Missing May
By: Cynthia Rylant
1993 Newberry Medal Award
WOW! I see why Rylant’s book was awarded the Newberry Medal. I was most impressed by Rylant’s craft in developing her characters; simply outstanding! As I read, I felt like I formed a relationship with each of them, internalizing the character’s feelings – pain, hope, loneliness. Foremost, I found myself feeling empathy toward Ob. My heart, too, felt empty as he desperately searched for communication with his one true love, May, who had passed on two seasons ago. Furthermore, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book in which I actually feel in love with a character who had already passed on. While reading Rylant’s description, my opinion of May was that of a heroine, believing just as Ob and Summer had that “May was the best person… she was a big barrel of nothing but love… she has faith in every single person she met.” Connecting with May really helped to hook me into the storyline, thus I began to miss May’s presence in the trailer and in the lives of Ob and Summer.
I also found myself siding with Summer…perhaps it had something to do with her being passed on as a “homework assignment” from relative to relative after her biological mother passed away, or fear of losing everything, or her sensitivity and continual concern for Ob. Cletus, my favorite character, entertained me throughout the book. His suitcase collection was quite a hoot! In addition, I appreciate his mature wisdom, “Life just ain’t that heavy.” “Ob’s got visions, Summer. Just like you, except you’re always fighting yours off.” I bet I would have been friends with Cletus, but then again, young or old, who couldn’t love his wit?! I can only imagine what honest advice he would pass along to me.
Because of her strong character development, I was able to make meaningful text to self connections throughout Rylant’s story. When I was in the 8th grade, my maternal my maternal Grandmother passed away. It was the first time I had ever faced death. When my family traveled to Pennsylvania for the funeral, I found my Grandfather grieving for his Anna. It broke my hear to see my Grandfather, a strong and wise old man, hurt so badly. I remember hugging my Grandfather and hearing him sob on my shoulder , wondering out loud why she left him. After the funeral, we returned home to Kentucky and Grandpa demanded he stay in his own house – a house he and his own wife built with their own hands. Isn’t that s the sweetest things?! Shortly after the funeral, I went back to visit my Grandfather, by myself. I distinctly remember sitting on “Grandma’s” lounge chair in the living room, watching a movie with Grandpa. I glanced up and saw a white figure move through the dining room, and instantly knew it was Grandma. I continued to feel her presence in the house – especially in the kitchen and dining room. I never told Grandpa, but I knew that he could feel her presence, too. Feeling Grandma’s spirit wasn’t an eerie feeling, but a positive feeling, telling me that she was okay, that she still loved me, that she thanked me for visiting her lonely husband. Would telling him helped him, or made him feel more lonely because he couldn’t talk or be with Grandma? Like Summer, I didn’t know how to deal with a grieving widower, but did not know that angels existed. Because of my personal connection, I was broken hearted and cried when Ob’s chance of communicating with his wife through the Bat Lady wasn’t successful. I also cried when Summer felt the memories of May rush over her when she saw the owl fly after their trip to the capital. However, I cheered when I visualized Ob turning his vehicle around to visit the WV capital, and cheered even louder when the whirligigs in May’s garden. Even though the ending felt abrupt, I was satisfied knowing Ob was in a better place.
I loved the book and highly recommend it for audiences 4th grade and above. Even if readers do not share a similar experience with Ob, Rylant’s craft is still enjoyable. Her words pull at your heartstrings with her lovable characters as it loudly portrays a theme of appreciation for a loved one who has passed on.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Thursday, March 8, 2007
The Van Gogh Cafe
The Van Gogh Cafe
By: Cynthia Rylant
I gasped, I laughed out loud, and I smiled when I read Cynthia Rylant's Van Gogh Cafe. Even though I am not a typical fan of the fantasy/science fiction novels (I have never read the Harry Potter book series...I've tried reading the first book, but I just can't get into the series), I found myself completely enjoying this book.
"And then the real magic happens. The magic Clara is waiting for." Each time I read this line, I continued to think... the real magic, isn't what has already happened in the book so far, "real" magic. For example, when I read about Marc's poetry that predicted the future, and the suddenly appearing lemon meringue pies, I continued to think, this is magic, what else could be in store for me?! But, as I read on, the events continued to grow in excitement and wonder. "No way," I kept saying to myself. Of course, Rylant's foreshadowing at the end of each chapter also kept me at the edge of my seat, quickly turning pages, "Perhaps when lightening strikes," or "the door opens and in walks the writer."
