Sunrise Over Fallujah

Myers, Walter Dean. 2008. SUNRISE OVER FALLUJAH. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439916240 [Suggested Grade Levels 7-12]

REVIEW
After 9/11, Robin decides not to go to college but to join the army instead. Early in 2003, he is sent to Iraq as part of a Civil Affairs unit that is charged with minimizing fighting and building the trust of the Iraqi people. It is a dangerous job and Robin discovers that he can only trust the men in his unit. As so many people have learned, he learns that there is no easy resolution to the problems in Iraq and that much of both the good and the bad will never make the news. His optimism and the optimism of those in his unit begins to turn to despair. In letters home to his family, Robin tries to hide his fear about his situation and to be comforting to those at home. In this memorable coming of age story, the eighteen year old becomes a man.

War is a reality but a difficult subject to talk about. Myers’ newest books speak to the young men and women who face the possibility of military service.

CONNECTIONS
Use as the basis for a debate as to who war is the hardest on—those who fight or those who must stay at home and worry.

Use for a current events themed lesson that looks at what led up to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

RELATED BOOKS
Other young adult books about coping with war:
Aronson, Marc and Patty Campbell. WAR IS…SOLDIERS, SURVIVORS AND STORYTELLERS TALK ABOUT WAR. ISBN 9780763642310
Myers, Walter Dean. FALLEN ANGELS. ISBN 9780545055765

By Jane Claes

Stitchin' and Pullin': A Gee's Bend Quilt

McKissack, Patricia C. 2008. STITCHIN’ AND PULLIN’: A GEE’S BEND QUILT. Ill. by Cozbi A. Cabrera. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375831638 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]

REVIEW
Gee’s Bend, Alabama gained recent notoriety as a haven of African-American art. Most of the residents are descendants of slaves. Art collector Matt Arnett describes the artistic and traditional spirit of the people in an introduction to the story. McKissack’s free-verse narrative then tells the story of Baby Girl, who grows from playing under the quilting frame to producing her own quilt. As tradition dictates, Baby Girl struggles to make the patches of her own quilt represent her family, important social events, and the emotions she feels as she tries to make sense of it all.

Many of the original quilts from the Gee’s Bend collection have been adapted into the full-page painted illustrations. An author’s note at the end of the story gives further information about quilting and its role in many cultures. Like the results of Baby Girl’s hard work, the story’s symbolism, the community’s history, and the importance of art are pieced together into a wonderful product that children and adults will find very satisfying.

CONNECTIONS
Gather a few “touchable” quilts for examination. Conduct an online tour of quilting sites to see more examples of quilts. Discuss the different colors, patterns, and textures of the fabrics, and ask why the quilter might have chosen to incorporate those pieces. Schedule members of a local quilt guild to show off their talents by talking about the history of quilting in your area, or by teaching youngsters to quilt a simple project.

RELATED BOOKS
Other picture books about quilting and heritage:
Flournoy, Valerie. THE PATCHWORK QUILT. ISBN 9780803700970
Hopkinson, Deborah. UNDER THE QUILT OF NIGHT. ISBN 9780689822278
Polacco, Patricia. THE KEEPING QUILT. ISBN 9780689844478

By Rebecca S. McKee

The Runaway Dolls

Martin, Ann M. and Laura Godwin. 2008. THE RUNAWAY DOLLS. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 9780786855841 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]

REVIEW
The third book in the DOLL PEOPLE series begins with a visual flashback. A package in the doll maker’s shop falls unnoticed behind a cabinet. One hundred years later the newly found package arrives by mail at the Palmer family home. The mysterious package containing Annabelle Doll’s long lost baby sister creates a dilemma. Will the package, which is addressed to an unfamiliar name, be sent back unopened? Annabelle and Tiffany take a chance, freeing baby doll Tilly May and running away. Their adventure takes them from the front yard, to the woods, to a department store and eventually back home.

Readers of the first two books in the series will happily reconnect with these quirky doll characters as they find their way into and out of a seemingly impossible predicament, but new readers will find the book stands alone nicely. Initially, Selznick’s signature pencil drawings set the stage for the story in sixteen almost wordless pages. Throughout the novel, his plentiful page decorations and illustrations integrate with text in a narrative readers won’t easily put down.

CONNECTIONS
Compare this series with other books in which toys come to life. Narrate a story about a toy you own that comes to life.

RELATED BOOKS
Other books in this series:
THE DOLL PEOPLE. ISBN 9780786803613
THE MEANEST DOLL IN THE WORLD. ISBN 0786808780

Other books in which toys come to life:
Banks, Lynne Reid. THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD. ISBN 9780385170512
DiCamillo, Kate. THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE. ISBN 9780763625894
Jenkins, Emily. TOYS GO OUT. ISBN 9780375836046
Milne, A.A. COMPLETE TALES OF WINNIE THE POOH. ISBN 9780525457237
Williams, Margery. THE VELVETEEN RABBIT OR, HOW TOYS BECOME REAL. ISBN 9780312377502

By Suzy Parchman

Jellicoe Road

Marchetta, Melina. 2008. JELLICOE ROAD. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780061431838 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]

