Module 7 - Brutal

Summary

Poe Holly lives with her surgeon mother in Los Angeles.  One day, Poe’s mother decides to spend a year in South America helping the poor, so she ships Poe off to Benders Hallow to live with the father she has not seen in sixteen years.  Upon arriving at her new home, Poe meets her neighbor, a boy called “Velveeta.”  On her first day of school, Poe meets Theo, a boy who is a bit of a rebel like she is.  Despite the school’s firm stand that there be no cliques and everyone be seen as the same, Poe realizes that the school, itself, through its rules and policies, creates a division between the students, dividing them into the cool kids and the “losers.”  The division is so strong that after a student sis nearly beaten to death by some jocks, the school addresses the issue with the “losers,” those who are bullied instead of with the bullies themselves.  Angered by what she sees, Poe tries to fight all of the “stupid” rules, but she goes about it in such away that it just alienates those around her.  She must learn to fight effectively in order to change the system, but, by doing this, she puts herself, Velveeta and Theo in danger.

Bibliography

Harmon, M. (2009).  Brutal.  New York, NY:  Random House.

My Impression

I LOVED this book so much that I am going to use it in my classroom with my students.  It is a powerful book with a great message.  In the book, Poe comes to realize something that so many young adults need to learn: there is a proper way to fight for and achieve what you want to accomplish.  Poe is a totally likeable, dynamic character.  There are many facets to her personality. She is not afraid to be different in appearance and attitude. She is both strong and vulnerable.  She is a flawed character.  However, as she discovers what her flaws are, she takes steps to fix them.  She is a strong girl who is not afraid to act when she sees something that she thinks is wrong, even if her actions are a bit misguided at first.  I actually liked all of the major characters in this book.  I was immediately able to empathize with Velveeta and was properly appalled by the bullying he must deal with.  I liked Theo’s sarcasm and view of the world.  I even liked Poe’s seemingly weak father.  I also felt that this was a pretty accurate portrayal of a high school (minus the microchips in the student ids), with its condoned conformity and the separation of some students from the rest of the group.

To Read or Not to Read:  I definitely think that you should read this book.

Professional Reviews

School Library Journal
 "Poe Holly's mother has left for South America, obviously caring more about healing sick strangers in the jungle than being a parent to her own daughter. Sixteen-year-old Poe is sent off to live with her long-absent father in her mother's absence. Starting a new school, making new friends, and getting to know the man who is her father would be enough for any teen, but not for Poe. After meeting her much-picked-on neighbor, a misfit boy nicknamed Velveeta, she also takes on the crusade to change the school's unfair policies and end the reign of the bully making Velveeta's life miserable. Poe is a likable teen who speaks her mind and stands up for what she believes. The bullying and the strong language are realistic, and the author does not shy away from the violence of Velveeta's situation. Brutal can be just that, but teens who pick up this book will discover well-developed characters and a plot that seizes their attention at the very beginning and holds it captive throughout the story." - Heather Miller
Miller, H. E. (2009, June). [Book review of the book Brutal, by M. Harmon]. School Library Journal, 55(6), 126. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com.

Kirkus Reviews

"An angry 16-year-old shakes up her school when she challenges its social order. When Poe moves from Los Angeles to suburban California to live with her father, a man she has no relationship with, she's furious: furious at her dynamo doctor of a mother for deserting her to take a year's sabbatical to care for the poor and furious at her dad for his neglect and emotional passivity. The focus of this highly charged novel is not Poe's dysfunctional family, however, but a question that has dogged high-school students from time immemorial. Why is it that the more socially elite students get to prey upon the less so? And the rather savvy answer Harmon comes up with is that it's because the adults who run the school allow it. A mention of Columbine at a faculty-student meeting somewhat negates this premise, as it reverses the power dynamic in readers' minds, and some of the characterizations, such as Poe's perfect boyfriend, seem more functional than fully human. Still, strong medicine with a strong message. (Fiction. 14 & up)"

[Book review of the book Brutal, by M. Harmon]. (2009, February 1). Kirkus Reviews, 77(3), 172.  Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com

Library Uses

• This would be an excellent book for a young adult book club through the library.
• Also, the library could hold a bullying awareness day in which information regarding bullying and the prevention of bullying could be shared with all patrons, children and adults, as it is a topic that affects us all.

