Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: Olives Ocean, 2003 Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Reviews and Awards:
ALA Notable Children's Books 2004 Book Links 01/01/08 Booklist starred 09/01/03 Newbery Honor 2004 Publishers Weekly starred 08/18/03 School Library Journal starred 08/01/03

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 09/01/03 Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) 12/01/03 Horn Book 04/01/04 Horn Book starred 11/01/03 Kirkus Reviews starred 07/01/03 Wilson's Children 10/01/10 Wilson's Junior High School 01/09/10

Reflection: Olives Ocean is a Newberry Honor Book about a little girl named Martha coming of age. Olive and Martha are twelve years old, but Olive has been hit by a car and killed. Olive was the little girl in the class that was quiet and kept to herself without any real friends. After Olives death, Olives mother brought a note to Martha that Olive had written. The note explained that Olive thought Martha was nice. This really caused Martha to think about things and how strange it was that she never really knew Olive. While on a summer vacation to her grandmother Godbees house, Martha experienced many things that we all seem to face as we grow up. A kind of realization of our own mortality, life, love, sadness, and happiness all come in to play. While Olives name is in the title of the book, she really plays a minor part in the overall coming of age story, but there is a certain power that stays in the background of the entire story where Olive is concerned. When I went to pick up the book from one of our middle schools the book was not on the shelf and was in a box to be sent up to the high school. I realize that the book is on the restricted list, but I was surprised to see how seriously the middle school librarian was taking the restriction. When I started reading the book, I could almost immediately see the reason that this book is restricted. There is some profanity and sexual content that was quite surprising. I found myself agreeing with the book being restricted fairly quickly. However, as I read on, the story was so compelling I began to question my stance. It wasnt very long until I was thinking back to my own childhood and how the situations in the book were so lifelike. Then I started reasoning away my stance on the book being banned. At the age of twelve, I was using profanity around my friends, we talked about sex and quite honestly more vulgar things

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

than the book describes. I began to realize that most of us probably found ourselves in similar situations when we were growing up. I dont feel very old, but this book made me realize that I must be getting old to immediately want to restrict this book. It was nice to be reminded of how it was to actually be a tween just learning some of the lessons of life. Aside from the book cover, there are no illustrations in the book. The cover is well done, but a little misleading as the scene never really occurs in the book.

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: HENRY AND RIBSY, 1954 Author/Illustrator: Beverly Cleary Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Reviews and Awards: Booklist Reflection: When I saw Henry and Ribsy by Beverly Cleary, the illustrations on the cover jumped out at me immediately. The cover had an illustration of a boy holding a large fish and a dog. There isnt much more pleasing to most boys and men that are boys at heart than this scene. The plot of this book is that Henry wants to go fishing with his dad, but Henrys dog Ribsy has been acting unruly lately. Henrys dad makes a deal with Henry that if Henry can keep Ribsy out of trouble for several weeks they will go fishing together. While Henry tries to keep Ribsy out of trouble, some of his friends try to help him, but other friends seem worse than the dog. While Henry and Ribsy do get to go on a fishing trip with Henrys father, things dont always go so well. The fishing trip is probably one of the best parts in the book and Ribsy kind of ends up being a hero. The book is really good because of the lessons of responsibility and how the author has a keen way of intensely representing and relating to children of this age. As an adult, I felt myself reminiscing on my own childhood and thinking about my own son and some of the similar situations that he has been in. The downsides to this book are that some of the terminology and situations are a bit out dated. The book was written in 1954 and a few things have changed since then. Every few pages there are black and white line drawing illustrations. The illustrations are a nice addition to the story, but they are really not needed because the story is so well written. Horn Book 10/01/07

