Bibliography
Marchetta, Melina. 2006. JELLICOE ROAD. New York: Harper Teen. ISBN 9780061431845.
Plot Summary
“My name is Taylor Markham. I live on the Jellicoe Road.” Seventeen year old Taylor Markham is a student at the Jellicoe school, and has been struggling with her family identity since her mother dropped her at a seven eleven when she was eleven. Hannah has been Taylor’s caregiver all these years, but has never let her as close as she’d like, or revealed information about their connection. Taylor struggles through the “Territory Wars” with the area Cadets in for a few months, and the local Townies, and throughout the process forms the first real friendships of her life, and uncovers the mystery of her family and the mysterious Brigadier that is always swooping in to save her.
Critical Analysis
Marchetta pulls the reader into Taylors struggles and accomplishments as she faces her demons and uncovers the truth about her family, and her mother’s issues. The writing style is fluid and adds to the setting, as Australian lingo and terminology is utilized throughout the text. The Jellicoe road is settled in the Australian bush country, and this setting serves as an important facet of the plot line, as the characters make their way through the outlands during the territory wars. The style once understood, is of much importance in the story line. Excerpts from Hannah’s Manuscript also serve as flashbacks to the time when it all began. Taylor transforms from a harsh, complicated young girl, into a caring, unjaded young woman in this complex, mature young adult novel.
Review Excerpt
Booklist- “nearly every relationship in Taylor’s life has unexpected ties to her past, and the continual series of revelations is both the book’s strength and weakness; the melodrama can be trying, but when Marchetta isn’t forcing epiphanies, she has a knack for nuanced characterizations and punchy dialogue. The complexity of the back story will be off-putting to younger readers, but those who stick it out will find rewards in the heartbreaking twists of Marchetta’s saga.”
Connections
*Other books by Melina Marchetta
SAVING FRANCESCA. ISBN 0375829830.
LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI. ISBN 0375836942.
*Have students explore the Australian bush country on the map to better understand the surroundings of the Jellicoe school.
* Student’s could create their own “Little Purple Book” of rules for the territory wars, and illustrate maps of the Jellicoe school and the surrounding areas.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Rapunzel's Revenge
Bibliography
Hale, Shannon. 2008. RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. Ill. by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 15999070X.
Plot Summary
Rapunzel’s goal is to free her birth mother and to avenge the wrong-doings she has experienced at the hands of “Mother Gothel” the woman who stole her from her true family, and locked her in a tree for years. Rapunzel makes good use of her extra long hair, utilizing it as a lasso, a whip, an a rope among other things. With the help of her new found friend Jack (of Jack and the beanstalk fame) she is able to free her mother, escape the wicked Gothel, and find love in this Wild West version of a classic tale with a big twist.
Critical Analysis
This Graphic novel ties in traditional folktales with fantasy in a way that is fun, easy to follow, and even easier to look at. The illustrations in this book are fantastic and add an abundance of substance to the written text. The setting is well established both through text and illustrations, and the reader is able to identify the time period, and main personality traits of the characters easily, and to empathize with Rapulzel’s plight. The comic book style of this book is fun and when accompanied with the witty and engaging text, it creates a terrific read.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal- “This is the tale as you've never seen it before. …While the witch's castle is straight out of a fairy tale, the nearby mining camps and rugged surrounding countryside are a throwback to the Wild West and make sense in the world that the authors and illustrator have crafted. The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive”
Connections
*Official website of Shannon Hale www.squeetus.com
* Have students adapt other common tales into their own Graphic Novel, utilizing classroom references, Manilla paper, colored pencils and Markers.
Hale, Shannon. 2008. RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. Ill. by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 15999070X.
Plot Summary
Rapunzel’s goal is to free her birth mother and to avenge the wrong-doings she has experienced at the hands of “Mother Gothel” the woman who stole her from her true family, and locked her in a tree for years. Rapunzel makes good use of her extra long hair, utilizing it as a lasso, a whip, an a rope among other things. With the help of her new found friend Jack (of Jack and the beanstalk fame) she is able to free her mother, escape the wicked Gothel, and find love in this Wild West version of a classic tale with a big twist.
Critical Analysis
This Graphic novel ties in traditional folktales with fantasy in a way that is fun, easy to follow, and even easier to look at. The illustrations in this book are fantastic and add an abundance of substance to the written text. The setting is well established both through text and illustrations, and the reader is able to identify the time period, and main personality traits of the characters easily, and to empathize with Rapulzel’s plight. The comic book style of this book is fun and when accompanied with the witty and engaging text, it creates a terrific read.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal- “This is the tale as you've never seen it before. …While the witch's castle is straight out of a fairy tale, the nearby mining camps and rugged surrounding countryside are a throwback to the Wild West and make sense in the world that the authors and illustrator have crafted. The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive”
Connections
*Official website of Shannon Hale www.squeetus.com
* Have students adapt other common tales into their own Graphic Novel, utilizing classroom references, Manilla paper, colored pencils and Markers.
Princess Academy
Bibliography
\
Hale, Shannon. 2005. PRINCESS ACADEMY. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1582349932.
Plot Summary
Miri, a young girl from the territory of Mount Eskel in Danland has always felt left out and like a burden on her community. Unable to work in the linder quarries with the rest of the village, she spends her days tending to goats, and admiring the mountain flower she was named for, until everything changes. All girls between fourteen and eighteen from Mount Eskel are sent to the Princess Academy, and one will be chosen as the next princess of Danland. Miri is determined to learn as much as she can, and make her family and village proud, even if it means leaving the mountain she loves so much. Miri proves herself to be the brightest girl in the group, as she learns more about the world around her, and herself. Many obstacles are overcome, and bonds are built, but in the end, Miri’s heart realizes she is not meant to be the next Princess of Danland, but rather to improve the mountain community she loves so much.
Critical Analysis
This work of low fantasy is engaging and consistent. The reader can easily empathize with Miri, and root for her as she stands up to the unfair tutor, or worse, the threatening band of bandits that invade the academy. The supernatural “quarry speech” used by villagers is presented in a believable way, and plays a strong role in Miri’s development as a character. The setting of Mount Eskel is well described, and it is easy to visualize the gleaming linder stone and miri flowers as Miri explores the mountain. The theme that even the little people can accomplish big things is prominent throughout this story accompanied by the importance of following your heart.
Review Excerpt
2006 Newberry Honor Book
Kirkus Reviews – “There are many pleasures to this satisfying tale: a precise lyricism to the language and a rhythm to the story that takes its tropes from many places, but its heart from ours...[A]n unalloyed joy."
Connections
*This book is geared towards young female readers.
*Access Shannon Hale’s group reading guide at http://www.squeetus.com/stage/academy.pdf
*Other books by Shannon Hale
ENNA BURNING. ISBN 1582349061.
THE GOOSE GIRL. ISBN 1582349908.
RIVER SECRETS. ISBN 1599902931.
\
Hale, Shannon. 2005. PRINCESS ACADEMY. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1582349932.
Plot Summary
Miri, a young girl from the territory of Mount Eskel in Danland has always felt left out and like a burden on her community. Unable to work in the linder quarries with the rest of the village, she spends her days tending to goats, and admiring the mountain flower she was named for, until everything changes. All girls between fourteen and eighteen from Mount Eskel are sent to the Princess Academy, and one will be chosen as the next princess of Danland. Miri is determined to learn as much as she can, and make her family and village proud, even if it means leaving the mountain she loves so much. Miri proves herself to be the brightest girl in the group, as she learns more about the world around her, and herself. Many obstacles are overcome, and bonds are built, but in the end, Miri’s heart realizes she is not meant to be the next Princess of Danland, but rather to improve the mountain community she loves so much.
