Learning to Swim

Turner, Ann. (2000). Learning to swim. New York: Scholastic Press.

This selection has been designated as an outstanding book by the Junior Library Guild for YM Group.  It is appropriate for ages 13 and up.

By the cover and title, i was expecting this memoir to be about just that...learning to swim.  I have never been so wrong in my life.  Learning to Swim is narrative poetry about one summer in Turner's life.  What began as a fun summer trip to her lake house filled with wonderful memories, smells, and the hope of learning to swim became a summer of hurt and shame brought on by a childhood neighbor who molested her in her room.

Through free verse poetry, the 113 pages of this book fly by.  The author uses her voice as it was when she was a child to reflect on the events of the summer. Turner's word choice (the knobby path, p. 13) and imagery  in this book (because it keeps coming back / like a skunk dog / on the porch / whining to get in, p. 1) create the reality of the child's world and makes the reader feel as if they are right there.

This book is quite disturbing and needs to be read and discussed with a class intimately.  It would also be a good choice for a girl who has unfortunately been in the same situation.  When reading this book with your class, be sure to discuss metaphors and how the title is a metaphor for something completely different.  You can have your students come up with metaphors of their own and discuss within a small group or with the entire class.  Learning to Swim is a quick read that will never be forgotten.

Some interesting questions to raise about the book would be:
How does the child's voice change after she goes to "read a book" with Kevin?
Why is it important to tell a trusted adult if something happens to you?
How did the child feel after telling her mother about the abuse?
What is the importance of the pink float?
Why did the child arrange her dolls after the abuse?
At the end of the book, there is a page with 24-hour  help lines.  Why did the author include these?  When is it appropriate to call these help lines?

Monster

Myers, W.D. (1999). Monster. New York: HarperCollins.





Monster is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2000 American Library Association Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, Corretta Scott King Award, also in 2000.  It  was also a 1999 National Book Award Finalist.  This book is recommended for young adults and reluctant readers.  This book is classified under Multicultural and Drama.



Have you ever wondered how it feels to go to prison?  Monster introduces us to the protagonist Steve Harmon, a sixteen year-old boy who ends up in prison awaiting a trial for felony in the 1st degree and murder with the possibility of 25 years to life in prison.  Myers writes this book from 1st person perspective.  In the book, Steve presents himself through 1st person perspective through screenplay and his journal entries.  In the first pages of the books we are introduced to drama terms such as FADE IN and VO (Voice Over).  Although this is a book, it is read throughout as a screenplay with bits of Steve's journal entries throughout.

Two themes stand out in this book and will make great discussions for your classes.  This first theme is introspection.  In the book, Steve is trying to figure out who he is and whether he really is a "Monster" like the prosecution called him.  He is writing his screenplay throughout the trial to try to make sense of his life and what brought him to this point in his life.  Good questions for your classes would be to ask them if they were to write a screenplay about their lives, what would it say?  You could also actually have them write a screenplay about their feelings while reading the book.

This leads to the second theme, peer pressure.  Steve is mainly in this situation because of the people he associated and hung out with.  Whether or not he was good friends with these three young men is not the issue in court.  The fact that they knew him and had a conversation with him, whether it was about basketball or the weather condems him with guilt by association.  Talk with your students about peer pressure and have them think about who they hang out with.  What would they do if they just made pleasant conversation with someone of questionable morals and ended up in jail?  How would they feel?  Why would you talk with someone who you know is associated with a gang or has been in jail?  What good would it do for you.

Monster is an interesting book about race, peer pressure, and morals.  There is a climax in the book.  What do you think it is?  Is Steve found guilty or not guilty?  Read the book to find out about his time in the courtroom, jail, and...guilty or not guilty!

Martin's Big Words

 Rappaport, D. (2001). Martin's big words.  New York: Hyperion Books for Children.




Martin's Big Words is a recipient of the 2002 Caldecott honor as well as the 2002 Coretta Scott King Honor.  Although recommended for ages 5-9, this book is really for everyone. The genre for this book is Multicultural Literacy.

 Martin's Big Words is the story of the life  Martin Luthur King, Jr.  The plot of this book is chronological and begins with Martin as a little boy seeing the signs, "White Only" and his feelings when he sees the signs.  The themes in this book are equality, justice, and love.  Children of all ages can learn from Martin's big words.

