101 Back-To-School Jokes

101 Back-To-School Jokes (1994) by Lisa Eisenberg and Katy Hall. 96 pages.

ISBN 10: 0-590-96537-9

Who can resist a quick silly joke?

"When is a basketball player like a baby? When he dribbles!" This book is full of quick fun jokes, silly titles of books and even knock-knocks. Good fun for kids to joke about school; 9 to 12 year olds.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (2005). Directed by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp and Freddie Highmore, with music by Danny Elfman. Available on DVD; shown on the Family channel, June 27, 2010.

Classic Tim Burton film, with visual wonders and enchanting music. Five childeren are guided on a tour of the Wonka candy factory by Willy Wonka. He introduces his guests to the Oompa Loompas, who do all the work in the factory and sing their unapproving comments when the rotten children overstep their welcome. Four of the children end their tour in very odd circumstances; the fifth, Charlie Bucket, helps Wonka rediscover his father.

Wonka has flashbacks to his unhappy childhood with his father, a dentist; which is probably why Wonka is creepy and snide.

The viewer will feel like s/he is on a water (chocolate river) rollercoaster ride through a fantastical and obsurd candy factory. Costumes and scenes are visually stimulating. Fun, albeit a bit creepy, for 9 to 13 year olds.

Visit the companion Wonka website.

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Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). Screenplay by Roald Dahl, directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder. Available on DVD; shown on the Family channel, June 27, 2010.

A more charming movie than the 2005 version, with lots of fun, descriptions, such as scrumdiddlyumptious, "incredibly long-lasting Laffy Taffy" and "everlasting gobstoppers". Follow the five ticket holders as they tour the mysterious and magnificent chocolate factory. Contrasts between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots', and naughty and nice are capitalized on.

It's fun to compare the different film versions.


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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Illustrated 1998, Text 1964) by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. 176 pages.
ISBN: 978-0-14-2413018


Charlie Bucket, Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde and Mike Teavee are guided on a tour the mysterious chocolate factory by the quirky Willy Wonka. Curious dwarfs, the Oompa Loompas work in the factory and sing songs when bad happens to horrible children. Lots of magical and absurd things occur to entertain the reader. Fun read for 9 to 12 year olds.

Simpsons Comics Madness

Simpsons Comics Madness (2002) by Matt Groening. 158 pages.

ISBN-10: 0-06-053061-8

This is a compilation of the Simpsons comics #43 to #48; featuring the talents of a variety of writers, artists and editors.

The first comic is an urban legend told backward, a twisted and quircky story about Bart, Lisa, Milhouse and Martin looking for 'Brain Freeze Steve' under the Kwik-e-Mart. In another, Lisa becomes a substitute teacher after Bart pulls one of his classic antics. Comics continue with Sideshow Bob struggling with going straight in one and Santa's Little Helper, the Simpsons' dog, becoming a Hollywood media mongrel. One of my favorites is when Homer unwittingly gets on the wrong game show and wins a date. To get out of his date, he signs a contract to go on another game show, "Escape from emperor Burnsimoto's Castle", which could be life threatening. Several more entertaining comics are featured.

The comics can be read on their own and the reader can easily see them as a TV show, as each page provides scene panels with a lot of visual activity. The reader will get classic Simpsons, with all the jokes, puns, parodies, pranks and gags. References to movies Manga, reality TV shows and advertising add to the fun and brain teases.

Simpsons graphic novels are a constant favorite among middle school students and this will not disappoint. Fun antics for 9 to 12 year olds.

More on Matt Groening and The Simpsons.

Read Simpsons Comics online

Miracle's Boys

Miracle's Boys (2000) by Jacqueline Woodson. 131 pages
ISBN: 0-399-23113-7
(2006) Audiobook read by Dule Hill. New York, NY: Listening Library, download to MP3.

Winner of Coretta Scott King Award 2001

Lafayette is a thirteen year old being raised by his older brother Ty'ree. When their mother Milagra died, their other brother, Charlie, was in Rahway reform school. Their great-aunt Cecil wanted them to live with her, but they wanted to stay in New York. Ty'ree became guardian of his brothers, giving up his acceptance to MIT.

Ty'ree works full time, but there isn't much money. Charlie is back living them, but is a different person than he was before, lost and angry. Lafayette is dismayed and sees him as 'Newcharlie'. Newcharlie has a tendency toward trouble, finds himself at a gang initiation.

