Tuesday, December 3, 2013
YOUTH LIT. REVIEWS
(This blog site was originally created for a Texas Woman's University graduate course assignment.)
Monday, December 2, 2013
Book Review For THIS IS NOT MY HAT
Book Review For:
Klassen, Jon.
2012. THIS IS NOT MY HAT. Ill. by Jon Klassen. Somerville: Candlewick Press.
ISBN 9780763655990
A small fish informs readers that he
stole a hat from a big fish and, basically, that he’s going to get away with it.
Through subtle hints in the illustrations, readers learn that the big fish is
on to the little fish and is following him despite what the small fish is
saying. Tension is created by the image of a crab pointing out to the big fish
where the little fish went. The climax reaches its peak when readers see the big
fish’s tail fin going into the tall plants where the little fish is hiding.
Will the little fish be able to hide from the big fish? Will he really get away
with this crime?
THIS IS NOT MY HAT takes place in deep,
dark waters, and as the reader reads to the right, the fish swim along in the
same direction. The untraditional, mostly black pages of the book capture the
readers’ attention as trailing bubbles and swaying grasses help to indicate
movement and a gentle pace to the story. The elongated rectangle shape of the
book and pages adds to this horizontal movement effect.
Jon Klassen’s illustrations reveal
more to the reader than the words. In fact, it is with great amusement that
readers discover that the little fish is only saying what he wants to believe
and not what is actually happening. For instance, despite the little fish
saying that the big fish won’t notice his hat is gone, readers see the
direction and shape of the big fish’s eyes and know that he does indeed notice
the absence of his hat and that he isn’t too happy about it. The size
difference between the two fish escalates the tension and establishes the
possibility of danger for the little fish. After the reader sees the big fish’s
tail fin going into the tall plants where the little fish is hiding and the
climax is reached, the next two pages reveal nothing but the tall plants,
leaving the readers to wonder what is happening and lengthening the suspense. These
crucial details do not go unnoticed, such as the presence or absence of the hat
on the big fish’s head.
THIS IS NOT MY HAT contains the
universal truth that it’s dangerous for someone to pick on someone else bigger
than him/herself, and the theme is cleverly conveyed. If a person steals
something, they are likely to get caught.
After sharing this artwork/story, which has
won the Caldecott Medal in 2013 and has become the 2013 New York Times
Bestseller, with young children, I might ask them to write about what happened
in the tall grasses that we couldn’t see, and the moral implications of
stealing could be discussed. I might also ask them to create an additional
scene to the ending or to construct a new hat for the little fish.
Book Review For DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!
Book Review For:
Willems,
Mo. 2003. DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!. Ill. by Mo Willems.
New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN078681988X
New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN078681988X
This funny picture book starts off
with a bus driver giving readers parting instructions not to let the pigeon
drive the bus. The pigeon then repeatedly tries to convince readers to abandon
those instructions and let him drive, and there’s no telling what this pigeon
will do next to get his way! Will he find a way to actually drive the bus? Will
he convince readers to let him? Read it to find out!
Mo Willems has expertly created a
picture book that practically begs to be read out loud to young children who
like to say “no”. The two characters are quite believable, with the bus driver
being an authority figurehead and the pigeon acting like a persistent,
determined child. The style of the driver’s uniform and the bus is a 1950’s
style, and the passage of time is broken into three sections: before the driver
leaves, when he is gone, and when he returns. Willem also uses multiple scenes,
each on its own square, on two pages to indicate a more rapid passage of time.
(This is when the pigeon is getting wound up and directing various ploys at the
reader to let him drive.)
The simple illustrations contribute
to the casualness, the safe atmosphere, and keeping the focus on the driver,
the bus, and the pigeon. By placing multiple scenes on one page, Willems
increases the story’s pace and brings readers to the climax that is portrayed
by bigger, messier drawings of the pigeon throwing a tantrum with feathers
flying. The exhibition of the pigeon having a tantrum in public is a cultural
marker, as is the American 1950’s style of the driver’s clothes and bus.
The text in this book is almost like
it was written in pencil, also giving the story a casual mood that lets readers
feel comfortable with responding verbally, and the way that Willems’s
characters talk directly to the readers is unique, also inviting active
participation. Through this banter, children inadvertently pick up on the
theme, which is not to let someone talk you into doing something you know isn’t
right.
DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!
is a 2004 Caldecott Honor book and a New York Times Bestseller. Additionally, a
School Library Journal review claimed that “the genius of this book is that the
very young will actually recognize themselves in it” (Ratterrree, 132).
Furthermore, adults and children ages three and up get a big smile on their
faces while listening to this entertaining story.
