Wonder (Module 6)

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Palacio, R. J. 2012. Wonder. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780375869020.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Born with severe craniofacial difference, Auggie begins fifth grade at a public school for the first time ever. He encounters bullying, makes friends, and earns the respect of his peers. He learns what life is really all about while teaching others as well.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Palacio has created a very successful and sensitive treatment of a difficult topic. She uses different points of views to draw the reader in and round out the story. With each character that narrates, even for a short time, the reader gets to see Auggie from a new view and understand more completely not only what his life is like but what life is like for those who love him. It helps give a more holistic view of the story and the characters.

Entering middle school is a difficult time for most students, so a middle school is the ideal setting for this story. It allows for a unique group of characters that are on the cusp of changing and growing in big and small ways. The characters ring true like Julian that has all the adults thinking he's great while he's far from it, Summer who simply wants to be nice, and Jack who almost loses his friendship with Auggie while trying to look cool.

The adults bring in both great direction in the younger characters' lives and create problems as well. Auggie has wonderful parents that want the best for him, a principal that is trying to help him adjust while not being over controlling, and a teacher that wants the students to learn about life as much as the curriculum. However, there are also adults who don't want him around the school and feel he is pulling down the school. Adults sometimes who act worse than the kids.

Simple illustrations for each character help give a feel for them while not showing everything. Each drawing has only one eye and then an inspirational quote underneath. The simple drawings also emphasize the importance of the face in this story about craniofacial differences.

The precepts from Mr. Browne's class really encapsulate the theme of kindness and compassion in this book. They help younger readers interpret what they are reading as the novel progresses and helps readers think through how they should interact with others without sounding trite or cheesy. The invitation to create their own precepts at the end allows students to internalize what they have read.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Texas Bluebonnet Book, 2012-13
• Publisher's Weekly Starred: “Few first novels pack more of a punch: it's a rare story with the power to open eyes-and hearts-to what it's like to be singled out for a difference you can't control, when all you want is to be just another face in the crowd.”
• Booklist Starred: “Palacio makes it feel not only effortless but downright graceful, and by the stand-up-and-cheer conclusion, readers will be doing just that, and feeling as if they are part of this troubled but ultimately warm-hearted community.”
• Kirkus Starred: “A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder.”

5. CONNECTIONS

• R J Palacio's website has the trailer, book reviews, FAQs, annotations, author, and for teachers tabs. The annotations tab is filled with tidbits about the book readers would find interesting and the FAQs give insight into how Palacio created this book. The teacher tab has multiple discussion questions. It is a great place to go to start a study on this book.
• NPR has an interview with R J Palacio that gives background into the author's inspiration for the novel. Use it to do and author study, a preview before reading the book, or to stimulate discussion.
• Choose Kind website has been created for students to interact with the book. They can sign a kindness pledge, print out stickers, e-cards, and certificates. There are also educator resources available.

Ask Me No Questions (Module 6)

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Budhos, Marina. 2007. Ask Me No Questions. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9781416903512.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Illegal immigrants from Bangladesh that have been living in New York for years, the Hossain's decide to try to flee to Canada for asylum after 9/11. The father of the feamily is arrested at the border and detained by US immigration. The two daughters, Nadira and Aisha, try to help, but Aisha, who is always put together, starts to fall apart. Nadira has to figure out how to save her father before they are all deported and the life that they have put together falls apart.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The first chapter draws the reader in as Budhos starts in the middle of the tension of the Hossain family fleeing to Canada for asylum. As the story goes on, the reader finds out more of the back story while continuing on with the conflict in the present. The facts that there are no answers to any of the questions, no one that can seemingly help, and the young girls are on their own build the tension and confusion needed for the story.

The culture of immigrants who are walking the line of holding their own culture while adjusting to their new country is well described. The Hossain family has adjusted and allowed their daughters to be American in many ways while still requiring them to hold onto some of their Bangladeshi culture. For example, they allow their daughters to wear American style clothing, but they still expect them to respect their elders and maintain their religion. Very few non-English words are included in the book, but those that are Budhos either explains in the text or the meaning can be easily inferred. The cultural cues mainly come from how they characters interact with each other and the American culture.

Budhos has written an important novel laying out how illegal immigrants are so often hidden people, yet right in front of our eyes, and how those from the Middle East became painfully visible in light of 9/11. The novel also gives insight into some of the problems with immigration system in US. In the midst of all of this, the themes of the importance of family and standing up for what is right are artfully woven into the fabric of this novel.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Booklist Starred: "Readers will feel the heartbreak, prejudice, kindness, and fear."
• Library Media Connection starred: "This book is a well-written and needed counterpoint in the body of September 11th literature."
• Kirkus Reviews: "A perceptive peek into the lives of foreigners on the fringe."

