Module 6 - Shark vs. Train by

 Bibliography:

Barton, Chris, and Tom Lichtenheld. (2010). Shark vs. Train. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN:9780316007627

Summary:

As play time ensues between two young boys, they dig into the toy chest. One comes up with a train and the other a shark. From then until lunch time it is epic battle after epic battle. The settings change each time, giving the upper-hand to either the train or the shark depending on the setting, or sometimes neither. Shark takes the first win in the ocean but train comes back and beats him on the tracks. Shark can not roast marshmallows, but then train doesn't do well at trick-or-treating. Train wins at burping and shark wins at diving. Train stands on all its boxcars to win at basketball, while shark dominates at bowling. Selling lemonade proves to be difficult for shark in the ocean, and staying up in a hot air balloon proves impossible for the heavy train. But, then there are things that neither the shark or the train can win, such as playing hide-and-seek, playing the piano, and my personal favorite, playing video games with no thumbs. The battles continue until finally the boys are called for lunch and shark and train are put back into the toy chest, each taunting the other for next time.

Impressions:

I absolutely love this book! I work in the library and have shelved this book quite a few times, but had never checked it out before even though it was a 2x2 winner. But now I can see why. This book made me laugh out loud, and I think any person at any age would love it, especially children. The story is very fun and hilarious! The various scenarios are so random and entertaining. Not only that, but the illustrations are great! They make the book as funny as it is with the train and shark's facial expressions and the colorful settings. The book is very imaginative, just like a child's imagination when playing with toys. It illustrates child's play perfectly! Simply put, this book is brilliant and very entertaining, engaging and enjoyable.

Reviews:
"Energetic cartoon illustrations take full advantage of the visual possibilities. Creative use of page space and perspectives gives a fresh look to each new battle. Just-right facial expressions capture the distinct personalities of the two competitors, including an evil grin from Shark at the Ping-Pong table and Train's uneasy look during a disastrous piano recital. Subtler visual details add to the humor, including a shark-jumping Fonzie reference that adults will appreciate. This inspired pairing, executed with ingenuity and packed with action and humor, is a sure winner."

Engelfried, Steven (April 1, 2010). Library Journals LLC [Review of the book Shark vs. Train.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

"Barton's imaginative and wacky scenarios are knocked home by Lichtenheld's ferociously funny artwork and will leave kids measuring up their dump truck and T-Rex for the next tale of the tape."

Chipman, Ian. (April 15, 2010). American Library Association [Review of the book Shark vs. Train.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

 Kids could have a lot of fun with this book! I think it would be great to read it aloud, having the kids explain each scenario. For example, having them explain why a shark would win the dive contest, or the train would win selling lemonade. After story time, the kids could create their own scenarios with toys brought in just for this purpose. Each kid could pick out a "warrior" and pair up with another to have their own unique contests based on the settings they choose, taking turns choosing settings which would allow their warrior to win. At the end would be the time to encourage them to share any clever or funny scenarios that they created.

Module 5 - Let it Shine by Ashley Bryan

Bibliography:

Bryan, Ashley. (2007). Let it Shine. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0689847327

Summary:

The book has illustrations that serve as a backdrop to the lyrics of three different spirituals. The first is This Little Light, which talks about letting your light shine no matter the circumstances. The second spiritual was When The Saints, which expresses the desire to be among God’s chosen during the time of judgment. The final spiritual was In His Hands. This one describes the omnipresent nature of God.

Impressions:

The book makes use of vivid illustrations to capture the attention of young readers while also teaching well known spirituals. It is very fun to sing along with (which is what I did), and it’s great to see how the words are illustrated through the colorful and fun illustrations. Despite its notoriety for being given the Coretta Scott King award, the book is universal in its themes and universally appreciable. I thought the book was very entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Reviews:
"Bryan (Beautiful Blackbird) again proves himself a maestro with scissors (depicted on the endpages) in a series of arresting, kaleidoscopic cut-construction paper collages that interprets three beloved spirituals"

 (November 27, 2006). Library Journals LLC [Review of the book Let it Shine.]. Publisher's Weekly. Available from booksinprint.com

"Each double-page spread of this oversize picture book is an explosion of shapes and bright colors. Stocky figures, silhouetted against swirling colors are created from geometric shapes woven together. Rather than conceive a story to accompany the lyrics, Bryan presents series of scenes to reflect each set of lyrics."

