Ship Breaker (Printz YA Award Winner)

(Book Cover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Bacigalupi, P. (2010). Ship Breaker. New York: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316-05621-9

Plot summary

Set in a post-oil, global-warming-wrecked future, Nailer, a fifteen-year old child laborer on a ship breaking crew on the Gulf of Mexico experiences betrayal, loyalty, despair, and hope for a better future when he spares the life of a wealthy girl on a hurricane-battered, high-tech clipper ship.

Critical Analysis

In the dirty waters of a future Gulf of Mexico not far from Orleans II, Nailer and the other young members of the ship-stripping “light crew” struggle to “make quota” and survive in a dirty, dangerous occupation that is certain to end their young lives early. After miraculously surviving a near drowning in a hidden chamber of oil inside a tanker ship, Nailer begins to dream of finding his own “Lucky Strike” that will get him out of reach of his drug-addicted, physically abusive father and the dirty, broken world in which he barely survives. When a hurricane destroys the beach community and maroons a high tech clipper ship, fate offers Nailer a way out. Fortified by his true friendship with crewmate Pima and her mother, Nailer decides to risk his life to save “Lucky Girl” Nita, the wealthy “swank” and sole survivor on the clipper ship.  Barely escaping being murdered by his father and other dangerous men and half-men bent on salvaging the clipper, Nailer pledges to protect Nita and begins a treacherous journey to the flooded city of Orleans to find her family leading them into the path of violent criminals, perilous sea storms, and repeated tests of loyalty.

Filled with details that make readers wince, Bacigalupi’s dark, raw writing holds no punches. But Nailer’s complex commitment to family, determination to do what’s right, and unwillingness to embrace revenge balance the grim tone of the story. His journey to find a better life for himself and others in the face of impossible odds will resonate with readers. The authenticity of the characters draws us into the story and makes Bacigalupi’s nightmarish details and surreal landscape believable.  Readers will finish the book wondering about their own future when cheap energy is gone and they are forced to face the uncertain sustainability of life.

Rapunzel's Revenge (Graphic Novel)

(Book Cover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Hale, Shannon and Dean. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. Rapunzel’s Revenge. New York: NY Bloomsbury. ISBN 1-59990-070-X

Plot summary

A graphic novel fairy tale set in the Old West, Rapunzel escapes from her tower, takes on a sidekick named Jack, and fights her way back home to face Mother Goethel and free the oppressed people under Goethel’s rule.

Critical Analysis

While this fresh spin on a traditional tale starts with “Once upon a time,” the story veers promptly off the familiar fairy-tale path and into the old wild West filled with wild creatures, dangerous outlaws, double crossers, and hangin’ trees. Having been raised by powerful Mother Goethel in an impenetrable grand villa, Rapunzel scales the walls on her 12^th birthday and discovers the impoverished, barren landscape outside the lush villa where the citizens (including Rapunzel’s real mother) are enslaved in Goethel’s mines. When spunky Rapunzel confronts Goethel, her life of luxury at the villa ends, and she is imprisoned for years far away in a barren tower in a magical forest. The plot thickens as fast as Rapunzel’s braids when she determines to escape and rescue her real mother using her now 20-foot long lasso-like braids as weapons. Her journey back to Goethel’s realm leads her into the companionship of thieving side-kick Jack (beanstalk and magical goose owner) and into the path of increasingly dangerous henchmen hired and controlled by Goethel’s dark magic.

Shannon and Dean Hale’s use of first person narrative bring readers into the heart of “Punzie” where we witness her compassion and insatiable determination that accompany her outwardly sassy wit. Filled with outlandish characters, rollicking western dialogue and euphemisms, and the bright colors and detailed artwork of Nathan Hale, this fairy tale twist gives readers of all ages a rootin’ tootin’ ride and a satisfying ending where justice is served and the gal gets the guy.

The Graveyard Book (Newbery Award winner)

(Book cover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Gaiman, Neil, and Dave McKean. The Graveyard Book. New York: HarperCollins Pub, 2008. ISBN 0060530928

Plot summary

18-month old “Bod” (short for Nobody) is overlooked during the murder of his entire family and toddles uphill to the community graveyard where he is sheltered, protected, loved, and raised to age 16 by the ghosts living there.

