Module 7: Realistic Fiction-Frindle

Module 7: Realistic Fiction

Book: Frindle

Author: Andrew Clements

Illustrator: Brian Selznick

Plot

            ‘Frindle’ is a made-up alternative word for ‘pen’ that Nicholas Allen-the resident fifth grader who marches to beat of his own drum and owns it-creates while under Mrs. Granger’s regime. As ‘Frindle’ starts in the classroom it becomes like wildfire and burns its way through the school and eventually to world outside of school walls. ‘Frindle’ no longer belongs to Nicholas Allen but rather to those who choose to use the word and, when he is asked to stop the fire trail of his invention, it is like Dr. Frakenstein trying to stop his Creature; impossible. But, unlike Frankenstein, Nicholas Allen does not suffer from his invention but glorifies in it and is rewarded with fame and fortune. Creation is neither good or bad for the imagination stems from a power that cannot decipher from good or evil; power….energy is simply that and Nicholas’ power, as mischievous as it is, is the belief that all things can become real with some planning and cunning….and having a great teacher who pushes you and gets you thinking is good too.

Impressions of the book

I love this book. I love how unrealistically realistic the book is and love how the protagonist is lovable and antagonist-whom we believe to be Mrs. Granger but may actually be the norms of society-becomes a driving force that pushes the novel to how it ends. The story could very easily be about Steve Jobs and his Apple ideas or John Lasseter and his Pixar movement…this book, 18 years ago may have been a silly book but now, as I read it again, I have realized that this book was written exactly for the Jobs and Lasseters of the world. With that in mind, I would like to remind all of us that ‘bootiliscious’ is also in the dictionary. Creativity doesn’t need to be on the level of genius; it can also come from an artistic level.

Usage in a Library Setting

            I would challenge the readers to create their own words and ask them to create a situation where they would use the word and why. The day would simply be about creation and invention and we would also look into history’s greatest inventors and do some discussion on them.

Review

“The author has created a fresh, imaginative plot that will have readers smiling all the way through, if not laughing out loud. Nick, a champion time-waster, faces the challenge of his life when confronted with the toughest teacher in school, Mrs. Granger. Always counted on to filibuster the impending test or homework assignment away, Nick has met his match in "Dangerous Grangerous," who can spot a legitimate question in a second and has no patience with the rest. In answer to "Like, who says that d-o-g means the thing that goes 'woof' and wags its tail? Who says so?" she replies, "You do, Nicholas. You and me and everyone in this class and this school and this town and this state and this country." And thus is born frindle, Nick's new name for pen, promising and delivering a classic student-teacher battle along the lines of — but far funnier than — Avi's Nothing But the Truth (Orchard). The battle assumes the proportions of a tall tale, and although outrageous and hilarious, it's all plausible, and every bit works from the premise to the conclusion. The brisk narration is rapid-fire, and Nick is one of the most charming troublemakers since Soup. The merchandising future of this one is too terrible to contemplate; the cutting-edge gift this Christmas has got to be a frindle.”- By Elizabeth S. Watson

APA Citations

Clements, A., & Selznick, B. (1996). Frindle. New York, N.Y: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

E.S.W. (1996). Frindle. Horn Book Magazine, 72(6), 732-733.

Module 7: Realistic Fiction-Brutal

Module 7: Realistic Fiction

Book: Brutal

Author: Michael Harmon

Plot

The plot revolves around Poe Holly and her adolescent experience on life. She moves in with her dad whom she hasn’t met or seen since birth (she’s 16) because her well-to-do-super-hero-mother-surgeon is in South America doing her medical thing for the people of the jungle. She is from Los Angeles and moves to a small wine town in California. Her father is the complete opposite of her (and her mother) and is also the Counselor for her high school. They butt heads as much as Poe butts heads with the adults at her high school. There is definitely a class system in her school that allows the jocks and academics to run rampant with power while the ones who don’t fit into this criteria are bullied. The number one target for being bullied is Velveeta while the person who can’t be bullied is Theo (his dad is the mayor). Poe, on the other hand, is waging war by questioning authority and proving herself to be right. Of course she gets in trouble but it is for a good cause. There are so many things going on in this book that I can’t just pin point one problem for teens to empathize/sympathize with. The bullying is the biggest issue in the book that teens will understand. Also, the book touches on divorce, competition (Poe in the choir), questioning authority, rebellion, peer pressure, being your own person, and not getting along with parents. These are all issues within the plot that are not only believable but very probable in the life of a young adult.

