Gone Fishing

Wissinger, Tamara Will. 2013. GONE FISHING: A NOVEL IN VERSE. Ill. by Matthew Cordell. Toronto: HMH. ISBN 0547820119 [Suggested Grade Levels 1 - 5]

REVIEW
Tamara Will Wissinger’s novel is verse is a grab bag of poetry styles made into a fun novel.  At first, Sam doesn’t want his sister, Lucy, to go fishing with him and his dad, but Lucy talks her way into it.  Will it be a complete nightmare, like Sam imagines?  Who will catch the most fish?  Will it even matter in the end?  Wissinger uses all sorts of poetic forms: haiku, how-to, switcheroo, and many more to create a complete story with a happy ending.

Matthew Cordell’s sweet caricature-like illustrations throughout this novel in verse help keep this story sweet and light.  The drawings are simple black and white with grey watercolor shading.

After the story, the reader is presented with a “Poet’s Tackle Box,” explaining all sorts of ideas about poems and poetry.

CONNECTIONS
Have students write a poem about an activity to do with their parent/guardian/grandparent. 
Discuss the different types of poetry used throughout the novel.  Assign students different styles to find in other poetry books or even have them create some on their own.

RELATED BOOKS
Shannon, David. JANGLES: A BIG FISH STORY. ISBN 0545143128
Creech, Sharon. LOVE THAT DOG. ISBN 0756913802

By Lisa M. Zinkie

Doug Unplugged

Yaccarino, Dan. 2013. DOUG UNPLUGGED. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780375966439 [Suggested Grade Levels P-2]

REVIEW

In this delightful picture book, Doug the robot lives with his parents in the city. Since they want him to be the smartest little robot, Doug’s parents plug him into the computer every morning for his daily downloads. While he learns a lot of facts about his city, Doug’s real learning takes place when he unplugs to take an unscheduled trip around town. He discovers many things not mentioned in his downloads, such as cool water on a hot day feels refreshing and subways are noisy when they make turns. Before the end, Doug even learns how to play games at the park and eagerly shares his new knowledge with his family.

Dan Yaccarino’s unique retro illustrations perfectly complement this story of a robot exploring the city. Through the use of a few bold colors and dark lines, the pages pop with energy and movement. Observant readers will enjoy city facts written in the computer grid, but the real fun starts when Doug decides to unplug. Young children will thoroughly enjoy Doug’s journey around his city, especially when he meets a friend who teaches him how to play. This little robot’s enthusiasm relates well with readers that understand the importance of learning more than just facts. A sequel about Doug’s trip to a farm will be published soon.

CONNECTIONS

This is an excellent book for story time and a discussion about communities or making new friends. Consider sharing other titles with retro-inspired illustrations for an art lesson.

RELATED BOOKS

Other picture books written or illustrated by Dan Yaccarino:

Dyckman, Ame. BOY + BOT. ISBN 9780375867569

Yaccarino, Dan. EVERY FRIDAY. ISBN 9781250004734

Yaccarino, Dan. LAWN TO LAWN. ISBN 9780375855740

By Kimberly C. Kinnaird

Fish for Jimmy

Yamasaki, Katie. 2013. FISH FOR JIMMY: INSPRIED BY ONE FAMILY’S EXPERIENCE IN A JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMP. Ill. by Katie Yamasaki. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 9780823423750 [Suggested Grade Levels 1-4]

REVIEW

Jimmy and Taro are Japanese-American brothers, born to parents who emigrated from Japan prior to World War II. They enjoyed their lives of swimming in the ocean off the California coast and working in their parents’ vegetable market. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Jimmy, Taro, and their mother are forced into an internment camp while the father went to prison. Jimmy becomes horribly depressed and refuses to eat. Taro, his brother, begins sneaking out of the camp to catch the fish Jimmy so very much loves in order to create some sense of normalcy in Jimmy's life, as well as to save Jimmy’s health.

