Module 8b – The Tear Collector by Patrick Jones

1. Citation - The Tear Collector. Patrick Jones. Sept. 2009. 272p. Walker, (9780802787 101).
   
2. Summary – A different kind of vampire, Cassandra lives off the tears of the human race. High school is a wonderful place for her to find enough drama to sustain her needs. However, after meeting and falling for her first boyfriend, she has to make a choice – as love is forbidden for her kind. Her story is that of a struggle to live a positive and human existence with happiness and love, or be what she is and remain part of her family with a dreary and desolate future.
   
3. Impressions of the Book – As a big vampire fan, I really wanted to like this book. A new take on the idea of vampire would be refreshing. However, what I found was a shallow character who does not deal in real emotion. Therefore, it is difficult to tell whether her feelings for her beau are real or not. As someone who is the "sponge" for many a friend, I wanted to feel like she not only needed the tears, but also was a truly caring individual. However, it just ended up feeling shallow and cold. It was a nice idea, but the character development and the historical background for her family could use some work. It was a good idea gone wrong.
   
4. Reviews- Yusko, S.. (2009, September). The Tear Collector. The Booklist, 106(1), 87.  Retrieved May 3, 2010, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1862277771).
   

 

"I need these human tears in order to survive." Cassandra Gray is descended from a long line of vampirelike creatures that feed on human suffering. It is Cass' job to bring the tears she collects (from those she helps in her work as a volunteer grief counselor or from miserable school friends) to the family matriarch. It is also Cassandra's duty to follow her family's wishes by mating with her evil cousin to produce an heir. But when a friend at school commits suicide, Cass begins to rethink family duty and loyalty. Then she falls in love with Scott and realizes she wants more than anything to be human. Though there is nothing too surprising in this fantasy, set in Michigan, Jones delivers an interesting twist on the popular vampire genre, and readers will be caught up in Cass' difficult dilemma of choosing between love or family. - Shauna Yusko

 

1. Use in a library setting – This book could be used (if necessary) in conjunction with other vampire novels, either on display or in a book talk.

Module 8a – Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

1. Citation – Sanderson, Brandon. Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians. Scholastic Press (New York). c2007. (9780439925501) 308 p.
   
2. Summary – Alcatraz is a young boy who is about to stumble into a whole new world. He has no parents, and has been sent to numerous foster homes to live. Each one will put up with him until his clumsiness goes one step too far, and a major catastrophe ensues. When he turns thirteen, he receives a strange packet in the mail, and his adventure begins. A man claiming to be his grandfather shows up, and then his world is turned upside down. With this meeting, Alcatraz learns about his family, his "talent", and that the world around him is not as it seems. He joins his grandfather and cousin in a wacky adventure to fight the evil librarians and retrieve the sands that were stolen from him.
   
3. Impressions of the Book – This book is a lot of fun to read. Because it is written in the first person, Alcatraz has numerous asides that had me laughing out loud. At one point, he goes on a tirade about the fact that "good" books (according to librarians and adults) must include the death of a pet or a parent, or both. He further suggests to the reader that should an adult or especially a librarian offer to help you find a "good" book, you should run away as fast as you can. The plot is fun, quirky and very fast paced. This was a very enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more (because, of course, there's a cliffhanger!)
   
4. Reviews – by Shel Julian Kessel (S.J. Kessel) retrieved from Amazon.com
   

   Sanderson, B. (2007). Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. New York: Scholastic Inc.
   ISBN: 0439925525
   
   After receiving a bag of sand from his long-lost family and being told he must leave his current foster family, Alcatraz goes on a wild adventure in which he must defeat the powerful evil librarians who control our culture. This novel, best for ten to thirteen-year-olds, includes enough humor and plot twists to engage and entertain its readers.
   
   While many might think this book is best used solely to entertain, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians makes direct addresses to the reader that address cultural differences between the "hushlands" and the "free kingdoms" that will allow many students to view their own culture in a new way. The book also questions what is a hero. It turns a person's typically negative perceived tendencies such as being late or breaking almost anything one comes into contact with into the character's greatest gift or power.
   
   One of my few cautions about this book is the prevalence of guns. While considered `impractical' and `primitive' by several of the characters, guns are still used often and without serious consequence throughout the story.
   
