Module 10: Babymouse Queen of the World & The Adventures of Captain Underpants

Babymouse Queen of the World by Jennifer Holm

Summary:  This book is a comical graphic novel about a cute mouse named Babymouse.  Daily life for a student mouse is portrayed in a hilarious way!

Citation: Holm, J. (2005). Babymouse queen of the world. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers.

Impressions:  I love this book!  I especially love Babymouse!  We both enjoy cupcakes and pink dresses.  Her curly whiskers remind me of mishaps I have with my hair.  This book is eye-catching because of the simple pictures and text.

Reviews:  Booklist

Gr. 4-6. In this energetic comic by a brother-sister team (Jennifer's Our Only May Amelia was a Newbery Honor Book), Babymouse, a wise-cracking rodent stand-in for your average, adventure-seeking nine-year-old, strives to capture popular Felicia's goodwill, finally achieving her end at the expense of Wilson Weasel, truest of friends. But, wouldn't you know it, Felicia's world has little to offer a smart, fun-loving mouse, after all. The Holms spruce up some well-trod ground with breathless pacing and clever flights of Babymouse's imagination, and their manic, pink-toned illustrations of Babymouse and her cohorts vigorously reflect the internal life of any million-ideas-a-minute middle-school student.

Karp, J. (2005). Babymouse queen of the world [Review of the book Babymouse queen of the world, by Jennifer Holm]. Booklist.

Use in Library Setting:  Excerpts of this book should be read aloud with students finishing the cliffhanger with their own comic strip. 

The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Summary:  Harold and George created Captain Underpants by hypnotizing their principal.  Captain Underpants then goes and carries off many shenanigans.

Citation: Pilkey, D. (1997). The adventures of Captain Underpants. New York: Blue Sky Press.

Impressions:  Although a few words are not my preference for children, this book is packed with laughs!

Reviews:  Kirkus Reviews

In the fine old tradition of James Marshall's Cut-Ups, Pilkey (God Bless the Gargoyles, 1996, etc.) introduces George Beard and Harold Hutchins, two usually responsible fourth-graders, as in ``whenever anything bad happened, George and Harold were usually responsible.'' Pranksters of the first order, George and Harold are finally nabbed by Mr. Krupp, the principal, whom they then hypnotize into believing he's Captain Underpants, a superhero of their own creation. Before they can stop him, he's out the window in cape and briefs, off to fight crime with Wedgie Power, taking on bank robbers, robot thieves--`` `You know,' said George, `up until now this story was almost believable!' ''--and ultimately the evil Dr. Diaper. Distracting Dr. Diaper with some ``fake doggy doo- doo,'' the boys save the planet, then hustle Krupp back into his clothes, just in time for--their next adventure, The Attack of the Talking Toilets, coming soon. Pilkey's stubby black-and-white cartoon figures appear on every page but can be animated in one chapter, thanks to ``Flip-O-Rama,'' where readers flip pages back and forth for the ``latest in cheesy animation technology.'' There'll be no silence in the library once readers get hold of this somewhat classier alternative to Barf-o-Rama books and their crude ilk.

(1997). Captain Underpants [Review of the book Captain Underpants, by Dav Pilkey]. Kirkus Reviews.

Use in Library Setting:  This book could be highlighted during Banned Books Week.  Ask the students to write a persuasive essay on why it should/shouldn’t be included in the collection.

Module 9: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus & Judy Moody

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park

Summary:  This story is about the adventures Junie has as she enters kindergarten.

Citation: Park, B. (1992). Junie B. Jones and the stupid smelly bus. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Impressions:  At first I was not impressed with the way Junie talked, but I eventually liked her.  This was a very funny book.

Reviews:  School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3 --Park is truly a funny writer. Although Junie B. is a kindergartner, she's sure to make middle graders laugh out loud when they read about her adventures on the first day of school. Even the most insecure readers will feel superior because they know so much more than she does. Brunkus's occasional black-and-white pencil illustrations are appealing and reinforce the mood of the text. Junie B. is a real character; she talks a lot, is funny without knowing it, and honest to a fault. This book will get lots of peer recommendations, and younger kids will enjoy listening to it when read aloud. It's a real hoot!

Sherman, G. (1992). Junie B. Jones and the stupid smelly bus [Review of the book Junie B. Jones and the stupid smelly bus, by Barbara Park]. School Library Journal.

Use in Library Setting:  This book is very simple and could be used as an introduction to chapter books.

Judy Moody by Megan McDonald

Summary:  Judy Moody is a spunky third grader.  Judy misses everything about second grade and definitely not looking forward to third grade.  Everything changes when a project lets her share about herself.

Citation: McDonald, M. (2010). Judy Moody. New York: Candlewick Press.

Impressions:  I thought this book was very similar to Junie B. Jones series but catering to a different audience.

Reviews:  School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-Judy Moody is grumpy. She hates the thought of summer ending and dreads starting third grade, until her new teacher asks each student to create a "Me" collage to share with the class. Then she can't wait to tell about her new pet-a Venus flytrap that eats bugs and hamburger, the T.P. (Toad Pee) Club initiation, and how she ate a shark over the summer. Judy's second-grade brother Stink and her friend Rock are major figures in the story as is her nemesis, Frank Pearl. Judy is independent, feisty, and full of energy, a delightful new character for beginning chapter-book readers. Reynolds has captured her personality in his humorous illustrations done in watercolor, tea, and pen and ink.

Schomberg, J. (2010). Judy Moody [Review of the book Judy Moody, by Megan McDonald]. School Library Journal.

Use in Library Setting:  This book is a great read aloud for students second grade and above.  Since it is in a series, reading to students aloud will inspire the further reading of the series.