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In One Crazy Summer, eleven-year-old Delphine is like a mother to her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern. She's had to be, ever since their mother, Cecile, left them seven years ago for a radical new life in California. But when the sisters arrive from Brooklyn to spend the summer with their mother, Cecile is nothing like they imagined.

While the girls hope to go to Disneyland and meet Tinker Bell, their mother sends them to a day camp run by the Black Panthers. Unexpectedly, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern learn much about their family, their country, and themselves during one truly crazy summer.

Enjoyed the prose, but not the plot. Lots of plot holes. Lots of unnecessary chapters.

When sophomores John and Lorraine played a practical joke a few months ago on a stranger named Angelo Pignati, they had no idea what they were starting. Virtually overnight, almost against their will, the two befriended the lonely old man; it wasn't long before they were more comfortable in his house than their own. But now Mr. Pignati is dead. And for John and Lorraine, the only way to find peace is to write down their friend's story -- the story of the Pigman.

Sixteen-year-old Katherine "Kit" Tyler, an orphan since age two, must leave her beloved Barbados when her grandfather dies. She surprises her aunt (her mother's sister) and uncle and their two daughters, her only living relatives, in the town of Wethersfield in the Connecticut Colony. The year is 1687.

From the very beginning, Kit can't seem to do anything right. She jumps in the river to save a child's doll (this comes back to haunt her later), her clothes are too flamboyant, her spirits too high. She doesn't fit in with the strict, dour Puritans of Wethersfeld--but manages to attract the most eligible (and wealthy) young man in town, who everyone expected her cousin to marry. This causes strife with her family members, who are frustrated with her lack of useful skills.

Kit ultimately becomes friends with another outcast, Hannah Tupper, a Quaker expelled from Massachusetts who lives near Blackbird Pond. When an epidemic hits the town, the trouble begins. The ending is a little predicatable, but Elizabeth George Speare makes excellent points about bigotry, tolerance, and the nature of love.

In her 1959 Newbery Medal acceptance paper*, Speare said she developed the characters first, then "was compelled to find a home for them." She goes on:

"I chose Wethersfield, the town in which my husband and I have lived for twenty years, because it is one of the oldest towns in New England, one of the first of the Connecticut settlements, because it was once a bustling river port with all the romance and color of the old sailing ships, and because the girl I could now see quite clearly [Kit] seemed ...to be at home in the quiet and lovely Wethersfield meadows that still lie for undisturbed stretches along the Connecticut River. I chose the year 1687, arbitrarily because the story of the Connecticut Charter was irresistible, a perfect little vignette, revealing in miniature all the powerful forces which, nearly one hundred years before the Revolution, were moving America irrevocably toward independence." (pages 73-74)

Speare did a marvelous job incorporating details of life in this era, as well as the historical context, into her novel. For example, there really were a Goody Johnson and Goody Harrison (page 182 in the text), both tried for witchcraft in Wethersfield. I love the way Speare describes her historical research: "I should hesitate to dignify by such a scholarly term the haphazard, indiscriminate, greedy forage in which I indulged. History, geography, town records, genealogies, novels set in the same period - I gulped all these down with, at first, little thought of anything but my own enjoyment. There were fascinating bypaths from which I had to drag myself back - Quakerism for one, and the early development of education in New England." The latter was another topic addressed in the novel, as Kit and Mercy run a school for a while.

I've been trying to experience most of these Newbery Medalists as audiobooks - this one was released in 2002. Actress Mary Beth Hurt does a fine job as narrator. Unique voices are created for all the major characters. Kit's voice is a little more British (for lack of a better term) than the others, reflecting her recent arrival from the Barbados.

