Cardboard

Title: Cardboard 

Author: Doug TenNapel
# of Pages: 288

Published by: GRAPHIX
Age Range:10-14
Grade Level: 5-9

      Cam’s father is out of work and it is a financially tough time for Cam and his dad. Cam’s father is a single parent struggling to make money, however, he wants to do something special for his son Cam on his upcoming birthday. On Cam’s birthday, his father gives him a cardboard box and Cam thinks it is the worst present ever. To make the best of the situation, Cam and his Dad bend the cardboard into creatures. They make a man, and they were shocked when it magically came to life. Marcus is the neighborhood bully, and when he gets ahold of Cam’s magic cardboard he turns it into his own evil creations. Marcus’ creations threaten to destroy everyone in the city.

This book is a graphic novel, therefore it will attract a different group of reader. The pictures are easy to follow though. The cardboard coming to life is a story carried out throughout the book. The topic of this book could be relatable to many students because their parents may not be able to afford to buy them a birthday gift. This book coverts topics like bullying and friendship and family struggles. The story allows students to use their imagination and make the best of every situation. I would recommend this book to boys in my class who are not yet wanting to read large books, because sometimes graphic novels are easier to read. 

Classroom activities and lesson ideas include: 

• Talk about different types of families
• Teach a lesson about what a graphic novel is, have students work on their own graphic novel/story
• As a class, do an art project with cardboard having students make their own characters 
• Explore Doug TenNepal's website

Here is a book trailer: 

Whales on Stilts

Title: Whales on Stilts M.T. Anderson's Thrilling Tales 

Author: M.T. Anderson
# of Pages: 188

Published by: Paw Prints 2008
Grade Range: 3-6+

This book has a very creative storyline about an evil world take over attempt. This book is about a group of girls Lily, Katie and Jasper. Lily is very quiet and is usually outshines by her two friends. Her two best friends are famous and star in their own adventure book series. In this book, Lily is the leader. She discovers suspicious activities taking place at her father's work. Her parents tend to dismiss her suspicions and ideas, but Lily had a better idea. She wanted to involve her friends to help her parents believe her. What her and her friends discover is plans to overtake the world. These plans involved an army of mind-controlled whales invading the land on stilts and attacking various cities with lasers! Controlling these whales is a crazy madman. Only Jasper Dash and Katie Mulligan have the experience and confidence theta they could bring this invasion to an end. 

For a science fiction bok, this book is targeted towards a female audience. However, it can be read by any gender. The author uses comedy throughout this book to attract readers and get them to enjoy their reading. The science theme is carried throughout the novel. The girls use their observation skills to carry out their predictions. The truth remains throughout the story. The setting is believable and relatable because many students know where their dad works and could imagine this happening. This book would be more intended for girls because boys don't really want to read about girls, but the characters are consistent throughout the story. 

Classroom Activities and Lesson Plans:

• Use as a mentor text in a lesson plan 
• Teach a science lesson about whales
• Talk about the title and how it relates to the book
• Have students rename the title, write an alternate ending, or change how the story begins
• Have students write a sequel story to this book
• Use this book to introduce science fiction, girls are main character, get girls involved in the genre. 
• Check out the author's blog!

The Rudest Alien On Earth

Title: The Rudest Alien On Earth

Author: Jane Leslie Conly
# of Pages: 272 pages

Published by: Henry Holt and Co.
Age Range: 10-14 years

I chose this book because I liked the cover and it intrigued me to read it. In this book the young are programmed to take advice from the wise ones, load it into their systems and follow it. Oluu doesn't always function smooth, and the Wise Ones worry about her carelessness. Oluu gets a chance to redeem herself and she is sent or a research mission to the Earth. This mission has both rules and consequences.

When learning about life on Earth, Oluu takes on many forms to learn about life on Earth. When she meets Molly Harkin, a border collie, but Oluu gets in trouble and must choose a new form. Molly spends time as a dog, a bird, and more. Then, Oluu meets a special pony.No matter which form she is in, she always attracts danger. When she meets a boy named Jack, he becomes very interested in the pony, but Molly doesn't know if she will ever see Jack or the pony again. You will have to read the story to figure out the ending. Molly works through her emotions for the rest of the book.

This story follows a consistent story line that makes readers want to continue to read the book. This story is not the most believable storyline but it will be a fun read for students, expand their thinking, and teach them about parts of the world and the science of how things work. The fantasy elements are that the dog changes life forms are carried out throughout the whole book. I think this book would help give students perspective on the world and teach about different people's point of view. This is a story of friendship and searching.

Classroom Activities or Lesson Ideas: 

• Learn about the author
• Have students write what they mission to Earth would look like and what life forms they would take
• Lesson about danger