Module 15: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Module 15: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Summary: A collection of wonderfully spooky stories. From ghostly elderly couples to a Viper, each story has a new and creepy factor.

Citation: Schwartz, A. (1981). Scary stories to tell in the dark. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

Impression: My favorite is the Viper in which a woman gets a call from a mysterious, creepy voiced man calling himself the Viper. The man says he is coming to her, and as he calls he gets closer and closer to the woman’s dismay. I have always loved scary stories, and I think these stories are a nice combination of creepiness and quirkiness. They are not so scary as to be inappropriate for middle school students. The stories use grotesque illustrations to enhance the readers fear, and most stories play on fear of the supernatural. Ghosts and walking corpses give readers goosebumps without leaving weeks of nightmares or future phobias.

Review: The Scary Stories series is a collection of American folklore collected by Alvin Schwartz.  This series holds a special place in my heart; I remember reading this collection as a child when it was originally published in 1981.

The first story I recall reading was The Big Toe, a story about a little boy who was digging in a garden, desperate to find something to eat.  He finds a big toe and he rips it from the ground.  As he does so, he hears a groan, so he scampers away.  That night, his mother uses the toe in a soup and serves it for dinner.  The family eats dinner and goes to bed, but the little boy is awakened in the middle of the night to a voice groaning “Where is my to-o-o-o-o-e?”  He hears footsteps approaching as the voice continues to groan.  He hides under the covers, certain that this is a dream.  The footsteps get closer and closer…

Another favorite of mine is The Guests. A young couple is traveling to visit family. They got off to a late start and have to find a place to stay overnight.  They come upon a small cabin in the woods and inquire a to whether the owners rent rooms.  They do not, but the old couple residing there offter to let them stay overnight.

The next morning, the young couple awaken before the owners and decide to head out.  They leave an envelope with money in it on the kitchen table, a small payment for the kind treatment they were given.  They drive off  to the next town to have breakfast. When they tell the owner where they stayed the night before, he insists that can’t be.  That house burned to the gound and the couple that lived there died in the fire.

The young couple were certain there was a mistake.  They got back in their car and drove back to the cabin. In the spot where the cabin existed the night before was a burned-out shell.  They step inside and on the burned table they find the envelope they left that morning.

These are just two of the many excellent stories contained within this collection.  These stories would be great to tell over a camp fire or late at night during a sleepover.

J. (2010). Review: Scary stories to tell in the dark by Alvin Schwartz. Jenn’s Bookshelves.            Retrieved from http://www.jennsbookshelves.com/2010/09/29/review-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-by-alvin-schwartz/

Suggestion: This would be a fun book to show to 6^th to 8^th graders as either a short story collection or for Halloween book talks. 

Module 14: Yellowcake

Module 14: Yellowcake

Summary: The short stories are tales of magic, supernatural events, and fairy tales retold. Every story is different, and the extraordinary events just grow with each story.

Citation: Lanagan, Margo. (2011). Yellowcake. Australia: Allen & Unwin Publishers.

Impression: It was rather difficult to understand at first what was happening. I thought the stories were just fairy tales, but they took on such dramatic turns that I found myself rather mystified throughout the reading. I’ve not really read books of short stories for leisure before so perhaps it is my inexperience, but I was rather lost the entire time. However, I think that this generation of students would enjoy the novelty of such a book. Since children today are used to flipping between online articles and switching from television channel to channel, their brains may be more hardwired for this type of book. I would recommend this book for students that like magic and supernatural stories but do not like to read lengthy novels.

Review: Lanagan unravels familiar myths and fairy tales, weaving them into unique, sharply resonant forms in this characteristically stunning collection. Reading Lanagan, like learning a language by total immersion, involves a leap of faith. Each tale conjures a world with unique laws and lawbreakers. Rather than being coddled by comforting dollops of exposition, readers dive into the murky unknown. Spellbound, they reach the end, astonished at how far from shore they’ve traveled. The most powerful of these tales reworks Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Tinderbox,” drawing on its creepy, amoral ambiance to explore the spoils and costs of war. “Rapunzel” morphs into a sunnier tale but with an eldritch feel. Supported by his loving wife and apprentice-daughter, Charon ferries dead souls across the Styx. However strange the details (a sentient building lumbers into the sea; a fascinator plies his trade), the stories rest on bedrock human emotions. Characters act out of fear, anger, love—to stop the pain, to make sense of the senseless, to protect family. The shipbreaking underclass who take apart horrifying vessels are decent folk at heart. In a tale exploring the paradoxical complexities of loss, a mother floats away from the family desperate to keep her. Traveling such elusive terrain requires an oblique approach, and Lanagan, like Emily Dickinson, tells it “slant.”

