WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW by Sonya Sones

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sones, Sonya. 2003. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW. New York: Simon Pulse. ISBN

0689855532

PLOT SUMMARY

This series of poems tells the story of Sophie who tells her relationships with different boys.  She shares her first experiences of love as she is on a quest for Mr. Right.  Sophie discuses her relationships with her family, friends, and boys as she goes through the struggles on her way to adulthood.  Throughout this journey she struggles to understand as well as be understood by her mother. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sone’s writes through the using beautiful poetry and also uses narrative poetry throughout.  She has created characters teens are able to relate to.  She captures the essence and nervousness associated with dating as a young adult, the jealously of friends, the hurt of realizing the feels you had are not there anymore, and finding the strength to follow your heart.  Readers are able to relate to the protagonist and the issues she faces involving her family and friends.  Young adults will all face these issues at one point or another in their lifetime.  Reluctant readers will be drawn to this book and will not be able to put it down.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)/AWARDS

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, October 2001

*BOOKLIST, November 2001: “Fast, funny, touching.”    

*PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY, October 2001: “Honest…destined to captivate.”

*KIRKUS REVEWIS, September 2001: “A verse experience that will leave readers sighing with recognition and satisfaction.”

*NEW YORK TIMES, September 2001

*A Junior Library Guild Selection

*American Library Association 2002 Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

*American Library Association 2002 Best Book for Young Adults

EXEMPLARY OR FAVORITE LINES

*Grace says, “Are you thirsty?

I could go get the hose…”

I say, “Thanks. But I’d rather have a swig of some Miracle-Gro.”

 *“Walking with Murphy
through the bone-freezing chill
toward the bus stop,
I start shivering.

And somehow,
when he slips his arm around me
to warm me up,
it feels right.

Righter than anything ever has.”

RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE by Shannon Hale

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hale, Shannon. 2008. RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN

9781599900704

PLOT SUMMARY

Rapunzel grew up inside of a lovely castle with her mother.  Or was it her mother?  As young Rapunzel grew older her curiosity of the outside would grew larger.  She climbed the castle wall to get a glimpse of the world beyond the castle.  She was punished for doing so and was placed in a large hollow tree for doing so.   With the help of Jack she was able to escape and begin to carry out her plan to free the land from the witch.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Shannon and Dean Hale turn this old fairy tale in to a graphic novel.  They turn this fairy tale character into a character of her own, an action hero.  Readers will not be able to put down this action packed and witty novel.  This novel is set in the Wild West which might be difficult for some readers to grasp but overall this book will be loved.  “This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, put action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine.”  (BOOKLIST)  Overall the story portrays good over evil and Rapunzel saves her mom from evil at the end.  The language is full of sarcasm whish students will enjoy. 

Nathan Hale, the illustrator, paints the reader a clear mental image of the characters and their characteristics.  At times the illustrations accompany the text while other times the illustrations tell the story.  This graphic novel will be enjoyed by both boys and girls.  This book proves that fairy tales are not just for girls but will catch the interest of boys through the Wild West setting and the cowboy based characters. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, September 2008: “The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive.  Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after.”

*BOOKLIST, September 2008: “Rich with humor and excitement, Rapunzel’s Revenge is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.”

*HORN BOOK, April 2008: “Readers familiar with graphic novels will feel at home…newbies may not realize how practically well-matched the Hale’s gutsy tale is to its format.”

*PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY, August 2008: “With its can-do heroine, witty dialogue and romantic ending, this graphic novel has something for nearly everybody.”

*KIRKUS REVEWIS, August 2008: A dash of typical fairy-tale romance, a strong sense of social justice and a spunky heroine make this a standout choice to younger teens.

*LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION, November 2008

EXEMPLARY OR FAVORITE LINES

*“WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE: RAPUNZEL

For horse thieving, kidnapping, jail breaking, and using her hair in a manner other than nature intended!

