The Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe

Title: The celery stalks at midnight 

Author: James Howe ;

Illustrator:  Leslie Morrill.

Publisher: Atheneum, p1983, c1983

ISBN-13: 978-0-689-30987-8

ISBN-10: 0-689-30987-2

Interest/Reading Levels: 3-6 Grade, 4.0  

Book Summary:

Did you ever wonder what in the world dogs and cats have to worry about?  You might be surprised to know it is a vampire bunny that sucks vegetables of their juices until they are white!  This classic book is told in first person view by a lovable old dog, Harold,  who is drug on a campaign against the “evil” bunny by his friends the cat, Chester,  and young puppy,  Howie.  Who knows what mischief they will find themselves in while trying to save the town by skewing potential vampire-minion-vegetables with toothpicks!

My Thoughts:

I am surprised this collection of books has escaped my notice for this long. A librarian friend says she has a hard time keeping them on the shelf, which I can completely understand!  Howe has a delightful way of portraying each of the animals completely as we would see their species to be.  I was shocked to hear the reference to the dog eating the chocolate! NAUGHTY! We should remind our modern readers this can kill a dog J. I read this book in one sitting unable to put it down and ran to the library to get the others the next day.  There are many puns given by the young Howie (who thinks he is brilliantly funny); readers are sure to laugh!

Library Toolbox of Tips and Tricks:

 This book is a good example of Plot Structure.  Use discussion groups to figure out the book’s exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.

Have students bring a stalk of celery to the library to stick in jars of water with food coloring.  Once absorbed, have students peel back the layers to see how deeply the change has become. (This can be done in time intervals to see whose has changed the most.) Have students use library computers to research on how the change happened and why!

References:

Image:  The Celery Stalks at Midnight [cover image] Retrieved 

     from:  http://www.titlewave.com/cover?FLR=12140C2& 

      SID=ca64d7cb99098f880603646523604973&type=cover.

The Secret Garden by Francis H. Burnett

Title: The Secret Garden 

Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett  

Illustrator: Tasha Tudor.

Publisher: HarperCollins, p1990, c1990

ISBN-13: 978-0-397-32165-0

ISBN-10: 0-397-32165-1

Interest/Reading Levels: Grades 5-8, 6.8

Book Summary:   

Not so endearing little Mary Lennox has lost both of her parents.  She leaves her childhood home of India to live in a manor house on the moors that holds secrets as dark as her personality.  She quickly learns of a locked away garden that has lost its key and is determined to find it.  Mary soon finds more than just a secret garden; she finds things of much greater worth:  friendships, peace, and self-esteem she didn’t realize were missing.

Favorite Quote:

“Much more surprising things can happen to anyone who, when a disagreeable or discouraged thought comes into his mind, just has the sense to remember in time and push it out by putting in an agreeable, determinedly courageous one. Two things cannot be in one place. Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow.”

My thoughts: 

This is my favorite children’s book and always will be, no matter what else is written.  Being ignored changes a person, as does the loss of a parent. Mary Lenoix, like most children who are spoiled to keep them quiet and out of the way,  must eventually face the fact that a person must choose what to think, and how to let events of life control thoughts and behaviors.  Children of all generations will relate to the sour that comes from bad thoughts, low self-esteem, and loneliness.  The endearing theme that thoughts can be changed, friendships can be made, and gardens can grow in barren places makes this book eternally wonderful!

Library Toolbox of Tips and Tricks:

Oh Yes VOCABULARY:

The Secret Garden holds a plethora of wonderful vocabulary! Pair up students to pick a word from the story and create a “remember this word” video. Have them pick a color, a song, pictures or anything they like that will describe the word.  See example:

Secret Garden Vocabulary:

Cross Hunchback Contrary Corridor Conceited Desolation Dreary Disdain Massive Queer Moor Vexed Bungalow Cholera Imperious Governess Languid

Crocus Inquire Scullery Vain Tendrils Spade Intimate Awkward Trowel Determined Impudence Reluctant Astonished Rheumatics

Exultant Miserable Mournful Invalid Obstinately Tremulously Rebellious Tantrum Broach Guardian Brocade Hysterics Obliged Torrents Wretched

Bewitched Waft Menagerie Cautious Unscrupulous Recluse Devote Dignity Perplexed Condescended Wick Morbid Shred Elaborate Canopy Endure Disagreeable  Hypochondriac

Revelation Desperation Bounteous Devour Inspiration Intruder Vigor Mystified Gibberish Currants Peculiar Intervals Adoration

anxiety atrophied bloated copious disconcerting domain fluently gentry inordinately pilgrimage pother restive revelation secret warrant

Across the Curriculum! Work with Content Teachers to create lessons and provide research and books for these subjects!

• Psychology - Study the personal growth of Mary, Colin, and Mr. Craven and the change that takes place in them. Have the students work in groups to write before and after lists of personality traits.
• Sociolinguistics – Study about the dialect used by the people of Yorkshire and the “southern” dialects of Texas.
• Geography - Studying how climate affects the way people live, their activities, their actions, and their moods. Study how climate affects the types of vegetation that grows in Texas. Locate India on a globe or flat map. Then locate England on this same map. Mary would have probably had to travel by sea from India to England, trace the route she might have taken. Have students create a journey map to get from Texas, to India, to England.
• History: Provide books and research tools on the relationship between the British colonialism and India. Provide books and research tools on the life and clothing styles of the early 1900’s in England.

Don’t forget you can get this book in full text online! http://www.literatureproject.com/secret-garden/index.htm

References:

Image:  The Secret Garden [cover image] Retrieved 

     from:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader /006440188X

     /ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link