The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

This is an amazing book about a child whose family is killed and he is "saved" by wandering into a graveyard in the middle of the night the same night they die.  The graveyard folk fulfill his mother's wishes and raise him as their own and protect him until he is old enough to leave the graveyard and take care of himself.  Nobody "Bod" Owens is mischievous and curious and gets into a few pickles here and there before the climax of the book where the Man Jack returns to finish the job of killing his whole family. Will the graveyard and Bod be there to outsmart the Jack of All Trades in the end?

Assignment #5 - Fantasy

The setting of the graveyard and the strong characters of this book are stand outs in this ghost story.  It is filled with the dead, a few living people, werewolves and ghouls, among other creatures but the author makes the characters relatable in many ways.  Silas, Bod’s guardian, is a fellow that can go between both worlds, the living and the dead, and provides for Bod’s safety and training but disappears at times leaving him with others.  Bod’s curious nature leads him a stray a few times but we are talking about a graveyard here, but one that Gaiman can make you feel safe in one moment and utterly terrified the next.  The history thrown in only adds to value and humor of the characters, like the 33rd president of the United States, Harry Truman, being a ghoul.

Author website:  http://www.neilgaiman.com/

Teacher Activities:  http://www.eisd.net/cms/lib04/TX01001208/Centricity/Domain/65/the_graveyard_book_teacher_guide.pdf

More activities:  https://sites.google.com/site/theghoulgate/activities-based-on-the-graveyard-book

Book Trailer:  

Chapter 1 read by the author:

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

Selznick, B. (2011). Wonderstruck. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

This is a novel in pictures and in words that represents two different main characters who end up meeting at the end of the story.  Ben is born deaf in one ear and then an accident leaves him completely deaf.  He sets off to find his father, perseveres and pieces together the mystery of his family only to find out that his father has passed away but in the end he meets his grandmother who’s story was the one told in pictures. She is also deaf.

Assignment # 6 - Compare and Contrast

Appeal to my readers:  This book may look daunting with all 637 pages of it but it is a brilliantly written and drawn.  You will breeze through it, turning the pages quickly because you want to know what happens to Ben and you want to “see” what happens to the girl in the sketches.  It is fascinating and pulls you in from the very first few pages.  You will enjoy each and every one of the 637 pages, I promise.

Other books by this author:  This author has written the The Invention of Hugo Cabret an award winning books plus The Houdini Box, The Robot King among others.  Plus he has illustrated numerous others including the Doll People series.  The Invention of Hugo Cabret is very similar to Wonderstruck in the style and content, creating a great story.  The Houdini Box is another historical fiction novel but not quite as long as Wonderstruck.

El Deafo and Wonderstruck are similar in their themes with having a hearing impaired main character. In addition, both books are done in a pictorial fashion.  El Deafo is a graphic novel and Wonderstruck is a novel in words and sketches or illustrations.  Both books have strong, determined characters but neither want to learn sign language, because they think it makes them stand out like a sore thumb.  Both come to realize that sign language may be for the best and allow a friend in El Deafo and family member in Wonderstruck to help them, eventually. They are different in the time periods they are set in, somewhat. El Deafo is autobiographical novel set in 1970s while Wonderstruck is historical fiction much longer book.  The picture story part of Wonderstruck is set in the 1920s and the words part is set later in the 1960 and 70s, where the two stories merge in 1977.

Wonderstruck website:  http://www.wonderstruckthebook.com/

Teaching with the Author including a virtual field trip: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collection/teaching-brian-selznick-including-virtual-field-trip

Wonderstruck activities:  https://suzyred.com/2012_Wonder_Struck.html

Book Trailer:

Another Book Trailer:

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

Landy, D. (2007). Skulduggery Pleasant. New York: HarperCollins.

This fantasy book is a real thriller. Skulduggery Pleasant is just what he seems on the front cover of the book, a skeleton.  He is magical, intense, a protector of the innocent and a detective on top of all that.  He meets Stephanie who renames herself Valkyrie Cain to provide another layer of protect from evil forces. Together they battle the evil, Serpine, in the tunnels under her recently passed away uncle's home.  They come out on top but not without many losses. It is clever, funny, humorous and entertaining.  You will be hooked and wanting more at the end of each chapter. Thank goodness there are 9 books in the series.