REWARD”

*“Hey, times are tough, and thirty gold coins can do a lot of good.  But I guess you wouldn’t know about needing money, since you grew up like a little princ…”

(Rapunzel glares)

“Prin…soner.  I mean, prisoner!  A prisoner in a tower, such a shame, that.”

MAKE LEMONADE by Virginia Euwer Wolff

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wolff, Virginia Euwer. 1993. MAKE LEMONADE. New York : Henry Holt and Company, Inc. ISBN 0805022287.

PLOT SUMMARY

LaVaughn, a fourteen year old girl, is determined to earn enough money to go to college.  She finds a job babysitting two children.  Jolly is a seventeen year old single mom of two children by different fathers.  LaVaughn must make a decision that will affect everyone involved after Jolly loses her job.  She helps Jolly make lemonade out of the lemons in her life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel written in free verse is “powerfully moving” and “radiant with hope”.  This novel will appeal to a multitude of readers including the reluctant readers.  Reluctant readers find this novel easier to read that other traditional novels.  This novel captures the interest of readers due to the fact of real life experiences incorporated throughout this novel.  LaVaughn and Jolly go through life’s challenges and tribulations while learning lessons outside of the classroom.  This novel is a great way to teach young adults about the struggles people go through to provide for their families, and is a great lesson for any socio-economic background.  Highly recommended for older readers.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, July 1993

*BOOKLIST, June 1993

*HORN BOOK, September 1993

*KIRKUS REVIEW, May 1993: “Powerfully moving.”

*PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, May 1993: “Radiant with hope.”

EXEMPLARY OR FAVORITE LINES

*“Some people make a bad bed, they just have to lie in it.”

*“If you want something to grow and be so beautiful you could have a nice day just from looking at it, you have to wait.”

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE by Lance Armstrong

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Armstrong, Lance. 2001. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BIKE. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 9780425179611

PLOT SUMMARY/CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This nonfiction book tells the story of Lance Armstrong from childhood to adulthood.  Armstrong faced many challenges throughout his life.  He was raised by a teen mother who made many sacrifices in order for Lance to have a better life.  He struggled to fit in as a young child since he grew up in a town where football was a favorite among the town.  Lance began riding and racing bikes.  He went on to win a multitude of races, triathlons, and the Tour de France seven times.  His struggles became even greater when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and this is when the battle for his life began.  Today he is a cancer survivor…he beat the cancer the cancer did not beat him. 

This book is told in first person from the perspective of Lance Armstrong.  Since he is tell his own story it makes the reader relate to him on a different level.  He is an expert on cycling therefore he gives the reader real insight into the sport.  However he tells the stories and explains the topic to where the reader is able to completely understand.  His expertise and deep knowledge of the sport provides the reader with accurate information.  The use of photographs also allows the reader a greater understanding.

The story of his struggle with cancer and survival is the main theme of this book.  This biography lets the reader deep into the secrets of his life and just how low his odds of survival were.  This story of survival will touch the hearts of all who read this book, and will feel as if you are going through this with him all over again.  Against all odds Armstrong was going to fight until he won his battle with cancer.  "Winning my life back would be the biggest victory."  This is a book where Armstrong shares his journey through victory, tragedy, and survival with his readers.

  

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, January 2001

*LIBRARY JOURNAL, June 2000

*PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, May 2000

*BOOKLIST, March 2001

EXEMPLARY OR FAVORITE LINES

*“During our lives...we experience so many setbacks, and fight such a hand-to-hand battle with failure, head down in the rain, just trying to stay upright and to have a little hope.”
*“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”
*“My mother told me...if you're going to get anywhere, you're going to have to do it yourself, because no one is going to do it for you.”
*“Hope that is the only antidote to fear.”
*“For most of my life I had operated under a simple schematic of winning and losing, but cancer was teaching me a tolerance for ambiguities.”
*"Winning my life back would be the biggest victory."