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How do you measure the true impact we have on one another? How can I tell as an educator that my work is helping children? Is it test results. Clearly no. Is it the number of books kids read? Well, maybe, but I don't think so. Really, it's whether kids can discover books that mean something to them, that sink in and stay with them.
This spring, my 5th graders have gone
**crazy** for Kwame Alexander's
The Crossover. As soon as I read the first few chapters aloud, kids were clamoring for it, devouring it in just a few days and passing it to their friends. This book clearly connected with my students' love of basketball, it captured their language and attitudes, and the story sunk into their hearts.
Each year, we host the Emerson Poetry Slam where every 4th and 5th grader performs a poem they have written. This year, two brothers performed a poem that was inspired by
The Crossover. Listen to the recording of Marlaun and Mariaun reading Super Star and read the poem below:
Super Star by Marlaun
performed by Marlaun and Mariaun (click for audio recording)
Dunkin like Michael Jordan,
Sinkin threes like Kevin Durant,
Throwin dimes like Chris Paul,
That what they call me.
Crossover so sweet, like Allen Iverson,
Leave you slippin,
Tossin alley, like the fab five,
Step back, so smooth,
Like Dirk Nowiski,
Call me the show stopper,
Like Joakim Alagiuan,
That what they call me.
All net what you hear,
Floater game, Steph Curry
Tony Parker tear drops so good,
Leave you cryin,
Klay and Steph, the slash bros,
Make it rain,
That a shame, what they do,
Slash, slash,
Everybody a star, but not me,
I’m a super star,
That’s what they really call me.
Moments like these, where you can see the way a book speaks to a kid, kindle a fire deep inside me. I think it's because I see the fire spark inside a kid, bringing forth their creativity, their confidence, their ability to communicate their ideas to other people.
As Marlaun and Mariaun prepare to graduate, I'd like to send them with Kwame Alexander's Basketball Rules. (PS: HMH can you please make some posters with these??!!)
If I could, I would send a copy of The Crossover to every 5th grade across the nation. If you have a favorite 5th grade teacher, pick up a copy for them. What a great way to celebrate the end of the school year and the impact that teacher can have on kids.
©2014 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books, and Marlaun
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By: Mary Ann Scheuer,
on 4/27/2014
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WOW oh WOW. When a book hits a sweet spot, it zooms from one student to another. As soon as I read the opening lines of
The Crossover, with its basketball cover and bouncing rap beat, I just knew I had to read it aloud to my 5th graders. But nothing prepared me for how it hooked them. To say they are loving it is an understatement. Fifth grade boys are just about wrestling each other to see who's going to get it next--jostling each other over a poetry book!
The Crossover
by Kwame Alexander
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
Amazon
Your local library
preview available here
ages 10-14
*2015 Emerson Mock Newbery*
*best new book*
For Josh Bell, basketball and his family are everything to him. He pushes himself to excel, but he loves every minute he spends with the game--especially the way he plays it with his twin brother Jordan and his dad. Kwame Alexander captures Josh's voice and the power of basketball in a way that comes alive for my students. They love the rhythm and pulsing movement, the attitude and sass in Josh's words. Just look at this first page:
The power of this novel comes not only from Alexander's language but also from the characters and their emotions. As Josh and Jordan (JB) near the championship playoffs for their school's division, friction develops between the brothers and trouble is brewing with their father. Josh starts to resent the fact that JB is spending too much time with his new girlfriend. I love the relationship Josh has with his dad. They tease each other, push each other, question each other in a way that feels so real.
Alexander engages kids on so many different levels. I especially like the
Basketball Rules that Josh's dad shares with his sons. How is basketball like life? That's something all sorts of kids can think about, in a way that takes layered meanings to a different level.
Our whole class is having a blast reading this aloud. I am projecting it on the screen so we can see the words dance on the page as I read it aloud. I want to try to create some audio recordings with kids reading it, because I know they'll bring so much to it. We already have four copies at school and the books are bouncing from one kid to another.
I can't wait to show the kids this video that Kwame Alexander made to share
The Crossover with librarians. I just hope parents and teachers can find it in their local bookstores.
Best new book? You betcha. It's already gotten five starred reviews. My favorite review comes from
Guys Lit Wire. Here's what they have to say:
If you haven't heard of The Crossover yet, you're officially on notice. Here's your chance to read this book before the awards talk. And, yes, there should be serious awards talk about this book and not just because it has already received five starred reviews but because it is a breath-taking and dazzling fast break work of art. So, forget the awards talk (though it will certainly be warranted) and believe me: you should know this book because you'll want to put into kid's hands and share it with them.
I couldn't agree more. I also want to put this into every 5th & 6th grade teacher's box across the country. Please share this with a teacher, a kid, a family you know and love.
The review copies came from our school library. If you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this site, a small portion goes to Great Kid Books. Thank you for your support.
©2014 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
March 8th marks International Women's Day, a celebration that has been observed since in the early 1900's. On this day, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements.
I have really enjoyed sharing with students the website for the Nobel Prize. Since 1901, prizes have been awarded for remarkable achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. Of the more than 500 prizes 45 have been awarded to women (see the list here), an amount that I think is much too small. But one way to inspire girls of today to reach for greatness is to celebrate the achievement of other women.
The Nobel Prize website provides information for every Nobel Prize since 1901, including the Nobel Laureates' biographies, Nobel Lectures, interviews, photos, articles, video clips, press releases, educational games and more.
Find out about
Tawakkoi Karman, who has worked toward improving women's rights in Yemen. Read about
Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, who discovered the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Share about
Emily Greene Balch, a leader of the American peace movement.
Each day this month, I will be sharing different resources to help children learn about amazing women throughout history. What books or websites do you like to share with children during Women's History Month?
©2014 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
Women played an essential role on America's home front during World War II. As men joined or were drafted to the military, there was an especially great need to fill manufacturing jobs -- especially with the rapid increase in the production of ships.
The federal government encouraged the creation of motivational posters during the Second World War. One of the most popular featured "Rosie the Riveter." See the site Awesome Stories for more on the story behind Rosie the Riveter.
Video resources can really engage students, both as an introduction to a topic and a way to deepen their thinking. I think they'd be very interested in this video, with a song about Rosie the Riveter and clips showing women in different manufacturing jobs during WWII.
