Materials for Tweens

Dave at Night

Dora — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:38:14 +0000

Levine, Gail Carson. Dave at Night. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. ISBN 978-0064407472

Reader’s Annotation: When Dave’s father dies and his stepmother can’t take care of him, there’s nowhere for him to go but the Hebrew Home for Boys. It’s not a nice place, and Dave is determined to run away. But where else can he go, when even his own family doesn’t want him?
Plot Summary: Dave is not a quiet, well-behaved boy like his brother Gideon — he’s been a problem ever since his mother died giving birth to him. And when the boys’ father dies and their step-mother refuses to keep them, Uncle Jack is willing to take Gideon, but no one in the family wants to take in a handful like Dave. Dave finds himself in the Hebrew Home for Boys — or, as the inmates of the home prefer to call it, the Hell Hole for Brats. At first it seems life is going to be miserable for Dave: the food makes him sick, the teachers are at best uninterested and at worst cruel, the bigger boys pick on the smaller ones, and he’s burning with resentment at his family for deserting him. Dave is determined to run away, but as he grows to know and depend on the other boys his age (the “elevens”), he realizes that his buddies are going to make life bearable. The elevens watch out for each other, share with each other, cover for each other. And Dave also makes friends outside the orphanage, when he wanders into Harlem and finds himself in the middle of the blossoming Harlem Renaissance.
Critical Evaluation: Dave at Night was Gail Carson Levine’s second book, and with it she left the fairy tale kingdom of Ella Enchanted to tell a story set in 1926 New York, and loosely based on her father’s childhood. She handles the realistic historical setting very well, with believable dialogue and clearly delineated characters. Dave is a memorable creation; a bit intractable and stubborn, determined to do what he wants to do, and for much of the story full of anger at his brother and the rest of his family. His growth as a character is subtle and touching, as he slowly comes to forgive his family for being unable to care for him and learns to love the family he makes for himself, both in the orphanage and in Harlem.
About the author:Levine’s first book, Ella Enchanted, was a Newbery Honor book; since then she has gone on to write many other fractured fairy tales, a non-fiction book on writing, and two illustrated novels for younger readers set in Never Land and following the adventures of Tinkerbell and the other fairies.
Genre:historical fiction
Curriculum Ties: would tie into studying American history, the Harlem Renaissance, Black History Month curriculum, etc. Students could learn about some of the real artists and writers and musicians who were involved in the Harlem Renaissance.
Booktalking Ideas:

1) Talk about the setting of New York in the 1920s
2) Give some background on the Harlem Renaissance
3) Talk about the people Dave meets: Solly, Irma Lee, the other elevens, etc.

Age Level: 11 to 14
Challenge Issues: none apparent

Challenge defense suggestions: Though no challenge issues are apparent in this title, if the book were to be challenged, begin by reading it to become familiar with the content in question. Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources. In addition, review the library’s policy on challenged materials, and look for professional reviews of the book that could help justify its inclusion in the collection, or might explain how the questionable content is valuable. Note that the book was nominated for many state awards such as the Mark Twain Award of Mississippi, New Jersey’s Garden State award, was an ALA Notable Children’s Book, etc. Refer to bwibooks.com for the full list of critical recognition, and a starred review from School Library Journal.

Reasons for Inclusion: I selected this book because I enjoyed the setting and the depiction of the Harlem Renaissance, and because it was an ALA Notable Children’s book.

Alanna: The First Adventure

Dora — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:33:34 +0000

Pierce, Tamora. Alanna: The First Adventure [audiobook]. Read by Trini Alvarado. New York: Listening Library (a division of Random House), 2008. Length: 5 hours ISBN 978-0739371961

