Nowhere Girl by A.J. Paquette

Title: Nowhere Girl
Author: A. J. Paquette
Pages: 246
Publisher: Walker & Company
Age Group: Intermediate, Young Adult (grades 4-8)

I chose to read this book because it takes place mostly in Thailand; I spent two months in Thailand this summer so I figured I would enjoy reading a fictional tale about it. And I did enjoy it! This book is about a 13-year-old girl who is born in a Thailand prison and lives there until her mother dies. After a few months, she decides to leave the prison and look for family in Bangkok and the U.S. Her mother was very secretive so she does not know anything about her family. She goes on a journey to get to the U.S. and learns her family secrets along the way.

This story posed questions from the start that the rest of the book took time to answer: Where did Luchi come from? Who is her father? Why was her mother in prison? Does Luchi have any other family? These questions came early on in the book and wanting to know the answers kept me reading. The book is told from Luchi’s point of view. This story would have been very different if told from another character’s point of view or by an unknown narrator. By Luchi telling the story, we get to experience her emotions, thoughts, feelings, anxieties, and fears. I really enjoyed reading this book but it was rather slow. The ending was not as exciting as I expected. I probably would not use this book for any particular activity in my classroom but I would include it in my classroom library and encourage students to read it. Any concerns about it would be that it includes the mentioning of alcohol and drug abuse.

Keep reading,
Christine

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

Title: Death Cloud
Author: Andrew Lane
Publisher: Square Fish
Pages: 320
Ages: Young Adult (grades 6-8)

Publisher's Review: It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock’s true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent.

I read this book to review for the International Reading Association Teachers' Choice project. I really enjoyed it! I would recommend it for advanced readers in the fourth and fifth grades, and for readers in middle school. I thought the structure and beauty of language was fantastic. It kept me interested and on my toes. I think it could be used in solving science mysteries or in a unit on Sherlock Holmes.

This book is a great example from the mystery genre. It would be a great way to introduce the character of Sherlock Homes and solving mysteries. Since this author was interested in writing about the early years of Sherlock, something readers do not know about, teachers could have students pick a character, fictional or non-fictional, and write a story about his or her life that readers don't know about (most likely their childhood).

Any issues with appropriateness might be that the book has scary moments but I would not keep from having it in my library.

Keep learning,
Christine

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

"John Stephens' aptly-titled new fantasy trilogy begins auspiciously with a nimble, fast-paced tale of three siblings. Kate, Michael, and Emma have suffered through ten years of odious orphanage 'care'; now they have slipped into the care of the eccentric, disturbingly mysterious Dr. Pym. While exploring their new home, the children discover a magical green book. With that discovery, a decade of tedium dissolves into cascades of dangerous time travel adventures and struggles with a beautiful witch and decidedly less attractive zombielike Screechers. High early reader marks for strong characterization and battle scenes."
(Taken from www.goodreads.com)


Wow, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. One of my professors gave it to me to read for the Teachers' Choice Award (http://www.reading.org/resources/booklists/teacherschoices.aspx). I was a little apprehensive about it since it seemed like another fantasy book with magic. I didn't think I would enjoy reading it. However, I would see 2 or 3 AM on my clock while reading this book. I would tell myself that I was going to put it down and go to sleep when I finished the chapter I was reading. But, there would be a cliffhanger and I would have to keep reading to find out what happened next! It was so fun to read and I highly recommend it.

Now, for how to use it in the classroom. It certainly would be a great piece to read aloud to students in upper elementary, let's say after lunch for 15 minutes. This book would be great to give to an advanced reader. It requires a lot of thinking and imagination and would be a good book to challenge a student with.

This book is one of three. I can't wait to read the next two!


Stephens, J. (2011). The emerald atlas. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Be a lifelong learner.
Christine

Hello!

My name is Christine and I am a graduate student at the University of North Alabama studying Elementary Education. I am currently substitute teaching for the local school system and working on my Master's degree. I have had the unique opportunity to study children's literature this semester (fall 2011) and want to share it. I plan to post my thoughts on books I like and anything new I am learning in graduate school and lessons I am learning as a substitute teacher.
Thanks for reading!

Be a lifelong learner,
Christine