Critical Analysis
This work of low fantasy is engaging and consistent. The reader can easily empathize with Miri, and root for her as she stands up to the unfair tutor, or worse, the threatening band of bandits that invade the academy. The supernatural “quarry speech” used by villagers is presented in a believable way, and plays a strong role in Miri’s development as a character. The setting of Mount Eskel is well described, and it is easy to visualize the gleaming linder stone and miri flowers as Miri explores the mountain. The theme that even the little people can accomplish big things is prominent throughout this story accompanied by the importance of following your heart.
Review Excerpt
2006 Newberry Honor Book
Kirkus Reviews – “There are many pleasures to this satisfying tale: a precise lyricism to the language and a rhythm to the story that takes its tropes from many places, but its heart from ours...[A]n unalloyed joy."
Connections
*This book is geared towards young female readers.
*Access Shannon Hale’s group reading guide at http://www.squeetus.com/stage/academy.pdf
*Other books by Shannon Hale
ENNA BURNING. ISBN 1582349061.
THE GOOSE GIRL. ISBN 1582349908.
RIVER SECRETS. ISBN 1599902931.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Weedflower
Bibliography
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. WEEDFLOWER. New York: Antheneum. ISBN 0689865740.
Plot Summary
WEEDFLOWER is the story of a young, twelve year old girl, Sumiko, and her family during the tense times before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Before Pearl Harbor, Sumiko and her family are happy flower farmers in California, Sumiko was aware of the tensions between Japanese Americans and Caucasians, but these tensions were solidified when she and her family were forced to move to Potson, Arizona to an internment camp. While there, Sumiko is able to revive her love of flowers and gardening, and she makes her very first true friend in a Native American boy, Frank, and to see how the two groups of people are helping each other in a time of great need.
Critical Analysis
This story is told in a way that allows the reader to easily identify with Sumiko and her family, and to see the hardships and injustices they suffered for their heritage. The book gets it title from the name of Sumiko’s favorite flower, stock, often call Weedflower. Kadohata presents authentic historical information in a vivid way, describing the setting of the internment camp in such a way that the reader can visualize the barracks sprawled in the desert, and later, the lush, green gardens growing where it once seemed impossible. The familial ties are so well described that the reader can feel Sumiko’s ties to her younger brother “Tak-Tak”, her cousin Bull, and her grandfather Jiichan. Sumiko evolves from a young girl wanting nothing more than to attend the birthday party of the popular girl from school, into a young lady who understands her families history, her own feelings, and her strengths. This book brings to light a subject that is otherwise little discussed, and often overlooked in history books and classes. Kadohata’s knowledge stems from her own fathers experience at the internment camp, as well as much study of the history, giving this book much credit, and authentic historical value.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal- “Kadohata brings into play some complex issues, but they realistically dovetail with Sumiko's growth from child to young woman. She is a sympathetic heroine, surrounded by well-crafted, fascinating people. The concise yet lyrical prose conveys her story in a compelling narrative that will resonate with a wide audience.”
Connections
This book should lead students to further explore the Japanese Internment camps of WWII, and the history involved.
Students could participate in a science experiment, testing various typed of soil, fertile, and dry, to understand the work that went into Sumiko’s garden at the camp.
Other books by Cynthia Kadohata:
KIRA-KIRA. ISBN 0689856407.
OUTSIDE BEAUTY. ISBN 0689865759.
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. WEEDFLOWER. New York: Antheneum. ISBN 0689865740.
Plot Summary
WEEDFLOWER is the story of a young, twelve year old girl, Sumiko, and her family during the tense times before and after the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Before Pearl Harbor, Sumiko and her family are happy flower farmers in California, Sumiko was aware of the tensions between Japanese Americans and Caucasians, but these tensions were solidified when she and her family were forced to move to Potson, Arizona to an internment camp. While there, Sumiko is able to revive her love of flowers and gardening, and she makes her very first true friend in a Native American boy, Frank, and to see how the two groups of people are helping each other in a time of great need.
Critical Analysis
This story is told in a way that allows the reader to easily identify with Sumiko and her family, and to see the hardships and injustices they suffered for their heritage. The book gets it title from the name of Sumiko’s favorite flower, stock, often call Weedflower. Kadohata presents authentic historical information in a vivid way, describing the setting of the internment camp in such a way that the reader can visualize the barracks sprawled in the desert, and later, the lush, green gardens growing where it once seemed impossible. The familial ties are so well described that the reader can feel Sumiko’s ties to her younger brother “Tak-Tak”, her cousin Bull, and her grandfather Jiichan. Sumiko evolves from a young girl wanting nothing more than to attend the birthday party of the popular girl from school, into a young lady who understands her families history, her own feelings, and her strengths. This book brings to light a subject that is otherwise little discussed, and often overlooked in history books and classes. Kadohata’s knowledge stems from her own fathers experience at the internment camp, as well as much study of the history, giving this book much credit, and authentic historical value.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal- “Kadohata brings into play some complex issues, but they realistically dovetail with Sumiko's growth from child to young woman. She is a sympathetic heroine, surrounded by well-crafted, fascinating people. The concise yet lyrical prose conveys her story in a compelling narrative that will resonate with a wide audience.”
Connections
This book should lead students to further explore the Japanese Internment camps of WWII, and the history involved.
Students could participate in a science experiment, testing various typed of soil, fertile, and dry, to understand the work that went into Sumiko’s garden at the camp.
Other books by Cynthia Kadohata:
KIRA-KIRA. ISBN 0689856407.
OUTSIDE BEAUTY. ISBN 0689865759.
The River Between Us
Bibliography
Peck, Richard. 2003. THE RIVER BETWEEN US. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0803727456.
Plot Summary
Howard Leland Hutchings, with his two little brothers in tow, accompanies his father to his hometown of Grand Tower, Illinois. Once there, with the four adults who had raised his father, he is taken back to a time when the civil war was brewing, and to a family struggling through this tough time. The worlds of Tilly, Cass, and Noah Pruitt are forever changed when Delphine Duval and Calinda come ashore off a steamboat headed north from New Orleans. We see things change as Noah and Delphine fall in love, Tilly grows into a woman, Cass is able to come out of her shell with the help of Calinda, and eventually, as Noah goes off to fight in the Civil War. Much is discovered about all of the characters, as they struggle, overcome tragedy, and in the end, tighten the bonds that tie them as a family.
Critical Analysis
This book is written in such a way that the reader is truly able to visualize the characters, setting and struggles that this family encounters. Delphine’s prissy “southern” ways contrast greatly with the country lifestyle of the Pruitt family, adding interest and humor to the storyline. We also see her growth as an individual as she lets her guard down, and allows herself to get dirty when caring for injured soldiers in the field. As the characters are teenagers themselves, they are easy to relate to, and have feelings and thoughts that are understandable to young readers. This book certainly addresses many heavy issues such as slavery, mental illness, prejudice, and human rights. While these heavy themes are present, there is a light heartedness to it, allowing for some fun and fancy as well.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal – “In this thoroughly researched novel, Peck masterfully describes the female Civil War experience, the subtle and not-too-subtle ways the country was changing, and the split in loyalty that separated towns and even families.”
Connections
Have children explore their thoughts about how they would behave during the Civil War, and their opinions of the reasons behind the war.
Children could create their own works of historical fiction by imagining themselves during the Civil War, and creating their own stories.
