Series and Time

Next week, at the recommendation of a librarian friend of mine, the blog will review books that were very popular. We will see what titles pass the test of time.

Heeeellllpppp!!!

Emma Dilemma and the Camping Nanny

Hermes, Patricia. Emma Dilemma and Camping Nanny. Tarrytown, NY : Marshall Cavendish Children, 2009.

Plot: Emma is in a dilemma. She has the very best nanny in the world, but her nanny has started spending her free time with someone else. His name is Bo, and he and the nanny are dating seriously . At school, Luisa, Emma's best friend, spends more time with Katie than Emma. A weekend of camping may offer the solution to the nanny problem, especially since Bo is terrified of bears. However, a mix of talent show drama, missing ferrets, sisterly tantrums, dancing questions, journal readings, and close encounters of the skunk kind may keep Emma's dilemmas from ever being solved.

Genre: Growing Up, Everyday, Relationships

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Emma Dilemma and the New Nanny, Julia Gillian (and the Quest for Joy), Forever Amber Brown

Personal Thoughts: The book provides a pleasing blend of humor and seriousness. Emma manages to create some funny situations around her and her relationships. However, the book also addresses issues continuously facing people, particularly younger people. The primary problem blooms from the delicate balance of sharing friends. When the people in Emma's life start meeting others, she learns, through trial and error, that the people she cares about can love her while loving others, which everyone needs to learn. 

The Magic Tree House: Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve

Osborne, Mary Pope. The Magic Tree House: Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve. New York : Random House, 2003.

Plot: After receiving a summons on an oak leaf, Jack and Annie return to their magical tree house to answer Merlin's call. The two find themselves in Camelot with a quest to return a duke's castle "to order." They discover the castle is not messy, but haunted by invisible occupants due to the theft of the Diamond of Destiny. However, the act was not accomplished by mere mortals, but thieves consisting of an army of ravens lead by an evil sorcerer. The siblings, with their friend, Teddy, must use their wits and magic to stop the feathered fiends.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Eve of the Emperor Penguin, The 39 Clues

Personal Thoughts: The story promises high adventure and mythical links. Unfortunately, the characters and plot are poorly developed and the story quickly becomes predictable. The two protagonists become the super-smart non-magic users that understand magic better than the sorcerers, while the villain falls to an almost comically expected trick. Overall, the title seems to miss its full potential.

This is the third title in the Camelot story arc.  

Judy Moody

McDonald, Megan. Judy Moody. Cambridge, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2000.

Plot: Judy begins her first day of school in a bad mood. She did not get any interesting shirts from her summer vacation, unlike everyone else in her school. Determined to vent her rage, she attempts to taunt her new teacher, Mr. Todd, who catches her every attempt to disturb the class. He even manages to improve her mood. She, and every other student in the class, will make a "me" collage. The next few months follow Judy's collage creation. Her ups, such as her prank on Stink, creation of the T.P. club, and purchase of her new pet find there way on the project. Unfortunately, the collage also documents her worst moments and a very large juice stain, courtesy of Stink.

Genre: Everyday

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Clementine, Frindle, Stink

Personal Thoughts: A story of a quirky girl with a slightly unusual name and high expectations. The basic plot has been a staple of tween literature since Beaverly Clearly, but for a good reason. Readers can sympathize with the enthusiastic but trouble-prone Judy's daily victories and failures while appreciating the slightly over-the-top adventure of novels.

Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture

Lasky, Katherine. Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture. New York : Scholastic, 2003.

Plot: Soren's joy at his sister's hatching quickly fades when his older brother pushes him out of the nest. Alone and unable to fly, the little barn owl fears for his life. Death, he quickly finds, is not the worst fate. He finds himself in the claws of a larger owl determined to make him and other kidnapped "orphans" loyal minions of St. Aggie's, a bizarre institution with a dubious intentions. With the help of a eloquent elf owl, Soren manages to keep his name and his sanity despite multiple brainwashing attempts. The two escape and gain two new companions orphaned by the St. Aggie owls. Determined to stop the group for good, the team seeks the legendary Great Ga'Hoole Tree, home to heroes sworn to fight evil.

Genre: Fantasy, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Swordbird, Silverwing

Personal Thoughts: A solid animal fantasy with varied characters and adventurous plots. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Perhaps the issue comes from the fact that the villains are fanatic-religious-extremists-communists-kidnappers-revolutionists-sexists-malcontents. The antagonist institution appears to encompass every single negative aspect present in modern politics and meadia. Another issue comes from the fact that, while the author could look up the scientific names for the owls, she failed to note other basic aspects of biology, such as natural diet, dimorphism, and breeding. Some of the fault can be ascribed to poetic license, but it remains irksome. However, the most frustrating aspect of the novel stems from the fact that it is the first in a series. A fifteen part series. Meaning finding out what happens to the heroes will require the reader to find and read fourteen more books.

Arrgg.

Search Saga: End

So ends the Search Saga. Next week, we will return to reviews, starting with popular series.

The search is over, but the saga continues

Search Saga: Stuck

Help

Sometimes, in spite of effective tools and limitless information, Internet users get stuck in their searches. Here is a list of common "stuck" causers, as well as how to avoid them.

1. Typing a question: Often, users will simply type in their question in a search engine, only to find a forum, answer site (i.e. WikiAnswer), or one-sentence pages. While this may help find a quick response, the information does not assist someone with a 4+ page report due next week. Instead of asking a question, type in the subject of the question. For example, rather than typing "What is malaria?" simply type "malaria."

2. Nothing found: Probably the most discouraging of all responses. Happily, it can be solved with a bit of creativity (and a thesaurus). Try different terms with the same meaning. Rearranging search terms can help. Eliminate quotation marks or conjunctions increases hits. Also, be sure the spelling is correct. Many of the more popular search engines will compensate for poor spelling, but some of the more specific databases do not.

3. Too much information: Sometimes, the response of a search can overwhelm a user. To counter information overload, narrow the search. Adding more specific terms or utilizing the AND or NOT options in an "Advanced Search" option can accomplish this.

4. Unreliable information: Difficult to identify when the searcher is unfamiliar with the subject. However, some information on the Internet cannot be trusted. When in doubt, look for another resource and compare information.

5. My teacher will not accept information from X: Teachers will often limit student searches. This may be to teach students different search techniques. Also, some resources are notoriously unreliable. Wikis are particularly notable offenders. While they offer quick information, anyone can edit them, often leading to misinformation (once, a wiki told me tsunamis are caused by "yo mama"). Trust the teacher and use other resources.

6. Able to describe it, not able to find it: When a searcher knows specific resource and is completely unable to locate it. Little can be done for this situation. Try to think of different descriptors or review where the item was first found. If the item was viewed before, try looking at the browser's History.

Occasionally, all searchers get stuck. With some caution and creativity, though, a frustrating search can still yield useful information.