Reader’s Annotation: Alanna and her twin brother Thom were born in the wrong skins: Thom will be sent to be a knight, which he hates and Alanna loves. Alanna will be sent to learn magic in the City of the Gods, which is what Thom longs to do. But surely a clever pair of twins can think of a way to deal with this problem…
Plot Summary: Alanna and Thom are dreading their respective futures: as a boy, Thom has to learn to be a knight, though he hates fighting and rough work. Alanna will go to a temple and study magic, which she fears. But Alanna has thought of a plan — since the two can’t be told apart other than by the length of their hair, she will crop her hair, and the two will switch places (boys are also taught magic at the temple). The next day, the two set out on their new adventures. Alanna arrives in Corus, the capital city, and, calling herself Alan, begins the difficult training pages endure to become squires and then knights. But how long can Alanna keep concealing her gender, and can she really make it through all the hardships of training?
Critical Evaluation: Alvarado’s narration is skillful, with lots of different accents to suit different characters, whether highborn, rural, commoners from the city, etc. She has a pleasant reading voice, clear and with good pacing. The story itself is absorbing, and it works well read aloud; the listener can easily keep track of who is talking and where the action is taking place, though the descriptions of the settings are a bit sparse. Alanna is one of the better heroines in tween/young adult fantasy fiction, appealingly strong and capable, but sympathetic and with imperfections that make her easy to identify with.
About the author: Tamora Pierce is the author of numerous fantasy books for young adults, all featuring strong heroines and most set in the land of Tortall and surrounding countries. She lives in New York, with her husband and many pets. One of her newest projects is a comic book, White Tiger (Marvel Publishing), which she writes with her husband.
Genre: fantasy
Booktalking Ideas:

1) Talk about gender roles and what boys and girls are expected to do in Tortall — how it compares to our world
2) Focus on the other pages Alanna meets; Jonathan, Gareth, Ralon, etc.
3) Focus on the setting: describe Tortall and the surrounding countries
4) Talk about the Black City that Alanna begins to dream about; hint at what the meanings of the dreams are (the demons that control the city, etc.)

Age Level: 9 to 12
Challenge Issues: none apparent

Challenge defense suggestions: Though no challenge issues are apparent in this title, if the book were to be challenged, begin by reading it to become familiar with the content in question. Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources. In addition, review the library’s policy on challenged materials, and look for professional reviews of the book that could help justify its inclusion in the collection, or might explain how the questionable content is valuable. Get reviews and input from tweens who have read the book.

Reasons for Inclusion: This is a very well narrated audiobook, and the Song of the Lioness books are great for young girls thanks to their example of a girl who successfully challenges stereotypical gender roles.
Notes: Other books in the Song of the Lioness series: In the Hand of the Goddess, The Woman Who Rides Like a Man, and Lioness Rampant

What Eric Knew

Dora — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:02:28 +0000

Howe, James. What Eric Knew. New York: Aladdin, 1995. ISBN 0380713306

Reader’s Annotation: Since Eric moved away after his accident, things have been pretty quiet for Sebastian and David. But when weird letters begin arriving that seem to be hinting at what happened to Eric, Sebastian and his friends start investigating…and they’re about to find out that there’s more than a ghost haunting the local cemetery.
Plot Summary: Sebastian Barth wakes late one summer morning to a letter from his friend Eric, who’s recently moved away. At least, Sebastian thinks it must be from Eric — because who else would write such a weird letter? All it says are three letters: S.I.S. Sebastian has a hunch Eric is trying to tell them who was responsible for the accident he had right before he moved, but the only person they know with those initials is Susan Iris Siddons…the ghost that’s rumored to haunt the graveyard behind the house Eric lived in. Eric had been acting strangely quiet and withdrawn for a while; then fell down a flight of stairs and broke his leg. He wouldn’t tell Sebastian or their other friend David what exactly happened, but now Sebastian suspects he’s trying to fill them in. Had Eric learned something he shouldn’t have, that led to him being pushed down those stairs? As strange letters containing clues continue to arrive, Sebastian, David, and their new friend Corrie unravel just what exactly Eric knew.
Critical Evaluation: Sebastian and his two friends take on not just mysterious clues and possible ghosts, but also the puzzles of growing up: just what is the difference between 12 and 13? Does Sebastian like girls yet, or not? Does it mean he’s leaving David behind if he does? In the Sebastian Barth mysteries, James Howe focuses mostly on slightly edgier and more up-to-date Encyclopedia Brown-style mystery elements, but adds a bit more dimension to the character dynamics. These are fun, quick reads for tween mystery fans and for reluctant readers.
About the author:James Howe has written many books for children, including picture books, chapter books, and easy readers, as well as two recent novels for young adults. He is probably best known for his popular and award-winning Bunnicula books, which he wrote with his late wife Deborah Howe.
Genre: mystery
Booktalking Ideas:

1) Talk about the letters; read some of the clues; ask kids what they would think if they received a mysterious letter like Sebastian does
2) Discuss the Sebastian Barth series: talk about the types of mysteries he solves, recommend to fans of Encyclopedia Brown and Bunnicula
3) Focus on the relationships between the characters: how Sebastian begins spending time with Corrie, how David feels about this, etc.