Other books about the civil war for children and young adults:
Herbert, Janis. The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities. ISBN 1556523556.
Cohn, Scottie. Beyond Their Years: Stories of Sixteen Civil War Children. ISBN 0762710276.
Furbee, Mary Rodd. Outrageous Women of Civil War Times. ISBN 0471229261.
Peck, Richard. 2003. THE RIVER BETWEEN US. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0803727456.
Plot Summary
Howard Leland Hutchings, with his two little brothers in tow, accompanies his father to his hometown of Grand Tower, Illinois. Once there, with the four adults who had raised his father, he is taken back to a time when the civil war was brewing, and to a family struggling through this tough time. The worlds of Tilly, Cass, and Noah Pruitt are forever changed when Delphine Duval and Calinda come ashore off a steamboat headed north from New Orleans. We see things change as Noah and Delphine fall in love, Tilly grows into a woman, Cass is able to come out of her shell with the help of Calinda, and eventually, as Noah goes off to fight in the Civil War. Much is discovered about all of the characters, as they struggle, overcome tragedy, and in the end, tighten the bonds that tie them as a family.
Critical Analysis
This book is written in such a way that the reader is truly able to visualize the characters, setting and struggles that this family encounters. Delphine’s prissy “southern” ways contrast greatly with the country lifestyle of the Pruitt family, adding interest and humor to the storyline. We also see her growth as an individual as she lets her guard down, and allows herself to get dirty when caring for injured soldiers in the field. As the characters are teenagers themselves, they are easy to relate to, and have feelings and thoughts that are understandable to young readers. This book certainly addresses many heavy issues such as slavery, mental illness, prejudice, and human rights. While these heavy themes are present, there is a light heartedness to it, allowing for some fun and fancy as well.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal – “In this thoroughly researched novel, Peck masterfully describes the female Civil War experience, the subtle and not-too-subtle ways the country was changing, and the split in loyalty that separated towns and even families.”
Connections
Have children explore their thoughts about how they would behave during the Civil War, and their opinions of the reasons behind the war.
Children could create their own works of historical fiction by imagining themselves during the Civil War, and creating their own stories.
Other books about the civil war for children and young adults:
Herbert, Janis. The Civil War for Kids: A History with 21 Activities. ISBN 1556523556.
Cohn, Scottie. Beyond Their Years: Stories of Sixteen Civil War Children. ISBN 0762710276.
Furbee, Mary Rodd. Outrageous Women of Civil War Times. ISBN 0471229261.
Number the Stars
Bibliography
Lowry, Lois. 1989. NUMBER THE STARS. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell. ISBN 0440403278.
Plot Summary
This story is told through the eyes Annemarie Johansen, a young girl living in Copenhagen, Denmark during WWII. This brave young girl and her family are able to face the oppression of the Nazi forces in their town, and come to the aid of their close friends and neighbors, the Rosen family. This brave young girl is able to lead her friend to safety, by helping her Mother, Uncle, and family friend, as they work with the Danish Resistance to carry Jewish families across the sea to Sweden, where freedom awaits.
Critical Analysis
Lois Lowry has created an engaging cast of characters in this work of Historical fiction. While it is full of historical facts and information, it is presented in a style that is readable, and easy to comprehend. The reader is able to sense the fear and concern within the residents of Copenhagen, as Annemarie, Ellen, and Kirsti are confronted on a street corner by Nazi officers, and as their home in invaded on a search for the missing Rosen family. The setting is well described, and it is easy to visualize the streets of Denmark as it was, and had once been. It is often pointed out that the Danes are to help each other, and to do what’s right, even in the face of danger and adversity. The historical information presented by Lowry is factual, and based upon her own research, as well as the stories she had been told by a close friend who lived through this time in Denmark. The strength and bravery of this cast of characters, and the Danish resistance as a whole is tremendous, and touching. This story provides great opportunity for the discussion and exploration of themes such as bravery, freedom, and human decency.
Review Excerpt(s)
1990 Newberry Award winner
Booklist- “Lowry tells her story well, fashioning a tense climax…”
School Library Journal- “[a story of] Denmark and the Danish people, whose Resistance was so effective in saving their Jews.”
Connections
Lowry, Lois. 1989. NUMBER THE STARS. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell. ISBN 0440403278.
Plot Summary
This story is told through the eyes Annemarie Johansen, a young girl living in Copenhagen, Denmark during WWII. This brave young girl and her family are able to face the oppression of the Nazi forces in their town, and come to the aid of their close friends and neighbors, the Rosen family. This brave young girl is able to lead her friend to safety, by helping her Mother, Uncle, and family friend, as they work with the Danish Resistance to carry Jewish families across the sea to Sweden, where freedom awaits.
Critical Analysis
Lois Lowry has created an engaging cast of characters in this work of Historical fiction. While it is full of historical facts and information, it is presented in a style that is readable, and easy to comprehend. The reader is able to sense the fear and concern within the residents of Copenhagen, as Annemarie, Ellen, and Kirsti are confronted on a street corner by Nazi officers, and as their home in invaded on a search for the missing Rosen family. The setting is well described, and it is easy to visualize the streets of Denmark as it was, and had once been. It is often pointed out that the Danes are to help each other, and to do what’s right, even in the face of danger and adversity. The historical information presented by Lowry is factual, and based upon her own research, as well as the stories she had been told by a close friend who lived through this time in Denmark. The strength and bravery of this cast of characters, and the Danish resistance as a whole is tremendous, and touching. This story provides great opportunity for the discussion and exploration of themes such as bravery, freedom, and human decency.
Review Excerpt(s)
1990 Newberry Award winner
Booklist- “Lowry tells her story well, fashioning a tense climax…”
School Library Journal- “[a story of] Denmark and the Danish people, whose Resistance was so effective in saving their Jews.”
Connections
*This book should prompt student interest and discussion of the events of World War II, and the treatment of Jews in Denmark, and across Europe.
* Other Books about children in World War II
Vos, Ida. HIDE AND SEEK. ISBN 0140369082.
Napoli, Donna Jo. STONES IN WATER. ISBN 0141306009.
Deedy, Carmen Agra. The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark. ISBN 1561452084.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
We Are The Ship
Bibliography
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 0786808322.
Plot Summary
In this book, Kadir Nelson explores the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues. With the input of some of the players themselves, he reveals the struggles, injustices, and triumphs of the leagues, and the players. The story is told from the viewpoint of a player looking back on their experiences playing the game. The book begins as they players struggle through the challenges of being discriminated against, and travelling in less than desirable conditions “that cramped bus would get pretty ripe on some of those summer nights” to the end of the Negro leagues after Jackie Robinson made it into the major leagues.
Critical Analysis
Nelson really opens the reader up to the world of the Negro Baseball Leagues in this historical book. The style is really engaging, as the story is told through the mind of a past player looking back on his experience in the early years of Negro baseball. The paintings that accompany the text are remarkable, and help to paint the pictures of the past, and open up this world to the reader. The title We Are the Ship is derived from a memorable quote by the founder of the Negro National League, Rube Foster, “We are the Ship: all else the sea.” This is a truly outstanding work that pulls the reader into the world of baseball.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal - “A lost piece of American history comes to life in Kadir Nelson's elegant and eloquent history (Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008) of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players.”
Connections
Have students explore the history of baseball and how the game has changed over the years.
Create Biographies of players featured in We Are The Ship, and other memorable players.
Other books about baseball history:
White, G. Edward. CREATING THE NATIONAL PASTIME. ISBN 0691058857
McKissack, P.C., and McKissack, F.L. BLACK DIAMOND: THE STORY OF THE NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUES. ISBN 059068213X.
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 0786808322.
Plot Summary
In this book, Kadir Nelson explores the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues. With the input of some of the players themselves, he reveals the struggles, injustices, and triumphs of the leagues, and the players. The story is told from the viewpoint of a player looking back on their experiences playing the game. The book begins as they players struggle through the challenges of being discriminated against, and travelling in less than desirable conditions “that cramped bus would get pretty ripe on some of those summer nights” to the end of the Negro leagues after Jackie Robinson made it into the major leagues.
Critical Analysis
Nelson really opens the reader up to the world of the Negro Baseball Leagues in this historical book. The style is really engaging, as the story is told through the mind of a past player looking back on his experience in the early years of Negro baseball. The paintings that accompany the text are remarkable, and help to paint the pictures of the past, and open up this world to the reader. The title We Are the Ship is derived from a memorable quote by the founder of the Negro National League, Rube Foster, “We are the Ship: all else the sea.” This is a truly outstanding work that pulls the reader into the world of baseball.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal - “A lost piece of American history comes to life in Kadir Nelson's elegant and eloquent history (Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008) of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players.”
Connections
Have students explore the history of baseball and how the game has changed over the years.
Create Biographies of players featured in We Are The Ship, and other memorable players.
Other books about baseball history:
White, G. Edward. CREATING THE NATIONAL PASTIME. ISBN 0691058857
McKissack, P.C., and McKissack, F.L. BLACK DIAMOND: THE STORY OF THE NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUES. ISBN 059068213X.
Encantado: The Pink Dolphin of the Amazon.
Bibliography
Montgomery, Sy. 2002. ENCANTADO: PINK DOLPHIN OF THE AMAZON. Photo. by Dianne Taylor-Snow. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618131035.
Plot Summary
This informational text brings light to a little known creature, the pink dolphin of the Amazon, or Encantado. These creatures are only found in the waters of the Amazon river, and are the subject of much interest and mystery. Montgomery take s the reader to the Amazon, and explores this creature’s habitat, while informing about other interesting animals of the Amazon, and the people who live there. This book explores the science of these creatures, and compares them with other types of whales and dolphins, and uses the knowledge of experts and natives to do so.
Critical Analysis
Sy Montgomery writes this book in a way that allows to reader to feel the experience. You are transplanted to the Amazon, and adventure through the wild with her as the world of the Encantado is revealed. The information within the book was all gained through the Authors personal experiences and studies in the Amazon, where she worked with scientists and locals to uncover as much as possible about these pink dolphins, making this a very accurate bank of information. The photography featured supports the text (some were taken in the Amazon, while the close-ups featured are from the Pittsburgh Zoo), and enhances the feeling of having been on this adventure with the author. The text is also supported with graphs and maps of information about the area and the Encantado.
Review Excerpt
Booklist- “ instead of a traditional animal study, children are treated to a captivating travelogue, complete with numerous color photos of the people and places that incorporates political, environmental, and zoological aspects of the region.”
Connections
Students can research and explore the Encantado, as well as other dolphins and whales.
Other books about dolphins:
James, Sylvia. DOLPHINS. ISBN 1590340108.
Carwardine, Mark. Whales and Dolphins. ISBN 0789489902.
Hesse, Karen. THE MUSIC OF DOLPHINS. ISBN 0590897985.
Montgomery, Sy. 2002. ENCANTADO: PINK DOLPHIN OF THE AMAZON. Photo. by Dianne Taylor-Snow. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618131035.
Plot Summary
This informational text brings light to a little known creature, the pink dolphin of the Amazon, or Encantado. These creatures are only found in the waters of the Amazon river, and are the subject of much interest and mystery. Montgomery take s the reader to the Amazon, and explores this creature’s habitat, while informing about other interesting animals of the Amazon, and the people who live there. This book explores the science of these creatures, and compares them with other types of whales and dolphins, and uses the knowledge of experts and natives to do so.
Critical Analysis
Sy Montgomery writes this book in a way that allows to reader to feel the experience. You are transplanted to the Amazon, and adventure through the wild with her as the world of the Encantado is revealed. The information within the book was all gained through the Authors personal experiences and studies in the Amazon, where she worked with scientists and locals to uncover as much as possible about these pink dolphins, making this a very accurate bank of information. The photography featured supports the text (some were taken in the Amazon, while the close-ups featured are from the Pittsburgh Zoo), and enhances the feeling of having been on this adventure with the author. The text is also supported with graphs and maps of information about the area and the Encantado.
Review Excerpt
Booklist- “ instead of a traditional animal study, children are treated to a captivating travelogue, complete with numerous color photos of the people and places that incorporates political, environmental, and zoological aspects of the region.”
Connections
Students can research and explore the Encantado, as well as other dolphins and whales.
Other books about dolphins:
James, Sylvia. DOLPHINS. ISBN 1590340108.
Carwardine, Mark. Whales and Dolphins. ISBN 0789489902.
Hesse, Karen. THE MUSIC OF DOLPHINS. ISBN 0590897985.
Walt Whitman: Words for America
Bibliography
Kerley, Barbara. 2004. WALT WHITMAN: WORDS FOR AMERICA. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439357918.
Plot Summary
This picture book bibliography follows the life of the famous American poet Walt Whitman from his early childhood in Brooklyn, to his experiences during the Civil War. Whitman’s early experience with the printing press sparked his love of the printed word, and led him to create his own writing. It began with articles contributed to the local paper, then to a paper all his own, and eventually the poetry he is so well known for. This particular biography focuses on Whitman’s experiences with the civil war, and how it affected him personally, as well as artistically. Whitman’s civil war experience began as his younger brother George was wounded in the field of battle. Whitman searched for his injured brother, and once he found him to be safe, he spent time with the soldiers, and found a very special place in his heart for these soldiers, and committed himself to help in any way he could. He spent time simply keeping injured soldiers in D.C. company as they recovered, or passed away. This experience shaped much of Whitman’s most memorable poetry.
Critical Analysis
This book is made up of beautiful double page spreads combining illustration, text, and Whitman’s poetry. The author’s ability to make the historical elements interesting and easy to read is impressive, as well as the accuracy of the accounts. The Illustrations truly match the text, and enhance the meaning and understanding of the text. For example the poem “ O my soldiers, my veterans, my heart gives you love…” is set within illustrations of wounded soldiers who Whitman was close with during his aide at the hospital, making the poetry even more meaningful. The Author, as well as the Illustrator, clearly devoted much time to researching the subject, and forming an understanding of his experiences during the Civil War. This is truly an engaging biography.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal- “Libraries will want to add this unabashedly glowing tribute as well for the infectious zeal both author and illustrator bring to their subject and his writings, excerpts of which can be found woven seamlessly into the text and the art”
Connections
Share poetry by Walt Whitman:
LEAVES OF GRASS: The Original 1855 Edition. ISBN 0486456765
DRUM-TAPS. ISBN 1110441398
Kerley, Barbara. 2004. WALT WHITMAN: WORDS FOR AMERICA. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439357918.
