Skippyjon Jones

Schachner, J. (2003). Skippyjon Jones. New York: Dutton's Children's Books.

Summary

Skippyjon Jones is an extrodinary, remarkable Siamese kitten. No matter how hard she tries, Skippyjon's mother cannot tame his vivid imagination that makes him act like anything but a cat. When he is banished to his room think about what it means to be a Siamese cat, he cannot resist the call of his closet despite his mother's orders to stay out. Skippyjon's closet, it seems, is the portal to other lands created by his own imagination. In this adventure, Skippyjon becomes El Skippito, the great sword fighter, who helps a band of Chihuahuas defeat the Great Bumblebeeto who steals all their beans. As El Skippito's sword pops the Great Bumblebeeto in the deserts of Mexico, freeing all the stolen beans for the doggies, Skippyjon breaks open a piñata in his closet, exploding candy and toys all over his room. The great noise brings Mama Junebug Jones running, and she scoops him up with hugs and kisses, wondering aloud, "What am I going to do with you, Mr. Cocopugs?"

Worth a bookmark?

I haven't laughed so much reading a book in a long time! Skippyjon Jones is a mischievous yet endearing, unforgettable character whose imagination is as big as his giant ears. It has a perfect mix of mischief, humor, and adventure that kids of many ages can relate to and enjoy. When his mind's adventure takes him to Mexico, he develops a hilarious dialect mingled with a few Spanish words he knows. The book is best enjoyed read out loud!

In my library…

Stories about Skippyjon Jones are great books to get kids thinking, talking, and writing about their own imaginations. Most kids can remember a time when his or her imagination got carried away. This book would also be a great Mexican cultural connection because there are many words from the Spanish language included in the story. Kids who are familiar with Spanish would enjoy sharing their knowledge of these words with other kids.

Reviews

Skippyjon Jones is not your ordinary Siamese cat. He enjoys being with the birds and much to his mother's displeasure, he sleeps with them, eats worms and plays in the birdbath. This just is not the type of behavior she expects from her son. Banished to his room, and warned to stay out of his closet, Skippyjon does not seem to be the least bit fazed. He actually ends up on another adventure, and this time he is a masked bandito consorting with a group of dogs—the Chimichangos. The fearless Skippyjon saves them from an awful monster bumblebee named Alfredo Buzzito. It turns out that the bee is actually a birthday piñata and when he punctures it all the goodies come spilling out all over his room. Mama for once is not really upset and the irrepressible Skippyjon is ready for his next adventure. The illustrations are as humorous as the story and kids will enjoy them. The text is sprinkled with Spanish terms, which may make reading it aloud a challenge for some and a big hit for others. There is no pronunciation guide for those who may not be familiar with Spanish. 2004, Dutton, Ages 3 to 8. (Marilyn Courtot-Children's Literature)

Postcards from No Man’s Land

Chambers, A. (1999). Postcards from no man's land. New York: Speak.

Summary

Amsterdam, World War II, occupied by German Nazis. Amsterdam, fifty years later, "an old city occupied by the young" (p. 3). What do the two have in common? Jacob Todd is about to find out how deeply connected are the past and present of this mysterious city. Jacob, a teenager traveling to Amsterdam for the first time to honor his grandfather and namesake, an English solider who died in Oosterbeek during WWII, learns much more about his family than he ever expected. Jacob has lived with his grandmother most of his life, growing up rather sheltered in a middle class English home and hearing stories of his heroic grandfather his grandmother describes as the ideal man. His host family includes Geertrui, who as a young woman nursed his wounded grandfather and has since maintained a friendship with Jacob's grandmother. On her death bed, Geertrui has enlisted the help of her grandson, Daan, to help her write the true story of the relationship that developed between her and Jacob's grandfather so that Jacob may truly understand the man his grandfather was. While in the city, Jacob meets a variety of people young and old who begin to open his eyes to the possibilities that lie beyond his sheltered, proper world. As Jacob discovers many truths about himself, he begins to question and explore his own world views—gender identities, significance of historical landmarks such as the home of "his" beloved Anne Frank, his own sexuality, even the concept of euthanasia—within the context of this old yet liberal city.

