THE GREEN GLASS SEA by Ellen Klages

Bibliography:   

Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GLASS SEA. New York, NY: Puffin Books.  ISBN 9780142411490 

Plot Summary:   

Readers will follow Dewey as she embarks on a mysterious train ride to a non-existent town in New Mexico.  There she reconnects with her grandmother and mathematician father.  The year is 1943, and there are hundreds of scientists and their families living in the area where everything seems to be a secret.  Dewey’s father must go away, leading to Dewey moving in with Suze.  At first they do not like one another, but a friendship eventually blossoms.  Adventure, bravery, and history come to life on the journey through the pages.  The “gadget’s” creation and the ultimate use of the atomic bomb are brought back to life in this well written historical fiction novel.   

Critical Analysis:   

The setting for this mysterious book is explicitly described, welcoming readers into the life of Dewey.  Many will identify with Dewey, while others may sympathize with her for being small, slightly lame, and a bit different from the norm.  The main characters are believable; doing things that would come natural to many young children of a similar age.  A very serious historical topic is brought to life without overwhelming the reader with details.  Information is presented accurately in terms that young readers will be able to comprehend.  The setting is described so distinctly that readers will be able to visualize the details of the time and place.  This coming-of-age themed piece captures the era perfectly by weaving together fiction details and historical facts.   

Reviews:   

·        2007 winner – Scott O’Dell Award

·        2007 winner – New Mexico Book Award for Young Adults

·        2007 winner – Judy Lopez Award for Children’s Literature

·        2007 finalist – Quill Awards

·        2007 finalist – Northern California Book Awards

·        2007 finalist – Locus Award for Best First Novel

·        Publishers Weekly:  “Klages makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulously researched novel set during WWII.”

·        The Horn Book:  “…the story, an intense but accessible page-turner … where history and story are drawn together with confidence.” 

Connections:  Age Level:  9 and up 

·        New Mexico Research:  Research cities mentioned in the book:  Los Alamos, Roswell, and Trinity

·        Discuss censorship:

o   Word study to clarify meaning of word.

o   Research censorship from the past and present.

o   Writing prompts:  What would it be like to have your mail read by some you were not sending it to?

·        Idioms Study:

o   “loose lips sink ships” (Page 31)

o   “It ain’t over till the Fat Man sings” (Page 255)

o   “the $64 question” (Page 234)

o   “knew her onions” (Page 207)

o   “mind your own beeswax” (Page 220)

o   “my stars and garters” (Page 220)

·        Stop/Think/Write/Share before, during, and after the readings

·        Franklin D. Roosevelt: 

o   His death during this period

o   Timeline tracking his presidency, leading to his death

TURTLE IN PARADISE by Jennifer L. Holm

Bibliography:   

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. TURTLE IN PARADISE. New York, NY: Random House.  ISBN 9780375936883 

Plot Summary:   

Turtle In Paradise follows an eleven-year-old girl named Turtle from Jersey to Florida.  She has to leave behind her mom, who is a live-in-maid for a wealthy woman who dislikes children.  The only place Turtle has to go is to her aunt’s house in the Florida Keys.  Paradise is not what awaits Turtle, or a welcoming committee happy to see her.  Meanness seems to be everywhere during this struggling time of the Great Depression.  People are poor and hopeless.  Everyone, including the children, are working hard and in creative ways to earn money or candy.  During Turtle’s time on the island, she meets many family members, some she thought were dead.  She joins a band of misfits on a quest for treasure, and ends up finding more than Little Orphan Annie or Shirley Temple could ever make it through.   

Critical Analysis:   

Holm draws the reader into this historical fiction book without overwhelming them with historical details or long descriptions.  The reader will follow the main characters through their regular daily lives where the power of family love sets the theme of the story.  The Diaper Gang is a funny addition to the book as it helps capture the speech patterns of the era, bringing the setting/characters to life.   The plot is presented accurately so that young readers gain a better understand of the time period they are entered, without being overwhelmed by details.  The historical references concerning the Great Depression, shows the hardships of our country during this time period, and the escape of Hollywood movies that people enjoyed during this same time period.  Author, Holms, has a personal connection to this story.  The pictures and her notes at the end of the book will bring so much light to young readers who may have never heard of the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” or Shirley Temple movies. 

