The Whipping Boy

This book is a 1987 Newbery Medal Winner

Exposition: The story begins in a castle where Jemmy, the whipping boy for Prince Brat, is being whipped for the prince's misbehavior. Jemmy has no use for the prince but has been plucked off the street to live out his fate. Bored and full of arrogance, the prince decides he wants to run away and he is forcing Jemmy to go with him.
Conflict: Once out in the world they are soon captured by two outlaws, Hold-Your-Nose Billy and Cutwater. The outlaws quickly assume Jemmy is the prince since he can read and write. Jemmy orders that the ransom note he was forced to write be sent to the king by way of his whipping boy, Prince Brat, hoping the prince will take the opportunity to flee. But the prince refuses to leave.
Rising Action: Prince Brat and Jemmy are able to escape from the outlaws. Dodging soldliers they soon meet Mr. Nips who invites them to ride along in his hot-potato cart. But soon enough they are stopped by the outlaws and pulled from the cart. The outlaws are outraged and whip Prince Brat thinking he is the whipping boy. To whip a prince, even unknowingly, is an offense punishable by death.
Climax: The two boys are saved by a bear, owned by Betsy. The bear approaches and scares the outlaws away. The boys, Betsy, and the bear find Mr. Nips and ride with him to the street fair. Once there we begin to see a change in Prince Brat's arrogant ways. He enjoys his first handshake, relishes at collecting water, eats his first potato, and laughs for the first time. Then a paper seller balks that the whipping boy has kidnapped the prince and he is wanted dead or alive.
Falling Action: As Jemmy flees the fair, the prince follows. The outlaws are back in the picture and are after them yet again. Jemmy and Prince Brat dodge into the sewers. Jemmy is very familiar with the sewers as he was a rat catcher prior to his whipping boy duties. As the outlaws struggle to find them in the dark sewers, the boys are able to lead them to the rat-infested area of the tunnels.
Resolution: The outlaws are attacked by rats and bound out of the sewers. Jemmy and the prince are safe. Begrudgingly, Jemmy returns to the castle with the prince. The prince promises the king that he will never misbehave again. For he would not want his friend, Jemmy, whipped.

This book has language that befits the setting of a prince, a ratcatcher, a dancing bear, and a potato salesman. Phrases such as, "Let's fetch us a crowd and earn a copper or two," and "Lads, you won't mind if I truss you up like a Christmas goose."

Fleischman, S. (1986). The whipping boy. New York: Greenwillow Books

Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet

This book is a 2010 Bluebonnett Book

Summary: This story is about an irresponsible nine year old boy. Starting fourth grade he manages to get in a food fight and let a centipede escape into the classroom the first day of school. He learns that his family will be having a guest stay with them, a snotty, sixteen year old girl from Texas named Stella. Because of this Calvin will be moving out of his room into the storage closet in the garage. When a sixth grader threatens to beat him up Calvin thinks of a clever way to get him off his back. This is a fun book for young boys and girls.

Personal Reaction: This is a great book for young readers. It has a simple writing style that is easy to read. There are small illustrations thrown in as well. Was it a favorite of mine? Not really. I can see how younger kids would actually have laugh out loud moments when they read it like when Calvin gets pulled into the surf on a wakeboard, but it is definately a chapter book for grades 2-4 and could easily be used as a read aloud book. The story takes place in Hawaii and the kids in the book are very diverse. It's got muliculture going on for sure. The new boy in class is introduced as "blond, a haole, a white boy." This is to eventually become a series that I think will catch on quick.

Salisbury, G. (2009). Calvin Coconut: trouble magnet. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

Copper Sun

This book is the 2007 Corretta Scott King Award Winner

Exposition: This historical fiction book begins in a small village in Africa. We are introduced to Amari, a beautiful African American girl. She is sweet in spirit and looks forward to the day she will wed her betrothed friend, Besa. The day comes when a group of strangers enter the village, and although they are greeted with much hospitality by the villagers, they bring out guns, shooting most of the villagers except the younger and stronger amongst them. Amari and Besa face many horrendous obstacles before they are locked on a ship to be transported to the States.

