Book Review: Kids were different back then

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Avi's characters often mature in flawed, youthful ways, and Charlotte Doyle as a girl not particularly good at self-reflection is no exception. She grows significantly (more than would likely be historically accurate; more on that in a moment), but rarely through an accurate internal monologue - though part of her growth is in fact the improving accuracy in how she critically evaluates her world.

Most historical fiction about girls choose to either flout strictures of the time regarding girls' behavior and expectations, or to limit the plot by working within such limitations. Charlotte begins as just such a limited character in just such a limited world, but the adventuresome plot takes her well beyond such behavior and expectations. While the openness with which she confronts her world later in the book may not be the historic norm, it functions appropriately to make the story interesting and relatable for modern readers.

ELL's may enjoy the appendices labeling the parts of a ship and showing the timetable for keeping watch. The other vocabulary is similarly advanced, but knowing that the nautical words are just as unfamiliar to fluent English speakers may encourage ELLs to dive in (pun intended). Connecting that vocabulary to dictionary pronunciation guides or online sound files will be essential for such words as forecastle and gunwale. Although not an easy book, it still contains yet-deeper maturity of plot and characterization that will keep readers from feeling like they are reading a tale intended for younger children.



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Book Review: A Wordless Book for the Imagination

Sector 7 by David Wiesner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wiesner's wordless books epitomize the complexity and dream-like nature that illustrations can achieve when not bound by the conventions of language.  This may seem to make them more difficult to use for story-telling, but they consistently inspire readers to rise to the challenge; if the adult isn't up to the task, the children are likely able to fill in.

This time, Wiesner's tale of an Empire State Building field trip includes the discovery by one student of a hidden world which may further delight those readers familiar with Rick Riordan's The Last Olympians.  The boy travels to a factory in the sky where clouds are made; he uses his drawing skills to spice things up, and readers familiar with Wiesner's other books will see some familiar creatures coming to life. This story takes the familiar activity of searching for patterns in the clouds one step further, imbuing the game with magical possibilities.

ELLs can use wordless books in several ways: as extended writing prompts, as "texts" which will allow them to tell the story at exactly their level of fluency, and as material to take home and share with parents and other family members who may often struggle against their own language barriers in supporting their child's schoolwork as fully as they would like.


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Book review: An original voice

Savvy by Ingrid Law

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A delightful swim in the mind and family of Mibs Beaumont. The Beaumonts are a family of get special powers, their savvies, on their thirteenth birthdays and their story falls somewhere between a tall tale and a Cynthia Voight novel. A Wizard of Oz motif adds flavor and meaning without committing that literary sin of drawing a series of parallels and allowing the referenced work to do all the heavy lifting. And there certainly is heavy lifting as Savvy touches on first love, family loss, alienation, and overall the teenage odyssey to find one's true self.

Although a wonderful book, its deft use of colloquial and idiomatic English for characterization will sadly be lost on all but the most fluent ELL readers. If you have the patience, save this gem until later in your studies, when you become familiar with regional differences in American English.



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Book Review: A Satisfying Sequel

Scumble by Ingrid Law

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When a book is as original and delightful as Ingrid Law's Savvy, it is usually hard not to be disappointed by the sequel.  Somehow, Law has avoided that trap, creating a follow up that keeps some of what made Savvy wonderful but also moving forward to fresher fields.  Scumble is not only a satisfying read on its own, it withstands comparisons to its predecessor.

Thirteen year old Ledger Kale is Mibs Beaumont's cousin and just coming into his own savvy.  Most pleasing for the reader, Ledge has some of Mibs' highly original narrative voice, but not so much that it becomes precious.  He is her cousin, and their voices are clearly cousins, too.  The book opens with another road trip, but that's quickly completed and the setting this time is the Wyoming ranch of another cousin.  Ledge's personality and his story are more focused on himself, proving that an adolescent's self-discovery doesn't need to have a strong external force to be compelling.

ELLs may find Scumble easier to read than Savvy because Ledge's way of speaking is less regional, but it will still require readers from other cultures to have patience navigating a highly idiomatic narration.  For those advanced students who do read it, they may find some personally familiar themes of upheaval and adjustment, as well as the frustration of trying to care for family and self in an unfamiliar setting.


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Book Review: A "Multicultural" Book That Actually Incorporate Multiple Cultures

Naamah And The Ark At Night by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the tradition of the best bedtime stories, Naamah feels comfortably familiar before the first reading is done. This "lullaby" uses the ghazal, an Islamic poetic form, to create a gentle rocking reminiscent of a ship at sea or a parent's arms.