                                                           Impressions of the book

Although I respect the novel for what is, I didn’t really enjoy it as a whole because some of the issues in the book were too embellished for me and not relevant to my experiences. I’m not saying this to undermine bullying and the extreme violence that comes with this particular book’s bullying, divorce, teenage angst and all of the themes in the book but I went through a different type of adolescents. For me, Perks of Being a Wallflower was far more superior on a literary level and the subject matter was more relevant to my experience as a teen. A lot of my anger was internal and I never really expressed it externally by undermining authority but rather jeopardizing my own mortality by actively being a danger to myself and thinking that I was the authority. I grew out of the teenage phase but that doesn’t mean I know how to be an adult; I may be one but I sure don’t feel like one. Brutal for me is a reminder that every single adolescent experience is uniquely different, just like books. Not liking the novel took me aback quite a bit because I realized that I would never have been friends with Poe, or Theo, or Velveeta. I realized that I didn’t like the book because this book took me back to high school and I didn’t have any friends because I didn’t like anyone. It’s crazy what books can do to one’s psyche. So, to feel better, I re-read Perks and found my friends in this novel. With that said, don’t take my word for it and read Brutal for yourself to see if you fit in the story and can believe that the characters could be your friends. I don’t regret

having read the novel, I only wish I would have liked it.

  Usage in a Library Setting

            The novel can be used as an example of the social issues and political implications in schools that preach diversity without a solid foundation to back up the premise of equality. It can also be a conversation starter with regards to anti-bullying 101.

Reviews

“An angry 16-year-old shakes up her school when she challenges its social order. When Poe moves from Los Angeles to suburban California to live with her father, a man she has no relationship with, she's furious: furious at her dynamo doctor of a mother for deserting her to take a year's sabbatical to care for the poor and furious at her dad for his neglect and emotional passivity. The focus of this highly charged novel is not Poe's dysfunctional family, however, but a question that has dogged high-school students from time immemorial. Why is it that the more socially elite students get to prey upon the less so? And the rather savvy answer Harmon comes up with is that it's because the adults who run the school allow it. A mention of Columbine at a faculty-student meeting somewhat negates this premise, as it reverses the power dynamic in readers' minds, and some of the characterizations, such as Poe's perfect boyfriend, seem more functional than fully human. Still, strong medicine with a strong message.”-Kirkus Reviews

APA Citations

BRUTAL. (2009). Kirkus Reviews, 77(3), 172.

Harmon, M. B. (2009). Brutal. New York, N.Y: Alfred A. Knopf.

Module 6: Picture Books

Module 6: Picture Books

Book: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Author: Mo Willems

Plot

            Mr. Bus Driver is leaving for a little bit and he has asked us not to let the Pigeon drive the bus…ever. No matter how much he begs, pleads, or negotiates Pigeon is never to drive the bus. And so, Pigeon shows up and begs, pleads, negotiates, and goes through all the steps of DABDA before realizing that he will not be able to drive the bus under our watch.

Impressions of the Book

Although there really isn’t a story in the book, the reader does get put into a situation where the reader comes out with a story. The book is interactive and asks the reader to make sure that the pigeon does not drive the bus. The reader, rather than look for a story, is part of the story. It makes for a very funny and very engaging picture book that both a single reader or a reader and listener can get into. The behavior of the pigeon is reminiscent of a tantrum-inflicted seven

Year old child or a teenager that is not getting his or her way. For example, there’s two full pages of the pigeon pretty much going through the steps of d.a.b.d.a.: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. The book is hilarious and entertaining for all ages. I very good read either as a single reader or as a reader and a listener. I love this book.

Usage in a library setting

After having read the book already, I would reread the book this time with the kids telling the story and seeing which ones remember the book and which ones make up the stories based on their take on the pictures. I would also have an activity with art where all the emotions of the pigeon are written and kids would have to pick a word then draw out the emotion and write down when they have felt the same emotion as the pigeon.

           

Review

            “Facing the title page, an amiable-looking bus driver addresses listeners directly in a speech balloon: "Listen, I've got to leave for a little while, so can you watch things for me until I get back? Thanks." A reasonable enough request. The caveat? "Oh, and remember: Don't let the pigeon drive the bus!" If story-hour listeners (and beginning readers) haven't already had their curiosity piqued by the silly title and opening endpapers--with said pigeon picturing himself behind the wheel--this appeal from the driver will hook them for sure. And he's not talking about your garden-variety flighty pigeon. As soon as the bus driver walks off the copyright page, the brazen bird gets right to the point: "Hey, can I drive the bus?" Willems's animation background (on Sesame Street and the Cartoon Network) is used here to good effect. Clean, sparely designed pages focus attention on the simply drawn but wildly expressive (and emotive) pigeon, and there's a particularly funny page-turn when a well-mannered double-page spread with eight vignettes of the pleading pigeon gives way to a full-bleed, full-blown temper tantrum. Assuming that young listeners will take on the role of limit-setting grownups and not identify with the powerless but impertinent pigeon ("What's the big deal!? .... No fair!"), this well-paced story encourages audience interaction. In fact, like the wide-eyed pigeon, the book demands it. By the end, the pigeon has moved on--to dreaming about driving an eighteen wheeler. And that's a big 10-4, good buddy.”- By Kitty Flynn

 

APA Citations

Flynn, K. (2003). Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Horn Book Magazine, 79(4), 449-450.

Willems, M., & Hyperion Books for Children. (2003). Don't let the pigeon drive the bus. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.