I thought it was about time I blogged about a picture book here on Literary Lunchbox. I love picture books, read them to my kids every day, but I was having a hard time selecting the right book to write about. Today, I found the book. While attending my first regional meeting of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, I met a charismatic local author by the name of Edith Hope Fine. It was her engaging personality that compelled me to pick up her book and read it, but it was the subject matter and beautiful illustrations that lured me into purchasing two copies.
The story is about a clever group of children who plant and tend a garden at their elementary school. They are guided by Miss Marigold, the "gardening lady" at Pepper Lane school. The garden becomes a community event. Neighbors and merchants help the kids create their space, making a garden from what once was a weedy, litter-filled patch of hard dirt.
The book teaches children all kinds of lovely, eco-friendly lessons. There are ladybugs, picnics and worm poop - a winning combination for kids who love the outdoors. There is a section at the end of the book called Sprouting Your Own School Garden with online resources and a gardening checklist.
My children have the good fortune to attend a local charter school in San Diego that uses a constructivist model of teaching. In addition to many other hands ons learning experiences, my kids get to garden at school. They compost, plant, weed, and harvest. It's brilliant!
I'm so glad I found this book.
Don't worry SDCCS gardening ladies, a signed copy is on its way!
Blog you later!
Ali B
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The Magic of Liesl & Po
Moments ago, I finished reading Lauren Oliver's book Liesl & Po. It is an engaging story of a young orphan girl, a ghost, a mixed bag of adults, and a box of magic. I loved it! The mystery is uncomplicated and easy for kids to follow, but it kept me involved.
The children of the story, Liesl and Will, are both orphans, both inherently good, and desperately in need of someone to look after them. Po and Bundle are ghosts, trapped on the Other Side, and waiting to go Beyond. Po is grumpy, unsure whether he is a boy or girl, and drawn to life, though he/she won't admit it. Bundle is Po's "pet."
Liesl's father has recently died, and after escaping captivity and her evil stepmother, she sets out with Po, Bundle and Will to deliver her father's ashes to their final resting place. Will's former employer, the alchemist, Liesl's murderous stepmother, a meddling old woman, a police officer, and a kindly simple-minded guard are all in hot pursuit.
The plot line follows the adults' search for the children who they believe have the box of magic. The children are briefly in possession of the box, but think it holds the ashes of Liesl's father. The climax is wonderfully exciting and full of hope and magic. Obviously, magic. There's a fire, a number or arrests, a bunch of ghosts, and the brief appearance of Liesl's late father. It doesn't disappoint.
Liesl & Po is a great adventure story with an engaging cast of characters that you either love or hate. It's the triumph of good over evil. Readers, young and not so young, will love this magical story.
Blog you later!
Ali B.
The children of the story, Liesl and Will, are both orphans, both inherently good, and desperately in need of someone to look after them. Po and Bundle are ghosts, trapped on the Other Side, and waiting to go Beyond. Po is grumpy, unsure whether he is a boy or girl, and drawn to life, though he/she won't admit it. Bundle is Po's "pet."
Liesl's father has recently died, and after escaping captivity and her evil stepmother, she sets out with Po, Bundle and Will to deliver her father's ashes to their final resting place. Will's former employer, the alchemist, Liesl's murderous stepmother, a meddling old woman, a police officer, and a kindly simple-minded guard are all in hot pursuit.
The plot line follows the adults' search for the children who they believe have the box of magic. The children are briefly in possession of the box, but think it holds the ashes of Liesl's father. The climax is wonderfully exciting and full of hope and magic. Obviously, magic. There's a fire, a number or arrests, a bunch of ghosts, and the brief appearance of Liesl's late father. It doesn't disappoint.
Liesl & Po is a great adventure story with an engaging cast of characters that you either love or hate. It's the triumph of good over evil. Readers, young and not so young, will love this magical story.
Blog you later!
Ali B.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Which Series is Your Favorite?
Literary Lunchbox Followers, I want to hear from you. I've added a fun new poll to my blog, asking you to tell us your favorite book series. I didn't want to stop there. Clicking the box on a poll doesn't give us enough information. I want more! I want to hear why it's your favorite. What makes your choice better than the others? Who is your favorite character? Which book in the series is your favorite? Which book do you like the least? Is there another series that's even better than the four I listed? Tell me about it!
