Koala Lou

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fox, Mem. 1988.KOALA LOU. ILL by Pamela Lofts. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152005021

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This story is about Koala Lou who likes her mother to tell her she loves her. But when her mother’s attention begins to be shared with the new additions to her family, Koala longs to hear her mother say “Koala Lou, I do love you.” Koala decides to compete in the Bush Olympics in hopes to win back her mother’s attention. When Koala doesn’t win the race up the gum tree, she begins to realize that her mother loves her for who she and not because she wins or loses the race.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Kola Lou is a heartwarming story about a Koala who feels insecure with the arrival of her new siblings and her mother’s attention that must now be shared. Young readers will be able to relate to this story and the emotions that it presents. Mem Fox, who is the author, is a native of Australia and brings to the story her knowledge and background which creates a story with authenticity. There are several cultural markers that are found throughout the story. These markers include the setting which takes place in the Outback of Australia and incorporates a koala as the main character which is a native animal of that region. Other animals that Fox presents in the story include the emu, platypus, kookaburra, and the kangaroo which are all natives animals found in Australia. When Koal decides to enter a tree climbing contest to help get back her mother’s attention, Fox chooses to use a gum tree which is also native to Australia. The language that Fox uses reflects the region of Australia and is evident when Koala Lou’s mother asks, “ How’re ya goin’ blossom?”
Pamela Loft illustrates this story with colored pencil drawings that are bright, colorful and creatively done. The illustrations enhance the already heartwarming text together to bring both emotion and visual imagery to the story which will invite readers to read this story time and time again.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “In a gentle tale set in the Australian bush, Koala Lou wants to win the Bush Olympics. A good choice for story hour, bedtime, or reading aloud”

Publisher Weekly: “Lofts's colored-pencil drawings portray the Australian flora and fauna beautifully, including a few of the more exotic species”

5. CONNECTION:
Other books by Mem Fox

Fox, Mem. POSSUM MAGIC. ISBN 9780152632243
Fox, Mem. WHOEVER YOU ARE. ISBN 9780152060305
Fox, Mem. TOUGH BORIS. ISBN 9780152018917

The Shadows of Ghadames

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stolz, Joelle. 1999. THE SHADOWS OF GHADAMES. New York; Delacorte Press. ISBN 0440419492

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Shadows of Ghadames is a historical fiction which takes place in the Libyan city of Ghadames at the end of the nineteenth century. The story is about eleven year old Malika who is quickly approaching her twelfth birthday where she will be at the marriageable age and be restricted to the world of women. In Ghadames, these restrictions confine woman to doing their house duties on the upper levels of their homes and visiting with each other on the roof tops while men conduct business in alleyways and boys play in the streets. Malika dreams of traveling beyond her city but must comes to terms that she is tied to the traditions of her people, until one night when a stranger comes into their home and offers her a chance to grow and explore the world outside her city by teaching her to read.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Joelle Stolz has written a story that portrays the life and traditions of Ghadames, a Muslim community in Libya around the end of the nineteenth century.
Stolz weaves several cultural markers which creates a sense of accuracy and authenticity to the story. Within the story the cultural markers include married women wearing veils to cover their faces and gold coins across their foreheads, the uncle having authority over the women of the house when the brother is gone and the discussion of two sets of descendents one of lighter skin and the other darker skin and the Berber dialect and the soft sounding Hausa language. The Muslim culture is explored and helps readers understand the issues and restrictions that are put on the Muslim women living in Ghadames. These restrictions include women being confined to their homes and only being allowed to roam the city by rooftops, taking off their jewelry when the man of the house is gone, and performing daily chores that include housekeeping, cooking and food preservation. Through the point of view of a twelve year old girl, Malika, readers will see the strained relationship between Malika and her brother because of Malika’s jealousy toward him because she is not allowed to attend school, learn to read or travel with her father throughout the city. The author also reveals the submissiveness that women are under when Malika makes the statement, “men step putting their heels down first, in manly, self-confident fashion, and women put their toes down first, timidly, in a way that befits and inferior creature. That’s how we’re taught to walk by our mothers when we’re very little and heaven help us if we forget it!”
The dialect that Stolz uses helps to connect the reader to the Muslim Cultures. This dialect included vocabulary such as Jinn(spirits), malafa (rectangle of embroidered wool tied under the chin with laces that girls wear on their heads until married), Kerna (wide, hard base of a palm tree branch) and burnoose (clothing). This vocabulary helps to enhance and give authenticity to the culture and story.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Booklist: “The vivid backdrop is intoxicating, but the story's universal concerns will touch readers most: sibling jealously, confusion about adult customs, and a growing interest in a world beyond family.”

