Graphic Work-Review

Lunch Lady

and the League of the Librarians

By: Jarrett J. Krosoczka

A. Bibliographic Data

Krosoczka, Jarrett J., 2009. Lunch Lady and the League of the Librarians. Ill. by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.

ISBN: 978-0-375-84684-7

B. Plot Summary

Lunch Lady and the League of the Librarians is a graphic novel in a series of books, about a lunch lady who fights crime. Something is fishy about the librarians in the community and the breakfast club senses something is wrong. This group of three kids investigates and find that the librarians quest is to destroy all video games, and have world domination. With the help of the Lunch Lady and her side kick Betty these kids defeat the librarians and restore peace and order to the world.

C. Critical Analysis

Jarrett J. Krosoczka has created a series of books about a lunch lady who fights crime, and I often found myself laughing at the illustrations she uses to tell the story. Krosoczka creates lively illustrations using the simple color scheme of black, white, grey, and yellow. The Lunch Lady and the League of the Librarians takes a different spin and sure is not your average superhero. The plot line of the story is simple with a problem, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, however the illustrations in the book offer more of a complex outlook throughout the book. The Lunch Lady series are graphic novels that are friendly for a younger age group, and younger children will enjoy reading about a lunch lady who serves food and justice.

D. Award

*WINNER 2010 - Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices

School Library Journal Review-"When not serving up French fries and gravy to students, Lunch Lady escapes to her secret kitchen lair to lead the life of a crime fighter. Using an assortment of lunch-themed gadgets (created by her sidekick Betty), she is definitely a quirky superhero. Tipped off by the Breakfast Bunch (three students who discovered Lunch Lady's crime-fighting alter ego in Book 1), she attempts to foil the plans of the evil League of Librarians, who seek to destroy all video games. The black-and-white pen-and-ink illustrations have splashes of yellow in nearly every panel. The clean layout, featuring lots of open space, is well suited for the intended audience. Terrence, Hector, and Dee become more developed in this second installment in the series, especially Dee, who asserts herself as the strong-willed leader of the group. The winking references to book fairs, read-a-thon enrollment, and media specialists fit well with the story line. With its appealing mix of action and humor, this clever, entertaining addition to the series should have wide appeal."–School Library Journal Review

E. Connections

* Introduce and share other graphic novels in the Lunch Lady series.

* Expose students to other popular graphic novels, kids love graphic novels.

* Encourage students to write their own short story with illustrations.

Young Adult Novel-Book Review

Speak

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

A. Bibliographic Data

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. Speak. New York. NY. The Penguin Group.

ISBN: 978-0-14-241473-6

B. Plot Summary

Speak is about a freshman girl with the name Melinda. Melinda is a victim of rape, that occurred at a high school party. Melinda, not sure what to do calls the cops and the party is busted. Teenagers not knowing why she did make the phone call makes Melinda an outcast. Therefore, Melinda is forced to start her high school career as a victim of rape and a social outcast. Throughout the book Melinda is given the chance to tell her horrible truth, but never can find it within herself to simply speak. Finally, after a whole year of torture and one last encounter with her rapist Melinda finds her voice and simply speaks.

C. Critical Analysis

Laurie Halse Anderson does an amazing job developing Melinda as a character throughout the book. Even though Melinda is not really conversing very much within the story the reader still knows her thoughts and feelings. The book is written in simple sections, but Anderson's choice of words is unbelievable because the reader senses and feels for the main character. The plot of the story applies very much to teenagers everywhere, who are just trying to make it though high school. The setting takes place in any high school in any town, which makes it so relevant to teenagers everywhere, especially girls. The transformation that Melinda goes through is an encouragement to young women who have faced horrific trials in their life, that you can rise above your awful situations. Speak is an unbelievable book that teaches such a valuable lesson to teenagers everywhere. That everyone does have a voice and when we choose to speak we can be powerful with our words, all we simply have to do is speak.