I can't believe I didn't read this book when I was a child. I loved the character of Kit and really identified with her. The book has something to say about fitting in; how one needs to adapt yet also stay true to oneself. I think my 9-year-old self would have loved this book, especially since it has a little (but not too much) romance. I think it would also be excellent as supplemental reading in social studies or history. Highly recommended

© Amanda Pape - 2012

[*Elizabeth George Speare, "Newbery Award Acceptance," in Newbery and Caldecott Medal Books: 1956-1965, edited by Lee Kingman, The Horn Book, Inc, Boston, 1965, pages 72-77. The audiobook, and a print copy for reference, were borrowed from and returned to my university library.]½

I reread this for a feel good moment. It didn't let me down.

Sarah is a 14 year girl facing the worst summer of her life so far. Everything she seems to have the slightest irritation with can make her very upset. Yet she has no clue over why her irritation towards anything is becoming more of a problem, from her Puce colored shoes, to her long legs and big feet, she cannot seem to be the slightest bit content with herself. Her siblings Wanda, and Charlie, Wanda being the oldest, and Charlie ten, also are dealing with their own problems. The most carefree of their family seems to be their 84 year old dog Boysie. Wanda is a rebellious nineteen year-old, what makes it worse is that she lives with her aunt Willie. She has been living and watching over them for six years, ever since their mother died, and their father left. Wanda struggles to find freedom from her aunt, who to Sarah and Wanda takes the fun and joy from everything. Charlie, a mentally disabled child who cannot speak ever since he was three years of age because of a very bad sickness, is trying to discover new attributes to his confused life, and is having a hard time coping with how disorderly things may become. It doesn’t help that his family members do not know when to pay him attention when he is very troubled of something. The conflict of this story begins where, when Charlie is struggling to put himself to sleep after a missing button on his pajamas is not tended to, even after taking the problem up to his aunt. Earlier in the day Sarah took him to see the swans, he had greatly admired their beautiful figures, and silk movements in the water at the lake. He thought he had seen one of these swans in his window. He then goes out to investigate, only to find a cat in the bushes of his yard, yet this does not satisfy him, he is sure that he had seen the swans, so Charlie ventures outward, following wherever he sees movement. This brings him into the woodlands areas, where his focus is put off track by the loud barking of dogs. This noise frightens greatly, causing him to run in a random direction, trying to force himself free of the cacophony of the snarling hounds. In his panic, he had gotten many cuts and bruises, now to find himself lost in unfamiliar surroundings in the dead of night. The morning after, Sarah and her aunt and sister find that Charlie is missing. Sarah travels down to the lake to see if Charlie had gone to see the swans again, but he was not there. After her aunt hears this news, she calls the police about a missing child. The police organize the town to search for Charlie. By then Sarah and her friend Mary have already been searching for Charlie for about an hour. A boy named Joe Melby, who Sarah has a history with, informs Sarah and May that he had found one of Charlie's slippers. Mary then heads down to the gas station where the search is being organized, and tells the search party what direction they should look for. Meanwhile Joe and Sarah start an awkward trek in the direction where they suspect Charlie had gone. Eventually Joe and Sarah's differences are talked out, and now they can easily continue their search. Hours later they have still not found Charlie, however they do not know that he is close, sleeping on twigs and underbrush. As Charlie awakens, he comes to find his sisters relieved expression before him. She embraces Charlie with much love and care. Now they have been reunited, and Sarah self-consciousness is no more after she discovers what is truly important.

Summer of the swans is a short book with very important values. It shows how much you should value your family instead of yourself, and what can happen if you do not. The book is written with many morals, and can give you encouragement in yourself, and your life. There is a reason why it has a gold medal stating: "John Newberry Medal". You can learn a great deal from the book. Its plot and events are well thought out and displayed. It is slightly challenging book, yet is easy to follow. I really enjoyed this book, and I would give it a 4.5 out of 5 for its rating. It is a classic tale, and I encourage anyone to read it.