5. CONNECTIONS

• Marina Budhos' website gives insight to who she is as an author, the books she has written, and a blog for young readers (among other things). It is a great place to start working on an author study. Further information can be found in an author interview on Cynthia Leitich Smith's webpage and the publisher's author page as well.
• There is a Middle East Literature lesson plan on Read Write Think. It modifies literature circles to use a cultural response perspective in collaborative groups. It would be a lesson to use with a class before or after reading Budhos' book.
• Other books about middle eastern teens:

Abdel-fattah, Randa. Does my head look big in this? ISBN: 9780439922333.

Al-Maria, Sophia. The Girl Who Fell to Earth: A Memoir. ISBN: 9780061999758

Abirached, Zeina. A Game for Swallows: To Die, To Leave, To Return. ISBN: 9781575059419.

In Our Mothers' House (Module 6)

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Polacco, Patricia. 2009. In Our Mother's House. New York: Philomel. ISBN: 9780399250767.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Three adopted children enjoy their lives with their two mothers. The moms wear dresses for the first time for their mother-daughter tea, the neighborhood helps them build a tree house in the backyard, and the family helps organize a neighborhood carnival. Even though they face a neighbor who treats them horribly, the rest of the neighbors gather around them to show they care.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although the perfection of this family life seems a bit over the top, Polacco does a good job of sharing how all types of families can be happy and full of love. She also does a great job of foreshadowing the hate of the neighbor through the neighbor not being responsive to the family when they come to her door at Halloween. Later, the family is fully attacked by her at the neighborhood carnival. This foreshadowing helps build the tension and makes the attack more believable than if the neighbor hadn't been introduced earlier in the book.

The artwork is full of joy and fun. Each page is full of soft color, life, and movement. The page where the family go over to the hateful neighbor's to trick-or-treat is great as it depicts the joy of the children and mothers, the cuteness of all their costumes, and hints at the attack that will come later as the neighbor feels shields herself with the door from the family. Readers will also want to spend much time staring at the carnival page with all its busyness and details to look at all the games.

Themes of the importance of family and love permeate this picture book. The beauty of the neighborhood outweighs the ugliness of one neighbor, yet the sting of the attack rings true. Polacco has done an excellent job of showing that caring and compassion can go so much further than hate.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Booklist: “This portrait of a loving family celebrates differences.”
• School Library Journal: “A lovely book that can help youngsters better understand their world.”
• Library Media Connection starred: “This is a strong and memorable story of a peaceful, devoted family unit.”

5. CONNECTIONS

• Through Patricia Polacco's website, readers can send their own e-postcards with artwork from the book. The page on this book also features some of the artwork with the words blocked out. These can be used to analyze the art itself, have students guess what might be happening in the artwork before reading, and fill in what they remember about the book after reading. The website also has information on Polacco's books and biographical information. The fun stuff tab has puzzles, color-ins, and bookmarks activities. There are also broad discussion questions with some kids' answers published on the site on everything from kindness to overcoming fears.
• Have students talk about what makes up a family. Tolerance.org has a great lesson on what makes a family. It includes clips from a documentary for grades K-8 called That's a Family. It also includes data from the 2010 US Census.
• Other picture books that address different kinds of families:

Skutch, Robert. Who's in a Family? ISBN: 9781883672669.

Parr, Todd. The Family Book. ISBN: 9780316070409.

Lewis, Rose A. Every Year on Your Birthday. ISBN: 0316525529.

Downey, Roma. Love is a Family. ISBN: 9780439444231.

Babymouse: Queen of the World (Module 6)

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. 2005. Babymouse: Queen of the World. New York: Random House. ISBN: 9781415643990.



2. PLOT SUMMARY

Babymouse just wants to be popular (i.e. “Queen of the World”) and would do anything to get invited to Felica Furrypaw’s slumber party because Felicia is the most popular girl in school. Anything includes giving her book report to Felicia to turn in as her own and Babymouse ditching her best friend at the last minute. Babymouse finds out, though, that friends are better when they are made rather than bought and being queen is not about being popular but being loved.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This brother and sister team have a great style of allowing Babymouse to jump into fantasy scenes whenever her imagination takes her away. We get to see Babymouse living in fairy tales (Cinderella), deep space, a Western, etc. These secondary fantasy worlds add a great layer to the first fantasy world in which all animals talk, walk on two legs, and go to school together. The school itself is relateable to readers as it parallels contemporary times with lockers, classrooms, desks, and book reports.