Age Level: 9 to 11
Challenge Issues: a character is discovered to have a drug problem

Challenge defense suggestions:

• Read or re-read the book and be familiar with the context of the elements in question. Sebastian discovers that the older brother of a friend has a drug problem; it’s portrayed negatively and the character receives help.
• Consult the library’s collection development and challenged materials procedural policies for guidance
• Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources.
• A positive review from Publishers Weekly is available at amazon.com
• If possible, talk to tweens who have read the book and get reviews from them

Reasons for Inclusion: This is a fun mystery, and I’ve had good luck recommending it to reluctant tween readers. So many tweens love a mystery, and this one is a nice balance of humor, fast-paced action, and lots of spooky tension.

Notes: Other Sebastian Barth mysteries: Dew Drop Dead; Stage Fright; Eat Your Poison, Dear

The Adventures of Tintin, vol. 1

Dora — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:57:18 +0000

Herge. The Adventures of Tintin, vol. 1: Tintin in America, Cigars of the Pharaoh, The Blue Lotus. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 1994. ISBN 978-0316359405

Reader’s Annotation:Follow the wild adventures of Tintin and Snowy as they thwart gangsters, catch thieves, stop smugglers, and solve mysteries all around the world!
Plot Summary: In these three adventures, the always-intrepid reporter Tintin travels to America, Egypt, China, and beyond. Tintin in America finds Tintin and Snowy on their way to Chicago, where they’ve been sent to rid the city of Al Capone and his gangland thugs. In Cigars of the Pharaoh, Tintin and Snowy are setting out on a vacation in the Mediterranean when they run afoul of drug smugglers, and Tintin is arrested (the first appearance of bumbling cops Thompson and Thomson) for drugs that someone planted in his cabin. Finally, in The Blue Lotus, Tintin tangles with kidnappers, gets shanghaied, rescues renowned scholar Professor Fang Hsi-ying from his captors, and befriends a young boy named Chang (based on a real friend of Herge’s), who becomes a recurring character.
Critical Evaluation: The Adventures of Tintin are about as fast-paced as an adventure story can be, and likely to be a hit with many tweens, especially reluctant readers and boys. They’ve been popular for decades thanks to their exotic locales, mystery, humor, and the charmingly resourceful hero Tintin (the completely adorable Snowy doesn’t hurt, either). Herge’s artwork is also a big part of the appeal, with its remarkably detailed settings, funny characters, and crisp, clean lines. Concerns are sometimes raised about the books’ portrayal of ethnic characters, but that is really only a problem with the first two books, as discussed in the Challenge Issues section below.
About the author: Herge was the pen name of Georges Remi. Remi was a native of Brussels, and though he was interested in drawing from an early age, he received no formal training in art. He worked at newspapers and illustrated several comic strips before creating Tintin, his best known work.
Genre: adventure
Booktalking Ideas:

1) Focus on Snowy: how he accompanies Tintin everywhere, talks in the earlier adventures, and often saves the day
2) Talk about the many exciting locations Tintin visits: China, India, Egyptian pyramids, jungles, deserts, sailing on the ocean, etc…
3) Talk about the historical settings of the books (1930s in Europe, America, Asia) and how they reflect the beliefs and culture of the time

Age Level: 9 to 12
Challenge Issues: racial stereotypes/offensive caricatures

Challenge defense suggestions: • Read or re-read the book and be familiar with the context of the elements in question. The earliest Tintin adventures, Tintin in the Land of the Soviets and Tintin in the Congo, were even acknowledged by Herge to contain troubling examples of prejudice (he stated that he was fed these views by the society he lived in, and had not yet begun to question them). The later books, including the three adventures in this volume, are generally quite harmless, or even positive in their portrayals of race relations.
• Consult the library’s collection development and challenged materials procedural policies for guidance
• Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources.
• Unfortunately it’s not easy to find professional reviews of the Tintin books, but note the enduring popularity of the Tintin books and their status as classic materials.
• If possible, talk to tweens who have read the book and get reviews from them

