Reese’s Review of The Face on the Milk Carton

One of the 100 most challenged books list (bookspot.com)

Exposition: Fifteen year old Janie Johnson has a boyfriend named Reeve and parents who harp on her every move.

Conflict: Janie sees a picture of herself at three right on the back of her milk carton and begins to wonder if she is truly the child of the "parents" that she has grown up with.

Rising Action:

Janie explains the situation to her parents after finding a polka dot dress in the attic that is like the one on the milk carton. Her parents explain that their daughter Hannah ran away and joined a cult. When Joanie was around three, Hannah brought her to the door and dropped her off. Fearful that the cult and the man who fathered Janie would come after her, the Johnsons moved and even changed to their current last name.

Climax:

Janie continues researching the subject and even goes to see the Springs (though she doesn't go up to them and explain) where she notices the other kids have red hair like hers. She writes to the family, only to lose the letter at school.

Falling Action:

Again, Janie speaks with her parents (along with Reeve, her boyfriend). It is finally realized that Hannah could have kidnapped Janie and she might not be the Johnson's granddaughter though they love her.

Resolution:

Janie's mom calls the Springs; Janie takes the phone and introduces herself as their daughter.

Literary Elements:

At the time this book was written, milk cartons often pictured missing children (especially those milk cartons that schools served). The author's use of this common fact, along with the typical trials of teen life help to make this a very believable story. Dialogue among the characters reflects common teen conversation as well as topics as well.

Cooney, C. B. (1991). The face on the milk carton. New York: Bantam Books.

Reese’s Review of Julie of the Wolves

One of the 100 most challenged books list (bookspot.com)

Exposition:

Lost in the Alaskan tundra, 13 year old Julie (Miyax in Inuit) is struggling to survive using lessons her father taught her and by trying to learn lessons from the wolves she watches.

Conflict:

Miyax is struggling with finding her place in the world and how her traditions fit into the world of her dreams.

Rising Action:

 Miyax flashes back to the events that have brought her to this place: her mother's death, being taken from her father by her aunt, her marriage to Daniel along with his attack on her, her decision to set out for San Francisco the place of her pen pals stories.

Climax:

While asleep, Jello steals her pack. Later she finds he has been killed by Amaroq for stealing it. She befriends Kapu, the black wolf pup and finds a plover bird that she names Tornait. Gussak hunters kill Amaroq and wound Kapu.

Falling Action:

She mourns the wolf's death and decides to treasure her Eskimo lifestyle. Miyax learns from a family who stops to share her fire of a hunter named Kapugen in a nearby village. There she finds her father has remarried and his life has changed. In her confusion, she heads back to the tundra.

Resolution:

After Tornait dies in the tundra, Miyax decides to head back to Kapugen's home.

Literary Elements:

The author uses tension to the story's advantage. The thread of tension, Miyax's internal struggle with her world and her place in it, weaves through the story from the beginning to even the very end. Additionally, the accuracy of the cultural details and the setting in the Arctic tundra add to the believability of the story.

George, J.C. (1972). Julie of the wolves. New York: Scholastic.

Reese’s Review of My Brother Sam is Dead

Newbery Honor Book
One of the 100 most challenged books list (bookspot.com)

Exposition:

At the beginning of the American Revolution, Sam Meeker walks in the door of the taproom wearing the uniform of the Patriots to greet his younger brother Tim and both his parents. His father is less than enthusiastic that Sam has joined the Minutemen and plans to fight against the "King".

Conflict:

 Though Sam has joined the Minutemen, his family believes he is foolish. Tim is somewhat torn between admiration for his brother and his upbringing. Sam steals his father's gun and runs away to fight. Tim doesn't know where his loyalty truly lies.

Rising Action:

Tim's parents are almost killed when Rebel forces demand the gun which Tim then attempts to steal back from his brother who is temporarily back. Meanwhile, Tim has been delivering letters which some think contain spy information. Tim's father is taken prisoner and later killed as he and Tim return from a trading journey. Sam serves three years of service, only to be accused of stealing cattle (partially because his parents are known Tory supporters).

