Breathing Room - PA Readers' Choice

Hayles, Marsha. Breathing Room. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2012

This sensitive PA Readers’ Choice novel tells the story of Evvy who at age 13 is dropped off at the Loon Lake Sanitarium by her father for the treatment of her tuberculosis.  The attitudes and approaches to treatment of 1940 are brought to vivid life by Hayles.

Taken to a room that she will share with three other girls by the harsh Nurse Marshall, she soon learns that for a while she has forfeited the right to sit up in bed, to sleep in a warm comfortable room with the windows closed, to have visits or even mail from her parents and her brother Abe.  The treatment will seem harsh to a modern student, but they will also be delighted by the relationships that Evvy builds with her roommates, a more compassionate night nurse, and a doctor willing to bend the rules in the name of healing.

Interesting side stories abound in this work.  Hayles explores the relationship of Evvy to her parents; she worries that her mom doesn’t understand her, maybe doesn’t even love her. Her little brother Abe, who doesn’t love letter writing, works to engage and entertain his sister through the mail anyhow. Evvy is Jewish in a world where the Jewish are treated very badly, and nods to the war are present.  She rooms with a girl who is essentially an orphan, and she has to break down her hostile walls to forge any kind of friendship.  I told the kids, that while certainly sadness exists in this work, the hopeful moments certainly outweigh the sorrow.  Ultimately, Evvy’s story is one of triumph. A story that is highlighted in a lovely way with period line drawings.

When I was pondering how to sell this historical work, I considered trying to connect it to The Fault in Our Stars because, well, you know, they already love it.  I had to be honest about the lack of a love story, but talked about the thematic connections of enduring illness.  Oddly enough in one of the classes today, one of the 7th graders made the connection to Hazel for me – a cool moment to be sure!  Many of the kids had also watched The Waltons with their moms and had seen the episodes where Olivia suffered from TB.  We also had an interesting student generated discussion about how the treatment of TB would differ today.  

Stolen Into Slavery... PA Reader's Choice

Fradin, Judith and Dennis. Stolen Into Slavery: The True Story of Solomon Northup, Free Black Man.

 Washington D. C.: National Geographic, 2012.

I have had to take a break from reading some of the newer stuff to prepare for a book talk.  I like to highlight some of the Pennsylvania Readers’ Choice Award nominees in my first talk with the seventh graders. I generally read the National Geographic nonfictions very quickly, so it surprised me that I hadn’t picked up this title more quickly. This biography did not disappoint! I like when nonfiction reads like fiction, and this narrative is beautifully told.

I have not yet seen Twelve Years a Slave, so I was not familiar with the story of Solomon Northup.  Born a free man in New York State, he was captured and sold into slavery. He was separated from his wife and three small children, and for 12 years served a series of masters in the Deep South.  Always, I am uncomfortable reading the details of how slaves were treated in our early United States history.  However, these authors shared the reality of the life of a slave in a way that is appropriate for the junior high readers to whom I am selling it. And while an understanding of these struggles is certainly important to these students, I will be happy to highlight all of the people in Northup’s journey who risk their lives and reputations to find a way to help free him.  

Students can learn from Northup’s determination to gain his freedom as well as the patience he must continually show along the way.  Some of our kids have to fight quite a few battles of their own.  Any positive role model is a great thing. They can also learn from the folks who help him.  Kids cannot be reminded too many times to help those around them who maybe need protection from a bully or a leg up.  I look forward to talking it next week!

Ties to the common core and classroom activities can be found here.

On Being a Librarian & Being Psychic

Today was, indeed a good day to be in the library.  Early in the school year, I have quite a number of kids looking for books and looking for advice.  I love that part of the job.  What was cool specifically today is what one kid who working on a computer in the library said to me, "It's like you read palms and know what book to give them."

We all work hard to get to know our collections and our kids. We try very hard to hear what they are saying and give them a book they will love reading.  When we are successful at that, it is a definite job perk.  When some one notices, what a bonus! Such are the moments we tuck away in our hearts for the exhausted days.

Why I Haven't Read The Bridge From Me To You - but you should...

I was so excited when my first book order of the year arrived because Lisa Schroeder's new novel The Bridge From Me To You was in it.! I have read her other teen books. I was following her updates on Facebook. I was ready to read. I secured it and eagerly read the first couple of chapters. And...I was excited. I had spent much of my summer on Netflix watching “Friday Night Lights” for the first time. I surely didn't think I'd like a football show. But I was hooked. I love the two perspectives, one in poetry, the other in prose. Clearly, a mystery was present, and I was already hooked. This eagerly anticipated book had that FNL vibe, complete with a coach who has a southern drawl. But then the business of the library brought my reading time to an abrupt screeching halt. Silly students needed books and such.

I was book talking the next day –so no reading time –and somehow Schroeder’s new book got mixed in with the book talked titles the 11th graders were eagerly perusing. And didn't a young lady spot it. And didn't she want it. And naturally I had to let her have it. It's the job, right? She read it overnight and loved it.  I barely had the book in my hands, and out it went again. So. I haven’t yet read or reviewed The Bridge From Me To You.  I may not for a while. I may not know for a bit if it is anything like “Friday Night Lights.”

I do know the novel is good.  Each year a colleague and I host an evening for our junior high kids.  We find a keynote speaker, we provide fun, educational, and interesting activities.  We want to make them feel special. Two years ago Schroeder graciously agreed to Skype in as our keynote speaker.  Our girls were entranced by her. Her message to them – be the best you that you can be. Don’t compare yourself to others. Find out what you are good at and do it.  She resonated with our girls, and they are still reading her books. The messages that she shared that evening are found in her books. I can’t wait to read the new one. You should read it too!