Blog Set #5 A Big Guy Took My Ball

Willems, M. (2013). A big guy took my ball!. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. Piggie found a big ball to play with, but a big guy took it away. Piggie is devastated, so she decides to ask Gerald for help. Gerald and Piggie discover that the ball belongs to the big guy. Together they learn that everyone has the ability to become friends. True to the elements of a fantasy, Gerald is sent on a quest to get Piggie’s ball back. It is clear to the reader that the plot of the story is strong, believable, and realistic. Everyone has experienced having something taken away from them. If you love the adventures of Piggie and Gerald, you must read Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems.

Lunch Lady

Krosoczka, J. J. (2014). Lunch Lady and the schoolwide scuffle. New York: Knopf. Dr. Van Grindheimer, the evil superintendent, has taken over Thompson Brook School along with her convict friends. Her goal is to vaporize the moon. The students along with the superhero Lunch Lady join forces to defeat her and take back their school. They succeed and everything goes back to normal. The story’s theme resonates with children who often feel they struggle and are oppressed by school officials. The school setting further adds to the connection kids feel with the story because they spend most of their day in school following rules that sometimes don’t make sense to them. Check out the book trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NDV3lKIMUo .

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Selznick, B. (2007). The invention of Hugo Cabret: a novel in words and pictures. New York: Scholastic Press. Twelve year old orphan, Hugo Cabret is hiding a secret. Hugo needs to finish the automaton that his father found before his death, in order to get the secret message. In his quest to repair his beloved automaton, Hugo befriends Isabelle and together they discover the secret of the automaton and Georges Méliés, the cinema legend. In this fantasy, Selznick created characters that the readers can identify with. Readers follow the story of Hugo and care for him and hope that he is able to get a happy ending. The theme of determination is present throughout the book as Hugo overcomes the various difficulties he encounters on his quest to fix the automaton and help Georges Méliés along the way. View the book trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYiumrSxAg8 .

Skulduggery Pleasant

Landy, D. (2007). Skulduggery pleasant. New York: Harper Collins. Skulduggery Pleasant is not your average detective. In fact, he isn’t even human; he is a skeleton with magical powers. Alongside his new teenage partner, Stephanie, they must defeat the evil Serpine from destroying humanity and bringing back a greater evil. In this high fantasy series, Landy develops his characters in a way that we are able to identify with them. Readers care about what happens to Skulduggery and can identify with him, even if he isn’t human. The strongly developed setting of the story makes readers wonder if maybe there really is an underground magical world that we don’t know exists. If you like the high action world of magic, then the Harry Potter series will be a great read!

Babymouse: A Very Babymouse Christmas

Holm, J. L., & Holm, M. (2011). Babymouse: a very Babymouse Christmas. New York: Random House. Babymouse has lost the true spirit of Christmas. All she cares about is getting a Whiz Bang on Christmas morning. When she finally gets what she wanted, she realizes that sometimes the most important gifts are the ones we hadn’t expected. In this low fantasy graphic novel, readers can identify with Babymouse, especially the children. All children have experienced what it feels like to really want a particular gift. Furthermore, the setting of the story is realistic and believable. Just like Babymouse, kids spend most of their time at school and at home. If you loved Babymouse you'll also enjoy the Squish series by Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm.

Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S., & Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. New York: Bloomsbury. After many years of being lied to and even locked in a tower Rapunzel sets out to get revenge on the woman she once thought was her mother, Mother Gothel. Along with her new partner Jack, Rapunzel must rescue her real mother and destroy Gothel and her magic in order to restore the land from desolation. Rapunzel finds a way to destroy the witch and finally gets her happily ever after. This non liner graphic novel is loaded with the elements of fantasy. The strong development of the characters makes Rapunzel a believable, yet multidimensional heroine that readers care for. The plot is captivating and suspenseful making readers cheer on Rapunzel in her quest to destroy Gothel and her magic. If you enjoyed Rapunzel's Revenge pick up a copy of Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale.

The Graveyard Book

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book. New York: Harper Collins. Nobody Owens, fondly known as Bod, is a normal boy who happens to live in a cemetery and has been raised by ghosts following the death of his parents. Bod must never leave the graveyard if he wants to stay alive, and protected from the man who killed his family. As Bod becomes a man he learns that in order to defeat his enemy he must face his fears. Gaiman stays true to the elements of fantasy with his characters, and he makes us care about what happens to Bod. Additionally, Gaiman uses distinct language and dialects with his characters that reflect where they lived and during what time period. The book trailer can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_UUVwTaemk .