Module 15: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Citation
Alexie, S.  (2007).  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.  New York: Little Brown.

Summary
Readers learn the story of painfully awkward Arnold Spirit in this partially autobiographical account of Sherman Alexie's youth.  Blessed with cognitive abilities but limited by the resources of the Spokane Reservation, Spirit decides to attend school twenty-two miles away in Reardan, Washington.  Considered a traitor to the Spokanes and not accepted by the whites of Reardan, Spirit finds himself uncomfortably trapped between two cultures while he flourishes academically, excels at basketball, and forms tentative friendships.  At once tragic and comic, Alexie's lyrical prose details Spirit's life at home, the colorful characters of his communities, and major plot lines that culminate with the sentiment, "Love and death."

Impressions
This book deserves every bit of its National Book Award.  It hasn't made an impression on me; it has imprinted my perspective with its perceptiveness regarding human nature, an unforgettable mentality of poverty, its hilarity, and its pathos.  Its candor regarding the private life and colorful language of a 14-year-old boy aside (inextricable from the character of Arnold Spirit), this is a book that I plan to give as a gift to my sister and maybe even to my father.  I will recommend it to my son, who will be 14 this August.  One of my favorite lines: "We are all five years old in the presence or absence of our parents." So much beauty and pain and laughter and crying, all mixed up together without stooping to maudlin clichés or conventions.

This definitely ranks as one of the best books I've ever read -- but it is not for the faint of heart or squeamish regarding language or sexuality.  The story and its messages more than compensate for the mediation of a fourteen year old mind, and, in fact, that fourteen year old mentality really comprises a significant part of the story in all of its crudity, insight, big-heartedness, dorkiness, anger, ambition, and love.

I had read Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, too.  It contains another of my favorite lines: "I want to rasp into sober cryptology and say something dynamic but tonight is my laundry night."  Well done, Sherman Alexie!  Books like this make me grateful to be alive.

Review
Chipman, I.  (2007).  The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian [book review].  Booklist, 103(22), 61.
Arnold Spirit, a goofy-looking dork with a decent jumpshot, spends his time lamenting life on the “poor-ass” Spokane Indian reservation, drawing cartoons (which accompany, and often provide more insight than, the narrative), and, along with his aptly named pal Rowdy, laughing those laughs over anything and nothing that affix best friends so intricately together. When a teacher pleads with Arnold to want more, to escape the hopelessness of the rez, Arnold switches to a rich white school and immediately becomes as much an outcast in his own community as he is a curiosity in his new one. He weathers the typical teenage indignations and triumphs like a champ but soon faces far more trying ordeals as his home life begins to crumble and decay amidst the suffocating mire of alcoholism on the reservation. Alexie’s humor and prose are easygoing and well suited to his young audience, and he doesn’t pull many punches as he levels his eye at stereotypes both warranted and inapt.  A few of the plotlines fade to gray by the end, but this ultimately affirms the incredible power of best friends to hurt and heal in equal measure. Younger teens looking for the strength to lift themselves out of rough situations would do well to start here. Grades 7-10

Suggestions for use
This is a tough one for this book.  Without a doubt, it merits a place in middle school libraries and up, but its content will render it an unfortunate target of challenges.  So how does a school librarian use such a book?  I would hate to draw undue attention to the more provocative elements of the book when, taken as a whole, it has so much to offer.  I could definitely see it as part of a "Banned Books" display for middle or high schoolers.  However, I guess I would like to see its capacity to get a reader to look outside of him or herself emphasized.  If I gave a book talk on this title, this is the aspect I would dwell upon: how would life/education/family be different if you were born on the Spokane Reservation?  Such an exercise is invaluable in developing a critical mindset that aids young people in developing empathy and a compass for understanding the world outside of themselves.  Books of the highest order attempt to give young adults this glimpse in human terms -- not speaking down to them, but through the lens of their perspective.  Sherman Alexie has endeavored to do this in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Module 14: Time You Let Me In

Citation
Nye, N.  (2010).  Time You Let Me In.  New York: Greenwillow.

Summary
Texan Naomi Shihab Nye has accumulated a sampling of poetry from 26 poets under 25 (she miscounted: originally, it was supposed to be 25 poets under 25 as it reads on the cover).  The poets give voice to a variety of experiences, from war to immigration to love. 

