2nd Book Club Title

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If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Reviews:
Publishers Weekly:

Starred Review. The last normal moment that Mia, a talented cellist, can remember is being in the car with her family. Then she is standing outside her body beside their mangled Buick and her parents' corpses, watching herself and her little brother being tended by paramedics. As she ponders her state (Am I dead? I actually have to ask myself this), Mia is whisked away to a hospital, where, her body in a coma, she reflects on the past and tries to decide whether to fight to live. Via Mia's thoughts and flashbacks, Forman (Sisters in Sanity) expertly explores the teenager's life, her passion for classical music and her strong relationships with her family, friends and boyfriend, Adam. Mia's singular perspective (which will recall Alice Sebold's adult novel, The Lovely Bones) also allows for powerful portraits of her friends and family as they cope: Please don't die. If you die, there's going to be one of those cheesy Princess Diana memorials at school, prays Mia's friend Kim. I know you'd hate that kind of thing. Intensely moving, the novel will force readers to take stock of their lives and the people and things that make them worth living. Ages 14–up. (Apr.)

Kirkus Reviews:

When snow cancels school, Mia and her family pile into their beat-up station wagon for a drive. Unlike most 17-year-olds, Mia is secretly enjoying hanging out with her quirky family until an oncoming driver shatters their lives, leaving the gravely injured Mia with the ultimate decision: Should she stay or go? As a spirit-like observer, Mia narrates the next 24 hours, describing how her medical team, friends, boyfriend and extended family care for her each in their own way. Woven into her real-time observations are powerful memories that organically introduce Mia’s passion for classical music, her relationship with her boyfriend and her bond with her parents and brother. These memories reinforce the magnitude of Mia’s decision and provide weight to both sides of her dilemma. Forman excels at inserting tiny but powerful details throughout, including the realistic sounds, smells and vocabulary of a hospital, which will draw readers into this masterful text and undoubtedly tug at even the toughest of heartstrings. (Fiction. YA)

Response:
I really enjoyed this book. For me, it was a tearjerker, I cried at many times during the book. The book could be considered contemporary realistic fiction as it dealt with relationships and tough decisions throughout the story, but there is also the fantasy element since Mia is experiencing what's going on outside of her body.

Forman, G. (2009). If I stay: A novel. New York: Dutton Books.

Traditional Lit Title #2

Ella's Big Chance by Shirley Hughes

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Reviews:
Booklist:

K-Gr. 3. It's the 1920s, and Ella Cinders works with her father in his dress shop, along with their young doorman, Buttons. After Mr. Cinders remarries, his new wife puts him under her thumb. Ella is soon exhausted from working at her sewing machine, while her stepsisters are modeling the gowns Ella has designed. The story follows a traditional course until the very end. When the suave socialite duke puts the slipper on Ella's foot, she dismisses him and turns to Buttons, who has been her solace through her ordeal. Together they will go off and start a shop of their own, a more preferable life than being "dressed like an expensive doll." A stylish enough work, this is a bit of an indulgence for Hughes, and the high-fashion setting and the flapper costumes don't add much to the tale for a young audience. The new ending will get their attention, however, and this self-empowered Cinderella makes for an interesting change of pace. Ilene Cooper

School Library Journal:

Starred Review. Grade 1-4–Is there room for one more "Cinderella" variant in your collection? The answer is yes if it's this charming version set in the 1920s. Ella Cinders, her father, and Buttons the doorman/delivery boy run a dress shop until the terrible day when Mr. Cinders remarries and his nasty new wife moves in with her equally nasty daughters, Ruby and Pearl. "His new wife seemed to pop up from nowhere like a sharp-eyed, expensively dressed jack-in-the box." Ella's life is misery from then on, mitigated only by the care and attention of the faithful Buttons. Her Fairy Godmother sends her off to the ball where the Duke of Arc is smitten with her, but in the end Ella chooses a different happily ever after, with Buttons. Hughes's gouache-and-pen-line illustrations exhibit her usual meticulous attention to detail, with the ball scenes inspired by Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies, and the original dress designs by important French couturiers of the period. This insightful retelling also offers a fascinating visual peek at a glamorous time.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Repsonse:
This was a fun interpretation of the classic Cinderella tale. The pictures were wonderful, with fun character and detail in each picture. I really liked the additional details added to the white space where the words were written. I think Shirley Hughes did a wonderful job retelling this classic story in the Jazz Age.

