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Module 15 - The Adventures of Captain Underpants

Book Summary: 
     This chapter book (which contains picture on every page) is the first book in the Captain Underpants series. Two fourth grade boys, George and Harold, create a comic book with a superhero - Captain Underpants. The boys' adventure begins when they hypnotize their principal and turn him into their comic book creation! George and Harold create mischief throughout the book, and Captain Underpants chases the bad guys in his underwear. 

APA Reference of Book:
Pilkey, D. (1997). Captain Underpants. New York, NY: Scholastic

Impressions:
     I thought this book was silly although still enjoyable to read. I can definitely see why it's appealing to young kids, especially boys - I mean, what young boy doesn't enjoy superheroes or get a kick out of anything dealing with underpants? Children would also love the illustrations on each page. 
    I can see why this book might have censorship issues due to a man running around in his underwear and all the mischief the boys get into. But I just find these things humorous. I think this book could even get reluctant readers to read because it's funny. I think readers are likely to pick up the next book in the series.
    Although I enjoyed the illustrations, I think they are so full of action that sometimes they take away from the story itself. 

Professional Review: 
     "Pilkey plays with words and pictures, providing great entertainment. The story is immediately engaging - two fourth-grae boys who write comic books and who love to pull pranks find themselves in big trouble. Mean Mr. Krupp, their principal, videotapes George and Harold setting up their stunts and threatens to expose them. The boys' luck changes when they send for a 3-D Hypno-Ring and hypnotize Krupp, turning him into Captain Underpants, their own superhero creation. Later, Pilkey includes several pages of flip-o-rajas that animate the action. The simple black-and-white illustrations on every page furnish comic-strip appeal. The cover features Captain Underpants, resplendent in white briefs, on top of a tall building. This book will fly off the shelves."

Hopf, M. M. (1997). The adventures of Captain Underpants book 
     review. [Review of the book The Adventures of Captain 
     Underpants, by D. Pilkey]. School Library Journal, 43, p. 99
     Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:9443/login?ur
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Library Uses:
     This book can be used as an introduction to character analysis/feelings. Then, the school library could put on a program in which students dress up as a character from their favorite book. They can share about their characters - how they grow and change, their adventures, problems, and feelings.
    

Module 14 - Scranimals

Book Summary:
     Scranimal Island is an exotic place full of strange hybrid creatures. Animals, vegetables, and flowers are scrambled together to create mysterious creatures. A boy and a girl fly to each habitat to discover these strange animals (like Spinachickens and Hippopotomushrooms). The story is full of rhymes, puns, and silliness. There is also a pronunciation guide included. 

APA Reference of Book:
Prelutsky, J. (2002). Scranimals. New York, NY: Greenwillow
     Books.

Impressions: 
     I found this book very silly, although it's actually very clever too. To come up with these puns is very impressive (like Porcipineapple and Radishark). This fantasy poetry is lighthearted and fun to read. I enjoyed the play on words.
     I like that there is a pronunciation guide for each creature (this is especially helpful if the book is being read aloud). 
     The ink and watercolored pictures help the reader to imagine these crazy creatures. The illustrations really give life to the verses. 
     I think this book would be great at the elementary level. I think the upper elementary-aged kids would enjoy it more because they could figure out the puns; younger kids may still think the poems are funny, but they wouldn't get the puns.
     Although this isn't a book I'm likely to read over and over again, I definitely think it's an enjoyable, silly book.

Professional Review: 
     "On Prelutsky and Sis's Scranimal Island, intrepid explorers will find such scrambled creatures as Ostricheetahs (who run very fast but also stick their heads in the sand) and Spinahchickens (rather dimwitted green creatures who wilt in the heat). The verses are humorous, in the usual Prelutsky way-peppy, singsongy, and clever-as in this on the 'ponderous Stormy Petrelephant . . . futilely trying to fly': 'Its wings are too small to support it, / They're patently only for show, / And so it is constantly thwarted . . . / Up isn't a place it can go.' Kids will easily get and appreciate most of the combinations (the Potatoad, the Radishark); others require a greater level of sophistication (the Camelberta Peach, the Cardinalbacore), though a helpful chart appears on the back cover. Sis's simultaneously imaginative and concrete illustrations transform a nice-enough collection of related poems into a unified whole. A picture of Scranimal Island appears on the endpapers; a map on the table of contents. Two child tourists, armed with map, binoculars, and a jauntily striped inflatable life preserver, propel themselves to the island via skateboard, using an umbrella as a sail. Though muted colors characterize Scranimal Island and its denizens, on every double-page spread Sis portrays the children and their paraphernalia in bright colors, keeping the focus on them and on the power of imagination."