Plot Summary
This picture book bibliography follows the life of the famous American poet Walt Whitman from his early childhood in Brooklyn, to his experiences during the Civil War. Whitman’s early experience with the printing press sparked his love of the printed word, and led him to create his own writing. It began with articles contributed to the local paper, then to a paper all his own, and eventually the poetry he is so well known for. This particular biography focuses on Whitman’s experiences with the civil war, and how it affected him personally, as well as artistically. Whitman’s civil war experience began as his younger brother George was wounded in the field of battle. Whitman searched for his injured brother, and once he found him to be safe, he spent time with the soldiers, and found a very special place in his heart for these soldiers, and committed himself to help in any way he could. He spent time simply keeping injured soldiers in D.C. company as they recovered, or passed away. This experience shaped much of Whitman’s most memorable poetry.
Critical Analysis
This book is made up of beautiful double page spreads combining illustration, text, and Whitman’s poetry. The author’s ability to make the historical elements interesting and easy to read is impressive, as well as the accuracy of the accounts. The Illustrations truly match the text, and enhance the meaning and understanding of the text. For example the poem “ O my soldiers, my veterans, my heart gives you love…” is set within illustrations of wounded soldiers who Whitman was close with during his aide at the hospital, making the poetry even more meaningful. The Author, as well as the Illustrator, clearly devoted much time to researching the subject, and forming an understanding of his experiences during the Civil War. This is truly an engaging biography.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal- “Libraries will want to add this unabashedly glowing tribute as well for the infectious zeal both author and illustrator bring to their subject and his writings, excerpts of which can be found woven seamlessly into the text and the art”
Connections
Share poetry by Walt Whitman:
LEAVES OF GRASS: The Original 1855 Edition. ISBN 0486456765
DRUM-TAPS. ISBN 1110441398
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Witness
Bibliography
Hesse, Karen. 2001. WITNESS. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0606274537.
Plot Summary
This verse novel is set in 1924 Vermont in a town that is being torn apart as the Ku Klux Klan moves in and stirs up trouble in the community. The story is told from various points of view, including those who are in the most danger, Leanora Sutter, a 12 year old African American girl, and Esther Hirsch a six year old Jewish girl. The town’s allegiances are split between the appeal of “the good American men” of the KKK and their personal convictions about humanity, religion, and their very own neighbors. In the end, after violence and struggle, it appears the town has come to its senses, and driven the Klan out of their lives.
Critical Analysis
Hesse does a wonderful job of letting the reader into the hearts and minds of the eleven characters featured in Witness. There is no rhyme to this poetry, it is written in free verse, and flows like dialogue, “Only the little girl from new york, Esther, that funny talking kid, only Esther didn’t mind about me being colored.” This verse novel is easy to read, and to follow the progress of this community as they struggle to overcome prejudice, violence, and ignorance.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal – “Remarkable and powerful…a thoughtful look at people and their capacity for love and hate.”
Kirkus Reviews - “What Copland created with music, and Hopper created with paint, Hesse deftly and unerringly creates with words.”
Connections
*Other books of poetry by Karen Hesse
OUT OF THE DUST. ISBN 0590360809
COME ON, RAIN. ISBN 0590331256
THE MUSIC OF DOLPHINS. ISBN 0590897985
Hesse, Karen. 2001. WITNESS. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0606274537.
Plot Summary
This verse novel is set in 1924 Vermont in a town that is being torn apart as the Ku Klux Klan moves in and stirs up trouble in the community. The story is told from various points of view, including those who are in the most danger, Leanora Sutter, a 12 year old African American girl, and Esther Hirsch a six year old Jewish girl. The town’s allegiances are split between the appeal of “the good American men” of the KKK and their personal convictions about humanity, religion, and their very own neighbors. In the end, after violence and struggle, it appears the town has come to its senses, and driven the Klan out of their lives.
Critical Analysis
Hesse does a wonderful job of letting the reader into the hearts and minds of the eleven characters featured in Witness. There is no rhyme to this poetry, it is written in free verse, and flows like dialogue, “Only the little girl from new york, Esther, that funny talking kid, only Esther didn’t mind about me being colored.” This verse novel is easy to read, and to follow the progress of this community as they struggle to overcome prejudice, violence, and ignorance.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal – “Remarkable and powerful…a thoughtful look at people and their capacity for love and hate.”
Kirkus Reviews - “What Copland created with music, and Hopper created with paint, Hesse deftly and unerringly creates with words.”
Connections
*Other books of poetry by Karen Hesse
OUT OF THE DUST. ISBN 0590360809
COME ON, RAIN. ISBN 0590331256
THE MUSIC OF DOLPHINS. ISBN 0590897985
Meow Ruff
Bibliography
Sidman, Joyce. 2006. MEOW RUFF: A STORY IN CONCRETE POETRY. Ill. By Michelle Berg. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0618448942
Plot Summary
On a bright sunny day, a dog slips quickly out of an open door. Simultaneously, a small white cat is dropped out of a car onto the curb, let the chase begin! As the two animals run, a sudden storm begins to brew, leading them to seek shelter in the same place. They form an unlikely bond, and in the end, the dog’s owner brings the cat home to live with them.
Critical Analysis
The illustrations and poems in this book come together as one. Sidman uses concrete poetry to bring the scenery in these poems to life. The clouds in the beginning are made up of the words “plump bright dome of sugary white sky-muffin”, but as the storm heats up, they transform into “dense dark drenching murk.” Even the grass, lining the bottom of the pages, is composed of descriptive words like “Ticklish, Feathery, Earth-smell, Sun-Warmed, Paw-Soft Grass” that transform along with the weather to a “soaking, sinking, seeping, draining, slurping sponge of grassy dirt.”
This book is wonderfully designed, so that the poetry and illustration become one, and really engage the reader in the text. This book would be great to share with students as they begin to explore poetry, and understand its many forms.
Review Excerpt
Booklist- “It's typically said of picture books that art and text are inseparable, but the truth of that has rarely been more evident than it is in this introduction to concrete poetry--which, unlike most books about the form, doesn't just collect unrelated poems, but tells a story through them. With the same creativity of expression that marked Song of the Waterboatman (2005), a 2006 Caldecott Honor Book, Sidman develops a simple tale about a cat and dog trapped in a rainstorm, coding much of the substance right into the physical landscape.”
Connections
*Have students create their own concrete poetry using the shapes of animals, foliage, and common objects.
* Other Books if Concrete poetry for children
Graham, Joan. Flicker FLASH. ISBN 0618311025
Lewis, J. Patrick. DOODLE DANDIES: POEMS THAT TAKE SHAPE. ISBN 0689848897
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Bow Wow Meow Meow
Bibliography
Florian, Douglas. 2003. BOW WOW MEOW MEOW: IT’S RHYMING CATS AND DOGS. San
Diego: Harcourt. ISBN 0152163956.
Plot Summary
Dogs and cats of all kinds are brought to life through poetry in this fun book of animal poetry. These 21 poems, each personifying a different animal, really bring the creatures to life as they discuss their features, lifestyles, and quirks. The accompanying paintings add to the liveliness of these animals.
Critical Analysis
The watercolor paintings that accompany each of these original poems make the characters more dynamic. One poem titled “The Bulldog” ends with “His jowls are long. I’d say his face was full of charm If he would let go of my arm.” On the accompanying page, a painting of an otherwise sweet looking bulldog, with an arm stretched between his teeth. While the illustrations are eye catching and amusing, the poetry with in the book stands alone. The words create imagery, and allow the reader to picture the animals just as Florian has described them. The humor throughout his poetry makes this book even more enjoyable. Florian also uses concrete poetry in this collection to personify the “oodles and oodles of curls” that can be found on the Poodle.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal- “There are short poems ("I am a cat of longhaired version./A pet-igree that's known as purrrsian"), some a bit longer, and one that curls like poodles' hair. The language has flair, and the writing is zany and creative. The watercolor paintings in primarily pastel colors are great fun, revealing an attribute or the character of each animal. This is a delightful selection to read aloud to younger children, and it offers older students models of simple poems that really work.”
