Fiction/Graphic Novel: The Popularity Papers

Graduates of the "Amelia's Notebook" series will dive into Amy Ignatow's new novel about two intrepid fifth grade girls.

Like the blockbuster series "Diary of a Wimpy Kid", The Popularity Papers is a colourful mix of art and text. The book is designed as a notebook that is passed back and forth between Lydia and Julie, two ordinary fifth grade girls who plan to become popular by observing, recording and eventually emulating the behavior of other popular girls. With such a foolproof plan, what could possibly go wrong?

Lots, obviously. In fact, it's rare to find something going right as Lydia and Julie stumble through the social minefield of fifth grade girlhood. From bad haircuts to bad crushes and everything in between, the girls record their experiences in drawings and clumsy cursive writing. The tone exactly captures the mix of eagerness and anxiety that characterizes this age, and the girls slowly find that the most important thing to them is each other's friendship.

A fun book to read, though the graphic/handwritten format of the title overshadows any plot or message that lurks underneath.

Fiction/Graphic Novel
Grades 4-6
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Adventure: Trackers

Patrick Carman's newest series starts with a police interview: the kind you never want to be in. Eighth grader Adam Henderson is a computer prodigy. He's been building and fixing computers at his dad's shop in Seattle since he was nine years old: he's so good that even Microsoft brings their machines to the Hendersons for repair.

But sometimes being smart can get you in trouble. Adam and his friends Finn, Emily and Lewis are developing surveillance technology that they hope to sell to the government for millions. Adam believes his tech is so advanced that he can find anyone, anywhere. When a training mission goes wrong and a secret puzzle is revealed to Adam alone, the four kids find themselves in way over their heads...with no way to back out. If they don't find the person they're seeking, the entire world's electronic systems could be compromised: and they'd be to blame.

Trackers is written in a short, interview format that includes interrogation questions and short video clips that can be accessed online using codes from the book. This unique multimedia format is fantastic for reluctant readers, and makes this title a hit with tween and teen reluctant reader book groups. The technological details and espionage themes are also hits with boys: I can't think of many other books that are as perfectly packaged for reading support, while still retaining the bones of a strong story.

The first in a planned series, Trackers will be followed by the sequel Shantorian in December 2010.

Adventure fiction
Grades 5-9
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Memoir: Fatty Legs

It's rare to find an account from a residential school survivor that could be characterized as upbeat, but this gem of a memoir shines with positive energy.

Eight year old Olemaun Pokiak is a Inuvialuit girl living in the remote Northwest Territories of the 1950's. Despite her older sister's cautions, Olemaun's greatest desire is to attend the Catholic school in Aklavik, and learn to read like her father. After years of pleading, her parents allow Olemaun to attend the boarding school: but of course, the goal of residential schools was not to educate, but to enculturate indigenous peoples and convince them that their true place was as second-class citizens fit only for menial labour.

Renamed Margaret by the nuns, Olemaun's time at the residential school is marred by racism, bullying, and a progressive loss of her cultural identity. Despite the terrible things that befall her at school, Margaret relates her story with a matter of fact voice that emphasizes her strength and determination to survive abuse, and accomplish her goal (to learn to read).

Adults who are familiar with residential school history will read between the lines as Margaret describes the school's unfamiliar rhythms and unwelcoming staff, and see the true tragedy of the situation: kids will likely need some supplementary history to grasp the full context of Margaret's experience.

This title would be a great read-aloud for a grade 4-6 classroom: Margaret is a plucky and engaging character, and kids will identify with her unconquerable spirit. As well, elementary aged kids will keenly feel Margaret's humiliation when she is forced to wear bright red stockings that highlight the stocky build she is ashamed of. Her embarassment and anger at being singled out physically is an issue many tweens struggle with in schools today.

Older grades would be able to delve more deeply into the social ramifications of the residential schools. For grades 6-10, this title would be an excellent supplement to units on first nations people or Canadian history.

At under 100 pages, this title is a fast, engaging read with a broad appeal for pleasure readers and curriculum connections alike.

Memoir
Grades 4-10
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Nonfiction: Saving the Baghdad Zoo

This book tells the heartwrenching and inspiring story of the Baghdad Zoo. Abandoned and looted during the US invasion of Iraq, the animals in the zoo are in dire straights when the US army secures the area. US Captain William Sumner took on the task of saving the animals. and this book chronicles the efforts of an international team of zoologists, vetrinarians, conservationists, and other animal lovers from around the world.

Each chapter covers a different species that was cared for in the zoo: details include the desperate conditions that they were found in, and the efforts that were made to improve their condition and surroundings. In many cases, the stories are desperately sad: lions were found wandering a ruined palace without food or drink. Camels had to be shaved to deal with systemic mite infestations. Many animals were left to die in their cages of neglect.

These stories are very difficult to read, despite their positive endings: many kids will be left wondering what will happen to these animals during another uprising or leadership change. The book does little to address the question of whether zoos are ethical in the first place, and completely avoids any position on the war in Iraq itself. Though animal lovers will be touched by the care shown to the zoo's inhabitants, they will likely be left with many questions concerning the war, and the fate of the animals in the future. Be prepared to field these questions: consider checking out some other resources on these associated topics as part of your reading.

Nonfiction
Grades 5-9
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Nonfiction: Steve Backshall's Deadly 60

This engaging animal book takes a look at the top 60 deadliest animals in the world. Each animal has a rating for size, speed, weapons, and general deadliness: the clear photographs are bright and interesting, while the two pages of text covers the animal's most dangerous features.

This book is perfect for boys who prefer to read in groups (there's great material here for oohing and aaahing over danger ratings), and its short chunks of text would be great for reluctant readers in grades 4-7. The combination of danger and a universally interesting subject matter make this title a surefire hit.



Nonfiction
Grades 4-8
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Nonfiction: Watch This Space

This book is all about the so-called "third space": public places that are neither your home, nor your work/school. Public spaces provide us with places to socialize, rest, recreate, and just hang out. They're open to all people, young or old, rich or poor.

This book helps kids discover what makes a great public space, and what kinds of things you can do there. It encourages kids to get involved with their city or town in designing effective and safe public spaces that encourage community living.

This would be a great title for socially minded kids, or teachers who are doing a unit on community life.



Nonfiction
Grades 4-7
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Fiction: The Schwa Was Here

Imagine if you could be invisible. What would it be like to move unseen amongst your teachers and classmates? Eighth-grader Calvin Schwa knows exactly what it feels like, because he has a nearly supernatural ability to fly beneath the social radar. People just don’t notice him, even when he's doing outrageous things underneath their very noses!

Anthony “Antsy” Bonano has the opposite gift: He’s a one-kid comedy show — and Calvin is perfect for his next prank. Antsy takes bets on what the Schwa can get away with and the boys try a series of increasingly daring stunts before getting nabbed by town grump (and millionaire) Mr. Crawley. Their punishment is... perfect.

Though they start out walking Mr. Crawley's 14 (yes, 14) Afghan Hounds, they end up being hired as companions to Mr. Crawley's disturbingly pretty and insightful granddaughter, Lexie. When the Schwa and Antsy both start to like Lexie as more than a friend, the Schwa's invisibility suddenly becomes too much for him to live with. So what happens when someone invisible decides to get noticed?

In The Schwa Was Here, author Neal Schusterman has written a hilarious, complicated and touching story about boys, friendship and the importance of being noticed and included.

Fiction
Grades 5-9
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