Spinster Goose Trailer

Wheeler, Lisa. 2011. Spinster Goose: Twisted Rhymes for Naughty Children. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781416925415

Nation by Terry Pratchett

Image Credit: www.barnesandnoble.com

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pratchett, Terry. 2008. Nation. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 9780061433023

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Mau, a young native islander, is the sole survivor after an enormous wave hits his island. At the same time, Daphne, a dignified young lady from England, finds that she is the only one alive after her boat crashes into the forest of Mau’s island. Together Mau and Daphne, two people from such different lifestyles and native tongues, try to form a new life. As survivors from different islands gradually land ashore in desperate need, Mau and Daphne struggle to feed, house, and heal the people, and at the same time, they try to unite and create a new nation. It also proves to be a time for personal turmoil as Mau struggles to understand the faith and spirituality that he has grown up with. Amidst such serious issues and additional problems, Terry Pratchett manages to intertwine bits of humor throughout the story. Readers will find themselves laughing at the description of Mau trying to milk a pig and the birds that continuously regurgitate. Nation is a unique book that is engaging and hard to put down.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In Nation, author Terry Pratchett creates two very strong main characters, Mau and Daphne. This aspect alone will appeal to both males and females since they can identify with one or the other. He continues to vividly describe other pertinent characters as they are introduced. The theme of survival and personal struggles are effectively portrayed through each scenario. Pratchett carefully creates a story of such a serious nature but manages to incorporate humor as well, and the result is an irresistible read. His text is easy to read, the setting is believable, and the dialogues are enjoyable. He uses everyday language and brings out a myriad of emotions. These two young people create a new nation, and the descriptions of all that they must undertake is done beautifully.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST: Starred Review – “Quirky wit and broad vision make this a fascinating survival story on many levels.”
KIRKUS: Starred Review – “A searching exploration of good and evil, fate and free will, both as broad and as deep as anything this brilliant and, happily, prolific author has produced so far.”
THE HORN BOOK: “The unique pleasure of this story is that all the serious subjects and juicy ethical questions, such as the dilemma of the compassionate lie, are fully woven into action and character.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The main characters are engaging and interesting, and are the perfect medium for the author's sly humor.”
Michael L. Printz Award, 2009 Honor Book United States
Odyssey Award, 2009 Honor
Locus Award, 2009 Finalist
School Library Journal Battle of the (Kids') Books, 2009 Nominee

5. CONNECTIONS
• Other good survival stories are:
O’Dell, Scott. ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. ISBN 9780547424835
Paulsen, Gary. HATCHET. ISBN 0689840926
Pfeffer, Susan. LIFE AS WE KNEW IT. ISBN 0152058265
• More teen books written by Terry Pratchett:
Pratchett, Terry. THE AMAZING MAURICE AND HIS EDUCATED RODENTS. ISBN
006001234X
Pratchett, Terry. THE WEE FREE MEN. ISBN 0060012366

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos

Image Credit: www.barnesandnoble.com

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gantos, Jack. 2000. Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374399891

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Joey Pigza is going to spend a few weeks with his father for the first time in many years. He’s excited about the idea but a little apprehensive too. Joey’s mother said that his father, Carter, is a bigger version of himself. Joey has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and apparently, his father does too. Joey has learned that life is very good as long as he wears his medicine patches, but Carter has a different opinion. Joey Pigza experiences some very good times with his father especially when it comes to baseball, but he experiences some bad bouts as well. Life with his Dad is like a roller coaster of extreme emotions and things become too scary.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Using every day language, Jack Gantos writes a story that is not only believable but also one that many individuals can understand through their own experiences. A large number of people today know somebody who has ADHD, and this story may offer some insight in regards to potential complications. Gantos creates vivid character personalities, realistic settings, and employs a host of emotions. Parts of the story will make the reader smile, frown, laugh, cringe, worry, and hope. Joey tries so hard to keep in control of his own outbursts but has to dig deep within himself to overcome his father’s bad choices.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST: Starred Review – “Ganto's skillful pacing, sly humor, and in-depth characterization make it a truly memorable read.”
KIRKUS: Starred Review – “A tragic tale in many ways, but a triumph too.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Readers will be drawn in immediately to the boy's gripping first-person narrative and be pulled pell-mell through episodes that are at once hilarious, harrowing, and ultimately heartening as Joey grows to understand himself and the people around him.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Like its predecessor, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear and courage with deceptive ease.”
John Newbery Medal, 2001 Honor Book
Parents' Choice Award, 2000 Gold Fiction
Parents' Choice Award, 2003 Gold Best 25 Books in 25 Years

5. CONNECTIONS
• Other “Joey Pigza” books include:
Gantos, Jack. JOEY PIGZA SWALLOWED THE KEY. ISBN 9780374336646
Gantos, Jack. WHAT WOULD JOEY DO? ISBN 9780374399863
Gantos, Jack. I AM NOT JOEY PIGZA. ISBN 978-0-374-39941-2
• Other young adult fiction with ADHD characters include:
Rue, Nancy. MOTORCYCLES, SUSHI & ONE STRANGE BOOK. ISBN 9780310714842
Guest, Jacqueline. RACING FEAR. ISBN 1550288393
Harrar, George. PARENTS WANTED. ISBN 1571316337

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Image Credit: www.borders.com

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krosoczka, Jarrett. 2009. Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780375846830

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Lunch Lady seems to be an ordinary school cafeteria worker, but students Hector, Dee, and Terrence find out that she is so much more than she appears to be when they follow her one day after school. The Lunch Lady grows suspicious of a substitute teacher that is filling in for Mr. O’Connell who has never missed one day in his twenty years of teaching. As she studies the substitute teacher, the Lunch Lady acts on her hunches and emerges as a crime fighter. She is fully equipped with James Bondish gadgets made by her sidekick Betty. Readers will delight in the lunch tray laptop, milk carton camera, “Spatu-copter,” and other clever culinary devices. Readers will enjoy this mystery and may be a little surprised at the conclusion of the story.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Using simple dialogues and simple illustrations, Jarret Krosoczka creates a very entertaining story. The illustrations throughout the book are black, white, and yellow in color, and they appear in different sizes. The cartoonish pictures of key characters are easy to recognize once they are introduced, and details that appear throughout the books add meaning to the story. Labeled gadgets and fun sound effects add a healthy dose of humor. With a handful of characters and a familiar setting, a mystery unfolds. Readers will follow the Lunch Lady heroine as she unravels the mystery of the odd substitute and the missing teacher. Readers will not be disappointed in this humorous crime fighter story.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST: “This tongue-in-cheek super heroine graphic novel will hit the spot for chapter-book readers.”
KIRKUS: “Filled with goofy puns and grayscale art with cheery yellow accents, this is a delightfully fun escapist read.”
Children's Choice Book Awards, 2010 Winner

5. CONNECTIONS
• Other Lunch Lady graphic novels include:
Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY AND THE SUMMER CAMP SHAKEDOWN. ISBN 9780375860959
Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY AND THE AUTHOR VISIT VENDETTA. ISBN 9780375860942
Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY AND THE LEAGUE OF LIBRARIANS. ISBN
9780375846847
• Other school theme junior graphic novels:
Meister, Cari. BUS RIDE BULLY. ISBN: 9781434220592
Zidrou. THE CLASS STRUGGLE. ISBN 9781849180313