Literacy Now

Although many students today claim to hate history, it often isn’t history they dislike so much as how history is taught or what they know about historical events. If social studies and history courses consist merely of memorizing dry facts or dates or marching inexorably year after year from the “discovery” of America by the white man to the Civil War or WWI and WWII without discussing the individuals behind those important events, dates, and movements, then there is no wonder that today’s generation avoids history like the proverbial plague. But there are plenty of fantastic books being published today that offer different perspectives on history. In this week’s reviews, the members of the International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group provide some recent titles that may awaken the curiosity in young readers or rekindle an interest in history.

GRADES K-3

Kay, Verla. (2012). Civil War drummer boy. Illus. by Larry Day. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

It is April 21, 1861, and the Civil War has begun. The battles don’t involve only teens and adults but even some children. Through the eyes of an enlisted young drummer boy, the author tackles a complex topic and uses short verse to portray the battle scenes and emotions of the War Between the States. The pen-and-ink watercolors shift from bright colors in the opening scenes and those when Johnny is training with the soldiers and all seems cheerful and confident. As the battles grow in intensity, smoke-filled pictures and often blood-smeared scenes bring the war to life and darken the scenes portrayed. An older, taller, and war-weary Johnny returns to the family farm at the end of the book. Teachers may find this book useful as a read aloud or an example of rhymed verse to tell an emotionally charged story. The title could serve as a read aloud introduction to the Civil War or as a picture book companion to Jim Murphy’s The Boys’ War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk about the Civil War (Clarion, 1990). Teachers might find it helpful to view a short, artfully done book trailer at Vimeo.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 4-5

Freedman, Russell. (2012). The Boston Tea Party. Illus. by Peter Malone. New York: Holiday House.

A large crowd stood on Griffin’s Wharf on the night of November 28, 1773. They watched as local colonials, dressed as Mohawk Indians, raided the British merchant ship, the Dartmouth, and dumped its cargo consisting of thousands of pounds of tea into Boston Harbor. The tea was being heavily taxed against the new American colonies, and the angry colonials vehemently decided to protest. Smearing their faces with lampblack, soot, and grease, community members consisting of printers, shipwrights, carpenters, blacksmiths, and even apprentices joined the angry mob. This action became known as the Boston Tea Party, marking the beginnings of active protests that would eventually lead to the American Revolutionary War. Through his usual well-researched and documented narrative, Freedman brings this exciting moment in American history alive for young readers. The watercolor illustrations authentically portray the period in great detail, including the facial expressions of participants and onlookers. The use of actual quotes from many of the “Mohawks” make the night’s activities all that more real. Back matter includes an afterword, a bibliography, and a timeline to add further background information about this era. Used as a read aloud, this book vividly replicates the exciting heat of the moment surrounding an act of defiance from oppressed colonials, on their way to becoming Americans. Teachers might like to show students the exhibit and videos found at the Boston Museum website on the Boston Tea Party.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Ochiltree, Dianne. (2012). Molly, by golly! The legend of Molly Williams, America’s first female firefighter.  Illus. by Kathleen Kemly. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press/ Calkins Creek.

The Oceanus Engine Company No. 11, part of New York City’s Fire Department in the early 1800’s, was stricken by an influenza outbreak among the firemen. When a fire started on a cold and blizzard-like day, most of the firemen were too sick to battle the blaze. Molly Williams, the African-American cook for Mr. Aymar, one of the volunteer firemen, realized how desperate the situation was and took matters into her own competent hands. She sent young boys known as alert runners into the neighborhoods to warn people about the fire. She also put on a helmet and work gloves and stood beside the available men to pump water from the river. The vivid illustrations portray the heat from the fire juxtaposed against the snowy blizzard as well as the period detail in clothes and buildings and fire equipment. This little-known story shows Molly’s great courage as well as a providing a piece of American history portraying a real hero. Teachers may want to read more of about Molly at the author’s website. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Ray, Deborah Kogan. (2012). Paiute princess: The story of Sarah Winnemucca. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux/ Frances Foster Books.

Born in 1844 in Nevada Territory, Paiute Sarah Winnemucca started her life on the edge of two cultures. Chief Truckee recognized his granddaughter’s intelligence and aptitude for learning languages and made sure that she learned English and was educated about the white man’s ways. Her early life in the tribe exposed her to the injustices that were befalling her native peoples due to the influx of settlers, ranchers, miners, the railroad, and other imposing aspects of the white culture. As Sarah grew up and witnessed atrocities by the whites, the chalk and mixed-media illustrations subtly portray these acts of violence. Years later, Sarah chose to be a spokesperson and activist for her tribe, making the world aware of the plight of Native Americans at the hands of the often-unjust and deceitful Bureau of Indian Affairs. She spent her life traveling and speaking to raise awareness, prompting white journalists to tag her with the title of “Princess Sarah.” In 1885 she founded the Peabody School for young Indian children in Lovelock, Nevada before her death in 1891. The author uses actual quotations from Sarah’s autobiography, which was the first book written by a Native American woman in the English language. Ray discusses her book in an interview at Kid Lit Celebrates.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Rubin, Susan Goldman. (2012). Jean Laffite: The pirate who saved America. Illus. by Jeff Himmelman. New York: Abrams.

This biography will appeal to all adventure-seekers. Jean Laffite, along with his brothers, was a pirate who seized and robbed Spanish ships. His family was kicked out of Spain because they were Jewish. Consequently, they detested Spain and captured every ship in the Gulf of Mexico owned by Spain. During these watery conflicts, they won duels, took sailors as prisoners and gained cargo such as gold, coffee and cinnamon. Even though Jean was a pirate he was known to be polite, calm and wise in manner. He even helped other pirates settle quarrels and later became known as the “boss.” During the War of 1812, when the British wanted to reclaim America, the British Royal Navy tried to persuade Jean to help them beat the Americans. But Jean, along with the Baratarians (other pirates in Louisiana), defended their country by killing 2,500 British soldiers within 30 minutes, refusing to allow the British to invade New Orleans. President James Madison praised the pirates’ courage and loyal service by granting them citizenship. More information about Laffite is shared in an author’s note, bibliography, and places to visit.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Stout, Glenn. (2012). Good Sports: Able to Play. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Sports history showcases athletes who overcame physical disabilities. This slim volume features four baseball players who played the game despite their physical challenges. After losing three fingers in a farming accident, Mordecai (Three Finger) Brown went on to become a professional baseball pitcher. When he was 24 he learned to pitch a curve ball with three stumps and two crooked fingers to hold the ball. After playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago Cubs, and the Cincinnati Reds, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949. In 1958, 18-year old Ron Santo graduated as the top athlete in the history of Washington State. He chose to play for the Chicago Cubs, even if they couldn’t offer him as much money as other teams. A routine blood test revealed that Ron had type I diabetes. At that time, the life expectancy for someone diagnosed with diabetes was only 25 years. Ron learned how to play baseball while dealing with the disease. Twelve years later, his fans and teammates came together to collect funds for diabetes research by hosting “Ron Santo Day.” Jim Abbott was born without a right hand. His right hand was a stump just below his elbow with only one small, misshapen finger. Although his parents encouraged him to try a prosthetic arm, Jim was happy to do everything with one hand. Jim loved the Detroit Tigers. Despite being called cruel names such as “crab” by the youngsters in his native Florida, Jim ignored their taunts and eventually became proficient enough to play professional baseball for 10 years before retiring. Curtis Pride was born deaf. He excelled in sports, including track, basketball, and soccer. The New York Mets drafted Curtis for their baseball team while he was still in high school. Because he also had a basketball scholarship, he played baseball in the summer and studied finance and played basketball the rest of the year. After his graduation, he was drafted by the Montreal Expos to play professional baseball where he played for several teams. The inspiring stories of these four men make this a great volume for reluctant readers and baseball lovers everywhere.

- Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 6-8

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. (2011). Jefferson’s sons. New York: Dial.

Well-researched historical fiction often has large kid-appeal, and the fact that this story revolves around one of the nation's founding fathers makes it even more compelling. Readers will be troubled by the distance, dissonance, and dishonesty between Thomas Jefferson's written words about freedom and mankind’s inalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence, and his own actions in owning slaves on his Monticello plantation, hiding his relationship with Sally Hemings, and never acknowledging publicly their four children. The children, Beverly, Harriet, Maddie, and Eston, stayed in the slave quarters, their existence an open secret not shared with the outside world or even the rest of Jefferson's family. The story is told from the perspectives of Beverly and Maddie, and then from Peter, a friend of the Hemings family. While their mother, who was one-eighth black, made sure that the children would be freed when they turned 21, their ability to pass for white in the world outside the plantation depended on the lightness or darkness of their skins. Thus, not all of the children would be able to have the same freedoms once they were grown. Complicated and troubling on many levels, the book covers the last 20 years of Jefferson's life. While there is certainly affection between Thomas and Sallie, he didn’t free her while he was alive, and they never lived openly as a couple. Clearly, Jefferson was a product of his times, and acted accordingly, but readers will wonder at his inattention to these four children and his cavalier treatment of the human beings who kept his plantation running. Curious readers will ponder the difficulty of the lives of Jefferson's grown up children, unable to stay in touch with the family members they left behind on the plantation, carrying the secret of their ancestry to the grave. This book is highly recommended, engrossing reading.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

McArthur, Debra. (2012). A voice for Kanzas. La Jolla, CA: Kane/Miller.

The months leading to the Civil War were filled with turmoil as debate swirled around whether new territories would allow or forbid slavery. This historical fiction title makes that argument even more personal through the eyes of a young girl. To her dismay, thirteen-year-old Lucy Thomkins and her parents head to the Kansas Territory in 1855 in order to support the abolitionist movement and to start a business. A budding poet, Lucy doubts that she will find inspiration for her writing in her new home. As she fends off bullies at school who tease her because of her clothing and attitude, she accidentally learns that some of her neighbors are involved in the abolitionist movement, and she becomes friends with Levi, a Native American boy. Through her experiences, Lucy realizes that writing need not focus only on the world's beauty but may be used to encourage societal change. As Lucy pens anonymous letters to the newspaper editor and crafts poetry dealing with freedom and slavery, she finds her writing voice and an unexpected source for inspiration. Readers will enjoy watching Lucy’s growth amid her new surroundings as she copes with some of the settlers’ less than courteous actions. The author makes clear just how deeply divided about the issue of slavery was the area that would become the state of Kansas.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

McKissack, Patricia C., & McKissack, Jr., Frederick L. (2012). Best shot in the West: The adventures of Nat Love. Illus. by Randy DuBurke. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

The story of Nat Love, also known as Deadwood Dick, whose facility with a gun was almost legendary, bears some resemblance to an American tall tale due the many coincidences and feats recorded during Love’s life. Readers are sure to relish the story of a most unlikely hero, a man born as a slave in 1854, his subsequent losses and hardships, and then his incredible adventures as a cowboy. Surely, his is a story worth telling just for the gasp-worthy passages that describe how he determinedly broke the most reluctant horses and his near-death during a cattle stampede or an ambush during a cattle drive. Partly biography and partly fiction, this title is certainly engaging and lends itself well to its graphic novel format since Love’s life seems to have been so episodic with great tragedy leavened by moments of triumph. The book begins with Nat having left behind his adventurous life on the range to travel the rails as a porter. Since his current job necessitated having to snap to the orders of those who considered themselves better than him, readers will realize how hard that sort of behavior must have been on the proud Love. How embarrassed those rude passengers might have been if they had realized with whom they were speaking! The acrylic and pen illustrations provide a haunting backdrop to Love’s story, making it almost impossible to distinguish the features of the characters or even the setting while readers are traveling through the misty fog of time and adventures long in the past.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Rappaport, Doreen. (2012). Beyond courage: The untold story of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

The author shares the inspiring stories she collected during six years of research from those who resisted the Nazis during the Holocaust. In this new collection of stories revealing the courage of those Jews who fought against Hitler and the Nazi regime, the author begins with the events of Kristallnacht and describes the heroism of two teens who remove Torah scrolls from a synagogue. She then moves chronologically to other acts of heroism. She tells about the transport of children to other lands and how children were smuggled out of cities right under the noses of the Nazis. She also details the courage and determination of resistance fighters in the Polish ghettos and in the camps. While some of the stories are brief, hinting at the clear-eyed acts of heroism sure to result in death, others are longer and more detailed. All of the stories, though, are fascinating, inspiring, and humbling, vivid reminders. From the young and from the old, from males and from females, inside the cities and in rural areas, there was organized resistance to Hitler's campaign to eradicate the Jews. Heroism came from the most unlikely of sources; for instance, one sidebar notes how art teacher Friedl Dicker-Brandeis brought art supplies with her when she was transported to Theresienstadt, and then hid the children's drawings when she was moved to Auschwitz. In another section, the author describes how some individuals kept records of what was happening so the world would know the truth, and then placed their accounts in milk cans that were buried later. The book is also filled with photographs so readers may see these very ordinary individuals who behaved so heroically. Lightly shaded photos behind the text hint at the courage and determination behind the Nazis’ atrocities. Readers who want to read more stories of  heroism may want to visit the author’s website. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Swain, Gwenyth. (2012). Hope and tears: Ellis Island voices. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press/Calkins Creek.

The author has paired period photographs taken at Ellis Island with poems, scripts, and essays that portray the immigrant experience. Although these short texts are fictional, the author has captured the spirit of each photograph in words that will make this an excellent choice for a read aloud or reader’s theater or a compilation of short passages in segments. The book is divided into six chapters: Ellis Islands, Arrivals, Inspections, Island of Hope, Island of Tears, Living and Working, and Closed Doors Reopened. The chapters are arranged chronologically as more and more immigrants arrive in America and are detained at Ellis Island – some for physicals, some to wait for sponsoring relatives or prospective employers. The possibility of being sent back looms over each new entrant. The final chapter takes a contemporary look at immigration today. Readers may want to visit the author’s website for more background on her research on Ellis Island she conducted before writing this book. Teachers can direct students to the Ellis Island Museum website or make use of the curriculum resources at the National Parks Service website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 9-12

Aronson, Marc. (2012). Master of deceit: J. Edgar Hoover and America in the age of lies. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