Impressions
I will confess that this book surprised me.  There are some extremely talented young writers out there: watch out, world!  In fact, as I was reading the poems, a wire tripped, and I felt motivated to write my own verse (which, for now, will stay with me).  My favorites in this book include the following:
1) "Pupil" by Brianne Carpenter; it deals with the famous National Geographic photograph of a green-eyed Afghan girl. 
2) "invitation" by Mackenzie Connellee; the author writes about writing poetry.
3) "To Be Two" by Amal Khan; this excellent selection concludes with an interesting reflection on binary code in relationship to human perception.
4) "Living with a Bodhisattva Cat is Intimidating" by Margaret Bashaar; the cat "destroys all my knitting to teach me about impermanence." 
If poetry is the verbal distillation of emotion or experience which I believe it to be then this selection ranks as poetry of the highest order.  I would definitely seek it out for a middle or high school library and promote it with gusto.  I'm considering buying my own copy, and I will probably visit the websites of some of the authors to tell them how much I enjoyed their work.

Review
Rochman, H.  (2010).  Time you let me in [book review].  Booklist, 106(9), 58.
Moderation can wait––plenty of time for that later,” says acclaimed poet and anthologist Nye. She knows how to reach teens, and this lively collection by young contemporary writers is rooted in the strong, emotional particulars of family, friendship, childhood memories, school, dislocation, war, and more; interestingly, there is almost no talk of sex or romance. The spare lines are passionate, wry, irreverent, and eloquent about meaning found in daily-life scenarios. One poet describes a meditative moment with her cat that “destroys all my knitting to teach me about impermanence.” Another prays for a soldier, a “ kindergarten best friend” who has returned from Baghdad. In several selections, immigrants remember their arrival in the U.S. In a brief, appended biography, one poet describes her draw to poetry: “Unresolved, uncomfortable, and sometimes repulsive moments of memory can be made somehow graceful through writing.” Teens will connect with the passionate, unmoderated feelings that are given clarity and shape in each poem. Grades 7-12 

Suggestions for Use
As we have discussed in class, sometimes poetry is analyzed ad nauseum, and I would hate to do to much with this book.  It needs to be read and appreciated in all of its unmediated beauty.  However, I think that this book could serve as inspiration for young people to write their own poetry.  Perhaps the librarian could sponsor a poetry festival for which students would write, (pre-)submit, and read their own work (with supervision from the librarian and/or administrators).  Personally, I would seek to have some of these poets come visit my school.  Bringing such young writers and poets into the school environment would have the effect of demystifying poets and encouraging creative verbal expression from students.

Module 13: American-Born Chinese

Citation
Yang, G.  (2006).  American-Born Chinese.  New York: First Second.

Summary
In this graphic novel, Yang weaves together three different stories: tales about the Chinese folk hero Monkey King, a boy named Jin Wang, and the adventures of "average" American Danny and his (deliberately) stereotyped Chinese cousin.  Monkey King aspires to be a god.  Jin Wang wants the attention of a pretty girl in his seventh-grade class.  Danny finds himself constantly embarrassed by his cousin, Chin-Kee.   Yang leads readers to reconsider whether these are three distinct stories or really all the same -- just like the Transformer Jin holds on the cover..."more than meets the eye."

Impressions
First of all, I was hard-pressed to decide between this book and Pyongang for my blog selection this week.  Pyongang's account of North Korea pains, disturbs, and fascinates me.  However, American-Born Chinese stole my heart and mind with its depiction of Jin (and other characters), its thoughtful illustration, and the twist of its conclusion.  The narrative and graphics work seamlessly in depicting the stories of Monkey, Jin, and Danny.  The son of Taiwanese immigrants, American-born Jin wishes to fit in with mainstream American culture, but he finds himself isolated and teased.  Suffice it to say that Jin uncovers the importance of embracing his own American-born Chinese life, and Yang's understated eloquence and humor in telling this compelling tale prompts readers to examine themselves, in turn.