Reasons for Inclusion: Included for Tintin’s remarkably enduring popularity; a Spielberg-directed movie is due out in 2010, so it appears that interest is as strong as ever.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Dora — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:37:56 +0000

Konigsburg, E.L. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Illustrated by the author. New York: Dell, 1967. ISBN 068985322X

Reader’s Annotation:Claudia is fed up with being the oldest child, and the only girl, and therefore the responsible one. She’s going to run away. But she’s not just running from, she’s running to: Claudia has decided to go live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Plot Summary: Claudia is running away. But the thing is, Claudia loves comfort and elegance and beauty–and she wants to run away to someplace that offers all these things. Where can she find all this? The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City! She has it all planned: just how she will sneak in, how she can stay after-hours without getting kicked out by security guards, everything. The only thing she doesn’t have is money–that’s where younger brother Jamie comes in. She invites him to come along, and the two set off. Claudia’s plan comes off flawlessly, and soon the two are settled into the museum, living on coins picked out of the fountain, hiding their belongings behind statues and in giant urns. Before long, the two find themselves involved in a mystery: the museum has acquired a statue of mysterious origins, possibly an unknown work of Michelangelo. Claudia and Jamie are determined to solve the mystery, and it leads them to the previous owner of the statues, a woman named Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Mrs. Frankweiler holds the key not only to the mystery of the statue, but also to helping Claudia find what she was looking for by running away.
Critical Evaluation: Funny, exciting, sweet without sentimentality, this is a book that is still fresh and appealing more than thirty years after it was written. Konigsburg always writes with respect for her audience, and she taps into things all children can relate to; like fantasies of being locked in after-hours somewhere like a store or a museum or a library–free to go in all the off-limits areas, and touch and use all the things you’re usually only allowed to look at. Claudia and Jamie are fully realized, relatable characters; especially Claudia, with her determination, foresight, and love of plans and order.
About the author: E.L. Konigsburg earned a degree in chemistry from the Carnegie Institute of Technology; she is both an author and illustrator. She has won two Newbery Medals, for Mixed-Up Files in 1968, and for The View From Saturday in 1997.
Genre: general fiction
Curriculum Ties:Art History–read the book in conjunction with learning about the Metropolitan Museum of Art; show pictures of the works of art mentioned in the book
Booktalking Ideas:

1) Describe living at the Museum, how the kids find money, where they sleep, hiding from guards, etc.
2) Describe Claudia and Jamie, how they get along, their personalities
3) Focus on Mrs. Frankweiler; discuss her narration of the book

Age Level: 9-14
Challenge Issues: theme of running away

Challenge defense suggestions:

• Read or re-read the book and be familiar with the context of the elements in question. Running away is treated as a poor solution; Mrs. Frankweiler points out that Claudia “found that running away from home didn’t make a real difference” (p. 136).
• Consult the library’s collection development and challenged materials procedural policies for guidance
• Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources.
•Look for positive reviews in professional journals like Booklist and School Library Journal, which are available for viewing on amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/1416949755/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
• Note that the book won the Newbery Medal
•If possible, talk to tweens who have read the book and get reviews from them

Reasons for Inclusion: Newbery Medal winner

Tales of Beedle the Bard

Dora — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:11:08 +0000

Rowling, J.K. Tales of Beedle the Bard. Illustrated by the author. New York: Scholastic, 2008. ISBN 0747599874

