Book Review: LUNCH LADY AND THE VIDEO GAME VILLAIN

Krosoczka, Jarrett. (2013). Lunch Lady and the video game villain. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780307980793

Plot Summary 

A new student council president is needed as Hector and Milmoe fight to gain votes for the election mean while everyone’s technology devices are being taken from them. Not to fear the lunch lady is here to solve the mystery in the Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villain.

Critical Analysis     

The story is action packed and fast paced as several events are taking place at the same time: student council election and the mystery behind the missing technology devices. The illustrations help the reader create a clear picture and stay on track with the events that are happening throughout the story. As students read the Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villain characters in the story are relatable as they are the targeted readers age in addition, the story takes place at a school. Characters are Hector, the noble student running for student council president against Milmoe, the bully who is Hector’s opponent, Principal Hernandez, Mr. Gavin Computo, the tech savvy teacher, the fearless undercover mystery solving Lunch Ladies. Robotic feeding machine who fights the Lunch Lady in the end allows readers imagine all the “what ifs” within the story. 

Review Excerpt (s)

-Junior Library Guild (2013) Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s latest installment of the Lunch Lady series is a charming mix of fantasy and reality. 

*Junior Library Guild Selection, 2013

Connections

Students can create a short story using the main story elements, but in a comic strip style. The following books can also guide students in creating their own comic: 

O’Donnell, Liam. (2007).MAX FINDER MYSTERY: COLLECTED CASEBOOK. VOLUME2. ISBN 9782895791218

Krosoczka, Jarret. (2014).LUNCH LADY AND THE SCHOOLWIDE SCUFFLE.ISBN 9780385752794

Krosoczka, Jarret. (LUNCH LADY AND THE MUTANT MATHLETES. ISBN 9780375870286

Book Review: RULES

Lord, Cynthia. (2006). Rules. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439443822

Plot Summary 

Rules is about a 12 year old girl named Catherine who is helping her autistic brother, David go through life’s journey with particular rules she has created for him that he should follow. She really just wants to live a normal life, but finds out the true meaning of normal as she befriends Jason, a boy with his own disabilities and figures out who her “true” friends are.  

Critical Analysis 

In Rules Lord writes a real life story children from all over can relate to. Children can relate to the characters in the story:  Catherine a 12 year old artistic individual who looks after her autistic brother David, David who is autistic and lives life following rules, Catherine’s mom who works from home, Catherine’s dad is constantly working and never on time, Jason, Catherine’s new friend who is wheelchair bound and doesn’t speak, Kristin, new neighbor Catherine wants to make friends with. The characters are the age of the readers which help make the plot seem capable of happening.  Friendships evolve with people we would not normally make relationships with but through sharing the same interests helps create unexpected friendships. Catherine comes to terms with the fact that there are different types of normalcy, you just have to find your own. The chapters are broken down into rules, which help the readers get the gist of the chapter: “Don’t run down the clinic hallways”, “At someone’s house, you have to follow their rules,” “Some people think they know who you are, when really they don’t. It helps the story flow easily and keeps the readers engaged from beginning to end.  

Review Excerpt (s)

-Booklist (February15, 2006) “The details of autistic behavior are handled well, as are depictions of relationships: A heartwarming first novel.”

-Kirkus Reviews (March 1, 2006) “Middle-grade readers will recognize her longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences.”

-School Library Journal (April 1, 2006) “Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter.”

*Schneider Family Book Award, 2007

*Newbery Honor, 2007

*Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2008

 Connections

A story map (characters, setting, theme, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) could be used to organize the story. As students read the story they can fill in the map. This activity can be done with the following books and can be used to prepare students to activate prior knowledge on autistic individuals: 

Lears, Laurie (1998) Ian’s walk: a story about autism. ISBN 9780807534816

Bates, Helen. (2016) A girl like Tilly:  growing up with autism. ISBN 9781785921636

Book Review: NORY RYAN'S SONG

Giff, P. R. (2000). Nory Ryans Song. Delacorte Press: N.Y.N.Y. ISBN 0385321414

Plot Summary 

Nory Ryan’s Song takes place in 1845 during the Great Hunger era in Ireland where food is scarce and the town and homes of the residents of Maidin Bay are being taken over by the English Lord. Nory’s father is away working hard in hopes of making enough money to help provide the necessities for his family. During his time away, it is up to Nory to help the family out in this great time of need. Twelve year old Nory takes it upon herself and does what it takes to provide for her family as she waits for father’s return. 

Critical Analysis 

The style of the book captures the language spoken in Ireland during that time period. The author provides a glossary that includes words and phrases used throughout the book at the beginning of the story. The theme of the story, there is a light at the end of every tunnel even when it does not seem like there is, definitely lends itself for that time period, yet at the same time readers today can relate to the theme of the story now a days. Author Giff offers a letter to the readers at the end of the story explaining how the idea for this book came about. Inquiring about her heritage came the story of Nory Ryan’s Song. 

