Genre Fiction

Group D Reading Project 3 for LIS 617 Summer 2018

Genre Fiction Abstracts

by Chris Alston, Julie Dickinson, Sarah Fetzer & Lynn Fisher

Pages 2 & 3
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
Julie Dickinson → by Kate DiCamillo
El Deafo by Cece Bell
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

Pages 4 & 5
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Chris Alston → The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
The Trouble Begins by Linda Himelbau
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Pages 6 & 7
The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul
Curtis
Lynn Fisher → Patina by Jason Reynolds
A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Pages 8 & 9
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Sarah Fetzer → The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Twelve year old Matthew “Moose” Flanagan moves
with his parents and older sister Natalie to Alcatraz
when his father takes a job as an electrician and
guard at the prison. Establishing friendships at
school and with the other 23 kids on the island, is
complicated by the need to take care of his autistic
sister.

In this humorous and tender coming of age story we

get a glimpse into the challenges facing a non-
typical family in the 1930’s. The short chapters,
interesting characters, and lively dialogue will
capture the interest of both avid and reluctant
readers.

This book could be used as a read aloud in third and

fourth grade to start a discussion about autism, peer Genre: Historical Fiction
pressure, and compassion. Students in fifth and sixth Title of Book: Al Capone Does My Shirts
grade could have a class discussion about the pros Author: Gennifer Choldenko
and cons of special needs schools and the history of Publisher: Scholastic, 2004
the US criminal justice system.

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo

To the horror of her mother, Flora brings home a
squirrel she has rescued from a freak accident with a
vacuum cleaner. Determined to get rid of the squirrel
by any means, her mom refuses to believe Flora’s
claims that the squirrel has superpowers. With the
help of a comic book, her father, a temporarily blind
boy and his great aunt, an elderly widowed German
psychologist, and a lamp named Mary Ann, Flora and
her mom eventually see eye to eye.

Younger fans of DiCamillo will enjoy the comic book

style and following the adventures of cynical Flora
and her superhero squirrel. Older fans will enjoy the
family dynamics, play on words, and Campbell’s
humorous illustrations.

This book would make a great read aloud for third to

Genre: Adventure fifth graders. Middle Schoolers will enjoy the humor,
Title of Book: Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated lovers of comics and superheroes the genre
Adventures references, and the illustrations will hold the interest
Author: Kate DiCamillo of reluctant readers.
Illustrator: K.C. Campbell
Publisher: Candlewick, 2016
El Deafo written and illustrated by Cece Bell
After contracting meningitis, four year old Cece
loses her hearing. As she learns to read lips and
adjust to life with a hearing aid, Cece discovers the
true meaning of friendship and with the help of her
Phonic Ear transforms her disability into a
superpower.

This Newbery Honor book, describing the author’s

early childhood experiences with severe hearing
loss, offers a humorous and moving portrait of the
thoughts and emotions of a deaf child living in a
hearing world. Ms Bell’s talent as an artist is evident
from her illustrations which portray the story’s
characters as cartoon rabbits.

Children of all ages will enjoy learning about the

daily challenges deaf people face. This book can be
used in grades 3-5 and coupled with books like
Wonder by R.J. Palacio and Rules by Cynthia Lord to
Genre: Humor
promote disability awareness and understanding.
Title of Book: El Deafo
Author & Illustrator: Cece Bell
Publisher: Amulet Books, 2014

Roller Girl written and illustrated by Victoria Jamieson

After her mom takes her and her best friend Nicole to
a roller derby competition, Astrid enthusiastically
signs up for junior roller derby camp. Unfortunately,
Nicole has other plans. Thus begins a summer of hard
work, difficult relationships, and important lessons
about friendship, perseverance and a lot of roller
skating.

Entertaining and educational, this graphic novel

covers many of the challenges facing prepubescent
girls regarding physical appearance, growing interest
in boys, and fitting in. Strong main and supporting
female characters as well as important lessons about
friendship, perseverance, and roller derby are
complemented by the fun illustrations.

Genre: Sports Fiction This book could be used by Sports Teachers to

Title of Book: Roller Girl encourage girls to learn more about skating and
Author & Illustrator: Victoria Jamieson women’s sports in general. Classroom teachers of
Publisher: Dial Books, 2015 students in grades 3-5 can use the book to discuss
friendship, teamwork, and self-confidence.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Leslie moves to Jess’ town just in time to begin
school and to demolish all hopes he might have had
of being labeled the fastest runner, something he
had worked towards all summer. Leslie and her
parents are unconventional and odd by small-town
standards, but it is these qualities that draw Jess
into Leslie’s imaginative world where he is a king
and she a queen on their magical island of
Terabithia.

The text is easy to digest, thus allowing the focus to

be on the characters themselves. Both Leslie and
Jess’ music teacher expose him to notions and
experiences that help him to view the world in a
more mature, confident and tolerant manner, which
are important qualities for students to learn.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The characters in the story appeal to students in
grades 4-6. The book’s details of setting, characters, Title: Bridge to Terabithia
and descriptions make this novel a good choice for Author: Katherine Paterson
English Language Arts. Themes: coming of age, Publisher: Harper Teen, 2008
friendship, not fitting in, dealing with fear, dealing
with death.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Josh and his brother are tied together as twins and as
friends. When Josh’s brother pulls ahead of Josh in
terms of ability on the court and in having a
relationship with a girl, it leads down a road to each
of them discovering the benefits of their differences.
During this time, Josh discovers a secret about his
father that helps him to see the vulnerability of his
parents.

This novel in verse is well-written. Action and words

are in sync whether in moments of action or times of
insecurity. The main characters are African American
and provide positive role models for young, black
students.

Children ages 10-12 reach that point where their

Genre: Sports Fiction bodies and feelings change, as do the bodies and
Title: The Crossover feelings of their peers. Crossover addresses these
Author: Kwame Alexander physical, emotional, and developmental changes.
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014 Teens will be able to identify with feelings of
competitiveness on and off the court as well as fear
and love for parents, even while one is trying to assert
independence from their parents’ control.
The Trouble Begins by Linda Himelblau
Du Nguyen was just a baby when he and his
grandmother stayed behind while the rest of his
Vietnam-born family moved to California. Ten years
later he joins his family only to find that the rules are
very different in the United States, and those
differences cause him and his family trouble.

This humorous book deals with serious topics of fear of

disappointing parents and the bullying that occurs
against those who are different. Readers will laugh and
slap their foreheads at the misunderstandings that Du
experiences when he first arrives and will cheer for
him as he races against the clock to save his and his
father’s honor in the end.

ESL students will relate to the language difficulties

that Du faces. Reading about Du’s struggle to be
understood and the way that some of the other
students make fun of him might help to develop
empathy in other students. Reading and interest level
is for grades 4-8. Genre: Humor
Title: The Trouble Begins
Author: Linda Himelblau
Publisher: Delacorte Press, 2005

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

When the power goes out, people panic, especially if
there is no light. The underground City of Ember was
created hundreds of years ago to protect its people,
but now the systems that have kept the City running
are failing. Two children, Lina and Doon, think they
have found a document that will rescue them all, but
they will have to overcome the citizens’ fears and the
government's’ deception in order to make help the
people of Ember.

The story is told from the perspectives of Lina and

Doon. Therefore, we know when Lina is disappointed
and we experience her anxieties, but we also are
limited to her or Doon’s understanding of what is
really going on. This limitation actually makes for a
better story as the reader has to discern who the bad
guys are along with the main characters and discern
whether or not the darkness is “the end” or something
created to keep citizens from traveling outside the
Genre: Science Fiction limits of the city.
Title: The City of Ember
The use of third person (limited omniscient) makes
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
this an excellent novel to use in the classroom to
Publisher: Yearling, 2004 teach students about whether or not they can trust
the point of view(s) of the narrator(s). It also contains
symbolism, imagery, allegory and distinct
characterizations for analyzing. Suggested grade
levels are 3rd-7th.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Kenny Watson has to survive frigid Flint, Michigan,
his bullying older brother, and elementary school,
not necessarily in that order. When his older brother
Byron gets too wild, his parents decide that sending
him for tough love with Grandma in Alabama is just
the cure. Join the Watsons as they take a road trip
in the “Brown Bomber” to Birmingham, and all the
hijinks the “Weird Watsons” get into along the way.

