WAW Reviews: El Deafo and The Crossover
Hey Strangers!
I hope your summer has been off to a great start. I've been absent from the blogging world due to the absence of internet. But I'm back and can't wait to talk books with you!
Throughout the rest of the summer I will be sharing books from the William Allen White list with you on Wednesdays. My hope in doing this series is to introduce those teachers and librarians to these books that don't have quite the time to read through the whole list from April, when the lists are launched, and the beginning of the school year.
Each Wednesday I will share two books, one from the third through fifth grade list and the other from the sixth through eighth grade list. For each book you will see a summary of the book as well as my personal thoughts on each book based on what students might say, so you might know what to expect when your readers get ahold of these books.
Let's get started with the first two from each list!
El Deafo by Cece Bell
Summary: In this funny, yet empathy inspired graphic novel memoir, author and illustrator Cece Bell shares her story of hearing loss at a young age. The very awkward hearing aid she receives is called the Phonic Ear, and sometimes it even helps her to hear things she shouldn't. Ultimately, she really just wants to fit in and find a true friend who loves her for who she is. Trying to make new friends is hard enough, but while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? It might just take superpowers! After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become “El Deafo, Listener for All.” And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she’s longed for.
Thoughts: I think our students will love this book based on the graphic novel component alone! Another great seller for this book is the fact that it's written on a high second grade level, so all of our students will be able to read it. I predict this to be the winner when kids vote next Spring due to those two factors. But the fact that it was a Newbery Honor books also tells us that the content is strong overall, not just in my eyes. I did feel like it was repetitive at time when it came to talking about the main characters struggles, but hopefully students will be able to push through that.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Summary: Twelve year old Josh Bell and his twin brother, Jordan, are amazing basketball players. While Jordan begins to grow up and away from basketball and his brother, Josh turns to the court and his mad beats. They will have to wade through tough waters of relationships and health, which come to a heart-breaking climax for the entire family. This middle grade novel of family and brotherhood is told by brilliantly told by Josh in free verse.
Thoughts: This is definitely the winner of the sixth through eighth grade list! I've had this book on my classroom shelves and library shelves since it first game out. It never gets time to rest there, as it is constantly on hold and in the hands of my students. (Heart-Eyes!) Being the Newbery winner of it's publication year, it is definitely strong in storyline and content. Kids will love the fact that it's about basketball to begin with. Next, kids will fall in love with the fact that it is told in poems, or prose. At first kids were a little wary of that factor, but by the time they finished they were begging me for more books written in the same style! (So many great books have been written in prose lately and it's getting some of my reluctant readers set on fire. Keep them coming!)
I hope that if you can only get your hands on a couple books from this year's list, you choose these two so you can keep up with your students! If you need a way to track your reading, your students' reading, or just provide them with a new bookmark, head over to my Teachers Pay Teachers William Allen White bookmarks. Enjoy!
Back to the books,
Audra