Enos, Randall. (November 15, 2006). American Library Association [Review of the book Let it Shine.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:
This book would be great to have the kids sing along with. It should be “read” more than once. The first time, the kids should be looking at the vivid and interesting pictures while the “reader” sings the songs to the listeners. While this is happening, the kids will pick up on the songs because they are so repetitive. Then, the lyrics could be given to the children and everyone could then sing and clap and dance together.

Module 5 - Snapshots from the Wedding by Gary Soto

Bibliography:

Soto, Gary. (1997). Snapshots from the Wedding. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN: 9780399228087

Summary:

In this book Maya is telling about the wedding she attended through describing the snapshots. She was the flower girl during the wedding, and from her standing point she can look back and see the people in the pews. She describes some of the people, as in her cousin who wiggles his tongue between the spaces in his teeth, or her aunt who is crying. She describes the bridesmaids and groomsmen as well as the altar boy and the priest. She makes sure to tell the store of the groom, who broke his arm playing softball, which is why his arm is in the cast for his wedding. The couple says “I do” and then they kiss before everyone starts to cry. Everyone then heads to the party afterwards where there is food and drinks, a mariachi band, wedding cake, and lots of dancing. Maya dances and plays with the other kids during the party before getting sleepy. She has a piece of the wedding cake and dances on the tops of her father’s shoes before leaving. She falls asleep in the car ride home, and when she wakes up she declares that it was definitely a wedding to remember.

Impressions:

The author manages to narrate the book in such a way to give the illusion of a young Hispanic girl’s ramblings complete with occasional Spanish phrases without isolating English only readers. It was very clever to also include a glossary in the front of the book, for there was a word or two even I didn’t know from my brief high school Spanish classes. The artwork is unique, being that they are themselves snapshots of the dioramas of the hand crafted figurines. I thought the book was pretty funny because I could easily hear the rambling talk of a child as they narrate some event that they happened to attend. The details are random and sporadically placed, and all in all, very amusing.

Reviews:

"Created with Sculpy clay, acrylic paints, wood, ribbons, and flowers, the art is displayed in large boxes set against pages covered with lace. The doll-like members of the wedding are exaggerated just enough to be amusing; at times, just a body part or two are highlighted, as when Maya's feet are shown on top of her father's while they dance. Just like a wedding album, this will be looked at over and over." 

Cooper, Ilene. (February 15, 1997). American Library Association [Review of the book Snapshots from the Wedding.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"Photographs of shadowboxes filled with sculpted clay figures form the eye-catching art for Soto's 'diary' of Maya, a flower girl. The text, sprinkled with Spanish words, is eloquent and …and it deftly captures the flavor of a Latino wedding, complete with mariachi band."

(January 21, 1997). PWxyz LLC [Review of the book Snapshots from the Wedding.]. Publisher's Weekly. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:
For this book, I would read it to the children and afterwards have the children draw pictures of things that happened during a major event in their life. Afterwards, they could all share with the class, giving their own narration to the pictures just like Maya. To extend this, real pictures could be brought in the next time of an event and shared in the same way.

Module 4 - The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Bibliography:

DiCamillo, Kate. (2003). The Tale of Despereaux. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 0439692202

Summary:

Despereaux is a tiny mouse who is more interested in things like light, love, music, and stories than he is in correct mouse behavior. One night Despereaux stumbles upon the King singing and playing his guitar for his daughter, the Princess Pea. Despereaux instantly falls in love with Pea and tells her so. But the king hated rodents because his dear Queen recently died from shock from a rat, Roscuro, falling into her soup. So, the King outlawed rats and soup. The king tells Despereaux to leave, but Despereaux’s brother saw that Despereaux was talking to humans and tells the other mice, who decide to send Despereaux to the dungeon where he will be killed by rats. But when Despereaux enters the dungeon, the jailer agrees to save him if Despereaux will tell him a story. The story then skips to talk about Roscuro, who is a rat who loves both the dark and the light. He left the dungeon to see the light and saw the royal family eating, which is when he fell in the soup and caused the death of the Queen. Roscuro looks back as he is leaving to see Pea looking at him with hatred. This look breaks his heart and he then decides to get revenge. For his plan he uses a girl named Mig, who was sold by her own father to a man, who cuffed her ears so many times that she becomes a little deaf. But the king’s men found her and take her back to live at the castle, as having a slave is illegal. Mig wants to be a princess and so Roscuro tells Mig that if she helps him get Pea to the dungeon then Mig will be a princess. So Mig threatens the princess with a knife and they all enter the dungeon. Despereaux, who had overheard part of this plan, enters the dungeon to save Pea with a sewing needle for a weapon. When he finds them he threatens to kill Roscuro, but Pea begs him not to. Instead, Pea tells Roscuro that if he frees them, she will give him access to soup and light. Roscuro agrees and they all leave and eat soup. Roscuro also helps to reunite Mig and her real father, who happened to be in the dungeon. He felt so bad about what he did to Mig that he treated her as a princess forever more. As for Despereaux and Pea, they become really good friends.

