Carol Littlejohn » Children, Ages 9-12 http://www.carollittlejohn.com Carol Littlejohn, Author of Booktalks Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:31:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 “Scat” by Carl Hiaasen http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2010/01/747/ http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2010/01/747/#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:09:44 +0000 admin http://www.carollittlejohn.com/?p=747 Scat by Carl Hiaasen. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.
Ages 9-12
Ecological Mystery.
Booktalk: Mrs. Starch was known as the school’s meanest (and best) teacher. One day she mysteriously disappears on a field trip. Everyone knows that her student, Duane “Smoke” Scrod was responsible. He bit (and swallowed!) a pencil that Mrs. Starch was holding just the day before. But is Duane responsible for the mysterious disappearance? Nick and Marta believe Duane is innocent. But can they prove it?
Note for adult sponsor: The author provides humor within a well-developed mystery that involves ecology, particularly the extinction of the Florida panther. The characters are also well developed, especially Nick whose father lost an arm during the Iraq war. The title Scat refers to panther dung and to telling the hopeful oil drillers to “Scat!” Useful for all types of book clubs and will provide discussion about many issues, including ecology, extinction, post-traumatic stress and no-nonsense teachers who are unlikable but skillful.

]]> http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2010/01/747/feed/ 0 The Underneath http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/the-underneath-2/ http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/the-underneath-2/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:09:45 +0000 admin http://www.carollittlejohn.com/?p=453 The Underneath by Kathi Appelt with drawings by David Small. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008.
Ages 8-12
Fantasy
Booktalk: A pregnant calico cat has been abandoned by the side of the road. She meets a dog that has been abused. Together, they make a life, teaching the kittens not to venture from underneath the house. The owner of the house, Gar Face cares only about himself and capturing the King Alligator. If Gar Face discovers the kittens, he will use the kittens as alligator bait!

Note to adult sponsor: This beautiful Southern gothic tale needs to be discussed chapter by chapter. Three separate stories occur, but are blended into a satisfying ending. Gar Face owns the abused dog, Ranger, but the reader discovers that Gar Face has also been abused. Like Captain Ahab, Gar Face is obsessed with capturing the alligator—even if he must use animals as bait. In spite of the horrifying abuse presented within the text, love and sacrifice are the main themes.

]]> http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/the-underneath-2/feed/ 0 Tricking the Tallyman http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/tricking-the-tallyman-2/ http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/tricking-the-tallyman-2/#comments Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:06:51 +0000 admin http://www.carollittlejohn.com/?p=450 Tricking the Tallyman by Jacqueline Davis and S.D. Schindler, illustrator. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.
Ages 7-10
Read-aloud
Booktalk: Phineas Bump has come to a small town many, many years ago to do one thing. He needs to find out exactly how many people live in this town. The United States government has sent him on this journey. But no one trusts him. Find out how he tricks the townspeople after they trick him!

Note to adult sponsor: In 1790 the first United States census was taken and many people were suspicious of telling any personal information. They thought they would have to pay more taxes. Actually, the US government needed these numbers to figure out how many Representatives each state sends to the House of Representatives in Washington, DC. Sadly, in 1790 the Native Americans were not counted at all and slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person. The text has a humorous story, but includes an author’s note to explain the census process. A great discussion book, and then include one of the many activities from TeacherVision,www.teachervision.fen.com/american-colonies/teacher-resources/6606.html

]]> http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/tricking-the-tallyman-2/feed/ 0 Rapunzel’s Revenge http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/rapunzel%e2%80%99s-revenge/ http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/rapunzel%e2%80%99s-revenge/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:55:55 +0000 admin http://www.carollittlejohn.com/?p=360 Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dale Hale, illustrator. New York, NY: Bloomsbury USA, 2008.
Ages 9-12
Graphic novel
Booktalk: I guess you know the story about Rapzunel letting down her hair and marrying a prince. What if Rapzunel meets Jack the Beanstalk? Try this comic book for a twisted tale of adventure.

Note to adult sponsors: This graphic novel is appealing because of its color graphics, hair-raising adventures, and strong female character. Of course, it ends happily as all folktales do. I recommended this for the middle school because of the word “pregnant” but, if this is no problem, add this one to younger library collections.

