Book Blurb {Charlie Hernandez & The League of Shadows}

Charlie Hernandez & The League of Shadows

By: Ryan Calejo

WOW! I just finished this book, and so thankful to see that the author, Ryan, didn't just leave me with a cliff hanger, but the second book is out... well, in September of this year!

The book does not waste time and jumps right into Charlie's world(s). He is a middle school boy (12) who recently 'misplaced' his parents and no longer has a home.... it burnt to the ground. Thankfully he is adopted by a wonderful old 'lady'!

Early on in the story his body starts change, and not just in the teenage boy type of way. We are talking horns, feathers, lobster claw.... and the only person who finds out about his 'disorder' is a classmate, Violet.

Violet is the perfect match for Charlie. She should work for the FBI. Not only does she track Charlie to his first destination, but under pressure (even in cave mines around strange folklore creatures) she can remember facts and ask the most targeting questions a 12 year old could think of.

The book follows Charlie and Violet as they investigate the world in which they thought they lived in. Charlie is blessed with Hispanic legends his beloved Abuela passed to him to help fill the gaps the Violet can't uncover.

The face several epic battles throughout the book, until their final scene (which I won't share).

Thankfully, about half way through the book I discovered that there is a glossary of creatures in the back. I could not keep pace or accurately picture all of the different legends. I am not for sure if it was my lack of Spanish speaking skills, or the quick changes from one world to another, but I had to reread several parts of the book to make sure I was on the correct page.

Overall I would recommend this book to teenagers, specially Hispanic teenagers.  Depending on the kid, some would get lost in the folklore while others would find it wildly fascinating (like Greek mythology).

Let me know what you think!

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After I posted this blog I realized I had a specific form to fill out, so I'm just going to post that here too! It is a checklist so I am going to use it as such.

Title: Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows

Author/Illutrator: Ryan Calejo

Does the story:

Relate to children’s interests? ✅
Provide various conflicts for readers to explore? ✅ SO MANY (almost unrealistic)
Provide age-appropriate content? ✅ for pre-teens and teens (although I enjoyed it)
Encourage discussions/conversations? ✅
Distort history? ✅ I am not familiar with Latin culture and folklore, so I am not one to say. 
Comments/Insights: The story is captivating and fast paced!

Do the characters:

Represent a variety of people within cultural groups, age ranges and sizes and disabilities? 
Are the “good” characters a reflection of a variety of backgrounds? ✅
Include females as well as males in leadership and/or non-traditional roles? ✅
Represent diverse people at the same “level” of the white characters?
Are all characters depicted realistically and genuinely? ✅
Tend to be depicted as stereotypical?
Comments/Insights: The two main characters are balanced.  Male/Female, Hispanic/Not, Non-Social/Social, Basic Student/Academic nut

Does the theme:

Offer readers a variety of things to think about, question, and consider? ✅
Explore, instead of preach, values? ✅
Include lessons from which readers can learn? ✅
Tell the story of a diverse population in a condescending manner, whether contemporary or in the past? ✅
Comments/Insights: It would most definitely provide a discussion!

Does the story’s setting:

Reflect a variety of places and spaces? ✅✅✅
Represent urban, suburban, and rural settings realistically? "underworlds" where do myths live?
Represent cultural settings realistically? 
Comments/Insights:

Do the story illustrations (if there are any): 
Include representation of diverse populations?
Contain diversity represented within cultural groups?
Include characters depicted realistically and genuinely?
Avoid reinforcing societal stereotypes?
Comments/Insights: not present

Book as a Whole 

Would you be embarrassed to read the book to children of a different culture, and their parents?
What is the author’s background for writing the book? Their first book, inspired by his own family I believe. 
What is the context of the book?

Comments/Insights:

Personal Insights
Your personal notes/insights about the book not covered in the previous sections: See blog! 

Book Blurb {Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe}

With our graduate program we are to read certain books.
With our current state (social distancing), I was able to get started on that list of books a bit earlier than anticipated.

Being my first Book Blurp, I am not for sure the format I wish to follow.  However, there might be spoilers, so continue at your own risk. I am more or less organizing my thoughts in order to reflect on them later on in the next few semesters.  Thanks for your understanding. 

Book Blurb: 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

By Benjamin Alire Saenz

You find out later on in the book that it's taking place 1986-1990.  Ari Mendoza meets Dante at the pool in El Paso Texas. They instantly became friends when Dante offered to teach Ari to swim.  Ari's dad was a Vietnam war veteran and doesn't speak/communicate well.  Ari's mom is a high school teacher. Dante's dad is a professor while his mom is a psychologist.  Dante is an only child while Ari has older twin sisters and an older brother who is in prison. His family does not talk about his brother, and it's a theme in the book to not just figure out Ari and Dante's story and identity but to better understand Ari's dad and brother's stories.

Both boys are Mexican and sometimes they share similar thoughts about their culture, how their parents actually parent, and their over all appearance.