Each page is filled with personality from the words to the drawings. Little descriptions, such as that Babymouse is “stuck with curly whiskers,” make the text fun to read. The black-white-and-pink illustrations are adorable and really bring life to the characters.

Kids will really get this graphic novel on the classic theme of friendship. The Holm’s bring a fresh take to it and allow for us to see that real friends do things for you, not just take from you, which is more important than being popular any day.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)


• ALA Notable Book
• Booklist review: “The Holms spruce up some well-trod ground with breathless pacing and clever flights of Babymouse’s imagination, and their manic, pink-toned illustrations of Babymouse and her cohorts vigorously reflect the internal life of any million-ideas-a-minute middle-school student.”
• Horn Book starred review: “Babymouse is here to stay, and fans of Fashion Kitty and Captain Underpants will now add her to their collection of well-thumbed volumes to read over and over again.”
• Kirkus review: “Young readers will happily fall in line to follow Babymouse through both ordinary pratfalls (“Typical!” is her watchword) and extraordinary flights of fancy.”
• Publishers Weekly review: “This personable, self-conscious mouse, with her penchant for pink hearts, resembles Kevin Henkes's Lilly, with some extra years of grade-school experience.”
• School Library Journal review: “Babymouse, with her black-and-white-and-pink peppered palette, to anyone who thinks that comics are enjoyed primarily by boys.”



5. CONNECTIONS

• 
Babymouse has her own fun website filled with games, a sing-along song, printable pages, and a make your own adventure. It also features information about graphic novels. This website can definitely raise what is already sure to be an enthusiastic love for Babymouse.
  
• Suggested by the Babymouse website, Sidekicks is a graphic novel review website that will appeal to kids and adults. It can help kids find more of what they like and help parents, teachers, or librarians know what’s out there in the world of graphic novels.

• Other graphic novel series sure to charm Babymouse fans: (Multiple ISBNs)


Holm, Jennifer and Mike Holm. Squish: Super Amoeba.

Harper, Charise Mericle. Fashion Kitty Series.

Runton, Andy. Owly Series.

Sonoda, Konami. Chocomimi Series.

When You Reach Me (Module 6)

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN: 9780385906647.



2. PLOT SUMMARY

Intertwining fantasy and mystery, the plot jumps around a bit in time, appropriate since it also addresses time travel, as we hear the story of twelve-year-old Miranda and the letters she has been receiving that foretell the future and also give seemingly weird instructions. The entire book is addressed to “you,” the person who has been sending the notes, and follows Miranda’s life as she loses her best friend, makes new ones, figures out who has been writing the notes, and learns what’s really important in life.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Following typical fantasy protocol, When You Reach Me features both a large task (time travel) and a sacrifice (giving of one’s own life, although I won't tell you whose). The author does a great job of creating a "real" life setting, consistently following its rules, and yet explaining time travel in a way that allows for its possibility. The ending is highly satisfying, pulling all the pieces of the puzzle and the ideas of time travel together. Each seemingly random detail falls into place by the end of the book.

Set in New York, Stead has created a vague contemporary feel, although from the beginning the time frame is clearly delineated as 1979. The setting in a big city is vital to the plot so that there is tension and slight feelings of danger with the existence of bullies and homeless on every corner as everyone is living in apartments and walking to places.

The main theme of really accepting the responsibility to do what is right is not preachy and is woven in with themes of friendship, loyalty, and coming of age. The voices of the characters are consistent with the tween age, and Miranda shows how she is maturing and growing from child to young adult.

Readers who love mysteries or science fiction or both will really get into this book and want to read it again once it’s all over to pick up on what was the subtle clues that were overlooked the first time through. I know I did.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Newbery Medal Winner
• ALA Notable Book/Best Book for Young Adults
• Booklist starred review: “The ’70s New York setting is an honest reverberation of the era; the mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children and adults, are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest.”
• Kirkus starred review: “Some might guess at the baffling, heart-pounding conclusion, but when all the sidewalk characters from Miranda’s Manhattan world converge amid mind-blowing revelations and cunning details, teen readers will circle back to the beginning and say, ‘Wow...cool.’”
• Library Media Connection review: “This well-written book is planned and executed to keep readers engaged until the very end. The author’s style is appealing because of her character development and clever plot vehicles. The topics are interesting and the short chapters keep the pace flowing quickly.”