Read more about this video on the
Awesome Stories website, a great source of information for kids, ages 8-14. They write about this video:
"Not long after J. Howard Miller - the artist at Westinghouse who created the "We Can Do It!" poster - released his work, "Rosie the Riveter" was born. Personifying American women, who produced war materials on factory assembly lines, "Rosie" became part of popular culture. In 1943, Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb wrote a song about her."
For students and families interested in learning more about women's role on the Home Front during WWII, check out the
National Historical Park dedicated to Rosie the Riveter and life on the home front. The park is located in Richmond, CA, site of many shipyards during the 1940s. They also have many primary resources on their website, including photos, artifacts and stories.
I'm curious whether any friends can think of historical fiction that's connected to women's experiences working in factories during World War II. Our students really enjoyed reading
Duke, by Kirby Larson, which shows how children lent their dogs to the War Effort. And there are books that show women pilots during the war. But I can't think of historical fiction about working in factories... if you know of one, please let me know!
©2014 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
As we celebrate Constitution Day on September 17th, we need to draw our children into the essential question one of my students asked last week: How is our constitution relevant today if it was written so long ago? Spur their interest with the contradictions inherent in the way the Constitution treated African Americans, but also show them how it protects their own rights today.
Today I'm sharing resources I've collected that will help middle school and high school students explore the way the Constitution establishes basic structure of our government, the responsibilities of each branch of government, and the basic rights afforded all Americans.
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL resources:I'd like to end by sharing this video produced by the National Constitution Center. I found it a very effective way to bring students into thinking about what rights the Constitution guarantees that matter to them. Today. Right now.
Federal law requires that all schools receiving federal funds hold an educational program for their students on September 17th.
Yesterday I shared resources that are more appropriate for younger elementary students. I'd love to hear about resources you like to share with students to help them think about the importance of our constitution.
©2013 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
"Oh Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?"
Do these lines stir passion and longing as you hear Juliet's words? Or do they make you squirm and recall agonizing afternoons trying to slog through Shakespeare plays line by line? Students continue to read Shakespeare's many plays, memorizing passages, learning how to closely read text for themes and character development, and trying to decipher 16th century idioms.
Two interesting apps are now available that can help students access and appreciate Shakespeare plays. I would like to share two that I've explored for Romeo and Juliet: one from
Shakespeare in Bits and and another from Cambridge University Press. Both apps let students listen to a full cast production of the play while they read along, and let students explore a vast amount of resources to help them understand the play.
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare in Bits
developed by MindConnex
available on the iTunes app store as a standalone app and in the Shakespeare in Bits universal app
ages 12 - 16
The Shakespeare in Bits app will appeal to students who want a visual sense of the story as they listen and read the play. This app combines an excellent full cast narration of the fully play with a rudimentary animated version enacted on half the iPad screen, while the full text of the play is on the other half. While it sounds cluttered, the design works very smoothly. Each scene is broken into manageable chunks, helping students absorb the original language. I found that students were able to process the meaning of the play more as they read, watched and listened to a scene.
I was particularly impressed by the supporting materials that Shakespeare in Bits provided to help students read Romeo and Juliet. Tap highlighted words, and see them change in the text to more common, modern language. Tap the "L" next to the text and readers learn about the language choices Shakespeare made. In the example below, the note states,
"Notice the contrast in language between the two characters. Juliet begins by asking Romeo a direct question - how did he find her? But we know by now that Romeo never gives direct answers, and his response here is predictably flowery and evasive."
Sprinkled throughout are questions for students to think about. So this app does not always provide answers, but rather guides students to their own close reading of the play. Each section is also accompanied by notes and a synopsis, and readers have a place to make their own notes. I found that the notes were written in an accessible way, one that would help students reading on their own.
In addition, the app provides a guide for each character, summarizing the different characters' perspectives and roles in the story. Visual learners will certainly appreciate the character map showing the pictures of the main characters linked to one another, as their relationships are arranged.
Some might feel that the animations are too rudimentary, but I actually found their simplicity benefited me. The images were enough to ground the action of the play, but I was prompted to embellish them in my own mind's eye. They clearly aren't meant to be how the play would seem in real life. But they can provide a scaffolding for students.
My biggest concern with this app is that it provides too much for students. Will they use the short essays in the Analysis section to replace their own efforts writing analytical essays? Perhaps. But I think that Shakespeare calls for more support than less.
Romeo and Juliet
published by Cambridge University Press
designed and developed by Agant Ltd.
available on the iTunes app store
ages 12 - 16
The apps developed by Cambridge University Press are also an excellent way to support students as they read and think about Shakespeare's plays. This app is perhaps more academic, and so may appeal to some students and teachers wanting something with more gravitas.
Interestingly, the Cambridge and the Shakespeare in Bits apps both use the same audio narration, a full cast recording produced by Naxos Audiobooks, starring Michael Sheen as Romeo and Kate Beckinsale as Juliet. The Cambridge app also allows readers to read along with the full play as they listen to the recording.
Readers control several features that support their reading. Standard and academic glossaries provide support for students translating sections to more accessible modern English, and academic notes providing literary and linguistic background. I particularly liked the scene synopses and detailed synopses that were embedded within the text like stage directions. These helped orient me as I started reading a section. Since the language of Shakespeare does not come naturally to our students, it is often helpful if they know what is going to happen before they read a scene. If readers find these distracting, they can easily turn them off.
Each scene also begins with a few photographs of live stage, television or movie productions of Romeo and Juliet. This gives students the tangible feeling that the play can be interpreted and staged in many different ways.
I found that this app preserved more of a sense of the play as an academic experience, read in a purer form instead of chunked and illustrated. The navigation and coordination of the audio to text are excellent. I can certainly see it appealing to teachers who want students to do more of the figuring out on their own.
I definitely recommend taking some time to explore the section "Examine", which includes clear short essays helping readers understand the characters, themes in the play, the history and choices made in staging performances, and Shakespeare's use of language, style and imagery.
