Jazzmatazz!

Calmenson, Stephanie. 2008. Jazzmatazz! Ill. by Bruce Degan. Harper Collins.

A bright and breezy, rhyming romp through a jazzy household. A piano-playing mouse livens up the house with a refrain of "Doo-dat, diddy-dat, Diddy-dat, doo!" The mouse dances upon the piano keys,

"Doo-dat, diddy-dat, Diddy-dat, doo!
I plink, plink, plink. How about you?
Mouse points to Dog,
With his bones and bowl.
"I play my drum with
My heart and soul!"

Cat plays the fiddle, Bird sings, Fish bubbles, and Baby, Mom and Dad all tap. A few of the rhymes do not flow easily, but for the most part, this book with its joyful and colorful illustrations by Bruce Degan works.

This would be fun for storytime with Lisa Wheeler and R. Gregory Christie's 2008 Theodore Seuss Geisel award winner, Jazz Baby, Leo and Diane Dillon's, Jazz on a Saturday Night, or 2008 Odyssey Award winner, Jazz by Walter Dean Myers. There seems to be no shortage of jazzy books this year!

Jellaby

Soo, Kean. 2008. Jellaby. Hyperion.

As near as I can tell, Jellaby began as a serial comic, published online @ The Secret Friend Society. http://www.secretfriendsociety.com/about.php Jellaby, the large purple creature, has had a presence online since 2005. Now for the first time, he has arrived in print in graphic novel format.

The story line follows Portia, her Asian friend, Jason, and Jellaby – the secret friend. The kids appear to be middle-school aged. Portia lives with her mother – there is some amount of mystery as to her father’s whereabouts and disposition. Jason’s parents are referenced throughout the story, but are largely absent from his daily routine and upbringing. He is the frequent target of school bullies. Jellaby is a comfort to them both, offering courage and purpose to their unhappy lives. The story is completely without resolution, much in the style of a serial comic strip.

With few exceptions, the artwork is a monochromatic purple. Jellaby might be considered a cute and expressive creature. The humans have vacant eyes and are simply drawn, though capable of moderate expression.

I am not normally a fan of non-fiction graphic novels, so my opinion should be taken only for what it’s worth. The monochromatic scheme, while powerful in the non-fiction graphic tales of Persepolis and Maus, is simply boring in this J Fiction saga. Additionally, the lack of closure on any aspect of the storyline leaves the reader feeling empty. The exploits of Portia, Jason and Jellaby did not interest me enough to seek out their continuing adventures, which are scheduled to arrive in March 2008.

Another librarian, more familiar with the genre, mentioned that some graphic novels have merchandising as their primary goal, with literature second, at best. Perhaps that explains the cute Jellaby and the drab humans – Jellaby may make for a better plush keychain.

A postscript - I realized after posting this, that I am a fan of the Babymouse books, another monochromatic J Fiction series. Perhaps I just don't understand the genre. I'll keep trying.

Eleven

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2008. Eleven. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

Sam, is haunted by the number 11. His birthday in on the 11th, he will be turning 11, he dreams of number 11. When he finds an old newspaper clipping about himself in the attic, the mystery of 11 grows. Unable to read well, the only words he can decipher are his own name and “Missing.” Is he missing? Where is he missing from? Where does he belong? Is 11 the key to the mystery? With the help of Caroline, the new girl in school, Sam is about to find out.

In this new mystery by Newbery Honor-winning Patricia Reilly Giff, Sam learns about friendship, identity, family and perseverance. His new friend and loving “family,” including Mack, who may or may not be related, Onji, the deli owner, and Anima, the Indian restaurant owner and Night Cat, help him unravel the mystery with kindness and compassion.

The tale unfolds as a narrative, interspersed with short dream sequences written in free verse. The sense of mystery is immediate and while this will not likely be a Newbery candidate, I found the mystery compelling enough to finish the book in short order. Interestingly, my 12-year-old daughter did not finish the book, although she is a fan of Patricia Reilly Giff.

The Wednesday Wars

Schmidt, Gary D. 2007. The Wednesday Wars. New York: Clarion.

I’m behind in my posting, so this will be brief. I thoroughly enjoyed The Wednesday Wars, a humorous and touching book about Holling Hoodhood, the 7th grade son of an up an coming architect in 1967. The story derives its name from the afternoons that Holling must spend alone with his teacher, Mrs. Baker. Being the only Presbyterian in the class, Holling is the only student that does not have Hebrew school or CCD on Wednesdays.

