Happy New Year! Since we have started a new year, I thought my first post should be a book review of one of the new Mark Twain Award nominees for 2008-2009. Hope you enjoy!

The Million Dollar Putt by Dan Gutman

RL 3.8

Ed Bogard (“Bogie”) is like many thirteen-year-old boys – he likes to ride his bike, parasail, ride jet skis, and play the guitar. But unlike many boys his age, Bogie is blind. When he accidentally discovers that he has a talent for golf, Birdie, the girl next door, becomes his coach and they develop a unique friendship as they learn the sport together. Someone mysteriously enters Bogie in a golf tournament with a million dollar prize. Can a blind golfer even hope to have a chance to win?

Cindy’s Two-Cents Worth

This is the first Dan Gutman book I have read, and I really enjoyed it! I definitely think it will appeal to our students, including sports-loving boys. The story is easy to read and does a great job of using the voice of a thirteen-year-old boy. The sub-story of Bogie’s relationship with his dad is touching without being too “sappy” for boys, and the exploration of dealing with bullies at school and friendship with girls is pretty realistic. The excitement of the possibility of a kid winning a million dollars will keep the kids hooked. Extension activities could include researching blindness and blind golfers, exploring the setting of Hawaii, learning basic guitar chords, and learning the basics of golf. I encourage you to check it out!

Online Resources

Author’s Website
http://www.dangutman.com/

Interview with Dan Gutman
http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/kids_primaries/activities/gutman/submit-question.asp

Radio Interview with Dan Gutman (need Real Player)
http://real.playstream.com:8080/ramgen/sinc/TeacherRadio/tr2_gutman_20001009_bonus.smi

Retinitis Pigmentosa
http://www.blindness.org/content.asp?id=45

International Blind Golf Association
http://www.internationalblindgolf.org/about_IBGA.htm

Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association
http://www.mabga.org/

The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith

RL 5.4

This is the story of eight-year-old Kirstie, who lives in Scotland in 1930. When the egg hatches into an unusual sea creature, Kirstie and her family must decide what to do with Crusoe. This take on the origins of the Loch Ness monster is an easy-to-read story that kids will love. It’s a great read aloud, and with the movie coming out on Christmas day, it is sure to be a hit with our students.

Cindy’s Two-Cents Worth:

My mom gave Corey this book when he was in first grade, and he just loved it. It is a very accessible chapter book for kids who seem to be intimidated by anything that is not a picture book. Because our students seem to be so fascinated by monsters such as Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster (these books are always checked out of the library), I think they will really enjoy this story. It doesn’t hurt that there is a movie adaptation on its way. Even though the reading level says 5.4, I think it is much easier than that.

Online Resources

Dick King-Smith Author Website
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/dickkingsmith/ 

The Water Horse Teaching Resources
http://www.walden.com/walden/teach/water/index.php 

The Water Horse Movie Website
http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thewaterhorse/ 

The Legend of Nessie
http://www.nessie.co.uk/index.html 

The Beast of Loch Ness
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lochness/

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

RL 5.1 

“ORPHAN, CLOCK KEEPER, AND THIEF, twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric girl and the owner of a small toy booth in the train station, Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message all come together…in The Invention of Hugo Cabret.  

This 526-page book is told in both words and pictures. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is not exactly a novel, and it’s not quite a picture book, and it’s not really a graphic novel, or a flip book, or a movie, but a combination of all these things. Each picture (there are nearly three hundred pages of pictures!) takes up an entire double page spread, and the story moves forward because you turn the pages to see the next moment unfold in front of you.”- review from author’s website 

Cindy’s Two-Cents Worth:

I talked to a few teachers about this book after school on Friday in the book fair room when they were asking me for recommendations for their wish lists. Since I won’t see many of you to tell you about this book in person before you go to the book fair, I thought it would be best to share it with you via the blog.  

I think that The Invention of Hugo Cabret is truly a unique book worth checking out. It will appeal to kids who tend to want to read and carry around a “big” book like Harry Potter, but who can’t really read such large books on their own. Most of this book is pictures, so the text part of the story is very accessible to the kids. I think they will be intrigued by the presentation of the story. It is very cinematic, and the story has enough mystery and intrigue that it keeps them reading. Though it is a fiction story, it is based somewhat on a real person, Georges Méliès, who made the first science fiction movie.  

