I wanna be The Beef Princess of Practical County

The Beef Princess of Practical County by Michelle Houts; published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, New York, 2009; 226 pages.

What a bucolic life for 12 year old Libby Ryan.  Her family’s cattle farm, Ryansmeade, is 14 and a half miles from Nowhere.  Nowhere, Indiana, that is, in Practical County.  Big brother Ronnie has gone off to Purdue leaving Libby as the heir to the family tradition of steer competition at the county fair.  Her first mistake is naming the calves.  Her second mistake is letting her mom talk her into competing in the Beef Princess of Practical County pageant.  Her third mistake is making it all a competition against the Darling girls.  Her triumph, however, is coming of age in this world of apple pie and Fourth of July.

But Libby isn’t the only one to grow.  I was thrilled to see character development in Libby’s parents; even the awkwardly-monikered Ohma Darling was fully fleshed as the story closed.  For me, the realistic character development and the gentle flow of the story reminded me of my childhood.  Getting up to finish chores before 8 a.m. swimming lessons so I could read in the treehouse the rest of the day–that’s where this story took me.  This was my kind of book back then.  In this age of glampires and video games, I hope a whole lot of tweens pick up this book and get enamored with a simpler life.

Enough nostalgia.  Houts’ storytelling is spot on.  She has captured the heart and soul of a twelve year old girl.  She’s even created a crowd of friends that could attend any middle school in any state.  She took a four year old’s imaginary friend and made them into imaginary grandchildren. Best of all, she’s got a gift for names.  Obviously, Nowhere in Practical County is an obvious snicker-getter. But wait, it gets better.  My favorite names are for the trio of Darling girls: Precious, Lil, and Ohma.  Go ahead; say them out loud.  I’ll wait.  Get it? Wonderful!  Houts even tells us that the clerk almost refused to write “Lil” for the middle girl’s name on her birth certificate.

This book is really for the whole family to read (independent readers in grades 3 through 7 would enjoy it on their own).  Read it together.  Point out the typeface: looks kinda country-ish, doesn’t it?  Does it put you in the mood for a farm story?  Maybe do a little research about 4-H projects, or plan to attend the county fair, if there is one near you.

Librarians, be sure to display this book.  Vote for it in the Buckeye Children’s Book Award competition (voting runs from September 1, 2010 through November 10, 2010; check it out here: http://www.bcbookaward.info/).  Let’s take a look at another way of life, a reflection of a simpler time.

NOTE: I discovered this “Companion Guide” from Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom on April 12, 2011: http://www.agintheclassroom.org/060605/New/beef_princess_final.pdf

Dear Reader, You’ll like this book. Love, Aubrey

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur; published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, New York, 2009; 262 pages.

Aubrey, age 11 going on 12, is self-reliant.  She can survive on her own: cheese and crackers, Spaghetti-Os, cereal and milk, and a new pet fish named Sammy; she won’t answer the phone or the door, then no one will know that she is alone.  It is in this survival mode that her Gram finds her then carries her away from Virginia to Vermont.  Following a horrific car accident that killed her father and sister, Aubrey’s mother awoke one morning and simply disappeared.  In Vermont, with a protective Gram, Aubrey learns that it’s okay to depend on someone else, whether it’s her Gram or her best friend next door, Bridget, or the weirdest boy at school, Marcus.  In a beautifully executed subplot, we learn about the physical and psychological aspects of grief, especially through a series of letters she writes to her sister’s imaginary friend, Jilly, and then to the family that she misses so dearly.

My most beloved practicum supervisor included this book in her list of favorite reads for 2009.  I can see why.  Although the book is about a tween, I would recommend it to just about anyone.  The themes of interdependence, overcoming loss, and what constitutes a family are universal and LaFleur does a remarkable job of making them all accessible to the reader.  Although this book is probably intended for upper elementary aged readers, I would include it for middle schoolers and even high schoolers (one resource I checked recommended this as a YA book).  Adults should read it to get a perspective on children and grief.

Just like Peace, Locomotion, I think this book would make a valuable resource for teaching children about corresponding.  It could be used to preface a program about journaling or writing letters.  Also, it absolutely needs to be included in a pathfinder or display about overcoming grief.

Peace, Locomotion

Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson; published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 2009.

In the follow-up to the Coretta Scott King Honor winner Locomotion, Lonnie Collins Motion, or Locomotion, is living with a foster family while his sister, Lili, lives with another foster family across town.  In order to feel connected to her, and to document his life apart from Lili, 12-year-old Locomotion writes letters.  Sometimes they’re just a couple of sentences long, sometimes they include a poem, but mostly they expose the difficulties and triumphs of Locomotion’s transition into a new life and a new family.  Because his foster brother is away at war, Lonnie decides that discovering all he can learn about “peace” will be his goal; praying for it, writing about it, seeking it out in his daily routines.  He finds peace in so many places: the substitute teacher that reminds him that he is a poet; a kiss on the top of the head from Miss Edna; a running hug from a Saturday meeting with Lili; and even in a discussion about crocuses with mean Miss Shore.  In the end, Locomotion’s undaunted spirit soars and I believe he’s taking many other souls with him.

Woodson’s lyrical style shines.  Each chapter opens with “Dear Lili” and ends with endearing riffs on “Love, Lonnie” or “Peace, Locomotion.”  Upper elementary and middle schoolers (well, maybe only through seventh grade) should enjoy the story.  Teachers could use the letter style as a springboard to writing activities.  Discussion topics are amazingly diverse as well–family and friendship; war and peace; the power of words to hurt or help; and even sickle cell anemia.