Climax:

Tim begs General Putnam for clemency but is refused.

Falling Action:

Sam is executed at musket point by Continental soldiers as a lesson to all the soldiers. Tim watches, not screaming until they lift their muskets up to him.

Resolution:

Tim and his mother continue to own and work at the tavern in Redding after the war's end. The tavern is sold and they move. Tim builds a new tavern and branches out; eventually, Tim marries and has children.

Literary Elements:

The authors bring the characters to life through their use of rich dialogue. The reader' understanding of the historical time period is further expanded because of the believability of the plot and the style/language use throughout the novel.

Collier, J.L. & Collier, C. (1974). My brother Sam is Dead. New York: Scholastic.

Reese’s Review of The Hunger Games

Exposition:

Katniss Everdeen lives in the twelfth district of Panem with her sister Prim and her mother. After the death of her father, Katniss has taken on the role of provider for her family and hunts with a friend Gale outside the perimeter of the district even though it is forbidden to do so. It is the time of the Reaping, the selection of one male and one female from each district to compete in the Hunger Games.

Conflict:

Though Katniss has multiple entries into the Reaping drawing, her sister Prim is selected as the representative with her one entry. Katniss, however, volunteers to take her sister's place even though entering the Hunger Games means having to outlive all other players in a fight to the death. She finds herself internally conflicted as she realizes the boy representative from her district, Peeta, is the young man who intentionally burned bread so he could give it to her when her family was starving.

Rising Action:

Peeta and Katniss find themselves presented as partners to the Capital audience. They train together, and Peeta declares his love for her. The audience falls for the "star crossed lovers" and the fact that only one can survive. Katniss is torn between the idea of Peeta being honest and thinking that Peeta is just playing a game. When the games begin, Katniss overhears Peeta joining forces with the Careers, a group that have trained for these games since birth. She mistakenly thinks Peeta has double crossed her.

Climax:

After the death of her ally Rue, Katniss hears an announcement that the rules of the games have changed and that both the male and female from the district can be declared winners together. Realizing that she doesn't have to kill Peeta, she calls out his name and begins her search for him. Katniss finds Peeta who is extremely ill. She nurses him and eventually risks her own life for medicine to save him. After fighting off all other contestants, Peeta and Katniss realize that they are alone, but an announcement is made that the rule change was illegal and only one can win. Katniss and Peeta decide to eat the berries together that they know will result in a double suicide and no winner.

Falling Action:

As they put berries in their mouths, the announcement comes again that they have BOTH won. They spit out the poisonous berries.

Resolution:

Though they appear to all as a couple, Katniss comments about Peeta playing the audience perfectly and the two stop talking. Katniss realizes that she has lost him.

Literary Elements:

Suzanne Collins utilizes rich sensory details such as "The heat of the bread burned into my skin, but I clutched it tighter, clinging to life" (p. 31) . Another literary element that she uses well is the element of understatement which is exemplified by the passage about the differences in the appreciation for the signs of aging in District 12 as opposed to the attitude of those living in the capital (p.125).

Collins , S. (2008). The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic.

Reeses’s Review of Middle School The Worst Years of My Life

New York Times Best Seller's List – Children's Chapter Books July 2011

Exposition:

Rafe Khatchadorian enters sixth grade at Hills Village Middle School, also known as the prison to Rafe.

Conflict:

Rafe and his "friend" Leo come up with a plan for Rafe to get points for breaking every one of the rules in the school handbook. At home, Rafe wants to please his mother but despises his lazy step father.

Rising Action:

Rafe begins his quest by pulling the fire alarm at the assembly, revising Shakespeare in English, and denying to his Mom that Leo had anything to do with his getting detention.

Climax:

 Leo realizes he is in danger of failing sixth grade. After realizing his mom is still disappointed in him after trying to please everyone, Rafe decides to finish what he started and draws a giant mural on the school to break a big school handbook rule for maximum points. The cops catch Rafe.

