Ling and Ting Series (Grace Lin)

Title:  Ling & Ting Series

Author:  Grace Lin

Illustrator:  Grace Lin

Target Ages:  4-8

Level:  Early Reader Chapter Book/Passport to Reading Level 3

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Evaluation:

Ling and Ting is currently a four book early reading series. Each page has a combination of illustrations, simple text, and short sections, making the series ideal for youngsters wanting to move to the challenge of chapter books. 

The books are divided into six short story chapters. The first five stories are all connected to the same theme.  In the first three books, the last one is a story (usually silly and/or imaginative) that one of the girls creates from her perspective.  The final story is either a mash up of the details in the previous five or a contrasting narrative.  In the fourth book, this formula was not followed. Instead, all six chapters were stories about the weather.

The characters are kind, thoughtful, and inquisitive.  The author effectively conveys the girls’ animated and infectious personalities in the limited vocabulary and vivid snapshot illustrations. Their relatable experiences and charming personalities will draw children in while the positive themes and admirable character qualities will impress parents. 

One of my favorite characteristics of the series is how it celebrates reading and writing.  Ting and Ling are often found with books or reading. Also, each book encourages the characters (and readers) to become part of the storytelling.  The girls depict reading, creating, and writing as both fun and engaging. 

Here are the first four books in the series.

Not Exactly the Same!

Each chapter reveals (both directly and indirectly) the ways the Ling and Ting are different.  Ling sits still during her haircut, but Ting is wiggly (which causes a slight problem).  Similarly, one girl eats with ease using her chopsticks while the other struggles with hers.  The final chapter is a story that Ting tells to Ling using the elements of the narrative, but in an embellished, mixed up way. 

Extension Ideas

• Discuss how each girl is different. Look closely not only at the text but at the illustrations for clues.
• Using a graphic organizer or chart, show the similarities and differences between the two girls. 
• Compare the details in the “Mixed Up” chapter with what really happened in the story. 
• Write a mixed up stories using this story’s (or another one's) details. 
• Here is an educator's guide for the Ling and Ting series from the publisher. 

Share a Birthday

Ling and Ting celebrate their birthday together.  They buy gifts, bake cakes, make birthday wishes, and open presents.  They end their day with an alternate birthday tale. 

Extension Ideas

• Build on the previous book discussion on how the girls are similar and different.   
• Evaluate the different ways the girls show kindness and compassion to one another. 
• Compare the “Birthday Story” chapter with the birthday story of the previous five chapters. 
• Practice predicting skills in each chapter:  Which color shoes will girls each pick?  What gifts will they buy each other?  What will happen when they make their own birthday cakes?  What will their birthday wishes be? What will happen when the girls exchange gifts?
• Compare their birthday traditions to your own. 

Twice as Silly

The focus is on silly stories the girls imagine and act out. For instance, Ting plants cupcakes in the garden in hopes of growing a cupcake tree (wouldn’t we all love that!).  The girls have an imaginary swing contest that takes them up above the trees and beyond. My favorite though is their elaborate plan to convince monkeys to pick apples for them! Like the other two books, it ends with a story the girls created using the elements of the previous chapters in a unique way.  In this one, there are several illustrations of handwritten pages with pictures they drew. 

Extension Ideas

• Build on the previous book discussion on how the girls are similar and different.
• Compare the fantasy or silly elements with reality or realistic elements. 
• Come up with an imaginative plan to accomplish a goal or chore (like story 4). 
• Write and illustrate a silly story (like story 6).

Together in All Weather
Beginning with a lightening storm and ending with a double rainbow, the girls experience all 4 seasons.  In the summer they set up a lemonade stand, and in the fall they rake leaves.  My favorite is the winter story though. Ling comes up with a creative way to prove Ting is not too sick to shovel the snow.  The final two stories involve playing in the spring rain and finding a rainbow. Like the first three books in the series, the stories are sweet and entertaining. They also often have a witty or ironic ending.  

