Module 13: Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer

• Meyer, L. A. (2002). Bloody Jack: Being an account of the curious adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy. San Diego: Harcourt.

Summary

Mary Faber is a child during the early 19th century.  Orphaned early on, she is left to navigate the London streets on her own.  Eventually, she seizes an opportunity to work aboard a British Naval ship, but in order to do so, she must disguise herself as a boy.  The potential for discovery adds great tension as the newly christened Jacky must carry her weight as a new ship "boy."  Her new role offers her a stability she has never known, and the challenges of living on the seas gives her a chance to become something she never could on the streets.  Will the growth be enough, though, for a girl to survive living in a man's world?

Impressions and Opinions of the Books

The story of Bloody Jack reminded me, at times, of Avi's True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle as well as Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking.  However, the fact that Jacky is a girl disguised as a boy adds a layer of complexity to the story line that really highlights and brings to the surface the differences in the way males and females were treated at this point in history.  

Meyer confronts some pretty ugly truths of this period in time, refusing to shy away from the ugliness of street orphans and the despair that came from a city plighted by death.  She also has a way of immersing the reader into another time and place by using language and colloquialisms common to the day.  The story is much darker and the subject matter more intense than I initially thought it would be, and there are all the pieces of an adventure tale, from war and pirates to murder and even attempted rape.  The epic journey is intended for a mature audience, for sure, but the up close view into history and the unique perspective provided make it a worthwhile read.

Full-Text Review

Posing as a lad in the late 1790s, a spunky orphan girl secures a job as a ship’s boy in the British Navy, a position that becomes compromised by her evolving maturity and love for a fellow crewmember. Meyer, a debut novelist, has penned a rousing old-time girl’s adventure story, with an outsized heroine who is equal parts gutsy and vulnerable, then sets her loose on a pirate-hunting vessel in the high seas. The novel is full of action and derring-do, but the real suspense is generated by maintaining what the heroine calls “The Deception,” her disguise as a boy. Initially, it’s fairly easy because Jacky, as the heroine decides to call herself, is as flat-chested, hairless, and high-voiced as the rest of the boys. She simulates using the ship’s head, imitating the boys’ “shake-and-wiggle action” and even creates a faux penis out of cloth under her drawers, so that she’s as “well rigged out” as the rest of the lads. Clever and courageous, Jacky deals with both the ship’s bully and pedophile, fights pirates valiantly, and manages to save the day for her shipmates, enabling them to secure the buccaneers’ booty. Jacky is such a marvelous creation that the other characters feel shadowy in comparison, and the least engaging parts of the novel involve her secret romance with a fellow ship’s boy. Capped by a fitting but bittersweet ending, the first-person narrative shines, and a wealth of historical research is seamlessly knitted into the material. A first-rate read. (Fiction. 12+)

Kirkus (2002). [Review of the book Bloody Jack:being an account of the curious adventures of Mary "Jacky"
      Faber, ship's boy]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/la-meyer/bloody-jack/

Library Uses

Bloody Jack was not at all the story I expected it to be, and I think it would be interesting to bring home the "you can't judge a book by its cover" adage using this book.  A simple activity for high school students would be to show students just the front cover and have them predict a summary of the book without any other information, writing what they think they would read on the back cover. Similar to Balderdash, then the different student created summaries could be read, along with the real summary, and students would have to vote for the one they think is correct.  It would also be a roundabout way of doing a book trailer; without ever reading the book to them, students would be enticed to pick it up on their own.

Module 12: Fabulous! A Portrait of Andy Warhol by Bonnie Christensen

Christensen, Bonnie. (2011). Fabulous : a portrait of Andy Warhol. New York :Henry Holt.

Summary

Andy Warhol is different from other kids, but he does not allow this to get in the way of his talent.  Through the support of his mother, art teachers, and later in life, a collective of friends, Andy overcomes adversity to become an iconic figure in the world of art, as well as the world of pop culture of which he so highly admired.

Impressions and Opinions of the Books

Christensen manages to present a figure that could easily be seen as inappropriate for children to learn about in a manner that is not only appropriate, but also in a manner that does not detract from the man that Andy Warhol was.  She shares information about his difficult childhood, from his early illness to the death of his father to his cultural background.  Christensen has a way of humanizing Warhol in a way that I have not seen before, showing him, at times, to be so quiet and demure.  When I draw to mind an image of Warhol, I see the man who is looking for the spotlight and more than his fifteen minutes of fame.

Without taking away from the magnitude of who Warhol was or what he created, Christensen makes Warhol not only relatable, but someone to be admired for more than just the art that he created.  The graphic design is a constant reminder of Warhol's unique style and the story gives dimension to the entire being of Andy Warhol. 

Full-Text Review

The “fabulous” life of Andy Warhol is made accessible and understandable via this child-friendly look at the life and career of one of America’s most recognizable painters.

