Module 8, Come Fall

#1 Bibliographic Information

Bauer, A.C.E. (2010). Come fall. New York: Random House.

#2 Summary

Salman Page is a new boy in school, and as luck would have it, his new middle school assigns new kids "Designated Buddies" or "D.B.'s."  Salman's D.B. is Lu-Ellen Zimmer.  She wants to be the best D.B. ever, and more than that needs something to take her mind off the fact that her best friend moved over the summer.  But Salman, a foster-child who's moved too many times to remember, disregards her enthusiasm.  Lu is persistent, however, and one day in trying to get to know Salman, she witnesses a crow fly down from the sky to retrieve a shiny bottle cap from Salman's hand.  Her fascination intrigues Salman, and from then on, the two, with their enormously tall and socially awkward friend Blos, form a close bond, despite teasing from others.  Little do any of them know that the fairies Queen Titania and King Oberon take a special interest in Salman, for the Queen has promised his mother she would do so.  The King, however, is jealous of the attention she gives him, and seeks to disrupt her care. Puck, their loyal servant, and a friend of the crow, watches him closely, as the king and queen demand.  But amidst this other-world scheming, Salman worries about being moved to yet another home, Lu worries about her pregnant mother's health, and Blos worries about Salman and Lu.  When Salman doesn't come to school one rainy day, Lu goes in search of him.  Not knowing the area where he lives, however, she soon gets lost.  Blos discovers Lu's mission, finds Lu's father, and guides him to where he thinks, and where it turns out, she is.  Lu recovers from her consequent cold to discover that Salman has only been moved to a town very close--certainly close enough to stay in contact.  Yet neither are aware how they so nearly avoided catastrophe at Oberon's hands, nor how their happiness is in debt to the fairy queen, Puck, and their friend, the crow.

#3 Reaction

First, I am not the biggest fantasy fan, but this fantasy was so light (the interspersed faery chapters) that in writing my summary, I realized I could have completely left out the faery sub-plot and not harmed the storyline (although I would have done damage to the creativity and symbolism).  Yet even though it satisfied my low-fantasy need, I didn't have a strong reaction to this book, either way.  It was interesting while I was reading it, but I don't think I gave it a second thought afterward.  One thing I did think about, however, was how I really need to read A Midsummer Night's Dream again--I couldn't remember anything about Queen Titania, or King Oberon, although at least I remembered Puck.  So I wouldn't recommend it as a great read, but it's entertaining while it lasts.

#4 Reviews for Come Fall

Review #1

Fairy tale charm and magic are woven into the everyday struggles of three middle-school children, when Bauer (No Castles Here) expands on a plot line from A Midsummer Night's Dream, about a boy whose presence disrupts fairy land's harmony. Bauer's third-person narrative alternately focuses on new kid Salman, a perpetual foster child; Lu-Ellen, the "designated buddy" ,assigned to help Salman acclimate to seventh grade; and Blos, a socially challenged student who befriends them both; along with first-person chapters from Puck, servant to Shakespeare's Oberon and Titania, who bicker over Salman's fate. Supernatural elements, such as a crow that links human and fairy worlds and the astonishing fecundity of Salman's foster mother's garden, soften but do not blunt the harsh realities faced by the protagonists.Bullies, mental health difficulties, sibling rivalry, social services, and school bureaucracies all provide mystifying obstacles for the children to navigate. While the forbidding social milieu, abetted by fairy mischief, threatens to destroy their spirits, the power of true friendship prevails in this magical yet realistic tale that, quite rightly, makes middle school feel like a trip through a dark and scary forest populated by not-so-friendly creatures. Ages 9-12. (July)

--Come fall (book) (2010).  Publishers Weekly. 257(27), 47-48.

Review #2

Gr 4-7- Salman, an orphan in his umpteenth foster home, has an uncertain life with an abusive man who does not want him around. Lu, a shy girl who is lonely since her best friend moved, feels lost at times with all the changes. Blos, one who sees things differently, puts people into two categories: those who avoid him and those who make fun of him. These young people discover the true meaning of friendship when they are thrown together at Riverfalls Junior High, where an unlikely bond occurs under the worst of circumstances. This tale is told from a variety of perspectives, including Puck, from the faerie realm. The story flows well, though readers may wonder why the faeries are muddling in the characters' lives, and it is not explained until the acknowledgments at the end. The characters are well developed, authentic, and have distinct voices. The friendships they build are believable, as are the problems they face. Even Lu, who has a great family, has social issues that are easy to relate to. The book turns out to be a pleasant account of making new friends and what it takes to be one, regardless of what others think. Students who enjoy realistic fiction with a touch of fantasy will enjoy this story with a feel-good ending.

--Siegert, Mariela (2010). Come fall. School Library Journal. 56(9), 146.

#5 Suggestions for Library Use

This book could definitely be used in conjunction with Shakespeare.  I'm not sure, however, that the reading levels coincide.  This book could be used in a book display with Shakespeare's works and some adult and children's works influenced by them.  This would be a good way to recognize Shakespeare's massive literary influence, and also introduce younger readers to his story lines and characters, if not his actual works.