The Odyssey

The Odyssey

Author: Hinds, Gareth

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: Oct 2010 

"Don't confuse this hefty, respectful adaptation with some of the other recent ones; this one holds nothing back and is proudly, grittily realistic rather than cheerfully cartoonish."
Kirkus Reviews

          After successfully adapting such notable works as Beowulf and King Lear, artist Gareth Hinds as now adapted The Odyssey into a great graphic novel. The Odyssey is a new and delightful way to read Homer’s epic poem, as it is completely illustrated. In case you need a reminder, The Odyssey is about Odysseus, a Greek hero, who has spent 10 years overpowering the Trojans in the Trojan War, and then takes another grueling decade warring brutes such as Poseidon and the Cyclops on a long journey home to his son and patient wife, even while men fight to become beautiful Penelope’s new husband.

           Hinds retells the ancient story with an eye for the young adult audience. The book is long, but not as long as most versions of the epic poem. Also, it contains far fewer words, which may be the key to understanding the story for students who have difficulty with reading. The book's meaning can be deciphered through both the pictures and the dialogue. Hind's chooses words that increases readability and understanding while moving the storyline along. The epic poem can be sometimes difficult for readers because it is two-thousand years old and from a different culture, and so contains characters and situations that are far beyond the normal realm of contemporary American life. Hinds seeks to bridge this gap through the illustrations and sifted dialogue, which the author states that he has used many translations to find the most inspirational, and to which he as used nearly the same wording for his own visual 'translation.' 

        Hinds' colored pencil artwork is not abstract - it clearly conveys the story line with a precise, and unembellished stye, with close attention to detail, whereupon readers can easily and accurately understand the story. Hinds is especially clear in his expressions of the characters emotions, as their eyes can convey anguish or determination. The style of the artwork may not appeal to all readers, however, and the text can still be equally cumbersome as the dialogue has not been simplified as far as it could be, and is situated oddly in the text boxes, in sentences two long any mysteriously left-justified in round containers, as if pasted in collage form. It is if the illustrations and the text flow side by side, instead of intertwining as some great graphic novels are able to accomplish. Still, a reader of this work will rely on the illustrations as their primary key to understanding, and the characters and landscapes can intensify and deepen one's experience of this renowned story, especially if the reader is weary of poetry, and such a long poem. However, even as a visual learner myself, I would be more keen to reread one of the translations than this edition, as I found it tiresome to get through.

       This graphic novel is suitable for children in middle and high school, as well as adult readers. I would never dream of recommending a student read this version over the classic epic poem by Homer unless a student is completely unwilling to try to read a classic translation. I think in most cases this graphic novel should be used as a fun accompaniment. Students could read this work before, during or after the original reading, noting how the illustrations portray their favorite or most memorable parts of Odysseus' journey. There are many activities that can be used to accompany this work, such as creating a play from the story, or adapting a picture from the graphic novel back to a poem that the student writes him or herself. 

         The Odyssey has won numerous awards and accolades including Best Children's Books of the Year in 2011 by Bank Street College of Education, a Booklist starred review, a Kirkus Starred Review, and the Center for Children's Book's 2011 Blue Ribbon. 

Hinds, Gareth. The Odyssey. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0- 7636-4266-2.

The Fault in our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars

Author: Green, John 

Publication Date: January 2012

"Carefully structured dialogue and razor-sharp characters brim with 

genuine intellect, humor and desire."

Kirkus Review

“John Green deftly mixes the profound and the quotidian in this tough, 

touching valentine to the human spirit.” 

Washington Post

         The Fault in Our Stars is a heartbreaking love story about Hazel Grace Lancaster who has terminal cancer and Augustus (Gus) Waters who is in remission from osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor that has already taken one of his legs. They meet in a cancer support group, and connect as they are both highly intelligent teens who are able to match each other wit for wit – and perhaps not unlike the readers of this book, are booklovers. Hazel swims through her cancer depression, attempting to make friends, but faltering. Her parents send her to the cancer support group with her oxygen tank in tow, death by cancer following always close by. After meeting Gus at this group, chemistry and mutual minds converge. Gus decides to just his wish through the Genie Foundation on Hazel’s wish – to meet her favorite author, Peter Van Houten in Amsterdam. The author turns out to be a flop but their friendship and bond indomitable, as they mediate on their deaths and their lives. As The Fault in Our Stars takes readers across this landscape of ultimate fear-facing love, a box of tissues may by handy; this is not a story for the faint-hearted.

