LS 5623 Module 6: RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale; illustrated by Nathan Hale

Hale, Shannon and Hale, Dean. RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. Ill. by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury USA Children’s. ISBN 9781599900704.

What do you get when you mix the traditional fairy tale Rapunzel with the wild, wild west? If you ask authors Shannon and Dean Hale or illustrator Nathan Hale the answer is simple- the action packed, hilarious graphic novel called RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. In this variation on the traditional story, the Hale trio has combined the key elements of Rapunzel (long hair, locked away in a tower) with a new western flare. Once young Rapunzel learns that Mother Gothel has deceived her into believing she is her mother, she is locked away in a magical tree and hidden from the world. After four years, Rapunzel manages to escape and seeks revenge on Mother Gothel for imprisoning both her and her real mother. Along the way, she joins forces with Jack (as in Jack and the Beanstalk) and together they make their way through the badlands, getting into trouble and wreaking havoc on any outlaw they encounter.

RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE is a welcome departure from the original fairy tale. “This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine” (Coleman, 2008). Not needing a hero to rescue her, Rapunzel embodies the strength and determination to solve her own problems, making her an ideal role model for young readers. “Rapunzel is no damsel in distress-she wields her long braids as both rope and weapon” (Von Wrangel Kinsey, 2008). Also present is the theme of good conquering evil, an important characteristic of both fairy tales and graphic novels.

Although it may take new readers a few pages to adjust to the graphic format, “readers familiar with graphic novels will feel at home with the conventions of image cropping, text placement, and facial emotional cues” (Burkam, 2008). No matter how experienced a graphic novel reader, anyone will be rewarded with a refreshing spin on Rapunzel’s story through both text and graphics. While the authors create edgy characters with attitude and witty banter, illustrator Nathan Hale does an exceptional job of updating the traditional look and feel with a trendy, western twist. “Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape” (Coleman, 2008). Readers will be equally amused with both the artwork and dialogue present in RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE.

Awards/Recognition:
• Young Reader’s Choice Award in 2011
• ALA Notable Children’s Book Award in 2009
• YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens Award in 2009
• Cybils Award Winner in Graphic Novels in 2008

References:
Coleman, Tina. 2008. "Rapunzel's Revenge." Booklist 105, no. 1: 100. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 3, 2011).

Von Wrangel Kinsey, Cara. 2008. "Rapunzel's Revenge." School Library Journal 54, no. 9: 215. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 3, 2011).

BURKAM, ANITA L. 2008. "Rapunzel's Revenge." Horn Book Magazine 84, no. 6: 705-706. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 3, 2011).

LS 5623 Module 6: WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW by Sonya Sones

Sones, Sonya. 2003. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689855532

Presented as a novel in verse, WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW is the story of Sophie, a teenage artist who battles the typical teenage dilemmas: falling in love, dealing with parents who don’t understand you, and the bonds of friendship. At the beginning of the book, Sophie has fallen madly in love with Dylan only to find out the flames of her new romance don’t burn for very long. Yearning for romance she attempts to find her soul mate in cyberspace but quickly realizes that online dating isn’t for her. With all her friends out of town and her parents constantly fighting (her mom never gets off the couch and her dad if always at work), Sophie takes herself on vacation around town and crosses paths with the butt of the school joke, Murphy. Reluctant at first, Sophie spends the day with Murphy and slowly finds herself enjoying his company and wanting to date him but is worried about what kids will say at school.

“Told in Sophie's own free verse poems, the story moves and evolves quickly in a satisfying and tantalizing manner” (Miller, 2008). The pages fly by as the reader is absorbed into the world of a teenage girl. Author Sonya Sones’s trademark verse novel makes it possible for even the most reluctant of readers to have no trouble comprehending and connecting with the teenage experiences presented within WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW. “Sones’s poems are glimpses through a peephole many teens may be peering through for the first time, unaware that others are seeing virtually the same new, scary, unfamiliar things” (Korbeck, 2001).

While story is edgy and spiked with humor, the underlying tone of WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW is maturation. “Sonya Sones's novel draws listeners into the private thoughts and longings of a ninth grade girl on the verge of finding love and learning what it means to mature” (Miller, 2008). Throughout Sophie’s spunky tale, the reader watches as she matures from the awe of first relationship to the realization that true love can be found where you least expect it; from the fear of her friends’ rejection to the knowledge of that everything will be alright in the end; and from a mother-daughter relationship laced with secrets and lies to a place of honesty and acceptance.“Female readers of any age will love and identify with Sophie as she weathers the storms of growing up and the scary, unfamiliar emotions that accompany first love” (Childs, 2002).

Those who enjoy this well written book will be quick to locate Sones companion novel, WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN’T KNOW, and read all about Murphy’s point of view through his budding romance with Sophie!

