Picking the first read-aloud is an agonizing dilemma; not too long, not too short, not too silly, not too sad… it has to be just right.  And Jerry Pinkney’s version of “The Little Red Hen” was it! 

Pinkney was a featured speaker at the Illinois Reading Conference in 2007.  I enjoyed his presentation immensely, and felt privileged that he allowed me to contact him for an interview related to his book “Sam and the Tigers:  A retelling of Little Black Sambo”.  I was working on my MS at the time, researching the story “Little Black Sambo”.  Mr. Pinkney was incredibly gracious, allowing me to call him at home since he was rushing to catch a plane after his conference presentation.  What a VERY nice man!

Jerry Pinkney, illustrator

"The Miller" Pinkney self-portrait

But back to “The Little Red Hen”…. because I had met Mr. Pinkney I recognized his self-portrait as the miller in the story. 

If the resemblance wasn’t enough, Pinkney leaves the reader a hint in the corner of the page where he appears as the character of the miller – hidden between the grindstone and a barrel are paint supplies and a little red hen painting in progress!

Before we began reading I shared with the students how I met Mr. Pinkney and subsequently recognized him in the book.  I showed them Pinkney’s photo and let them search for the clue in the illustrations.

Pinkney’s work is distinctive, so I pulled the dozen or so titles we had in our collection and began showing them to the students.  Just as family members share a resemblance and can often be recognized, so can the work of illustrators.  Pinkney’s realistic people and animals, the details of the pictures, and the muted colors are all hallmarks that the students can begin to identify.  Included in the stack of Pinkney books was an obviously non-Pinkney illustrated work.  A couple of books before this decoy surfaced I would tell the students to raise their hand if they recognized a book that didn’t look like Pinkney’s work.  They got it every time!

“The Little Red Hen” needs some explanations in the post-agricultural society.  The word harvesting is familiar, but the concept of threshing wheat is not.  I explained how the wheat is actually the seed heads at the top of the dry stalk and threshing is removing the seeds from the stalk.  (A lot of work by hand!)  Flour and milling also require some explanation.  And after the bread is baked, I always made sure the students knew the meaning of the word aroma. 

The repetition in this book makes it a favorite.  It doesn’t take long for the students to chant “not I” along with you or, with an inviting pause, they will finish the phrase “then I’ll do it myself”.  What surprised and saddened me was the student reactions to the ending of the book.  Pinkney kept the traditional “I’ll eat it myself” ending and initially the students were unhappy with it.  They expected the little red hen to share.  So as the day went along I introduced the word ‘lazy’ into their vocabularies.  The other animals were lazy and did not want to work.  No work – no food.  Do nothing – get nothing.  When did we lose sight of those values?  I’m sure we have, because this new generation thought the little red hen should share anyway.  I have two words for that – Bah humbug!

Book cover

Sniff.  Sniff, sniff, sniff….  [sound of nose gently blowing]  Sigh!

“The Naming of Tishkin Silk” is one of the most sweetly sad novelettes I have read since “Sarah, Plain and Tall”.  Griffin Silk must go to public school rather than be home schooled since his mother and baby sister have gone away.  Where mother and the baby (which Griffin has privately named Tishkin) have gone is a mystery that beckons the reader gently through the book’s 102 pages.

“The Naming of Tishkin Silk” by Australian writer Glenda Millard with wonderful black and white illustrations by Texan Patrice Barton is a lovely, gentle story accessible to younger readers but with enough sentiment to capture middle-schoolers.  And my wish for each child is to have a friend like Layla.

Read it and sniffle!

Scarlett cover

Anyone who works closely with children knows that they are impacted by divorce.  How the parents handle the break up and subsequent relationship can make it either easier or downright impossible for the kids.  “Scarlett” is a very realistic look at a young British girl who reflects her mother’s anger after the divorce.  With ketchup red hair and a pierced tongue Scarlett is looking for trouble at school.  She finds it.  Packed off to live with grandma and then an uncle she blows her last chance and is kicked out of yet another school.  At the end of her rope, Scarlett’s mother packs her off to live with her Dad whom Scarlett has deliberately not communicated with since early in the divorce.

Dad is remarried and living in Ireland.  Scarlett tries to rebel, but her genuinely caring stepmother and 9 year old stepsister begin to crack Scarlett’s hard boiled shell.  When the local school doesn’t work for Scarlett, home schooling does; but it is meeting Kian, a mysterious dark haired boy, who helps Scarlett begin to let go of her anger and find peace within herself.

A lovely story and a very engaging read.  Young female readers, especially, will appreciate the minor romance with Kian.  British author Cathy Cassidy has written a winner.

Silverfin cover

A new series about the young James Bond, with the approval of the Ian Fleming estate, could be expected to be spot-on fantastic.  But instead of being swimmingly riveting it was a fishy flop.  Young readers will never get through the first section of the book it is so dull.  Perhaps dedicated fans of the Bond books will appreciate “Silverfin” by Charlie Higson but most 4-8 readers will not, I fear. 

