Ten Different Perspectives Can Be Quite An Eye Opener

Recommended for grades 6 and up

Just like a camera, an individual should learn to find the many different views there are in life. The novel, Click, begins by introducing Maggie and her brother, Jason—one a pre-teen and the other mid-teens. Their grandfather, Gee, a world famous photographer has just passed away and left Maggie a box with seven shells and Jason autographed photos of famous people (though later it’s Gee’s camera that saves him). These simple items lead Maggie and Jason to discover so much more about their grandfather and themselves.

The brilliance of the novel is in the switching of protagonists from chapter to chapter. The reader travels from North America to Japan, Australia to Russia, France to Ireland—each story finding a connection to the others—always having something to do with Gee or one of his grandchildren. I found myself wondering (almost wishing I could predict) how the character would be connected to the overall scheme of things. The stories themselves are very diverse—adventure, war, coming-of-age, travel, science fiction, and light fantasy.

I will admit that a couple of the stories left me a little put-off, but I’m assuming it’s due to the change in narrative or even the direction that author chose to take. I’m very happy I got to read this book and even more all royalties from the sale of the book will benefit Amnesty International. This book will make for excellent discussion and not only that, it’s great to use as a study in perspective and point of view.

Authors that contributed a chapter to the book are David Almond, Eoin Colfer, Roddy Doyle, Deborah Ellis, Nick Hornby, Margo Lanagan, Gregory Maguire, Ruth Ozeki, Linda Sue Park, are Tim Wynne-Jones.

Sharon Draper, Louis Sachar, and Dan Gutman…The Joy In Author Visits

It’s amazing what you can find out about authors when they come in to sign books. The following three AWESOME authors listed came to The Booksource (where I work) all within the last week! One of the benefits to local schools having author visits! ;)

Sharon Draper came in town to talk about her new title Out of My Mind, about 11-year-old Melody who has struggled her whole life with not being able to speak a word because she has cerebral palsy (for complete review check out my company’s June e-newsletter, Booknotes). ***Sharon Draper would like to write a picture book***

Louis Sachar came in to sign his newest title The Cardturner, about high school student Alton, who spends his summer being his blind uncle’s cardturner for his weekly bridge games. ***Louis Sachar does not plan on writing any more companion books to Holes***

Dan Gutman signed his latest, The Talent Show. His book centers around an elementary school that decides to hold a talent show to raise funds to help rebuild their town after a tornado. ***One of Dan Gutman’s heroes is Gary Paulsen***

Wonder who I’ll get to meet next?

Oh, Andy Shane...The Drama Of It All!

Andy Shane is NOT in Love by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Recommended for K to 2

“…Why, you are in love, Andy Shane!”

From the mouth of Delores Starbuckle comes this declaration. Oh, to be in love and not over the age of 8. Wait, are you sure Andy’s in LOVE love? No, but Dolores is. She thinks Andy is in love with the new girl, Lark--why else would he write the initials “LAB” in a heart on his notebook? Why else would he spend more and more time with Lark and not with Delores? Uh oh…here comes trouble! Andy made a snow fort with Lark, a snow fort that Delores and he had been planning to make ALL year. Will this ruin their friendship? Not if Andy’s granny has anything to do with it.

Next thing you know, Granny is leading Delores, Andy and Lark back to Lark’s house. Lark leads Andy and Delores down to the basement to show Andy which puppy is his…LAB puppy, that is. “A lab?” said Delores. “L-A-B? Oh!” So, now Delores, Andy, and Lark are all friends.

This is a great addition to the series and works well for students who like Junie B. by Barbara Park, Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows, and The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume.