THE MAP TRAP by Andrew Clements

Alton is a map fanatic. He makes maps of the usual stuff like directions and where things are located. But he also makes secret maps - like who the popular kids are or what food in the cafeteria makes people sick. When Alton's secret maps go missing and are held for ransom, Alton better act quickly before the secret maps go public and ruin everything.

If you accept the definition of "geek" as someone who is passionate about something cool and smart, this is a "geek" story. The map things are very cool and I loved reading about Alton and his passion. I even learned about geocaching, something I think my students would find cool. This is a great school story about friendship, social behavior. The solution to Alton's problem was great, too.

4 out of 5 stars
AR Reading level of 5.3

CHAPTER BOOK: About Average by Andrew Clements

Jordan longs to be special - distinguished in some way from her 6th grade peers. But so far, she's just average - average height, average grades, average face. And in the midst of her average anguish, a bully finds a list of Jordan's thoughts on her own average-ness and plans to use it to make Jordan's life miserable. What's an average girl to do?

This is the latest release from one of my favorite authors for kids, Andrew Clements - the author of Frindle and No Talking. Jordan will appeal to middle grade girls wondering where they fit. She's a nice, likable girl who tries to do the right thing, the smart thing, when it comes to her problems. I loved reading the way she processes what to do about her bully problem - what her options are and how an option might work or not work. Any adult would see Jordan's gifts, but they aren't the flashy, public ones Jordan thinks they should be to be valuable.

This is a pensive story - most of it takes place in Jordan's head. There's not a lot of "action" or dialogue in the story which may discourage some readers from giving it a try, which would be a shame, because this is a good story.

3.5 stars out of 5
No AR rating yet

Recommended for: classroom/library read-alouds might expose more readers to Jordan. There's plenty here for classroom discussion, too. This could also be a good one for parents to read with their kids (Jordan may appeal to girls more than boys, but the lessons work for any student) and talk about how Jordan deals with her bully problem and her feelings of average-ness.

Cautions: none

MONDAY: Troublemaker by Andrew Clements

Summary 

Clay's goal in life is to have fun and play it cool. No fear. He really wants to impress his older brother, Mitch, with his pranks - like drawing a picture of a donkey that looks suspiciously like the school principal.

When Mitch comes home after 30 days in jail for contempt of court, he's been scared straight. And he wants Clay to play things straight, too. Can Clay put his prank-ish and rebellious behavior behind him? Will the adults around him - and his peers - let him?

Review

I am a big Andrew Clements fan. I take note of when a new book is scheduled to release and, more often than not, I buy it. This was a good story, but not a favorite of mine. I would choose Frindle and No Talking and a few others over Troublemaker. 

I thought the change in Clay from the start of the book to the finish was well described. I also liked the change in the family dynamics, even from Clay's dad. Mitch really uses his role and influence over his brother in a good way. And Clay's temptations to revert to his old behaviors were very realistic. The story just didn't capture me like some of the others. Books are like that sometimes - not every book works for every reader.

I was disappointed that the book used the term "jack***" several times. It was like It's a Book all over again (the Lane Smith picture book about electronic devices vs. books that had this same word in it that caused a little bit of a ruckus). I don't feel it would be appropriate to bring this book into my son's school library because many families would find that language inappropriate for younger students. The publisher lists the book for kids in grades 3 through 7. Thinking of students I know in those grades, I imagine there would be a range of responses from not caring, to being appalled that such language was in a book in the school library. (And there would also be the ones who would giggle, feeling like they were getting away with something naughty!)


It is going to be up to parents and librarians/teachers to determine the appropriateness of the language for their own contexts. I give the story itself 3.5 stars out of 5.


Recommended for:Teachers and librarians who are prepared to deal with the issue of the language. Public libraries should add it to their Clements collection as it deals with interesting character issues for Clay and his family.

Cautions: Some language.

MONDAY: Jake Drake, Bully Buster

Summary

This fall I was asked to serve as a mentor with In2Books, a group that pairs adult mentors with third through fifth grade students. The students and the mentors read books together throughout the year and exchange thoughts and questions about what they read through email.  Jake Drake was the first book I read with my student.


Jake has a big problem - a big bully problem. For some reason, a boy named Link has targeted Jake and he makes Jake's life miserable. Jake doesn't want to tattle - that creates problems of its own - but he doesn't want to give in to the bullying either. He tries several things to help him with his problem and along the way learns some things about bullies and about Link - and himself.

Review

I am an Andrew Clements fan, but this was my first Jake Drake book. I liked it, but not as much as books like Frindle and No Talking. I thought Jake's approach to the bullying was very realistic and his story would be a great starting point for discussions about bullying. I respected Jake's desire to avoid tattling, but I'm sure most parents and teachers would want to encourage students to seek adult help rather than trying to deal with a bully alone.