Come on! Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine!
Blog you later!
Ali B
Come on! Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine!
Blog you later!
Ali B
Friday, October 28, 2011
Esperanza Rising
"Be patient and the fruit will fall into your hand." This quote is from Esperanza Rising, a middle grades book by Pam Muñoz Ryan. It is also the words the author wrote to my twelve year old niece, Lindsay, when she autographed the book for her in 2001. The story of Esperanza is one of hope and patience, and what it truly means to be rich.
I loved the story of Esperanza, the wealthy Mexican landowner's daughter who becomes a campesina living and working on a company farm in the San Fernando valley during the Great Depression. I thought that Muñoz Ryan did a commendable job of portraying the plight of the Mexican farm worker, accurately describing their struggles with a MG-age appropriate story.
I was worried when I first started the book that Esperanza was going to be a stereotypically spoiled rich girl who transforms into a hardworking farm worker and a union hero. Thankfully, she wasn't. Esperanza did come from a life a privilege and was accustom to nice things, but she did what she had to do to support her family. Muñoz Ryan does make the distinction between migrant of the working/peasant class and those that came to the camps from wealthy backgrounds. The working class families endured the hard work and living conditions of field workers in San Fernando Valley with the hope of making a better life for themselves. They viewed the work they did as an opportunity to improve their lives. Their wealthy counterparts had fallen from positions of power and luxury. The prospects of hard work were daunting, but the emotional toll was even more difficult. In the minds of the formerly wealthy campesino, life was cruel and farm work was about survival, not self-improvement.
I loved the author's use of frutas y verduras as the chapter titles. Esperanza learns to mark the passage of time not by seasons or months, but by cosechas. The book also delves into the early efforts of migrant workers to unionize and strike for better living and working conditions and for fair wages. Valley Fever, an illness that still exists, is another of the risks that field workers of the San Fernando Valley faced as they strived to provide for their families.
Muñoz Ryan peppers her dialogue with spanish word and phrases and gives young readers a taste of life in Mexico and in Great Depression-era California. It's a great book for the classroom or the home.
This book brought to mind other amazing stories of class, power, adversity and the struggle for equality. Here are a few that come to mind:
The Lemon Grove Incident (movie)
Me Llamo Rigoberta Menchu y Así Me Nació La Conciencia
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
The Grapes of Wrath
Roots
Angela's Ashes
Add to my list. I'd love to read your examples.
Blog you later!
Ali B
I loved the story of Esperanza, the wealthy Mexican landowner's daughter who becomes a campesina living and working on a company farm in the San Fernando valley during the Great Depression. I thought that Muñoz Ryan did a commendable job of portraying the plight of the Mexican farm worker, accurately describing their struggles with a MG-age appropriate story.
I was worried when I first started the book that Esperanza was going to be a stereotypically spoiled rich girl who transforms into a hardworking farm worker and a union hero. Thankfully, she wasn't. Esperanza did come from a life a privilege and was accustom to nice things, but she did what she had to do to support her family. Muñoz Ryan does make the distinction between migrant of the working/peasant class and those that came to the camps from wealthy backgrounds. The working class families endured the hard work and living conditions of field workers in San Fernando Valley with the hope of making a better life for themselves. They viewed the work they did as an opportunity to improve their lives. Their wealthy counterparts had fallen from positions of power and luxury. The prospects of hard work were daunting, but the emotional toll was even more difficult. In the minds of the formerly wealthy campesino, life was cruel and farm work was about survival, not self-improvement.
I loved the author's use of frutas y verduras as the chapter titles. Esperanza learns to mark the passage of time not by seasons or months, but by cosechas. The book also delves into the early efforts of migrant workers to unionize and strike for better living and working conditions and for fair wages. Valley Fever, an illness that still exists, is another of the risks that field workers of the San Fernando Valley faced as they strived to provide for their families.
Muñoz Ryan peppers her dialogue with spanish word and phrases and gives young readers a taste of life in Mexico and in Great Depression-era California. It's a great book for the classroom or the home.