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: ELEVEN KIDS, ONE SUMMER, 1991 Author/Illustrator: Ann M. Martin Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Reviews and Awards: Kirkus School Library Journal Reflection: In the book Eleven Kids, One Summer by Ann Martin, all thirteen of the Rosso family take a summer vacation together and stay at a beach house on Fire Island. The adventure and fun that the family has really keeps the reader involved and looking for what will happen next. There is a chapter devoted to each one of the children. Each one of the characters end up doing at least one thing fun on their vacation, except for the baby, Keegan, who is too young to do too much. There is a disappearing baby, haunted house, and a movie star that comes into play and even the family cat gets involved. The book is full of the lighthearted humor that you would expect in a childrens book and it is clear that the author can really relate to children. The downside to this book is that beyond the cover, there are no illustrations. The book is also a little bit unrealistic. The size of the family, the adventures that they have, etc just kind of makes it seem a little unbelievable. It kind of reminded me of the episodes of the Brady Bunch television show when they went out west or to Hawaii. Normal people rarely seem to fall into such great situations. You also have to ask yourself about the mental stability of parents that have eleven children and take them all on a summer vacation together. Horn Book

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: Belle Praters Boy, 1996 Author/Illustrator: Ruth White Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Reviews and Awards:
ALA Notable Children's Books 1997 Book Links 10/21/10 Elementary School Library Collection 06/01/00 Horn Book starred 09/01/96 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age 1998 Wilson's Junior High School 01/09/10 Newbery Honor 1997 School Library Journal 03/01/97 School Library Journal starred 04/01/96 Wilson's Children 10/01/10 Book Report Publishers Weekly

Reflection: In the book Belle Praters Boy, the boy is Woodrow and his mother has disappeared. Woodrow moves in with his grandparents across the street from his cousin. Woodrow is a plain boy with tattered clothes and crossed eyes. He doesnt look like much and to some seems undesirable. The story has many life lessons concerning death, family history, not judging people by their appearance and how to deal with some of lifes harder more personal lessons. While this book can be a little overdramatic and sappy at times, it is a book that any child dealing with being the ugly duckling, nerd, the one with a physical disability, or personal family loss should read. My father committed suicide when I was nine years old and I still have to deal with his death and loss on an almost daily basis. This book really hit home with me on so many levels. As I read the book friends, family members and students came to mind whom I would like to suggest this book. I think one of the best parts about this book was when Woodrow writes how a character who is blind is the only one who can really see things for what they are. Gypsy is Woodrows cousin and is the town beauty just like her mother. Gypsy has troubles of her own and finds Woodrow to be someone she can respect. The characters, especially Woodrow and Gypsy, are described very well and it is easy to relate to them. The story over all is written well and has some good lessons. The downside to this book is that beyond the cover, there are no illustrations. The book can be very emotionally upsetting, especially if the child reader has had similar things happen to them. The book also turns a little dark when it is revealed how Gypsys father died. The book may actually be more for a young adult audience than a child audience.

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You but only if you let it, 1985 Author/Illustrator: Barthe DeClements Genre: Realistic Fiction Format: Chapter Book Reviews and Awards:
Sunshine State Young Readers Award (1987) Choice Award (1988) Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award (1989)

Reflection: In the book Sixth Grade Can Really Kill You but only if you let it by Barthe DeClements, Helen is the main character. While she is great at math and being a pitcher, she struggles with reading. Helen is a bit of a troublemaker, but loveable. Mrs. Lobb the blob is Helens teacher and Mrs. Lobb is very strict and cant seem to understand how to help or relate to Helen. Helen finally gives up on reading and decides that she will be more of a troublemaker. About half way through the year, Helen is moved into Mr. Marshalls room. Mr. Marshall is a good teacher and recognizes Helens reading problem. Helen is given the choice to get help by going to the special education room and with the support of her teacher, parents, principal, and eventually her friends Helen decides to get help. It seems as though Helen has started doing better and by the end the reader is really pulling for Helen and hoping that she continues to do well. The author does a good job with the characters and helping to make them seem believable and interesting. I even think that the adults are written well and I liked that the adults have problems too. In some ways, I think this book needs to be required reading for everyone at this age and maybe a little older because so many students today struggle with reading; However there are some downsides to the book. Some terminology used, such as retard, is not acceptable today. Also, some of the things are a little outdated by todays standards. Im not sure if some students would know who some of the musical groups mentioned are. The book seems to be better for a beginning educator than for a child in that the lesson of being able to try and understand or identify a learning disability is important. The author never seemed to connect the learning disability with the students behavior, so I dont know that many sixth graders are going to understand the concept. I think most of us want to be more like Mr. Marshall as an educator, but some of us end up being more like Mrs. Lobb.

