Module 6 – Fiction, Fantasy, and YA
1. BABYMOUSE by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Bibliography
Holm, J.L., & Holm, M. (2005). Babymouse: queen of the world!. Random House Children’s Books.
Plot Summary
Babymouse is a spirited mouse who daydreams about one day being queen of the world. She thinks her classes at school are boring and she really wants to be popular. When she overhears that the coolest girl in school is going to have a sleepover party, she does everything she can to score an invitation. Finally, she gets it! But it’s on the same night that she is supposed to be watching a movie at her best friend’s house. She decides to go to the sleepover party but has a horrible time. She realizes that she already has an amazing life and would much rather be with her real friend, so she leaves the sleepover to go where she belongs. Babymouse learns an important life lesson and spends the rest of the night having a great time with her pal.
Critical Analysis
This is the first book in the beloved graphic novel series. Babymouse is a familiar archetype. She is a middle school girl who dreams of being popular and doesn’t care for academics at all. As much as this book is a typical story with a predictable plot, the originality and wit come with the characters themselves and the delightful illustrations. Babymouse desperately seeks the approval of Felicia Furrypaws, the most popular girl in school and a cat... Her best friend, whom she pushes to the side only to realize he’s her one true friend, is a weasel. The familiar character roles and predictable plot paired with the pink-tinged black-and-white illustrations, make this a quick favorite for young readers to enjoy.
Review excerpts
- Horn Book Guide starred: “New readers will appreciate the familiar situations, humorous asides, and easy-to-digest plots;”
- Booklist: “...pink-toned illustrations of Babymouse and her cohorts vigorously reflect the internal life of any million-ideas-a-minute middle-school student.”
Connections
- Further reading: Babymouse: our hero Book 2 by Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm
- Draw your own Babymouse with directions at the back of the book.
2. CROSSOVER by Kwame Alexander
Bibliography
Alexander, K. (2014). Crossover. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Plot Summary
Crossover is a novel in verse. It tells the story of 12-year-old Josh Bell and his twin brother Jordan, “JB”. They are stars of their school’s basketball team and basketball is life. Their dad, Chuck “Da Man” Bell, is a retired professional basketball player, so he started teaching them the love of the game when they were toddlers. As the boys get older, they begin to grow apart and forge separate identities. This causes new rifts and conflicts that they must navigate. Josh is consumed with playing basketball and winning. When tragedy strikes, he learns to appreciate the time he spends with his family in a new way.
Critical Analysis
This book won the Newberry Medal in 2015. Alexander tells an authentic story of two brothers growing and learning together, in a very original way. The story is told through Josh’s eyes and the reader immediately knows he has an unstoppable drive to succeed in basketball. The contrast between the brothers begins to unfold in “On the way to the game”. Josh feels this space widen as the story progresses. Through Josh’s narration, you come to understand how much his brother means to him, how he idolizes his father, and admires his mother. The choice by the author to tell this story in free verse gives the reader constant access to the protagonist’s internal dialogue. This allows you to feel with the character and care about him and his family. Your heart breaks when his does.
Crossover’s poetry has rhythm and flow. The author uses concrete poetry in “Filthy McNasty” to create a sense of time and space. The reader is immersed in a lyrical basketball game as the story unfolds. Children will love the sports references and athlete-centered plot lines. Adults will hold on to the feeling it leaves behind.
Review excerpts
- Kirkus, starred review: “This novel in verse is rich in character and relationships.... Poet Alexander deftly reveals the power of the format to pack an emotional punch.”
- School Library Journal: “Alexander has crafted a story that vibrates with energy and heart and begs to be read aloud. Slam dunk.”- Publisher’s Weekly, starred: “Delivers a real emotional punch before the final buzzer.”
Connections
- Further reading: Rebound by Kwame Alexander
- Check out kwamealexander.com for more information about the author and his books.
3. ECHO by Pam Munoz Ryan
Bibliography
Ryan, P.M. (2015). Echo. Scholastic Press.
