Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson
Anderson, Laurie H. 2006. Speak. (Platinum Edition). New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 0142407321.
A teenage girl. A tragic event. These two should never have to go together, but when they are brought together in Speak, a powerful and life changing story is the result. Melinda Sordino starts her story in the weeks before her first day of high school. Everyone hates her because she called the police during a party in the woods. Told in a form of stream of consciousness, the reader discovers that Melinda has a secret and cannot tell anyone why she called the police. As the story goes forward, told in quarters of a semester, the reader finds that Melinda is slowly losing her grip on reality, suffering depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, and selective mutism. It is halfway through the book that Melinda tells the reader she was raped in the woods. Living with this guilt has sent Melinda into a tailspin. Art class seems to be her only reprieve and the reader can see her transformation through her art as the story progresses. It is only after being confronted with her rapist again that she regains her voice and attempts to pull her life back together from the ruins she has left it. With an ending that exudes hope and deliverance, Melinda is finally able to do something about her situation: SPEAK.
Melinda is quite possibly one of the strongest characters a reader can come across in any genre of fiction. This young girl pulls at the heartstrings in the first sentence of the book, “It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache” (Anderson, 3). There are very few people who cannot relate to that thought. Young adult readers see the story through her eyes and can relate to her situations and problems, as this is how they think and act too. Melinda takes a horrible journey in this book, however she comes out stronger and smarter and her growth as a fictional character leaves the reader satisfied that she will turn out all right.
The plot of this story might make some uncomfortable, which is good because it will start them thinking and make them more aware of the world that exists outside of their box. This story reads like something one might find on the nightly news or an expose in a newspaper. The plot is so engaging that one will find themselves turning the pages faster than they can be read. The “what happens next” aspect of the book leads to twists and turns that keep the reader on edge. The climax of the story comes near the end and is exactly what the reader can hope for. While then ending can be characterized as happy, it is better characterized as optimistic. The narrator, Melinda, has a chance to put her past behind her and make her future bright.
High school, a contemporary setting that most can relate to. From the hallways, bells, and hall passes to the cliques, lunchtime, and buses. It is a part of growing up that most readers will have experienced in their life. This setting is believable because it is real. The great thing about the setting in this book is that it goes beyond the high school. The setting could almost be Melinda’s mind. It is here that the reader spends the majority of the book. This setting tells more to the reader then description of the high school.
An important topic or theme of this book is the high school experience. Growth and inner strength play a large part in the latter part of the book. These emerge in the book at the rate Melinda lets them. Her growth can go no faster then what she thinks and over the course of her freshmen year of high school the reader realizes this. This may resonate with the readers of Speak as it will help them understand that things cannot be rushed when they have no place to go.
As mentioned before the text of the book takes on a type of stream of consciousness. The reader reads what Melinda thinks and sees and nothing more. The point of view of the story is appropriate as Melinda is the only one that can tell this story. The emphasis on narration over dialogue is also important. All of these aspects lead to the style the book is written in as the only appropriate way. Third person would detract from the story and leave much to be desired. It is obvious that the author wanted to tell this story. Written so eloquently and with such emotion it is hard to believe this is not a true story. It reads with such raw and blatant emotion.
When speaking to the gender and culture of this book it is hard to get away from typecasting and stereotyping. Those two words can quite possibly explain the whole high school experience. However, Anderson never lets those characteristics touch her main character. Never once does the main character become sugarcoated to appeal to an audience. She is real. She has a real problem and real emotions and she tells the story of many young women who may have had her real experiences touch their lives. She is a real to the point that the reader reaches out to her in their mind’s eye, they cry for her, feel for her, and perhaps are her.
Speak has become a modern classic and has won many awards to prove this. Starting with the Michael L. Printz Honor in 2000 it has also been honored with being a National Book Award Finalist, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and a School Library Journal best book of the year.
From Publishers Weekly
“The book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.”
From Booklist (starred review)
“Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.”
From School Library Journal
“This powerful novel deals with a difficult yet important topic-rape. Melinda is just starting high school. It should be one of the greatest times in her life, but instead of enjoying herself, she is an outcast. She has been marked as the girl who called the police to break up the big end-of-the-summer party, and all the kids are angry at her. Even her closest friends have pulled away. No one knows why she made the call, and even Melinda can't really articulate what happened. As the school year goes on, her grades plummet and she withdraws into herself to the point that she's barely speaking. Her only refuge is her art class, where she learns to find ways to express some of her feelings. As her freshman year comes to an end, Melinda finally comes to terms with what happened to her-she was raped at that party by an upperclassman who is still taunting her at school. When he tries again, she finds her voice, and her classmates realize the truth. The healing process will take time, but Melinda no longer has to deal with it alone. Anderson expresses the emotions and the struggles of teenagers perfectly. Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.” Dina Sherman, Brooklyn Children's Museum, NY.
Art is one of the things that helps to bring Miranda back to life. Her struggles and frustrations are seen in her art and reflect the different moods of her freshman year. The art teacher Mr. Freeman starts his class by making each student pick a subject out of a box. This is their subject for the entire semester. This might be a good introduction for beginning discussion of the book with a classroom. Each student or group member can choose a scrap of paper out a hat and then create a work of art on that subject. This can be an icebreaker to begin discussion about a book with a sensitive subject. After completion of this project then discussion can be opened and students or group members can begin to speak themselves.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
When You Reach Me
Rebecca Stead
Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780385737425.
Defying the laws of time and space, Miranda is caught in a web of confusion as she receives notes that seem to come from the future, predicting events in her life. Growing up in 1970’s New York City, Miranda is the average pre-teen with friends, fights, and teenage angst. Miranda starts to receive notes in odd places about events that are going to happen in her life. The one that frightens her most talks about saving lives from disaster. After her best friend, Sal, decides to take a break from their friendship Miranda sets out to make new friends. One of these new acquaintances is a boy named Marcus, who unbeknownst to her also happens to be the crazy man that lives under the mailbox on their street. This is where the laws of time and space unravel and at the end when the crazy man saves Sal from being hit by a bus by sacrificing himself, Miranda realizes the impossible truth. Marcus and the crazy man were one and the same. Using her copy of Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time as her basis of understanding time travel, Miranda tries to piece it all together.
Part mystery, part fantasy, and part realism, the characters in this book are as realistic as they come. Teenage angst is a trait that most people can relate to and in this book the characters have it down to an art form. Miranda is the quintessential New Yorker; she is able to take care of herself but sometimes needs a mother’s touch. Her friends all come from different backgrounds and fill the proverbial melting pot of which the country is. By the end of the book the reader feels as if they are part of the book, identifying with the characters and feeling their pain is the mark of a good author. You care and you want to see them persevere.
With the small element of the fantastical present, this plot is still believable and the “what if” quality makes one wonder is time travel could be possible and should we look more carefully around us. This original plotline involves a quest of sorts. Miranda wants to figure out why Sal has decided to push himself away from her, and on this quest she is able make different friends and unravel the mystery of the notes she finds placed strategically for her to find.
Since the setting for this story is New York City, the visualization is easy to see in the mind’s eye. It is a place that is easily pictured; however the author does a fantastic job of describing Miranda’s apartment with the “lobby with the cigarette smell and the ugly ceiling light full of dead bugs” (Stead, 119.) Those small details give a bigger picture of what the world Miranda lives in looks like. Friendship is an overarching theme in When You Reach Me. All of the characters are dealing with how to keep and let go of friends. This requires some of them to sacrifice themselves while some are sacrificing others. This theme is perfect for the age group of the book, since this theme is also central in young adult’s lives. How the characters navigate their friendships could help readers understand what might work in their own lives.
The style of writing that the author chooses to use in her book is clear and concise with emphasis on dialogue versus narrative. Written in the first person, Miranda narrates her life and how it is seen through her eyes. She is straightforward and to the point with only a little trepidation in her thoughts. Miranda seems wise beyond her years and her speech reflects that. It has been only her and her mother for most of her life and the relationship appears symbiotic, they rely on each other and let each other’s strengths prevail.
Rebecca Stead won the Newbery Medal for When You Reach Me plus many other awards including: Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of the Year (2009), Parents’ Choice Gold Award (2009), and New York Times Notable Book (2009). Winning these awards goes hand in hand with the starred reviews the book also received.
From School Library Journal, Starred Review.
Sixth-grader Miranda lives in 1978 New York City with her mother, and her life compass is Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. When she receives a series of enigmatic notes that claim to want to save her life, she comes to believe that they are from someone who knows the future. Miranda spends considerable time observing a raving vagrant who her mother calls the laughing man and trying to find the connection between the notes and her everyday life. Discerning readers will realize the ties between Miranda's mystery and L'Engle's plot, but will enjoy hints of fantasy and descriptions of middle school dynamics. Stead's novel is as much about character as story. Miranda's voice rings true with its faltering attempts at maturity and observation. The story builds slowly, emerging naturally from a sturdy premise. As Miranda reminisces, the time sequencing is somewhat challenging, but in an intriguing way. The setting is consistently strong. The stores and even the streets–in Miranda's neighborhood act as physical entities and impact the plot in tangible ways. This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers.–Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT
From The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review.
"Closing revelations are startling and satisfying but quietly made, their reverberations giving plenty of impetus for the reader to go back to the beginning and catch what was missed."
From Booklist, Starred Review.
"[T]he mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children, and adults are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest."
Readers who enjoyed this book might also enjoy Stead’s other book, First Light. For those that have never read A Wrinkly in Time, reading it will give some insight into Miranda as a character. For other books with a twist like time travel readers might enjoy: Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, and Skellig by David Almond.
Time travel is an interesting subject as it allows the imagination to open up and make anything possible. A fun activity to try with a group of classroom is to pair students off and have them pick a place they would travel back in time to if it were possible. Have one student write as if they were in the present traveling back, and the other to write as if they were in the back traveling forwards. Their stories can then be combined and they can share what they learned about their “trips” while time traveling.
Rebecca Stead
Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780385737425.
Defying the laws of time and space, Miranda is caught in a web of confusion as she receives notes that seem to come from the future, predicting events in her life. Growing up in 1970’s New York City, Miranda is the average pre-teen with friends, fights, and teenage angst. Miranda starts to receive notes in odd places about events that are going to happen in her life. The one that frightens her most talks about saving lives from disaster. After her best friend, Sal, decides to take a break from their friendship Miranda sets out to make new friends. One of these new acquaintances is a boy named Marcus, who unbeknownst to her also happens to be the crazy man that lives under the mailbox on their street. This is where the laws of time and space unravel and at the end when the crazy man saves Sal from being hit by a bus by sacrificing himself, Miranda realizes the impossible truth. Marcus and the crazy man were one and the same. Using her copy of Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time as her basis of understanding time travel, Miranda tries to piece it all together.
Part mystery, part fantasy, and part realism, the characters in this book are as realistic as they come. Teenage angst is a trait that most people can relate to and in this book the characters have it down to an art form. Miranda is the quintessential New Yorker; she is able to take care of herself but sometimes needs a mother’s touch. Her friends all come from different backgrounds and fill the proverbial melting pot of which the country is. By the end of the book the reader feels as if they are part of the book, identifying with the characters and feeling their pain is the mark of a good author. You care and you want to see them persevere.
With the small element of the fantastical present, this plot is still believable and the “what if” quality makes one wonder is time travel could be possible and should we look more carefully around us. This original plotline involves a quest of sorts. Miranda wants to figure out why Sal has decided to push himself away from her, and on this quest she is able make different friends and unravel the mystery of the notes she finds placed strategically for her to find.
Since the setting for this story is New York City, the visualization is easy to see in the mind’s eye. It is a place that is easily pictured; however the author does a fantastic job of describing Miranda’s apartment with the “lobby with the cigarette smell and the ugly ceiling light full of dead bugs” (Stead, 119.) Those small details give a bigger picture of what the world Miranda lives in looks like. Friendship is an overarching theme in When You Reach Me. All of the characters are dealing with how to keep and let go of friends. This requires some of them to sacrifice themselves while some are sacrificing others. This theme is perfect for the age group of the book, since this theme is also central in young adult’s lives. How the characters navigate their friendships could help readers understand what might work in their own lives.
The style of writing that the author chooses to use in her book is clear and concise with emphasis on dialogue versus narrative. Written in the first person, Miranda narrates her life and how it is seen through her eyes. She is straightforward and to the point with only a little trepidation in her thoughts. Miranda seems wise beyond her years and her speech reflects that. It has been only her and her mother for most of her life and the relationship appears symbiotic, they rely on each other and let each other’s strengths prevail.
Rebecca Stead won the Newbery Medal for When You Reach Me plus many other awards including: Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of the Year (2009), Parents’ Choice Gold Award (2009), and New York Times Notable Book (2009). Winning these awards goes hand in hand with the starred reviews the book also received.
From School Library Journal, Starred Review.
Sixth-grader Miranda lives in 1978 New York City with her mother, and her life compass is Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. When she receives a series of enigmatic notes that claim to want to save her life, she comes to believe that they are from someone who knows the future. Miranda spends considerable time observing a raving vagrant who her mother calls the laughing man and trying to find the connection between the notes and her everyday life. Discerning readers will realize the ties between Miranda's mystery and L'Engle's plot, but will enjoy hints of fantasy and descriptions of middle school dynamics. Stead's novel is as much about character as story. Miranda's voice rings true with its faltering attempts at maturity and observation. The story builds slowly, emerging naturally from a sturdy premise. As Miranda reminisces, the time sequencing is somewhat challenging, but in an intriguing way. The setting is consistently strong. The stores and even the streets–in Miranda's neighborhood act as physical entities and impact the plot in tangible ways. This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers.–Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT
From The Horn Book Magazine, Starred Review.
"Closing revelations are startling and satisfying but quietly made, their reverberations giving plenty of impetus for the reader to go back to the beginning and catch what was missed."
From Booklist, Starred Review.
"[T]he mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children, and adults are honest bits of humanity no matter in what place or time their souls rest."
Readers who enjoyed this book might also enjoy Stead’s other book, First Light. For those that have never read A Wrinkly in Time, reading it will give some insight into Miranda as a character. For other books with a twist like time travel readers might enjoy: Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, and Skellig by David Almond.
Time travel is an interesting subject as it allows the imagination to open up and make anything possible. A fun activity to try with a group of classroom is to pair students off and have them pick a place they would travel back in time to if it were possible. Have one student write as if they were in the present traveling back, and the other to write as if they were in the back traveling forwards. Their stories can then be combined and they can share what they learned about their “trips” while time traveling.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale
Rapunzel’s Revenge
Shannon and Dean Hale
Hale, Shannon & Dean. 2008. Rapunzel’s Revenge. Illus. by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury, U.S.A. ISBN: 9781599900704.
The story of Rapunzel is a well-known classic brought to the present by the genius of the brothers Grimm. Shannon and Dean Hale bring it to graphic novel form in a spaghetti western fractured fairy tale book. In this retelling Rapunzel is a cowgirl at heart. She finds out that her “mother” Gothel, is not really her mother at all, but a magical witch. After discovering her real mother and many other secrets, she is locked in a taller than natural magical tree, with no way to escape until her hair grows long enough to lasso down. Along her escape route she meets up with an outlaw named Jack who travels with her on their adventures. Among other adventures Rapunzel and Jack are kidnapped, locked in jail, attacked by wild beasts and a sea serpent, and battle the evil sorceress Gothel. Since Rapunzel is a fairy tale at heart, the ending of this tale is a happy one with evil vanquished, love found, and family reunited.
