Module 10: The Knights of the Lunch Table

Summary:

Artie King attends Camelot Middle School with several other cleverly named characters.  When Artie is able open a locker that no one else is able to open, he is challenged to a duel – a Dodge-ball Duel. Artie’s group of friends, The Knights of the Lunch Table will battle The Horde. 

APA Reference:

Cammuso, F. (2008). Knights of the lunch table: The dodgeball chronicles. New York: Graphix.

Impression:

This graphic novel is clever and full of “punny” names that link the tale to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  This would be a great read for a middle school student, especially one who likes the Camelot era.  The artwork is appropriate for a middle schooler and is full of movement and action. 

Professional Review:

Arthurian legend gets an update for young readers in this outstanding graphic novel. During his first day at Camelot Middle School, Artie King opens a locker that no one has ever been able to open; gets a pop quiz from his science teacher, Mr. Merlyn; and offends both Principal Dagger and bully Joe Roman. Joe is the leader of the Horde, a gang that happens to be the local dodgeball (a game played here with the fervor of Texas football) champions. With his future at Camelot riding on a challenge match, Arthur calls on new friends Wayne and Percy, and gets a little assistance from that mysterious locker. References to other versions of Arthurian legend are sprinkled throughout (such as mentions of Camelot alumni Terry White and Tommy Mallory), but the funny, fast-paced tale of young Arthur's quest to defeat the bullies stands well on its own. The appealing illustrations are full of color, action, and life. Point new fans to one of the many retellings of the deeds of the Round Table while they wait for the second volume in the series.

Gallego, B. (2008). Knights of the lunch table. School Library Journal, 54(7), 119. 

Library Use:

This might be a good book for introducing the genre  and explaining how to read the format. 

Module 10: The Odyssey

Summary:

This epic tale follows the hero Odysseus on his quest back home following the Trojan War.  He wants desperately to be with his wife and young son.  Unfortunately he angers Poseidon and will be tormented and punished with shipwrecks, storms, monsters, and seductresses.  Because Odysseus is an epic hero, he has everything he needs to complete his journey to return home.

APA Reference:

Hinds, G., & Homer,. (2010). The odyssey. Sommerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Impression:

I was already familiar with the story of Odysseus.  This graphic novel contains beautiful artwork that conveys the same tale.  I prefer the traditional book, but could see this being very appealing to students who are weak or reluctant readers. 

Professional Review:

Taking a world-famous epic poem and adapting it into a graphic-novel format for modern readers is certainly an enormous endeavor. But since Hinds already performed the same feat quite admirably with Beowulf (Candlewick, 2007) he has proven himself more than capable of the task. To sum up the classic story: Odysseus tries to get home after the Trojan War, but many obstacles are thrown in his way, and many people, creatures, and gods try to stop him. His men are loyal on the one hand, yet bad at following critical orders on the other, which results in even more delays. Meanwhile, his faithful wife Penelope waits for him while fending off scores of impatient suitors. Luckily for Odysseus, he does have a few supporters, including the goddess Athena. Hinds's beautiful watercolors skillfully capture the rosy-fingered dawn, the wine-dark sea, the land of the dead, and many other settings and characters that will inspire readers. This adaptation goes far above and beyond the "highlights" coverage that other versions such as Tim Mucci's The Odyssey (Sterling, 2010) provide. Hinds's work will be a welcome addition for fans of Homer's original work and for newcomers to this classic story.

Lipinski, A. (2010). The odyssey. School Library Journal, 56(11), 145.

Library Use:

This could be used for evaluating the differences in the written word and images.  Students could compare and contrast passages from a traditional text to the graphic novel. 

Module 9: Once I Ate a Pie

Summary:

This collection of poems gives voices to the dogs in our lives.  The poems are the imagined thinking of dogs who do terribly silly things, like steal butter, but also convey their love for their people. 

APA Reference:

Florian, D. (2007). Comets, stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space poems and paintings. Orlando: Harcourt.

Impression:

I loved this book of poems.  Anyone who has loved a dog and been loved in return will appreciate this.  The poems are the “voices” of our furry friends.  My favorite is probably “Lucy.”  This poem is from an adopted dog who know has things to call her own, including a pillow between her people.  If you have ever known a dog that became the third person in your double bed, you will love the poem too. 

