Graphic Novel # 14 - Let's Go for a Drive by Mo Willems

Mary's Thoughts:

Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie books are some of the top favorite books among my second and third graders.  Even though these books are very easy reading for most of my students, they want to return to them again and again because of the humor, smiles and laughs they engender.  I even love to read these books!  My favorite from this series is We are in a Book, but I was delighted to receive a copy of Willem's newest book, Let's Go for a Drive.

In Let's Go for a Drive, Elephant (Gerald) and Piggie gather everything they need for a drive, but then they realize they do not have a car.  Oh no! What will they do? You will have to read to find out!

Of course an Elephant and Piggie book couldn't be an Elephant and Piggie book without Gerald blowing his top a couple  of times!  Piggie's adorable refrains, such as, "Drive! Drive! Drivey-drive-drive," make me and my students want to chime in with him.  In Let's Go for a Drive, Willems once again delivers all that we hope for in the adventures of Elephant and Piggie.

This book is appropriate for struggling readers, because it is simple and easy to read, but at the same time, it is very popular among all the students.  Struggling readers are not singled out; they just beam as they read it!
By the way, I just ordered We are in the Book on Amazon.com.  I couldn't resist after reviewing Willem's newest book.  Now it will join Let's Go for a Drive in my classroom library!

Pixie's Thoughts:

Yip! Yap! Yippy-yap-yap!  This book was just right for my recreational reading and I laughed so hard, as I read it, that I started to go into one of my reverse sneeze spells. Love! Love! Lovey-love-love this waggish book! Five paws...thumbs down!








Classroom Applications:

1)  This book deserves a spot in any K-3 classroom library.  Even proficient, at-grade level readers want to relax, take it easy, and read this book just for the fun of it.

2)  Let's Go for a Ride would make a good companion text with a more difficult graphic novel.  Students could learn strategies or skills with the more difficult book during guided reading, then they could apply their new learning to reading Let's Go for a Walk during independent reading time.

Mo Willems on Writing Books

Mo Willems Author Website

Graphic Novel # 13 - Binky, the Space Cat by Ashley Spires

Mary's Thoughts:

Binky is living the life of a normal house cat when gets the letter he's been waiting for in the mail.  The letter is from F.U.R.S.T. (Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) and it gives him the exciting news that he is now Space Cat qualified.  Binky begins the preparations to build a space craft.  When his rocket is finished, Binky can't wait to take off.  The rocket is fired up, with Binky and his toy mouse inside. The countdown begins.  Just as the rocket is about to launch, Binky realizes he has forgotten something that is very important - his humans!  What will Binky do?

This book, written at a 740 Lexile level, won the 2011 Silver Birch Express Award and the 2011 Hackmatack Award.
Challenging vocabulary is scattered throughout the text, but the illustrations lend very good support to understanding the story.  I can envision my second and third grade students enjoying this book.


Pixie's Thoughts:

I found this book very informative and entertaining.  Like Binky, I have seen space aliens in the vicinity of my own home.  I wonder if here is an organization that would give me a badge indicating I am "Space Dog" certified.  Shhh! Don't tell my mom.

I enjoyed the story and would like to read more books about Binky, even if he is a cat.  I am expanding my horizons!





Classroom Applications:

• This book would be a good fiction read aloud during a unit about space.  It could be used to introduce academic vocabulary such as gravity, oxygen, perimeter, and astronaut in an entertaining way.
• Use the activities on the following site to study the graphic novel genre:  Kids Can Press .

Ashley Spire's Author/Illustrator Information

Graphic Novel # 12 - The Box Car Children # 1 by S. E. Denton

Mary's Thoughts:

As a child, I devoured The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner, so when I found the graphic novel version of The Boxcar Children by written by Eric Denton and illustrated by Mike Dubisch, I knew I'd have to give it a try.  The graphic novel I selected is based upon the first book in The Boxcar Children series.

Although the graphic novel is a very abbreviated adaptation of the book, it was enjoyable to read.  I think this format is for a new generation of readers and reading this version might encourage children to read the original book.

The illustrations in this book are pleasing to the eye and the dialogue is reminiscent of Warner's version.  Eric Denton was able to tell the story in a way that remained true to the original and included all the key details.