Conflict: Amari is befriended by an older woman who tells her she is now a slave, her life will never be as it was. Amari is sold to Mr. Derby, to be a birthday present for his son, Clay. Amari is put in the care of Polly, an indentured servant. Both are to live together in a small shack.
Rising Action: During the nights, Master Clay calls for Amari, and during the day she and Polly are assigned to work in the kitchen with another slave and her young son, Teenie and Tidbit. Life goes on and Polly and Amari begrudgingly enter into a friendship. Mr. Derby's second wife has become pregnant and melancholy. As part of the marriage agreement she is accompianed by her slave servant, Noah.
Climax: When Polly and Amari get a chance to serve dinner in the main house rather than work in the kitchen disaster strikes yet again. Amari trips, spilling wine, and is relentlessly beaten by Mr. Derby. Master Clay decides to go gator hunting using Tidbit as bait. And Mistress Isabelle, Mr. Derby's wife, has her baby, a black baby.
Falling Action: Amari, Polly and Teenie help hide the baby in the slave quarters and Mr. Derby is told the baby died. Mr. Derby discovers the baby, realizes it is Noah's child, and shoots both Noah and the baby. As punishment to the slaves and Polly for hiding the baby he will sell Amari, Polly, and Tidbit, and that's when the three decide to run away. For weeks they travel south, starving half to death, encountering many obstacles along the way, including encountering a broken Besa that is dead inside.

Resolution: The three finally reach Fort Mose, a Spanish settlement, where all people are free. Since Polly can read and write she is asked to help open a school. Lastly, we find Amari is pregnant with Master Clay's child. Although this is a bitter realization to her she ends up embracing the situation. She is, after all, a survivor.

This is a beatiful book told with such passion. I couldn't put it down. The dialogue between the slaves is authentic without being condescending. For instance, "That's why Massa keepa bringin' in new Africans." Amari speaks with the distinct flavor that this is her second language, not her native tongue. "What to do?" There was a lot of suspense in this novel that holds the reader's attention. The use of understatement was shown after the baby was born. Amari simply states, "Black baby, white mama, big trouble."

Draper, S.M. (2006). Copper sun. New York: Atheneum Books. 

That Book Woman

This book is a 2010 Blubonett Book

Exposition: Told in first person this book takes place at little home on the Kentucky hillside. The voice belongs to young Cal who helps his pa with the sheep and cows. He has a sister, Lark, that loves books, loves to read, and loves to play Teacher with Cal. Cal, on the otherhand, does not like books, does not like to read, and certainly does not like when Lark plays Teacher.

Conflict: One day a woman shows up on horseback bearing a parsel of books. Father is willing to trade the blueberries that Cal picked for a book for Lark. The Book Lady refuses, says they're free, and she'll be back in two weeks to bring more. True to her word she comes back every two weeks even in the dead of winter. Cal begins to wonder if there is something to this reading business.

Rising Action: Cal begins to wonder if there is something to the reading business.

Climax: During the bitter part of a long winter, Cal asks Lark to teach him to read.

Falling Action: After being introduced to reading Cal doesn't even mind the long winter. He is content to stay inside and read. When Spring arrives Mama gives the Book Lady a pie.

Resolution: Cal's gift to the Book Lady is to read to her.

At first I wasn't sure if I liked the illustrations in this book. They seemed old-fashioned and a bit drab. However, after reading the story the second time I came to really appreciate the illustrations. Not only do they lend themselves to the time period of the story but they give insight into the characters. When Cal says that he brings the cow home in the evening while Lark reads it seems harmless enough. However, the picture shows Cal with a scowl on his face while Lark is hunched over in the backgroud with a book. When the Book Lady arrives for the first time we see Cal with a suspicious look on his face. And we see the time period readily reflected in the pictures as well with oil lamps and barefoot Cal and Lark.

Henson, H. (2008). That book woman. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Mudshark

This book is a 2010 Blubonnet Award Nominee

Exposition: This is a fun story about a boy nicknamed Mudshark due to his his agility and quickness in a sport called Death Ball. Mudshark is also incredibly cool, not because of his clothes but because he is a thinker. He can solve problems like nobody's business. His observational skills are off the chart. In the school that he attends his classmates are quick to come to him when they have a problem.

Conflict: Mudshark is the number-one-go-to-guy for his fellow classmates when it comes to solving problems. However, the eccentric librarian at the school, Ms. Underdorf, brings a parrot into the library as a school pet. This parrot can solve problems just as quick as Mudshark and soon his classmates are going to the parrot for assistance. Mudshark also notices that strange events are occurring around the school. Specifically, all the erasers are missing.

Rising Action: Mudshark collects clues while observing his classmates behaviors. Kyle is becoming increasingly good at magic, especially in making things disappear. Betty can make some pretty stinky concoctions in the science lab, and the custodian, Bill, is receiving strange packages.  

Climax: Mudshark discovers Bill has been taking the erasers. He doesn't like things of beauty being erased from the chalkboards. He also discovers the parrot stealthily escapes and explores the hallways. That is why he is so knowledgeable.

