Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Schlitz

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Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village is a 2007 children's book written by Laura Amy Schlitz, after she was inspired by the Munich-Nuremberg manuscript (an illuminated poem from thirteenth-century Germany). The book was awarded the 2008 Newbery Medal for excellence in children's literature.

Want to know what life was like in a small village in England in 1255? Schlitz’s incredible amalgamation of realistic rural villagers draws the reader into what everyday life was like in medieval England. Schlitz, a librarian at an elementary school in Baltimore, originally wrote the book as a series of monologues, so that each of her fifth grade students could perform as a main character in their school play. Most of the short stories relate to the previous story and character, and important facts and explanations are listed in side columns that bring an intrinsic learning element to the book. All classes of citizens are covered in this book, from beggars and slaves, to the merchants and craftsman, all the way up to the children of the local Lord. The action of the story comes off as authentic, and the facts and information of the villagers’ daily life are so random and foreign to modern life, you will want to continue reading to learn more.

Schlitz, L., & Byrd, R. (2007). Good masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a medieval village.  Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

-Ms. J

The Watsons Go to Birmingham --1963 by Christoper Paul Curtis

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   The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963, is a United States fiction novel by Christopher Paul Curtis, published in 1995. It won a Newbery Honor award, a Coretta Scott King award, and the Golden Kite Award. This novel would be best for readers aged 8-12 years old. Told from the perspective of ten year-old Kenneth Watson, of Flint, Michigan, this novel is exceptionally realistic - from its take on 1963 technology and pop culture, to its realistically flawed and loving characters, to its historical accuracy. The character development in this story is fully formed and draws the reader into the story, causing the reader to become attached to this African-American family before any serious and legitimate historical action takes place. When Kenneth’s thirteen year old brother finally takes his juvenile antics too far and joins a gang, Mr. and Mrs. Watson decide it is time to take the whole family down to Birmingham, Alabama where Granny Sand might be able to shape the kid up over the summer. While in Birmingham, the Watson children enjoy country living for a few days before a devastating event happens to them; they find out what it was like in 1963 when the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church was bombed with children inside. Ten year-old Kenneth witnesses this historical event, and then must rely on his family bonds to help his young mind process how racism could allow for such horrible actions.

Curtis, C. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963. New York: Delacorte Press.

 -Ms. J

Timmy Failure: Look What You've Done by Stephen Pastis

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-       Written by Stephen Pastis, this second book in the Timmy Failure series focuses on Timmy Failure, a very unique protagonist that runs his own detective agency, Total Failure, Inc., with his partner Total, a large imaginary polar bear. Timmy has complete self-confidence along with delusions of grandeur as he attempts to solve the mystery of who stole the superintendent's globe, for a $500 reward. The characters are believable, from Timmy, who has an absent father and a distorted view of his abilities that lands him in therapy, to Molly Moskins, who has romantic intentions towards Timmy. The language in Timmy Failure is fresh and believable, and this second book offers more insight into Timmy’s redeemable qualities through his relationship with his aunt Colander, who seems to have qualities similar to Timmy. The unusual antics and the hilarious drawings, done by Timmy, will draw in reluctant younger readers, while the wit and advanced vocabulary are bonuses for advanced readers. The chapters are pretty short with pun-inducing titles, and there is many a quick laugh to be had. 

Evaluative Criteria: Characters and Style (included in review)

Pastis, Stephan (2014). Timmy Failure: now look what you've done. Scholastic, Incorporated. New York.

-Ms. J