Posts filed under ‘for reluctant readers’
SNEAK PEEK PREVIEW: Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow
Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford, illustrated by C. S. Jennings; published by Dial Books for Young Readers, New York; 2011.
NOTE: This review is based on an ARC (advance reading copy) provided for free by the publisher. The publication information is subject to change. Expected release date: May 12, 2011.
Jacob Wonderbar seems to have one goal in life: To make life hard, very hard, for substitute teachers. His father has moved away, his mother works long hours, and his best friends are often off doing extracurricular activities. One warm evening, Jacob and his best friends, Dexter and Sarah, meet near the woods in their neighborhood to just hang out. Then out of the woods walks a tall, slender, silver stranger. In exchange for a few corn dogs, the stranger is willing to trade his space ship to the trio. Once aboard, they find spacesuits, food and a talking computer. Once they have taken off, they mistakenly create a cosmic space kapow which prevents Jacob and his friends from returning to earth. So off they go on adventures to planets benign (if you can consider an atmosphere that smells like burp breath benign), challenging (a planet of serious scientists who find calculator humor extremely funny), scary (a planet full of substitute teachers!!!), and perfect (as in everyone is a perfectionist, providing only perfect treats and clothes to the trio). They meet a boy-pirate, a space princess, and the King of Everything, among other strange human-like beings. Will they ever return home?
Nathan Bransford’s debut is a nearly perfect book for reluctant readers in the middle grades (upper elementary primarily). Humor and adventure combine for a rollicking read that will appeal to boys and girls alike. The three main characters are amazingly well-developed; often characters are, well, caricatures in books for this bunch of readers, but Bransford manages to develop three of them into realistic kids. Dexter is the good kid, always trying to please his parents and other authority figures. Sarah is exhausted from the unrelenting extracurricular schedule her parents have created for her when she’d rather have time to do “kid” things. And Jacob struggles with his need for attention and security after his father leaves him and his mother.
The illustrations in this ARC are black and white but definitely added to the telling of the story. The space theme was prominent in the art on the first page of each chapter–a nice touch to tie together the book. Often, readers at this level, particularly reluctant readers, need a mental break from the written word, so the illustrations help move the story along for them. I’m curious to see if anything changes in the final copy of the book, since this was an advance reader copy.
The little bit of science that’s woven into the text piqued my interest enough to look some things up; hopefully librarians, parents and teachers that recommend this book will recommend some good websites to support the space theme (I’m thinking the American Museum of Natural History at http://www.amnh.org/ology/ would be a good one-stop-shop to include on a bookmark inside this book).
Of course, this book will be added to my lists of reluctant reader materials. I would make sure to book talk it to 3rd through maybe 6th grades when doing school visits, especially with summer reading programs gearing up.
Tales from the Crypt #9 is Wickeder
Tales from the Crypt #9: Wickeder by Stefan Petrucha, Maia Kinney-Petrucha, Margo Kinney-Petrucha, Scott
Lobdell, Jim Salicrup, writers; and Diego Jourdan, Rick Parker, James
Romberger, and Marguerite Van Cook, artists; published by Papercutz; 2010.
The Crypt-Keeper returns with his GhouLunatics for the ninth incarnation of twisted tales and peculiar parodies in this graphic novel. Three tales are introduced by the Crypt-Keeper and friends in ghastly good humor. The first tale is a sequel. Because the parody of Diary of a Wimpy Kid was so successful, Glugg returns in “Dead Dog Dies!” Celebrating his one year death day isn’t all Glugg thought it would be—zombies don’t do gifts. Thanks to his one living friend, Crowley, Glugg may still have something other than dirt to open. In the second story, nature takes revenge after an oil spill at an off-shore drilling rig. “Kill, Baby, Kill!” pits big business, green advocates and a surprise avenger against each other. Who will win? The scariest part of this story is how close it hits home. The graphic novel ends with the Crypt-Keeper’s friend, the Old Witch, presenting a play. “Wickeder” is based on “Frank N. Balmed’s Wizard of Ooze.” The story follows Dotty’s trial in the murder of Alfalfa, the Wickeder Witch. All preconceptions are destroyed in this retelling of a classic story.
