Reese's Review of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Texas Bluebonnet Nominee 2011

Exposition:

Tommy, a 6th grader, gathers evidence to decide how to answer the great question "Is Origami Yoda real?" His friends, too, contribute their stories of encounters with Dwight, a fellow 6th grader, and Origami Yoda. Harvey, one of Tommy's good friends, especially adds his two cents of doubt.

Conflict:

Tommy wants to ask Sara to dance, but doesn't know if he should take Origami Yoda's advice or not.

Rising Action:

Tommy collects stories of Origami Yoda's advice and the reactions of his friends. All the while, Tommy is coming to the realization that Dwight, though different, isn't a bad guy an is kind of fun to hang out with.

Climax:

After Tommy doesn't get the explanation he wants from Origami Yoda, he makes a smart remark about why Yoda can't get Dwight to act normal. Hurt by the remark from one of his friends, Dwight crushes Origami Yoda and throws him away.

Falling Action:

Harvey ends up trying to make a replacement Origami Yoda, which is good and sounds more realistic but hurts Tommy's feelings with a comment about Sara hating him. Dwight and his new Origami Yoda show up and contradict the comment, encouraging Tommy to ask her to dance at the upcoming school event.

Resolution:

Tommy finally gets the nerve to take Origami Yoda's advice and ask Sara to dance. Before he can, the Twist dance comes on the loud speaker. Suddenly, Tommy and Sara as well as their friends find themselves dancing together.

Literary Elements:

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the book was the author's use of an unexpected insight as Tommy came to the slow realization that despite Dwight's reputation, he was a well-meaning friend. Another literary element present in the novel was the choosing of the right words. The author did this though his use of the "diary" type of format and the differing point of views for each of the chapters. These techniques allowed the writer to "show" the story to the reader.

Angleberger , T. (2010). The strange case of Origami Yoda. New York: Amulet Books.

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.

Reese’s Review of The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

Texas Bluebonnet Nominee 2011

Exposition:

Steve Brixton is a detective want-to-be. Fascinated by the "Bailey Brothers" detective books, Steve has studied the trade extensively especially focusing on the Bailey Brothers' Detective Handbook.

Conflict:

But at just 12 years old, no one takes him seriously especially his mom's new boyfriend, Rick, a cop with the local police department. To top it all off, Steve finds himself assigned an eight page report on needlework by his favorite teacher and on a weekend to boot! The assignment, however, places Steve smack dab in the middle of a mystery where no one except his best friend believes him.

Rising Action:

On Saturday, Steve goes to the local library to do research on "American needlework" and find one book on American quilts. When he approaches the librarian to check it out, he mistakenly gives her his Bailey Brothers detective card instead of his library card. Before he can figure out what is happening, he is on the run from the "Librarians" who think he is a real detective, trying to figure out who the mysterious "Mr. E" is, and dodging the cops who have been instructed that he is armed and dangerous.

Climax:

After Steve and his best friend Dana escape a being held hostage on a ship, Steve runs into Rick and then overhears him telling his boss that he will bring Steve in to the police station. Steve takes off in the police car headed towards the library and a chase ensues.

Falling Action:

Steve stops at the local library followed by both police and the bookmobile full of "Librarians". He lets everyone else in on his version of what he thinks happened and shows the quilt's hiding place only to find the quilt gone.

Resolution:

Ms. Gilfeather is revealed by Steve as Mr. E and the famous quilt is found in her bike basket. Steve, alas, is a REAL detective.

Literary Elements:

Fascinated with Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries as a kid, I thoroughly enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek allusions to those series. Mac Barnett nails them perfectly using precise vocabulary and syntax to imitate the older mystery series in the "snippets" woven through the story from Bailey Brothers books. The author also uses the strong figurative language technique of satire; its witty use of irony and exaggeration, evident in elements such as the Red Herring Tavern added to the entertainment factor of the book.

Barnett, M. (2009). The case of the case of mistaken identity. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Reese's Review of Wild Times at the Bed and Biscuit

Texas Bluebonnet Nominee 2011

Exposition:
Ernest the mini pig, Gabby the Vietnamese hill mynah, Milly the cat, and Sir Walter the Scottie puppy welcome temporary visitors to the Bed & Biscuit, a boardinghouse for wounded animals run by Grampa Bender.

Conflict:
 While the local wildlife shelter is having new pens built, Grampa and his animal crew have their hands full trying to nurse back to health an arrow wounded Canada goose, an old muskrat with an infected foot, and two fox kits who are too young to be on their own.

Rising Action:
 Grampa, Ernest, Gabby, and Milly find themselves faced with a multitude of problems: a sulking goose refusing to eat because he misses his mate, a muskrat with decidedly unfriendly tendencies, fox kits longing for the wild, and Sir Walter who is entranced with the idea of living "wild".

Climax:
 As the muskrat settles into his pond pen (still complaining that the sides of the pond are cement and won't let him dig tunnels), the goose is challenged by Ernest to step up, eat, and help himself. Meanwhile Sir Walter, fixated on the idea of living wild, buys into the clever fox kits plan to escape and digs them out of the pen so he, too, can live "wild". Ernest, Milly, Grampa, and teenager AnnaLee conduct a frantic search in the woods for the Sir Walter and the kits.

Falling Action:
Ernest uses his nose to follow the scent of the fox kits throughout the forest until he can't find the scent of Sir Walter any longer. Just when it seems all is lost, he finds it again and gets the attention of Grampa.

Resolution:
Sir Walter is found with bloodied paws but otherwise unscathed. As he recovers and reflects on his realization that wild isn't all it is cracked up to be, Grampa and gang gather the goose to release him back to his original home in hopes that he will find his mate and cheer up. To everyone's teary surprise, he finds his mate waiting patiently for him and instantly Grampa is assured that the goose is good to go.

Literary Elements:
Figurative Language, specifically personification, was used extensively by the author. The animals in the story took on strong personalities as a result of the human-like descriptions. Additionally, the dialogue of the animals helped to shape the character of each of the individual animals in the reader's mind.

Carris, J. D., & Jones, N. (2009). Wild times at the Bed & Biscuit. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.