Parravano, M. V. (2003). Scranimals book review. [Review of 
     the book Scranimals, by J. Prelutsky]. Horn Book Magazine,
     79(1), p. 91. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:
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Library Uses:
     This book could be used as an introduction to writing verse. It's a lighthearted, fun way to get kids excited about poetry. Then, when ready, they can practice writing their own poetry.

     

Module 13 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Book Summary:
     This is the first book of a series, and it begins by introducing the life of a middle-schooler, Greg Heffley. It is his first year in middle school, and the hazards of growing up are recorded through his words and drawings in his diary. 
     Greg's friend, Rowley, is his sidekick until Rowley becomes popular. Greg tries to use this to his advantage, but that causes things to happen that test their friendship (but in a funny way). 

APA Reference of Book:
Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid. New York, NY: Amulet
     Books

Impressions:
     The one main word I would use to describe this book is: hilarious! The author takes the drama of middle school life and makes it lighthearted. 
     The format of the book is just fun. I love the cartoon drawings, the speech bubbles, and the fact that it's written in diary form. That makes it an easy read. Not much deep thinking has to be done to understand this book, but it's catchy and I couldn't seem to put it down.
     I also like that the "hero" of this story is an unlikely hero. He is always oblivious to his faults, and there's nothing "special" about his to make him a hero. I think kids can relate to Greg's character, and that's one reason this book would be appealing to them.
     I think this book would be especially great for reluctant readers because it is so lighthearted, funny, and easy to read. Plus, they would enjoy the cartoon drawings. 

Professional Review:
     "Seventh grade is lousy enough, but when you are at the bottom of the popularity pecking order, your best (and only) friend embarrasses you, and no one else seems to recognize you as the brilliant leader you are, then middle school is downright unbearable. Luckily, Greg has a journal into which he can pour his frustrations, disappointments, and secret desires. In short entries, many of which read as independent vignettes, Greg describes the sometimes humorous, sometimes awful events of his life with an unflinching eye: his mostly failed endeavors are highlighted along with his rare accomplishments. The small black-and-white line drawings that accompany many of the entries are simple, as if indeed drawn by a budding artist, but not at all simplistic, as they interact with the text by sometimes contradicting Greg's account and often highlighting particularly cringe-worthy elements that would be less remarkable without the comic-style visuals. Inconsiderate, sullen, and greedy Greg is unfortunately not a very liable kid, but he's still funny and creative, and the frequent moments of sardonic wit add a richness and depth to his accounts. Kinney's well-designed and popular web comic (created in 2004) easily translates into illustrated novel format: devoted fans will be thrilled to have a print collection, while new readers can simply enjoy this as a stand-alone novel or they can head online to find out what happens next to Greg and the peculiar mix of characters who surround him."

Spisak, A. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid review. [Review of the
     book Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by J. Kinney]. Bulletin of the 
     Center for Children's Books, 60(10), p. 426. Retrieved from
     https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:9443/login?url=http://search.
     ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=brd&AN=5106
     41911&scope=site

Library Uses:
     Students could look at the diary format of this book and then start their own diaries about the funny things that happen during the day.
     

Module 12 - Martin's Big Words

Book Summary:
     This biography tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life. It starts from the day he was born to beyond the day he died. Most of the book is set in the time of the civil rights movement.Throughout the book, it incorporates the actual words that King used in his speeches. 

APA Reference of Book:
Rappaport, D. (2007). Martin's big words. New York, NY: 
     Hyperion Book CH

Impressions:
     I thought this biography was really profound. I loved how actual quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. were used throughout the story (it made me feel like I truly knew his heart for others and peace). I loved that his words were written in bold font that was a different color than the rest of the story - this made these words "pop" from the page. I also enjoyed the lyrical text. 
     The story itself is powerful. It made me emotional because I was thinking about how times must have been like during the civil rights movement, and of course I was sad when I came to the page that said he was shot and died (even though I already knew this outcome). I read this story to my first graders, and a silence fills the room when I get to this part of the book. They don't understand why he was shot when he was trying to bring peace to others.
     I also really enjoyed the artwork. The illustrator uses water color and cut paper collages as well as different patterns and textures to create life-like images. The illustrations really bring the story to life!
     I think this book would be great for all ages (even up to high schoolers) because it could get children talking about that time period, fairness, and the qualities of a good leader. The book also shows how a person's words can live on and effect people still today. 

