The Fourth Stall

The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander

Summary: If you’ve got a problem, Mac is your guy.  Need the answers to a test?  Tickets to an R rated movie?  A loan to rent the newest video game?  For a small fee and a favor, Mac can get it for you.  But taking down an infamous bully whose more legend than reality?  That’s going to be Mac’s toughest challenge – if he survives.

My Impressions: I thought this was a cute Godfather meets middle school story.  In fact, the main character, Mac, likes to quote the Godfather movie, including Marlon Brando’s famous “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse”.  The story builds quickly, and it’s written in a very simple manner that reminds me of some high/low books (high interest/low reading level).  It’s also written in much the same way that many middle school students speak.  The character will be describing the current situation when all of a sudden there’s a break in the action, and the character, usually Mac, says something along the lines of “Now might be a good time to explain about …” and the story veers into a flashback.  While the ending may be predictable to those of us familiar with the “mobster” genre, the book will interest students.  The Fourth Stall (taken from the location where Mac has his office and runs his business), is definitely aimed at younger boys (3^rd grade and up), but several of my 7^th grade boys read the book for a project and they really enjoyed it. 

Review: Sixth-graders Mac and Vince have been running an advice and assistance service for fellow grade-school students since they were in kindergarten. Mac is a problem solver, Vince is a whiz at keeping track of the money and favors they earn, and both boys are avid Chicago Cubs fans. Their “office” is located in an underused school bathroom, hence this first novel’s title. The business takes a beating - and then so does the boys’ friendship - when an older kid applies muscle to the threats he has made to grade-schoolers who owe gambling debts. Rylander has created a cast of memorable and varied characters, replete with emotional as well as social lives. Mac narrates the convoluted tale with the arch flatness of a 1940s satire of the noir detective genre, so swallowing even the more preposterous coincidences is easy for the sake of the story’s fun. An excellent boy book that would do well in a father-son book discussion. Grades 4-7. --Francisca Goldsmith, Booklist (2/15/11)

Library Use: While The Godfather isn’t age appropriate, it would be fun to hold a “detective” challenge.  Mac solves other peoples’ problems, and it would be neat to let the student’s get to solve challenges as well.  All the students who participate in reading The Fourth Stall would get a mystery to solve involving something at school; it could be as simple as “Who stole all the pencils from the office?”  Teachers and staff could be “in” on the game, and the library would operate as the headquarters.  The more detective books you’ve read in a set period of time, the more clues the students earn to help them solve the mystery.

Rylander, C. (2011) The fourth stall. New York, NY: HarperCollins

[Book review of The Fourth Stall by C. Rylander] (2011). Amazon.com

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

After a substantial absence, I've decided that it's high time to pick this blog back up.  However, since it's no longer for class, I won't be listing any module titles.  The format will remain relatively the same, and the books reviewed will be ones that I've read and liked.  Hopefully, I'll end up with a little bit of everything on here.  So, for my first book back...

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Summary: This book is exactly what it sounds like - a biography of Abraham Lincoln (as in the 16th President) and his passion for hunting vampires.  The book begins when Lincoln is a child and ends with his death at the expense of John Wilkes Booth, a Southern sympathizer, and more importantly - a vampire.  In between we learn why Lincoln is so passionate in his quest to go after vampires, how he gets the skills to defeat them, and why it was so important that the North won the Civil War.  And as Henry Sturges reminds us, some men are just too interesting to die.

My Impressions: I'm going to be honest - I loved this book.  It's a quick, easy read that makes Lincoln's life much more entertaining to read about; it is, in fact, one of the best "summer/beach books" I've read (and I didn't even read it at the beach).  This is the second book that I've read by Grahame-Smith (the first being Pride and Prejudice and Zombies), and I have to say that what I love about his writing is that it fits the paranormal in seamlessly with the world around it.  And for those who hated the movie version, do yourself a favor and read the book.  I couldn't stand the movie either.  For ages 13 and up.