Assignment #5 - Fantasy

This high fantasy novel draws you in with the amazing characters and the theme of conquering evil and saving the world.  Skulduggery Pleasant is a skeleton who befriends his dead comrade’s niece, Stephanie aka Valkyrie Cain.  Her uncle Gordon who just died seems to be the keeper of the key but now that he is dead evil forces are trying to take it.  Skulduggery shows up at the most opportune times to save her from strangers wanting the key.  She seems to carry the genes of the Last of the Ancients which gives her magical powers to help her conquer the evil that wishes to take over the world.  They struggle with good vs. evil and the evil Serpine tries to convince her to join forces with him but she rises up and good does conquer over evil this time, but it leaves you knowing that this is not the end of the battle or the story.

Official Book website:  http://www.skulduggerypleasant.co.uk/

Teacher's Resources Guide:  http://www.skulduggerypleasant.co.uk/assets/schools/An_Introduction_Skulduggery.pdf

Another Teacher's Guide:  http://www.skulduggerypleasant.co.uk/assets/schools/An_Introduction_Skulduggery.pdf

Book Trailer: 

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown girl dreaming. New York, NY: Nancy Paulsen Books.

This is an autobiographical novel in free verse about how Jackie perseveres and becomes a writer herself.  It starts out with her birth in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement and follows throughout her childhood as they move from her father’s family in Ohio to be with her mother’s family in South Carolina to NYC.  She is surrounded by a loving family and friends and finds a beautiful voice in her poetry and experiences between growing up in the North and the South.

Assignment #6 - Compare and Contrast

Appeal to my readers:  This is an amazing novel written in free-verse which makes it fun and easy to read.  Her poems follow her life from birth in 1963 in Ohio during the Civil War Movement to South Carolina and finally to New York City.  You will love the smooth and lyrical language plus memories she that she pulls you right into. You will feel as if you are right there in her memory.  She will help you realize that dreams can come true just like hers.

Other books by this author:  This author has written Locomotion another free verse book which is about love, loss and hope, as well as Peace Locomotion which is a continuation of Locomotion and After Tupac and D Foster, another book about love, loss and coming of age.   She has written several books for middle grades but mostly she writes for young adults and she has lots of illustrated works to her credit.

Love That Dog and Brown Girl Dreaming are both novels done in free verse.  Although Brown Girl Dreaming is autobiographical you can see how both characters develop their craft of writing in each book. Jack, the boy in Love That Dog is a reluctant writer of poetry and needs a lot of convincing to write poems.  Jackie, the author of Brown Girl Dreaming was a reluctant and struggling reader who perseveres and discovers her passion for writing. Jack’s perseverance is illustrated in the end with his beautiful and heart felt poem “My Sky” about his dog that died.  Love That Dog is fiction and Brown Girl Dreaming is autobiographical.  Brown Girl Dreaming is a book of memories, some bittersweet and some joyful but these are the things that make you who you are and help you understand how the past helps you in the future.

Author website: http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/

Fun Activities:  http://www.bookrags.com/lessonplan/brown-girl-dreaming/funactivities.html#gsc.tab=0

Lesson Plans:  http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/exploring-perspectives-desegregation-using-31133.html

Author reads a excerpt: 

Book Trailer:

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale

Hale, D., & Hale, S. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge: Graphic novel. London: Bloomsbury.

This graphic novel is a fun, wild west twist on the adventures of Rapunzel and then throw in Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk and you have a really tall tale.  Lucky for Rapunzel, he has a few tricks up his sleeve, like a couple of lucky beans and a goose named Goldie.  And lucky for Jack that Rapunzel has some seriously super amazing hair!

Assignment # 5 - Fantasy

This high fantasy book is a spectacular twist on the fairy tale we know as Rapunzel. The characters are the ones you know, Rapunzel and Jack (from the beanstalk) joins her to add to the twist and bring about a little more adventure. The graphic novel style lends to the adventure that these two go on trying to make things right and conquer evil.  Rapunzel with her amazing hair comes to the rescue on many occasions but except in this tale Mother Gothel is the one who cuts off Rapunzel’s precious and powerful hair.  But as in most fairy tales everyone lives happily ever after and Jack and Rapunzel get the goose and the golden egg.

Author's website: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books_rap.html

Teacher's Guide:  http://www.squeetus.com/stage/Rapunzel_TG.pdf

Book Trailer:

Comics Squad: Recess!

Krosoczka, J., Yang, G. L., Wight, E., Holm, J. L., Holm, M., Vernon, U., . . . Pilkey, D. (2014). Comics Squad: Recess! New York, NY: Random House.

All the online summaries say that this is a bust your gut laughing kind of book and they are absolutely right. An amazing group of graphic novelists come together to create an amazing book and book series. This book is sure to hook even the most reluctant readers with it's easy to follow characters and laugh out loud story lines.

