Kidnap at the Catfish Cafe

Author Study Selection

Author:  Patricia Reilly Giff, 1998, Viking

Illustrator:  Lynne Cravath

This is the third and final choice for my author study, and I found it quite different from the previous Giff books.  Kidnap at the Catfish Cafe is a juvenile detective book, and it takes the reader on a hunt to find a purse snatcher.  The detective is a teenage girl who lives in Florida, I believe.  She takes a cat, who is thought to be a stray but turns out as someone's missing pet, as her co-detective.  This cat takes on human qualities and is described as nodding and making other gestures that would make one believe it is speaking to Minnie, the main character.  Minnie ends up solving the case, as I would have expected, and she becomes friends with another amateur detective named Cash. 

The entire plot is exactly what I expected from the beginning.  It is one installment in a series called The Adventures of Minnie and Max.  The characters follow the typical route to solving a mystery.  By that, I am referring to some classic mysteries such as Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.  Each book was a carbon copy of the other, just with different twists, turns, and characters.  This makes it easy for readers to fall in love with the books, but it also makes it easy for them to predict what will happen.  While I have not read other Minnie and Max books, I would suspect that they do the same.  I liked this book, but as I said earlier, it was unlike the other books I have read by Patricia Reilly Giff.  Her recent juvenile chapter books are more historical in nature, and they are more believable.  This book was dull, uninteresting, and very predictable.     



Water Street

Author Study Selection

Author:  Patricia Reilly Giff, 2006, Wendy Lamb Books

Water Street is another excellent piece of literature from Patricia Reilly Giff.  The main character, Bird, is only thirteen years old in 1875, but she has many responsibilities that make her seem older than she is.  She meets Thomas, a boy about her age, who moves into the apartment above her family.  Though neither of them wants to be forward about their feelings, she loves Thomas, and he certainly loves her, and that main theme runs throughout the entire story.  They are witnesses to the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, and Bird's father is a worker on the building crew.  Both Bird's and Thomas's families immigrated to the United States from Ireland at the time of the potato famine.  Bird is almost done with the 8th grade, and it will soon be time for her to work.  She has fancied the idea of becoming a healer like her mother, but she is not sure she can stomach all the blood.  Through twists and turns of life, Bird and Thomas both graduate from the eighth grade and attend high school--Thomas on a scholarship, and Bird on the money saved by her parents.  The hard road to this point is the crowning achievement in the lives of these children.

I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this book.  The author carefully integrated love, disappointment, heartache, joy, and family in a seemingly effortless way.  I thought the characters were accurately portrayed as having lived in the 1870s in America, and the real problems associated with this time period, including injury, poverty, and crime, were evident in the story.  This would be an excellent piece of historical fiction for middle schoolers to read.  I think teachers would also really like this book because it is another great story by a time-honored author.        

Eleven

Author Study Selection

Author:  Patricia Reilly Giff, 2008, Wendy Lamb Books

Sam is afraid of the number eleven, and he can't remember why.  He is eleven years old, his birthday is April 11, and he vaguely remembers something about his childhood that deals with the same number.  The trouble is, Sam finds a newspaper clipping with his picture at age 3 only with a different last name.  Is he adopted?  Why hasn't his grandfather, Mack, ever told him the story?  What is the secret behind this family? 

Sam has a reading disability and, at eleven years old, cannot read simple words.  He goes to the resource room every day for help, and he is disgusted by his impediment.  That does not impair his ability for craftsmanship, however.  Sam is excellent at woodworking, a trait he learned from his grandfather.  Sam's teacher assigns him the project of crafting a medieval castle for an upcoming event.  He deftly includes a new student, Caroline, in his work because he wants her to help him read the newspaper clipping.  Under the guise of working together on the project, Sam and Caroline find out the details of Sam's early years through careful research.  I will not reveal the inner-workings of this story because you need to read it for yourself. 

This was an incredible book.  I was captivated by every turn of events, and the author did a fantastic job of creating suspense for the reader.  One can tell that Patricia Reilly Giff is an expert in her field, and expert writer that is.  Sam's difficulty will allow anyone else with the same situation to identify with him.  He is a determined young fellow who seeks to understand his past, and in doing so, he makes a new best friend.  This is a story of surprise, suspense, and superb writing.  I give it two thumbs up.   