Hunger Games cover

Conversely, “Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins is a feast of intensity and action.   This is “Lost” and “Survivor” meets “Logan’s Run”.  A post-apocolyptic United States is now 12 districts controlled by what is simply known as “The Capitol”.  Once there were 13 districts, but in a historic uprising District 13 was destroyed by the Capitol.  To remind all and to quell any future rebellion the Capitol holds annual Hunger Games where 24 young adults, a boy and a girl from each district, are pitted against one another in a televised contest.  It is a battle to the death where only one will survive. 

I detest reality TV (except Dancing with the Stars which barely counts).  I also detest the talk shows where people find dysfunction entertaining.  Perhaps author Suzanne Collins also dislikes this entertainment as the Hunger Games are portrayed as depraved, inhuman. and mindless.

This book was impossible to put down.  I started reading about 1:00 in the afternoon, barely took time to make supper for my family, and finished about 7:30.  Describing this Science Fiction novel as compelling is a gross understatement.

Reading “Silverfin” and “Hunger Games” in that order was such a contrast that I was left wondering exactly what is it that makes a book impossible to put down?  And what made me devour the sequel, “Catching Fire” in even less time? 

The last books I found this compelling were the “Twilight” series (in spite of how badly written the sequels were).  Collins’ first two offerings in this trilogy, in contrast, are extremely well written – not a useless scene or word in them – much better than “Twilight”!

Maybe the key to ‘can’t-put-it-down’ fiction is not just the constant action,  but the addition of the very realistic romantic conflict as Katniss finds herself torn between Gale and Peeta.  Like “Twilight”, “Hunger Games” has young love – although Katniss is more innocent and less obsessed than Bella making this appropriate for a younger audience.  Or perhaps I just like both Gale and Peeta more than I liked the characters Edward or Jacob.

I certainly find Katniss, despite her flaws and confusion, to be more admirable than Bella.  Bella was always a self-absorbed victim.  Katniss is a fighter with more concern for others than for herself! 

Regardless, this is the best read since “Twilight”.  The third book cannot come too soon!  http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6709728.html?nid=2788&source=title&rid=16789202

This is a book for mature young adult readers due to its intensity.  The reader knows from the beginning that Helmuth is in prison and waiting for execution.  The story is told in flashbacks; the prison sections are agonizing and the suspense is painful. 

One of the book’s strengths, I think, is in bringing to life how a dictator such as Hitler could rise to power and gain the backing of a nation.  Too often people, young people especially, like to look back and believe that we would have done it differently.  “Hitler would never rise to power here in America.!” But Bartoletti’s book gives the necessary background to provide insight into how and why it did happen…and painfully, what happened to those who dared to take a stand.

A powerful book – not for every reader.  For young adult readers only, or mature readers very well versed in World War II history.

Vive la Paris - cover

This 210 page novel (if it were a person) is a real mensch but I think less experienced readers will be left meshuga. Paris (a 5th grader from Chicago) takes piano lessons from Mrs. Rosen (jazz lover and holocaust survivor).  Woven throughout the narrative are song titles and occasionally some lyrics.  Actually, a sound track to go with this novel would be valuable!  I’m left humming… but young readers are going to be left fahklumpt (look it up yourself – it’s Yiddish).

Strengths of the novel include a struggling but strong family, a main character with a strong and unique voice, wonderful character development in terms of beginning to view others empathetically, and a friendly culture clash of Chicago black and white.  I absolutely adored Miss Pointy, especially in Chapter 9!  Esme named her appropriately ’cause she is one sharp teacher!

If you want a novel focused on an individual topic, this is not it!  Esme Codell has included race, the Holocaust, bullying, peaceful protest, friendship, enemies, piano lessons, brothers, teenage pregnancy, death, God, fifth grade, and more all through the eyes of Paris McCray.  Paris is a unique character, with a unique voice, and while Codell manages to make it all come together in the end, it felt a little A.D.D. along the way.  That probably makes it perfect for many young readers.

I would recommend this narrative for better fifth and sixth grade readers through eighth graders.

Forest Born - cover

The fourth in Shannon Hale’s “Books of Bayern” series does not stand-alone as well as I would wish for young readers.  I recognize that a lot of books have gone under the reading bridge for me since “Goose Girl”, “Enna Burning” and “River Secrets”, but I found myself wishing Hale has provided more review, explainations and reintroduction of characters.  For a reader just discovering this series this will not be an issue, but a returning reader will struggle.

Razo’s younger sister Rin is the protagonist in this adventure.  A great deal of the conflict in the novel is Rin’s inner lack of self-esteem and confidence which results in great inner turmoil.  This drives her to leave her beloved family and home in the forest to follow Razo to Bayern for a change of scenery.  Adventure quickly follows. 