Impressions:

I adored this book! I loved the narration throughout the book, especially how the narrator would stop and talk to me, the reader. He would encourage the reader to look up a word, or stop and imagine something, or just as questions to make you think. I like how the book makes you think of light and dark and the things that lie in each category. It clearly points out the consequences for actions taken, and when I say clearly, I mean, the narrator has a whole conversation on the topic to make sure the point is illuminated. The book was humorous and heartwarming and I think readers of any age would enjoy it.  

Reviews:

" Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is as soul stirring as it is delicious.." 

Cooper, Ilene. (July 01, 2003). Library Journals LLC [Review of the book The Tale of Desperaux.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"With allegorical elements such as quests for love and light, and dangerous encounters that lead to forgiveness and redemption, Kate DiCamillo's novel (Candlewick, 2003) is a multi-layered fantasy."

Wysocki, Barbra. (March 01, 2004). Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT [Review of the book The Tale of Desperaux.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:
Because this book has such a unique narration, I think this book would be perfect for reading out loud. There are many points in the narration when the narrator stops the reader and asks a question or encourages the reader to do something, like look up a word, or imagine a certain scenario. As you are reading and you come to these parts, you could actually make your listeners do these things. Have them close their eyes and imagine; have them look up a word. When there is a question asked to the reader/listener, get their answers, their replies and their thoughts. The kids would enjoy the book and using the narration is an extra way to get them involved in the story. There is also a movie and so the movie could also be watched. After watching the movie, a comparison discussion could be had about the similarities and differences and also about which format the kids preferred.

Module 4 - Holes by Louis Sachar

Bibliography:

Sachar, Louis. Holes. (2008). New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN: 0374332665

Summary:

Stanley is a young boy who has a history of bad luck because of a curse put on the family because an ancestor who broke a promise to carry Madame Zeroni up a mountain to drink the backward flowing water. Because of this, and because of Stanley being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Stanley gets accused of stealing a pair of sneakers belonging to a famous baseball player that were going to be auctioned for charity. At court, Stanley gets the option of going to camp or jail. Stanley chooses camp- Camp Green Lake. At camp the children there are made to dig a hole five feet deep and five feet wide in all directions in a desert each day. Digging a hole soon after coming, Stanley finds a lipstick case, but another boy takes it and claims he found it in his hole to get the day off. As it turns out, the Warden is looking for treasure buried by the Kissing Kate Barlow.  Forced to dig each day, Stanley becomes friends with a kid named Zero. They make a deal that in exchange for Stanley teaching Zero to read, Zero would help Stanley dig his holes. But one day, Zero becomes so upset at the treatment of the adults at camp, he runs away. Because there is nothing surrounding the camp but a vast desert and because no one would miss Zero, the adults let him leave. Stanley, after a couple of days, decides to run away too in order to search for his friend. When Stanley finds Zero, Zero is very weak and sick. They decide to go to the distant mountain that looks like a thumb instead of going back to camp because Stanley had a grandfather who got lost in the area once and said it was “God’s thumb” that saved him. Zero collapses on the way there, and Stanley carries Zero the rest of the way. Because Zero is a descendent of Madame Zeroni, the curse is now broken (although Stanley doesn’t know this yet). Once they reach the thumb, they find mud and dig up water, also finding onions. They live on muddy water and onions for a few days before deciding to go back to camp to see if they could find the buried treasure before leaving the area with a bag full of onions and water to make it to the nearest city. The boys go back to the hole where Stanley found the lipstick case and dug until they found a suitcase. The warden then makes her entrance and demands the case, but is forced to wait as Stanley and Zero are covered in the deadly yellow-spotted lizards. But, the lizards don’t bite the boys since the lizards do not like onions. Because the curse is now broken, a lawyer shows up in time to save Stanley and Zero and put a stop to the Warden’s so called camp. The boys end up making a lot of money from the things inside the suitcase and are finally happy with their lives.