The Lion and The Mouse

Author:  Jerry Pinkney, 2009, Little, Brown & Co.
Traditional Literature

Take a timeless fable, put a new spin on it, and tell it without using words.  That is essentially what Jerry Pinkney did with The Lion and The Mouse.  A mouse happens upon a lion one day, and in a great show of compassion, the lion lets the mouse go free.  Later on, when the lion is captured in a poacher's net, the mouse hears his cries, finds him, and nibbles through the thick cords to free his lion friend.  The moral of this story, in Pinkney's words, is that the meek sometimes trump the mighty.

I read this story in my children's literature class recently, so some discussions in our class lent insight into the differences between this modern version and the original tale.  Some of my classmates have read a version in which the lion gets a thorn in his paw and the mouse frees him.  Regardless of the differences, Pinkney brings this piece of traditional literature to life with his rich watercolor drawings and word-less pages.  The reader is forced to use his imagination to pull the pillars of the story together in his mind.  I am always in awe of Jerry Pinkney's illustrations, and this book certainly does not disappoint me.  Allow your students to draw upon their prior knowledge of the story (if they have heard it before), and open the classroom to a discussion of differences between the two (or more) versions.  It is a great way to appreciate rich artwork, and in the meantime, to apply a moral standard to real-life situations.     

Mr. Putter and Tabby (Series)

Author:  Cynthia Rylant
Illustrator:  Arthur Howard

During spring break, I chose to read the Mr. Putter and Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant.  This children's series is about an old man and his cat, who are strikingly similar in demeanor.  Mr. Putter prefers tea and cakes to hard work, and his cat, Tabby, takes on a human personality.  The two of them live next door to Mrs. Teaberry and her dog, Zeke.  While Mr. Putter and Tabby are bleak, Mrs. Teaberry and Zeke are full of fun.  The foursome blends well together, and the reader can't help but notice the loving relationship between Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry, as well as between Tabby and Zeke.  I loved this series because of its traditional storylines and feel-good endings.  From the series, I read the following books, all beginning with "Mr. Putter and Tabby..."

• Walk the Dog
• Stir the Soup
• Run the Race
• Row the Boat
• Paint the Porch
• Fly the Plane
• Feed the Fish
• Bake the Cake
• Toot the Horn
• Catch the Cold
• Pick the Pears

I don't believe I could pick a favorite from this list.  Each book has its funny parts, and they are perfect for young readers.  Children who are beginning to read chapter books would really enjoy this series.  Each book has around 5 chapters, and the chapters include only a few pages.  I remember when my sister was in first or second grade, she and my mom read the entire series several times.  My sister loved Tabby because she had a cat that looked just like Mr. Putter's.  I believe, for this reason, many young girls would love the stories in this series, but maybe some boys would like them too.  They are great stories of friendship, and that is a quality we all should cherish.

Mr. Putter and Tabby

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Author:  Sherman Alexie, 2007, Little, Brown and Company

When you are an adolescent on an Indian reservation, born with fluid on the brain and wimpy in every way, you are an easy target for bullies.  That is exactly what Arnold Spirit (a.k.a. Junior) has faced all his life.  Junior is an Indian on the Spokane Indian Reservation.  He attends Wellpinit School, and if it wasn't for his best friend, Rowdy, Junior would have been decimated years earlier.  Rowdy is Junior's protector and shares a unique relationship with him.  In fact, the reader almost suspects some sort of "male crush" between Junior and Rowdy, but thankfully, that question is put to rest when Junior meets Penelope at Reardan High School.  After being told by one of his teachers at Wellpinit that he could do better, Junior breaks barriers by commuting (sometimes walking) to Reardan High School more than 20 miles away.  No Indian from the Spokane reservation has ever gone to school in the neighboring white community of Reardan, and because of his decision, Junior takes a lot of flack.  Throughout the story, the reader sees Junior's grit and determination as he carves his own path, leading away from his roots on the reservation, but also sadness due to excessive drinking and death.  This story aligns itself with what we know from studying history, but it gives a human voice to a real problem.