5. CONNECTIONS


• Random House’s website page on When You Reach Me has many helps for teaching this book including a video of the author and downloadable teacher’s guide. The teacher’s guide is 16 pages packed with wonderful information and help, including pre-reading activities, vocabulary, curriculum connections, and websites.
  
• Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time is featured throughout this book. Students, whether they have read it or not, will want to look over different parts of the book. It would be especially beneficial to read as a group the moment when Meg is returned to the garden along with the passage in When You Reach Me in which they discuss that part. 

• Read alikes: (from Booklist)
  

Almond, David. Skellig. ISBN: 9780385326537

Creech, Sharon. Walk Two Moons. ISBN: 9780060233341.

Fitzhugh, Louise. Harriet the Spy. ISBN: 9780385327831.

Raskin, Ellen. The Westing Game. ISBN: 9780142401200.

Snyder, Zilpha Keatley. The Egypt Game. ISBN: 9781416960652.

The Book Thief (Module 6)

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zusak, Markus. 2005. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 9780375842207

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Through the words of Death (the narrator), nine-year-old Liesel’s story of survival plays out in the midst of the horrific events of WWII Nazi Germany. She loses her family, is fostered by a family that hides a Jew in their basement, and steals books from many different sources—including a Nazi book burning. Although she again loses pretty much everything in the end, the reader finds hope in the fact that she did survive and continued to build a life for herself.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Zusak has written a beautiful and highly literary book in The Book Thief. In an interview at the end of the novel, he says, “I like the idea that every page in every book can have a gem on it.” His craftsmanship has allowed him to do this while still sounding natural and keeping the pages turning. For example, Liesel describes Max’s hair as twigs when he first arrives on their doorstep and as feathers once he has been taken care of better. There is a lot of German words thrown in but the narrator, not being German, gives the reader sidenote translations that help with understanding.

Zusak also plays with style by incorporating simple drawings and storybooks within the story. One such storybook had been written on a copy of Mein Kampf that had been painted over in white. The reader of The Book Thief can see the words of Mein Kampf bleeding through the page. Such attention to detail is what helps make this story come alive.

There are many unexpected twists, and yet so often the narrator reveals things way before it happens: “I’m spoiling the ending” (e.g. who is going to die or how). Even so, it seems fresh in the way that it is done and the writing of the characters is so well-crafted that the reader still finds himself hoping it wouldn’t be true and weeping when it was.

The history and events are explained well, without being tedious. The perspective is unique as we get to see the war from the eyes of the children (and adults) who were just trying to survive it, even though many are Nazis in Germany. Even with the obvious moral issues that WWII Germany brings up, because Death is the narrator, there are no pat answers or moralizing within the story—just a description of events. In the end, this story of fighting for what’s right, while not actually being able to fight at all, is one that will stay with the reader haunting him as much as the stories of humans “haunt” Death.


Zusak mentions his research methods in an interview that follows the novel: researched before, during, and after writing, included a trip to Munich to check facts at the end. His sources are also listed in the acknowledgments. For those who want more information, there are also lists of related titles and internet resources.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)


• Michael L. Printz Honor Book
• ALA Best Books for Young Adults
• Booklist review: “More than the overt message about the power of words, it’s Liesl’s confrontation with horrifying cruelty and her discovery of kindness in unexpected places that tell the heartbreaking truth.”
• Horn Book starred review: “Exquisitely written and memorably populated, Zusak's poignant tribute to words, survival, and their curiously inevitable entwinement is a tour de force to be not just read but inhabited.”
• Kirkus starred review: “The writing is elegant, philosophical and moving. Even at its length, it's a work to read slowly and savor.”
• Library Media Connection starred review: “Part Holocaust tale, part coming-of-age story, and part the book thief's story, this title will have readers thinking and talking.”
• School Library Journal starred review: “Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward.”


5. CONNECTIONS


• Markus Zusak has a taped interview online about what brought him to write about this subject. It can be used as a preview for booktalking or as a wrap up after having read the book.
  
• Discussion questions are included in the back of the book. Also, there is an online forum discussion of the book thief hosted by Random House. Encourage those readers who really want to get into more discussions about the book to look at what’s being discussed there. As always, make sure that all students who are participating on anything online understand and adhere to good safety and privacy rules.
  
• Other fiction novels about the Holocaust:


Boyne, John. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. ISBN: 9780385751063
Cormier, Robert. Tunes for Bears to Dance to. ISBN: 9780440219033
Spiegelman, Art. Maus. (Graphic novel). ISBN: 9780394747231
Spinelli, Jerry. Milkweed. ISBN: 9780375813740