Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. (Children's Literature Novel)

Paterson, Katherine. Bridge to Terabithia. Illustrated by Donna Diamond. Scholastic Inc., 1977. (128 pages) 

This book is a tear-jerker, and very memorable for anyone who read it as a child. Paterson does a great job developing the characters in this realistic fiction based in a rural community close to a wild woods where the two main characters run off and imagine up an entire world for themselves - Terabithia. I will just admit right now that when I read the last page I totally cried even though I have read it before and seen the movie. It's not the sadly surprising events of the story that made me tear up, but the relationship between one of the main characters and his younger sister - and how it evolves after serious hardships (I won't spoil the book for those who haven't read it).

Peter and Wendy by J.M. Berrie (Children's Literature Novel)

 Berrie, J. M. Peter and Wendy. Charlie Scribner’s Sons. 1911. Illustrated by F. D. Bedford. (267 pages, and 122 pages for the online version)

     This classic tale is a story about Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up and never wanted to grow up. He brings Wendy and her two younger brothers to Neverland, an island full of fairies, pirates, animals, and more. Neverland is a dreamland – a place for adventure, but the lost boys on this island still long for the structure and nurturing that a mother can give. Wendy is commissioned for the task, and does well until the day when she and her brothers return home with the lost boys in tow. Only Peter Pan refuses to stay and grow up, although he visits an aging Wendy and her descendants.

     Peter and Wendy is a story with some vocabulary and content that may offend modern sensibilities. The portrayal and name of “redskins” seems a bit unflattering, and at one point the fairies are described as “some unsteady fairies had to climb over him on their way home from an orgy” (p. 104) Some modern readers may even be put off by the strict gender role assignment that the author engages in throughout the book. However, none of these things bother me personally. If there is value in the story, one can see past the controversial sections and even use them to foster healthy discussion. “Children have the strangest adventures without being troubled by them.” (p.14).

The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda by Tom Angelberger (Children's Literature Novel)

Angelberger, Tom. The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda. Abrams. 2010. (150 pages)

An eccentric boy named Dwight folds an origami Yoda finger puppet, which he uses to dispense wisdom to his fellow 6^th graders. Tommy, the main narrator of the book, creates a case file to investigate what impact this figure has made. Students offer testimonials and opinions in this unique and engaging book.

There was a lot to absorb in this book. There are many narrators, many doodle illustrations, many styles of writing (from a sample text message to transcribed words from a tape recorder and more), and even many different fonts! It’s interesting that I read this on the same day that we read Make Way for Ducklings in class, because both books may represent opposite sides of a spectrum: styles which people dub “modern” or “old-fashioned”. This book seemed very modern to me – the speed, stimulation, and information from many sources almost mimicked a smart phone internet browser.

When I was finished with the book, I gave it to my 6^th grade son to read. He read it in one sitting! I asked him what he thought about it, and he said he loved it. When I asked why, he said, “I liked the comments at the end. Also it’s quirky. And original. And I liked the little pictures on the sides.” I believe that most kids would feel this way, and I think it would be a great book to use as a language arts teacher. It’s interesting to see the interplay between the abstract thinking of Tommy and the concrete, or “black-and-white” thinking of his friend Harvey. I think that this could be a great source of classroom discussion in a 5^th or 6^th grade classroom.

Sahara Special by Esme Raji Codell. (Children's Literature novel)

Codell, Esme Raji. Sahara Special. Scholastic, Inc., 2004. (175 pages)

This book is narrated by the title character, Sahara. Kids at her school call her “Sahara Special” because she spent time in the special education program. Her story is one of overcoming stigma and educational struggles with the help of a very unconventional teacher.

The style and language in this book are very urban and modern. The school described could be any public school. While readers are never given a clinical description of what Sahara’s special needs are (I kind of like that it was left unexplained), they can clearly see what other children think about her as a student who is pulled out from regular classes to get individualized attention. Readers can also see what it feels like to be a student like Sahara with a big file in the office and adults arguing about what to do with you.

Sahara is won over to literature by reading Aesop’s fables, poetry, and Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. She decides that she will become a writer. Literature and education are both colossal themes in this book. One reading it would understand the message very clearly = give children in special education a chance to fall in love with literature and it will improve their lives.

Overall, it was nice, but not earth-shattering. It was somewhat predictable and didactic, which can create boredom in a book’s readership. It reminded me of the section in the C.S. Lewis' On Stories where Lewis talks about how overly-didactic books can be condescending. 

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (Children's Literature Novel)

 Paterson, Katherine. The Great Gilly Hopkins. Harper & Row, Publishers. 1978. 1978. (148 pages)

This book chronicles the life of Galadriel (Gilly for short) who has been through several foster homes before ending up in the home of Maime Trotter. At first Gilly is very angry and judgmental toward Maime, her foster brother W.E., her new neighbor Mr. Randolph, and her new teacher Miss Harris. But as her schemes result in unexpected changes, she is surprised to learn how much she grew to love all those people she was pushing away.

The language in this book was somewhat gritty and even racist at times – which is why it was on the banned book list. However, while some of those things may be jarring at first it’s pretty clear that this is the portrait of someone who is hurting. I think there is an opportunity for educators to use Gilly as a universal example to illustrate what it means to be disappointed, self-protective, and someone in pain who lashes out at others. Life is disappointing sometimes. However, this book also illustrates the positive side of life as we see that caring for others makes life better.

The characters in this book are very round and complex. The main character, Gilly, experiences a lot of character change. We see many facets in her true-to-life personality. For anyone who has known a hurting child, this characterization hits home realistically. The themes of disappointment, self-protection, and belonging are all universal to the human experience and would provide great educational value. On a side note, I love that she references Tolkein several times! All in all, I really enjoyed the book and the reminder that hatefulness can mean hurt, and that this is a feature which can change as a result of kindness.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin (Children's Literature Novel)

Lin, Grace. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition, 2011. (304 pages)

In this mythical fantasy, Chinese folktales come to life as young Minli leaves her poverty-stricken village to find a better fortune from the Old Man of the Moon. Minli’s father loves to tell stories about the evil Magistrate Tiger and the powerful Old Man of the Moon who ties people to their destinies with pieces of red string. Minli, tired of her mother’s careworn face and constant sighs, leaves her home to find out how to change her family’s destiny.

This story has all the elements of an epic journey: Minli has help from interesting friends including a flightless dragon, she has moments of self-doubt and moments of resolve, she faces danger in the form of a giant green tiger spirit, and she has to make sacrifices and learn lessons. Many elements of Chinese culture are also included in the story: dragons, paintings, tea, gifts, goldfish, gardens, silk, porcelain, and ancient folktales. There are porquoi tales explaining how the moon came to exist and how “Fruitless Mountain” lost its greenery. There are magical tales about how to become a dragon. There are moral tales teaching that one should not be jealous or forceful. Each time a folktale is relayed in the novel, it is indented and bordered by illustrations of the classic Chinese coins. In the end, Minli and her mother discover what true fortune is and how they already had it the whole time.

Lexi and I read this together, and I have to say that I think I loved it as much as she did. Every night I was like, "Come on, Lexi! Let's go read!" That has to be a sign of a successful children's novel.

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (Children's Literature Novel)

Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willows. Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1908. (259 pages)

This classic tale of friendship was a pleasure to read. I actually laughed out loud a few times at some of Toad’s exploits. The characterization was amazingly well done; each of the main characters mirrored aspects of people we meet every day. There are sweet and stodgy Mole, poetic hospitable Rat, grim powerful Badger, and outrageous Toad. The concepts of home and friendship were drawn out beautifully.

Wind in the Willows is classed as a children’s modern fantasy, but it seems to me much more of a book adults would appreciate. While there is some action (jailbreak and chase, fight with weasels, car crashes) it is slow moving as Grahame gives sprawling descriptions of setting and nostalgic explanations of home and nature. Adults will appreciate these passages as they are very well done, but I could imagine some children finding them boring.

I realized after starting this book that I had never read the actual novel before. I had certainly read shorter versions of it targeted to younger readers, and saw the Disney short animated film. But there were minor characters and descriptive sections in Grahame’s novel that are excluded in subsequent versions. One of the most poignant excluded sections, in my opinion, is the section from which the book derives its name. Rat explains and interprets the song he hears in the air as the wind blows through the willows:

“Lest the awe should dwell

And turn your frolic to fret

You shall look on my power at the helping hour

But then you shall forget!

Lest limbs be reddened and rent

I spring the trap that is set

As I loose the snare you may glimpse me there

For surely you shall forget!

Helper and healer, I cheer

Small waifs in the woodland wet

Strays I find in it, wound I bind in it

Bidding them all forget!” (p. 141 italics only)