Extension Ideas

• Build on the previous book discussions on how the girls are similar and different.
• Before reading, brainstorm the reader's (or readers') favorite activities in each season.  How does it compare to Ling and Ting's?
• Pick a season. Together write (or tell it orally) a story about the girls experiencing the seasons in a different way, such as sledding in the snow, planting a garden, going to the pool, or carving a pumpkin.  
• Compare the pictures to the text in story one.  What is revealed?
• Like the mixed up stories in the previous books (in chapters 6), create one for this book.  Write down all the main events.  Mix them up.  Pick one from the pile and embellish it.  Keep going until all the events have been used up.

All children love to celebrate their birthdays, to use their imaginations, to participate in seasonal activities, and to play with their siblings/friends.  All children can show compassion and actively share.  In short, this multicultural series focuses on what makes us similar rather than different.  

The Ling and Ting series deserves a place in your primary classroom or home library.  Your children will enjoy reading and re-reading it.  

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Grace Lin)

Title:  Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Author: Grace Lin

Target Ages:  8-12

Genre:  Fantasy, Folklore

Awards:  Newbery Honor

Publisher Summary:  In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli spends her days working hard in the fields and her nights listening to her father spin fantastic tales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon. Minli’s mother tired of their poor life, chides him for filling her head with nonsense.  But Minli believes these enchanting stores and embarks on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him how her family can change their fortune.  She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.

First Lines: Far away from here, following the Jade River, there was once a black mountain that cut into the sky like a jagged piece of rough metal.  The villagers called it Fruitless Mountain because nothing grew on it and the birds and animals did not rest there.

Notable Quote:  I should have known we could not fight the Green Tiger with more anger.  We just add to his power that way.  His anger is his strength, but it can also be his weakness.  His anger can blind him, and that is when he is vulnerable.  

Evaluation: 

The hardest part of this review is not sharing all my favorite parts!  To do so would ruin the story for potential readers!  Here is just a bit...

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon has short chapters and clearly marked sections. Each chapter begins with a small muted picture. Also, vibrant full-page traditional Chinese illustrations are interspersed. Both add to the charm and atmosphere.  

The narrative has many intertwined layers. First, it is a young heroine’s physical quest and personal journey.  On this quest the girl, Minli, meets a wide array of benevolent characters—a dragon, an orphan, a king, and twins—as well as malevolent ones—monkeys and a green tiger.  Through both charitable and wicked events, she learns the meaning of friendship and the secret of happiness (one of my favorite parts!).

A second layer is the power of stories. Nearly every character has a story to add to the fabric of the narrative. The stories inspire, guide, explain, and heal.  Like the red thread of fate, they are all interrelated to produce a thrilling adventure and to illustrate the power of the theme.   

While Minli’s quest is the main event, occasionally there is a switch to her parents.  An unexpected layer is the character development of her mother, which is not only satisfying but expertly woven into the overall theme.

Minli is a strong heroine. Her courage, sacrifice, and love for others are sure to inspire middle grade readers. I highly recommend Where the Mountain Meets the Moon for it's beautiful interwoven narrative, memorable characterization, and inspiring theme. 

Activities and Extension Ideas:

• Geography: Identify China on a map.  Read a book about the country to learn some foundational information about the terrain and people.
• Comparison: Discuss story parallels.  For instance, the beginning reminded me of "Jack and the Beanstalk" when she “foolishly” bought a goldfish with the only money in the home.  Then, she went on an otherworldly adventure to improve the fortune of her family.  Others have compared the story to The Wizard of Oz.  For older children, parallel Minli’s adventure to the quest motif in literature.
• Figurative Language: There are examples of personification and imagery.  The most common type of figurative language is similes. Nearly every chapter has multiple comparisons. Have a simile scavenger hunt!  See how many the students can find in the chapter. Then, practice writing similes.  Using the surrounding details in the story, rewrite some of them using fresh and unique images.  
• Symbolism:  To introduce the idea of symbolism, discuss the significance of some of the key images like animals—goldfish, dragons, tigers, monkeys, lions, and rabbits—and other literary archetypes like the red thread and moon, from Chinese culture and literature.
• Story Map:  Map out how the various stories within the narrative connect to the main story line.
• Literature: Check out a book of Chinese folklore at the library.  Read some additional stories. 
• Writing:  As a group, with a partner, or individually, write an origin story.  Challenge students to incorporate similes and to be creative.
• Art:  Plan one or more Chinese inspired art projects. Try Activity Village or Pinterest.

