Module 10 - The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

Bibliography:

Yolen, Jane. (1988). The Devil's Arithmetic. New York: Viking Kestrel. ISBN: 0670810274

Summary:

Hannah is a young Jewish girl, living in present day New York who feels forced to participate in the Jewish holidays and traditions. She feels that her family is weird; they act out, especially the older ones, and always talk about remembering. But Hannah is tired of remembering, especially with the boring traditions, and only wants to have fun. But, during Seder, Hannah gets transported into the past as a young Jewish girl named Chaya during the time of WWII. The people there believe her to be Chaya, and with no one believing her when she protests, she finally lets it be and goes with it, thinking eventually she will get back home. On the day of her "cousin's" wedding, the Nazis come and force all the Jews into vans to relocate them. Hannah finally figures out what is going on, and tries to warn everyone, but they do not listen. They are forced onto cramped trains, where many die, and finally come to a concentration camp where they are forced to separate from the men, forced to strip, shower in a huge room together, shave off all their hair, and given a tattooed number on their arm: their new identity. They are forced to work everyday. Weak workers or sick workers are killed in the ovens. Hannah and the others concentrate on surviving one day at a time. A lot of her friends die, including some that tried to escape and instead were caught and made to line up, then shot. Caught gossiping one day with three of her friends, a guard forces the three friends with Hannah to follow him to the ovens, but Hannah takes the place of her friend Rivka and tells her that she must remember before walking away to die. Upon walking into the ovens, she realizes she is back at home. She notices that her Aunt Eva's number on her arm is the same that Rivka had. Her aunt and Hannah discuss what happen and what happened after Chaya saved her life. Hannah now understands the importance of all the remembering and the importance of her heritage and family.

Impressions:

Although the time travel is far-fetched, I didn't see a problem with it, and I really think it was played off well. Besides, how else would you get a girl from today's day and age to witness the holocaust? Readers are able to connect with her easier because of that fact. I think its a great book to go with teaching about the Holocaust. I think children will relate to the protagonist because she is a girl from our time and age who somehow gets thrown back in time. And with this connection to this girl, readers are also able to make the connection to the past, and the characters and events there. I loved being able to see impressions of this horrific event, that I know is based on facts. Reading something like this is one of the ways that readers today can help make sure that nothing like that ever happens again.

Reviews:
"Through Hannah, with her memories of the present and the past, Yolen does a fine job of illustrating the importance of remembering. She adds much to children's understanding of the effects of the Holocaust, which will reverberate throughout history, today and tomorrow."

Harding, Susan. (November 01, 1988). Library Journals LLC.  [Review of the book The Devil's Arithmetic.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

"The book's simplicity is its strength; no comment is needed because the facts speak for themselves. This brave and powerful book has much it can teach a young audience."

 (October 14, 1986). PWxyz, LLC. [Review of the book The Devil's Arithmetic.]. Publishers Weekly. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

I think this novel would be a great book to tie into the history lessons of the Holocaust, of WWII, of the Nazis, of the whole gruesomeness of the whole affair. With history books, people are left out, and only numbers and facts are written, but reading this while studying the same thing in history would help put things into perspective. Discussions could arise, and kids could begin to grasp the realness of it all. The book could either be read aloud or individually, with discussions as a group.

Module 9 - Wolf Rider by Avi

Bibliography:

Avi. (1986). Wolf Rider. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. ISBN: 0020415133

Summary:

Andy and his father just moved to an apartment a year after Andy's mother died in a car accident. As Andy was getting ready to leave to go to a party that night, the phone rings. Andy answers it and the voice on the other line claims that he just killed someone, a girl named Nina. The voice says is name is Zeke, and that the girl went to the college in town. Andy tries to keep Zeke on the phone for as long as he could, having sent his friend to cross the road and use a phone there to call the police to have them trace the call. But the call ends and the police don't trace the call. This starts Andy off on an investigation to discover who this Zeke person is once he realizes that Nina is a real person, attending the college in town where Andy's father works as a math professor. As Andy continues his investigation, people at all turns think he is crazy and that the phone call was a prank. They think he should just forget about the whole thing, but Andy is determined to help Nina. So, even though his father gets angry and upset at him many times, straining their relationship, and the police constantly turn him away, and the guidance counselor at school makes him attend meetings with her, he still strives to figure out the truth. Even Nina, when Andy confronts her about the whole matter, thinks he is mad and calls the police on him. But in the end, Andy reasons that Zeke must be a part of the math department, as they would be the only one with their new phone number, which wasn't listed yet. He calls each person in the department under the guise of calling from the newspaper, and finally finds the voice of Zeke: Dr. Lucas. With a series of phone calls to Dr. Lucas, Andy gets him to come to a meeting point where he knows Nina to be, hoping that Dr. Lucas will reveal himself as Zeke and have proof for the police. But, instead, Dr. Lucas kidnaps Andy and drives him out to a cliff. There they have a struggle, and the car drives off the cliff with Andy managing to get out of the car in time. In the end, he decides to tell no one about what happened. His father, upon finding a cufflink that he knows belongs to Dr. Lucas in Andy's pocket, decides not to confront his son about it and throws it away to protect his son.