          This story about teenagers living with cancer might be quite dismal except for the lively, lifelike characters, Augustus and Hazel, author John Green creates, whose charm, thoughtfulness and wit would have made their way to your heart whether they have cancer or not. Green is able to create a realistic interior mindscape of a 16 year old girl’s mind with both authenticity and compassion. Other characters as just as multidimensional and captivating such as Augustus, who is recovering from osteosarcoma, as well as their parents, who are undergoing the barely imaginable horror of watching their teenage children struggle with near-death. Although this situation is extraordinary, Green’s writing remains palpably realistic in present-day Indiana, as even these exceptional teens desire for normal goals and friendships, and above all, the normal teenage zeal for authentic, deep love. Thus, teen readers and adult readers alike can surrender in empathy to the conflicts of unswerving love in the face of certain death. 

          The Fault in Our Stars is well loved and well read, as it has been a #1 bestseller for the New York Times, W Activities for this novel are challenging as the themes are focused both on teenage love and teenage death. However, these are precisely the topics that teens can relate with. At your library book group, for instance, a 'funeral' can be staged, whereupon teens can be asked to write and read aloud their own obituaries.

Green, J. (2012). THE FAULT IN OUR STARS. New York: Dutton Books. ISBN-10:0-525-47881-7

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book

Author: Gaiman, Neil

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Publication Date: Sep 2008

 “There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. 

Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages.” 

  Booklist, starred review

 “Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.”  KIRKUS, starred review 

         The Graveyard Book is about an infant who escapes while his family is being murdered by the man Jack, a professional hitman, in the middle of the night. The baby escapes by climbing out of his crib, down the stairs, and into a nearby graveyard.  Nobody (or Bod, as he is nicknamed) gets taken in by Mr. and Mrs. Owens and the other graveyard occupants, including ghosts, witches, a vampire, a werewolf, and eventually a little human girl named Scarlett who lives near the graveyard. A vampire named Silas, who is not dead or alive becomes Bod's guardian, and rise to find the hitman, who is trying to finish the assassination job by finding and killing the infant who escaped. Because these friends can only help him in the confines of the graveyard, Bod is in danger anytime he steps outside the graveyard boundaries, which becomes increasingly difficult for Bod as he grows older and learns about the world.

        The Graveyard Book is macabre in both setting and plot, but is still appropriate for youngsters from 5th grade to adulthood. Readers will be kept page-turning as the two themes compete - the mystery and certainty of death, and the love of family, even if alien. Gaiman also gives the reader a hope for life. Although Bod is not afraid of death, as all his friends are dead, Silas reminds him, and the readers, that he is not yet dead, and so has hope to find his unique way in the world. When Bod finally leaves the graveyard, he does so "with his eyes and his heart wide open."  Dave McKean’s illustrations accompany Gaimans text masterfully, with equal mystery, suspense, and spookiness.

         When teaching this book, one activity that you could do is for your students to create their own spooky story video. First, students should watch Neil Gaiman reading ( http://www.thegraveyardbook.co.uk/ ). The background is black, and the lighting on his face is spooky. Students can create their own spooky video by choosing a scary story of their own or an excerpt from the Graveyard Book or another story (or writing their own!), creating spooky lighting (using only a candle or flashlight) and reading the story on video. The younger the student, the shorter the story should be, but the effect is the same: multimedia engagement and fun with learning!

Gaiman, Neil. (2008). The Graveyard Book. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 9780060530945

Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise

Author:Holm, Jennifer L.

Publisher:Random House, Incorporated

Publication Date: May 2010

Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure.

- Booklist

Turtle's voice is tart and world-weary. Though her narrative is peppered with references from the time, modern-day readers will have no trouble relating, and the fast-moving plot will keep them interested to the end. 

- Horn Book

        

         TURTLE IN PARADISE has been distinguished as a 2011 Newbery Honor Book, an ALA Notable Book, a Booklist Editor's Choice, on the Texas Bluebonnet List and is a New York Times bestselling novel. The story is about Turtle, and 11 year old girl who is finding her way in Key West, Florida in the economic depression of the 1930's. Turtle's haphazard mom has taken a job as a housekeeper for a woman who does not allow children, and so has sent Turtle to live with her Aunt Minnie in Key West. Therefor Turtle and her mouse-eating cat must settle into a new life with a new family - even though they don't even know she is coming! At first Turtle feels uncomfortable in her new home with her new family. She soon starts to spend time time with her cousins' all-boy group called the "Diaper Gang" - who take care of bad (of course, all babies are bad!) babies in exchange for candy, and even have a secret remedy for diaper rash. Cousins Pork Chop and Beans become increasingly important to Turtle's idea of a perfect family. Although Turtle had been told that her grandmother was dead, she ends up unexpectedly meeting her, and so she attempts to form a bond. Turtle then finds a local treasure map to a buried pirate treasure in her grandmother's piano - and so of course a great adventure with the Diaper Gang ensues! In the end, Turtle realizes she may be a lucky orphan after all - and see's the value of family in a whole new light.