Review (audiobook): Given the zany conceit of Grahame-Smith's latest novel--that a young Abraham Lincoln vowed to become a vampire slayer upon learning that his mother died after being tainted with vampire blood, and then made good on that promise--performing the story as if it were completely unremarkable is essential to the listener's suspension of disbelief. And in this audio edition, narrator Scott Hoist does just that, reading with measured delivery and a calm demeanor. This decision--and his fine performance--accomplishes more than over-the-top histrionics would in delving the listener into this remarkable alternate history, in which the blood-sucking undead play a part in the Civil War (on the side of the South, supernaturally) and the fatal events in Ford's Theater. Hoist aligns his pace with the mood of the text, slowing down at vital moments, e.g., when good vampire Henry Sturges informs a young Lincoln that he was born to "free men from the tyranny of vampires." This audiobook will serve as a nice contrast to the big-screen adaptation of the book, which, inevitably, substitutes explicit gore for the listener's imagination. A Grand Central paperback. (Apr.) 

Library Use: Paranormal fiction is popular right now, and there are a couple of things that I could see working well with this book.  One option that could be fun is to do a display with similar type books (zombies, monsters, etc.) for Halloween and then have students dress as their favorite character and do a costume competition.  If there is a book club on campus, it may be fun to all read the book and then have an MST3K style party and make fun of the movie.  Finally, the librarian could help facilitate a project with the English teacher(s) to have students read this book and then pick a historical figure or well known literary character and create a short story where the character meets/interacts with some sort of paranormal force.  


References:


Grahame-Smith, S. (2010). Abraham Lincoln: Vampire hunter. New York, NY: Grand Central Publishing


[Audiobook review of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by S. Grahame-Smith] (2012).Publisher’s Weekly, 259(26), p. 170

Module 15: Challenged/Banned Books

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Summary: This true story is about two penguins who call the Central Park Zoo their home.  They are given an egg by the zookeeper because the mother of the egg cannot care for more than one baby at a time.  The penguin pair that adopts this egg are two boys: Roy and Silo.  Roy, Silo, and their baby, Tango, become local celebrities at the zoo.

My Impressions: I love this story and illustrations.  Even before reading the book, I knew about Tango, Roy, and Silo because they made national news.  The author’s did a wonderful job of telling the story without being preachy, and I love how at the end there is an author’s note that explains how Roy and Silo were given an egg to take care of.  The illustrations are beautiful and really bring to life the narration.  While I know that it would be hard to say that this book should become required reading in all classes, I really do think that as many children and young adults as possible should be exposed to this story.

Review: Tango has two daddies in this heartwarming tale, inspired by actual events in New York's Central Park Zoo. Two male penguins, Roy and Silo, "did everything together. They bowed to each other.… They sang to each other. And swam together. Wherever Roy went, Silo went too. … Their keeper… thought to himself, 'They must be in love.'" Cole's (The Sissy Duckling) endearing watercolors follow the twosome as they frolic affectionately in several vignettes and then try tirelessly to start a family--first they build a stone nest and then they comically attempt to hatch a rock. Their expressive eyes capture a range of moods within uncluttered, pastel-hued scenes dominated by pale blue. When the keeper discovers an egg that needs tending, he gives it to Roy and Silo, who hatch and raise the female. The keeper says, "We'll call her Tango,… because it takes two to make a Tango." Older readers will most appreciate the humor inherent in her name plus the larger theme of tolerance at work in this touching tale. Richardson and Parnell, making their children's book debut, ease into the theme from the start, mentioning that "families of all kinds" visit the zoo. This tender story can also serve as a gentle jumping-off point for discussions about same-sex partnerships in human society. Ages 4-8. (June)

Library Use: This would be a great book to use if the library does something for Banned Books Week.  Students could read this book in the library and then hold a debate/philosophical chairs over why they think the book is challenged in schools and whether or not there is any merit to those challenges.  Younger students could have the book read to them in the library and then draw a picture of their own family.  These pictures could be put on a bulletin board along with Tango’s family so that everyone can see that not all families are exactly alike.

References:

Richardson, J. and Parnell, P. (2005). And Tango makes three. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster

[Book review of And Tango Makes Three by J. Richardson and P. Parnell] (2005). Publisher’s Weekly, 252(20), p. 61-62

Module 14: Poetry

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Summary: Kristina is a good girl who feels a little lost.  The summer before her senior year in high school she goes to Albuquerque to visit her estranged father.  While there she meets a boy and tries crystal meth, which she very quickly becomes addicted to.  Back in Reno her world begins to revolve around staying high and allowing “Bree”, her new personality, to take over.  The story follows Kristina/Bree’s ups and downs including her rape, falling in love, and finding out that she’s pregnant.