The name of J. Edgar Hoover, the long-time director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was long associated with power and fear. This book about his life and times provides insight into a man who became so powerful that he and his agency could get away with keeping secret files, browbeating others, even collecting information on those he feared, disliked, or suspected of harboring Communist sympathies. It begs the question of who polices the agency responsible for protecting the nation and its citizens. The book begins with a letter attempting to blackmail civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and then briefly covers Hoover's childhood and rise to power. As part of the book’s eighteen chapters, Aronson takes readers through some of the nation’s more unsavory history and periods of paranoia and secrecy that colored the way some Americans regarded others. Among other critical incidents, he revisits Senator Joseph McCarthy's attempts to ferret out Communists in the motion picture industry, the Rosenbergs' trial and execution, and even the torture used to gain information after the fall of the Twin Towers. Clearly, Hoover was a master manipulator and skilled at self-promotion, and the author hypothesizes possible motivations for his actions and his secrets, even addressing rumors about Hoover's sexuality. While sifting through the nation’s past, Aronson also ponders the trade-off between blissful unawareness of potential dangers and the price of secrecy and security. Readers are sure to ponder the fine line between protection and intrusive as well as how information obtained secretly might be used against others. This thoroughly engaging and impeccably researched book brings many figures from history to life again, describing their personalities and character traits. Hoover, for instance, is not painted solely in a negative light but with an attempt to understand the man and his context. Readers will enjoy sifting through the photographs that fill the book's pages and relishing Aronson's description of his own research and writing process. This title is highly recommended, and might even prompt some passionate discussions among parents and their teens. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Coats, J. Anderson. (2012). The wicked and the just.  New York: Harcourt.

Set in medieval England and Wales in the 1290’s, this story describes how young Cecily’s father has taken the post of burgess in the newly conquered town of Caernarvon in Wales. She is furious at having to leave her comfortable life in England. As she settles into her new surroundings she assumes the position of the woman of the house in charge of the servants. Gwenhwyfar or Gwinny is one of the young Welsh maids serving Cecily in the castle. During her life in Wales, Gwinny has been horribly exploited, and her resentment toward the English, represented by Cecily, is seething. When the castle town is attacked and an unwanted marital match is made for Cecily, it is Gwinny, surprisingly, who is able to help Cecily. At another point in the story, Cecily, unbeknownst to Gwinny, is able to offer aid to Gwinny’s failing mother. The ravages of war and cruelty shown to others are harshly brought to bear in this story as the reader shifts between the voices of Cecily and Gwinny. The author has provided historical notes at the end. Author J. Anderson Coats is part of the Skype an Author Network. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Sheinkin, Steve. (2012). Bomb – the race to build-and steal-the world’s most dangerous weapon. New York: Macmillan/ FlashPoint.

Scientists, political leaders, and spies – everyone wanted the atomic bomb. It was 1938 when the radioactive uranium atom was split. And so began the race to develop the world’s most destructive bomb – a war-ending bomb. Sheinkin’s well-researched background into the history of the atomic bomb deals not only with the scientific aspect but also goes on to reveal the attempts by the Soviets to steal the secret behind the creation of the first atomic bomb for themselves. This book travels the world as the history of the era unfolds from the moment the original German scientist made the atomic discovery and then on to bringing many of those scientists to the United States to work at the University of Chicago, and then continuing to the atomic testing grounds in New Mexico. The book is divided into several parts: the Prologue, Part 1 – Three-Way Race; Part 2 – Chain Reaction; Part 3 – How to Build an Atomic Bomb; Part 4 – Final Assembly; and concludes with an Epilogue, Race to Trinity, and extensive source notes and credits. Photographs are interspersed throughout each chapter to help readers see the many individuals who played a part in this real life drama. Read more about this bomb at the author’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Weaver, Lila Quintero. (2012). Darkroom: a memoir in black and white. Birmingham: University of Alabama Press.

Lila Weaver was five-years-old when she and her family moved to Alabama from Argentina in 1961. She and her family found themselves outsiders, in this era of Jim Crow and distinct separation of black and white. Lila and her family were neither. Using the graphic novel format, she relates this family memoir through black and gray sketches that reflect the photography of her father. Her mother was a visual artist as well, and not surprisingly, the perspective in this book is artistic as well as political. The author describes life in Alabama during a time when civil rights were the main focus in American politics. The fact that her family was actually experiencing a similar yet unique kind of discrimination provides a fresh perspective into this 1960’s scenario. Teachers may want to listen to an NPR discussion of the book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Wein, Elizabeth. (2012). Code name Verity. New York: Hyperion Books.

Two young women’s lives become intertwined through the auspices of World War II. As Maggie, the pilot, and Julia, the spy (known as Verity), become friends, readers learn about the girls’ very different backgrounds set against the backdrop of WWII. In a mission flying over France, their plane crashes, and Julia is captured. The Nazis begin their torture to get information from their captive about the British War Effort. Trying to delay her impending death and succumbing to the torture, she begins her tale of the crash and her dear friend Maggie. This harsh, riveting story portrays not only the depth of two girls’ friendship but the courage displayed in both these young women facing the consequences of war. The second part of the book provides the story from Maggie’s point of view. This compelling story about war and friendship will keep readers gasping as they read with tear-filled eyes. Teachers can watch the book trailer and learn more of the back story at the author’s website. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

by Vicky Zygouris-Coe

Many schools are using e-readers in a variety of ways depending on device availability and teacher capacity. Some school districts are considering widespread adoption of e-readers as a remedy for reduced school budgets; after all, textbooks are costly, cumbersome, and uninviting.  Will e-reader adoption result in improved reading habits? What are key considerations about e-reader use in the classroom? The following are sample suggestions for e-reader use in the classroom.

1. Decide on the role e-readers will play in your classroom—will you use them for exploration or independent reading purposes? Will students use the e-reader to read fiction or non-fiction text?

2. Research e-reader availability and capabilities. E-readers offer built-in dictionaries, the ability to highlight and change font sizes, text-to-speech features, highlighting and bookmark features, word-text search features, and note-taking capabilities. Some e-readers offer black-and-white screens versus color, touchscreens versus keypads. Which e-reader features are important to you?

3. E-book adoption is complicated--collaborate with your school library specialist.  Each e-reader reflects book selections associated to its bookstore. The Kindle is linked to Amazon, the Nook is linked to Barnes & Noble, and the iPad is linked to iBooks. Research available book selections for e-readers. Book selection choices are particularly important for children’s literature. Several book titles are not available in digital format (e.g., To Kill a Mockingbird, Cather in the Rye).

4. Allow time for exploration. Allow students to practice using the device to read different types of text (fiction and non-fiction). Have student practice using e-reader features such as (a) the dictionary, (b) changing the font size, (c) highlighting important parts of the book they can reread, share with others, or discuss, (d) note-taking feature, or (e) saving and retrieving notes. Provide students with access to the device’s corresponding bookstore where they can explore titles and download a sample chapter to their device to read. If the device supports audio books that can be downloaded allow students to download and listen to an audio book.

5. Provide instruction on how to read digital text with e-readers. Reading digital text is a non-linear and demanding process. Equip students with comprehension strategies and scaffolded support for reading digital text.

E-readers, if used effectively, can support individualized instruction, promote motivation to read, and develop students’ 21st century literacy skills. E-readers can alleviate the financial strains of print textbook adoption and can also have long-term benefits for the entire school population if they become a permanent component in the school curriculum. Although we have seen improvements in e-reader capabilities and costs, we have not see improvements in compatibility and Digital Rights Management. To make an informed decision about selecting an e-reader that will best support your students’ learning needs review the pros and cons of each e-reader and collaborate with your school library specialist and other teachers.

Vicky Zygouris-Coe is an associate professor in Reading Education at the University of Central Florida, School of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, Vassiliki.Zygouris-Coe@ucf.edu.