Connections
*Explore other books of animal poetry by Douglas Florian
Beast Feast. ISBN 0152017372
Mammalabilia. ISBN 0512050248
Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs. ISBN 0152052488
*Have students create pieces of animal poetry inspired by their favorite animals
Florian, Douglas. 2003. BOW WOW MEOW MEOW: IT’S RHYMING CATS AND DOGS. San
Diego: Harcourt. ISBN 0152163956.
Plot Summary
Dogs and cats of all kinds are brought to life through poetry in this fun book of animal poetry. These 21 poems, each personifying a different animal, really bring the creatures to life as they discuss their features, lifestyles, and quirks. The accompanying paintings add to the liveliness of these animals.
Critical Analysis
The watercolor paintings that accompany each of these original poems make the characters more dynamic. One poem titled “The Bulldog” ends with “His jowls are long. I’d say his face was full of charm If he would let go of my arm.” On the accompanying page, a painting of an otherwise sweet looking bulldog, with an arm stretched between his teeth. While the illustrations are eye catching and amusing, the poetry with in the book stands alone. The words create imagery, and allow the reader to picture the animals just as Florian has described them. The humor throughout his poetry makes this book even more enjoyable. Florian also uses concrete poetry in this collection to personify the “oodles and oodles of curls” that can be found on the Poodle.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal- “There are short poems ("I am a cat of longhaired version./A pet-igree that's known as purrrsian"), some a bit longer, and one that curls like poodles' hair. The language has flair, and the writing is zany and creative. The watercolor paintings in primarily pastel colors are great fun, revealing an attribute or the character of each animal. This is a delightful selection to read aloud to younger children, and it offers older students models of simple poems that really work.”
Connections
*Explore other books of animal poetry by Douglas Florian
Beast Feast. ISBN 0152017372
Mammalabilia. ISBN 0512050248
Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs. ISBN 0152052488
*Have students create pieces of animal poetry inspired by their favorite animals
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Cinderella
Bibliography
Perrault, Charles. 1971. CINDERELLA: OR THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER. Ill. By Shirley Hughes. New York: Henry Z. Walck, Inc. ISBN 0809811898.
Plot Summary
This classis fairy tale follows Cinderella through her trials with an unappreciative family to a happy end as the new wife of a prince. After Cinderella’s mother dies, her father marries a woman with two daughters of her own, who all treat Cinderella poorly. She is made to do all the household chores, and not invited to go to the prince’s balls. Fortunately, a fairy godmother appears and adorns Cinderella in the finest clothes, coach and horsemen to be seen, and sends her off to the first nights ball. Cinderella is such a hit with the prince that she must return to the second night’s festivities, and looks even lovelier than the first night. She forgets her one rule, to leave before the clock strikes twelve midnight, and must run from the castle. She leaves a shoe behind, and the Prince uses it to find her, she is married to the prince, and shows much more love and kindness to her two stepsisters than they ever showed to her.
Critical Analysis
This early version of Cinderella is a great one for children. It is not the “Disney” Cinderella they all know, and offers a different view on Cinderella as a person than that well-known version. In this story Cinderella shows love and forgiveness to the two “Wicked” stepsisters, and is shown to be both beautiful and kind. The illustrations in this version of the tale are truly beautiful; they are ornate and colorful, showing great detail. These illustrations are also a nice variant from the cartoons in the Disney version of the tale. One aspect that sets this aside from other versions and fairy tales is that it does not have the traditional tag line “ and they lived happily ever after” pinned on the end. The mind simply assumes that it is so.
Review Excerpts
I could not find any Review excerpts for this edition, as it was published in 1971. The web reviews I found only allowed searches back through 1996.
Connections
This book opens the door to explore the world of Cinderella. Children can study multiple versions of this tale, from classic to modern day, and compare and contrast these stories.
A few Cinderella variants:
Sierra, Judy. 1992. CINDERELLA. ISBN 0897747275
Minters, Frances. CINDER-ELLY. ISBN 1563347237
Perrault, Charles. 1971. CINDERELLA: OR THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER. Ill. By Shirley Hughes. New York: Henry Z. Walck, Inc. ISBN 0809811898.
Plot Summary
This classis fairy tale follows Cinderella through her trials with an unappreciative family to a happy end as the new wife of a prince. After Cinderella’s mother dies, her father marries a woman with two daughters of her own, who all treat Cinderella poorly. She is made to do all the household chores, and not invited to go to the prince’s balls. Fortunately, a fairy godmother appears and adorns Cinderella in the finest clothes, coach and horsemen to be seen, and sends her off to the first nights ball. Cinderella is such a hit with the prince that she must return to the second night’s festivities, and looks even lovelier than the first night. She forgets her one rule, to leave before the clock strikes twelve midnight, and must run from the castle. She leaves a shoe behind, and the Prince uses it to find her, she is married to the prince, and shows much more love and kindness to her two stepsisters than they ever showed to her.
Critical Analysis
This early version of Cinderella is a great one for children. It is not the “Disney” Cinderella they all know, and offers a different view on Cinderella as a person than that well-known version. In this story Cinderella shows love and forgiveness to the two “Wicked” stepsisters, and is shown to be both beautiful and kind. The illustrations in this version of the tale are truly beautiful; they are ornate and colorful, showing great detail. These illustrations are also a nice variant from the cartoons in the Disney version of the tale. One aspect that sets this aside from other versions and fairy tales is that it does not have the traditional tag line “ and they lived happily ever after” pinned on the end. The mind simply assumes that it is so.
Review Excerpts
I could not find any Review excerpts for this edition, as it was published in 1971. The web reviews I found only allowed searches back through 1996.
Connections
This book opens the door to explore the world of Cinderella. Children can study multiple versions of this tale, from classic to modern day, and compare and contrast these stories.
A few Cinderella variants:
Sierra, Judy. 1992. CINDERELLA. ISBN 0897747275
Minters, Frances. CINDER-ELLY. ISBN 1563347237
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Four Gallant Sisters
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric A. 1992. THE FOUR GALLANT SISTERS: ADAPTED FROM THE BROTHERS GRIMM. Ill by Tatyana Yuditskaya. New York: Henry Holt and Company Inc. ISBN 0805019014.
Plot Summary
This Folk tale takes place “Once upon a time” when women were not able to hold jobs, and fend for themselves in the world. This was not the ideal time for four young sisters to be orphaned and left to make their way alone. These four sisters concocted a plan to disguise themselves as men, establish themselves in a trade, and return in seven years as accomplished individuals. One sister became a tailor, another a hunter, one a “finger artist” and the last a stargazer. Each became a master of their chosen field, and was awarded a magical gift.When the four returned home, they were employed in the King’s court, where their gender was challenged numerous times, and they nearly escaped being found out. In the end, they were discovered to be women, and were wed to four princes of their own.
Critical Analysis
This story has all of the elements of a traditional fairy tale variant of a folk tale. There is a rhythm and predictability to the writing, an element of magic, and the conventional beginning and end with “And they all lived Happily Ever After.” However, this is a leser known fairy tale, and is quite engaging to the reader. The Illustrations offer a lot of draw and pizzazz, as they show in detail the lives and experiences of these four gallant sisters.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal – “Here's real reading pleasure. Kimmel takes an old tale, reworks it through the filter of contemporary consciousness, and couches his adaptation in the strong, direct language of a master storyteller. By changing the gender of the Grimms' ``The Four Artful Brothers,'' he creates a fresh and engaging tale without sacrificing the traditional structure and provides female characters who control their own destiny through hard work and intelligence and achieve a ``happily ever after'' ending.”