Worth a bookmark?

At times this story was difficult to read, not because of how it was written but because of the intensity of the issues presented through the telling of Jacob's and Geetrui's stories. As he begins exploring Amsterdam, he quickly learns that the rest of the world is not exactly like home: one of his first experiences is being attracted to and flirting with a young woman at a café, only to discover that she is actually a he. This happening, in addition to Daan's views and sexual preferences, cause Jacob to reexamine his own sexuality and views about relationships and marriage. Jacob is also faced with a very difficult decision at the end of the book, whether or not to tell his grandmother, who is still deeply in love with his grandfather even fifty years after his death, the truth about his and Geertrui's relationship before his death. Geertrui is also faced with difficult decisions: as a young woman, many stem from surviving physically and mentally in a war-torn country, and later in life to decide how to spend her last days. The ripple effect of those decisions reaches across generations and families. Chambers weaves together the dual stories of Jacob and Geetrui beautifully to show the connection between past and present. Although this book will probably not make it to my list of ones to read again and again, the story was never dull and was one of those that made the reader uncomfortable in a good way, causing the reader to examine his or her own values and social ideas along with the characters.

In my library…

This book effectively opens doors for exploring social issues that young adults face more frequently today than in the past. It is easy for teens to say they believe one way or another on an issue without ever taking the time to consider it for themselves, but it takes much more maturity and consideration to debate an issue in context. For example, instead of writing about or discussing, "Do you think euthanasia is right?" a more meaningful question would be "Do you agree with Geertrui's decision to have an assisted death in her circumstances? Why or why not?" Additional social issues pervade this book, posting questions that all teens will have to answer for themselves at some point in their lives. The best thing about this book in that context is that it defines no wrong or right answers, only presents the issues an different perspectives on them, leaving the reader to draw his or her own conclusions.

Reviews

This book received international acclaim after its 1999 publication in Europe. Older teens on this side of the Atlantic now have a chance to read the two complex and challenging narratives intertwined in this beautifully written novel. When 17-year-old Jacob travels solo from England as his grandmother's representative at a ceremony in the Netherlands commemorating the World War II Battle of Arnhem, he is transformed. Jacob is intrigued and excited by new ideas engendered by initially bewildering experiences: the strangely disturbing Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, new acquaintances who cross gender lines, and, most of all, the imminent assisted death of the elderly lady who was his grandfather's wartime nurse and has kept in contact with his family. This frail Dutchwoman, the second narrator, has her own startling tale to tell, recalling in detail her short but passionate relationship with another Jacob long ago, when the whole world seemed to be burning and when serious, irrevocable choices were made in haste. The protagonists in these coming-of-age stories face real-world decisions involving love, sexuality, and friendship, linking the teenagers across time and generations, and leading to a conclusion as convincing as it is absorbing and thought-provoking. -Starr E. Smith, Fairfax County Public Library, VA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information (School Library Journal)

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Speare, E. (1958). The witch of Blackbird Pond. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.

