Llama Llama Mad at Mama (Book)

Dewdney, A. (2007). Llama Llama mad at mama. New York, NY: Viking. ISBN: 978-0-670-06240-9

Interest Level: Ages 5 & under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Llamas, Animals, Moms, Shopping, Anger, Temper Tantrums, Stories in Rhyme

Plot: Little Llama has to go to the store with Mama instead of getting to stay home and play. Little by little Llama gets upset. Eventually he gets so upset that he has a tantrum and starts throwing everything out of the shopping basket. Mama tells Llama to stop and that enough is enough. Mama calmly explains that she thinks shopping is boring too but at least she has Llama with her to make it better. Together they clean up Llama’s mess and then work as a team to get the shopping done.

Personal Thoughts: The illustrations convey the emotions in the story very well. Young children will easily relate to little Llama’s frustration about having to follow mom around while she does her chores.  The rhyming text flows easily making it a great choice for a storytime book.  Parents can use this story to help address tantrum problems and start conversations with children about how to make boring chores more fun.

Author's Website: Anna Dewdney's Website
Other Books by the Author: Llama llama holiday drama (2010); Roly Poly pangolin (2010); Nobunny's perfect (2008); Grumpy Gloria (2006); Llama llama red pajama (2005)

When Sophie gets angry - really, really angry (Book)

Bang, M. (1999). When Sophie gets angry - really, really angry. New York, NY: Blue Sky Press. ISBN: 0-590-18979-4

Interest Level: Ages 7 to 2
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Anger, Emotions, Coping Skills, Behavior, Siblings, Temper Tantrums, Sharing

Plot: Sophie is playing with her stuffed gorilla when her sister comes and takes it away.  Sophie's mother tells her that it is her sister's turn to play with the gorilla.  Sophie becomes very very angry, so angry she wants to smash everything.  Sophie ends up throwing a temper tantrum and then runs outside to her favorite tree.  In the tree's branches, she cries and begins to slowly calm down.  After she's completely calm, Sophie returns home to her family who are all working together on a puzzle.

Personal Thoughts: One of the things I like about this book is that it talks about ways in which to deal with anger.  Sophie runs to her tree to be alone and calm down.  The book prompts children to think about what they should do when their angry.  Parents and educators can use this book as a tool for starting a discussion about the right and wrong ways that children express anger.  The illustrations are great, conveying the emotional ride that Sophie is on through the story very well.

Awards/Recognition:
Caldecott Medal Honor Award (2000)
Jane Addams Children's Book Honor Award (2000)
Charlotte Zolotow Award (2000)

Author Website: Molly Bang's Website
Other Books by the Author: The day Leo said I hate you (2008); The paper crane (1985); Ten, nine, eight (1983); Chattanooga sludge (1996)

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Book)

Viorst, J. (1972). Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. New York, NY: Antheneum Books. ISBN: 0-689-71173-5

Interest Level: Ages 3 to 7
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Bad days, Grouchiness, Humor

Plot: We follow Alexander during his very bad day.  His day starts off bad, waking up with gum in his hair, continues being bad with a trip to the dentist and ends bad with his night light burning out.  Alexander tries and tries to tell everyone that he is having a terrible day and that he's going to move to Australia but nobody seems to care.  In the end, Alexander's mom tells him that "some days are like that, even in Australia" offering him some understanding.

Personal Thoughts: The illustrations, done in pencil, express the grouchiness and frustration Alexander is feeling throughout the day.  Some of the bad things that happen to Alexander are a result of his grouchiness, such as getting into a fight with a friend, and some are a result of simple bad luck, such as going to the dentist, as the reader will understand.  Young children will relate to the frustration and anger that Alexander feels.  The fact that no one is giving sympathy and that  Alexander must simply make it through the day is more realistic than any other "happy" ending.  A good way to help children deal with their bad days.

Awards/Recognition:
Georgia Children's Book Award: Picture Storybook Award (1977)

Other Books by the Author:
Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday (1977); Alexander, Who Is Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move (1995); The Good-bye Book (1988); Super-Completely and Totally the Messiest (2001);

Lucy Rose, Here's the Thing About Me (Book)

Kelly, K. (2004). Lucy Rose, here's the thing about me. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN: 0-440-42026-1

Interest Level: Ages 8 to 11
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Subjects/Themes: 8 Year Olds, Diaries, Divorced Parents, New School, Moving,

Plot: Lucy Rose has just moved to a new city and started at a new school after her parent's divorce.  She is struggling with all the changes in her life.  At first Lucy Rose doesn't think her life will get any better, but little by little she makes new friends and starts to find school enjoyable.  After one attempt and another to babysit the class guinea pig, she finally gets to take it home over the break.  She even makes friends with the other new boy that kept teasing her.