This book is at our book fair this year, and I would suggest putting it on your wish list. Because it is a large, hardcover book, it comes with a large price tag ($22.99), but it is well worth the money. I do own two copies of the book in the library, but it is hard to get your hands on it because of its popularity with the kids. J  

Online Resources

The Invention of Hugo Cabret – Author’s Website
http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm 

Answers from Brian Selznick
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18725446/ 

Al Roker’s Book Club – Hugo Cabret
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/18179145/ 

NPR Story on Hugo Cabret
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7114977 

Video Interview with Brian Selznick
http://www.expandedbooks.com/book.php?bookid=180 

Video of A Trip to the Moon
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2872403246769762863&q=a+trip+to+the+moon 

About Georges Méliès
http://www.mshepley.btinternet.co.uk/melies.htm

The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson

RL 4.2

 “In this fantastical thriller, five young teens tapped as models for theme park “guides” find themselves pitted against Disney villains and witches that threaten both the future of Walt Disney World and the stability of the world outside its walls.  Using a cutting-edge technology called DHI–which stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging–Finn Whitman, an Orlando teen, and four other kids are transformed into hologram projections that guide guests through the park.The new technology turns out, however, to have unexpected effects that are both thrilling and scary. Soon Finn finds himself transported in his DHI form into the Magic Kingdom at night. Is it real? Is he dreaming?Finn’s confusion only increases when he encounters Wayne, an elderly Imagineer who tells him that the park is in grave danger. Led by the scheming witch Maleficent, a mysterious group of characters called the Overtakers is plotting to destroy Disney’s beloved realm, and maybe more.” -review from the author’s website 

Cindy’s Two-Cents Worth:

As much I tend to like fantasy stories, I thought I would really love this one, especially since it combines fun things like Disney World and computer technology. J I can’t place my finger on the reason, but I actually had a hard time getting through the book. It just didn’t hold my attention. BUT (and this is a big “but”), the whole time I was reading the book, all I could think was that the kids are going to LOVE this story. My own son is the perfect example. He read the book twice this summer, and will probably read it again (check out his review on his blog).  

This is one of the books I gave you for a back-to-school present. I think it would work pretty well for a read-aloud, though the story is kind of hard to follow in the beginning, so you might have to do some explaining to help the kids follow along. I do have the audiobook available in the LMC.  

As far as extending the story into the curriculum, you could focus on the famous Missourian aspect of Walt Disney himself. Ridley Pearson, the author of the book, also lives in Missouri. The story would fit in a genre study of fantasy literature, and is also an example of a mystery story.  

I really do think our students will enjoy the book. Once you read it yourself, post a comment and let me know what you thought of it. I think it’s one that I need to give a second chance. 

Online Resources

The Official Ridley Pearson Website
http://www.ridleypearson.com/kingdom.html 

Ridley Pearson’s Blog
http://www.ridleypearson.com/blog_kids.html 

Disney’s Virtual Magic Kingdom
http://www.vmk.com
(Note: This is the real site that is mentioned in the book. I would probably not show it at school, but it is great if you want show your own kids at home. Corey has an account and loves playing the games. It is very safe for kids to use, but they just need parent permission.) 

Disney Characters Index
http://disney.go.com/vault/archives/characters_ai.html 

Walt Disney Biography
http://disney.go.com/vault/read/walt/index.html 

The Walt Disney Family Museum
http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html

Black Storm Comin’ by Diane Lee Wilson

RL 5.5  

Colton Wescott has had a tough life. His family left Missouri in their covered wagon to head for California. Their journey is made more difficult than normal because Colton’s dad is white, but his mom is black, and the others in the wagon train don’t approve of them. When Colton’s dad accidentally shoots him and runs away, Colton is left alone to get his sick mother and his younger sisters to California. Out of desperation, Colton joins the Pony Express to try to earn money for his family, but constantly has to worry that others will find out he is of mixed race. This adventurous story will appeal to many readers, and it provides a great description of what life was like during the 1800s before the Civil War.  

