The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Alexie Sherman
Sherman, A. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part time Indian. New York: Little Brown.
ISBN: 142876450X

Plot

Arnold Spirit is a young person growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Life there is hard. People are poor, alcoholism is rampant and death often comes at too early an age. Arnold was born with a condition he calls "water on the brain" which makes him susceptible to head injuries. Arnold becomes disenchanted with the quality of education he is receiving on the rez. Encouraged by a white teacher, he makes a bold decision to attend high school in town. He is looked at as a traitor by his people. His best friend Rowdy won't talk to him. People shun him. At the white high school, he is treated as an outsider. He is between two worlds. Arnold makes a couple new friends and goes out for the basketball team. The big game is against his old high school from the rez with their star player, Rowdy. When Arnold beats Rowdy for a lay-up, Rowdy whacks him in the back of the head, where he is most vulnerable! There is more sadness for Arnold as his sister dies in a fire and his grandmother is killed by a drunk driver. Arnold struggles to come to terms with the contradictory nature of his life.

Critical Evaluation

For all it's sadness, this is a delightful coming of age story. The character of Arnold is funny and thoughtful. His feelings are conveyed through his drawings and his narrative. One of the ironic things about this book is that, in order to find and express his true self, Arnold must leave his tribal home. To remain on the rez, would be to capitulate before a dead-end future. This is an excellent story for tweens. The humor is typical of the age group, yet there is depth and sorrow in the choices Arnold must make to preserve himself. This book is based on the author's life. 

Readers Annotation

This is the wonderful story of a poor boy named Arnold growing up on an Indian Reservation who chooses to better his life. Death and danger surround him on the reservation, but what will happen when he ventures out into the white world to attend their high school? Arnold will find a new set of problems when he makes the bold decision to seek an education of the rez. Will his life improve or will this be the biggest mistake he has ever made?

About the Author

Born in 1966, Sherman Alexi grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. He was born hydrocephalic and had surgery on his brain at 3. He was an avid reader as a child. He attended Washington State University. His first book of poems was published when he was 23. He continued to write poetry and short stories throughout his 20's. He published his first novel, Reservation Blues, in 1995. He has branched out to screen writing, film making and stand up comedy. He has received numerous awards for his poetry, novels and films, including the 2007 National Book Award for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two sons.

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Humor

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Social Studies

Booktalk Ideas: Friendship, betrayal, making tough choices

Reading Level: Grade 6+
Interest Level: Grade 7+
Challenge Issues: Violence, sex, language. The events portrayed in this story represent a realistic view of the experience of reservation Indians. Those who wish to challenge this book may find themselves also trying to defend the treatment of Native Americans. I would defend this book on that basis. It is also a National Book Award winner.

This book is included because it is a wonderfully told coming of age story.

Wicked Poems

Wicked Poems edited by Roger McGough

McGough, R. (2004). Wicked poems. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

ISBN: 0747561958

Plot

The poems in this book share the theme of wickedness. Some are scary like Unstable Mable by Brian Patten: "Her eyes are ablaze, like cinders, like fire, And her dark hair is tangled like razor sharp wire." Some are tragically poignantly like The Stones by Brendan Kelly in which an old woman is mistaken for an imaginary creature used by parents to scare their children into obedience. The children "Stalking the little weary traveller -- Ten, twenty, thirty, forty. Numbers gave them courage..." stone the old woman. Some are merely fun like By the Pricking of My Thumbs by George Szirtes: "By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes." All are enjoyable.

Critical Evaluation

This is an excellent collection of wicked poems by poets past and present. The content is varied, but the theme maintained. This would be an excellent book to recommend at Halloween. The subject matter is perfect for tweens.

Readers Annotation

This is the perfect book for those seeking instant gratification in chills and laughs. There are funny poems, scary poems and some poems that are scary and funny. This is the poetry book for those who don't like poetry. There's something for everyone in this entertaining collection.

About the Author

Roger McGough was born in Litherland, England in 1937. He is a well known English performance poet. He began as a lyricist for his rock band competing with The Beatles for attention in Liverpool in the early 60's. He has gone on to publish several books of poetry. He is a Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University. He is a Vice President of The Poetry Society of London.

Genre: Humor, Horror, Poetry

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Scary themes.

Reading Level: Grade 4+
Interest Level: Grade 4+
Challenge Issues: Individual poems could be challenged. But there is no real overt, gratuitous violence or controversial language.

