Watermark Books & Cafe

Teacher Feature

October 21, 2003

In this issue:

An invitation

Halloween treats

Three books about not-so-famous women

Paul Fleischman's "Breakout"

__

Greetings:

Since my last Teacher Feature, I've finished reading "Granny Torelli Makes

Soup" to kids in their classrooms and had a great time doing so. Thanks to

all who invited me. The other accomplishment among our Watermark staff is

much greater. Beth Golay completed a run down one side of the Grand Canyon

(yes, THE Grand Canyon), across the bottom, and up the other side. This

just amazes me. We're all very proud of her.

__

If you have any free time this Thursday or Friday, I have a place for you to

go. The Kansas Association of Teachers of English and the National Council

of Teachers of English are holding a conference at the Marriott and the

public is invited to attend the author presentations and book signings that

will be offered. Christopher Phillips speaks Thursday from 9:00-10:30; Kay

Winters will be speaking on Thursday from 12:15-2:15; T.A. Barron speaks

Thursday from 3:30-4:30. For more information contact Kay Flook, 524-0568

or e-mail Clark Killion at ckillion@dccc.cc.ks.us.

Watermark will be there selling books; stop by and see us.

__

This is the official Halloween issue. Following is a list of good choices

for those of you who still "do" Halloween. Even if you don't, check out the

last book on the list.

1) "Moonlight the Halloween Cat" by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Melissa

Sweet. Cynthia Rylant packs so much into this simple, eloquent description

of the wonders of Halloween night as seen through the eyes of Moonlight the

cat. Far from spooky, the rich paintings that accompany this story evoke a

feeling of warmth as the cat roams through the neighborhood taking in the

sights and sounds of the town and countryside. (ages 2-5)

2) "A Tiger Called Thomas" by Charlotte Zolotow, illus.` by Diana Cain

Bluthenthal. Charlotte Zolotow never disappoints, especially in this tender

story of Thomas, the new kid on the block, who learns that just being

yourself will earn you a place among friends. Thomas is afraid to meet the

people in his new neighborhood because he's decided they won't like him.

Halloween gives him an opportunity to hide inside his tiger costume and go

out among his neighbors only to learn that everyone knows him, even behind

his mask, and what's more, they all like him. This is my Halloween pick.

(ages 3-7)

3) "Minnie and Moo: The Night of the Living Bed" An I Can Read Book by

Denys Cazet. Nothing scary about Halloween night when Minnie and Moo blow

into town on their runaway bed and perform hilarious tricks with their farm

buddies in order to earn treats. (age 4-8)

4) "Jeoffry's Halloween" by Mary Bryant Bailey, illus. by Elizabeth Sayles.

Jeoffrey, the farmer's cat, thinks he's out for his usual nightly prowl, so

he is surprised to encounter strange sounds and even stranger creatures

roaming the night. Brave Jeoffrey presses on, bewitched by all he

experiences. Told in rich, vibrant verse with atmospheric illustrations.

(ages 4-8)

5) "The Graves Family" by Patricia Polacco. The only reason this one is on

the Halloween list is because the Graves family's house looks and seems

haunted. But it really isn't. It's just that the Graves family is,

well...a little different. The Graveses have recently moved into the creepy

old house on the hill which they painted blood red. They have giant

spiders, a secret laboratory, and a huge Venus fly trap. Mrs. Graves is a

gourmet cook but you'll not find beef and taters on her table. Try "Great

New Zealand Land Vipers" and "Parasitic Lamprey Spine with Spotted Eel."

The Graveses desperately want to fit in, but chances are slim when Mr.

Graves tries out his new hair-growing formula on all the town's bald men on

the same day that a celebrity comes to town to award the coveted Best

Decorated House Award. This is a rollicking, zany book with a message:

"Don't fear differences...celebrate them!" (ages 6-9)

Halloween books and footnotes (our name for gifts) are on sale at 30% off.

Come and browse.

__

Halloween aside, there are other new titles to think about.