        Although Turtle's adventures are fantastic, they are also realistic and believable both as far as the characters and the setting. Turtle and her family members learn and grow through the story, lending them a three-dimensional and humanistic, universal quality, as people everywhere and through time are struggling to forge new relationships, to accept themselves, and to learn acceptance of their imperfect families. Turtle herself blossoms from a castaway orphan who is struggling to fit in a new place and new family, to someone who is making decisions for her mother and herself - to give in to a new notion of love and of family. This is inspirational to any child who is struggling with feeling alienated and feeling the pangs of an imperfect family situation. The adventures may seem incredible to modern readers, but nonetheless stay on point with historical detail. 

      At the end of the book Holm provides readers with an "Author's Note" section. Here Holm provides historical details and photos about the Great Depression and Key West, Florida, as well as details about her own family history in this area. She reveals that the story was based on her own grandmother, and even provides family photos. This lends both accuracy and more interesting information about this area and time in history. Holm also provides a references section with four books related to the topic of the Great Depression, and a web sites section with three sites related to the Florida Keys. This is helpful for children, parents, and educators to find relevant, connecting material - but not too many to be overwhelming. 

     This book is filled with details that relate back to life in the 1930's - particularly in the Florida Keys. Some of these details include continual references to Shirley Temple and Little Orphan Annie. In the "Author's Note," Holms reminds us that entrainment was an important diversion, and that these were superstars of the time. Additionally, she reminds us that Turtle's situation - having to stay with relatives while her mom works - was a frequent occurrence during the Depression when finding a job was very difficult and could not be turned down. She also relates the hurricane in the story to the real-life "Labor Day Hurricane" that struck the Florida Keys on September 2, 1935. Further, the Diaper Gang's ambition of finding Black Caesar's buried treasure was also accurate: …in the '30's everybody in Key West had a treasure story".

     Activities can be done in relation to learning about the 1930's and the Great Depression. Children can research through the library and the internet about what it was like to live during the great depression. They can find one picture of life in the 1930's and present it to the class. Another important theme o the book is the acceptance of imperfect family. Children can be prompted to write a short story about a child who comes to accept his or her family. 

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. TURTLE IN PARADISE. New York, NY: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN 9780375936883

THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE

“Cushman has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent.” 

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE, set in medieval England, paints the portrait an undernourished girl who is so homeless and abandoned that she does not even have a name, and doesn’t even know her own age. She is unfortunate enough to be accustomed to being referred to as “Brat,” and is only looking for a meal to stay alive and a warm place to lay her head and sleep on a cold evening. When best she can find is a composting mound of rot, dung, and trash to sleep in, she is lucky enough to be found by local midwife Jane Sharp who offers her work, food, and a place to live. “Brat” goes to work as a midwife assistant, where she is now known as Beetle (after being found in dung). She watches and learns as Jane delivers babies, and helps with the medicines and herbs. Finally, after she is mistakenly called “Alyce” by a man looking for help, she adopts this name as her own. Her life begins to turn toward the better, as she is even able to make a friend of a cat as well as help a young boy with his life. Things change when one day when she fails at a delivery she was left alone at – she had to call back the midwife to finish the job. The event traumatizes her, and so she runs away from her new life, feeling overwhelmed by humiliation, even though she did not have the words to describe this emotion.  She finds work though, doing odd jobs at an inn where she is even able to begin to work on her literacy skills, and after seeing her young friend, begins to consider her future. The midwife makes an appearance at the inn, mentioning that perhaps it was best that Alyce left – that she wasn’t that stupid, but she gave up. In the end, things change for Alyce as she unexpectedly ends up delivering a baby by herself at the inn, and she rethinks her decision to give up as a midwife apprentice. This sets the scene for Alyce to take control of her life, gain courage, and learn the value of persistence.

The School Library Journal writes of this work: "Characters are sketched briefly but with telling, witty detail, and the very scents and sounds of the land and people's occupations fill each page as Alyce comes of age and heart. Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal remedies attached to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature.”