Falling Action:

 When they get home, Bear (stepfather) is waiting and Rafe's mom ends up with a broken wrist after a physical confrontation Bear is kicked out of the house, and Rafe explodes at the bully Miller on the way to meet with the principal.

Resolution:

 Rafe, his mom, the principal, and Mrs. Stricker meet to decide punishment. Just as Rafe is expelled from school for the rest of the year, Mrs. Stricker suggests that art school is where Rafe belongs and that he needs to put together a portfolio. Rafe's mom shows the notebook page copies that she now has and they agree that it is a good beginning of a portfolio. Next year, Rafe can hopefully look forward to attending the art school after serving is expulsion time. Rafe admits that Leo is not "real"; he is his twin who died when they were three from pneumonia. He and his mom agree that Leo will continue to be "in spirit".

Literary Elements:

 Patterson begins that story with a flashback that comes together in the last few pages of the book. His use of dialogue fleshes out Rafe's character and helps the reader relate to the energetic sixth grader. Patterson also uses music in language when Rafe mimics the Shakespeare for laughs during his English class.

Patterson , J. (2011). Middle school the worst years of my life. New York: Little, Brown, and Company.

Reese’s Review of Out of My Mind

Texas Bluebonnet Nominee 2011
Exposition:
Eleven year old Melody isn't truly out of her mind, instead she is trapped inside it. Her photographic memory means that she is full of ideas


Conflict:
Filled with knowledge, words, and experiences, her body is her prison from birth. Born with cerebral palsy, most everyone sees her for her disability and assumes that she is what she appears.


Rising Action:
Determined parents along with her neighbor Ms. V and her school aide Catherine support Melody as she overcomes numerous obstacles to prove just what she can offer the world. As a result of a biography assignment in her inclusion class, Melody discovers Stephen Hawking. Fascinated with learning about his use of a computer to facilitate his communication, she finds and advocates for a computer for herself. The transition from her talking board to the computer doesn't solve everything but it does open up a world of WORDS! Her intelligence and sense of humor become more evident to those around her, even when they don't know how to treat her.


Climax:
Faced with doubt from both teachers and students, Melody insists on trying out for the academic competition team that is focus on making it to the final competition in Washington, DC. Melody not only makes the team, but she makes it with perfect scores. Unfortunately after the team advances, Melody finds that the team has caught an early flight, and she is left behind unable to compete. Back at home, Melody gets up the next morning and insists that she be taken to school. In the midst of a horrible rainstorm, she and her mom are about to leave when her toddler sister escapes the house and runs behind the vehicle. Without her talking computer, Melody resorts to throwing a fit to no avail in an effort to try to stop her mom from backing over her sister.


Falling Action:
Her sister lives as a result of Melody slowing her mom down. When Melody goes back to school, other students see her as a hero. The academic team comes back having placed 9^th without Melody.


Resolution:
Melody confronts the team and the sponsor in class about being left behind. Life still isn't easy for Melody, but her intelligence and determination help her to face adversity putting it and some of those around her firmly in their place.


Literary Elements:
Sharon Draper expertly uses music in language to capture Melody's voice and frustration. The first chapter of the book draws readers into her world through the musical language. Additionally, the author artfully interspersed the unexpected insights into human nature such as the one Melody has at the end of the book about her "friend" Rose.


My Opinion:
Honestly, it isn't often that a book freezes me in my tracks. This one did.


This isn't a lighthearted read, instead it is a well-crafted reflection from a point of view seldom considered. The moment I began reading, I was immersed in the character and in her world. I, too, found myself stuck in a world where I had no voice…virtually no control over my body…but with a mind that didn't stop…ever. I couldn't put it down as I felt Melody's frustration, joy, and fear. And when she found her voice, I celebrated right along with her. Sharon Draper has written a book that should be required reading for every middle school class. Melody's experience exemplifies the danger of underestimating people's abilities simply because of the challenges before them. Written for ages 10 and up, the novel explores themes of determination, struggle, and accomplishment. Out of my Mind will be the new favorite that I will introduce to all the Torey Hayden fans who haunt my desk requesting book recommendations.


Draper, S. M. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.