Module 9 - The Dollhouse Murders

Book Summary:

     Twelve-year-old Amy goes to live with her Aunt Clare for a while because she is needing a change. Her sister, Louann, has special needs, and even though she loves her, she sometimes feels burdened by her. Aunt Clare moved back and lives in her grandparents' house (where her and her brother grew up).

     Amy is fascinated by the dollhouse in the attic. It is modeled just like her great-grandparents' house. It even has four dolls who represent Aunt Clare, Amy's dad, and the grandparents. Because of the dollhouse, Amy uncovers clues to a shocking family secret. Aunt Clare always seems distraught whenever the dollhouse is mentioned, and Amy is determined to find out why. Amy and her friend, Ellen, research to find out that Amy's great-grandparents were murdered in their house, and that Aunt Clare's boyfriend was the prime suspect in the murders. 

     Amy discovers that the dolls move on their own in the dollhouse. Lights and sounds also come from the dollhouse (even crying). After the dolls place themselves in the exact spot the murders happened, Amy decides the dolls are trying to tell her something about the murders. One day, she finds the grandma doll by the bookshelf, and books start to fall off. This leads Amy, Louann, and their aunt to solve the mystery. They find a note in one of the books on the shelf. It says that Rueben was the murderer (he was their handyman).

     Aunt Clare finally feels at peace knowing it wasn't her fault that her grandparents were murdered. Amy moves back home, and Louann is so excited to keep the dollhouse.

APA Reference of Book:

Wright, B. R. (1983). The dollhouse murders. New York, NY:

     Holiday House.

Impressions: 

     I was really interested in this book, and I read it pretty fast because I was wanting to figure out who committed the murders. This is a good mystery novel because, first off, it involves an old, creepy, two-story house with an attic. That setting in and of itself sets up for a good scary story. Also, the first time the dolls moved on their own, I was a little scared myself! Every time Amy went up to the attic, I got nervous as to what she would discover in the dollhouse. It's also a good mystery story because it involves a murder from the past that was never solved. 

     The author really knows how to build suspense. For example, Amy always got very scared before going to the attic. Also, a thunderstorm came the night Louann went to the attic (that just adds to the suspense). Not knowing why Aunt Clare always gets upset when the dollhouse is mentioned makes the reader want to keep reading too.

     I enjoyed that there were subplots as well. Amy is trying to deal with the feeling of guilt when it comes to hanging out/taking care of her special needs sister. She also develops a relationship with her friend, Ellen. They even celebrate their birthdays together with friends (doing all things girly). 

     I think all middle-schoolers would enjoy this book, even boys, because it is a spine-chilling story, and readers would be anticipating the ending. I think it would be too scary for elementary-aged children due to the talk of murders (even though it isn't very detailed). 

     I also liked seeing Aunt Clare go through a character change. I was so relieved for her when she found out her old boyfriend wasn't responsible for her grandparents' murders. A burden was lifted off of her, and she could finally be at peace. 

Professional Review:

     "This scary mystery by Betty Ren Wright (Holiday, 1983) is sure to keep the interest of students, mainly girls. Narrator Carol Jordan Stewart does an excellent job. Her diction, pacing, and characterization are well-done. Twelve-year-old Amy is having difficulties at home being responsible for her brain-damaged sister, Louann. While visiting her Aunt Clare at the old family home, she discovers an eerily-haunted dollhouse in the attic - an exact replica of the family home. Whenever she sees it, the dolls, representing her relatives, have moved. Her aunt won't listen to Amy's claims that the dolls are trying to tell her something. This leads Amy to research old news reports where she discovers a family secret - the murder of her grandparents. The two sisters unravel the mystery. Amy grows to accept her sister and to understand that Louann is more capable than she had first thought. This audiobook would be an excellent choice for schools and public libraries."

Kohlbeck, K. (1999). [The dollhouse murders]. School Library

     Journal. Retrieved from https://learn.unt.edu/weapps/portal/

     execute/tabs/tabAction?tabId=_742_1&tab-tab_group_id=

     _81_1 

Library Uses:

     After reading the book, the librarian can start a discussion about people with disabilities. Then, they can get into groups to research different disabilities. They can create awareness videos using a video program. Then, they can present these videos to their peers (peers that aren't in the same grade) so that they can learn about people with disabilities. These videos will hopefully create a positive outlook on those with special needs and provide ways to create relationships with those who are different than them.