   The book is also a meta-narrative in which Alcatraz mentions the way he has chosen to structure the story. This could contribute to a lesson on creating tension in a narrative, language choices in literature, literary techniques such as foreshadowing, and could encourage readers to write their own stories.
   
   The story includes a lot of quirks--characters named for prison, talking dinosaurs and rutabaga. It also makes references to other children's books, including the Harry Potter series and To Kill a Mockingbird.
   
   Overall, this is a fun and fast-paced book that makes for an amusing and engaging read. And of course, it's being turned into a series. – S.J. Kessel
   

5. Use in a library setting – This book would work for upper elementary students, especially those who don't feel they fit in. It is a perfect book to include in a sci-fi/fantasy booktalk with 4^th and 5^th graders.

Module 7b – Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

1. Citation - Korman, Gordon.
   Son of the Mob. 2002. 272p. Hyperion, (0-7868-0769-5).
   
2. Summary – Vince Luca is the son of one of the most notorious mobsters around. Though he wants no part of the family "business", he gets sucked into it when he finds a hostage in his trunk while on a date. The story unfolds as he ends up making a connection with a girl who's father happens to be the FBI agent currently investigating his father and bugging his house. Will he be able to stay out of the business and pursue this intriguing young lady?
   
3. Impressions of the Book – This book was a very fun read, and I ended up having to go and get the next installment! Vince is a refreshing character who stands on morals (even when the chips are down), but does not betray his family. The twists and turns of this quick read will keep you on your toes. The dialog is quirky, and the story very entertaining. Is it serious? No, but it is a fun read. The family drama and interpersonal relationships are those which most teenagers can relate to in some way.
   
4. Reviews -
   Peters, J. (2002). Son of the Mob (Book). Booklist, 99(5), 485. Retrieved from MAS Ultra - School Edition database.
   

   The Sopranos meets Romeo and Juliet in this briskly comic romance, costarring a crime kingpin's son and an FBI agent's daughter. Tony and Kendra are mad for each other, but that doesn't mean that Tony is ready to tell Kendra who his father is—especially after his horrifying discovery that her father is on the listening end of the bugs and wiretaps scattered through his house. Realizing that it wouldn't be wise for either dad to find out what's what, Tony has to do some fancy footwork to keep the fathers, and Kendra's suspicions, at bay—a task considerably complicated by his unwilling involvement with a pair of petty hoodlums. Stubbornly battling to preserve his illusion that the family "business" has nothing to do with him, Tony presents a winning mix of good instincts and innocence that will have readers cheering him on as he weathers a succession of amatory and ethical crises, to emerge at the end of this expertly plotted escapade with relationships, self-respect, and even conscience more or less intact. —John Peters
   

 

1. Use in a library setting – This book could be part of a "realistic fiction" series within a book group.

Module 7a – Anything but Typical by Nora Baskin

1. Citation -
   Baskin, Nora. Anything But Typical. Mar. 2009. 208p. Simon & Schuster, (9781416963783).
   
2. Summary –Jason is a young teen with Autism Spectrum Disorder who must deal with everyday life. He cares about his family, but doesn't know how to show it in a way they understand. He is bullied by his peers, but has a few people he considers "friends". He finds an outlet in the form of writing stories on the internet. When he connects with another writer and begins correspondence with her, he feels his first true connection. His anxiety heightens when he learns that he will have the opportunity to meet this young girl in person. Will she see who he is on the inside, or just his "condition"?
   
3. Impressions of the Book – This book struck home on a personal level, as my husband has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Though I have read some negative reviews of this book by people with ASD, I still believe it gives a tactful and caring view of how overwhelming things can be for someone on the spectrum. It also portrays the depth of thought that goes into everyday tasks and how much thought goes into trying to give people what they "need/want" even when the ASD individual does not understand or have a need for it themselves. Since the book is written in the first person, it gives the "Neuro-typical" reader a sense of thought process, and the anxiety that comes when things are "not as they should be". On a separate note, I read the first few chapters of this book to my husband, and enough things rang true with him that he felt it necessary to buy the audio book for himself and his mother (who is still trying to understand it all). I would recommend this book to students who are in a class with someone or have a friend or family member on the spectrum. It will build compassion and understanding of what these wonderful people have to offer, should they be allowed to be "themselves".
   