This article is part of a series from the International Reading Association Technology in Literacy Education Special Interest Group (TILE-SIG).

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It is no surprise that bullies come in different forms in our lives, sometimes lurking beneath the veneer of a romantic relationship, sometimes hidden within the veils of powerful individuals such as teachers and bosses who control our lives, and even, surprisingly, lurking deep within ourselves. School is a haven for some students, a place where they can shut out the rest of the world and focus on learning new concepts and making new friends. But for others, school is a danger zone, filled with threats and personal attacks on their names, their appearances, their personalities, anything that someone deems to be different. Although some bullying occurs outside schools as students make their way to class, the 2009 Indicators of School Crime and Safety statistics show that most bullying occurs inside the nation’s school, and that only a third of those being bullied report the bullying to anyone at school. The members of the International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group examine books that deal with some form of bullying in this week’s reviews with the intention that reading some of these titles may change some perceptions about bullying. Taken together, they provide vivid proof that sticks, stones, fists, and words often hurt deeply.

GRADES K-3

Barclay, Jane. (2012). JoJo the Giant. Illus. by Esperanca Melo. Toronto: Tundra Books.

JoJo has always been picked on because of his small size. He has spent a lifetime running away from the local bullies who tease him about being so small. Hoping that he will grow taller, he faithfully eats broccoli and drinks milk. Every day when he asks his mother if she notices that he is taller, she always responds with a little pinch of her fingers that maybe he has grown just a wee bit. When Smiling Sam’s Shoe Shop sponsors a race with the grand prize of red Rocket Racers shoes, JoJo is determined to win. It is his plan to win the shoes for his mother, a mail carrier who has been wearing her old brown shoes on her mail route each day. However, JoJo knows he faces still competition in Tony, one of his archenemies who is also entered in the race. The bright acrylic illustrations add to the book’s appeal since the drawings provide different perspectives. Teachers can use this book to get ready for National Bullying Prevention Month in October or Bully Awareness Week from November 12-17, with activities from ReadWriteThink.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Claflin, Willy. (2012). The Bully Goat Grim: A Maynard Moose tale. Illus. by James Stimson. Atlanta: August House Little Folk.

This traditional tale takes a new spin as storyteller Willy Claflin tells it while using many of his made-up words and strange grammar, all of which are sure to delight to young readers. The accompanying CD enhances the author’s use of rhythm in addition to being helpful with the “creative” language. The Bully Goat Grim is suffering from “Random Hostility Syndrome,” which causes him to be mean and hateful to all the forest creatures, head-butting them at every opportunity. However, when he trip-traps across the bridge where a family of trolls lives, his day of reckoning is at hand. Although Daddy and Mommy Troll threaten the bully goat, they really have no plan to thwart this bully. It is young Baby Troll that figures out how to stop this bullying behavior, a plan that is accomplished through a new twist on the goat’s language and intent. Teachers will enjoy using this book as a way to discuss language usage and grammar as well as savoring its humor. The Books 4 Learning Blog has suggestions for pre-reading and other book related activities.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Hemingway, Edward. (2012). Bad apple: A tale of friendship. New York: Penguin/Putnam Juvenile.

The old adage holds that sometimes one bad apple can spoil the whole basket. But in this case, one good apple turns the tables on the other, bullying apples that tease him. Mac is a very good apple, and he forms a strong connection with an unlikely friend, Will, a worm with whom he has much in common. They even finish each other’s sentences. Their idyllic day spent playing together ends, though, when the other apples in the orchard hurl verbal abuse at Mac, calling him rotten because of his wormy green friend. After hearing all the insults directed at Mac, Will decides to leave so his friend won’t be teased. Mac goes back to the way things were before he met Will, but life has lost its savor, and nothing feels the same. Even though his apple friends include him in their games once again, Mac simply misses Will, and searches for his friend. He finds him on the top of a hill, flying a kite, and in true bookworm fashion, reading a book. Chockfull of word play and clever puns, this title is a gentle reminder about staying true to what matters most to you, your own core values, if you will.  Children can sink their teeth into this book’s positive message as they consider the bullying behavior of the other apples and their inability to accept the friendship between Mac and Will. The oil illustrations allow the characters’ personality to shine through the book’s pages.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Knudsen, Michelle. (2012). Big Mean Mike. Illus. by Scott Magoon. Place: Candlewick Press.

Big Mean Mike is a dog with a spiked collar and a snazzy hot car with orange flames painted on the sides and a loud exhaust system that leaves behind a trail of black smoke. He wears combat boots and hangs out with guys every bit as tough looking as he is with their muscles shirts and eye patches and souped-up cars. When cute little bunnies start popping up in Mike’s car, he puts them out on the sidewalk since tough guys cannot be seen riding along with adorable little bunnies! However, the bunnies reappear at every turn--in his trunk, in his glove compartment, and even in the back seat. They are so persistently endearing that Mike learns to like having the bunnies around him, and eventually he doesn't care what his friends think. He defends his new companions, and they become a common sight in the neighborhood.  The book provides an interesting look at relationships and appearances that may cause young readers to think about the circle of friends with which they surround themselves. ReadWriteThink offers this lesson plan entitled “Confessions of a Former Bully” that might be a perfect complement to the book. Interested readers can learn more about this author and her writing at her website and blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Manning, Jane. (2012). Millie fierce. New York: Penguin/Philomel. 

Being polite and obedient may signal good upbringing, but sometimes being mild-mannered and quiet means being ignored or overshadowed by others. At least that’s the case for Millie whose ordinariness and meekness make her so forgettable that others tend to pay little attention to her. The louder and more boisterous children are the ones who get the attention—and even the larger slices of cake.  Millie is content with being rather forgettable until one day after three classmates walk carelessly right over her sidewalk flower picture, paying no heed to their actions just as they pay no heed to her. Suddenly, a feeling of fierceness stirs in Millie, prompting her to change her ways. No longer will she be the forgotten but polite, meek and mild Millie that no one notices. Instead, she adapts the behavior of her obnoxious classmates. Suddenly Millie has more attention that she can handle, but it’s all for the wrong reasons. Now her classmates shun her because she’s too noticeable. When her selfishness hurts another classmate on his birthday, Millie decides that being noticed for bad reasons isn’t the right path for her. While good behavior isn’t always noticed, being singled out for rude, bullying behavior isn’t much fun either. The watercolor illustrations allow Millie’s sometimes mild and sometimes fierce personality to shine through in the images of her rosy-cheeked face on this picture book’s pages.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Stout, Shawn. (2012). Penelope Crumb. New York: Penguin/Philomel.

Fourth grader Penelope Crumb thinks more about death than most youngsters her age since her own father died many years ago. She carries around his old toolbox and records evidence that her brother is an alien. Despite her preoccupation with death, Penelope is remarkably well adjusted, and instead of becoming upset when her best friend portrays her with a large nose, which causes quite a bit of teasing from her classmates, she looks in the mirror and decides to embrace her noticeable nose which is larger than she had thought. Eventually, she learns that her estranged paternal grandfather has the very same nose. With help from a friend, Penelope locates her grandfather, and starts the process of healing between him and her mother who have not been in contact since her father’s death. Readers will enjoy meeting the self-assured Penelope as she draws inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci for her artwork and for her approach to life throughout the book. It's refreshing to find a protagonist who doesn't define herself through the remarks of her classmates and is able to see past the defenses others put around themselves in order to avoid pain. Filled with heart-felt sentiments about family dynamics, the book also contains snippets of humor through the descriptions of the behavior of Penelope’s teacher and her mother.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University, Pullman

Woodson, Jacqueline. (2012). Each kindness. Illus. by E.B. Lewis. New York: Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books. 

Chloe and her friends aren't interested in playing with the new girl, Maya. After all, Maya wears worn and old hand-me-down clothes and brings old toys to school. When Maya asks the girls to play with her on the playground, they turn their backs on her and continue to ignore her. As the school days go by and Chloe and her friends refuse to include Maya, she continues to play by herself. But one day, Maya’s seat in the classroom is empty, prompting Chloe to wonder where Maya might be. Eventually the teacher announces that Maya and her family have moved away. The teacher goes on to share a lesson about the ripple effect of your actions. Chloe feels guilty for the way she treated Maya and realizes that there is no way to take back her cruel actions now that Maya has gone. The author-illustrator team that created The Other Side (Putnam, 2001) has created another emotionally compelling and beautifully written and illustrated book sure to prompt classroom discussions about bullying and activities comparing the two books. The cover of the book is especially discussion-worthy. Teachers may be interested in reading an interview with the author on The Brown Bookshelf blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 4-5

Castle, M.E. (2012). Popular Clone: The Clone Chronicles #1. New York: Egmont.

Fisher Bas is a sixth grade science and math wiz, but a social klutz in terms of his self-esteem. The Vikings, a group of bullies in his middle school, love to torment him, forcing Fisher to spend way too much time with his head in the toilet of the school restroom. Finally, fed up with dealing with the torment every day at school, Fisher makes use of his Nobel Prize-winning-scientist parents’ resources. Fisher steals the experimental growth hormone his mother is developing and creates a clone that he names Fisher Two, or just Two for short. When Two goes to school the next day, things don’t go as Fisher planned. Unexpectedly, Two seems to be immediately popular and even a bit of a troublemaker. He makes friends and exudes a confidence that Fisher hardly recognizes. However, evil scientist Dr. X has been eavesdropping on the hormone project and kidnaps Two, not realizing he is a clone. Fisher must save Two and keep both his clone project and his mother’s experiment from being exposed. As Fisher develops a plan to rescue Two, which includes blowing up a lab, the fun begins, marking the debut of an engaging series planned around Fisher and Two. A teacher’s guide and many more resources can be found at the book’s website and ReadWriteThink has a bully lesson entitled “A Bad Case of Bullying: Using Literature Response Groups."

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Cheng, Andrea. (2012). The year of the book. Illus. by Abigail Halpin. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. 

Fourth grader Anna Wang feels friendless after her friend Laura spends more time with other friends, especially the bossy Allison. Not only does she have to be in charge, but she enjoys belittling Anna. She makes fun of Anna's homemade lunch sack and other aspects of her personality and identity. When Laura makes efforts to rekindle their friendship, Anna isn't sure whether to trust Laura. Instead, she finds solace, insight into human nature and friendship in the classic children’s books she is reading. When turmoil in Laura's home life leaves her vulnerable, Anna once again offers friendship to Laura just when she needs it most. I love how painstakingly the author portrays Anna as she draws sustenance from her own family and literature. Her kindness is evident in the way she greets the school crossing guard, Ray, even visiting him when he has an accident. Anna's initial reluctance to learn how to speak and write Chinese plus her refusal to believe that Laura might actually be interested in her culture provide places to initiate classroom conversations about trust and acceptance. The author skillfully covers many important themes subtly while portraying sometimes shifting family dynamics accurately. If this is a year of reading for Anna, it is also a year filled with self-discovery. Adding to the pleasure of meeting Anna and watching her deal with the bullies who have shut her out, the pen-and-ink illustrations that have been colored digitally enable readers to see Anna and her world. The book even contains the directions and visuals for several of the projects Anna undertakes. For more information about the author, read the Reading Today Online interview with Andrea Cheng. Also see her "Readingwalking" post on the Engage Teacher to Teacher blog. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Cotler, Stephen L. (2012). Cheesie Mack is cool in a duel.  Illus. by Adam McCauley. New York: Random House.

Cheesie Mack and his best friend Georgie from Cheesie Mack Is Not a Genius or Anything (Random House, 2011) are back with another adventure, this time taking them to Camp Windward on Bufflehead Lake in Maine. The boys worked hard to pay for camp where they would now be the oldest of the Little Guys and have some special privileges. Because their registration was a little late, they end up housed in the cabin with the Big Guys, putting them on the low end of the totem pole again, the smallest and youngest ones in the cabin. Unfortunately, this also meant they would share a cabin with Kevin Welch, not only a big bully but also the boyfriend of Cheesie’s older sister June, known as Goon to Cheesie. As Kevin begins his usual bullying treatment, Cheesie challenges Kevin to a Cool Duel. Each day the campers have to vote who did the coolest thing that day and at the end of the week the loser has to bow down to the winner. Readers are asked to become involved in some of the antics by going to Cheesie’s website for answers and help in these daily situations. Although the website offers additional fun, it is not necessary for readers to have access to the Internet to enjoy the story of Cheesie and George at Camp Windward. Visit Cheesie’s website and the author site. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Dallas, Sandra. (2012). The quilt walk. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

Conflicted about her father’s decision to leave the safety of their farm in Quincy, Illinois, for Golden, Colorado, where he plans to sell supplies to the gold miners, ten-year-old Emmy Blue Hatchett is also excited about the adventure. From the beginning, the journey is not easy as Emmy's mother and aunt must leave behind objects they cherish. As they head westward, Emmy is struck by how quickly luck can turn from good to bad. Although most of the travelers in the wagon train help each other out, there is one exception. Newlywed Mr. Bonner fails to pull his own weight, is arrogant and ill-tempered, and bullies everyone around him, particularly his bride, who constantly sports another bruise or sprain. The females in the party watch as his bullying escalates and look for avenues for her to escape. Although Emmy’s mother dutifully follows her husband's wishes to head west, she puts her foot down at various points and asserts her wishes. Throughout the story, Emmy pieces together the parts of a small quilt her grandmother gave her when she left Illinois, a task she hates at first, but comes to enjoy in some ways, while many of the other women work on their own quilts along the way. The idea of making something beautiful and useful from fabric scraps is a powerful theme that is threaded throughout the storyline. This chapter book with a feminist slant provides insight into the roles women played as their men headed toward a different kind of life.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Gervay, Jack. (2012). I am Jack. Illus. by Cathy Wilcox. Berkeley: HarperCollins/ Kane Miller Books.

Until now, life has gone pretty smoothly for 11-year old Jack who enjoys soccer and photography. However, his mother seems too busy and too involved with her new boyfriend to have time to talk and spend time with Jack right now. Jack’s life starts to change at school too when George Hamel, the school bully, selects Jack as his next victim and begins calling him names. Other kids pick up on the “butt head” moniker, and before Jack knows it, it seems as though the whole school has turned against him and is calling him by the name George has chosen for him. Finally, his best friend Anna tells her parents how Jack is being treated and that he now has severe headaches due to the stress. When Jack’s mother learns what is happening to Jack she marches into school to talk with the teacher and the principal. Teachers and parents will find it particularly interesting to read about the school administration’s response to the bullying and the program they put in place to stop it. This realistic story of how bullying can accelerate, escalating far past what a young child can endure or have the ability to combat it, provides several ways that schools, family and friends can intervene to put an end to the bullying. The author has a book trailer, bullying information and resources at her website.  Teachers can find a lesson plan guide at the publisher’s website. For teachers who enjoy reader’s theater, a script with performance ideas can be found at the Arts Center of Melbourne website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Martin, Ann M. (2011). Ten rules for living with my sister. New York: Feiwel and Friends. 