D. Awards Won

*Michael L. Printz Honor Book

*National Book Award Finalist

*Edgar Allen Poe Award Finalist

*Los Angeles Time Book Prize Finalist

*SCBWI Golden Kite Award

Publishers Weekly Review-"In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager. Divided into the four marking periods of an academic year, the novel, narrated by Melinda Sordino, begins on her first day as a high school freshman. No one will sit with Melinda on the bus. At school, students call her names and harass her; her best friends from junior high scatter to different cliques and abandon her. Yet Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine through her pain and holds readers' empathy. A girl at a school pep rally offers an explanation of the heroine's pariah status when she confronts Melinda about calling the police at a summer party, resulting in several arrests. But readers do not learn why Melinda made the call until much later: a popular senior raped her that night and, because of her trauma, she barely speaks at all. Only through her work in art class, and with the support of a compassionate teacher there, does she begin to reach out to others and eventually find her voice. Through the first-person narration, the author makes Melinda's pain palpable: "I stand in the center aisle of the auditorium, a wounded zebra in a National Geographic special." Though the symbolism is sometimes heavy-handed, it is effective. The ending, in which her attacker comes after her once more, is the only part of the plot that feels forced. But the book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired."-Publishers Weekly Review

E. Connections

* Conduct an author study and read other books by Laurie Halse Anderson.

* Hold a discussion on high school and acceptance and friendship.

* Allow students to write about a difficult situation or experience they have been through.

Fanatsy-Book Review

The Graveyard Book

By: Neil Gaiman

With illustrations by Dave McKean

A. Bibliographic Data

Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

ISBN: 978-0-06-053092-1

B. Plot Summary

The Graveyard Book is a novel about a young boy who becomes an orphan when the rest of his family is murdered. Escaping to a nearby graveyard down the hill the ghost of the graveyard take him in and raise him. Now with the name of Nobody Owens or Bod he is raised among the inhabitants of the graveyard and given the rights of the graveyard. He is given adopted parents and a guardian named Silas who is neither among the living or the dead. Bod goes upon many adventures and befriends a dead witch and comes in contact with an ancient Indigo Man under a hill. Forced to face his family's attacker from many years ago Bod soon learns the meaning of love and the need to live.

C. Critical Analysis

Neil Gaiman weaves together an interesting plot about a live boy living among the dead and trying to figure out what living is all about. The character development is very creative with types of characters I have never read about. Gaiman creates ghosts, goblins, guardians, murders, a witch, and living characters as well. There is a wide range of characters and their capabilities is revealed throughout the book. The setting of the book is well developed and takes place mostly in a huge graveyard. Gaiman's overall style of the book is dark and often a bit depressing with a longing of sorrow for the young boy Bod. The Graveyard Book is an interesting read and very different from anything I have read before. After reading the book the reader will find themselves with a renewal and an appreciation for life and a life worth living.

D. Awards Won

*John Newbery Medal

*Hugo Award

*Carnegie Medal

*Locus Award

School Library Journal Review-"Somewhere in contemporary Britain, "the man Jack" uses his razor-sharp knife to murder a family, but the youngest, a toddler, slips away. The boy ends up in a graveyard, where the ghostly inhabitants adopt him to keep him safe. Nobody Owens, so named because he "looks like nobody but himself," grows up among a multigenerational cast of characters from different historical periods that includes matronly Mistress Owens; ancient Roman Caius Pompeius; an opinionated young witch; a melodramatic hack poet; and Bod's beloved mentor and guardian, Silas, who is neither living nor dead and has secrets of his own. As he grows up, Bod has a series of adventures, both in and out of the graveyard, and the threat of the man Jack who continues to hunt for him is ever present. Bod's love for his graveyard family and vice versa provide the emotional center, amid suspense, spot-on humor, and delightful scene-setting. The child Bod's behavior is occasionally too precocious to be believed, and a series of puns on the name Jack render the villain a bit less frightening than he should be, though only momentarily. Aside from these small flaws, however, Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family."-School Library Journal

E. Connections

* Conduct an author study over other books by Neil Gaiman.

* Take a class field trip to a nearby graveyard and have the class conduct grave rubbings.

* Introduce and read other stories involving ghost and graveyards. A great time to do this would be around Halloween.

Historical Fiction-Review

Bloody Jack:Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy

By: L.A. Meyer

Retold By: Katherine Kellgren

A. Bibliographic Data

Meyer, L.A. 2002. Bloody Jack:Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy. Orlando, FL. Harcourt Books.