Impressions:

This book was a very fast read. From the very first page I was hooked and wanted to figure out who the killer was. Although I thought that the story could have been filled out a little more, for I felt there were a lot of stray questions that Avi left unanswered, I thought the book was a good read. I enjoyed how Avi gave insights into not only Andy but Dr. Lucas and Andy's father as well. The ending caught me off guard, for I felt that Andy should have told his father the truth, if only so that he could finally been believed. It bothered me that no one seemed to trust what he was saying, even Nina I felt should have listened to him a bit more. But when faced with the truth that someone wants to kill you, I can understand her overreacting. I also didn't like the idea that Andy's father could be thinking that Andy killed Dr. Lucas somehow, when this wasn't the case; it was all an accident and Andy had actually tried to save Dr. Lucas. But Andy's father thinking that Andy murdered Dr. Lucas could put a strain on their relationship that could last a lifetime if the truth is not spoken. I also learned, while looking for reviews that the book has an alternate ending in which Andy dies on the plane ride to his aunt's house. I think if I had read this ending, I would have been a little more upset with the ending of the book. But all in all, I enjoyed reading the book and think that others would enjoy reading it as well.

Reviews:
"A charged beginning electrifies a plot that sizzles with suspense every inch of the way. Avi fortifies this excitement with staccato dialogue and a fast pace"

(November 01, 1986). American Library Association.  [Review of the book Wolf Rider.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"His attempts to ferret out Zeke and protect Nina, while compromising his own safety, make for an exciting tale of the terror lurking beneath everyday surroundings and behind ordinary events."

 (December 26, 1986). PWxyz, LLC. [Review of the book Wolf Rider.]. Publishers Weekly. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

This book could be read aloud and it would instantly attract the attention of it's listeners. The book has a great hook and it is fast paced, with the readers/listeners wanting to know things like what's going to happen, is Nina going to die, and who is Zeke? As well as being fast-paced and an interesting mystery, a discussion could be held later about different actions Andy could have taken, or about the ending of the book when Andy decides to not bother his father with what happened with Lucas, and Andy's father decides not to ask, although he knows his son had something to do with the death of Lucas, maybe even killed him. The ending leads much to speculation and would lead to a great conversation. Talks could also be had about what would be different in today's age, seeing as this was written in 1986. For example, most people don't have a home phone anymore, and even if they do, everyone has caller ID now.

Module 8 - Fire by Kristin Cashore

Bibliography:

Cashore, Kristin. (2009). Fire. New York: Dial Books. ISBN: 9780803734616

Summary:

There is a land full of beautiful monsters that lure victims to their death by their captivating beauty and ability to influence minds. Fire is one of these monsters, the last human monster of her kind. Her father before her was a human monster too, but knowing the cruelty of her father, and the way she controlled the king, and thus the country, and was leading it to its destruction, Fire enters into the mind of her father and leads him to his death in the claws of a leopard monster when she was a young teen. She gets swept up in the war and politics of her country as she is able to influence the minds of other living things. She ends up leaving her country home and best friend (and former lover), Archer, to head to the city to do her part in helping interrogate prisoners and spies. Prince Brigan is in charge of her safety, and although he hated her in the beginning because of who her father was, he later learns the truth of things, and Brigan and Fire fall in love. In the city, Fire learns of the growing threat of two opposing lords as well as the fact that some men have been found with an emptiness in their mind that she later traces the source to a child with one red eye. Eventually she helps in the murder of the two lords and afterwards gets kidnapped by a group of men under the child's control, for he controls the mind of men with his words. She discovers that the child, Leck, had Archer killed and she loses it. She burns his houses and leaves on the back of a horse, thinking the child dead. She is later found, freezing and frostbitten, by her guards and taken to safety. The war ends and Brigan and Fire finally move in together. The book ends with Fire's finally forgiving herself for her actions.