Caution: children may want to read
other books with Mo Willems’s pigeon like THE PIGEON FINDS A HOT DOG!, DON’T
LET THE PIGEON STAY UP LATE!, THE PIGEON WANTS A PUPPY!, and THE PIGEON HAS
FEELINGS, TOO!. Enjoy!
REFERENCES
Ratterree, Dona. 2003.
"Review of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!" SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL 114 (49.5):
132.
Book Review For SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE
Book
Review Of:
Steig, William. 1969. SYLVESTER AND
THE MAGIC PEBBLE. Ill. by William Steig. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc.
ISBN 067166154X
The
main character in this classic story is a donkey named Sylvester. While out
walking he comes across a magical red pebble that grants wishes. Unexpectedly,
a lion comes along, making Sylvester panic and make an unfortunate wish.
Sylvester is then caught in a pickle and is separated from his parents for some
time. Will they be reunited again, or are they destined to remain lost to each
other forever? Through Sylvester’s adventures, children can understand the
underlying themes that one must be careful what they wish for and that to be
with one’s loving family is the best and only gift one truly needs.
In
SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE, William Steig has artfully crafted a delightful
story. The family is a traditional, devoted family as one can see illustrated
on the first page. The father is present, contentedly reading the newspaper,
the mother is cleaning the house, and Sylvester is studying his rock
collection. Steig’s personal style of storytelling is indicated partly by the
flow of multiple sentences on a page, which the reader follows in a steady
pace. A change of pace and (therefore) emphasis are created by the existence of
only one or two sentences on a page.
The
setting is mostly outdoors in a rural area, with some scenes of cozy homes and
buildings. The passing of time is portrayed through illustrations of the
passing seasonal weather, by the daytime, and by a night scene filled with
stars and shadows.
The
bold watercolor illustrations compliment the story skillfully, as is evident in
the sun’s rays shooting outward when the characters are happy and the contrast
between the parents’ sad expressions and the usually delightful spring weather
and picnic activity. Culture is revealed through the characters’ conservative,
American, 1960-ish attire.
Some
adult readers may take offense to the mother working around the house while the
father sits idly or to the policemen who are pigs; however, when one considers
the time period that this book is written, these things might be overlooked.
Either way, these issues are over the heads of the young age group this book
was intended for.
Professional
praise for this picture book is astounding. Steig won the Caldecott Medal for
SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC PEBBLE in 1970, and in describing Steig, the New York
Times Book Review claimed that “everything he does is magic” (Book Verdict).
After
sharing this story with children, I would suggest using it to practice finding
contextual clues to discover what types of feelings the various characters
exhibit and segueing into another book called: WISH: WISHING TRADITIONS AROUND
THE WORLD by Roseanne Thong.
REFERENCES
"Book Verdict: Expert Reviews
of Print & Media." Bookverdict.com., last modified April 1, 2010, accessed
September 9, 2013, http://bookverdict.com/details.xqy?uri=Product-261698.xml.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Traditional Literature: True Story
Book Review For:
THE TRUE STORY
OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS! Retold by Jon Scieszka. New York: Viking Kestrel,
1989. ISBN 9780670827596
Children who are already familiar
with THE THREE LITTLE PIGS tale will have their brains thinking in a totally
different pattern with this tale which is refreshingly told from the wolf’s
point of view. The book cover illustration shows A. Wolf’s picture on the front
page of a newspaper being held in a pig’s hoof. In this picture, the fact that he
is wearing a distinguished, domestic suit and bow tie gets the reader wondering
if he might possibly be a good guy. The illustrations throughout the story,
however, remain mostly dark, indicating his dark nature, perhaps?
The wolf starts off presenting his
case that he’s really not bad, he just has allergy problems (hence the huffing
or sneezing) and needed a cup of sugar for his “dear sweet old granny’s birthday
cake” (hence a motive for being at the scene of the crime). One illustration
depicts bunny ears sticking up out of the cake mix, which reminds the readers
of his natural eating habits and that he’s not so innocent.
At the first pig’s house of straw,
he claims the door merely fell in when he knocked on it, and when no one
responded, he was going to head on home. Then he sneezed, accidentally killing
the first little pig. (All the illustrations show of the dead pig is a rounded
rump sticking up from the dirt, and the wolf is in the distance observing the
scene with a hanky!) The wolf says he hated “to leave a perfectly good ham
dinner lying there”, so he ate it.
At the second pig’s house of sticks,
the scenario repeats, naturally.
Still without a cup of sugar, the
wolf heads to the third little pig’s house made of bricks and knocks on the
solid fortress’s door. According to the wolf, this little pig was very rude,
telling him to leave and not bother him. The wolf’s allergies caused him to
start sneezing, and the pig hollered that his “old granny can sit on a pin!”