ISBN: 0-15-216731-5

B. Plot Summary

Bloody Jack is a story about a young orphan girl named Mary. Living on the streets of London, when Mary's dear friend Charlie dies, she runs away and disguises herself as "Jack" a young ship's boy. She joins the crew of the HMS Dolphin. She sails the seas and discovers new things and fights pirates along the way. Jack is then faced with the challenge of growing and changing while being on a ship full of boys and men, while also hiding her love for another ship's boy named Jaimy. Finally having to reveal her true identity to Jaimy, the two fall in love, and their romance is kept a secret among all men on board. After one last pirate attack Jacky's identity is blow and she is dropped off in Boston to attend a school for young girls. Bloody Jack is a true tale of adventure that is packed with romance and action.

C. Critical Analysis

The story of Bloody Jack is a tale of adventure that will have the reader sucked in from the beginning. The book is written in old english sailor dialogue and it is strong throughout the whole book. The audio version is told by Katherine Kellgreen and she does an outstanding job using different accents from English to Irish to Caribbean. The audio version was a joy to listen to and I found myself a bit disappointed when it was over not wanting to put it down. The book is action packed with chapter after chapter of action and fights. L.A. Meyer descriptive language has the reader having an exact picture of what is going on in the book. The romance between Jacky and Jaimy is pure sweet and innocent, with a true taste of young love. Bloody Jack will have you laughing one minute, fighting pirates the next, and having you feel a mixture of emotions on every page.

D. Awards Won

* Book Sense 76 Pick

* Booklist Editors Choice

* Bulletin Blue Ribbon

* Junior Library Guild Selection

* New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

Booklist Review-" Living on the streets of London with a gang of street urchins, orphan Mary decides she’ll have an easier time of it if she poses as a boy. Following the murder of her friend Charlie, Mary steals his clothes, collects his “shiv,” calls herself Jacky Faber, and signs on as a lowly ship’s boy on a Royal Navy frigate. Kellgren’s flexible British accent easily captures the seafaring atmosphere and Jacky’s emotions as she tries to hide her true identity from her mates and superiors. She consistently maintains Jacky’s Cockney accent, Irish sailor Liam’s brogue, and a Jamaican seaman’s Caribbean lilt, excellently reflecting the varied nationalities and personalities onboard. Jacky’s appearance attracts the attention of a slimy pedophile, portrayed by Kellgren in sinister, suggestive tones. Jacky eventually falls in love with a boy on the ship who learns of Jacky’s true gender, and in a memorable scene onshore, Kellgren’s high-pitched tones easily mimic Jacky’s successful attempt to imitate the voice of an island girl to deceive her shipmates. Nautical music introducing and concluding the work adds to the mood, as does Kellgren’s impressive singing of a ballad. Populated with wicked sailors, midshipmen, and a close-knit group of ship’s boys, this rousing historical tale is an appealing choice for fans of adventures, sea stories, and gutsy girls."-Booklist Review

E. Connections

*Introduce and challenge students read other books in the Bloody Jack series.

*Students research the English Navy

*Students research and read other books concerning pirates.

Historical Fiction-Review

The Midwife's Apprentice

By: Karen Cushman

A. Bibliographic Data

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.

ISBN: 0-06-440630-X

B. Plot Summary

The Midwife's Apprentice is about a young girl given the name Beetle, but later changes her name to Alyce. Alyce is an orphan with on where to go, when she is given a job to assist a midwife with the town's baby deliveries. She also befriends a cat and one of the village boys. After, facing a humiliating moment Alyce runs away from being a midwife's apprentice and takes a job working at an inn. After much thought and being placed in a situation where Alyce has to use her talents, she realizes how much she misses the art of being a midwifes assistant and returns to her village.

C. Critical Analysis

The Midwife's Apprentice is a book about hope and embracing what talent you have been given. I often found myself relating to the character of Alyce due to the fact that I often second guess myself in my talents and abilities. The setting is set in England and Cushman has conducted research to allow the reader to know and feel what life was like. The dialogue she uses throughout the book is consistent and dead on. Also, the lack of hygiene is also expressed and shown throughout the reading. The Midwife's Apprentice is also a story about courage, perseverance, and breaking free from a social stereotype. The book restores hope to the reader, and makes them realize that if you believe in yourself anything is obtainable.

D. Awards Won

* Newbery Award

*ALA Notable Children's Book

* ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Publishers Weekly Review-" Cushman has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent."-Publishers Weekly

E. Connections

* Students research and study life during medieval times.

