TWERP by Mark Goldblatt

I’ve written about bullying in the past.  I shared how it impacted me and how it still damages kids today.  A few years ago a school psychologist did an anti-bullying program with my class, and it was one of the most effective ones.  He talked about how there are multiple types of bullies.  There is “the bully”, the one that actually does the deed or thinks it up.  There is “the posse”, the ones that help or follow; and finally, the spectators.  We all know them they are the ones that just watch and do nothing. The posse and the spectators give the bully power!

Recently Random House sent me a copy of Twerp by Mark Goldblatt.  It is a story about Julian Twerski.  He is the sixth grade and was suspended for a week for an action he doesn’t want to think about.  Twerp is set in 1969.  Julian’s English teacher tells him he can get out of a Shakespeare assignment is he writes a journal of his life.  He eventually fills over 10 composition books.  While we read his entries we learn a lot about this young man.  Julian is gifted, and that doesn’t sit well with his best friend.  We, also, find out that, his best friend, Lonnie is the true bully.

I am not going spoil the ending, but as time goes on it is easy to tell that Julian is a major part of the posse.  His misguided sense of loyalty to Lonnie gets him into more trouble than he deserves.  During my time with Julian I got very angry with him, and almost gave up on him; but I knew there was something in him that made him special.  I am my no means defending his actions, but I believe that his empathy will guide him away from Lonnie.

Here’s the deal.  This will be a powerful read aloud for 5^th grade and 6^th grade classes.  It will allow for discussion on making right choices even if it goes against the wishes of friends. I would put in a fourth grade library, and share with mature third graders.

Otis Dooda Strange but True by Ellen Potter

I love Manhattan.  It is a magical city.  We went earlier in the month for a mini vacation filled with shopping and eating.  Waiting in line for a burger from the Shake Shack is so worth it!!! Walking through the neighborhoods I am still blown away by the density of people and everything that comes with that. 

Me in front of the Lego Store at Rockefeller Center

I love Lego.  It is a magical invention.  I played with it when I was a kid, and am amazed on all the choices today.  I really want the Death Star kit!!! In my classroom is large tub of the remaining Lego of my youth.  At the beginning of each year I explain that there aren’t figures etc., and each year students create the same type of things I did as a kid.  Kids use imagination regardless.

Anyhow, combine Manhattan and Lego into one book and you have me.  Otis Dooda Strange but True by Ellen Potter does just that.  Otis and his family have to move to New York because his dad has a new job.  At the start we are introduced to Otis’ family.  His brother refers to him as “Lego Nerd”.  Funny that reading that it is easy to figure out kids that fit that name!  Moving to New York means living in an apartment. 

Middle grade books that take place in apartment building are great because in a small space there are so many different types of characters.  This is true in Otis Dooda.  There is Julius the doorman (he is in control), the Plant Guy (more on him in a bit), Perry (soon to be best friend, and Cat (short for Cat Girl).  In one short week Otis makes friends, and experiences some strange situations.  I mean getting shot in to marshmallow fluff sound like fun!  The one thing that bothers everyone in the building is the Plant Guy. Someone is hiding behind the large plant in the lobby and expects payment to get by.  The three new friends decide they are going to figure out whom it is.  They plan and plan, and well you have to read the book to find out.

I enjoyed reading Otis Dooda.  I plan on getting a few copies to use in a guided group.  It is a fatter book then most books at a low third grade level.  This is good because kids will feel successful finishing a bigger book.  It will also be useful for discussing setting.

I want to thank Ellen Potter for sending me a copy.  I am sorry I couldn’t get it together to participate with your book tour.  Packing up to move schools was more emotional than I anticipated.  

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

A couple of weeks ago we did a team building activity at school.  (Yes, in March…)  Anyhow, it was a fun way to work with a group.  We had to list 20 things that we love/make us happy, another list of something, and five dream jobs we would do it we could.  It is risky sharing these jobs.  These are things we want to do, but maybe probably lack the skills to actually do.  Since I was a kid my dream was to be a Broadway star.  Sing, dance and win a Tony.  To be totally honest I lack everything to be able to do this.  I can’t sing, trust me or ask around.   I can’t dance; it’s not that I have two left feet they can’t even find the beat.  Of course I do perform daily.  I am a supporting actor and get to share center stage with 26 very dramatic characters. You’re always welcome to catch my daily matinee.

Every Sunday I read the New York Times Book Review.  Recently, there were two middle grade books reviewed about the theatre.  Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle perked my interest.   I decided that since there were 22 books on my to be read stack I would get a new one to read instead.  Please, don’t even try to figure out the logic to that!  Well I’m glad I did.  It was a gritty and charming story of Nate’s guest to be what I will never be:  a Broadway STAR!

Nate’s best friend Libby finds out that there are auditions for the musical version of ET.  Together they plan his escape from his small town outside Pittsburgh to New York to audition for a role.  Life for Nate is not easy.  He is over weight, and, well, he sings show tunes all the time.  Not the easiest way to survive middle school.  His parents fight all the time and his brother calls him the same names he is called at school.  Who wouldn’t want to escape? 