Image retrieved from:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brutal-michael-harmon/1100291061?ean=9780440239956

Module 5 - American Born Chinese

Summary
American Born Chinese is actually three tales in one. First is the story of the Monkey King and his quest to be accepted as a powerful celestial being.  The Monkey King faces many challenges on his quest, including being stuck under a mountain of rocks for centuries. Second is the story of Jin Wang, a Chinese-American who seeks to fit in with his American classmates. He gains and looses a best friend as a result of some of the poor choices that he makes.  Third is the tale of Danny, a white American boy who is ashamed of Chin-Kee, his Chinese cousin. Everytime Danny's cousin has come to stay with him, Danny changes schools because he is so ashamed of Chin-Kee.  As the stories of each are told, they slowly meld into one story.

Bibliography
Yang, G. L. (2006). American Born Chinese. New York, NY: First Second Books.

My Impression
While I enjoyed this book, it did not live up to my expectations. As an award-winning graphic novel, I expected to be blown away by it, but I was not. I found the story line to be rushed, as the end seemed to be too sudden.  I find that it did not contain as much depth as I had hoped. I went into reading it hoping that it would make a good piece to use in my classroom, but I did not think it so once I finished it. Perhaps, as an avid reader of manga and graphic novels, my expectations were skewed. I think that the story line would have been better served had it been split into two volumes. Then, I think that we could have learned more about Jin Wang, who seemed to be a fairly flat, one-dimensional character.  I did like the inclusion of the over the top, racially stereotyped character of Chin-Kee in that he provided a bit of comic relief as well as acting a character foil to the sterotypical all-American boy that "Danny" sought to be.  He was the represntation of how Danny was thought others would see him if he embraced his culture, and I found that interesting.

To Read or Not to Read:  If you have some spare time and enjoy graphic novels, pick this one up.  It is worth a read.

Professional Reviews
Library Journal
"A National Book Award finalist and ALA's Printz Award winner, this fable stars the mythological Monkey King, realistic youngster Jin Wang of Taiwanese parentage, and TV sitcom teen Danny. All three are dogged by an unwanted identity and humiliated by others' prejudice. The Monkey King trains to be a god but is unceremoniously bounced out of heaven and urged by "he who is" (the great god) to be what he is: a monkey. Jin tries to be accepted and romance a fellow student but gets picked on by classmates. Danny does well with friends until Chinese cousin Chin-Kee, a bitingly funny bundle of racist stereotypes, makes his annual visit and behaves so offensively that Danny must change schools. Finally, the three stories suddenly merge, to center on Jin coming to terms with his minority experience and moving beyond his own fear and hostility. Coalescence comes almost too quickly, but the trivision approach and treatment are unique and moving. The art is simple, colorful, and both attractive and effective. Some potty humor; recommended for teen and adult collections." - Martha Cornog
Cornog, M. (2007, October 15).  [Review of the book American born Chinese, by G. Yang].  Library Journal, 132(5), 54.  Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com.

Publishers Weekly

"As alienated kids go, Jin Wang is fairly run-of-the-mill: he eats lunch by himself in a corner of the schoolyard, gets picked on by bullies and jocks and develops a sweat-inducing crush on a pretty classmate. And, oh, yes, his parents are from Taiwan. This much-anticipated, affecting story about growing up different is more than just the story of a Chinese-American childhood; it's a fable for every kid born into a body and a life they wished they could escape. The fable is filtered through some very specific cultural icons: the much-beloved Monkey King, a figure familiar to Chinese kids the world over, and a bucktoothed amalgamation of racist stereotypes named Chin-Kee. Jin's hopes and humiliations might be mirrored in Chin-Kee's destructive glee or the Monkey King's struggle to come to terms with himself, but each character's expressions and actions are always perfectly familiar. True to its origin as a Web comic, this story's clear, concise lines and expert coloring are deceptively simple yet expressive. Even when Yang slips in an occasional Chinese ideogram or myth, the sentiments he's depicting need no translation. Yang accomplishes the remarkable feat of practicing what he preaches with this book: accept who you are and you'll already have reached out to others."

[Review of the book American born Chinese, by G. Yang]. (2006, June 12). Publishers Weekly, 253(24), 36-37. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html.

Library Uses

• The library could host a small cultural fair and provide information about various enthicities that populate the city in which the library is located.
• The library could hose a graphic novel contest.  Patrons could create short graphic novels about a myth, legend or tale associated with their culture.