]]> http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/rapunzel%e2%80%99s-revenge/feed/ 0 Harry Houdini for Kids http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/harry-houdini-for-kids/ http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/harry-houdini-for-kids/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:18:11 +0000 admin http://www.carollittlejohn.com/?p=345 Harry Houdini for Kids: His Life and Adventures with 21 Magic Tricks and Illusions by Laurie Carlson. Chicago, IL: Chicago Review Press, 2009. Ages 9-12.

Biography. Magic.

Booktalk: Who was Harry Houdini? He was the world’s most famous magician. He could escape from anything: handcuffs, locked jail cells and even tightly bound boxes thrown into a river! Of course, Houdini never told the secret of these tricks. But Houdini did share some of his easiest tricks and these tricks are revealed in this book.

Note to adult sponsors: Harry Houdini (born Eric Weiss, 1874-1926 in Budapest, Hungary) lived a rag-to-riches story through his magic. He was also a movie star, aviator, illusionist and American spy. Book contains many sidebars with magic tricks, timeline and resource list. Try www.akahoudini.org for images, facts, and games.

]]> http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/harry-houdini-for-kids/feed/ 0 The Double-Daring Book for Girls http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/the-double-daring-book-for-girls/ http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/the-double-daring-book-for-girls/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:16:09 +0000 admin http://www.carollittlejohn.com/?p=342

The Double-Daring Book for Girls by Andrea J. Buchana & Miriam Peskowitz. Illustrations by Alexis Seabrook. New York: HarperCollins, 2009. Ages 9-12.

Nonfiction.

Booktalk: Everything a girl wants to know is in this book. Learn board games, arts and crafts, slumber party games, and even how to start a mother-daughter book club. Now you will never be bored again!

Note to adult sponsor: IArticles about cowgirls, dancers, and Calamity Jane are intertwined within illustrations and explanations of activities of board games, arts and crafts, and athletics. f you like this “daring” book for young girls, then the author’s other young girl books.

]]> http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/the-double-daring-book-for-girls/feed/ 0 Tricking the Tallyman http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/tricking-the-tallyman/ http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/tricking-the-tallyman/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:10:43 +0000 admin http://www.carollittlejohn.com/?p=337 Tricking the Tallyman by Jacqueline Davis and S.D. Schindler, illustrator. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.
Ages 7-10
Read-aloud
Booktalk: Phineas Bump has come to a small town many, many years ago to do one thing. He needs to find out exactly how many people live in this town. The United States government has sent him on this journey. But no one trusts him. Find out how he tricks the townspeople after they trick him!

Note to adult sponsor: In 1790 the first United States census was taken and many people were suspicious of telling any personal information. They thought they would have to pay more taxes. Actually, the US government needed these numbers to figure out how many Representatives each state sends to the House of Representatives in Washington, DC. Sadly, in 1790 the Native Americans were not counted at all and slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person. The text has a humorous story, but includes an author’s note to explain the census process. Judy Freeman has a free Reacher’s Theater script under “Related Websites.” Also, include one of the many activities from TeacherVision, www.teachervision.fen.com/american-colonies/teacher-resources/6606.html

]]> http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/tricking-the-tallyman/feed/ 0 The Underneath http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/the-underneath/ http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/the-underneath/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:02:40 +0000 admin http://www.carollittlejohn.com/?p=335 The Underneath by Kathi Appelt; drawings by David Small. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008.
Ages 8-12
Fantasy
Booktalk: A pregnant calico cat has been abandoned by the side of the road. She meets a dog that has been abused. Together, they make a life, teaching the kittens not to venture from underneath the house. The owner of the house, Gar Face cares only about himself and capturing the King Alligator. If Gar Face discovers the kittens, he will use the kittens as alligator bait!

Note to adult sponsor: This beautiful Southern gothic tale needs to be discussed chapter by chapter. Three separate stories occur, but are blended into a satisfying ending. Gar Face owns the abused dog, Ranger, but the reader discovers that Gar Face has also been abused. Like Captain Ahab, Gar Face is obsessed with capturing the alligator—even if he must use animals as bait. In spite of the horrifying abuse presented within the text, love and sacrifice are the main themes.

]]> http://www.carollittlejohn.com/2009/12/the-underneath/feed/ 0