5. CONNECTION
Other fictional books that deal with the Middle East:
Nye, Shihab Naomi. SITTI’S SECRET. ISBN 9780689817069
Khan, Rukhsana. THE ROSES IN MY CARPET. ISBN 9781550050691

First Part Last

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster.

ISBN 0689849222

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Bobby is a young man who likes to spend time skipping school, going to the movies and hanging out with his two best friends. On Bobby’s sixteenth birthday, his girlfriend Nia informs him that she is pregnant. With pressure from their parents, Bobby and Nia decide to give the baby up for adoption, but before the adoption takes place, tragedy strikes Nia, and Bobby finds himself keeping their baby girl Feather, and raising her on his own.

3. CRITICAL ANALSYSIS

In the First Part Last, the readers will feel and hear the story through the eyes of sixteen year old Bobby who has been told by his girlfriend Nia, that she is pregnant. Johnson has written this story with alternating chapters between “then” and “now”. The “then” chapters tells about Nia and Bobby’s struggles that the pregnancy presents and the difficult decision of putting their baby up for adoption due to the pressure put upon them by their parents. The “now” chapters are about Bobby’s struggle to raise his daughter, Feather, as a single parent due to a tragedy that takes Nia. These struggles include staying up at night and then having to go to school, bathing, feeding, changing diapers, and getting Feather to the babysitters on time. This story is written with sensitivity but the reality of teenage pregnancy and the obstacles, love and emotions that come with raising a child as a single parent.

The setting of this story takes place in Bobby’s childhood home and neighborhood in New York. The setting helps to set the tone of the story. Although Bobby comes from a home where his father owns his own restaurant and his mom is a photographer, Bobby still has some rough edges about him, for example when he defaces public property by drawing graffiti on a wall. Bobby does a lot of remembering back on his own childhood when he starts to experience things now as Feather’s father such as the nurse that he knew growing up helping him with feather when she is sick, and the babysitter he had growing up is now Feathers.

When reading this story of emotions and struggles the reader will clearly understand the theme which is accepting responsibilities and the true meaning of sacrifice.

The language can sometimes be rough, harsh and can describe issues that are more appropriate for older readers. The concept of the story can be a great way to start discussions on teenage pregnancy and the responsibilities and consequences that come along with it.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publishers Weekly: “A 16-year-old tells the story of how he became a single dad. In a starred review of this companion to Heaven, PW said, "The author skillfully relates the hope in the midst of pain.”

School Library Journal: “In this lyrical novel, 16-year-old Bobby narrates his journey into teenage fatherhood, struggling to balance school, parenting, and friends who simply do not comprehend his new role and his breathtaking love for his daughter.” Winner of the 2004 SRT Coretta Scott King Author Award and the 2004 YALSA Michael L. Printz Award for literary excellence.

Voice of Youth Advocate: “This well-written book is not like anything that I've ever read before. It goes fast and has realistic fiction, romance, and suspense all in one. Most teen pregnancy books are about what the girl goes through, but this one is written from a different, exciting angle. Both girls and boys can read it.”

5. CONNECTION

Another book about a boy raising a child:

Bechard, Margaret. HANGING ON TO MAX. ISBN 9780689862687

Other books by Angela Johnson:

Johnson, Angela. HEAVEN. ISBN 9780689822902

Johnson, Anglea. IDREAM OF TRAINS. ISBN 9780689826092

Princess Academy

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hale, Shannon. 2005. PRINCESS ACADEMY. New York, New York: Bloomsbury Publishing.