This book brought to mind other amazing stories of class, power, adversity and the struggle for equality. Here are a few that come to mind:
The Lemon Grove Incident (movie)
Me Llamo Rigoberta Menchu y Así Me Nació La Conciencia
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez
The Grapes of Wrath
Roots
Angela's Ashes
Add to my list. I'd love to read your examples.
Blog you later!
Ali B
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Island of the Blue Dolphins
I must have been ten or eleven years old when I first read Scott O'Dell's, Island of the Blue Dolphins. To this day, when I hear the word 'abalone' I am transported to La Isla de San Nicolas. The story of this extraordinary girl made me appreciate the power of literature. As a young girl, sitting in my bedroom in the small town of Kahoka Missouri, I was swept away to an island off the coast of California. I made my own weapons, tamed wild animals and built a house with my bare hands. The story of Karana was an escape. I was lost in the romance of her solitary existence and I admired her ability to survive. All I needed was to find a pack of wild dogs, and I knew I could tame one.
Today I read the story with the same sense of romance. Almost. Karana's life on the Island of the Blue Dolphins is romantic, but it's lonely as well. As a child, I wanted Karana to spend her life on the island. I never wanted her adventure to end. As an adult I understand her decision to leave. She was alone, and as much as she loved her home and her animals, they could never replace human contact. Early in her story, Karana is visited by a young woman who is part of a otter hunting party. It is the only brief human contact Karana has during her time alone on the island. The two don't speak the same language, but they are drawn to one another. They leave gifts for each other and delight in learning words in their different languages. Karana is crushed when the otter hunters leave taking her new friend with them.
Island of the Blue Dolphins is a book about the human condition. Karana's story is one of isolation, fear of death and the struggle to survive, but it is also about her need to connect physically and emotionally to other beings. In the end, her humanity drives her off the island where she has lived alone for 18 years, and gives her to courage to trust in strangers in hopes of regaining a community.
Things I Loved about Island of the Blue Dolphins:
*The voice of Karana, the narrator
*The book as a chronological journal of Karana's time on the island
*The descriptions of her tools, house and clothing
Okay Followers, this book made a lasting impression on me. It helped make me the reader I am today. What book(s) made you a reader? Why?
Blog you soon!
Ali B
Today I read the story with the same sense of romance. Almost. Karana's life on the Island of the Blue Dolphins is romantic, but it's lonely as well. As a child, I wanted Karana to spend her life on the island. I never wanted her adventure to end. As an adult I understand her decision to leave. She was alone, and as much as she loved her home and her animals, they could never replace human contact. Early in her story, Karana is visited by a young woman who is part of a otter hunting party. It is the only brief human contact Karana has during her time alone on the island. The two don't speak the same language, but they are drawn to one another. They leave gifts for each other and delight in learning words in their different languages. Karana is crushed when the otter hunters leave taking her new friend with them.
Island of the Blue Dolphins is a book about the human condition. Karana's story is one of isolation, fear of death and the struggle to survive, but it is also about her need to connect physically and emotionally to other beings. In the end, her humanity drives her off the island where she has lived alone for 18 years, and gives her to courage to trust in strangers in hopes of regaining a community.
Things I Loved about Island of the Blue Dolphins:
*The voice of Karana, the narrator
*The book as a chronological journal of Karana's time on the island
*The descriptions of her tools, house and clothing
Okay Followers, this book made a lasting impression on me. It helped make me the reader I am today. What book(s) made you a reader? Why?
Blog you soon!
Ali B
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The City of Ember
This amazing MG novel is the first story in the Books of Ember series. Ember is an underground city powered by a large generator that provides the town with light and energy for 15 hours a day. During the remaining nine hours, the city is completely dark. The citizens of Ember have lived here for generations. They know no other way of life. In fact, they believe that they are inhabitants of the only city in the world, or at least most of them believe this.
Lina is twelve years old. Like all twelve year olds in the city of Ember, she has recently been assigned to a work duty. She ends up with the job she had hoped for, messenger. A messenger is responsible for taking communications back and forth across the city. There are no phones or computers. There are no cars. And unfortunately, the food, medicine and essential supplies are dwindling fast.