Meade's paper collages use a heavy card stock to create a dimensionality, and the simple shapes allude to the obscuring shadows or backlighting moon, even when watercolors fill in greater detail.

With the word "night" ending each line, and internal rhymes across the couplets, this book would be great to read aloud together with the most beginning ELL student, or to examine the oddities of English spelling with others. It also has that exotic-yet-comfortable atmosphere which many students respond well to when they are still adjusting to a move.

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Book Review: A necessary sequel

Among the Impostors by Margaret Peterson Haddix

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A much-needed sequel to Margaret Peterson Haddix's Among the Hidden, hero Luke Grant had moved out of hiding and now must confront the challenges of an isolated child thrust into a strange and possibly hostile situation. Haddix illustrates the characteristics of someone who has spent his life hiding in fear for that life, while also capturing something of the boy who has been unquestioningly loved and protected within his family, unfolding these elements well as the plot progresses.

Luke is full of questions, wanting to consider all sides of an issue and all possible consequences in this unsafe worl, which helps keep the reader involved and participating in the heavy moral issues raised by this dystopic series. However, in this second of seven book, the answers are not yet available.

ELLs will find that the vocabulary isn't any easier that in the first book. Now the author has added characters with hidden motives or distrusting personalities which mean even deciphering the specific worlds may not yield a accurate understanding unless the reader's fluency allows her to capture the connotations of "a sharp stare" or "make a beeline."



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Book Review: For kids who love Diary of a Wimpy Kid and parents who don't

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Appealing to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid crowd, but with more subtle revelation of plot (perhaps merely having a plot will distinguish it from Kinney's works) and a non-didactic message of acceptance. The tale is broken into very short vignettes which may particularly help reluctant readers, as might the design which is intended to look like pages right out of a kid's notebook.

ELL readers will appreciate the doodles which help provide information about the text, although they are less supportive than traditional illustrations. The casual tone may be difficult for some, and this is not a book which will appeal to most adult readers. However, for more advanced young ELLs who also want to figure out how to fit in to a new school, this book may make them feel a little better prepared.



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Book Review: 17 Things I'm Not Allowed To Do Anymore

17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore by Jenny Offill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Full of ideas about sisterly antagonism, beaverish obsession, and go-your-own-wayness (that would be to school, backwards), one kid manages to learn the wrong lessons from the angry, worried, or baffled adults who must follow in her wake.

Carpenter enhances her pen and ink illustrations by replacing some elements of the drawing with photographed versions of the offending objects: a stapler, cauliflower, a one-dollar bill featuring a portrait of a beaver. This focuses the eye in a way which is similar to an adult's reminiscence of a childhood memory, so much so in fact that a second reading may be required to notice the innocent, beleaguered, and occasionally guileful face of this heir-to-Ramona herself.

The repeated "I had an idea to ... . I am not allowed to ... anymore" works well for ELLs and easily lends itself to a ”17 More Things" writing assignment.



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Weekend Fun: Get Moving!

The snowfall last night reminded me that this can be a tough time of year for everyone, especially if this is your first New England winter. As a teacher, I love winter because it gives kids time to sit indoors, reading books. But even I have to admit that there can be too much reading and not enough playing! In January and February every year, I notice energy, attention, and grades going down for many kids. This is often because of less physical activity and less social time with friends. So kill two birds with one stone and invite a friend to go on an adventure with them.

Until May 10, the Boston Children's Museum has an exhibit that is all about moving our bodies: Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action. The New Balance Climb and Kids Power are just two more exhibits to get them moving. A word of caution: their website explains that the subway is "about a three-block walk" from the museum, but they are three long blocks which will seem even longer going home when kids are worn out from all the fun.

For older kids, a visit to the Wellesley College Greenhouses can be a fun way to get out of the house. These are working greenhouses, with rooms of seedlings and experiments, as well as the beautiful permanent displays. Neither the delicate plants nor the other visitors make this a good place to run and shout, but there are strange plants to discover and it is warm! If your child likes to draw or write, bring a notebook and enjoy the benches tucked into quiet corners. The college's website has a PDF map to take with you and virtual tour to look at on the computer. The greenhouses are free, but a donation is encouraged if you can. Be sure to read the driving directions carefully, because the greenhouses are well hidden!

English On The Radio

There are several excellent shows and segments on public radio which involve the English language. Some involve pretty advanced vocabulary, but they are enjoyable even if you don't know all the words - even the experts who are featured on the shows don't know it all!

