Mod 6 Side by Side

Greenberg, Jan. Side by Side: New Poems Inspired by Art from Around the World. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2008. ISBN 9780810994713

Summary:

Side by Side is a collection of poems about art from around the world. Poetry inspired by art is also known as ekphrasis. Most of the poems were written especially for this book. Each poet was asked to write a poem in their native language about a piece of artwork in their native country. Poems written in other languages were translated into English. Thirty-three countries and six continents are represented through poetry, translation, and art.

Analysis:

Greenberg appeals to teen readers through a mixed media of art and universal themes in poetry such as nature and childhood memories. She also invites the reader to keep a notepad close by and write their own response to the art, therefore involving them in the book. Greenberg divides the poems into four categories: Stories, Voices, Expressions, and Impressions. In Stories, the poet looks at the art and imagines a story. In Voices, the poet becomes the subject of the artwork and speaks as the subject. In Expressions, the poet depicts the interaction between the artwork and the viewer. In Impressions, the poet describes the elements of the artwork, such as lines, symmetry, color, etc. VOYA says, “they perform an engaging duet of words and visuals on the page.”

Reviews:

School Library Journal 2008

"It creates cultural bridges and celebrates the genius of inspired translation."

Booklist 2008

"...the moving, often startling poems invite readers to savor the words and then look closely at each image."

Awards:

Booklist starred review

IRA Notable Book for a Global Society 2008

Connections:

For more information about the author visit http://mowrites4kids.drury.edu/authors/greenberg/

For a virtual tour of an art gallery visit http://www.wga.hu/

For an interactive world map visit http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

Revenge and forgiveness: an anthology of poems by Patrice Redd Vecchione

Poetry U.S.A. by Paul Malloy

Ego-Tripping and other poems for young people by Nikki Giovanni

Edgar Alan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe

Here in Harlem: poems in many voices by Walter Dean Myers

A wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson

Picture:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/imageviewer.asp?ean=9780810994713&imId=28598063

Mod 6 Crank

Hopkins, Ellen. Crank. New York: Margaret K McElderry Books, 2004. ISBN 9780689865190

Summary:

Seventeen year-old Kristina Snow visits her deadbeat dad on a court ordered visit to Albuquerque. While there, she meets handsome Adam, the monster – Crank, and Bree, an imagined, bolder personality. Upon return to Reno and her mom, Kristina tries hard to maintain her normal life. Straight A’s, responsible, an all around good kid; but Bree has other plans. Spurred on by Bree’s outgoing, spontaneous risk-taking, Kristina/Bree finds herself in the clutches of the monster-crystal meth. She soon learns that “Crank is more than a drug. /It’s a way of life. /You can turn your back. /But you can never really walk away.”

Analysis:

Crank is a realistic free verse novel. Hopkins keeps the reader involved in the novel in several ways. The poems, according to School Library Journal are “masterpieces of word, shape, and pacing, compelling readers on to the next chapter in Kristina’s spiraling world.” Each page’s poem is different format from the page before, with shapes that accompany the topic, such as a question mark when Kristina is making an important decision as well as split columns that can be read as one or two separate poems. Kristina’s character is well developed in her decline into addiction. Details of escalating behavior from simple drug use to lying to her family, buying and selling the drug, and a total change in habits and friends explain her change in character. This gripping story of drug abuse will be remembered by readers of all ages. VOYA says, “Hopkins delivers a gritty, fast-paced read while effectively portraying the dangers of substance abuse without sounding pedantic or preachy.” The fact that the novel is loosely based on Hopkins’ own daughter’s fight with substance abuse only makes it more real.

Reviews:

Booklist 2004

"Readers won't soon forget smart, sardonic Kristina; her chilling descent into addiction; or the author's note, which references her own daughter's struggle with the monster."

Publisher's Weekly 2004

"...she creates a world nearly as consuming and disturbing as the titular drug."

School Library Journal 2004

" This is a topical page-turner and a stunning portrayal of a teen's loss of direction and realistically uncertain future."

