Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Module 13 | Rapunzel's Revenge
PLOT SUMMARY
12-year-old Rapunzel is shocked to find out that "Mother Gothel" is not really her mother at all, but her kidnapper. After confronting Gothel about the truth of her parentage, the witch locks Rapunzel in the highest tree in the forest, from which it takes her years ─ and many yards of hair ─ to escape. Her quest for revenge on Gothel leads Rapunzel through a slew of Wild West-style adventures alongside her new friend, Jack, and his pet goose (who, it just so happens, lays golden eggs).
MY IMPRESSIONS
The book, written by Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrated by Nathan Hale, is an expert blend of genres, as fairy tale meets Western in a beautifully-drawn graphic format. Rapunzel is an instantly likable heroine, while Jack is a charming, if trouble-making, sidekick. Children who are familiar with the source material should get a kick out of reading this revision, and young girls will benefit from this Rapunzel's take-charge attitude, including her quick dismissal of a preening prince.
REVIEWS
"A dash of typical fairy-tale romance, a strong sense of social justice and a spunky heroine make this a standout choice for younger teens."
Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2008, Vol. 76, No. 15
"The Hale team creates an engaging heroine ... This novel presents entertaining girl power at its quirkiest."
Laura Lehner, VOYA, October 2008, Vol. 31, No. 4
"Nathan Hale's illustrations are colorful, fun, and full of action. They clearly communicate not only what is happening, but also how the characters feel. Nothing but pure fun and a great book for reluctant reader girls."
Kate Reynolds, Childrens Book and Play Review, September/October 2008, Vol. 29, No. 1
USES IN THE LIBRARY
Rapunzel's Revenge would easily fit into a display of revisionist fairy tales, which could include YA novels such as Beastly and The Poison Apples, as well as picture books such as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and Where's the Big Bad Wolf? This, in turn, could inspire a contest where young patrons write (or perhaps even film) their own revisionist tale. Also, Rapunzel's Revenge could be included on a reading list of graphic novels for girls.
CITATION
Hale, D. and Hale, S. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. New York: Bloomsbury.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Module 12 | Nevermore
PLOT SUMMARY
The book provides an overview of the life of Edgar Allan Poe, beginning with his mother's death and father's abandonment when Poe was a toddler. Nevermore details Poe's informal adoption by the Allan family; his troubles as a student; his early writing jobs; his marriage to his cousin, Virginia; and his bouts with alcoholism. The book discusses Poe's contribution to fiction, particularly his influence on the American short story. The fact that Poe's reputation was often maligned during his lifetime is sure to interest young readers who know only of the author's modern reputation.
MY IMPRESSIONS
The book does an excellent job of profiling Poe, as author Karen Lange gives the writer's talent its full due while never shying away from Poe's flaws. Nevermore will likely heighten the way young readers examine Poe's work, as it is easy to see the influence the many sad events in his life ─ specifically the early deaths of his mother and wife ─ had on his writing. The photographs are excellent enhancements to the text, as they illustrate how Poe's struggles with the bottle began to take a toll on his youthful good looks. It's also wonderful to see the many personalities mentioned in the text, including Poe's wife, mother, and foster parents, as well as his various allies and enemies in the publishing field. Overall, Nevermore is an excellent example of biography for middle school and high school audiences.
REVIEWS
"The book compactly covers Poe’s dramatic life from his early orphaning and his tempestuous relationship with his foster father to his growing writing career and his tempestuous relationship with his fellow writers ... The author gives full acknowledgment of Poe’s bouts of self-torment and alcoholism, but she also makes clear that he had his sunny and amiable days as well, and he seems all the more mysterious and glamorous as a result of the even-handed treatment."
Deborah Stevenson, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, May 2009, Vol. 62, No. 9
"Lange’s emphasis on the many tragedies that shaped Poe’s short life as well as upon the historical and cultural elements that influenced his society gives readers a vivid sense of his struggles ... Lange’s volume demonstrates that Poe’s own tale is a worthy competitor with any of the stories he wrote."
Megan Lynn Isaac, VOYA, August 2009, Vol. 32, No. 3
"This book would be a wonderful way to introduce a unit on Poe to students or as a resource for research into Edgar Allan Poe. It is also a good book for browsers or those curious to learn more about the author’s life and works."
Anne Hoffman, Catholic Library World, June 2010, Vol. 80, No. 4
USES IN THE LIBRARY
The book could be featured as part of an "Edgar Allan Poe Day" celebration at the library, which could take place around the same time as Poe's birthday (January 19). Nevermore would be an excellent resource to showcase when discussing non-fiction works about the author's life, while other activities could include a gothic poetry contest; read-alouds of a few of his short-stories; and a screening of a movie based on one of his works, such as The Fall of the House of Usher. In addition, Nevermore could be included on a list of books aimed at teens that deal with the lives of famous artists, especially as many teens begin to familiarize themselves with Poe's work in middle school and high school.
CITATION
Lange, K. (2009). Nevermore: A photobiography of Edgar Allan Poe. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Module 11 | Witch-hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials
PLOT SUMMARY
Author Marc Aronson explores the events that led to the Salem witch trials, as well as the grave injustices that occurred during the nearly yearlong hysteria. He provides details of the accusers, the accused, the court system, and the physical and social environment of the late 17th century. Such recognizable personalities as Tituba, Cotton Mather, Giles Cory, John Proctor, and Martha Carrier (the so-called "Queen of Hell") are discussed. One of the more interesting aspects of the book is Aronson's comparisons of the witch trials to modern day American society, as well as his discussion of the witch trials in regards to the fairy tales and folk tales many of us have grown up with.
MY IMPRESSIONS
The book does an excellent job of answering the question most young adults have about the Salem witch trials: How could anyone have believed their friends and neighbors were witches? By explaining the way in which people of the time viewed the world through a heavily theological lens, he makes it easier to comprehend how something so tragic could have transpired. This book will no doubt enthrall readers ranging from middle schoolers to high schoolers. It's likely the well-written Witch-Hunt will inspire lively discussion regarding Salem's parallels to other events in American history.
REVIEWS
"Presenting the best scholarship, various interpretations of the events, and the mysteries that remain, Aronson encourages readers to think for themselves and perhaps discover something new about the trials."
Kirkus Reviews, October 15, 2003, Vol. 71, No. 20
"This accessible, well-written addition further illuminates a popular topic. Young historians will be guided to find their own answers in their quest to understand American history."
Marian Rafal, VOYA, December 2003, Vol. 26, No. 5
"This is not the place for novices to begin sorting through the tangled story of the trial, but readers with an established and avid interest should appreciate Aronson’s infectious enthusiasm and his proposed path for further study."
Elizabeth Bush, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, December 2003, Vol. 57, No. 4
USES IN THE LIBRARY
The book would be an excellent addition to a display of fiction and non-fiction books about the witch trials. North Texas libraries could extend an invitation to author Kathleen Kent to speak on the topic; Kent lives in Dallas and wrote the witch-trial inspired The Heretic's Daughter. Kent is a descendant of accused witch Martha Carrier, who was sentenced to death at the Salem trials and is discussed at detail in Witch-Hunt. In addition, the book could inspire a book talk on other fiction or non-fiction titles that center on injustice.
CITATION
Aronson, M. (2003). Witch-hunt: Mysteries of the Salem witch trials. New York: Atheneum Books
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