Impressions:

I am really glad I chose this book as a part of my reading for this week. The book was very humorous and satirical, and just plain entertaining. I had watched the movie, and so I kind of knew what to expect, but it still blew me away at how great a book it was. The book shows the importance of liking yourself. When you like yourself then you have the courage to stand up for yourself and the things you believe in. You have the strength to make the right choices and help others out. Stanley grew stronger at camp, but not because he was digging holes. I really liked how everything tied together in the end; everything from Kate Barlow, to Stanley’s ancestors, all comes to a dramatic conclusion in the end.  

Reviews:

" How Stanley rescues his friend Zero, who really stole Sweet Feet's tennis shoes, what the warden is desperately looking for, and how the Yelnats curse is broken all blend magically together in a unique coming of age story leavened with a healthy dose of humor." 

Lombardo, Cindy. (September 01, 1999). Library Journals LLC [Review of the book Holes]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

"The author's ability to knit Stanley and Zero's compelling story in and out of a history of intriguing ancestors is captivating. Stanley's wit, integrity, faith, and wistful innocence will charm readers. A multitude of colorful characters coupled with the skillful braiding of ethnic folklore, American legend, and contemporary issues is a brilliant achievement. There is no question, kids will love Holes."

Follos, Alison. (September 1, 1998). North Country School, Lake Placid, NY [Review of the book Holes]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:
I think this book would be great to use as a read aloud that lasted a few weeks. It would interest the kids and have them coming back to hear more the following week. It might even have them checking out or buying the book themselves so they can read it even sooner. Each week could be started by talking about what happened last and what they think will happen next. After reading the book, a discussion could be had about what the kids liked about it and their favorite parts. The movie could also be watched and after watching the movie, a comparison discussion could be had about the similarities and differences between the movie and book and also about which format the kids preferred.

Module 3 - Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinksky

Bibliography:

Zelinsky, Paul O. (1997). Rapunzel. New York: Dutton Children's. ISBN: 0525456074

Summary:

There once was a couple who were having a baby. The pregnant wife was craving some Rapunzel she could spot from her window in the neighboring sorceress' garden. She was craving the herb to such an extent that her husband decided to steal some. Caught by the sorceress, the husband claims his wife will die if she is not allowed the herb, so the sorceress bargains with the husband, saying that he can have as much Rapunzel as he needs as long as she is given their child. The husband agrees and when the couple's child is born, the sorceress arrives and takes away the child. The sorceress named the girl Rapunzel and cared for her. On Rapunzel's twelfth birthday, the sorceress took Rapunzel to live in a tall tower with no doors or windows except one at the top. In order to visit, Rapunzel would have to let down her very long hair for the sorceress to climb up. One day, a prince riding by the tower heard Rapunzel singing and instantly fell in love. He observed how the sorceress ascended the tower and followed suit the next day. The prince and Rapunzel fell in love and got married in the tower. Every evening the prince would come to see her until one day Rapunzel asked the sorceress for help with her now too tight dress. Hearing this, the sorceress knew immediately the acts that had been committed. She cut Rapunzel's hair and banished her to a far away land where Rapunzel had twins. When the prince came to see Rapunzel in her tower the next evening, the sorceress was waiting for him; he was so struck by grief at Rapunzel's absence that he fell from the tower and became blind. He walks around the country eating roots and herbs for a year until he finally hears Rapunzel's beautiful singing and knows he has found his love. They tearfully embrace and the prince's sight is restored by Rapunzel's tears. The prince can now see his surroundings and notices they are near his kingdom, so he takes his wife and kids to his palace and they live a long life, happy and content. 

Impressions:

This timeless story is quite unique. There are a surprising number of depressing moments, which normally would not be found in a children's book. I actually liked this concept because it accurately mirrors real life, in that there are always ups and downs and that life is not always fair. It shows that there are also consequences for actions taken. The artwork is also very unique. The pictures are exceedingly well drawn, making use of realism and employ a vivid color scheme. It is to be expected from a book that won the Caldecott award. The high quality illustration goes together well with the words, helping to tell the story instead of standing independent of the words. Being a true romantic, I also loved the romance in the book. I was touched when the prince blindly, literally, searched for his Rapunzel until he finally found her. It made me smile when her tears, in a sweet cliche, healed his sight. 