In case you have never read The Boxcar Children, it is about four siblings who have been orphaned.  They've never met their rich grandfather and believe that he might not like them. They decide to live life together, independently from adults, and raise themselves.  The four Alden children get named the boxcar children because they discover an old boxcar and set up house in it.  Unbeknownst to them, their grandfather, James Henry Alden, is in search of them and desperately wants to find them.  Will they finally cross paths?  I heartily encourage you to read this book to find out!


Pixie's Thoughts:

Bow wow! This book was short, sweet, and easy to read.  I loved it when the Alden's adopted a little dog and named him "Watch."  It reminded me of when Mom adopted me.  What a happy day! This is a book I could read again and again! The story will never get old to me!

Classroom Applications:

 If you have students who become avid readers of The Boxcar Children, either the graphic novel or the chapter books, you can guide them to promote the books in your classroom through the creation of book trailers, posters, book talks, or speed booking. Your classroom might catch boxcar fever.  I have to warn you, though, that there is no cure for this ailment!


The Boxcar Children Website
The Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children Museum

Graphic Novel # 11 - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Eric Shanower, L. Frank Baum

Mary's Thoughts:

As a child, it was an annual event for me to watch the movie version of The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland, so I thought this graphic novel might be an interesting selection to add to my reluctant reader book list.  Although I've seen the movie numerous times, I never read the novel by L. Frank Baum, so I don't know how faithfully this graphic novel remained to the original text.  What I did notice was that the departures the Shanower text took from the movie I loved did not make a difference to me.  

For those who are unfamiliar with this tale, Dorothy takes a ride on a Kansas tornado and lands on top of the Wicked Witch of the East in the land of Oz, killing the witch and liberating the Munchkins.  She is sent by the Good Witch of the North to the Emerald City, to find her way back home to Kansas.  Dorothy and Toto findn three companions on their journey - a scarecrow, a tin woodman, and a lion.  Each of these companions is also on a mission to seek something from the Great Oz.  These friends encounter many trials on their trip to see the Great Oz, only to find out that they must complete a mission from Oz in order to receive what they seek from him.  They must find and kill the Wicked Witch of the West.  After they complete the mission, the companions return to Oz to receive their wishes, but discover that Oz is not a great wizard, after all, but rather just a common man who has no magical powers. Oz admits he has no magical powers, but still convinces the lion, the tin woodman, and the scarecrow that he can give them courage, a heart and a brain.  Through the power of their own belief, they believe they have received these from the wizard.  Dorothy, however, still has not received her wish to return to Kansas.  After much thinking over three days time, Oz devises a plan to make a balloon that will carry Dorothy back to Kansas.  The plan fails when the balloon takes off with Oz in it, but without Dorothy.  Dorothy's friends put their heads together and decide Dorothy must seek the help of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South. After a perilous journey, Dorothy, Toto, and their friends finally meet Glinda.  She gives Dorothy some silver shoes (not the ruby slippers from the movie) that Dorothy can use to wish herself home, where she falls into Aunt Em's arms.  

This graphic novel contains some special sections worth mentioning here.  There is a forward, at the beginning of the book, entitled "Blame It on Toto," that makes the point that if Toto hadn't scrambled under the bed during the tornado, it would have left a huge gap in many lives including Dorothy, L. Frank Baum, and many readers world-wide.  In the back of the book, variant covers are displayed, along with several sketches by the book's illustrator, Skottie Young.  There is also a note from author, Eric Shanower, giving credit to the different versions of The Wizard of Oz, including a tribute to illustrator Skottie Young for artwork in Shanower's version.

I did not care for the illustrations in this graphic novel.  They seemed too sketchy and not fleshed out.  They were distracting to me and took to much effort to absorb.  That said, I think many older elementary students will enjoy this book.  

Pixie's Thoughts:

Woof! Too long...much too long.  Also, there wasn't enough coverage of Toto, in my humble opinion.  I would rather watch the movie than to struggle through this book. 

Classroom Applications:

 After students have read a few graphic novels, guide them to compare and contrast the illustrations in each book, then choose which illustrations they like the best.  After students have chosen their favorite illustrations, they can justify their responses by explaining what they liked about the illustrations they selected.

Eric Shanower's Author Website

Graphic Novel # 10 - Sybil, the Backpack Fairy, # 1 Nina, by Manuela Razzi and Michel Rodrigue

Mary's Thoughts:

When I was a little girl, I would imagine that the tooth fairy left a little baby fairy for me to care for. As a child,  I would have been drawn to Sybil, the Backpack Fairy # 1: Nina by  Michael Rodrigue, and I know some of my second and third graders whose interested would be peaked, too.  The illustrations, done by Manuela Razzi and Antonella Dalena, remind me of manga-style art.  Although it might grab the attention of young children, in my opinion, this book does not meet the standards that I've seen in some of the other graphic novels I've read as part of this project.  When dealing with the issue of divorce and single parenthood, Sybil the Backpack Fairy does not have as much depth as The Whole World's Crazy: Amelia Rules.  The storyline of Sybil is not as interesting or as easy to follow as The Knights of the Lunch Table.  For these reasons and others, this book would not be among the first books I would select for my classroom library.  Keeping this in mind, it is still cute and fanciful, and it might be entertaining to some young readers.  

In this story, a young girl named Nina faces trouble with her teachers, her mom, and her classmates.  Sybil the Backpack fairy comes to her rescue, but also complicates things for Nina..  She introduces Nina to another dimension, where there are villains out to thwart Nina and Sybil.  Meanwhile, Sybil entertains Nina and the readers with all kinds of magical powers. This first book hints that Nina has been called for a mission, but it does not reveal what that mission will be.  Readers will have to read book two to find out more about Nina's mission, but personally, I have no desire to read more. 

Pixie's Thoughts:

Woof....all I can say is after the first time that Sybil the Backpack Fairy caused Nina and her baby brother to float in the air, this book didn't hold my attention. Yawn....I don't think I want to finish reading this book.  It seems much longer than 47 pages.

Classroom Applications:

I wouldn't waste too much time on promoting this book to my students, but if I knew of a student who loved to read about fairies and fanciful creatures, I might direct him or her to this book.  I think a better option would be graphic novel versions of some of the classic fairy tales, such as Beauty and the Beast, Rumplestiltskin and Cinderella.

Papercutz Sybil the Backpack Fairy Page

Graphic Novel # 9 - The Whole World's Crazy (Amelia Rules) by Jimmy Gownley

Mary's Thoughts:

What I appreciate most about this book is the great job it does of tackling the tough issue of divorce, but at the same time it evokes  much laughter and enjoyment.  Amelia is a young girl who is living with her mom and aunt at her aunt's house.  Her parents are divorced.  Amelia is facing the challenges of meeting all new friends and beginning the school year at a new school.  The divorce and aftermath are addressed from a child's perspective.

My favorite scene is when Amelia demonstrates a heart of generousity by giving one of her Christmas presents  to a friend in need.  I felt a sob escape from my throat. From reading this book, I learned that a graphic novel experience can be quite moving.

Amazon indicates this book is for children from age 7 - 12, but I believe that it is better suited for ages 9 - 13.  Much of  the vocabulary is complex and some of the jokes will likely go unobserved by young children.

One text feature I was particularly delighted in was the way the illustrator varied the color and shape of the speech bubbles.  When the character was angry, the speech bubble was either white and shaped like icicles, or dark gray like a thunder cloud.  When the character was infatuated with another character, the speech bubble was shaped like a heart.  Those are just a couple of examples.  There were quite a few variations.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Pixie's Thoughts

Yawn! This book was a little too long for me and was difficult for me to read.  I don't think this is a just right book for me.  After the first few pages, I put it back on the shelf.  Mom seemed to love it, though!







Classroom Applications:

• Ask students to discuss why the illustrator chose to use different shapes and colors for the speech bubbles throughout the book (pink heart, icicles, thunder cloud, white cloud, black bubble with white font, etc.). Then students can have the option of creating their own graphic novel "cartoon" pages during writing time. Encourage them to come up with unique speech bubbles of their own creations. 
• After reading page 20, ask students to work with a partner to answer the following question: "Who got the better deal from their agreement, Reggie or Amelia? How do you know?"

Jimmy Gownley's Author Website

Graphic Novel # 8 - Knights of the Lunch Table:No. 1 (The Dodge Ball Chronicles) by Frank Cammuso

Mary's Thoughts:

I connected with this book from the dedication page.  Author Frank Cammuso dedicated this page to "anyone who has ever been picked last."  Like many people, I have vivid memories, from childhood, of being picked last in gym class.  Even as an adult, I still have times when I experience bitter moments of being picked last.  I know that there are many students who will identify with the character, Artie, who has been picked last many times and just wants to experience being really good at something.

When Artie starts attending Camelot Middle School, he quickly becomes known as "the chosen one," but he is fearful that he will be discovered for who he thinks he really is - a loser.  He leads his friends to believe he is a dodge ball champion, and to his dismay, becomes embroiled in a dodge ball tournament against the school bully, Horde, and Horde's friends.  Is Artie, indeed, the chosen one?  Can he pull this off and win the dodge ball game against Horde and his friends? You will have to read the book to find out!

This book is first one in the Knights of the Lunch Table series.  The illustrations are simple and easy to the eye, and the story line is magnetic and engaging.  I think it is perfect for reluctant readers in grades 2 - 5.  Most boys will love it, and so will the girls!

Pixie's Thoughts:

Woof! I think most books this length are too long for me, but I couldn't put this book down.  Mom had to call me three times at dinner time because I was so enthralled with it!  I will put Knights of the Lunch Table 2 and 3 on my Someday Book List!


    



Classroom Applications:

1) Create a book trailer to entice your reluctant readers to give this book a try.

2) If your students enjoy this series, they might also enjoy The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Spelling Trouble, Otto's Orange Day, and Max Hamm Fairy Tale Detective. 

Frank Cammuso's Author Website

Graphic Novel # 7 - Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Connie Colwell Miller and Dan Kalal

Mary's Thoughts:

My preconceived notion that graphic novels are too abbreviated to provide anymore than a cursory glance at a historic topic was proven wrong as I read this book about Rosa Parks. Most of my life, I have heard the story of how Rosa changed history by refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, but I never learned what she did with her life after that event. As I read this graphic novel, I was interested to learn that she continued to support the civil rights movement and also founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for the purpose of developing young leaders. This book also shares more about the time period in which Rosa Parks lived and details about the Civil Rights movement in general.

Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott is a Lexile 730 level, which places it at a 2nd/3rd grade reading level. It falls within the higher end of that range, so it also would be useful at the beginning of the fourth grade level. I think the material is also appropriate for fourth through eighth grade struggling readers, or for students at higher reading levels who would like light reading on the topic.

The illustrations, by Dan Kala,  are done in muted tones that are pleasing to the eye. I will be using this book this month in my ELL groups, while third graders are studying black women in history. I am interested in finding out whether the illustrations provided in this graphic novel lend significant text support to my third grade readers. Other text features include a glossary and a list of internet links in the back of the book.

Pixie's Thoughts:

Woof! I made a text-to-text connection! Are you impressed? I noticed that we've read about two famous women who were American heroines - Rosa Parks and Dolley Madison!  Dolley saved historical artifacts from being burned in the White House fire the British set and Rosa changed the course of history for standing up for what she believed in her daily life.  I didn't have any background knowledge about either women before I read these graphic novels, but Mom helped fill me in so that I could comprehend the text better! I was fascinated learning about the life of this courageous woman, Rosa Parks! 

Classroom Applications:

• This book can be clustered with other books to provide students with multiple texts to read on the topic. For example, this book can be paired with two other books about Rosa Parks, including Time for Kids: Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Pioneer and If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold. This would add depth to students' knowledge on Parks's life. 

Rosa Parks Mini-Bio

Graphic Novel # 6 - Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin

Mary's Thoughts:

Reminiscent of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, the first line of this book begins, "'Twas the day before Christmas and Santa was ill. In the cold winter wind he had caught a bad chill." Pete the Cat Saves Christmas is both catchy and endearing. After you've read this book once or twice to your students, they will be able to chime in with you.  Many of my students love Pete the Cat and cannot wait until they can read the next book. They're going to love this one! After you've read this book once or twice to your students, they will be able to chime in with you.

Pixie's Thoughts:

Meow - woof!  Well, even though Pete is a cat, I can't help but like him.  He is such a positive, affirming creature.  Anyone that gives it his all is okay by me!  Don't tell anybody, but I actually love Pete the Cat and I can't wait until his next book comes out.  Mom is supposed to see his creator at an upcoming conference....Mmmm, maybe if I am really good she will get me a new Pete the Cat book with Eric Litwin's autograph on the inside front cover! Pleeeeease, Mom!?!

Classroom Applications:

Reading this book over and over again is great for early readers and English language learners.  This activity will embed the language of rhyme, song, and story in their minds.

Eric Litwin's Author Website

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas Narrated By Students