The protagonist Rapunzel is easy to identify with for young girl readers. She is a strong, smart female out to right the wrongs that have been perpetrated against her. As the story goes on the reader begins to root for her and care that she gets out of the sticky situations that seem to be creeping up on her. As the main character Rapunzel has her namesake to live up to. Unlike the traditional tale, here Rapunzel takes matters into her own hands and rescues herself. Rapunzel’s ability to use her hair as a weapon in no way takes away from the believability of the character herself.
The plot of this graphic novel centers around the genre of bildungsroman, or psychological growth, of the main character. Here Rapunzel is tested mentally, physically, and emotionally as she tries to regain a life that was lost. Her journey takes her from what was once the comfort of home to jungles, deserts and oceans that hold no familiarity. In a graphic novel there are two ways to describe the setting, through the comic strip illustrations and the dialogue bubbles. In the case of Rapunzel’s Revenge the setting is mainly set through the illustrations. Vivid color and a mix of different sized squares allow for set up and take down of each individual scenario that the characters are engaged in. The details of the graphic novel illustrations are an integral part of the story as there is little narrative to accompany the spoken dialogue of the characters. Since this setting is a fictional fantastical place the illustrations have to show that, and here they do. There are elements of familiarity mixed with mythological to create a place that readers can identify with on the lip of their imaginations.
The theme, by and large, in Rapunzel’s Revenge is good versus evil. Righting wrongs and putting good back on top are the main themes. Rapunzel has to do these things not because she is the hero, but because she is innately good and her true nature knows nothing different. Her life has been a sacrifice, all though she does not realize this until she finds her real mother. She is now done with sacrificing and the story can center on the hope that exists for her regain what she had previously sacrificed. The style of writing for a graphic novel has to be succinct and clear as there is less time for character development and background. The Hale’s do an excellent job of this by using a character, like Rapunzel, that reader’s might already be familiar with. Written in first and third person, the reader gains a perspective of how the characters think and act by their thoughts and spoken words. Each character also has a very distinctive voice. Rapunzel’s voice changes over the course of the graphic novel. Beginning with an obedient and careful voice, as Rapunzel encounters more in her life her voice begins to change and the reader can see the transformation of the character.
Review for Rapunzel’s Revenge tend to focus on the combination of illustrations and words that work together to create a story that is larger then life.
From Booklist“This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine. Young Rapunzel lives a lonely life, never knowing what lies beyond the high garden walls of her mother’s royal villa until one day she climbs the wall to see what’s on the other side. When she finds that the world outside is a dark place oppressed by her mother’s greed for power and uncovers the real secret of her own birth, she is imprisoned in a magic tree tower. In her years of captivity, she learns a lot about self-reliance and care for her exceptionally long hair, and eventually she is able to escape, vowing to bring down her mother’s cruel empire. Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.” Tina Coleman
From School Library Journal Starred Review
“This is the tale as you've never seen it before. After using her hair to free herself from her prison tower, this Rapunzel ignores the pompous prince and teams up with Jack (of Beanstalk fame) in an attempt to free her birth mother and an entire kingdom from the evil witch who once moonlighted as her mother. Dogged by both the witch's henchman and Jack's outlaw past, the heroes travel across the map as they right wrongs, help the oppressed, and generally try to stay alive. Rapunzel is no damsel in distress–she wields her long braids as both rope and weapon–but she happily accepts Jack's teamwork and friendship. 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. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after.” Cara von Wrangel Kinsey, New York Public Library
Awards won for this graphic novel are: an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a Cybils Award, an Indiebound Next Pick, YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens, and YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults. Many other awards have also been given to this graphic novel.
For those that really enjoyed Rapunzel's Revenge, there is a second one in what looks to be a series called Calamity Jack. This time the story is told from Jack's perspective, with Rapunzel along for the ride.
With the burgeoning of graphic novels as a serious form of literature there are many ideas for classrooms and groups to do as activities. Using a well-known fairy tale character and giving her a new lease on life in graphic novel form is a trendsetting idea. There are many fairy tale characters to go around so each person could pick one and make an alternate tale and put it into graphic novel form. On large cardboard each person (or group) could animate a scene from their work.
Shannon and Dean Hale
Hale, Shannon & Dean. 2008. Rapunzel’s Revenge. Illus. by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury, U.S.A. ISBN: 9781599900704.
The story of Rapunzel is a well-known classic brought to the present by the genius of the brothers Grimm. Shannon and Dean Hale bring it to graphic novel form in a spaghetti western fractured fairy tale book. In this retelling Rapunzel is a cowgirl at heart. She finds out that her “mother” Gothel, is not really her mother at all, but a magical witch. After discovering her real mother and many other secrets, she is locked in a taller than natural magical tree, with no way to escape until her hair grows long enough to lasso down. Along her escape route she meets up with an outlaw named Jack who travels with her on their adventures. Among other adventures Rapunzel and Jack are kidnapped, locked in jail, attacked by wild beasts and a sea serpent, and battle the evil sorceress Gothel. Since Rapunzel is a fairy tale at heart, the ending of this tale is a happy one with evil vanquished, love found, and family reunited.
The protagonist Rapunzel is easy to identify with for young girl readers. She is a strong, smart female out to right the wrongs that have been perpetrated against her. As the story goes on the reader begins to root for her and care that she gets out of the sticky situations that seem to be creeping up on her. As the main character Rapunzel has her namesake to live up to. Unlike the traditional tale, here Rapunzel takes matters into her own hands and rescues herself. Rapunzel’s ability to use her hair as a weapon in no way takes away from the believability of the character herself.
The plot of this graphic novel centers around the genre of bildungsroman, or psychological growth, of the main character. Here Rapunzel is tested mentally, physically, and emotionally as she tries to regain a life that was lost. Her journey takes her from what was once the comfort of home to jungles, deserts and oceans that hold no familiarity. In a graphic novel there are two ways to describe the setting, through the comic strip illustrations and the dialogue bubbles. In the case of Rapunzel’s Revenge the setting is mainly set through the illustrations. Vivid color and a mix of different sized squares allow for set up and take down of each individual scenario that the characters are engaged in. The details of the graphic novel illustrations are an integral part of the story as there is little narrative to accompany the spoken dialogue of the characters. Since this setting is a fictional fantastical place the illustrations have to show that, and here they do. There are elements of familiarity mixed with mythological to create a place that readers can identify with on the lip of their imaginations.
The theme, by and large, in Rapunzel’s Revenge is good versus evil. Righting wrongs and putting good back on top are the main themes. Rapunzel has to do these things not because she is the hero, but because she is innately good and her true nature knows nothing different. Her life has been a sacrifice, all though she does not realize this until she finds her real mother. She is now done with sacrificing and the story can center on the hope that exists for her regain what she had previously sacrificed. The style of writing for a graphic novel has to be succinct and clear as there is less time for character development and background. The Hale’s do an excellent job of this by using a character, like Rapunzel, that reader’s might already be familiar with. Written in first and third person, the reader gains a perspective of how the characters think and act by their thoughts and spoken words. Each character also has a very distinctive voice. Rapunzel’s voice changes over the course of the graphic novel. Beginning with an obedient and careful voice, as Rapunzel encounters more in her life her voice begins to change and the reader can see the transformation of the character.
Review for Rapunzel’s Revenge tend to focus on the combination of illustrations and words that work together to create a story that is larger then life.
From Booklist“This graphic novel retelling of the fairy-tale classic, set in a swashbuckling Wild West, puts action first and features some serious girl power in its spunky and strong heroine. Young Rapunzel lives a lonely life, never knowing what lies beyond the high garden walls of her mother’s royal villa until one day she climbs the wall to see what’s on the other side. When she finds that the world outside is a dark place oppressed by her mother’s greed for power and uncovers the real secret of her own birth, she is imprisoned in a magic tree tower. In her years of captivity, she learns a lot about self-reliance and care for her exceptionally long hair, and eventually she is able to escape, vowing to bring down her mother’s cruel empire. Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.” Tina Coleman
From School Library Journal Starred Review
“This is the tale as you've never seen it before. After using her hair to free herself from her prison tower, this Rapunzel ignores the pompous prince and teams up with Jack (of Beanstalk fame) in an attempt to free her birth mother and an entire kingdom from the evil witch who once moonlighted as her mother. Dogged by both the witch's henchman and Jack's outlaw past, the heroes travel across the map as they right wrongs, help the oppressed, and generally try to stay alive. Rapunzel is no damsel in distress–she wields her long braids as both rope and weapon–but she happily accepts Jack's teamwork and friendship. 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. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after.” Cara von Wrangel Kinsey, New York Public Library
Awards won for this graphic novel are: an ALA Notable Children’s Book, a Cybils Award, an Indiebound Next Pick, YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens, and YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults. Many other awards have also been given to this graphic novel.
For those that really enjoyed Rapunzel's Revenge, there is a second one in what looks to be a series called Calamity Jack. This time the story is told from Jack's perspective, with Rapunzel along for the ride.
With the burgeoning of graphic novels as a serious form of literature there are many ideas for classrooms and groups to do as activities. Using a well-known fairy tale character and giving her a new lease on life in graphic novel form is a trendsetting idea. There are many fairy tale characters to go around so each person could pick one and make an alternate tale and put it into graphic novel form. On large cardboard each person (or group) could animate a scene from their work.
Friday, July 22, 2011
The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
The Green Glass Sea
Ellen Klages
Klages, Ellen. 2006. The Green Glass Sea. New York: Viking Publishers. ISBN: 9780670061341.
World War II was a time of love and loss, strife and empowerment. Throughout the course of The Green Glass Sea, protagonist Dewey Kerrigan experiences all of those emotions, plus many more. Her story starts when she is reunited with her father in Los Alamos, NM, where he is a scientist. Dewey is a smart, shy, keeps to herself teenage girl with a penchant for building gadgets. The antagonist of this story, Suze Gordon, makes it point to make life miserable for Dewey on a fairly regular basis. It is only after Dewey’s father has to go to Washington D.C., and Dewey has to move in with the Gordon’s that we see a change come over both of them. The story ends with the death of Dewey’s father and her eventual integration into the family of the Gordon’s. It is here that she finds her place and voice in the world she lives.
The characters of this novel are very well rounded and versatile. The character of Dewey is the strongest and the reader grows with her as the story moves. She (and Suze) exhibit the typical emotions and characteristics on any pre-teen or teenage girl regardless of what decade they are living in. Reader will find it very easy to identify with Dewey, regardless of her self-imposed gawkiness. She has had to grow up fast and she is comfortable with herself and has no wish to change. Suze is also a character that is easy to identify with. Opposite of Dewey she wants nothing more than to fit in and be liked. She finds it hard to discover her real self, while constantly trying to be someone she is not. It is through her and Dewey’s friendship that she finds who she is supposed to be and not be afraid of it.
Plot and setting are very similar in this young adult historical novel. Living during WWII was both a time and a place. The plot centers on Los Alamos, NM and the secrecy of the Manhattan Project. The setting is exactly the same. Not overwhelmed with details, the reader has a sense of what it might have been like to live in a place that was not supposed to exist. With vivid descriptions of the Santa Fe area and the blast site, the reader can picture in their minds eye what it may have been like during this time. The time and place are very explicit as this was a huge part of the end of WWII.
The themes in The Green Glass Sea center on family and its importance in a young person’s life. Dewey only had her father to lean on and when he dies she is left an orphan. Suze has a strong family unit with both parents present and loving. When Dewey’s father dies she has no place else to turn. After running away because she fears no one wants her, she is found and invited to join the Gordon’s as a member of their family. This restores some of the faith that Dewey has lost, and also makes for an important theme of the book. Another theme that runs through the book is the universal theme of right and wrong. Many of the characters struggle with this, both Suze for her bullying, and her parents for taking part in a scientific discovery that could destroy the world. They are constantly struggling with their inner demons and how to avoid letting them rule their lives.
Ellen Klages has a very strong style of writing. Her characters are bold and her descriptions are vivid. She is able to capture the feelings that existed during WWII completely in her characters. She weaves a tale that is an important part of history into fictional characters and makes you believe they actually existed. Using real people and events in her fictional account also helps the validity of the story. She thoroughly researched her facts and left nothing to be desired in her balance between fact and fiction. Including a bibliography and authors note lend to the historical nature of her book.
This book was nominated and won many awards. Some of those include winner of the 2007 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, winner of the 2007 New Mexico State Book Award, finalist for the 2007 Locus Award, and Finalist for the 2007 Quill Awards. The reviews are also stacked in favor of this historical novel.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The two outcasts reluctantly come together when Dewey's father is called away to Washington, D.C., and Dewey temporarily moves in with Suze's family. Although the girls do not get along at first (Suze draws a chalk line in her room to separate their personal spaces), they gradually learn to rely on each other for comfort, support and companionship. Details about the era-popular music, pastimes and products-add authenticity to the story as do brief appearances of some historic figures including Robert Oppenheimer....the author provides much insight into the controversies surrounding the making of the bomb and brings to life the tensions of war experienced by adults and children alike.”
School Library Journal
“After the atomic bomb test succeeds, ethical concerns of both youngsters and adults intensify as the characters learn how it is ultimately used. Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way.”
Being such a well thought out and provoking novel, it lends itself naturally to extra activities. One of the great traits of both Dewey and Suze is their ability to express themselves through art and inventions. Using scraps found in the junkyard they both create things that speak to their inner selves. This type of activity is great for a classroom. Using objects found either at craft stores or from a junkyard allow children or group members to create their own objects using only their imaginations. Writing a story or poem about their creation will give the project wings and allow children to express themselves however they see best.
Ellen Klages
Klages, Ellen. 2006. The Green Glass Sea. New York: Viking Publishers. ISBN: 9780670061341.
World War II was a time of love and loss, strife and empowerment. Throughout the course of The Green Glass Sea, protagonist Dewey Kerrigan experiences all of those emotions, plus many more. Her story starts when she is reunited with her father in Los Alamos, NM, where he is a scientist. Dewey is a smart, shy, keeps to herself teenage girl with a penchant for building gadgets. The antagonist of this story, Suze Gordon, makes it point to make life miserable for Dewey on a fairly regular basis. It is only after Dewey’s father has to go to Washington D.C., and Dewey has to move in with the Gordon’s that we see a change come over both of them. The story ends with the death of Dewey’s father and her eventual integration into the family of the Gordon’s. It is here that she finds her place and voice in the world she lives.
The characters of this novel are very well rounded and versatile. The character of Dewey is the strongest and the reader grows with her as the story moves. She (and Suze) exhibit the typical emotions and characteristics on any pre-teen or teenage girl regardless of what decade they are living in. Reader will find it very easy to identify with Dewey, regardless of her self-imposed gawkiness. She has had to grow up fast and she is comfortable with herself and has no wish to change. Suze is also a character that is easy to identify with. Opposite of Dewey she wants nothing more than to fit in and be liked. She finds it hard to discover her real self, while constantly trying to be someone she is not. It is through her and Dewey’s friendship that she finds who she is supposed to be and not be afraid of it.
Plot and setting are very similar in this young adult historical novel. Living during WWII was both a time and a place. The plot centers on Los Alamos, NM and the secrecy of the Manhattan Project. The setting is exactly the same. Not overwhelmed with details, the reader has a sense of what it might have been like to live in a place that was not supposed to exist. With vivid descriptions of the Santa Fe area and the blast site, the reader can picture in their minds eye what it may have been like during this time. The time and place are very explicit as this was a huge part of the end of WWII.