This novel is a great introduction to life in the

turbulent 1960s. The experiences of Kenny and his
family bring a fresh perspective on how life is
different in the North (Michigan) and how Africans
were forced to conform their behavior to social and
legal segregation policies in the South as they travel.

The voice of Kenny is a perfect perspective on

common family experiences and how children
experienced the Civil Rights struggle of the 1960s. It
is also a key look at the loss of innocence that came
with seeing segregation defended in the most violent Genre: Historical Fiction
and aggressive way possible. This book is
appropriate for ages 9+. Title: The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Publisher: Delacorte Press, 1995

Patina by Jason Reynolds

Patina “ain’t no junk” as her mother says, and she
spends every day trying to prove it. Living with an aunt
and uncle, she faces having to live up to expectations
from her mother, her little sister, her track coach and
worst of all, herself. Patty also faces going to a posh new
school which isn’t very welcoming and how she will
ultimately fit into this new reality.

This novel deals with many family and social pressures

and will resonate with middle school age girls
specifically. It is part of a larger series which includes
(or will) some of the other characters on Patty’s track
team. The author uses relationships to illustrate the
different expectations that Patty feels she has to live up
to and capably shows the upheaval that is present in the
middle school experience.

Appropriate for ages 10+, Patina provides an insight into

Genre: Sports Fiction the burdens a young woman must carry as she deals with
Title: Patina the death of her father and medically devastating
Author: Jason Reynolds diabetes suffered by her mother. This novel will appeal
Publisher: Simon and Schuster, 2017 to middle school students who know what it’s like to
navigate the churning waters of group work, little
sisters, family expectations and staying true to yourself.
A Tale Dark & Grimm
by Adam Gidwitz & illustrated by Dan Santat
Following a series of Grimm’s fairy tales using Hansel
and Gretel as our guides, Gidwitz takes us on a
magical journey that shows that life doesn’t always
end with a happily ever after. After being the victims
of an assassination attempt, Hansel and Gretel flee
their home and engage in a series of adventures
through various other tales, less well known. As they
go, they become stronger together and face
daunting obstacles.

Using imaginative descriptions, Gidwitz paints rich

mental images with his words, which he then
abruptly ends. While he pretends to end the story
with a “and they lived happily ever after”, he
immediately takes it back with a “but not yet.” This
witty attention getter adds to the story experience
as the reader is emotionally pushed and pulled into
story after story of the exploits of Hansel and Gretel.

This novel, appropriate for ages 9-14, is part of a

series. It is a great introduction to fairy tales in Genre: Fantasy
general and to the Grimm stories specifically. It is a
Title: A Tale Dark & Grimm
good stepping stone for readers to move from the
Disney versions to the real stories from around the Author: Adam Gidwitz
world in various mythological cannon. The content Illustrator: Dan Santat
will likely not appeal to all but will definitely Publisher: Dutton, 2010
interest fans of fantasy.

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Mo is on a quest to find her birth mother, after she
was found floating in the river after a hurricane in the
sleepy town of Tupelo Landing, NC. Mo (Moses) usually
spends her time writing messages in bottles that she
sends west with travelers or hanging out with her best
friend Dale. But today, fishing is cancelled because
she has to open the diner for the Colonel and Ms Lana,
who took her in as a baby. Then a police detective
from Winston-Salem stops by the diner looking for a
murderer, and Mo’s world gets turned upside down.

This book deals with a lot of themes that are very

adult in nature, for example, divorce, domestic
violence, murder, etc. It brings a young person’s
perspective on how to deal with such issues, as often
kids are forced to do. The author makes the story
engaging and suspenseful at the same time.