Professional Review:

Free-verse poems about 14 individual dogs sprawl across oversize spreads accompanied by large oil illustrations. The poems and paintings together delightfully capture each distinct personality in few words and with broad strokes of the brush. The fonts change often and reflect the poet's words--rising and falling, sometimes in bold type, growing larger and smaller and dancing over the pages. The format allows for plenty of white space, emphasizing the postures and personalities of the pups and helping the playful fonts to stand out. The overall result is an entertaining visit with some very appealing canines, and a book that perhaps could serve as an inspiration in the classroom for young poets trying to describe their own pets. One wishes that the breeds were listed somewhere, but all in all, this title is still a real treat.

Constantinides, J. (2006).  Once I ate a pie. School Library Journal, 52(5), 114-115. 

Library Use:

This collection would be a fun way to look at point of view.  Students could rewrite the poems from the owners point of view. 

Module 9: Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars

Summary:

This is a collection of poetry revolving around the items in space.  The poems deliver facts and information in the vehicle of poetry so that one doesn’t even realize they are learning something.  There are twenty poems in all and they all deal with some aspect of space, as the title implies. 

APA Reference:

Florian, D. (2007). Comets, stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space poems and paintings. Orlando: Harcourt.

Impression:

This is a beautiful book.  This book made me change how I view poetry.  Florian crafts lovely poetry from facts and information.  The illustrations are amazing and captivating.  This book makes adult and children view poetry as a genre that is more than just for placing on a pedestal. 

Professional Review:

This playful, poetic exploration of the universe celebrates both our nearest neighbors and the far-flung reaches of space. Spectacular mixed-media illustrations incorporate text, collage, mythological imagery and die-cut holes in a feast for the eyes that invites readers to travel back and forth through the pages with each spread. For all its fun, it provides a wealth of information within its verses, from the fact that Uranus spins on its side to Pluto's troublesome planet status. "[As I was finishing] the book," says Douglas Florian, "the International Astronomical Union (IAU) was meeting in Prague to debate its status as a planet.…[O]ne day I opened my computer to discover that the astronomers had demoted Pluto from planet to mere 'dwarf planet.'…Before my editor could call from California I had penned a new poem on Pluto, perhaps the funniest in the book." Kirkus summed up the book in one word: "Glorious."

Comets, stars, the moon, and Mars: space poems and paintings.” Kirkus Reviews, 75(22), 8. 

Library Use:

This could be used to introduce a space unit and students could choose a space object that interested them based on the information from the poems. 

Module 8: The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose

Summary:

The Queen of Hearts’ tarts have been stolen.  The only thing to do is to call in Mother Goose.  If she is going to solve the crime, she’ll need to open the top-secret files.  They contain all the dirt on suspicious characters of the nursery rhymes.  Some of these characters have criminal pasts, and some never pay their bills.  This book will expose some of the hidden truths of nursery rhymes.

APA Reference:

Gosling, G., & Banks, T. (2004). The top secret files of Mother Goose! Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Pub.

Impression:

This was a really fun read with my kids.  After reading it, they asked to read some of their old nursery rhyme books.  It was funny to them, but also made them think about looking at things from a different perspective

. 

Professional Review:

When the Queen of Hearts discovers her strawberry tarts missing, she calls in Mother Goose, "Chief Detective of Nursery Rhyme Crime." The clues include a trail of crumbs, a dish and a spoon, and a hankie with the initials HM. As MotherGoose questions each suspect, a full-page illustration of that individual appears opposite the text, which is printed on a manila-folder background. A handwritten note with humorous details about that particular character appears to be paper clipped to thefile. Readers may question the detective's technique as she chases down alleged perpetrators who do not have the correct initials. However, logic aside, the comical rewording of familiar facts will appeal to those who are conversant with nursery rhymes. The vibrant cartoons pop off the pages, and the witty details will have youngsters studying the pictures with interest. Serving as a foil for the boisterous cast of characters, Mother Goose appears almost too charming and sweet to be pitted against this wild and wacky lineup of possible criminals, but that only adds to the comedy. With its retro artwork and imitation of hard-boiled detective speech, this text-heavy mystery is more appropriate for older children, but the story and its solution may be a bit too simplistic to hold their attention. Fans of Jon Scieszka's humor seem the most likely audience for this book's campy art and puns.

Edwards,L. and Mandell, P.L. (2004). The top secret files of mother goose! ( book). School Library Journal, 50(5), 112. 

Library Use:

This would be a fun way to introduce parody to older students.  This book could be paired with some Weird Al Yankovic videos.