This infuriated the wolf, and that was why he was trying to knock down the door
and huffing and sneezing when the police arrived. The illustrations show the
wolf in action at the scene, from the viewpoint of a news reporter, amidst the police
and a microphone. This picture of the wolf is shown in the newspaper on the
following page with the headline “BIG BAD WOLF!”
The wolf says the news reporters
didn’t think that wanting to borrow a cup of sugar was exciting enough, so they
enhanced the sneezing into huffing and puffing the pigs’ houses down. The wolf
is still proclaiming his innocence at the end of the story, and from behind
bars, in a striped prisoner’s uniform, holding out a cup with the words “PIG
PENN” on it, asking readers to loan him a cup of sugar. This leaves the reader
to be the judge of if this was his true motive all along. Was it possible, after
all, that he was framed? Or is he full of hot air? (Wink, wink!)
Although author Jon Scieszka and
illustrator Lane Smith have won many awards for other works, I could not find
any awards for this particular title. The SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL calls it “the
fractured fairy-tale gold standard, with tongue-in-cheek text and sophisticated
artwork both darkly sinister and delightfully droll” (Fleishhacker 2012).
After
sharing this story with children, one could discuss how it is similar and
different than the original tale or ask the children to pick another villain
from a different fairy tale and rewrite a story from their perspective.
References
Fleishhacker, Joy. "Folk and
fairy tales retold: Spin offs." SLJ.com. SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, last
modified July 1, 2012, accessed September 24, 2013, http://www.slj.com/2012/07/books-media/folk-and-fairy-tales-retold-spin-offs-focus-on/.
Traditional Literature: Anansi
Book Review For:
ANANSI AND THE
MOSS-COVERED ROCK. Retold by Eric A.
Kimmel. New York: Holiday House, 1988. ISBN 9780823406890
One by one, the spider, Anansi,
tricks some African animals into going for a walk with him in the forest. He
uses a special moss-covered rock to knock them magically unconscious and
repeatedly steals their food. Throughout many of the illustrations where
various African animals examine the rock, or lie flat on their back, or return
to their homes to discover the theft of their food, Little Bush Deer is mostly
hidden, but can be partially seen peeking out from the bushes and observing
this trickery. Little Bush Deer decides to turn the tables on Anansi and do to
him what he’s been doing to others. Anansi then wakes up to discover that all
the food that he has taken has been stolen from him. However, and despite this
experience, Anansi continues to dabble in trickery “to this very day”.
This folktale, or beast tale, with
its predictable pattern and satisfying ending, shows the reader that laziness, greediness,
and stealing will get a person nowhere. The lines, textures, shading, and
minute details of the illustrations make them stand out and appear realistic,
which engages the reader visually. Because of these aspects of the book, I was
not surprised when I read Karyn Peterson’s article on the School Library
Journal webpage in which she interviews Melissa Zymboly Depper, a 2013 Library
Journal Mover and Shaker. Melissa made a comment about this very book in her
interview, saying she could read it “out loud every day for the rest of [her]
life” (Peterson 2013). I personally could not agree more.
I would suggest having children act
out this delightful, repetitive story after reading it together. Even if
younger children needed prompting with their lines, it would still be fun.
Computer generated pictures of all the animal characters could even be printed
out and turned into puppets by gluing them to popsicle sticks. Additional
folktales with similar messages could be read and compared to this one as well.
References
Peterson, Karyn M. "Literacy
Leader: Up Close with Melissa Zymboly Depper." School Library Journal.
School Library Journal, last modified May 2, 2013, accessed September 20, 2013,
http://www.slj.com/2013/05/librarians/early-literacy-leader-up-close-with-librarian-melissa-zymboly-depper/.
Traditional Literature: Three Pigs
Book Review For:
THE THREE PIGS.
Retold by David Wiesner. New York: Clarion Books, 2001. ISBN 9780618007011
This retold fairy tale’s title is
one word different from the regular tale THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Yes, the word
“little” is left out on purpose, thus implying that the pigs have more power in
manipulating their own situation than before.
This story starts out in the
traditional manner of “Once upon a time…”, along with classic watercolor
illustrations of the first pig in his straw house and the big, bad wolf.
However, the pig is blown right off of “the page”, which is a smaller rectangle
on the real page. As the first pig’s body goes beyond the rectangle “page”, his
image becomes more pronounced and realistic. Every little hair on his body can
been seen, leaving the flat-looking wolf behind on the “page”, searching for
the missing pig. This sequence is repeated with the second pig. The two pigs
join together off of the “pages” and join the third, smart pig who has a
different coloring of black and white. He also moves beyond the rectangle
“page” and becomes more 3-D-like.
The three pigs scatter the “pages”
and take off on an adventure of their own choosing. They travel through the
pages of a couple different stories and pick up a cat and a dragon along the
way. I had to laugh when the third pig explained to his new friends that they
were looking at a picture of his house, boasting “…Notice the brickwork. I did
it myself.” Eventually, with everyone’s help, the pigs rearrange the pages and
even the words to, of course, outwit the wolf.