Assignment #5 - Fantasy

The style of this graphic novel is unique in that each chapter has a unique style from the author/illustrator who created it. Many famous graphic novelists came together to create this hilarious compilation.  Characters you have seen in other books appear in this one, Baby Mouse, Squish and the Lunch Lady, among others. 

Collaboration is the best:  http://www.studiojjk.com/collaborations.html

Activities:  http://www.randomhousekids.com/brand/comics-squad/

Book Trailer:  

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

Creech, S. (2001). Love that dog.  New York, NY: Harper Collins.

This novel in free verse is about a boy named Jack who is reluctant to write poetry. He thinks poetry is not for boys but soon realizes that he, in fact, is writing poems in his responses to his teacher.  With her encouragement, the story of the loss of his dog, Sky, plus a visiting poet all come together to help Jack realize that he is a poet and his perseverance helped him get there.

Assignment #6 - Compare and Contrast

Appeal to my readers:  This is an excellent book about a boy named Jack who isn’t sure that he likes poetry.  He thinks poetry is for girls.  It is written in free-verse, very easy to follow and a quick read.  He discovers that poetry is for everyone and even write a poem invitation to a poet inviting him to come visit his school, which he does.  Poetry is a powerful thing.  Find out, just like Jack did.

Other books by this author:  This author has written Walk Two Moons, Absolutely Normal Chaos, Pleasing the Ghost, Chasing Redbird among others.  She has written mostly novels along with a few picture books.  She also wrote Hate That Cat which is a continuation of the story Jack which her readers begged for her to do, another book in free verse.

Love That Dog and Brown Girl Dreaming are both novels done in free verse.  Although Brown Girl Dreaming is autobiographical you can see how both characters develop their craft of writing in each book. Jack, the boy in Love That Dog is a reluctant writer of poetry and needs a lot of convincing to write poems.  Jackie, the author of Brown Girl Dreaming was a reluctant and struggling reader who perseveres and discovers her passion for writing. Jack’s perseverance is illustrated in the end with his beautiful and heart felt poem “My Sky” about his dog that died.  Love That Dog is fiction and Brown Girl Dreaming is autobiographical.  Brown Girl Dreaming is a book of memories, some bittersweet and some joyful but these are the things that make you who you are and help you understand how the past helps you in the future.

Teacher's guide from the Author:  http://www.sharoncreech.com/pdfs/LoveDogHateCat_TG.pdf

Resource Sheets:  http://www.pearsonschoolsandfecolleges.co.uk/Secondary/Drama/14-16/NewWindmillsFiction/Resources/K-O/LoveThatDog.pdf

Discussion Guide:  http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/love-dog-discussion-guide

Book Trailer:

Interview with the Author:

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. New York, NY: Abrams.

This is an autobiographical graphic novel that will delight and endear any reader.  Cece lost her hearing due to an illness at age 4 and this book guides you through her struggles to find her new normal and find acceptance and understanding friends who will help her find her "voice," so to speak.  Everyone is special but Cece has the super power of hearing everything that the teacher "does" and says when she leave the room.  When her classmates find out about her super power they deem her a hero.  She names herself El Deafo as she struggles to find her place in a hearing world and come to terms with just how special she is.

Assignment #6 - Compare and Contrast

Appeal to my readers:  This is an excellent graphic novel that you will love.  You will empathize with the main character as she goes through strife, struggles and re-learns many things after suffering through an illness at age 4.  The characters are funny and life-like even though it is drawn in a cartoon fashion.  School is hard at any age but especially when you are extra special.

Other books by this author:  This author has written the Sock Monkey series, I Yam Donkey, Rabbit and Robot: the Sleepover among others.  The other books are not autobiographical but some of the same characters appear in these books, like the rabbits.

Author website:  https://cecebell.wordpress.com/

Teaching Guide:  http://www.abramsbooks.com/academic/El_Deafo_TeachingGuide.pdf

Using Graphic Novels:  http://cbldf.org/2015/06/using-graphic-novels-in-education-el-deafo/

Book Trailer:

Author Book Talk:

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York, NY: Crowell.

This book is a sweet tale of Jess, who wants to be the fastest runner in 5th grade when school starts up again in the fall and the new girl in town, Leslie, who beats everyone. Jess and Leslie become best friends and create an imaginary land known as Terabithia where they both have the power to rule as king and queen.  Their relationship is beautiful until one fateful day when Jesse is invited to spend the day in the city with his teacher visiting a museum.  After that moment your heart will be ripped from your chest and your will be reeling in all the should have, could have and would haves, just like Jess.