Ty'ree provides loving guidance and companionship to Lafayette. They reminisce about their mother and talk about the accident that led to their father's death. Charlie begins to reconnect with his brothers. The boys are loyal to each other; "B-to-B" (brother-to-brother) they say as their expression of love for each other.

This story is realistic, urban drama with authentic characters. The dialague connects the reader with characters' sorrow and anger. Listening to this story puts the reader closer to the drama. Dule Hill, who reads the audio version, brings an urban and ethnic tone that enhances its telling. Good read for 11 to 13 year olds.

If you like Miracle's Boys, you may like other Jacqueline Woodson books , as well as those by Walter Dean Myers

Runway Rose (#9 of The English Roses)

Runway Rose, #9 of The English Roses (2009) by Madonna. 124 pages.
ISBN: 978-0-14-241126-1

The English Roses are "the coolest, hippest, most rockin'" 11 year old girls living a privileged life. They have sleepovers, have butlers and get chauffered to school. Most importantly, they are good friends and cheer for each other.

This episode in the Roses' lives finds Grace being an amazing soccer player and Amy getting a job working at a Teen Fashion Week. Preparing for the fashion show is hectic and exciting.

Expressive and silly pencil drawings enhance the story. A couple incidences of instant messaging text is fun to read. Fun book for 9 to 11 year olds.

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I spotted a short blurb in the Style section of the Sunday, June 27, 2010 San Francisco Chronicle. It mentioned a new clothing line by Madonna, inspired by her 13year old daughter Lourdes, "Lola". Click (here) for the People Magazine's Sneak Peak: "Madonna and Lourdes' Material Girl Line for Macy's".

I'll be curious if this line becomes popular with the tween set.

Tell Me This Isn't Happening!

Tell Me This Isn't Happening!

Real kids tell the true stories of their most embarrassing moments! by Robynn Clairday (1999). 107 pages.

ISBN: 0-439-09502-6

Humor

This book contains lots of short entries from kids' describing their embarrassing and mortifying moments. Different topics are covered in the chapters: from sports-related moments, dealing with friends, clothing incidents, mishaps at parties, shopping and bathroom bloopers. Each chapter ends with words of wisdom from significant adults (although the names were more significant ten years ago).

The entries are fun and quick. Readers can either identify with them or laugh along with them. Good fun for 10 to 12 year old.

ISLAND Book One: Shipwreck

ISLAND- Book One: Shipwreck (2001) by Gordon Korman. 129 pages.
ISBN: 0-439-16456-7

Adventure, survival

A program called "Charting a New Course" brings together six young teens on boat with a captain and first mate. Each teen has been sent there for a reason - getting in arrested, fighting, causing havoc, watching too much TV, having a breakdown. They are quickily put to work manning sails and cleaning decks.

The ship leaves Guam where the kids feel like they are in the middle of nowhere. Stuck on a boat they don't want to be on and living in tight quarters, the kids learn to deal with the mean captain's mate, sea-sickness and terrible food. But that's not all, a terrifying storm comes. The schooner is severely damaged, the captain is lost at sea, the first mate abondons ship and the kids are left to fend for themselves. Through will and problem-solving, they work together to survive.

This is a fast-moving, adventurous story taking place over 15 days. The plot keeps the reader interested in what will happen next. Good read for 10 to 13 year olds.

This book is the first in a series of three: Shipwreck, Survival and Escape. At the end of the book, the author encourages the reader to "continue your Island adventure online" at Scholastic (linked here) where you can meet the crew and take the quiz, "Can you Survive?"

Official Gordon Korman Website

The Bully

The Bully (2002) by Paul Langan. New York: Scholastic. 190 pages.
ISBN: 13: 978-0-439-86546-3

Shortly after Darrell began ninth grade in Philadelphia, he has to move with his mom to California; he has to leave his neighborhood and his friends, especially Malik who protected him from unsavory people. Being short and skinny, Darrell has handled dealing with people's comments and taunts.

Darrell and his mom move into an apartment next to his uncle, who has two children. Darrell's uncle makes mocking comments and his cousins are constantly fighting.

Before starting school Darrell meets Tyray, who bullies him, Darrell nervous to start school. Darrell finds ways to avoid Tyray, who extorts his lunch money. At school, Darrell deals with being ignored, eating lunch alone and humiliations from Tyray.