Internet Unit Plans:

• Publisher Book Guide
• 4^th Grade Lit Unit
• Novel Study

For other Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations, check out Always in the Middle.

Listen, Slowly (Thanhha Lai)

Title: Listen, Slowly

Author: Thanhha Lai

Target Age: 8 and up

Awards: New York Times Book Review Notable Book and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Publisher Summary:  “A California girl born and raised, Mai can’t wait to spend her vacation at the beach. Instead, she has to travel to Vietnam with her grandmother, who is going back to find out what really happened to her husband during the Vietnam War. Mai’s parents think this trip will be a great opportunity for their out-of-touch daughter to learn more about her culture. But to Mai, those are their roots, not her own. Vietnam is hot, smelly, and the last place she wants to be. Besides barely speaking the language, she doesn’t know the geography, the local customs, or even her distant relatives. To survive her trip, Mai must find a balance between her two completely different worlds.”

Evaluation: Listen, Slowly is a profound story celebrating family, cultural diversity, and friendship. I listened to it via audio book on Hoopla, a free service through my public library.

Listening to multi-cultural audio books adds an extra layer to the storytelling.  For instance, most of the story takes place in Viet Nam. There are many words and sentences in Vietnamese. If I were reading the text, I would have glossed over them. Hearing the language being spoken though made it much more immersive. The storyteller does an excellent job changing her voice for the various characters, adding to an already engaging story.

Lai has created a memorable cast of characters.  Unlike many middle grade stories, adults—both family and friends—have a vital role. The Viet Nam setting provides an excellent contrast to the Western world.  I enjoyed learning about life there. 

There are several motifs to consider and to discuss.

• Family:  The heart of the novel is family—immediate, extended, and cultural.  They are so much part of Mai’s life that at times she is longing for her own personal space. 
• Teen Crushes:  Mai has a huge crush on “him,” a boy she has barely spoken to.  At first, she is so consumed with spending the summer at the beach—hopefully, getting to know “him”—that she has a negative attitude about going to Viet Nam for 6 weeks.
• Love:  Ba, Mai’s grandmother, is the reason for the trip.  Her husband went missing in action during the war.  She goes back to her homeland in search of answers. Ba shares stories of their courtship and love.
• War: Growing up, Mai always heard the stories of her parents fleeing during the war, but they did not have any real meaning to her life. Spending time in Viet Nam with Ba and the people in her home village allows her to begin to understand the significance and impact of the war on her family. Some details about the war are relayed, but it is all age-appropriate.
• Life/Death:  Ba comes to terms with her husband’s death and learns to let go.  She teaches Mai to cherish life and all the moments people tend to take for granted.
• Identity:  Mai has always identified with her American culture.  During her stay, she gains a connection with her Vietnamese heritage, even learning the language and appreciating the customs. 
• Friendship:  There is a sharp contrast between her best friend, Montana, in America and the friendships she begins to develop in Viet Nam. 
• Cross-Cultural: Riding mopeds through Saigon, washing each others hair monthly to protect from lice, gathering as a community of women to learn how to stitch, taking long naps in the afternoon, learning a new language, and eating big feasts with the entire village are just a few events Mai experiences.  

Through all of these areas, Mai goes through transformations of varying degrees.  Ultimately, she learns to appreciate her bi-cultural heritage and her family. 