Hughes, S., Hughes, S., & Bodley Head (Firm). (2003).Ella's big chance: A fairy tale retold. London: Bodley Head.

Traditional Lit Title #1

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal by Paul Fleischman
Reviews:
Publishers Weekly:
Beneath its handsome William Morris-like cover art, this inspired retelling blends many versions of Cinderella into a single, extraordinary tale. As Newbery Medalist Fleischman's (Joyful Noise) strong storytelling voice incorporates sometimes small details from different traditions, text and illustrations nimbly morph from one Cinderella story to the next, creating this brand-new version. Paschkis (Yellow Elephant) makes use of folk art and textile patterns throughout the world in the clever background paintings behind each of her vibrant panel illustrations, and she helpfully and unobtrusively labels the country from which relevant borrowings originate. Generally, each page focuses on a single country's contributions, but even when details from several countries share a spread, visual harmony prevails and characters remain recognizable despite their costume changes. When Cinderella has nothing to wear, for example, "a crocodile swam up to the surface-and in its mouth was a sarong made of gold [Indonesia]... a cloak sewn of kingfisher feathers [China]... a kimono red as sunset [Japan]." Even the last line of text is patched from several sources: "Such a wedding it was, and such an adoring couple [Iraq]... and such a wondrous turn of events [Korea]... that people today are still telling the story." Paschkis emphasizes the storyteller's voice by beginning and ending the narrative with illustrations of a mother reading to her daughter-a daughter who, appropriately, looks much like Cinderella herself.Ages 5-up. (Sept.)

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School Library Journal:

Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 4—Capitalizing on the frequently made assertion that Cinderella is the most widely told folktale on earth, Fleischman and Paschkis have created a pan-cultural, universally pleasing interweaving of variants from 17 distinct cultures. This clever books reads nearly seamlessly and somehow manages to convey simultaneously the essential sameness of the story and the particularities of the different versions. Dressing for the royal shindig, our heroine, "…looked in her mother's sewing basket (Laos). Then she reached into the hole in the birch tree (Russia). Then a crocodile swam up to the surface—and in its mouth was a sarong made of gold (Indonesia)…a cloak sewn of kingfisher feathers (China)…a kimono red as sunset (Japan)." Paschkis's backgrounds to the text and gouache illustrations alert readers to the shifts in locale by the use of color-coding and of folk-art design motifs drawn from each culture until the final scene where costumes, dances, music, and cuisines from across the globe convene at a wedding so wondrous "that people today are still telling the story." Endings don't get any happier than in this global tour de force.—Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Response:
This is a really neat book with a cultural look at the classic Cinderella tale. I loved that each page was a small portion of the tale from a different country. It combined all the tales together to create a Cinderella story. The colors are vibrant and the pictures are wonderful additions to the words. Overall a fun "new" tale form lots of old ones.