Review Excerpt (s) 

-Booklist (2003) “Giff brings the immigration history to life through the heartbreaking experiences of parting, loss, and, sometimes, thrilling reunion.”

-School Library Journal (2003) “Giff's descriptive language and detailed descriptions enable children to visualize the countryside and events along the way. Factual information on the potato blight and the resulting emigration is explained in an afterword. A welcome addition to any historical-fiction collection.”

*ALA Notable Children’s Book - 2001

*Golden Kite Award - 2001

Connections

Character Analysis could be used to depict each character in the story. Students can keep track of each character, which may increase the readers understanding of the story. Other future readings: 

Conlon-Mckenna, Marita. Under the Hawthorn Tree. ISBN 9781402219061

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Maggie’s Door. ISBN 9780440415817

Book Review: ESPERANZA RISING

Ryan, P.M. (2002). Esperanza rising (Audible audiobook). Retrieved from https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Pam_Mu%C3%B1oz_Ryan_Esperanza_Rising?id=AQAAAAARGwAbAM&hl=en_US 

Plot Summary 

Esperanza finds herself appreciating what used to be her life in Mexico, after she and her mother are forced to leave home, Mexico. After losing her father and home they have no choice but to work at a Mexican farm labor camp in the United States. As time goes by and unexpected situations arise, Esperanza finds her true self worthiness and true self. 

Critical Analysis 

I had the opportunity to listen to the unabridged audio version of Esperanza Rising through google play, which was a nice change of style of “reading”. As the story began there was brief snippet of guitar music playing in the background. There was a single narrator which made the story pleasant to listen to. She provided different voices for each character and sounded authentic providing accents. At the end of the story, Author Ryan includes an author’s note stating where the inspiration for the book came from and what characters were fiction. The characters hit close to home as I have heard stories of the hardships individuals have faced working in the fields, making the characters relatable to readers is done throughout the story. You can’t help but feel for Esperanza through her hardships within the story as the author accurately contributes to the setting and plot of the story. 

Review Excerpt (s) 

-Booklist (2000) “Set during the Great Depression, the story weaves cultural, economic, and political unrest into Esperanza's poignant tale of growing up: she witnesses strikes, government sweeps, and deep injustice while finding strength and love in her family and romance with a childhood friend. The symbolism is heavy-handed, as when Esperanza ominously pricks her finger on a rose thorne just before her father is killed.”

 -Horn Book Guide starred (2001) “In this poignant look at the realities of immigration, thirteen-year-old Esperanza, daughter of an affluent Mexican rancher, is forced to trade fancy dolls and dresses for hard work and ill-fitting hand-me-downs after her beloved father dies.”

-School Library Journal (2000) “Easy to booktalk, useful in classroom discussions, and accessible as pleasure reading, this well-written novel belongs in all collections.”

*Pura Belpre Author Award - 2002

*ALA Notable Children’s Book - 2001

*Jane Addams Children's Book Awards for Book for Older Children - 2001

Connections 

Students use a Story Map while reading the book. Story elements can include setting, characters, theme, rising action, climax, etc. This activity could be used using the following reads: 

Soto, Gary. Petty Crimes. ISBN 9780152054373

Jimenez, Francisco. Breaking Through. ISBN 9780618342488

Cushman, Karen. The ballad of Lucy Whipple. ISBN 9781328631138

Book Review: DEAD END IN NORVELT

Gantos, Jack. (2013). Dead end in Norvelt. New York: Square Fish. ISBN 9781250010230

Plot Summary 

Jack a history book enthusiast and nose bleeder quickly finds himself grounded for the summer, which he envisioned would be entirely different from what his break has in store for him. He befriends his elderly neighbor, Miss Volker as a means out of the house, but come across many adventures as he helps unravel the mystery of the rapid deaths of the last living women in the town of Norvelt. 

Critical Analysis 

The author provides authenticity to the story as far as evidence that there is an actual town of Norvelt in Pennsylvania with a map of the town provided at the end of the book in a scrapbook. Within the scrapbook we get a first-hand view of what a Norvelt house looked like back in the day, a picture of Eleanor Roosevelt who founded Norvelt. The author creates a parallel with Jack in the story to children now a days. I think all children can relate one way or another with the main character, Jack (from being grounded, sneaking out, doing things behind parents back, keeping secrets, playing baseball, the feel of summer vacation etc.) 

Review Excerpt (s) 

-Book List (2011) “Gantos, as always, deliver bushels of food for thought and plenty of outright guffaws, though the story gets stuck in neutral for much of the midsection. When things pick up again near the end of the summer, surprise twists and even a quick-dissolve murder mystery arrive to pay off patient readers. Those with a nose for history will be especially pleased.”

-Horn Book Guide starred (2012) “This is a richly layered semi-autobiographical tale, an ode to a time and place, to history and the power of reading.”