Awards:

Quills Award nominee (Crank)
Book Sense Top 10 (Crank)
NYPL Recommended for Teens (Crank)
PSLA Top Ten for Teens (Crank)
Charlotte Award (Crank)
IRA Young Adult Choices Award (Crank)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Crank)
SSLI Honor Book Award (Crank)
Nevada Writers Hall of Fame Silver Pen Award
Gateway Readers Awards winner (Crank)

Connections:

For more information about the author visit http://www.ellenhopkins.com/

For more information about narcotics anonymous visit http://www.na.org/

A teen site about dealing with addiction http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/addictions.html

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

Crashboomlove: A novel in verse by Juan Felipe Herrera

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Smack by Melvin Burgess

Candy by Kevin Brooks

Ttfn by Lauren Myracle

Picture:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/imageviewer.asp?ean=9780689865190&imId=45501609

Mod 6 What My Mother Doesn't Know

Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2001. ISBN 9780698841149

Summary:

Fourteen year-old Sophie has only two reliable people in her life- her best friends, Rachel and Grace. Her mother hides out in the basement eating chocolate and watching soaps. Her father is gone away on business trips, a lot. This is the story of her first true love. And her second. And her third. A rollercoaster of romances, cyber dating, family fights, and friendships.

Analysis:

In this realistic, teen-angst, free verse novel, Sones latches on to the emotions and speech of teen girls. Using poems that can stand alone, but flow together to make a story allows readers to read short periods of time and still progress through the story fairly quickly. “Each one strikes a chord that fluidly moves the reader on to the next episode,” says VOYA. The novel deals briefly with some difficult topics such as anti-Semitism and divorce, but not to any depth or resolution. The main focus is on friendship and acceptance, especially as Sophie’s latest boyfriend is not really boyfriend material, so she must choose between her new boyfriend and her long time friends. Sophie’s character develops as she asserts her independence. She buys a slinky black dress to wear to the dance, without her mom’s permission. She takes herself on a stay-cation when all of her friends leave for Christmas vacation. She also drops the cute boys who are progressively pushing her for more than kisses for the more homely, but more thoughtful, Murphy.

Reviews:

School Library Journal 2008

"Told in Sophie's own free verse poems, the story moves and evolves quickly in a satisfying and tantalizing manner."

Publisher's Weekly 2001

"The author poignantly captures the tingle and heartache of being young and boy-crazy."

Booklist

"The very short, sometimes rhythmic lines make each page fly."

Kirkus 2001

"The verse format allows Sophie to interrogate and explore her feelings and relationships with quintessentially teenage ferocity."

Awards:

winner of the Iowa Teen Book Award (2005 -2006)

named by the American Library Association as one of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2004 and of 2005

Michigan Thumbs Up Award Honor Book (2002)

unanimously chosen an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (2002)

unanimously chosen an American Library Association Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2002)

named an International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice (2003)

named a Booklist Editor's Choice (2001)

voted a VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers (2003)

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award: YA Recommended Title (2003 -2004)

named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age (2002, 2003, and 2004)

named a Texas Lone Star State Reading List Choice (2003 – 2004)

named a Top Ten Editor's Choice by Teenreads.com (2001)

named a Bookreporter.com Best of 2001 for Teens

chosen a Junior Library Guild selection

chosen a Scholastic Teen Age Book Club selection

chosen a Scholastic Trumpet Book Club selection

chosen a Scholastic Book Fair selection

nominated for the following state awards:

Volunteer State Book Award (TN) (2004 – 2005)

Utah Children's Choice Beehive Award (2003 – 2004)

Garden State Teen Book Award (NJ) (2003 - 2004)

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (2004)

Rhode Island Teen Book Award (2004)

South Carolina Young Adult Book Award (2003 – 2004)

Missouri Gateway Reader's Choice Award for Teens (2003 – 2004)

Wyoming Library Association Soaring Eagle Book Award (2003 -2004)

Connections:

For more information about the author visit http://www.sonyasones.com/

For an online poetry writing workshop with current poets visit http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/

For tips on teen dating safety visit http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-issues/teen-dating-safety.html

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

The truth about forever by Sarah Dessen

Along for the ride by Sarah Dessen

True believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

The it girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar

The realm of possibility by David Levithan

Ttyl by Lauren Myracle

Picture:

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