Year: 2020

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The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate – Book Review

 

Title: The One and Only Bob
Author: Katherine Applegate
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 5, 2020

Bob is back. After living for several years at the Big Top Mall, George and Julia adopted Bob and took him home. Now, Bob regales readers with his story of abandonment, loss, friendship, adventure, and so much more. Bob begins his story by threading details about his past in with the present. Then, when he visits Ivan and Ruby at the zoo, a dangerous storm thrusts Bob into a new role: a hero. With plenty of laughs and tears alongside breathtaking moments and surprises, Bob proves once again just how unique and special he is.

After being introduced to Bob in The One and Only Ivan, author Katherine Applegate has continued Bob’s story in The One and Only Bob. Applegate’s writing is superb. The descriptive prose, imaginative figurative language, and vibrant imagery create a truly sensory reading experience. It all helps the reader feels as though they are a true companion to Bob standing aside him as he recounts his trials and tribulations. Although some readers may tire of Bob’s lengthy introduction and commentary about life as a dog, this exposition initiates his transformation to come because it allows him to begin processing the traumas of his past. Closer examination of this portion of the novel as presented through Bob’s perspective ultimately reveals many larger truths about humans and the natural world. Like with him and the novel as a whole, one must be willing to take that deeper look. Meanwhile, other portions of the novel are action-packed. They set a feverish pace, and Applegate proves, once again, her versatility as a writer. After Bob’s heroics save the day, the ending is at once messy and hopeful, creating a realistic finale to a heartwarming tale.

Just as The One and Only Ivan garnered countless fans, young and old alike, readers will love The One and Only Bob. The novel could possibly stand alone in classroom applications; however, deep analysis of certain aspects of the book would require the context provided in the first story. Still, The One and Only Bob could serve as a fantastic summer reading and project, early finisher work, or a fun read aloud.

Classroom Applications

  • Read Aloud – Read the novel aloud in class as part of direct instruction or a novel study.
  • Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading with a variety of books that incorporate animal rights.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading about animals.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Animal Rights
  • Animal Shelters
  • Zoos

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with The One and Only Bob. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

  • The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (Character Connections, Themes, Plot Structure, Nonfiction Connections)
  • Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (Character Connections, Themes, Nonfiction Connections)
  • Pax by Sara Pennypacker and Illustrator Jon Klassen (Character Connections, Themes)
*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia – Book Review

 

Title: Paola Santiago and the River of Tears
Author: Tehlor Kay Mejia
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Release Date: August 4, 2020

School is out, and Paola Santiago, an analytic and science-loving mind, is excited to spend more time with her best friends, Emma and Dante. Their first get together involves trying out a new telescope on the banks of the infamous Gila River. But all three must keep their plans from their parents, especially Pao. Pao’s mother lives in a world where ghosts, myths, and legends are very much real. To the fact-based, logical Pao, her mother’s “nonsense” has created a very wide and very real chasm between them. Despite recent abductions in the area and Pao’s mother’s warnings about the evil river, Pao and Dante go to meet Emma. However, Emma is a no-show. When Pao and Dante begin searching for their friend, they are thrust into an alternate reality where the ghosts, myths, and legends Pao’s mother always believed in are indeed alive and well. As a result, Pao must fight demons, both inside and out, to save her friendships, save her relationship with her mother, and save the world. Hopefully, Pao can do it all before it’s too late.

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears is an action-packed adventure that will appeal to those that love mythology fantasies. Similar to other Rick Riordan Presents publications, Tehlor Kay Mejia’s novel incorporates all the classic, familiar elements of a hero’s journey. These elements, along with excellent character development and the inclusion of Mexican culture and folklore, create an engaging, fun quest that young readers will devour. Unfortunately, readers may experience mythology/fantasy/quest fatigue depending on the number of Rick Riordan Presents books they have read. While Tehlor Kay Mejia writes a unique story, its similarity to other series in plot structure and even writing style prevent it from standing apart from other offerings. This is no fault of the author. La Llorona’s story is captivating and the focus on Mexican folklore is another strength of the novel. This could still yet separate it from other tales with similar arcs; those plot lines have appeal for a reason. Paola Santiago and the River of Tears is a gripping tale that demonstrates why all over again.

Young readers will surely love Paola Santiago and the River of Tears, especially those that cannot get enough of the Rick Riordan-esque novels. If considering classroom applications, it would be a perfect addition to literature circles that use 5-6 mythology fantasy novels (see suggestions below).