At the end of summer vacation, Ramona is becoming agitated about school starting. After trying to protect her older sister Bezus, she ended up humiliating her, making Ramona want to get away. When she and her sister started quarraling about how they have to share a room, Mrs.Quimble decides to make another spare room that they will swap out of every six months. Once school starts for the sisters, Ramona is deturmind to share her excitement with the class for show and tell, but is call a liar when her friend Howie tells the class the workers didn't chop a hole in the house. Ramona's school year fells like a reck to her and Bezus is having a great time in her class room. Her days at school are almost ruined when she destroyed Susin's owl that she copied from Ramona and a horrible report card is sent home. After having a big argument with the family, Ramona feels like she is loved again when her parents and Bezus tell her that their is plenty of love to go around. She feels even happier when she throws her shoe at a mean german shepered and impresses her class and her teacher.

I love how spunky Ramona can be. She reminds me how tough life can be and how it can be resolved in some way. I may not know how hard it is to be the youngest, but I do know some of the things she goes through. I always hate it when people copie your work and get credit for it. If you tell enyone that it was yours, they will call you a liar and a copier instead. I also am thinking about brick factury because of how fun and dirty it is to Ramona. I hope anyone who reads this book thinks on using some of the ideas in the book to their edvantige.

Back in the era when Hitler came to power, a small boy named Bruno was living in Berlin with his family. When his father got a promotion they had to move to auschwitz, Poland or what Bruno called Out-with. after a few weekes had passed Bruno still had nothing to do so he decided to go exploring in the back. He was walking along a trail when he saw a large fence and a small boy sitting next to it. He went up to him and started to introduce him self. He found out that his name was Shmuel and that the shared the same birthdays. He visited Shmuel every day and just talked to him.bruno had to get a hair cut because he found out that he had lice. After a while he decided that he didnt want to just talk to Shmuel he want to play with him, so Bruno and Shmuel figured out a plan to play with eachother. I would recomend this book for teens and older becasue it can get pretty graphic. Great book!

Roll of thunder is about the logan family. This book is back in the 1900's on a farm. The logan family is fighting for their rites against the white folks in town. At the end of the book a boy named T.J robbed a store with two white boys and the Berry's saw T.J, then reported him. After that people cameby and beat him up then sadly at the end he gets hung.

This book was pretty good. I liked the way they show how it really was back in the days and say how hard it was to get along with each other.This book also makes you be thankful those days are over. That is what i like about the book "Roll of Thunder,Hear me Cry".½

Summary:
Ramona Quimby is finally in the first grade and has a new room all her own for at least 6 months. She has to prove just how brave she is throughout this book. She battles her fear of starting the first grade, ghosts, copycats, evil dogs, and bad progress reports, but she proves just how brave she really is and she does it all with a lot of “spunk.”
Personal Reaction:
I loved the “Ramona Quimby” books growing up. They held a special place in my heart because I, like Ramona, never felt like I fit in with other children. Her “spunky” attitude and wonderful imagination helped me through some very difficult times as a child.
Extension Ideas:
1. I can do a whole lesson plan on being brave. The students in my classroom can tell me about the things that make them afraid.
2. After my students tell me about the things that make them afraid they can draw pictures of what being brave looks like in their opinion.

Summary:

Andrew Marcus wants freckles and he believes having them like Nicky Lane will make him a better person. He tries everything to get freckles from drinking a nasty concoction called “freckle juice” to drawing them on with blue magic marker. In the end, Andrew never does get real freckles, but with the help of his teacher he decides that he looks just fine without them.

Personal Reaction:
When I was in school I was one of the only kids in my elementary school that had to wear glasses. It was a sad experience for me. I hated being different and I loved it when I out grew them. So I can understand how hard it can be to look different.