Against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and household strife between his “hippie” sister and establishment father, the gruff and business-like Mrs. Baker, imparts a love of Shakespeare to a confused Holling.

While some of the events seem far-fetched, (e.g., 7th grade Holling rescuing his sister from a disastrous road trip west, the many escapades of the rats living in the ceiling tiles) they did not detract from the overall story. Holling’s first person account of his 1967 school year had me laughing out loud and crying as well. An added bonus - I'd be surprised if anyone reading this book did not have an urge to reread Shakespeare's greatest plays. I may have to check out Hamlet myself. A great book.

PS - This is another YA title that I think would easily fit a J audience - perhaps the protagonist's age prompted the YA cataloging.

Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me

Grifalconi, Ann. 2007. Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 13 9780786818570.

PLOT SUMMARY
In Ain’t Nobody a Stranger to Me, loosely based on historical persons, a Grandfather shares with his young granddaughter his tale of escape from Southern slavery with his wife and baby. He recalls the helpfulness of strangers on the Underground Railroad, including Quaker James Stanton. His sense of gratitude has shaped his belief that “ain’t nobody a stranger.” The story appears to be set in the 1930s.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me is a story of fortitude, gratitude, forgiveness, and a spirit of optimism. As a slave, Gran'pa collected apple seeds in hope of a day that he might be free to plant them on his own land as a free man. He tells of his flight to freedom and the generosity of strangers. Grifalconi tells this story in a manner appropriate to introduce this heartbreaking topic to young children. The text expresses Gran'pa's belief in the goodness of mankind and his faith in God. "We had to put our trust in the Good Lord. We'd set our hearts right, and along the way help came when we needed it."

The darker aspects of slavery and the dangers of the Underground Railroad are expressed not in words, but in Jerry Pinkney's line and watercolor paintings. The harrowing escape of Gran'pa his wife and baby, and their subsequent struggle to survive as free people are depicted in sepia tones of browns and greys, evoking dark moments of the past. The expressive eyes of the grandfather and his wife in these scenes are alternately fearful, wary, and weary.

In contrast, the scenes of Gran'pa with his granddaughter are joyful colors and expressions of tenderness and love. In a colorful and heartwarming ending, Gran'pa and the young girl eat apples in the orchard he planted as a freed man. The apple blossoms are a riot of cheerful pink, and the young girl plants a new seed and promises to remember.

Grifalconi's story is a solid, age-appropriate (5-9) introduction to the Underground Railroad, however her choice of story delivery is awkward at times. Grandfather's story is told within the confines of the girl's first person account, and the girl often speaks in language styles that are conflicting or unusual for a young girl (Black or White) in the 1930s or any time period. In quoted passages, she speaks in a voice more typical of a Black child from the South in the 1930s. "They be from our stone cellar, Grandpa?" and "...could I one day plant me a seed of memory here, too?" In other passages, she speaks as an educated adult, "He grinned happily down at me" and "Soon, the spring air began to carry the fresh, sweet smell of apple blossoms to us." The frequent switching of dialect and narrator may be confusing to readers.

Jerry Pinkey's credentials as an African American illustrator are numerous and impressive. The jacket notes that he has "illustrated more than one hundred books for children" and is the recipient of Caldecott Honors, Coretta Scott King Awards, and more. His artwork for this story sets the period (a horse-drawn ice wagon, long-skirted women with hats and boots) and sets the tone (the darkness of hiding, the green grass of freedom).

Kirkus Rewiews refers to an "author's note" explaining the attribution of the title phrase, "Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me." The book, however, does not contain any author's notes. The dust jacket only explains that the phrase was inspired by former slave, Orleans Finger.

Overall, this book can be recommended on the basis of Pinkney's expressive artwork and Grifalconi's presentation of a difficult picture book topic.


CONNECTIONS
This is a picture book that can be used to introduce older students (3rd and 4th grades) to the Underground Railroad experience. A follow-up to the story can be an exploration of the excellent National Geographic site that allows for a guided, interactive journey from slavery to freedom on the Underground Railroad. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad/

Pair this book with Caldecott Honor Book, Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, by Carole Boston Weatherfield, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.