This is a fun and scary book that is a good introduction for tweens to substantial poetry. Exposure to poetry in an entertaining way is important for this age group.

A Light in the Attic

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

Silverstein, S. (1981). A light in the attic. New York: Harper Collins.

ISBN: 0060256737

Plot

This is a collection of amusing poems and illustrations by Shel Silverstein. In this book are characters such as the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. There are adventures with a frisbee and a mountain that snores. Find out what happens when someone steals your knees and much more.

Critical Evaluation

Shel Silverstein's poems and illustrations are whimsical and truly funny. He turns a phrase with ease and his rhymes describe situations which many of us may ponder, but few of us vocalize. He has a great imagination that children and tweens will relate to.

Readers Annotation

Ever wonder what your reflection is thinking? Want to talk with the Broiled Face? Who cleans up the stars? If you've ever wonder any of these things, or even if you haven't, you will enjoy Shel Silverstein's delightfully imaginative collection of poems and illustrations.

About the Author

Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) began as a cartoonist for Pacific Stars and Stripes as a G.I. His first book was a compilation of his cartoons for that newspaper. He was a playwright and a song writer. His songs include "A Boy Named Sue," sung by Johnny Cash and "The Cover of the Rolling Stone" sung by Dr. Hook. His early career as a writer did not include children's books. He began writing for children at the suggestion of one of his editors at Harper Collins. He discovered that he liked writing for children, so he continued. His poetry books were immensely popular upon publication. A Light in the Attic spent 182 weeks on the New York Times List. He admits that he never studied poetry, so he developed his own style.

Genre: Humor, Poetry

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Imagination

Reading Level: Grade 3+
Interest Level: Grade 3+
Challenge Issues: None

This book is widely enjoyed by children of all ages, including tweens. It is a great introduction to poetry.

Falling Up

Falling Up by Shel Silverstein

Silverstein, S. (1996). Falling up. New York: Harper Collins

ISBN: 0060248025

Plot

This collection of wacky poems includes such characters as Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Danny O'Dare, the dancing bear, Long-Leg Lou and Short-Leg Sue. There are poems about the Spoiled Brat in the Boilin' Vat and Shanna in the Suana. Equally wacky illustrations by the author accompany each poem.

Critical Evaluation

Shel Silverstein's poems and illustrations are whimsical and truly funny. He turns a phrase with ease and his rhymes describe situations which many of us may ponder, but few of us vocalize. He has a great imagination that children and tweens will relate to.

Readers Annotation

Come and wander through the Nose Garden, visit the People Zoo (Do Not Feed the Kid!), and Fall Up into the wacky world of fantasy that could only come from the mind of Shel Silverstein. These poems will tickle your funny bone and trigger your imagination.

About the Author

Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) began as a cartoonist for Pacific Stars and Stripes as a G.I. His first book was a compilation of his cartoons for that newspaper. He was a playwright and a song writer. His songs include "A Boy Named Sue," sung by Johnny Cash and "The Cover of the Rolling Stone" sung by Dr. Hook. His early career as a writer did not include children's books. He began writing for children at the suggestion of one of his editors at Harper Collins. He discovered that he liked writing for children, so he continued. His poetry books were immensely popular upon publication. A Light in the Attic spent 182 weeks on the New York Times List. He admits that he never studied poetry, so he developed his own style.

Genre: Humor. Poetry

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Using your imagination

Reading Level: Grade 3+
Interest Level: Grade 3+
Challenge Issues: None

This book is included because tweens love the humorous writing and silly drawings of Silverstein. This book is a good introduction to poetry.