* Students read other books by Karen Cushman

*If possible students visit a museum with medieval artifacts to better understand the setting of the book.

Historical Fiction-Review

Chains

By: Laurie Halse Anderson

A. Bibliographic Data

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2008. Chains. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

ISBN: 978-1-4169-0585-1

B. Plot Summary

Chains is a story about a 13 year old slave girl named Isabel and takes place during the American Revolution. After her master passes away she is sold to a man and his cruel wife, who live in New York City. Isabel is faced with many challenges, but the biggest one of all is the selling of her younger sister Ruth to another family. Isabel befriends a young slave boy named Curzon who coaxes her into becoming a spy for the American army, since her masters support the King of England. Isabel is torn between the splitting up of her family and two nations that are at war with each other. Isabel must go to lengths of pain and torment to break free her her chains.

C. Critical Analysis

Chains is an amazing story and often had my eyes filling up with tears. The power of the words that Laurie Halse Anderson uses expresses the real trials that Isabel goes through. Even though the story is considered fiction you know that Anderson has done her research because you can feel that there is truth behind her words. Chains takes you back to the days of slavery and does not sugar coat at all how awful life was for a slave. However, the book is an strong demonstration and example of how strong the human spirit can be, but you have to find it within yourself, and one can take that away from you. The story elements that Anderson uses are strong throughout the whole book. Chains is an anthem or a voice for every persecuted young girl who has ever gone through terrible things in her life, and shows that you can overcome and rise above it.

D. Awards Won

* National Book Award Finalist

*Scott O'Dell Award

*ALA Best Books for Young Adults

*ALA Notable Children's Books

Booklist Review- "In the spring of 1776, Isabel, a teenage slave, and her sister, Ruth, are sold to ruthless, wealthy loyalists in Manhattan. While running errands, Isabel is approached by rebels, who promise her freedom (and help finding Ruth, who has been sent away) if she agrees to spy. Using the invisibility her slave status brings, Isabel lurks and listens as Master Lockton and his fellow Tories plot to crush the rebel uprisings, but the incendiary proof that she carries to the rebel camp doesn’t bring the desired rewards. Like the central character in M. T. Anderson’s Octavian Nothing duet, Isabel finds that both patriots and loyalists support slavery. The specifics of Isabel’s daily drudgery may slow some readers, but the catalogue of chores communicates the brutal rhythms of unrelenting toil, helping readers to imagine vividly the realities of Isabel’s life. The story’s perspective creates effective contrasts. Overwhelmed with domestic concerns, Isabel and indeed all the women in the household learn about the war from their marginalized position: they listen at doors to rooms where they are excluded, and they collect gossip from the streets. Anderson explores elemental themes of power (“She can do anything. I can do nothing,” Isabel realizes about her sadistic owner), freedom, and the sources of human strength in this searing, fascinating story. The extensive back matter includes a documented section that addresses many questions about history that readers will want to discuss."-Booklist Review

E. Connections

* Students identify and explore real life women heros.

*Read other books by Laurie Halse Anderson-Author Study

* Students research slaves during the Revolutionary War and their duties.

Nonfiction and Biography-Review

What To Do About Alice?

By: Barbara Kerley

Illustrated By: Edwin Fotheringham

A. Bibliographic Data

Kerley, Barbara. 2008. What To Do About Alice? Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

ISBN: 978-0-439-92231-9

B. Plot Summary

What To Do About Alice? is a biography about the childhood and upbringing of Alice Roosevelt, who was the daughter of the president Theodore Roosevelt. The book explains that Alice loved to break the rules, or as Alice liked to put it in her terms, "eating up the world." The book takes the reader through the life of Alice, from childhood all the way up to the point in her life after her marriage. The book points out several major points in Alice's life where she broke the rules, or lived her life a little bit outside the box, as well as major points in her father's life Theodore Roosevelt.

C. Critical Analysis

What To Do About Alice is a funny picture book biography. The reader finds oneself laughing about all the different adventures Alice went on. The story shows how brave and courageous Alice truly was. She liked to march to her own beat of her own drum. One of the most interesting parts of the book is when Alice received her leg braces and how she dealt with wearing them. What To Do About Alice encourages readers to look deep down inside and find who they truly are, and to "eat up the world."