I can't decide which magical event was my favorite - the multiplying muffins, or the love between Emerald and the gull. I especially liked the way the multilying muffins saved the day for the children in the blizzard. Furthermore, I couldn't help but laugh at the collected winter apperal that was shared between the neighborhood cat and the gull, and pages later, reading how their love had attracted the 20 bags of mail. Then, I was just thrilled to read that the bags of mail were consummed by 50 gulls who were heading to California on top of moving truck!
I particularly enjoyed that the magic of the story was wrapped around a former theatre, now presently a cafe run by a father and daughter. It felt as if each character in the story found an inner peace at the cafe, but yet were inspired by it's magic. Thinking of An Angel for Solomen Singer, and how the man's dreams were "granted," and his life was changed by the cafe, I realized that many lives were touched by magical Van Gogh cafe, run by Marc and Clara.
Since the beginning of our class, I have started bringing in my chapter books to share with my students. I update them on the books I am reading, how far along I am, what I think of the characters, and my recommendations. Although I would like to read aloud Bridge, Desperaux, and now Van Gogh Cafe, I can't seem to squeeze in the minutes during the day... so until can steal the time to read from my chapter books, I've instead sharing titles and events from the books. My students' interest were peeked as they anxiously listened as I shared the first events of magic from the Van Gogh Cafe. On day, I would like to share this book with my students so they, too, can enjoy the surprises of "real" magic!
By: Cynthia Rylant
I gasped, I laughed out loud, and I smiled when I read Cynthia Rylant's Van Gogh Cafe. Even though I am not a typical fan of the fantasy/science fiction novels (I have never read the Harry Potter book series...I've tried reading the first book, but I just can't get into the series), I found myself completely enjoying this book.
"And then the real magic happens. The magic Clara is waiting for." Each time I read this line, I continued to think... the real magic, isn't what has already happened in the book so far, "real" magic. For example, when I read about Marc's poetry that predicted the future, and the suddenly appearing lemon meringue pies, I continued to think, this is magic, what else could be in store for me?! But, as I read on, the events continued to grow in excitement and wonder. "No way," I kept saying to myself. Of course, Rylant's foreshadowing at the end of each chapter also kept me at the edge of my seat, quickly turning pages, "Perhaps when lightening strikes," or "the door opens and in walks the writer."
I can't decide which magical event was my favorite - the multiplying muffins, or the love between Emerald and the gull. I especially liked the way the multilying muffins saved the day for the children in the blizzard. Furthermore, I couldn't help but laugh at the collected winter apperal that was shared between the neighborhood cat and the gull, and pages later, reading how their love had attracted the 20 bags of mail. Then, I was just thrilled to read that the bags of mail were consummed by 50 gulls who were heading to California on top of moving truck!
I particularly enjoyed that the magic of the story was wrapped around a former theatre, now presently a cafe run by a father and daughter. It felt as if each character in the story found an inner peace at the cafe, but yet were inspired by it's magic. Thinking of An Angel for Solomen Singer, and how the man's dreams were "granted," and his life was changed by the cafe, I realized that many lives were touched by magical Van Gogh cafe, run by Marc and Clara.
Since the beginning of our class, I have started bringing in my chapter books to share with my students. I update them on the books I am reading, how far along I am, what I think of the characters, and my recommendations. Although I would like to read aloud Bridge, Desperaux, and now Van Gogh Cafe, I can't seem to squeeze in the minutes during the day... so until can steal the time to read from my chapter books, I've instead sharing titles and events from the books. My students' interest were peeked as they anxiously listened as I shared the first events of magic from the Van Gogh Cafe. On day, I would like to share this book with my students so they, too, can enjoy the surprises of "real" magic!
Friday, March 2, 2007
The Tale of Despereaux
The Tale of Despereaux
By Kate DiCamillo
Newberry Medal Award
As soon as I picked up the book, I was immediately intrigued. Perhaps it was DiCamillo’s unlikely hero dedication to Luke, her son’s best friend, or the feel of the paper mache edges of the book that peeked my interest, or the prestige of the Newberry Award… whatever it was, I was instantly attached to the text! Throughout my reading, I found the story itself an inspiring love tale, and insightful into the dungeon life of a castle. (How many times do we actually think about the dungeon life of rats, and how rats differ from mice?) However, my favorite aspect of the entire book was the manner in which DiCamillo addressed the reader. I loved that she directly spoke to her reader! As a teacher, I strive to make my students question, determine importance, look up definitions of unfamiliar words, but coaching these strategies to use these strategies is a task! I think DiCamillo beautifully modeled appropriate times in which the reader should practice these comprehension skills. I think this text would be an excellent choice to read aloud to model how the reader actively interacts in the text. In class on Monday, Dr. Johnson said The Tale of Despereaux would be an excellent read aloud choice because of the cliff hanger chapter endings. I enjoyed the story, and I definitely agree – it would be a perfect read aloud for both reasons.
