Phyllis Shalant

SUMMARY: Bartleby is a pet turtle that is abandoned by his boy in the pond at the edge of the wood behind the house. When his boy does not return, Bartleby must learn to catch his own food, make friends with the other creatures that live in the pond, and to avoid the dangers of the Claw, the Paw, and the Jaw. However, there is a new danger in the pond, an alligator, named Seezer, from the Mighty Mississippi, who has agreed not to eat Bartleby who in turn has agreed to show the alligator how to return to the river in which he was born. As Bartleby figures out where the river is, he is also starting to feel the draw of the Mighty Mississippi where other red-eared turtles like him live. Can he trust his instincts to find the way to the river, but more importantly can he trust the alligator as a traveling companion?

REVIEW: I started with the second book in this series -- Bartleby of the Big Bad Bayou. I enjoyed reading about the turtle Bartleby. He is very kind, considerate, and loyal friend. Bartleby is also very cleaver and gets out of many dangers by using his head, which reminds me of the character, Brer Rabbit. I like the second story better, whether that is because I read it first, or because it was a better story, I'm not sure.

Favorite Parts: Samples of Zip's method of speech. Read Aloud chapters -- 5 and 25.

Curriculum: 1) Discuss pond life as well as the food chain for woodland animals. 2) There is also a chance to discuss rhyming with Zip's method of speech. 3) Read aloud the tale of Brer Rabbis and the briar patch. Compare the cunning of Brer Rabbit to the cunning of Bartleby to get out of danger.… (mere)

This story continues where BARTLEBY OF THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI ends. Ex-pet Bartleby, a red-eared turtle, and Seezer, an alligator are taking a long trip together to find the bayou where they both original came from. When they finally reach their destination, they find it not what they were expecting and decide to find a different home that has nicer friends and environment. They end up in a small pond and everything is going well until the water starts drying up, the lady turtle Lucky Girl goes missing, and the grumpy, mean gator Old Stump and his bodyguards show up to claim the pond for themselves. Luckily for everyone, Bartleby has a brave heart and unwavering determination is set out to make things right.

The story is just as great as the first story and includes a whole new cast of characters. I love the character of Bartleby -- he is a very good friend, and honest in every way. My favorite part of the story is when Bartleby and Lucky Girl escape from the fountain and return to their friends in the new pond and renews his friendship with Seezer.… (mere)

Summary:
The book is about two girls Lee, Jewish, and Polly, Catholic, who become friends and the struggles they face due to culturally religious differences. The mothers of the girls have very different religious beliefs for very different reasons and this makes problems for the girls and their friendship. The book unfolds the problem of Polly's mother showing lack of respect and being xenophobic for the Jewish religion of Lee and her family. Polly's mother puts Catholic literature in Lee's books and tells her she needs to convert or will end up in hell, which disturbs the young girl. Polly's mother doesn't know about Lee's background or that her grandparents died in the Holocaust, which makes Lee's mother distrusting of all non-Jewish people. In the end the two girls remain friends through secret night meetings and eventually again in front of their parents showing that they are not letting the prejudices keep them apart.

Personal Reaction:
The book shows good examples of why people can have prejudices and also how prejudices can be taught. This book hit home for me because my grandfather and his parents came here in the 1930's to escape Hitler and the Holocaust. The stories of my family and so many others are ones I think should be told. I also think it is crazy that schools are taking this world wide event out of textbooks.

Classroom Extensions:
1. I think this would be an awesome book to use in class as a reading and have my students write an essay on cultural differences, prejudice, or why we need to be tolerant of others beliefs, religion, gender identity, and culture.
2. I would like to have a multicultural month where we talk about a different culture every few days so that we truly dive into each culture.
3. I would also like to have foods and speakers for as many cultures as I can to get the students more interested in learning the differences.… (mere)

Summary of Book:
Lee is a Jewish girl who finds a new friend in Polly. Polly states she has been visited by Peter Pan and enjoys playing imaginary pirate games with Lee. But when Polly's mother tries to convert Lee to Christianity, Lee's mother forbids Lee from playing with Polly.

Personal Reaction:
I liked this book. It definitely makes you look at both sides of the issue here.

Extensions:
Research differences in the 2 religions/culture
Research other religions/culture of students in the classroom.… (mere)