Bibliography

 Krosoczka, Jarrett J. 2009. Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians. Random House Children's Book.  ISBN-13: 978-0375846847

Plot Summary

Action! Silliness! Pictures galore!  It's no wonder why comic books are such a big hit with children.  In this Lunch Lady series, the lunch ladies are a secret crime fighting duo that takes on the scheme of the librarians that join together from different librarian positions.  The librarians want to take over the children by destroying all video games and then claim domination over the entire world. 

Critical Analysis

In this high interest graphic  novel, the author created an action packed comic book with a certain goofiness that will hook the younger audience.  This series isn't like some other comic books with a super hero that has a dark undertone that is commonly found in most comics.  This book is made to hook readers and make them laugh, so there is not a lot of character development. The meaning behind the story really sticks out to an actual librarian and readers.  I love that the librarians want children to read more but the book adds the silliness of video games corrupting their brains.  This book will entice the boys and girls with its usage of the snazzy gadgets they use to capture the librarians.  The illustration is fun, light and consistent.  This book will make you want to become a super hero librarian!

Reviews Excerpts/Awards

-WINNER 2010 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices

-Children's Literature Review: When her Apple Alarm alerts her to a crime in progress, crime fighter Lunch Lady knows it is time to leap into action! Armed with her Taco-Vision Night Goggles and aided by her trusty sidekick/assistant server Betty, Lunch Lady serves up justice to everyone from muggers to crime syndicates, but, when Lunch Lady's young informants, the Breakfast Bunch, alert her to an evil plot by the League of Librarians to destroy all video games, can even a super-powered cafeteria worker stop a group of villains capable of sending an evil Black Stallion or Cheshire Cat against her? Inspired by author/artist Jarret J. Krosoczka's crazy ideas about his own elementary school lunch lady, much of the book's humor comes from Lunch Lady's cafeteria-themed gadgets, including the Spork Phone, Hairnet Nets, and Sonic Boom Juice Box. For a graphic novel meant to encourage reading, however, the story delivers some mixed messages about librarians, as the librarians are portrayed as video game-hating villains who knock people out with dictionaries and attack superheroes with evil versions of literary characters. At one point, the heroes even toss the librarians' books into the river to defeat the villains. Overall, the book plays with some clever concepts and provides some diversionary entertainment but is not particularly filling.

Connections   

-The students can create new gadgets the librarians can use.

-Read other books in this series, such as Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute.

-Create a comic book using another person from a school, for ex: principal, custodial worker, a music teacher etc.

-Write about what makes a super hero?

BLOG VIEW:FANTASY, REALISTIC FICTION-SPEAK

Bibliography

 Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. Speak. U.S.A Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0142414736

Plot Summary

Speak is an absorbing story of a 9th grade girl named Melinda who rarely speaks.  She doesn't speak to her peers at school, teachers, nor her parents.  There's a haunting secret within Melinda that is trapped she wants to say something but can't.  This secret has transformed her from a happy normal high school girl to a non sociable girl who has lost friends and starting to make failing grades.  No one knows how to help because she won't open her mouth and say anything. But reliving a painful experience might trigger something that will cause her to say something.

Critical Analysis

Anderson creates a character that is so real it's impossible to not have any feelings for Melinda as she goes through her difficult journeys.  The author writes this story and it portrays a great deal of emotion.  Melinda shows a great deal of character even though she is silent.

 This book is an easy to read book because it covers  subjects on bullying, outcast, losing friends, feeling of being ignored, parents not understanding and rape.  All of these things can occur while in high school, that's why this book can be relatable. Melinda has an art project that speaks for literary symbolism from within. Her assignment is a tree which she has trouble creating, however Melinda branches out and makes the tree come to life.  The project becomes an outlet for Melinda's pain. 

Reviews Excerpts/Awards

-National Book Award Finalist

-Booklist: “In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.”

-School Library Journal Best Books, 1999

-Booklist Editor’s Choice: Books for Youth, 1999 (ALA)         

-Sequoyah Book Award, 2002

Connections   

-Read other books by the author, Catalyst and Fever 1793.

-Write about if someone took advantage of you, what would you do?

-Have a speaker come in and address the issue of rape.

BLOG REVIEW: FANTASY, REALISTIC FICTION-JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL

Bibliography

 Gantos, Jack. 2000. Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN-13: 978-0064410229

Plot Summary

Joey Pigza has ADHD and is very impulsive, living with his divorced mother.  Joey's father wants him to come stay with him for a few weeks in the summer time.  Joey's father is dealing with legal problems and alcoholism as well as some symptoms of  ADHD.  While living with his father, Joey is made to stop taking his medication for ADHD because his father wants to see what  he might become without it.  Joey wants to stop taking the medicine but doesn't think his dad will be able to handle  him off the medicine or if Joey can stay under control without them.  Can Joey's father pull himself together and help Joey live without his medicine?

Critical Analysis              

In this novel the author creates a realistic fiction impression of Joey as a strong character even though he is suffering with ADHD he can still deal with different situations that occur.  The author uses great imagery to describe Joey's feelings.  This book is very serious yet is relatable to the young children because it's very normal to live with a divorced parent and to live with ADHD.   This book deals with complex issues such as alcoholism, parental disagreements about medicine, and custody disputes.

Reviews Excerpts/Awards

-Kirkus Starred Reviews- “Sad, scary, blackly funny.”

-Publisher's Weekly- In a starred review, PW said, "Like its predecessor, Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear and courage with deceptive ease." Ages 10-up. (Mar.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

-Newbery Medal

-Publisher's Weekly Best Children's Books

-Young Hoosier Book Award

-Young Readers Choice Award

Connections

-Read Joey Pigza Swallows His Key, What Would Joey Do?, I Am Not Joey Pigza by Jack Gantos.

-Do research on ADHD and ADD and compare the symptoms to Joey Pigza.

-Write about a person they know living with a divorced parent and how it feels.