ISBN 9781582349930

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Princess Academy is about a group of mountain girls who have been selected to attend the Princess Academy in order to learn the etiquettes and responsibilities of a princess. After learning these skills, the prince will choose the girl that graduates at the top of the academy to be his bride. Fourteen year old Miri, who has never been able to work in the quarry with the other members of her family will journey to the academy with the desire to learn everything she can and excel to the top so she can make her family proud, only to find that she will encounter bitter competition with the other girls along with her own inner conflict on whether or not she wants to be chosen as the prince’s bride. Feeling as though she is an outcast, Miri begins secretly experimenting with the mysterious language called, “quarry speech” that her people use while mining the linder stones. She will soon realize that this language can be used outside her village and will eventually help save the academy from a dangerous situation that Miri and the other students will be faced with.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story takes place in a medieval setting that has a hint of magic sprinkled throughout but not enough that makes this world unrealistic. The magic is not overwhelming or unbelievable. It comes from the people of Mount Eskel and the mountain itself. The story is told from the viewpoint of Miri. Miri, who is the central character, along with other girls from her village are selected to attend a princess academy so they may be groomed to become the prince’s bride. There is a fierce competition between the girls that takes place leaving Miri feeling like an outcast. Through secretly experimenting with the “quarry speech” that her people use while working in the linder mines, Miri’s insecurities and adversities that she encounters will soon help her to evolve into the heroine of the story, find her inner strength and develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of her mountain culture. Several underlying themes are present in the story; loyalty, friendship, and choices that are made can affect others. These themes help set the tone and help the reader get a look into the characters themselves.

There is a hint of a love interest between Miri and Peder but it doesn’t develop into much. I think because this is a story geared toward older students, I would like to have seen this more developed, because it wasn’t I was a little disappointed and I think the older readers will be too.

Within the story Hale offers a bit of revelation which is “knowledge is a powerful tool.” She show this when Miri has come back from the academy and begins explaining to the villagers that the linder stones they have been mining and selling at low prices are actually very valuable to the lowlanders. She helps them to understand that their trading and selling potential will change their way of living and future for the better.

I think this book overall is a great book about the coming of age and I would recommend it to preteens, teenagers and adults. For those who may get deterred from reading this book because it has the word “Princess” in it, take a chance and read it anyways you will be surprised.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide: “Hale's writing is clear and her descriptions vivid. Her imaginary world, peopled by strong yet vulnerable characters, is quietly memorable.”

Publisher’s Weekly: “Readers enchanted by Hale's Goose Girl are in for an experience that's a bit more earthbound in this latest fantasy-cum-tribute to girl-power.”

Voice of Youth Advocate: “Although many people who read this book will not have any connection to Miri's way of life (people usually don't tend goats high on a mountainside their whole lives), Hale's writing places you in the book, so you feel you can relate. The plot seems predictable, like any other book of its genre, but it has a twist that sets it apart and makes it all the more enjoyable.”

5. CONNECTION

Other books by author:

Hale, Shannon. THE GOOSE GIRL. ISBN 9781582349909

Hale, Shannon. ENNA BURNING. ISBN 9781582349060

Hale, Shannon. THE RIVER SECRETS. ISBN 9781582349015

Hale, Shannon. A BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS. ISBN 9781599900513

Artemis Fowl

1. BIBILIOGRPAHY

Colfer, Eoin. 2001. ARTEMIS FOWL. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