Fleischman, P., & Paschkis, J. (2007). Glass slipper, gold sandal: A worldwide Cinderella. New York: Henry Holt and Co

Informational Book Title #2

The World of Penguins by Evelyne Daigle

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Reviews: 
School Library Journal:
Grade 4-6–What with penguins marching on happy feet in movie theaters and on video screens, it's no wonder that a new title on the subject should hover on the Antarctic horizon. Nicely illustrated with realistic acrylic paintings and some photos, slender and oversized, this book is eye-catching and attractive. Daigle's text reads, in places, like a Cousteau-inspired script. Broken into broad subject areas (think Predators), it is then encapsulated into smaller topics (Look Out for the Leopard Seal!) surrounded by a sea of white space and accompanying illustrations and captions. Along with the expected biological information on diet, physique, nesting, and habitat are a quick overview of Antarctic exploration and comments regarding the unique global detente among nations as to environmental respect for this frozen continent. A helpful global distribution map is included, as is a list of Web sites (in English and French). Less detailed than Bernard Stonehouse's equally attractive A Visual Introduction to Penguins (Checkmark, 2000) or Wayne Lynch's informative Penguins! (Firefly, 2000), Daigle's offering contains more meat than Bobbie Kalman's Penguins (Crabtree, 1995) or Gail Gibbons's Penguins! (Holiday House, 1998).–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Response:
This was a great informational text. The paintings were realistic and the facts seemed accurate. It was fun to read with a great layout for gaining knowledge without feeling overwhelmed.

Daigle, E. (2007). The world of penguins. Plattsburgh, N.Y: Tundra Books of Northern New York.

Informational Book Title #1

Face to Face with Penguins by Yva Momatiuk & John Eastcott

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Reviews: 
Children's Literature:

Imagine sitting on a beach and being greeted by four King penguins walking out of the surf, or laying down for some rest and feeling a penguin hop up on your back. These experiences are just part of what husband-wife photographers John Eastcott and Yva Momatiuk experienced when they traveled the globe to take young readers on a wild expedition in search of penguins. With a conversational tone that places the reader in the scene, this engaging book features first person accounts of penguin encounters, as well as detailed facts illustrated with vivid photographs. Children can learn about a wide variety of penguin species as well as their habits and habitats. Captions and sidebars add an extra layer of information while focusing on kid-friendly topics such as penguin talk, and why penguin poop is pink. Though the emphasis in this book is the stunning images, it is also a book rich in information, ranging from sections on how people can help protect penguins and the impact of global warming, to a "Facts at a Glance" section, a map, a glossary and index, and additional resources. A great book to share with children who first caught penguin fever from animated films or documentaries, this story will delight penguin lovers and intrigue children curious about what it would be like to experience nature's wonders firsthand. Reviewer: Keri Collins Lewis

School Library Journal:

Gr 3–6—The exquisite photos and firsthand information provide an in-depth and personal look into the lives of these animals. Readers are able to see and understand the needs and challenges facing them, both in the wild and with human encroachment of their territory. In Leopards, the authors tell the story of a cub that they met when she was only eight days old. They became "almost" friends with Legadema (whose name means "light from above," or "lightning") and watched her grow into a beautiful and powerful adult. The book contains a wealth of information about the species, comparisons to other types of cats, their habitats, feeding habits, and interaction with other animals. Penguins offers the same level of expertise in the factual specifics, but the authors focus on several general populations of penguins instead of a relationship with one or more animals. Both books provide conservation messages and suggestions for readers to get involved in habitat preservation, support, and funding for various wildlife organizations. Excellent selections.—Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library System, Adairsville, GA

Response: 
I loved this non-fiction book! The photographs are wonderful. There isn't an overwhelming amount of information and the layout is nice. I loved the photographs that took up large space. When it comes to informational texts I like layouts that are easy to find bits of information without having to read too much and lots of pictures, this book had both!

Momatiuk, Y., & Eastcott, J. (2009). Face to face with penguins. Washington, D.C: National Geographic.

