McMullan, Kate. Get to Work, Hercules.

McMullan, Kate.   Get to Work, Hercules.  Stone Arch see Capstone,  2012.  $23.99

ISBN 978-1-4342-3196-3  elm/ms (Grade 5-8).  E-BN    

     This is a cute, funny intro to Greek myths.      It is part of the Myth O Mania series.  Hades, King of the Underworld, claims he wants to set the record straight on the Greek myth of the twelve labors of Hercules.  Hercules had help.  Mostly from Uncle Hades, but also from some other characters. 
     The story is told in a comfortable, reader-friendly manner, almost conspiratorially. There is some funny play on words and downright silliness, but it is a great way to introduce the younger reader to the myth and could encourage a search for the original myth.
     Added to the story is a "King Hades Quick and Easy Guide to the Myths", which provides definitions and pronunciations of names, places and terms.  This was very helpful.  There are also a glossary, a brief excerpt from the Book of Myths, and writing prompts and questions to start discussions. 

     Myth O Mania series includes seven titles that introduce young readers to the various Greek myths.  They are all told from the point of view of Hades, who has a hand in each of the myths.   G

Subject: Greek Mythology - Twelve Labors of Hercules 

Joan Theal

 

McMullan, Kate. School! Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elem. School

McMullan, Kate School! Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elem. School Feiwel&Friends/Macmillan Child Pub Gr 2010 149p 12.99 978-0-312-37592-8 elem VG-BNe


The story revolves around the silly, word-play names of its characters, which are very clever.
What if Mr. Stuckinaditch drove your school bus, and got stuck in a ditch every day? What if you had a music teacher whose name was Mrs. Doremi Solatido? This book begins with a zany cast of characters who have such names, and then spins a long story out of them. It is clever and silly, and students may get tired of the conceit before the book finally ends. However, taken in small doses it may just tickle their funny bones as well, and it may inspire them to invent some crazy characters of their own. Humor Kennedy, Carol

McMullen, Margaret. Cashay.

McMullen, Margaret. Cashay.
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2009 166p 15.00 978-0-547-07656-0 ms/hs

The personal thoughts and actions of 14 year old Cashay drive the plot which takes place after her younger sister is killed in the crossfire of a neighborhood gang. Cashay’s behavior reflects the anger feels after this tragedy. When she is given a mentor, their unlikely bond leads to a hopeful conclusion. The personal thoughts and actions of 14 year old Cashay, a child of an urban housing project in Chicago, drive the plot which takes place after her younger sister is killed in the crossfire of a neighborhood gang. With her mother turning to drugs after the loss of her child, Cashay is forced to fend for herself despite her own grief about her sister’s death. Cashay’s behavior reflects the anger she feels after this tragedy and when she is involved in a violent incident in the classroom, she is must see the school counselor who refers her to an after school program at the local Catholic Church, even though Cashay protests that she’s not Catholic. When matched with a mentor through the program, an unlikely bond develops between them. Allison, a high energy stockbroker, understands Cashay and provides solace to the teen. Cashay, in turn, offers Allison a chance to nurture and examine her own values. Although her neighborhood is fraught with danger, Cashay perseveres, getting a job, applying for a better school, and evading the shooter of her sister, who threatens her because she told the police. When the shooter endangers Cashay and invades her life with Allison, the plot takes a perilous turn. Cashay is such an authentic character and her voice is so strong that the reader will be totally drawn into this book. An excellent choice for middle and high school libraries, this title is recommended for Tristate Books of Note. Tina Weinraub