Edwin Fotherinham's illustrations are made from a color palette of mostly greens and blues. Alice however in a lot of the illustrations is wearing red. The expressions he places on the faces of the characters in the book lets the reader know what they are feeling.

D. Awards Won

*The Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

*Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
*Irma Black Award Honor Book
*Parents Choice Award
*Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award
*California Collections
*A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
*A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
*A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
*An ALA Notable Book
*Capitol Choices
*New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Booklist Review-"Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was.... Kerley's text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line.... The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art."-Booklist Review

E. Connections

*Have students complete an author study over Barbara Kerley and investigate other picture book biographies she has wrote.

*Students research other facts about Theodore and Alice Roosevelt.

*Students create a timeline about Alice Roosevelt's life.

Nonfiction and Biography-Review

Move

By: Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

Illustrated By: Steve Jenkins

A. Bibliographic Data

Jenkins, Steve and Robin Jenkins. 2006. Move. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

ISBN: 0-618-64637-X

B: Plot Summary

Move is an informational picture book that teaches children about the different ways animals move to get around. Words are bolded throughout the book that the reader should focus on and think about. Words such as: waddle, slide, float, dance, run, fly, climb, slither, leap, swim, dive, walk, and swing are highlighted throughout the book. For each moving action an animal is given who uses this type of movement for getting around. An animal index is in the back of the book with definitions for the different types of animals that are mentioned in the book.

C. Critical Analysis

Move appears just to be a simple picture book, but when taking a closer look the reader can learn and ponder on how and why animals move. The organization of the book is very simple with a big bold word on each page with a sentence to go along with it. The organization remains the same throughout the whole book allowing the young reader to see the repetition of the moving words.

The overall design of the book is inviting to the young reader. Steve Jenkins creates his design or illustrations from collages of construction paper. Some of the illustrations appear to be made from torn construction paper while others appear to be made from construction paper that has been cut. His pictures are simple but informative teaching the reader what animal goes along with what special type of movement.

D. School Library Journal Review-"In this eye-popping book illustrated with cut- and torn-paper collages, animals leap, swim, slide, swing, and waddle. Each spread contains one action word and two animals for whom that behavior is typical. One of the animals turns up again on the next page alongside a different creature, both of them representing another kind of motion. For example, on one side a crocodile slithers into the water opposite a snake slithering through leaves; with the turn, the snake climbs a tree and a praying mantis climbs a blade of grass. The information will pique readers' interest. Jenkins uses brief phrases as captions and provides a well-written, concise appendix. A sharp-headed, blue-eyed bird hovers over the caption, A roadrunner flies, but not too far…. On the next page, the bird, clasping a lizard in its beak, sprints away to the words, …it would rather run to catch its prey. The end matter explains where the roadrunner lives, what it eats, how large it is, and why it is more suited to running than flying. This book is gorgeous and educational."-School Library Journal

E. Connections

*Watch a video with student online about how Steve Jenkins created Move.

*Read more informational books by Steve Jenkins or his wife Robin Page

*Do a lesson on verbs and show all the different verbs in the book that show action or movement.

Nonfiction and Biography-Review

We Are The Ship

Words and Paintings By:

Kadir Nelson

A. Bibliographic Data

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. We Are The Ship.Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

ISBN: 978-0-7868-0832-8

B. Plot Summary

We Are The Ship is a nonfiction story informing the reader about Negro League Baseball. Negro League Baseball was played for 50 years during the period of segregation when black baseball players were not allowed to play professional baseball with white players. So the Negro Baseball League was formed. The book takes the reader through the timeline of the league, starting with how the league was formed. The book talks in detail about the life of a player in the league, and also highlights famous players and their accomplishments. The book closes with a chapter about the big move when Jackie Robinson joined the professional league and became the first African American to integrate and play with white players.

C. Critical Analysis

We Are The Ship is an amazing story and teaches a lesson of history that has appeared to be forgotten. The organization of the book is broken up into 9 chapters, which are titled innings instead of chapters. The display of bibliographic information in the back of the book lets the reader know they are reading about information that is accurate. The style of the book is written in 1st person making the reader to believe that a player in the league actual wrote the book or is telling the story.

The overall design or paintings in the book is what makes it so extraordinary. Nelson's paintings are unbelievable in capturing the attitude and emotions of the players. When thumbing through the book you are captivated by these detailed emotional pieces of artwork displaying the players in the league. We Are The Ship is much more than a nonfiction book about history, it is a book about perseverance and teaches the reader that change is not always a bad thing.