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher, Rick Riordan Presents, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading with a variety of books that incorporate folklore.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading mythological fantasies.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • La Llorona
  • Mexican Folklore

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Paolo Santiago and the River of Tears. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Quintessence by Jess Redman – Book Review

 

Title: Quintessence
Author: Jess Redman
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Release Date: July 28, 2020

Alma suffers from panic attacks. Her suffering is solitary, isolating, and, at times, debilitating. She tries to keep her episodes a secret from her family, but they continue to get worse as Alma struggles to “acclimate” to her new home in Four Points. But the shopkeeper of the mysterious Fifth Point has bigger plans for Alma. A seemingly chance encounter between the two sets Alma on a fantastical quest. With the help of new friends and an emerging sense of self, Alma races against time to do the impossible: find the elements, grow the light, and save the starling.

The beauty of Quintessence lies in its raw, unfiltered depiction of a young person suffering from anxiety. Author Jess Redman captures Alma’s struggles in a visceral way, leveling a stirring emotional punch. The story’s emotion propels the plot and will keep readers engaged with the fantastical tale. While Alma and her friends’ quest is fun and purposeful, it takes place in a semi-real, semi-magical place. This setting creates dissonance at times although Redman’s incorporation of the Shopkeeper added much needed explanation for the impetus of the quest. Readers would benefit from his perspective much earlier. The tale truly finds its footing and rhythm about halfway through its telling, a length of time that may lose some readers as they turn disinterested in Alma’s transformation. This would be a shame because by the end of the novel, the story Redman brings to life proves powerful and compelling – so much so, readers may hope the tale of the Elementals continues in subsequent novels.

Quintessence imparts important messages to its readers: we are unique, we are interconnected, and we are resilient. These messages will resonate with middle grade readers and even bolster their own confidence to face the challenges in front of them. Its references to and emphasis on astronomy and science will surely attract the attention of STEM and STEAM-loving students. Most importantly, though, Quintessence provides young people a compassionate portrayal of Alma’s struggle with anxiety. With the need for social-emotional learning and mental health education rightly at the forefront of education, Redman’s novel can serve as a vehicle to open up conversations about these critical topics.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of astronomy.
  • Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading with a variety of books that involve a quest.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading novels that are about quests.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Astronomy
  • Star Formation
  • Principles of Astrophysics

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Quintessence. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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War Stories by Gordon Korman – Book Review

 

Title: War Stories
Author: Gordon Korman
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Release Date: July 21, 2020

Trevor’s passion for World War II borders obsession, especially since his beloved great-grandfather, G.G., is a war hero. G.G. fought valiantly in WWII. Now, a small village in France wants to honor his efforts at their liberation celebration, giving Trevor a chance to walk in G.G.’s footsteps. From training camp to the shores of Normandy and the hedgerows of France, G.G. relives his experiences with Trevor and Trevor’s father at his side. However, a mysterious group from the small village in France claims G.G. is no hero. As G.G. and company travel closer to the village, the threats they receive manifest in actual attacks. Will they be enough to stop the family from attending the celebration or will G.G. arrive at the village ready to face the darkest chapter of his past?

War Stories by Gordon Korman is a gritty, thought-provoking novel about the realities of warfare. As the story alternates between G.G.’s war stories and his present-day retracing of them, readers get an intimate look at the devastating and long-lasting effects of war. The seamless flow between these two time periods enhances the novel’s themes and helps fully immerse the reader in G.G.’s experiences. While alternating point of views or time periods are often overused as a dramatic narrative technique, in Korman’s hands with War Stories, they contribute to an emotional portrait of how war inflicts scars deep and irrevocable. In addition to the novel’s structure, G.G.’s character development is captivating. He is authentically human: plucky, complex, multi-dimensional. Finally, the scenes of warfare provide all the suspense and conflict expected from such action. Yet, their juxtaposition to Trevor’s glorified notions about it serve to reinforce how destructive and enduring those moments are for those that experience them. War Stories earns its place with other WWII middle grades novels, and rises to the top of must-read WWII titles. More recent literature captures different perspectives of the war, and Korman does so as well through another unique lens: a veteran. It is an important lens, and students will certainly gain valuable insight not only about the war but possibly – and more importantly – insight into how the war impacts an individual long after the fighting stops. It would be a fantastic book to pair with other perspectives of the war or novels about other global conflicts. However, the book can certainly be a standalone novel study. It offers a rich, textured presentation of war, and presents those dramatic events not just as episodes relegated to the past but as still living experiences that animate the present.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Scholastic, Inc., for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of World War II. It could focus on different perspectives and/or theaters of war.
  • Literature Circles – Use the novel as part of a study about World War II, especially one that focuses on multiple perspectives of the war.
  • Book Pairing – Pair the book with another novel about World War II, such as Allies by Alan Gratz, to create a thought-provoking unit that captures multiple perspectives on this global conflict.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • WWII
  • D-Day
  • WWII Veterans

