A Monster Called Me...

So...I feel that I must confess something. A Monster Calls wasn't actually my first pick to add to the Smackdown. It was because of extensive technical difficulties that I ended up ditching the first title and picking A Monster Calls. (I'm guessing you want to know what the other book was. I'll never tell but I'm sure that you can get it outta Dia as she can't seem to keep a secret!) I figured something or someone somewhere was telling me that A Monster Calls was the book for the Mighty Smackdown.

I quickly grew tired of the intrusive narrator in A Tale Dark and Grimm (sorry, Dia) and prefer more gritty realistic fiction over Okay for Now. Having said that, A Monster Calls doesn't quite fit that bill but I don't know that I have ever read a book that has ever hit me in the gut like A Monster Calls. Admittedly, I don't think it is a book for every kid - is the right book for a kind who needs it at a very personal time.

A Monster Calls is my vote as the winner of this year's Mighty Smackdown!

Am I too late to vote?

I loved all of the final three.  Tales Dark and Grimm was a book I could recommend to all the kids at my school - I think the older kids would have enjoyed the campiness of it.  Okay for Now was just a great story showing how you can do good for someone other than yourself and I really connected to the art.  But Monster Calls will be my pick.  It was a beautiful tale that I did not think I could read without thinking about my own mom who passed away three years ago from cancer but it was all good.  The imagery just spoke to me.  It would not be for every student but I am voting for a great overall book.
See you all next year!

Tough Choice

Wow! So hard to choose...I really enjoyed the narrative voice and the connection to Audubon's art in Okay for Now (the combination of art and narrative reminded me of the combination of physics and narrative in The Freak Observer, and they would make an interesting study in tandem). I really felt for the protagonist and bought into the magic realism/fantasy involving the yew tree monster in A Monster Calls. AND I chuckled aloud and can hardly wait to read A Tale Dark and Grimm aloud to my grand-daughter (when she gets old enough - she's not yet one).

SO..........since I don't have anyone to argue me down, I'm going to say that I totally agree with Dia's post on May 24th. I'm picking A Tale Dark and Grimm. (Feel free to smack me down, but you'll have to cybersmack me because I have a dentist appt. I can't get out of and will have to miss the May 31st meeting - sorry!)

I'm picking A Tale Dark and Grimm because I think it is the book that would appeal to the widest audience (I can hardly wait to read it aloud to my 7's next fall). I also think it opens up a whole new world of exploring the original Grimm tales, which may especially appeal to my German Bilingual students here.  I agree, however,  that it would be a bit young for high school students.

Unfortunately, I find that the majority of my kids are not quite into realistic fiction, and although I passed my copy of A Monster Calls along to a family who has experienced a recent loss, I don't think I would tackle it as a whole class read aloud and would likely recommend it to only select students. It is definitely the better written piece of literature, and I don't mind at all if it wins!  Okay for Now was maybe more of a high school read, I think. Again, I had the same feelings as others have stated with the ending, but I did love the artwork!

Split Decision

Two for A Monster Calls and one for Okay for Now from the ladies at Westmin.  Renae still really likes Okay for Now from the first round, even given the too-tidy ending.  She thinks the kids will enjoy it.  I agree with her, but, personally, I am still talking with colleagues about Monster.  I think it has become an all-time favourite for me.  However, I think I will need multiple copies of all three of the books to use in my classroom.  How do I go about tripling my budget, Dia?

I just finished my last Smackdown book this weekend, and while all three had their merits, I was easily able to take A Tale Dark and Grimm out of contention.  For me, it read quite young.  The second person narrative voice in between stories became annoying quickly, and I found myself skipping over them so I could get on with Hansel and Gretal's adventures.  To paraphrase Mark Twain, don't tell me that it's going to get scary; let the monster come on stage and roar.

Then it was between Okay for Now and A Monster Calls.  Having read Okay last round, I was quite set on championing it to the finish.  I really enjoyed reading this story, even with the feel good happy ending bits like the remorseful father, kicking cancer girlfriend, and accepting Vietnam vet brother.

And then I read Monster, and had to concede to the stronger story.  Visually appealing, well written, and metaphorical to boot.  I have since shared it with a few of my colleagues, because it was such a touching story. I think I even shed a tear at the end.  But just a small one, and very quickly, so no one  could see.  I enjoy teaching a number of texts that involve nasty things happening to young children ("A Modest Proposal", "Celebration", Popular Mechanics", Tsotsi), so when a story really captures me, I can only bow down to the talents of the author and be grateful I had the opportunity to share his/her world for awhile.

So I am plugging for A Monster Calls, and fingers crossed it makes the final cut!

Tracy

Bottom Line...

...  for Barb and Mona -
A Monster Calls was a better book whether reading it with a class, or reading it on your own.  The other books were good, but not as good!!
We both enjoyed the voice in Okay for Now. It was a decent story up until the abrupt turn-around of the dad - without any rhyme or reason.  A Tale Dark and Grimm was an amusing and entertaining story but we felt it should have moved along more quickly at the end.
 A Monster Calls was beautifully written, spanned all ages and is our choice for the winner.

Grimm Monster?

Recently I suggested that I may, just may, vote for A Tale Dark and Grimm over A Monster Calls. It wasn't pretty. I was bashed about and my points were drowned out over the thumps delivered to my head. Fine bullies, but you can't stop me from saying the following:

1. Grimm would make an amazing read aloud
2. This would be a great book for exploring that time when you begin to realize that parents and adults may not be all wise and knowing
3. It was funny and gory which would make it go over really well with a certain segment which includes me.

Having said that, A Monster Calls is luminous and well done though I still believe best when brought in and guided by a teacher.  Okay for Now soared at times but ultimately crashed for me with the abrupt change of the dad - but I'd still gladly put it in hands and lit circles if asked. When it is all said and done I'll vote for A Monster Calls and spend a part of my summer reading Mal Peet's book: Life: An Exploded Diagram as it beat a Monster Calls in School Library Journal's Battle of the Book. Who knows maybe that shows up in our list next year....