Extension Ideas:

1. I can have my students write about the things they would change about their own appearances.

2. The students can make a new recipe for “freckle juice” and as a group we can vote on the grossest one.

This book tells of the Logan familie and other nigros that faced the hardships during the 1930s. It all takes place in a small town in Mississippi when the Logan children (Cassie, Little Man, Christipher John, and Stacey) start school. The troulble begins on the first day when Cassie and Little Man don't take their readers because it was saved by the whites so that the black people get it when its old and dirty. Then Mr.Morrison is brout into the family by Papa so the family can be protected while he's working on the railroad so the family can pay for their 200 acer land they own. Tention rises when T.J told the Logans Mr.Berry and his nephews are burd to death by the store keepers the Wallaces. The bus for the whites torment the Logans on their way to school so they dig a hole in the road to stop them. Then T.J and Stacey get in a fight, all the Logan children get in trouble for going to the forbiden Wallace store were the fight tock place. Cassie was tormented by Mr.Simms for axidently running in to his daughter Lillian Jean in Strawberry. Also Mama lost her teaching job because the school board thought she didn't fallow the school book. Even when the family is faced with dept and Papa and Mr.Morrison are almost killed by the Wallaces, the family hold on to what they belive in and make it through. Then one night T.J and the Simms boys go and steal the pistle he wanted, all the white man belive that T.J helped kill the store owner to get it and tried to hang him. Luckly Papa started a fire in his cotton feild to stop the moob, but T.J was taken to prison in Strawberry for murder. At that moment Cassie acally cried for T.J even though she disliked him because she would never see him again.

This book is probebly the best, sadest, and the most twisted evil book I ever read. It was a piece of pure art with exelent word chouse, setting, and charater discripsion. Cassie was the most free willing girl I know and doesn't like being pushed around by whites. Mr.Morrison is very depicated person and won't leav the Logans even though the Wallaces want to kill him. I feel really bad for T.J and Mr.Berry because of how they were treated and they both didn't deserve it. I can't belived that the whites killed Mr.Berry for apparently no reason what so ever whitch is very sad. This book is also very twisted evil because the way whites treated blacks. They judge them for no reason, rid them of their land, do horrible punishments for the slip of the toung, and just plain treat them like dirt. Mr.Poppe is right, this book is disterbing. But don't let that make you turn away. This book didn't win the Newbery Medal for nothing.

this is one of the worst books i have ever read. it was really confusing and i didnt really get the story line. i would not recomend this book to anyone.½

Freckle Juice is a funny transition book for elementary students. This transition book is about a young student named Andrew we is obsessed with Nicky Lane's freckles. Andrew wants freckles really bad. Sharon knows Andrew wants freckles really bad and offers to sell him a juice that will give him freckles. Andrew thought about the offer and the next day he paid her fifty cents for the juice. Andrew went home and made the juice. It consisted of many different edible items and was disgusting. Did the Juice help Andrew gain freckles? Read Freckle Juice and you will find out. It is a great young readers transition book.

Nick Allen is the main character.Nick likes to use
his imagination at school.He names a pen frindle and its starts spreading around the world.if you want to find out more then read frindle.

This Book is a short book but its very funny if you like funny books this is the book for you if you need a short fast book to read get this one.½

A ten year old girl helps save her best friend in the time of Nazi-occupied Denmark. Newbery Medal.

This book was very intersting. It talked about high scholers rankings. It shows how groups still exist. And that even if a school is cathlolic there is still many problems still occuring now. I would read the book over and over again. It was an amazing book. I loved it !

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a book that is set in the depression era. It portrays the struggles that an African American family undergos, and shows the unjust that was bestowed upon them.

I thought this was a very inspirational book to say the least. I was so intrigued by this book that I couldn't put it down. I felt that it portrayed that time era perfectly, and you could actually feel the characters' anguish, as well as triumphs. This book would be more appropriate for older students. I think they would love it, and it would give them a better understanding of how people were treated so unfairly during that time. This book would be a great book to tie into a historical fiction unit, and can also be read during Black History Month.

After reading this book, I would have students write a summary over the book, and include a couple of paragraphs about what they learned about the unjust in this book, and how it made them feel.

This story is very similar to The Chocolate Touch