 

     

Module 8 - The Hunger Games

Book Summary: 
     This science fiction novel is set in the nation of Panem, which is a country divided into the Capitol and twelve districts. Each year, two children (tributes) must be selected from each district to participate in the Hunger Games. The games happen so that war on the Capitol won't happen again (the Capitol wants to show that they are always in control). The Hunger Games is a fight to the death on live television. There is to only be two "winners."
     Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the games. Her and her partner, Peeta, train for the games with the other tributes (many who are bigger and stronger) at the Capitol. They get to know Effie, their escort, and Haymitch, their drunk mentor (a past survivor of the Hunger Games) as they experience luxury (something complete opposite of their lifestyles of poverty). During the interview, Peeta professes his love for Katniss so that the audience will have a heart for them in the arena. 
     During the games, alliances are formed as the characters fight off hunger, dehydration, fires, explosions, tracker jackers, wolf-like creatures, and poisonous berries. After many are killed, only Katniss and Peeta are left. The rules are then changed that there can only be one tribute as "winner." To prove a point to the Capitol, Katniss comes up with the idea for her and Peeta to both eat the poisonous berries. Before they eat them, the Gamemakers decide to declare them both winners. 
     Katniss realizes that she must continue to pretend to love Peeta so that the Capitol doesn't punish her for her behavior in the arena. But she also has feelings for Gale from back home. The book ends with her thinking about her feelings and realizing that there are no "victors" in the Hunger Games. The Capitol has eyes closely on Katniss, which leads to the next book in the series.

APA Reference of Book: 
Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York, NY: Scholastic 
     Inc.

Impressions:
     Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When I first heard about this book, I thought there was no way I was going to like it - kids killing kids for fun? No way! But The Hunger Games is not at all what I had imagined.
     I really became connected to all the characters in the book; in fact, I still can't decide who I want Katniss to end up with - Gale or Peeta (there are traits I love about them both). I was drawn to Katniss because she sacrifices herself for her sister, and she tries to save others during the games. The author has a way of connecting the reader to the characters as well as creating suspense. I couldn't put the book down because I was always wondering what would happen next.
     The book is entertaining because of the love story and all the action. Although it's entertaining, it's also disturbing in the fact that teenagers are killing one another because the government has made the games a sport. It was sad to see how the districts lived in poverty, yet the Capitol lived lavishly. The book pulled on my heartstrings (which is a sign of a good book). 
     I think high schoolers to adults would be drawn to this book. I don't think younger kids should read it due to the maturity needed to understand the deeper meaning of the plot, not to mention some of the gruesome killings. Boys and girls both would enjoy this book because it involves fighting, hunting, and survival as well as romance and cool outfits. 
     The Hunger Games is an easy read because it always had me on the edge of my seat. The author does a great job with imagery as well. I could picture everything she described because of the great details. After I read this book, I had to immediately read the second and third book!

Professional Review: 
     "Survivor meets "The Lottery" as the author of the popular Underland Chronicles returns with what promises to be an even better series. The United States is no more, and the new Capitol, high in the Rocky Mountains, requires each district to send two teenagers, a boy and a girl, to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a reality show from which only one of the twenty-four participants will emerge victorious - and alive. When her younger sister is chosen by lottery to represent their district, Katniss volunteers to go in her stead, while Peeta, who secretly harbors a crush on Katniss, is the boy selected to join her. A fierce, resourceful competitor who wins the respect of the other participants and the viewing public, Katniss also displays great compassion and vulnerability through her first-person narration. The plot is front and center here - the twists and turns are addictive, particularly when the romantic subplot ups the ante - yet the Capitol's oppression and exploitation of the districts always simmers just below the surface, waiting to be more fully explored in future volumes. Collins has written a compulsively readable blend of science fiction, survival story, unlikely romance, and social commentary."

Hunt, J. (2008). [The hunger games]. Horn Book Magazine,
     84(5), 580. Retrieved from https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:
     9443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
     direct=true&db=brd&AN=502954281&scope=site 

Library Uses:
     The librarian could have a Hunger Games themed day after the kids finish the book. They could make homemade bows and arrows, design tribute costumes, identify good/bad plants, and eat berries. They could also participate in a Hunger Games trivia game.