The historical setting of this story pays attention to accurate detail. First, life in fourteenth century England was filled with hardships, and so it is believable to see a homeless child who did not have enough to eat. Second, the profession of midwifery was more practiced than it is in modern times. The author includes many historically accurate details in regard to this profession, such as spells, medicines and ointments related to child birth, for example the use of columbine seeds to induce labor and the use of goat’s beard to increase a new mom’s supply of breast milk. The language and descriptions also colored with historical reference, without being overly obtuse. The plot and characters outline the harshness that life can bring, especially in the fourteenth century. The vocabulary and dialogue used by the author maintain a balance of historical accuracy and accessibility for young readers of modern day English.

This book is widely popular for good reason. Children can relate with the story making one’s way by trying to please, and occasionally feeling defeated. Children will also relate to the coming of age aspects of this novel, especially as the protagonist struggles with both confidence and identity – hallmark issues for most pre-teens. Although the story is left open-ended, the final scene is of Alyce making important decisions for her life through facing her fears and not giving up. These are important lessons for all developing children and a lesson that we can all draw inspiration from.

The composition of this book provides for easy reading, in that there is a table of contents at the beginning, and each of the 17 chapters are numbered and labeled with clear titles. The “Author’s Note” at the end provides further information about the ancient practice of midwifery, providing readers with a small dose of historical nonfiction. These pages of information can lead children into further historical connections such as research on medical careers, medieval times, apprenticeships, homelessness and poverty, medicinal herbs, etc.

Teachers, parents, librarians, or other educators can organize a learning activity around any of these elements of this book. One activity is the KWL chart. Children can pick an element of the story - such as medieval times, orphans, midwifery, herbal medicines, homelessness, etc, and thinking of what they already know of the topic (K). They can then formulate a question on the topic - what they want to know (W). Children can then use the library and/or internet to research this topic. They can then write a paper or make a poster to present to the class.

The Midwife's Apprentice is an ALA Notable Children's Book, an ALA Best of the Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Booklist Editors' Choice, the winner of the Newbery Medal, and is on the New York Public Library List of Recommended Books.

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Harper Trophy.
        ISBN-10: 0547722176

The Green Glass Sea

The Green Glass Sea

by Ellen Klages 

"Dewey is an especially engaging character, plunging on with her mechanical projects and ignoring any questions

 about gender roles." 

- School Library Journal

"...The characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for 

history classes." 

- Booklist

         THE GREEN GLASS SEA is about a 10 year old girl, Dewey Kerrigan, who has a keen interest in mechanics and engineering; in the opening scenes she is studying a manual to make a radio. After her grandmother has a stroke, she boards a train to Los Alamos, New Mexico - even before this town was on a map, due to it being still top-secret. The year is 1943, and the United States culture was obsessed with winning the war. With no other family to care for her, Dewey travels from St. Louis to New Mexico to join her prestigious scientist father on "the hill". He is working on a project they ominously call "the gadget" meant to end WWII. In this setting, we follow Dewey as she weathers many tribulations of young life, especially as she turns out to be a square peg in a round hole in this military town. She is astute, kind, and able to make a good friend and settle in, despite hating life changes and getting along with the adult scientists better than kids her own age. She is also resilient in the face of trials such as negative encounters with her peers, and the death of her father. The novel also follows the life of Dewey's new best friend, Suze, who also the daughter of a scientist of the "gadget" that remains a mystery - gradually becoming revealed to be significant to world history. The chapters rotate the focus on both Suze and Dewey, so readers come to understand and relate with both characters. On Suze's birthday they visit the site the "gadget" made in the earth, and "stepped out onto the green glass sea. The strange and twisted surface crunched and cracked beneath their feet as if they were walking on braided ice". Thus, the characters faced the ambiguity of the "gadget" - brilliant, beautiful, dangerous, horrific, and literally world-altering. 

      The book contains accuracy on different levels - including historical detail, and emotional precision - in that the emotional portrayal of Dewey and Suze ring true - readers can identify with their trials with their peers and their families.  The historical accuracy comes in part through detail of the location itself - businesses, food, gadgets (such as the radio Dewey is building) and local settings on "the hill" remain a consistent texture within the narrative.

     The book does not include a table of contents, index, or bibliography, but does include an "Author's Notes" section that explains more historical information about the site of the story. The author also suggests some resources for further learning including books, a CD-ROM and a DVD. The author also acknowledges people and places that she is indebted to for the creation of the book. 