Plot Summary
Echo is the chronicle of a harmonica bestowed with magical powers and destined to bring good fortune to all who possess it. The novel is divided into four parts, each with its own characters and plot. It begins with Otto, a young boy who is lost in the woods during a game of hide and seek. He meets three young women (Eins, Zwei, and Drei) who are under a spell. They enchant the harmonica he purchased from a gypsy to save him. In Part 1, we meet Friedrich Schmidt and his family in 1933 Germany. Friedrich finds the harmonica in an abandoned warehouse. After it brings him hope, he passes it on. In Part 2, we meet Mike Flannery and his little brother Frankie in 1935 Pennsylvania. When the harmonica makes his dreams come true, he sends it on. In Part 3, we meet Ivy Maria Lopez and her parents in 1942 California. Finally, Part 4 brings all the storylines together in 1951 New York City. In the end, we learn how Otto came to part with the harmonica at the beginning, all those years ago.
Critical Analysis
This book is a work of art. The story is bookended with a fairytale that tells the origin of the prophecy and enchanted harmonica. The pages of the fairytale are framed by foliage, like the words come from deep in the forest. The dark pages with white lettering and leaves tell of the prophecy and spell cast by the witch. The white pages with black lettering and leaves tell of Otto and how he came to possess the book’s talisman. Instead of using the typical “Once upon a time...” opening of classic fairytales, Ryan sets this story with, “Fifty years before the war to end all wars...” and achieves the same effect.
The beginning of each part is marked with a blank page presenting a large print number written in all capital letters. It is then followed by a title page which tells the month, year, region, and country in which the story will take place. Next is the music featured in the section. This music is the harmonica tabs and lyrics that accompany each piece that will be played by the protagonist. Each part begins by introducing the main character and what their lives are like. Each one has a challenge to overcome. Each protagonist is a gifted musician whose destiny is magically intertwined with the enchanted harmonica. The harmonica brings hope and joy to our musicians and to all who listen to their music.
Ryan has crafted storylines infused with emotion. The protagonists are extremely sympathetic characters, each with their own plight to overcome. The reader is invested and desperately hoping for a happy ending. Music weaves together every element of this story, from the sheet music at the beginning, through themes of hope and following your heart, to the musical protagonists in each tale making beautiful music with the enchanted harmonica. The author conveys the experience of music throughout each character’s journey with such beauty and reverence that it leaves the reader feeling the magic of each time and place, despite the injustices happening all around. Music is always the saving grace.
Review excerpts
- Kirkus Reviews, starred review: “A grand narrative that examines the power of music to inspire beauty...”
Connections
- Visit pammunozryan.com to hear from the author herself, learn more about the book, and download a discussion guide.
- Have students create their own “harmonicas” with craft materials or recyclables. Encourage them to compose an original song or perform a classic.
4. WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Bibliography
Jamieson, V., & Mohamed, O. (2020). When Stars are Scattered [Audiobook]. Retrieved from https://www.audible.com/pd/When-Stars-Are-Scattered-Audiobook/0593162587
Plot Summary
When Stars are Scattered is a memoir of Omar Mohamed’s childhood spent in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. He and his younger brother, Hassan, spent most of their childhoods there. The story shows what life was like from day to day in the refugee camp. They fled their home with neighbors after their father was killed and their mother sent them on ahead of her. They were orphans when they arrived at Dadaab, so a kind woman, Fatuma, became their foster mother. They rarely had enough to eat while living at the camp, but Omar did finally get the chance to attend school, and he did well. This brought hope and opportunities for him and his non-verbal brother. The boys never gave up hope that they would see their mother again one day.
Critical Analysis
Jamieson and Mohamed teamed up to write this very compelling story of tragedy and perseverance. This audiobook received an Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production Honor in 2021. The story is extremely moving and brilliantly voiced by a diverse cast. It is told in 3 parts, each in chronological order. Part 2 jumps forward two years, and Part 3 jumps forward four years. The book begins with opening credits. Parts 1 and 2 are each seven chapters. Part 3 is three chapters long. The Afterword tells what happened to Omar and Hassan when they arrived in the U.S. in 2009 and about their lives now. The final two sections are separate author’s notes from each author. The narrators bring their characters to life and listeners will be moved by their plight and bravery.
Review excerpts
- School Library Journal: “With this sensitive and poignant tale, Jamieson and Mohamed express the power of the human spirit to persevere.”
Connections
