The Dollhouse Murders: Module Nine

Wright, B.R. (1983). The Dollhouse Murders. New York, NY: Holiday House.

Summary: 

Twelve-year-old Amy Treloar has a problem - her sister Louann is making her life miserable.  She causes her to loose all of her friends, she makes Amy a perpetual baby-sitter, and Louann has to be included in everything that Amy does.  Finally, Amy gets so angry that she blows up at her mother and Louann and runs to see her Aunt Clare who is cleaning out Amy's grandparent's old house.  Clare suggests that Amy stay with her for a few days, and Amy happily agrees, especially after she finds an exquisite and detailed dollhouse in the attic.  Her excitement over the dollhouse and the visit quickly turns to fear as things begin happening in the dollhouse that shouldn't be possible.

My Evaluation:

This book is a great mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but is not too scary for children to read.  The book also discusses a topic that is not often addressed by children's books - what it is like to have a sibling who is mentally handicapped.  Amy's frustrations, guilt over feeling frustrated, and protectiveness towards Louann can teach children what is like for siblings of children who have special needs.  This topic simply adds a deeper layer to an intriguing read.

Reviews:

Mysko, C. (2008, October 29).  Re: Retro Review: The Dollhouse Murders [Web Log Message]. Retrieved from http://clairemysko.com/?p=66%20Claire

The story centers around 12-year-old Amy Treloar, who goes to stay with her Aunt Clare for a few weeks because things are a little rocky at home. Aunt Clare, recently fired from her job in Chicago, is living in the house where Amy’s great grandparents once lived until something terrible happened to them. Although no one in the family seems to want to talk about it (especially not Aunt Clare), that something terrible looms overhead–literally–in the attic, where Amy discovers a haunted dollhouse.

What I had completely forgotten about is the subplot involving Amy’s sister, Louann. In fact, the reason Amy goes to stay with her aunt is to get a break from the stress of dealing with her special needs sister. Author Betty Ren Wright nails the nuances of this relationship. Amy is both protective of her sister and embarrassed by her. She feels suffocated by the responsibility of watching Louann, yet she’s conflicted when Louann is given more independence.

The Dollhouse Murders has some important lessons about how families so often try to protect feelings by keeping secrets, secrets that end up hurting more than they help. I breathed the biggest sigh of relief for Aunt Clare, who spent her whole adult life suffering with guilt (and probably post-traumatic stress disorder, too), going from job to job, and never finding happiness in a relationship. When she’s finally forced to talk about what happened to her when she was eighteen, I got the sense that even if the mystery hadn’t been wrapped up as neatly as it was, her burden would still have been lighter.

Kohlbeck, K. (1999). The Dollhouse Murders Review. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/The-Dollhouse-Murders-Betty-Wright/dp/0590434616

This scary mystery by Betty Ren Wright (Holiday, 1983) is sure to keep the interest of students, mainly girls. Narrator Carol Jordan Stewart does an excellent job. Her diction, pacing, and characterization are well-done. Twelve-year-old Amy is having difficulties at home being responsible for her brain-damaged sister, Louann. While visiting her Aunt Clare at the old family home, she discovers an eerily-haunted dollhouse in the attic-an exact replica of the family home. Whenever she sees it, the dolls, representing her relatives, have moved. Her aunt won't listen to Amy's claims that the dolls are trying to tell her something. This leads Amy to research old news reports where she discovers a family secret-the murder of her grandparents. The two sisters unravel the mystery. Amy grows to accept her sister and to understand that Louann is more capable than she had first thought. 

My Suggestions for Use in a Library Setting:

This book could be used in a class for children who have special needs siblings.  The book would be read to break the ice, and then we would have a professional discuss and work with the children on how to not resent your special needs sibling and still have your own life.  We could get the parents involved as well.

The Red Pyramid: Module Eight

Riordan, R. (2010). The Red Pyramid. New York, NY: Disney Hyperion Books.

Summary:

Sadie and Carter Kane are siblings who have been separated since the death of their mother several years earlier.  Sadie lives with their grandparents in England, and Carter travels all over the world with their Egyptologist father.  Their lives change drastically however, when Carter and his father visit Sadie.  They take a trip to the British Museum where Dr. Kane releases the five major Egyptian gods, including the evil and devious god Set.  Set imprisons Dr. Kane who is the host of the god Osiris, while Carter and Sadie barely escape.  They soon learn that not only is Egypt all around them (Sadie's cat Muffin is actually the goddess Bast), but that the blood of the pharaohs actually runs through their veins.  Can they save their father and the world from Set?  Read this wonderful and fascinating book to find out!

