Module 7-Umbrella Summer/Compromised

Module 7-Realistic Fiction

-For Younger Middle School

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

ISBN:  978-0-0614-3187-6

Audience (according to School Library Journal):  Grades 4-6

Graff, L.  (2009).  Umbrella summer.  New York, NY:  
     Scholastic, Inc.

Pricing (as of 10/12)

*Amazon:      Hardcover:  $11.99

                        Paperback:  $5.99

                        Kindle:  $4.74

Book Summary

            After her brother dies suddenly, ten-year old Annie finds herself afraid of anything that might also cause her to die.  She carefully treats every cut/scrape with antibiotic cream and a Band-Aid, refuses to ride her bike without layer upon layer of protective gear, no longer builds and runs obstacle courses with her friend, and generally avoids anything that most young children would view as “fun.”  Her parents are not dealing with their grief much better.  Annie’s friends Rebecca and Doug try to stick by her throughout this difficult time, but often become irritated with her phobias.  Adult neighbors Mrs. Harper and Mrs. Finch both take an active part in helping Annie find ways to acknowledge her loss without becoming debilitated by it.  In the end, every character is changed by the death of Jared and Annie’s recovery and her return to “normalcy.”

APA Reference
Graff, L.  (2009).  Umbrella summer.  New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Impressions

            Graff continues to write book after book that takes a frank look at issues affecting her audience.  In this offering, she creates the likeable character of Annie and with great finesse, makes the reader laugh at her extreme safety measures while also making hearts ache over the death of her brother and her parents’ inability to connect and help themselves or their daughter.  Rebecca is a typical girlfriend and has her moody moments; while Doug is a sweet and mischievous friend who really pushes for Annie to return to the fun-loving pal whose company he enjoyed.  Grandmotherly Mrs. Finch talks to the girls in plain and simple language and gives advice that they can live by.  Readers of all ages will close the book with a satisfied sigh (and a few tears) as they see her wisdom, and will cheer as Annie finds a way to honor her brother, and find herself again.

Professional Reviews

         <<With the same deftness she demonstrated in The Thing About Georgie (rev. 3/0), Graff immediately engages the reader with the main character.  Here’s Annie Richards, about to ride her bike to the local drug store.  Elbow pads?  Check.  Kneepads?  Check….Why is Annie so fearful?  The previous year her older brother, Jared, died unexpectedly from a rare heart condition, and Annie’s at a loss as to how to cope…That healing comes slowly, helped along by understanding friends and a close-knit community of complex, concerned (but never cloying) characters.  Expect tears, but also expect to cheer for Annie’s recovery as she gradually learns to honor Jared’s life care for her own.

Carter, B. (2009). Umbrella summer. Horn Book Magazine, 85(4), 424-425. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com.

            <<After her brother's unexpected death from a rare heart ailment, adventurous Annie Richards changes into an overly cautious child who diligently tries to prevent any illness or accident happening to her… Friendship, shared moments, and some careful listening help Annie close her umbrella of sadness. As in The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower (2008) and The Thing About Georgie (2007, both HarperCollins), Graff has created a lively, quirky individual who tells her story with frankness and humor. Annie's three friends come across as real kids who treat Annie's eccentricities with a mixture of understanding and occasional anger. A more complex read than Andrea Beaty's Cicada Summer (Abrams, 2008), Annie's story deals with death with sensitivity, love, and understanding.

Kosiorek, K. (2009). Umbrella summer. School Library Journal, 55(6), 126-126. Retrieved from http://slj.com.

Library Uses

            Author Lisa Graff has written a plethora of middle elementary grade books that tackle real life problems faced by students.  A library lesson featuring this author and her works would contain titles that would appeal to both boys and girls.  And while the topics may be weighty, Graff treats each with humor, as well as kindness and wisdom. 

-For High School

Compromised by Heidi Ayarbe

ISBN: 978-0-0617-2851-8

Audience (according to School Library Journal):  Grades 9 and up.

Ayarbe, H. (2010). Compromised.  New York, NY:  
     Harper Teen.