ISBN 0786808012

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Artemis Fowl is a twelve year-old boy who is both a genius and a criminal mastermind. He comes from a long line of criminals and is the heir of his father’s once billion dollar dynasty. He is technologically advanced and psychologically clever. His father has disappeared and is believed to be dead and his mother hallucinates and has become distraught. Although Artemis’s is still considered a millionaire he sets out to regain his dad’s once billion dollar status that has been lost since the his dad’s disappearance. To regain the money lost, Artemis demises a plan that includes the kidnapping of a fairy and holding her ransomed for an exchange of fairy gold. Knowing that fairies are bound by rules and guidelines from “the book,” Artemis thinks he has an impeccable plan that will be successful. The plan seems to be flawless but unknown to Artemis; he kidnaps a brazen fairy that isn’t one to mess with. When her comrades come to her rescue and stop following the fairy rules, Artemis’s plans are hurled into pandemonium leaving him to deal with devilish dwarfs, raging trolls and deadly bio-boms.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Artemis Fowl is a fantasy novel about a 12 years old criminal mastermind set out to restore his family’s billion dollar dynasty by kidnapping a fairy and asking for a ransom of fairy gold. The setting for this story is primarily set in Ireland at Fowl Manor and in the underworld land where the fairies escaped to, when humans took over the earth. Artemis is the protagonist and comes across as cold hearted with no emotional ties to anyone in the beginning of the story but by the end his character develops and begins showing guilt and compassion for his family. This is seen when Artemis is willing to part with half the fairy gold in exchange for a wish by Holly, to restore his mother’s sanity. The antagonist of this story is Captain Holly Short who is a feisty fairy and part is part of the LEP (Lower Element Police) and she has been abducted by Artemis Fowl. Although the story has a protagonist and antagonist there really isn’t a hero in this story that the reader can cling to by the end. Colfer makes it clear that the underlying themes are greed and the conflict between good and evil. Even though this conflict is throughout the story it never comes across as too intense. This book combines fantasy and science fiction elements giving readers a story that will keep them intrigued and wanting more. These elements include a criminal dwarf, angry troll, fairies and their use of mesmer ( magic used to entrance people), time stop(tool used to stop time using magic), bio-bomb (high tech bomb that kills living tissues and leaves everything else untouched) and many other fantastical elements that bring this story to life. For readers who like to decipher codes, they will notice that Colfer has created a chain of symbols that represent a code that can be cracked by using the website that is presented at the end of the book.

4. REVIEW EXCEPRT(S)

Library Journal: “The quirky characters and delightful humor of his latest work will undoubtedly delight American readers as well.”

Booklist: “The result is sheer mayhem, laced with high technology and magical goings-on. Characterizations and dialogue enhance a rollicking tale that will have readers rolling on the floor and eagerly anticipating the planned sequel as well as the movie in the works for 2002.”

5. CONNECTION:

Colfer, Eoin. THE ARCTIC INCIDENT. ISBN 9780786851478

Colfer, Eoin. THE ETERNITY CODE. ISBN 0786819146

Colfer, Eoin. ARTEMIS FOWL (THE OPAL DECEPTION). ISBN 9781423103998

Colfer, Eoin. THE LOST COLONY. ISBN 0786849568

Colfer, Eoin. THE TIME PARDOX. ISBN 9781423108368

The Barn

1. BIBILIOGRAPHY

Avi. 1994. THE BARN. New York, New York: Orchard Books. ISBN 0531087115

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The Barn is set in 1855. 9year-old Ben has been brought home to help his sister Nettie and brother Harrison to manage their homestead due to their father becoming incapacitated with “palsy.” Ben believes that building the barn that his dad had once dreamed of will be the key to his recovery. Ben must persuade Nettie and Harrison to help construct the barn and to give it as a gift to their father. Together they will accomplish things that they thought were impossible.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

“The Barn” is a historical fiction that takes place in the Oregon territory in 1855. It is a heartwarming story that is about perseverance and what it means to be a part of a family unit. The protagonist of the story is Ben, a 9year-old boy that has been sent to boarding school because of his above intelligence and must come home early due to his father being stricken down by “palsy.” Avi writes this story through the eyes of Ben who is the narrator throughout. His point of view can sometimes be heart wrenching and shows emotions that anyone who has had to deal with a parent that is immobile can relate to. Example of this is when Ben says, “What shame I felt that he should be like a baby to me, who was his youngest son.”

Avi clearly depicts the era by describing the demands of pioneer life and the challenges that the three siblings must face in order to keep their homestead- fixing the house, chopping wood, plowing the fields, planting crops, breaking dirt clods with an ax, and taking care of a father who can’t move and is dying.

The one drawback of this book is too much time is spent on describing the building of the barn, which I think could lose the reader’s interest.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publisher’s Weekly: "This austere tale set in 1855 tells how the children of Oregon settlers are left to fend for themselves on the frontier," said PW, noting that "it will gratify those who seek a quiet, contemplative read." Ages 8-12.

