Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

Love That Dog. By Sharon Creech. HarperCollins, c2001. 86 pages.

Plot:
The format of the book is a school journal whose entries are written by Jack. The entries center around a poetry unit Jack has in school and the tone is set early when he writes, “I don’t want to, because boys don’t write poetry. Girls do.” Even though all of the entries are made by Jack, the gentle guiding of the teacher is revealed through the entries. As Jack finds his voice he slowly finds the courage to reveal his feelings and agrees to allow some of his poetry to be displayed in the classroom as long as his name does not appear on the work. “...don’t tell anyone who wrote them, okay?” He honestly admits to not understanding the poems of Robert Frost and William Blake among others, but has an awakening after reading a poem by Walter Dean Myers. The poem Love That Boy inspires Jack to recall the passion and joy he felt for his dog Sky and allows him to blossom as a poet, capturing the love, pain, joy and connection that was locked in his memory... And by the way, Walter Dean Myers visits Jack’s school thanks to a letter from Jack!

Review/Personal thoughts:
What a great book! The transformation that takes place with Jack is joyful to read as he derives inspiration, discovers his voice and connects with the power of writing poetry. Young reader’s should equally be inspired themselves through Jack’s unfolding and discovery. I loved the entry where Jack is questioning the “pasture poem” his teacher read and he writes “I think Mr. Robert Frost has a little too much time on his hands.” Although Sky the dog is not a dominant character, Jack’s memory of him allows for a very poignant and profound moment for the reader. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone. I am happy that I have “discovered” it. Please read it and let me know if you don’t agree that this is a well written, accessible and joyful book.


Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: 4.1 Interest level: Ages 8 to 12

Awards:
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2002 ; Bank Street College of Education
ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award, 2002 Winner Middle Grade Readers
Carnegie Medal, 2001
Christopher Award, 2002 Winner Ages 8-10
Claudia Lewis Award, 2001 & 2002
School Library Journal Best Books, 2001
New York Times Notable Books, 2001

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Hoot. By Carl Hiaasen. Alfred A. Knopf, c2002. 292 pages.

Plot: The story centers around Roy Eberhardt a Middle School student who is new to the town of Coconut Grove, Florida. Roy enters into some unlikely friendships with “Mullet Fingers” a homeless boy and Mullet’s sister, Beatrice. Central to the story is a patch of ground slated to be bulldozed to make way for the 469th location of a Mother Paula’s All-American Pancake House restaurant. At first, the vandalism at the site seems random, but it is discovered that there is a community of burrowing owls on the site whose habitat will be destroyed by the construction and it is the presence and desired protection of these owls that are the focus of the vandalism. Roy discovers this fact through “Mullet Fingers” and is drawn into the cause of saving the owls. Through Roy’s persistence, he discovers the owls are a protected species, that the company knows the owls are there but deny it, that the environmental impact report has been hidden and that city officials have been bribed! The story builds to a great scene at the groundbreaking ceremony which yields surprises that will delight the reader.


Review/Personal thoughts: Hoot is a great read! Many themes are visited and cleverly revealed in the book. Bullying, friendships, parent child relations and middle school life are all part of the story. Also included are corruption, anti-development and the beauty of nature as themes. There are many eccentric characters and many normal characters, all of which are made completely believable. I enjoyed the ineptitude revealed in the well-meaning adults like the police officer and site supervisor. There is an element of humor that runs throughout the book that had me smiling as I read. There are serious and heartfelt scenes in the book as well which offer a great balance and variety to the book. I’m sure my empathy for the fate of the burrowing owls affected my enjoyment of the book and I recommend this title without hesitation.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: 5.1 Interest level: Ages 10 to 13

Awards:
Newbery Medal/Honor 2003
ALA Notable Children's Book 2003
ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2003
Arizona Young Readers Award 2005
Minnesota Maud Heart Lovelace Award 2005
Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award 2006

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Candlewick Press, 2000. 182 pages.

Plot:
The story centers around 10-year old India Opal Buloni and her move to a small Florida town with her preacher father. Winn-Dixie is the name Opal hastily gives to a stray dog who is running amok in a local supermarket and then takes the dog home as her own. Her loving father needs little convincing to keep the dog and all of the story then unfolds with Opal and Winn-Dixie basically inseparable. This alliance between girl and dog allows for the new friendships that develop between Opal and a shy and gentle guitar playing pet store clerk, a kind librarian, a misunderstood elderly lady, two rambunctious brothers and a small young girl named Sweetie Pea. Opal’s mother is gone and she never knew her and her father is somewhat withdrawn. As the summer unfolds, all of the friendships develop and Opal manages to bring all the characters together for an unforgettable garden party that leads to drama around Winn-Dixie.


