Module 9 Poetry, Humor, and New Media

Enchanted

by Alethea Kontis 

Kontis, A. (2012). Enchanted. New York, NY: Graphia.

In this mashed up fairy tale Sunday Woodcutter, the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, holds magical powers that bring chaos, danger, and love into her life.  Although Sunday is only sixteen, she finds comfort in the woods where she likes to write in her journal. She is careful to write only about past events as her writing often has the ability to come true with unexpected consequences.  She soon meets a kindly frog that from his manners and knowledge makes it obvious he is a prince turned into a frog by some sort of magic.  Soon Sunday’s love for Rumble, the frog prince, breaks the curse.  However, Sunday is unaware the curse has been broken and fears Rumble was killed in a terrible storm.  The prince, however, has returned to the castle to regain his strength and find a way to have Sunday fall in love with him in his human form.  Of course, with six sisters and magical powers falling in love is not easy.  Readers hold their breath waiting to see if true love will really prevail and what consequences will result with either ending.

Through allusion the author creates a different but familiar story that will engage readers.  Both the cover and title lead readers to expect a classic fairy tale, however, the text itself alters traditional stories to create pleasant surprises and an entertaining plot.  Using the incongruity of mixed up fairy tales and irony the author has created a story that allows readers to be amused by the altered resolutions.  Young readers will need to have a developed sense of humor to appreciate the humor contained in the story, but all readers can appreciate the plot and characters.  Kontis has created characters that break the traditional mold of Prince and Princess that will appeal to today’s young adults.  The use of plot twists keeps the reader entangled in the story and leads them to wonder if this fairy tale will have the expected traditional ending. 

As for my personal feelings toward this story, I anticipated this would be a new favorite for me.  Although it isn’t a new all time favorite, it is an extremely well written story with a creative premise.  However, I think the story is a little overreaching at the expense of developing some spectacular ideas.  I especially enjoyed the interaction between the characters, which I think young adults will also appreciate.  The characters seemed to mimic authentic interactions between friends and family which often includes gentle ribbing that only occurs when people are truly comfortable with each other. The humor in the book is higher level which was appealing to me, but younger readers might not see the book as humorous.  It would be a great teaching tool to help develop a more mature sense of appreciation.  Overall, it is a well written book with great character interactions, a creative premise, advance humor, and engaging plot twists.

Module 8 Nonfiction

Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition

by Karen Blumenthal 

Blumenthal, K. (2011). Bootleg, murder, moonshine, and the lawless years of prohibition. New York, NY: Flash Point.

In this very informative nonfiction text readers discover an abundant amount of facts about the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Readers will become familiar with the players, politics, and emotions that revolved around alcohol during the time leading up to, during, and following Prohibition. Tantalizing tidbits connecting Prohibition to modern day terms (like teetotalers) and attractions (like NASCAR) keep the reading light and entertaining while also giving great insight into the emotional time period.

The author does an excellent job of describing the reasoning behind and the impact of Prohibition across the entire United States as well as identifying the differing views that spanned across the nation.  The use of graphics like photographs and advertisements from the time period are strategically placed throughout the text to help readers stay engaged and make the text easy to follow. The theme of the book points out the role political maneuvering played in creating both Amendments that centered on Prohibition. The author further points out that with some compromise on both sides neither Amendment would have been necessary.  Blumenthal also makes sure to include the role children and young adults played in Prohibition which creates even more interest for young readers.  Another asset of the book is its quick and interesting pace.  The author has intertwined interesting facts with boring history in a manner so that nothing about the book is boring.   Readers will also find the book to be well researched and well designed.  Not only is there a glossary of terms and index, but several pages of source notes and picture credits.  Overall, this is a fascinating and engaging read!

Now for my personal thoughts, I was absolutely dreading reading a nonfiction book.  I selected a book that had the most interesting topic to me, but was still not looking forward to forcing my way through the text.  However, from the first chapter I was hooked.  The author chose to open with the Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929.  After all, who doesn’t get curious about lawlessness and murder?  The author continued to engage me throughout the reading by explaining terms that I have heard all my life, but was unaware of their origins.  I was surprised to learn about what a far reaching impact Prohibition had on U.S. History.  At no time during the reading did I find a lull.  In fact before I started reading I wondered if I could just skim the book to prepare my review;  however, I quickly found I wanted to read every word to make sure I didn’t miss any of the details. As for presenting this to my class, I know they will probably feel the way I did.  Therefore, reading just one chapter aloud to students will most likely provide enough interest for them to pick up the book on their own.  Although there is mention of murder and gangs, it is done in a manner that is appropriate for most young adult readers.   

Module 7: Historical Fiction

Out of the Dust

by Karen Hesse

Hesse, K. (1999). Out of the dust. (1st ed.). New York: Scholastic.

In 1934 Oklahoma, Billie Jo is facing many overwhelming events.  It’s the middle of the Dust Bowl and dust storms are wiping out crops.  The only life Billie Jo knows is evaporating with the dust as her neighbors are leaving in hopes of finding a way to survive.  Not only are the conditions rough, but a tragic accident prevents her from doing what she loves most, playing the piano, and brings great loss.   The accident also makes it impossible for her to talk to her parents.  Despite the tragedy Billie Jo has to learn that home isn’t a place you are, but a place you want to be. 

Presented in a journal format as a collection of poems, this novel is a quick read for even struggling readers while also providing an intriguing story.  The author’s descriptive writing allows the reader to suffer the hardships that existed in Oklahoma during the mid-1930’s and provides an understanding of how severe the storms could be.  Although the Dust Bowl is a crucial backdrop to the story, it also deals with the most basic human feelings, such as guilt, anger, despair, and hope.  The story perfectly intertwines history with the human condition.  The reader holds on through the story hoping that things will get better for the main character as well as the land. It’s a beautifully written novel with interesting historical background.