A quick run down of events: Ari and Dante become friends. Ari saves Dante's life in a crazy car accident. Dante's family moves to Chicago for a brief work program. Both boys are trying to figure out love and what that looks like. Ari ends up liking a girl who is dating a gang member, and ends up dropping out of school to get have a shot gun wedding (remember, this is several decades ago).  Ari's Aunt dies (who he stated with when his mom had nervous breakdowns from older brother's jail time). She was a lesbian. When they return from Arizona/funeral, Ari finds out that Dante was beat up in alley from kissing a boy. Ari goes on a rampage. They discover the secret of the universe is their love for each other.

There are parties, with pot and beer throughout the book as well. Adult language is scattered throughout. For these two reasons this is a young-adult book and should be placed in high school libraries or older.

The book can be related to, despite the lack of cell phones/technology. Overall I can see kids reading this and finding a piece of themselves somewhere in the stories of Dante and Ari.

I can also see some parents not being happy about the book's sexual content. Although not graphic in nature, depending on your patrons, might not be a book to actively display.

I enjoyed reading the book and will have to remember to recommend it to students who might be experiencing similar situations.

PS - it's a major award winning book.... 

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After I posted this blog I realized I had a specific form to fill out, so I'm just going to post that here too! It is a checklist so I am going to use it as such.

Title: Aristole and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Author/Illutrator: Benjamin Alire Saenz

Does the story:

Relate to children’s interests? ✅
Provide various conflicts for readers to explore? ✅
Provide age-appropriate content? ✅ for young adults
Encourage discussions/conversations? ✅
Distort history?
Comments/Insights: This is a great book for young adults, and emerging teens. I personally enjoyed it. See above.

Do the characters:

Represent a variety of people within cultural groups, age ranges and sizes and disabilities? ✅
Are the “good” characters a reflection of a variety of backgrounds? ✅
Include females as well as males in leadership and/or non-traditional roles?
Represent diverse people at the same “level” of the white characters?
Are all characters depicted realistically and genuinely? ✅
Tend to be depicted as stereotypical?
Comments/Insights: It is very Hispanic focused around the two main characters.

Does the theme:

Offer readers a variety of things to think about, question, and consider? ✅
Explore, instead of preach, values? ✅
Include lessons from which readers can learn? ✅
Tell the story of a diverse population in a condescending manner, whether contemporary or in the past? ✅
Comments/Insights: Explore vs preach ideas - very much! You go through the book following the characters' personal struggles, very exploration in nature. 

Does the story’s setting:

Reflect a variety of places and spaces? ✅ the city and their small town
Represent urban, suburban, and rural settings realistically?✅
Represent cultural settings realistically? ✅
Comments/Insights:

Do the story illustrations (if there are any): 
Include representation of diverse populations?
Contain diversity represented within cultural groups?
Include characters depicted realistically and genuinely?
Avoid reinforcing societal stereotypes?
Comments/Insights: not present

Book as a Whole 

Would you be embarrassed to read the book to children of a different culture, and their parents?
What is the author’s background for writing the book? I am not for sure will have to potentially investigate more!
What is the context of the book?

Comments/Insights:

Personal Insights
Your personal notes/insights about the book not covered in the previous sections: See blog! 

Not early. Not late. Just Welcome!

---> Welcome to Reading Up With Jones <--- 

I am Megan Jones and I hope that you don't find yourself trying to keep up with me.... get it? Keeping up with the Jones's....anyway.....

I have been a Jones for the past 12 years! My husband and I have 2 boys, who are a hand full. We have lived in 3 different states. I have taught PreAlgebra and Algebra for 8 years in 4 different districts and 2 different grade levels (middle school and high school).

Honestly, I do love math (my favorite number is Phi). Loving math is one of two main passions I have. The other passion is taking care of people. My family and I have a saying; "Not early. Not Late. Just Welcome!" I want to create environments and classrooms were people can be... people, and feel genuine love and compassion. A place to learn, fight injustices, and help one another.

As much as I love math and taking care of people, I also enjoy the umbrella of education. Education includes not just teaching, but learning, growing, and becoming better. Three years ago I didn't consider myself a reader, but I wanted to change that. In 2018, I challenged myself to read 18 books in the year...... I read 36. So in 2019, I wanted to read 25........ I read 43! I have learned to enjoy books. I now enjoy getting lost in different worlds, solving mysteries, or crying out with the injustices that real characters face.

The stars aligned in September of 2019 when I took a new position at a school district with a higher population of Hispanics than other area schools. At the same time, a friend encouraged me to apply for a scholarship that would pay for my graduate program as I become a Library Media Specialist working in a Hispanic school district.

This blog is going to be a place for book reviews, brain dumping ideas, and a place for me to verbally process my thoughts as I work on my graduate program to become a Library Media Specialist!

Currently, I am half way through my first semester. My biggest AHHA moment has been the fact that Librarians do a whole lot more than I realized. Most people probably assume they just dust shelves and check out books. When in reality they are the keepers of knowledge and information. They have to code and manipulate systems and programs that others have never heard of. They have to know the people they serve and promote materials without being biased. They are truly heroes.

Over the next few years I will be writing from time to time here. Read up with me. Leave comments for me. Whatever you do, don't try to keep up with me.  I'm just an average Jones.

CURRENTLY READING:

Bonus Material: my poster for 'freedoms in the library' - click here it goes along with my statements found here.