drive.” The voice that Kinney uses is typical of that of a young adolescent trying to make sense of things around him.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review: “Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud "novel in cartoons.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Kinney does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Children may want to keep a journal of their own for a specific period of time.
*Booktalk about the children’s favorite part or adventure that Greg finds himself in.
*Follow the continuing adventures of Greg and his friends and family in later versions of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
*Look for these other related stories
Griffiths, Andy. DAY MY BUTT WENT PSYCHO. ISBN 0439424690
Benton, Jim. LETS PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED (DEAR DUMB DIARY). ISBN 0439629047
Trueit, Trudi. NO GIRLS ALLOWED (DOGS OK) (SECRETS OF A LAB RAT). ISBN 1416961119
Kinney, Jeff. 2007. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. New York, NY: Amulet Books. ISBN 9780810993136.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Jeff Kinney brings us an intriguing look into the mind of a middle school student named Greg Heffley. Greg never wanted a diary and he only writes in it to pass the time. He jots down his thoughts and ideas as he tries to make sense of his environment and life. We experience his adventures throughout his first year in middle school, which can sometimes be funny, scary, and life changing. He writes about things that have crossed all our minds, but dismiss for various reasons. This compelling and comical book tells the truth about growing up in middle school.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Adolescents and adults alike can enjoy this book for its humor and candid view on life. Written in a journal format, Kinney masterfully involves the reader in a journey of a teenage mind. The typefont used looks like easy to read handwriting. He includes small illustrations scattered on each page, breaking up the text nicely and helping the reader visualize what is in the character’s mind. These drawings are typical of what a child his age might do in a journal of this type. Instead of using dates, which would quickly age the book, he just uses days of the week and special events, such as Halloween and Christmas. This will allow readers enjoy this work for years without the story feeling old or out of date.
The story itself is comical; stating ideas that I have thought about. For instance, he was talking about a red wool sweater that his mom gave to the “Giving Tree Guy” for Christmas. He stated, “I’m sure our Giving Tree guy will throw his sweater in the trash, along with the ten cans of yams we sent his way during the Thanksgiving Food Drive.” The voice that Kinney uses is typical of that of a young adolescent trying to make sense of things around him.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review: “Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud "novel in cartoons.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Kinney does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Children may want to keep a journal of their own for a specific period of time.
*Booktalk about the children’s favorite part or adventure that Greg finds himself in.
*Follow the continuing adventures of Greg and his friends and family in later versions of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
*Look for these other related stories
Griffiths, Andy. DAY MY BUTT WENT PSYCHO. ISBN 0439424690
Benton, Jim. LETS PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED (DEAR DUMB DIARY). ISBN 0439629047
Trueit, Trudi. NO GIRLS ALLOWED (DOGS OK) (SECRETS OF A LAB RAT). ISBN 1416961119
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