Shy, sickly Andy spent many lonely hours resting in bed. Warhol’s mother understood his uniqueness, and instead of forcing him to attend school, stand up to bullies or play sports, she unfailingly nurtured his talents and accepted and supported his interests. Andy attended art classes at the Carnegie Museum art school in Pittsburgh and was encouraged by teachers who also recognized his promise. Comics, movie magazines, glamorous superstars and luminous icons from his Eastern Orthodox parish church fueled his imagination. Christensen effectively re-imagines Warhol’s unmistakable style for 21st-century kids while offering a developmentally appropriate take on Warhol’s life. She focuses on his early graphic work and the exciting, transformative era of Pop Art. She conveys the explosive impact of his Campbell’s soup cans and Marilyn as she discretely limns the early activities of “The Factory.”

Though readers will need to consult the backmatter for the details of the more complex and tumultuous years from the mid-’60s to his death in 1987, they will find this a vital and exciting child-appropriate introduction to an American icon. (Picture book/biography. 6-9)

Kirkus (2011). [Review of the book Fabulous! a portrait of Andy Warhol by B. Christensen].   Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/bonnie-christensen/fabulous-portrait-andy-warhol/

Library Uses

Christensen's book would be a great intro to modern/pop culture art.  In addition to being a great summary of Andy Warhol's life, the stylization and graphic design of the book brings to mind Warhol's forward thinking take on art.  After reading the book, it would be interesting to have students look at something within the library and create their own pop art piece, displaying the works after completion.  This would allow students to take a renewed look at the library, connecting also to Warhol and their own inner artist.

Module 11: Actual Size by Steve Jenkins

• Jenkins, S. (2004). Actual size. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

BOOK SUMMARY

In Actual Size, Jenkins allows the reader to truly conceptualize the relationship of creatures throughout the world, showing the scale of multiple animals side by side on the pages. Simple pictures and interesting facts connect the reader to animals in a new and inviting way. 

Impressions and opinion of the book

For such a short picture book, Jenkins really does pack a punch.  His background in graphic design is apparent as he weaves the images together in the most powerful way.  The figures entice the reader to compare the different creatures, not only to each other, but also to the readers, themselves.  The images are created with paper, and while they are realistic, they are presented in a way so as not to be threatening to the reader.  At times, the text seems to be an afterthought, but there is still valuable information given and the highlight of the book truly is the interaction with the size and scope of each animal depicted.  The extra information in the glossary of animals at the end is just an added bonus, making this book relevant to young and old alike.

Full-Text Review

A new exploration of the biological world, from one of the current masters of collage, features life-size—not scaled—representations of the extremes of the animal kingdom. Wonderfully textured collages are set against a white background, accompanied by a minimal text gloss about the animals, and their sizes. Some are so huge that only parts can be seen (the one-foot-diameter eye of a giant squid) and others require some squinting (the 1/3-inch dwarf goby). It’s a fascinating subject, and one that will resonate with an audience for whom relative size is a matter of daily interest. Jenkins exploits it for all its worth, including a fold-out of a crocodile’s jaw and a snarling tiger whose face spills off the page. Four concluding pages provide more information about the featured animals, along with reasonably sized, full-body reiterations of the illustrations. Sadly enough, however, in a book that is so intimately concerned with measurement, only English units are used, seemingly ignoring the fact that the metric system is the universal language of science worldwide. A regrettable flaw in an otherwise outstanding offering. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-12)

Kirkus (2004). [Review for the book Actual size by S. Jenkins ].   Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/steve-jenkins/actual-size/

Library Use

Module 10: The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis

• Ryan, P. M., & Sís, P. (2010). The dreamer. New York: Scholastic Press.

BOOK SUMMARY

Neftali is a young boy who is physically quite frail, but who has a giant world of thoughts and ideas inside of him.  He lives in a daydream, and his love of words is apparent to all who know him.  Unfortunately, his father insists Neftali exude a strong and boisterous exterior, shunning the inclinations of his son, and demanding a future steeped in machismo ideals.  

Impressions and opinion of the book

The Dreamer touched me in a way I have not been touched in a long time.  Quite literally, the text spoke to me, as Ryan tapped into the heart and soul of the young Pablo Neruda.  While the illustrations by Peter Sis allude to the imaginative nature of Neftali, Ryan's words solidify these feelings within the reader, virtually creating a stream of consciousness between Neruda as a child to the reader of today.  Ryan seemingly channels the poet as she takes us back to his beginnings and the people and places that inspired him.  There is such beauty and empowerment the words and images bring, that I want to tell everyone I know about this inspiring work.  While I did not have an overbearing father as Neftali does, I can identify with his shy exterior covering an inner self just bursting with millions of questions and words and ideas.  That Neftali grows into such a pivotal figure in the world of literature gives hope and inspiration to so many children in similar situations, while giving power to the words within them. 

