Bibliography
Hiaasen, Carl. 2002. Hoot. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 0375921818.
Summary
Roy is not happy when his family moves from Montana to Florida. Not only is he the new kid in middle school, but Dana the bully has chosen him to pick on. Roy meets another boy who is trying to keep a restaurant from destroying the habitat of some endangered miniature owls. Together they team up to derail the construction project.
Critical Analysis
Review Excerpts
School Library Journal - "Packed with quirky characters and improbable plot twists, Hiaasen's first novel for young readers is entertaining but ultimately not very memorable."Booklist - "the story is full of offbeat humor, buffoonish yet charming supporting characters, and genuinely touching scenes of children enjoying the wildness of nature. He deserves a warm welcome into children's publishing."
Connections
Discuss bullying.
Discuss conservation.
Discuss moving to a new place, new school.
Read and compare HOOT & FLUSH.
Do a readers' theater with one of the humorous scenes, like the one where the counselor talks to Roy about punching Dana, the bully in the nose.
Posted by Lisa at 6:49 PM 0 comments
BibliographyLowry, Lois. 1993. The Giver. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395645662.SummaryJonas lives in a controlled society in which everyone experiences "sameness". Every family has two children assigned to them; two parents, whose jobs are chosen for them; the same clothes, same homes, no colors, no feelings. Jonas seems satisfied until, at age twelve, he is chosen as the one who will receive the communal memories from an elder who is ready to pass them on. He comes to abhor the philosophy of sameness and tries to escape. He runs away to save himself, his baby brother, and the whole community from the stifling envirionment in which they live.Critical AnalysisNewbery Award - 1994Review ExcerptsPublishers Weekly - Starred review; "Lowry is once again in top form... unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers."School Library Journal - "This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time."New York Times - "A powerful and provacative novel.”ConnectionsDiscuss censorship.Discuss euthanasia.Have students make up names for the chapters in the book.Discuss possibilities beyond the ending of the book. What might have happened to Jonas and Gabriel? The community? The Giver?Read other Lois Lowry books, particularly GATHERING BLUE & THE MESSENGER.
Posted by Lisa at 6:47 PM 0 comments
MONSTER
BibliographyMyers, Walter Dean. 1999. Monster. Ill. by Christopher Myers. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN oo60280786.National Book Award Finalist, 1999Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, 2000Parent's Guide to Children's Media HonorsPublishers Weekly Best Books of 1999Horn Book Honor BookMichael L. Printz Award, 2000Heartland Award for Excellence in YA Lit Finalist, 20012000 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA),2000 Quick Picks for Young Adults (Recomm. Books for Reluctant Young Readers)2000 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)SummarySteve Harmon is a teenage boy who has been accused of being involved in the robbery of a store that ended in the death of the store owner. Monster is his story written as a diary in movie script form, about the events leading to the crime, his time in jail and in the courtroom during his trial.Critical AnalysisThe title of the book, Monster, refers to the way prosecuting attorneys describe the boys involved in the crime. Steve searches himself throughout the book, wondering if he really is a monster. In the end, no one is really sure how accurate the description is. He is accused of being the look out man, the person who was supposed to go in and make sure if the coast was clear for the other two guys to go inside and rob the store. But we are never really sure if he did that. What we do know is that Steve knew about the plan to rob the store. Whether he was there as an observer, or whether he intended to share in the spoils, we do not know. Is he a "monster" because of his involvment in a crime that ended in the death of a man? Steve struggles with this question, even in the end of the story.The plot unfolds through Steve's diary entries and movie angle descriptions. There are descriptions of the characters, but mostly they are defined through the realistic dialogue. We feel the pain of Steve's parents, the disdain of the prosecuting attorneys, Steve's own fear and dread of jail.The descriptions of the neighborhood, the prison, and the courtroom are realistic and evoke emotion. The urban neighborhood is poor and dangerous. The prison is violent, dark and scary. The courtroom is tense and formal.Even though Steve is found not guilty, the ending is not really so happy. The defense attorney moves away when Steve reaches to embrace her as the verdict is announced, leaving him to wonder if she thinks he is a monster; and more importantly, does he think himself a monster?Review ExcerptsSchool Library Journal - "...Monster lends itself well to classroom or group discussion. It's an emotionally charged story that readers will find compelling and disturbing."Booklist, Editors' Choice 1999 - "Myers grapples with complex moral questions that will definitely make readers stop and think."ConnectionsDiscuss whether or not justice was done with Steve's not guilty verdict.Discuss the different roles of the characters in the story: Steve, the store owner, other people involved in the crime, witnesses, Steve's parents and brother, the teacher, jury, judge, attorneys.Do reader's theatre of some different scenes: jail, courtroom, on the streets, in the storeHave the students write movie scripts about something that happened in their own lives or about a made up story.