Pricing:

*Amazon:      Hardcover:  $13.25

                        Paperback:  $8.99

                        Kindle:  $4.74

Book Summary

            Fifteen-year-old Maya finds herself placed in state foster care after her con man father is put in prison.  Mother dead, grieving her father, and overwhelmed by the harsh realities of the foster care system, Maya sets out to find an aunt whom she has never met and who may not even exist.  When Nicole, an irritating teen who has spent nearly all her life in foster care, and Klondike, a young runaway suffering from Tourette’s Syndrome, become her unwanted companions, Maya is forced to consider their needs as well as her own.  Survival on the road is difficult and the three discover that each has something to offer while on a gritty journey to a better life.

APA Reference
Ayarbe, H. (2010). Compromised.  New York, NY:  Harper Teen.

Impressions

            This is a “no holds barred” look at the harsh realities of both the foster care system and life on the streets as a runaway.  Tenderhearted readers may struggle with the images of dead bodies, rape, food eaten from garbage cans, and the foul language used by many of the characters.  But those same readers will find themselves yearning for something to go right for Maya, Nicole, and Klondike when just about nothing ever does.  Teens who believe that their lives are miserable may find themselves being thankful for all that they have when they consider that life in foster care or under a bridge is very real for some.  While this reviewer believes that the profanity is somewhat overused, it is true to the tone and experiences of the characters.  The book is moving and the mental pictures created by Ayarbe will stay with readers for a long time.

Professional Reviews

                        << The daughter of a con man, Maya's been on the a run all her life, but when her dad's bad deals finally catch up to them, she loses the only family she's ever had and ends up in the Nevada foster-care system. Passionate about science, the 15-year-old seeks to develop a hypothesis and follow the scientific method to get her father out of prison. Realizing this plan's futility, she goes back to the only other thing she really knows how to do: run. Maya formulates a new hypothesis that will hopefully lead her to an aunt in Idaho whom she's never met and some type of normalcy. One variable that she doesn't anticipate, however, is the addition of two other runaways who are also looking for something more. Gritty and realistic in action and language, this novel brings to light the plight of displaced teens. Maya is a strong character who tries to be true to herself while playing the caregiver role she always seems to fall into-first to her dad and now to her fellow runaways. The three form a strong bond that rings true even though the setting will likely be unfamiliar to many readers. While sympathy is evoked for the characters, emotions are not overplayed. The quick pace and flesh-and-blood main characters will appeal to avid and reluctant readers alike.

Bowling, G. (2010). Compromised. School Library Journal, 56(7), 81-81. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com.

<<When Maya's con-man father gets sent to federal prison, the scientifically minded 15-year-old decides to run away rather than face foster care. Nicole, a suicidal girl she meets at a group home, joins Maya as she travels from Nevada to Idaho to find an aunt she cannot even remember. As they sleep in abandoned buildings, face bullies, and scrounge for food, Maya searches for clues to her aunt's whereabouts from letters she wrote to her dead mother. Readers will quickly understand the difficulty of Maya's life on the streets, from the rats that crawl on her at night to failed attempts at shoplifting and seeing a friend get sick and die. There are warm moments, too, such as when she and her friends pretend to roast marsh mallows under a starry sky, or when she finally admits that irritating-bur-loyal Nicole has become her "favorite person." Ayarbe's (Freeze Frame) characters sometimes strain credibility--sweet Klondike, who has Tourette syndrome, never feels entirely authentic, for example. But the touching moments between Maya and Nicole will keep readers with them through their long journey. Ages 12-up. (May)

Compromised. (2010). Publishers Weekly, 257(18), 53-53. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com.

Library Uses

            During a discussion on first amendment rights, book banning, etc., librarians should feature books that are frequently banned and present the arguments that opponents have had to those books.  When issues of profanity are discussed, Compromised would make a good example of using cursing in a way that is true to the character and that aids in conveying the sense of realism necessary in some books.  ELA teachers could use titles similar to Compromised to stimulate debate in their classrooms.  History teachers could encourage debate on the possible limits/boundaries of free speech.  The librarian should have resources and bibliographies available to support teachers in these activities.