Titles and Descriptions - O

Of Sound Mind. 1st ed.
The Olden Days Locket
On Common Ground
On Common Ground 1
On Time’s Wing Series
One More Border: The True Story of One Family's Escape From War-Torn Europe
One on One
Opening a Door: Reading Poetry in the Middle School Classroom
Oral Language for Today's Classroom
Orca Soundings Series
Oscar: The Life and Music of Oscar Peterson
Our Canadian Girl Series
Out of the Blue
Out of This World
The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place. 1st ed.
The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick. Updated ed.
The Outsiders
Overdrive
Oxford School Shakespeare Series

Of Sound Mind. 1st ed. (Print-Fiction). Ferris, Jean. Farrar, Straus & Giroux (HCP), 2001. 215 p. ISBN 0-374-35580-0 ($21.50 hdc.). ISBN 0-374-45584-8 ($9.50 pbk.).

As the only hearing person in the family, teenaged Theo resents his role as the designated interpreter. Additional pressure mounts as his father suffers a stroke, and concerned friends offer Theo support. A romantic friendship prods Theo to examine his family role in relation to his personal needs. This poignant tale of family dynamics will appeal to many Middle Level readers. Suggested Use: Grade 7; Personal and Philosophical Context
Other Use: Health Education: Grades 6 to 9
Initiative: Abilities Awareness

The Olden Days Locket (Print-Fiction). Chamberlain, Penny. Sono Nis Press (SNP), 2002. 198 p. ISBN 1-55039-128-3 ($8.95 pbk.).

(CAN) After a year of being bullied at school, studious Jess volunteers for the summer at the beautifully preserved Point Ellice House in Victoria. The story is about a modern girl, Jess, who is transported to life a century earlier as a girl who lived in the same area. The modern girl, Jess, experiences the olden days as a girl named Rose when she works at Point Ellice House. Through Rose, the reader gains a first-person account of what life was like in 1886 and of the worst street car disaster on record in North America. As Jess moves back and forth in time, she solves the answer to a mystery surrounding the locket that Rose lost in the past. Chamberlain has written about adolescent problems with peer groups at school, while offering hope that the situation will improve for the protagonist.

This book was nominated by the Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Willow Awards Committee for a Diamond Willow Award in 2004.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Personal and Philisophical Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context.

On Common Ground (Print-Anthology). George, Jerry, Stone, Don and Ward, Faye. Oxford University Press (OUP), 1994. 228 p. ISBN 0-19-541020-3 ($39.95 pbk.). Teacher's Resource Book - ISBN 0-19-541027-0 ($51.00 pbk.).

(CAN) This anthology contains prose, poetry, cartoons, and plays of mostly Canadian origin suitable for a wide range of abilities. The literature reflects common interests and concerns of adolescents of diverse abilities and cultural backgrounds.

The teacher's resource suggests activities for each of the selections as well as general strategies for teaching and learning, classroom management, and assessment and evaluation.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Environmental and Technological Context; Personal and Philosophical Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context; Multigenre
Initiative: Multicultural Content and Perspectives

On Common Ground 1 (Print-Anthology). Godfrey, Jeanne, Stone, Don and Ward, Faye. Oxford University Press (OUP), 1995. 228 p. ISBN 0-19-541064-5 ($37.50 pbk.). Teacher's Resource Book - ISBN 0-19-541091-2 ($51.00 pbk.).

(CAN) This anthology contains prose, poetry, cartoons, and plays of mostly Canadian origin suitable for a wide range of abilities. The literature reflects common interests and concerns of adolescents of diverse abilities and cultural backgrounds.

The teacher's resource suggests activities for each of the selections as well as general strategies for teaching and learning, classroom management, and assessment and evaluation.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Environmental and Technological Context; Personal and Philosophical Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context; Multigenre
Initiative: Multicultural Content and Perspectives

On Time’s Wing Series (Print-Fiction). Please refer to the titles: Danger in Disguise and Home Child.

One More Border: The True Story of One Family's Escape From War-Torn Europe (Print-Non-Fiction). Kaplan, William, Tanaka, Shelley and Taylor, Stephen, illus. Groundwood Books (HCP), 1998. 61 p. ISBN 0-88899-638-1 ($12.95 pbk.).

(CAN) The dark reality of the Nazi occupation is one that teachers naturally feel uncomfortable presenting to children. This book deals with the topic sensitively and carefully. The journey of William Kaplan’s Jewish grandparents, father, and aunt begins when they flee from the charming Baltic city of Memel through Siberia to Japan, across the Pacific Ocean to Vancouver, and then across Canada to relatives in Cornwall, Ontario – a journey of 32,000 kilometres. Maps and photographs accompany Stephen Taylor’s beautiful paintings and help to convey both the hope and fear felt by the family. Although this story has a happy ending, readers are not allowed to forget what happened to the millions of other Lithuanian Jews who were left behind.