WGBH airs Says You! on Sunday at 11am and Saturday at 8pm. It will tape an episode this summer in nearby Camden, Maine. WGBH also airs The Writer's Almanac weekday mornings at 8:55am. This short segment includes some literary history and a poem reading.

WBUR airs repeats of My Word Sunday at 10:30pm. This show was recorded by the BBC from 1956-1990. The British accents add an extra level of difficulty, but it is silly and reassuring to see experts making mistakes about English. too.

Weekend Edition Sunday (WGBH at 7 and 8am, WBUR at 8am) has a puzzle segment with Will Shortz, editor of the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Weekend Fun: Eagles

The Massachusetts Audubon Society is hosting the 4th annual Merrimac River Eagle Festival this weekend. There will be tours, eagle demonstrations, and activities for children.

The bald eagle's name comes from its white head, but not because it appears bald (without hair), as many people assume. The word bald (Middle English: balled) used to mean "white." It is the national bird of the United States, chosen instead of Benjamin Franklin's choice of the turkey.

The MA Audubon Society also runs Drumlin farm, which BPPG mentioned a few weeks ago.

Weekend Fun: Magic Tree House Author

Mary Pope Osborne, author of the Magic Tree House books will give a presentation, at 2pm at the Wellesley Middle School (map). After the presentation, Ms. Osborne will also sign books.

This event is sponsored by Wellesley Booksmith, an excellent local bookstore (its sister store, Brookline Booksmith, is also great). The store expects a big turnout, so read their information about when the doors will open, getting in line for autographs, and how many books the author will sign.

The books' vocabulary and grammar are both pretty basic, making them accessible to English learners. They can really help kids who are having trouble following social studies or science classes. If your child's class will soon be studying ancient Egypt, for example, have him or her read Mummies in the Morning a week or two before they start the unit at school. Students can read them at their own pace and get a head start on the special vocabulary for each subject. Many books also have non-fiction research guides (such as the Mummies & Pyramids partner to Mummies in the Morning), which can be a good second step if your child wants even more information about the subject.

Magic Tree House: The Musical will be in Boston February 21-28. The 40th MTH book, Eve of the Emperor Penguin, was published last September

Valentine's Day: Playing With Language

Valentine’s Day is this Saturday, February 14. This holiday is celebrated romantically, and it's also a time for kids to celebrate their friendships. But I like it for the way Valentine cards play with the language, using puns and idioms to make jokes.

Even romantic-seeming phrases are acceptable for kids to give each other in friendship when using these kinds of jokes, such as a card with the phrase “Here is a flower for my Valentine: two-lips,” and a picture of a tulip. It is a joke about kissing, but only a joke. Depending on your child’s age and your own family’s culture, you may choose not to have your child give this sort of card, but there is no need to feel uncomfortable if they receive them.

Puns
Puns are jokes using homophones (words which sound alike but have different meanings) or near-homophones. (Knock-knock jokes use puns, too.) Puns are also a great test of English listening skills – the words look wrong when written, but make sense when spoken.

• Bee my Valentine!
• I love you bear-y much!
• You’re purr-fect!
• Tanks for being my Valentine!

Idioms
Idioms are phrases which use words to mean something other than their literal meaning. I use two books frequently when discussing idioms with ESL students: the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms, which gives examples, definitions, and history in a kid-friendly format; and the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs, which is much more comprehensive, but also gives less explanation.

• Wear your heart on your sleeve.
• You’re the cat’s pajamas (or cat’s meow).
• I only have eyes for you.
• I’m head over heels for you.

Many American nicknames for people you love use food – honey, sweetie, sugar. Idioms are the same:

• You’re the apple of my eye.
• You’re the cream of the crop.
• I’m bananas (or nuts) for you.

“You can’t be beet” is both an idiom and a pun – a play on the homophones beat/beet, and a phrase which means something is the best. The illustration on a card will sometimes help explain the joke. This way of playing with language really helps with both English and cultural fluency. If you make a joke like this, you have really mastered the language!

Movies: More Than Just Entertainment

When kids are new in town and trying to make friends, seeing a few popular movies can give them something to talk to their friends about, even if they don't understand all of the words yet. Also, sitting in a movie theater with other people will help them find out which parts are the jokes, which may not be easy to understand when watching TV or a DVD at home.

For movie information, Rotten Tomatoes gathers reviews from many different websites and newspapers. The Washington Post's weekly Family Filmgoer gives information on what films are appropriate for different age groups and why.