Doon, a former classmate of Lina, has recently been assigned to work in the pipeworks, the tunnels below Ember that carry electricity and water to the city. Doon wanted this assignment because he suspects the city's generator is growing old and will soon give out. The city has been plagued with a number or recent blackouts.
Eventually, Lina and Doon team up. Lina discovers a note, partially destroyed, that hints at a way out of Ember. Lina and Doon believe that a way out is the only chance of survival for the citizens of their city. Unfortunately, Ember's leaders are corrupt, and instead of helping the two kids, they attempt to capture them and discredit their ideas. Lina and Doon eventually decipher the note and find the way out of Ember. Without any idea of what lies beyond the city, the two friends decide they must leave or face certain capture.
Along with Lina's little sister, Poppy, Lina and Doon follow the instructions in the note and are able to leave Ember. What they discover shocks them. They have been living underground. There is a whole other world above Ember that no one knows about. At least not the people of Ember. They find a small journal along the way, written by one of Ember's first inhabitants, it leads them to believe that there is much more to the story of their underground city and what initially prompted the builders to build it. However, they are more convinced than ever that they must warn their family and friends to leave Ember immediately.
I love the book. I think it is a smart, beginning level dystopian novel and is a great introduction for middle grades readers into the dystopian genre. I see it as a great series for future lovers of The Hunger Games trilogy.
I did find a few problems with the story. We learn, from the journal written by the first inhabitants, that Ember was originally populated by 100 older adults, 50 men and 50 women. These 100 adults were paired up and given the responsibility of raising two infants, one boy and one girl. The people of the city have had no connection with the outside world for generations. Wouldn't that lead to most of Ember's citizens being related to one another? I don't bring this up because of the "how to find a mate that isn't your cousin" issue, but because extended family, cousins, aunts, uncles, aren't part of the plot at all. Lina and Poppy's parents are dead and their grandmother's death is part of the plot of the book, but the girls must move in with a helpful neighbor. Why? They have no relatives in a city that should be full of them?
I am also a bit perplexed by the issue of currency and jobs. Money is mentioned in the story and Lina is paid a wage for her job as messenger, but how goods and money are exchanged isn't clear. There is a supply depot and various Mom & Pop store selling different wares, but it is never explained how the stores get supplies. And are the citizens allocated rations or do they make requests at the supply depot? Do you have to pay for supplies from the depot? It is very clear that supplies are running low and that some goods are no longer available, but I never completely felt the fear and panic of the citizens. Maybe that was DuPrau's intent. Maybe she didn't want the mood to be fear and panic. Perhaps compliance and blind acceptance of their conditions better fit the mood of Ember.
Readers, what do you think?
Blog me!
Ali B
Lina is twelve years old. Like all twelve year olds in the city of Ember, she has recently been assigned to a work duty. She ends up with the job she had hoped for, messenger. A messenger is responsible for taking communications back and forth across the city. There are no phones or computers. There are no cars. And unfortunately, the food, medicine and essential supplies are dwindling fast.
Doon, a former classmate of Lina, has recently been assigned to work in the pipeworks, the tunnels below Ember that carry electricity and water to the city. Doon wanted this assignment because he suspects the city's generator is growing old and will soon give out. The city has been plagued with a number or recent blackouts.
Eventually, Lina and Doon team up. Lina discovers a note, partially destroyed, that hints at a way out of Ember. Lina and Doon believe that a way out is the only chance of survival for the citizens of their city. Unfortunately, Ember's leaders are corrupt, and instead of helping the two kids, they attempt to capture them and discredit their ideas. Lina and Doon eventually decipher the note and find the way out of Ember. Without any idea of what lies beyond the city, the two friends decide they must leave or face certain capture.
Along with Lina's little sister, Poppy, Lina and Doon follow the instructions in the note and are able to leave Ember. What they discover shocks them. They have been living underground. There is a whole other world above Ember that no one knows about. At least not the people of Ember. They find a small journal along the way, written by one of Ember's first inhabitants, it leads them to believe that there is much more to the story of their underground city and what initially prompted the builders to build it. However, they are more convinced than ever that they must warn their family and friends to leave Ember immediately.
I love the book. I think it is a smart, beginning level dystopian novel and is a great introduction for middle grades readers into the dystopian genre. I see it as a great series for future lovers of The Hunger Games trilogy.