3 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: early chapter book readers, class room teachers, teachers of anti-bullying/ peace-related curricula, bedtime reading and book discussion for parents and children


Cautions: none




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TUESDAY: We the Children (Keepers of the School Series)

As if it wasn't bad enough that Ben was running late to class, then he got stuck sitting with a janitor who had just broken his ankle and was waiting for an ambulance. While Ben waits with him, things get weird. The janitor starts going on about how it's now up to Ben to save the school from the developers who are set to tear it down when summer break starts. He even gives Ben a coin with a message from the school's long-dead founder. It's so weird that Ben tries to just put it out of his mind...until he finds out the janitor has died.


Ben shares the whole story with his best friend, Jill, and together they dive into the clues they've been given.

It is no secret that I am a fan of Andrew Clements. When I saw that he was kicking off a new series this spring, I put the first book immediately on my list. I didn't fall in love with the story and the characters like I did with stories like Frindle and  No Talking, but it was interesting enough that I would read it to my son or my students and I will read the next book (Fear Itself (Keepers of the School) due out September 7th). 


There are side stories about sailing, Ben's parents' separation, and another boy at school who likes to "tweak" Ben. (I did love the story of what happens between the boys during a boat race). The side stories fill in gaps between the parts of the story that focus on the main mystery - I skimmed through some of the sailing parts to get back to the mystery. I also like that the main characters get to learn some things about history, maps and other things as they work on their quest.


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Waiting on WEDNESDAY - Coming Soon for April 2010

These are some of the new arrivals I am looking for in April of 2010. 
















I love Andrew Clements and am excited to see him starting a new series. The Denise Swanson series is about a school psychologist and Wedding Belle is the latest in her series. Lucy Lawrence's series is a craft-based mystery series based on the craft of decoupage. And Fox Trot is one of my favorite comic series from the newspaper. I own many of the books and have reviewed some of them before.

[I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you click to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.]

TUESDAY: Extra Credit

Abby is desperate. If she doesn't pull her grades up and start turning in her homework, she'll have to repeat 6th grade. She will do anything to keep that from happening - even an extra credit pen-pal project.

Sadeed is a 6th grader in Afghanistan. He is the best in his school at reading and writing in English, so he is the best one to respond to Abby's letter. But it would be improper for a boy to write to a girl. Instead, Sadeed is supposed to transcribe letters for his little sister. But Sadeed soon finds there are things he wishes to say to Abby himself.

This was fantastic! Andrew Clements is my all time favorite author for kids and his newest offering will be going right on my son's book shelf to wait until he is old enough to enjoy them.

TUESDAY: No Talking

[grades 3-6] Dave has been reading about Gandhi and decides to try to go for a day without talking. And he is making good progress, too, until the incessant chatter by Lynsey irritates him so much he blurts out a challenge - a boys versus girls contest for the whole fifth grade to not talk for 48 hours. That means no talking to parents, teachers, coaches, or friends for two whole days. What might seem difficult for most fifth graders is even harder for the group dubbed "the unshushables" by school personnel. In fact, the group is normally so noisy that their silence is alarming to school personnel. When the principal orders the students to end the game, the battle of wills begins.

This is probably my favorite Andrew Clements book - right up there with Frindle. Another great school story with creative, likable students and school personnel who just want what's best for them. I especially liked the different teacher reactions to the students' silence. Some see it as a frustration while others see it as an opportunity. The "unshushables" have finally gotten shushed, and people want them to go back to talking - what a paradox!

I do feel a little nervous reading this to my students, imagining what it would be like to be the teacher in this scenario. I hope I would have the grace shown by some of the teachers in the story.

TUESDAY: Frindle

[grades 4-6] By fifth grade, Nick Allen has become a master of the "teacher stopper," the comment or question that can pull a teacher off topic for just enough time to avoid unpleasant lectures or even homework assignments. But Nick Allen has met his match in Mrs. Granger. She takes his teacher stopper and turns it into extra homework for Nick! Nick has to research the origin of words. Through his research, and some of Mrs. Granger's comments in class, Nick starts to question why things are called what they are - who says a pen is a "pen?" Why couldn't it be a "frindle?" This idea sets Nick, Mrs. Granger and the entire school on a course that will take "frindle" so much farther than anyone ever expected.

I love a good school story. Especially ones with curious and creative children and teachers who give them space to explore. I have read this book countless times. I am reading it to my family for the first time and I think my husband is enjoying it as much as my son!I especially like how the relationships grow and transition throughout the story. Andrew Clements is a master of the school story. If you love Frindle like I do, you'll want to try some of his other school stories.