If I had to compare Wendy Mass to an author I treasured as I was growing up, I'd have to say she is this generation's Judy Blume. Life has gotten considerably more complicated for tweens and teens. Wendy Mass seems to be able to identify with today's teens. That's not to say that there's been an increase in children affected with synesthesia or more children born on February 29. But, her books go to the root of growing up and feeling different, whether that difference is perception or reality.
Mia has a secret. In her life everything has color: sounds, letters and numbers. She has named her cat Mango, not because of his orange eyes, but because his purrs sound yellow-orange. Pre-Algebra is difficult for her because the letters x and y already have colors, but not necessarily the color that the answer is. Learning that she is not a freak and realizing that differences are empowering is what Wendy Mass's A Mango-Shaped Space is all about.
I am jealous of Mia. I love the thought that letters, sounds and numbers are much more than just what they are. I'd like to think that my name is the color of the sky right at sunset, that beautiful pinky-orange color. Wendy Mass does a beautiful job introducing the phenomenon of synesthesia and all of it's many variations. Mass has recommended the book, The Man Who Tasted Shapes for those who would like to learn more about this fascinating topic. The subplots of dealing with a best friend and the death of a pet are intertwined so flawlessly. The best book every for dealing with the loss of a pet is The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst. Although, Wendy Mass has done a fabulous job dealing with both subjects!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Soldier X
As any of my blog readers know I am a fan of any book related to WWII or The Holocaust. Soldier X by Don Wulffson is no exception. Soldier X tells the story of Erik Brandt the 16 year old son of a German father and Russian mother. Erik is German by birth, but knows the Russian language a bit of the customs because of his mother and grandparents. Erik is drafted into the German army days before his birthday. He is to be a member of the Die Sprache-HJ, the division of the Hitler Youth that studies various languages. Once enlisted, he will be used as an interrogator. Little does Erik realize just how vital his knowledge of Russian is.
The novel follows Erik through battles and his eventual deception. It is an interesting story and said to be based on a true story. A cursory search on the internet did not turn up any further information, but I would love to know the truth behind this fictional story. The battle scenes and descriptions of the hospitals are so realistic, as a reader I was almost able to feel myself there with Erik. I enjoyed so many aspects of this novel and think it will be especially appealing to the young men in my classes.
The novel follows Erik through battles and his eventual deception. It is an interesting story and said to be based on a true story. A cursory search on the internet did not turn up any further information, but I would love to know the truth behind this fictional story. The battle scenes and descriptions of the hospitals are so realistic, as a reader I was almost able to feel myself there with Erik. I enjoyed so many aspects of this novel and think it will be especially appealing to the young men in my classes.
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
Wendy Mass has done it again! Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life is a wondrous tale of two best friends, Jeremy and Lizzy and their search for the missing keys. The missing keys belong to a unique wooden box engraved with "The Meaning of Life: for Jeremy Fink", that Jeremy's father has left for him and that is to be opened when Jeremy turns 13. The two young adults begin the search for the keys and end up in custody and having to serve community service. It is through their somewhat unorthodox community service assignment that the two friends discover more about themselves, the world around them and life than they could have imagined.
Although this story dragged in places, the ending is well worth the wait. The story that Mass has woven together is beautiful. As a parent, I was so touched by the ending. Although many of her novels seem to be written more for girls, this one is definitely appealing to both genders. The story poses some truly big and philosophical questions that would promote interesting classroom discussion. This novel would definitely be a great classroom read aloud.
Although this story dragged in places, the ending is well worth the wait. The story that Mass has woven together is beautiful. As a parent, I was so touched by the ending. Although many of her novels seem to be written more for girls, this one is definitely appealing to both genders. The story poses some truly big and philosophical questions that would promote interesting classroom discussion. This novel would definitely be a great classroom read aloud.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Ashes
As I was browsing Barnes and Noble Kathryn Lasky's latest book cover caught my eye. Without even reading the synopsis, I knew Ashes would be about some aspect of the Holocaust and World War II. I love when I stumble upon great book finds!
Ashes is a very well written novel that takes place during 1932 and 1933 at the very beginning of Hitler's rise to power. The main character, Gaby, is a teenager whose father is an astronomy professor. Her father works with Albert Einstein and the her family actually lives next door to the renowned scientist. Her mother's best friend is an entertainment reporter for a Berlin newspaper. Although Gaby's family is not Jewish, it would seem all of their close relations are. It is these close relationships that fuel the family's hatred for the changing government policies.
For me, the greatest strength of this novel is the background knowledge the story provides. Lasky explains how Germany's defeat in the first World War impacted its economy and political standings. She also describes the transition of power that from Hindenburg to Hitler. Through the character of the family's housekeeper, Lasky shows how the ordinary German citizen could become easily enthralled with Hitler and his promises.