I did find a few problems with the story. We learn, from the journal written by the first inhabitants, that Ember was originally populated by 100 older adults, 50 men and 50 women. These 100 adults were paired up and given the responsibility of raising two infants, one boy and one girl. The people of the city have had no connection with the outside world for generations. Wouldn't that lead to most of Ember's citizens being related to one another? I don't bring this up because of the "how to find a mate that isn't your cousin" issue, but because extended family, cousins, aunts, uncles, aren't part of the plot at all. Lina and Poppy's parents are dead and their grandmother's death is part of the plot of the book, but the girls must move in with a helpful neighbor. Why? They have no relatives in a city that should be full of them?
I am also a bit perplexed by the issue of currency and jobs. Money is mentioned in the story and Lina is paid a wage for her job as messenger, but how goods and money are exchanged isn't clear. There is a supply depot and various Mom & Pop store selling different wares, but it is never explained how the stores get supplies. And are the citizens allocated rations or do they make requests at the supply depot? Do you have to pay for supplies from the depot? It is very clear that supplies are running low and that some goods are no longer available, but I never completely felt the fear and panic of the citizens. Maybe that was DuPrau's intent. Maybe she didn't want the mood to be fear and panic. Perhaps compliance and blind acceptance of their conditions better fit the mood of Ember.
Readers, what do you think?
Blog me!
Ali B
Monday, October 10, 2011
Interview with a Fourth Grader - The 39 Clues
Q: How would you describe the 39 Clues series?
A: I think the 39 Clues series is the perfect balance of action, sorrow and betrayal.
Q: Who are the main characters?
A: Amy and Dan Cahill are the main characters. They are kids who decide to join the clue hunt in the ultimate quest for a power source that can make you “almighty.”
Q: So, are they the protagonists?
A: Yes.
Q: Who is the antagonist?
A: Pretty much anyone who goes against Amy and Dan. Specifically, The Kabras, they are pure evil. There are different bad guys in each of the books.
Q: What are the four family groups in the 39 Clues?
A: Lucian – The strategic and cunning family group.
Ekaterina – The smart, inventor-type family group.
Janus – The artistic family group.
Tomas – The strong, athletic family group.
*There is actually a secret, fifth family group revealed in Book #4.
Q: Did you have one book in the series that was your favorite?
A: I’m not sure. They are all so perfect I can’t have a favorite.
Q: What is the setting of the story?
A: Actually, the whole world is their setting. Grace Cahill, the leader of the Cahill family, sets up this quest by putting clues all over the world. There are two locations in every book.
Q: Is the 39 Clues series scary, suspenseful or romantic?
A: The books are scary and suspenseful, but not romantic. In at least three of the books a character dies. Actually, there are deaths in only two of the books because one of the deaths was faked. The fake death was in Book #4.
Q: How would you summarize the plot?
A: Amy and Dan Cahill have to make a choice between inheriting one million dollars and joining the clue hunt to discover the ultimate power. The ultimate power is the combination of the 39 clues. Amy and Dan choose to join the hunt and face all sorts of danger and adventure.
Q: What else would you like to tell me about the book?
A: Amy and Dan Cahill aren’t just on a clue hunt. The books lead up to a whole legacy of betrayal. Some of the books are sad, but you’ll get over it.
Q: Would you recommend this book to a friend?
A: I would recommend this book. I’ve already recommended this book to my friend, Jacob. I would also recommend this book to a friend with a lot of spirit who loves to read fun books.
Q: On a scale from 1 – 10, what would you rate this series of books?
A: That’s a hard question. I’d go with a 9.
Tell me what you and your kids thought about The 39 Clues.
Blog you later!
Ali B.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
A Wrinkle in Time is TIMELESS
Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time is a timeless classic. Almost anyone who reads it will agree. In fact, in my well-loved copy there is a forward (An Appreciation) by author and columnist Anna Quindlen where she writes about the contemporary feel of the novel. The only hint of age being the protagonist's desire for a typewriter to compensate for poor penmanship. The blind obedience to IT, the conformity of the inhabitants of the planet of Camazotz and the impenetrable walls of the CENTRAL Central Intelligence building are all Cold War inspired references to Communism. But does that make these images any less timely in today's world? Whether L'Engle's audience in 1962 would find it less scary today than during the height of the Cold War is up for debate. It is a question worth asking but impractical to answer. As Mrs. Whatsit told Charles Wallace, "Only a fool is not afraid."