When reading this book to my son, we were able to have invaluable conversations about the "Big Words" in this book.  As you can see above and to the right, Rappaport makes the "Big Words" bigger and bolder than the other words.  Even by the first page, you can have in-depth discussions with your child and/or class about what these words mean.  How do the words "White Only" and "You are as good as anyone" make them feel.  Why are the feelings different?  In each page of this book, the "Big Words" will bring discussion about anti-slavery, love, justice, equality, an many more topics.
 

Illustrator Bryan Collier uses artistic media in the form of collage.  Throughout the book, Collier uses symbolism in subtle and unsubtle ways.  The picture on the left is an example of symbolism.  The four candles lit represent the four little girls who were killed in the Sixteenth Street Baptist church.

Martin's Big Words not only gives memorable teaching moments about love, equity, and justice, but also learning opportunities for historical timelines as well.  At the end of this book, a historical overview of Martin Luther King's life is given.  It goes from the date of his birth (January 15, 1929) to the first time Dr. King's birthday is celebrated as a national holiday (January 15, 1986). 

Ender's Game

Ender's Game

Card, O.S. (1991). Ender's game. New York: Tom Doherty Associates, Inc.

Ender's Game is the winner of the 1985 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 1986 Hugo Award for Best Novel.  Classified under fantasty/science fiction and young adult literature, Ender's Game will not disappoint readers of any age.











Ender's Game is a brilliant Modern Fantasy book that is categorized under Science Fiction/Fantasy.  The book takes place in the far future where Earth was attacked by an alien form known to the world as buggers.  The government is now looking for the next savior of the world.  Each child (in this time you are limited to having two children) has a monitor implanted in the back of his/her head to determine if they are smart enough to be enlisted in battle training.  The Wiggin family has the ability to produce genius children.  Peter and Valentine had their monitors longer than any other children, but because one (Valentine) is too kind and the other (Peter) is too mean the Wiggins are allowed to have a Third.  This "Third" as he is often meanly called is Andrew "Ender" Wiggin.  Ender is the perfect combination of his brother and sister, thus the hope for all mankind.  Throughout the book, we follow Ender through battle training taken from his family at the age of six and ending with his life after the battle.

After Ender beats up a boy who has been bullying him, the government questions him about his actions.  His thought process sends him to battle school...in space!  Ender is purposefully ostracized and alienated by others.  He is given laser guns and engaged in battle games.  Ender quickly excels and works his way through the ranks of the school eventually earning respect.


This book will bring many teaching opportunities to middle school and high school students. Bullying plays a major part in Ender's Game and will lead to many classroom debates.  Although there are violent scenes in the book, especially when Ender decides to stand up to his bullies, there are also many teachable moments as well.  In class, teachers can also talk about how Card creates the future and whether the students think it is believable and how we are already similar to the future of the book.  Another question to ask students is to discuss Ender's dreams and what they may mean.  Also, it will be interesting to get the students perception of Graff and how they feel about he treated Ender over the years.

Whether you read this book with your class or by yourself, it is a must read that will submerge you in Ender's world and leave you thinking, "what if?". 

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein



Silverstein, S. (1964). The giving tree. New York: Harper & Row.

Age Level: 4-8

Genre: Children's Picture Book, Caldecott Medal

Summary: The Giving Tree is a story about a little boy who loves a tree very much.  As a child, he would spend all of his time with the tree.  This book follows the boy throughout his life and shows the tree's unconditional love for the boy and its willingness to give him anything he asks for.

Reflection: While most children's books are thought to be happy, fun, and full of laughter The Giving Tree is a story that will bring most to tears.  Shel Silverstein's plot is simple as his illustrations assist in the development of the plot.  The theme is serious and the tone in this book is reflective.  

 Visual elements the author works with are line and shape. The picture on the left signifies how the use of blank space shows isolation or loneliness.  Although Silverstein's words do not implicate loneliness, the picture seems to take on a sad or reflective tone.