Because this graphic novel continues in the Tales of the Crypt tradition, readers will expect a bit of guts and gore with a lot of tongue-in-cheek. All of that is served with illustrations that seamlessly shift styles to enhance each story. Add text that delivers shocks and laughs simultaneously and you’ve got a fun read for older tweens. Parody fans of all ages will find this a satisfying read as well.
For me, the word play was most fun. The Crypt-Keeper’s puns were fairly obvious but still made me chuckle. However, the witticisms in the three main stories often had me laughing out, (I apologize to the people sitting near me at library). That wittiness is why I like this book so much: I think humor is the best way to coerce reluctant readers into picking up books. With the humor and terrific art, I expect many reluctant readers will be making friends with the Crypt-Keeper and his GhouLunatics.
I would recommend this book to older tweens that appreciate a little gross-out and a lot of laughs. Reluctant readers should eat this up, especially those with younger siblings that love Diary of a Wimpy Kid or still put The Wizard of Oz on a continuous play loop on the DVD player. It’s the perfect addition to the graphic novels in the children’s department at the public library.
More information about the book is available from the publisher at http://www.papercutz.com/crypt/cryptgn9_moreinfo.html. The Tales from the Crypt series is also represented online at http://www.papercutz.com/tc/tc.html.
(Note: A free copy of this book was provided by the book’s publicist for me to review for Stories for Children Magazine. I include the review here. Please note that all books I review for Stories for Children Magazine are donated to a local tutoring program for homeless and marginalized families.)
Robot Zot: What’s he got? Scieszka & Shannon!
Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka; illustrated by David Shannon; published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York; 2009.
Jon Scieszka, champion of reluctant readers and king of kid comedy, has written the perfect read-aloud book for boys and girls alike. Imagine reading Zot’s parts in Robot Voice and then shifting into TV commercial announcer voice and then into the voice of the narrator. And there are refrains for the children to repeat in their best robot voices. But wait! There’s more! Fans of David Shannon will recognize the over-the-top, larger-than-life illustrations. His close-ups (like Robot Zot’s crazed face when faced with the terrible General), ground shots and overhead views creates an almost cinematic feel for the adventure story. Big kids will find a hidden, sub-story in the illustrations (look for the befuddled pet owner throughout the story). His acrylics-on-illustration-board images have been meticulously reproduced, including details like brush strokes.
Of course I recommend that this book be included on lists for reluctant readers. Anyone planning story times must use this book; it’s a natural read-aloud. Also, it’s a must-read for fans of Scieszka and Shannon alike.
Dav Pilkey’s Extra Crunchy Website o’ Fun
Dav Pilkey’s Extra Crunchy Website o’ Fun, http://www.pilkey.com/, accessed August 5, 2010.
Stops Wetness! Fights Odor! Stays Crisp in Milk! Or so his splash page says. Anyone familiar with Dav Pilkey understands that this site is going to be kooky, irreverent and loaded with kid-friendly humor. Pilkey even includes this disclaimer on the splash page:
WARNING: This website contains scenes and material which may be considered too silly for grown-ups, small animals, and many varieties of houseplants. If you are a grown-up, a small animal, or a houseplant, we strongly urge you to seek the permission of a kid before browsing this site!
And, man, is this site loaded with great material. Go ahead grown-ups, take a look. Unless you are adamantly opposed to Captain Underpants for whatever reasons, you’ll be begging your kids to spend time online, at Pilkey’s place, ’cause there’s lots to see, do (and yes, even learn) here.
Pilkey’s humor isn’t lost in the translation from book to Web. If you’re a grown-up, go on and click on his links for “Stuff for Boring Grown-ups” (conveniently located under “Junk” in “Junk, Stuff and Thingies”). If you don’t laugh, then Dav’s right, this probably isn’t the site for you or your kids.
However, reluctant readers have been tricked into enjoying books thanks to the Captain Underpants series. So, introduce them to the book list here; or the free videos, free music, free avatars, free games, and other fun free stuff; or let them read the cartoon about Dav’s journey from class clown with a branch office in the school hallway to well-loved children’s book author/illustrator; or visit the parent/teacher resources.
This site is a must-list for Web resources for children and educators (parents included) alike. Librarians better print some of the activity sheets and pass ‘em around–with the Web address prominently displayed. Anyone dealing with reluctant readers needs to use this page.
Looks to me like Dav Pilkey takes this humor thing seriously. Seems like he’s hiding a diabolical plot to encourage reluctant readers too. Curse him! 