After finishing the story, the
reader can return to inspect the cover illustration that contains a close-up of
the three pigs and nothing else. The smart pig is strategically placed in the
middle, and the reader then realizes how these humble pigs took control of
their situation and made it into something desirable and beneficial to them.
It’s no wonder that David Wiesner won the 2002 Caldecott Medal for THE THREE
PIGS. With amusing, unexpected turns and a happy ending, this cleverly
illustrated story carries a powerful message.The SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL similarly
stated, “Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling
of a familiar favorite” (Bird 2012).
After reading the story to children,
I would ask them to share or write about an uncomfortable/undesirable situation
that they were in and how they could have changed things to make it better for
themselves and everyone else that was involved
References
Bird, Elizabeth. "Top 100
Picture Books #68: The Three Pigs by David Wiesner." SLJ.com. SCHOOL
LIBRARY JOURNAL, last modified May 23, 2012, accessed September 24, 2013, http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2012/05/23/top-100-picture-books-68-the-three-pigs-by-david-wiesner/#_.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Nonfiction Review #1
Book Review For:
Fleming,
Candace. 2011. AMELIA LOST: THE
LIFE AND DISAPPEARANCE OF AMELIA EARHART. 1st ed. ed. New York: Schwartz
& Wade Books. ISBN 9780375841989
At first glance, a reader may think
this black, white, and gray book is too lengthy and dry, but don’t be fooled!
The black and white photos help lend an air of authenticity to the times in
which Amelia Earhart lived, and there are plenty of interesting photos
throughout. The gray pages help the reader identify the time period when Amelia
went missing and lure the reader in right away with suspense. The white pages
tell all about her life in a way that is not stilted, but includes ordinary
details like how she pinned her map to her pant leg while in the cockpit or how
she cut her hair an inch every day so that her family wouldn’t be subjected to
a dramatic change. These ordinary details help readers connect with Amelia. By
switching back and forth from the gray pages to the white pages, Fleming keeps
readers engaged and mindful of Amelia’s mysterious disappearance.
Subheadings are clearly written and
even photos and excerpts are labeled and placed appropriately, giving readers a
welcomed variation and break from the main text. For example, there is a side
note in gray labeled “Amelia’s Teacher” that includes a brief, refreshing
description of Neta Snook, a photo of Neta, and the photo’s caption “Neta Snook
posing with her Canuck (Fleming, 2011, p. 35).”
Fleming has created a truly
wonderful biography with source notes and references to verify details, and she
begins her book by stating what a tremendous job it was to sort out fact from
fiction. Not only were there ample, made up stories about this legend, but it
seems that Amelia herself was prone to fibbing to enhance her public image. It
is refreshing that Fleming presents us with facts and, when in doubt, states
her doubt to let readers come to their own conclusions.
For follow-up activites, an educator
could segue into Geography by having students plot Amelia’s flight paths on a
global map. For a Writing activity, students could be given the prompt to write
a story in which knowing the Morse Code saved the main characters. A Venn
Diagram could be created to help students distinguish facts from speculations
or rumors, etc.
AMELIA LOST has won the 2012 Golden
Kite Award for Nonfiction (“Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia
Earhart, Awards and Honors”, n.d.) and the Kirkus Reviews states, “Handwritten
notes, photos, maps and inquisitive sidebars… complete this impeccably
researched, appealing package (“Book Review: Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance
of Amelia Earhart, n.d.).” Also, the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s
Books states, “Fleming cleverly structures this biography to give the tale of
tragedy a fresh and dreadful impact…(“Book Review: Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance
of Amelia Earhart, n.d.).”
References
"Amelia
Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart, Awards and Honors."
Candacefleming.com., accessed October 28, 2013, http://www.candacefleming.com/books/bk_amelia.html.
“Book Review: Amelia
Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart.” Candacefleming.com,
accessed October 28, 2013, http://www.candacefleming.com/books/bk_amelia_rev1.html.
Fleming, Candace. 2011. AMELIA LOST: THE LIFE AND DISAPPEARANCE OF AMELIA EARHART. 1st ed. ed. New York: Schwartz& Wade Books.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Nonfiction Review #2
Book Review For:
Montgomery, Sy.
2006. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FORREST OF NEW
GUINEA. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 9780375841989
Anyone who likes animals, relishes a
good adventure, has asthma or other disabilities, or has extraordinary
interests will enjoy this book. Colorful pictures of rare animals and plants
indigenous to New Guinea and pictures of various people traveling with and
engaging with the expedition team enhance every single page. Subheadings are in
bold, capital letters and captions accompany the pictures, and colored maps are
present, making it entertaining and easy for the reader to follow along.