Familiar roots and accessible themes make this strong collection a good introduction to Lanagan’s mind-bending work. (author’s note) (Fantasy/short stories. 14 & up)

(2013). Yellowcake [Review of the book Yellowcake]. Kirkus Review.  Retrieved from

            https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/margo-lanagan/yellowcake-lanagan/

Suggestion: This would be a good book to have for a presentation on supernatural/magical themes. Some students may enjoy the wandering and slightly perplexing stories that this book offers. 

Module 13: Who's Been Sleeping in my Grave?

Module 13: Fear Street: Who’s Been Sleeping in my Grave?

Summary: Zach is a jumpy, nerdy boy who lives in Shadyside, the creepiest town ever. His friends constantly prank him and scare him. Zach tries to overcome his fear, but when a new substitute teacher with a ghostly palor and skeletal hands arrives he’s in for a nightmare.

Citation: Stine, R.L. (1995). Who’s been sleeping in my grave? NY: Aladdin Publishers.

Impression: This is a fun story. Many students have fun at a substitute’s expense, so having a ghostly substitute is perfect for the audience’s age. R.L. Stine has become a part of growing up for many kids. This story keeps with his tradition of creepy, weird stories that are in the end rather harmless. It’s enough to make a little kid cringe but not enough to cause nightmares for weeks. I would recommend this book to any 10-13 year-olds wanting something spooky. Boys especially tend to enjoy this series with it’s sometimes gross details like the skeleton face that Ms. Gaunt reveals under her veil. Overall, a very enjoyable and creepy book that most kids will have fun reading.

Review: Zach goes to see Marcy who tells him that they got a call about her sick grandmother, but when they got there, the woman was fine. He tells her what happened and asks Chris for backup, but he has no idea what he’s talking about. He reveals that Gaunt used her magic to make Chris forget what he saw. Then, he takes out a rubber snake that Chris pranked him with, says a few lines, and the snake becomes real. He ends the book saying that he learned a lot from Gaunt.

*Some of the descriptions are actually cool in this one. Like, he rips off her veil and finds that she has a skeleton face.

*Um, why is some random substitute showing up wearing white gloves and a white veil, and no one finds that odd?

*Apparently that random shop shows up and no one notices it either. Then again, these books do take place in Shadyside!

Eblin, J. (2012). Ghosts of fear street #2: Who’s been sleeping in my grave? [Review of the book Who’s Been Sleeping in my Grave?].  Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Whos-Sleeping-Grave-Ghosts-Street/dp/0671529420/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1431025575&sr=1-2&keywords=who%27s+been+sleeping+in+my+grave

Suggestion: This would be a great book for a Halloween Family Night. The librarian could read a scary picture book and then do a book talk that includes this book. 

Module 12: Me...Jane

Module 12: Me…Jane

Summary: This is the story of Jane Goodall’s childhood. Jane Goodall spent her childhood with her beloved, stuffed chimpanzee, Jubilee, exploring the outdoors of her home. She read about animals, she watched animals, and she dreamt about helping animals. Most of all, Jane dreamt about living in Africa where she could help all of the animals there. When Jane grew up she did just that, and she is famous for her work with the animals.

Citation: McDonnell, P. (2011). Me…Jane. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Impression: This a beautifully written and inspiring book. The simple words keep the reader hooked and the illustrations pastel colors are soothing and peaceful. Every child can relate to playing outside and loving the idea of working with animals. Nearly every child has a point when they love nature, the outdoors, and all the creatures out there, even the slimy ones. This childish innocence is perfectly captured by adorable Jane exploring her surroundings with Jubille by her side. The amazing part is that this child held onto her dreams and became one of the most inspirational humanitarians in the world.

Review: Little Jane Goodall and Jubilee (her toy chimpanzee) ramble outside their English country home observing everyday animal miracles and dreaming of a life in Africa, "living with, / and helping, / all animals." Readers familiar with the groundbreaking primatologist will love seeing her as a conventional, buttoned-up child, wearing a plaid skirt, classic bob and hair clip as she squats in a coop to watch a chicken drop an egg. McDonnell’s simple ink-and-watercolor illustrations appear as sunny, amorphous panels in ample white space. Purposeful black lines provide specificity with small suggestive strokes—a tiny apostrophic smile relays Jane’s complete contentment sprawled in grass. Opposite pages offer groupings of faint, intricate stamps that correspond with young Jane’s early outdoor experiences and engage readers with their fine details. The playful interplay among stamps, cartoonish drawings and real photographs of Jane reminds readers of a child’s hodgepodge journal—one like Jane’s, which appears as a double-page spread showing her animal studies, charts, games and doodles. Children will appreciate McDonnell’s original format and take heart that interests logged in their own diaries might turn into lifelong passions. Backmatter includes a pithy biography, additional photographs and a letter and drawing from Jane herself—children will thrill at the connection. (Picture book/biography. 2-10)

(2011). Me…Jane [Review of the Book Me…Jane]. Kirkus Review. Retrieved from             https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/patrick-mcdonnell/mejane/

Suggestion: This is a great book to use for a book talk on nonfiction or biographies. It’s simple yet educational and very inspiring. It could be used to introduce biographies for any age.