Cindy’s Two-Cents

This is a great historical fiction story that I think our 3^rd and 4^th graders will love. Because our kids study the Pony Express and it is tied to our state, I think it will really be a great book to use to enhance your social studies instruction. There is enough action in the story that the kids will be hooked, and it has plenty of historical information to make it a great classroom resource. There are many topics addressed in the story that you could expand on: race relations, pre Civil War history, the actual Pony Express route, the California gold rush, and more. I loved the book, I think it would be a great read-aloud for 3^rd and 4^th grade, and I really think you are going to enjoy the story.

Online Resources

I really thought I would find tons of great online information on the Pony Express, but I was disappointed in what was out there. I linked a few things that you might be able to use. Be sure to check World Book Online for some additional facts. 

Brief Author Bio
http://www.simonsays.com/content/destination.cfm?sid=33&pid=367921&agid=13 

Pony Express History and Culture
http://www.nps.gov/poex/historyculture/index.htm 

History of the U.S. Postal Service
http://www.usps.com/history/his2.htm 

Gold Rush Chronicles – The Pony Express
http://comspark.com/goldminer-mall/chronicles/ponyexpress.htm 

Photograph of a Pony Express Rider
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/four/64_02.htm

Gentle’s Holler by Kerry Madden

RL – 5.1 

“The sixties may have come to other parts of North Carolina, but with Mama pregnant again, Daddy struggling to find work, and nine siblings underfoot, nobody in the holler has much time for modern-day notions. Especially not twelve-year-old Livy Two, aspiring songwriter and self-appointed guardian of little sister Gentle, whose eyes “don’t work so good yet.” Even after a doctor confirms her fears, Livy Two is determined to make the best of Gentle’s situation and sets out to transform the family’s scrappy dachshund into a genuine Seeing-Eye dog. But when tragedy strikes, can Livy Two continue to stay strong for her family?”
- Publisher’s Description

Cindy’s Two-Cents Worth:

This is the first book in the Maggie Valley trilogy (Louisiana’s Song and Jessie’s Mountain will be the sequels), which tells the story of an Appalachian mountain family living in the early 1960s. It is definitely a family relationships, touchy-feely kind of story. The story is told from the point of view of the main character, Livy Two (short for Olivia, who was named after her sister who died at birth, also named Olivia, therefore why she is known as Livy Two). The story touches on poverty issues and living in a large family. I thought it was a good story with many touching moments, but I think it will be one that won’t immediately appeal to our 3^rd and 4^th grade students (especially boys – kind of a “girly” book). I think it will take some adult encouragement to get them to give it a try, but it’s worth the try. The author really makes you care about this family and the tragedies that happen in the story. If you are an emotional person, you might want to keep a box of tissues handy.

Online Resources

Author’s Website
http://www.kerrymadden.com/books/bk_gentl1.html 

A brief profile of the town of Enka, North Carolina
http://www.basf.com/careers/careersenkancprofile.html 

Ghost Town in the Sky Amusement Park
http://www.ghosttowninthesky.com/ 

Maggie Valley Visitors Bureau
http://www.maggievalley.org/ 

History of the Mountain Dance and Folk Music Festival
http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/mss/mountain_dance/default_mountain_dance.htm

Cas Walker Radio Show
http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/imagegallery.php?EntryID=W004 

Braille Bug
http://www.afb.org/braillebug/ 

You’ve Got Braille
http://pbskids.org/arthur/print/braille/index.html

The Naked Mole-Rat Letters by Mary Amato

RL 4.3

When Frankie Wallop’s father begins receiving email messages from a zookeeper in Washington, D.C., Frankie decides to take matters into her own hands by writing back to this lady to prevent her father’s new relationship from growing. Frankie’s deception causes her many problems at school and at home, and she quickly learns how one lie can blossom into many. Frankie’s email correspondence with Ayanna, who cares for naked mole-rats at the zoo, starts off with a very malicious ploy to destroy any hopes of a relationship between Ayanna and Frankie’s father, but an odd bond forms between the two people as Ayanna serves as a source of female advice for Frankie. This is a nice story about human relationships that many students will enjoy. 