The Giving Tree is an absolute must read for all parents to read to their children.  Although sad, it teaches children the meaning of unconditional love.  Throughout the book, Silverstein does a remarkable job of showing the love the tree has for the boy throughout his life.  He shows that the tree will do anything for the boy.  As readers, we also see the boy grow into a greedy young adult and man.

In this part of the book, the boy has been away for a long time.  We can see through the illustrations how much he has aged.  The tree is so excited to see the boy and wants him to play like when he was a little boy.  These pages show the tree's willingness to give and give and give.



The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a black and white picture book that children will enjoy almost as much as the adults who are reading it to them.  It is a book that they will grow to love and will enjoy reading it to their children even more.

You will enjoy the reading of The Giving Tree by author and illustrator Shel Silverstein.

Where the Wild Things Are

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE     

STORY AND PICTURES BY MAURICE SENDAK

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: HarperCollins.

This book is a winner of the Caldecott Medal for the "Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year". Visual elements play a great part in this book where Sendak's muted ink illustrations complement the text.  This book is the story of a mischievous young boy named Max who has to go to bed without his supper after he talks back to his mother. Written in third person, readers jump into the world Max creates and visit the Wild Things.  This book is age appropriate for young readers ages 4-8.

My husband had the same reaction to this book the first time we read it to our son... "that's it?".  This book has a way of making you feel as if you are on the journey with Max.

"and in and out of weeks

and almost over a year

to where the wild things are."

In my opinion, Maurice Sendak's book is the epitome of what a picture book should be.  In very few words, this book transports a bedroom into a forest where the wild things are.  When the rumpus begins, Sendak is able to illustrate six consecutive pages without any words.

Throughout these pages, the reader lives in the world of Max and the funny and even sometimes frightening beasts howl at the moon, swing from the branches, and celebrate.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE teaches children about journeys, imagination, mischief, and in the end about love.  After traveling across the world and having as much fun as he wants, a little boy still chooses to come home to his mother who loves him.  The ultimate comfort food of soup and a sandwich is waiting for him, "and it was still hot".

 And yes after over 50 years..this book is still hot.

The Grouchy Ladybug

The Grouchy Ladybug

Carle, E. (1996). The grouchy ladybug. New York: HarperCollins.

Age Level: K-2

Genre: The Grouchy Ladybug, originally copyrighted in 1977, is an interactive book where children not only learn to tell time, but is also a concept book where children learn about different animals and insects through comedy/humor.

Summary: The Grouchy Ladybug is a delightful story about manners and conflict.  Carle's unique collage illustrations throughout the book are bright and colorful.

Reflection: Our textbook, Essentials of Children's Literature, 7th edition,  recommended this book.  I have read other Eric Carle books, but for some reason I have never read this one.  As a fan of Carle's art, I jumped at the chance to read one of his books.  The art work in this book does not disappoint.  It is amazing how Carle can take hand-painted paper and make illustrations through collage!

 The Grouchy Ladybug has so many learning opportunities for young readers!  An invaluable part of this book is the opportunity to teach time-telling in a fun way. The book begins with fireflies dancing around the moon and then starts the morning early at five o'clock.  Young readers will enjoy going through the events of the day.  Carle places clocks at the top of each page with the correct time to enhance the learning experience in addition to writing the words on each page.  In the age of digital clocks, this is an exceptional learning tool.

Growing page and word sizes also add to the enjoyment of the book.  Small, Medium, and Large can be used in a variety of ways in this book.  Carle uses smaller font and pictures to show the size of the insect or animal the grouchy little ladybug encounters.  Starting with the smallest hornet which takes up a very mall corner of one page and ending with the largest whale whose body takes up three entire pages.  Math, social studies, and science learning opportunities are endless throughout this book.

The Grouchy Ladybug with all of its multiple learning opportunities is in the end a story about sharing and being nice to each other.  Repetitive phrases throughout the book are "want to fight?" and "if you insist".  After an exhausting day encountering different animals and insects, the grouchy little ladybug finally gets to feast on aphids with a nice, friendly ladybug. 

 This book is a must read to children.  Teaching them about bullying (health), ladybugs and aphids (science), telling time (math), color (art), and size (social studies) The Grouchy Ladybug has it all!  More importantly... it is a good book that you will remember for a lifetime!