El Deafo

Review:

"And being different? That turned out to be the best part of all. I found that with a little creativity, and a lot of education, any difference can be turned into something amazing. Our differences are our superpowers."
- Cece Bell, El Deafo

This is a graphic memoir about the author's own childhood. In the 1970's, technology was nowhere near as advanced as it is today. At 4-years old, Cece gets sick and loses her hearing. When she goes to school, she has to wear a big box (phonic ear) strapped to her chest to help her hear. So, in addition to feeling left out because she can't hear, she feels different because of the box. This novel tells the story of how Cece navigates the difficulties of growing up, navigating friendships, and trying to fit in.

The graphic novel is a great format for this story. Using rabbits is a perfect way to emphasize the hearing issue. The big ears provide a place to easily show the hearing aids, the wires and the box (phonic ear). The text bubble emphasizes Cece's difficulties. When she can't hear something, the fonts gradually fade out or the text bubbles are empty. When her well-meaning friend talks to Cece loudly, the fonts are larger and obviously represent a louder voice.

When Cece realizes the phonic ear gives her the ability to hear the teacher wherever she is in the building, she imagines herself as a superhero, El Deafo. She pictures herself in a cape and develops her alter-ego. El Deafo helps her through the tough times and keeps her strong.

This heartwarming story helps the reader understand what it must have been like to grow up deaf and the difficulties a child faces trying to fit in. I loved every minute of this story. Cece is a great character and I admire her resilience. The illustrations are colorful and cute, perfect for the story.

Recommended to:
Readers in grades 4 and up. I think anyone who reads this story will enjoy it. It is especially good for reluctant readers or kids facing difficulties.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1361677/el-deafo

Amulet Series Books 3-5

I am loving this series. There are elements from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings mixed with the author's own imagination.The illustrations are amazing and capture the mood perfectly.  The books are short, and once I pick one up, I can hardly put it down. My son was the one who got me interested and now I am 3 books ahead of him. He promised me he will catch up this weekend and take out book 6 from his library on Monday. I am trying to be patient...

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1355779/amulet-series-books-3-5

Imagine living in a museum...

Review:

Claudia knew that she could never pull off the old-fashioned kind of running away. That is, running away in the heat of anger with a knapsack on her back. She didn't like discomfort; even picnics were untidy and inconvenient: all those insects and the sun melting the icing on the cupcakes. Therefore, she decided that her leaving home would not be just running from somewhere but would be running to somewhere. To a large place, a comfortable place, an indoor place, and preferably a beautiful place. And that's why she decided upon the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
-Chapter 1

I loved this book as a kid. I remember thinking how amazing it would be to live in a museum or even a department store. This book actually holds up over time. It was fun to read and I was rooting for Claudia and Jamie.
Claudia is a strong character and she fits in my grad school paper perfectly. She knows what she wants and she is determined to get it.

Recommended to:
Grades 3-5, girls and boys who like a realistic adventure.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1355048/imagine-living-in-a-museum

Amulet - Books 1 & 2

Review:

For those of you who don't know, my kids are both reluctant readers. This is hard for me because I am such an avid reader. And it drives me crazy to read what "experts" say about how to make your kids readers. Yes, I read to my kids starting from the very beginning (and enjoyed it very much btw). We read together for years, I let them pick books and we read a wide variety of books. They both found books that they adored, as long as I was doing the reading. They saw me reading plenty of times.  Blah, Blah, Blah... There is no magical formula.

So, when my son checked this graphic novel out from the school library and read it before the end of the day and came back to the library for the second one, well, I was impressed. He told me how great the book was and that I should read it too. I always try books that kids (especially my own) love and tell me I have to read because they are so amazing. I love that spark and it's so much fun to be able to share their excitement.

Anyway, the Amulet series is fantastic. It starts off with a sad event and quickly moves into the adventure. Another world, a brother and sister trying to rescue their mom from some kind of squid-like creature, a house full of robots, and a magical amulet. There are evil forces and creatures that may or may not be trustworthy.

And the graphics are beautiful. They evoke the moods perfectly, whether dark and dreary or bright and exciting. You can feel the character's sadness, their fear, and their relief when things go right. The power and movement jump right off the page.

By the end of the first book, I was hooked. I took the second from my son as soon as he finished. And he is going back to the library tomorrow to pick up books 3 & 4. I can't wait. At least I know it won't take him long to read them. :)

Recommended to:
Grades 5 - 8, fans of fantasy and adventure, reluctant readers or those who love graphic novels, and anyone who thinks graphic novels are just comics.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1351102/amulet-books-1-2

Harriet the... Brat

Review:

SOMETIMES I CAN'T STAND SPORT, WITH HIS WORRYING ALL THE TIME AND FUSSING OVER HIS FATHER, SOMETIMES HE'S LIKE A LITTLE OLD WOMAN.
-Chapter 10, from Harriet's Spy Notebook

Harriet wrote that about one of her best friends. Granted, she never expected him, or anyone else to read it, but still. I can forgive Harriet for what she writes in her notebook, but I can't forgive her bratty behavior.

I remember loving this book as a kid and I was excited to read it again. I am doing a paper for graduate school about children's books (ages 9-12) with strong female protagonists. This book comes up often in lists on that subject.

I have to say I was disappointed. I don't mind that Harriett doesn't follow all the rules, and I don't expect her to be a perfect little child. But I found her tantrums and acting out very annoying. I did some research on the internet and discovered that this book was often challenged and/or banned back in the 1960's, since "Harriet was a poor role model for children because she exhibited delinquent tendencies" (Harriet the Spy - (childrensbooks.about.com)). I also found her parents cold, distant, and completely oblivious throughout most of the book. When Ole Golly (Harriet's nurse/nanny) got married and left, they were at a loss as to how to raise their own child.

If my experience (and those of my friends around my age) is any indication, this book appealed to children everywhere. The librarian I volunteer with even dressed up as Harriet the Spy and carried a notebook around when she was a kid. And she wasn't alone. Kids loved Harriet as a rebel character. They weren't bothered by her bratty behavior; they were inspired by her rebellious streak.

In the end, I guess that's what is unique about this book. In a time when female characters in books were pretty, decorous, and obedient, Harriet went against the grain. She was herself, warts and all and she was unapologetic about it. She didn't want to go to dance school; she wanted to be a spy.

Recommended to:
Grades 3 - 5, kids who are rebellious or different and want to find a character they can relate to. Then again, in my opinion, there are books with more likable rebel girls out there.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1351012/harriet-the-brat