My Evaluation:

Rick Riordan is an amazing author.  Just as he has made Greek mythology come to life with the Percy Jackson series, he has made Egyptian mythology come to life with the Kane Chronicles.  I love studying mythology, and the way that Riordan has weaved the ancient mythology into our modern world is so very clever.  He illustrates how much Egyptian culture has ingratiated itself into our world.  From the Washington Monument to Cleopatra's Needle in London, Paris, and New York City - he incorporates these Egyptian tributes into his stories.  They are fast-paced and engaging, and in spite all of the supernatural experiences that the Kane siblings experience, they are still relatable to readers.  They still have crushes and fights and family loyalty just like any teenage kid.

Reviews:

Wadham, Tim. (2010). The Red Pyramid. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6727812.html

Riordan takes the elements that made the "Percy Jackson" (Hyperion) books so popular and ratchets them up a notch. Carter, 14, and Sadie, 12, have grown up apart. He has traveled all over the world with his Egyptologist father, Dr. Julius Kane, while Sadie has lived in London with her grandparents. Their mother passed away under mysterious circumstances, so when their father arrives in London and wants to take them both on a private tour of the British Museum, all is not necessarily what it seems. The evening ends with the apparent destruction of the Rosetta Stone, the disappearance of Dr. Kane, and the kidnapping of Carter and Sadie. More insidiously, it leads to the release of five Egyptian gods, including Set, who is their mortal enemy. Carter and Sadie discover the secrets of their family heritage and their ability to work magic as they realize that their task will be to save humanity from Set, who is building a destructive red pyramid inside Camelback Mountain in Phoenix. The text is presented as the transcript of an audio recording done by both children. Riordan creates two distinct and realistic voices for the siblings. He has a winning formula, but this book goes beyond the formulaic to present a truly original take on Egyptian mythology. His trademark humor is here in abundance, and there are numerous passages that will cause readers to double over with laughter. The humor never takes away from the story or from the overall tone. A must-have book, and in multiple copies.

Barack, L. (2010). Rick Riordan on his latest mega seller "The Red Pyramid". School Library Journal Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/articlescertification/885597-342/rick_riordan_on_his_latest.html.csp

Rick Riordan loves flavoring his mythological-based tales of Ancient Greece and Egypt with a heavy dose of educational spice, sending his young readers racing for forgotten tomes in their libraries. We catch up with the adored author and former English teacher on the launch of his new series, the Kane Chronicles, and its first tale, The Red Pyramid(Hyperion, 2010) as he muses on librarians, readers, and why he believes the legends, gods, and mysteries that surround the world of Ancient Egypt will enthrall his fans.

Why did you pick ancient Egypt as your next world?

As I was touring around with the Percy Jackson books (Hyperion, 2005), one of the questions I got asked the most often by young readers was, 'Will you ever do another mythology series.' I realized when I was a classroom teacher the only subject that ever came close to the Greek and Romans was Ancient Egypt, which really hasn't been tapped in children's literature, or not as well. And I found that a great challenge as much as a high interest.

Do you think kids will use your books as launching pad for further research on these ancient cultures?

That certainly has been the case. I'm always really happy to hear from readers and from librarians that the research sections on these areas are getting a big workout; sections that used to be gathering dust and now librarians can't keep them on the shelf, and that's fantastic. I've heard from classroom teachers that they've used Percy Jackson as a launching point for the Illiad and theOdyssey, and I am starting to hear the same thing about The Red Pyramid, of students descending on their libraries, and that's fantastic. It's really neat when kids feel like they're experts and they want to learn more.

My Suggestions for Use in a Library Setting:

Just as Riordan suggested in the interview, I believe this book would serve as a wonderful gateway into Egyptian history and mythology.  I would read this book as part of a series about Ancient Egyptian culture.  I would read excerpts of the book every time, and we would discuss whatever the book talked about.  For example, the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian hieroglyphics, any gods that were mentioned, etc. 

Assignment "A" Trailer Three

Book Trailer for When I Was a Soldier

Assignment "A" Trailer Two

Book Trailer for The Red Pyramid

Assignment "A" Trailer One

Book Trailer for Julie of the Wolves

Ruby Holler: Module Seven Part Two

Creech, S. (2002). Ruby Holler. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Summary:

The Boxton Creek Home for Children is the only home thirteen-year-old twins Dallas and Florida have ever known - and it hasn't been a happy one.  Their lives are filled with endless rules that are given to them by the proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. Trepid, and the unjust name of the "trouble twins".  They plan to change their fate by running away and riding the rails on the night train.  However, these plans go awry when they are asked to live with the elderly couple Tiller and Sairy to accompany them on their separate vacations.  Dallas and Florida are leery of the couple because of past encounters with potential adoptive families, however Tiller and Sairy come to love Dallas and Florida who have re-sparked their interest in life.  This love helps Dallas and Florida to blossom as well as the glorious, country setting of Tiller and Sairy's home in Ruby Holler.