Assignment # 3 - Contemporary Realistic Fiction

The characters and setting are the evaluation criteria for this book. We can deeply relate to both characters, Jess’ struggle to be noticed by his family and Leslie’s struggle as the new kid who is very different from everyone else. Jess is a cautious boy in a family full of females that craves love and acknowledgement from his father. Leslie is a free spirit who allows Jess to experience a little bit of that freedom in their created setting of Terabithia. 

The setting is the escape that both of them need.  It’s a fantasy world in the woods behind Leslie’s house.  They have ultimate control over it as King and Queen, that is until tragedy strikes and Jess’ world crumbles.  But he is given the love and acknowledgement he needs to grieve the loss of his best friend and to come out stronger thanks to her love and friendship. He then welcomes his sister into the setting.

7 Creative Classroom Activities: http://www.walden.com/bridge-to-terabithia-7-creative-classroom-activities/

Discussion Guide:  http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/bridge-terabithia-discussion-guide

Printables:  https://printables.scholastic.com/shop/prcontent/Literature-Circle-Guide-Bridge-to-Terabithia/9780439271714-001

Book Trailer: 

2007 Movie Tralier:

1985 Movie Trailer:

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the Overlander. New York: Scholastic.

This fantasy book will reel you into its story the minute you enter. Gregor and his sister, Boots fall into the Underland and then it is non-stop adventure involving cockroaches, rats, spiders, bats and humankind that live in Regalia. They are on a quest to find their family who disappeared before Boots was born but to do that they must stick together, trust one another and in some cases fight to the death.  All is well that ends well but you know that Gregor the Overlander will not be able to stay away from his new found friends.

Assignment # 5 - Fantasy

The setting of the intricate and vast sewer system under New York City and the style of Gregor the Overlander are what sets this high fantasy book apart from others.  Gregor meets cockroaches, bats, rats and other human-kind in the Underland. The language, clothing and lifestyle of the Underlanders is formal and remarkably different than that of the Overland and creates a style unique to this book.  One might expect the setting on the sewer to be dirty, smelly and disgusting and parts of it are but the world created in Regalia is one of beauty and cleanliness. There is also a very strong family theme in this book.  The whole purpose of Gregor’s quest was to find his father and bring his father back together.

Author Website:  http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Author Interview about Gregor the Overlander: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/events.htm

Teaching Guide:  http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/gregor-overlander-storia-teaching-guide

Teaching Unit: http://www.teachinginroom6.com/2014/03/responding-to-literature-gregor.html

Book Trailer:

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy Schlitz

Schlitz, L. A. (2007). Good masters! Sweet ladies!: Voices from a medieval village. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

The Middle Ages come to life in these plays thanks to the author of this much needed children's book, Laura Amy Schlitz, a school librarian. She wrote this for a group of her students who were studying the Middle Ages. She wanted to provide enough short plays so that each of the students in each class could have equal parts in the performance.

Set in a medieval manor in England in 1255, these interconnected stories immediately grab hold of the reader's attention, and they won't let go until the last page! It contains 17 monologues and 2 dialogues, and each one cleverly relates the perspective of medieval children as they live out their lives,according to their social class during the Middle Ages.

Assignment # 4

This book of monologues and a few dialogues starts with a wonderful visual map portraying where each of the 23 characters of “A Medieval Manor in England in 1255” live.   The author created this book out of a need to provide “all” of her students with “starring roles” when she was teaching about the Middle Ages.  Each monologue builds upon the next and you begin to wonder what happens to each character as the stories build.  Many of them are written in verse, which lends to the authenticity of the time period.  The language and drawings are also representative of the period.  The monologues make you feel the characters’ despair, their embarrassment, their fear, their disdain for the opposite sex or others not like them (in a Jew vs. Christian dialogue), etc., so many of the emotions that preteens and teens (the audience of this book) most certainly can relate to.  In addition to the scripts, there are footnotes and sidebars giving “A Little Background” on the topics at hand.  This book will leave your students wanting to know more about this time period and the people of the time through the lives of these masterfully crafted scripts of these fictional characters.

Biography of Laura Amy Schlitz:  https://csufyabookreviews.com/2013/04/12/a-biography-of-laura-amy-schlitz/

Literature Unit: http://edhelper.com/books/Good_Masters_Sweet_Ladies__Voices_from_a_Medieval.htm

Lesson Plans:  http://commoncoresuccess.eleducation.org/curriculum/ela/grade-6/module-2b/unit-2/lesson-1

Activities from the Publisher:  http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763615781.btg.1.pdf