Image Retrieved from:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/american-born-chinese-gene-luen-yang/1100351546?ean=9780312384487

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

Summary
Arnold "Jr." Spirit makes a life changing decision after discovering that his textbook is the same, exact textbook that his mother used nearly thirty years before when she was in high school. In an effort to find "hope," he decides to transfer from his poverty-stricken school on the Spokane Reservation to the all white Reardan High School, leaving behind his only friend, Rowdy. Throughout the course of the school year, Arnold overcomes prejudice, becomes a basketball star, deals with nearly overwhelming grief caused by several tragic deaths and makes new friends.

Bibliography
Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

My Impression
I think this is an AMAZING book. It is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. I found it to be reminiscent of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Arnold's authentic voice in the novel draws the reader in, and the reader becomes invested in what happens to him. As I read, I laughed, cried and raged right along with him. He is a very relatable, real character. Readers can identify with his struggles.  Readers can relate to the tough choices he has to make and to the grief he has to face.  As this piece is autobiographical fiction, his story serves to act as a beacon of hope.  If the narrator (modeled after Sherman Alexie's real childhood) can overcome such seemingly overwhelming obstacles, anyone can. Also, the cartoons throughout the novel added depth to Arnold's character and to the storyline.

To Read or Not to Read:  I definitely think that you should read this book.  Hey, I think that everyone should read this book.

Professional Reviews
Publisher's Weekly
"Screenwriter, novelist and poet, Alexie bounds into YA with what might be a Native American equivalent of Angela's Ashes, a coming-of-age story so well observed that its very rootedness in one specific culture is also what lends it universality, and so emotionally honest that the humor almost always proves painful. Presented as the diary of hydrocephalic 14-year-old cartoonist and Spokane Indian Arnold Spirit Jr., the novel revolves around Junior's desperate hope of escaping the reservation. As he says of his drawings, "I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats." He transfers to a public school 22 miles away in a rich farm town where the only other Indian is the team mascot. Although his parents support his decision, everyone else on the rez sees him as a traitor, an apple ("red on the outside and white on the inside"), while at school most teachers and students project stereotypes onto him: "I was half Indian in one place and half white in the other." Readers begin to understand Junior's determination as, over the course of the school year, alcoholism and self-destructive behaviors lead to the deaths of close relatives. Unlike protagonists in many YA novels who reclaim or retain ethnic ties in order to find their true selves, Junior must separate from his tribe in order to preserve his identity. Jazzy syntax and Forney's witty cartoons examining Indian versus White attire and behavior transmute despair into dark humor; Alexie's no-holds-barred jokes have the effect of throwing the seriousness of his themes into high relief. Ages 14-up."
[Book review of the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by S. Alexie]. (2007, August 20). Publishers Weekly, 254(33), 70-71.  Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html.

Kirkus Reviews

"The Spokane Indian reservation of Sherman Alexie's first venture into young-adult literature, which won the National Book Award, meets the very definition of "dead-end." When Junior's beloved dog Oscar gets sick, there's no trip to the vet, just a bullet, because a "bullet only costs about two cents, and anybody can afford that." Junior puts all his love for his family and his people into the difficult decision to go to high school off the reservation. Kirkus noted Alexie's "fluid narration [that] deftly mingles raw feeling with funny, sardonic insight." Indeed, the virtuoso control keeps the reader teetering between tears and laughter, and often both simultaneously. It's an achingly clear-eyed look at the realities of reservation life, where it's not unusual for a 14-year-old to have gone to some 42 funerals in his brief life. "[W]hat I love most about this book, and Sherman's storytelling, is that it celebrates being your individual self, no matter what external or internal pressure you come against," says Jennifer Hunt, a senior editor at Little, Brown. "It isn't always pretty or easy but pursuing it can open up the world to you. At a pivotal point in the book Junior comes to the realization that he belongs to many tribes…not just the one he was born into. And while the things we are 'born into' are important--family, race, sexuality, gender--it's equally important to figure out the other things that make up who we really are."

[Book review of the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. by S. Alexie]. (2007, December 1). Kirkus Reviews, 75(23), 4.  Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com

Library Uses

• Along with a group of other books, such as Born Confused, The Skin I'm in, and American Born Chinese, this book could be used in a multi-cultural book talk.
• The library could host a cultural day focusing on Native Americans.  Other than stereotypes, most people do not know a lot about Native Americans.   This would be a great opportunity to share knowledge, history and artifacts of various tribes.