Falling Action: Ms. Underdorf declares that electronic blackboards are going to be installed. Bill is thrilled that things can now be stored and not erased. With the help of Kyle, Betty, Ms. Underdorf, and Bill, Mudshark is able to get all the erasers back into the classrooms.

Resolution: The schoolboard approved electronic blackboards for every classroom. The parrot was sent away due to Bill's allergies.

This is a fun story that has disappearing cars, a pet armadillo that is really a change purse, an art-loving custodian, and a cool boy that wears poodle sweaters to school. It uses several repeat and rhyming terms to grab the attention of the reader. A boy is named Risdon Risdon, triplets named Sara, Kara, and Tara, and the Amazing Armadillo. It also has some great figurative language. Written on the chalkboard was, "I can hear the color green and taste the color blue."

Paulsen, G. (2009). Mudshark. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

This is a Notable Book for Children

Exposition: This story is about a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. He belongs to a little girl, Abilene Tulane. Edward lives a good life and he gives himself much credit. He is very much the self-absorbed rabbit and pretty much only loves himself. Pelegrina is Abilene's grandmother and she seems to be aware of Edward's arrogance. Everything is Edward's life, from his fine cloths to his fancy lifestyle, is about to change when the family decides to take a trip on a ship.

Conflict: Once the family is on the boat, Abilene takes Edward on deck. He recieves many compliments until he is grabbed by two boys and thrown overboard. He loses his hat and his pocketwatch in the process. As he lies at the bottom of the ocean he is sure that he will be rescued by Abilene but as months pass, he becomes distraught. Then one night he is rescued by a fisherman who takes him home to his wife. The fisherman and his wife live a simple life and Edward finds himself becoming humble, accepting his new name and his meagar belongings. Edward's emotions are changing as well. He finds that he is capable of loving.

Rising Action: Over many years Edward changes owners several  more times. Each time he develops stronger emotions. He travels with a hobo and his dog. He hangs from a stick as a scarecrow. He is loved by a dying little girl and her brother.

Climax: When the little girl dies Edward is in complete despair. He is taken to Tennessee with the girl's brother and ends up being slammed onto a counter in a diner. His china head is competly shattered. The boy takes him to be mended and Edward awakes in a doll maker's shop.

Falling Action: Edward is completely mended. The boy had allowed to shopkeeper to keep him in exchange to mend Edward. Edward now belongs to nobody. He sits on the shelf year after year losing hope. After having a conversation with another doll he allows himself to hope. He hopes someone will come for him.

Resolution: One day a girl and her mother walk into the shop. The little girl picks up Edward to show her mother. As the mother leans close to Edward he sees a something shiny around her neck. It's his pocketwatch. And she is Abilene.

This is one of my favorite stories. It is beautifully told in a voice that reflects the time period.

It has beautiful full page illustrations for each chapter. It is a lovely book. Pelligrina had told Abilene a story the night before they left for their trip. It was about a self-absorbed princess that loved no one and was turned into a warthog by a witch. Edward was hardly impressed with the story but over the course of his journey he reflected on that story many times comparing himself to the warthog.

DiCamillo, K. (2006). The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane. New York: Candlewick.

Nothing

This is a Notable Book for Children

Exposition: The story takes place in a shopping area of a town. Otis the shopkeeper is about to close up shop after selling his last item in the store. But before he can lock the door in walks the richest lady in town, Suzie Gump.

Conflict: When asked what's for sale Otis replies nothing. Suzie gladly wants to pay for nothing. Otis thought she was ridiculous. Then he remembered what his father had told him, "The customer is always right." He takes Suzie's money and puts nothing in her car.

Rising Action: After the town gets wind that Suzie is buying nothing they all want some too. The other shopkeepers are happy to take the people's money in exchange for nothing.

Climax: People had to get rid of all their things in order to make room for nothing. As people are dumping their belongings out the window, Otis is quickly collecting it and is able to restock his shop.

Falling Action: Suzie realizes that having nothing means she doesn't have even a towel or bathrobe. She decides to go back into town and back into Otis's shop. When she asks what's for sale she is told by Otis, "Everything." She gets out her checkbook and buys it all.

Resolution: As Suzie loads up, Otis is once again left with an empty shop. Then in walks another customer and asks what's for sale. Otis does not want the same thing to occur again and tells the man he's closed.

The illustrations in this book are fun, colorful and lively. They are perfect for this cute story about nothing and everything. They are cartoon-like and simple. Many span two pages with the text embedded within the illustration.

Agee, J. (2007). Nothing. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.