Teachers will appreciate the book’s applicability not only to the Holocaust but also to the plight of refugees today.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Other Use: Social Studies: Grades K to 5; Social Studies: Grades 7-9
Initiative: Multicultural Content and Perspectives

One on One (Print-Fiction). Beveridge, Cathy. Thistledown Press Ltd. (LPGD), 2005. 235 p. ISBN 1-894345-80-0 ($9.95 pbk.).

(CAN) While hockey provides a thematic strand for the book, the protagonist, Sean, has more to address than pressures of the team sport and a perfectionist father. Complex family issues include an ethical situation which requires Sean to decide whether to do what is right or to support his father by withholding evidence involving criminal charges. The story is one that provides the hook of hockey and a familiar prairie setting in Alberta, but is given depth through the issues and the complexities of human relationships.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Personal and Philosophical Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Other Use: Life Transitions 20

Opening a Door: Reading Poetry in the Middle School Classroom (Print-Non-Fiction). Janeczko, Paul B. Scholastic Inc. (SCH), 2003. 144 p. ISBN 0-439-33207-9 ($24.99 pbk.).

If one is not sure how to teach poetry, then this is the resource to support one’s teaching. This book offers a complete unit on teaching poetry. Janeczko puts forth his theory and backs it up with a practical plan. A selection of various poems is suitable for teaching poetry to Middle Level students with a variety of exercises which include opening remarks, choral readings, a reproducible worksheet, and suggestions for teaching related poems to stimulate both the understanding and the appreciation of poetry. This book employs many of the techniques suggested in the English Language Arts Curriculum and acts as an enhancement to support the teaching of poetry. Most of the examples are American, but teachers will be able to adapt the unit and include some Canadian examples to suit their students’ learning styles. A list of anthologies, poetry books, and websites is included at the back of the book. Teachers will find the short description of each website useful.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Teacher Reference

Oral Language for Today's Classroom (Print-Non-Fiction). Staab, Claire. (The Pippin Teacher's Library Series). Pippin Publishing Corporation (UTP), 1992. 123 p. ISBN 0-88751-046-9 ($17.95 pbk.).

(CAN) This book provides a general theoretical background to the functions of language. It stresses the importance of oral language in the classroom in terms of talking to learn and of learning to talk for a variety of purposes or audiences. The author describes several oral structures, such as small group, one-on-one, peer discussion, or student-to-adult talk, and explains how teachers can plan for productive talk in their classrooms. As well, Staab explains the integral nature of listening and explores the teaching of listening strategies in the context of students' language experiences. Included are a table of contents and a bibliography.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Teacher Reference

Orca Soundings Series (Print-Fiction). Please refer to the titles: Grind and Overdrive.

Oscar: The Life and Music of Oscar Peterson (Print-Non-Fiction). Marin, Reva. Groundwood Books (HCP), 2003. 160 p. ISBN 0-88899-537-7 ($19.95 hdc.).

(CAN) This biographical account of Oscar Peterson traces the life of one of the finest jazz musicians in the world today. Oscar’s parents immigrated to Canada from the West Indies in search of a better life. Oscar’s father, a self-taught musician, insisted that all his children learn to play an instrument. Peterson had near perfect pitch and a natural talent. Marin traces the career of this great musician from his humble beginnings to the accomplishments in his career. Peterson had to deal with arthritis, a stroke, and racial prejudice. The book offers small biographies of some of Peterson’s contemporaries including Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, Count Bassie, Nat King Cole, and Art Tatum. Included are a glossary of musical terms, a list of videos and websites, a listening guide, and an index.

This book was a finalist in 2004 for Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction.
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Personal and Philosophical Context; Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
Other Use: Arts Education: Grades 6 to 9
Initiative: Multicultural Content and Perspectives

Our Canadian Girl Series (Print-Fiction). Please refer to the titles: Keeley: The Girl From Turtle Mountain and Rachel: Certificate of Freedom.

Out of the Blue (Print-Fiction). Ellis, Sarah. Groundwood Books (HCP), 1994. 120 p. ISBN 0-88899-236-X ($6.95 pbk.).

(CAN) Megan's life is disrupted when she learns that she has a 24-year-old step-sister who was given up for adoption as an infant. Natalie’s reunion with her mother intrudes on Megan's comfortable family structure and causes emotional turmoil for all the family. Natalie’s arrival challenges Megan to overcome her jealousy and form a deeper understanding of herself and the members of her family.