Personal Thoughts: A refreshing first person narrative.  What I really like about this novel is that a lot of the emotional struggles revolve around Lucy Rose personally.  Her parents seem to be having a relatively calm divorce (no fighting or mean remarks).  Both parents are also reaching out to Lucy Rose and trying to help her with this transition.  The family setting is believably realistic with grandparents regularly babysitting and her mother busy with work. Lucy Rose is struggling with the fact that she misses her old home, her dad, and her dog as any 8 year old in the same situation might be. 

Series Info: Book One of the Lucy Rose Books
Sequel: Lucy Rose, big on plans (2005) 

Other Books by the Author: Lucy Rose Series; Melonhead Series

Author's Website: Katy Kelly Website

Speak (Book)

Anderson, L. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

Interest Level: Ages 13 to Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Rape, Bullying, High School, Teen Girls, Emotional Problems, Friendship, Banned Books

Plot: The book follows Melinda's freshman year at high school following her being raped at a summer party.  Everyone is mad at her for calling the cops and getting people arrested for drinking.  Nobody knows what really happened because Melinda got scared and ran away rather then talk to the cops or anyone else.  During her freshman year, Melinda has almost stopped speaking altogether, no longer cares about her looks or hygeinie, and is failing most of her classes.  As she struggles with surviving everyday life, Melinda learns that her ex-best friend is dating the boy who raped her.  Melinda's concern for her friend's safety starts to overwhelm her but will she find the courage to break her silence? 

Personal Thoughts: A gritty emotional rollercoaster ride.  Melinda could be any girl from anywhere.  The inner dialouge that moves the story is wonderfully constructed and helps to highlight the inner turmoil that Melinda struggles with in the course of everyday things.  This book describes a deeply troubled girl, unfortunately misunderstood and overlooked.  This is a story about a young girl trying to cope with an extremely traumatic event all on her own.  This is a story about the importance of speaking up for justice. They made the book into a movie in 2004 starring Kristen Stewart (Twilight star).  Check out the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) for more details.

Personally I'm not a fan of realistic fiction, but I found this book impossible to put down once I started reading.  A Must Read for any female, teenager or adult.  I would suggest parents reading it before handing this book to their teen though.  A lot of hard issues are brought up during the reading that you may want to have discussions about.  Issues like safety, rape, alcohol at parties, asking for help, expressing yourself, academic, social, and emotional problems and coping skills. 

National Awards:
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Top-10 Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults
Edgar Allan Poe Award finalist
IRA Young Adult Choice
Junior Library Guild Selection
Michael L. Printz Honor Book (ALA)
National Book Award Finalist
New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
New York Times Bestseller List
SCBWI Golden Kite Award
YALSA Popular Paperback for Young Adults

State Awards:
Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award runner-up
California Young Reader Medal nominee
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee (Maryland)
Garden State Teen Book Award (New Jersey)
Iowa Teen Book Award nominee
Heartland Award (Kansas)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award
Maud Hart Lovelace Youth Reading Award nominee (Minnesota)
Teen Three Apples Award nominee (New York)
2005 New York Reads Together Book
Carolyn W. Field Award (Pennsylvania)
Pennsyvania Young Readers Choice Young Adult List
Rhode Island Teen Book Award nominee
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award
Volunteer State Young Adult Book Award (Tennessee)
Tayshas High School Reading List (Texas)
Evergreen Young Adult Book Award (Washington)
Sequoya Book Award (Oklahoma)
Young Reader’s Award Nominee (Nevada)

Bookseller and Media Recognition:
Booklist Editors’ Choice
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book
Fanfare, The Horn Book’s Honor List
Los Angeles Times Award finalist
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Booklist Top 10 First Novels (1999)
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year (1999)

Laurie Halse Anderson Website: Mad Woman In the Forest 

Other Books by the Author: Catalyst (2002); Chains (2008); Fever 1793 (2000); Prom (2005); Twisted (2007); Wintergirls (2009)