Holes

Holes by Louis Sachar

Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. New York: Random House

ISBN: 0440414806

Plot

This is story of many characters unfolding over different time periods that are all intertwined. Stanley Yelnats is a middle schooler wrongly convicted of stealing tennis shoes. He blames his bad luck on the curse placed on his great, great grandfather years ago in the old country. Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake as his punishment. Camp Green Lake is a dried up lake bed where the warden forces the boys to dig holes to build character. It is revealed that the warden is seeking treasure believed to be buried in the lake bed by the bandit Kissin' Kate Barlow generations ago. Kate was a school teacher in the town who resorted to a life of crime when her black lover, Sam, was murdered because of the bigotry and fear surrounding interacial relationships at the time. Stanley ends up running away to find his friend, Zero, who had disappeared from the camp earlier. Stanley and Zero cross the lake bed and climb the cliffs on the other side in search of water. Stanley ends up carrying Zero when he becomes too weak. The two boys figure out that an item they had dug out of the ground back at the camp most likely belonged to Kate Barlow. They decide to return to the camp to search the hole. They unearth a bag, but the warden tries to take it from them. Stanley's lawyer shows up. Stanley is being released from Camp Green Lake. The warden wants the bag, but Zero (whom Stanley has been teaching to read) points out that Stanley's name is on the bag. It seems his great, great grandfather was robbed by Kissin' Kate after moving here from the old country. It seems Stanley is connected to the bag, Kissin' Kate Barlow and Zero. These are the elements which help Stanley solve the mystery of the family curse.

Critical Evaluation

This multi-generational story is infinitely readable. It is well paced, suspenseful and mysterious. It is also a story filled with a wry sense of humor. The characters are well drawn and interesting. The interaction between the boys at the camp is believable. The depiction on incarceration is excellent. It is age appropriate for early tweens. There are no depictions of sex or violence. This book was the Newbery Winner for 1999.

Readers Annotation

When Stanley Yelnats is sentenced to a rehabilitation camp for wayward boys after wrongly being convicted of stealing, he is forced into hard labor digging holes in a dry lake bed. He soon learns that he and the other boys at the camp are being used by the warden to find something she thinks is buried there. What could be buried under a dried-up lake? And what does it have to do with the curse placed on Stanley's family years ago? Stanley tries to dig up the truth in this wonderful story.

About the Author

Louis Sachar was born in 1954 in New York. His family moved to California and he graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. He worked in an elementary school part time while in college. The experience inspired him to begin writing children's books. He lives in Austin with his wife and child.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Social Studies

Booktalk Ideas: Crime and punishment, Curses

Reading Level: Grade 4.5+
Interest Level: Grade 4+
Challenge Issues: None

This book is included because it's a great story, easy to read and a Newbery winner.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

Kinney, J. (2009). Diary of a wimpy kid the last straw (1st ed.). New York: Amulet Books.

ISBN: 9780810988927

Plot

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a funny series of books about the trials and tribulations of middle-schooler Greg Heffley. These books are arranged like a diary with hand-lettered entries and drawings. In this version, Greg is trying to outsmart his father who wants him to change his wimpy ways. Finally, his Dad threatens to send him to military school if he doesn’t shape up. Through a series of adventures and misadventures that befall most tweens trying to navigate everyday life, Greg tries to escape the awful fate of military school.

Critical Evaluation

This series by Jeff Kinney is truly funny. As an adult, I found myself laughing outloud at much of it. Diary of a Wimpy Kid takes a look at life from a middle-schooler's vantage point and finds humor in everyday situations. The format is particularly well suited to the reluctant reader. Tweens love these books.

Readers Annotation
The adventures of Greg Heffley, middle-schooler  extradonaire, are hilarious. All of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are funny.  Read them all and have a laugh bonanza!

About the Author
Jeff Kinney is the creator of Poptropica.com, and the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C. area, and moved to New England in 1995. He lives in southern Massachusetts with his wife, Julie, and their two sons, Will and Grant.

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Humor
Curriculum Ties: Language Arts
Booktalk Ideas: Funny situations, embarrassing situations
Reading Level: Grade 4+
Interest Level: Grade 4+
Challenge Issues: None

This book is included because tweens love it. It relates to their everyday life and is truly funny.

ttyl

ttyl by Lauren Myracle
Myracle, L. (2004). ttyl. New York: Amulet Books
ISBN: 0810987880

Plot

Maddie, Angela and Zoe have just started 10th Grade. Like most teens, they communicate with instant messages when they are apart. Maddie is madmaddie, Zoe is zoegirl and Angela is SnowAngel. The girls have been best friends since 7th grade. They IM each other with their day-to-day experiences, feelings and plans. Maddie is trying to hang with Jana, who is Queen Bee of the school. Zoe is growing closer to her teacher, Mr. H. Angela has a crush! There are a lot of interesting things that they share together. Maddie dances on a table top at frat party shirtless. Mr. H makes a move on Zoe in a hot tub. Jana circulates a photo of Maddie dancing at the frat party. Maddie gets mad at Zoe and Angela and refeuses to speak to them.