Review/Personal thoughts:
It is no coincidence that this book has multiple awards and is on many recommended book lists. It is very well written and has well-developed characters who are all fascinating and believable. The book is entertaining with many humorous as well as heartfelt moments. Opal’s longing for the mother she never knew and her hope that she might one day return is evident throughout the story and ultimately provides the opportunity for Opal to come to grips with her loss and grow emotionally through process. Winn-Dixie will appeal to all animal lovers as he “smiles”, wags his tail, and seems to understand everything that Opal tells him. I felt good after reading this book and definitely recommend it for tweens.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: 3.9 Interest level: Ages 8 to 12

Awards:
Newberry Medal/Honor Book, 2001
Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/19/01
Young Reader's Choice Award, 2003
Voice of Youth Award, 2001-2002 First Place
Friends of American Writers Juvenile Literature Award, 2001
California Young Reader Medal, 2003

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

Pictures of Hollis Woods. By Patricia Reilly Giff. Wendy Lamb Books, c2002. 166 pages.

Plot:
The main character is Hollis Woods, a twelve year old orphan who was abandoned as an infant and shuttled through countless foster homes. The story unfolds with Hollis’ time with Josie, an eccentric and aging retired art teacher. Throughout her life Hollis has found solace in drawing pictures. Her relationship with Josie gives meaning, purpose and acknowledgment to her art. Hollis, rather than running away, as she has done from so many other foster homes, finds joy in her life with Josie and takes on a sense of caring for her as she starts to lose the ability to care for herself. Interspersed among the chapters with Josie, Hollis flashes back to the Regans, the only family that ever wanted to adopt her and who she longed to be a part of.

Review/Personal thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well-developed and the themes of abandonment, family, foster care, self-worth, acceptance and belonging are present and also well-developed. This is a very touching story that ultimately holds hope for its readers. I was especially moved by a scene in which Hollis had brought in a picture to represent the letter W and her teacher is recalled: "She was the one who marked in the X, spoiling my picture. She pointed. ' This is a picture of a family, Hollis. A mother, M, a father, F, a brother, B, a sister, S. They're standing in front of their house, H. I don't see one W word here, young lady.' "I opened my mouth to say: How about W for wish, or W for want, or W for 'Wouldn't it be loverly,' like the song the music teacher had taught us? "But Mrs. Evans was at the next table by that time, shushing me over her shoulder." Powerful...

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: 4.4 Interest level: Ages 9 to 12

Awards: Many including;
John Newberry Medal, 2003
Christopher Award, 2003 Winner Ages 10-12
Notable Children's Books, 2003 ; ALSC American Library Association
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2003
Great Middle School Reads, 2004 ; ALSC American Library Association
California Young Reader Medal, 2005-2006

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Hatchet. By Gary Paulsen. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, [2000], c1987. 195 pages.

Plot:
The story revolves around Brian who is 13 years old. He is flying over the Canadian wilderness when the pilot of the small plane dies of a heart attack and Brian somehow manages to guide the plane into a crash landing which he survives. Now hundreds of miles off course and no civilization evident he must find the will and the means to live. The book takes its name from the only tool Brian has, a hatchet his mother gifted him just before he left. Immediately Brian is confronted with providing food and shelter for himself without ever having had survival training. Each day presents incredible challenges and a few near death experiences. The story covers the 54 days Brian survives and the life changing experience he encounters before winter sets in.

Review/Personal thoughts:
I was captivated by this story. In addition to the excellent turns of events that kept me interested in Brian’s survival, there is another story revealed through Brian’s thoughts which reveal a “secret’, that only he carried, which involved his mother’s involvement with another man that eventually leads to the divorce of his parents. The book is well-written, capture’s the reader’s interest and explores the themes of survival and divorce. I would definitely recommend this book and I think it will appeal more to boys than girls.


Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: 6.0 Interest level: Ages 11 and up

Awards:
Newberry Honor Book, 1988
ALA Notable Children’s Book
ALA Best of the Best for Young Adults
"Booklist" Editors' Choice