Fantasy (Textbook Assignment #5)

Crenshaw

Applegate, K. (2015). Crenshaw. NY: Fewer and Friends.

Jackson and his family are going through some hard times again. The last thing Jackson wants is to leave his home and live in the minivan, again. Then Crenshaw appears again. Jackson believes he’s too old to be having an imaginary friend and doesn’t want anyone to think he’s crazy. On the contrary, Jackson likes facts especially nature facts. Each time Crenshaw appears, Jackson counts to ten and wants him gone. Until Crenshaw tells Jackson, “I can’t go until I help you.”

Assignment: 

Jackson is the main character in the book. He's getting ready to be in fifth grade and lives with his parents and sister in an apartment. He's quite normal except for his imaginary cat, Crenshaw, who he talks to. Because of this, many students call him weird or crazy. Jackson struggles with hunger and he's scared that once again his family will be homeless.

There are several themes in this book. I believe the overall theme is family values. Jackson is a responsible, mature young man who helps whenever he can. He puts others needs before his. Its through Jackson's memories that we learn of his family's struggle financially that lead to them being homeless. Jackson mentions throughout the book, that he's hungry and cupboards are empty. Regardless of all his struggles, Jackson continues to use his imagination to create Crenshaw. These themes continue to be a burden on society today.

Book trailer:

Fight Hunger with Crenshaw:
http://www.mackidsbooks.com/crenshaw/fooddrive.html


Lesson plans:
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=45290


Additional Books:

The Graveyard book

Gaiman, N. (2008). The Graveyard book. New York, NY: Harper Collins. 

Nobody Owens aka Bod is a normal boy, who lives in a graveyard. When he was an infant, his parents and sister were murdered in their home. He narrowly escapes being a victim and is later found in the graveyard by Mr. and Mrs. Owens. The childless couple agree to protect and raise him as their own with the help of a guardian, Silas. As Bod grows, he is given the "freedom of the graveyard", but is instructed to stay within the yard. Danger is lurking around, for the man that killed his family is alive and closer than ever. 

Assignment:

The main setting for this book is in graveyard. However, there are additional places Bod visits and each time the author describes with detail. Bod walks "On the northwestern side of the graveyard things have become very overgrown and tangled, far beyond the ability of the groundskeeper of the Friends of the Graveyard to tame, and he ambled...and they played at hide-and-go-seek in the moonlight in the ivy-twined jungle." The author also describes suspenseful parts with detail. "He saw the shadow by the arch detach itself and come after him, almost as silent as the dead." Also, his description of  objects, "The knife had a handle of polished back bone, and a blade finer and sharper than any razor." 

The author use of style is seen throughout the book. The opening sentence, "There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife." foreshadows danger and suspense. Each character has their distinct language/accent from their era. Liza, the witch, says, "Never stole nuffink." Abanazer's voice is heard when he tells Tom, "That slow gin's gone to my innards. Give it a minute for my stomach to settle..." Anytime Mr. Owens addresses his wife, he says, "Mistress Owens"

Book trailer:

Lesson plans/additional resources:

https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=12845

http://files.harpercollins.com/PDF/TeachingGuides/0060530928.pdf

http://www.shmoop.com/graveyard-book/

Comic Squad: Recess!

Pilkey, D., Santat, D., Vernon, U., Telgeimeier, R., Roman, D., Wight, E., & Yang, G. L. (2014). Comic Squad: Recess! (J. L. Holm, M. Holm, & J. J. Krossoczka, Eds.). New York, NY: Random House

Super Ninja warriors...Pizza monster...Good guy vs bad guy...Aliens...Talking fruit...True love conquers all. This graphic novel anthology book has it all! There are eight action packed stories written by well known authors. 

Assignment:

Each story has its own style. In Book 'em dog man, the author many grammar and spelling mistakes adds to the story. In the Magic acorn, the symbols used for the aliens is understandable. The illustrations help the reader understand the alien's language.

In the fantasy stories, they share plot as a common evaluation criteria. In Book'em dog man, Babymouse: The quest for recess, and Betty and the perilous pizza day, each story begins with a problem. As the story unfolds, the characters find themselves battling and searching for a solution. 

Book trailer:

Author's webpages:

http://www.randomhousekids.com/brand/comics-squad/


Lesson plans:
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/comics-classroom-introduction-narrative-223.html?tab=4#tabs

https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=39427&a=1


Additional Book:

Skulduggery Pleasant

Landy, D. (2007). Skulduggery Pleasant. NY: Harper Collins.

Skuldugerry is no ordinary detective. He's a fire throwing skeleton, who's not dead or alive. Stephanie, a thirteen year old, has just inherited her uncle's fortune. Consequently, Stephanie is attacked twice and almost killed if it weren't for Skuldugerry, who comes to her aid. Gradually Stephanie realizes her uncle was murdered and longs for excitement. Skuldugerry and Stephanie will embark on a quest to solve her uncle's murder. Not knowing the murder is part of a larger scheme.  They will enter a secret magical world that humans don't know exists.



