Lunch Money

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Clements, Andrew. 2005. Lunch Money. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Greg Kenton loves money; he loves to make it, he loves to spend it, and he loves to save it. By the age of eleven he had more than three thousand dollars in the bank. Greg soon comes up with a plan to make even more money, sell comic books at school. These aren’t just any comic books, these are books he wrote, drew, and published himself. He soon discovers he has competition, his arch nemesis, Maura Shaw. She too is selling comic books and the competition is on. Though their rivalry turns bloody, they must learn to work together or both of them will be out of business.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

A coming of age story about two enemies that have to learn to work together is the underlying theme of the novel, Lunch Money by Andrew Clements. Accompanied by black and white sketches to illustrate a point or enhance the plot, the book is full of life lessons for young students trying to find their way in the world. Laced with humor, Clements forces readers to ponder questions about the value of money and the cost of success in life. As the characters learn the importance of friends over wealth, readers who also face the same obstacles gain valuable insight. Readers will also recognize characteristics of people they know from their own life, especially in middle school. Lunch Money will make readers smile and root for Greg and Maura.

AWARDS AND REVIEW:

Bank Street Best Books of the Year
CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
Garden State Children's Book Award (NJ Library Association) (Categories: Easy to Read, Easy to Read Series, Non-Fiction, Fiction) (four categories, four winners)
KSRC Intermediate Titles - TOP PICK
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee

School Library Journal:
Grade 4-6–Sixth-grader Greg Kenton has always had a talent for making money. His latest scheme, creating and selling miniature comic books, looks to be a success. However, problems arise when his classmate and longtime nemesis, Maura, competes with him by making her own mini-stories. Even worse, the principal, who believes that comic books are nasty and violent, bans their sale at school. Clements has created another clever, enterprising young protagonist in Greg, who, like Nick in Frindle (S & S, 1996), also finds inconsistencies in his school's regulations and works toward change. While his intentions at the beginning are purely entrepreneurial, his outlook on money transforms to the philanthropic as he fights for the right to sell his Chunky Comics to his fellow students. Also, his relationship with Maura takes a new turn as the two enemies pool their talents and find a way to get along. The characters are rich with interesting quirks and motivations, including Mr. Z, a blood-phobic math teacher. Along with providing a fast-paced and humorous story line, the author examines concepts of true wealth, teamwork, community mindedness, and the value of creative expression. Selznick's pencil sketches add comic touches throughout.–Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, Canada
Review:
"This hits the jackpot." -- Kirkus Reviews

The Million Dollar Kick

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Gutman, Dan. 2001. The Million Dollar Kick. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Whisper Nelson is a middle school student who feels isolated. She hates sports, has no close friends, and is not particularly close with her parents. When her sister enters Whisper into a contest, Whisper never in a million years thinks she will win. However, Whisper is chosen out of thousands of entries to kick a soccer goal for a one million dollar prize. When Whisper decides to participate she only hopes she does not embarrass herself too badly. While learning to kick a soccer ball, Whisper manages to learn a few things about herself and that life is not as bad as she believed after all. Middle school students, especially girls, everywhere can empathize with Whisper and her middle school woes.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The Million Dollar Kick by Dan Gutman features a female everyman struggling with the horrors of middle school. Thrust into the spotlight by winning a contest she did not want to enter, Whisper Nelson begins a journey that will see her evolution from an insecure middle school student to a mature young woman. Gutman uses language that young readers can relate to while telling a story that allows them to share in her pain and suffering. The main character experiences the growing pains that everyone does and comes out the other side a more confident, more knowing person. Gutman also weaves relevant information about the 1999 Oklahoma City Bombings into the story that has poignant meaning for both the readers and the novel.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:
Gr 5-8-Seventh-grader Whisper can't stand soccer. Her little sister is the family sports star. However, Whisper is the one who is tapped for a contest promotion and she must try to kick a goal past the town's leading professional star in front of a whole stadium full of soccer fanatics. The prize is one million dollars, but Whisper isn't sure the potential humiliation is worth it. She suspects that no one in her family really believes she can do it. Her classmates don't offer much support either. It seems her only ally is Jesse, a self-styled "computer nerd," and Whisper doesn't know if she wants to be seen with him, even if he has created a laptop simulation that could help her succeed. Gutman paints a sharp, funny portrait of middle-school society. The dialogue rings true and the various cliques and subgroups will strike a familiar chord with adolescent readers. This is an exciting sports story with a compelling message about individuality and self-confidence, as well as a touch of romance.
Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
Booklist:
Gr. 5-8. Thirteen-year-old Whisper Nelson hates soccer--and many other things about her life as a middle schooler at the bottom of the social food chain. One day she allows little sister Briana, a soccer ace, to enter her in a contest to make up a new slogan for Oklahoma City's women's soccer team. The winner is allowed a kick against the team's professional goalkeeper, with a $1 million prize for a successful goal. Of course, shy, unhappy Whisper writes the slogan that wins, and her dealing with the publicity blitz and training for the kick once she decides to take the risk pull the story along to a highly satisfying and terrifically suspenseful conclusion. Gutman captures Whisper's pain and dry wit beautifully in this strong story about a teen getting through tough times. Anne O'Malley

