Are You Five? Yes. Yes, I am.

This post by Screwy Decimal reminded me of a similar, though not so brutally true, incident I experienced today.

I was observing another librarian's storytime (a serious rockstar librarian, already), trying to keep to myself in the corner out of the way as invisible as I can be as a girl with pink and white hair. During the post-storytime play time, a little girl wanders directly up to me and says almost accusingly, "What are you doing here?"

Me: Watching the librarian's storytime so that I can learn from a master!

Her: Your hair is pink.

Me: Yes it is! It makes me happy.

At this point, I felt it appropriate that we formally meet, so I introduced myself and asked her name, and then how old she was. She proceeded to tell me she was 4 and almost 4 and a half. And after THAT she'd be 5!

Her: "Are you 5?"

I wish, kid.

I wish.

The innocence and absolute cluelessness about how age works was endearing. Even though I am about 5x6+1.... I think I'm going to take a lesson from this little girl and just believe that after 4 and a half, you just stay 5 forever.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

by Tom Angleberger
Amulet Books, 2010

GENRE: Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Humor, Romance, Tie-In Novel

HONORS: 2011 E.B. White Read Aloud Award Winner

REVIEW:  In the sixth grade, communicating with your classmates through an origami finger puppet isn’t exactly “cool,” but that’s exactly what Dwight does with his Origami Yoda, handing out Yoda-like advice and wisdom to anyone who asks for help. When the advice and predictions turn out to be true, Tommy can’t figure out how Yoda can be so smart while Dwight is such a socially awkward dope. Tommy starts compiling a series of case files in order to decide.

OPINION: Almost 40 years after its release, Star Wars continues to be insanely popular with adults, teens and kids, so with “Yoda” in the title the book has an established appeal. I enjoyed that the book touched on a variety of different genres including humor, realistic fiction and a touch of pre-teen romance, all conveyed from the unique angle of case files.

IDEAS: The obvious tie-in to this book would be to have an origami program where tweens and teens can fold a variety of things including Origami Yoda himself. The instructions for folding yoda are included in the back of the book.

The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

The Crossroads

by Chris Grabenstein
Random House, 2008

GENRE: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Ghost Story, Paranormal, Crime

HONORS: Winner 2010 Anthony and Agatha Award

REVIEW:  Zack Jennings, his father George and his new step-mom Judy have just moved back to the small Connecticut town where George originally grew up. Their old Victorian home sits on a large lot near a major crossroads where fifty years ago, a tragic accident occurred involving a crazed man who purposely caused the deaths of forty innocent people, and then his own when he crashed into a large oak tree on the edge of the Jennings’ new property. All is looking up for this new young family, until lightning strikes the tree during a storm and releases the evil spirit of the crazed man who’s mission was not completed, and Zack just may be next on his list.

OPINION: Most of the horror I’d read for this assignment was not true horror, but had elements of horror mixed with other genres such as fantasy or humor. This book was more along the lines of true horror as a realistic ghost story mixed with the thrill of mystery and crime. For a sizeable book, it was a quick read of short manageable chapters that keep the reader on the edge of their seat and eager to read on.

IDEAS: This would be another good addition to a Halloween display. It could also serve as the basis of a lesson or program on ghost stories where students/TAG members could write a ghost story of their own, or share their favorite story.

Zorgamazoo by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Victor Rivas

Zorgamazoo

by Robert Paul Weston, illustrated by Victor Rivas
Razorbill, 2008

GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure, Poetry, Science Fiction, Horror

HONORS: Children's Choice Book Award 2009, Booklist Top Ten Debut 2008, Silver Birch Prize: Winner 2010, E. B. White Honour 2009, Children's Literature Assembly Notable Book 2009, California Young Reader Medal: Nominee 2011, Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award: Nominee 2011

REVIEW: Katrina Katrell can’t wait till she’s grown, to finally be free of vile Mrs. Kabrone. A guardian cruel, who’d never sweet talk and oft threatened to take her to the lobotomy doc. So far away Katrina does flee, it’s in her best interest, I’m sure you’d agree. “Morty” is the nickname for Mortimer Yorgle, a rumpled but pleasant and welcoming Zorgle. To his chagrin, Morty was placed in a raffle of sorts, the prize is adventure, not relaxing resorts. So Morty embarks on his questing debut, to find the missing Zorgles of Zorgamazoo. Katrina and Morty began unattached, but soon their paths cross and a plan is hatched. Katrina and Morty, together they knew, they must find the Zorgles of Zorgamazoo!