If you are looking for a DVD, perhaps for a playdate with a new school friend, Wall-E is an excellent film for kids still learning English. The robots communicate with sounds and body language, not words. In fact, Wall-E can also help a child understand that you don't need to know lots of words to make new friends.

Salted: The Globe Talks About Boston Slang

The Globe Sunday Magazine has a great article about local slang. "Salted" is a word that I'm too old to use, unless I wanted to make a teenager fall down from laughing at me. But there is a list of other local terms like jimmies and frappe, and an interesting discussion of how words can be a way to express the city's identity and history.

The writer uses a self-deprecating and sarcastic humor that can be difficult to notice if English is not your first language. Enjoy sentences like, "'[T]onic' is fading from use, thanks in part to the realization that it's actually the name for a completely different beverage."

Beantown And The Beanpot: Some Local Culture

Today and next Monday is the 58th annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament, among local colleges Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, and Northeastern. This 58-year tradition will be broadcast on NESN on TV, and by each of the four colleges' radio stations.

Boston is known as Beantown because baked beans was a commonly eaten dish in the past. This dish was common because it used molasses (a kind of sugar). Boston had plenty of molasses, unfortunately, because of the path of ships in the "triangle trade": slaves were brought from Africa to the Caribbean, molasses from the Caribbean to New England, and rum from New England to Africa.

The final chapter in Boston's beans-and-molasses history is both humorous and tragic. Molasses is a thick, sticky form of sugar which oozes so slowly that we sometimes describe things as being "as slow as molasses." It is hard to imagine not being able to simply walk faster than molasses would ever flow. When people hear the phrase "The Great Molasses Flood of 1919,"* they usually laugh, never imagining that it actually was a deadly event. But on January 15, 1919, a tank of more than 2 million gallons of molasses burst. The wave of molasses destroyed buildings and killed 21 people. My grandmother once told me that for many years after the event, downtown Boston would still smell like molasses on hot summer days.

Understandably, the smell and taste of molasses - and therefore baked beans - were unpopular in Boston for a long time after that. The companies which made baked beans either moved or closed. Ninety years later, Boston still doesn't eat many baked beans, but we use the nickname to express affection for our city.

*The Yankee magazine article available on this site may describe the tragedy too graphically for some children, but otherwise the site is an excellent source of information.

Update: Groundhog Day

I am sorry to report that Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter. However, the Pennsylvania groundhog does seem happy that the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl last night.

Poem: The Raven

On January 29, 1845, Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" was first published in the New York Evening Mirror. Try reading it out loud - or watch actor Vincent Price - to hear the creepy, scary rhythms.

Poetry is a good way to practice pronunciation (if the poem rhymes) and the rhythm of the spoken language.

Weekend Fun: Groundhog Day

February 2 is Groundhog Day. This is not a holiday, just a family-friendly fun way to break up the long, cold winter. According to legend, the groundhog comes out of his hole on this day to see if it is spring yet. If he sees his shadow, he will be frightened back into his hole, and we will have six more weeks of winter. If not, we can enjoy an early spring. The most famous groundhog prognosticator is Punxsutawney Phil, in Pennsylvania.

We have had so much snow this year that I hope Monday is cloudy and shadow-free.

Drumlin Farm in Lincoln is having a special Groundhog Celebration on Sunday from 9am-4pm. Activities include crafts, stories, science investigations, and hot cocoa drinking.

Ghandi & King's Boston Inspiration

Yesterday was India Republic Day, and the Monday before that was Martin Luther King Day. The peaceful non-violence of both Mahatma Ghandi and Dr. King was inspired by On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau's hometown of Concord is an easy drive from Boston; the Concord Chamber of Commerce has good visitor information on their website.

Visit Walden Pond, a short drive away from downtown Concord. This small lake has a beach and is surrounded by a walking trail (easy enough for older kids, but not handicapped accessible). There is also a replica of the tiny cabin Thoreau lived in during the 2 1/2 years that inspired his most famous book, Walden, and a visitor center/gift shop.You will find plenty of parking for a $5 fee (the parking lots occasionally fill up on summer weekends).

The Concord Museum has a special Thoreau collection and exhibits that explain Concord's important role in the American Revolution, literature, and more. You can also visit the homes of several of Thoreau's famous friends: Louisa May Alcott's home, The Orchards; Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Wayside; and Ralph Waldo Emerson's house.

My own favorite place to visit is Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Although winter snow makes parking and walking difficult, it is especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are turning colors. Author's Ridge is an area with the graves of several famous authors, including Thoreau, Alcott, Hawthorne and Emerson. Thoreau's grave often has apples and other natural gifts left by admirers!