Module 7: The School Story by Andrew Clements

Module 7: Realistic Fiction

The School Story by Andrew Clements

Clements, A. (2001) The School Story [Kindle edition]. Retrieved from Amazon.com

Plot Summary
Natalie, a twelve-year old, is finishing her novel, The Cheater, which focuses on a girl and her best friend. Zoe, Natalie's best friend, encourages her to try and get it published. Natalie's mother, Hannah Nelson, works for Shipley Junior Books, so Natalie wants to get her to edit her book. However, Natalie doesn't want her mother to know that The Cheater was written by her. To get around this, Natalie creates a pseudonym, Cassandra Day, and Zoe acts as her literary agent with the nickname "Zee Zee."  Although she is reluctant at first, Ms. Clayton, the girls English teacher, agrees their adviser after she reads Natalie's story.

The girls rent out an office, with the help of Ms. Clayton, for their Sherry Clutch Literary Agency. The girls submit The Cheaters to Natalie's mother. Letha Springfield and Hannah love the book. Letha, who sees the potential of the book, takes over as editor. Zoe, as Zee Zee, argues with Letha and says that Cassandra, aka Natalie, will only write with Hannah as her editor. Letha refuses and declares that the book will not be published at Shipley unless Zee Zee and Cassandra apologize. Instead, Zoe sends a copy of The Cheaters to Tom Morton, the president of Shipley, and a list of the conditions that Zoe and Natalie require. Tom loves the story and places Hannah back as the editor.

When offered a contract, Natalie and Zoe show it to Zoe's father, who is a lawyer. With his approval, the girls get Natalie's Uncle Fred to sign in place of Hannah. Zoe's father is impressed with Ms. Clayton and the girls. He goes on to speak to Ms. Clayton in order to cover the cost off the office, which she had previously been paying for the girls.

At the end of The School Story, Zoe convinces Hannah to throw a publication party for The Cheater and Zoe arranges for press to be at the event. Although Natalie doesn't originally know about the event, she uses the opportunity to reveal to her mother that she is Cassandra Day. The press run a story about the book and the journey behind it. To top it all off, The Cheater becomes a hit!

Impressions
I had read Frindle when I was a kid and I was very interested to read another Andrew Clements' work.  I was yet again drawn in by Clements as he creates a realistic journey for the two girls. I felt like the book went beyond the every day school story when Clements addressed Natalie's loss of her father through The Cheater, which had a strong story about the relationship between a father and daughter. I feel like this is extremely relatable to children who have lost a parent and want to express how much they miss them. The reveal of the plot of The Cheater and how it ties in to Natalie's life was definitely my favorite part of the book.

Reviews
Publisher's Weekly. (2001) The School Story [Book Review]. Retrieved 
from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-689-82594-1

"Clements's (Frindle) absorbing novel centers on Natalie, a 12-year-old aspiring author who, since her father died in an automobile accident, lives alone with her mother, Hannah, a children's book editor for a New York City publisher. As the book opens, Natalie's best friend, Zoe, is reading the novel that Natalie is writing. The impulsive, take-charge Zoe decides it is good enough to be published and hatches a scheme to ensure that it is. The path from manuscript to bound book takes some funny turns, as the girls elicit the aid of their English teacher, who rents office space that serves as the faux headquarters of Natalie's self-appointed agent: Zoe. Clements strikes a poignant note with his plot within a plot, since the youngster's novel tells of a girl whose father stands up for her always—even when she is caught cheating in school. Through the use of alternating perspectives, he characterizes the two seventh graders as very different but equally likable parties in a 'push-and-pull friendship.' Though Natalie's is, indeed, a 'school story,' it is at heart a tale about the love between a father and daughter. In Zoe's eyes, 'the book was like a good-bye poem from Natalie to her father,' whom she misses enormously. Hannah, explaining to Natalie how she can recognize the rare gem of a manuscript among the many submissions she receives, says, 'The good ones stand out like roses in a snowbank.' This is one such standout."