Ashes will be an excellent addition to my Holocaust library and an excellent way to begin a unit of study of this monumental time in history.
Ashes is a very well written novel that takes place during 1932 and 1933 at the very beginning of Hitler's rise to power. The main character, Gaby, is a teenager whose father is an astronomy professor. Her father works with Albert Einstein and the her family actually lives next door to the renowned scientist. Her mother's best friend is an entertainment reporter for a Berlin newspaper. Although Gaby's family is not Jewish, it would seem all of their close relations are. It is these close relationships that fuel the family's hatred for the changing government policies.
For me, the greatest strength of this novel is the background knowledge the story provides. Lasky explains how Germany's defeat in the first World War impacted its economy and political standings. She also describes the transition of power that from Hindenburg to Hitler. Through the character of the family's housekeeper, Lasky shows how the ordinary German citizen could become easily enthralled with Hitler and his promises.
Ashes will be an excellent addition to my Holocaust library and an excellent way to begin a unit of study of this monumental time in history.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Every Soul A Star
Wendy Mass may just replace Jerry Spinelli as my favorite Young Adult author. Her books touch me in so many ways. She writes of characters that reflect my insecurities I carried as a child into my teenage years. I am able to see myself through those characters. While her beautifully written stories will generally appeal more to teenage girls, I can see some boys enjoying her stories as well.
Ally, Bree and Jack are brought together because of a total eclipse of the sun. The three characters couldn't be more different, but a natural phenomenon shows them and the reader, that they have much more in common than anyone would have thought. We experience their individual stories and thoughts because Mass has chosen to tell the story through each of their perspectives.
This method, of switching narrators, was confusing in parts as the story often backtracked in the plot. However, it was interesting to relive a moment in the story with a different character's perspective. I loved watching Jack's growth from chubby insecure guy to confident young man. One of my favorite parts in the story was when Bree admitted that she had an inner geek. It's always been my suspicion that drop dead gorgeous fashion conscious girls had secret nerdy sides. Ally's coming to terms with the upcoming changes in her life reminded me of myself and my fear of change. I truly saw a bit of myself in her.
I first discovered Wendy Mass when I read Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall. I recently read Finally and enjoyed that story a great deal. But, Every Soul A Star has made me a true fan!
Ally, Bree and Jack are brought together because of a total eclipse of the sun. The three characters couldn't be more different, but a natural phenomenon shows them and the reader, that they have much more in common than anyone would have thought. We experience their individual stories and thoughts because Mass has chosen to tell the story through each of their perspectives.
This method, of switching narrators, was confusing in parts as the story often backtracked in the plot. However, it was interesting to relive a moment in the story with a different character's perspective. I loved watching Jack's growth from chubby insecure guy to confident young man. One of my favorite parts in the story was when Bree admitted that she had an inner geek. It's always been my suspicion that drop dead gorgeous fashion conscious girls had secret nerdy sides. Ally's coming to terms with the upcoming changes in her life reminded me of myself and my fear of change. I truly saw a bit of myself in her.
I first discovered Wendy Mass when I read Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall. I recently read Finally and enjoyed that story a great deal. But, Every Soul A Star has made me a true fan!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Going Bovine
I had heard some rave reviews of Libba Bray's Going Bovine so I was excited to pick up a copy. Within the first 5 pages, I discovered that this is one Young Adult novel I would not be sharing with my students. I will freely admit that I am a fairly liberal teacher in terms of what I allow my students to read in the classroom. There are times that I ask students to bring a signed permission slip from a parent for books that are a bit more mature.
That being said, I'm not sure that I would even encourage a student to read Going Bovine. Bray's novel follows Cameron, a total slacker high school student, who has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disorder or Mad Cow disease.
Cameron begins a journey, Don Quixote style, to find the mysterious Dr. X who will provide the cure for him. Having never read Don Quixote perhaps I'm missing some vital connection that would have made this missive make more sense. Cameron is hospitalized, so it appears that this journey is actually an hallucination, but I'm never quite sure. Accompanying him on his journey is Gonzo, a hypochondriac dwarf who he first meets in the boys' bathroom at school while smoking pot and happens to be his hospital room mate, and Dulce an angelic girl with pink hair and wings who appears only to Cameron. Gonzo and Cameron eventually meet up with a yard gnome named Baldur.
I cannot begin to summarize or describe the rest of the story as it truly rambled and confused me. Now, I will admit, that I read the last quarter of the novel while taking pain killers. However, I was confused far before I reached that point.
I was so disappointed in this novel. I truly enjoyed Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty. I think that Bray should stick with the historical fiction and romance versus the strange novel that is Going Bovine.