My emotions were on my sleeve as I read Locomotion’s letters.  Questions rose to the surface: What defines a family? Can wanting something enough, even something as ethereal as peace, make it come true?  I think this book would be ideal to use during National Adoption Month, or in any display or pathfinder about families.  Since the audiobook was one of three Honor Recordings in the 2010 Odyssey Award race, I think it would be great to pair the book with the audio version and promote it for reluctant readers or struggling readers.

I am ashamed to admit I never read Locomotion. Fortunately, Peace, Locomotion stands on its own. I will be checking the first book out at the library soon….

Joey Pigza really knocked…oh! look! a chicken!

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos; published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux; New YorkFarrar, Straus and Giroux,New York; 2000.

Joey Pigza has Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; that fact is portrayed in Gantos’ manic, run-on style from the first sentence in the first paragraph of this entry in the Joey Pigza saga (and a Newbery Honor book).  In this book, Joey spends the summer with a father he’s never known, a father with his own manic issues.  What follows is a peek inside the mind of a child who knows what it feels like to be an outsider, whose medication has given him a glimpse of mainstream life; a child who is more responsible than his father.

My son could be Joey Pigza; through Gantos’ descriptions, I got a glimpse of what the world looks like through his eyes.  I would use this in a display about diversity (because it’s about a kid with special needs).  I would booktalk it to upper elementary students as well since I think all kids would benefit from looking at the world through Joey’s eyes.  I’d also be sure it appears on a pathfinder about special needs, diversity, or a similar topic.

Tyger, tyger burning bright

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo; published by Candlewick Press, Cambridge, MA; 2001.

Rob Horton and Sistine Bailey are unlikely friends—he is a quiet “sissy” and she is an outspoken tomboy.  However, they share devastating pain caused by the loss of a parent.  They also share a secret, a brightly burning tiger caged in the woods.  Through artistic expression (poetry, painting, sculpture) they find inner strength to rise up from their own anguish and try to set a tiger free of his.

This book followed Because of Winn-Dixie, DiCamillo’s debut novel and Newbery Award winner.  Her sophomore novel was recognized as a National Book Award finalist.  DiCamillo sure knows how to write a book!

I am deeply moved by all of DiCamillo’s novels and this was no exception.    I think this would be a wonderful book to use with an upper elementary (fourth and/or fifth grade) book discussion group.  A plethora of activities are available on the Web for this book and I’d use some online museum exhibits to explore the Sistine Chapel and the poetry of Robert Burns as extension activities with a discussion of this book.

Ooh, to live in a museum

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg; published by Scholastic, New York; 1967.

Claudia Kincaid needed something, some change, in her life.  So she convinces her brother Jamie to run away from home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.  There adventure really takes off when a statue is delivered to the museum, and the mystery of its origins takes root in Claudia’s imagination.  Those roots develop into an adventure of self-discovery.

The author’s afterword in the edition I read provided insight into the characters and their transformations.  Following the afterward are remarkably rich resources, including a list of discussion group questions and activities.

I would most definitely use this book with any museum tie-in program at the library—including a program based on Night at the Museum that would use books and online exhibits.  Using online exhibits from a variety of museums, but especially the Met, would bring this story to life.

Can’t believe I’d never read this one before!

The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson; published by Harper Trophy, New York, 1977.

Jess and Leslie get off to a rough start when she moves into Jess’ neighborhood but it isn’t long before they overcome their differences and discover that they share a special gift: the ability to imagine a world they dub Terabithia.  There they are safe no matter the adventure.  That is, they are safe until one fateful afternoon when Leslie meets with disaster when she tries to visit Terabithia alone.  In the end, Jess must deal with grief and rebuilding relationships.

The illustrations are superfluous to the emotional text that paints a story strong enough to bring tears to the eyes.  I would recommend this book for upper elementary students (even middle schoolers) who are looking for a story that is more than an adventure—to students looking for a more mature read.  Perhaps I would tie it in with the movie version; especially because Terabithia is much more developed in the book than in the movie.

By the way, I just learned that Katherine Paterson is the heir-apparent to Jon Scieszka as the National Ambassador for Children’s Literature.  Brava!

An old friend revisited

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo; Candlewick Press; Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2000.

Opal Buloni is new to town.  Her father has distanced himself from Opal after her mother abandons the family.  Aside from him, Opal seems to have no one, no friends.  When she goes to the grocery store, she comes home with more than she bargained for—a funny mutt, Winn-Dixie, who changes her life.  With Winn-Dixie, Opal makes friends and connects with her father.

I revisited this classic after reading DiCamillo’s newest novel for younger readers, The Magician’s Elephant (which I reviewed in my YA book blog, http://3amoeba.wordpress.com).  I was as delighted reading it this time as I was the first.  DiCamillo has a way of finding the crux of a character and then building upon the strengths and weaknesses, as she demonstrates so effectively in this book.  Opal’s profound sense of loss and loneliness superimposed on her improbable cast of new friends gives hope for answers to the most confounding problems.

This book of loss and hope could be used in displays and pathfinders about dogs and/or friendship.  I think it would be fun paired with the movie for a discussion about the similarities and differences.  In addition, I’d certainly recommend it to teachers to use as read-alouds or recommended reading for students (in part because there are so many teacher resources online for this title).