Image retrieved from:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-sherman-alexie/1100163889?ean=9780316013697

Module 14 - Geektastic: Stories From the Nerd Herd

Summary

Geektastic:  Stories from the Nerd Herd is a collection of 15 short stories.  Preceding each story is each story is a short, humorous comic.  The stories deal with a variety of aspects of nerdom, including conventions, online gaming and nerd lessons.  The stories are written by well-known YA authors, including Scott Westerfeld, Libba Bray, David Levithan, Garth Nix and John Green.  Following each story is a brief blurb about the author.  

 

Bibliography

Black, H. (Ed.). (2009).  Geektastic:  Stories from the nerd herd.  New York, NY:  Little, Brown and Company.

 

My Impression

I found this collection of short stories to be hit or miss.  Some of the stories I really enjoyed, such as “One of Us,” a short story about a popular girl who takes lessons on all things nerdy from the members of the AV club as a way to impress her boyfriend.  Some stories I did not really like, such as “Definitional Chaos,” about two people on a train, one doing a secret mission for a convention, and one slipping the other a roofie.  Not all of the stories or cartoons in this book will appeal to everyone as not everyone will understand the references.  Some of it went right over my head and out of my scope of knowledge because, while I’ve seen things like Star Wars and Star Trek and am a little familiar with things like Dungeons and Dragons, I do not have the detailed knowledge of all of these topics that is sometimes required while reading this book.  This hampered my enjoyment of some of the pieces. 

To Read or Not to Read:  Read with caution.  I wouldn't recommend this to everyone.  If you do not know a lot the world of the nerd (Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars, Star Trek, comic conventions ...etc.), you will not find much to enjoy in this book.

Professional Reviews

Publishers Weekly
"One needn't already know that "Qapla!" is Klingon for success or be a weekend LARPer to appreciate this mostly entertaining collection of 15 short stories from authors John Green, Scott Westerfeld, Lisa Yee and M.T. Anderson among others, as well as numerous illustrated interludes (final art not seen by PW). The offerings cover a range of nerdy terrain: tensions within geek communities (the coeditors' story about a Star Wars fan who hooks up with a Star Trek fan at a convention; Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith's piece involving a divisive Buffy character); the gulf between online personalities and real-life interactions ("I Never" by Cassandra Clare; Kelly Link's cautionary tale about a 15-year-old girl waiting at a hotel for the 34-year-old she met online); and academic rivalries (Wendy Mass's "The Stars at the Finish Line" follows two intellectuals vying for the top spot at school; David Levithan inserts a closeted gay character into a national trivia competition in a quietly touching, layered story): Beyond the Stargate and MMORPG references, the stories often hit at the insecurities, camaraderie and passions at the heart of geekdom. Ages 12-up."
[Book review of the book Geektastic: Stories from the nerd herd, edited by H. Black]. (2009, August 3). Publishers Weekly, 256(31), 45.  Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/home/index.html.

School Library Journal

"Gr 9 Up--From Trekkers to science geeks, Buffy fanatics to Dungeon Masters, nerds of all persuasions are sure to find themselves in the pages of this anthology. It contains fun reads such as Black and Castellucci's "Once You're a Jedi, You're a Jedi All the Way" in which a Klingon wakes with a Jedi in her hotel room while at a sci-fi convention, and Tracy Lynn's "One of Us," in which a cheerleader enlists the school nerds to teach her the basics of geekdom so she can impress her Trekker boyfriend. The collection also includes more profound fare such as Kelly Link's moving and masterful "Secret Identity" about a 15-year-old girl who has pretended to be her 32-year-old sister on an online RPG. She must face the consequences of her lies when she arranges to meet the man with whom she has developed a relationship. Also included are stories by YA lit greats such as John Green, Libba Bray, Scott Westerfeld, and M. T. Anderson. Each story is followed by a comic-book-style illustration offering information or advice such as "What Your Instrument Says About You" and "How to Look Cool and Not Drool in Front of Your Favorite Author." Simultaneously addressing the isolation and loneliness that geeks can feel as well as the sense of camaraderie and community that can be found when one embraces a world or ideology in which he or she can completely invest, Geektastic is a completely dorky and utterly worthwhile read." - Heather M. Campbell

Campbell, H. M. (2009, August). [Book review of the book Geektastic: Stories from the nerd herd, edited by H. Black]. School Library Journal, 55(8), 98.  Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com.

Library Uses

This book could be used as part of a book display of short story anthologies for young adults, as many young adults are unaware that such collections exist in the library.

