Module 15: The Adventures of Captain Underpants-The First Epic Novel

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Book Summary:
The first installment of the Captain Underpants series. George and Harold are elementary school friends who like to have fun and joke around at school. Principal Krupp dislikes the two because of their pranks, and he shows them a video with incriminating evidence. The two friends order a hypnotizing ring, and they soon hypnotize Mr. Krupp and convince him to become Captain Underpants for real. They also switch the video with a kid video of songs about purple dragons. Mr. Krupp becomes Captain Underpants and captures two bank robbers, and then foils the sinister plan of Dr. Diaper. George and Harold then pour water on his head to unhypnotize him; however, this only makes him snap back and forth between his new alter ego.

APA Reference of Book:
Pilkey, D. (1997). The adventures of Captain Underpants: The first epic novel. New York, NY: Scholastic. 

Impressions:
I enjoyed reading this book and seeing how the series began. The two characters of Harold and George are funny and likeable, but in a twisted kind of way. I can see how some parents may object to the series because of the bad examples they set with their pranks, but I feel that we need to look beyond this and accept these characters as having redeemable qualities. Good triumphs over evil in the end in spite of the faults of the two protagonists.

Professional Review:

Gr 2-4--Pilkey plays with words and pictures, providing great entertainment. The story is immediately engaging--two fourth-grade 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-ramas 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, December 1). [Review of the book The aventures of Captain Underpants: The first epic novel, by Dav Pilkey]. School Library Journal, 43(12), 99. Retrieved from www.slj.com.

Library Use:
A lesson can be designed to introduce students to humorous stories with a discussion of differences of traditional superheroes with those of Captain Underpants.

Module 14: This is Just to Say: Poems of apology and forgiveness

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Book Summary:
A collection of poems aimed at elementary level students. The first half of the book includes poems of apology written from the perspective of a student. The second half of the book are the responses to the apologies written as poems.

APA Reference of Book:

Sidman, J., & Zagarenski, P. (2007). This is just to say: Poems of apology and forgiveness. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

Impressions:
I liked the concept of having poems of apology together with the responses. They are light hearted and enjoyable to read, and they make a good collection to introduce young children to poetry.

Professional Review:

Gr 4-7 --Mrs. Merz assigns her sixth-grade students to write poems of apology, and what emerges is a surprising array of emotions, poetic forms, and subjects from dead pets and biting hamsters to angry siblings and betrayal of trust. The children decide to create their own book of these poems, complete with an introduction and occasional notes by editor Anthony K. Fast-talking Thomas writes a humorous poem patterned after William Carlos Williams's "This Is Just to Say," apologizing to Mrs. Garcia in the office, for stealing the jelly donuts in the teachers' lounge: "Forgive me/they were delicious/so sweet/and so gloppy." Mrs. Garcia's response poem says, "Of course I forgive you./But I still have to call your mother." A more serious concern emerges in "Next Time," written by Jewel: "Please, please come back./Don't leave me spinning alone,/like a slow, sad tornado./I'm sorry, Daddy./Next time I'll be/perfect." In the response poem, Jewel describes her father's wrenching reply telling her that, "None of the stupid things/I have ever done/are even close to being your fault." Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched. Zagarenski's delicately outlined collage drawings and paintings are created on mixed backgrounds-notebook paper, paper bags, newspaper, graph paper, school supplies. This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom.

Bock, L. (2007, May 1). [Review of the book This is just to say: Poems of apology and forgiveness, by Joyce Sidman]. School Library Journal, 53(5), 162. Retrieved from www.slj.com.

Library Use:
A poetry lesson could be done using this book to introduce young elementary students to poetry. Afterwards as an activity the students can write their own poem of apology and then have a discussion at the end of the lesson. 