Siblings often have to negotiate with each other in order to insure harmony at home, and they sometimes compare themselves to one another. For nine-year-old Pearl Littlefield, any comparison with her popular older sister Lexie leaves her coming up short. Lexie has many interests and many friends, and values her privacy. Pearl, however, has little sense of personal space and only one friend, a much younger neighbor, with whom she spends her free time. She also hangs out with her cat, appropriately named Bitey. Additionally, Pearl feels uncomfortable at school because her classmates still remember three embarrassing incidents that occurred when she was younger, and frequently remind her of them. When the sisters' grandfather comes to stay while waiting for a placement in an assisted living facility, they are forced to share a room. This necessitates some compromises from both girls since their personalities and living styles are so different. Over the course of the book, though, they come to a mutual understanding and appreciate each other’s differences with Lexie even providing guidance for Pearl as she navigates the tricky school social world. By the time Pearl plans her own birthday party, she is confident enough to take risks, an ending that indicates her healthy self-concept. Remaining true to herself while also considering the wishes of others, Pearl is unlikely to become one of the school mean girls. The book is uplifting while exploring the development of imperfect but likable characters facing real-life challenges. Sometimes ignoring bullies simply doesn't work.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Palacio, R.J. (2012). Wonder. New York: Random House.

Ten-year-old August Pullman regards himself as rather ordinary, yet others see him as anything but normal due to his extreme facial abnormalities. Auggie explains the dissonance between how he sees himself and how others regard him: “But I know ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run screaming in playgrounds. I know ordinary kids don’t get stared at wherever they go” (p. 3). His life is about to change once his parents enroll him as a new fifth grader at Beecher Prep School. This will be Auggie’s first experience in school since he has been homeschooled during the previous years due to his numerous surgeries. Not only must he deal with the looks and whispers of his new classmates but also a cruel game in which students that touch him and fail to wash within 30 seconds of contact will have “The Plague.” In addition to learning about the traditional subjects of language arts, social studies, science, and math, Auggie also learns powerful lessons about friendship, courage, loyalty, and betrayal. His school days teach him about overcoming unexpected challenges as well as introducing him to bullies and their abilities to coerce others into joining their cruel behavior toward someone such as Auggie who is considered different from the norm. Palacio skillfully narrates the story from alternating points of view, offering insights from Auggie and some of his classmates as well as his teenage sister and her friends. This is a WONDER-ful book, brimming with hope and possibilities balanced against thoughtless acts of unkindness based on ignorance.

- Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University Provo

Spinelli, Jerry. (2012). Jake and Lily. New York: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray.

Almost 11, twins Jake and Lily Wambold have always been very close and share a special sense they call “goombla.” However, as time for middle school approaches, their parents think that it is time they each had their own bedroom. Jake is okay with this new arrangement, but Lily is not ready to give up the closeness they have always shared. Jake is starting to drift away as he finds a new set of friends that include Bump Stubbins and the Death Rays gang. Lily cannot stand Bump, the neighborhood bully, or the victims he singles out for harassment. Without Jake’s companionship, Lily is lonely and seeks out her grandfather Poppy for comfort. Poppy, a hippie in former days, provides the perfect solace for Lily since he, too, misses someone--his deceased wife, Lily’s grandmother, who was his life partner and other half as Jake has always been for Lily. When Jake’s new friends pick on Ernie, tagged a “goober” by Bump and his gang, Jake has to decide how much of their bullying behavior is acceptable and where to draw the line for his newly-found so-called “friends.” ReadWriteThink provides the lesson plan “Moving Toward Acceptance through Picture Books and Two-Voice Texts” about bullies. Teachers may want to visit this award-winning author’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Starkey, Scott. (2012). How to beat the bully without really trying. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Slightly reminiscent of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, this debut from a middle school teacher author features a funny tale about Rodney Rathbone and his transformation from wimp to tough guy. Rodney Rathbone has recently moved from New York City to small-town Ohio and hopes that he has left his picked-on persona behind him. Rodney has always been terrified of everything. On his first day of school in his new middle school, he steps into a confrontation with Josh, the school bully, when a stray baseball hits Josh and breaks his nose. Word soon gets around that Rodney has clobbered Josh, and Rodney immediately inherits an entirely new reputation that turns him into the new tough guy around school. With new-found confidence and maybe a bit of attitude, Rodney starts to live up to this new persona. Many of the ensuing situations are a bit farcical, but they will amuse readers. A sequel might be on the horizon. The author discusses how he came to write the book in a video at Daily Motion.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 6-8

Barnhill, Kelly. (2012). The mostly true story of Jack. New York: Little, Brown Books for Youth.

Moving from San Francisco to Iowa is a real jolt for Jack whose parents have recently divorced and taken him to live with his quirky aunt and uncle Mabel and Clive Fitzpatrick in Hazelwood, Iowa. Although Jack has spent his life thus far trying to stay under the radar of the local bullies in San Francisco, from the minute he sets foot onto Hazelwood soil, he seems to be the new target in town. Jack is able to make friends with Wendy and Frankie, 14-year-old twins, who help him better understand some of the strange disappearances of people and buildings in this eerie town. Mystery and magic come into play as Jack learns more about the powers of evil that are loose in Hazelwood. This debut fiction author employs the power of friendship to combat good and evil in this suspenseful tale. Teachers can find a downloadable educator’s guide at the publisher’s website. Lesson ideas for incorporating anti-bullying concepts can be found at Teacher’s Domain.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Barwin, Steven. (2010). Fadeaway. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd.

An excellent basketball player, seventh grader Renna Rashad of Richmond Hill loves the sport and is even captain of the school team, the Hornets. When her good friend and teammate Caitlyn moves from Toronto to Vancouver, Kate joins the basketball team, which is disconcerting for Renna since she used to play for the Hornets’ rival team, the Warriors. Kate is uninterested in Renna’s advice about the team, and behaves rudely toward her. She mounts a campaign to make Renna’s life miserable by excluding her in every social interaction, making costly mistakes during games, physically hurting her, and finally leaving nasty messages on the team’s page. She even resorts to name calling, saying that Renna is a Resol or Loser spelled backwards. Renna becomes snappish with any teammates who are friendly with Kate. Finally, she breaks down and confesses the situation to her friends who then try to trap Kate into bullying Renna in front of a teacher. The strategy backfires when Kate accuses Renna of bullying. Left with no other option, Renna confronts the bully in her life. In the end, Renna and Kate make peace and confront the bully who tormented Kate at the first place. This is a slim, action-filled volume showing exactly how subtly bullying can be perpetuated. Everyone involved in team sports should read this book.

- Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Yee, Lisa. (2011). Warp speed. New York: Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books.

