Catching Fire

Title: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins 

Series Reading #2 

Suzanne Collins has done it again; I absolutely loved the second Hunger Games novel. Though I admit it started off slowly, by the middle of the book I couldn't put it down. Even in the beginning when the story development was a little slow I feel like there was much so much character development that it was almost necessary. There were a few times throughout the novel that I was absolutely shocked by what happened and did not see the events coming at all. The book was not predictable like many series readings are and I commend Collins for her ability to keep the reader intrigued. Every time that I thought I had the story figured out another element to the story surfaced. My ideas of the characters and the events were constantly changing as they will undoubtedly continue to change as I begin the third novel. For example, I still can't decide if I am "team Peeta" or "team Gale"; I love both characters so much that I can't choose and every time I think that I have made up my mind one of them does something that makes me love them even more. In a way, this mirrors what Katniss feels for the two men in her life which I believe is done masterfully.

Another thing I liked about Catching Fire was the fact that Collins was able to capture enough elements from the first novel that it was familiar, but, at the same time, was able to bring in so many new characters and twists to the story that there was considerable story progression. Katniss, for example, gained so much sophistication in this novel and matured an incredible amount. This is something that I feel is lost in many series readings; sometimes, I feel as if the story doesn't go anywhere and that I am reading the same story over and over again with little to no character development. This is clearly not the case with the Hunger Games series at all. The story is exciting and ever changing and truly keeps you on your toes. On a final note, I must comment Collins for her ability to transport the audience into another world. Time and time again I felt myself believing I was a spectator and that I was right alongside Katniss as she was experiencing everything. The amount of detail and precision used in her writing is spectacular and makes reading the series all the more fascinating. The Hunger Games series is quickly becoming one of my favorite series of all time.

The Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series Reading #1 

It has been a long time since I have found myself staying up all night to finish a book and that is exactly what happened with The Hunger Games; I literally couldn’t put the book down. Set in the future in a country known as Panem (modern day North America) that is broken up into twelve districts and a capitol, the story follows a young girl named Katniss and her struggles to survive in district 12 with her family after the death of her father. In Panem, The Hunger Games is an annual event that requires one boy and girl from each district aged 12 to 18 to be randomly chosen to participate in a televised event in which they must fight to the death to find the ultimate victor. Without giving too much of the story away, Katniss finds herself being a part of the event and the remainder of the story follows Katniss as she enters the games. 

There are so many aspects of this book that I enjoyed; I don’t even know where to start. I guess first of all I enjoyed that there was a strong female character to lead the story. I saw a lot of myself in Katniss which is a big part of why I think I enjoyed the story so much. I also enjoyed the character dynamics and the relationships presented. The bonds Katniss clearly has with her mother, her sister, and her friend, Gale, from home are clearly undeniable. However, she also forms some important bonds while competing in the game. Some of the death scenes are very heartbreaking because of this. Another reason I loved the story is because of the excitement and suspense Collins was able to keep up throughout the book. I never knew what was going to happen next and the story kept me guessing the entire time. Finally, being the sucker for romance that I am, I absolutely adored the love triangle between Peeta, Katniss’s fellow district 12 in the games, Gale, her friend from back home, and Katniss herself. Though it wasn’t the center of the story, it was tastefully intertwined with the rest of the plot.

Stories like these are great for classroom use because almost anyone can enjoy them. Males will like them because it isn’t all about a cheesy romance; there is definitely a survival/outdoorsy element to it that boys would enjoy. Females with like it because there is a strong main character they can relate to and that romantic aspect. Both will enjoy it for the suspenseful element. Though the subject matter itself is rather gruesome, there aren’t any particularly “inappropriate” scenes. I would feel comfortable using this text as young as fifth grade and could see many assignments and projects that could stem from the use of the text. Collins has truly created a masterpiece here. The Hunger Games has quickly become one of my favorite novels of all time.

Traction Man

Title: Traction Man

Author: Mini Grey

Picture Book #4

Traction Man is a story about an action super-hero that arrives as a Christmas gift for a special little boy. With Traction Man, this little boy goes on many amazing adventures. Whether he is fighting off evil pillows, going deep sea diving while cleaning the dishes, or saving the Barbies in the garden – Traction Man is the guy to do it. After all, it’s all in a day’s work.