Eventually, Darrell finds his way at school- a teacher reaches out to him, he meets a friend and he decides to join the wrestling team. Wrestling develops his confidence, and increases his strength and weight. Darrell develops friendships, stands up to his uncle, and intervenes when bullying occurs in his own family. Does Darrell's confidence and new skills help him deal with Tyray?

The story takes place in an urban setting, with characters who are African-American. The drama is realistic; addressing ssues of bullying and confidence. These features will be attractive to youth who want to see themselves in the literature. This is a high interest read for 11 to 14 year olds.

The Bully is fifth in the Bluford High series, but the story can be read as a stand-alone.

Book trailer for The Bully and another Bluford series book, Summer of Secrets.
Townsend Press - Full Bluford series

Smile

Smile (2010) by Raina Telgemeir. New York: Scholastic. 204 pages

ISBN: 978-0-545-24182-3

Graphic Novel, Humor, Autobiography

This autobiographical tale follows Raina from 6th to 9th grade, experiencing the confusions of puberty. After a Girl Scout meeting, she trips and falls; knocking out her two front teeth. Already anxious about getting braces, Raina has to visit the dentist and endodontist. This is just the beginning of the many dental trips, including the orthodontists and periodontists.

She anguishes about dental pain, dealing with retainers and headgear, and what her classmates will think. Raina deals with crushes on boys and her snarky friends, who not always nice.

An earthquake brings an unexpected experience with her family.

The story is engaging and expressive, providing a glimpse into a tween's view of life, dealing with friends and multiple trips to dental professionals. Raina grows through the story, coming to realize and appreciate her artistic abilities and gaining confidence in herself.

The story is enhanced by the illustrations, which are formatted in comic strip form with candid and expressive drawings. Especially fun for San Francisco residents who are familiar with the public schools Raina attends. Appealing to kids 9 to 12, especially girls.

Raina Telgemeir's website.

Bird

Bird (2004) by Angela Johnson. New York: Dial Books. 133 pages.
ISBN: 0-8037-2847-6

Bird is living and hiding in a shed across from a farmhouse; she secretly eats the family’s food and takes baths in their home. Bird has come to Acorn, Alabama from her home in Cleveland, Ohio to find her step-father. The only father she knew, Cecil left without saying good-by.

While living in the shed, Bird is discovered by Ethan. Ethan, living in the farmhouse, has been homebound from illness and heart surgery. Bird and Ethan gradually become friends, helping each other out of their loneliness. Jay, another boy, also discovers bird and has a unique connection to Ethan. Jay’s sadden is relieved through time with Bird. When Bird meets Victoria Pritchard, a lonely widow, she lives with her for a while, enjoying each others’ company and feeling less lonely. While Bird is living in Acorn, she sees Cecil and thinks about talking to him.

This sweet story, told through the eyes of Bird, Ethan and Jay, reflects on peoples’ loneliness and how kindness and friendship alleviate its pain. Cecil is a distant character in the story; the reason for Bird being in Acorn. We see glimpses of him through Ethan and come to understand Bird’s longing for him, how she loved being with him. Nice read for 9 to 12 year olds.

More about Angela Johnson.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found (2008) by Andrew Clements and read by Keith Nobbs. Audiobook Playaway.
ISBN 978-160775616-3

Jay Ray and Ray Jay Grayson are identical twins who have just moved to a new town with their parents. On the first day of sixth grade, Ray is sick and Jay attends school alone. When attendance is called in his class, Jay notices that Ray’s name isn’t called. He starts to enjoy being identified as himself and not as a twin. When Jay arrives home he convinces his brother that they should take advantage of the school’s clerical mistake and pretend they are one person. Wanting to know what it’s like to be treated as an individual, they devise their plan to take turns at school.

Thus begins a series of interactions and mishaps at school and at home; each generating from the lies that are being told. Ray and Jay have different academic skills, personalities and physical abilities that lend to the challenge of keeping up the façade. Dealing with the details of incidents in class, new friends and playing sports are met with difficulty. Evolving from this story is the realization of the effects of lies, as well as perceptions of twins and how they want to be perceived.

The reader will be engaged as they follow the twins as they interact with others and each other. The story is believable and fun. Listening to the story is entertaining. The story is appropriate for 9 to 12 year olds.

Andrew Clements website.