Fantasy Book Title

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Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Reviews: 
School Library Journal:

Starred Review. Grade 7 Up—Set in the future, the second civil war is fought over abortion. To end the war, a compromise is reached that ends the practice of abortion but creates an alternative called "unwinding." Between the ages of 13 and 17, parents or guardians can choose to have their children unwound, which involves having every part of their bodies harvested to be "donated" to another person so, technically, they don't really die. The complex and compelling plot follows three teens whose stories intertwine when they escape while on their way to the harvest camps. Fifteen-year-old Connor's parents can no longer control him. Lev, a tithe, was raised by religious parents for the sole purpose of being unwound. Risa, a ward of the state, is a victim of shrinking budgets since she is not a talented enough musician to be kept alive. Neal Shusterman's engrossing novel (S & S, 2007) is narrated in an even cadence and matter-of-fact tone that suits the author's straightforward narrative style. His wide array of voices makes the involved story line, which is left wide open for what is sure to be an interesting sequel, easy to follow. This gripping, thought-provoking novel is guaranteed to lead to interesting discussions about abortion, adoption, organ donation, religion, politics, and health care.—Karen T. Bilton, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Rocky Hill, NJ

Kirkus:

Shusterman’s Everlost (2006) dealt with death and children with a sense of innocence, redemption and even humor. None of that is present here. In a time not far distant, life is deemed to be sacrosanct from the instant of conception until the age of 13. From 13 to 18, however, parents and guardians have the opportunity to have children “unwound.” Technically, life doesn’t end, but every part of the child is “harvested” to be parceled out and passed on to the highest bidder. In this gruesome age of organ harvest, readers meet Connor (doomed to be unwound by his parents), Risa (doomed as a ward of the state due to overcrowding) and Lev, a tithe, conceived for the express purpose of being unwound and “donated” to society. Their story of escape and struggle to survive in a society that lauds itself on the protection of life, but which has reduced human body parts to market commodities, unrolls against a bleak background of indifference, avarice, guilt, regret, loss, pain and rebellion. Well-written, this draws the reader into a world that is both familiar and strangely foreign, and generates feelings of horror, disturbance, disgust and fear. As with classics such as 1984 andFahrenheit 451, one can only hope that this vision of the future never becomes reality. (Science fiction. YA)

Response: 
I could not put this book down. It was absolutely wonderful! It is a book that really makes you think about what you value and how society deals with issues. It was a fascinating look at survival, courage, friendship and life.

Shusterman, N. (2007). Unwind. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

1st Book Club Title

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Looking for Alaska by John Green
Reviews: 
School Library Journal:
Grade 9 Up - Sixteen-year-old Miles Halter's adolescence has been one long nonevent - no challenge, no girls, no mischief, and no real friends. Seeking what Rabelais called the "Great Perhaps," he leaves Florida for a boarding school in Birmingham, AL. His roommate, Chip, is a dirt-poor genius scholarship student with a Napoleon complex who lives to one-up the school's rich preppies. Chip's best friend is Alaska Young, with whom Miles and every other male in her orbit falls instantly in love. She is literate, articulate, and beautiful, and she exhibits a reckless combination of adventurous and self-destructive behavior. She and Chip teach Miles to drink, smoke, and plot elaborate pranks. Alaska's story unfolds in all-night bull sessions, and the depth of her unhappiness becomes obvious. Green's dialogue is crisp, especially between Miles and Chip. His descriptions and Miles's inner monologues can be philosophically dense, but are well within the comprehension of sensitive teen readers. The chapters of the novel are headed by a number of days "before" and "after" what readers surmise is Alaska's suicide. These placeholders sustain the mood of possibility and foreboding, and the story moves methodically to its ambiguous climax. The language and sexual situations are aptly and realistically drawn, but sophisticated in nature. Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability. Like Phineas in John Knowles's. A Separate Peace (S & S, 1960), Green draws Alaska so lovingly, in self-loathing darkness as well as energetic light, that readers mourn her loss along with her friends. - Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library


Kirkus:

The Alaska of the title is a maddening, fascinating, vivid girl seen through the eyes of Pudge (Miles only to his parents), who meets Alaska at boarding school in Alabama. Pudge is a skinny (“irony” says his roommate, the Colonel, of the nickname) thoughtful kid who collects and memorizes famous people’s last words. The Colonel, Takumi, Alaska and a Romanian girl named Lara are an utterly real gaggle of young persons, full of false starts, school pranks, moments of genuine exhilaration in learning and rather too many cigarettes and cheap bottles of wine. Their engine and center is Alaska, given to moodiness and crying jags but also full of spirit and energy, owner of a roomful of books she says she’s going to spend her life reading. Her center is a woeful family tragedy, and when Alaska herself is lost, her friends find their own ways out of the labyrinth, in part by pulling a last, hilarious school prank in her name. What sings and soars in this gorgeously told tale is Green’s mastery of language and the sweet, rough edges of Pudge’s voice. Girls will cry and boys will find love, lust, loss and longing in Alaska’s vanilla-and-cigarettes scent. (Fiction. YA)

Response:
This book really grabbed me with the layout. The countdown of days really built anticipation. I think it was a great example of contemporary realistic fiction. It dealt with a lot of issues that teens deal with. It makes me see why this genre is highly challenged by parents. It would be tough to allow my child (if I had one) to read a book where sex, alcohol and smoking were normal for teens, but I also think it would be a great read for teens to be able to talk about those things. Overall I loved it!

Green, J. (2007). Looking for Alaska. New York: Speak.

Picture Book Title

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Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
Reviews:

School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 1 A slight episode about a navy-blue cat, new white shoes, and maintaining a positive outlook. Pete the Cat strolls down the street singing, I love my white shoes, I love my white shoes, I love my white shoes. Then he steps in (actually climbs up) a huge hill of strawberries that turn his pristine sneakers red. Did Pete cry? Goodness, no! He kept walking along and singing his song. I love my red shoes.... He proceeds to step in a mound of blueberries and then a mud puddle, each incident changing his sneakers to a new hue (the colors never blend). Unsmiling but placid, Pete takes it all in stride. After stepping into a bucket more like a tub of water, he notices that his sneakers are not only white again, but also wet. Even though they are back to their original color, the next illustration perplexingly shows Pete walking along with each shoe sporting one of the four colors highlighted in the book. Bright, childlike illustrations show the long-limbed feline regularly altering his footwear but continuing not to watch where he's walking. The moral of the story keep going no matter what happens to you in life may sound like good advice, but it doesn't instill any sense of power in children it just tells them to accept their fate. The downloadable song might help spark interest, but there's not much here to get excited about.

Children's Literature:

When I read the picture book, I could not believe how simple yet creative it was. In a moment of intense jealousy, my anxious thought was, "That is so easy, I should have written the Pete the Cat story." Accessing the excitement of getting a new pair of shoes that every young reader in the picture book crowd remembers, Pete insists on wearing his new sneakers out of the store. Most children would think seriously about walking down the dirty street. What if they step in something? Pete has a song he sings about loving his white shoes. But "Oh no!" What did he step in? Now his new white shoes are red. But brave Pete never cries, just keeps walking and singing. A sharp child will wonder why Pete does not see those piles of stuff that will turn his white shoes a different color, especially the mud puddle. What on earth can Pete do? Luckily a bucket of water is his answer, but who wants to walk in wet, squeaky shoes? Eric Litwin has even offered a moral to Pete's story. James Dean is an engineer turned artist, but he never dreamed he'd end up drawing cat pictures. Obviously both Eric and James remember exactly what it was like to be a child. Eric, inspired by folk songs, fun, and folksy folks, is a guitar-strumming, song-singing, banjo-picking, tale-telling, harmonica-blowing guy. As the co-founder of The Learning Groove, he promotes early music education.

Response: 
This book was a lot of fun. It was fun to make up a song in my head and sing. It was very easy to get my nephews to interact with me while reading the book. They enjoyed guessing the colors and singing the song with me. The pictures where bright and went along with the story wonderfully.

Litwin, E., & Dean, J. (2010). Pete the cat: I love my white shoes. New York: Harper.