Review
Karp, J.  (2006).  American-born Chinese [book review].  Booklist, 103(1), 114.  Retrieved from Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
With vibrant colors and visual panache, indie writer-illustrator Yang (Rosary Comic Book) focuses on three characters in tales that touch on facets of Chinese American life. Jin is a boy faced with the casual racism of fellow students and the pressure of his crush on a Caucasian girl; the Monkey King, a character from Chinese folklore, has attained great power but feels he is being held back because of what the gods perceive as his lowly status; and Danny, a popular high-school student, suffers through an annual visit from his cousin Chin-Kee, a walking, talking compendium of exaggerated Chinese stereotypes. Each of the characters is flawed but familiar, and, in a clever postmodern twist, all share a deep, unforeseen connection. Yang helps the humor shine by using his art to exaggerate or contradict the words, creating a synthesis that marks an accomplished graphic storyteller. The stories have a simple, engaging sweep to them, but their weighty subjects--shame, racism, and friendship--receive thoughtful, powerful examination. Category: Books for Older Readers--Fiction. 2006, Roaring Brook/First Second, $16.95.

Suggestions for Use
This book deserves an honored spot in middle and high school libraries.  It could begin a thought-provoking discussion in an English or social studies class regarding stereotyping.  As secondary students are often struggling with their own identities, this book would provide insight into human motives for behavior.  For more advanced students, this book and Huckleberry Finn compared side by could provide an interesting discussion regarding stereotypes and humor in social commentary.

Module 12: Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith

Citation
Heiligman, D.  (2009).  Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith.  New York: Henry Holt.

Summary
Deborah Heiligman takes readers on a journey through the married life of Charles and Emma Darwin.  In particular, she chronicles the interplay of their great love for one another and their disagreement about faith: though far from a biblical literalist, Emma nonetheless adhered to faith in God through Jesus Christ; Charles, while respecting the beliefs of his wife and others, spent most of his adult life in wonder at the world but had difficulty reconciling himself with the idea of an omnipotent, caring, creating deity.  Through scientific discovery and journeys of faith, Charles and Emma had ten children together, three of whom survived into adulthood.  Heiligman draws out the "leap of faith" imagery throughout the text: even though Emma was the more religiously observant of the two, Charles made his own leaps of faith despite doubt and despair.  Heiligman scrupulously documents this biography.

Impressions
Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite reads this semester.  Heiligman does a superlative job of narrating this love story; it reminds me very much of the interactions between John and Abigail Adams, substituting science and natural history for politics and government.  Charles Darwin, of course, penned The Voyage of the Beagle and, more famously, Origin of the Species, which set forth the principles of natural selection and evolution. His Descent of Man posits the existence of a common ancestor for great apes and humans.  Origin and Descent, in particular, challenged a literal view of the creation as told in Genesis; however, that was far from Darwin's goal in publishing his research.  He hemmed and hawed for decades testing, honing, and refining his arguments and submitting his writing to his wife and good friends for ideas and editing.  In her acknowledgements, Heiligman describes how attached she grew to the Darwins through her research.  I share this feeling after reading this wonderful book and sympathize with the honestly faithful Emma and the honestly doubting Charles.

One of the points I think Heiligman wishes to make, aside from simply telling a fabulous story, is that faith and science, like Charles and Emma, can walk hand in hand.  In my opinion, faith and science don't even have to agree to both be true.  I am a Christian.  I believe in God, a loving God who creates and sustains the world.  Like Charles' American friend Asa Gray in the book, I believe that God is big enough to encompass natural selection and evolution.  The God part can't be proved.  Natural selection and evolution are established scientific realities.  Faith and science answer questions (and I'm not even sure that they are all the same questions) by different means.

Could the Darwins see the marketing of footed fish (with "Darwin" written inside) and gobbling fish (the Christian ichthys symbol, eating the footed fish) signs for the backs of cars, I am sure they would be frightfully distressed.  According to his writing and to that of his wife (they penned thousands of notes to one another and other families; they both kept journals), Charles had no desire whatsoever to create controversy: he simply wanted to share what he observed to be true based upon decades of research and experimentation.  Often in frail health, Charles tended to be anxious and retiring, though by all accounts he was a devoted and attentive father and husband.  How sad, I think, that he has been vilified by some off and on since the publication of Origin.  Though sensitive and unconventional in some ways, honor-bound Charles generally epitomized the English gentleman, reluctant to upset the status quo. 

I cannot stress enough the fascinating nature of this account of the Darwins' life together.  Thought-provoking and endearing, this book challenges readers to reassess the balance of faith and science in their lives, to make room for disagreement without disparagement, and to wonder at the beauty and mystery of all creatures great and small. 