Assignment:
Skuldugerry is no ordinary  detective. He's a fire throwing skeleton. Stephanie, a thirteen year old, has just inherited her uncle's fortune. Their unique personalities combine to make this story believable. The reader feels Stephanie's fear when she's attacked or her relief when Skuldugerry comes to her rescue. Its Stephanie's bravery, resourceful and stubbornness that keep her alive.

The plot follows the characters as they embark on a quest. It begins with the death of Gordon Edgley and later the attack on his niece, Stephanie. Its during this quest, that readers learn about a secret world and the ongoing battle between good and bad sorcery.

Book trailer:



Lesson plans:
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=9527&a=1

https://images.scholastic.co.uk/assets/a/3d/22/skulduggerycharacter-act-free-1139602.pdf


Additional Resources:
http://www.skulduggerypleasant.co.uk/schools/


Additional Books: 
Skuldugerry Pleasant: The dying of the light
Skuldugerry Pleasant: Armageddon outta here
Skuldugerry Pleasant: Last stand of dead man
Skuldugerry Pleasant: Kingdom of the wicked
Skuldugerry Pleasant: Dead bringer
Skuldugerry Pleasant: Mortal coil
Skuldugerry Pleasant: Dark days
Skuldugerry Pleasant: The faceless ones
Skuldugerry Pleasant: Playing with fire

The maleficent seven

Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S., & Hale, D. (2014). Rapunzel's revenge [Kindle e-book]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com


Rapunzel grows up in a grand villa along with her Mother Gothel. There are times when Rapunzel has dreams that make her feel sad and feeling uneasy. If only Rapunzel could see over the enormous wall that surrounds her home then maybe Rapunzel's dreams would make sense. On her twelve birthday, Rapunzel sneaks a rope and climbs over the wall. She's left speechless and appalled at what she finds. The land looks completely barren if it weren't for the slaves working in the mine camps. Its in that desolate piece of land, that Rapunzel discovers the truth behind her dreams.

Assignment:
Rapunzel is locked away in a tower because she refused to obey and accept a wrongful matter. As she encounters other individuals and their problems, its beomes a battle between good and evil. Ultimately, its Rapunzel's love for her mother that she uses as strenght to continue on.

There are many characters that Rapunzel encounters throughout the story. The characters each have their unique name: "Witchy Jasper,"  and form of language: "dag-nabit," Also, the many unique places: "Pig Tree Gulch," "Dancing Man Rock".


Book trailer:
No official trailer. However the author sponsored a book trailer contest. The link provided will take you to her website to view several entries. 

http://oinks.squeetus.com/2010/02/rapunzels-revenge-book-trailer-contest-vote-now.html


Teaching Guide:
http://www.squeetus.com/stage/Rapunzel_TG.pdf

https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=13173&a=1

http://www.readwritethink.org/resources/resource-print.html?id=30266

http://www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/exquisiteprompt/hale


Author's webpage:
http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html


Additional Books:
Calamity Jack 
Ever After High: The storybook of legends
Ever After High: The unfairest of them all
Ever After High: A wonderful world

Gregor the Overland

Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the Overlander. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Gregor lives with his mother, grandmother, and two sisters in an apartment in New York. He agrees to help his mom with washing clothes and takes his baby sister, Boots, down to the basement. Boots accidentally falls into a metal grate and Gregor dives in behind her. Both fall into an underground world knows as the Underland. There's tension between the people and the rats, who fear the prophecy. It is said, an overlander warrior will come and bring the light.



Assignment:
From the beginning of the story, Gregor demonstrates his affection towards his family. He's unable to attend a summer camp because he has to stay and babysit his sister and grandmother. Later on, Gregor becomes the protector. He goes through a grate as his baby sister falls in. In the underworld, he continues to protect his sister, but other creatures as well. 

The story begins in a New York apartment building. Its a hot summer day, and Gregor sets out to help his mother with washing clothes in the basement. Its at this place, where Gregor finds himself falling through a metal grate to the Underland. Gregor's first quest is to find a way back home. However, the Underland is filled with many creatures and humans, who live in fear. It is here that Gregor learns of a prophecy, "An overlander warrior, a son of the sun, may bring us back light..." The plot focuses on Gregor finding his way back home through the dangers of the Underland. 


Teaching guide:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/gregor-overlander-storia-teaching-guide

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/underland-chronicles-discussion-guide

https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=2853


Author's webpage:
http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com


Additional Books:
Year of the jungle
The Hunger games
Catching fire
Mockingjay
Gregor and the prophecy of Bane
Gregor and the curse of the warmbloods
Gregor and the marks of the secret
Gregor and the code of claw