My biggest concern with this app was that the supporting materials were not as accessible to middle school and high school students. Romeo and Juliet is often read by young teens as their first experience with Shakespeare (often in 7th grade). While I liked the circles of characters, I don't think these are as readily accessible to students without any visual support. The glossaries are not as intuitively supportive as the Shakespeare in Bits glossaries, but they provide more academic support for readers wishing to delve deeper.
This video gives a nice preview of the Cambridge app:
Read more about Cambridge University Press's Shakespeare apps in this article in the
Guardian, a British national newspaper:
Do Shakespeare plays smell as sweet when released as iPad apps?Whether you're a parent wanting to help your child experience Shakespeare, a teacher looking for new ways for students to read and think about these plays, or a librarian encouraging patrons to explore new apps, both of these platforms are definitely worth checking out. I know they would have made my experiences fuller and more enjoyable when I was in high school.
Review ©2013 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres - I just love the way it transports you back to another place and time. As I wrote recently, Kirby Larson's Hattie Big Sky was one of my favorite audiobooks ever. And so I was thrilled to read Larson's new sequel, Hattie Ever After. It's a chance to revisit an old friend and see where her journey takes her. This is historical fiction whose character shines with heartfelt spirit. When you get to the end, you'll be sure you've made a friend for life.
Hattie Ever After
by Kirby Larson
Delacorte Press, 2013
ages 10-14
available at your local library and on Amazon
* best new book *
We left Hattie on the plains of Montana, having spent a year trying—and failing—to make a home for herself and "prove up" on her claim. I've always admired Larson for not making a sweet ending for Hattie. Life was hard on the plains, and Hattie struggled mightily. As we re-enter the story, Hattie is now 17 and working as a cleaning woman in a boarding house in Great Falls. But Hattie still yearns to carve out a place for herself. She's got big plans for herself: throwing "a lasso around a dream even bigger than a Montana farm,” she has decided to become a reporter.
Hattie leaps at the opportunity to go to San Francisco with a traveling acting troupe. The city draws her even more so, as she's sure she can learn more about her Uncle Chester - was he really the scoundrel he said he was? Nothing in Montana seemed to suggest that he really was. And though her childhood friend Charlie wants to marry her, Hattie worries that “saying yes to him was saying no to myself.” With her head full of questions, Hattie sets off for San Francisco in the summer of 1919.
Larson hits her stride when Hattie reaches San Francisco. The city comes alive with the many details she weaves into the story. From her first glimpse of Newspaper Row, with the Call, the Examiner and the Chronicle Buildings all next to each other, to an exhilarating airplane ride over the bay, Hattie is like a little child soaking in every sight.
Readers will cheer Hattie on as she steps into the Chronicle Building to apply for a job. Hattie has pluck and determination, realizing that she might need to start on the cleaning staff of the newspaper, but with a little luck and hard work she might be able to get a break. Larson builds suspense as Hattie makes new friends, investigates news stories, and gets a lucky break at the Chronicle. Throughout, she is passionate and earnest, following her dream. Many young readers who are drawn to Hattie's story will empathize with her dream of becoming a writer and making her mark on the world.
If I have any hesitations about the book, it's because this is a true sequel. It took me a while to pull Hattie's story back in detail into my mind. I had trouble in the beginning with placing each of the characters. But once I settled into the flow of the story, I was absolutely hooked.
We had the huge pleasure of hosting an event for local students to meet Kirby Larson and hear about how she researches her books. Tomorrow, I'll share some special moments from that wonderful evening.
See other reviews at
Teach Mentor Texts,
Bookshelves of Doom, and
Read, Write, Reflect. Also definitely read the interview with Kirby Larson at
Read, Write, Reflect. If you're a fan, you'll also like the guest column Kirby wrote for
Kirkus Reviews on how she achieved success.
The review copy was kindly sent by the publishers, Delacorte / Random House. If you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this site, a small portion goes to Great Kid Books (at no cost to you!). Thank you for your support.
Review ©2013 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
By: Mary Ann Scheuer,
on 12/17/2012
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I am fascinated by the way that book apps can engage readers by integrating so many different ways of learning. You can look at vibrant photographs, manipulate charts and diagrams, watch videos, listen to narration and learn so much. I've been particularly happy to read several Nonfiction Book Apps during this Cybils season. Here are a few that really stand out to me:
Rounds: Franklin Frog
by Barry and Emma Tranter
developed by Nosy Crow
preview video
available on iTunes
ages 3 - 6
Young children love learning about the world around them. This app does a beautiful job introducing preschoolers and kindergartners to real facts about frogs, from their habitat to feeding to metamorphosis, through an appealing story about Franklin Frog and his offspring. It draws children into the story, as they guide the frogs with their fingers. Children make the frogs jump, swim, catch flies, avoid predators, find a place to hibernate, croak to attract a mate and more. This app always feels like an exploration of how a frog lives, and never feels like a game. As the
Horn Book review says, this app presents the information in "an accessible way that’s respectful of both its subject and its audience."
National Geographic Adventure Presents The Greatest Stories Ever Told
developed by National Geographic Society
preview video
available on iTunes
ages 9 - 14
Every time I read and explore this app, I am utterly amazed at the adventures these stories share. This app features five amazing stories ranging from mountain climbing in Yosemite to crossing the Antarctic by dogsled to climbing down into a volcano. Each story hooks readers with a short video, but then encourages them to read beyond this initial video to learn more. Text is interspersed with high quality photographs and interactive graphics. Readers scroll in different ways, vertically and horizontally - this keeps readers stimulated and engaged. The interactive graphics let you discover more - for example, a timeline with a sliding bar lets readers explore the different types of climbing gear used over the past 100 years. But most of all, I was impressed with the way readers got a sense of the real people involved through quotes, video and audio. It conveys a first-hand point of view in an exciting, engaging format.