I was pleasantly surprised by this picture book and can’t wait to read more from this author. With this book, she effortlessly captures what is inside the mind of a child while he plays and that is truly magical. She is able to turn everyday situations into an adventure and keep the reader on the edge of their seat wondering what will happen next. I see the male students in my classroom particularly connecting to this book and enjoying the exciting atmosphere it creates. Not to mention - the illustrations in this book are wonderful! The colors literally pop off of the page and they tell a story all of their own helping the readers immerse themselves into the story headfirst. 

I would definitely recommend this book to other teachers and their students. I think it is a fun book that is sure to excite the mind of any reader. Playing is what children do best and this story captures the very essence of this statement. Traction Man is sure to be a hero in your classroom library. 

When You Reach Me

Title: When You Reach Me

Author: Rebecca Stead

Genre Study - Mixed Genre

Have you ever wondered if time travel is possible? In Rebecca Stead’s, When You Reach Me, this wonder turns into a reality when the main character, Miranda, finds herself trying to unravel a mystery involving a string of unexplainable notes that ultimately lead to the almost death of her best friend Sal. Though I admit that at first the book was hard to get into, about half-way through I found myself unable to put it down. The story itself is gripping, mysterious, and thought-provoking in the way that it twists reality with the unthinkable. In my mind, the mystery and suspense would definitely pull younger readers in.  I think students would love trying to figure the story out before it unfolds at the end. However, I must confess that even I found myself shocked by the ending as I was unable to put all of the pieces of the story together.

Overall, I think this is a great story that I feel would be appropriate for upper elementary grades through middle school. In my own classroom, I think this would be a good book to use with reader-response journals. Students could make predictions about what they think will happen next in the story, reflect upon what they have been able to piece together, or simply write down questions about the story they may have. In the end, I think this would be an enjoyable read for multiple ages and for multiple interests simply because it combines the best elements of science fiction, mystery, and adventure all in one book. 

The Tale of Despereaux

Title: The Tale of Despereaux

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering 

Newberry Medal Winner (2004) 

 Imagine a world of courageous mice, devious rats, outlawed soup, and a princess named Pea. These are just a few of the elements present in Kate DiCamillo's modern day fairytale thoughtfully entitled The Tale of Despereaux. The story follows the lives of the main characters Despereaux (a small but mighty mouse), Roscuro (a devious rat who yearns for the light), and Miggery Sow (a miserable servant that dreams of being a princess) and how their lives cross paths. What I liked most about this novel was that each character in the story had something unique to offer and a different perspective to consider. As the reader, I couldn’t help but empathize with all of the characters as they each had a sad (yet ultimately uplifting) story to tell. In the end, I found myself rooting for the “happily ever after” ending most fairy tales depict, and DiCamillo delivered this in her own way.

Stylistically, I don’t think the book could have been better written as a read aloud story. This would be the perfect novel to share with the classroom for several reasons. First off, DiCamillo addresses the reader (or listeners) at the end of each chapter by posing a question, adding her own thoughtful commentary, or giving a vocabulary lesson of sorts. Students could keep a log book of the vocabulary presented and/or answers to the questions posed or simply verbally respond in a classroom discussion. Overall, the way in which the book is written thoroughly engages the students and makes them a part of the story which is something I think is hard to come by. In my opinion, this book is a definite “must have” for any classroom library.

Just Grace

Title: Just Grace

Author: Charise Mericle Harper
Blue Stem Nominee (2012)

“Just Grace” has a problem; and it isn’t that she is one of four Grace's in Miss Lois’s third grade classroom or that Sammy Stringer keeps smiling at her as if they were friends. It is that her French neighbor, Augustine Dupre, has informed her that her other crazy neighbor (and teacher at her school), Mrs. Luther, cries every night because her cat, Crinkles, is afraid of her and her bright orange cast and has run away. Realizing that sometimes other people’s problem are worse than your own, “Just Grace” and her best friend Mimi set out to appease Mrs. Luther’s sadness. Before long, Grace and Mimi find themselves in a world of trouble and the only way to get themselves out just might involve Sammy Stringer.

Though I don’t see young boys particularly enjoying this book, I do think it is a good read that female students would enjoy. The chapters are short, and the story is fast-paced and full of humor. It is also adventure-packed and leaves the reader wondering what “Just Grace” will do next. Instructionally, I see this book as a good source for building vocabulary. Countless times throughout the text difficult words and concepts are explained in “Just Grace” terms. This makes the story both informational and entertaining and saves the students the time of having to possibly look words up for meaning clarifications.