4. Reviews –
   Chipman, I. (2009). Anything But Typical. Booklist, 105(11), 40. Retrieved from MAS Ultra - School Edition database.
   

   Baskin tells this luminous story entirely from the point of view of Jason, an autistic boy who is a creative-writing whiz and deft explainer of literary devices, but markedly at a loss in social interaction with "neurotypicals" both at school and at home. He is most comfortable in an online writing forum called Storyboard, where his stories kindle an e-mail-based friendship with a girl. His excitement over having a real friend (and maybe even girlfriend) turns to terror when he learns that his parents want to take him on a trip to the Storyboard conference, where he'll no doubt have to meet her in person. With stunning economy, Baskin describes Jason's attempts to interpret body language and social expectations, revealing the extreme disconnect created by his internalization of the world around him. Despite his handicap, Jason moves through his failures and triumphs with the same depth of courage and confusion of any boy his age. His story, while neither particularly heartbreaking nor heartwarming, shows that the distinction between "normal" and "not normal" is whisper-thin but easily amplified to create the chasm between "different" and "defective." This is an enormously difficult subject, but Baskin, without dramatics or sentimentality, makes it universal. As Jason explains, there's really only one kind of plot: "Stuff happens. That's it." —Ian Chipman
   

   
    

5. Use in a library setting – This book could be used in part of a unit or display on diversity or perhaps during Autism Awareness Month.
   

Module 6 – Frindle by Andrew Clemens

1. Citation – Clemens, Andrew. Frindle. Simon & Schuster (New York). 1996. (0689806698). 105p.
   
2. Summary – A notorious young boy begins his 5^th grade year with a teacher who obsesses over the dictionary. He tries various methods to "trick" her out of homework and other assignments. Each attempt backfires. However, after a comment about changing language, he stumbles onto the idea of creating a new word. He begins a revolution, first within his class, then the school. The story continues as he loses control of what he started, and has to confront everything from the principal to the media and himself.
   
3. Impressions of the Book- This book not only is a fun read, but it is inspirational as well. It can show that when you begin something, you may not realize what it will turn into. It also illustrates what it means to be a teacher, and that perception within the classroom and the lessons you later realize you learned are very different. I really enjoyed the voice of this book, and would recommend it to any elementary school child on the reading level.
   
4. Reviews – by Volkert Volkersz retrieved from Amazon.com
   

   As an elementary school librarian, I can say that "Frindle" is one of the finest books for intermediate grades I have read in a long time. I only regret that I didn't read it years ago, so I could've been recommending it to teachers to read-aloud and to students who would like a humorous, yet thought-provoking, story.
   

   Like most successful books for kids, "Frindle" works on many different levels. It's funny, fast-paced, and while the main character, Nick, is kind of a class clown, he has qualities that even a mean teacher like Mrs. Granger would like. And even though Mrs. Granger has a reputation for being strict, she also earns the respect of children and parents. While some situations are a bit far-fetched, this story is still quite realistic. We get a glimpse how a seemingly insignificant event at a small town elementary school through a media-frenzy becomes an international phenomenon. Can anyone say "fad?"
   

   3rd through 6th grade teachers should consider reading this book about the invention of a new word, "frindle," to their classes. Both teachers and students will enjoy it.
   

   
    

5. Use in a library setting – This book could be an elementary book club read, as it could promote various conversations. (Peer pressure, teacher vs. student, what would have happened if the teacher hadn't challenged the word, etc…).
   

Module 5 – Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner

1. Citation- Schachner, Judy. Skippyjon Jones. Dutton Children's Books (New York). (0525471340) c2003.
   
2. Summary – The story is about a young cat with a vivid imagination. He gets into loads of trouble and gets sent to his room. However, once there, his imagination goes wild. He imagines himself as a Chihuahua on an adventure in Old Mexico. When he finally returns from his "adventure", his mother and sisters are tolerant (but a little reluctant) of his tale.
   
3. Impressions of the Book- This book is so much fun to read aloud! My children love this series because of the funny rhymes and the way the exacerbated Spanish accent rolls off the tongue. It reminds me a bit of the Looney Tunes "Speedy Gonzalez", and I can't help but laugh as I read about Skippyjon on his adventures. This is a must-read for anyone with young children. Skippyjon is a loveable character that kids can relate to with his high energy and vivid imagination. Get out your sombrero and get ready to read!
   