Once Nate arrives in New York he works very hard to reach his dream.  Along the way he meets his estranged aunt and her roommate and discovers the importance of family.

Middle Grade classification!  Publishers have to lump books together.  It helps all of you know where to start, but sometimes just putting them in a category isn’t enough.  Better Nate Than Ever is listed at a 9-13 year old book.  There are nine year olds that will enjoy this book, but putting it in a fourth grade classroom library is doing a disservice to a wonderful book.  This book should have book talks in 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade classrooms and libraries.  Student’s dreams must be fostered, and allowed to bloom.  Given what is dominating media coverage this week gay students must have books that show that they are OK.  Luckily, Tim Federle wrote a book that will help many of these kids see that it will get better. 

Rump The True Story of Rumpelstilskin by Liesl Shurtliff

NBC’s Grimm is one of my favorite shows.  The show is an updated version of the Brothers Grimm. During the first episode the viewers discover that Nick Burkhardt, a Portland detective, is actually a Grimm.  For centuries Grimms have battled the evils.  As a Grimm, Nick can see what creature is really hidden behind the façade of a human.  It is this play on old stories that are so fun to watch and read.

Recently I received an advance reader’s copy of

Rump The True Story of Rumpelstilskin by Liesl Shurtliff.  Now any play on the word butt is going to get a boys attention.    This book definitely does not disappoint.  Rump’s mother died during childbirth.  Her last partial word was her new babies name….Rump!  I mean how sad?  She died before even saying his whole name.  In this magical land little gnomes run around announcing the name of newborn babies.  It was hard growing up and being the butt of so many jokes.  (Sorry I couldn’t help it.)  It is a hard life for Rump and his grandmother.  He must work in the gold mines all day, there is little food, and he is bullied non-stop. 

Rump does have a friend named Red.  Her grandmother lives in the forest.  See another twist to the old stories. As Rump gets older he discovers that he can spin straw into gold.  This of course leads to many bad times for the two friends.

I am not going to give away more about the story because you need to have fun reading it. I am ordering a copy this week for the classroom, so that it gets passed around and read by kids.  Rump is filled with humor, no parents, evil people, magic and more humor.  It has everything a boy read wants, and needs in a book.

Too often books based on old stories get lost in trying to take themselves too seriously.  Ms. Shurtliff has fun, and that is why I REALLY enjoyed Rump The True Story of Rumpelstilskin.

spy school by STUART GIBBS

 There is something about espionage that fascinates me.  Kim Philby and the Cambridge Five, and Aldrich Ames of the CIA intrigue me.  What drives a person to be a spy?  What makes them turn into a double agent?  I don’t read many spy books, but I love to watch spy shows.  Right now I am streaming MI-5 on Netflix, one of my favorites movies is Another Country loosely based on Kim Philby; and Homeland on Showtime is nail biting.  And the crème de la crème James Bond which keeps getting better. 

My mom once said, “James Bond movies are OK.  They’d be better if they were more realistic!”  Really, what can you say to that?  Except, if they were more realistic they wouldn’t be any good.

Last year Guy’s Read Book Club read belly up by Stuart Gibbs.  It was by far the favorite book of the year.  Many parents ended up reading it as well.  Recently, I found Mr. Gibbs newest book spy school while scouring the shelves at The Bookies.  I was very excited to see a new book from a great author.  After finishing the book I stand by my statement about Stuart Gibbs.

Spy School is a covert school located in Washington DC.  The CIA runs it, and its sole purpose is to train kids to be spies.  Most of the instructors are ex CIA operatives.  In other words that are too old or incompetent to be spies!   One day an average nerdy, 12 year old, named Ben Ripley comes home to find Alexander Hale, a spy, sitting in his living room. (Later we find that Alexander Hale is a total “Dig Me!”) Alexander is there to take Ben to spy school.  Ben is a mathematical genius, so he is told that he has qualified to be a spy.  What they didn’t tell him was the truth.  He is, actually, supposed to be a patsy, or a trap. While at Spy School he makes new friends, new enemies, and quickly finds out he is in over his head. Oh, and he saves the day.

OK, so that was a very brief blurb on the book.  I figure I would spend the time writing about what I like about the book.  Just like belly up, it is very funny.  Not slap stick funny, but situational funny.  Mr. Gibbs creates these very unrealistic situations that once you finish reading you say. “On, I could totally see that happening!”  The book is filled with wonderful characters.  It is very hard to figure out friend or foe.  This is important in a mystery.  I, also, like that Ben knows that he is not perfect. 

Another thing I like about the book is the layout.  Each chapter is titled, followed by location, date, and time.  I am not going to give the chapter number, but one chapter is titled:  

Interrogation 

Cheney Center for the Acquisition of Information

Most kids aren’t going to get the references, but REALLY how funny is this!

I quickly read this book, and I am giving it to a student this morning.  Unfortunately, the book is not right for Guy’s Read.  It is very much a high 4^th grade and above.  Not just reading level, but content.  You know just because they can read it doesn’t make it right.