The themes in The Green Glass Sea center on family and its importance in a young person’s life. Dewey only had her father to lean on and when he dies she is left an orphan. Suze has a strong family unit with both parents present and loving. When Dewey’s father dies she has no place else to turn. After running away because she fears no one wants her, she is found and invited to join the Gordon’s as a member of their family. This restores some of the faith that Dewey has lost, and also makes for an important theme of the book. Another theme that runs through the book is the universal theme of right and wrong. Many of the characters struggle with this, both Suze for her bullying, and her parents for taking part in a scientific discovery that could destroy the world. They are constantly struggling with their inner demons and how to avoid letting them rule their lives.
Ellen Klages has a very strong style of writing. Her characters are bold and her descriptions are vivid. She is able to capture the feelings that existed during WWII completely in her characters. She weaves a tale that is an important part of history into fictional characters and makes you believe they actually existed. Using real people and events in her fictional account also helps the validity of the story. She thoroughly researched her facts and left nothing to be desired in her balance between fact and fiction. Including a bibliography and authors note lend to the historical nature of her book.
This book was nominated and won many awards. Some of those include winner of the 2007 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, winner of the 2007 New Mexico State Book Award, finalist for the 2007 Locus Award, and Finalist for the 2007 Quill Awards. The reviews are also stacked in favor of this historical novel.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The two outcasts reluctantly come together when Dewey's father is called away to Washington, D.C., and Dewey temporarily moves in with Suze's family. Although the girls do not get along at first (Suze draws a chalk line in her room to separate their personal spaces), they gradually learn to rely on each other for comfort, support and companionship. Details about the era-popular music, pastimes and products-add authenticity to the story as do brief appearances of some historic figures including Robert Oppenheimer....the author provides much insight into the controversies surrounding the making of the bomb and brings to life the tensions of war experienced by adults and children alike.”
School Library Journal
“After the atomic bomb test succeeds, ethical concerns of both youngsters and adults intensify as the characters learn how it is ultimately used. Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way.”
Being such a well thought out and provoking novel, it lends itself naturally to extra activities. One of the great traits of both Dewey and Suze is their ability to express themselves through art and inventions. Using scraps found in the junkyard they both create things that speak to their inner selves. This type of activity is great for a classroom. Using objects found either at craft stores or from a junkyard allow children or group members to create their own objects using only their imaginations. Writing a story or poem about their creation will give the project wings and allow children to express themselves however they see best.
A House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff
A House of Tailors
Patricia Reilly Giff
Giff, Patricia R. 2004. A House of Tailors. Read by Blair Brown. New York: Random House, Inc. ISBN: 1400094917.
The midst of the Franco-Prussion War is no place for a 13 year old German girl, but that is exactly where Dina Kirk finds herself. Based loosely on the author’s great grandmother, Giff creates a story that makes Dina’s memory live on. Accused of being a spy for the French, Dina must take her sister’s place on a boat to America to her Uncle’s house in Brooklyn. Dina and her family are tailors and seamstresses and Dina, while good, does not care for sewing. On arrival in Brooklyn, she finds herself having to do just that in order to help earn her keep (and to earn money to go home). Fighting sewing all the way, Dina soon has bigger problems to work through as smallpox and a fire threaten to destroy everything she has begrudgingly come to accept as her home and family. When the decision is made to send her home, Dina realizes that while she wants to go home, she can’t, she is home. Overcoming her grudges and learning to love her new life, Dina finds friends, a boyfriend, Johann, and a family to go through the rest of her new life with.
The characters in this story are vibrant and real. Their emotions are as transparent as if they were standing in the room. Dina is an easily identifiable character, she embodies all the aspects of a 13 year old girl that are unchanging over time. She is forthright, stubborn, loving, and impetuous. Her mother, sister, and brother embody all the aspects of a tightknit family, and her relatives in Brooklyn are the typical immigrant family, working hard while barely making ends meet. Their stories are realistic and easy to relate to, despite their being 140 years apart.
The story reads like an adventure story. It has action and peril, love and understanding. It is presented in a way that is easy to understand and easy to infer from. The plot is simple and not overwhelmed by details, the story flows from idea to idea with ease. It is realistic for the time period and the descriptions of the smallpox and fires are very real and can be imagined in the mind’s eye with little trouble at all. The setting of this story takes place in two places. First is Germany, with Dina’s house on the Rhein River. The descriptions of the homes, streets, and people are based on stories and research that the author received from first and second hand individuals. The same can be said for the setting in Brooklyn, tenement houses were scary places to live and Giff represents them like she had lived there herself.
The themes of this story are universal but at times might be hard to understand as most children these days do not understand the trials of European countries and the want to come to America. Immigration and living conditions have changed tremendously since the timeframe of the book. The one theme that can resonate strongly with readers is family. Dina has two family’s that are oceans apart and she wants to be with both of them. She ultimately has to make a decision that is right for her. Choosing her new family is one of the hardest decisions she has to make in her young life, but it is accepted unconditionally by all parties.
Listening to this book as an audiobook led to two very different styles of the book. Giff’s words and Brown’s voice bring together a very powerful narrative. Giff writes with a very strong sense of purpose and her narrative’s speak to the reader in a very colorful format. Combining the words with the voice of Brown, leads to a very interesting experience. Brown has a very strong melodious voice that embraces the narrator and people she is portraying. At times, the German accent sounds forced but it helps to differentiate the characters from the narrative. She does capture the speech of the era though, and it makes for an easy listening experience. Her reading speed is almost metronomic and her inflections correspond to the action in the book.
The author based this book on her own great-grandmother so her facts and fiction are closely aligned. At the end of the audiobook, the author reads the afterward and authors note. The audiobook does not include any sources or recommended reading. Since the book is a tribute to her great-grandmother who was the character of Dina, it can be inferred that she has her facts correct and that she just fictionalized the characters.
The audiobook won the ALSC Notable Children’s Recording Award. The book itself won the 2005 Maine Student Book Master List. Reviews are wide and diverse for the book. These reviews are based on the paperback edition of the book.
School Library Journal
“This novel is rich with believable, endearing characters as well as excitement and emotion. Dina, 13, can't wait to leave Germany and begin her new life in America with Mama's rich brother and his family. She longs to finally escape the drudgery of her mother's sewing shop, even though she is often reminded, "As much as you hate sewing, Dina, that's how much the needle and thread love you." As soon as she arrives at the cramped, five-story walk-up, however, she knows that she has entered a house of tailors, "no different from my own, except that it was poorer." Though she helps Aunt Barbara with the house and baby Maria, Uncle Lucas views her as a burden. She has no choice but to sew for him, her only consolation being the 40 cents he will give her each day toward her passage home. Gradually, Dina grows to love her new family, meets another "greenhorn" with whom she can reminisce and trade new American words, and becomes a promising hat and dressmaker. She also nurses Barbara and Maria through smallpox and carries the child to safety during a devastating fire. Readers get a glimpse into life in Brooklyn in the 1870s, especially the dreaded Health Department inspections during the epidemic. Sprinkled with letters from home, the story captures the universal immigrant dilemma, "we would always have a longing to go back, and a longing to stay."–Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Booklist
“In 1870, 13-year-old Dina is forced to flee Germany after being mistaken for a spy, and she takes her sister's place on a ship to America, where she will live with Uncle, his young wife, Barbara, and baby Marie. After arriving, Dina finds herself in Brooklyn, sleeping in a stifling closet. Worst of all, she must earn her room and board by sewing. Although talented, Dina despises the work, but sewing is part of Uncle's plan to improve their situation, so Dina finds herself either at the machine or doing the endless work of a tenement life. There are many books about immigrants in the U.S; the strengths of this one are its profuse details and its cranky heroine. And a heroine Dina is, sometimes exaggeratedly so, as when she saves both Barbara and Marie from a fire. Yet, Dina is not a stock character; she's a real child, who works hard, literally and figuratively, to find her way. When she realizes that designing dresses is something she loves, readers will cheer her perseverance, and the happy ending seems well deserved.” Ilene Cooper
Books similar to House of Tailors that readers might like are: Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata, and Lord of Nutcracker Men by Iain Lawrence. Activities that might be good for classrooms or reading groups center around family. Children have a grandparent whether they know them or not. Provided that there would not prove too much consternation, children could write a short story about an event in their recent ancestors lives. Another project could involve sewing since that is the focus of the book. Using safer instruments students could knit, crochet, sew, or macramé a project.
Patricia Reilly Giff
Giff, Patricia R. 2004. A House of Tailors. Read by Blair Brown. New York: Random House, Inc. ISBN: 1400094917.
The midst of the Franco-Prussion War is no place for a 13 year old German girl, but that is exactly where Dina Kirk finds herself. Based loosely on the author’s great grandmother, Giff creates a story that makes Dina’s memory live on. Accused of being a spy for the French, Dina must take her sister’s place on a boat to America to her Uncle’s house in Brooklyn. Dina and her family are tailors and seamstresses and Dina, while good, does not care for sewing. On arrival in Brooklyn, she finds herself having to do just that in order to help earn her keep (and to earn money to go home). Fighting sewing all the way, Dina soon has bigger problems to work through as smallpox and a fire threaten to destroy everything she has begrudgingly come to accept as her home and family. When the decision is made to send her home, Dina realizes that while she wants to go home, she can’t, she is home. Overcoming her grudges and learning to love her new life, Dina finds friends, a boyfriend, Johann, and a family to go through the rest of her new life with.
The characters in this story are vibrant and real. Their emotions are as transparent as if they were standing in the room. Dina is an easily identifiable character, she embodies all the aspects of a 13 year old girl that are unchanging over time. She is forthright, stubborn, loving, and impetuous. Her mother, sister, and brother embody all the aspects of a tightknit family, and her relatives in Brooklyn are the typical immigrant family, working hard while barely making ends meet. Their stories are realistic and easy to relate to, despite their being 140 years apart.
The story reads like an adventure story. It has action and peril, love and understanding. It is presented in a way that is easy to understand and easy to infer from. The plot is simple and not overwhelmed by details, the story flows from idea to idea with ease. It is realistic for the time period and the descriptions of the smallpox and fires are very real and can be imagined in the mind’s eye with little trouble at all. The setting of this story takes place in two places. First is Germany, with Dina’s house on the Rhein River. The descriptions of the homes, streets, and people are based on stories and research that the author received from first and second hand individuals. The same can be said for the setting in Brooklyn, tenement houses were scary places to live and Giff represents them like she had lived there herself.
The themes of this story are universal but at times might be hard to understand as most children these days do not understand the trials of European countries and the want to come to America. Immigration and living conditions have changed tremendously since the timeframe of the book. The one theme that can resonate strongly with readers is family. Dina has two family’s that are oceans apart and she wants to be with both of them. She ultimately has to make a decision that is right for her. Choosing her new family is one of the hardest decisions she has to make in her young life, but it is accepted unconditionally by all parties.
Listening to this book as an audiobook led to two very different styles of the book. Giff’s words and Brown’s voice bring together a very powerful narrative. Giff writes with a very strong sense of purpose and her narrative’s speak to the reader in a very colorful format. Combining the words with the voice of Brown, leads to a very interesting experience. Brown has a very strong melodious voice that embraces the narrator and people she is portraying. At times, the German accent sounds forced but it helps to differentiate the characters from the narrative. She does capture the speech of the era though, and it makes for an easy listening experience. Her reading speed is almost metronomic and her inflections correspond to the action in the book.
The author based this book on her own great-grandmother so her facts and fiction are closely aligned. At the end of the audiobook, the author reads the afterward and authors note. The audiobook does not include any sources or recommended reading. Since the book is a tribute to her great-grandmother who was the character of Dina, it can be inferred that she has her facts correct and that she just fictionalized the characters.
The audiobook won the ALSC Notable Children’s Recording Award. The book itself won the 2005 Maine Student Book Master List. Reviews are wide and diverse for the book. These reviews are based on the paperback edition of the book.
School Library Journal
“This novel is rich with believable, endearing characters as well as excitement and emotion. Dina, 13, can't wait to leave Germany and begin her new life in America with Mama's rich brother and his family. She longs to finally escape the drudgery of her mother's sewing shop, even though she is often reminded, "As much as you hate sewing, Dina, that's how much the needle and thread love you." As soon as she arrives at the cramped, five-story walk-up, however, she knows that she has entered a house of tailors, "no different from my own, except that it was poorer." Though she helps Aunt Barbara with the house and baby Maria, Uncle Lucas views her as a burden. She has no choice but to sew for him, her only consolation being the 40 cents he will give her each day toward her passage home. Gradually, Dina grows to love her new family, meets another "greenhorn" with whom she can reminisce and trade new American words, and becomes a promising hat and dressmaker. She also nurses Barbara and Maria through smallpox and carries the child to safety during a devastating fire. Readers get a glimpse into life in Brooklyn in the 1870s, especially the dreaded Health Department inspections during the epidemic. Sprinkled with letters from home, the story captures the universal immigrant dilemma, "we would always have a longing to go back, and a longing to stay."–Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
Booklist
“In 1870, 13-year-old Dina is forced to flee Germany after being mistaken for a spy, and she takes her sister's place on a ship to America, where she will live with Uncle, his young wife, Barbara, and baby Marie. After arriving, Dina finds herself in Brooklyn, sleeping in a stifling closet. Worst of all, she must earn her room and board by sewing. Although talented, Dina despises the work, but sewing is part of Uncle's plan to improve their situation, so Dina finds herself either at the machine or doing the endless work of a tenement life. There are many books about immigrants in the U.S; the strengths of this one are its profuse details and its cranky heroine. And a heroine Dina is, sometimes exaggeratedly so, as when she saves both Barbara and Marie from a fire. Yet, Dina is not a stock character; she's a real child, who works hard, literally and figuratively, to find her way. When she realizes that designing dresses is something she loves, readers will cheer her perseverance, and the happy ending seems well deserved.” Ilene Cooper
Books similar to House of Tailors that readers might like are: Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata, and Lord of Nutcracker Men by Iain Lawrence. Activities that might be good for classrooms or reading groups center around family. Children have a grandparent whether they know them or not. Provided that there would not prove too much consternation, children could write a short story about an event in their recent ancestors lives. Another project could involve sewing since that is the focus of the book. Using safer instruments students could knit, crochet, sew, or macramé a project.
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm
Turtle in Paradise
Jennifer L. Holm
Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House. ISBN: 9780375836886.
Life is hard in every generation, but the Depression era is hard to beat. Turtle, the courageous main character in Turtle in Paradise, shows the reader how to live life to the fullest no matter what your circumstances may be. Turtle is an 11 year old girl living in the Great Depression era, specifically 1935. Her mother, a housekeeper, has dreams of being a Hollywood actress and is always looking for love in the wrong places. At the start of a new job that does not allow children, Turtle’s mother has no choice but to send Turtle to live with her Aunt Minerva in Key West. Slightly scared and sometimes lonely, Turtle has to adjust to life with cousins, family, and new acquaintances. Every day sees Turtle becoming more outgoing and forward as she adjust to her new life. Treasure hunting leads to Turtle and her cousins being trapped on a small island during a hurricane, but this same hurricane also brings her mother back to her. With a con man feigning love for Turtle’s mother, he steals the Turtle’s share of the treasure and leaves Turtle and her mother to start their life over together on Key West, this time with the love and help of an extended family.
The characters in the young adult historical novel are vibrant and colorful. Turtle, the main character, is witty, bold, and much older than her 11 years. She is easy to identify with as a person and her personality traits transcend time to be relevant to today’s readers. The people that live on Key West are a close knit community and look out for one another’s interests. However, they do not at any time seem unbelievable. The reader can feel the tides of the time in how they act, talk, and move; everything is meant to save resources. The plot of this story is very dependent on the characters. Each character brings something to the plot and without them something would be lost. It is also presented accurately to the reader. There was no money and this is very apparent on Key West where favors are traded for food, and people work for items versus money.