Sy Montgomery, the author, and Nic
Bishop, the photographer, documented this adventure firsthand, so the
information, along with the pictures to back it up, seems highly authentic.
Lisa Dabek, the scientific leader of
the expedition team, is inspiring to many individuals in light of how she
overcame her asthma problems, ignored teachers’ criticism of her obsession with
animals while she was growing up, and led the team to do exactly what other
“experts” called impossible. On page 74, she even gives advice to children who
are interested in studying wild animals.
The author encourages readers to
think about various aspects of a scientific field study, specifically by
encouraging them to convert the body temperature of a tree kangaroo from
Fahrenheit to Celcius and including a quote from Lisa in which she explains
that studying wildlife involves science, math, art, and politics.
Educators could have students work
in groups to plan imaginary field trip studies of their own in which they could
name the animal they are studying, where they would have to travel, the means
of their travel, and their supply lists. Also, other endangered animals and the
scientists who have studied them and aided their cause could be explored. Best
of all, an educator can arrange to have their students correspond with children
in Papua New Guinea through www.zoo.org, a site of the
Woodland Park Zoo (QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD
FORREST OF NEW GUINEA, 2006).
This book has won the 2007 NCTE
Orbis Pictus Award and is a 2007 Robert F. Sibert Honor book (“Quest for the
Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forrest of New Guinea”, n.d.). A
Booklist review states,” As
usual, Bishop's color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in
stunning close-ups of creatures and of the team at work (Engberg, n.d.)”, and a
School Library Journal review claims, “The book's fascinating glimpses into a
little-explored region will hold the attention of anyone interested in unusual
creatures and the efforts to study them (Piehl, n.d.).”
References
Engberg, Gillian. "Editorial
Reviews from Booklist." Amazon.com., accessed October 30, 2013, http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Tree-Kangaroo-Expedition-Scientists/dp/B005EP2T0U.
Montgomery, Sy. 2006. QUEST FOR THE
TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FORREST OF NEW GUINEA. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin Co.
Piehl, Kathy. "Editorial
Reviews from School Library Journal." Amazon.com., accessed October 30,
2013, http://www.amazon.com/Quest-Tree-Kangaroo-Expedition-Scientists/dp/B005EP2T0U.
"Quest for
the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forrest of New Guinea."
Juniorlibraryguild.com. Junior Library Guild, accessed October 28, 2013, http://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/books/view.dT?isbn=0618496416.
Nonfiction Review #3
Book Review For:
Kerly, Barbara.
2008. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?: HOW ALICE ROOSEVELT BROKE THE RULES, CHARMED THE
WORLD, AND DROVE HER FATHER TEDDY CRAZY! 1st ed. New York: Scholastic Press.
ISBN 9780439922319
Brimming with colorful collages
filled with movement, WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE is a visual feast depicting Teddy
Roosevelt’s daughter’s energy and enthusiasm for life. Every now and then
throughout the story, Barbara Kerly interjects bold font with a slight flourish
to emphasize quotes like “eating up the world” and “best official behavior”,
and the text is arranged in a different format and position on every page.
These pictures and varied text, combined with little tidbits of Alice’s life
and adventures (like when she jumped into a swimming pool fully clothed), are
sure to peak a young reader’s interest. The added space between lines makes
reading easier on the eyes, too.
An author’s note and listed
references are included on the very last page and inside of the back cover in
this particular edition, which lends credibility to the facts throughout the
picture book biography.
After reading this story with
children, an educator could follow up with a study of famous, historic,
eccentric individuals like Albert Einstein. Students could also learn quirky
facts about past presidents. A discussion about how unique individuals may not
have fit into society perfectly but still made great contributions to the world
could additionally be initiated.
This
book has won many awards, including the following:
·
Sibert Honor Book
·
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
·
Irma Black Award Honor Book
·
Parents Choice Award
·
A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Best Book of the Year
·
A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Best Book of the Year
·
A KIRKUS REVIEWS
Best Book of the Year
·
An ALA Notable Book (“Children's Book Author Barbara Kerly”,
n.d.)
This
book has also received the following glowing reviews:
"Irrepressible
Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she
was.... Kerley's text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject,
grabbing readers from the first line.... The large format gives
Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art."
Booklist, starred review
(“Children's Book Author Barbara Kerly”, n.d.)
"Kerley's
text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics, as the girl
greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg
braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship's swimming pool,
and also earns her place in history as one of her father's trusted advisers....
Fascinating."
School
Library Review, starred review (“Children's Book Author Barbara Kerly”,
n.d.)
References
"Children's
Book Author Barbara Kerly." Children's Book Author Barbara Kerly.,
accessed October 30, 2013, http://www.barbarakerley.com/Alice.html.