Image retrieved from:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/geektastic-holly-black/1100268641?ean=9780316008105

Module 13 - Naruto Volume 1

Summary

Naruto Uzamaki is a young boy who wants desperately to be the Hokage of the Leaf Village.  In order to do this, he first has to become a ninja.  Initially, however, he is not a very talented ninja, so he fails his exam.  A traitorous sensei (teacher) at the school, Mizuki convinces Naruto to steal a secret school in order to become a ninja.  Naruto learns an advanced technique, the Shadow Clone Technique.  Eventually, his mastery of this technique takes him one step closer to his ultimate goal.  He is then placed in a squad with the girl of his dreams, Sakura, and the boy he dislikes the most, Sasuke.  His sensei is the gifted ninja Kakashi.  Naruto has the spirit of the Nine Tailed Fox within him, which causes the village to keep him at arms length, so Naruto must also learn to cope and deal with this estrangement that he suffers for reasons that are unbeknownst to him.

Bibliography

Kishimoto, M. (2003).  Naturo.  San Francisco, CA:  Viz Media.

My Impression

I really liked this manga.  Naruto is a spunky little boy with never give up attitude.  “Believe it!” He is very likable, and I felt sympathy for his plight.  I was able to empathize with Naruto and feel anger and saddness at his outcast status.  The manga drew me in and never let me go. Reading the book made me want to enter this world of ninja; it was so exciting. I liked the artwork. The pictures were crisp and detailed.  I enjoyed the first volume so much that I read more and plan to finish reading the series.  This is an exciting manga that my students and my niece love.  I am really glad that I gave it a chance.

To Read or Not to Read:  I recommend this manga, especially if you like a lot of action and ninjas.  Who doesn't like ninjas?

Professional Reviews

Amazon.com
"'With a richly detailed background, complex, sympathetic characters, superb action and a main character who somehow balances tragedy with comedy, this is a series that delivers in every way. So strap on your leaf headband and join the oddest ninja in town. You won't regret it. 4/5' NEO magazine"
[Book review of the book Naruto, by M. Kishimoto].  (2003).  Editorial Reviews.  Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com.

Library Uses

This book would be perfect for a ninja day.  Ninja are very popular right now.  Patrons could be provided with factual information and history about ninjas.  They could also make an origami shuriken.

Image retrieved from:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/naruto-volume-1-masashi-kishimoto/1100816119?ean=9781569319000

Module 12 - Nevermore: A Photobiography of Edgar Allen Poe

Summary

Nevermore:  A Photobiography of Edgar Allen Poe tells the story of Edgar Allen Poe’s life from birth to death.  The author begins with his birth on January 18, 1809, in Boston Massachusetts, to Elizabeth Hopkins Poe and David Poe, Jr., who were both actors.  It follows him after his mother’s death from tuberculosis to the home of Francis and John Allen, where he was educated as a gentleman’s son.  The book then takes us through the ins and outs of Poe’s adulthood, including his struggles with his foster father, alcohol and grief, as well as his literary success and achievements.  It then ends with the bit of mystery surrounding his death.  Throughout the book are images to illustrate Poe’s life.

 

Bibliography

Lange, K. E. (2009).  Nevermore:  A photobiography of Edgar Allen Poe.  Washington, D.C.:  National Geographic.

 

My Impression

I enjoyed the book.  I like Poe’s stories and poems, so I found it interesting to learn more about his life.  I learned new things that I had never heard before, such as Poe being the originator of the detecitve mystery genre.  I also really appreciated the author’s depiction of Poe.  She presents him as a well-rounded person with both strengths and flaws, unlike the stereotypical portrayal of Poe as a dark, brooding alcoholic.  The pictures and images used throughout the book are a great addition.  They add depth and interest to an already interesting topic.  It was neat to see pictures of Poe, his family and various places that he lived, as well as images of original manuscripts written in his handwriting.

To Read or Not to Read:  Read it.  You'll learn some interesting things about an American classic.

Professional Reviews

School Library Journal

"Gr 6-10-- The drama of Poe's tortured life unfolds in accessible prose. Textual information is interspersed with photos, artistic interpretations, and revealing quotations presented in script. Though not as extensive in scope as Milton Meltzer's Edgar Allan Poe (21st Century, 2003) or Tristan Boyer Binns's Edgar Allan Poe: Master of Suspense (Watts, 2005), this volume offers a fairly complete and thoroughly readable description of Poe's life and his importance to literature. His writing is shown to have grown from his troubled, largely dark, lifetime experiences and the constant longing for connection and love. In addition to his creative writing, Lange discusses popular psychological interpretations of Poe's work and credits him with creating new literary genres such as the detective story and the horror story. The book's brevity and format render it a good addition for reports and background for an author study." - Renee Steinberg

Steinberg, R. (2009, April). [Book review of the book Nevermore: A photobiography of Edgar Allan Poe, by K. Lange]. School Library Journal, 55(4), 149.  Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com.