Professional Review:
     "When it comes to educating and enlightening children about momentous historical events, there can never be too many books published about the Civil Rights era, and the people that championed the cause in America. Though there were several prominent leaders in the Civil Rights movement, none is more recognized and honored than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His legacy and story is, indeed, inspiration and well worth re-telling.
     In the book Martin's Big Words, author Doreen Rppaport briefly buy pointedly describes the life of Dr. King, starting with his boyhood days of reading "White Only" signs in his hometown of Atlanta and moving on to his discovery of nonviolent protest, which became the hallmark of his movement.
     An award-winning author of several juvenile books about multicultural history, Rappaport includes some of the key moments of Dr. King's life, as well as those of the Civil Rights era like the Montgomery bus boycotts. These highlights are offered in a language and tone that are easy to read. In fact, the book is a wonderful introduction to Dr. King and his times; and it is designed to stir further discussions about this turbulent time in our history. As a bonus, Rappaport adds quotes from Dr. King's letters and speeches to nearly all the passages.
     One of the most delightful components of this biography, however, is Bryan Collier's dramatic illustrations. Collier, who has also won several awards for his work, has captured the peaceful spirit of Dr. King with zestful watercolor and cut paper collages that appear almost three-dimensional.
     Although Martin's Big Words is a quick read, its message is truly uplifting."

Reynolds, C. V. (2002). Martin's big words book review. [Review
      of the book Martin's Big Words, by D. Rappaport]. Black 
      Issue Book Review, 4(1), p. 80. Retrieved from http://libpro   
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      e=site

Library Uses:
     During black history month, this book could be used to discuss the qualities of good leaders from the past and how that affects good leaders of today. The book can also be used to talk about the importance of the words we use and how they can make lasting impacts.
      


     

Module 11 - Actual Size

Book Summary:
     Actual Size is an informational book that shows the actual sizes of animals and insects or the features of animals and insects. It provides physical descriptions (specific measurements) as well as interesting facts about each animal. Some of the pages display the entire animal at its actual size (like the atlas moth), and some of the pages show a part of the animal at actual size (like the giant squid's eye). The saltwater crocodile's head and the Goliath frog take up three pages (the pages fold out). The collage-like illustrations fill up each page. There's an animal index at the back that gives more detailed facts about each animal in the book (habitats, prey, interesting facts, etc). 

APA Reference of Book:
Jenkins, S. (2009). Actual size. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin    
     Harcourt Publishing Company

Impressions:
     I really enjoyed this informational book! I first chose to read it because its cover page caught my attention. The cover has the actual size of a gorilla's hand. The illustrations are beautiful, done in paper cut outs and collage-like. 
    It's really interesting to see how the animals and insects compare to one another, from tiny animals like the pygmy shrew to huge animals like the Alaskan brown bear. I was blown away by facts I've never heard before. For example, it would take 7,000 dwarf gobies to weigh only one ounce, and a giant squid can measure 59 1/2 feet long! I also liked how the book started out with questions to persuade readers to read the book, like, "Have you shaken hands with a gorilla or been face to face with a tiger?"
     I was impressed with the many facts in the index of the book, but I think I would've liked it better if more facts were actually included on the pages of the book. In my experience with reading to children, the book would better keep their attention if not so much information was in the back of the book, but spread out throughout the pages instead. 
     I think children of all ages would enjoy this book (and adults too)! They could use this book for research or read it just for fun. 

Professional Review:
     "Jenkins's signature cut-paper collages are once again amazing in this oversize book in which life-size illustrations of eighteen creatures (or parts of them) invite reader participation. A nearly twelve-inch-long gorilla hand entices readers to see how their own hands measure up; the foot-across Goliath birdeater tarantula will inspire a similar reach. Included are creatures great and small: a dwarf goby fish barely registers on the page, while the Alaskan brown bear's head overflows a double-page spread. The relative sixes are accentuated by the white backdrop and are grounded by the straightforward information that accompanies the creatures - one or two brief sentences followed by the animal's height/length and weight - as they parade across the expansive pages. For dramatic appeal, a single-page foldout unveils itself halfway through the lesson in size: on one side an imposing saltwater crocodile's snout proudly displays a full mouth of teeth, while on the other side the greater part of a Goliath frog is shown in mid-leap. Additional information about each creature is included at the back, along with a complete picture of each animal, helpful in those cases where only part of an animal fits on a page.

Raece, L. E. (2004). Actual size book review [Review of the
     book Actual Size, by S. Jenkins]. Horn Book Magazine, 80(3),
     p. 345. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:9443/
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Library Uses: 
     Children could watch a video on how Steve Jenkins illustrates and brings the animals to life (youtube.com/watch?v=hhJ1wtHSPc4). Then, they could research their own animals and create their own illustrations.