Wonders of Geology
by Michael Collier
developed by Mikaya Press/Tasa Graphic Arts
a "Top 10 App" from School Library Journal
available on iTunes
ages 10 - 14
The Wonders of Geology combines stunning photography, clear descriptions, and a combination of text and audio narration to teach tweens and teens about how the Earth's great mountains, valleys and other geological features were formed. Collier's breathtaking photographs draw readers in and convey a sense of awe at the wonders of these spectacular sites. The app switches between concise written paragraphs that introduce a subject and longer narrated segments as viewers look at photographs or diagrams. This helps tweens and teens who are curious about a topic but perhaps not determined enough to read in-depth nonfiction text to learn more about the subject. Collier shares his passion and in-depth knowledge of geology, as well as his stunning photographs. While some students may want more interactive features, I believe that others with an interest in the subject will be fascinated. It would make an excellent complement to a standard textbook for 6th graders studying Earth Science.
 |
| Animated diagram from Wonders of Geology |
Brian Cox's Wonders of the Universe
by Brian Cox
developed by Harper Collins UK and The Other Media
ages 16 to adult
available on iTunes
Particle physicist Brian Cox brings astrophysics to a general audience with the amazing
Wonders of the Universe app, bringing together his books
Wonders of the Solar System and
Wonders of the Universe with his award-winning TV series produced by the BBC. The app uses all of the features of the iPad, drawing readers in with personable, engaging video, clearly written text and interesting diagrams. The journey up from the smallest particles, past the moons and planets of the Solar System, out to the outer edges of the known universe truly blows my mind. I find myself in utter awe that scientists can understand, test and prove this knowledge. As The Other Media's managing director George Crabb says in a
Guardian article, "We threw out conventional thinking on multimedia experiences to instead come up with a revolutionary platform that can take complex narratives but deliver them with an intuitive clarity." This is an app for older high school students and adults who are fascinated by physics and astronomy, and who want to explore how multimedia technology can help us understand these subjects. I must admit that I do not understand all of what I am reading in this app, but I am fascinated nonetheless!
 |
| Wonders of the Universe combines text and video |
Nonfiction Book Apps show that this media has great potential for drawing readers into interesting topics. I am glad that several were nominated for the Cybils Award this year. Tune in on January 1st to the Cybils website to find out which apps are chosen for this year's shortlist.
The apps reviewed here came from both promotional codes sent by the developers and our school app library. The Berkeley Public Education Fund has graciously supported our school as we explore how apps help children learn and engage with a range of books.
Review ©2012 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
Children's books are full of orphans who set out on a hero's quest - and yet there is something fundamentally appealing about a young child who sets off on his or her own to battle unlikely odds. Rownie, a street urchin in Zombay, must outwit a tyrannical witch, the vigilant mechanical policemen and his own friends as he searches for his lost brother in Goblin Secrets, William Alexander's National Book Award winning fantasy for older middle grade readers.
Goblin Secrets
by William Alexander
Simon & Schuster, 2012
ages 9 - 13
2012 National Book Award Winner
Amazon and your local library
Rownie flees the custody of the tyrannical witch Graba to join a troupe of goblins who perform magical shows with masks, fire and giant puppets. In the fantasy world of Zombay, all performances by humans with masks have been outlawed, and so Rownie's decision carries tremendous risks. But he is determined to follow the footsteps of his older brother Rownan.
William Alexander's fantasy is both compelling, fast-paced and intricately layers. The setting is both unique and full of references to folklore. I loved the character of Graba, a Baba-Yaga inspired witch who is a "grandmother" for many orphans, with gear-work chicken legs. The writing was elegant and vivid - I was completely swept away by the story and the descriptions.
William Alexander narrates the audiobook version of
Goblin Secrets, and he imbues the characters with specific, exciting voices. He brings his background as an actor and a folklorist to the writing and the narration of this story. Here is a video of Alexander reading a section from
Goblin Secrets:
Goblin Secrets has many layers and themes that kept resonating with me, some successfully and others less so. I was intrigued by the sense that masks allow us to create a new personality but that they can also have power in and of themselves. I think children will really respond to the themes of choice, courage and the need to take action. I found that the end of the story whirled so quickly that I had trouble digesting and understanding all of the threads. This is definitely a book that I will want to come back to.
I look forward to sharing
Goblin Secrets with students who like fast-paced but layered fantasies, like Jonathan Auxier's
Peter Nimble or Rick Riordan's
Heroes of Olympus.
William Alexander was awarded the
National Book Award for Young People's Literature for
Goblin Secrets - a tremendous honor for his debut novel. Find out more about him at this interview at
The Nerdy Book Club blog.
The review copy was kindly sent by the publishers Simon & Schuster. If you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this site, a small portion goes to Great Kid Books (at no cost to you!). Thank you for your support.
Review ©2012 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
Some times when I finish a book, I feel like I've been on a journey with the characters. Just today, when I finished Dear Blue Sky by Mary Sullivan, I felt like I'd traveled with Cassie through a hard period in her life - and felt what it was like to come out okay. Not perfect, but knowing that I could be strong enough to keep going. I'm definitely looking forward to sharing Dear Blue Sky with my students this fall.
Dear Blue Sky
by Mary Sullivan
NY: Nancy Paulsen / Penguin, 2012
ages 9 - 12
available at your local library and on Amazon
You never really understand how much you need someone until they're gone. That's what Cassie realizes when her older brother Sef leaves for Iraq to serve in the Marines.
"I didn't even realize how much Sef held us together until he was gone. He was the only one who could make Van smile. He was Jack's hero and Dad's best budy. He was the only one Mom listened to when she'd had too much to drink. And me, I was myself with Sef."
When Sef does leave, Cassie's whole family has to figure out how they'll cope. Sullivan paints a complex portrait of this family in crisis. Tweens will appreciate the way she dives into the difficulties Cassie faces, protecting her little brother, connecting to her older sister and insisting that their mother come out of her grief to notice the children she still had at home. Sullivan doesn't shy away from tough issues.
Cassie wrestles with more than just coping with her brother's absence; she grapples with understanding the war in Iraq. When her history teacher asks all of the students to find a blog written by someone in a different country, Cassie discovers a blog called Blue Sky, written by an Iraqi girl who's her age. Through her growing friendship with Blue Sky, Cassie starts to understand different sides of the Iraq War, how it's affecting Blue Sky's family and life, tearing apart her city, terrorizing her family, limiting her daily life. Here is part of an email Blue Sky wrote to Cassie, explaining her blog's name:
"The day America started bombing Baghdad was the day the sky turned gray. The electricity go out for hours at a time and all is dark much of a day. The explosions and helicopters are more loud in the dark. When I remember old Iraq I think of light and blue sky, the color it used to be. So you understand my name now.