Summary

Even though she has traveled a long way for it, Kit Tyler is not impressed by her first glimpse of America. From the deck of the Dolphin, the ship that has brought her from her home in Barbados, Kit surveys the dreary shoreline of the American colonies of 1687. In stark contrast to the vivid flowers, white beaches, and bright blue waters of her home, the Connecticut Colony offers little aesthetically pleasing landscape. After her grandfather's death, Kit has come to America to live with her aunt's family, whom she has never met and who do not readily accept this unreserved cousin from the islands. Kit, with her high spirits, love of literature and fashion, and outgoing personality struggles to adjust to this rigid, Puritan way of life and it seems as though she will never learn to fit in…nor is she sure that she wants to. Difficulties with patience, politics, religion, unmet expectations, and unrequited love trouble Kit throughout her first year in the Colony. Feeling particularly stifled one day she escapes to the meadow around Blackbird Pond, appealing in its resemblance to the vast seas she left behind. Here she befriends Hannah Tupper, an old widow who makes her home around the marshes and is rumored to be a witch. Although her stern Uncle Matthew forbids it, Kit's friendship with Hannah blossoms and leads to other secret relationships, including Nat, the son of the Dolphin's captain, that will eventually lead the town to believe Kit is a witch herself! With an outraged mob on a witch hunt heading for Hannah, Kit steals her away with Nat's help. After helping prove Kit's innocence at a witch trial, Nat disappears without a word during a long winter in which Kit discovers where her heart truly lies. With spring, Nat returns to Connecticut with his own vessel, christened the Witch, with a promise to never leave Kit behind again.

Worth a bookmark?

I really enjoyed reading The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I have had the personal experience of calling several places "home" in my life, so I identified with Kit in her struggle to figure out where her true home was. Despite constant opposition from her new family and people of in the town, Kit found a way to do what she knew in her heart was right, like befriending and helping Hannah Tupper and Prudence. What I like so much about her character is that Kit was not disrespectful, spiteful, or defiant in her efforts to maintain her identity and values; instead, she truly tried to blend into her new life. Nat Eaton put it best when he compared Kit to a tropical bird being made to live in a sparrow's world (pg. 127). Kit Tyler is one of my new favorite literary characters and I look forward to reading this book again.

In my library…

A character study of Kit Tyler would be a great way to use this book in a library setting. Students could choose female main characters from other books to compare and contrast the problems and emotions each encounter in her story. This would be a great project for middle school aged girls to explore positive character traits in strong female characters. This book also provides a historical fiction link by weaving in many of the problems that American colonists faced before the Revolutionary War, including conflict with the King, prejudice, and religious intolerance.

Reviews

Strong plot, fully realized characters and convincing atmosphere distinguish this historical narrative of a girl whose rebellion against bigotry and her Puritan surroundings culminates in a witch hunt and trial. (Booklist)

This book has a lively plot and excellent characterizations. The background has every dimension of reality. (The New York Times)

Bud, Not Buddy

Curtis, C.P. (1999). Bud, not Buddy. New York: Delacorte Press.

Summary

Bud Caldwell is a ten-year-old orphan living in Michigan during the Great Depression. Add that to the fact that he's a black kid on his own after running away from his latest foster home, and Bud's in a real tight spot. Armed with nothing more than a suitcase holding all his worldly possessions and "Bud Caldwell's Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Our of Yourself", he sets out to walk from Flint to Grand Rapids, boldly determined to find the father he never knew. Bud's only clue to the man he thinks his father is a blue flyer his mother always looked at advertising Herman E. Calloway's band. After getting a ride from union man Lefty Lewis he makes it to Grand Rapids, where he wins over the members of Herman E. Calloway's band. However, Mr. C himself is less than thrilled with this kid who claims to be his son as Bud wonders what his mother could have seen in this cantankerous old man. As the pages of Bud's story unfold, Herman is stunned to discover the ending to his long-lost daughter's story and a grandson he didn't know he had, and Bud finally finds a home with his grandfather's band.

Worth a bookmark?

Bud, Not Buddy is a great book not only because it is so well-written, but also because of the many struggles of life it addresses. Readers learn about life in Michigan for African-Americans during the Depression through the eyes of a kid. Although Bud is wise beyond his years, Curtis does not let us forget that Bud is only ten by sprinkling in kid-like character traits, like an irrational fear of vampires and a vivid imagination. Bud's story is also one of discovering your roots and finding out where you come from at any cost. Even though Bud met many obstacles, his determination to find his family carried him forward. Herman E. Calloway represents regret and second chances, as his character is shocked to find out who Bud truly is. I loved reading this book, and was thrilled to find out that Herman E. Calloway and Lefty Lewis were based on Curtis's own grandfathers. Bud, Not Buddy is certainly worthy of the Coretta Scott King and Newbery Medal awards it has won.