That being said, I'm not sure that I would even encourage a student to read Going Bovine. Bray's novel follows Cameron, a total slacker high school student, who has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disorder or Mad Cow disease.
Cameron begins a journey, Don Quixote style, to find the mysterious Dr. X who will provide the cure for him. Having never read Don Quixote perhaps I'm missing some vital connection that would have made this missive make more sense. Cameron is hospitalized, so it appears that this journey is actually an hallucination, but I'm never quite sure. Accompanying him on his journey is Gonzo, a hypochondriac dwarf who he first meets in the boys' bathroom at school while smoking pot and happens to be his hospital room mate, and Dulce an angelic girl with pink hair and wings who appears only to Cameron. Gonzo and Cameron eventually meet up with a yard gnome named Baldur.
I cannot begin to summarize or describe the rest of the story as it truly rambled and confused me. Now, I will admit, that I read the last quarter of the novel while taking pain killers. However, I was confused far before I reached that point.
I was so disappointed in this novel. I truly enjoyed Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty. I think that Bray should stick with the historical fiction and romance versus the strange novel that is Going Bovine.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Mathilda Savitch
Victor Lodato's debut novel, Mathilda Savitch, is challenging to describe. Thankfully, I have plenty of experience with young teens, otherwise the stream of consciousness teen narration would have been incomprehensible.
Mathilda's older sister Helene has died in a horrible train accident. Her parents are barely surviving the loss of their eldest child. Mathilda has been lost in the shuffle. She decides the best way to get their attention is to behave badly. Mathilda is also convinced that Helene was pushed to her death. Mathilda snoops through Helene's things in an effort to discover the murderer.
The novel follows Mathilda's various attempts at bad behavior and the discoveries about her sister. There are many parts of the novel that seem to be added just for shock value, rather than adding to the plot. While the character of the mother is somewhat developed, there is little development to the father. Most disappointingly is the promise of a great risk as described by the summary on the back of the novel. I was rather let down. I imagined much more to this story.
I did, however, enjoy Mathilda's quirkiness. She is quite a spitfire! Overall, an interesting story that has a bit of a coming-of-age feeling to it, but not quite the mystery or humor I expected.
Mathilda's older sister Helene has died in a horrible train accident. Her parents are barely surviving the loss of their eldest child. Mathilda has been lost in the shuffle. She decides the best way to get their attention is to behave badly. Mathilda is also convinced that Helene was pushed to her death. Mathilda snoops through Helene's things in an effort to discover the murderer.
The novel follows Mathilda's various attempts at bad behavior and the discoveries about her sister. There are many parts of the novel that seem to be added just for shock value, rather than adding to the plot. While the character of the mother is somewhat developed, there is little development to the father. Most disappointingly is the promise of a great risk as described by the summary on the back of the novel. I was rather let down. I imagined much more to this story.
I did, however, enjoy Mathilda's quirkiness. She is quite a spitfire! Overall, an interesting story that has a bit of a coming-of-age feeling to it, but not quite the mystery or humor I expected.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
April 2010
The first quarter of my project, my quest, has ended. I have read a total of 45 books, 50 actually, but I abandoned 5 of them. Not too shabby! I am truly enjoying this process. I am flattered that a few of my students and friends are following my journey and I appreciate the book suggestions as well. At this rate, I feel positive that by December 31, I will have read at least 100 books!
However, April also is the start of the 4th Quarter. For any teacher the last weeks of school are busy. For an 8th grade teacher the last 9 weeks of school are crazy busy. Not only is theregraduation promotion to think about, but also fundraisers, class t-shirts, NJHS ceremony, the annual Six Flags trip and, oh yeah, just plain teaching! I'm hoping that despite the many, many, MANY things on my plate for the next 2 months or so, that I am able to squeeze in at least a few books.
And now that the warmer weather and sunshine have begun, I hope to spend many afternoons and evenings reading outside and enjoying the fresh air, and maybe a beverage or two!
I highly recommend any cup or mug made by Copco!
46. Mathilda Savitch by Victor Lodato
47. Going Bovine by Libba Bray
48. Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass
49. Ashes by Kathryn Lasky
50. Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
51. Soldier X by DonWulffson
52. A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
However, April also is the start of the 4th Quarter. For any teacher the last weeks of school are busy. For an 8th grade teacher the last 9 weeks of school are crazy busy. Not only is there
And now that the warmer weather and sunshine have begun, I hope to spend many afternoons and evenings reading outside and enjoying the fresh air, and maybe a beverage or two!
I highly recommend any cup or mug made by Copco!46. Mathilda Savitch by Victor Lodato
47. Going Bovine by Libba Bray
48. Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass
49. Ashes by Kathryn Lasky
50. Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
51. Soldier X by DonWulffson
52. A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
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