Young Adult Fiction
Title: 13 Little Blue Envelopes
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: HarperCollins Publisher
Copyright Date: 2005
Number of Pages: 317
Awards: N/A
Reading Level: Independent Reader Sr. "I can
Read Anything"
Generally appropriate for 7th Grade and Up
This level is appropriate for the established reader who can
fully comprehend a substantial and complex book.
Genre: Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Summary:
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson is a novel written about a shy, young, seventeen-year old girl named Virginia (referred to as Ginny) Blackstone. Ginny is living a rather normal, quiet life until a letter arrives from her quirky, adventurous Aunt Peg. The letter contains a thousand dollars in cash and instructions: get a passport, book a one-way flight to London, then go to an address in New York to pick up a package before heading to the airport. Aunt Peg also lists specific rules: Take only what fits in a backpack. Leave credit cards, money, your camera, your cell phone, and your laptop at home, and have no contact by electronic means from Europe with anyone in America.
It seems unbelievable that Ginny would agree to these terms, but she does and is soon on her way to London with the New York package that contains twelve more letters of instruction. Therefore, when Peg tells her to get on a plane to London, Ginny is nervous, but is willing to play along. Ginny embarks on a European adventure of a lifetime. It is a trip that could be called a treasure hunt with a twist. Would you follow the directions? Would you travel around the world? Would you open the envelopes one by one? Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of the 13 little blue envelopes.
Academic Purpose:
One of the interesting aspects of this book is it's emphasis on traveling. The main character in this book is given 13 little blue envelopes that guide her around Europe. I would introduce a map to my students, when reading this book. I would have them identify all the different countries and cities the main character travels too. Then, I would have my students make up their own traveling journey. I would have them make a list of countries they would visit, why they would go their, what is one thing that country is known for, and explain the culture of the country. This book can open pathways to learning about diversity and for students to realize how different and amazing our world is.
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson is a novel written about a shy, young, seventeen-year old girl named Virginia (referred to as Ginny) Blackstone. Ginny is living a rather normal, quiet life until a letter arrives from her quirky, adventurous Aunt Peg. The letter contains a thousand dollars in cash and instructions: get a passport, book a one-way flight to London, then go to an address in New York to pick up a package before heading to the airport. Aunt Peg also lists specific rules: Take only what fits in a backpack. Leave credit cards, money, your camera, your cell phone, and your laptop at home, and have no contact by electronic means from Europe with anyone in America.
It seems unbelievable that Ginny would agree to these terms, but she does and is soon on her way to London with the New York package that contains twelve more letters of instruction. Therefore, when Peg tells her to get on a plane to London, Ginny is nervous, but is willing to play along. Ginny embarks on a European adventure of a lifetime. It is a trip that could be called a treasure hunt with a twist. Would you follow the directions? Would you travel around the world? Would you open the envelopes one by one? Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of the 13 little blue envelopes.
Academic Purpose:
One of the interesting aspects of this book is it's emphasis on traveling. The main character in this book is given 13 little blue envelopes that guide her around Europe. I would introduce a map to my students, when reading this book. I would have them identify all the different countries and cities the main character travels too. Then, I would have my students make up their own traveling journey. I would have them make a list of countries they would visit, why they would go their, what is one thing that country is known for, and explain the culture of the country. This book can open pathways to learning about diversity and for students to realize how different and amazing our world is.
Rating System:
Categories:
|
5 Stars
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3 Stars
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1 Star
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Comments
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Style and Language
|
The book anticipates readers’ questions and
uses great word choice for the age targeted. It has linear progression and
communicates its point clearly.
|
The book follows a linear progression, with
some unclear points. The word choice is okay.
|
The book is confusing as it doesn’t follow
a linear progression at all. The vocabulary in the book is either too simple
or too complex for the age group targeted.
|
This book uses great word choice for the
age targeted. There are great vocabulary words to enrich the story. The book
has a strong beginning, middle, and end, and it communicates its point
clearly.
5
stars
|
Plot and Character Development
|
The plot is in depth and helps to create a
picture in the reader’s mind. The plot is organized having a beginning,
middle, and end. The character development is strong.
|
The plot is okay. The book is organized
with a beginning, middle, and end. The characters are well developed.
|
The book is confusing and doesn’t have a
clear beginning, middle, or end.
|
This book has a great in depth plot, which
creates a picture in the reader’s mind. The author does a great job
developing the main characters so the reader can feel that they can connect
with the characters.
5
stars
|
Interest
|
The book holds real life situations which
draw the reader in. The word choice and story hold the reader’s attention. The
book is suitable for the age group targeted.
|
The book holds little interest and draws
the reader in sometimes. The book is suitable for the age group targeted.
|
The book is very boring and doesn’t hold
the reader’s attention. The book is not suitable for the age group targeted.
|
This book uses real life situations, such
as traveling around Europe, to draw readers in. The book starts off with a
strong beginning, which grabs the readers’ attention. I would recommend this book for young teenage girls.
5
stars
|
Educational Value
|
The book is relatable to education. The
book can be integrated into other content areas.
|
The book is relatable to education. The
book may need further resources to help connect it to other content areas.
|
The book is not relatable to education
whatsoever. The book is not appropriate to be integrated into other content
areas.
|
I thought this book would be an awesome way
to introduce Geography. As the character travels around to different places in
Europe, the teacher can integrate geography maps.
5
stars
|
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