     

Module 10 - Pink and Say

Book Summary:

     Pink and Say is a Civil War story passed down from great-grandfather to grandmother, to son, and to the author herself, Patricia Polacco. It starts out with a white Union soldier, Say, who is left for dead in a pasture in Georgia. Pink, a black Union soldier, finds him and brings him to his mother's home. Moe Moe Bay cares for the both of them for some time. During this time, the boys develop a beautiful relationship. Then, Marauders come, and Moe Moe Bay has the boys hide, but her life is taken. 

     Moe Moe Bay's words made the boys brave as they headed back to find their troops. As they were walking back, they were being followed by some Confederate soldiers. Pink and Say were grabbed and taken as prisoners of the Confederate Army. 

     Pink and Say were brought to one of the worst Confederate camps, and they were separated. 

     The end of the book talks about what happened after they were separated - Say was released from the prison months later, returned to his home, and recovered. Pink was hanged hours after arriving at the camp.

APA Reference of Book:

Polacco, P. (1994). Pink and Say. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Impressions: 

     Historical fiction is not my genre of choice, but I truly enjoyed this book. I think what I liked most was seeing the relationship between Pink and Say develop, especially since it was an unlikely relationship during the Civil War days. The author really knows how to pull at the reader's heartstrings. Watching Pink take care of Say by carrying him a long distance was very powerful.

     I also like how real the book felt. For example, the way Moe Moe Bay talks makes the reader feel like he/she is in the story ("They's a freshwater spring"). The book shows the struggle it was for the boys to go back to fighting, especially Say. I'm sure that soldiers really did feel like this. 

    I was so sad when Moe Moe Bay was shot and the boys buried her. But it was great to see how her words rang in the boys' hearts and made them brave. I was also sad when the boys were taken prisoners. Even though I didn't like the ending (because I always like happy endings), it was the truth, and the truth speaks loud. 

     The illustrations helped me to picture the story even more. I think they are watercolored pictures, and they are detailed, especially the characters' faces. 

     I think it's really powerful that Patricia Polacco wrote about her own family member. And it's surprising that she mentions this at the end of the book (I think it makes it even more memorable). I like that the book tells about what happened to the boys after the story ended too.

     This book would be great for upper elementary students even up into high schoolers because of the impact it can cause and the discussions it can start. 

Professional Review:

     "This book, the story of Polacco's great-great-grandfather, has been passed down from generation to generation in the author-artist's family. Fifteen-year-old soldier Sheldon Russell Curtis - Say to his family - has been left for dead on a Civil War battlefield somewhere in Georgia. A fellow Union soldier, Pinkus Aylee, who is African American - " I had never seen man like him so close before. His skin was the color of polished mahogany" - discovers him and, with much effort, droughts feverish Say home, where his mother, a slave named Moe Moe Bay, nurses Say back to health. As the boys regain their strength, they become as close as real family and discuss things close to their hearts. Pink shares his special talent: Master Aylee, his owner, had taught him how to read. "To be born a slave is a heap o' trouble, Say. But after Aylee taught me to read, even though he owned my person, I knew that nobody, ever, could really own me." Say receives special comfort from Moe Moe when he admits that he deserted his troop and is afraid to return to war. On the morning the two boys plan to leave and search for their respective troops, marauding Confederate soldiers arrive and kill Moe Moe. Pink and Say are later captured and become prisoners of the Confederate Army, in Andersonville. Although Say lived to tell this story of friendship and brotherhood, Pink was hanged within hours of arriving at the dreaded prison. Told in Say's colorful, country-fresh voice, the text incorporated authentic-sounding dialect and expressions - such as darky - that would have been used at the time. Polacco's characteristic acrylic, ink, and pencil illustrations are suitably dramatic and focus on the intense physical and emotional joy and pain of the story's three main characters. The remarkable story, made even more extraordinary in its basis in actual events, raises questions about courage, war, family, and slavery. A not-to-be-missed tour de force." 

Fader, E. (1994). Pink and Say book review [Review of the book 

     Pink and Say, by P. Polacco]. Horn Book Magazine, 70, p.48.

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Library Uses:

     The librarian could dress up in character like Moe Moe Bay to give an introduction to the story (tell the story in her own words before reading it). While reading it, she can chime in to add her "own words." This will engage the children in the story because it will feel like the librarian (Moe Moe Bay) was really there.