In my past I went to school and parties and swimming. I do nothing now and I am tired. What I want? I want my family to live. I try to have hope but it is difficult. I wish to have my spirit back. I wish to be a bird and fly high away. Except the sky is full with smoke and bombs."
I was particularly impressed with how Sullivan raises these complex issues in a way that tweens will understand - personalizing the impact of the suffering caused by the Iraq War, focusing in on family and friendship dynamics, looking closely at the impact of assumptions and isolation. At the end, I felt like I had truly been on a journey with Cassie, growing with her in my understanding and compassion. Through it all, Cassie becomes closer with both her sister Van and her friends, but she also becomes stronger and more centered in who she really is.
I especially liked this review of
Dear Blue Sky from Leah Cohen, the author of
The Grief of Others (quoted on
Mary Sullivan's website):
"Mary Sullivan takes complex subjects—war, loyalty, bullying, friendship—and honors their complexity in lucid, fast-paced, effortless-seeming prose. Her young narrator, Cass, comes to understand that love is not easy, nor, in itself, is it enough to set the world right. But she also learns that love is often closer than it seems, and that the ability to recognize its presence is a vital gift. Full of questions and full of warmth, Dear Blue Sky allows readers to engage with big ideas in a wonderfully accessible way; even more generous, it allows us to think for ourselves."
For other reviews, check out the
New York Times review and
Kirkus Reviews. The review copy was kindly sent by the publisher, Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin. If you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this site, a small portion goes to Great Kid Books (at no cost to you!). Thank you for your support.
Review ©2012 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
One of the most popular books at our school is Smile, a graphic novel by Raina Telgemeier, telling her story of going through middle school with braces and full-on dental drama. Kids adore the art, the realistic story and the heart in this graphic novel - they relate to Raina's struggles with friends and her dental drama. The kids I know are super-excited that her new book Drama is now available! It is a perfect tween story - filled with middle school angst, friendships and crushes.
Drama
by Raina Telgemeier
NY: Graphix / Scholastic, 2012
ages 10 - 14
available from your local bookstore and on Amazon
Callie LOVES being part of her school's drama productions - having fun with friends and working on great productions together. Seventh grade is full of ups and downs for Callie. She's got a huge crush on popular eighth-grader Greg and can't believe he kisses her. But the next day, Callie is devastated when he ignores her and returns to his stuck-up girlfriend, the ever-popular Bonnie. The drama continues as tryouts proceed for the school's production of Moon Over Mississippi. Callie decides that stage crew is definitely the best place for her, and she's determined to make the best set design possible. But life is never simple in middle school. Drama always finds its way in!
Here's a great book trailer to get a sense of the story and Telgemeier's style:
Kids will relate to Callie's vulnerabilities, but they're also going to connect to her resilience - how her solid friendships keep her grounded and strong. Callie becomes good friends with Justin and Jesse, twins who have both joined the drama production. Early on in the story, Justin confides in Callie that he is gay. Telgemeier handles this with pitch-perfect sensitivity for tweens, showing Callie and Justin's emotions through this scene. I love how natural their conversation sounds and their expressions look - tentative and uncertain at first, then trusting and supportive.
Telgemeier's artwork draws kids in. She shows the characters' emotions, focusing close in on reactions different characters have. Tweens are acutely aware of social situations and how they feel, as their emotions zoom up and down. They love the way that Telgemeier captures this drama in her artwork, feeling that she is capturing their own emotional reactions to their own school drama.
Through it all, this book made me smile. I love the way Telgemeier captures so much of the struggle of middle school - trying to figure out who your real friends are, who you like, what you want to do. I know the 5th graders at my school will really like this, as they venture into the world of crushes and girl-boy drama. And all of the middle school students I've shared it with have given it rave reviews.
Want to learn more about
Raina Telgemeier and
Drama? I loved this review in the
New York Times. Check out this interview on the
NerdyBookClub. I also love this advice she has for kids who want to create comics:
5 Things To Know About Cartooning.
The review copy was sent by the publishers, Graphix / Scholastic. I've already bought several copies for friends! If you make a purchase using the Amazon links on this site, a small portion goes to Great Kid Books (at no cost to you!). Thank you for your support.
Review ©2012 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
Have you watched a book spread from one kid to the next? It starts with just one reader connecting to it, telling a friend about it - then that friend has to read it. A few more try it out. This spring, Wonder has our classrooms buzzing with excitement as kids pass it from friend to friend. This is a book that is truly reaching kids, speaking to them, making them think - think about friendship, about bullies and about what it means to be kind.
Wonder
NY: Random House, 2012
ages 9 - 14
Auggie feels just like an ordinary kid, but he knows that others don't see him that way. You see, Auggie was born with severe facial deformities that have required years of corrective surgeries. He's been homeschooled up until now, but his parents have decided that he's strong enough to try regular school. So beginning in 5th grade, he's starting at Beecher Prep.
Right away, kids are drawn into Auggie's character. They can relate to having to start a new school, but they can also relate to showing Auggie around. How would you react when you meet someone for the first time whose face looks completely different than yours? And how would that affect the other person?
Auggie's voice feels authentic and real. He's into Star Wars, he laughs at fart jokes, he notices everything other kids do, and he cracks really good jokes. He isn't perfect; he gets angry and justifiably so. But he's hopeful and yet realistic at the same time.
Palacio draws readers in by telling the story not only from Auggie's point of view, but also from his sister's perspective, Auggie's best friend's viewpoint, and others'. This shifting first person narrative keeps the reader involved, making them think about the characters all from different angles. It makes us feel like we're right there in school with Auggie.
What struck me as I read
Wonder, was the heart, the kindness at its core. I was left thinking, wondering about what it means to be a good friend, how we can stand up for others, how we can keep true to ourselves in the face of real difficulties. And really, what makes me so happy is that it's really reaching kids, that they're responding to it, thinking about how their actions affect others, thinking about what it means to be kind.
Learn
A baseball fan, I'm not; but I always seek out biographies that will capture students' interests. So I was excited to read a new biography about Hank Greenberg, America's first Jewish baseball star. Shelley Sommer's Hammerin' Hank Greenberg was recently honored by the Association of Jewish Libraries for authentically portraying the Jewish experience. Tweens and young teen baseball fans will be interested in the way Sommer weaves together American history from the 1930s and '40s with Greenberg's story.