Critical Analysis

“There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.” Thus begins the spine-chilling opening scene of the murder of an entire family in their home at night…except for the toddler who miraculously ambles unnoticed out of the house and uphill to the unexpected safety of the archaic, local graveyard inhabitants. With the murderer Jack still pursuing the whereabouts of the baby, the ghosts decide to trust the raising of the baby to the kindly ghost couple Mr. and Mrs. Owens who name the baby Nobody Owens. Gaiman’s adept skills at spine-tingling horror pairs beautifully with the likeable, complex graveyard characters who lived during a myriad of centuries. Under the tutelage of the enigmatic Silas who is both living and dead, and the loving care of the highly-entertaining ancient occupants, “Bod” receives an education in academics, loyalty, and supernatural skills like the Slide, the Fade, and the Dreamwalk. Bod’s innocence about the world outside the graveyard and his obedience to his guardian’s requirements to stay within the safety of the ghostly confines keeps him safe for years until he meets an unexpected human visitor to the graveyard. 

Like Mowgli in Kipling’s Jungle Book, Bod’s growing curiosity about the human girl sets in motion a series of adventures and jaunts outside the safety of the graveyard reigniting the pursuit of the murderer Jack. Gaiman’s dark humor and genuinely creepy settings will keep young readers turning pages as well as the desire to see Bod and his “family” ultimately defeat the evil that pursues him. Peppered with spirits, werewolves, and murderers, this unique coming-of-age story will delight both young and adult readers alike.

One Crazy Summer (Historical Fiction)

(Book cover compliments of Titlewave)

Bibliography

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2010. One Crazy Summer. New York: Amistad. ISBN 0-06-076088-5

Plot summary

In the summer of 1968, 11-year old Delphine and her two sisters visit their estranged mother in Oakland who coldy sends them off to the Black Panther-run community center where they daily receive free food and a revolutionary education.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Historical Fiction)

Book cover compliments of Titlewave)

Bibliography

Kelly, Jacqueline. 2009. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 0805088415

Plot summary

The only girl in a well-to-do family of six brothers, 11-year old Calpurnia Tate struggles to find her place in 1899 Texas life between the demands of “lady-like” society and her unconventional desires to explore nature.

Willow Run (Historical Fiction)

(Book cover compliments of Titlewave)

Bibliography

Giff, Patricia Reilly, and Staci Snell. 2006. Willow Run. [New York]: Listening Library. ISBN 030728333X

Plot summary

Set in 1944 during WWII, 11-year old Meggie learns about many forms of courage and generational bonds when her family moves from her home town to far away Willow Run, Michigan, where her father works in B-24 bomber factory.

The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) (Informational)

(Book Cover compliments of titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Kerley, Barbara. The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy). Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. New York:NY. Scholastic Press. ISBN 0-545-12508-1

Plot summary

Thirteen year-old Susy Clemens secretly writes a biography on her famous writer father Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) to show that he is more than just a humorist.

Written In Bone (Informational)

(Book Cover compliments of titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Walker, Sally M. Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. ISBN 0-8225-7135-8

Plot summary

Author documents the findings of forensic scientists at colonial-era gravesites in old Jamestown, Virginia, and methods that the scientists use to determine mysteries surrounding the remains of a teenage boy, a ship's captain, an indentured servant, a colonial officer, and an African slave girl.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice (Informational)

(Book Cover compliments of titlewave.com)

(Video from You Tube http://youtu.be/-ZOpqtdd8nw) 

Bibliography

Hoose, Phillip. Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice. New York: NY Melanie Kroupa Books. ISBN 0-312-66105-3

Plot summary

This story explores the details surrounding the little-known Alabama teen who added fuel to the growing Civil Rights movement by refusing to give up her bus seat and later serving as a plaintiff in the ground-breaking case that overturned the bus segregation law.

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night (Poetry)

(Bookcover compliments of indiebound.org)

(Original book trailer by MV Meeks)

Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce. Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night. Illustrated by Rick Allen. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780547152288 

Plot summary

This collection of poems reveals the wonder of the night and the mysterious creatures that emerge after nightfall including informational sidebars of biological details.

Diamond Willow (Poetry)

(Bookcover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Frost, Helen. Diamond Willow. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 9780374317768 

Plot summary

After an accident involving her beloved sled dog, 12-year old Willow discovers truths about her family, herself, and her Alaskan community.