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: HENRY, 1988 Author/Illustrator: Nina Bawden/Joyce Powzyk Genre: Historical Fiction Format: Chapter Book Reviews and Awards: Kirkus Reflection: The book Henry, by Nina Bawden, is a book about a fatherless family living in Wales with a Welch farmers family during World War II to escape the bombings that have taken place near their home in London. Charlie is 7 years old when he brings home a baby red squirrel that he finds in a nest in the woods. There are many parallels between the red squirrel and the misplaced family. Both the squirrel and the family had been misplaced from their home, the children were growing up without their father as was the squirrel, and while the family had freedom in Wales, they werent free to go home. As the squirrel gets more mature, the family has to keep him caged more, but the squirrel wants more freedom and finally escapes. The illustrations are good pencil drawings, but there arent very many. It would have been nice if there were more illustrations. The book is good in that it helps the reader to understand a little of how normal families were impacted by the war. The descriptions of the children and their activities were very convincing. The downside to the book is that you are left wanting to know more about the family and what happens to them. I just didnt feel as much of a connection or interest in this book and I find it hard to believe that children would either.

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: The Cabin Faced West, 1958 Author/Illustrator: Jean Fritz/Feodor Rojankovsky Genre: Historical Fiction Format: Chapter Book Reviews and Awards: Publishers Weekly Reflection: In the book The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz, the main character of this story is Anne Hamilton and the story takes place in the 1780s. She and her family have decided to move West from Gettysburg. In this case, West is the frontier of Pennsylvania. Anne isnt happy about the move and doesnt like being a pioneer. In fact, Anne wishes that she were back in Gettysburg where she has windows in her house and friends her own age and gender. The hard work and the weather doesnt help either. The story is about perseverance, learning to endure, and the little things that, if appreciated, can really help keep the spirits up. The author does a great job creating the characters and the scene, but that may be because the story is actually about her own ancestors and their lives. The story is good, especially when George Washington comes to visit, however; it seems too much like Little House on the Prairie to me. Of course, being like Little House on the Prairie is probably a good thing considering the subject matter. I can see where this book would be good to help students get a glimpse of what it was like to be a pioneer. It might also be a good way to introduce a lesson on the time period. The fact that this book is based on the authors own family may even be a good way to lead into a lesson on ancestral research for a family tree. The illustrations in the book almost looked like they could have originally been done in coal. They are very dark in places, but they are very good. Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: The Firekeepers Son, 2004 Author/Illustrator: Linda Sue Park/illustrated by Julie Downing Genre: Historical Fiction Format: Picture Book Reviews and Awards:
Booklist 02/01/04 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 04/01/04 Horn Book 10/01/04 Kirkus Reviews 02/15/04 Library Media Connection 10/01/04 Multicultural Review 12/01/04 Publishers Weekly starred 02/16/04 School Library Journal 05/01/04 Wilson's Children 10/01/10

Reflection: Any little boy, including myself, is going to love The Firekeepers Son by Linda Sue Park! The story is set in a small coastal village in Korea in the early 1800s. The main character is Sanghee. Sang-hees father is the firekeeper for the village and it is his job to light a fire on the hilltop each night if everything is ok in the village. There are firekeepers at different villages from one side of the country to the other and as one fire is lit, the next village lights their fire if all is well. If the village closest to the king lights their fire then the king knows that all is well in his kingdom. If the fire is not lit the king sends his warriors to meet their attackers. Sang-hee has never seen the kings warriors, but would like to very much. One evening when the fire is supposed to be lit, Sang-hee notices that the fire has not yet been lit and when he goes to check on his father, he finds that his father has become injured and cannot make it to light the fire. The job falls to Sang-hee and while he would really like to see the warriors, he has the responsibility to light the fire. After some inner turmoil about whether to light the fire or not, he decides it is something that he must do. The results are magnificent and Sang-hee, his father, and the village are glad he made the right decision. This story teaches a lesson of responsibility and character. We have all been in situations where we could have done, or not done, something so that things would play more in our favor. Sometimes that decision is a hard one to make. This story shows that having character and making the right decision when nobody is looking is always the right and best choice. The illustrations of the book are full page color illustrations that are wonderful and fun to look at. The illustrations help tell the story in such a way that you feel like you are with Sanghee in his village.