Posted by Lisa at 6:42 PM 0 comments
Monday, April 7, 2008
WORTH
BibliographyLaFaye, A. 2004. Worth. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689857306.
SummaryNathaniel is good help on his family’s Nebraska farm in the late 1800’s until he breaks his leg in a terrible accident. His father adopts John, a boy from the Orphan Train, to help out. This creates tension for everyone in the family. Nathaniel already feels worthless because his injury prevents him from helping his father with the farm work. With the arrival if the new boy, Nathaniel feels even more bitter and directs his bad feelings toward John. To make matters worse, Nathaniel has to start school, and he is way behind the other students, who tease him. Gradually the two boys grow to understand one another, and work together to solve a rift in the community between ranchers and farmers.
Critical AnalysisThe setting of the story is authentic. The reader gets a good idea of how hard life would be on a small farm in the Midwest in the late 1800’s. The dialogue seems real. The descriptions of the house, fields, farm equipment are all woven in as part of the story, but help to paint a picture of the backdrop.
This is a story about Nate, an eleven year old boy whose leg is broken in a terrible farm accident, and how his injury affects his life. Nate’s parents, John Worth (the orphan), Nate’s classmates, the neighbors, are all presented from Nate’s point of view, and are developed according to how close and relevant they are to Nate’s life. Nate’s parents and John are very well defined. They have distinct personalities. Each has his own personal pain, with which the reader sympathizes.
Although the story is about how Nate deals with the trauma of his accident and injury, it is also about the conflict between nearly all of the characters, Nate and John, Nate and his parents, Nate’s mother and father, farmers and ranchers. This theme of conflict develops the characters and defines the plot, and in fact the whole story leads up to the resolution of all the conflicts. Nate and John finally start to understand each other’s pains. They discover that someone has “cut a fence” and together they help to stop a stampede of cattle that would have destroyed their crops. This event leads to a truce between the ranchers and the farmers; and ultimately Nate’s family, including his parents and John Worth, find some peace and understanding. The reader finishes the book with the feeling that Nate and his family have been through some terrible trials, but that they will survive.
LaFaye’s style of writing is simple and straight forward, yet evokes feeling. In WORTH she has created a story that authentically and vividly describes farm life in the late nineteenth century. She has used conflict to develop characters and drive plot. Through it all the reader gets a feeling for the character's pain and losses, their strength in overcoming adversity, and ultimately their hope for a loving family and future.
Review ExcerptsBooklist – Starred Review. "[The] Narrative is brutally honest."
School Library Journal – “A compelling and historically accurate story beautifully rendered.”
ConnectionsResearch Orphan Trains
Examine some of the Greek myths mentioned in the book. Compare the themes in the myths to what happens in WORTH.
Recreate a reader’s theater from one of the dialogues in the book.
Posted by Lisa at 7:28 PM 0 comments
CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY
BibliographyCushman, Karen. 1994. Catherine Called Birdy. New York: Clarion. ISBN 0681863.
SummaryWritten in diary format, this book follows the life of fourteen year old Catherine in medieval England in the year 1290. Catherine lives in a small manor. Her nickname is Birdy because she keeps caged birds as pets in her room. The chronicle of her daily life gives the reader a glimpse of what it would be like to be a teenage girl in medieval times. Her biggest concern is that her family is going to marry her off to a suitor not to her liking.
Critical AnalysisThrough the eyes of a girl, readers get a glimpse of life in medieval England, from descriptions of Catherine’s small manor, including her bed chamber where she keeps caged birds, paints a mural on the wall and sleeps with her maid; to the opulent castle of her friend who marries a baron. Catherine gives accounts of many town celebrations and festivals. Characters including family, friends and house guests come alive through Catherine’s descriptions of events and interactions. Catherine feels trapped, or caged, much like the birds in her room. She hates boring, tedious needlework and other women’s work. She desperately tries to escape the efforts of her family to make a lady out of her, and especially the attempts to find her a husband. This book is written in a way that readers young and old, will find interesting as details about a world long past are presented. Readers will be able to relate to the way Catherine often wants to disobey her parents, runaway when she is scared, enjoy parties and friends, her infatuation with handsome young men, and her worries about getting married. What a relief when in the end it seems as if her future husband appears to be someone she could actually love!