Reviews:

"elegant and sophisticated retelling that draws on early French and Italian versions of the tale. Masterful oil paintings capture the Renaissance setting and flesh out the tragic figures." 

 (December 01, 1997). Library Journals LLC [Review of the book Rapunzel]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

" Children--and adults--will pore over the intricate detail and glowing colors; they will also be moved by the mysterious tale of nurture and passion and terror."

Rochman, Hazel. (November 1, 1997). [Review of the book Rapunzel]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:
I think this book would be perfect for story time with young children. It could be read alone or it could be read with other versions of the same story. If it's read with other versions, then it could lead into a discussion about the similarities and differences about the different versions, as well as what the children liked most from each one. I also think a good activity to do would be to have the children put on a skit of their own version of the story. It would be both fun and entertaining as well as helping the children think more about the elements of the story, like setting, character, and plot.  

Module 3 - Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema and pictures by Leo and Diana Dillon

Bibliography:

Aardema, Verna, Diane Dillon, and Leo Dillon. (1978). Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears. New York: Puffin Pied Piper. ISBN: 0140549056

Summary:

The title of the book asks the question "Why do mosquitoes buzz in people's ears?". The narrative sets out to answer that question and starts off with a mosquito who tells such a lie to an iguana, that the iguana plugs his ears with sticks so he wouldn't have to listen to the mosquito's lies. This begins a chain reaction. The iguana, who has sticks in his ears, doesn't hear the snake's hello and so doesn't reply. This unnerves the snake, afraid the iguana is plotting against him, and so he decides to hide in a rabbit hole. The rabbit, upon seeing a snake in her hole, runs out the back entrance in a panic. Seeing the rabbit running frantically, the crow thinks something is amiss and sounds an alarm. When the monkey hears this alarm he begins to swing through the branches to try to pass on the message. But while swinging, a branch breaks and he ends up killing a baby owlet in it's nest. When the mother owl returns from hunting to find her baby bird dead, she becomes so sad that she wouldn't hoot to wake up the sun. After days with no sun, King Lion holds a meeting and after many interrogations, discovers the trail leading to the mosquito's blame for the chain reaction and the owlet's death. The animals decide to punish the mosquito, and upon hearing that the owl hoots for the sun to rise. The mosquito's hides from his punishment, and from then on goes to people, buzzing the question "Is everyone still angry at me?" in their ears. The answer is a squashed mosquito.

Impressions:

The illustrations in this book are markedly unique. The style of drawing is one which is rarely seen, and adds considerably to the story itself with hidden meanings not seen in the text, such as Mother Owl's first conception of how the monkey killed her owlet. The story itself is mostly an absurd, though delightful tale which makes use of repetitious textual elements as King Lion traces the series of events. As with most children's books that feature such phrasing and artwork, the story would be greatly enhanced by having it read aloud rather than assigned for silent, individual consumption. The story does not seem to end with any clear moral, but rather provides a fun, anecdotal explanation for mankind's marked hatred towards mosquitoes. Apart from only one slightly morbid moment (the death of a baby owl!) this book is a fun read through and through.

Reviews:

"The Dillons' cut shapes of varying hues assembled into stylized scenes create a polished, dramatic visual panorama that is well matched by Aardema's onomatopoeic text relating how a mosquito's silly lie to an iguana sets in motion a cumulative series of events." 

(June 01, 1996). [Review of the book Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears]. Books in Print. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:
 The book is ideal for story time because of the repetitive phrasing. It would be important to read it very energetically and make use of the illustrations, particularly once King Lion's interrogations begin. I think a fun activity would be to have a mock trial in which each child is given an animal to portray. One by one, the children have to give an excuse to why it is not their fault, and in fact is another animal's fault. The animal the child chooses to blame next would be the next child to create an imaginative excuse to escape blame. This could be very entertaining and funny to see the children create elaborate excuses in order to blame someone else. Its a great game of scapegoating! (As well as giving a feel for trials and the legal system).