Seventh grader Marley Sandelski feels invisible in Rancho Rosetta Middle School. He is not like his former friend, the good-looking, athletic Stanford Wong, who Marley thinks comes from planet Mercury. Nor is he from planet Venus, inhabited by the teachers’ favorite students and those who are active in student organizations. Like the rest of the regular kids, who are neither popular nor unpopular, Marley is simply from planet Earth. Marley lives with his parents in the Rialto, a historic movie theatre in their town. His mother is a piano teacher, and although blind, she leads an active life, fending away pity that is often directed at her. Despite his invisibility to most of his classmates, Marley is all-too visible to Digger, the son of an affluent man. While Digger bullies and blackmails Marley for his history homework, three other boys known as the Gorn indulge in punching him. Marley finds himself unexpectedly attracted to Emily and begins to care for his dress and appearance. This alienates him from his usual group of friends from the AV club—Max and Ramen. When he must run to escape from the Gorn, Marley discovers hidden talents--he can run super-fast--and catches the eye of the track coach who wants him to sign up for the team. But, despite winning the coveted Tiggy Tiger Turkey cup in a record time, Marley’s heart is not in sports. Somehow, though, he inspires his classmates to rise up collectively against the Gorn. In this title, the author describes the life of a die-hard Star Trek fan while portraying the life of middle school students perfectly. Although humorous moments are sprinkled throughout the book, sensitive readers may wince at the graphic bullying scenes that continue until almost the last page. The book is excellent for group reading and discussions. Also see a video interview of Lisa Yee on the Engage Teacher to Teacher blog. 

- Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 9-12

Altebrando, Tara. (2012). The best night of your (pathetic) life. New York: Dutton Juvenile. 

Mary Gilhooley is relieved that high school has come to an end. Although she didn’t win the scholarship to Georgetown that she expected, still, she’s on her way out of town and on to college. Because she and her friends didn't leave much of a mark on their school, she figures they have one night left to salvage the year and insure that they’ll be remembered. The seniors of Oyster Point dedicate one night at the end of the year to a scavenger hunt for various items, some fairly easy to locate and others described somewhat vaguely.  As the friends try to figure out clues and track down items on the list to rack up points, the night turns out to be eventful in unexpected ways. Friends are betrayed, crushes are revealed, and Mary herself realizes that despite her hatred of a boy who has dogged her throughout high school, she hasn't always treated him kindly. She has an epiphany while pondering her own need to be in charge and the way she verbally shot him down years ago. Although the characters are not particularly complex, readers will root for Mary and her also-ran friends to win, notching a victory for the underdogs, or if not that, realizing that there is more to life than high school. The book’s pleasant surprises and musical references are sure to send readers scurrying off to search for music by some long-forgotten bands and to plan their own senior class scavenger hunt.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Colasanti, Suzanne. (2012). Keep holding on. New York: Viking Juvenile.

Life couldn’t be tougher for junior Noelle Wexler. Her mother, embittered by the disappointments in her own life, barely talks to her daughter except to blame her for her life and to complain about her job. Since there is often very little to eat, Noelle is forced to put together sandwiches made from mustard, mayonnaise, and lettuce for her school lunch. Her more affluent classmates either pity or belittle her for being poor while the teachers stand by and do nothing. Even Noelle’s ill-fated romance with Matt is hidden from everyone since he doesn’t want his peers to know how he feels about her. By the time Noelle is attracted to Julian Porter, she doubts that she is good enough for him. But Julian and a handful of her classmates aren’t overly concerned with their classmates’ opinions. When one of Noelle's classmates commits suicide after being teased repeatedly, her death compels Noelle to confront all the bullies in her life. The book is a good reminder that there is more to life after high school if you can just keep holding on until graduation.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hall, Megan Kelley, & Jones, Carrie (Eds.). (2011). Dear Bully: 70 authors tell their stories. New York: Harper Teen.

Sometimes seeing ourselves in stories leads to change. This wonderful themed collection about bullies is for anyone who has bullied others, been bullied by others or even stood by helplessly while someone else was being bullied. It should be mandatory reading for students and teachers since it covers the territory of bullying so thoroughly. It is likely that each reader will find his/her own experiences mirrored in at least one of the stories written by the 70 authors, many of whom will be familiar to young readers. Some of the stories are long, and some are short, and the authors employ varied writing styles to tell their stories. Another bonus was having the authors' websites included in their bios in the back. Readers might want to savor this one in sips rather than reading the whole book in one session since the subject matter is often so painful. It's clear that bullying remains a problem in our world, especially in our schools, and some readers may find coping mechanisms such as humor and confrontation as the result of what some of the authors share about their own experiences. Others look back at bullying from the distance of a decade or two and are surprised to find that it still hurts to have been singled out or ostracized or even replaced by friends for various reasons. Still others are surprised to realize that the bullies of their childhood don’t even remember events that were so life-changing for them. In her provocative “Who Gives the Popular People Power? Who??" author Megan McCafferty ponders the essence and power of popularity. Not surprisingly, some of the authors describe the grudges they still hold toward the bullies from their growing up years and how they, too, sometimes became bullies after having been teased repeatedly. Readers can find even more stories, videos, and suggestions about how to get help at the authors’ website. Also see "5 Questions With...Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones" on the Engage Teacher to Teacher blog. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Knowles, Johanna. (2012). See you at Harry’s. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Fern is the twelve-year old member of a family bustling with activity. Her father is totally absorbed in the family’s restaurant called Harry’s; her mother is often off meditating; her older sister is taking a gap year after high school before setting off to college; her older brother Holden is starting his freshman year in high school and dealing with coming out as gay; and her adorable 3-year-old brother, Charlie, although always messy, is the family’s shining star and the recipient of much love and attention. Fern’s best friend Ran takes life in stride while assuring Fern that everything will be fine as life progresses. A terrible accident changes all these dynamics. While in Fern’s care, Charlie is hit by a car, and the aftermath brings the harried family together in ways they never imagined. Teachers may be interested in additional literature bullying resources available at ReadWriteThink’s “Books about Bullying” or they may want to check out Teens Against Bullying. The author’s website offers tips for writing and more.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Rosenfeld, Kat. (2012). Amelia Anne is dead and gone. New York: Penguin/Dutton Juvenile. 

Two completely different lives and stories intersect in an unexpected way in this satisfying thriller. Although they live in different worlds, Becca and Amelia Anne have quite a lot in common. Amelia Anne plans to pursue an acting career after receiving encouragement from an instructor. Small-town girl Becca can’t wait to leave her town and her lackluster past for college. But her feelings for James and confusion over his decision to break up and then get back together right after her high school graduation make leaving harder than she expected. While she procrastinates about packing and preparing to go, James seems to be behaving rather oddly. Where is he going when he tells others that he’s spending time with her? The book opens with Amelia Anne already dead, leaving readers to decide who is responsible for her death on the side of the dirt road near Becca's town. How could a woman on her way to a beach vacation with her boyfriend die so violently? Masterfully hinting at each character's motivation, and omitting details so readers must read between the lines to form their own conclusion, the author tosses in a few red herrings to add to this suspense thriller's delight. Through her own short-sightedness and paranoia, Becca betrays herself and someone else, leading to tragedy. Readers will surely ponder the winding roads and detours that lead us to or from our destinations as well as what exactly constitutes bullying.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Spottswood, Jessica. (2012). Born wicked. New York: Putnam Juvenile.