Honestly, I did not care much for the book.  I thought the language was crude and sometimes disgusting, and there was really no reason for that.  I believe the author could have told the story in a more informative and wholesome way.  From my perspective, the author attempted to be humorous, and I'll admit, I laughed on occasions; however, the majority of the story was not funny, and it was a lame attempt at humor.  The story basically reinforces every stereotype we have of Indians, including violence and alcoholism.  Instead of turning a blind eye to these truths as we so often try to do, this story forces us to understand exactly what the Native Americans face.  Overall, I am not sure that I would ever use this book as an instructional material.  In fact, I don't know what age group to whom I would recommend this book.  Students who find this book on the shelf will undoubtedly have questions, and that is where teachers can be of great assistance.

Esperanza Rising

Author:  Pam Munoz Ryan, 2000, Scholastic

Esperanza Rising is the story of a privileged young Mexican girl, her servants, and their radical life change.  Esperanza Ortega is the daughter of a wealthy ranch owner in Aguascalientes, Mexico.  She means everything to her father, and he dies suddenly after being attacked by bandits.  Her whole life changes instantly when her greedy uncles take over the ranch, burn it to the ground, and force Esperanza, her mother, and their servants out of the country when one of the uncles imposes marriage on Esperanza's mother.  Alfonso and Hortensia, the servants, and their son, Miguel, take Esperanza and her mother to the United States, but they had to leave Abuelita behind due to an illness.  Esperanza finds her place in a whole new world, one in which she must work to provide for her family.  She is used to ordering people around, but now, she is equal to her former servants.  When her mother falls ill with Valley Fever, Esperanza desperately longs for her to get well, and she eventually does.  Secretly, Miguel goes back to Mexico to retrieve Abuelita many months after they fled.  When the family is together again, so is Esperanza's heart.

I thought this was a poignant story of major life changes, heartache, and new friendships.  Esperanza embodies the idea that present circumstances are not set in stone for ever.  I was saddened by the reasons for her life change, but I think she embraced them as best as she could.  This would be an excellent reading choice for upper elementary and junior high students.  I think the boys would like it, even though it features a female protagonist.  It is especially indicative of the time period, and, while it is difficult to imagine, it tells a real story in a fictional way.

Hoover's Bride

Author:  David Small, 1995, Scholastic

Don't get too distracted by the title of this book.  At first, I thought it was a story about our 31st president:  Herbert Hoover.  As someone who loves history, I was excited to read a poem about a historical figure. 

But this has nothing to do with Herbert Hoover.

Hoover's Bride is a silly rhyming story about a man who marries his vacuum cleaner.  Hoover, the main character, lives alone and never cleans his house.  It acquires so much dust and dirt that one day, all the dust falls on Hoover.  His neighbors introduce him to a vacuum cleaner named Elektra, and instead of merely cleaning his house, he falls in love with it.  Somehow, they are able to get married, and while they are on their honeymoon, the people in the hotel room next door have a loud noise in their room.  When Hoover inquires about the racket, he finds a woman and her "husband", a lawn mower.  She, too, fell in love with her appliance and married it.  Long story short--she and Hoover end up legitimately married, and the two ex-spouses end up rusting together in the dump.  After all, a lawn mower can only go so far without gas and a vacuum cleaner needs someone to plug it in!

This story, while humorous, is absolutely ridiculous.  I understand the humor behind it, but what child will accept the idea that a man can marry a vacuum?  I would not use this story in my classroom, but again, it is what I like to call a "mindless read."  If it is one you have on your bookshelf, go ahead and leave it there, but if not, leave it in the dust.     