D. Awards Won

*Coretta Scott King Award

* The Robert F. Sibert Medal

Horn Book Review-"Imagine listening to baseball legends Willie Mays and Ernie Banks swapping stories about their Negro League days as they sit in the stands, munching on peanuts and watching Ken Griffey Jr. launch a curve ball into the stratosphere. That kind of easygoing, conversational storytelling is exactly what Kadir Nelson achieves in this pitch-perfect history of Negro League baseball. “Seems like we’ve been playing baseball for a mighty long time. At least as long as we’ve been free,” the narrator says. Nelson’s collective “we” honors “the voice of every player,” as he explains in an author’s note, and it also works to draw readers into and through the text’s nine “innings.” Nelson’s extensive research (including interviews with former players) yields loads of attention-grabbing details: how much money players made; where, when, and how often games took place; who the standout owners, managers, and players were; and so on. And not surprisingly, he often returns to the impact of racism on the leagues, teams, and individual athletes. His grand slam, though, is the art: Nelson’s oil paintings have a steely dignity, and his from-the-ground perspectives make the players look larger than life. The book also includes a foreword by Hank Aaron, an Extra Innings section identifying Hall-of-Fame Negro Leaguers, a bibliography, endnotes, and an index."-Horn Book Review

E. Connections

*Students create and display a timeline about the Negro Baseball League.

*Students can research and present individual reports about an individual player in the Negro Baseball League.

*Study and observe other books and artwork by Kadir Nelson.

Poetry-Review

The Simple Gift

By: Steven Herrick

A. Bibliographic Data

Herrick, Steven. 2000. The Simple Gift. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

ISBN: 978-0-689-86867-2

B. Plot Summary

The Simple Gift is a novel in verse. The book is about a young teenage boy named Billy who runs away from home because of an alcoholic and abusive father. Billy settles in a town and lives out of an abounded freight train. Billy meets and falls in love with a rich girl named Caitlin. He also meets and befriends an older runway. Billy calls the older friend Old Bill. Through the friendship of Old Bill a great opportunity is presented to Billy when he is in trouble. Billy learns the lesson of life that nothing is as it seems.

C. Critical Analysis

The Simple Gift is a novel, however written in verse or with poems. The book moves quickly as the reader becomes very interested in the characters found in the story. Steven Herrick does a profound job of weaving the characters thoughts and actions through poetry. The books aides in reader in understanding what life is like for a runaway and the sacrifices that are made when hard decisions have to be made. The novel also teaches the valuable lesson of nothing is as it seems, and we never know what people have been through or are going through when we meet them face to face. It also teaches how we should never judge someone based on their social status. The Simple Gift is written in easy to understand poetry, however the message and meaning behind the story runs very deep.

D. Awards

*Vision Australia Library Awards (2001)

*The Childrens Book of the Year Awards (2001)

Notable Australian Childrens Book - Older Readers

*Childrens Peace Literature Award (2001)

School Library Journal Review-"A free-verse novel told in three voices. Billy, 16, says good riddance to his abusive father and hops a freight train. Settling in a small town in Australia that has a friendly librarian and a train yard with abandoned cars to call home, he adjusts quickly to life, figuring out how to eat and keep clean. Intelligent and mature, the teen thinks about cruelty, compassion, and what his life has become–"I'm poor, homeless, but I'm not stupid." He meets and falls in love with Caitlin, a rich and dissatisfied girl who quickly sees there is more to Billy than a starving bum grabbing leftovers off the tables in McDonald's. He also befriends Old Bill, a homeless drunk who teaches him a few things, including how to earn money. Billy has little to offer but compassion, and that's what these two people so desperately need. All three of them are able to give the simplest gifts to one another in this beautiful, subtle, and sensitive story. Tough language is occasionally and appropriately used, and the sexuality is indirectly portrayed, sweet and full of love. A dramatic and compelling story that will appeal even to reluctant readers, this book exceeds Herrick's pair of verse novels, Love, Ghosts, & Facial Hair and A Place Like This."-School Library Journal Review

E. Connections

*Read and introduce other novels in verse to students.

*Have students write and discuss about what it means to belong or have a home.

*Conduct an author study over Steven Herrick and his homeland Australia.