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrations by Dave McKean
ISBN 978-0-06-053092
New York: Harper Collins Publishers
Newberry Award 2009
Hugo Award for Best Novel 2009

Fantasy

An orphan baby arrives in a graveyard on the day his family was killed. The graveyard residents, who are ghosts, agree to let him stay. The Owens adopt him and name him Nobody,"Bod", Owens. Silas, who is neither alive or dead and is able to obtain food and clothing for Bod, becomes his guardian. Bod is bestowed the Freedom of the Graveyard, which gives him special abilities. The story follows Bod until he is fifteen years old. He attends classes with ghosts, has a friend who’s a ghost of a witch, is watched by Miss Lupescu, who is a ‘Hound of God’, encounters frightening ghouls and a threatening Sleer, and experiences the Danse Macabre. Bod experiences the power of love and friendship from the graveyard residents as he grows, learns and encounters menace.

Bod is warned about the dangers of leaving the graveyard. The mysterious man Jack, who killed his family, wants to kill Bod. Bod wants to leave to find a way to sell an item to buy a gravestone. His ventures out become perilous and tricky. Jack and his pals discover Bod and plot to kill him.

Enchanting and sometimes thrilling, this novel moves at a good pace. Although a haunting subject – a boy being raised by ghosts in a cemetery, the story is charming and exciting. It’s a good read for 9 to 12 years.

Official Neil Gaiman site and his Mouse Circus site for young readers.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (1981) by Alven Schwarz and drawings by Stephen Gammell. New York: Scholastic Inc. 87 pages.
ISBN 0-590-43197-8
Nonfiction

Scary, Horror

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the first book in a series of three, is a collection of short stories (usually one to two pages) that evoke a range of responses - from eerie to creepy, scary to terrifying, spooky to horrifying. Some are written to make you jump; others will give you creepy feelings. A few contain some dark humor. Stories in the beginning of the book are written to be read aloud with suggestions for sound effects and physical actions to go along with the story. Good book for youth who want to be spooked; ages 9 to 13.

The illustrations are high-quality in black and gray watercolor tones evoking a spooky quality.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, A Novel in Cartoons (2007) by Jeff Kinney. New York: Amulet Books. 217 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0-8109-9313-6
Fiction

Humorous. Cartoon graphics.

Reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a glimpse in watching a tween in action. Greg Hefferly, a middle school student, who describes his experiences and perception of those experiences in a journal over the course of a school year. The hand-printed type format and is intermixed with line drawings of people and events that relate to the journal entries. This visual format would immediately be appealing to a reluctant reader, as well as more confident readers. The drawings break up the text and are quite humorous. Greg writes about his experiences at school and home, his relationships with his friend, Rowley, and his family members. Great read for 8 to 12 year olds.

Click here to go to official website for the Wimpy Kid books.
If you like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you might like these Read-Alikes as well.

Love That Dog

Love That Dog, A Novel (2001)by Sharon Creech.
New York: Joanna Cotler Books. 86 pages

ISBN 0-06-029287-3

Fiction

Verse, poetry.
This story is written in verse and told from the first person point of view by Jack, a boy in a class where poetry is being taught. The story is presented as entries in a journal, with dialogue directed at his teacher, Miss Stretchberry. Jack moves from being a reluctant poet, lacking confidence about his own work to finding his voice, developing confidence and writing in different poetic styles. Appropriate for ages 8 to 12.

The Magician's Elephant

The Magician's Elephant (September 2009) by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Yoko Tanaka

Massachusetts: Candelwick Press. 201 pages
ISBN 978-0-7636-4410-9

Fiction

This story has the appeal of magical realism. The illustrations are intense and sophisticated with a mystical appearance.

This is a lovely story about connections between people and the belief in possibility through magic and dreams. It asks 'what if?'. Peter Augustus Duchene, an orphan boy who lives in Baltese, an imaginary town, wants to find his sister, although he is unsure if she is alive. The boy seeks the advice of a fortune teller who gives him an ominous message - that an elephant will take him to his sister. But, there are no elepahants in the town.

There are several people in the story, each with their own personal distress and longings, who display good character traits, such as compassion and kindness. These individuals are connected through events that eventually lead to Peter's discovery.

The concepts of hope and love resound in the story. The story and themes should appeal to tweens and young teens, ages 9 to 12.

More about the book and an Interview with Kate DiCamillo.
Teacher’s Guide to the book.