Module 7: Realistic Fiction

Module 7/SLIS5420

A Dog Called Kitty

By Bill Wallace

Summary:

This book is about a boy named Ricky.  The story starts out with a big move from St. Louis to a farm in Oklahoma that his Dad just up and bought and moved the family to.  As the story moves along you meet the newest character and adorable little dog who is starving.  However, Ricky is afraid of dogs, due to a bad experience with a rabid dog.  Slowly, Ricky and the dog grow to love each other and in the processes Ricky learns to deal with fear, to trust again, and in the end to let go when the dog they named kitty died. 

Citation:

Wallace, B. (1980). A dog called Kitty. New York, NY: Holiday House

Beyond and Between:

A Dog Named Kitty is a very poignant  book that gives a look into the relational and emotional aspects of Ricky’s life, family, and fears.   It reads like a  memory, from the perspective of the older Ricky, sharing the story of the young Ricky struggling to push past his fears and love this dog that has shown up on the Oklahoma farm his family owns.  Like, Old Yeller, the ending is very sad but because the author did such a good job at bringing the reader along with Ricky and sharing in the emotional struggles, you can’t help but relate to Ricky realizing that he does love this dog, even though at first he wanted nothing to do with him.

Reviews:

School Library Journal

GR 4-7 – The relationship St. Louis born Ricky develops with an abandoned puppy on an Oklahoma farm has the power to triumph over his intense fears resulting from an attack by a rabid canine he experienced as a toddle. Ricky only acknowledges his love for the dog he names Kitty after his pet is accidentally killed at the site of an oil rig. Ricky’s telling of his childhood ordeal (a doctor administered 63 stitches) without benefit of anesthesia) is for strong stomachs, and the colloquial style features an occasional annoying sentence fragment. Nevertheless, the believable characterization of soft spoken, unpretentious Ricky makes the book work.-  Lynne D. Moose, Harmony Elementary School Library, N.C.

Moose, L. D. (1981). A Dog Called Kitty (Book). School Library Journal, 27(6), 71

Suggested Uses:

This book would be a great tie in to a “pets as your best friend” family night.  The floor would be open for children and their parents to bring their family pets to the library to share with others about who their “best friend” is.  In the program maybe having the local shelter prepare a power point of pets that need a best friend.  Of course, tying in books like “A Dog Named Kitty” to start off the evening with book characters that have had pets.  On a practical note, I would have to think through how various pets in the library would actually work.  Maybe, working with an outside partner to do this program in the community and not in the library would be better.

Module 7/SLIS5420

Hatchet

By Gary Paulsen

Summary:

Hatchet is a reality adventure story about a boy named Brian.  Brian is on his way to his Father’s home in Canada when suddenly his pilot has a heart attack.  Next thing Brian knows,  is that he is alone and in the Canadian wilds.  The book goes on to follow’s Brian’s struggles as he tries to survive with only his wits and his hatchet.  All the while, Brian tries to keep up home that he will be found and rescued.

Citation:

Paulsen, G. (1987). Hatchet. New York: Bradbury Press

Beyond and Between:

Hatchet is an intense read from the beginning Paulsen grabs your attention through his short but action compacted chapters.  Through a problem solving type writing, you see the inner thoughts of Brian as he tries to find food, start a fire, and all the while keep his focus.  It is in these inner dialogs that we meet the support cast who helps Brian survive, a key person is one of his old school teachers that reminds him to keep going on.  So while Brian is trying to survive, the books plot carries forward, but it really the struggles Brian has with being alone, pushing past fear, and not giving up on hope that makes this a good read for any age group.  However, the writing style is simple, so while Brian’s character is older, this book would probably work better for fourth to sixth grade readers.

Reviews:

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-- This model survival story of a plane crash in a lake strands 15-year-old Brian alone in the Canadian wilderness for 54 days. Emotional wounds are healed as he struggles to overcome hunger, wild animals, and a tornado. Paulsen's visual writing style and attention to detail are drawn from his own experience and affinity for the woods. Audiobook available from Listening Library.

Reutter, V. (2004). Hatchet (Book). School Library Journal, 50(5), 64.

Suggested Uses:

This book would be fun to do with a “Can you Survive in the Wilderness” theme.  Maybe working with the local Boy scouts and Girl scouts to bring in a different group of kids into the library.  Offer to have one of the boy/girl scout meetings at the library to talk about their project of the month, but also bring in the book aspect also.