Module 11: The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia

Module 11: The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia

Summary: This is the story of the Romanovs, the royal family of Russia. The decadence of the high class society has left the majority of Russians in poverty and despair. The book chronicles the family’s history from before the royal couple was a couple to after their captivity and the discovery of their hidden bones.

Citation: Fleming, C. (2014). The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial   Russia. New York: Random House Children’s Books.

Impression: This book is a great combination of information and excitement. Court intrigue, tragic poverty, and thrilling mystery combine to make a great read. Also the author’s extensive research and use of private diaries to give voices to these historical deceased. The author uses enough quotes from the diaries to show the story is historical and true without turning the novel into a textbook. The setting is detailed enough that without being a historian the reader can tell the people of Russia are desperate for change and the monarchs, although not evil, are spoiled in their wealth. Fleming does a great job of making the royals into people with feelings and thoughts of their own despite their public appearance as cold monarchs. Furthermore, the whole story unfolds with such suspense and elegant interweaving of historical documents and plot that the reader is immersed in that time period and its events completely. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys history and drama.  

Review: Fleming examines the family at the center of two of the early 20th century’s defining events.

It’s an astounding and complex story, and Fleming lays it neatly out for readers unfamiliar with the context. Czar Nicholas II was ill-prepared in experience and temperament to step into his legendary father’s footsteps. Nicholas’ beloved wife (and granddaughter of Queen Victoria), Alexandra, was socially insecure, becoming increasingly so as she gave birth to four daughters in a country that required a male heir. When Alexei was born with hemophilia, the desperate monarchs hid his condition and turned to the disruptive, self-proclaimed holy man Rasputin. Excerpts from contemporary accounts make it clear how years of oppression and deprivation made the population ripe for revolutionary fervor, while a costly war took its toll on a poorly trained and ill-equipped military. The secretive deaths and burials of the Romanovs fed rumors and speculation for decades until modern technology and new information solved the mysteries. Award-winning author Fleming crafts an exciting narrative from this complicated history and its intriguing personalities. It is full of rich details about the Romanovs, insights into figures such as Vladimir Lenin and firsthand accounts from ordinary Russians affected by the tumultuous events. A variety of photographs adds a solid visual dimension, while the meticulous research supports but never upstages the tale.

A remarkable human story, told with clarity and confidence. (bibliography, Web resources, source notes, picture credits, index) (Nonfiction. 12 & up)

(2014). The Family Romanov [Review of the book The Family Romanove: Murder, Rebellion,       and the Fall of Imperial Russia]. Kirkus Review. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/candace-fleming/the-family-romanov/

Suggestion: This would be a great book to use for a display on intriguing informational books for teenagers. 

Module 10: Tomas and the Library Lady

Module 10: Tomas and the Library Lady

Summary: Tomas and his family are migrant workers. They work in Texas during the winter and in Iowa during the summer. When the family goes to Iowa for the summer, Tomas begins to visit the town library. The librarian is gentle and kind with the shy boy and encourages him to read. The librarian allows Tomas to check out books under her name, and Tomas shares his stories with his family the way his grandfather does. When it is time to return to Texas Tomas tells the librarian goodbye and thank you, and the librarian sends him with a book as a present.

Citation: Mora, P. (2000). Tomas and the library lady. New York: Dragonfly Books.

Impression: This book is an inspirational and heart-warming read. Tomas’ kind and inquisitive nature keeps the reader interested in his endeavors to read and share his stories. The whole family is loving. Although the details of their migrant life show they are impoverished, the love and respect the family shares is enough to make anyone smile. Mora does a great job of showing the hardships and struggles of migrant life without overwhelming or causing a young reader much alarm. This book is especially important because it shows an impoverished child of Hispanic heritage continuing with education despite obstacles in his path. This is an important lesson for many children that do not have strong academic role models in their families, and they need to see someone with their shared culture and experiences that succeeds in life through education, determination, and hard work. 

Review: Today Rivera's legacy lives on at the Tomàs Rivera Policy Institute in California, which "promotes the well-being of the Latino population of the United States," and the Tomàs Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award, established in 1995 at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. This award is presented annually for children's and young adult literature that portrays Mexican American culture in a positive manner. Pat Mora's Tomàs and the Library Lady (1997) is based on the real-life experience of young migrant worker Rivera and the Iowa librarian who introduced him to the world of books. Beloved by librarians across the country, Mora's picture book is a tribute to her one-time co-worker Tomàs Rivera. Fittingly, it was awarded the Tomàs Rivera Award in 1997.

York, S. (2002). The migrant experience in the works of Mexican American writers [Review of the                book Tomas and the Library Lady]. Alan Review. Retrieved from                          

           http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/v30n1/york.html

Suggestion: This book would be great to put on display during the National Hispanic Heritage Month. Students of all ages can learn about an important educational figure, and how his love of learning came at an early age with the help of a kind librarian.