My Impressions: I chose to read it because I’ve had so many students who would not put this series down, but honestly, I wasn’t a big fan of this book.  The fact that it was written as poetry was an interesting style choice, but I felt like it made it too easy to read this book quickly without absorbing the story.  I didn’t feel invested in any of the characters, and because of that I felt as though I had to push myself to read this book.  Unfortunately, I got the impression that this is the sort of story that is going to be a hit or miss with the reader if you don’t already have a frame of reference for it.

**Please note: This book has bad language and deals with several risqué topics and therefore should be reserved for more mature young adult readers.

Review: Gr 8 Up-- Seventeen-year-old Kristina Snow is introduced to crank on a trip to visit her wayward father. Caught up in a fast-paced, frightening, and unfamiliar world, she morphs into "Bree" after she "shakes hands with the monster." Her fearless, risk-taking alter ego grows stronger, "convincing me to be someone I never dreamed I'd want to be." When Kristina goes home, things don't return to normal. Although she tries to reconnect with her mother and her former life as a good student, her drug use soon takes over, leaving her "starving for speed" and for boys who will soon leave her scarred and pregnant. Hopkins writes in free-verse poems that paint painfully sharp images of Kristina/Bree and those around her, detailing how powerful the "monster" can be. The poems are masterpieces of word, shape, and pacing, compelling readers on to the next chapter in Kristina's spiraling world. This is a topical page-turner and a stunning portrayal of a teen's loss of direction and realistically uncertain future. -- Trevelyn Jones

Library Use: I think this book would work great during red ribbon week activities.  It could be put on a book display with other books that deal with drugs, or as it is popular at my school, I would ask students who have read it to do a book talk presentation/drug presentation to other students.

References:

Hopkins, E. (2004). Crank. New York, NY: Simon Pulse

Jones, T. (2004). [Book review of Crank by E. Hopkins] School Library Journal, 50(11),  p. 145

Module 13: Graphic Novels

Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale

Summary: Rapunzel is raised by her mother Gothel in a magnificent villa with lots of guards and a very, very high garden wall.  One day curiosity gets the better of Rapunzel and she climbs over the garden wall to see a shantytown of miners.  While exploring the mines Rapunzel discovers that Gothel had kidnapped her when Rapunzel was a baby.  Imprisoned for disobedience, Rapunzel escapes from her tower and runs off to free her real mother with the help of Jack (of the Beanstalk fame).

My Impressions: I thought this was a cute version of the traditional fairy tale.  Rapunzel is definitely more high-spirited than the traditional version; she isn’t waiting for anyone to come and save her.  Because of this, the Wild West is a perfect setting for the story.  It’s hard not to want to pull for Jack and Rapunzel as they are both very likeable characters.  I felt like Rapunzel probably should have been a bit less street-smart, but overall it was a well-done graphic novel that I can see students enjoying.

Review: 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. Young Rapunzel lives a lonely life, never knowing what lies beyond the high garden walls of her mother’s royal villa until one day she climbs the wall to see what’s on the other side. When she finds that the world outside is a dark place oppressed by her mother’s greed for power and uncovers the real secret of her own birth, she is imprisoned in a magic tree tower. In her years of captivity, she learns a lot about self-reliance and care for her exceptionally long hair, and eventually she is able to escape, vowing to bring down her mother’s cruel empire. Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers. — Tina Coleman

Library Use: As a librarian, I could see using this book in a partnership with either the art teacher or English teacher by planning a unit on graphic novels and then having students take a story and turn it into their own version of a graphic novel.  The student written graphic novels could then be put on a book display with those that were initially used to teach the lesson.

References:

Coleman, T. [Book review of Rapunzel’s Revenge by S. and D. Hale]. Retrieved from www.booklistonline.com

Hale S, and Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel’s revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsbury

Module 12: Biography/Autobiography

The Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull

Summary: Before he became Dr. Seuss, he was Theodore (Ted) Geisel of Springfield, Massachusetts.  As the audience, we get to learn about Ted’s love of doodling, the teasing he endured as a child, and his eventual discovery of being able to do what he loved for a living.  While the narrative ends when Ted is 22, the last few pages showcase his body of work.

My Impressions: I thought this biography was a good introduction to who Dr. Seuss was.  I like that the author showed that he struggled as a child and was teased for not fitting in, but that he came away strong from the experience and continued down his own path.  Additionally, I liked that the illustrations were done in a realistic manner and kept everything to the time period of when Ted was growing up.  Many of the doodle illustrations were actually drawings from various Dr. Seuss stories.  At the end of the book is a list of Dr. Seuss’ works, and I was surprised at the number of books that he had written.  Overall, I thought the book was very well done.

Review: Krull's (V Is for Victory) fond tribute to Dr. Seuss focuses on the well-loved author/artist's youth. Growing up in Springfield, Mass., Ted Geisel "feasted on books and was wild about animals" and "excelled at fooling around." The informal, anecdotal narrative explains that Geisel early on demonstrated a passion for drawing (even on his bedroom walls) "whatever popped into his head." He took only one art class, in high school, and quit when the teacher scolded him for "breaking rules" and told him he would never be successful. While attending Dartmouth, Geisel was admired for his "talent for silliness" and, Krull notes with comic irony, "He was clearly gifted, though no one knew at exactly what. It wasn't as if men could doodle for a living." The tale ends rather abruptly as the 22-year-old Geisel arrives in New York City to embark on his artistic career. A four-page addendum, presented in a smaller font, chronicles the highlights of Dr. Seuss's publishing career and provides intriguing tidbits about the creation of some of his beloved books. Johnson and Fancher's (New York's Bravest) representational, nostalgic paintings effectively evoke both the period and Geisel's appealingly puckish personality. Featured in spot art, familiar Seuss characters frolic through these pages, thematically complementing the illustrations while reminding readers why Geisel's life is worth celebrating. Ages 6-12. (Jan.) -- Diane Roback

Library Use: This book would be great to kick off a celebration for Dr. Seuss’s birthday.  Students could come down to the library and listen to both this book and other stories written by Dr. Seuss.

References:

Krull, K. (2004). The boy on Fairfield street. New York, NY: Random House

Roback, D. (2004). [Book Review of The Boy on Fairfield Street by K. Krull] Publisher’s Weekly, 251(2), p54

Module 11: Informational Books

The Great Fire by Jim Murphy 

Summary: On October 8, 1871, a fire began on DeKoven street which would eventually consume a large portion of Chicago and come to be known as The Great Fire.  This book documents what is known about the fire from its origins to the aftermath of beginning to rebuild the city.  The author takes eye witness accounts and weaves them into a narrative that follows the path of the fire as it rampaged through Chicago.

My Impressions: I thought that this was an interesting and informative book.  Many times it’s difficult to achieve both in one book, but Mr. Murphy succeeded.  The book is full of photographs and illustrations from the time period, as well as a map that precedes each chapter to show how the fire spread.  I like that the book continued after the fire was under control and talked about the beginning of the rebuilding effort.  The book is written in simple language, but it is not an overly simplified account of the fire.  Instead, the eye witness accounts help bring to life the information in the book.  Overall, I think this is a highly effective resource book for anyone interested in learning about the Chicago fire.

Review: Vivid firsthand descriptions by persons who lived through the 1871 Chicago fire are woven into a gripping account of this famous disaster. Jim Murphy draws skillfully on personal letters and journals and a wide range of published accounts in re-creating the intensity of the fire's destruction during thirty-one hours of rampant burning. Newspaper lithographs and a few historical photographs convey the magnitude of human suffering and confusion. "The great, mounting light, the crash and roar of the conflagration, and the desperate flight of the crowd … combined to make a scene of which no intelligent idea can be conveyed in words." In his effort to give a human face to the catastrophe, Murphy follows the experiences of several individuals. His accounts of the harrowing hours spent by twelve-year-old Claire Innes, whose family had only recently moved to Chicago, and by a New Yorker visiting relatives are riveting. In addition to the chronology of events, Murphy examines the origins of the fire, the many errors of judgment that delayed effective response, the organizational problems of the city's firefighters, and the post-fire efforts to rebuild the city. He comes to the reflective conclusion that blame fell unjustly on the O'Learys, the firefighters, and the city's lower classes. The energy and depth of the presentation, along with the inherent drama of the fire, make this thought-provoking history lesson absorbing reading. Bibliography, maps, and index are included.

References:

Bush, M. (1995) [Book Review of The Great Fire by J. Murphy] 71,(3) Retrieved from http://archive.hbook.com/magazine/

Murphy, J. (1995). The great fire. New York, NY: Scholastic Books