Impressions:

I had previously read Cashore's other book, Graceling, a few years before so I was excited to read this book. I was a little let down by the fact that it didn't contain the main characters of her first book, but I was instantly drawn into this book nonetheless. The characters are real; they have good and bad to them. For example, Fire pretty much murdered her father, yet she helped in saving the entire country from destruction. I was shocked at some parts at the darkness of the book. These things, such as Fire taking a drug that would prevent her from having children, Fire losing two of her fingers, or even the twisted lineage of the royal family, and all the rape, are rare to find in a young adult novel, yet I found that I liked the harsh truth to it. The ending did not have the touch of a happily ever after, but at the end of the book I was content with the progression of the story.

Reviews:
"As a fantasy writer, Cashore sets herself apart with a passionate descriptive style...'Fire' is a good addition to the young adult bookshelf. It has action, romance and mysterious creatures, and it allows readers to indulge in a primal fantasy: What would it be like to have such powers? 'Fire' may not lessen anyone's desire for transcendent beauty or the ability to read the minds of the lords and ladies of the lunchroom. But by the end, readers will better understand that even these gifts are double-edged."

Quart, Alissa. (December 06, 2009). The New York Times Company.  [Review of the book Fire.]. New York Times. Available from booksinprint.com

"This prequel to Graceling, Cashore's smashing debut, may initially frustrate readers wanting more about Katsa and Po. Fire takes place long before Katsa's birth in an adjacent kingdom called the Dells and shares only one character. But its themes-embracing your talents and moving out of your parents' shadow-are similar, as is the absorbing quality of Cashore's prose...Many twists propel the action, and although astute readers will suspect who the eventual lovers will be from their first hateful meeting, the buildup to their romance provides tension that keeps the pages turning. Cashore's conclusion satisfies, but readers will clamor for a sequel to the prequel-a book bridging the gap between this one and Graceling."

 (July 20, 2009). PWxyz, LLC. [Review of the book Fire.]. Publishers Weekly. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

I think this book would be a good book to lead into discussions of politics and war here in the real world. Conversations and discussions could be had during the progression of chapters in the book about the thoughts of certain actions by the characters, as well as any predictions to the growing plot and confusion by all the lies told by spies and characters. After the book is read, comparisons could be made about politics in the Dells compared to our politics. Discussions could be had about the tactics taken by Fire and her companions, such as killing off enemies, and reactions to these tactics as well. It would be a great book to look into necessity vs compassion and ethics.

Module 7 - Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

Bibliography:

Korman, Gordon. (2002). Son of the Mob. New York: Hyperion. ISBN: 0786807695

Summary:

Vince is not just any high school student. His dad is the mob boss for the area, which makes him the mob prince. But, although his brother Tommy has taken an interest in the family business, "vending machines", Vince wants nothing to do with the shady dealings of the mob. He is more interested in having a girlfriend, or hanging out with his best friend Alex. Urged to go to a college party one weekend by Alex, Vince runs into a girl named Kendra, a student at his school who once tried to interview him for the school newspaper when he quit the football team. In a wild act of insanity when Kendra tells Vince her dad works for the FBI, Vince grabs and kisses Kendra. Later, Vince finds out he has caught lice from Kendra, and they are forced to go home early from school, deciding to split the cost of the solutions at the pharmacy. They go back to Kendra's place to help each other with the lice shampoo, but when Kendra's father returns home early, Vince slips out the window. After that, Vince and Kendra start seeing each other regularly. But meanwhile, there are people coming to Vince, asking for his help to appeal to his father for more time on paying back loans. Vince is so taken in by these people that he decides to help them, getting caught up in the family business by doing so. Ray, a top dog under Vince's father, ends up helping Vince out girlfriend wise, but when Kendra breaks up with Vince the next day, Vince gets suspicious, and discovers that Ray is an inside man for the FBI. Vince gives Ray a heads up and by the end of the book, Ray is in the witness protection program, Vince is back with Kendra, and Vince's dad has taken care of the troubles Vince stirred up with his interferences.

Impressions:

When I first picked up this book and read the back cover, I immediately smiled because I knew it was a book I would enjoy. And the book didn't disappoint. The book was had realistic characters, with Vince having a family that was legally bad, but a loving and good family nonetheless. And of course, Vince was at an age where he was having to come to terms with the family "vending machine" business. But the part I loved the most was the romance between Vince and Kendra. I loved the modern, mob and FBI, Romeo and Juliet feel of the whole book. Their families are mortal enemies, yet they fall in love and are determined to make it work. I am actually really interested in reading the sequel.

Reviews:
"With its razor-sharp dialogue and bullet-fast pace, this tale could fly on either the small or big screen, yet it makes a page-turner of a novel. Korman shapes a believable and likable crew-despite the less than reputable profession of some... Funny and unexpectedly affecting, this will grab-and hold onto-even the most reluctant of readers."