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future

Authors:  George Beard and Harold Hutchins, 2010, Scholastic

Until I heard that I had to read a graphic novel for my children's literature class, I did not know what one was.  I never read comics as a child, so the idea of putting comics in a story format (such as a book) was hard for me to understand.  I must say, though, that I loved The Adventures of Ook and Gluk.  From a teacher's standpoint, I recognized its terrible grammar, punctuation, and word conjugation.  From a reader's standpoint, however, I though it was hilarious.  The two characters and their baby dinosaur set out to destroy Mr. Goppernopper, the leader of Caveland.  On the way, they get transported to the year 2222 A.D., where they stay and learn Kung-Fu for seven years.  The knowledge they gain under Mr. Wong, the Kung-Fu teacher, propels them to outwit Mr. Goppernopper and take back Caveland.  And, in the end, Ook marries Mr. Wong's daughter and takes her back in time.

The spelling and grammar is a nightmare for any teacher.  Just the idea that students read material like this makes me cringe.  It is almost written in a child-like format.  The illustrations are all done in pencil, retained in black and white, and reflect an elementary artistic pattern.  (Disclaimer:  I am not one to judge art because of my lack of artistic ability, but it is evident that this book is meant for young children.)  Nevertheless, as an educator, I see the value in reading for pleasure without needing to think critically, something I often refer to as "mindless reading."  This book certainly fits that bill.  I finished the book in just over an hour, and it made me laugh more than once while never managing to tax my mind. 

I would not suggest this book to be read aloud to a classroom because I think one might send the wrong idea to children, especially in a time when "text" language is already so prevalent.  However, this is a way to get your students who don't particularly care for heavy reading to enjoy books.  I especially think  boys will like this, and it is a great way to get them interested in reading.

Weedflower

Author:  Cynthia Kadohata, 2006, Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Cynthia Kadohata takes her readers on a trip of sadness and heartbreak in the book Weedflower.  Twelve-year-old Sumiko and her six-year-old brother Tak-Tak live with their aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandfather on their flower farm in California.  Sumiko and Tak-Tak came into their relatives' care when their parents perished in a car accident.  Their family unit is very strong, and their main struggle is to fit in with the rest of the world.  That is not a big issue, however, until December 7, 1941 when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.  Suddenly, Japanese-Americans become the target of hostility, racism, and segregation.  Sumiko's uncle and grandfather are moved to a work camp in North Dakota, and the rest of her family, including Sumiko, are shipped to Poston, Ariz. where there is a permanent relocation site for Japanese.  As far as the reader knows, Sumiko never returns to her home in California; rather, she spends many days in Poston, then moves near Chicago.  During her time in Poston, Sumiko makes many friends, and it is sad when she has to leave them behind.  This was a time of great sorrow for Japanese-Americans as they were treated like baggage instead of human beings.

I loved this book from cover to cover.  When I started reading, I did not realize that the setting was December, 1941, so I had no idea what was ahead.  Sumiko struggles to fit in with her peers, but she finds steadfast love and friendship in Poston.  I was amazed by how caring Sumiko was to Tak-Tak.  Tak-Tak seemed innocent and trusting, and he followed his sister everywhere.  Through the heartbreak of losing their parents to being relocated in a concentration camp, Sumiko and her brother never seemed to lose hope in the future.  Honestly, I do not know if I would have been as calm as Sumiko had I been in the same situation.  Looking back, some of the greatest injustices in history were done to some of the most innocent people, and Weedflower documents a story of strength, trust, and determination through a time of injustice.  For that reason, I will always remember this book.    

Bill and Pete

Author:  Tomie de Paola, 1978, G. P. Putnam's Sons

I know what you are thinking:  Why on earth would Mr. Leeper choose a picture book from 1978 when there are so many new ones to choose from?  You have a very valid point, but I did this for a reason.  You see, this was another one of my favorites when I was a child.  The copy I have is actually my mother's (most likely from 1978!), and it is still in great condition.  The way I see it, no matter what the publication date is, if it is good literature, keep a copy on your bookshelf.  That is exactly what I have done with this story by Tomie de Paola.