In my library…

There are so many different facets of this book that would be great to use to get students thinking and talking about social and historical issues. This book would be most appropriately used in grades five through eight. After a group of students read this book I would facilitate discussions about the different themes within the story, perhaps in a blog format or Read & Respond display board or folder.

Reviews

In a story that's as far-fetched as it is irresistible, and as classic as it is immediate, a deserving orphan boy finds a home. It's the Depression, and Bud (not Buddy) is ten and has been on his own since his mother died when he was six. In and out of the Flint, Michigan, children's home and foster homes ever since, Bud decides to take off and find his father after a particularly terrible, though riotously recounted, evening with his latest foster family. Helped only by a few clues his mother left him, and his own mental list of "Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself," Bud makes his way to a food pantry, then to the library to do some research (only to find that his beloved librarian, one Charlemae Rollins, has moved to Chicago), and finally to the local Hooverville where he just misses hopping a freight to Chicago. Undaunted, he decides to walk to Grand Rapids, where he hopes his father, the bandleader Herman E. Calloway, will be. Lefty Lewis, the kindly union man who gives Bud a lift, is not the first benevolent presence to help the boy on his way, nor will he be the last. There's a bit of the Little Rascals in Bud, and a bit more of Shirley Temple as his kind heart and ingenuous ways bring tears to the eyes of the crustiest of old men-not his father, but close enough. But Bud's fresh voice keeps the senti-mentality to a reasonable simmer, and the story zips along in step with Bud's own panache. (r.s., Horn Book, Nov./Dec. 1999)

Rapunzel

Zelinsky, P. (1997). Rapunzel. New York: Dutton Children's Books.

Summary

Taken from her parents as a baby by a sorceress, Rapunzel is named after the herb her father was caught stealing to satisfy her pregnant mother. At the age of twelve, Rapunzel is taken to live in a grand, high tower in the woods with no doors and only one window at the very top. For years Rapunzel lives alone in her tower with the sorceress her only visitor, until one day a prince riding through the woods hears Rapunzel's beautiful singing. Enchanted by her voice, he watches the strange tower to learn how to enter. After the sorceress has come and gone, the prince mimics her by calling "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" Rapunzel's golden hair cascades down to the prince, who climbs up as he has seen the sorceress do. The two young lovers decide to marry in the tower. When the sorceress discovers their secret, she cuts Rapunzel's hair in a fury and uses it to lure the prince to tragedy. Blind and wandering through the wilderness for a year, he is saved by the sound of Rapunzel's sweet voice. The two are reunited and are welcomed back into his kingdom, where they live happily ever after.

Worth a bookmark?

Being a Caldecott Award winner, the initial attraction to this particular version of Rapunzel is the illustrations. Zelinsky sets the story in the Italian Renaissance by using that style of painting for the illustrations, and this style fits well with the language of the story. The emotions of the characters are so evident with the vivid illustrations! A reader can see delight, fury, terror, despair, and love in the faces of the characters. Zelinsky's version is different from others I have read; it was interesting to see the same basic story told in a different way. I have a special attachment to this book because I recently read it to my class of second graders after I was shocked to learn they had never heard this story along with several other fairy tales. They were enthralled by the story and the illustrations, and it has been a wonderful experience to continue sharing fairy tales with them.

In my library…

Since Zelinsky's version of Rapunzel is only one of many, I would use this in my library as part of a study of the many versions of fairy tales. With younger students the focus would be on comparing story elements in the different versions, like setting, character, and plot specifics. With younger students this study could broaden into how fairy tales have evolved through the centuries and why different cultures portray the story in a certain way.