The World Series season is a good time to talk about a new baseball book in

which a girl is the center of attention. "Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in

Nine Innings" by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Terry Widener, is the

true story of Alta Weiss, a pioneering female baseball player at the turn of

the century (the last century). At the age of two, Alta hurled a corncob at

a pesky tomcat, showing the folks in her Ohio hometown that she sure had an

arm. At seventeen, Alta convinces a semi-pro team, the Independents, to let

her play. These illustrations are wonderful with interesting perspectives

and rich colors. Good baseball play by play description. Should be read

aloud. (ages 5-8)

__

Just a few years before Alta Weiss was wowing her neighbors with her prowess

on the ball field, Frances Willard was scandalizing her community by doing

the unthinkable--riding a bicycle. Later, this feminist would travel 20,000

miles every year in the cause of women's equality. In "Bicycle Madness" Jane

Kurtz tells the story of Frances Willard through the eyes of her fictional

character Lillie. It might be 1883, but Lillie has problems that many kids

can relate to: her mother has died, her father has moved her across town

away from her best friend, and...she can't spell! And the Spelling Bee is

coming. Lillie's new house is right next door to Frances Willard's and the

two form an unusual friendship. Together the two fight their demons--the

bicycle and public opinion for Frances and that darn spelling bee for

Lillie. Kurtz is a good story teller, and this would make an excellent book

for a class learning about women's suffrage or turn-of-the-century life.

Beth Peck's illustrations, based on photographs from the Frances Willard

House Collection, enrich the story. (ages 8-12)

__

Can there be any more books about the Wright Brothers? How about one about

their sister? "The Wright Sister: Katharine Wright and Her Famous Brothers"

by Richard Maurer is the first authoritative biography of the famous flyers'

sister. This book for older readers gives an in-depth look into the

dynamics of the Wright household of which Katharine was a pivotal member.

Based on a study of Katharine's personal papers and of the Wright family

archives, this is a fascinating story of the well-educated, confident woman

who postponed personal happiness in order to manage her brothers' affairs

and provide for their care. (middle grades and up)

__

Without realizing it, I've once again chosen books with a theme. Courageous

women of the 19th century. Couldn't have done it if I had tried.

__

One more, this time for older kids. In Paul Fleischman's "Breakout" he

explores how art imitates life--in this case, the life of 17-year-old

Audelia "Del" Thigpen who has run away from her foster home and is headed

for Taos when she becomes stuck in a traffic jam on the Santa Monica

freeway. Fast-forward eight years to find Del living as Elena Franco,

playwright and performance artist, who is performing a monologue based on

her stuck-in-traffic experience. In chapters alternating between the

traffic jam and the play about the traffic jam, we get a glimpse into an

artist's psyche and rejoice as Del breaks away not only from the traffic jam

but also from her deadend life. (grades 10 and up)

__

Sorry you're receiving this so late in the day. Even my late afternoon

chocolate milkshake didn't help my writer's block. And it always works for

Beth.

Carolyn

Teacher Feature Archives
Peruse back issues of teacher feature since its inception in April 2003.

