Gary+Paulsen

Talk about Gary Paulsen's books here!


 * I just finished reading "__Harris and Me__," partially for my own enjoyment and partially to see if it would be a good fit for our list. In short, it's a fun book, but contains FAR too many swear words and inappropriate situations and comments to make a good classroom novel. So just for the record, a //no// for us!! -Kristy Gilbert
 * I just read __Sarny,__ a great Civil War novel, but not appropriate for 5th graders. Prostitution and castration are included. Loved the book, I would recommend for all who love historical fiction. (I have not read __Night John__yet, but I understand that also has inappropriate topics as well.) Mary Joy
 * __**Lawn Boy**__- short book and easy to read. Lower reading level (4.1), but the economic concepts referred to in the story would need pre-teaching. I know the 5th grade enrichment cluster at Meadow Ridge does an economics unit and they use this book to illustrate the concepts they teach. (Mari Kay)
 * Although Lawn Boy has a lower reading level, I think the content such as entrepreneurship as well as the stock market are of a higher level nature. These would lend themselves to good discussions, yet would require pre teaching. I really enjoyed this book and think the kids will think it is a lot of fun and inspiring!-Amy
 * This is a unique, comic story that teaches lessons in economics & business. It can also be used to introduce idioms, metaphors, symbolism, and sterotypes. The story is about a 12 year old boy who starts a lawn mowing business and receives help from a stock broker who invests the boy's money in the stock market. While reading the book, there were times when I felt like I was sitting in my financial advisor's office learning the principles of investing. I agree with Mari Kay that some of the vocabulary and concepts are very difficult and will require pre-teaching. Overall the book is a good book and Paulsen should be commended for tackling such a difficult subject. However, I was disappointed when the story took on the old time "Mafia" flavor. Thugs wanted the boy to give them a cut of his business or they would "rough up" the boy's employees. Then, on p. 58, it states, "The knife flew through the air and Joseph picked this man up by the neck and the crotch and threw him into the third man....." . The scene continues a little further. Good book, but we might want to do what the 5th Grade Enrichment teacher does...only use parts of this book. ~Marria
 * Considering the "flavor" Gary Paulsen adds to most of his "guy" books, this one is pretty tame! Some teachers at High Point do this as a read aloud and it is a big success. It's a good hook for reluctant readers - Kristy
 * __**MudShark**__-this would be a consideration for our lower groups R.L. 4.2. Short book with an easier vocabulary. There just wasn't much to it. I didn't really care very much about the characters or the problem of who stole the classroom erasers. (Mari Kay)
 * I've read this one, too. This book is a nice way to add some variety to the Paulsen reading list because it is a mystery, and like Mari Kay said, it is a shorter, simpler text. I think this would be a keeper. -Kristy
 * **__Eggs__** - This story is longer and closer to a mid 5th grade reading level.Themes of friendship, abandonment, death, mental illness and prejudice. There are three swear words: bullcrap, damn, sucks- that are used to illustrate character traits and show differences between characters. Not a lot of action in this book for the boys, but you see the changes in the main character unfold with the story. Could definately talk about point-of-view, lots of practice making inferences. This story is similar to //Maniac Magee// and would make a good partner novel to that one. Maniac Magee is shorter and more appealing to the boys in the crowd as well as the girls. So if I had to choose, I'd say MM. (Mari Kay)
 * __**Woodsong**__ - Guided Reading level T. I thought this would be a great book for literature circles. Each chapter is a story in itself about the life of a musher in Alaska. The beginning of the book talks about his life and relationships with the dogs told through short stories of his experiences. The last 9 chapters take us through his Iditirod race. This story is another example of Pausen's ability to paint a picutre with words. He includes layers of detail without being monotonous and he understands how to build suspense in every story. (Mari Kay)
 * **__Notes from the Dog__**- Guided reading level I would guess to be somewhere between R - T. I loved this story! A shy, awkward boy, Finn, plans to talk to fewer than 12 people for the entire sumer when he meets Johanna, a twenty-something graduate student who has breast cancer. Johanna hires Finn to plant a garden in his yard and they become friends. Johanna teaches Finn to like himself and see his many good qualities. She also teaches him about family, sickness, and death. This is a beautifully written story that deals with themes of divorce, family, isolation, cancer, and friendship. As much as I love the story, I'm not sure we can use it. References to skinny dipping, giving the middle finger, and boobies are made as well as a few curse words. Read this one for yourself and tell me what you think. It might be worth it. (Mari Kay)
 * When I read this one a few years back, I didn't love it. I didn't love it so much, I didn't purchase it for our school library collection. I wish I could remember better the specifics towards my feelings on the book. I vote a no. Isn't the character in high school, too? - Kristy
 * **__Woods Runner__**- Guided reading level S-T this book is classified as historical fiction. It is the story of a boy, Samuel, whose family is captured by the British during the American Revolution. He is an experienced hunter and woodsman for his age and he tracks the group that took his parents from their wilderness farm. The story is mostly about his journey to find his parents and not necessarily about the Revolution, but the Revolution is the cause for his troubles. As Samuel moves closer to rescuing his parents, we learn more and more about the espionage that helped the Americans win the war. I think all kids would be interested in this book. It has just enough action for the boys with likeable characters and an appealing story.This would be a good book to use to practice drawing conclusions, making inferences, and determining the author’spoint of view. (Mari Kay)