The setting of this story is described and envisioned in perfect detail. Descriptions are vivid and paint a picture that can be imprinted on the reader’s imagination. For this story Key West is the major setting and Turtle’s descriptions are masterful. “The place looks like a broken chair that’s been left out in the sun to rot” (pg. 13), and “It’s the green peeping out everywhere that catches my eye…like Mother Nature is trying to pretty up the place” (pg. 14). Since the setting is based on the author’s great-grandmother’s life there the author has first and second hand knowledge of the environment from which her characters emerge.
The theme of this novel centers around family and what it means to different people. To Turtle it is her mother until she meets all her relatives on Key West. These people become her world even though she has only known them a short time. This is a timeless theme in children’s literature. The need to know where you’ve come from and where you may be going is prevalent through the character of Turtle.
This story is written in first person through Turtle. It captures how an 11 year old girl might feel, think, and act during the Depression era. The speech patterns are like any group of children would talk, which makes it easy to identify with the characters. The style reflects perceptions of the time and how a close knit group invents its own language and syntax that is familiar only to them.
One of the greatest aspects of this story is that it is based on the author’s ancestors. This can lead to a bias but also an authenticity that a researcher cannot duplicate. Holm includes in her author’s note a biography and pictures of her great grandmother and Key West. She also includes resources and websites that she used when writing her book. Stereotyping is minimal as she wrote what she knew not what she thought she knew. Basing her characters on those that really existed leads to a fine balance of fact and fiction.
Starred Review in Booklist
“Holm uses family stories as the basis for this tale, part romp, part steely-eyed look at the Depression era. Reminiscent of Addie in the movie Paper Moon, Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure. The many references to 1930s entertainments (Terry and the Pirates, Shirley Temple) will mostly go over kids' heads, but they'll get how much comics and movies meant to a population desperate for smiles. An author's note (with photos) shows Holm's family close-up. --Ilene Cooper
School Library Journal, April 2010:
"This richly detailed novel was inspired by Holm’s great-grandmother’s stories. Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won’t want to miss it."
Along with stellar reviews, Turtle in Paradise has also won many awards. It is a Newbery Honor Book, an ALA-ALSC Children’s Notable Book, and a nominee for a Cybil Award.
Since Jennifer Holm is also an author of graphic novels a fun project for a class or group would be to put Turtle in Paradise into graphic novel form. Graphic novels are becoming more prevalent for readers of all ages, reluctant readers might find this form of expression easier to read. The book has 18 chapters, depending on class or group size, each group can take a chapter and turn it into a graphic novel chapter. At the end of the project the chapters can be bound and reprinted so each person can have their own copy.
Jennifer L. Holm
Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House. ISBN: 9780375836886.
Life is hard in every generation, but the Depression era is hard to beat. Turtle, the courageous main character in Turtle in Paradise, shows the reader how to live life to the fullest no matter what your circumstances may be. Turtle is an 11 year old girl living in the Great Depression era, specifically 1935. Her mother, a housekeeper, has dreams of being a Hollywood actress and is always looking for love in the wrong places. At the start of a new job that does not allow children, Turtle’s mother has no choice but to send Turtle to live with her Aunt Minerva in Key West. Slightly scared and sometimes lonely, Turtle has to adjust to life with cousins, family, and new acquaintances. Every day sees Turtle becoming more outgoing and forward as she adjust to her new life. Treasure hunting leads to Turtle and her cousins being trapped on a small island during a hurricane, but this same hurricane also brings her mother back to her. With a con man feigning love for Turtle’s mother, he steals the Turtle’s share of the treasure and leaves Turtle and her mother to start their life over together on Key West, this time with the love and help of an extended family.
The characters in the young adult historical novel are vibrant and colorful. Turtle, the main character, is witty, bold, and much older than her 11 years. She is easy to identify with as a person and her personality traits transcend time to be relevant to today’s readers. The people that live on Key West are a close knit community and look out for one another’s interests. However, they do not at any time seem unbelievable. The reader can feel the tides of the time in how they act, talk, and move; everything is meant to save resources. The plot of this story is very dependent on the characters. Each character brings something to the plot and without them something would be lost. It is also presented accurately to the reader. There was no money and this is very apparent on Key West where favors are traded for food, and people work for items versus money.
The setting of this story is described and envisioned in perfect detail. Descriptions are vivid and paint a picture that can be imprinted on the reader’s imagination. For this story Key West is the major setting and Turtle’s descriptions are masterful. “The place looks like a broken chair that’s been left out in the sun to rot” (pg. 13), and “It’s the green peeping out everywhere that catches my eye…like Mother Nature is trying to pretty up the place” (pg. 14). Since the setting is based on the author’s great-grandmother’s life there the author has first and second hand knowledge of the environment from which her characters emerge.
The theme of this novel centers around family and what it means to different people. To Turtle it is her mother until she meets all her relatives on Key West. These people become her world even though she has only known them a short time. This is a timeless theme in children’s literature. The need to know where you’ve come from and where you may be going is prevalent through the character of Turtle.
This story is written in first person through Turtle. It captures how an 11 year old girl might feel, think, and act during the Depression era. The speech patterns are like any group of children would talk, which makes it easy to identify with the characters. The style reflects perceptions of the time and how a close knit group invents its own language and syntax that is familiar only to them.
One of the greatest aspects of this story is that it is based on the author’s ancestors. This can lead to a bias but also an authenticity that a researcher cannot duplicate. Holm includes in her author’s note a biography and pictures of her great grandmother and Key West. She also includes resources and websites that she used when writing her book. Stereotyping is minimal as she wrote what she knew not what she thought she knew. Basing her characters on those that really existed leads to a fine balance of fact and fiction.
Starred Review in Booklist
“Holm uses family stories as the basis for this tale, part romp, part steely-eyed look at the Depression era. Reminiscent of Addie in the movie Paper Moon, Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure. The many references to 1930s entertainments (Terry and the Pirates, Shirley Temple) will mostly go over kids' heads, but they'll get how much comics and movies meant to a population desperate for smiles. An author's note (with photos) shows Holm's family close-up. --Ilene Cooper
School Library Journal, April 2010:
"This richly detailed novel was inspired by Holm’s great-grandmother’s stories. Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won’t want to miss it."
Along with stellar reviews, Turtle in Paradise has also won many awards. It is a Newbery Honor Book, an ALA-ALSC Children’s Notable Book, and a nominee for a Cybil Award.
Since Jennifer Holm is also an author of graphic novels a fun project for a class or group would be to put Turtle in Paradise into graphic novel form. Graphic novels are becoming more prevalent for readers of all ages, reluctant readers might find this form of expression easier to read. The book has 18 chapters, depending on class or group size, each group can take a chapter and turn it into a graphic novel chapter. At the end of the project the chapters can be bound and reprinted so each person can have their own copy.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine by Sally M. Walker
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine
Sally M. Walker
Walker, Sally M. 2005. Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mystery of the H.L. Hunley. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, Inc. ISBN: 1575058308.
Resting on the ocean floor for 131 years, the H.L. Hunley has finally resurfaced in Sally Walker’s award winning book, Secrets of a Civil War Submarine. With original photos and dialog, Walker recreated the Hunley’s last days and eventual resurfacing. The H.L. Hunley got its name from Horace Hunley, a financial contributor, Confederate, and inventor of the new vessel. The Hunley had a rough start from the beginning. It was never thought to be safe, but men were willing to keep trying if it meant loosening the Union blockade. While the Hunley became the first submarine to sink an enemy ship, it also disappeared with no one knowing what happened to it until 1995. Famed author Clive Cussler was one of the men to help make that discovery and bring the ship back to life. Over the course of the next several years, the submarine was lifted from the sea floor, excavated by many different types of professionals, and the men who died on board were identified and buried with full military honors.
Sally Walker is an avid writer and researcher of non-fiction books for children. In researching this book she corresponded with experts who had direct or indirect knowledge of the work done to bring the Hunley back to life. The facts are very clear in this book, and if something is not clear it is stated as such. No assumptions are made and the material is as close to authentic as it can be. The book includes source notes, selected bibliography, photo acknowledgments, glossary and an index for those that may be interested in learning more. Using actual photos and transcripts from the past and present lends to the credibility of the information being presented.
The organization of the book is laid out like a mystery novel. Starting with the history and building of the Hunley, the author then leaves the reader to speculate while the story moves on to the discovery. What happened? is a huge question throughout the book and the reader will have fun fleshing out theories with the author. There are many reference aids in this text heavy book. A table of contents at the beginning of the book and heading within the chapter help to break up the information and make it readable in small chunks.
The design of this book is probably more attractive to older readers. There is a lot of story to tell and the text is heavier than the pictures. The graphics, which are original copies of photos and drawings lend to the believability of the story. They are clear and present what the text is saying by being visually stimulating. They are also captioned with small amounts of information that also assist in telling the story. The pictures are large and just sporadic enough that the reader looks forward to them. They do not take over the page or detract from the story.
The style of this book clearly captures the authors fascination with the subject. She writes a captivating true life mystery with ease and poise. She encourages readers to question the mystery surrounding the sinking of the Hunley. Her vocabulary at times is quite scholarly, which is why a glossary was included in the back. With technical math, computer, and science speak a large part of this book the reader might have to slow down their reading and absorb the information before moving on. There is a lot of information to digest, especially after the Hunley is recovered and excavation begins. Overall, a great piece of non-fiction literature for children and adults.
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine has won numerous awards (justly so) such as: Robert F. Sibert Medal 2006, ALA Notable Book 2006, 2006 Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, and 2007 New Mexico Battle of the Books. Reviews of the book also depict the hard work and dedication that went into this book.
Starred review in School Library Journal
“This is a finely crafted account of the Hunley from its inception to the modern archaeological quest to exhume her from the water. It is divided into chronological chapters complete with pictures, maps, and primary sources. Half of the book discusses the construction and design of the submarine, in addition to its practice runs and its first and only mission. The second half consists of the process of locating and excavating the Hunley, as well as piecing together the puzzle of exactly what happened on that fateful night in 1864. The archaeological process is well documented in both words and pictures, and the conclusions are interesting and even surprising. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.” –Anna M. Nelson, Collier County Public Library, Naples, FL
Starred review in Booklist
“Walker begins with the history of the Hunley's design and construction as well as its place in Civil War and naval history. She really hits her stride, though, in explaining the complex techniques and loving care used in raising the craft, recovering its contents, and even reconstructing models of the crewmembers' bodies. Back matter includes a detailed author's note, source notes, a bibliography, and recommended Web sites. Thoroughly researched, nicely designed, and well illustrated with clear, color photos, the book will serve as an informative guide to anyone interested in the hunley or intrigued by archaeology.” Carolyn Phelan
This book lends itself heavily to other activities for individual readers or classrooms. Near the end of the book there is a section titled “Coming to Life”. This section tells about the work of a facial reconstructionist who gave faces to the men who perished so long ago. In groups or alone depending on class size, these 8 men who gave their lives for their cause can have a new lease on life. Students can create a biography for each of these men and what their life might have been like if they had survived. Alternate history is always fun to imagine and this project could be long or short.
Sally M. Walker
Walker, Sally M. 2005. Secrets of a Civil War Submarine: Solving the Mystery of the H.L. Hunley. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, Inc. ISBN: 1575058308.
Resting on the ocean floor for 131 years, the H.L. Hunley has finally resurfaced in Sally Walker’s award winning book, Secrets of a Civil War Submarine. With original photos and dialog, Walker recreated the Hunley’s last days and eventual resurfacing. The H.L. Hunley got its name from Horace Hunley, a financial contributor, Confederate, and inventor of the new vessel. The Hunley had a rough start from the beginning. It was never thought to be safe, but men were willing to keep trying if it meant loosening the Union blockade. While the Hunley became the first submarine to sink an enemy ship, it also disappeared with no one knowing what happened to it until 1995. Famed author Clive Cussler was one of the men to help make that discovery and bring the ship back to life. Over the course of the next several years, the submarine was lifted from the sea floor, excavated by many different types of professionals, and the men who died on board were identified and buried with full military honors.
Sally Walker is an avid writer and researcher of non-fiction books for children. In researching this book she corresponded with experts who had direct or indirect knowledge of the work done to bring the Hunley back to life. The facts are very clear in this book, and if something is not clear it is stated as such. No assumptions are made and the material is as close to authentic as it can be. The book includes source notes, selected bibliography, photo acknowledgments, glossary and an index for those that may be interested in learning more. Using actual photos and transcripts from the past and present lends to the credibility of the information being presented.
The organization of the book is laid out like a mystery novel. Starting with the history and building of the Hunley, the author then leaves the reader to speculate while the story moves on to the discovery. What happened? is a huge question throughout the book and the reader will have fun fleshing out theories with the author. There are many reference aids in this text heavy book. A table of contents at the beginning of the book and heading within the chapter help to break up the information and make it readable in small chunks.
The design of this book is probably more attractive to older readers. There is a lot of story to tell and the text is heavier than the pictures. The graphics, which are original copies of photos and drawings lend to the believability of the story. They are clear and present what the text is saying by being visually stimulating. They are also captioned with small amounts of information that also assist in telling the story. The pictures are large and just sporadic enough that the reader looks forward to them. They do not take over the page or detract from the story.
The style of this book clearly captures the authors fascination with the subject. She writes a captivating true life mystery with ease and poise. She encourages readers to question the mystery surrounding the sinking of the Hunley. Her vocabulary at times is quite scholarly, which is why a glossary was included in the back. With technical math, computer, and science speak a large part of this book the reader might have to slow down their reading and absorb the information before moving on. There is a lot of information to digest, especially after the Hunley is recovered and excavation begins. Overall, a great piece of non-fiction literature for children and adults.
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine has won numerous awards (justly so) such as: Robert F. Sibert Medal 2006, ALA Notable Book 2006, 2006 Orbis Pictus Recommended Book, and 2007 New Mexico Battle of the Books. Reviews of the book also depict the hard work and dedication that went into this book.
Starred review in School Library Journal
“This is a finely crafted account of the Hunley from its inception to the modern archaeological quest to exhume her from the water. It is divided into chronological chapters complete with pictures, maps, and primary sources. Half of the book discusses the construction and design of the submarine, in addition to its practice runs and its first and only mission. The second half consists of the process of locating and excavating the Hunley, as well as piecing together the puzzle of exactly what happened on that fateful night in 1864. The archaeological process is well documented in both words and pictures, and the conclusions are interesting and even surprising. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.” –Anna M. Nelson, Collier County Public Library, Naples, FL
Starred review in Booklist
“Walker begins with the history of the Hunley's design and construction as well as its place in Civil War and naval history. She really hits her stride, though, in explaining the complex techniques and loving care used in raising the craft, recovering its contents, and even reconstructing models of the crewmembers' bodies. Back matter includes a detailed author's note, source notes, a bibliography, and recommended Web sites. Thoroughly researched, nicely designed, and well illustrated with clear, color photos, the book will serve as an informative guide to anyone interested in the hunley or intrigued by archaeology.” Carolyn Phelan
This book lends itself heavily to other activities for individual readers or classrooms. Near the end of the book there is a section titled “Coming to Life”. This section tells about the work of a facial reconstructionist who gave faces to the men who perished so long ago. In groups or alone depending on class size, these 8 men who gave their lives for their cause can have a new lease on life. Students can create a biography for each of these men and what their life might have been like if they had survived. Alternate history is always fun to imagine and this project could be long or short.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Bodies From the Ice by James M. Deem
Bodies From the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past
James M. Deem
Deem, James M. 2008. Bodies From the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Bodies from the Ice takes the reader on a picturesque journey through the glaciers of the world and the treasures they have been hiding. Written chronologically and geographically, James Deem starts in the Alps with perhaps the most significant find in glacial archeology, Otzi. Otzi was found by a couple hiking in the mountains and their discovery of 5,300 year old mummy led to a burst of interest in the field of glacial archaeology. Deem then takes the reader to discoveries of frozen children in the Andes, George Mallory and his quest to climb Mt. Everest, and the first man found in a North American glacier. He ends with a PSA concerning the state of the melting glaciers and what we can do to help keep the planet clean and green.
