Michael’s Comments (group member since Jan 19, 2010)

Michael’s comments from the LLED, Spring 2010 group.

The winner of the underdog award was Heidi's nomination Traction Man meets Turbodog by Mini Grey

"Field Guide to Fantastic Creatures the Ultimate Monster Encyclopedia" by Giles Sparrow

I think the title speaks for itself. This book is full of monster like the Yeti for example. It very colorful and creative

"My Family is Forever" by Nancy Carlson
This book provides a touching story about an interracial adoption as a young girl tells of her journey aboard an airplane to meet her adoptive relatives where, despite their different appearances, she is embraced by her new surroundings and finds a perfect fit in a loving family all her own

"A Monster Under Alex's Bed" by Angelika Glitz

This book is about a little boy who is deathly afraid about the monster under the bed. As a kid what greater villian could there be

"Mighty Jackie the Strike Out Queen" by Marissa Moss
I picked this one because it is based off of a true story. Jackie Mitchell was only 17 years old, 130 pounds, and 5’7” tall, when she struck out two legendary batters in a row – Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig!

"Be Good to Eddie Lee" by Virginia Fleming
With Be Good to Eddie Lee, Virginia Fleming shows there's a big difference between being a friend and just being with someone, and that friends can come in shapes and sizes you didn't expect.This is a great choice for a book dealing with disability.

"Ghost Ship" by Mary Higgins Clark
One afternoon, after a night of terrible thunderstorms, ThomaS the main character finds, deep in the sands, a weathered old-fashioned belt buckle. When he picks it up, a boy his own age appears before him. His name is Silas Rich, a cabin boy from a ship called the Monomoy that sailed almost 250 years ago. As Silas tells his tale, suddenly the world of sailing ships opens before his eyes. This is an awesome adventure book.

"In Our Mothers' House" by Patricia Polacco
With three children, two mothers, and two cats, Marmee and Meema's house is filled with joy and laughter. Holiday visits from the children's gnocchi-making Nonna, homemade costumes and family trick-or-treating at Halloween, and exciting block parties with their diverse neighbors, filled their days with fun. Most of all, the care and attention of two very different mothers filled the children's lives with love.

"Nanna Upstairs and Nanna Downstairs" by Tomie de Paola
This is a really nice book for kids about death. Tommy visits his granparents house and spends time with his great-grandmother (Nana Upstairs). Then she dies, and Tommy's mother explains he can't see her anymore. Later at night, he looks out the window and sees a falling star. His mother says it is a kiss from Nana Upstairs.
The last page shows Tommy as a man and says that his grandmother (Nana Downstairs) died. He sees a falling star and knows that now she is also "Nana Upstairs"

"Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt" by Deborah Hopkinson. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt is a wonderful book about a young slave girl who is separated from her family and is taken to work in the fields of a plantation. She soon discovers that fieldwork is not for her, and is permitted to work in the house, helping with the sewing and mending. She begins to hear conversations about others who have escaped their plight, and comes up with a brilliant idea: she uses the leftover scraps of cloth from her sewing to begin to make her own quilt...a map that will lead her to her family and then to freedom. From the conversations she hears about the layout of the surrounding land, she meticulously creates her quilt. Upon its completion, she flees to find her family and leads them all to freedom. Having memorized its every detail while making it, she leaves the quilt behind for others to likewise memorize and reach safety.

My award will be called “underdog rises award.” My award will be given to the author for the best children’s book representing a character that rises above all that is expected to conquer his or her inner goal. Editor Susan Lehr addresses such topics in her book battling dragons. She discusses censorship, gender stereo-types, the struggle for freedom and equality, multiculturalism, ethical heroes,and violence. These are all part of everday life so i feel that book that is true to life addresses these topics. Bullying can be a huge aspect that a underdog has to rise above. The genre that I would like to use is fictitious adventure books that don’t rely on illustrations. I think that illustrations hinder the ability to be creative and image the setting and characters. I chose this award because adventure books give children a chance to think outside of the box and use their imagination; they are also my favorite books to read. I would like books that are nominated to be in the fifth grade range to the eighth grade range. Nominations should be posted no later than Thursday March 24, 2010

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