References:
Korbeck, Sharon. 2001. "What My Mother Doesn't Know (Book Review)." School Library Journal 47, no. 10: 171. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 5, 2011).
Childs, Kathryn A. 2002. "What My Mother Doesn't Know (Book)." Book Report 20, no. 5: 51. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 5, 2011).
Miller, Jessica. 2008. "What My Mother Doesn't Know." School Library Journal 54, no. 10: 76. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 5, 2011).

LS 5623 Module 6: BRONX MASQUERADE by Nikki Grimes

Grimes, Nikki. 2003. BRONX MASQUERADE. New York: Speak. ISBN 0142501891

“I woke up this morning
exhausted from hiding
the me of me
so I stand here confiding
there's more to Devon
than jump shot and rim...
I dare you to peep
behind these eyes,
discover the poet
in tough-guy disguise....”

While studying the Harlem Renaissance, a New York high school student writes a poem in place of an assigned essay and begins a new trend at his inner city school. Surprised at the positive reception of poetry, the English teacher, Mr. Ward, starts Open Mike Fridays where students are free to express their feelings through verse. Students of all backgrounds and races learn to communicate their fears, dreams and secrets during Open Mike Fridays and slowly come to realize that their perceived differences may not be all that different.

Author Nikki Grimes does a masterful job and creating a set of characters that jump off the page with real problems and emotions. Whether white, black, Hispanic or Italian, these students all try to overcome two of the biggest teenage obstacles- self-discovery and acceptance. “A poet herself, author Grimes creates a montage of voices whose commonality rests in their sense of isolation and yearning to belong” (Bloom, 2002). Among the different voices, different styles of poetry are used to create a smooth, easy read that will not intimidate reluctant readers yet educates the audience on diversity and individuality. Each poem is preceded by a short narrative from its “writer” to provide background into his/her thoughts and feelings. “These unique characters also have a universal voice that will be recognizable to listeners” (Wysocki, 2006). Any reader who picks up a copy of BRONX MASQUERADE can relate to his/her days in high school when kids judged each other based on weight, social status, or even race or his/her own feelings of insecurity.

Although set in an inner city New York high school the story transcends geographical locations. Students across the world will connect to characters like Devon who wants to be seen for more than a jock or Raynard who is afraid to tell his friends that he is dyslexic. The overarching theme of acceptance – whether from themselves or others- is prevalent with every student who shares a poem. Even the toughest kid at school finds release through poetry and shares his dreams for the future through verse and lyrics.

“This Coretta Scott King award-winning novel offers numerous avenues to encourage young poets and may even promote more honest communication among teens” (Wysocki, 2006). A must read for high school students as much discussion, and maybe even a little poetry, are likely to be shared.

Awards/Recognition:
2003 Coretta Scott King Author Award
Best Book for Young Adults
Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers
Junior Library Guild Selection
New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
Tayshas High School Reading List (Texas)


References:
Bloom, Susan P. 2002. "Bronx Masquerade." Horn Book Magazine 78, no. 2: 213. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 5, 2011).

Wysocki, Barbara. 2006. "Bronx Masquerade." School Library Journal 52, no. 11: 66-67. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed December 5, 2011).

LS 5623 Module 5: A HOLE IN MY LIFE by Jack Gantos

Gantos, Jack. 2004. A HOLE IN MY LIFE. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374430896

“[I] began to write more stories about my childhood, like the ones I has started writing down in prison-stories which at one time I did not think were important, but suddenly had become to me the most important stories of all. They contained the hidden days of my innocence and happiness.” (p. 199).

Bored with life and not wanting to accompany the rest of his family to the Virgin Islands, teenage Jack Gantos stays behind in the United States where he works a few odd jobs and lives in a few even odder places. Determined to become a writer, Jack decides to take a road trip; but when a friend takes off with all his savings, he is forced to finally cross the Caribbean and work with his father packing crates for white families fleeing the racial tension running rampant through the Virgin Islands. Desperate to get back home to the States, Jack accepts a job from a drug smuggler and knowingly helps a sail a boat full of drugs into New York. Upon arriving in New York, Gantos is arrested and sentenced to several years in a minimum security prison.

In A HOLE IN MY LIFE author Jack Gantos relays the personal triumphs and failures of his youth in this autobiography. His “character”, a younger version of himself, is a very realistic portrayal of a teenager trying to find himself in the world; a feeling that young and old alike can relate to. “Knowing that the narrator is destined to land in jail keeps the suspense at a high pitch, but this book’s remarkable achievement is the multiple points of view that emerge, as experiences force a fledgling writer to continually revise his perspective of himself and the world around him.” Heppermann, 2002). Anyone who reads this book will walk away reminiscing about the little things in life that make it worthwhile.