James Deem is a retired college professor who has written many other fiction and nonfiction books for children. In Bodies from the Ice he lays out the stories in an easy to read and understand format with lots of photos, captions, and sidebars. The table of contents has catchy titles such as "Dragons in the Ice", and "Iceman of the Alps", for those readers that want to skip around instead of reading right through. The end of the book holds a plethora of other sources for the avid reader. A list of glaciers to visit, websites to explore and a bibliography are just a few of the things he made sure to include. The text and photos on each page correspond to each other and each photo has a caption for those that want smaller chunks of information.
The organization of this nonfiction book is laid out so seamlessly that all the stories seem tied together. The basic text of the book is simple and follows complete thoughts. Sidebars exist on pages that follow up on more complex features such a sidebar for Otzi's ax, or the father of glaciology. Unfamiliar words or concepts are also italicized with a short definition. As mentioned before there is a table of contents, but there is also an index to take readers to a particular person or thing.
The layout and design of this book are meant to entice to reader both visually and physically. With pictures of mountains and glacier place strategically throughout the book, and stories of climbers and avid nature enthusiasts, it makes the reader want to visit and plan a hike to see the beauty that exists in the pictures. The graphics are large and take a lot of page space, but instead of detracting they tend to impact the words on page and illuminate the written narrative.
The style of the writing is better for older children and adults. Some of the subject matter can be gruesome and some of the pictures could be disturbing. Aside from those facts the author is very interested in what he writes and it is visible in his writing. He uses vocabulary that is understood on a general level and if an unfamiliar word is used he places it in italics and offers a two or three word explanation. As mentioned before the author makes great use of extended study suggestions. He makes it very easy to find more information about the subject.
Bodies from the Ice has won numerous awards, some of which include the 2009 Robert F. Sibert Informational Award Honor Book, 2009 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12, and the 2009 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. The reviews have also been fast and furious and include reviews from:
School Library Journal, starred review (12/2008)
“With its extensive bibliography, suggested Web sites, and a listing of glaciers to visit, Bodies is a fantastic resource. Deem superbly weaves diverse geographical settings, time periods, and climate issues into a readable work that reveals the increasing interdisciplinary dimensions of the sciences."
Booklist (12/2008)
“Perhaps most fascinating to kids will be the chapter on recently discovered Incan children sacrificed to the gods. The pictures of these children, looking as though they might be sleeping, are arresting. Heavily illustrated with historical memorabilia as well as photos of bodies, scenery, artifacts, and rather simplistic maps, this offers a lot to look at and learn about."
Horn Book Magazine (1-2/2009)
“As the book concludes, a striking irony becomes evident: glaciers continue to melt at an alarming rate, warranting caution and concern for the global environment, yet even as they dwindle they offer up more clues to our human past. The book design, with its variety of photographs, captions, and sidebars, seals the appeal. A bibliography and index are appended."
Other books that children and adults might enjoy are Discovering the Inca Ice Maiden by Johan Reinhard, Mystery on Everest: A Photobiography of George Mallory by Audrey Saukeld, and Icebergs and Glaciers by Seymour Simon.
There are also lots of activities that can be done concerning glaciers. Photographic journeys are a good way to see how something has changed. Use time lapsed pictures students or group members can sort them from start to finish and visually measure how much melting has occurred over the time the pictures were taken. Another activity could be using Google Earth to view pictures of glaciers as the look from the satellites that took the pictures. Students or group members can try to guess what part of the world the glaciers are in.
James M. Deem
Deem, James M. 2008. Bodies From the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Bodies from the Ice takes the reader on a picturesque journey through the glaciers of the world and the treasures they have been hiding. Written chronologically and geographically, James Deem starts in the Alps with perhaps the most significant find in glacial archeology, Otzi. Otzi was found by a couple hiking in the mountains and their discovery of 5,300 year old mummy led to a burst of interest in the field of glacial archaeology. Deem then takes the reader to discoveries of frozen children in the Andes, George Mallory and his quest to climb Mt. Everest, and the first man found in a North American glacier. He ends with a PSA concerning the state of the melting glaciers and what we can do to help keep the planet clean and green.
James Deem is a retired college professor who has written many other fiction and nonfiction books for children. In Bodies from the Ice he lays out the stories in an easy to read and understand format with lots of photos, captions, and sidebars. The table of contents has catchy titles such as "Dragons in the Ice", and "Iceman of the Alps", for those readers that want to skip around instead of reading right through. The end of the book holds a plethora of other sources for the avid reader. A list of glaciers to visit, websites to explore and a bibliography are just a few of the things he made sure to include. The text and photos on each page correspond to each other and each photo has a caption for those that want smaller chunks of information.
The organization of this nonfiction book is laid out so seamlessly that all the stories seem tied together. The basic text of the book is simple and follows complete thoughts. Sidebars exist on pages that follow up on more complex features such a sidebar for Otzi's ax, or the father of glaciology. Unfamiliar words or concepts are also italicized with a short definition. As mentioned before there is a table of contents, but there is also an index to take readers to a particular person or thing.
The layout and design of this book are meant to entice to reader both visually and physically. With pictures of mountains and glacier place strategically throughout the book, and stories of climbers and avid nature enthusiasts, it makes the reader want to visit and plan a hike to see the beauty that exists in the pictures. The graphics are large and take a lot of page space, but instead of detracting they tend to impact the words on page and illuminate the written narrative.
The style of the writing is better for older children and adults. Some of the subject matter can be gruesome and some of the pictures could be disturbing. Aside from those facts the author is very interested in what he writes and it is visible in his writing. He uses vocabulary that is understood on a general level and if an unfamiliar word is used he places it in italics and offers a two or three word explanation. As mentioned before the author makes great use of extended study suggestions. He makes it very easy to find more information about the subject.
Bodies from the Ice has won numerous awards, some of which include the 2009 Robert F. Sibert Informational Award Honor Book, 2009 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12, and the 2009 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. The reviews have also been fast and furious and include reviews from:
School Library Journal, starred review (12/2008)
“With its extensive bibliography, suggested Web sites, and a listing of glaciers to visit, Bodies is a fantastic resource. Deem superbly weaves diverse geographical settings, time periods, and climate issues into a readable work that reveals the increasing interdisciplinary dimensions of the sciences."
Booklist (12/2008)
“Perhaps most fascinating to kids will be the chapter on recently discovered Incan children sacrificed to the gods. The pictures of these children, looking as though they might be sleeping, are arresting. Heavily illustrated with historical memorabilia as well as photos of bodies, scenery, artifacts, and rather simplistic maps, this offers a lot to look at and learn about."
Horn Book Magazine (1-2/2009)
“As the book concludes, a striking irony becomes evident: glaciers continue to melt at an alarming rate, warranting caution and concern for the global environment, yet even as they dwindle they offer up more clues to our human past. The book design, with its variety of photographs, captions, and sidebars, seals the appeal. A bibliography and index are appended."
Other books that children and adults might enjoy are Discovering the Inca Ice Maiden by Johan Reinhard, Mystery on Everest: A Photobiography of George Mallory by Audrey Saukeld, and Icebergs and Glaciers by Seymour Simon.
There are also lots of activities that can be done concerning glaciers. Photographic journeys are a good way to see how something has changed. Use time lapsed pictures students or group members can sort them from start to finish and visually measure how much melting has occurred over the time the pictures were taken. Another activity could be using Google Earth to view pictures of glaciers as the look from the satellites that took the pictures. Students or group members can try to guess what part of the world the glaciers are in.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Lincoln Tells A Joke by Kathleen Krull
Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President (and the Country)
Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer
Krull, Kathleen, & Brewer, P. 2010. Illustrator: Stacy Innerst. Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President (and the Country). New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 9780152066390.
This biographical survey picture book tells the story of Abe Lincoln from a very unique perspective, laughter. Krull tells the story of Lincoln’s entire life through one little known fact about him, his love of jokes and humor. Born in in 1809, Lincoln started telling jokes and humorous anecdotes at an early age. His subject was often himself, as he got older he used jokes as a way to identify with people and when running for office. When elected President 1860 he would keep joke books in his desk drawer at the White House. His death by murder in 1865 cut his life short, but the little known fact that his life was filled with laughter makes a good ending to this biographical sketch.
Kathleen Krull is a well-known author of children’s non-fiction books. She has written many biographies of famous people for children. She made sure to include in the back of this book a note about accuracy and sources she used when researching the subject matter of the book. By acknowledging that some of the anecdotes and jokes she uses are from eyewitnesses and people several times removed it lends credence to her story as she is not trying to misrepresent facts. The sources she cites are wide and cover many areas of Lincoln’s life. The illustrations are caricatures of the real people which lends a storybook quality to the picture book.
Lincoln Tells a Joke is organized chronologically, hitting all of the big points of Lincoln’s life: birth, army, marriage to Mary Todd, elected president, and death. There is a very clear sequence and the author keeps the story moving along on each page with another part of his life. The design of the book is heavily influenced by the organization.
Designed like a story book but filled with information, the text is one of the most visible markers of the book. Everything that Lincoln is supposed to have said or written is in quotes and typed in cursive. The graphics of the book are clear and tell the story that the words have written. They communicate to the reader what the biographical story is meant to convey.
The style of this biography is meant to tell a story about a person that most people think they know about. By telling a story using a personality trait is opens up a new perspective to what people think about one of our earliest presidents. Krull uses appropriate language for the age group and encourages those reading to look at someone from a different perspective then they are used to. By hitting the big points of Lincoln’s life, as mentioned earlier, Krull does not throw too much information at the reader, instead focusing on how humor made the most the bigger situations in his life.
From School Library Journal
“Krull is an expert at teasing out the fun, quirky sides of her subjects and sharing them in a way that is both genuine and engaging. This take on Lincoln is no exception. He is portrayed as an accessible, endearing, and sympathetic figure, not just another president. Children will be drawn in by the straightforward prose, and librarians will enjoy sharing the book aloud.”
Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
From Booklist
“Laughter is not only good medicine. It can also be a political tool, human motivator, and saving grace, as the authors show in this upbeat overview of Lincoln’s life. Moving through the sixteenth president’s many challenges, from family deaths to lost elections to fighting slavery, the text emphasizes how Lincoln coped with a joke on his tongue and a smile on his lips.” --Andrew Medlar
Lincoln Tells a Joke has also won several awards: a School Library Journal Starred review and nomination for a Cybil’s award 2010.
Jokes are a great way to integrate this story into a classroom or storytime. Starting off with jokes about Lincoln or sharing some his jokes are a good way to get this story started. After reading the book it might be good to have children come up with jokes of their own to share.
Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer
Krull, Kathleen, & Brewer, P. 2010. Illustrator: Stacy Innerst. Lincoln Tells a Joke: How Laughter Saved the President (and the Country). New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 9780152066390.
This biographical survey picture book tells the story of Abe Lincoln from a very unique perspective, laughter. Krull tells the story of Lincoln’s entire life through one little known fact about him, his love of jokes and humor. Born in in 1809, Lincoln started telling jokes and humorous anecdotes at an early age. His subject was often himself, as he got older he used jokes as a way to identify with people and when running for office. When elected President 1860 he would keep joke books in his desk drawer at the White House. His death by murder in 1865 cut his life short, but the little known fact that his life was filled with laughter makes a good ending to this biographical sketch.
Kathleen Krull is a well-known author of children’s non-fiction books. She has written many biographies of famous people for children. She made sure to include in the back of this book a note about accuracy and sources she used when researching the subject matter of the book. By acknowledging that some of the anecdotes and jokes she uses are from eyewitnesses and people several times removed it lends credence to her story as she is not trying to misrepresent facts. The sources she cites are wide and cover many areas of Lincoln’s life. The illustrations are caricatures of the real people which lends a storybook quality to the picture book.
Lincoln Tells a Joke is organized chronologically, hitting all of the big points of Lincoln’s life: birth, army, marriage to Mary Todd, elected president, and death. There is a very clear sequence and the author keeps the story moving along on each page with another part of his life. The design of the book is heavily influenced by the organization.
Designed like a story book but filled with information, the text is one of the most visible markers of the book. Everything that Lincoln is supposed to have said or written is in quotes and typed in cursive. The graphics of the book are clear and tell the story that the words have written. They communicate to the reader what the biographical story is meant to convey.
The style of this biography is meant to tell a story about a person that most people think they know about. By telling a story using a personality trait is opens up a new perspective to what people think about one of our earliest presidents. Krull uses appropriate language for the age group and encourages those reading to look at someone from a different perspective then they are used to. By hitting the big points of Lincoln’s life, as mentioned earlier, Krull does not throw too much information at the reader, instead focusing on how humor made the most the bigger situations in his life.
From School Library Journal
“Krull is an expert at teasing out the fun, quirky sides of her subjects and sharing them in a way that is both genuine and engaging. This take on Lincoln is no exception. He is portrayed as an accessible, endearing, and sympathetic figure, not just another president. Children will be drawn in by the straightforward prose, and librarians will enjoy sharing the book aloud.”
Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
From Booklist
“Laughter is not only good medicine. It can also be a political tool, human motivator, and saving grace, as the authors show in this upbeat overview of Lincoln’s life. Moving through the sixteenth president’s many challenges, from family deaths to lost elections to fighting slavery, the text emphasizes how Lincoln coped with a joke on his tongue and a smile on his lips.” --Andrew Medlar
Lincoln Tells a Joke has also won several awards: a School Library Journal Starred review and nomination for a Cybil’s award 2010.
Jokes are a great way to integrate this story into a classroom or storytime. Starting off with jokes about Lincoln or sharing some his jokes are a good way to get this story started. After reading the book it might be good to have children come up with jokes of their own to share.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Your Own, Syliva by Stephanie Hemphill
Your Own, Sylvia
Stephanie Hemphill
Hemphill, Stephanie. 2007. Your Own, Sylvia. New York: Random House, Inc. ISBN:9780375937996.
An emotional journey through the life of Sylvia Plath is the basis of this verse novel by Stephanie Hemphill. Hemphill takes the life of Plath and creates a moving piece of fiction through poetry, both hers and Plath’s. Chronologically written from Plath’s beginnings to after her death, the poems invoke raw emotion from the people in her life who knew her best. Based on real events, people, and conversations, the fictionalized account could very well hold some truth. With the outline of the book similar to the way Plath’s own poetry was published, the author also includes biographical sketches and end notes for each poem to put them into perspective for the reader.
Long, short, rhyming, and terse, the poetry is wide and varied in this verse novel. As each poem has its own subject or author the poems are written to reflect that. At the beginning the poems are lilting and full of life, as the book progresses and real life takes over the poems become short and clipped. Events including Sylvia’s pregnancies, divorce, and descent into mental illness become the focal point and the reader can sense the shift in the life of the poet through Hemphill’s poetry. At the end the poetry shifts again to remorse and remembrance as the characters struggle to move on.