Kirkus Review: “Ben's spare narrative is lovingly honed, the interaction of the characters drawn with sensitivity and skill. A small, quiet book that may appeal to perceptive readers.”

School Library Journal: “This novel may not have the wide appeal of some of Avi's earlier titles, but it is a thought-provoking and engaging piece of historical fiction.”

5. CONNECTION

Other books by Avi:

Avi. THE ESCAPE FROM HOME (BEYOND THE WESTERN SEA I). ISBN9780380728756

Avi. LORD KiRKLE’S MONEY (BEYOND THE WESTERN SEA II). ISBN 978038728763

Avi. THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE. ISBN 9780380728855

Elijah of Buxton

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curtis, Paul Christopher. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York, New York: Scholastic Inc.

ISBN 0439023440

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Elijah Freeman is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada. Buxton is a safe haven for runaway slaves where they can rule themselves and are away from the abomination of slavery that is just across the border in Detroit. This story begins in 1859 when Elijah Freeman is eleven years old and has only known the comfort of freedom where he spends the majority of his time doing chores, fishing, playing and going to school. He spends a lot of time trying to convince his parents and others that he is grown-up but to no avail until a tragic incident happens. Elijah is thrown into a dangerous journey when his friend, Mr. Leroy loses the money he has saved to purchase his family from a slave owner, to the town preacher who is crooked. Elijah must venture over the border where slavery is still present to recover the money. This perilous journey will thrust Elijah into a world that is cruel and full of prejudice that he has never known before.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Elijah of Buxton is a Newberry Honor Book that includes humor, suspense, and heartache. Curtis has written this story in a first person narrative, through the youthful voice of eleven year old, Elijah Freeman. He built this story around elements of realism including the community of Buxton which was actually established in 1849 for runaway slaves, the abuse of slaves, and the separation of families The dialect used captures the true language of the time period and therefore sets the tone beautifully throughout the story. Example of the dialect include when Elijah’s pa is explaining to him that the joke he pulled on his ma will be dealt with when he tells him, Pa said, “ Past a wart or two, I don’t think the toady-frog’s gunn cause you no grieving. But your ma…” He whistled low and long, “ she’s a whole ‘nother story.”

Curtis begins this story by setting a carefree approach by explaining Elijah Freeman’s life of freedom by fishing, doing chores, playing and going to school and church. Elijah has never known slavery because he was the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada. Due to the fact that Elijah has never grown up in slavery, he does not appreciate the hardships and cruelty that his family and neighbors have had to overcome for their freedom. With his mom calling him “fragile” because he cries all the time, Elijah has a hard time convincing everyone that he is grown up. As the story becomes more involved, Curtis begins to change the carefree tone to a darker mood as the crooked preacher steals money that was to be used to purchase Mr. Leroy’s family from slavery. Elijah is kidnapped by Mr. Leroy and begins a dangerous journey that will begin his climb to maturity and reveal the brutality of slavery. Curtis does not sugarcoat slavery but addresses it through Elijah’s point of view, “ But now I could see our playing didn’t have anything to do with the truth. I could see how it was a whole lot harder when things were real and you had to worry ‘bout shotguns and chains and coughing little babies and crying folks without no clothes.” The ending is very powerful and uplifting but may be disturbing to younger readers due to the violent and somewhat graphic subject matter but for older readers it will keep them on the edge of their seats wanting more. The author’s note at the end will provide readers with more information on the authentic Buxton settlement and its establishment. This book is a great tool to use when studying slavery and freedom.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Voice of Youth Advocate: “A fascinating portrayal of history, a strong first-person narrative, and a most remarkable main character make this work perhaps the author's finest to date.”-

Booklist: “Central to the story, these scenes show an emotional range and a subtlety unusual in children's fiction. Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears. A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller.”

5. CONNECTION

Other books to read:

Curtis, Paul Christopher. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINHAM. ISBN 9780440228004

Curtis, Paul Christopher. BUD, NOT BUDDY. ISBN 9780553494105