The Adventures of Nanny Piggins finally reaches America
The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R. A. Spratt; illustrated by Dan Santat; published by Little, Brown and Company, New York; 2010.
Note: This review is based on an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) provided for free from the publisher. The book is due on shelves August 16, 2010 (U.S. shelves, that is; Nanny Piggins’ stories have been available in the author’s native Australia since 2009).
Poor Mr. Green. Widowed when his wife died in a mysterious boating accident, he is left to raise three children on his own. With his all-consuming law practice, he hasn’t the time or the patience to deal with the daily chores of child-rearing. One day, after posting a sign in the yard advertising a nanny position, a knock on the door reveals a candidate. However, she is not a typical nanny. She is a pig. The whole hog, as it were. As Mr. Green is a rather tight-fisted fellow, he hires the porcine nanny when he learns that her hourly rate is ten cents. What ensues is chapter after chapter of misadventures, led by a pig with no nanny experience. Seriously, what kid wouldn’t salivate over a sitter serving chocolate in all its delectable forms for meals? Or who encourages the children to skip school and learn how to chuck things off the roof?
I laughed at comedy-writer Spratt’s nanny. She’s kind of a cross between Mary Poppins (the children love her) and any Roald Dahl rascal (politically incorrect and comically “off” center). However, I found the book more of a collection of short stories as each chapter could really stand alone; I found no ease of transition from one adventure to the next. For that reason, this would most certainly be a perfect book for read alouds to students in grades 3-5. Teachers should be aware of this tale. School librarians, often encouraged to read from chapter books to students in upper elementary grades, will find the book an easy choice.
I think older independent readers, perhaps even into grade 8, will enjoy the humor of these misadventures with happy resolutions. Reluctant readers in grades 4-6 should enjoy this book because the chapters can be read independent of each other.
I imagine a public (or school) library display including this book with, perhaps, Roald Dahl books, the Nanny McPhee books (and movie!), Mary Poppins on DVD, and other stories of fantastical caregivers.
Fellow Librarians: Our cover is blown!
The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity (The Brixton Brothers, Book 1), written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Adam Rex; published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York; 2009.
The mistaken identity, as intimated in the title, is that 12-year-old Steve Brixton is a detective. When his teacher, Ms. Gilfeather, assigns him a weekend report on early American needlework, a series of mysteries, clues and adventure ensue. The mystery and adventure will definitely appeal to upper elementary readers; but the humor will be more accessible to older readers, like maybe parents. Steve’s heroes are characters obviously based on the Hardy Boys; pertinent places and things that Steve searches for include The Red Herring Tavern and the Maguffin quilt (adults will get the subtext here). I am thrilled that Librarians are described as “the guardians of knowledge” and “Librarians are just about the only thing holding this country together.” Yes, Librarians are secret service agents, entrusted with the sacred trust to protect intelligence.
Of course this book should be paired with Peck’s Here Lies the Librarian and other fiction about how librarians change lives. But it also would make an interesting selection for a middle school book club, including an activity like making a book-box (where Steve hides his treasured detective notebook). Perhaps it would be a great first selection for a family book discussion program! It also would make a terrific read-aloud, chapter by chapter, in an elementary library, for grades 3-5; even middle school librarians may use it, in weeks without an information literacy lesson.
With endorsements from Jeff Kinney and Jon Scieszka, a funny story with a 12 year old protagonist, and references to the Hardy Boys mysteries (even on the illustrated end pages), this is a must-read book!
Why you Knucklehead…
Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka; published by Viking, Penguin Group, New York; 2008.
I laughed out loud non-stop. Scieszka seems to have eavesdropped on my childhood (especially the My Side of the Mountain story). More important than the humor is the way Scieszka has written this specifically to reach kids—he even seems to talk directly to them (boys in particular). The lessons couched in funny stories are rich and well-described. He has taken a giant step toward fulfilling his mission of reaching reluctant readers!
I would add this to a pathfinder for reluctant readers. I would use it in a display with realia, like the toys and comic books he mentions in his stories. Maybe I’d read a chapter or two then show upper elementary students the cover of the book; I’d supply them with a variety of old comic book covers that they could paste their pictures on and name their autobiographies (and maybe I could encourage them to write a chapter or two to put inside).
By the way, does anyone else have a younger brother nicknamed “Chuff” or is it just Scieszka & me?