The language of the poetry in this book is meant to portray the sad and tragic life of a celebrated poetess. The poems are carefully arranged to gain a circular perspective to Plath’s life through her friends and family. Using very vivid words the reader can see and feel the raw emotion on the page:
Sylvia’s eyes burn crimson,
no tears, but she look like she might cry. (Hemphill, 213)
&
Her poetry cuts me to the spine,
Beautiful and brutal.
Her words startle my eyes.
She has etched down parts of me,
of us, of her. (Hemphill, 238)
These short examples of the poems in the book show the way language can convey so many different meanings.
This book, character, and format are meant to evoke emotion of the deepest kind. For those that are familiar with Plath and her work it may cut deeper, but the new reader will feel the emotional decrepitude of the subject. This very heavy subject is not for the feint of heart, very real depiction of suicide, death, and scarring are very real and may only be suited for older teens and young adults.
From School Library Journal:
"Form is of paramount importance, just as it was to Plath herself. Many of the selections were created "in the style of" specific Plath poems, while others are scattered with Plath's imagery and language. While the book will prove an apt curriculum companion to Plath's literary works as touted on the jacket, it will also pull the next generation of readers into the myth of Sylvia Plath."—Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT
In conjunction with glowing reviews this book has also won several awards, the 2008 Printz Honor and the 2008 Myra Cohn Livingston Award. For those that appreciate a novel the verse form the author has two more verse novels in the works and should be published in the next couple of years. Other authors that write verse novels include Call Me Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer, Crank by Ellen Hopkins, and The Geography of Girlhood by Kristen Smith.
To bring this book alive, teachers or educators might have students pick a poet and have them write poetry about that poet from a biographical standpoint. Another way to teach about poetry from this book would be to have students or members of the group pick a poem from the book and write a short paper based on the period in Plath's life from which the poem comes from, using the poem as the center of the paper.
Stephanie Hemphill
Hemphill, Stephanie. 2007. Your Own, Sylvia. New York: Random House, Inc. ISBN:9780375937996.
An emotional journey through the life of Sylvia Plath is the basis of this verse novel by Stephanie Hemphill. Hemphill takes the life of Plath and creates a moving piece of fiction through poetry, both hers and Plath’s. Chronologically written from Plath’s beginnings to after her death, the poems invoke raw emotion from the people in her life who knew her best. Based on real events, people, and conversations, the fictionalized account could very well hold some truth. With the outline of the book similar to the way Plath’s own poetry was published, the author also includes biographical sketches and end notes for each poem to put them into perspective for the reader.
Long, short, rhyming, and terse, the poetry is wide and varied in this verse novel. As each poem has its own subject or author the poems are written to reflect that. At the beginning the poems are lilting and full of life, as the book progresses and real life takes over the poems become short and clipped. Events including Sylvia’s pregnancies, divorce, and descent into mental illness become the focal point and the reader can sense the shift in the life of the poet through Hemphill’s poetry. At the end the poetry shifts again to remorse and remembrance as the characters struggle to move on.
The language of the poetry in this book is meant to portray the sad and tragic life of a celebrated poetess. The poems are carefully arranged to gain a circular perspective to Plath’s life through her friends and family. Using very vivid words the reader can see and feel the raw emotion on the page:
Sylvia’s eyes burn crimson,
no tears, but she look like she might cry. (Hemphill, 213)
&
Her poetry cuts me to the spine,
Beautiful and brutal.
Her words startle my eyes.
She has etched down parts of me,
of us, of her. (Hemphill, 238)
These short examples of the poems in the book show the way language can convey so many different meanings.
This book, character, and format are meant to evoke emotion of the deepest kind. For those that are familiar with Plath and her work it may cut deeper, but the new reader will feel the emotional decrepitude of the subject. This very heavy subject is not for the feint of heart, very real depiction of suicide, death, and scarring are very real and may only be suited for older teens and young adults.
From School Library Journal:
"Form is of paramount importance, just as it was to Plath herself. Many of the selections were created "in the style of" specific Plath poems, while others are scattered with Plath's imagery and language. While the book will prove an apt curriculum companion to Plath's literary works as touted on the jacket, it will also pull the next generation of readers into the myth of Sylvia Plath."—Jill Heritage Maza, Greenwich High School, CT
In conjunction with glowing reviews this book has also won several awards, the 2008 Printz Honor and the 2008 Myra Cohn Livingston Award. For those that appreciate a novel the verse form the author has two more verse novels in the works and should be published in the next couple of years. Other authors that write verse novels include Call Me Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer, Crank by Ellen Hopkins, and The Geography of Girlhood by Kristen Smith.
To bring this book alive, teachers or educators might have students pick a poet and have them write poetry about that poet from a biographical standpoint. Another way to teach about poetry from this book would be to have students or members of the group pick a poem from the book and write a short paper based on the period in Plath's life from which the poem comes from, using the poem as the center of the paper.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems by John Grandits
Blue Lipstick: Concrete Jungle
John Grandits
Grandits, John. 2007. Blue Lipstick: Concrete Jungle. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 9780618568604.
This book of poetry tells the high school life of Jessie in the most unconventional way, which is the beauty of this work of fictional poetry. Functioning more like stream of thought versus traditional poetry this book takes the high school experience and puts it into expressive thought and diction. Grandits truly seems to understand the teenage girl high school experience and reflects that in his work. Covering topics such as volleyball practice, English assignments, and siblings, Jessie’s life makes those that have already lived through high school never want to relive it. At the same time those that are in high school will fully identify with the issues that span the pages.
Not following any traditional rhyme or scheme, the poetry presented in this book is meant to mimic one thing, the tumultuous teenage life. The arrangement of the poems on the page are a visual synonym to the poems they represent, full of angst and tumult. For instance the poem titled, “Silver Spandex”, which is about a guitar is written in the shape of a guitar.
The language used in this book mimics that of a high school girl as if one had really written the words. Using carefully crafted sentences and words, the poems speak to the reader, knowing they will understand. There is no group left out in the book, all are represented and carefully strewn across the page. The imagery of this book is the crux of the book. The images are the poems and the poems are the images. Without both there would be a loss of distinction and understanding. The creativity is so spectacular it is hard to put in words how the book works and why.
Emotion is running rampant through the book. Whether the reader is a teenager, young adult or grandparent, all of the themes in this book are real and invoke an involuntary emotional response. The reader can feel and relate to every piece they read.
Gathering many positive reviews and awards, this book reaches audiences of every type.
"This irreverent, witty collection should resonate with a wide audience." School Library Journal, Starred.
"A cover that'll grab adolescent girls' attention--and the poetry inside is equally appealing." Horn Book.
2008 honor book for the Lee Bennett Hopkins Award
Readers who loved this book of poetry will also enjoy the book told from Jessie’s brothers point of view: Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems.
This book struck a chord with me from the very first poem. I could identify with every word that was written. As was mentioned in the review these poems are creative and truthful and really speak to the inner emotions that teens may want to keep hidden. It took me straight back to that time in my life and made me realize that while it was horrible at the time it really shaped the person I am today. This book would make a great gift for the sullen teenager that a parent does not know how to connect with. It would show that the understanding is there and that they are not alone with how they feel.
John Grandits
Grandits, John. 2007. Blue Lipstick: Concrete Jungle. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 9780618568604.
This book of poetry tells the high school life of Jessie in the most unconventional way, which is the beauty of this work of fictional poetry. Functioning more like stream of thought versus traditional poetry this book takes the high school experience and puts it into expressive thought and diction. Grandits truly seems to understand the teenage girl high school experience and reflects that in his work. Covering topics such as volleyball practice, English assignments, and siblings, Jessie’s life makes those that have already lived through high school never want to relive it. At the same time those that are in high school will fully identify with the issues that span the pages.
Not following any traditional rhyme or scheme, the poetry presented in this book is meant to mimic one thing, the tumultuous teenage life. The arrangement of the poems on the page are a visual synonym to the poems they represent, full of angst and tumult. For instance the poem titled, “Silver Spandex”, which is about a guitar is written in the shape of a guitar.
The language used in this book mimics that of a high school girl as if one had really written the words. Using carefully crafted sentences and words, the poems speak to the reader, knowing they will understand. There is no group left out in the book, all are represented and carefully strewn across the page. The imagery of this book is the crux of the book. The images are the poems and the poems are the images. Without both there would be a loss of distinction and understanding. The creativity is so spectacular it is hard to put in words how the book works and why.
Emotion is running rampant through the book. Whether the reader is a teenager, young adult or grandparent, all of the themes in this book are real and invoke an involuntary emotional response. The reader can feel and relate to every piece they read.
Gathering many positive reviews and awards, this book reaches audiences of every type.
"This irreverent, witty collection should resonate with a wide audience." School Library Journal, Starred.
"A cover that'll grab adolescent girls' attention--and the poetry inside is equally appealing." Horn Book.
2008 honor book for the Lee Bennett Hopkins Award
Readers who loved this book of poetry will also enjoy the book told from Jessie’s brothers point of view: Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems.
This book struck a chord with me from the very first poem. I could identify with every word that was written. As was mentioned in the review these poems are creative and truthful and really speak to the inner emotions that teens may want to keep hidden. It took me straight back to that time in my life and made me realize that while it was horrible at the time it really shaped the person I am today. This book would make a great gift for the sullen teenager that a parent does not know how to connect with. It would show that the understanding is there and that they are not alone with how they feel.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Mirror, Mirror by Marilyn Singer
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
Marilyn Singer
Singer, Marilyn. 2010. Illustrated by Josee Masse. Mirror Mirror: A book of reversible verse. New York: Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780525479017.
Two sides of a story in one poem? Impossible? Not for Marilyn Singer, who earned a starred review in Booklist for her book of poems, Mirror, Mirror. This book of poetry is known as reverso, which is a type of poetry created by the author. The basic concept is reading a poem down one way and then the same poem up the opposite way. This is a creative way to tell a story and much harder than it looks. The poems in this topical collection are all based on fairy tales, from The Ugly Duckling to Beauty and the Beast. Oftentimes, the poems will have one character narrating the original poem and another character narrating the reverse. Most children reading these poems will recognize all of their favorite Grimm or Disney fairy tales.
This is not the typical poetry book when it comes to characteristics such as rhyme and rhythm. Some of the poems make use of rhyming but it is not the strength of the poetry. The strength comes in the language. To make this book of poetry work, the words have to be chosen carefully to ensure that the poem will make sense when read both directions. The arrangement of the words and how they are arranged on the page will make all the difference when being read. These poems are definitely meant to be read out loud and several times at least in order to catch the nuances the poet uses to make the poems meaningful and clear.
This book of poetry is laid out in the typical picture book format of 32 pages with illustrations. It does follow the format of one poem per page and the illustrations are bright and help guide the reader to which fairy tale is being written about if they are unsure just based on the poem itself. The illustrations also mimic the reverse idea of the poem, with the page split between two illustrations of the same picture.
In order to better understand the type of poetry written in this book, here is an example of a poem that the author uses to explain her poetry:
First way:
A cat
Without
A chair:
Incomplete.
Second way:
Incomplete:
A chair
Without
Cat.
(Singer, 2010)
Since a majority of the poems might be familiar to the reader, the emotions can be predetermined. Most readers will have a grasp on the characters and have already made up their minds as to who their favorites are. This is great, because it will make them see some of them in a new light as the poems are read. Adults and children alike will love this type of poetry. It is creative, genius, fun, carefree, and familiar.
From School Library Journal
“The vibrant artwork is painterly yet unfussy and offers hints to the characters who are narrating the poems. An endnote shows children how to create a "reverse" poem. This is a remarkably clever and versatile book that would work in any poetry or fairy-tale unit. A must-have for any library.”—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
From Booklist
“Singer also issues an invitation for readers to try to write their own reversos on any topic. Matching the cleverness of the text, Masse’s deep-hued paintings create split images that reflect the twisted meaning of the irreverently witty poems and brilliantly employ artistic elements of form and shape—Cinderella’s clock on one side morphs to the moon on the other. A must-purchase that will have readers marveling over a visual and verbal feast.” --Patricia Austin
Marilyn Singer has many other books of poetry (and non-poetry) that young (and adult) readers might enjoy: Twosomes: Love Poems from the Animal Kingdom, Central Heating: Poems About Fire and Warmth, and How to Cross a Pond: Poems About Water.
The poems in this book scream for classroom activity. Having children try to write their own reverso poems would be a fun activity that could span many different subjects in the classroom.
Marilyn Singer
Singer, Marilyn. 2010. Illustrated by Josee Masse. Mirror Mirror: A book of reversible verse. New York: Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780525479017.
Two sides of a story in one poem? Impossible? Not for Marilyn Singer, who earned a starred review in Booklist for her book of poems, Mirror, Mirror. This book of poetry is known as reverso, which is a type of poetry created by the author. The basic concept is reading a poem down one way and then the same poem up the opposite way. This is a creative way to tell a story and much harder than it looks. The poems in this topical collection are all based on fairy tales, from The Ugly Duckling to Beauty and the Beast. Oftentimes, the poems will have one character narrating the original poem and another character narrating the reverse. Most children reading these poems will recognize all of their favorite Grimm or Disney fairy tales.
This is not the typical poetry book when it comes to characteristics such as rhyme and rhythm. Some of the poems make use of rhyming but it is not the strength of the poetry. The strength comes in the language. To make this book of poetry work, the words have to be chosen carefully to ensure that the poem will make sense when read both directions. The arrangement of the words and how they are arranged on the page will make all the difference when being read. These poems are definitely meant to be read out loud and several times at least in order to catch the nuances the poet uses to make the poems meaningful and clear.
This book of poetry is laid out in the typical picture book format of 32 pages with illustrations. It does follow the format of one poem per page and the illustrations are bright and help guide the reader to which fairy tale is being written about if they are unsure just based on the poem itself. The illustrations also mimic the reverse idea of the poem, with the page split between two illustrations of the same picture.
In order to better understand the type of poetry written in this book, here is an example of a poem that the author uses to explain her poetry:
First way:
A cat
Without
A chair:
Incomplete.
Second way:
Incomplete:
A chair
Without
Cat.
(Singer, 2010)
Since a majority of the poems might be familiar to the reader, the emotions can be predetermined. Most readers will have a grasp on the characters and have already made up their minds as to who their favorites are. This is great, because it will make them see some of them in a new light as the poems are read. Adults and children alike will love this type of poetry. It is creative, genius, fun, carefree, and familiar.
From School Library Journal
“The vibrant artwork is painterly yet unfussy and offers hints to the characters who are narrating the poems. An endnote shows children how to create a "reverse" poem. This is a remarkably clever and versatile book that would work in any poetry or fairy-tale unit. A must-have for any library.”—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
From Booklist
“Singer also issues an invitation for readers to try to write their own reversos on any topic. Matching the cleverness of the text, Masse’s deep-hued paintings create split images that reflect the twisted meaning of the irreverently witty poems and brilliantly employ artistic elements of form and shape—Cinderella’s clock on one side morphs to the moon on the other. A must-purchase that will have readers marveling over a visual and verbal feast.” --Patricia Austin
Marilyn Singer has many other books of poetry (and non-poetry) that young (and adult) readers might enjoy: Twosomes: Love Poems from the Animal Kingdom, Central Heating: Poems About Fire and Warmth, and How to Cross a Pond: Poems About Water.