God and Jesus are regularly spoken of in A Wrinkle in Time and there are various biblical quotes and references. Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace talk of God and Jesus as do Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which. Jesus is heralded as a fighter of the Dark Thing, along with Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, Madame Curry, Gandhi and Einstein. Fighters. Artists. Scientists. Religious thinkers. They are the fighters from planet Earth who keep the Dark Thing from enveloping our world.
The evil IT also represents himself as a god, but not a kind and benevolent god, rather one who rules with fear and the threat of violence. IT also refers to himself as a savior, a Jesus figure willing to accept the pain and suffering of others provided they submit to his will. "For why should you wish to fight someone who is here only to save you pain and trouble? For you, as well as for the rest of all the happy, useful people on the planet, I, in my own strength, am willing to assume all the pain, all the responsibility, all the burdens of thought and decision." So, while L'Engle portrays Jesus as a hero, blind adherence to a religion without the ability to think freely is a fate worse than death.
Along with communism and free-thinking, the theme of equality is also addressed in Madeleine L'Engle's classic novel for kids. Charles Wallace, already under the control of IT, tries to convince Meg to let go and join IT by telling her, "But that's exactly what we have on Camazotz. Complete equality. Everybody exactly alike." But Meg is not swayed by his words. In fact, she uses his word against him. "Like and equal are not the same thing at all." It is Meg Murry's minor epiphany. In this and many other parts of the book, L'Engle's characters fight conformity. In doing so they fight communism and blind adherence to religion and religious intolerance.
Light and darkness. Good and evil. These aren't unique literary struggles, but A Wrinkle in Time is unique in its portrayal. A mere mortal from a "little planet out on the edge of a little galaxy" is able to defeat hate using love as her only weapon. Love as a tool to fight hate is Meg's great epiphany. L'Engle's protagonist saves her little brother by loving him. Meg Murry is an unlikely hero. She's impatient, strange and unattractive, but her appeal is universal. Unlikely or not, Meg Murry is a hero for all times.
Questions for fans of A Wrinkle in Time:
Is Meg Murry your favorite literary heroine? If not, who is?
Blog you later!
Ali B.
God and Jesus are regularly spoken of in A Wrinkle in Time and there are various biblical quotes and references. Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace talk of God and Jesus as do Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which. Jesus is heralded as a fighter of the Dark Thing, along with Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, Madame Curry, Gandhi and Einstein. Fighters. Artists. Scientists. Religious thinkers. They are the fighters from planet Earth who keep the Dark Thing from enveloping our world.
The evil IT also represents himself as a god, but not a kind and benevolent god, rather one who rules with fear and the threat of violence. IT also refers to himself as a savior, a Jesus figure willing to accept the pain and suffering of others provided they submit to his will. "For why should you wish to fight someone who is here only to save you pain and trouble? For you, as well as for the rest of all the happy, useful people on the planet, I, in my own strength, am willing to assume all the pain, all the responsibility, all the burdens of thought and decision." So, while L'Engle portrays Jesus as a hero, blind adherence to a religion without the ability to think freely is a fate worse than death.
Along with communism and free-thinking, the theme of equality is also addressed in Madeleine L'Engle's classic novel for kids. Charles Wallace, already under the control of IT, tries to convince Meg to let go and join IT by telling her, "But that's exactly what we have on Camazotz. Complete equality. Everybody exactly alike." But Meg is not swayed by his words. In fact, she uses his word against him. "Like and equal are not the same thing at all." It is Meg Murry's minor epiphany. In this and many other parts of the book, L'Engle's characters fight conformity. In doing so they fight communism and blind adherence to religion and religious intolerance.
Light and darkness. Good and evil. These aren't unique literary struggles, but A Wrinkle in Time is unique in its portrayal. A mere mortal from a "little planet out on the edge of a little galaxy" is able to defeat hate using love as her only weapon. Love as a tool to fight hate is Meg's great epiphany. L'Engle's protagonist saves her little brother by loving him. Meg Murry is an unlikely hero. She's impatient, strange and unattractive, but her appeal is universal. Unlikely or not, Meg Murry is a hero for all times.