Review
Heath, E.  (2009).  Charles and Emma: The Darwins' leap of faith [book review].  School Library Journal, 55(1), 127.  Retrieved from EBSCOhost
Gr 8 Up-- Beginning with Darwin's notorious chart listing reasons to wed and not to wed, Heiligman has created a unique, flowing, and meticulously researched picture of the controversial scientist and the effect of his marriage on his life and work. Using the couple's letters, diaries, and notebooks as well as documents and memoirs of their relatives, friends, and critics, the author lets her subjects speak for themselves while rounding out the story of their relationship with information about their time and place. She shows how Darwin's love for his intelligent, steadfast, and deeply religious cousin was an important factor in his scientific work-pushing him to document his theory of natural selection for decades before publishing it with great trepidation. Just as the pair embodied a marriage of science and religion, this book weaves together the chronicle of the development of a major scientific theory with a story of true love. Published for young adults, this title will be equally interesting to adults drawn to revisit Darwin on his 200th birthday.

Suggestions for use
Darwin's work continues to be controversial, of course.  First of all, I wonder how wide a readership this book has attracted among young adults.  Secondly, I will have to research whether or not the book has been challenged in school libraries.

I think that this book could really prompt some thoughtful discussions in biology classes studying evolution.  I envision a collaborative unit with social studies teachers and science teachers working with the librarian to make this happen.  The humanity of the book's subjects puts face and flesh on what is often a polarizing topic.  The civility of the Darwins and Heiligman's simultaneously humorous and tragic relation of their life together frames a conversation regarding evolution squarely in its historical context and sets a conciliatory tone.

Module 11: An Egg Is Quiet

Citation
Aston, D. & Long, S.  (2006).  An Egg Is Quiet.  San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Summary
Aston's text and Long's illustrations give readers an idea of the incredible variation between egg colors and sizes.  The book covers the development of several of the creatures inside the eggs.  Eggs are quiet -- until they aren't!

Impressions

First of all, Happy Easter!  I read this book to a group of preschoolers this week, and they were captivated by its basic text (the primary narrative of the book is written in cursive); factual details accompany randomly the illustrations on two-page spreads.  I pointed out some of those details as we read along.  Aside from the greatly detailed, vividly colored illustrations, one of the things I enjoy about this book and Aston's A Seed Is Sleepy is that it is easy to tailor the book to an audience.  Adults and older readers (and some younger children) can enjoy many of the little details, but oral presenters can include as many or as few of the details as fit the audience and situation.


Review
An Egg Is Quiet [book review].  (2006).  Kirkus Reviews, 74(6), 286.  Retrieved from Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
Worthy successor to Ruth Heller's Chickens Aren't The Only Ones (1981), this engrossing album pairs images of dozens of precisely detailed eggs and their diverse wild parents to basic facts presented in neatly hand-lettered lines. Nearly all depicted actual size (and those that aren't, are consistently so labeled), Long's eggs look real enough to pick up, whether placed in natural settings or suspended on white pages. All, whether from birds, insects, reptiles, fish or amphibians, are not only identified, but Aston adds both topical phrases-"Eggs come in different sizes"-to each spread and, usually, memorably presented additional facts: "An ostrich egg can weigh as much as 8 pounds. It's so big and so round, it takes two hands to hold one egg." A delight for budding naturalists of all stripes, flecks, dots and textures. 2006, Chronicle, 36p, $16.95. Category: Picture book/nonfiction. Ages 6 to 9. Starred Review. © 2006 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.


Suggestions for Use
I can think of multiple uses for this book.  It would make a gorgeous book display during the spring and around Easter.  However, the naturalist-leaning pictures prompt me to think of presenting this book to children with like books, perhaps accompanying it by some of Audubon's illustrations or The Boy Who Drew Birds.  In collaboration with the teacher, the librarian could encourage students to create their own illustrative booklets.  At my sons' elementary school, Dragon Press is the campus publisher for books.  Sometimes nonfiction is overlooked in this endeavor.  Perhaps this and student-created naturalist notebooks could reverse this trend, too.  This exercise could prompt a basic lesson in attribution, as well, as students learn to cite their sources if they add factual text.

Book Trailer 3: The Mysteries of Beethoven's Hair

Book Trailer 2: Esperanza Rising