In an alternative version of 1900 New England sixteen-year-old Cate Cahill and her two younger sisters, Tess and Maura, must keep secret the fact that they are witches with various powers that have yet to be harnessed. Their father has left them in the care of a woman from a group known as the Sisterhood. While Cate desperately tries to find clues as to what her deceased mother would want her to do, she must hide her abilities from the Brotherhood, a vigilante group of witch-hating men who determine marital partners. Girls and women who misbehave or behave inappropriately are sent to Harwood, which sounds downright Draconian. Options for women are limited at best, and Cate fears being paired with someone she doesn't love. Meanwhile, Cate is assailed by thoughts of romance and desire for someone considered unsuitable for her. When she makes a difficult choice in order to save her sisters, she also breaks her own heart. Of particular note is the way in which the town's witches--and there are more of them than just the three Cahill sisters--exist right under the noses of the Brotherhood. Readers will certainly be reminded of our own nation’s past, present, and future when reading about this imaginary society’s missteps as one powerful group oppresses another. It’s hard to say which is more frightening, the individual teasing directed at those such as Cate who are different from the others in the town or the bullying of the Brotherhood toward all women.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

by Judith A. Hayn 

Hoban, Russell. (2012). Soonchild. Illus. Alexis Deacon. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Russell Hoban, renowned British children’s literature author, passed away in 2011. This is the second to last book he wrote, and it is a masterpiece of weirdness coupled with lyricism. Sixteen-Face John’s story is based on Inuit mythology, and readers will need to suspend belief in concrete reality to appreciate the tale. John is a shaman with major self-doubts and severe depression while his wife No Problem is carrying their first child. Soonchild refuses to emerge, so John reluctantly gives up his Coca-Cola and TV-watching habits to fix the situation. 

He undertakes a mystical journey to locate the World Songs that Soonchild needs to own before she can be born. This quest leaves him in pieces (literally; then he is repaired, killed many times in epic battles, and finally left dead for thousands of years as the forces of nature take their toll. As a polar bear spirit tells him:  “When you boil up a Big-Dream Brew, you better be ready to drink to the bottom of the cup” (p. 50). His conversations with the animal spirits and with human dead, who are always with us, are peppered with humor as well as insights.

The narrative is breath-taking in suspense as now No-Face John eventually emerges triumphantly as his own man ready for fatherhood with a strong sense of identity. The mind-spirit connection is never forced and what results is a sort of Philosophy 101 for young adults, plus myriad other readers who will be mesmerized by the story. Alexis Deacon’s pencil renditions of both the spirit world and reality add just the right touch of mysticism to this superb piece of Hoban’s legacy.

Dr. Judith A. Hayn is an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

This article is part of a series from the Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature (SIGNAL).

What is multimodality?

Upon first hearing the word multimodality, it could easily be dismissed as another buzzword. Yet, multimodality simply means the ability to create and read a variety of modes of communication. Approaching literacy in multimodal ways emphasizes the many ways that individuals can communicate their ideas. This understanding respects individual students and promotes success in their literate lives.

IRA’s definition of multimodality emphasizes the increasingly digital nature of society’s modes of communicating.  Combining a changing and expanding number of technological modes to communicate and comprehend is intrinsic to multimodality in the 21st century. Literacy today requires competence in engaging with, evaluating, and creating these texts online as well as through more traditional methods. This especially honors our tech-savvy students, while also asking that educators guide learning in digital spaces. 

Our Responsibilities & Knowledge

Increasingly our responsibility as educators involves supporting students in all areas of their literate lives. The call to digital literacy action has sounded throughout our profession, and it often seems daunting. But, teachers already expect and teach skills which help students communicate in multimodal, if not always digital, ways. When we ask students to create a collage, draw a timeline, or read a science text with a diagram, we invite them to create and read multiple modes of communication. We already teach this as an important skill which we expect of our students. While schools and educators are in the process of moving from mostly print modes to a more tech-centered multimodality comprised of reflexive online spaces and design-based meanings, society already demands it of our students. 

Applications & Ideas

As we begin another school year, excited to meet our new students and set them off on an informative journey, we always explore ideas to enliven our curriculum. This year, why not start off by facilitating meaningful multimodal creations online?

The tools compiled here can be used to facilitate a more digital multimodal literacy for the start of a new school year.  In each tool it is easy to recognize an aspect of multimodality you may have used in the past: Glogster is very similar to a poster, Flickr is reminiscent of class picture walls. Ultimately, translating the creation of these complex multimodal tasks into the digital realm is not prohibitively difficult. 

Considering your objective to be purposeful communication, there is no end to what you can do with these tools.  Your room full of tech-savvy users/creators of digital content can support both you and the objectives of the work.  Opening the year using such democratic media will facilitate a supportive community of learners where everyone is both expert and apprentice. As the professional, it is important to have working knowledge of the tools we hope to use. Most of these online tools are very user friendly. However, if you find them unfriendly, tutorials are available on their respective websites.

Two areas educators may use to guide beginning-of-the-year activities center on getting to know our students and the creation of a safe learning community. Digital tools encourage students to share using modes with which they already communicate on a daily basis. Understanding these digital tools as a way of supporting multimodal literacy gives you the space to facilitate complex literacy events for all learners in support of beginning-of-the-year rituals.

Tools

Tools to Get to Know Your Students

• Animoto: Create a video with captions using images. Also, check out the Reading Today Online blog post by Marjie Podzielinski about Animoto.
• Museum Box: Upload text, images, audio and video to describe whatever you wish.
• Glogster Strategy Guide: Includes research basis, useful practice ideas and lesson plans to use this online poster tool. Also, check out the Reading Today Online blog post by Kimberly Kimbell-Lopez about Glogster.
• Flip Book: Create simple animations to share online. (free)
• ToonDoo: Make a comic or character, upload images, and share with peers. (free) See this video:
• Google Maps: Create a map of places visited. (free)
• SurveyMonkey: Get to know what is of interest to students. (basic version free)

Some Unit Plans for Getting to Know Students in Multimodal Ways

• Interviewing & Presenting with Multimodal Texts - A grades 6-8 unit, students interview one another and research interests of their partner, eventually presenting to the class. Easily adapted for any grade level.
• Multimodal Autobiography Lesson Plan - A grades 9-12 unit, students write autobiographies, illustrate them and set them to music.

• Edmodo: A secure social networking site which allows teachers to provide space for online communication and sharing. (free) See this video tutorial:
  

Edmodo Tutorial from Mr. Robitaille on Vimeo

• VoiceThread: In addition to allowing students to upload images and tell a story using audio or video of themselves, it is possible to network and share with a preset group of users. (free) Also, check out the Reading Today Online blog post by Denise H. Stuart about VoiceThread.
• Edublogs: Create a classroom blog where you can moderate comments and posts. (basic version free, charge for student users)
• Flickr: Online photo sharing site for compiling class photos. 

• Wiki Lesson Plan - A grades 6-8 unit, students combine reading fragmented stories and researching online, to create wikis which mimic their online research to help guide them to designing writing for the digital age.
• Multimodal Meaning Lesson Plan – A grades 3-6 unit, students are guided through the meanings authors and illustrators create through different media. Easily adapted for older grades.

Alexandra Panos is a middle grades Language Arts teacher in Chicago. Her future posts will focus on multimodal approaches which support digital literacy.

ReadWriteThink.org is a website devoted to providing literacy instruction and interactive resources for grades K–12 from the International Reading Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, and Verizon Thinkfinity.  

This article is part of a series from the International Reading Association Technology in Literacy Education Special Interest Group (TILE-SIG).