Module 7 - Ivy + Bean

Book Summary:
     Ivy and Bean is about two misbehaving girls who go on an adventure together. Bean is a rebellious, straggly girl who doesn't want to befriend her new neighbor, Ivy, even though her mom strongly suggests she become friends with her. Bean thinks that Ivy seems too boring and "put together." 
     Then, one day when Bean is trying to play a trick on her older sister, Nancy, she realizes that she could be friends with Ivy after all. Ivy helps Bean to escape getting in trouble by hiding from Nancy and her mom. They hide by going through all the neighbors' backyards. 
     Ivy says that she is a practicing witch, which really intrigues Bean. They decide to cast a spell on Nancy, which will make her dance for the rest of her life. But they can't cast the spell until they have some worms. So they go and get some worms from Bean's backyard. They end up throwing some worms in Nancy's face, and she steps in the worm muck and starts to wave her arms around (so it looks like she's dancing).
     Ivy and Bean form a friendship through this adventure, and they plan to have many adventures (involving mischief) in the future. 

APA Reference of Book:
Barrows, A. (2006). Ivy and Bean. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle 
     Books LLC.

Impressions:
     Ivy and Bean was an easy read. However, I only thought the book was okay; it's not something I'd buy for children. Although I enjoyed that two unlikely friends ended up becoming friends, there's no lesson to be learned in this book. Most of the book is about the two girls constantly causing trouble and trying to terrorize Bean's sister. The ideas are fun and may attract children to the book (because children enjoy funny, mischievous actions), but I think the focus of the book shouldn't have been on trouble making. I like for characters to grow from their actions or learn some sort of lesson, but this book did not include that. In fact, it ended with the girls being proud of all their mischief without any regrets.
     I can definitely see why children would like this book. It would be an easy read for those just starting to read chapter books because the chapters are short and they include illustrations (I did enjoy the illustrations). The characters have big imaginations. For example, Ivy practices being a witch and Bean acts like a ghost. Although many kids would enjoy those aspects of the book, others may actually be scared. 
    As a librarian, it would be hard to "go deeper" with children since the book is really surface level. But the book could be read just to work on reading skills and to read for fun.

Professional Review:
     "Bean, short for Bernice, has no interest in playing with the new girl across the street, Ivy, whose obvious neatness and demureness mean that 'Bean got bored just looking at her.' When Ivy cunningly intervenes to save Bean during an altercation between Bean and her older sister, Bean reconsiders, especially when she becomes acquainted with Ivy's determined practice of magic, cool bedroom, and indefatigable spirit. While it's not unusual for a new friendship to be the subject of an early chapter book, Barrows has a humorously matter-of-fact style (sociable Bean sometimes 'wished she were an orphan so she could live in an orphanage with a hundred other kids') and a deft hand with intriguing and vivid specifics (Ivy has an enticing doll display that includes a Barbie wrapped as a mummy, awaiting burial in a pyramid) that lift the Bean-and-Ivy partnership well above the run of the mill. Also well evoked is the insularity of the seven-year-old world, where empathy with an older sister is short-lived and a neighborhood exists to be traversed at will, with dog poop more of an obstacle than the neighbor's desire that her yard be left invaded. Blackall's illustrations make the girls' features somewhat doll-like, but the art compensates by offering imagination and some real touches of style (Ivy in her black witchy turban, kohl-rimmed eyes, and red make-up tears is quite a glamorous vision). This will be a comfortable reading friendship for many, who will look forward to further volumes about the pair, and it may open up the mind of skeptical readers who, like Bean, have been directed to befriend somebody who 'seems like such a nice girl.'"

Stevenson, D. (2006). [Ivy + Bean]. Bulletin of the Center for 
     Children's Books, 59(10), 440. Retrieved from https://
     libproxy.library.unt.edu:9443/login?url=http://search.
     ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=brd&AN=
     510588854&scope=site

Library Uses:
     After reading the book, students could document the character traits of Ivy and Bean (their looks, actions, feelings, etc). They could talk about how their friendship shows that people don't have to be the same or like the same things in order to get along. As long as they like each other, they can be friends. Then, each child could document his/her own character traits as well as his/her best friend's character traits.