Thursday, December 8, 2016

Module 15 - Athletic Shorts


Book Summary
Chris Crutcher’s collection of short stories introduces readers to his characters found in his novels to further explain their lives. Crutcher writes with authenticity, where his characters are bravely dealing with conflict and pain. Bigotry, jealousy, acceptance, loneliness are all present in these stories.
Reference
Crutcher, C. (1991). Athletic shorts: Six short stories. Greenwillow Books.

Impressions:

Athletic Shorts is about athletes dealing with larger life issues and the struggles of performance and friendship.  There are six stories in the book. The book contains bad language, talks about homosexuality and challenges parents who are overbearing and bigoted. The small town setting and circumstance may seem mundane but characters like Telephone Man and Johnny Rivers are really memorable. There are no stereotypes in this book.

Professional Review:

Gr 8-12--A winning collection of stories, one of which has appeared in print before. Some of the characters from Crutcher novels pop up in these stories, often speaking in a colloquial and realistic first-person voice. As the title suggests, athletics are part of the selections; and Crutcher, as usual, is best at accurately portraying the world of high school teammates and coaches--readers can practically smell the sweat. In the first story--a monologue by a fat guy who manages to keep his dignity-the author seamlessly blends humor with more serious elements. Crutcher's fans expect almost operatic flights of emotion, and he more than delivers here. The short story format keeps the action focused and definitely packs a punch. The final entry, a gritty, no-holds-barred account of the fear surrounding AIDS, is especially effective. These Athletic Shorts will speak to YAs, touch them deeply, and introduce them to characters they'll want to know better.

Morning, T., Jones, T. E., Toth, L., & Fleishhacker, J. (1991). Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories (Book). School Library Journal37(9), 278.

Library Uses:


Librarians should use this book to introduce readers to Crutcher’s larger works since many of the character in this story collection are written in novels. Librarians can assign this book to mature readers who are seeking authentic text that uses real-life presentations of teenage experiences. The notion of what it means to be a “jock” is certainly challenged here. Librarians could invite readers to create social media profiles about the characters in these stories and contemplate the kind of reactions their status updates could receive.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Module 14 - Jazz


Book Summary
Father and son, Walter and Christopher Myers, write and illustrate a wonderful book about jazz. The illustrations flow and the poetry pops, both combined to introduce readers to different styles and subgenres of jazz. Myers’ words really convey the many styles of jazz as he uses different voices, tones, rhythms.

Reference
Myers, W. D. (2006). Jazz. New York. Holiday House.

Impressions:

The book introduces readers to jazz with a wonderful rhythmic tone. I appreciated the illustrations and poetry covering a wide range of jazz styles. From drummers to piano players, and with mention of New Orleans, the book conveys a lot of emotion about the music art form. The book begins with a through overview of where jazz was born and what it meant to musical history. The book is sophisticated and remarkably beautiful.

Professional Review:

Gr 5-9-- Expanding on Blues Journey (Holiday House, 2003), this talented father and son have produced new poetry and paintings to explore a wider repertoire of jazz forms. An introduction provides historical and technical background, briefly touching on influences, improvisation, rhythm, and race. Spreads then pulsate with the bold, acrylic-and-ink figures and distorted perspectives that interpret the multiple moods and styles set forth in the text. The poems begin "Along the Nile" with a drumbeat and conclude with the heat of a Bourbon Street band. The Myerses experiment aurally and visually with the forms themselves; thus, "Stride" alternates long, fast-paced lines in a white font with two-word percussive phrases in black, calling to mind a period piano score. "Be-bop" unleashes a relentlessly rhyming patter in black, punctuated by a blue cursive font that "screams." The 15 selections also celebrate vocals, various instrumental combinations, a funeral procession, and Louis Armstrong; New Orleans as spirit and place is woven throughout. The expressionistic figures are surrounded by high-contrast colors in which the visible brushstrokes curve around their subjects, creating an aura that almost suggests sound waves. Wynton Marsalis's Jazz A B Z (Candlewick, 2005) offers an interesting comparison and complement: varied poetic forms and stylized, posterlike visuals present the lives of jazz musicians. Interaction with each inspired title informs the other and awakens interest in listening.

Lukehart, W. (2006). Jazz. School Library Journal52(9), 233.

Library Uses:


Librarians should really seek to read this book aloud because the poetry carries so much rhythm. This book should be used to introduce readers to jazz and could help readers seeking books about the musical style. Librarians could invite students to perform poetry from the book accompanying their performance with jazz music.