Monday, July 2, 2012

Chick-lit, Fractured Fairy Tales and LGBT literature.



The Notebook - Nicolas Sparks
Reading Level: Grade 8-12
Publisher: Turtleback, 1998
Genere: Chick-Lit

At her bedside from an old age home, a man reads from a journal about two people who fell in love durning the summer in 1932. Noah and Allie were from two different social classes and after that summer they did not speak ever again. 14 years later and engaged, Allie returns to New Bern searching for a love that was lost. Has the war and 14 years changed Noah? Or is he the same youthful boy that Allie fell in love with?



Aquamarine - Alice Hoffman
Reading Level: Grade 4-6
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks, 2002
Genere: Chick-Lit

Claire and Hailey have always spent their summer at the Capri Beach Club. Now, the run down beach club is closing after this season, and Claire is moving to Florida. After a storm closes the pool, they discover a mermaid at the bottom of the deep end. Aquamarine is dying, but she refuses to return until she meets Raymond, one of the remaining staff members of the Capri. The two friend hatch out a plan to grant aquamarine's wish and return her to the sea.



The Fairy's Mistake - Gail Carson Levine
Reading Level: Grade 4-6
Publisher: Harper Collins, 1999
Genere: Chick-Lit, Fractured Fairy Tales

Rosella is generous and kind, her twin sister Myrtle is rude and obnoxious. When they meet up with the fairy Ethelinda on separate occasions Rosella is rewarded with jewels that fall out of her mouth whenever she speaks, and Myrtle spits out bugs and snakes. Ethelinda, proud of her decisions, finds that Rosella is held captive by a greedy prince, and Myrtle is using her new found curse to get everything she wants.



Snoring Beauty - Bruce Hale
Reading Level: Grade 1-3
Publisher: Harcourt Children's books, 2005
Genre: Fractured Fairy Tales

Princess Marge is doomed to be run over by a pie cart and die on her 16th Birthday, but the half deaf fairy Tintinnitus modifies the spell to dave her from such a tragic death. Snoring Beauty retells the tale of "Sleeping Beauty" with a new twist. An excellent read aloud, the text and artwork are covered with hidden puns to make this enjoyable to an adult as well.


Stop That Pickle - Peter Amour
Reading Level: Grade 1-3
Publisher: Sandpiper, 2005
Genre Fractured Fairy Tales

In a modernized version of The Gingerbread Men, the last pickle escapes Mr Adolph's Deli and takes off through the city streets to escape being eaten. When Deli owner Mr. Adolph can't run any longer, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a pretzel, some raisins and other snack foods give chase. Will the pickle get away?



Cinderella Skeleton - Robert D. San Souci
Reading Level: Grade 3+
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books, 2000
Genre: Fractured Fairy Tales

The images might provoke nightmares in younger readers, but this warped tale of cinderella looks like it might come from the mind of Tim Burton. It would be a good read aloud if the rhyming scheme is mastered by the reader. Enjoyable and creative use of all the deviations from the original tale. Here cinderella needs to return home before dawn, but of course fails and loses more than a slipper.



... and Tango Makes Three - Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Reading Level: Grade PreK-3
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2005
Genre: LGBT Literiture

Based on a true story about Roy and Silo, two male penguins, who spent more time with each other than with female penguins. They built and shared a nest like other penguin couples, but never had an egg. When the couple started caring for an egg shaped rock, a zookeeper puts a fertile egg in their nest and the two fathers did what came naturally for any parent. The Expressions on the faces of the penguins add a wonderful touch to the tale of this true story. According to Amazon.com "The book received several awards and was the single most challenged or banned book in the United States in 2006 and 2007."



Uncle What-is-it is Coming to Visit!! - Michael Willhoite
Grade Level: Grade 1-4
Publisher: Alyson Books, 1993
Genre: LGBT Literature

Igor and Tiffany's Uncle Brett is coming to visit. They haven't seen him since they were babies and when their Mom says he's gay she fails to explain what that means. The two then set off to find some answers. Unfortunately, the local bully fills their heads with all sorts of stereotypical images that frightens them more than answers their questions. Before long, Uncle Brett is here and the siblings finally get the answers they were looking for.



A Tale of Two Mommies - Vanita Oelschlager and Mike Blanc
Grade Level: Grade 1-4
Publisher: Vanita Books, 2011
Genre: LGBT Literature

This book looks at the non-traditional family as seen through the eyes of three young children playing one day at the beach. Through their conversations and the questions they ask, a reader can understand that it does not matter what type of parents you have, as long as they are loving and are there for you.
An excellent book for a 1 on 1 read.





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