My Evaluation:

This book has been on my "to-read" list for some time because it is one of the most popular books for the middle school age children.  I really can't keep it on the shelf.  I was rewarded with a touching and engaging novel when I finally checked out Ruby Holler.  There are some truly beautiful themes woven throughout the well-written tale, and I found myself rooting for the "trouble twins".  This book brings to light a real issue that orphans experience.  The foster system is usually a grueling and truly horrifying experience.  The plight of Dallas and Florida can help children from happy homes understand the plight that is faced by some of their peers.  The only criticism I would have of the book is that the "Z" being their father sub-plot didn't really seem to flow or fit well with the rest of the book.

Reviews:

Vandenbroek, R.R. (2002). Book of the Week: Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA199370.html?q=ruby+holler

Orphaned twins Dallas and Florida have resigned themselves to living within the confines of the Boxton Creek Home for Children. It's a loveless existence. The Trepids, owners and "rule enforcers" of the home, target the brother and sister at every opportunity and all of the prospective adoptive parents have returned them to the orphanage. Eventually the children are sent to act as temporary companions to an eccentric older couple who live in Ruby Holler, and there they find love and acceptance. While the plot is predictable, the story weaves in an interesting mix of mystery, adventure, and humor, along with age-old and modern problems. Creech does a fine job of developing the unique personalities and the sibling relationship, and the children's defense mechanisms (Dallas's dreamy escapism and Florida's aggression) figure prominently in the interplay among the characters. The text is lively and descriptive with an authentic, if somewhat mystical, rural ambience. This entertaining read from a first-rate author will not disappoint Creech's many fans.

Coulter, E. (n.d). Amazon.com Review. Amazon.com. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Ruby-Holler-Sharon-Creech/dp/0060560150

Having suffered through a string of appalling foster homes (the spitting Cranbepps; scary, toothless Mr. Dreep who locked them in his cellar; and the mean Burgerton boys), 13-year-old orphan Dallas and his twin sister, Florida, have pretty much given up on ever finding a happy home. So when an eccentric older couple enters their lives, providing such adventures as a river expedition, a treasure hunt (of sorts), and a whole lot of remarkable meals: "beat-the-blues broccoli," "anti-cranky crumpets," and "getting-used-to-kids- again stew," the twins take a while to warm up. Florida's language teems with outrageous, telling negativity--everything is "putrid"--and even dreamy Dallas is inclined to bouts of doubt. But warm up they do, to the continual delight of readers of all ages.

Sharon Creech, author of Newbery Medal winner Walk Two Moons and Newbery Honor book The Wanderer, is in fine form with her hilarious yet poignant novel about downtrodden siblings who refuse to be squished altogether. The perfectly happy ending is somewhat predictable, but readers who have fallen in love with each quirky character won't mind a bit. 

My Suggestions for Use in a Library Setting:

I believe that Ruby Holler would be excellent for a lesson in the library about colloquialisms.  We would start off by asking the children why they believe Sairy and Tiller's home is named Ruby Holler.  After giving them some time to put forward their ideas, we would explain the word "holler"s Appalachian roots.  We would then say that it actually is "hollow" and refers to a small valley.  We would suggest that the children look for colloquialism in their own reading and bring examples for the next week.

The Penderwicks: Module Seven Part One

Birdsall, J. (2005). The Penderwicks. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.

Summary:

This delightful story follows the four Penderwick sisters throughout their summer on the lovely estate of Arundel in the Berkshire Mountains.  The sisters have a plethora of adventures including befriending the boy of the estate, falling in love, and a rather traumatic run-in with a bull.  Each of the girls (responsible Rosalind, imaginative Jane, brave Skye, and sweet Batty) and their friend Jeffrey grow and learn more about themselves as a result of their wonderful summer.

My Evaluation:

I believe this book will make every reader remember with sweet nostalgia the summers of their youth - it certainly did for me.  One of the wonderful things about the book is the rich characterization.  It is part of what makes the book relatable because almost every reader can relate to at least one of the characters.  Furthermore, because each character is a different age, children (and adults) of all ages can relate to the particular concerns of each age group.  It also dealt with some very relevant topics that many children have to deal with such as the loss of a parent or a parent's marriage.  However, I do not want to give the impression that it is story simply filled with lessons - it really is a fun read that you will have great difficulty putting down.