REVIEW
It’s war—again. Taylor is the reluctant and not particularly popular leader of the students at Jellicoe School as the annual war with the Townies and the Cadets begins. No one quite understands why this occurs each year, but they all take it very seriously. But this year is different. The leaders of the three factions have a “history,” one that they do not even completely understand. All three leaders have their personal demons—Chaz Santangelo, the Townie leader and policeman’s son, wants his father to appreciate him even though he understands his father loves him; Jonah Griggs, the leader of the Cadets is still trying to get over the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father; and Taylor Markham who was abandoned by her mother and never knew her father, is trying to understand why her guardian, Hannah, has disappeared. Hannah has left the manuscript of a book she has been writing for years, and as Taylor reads this she begins to comprehend how they are all linked, why the wars begin, and how much the three of them need each other.

This Printz Medal winner by Australian Marchetta Melina is powerful, complex, and rich. Part mystery, part coming of age, part love story, and at times, almost surreal and stream of consciousness, this is a book to savor.

CONNECTIONS
The richness of the writing would make this a good novel for high school English novel study and lends itself to comparison with other books with parallel themes.

It also offers the opportunity to look at the boarding school experience set in Australia and the unique and universal qualities apparent in this distinctive setting.

RELATED BOOKS:
Other books about discovering the truth:
Green, John. LOOKING FOR ALASKA. ISBN 0525475060
Peet, Mal. TAMAR. ISBN 98707636354889
Plum-Ucci, Carol. THE BODY OF CHRISTOPHER CREED. ISBN 9780786816415

By Janet Hilbun

The Willoughbys

Lowry, Lois. 2008. THE WILLOUGHBYS. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618979745 [Suggested Grade Levels 4-7]

REVIEW
Lois Lowry presents a clever parody of “old-fashioned” works of children’s literature with her tale of the four Willoughby children. Tim, Barnaby A, Barnaby B, and Jane belong to a family resembling those of classic books. Their tale includes the usual cast of characters; the neglectful parents, an “odious” nanny, and a wealthy recluse. When the children create a plan to become “worthy and winsome orphans,” their parents gladly accept the danger-filled trip around the world as an excuse to abandon their offspring. Thanks to Nanny’s capable guidance, a conveniently placed baby, and a generous benefactor, the Willoughbys manage to find their “old-fashioned” happy ending.

Lowry’s tongue-in-check writing style will be popular with middle school students. The humorous and witty story line is sure to grab readers’ attention as they follow the improbable chain of events so common in earlier works of children’s literature. This book will definitely lead to conversations comparing modern works of literature with the classics that are still well liked today.

CONNECTIONS
Observant readers will enjoy identifying the literary references in Lowry’s adaptation of classic children’s books. This novel would make an excellent literature circle selection, allowing students to make comparisons with their favorite “old-fashioned” stories, like THE JUNGLE BOOK or THE SECRET GARDEN. Readers could write their own parodies as an entertaining extension activity.

RELATED BOOKS
Other parodies or adaptations of classic literature:
Birdsall, Jeanne. THE PENDERWICKS: A SUMMER TALE OF FOUR SISTERS, TWO RABBITS, AND A VERY INTERESTING BOY. ISBN 9780440420477
Snicket, Lemony. THE COMPLETE WRECK: A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, BOOKS 1-13. Ill. by Brett Helquist. ISBN 9780061119064

By Kimberly C. Kinnaird

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

Look, Lenore. 2008. ALVIN HO: ALLERGIC TO GIRLS, SCHOOL, AND OTHER SCARY THINGS. Ill. by LeUyen Pham. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780375839146 [Suggested Grade Levels 3-6]

REVIEW
Who would think that a book about a character that is afraid of everything could be so laugh out loud funny? This hilarious read aloud introduces Alvin, a second grader in Concord Massachusetts, “which is hard to spell” (an aside repeated after this place name wherever Alvin mentions it.) Although Alvin loves superheroes – he is one himself, Firecracker Man – digging with sticks, mayhem and madness, and his father’s favorite toy Johnny Astro, he is not able to speak at school. He badly wants to make friends with the boys in his class, to become an accepted member of the gang. However, in any frightening situation, Alvin goes mute. He has no problem speaking at home where we meet Alvin’s older brother, Calvin, his tough, little sister Anibelly who “puts her hokey pokey foot out” whenever she is calling someone’s bluff, his father who loves superheroes and uttering Shakespearean curses, and his mom who forgets about him until she sees his empty place at the dinner table.

The simple ink drawings by Pham fit the tone and mood of the book: slightly quirky and humorous. Read ALVIN HO aloud and your audience will laugh as they empathize with this Chinese American neurotic, hopefully the first of many Alvin stories.

CONNECTIONS
Review how his brother advises Alvin to make friends. Ask children how they would tweak the list of things to do to work for them. Discuss examples of Pinky’s bullying. Does his bullying affect Alvin?

RELATED BOOKS
Other books written by Lenore Look:
RUBY LU, BRAVE AND TRUE. ISBN 9780689849077
UNCLE PETER’S AMAZING CHINESE WEDDING. ISBN 978068944584

By Cay Geisler