Module 8- Mystery and Series Books

Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in Her Pocket

By Barbara Park

2000, Scholastic, Inc.

Summary: Junie B. Jones is a five year old Kindergarter that is going on a field trip to the farm. But, Junie is afraid of ponies due to a movie she saw with her babysitter. Her mom tries to convince her that ponies are safe as her Uncle had a sweet pony, but it was the rooster that was mean. Junie then fixates on roosters being mean and still doesn’t want to go on the trip. She is positive that roosters peck your head to a nub and that is why farmers wear hats. Junie does go on the trip and finds out that baby chicks are soft and cute and some grow up to be roosters. She also finds out that farmer Flores doesn’t have a nub for head.

Impressions: Junie is a delightful character that has a funny way of expressing her feelings and thoughts which in turn captures the interest of the reader into wanting to find out more about Junie’s antics. Junie reminds me a lot of Amelia Bedelia and her use or misuse of terminology. Some people might find fault with the improper use of language, but, it makes for an enjoyable and more believable story. second grade to third grade would enjoy this series.

    

Reviews:

Amazon.com Review

Award-winning author Barbara Park has joined with illustrator Denise Brunkus to create a charmingly outrageous character with a precocious yet childish voice that readers will never forget: "After that my heart got very poundy inside. 'Cause I heard the sound of footprints, that's why." Brunkus's comical drawings of Junie and her friends are the "bestest" ever. Don't miss any of the laugh-out-loud titles in the Junie B. Jones series. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

"It's hard for anyone to resist Junie B."--Booklist

"It's a real hoot!"--School Library Journal

"A genuinely funny, easily read story."--Kirkus

Retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/Junie-Jones-Has-Peep-Pocket/dp/0375800409

Suggestions:

This would be a fun book to introduce series books to a first or second grade class. I would ask the teacher if I could do a read aloud time right after lunch and read one chapter a day for the entire week finishing the book on Friday. On the first day, I would have the students brainstorm and predict what the story was going to be about by the cover of the book. On Friday (sporting overalls, a bandana and straw hat) I would finish reading the book and we could revisit their predictions to determine if they were correct. The next time they came into the library I would teach a lesson on searching for other books like Junie B. Jones has a Peep in Her Pocket.   

Chasing Vermeer

By Blue Balliett

2004, Scholastic Press

Summary:

Petra and Calder are sixth grade students that are caught up in an art theft mystery involving a painting of “A Lady Writing” that goes missing. A mysterious note is attached saying “You will come to agree with me.” The thief has also sent 3 letters to various people, one of them being their teacher Ms. Hussey asking for their help in exposing a crime centuries old, concerning a well-known painter. Petra and Calder are drawn into the mystery by the various homework assignments their teacher is having them do and the three newspaper articles where the thief is trying to gain public support by writing about how the painter has been wronged. Petra and Calder using various clues that they receive through a series of coincidents, search to uncover the whereabouts of the painting.  

   

Impressions:

The author draws in a book by Charles Fort called Lo! and weaves these writings and sayings through-out the story. She would often have Petra or Calder think about what the saying could mean. I found that these exchanges tended to become wordy and made me lose interest. I realize she used the sayings to enhance the lesson that everything, even supposed coincidents, could be connected. Then there was Calder’s use of Pentominoes that told him things, and Mrs. Sharpe using the pentominoes to spell out words that Petra remembered and located a hidden panel where the painting was hidden. It was just too far-fetched for me to believe. But, middle school students would enjoy trying to solve the mystery.

  

Reviews:

Amazon.com Review

In the classic tradition of E.L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, debut author Blue Balliett introduces readers to another pair of precocious kids on an artful quest full of patterns, puzzles, and the power of blue M&Ms…Already being heralded as The DaVinci Code for kids, Chasing Vermeer will have middle grade readers scrutinizing art books as they try to solve the mystery along with Calder and Petra. In an added bonus, artist Brett Helquist has also hidden a secret pentomino message in several of the book’s illustrations for readers to decode. An auspicious and wonderfully satisfying debut that will leave no young detective clueless. --Jennifer Hubertom 

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 5-8. The Westing Game, The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler--how exciting to find a book that conjures up these innovative, well-loved titles. That's exactly what Balliett does in her debut novel, which mixes mystery, puzzles, possibilities, and art...The novel isn't perfect. It glides over a few nitty-gritty details (how did the thief nab the picture), and occasionally the coincidences seem more silly than serendipitous. However, these are quibbles for a book that offers children something new upon each reading. Adults who understand the links between children's reading and their developing minds and imaginations will see this as special, too. Helquist, who has illustrated the Lemony Snickett books, outdoes himself here, providing an interactive mystery in his pictures. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Vermeer-Blue-Balliett/dp/0439372941

Suggestions:

Several displays stand out to use with this book. First, gather copies of the art of Vermeer and decorate a trifold board with an empty picture frame hanging in the middle of all the paintings. A caption could read one of Vermeer’s paintings has been stolen!

Another idea would be to introduce this book using the pentominoe shapes and have the students try and figure out how they come together in the shape of a rectangle.