In an author’s note, Yamasaki explains details from Fish for Jimmy are based on a true story, although the story itself is fiction. Yamasaki shares photographs of her great-grandfather, on whom this story is based, as well as the internment camp where the great-grandfather was located. The acrylic-on-canvas illustrations are emotional and tell a story far beyond what words can convey.  Most pages contain surrealistic elements in addition to the standard illustrations to enhance what is occurring internally.

CONNECTIONS

Fish for Jimmy lends itself to study about internment camps, the Japanese-American experience during World War II, and using art to convey emotion and to enhance text.

RELATED BOOKS

Other books for children about the Japanese internment camp experience during World War II:

Bunting, Eve. SO FAR FROM THE SEA. ISBN 9780547237527

Mochizuki, Ken. BASEBALL SAVED US. ISBN 9781880000199

By Jennifer E. Richey

Boxers and Saints

Yang, Gene Luen. 2013. BOXERS & SAINTS. New York City, NY: First Second. ISBN 9781596439245 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]

REVIEW

The Boxer Rebellion in China at the turn of the 20^th Century was a reaction to oppression of the Chinese by the English and Christian missionaries.  Boxers & Saints, a paired graphic novel set by Gene Luen Yang, tell two contrasting viewpoints of the rebellion, both Chinese. 

Boxers tells the story of a peasant named Bao inspired by ancient Chinese spirits and caught up in the growing momentum of the rebellion.  Saints however, tells the story of a girl who runs away from an unhappy home to work with Christian missionaries.  Both stories are complex discussions of human nature.  Neither perspective is glorified or vilified. 

The rebellion was against foreign influence in China, and Yang’s choice in perspectives is noteworthy.  Rather than provide insight into the Christian missionaries or foreign European armies whose presence sparked the Boxer Rebellion, Yang creates complex Chinese characters on opposing sides of the conflict.  Yang gave a complex voice to women and peasants during an oppressive and rebellious time in Chinese history.

Between the two conflicting perspectives, neither is proven more righteous.  Both include understandable and relatable motivations alongside questionable decisions.  The Boxer Rebellion was complex and remains controversial. While capturing that essence, Yang tells a fascinating story sure to enthrall even some of the most reluctant readers.

CONNECTIONS

Historical fiction is powerful in its way of humanizing historical time periods.  This graphic novel box set would be a powerful addition to any high school or college level history course, as it reminds its readers to look beyond the facts and dates to the complex reactions and motivations felt by the people most closely involved.

RELATED BOOKS

Other examples of historical fiction with unique perspectives

Maus

Persepolis

Cecelia, a Slave

By Emily Bredberg

5th Wave

Yancey, Rick. 2013. 5^TH WAVE. Putnam. 

Ten Birds Meet a Monster

Young, Cybele. 2013. TEN BIRDS MEET A MONSTER. Ill. by Cybele Young. Toronto: Kids Can Press. ISBN 1554539552 [Suggested Grade Levels P - 3]

REVIEW
In this counting book/story book, Cybele Young shares the story of ten birds who encounter a very scary monster just in the next room.  The first of the birds tries to create a counter-monster to scare the original one, very resourceful, but is unsuccessful.  The following eight birds add to the first to make even bigger and scarier counter-monsters.  Finally, bird number ten unknowingly helps solve it all.

Young illustrates great numbers for this story that causal readers may not notice at first.  In addition, her birds, clothing, and accessories add to the fun of this mystery counting book.  The black and white drawings are well detailed and enhance the mysterious mood of the monster looming in the other room.

CONNECTIONS
Have children create their own monster that would scare others away.  Use computer drawing programs or paper to let kids’ imaginations go wild.

RELATED BOOKS
Young, Cybele. TEN BIRDS. ISBN 1554535689
Schaefer, Lola M. LIFETIME: THE AMAZING NUMBERS IN ANIMAL LIVES. ISBN 1452107149

By Lisa M. Zinkie