Questions for fans of A Wrinkle in Time:
Is Meg Murry your favorite literary heroine? If not, who is?
Blog you later!
Ali B.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Young Adult novel
This book is peculiar. It definitely has three acts and I want to write about those later, but for now I'd like to comment on the photos by saying, WOW! Even if I hadn't found the story compelling (which I did) I would have read the book just for the photo tie-in. The cover photo alone was worth the price of the book. The images are haunting. The photo of the two white "clowns" is perverse. Why is the one clown feeding the other ribbon? Or is he pulling it out of her mouth? Either way, it gives me chills. I felt like to pictures added to the story without being too gimmicky. That's hard to pull off in a young adult novel.
The story is really separated into three parts. Act 1 was the unimpressive back story. I was worried that I would never connect to Jake. I found him totally unlikeable and self-absorbed. I love Grandpa Abraham. I had a hard time understanding why he felt so connected to Jake, enough to share is bizarre history, but thankfully that is explained later. I thought the author, Ransom Riggs, introduced us to some unnecessary characters in the beginning, but I actually found myself liking that I didn't like Jake and his parents very much.
Act 2 is when we get to learn about the island, Miss Peregrine's home and all of the quirky "peculiars." I loved this part of the book. I thought the time loop was a great plot development. Who doesn't love a little bit of time travel? I sometimes felt like the explanations were a bit vague. I wanted to know how Miss Peregrine made the loop. I also felt like I wanted more information about the peculiar kids. Why did they still act like kids? What was their history? Maybe Ransom Riggs will treat us to another installment and answer some of these questions.
Act 3 is fast. Traveling in and out of the loop got a bit confusing. I had to do some rereads. I loved the idea of the wights and the hollows. Creepy, evil and monstrous with just enough mystery to keep me turning the page. They are definitely worth destroying. Again, I hope Riggs continues his story. He certainly left us with a cliffhanger.
Tell me what you think:
Did you find the photos intriguing or distracting?
If Ransom Riggs continues the story, will we run into Grandpa Abraham in the past?
Does Emma love Jake or Abraham?
Blog you later!
Ali B
The story is really separated into three parts. Act 1 was the unimpressive back story. I was worried that I would never connect to Jake. I found him totally unlikeable and self-absorbed. I love Grandpa Abraham. I had a hard time understanding why he felt so connected to Jake, enough to share is bizarre history, but thankfully that is explained later. I thought the author, Ransom Riggs, introduced us to some unnecessary characters in the beginning, but I actually found myself liking that I didn't like Jake and his parents very much.
Act 2 is when we get to learn about the island, Miss Peregrine's home and all of the quirky "peculiars." I loved this part of the book. I thought the time loop was a great plot development. Who doesn't love a little bit of time travel? I sometimes felt like the explanations were a bit vague. I wanted to know how Miss Peregrine made the loop. I also felt like I wanted more information about the peculiar kids. Why did they still act like kids? What was their history? Maybe Ransom Riggs will treat us to another installment and answer some of these questions.
Act 3 is fast. Traveling in and out of the loop got a bit confusing. I had to do some rereads. I loved the idea of the wights and the hollows. Creepy, evil and monstrous with just enough mystery to keep me turning the page. They are definitely worth destroying. Again, I hope Riggs continues his story. He certainly left us with a cliffhanger.
Tell me what you think:
Did you find the photos intriguing or distracting?
If Ransom Riggs continues the story, will we run into Grandpa Abraham in the past?
Does Emma love Jake or Abraham?
Blog you later!
Ali B
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Bridge To Terabithia
I wanted to start my first "real" blog post with a discussion of one of the most wonderful MG books of all time, Bridge to Terabithia. This book should be on every child's personal bookshelf. It should be on every adult's personal bookshelf. It is about fear and strength. It is about difference and sameness. It is about love and loss. The story is timeless.