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Compare and contrast suburban America with modern-day Viet Nam.
• Have a Vietnamese feast.
• Create a PowerPoint of pictures from modern-day Viet Nam.
• Bring in a speaker who lived in Viet Nam to share his/her experiences.
• Research the Viet Nam War.
• Practice some greetings or basic words in Vietnamese.
• Visit LibrisNotes for an excellent discussion of the novel.

Visit Ramblings of a Wanna Be Scribe for more Marvelous Middle Grade Monday novels. 

Must Read Inspirational Conservation Stories

The following non-fictions are inspiring stories that teaching children about aspects of conservation related to tree planting, endangered animals, and recycling projects. In addition, each story has one or more inspirational people whose desire to make a small impact often went far beyond what they imagined or expected.  Share these stories with children to encourage them to make a positive difference in their communities and to be more conscientious of ways to keep the planet healthy.

The Mangrove Tree:  Planting Tree to Feed Families (non-fiction)

Authors: Susan L. Roth & Cindy Trumbore

Illustrator: Susan L. Roth

Publisher Summery: For a long time, the people of Hargigo, a village in the tiny African country of Eritrea, were living without food for themselves and their animals.  The families were hungry, and their goats and sheep were hungry too.  Then along came a scientist, Dr. Gordon Sato, who helped change their lives for the better.  And it all started with some special trees.  Learn how Dr. Sato’s mangrove tree-planting project transformed an impoverished village into a self-sufficient community. 

Why I Chose It: This story has two layers. There is a cumulative poem that is repeated as new lines are added on each 2-page spread, similar to “This is the House that Jack Built” format. The first time through, especially with younger children, this poem could be the narrative that is read.  On the facing page is the non-fiction story about Dr. Sato’s tree-planting project. This story is noteworthy for several reason. First, Dr. Sato had to overcome difficult circumstances that could have paralyzed or jaded him, but he did not let them (See Afterward for photos and facts on the doctor and his project). Instead, he helps whole communities overcome their impoverished situation by providing them with education and tools to take care of themselves. In addition, I love how the women, a largely disenfranchised group in most third world countries, were the ones being taught how to care for the seedlings and trees. They, in turn, used the money they earned to help their families. Finally, by enacting his tree-planting project, he helped everyone—animals and humans, rich and poor—because trees make for healthier air and environment. The textured, collage illustrations have an organic feel perfect for this inspiring story.

Related Story: The Tree Lady (H. Joseph Hopkins)

Mama Miti: Wagari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya (non-fiction)

Author: Donna Jo Napoli

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Publisher Summary:  Wangari grew up in the shadow of Mount Kenya listening to the stories about the people and land around her.  Though the trees towered over her, she had loved them for as long as she could remember. So strong, so beautiful, how the trees made her smile. Wangari planted trees one by one to refresh her spirit. When the women came to her for help with their families, she told them to do the same. Soon the countryside was filled with trees.  Kenya was strong once more. Wangari had changed her country tree by tree. 

Why I Chose It:  Mama Miti is one part conservation challenge and one part female empowerment. By planting trees, the women who took Wangari’s advice were able to do everything from feeding their families, to purifying water for drinking, to curing illnesses, to providing wood for shelter and fire, to strengthening their villages, to bringing back the beautiful landscape. Napoli convenes a strong sense of pride and community in the text while Nelson’s illustrations effectively depict the vivid colors and strong people of Kenya. Wangari’s life illustrates the power and influence an ordinary person can have. She was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and helped inspire the Green Belt Movement.  Her work “is the embodiment of the Kenyan notion of harambee—the spirit of pulling together for the common good.”

Other stories about Wangari: Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace (Jen Cullerton Johnson) & Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai (Claire A. Nivola)

Parrots over Puerto Rico (non-fiction)

Authors: Susan L. Roth & Cindy Trumbore

Illustrator: Susan L. Roth

Publisher Summery: For centuries beautiful, raucous Puerto Rican parrots and the settlers on the island of Puerto Rico hunted for food, survived hurricanes, raised their young, and protected their homes.  But then things began to change, and in time the trees in which the parrots lived were destroyed.  By 1967, only twenty-four Puerto Rican parrots were left in the wild.  Humans had nearly caused their extinction.  Could humans now save the parrots?  Discover the fascinating history of Puerto Rico and the intertwined story of the rare parrots that line in the island’s treetops. 

