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.