Young adult readers will easily understand that laid-back tone and ordinary vocabulary used throughout A HOLE IN MY LIFE. The theme of the story, self-discovery, is one that resonates with the teenage audience, as most young adults are in the midst of the same quest. Gantos takes on life in a no-holds-barred style of writing, while leaving the quality of the work intact, and readers will relate to his style. “He uses the same bold honesty found in his fiction to offer a riveting autobiographical account of his teen years- and the events may well penetrate the comfrt zone of even the most complacent young adults.” (Heppermann, 2002). The wild adventures and immature antics leading up to his arrest will entertain readers and draw them in so that they are ready when hit with the brutal facts of prison life.

While the material in A HOLE IN MY LIFE is well organized, Gantos does have a tendency to ramble in places. There are times when the reader must hang in through many pages of personal reflection before gettingback to the heart of the story. The use of minimal visuals also plays a key role in the book. The cover uses Gantos’ own mug shot from his arrest and the photograph is shown on the introductory pages. This addition to the story does not go unnoticed by readers, as they try to connect the now mature and sensitive writer to his criminal past.

References:
Heppermann, Christine M. 2002. "Hole in My Life." Horn Book Magazine 78, no. 3: 345. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 21, 2011).

LS 5623 Module 5: IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE : MY JOURNEY BACK TO LIFE by Lance Armstrong and Sally Jenkins

Armstrong, Lance.2001. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE. New York: Berkley Trade. ISBN 0425179613

“Things take place, there is a confluence of events and circumstances, and we can’t always know their purpose, or even if there is one. But we can take responsibility for ourselves and be brave.” ( p. 265)

Tour de France winner and celebrity cyclist Lance Armstrong recounts the days of his youth and describes, in great detail, his uphill battle with testicular cancer. Starting with a brief history of his childhood, Armstrong outlines how he found an interest in sports, became a prize winning tri-athlete before he graduated high school and finally fell in love with cycling. More importantly, the majority of the book focuses on Armstrong’s diagnosis, treatments and eventual survival against heartbreaking odds; a survival that leads him into a love-hate relationship with cycling, a family and a Tour de France win.

With the help of veteran author Sally Jenkins, Armstrong has organized his biography into simple-to-understand chunks of his life. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE is told simply, although the cycling terms and medical vocabulary may require some studying. Because the subject of the book, Lance Armstrong, is so well known by students across the United States, the book may not be too hard of a sell. The reading level is right on target with high school students and the quality of storytelling is good- interesting and well written, but realistic and full of personality.

One warning to readers is that IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE “isn’t a book for the squeamish as it spares few medical details but it isn’t just about cancer. It’s a story of the athlete as a young boy, his relationship with his single mother, his success as a world-class cyclist and his financial backers who supported him emotionally as well as monetarily.” (Fitch, 2001). Anyone who picks up this book learns more than just cycling and sickness. They learn about bravery, overcoming obstacles and the wonders of the human spirit.

Because IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE is autobiographical, the reader can be certain that events and information are accurate (at least to the best of Armstrong’s memory). While Armstrong has become quite the expert in both cycling and cancer, he understands that the audience may not, and does his best to provide details and definitions to help make medical and sports jargon more user friendly. “His clear, detailed look at his disease and its cure will educate and inspire any reader.” (Pearl, 2003). Additionally, a sixteen-page photograph leaflet is included in the middle of the book, helping the reader to visually see the differences in physical demeanor before and after Armstrong’s cancer diagnosis and provide background into his childhood and home life.

References:
Fitch, Katherine. 2001. "It's Not about the Bike (Book review)." School Library Journal 47, no. 1: 161. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 21, 2011).

Pearl, Nancy. 2003. "IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE (Book)." Library Journal 128, no. 7: 156. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 21, 2011).

LS 5623 Module 5: THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak

Zusak, Markus. 2007. THE BOOK THIEF. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0375842209

Told from the perspective of Death, THE BOOK THIEF examines the life of nine year-old Liesel Meminger. Death first meets Liesel as he carries away the soul of her dead brother and lingers to watch her steal her first book. Intrigued by the book thief, Death looks in on Liesel as she grows up in her foster parents’ house in Molching, Germany during Hitler’s reign. As Liesel learns the power of the words in the books she steals, Death draws nearer, collecting the souls of the Jews in concentration camps and the Germans who became casualties of war.

Themed around the power of words and the evil of prejudice, THE BOOK THIEF tells a story of life in a small town outside of Munich, Germany. The characters in the story are fictional, with the exception of German leader, Adolf Hitler. Although the characters are a work of fiction, the events and circumstances are very much a page out of history. “With its interwoven storylines, the novel clearly depicts the tragic effects of war and the salvation of words, and this makes it timeless.” (Beach, 2007).Author Markus Zusak seems to have done his homework in regards to the era of Hitler and the Nazi party. While the reader is not hit over the head with history, enough of it is laced throughout the pages of Liesel’s life to create a deep understanding the destruction and unfairness of war and persecution. Factual details are carefully researched and intricately woven into the lives of fictional characters.