Reader’s Annotation: You know the fairy tales you grew up with — now read the fairy tales kids in the wizarding world grow up with!
Plot Summary: The “Tales of Beedle the Bard” play a pivotal role in the final book of the Harry Potter series, and this book allows readers to finally see the famed folktales of the wizarding world for themselves. There are five short fairytales collected in this slim volume, “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbity Rabbity and Her Cackling Stump,” and “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” Each story is also followed by commentary presented by the collector of the works, Dumbledore himself. Rowling uses traditional fairytale elements–a magical pot, three brothers on a quest, three obstacles that must be overcome, etc.–to create entertaining tales that any fan of folklore, Harry Potter reader or not, can enjoy. Dumbledore’s commentaries add another layer to the stories, grounding them in the history of the wizarding world and discussing thematic elements, and also contain some humorous anecdotes about life at Hogwarts.
Critical Evaluation: This collection of short stories connected with the Harry Potter universe is an interesting departure from Rowling’s style in her previous books. The stories are very short and the prose is simple, as is fitting for folklore-style storytelling. The folktales are fine in themselves, but what is most interesting about the book is the “commentary” Rowling adds from the point of view of Albus Dumbledore. For fans of Harry Potter, it’s a fascinating glimpse deeper into one of Rowling’s most interesting characters. Readers will also be interested to see Rowling’s own artwork illustrating the stories and decorating the chapter headings.
About the author: Jo Rowling is the author of the seven books in the Harry Potter series, which she began writing in 1990 after the idea for the first book came to her on a long train ride. She completed the first book in 1995, and since then the series has gone on to sell more than 400 million copies.
Genre:fantasy
Booktalking Ideas:

1) Discuss the traditional folktale elements Rowling uses in her stories
2) Focus on Dumbledore’s commentary throughout the book
3) Focus on “The Tale of the Three Brothers” and why it’s important to the series as a whole
4) Focus on appealing to fairytale fans: emphasize that the stories can be enjoyed without reading the Harry Potter books; they are also standalone stories that work as traditional-style folktales

Age level: 9 and up
Challenge Issues: magic use/ “witchcraft”

Challenge defense suggestions:

• Read or re-read the book and be familiar with the context of the elements in question.
• Consult the library’s collection development and challenged materials procedural policies for guidance
• Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources.
•Look for positive reviews in professional journals like Booklist and School Library Journal, which are available for viewing on amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0545128285/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
• If possible, talk to tweens who have read the book and get reviews from them

Reasons for Inclusion: I included Beedle the Bard because of the continuing popularity of anything and everything connected with Harry Potter; this is bound to be a book that many tweens will be interested in reading. It also received good reviews from critics, including a 5Q/5P rating from VOYA.

Wild Magic

Dora — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:35:08 +0000

Pierce, Tamora. Wild Magic. New York: Atheneum, 1992. ISBN 978-1416903437 (pbk)

Reader’s Annotation: Daine’s ability to talk to animals seems like an amazing gift, and it could save the world from the invading Immortals. But will using it cost Daine her humanity?
Plot Summary: Wild Magic is the story of a 13-year-old orphan named Daine, who has an uncanny way with animals. Because of this, she gets work with a horsemaster named Onua, who enlists her to help bring a band of horses across their country of Galla to the neighboring kingdom of Tortall (where Pierce’s Song of the Lioness books were set). As they travel, it becomes apparent that Daine isn’t just good with animals–she has “wild magic,” the ability to speak to them mind to mind. Daine’s ability slowly becomes clear to those around her over the course of the journey to Tortall, and she is brought to study under Numair, one of the most powerful mages in the kingdom. Tortall is being threatened by the bloodthirsty Immortals, and Daine’s abilities are going to be critical to the fight.
Critical Evaluation: Tamora Pierce is a master of fantasy writing, and her books are valuable for their strong female characters. Readers who loved Alanna in the Song of the Lioness series will embrace Daine, who is another well-written and likable heroine–she’s strong and brave, while still being a sympathetic character. Wild Magic is the first in the four-part Immortals series, and it gets things off to an exciting and engrossing start.
About the author: Tamora Pierce is the author of many fantasy novels for young adults. Her work usually features strong female lead characters–she is probably best know for the Alanna books, about a girl who trains to become a knight and the difficulties she overcomes as a woman defying tradition.
Genre: fantasy
Booktalking Ideas:

1) Focus on the background of the book; talk about the kingdoms it is set in
2) Talk about what it would be like to have Daine’s power
3) Talk about the story from Daine’s pony friend Cloud’s point of view

Age level: 12 to 14
Challenge Issues: none apparent

Challenge defense suggestions: Though no challenge issues are apparent in this title, if the book were to be challenged, begin by reading it to become familiar with the content in question. Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources. In addition, review the library’s policy on challenged materials, and look for professional reviews of the book that could help justify its inclusion in the collection, or might explain how the questionable content is valuable. Positive reviews from School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly are available at Amazon.com.