Reviews

K-Gr 3--In a lengthy note, Zelinsky explains his research into the pre-Grimm Brothers' origins of "Rapunzel" in French and Italian tales, but his retelling does not vary significantly from other picture-book renditions. However, his version does not sidestep the love between the maiden in the tower and the prince, as some retellers have done. The lovers hold a ceremony of marriage between themselves, and it is Rapunzel's signs of pregnancy that bring about her banishment from the tower and her prince's downfall. What sets this Rapunzel apart from the others is the magnificence of the Renaissance setting. Readers will linger over the opulence and rich details of furnishings and fabrics, and admire the decorative patterns and architectural details of the tower and the rooms. Echoes of high Renaissance art can be seen in the costumes, the buildings, and the landscapes. In their postures and gestures, the richly dressed characters might have stepped out of the paintings of Botticelli and Mantegna and Verrocchio and Raphael. But in Zelinsky's scenes there are no angels, no holy figures, no miracles--only magic. The impossibly high, almost pencil-thin tower looms above the trees. Rapunzel's hair, cascading some 50 feet to the ground, would daunt the sturdiest climbers unless they were a sorceress or a young man in love. Each scene, from the delightful Italianate farm pictured on the endpapers to the last happy scene where the prince and his bride pose with their cherub-like twins, is painted, writes Zelinsky, as a humble attempt to "spur an interest in the magnificent art from which I have drawn." A stunning effort. (Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ, published in School Library Journal)

Anne of Green Gables

Montgomery, L.M. (2004). Anne of Green Gables. New York: Sterling.

Summary

Anne Shirley, a spunky, red-headed, headstrong girl of eleven, has never known a real home. Orphaned as a baby, she has been shuttled from one family and orphanage to the next, her role to care for children but not to become part of a family. When aging siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt a boy from an orphanage to help Matthew with their farm, they are in for the shock of their lives when Anne (with an e!) Shirley is waiting at the train station. Although Anne knows little about house-keeping duties, she is an eager learner and tries her hardest to curb her vivid imagination long enough to help Marilla. Try as she might to be sensible, it seems as though Anne's imagination, quick wit, and short temper is constantly getting her—and her friend Diana, a "kindred spirit"—into scrapes at home, at school, and every place in between. As Anne makes her mark on Avonlea and everyone who lives there, Marilla and Matthew discover they need the love of this boisterous child as much as she needs them.

Worth a bookmark?

Although I read this book as a child, I decided to reread it now to see if it held the same attraction for me as it did many years ago. I am thrilled to say Anne-with-an-e Shirley captivated my heart more now than she ever had before! Anne of Green Gables is a hilarious story of an impulsive, red-headed girl trying to find her place in a world that says "Children should be seen and not heard". Because of the hardships of Anne's life before coming to Green Gables, she has little knowledge of "proper behavior" for a young girl, few experiences of being loved, and a simple yet enlightened view of material things, friendship, and God…views that often shock the very solemn citizens of Avonlea. What I love most about this book—besides the hilarious "scrapes" Anne is always getting herself into—is how Anne's coming to Green Gables improves not only her life but also enriches the lives of everyone around her. From the paternal relationships Anne forms with Matthew and Marilla to the various friendships with schoolmates like Diana Berry and Gilbert Blythe, and winning over so many disapproving adults makes this book shine for its message of unconditional love.

In my library…

Because this story was originally published in 1908, the setting (a Canadian island at the turn of the 20^th century) is very different from many books children would read today. Although there are not many significant historical events mentioned in the book, it would be a great example of cultural norms and everyday life in a different time period. A great use of Anne of Green Gables in a library setting would be for a girls' book club for fifth or sixth graders. Great discussions could be started about differences in the time periods, how Anne could keep herself out of trouble, and Anne's dynamic character throughout the story.