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

The thing I liked most about this book is that at the end, the author explains that she has simplified the lighting of the fire and she goes into a little more detail about how it all worked. She even explains that this practice was still done very recently. This is a great book and I would definitely like to add it to my collection.

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: The Little Match Girl, p2002, c1999 Author/Illustrator: Hans Christian Andersen ; adapted and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney Genre: Historical Fiction Format: Picture Book Reviews and Awards: Book Links 03/01/05 Booklist starred 10/15/99 Christian Library Journal 09/01/00 Five Owls 11/01/99 Reflection: I have heard my wifes family reference The Little Match Girl on a number of different occasions, but I had never really heard or read the story for myself. The story is set in the early 20th century on New Years Eve. The main character is a little girl who is very poor. The little girl and her family make artificial flowers to sell on the busy streets and she also sells matches. The girl tries to sell her flowers and matches, but nobody is interested. The little girl does what she can to make herself comfortable out on the street because she knows that will be the only way to make some money for the family. She also knows that due to her familys poor living conditions, going home isnt much better than being out on the street. The girl gets desperately cold and lights a match to try to keep warm. Each match that she lights offers some warmth and a mirage of comfort. While the girl is ultimately unsuccessful in keeping herself warm and the story has a somewhat sad ending, there is also a bit of happiness. The full page color illustrations are really good and help to set the tone for the story. The illustrations are somewhat dark and dreary, but not overly much. The visions that come with the striking of a match are warm and colorful. While I havent read the original story, the retelling and the supplemental artwork of this story seemed very well done. I do think this is a book that I would like to add to my collection because of the way it helps remind us of the relationship between all economic levels and our responsibility to not turn a blind eye to those less fortunate than ourselves. Kirkus Reviews 10/15/99 Publishers Weekly starred 09/13/99 School Library Journal 10/01/99 Wilson's Children 10/01/10

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Title and Date of Publication: Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride, 2005 Author/Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman Genre: Historical Fiction Format: Picture Book Reviews and Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books 2006 Booklist 07/01/05 Publishers Weekly starred 05/30/05 School Library Journal 07/01/05 Wilson's Children 10/01/10 Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred 07/01/05Horn Book starred 04/01/06 Reflection: The book Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride by Marjorie Priceman is a very nice picture book with lots of full page color pictures. The story is set on September 19, 1783 and is about the first hot air balloon flight. Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier built and tested the first hot air balloon after seeing embers from a fire float up into the air. The first passengers were a duck, sheep, and a rooster. The flight was such a success that they were to present their invention to the king. When they were supposed to show the king their first flight was canceled because the balloon became damp. The king was so interested in seeing the flight that he gave the inventors two weeks to make another balloon so that he could see it fly. Again the passengers were a duck, a sheep, and a Rooster. Again the flight was a great success. In the story, a bird pops the balloon and the animals are recovered from the woods at Vaucresson and taken back to Versailles. While the story itself is short and very much abbreviated and simplified, the premise of the actual story seems to be the same. I really liked the illustrations and I think children would be able to spend a great deal of time studying them. The part of this book that I thought was the best was not in the story at all. At the end of the book there is a more in depth explanation of the invention of the Hot Air Balloon in a timeline format. This addition really helped tie the story to actual history and was a great teaching and learning tool. In the listing of the other books by this author, it looked as though there were other similar books explaining the invention of things. Kirkus Reviews starred 06/15/05 Library Media Connection starred 02/01/06 Caldecott Honor 2006 Horn Book 09/01/05

Justin Keith

Response Journal #2

3/19/2012

Form a former Engineering and Technology teachers perspective; I think these types of books are a great way to get children interested in inventions and innovations at a very young age. This would even be a great book to read before getting students to make their own hot air balloons.