See also: Adam and Eve and Pinch Me (annotated in English Language Arts: A Bibliography for Grades 6 to 9, 1997).
Suggested Use: Grade 8; Personal and Philosophical Context
Other Use: Health Education: Grades 6 to 9

Out of This World (Print-Non-Fiction). Cross, Gary, et al. (Pan-Canadian Science Place Series). Scholastic Canada Ltd. (SCH), 2000. 56 p. ISBN 0-7791-0089-1 ($8.00 pbk.). Teacher's Guide - ISBN 0-7791-0082-4 ($35.00 coil-bound).

(CAN) A part of the Pan-Canadian Science Place Series, this resource offers 14 lessons. These lessons aim to build on students' prior knowledge of space, engage their interest in the topic, explore concepts with open-ended or directed explorations and information,and help students to apply what they have learned to their real world. The large type and bright, colourful illustrations help to make this a student friendly resource. Included are a table of contents and a glossary. Articles on “How Do Spacecraft Travel to Space?”, “What Is It Like to Be in Orbit?”, and “Plan a Space Mission” would be particularly relevent.

The teacher's guide provides easy-to-use lesson plans organized in three parts: activate, explore, apply. Each lesson includes expectations, assessment options, background information, ideas to activate prior knowledge and introduce concepts, activities to apply the learning to situations beyond the classroom, support for struggling learners, ideas to extend learning, and more.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Environmental and Technological Context
Other Use: Science: Grades 6 to 9

The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place. 1st ed. (Print-Fiction). Konigsburg, E. L. Atheneum Publications (SHU), 2004. 296 p. ISBN 0-689-86636-4 ($25.50 hdc.). ISBN 0-689-86637-2 ($8.25 pbk.).

A companion novel to Silent to the Bone, Konisberg gives us a glimpse of camp life for 12-year-old Margaret Kane. Margaret is tormented by her cabinmates and refuses to be intimidated by the rigid camp director. Rescued by her elderly uncles and taken to their home, Margaret is appalled to discover that the city has ordered that the artistic towers her uncles have created in the backyard over the past 45 years are to be taken down because they do not adhere to the new guidelines for the now historic district. Stung by the idea that profit-seeking interest groups manipulating government regulations could destroy the real history of art, Margaret swings into action to fight a tyranny greater than the one she encountered at camp. The well-paced plot has excellent foreshadowing. Funny and thought provoking by turns, this is Konisburg at her masterful best.
Suggested Use: Grade 7; Personal and Philosophical Context
Other Use: Arts Education: Grades 6 to 9; Social Studies: Grades 7-9

The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick. Updated ed. (Print-Fiction). Torgov, Morley. Raincoast Books (RAI), 2002. 219 p. ISBN 1-55192-548-6 ($12.95 pbk.).

(CAN) Thirteen-year-old Maximilian Glick is a young, confused Jewish boy confined by his overprotective parents. Eager to pursue his musical career, he studies piano and falls in love with a young girl from another religious background. As Maximilian attempts to navigate his way to adulthood, several mentors provide unusual advice. Ultimately, the boy must make a decision that will influence the direction of his life. Readers are exposed to the subtle humour of the Jewish traditions of the Glick family. However, Maximilian’s feelings of being at odds with his family are not specific to his religion.

This book won the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour in 1983 and has been adapted into a feature film.
Suggested Use: Grade 6; Personal and Philosophical Context
Other Use: Arts Education: Grades 6 to 9
Initiative: Multicultural Content and Perspectives

The Outsiders (Print-Fiction). Hinton, S. E. Penguin Books Canada Limited (CDS), 2002. 176 p. ISBN 0-14-038572-X ($9.99 pbk.).

Ponyboy is only 14, but after his parents’ death, he tries to keep the family together. Ponyboy’s loyalties are to his brothers and to his gang. In this novel, there are two kinds of people in the world, greasers and socs. A soc (short for social) has money and can get away with almost anything. A greaser always lives on the outside and needs to watch his back. One night after a fight, Johnny’s friend kills a soc. Ponyboy learns that pain feels the same, whether you are a soc or a greaser.

S. E. Hinton wrote this novel in 1967 when she was only 16 years old, and it has stood the test of time.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Personal and Philosophical Context

Overdrive (Print-Fiction). Walters, Eric. (Orca Soundings Series). Orca Book Publishers Ltd. (ORC), 2004. 102 p. ISBN 1-55143-318-4 ($9.95 pbk.).

(CAN) Jake, the 16-year-old narrator, earns his driver’s licence and is involved in a serious accident the same day. He leaves the scene of the accident and must deal with his inner conflict. Jake learns that doing the right thing is not easy. Many students would be able to relate to this message. This is a story about responsibility and accepting the consequence of one’s action.

This book resembles Driver’s Ed by Caroline Cooney (recommended in English Language Arts 10: A Bibliography), and it will attract reluctant readers.
Suggested Use: Grade 9; Personal and Philosophical Context

Oxford School Shakespeare Series (Print-Fiction). Please refer to the title: Romeo & Juliet.