(October 28, 2002). PWxyz, LLC.  [Review of the book Son of the Mob.]. Publishers Weekly. Available from booksinprint.com

"Vince is well aware of the absurdity of his situation and has a wonderfully dry sense of humor. His genuine struggle to find his own way in the face of family influences is appealing and grounds the story. Although this book will be most popular with the junior high crowd, older students who appreciate humorous writing will enjoy the clever twist on a Romeo-and-Juliet relationship."

Carstensen, Angela.. (February 1, 2003).  [Review of the book Son of the Mob.]. Voice of Youth Advocates. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

I would put this book, as well as a few others that fall in the same category, up on display. The display could be about books that are similar to modern day Shakespearean books. This would fall into the category of being a modern day Romeo and Juliet. This display would attract a lot of attention since the topics and themes in Shakespeare are still great material today, especially when translated to modern day language and settings for readers today.

Module 7 - Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look

 Bibliography:

Look, Lenore. (2008). Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things. New York: Schwartz & Wade. ISBN: 9780375839143

Summary:

Alvin Ho is going into the second grade and he is afraid of everything except, oddly enough, things that explode. He can't speak to girls, and he can't speak in school, although he can speak on the bus. At home, he has an older brother and younger sister, and he pretends to be a superhero, Firecracker Man, routinely. But for disasters, Alvin has a Personal Disaster Kit, which he fills with things that might come in handy in case of emergencies, like band aids. His dad is teaching him how to be a gentleman, giving Alvin rules, such as never hit a girl. Alvin is determined to make a friend this year and so he asks his brother and father how to make friends and they both suggest trading baseball cards. But at school, the only person who talks to him is Flea, a girl with an eye patch and an uneven leg, like a real pirate. But he hates girls and doesn't talk to her, until she follows him home one day, sharing with Alvin's mom the book she made about Alvin's looks and how he communicates. Alvin gets mad and insults her and she leaves. Afterwards, Alvin intentionally catches chicken pox, and doesn't have to go to school for awhile, and upon returning decides to bring his dad's cool toy to show and tell, thinking the other kids will want to play with him. But, this backfires when the toy breaks on the bus. When his dad finds out, he is furious but only makes Alvin take piano lessons. But Alvin is so scared of his teacher that he runs out of the class. Alvin then decides to take some of his brother's baseball cards and try to be friends with the leader in his class, Pinky. Pinky takes the cards and makes Alvin do scary things, like watch a scary movie, in order to have the privilege of hanging out with them. Alvin watches the movie, and after, his sister comes out in her Halloween costume and scares Pinky so bad he pees his pants and leaves. Alvin realizes that he doesn't want to be friends with someone who doesn't like him for himself, and he realizes he already has a friend. He went back to Pinky, took back his brother's cards, and went to Flea's house. He apologizes to her for the mean things he did and she forgives him. They become fast mutual friends and spend the day watching action movies and playing in the backyard. Alvin thinks he is clearly becoming more of a gentleman.

Impressions:

Alvin Ho does an amazing job of capturing the thought processes of a shy and insecure second grade boy.  Despite being written as the stream-of-consciousness of a young boy, this book is appreciable by either boys or girls as Alvin's internal and external dialogue resonate with an innocence that he himself is not aware of.  The disjointed stories create a story that weaves across space and subjects, portraying a realistic sense of day-to-day life for a young child just trying to survive another day of school.  The book comes across as being lovable across generations and ages, relating to the trials of socialization for young readers, while reminding older readers of what it was like to be in a fluctuating state of security from one life event to the next.  This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I absolutely loved it start to finish.

Reviews:
"Whether they are fearful or brave, kids will smile at Alvin's scrapes and empathize with his concerns. Aspects of his Chinese-American background are seamlessly integrated into the story and add richness. The book is chock-full of well-placed illustrations."

Bridge, Martin. (August 1, 2008). Library Journals LLC [Review of the book Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

"In this book, Look, who has made a career of portraying Chinese American family life in picture books and chapter books, focuses less on cultural commonalities than on the idiosyncracies of Alvin's family (a dad fond of Shakespearean insults, a grandfather who sews), filling in the Chinese American backdrop exclusively through a small amount of Cantonese vocabulary and some food references."

Mattson, Jennifer. (July 1, 2008). American Library Association [Review of the book Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

This book reads aloud really well, so I think this book would work well reading out loud for story time for an elementary-middle school age group. After reading the books, conversations and discussions could follow about topics and themes in the books, especially those about friendship. Discussions about real and fake friends and even about past experiences with these kind of situations. Also, talking about any problems like those that Alvin experiences, like being unable to talk in school, could be beneficial. Knowing that there are others who are struggling could be a boost for those with similar problems.