MrsK Books: The Looney Experiment by Luke Reynolds

Sunday, August 23, 2015

The Looney Experiment by Luke Reynolds

Luke Reynolds

ISBN:

Publisher's Synopsis:

Life lessons in bullying, first love, and an up-close examination of the meaning of courage for kids ages 11-14.
Author Luke Reynolds's humorous and heart-warming contemporary novel chronicles one boy's journey through bullying, first love, and a discovery of the meaning of courage.
Atticus Hobart couldn't feel worse. Not only does he have the world's most overactive imagination, he's in love with a girl he can't talk to, is the class bully's personal punching bag, and to top it all off, his dad just left the family. Into this drama steps Mr. Looney, an older than dirt and crazier than insanity itself seventy-seven-year-old substitute English teacher with a very unconventional approach to teaching. But Atticus soon discovers there's more to Mr. Looney's methods than he'd first thought. And as Atticus begins to unlock the meaning behind his own name, he finds that his imagination can help him forge his own voice, and maybe-just maybe-show him that the power to face his problems was inside him all along.

MrsK's Review:
When a new book arrives, there is always anticipated joy. Often, there is a delightful surprise... an unexpected character or a great enjoyable story line. Atticus and his experiences will bring out the "joy" in reading for everyone who chooses this middle school journey.

"I don't know why I can't speak in class.

All I know is that when I try to get what's in my head to come out for other people to hear,

it doesn't work."

Atticus is intelligent, his imagination is like a script waiting to be published. He is kind, compassionate, and being bullied. Middle school is difficult for everyone, yet this year in particular is made of the stuff that would cause "cracks" in his schemata about life. This year the bullying goes beyond words... this year his father needs a "Figure-Myself-Out" leave of absence ... this year he realizes that a girl friend is no longer just a friend... this year he discovers the strength with in... because this year Mr. Looney comes as a substitute to his middle school English class.

At Levy Field, Atticus knows that he "stinks" in baseball. Danny the bully, creates the worst possible atmosphere every time he goes to bat. Atticus becomes Fatticus the boy who can't play ball! Oh how he wishes he could pay back Danny, the bully machine, or better known as "Fanny" in his imagination.

"So, my life is pretty much a mess, and into all of this confusion comes a

really, really, really, really old guy..."

Could you imagine, right away all Mr. Looney does is stare. Not just at the class but up close and personal in each of their faces. Is he some kind of a psycho? Is he mentally unstable or legally insane? Wait.. what, did he really stare me down and then "wink?"

On the second day of class, Atticus arrives to an emptied classroom... including no teacher. When no one shows up, the class is "stunned" into silence... that is until a loud crash brings in loud jungle sounds. Far back in the classroom a door opens and in comes Mr. Looney...

"... wearing these ratty jeans... some kind of tie-dyed T-shirt... carrying a huge wooden stick... and hunched over..."

"What the heck?!" Once Mr. Looney begins making noises, animal sounds, and made up words ("OOO-SHI-MONGOOO... OOO-SI-MONGOOO... KACHICHI... KACHICHI!"). The craziness gets out of control.

"I am seventy-seven years old. I have taught forty-nine years of students just like you.

And I have learned one thing.

Only one thing."

Atticus is on the edge, hooked by the best hook... what Atticus discovers is...

Who he is afraid of.
Why teachers are never around when you need one.
Why an author writes a book.
The definition of a father.
Where courage comes from.
How to use his voice in class.
How to revise his thoughts.
What's beneath the surface of what "we" show others.
When life is about being the best version of himself.
When something is broken it can always be redeemed.
Healing
Having a story worth telling.

Read to discover the inspiration and courage that Atticus would like to share,
MrsK

"When most teachers and students read a book,

they focus on what they think is important.

They ask questions about the plot... the theme... the storyline...

There is something so much more important... when it comes to reading a book.

Who are the people in the book?

and

Who are you in their company?"

Inspiring fun... Excellent characters... A story just waiting to be re-shared!

A must for all classroom and library shelves.

Blink YA Books

Meet the Author:

Why I Love Writing: "I learn by going where I have to go." --Theodore Roethke; "In order to discover new lands, one must be willing to lose sight of the shore for a long time." --Andre Gide; "One man loved the pilgrim soul in you / And loved the sorrows of your changing face." --W.B. Yeats; "Growing up, poetry had been the sanctuary, that space in words where longing could be spoken." --bell hooks; "I saw the angel in the marble and carved him out until I set him free." --Michaelangelo

No comments:

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)