POETRY #3
Book Review For:
Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW.
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 9780374317768
DIAMOND
WILLOW is a verse novel about a lonely twelve-year-old Alaskan girl named
Willow, who struggles to be more independent and prove her worth. She makes
plenty of mistakes and learns more about herself while trying to save the life
of her dog, Roxy. She inadvertently discovers a family secret and contributes
toward the healing and renewed closeness of her family.
On
each page written from Willow’s point of view, the verse poetry is written in
the shape of a diamond, with key words typed in bold near the center of the
diamond to reveal a shortened synopsis of the entry or a clue as to what Willow
is secretly thinking. The diamond shape is connected to how she got her name
and the family “secret”. (I don’t want to give it all away!) Other chapters tie
in more closely to her heritage and are written in prose from the viewpoints of
her (and other characters’) deceased ancestors who currently reside in the form
of an animal that observes or partakes of Willow’s adventures.
Symbolism
is spread throughout the story, like how it was a specific spruce tree that she
camped under and provided her shelter and in sentences such as on page 65:
“All my doubts
come circling in as soon as I’m alone. It’s like I’m a mouse and they’re hawks
that have been watching, out of sight, and now they see their chance to swoop
down on me.”
The
chosen language is highly poetic and vivid. “The THWACK of Grandpa’s ax”,
“Grandma listens with her hands and ears and eyes”, and “clear pure brown,
shining like the sun itself” are a few examples. Thus, it is a delightful read,
almost like an intriguing puzzle.
DIAMOND
WILLOW has won numerous awards (Honors and Awards for DIAMOND WILLOW):
·
Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award in 2009
·
Mitten
Award--Michigan Library Association in 2008
·
The Lion and
the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry - A 2009 Honor Book
·
Winner of
Best Books of Indiana, Children and Young Adult Book in 2009
·
CCBC Choices
List in 2009
I
would suggest educators follow this story with having children explore
different shapes and styles of poetry. Social Studies lessons can tie in to the
culture and heritage of Alaska, and artwork of sled teams could be studied.
References
"Honors and
Awards for Diamond Willow." Helen Frost: Poet, playwright, children's
writer., accessed October 9, 2013, http://www.helenfrost.net/item.php?postid=25.
POETRY #2
Book Review For:
Sidman, Joyce. 2007. THIS IS JUST TO
SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN
9780618616800
THIS
IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS is a topical anthology containing apology-related poems by
sixth grade students and the poetic responses they received from others. The
quaint, colorful illustrations, sometimes decorated with typed words, draw the
reader in right away. On the front cover, a girl releases a bird carrying a
letter from a cage, symbolizing the release of the apology and the bad feelings
associated with it, and the drawn binding and stitches indicate that talented
novices created this special book.
The
introduction by one of the sixth grade students informs readers of the context
in which the book was made, and the classic poem THIS IS JUST TO SAY by William
Carlos Williams is presented to indicate the example apology poem that the
students used as a springboard for their own poems.
I
thought it was unfortunate that the book was divided into two parts: the first
for apologies and the second for the responses. I had to flip back and forth to
find out how the apology was received. Nonetheless, the variety of poem types,
from haikus to two-part poems, and the many different subjects were highly
entertaining. This book of poetry is likely to hold children’s attention, and
since it was written by children, they will be able to identify with the
situations and subjects.
One
poem, BROWNIES – OOPS!, uses phrases like “a wafting wave of chocolate-ness”
and “thick brick of brownies” in a poem of smooth flowing couplets.
The
essence of the book is about the expression of feelings to others. If an
educator/teacher of children notices a common difficult issue that children are
struggling with, it may be beneficial to have them write their own poems on
that topic, which would provide a time of reflection. Reciting and performing
their poems in front of the group may then lead to interactive discussions and
provide closure, healing, a bonding of sorts, or needed skills to deal with the
selected topic. What a wonderful way to communicate, understand, and connect
with other individuals!
It
is no wonder that this book of poems received glowing reviews from the School
Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist!
POETRY #1
Book Review For:
Florian, Douglas. 2007. COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS: SPACE
POEMS AND PAINTINGS. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 9780152053727
COMETS, STARS, THE
MOON, AND MARS is a bright and colorful collection of poems about outer space
by Douglas Florian. Each poem and its illustrations cover two pages, sprawling
out in an imitation of space itself. Cut out circles and other shapes invite
readers to touch the pages. Painted strokes create a wispy sky or space, and
scattered here and there are digital-like pictures, cut and pasted in. The
table of contents and titles are in a more bold print, which makes it easy to
read. It is truly a visual feast for the eyes.