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with War Stories. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

  • Allies by Alan Gratz (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
  • Grenade by Alan Gratz (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
  • Farewell to Manzanar by James D. Houston and Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
  • The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
  • Night by Elie Wiesel (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
  • On the Horizon by Lois Lowry (Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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The Dream Weaver by Reina Luz Alegre – Book Review

 

Title: The Dream WeaverAuthor: Reina Luz Alegre
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s
Release Date: June 23, 2020

After moving from place to place, year after year, Zoey finally has a chance to find a home at the Jersey Shore with her grandfather, Poppy. While Zoey’s father chases yet another half-baked dream and her brother José prepares to leave for college, she is left to help Poppy run Gonzo’s, the family-owned bowling alley. However, Zoey quickly learns that Gonzo’s is on the brink of closing. As Zoey makes new friends, tries to help save Poppy’s business, and ponders her own future, she experiences an unforgettable summer. In the end, her transformation over its course gives her the courage she needs to chase her own dreams on into the future.

The Dream Weaver by Reina Luz Alegre is an uplifting story about finding your voice and fighting for your dreams. The novel’s greatest strength is the author’s ability to capture imperfection. There is no such thing as perfect, after all. The characters’ faults and flaws, the complexity of their conflicts, and an ending messy but realistic makes for a heartwarming, endearing portrayal of life. On the other hand, the plot’s pacing is slow at times with many conversations about fashion crowding out opportunities to add depth to the characters and their experiences. At times, the author’s descriptive language also feels forced, and the stilted narration breaks the story’s natural flow. While these issues are not so significant as to detract from what can be learned in reading Zoey’s story overall, they do render its telling less compelling.

The Dream Weaver is the perfect summer read for middle grades readers. Reina Luz Alegre incorporates classic tween and teen themes in a unique and refreshing way. For teachers searching for a summer assignment, The Dream Weaver is it. Not only does the novel have opportunities for analysis, it also includes the potential for a cross-curricular study on the science of bowling. A fun field trip to close out a fun read!

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Simon & Schuster, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • STEM Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the science of bowling.
  • Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading about themes of loss, friendship, and family.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Bowling
  • Fashion

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with The Dream Weaver. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.
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Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri – Book Review

 

Title: Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story)

Author: Daniel Nayeri

Publisher: Levine Querido

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Everything Sad Is Untrue is author Daniel Nayeri’s (true) story. In recounting his story of being in a middle school classroom in Oklahoma, Nayeri immerses contemporary students in a narrative that spans generations and centuries. Daniel (formerly Khosrou) recalls events that led to his family needing to flee Iran, their time in a refugee camp in Italy, their journey to the United States, and many other family tales relating to these circumstances while incorporating narrative elements of Persian folktales. In doing so, Daniel is Scheherazade, telling stories to live one more day and turn the resentment he faces into love (or at least acceptance).

While good novels can captivate a reader’s imagination and evoke strong emotions, great novels create a new experience for readers. Everything Sad Is Untrue is a great novel. The storytelling experience hypnotizes as the novel pulls readers through tales that span millennia. One page may find you in Oklahoma while the next page you’re in Iran and the next a Persian folktale. And yet, through this whirlwind of stories, a single sentence can stop readers in their tracks, leaving them to ponder the implications of their interpretation of the cascade of events. The depth of thought it provokes and the breadth of the world it introduces readers is a strength, but it also requires readers to accept the challenge of following those narrative threads. This demand is actually a strength. Working to follow the story brings the reader closer to the text, but Everything Sad is Untrue deserves that level of attention. Overall, the novel stands out as a rare gem within the middle grades/young adult genres.

Everything Sad Is Untrue is saturated with analysis opportunities and provides educators with a plethora of material to explore with students, both through the story itself and through the enrichment opportunities it offers. The book’s complexities may initially seem out of reach for middle grades. Yet, it is exactly the kind of literature students need to experience to be challenged. Everything Sad Is Untrue will challenge their reading abilities. It will challenge their worldview. It will challenge their perspective on the stories they have been told, the way they remember these stories, and the tales they tell themselves.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and publisher, Levine Querido, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

  • Cross-Curricular Study – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the refugee experience, Persian folklore, the history of Iran, or all three!
  • Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading with a variety of books that include folktales from around the world.
  • Book Pairing – Pair the book with another novel the uniquely weaves folklore throughout the plot, such as The Story That Cannot Be Told.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

  • Persian Folklore
  • Refugee experience/Immigration history or process
  • History of Iran

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Everything Sad Is Untrue. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

*LIT Lessons participates in the Amazon Associate Program and earns a fee from qualifying purchases made on the Amazon.com site.