Cindy’s Two-Cents Worth:

I really enjoyed this story and thought the author did a great job of making the characters seem real. If you have a student who is dealing with a single parent who might be dating (especially if the other parent passed away), he or she might really relate to Frankie’s situation with her father. Because of some of the very emotional aspects of this story, I would use caution in reading this one aloud to 3^rd and 4^th grade students. The story addresses very personal issues such as the death of a parent, single parents dating, privacy issues regarding reading someone else’s email, lying to friends, family, and teachers, and skipping school. It would be a great character education resource for the honesty trait. Just be sure you read it first before using it with your young students. It’s a great book for 5^th grade and up. It could be a great book to use with the right group of kids in a literature circle setting. The story mentions the play The Miracle Worker, so you could do a literature tie into any Helen Keller story or biography. I think you will enjoy how the author used a combination of email messages and diary entries to tell the story.  

Online Resources 

Mary Amato’s Website – includes background information and a reading guide for the story
http://www.maryamato.com/ 

National Zoo: The Truth about Mole-Rats
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2002/3/nakedmolerats.cfm 

Samples of Dulcimer Music by Brian Thomas
http://www.brianthomas.ca/listenonline.html 

Helen Keller Kids Museum Online
http://www.afb.org/braillebug/helen_keller_bio.asp

Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park

R.L. 4.3

When Julia Song and her friend Patrick decide to enter an animal husbandry project in the state fair, Julia is excited. Doing an animal project is a challenge when you live in a townhouse, so when Julia’s mother suggests they raise silkworms like she did when she was a young girl in Korea, Patrick thinks they have found the perfect solution. Julia, who hates anything having to do with her heritage, doesn’t think the idea is go great, but doesn’t want to disappoint her best friend. So, Project Mulberry begins. The story presents many problems for the characters: finding a mulberry tree (silkworms only eat mulberry leaves), pesky little brothers, accepting your heritage, and learning that you have to kill the silkworms to make the silk. This 2007-2008 Mark Twain Award nominee is a must read!

Cindy’s Two-Cents Worth:

I absolutely LOVED this story. After each chapter, the author presents two pages of a “conversation” that she shares with the main character of the story, Julia. I think these bonus pages really give insight into how authors develop their characters and story plots, and it is written with humor, so I think our students will enjoy it as well. This is definitely a story you could read out loud with both our 3^rd and 4^th grade students. The story has many sub-themes that could be explored. For example, there are many race issues that could be discussed. Julia’s family is Korean, and Julia sometimes gets teased at school because of her race. When the kids find the only mulberry tree in town, it is owned by a black man. Julia suspects that her mother is racists against black people. The story also delves into sustainable farming, the process of raising silkworms and harvesting the silk, sibling relationships and family dynamics, the U.S. state quarters and more. It really is a wonderful story, and I encourage you to read it for your own enjoyment.

Online Resources:

Linda Sue Park’s Website
http://www.lspark.com

Interview with the author from Teachingbooks.net
http://www.teachingbooks.net/content/Park_qu.pdf

Diary of Raising Silkworms
http://www.lspark.com/books/mulberry/mulberryread.html
This site is a diary of the author’s father who raised silkworms to help her with her research.

How to Raise Silkworms – A Full Tutorial
http://www.aurorasilk.com/raisesilk/index.shtml

Silkworms – Information for Teachers
http://www.susankayton.com/silk.htm

What is Sustainable Agriculture?
http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/concept.htm

Sustainable Agriculture (USDA)
http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/agnic/susag.shtml

Sustainable Agriculture for Kids
http://agebb.missouri.edu/sustain/sustainkids.htm

Life in Korea: Kimchi – Korea’s Food
http://www.lifeinkorea.com/culture/kimchi/kimchi.cfm

Korean Embroidery
http://www.lifeinkorea.com/culture/embro/embro.cfm

Mulberry Trees
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry/trees/mulberry.htm

50 State Quarters Program
http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=50_state_quarters_program