Booklist
“This very readable biography introduces Edgar Allen Poe.  Effectively orphaned before the age of two by his father’s abandonment and his mother’s death, Poe was taken in by a foster family and educated well.  As an adult, he lived in poverty and struggled with alcoholism and emotional instability, but wrote well-crafted, original stories and poems that profoundly affected those who followed him, particularly mystery and horror writers.  Illustrated with many period photographs as well as pictures of Poe-related places and artifacts, the book has varied, spacious page layouts in which shade of turquoise add color to some of the illustrations and backgrounds.  The jacket art, which features a photo of Poe’s face, overlaid with lines of manuscript, peering outward with haunted eyes, will draw both fans of Poe and a new audience.  A chronology and lists of quote sources, books, articles, Internet sites, and historical sites conclude this handsome introduction to an American original.” – Carolyn Phelan

Phelan, C. (2009, April 1). [Book review of the book Nevermore: A photobiography of Edgar Allan Poe, by K. Lange]. Booklist, 105(15), 35.  Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com.

Library Uses

On Janurary 19, Edgar Allen Poe's birthday, the library could use the information in this book to create a book display and a visual timeline of Poe's life.  There could also be readings of some of his works to celebrate his birthday.

Image retrieved from:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nevermore-karen-lange/1012582875?ean=9781426303982

Module 11 - Baseball Saved Us

Summary

This book is about a young boy who is forced to go to a Japanese internment camp in the middle of the desert during World War II.  After noticing the toll being in the camp was taking on the people, the boys father decides to build a baseball field.  The little boy, who had always been picked last for being the smallest, is excited to play baseball.  While playing at the camp, he improves and eventually amazes his team, the opposing team and the spectators at the championship game.  After returning home from the camp, the boy is an outsider due to his race.  Through baseball, he is, again, able to cope and to eventually find friends.

Bibliography

Mochizuki, K. (1993). Baseball saved us.  New York, NY:  Lee & Low Books Inc.

My Impression

I really liked this picture book.  It was moving portrayal of a group of oppressed individuals finding a way to cope with a bad situation.  Instead of losing all hope, the people of the camp use baseball as a way to save themselves from hopelessness.  I also like the fact that it was about a subject that many kids know very little about, as it is not generally addressed in history classes.  The artwork really fit the mood of the book.  The predominate use of organge mimicks the desert that defines this portion of the narrator's life.  Everything is shades of the same oranges until they begin playing baseball when, figuratively speaking, some color begins to reenter the lives of those in the internment camp.

To Read or Not to Read:  If you have elementary aged children, read it.  It will be worth your time and their time.

Professional Reviews

Kirkus Reviews
"Drawing on his Japanese-American parents' experiences, a new author uses his narrator's struggle to become a better, and more accepted, ballplayer to portray a WW II internment camp. Quietly, ``Shorty'' describes his family's sudden removal to the camp in 1942, the grim surroundings, the restiveness his dad hopes to counter by building a baseball diamond. Materials are improvised (uniforms are made from mattress ticking), but the game soon thrives. Still, Shorty is usually an ``easy out'' until anger at the perpetually watching guard inspires him to hit a homer-- whereupon he sees the guard give him thumbs-up and a grin. But the real focus here is the camp and the prejudice that caused it. Back home after the war, Shorty finds friendly teammates but still hears racist taunts when he plays--and still uses the anger he feels to strengthen his resolve and do his best. Using scratchboard overlaid with oils, Lee (who grew up in Korea) provides splendidly evocative art whose somber tones are enriched with luminous color; he's a keen observer of baseball and the camp milieu. Fine debuts for author, illustrator, and publisher."
[Review of the book Baseball saved us, by K. Mochizuki]. (1993, March 1).  Kirkus Reviews.  Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com.

Library Uses

• This book could be used for storytime, leading into a discussion of descrimination.
• The library could create an informational display about Japanese internement camps.  Through the use of writings, images and other artifacts, the library could share information about an aspect of American history that very few people know anything about.

Image retrieved from:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baseball-saved-us-ken-mochizuki/1102423807?ean=9781880000199