Full-Text Review

Ryan’s fictional evocation of the boy who would become Pablo Neruda is rich, resonant and enchanting. Simple adventures reveal young Neftalí’s painful shyness and spirited determination, his stepmother’s love and his siblings’ affection and his longing for connection with his formidable, disapproving father. The narrative captures as well rain falling in Temuco, the Chilean town where he was raised, and his first encounters with the forest and the ocean. Childhood moments, gracefully re-created, offer a glimpse of a poet-to-be who treasures stories hidden in objects and who recognizes the delicate mutability of the visible world, while the roots of Neruda’s political beliefs are implied in the boy’s encounters with struggles for social justice around him. Lines from a poem by Ryan along with Sís’s art emphasize scenes and introduce chapters, perfectly conveying the young hero’s dreamy questioning. The illustrator’s trademark drawings deliver a feeling of boundless thought and imagination, suggesting, with whimsy and warmth, Neftalí’s continual transformation of the everyday world into something transcendent. A brief selection of Neruda’s poems (in translation), a bibliography and an author’s note enrich an inviting and already splendid, beautifully presented work. (Historical fiction. 9-13)

Kirkus (2010). [Review for the book The dreamer by P.M. Ryan and P. Sis].   Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/pam-munoz-ryan/the-dreamer/

Library Use

While it is difficult to read a full novel in the library, I think finding chapters of this book to share with older elementary through high school students is vital.  The poetic lines that introduce each new chapter could be a writing prompt to start conversations about writers and readers and how one grows in each role.  The chapters near the end could also be used with older students to highlight the power of words, not just in our own lives, but also in the lives of others.

Module 9: Something Rotten by Alan Grat

Gratz, A (2007). Something rotten. New York, NY: Dial Books.

Summary

Horatio Wilkes is out for summer vacation, and during his time off, he has decided to visit his wealthy classmate, Hamilton Prince, in Hamilton's small hometown.  It doesn't require his heightened observational skills for Horatio to realize that something is wrong in Denmark, Tennessee.  Upon his arrival, one of the first things Horatio notices is a strong smell from the river.  It doesn't take long for him to realize that other things are awry, as well.  Hamilton, who is depressed by the unexpected death of his father and the quick remarriage of his mother (to his uncle, no less), entreaties Horatio to help him uncover who has killed his father.  Horatio, a town outsider, must try to get to the bottom of things, but in doing so, risks his own life, as well.

Impressions and Opinions of the Books

The retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet in this novel is unmistakable.  Despite the somewhat different names of characters and updated locations, anyone familiar with the play will instantly be able to identify what character is being adapted to the modern day tale.  Gratz does a good job of sprinkling in references here and there from the original play, but some of the puns do illicit eye rolls at the forced execution.  Nevertheless, the story seems to be a mashup of Shakespeare and 1920's private eye movie set in modern day USA, so the cheese is to be expected.

What is not expected are some of Gratz's adjustments to huge plot points.  I found myself questioning my memory of the original story line due to the outcome of some of the main characters within the story.  Choices that Gratz makes influence the overall mood of the story, something essential to the play.  In fact, the darkness that looms over and follows Hamlet and everyone he is associated with in the play is almost an unnamed character.  With a story that so closely mimics the original, this alteration is jarring.  Granted, Something Rotten is Gratz's updated take on the classic, and he is at liberty to make adjustments as he sees fit.  Still, having main characters die (or not) to produce a happy ending has me questioning Gratz's understanding of the original work and wondering if Shakespeare might not be rolling in his grave over this re-imagining.

Full-Text Review

Gratz is cornering the niche market of novels containing dissimilar topics. Here he combines Hamlet and hardboiled detective pulp. During a vacation from their academy, Horatio Wilkes accompanies his buddy Hamilton Prince to Denmark, Tenn. Just two months after his father passed away under suspicious circumstances, Hamilton's Uncle Claude has married Hamilton's mother. Claude now controls the Elsinore Paper Plant, a multibillion dollar company blatantly polluting the Copenhagen River. Horatio, with a knack for investigating, is determined to expose Claude's corruption while Hamilton, dismayed by what he believes is his mother's betrayal, drowns himself in alcohol. Ultimately, Horatio relies on environmentalist protester Olivia to reveal secrets about Elsinore. The many parallels to Hamlet are interesting, but Gratz wisely avoids producing a carbon copy of the tragedy. Horatio admirably plays the loyal friend but has a cocky voice that is too self-assured and as a teen rings unauthentic. However, this well-crafted mystery has appeal for readers familiar with both Raymond Chandler's novels and Shakespeare's masterpiece. (Fiction. YA)

Kirkus (2007). [Review of the book Something rotten: A Horatio Wilkes mystery by A. Gratz]. Retrieved from  https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/alan-gratz/something-rotten/

Library Uses

This would be a great book to have as part of a display in a high school library of media that are inspired by works from Shakespeare, whether it be books, movies, or even music and bands.  A couple of sites that share other media to add to the display are 

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/shakespearewriter.html  

https://www.bustle.com/articles/151790-13-shakespeare-inspired-young-adult-novels

http://screenrant.com/movies-based-on-shakespeare-plays/

Another option would be to have an "If you liked this Shakespeare play, you might like this book" kind of display.  This link shares some possibilities for such a display.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/30/top-10-novels-inspired-shakespeare-herman-melville-patricia-highsmith