-School Library Journal (2011) “Each quirky obituary is infused with a bit of Norvelt's history, providing insightful postwar facts focusing on Eleanor Roosevelt's role in founding the town on principles of sustainable farming and land ownership for the poor. Jack's absorption with history of any kind makes for refreshing asides about John F. Kennedy's rescue of PT-109 during World War II, King Richard II, Francisco Pizarro's conquest of Peru, and more. A fast-paced and witty read.”

John Newbery Medal - 2012

ALA Notable Children’s Book - 2012

Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction - 2012

Connections 

Students could create a timeline of the historical events that are mentioned throughout the book and research if dates and occurrences are indeed factual events. Some other books that pair grealty with this book are the following: 

Yelchin, Eugene. Arcady’s Goal. ISBN 9781250068149

Hahn, Mary Downing. As Ever, Gordy. ISBN 9780380732067

Book Review: THE GREEN GLASS SEA

Klages, Ellen. (2006). The green glass sea. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 9780545036139

Plot Summary 

The year is 1943 and young Dewey finds herself moving to Los Alamos, New Mexico as her father, a scientist, works for the military on a top secret project. There Dewey embarks on a new journey as she deals with the ups and downs of life. Dewey is a unique individual with a disability who loves to fix broken radios using knick-knacks out of anything she can find. She makes new friends and becomes a part of a new family. 

Critical Analysis 

As you read the story The Green Glass Sea, the author accurately portrays the setting (food, housing, entertainment) in the era of World War II. Klages writes about static radio, coupons to redeem for food or gas, comic books, etc. The characters are relatable as I am sure we know of those unique individuals or being raised by one parent (Dewey), “down to earth” friends, and someone who will do whatever it takes to fit it (Suze). Overall it is a great book that takes place seventy plus years ago, as the children today would be able to read and learn a little about the World War II era. Author Klages leaves the readers with an author’s note explaining how there is a town named Los Alamos and there were scientists secretly working on what is known today as the atomic bomb. 

Review Excerpt (s) 

-Booklist (2006) “the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes”

-Horn Book Guide starred (2007) “History and story are drawn together with confidence in this intense but accessible page-turner.”

-School Library Journal (2006) “Clear prose brings readers right into the unusual atmosphere of the secretive scientific community, seen through the eyes of the kids and their families.”

Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction - 2007

Judy Lopez Memorial Award - 2007

New Mexico Book Award For Best Young Adult Book - 2007

Connections 

This book could be tied into social studies as students learn cardinal directions and locations of the different places mentioned in the book. The students could pinpoint the different locations of the book so they gain a clearer understanding of the setting. 

Further readings include: 

Zindel, Paul. The Gadget. ISBN 9780440229513

Giff, Patricia Reilly. Willow Run. ISBN 9780440238010

Book Review: WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?

Kerley, Barbara. (2008) What to do about alice? :how alice roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father teddy crazy. Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. Scholastic Press: New York. ISBN 9780439922319

PLOT SUMMARY

Join Alice on her adventure called life! President Teddy Roosevelt had seen and done it all but nothing prepared him for his daughter’s outlook of life and way of living. Ever since Alice was young she did what she wanted when she wanted and was not going to have it any other way whether it was joining an all-boys club, welcoming visitors with her pet snake at the white house, “playing her role as a goodwill ambassador”. She was liked by many and all. Following her passion of politics she became President Roosevelt’s most trusted advisors. Even after becoming a wife, her exciting life did not stop there as she, danced at balls, played poker, and rode horses. Still after President Roosevelt left the office was still not prepared for Alice’s outlook on life. The book ends with an author’s note.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Throughout the book certain words are emphasized in bigger text and bolded, to make statements, such as “THE POOR LITTLE THING”, “Alice ate up the world”, and ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH”. The book stands at 8.8 x 0.4 x 12.1 inches a little larger than most books, with that said the illustrations on both sides one very page brings authors Barbra Kerley’s words to life. The reader feels and truly gets a sense of what they are reading. Illustrations leave nothing to the imagination, as illustrator Edwin Fotheringham does a wonderful job of showing Alice and her adventurous life.

REVIEW EXCERPT (S)

-Booklist starred (2008) “Kerley’s text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line:”

-Horn Book Magazine (2008) “Both text and illustrations can depict a demure Alice (on her wedding day, for example), but that decorum is short-lived as she dances the turkey trot or plays poker with "the boys."

-School Library Journal (2008) “Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship's swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father's trusted advisers.”

*Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor, 2009

*ALA Notable Children's Books, 2009

CONNECTIONS

Students could fill in KWL chart before they read about Alice Roosevelt they write down what they know, what they want to know and after reading they write in what they learned. These charts could also be used along with the following books:

Kerley, Barbara (2001). The dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An Illuminating history of Mr.

Waterhouse Hawkins, artist and lecturer. Ill. by Brian Selznick. ISBN

9780439114943

Bennett, Doraine. (2012). Theodore Roosevelt. Hamilton, GA: State Standards Publishing.

ISBN: 9781935884521