Bibliographic Information: Lowry, Lois. (1977). A summer to die. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Annotation: This is a highly fictionalized story of the death of Lois Lowry's sister. Meg is envious of her older and more beautiful sister. Her family temporarily moves to a more quiet area so her father can finish his book. During this time her sister is stricken with cancer, though Meg's parents don't share this information with her. As with all of Lois Lowry's books, it is the human relationships that are the focus of the story.
Genre: Author Study
Grade Level: I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Readers who have ever lost someone they love as well as struggled with jealousy and envy.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this a 4. This was the first book Lois Lowry wrote for children. Meg, the protagonist, forms several complex relationships which are actually quite mature for a 13 year old girl. Even as an adult I enjoyed this book and was touched by the humanity in it.
Prereading Question: Have you ever been jealous of someone?
Showing posts with label Lois Lowry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lois Lowry. Show all posts
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Gossamer
Bibliographic Information: Lowry, Lois. (2006). Gossamer. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Annotation: How can an old woman help a young angry boy who has been hurt and damaged by those who were supposed to love him? The woman, with the secret aid from the dreamgivers, helps the boy heal and learn to love again.
Genre: Author Study
Grade Level: I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Readers who are interested is stories in which those who have become damaged are able to heal and grow as well as those interested in dreams and how those dreams might affect you.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this a 4. If you have read A Child Called It, this is a much tamer version, but deals with a similar situation. I liked how Lowry used the explanation of the dreamgivers and the sinisteeds and their purposes. It is a powerful story and one of redemption.
Prereading Question: Why do you think we dream what we dream?
Annotation: How can an old woman help a young angry boy who has been hurt and damaged by those who were supposed to love him? The woman, with the secret aid from the dreamgivers, helps the boy heal and learn to love again.
Genre: Author Study
Grade Level: I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Readers who are interested is stories in which those who have become damaged are able to heal and grow as well as those interested in dreams and how those dreams might affect you.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this a 4. If you have read A Child Called It, this is a much tamer version, but deals with a similar situation. I liked how Lowry used the explanation of the dreamgivers and the sinisteeds and their purposes. It is a powerful story and one of redemption.
Prereading Question: Why do you think we dream what we dream?
The Silent Boy
Bibliographic Information: Lowry, Lois. (2003). The silent boy. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company.
Annotation: This is the story of a young girl, Katy Thatcher, who was able to understand a boy others considered "touched". Though Jacob never spoke to her, with the help of her father, Katy learned to understand Jacob and considered him a friend. Unfortunately, that friendship was not enough to help him in the end.
Genre: Author Study
Grade Level: I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Readers who are interested in stories that have some unexpected twists and the relationships of the people experiencing those twists.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this a 4. I took from this book a message that justice is not always served and sometimes adults do not know what is best or what is right.
Prereading Question: Do adults always know what is best?
Annotation: This is the story of a young girl, Katy Thatcher, who was able to understand a boy others considered "touched". Though Jacob never spoke to her, with the help of her father, Katy learned to understand Jacob and considered him a friend. Unfortunately, that friendship was not enough to help him in the end.
Genre: Author Study
Grade Level: I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Readers who are interested in stories that have some unexpected twists and the relationships of the people experiencing those twists.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this a 4. I took from this book a message that justice is not always served and sometimes adults do not know what is best or what is right.
Prereading Question: Do adults always know what is best?
The Birthday Ball
Bibliographic Information: Lowry, Lois. (2010). The birthday ball. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Annotation: Princess Patricia Priscilla is about to celebrate her 16th birthday and with that will choose her suitor! However, she is extremely bored and wants to experience life like her servant before she must settle down. This is a twist on the Prince and the Pauper tale.
Genre: Author Study
Grade Level: I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Readers who enjoy princess stories and happily ever afters.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this a 3. Lowry has created a whimsical look and the idea that the grass is always greener somewhere else. What I did like is she shared points of view from the servants and their stories as well as the princess. The princess also became appreciative of those less fortunate, and so she became more aware of others rather than only focusing on herself.
Prereading Question: Have you ever wanted to trade places with someone?
Annotation: Princess Patricia Priscilla is about to celebrate her 16th birthday and with that will choose her suitor! However, she is extremely bored and wants to experience life like her servant before she must settle down. This is a twist on the Prince and the Pauper tale.
Genre: Author Study
Grade Level: I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Readers who enjoy princess stories and happily ever afters.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this a 3. Lowry has created a whimsical look and the idea that the grass is always greener somewhere else. What I did like is she shared points of view from the servants and their stories as well as the princess. The princess also became appreciative of those less fortunate, and so she became more aware of others rather than only focusing on herself.
Prereading Question: Have you ever wanted to trade places with someone?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Willoughbys
Bibliographic Information: Lowry, L. (2008). The Willoughbys. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Annotation: This is an odd story about four children and their parents, neither set liking the other, and how these old fashioned children are able to have their happy ending.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Readers who enjoy seeing the underdog persevere as well as those who appreciate interesting twists of fate.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this book a 3. It is an interesting take on orphan stories and uses some interesting vocabulary, including one word I wasn't even sure on its meaning. At the end of the book the author includes a glossary of the words, in language suitable for the target age group, and also provides brief summaries of stories that characters reference throughout the book.
Prereading Question: What does it mean to be an orphan?
Annotation: This is an odd story about four children and their parents, neither set liking the other, and how these old fashioned children are able to have their happy ending.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: I
Readers Who Will Like This Book: Readers who enjoy seeing the underdog persevere as well as those who appreciate interesting twists of fate.
Personal Response and Rating: I rate this book a 3. It is an interesting take on orphan stories and uses some interesting vocabulary, including one word I wasn't even sure on its meaning. At the end of the book the author includes a glossary of the words, in language suitable for the target age group, and also provides brief summaries of stories that characters reference throughout the book.
Prereading Question: What does it mean to be an orphan?
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