	October 21, 2003 In this issue: An invitation Halloween treats Three books about not-so-famous women Paul Fleischman's "Breakout" __ Greetings: Since my last Teacher Feature, I've finished reading "Granny Torelli Makes Soup" to kids in their classrooms and had a great time doing so. Thanks to all who invited me. The other accomplishment among our Watermark staff is much greater. Beth Golay completed a run down one side of the Grand Canyon (yes, THE Grand Canyon), across the bottom, and up the other side. This just amazes me. We're all very proud of her. __ If you have any free time this Thursday or Friday, I have a place for you to go. The Kansas Association of Teachers of English and the National Council of Teachers of English are holding a conference at the Marriott and the public is invited to attend the author presentations and book signings that will be offered. Christopher Phillips speaks Thursday from 9:00-10:30; Kay Winters will be speaking on Thursday from 12:15-2:15; T.A. Barron speaks Thursday from 3:30-4:30. For more information contact Kay Flook, 524-0568 or e-mail Clark Killion at ckillion@dccc.cc.ks.us. Watermark will be there selling books; stop by and see us. __ This is the official Halloween issue. Following is a list of good choices for those of you who still "do" Halloween. Even if you don't, check out the last book on the list. 1) "Moonlight the Halloween Cat" by Cynthia Rylant, illus. by Melissa Sweet. Cynthia Rylant packs so much into this simple, eloquent description of the wonders of Halloween night as seen through the eyes of Moonlight the cat. Far from spooky, the rich paintings that accompany this story evoke a feeling of warmth as the cat roams through the neighborhood taking in the sights and sounds of the town and countryside. (ages 2-5) 2) "A Tiger Called Thomas" by Charlotte Zolotow, illus.` by Diana Cain Bluthenthal. Charlotte Zolotow never disappoints, especially in this tender story of Thomas, the new kid on the block, who learns that just being yourself will earn you a place among friends. Thomas is afraid to meet the people in his new neighborhood because he's decided they won't like him. Halloween gives him an opportunity to hide inside his tiger costume and go out among his neighbors only to learn that everyone knows him, even behind his mask, and what's more, they all like him. This is my Halloween pick. (ages 3-7) 3) "Minnie and Moo: The Night of the Living Bed" An I Can Read Book by Denys Cazet. Nothing scary about Halloween night when Minnie and Moo blow into town on their runaway bed and perform hilarious tricks with their farm buddies in order to earn treats. (age 4-8) 4) "Jeoffry's Halloween" by Mary Bryant Bailey, illus. by Elizabeth Sayles. Jeoffrey, the farmer's cat, thinks he's out for his usual nightly prowl, so he is surprised to encounter strange sounds and even stranger creatures roaming the night. Brave Jeoffrey presses on, bewitched by all he experiences. Told in rich, vibrant verse with atmospheric illustrations. (ages 4-8) 5) "The Graves Family" by Patricia Polacco. The only reason this one is on the Halloween list is because the Graves family's house looks and seems haunted. But it really isn't. It's just that the Graves family is, well...a little different. The Graveses have recently moved into the creepy old house on the hill which they painted blood red. They have giant spiders, a secret laboratory, and a huge Venus fly trap. Mrs. Graves is a gourmet cook but you'll not find beef and taters on her table. Try "Great New Zealand Land Vipers" and "Parasitic Lamprey Spine with Spotted Eel." The Graveses desperately want to fit in, but chances are slim when Mr. Graves tries out his new hair-growing formula on all the town's bald men on the same day that a celebrity comes to town to award the coveted Best Decorated House Award. This is a rollicking, zany book with a message: "Don't fear differences...celebrate them!" (ages 6-9) Halloween books and footnotes (our name for gifts) are on sale at 30% off. Come and browse. __ Halloween aside, there are other new titles to think about. The World Series season is a good time to talk about a new baseball book in which a girl is the center of attention. "Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings" by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Terry Widener, is the true story of Alta Weiss, a pioneering female baseball player at the turn of the century (the last century). At the age of two, Alta hurled a corncob at a pesky tomcat, showing the folks in her Ohio hometown that she sure had an arm. At seventeen, Alta convinces a semi-pro team, the Independents, to let her play. These illustrations are wonderful with interesting perspectives and rich colors. Good baseball play by play description. Should be read aloud. (ages 5-8) __ Just a few years before Alta Weiss was wowing her neighbors with her prowess on the ball field, Frances Willard was scandalizing her community by doing the unthinkable--riding a bicycle. Later, this feminist would travel 20,000 miles every year in the cause of women's equality. In "Bicycle Madness" Jane Kurtz tells the story of Frances Willard through the eyes of her fictional character Lillie. It might be 1883, but Lillie has problems that many kids can relate to: her mother has died, her father has moved her across town away from her best friend, and...she can't spell! And the Spelling Bee is coming. Lillie's new house is right next door to Frances Willard's and the two form an unusual friendship. Together the two fight their demons--the bicycle and public opinion for Frances and that darn spelling bee for Lillie. Kurtz is a good story teller, and this would make an excellent book for a class learning about women's suffrage or turn-of-the-century life. Beth Peck's illustrations, based on photographs from the Frances Willard House Collection, enrich the story. (ages 8-12) __ Can there be any more books about the Wright Brothers? How about one about their sister? "The Wright Sister: Katharine Wright and Her Famous Brothers" by Richard Maurer is the first authoritative biography of the famous flyers' sister. This book for older readers gives an in-depth look into the dynamics of the Wright household of which Katharine was a pivotal member. Based on a study of Katharine's personal papers and of the Wright family archives, this is a fascinating story of the well-educated, confident woman who postponed personal happiness in order to manage her brothers' affairs and provide for their care. (middle grades and up) __ Without realizing it, I've once again chosen books with a theme. Courageous women of the 19th century. Couldn't have done it if I had tried. __ One more, this time for older kids. In Paul Fleischman's "Breakout" he explores how art imitates life--in this case, the life of 17-year-old Audelia "Del" Thigpen who has run away from her foster home and is headed for Taos when she becomes stuck in a traffic jam on the Santa Monica freeway. Fast-forward eight years to find Del living as Elena Franco, playwright and performance artist, who is performing a monologue based on her stuck-in-traffic experience. In chapters alternating between the traffic jam and the play about the traffic jam, we get a glimpse into an artist's psyche and rejoice as Del breaks away not only from the traffic jam but also from her deadend life. (grades 10 and up) __ Sorry you're receiving this so late in the day. Even my late afternoon chocolate milkshake didn't help my writer's block. And it always works for Beth. Carolyn
	Teacher Feature Archives Peruse back issues of teacher feature since its inception in April 2003.