Kit's Lit

Genre : Fantasy/ Science Fiction Book Summary : Lyra is an orphan who lives among scholars at a college in a time when scholars are revered as Pullman, P. (2006). The golden compass . New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Impressions : Normally a fast reader, Pullman's book was difficult for me to get into.  However, once Lyra began her journeyto find Roger, I was hooked.  The story was confusing at times, because so much of it was similar to our world.  Still, the addition of daemons to each human told my brain that we definitely weren't in London anymore- at least not London as I know it.  Perhaps London as a parallel universe.  I think this was one reason I had such a difficult time, at first; in a way, the story reads like historical fiction, and yet, there are fantstical elements that prove it is not.  My brain battled with this paradigm quite a bit. However, this struggled seemed to play into the novel, as the characters were also coming to grips ...

Genre : Poetry Book Summary : Using poetry, Marilyn Singer retells moments from classic fairy tales.  By using reversible poetry, she is able to tell two sides to the story.  This book takes the art of fractured fairy tales to new heights. Singer, M. (2010). Mirror mirror: A book of reversible verse . NY: Dutton Children's Books. Impressions : I cannot get over how amazing this book is.  It is difficult to describe the genius in the words and art to someone who has not seen the book.  Despite each poem being only a stanza or two long, it is apparent that much time went into choosing just the right words to tell the story.  The fact that Singer was able to use the exact same words to tell the viewpoint of another character's opposite perspective is an amazing feat. The artwork is just as clever.  On the surface, the images look basic, but if one looks closer, they will discover that Masse has drawn what some might term a reversible image, mana...

Genre : Graphic Novel Book Summary : Catrina's younger sister is quite ill, and her family moves to a new town in an attempt to improve living conditions.  The town is full of spirits, and Cat, ever protective of her sister, wants nothing to do with them.  Cat must face her fears of death and losing those close to her.  When she opens herself to the possibilities that spirits are another phase of being, the present and the future and all the change that comes with them become easier to accept. Telgemeier, R. (2016).  Ghosts . NY: Graphix. Impressions : Raina Telgemeier is an amazing storyteller, and her balance of words and images bring her stories to life.  Her vibrant color palette lends itself beautifully to the culture of the characters she shares in Ghosts .  With such a title, one might expect to be confronted with horror, and yet Telgemeier portrays a side of death and the spiritual that is comforting to those who have lost a loved one. ...

Genre : Biography Book Summary : As a child growing up among all her brothers, Anne Carroll Moore did not try to be like all the other girls.  She was happy to run and play outside.  As she got older, she continued to go against the expectations of her modern society.  Her willingness to think outside the box led to the development of children's library services as we know them today. Pinborough, J. (2013). Miss Moore thought otherwise . MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. Impressions : Miss Moore Thought Otherwise tells a story that I was unfamiliar with, even after all my library science coursework thus far.  Reading it made me stop to and realize that there wasn't always a calling for children's librarians, because at one time, the position didn't even exist. Professional Review : Any library school student or librarian who doesn't know the name of Anne Carroll Moore is greatly remiss; this book will set them right. “Miss Moore” was the pri...

Genre : Informational Book Summary : "Shorty" and his family are sent to an internment camp for Japanese Americans during WWII.  As an outlet for the fear, boredom, and frustration that the people are feeling, his father brings everyone together to create a baseball field.  Life in the camp is difficult, but baseball gives everyone something to take there minds off the world around them.  After leaving the camp, life continues to be be difficult, but some of the things "Shorty" learns while away from home help him to overcome the struggles he faces. Mochizuki, K., & Lee, D. (1993). Baseball saved us . NY: Lee & Low. Impressions : Baseball Saved Us is a simple book, and yet the layers within are more pronounced because of its simplicity.  On the surface, the story tells of a young boy trying to make sense of his family being sent to an interment camp.  Because the reader sees things through "Shorty's" innocent eyes, the things left u...

Genre : Historical Fiction Book Summary : Zoe and her family are moving west to a land that is barely inhabited.  The journey is tough, but her family is close.  When they begin their new life in an unfamiliar place, times are hard.  Still, they have one another to lean on for support as they adjust and build their new home. Bunting, Eve. (1995).  Dandelions . NY: Harcourt. Impressions : My first thought when reading this book was, "These pictures are gorgeous!"  I love how they are so realistic, and yet one can see the brush strokes.  I was entranced by the images, spending multiple minutes at a time just staring at them and taking in all the details.  At times, I even ignored the words. Initially, I had a hard time getting into the actual story.  It took a while to embrace Zoe enough to be vested in her outcome.  The story was one that had been told many times before, and often, in a more adventurous and engaging manner....

Genre : Mystery Book Summary : Steve Brixton is a preteen with a keen eye and a bit of a know-it-all attitude.  He is intent on fulfilling his dream to become a private detective, and he is certain that he has a better chance at solving a mystery than any adult might, even when that adult is his mother's police boyfriend.  Brixton is contacted by his idol, a mystery writer named Bart, to help with a case.  Steve doesn't really have a brother, but his best friend tags along to help.  The two soon discover there is much at risk, even being shot at as the run from the B Syndicate.  They must save a red diamond, a famous author, and themselves. Barnett, Mac. (2010).  The Ghostwriter Secret . NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. Impressions : I was a huge fan of Encyclopedia Brown as a kid, so Steve Brixton had some pretty big shoes to fill.  Granted, I was not the target audience for this book.  It is a typical genius kid who sh...

Genre : Fantasy Book Summary : Elizabeth is a lonely teen at a new school, just trying to fit in somewhere.  She takes up the chance to work at the New York Circulating Material Repository, a kind of library for objects.  Soon, she learns that some of the objects are less than ordinary, and in fact, many are down right magical.  As is the case with magic, evil is lurking nearby, and soon, some of the pages Elizabeth works with disappear.  She must use he newfound talents and sometimes some of the repository's objects to help her save her friends. Shulman, Polly. (2010). The Grimm legacy . NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers. Impressions: Elizabeth has the absolute dream job- essentially, she works in a library of actual artifacts from the worlds best stories.  They are not just a figment of her imagination- the items are real.  Throughout the book, I kept wishing that I could work at such a place.  The author has seamlessl...