     Many children of age to read this novel (around the 4th grade) may not have a lot of previous experience with learning about WWII, the 1940's, or the atomic bomb. This is a good opportunity to teach further on these topics. One fun activity to enrich children's knowledge of this topic is to make a small newspaper. Children - working as "journalists" - must research and write a small column on a topic related to 1940's America. They will write a small column about what is going on. Then, the pieces of writing should be collected, edited, and put in newspaper form, and printed for the children to be proud of and take home. For children who are already studying WWII, this novel is a great tie-in for a history lesson about WWII and the atomic bomb. Children can be divided into teams to research both side of the issue. Ask children to consider if the atomic bomb have been dropped in Japan to end the war. After children have researched both sides of the issue, they can present factors in debate style. The conversation could be open or moderated, but should allow for children to think critically about the issue and change their minds at any time. This can be followed by a short paper or further research into this war ethics question. 

       The Green Glass Sea has received many awards and accolades including the 2007 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, the 2007 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature, and the 2007 New Mexico State Book Award for Young Adult Fiction.

Klages, Ellen. The Green Glass Sea. New York, NY: Viking, 2006. ISBN 978670061341

The Brain: Our Nervous System

The Brain:

 Our Nervous System

Author: Seymour Simon

Publishing: HarperCollins Publishers, 1997

“An absorbing introduction to this amazing control system that can do more jobs than the most powerful computer ever made.” 

 The Horn Book

“Simon may have done more than any other living author to help us understand and appreciate the beauty of our planet and our universe.” 

 Kirkus Reviews

         “Your brain is only a small part of your whole body...Your brain is really what makes you, you.” Thus, Seymour Simon, in THE BRAIN: OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM, provides concise scientific detail about parts of the brain and nervous system including stunning magnified computer images of the brain and spine, while providing curiosity and fascination as a framework by setting up the essential nature of the topic: Your brain enables you to "...read, run, laugh, breathe, say hello to a friend, or turn to the next page in this book. Try it!"

        Nominated for the Beehive Children's Informational Book Award in 2000, this factual book provides educational elements such as a logical progression from the tiny elements of the brain such as neurons, nerves, dendrites, axons, synapses, to the major elements such a the skull, cranium, cerebellum, brain stem, and spine, and finally to matching the parts of the brain to their bodily function. However, the book does not provide a table of contents, index, or glossary - and instead functions more as a  photo essay meets picture book. The text, though, does not shy away from scientific terminology and explanation, while maintaining a level of readability appropriate for elementary school students. Readers' understanding of concepts is further developed by the use of everyday analogies -- Simon compares the brain to a grapefruit, nerves as hairs, the spine as a rope, short-term memory to breakfast, and long-term to your first day of school. Visual, everyday comparisons such as these enhance understanding for both children and adults. Easy to read diagrams are also included.

           Science as a source of entertainment and amazement permeates this work. When author Seymour Simon was a child, he was fascinated by science fiction writers such as Arthur C. Clarke and Edgar Rice Burroughs, reading them in science fiction comics such as AMAZING STORIES and STARTLING STORIES. THE BRAIN: OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM follows this influence, as Simon inspires wonder through guiding readers to marvel at their own brain behind their own eyes. Simon incites amazement particularly through his choices of images. The selection of images and photography is apparently chosen for its 'wow factor' - most are full page, glossy, colorful computer generated scans and micorgraphs which dramatize the science fiction ameba-like appearance of nerves and dendrites and such. The background color of the text and images is a dark glossy blackness - emphasizing the startling photography, and that science can be as spectacular and out-of-this-world as any science fiction comic. 

             A multitude of activities can be done along side this book to enhance the enjoyment and understanding of the brain. A picture of a brain can be colored and labeled for its parts and functions. If children cut out the picture and tape it to a makeshift "hat," they will get a good idea of what parts of their own brain provide for the various functions. Then, games can be played to experiment with the various senses that the brain controls. For example, a game to test hearing can be done if all but one student closes their eyes. The one student will then make a noise - like tapping, jiggling keys, crumpling - then students must guess what the noise is. You can make teams and keep score! The sense of touch can be similarly explored when students close their eyes, and use only sense of touch to guess what object is or to move across the room. To explore vision, optical illusions could be presented, explored, and explained. Smells can be presented and guessed at. Riddles can be asked. Thus, children in their "brain hats" can explore their own brain functions inside in a fun, interactive way. Whatever activities are done using this striking information book, the children's craniums are sure to be sparked up!

References:

Simon, Seymour. "Simon Seymour Bio." Accessed October 28, 2013. http://www.seymoursimon.com/.

Seymour, Simon. 1997. THE BRAIN: OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 059063490.