Why I Chose It: This real-life conservation story begins with some fascinating history of the island and the birds. Children learn about a place that is rarely covered in school curriculums and many different cultures. The authors work to intertwine the lives of the people with those of the birds, showing the interconnectedness and interdependence.  As the shift moves to the reasons for the declining population, readers learn about various factors that can impact specifies populations—natural and unnatural. The extensive efforts by a group of scientists are documented to reveal how quickly a population can become nearly extinct but how slowly it can be to bring it back to a healthy number. The pages are designed to capture the habitat of these amazing birds with textured designs and vivid colors.

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Woman of Gambia (non-fiction)

Author: Miranda Paul

Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon

Publisher Summery: Plastic bags are cheap and easy to use.  But what happens when a bag breaks or is not longer needed? In Nijau, Gambia, people simply dropped the bags and went on their way.  One plastic bag became two. Then ten. Then a hundred. The bags accumulated in ugly heaps alongside roads. Water pooled in them, bringing mosquitoes and disease. Some bags were burned, leaving behind a terrible smell. Some were buried, but they strangled gardens.  They killed livestock that tried to eat them. Something had to change.  Isatou Ceesay was that change.  She found a way to recycle the bags and transform her community.

Why I Chose It:  What an inspiring story!  Isatou’s solution cleaned up the environment, decrease the mosquito population (and with it disease), and saved livestock and gardens.  It was not without resistance. While Isatou and some other women worked on a solution, they were called names and laughed at.  Once they began selling their new recycled purses, the naysayers changed their tune.  The women were able to make extra money from this new venture that helped their families buy necessities like livestock.  Eventually, they began contributing their earnings toward an empowerment center where people receive free health care and education.  The center became the home of the region’s first public library.  Their innovation and perseverance has made a positive impact beyond conservation.    

Related Story:  Bag in the Wing (Ted Kooser)

What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? (craft book)

Authors: Anna Alter

Illustrator: Anna Alter

Publisher Summery: In this “green” craft book, children can appreciate that recycling is a part of everyday life, and with a little creativity, exciting projects are only a few steps away. Turn a worn flip-flop into an art stamp, a ripped shower curtain into an apron, and an old T-shirt into a pillow. These activities are just a few of the many crafts to be explored. With easy-to-follow instructions, this interactive book will challenge kids to come up with clever recycling ideas of their own in no time!

Why I Chose It: Since the topic of the post is conservation, I thought this book would be a practical way to bring greater awareness.  Each craft has an animal character and short poem. Then, using every day items (most of which end up in a landfill), the characters illustrate with pictures and directions how to make each project. The book ends with a list of additional ways kids, adults, and families can support reuse and recycling.

For the Adventurous (and Imaginative) Reader

The Dumpster Diver (fiction)

Author: Janet S. Wong

Illustrator: David Roberts

Publisher Summery: Anyone can dive for treasure in the ocean, but Steve dives for it in this neighborhood dumpster! As he delves into the trash each weekend, Steve encourages his young neighbors (aka the Diving Team) to see the potential in what other people throw away.  With a little imagination, trash can be transformed into treasure—and as the Diving Team discovers, it might even help a friend in need.

Why I Chose It: Wong does not idealize dumpster diving. As soon as Steve gets in, beetles and spiders splash out. Yuck! Then, the kids spray him (and the items he collects) with a hose when he gets out. Parents do not have to worry about their children begging to dumpster dive.  What I liked about this book is the emphasis on taking discarded items to create new, useful things.  Steve and the Diving Team often use their new creations or what they find to help others.  When the kids need to make a project, they ask for items people are not using (a good alternative while prompting similar results). The Dumpster Diver is an entertaining story that encourages imagination, resourcefulness, and exploration.