Hammerin' Hank Greenberg:
Baseball Pioneer
by Shelley Sommer
PA: Calkins Creek, 2011
ages 10 - 14
2012 Sydney Taylor Honor Book
At over 6 feet tall, Hank Greenberg was a powerful hitter and a first baseman with a long reach. Signing with the Detroit Tigers in 1930, Greenberg rose to fame during the Great Depression and during a time when many ethnic groups faced discrimination and prejudice - on the ball field and off. As Sommer writes, "Hank Greenberg was not the first Jewish man to play in Major League Baseball, but he quickly became the most widely known" (p. 43). In 1938, Greenberg came within 4 home runs of breaking Babe Ruth's home run record. Sommer quotes a Detroit fan from the 1930s:
"'I don't think anybody can imagine the terrific importance of Hank Greenberg to the Jewish community, said one Detroit fan. "He was a God, a true folk hero.' Some Jewish publications began referring to Greenberg as the 'Jewish Babe Ruth'" (p. 44-45).
Throughout this story of Greenberg's career, Sommer interweaves a backdrop of American history in the Great Depression and World War II. This is particularly effective for tweens who may have some understanding of American history, but who may not understand how it affected sports players. I was interested in the parallels Sommer drew between boxer Joe Louis's role in boxing, being a champion for African Americans, and Greenberg's role as a hero for American Jews.
0 Comments on Hammerin' Hank Greenberg, by Shelley Sommer (ages 10 - 14) as of 1/1/1900
Every year, I am excited to see the books selected for the Sydney Taylor Book Award by the Association of Jewish Libraries. This award "honors new books for children and teens that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience." This award is in honor of Sydney Taylor, author of The All-of-a-Kind Family, a classic series about an immigrant Jewish family in New York City in the early 1900s.
I'd like to highlight a few books from their list this year that particularly struck me as having wonderful appeal to children and families:
Chanukah Lights
by Michael Rosen and Robert Sabuda
MA: Candlewick, 2011
ages 7 - 10
2012 Sydney Taylor Book Award for Younger Readers
available at your local library, favorite bookstore and on Amazon
Michael Rosen and Robert Sabuda are honored with the 2012 gold medal in the Sydney Taylor Book Award’s Younger Readers Category for Chanukah Lights, an intricate cut paper pop-up book that celebrates Jewish history and the Chanukah holiday. Barbara Bietz, Chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee, said: “From the shtetl to skyscrapers, the white pop-up scenes against a background of deep rainbow colors illuminate Jewish life for the eight nights of Chanukah. Together, children and adults will marvel at the stunning scenes that magically unfold with each turn of the page.” Naamah and the Ark at Night
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
illustrations by Holly Meade
MA: Candlewick, 2011
ages 4 - 8
2012 Sydney Taylor honor award
available at your local library, favorite bookstore or on Amazon As Noah’s wif
I am excited that the School Library Journal has included several apps for tweens and teens. In today's post, I will round up the Best Apps for 2011 that have been recommended by the School Library Journal. While I have not had a chance to explore many of these, I wanted to share them with you. The biggest trend that I see is how iPad apps can bring alive nonfiction, embedding a variety of photographs, images, video and live links that readers can explore while they're reading. I'm also very happy to see some apps for tweens and teens to continue using audio narration to pull in readers. I hope more include narration as an option on these longer texts too. 1. Touch Press apps such as Gems and Jewels, The Waste Land, and March of the Dinosaurs. My friend Paula Willey (of PinkMe) shared Gems and Jewels with us at KidLitCon, and it is a truly beautiful app. Kids and grownups alike will love exploring so many different facets of these stones and how they've been used through the ages. I haven't seen the others, but look forward to checking them out. The nonfiction apps are great for tweens and teens, either browsing on their own or maybe reading with a parent. 2. Paris AppTours: Beware Madame La Guillotine (Time Traveler Tours): I have not listened to this audio tour yet, but I'm absolutely fascinated! Here's the beginning of the review on SLJ's Touch and Go
I sometimes wonder if we, as parents, try to protect our children from the hard things in life too much. We try to protect them, even though our children deal with hard things every day. And other times, I wonder if we are trying so hard to deal with our adult issues that we don't really see our children and the issues they're wrestling with. Conor, in Patrick Ness's powerful new book A Monster Calls, knows all too well about wrestling with life's pain. His mother is battling terminal breast cancer. And yet in so many ways, Conor is alone to deal with his pain - alone, that is, until the monster comes walking.
A Monster Calls
by Patrick Ness
inspired from an idea by Siobhan Dowd
illustrations by Jim Kay
Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2011
ages 12 - 15
available from your local library, favorite bookstore or on Amazon Life for Conor has been completely changed by his mother's cancer. Breakfasts alone, as his mother struggles with the effects of her treatments. The recurring nightmares, filled with screaming and falling. And of course, school - where everyone avoids him, not knowing what to say. And then, the monster comes. At 12:07, to be precise. The monster is looming, giant drawn up from the earth, from the ancient yew tree outside Connor's window. "Conor O'Malley, it said, a huge gust of warm compost-smelling breath rushing through Conor's window, blowing his hair back. Its voice rumbled low and loud, with a vibration so deep Conor could feel it in his chest.
I have come to get you, Conor O'Malley, the monster said." (p. 8) Jim Kay's illustrations add a powerful, almost visceral element to A Monster Calls. He uses everything from beetles to breadboards to create marks, textures and images from Conor's dreams and his sense of reality. The dark pen and ink, along with relief printing and various printed textures, convey the dark, twisted, nameless horror and grief that consumes Conor. The illustrations are perfectly pitched toward a teen audience, suitably abstract, dark and disturbing. This book
Two of our students came in two weeks ago so, so, so excited because Inheritance had just been published. I loved feeling this excitement, and so sat down with them today to ask them all about Christopher Paolini's Inheritance series.
Inheritance
Book 4 in the Inheritance Cycle
by Christopher Paolini
NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011
ages 10 - 15
available from your local library, your favorite bookstore, or on Amazon Luca and Sebastiaan began reading Eragon in 3rd grade, drawn in by this complex fantasy. They share the feeling that Eragon is THE BEST BOOK EVER. Here are some of their thoughts about Eragon: "It's so well written. You can tell he (Paolini) took his time with it."