Kirkus Reviews. (2001) The School Story [Book Review]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/andrew-clements/the-school-story/
 

"A world-class charmer, Clements (The Janitor’s Boy, 2000, etc.) woos aspiring young authors—as well as grown up publishers, editors, agents, parents, teachers, and even reviewers—with this tongue-in-cheek tale of a 12-year-old novelist’s triumphant debut."
 Library Suggestions
I feel like this book could be a jumping off point for a writing workshop. The story really inspires the idea that we all have a story within us to share. We are all creative and full of ideas. For a library, I could see this book being incorporated into a book club where members are given the opportunity to participate in a writing workshop afterwards. Participants could create their own school story and share it with the group. 

Module 10: All the Way to America by Dan Yaccarino

Module 10: Historical Fiction
All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel by Dan Yaccarino

Yaccarino, D. (2011) All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel. New York, NY: Random House. 

Plot Summary

All the Way to America recounts the journey of an Italian family and the shovel that is passed down through four generations. 

The story begins with Dan Yaccarino's great-grandfather named Michael in Sorrento, Italy, who is heading to America to seek out new opportunities. He leaves his parents behind, but his father give him the advice, "Work hard but remember to enjoy life, and never forget family." He arrives at Ellis Island with the small shovel and his father's words. 

Michael uses the shovel to scoop flour and sugar at his first job in America. When he finally is able to open his pushcart, he uses the shovel to measure dried fruits and nuts. Michael goes on to give the shovel to his son, Dan. Dan uses the shovel in his market and his son, Mike, used it to pour salt in front of his barbershop when the sidewalk got icy. Now, Dan, Mike's son and author of the picture book uses the shovel to work on his terrace in order to grow fruits and veggies.

Impressions

My favorite part of the picture book was the illustrations. They are so fresh and fun that you can't help dwelling on them. The illustrations perfectly capture the exuberance of the story. What I like most about the story is the love that you can feel for the author's family. At the same time, Yaccario's family tale is easy to relate to because America is a nation of immigrants. It is a nice way to incorporate the "American Dream" and gives the children a great take away: "Work hard but remember to enjoy life, and never forget family."

Reviews

Kirkus Reviews. (2011) All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel [Book Review]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dan-yaccarino/all-way-america/

"With clarity and deep affection, Yaccarino turns his family history into a story of enduring charm. He tells it in the first person: how his great-grandfather Michele Iaccarino was given a little shovel, the better to help out on the family farm in Sorrento, Italy. When Michele left for America, his parents gave him the little shovel and told him to work hard, enjoy life and love his family. The shovel becomes a talisman through the generations, as Michele—now renamed Michael—uses it in the bakery where he first works, and his son uses the shovel to measure beans and olives in the market and later in his restaurant, and his son opens a barbershop and uses the little shovel to pour salt on the sidewalk when it snows. His son is the author and illustrator, whose children now use the little shovel for the zucchini, tomatoes and strawberries they grow on their NYC terrace. The illustrations evoke each generation’s clothing, hair, posture and adornment exquisitely with simple forms, and facial features convey myriad emotions with the sparest line. The author closes with his great-grandparents’ advice—work hard, enjoy life and love family—and the back cover encourages readers to discover their own family stories. A gloriously warm celebration."

Publishers Weekly. (2011) All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel [Book Review]. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-375-86642-5

"He celebrates classic bootstrap success, subtly incorporating red, white, and green in his palette. Folksy and warm, this is a timely reminder that America is a nation of immigrants."

Library Suggestion

I think this would be a great tie in for learning about children's family tree. When I was in 7th grade, my class did a heritage project and I think this could be a cool lead in to a similar project for a younger crowd. All the Way to America makes you think about your background and your family, so it is a great way to get children thinking. 