The poems in this book scream for classroom activity. Having children try to write their own reverso poems would be a fun activity that could span many different subjects in the classroom.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock by Eric A. Kimmel
Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock
Eric A. Kimmel
Kimmel, Eric A. Illustrated by Janet Stevens. 1988. Anansi and the
Moss-Covered Rock. New York: Holiday House, Inc.
Anansi is the typical trickster when it comes to Kimmel's retelling of
a West African tale. Full of mischief and always looking for the easy
way out, the spider Anansi will stop at nothing. Walking through the
forest one day Anansi finds a magic rocks that knocks anyone out cold if
they say the words, "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!" Anansi
decides to trick all his "friends" into saying those words and then run
off with their food stores. After tricking several anthropomorphic
animals, Anansi himself is tricked by Little Bush Dear and he loses all
his stolen goods back to their owners.
The characters in this story do not fit the typical mold of good vs
evil, but they do have the basic human traits of greed, envy, and being
gullible. The characters are willing to please and unwittingly easy to
sway. If Anansi has been around for awhile one would think they would
know how he was by now.
A jungle setting is a perfect place for this story, as myth and magic
seem to surround the Africa culture. Although Kimmel never comes out and
says the setting, further reading shows where he got the story from.
Most children will see a jungle or forest setting as exotic and it will
have a place in their imagination of where the story takes place.
Always ending happily is usually a them of traditional literature, but
this story ends with mischief. Anansi is thwarted in his trickster plans
this time, however "he's still playing tricks to this very days". This
could be confusing to readers who are looking for a strong sense of
justice in the ending. Anansi does not learn his lesson, he just tries
to think up other ways to play tricks.
The style of the writing in this picture book lends itself to being
read out loud. The repetition of KPOM! when an animal says the magic
words is great for young readers following along. They come to know that
when the magic words are said, an animal will fall down. The magic motif
is strong through out the book and it is reflected in the telling. One
could argue that talking animals are magic also.
The illustrations in this picture tell a story that are strengthend by
the words. The pictures complement the story and do not lead ahead, what
is written is what you see. The characters are realistic and one can
almost read the expressions on their faces as they come and go from
their homes. On the first read through the story is focused on the
spider and his, how shall we say, victims. It is not until my second
read through that I realized the Little Bush Dear was hiding on every
page. What fun it was to then locate him on every page. This is great
for young readers who take in everything visually in a written picture
book. A story combined with a game gives the reader 2 activites in one.
Eric A. Kimmel has written many other Anansi stories that readers would
enjoy, some of those include: Anansi and the Talking Melon, Anansi and
the Talking Stick, Anansi Goes Fishing, and Anansi and the Pot of Beans.
Reviews of his books glow on aspects from the illustrations to his
writing.
"The text is rhythmic, nicely building suspense to the inevitable
conclusion," and "Anansi is portrayed as a large eight-legged arachnid;
his expression is in his motion. The other animals are almost realistic,
although with facial expressions that are characteristic of the artist's
work." Maria B. Salvadore, District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Overall, I found this a very fulfilling trickster tale. It had all the
elements of a good story mixed in with a little suspense, giggles, and a
suitable ending for Anansi. I did not walk away disappointed however,
the moral of the story is slightly lost in the fact the Anansi is still
up to his old tricks. Parents might want to make sure that their
children understand that there are repercussions to their actions. Just
because you get away with something once, does not mean you should keep
doing it.
Eric A. Kimmel
Kimmel, Eric A. Illustrated by Janet Stevens. 1988. Anansi and the
Moss-Covered Rock. New York: Holiday House, Inc.
Anansi is the typical trickster when it comes to Kimmel's retelling of
a West African tale. Full of mischief and always looking for the easy
way out, the spider Anansi will stop at nothing. Walking through the
forest one day Anansi finds a magic rocks that knocks anyone out cold if
they say the words, "Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock!" Anansi
decides to trick all his "friends" into saying those words and then run
off with their food stores. After tricking several anthropomorphic
animals, Anansi himself is tricked by Little Bush Dear and he loses all
his stolen goods back to their owners.
The characters in this story do not fit the typical mold of good vs
evil, but they do have the basic human traits of greed, envy, and being
gullible. The characters are willing to please and unwittingly easy to
sway. If Anansi has been around for awhile one would think they would
know how he was by now.
A jungle setting is a perfect place for this story, as myth and magic
seem to surround the Africa culture. Although Kimmel never comes out and
says the setting, further reading shows where he got the story from.
Most children will see a jungle or forest setting as exotic and it will
have a place in their imagination of where the story takes place.
Always ending happily is usually a them of traditional literature, but
this story ends with mischief. Anansi is thwarted in his trickster plans
this time, however "he's still playing tricks to this very days". This
could be confusing to readers who are looking for a strong sense of
justice in the ending. Anansi does not learn his lesson, he just tries
to think up other ways to play tricks.
The style of the writing in this picture book lends itself to being
read out loud. The repetition of KPOM! when an animal says the magic
words is great for young readers following along. They come to know that
when the magic words are said, an animal will fall down. The magic motif
is strong through out the book and it is reflected in the telling. One
could argue that talking animals are magic also.
The illustrations in this picture tell a story that are strengthend by
the words. The pictures complement the story and do not lead ahead, what
is written is what you see. The characters are realistic and one can
almost read the expressions on their faces as they come and go from
their homes. On the first read through the story is focused on the
spider and his, how shall we say, victims. It is not until my second
read through that I realized the Little Bush Dear was hiding on every
page. What fun it was to then locate him on every page. This is great
for young readers who take in everything visually in a written picture
book. A story combined with a game gives the reader 2 activites in one.
Eric A. Kimmel has written many other Anansi stories that readers would
enjoy, some of those include: Anansi and the Talking Melon, Anansi and
the Talking Stick, Anansi Goes Fishing, and Anansi and the Pot of Beans.
Reviews of his books glow on aspects from the illustrations to his
writing.
"The text is rhythmic, nicely building suspense to the inevitable
conclusion," and "Anansi is portrayed as a large eight-legged arachnid;
his expression is in his motion. The other animals are almost realistic,
although with facial expressions that are characteristic of the artist's
work." Maria B. Salvadore, District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Overall, I found this a very fulfilling trickster tale. It had all the
elements of a good story mixed in with a little suspense, giggles, and a
suitable ending for Anansi. I did not walk away disappointed however,
the moral of the story is slightly lost in the fact the Anansi is still
up to his old tricks. Parents might want to make sure that their
children understand that there are repercussions to their actions. Just
because you get away with something once, does not mean you should keep
doing it.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by Jon Scieszka
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!
Jon Scieszka
Scieszka, Jon. Illustrator Lane Smith. 1989. The true story of the 3 little pigs! New York: Viking Penguin.
Huff, puff, and blow the house down. Most people can give the general premise of the story of the 3 little pigs: 3 pigs, houses of straw, sticks, and bricks, wolf blows down straw and sticks, bricks stay up, wolf goes down chimney, third pigs eats wolf soup for supper. Jon Scieszka decided to tell the wolf’s side in this very creative folk beast tale, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs.
The premise of this fractured fairy tells the story of the 3 little pigs from the perspective of the wolf, the big bad wolf. The plot is simple and familiar. By reading a story told from the side of the typical bad character, the reader is forced to rethink everything they think they knew about the story. Faced with the realization that every story has two sides the reader can find themselves rooting for a “new” character.
The traditional theme of the folktale is good versus bad. The theme in this tale is almost the opposite, the pigs, who are the traditional good characters are found out to be bad and vice versa for the wolf. Scieszka chooses to tell the tale in first person through the eyes of the wolf, almost autobiographical. He uses thoughts and opinions that only the wolf would know. By choosing this type of style the reader is privy to information that otherwise would be unknown.
The illustrations of this picture book are reminiscent of old newspaper type. Done in sepias and browns the illustrations lead the reader’s eyes to the character versus what is going on around them. The focus is always on the wolf and all other characters are background, never to be seen. The tale is truly the wolf’s as told through the illustrations. If the words were never written and the illustrations told the story, it would be very easy to infer the storyline and what implications they have.
Publishers Weekly, 03/04/1996
"Designed with uncommon flair," said PW, this "gaily newfangled version of the classic tale" takes sides with the villain. "Imaginative watercolors eschew realism, further updating the tale." This review from the database, Book Index with Reviews, speaks to the creative ingenuity that Scieszka takes with his version (told to him by Alexander T. Wolf) of the story of the 3 little pigs.
One of the reasons this book is a must read for children is that it has a hidden moral. There are always two sides to a story, and to understand something it should be looked at from both sides. A good lesson for children and adults alike.
Jon Scieszka
Scieszka, Jon. Illustrator Lane Smith. 1989. The true story of the 3 little pigs! New York: Viking Penguin.
Huff, puff, and blow the house down. Most people can give the general premise of the story of the 3 little pigs: 3 pigs, houses of straw, sticks, and bricks, wolf blows down straw and sticks, bricks stay up, wolf goes down chimney, third pigs eats wolf soup for supper. Jon Scieszka decided to tell the wolf’s side in this very creative folk beast tale, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs.
The premise of this fractured fairy tells the story of the 3 little pigs from the perspective of the wolf, the big bad wolf. The plot is simple and familiar. By reading a story told from the side of the typical bad character, the reader is forced to rethink everything they think they knew about the story. Faced with the realization that every story has two sides the reader can find themselves rooting for a “new” character.
The traditional theme of the folktale is good versus bad. The theme in this tale is almost the opposite, the pigs, who are the traditional good characters are found out to be bad and vice versa for the wolf. Scieszka chooses to tell the tale in first person through the eyes of the wolf, almost autobiographical. He uses thoughts and opinions that only the wolf would know. By choosing this type of style the reader is privy to information that otherwise would be unknown.
The illustrations of this picture book are reminiscent of old newspaper type. Done in sepias and browns the illustrations lead the reader’s eyes to the character versus what is going on around them. The focus is always on the wolf and all other characters are background, never to be seen. The tale is truly the wolf’s as told through the illustrations. If the words were never written and the illustrations told the story, it would be very easy to infer the storyline and what implications they have.
Publishers Weekly, 03/04/1996
"Designed with uncommon flair," said PW, this "gaily newfangled version of the classic tale" takes sides with the villain. "Imaginative watercolors eschew realism, further updating the tale." This review from the database, Book Index with Reviews, speaks to the creative ingenuity that Scieszka takes with his version (told to him by Alexander T. Wolf) of the story of the 3 little pigs.
One of the reasons this book is a must read for children is that it has a hidden moral. There are always two sides to a story, and to understand something it should be looked at from both sides. A good lesson for children and adults alike.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Swamp Angel by Anne Issacs
Swamp Angel
Anne Isaacs
Isaacs, Anne. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. 1994. Swamp Angel. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.
Girl versus Bear, who would win? Swamp Angel would! The tall tale Swamp Angel tells the story of Angelica Longrider, a girl born in 1815 to a seemingly normal life, but as the story goes on the reader sees that she is anything but. With extra height, strength and brains, Angelica uses those traits to save pioneers stuck in mud and to bring down the supersized bear known as Thundering Tarnation. Using her superhuman traits she manages to kill the bear and save the townspeople’s winter food stores, thereby living up to the “angel” in Swamp Angel.
This traditional tale is chalk full of action, from the first page Swamp Angel is always doing something. Her journey to save the town from Thundering Tarnation is the main plot of the book, but her personal growth is also apparent in the text. Set in the distant past the story allows the reader to believe in Swamp Angel’s abilities without questions. The reader understands that she is very real in her setting, lending to the belief that she is real. Like a female Paul Bunyan, Swamp Angel exists in current folklore as a possible reality.
This story not only embraces good vs. evil, but also woman vs. beast. These are the two overarching themes that entertwine throughout the tale. The character is very moral, and ethical and while it is her goal to kill the bear, she is saved from that by a tree falling on him, therefore saving her from doing the dirty work herself.
The style of writing for this tall tale is full of similes, metaphors, and other linguistic tricks to make the reader laugh out land. For example, referring to the bear as a “four legged forest of stubble” and “lowdown pile of pelts” give the read images in their mind that make the bear that much more visible in the mind’s eye. Creative writing help to capture what makes this a tall tale.
The illustrations for this book focus on the fact that the characters are larger than life. Swamp Angel and Thundering Tarnation are always drawn large on the page and are always out of proportion compared to the townspeople. This helps the reader to understand just how big these characters are and how they should be perceived. Drawn sometimes comically, the illustrations also show how Swamp Angel is relaxed and completely in tune with her surroundings.
This review through amazon.com shows how the story is important to the age group it is designed for. "But the larger-than-life girl's reputation grows to truly gargantuan proportions when she bests an even larger bear, throwing him up in the sky, where "he crashed into a pile of stars, making a lasting impression. You can still see him there, any clear night." This valiant heroine is certain to leave youngsters chuckling-and perhaps even keeping a close watch on the night sky." Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
One of the things I like best about this tall tale is that it explains how Ursa became a constellation. When Swamp Angel throws Thundering Tarnation into the sky and forms the constellation from that throw the story has the element of a pour quoi tale. This story is perfect for the strong female child who wants to prove that she can be one of the boys.
Anne Isaacs
Isaacs, Anne. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. 1994. Swamp Angel. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.
Girl versus Bear, who would win? Swamp Angel would! The tall tale Swamp Angel tells the story of Angelica Longrider, a girl born in 1815 to a seemingly normal life, but as the story goes on the reader sees that she is anything but. With extra height, strength and brains, Angelica uses those traits to save pioneers stuck in mud and to bring down the supersized bear known as Thundering Tarnation. Using her superhuman traits she manages to kill the bear and save the townspeople’s winter food stores, thereby living up to the “angel” in Swamp Angel.
This traditional tale is chalk full of action, from the first page Swamp Angel is always doing something. Her journey to save the town from Thundering Tarnation is the main plot of the book, but her personal growth is also apparent in the text. Set in the distant past the story allows the reader to believe in Swamp Angel’s abilities without questions. The reader understands that she is very real in her setting, lending to the belief that she is real. Like a female Paul Bunyan, Swamp Angel exists in current folklore as a possible reality.
This story not only embraces good vs. evil, but also woman vs. beast. These are the two overarching themes that entertwine throughout the tale. The character is very moral, and ethical and while it is her goal to kill the bear, she is saved from that by a tree falling on him, therefore saving her from doing the dirty work herself.
The style of writing for this tall tale is full of similes, metaphors, and other linguistic tricks to make the reader laugh out land. For example, referring to the bear as a “four legged forest of stubble” and “lowdown pile of pelts” give the read images in their mind that make the bear that much more visible in the mind’s eye. Creative writing help to capture what makes this a tall tale.
The illustrations for this book focus on the fact that the characters are larger than life. Swamp Angel and Thundering Tarnation are always drawn large on the page and are always out of proportion compared to the townspeople. This helps the reader to understand just how big these characters are and how they should be perceived. Drawn sometimes comically, the illustrations also show how Swamp Angel is relaxed and completely in tune with her surroundings.