"It has a lot of details, and a lot of action."
"I love the way he tells the story. You have no idea what's going to happen next."
"I really like the use of the ancient language to cast spells. You can read the spells at the back, to know what they mean. But you really want to remember them as you're reading, so you try to memorize them." Luca and Sebastiaan's excitement is spreading in the school. Another friend also loves fantasies, and he's trying out Eragon for the first time today. Luca and Sebastiaan recommend this series to friends who are strong readers, who love fantasy and action in their stories. "You have to be a really strong reader because there are so many details," they explain to me. They like reading this series quickly, so they can absorb all the details and get to the action. Their favorite parts? Oh, it's so hard to pick, but here are just a few: - in the volcano with the tunnels inside of the mountain
- the creativity in the landscape and the description of the dragons
- Eragon's connection with his dragon Saphira - you can tell they really care about each other
- the life cycles of all the creatures, not just the dragons
You can get a sense of the drama from this book trailer: I think my students will really enjoy this video of Christopher Paolini reflecting on his experiences writing the Inheritance Cycle: If your child loves fantasies like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, but is ready for a complex series - try out the Inheritance Cycle. Here are the books in order: - Eragon
- Eldest
-
1 Comments on The Inheritance Cycle, by Christopher Paolini (ages 10 - 15), last added: 11/22/2011
I am excited about the Cybils Awards new category for Book Apps. Have you nominated your favorite book app yet? Head over to the Cybils page to do so - anyone can nominate their favorite book that was published in the past year. In honor of Nonfiction Monday, I'd like to share an amazing nonfiction app: Journey Into the Deep.
The enormity expanse of the ocean's life has always intrigued me. I particularly remember visiting tide pools with my mother, looking in each little nook and cranny to see what creatures lived there. But I can hardly imagine how scientists are exploring the depths of the world's oceans. So I was fascinated by Journey Into the Deep, a new book app based on the book of the same title by Rebecca L. Johnson.
Journey Into the Deep
written by Rebecca L. Johnson
book app developed by Lerner Publishing
available at the iTunes App Store
for the iPad, iOS 3.2 or later
current price: $2.99
preview the print book on Google Books
ages 10 - 15 Rebecca Johnson begins the app with a short video where she tells about how she was captivated by an article about the Census of Marine Life and the incredible marine animals scientists were discovering. The Census of Marine Life was conducted globally between 2000 and 2010 by more than 2000 researchers. After reading this article, Johnson knew she wanted to take kids on an "armchair journey through the ocean in a way that allowed them to meet census scientists, explore the ocean as they were exploring it, and see some of the remarkable creatures they were discovering in their quest." This app is remarkable for the its depth and breadth, as it takes readers from the shallow edges of the ocean to its unfathomable depths. At each stage, readers are introduced to scientists exploring this particular part of the ocean, creatures they have discovered, and ways they are doing their scientific research as part of the Census of Marine Life. The photographs are truly captivating on the iPad, absolutely brilliant with color. At each stage, you can click on animals and reveal the captions. This has the effect of making the photographs stand out, and draws readers into interacting with them to find out more. Quotes from Census scientists are highlighted in bold red; when you tap a quote, a picture of the scientist appears, along with their research institution. The navigation structure for this app is remarkable. Journey Into the Deep uses a system of symbols to indicate that you
This summer I struggled reading a book I was expecting to like very much: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente. Online friends whose taste I admire had recommended it highly, with comparisons to The Phantom Tollbooth, Alice in Wonderland and the Oz books. I was intrigued by the fact that it was originally published in serialized form, becoming the first e-book to win the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. And yet, it was not a book I enjoyed. It isn't often that I write about a book I haven't enjoyed, and I want to do so carefully. I admire Ms. Valente's writing in many ways, and know that this is a book that many enjoy. But I'd like to explore my thoughts more fully.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
by Catherynne M. Valente
NY: Feiwel and Friends, 2011
ages 10 - 13
available at your local library, my favorite bookstore, and online at Google Books Twelve-year-old September is a courageous girl, one willing to fly off on an adventure when the Green Wind (taking the form of a little man in a green jacket) invites her to come with him. They fly to Fairyland, where times are hard under the rule of the new Marquess. At first, September thinks she'll be on a magical lark, exploring Fairyland. But she soon discovers that her help is needed to retrieve a witch's wooden spoon, and she volunteers to set off on a quest. Along the way, September makes new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday. Valente has created a magical, imaginative land with inventive creatures. But I never felt completely wrapped up in the story. I admired September, but found it difficult to care deeply about her or her quest. She accepted her mission in an almost off-hand way, but got drawn in as she realized how capricious the Marquess was. Along the way she met many characters that I'll remember - a golem made of soap, stampeding herd of flying Victorian high-wheel bicycles, and a brave paper lantern. The chapters had a bit of a disconnected feel, almost as if I could sense the way that it was written and published in a serialized form. But this reminds me of The Phantom Tollbooth in many ways, as Milo explored the different worlds he encountered. Unfortunately, September's story never resonated with me; I never emotionally connected with her the way I did with Milo. I admired her pluck and courage, the way she encountered these fantastical creatures with a completely open mind, and especially her choices at the end of the novel. And yet, she seemed distant throughout, somehow. I enjoyed Valente's language and kept marking sentences that felt meaningful. But I do think the language got in the way of the story and the characters. I spent more time noticing Valente's writing than I did getting emotionally involved. While I appreciate unique, thoughtful writing, I know that most children need a compelling story to bring them through a book. As Betsy Bird of Fuse #8 has clea
I loved reading fairy tales and fantasy stories when I was a child. Nothing was better than slipping into another world, whether it was entering a magical world through the back of a wardrobe with C.S. Lewis, or joining Milo as he traveled through the doldrums with his watchdog Tock, or flying with dragons through the land of Pern in Anne McCaffrey's series. Children, especially ages 9 - 12, still love fantasies. They're drawn to magical worlds, with extremes of good and evil and sometimes blurry in-betweens, where children have to navigate their way through challenges and quests with only the help of trusted allies they discover along the way.