A strong difference in this story, as compared to most others, is the lack of mystery in regards to the ending. The desire to keep reading isn’t found in the need to get to the last page, but to learn the importance of what happens on the pages in along the way. “It is a testament to Zusak’s skill at humanizing his characters that even though we know they are doomed, we are still devastated when Death finally reaches them.” (Beach, 2007).

Although the book uses a smattering of German, the terms are almost always explained to the reader. The quality of writing is extremely high- a very sophisticated and well written book. “Zusak’s sweeping, ultimately heartbreaking novel is told (appropriately, by Death itself) in gorgeous language that contrasts markedly with the stark events—just as main character Liesel’s rich life contrasts with the bleakness of her circumstances.” (Parravano, 2007). The one drawback is that the reading level seems a little high but would work nicely some high school students, especially those in Advanced Placement courses. Students learning about the Nazi party and the persecution of the Jewish people could not do better than THE BOOK THIEF.

References:
Parravano, Martha V. 2007. "The Book Thief." Horn Book Magazine 83, no. 1: 91. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 21, 2011).

Beach, Cynthia, Beverly Chearno, and John Waller. 2007. "The Book Thief." Ohio Journal Of English Language Arts 47, no. 2: 91. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed November 21, 2011)

LS 5623 Module 4: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Collins, Suzanne. 2010. MOCKINGJAY. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439023513

The third and final installment of the Hunger Games trilogy finds our heroine, Katniss Everdeen, recovering from her Quarter Quell rescue in the District 13. Katniss learns that she has long since been a pawn in a greater game, a revolution against the Capitol, forged by the thought-to-be- destroyed District 13 and its supporters throughout the other districts. Disheartened by the destruction of district twelve and the capture of her fiancé and fellow victor Peeta, Katniss agrees to become the Mockingjay- the face of the rebellion.

Armed with a state-of-the-art costume, her trademark bow and arrows, and a deep desire to thwart President Snow’s plans for Peeta and the rest of Panem, Katniss morphs into her role as the catalyst for a revolution. With help from her family, Gale and the other rebels, she works to overthrow the current government and secure a future for all of Panem; but freedom comes at a dangerous price.

In this thrilling finale to the trilogy, author Suzanne Collins does it again, managing to evoke both the most pure and the most sinister emotions through the thoughts and actions of our heroine, Katniss Everdeen. Mockingjay finds her at the end of her journey- scarred physically, mentally and emotionally by the chain of events set in motion by the Capitol. Out of her desperation to find Peeta and her hatred for President Snow, Katniss’s metamorphosis is inevitable from the first pages of this third and final novel in the series. Finally understanding her role in a world torn apart by war and a struggle for power, she embraces who she has become while shedding the worries of her past. By the end of Mockingjay, Katniss has finally finished her quest for freedom and finds peace in the small comforts of her past.

The backdrop for this story is war and as such the themes of destruction, propaganda, strategy, and loss come into play for the reading audience. The setting and theme described in Mockingjay may warrant a rich and controversial discussion amongst students and offers up many opportunities to compare and contrast wars of the past and present and the toll they take on human life and physical space. Readers will also come to terms with Katniss’s final decision of the heart- will it be Gale or Peeta and will the ends justify the means when it comes to love…

Reviews:
From School Library Journal-
“Following her subversive second victory in the Games, this one composed of winners from past years, Katniss has been adopted by rebel factions as their symbol for freedom and becomes the rallying point for the districts in a desperate bid to take down the Capitol and remove President Snow from power. But being the Mockingjay comes with a price as Katniss must come to terms with how much of her own humanity and sanity she can willingly sacrifice for the cause, her friends, and her family. Collins is absolutely ruthless in her depictions of war in all its cruelty, violence, and loss, leaving readers, in turn, repulsed, shocked, grieving and, finally, hopeful for the characters they've grown to empathize with and love.”

From Booklist-
“Collins does several things brilliantly, not the least of which is to provide heart-stopping chapter endings that turn events on their heads and then twist them once more. But more ambitious is the way she brings readers to questions and conclusions about war throughout the story. There’s nothing didactic here, and the rush of the narrative sometimes obscures what message there is. Yet readers will instinctively understand what Katniss knows in her soul, that war mixes all the slogans and justifications, the deceptions and plans, the causes and ideals into an unsavory stew whose taste brings madness. That there is still a human spirit yearning for good is the book’s primrose of hope.”

Praise for Mockingjay:
#1 New York Times Bestseller
#1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2010
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
A 2010 Booklist Editors' Choice
A 2010 Kirkus Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2010
#1 USA Today Bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller