When You Reach Me

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stead, Rebecca. 2009. WHEN YOU REACH ME. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 0385906647

PLOT SUMMARY
WHEN YOU REACH ME is the story of Miranda, a sixth grader living in New York City in 1979. Miranda tries to discover the meaning behind a series of mysterious notes that seem to predict the future. While she is receiving and figuring out these notes, she also learns more about friends and growing up.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Stead's book seems to have two elements to it. The first is the fantasy element. It involves mysterious notes that appear to be from someone who can travel through time. As she reads her favorite book, "A Wrinkle in Time," she tries to discover if time travel is even possible and talks to some other classmates about it. The discussions about time travel are a little hard to follow, but I not too confusing to lose readers attention. The second element, which is more realistic, is about her day-to-day activities and interactions. Readers will relate to Miranda as she tries to figure out why her best friend won't talk to her anymore and as she tries to make new friends.

Even though this book is set 30 years in the past, readers will still be able to connect to the plot and the theme. I think there are enough similarities to the way students interacted back then and now that readers will not have a problem following the story.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
KIRKUS starred review: "When all the sidewalk characters from Miranda's Manhattan world converge amid mind-blowing revelations and cunning details, teen readers will circle back to the beginning and say,'Wow ... cool."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL starred review: " This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers.”
BOOKLIST starred review " "The mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children, and adults are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest."

CONNECTIONS
*Have students write a paragraph about whether or not they think time travel is possible
*Have students write a paragraph about where they would go if time travel were possible.

Speak

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. SPEAK. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374371520

PLOT SUMMARY
Melinda is starting her freshman year in high school as an outcast. She called the cops at a party during the summer and everyone, including her former best friends, hates her. Her grades drop and she withdrawals as she keeps the secret of what really happened bottled up inside. As her freshman year draws to a close she starts dealing with what happened in order to help a friend.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Anderson’s book deals with a very tough subject in a way that teenagers can relate to. SPEAK focuses on the internal journey of Melinda as she deals with the aftermath of the events that happened at a party that summer. The tone of this book will speak to students as they read about high school from an outsiders point of view. Older students will relate to Melinda as she is teased and tormented by other students. This is something that most all students have experienced at some point in their lives.

Whether they know it or not, students will connect with Melinda as she acts out by skipping class, not doing her homework and not talking to her parents instead of dealing with her problems. This book will show students that others have gone through situations similar to theirs. “I stand in the center aisle of the auditorium, a wounded zebra in a National Geographic special, looking for someone, anyone to sit next to.” Many students have felt this way at one time or another.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Michael A. Printz Honor Book
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: " This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.”
BOOKLIST “In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers.”

CONNECTIONS
Have students write about how they feel other students view them at school.

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krosockza, Jarret. 2009. LUNCH LADY AND THE LEAGUE OF LIBRAIANS. NY:Alfred A Knopf. ISBN 0375946844

PLOT SUMMARY
This graphic novel is the 2nd in the “Lunch Lady” series. A group of students called the “Breakfast Bunch” learns of an evil plot by the librarians to rid the world of all video games. They team up with Lunch Lady and Betty to defeat the librarians and use the video games to encourage reading.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Krosockza has written a graphic novel that will appeal to older elementary school students. This book is fast paced and easy to read. Younger students will relate to the theme of this book that good can overcome evil. The fantasy in this story is not too far out there to lose students. The librarians use characters from the books as weapons; the Lunch Lady uses her Lasso of Linguini to attack the league of librarians. The settings of the library and cafeteria will help students identify with the setting of the story.

The pen and ink illustrations add energy to the book. The illustrations are great, especially towards the end of the book when the characters are coming out of the book to attack the Lunch Lady.

This book does not do much to change the stereotype of librarians. Students often do not have a positive attitude about librarians and this book paints librarians in a negative light.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "With its appealing mix of action and humor, this clever, entertaining addition to the series should have wide appeal.”

CONNECTIONS
*Other books in the Lunch Lady Series:
Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY AND THE CYBORG SUBSTITUTE. ISBN 0375846832
Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY AND THE SUMMER CAMP SHAKEDOWN. ISBN 0375860959
Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY AND THE AUTHOR VISIT VENDETTA. ISBN 0375860940
Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY AND THE BAKE SALE BANDIT. ISBN 0375867295

*Other graphic books at this level:
Cammuso, Frank. KNIGHTS OF THE LUNCH TABLE: THE DODGEBALL CHRONICLES. ISBN 043990322X
Steinberg, D.J..THE ADVENTURES OF DANIEL BOOM AKA LOUD BOY: SOUND OFF. ISBN 0448446987