Douglas Florian
describes the planets and other space-related things with comparisons to items
and concepts children are familiar with here on earth, making them
understandable and not so distant after all. THE BLACK HOLE poem, for example,
mentions “black ink” and “lumps of coal” for imagery and “giant…broom”, which are
familiar, concrete items that children can relate to. Florian adds one last
comment to the poem: “Wish I had one in my room”, creating a mental image in
readers’ minds of a black hole sucking up the mess of objects in their rooms.
The rhyming is comforting and the sound of “wish” after the mention of the
broom is reminiscent of the sound a broom makes while sweeping. Thus, a fun,
light, participatory mood is created throughout the whole delightful book.
Children could recite
the poetry with volunteers reading a line or two, or the children’s painted
space artwork, complete with added cut out, printed pictures, could be displayed around
the room or on a refrigerator at home. Connections to science vocabulary would
be beneficial, as well as following up with a field trip to a planetarium.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Historical Fiction #1
Book Review For:
Holm,
Jennifer L. 2010. TURTLE IN PARADISE. 1st ed. New York: Random
House.
ISBN 9780375836886
ISBN 9780375836886
Turtle
is a smart, tough cookie who is sent to live with her aunt in the Florida Keys
during the depression. On top of missing her mother, everyone living there has
an odd nickname, all her cousins are boys, her four-year-old cousin is always
running around without his pants on, and no one wants to go near her
grandmother because it’s rumored that she hates kids. Turtle, her cousins, and
their friends experience a true adventure when they follow up on a lead to
buried treasure. In the end, Turtle learns more than she ever thought she would
about family and the ties that bind.
With
names like “Beans”, “Pork-Chop”, and “The Diaper Gang”, this story is highly
entertaining while including factual elements of the times as well. Families
are large and often broken up when one has to go to work elsewhere to make ends
barely meet, and tired, overworked mothers result in the older children taking
care of the younger children. However, humor is spread liberally throughout,
and kids won’t want to put this book down.
After
reading this story with children, an educator could tie in a study of the
Depression era, a study of real, historical pirates, a geographical study of
Florida, or a cultural study of the Southeast during the depression. A fun,
written activity could be assigned about a time when the children had to stay
with other family members. If they didn’t have an experience like that, they could
make one up.
TURTLE
IN PARADISE is a 2011 Newbery Honor Book, a 2011 Texas Bluebonnet Book, a New
York Times Bestseller, an ALA Notable Book, a Booklist Editor’s Choice Book, a
Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book of 2010, and a Spring 2010 Junior Library
Guild Selection Book (“Turtle in Paradise”, n.d.). Also, the Kirkus Reviews
labeled it as “Sweet, funny and superb” and the Booklist described it as “…a
hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure (“Turtle
in Paradise”, n.d.).”
References
“Turtle
in Paradise.” Jennifer L. Holm, Author, Accessed November 12, 2013,
Historical Fiction #2
Book Review For:
Giff,
Patricia Reilly. 1997. LILY’S CROSSING. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN
9780385321426
9780385321426
Lily
is a headstrong, realistic young girl who sometimes fibs, doesn’t get good
grades, and will do whatever she can to avoid practicing the piano. During the
summer on the coast of New York, Lily, her friends, family, and neighbors try
to live somewhat normal lives while worrying about loved ones that are carried
off to war, dealing with separation from them, and wondering what the future
will bring. When Lily’s own father goes overseas to fight during WWII, her
growing friendship with Albert, a Hungarian refugee, helps her to cope, learn
about the devastating effects that fibs can have, and experience a true,
lasting friendship.
The
author includes details like how the headlights of vehicles were painted over
the top half with black paint so that enemy planes couldn’t view them from
overhead and how fresh dairy products were hard to come by. Albert’s speech is
stilted authentically, like a typical English Second Language learner’s would
be, and Lily teases him about how he pronounces “barnacles”. All these things
make this a realistic, enjoyable story that children can comprehend.
After
reading this story with children, an educator could segue into studying the
WWII requirements for U.S. citizens living on the coasts and the reasons behind
them, invite a guest speaker to come discuss what it was like for them to live
on the U.S. coast during this time, or compare Lily’s feelings with those of
today’s children who have a family member stationed in the Middle East.
LILY’S
CROSSING is a 1998 Newbery Honor Book, an ALA Notable Book, and a Boston
Globe-Horn Book Honor Book (“Lily’s Crossing: Praise & Awards”, n.d.).
Also, the Horn Book Magazine states, "Details...are
woven with great effect into a realistic story," and the New York Times
Book Review claims it is “Brilliantly told (“Lily’s Crossing: Praise
& Awards”, n.d.).”