Starting in Book One, I found Despereaux’s character heroic, but his family very much bothered me. I was upset that the mouse with big ears was “such a disappointment” to his parents and brother just because he was didn’t follow the expectations of mice. However, I was very impressed with Despereaux’s dreamy spirit. Regardless of obstacles he faced throughout the story, Despereax remained determined to live with a fairy tale ending. My heart ached for him as he was shunned from his family, held in the hand of Gregory, attempted to skid past the chef in the kitchen, and when he bravely confronted Roscurro. “Love is a powerful, wonderful, ridiculous thing, capable of moving mountains” repeated DiCamillo’s text, justifying Despereaux’s heroic actions. I cheered, I cringed, and I smiled as Despereaux diligently pursued his dreams of the princess.
I also liked the surprise ending in the final chapter. DiCamillo’s challenge to the reader to think of the entire story as a tale of a mouse in escape of darkness was extremely clever. It was a twist that altered my perspective of book. What if the tale was created to save someone from the darkness? I wonder if DiCamillo placed the chapter as a forward, would it have changed my perspective of the text as I read the book… would I have focused on the escape of darkness as I read the book. Was I supposed to understand as I read the book that the characters were all trying to save themselves from their own “darkness” without her stating so in the last chapter? I wonder if she even considered placing the final chapter as a forward. Regardless, I absolutely loved the book, and believe it would be an entertaining text for all ages of readers!
By Kate DiCamillo
Newberry Medal Award
As soon as I picked up the book, I was immediately intrigued. Perhaps it was DiCamillo’s unlikely hero dedication to Luke, her son’s best friend, or the feel of the paper mache edges of the book that peeked my interest, or the prestige of the Newberry Award… whatever it was, I was instantly attached to the text! Throughout my reading, I found the story itself an inspiring love tale, and insightful into the dungeon life of a castle. (How many times do we actually think about the dungeon life of rats, and how rats differ from mice?) However, my favorite aspect of the entire book was the manner in which DiCamillo addressed the reader. I loved that she directly spoke to her reader! As a teacher, I strive to make my students question, determine importance, look up definitions of unfamiliar words, but coaching these strategies to use these strategies is a task! I think DiCamillo beautifully modeled appropriate times in which the reader should practice these comprehension skills. I think this text would be an excellent choice to read aloud to model how the reader actively interacts in the text. In class on Monday, Dr. Johnson said The Tale of Despereaux would be an excellent read aloud choice because of the cliff hanger chapter endings. I enjoyed the story, and I definitely agree – it would be a perfect read aloud for both reasons.
Starting in Book One, I found Despereaux’s character heroic, but his family very much bothered me. I was upset that the mouse with big ears was “such a disappointment” to his parents and brother just because he was didn’t follow the expectations of mice. However, I was very impressed with Despereaux’s dreamy spirit. Regardless of obstacles he faced throughout the story, Despereax remained determined to live with a fairy tale ending. My heart ached for him as he was shunned from his family, held in the hand of Gregory, attempted to skid past the chef in the kitchen, and when he bravely confronted Roscurro. “Love is a powerful, wonderful, ridiculous thing, capable of moving mountains” repeated DiCamillo’s text, justifying Despereaux’s heroic actions. I cheered, I cringed, and I smiled as Despereaux diligently pursued his dreams of the princess.
I also liked the surprise ending in the final chapter. DiCamillo’s challenge to the reader to think of the entire story as a tale of a mouse in escape of darkness was extremely clever. It was a twist that altered my perspective of book. What if the tale was created to save someone from the darkness? I wonder if DiCamillo placed the chapter as a forward, would it have changed my perspective of the text as I read the book… would I have focused on the escape of darkness as I read the book. Was I supposed to understand as I read the book that the characters were all trying to save themselves from their own “darkness” without her stating so in the last chapter? I wonder if she even considered placing the final chapter as a forward. Regardless, I absolutely loved the book, and believe it would be an entertaining text for all ages of readers!
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