Module 7: Paper Towns

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• Book Summary: Margo Roth Spiegelman and Quentin Jacobsen, 'Q', grow up neighbors in a suburb of Orlando, Florida. Although as young children, they experience an event that binds them, they grow apart through the years and it isn't until one month before high school graduation that the two reunite. Margo crawls into Q's bedroom window in the middle of the night to elicit his help in a plan she has devised to seek revenge on all of the people she feels have wronged her throughout her high school career. Once Margo's mission is completed, she disappears, leaving Q wondering if she committed suicide, wants to be found, or ran away to remain gone forever. He finds signs that he perceives as clues left by Margo that lead him on a journey to discover the truth. Along the way, his obsession with Margo becomes stronger but in the end, he learns that things aren't always as they seem. 

• APA Reference of Book: Green, J. (2008). Paper towns. New York, NY: Penguin Group. 

• Impressions: I can see how this story would be very popular with the high school crowd. The characters are relatable, the themes are recognizable and the plot has just enough mix of fantastical events and things that could actually happen that make it interesting and might make the reader wonder "what if"? The dialogue between the characters was quite humorous at times. Reading about Ben’s obsession with prom and reading the conversations he had with his friends about it were definitely entertaining. I read this story with my 18-year-old daughter and although she enjoyed it, she said it was kind of "cheesy". Overall, I think John Green knows the formula for YA literature and will continue to have books published successfully should he choose.

• Professional Review: Gr 9 Up-- Quentin has been in love with Margo for years, so when she includes him in a madcap night of escapades and then disappears, he feels compelled to search for her and to learn why she is so unhappy. This suspenseful and emotionally taut story of self-discovery and compassion is laced with smart-aleck humor and graceful prose.

Curriculum connections. (2009). [Review of the book Paper towns, by J. Green] School library  journal. page 56.

• Library Uses: Create a book trailer. Have students find real locations or create their own. 

Module 6: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

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• Book Summary: Lilly is a precocious little girl that loves school and especially loves her teacher, Mr. Slinger. She spends her days trying to emulate him and aiming to please him. One day, she brings a new purse to school and despite Mr. Slinger's directive to put it away until sharing time, Lilly can't help but keep it out and she ends up distracting the day's lessons to the point of having it taken away. She retaliates by composing a mean letter to her teacher and leaving it for him to find. Her decision, however, leads to an event that leaves her feeling remorseful and she quickly learns a lesson learned in forgiveness and kindness. 

• APA Reference of Book: Henkes, K. (1996). Lilly's purple plastic purse. New York, NY: Harper Collins. 

• Impressions: Kevin Henkes is one of my favorite authors because of his ability to create such relatable themes for the early childhood audience. This story in particular captures the attention of readers with an exhuberant talking mouse character illustrated in great detail. Henkes' style of writing from a child's perspective makes the story not only enjoyable to hear, but enjoyable to read as a teacher. His use of onomotapeaia and speech bubbles lends itself to using lots of expression while reading. I love using this book at the beginning of the year while setting routines and procedures for the class. Children in my class are always so excited to bring things to school that using this story is a perfect springboard to talk about our policy for sharing items from home.

• Professional Review: PreS-Gr 2- Lilly loves everything about school-even the squeaky chalk and cafeteria food. But most of all, she loves her teacher, Mr. Slinger, who is a sharp dresser and greets his students with an uncharacteristic "Howdy." The little mouse will do anything for him-until he refuses to allow her to interrupt lessons to show the class her new movie-star sunglasses, three shiny quarters, and purple plastic purse. Seething with anger, she writes a mean story about him and places it in his book bag at the end of the day. But when she looks in her purse, she discovers that he has written her a kind note and even left her a bag of treats. Filled with remorse, Lilly sets out to make amends. Rich vocabulary and just the right amount of repetition fuse perfectly with the watercolor and black-pen illustrations. With a few deft strokes, Henkes changes Lilly's facial expressions and body langauge to reveal a full range of emotions. When she realizes how unfair she has been, Lilly shrinks smaller and smaller. When all ends well, she leaps for joy in her familiar red boots right out of the picture's frame. Clever dialogue and other funny details will keep readers looking good and laughing. As the cover and end papers attest, Lilly emerges once again a star.   

Saccardi, M. (1996). Preschool and primary [Review of the book Lilly's purple plastic purse, by K. Henkes]. School library journal, 42(8), p122.

• Library Uses: Perfect read-aloud to introduce Keven Henkes as an author study.  His writing style, characters, and themes can all be compared and anchor charts can be created to illustrate observations. 

Module 5: The Crossover

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• Book Summary: Author Kwame Alexander tells the story of JB and Josh Bell, twin brothers that both excel on the basketball court. The story is written in verse from the perspective of Josh. Their father, Chuck, a retired player from the international circuit, shares their passion for the game and to the dismay of their mother, gets too passionate at times. When JB becomes interested in a girl, Josh has to learn how to navigate his life without his brother being the same constant presence he has been accustomed to. Tack on the declining health of Chuck, and it's impact on the brothers and the story has the reader on the edge of his seat until the very last page.  

• APA Reference of Book: Alexander, K. (2014). The crossover. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.

• Impressions: An engaging and fast moving story, this book would appeal to middle school aged boys, particularly athletes. With the use of verse, reluctant readers might find it easier to read and finish compared to traditionally written chapter books. Some of the pages are shape poems that allow the reader to almost see the ball bouncing or passing across the court while reading. The relationship between Josh, Jordan and their dad is beautifully detailed through Josh's narration. Although written with very few words, the author does a fantastic job of creating dynamic characters that adolescents can relate to and understand. More than just a sports theme, the story has a strong family theme and does a magnificent job of revealing the message that through all of life's perils, siblings should stick together.  

• Professional Review: Basketball-playing twins find challenges to their relationship on and off the court as they cope with changes in their lives. Josh Bell and his twin, Jordan, aka JB, are stars of their school basketball team. They are also successful students, since their educator mother will stand for nothing else. As the two middle schoolers move to a successful season, readers can see their differences despite the sibling connection. After all, Josh has dreadlocks and is quiet on court, and JB is bald and a trash talker. Their love of the sport comes from their father, who had also excelled in the game, though his championship was achieved overseas. Now, however, he does not have a job and seems to have health problems the parents do not fully divulge to the boys. The twins experience their first major rift when JB is attracted to a new girl in their school, and Josh finds himself without his brother. This novel in verse is rich in character and relationships. Most interesting is the family dynamic that informs so much of the narrative, which always reveals, never tells. While Josh relates the story, readers get a full picture of major and minor players. The basketball action provides energy and rhythm for a moving story. Poet Alexander deftly reveals the power of the format to pack an emotional punch. (Verse fiction. 9-12)

(2013). [Review of the book The crossover, by K. Alexander], Kirkus Review. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kwame-alexander/the-crossover/. 

• Library uses: When new vocabulary is introduced, the author dedicates an entire page to the new word, including pronunciation, meaning, and examples of how to use the word in a sentence; all tied to the plot of the story. This would be perfect way to introduce dictionary skills to a class.