Module 13: Amulet. Book One: The Stonekeeper

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Book Summary:
After a tragic car accident ends the life of Emily's father. She along with her brother and mother are left alone, and they relocate to a small town to start anew. There she finds an amulet capable a much power left by her great grandfather. Her great grandfather was a mysterious man who had suddenly vanished many years prior. She is told that it is capable of power and that it could be used to return things back to the way they used to be. Emily is then taken to a mysterious world when a creature takes her mom away. She tries to rescue her mother, but in the process finds her great grandfather who then tells her many secrets about the amulet. Her mother is captured by a strange creature and it is up to Emily to rescue her with the help of her brother and the other robots built by her great grandfather. An adversary tries to obtain the amulet from Emily

APA Reference of Book
Kibuishi, K. (2008). Amulet: The stonekeeper. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Impressions:
It's a story that somewhat resembles The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings. The only difference is that instead of a ring there is an amulet with a piece of stone, and whoever controls it has power. It's an exciting story that includes a mystery surrounding the family's great grandfather. An eccentric man who was a great inventor. Emily is the great grand daughter who inherits the amulet and it's power, and it's up to her to save the family. She loses her father in a tragic accident early on in the book and later on in the book it is implied that with the amulet's power things can be changed back to the way they were. In other words bring back her father. It's an exciting story to follow with many nice color illustrations. 

Professional Review:
Gr 4 Up --Hurrying to pick up her brother, Emily and her parents have a tragic accident, and her father dies. After this dark beginning, the story skips forward two years to when the remaining family members are forced to move to an ancestral house in a small town. Rumored to be haunted, it is unkempt and forbidding. The first night there, Emily's mother goes down to the basement to investigate a noise and doesn't return. The kids search for her and discover a doorway into another world, where their mother has been swallowed by a monster and is being taken away. An amulet that Emily found in the house tells her that together they can save her, but her brother isn't so sure that this voice can be trusted. Still, what other choice do they have in this strange place? Gorgeous illustrations with great color bring light to this gloomy tale. Filled with excitement, monsters, robots, and mysteries, this fantasy adventure will appeal to many readers, but it does have some truly nightmarish elements.

Rutherford, D. (2008, January 1). [Review of the book The Stonekeeper, by Kazu Kibuishi]. School Library Journal, 54(1), 152. Retrieved from www.slj.com. 

Library Use:
This graphic novel can be used in a lesson of compare and contrast in an ELA class. Students can compare similarities and differences with other novels such as Lord of the Rings of The Wizard of Oz. 

Module 12: The Many Rides of Paul Revere

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Book Summary:
The book begins with a brief history of Paul Revere's father. His father was of French background and his name was Apollos Rivoire. His family made its way to the American colonies where Apollos apprenticed as a silversmith. He changed the family name to something easier to pronounce, and it became Revere. His son Paul apprenticed under him and soon Paul was a talented silversmith as well. The book follows Paul Revere's involvement in the American Revolution and his important role of a messenger. He later led an artillery unit and was accused of cowardice and bad military leadership. He was eventually exonerated of these charges and he went on to become a hero of the American Revolution.

APA Reference of Book:
Giblin, J. (2007). The many rides of Paul Revere. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Impressions:
I really enjoyed reading this biography of Paul Revere. It was interesting without being overwhelming. It contained many interesting facts about him and also some lesser know facts that I didn't know about. I would recommend this book highly to history teachers and English teachers because it not only contains a great biography, but also much more such as the Longfellow poem about Paul Revere. It also contains many great illustrations and photos of artifacts from that era of American history.

Professional Review:
Gr 4-7 --Most people know that Revere was a silversmith, brave patriot, and famed rider for the Revolution, but the author reveals his many other talents, including those as a bell ringer, businessman, cartoonist, print engraver, and even dentist. Giblin captures readers' interest from the beginning: "If things had been different, his name wouldn't have been Paul Revere. It might have been Apollos Rivoire…." He further engages children with interesting details that help create a true feeling for the time period and a deeper understanding of events. The clear writing makes the information accessible for a wide audience. The book is illustrated with numerous reproductions of archival photographs, maps, engravings, and documents that bring the history to life. A section on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and the text of his famous poem, "Paul Revere's Ride," is included. This impressive, attractive addition to Giblin's award-winning work makes for enjoyable reading in its own right and is invaluable as a resource for researchers. A fascinating account of this multifaceted leader.

Phillips, C. (2007, November 1). [Review of the book The many rides of Paul Revere, by James Giblin]. School Library Journal, 53(11), 146. Retrieved from www.slj.com.

Library Use:
Would make a great history lesson that incorporates the poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride." A great way to teach across the curriculum between social studies and language arts.

Module 11: Moonshot - The Flight of Apollo 11

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Book Summary:
The story of Apollo 11's mission to the moon told in a narrative story format. It starts with the astronauts suiting up and follows them on their journey to the moon. It describes their trip and their landing on the moon, and their return trip back to earth.

APA Reference of Book:
Floca, B. (2009). Moonshot: the flight of Apollo 11. New York, NY: Atheneum.

Impressions:
This is a book written for elementary aged students, and it tells the story of the first moon landing in simple language. I was more impressed with the art illustrations that were done in watercolor than anything else. I have always had an interest in the Apollo lunar missions, and this book tells it story like fashion that appeals to the younger readers.

Professional Review:
Gr 2-5 --Large in trim size as well as topic, this stirring account retraces Apollo 11's historic mission in brief but precise detail, and also brilliantly captures the mighty scope and drama of the achievement. Rendered in delicate lines and subtly modulated watercolors, the eye-filling illustrations allow viewers to follow the three astronauts as they lumber aboard their spacecraft for the blastoff and ensuing weeklong journey ("...there's no fresh air outside the window;/after a week this small home will not smell so good./This is not why anyone/wants to be an astronaut"). They split up so that two can make their famous sortie, and then reunite for the return to "the good and lonely Earth,/glowing in the sky." Floca enhances his brief, poetic main text with an opening spread that illustrates each component of Apollo 11, and a lucid closing summary of the entire Apollo program that, among other enlightening facts, includes a comment from Neil Armstrong about what he said versus what he meant to say when he stepped onto the lunar surface. Consider this commemoration of the first Moon landing's 40th anniversary as a spectacular alternative for younger readers to Catherine Thimmesh's Team Moon (Houghton, 2006).

Peters, J. (2009, March 1). [Review of the book Moonshot: the flight of Apollo 11, by Brian Floca]. School Library Journal, 55(3), 134. Retrieved from www.slj.com.

Library Use:
This book can be used to introduce elementary age students to the first Apollo moon landing. It can be incorporated into either a history lesson or a science lesson.. 

Module 10: The Devil's Arithmetic

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Book Summary:
Hannah Stern visits her grand parents, and during the Passover Seder she is transported back to war time Europe to one of the concentration camps for Jews. While there she becomes Chaya and she experiences first hand what it was like to be a Jew in camp. She sees people die and suffer and she learns to appreciate the past suffering her ancestors went through. Just as she is going to die in the gas chamber in place of Rivka she returns to modern day New Rochelle, New York. She later finds out that Rivka was actually her Aunt Eva. Many survivors changed their names after the war and tried to forget, but it was impossible to forget.

APA Reference of Book:
Yolen, J. (1988). The devil's arithmetic. New York, NY: Viking Kestral.

Impressions:
I really liked the story because it had a lot to offer. It was mainly a lesson on the Holocaust, but it also appealed to me because it was almost like a Twilight Zone episode. It had just enough of a sci-fi twist to draw me in especially with the time travel and characters becoming two people. Writing about the Holocaust is difficult and Jane Yolen made it possible to read about the horror involved without overwhelming the reader who may be a novice in regards to the Holocaust.