References
“Lily’s
Crossing: Praise & Awards.” Random House, Accessed November 12, 2013,
giff#praise&awards
Historical Fiction #3
Book Review For:
Williams-Garcia,
Rita. 2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. 1st ed. New York: Amistad. ISBN
9780060760885
Standing
up for and taking care of her sisters is nothing new for Delphine, and in the
summer of 1968, while staying with their estranged mother, Cecile, in Oakland,
California, she has to learn how to survive and function in a totally different
environment than they are used to. In order to have breakfast and stay out of
their mother’s hair, Delphine and her sisters, Vonetta and Fern, start
attending a Black Panther’s informal school for children. Being the strong
character that she is, Delphine reads the newspapers, pays attention to what
people say, and eventually gathers enough information to form her own opinions
on what is taking place around her. She and her sisters begin to understand
bits and pieces of their emotionally-distant mother and her strange life, and a
miraculous, unusual family bond is formed.
Readers
are authentically placed in the realm of a young African-American girl, who
automatically counts how many people with and without Afros are in a room and
who gets treated differently because of her skin color. Children with
non-traditional families and broken families will easily be able to relate to
Delphine, as well as those with siblings. Additionally, the author’s inclusion
of sibling bickering and details like slowing down the go-kart by dragging
sneakers on the cement make this story totally believable and entertaining.
After
reading this story with children, an educator could tie in social studies or
history about Civil Rights and the 1960’s. Reading poetry out loud from this
time period could initiate meaningful discussions, or they could write their
own poetry about family. Inviting an African-American guest speaker who had
lived during this time period to come talk with students would be a great idea,
particularly if they have a background in education or working with children.
ONE
CRAZY SUMMER has won the 2011 Coretta Scott King Award, 2011 Newbery Honor,
2011 Scott O’Dell Prize for Historical Fiction, 2010 National Book Award
Finalist, Junior Library Guild Selection, and the 2010 Texas Library
Association Best Book (“One Crazy Summer”, n.d.). Also, a SCHOOL LIBRARY
JOURNAL review states, “This book is a pleasure to cast your eyes over,” and a
Kirkus Starred Review confirms this by saying, “The depiction of the time is
well done, and while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults,
their resilience is celebrated and energetically told with writing that snaps
off the page (“One Crazy Summer”, n.d.).”
References
“One
Crazy Summer.” Rita Williams-Garcia, accessed November 12, 2013,
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Young Adult Fantasy #1
Book Review For:
Yang,
Gene Luen. 2006. AMERICAN BORN CHINESE. 1st ed. New York: First
Second.
ISBN 9781596431522
ISBN 9781596431522
Three
separate stories are introduced: one with the Monkey King, one with Jin Wang,
and one with Danny. All three characters deal with prejudice and struggle to
become secure with their own identity. Because of the Monkey King, the deities,
and supernatural abilities, this novel would be considered a Young Adult
Fantasy. Teens can likely relate to Jin Wang, who doesn’t quite fit in and
awkwardly makes a fool of himself whenever the girl that he has a crush on is
around, and to Danny, who is embarrassed to no end about his Chinese cousin who
comes to visit. Teens may not have a Chinese cousin, but there is usually
something that they feel insecure and embarrassed about.
Yang
has created colorful graphic strips that include sounds and terrific
expressions on the characters’ faces. There is also plenty of action and humor,
like when Jin Wang uses the bathroom soap to wash his stinky armpits and then
gets up his nerve to put his arm around the girl at the movies, only to
discover that he’s left pink bubbles on her shoulder. The way that the three
branches of the story are woven together at the end is truly a work of art that
will stimulate brains everywhere.
After
teens have read this story, educators could lead discussions on prejudiced
assumptions that teens have personally witnessed and how individuals can make a
difference by accepting others who are different or by speaking up.
Additionally, Venn diagrams could be used by small groups of teens to compare
and contrast the three different branches of the story. This could be done as a
fun competition to see which group came up with the most accurate similarities
and differences for certain branches of the story.
AMERICAN
BORN CHINESE has won awards for the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award, the 2007
Eisner Award, the Best Graphic Album, and the 2006 National Book Award Nominee (“Gene
Luen Yang: American Born Chinese”, n.d.). A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review also
praises this graphic novel, stating “…this novel explores the impact of the
American dream on those outside the dominant culture in a finely wrought story
that is an effective combination of humor and drama”, and a BOOKLIST review
praises the depth of the themes by saying, “The stories have a simple, engaging
sweep to them, but their weighty subjects — shame, racism, and friendship —
receive thoughtful, powerful examination” (“Barnes & Noble: American Born
Chinese”, n.d.).
References
"Barnes & Noble:
American Born Chinese." Barnes & Noble, accessed November 30, 2013, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/american-born-chinese-gene-luen-yang/1100351546?ean=9780312384487
“Gene
Luen Yang: American Born Chinese.” Gene Luen Yang: Humble Comics.com,
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