Connections
Featured stories by Eric Kimmel:
THE THREE PRINCES. ISBN 082341115
THE LADY IN THE BLUE CLOAK: Legends from the Texas Missions. ISBN 0823417387
BERNAL AND FLORINDA: A SPANISH TALE. ISBN 0823410897
Kimmel, Eric A. 1992. THE FOUR GALLANT SISTERS: ADAPTED FROM THE BROTHERS GRIMM. Ill by Tatyana Yuditskaya. New York: Henry Holt and Company Inc. ISBN 0805019014.
Plot Summary
This Folk tale takes place “Once upon a time” when women were not able to hold jobs, and fend for themselves in the world. This was not the ideal time for four young sisters to be orphaned and left to make their way alone. These four sisters concocted a plan to disguise themselves as men, establish themselves in a trade, and return in seven years as accomplished individuals. One sister became a tailor, another a hunter, one a “finger artist” and the last a stargazer. Each became a master of their chosen field, and was awarded a magical gift.When the four returned home, they were employed in the King’s court, where their gender was challenged numerous times, and they nearly escaped being found out. In the end, they were discovered to be women, and were wed to four princes of their own.
Critical Analysis
This story has all of the elements of a traditional fairy tale variant of a folk tale. There is a rhythm and predictability to the writing, an element of magic, and the conventional beginning and end with “And they all lived Happily Ever After.” However, this is a leser known fairy tale, and is quite engaging to the reader. The Illustrations offer a lot of draw and pizzazz, as they show in detail the lives and experiences of these four gallant sisters.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal – “Here's real reading pleasure. Kimmel takes an old tale, reworks it through the filter of contemporary consciousness, and couches his adaptation in the strong, direct language of a master storyteller. By changing the gender of the Grimms' ``The Four Artful Brothers,'' he creates a fresh and engaging tale without sacrificing the traditional structure and provides female characters who control their own destiny through hard work and intelligence and achieve a ``happily ever after'' ending.”
Connections
Featured stories by Eric Kimmel:
THE THREE PRINCES. ISBN 082341115
THE LADY IN THE BLUE CLOAK: Legends from the Texas Missions. ISBN 0823417387
BERNAL AND FLORINDA: A SPANISH TALE. ISBN 0823410897
These stories by Eric Kimmel explore a variety of cultures, and allow students to see how one author can explore many different cultures and subjects.
Schoolyard Rhymes
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sierra, Judy. 2005. SCHOOLYARD RHYMES: KIDS OWN RHYMES FOR ROPE SKIPPING, HAND CLAPPING, BALL BOUNCING, AND JUST PLAIN FUN. Ill by Melissa Sweet. New York: Alfred A. Kopf. ISBN 0375925163.
Plot Summary
This compilation of children’s songs, games and rhymes is fun and uplifting. The combination of many familiar rhymes and songs and eye catching and fun illustrations makes this book great for kids and classrooms. The rhymes are well put together, and the accompanying illustrations make them either more fun.
Critical Analysis
This book would be an ideal fun read aloud for younger students. The rhymes featured in this book have been popular with children for quite some time, and with a book like this to engage children in them, they are sure to stick around. This book can inspire children to get up and play, or to create poems and rhymes of their own.
Review Excerpts
The Horn Book- "This picture book rejoices in the rhymes of childhood -- not the adult-approved Mother Goose nursery rhymes but the sometimes spiteful, always zesty rhymes chanted by children themselves."
Kirkus Reviews- “Drawing on her Ph.D. in folklore, Sierra has compiled an upbeat selection of dozens of schoolyard rhymes and runny poems, complemented by Sweet's charming illustrations in watercolor and fabric collage . . . . There are many available collections of children's traditional rhymes, but this one uses bright colors, great illustrations and pleasing design elements to reach out to contemporary children."
Connections
The class could go out to the playground and practice singing and rhyming these fun songs!
This book would be a great lead in to a rhyming unit. This book could be read aloud, and then children could be prompted to come up with their own rhymes.
Explore rhyming dictionaries and discuss how to create a good rhyming phrase.
Rhyming Dictionary:
Young, Sue. SCHOLASTIC RHYMING DICTIONARY. ISBN 0439796423
Sierra, Judy. 2005. SCHOOLYARD RHYMES: KIDS OWN RHYMES FOR ROPE SKIPPING, HAND CLAPPING, BALL BOUNCING, AND JUST PLAIN FUN. Ill by Melissa Sweet. New York: Alfred A. Kopf. ISBN 0375925163.
Plot Summary
This compilation of children’s songs, games and rhymes is fun and uplifting. The combination of many familiar rhymes and songs and eye catching and fun illustrations makes this book great for kids and classrooms. The rhymes are well put together, and the accompanying illustrations make them either more fun.
Critical Analysis
This book would be an ideal fun read aloud for younger students. The rhymes featured in this book have been popular with children for quite some time, and with a book like this to engage children in them, they are sure to stick around. This book can inspire children to get up and play, or to create poems and rhymes of their own.
Review Excerpts
The Horn Book- "This picture book rejoices in the rhymes of childhood -- not the adult-approved Mother Goose nursery rhymes but the sometimes spiteful, always zesty rhymes chanted by children themselves."
Kirkus Reviews- “Drawing on her Ph.D. in folklore, Sierra has compiled an upbeat selection of dozens of schoolyard rhymes and runny poems, complemented by Sweet's charming illustrations in watercolor and fabric collage . . . . There are many available collections of children's traditional rhymes, but this one uses bright colors, great illustrations and pleasing design elements to reach out to contemporary children."
Connections
The class could go out to the playground and practice singing and rhyming these fun songs!
This book would be a great lead in to a rhyming unit. This book could be read aloud, and then children could be prompted to come up with their own rhymes.
Explore rhyming dictionaries and discuss how to create a good rhyming phrase.
Rhyming Dictionary:
Young, Sue. SCHOLASTIC RHYMING DICTIONARY. ISBN 0439796423
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Pass It Down: Five Picture Book Families Make Their Mark
Bibliography
Marcus, Leonard S. 2007. PASS IT DOWN: FIVE PICTURE BOOK FAMILIES MAKE THEIR MARK. New York: Walker & Company. ISBN 080279601
Plot Summary
This book explores the connections between five different picture book families, and how they
all came to be involved in the industry. Their family legacies have made a mark on the picture book world, with their involvement in meaningful books throughout the past century. This biographical exploration of the Crews, Hurd, Myers, Pinkney, and Rockwell families engages readers in the family histories, and the processes of picture book illustration and authoring.
Critical Analysis
This book really offers a good insight into the families featured within. It allows the reader to understand the family dynamics, and the childhood of the youngest family members. This is an interesting take on these artists and their works.
Review Excerpt
Kirkus Reviews- “Fascinating . . . An outstanding work about the connections between parents and children, editors and artists and readers and writers."
Connections
*Other books about Picture Books
Bang, Molly. PICTURE THIS:HOW PICTURE BOOKS WORK. ISBN 1587170302
Marcus, Leonard S. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. ISBN 0802786561
Marcus, Leonard S. 2007. PASS IT DOWN: FIVE PICTURE BOOK FAMILIES MAKE THEIR MARK. New York: Walker & Company. ISBN 080279601
Plot Summary
This book explores the connections between five different picture book families, and how they
all came to be involved in the industry. Their family legacies have made a mark on the picture book world, with their involvement in meaningful books throughout the past century. This biographical exploration of the Crews, Hurd, Myers, Pinkney, and Rockwell families engages readers in the family histories, and the processes of picture book illustration and authoring.