Genre: Adventure/Mystery This mystery could be used as the basis for a great
Title: Three Times Lucky Breakout Box as it has a lot that could be used to build
student interest. Anyone familiar with growing up in
Author: Sheila Turnage a small NC town will find these characters in their
Publisher: Penguin, 2012 memories as well as on the page. It is appropriate for
ages 9-14.
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Jack is grounded and he is certain that he is going to
have the most boring summer in the history
of Norvelt, Pennsylvania. However, as he makes his
way through his stack of history books and assists
Miss Volkes in writing obituaries of the original
denizens of the town, he finds that his summer (and
his little town) holds far more excitement than he
ever could have imagined.

Gantos does an excellent job of weaving the dull

details of Jack's summer together with exciting real-
life events, places, and people. Students reading the
book are likely not even aware of just how much
history they're actually learning as they make their
way through Jack's relatable tale.

This is a great resource for middle grade students

who might be wary of traditional historical fiction
novels. Each historical element is included in a way
that makes it familiar to modern students, and Jack's
coming-of-age tale will engage even the most
reluctant of readers.

Genre: Adventure/Mystery
Title: Dead End in Norvelt
Author: Jack Gantos
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean

Nobody Owens has been given the right of the
graveyard. That means that he is able to see in the
dark, pass through solid objects, and converse with
the dead. However, he must never leave the
graveyard because there are those who would do him
great harm, and thus he remains in his home raised
by the Owens couple who expired at least a century
before his birth.

Bod's story is terribly interesting. Readers get to see

Bod growing up toeing the line between the living and
the dead and all of the adventures that he has while
living in the graveyard. Eventually, Bod must come to
grips with his family's death and fight that powers
that seek to do him harm. Gaiman has managed to
craft a story and characters that are so interesting
that the reader often forgets that the oddest thing
about Bod is that he is being raised by the long-since
Genre: Horror dead.
Title: The Graveyard Book
This is a great story for middle grade or teen students
Author: Neil Gaiman
who are interested in fantasy. Gaiman takes some of
Illustrator: Dave McKean the most well-known fantasy elements including
Publisher: Harper Collins, 2008 ghosts, vampires, and werewolves and gives them a
new twist. His characters are well developed and the
novel is paced quickly enough so that the reader is
never bored.
The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
Matt is a clone, but he isn’t just any clone. He’s the
clone of incredibly powerful and dangerous drug lord
Matteo Alacran. In addition to that, Matt is a clone
whose intelligence has been left intact, a strictly
illegal practice. The reader follows Matt as he comes
of age in the treacherous Alacran household
surrounded by many people who hate him and a
small number who love him dearly.

Nancy Farmer has done a wonderful job of creating

a classic dystopian universe that hits uncomfortably
close to home—as if the reader can sense this new
society approaching from just over the horizon. She
manages to address modern social and political
issues including medical technology, cloning,
slavery, the drug trade, and even socialism within
the pages of an exciting adventure. She also creates
dynamic characters who grow older right alongside
Matt as he comes of age. Genre: Science Fiction
Title: The House of the Scorpion
This is a great title for teens who have enjoyed other
Author: Nancy Farmer
dystopian titles such as The Hunger Games or
Divergent. This title offers a far more realistic, and Publisher: Atheneum Books, 2002
thus far more frightening, dystopian society and
manages to address far more social issues than the
aforementioned titles.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Luna has grown up alongside her grandmother (a
witch), a swamp monster, and a very small dragon.
She was a baby left in the woods as part of a ritual
practiced by a small town to ensure their safety.
Readers follow Luna as she grows from a young child
to a young woman and in the process manages to help
solve the mysteries of the small town and its rituals.

Barnhill rightfully won a Newbery Medal for this title

which manages to incorporate the magic and
adventure of a fairy tale universe into a tale that feels
at once both familiar and novel. Luna learns about
love, loss, magic, and goodness in her tale. Barnhill
even manages to briefly touch on the feelings that
come along with adoption several times in the novel.

This is a great title for middle grade students who are

interested in fantasy. It is rare to find a fairy tale title
Genre: Fantasy that doesn’t feel trite, cliched, or overdone. This
Title: The Girl Who Drank the Moon novel manages to be novel enough to not feel like a
Author: Kelly Barnhill re-read but familiar enough to make the reader feel
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers, 2016 comfortable within its pages.