What Is Goodbye? (Poetry)

(Bookcover compliments of home.iprimus.com.au)

Bibliography

Grimes, Nikki. What is Goodbye? Illustrated by Raul Colon. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0787807784

Plot summary

After the death of their older brother, two younger siblings uncover their painful emotions and their family’s journey through grief in poems that alternate between two voices.

Beautiful Blackbird (Traditional Literature)

(Bookcover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Bryan, Ashley. Beautiful Blackbird. Illustrated by Ashley Bryan. New York, NY: Antheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689847319

Plot summary

In this folk story originating from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia (formerly northern Rhodesia), blackbird shares some his beautiful black color with the colorful birds of the jungle.

Rapunzel (Traditional Literature)

(Bookcover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Zelinsky, Paul O. Rapunzel. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: Duton Children’s Books. ISBN 0525456074

Plot summary

In this retelling of the Brothers Grimm folktale, a beautiful girl with long hair is kept prisoner in a tall tower by a sorceress until she is discovered by a handsome prince. The book includes a detailed section on the German, French, and Italian origins of the tale along with an explanation on the Italian Renaissance style painting style chosen for illustrating the book.

The Three Little Pigs (Traditional Tale)

(Bookcover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Kellogg, Steven. The Three Little Pigs. Illustrated by Steven Kellogg. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0688087310

Plot summary

In this re-telling of the classic tale, Serafina Sow, returns home from retirement to help her three children working in the family waffle-making business as they seek to defend themselves from a wicked wolf who wants to eat more than waffles.

Balarama: A Royal Elephant (Picture Book)

(Bookcover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Lewin, Ted and Betsy. Balarama: A Royal Elephant. Illustrated by Ted and Betsy Lewin. New York, NY: LEE & LOW BOOKS Inc. ISBN 9781600602658

Plot summary

Betsy and Ted share their experiences with the royal elephants while traveling in south India during 1997-1998. Narrating the details of their encounter with Balarama, the lead elephant selected for the grand parade during the Dasara festival, the Lewins also report on the care and preparation of these selected elephants. The book includes facts on elephants and a glossary of Hindi and Kannada terms used in the book.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Picture Book)

(Bookcover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Viorst, Judith. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Illustrated by Ray Cruz. New York, NY: Aladdin Books. ISBN 9780689711732

Plot summary

Alexander wakes with gum in his hair and the rest of his day goes downhill from there. Alexander’s numerous, minor “horrible” experiences reinforce his perception of the total “terribleness” of the whole day.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee (Picture Book)

(Bookcover compliments of Titlewave.com)

Bibliography

Stead, Philip Christian. 2010. A Sick Day for Amos McGee. Illustrated by Erin E. Stead. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 1-59643-402-3

Plot summary

Elderly Amos McGee, city zookeeper, cares for each of his animal friends with gentle devotion until one day he wakes with a cold and cannot go to work. His loyal animal friends board a bus and come to Amos’ home to cheer him up with games, tea, and stories.

Great Math Sites!

Great Math Websites from the T.C. Marsh Library!  

The library is the perfect place for reading, research...and MATH! Have fun this summer (and all year long) at the library with these fantastic math games and awesome support sites for math! Special thanks to Mrs. Hons at Pioneer Heritage Middle School in Frisco ISD for sharing some of her favorite math sites. (This list has been tweaked and added to by Mrs. Meeks, T. C. Marsh Middle School librarian.)

Noah Barleywater Runs Away

Noah Barleywater Runs Away

by John Boyne

Author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

     "Noah Barleywater left home in the early morning before the sun rose, before the dogs woke, before the the dew stopped falling on the fields. He climbed out of bed and shuffled into the clothes he'd laid out the night before, holding his breath as he crept quietly downstairs...Am I doing the right thing? he wondered, a great blanket of happy memories trying to break through and smother fresher, sadder ones.

     But he had no choice. He couldn't bear to stay any longer. No one could blame him for that, surely. Anyway, it was probably best that he went out to make his own way in the world. After all, he was already eight years old and the truth was, he hadn't really done anything with his life so far."

     

Teachers Love Libraries

Marsh teachers and administrators share why they love the library! See great clips of students in action at the Bluebonnet Party, Read-a-Thon, Book Fair, and everyday happenings in the Russell Hughes Library at T.C. Marsh Middle School. The library is an integral part of academic success at T.C. Marsh...take a look and see!