Reviews:

Gray, A. (2005).  Book of the Week -- The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA621491.html

This enjoyable tale of four sisters, a new friend, and his snooty mother is rollicking fun. The girls’ father is a gentle, widowed botany professor who gives his daughters free reign but is always there to support or comfort them. Rosalind, 12, has become the mother figure. Skye, 11, is fierce and hot-tempered. Jane, 10, is a budding writer of mysteries who has the disconcerting habit of narrating aloud whatever is occurring around her. Batty, four, is an endearingly shy, loving child who always wears butterfly wings. The family dog, Hound, is her protector. The tale begins as the Penderwicks embark on a summer holiday in the Berkshire Mountains, at a cottage on the grounds of a posh mansion owned by the terribly snobbish Mrs. Tifton. Her son, Jeffrey, is a brilliant pianist, but her heart is set on him attending a military academy like her beloved father. The action involves Rosalind’s unrequited love for the 18-year-old gardener, Skye’s enmity and then friendship with Jeffrey, Jane’s improvement in her melodramatic writing style, and Batty’s encounter with an angry bull whom she rather hopefully calls “nice horsie.” Problems are solved and lessons learned in this wonderful, humorous book that features characters whom readers will immediately love, as well as a superb writing style. Bring on more of the Penderwicks!

Bird, E. (2010). Top 100 Picture Book Poll Results. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2010/02/23/top-100-childrens-novels-poll-50-46/

When The Penderwicks swept away  the competition at the 2005 National Book Awards for Young People’s Literature it was the first moment I’d heard of this clever mix of homage and downright awesome storytelling.  Some of us still scratch our heads from time to time and wonder why it never got that ALA accredited award it so deeply deserved.

On her website, Ms. Birdsall explains a bit about where some of the ideas for this book came from.  "From my own past, and from the children around me—in particular, my niece and nephew who live nearby. My nephew’s passionate love for animals went right into Batty. His sister’s calm way of going about being the oldest helped me with Rosalind. My nephew was also kind enough to turn into a brilliant soccer player—and is now my expert when I write about Skye and Jane and their antics on the soccer field.  I also borrow from other books, especially the ones I loved best when I was young. The idea of four sisters came from Little Women. Batty’s adventure with the bull came from Emily of New Moon."

The Penderwicks was Ms. Birdsall’s amazing debut, but it didn’t come out of nowhere.  In an interview with The Orange County Register she said, "All my life I had wanted to write children’s books. I spent at least five years in the process of writing ‘The Penderwicks.’  It took so long because I wasn’t just writing – I was learning how to craft a book, how to make chapters, how to create characters. It’s hard! By the time the book was published in 2005, I had been working on it about 10 years."

When Little Willow asked about the subtitle and whether or not the "very interesting boy" might not refer to Cagney, Ms. Birdsall replied, "Aha! Another person with a literal brain. You’re absolutely right. Hound (whom I placated with a bone over his omission) plays a much larger role in the book than the two rabbits. And which boy is more interesting? Skye and Jane would answer one way, and Rosalind the other. And then there’s a father, and a bull, and . . .  My wonderful editor, Michelle Frey, and I struggled mightily with this subtitle. We discovered that there really was no way to include everyone without making it too ungainly. So, in the end, we stopped worrying about details and chose what we hoped would evoke the mood of the book."

People who love the book and those who are indifferent to it both say that the book feels like a throwback to the classics of yore.  Elizabeth Enright and all that.  I would agree that there are classic elements to it, but the book is very much its own beast.  Not a cobbled together set of previously worn out ideas, but a whole new set of stories and characters, written in such a way as to cause folks to fall in love with it.  Which, coming in at #48, they clearly do.

It won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature in 2005 beating out a very teen selection that included Where I Want to Be by Adele Griffin, Inexcusable by Chris Lynch, Autobiography of My Dead Brother by Walter Dean Myers, and the younger and also lovely Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles.  And when she accepted the award, Ms. Birdsall had this to say: "I’ve gotten many, many wonderful reviews for this book but my very favorite comes from a third grader on Long Island named Scott. He said, ‘This book is about being a good listener even if you’re a grown up’.”  Amen to that.

My Suggestions for Use in a Library Setting: 

I would use this book as the first in a list of summer reading for children.  Whenever school was out, we would present this list of books about summer with The Penderwicks heading up the list.  After each five book the children read, there would be a reward.  At the end of the summer, we would have a party at the library for children who participated and would encourage them to dress up like their favorite character from one of the books.