Critical Evaluation

This book is written in the langauge of IM's. Punctuation is an after thought. ttyl (talk to you later) is a slice of everyday life served up in the style of digital teen communication. The interaction  between the girls is realistic. They gossip, LOL, fight, kiss and make-up. There are accounts of underage drinking and inappropriate behavior by both grown-ups and teens. The IM's are peppered with occasional offensive language. This book will be off high interest to tween girls who want, more than anything, to be in high school.

Readers Annotation

Maddie, Zoe and Angela are BFF's entering the 10th grade. They are looking forward to a fun and exciting year. But, OMG! Who could've guessed that Zoe's teacher would start flirting with her or that Maddie would dance topless on top of a table and quit speaking to the other two? This book, written the language of instant messages, is LOL fun! (IMO)

About the Author

Lauren Myracle, author of Kissing Kate, holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. Born in North Carolina in 1969, she currently lives in Colorado with her husband and 2 sons.

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Humor

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Best friends

Reading Level: Grade 7+
Interest Level: Grade 7+
Challenge Issues: Language, Sexual Situations. This book has the occasional offensive word. I would defend it by pointing out that teenagers really talk this way and that it is not prevalent. The sexual situations are also realistic. They are not explicit and are used as an object lesson for young girls.

This book is included because it is of high interest to tween girls.

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book (1st ed.). New York: Harper Collins

ISBN: 9780060530921

Plot
When a toddler's family is murdered by a mysterious, knife wielding stranger named Jack, he wanders off into a graveyard where he is adopted by the ghostly denizens there. The kindly Owens couple give him his name: Nobody Owens. Bod has to learn how to navigate his environment as a living person. He meets a living girl named Scarlett when he is 4 and she is 5. They visit the tomb of the ancients and encounter the frightening Sleer. Scarlett moves away. His guardian, Silas (a wise vampire-like creature), leaves him at 6 in the care of a woman named Miss Lupescu who later proves to be a werewolf and saves him from the underworld of ghouls. He develops a crush on a ghost in potter's field named Liza when he is 8. He ventures into the living town to sell a broach stolen from the ancient tomb to purchase a proper gravestone for her. There he encounters evil and barely escapes. He is sent back out into the world at 13 to attend school. But he uses his graveyard skills to right injustices there and exposes himself as dangerously different and strange. He returns to the graveyard and continues his education there until Scarlett returns one day. She begins to piece together the mystery of what happened to his family. Scarlett and Bod are confronted by Jack and his evil cohorts from a secret society named the "Jack of All Trades." They run to the graveyard, where Bod must try to outsmart the Jacks to save Scarlett and himself. In the process, he will lose something he never knew he needed.

Critical Evaluation

The Graveyard Book is truly scary novel. It is beautifully written. It is, at heart, a coming-of-age story, where the protagonist has to go through painful trials to grow into a man. Beyond that, it is just a great story. It is suspenseful, inventive, creepy, exciting and funny all at once. Gaiman is a masterful storyteller. This book is written at a level appropiate for tweens. It is very scary, however, so it is not for everyone. This story won the Newbery Medal in 2008.

Readers Annotation

Except for the fact that he is being raised by ghosts in a graveyard and that his family was murdered by a heinous slasher and that his life is in danger from the same man and that his name is Nobody, Bod is a normal boy. This is the supernatural, mysterious, scary and, sometimes, humorous telling of his journey through this strange upbringing to his emergence in the equally scary living world. This book is a suspense-filled thrill ride.

About the Author

Neil Gaiman was born in England in 1960 and raised in West Sussex. As a young person he read C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Edgar Allen Poe, among others. His writing career began as a journalist. He then moved on to graphic novels and produced the popular and award winning Sandman series. His books for children include the New York Times bestselling Coraline. He currently resides in Minneapolis and is a divorced father of three.

Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction, Horror

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts

Booktalk Ideas: Facing fears

Reading Level: Grade 5+
Interest Level: Grade 5+
Challenge Issues: The Supernatural, Murder. I would defend this book on the basis that the ghosts represent something more than just manifestations of supernatural beings. The depiction of the murder is probably not something I would want anyone under the age of 13 or so reading. But, it is beautifully written and it is the Newbery Medal winner.

This book is included because it is a great, scary story that just happened to win the Newbery Medal.