  I am excited to read a new fantasy novel for children: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making , by Catherynne Valente. This novel has received high praise from many quarters: starred reviews from several book review journals, praise from numerous authors such as Neil Gaiman, Cory Doctorow and Tamora Pierce, and one of Amazon's Books of the Month for May 2011. If you would like to win a free copy of this book, keep reading!
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
by Catherynne Valente
NY: Feiwel and Friends, 2011
ages 10 - 14
available on Amazon and at your local library With a twisted, turning story, Valente tells the tale of September, a young girl from Omaha, Nebraska, who finds herself whisked away to Fairyland to retrieve a witch's spoon. One book-loving friend, Donalyn Miller (a.k.a. The Book Whisperer), describes this as a blend between the Phantom Tollbooth, Alice in Wonderland and the Oz books. I'm intrigued, and not sure I want to read much more! Here's an intriguing book trailer for The Girl Who Circum
Welcome to another fabulous Nonfiction Monday. I am thrilled to host this weekly event today. Each week, children's book lovers from around the internet gather together to share their favorite nonfiction books and resources. I have loved these weekly events as a way to keep me energized for reading non-fiction, and as a way to discover new, interesting books to share with my students and children. I am not naturally drawn to nonfiction, but once I discover a book that piques my curiosity, I'm drawn in and love getting lost in discovering new worlds, new information, new ways of explaining things to children. Today, I will share a favorite nonfiction book, and then share links to reviews from blogs around the Kidlitosphere. If you have a review to share, leave a comment below or email me. Please make sure to leave a specific link to your post (not just the general blog link). I'll update throughout the day, so be sure to check back later as well!  Our students are very interested in the environment, but they also want to know what they can do to make a difference. At our school, we've been having monthly "Make a Difference" days this year, which the kids have found very motivating. A book I've found fascinating is Elin Kelsey's Not Your Typical Book About the Environment , which explores environmental topics with a real slant to how kids can make decisions that affect the environment. I especially like the upbeat tone - Kelsey's message emphasizes positive things each of us can do.  Not Your Typical Book About the Environment
by Elin Kelsey
illustrated by Clayton Hanmer
Toranto, Ontario: OWLkids, 2010
ages 10 - 15
available on
26 Comments on Welcome Nonfiction Monday!, last added: 5/26/2011
A student recently told me he liked reading historical fiction that made him think about things in a new way. Some tweens really enjoy reading books that take them to new places, but this student was looking for more. He not only wanted to visit a new place, he wanted a book that would expand his thinking in a deeper way. If your tween is looking for a book to stretch their thinking, try Heart of a Samurai , winner of a Newbery Honor Award this winter. It's a fascinating look at Japan and America in the mid-19th century.
  Heart of a Samurai
by Margi Preus
NY: Amulet, 2010
ages 11 - 14
available on Amazon and at your local library
2011 Newbery Honor Award
2010 Asian/Pacific American Award for Childen's Literature
Inspired by the real life adventures of Manjiro Nakahama, Margi Preus has written a riveting historical fiction, filled with action, suspense and conflicting cultures. At the age of 14, Manjiro was a young teen living in a small Japanese village when he went to work on a fishing boat. On January night in 1841, his boat was caught in a terrible storm and the crew washed up onto a tiny remote island. After barely surviving on this rocky outcrop, Manjiro and his shipmates were rescued by an American whaling ship passing by. The American captain, John Howland, treats them with respect, but life aboard the whaler is not easy. Manjiro must learn English, try to understand the ways of the Americans, and earn the respect of both his Japanese crew and the American crew. I was fascinated by the tensions between the isolationist Japanese culture and the expansionist, nationalist American culture. Manjiro decided to stay with Captain Howland, effectively becoming his son and returning to Massachusetts with him. Preus helps readers think abo
I am fascinated with the series Scientists in the Field. Again and again, they produce captivating books that explore scientists pursuing interesting, challenging scientific investigations. This series makes science real, breaks it down so kids (and parents!) can understand it, and make us want to learn more. I highly recommend them both as read-alouds to 3rd - 5th graders, and independent reads for 5th - 8th graders. I loved The Frog Scientist , by Pamela S. Turner, and this winter I was fascinated by Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot , by Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop. As we all celebrate Earth Day, this is a wonderful book to share that explores what scientists are doing to bring a species back from the brink of extinction.
  Kakapo Rescue:
Saving the World's Strangest Parrot
by Sy Montgomery
illustrated by Nic Bishop
NY: Houghton Mifflin, 2010
ages 9 - 14
available on Amazon and at your local public library
winner of 2011 Robert F. Siebert Award for Nonfiction
The ka
Don't you love browsing through a book, flipping the pages to see what catches your eye? We had the dictionaries out in library time today, and the kids loved flipping through the pages to find interesting tidbits of information. A hit in our library this winter has been Ask Me Everything . It's a visual treat, filled with facts, statistics, lists, records and more.
 Ask Me Everything
by DK Publishing
NY: DK, Inc., 2010
ages 9 - 14
available on Amazon and at your local library
Ask Me Everything is packed with information, all in great nuggets with lots of visuals. DK excels at producing visually stimulating books, and this provides a wide range of information. It covers topics ranging from planets and space to society and culture, dinosaurs and prehistoric animals to geography and history. Each two page spread is headed with a bold, eye-catching question like: "How deep is the Grand Canyon?" or "How many people live in Tokyo?" The topics range from technical scientific subjects, such as space telescopes (see the page sample below) to fun favorites like "Who decides what's fashion?"  |
0 Comments on Look Now: The World in Facts, Stats and Graphics (ages 9 - 12) as of 4/13/2011 5:54:00 AM
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, and - oh, how this book spoke to me, made me laugh and cry and feel and connect. I absolutely loved it.
The Wednesday Wars
narrated by Joel Johnstone
I've taken my kids to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival the past few summers and somehow, they always ask to go back. I always expect them to be overwhelmed (and I'm sure they are), but we have a good time. I can't wait to check out these apps -- this summer we're planning to see Midsummer Night's Dream and there's an app for that!
I can't wait to check out these apps! They sound like interesting and helpful companions to what can be tricky books for teens. Thanks so much for sharing. :)
~Jess