Reviews

As soon as Anne Shirley arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she is sure she wants to stay forever...but will the Cuthberts send her back to the orphanage? Anne knows she's not what they expected-a skinny girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match. If only she can convince them to let her stay, she'll try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes and blurting out the first thing that comes to her mind. Anne is not like anybody else, the Cuthberts agree; she is special-a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreams of the day when she can call herself Anne of Green Gables. (From the publisher)

Make Way for Ducklings

McCloskey, R. (1999). Make way for ducklings. New York: Viking Press.

Summary

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard have finally chosen the perfect city to raise their family: Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard found many lovely things in Boston, like the graceful Swan Boats, beautiful parks, and plenty of people to feed them peanuts, but they also realized the dangers that come from living too close to people, such as bicycles, cars, and a concrete jungle. After exploring the city and finding the perfect spot for a nest, Mrs. Mallard hatched eight handsome ducklings and taught them all about being a good duckling: swimming, diving, walking in a straight line, and staying away from things with wheels! One day Mrs. Mallard decided it was time to take the ducklings back to the Public Garden. Rushing, honking traffic did not stop Mrs. Mallard from waddling through the streets of Boston with her eight ducklings, and thanks to the policemen stopping traffic she safely led her family to the Public Garden. There she and Mr. Mallard proudly show off their ducklings to riders in the Swan Boats.

Worth a bookmark?

Although the most recent copyright listed was 1999, Make Way for Ducklings was originally published in 1941. This book reminded me of another beloved book, Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White, in many facets: the characters, the problems the characters encounter, the language of the book, and the Boston setting. I really enjoyed reading this story, and as expected with a Caldecott Award, the illustrations added so much to the story! The book reflects the time period the book in which the book was written, especially in the illustrations but also in the style and language to tell the story. The illustrations add so much dimension to the characters, allowing readers to connect with them by seeing their expressions and admiring the adorable ducks and ducklings. The onomatopoeia in the illustrations also adds great humor to the story. That the book has been reprinted so many times in the 60 years since its creation says it will continue to be a book that reaches children from one generation to the next.

In my library…

This story is whimsical and light-hearted; it would be a great way to get younger children thinking about wild animals coping with living in a human world without talking about rainforests being destroyed or animals becoming extinct. After reading this book, students would be able to talk about and design pictures of ways to help Mr. and Mrs. Mallard survive, such as feeding them or keeping parks and ponds clean so they do not eat things that may make them sick. For older students, this might be a quick way to introduce them to some historical and cultural places around Boston. As Mr. and Mrs. Mallard fly around looking for a nesting place, they note several recognizable landmarks such as the Swan Boats in the Public Garden, Beacon Hill, the State House, Louisburg Square, and the Charles River.

Reviews

Set in the bustling city of Boston, Make Way for Ducklings first amazed audiences in 1941. Awarded the Caldecott Medal in the same year, this delightful picture book captures the humor and beauty of one special duckling family.

When Mr. and Mrs. Mallard need a proper home to raise a family, they scour all of Boston's prominent spots. However, from Beacon Hill to the State House to Louisburg Square, nothing seems quite right -- until they find a small island in the Charles River that is perfect. After settling in, they take a trip to the park, where they meet a very nice policemen who feds them peanuts.

Soon, Mrs. Mallard has laid her eggs. After keeping them warm and safe, she watches the ducklings hatch, healthy and happy. She teaches them to swim, dive, and walk in a neat line, one behind the other. When she takes her brood out for their first walk into the city streets, cars screech to a halt, and Mrs. Mallard quacks her way across. Luckily, her policeman friend calls for help, and the officers direct traffic to "make way" for the duckling clan.

McClosky's illustrations are brilliant and filled with humor. The details of the ducklings, along with the popular sights of Boston, come across wonderfully. The image of the entire family proudly walking in line is a classic. Revisit this timeless tale with this splendid 60th anniversary edition, which also features a commemorative author bookplate to celebrate the occasion. (Amy Barkat, The Barnes & Noble Review)