Scaredy Squirrel: Module Six

Watt, M. (2006). Scaredy Squirrel. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press Ltd.

Summary: 

Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his home.  There are simply too many scary things in the world like killer bees and green Martians.  He leads a regimented and predictable life with which he is very content.  He even has an emergency kit in case of something dangerous or unexpected.  All is well until the day a killer bee buzzes by Scaredy Squirrel's nut tree.  Chaos ensues and Scaredy Squirrel leaves his tree!  However, during this terrifying foray, he discovers something wonderful about himself and decides that perhaps the unknown is not as bad as he expected.

My Evaluation:

This is one of those lovely picture books that is perfectly appropriate for any age.  It is filled with wonderful adult humor poking good-natured fun at control freaks, but this humor does not exclude children.  Children would giggle throughout the book at Scaredy Squirrel's irrational fears and silly schedules.  The entire book is "in-character" in a sense with the first page containing a warning for readers to wash their hands before reading the book and the back of the book cover containing "killer bees."  It is such a fun read, and it would be very easy to incorporate many of the themes into pertinent lessons.  For example, teachers or parents could use the book to encourage their children to branch out and try new things.  The illustrations are very unique, add to the humor, and complement the text nicely. 

Reviews:

Bird, E. (2009). Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2009/04/13/top-100-picture-books-poll-results-50-46/

#46: Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt (2006)

I consider Scaredy Squirrel to be the only true 21st century picture book on this list.  Let me explain.  Certainly we’ve a fair amount of author/illustrators out there that have appeared post-2000 to worm their ways into the hearts and minds of children.  But Scaredy Squirrel is, to my mind, here today because it became an internet phenomenon.
Should I credit The Cybils?  Partly.  But word of electronic mouth may really be the reason.  I’ve seen Scaredy mentioned on blog after blog after blog.  I’ve seen people discuss it via webchats, online reviews, Amazon discussions, and more.  Scaredy Squirrel, you may be afraid of everyone and everything out there, but the one thing you are not afraid of is sure-footed viral marketing.  Well done, sir.  From my review: "Scaredy Squirrel’s world is straightforward and easy to navigate. His tree is safe and comforting whereas everything else on the planet is ‘the unknown’ and therefore worthy of fear. I mean, consider how dangerous everything is. There’s poison ivy and martians and sharks and germs and all kinds of stuff to watch out for. Scaredy Squirrel, therefore, sees no good reason why he should do anything other than eat, sleep, and look at the view from his tree’s verdant branches all day. He even has an emergency kit near at hand. Then… one day… the unthinkable occurs. Out of nowhere a ‘killer’ bee startles our hero and causes him to drop his kit. Down plunges Scaredy (before remembering the whole don’t-leave-the-tree plan) but rather than crash to the ground he finds that he is capable of something entirely new: gliding. Turns out that Scaredy has been a flying squirrel all along and never knew it. Now Scaredy makes exactly one leap into the unknown every day before playing dead for two hours and going home. And for this little squirrel, that’s a mighty big step to take."  And in 2006 it won the Cybil for Best Picture Book.  He even has his own website.  Awww.  How can you not love this little guy?  Considering the vast hoards of over-protected children out there, Scaredy really is a hero for our times.

Peters, J. (2006). Scaredy Squirrel Booklist Review.  Booklist. Retrieved from
http://www.booklistonline.com/Scaredy-Squirrel-Melanie-Watt/pid=1613793

In a tongue-in-cheek tale that may help to prod anxious readers out of their hidebound routines, a squirrel discovers the pleasures of leaping into the unknown. As the world's a scary place, what with the killer bees, green Martians, tarantulas, germs, and sharks that might be lurking about, Scaredy Squirrel keeps to his tree, and to a precise, minute-by-minute daily schedule--until a supposed "killer bee" actually wanders by, causing Squirrel to dislodge his suitcase-size emergency kit. A wild lunge to rescue it turns into a long glide (portrayed in a gatefold), as Squirrel discovers to his astonishment that he is a flying squirrel. Eventually, Squirrel returns in triumph to his tree and from then on adds a daily glide to his accustomed rounds. Despite the simply drawn cartoons and brief text, this is more sophisticated in tone than Martin Waddell's Tiny's Big Adventure (2004), though the message is similar. 


My Suggestions for Use in a Library Setting:
I would read this book to young children in the library on President's Day as a way to discuss their goals and to illustrate the fact that every person starts with small accomplishments before they achieve great things.  Just like Scaredy Squirrel, every president started small by overcoming fears and trying new things as children before they became President of the United States.  We would then discuss what things the children wanted to accomplish and how they could accomplish their goals.