OPINION: Nearly every kid has a soft spot for Dr. Seuss, and if he wrote a novel I’m pretty sure it would turn out a lot like Zorgamazoo. The poetic style of rhyming couplets are infectious and will have you thinking in rhyme for hours after you set the book down. Aside from the unique writing style, it also pairs Neil Gaiman-esque black and white illustration with a great story – which seems like it might be difficult to do completely in rhyme.

IDEAS: Zorgamazoo could inspire another type of poetry lesson/program. Tween/Teens could be asked to write a short story completely in rhyme, in the style of Zorgamazoo.

Babymouse: Queen of the World! by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm

Babymouse: Queen of the World!

by Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm

Random House, 2005

 

GENRE: Graphic Novel, Humor, Fantasy

HONORS: 2006 Gryphon Award Winner, 2006 ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2006 New York Book Show Award

REVIEW:  Babymouse is a “sassy young mouse” who laments the monotony of everyday and dreams of glamour, excitement and adventure and being the Queen of the World! But she isn’t Queen of the World, or even Queen of the School… That title belongs to Felicia Furrypaws who just happens to be having a sleepover and Babymouse is dying to get invited. 

OPINION: Printed in pink, black and white, this is quite possibly the cutest graphic novel I’ve encountered. Cuteness aside, Babymouse is a very likeable character with a big imagination and inquisitive nature. It seemed like a fantasy version of The Dork Diaries, but in a really good way.

IDEAS: Babymouse would be a great introduction to graphic novels for young girls for inclusion in a graphic novel display. It could also be included in a display along with books like Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Little Big Planet 2 for Playstation 3

Little Big Planet 2

for Playstation 3
by Media Molecule, 2011

GENRE: Video Game, Puzzle, Platformer

HONORS: 2011 Winner BAFTA Video Game Awards in the Family and Best Innovation categories

REVIEW:  Little Big Planet 2 features the same main character from the original title, the loveable animated knitted stuffed toy, Sackboy. The game offers a number of different play styles including the basic platformer levels (similar to the familiar Mario Bros. play style), but also players can also find racing, puzzle games, multiplayer shooters, and role-playing games. The game also offers players a great deal of customizable content including the game interface and display and the creation of non-played characters with customizable artificial intelligence.

OPINION: I greatly enjoyed the first Little Big Planet and was eager to try out the sequel. It did not disappoint! It has something for everyone with the variety of play style options and custom features. I was not able to experience the how the game works on multiplayer, but there are multiplayer options.

IDEAS: This item would likely work best simply as a circulated video game, but depending on how well the multiplayer functions, it could be a fine addition to a video game event.

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

War Horse
by Michael Morpurgo
Scholastic, 1982

GENRE: Historical Fiction, Drama, War

HONORS: Runner-up for the 1982 Whitbread Book Award

REVIEW:  Joey is a red bay horse with perfect white socks and a white cross adorning his forehead, purchased as a foal out of spite by an English farmer. Joey and the farmer’s son, Albert, form a special bond so naturally he is devastated the day that his father sells Joey in order to pay the mortgage. The first World War is just beginning, and Joey is now in property of the army to be a war horse. Joey experiences the trenches where he is surrounded by death and disease, but never forgets his beloved and only true master, Albert.

OPINION: I was surprised to discover that this book was originally published back in 1982 and that I’m only just now hearing about it for the first time. It masterfully illustrates the horrors of war from the point of view of a horse.

IDEAS: The obvious lesson idea would be to incorporate this book with a history lesson on World War I. It would also fit well in a history and historical fiction display, or World War display.