Professional Review:
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8 In this novel, Yolen attempts to answer those who question why the Holocaust should be remembered. Hannah, 12, is tired of remembering, and is embarrassed by her grandfather, who rants and raves at the mention of the Nazis. Her mother's explanations of how her grandparents and great-aunt lost all family and friends during that time have little effect. Then, during a Passover Seder, Hannah is chosen to open the door to welcome the prophet Elijah. As she does so, she is transported to a village in Poland in the 1940s, where everyone thinks that she is Chaya, who has just recovered from a serious illness. She is captured by the Nazis and taken to a death camp, where she is befriended by a young girl named Rivka, who teaches her how to fight the dehumanizing processes of the camp and hold onto her identity. When at last their luck runs out and Rivka is chosen, Hannah/Chaya, in an almost impulsive act of self-sacrifice, goes in her stead. As the door to the gas chamber closes behind her, she is returned to the door of her grandparents' apartment, waiting for Elijah. Through Hannah, with her memories of the present and the past, Yolen does a fine job of illustrating the importance of remembering. She adds much to children's understanding of the effects of the Holocaust, which will reverberate throughout history, today and tomorrow. Susan M. Harding, Mesquite Public Library, Tex.

Harding, S. M. (1988, November 1). [Review of the book The devil's arithmetic, by Jane Yolen]. School Library Journal, 35(3), 114. Retrieved from www.slj.com.

Library Use:
This work would make a good introduction to the subject of the Holocaust for middle school students.

Module 9: Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds

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Book Summary:
Cam Jansen and her friend Eric are at the mall when a jewelry store is robbed. Diamonds are stolen and Cam sees a mysterious man running away from the crime scene. There is also a curious couple with a baby. With the help of her friend Eric, Cam eventually breaks the case by following the large mysterious man to their hideout. Cam sends Eric for the police, and they arrive just in time to arrest the thieves. The couple with the fake baby and the mysterious man were working together as a team. The big man was a diversion while the fake couple stole the diamonds.

APA Reference of Book:
Adler, D. A. (1980). Cam Jansen and the mystery of the stolen diamonds. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Impressions:
This is the first Cam Jansen book published and it is an enjoyable mystery for young readers. Cam gets her nickname for her amazing memory and this is what helps her solve the mystery of the stolen diamonds. Its a simple mystery that does not overwhelm the reader. It makes for a good introduction to mysteries for young readers.

Professional Review:
Gr 2-4 - Jennifer Jansen, better known as “The Camera” or “Cam,” is a fifth grader with a photographic memory. Cam  and her friend Eric are in a shopping mall when a jewelry store is robbed.  Cam makes a mental note of people running our of the store, among them a man with a mustache and a couple carrying a baby.  The police catch the man but have to let him go.  On a hunch Cam and Eric follow the man to an abandoned house where Cam finds out he is in cahoots with the couple.  (The baby is really a doll and the diamonds were hidden in a rattle.)  Although Cam is captured by the thieves, she manages to escape as the police arrive and take charge.  David A. Adler has come up with a neat plot that gives Cam’s resourcefulness plenty of chance to shine. – David Stevenson, School Library Journal

Stevenson, D. (1980, May 1). [Review of the book Cam Jansen and the mystery of the stolen diamonds, by David A. Adler]. School Library Journal, 26(9), 84. Retrieved from www.slj.com.

Library Use:
This would be a good book to read for story time and introduce children to mysteries.

Module 8: Messenger

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Book Summary:
Matty is a young man that lives in village. A place where many of the people are outcasts or maimed in some way. Matty arrived in village from the outside and now lives with a old man named Seer. Seer got his name because of his ability to remember things. Matty wants his new name to be Messenger because he has the ability to go into Forest and survive. People in the village are beginning to change and becoming less welcoming of outsiders. They even consider closing the village to new settlers. This prompts Seer to send Matty to bring his daughter Kira from a far away town before the borders are closed. Matty must travel through Forest on his journey, and forest has started to become more dangerous because it has become alive and hostile. It is a warning sign. Matty brings Kira through the Forest and it soon starts to attack them. Matty uses his ability to heal by placing his hands on the Forest and allowing healing to enter the Forest and the villagers. Leader gives Matty his new name and calls him Healer.