This review through amazon.com shows how the story is important to the age group it is designed for. "But the larger-than-life girl's reputation grows to truly gargantuan proportions when she bests an even larger bear, throwing him up in the sky, where "he crashed into a pile of stars, making a lasting impression. You can still see him there, any clear night." This valiant heroine is certain to leave youngsters chuckling-and perhaps even keeping a close watch on the night sky." Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
One of the things I like best about this tall tale is that it explains how Ursa became a constellation. When Swamp Angel throws Thundering Tarnation into the sky and forms the constellation from that throw the story has the element of a pour quoi tale. This story is perfect for the strong female child who wants to prove that she can be one of the boys.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Millions of Cats by Wanda Ga'g
Millions of Cats
Wanda Ga`g
Ga`g, Wanda. 1928. Millions of Cats. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN: 0399233156
Newbery Honor Book, Millions of Cats tells the story of a lonely old couple who wish for a cat to keep them company. The old man, wanting to please the old woman, goes out in search of cat to share their home. On his journey he sees cats up into the trillions and decides that he will choose the prettiest to take home, except, they are all pretty and he cannot bear to part with any of them. So, he brings all the cats home where they start to fight over who is prettiest and eventually they all disappear, except for one little kitten who did not think she was pretty so she survived. The story ends with this kitten being the perfect pet for the old couple to share their home with.
This book has many themes running throughout it, most that might be over the head of children reading this picture book. Themes such as greed and envy give a very adult bent to an otherwise children’s story. These deeper meanings are subtle and a moral could be portrayed in simpler terms for a child to learn from.
One of the greatest things about this picture book is the use of the rhyme, “hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions, and trillions of cats” (Ga`g). This can easily involve the child as this line is repeated throughout the book, and is easy enough to remember that the child could believe they are reading.
This picture book does have other strengths and weaknesses though. The characters are one of its biggest strengths. An elderly couple that live alone and want a pet are easy to relate to. They have a unique way of relating to each other and their pet. Devotion for one another is the easiest characteristic to pinpoint between them. Children will also be able to relate to the wish to have a pet. This might help those that are contemplating getting a cat. Some of the weaknesses come in the treatment of the cats. The tale takes a slightly morbid turn when the cats attack and kill and supposedly eat each other. This imagery might scare some children and change the way they view the book. Review for the book have been positive for the 83 years that it has been in print. Touted as the “first” picture book it has staying power as a classic, regardless of the audience.
"This Newbery Honor winner is distinguished by innovative design and a strong storyteller's cadence." (School Library Journal's "One Hundred Books that Shaped the Century").
Since this book deals with multiples of things and the problems that ensue from those multiples, readers also might enjoy: Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina.
One great idea that has come from this book is Cat Herding Day (courtesy http://childrensbookalmanac.com/2010/12/millions-of-cats/.) Celebrated on December 15, this would be a great classroom activity when reading this great picture book.
Wanda Ga`g
Ga`g, Wanda. 1928. Millions of Cats. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN: 0399233156
Newbery Honor Book, Millions of Cats tells the story of a lonely old couple who wish for a cat to keep them company. The old man, wanting to please the old woman, goes out in search of cat to share their home. On his journey he sees cats up into the trillions and decides that he will choose the prettiest to take home, except, they are all pretty and he cannot bear to part with any of them. So, he brings all the cats home where they start to fight over who is prettiest and eventually they all disappear, except for one little kitten who did not think she was pretty so she survived. The story ends with this kitten being the perfect pet for the old couple to share their home with.
This book has many themes running throughout it, most that might be over the head of children reading this picture book. Themes such as greed and envy give a very adult bent to an otherwise children’s story. These deeper meanings are subtle and a moral could be portrayed in simpler terms for a child to learn from.
One of the greatest things about this picture book is the use of the rhyme, “hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions, and trillions of cats” (Ga`g). This can easily involve the child as this line is repeated throughout the book, and is easy enough to remember that the child could believe they are reading.
This picture book does have other strengths and weaknesses though. The characters are one of its biggest strengths. An elderly couple that live alone and want a pet are easy to relate to. They have a unique way of relating to each other and their pet. Devotion for one another is the easiest characteristic to pinpoint between them. Children will also be able to relate to the wish to have a pet. This might help those that are contemplating getting a cat. Some of the weaknesses come in the treatment of the cats. The tale takes a slightly morbid turn when the cats attack and kill and supposedly eat each other. This imagery might scare some children and change the way they view the book. Review for the book have been positive for the 83 years that it has been in print. Touted as the “first” picture book it has staying power as a classic, regardless of the audience.
"This Newbery Honor winner is distinguished by innovative design and a strong storyteller's cadence." (School Library Journal's "One Hundred Books that Shaped the Century").
Since this book deals with multiples of things and the problems that ensue from those multiples, readers also might enjoy: Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina.
One great idea that has come from this book is Cat Herding Day (courtesy http://childrensbookalmanac.com/2010/12/millions-of-cats/.) Celebrated on December 15, this would be a great classroom activity when reading this great picture book.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Philip C. Stead
Stead, Philip C., Illustrator Erin E. Stead. 2010. A Sick Day for Amos McGee. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN: 9781596434028.
What if animals could talk? Well, in A Sick Day for Amos McGee a Caldecott winner by Philip Stead, we find out what they would say if they could. Amos McGee is an elderly zookeeper who always makes time to visit his animal friends before he starts work. His dependability is taken for granted and when Amos takes ill his animal friends become concerned and leave the zoo to pay him a get well visit. The animals spend the day with him doing a version of their favorite activities and all end up spending the night in Amos’ house.
The main character Amos McGee is a likeable and affable old zookeeper. The illustrations paint him as the quintessential grandfather type. A type of character that adults and children can understand and believe. He could almost be described as a Mr. Rogers like character, easy going and even tempered. The other characters in this picture book are the zoo animals: the elephant, rhino, owl, penguin, and tortoise. Anthropomorphizing the animals make them seem more real and gives them a sense of personality exhibiting the human emotions of sadness, happiness, and critical thinking.
The theme of this picture book is very subtle. It conveys sympathy and acts of selflessness from all the characters. It is meaningful as it conveys a sense of peacefulness for everyone involved. How the characters behave inwardly and outwardly is a good way for children to see how they should treat others. The theme is also very noticeable through the illustrations.
The illustrations are very detail oriented especially in the facial areas of the characters. One can see emotions plainly on both Amos’ and the animals faces. One could almost read the book without the words and tell the story themselves. Using very subtle colors and a technique called woodblock printing, the illustrations are not what one expects to see in a modern picture book, but this is the charm of this book. Simplicity is sometimes better to understand when reading a story. Using white as a background for the illustrations there is no interference to take the reader away from the story being told.
The strengths in this picture lie in the anthropomorphism of the animals. Children like animals and even better if they don’t act like animals. Giving each animal a very human characteristic makes them more believable to the reader. The weaknesses lie in the pace of the story. As an adult I felt kind of lost, waiting for something to happen. The story is meant to be slow and I feel a child might get bored with the waiting.
Being an award winning picture book the online reviews are glowing:
• The artwork in this quiet tale of good deeds rewarded uses woodblock-printing techniques, soft flat colors, and occasional bits of red. Illustrations are positioned on the white space to move the tale along and underscore the bonds of friendship and loyalty. Whether read individually or shared, this gentle story will resonate with youngsters. —Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC.
A good way to tell this story for story time or bedtime would be with animal puppets. Either with a partner or volunteers, bringing the story alive to an audience would enhance it that much more. An already powerful story will resonate long after the story is done with the puppets making a debut for every reading of this beautiful picture book.
Philip C. Stead
Stead, Philip C., Illustrator Erin E. Stead. 2010. A Sick Day for Amos McGee. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN: 9781596434028.
What if animals could talk? Well, in A Sick Day for Amos McGee a Caldecott winner by Philip Stead, we find out what they would say if they could. Amos McGee is an elderly zookeeper who always makes time to visit his animal friends before he starts work. His dependability is taken for granted and when Amos takes ill his animal friends become concerned and leave the zoo to pay him a get well visit. The animals spend the day with him doing a version of their favorite activities and all end up spending the night in Amos’ house.
The main character Amos McGee is a likeable and affable old zookeeper. The illustrations paint him as the quintessential grandfather type. A type of character that adults and children can understand and believe. He could almost be described as a Mr. Rogers like character, easy going and even tempered. The other characters in this picture book are the zoo animals: the elephant, rhino, owl, penguin, and tortoise. Anthropomorphizing the animals make them seem more real and gives them a sense of personality exhibiting the human emotions of sadness, happiness, and critical thinking.
The theme of this picture book is very subtle. It conveys sympathy and acts of selflessness from all the characters. It is meaningful as it conveys a sense of peacefulness for everyone involved. How the characters behave inwardly and outwardly is a good way for children to see how they should treat others. The theme is also very noticeable through the illustrations.
The illustrations are very detail oriented especially in the facial areas of the characters. One can see emotions plainly on both Amos’ and the animals faces. One could almost read the book without the words and tell the story themselves. Using very subtle colors and a technique called woodblock printing, the illustrations are not what one expects to see in a modern picture book, but this is the charm of this book. Simplicity is sometimes better to understand when reading a story. Using white as a background for the illustrations there is no interference to take the reader away from the story being told.
The strengths in this picture lie in the anthropomorphism of the animals. Children like animals and even better if they don’t act like animals. Giving each animal a very human characteristic makes them more believable to the reader. The weaknesses lie in the pace of the story. As an adult I felt kind of lost, waiting for something to happen. The story is meant to be slow and I feel a child might get bored with the waiting.
Being an award winning picture book the online reviews are glowing:
• The artwork in this quiet tale of good deeds rewarded uses woodblock-printing techniques, soft flat colors, and occasional bits of red. Illustrations are positioned on the white space to move the tale along and underscore the bonds of friendship and loyalty. Whether read individually or shared, this gentle story will resonate with youngsters. —Mary Jean Smith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC.
A good way to tell this story for story time or bedtime would be with animal puppets. Either with a partner or volunteers, bringing the story alive to an audience would enhance it that much more. An already powerful story will resonate long after the story is done with the puppets making a debut for every reading of this beautiful picture book.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
Knuffle Bunny
Mo Willems
Willems, Mo. 2004. Knuffle Bunny. New York: Hyperion Books. ISBN: 0786818700.
For any person who has ever loved and lost a best friend this book will tug at the heartstrings. Perfect for children and adults alike this picture book tells the story of Trixie and her stuffed animal Knuffle Bunny. On a trip to the Laundromat with her father, Trixie loses Knuffle Bunny. Trixie is unable to communicate her frustration at losing Knuffle Bunny, which leads Trixie’s father to misunderstand her outburst. When Trixie’s mother and father realize the loss, the race is on to get back to the Laundromat to reunite the two. A happy ending and Trixie speaking her first words, “Knuffle Bunny” create a perfect ending filled with love and family unity.
The theme of this picture book centers around security. Often children (and sometimes adults) will have an emotional attachment to a stuffed animal or toy that gives them a sense of security. Losing that security can be traumatic made even more so if you cannot communicate your distress. In Trixie’s case she was too young to have established a vocabulary to coherently make her needs clear. It is only with the mother’s help that the loss of Knuffle Bunny is rectified. Children will be able to sense the urgency by the different styles and fonts of type in the picture book. Using different types of fonts will also assist if read out loud, where the reader will sense the change in tone and (hopefully) inflect appropriately.
The illustrations are also a very heavy indicator where the action is centered in this book. Using two types of artistic mediums to illustrate this book leads to the characters being the focus of the novel. Photographs done in sepia with large color pictures drawn into them draw the reader’s eyes to the characters and focus on them as the center of the book. This type of illustration is great for children as it is not too busy and the action is noticeable. It is good that one does not have to hunt for what they are being shown, it is obvious and the facial expressions of the characters tell the whole story.
Overall, this “cautionary tale” by Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems touches on very real experiences that a child can relate to and understand. As the old saying goes, it is better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all.
These reviews from Book Index with Reviews speak to the powerful narrative and creativity that Willems puts into his work:
•Publishers Weekly, 08/16/2004
“Any child who has ever had a favorite toy will identify with the toddler star of this tale. The plot is simple: Trixie loses bunny, finds bunny and then exuberantly says her first words—"Knuffle Bunny!!!" The fun comes from the details. In an innovative style that employs dappled black-and-white photographs of Brooklyn as backdrop to wickedly funny color cartoons, Willems (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! ) creates an entertaining story for parents and children alike.”
•Kirkus Reviews, 08/01/2004
“Willems is a master of body language; Trixie's despair and her daddy's frazzlement as expressive as her joy ("KNUFFLE BUNNY!") and his triumph at the excavation of the errant bunny from the washing machine. The natural audience for this offering is a little older than its main character: they will easily identify with Trixie's grief and at the same time feel superior to her hapless parent—and rejoice wholeheartedly at the happy reunion.”
Personally, I think this book is a great example of a fun bed time story. It has all the literary requirements for a good book: action, emotion, resolution, and a happy ending. What more could one ask for before bed every night.
Mo Willems
Willems, Mo. 2004. Knuffle Bunny. New York: Hyperion Books. ISBN: 0786818700.
For any person who has ever loved and lost a best friend this book will tug at the heartstrings. Perfect for children and adults alike this picture book tells the story of Trixie and her stuffed animal Knuffle Bunny. On a trip to the Laundromat with her father, Trixie loses Knuffle Bunny. Trixie is unable to communicate her frustration at losing Knuffle Bunny, which leads Trixie’s father to misunderstand her outburst. When Trixie’s mother and father realize the loss, the race is on to get back to the Laundromat to reunite the two. A happy ending and Trixie speaking her first words, “Knuffle Bunny” create a perfect ending filled with love and family unity.
The theme of this picture book centers around security. Often children (and sometimes adults) will have an emotional attachment to a stuffed animal or toy that gives them a sense of security. Losing that security can be traumatic made even more so if you cannot communicate your distress. In Trixie’s case she was too young to have established a vocabulary to coherently make her needs clear. It is only with the mother’s help that the loss of Knuffle Bunny is rectified. Children will be able to sense the urgency by the different styles and fonts of type in the picture book. Using different types of fonts will also assist if read out loud, where the reader will sense the change in tone and (hopefully) inflect appropriately.
The illustrations are also a very heavy indicator where the action is centered in this book. Using two types of artistic mediums to illustrate this book leads to the characters being the focus of the novel. Photographs done in sepia with large color pictures drawn into them draw the reader’s eyes to the characters and focus on them as the center of the book. This type of illustration is great for children as it is not too busy and the action is noticeable. It is good that one does not have to hunt for what they are being shown, it is obvious and the facial expressions of the characters tell the whole story.
Overall, this “cautionary tale” by Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems touches on very real experiences that a child can relate to and understand. As the old saying goes, it is better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all.
These reviews from Book Index with Reviews speak to the powerful narrative and creativity that Willems puts into his work:
•Publishers Weekly, 08/16/2004
“Any child who has ever had a favorite toy will identify with the toddler star of this tale. The plot is simple: Trixie loses bunny, finds bunny and then exuberantly says her first words—"Knuffle Bunny!!!" The fun comes from the details. In an innovative style that employs dappled black-and-white photographs of Brooklyn as backdrop to wickedly funny color cartoons, Willems (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! ) creates an entertaining story for parents and children alike.”
•Kirkus Reviews, 08/01/2004
“Willems is a master of body language; Trixie's despair and her daddy's frazzlement as expressive as her joy ("KNUFFLE BUNNY!") and his triumph at the excavation of the errant bunny from the washing machine. The natural audience for this offering is a little older than its main character: they will easily identify with Trixie's grief and at the same time feel superior to her hapless parent—and rejoice wholeheartedly at the happy reunion.”
Personally, I think this book is a great example of a fun bed time story. It has all the literary requirements for a good book: action, emotion, resolution, and a happy ending. What more could one ask for before bed every night.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Why I'm here
This blog will serve two purposes. The first will be to provide reviews about children's book for my Literature for Children and Young Adults class, second is the hope that someone out there will read the reviews and find a new book for themselves or a child in their life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)