My personal feelings about the book are that is would be great to share in a classroom, especially if you plan to discuss Earth science or the history of the Dust Bowl. It would also be a great book to introduce for a section on poetry.  As an adult this was a good book.  I think it was clearly written with the younger reader in mind, but could be interesting to some older readers.  A great read for those history buffs, poetry lovers, or someone looking to escape for a few hours.  Although this book has been on my shelf for a while, I was reluctant to read it since it was told in a collection of poems.  However, I have discovered that the author’s poems read more like prose.  Hesse’s style of writing is just simply engaging. 

Module 6 Adventure, Sports, Mysteries, and Westerns

Revolver

by Marcus Sedgwick

Sedgwick, M. (2009). Revolver. New York, NY:  Square Fish.

As fourteen year old Sig waits for his sister and stepmother to return from town with help after his father is found frozen to death, a dangerous stranger arrives at the cabin.  The stranger believes Sig’s father owes him gold and has come to collect what he is due.  Even though Sig doesn’t know anything about the gold, the stranger continues to threaten Sig and the rest of his family if he doesn’t turn over the gold.  All Sig can think about is the Colt Revolver that is stored in the other room.  Even if Sig can reach the gun, he isn’t sure he would be able to use it to protect himself and his family. In the span of thirty six hours Sig will remember what his parents have taught him and hope it will be enough to save everyone he loves. 

Even though the setting is in the Arctic wilderness in the early 1900’s, it fits into the Western genre.  There is an abundance of suspense, excitement, and violence.  The primary conflict of the protagonist, Sig, is the moral conflicts he faces in attempting to save his family.  Through flashbacks, the reader discovers the conflicting beliefs of his mother, father, and stepmother have left him with some confusion about which path he needs to follow.  He is conflicted between using the gun to kill the stranger or to run when he gets the chance.  What he soon realizes is that sometimes there is a third path.  Hopefully, this third path will allow him to walk away with his morality intact and move him from a boy to a man.  The beginning of the story is a bit slow and can be confusing when bouncing back and forth between the years 1910 and 1899. 

As for my personal thoughts, the book is okay.  I can see the appeal to young male readers, especially gun enthusiasts.  The conflict the protagonist feels about using a gun could provide much food for thought.  The meat of the story was introduced late in the story and was quickly wrapped up in the end.  It is definitely a creative story with a great message, but the delivery was rough.  The exposition was long and difficult to get through in order to receive the reward at the end of the book.  I also think the author did a great job developing the relationships between the family members.  I didn’t want to like the father, but his tenderness with Anna, his daughter, changed my mind. I also had a hard time understanding the stranger.  Of course, he doesn’t really need to be understood, as his purpose is to present a moral challenge to the main character.  However, it might have made the character more believable if his motivation had been something other than pure greed.

Module 5 Fantasy, Science Fiction, & Supernatural

A Tale Dark and Grimm

by Adam Gidwitz

Gidwitz, A. (2010). A tale dark and grimm. New York, NY: Penguin Group. Ebook

In this variation of the Brothers Grimm story, the reader is introduced to Hansel and Gretel.  Although readers might be familiar with the story of Hansel and Gretel, they won’t encounter the traditional story in this version.  In Gidwitz’s version, Hansel and Gretel are born to a king and a queen who have been cursed.  As a consequence of the curse being broken, Hansel and Gretel set out to find suitable parents.  This journey leads them to a variety of parents all of whom have flaws.  Eventually the two are separated and begin personal adventures.  The lessons from their journeys culminate to the conclusion where they face a fierce dragon and learn not only about themselves but the world.  Although readers will have to suspend reality, the lessons from the story are real world. 

Instead of just retelling several of the Grimm stories, the author has given it a twist.  Although the stories may be familiar, the main characters, Hansel and Gretel, remain the same and the stories tie together in an almost epic tale.  This allows the author to develop an interesting plot line with a lot of rising action.  As the children set out on a quest to find suitable parents, they encounter many challenges.   The twists in the story give readers many things to ponder while the storytelling is enriched through creative writing.  One technique used by the author was bold print to interject personal thoughts about the events occurring in the story.  Truly the narrator becomes just as important to the story as Hansel and Gretel.  The author also uses these “time-out” conversations to instill humor into the story, but to also build a relationship with the reader.  At times, the interjections are meant to build excitement and help the reader view themselves as mature readers.  There is violence in the book, such as a dragon killing villagers or the moon trying to eat children, and at times can be somewhat graphic.  However, it seems to belong in the book and fits nicely within the storyline.   

Now for my personal thoughts, I found the writing in the story to be truly engaging.  The plot of trying to find parents who are actually good at parenting was also refreshing.  After all, what teenager has never realized that his or her parents made mistakes?  I also enjoyed the author’s attempts to lighten the story with humor, but still gave the reader the whole story.  I can see the appeal to young readers.  They actually have an author who is willing to give them the “real” story instead of the watered down version meant to protect them.  It was genius for the author to include disclaimers in his narration that the story was not intended for young children.  This gives a young adult reader a sense of maturity and reassurance that they can be trusted to tackle real world problems.   This would be a great story to bring in the traditional Grimm Brother tales or to use as a tool to initiate research.

Check Out the Glogster Book Display!
http://chammons5.edu.glogster.com/a-tale-dark-and-grimm-book-display/