APA Reference:
Lowry, L. (2004). Messenger. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Impressions:
This sequel to The Giver seems almost forced; however, it is still a book that should be read in order to complete the series. In the story the villagers start to change because of something called Trade Mart, but there is no explanation as to why they are changing. People are also interested in the gaming machines, and there is also no explanation as to why people want them or where they are made. If a company is making them then why not make other products as well like refrigerators. The forest is temperamental because of the villagers change in personality, but this is never explained either. Who created the forest? Why did it become that way? This book raises more questions than answers. It even ends without a clear ending. Matty uses his gift to heal the forest and the people, but it seems that this drains him and he dies. However, the story does not come out and say he did died. It's an interesting book, but I would not want to read it a second time.

Professional Review:
Gr 6 Up-- Matty, who has lived in Village with the blind Seer since running away from an abusive childhood, is looking forward to receiving his true name, which he hopes will be Messenger. But he is deeply unsettled by what is going on. He has discovered his own power to heal others and learned of disturbing changes within his community. Under the gentle guidance of Leader, who arrived in Village on a red sled as a young boy and who has the power of Seeing Beyond, the citizens have always welcomed newcomers, especially those who are disabled. But a sinister force is at work, which has prompted them to close admission to outsiders. Also, it seems that Matty's beloved Mentor has been trading away parts of his inner self in order to become more attractive to Stocktender's widow. When the date for the close of the border is decided, Matty must make one more trip through the increasingly sinister Forest to bring back Seer's daughter, the gifted weaver Kira. On the return journey, Matty must decide if he should use his healing but self-destructive power to reverse the inexorable decline of Forest, Village, and its people. While readers may be left mystified as to what is behind the dramatic change in Village, Lowry's skillful writing imbues the story with a strong sense of foreboding, and her descriptions of the encroaching Forest are particularly vivid and terrifying. The gifted young people, introduced in The Giver (1993) and Gathering Blue (2000, both Houghton), are brought together in a gripping final scene, and the shocking conclusion without benefit of denouement is bound to spark much discussion and debate.

Orlando, M. (2004, April 1). [Review of the book Messenger, by Lois Lowry]. School Library Journal, 50(4), 156-157. Retrieved from www.slj.com.

Library Use:
The Messenger would make a good study and discussion book for the different types of governments such as the authoritarian as opposed to the so called utopian. Students can study the differences and then have a discussion about them. 

Module 7: Hatchet

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Book Summary:
Brian Robeson is a young boy who travels by plane to see his father in the Canadian outback. During the flight the pilot suffers a heart attack and leaves Brian alone to fly the plane. Brian then attempts to land the plane in the forest and ends up crashing in the lake. He makes it to shore with only a hatchet that his mother had given him before leaving on the trip. He then has to survive against the elements and animals of the wilderness with his hatchet as his only tool. He learns slowly about survival by trial and error and eventually becomes skilled in the art of survival. During his time alone he has time to contemplate about his parents divorce. He can't erase his memory of his mother seeing another man other than her father. In the end he perseveres and is eventually rescued when he activates the plane's transmitter. He decides it's better not to tell his father about his mother's affair.

APA Reference of Book:
Paulsen, G. (1987). Hatchet. New York, NY: Atheneum Books.

Impressions:
I thought the book started off a little slow in the beginning. There was a little to much description with Brian talking to himself. Once he settled down the story started to grow. It seems to take a realistic experience of survival and it is a believable story. Many of the things that Brian does to survive lets the reader know that he is struggling to survive, but learning from his mistakes. Many of Brian's experiences are written so descriptively that I as a reader could almost feel his pain, such as his experience with the swarm of mosquitos and their endless stinging