Reasons for Inclusion: Included for the strong female role models Pierce’s books present.

Mortal Engines

Dora — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:39:20 +0000

Reeve, Philip. Mortal Engines. New York: EOS (a division of HarperCollins), 2003. ISBN 0060082089

Reader’s Annotation: It’s a city-eat-city world that Tom Natsworthy lives in. Mobile cities cruise the earth, devouring weaker cities whenever they can. People like Tom are nothing but pawns in a mysterious plot that is just beginning to unfold — a plot that involves resurrecting the terrible weapon that laid waste to the earth centuries ago.
Plot Summary: In a post-apocalyptic future, the world’s cities have become giant mobile constructions, rumbling across the devastated surface of the earth and devouring smaller cities in their path–a process known as Municipal Darwinism. Aboard the City of London, a boy named Tom saves a man from an assassin’s attack. The man is the great archaeologist Thaddeus Valentine, a hero of Tom’s, and the would-be assassin is a hideously scarred girl named Hester Shaw. When Tom chases after Hester, she tells him it was Valentine who mutilated her face, and then she throws herself down a waste chute–and Tom is thrown after her. The two now find themselves outcast, city-less, alone in the wastelands. Somehow, the two have to get back to London and get back aboard…and Tom must decide where his loyalties lie.
Critical Evaluation: Wildly inventive and very well-written, this is a fantastically gripping adventure story. Tom is a sympathetic character, and Hester is a believably flawed and tragic heroine, wrestling with terrible burdens. Reeve creates a world that is violent, disturbing, and gritty, but with flashes of wit and humor that keep it from getting too grim. Readers will also enjoy the other, equally exciting, installments in the Hungry City chronicles: Predator’s Gold, A Darkling Plain, and Infernal Devices, as well as the prequel, Fever Crumb.
About the author:Philip Reeve is both an author and a professional illustrator; his other books for young readers include the Buster Bayliss series, and No Such Thing as Dragons.
Genre:science fiction; fantasy
Booktalking Ideas:

1) Describe Municipal Darwinism–the concept of “survival of the fittest”, what happens when a city “devours” another city, etc.
2) Talk about the story from Hester Shaw’s point of view–trekking through the Outlands searching for Valentine, getting aboard the City of London, etc.
3) Compare the characters of Hester and Katherine

Age level: 12 to 15
Challenge Issues: violence; several characters die, sometimes somewhat gruesomely

Challenge defense suggestions:
• Read or re-read the book and be familiar with the context of the questionable elements. The violent material serves a purpose to the plot and tone, and is never gratuitous
• Consult the library’s collection development and challenged materials procedural policies for guidance
• Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources.
• Note that the book received the Smarties Book Prize, and was nominated for many other awards
• Refer to starred reviews from School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, which are available for viewing on bwibooks.com
• If possible, talk to tweens who have read the book and get reviews from them

Reasons for Inclusion: A very compelling and original book that will appeal to many fans of sci-fi and fantasy; received very positive reviews in SLJ, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, etc.

The Rain Catchers

Dora — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:47:12 +0000

Thesman, Jean. The Rain Catchers. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1991. ISBN 0380717115 (pbk)

Reader’s Annotation: Grayling and the other women in her family depend on their stories to make sense of the world: every day over tea, they share the stories of their lives and make things wrap up neatly, with a beginning and a middle and an end. So what does that mean for Grayling, whose story no one knows how to make sense of?
Plot Summary: 14-year-old Grayling lives in her grandmother’s house, along with five other women, all friends and relatives. Everyone contributes to household costs, and all the women depend on each other for friendship and stories and support. Grayling’s mother left her here at Grandmother’s house after her father’s death, and though Grayling loves living there, it bothers her that her mother didn’t want her. It bothers the other women of the household, too: they like their stories wrapped up neat and tidy, with beginnings and middles and ends, with reasons for why things happen. No one knows what made Gray’s mother leave; they only know she’d been out the night before, and returned to the house soaked and muddy and frightened. So when Grayling’s mother invites her to live with her in San Francisco, Grayling leaves the house and the women she loves, in hopes that her mother can give her some answers.
Critical Evaluation: A well-told story that’s about stories, and about the way people deal with pain. Some people, like Grayling’s family, process the hard parts of life by making them into stories to share with others, telling them over and over, until things make sense and hurt less. Thesman’s message is thought-provoking, and her characters are well-written and fully developed. The conflict that develops between Gray and her mother, who can’t stand the way the other women in the family like to rehash old stories again and again, is believable and compelling.
About the author: Jean Thesman is the author of more than 40 books. She writes books in fantasy settings and with supernatural elements, historical fiction, and realistic fiction, but her work always centers on strong female characters and their interactions with their families and community.
Genre: general fiction
Curriculum Ties: Use in a language arts class to discuss the elements of stories and storytelling; talk about how the characters use stories in their lives
Booktalking Ideas:

1) Talk about Grayling and Colleen’s friendship and their very different family life
2) Focus on the other women in the house: explain how they are all connected/related; who they are; what they do
3) Talk about Grayling and Aaron, how she finds out their first date was arranged by someone else, the conflict this creates

Age Level: 12 and up

Challenge Issues: assisted suicide

Challenge defense ideas:

• Read or re-read the book and be familiar with the context of the elements in question. The character in question is a very elderly and ill woman, and she asks one of the other women, who is a doctor, to “help her fall asleep” when she can no longer bear the pain. The scene is only referred to by other characters and is very gently handled.
• Consult the library’s collection development and challenged materials procedural policies for guidance
• Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources.
•Look for positive reviews in professional journals like Booklist and School Library Journal, which are available for viewing on amazon.com
• Note that the book won the Golden Kite Award and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults
• If possible, talk to tweens who have read the book and get reviews from them

Reasons for Inclusion: Winner of the Golden Kite Award; an ALA Best Book for Young Adults; a very well-written book with many good female characters

The Incredibles

Dora — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:01:18 +0000

The Incredibles. (2004). Pixar Animation Studios ; Written and directed by Brad Bird. Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee. Runtime: 115 minutes

Annotation: When the world decides it doesn’t want superheroes anymore, Mr. Incredible and the other supers are forced into retirement. But the world’s about to find out that the supervillains haven’t gone out of business, and Mr. Incredible and his family are called back into action.

Plot Summary: Once upon a time, Bob Parr was just the secret identity of the all-powerful superhero known as Mr. Fantastic; Bob’s wife, Helen, was secretly the famed Elastigirl. But that was fifteen years ago. Since then, the world has gotten fed up with superheroes, due to the destruction they tend to cause in the line of duty, and all the “supers” have been forced to go underground, hiding their powers and forgetting their days of crime-fighting glory. But when Bob is contacted by a shadowy agency requesting his help in a dangerous mission, he jumps at the chance, and soon he’s working full time for his mysterious new employer–though he keeps his hobby hidden from Helen and their two kids. It all seems fantastic to Mr. Incredible, who’s thrilled to be back in action…until he finds out who he’s really working for. It’s going to take the help of Helen and the kids for Mr. Incredible to overcome his most deadly foe yet.

Critical Evaluation: Loaded with mesmerizing action sequences, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and good characters, this is a movie that will keep tweens completely involved. The message that keeps being returned to–that creating a level playing field in society is wrong, because “when everyone is special, no one is”–is a little disconcerting, but doesn’t distract too much from the story.

Genre: animation

“Movietalking” Ideas:

1) Talk about what it was like when superheroes were everywhere, and why they went into hiding, from the point of view of a regular person
2) Focus on each of the Incredible’s powers and what they can do with them
3) Discuss the idea that when everyone is special, no one is

Age level: Rated PG for action violence
Challenge Issues: violence; several gory deaths are hinted at, though not shown

• Watch the movie, and be familiar with the context of the questionable elements. The violence and the implied deaths are cartoony and exaggerated, not realistic
• Consult the library’s collection development and challenged materials procedural policies for guidance
• Consult the ALA’s strategies for dealing with challenges to library materials for a helpful collection of information, advice, and links to other resources.
• Point out the nearly universal critical acclaim the movie received; all reviews from major publications are compiled on metacritic.com
• If possible, talk to tweens who have seen the movie and get their reviews
• Note the many awards The Incredibles won, including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the year; award list available at Internet Movie Database

Reasons for Inclusion: Critical acclaim; numerous awards; very appealing to tweens