Ms. Nichols Reads

Merci Suȧrez Changes Gears by Meg Medina Bibliography Medina, Meg. Merci Suárez Changes Gears . Candlewick Press, 2018.  ISBN 076369049X. Plot Summary Mercedes “Merci” Suarez is an 11-year old girl that is apart of a very tight-knit latino family. Particularly, Merci is very close to her grandfather, her Lolo. Merci and Lolo did everything together, she even rode her bike with him every Sunday morning to the bakery around the corner to pick up fresh bread for dinner. However, Lolo has not been acting himself lately. He has become forgetful and accident prone and even l oses his temper at times. Can Merci understand what is wrong with Lolo? Critical Analysis This was a great story, told from the perspective of an 11-year old. Because of the point of view, I think many students would be able to relate to Merci’s story. I also think this is an important story to tell because although there have been many advances and breakthroughs in mental dise...

Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan Bibliography Ryan Pam Muñoz. Echo . Scholastic Press, 2015. ISBN 9780439874021. Plot Summary Friedrich was born with a birthmark that made him different from all the other children his own age. He also conducted imaginary orchestras, which again made him different. Michael, along with his brother Franklin, was a terrific piano player, who just happened to be living in an orphanage. Finally, Ivy found herself moving, yet again, to a new town, with her family, and had only her harmonica to keep her company while her brother was off fighting. The lives of three perfect strangers somehow find their way to connect and create a story unlike any other.    Critical Analysis This is a long and intricate story that weaves its branches amongst the lives of others. I think Pam Munoz Ryan created a story with a very clever way of intertwining three people (with three completely different backgrounds) lives together through ...

Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale Bibliography Hale, Shannon, et al. Rapunzel's Revenge . Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 1599902885. Plot Summary Rapunzel finds out the truth that Mother Gothel has stolen her away from her true mother and instead of moping away in the tower, she takes that time to formulate a plan of revenge. After four years of being alone in the tower, Rapunzel’s hair is finally long enough for her to climb out the window. As Rapunzel finds her way back to Mother Gothel’s villa, she meets Jack and his goose. Jack and Rapunzel team up to fight off and befriend a few people along the way to the villa. Once they arrive, Mother Gothel is defeated and everyone lives happily ever after.  Critical Analysis What a great “girl-power” book! Shannon Hale spins this traditional fairy tale around by changing minute pieces of the story and ends of creating quite the entertaining story. The one thing that I liked most about this story was that Rapu...

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson Bibliography JamiesonVictoria. Roller Girl . Dial Books, an Imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 2015. ISBN 9780803740167. Plot Summary Astrid and her best friend Nicole are inseparable; they do everything together, that is until the summer before their sixth grade year, when Astrid wants to go to Roller Derby camp, and Nicole wants to go the ballet camp. This is a story that shows how friends can become interested in other things and perhaps gain other friendships, but at the end of the day can still remain friends. Critical Analysis I am not normally a fan of reading graphic novels. I generally can’t get into the books because the writing doesn’t seem very deep, but this book is the exception. Although the emotions are not always on the surface, if you look just a bit below, you can see (and feel) all the emotions Astrid goes through in this coming-of-age story. Through the use of pictures and quick tidbits of di...

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz Bibliography Schlitz, Laura Amy. The Hired Girl . Candlewick Press, 2017. ISBN 0763694509. Plot Summary Fed up with the mistreatment and being overworked by her father and older brothers, Joan decides to run away in search of a large house that she can find work as a maid. Shortly off the train, in Baltimore, Joan stumbles upon Mr. Solomon, who offers her a job in his family’s home. Joan takes Mr. Solomon up on his offer and finds herself in the midst of a kind and loving family.   Critical Analysis The juxtaposition between the wealthy Jewish family, the Rosenbachs, and the Catholic religion of Joan is very fascinating. Joan is constantly asking the other housekeeper ,Malka, questions about the Jewish religion.  This is a coming of age story, in which Joan( or Janet) escapes from a difficult home life and takes control of her circumstances. Joan learns  to fend for herself and is able to d...

Gingersnap by Patricia Reilly Giff Bibliography Giff, Patricia Reilly. Gingersnap . Wendy Lamb Book s, 2013. ISBN 0375838910. Plot Summary Jayna is an orphan and has only her older brother Rob to rely on. Rob has been called to the war in the Pacific, and Jayna is left with only her landlady, Celine. Jayna decides to go to New York and try to find any possible family. After finding a French cookbook with a photograph of a bakery among Rob’s things, Jayna goes in search of the Gingersnap bakery. Once there, she finds much more than she could have imagined. Jayna finds answers to her questions, acceptance, and most importantly, family.  Critical Analysis The different recipes scattered throughout the story that related to particular moments in the story add to a unique spin on the story. For example, on page 122, there was a recipe titled “Waiting Soup” that appeared just as Elise mentions that Jayna can stay with her until Rob comes home from th...

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Bibliography Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. The War That Saved My Life . Puffin Books, 2016. ISBN 0147510481. Plot Summary Ada was born with a club foot that hindered her ability to walk. This imperfection angered her mother and is the sole reason Ada was treated so poorly. Afterall, her younger brother Jamie could walk perfectly well and was treated just fine. As news of a possible war spreads, Ada and Jamie escape from London and the bombs, and catch a train to the countryside. It is here that Ada meets Ms. Susan Smith and learns that her ability to walk should not affect the way others treat her. It is in the countryside that Ada and Jamie truly learn what love is and what it means to have a mother.   Critical Analysis I was not prepared for the waves of emotions I received from reading this book. Ada’s life before meeting Susan was sad, depressing, and demoralizing. However, Ada l...