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Showing posts from December, 2017

Module 15: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

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Citation: Mackler, C. (2003). The Earth, my butt, and other big round things. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. Summary: Virginia Shreves doesn't think she belongs in her picture perfect family. They are skinny and popular, where she is "heavier-than-normal." She has an almost boyfriend, but everyone knows that "fat girls" like her are kept a secret, According to Virginia. Virginia's sister has left for the peace corps, and her best friend has moved across the country. Her mom is trying to take her to a doctor about her size, and everyone in her family, and some others, keep commenting on her weight. To top it all off her brother, someone she has looked up to her entire life, has been convicted of date rape. Her family issues and loneliness become extremely unhealthy, so at her breaking point Virginia finally stands up to her mom and says she is going to Seattle to visit her friend. Slowly but surely Virginia gains back confidence in herself to be her...

Module 14: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson

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Citation: Woodson, J. (2014). Brown girl dreaming. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books. Summary: This story written in verse is a powerful story of the author growing up during the civil rights movement. Moving from Ohio to South Carolina soon after she was born, Jaqueline only knew the south, except for the stories she was told. After living with her grandfather and grandmother as her secondary care givers, Jaqueline's mom moves her and her three siblings to New York City. Each part of the story is given in detail and the verse is used to convey emotion. My Thoughts: This is what I love about poetry. Like a graphic novel uses pictures and panels to tell a story on another level, the verse style of this autobiography is used to convey an unspoken emotion, or make a spoken emotion deeper. Jaqueline Woodson tells her story as one many can connect to. A unique story in it's own, but full of love, laughter, drama, and tears. Children from 4th grade and up would enjoy ...

Module 13: Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Volume 1 BFF by Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare, and Natacha Bustos.

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Citation: Reeder, A., Montclare, B., & Bustos, N. (2016). Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Bff. (Vol.1).  New York: Marvel Worldwide. Summary: Lunella is a science lover and inventor trying to get into a better school. one where she fits in more and where she feels like she belongs; in her current school they call her names like "Moon Girl" and make fun of her love of science. While inventing Lunella creates a "magical doorway" to the past that other humanoids and Devil Dinosaur get through. The dinosaur picks up Lunella and takes her around. Lunella soon realizes the dinosaur isn't trying to harm her but rather play with her. The humanoids try to take her "Nightstone" to get back to where they came from, but the dinosaur saves both Lunella and the "Nightstone." By then, Devil Dinosaur has caused enough trouble and Lunella has begun inventing her own devices to help her save herself that The Hulk comes in to "save" the p...

Module 12: Just Being Audrey by Margaret Cardillo

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Citation: Cardillo, M. (2011). Just being Audrey . New York: Balzer + Bay. Summary: This book is the picture book version of Audrey Hepburn. Starting from when she was a child and always looked different and going into her career as an actress and Goodwill Ambassador. Audrey always wanted to be a ballerina, but she never had the right "look". She just kept working hard and "being Audrey," eventually Audrey realized she wasn't going to be a ballerina so she started acting. Acting took her to New York Where she was discovered and became famous. Once Audrey had children they were her focus. Audrey is painted on every page, including many of her classic looks. There is a full bibliography and an official timeline on the last page. My thoughts: This is a great book for parents to introduce Audrey Hepburn to their children, and a good example of a children's biography that is too formatted. the author paints Audrey's personality as it was. A fun bo...