William Everett is a crocodile who is getting ready to start school.  His mom takes him to the store to pick out a toothbrush, which is actually a living bird named Pete.  When William Everett starts school, he learns many things, including how to write his name.  Since his name is so long, he shortens it to"Bill" after Pete convinces him it is much simpler to write.  Bill and Pete become steadfast friends, and when an evil man steals Bill from the River Nile to make a suitcase out of him, Pete comes to the rescue, picks the lock of the cage, and lets Bill out.  Bill, wanting to make sure the man can never make suitcases out of a crocodile again, scares him while he is taking a bath.  And guess what?  The man didn't stop running until he got to Cairo.

In today's politically correct culture, teachers may not want to expose children to the reality of making suitcases out of crocodiles.  That is their call.  However, I challenge them to look past the evilness of that act and see the story rooted in friendship and love.  The pictures reflect de Paola's typical style, as seen in such books as Strega Nona.  I think this is a wonderful story and a reflection of a simpler time.  And, it showcases two friends and a loving mom, which will always remain very important parts of life.        

Owen

Author:  Kevin Henkes, 1993, Greenwillow Books

For my children's literature class this week, I am required to read five picture books.  As you can see from my recent posts, I tend to rate picture books very highly because they are so enjoyable to read.  So now, I present to you one of the best picture books ever written:  Owen.  I know by now you have looked at the copyright date and thought 1993 was ages ago, but that is beside the point.  Owen was one of my favorite books when I was a child, and it remains at that status 20 years later.  It is a story about a little mouse who loves carrying his blankie everywhere he goes.  It accumulates stains, smells, and general wear and tear, but no one can pry Owen away from his blankie.  His neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers, reminds Owen and his parents that he cannot take that blankie to school, and that greatly distresses Owen.  His mother figures out that by making small hankies from the blankie, Owen can preserve his best friend and still carry small pieces of it to school.

This is the story of my childhood.  I had a blanket that I drug around everywhere.  It got so thin and worn that everytime I visited one of my aunts or grandmas, someone had to mend it.  I was just like Owen.  And perhaps that is why my aunt gave me this book as a present when she got married.  It remains at the top of my picture book list, and I encourage anyone who teaches kindergarten to read it to their students.  It will bring a smile to your face as it still does to me, even after so many years.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

Author:  Mo Willems, 2009, Hyperion
Picture Book

Mo Willems has done it again.  He has managed to create another picture book that entertains children and adults alike.  In Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, a mole rat named Wilbur is having a hard time convincing his mole rat relatives that clothes are nice to wear.  From their standpoint, since when have "naked" mole rats worn clothes?  His family thinks he has all but forgotten the meaning of his name until Grand-pah proclaims that clothes are good.  After that, Wilbur is the hero of the colony.

I loved this book, just as I have loved every other book by Willems.  The pictures are a fantastic addition to the storyline.  Children (and adults) who read this story will find themselves laughing at the actions of a naked mole rat family.  It is a story of someone, albeit a naked mole rat, standing up for something he believes in, and that is a lesson we can all learn.  Whatever you do, please heed Wilbur's advice when you read this book.  In case you have forgotten, please WEAR CLOTHES! 

Memoirs of a Goldfish

Author:      Devin Scillian, 2010, Sleeping Bear Press
Illustrator:  Tim Bowers
Picture Book

If you are looking for a good laugh, check out Memoirs of a Goldfish by Devin Scillian.  I must admit this was the funniest picture book I had ever read!  A goldfish--one day alone in a bowl, next day surrounded by other fish and excitement--just wants peace and quiet again.  He finally tells the others that he has had enough and wants his privacy back.  Leave him they do, and he leaves too, while the tank is being cleaned.

But while everyone is separated, he realizes how much he misses them--including the noise, the gunk, and even Fred the crab.  To his delight, they are reunited again in an even bigger tank.

This is a must-read for everyone.  I am typically an independent, introverted person who likes to work alone.  Therefore, I identified with the goldfish.  However, I know the feeling of loneliness when one is alone for a period of time, and I was so glad the main character in this story wanted his friendships back, too.  This is a great story to teach those independent students how to value their friendships even more than they already may.  I loved the pictures, and they did a great job of adding meaning to the story.

Check it out right away, and make sure there is a box of tissues close.  You will cry with laughter, and you are sure to delight your school children with this story of a humorous school of fish!