Module 15: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

BOOK SUMMARY: 

The Hunger Games is the story of Katniss Everdeen, who resides in District 13, an entity of what is now the United States,                  

APA REFERENCE OF BOOK: 

Collins, S. (2008).  The hunger games. New York, NY: Scholastic.

IMPRESSIONS: 

              

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW: 

"Gr 7 Up-In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Cames. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 14 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister. Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's eharaeters are completely realistie and sympathetie as they form alliances and friendships in the faee of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatie, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like "Survivor" and "American Gladiator." Book one of a planned trilogy" - Jane Henriksen Baird


Reference:

Baird, J.H. (2008). [Review of the book The hunger games by Suzanne Collins]. School Library Journal, 54(9), 176-177.  

LIBRARY USES: 

              

Module 14: Scranimals by Jack Prelutsky

BOOK SUMMARY: 

Scranimals by Jack Prelutsky provides poetry for children about a place called Scranimal Island, where the animals are a blend of animals and ether another animal/fruit/object such as the Potatoad or the Bananaconda.  The animals are a blend of both descriptors and live in a nonsense island.                

APA REFERENCE OF BOOK: 

Prelutsky, J. (2002).  Scranimals. New York, NY: Greenwillow.

IMPRESSIONS: 

By far, the Broccolions are my favoriate and a fun poem to read because they prey on Antelopetunia.  Prelutsky is able to show children the true descriptors of each animal in a very playful way.  It makes it easier for children to hear that broccolions are preying on the Antelopetunia, especially when trying to explain to children the nature of animals.  This is a very fun book for children of young ages and the images help to to make the imaginative world Prelutsky describes, come to life.  It is clever that the illustrator Peter Sis included a map of Scranimal Island, with an accompanying number of where each animal resides.  An excellent story to engage young readers in poetry.           

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW: 

"Gr. 2–4, younger for reading aloud. Prelutsky and Sís follow previous titles such as The Gargoyle on the Roof (1999) with another beautifully illustrated collection of nonsense verse that celebrates creatures of the imagination who, described in singsong verse, are “sailing to Scranimal Island.” Each spread features a different “scrambled” creature that is often a hybrid of animal and vegetable. There is the “sleek,” snakelike Bananconda; a pride of green Broccolions; and a fierce Radishark, whose enormous, red fishhead comes complete with a radish-root snout. Prelutsky’s language is uneven, and despite the humor and some delicious rhymes, many selections are stilted and slightly forced. It is Sís’ fantastical illustrations that will generate the most excitement. His beasts shine with seemingly irrepressible personalities, and he creates a layered story in the scenes of a boy and girl who travel through the enchanted, slightly prehistoric otherworld. Read this aloud to small groups so that children can crowd up close and take in the jokes and the fantasy in the glorious images" - Gillian Engberg


Reference:

Engberg, G. (2002). [Review of the book Scranimals by Gillian Engberg]. Booklist, 99(2), 237.  

LIBRARY USES: 

This book is a great way to have students branch into various groups where each group conducts a fact sheet on the animals mentioned, comparing their real traits with those in the poems.              

Module 13: Knights of the Lunch Table by Frank Cammuso

BOOK SUMMARY: 

Frank Cammuso adapts the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in Knights of the lunch table: The battling bands, where Artie and his friends workout a plan to win a band contest against the Joe the bully and his cronies.  Unbeknownst to Artie, he is also up against Mrs. Dagger, the school principal who is tired of the competition and is trying to end it by hiding the Singing Sword Trophy so that the money can be redirected towards school uniforms.  Along the way, Artie receives advice and help from his science teacher Mr. Merlyn and Gwendolyn, his friend, as well as Melody, the new girl.  The story is full of references to King Arthur, with a modern day twist on how a young boy learns to become a leader.                   

APA REFERENCE OF BOOK: 

Cammuso, F. (2011).  Knights of the lunch table: The battling bands. New York, NY: Graphix.

IMPRESSIONS: 

I think the story is clever, with its King Arthur references and the names of the characters such as Gwendolyn and Mr. Merlyn, or objects just as the Singing Sword Trophy.  However, parts of the story seem trite and awkward such as the conversation between mom and Artie on the drive to school; Considering the age group, however, Knights would be a funny, feel-good story for children while providing visuals and a moving plot.          

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW: 

"Knights of the Lunch Table series, our guy Artie takes up his dad’s old guitar, forms a rock band, and—in spite of the hazards of school bullies, a nasty principal, and having to solve a mystery to find the Singing Sword—triumphs over some personal issues as well as musical challenges. As ever, science teacher Mr. Merlyn and the crusty school custodian offer advice without coming across as know-it-all adults. Artie enhances his band’s prospects by accepting a singer in spite of her apparent romantic interest in him, and he bests the bullies in a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. " - Francisca Goldsmith


Reference:

Goldsmith, F. (2011). [Review of the book The battling bands by Frank 
       Cammuso]. Booklist, 108(4), 37.  

LIBRARY USES: 

This book can be used as an introduction to allusions and showing students that classics have been adapted.  Then the librarian could recommend modern books that have been adapted from classical literature such as The Lightening Thief.