Poetry,+Drama,+Humor,+and+New+Media

Klein, L. (2006). //Olphelia.// New York: Bloomsbury.


 * Genres:** Drama and Historical Ficiton


 * Audience:** Ages 16 and above

In this story, Olphelia falls in love with Hamlet, but they must keep it a secret because she is not royalty. When Hamlet’s father is murdered, Hamlet is consumed by revenge for his uncle. Nothing Olphelia says can slow his anger. Eventually, Olphelia’s life is in danger because she knows of the deceit that caused the king’s death. Fearing for her life, Olphelia creates a poison that will cause her to sleep a death-like sleep. With the help of Horatio, Olphelia escapes with her life and spends the rest of her life raising her son at a nunnery, where she fled to for safety.
 * Personal Reaction:**

//Olphelia// is based on Shakespeare’s play //Hamlet.// Not having read //Hamlet// since high school, I only recognized some of the names and the plot of the story. //Ophelia// is written from Olphelia’s point of view. In this story, the reader hears what Olphelia’s childhood was like, and how she was accepted in the Queen’s court. There were lot of details about the backstabbing that can occur among the royal court. I found this version of //Hamlet// was more enjoyable because the gaps that seem to be in the play, are not in the book.


 * Author Facts:** Klein was the third of seven children. She grew up in Peoria, Illinois, (the country), so Klein had a lot of time for reading. Klein broke her leg and was denied tenure from The Ohio State University at the same time. She sees the lack of tenure as a future blessing.


 * Websites:** http://www.authorlisaklein.com/

Grimes, N. (2002). //Bronx masquerade.// New York: Dial Books.


 * [[image:bronx.jpg align="left" caption="Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Bronx-Masquerade-Nikki-Grimes/dp/0142501891/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266793518&sr=8-1"]]Genre:** Poetry


 * Ages:** Ages 16 and above


 * Personal Reaction:** //Bronx Masquerade// is about a high school teacher, Mr. Ward, who starts a Poetry Slam for one of his classes. While skeptical at first, the students realize poetry is the way to express themselves. The racially diverse classroom sees themselves as having nothing in common with anyone else. However, through poetry, the class realizes they are more alike than they think.

//Bronx Masquerade// is written from the viewpoints of the students in Mr. Ward’s class. The personalities of the students are obvious throughout the different poems in the book. The reader meets Chankara, who refuses to fall into the same abusive relationships her sister has. There is Devon who is a basketball player, but knows he is much more than that. Nikki Grimes effectively captures the loneliness, the desire to be accepted, and the daily struggles the students are facing.


 * Author Facts:** Nikki was born in New York City. Nikki Grimes once sang on the stage of the Stockholm Philharmonic in Sweden. Grimes many talents also include taking photography, creating art, and jewelry.

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 * Websites**: ** http://www.nikkigrimes.com/index.html


 * [[image:what.jpg align="left" caption="Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/What-My-Mother-Doesnt-Know/dp/0689855532/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266793746&sr=1-1"]]Sones, S. (2001). //What my mother doesn’t know.// New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

****Genre**:** Poetry **


 * Ages:**** Ages 15 and above **

The reader is introduced to Sophie’s best friends, her inner most thoughts about Murphy, a boy she doesn’t want anyone to know that she likes, and how important art is to her.
 * Personal Reaction:** ** //What My Mother Doesn’t Know// is an inside look into a teenage girls mind through poetry. Sophie writes down her feelings about her boyfriend Dylan, and her constant thinking of him. She talks about her mother who watches soap operas all day. She writes about her father, who is hardly ever home.

Sones is able to capture the essense of Sophie throughout her writing. The reader feels as if they know Sophie because they are given access to her private thoughts. This is a very well written book, and an unique way to tell a story **


 * Author Facts**:** Sonya earned her degree in photography and filmmaking. She taught film at Harvard University. She hand painted baby clothes for Macy’s. **


 * Websites:** ** http://www.sonyasones.com/

Kinney, J. (2009). //Diary of a wimpy kid. Dog days.// New York: Amulet Books.

****Genre**: ** Humor **


 * Ages:** ** Ages 12 - 14 **

// Dog Days // is an enjoyable book to read. While the reader level is easy enough for an elementary school student, the subtle humor is completely meant for a middle school student. While it is not inappropriate, the younger students just won't completely "get" Greg. Yes, they will laugh, but they don't have the same mindset quite yet. I highly recommend this series to any young teen who is looking for a laugh and wants the story told right. **
 * Personal Reaction**: **// Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days // is book that sticks with the tradition of the first three books. This book is about Greg Kinney, who just can't seem to catch a break. While readers fell for his humor in the first three books, Greg describes his whole summer. Hence the title: Dog Days. Like most kids who enjoy their summer vacation, Greg is no different. Except for the fact he likes to take the easy way out of things. For example, when he and his friend Rowley start their own lawn service business, their first client has to supply them with the lawnmower. Then, to top it off, Greg won't mow through dog poop, so he leaves big areas left uncut. Needless to say, he does not get paid, and his dad comes to finish the job later. Throughout this book, there are multiple stories that will make the reader laugh and wonder where Greg has come up with some of these ideas.


 * Author Facts:** Jeff Kinney was born In Maryland. //Diary of a Wimpy Kid// started as an online edition on Funbrain.com. He is currently a design director for an internet publishing company.


 * Websites:** http://www.wimpykid.com/