Remington's Reading Space

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Ryan, P. M. (2015). Echo. Scholastic Press. ISBN: 9780439874021 2.   PLOT SUMMARY This Newberey Honor book tells three stories that are broken down into 4 parts. These stories are set in Germany and America, in the years leading up to World War II and details how a mysterious harmonica with the M initial and the music it makes ties together the lives of three children Friedrich, Mike and Ivy. 3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS In true Pam Munoz Ryan style, she brilliantly brings each one of the characters to life through her descriptive writing and character development. This novel has different elements of fantasy such as enchantment and mystery, but it can also be considered historical fiction as it is set during WWII era. Based on the writing and story details, it is evident that Ryan carefully researched the time period. However, I was a little conflicted with this book. On one side, I thought the book was well developed, but I wasn’t a fan of the cliffhangers...

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Soontornvat, C., Cacao, J., Post, J., Cacao, J., & Lafrenais, A. (2022). The tryout. Scholastic Australia. ISBN: 1338741268 2.  PLOT SUMMARY This graphic novel is written as an autobiography about Christina as a seventh grader who along with her friend Megan, decide to try out for the cheer squad.  This novel begins with a prelude to the moment right before Christina is about to take the stage for her audition in front of the entire student body. From there, the author starts chapter one with 6 months before tryouts.  At this school, tryouts are a two-step process that involve a first round some judges and in the second round, they perform in front of the school who then votes on who makes the team. During the process, the girls decide to pair up with different girls as they get ready for their tryout.  As expected the girls encounter some challenges but eventually get through the terrifying experience of performing in front of their classm...

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Fajardo, K. (2022). Miss Quinces: A graphic novel. Graphix.  ISBN: 1338535595 2.  PLOT SUMMARY This graphic novel shares the story of Sue, a girl who refused to have a quinceanera until she made a deal with her mom and agreed to take part of the process. Throughout the story, we see Sue’s journey as she takes part in planning the quinceanera she didn’t want and managing the expectations of her family and this cultural transition into womanhood. 3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS This story started off slow for me, however, as I kept reading I really began to like Sue’s character. I felt Sue’s character is very relatable and I loved how Fajardo really incorporated Sue’s unique personality and style into the story. From incorporating black into her dress, to switching out the heels to boots, these changes really made this story a must read. Although I didn’t have a quinceanera, I attended/participated in several and I was instantly reminded of everything that goes into t...

  1.BIBLIOGRAPHY Telgemeier, R., & Lamb, B. (2019). Guts. Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic. ISBM: 1338598597 2.  PLOT SUMMARY This story shares the story of Raina, a young girl who suffers from stomach problems that are directly related to her anxiety. During the story, we read how Raina tries to overcome her anxiety from going to therapy, to vomiting, frequently wanting to sit in the toilet, and wanting to missing school. By the end of the story, Raina learns that everyone has issues that don’t like sharing and that keep and going to therapy is actually more common then she had initially thought. 3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS This novel is so good! From the beginning, Telgemeier engages her readers by making Raina’s character so relatable. As I read through each page, I was reminded of different emotions and feelings I experience when I am not comfortable with a situation. Hearing her mention how the only space in her house where she could feel at peace was in the restroom reminde...

  1.BIBLIOGRAPHY Cushman, K. (2022). War and Millie McGonigle. Yearling Books. ISBM: 198485013X 2.  PLOT SUMMARY Written like diary entry, this novel centers around a young girl name Millie who lives in California and things begin to get tough as Hitler is attaching Europe and the US may soon go into war. The last gift Millie received from her beloved grandmother right before her pass was a blank journal, which she used to channel her emotions and to create the “Book of Dead Things.” As we see the challenges she overcomes like dealing with her sister’s illness and her family moving away, readers begin to see the changes in Millie as the topics shift in this novel.  3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS I must say this was my least favorite book form this genre. I wasn’t a fan about the author choosing to have the main character obsessed with dead creatures, I thought this gave the story a dark feel and it also made it inappropriate for elementary students in my opinion. Although we see the...

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Bradley, K. B. (2016). The war that saved my life. Puffin Books. ISBN: 0147510481 2.  PLOT SUMMARY This novel is about a young girl named Ada who has a physical disability and his mother is so embarrassed by this that she does not let her leave her home. As the story continues, her younger brother leaves London to escape the war, and Ada sneaks out to join him. During this journey, Ada and her brother are taken in by Susan, who becomes like a “mother” to them. Sadly, Ada and Jaime go back to London when their mother goes and gets them, but Susan goes back to look for them and they are soon reunited. 3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS I absolutely love this story! Bradley does a great job of developing Ada’s character throughout the story. Readers can relate to Ada and can see her emotional and intellectual growth as she overcomes different challenges in this story. I love Ada’s determination throughout the story, from sneaking away with her brother, to learning how to ride ...

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Williams-Garcia, R. (2011). One crazy summer. Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 0060760907 2.  PLOT SUMMARY This Historical Non-Fiction novel tells the story of three sisters, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern, who travel across the country from Brooklyn to Oakland, California to spend time with their mother who left them. Taking place in 1968, during a tough time in history, the girls come to realize their mother is nothing like what they expected. 3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS Although this book is written at a 4 th grade level, I thought this book was more appropriate for middle school aged students.  Taking place in 1968, this book touches on different historical events in US history that were relevant during this time period. In this heartwarming story, Rita Williams-Garcia, does an amazing job of showcasing the relationship between all three sisters. Broken down into different chapters, each chapter title is engaging and is sure to catch any ...

  1. BIBLIOGRAPHY Curtis, C. P. (2009). Elijah of Buxton. Scholastic Press. ISBN: 0439023459 2.  PLOT SUMMARY In his historical fiction novel, Elijah is a young 11 year old boy who lives in Buxton, Canada, a place for runaway slaves. In this story about courage, heroism, and bravery, Elijah must track down a former slave who steels money from one of his friends. As the plot thickens, Elijah makes a difficult journey to America to help one of his Mr. Leroy free his children. 3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS Written from Elijah’s perspective, Curtis does an amazing of introducing all the characters in this novel. His character descriptions and the way the author established the setting, definitely engages readers to keep flipping through each page. This book brought out different emotions from start to finish! From literally laughing out loud in the beginning as I read about Elijah’s fishing tales, to getting emotional when the author touched on the realities of slavery during this time peri...