Module 8: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Module 8: Fantasy and Science FictionThe Maze Runner by James Dasnher

Dashner, J. (2009) The Maze Runner [Kindle Edition]. Retrieved from Amazon.com 

Plot Summary
The Maze Runner starts off with Thomas waking up in a metal box. He has no memory of his life before the box, who he is, or how he got there. The box is situated in the Glade, which filled with a community of young boys. Each month a new boy is sent to the Glade and each week supplies come up through the elevator which Thomas arrived in. Thomas is informed that beyond the walls that surround the Glade is the Maze, which is filled with monsters which the Gladers refer to as Grievers.If a Griever stings someone, they will go through what the Gladers call the Changing. Thomas witnesses this early on and it was quite traumatic. Chuck, one of the Gladers, befriends Thomas and he is the one who imparts most of the information.

Thomas also meets the two leaders of the Glade, Alby and Newt. Alby is the primary leader of the Gladers. Gally, another boy, seems very suspicious of Thomas and his arrival and tends to stir up trouble for Thomas. Thomas learns that there are Runners, who are the Gladers who go out into the Maze and attempt to map it out. The Runner's main objective is to find a way out for the group. Minho is the leader of the Runners.

The next day, the first girl is sent up through the elevator. Her name is Teresa, which Thomas knows by hearing her voice,  and with her comes a note that says, "She is the last one ever." Everyone assumes that that means there will no longer be any more children sent to the Glade. Teresa falls into a coma after her arrival. Things in the Glade change after she gets there: the sun disappears, the supplies stop arriving, and the doors of the Maze stay open during the night. Because of this, the Grievers can get in and hunt the Gladers.

Thomas decides to be a Runner. He is later attached by a boy named Ben, who went through the Changing. Ben says that he knows who Thomas really is. Ben is banished by Alby. Thomas, as a Runner, starts investigating the Maze. During a trip into the Maze, Alby is stung by a Griever and Minho, Alby and Thomas are trapped in the Maze overnight. They are able to survive, but Thomas is sent to Glade jail for a day because he had entered the Maze to help Alby and Minho. Thomas theorizes that the walls aren't moving at random, but they are moving in a code. They are spelling out words. He also discovers that the Cliff is actually The Griever Hole, which is where the Grievers come in and out of the Maze. Lastly, he believes that the Changing actually brings back memories that can be used to get out of the maze. He gets intentionally stung in order to get his memories back.Teresa wakes up and she tells Thomas that they know each other and they can speak telepathically.

A group of Gladers decide to make a run for it in order to prevent being stuck in the Glade with the Grievers. They succeed only to discover that they are part of an experiment. It is being performed by the Creators and the WICKED. Gally, the Glader who hated Thomas, throws a knife at Thomas, but Chuck gets in the way and ultimately dies. The group gets rescued by a rebel group and brought to a safe haven. They are told about an apocalyptic event that killed off half of the population called "the Flare." It ends with a set up for the sequel.

My Impression
I am usually a big fan of young adult dystopian fiction, but I could get into this novel. I struggled through it. The concept of having to navigate the Maze was interesting, especially with the Grievers. However, the style of the novel was written in turned me off. I felt like the plot was primarily pushed forward by a lack of communication and egos. I found it more annoying than intriguing.

Reviews
Kirkus Review. (2010) The Maze Runner [Book Review]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/james-dashner/the-maze-runner/

"Dashner knows how to spin a tale and make the unbelievable realistic. Hard to put down, this is clearly just a first installment, and it will leave readers dying to find out what comes next."

Hawkes, R. (2014) The Maze Runner: have you read the book?. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/children_sbookreviews/11153394/The-Maze-Runner-have-you-read-the-book.html

"Dashner's clean, vivid prose gives the action passages a video-game like intensity, although there’s enough visceral detail to stop things ever feeling too artificial. Language itself also becomes vitally important: the boys' speech is peppered with made-up words – 'klunk', 'shuck' and 'shank' – that highlight their isolation. Even their names are revealed to be a clue – albeit an unguessable one – to the secret behind their predicament."
Library Suggestion
This is a popular example of dystopia and can certainly be used as a suggestion or display item for the genre. I also see this as a good choice for a book club. The Multnomah County Library posted a discussion guide (https://multcolib.org/maze-runner) for their book club and it seems like an excellent jump start to an interesting discussion.