I love the characters in Bridge to Terabithia. Jess and Leslie are best friends who act like real kids with real problems and real lives. I love how they escape their sadness by creating Terabithia and ruling an imaginary kingdom when their own true world holds them down. You can't help but admire Leslie for her guts and her loyalty and you can't help but want Jess to win.
I am always amazed, like I am in so many other books with a sad plot crisis, that I still wish for a different outcome. I know that Leslie is going to drown in a tragic accident, but I hold onto hope that Jess will come home from Washington D.C. and find her alive and well in Terabithia. I still want her to be in that one place where nothing bad can happen. But something bad does happen there, and this book is about Jess, not Leslie. Jess has to accept Leslie's death in order to move on and find his own braveness, and that can't happen in Terabithia.
I have some questions for lovers of this book:
* Why do you think Jess plans to build the bridge to Terabithia? Why not let it die with Leslie?
* Why do you think the author, Kathleen Paterson, chose gender-neutral names for her characters?
* What role did "class" play in the relationship between Jess and Leslie?
Thanks for being here. ~ Ali
I love the characters in Bridge to Terabithia. Jess and Leslie are best friends who act like real kids with real problems and real lives. I love how they escape their sadness by creating Terabithia and ruling an imaginary kingdom when their own true world holds them down. You can't help but admire Leslie for her guts and her loyalty and you can't help but want Jess to win.
I am always amazed, like I am in so many other books with a sad plot crisis, that I still wish for a different outcome. I know that Leslie is going to drown in a tragic accident, but I hold onto hope that Jess will come home from Washington D.C. and find her alive and well in Terabithia. I still want her to be in that one place where nothing bad can happen. But something bad does happen there, and this book is about Jess, not Leslie. Jess has to accept Leslie's death in order to move on and find his own braveness, and that can't happen in Terabithia.
I have some questions for lovers of this book:
* Why do you think Jess plans to build the bridge to Terabithia? Why not let it die with Leslie?
* Why do you think the author, Kathleen Paterson, chose gender-neutral names for her characters?
* What role did "class" play in the relationship between Jess and Leslie?
Thanks for being here. ~ Ali
Monday, September 26, 2011
Literary Lunchbox ~ Blogging about Kid Lit!
As a huge fan of children's literature, I decided to write a blog about the ever-growing world of books for kids. I want to discuss great books and not-so-great books, authors, genres and the market and marketing of books targeting the 18 and under crowd.
I love to read! I'm a huge fan of adult fiction, memoirs, funny essays and historical dramas. I also love to revisit my childhood favorites (Island of the Blue Dolphins, Bridge to Terabithia) and am increasingly drawn to YA standouts like The Book Thief and The Hunger Games Trilogy. I try to read most of what my nine year old son is reading, but it's getting hard to keep up. Thankfully, he has an almost didactic memory and loves to share a good story on the ride to school.
My mom was a librarian and her passion was children's literature. There were stacks of books all over our house just waiting to be read. In our house, the only sedentary occupation allowed was reading. Turn on the television and mom immediately found a chore for you to do, but crack open a book and she'd leave you alone for hours.
I've written a MG book and am currently working on the sequel. I love it! Now, I just need an agent who loves it too. I'm querying my little heart out! More on that later...
I'm glad you've found my blog. Let me hear from you. I want to know your opinions and suggestions even if they don't match mine.
Blog you soon!
Ali B
I love to read! I'm a huge fan of adult fiction, memoirs, funny essays and historical dramas. I also love to revisit my childhood favorites (Island of the Blue Dolphins, Bridge to Terabithia) and am increasingly drawn to YA standouts like The Book Thief and The Hunger Games Trilogy. I try to read most of what my nine year old son is reading, but it's getting hard to keep up. Thankfully, he has an almost didactic memory and loves to share a good story on the ride to school.
My mom was a librarian and her passion was children's literature. There were stacks of books all over our house just waiting to be read. In our house, the only sedentary occupation allowed was reading. Turn on the television and mom immediately found a chore for you to do, but crack open a book and she'd leave you alone for hours.
I've written a MG book and am currently working on the sequel. I love it! Now, I just need an agent who loves it too. I'm querying my little heart out! More on that later...
I'm glad you've found my blog. Let me hear from you. I want to know your opinions and suggestions even if they don't match mine.
Blog you soon!
Ali B
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