The first book I picked, which is my chapter book, is a coming-of-age book. In this type of sub-genre "it is necessary for the writer to create a believable character who has enough awareness of self to learn about who he or she is and enough complexity to change and grow over the course of the story" (Lukens, Smith, Coffel, 2013, p.91). The book that I choose that fits into this sub-genre is The Babysitters Club: Claudia and the Sad Good-Bye by Ann M. Martin. The Babysitters Club is and has been a popular series for young readers. It is recommended for students in second grade or higher. Most kids do not continue reading these by the time they get to middle school; so probably just for more middle to upper elementary students.
The book is about Claudia, the Vice-President of the Babysitters Club, and her relationship with her grandmother Mimi. The book goes through Claudia's close relationship with her Mimi, and how sick she is getting. Claudia doesn't think anything can ever happen to Mimi. Through Mimi's sickness, Claudia talks about her life as a babysitter, a student, and an artist. She even starts a weekly art camp with fellow babysitter club member Mary Anne.
Several times Claudia gets frustrated when she has to care for Mimi and Mimi is forgetful or rude. Mimi is taken to the hospital twice because she is sick or faints. The second time she is taken she does not come home. Claudia stays with her in the hospital and gets to spend some last few days with Mimi. She goes home one night and talks to her on the phone before bedtime, and Mimi tells her goodbye and calls her my Claudia. The next morning Claudia finds out Mimi has died.
The rest of the book shows how Claudia, only in 8th grade, is dealing with the loss of someone special in her life. She feels lost for a long time, and finally confronts her feelings about losing Mimi.
This book shows a young girl and grandmother's love and respect for one another. It shows the love between family members and how special the relationships can be.
One reason I choose this book was because I loved reading The Babysitters Club growing up, and it is a perfect example of the love between two people, and a great example for young children on how to handle death.
The second book I choose for contemporary fiction was a picture book, The Old Woman Who Named Things by Cynthia Rylant. It is an abstract picture book done in watercolors that is suited for children of all ages. First looking at it you think its just for young kids, but reading it, the concept is a great lesson for everyone.
The book is about an old woman who has outlived all of her friends. She is very lonely because she has no friends left and never gets any mail. So she starts to name things around her home that she knows she will outlive. Her bed is Roxanne, her car is Betsy, her house is Franklin, and her favorite chair (who never sags) is Fred. Everyday she is happy greeting her friends at home, until one day a puppy comes to her gate. The old woman tells him to go home, but she notices he looks hungry so she feeds him a little. The next day the puppy comes back for more food, and every day after that. Eventually a year passes, and the puppy has become a dog. The woman thinks she is clever because she has not named the dog, and Betsy, Fred, Roxanne, and Franklin would never allow a dog to be with them. One day the dog does not come to visit for food. The old woman worries, but looks for him the next day. He still doesn't return. A few more days pass, and the old woman is becoming very sad and concerned about the dog. She drives around looking for him and calls the dog catcher, but finds nothing. She finally decides to go to the pound and look for her shy, brown-haired dog. The dog catcher asks for the dogs name, and the old woman decides on Lucky. She finds Lucky in the pound and he comes immediately once he hears her voice. She takes the dog home to live with her forever, and turns out Betsy, Fred, Franklin, and Roxanne don't mind one bit!
This story shows the love between a woman and her dog. It is a love that didn't want to be, but eventually the two became dependent on each other. They come to enjoy each other's company and love one another. So in this way this is an excellent book for students of all ages to appreciate many different concepts. There are many different meanings that can be interpreted throughout this story.
Both great books, but the second one really touched my heart! A great book for all ages!
Lukens, R.J., Smith, J.J., & Coffel, C.M. (2013). A Critical Handbook of Children's Literature. Boston: Pearson.
Martin, A.M. (1989). The Babysitters Club: Claudia and the Sad Good-bye. New York: Apple Paperbacks.
Rylant, C. (1996). The Old Woman Who Named Things. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Co.
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