a.
Audience for whom the book is written
b.
Audience to whom it will appeal (might
differ from a.)
c.
Particular strengths of the book
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Particular weaknesses of the book
e.
Any special considerations (artwork,
curriculum links, community values, beliefs espoused, etc)
f.
And, in the School Library Journal’s format:
Your verdict, supported
with details
No plot summaries and no spoilers please. Failure to follow that rule will result in revocation of your authoring rights, guaranteed!!
Alexander, Kwame. (2014). The crossover. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
ReplyDeleteGr. 5-9: Twelve-year-old Josh (Filthy McNasty) Bell, and his twin Jordan (JB), have basketball in their blood and life is good for Nasty that way. He idolizes his dad, who understands him, and the two brother are inseparable on and off the court. Inseparable, that is, till JD falls for Sweet… and what’s going on with his dad lately? Nasty’s life is moving in ways he could have never predicted and his ability to deal with all of it isn’t going well.
Alexander’s use of verse to tell Nasty’s story is so well written that readers will be entranced by Nasty’s infectious cocky attitude by the first page. Alexander’s words also perfectly convey Nasty’s raw emotions as he deals with things no twelve-year-old should. By the end of the novel, Kwame Alexander will leave you as broken as Nasty.
Verdict: While basketball and poetry aren’t topics for everyone, this book is. The main problem “selling” this book is getting the reader to open it, because once they do, Alexander’s words will do the rest.
Hoops by Walter Dean Myers
ReplyDeleteAges 14+
Hoops is the story of a 17 year old basketball player, Lonnie, who dreams of finding a way to improve his life and get out of a life of poverty. Lonnie is taken under the wing of a failed older athlete who wants to help[ prevent Lonnie from making the same mistakes he made.
The book is written beautifully, using street slang and poor grammar for character speech to add authenticity without creating stumbling blocks for the reader.
The story contains a fair amount of mature content such as drug and alcohol use, sexual situations, and explicit language. This content has been the subject of multiple challenges to this book being included on school library shelves.
Verdict: This is a recommended addition for high school libraries for its promotion and example of continued hope and perseverance in the face of almost constant obstacles.
Smith, R. (2010). Storm runners. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
ReplyDeleteSmith, R. (2011). Storm runners: The surge. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Smith, R. (2012). Storm runners: Eruption. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
Gr 4-7: Chase Masters’ life has changed dramatically in the last two years. First, his mom and sister died, then his dad gets hit by lightning, sells everything, and takes Chase on the road to fix up houses after storms. Now, his dad’s new way of life lands Chase smack in the middle of the biggest hurricane of the century. Can he and his new friends make it to safety, or will they end up as alligator food?
Once Smith gets past the intro, which is a bit slow, his writing style keeps the reader turning pages. His time stamped chapters switch from Chase’s quest to survive to Chase’s dad’s mission to find his son. Before the reader closes the first book, which leaves Chase and his friends still in peril, they are already reaching for the second installment.
Verdict: Smith writes a “must-have” realistic fiction series that pulls in lovers of any genre. There is a lot of adventure, some mystery, hints of romance, and lots of relatable characters. Every middle school should have a few sets on the shelves.
The River by Gary Paulsen
ReplyDeleteAdventure
Ages 11+
In this sequel to Hatchet, Brian, along with the reader, is taken back to the Canadian wilderness. Paulsen takes us back to the place where Brian learned to survive; to the place that he has never really left. This time, though, it is by choice. Brian is asked to return in an effort for government researchers to learn from Brian and ultimately teach others how to survive. This time, it is not only his survival that he is responsible for.
Paulsen does an amazing job of continuing to build upon the character of Brian in this second book in the series. His writing again draws the reader into the wilderness and along side Brain as he faces new challenges in an effort to survive. While it may follow a similar storyline to its precursor and seem a bit predictable, you can tell it is written by someone who has experienced life changing time in the wilderness himself as he describes situations in such vivid detail.
Verdict - This book is a must have in every upper elementary and middle school library. Every fan of Hatchet will continue to be a fan of Brian Robeson and want to follow is journey in this second book. Gary Paulsen does not disappoint.
Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen
ReplyDeleteAdventure
Gr. 5-9
Brian’s Winter is the third installment in the Brian Series. Despite being the third book Gary Paulsen has written about Brian Robeson’s wilderness survival, it can be viewed as a second sequel. In Brian’s Winter, the reader is taken back to the initial story and continues it as if Brian was not rescued. Now he has to face the prospects of winter in the north woods.
Paulsen again does an exceptional job taking us into the effort required to survive alone in the wilderness. As new challenges are presented to our main character, Brian continues to grow and develop. This story picks up right where the original left off with Brian facing one challenge after another and finding solutions to seemingly impossible situations.
Verdict - Another Gary Paulsen book that needs to be included school libraries, both upper elementary and middle school. Fans of Brian’s adventures will want to read and follow his every move in this story as much as they have in the previous two. Paulsen uses his fast paced and descriptive writing style to lead the reader on another great adventure.