Professional Review:
Gr 8-12--Brian Robeson, 13, is the only passenger on a small plane flying him to visit his father in the Canadian wilderness when the pilot has a heart attack and dies. The plane drifts off course and finally crashes into a small lake. Miraculously Brian is able to swim free of the plane, arriving on a sandy tree-lined shore with only his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present. The novel chronicles in gritty detail Brian's mistakes, setbacks, and small triumphs as, with the help of the hatchet, he manages to survive the 54 days alone in the wilderness. Paulsen effectively shows readers how Brian learns patience-to watch, listen, and think before he acts-as he attempts t build a fire, to fish and hunt, and to make his home under a rock overhand safe and comfortable. An epilogue discussing the lasting effects of Brian's stay in the wilderness and his dim chance of survival had winter come upon him before rescue adds credibility to the story. Paulsen tells a fine adventure story, but the sub-plot concerning Brian's preoccupation with his parents' divorce seems a bit forced and detracts from the book. As he did in Dogsong (Bradbury, 1985), Paulsen emphasizes character growth through a careful balancing of specific details of survival with the protagonist's thoughts and emotions.--Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie

Chatton, B. (1987, December 1). [Review of the book Hatchet, by Gary Paulson]. School Library Journal, 34(4), 103. Retrieved from www.slj.com

Library Use:
I can see this book being used in a school that has an ROTC program. The entire book or excerpts of it can be read and studied to motivate cadets in the skill of survival and not to give up.

Module 7: Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol

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Book Summary:
The story centers around a seventh grade student named Griff Carver who transfers to Rampart Middle School and quickly becomes a member of the hallway patrol. He has previous experience from his other schools where he has gained recognition and awards for his work with the hallway patrol. He reluctantly agrees to be partnered with fellow officer Tommy Rodriguez and they uncover a counterfeit hall pass scheme led by the popular Marcus Volger who is running for class president. Griff is removed from his position as hallway patrol because of supposed misconduct. The story culminates when Griff and Tommy catch the counterfeiters in one last act of making fake passes; however, everyone is afraid to finger Marcus Volger and he escapes blameless and victorious in the student elections for class president. Griff is re-instated as a hallway patrol and resolves to eventually expose Marcus Volger if it takes all of his days in middle school.

APA Reference of Book:
Krieg, J. (2010). Griff Carver, hallway patrol. New York, NY: Razorbill.

Impressions:
This was one of the few books that I found to be actually funny and entertaining to read. It's written in a fashion that makes if feel like a TV show. It combines humor, mystery, and problems faced by middle schoolers into one story. The main character, Griff Carver, with his dead pan delivery of comments makes him a character that maybe reminds us of someone from our own days in middle school. It's a mystery that starts because of fake hall passes, and it's up to Griff and his partner to solve the mystery. The ending, however, is not a completely resolved, but it is revealed sufficiently to end the counterfeiting ring.

Professional Review:
Gr 4-8--This is a clever take on a police procedural. Griff Carver is your typical hard-boiled cop who has seen it all during his time on the force--but the force just happens to be the middle school hallway patrol. For reasons not immediately clear to readers, he is changing schools and his mother urges him to join band instead of signing up for hall-monitor duty. He can't stay away from the force, though. The need to stick it to the rule breakers is just too great. His first day walking the beat sees him berating the school principal for dropping his straw wrapper on the floor and not picking it up. Clearly he's not out to make friends, especially when he discovers who's behind the group counterfeiting hall passes. He does manage to make reluctant allies, including the fresh-faced rookie of the force and the girl ace reporter of the school newspaper. With the exception of a scene at a video arcade where Griff snaps while under the influence of too much sugar-filled soda and has to be dragged away in a troubling parody of cop rage, Krieg keeps Griff's story light and humorous.

Ellison, K. M. (2010, March 1). [Review of the book Griff Carver, hallway patrol, by Jim Krieg]. School Library Journal, 56(3), 160-162. Retrieved from www.slj.com.

 
Library Use:
This story reads like a play and I think it would make a good book to make into a school play. It could be used by a middle school drama class or club and performed on stage because it offers up lots of school humor.