Module 2 - Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Bibliography:

Johnson, Crockett. (1955). Harold and the Purple Crayon. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN: 0060229357

Summary:

Harold is a young boy with a purple crayon and has the ability to create the world around him. He wants to go on a walk in the moonlight, so in need of a moon, Harold draws one and viola! there it is. He then creates a path to follow but soon becomes bored with that so he creates a field to cut across with a forest (but with just one tree in it). This one tree happens to become an apple tree with apples so delicious that Harold creates a dragon to guard them. The next thing he knows, Harold is in the sea, created by his wobbly hand (fear from the dragon of course). But his purple crayon comes to the rescue again with a boat, and later, after landing, a lot of pie. Harold then wants to find his own room and bed and begins searching for it, until finally he remembers that his bedroom window was always around the moon. He draws himself a bed, "drew" up the covers, and goes to sleep. 

Impressions:

I thought this book was very cute and I loved it. It clearly demonstrates the power of creativity and how you can easily create a solution to any problem with just a little creative thinking. The book is simple in its artwork, but very moving at the same time. Its a great adventure to go on again and again, and it will be a fun read each time.

Reviews:

"Anyone who is a child at heart will immediately recognize this timeless story as a loving tribute to the soaring power of our imagination and creativity." 

Alyn, Susan. (n.d.). Future Classics [Review of the book Harold and the Purple Crayon]. Horn Book. Available from http://hbook.com/resources/books/futureclassics.asp

"An ingenious and original picture story in which a small boy out for a walk--happily with crayon in hand--draws himself some wonderful adventures. A little book that will be loved. "

 [Review of the book Harold and the Purple Crayon]. Horn Book. Available from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/harold-and-the-purple-crayon-crockett-johnson/1100058493

Suggestions For Use:

A great use for this book would be to give the children paper and their own purple crayon. The children could then fold the paper, or cut it, to make a booklet and then they could all draw their own adventure. Encourage them to be creative and to have a start and a finish. After the children are done, they can each share their drawings and their story to the rest of the group. You could also give scenarios to the children of Harold being in a tight spot and then ask them to draw with their purple crayon a creative way he could get out of it by drawing with his crayon.

Module 2 - Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. by Judy Blume

Bibliography:

Blume, Judy. (1986). Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. New York: Dell Pub. Co. 

ISBN: 0440404193

Summary:

Margaret is a twelve year old girl who's family just moved to New Jersey from New York. But she is also the daughter of a Christian mother and a Jewish father. Deciding that their daughter would grow up without practicing any one religion, Margaret is brought up thinking she doesn't have a religion. Although she claims no religion, she has a relationship with God, and frequently talks to him. At her new school the class is assigned a year long project on something that is meaningful. Margaret decides that she will choose religion as her topic and attend Jewish, Christian, and even Catholic churches to see what religion she is. Along the way she makes friends and joins a secret club with four female members called the Four PTS's (Pre-Teen Sensations). With these girls, Margaret learns things about herself and growing up, such as boys, real friendship, periods, and bras. In the end, the conflict between her Jewish grandmother, and her maternal grandparents, along with having attended multiple churches and not feeling God's presence in any of them, Margaret decides that her personal connection and communication with God is what matters most.

Impressions:

I really enjoyed this book. I liked to see the conflict of Margaret as she was trying to choose a religion. Growing up in a non-religious home, I can understand her confusion as she is wondering "what to be". I also enjoy watching her mature and learn about her body. It is very humorous! Its also very interesting to see that although this was written some time ago, the pre-teen is still the same.

Reviews:

"Groundbreaking in its candor about God, religion, and puberty...She changed the children's lit landscape forever."

Ferber, Brenda. (n.d.). Top 100 Children's Novels [Review of the book Are you there God? It's me, Margaret]. School Library Journal. Available from http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2010/03/05/top-100-childrens-novels-40-36/

"With sensitivity and humor, Judy Blume has captured the joys, fears, and uncertainty that surround a young girl approaching adolescence."

 [Review of the book Are you there God? It's me, Margaret]. Publisher's Weekly. Available fromhttp://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2010/03/05/top-100-childrens-novels-40-36/

Suggestions For Use:

This book would work well for a book talk that led into a discussion about puberty and what changes the body undergoes, as well as fears, worries, or questions about the process. Its a great way to show that the children are all experiencing, or will experience, the same thing, if at different times. This book could also be used to discuss religion and God. About personal experiences with religion as well as broadening the minds to other views.