4. Reviews- by Carter L. Wiecking retrieved from Amazon.com
   

   "Skippyjon Jones" is so good on so many levels. It may just be the perfect children's book. No, the Platonic IDEAL of what a children's book should be...I'm that enamored of it!
   

   First, the plot is hilarious. Skippyjon is a Siamese cat with a fantastic imagination. His mother scolds him for being so un-catlike and sends him to his room "to think about what it means to be a Siamese cat." But of course Skippyjon doesn't think for long. His imagination takes over and poof! He's a famous sword-fighting chihuahua off on an adventure in old Mexico. He defeats Alfredo Buzzito, "el blimpo bumblebeeto bandito" and wins back all the beans Buzzito has stolen from Los Chimichangos, a band of desert-dwelling chihuahuas. And of course the noise of this adventure eventually brings him back to reality, with his mother and sisters scolding him again, but in such a fond and loving way that we're left feeling only their affection for the little kitty-boy scamp.
   

   Next, there are the pictures. Young readers and experienced readers both will enjoy the very funny illustrations, which include clues about just how Skippyjon GETS those wild ideas.
   

   Finally, there is the diction. The language in this book is inspired. It rollicks. It rolls. It plays with the audience, teases and tickles and delights little ears. And "holy guacamole," it sure is fun to read aloud!
   

   Thank you, Judith Schachner! – Carl L. Wiecking
   

5. Use in a library setting – This book would be a very fun book for a read aloud! I can imagine the students asking to check it out at the end of the session. Half the fun of the book is saying the words out loud, so I can't imagine reading it any other way.

Module 4b – From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by Elizabeth Konigsburg

1. Citation- Konigsburg, Elizabeth. From the Mixed up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Simon Pulse (New York). 2002, 1967. (0689853548) 182 p.
   
2. Summary – A young girl runs away from home with her little brother because she feels as though she is being treated unfairly. Because her brother has money and has good ideas, she takes him with her. They stow themselves away at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and are pulled into a mystery of a statue possibly created by Michaelangelo.
   
3. Impressions of the Book – This book was a wonderful read as a child, and again as an adult. Though this book was written in 1967, it is still a relevant novel today. What child doesn't wish he or she could go roaming around a museum after hours! The only drawback is that this novel would now be considered "historical fiction" from the standpoint of the reader. Written for Elementary level students, it is hard for children to imagine a life without all of the current technology we hold dear. It give a lovely perspective on how some things never change in terms of parent vs. child relationships.
   
4. Reviews – by Amanda Richards retrieved from Amazon.com
   

   Claudia Kincaid is almost twelve, a straight "A" student, only girl and eldest child of four, who decides to run away to somewhere beautiful, comfortable, and preferably indoors. Claudia is in fact rebelling against the monotony of her life, unfair distribution of labor, limited television choices and low allowance.
   

   Ever the organizer, she carefully formulates a master plan to escape to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and enlists her middle brother Jamie to join her. Of course, there are very practical reasons that Jamie was the chosen one, and after Claudia tears down his defenses, he becomes a willing accomplice.
   

   The story tells of their grand adventure, and how they were able to survive undetected inside the Met for a whole week. While there, they take the opportunity to learn new things, and become captivated by the newest exhibit, a marble angel that may just be a genuine Michelangelo sculpture. There and then, Claudia resolves to solve the mystery before returning home, but unfortunately, finances are running low and time is running out for the fugitives. Through dogged determination, they use the last of their resources to locate the former owner of the angel, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the lady of the title and narrator of the story. After winning the good lady's favorable consideration, they negotiate a deal with her, the outcome of which decides the success or failure of their adventure.
   

   A charming story, with a little educational material sneakily tucked between the paragraphs. A good book for children with enquiring minds, and a useful tool when planning your next family or school trip to the Met.- Amanda Richards
   

   
    

5. Use in a library setting – Too long for a read aloud, I would recommend this book to readers who are interested in movies such as "Night at the Museum" or in conjunction with an art lesson about Michaelangelo.