Rin slowly discovers that she has dual and dubious gifts of people-speaking and tree-speaking.  I found Rin’s unfolding discovery of her gifts somewhat convoluted and thus thought this the weakest book in this series.  Hale is an accomplished weaver of story, but her clarity of writing could have been better in this offering.  But fans of magic and fantasy and Hale’s previous Bayern titles will enjoy the book regardless.

The Lemonade War, cover

I always thought the worst part of school was math.  OK, it was PE.  But despite my ineptitude I understood PE and did NOT understand math… so math was the most dreaded class for me when I was a student.  This novel’s many detailed math portions felt obviously planted for the reader’s mathematical enlightenment.  I just skipped over them in annoyance.  I’m sure there will be young readers who feel the same.  Given a reader who enjoys math I’m not sure the mathematical sections of the narrative will be entertaining.  But face it, since I will never be entertained by numbers I am not the best judge.

I did appreciate the very realistic sibling conflict in this book.  Jacqueline Davies has created two very rich and believable characters in Evan and his younger sister Jessie.  Jessie is academically talented but socially inept.  Evan cannot compete with Jessie academically and fails in his own mind, especially, to measure up.  The catalyst for conflict is the impending school year where Jessie will be skipping a grade and will be, not only in the same grade as her brother Evan, but in the same class.  Evan’s unexpressed angst over the situation and Jessie’s inability to read social cues spark a competition between the two of them to sell the most lemonade.  It is war and it isn’t pretty.

Told in alternating voices, Evan and Jessie’s individual viewpoints richly illustrate the difficulties in communication within a family.  If this novel provides young readers with insight into the fact that another person views a given situation completely differently and that not everyone thinks exactly like they do, it would be worth plowing past the didactic math portions.  I especially appreciate the fact that both Evan and Jessie, while in conflict and confusion, are never totally uncaring about the other.  They have a solid, loving relationship beneath the communication issues and immature decision making ; that is what ultimately sees them through.

At 173 pages, plus illustrations, this is a very accessible novel for young middler readers… if they skip the math!

Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff

Patricia Reilly Giff is a “giffted” writer, but there are eleven reasons this is not one of my favorite Giff titles.

1.  This narrative does not have Giff’s usual pace and flow.  The characters are well developed but the plot takes too long to spin out.  

2. Sam’s discovery of a newspaper clipping in the attic listing him as a missing child seems overly familiar. 

3. Cooney did the missing kid thing better in “Face on the Milk Carton”. 

4. Giff seemed to allow too many elements of the narrative as part of the mystery.   So many details are revealed slowly that there is not enough base to launch a solid story.    

5. The wonderful side characters, Onji and Anima, remain unexplained too long.  

6. The title conflict, Sam’s mysterious aversion to the number 11, is never believable and somewhat contrived.

7. Sam’s angst over his “missing” status is also not completely believable. 

I did, however, like Sam’s issues with reading disability and his friendship with a new student, Caroline. 

A nice novel in terms of length (165 p) for fourth and fifth graders, but I fear it will not keep their interest.

And – like the novel – my list falls short.  I did not quite make it with “Eleven” and neither did Giff.

"Chalice" by Robin McKinley

I am a HUGE, HUGE fan of Robin McKinley’s novels.  It is rare that I re-read books, but every so often I get homesick for Damar and I must read “The Blue Sword” and “The Hero and the Crown” (in that order) yet again.  I’ve read them both four or five times.  My co-worker and I often fantasize about who we would cast in the leading roles if ”The Blue Sword” was made into a film.  I was once assured by McKinley herself via e-mail that she would never sell those rights, however, so I guess we can discontinue our fantasies.  No actor measures up to my image of Corlath or Harry Crew anyway!  Sigh! 

And I especially adored “The Outlaws of Sherwood”.  McKinley is the queen of strong female characters, and “Outlaws” was the perfect example.  (I think I need to read that one again, too.)  It was with great anticipation, then, that I began reading Robin McKinley’s most recent novel “Chalice”.

I was pleased and disappointed at the same time.  The wonderful, fully developed characters and plot were there, along with that wonderful, strong female character.  As usual there was a rich and strong cast of supporting characters.  And the whole bee thing was unique and wonderful. 

In some ways ”Chalice” is a beauty and the beast story, with the down to earth Chalice Mirasol as the beauty and the Master as a beastly partially human Priest of Fire.  Just like the beast, Master transforms back into his human self by the end!

BUT… (and I’ve never had a but with a McKinley novel) … I can’t recommend this book to students because the flow of the narrative is totally convoluted!  It isn’t told in flashbacks and the present.  It is told in circles – like a bee buzzing from here to there and here to there and back.  If McKinley deliberately made the narrative follow the flight of a bee, then she made a mistake. 

We have passed this book around the staff, including the orchestra teacher who pounced on it when she saw it on my desk!  “A new McKinley!”  But all of us agreed this was an extremely hard narrative to follow for us as advanced adult readers.  I could not, in good conscious recommend this one to my students.

Ouch!  I got stung with this one!