Spy Cat

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Kehret, Peg. 2003. Spy Cat. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Pete the cat is as smart as any human but he has yet to communicate this to Alex or his little brother Benjie. When Pete sees a burglary in process next door he is able to wake up Alex in time for Alex to witness the getaway car driving off. As more robberies occur throughout the neighborhood it appears that pets are being stolen also. Soon, Benjie catches the thieves stealing Pete and when he confronts the bad guys, Pete is set free but Benjie is kidnapped instead. Pete and Alex set out to look for clues that will help the police find Benjie and bring him home safe.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Written from both a cat’s perspective and a human’s perspective, Spy Cat provides a who-dun-it thriller for young readers. Peg Kehret strategically uses italics to distinguish Pete the cat’s words from that of the other main character Alex. Pete often provides comic relief to the tense situations of kidnapping and robberies. The fast action will keep readers turning the pages to find out what happens next. Kehret is excellent at making pets part of the family and of showing the importance of caring for one another. A wonderful book for young adult readers and even mature younger readers, this mystery/comedy novel is a page turner.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:
Grade 4-7-In this second adventure starring the feline, the Kendrill family is alarmed when they hear that a neighbor's house has been burglarized. Sixth-grader Alex and his six-year-old brother, Benjie, worry and wonder what they would do if their house were robbed. Everyone is understandably nervous, except Pete, who is sure he can protect his family; after all, he is a perfect watchcat. He does see the next robbery in progress and tries to warn Alex and his friend Rocky. However, while Pete can understand human speech, people can't understand Cat, much to his disappointment and frustration. Then all of his abilities are needed when the Kendrills' house becomes the next target. He tries to stop the burglars, only to have his plan backfire and turn serious when Benjie is missing. It takes the child's bravery and observational powers and the feline's wild antics and loud meowing to capture the crooks. This is a fast-moving mystery adventure that readers of James Howe's "Sebastian Barth" series (S & S) or Betsy Byars's "Herculeah Jones" books (Viking) will enjoy. Pete's observations are printed in italics so readers always know exactly what he thinks. Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
Booklist:
Gr. 4-6. Pete the cat, who understands, reads, and thinks in English, but can communicate only in "meows," solves another crime for the Kendrill family. In his debut, The Stranger Next Door [BKL Fe 1 02], the crime was arson; this time, Valley View Estates is the site of a rash of burglaries. Seven-year-old Benjie Kendrill wanders into the burglary of his own home. Thinking Pete is being stolen, Benjie pursues the culprits; his life is in danger unless Pete can lead people to the clue left behind by the little boy. Benjie's foolhardiness comes across as questionable in an age of mistrust of strangers, and everyone but Pete behaves a bit too rationally, given the desperate circumstance. Still, kids who liked the first book and are ready for a step up from James Howe's stories can look forward to a fun, suspenseful read. Catherine Andronik

Nancy Drew: Mr. Cheeters is Missing

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Petrucha, Stefan. 2006. Nancy Drew: Mr. Cheeters is Missing. Ill. by Sho Murase. New York: Papercutz.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Mr. Cheeters is missing and so is a diamond necklace. Nancy Drew takes to case only to discover that Mr. Cheeters is a chimp and some people do not think he even exists. Nancy, Bess, and George set out to find Mr. Cheeters and recover the necklace.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

This graphic novel based on the popular series by Carolyn Keene brings the character of Nancy Drew to a new generation of girls and boys. Totally modernized, Nancy Drew is still solving mysteries along with her friends George and Bess. The illustrations of the novel have an anime look to them. The pages of the book are glossy and there are usually three frames to each page. The illustrations provide readers with the action portion to the story while the author is free to focus on the plot line. While older readers may not appreciate this new Nancy, younger readers have the opportunity to discover this new, modern, hip Ms. Drew.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

From the Publisher:
When the eccentric Blanche Porter reports that her beloved Mr. Cheeters has vanished, it isn’t your standard missing persons case. As Nancy Drew soon discovers, Mr. Cheeters, is a pet chimp. Or is he? Based on a preliminary investigation and information obtained from Blanche’s brother, Lawrence, the River Heights police dismiss the case as bogus – doubting that there ever was a Mr. Cheeters to begin with. But when Nancy Drew discovers there’s a missing diamond necklace as well – she’s on the case! Can Nancy, along with Bess and George, recover the great ape and the necklace, or has Blanche Porter made a monkey out of Nancy Drew? Ages 8 to 12.

Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Van Draanen, Wendelin, 2004. Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger. Ill. by Brian Biggs. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Nolan Byrd is known as a nerd at Cedar Valley Elementary but what everyone does not know is that Nolan has a secret identity. He is Shredderman and his job is to protect students from bully’s and other miscreants at school. When a mysterious tagger begins vandalizing property all over town, Shredderman is on the case to find out who the tagger is. Solving a mystery is hard work and Shredderman finds himself ditching school, hiding in a bag of garbage, and even doing his own laundry. Will Shredderman solve the mystery? Can he keep his secret identity is secret? Will the smell of garbage ever come out of his hair? Read Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger to find out.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Any child who ever wanted to be a super hero like Spiderman or Batman will enjoy reading Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger. Considered to be a nerd by his peers, Nolan Byrd turns himself into a secret superhero with the help of the internet and a digital camera. He even has his very own sidekick. The funny adventures that ensue when the hero sets out to catch the tagger will entertain kids and keep them in stitches. There are black and white drawings throughout the book to emphasize the action and plot. Shredderman’s trials to keep justice and peace at his school will surely inspire other children to become super heroes themselves.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:
Grade 3-6–Nolan's life has not been the same since he invented Shredderman. Sure, he's still called "nerd," and he avoids running into bully Bubba Bixby, but now he's secretly a cyber-hero. As such, Nolan knows he's the man for the job when graffiti is spray-painted around Cedar Valley and the culprit cannot be caught. However, things do not go as planned as Shredderman is accused of being the tagger, and he is under the clock to see that truth and justice prevail before his true identity comes to light. Van Draanen delivers an entertaining sequel to Secret Identity (Knopf, 2004), packed with plenty of action and humor to keep kids, especially reluctant readers, turning the pages and rooting for Nolan. As in the first book, Biggs's black-and-white illustrations capture the humor and action of the straightforward plot.–Christine McGinty, Albany Public Library, NY
Booklist:
Gr. 3-5. Armed with a digital camera and ever-increasing confidence, Nolan, the nerdy fifth-grader who moonlights as a cyber-superhero (Shredderman [BKL F 15 04]), is back. This time a graffiti artist has struck in Cedar Valley, spraying buildings, playground equipment, and even the van of Nolan's teacher-cum-sidekick, Mr. Green. In his quest to nab the delinquent, Shredderman becomes a suspect, and clearing his name requires hiding in a smelly trash bag, riding his bike farther than ever before, and, of course, posting muckraking photos and articles on shredderman.com. The hullabaloo stirred up by relatively tame vandalism seems a bit unconvincing, and it's disappointing to see Nolan gaining more adult accomplices at book's end rather than allowing his alter ego's successes to carry over into his relationships with his peers. Not as stellar as Shredderman's first soaring leap into cyberspace, but still balm for all those dweeby kids who will see themselves in Nolan and cheer him on, as well as any middle-grader wanting something fast, funny, and technologically up-to-the-minute.

So B. It

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Weeks, Sarah. 2004. So B. It. New York: Laura Geringer Books.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Heidi is twelve and lives with her mentally disabled mother and has an agoraphobic neighbor who looks after her. Heidi knows nothing about her past and as she grows older she begins to question how her and her mother ended up in Reno with all of their bills mysteriously paid every month. When some old photos surface they provide clues to Heidi’s past and she sets off on a cross country trip to find out about her mother and her own past. The journey changes her life and the information she gathers about her family is astounding.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