Critical Analysis
This book really offers a good insight into the families featured within. It allows the reader to understand the family dynamics, and the childhood of the youngest family members. This is an interesting take on these artists and their works.
Review Excerpt
Kirkus Reviews- “Fascinating . . . An outstanding work about the connections between parents and children, editors and artists and readers and writers."
Connections
*Other books about Picture Books
Bang, Molly. PICTURE THIS:HOW PICTURE BOOKS WORK. ISBN 1587170302
Marcus, Leonard S. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. ISBN 0802786561
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale.
Bibliography
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786818700
Plot Summary
In this Picture book, a young girl, Trixie, goes on a trip with her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny to the Laundromat in Brooklyn. Trixie is so excited to be helping her dad with the
laundry that she accidentally places Knuffle Bunny in the washer with the clothes.
After walking a few blocks toward home, Trixie realizes that the bunny is missing, but, because she is not yet able to speak she has no way of communicating with her dad. She screams and fusses and stresses her dad out until they arrive home and mom instantly notices it’s missing.
The threesome dashes back to the Laundromat in search of the missing Knuffle Bunny, and it is eventually found in the load of wash. After all this chaos, Trixie speaks her first words, Knuffle
Bunny!!
Critical Analysis
The illustration of this book is so unusual and eye-catching. Cartoon like drawings are done on top of photography of the streets of Brooklyn, giving the reader a sense of the community, and adding another level of interest. The writing is light and humorous, and allows the reader to feel the pain of both Trixie and her father, during their treacherous journey home. This book is both humorous, and endearing as you live this struggle with Trixie and her family.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal review: “Knuffle Bunny's contrast of the cartoony characters over the scenic grayscale photography is best described as very, very right”
Connections
Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. ISBN 1423102991
This book would be good for discussion about treasured items, family communication, and what it’s like to not be able to say what you need to.
Willems, Mo. 2004. KNUFFLE BUNNY: A CAUTIONARY TALE. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786818700
Plot Summary
In this Picture book, a young girl, Trixie, goes on a trip with her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny to the Laundromat in Brooklyn. Trixie is so excited to be helping her dad with the
laundry that she accidentally places Knuffle Bunny in the washer with the clothes.
After walking a few blocks toward home, Trixie realizes that the bunny is missing, but, because she is not yet able to speak she has no way of communicating with her dad. She screams and fusses and stresses her dad out until they arrive home and mom instantly notices it’s missing.
The threesome dashes back to the Laundromat in search of the missing Knuffle Bunny, and it is eventually found in the load of wash. After all this chaos, Trixie speaks her first words, Knuffle
Bunny!!
Critical Analysis
The illustration of this book is so unusual and eye-catching. Cartoon like drawings are done on top of photography of the streets of Brooklyn, giving the reader a sense of the community, and adding another level of interest. The writing is light and humorous, and allows the reader to feel the pain of both Trixie and her father, during their treacherous journey home. This book is both humorous, and endearing as you live this struggle with Trixie and her family.
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal review: “Knuffle Bunny's contrast of the cartoony characters over the scenic grayscale photography is best described as very, very right”
Connections
Willems, Mo. Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. ISBN 1423102991
This book would be good for discussion about treasured items, family communication, and what it’s like to not be able to say what you need to.
Monday, June 15, 2009
The House in the Night
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Swanson, Susan Marie, THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT. Ill. By Beth Krommes. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston 2008, ISBN 9780618862443
Plot Summary
This picture book takes the reader through a journey into a house with a young child. This child is offered a key to a house and led to a waiting book. This book takes you on a journey through the sky, and eventually leads you back to the room, in the house, in the night. The scratchboard illustrations in this book are truly amazing, and really bring the words to life. While there are very few words in this book, the illustrations really add to the story, and let the imagination take flight. This book shows the imagination of a child, and the joy of reading, without ever stating it so plainly. The child is taken on a journey of the imagination, by simply opening the book on their bed, and then returns to fall fast asleep for the night.
Critical Analysis
This book would be great for younger elementary students, as there is a rhythm to it that is easy to follow, and the illustration will catch their eyes. This book was the winner of this year’s Caldecott award, solidifying its place as an important piece of children’s literature. Even without the illustration, the text creates a lovely rhyme, and gives the reader a sense of comfort and peace. This book can be enjoyed by children of all ages, and will surely become a classic!
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal (May 31, 2008)
“Swanson's words are short simple. "Here is the key to the house / In the house burns a light / In that light rests a bed." As we read, a small child places the key on a hook as a dog, a cat, and some kittens mill about. She walks into the room and spots a book on the bed. "In that book flies a bird." As the text grows expansive, discussing the bird's song, the girl imagines taking a trip on its back above the land, "Through the dark", past the moon, and the sun, and the sky. In the end she goes to bed, not far from the key in, "the house in the night, a home full of light." The shape of the story allows it to go from a small intimate story to an exciting flight around the world, and then back to bed where the little girl curls up cozily and falls asleep. It's a tribute to bedtime stories themselves, without ever being blunt about its potential applications.” – Elizabeth Bird
Connections
This book presents a great segway into exploring the medium of scratch board for art. The class could create their own illustrations and compare them to the ones in the book.
Collect other books with scratchboard illustrations, and share with the class.
Swanson, Susan Marie, THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT. Ill. By Beth Krommes. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston 2008, ISBN 9780618862443
Plot Summary
This picture book takes the reader through a journey into a house with a young child. This child is offered a key to a house and led to a waiting book. This book takes you on a journey through the sky, and eventually leads you back to the room, in the house, in the night. The scratchboard illustrations in this book are truly amazing, and really bring the words to life. While there are very few words in this book, the illustrations really add to the story, and let the imagination take flight. This book shows the imagination of a child, and the joy of reading, without ever stating it so plainly. The child is taken on a journey of the imagination, by simply opening the book on their bed, and then returns to fall fast asleep for the night.
Critical Analysis
This book would be great for younger elementary students, as there is a rhythm to it that is easy to follow, and the illustration will catch their eyes. This book was the winner of this year’s Caldecott award, solidifying its place as an important piece of children’s literature. Even without the illustration, the text creates a lovely rhyme, and gives the reader a sense of comfort and peace. This book can be enjoyed by children of all ages, and will surely become a classic!
Review Excerpt
School Library Journal (May 31, 2008)
“Swanson's words are short simple. "Here is the key to the house / In the house burns a light / In that light rests a bed." As we read, a small child places the key on a hook as a dog, a cat, and some kittens mill about. She walks into the room and spots a book on the bed. "In that book flies a bird." As the text grows expansive, discussing the bird's song, the girl imagines taking a trip on its back above the land, "Through the dark", past the moon, and the sun, and the sky. In the end she goes to bed, not far from the key in, "the house in the night, a home full of light." The shape of the story allows it to go from a small intimate story to an exciting flight around the world, and then back to bed where the little girl curls up cozily and falls asleep. It's a tribute to bedtime stories themselves, without ever being blunt about its potential applications.” – Elizabeth Bird
Connections
This book presents a great segway into exploring the medium of scratch board for art. The class could create their own illustrations and compare them to the ones in the book.
Collect other books with scratchboard illustrations, and share with the class.
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