Reviews:   

·        Newbery Honor Book 2011

·        ALA-ALSC Children’s Notable Book

·        Booklist:  “Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with dollop of adventure.”

·        Kirkus:  “Holm’s voice for Turtle is winning and authentic-that of a practical, clear-eyed observer-and her nimble way with dialogue creates laugh-out-loud moments.  Sweet, funny, and superb.” 

Connections: 

Age Level:  8 and up 

·        “Little Orphan Annie” choral reading

·        Research:  Franklin Roosevelt; Transportation and communication (building of the highway/fairy to the Keys)

·        Compare prices then and now

·        Watch Shirley Temple movie

·        Learn and sing “The Good Ship Lollipop”

·        Art:  Draw pictures inspired by events/characters/”Little Orphan Annie” comic strip

NORY RYAN'S SONG by Patricia Reilly Giff

Bibliography:  

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2002. NORY RYAN’S SONG. New York, Random House.  ISBN 9780440418290 

Plot Summary:   

In this heart-breaking tale, readers learn about the potato famine that affected Irish people from1845-1852.  The Great Hunger was a terrible time in Ireland when the potatoes turned black, and led to the deaths of over a million people.  Readers see the hardships and feel the hopelessness through the eyes of twelve year old Nory as she struggles to find food for herself, her family, and Anna.  Through the struggles, readers will find themselves rooting for this brave heroin who risks her life to make it through each hopeless day.  Hope for food today, hope for a better future in America, and hope to be reunited with loved ones keeps the characters going.  This same hope keeps the readers reading as well. 

Critical Analysis:  

Nory’s experiences, thoughts, and feelings come through beautifully in this first-person point of view that captures the speech patterns of the era.  Using this historical fiction genre, students can connect with a young girl, and learn about Irish history in a powerful way as the author re-creates and describes the setting vividly.  Readers will be able to identify with the major characters as they follow the characters through their patterns of daily life.  The history is not sugar-coated, and is presented accurately in terms that readers, especially young readers, will be able to easily understand.  Giff’s tone comes through in a loving way as the characters interact with one another speaking to the theme ~ the power of family love. 

Reviews:   

·        ALA Best Book for Young Adults

·        ALA Notable Children’s Book (2001)

·        Publishers Weekly – September 2002:  “Giff meticulously re-creates the Great Hunger as she traces a 19^th-century Irish girls struggle to survive.”

·        Kirkus:  “Newbery Honor winner, Giff weaves wisps of history into this wrenching tale of an Irish family sundered by the Great Potato Famine … Riveting.”

·        School Library Journal:  “Today’s readers will appreciate this compelling story with a wonderful female protagonist who is spirited and resourceful, and has a song in her heart.”

·        Booklist:  “Giff brings the landscape and the cultural particulars of the era vividly to life and creates in Nory a heroine to cheer for.  A beautiful, heart-warming novel that makes a devastating event understandable.” 

Connections:  Age Level:  8 and up 

·        Before reading, discuss glossary words found in the front of the book, and revisit these as they appear in the story to enrich reading comprehension skills.

o   Discuss where we usually find a glossary – expository books – bringing students’ attention to this special feature in this historical fiction book.

·        Create a timeline of Irish history.

·        Study Ireland and its history:

o   Potato famine:  What caused it?  How widespread was this famine?  Has such a famine happened since? 

·        Map skills

·        Sequel to “Nory Ryan’s Song”:

o   Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2003. MAGGIE’S DOOR. New York, NY: Random House.  ISBN 0385326580.

o   Before reading sequel, brainstorm ideas about what might happen to Nory and her family.

o   After reading, revisit brainstorming ideas, and see which were in book and which ones were not.

·        Booktalk/Brainstorming:  What was in Nory’s package that she waited so long to get, only to have it stolen from her?