So B. It by Sarah Weeks is a heart wrenching tale of a young girl whose world consists of living with a mentally disabled mother and a neighbor who cannot leave her house. Because of her circumstances, Heidi has to take on many adult responsibilities that she is not even aware of. She has few friends because no one is able to register her for public school. Despite her lonely life she is educated and curious about her own background. There is nothing to offer her any clues to answer the multitude of questions she has about herself, her mother, or how the two of them ended up living in Reno, Nevada. When Heidi discovers an old camera and develops the pictures she finds clues that point to a hospital in New York.
Heidi journeys to New York, all alone to get answers to the many questions she has about her life. While a bus trip across the country may seem exciting to a young person, it is extremely frightening for adults to allow this to occur. Sarah Weeks does an excellent job of portraying the details of a young girl traveling alone across country. There are many anxious moments but Heidi manages to meet these moments with maturity many older people do not possess. As Heidi discovers the answers to her questions, she realizes that her life has changed forever. She must then struggle with the answers that she found and make choices for herself most people never have to make in an entire lifetime. The author is able to write eloquently about a tough subject. Many young readers will be able to identify with Heidi and her situation or at least with certain aspects of her life. Even readers whose life is not represented by Heidi’s her struggle with finding the answers will resonate with them.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts (NCTE)
ALA Booklist Editor’s Choice
IRA/CBC Young Adults’ Choice
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
"A quick and satisfying tale of love, determination, and the kindness of strangers." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"A remarkable novel. [Heidi’s] cross-country journey is brave and daring and yields surprising results." -- New York Times Book Review
"Readers will pull for and empathize with the likable characters." -- School Library Journal
"Refreshing, offbeat characters. As the riddle of Heidi’s life slowly unfolds, readers will be genuinely touched and surprised." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)

Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Tryszynska-Frederick, Luba. 2003. Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen. As told to Michelle R. McCann. Ill. by Ann Marshall. Berkeley: Tricycle Press.

PLOT SUMMARY:

This biographical picture book is the story of Luba, a prisoner of a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Having lost her entire family, Luba discovers fifty-four Dutch children who had been left to die in behind the camp. Questioning why her own life had been spared, she now thinks she knows the answer. Putting her own life at risk, Luba takes all of the children and hides them in her bunk house. Every day she begs and barters for extra food to feed her children. At the end of the war, all but two children are alive and able to be reunited with family and relatives.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

From the ashes of the Holocaust this uplifting and hopeful story emerges about the goodness and love that lives inside of all of us. After losing her own child to the Nazi’s and being imprisoned, Luba finds the courage and strength to save more than fifty young Dutch children. Though she did not save them all by herself, she worked hard to keep the children fed and safe. In addition to the Luba’s story, there is a prologue that tells readers about the history of the Holocaust. There is also an epilogue that chronicles Luba’s life after the war and gives an update on Luba and many of the children she saved. More information about World War II and the Holocaust is provided at the end of the book as well as an extensive bibliography. The paintings throughout the book portray both the bleakness of the times and the hope that Luba offered to her children.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:
Gr 2-5-Tryszynska-Frederick discovered a number of abandoned children among her fellow prisoners in Bergen-Belsen. Through her own creativity and strength of will, she managed to keep them fed and safe until the liberation of the camp. Although this is certainly a story that is both important and inspirational, the presentation is lacking. The writing is choppy and lacks transitions at times, and it is often unclear how Luba managed to do what she did. The horror of the camp is significantly downplayed in the text, and the oil-and-collage illustrations, while quite well done, do not reflect the reality of the conditions the people were facing. The children often look entirely too clean, well dressed, and healthy. The audience for the book is unclear. While the writing is simple and accessible for primary-grade children, the subject matter and the front and back matter, which gives readers a context for the story, seem intended for older students. While the basic facts are accurate, the heavy use of dialogue blurs the line between fact and fiction, making the book a problematic piece for most collections. Religious libraries with large collections of Holocaust literature might want to add it because of the important story it tells, but most others can pass.-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews:
McCann conveys the remarkable heroism of Tryszynska-Frederick, a young Jewish nurse imprisoned in the Nazi concentration camp. Luba's emotional strength, bravery, and determination in the winter of 1944 saved 54 abandoned, starving, and cold Dutch children from their impending death, as she hid them in her barracks for the duration of the war and used her ingenuity and a lot of luck to beg, borrow, and steal food. McCann recounts in lucid narrative prose, with the inclusion of some dialogue, the events and hushed drama as related to her by the real Luba. Well-crafted, this includes a brief introduction and post-script to the Nazi concentration camps and WWII, an epilogue depicting Luba's official Amsterdam recognition with photographs from the liberation of the camp and a 1995 reunion, and a thorough bibliography of books, articles, film, Web sites, personal letters, and interviews. Realistic oil paintings with collage reflect the darkness of the period and the terrifyingly dangerous environment amid the loving concern within the concealed group. One of the beautiful, positive stories that emerged from that awful time, to be remembered and passed on to young and old alike. (author's note, including children's names) (Picture book. 7-12)