Review ExcerptsPublishers Weekly – “A Newbery Honor Book, this witty and wise fictive diary of a 13th-century English girl introduces an admirable heroine and pungently evokes a largely unfamiliar setting."
School Library Journal – “Superb historical fiction.”Kirkus Reviews"The period has rarely been presented for young people with such authenticity; the exotic details will intrigue readers while they relate more closely to Birdy’s yen for independence and her sensibilities toward the downtrodden. Her tenacity and ebullient naiveté are extraordinary; at once comic and thought-provoking, this first novel is a delight."
ConnectionsHave students keep a diary. Encourage them to describe their live in such a way that readers from a different time and culture can understand.
Study the medieval time period, focusing on England and some of the events described in the book, such as the plague, the death of the Queen.
Compare marriage customs and rituals of medieval times with other time periods and cultures.
Discuss the importance of festivals and feast days in medieval times, modern times, and different cultures. Have students choose a feast day from the book to research, report on, and maybe even reenact.
Put on a mummer’s play, perhaps with period costumes.
Research and try some medieval food.Take a closer look at and discuss the treatment of Jews in the book. Do an author study and/or read other books by Karen Cushman such as Midwife's Apprentice.Read and compare other Newbery Honor and Award Books.
Posted by Lisa at 7:24 PM 0 comments
Sunday, April 6, 2008
GOOD QUEEN BESS
BibliographyStanley, Diane and Vennema, Peter. ill by Diane Stanley. 1990. GOOD QUEEN BESS: THE STORY OF ELIZABETH I OF ENGLAND. New York: Four Winds Press. ISBN 0027868109SummaryGood Queen Bess tells the story of Elizabeth I of England, daughter of King Henry VIII. She became queen at the age of twenty-five. She was very intelligent, loved her country and was loved by her countrymen. She never married. Under her leadership England miraculously withstood an attack by a Spanish Armada that was the strongest in the world. Her reign was constantly in danger of being overthrown. Although there was religious turmoil during her lifetime, she was tolerant. She did not want to “make windows into men’s souls.” Critical AnalysisDiane Stanley is a highly respected writer of children’s literature, including many biographies. She has received the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction. Her works are well-researched and accurate. The book includes numerous quotes and a bibliography. The book is laid out chronologically. The beautiful illustrations of Elizabeth at various ages help make the story come alive. Historical details are presented in a simple straight-forward manner that children will understand. Review ExcerptsSchool Library Journal - “The text is clearly written, explaining the main events and key decisions of Elizabeth's life and reign.”Publishers Weekly - “Through concise, skillful writing, the queen's involvement in the complex political and religious conflicts of the day becomes engrossing and easily comprehensible. With their attention to period detail--most strikingly the elaborate Elizabethan dress, jewels and palace furnishings--Stanley's paintings transport readers back to an intriguing era.”ConnectionsDiscuss religious freedom.Examine military history of the time.Study Elizabeth’s family tree, political cohourts and rivals.Have children make their own family tree.Read other books by Diane Stanley.Read other biographies about Elizabeth I.
Posted by Lisa at 8:10 AM 0 comments
Monday, March 17, 2008
ER VETS: LIFE IN AN ANIMAL EMERGENCY ROOM
BibliographyJackson, Donna M. 2005. ER VETS: LIFE IN AN ANIMAL EMERGENCY ROOM. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company ISBN 0618436634.SummaryThis book includes a description of an emergency veterinary hospital and some of the types of activities that go on there. A history of "Vets and Pets" gives some background information about the subject of animal care. Portraits of emergency veterinarians, nurses and technicians are presented, too. Individual emergency cases are presented including a dog that was severely injured after being run over by a car, and a python who hid, got lost and suffered from hypothermia, and a low birth weight foal who required specialized care soon after birth. There is a chapter that addresses dealing with the death of a pet. A useful guide to preparing a pet first aid kit will be helpful to pet owners. Addresses, phone numbers and websites for pet support and information are included in the book. Critical AnalysisThe book has a table of contents, many photographs, a glossary (cleverly entitled "critical terms"), source notes, and an index. The information in the book is presumed to be accurate since it is based on interviews with emergency veterinarians other animal experts. The layout of the book with general information about emergency animal hospitals, history of animal care, individual accounts of animal emergencies, dealing with pet loss, and finally other helpful information, is logical. The many photographs help to explain the stories and concepts, and make the book more interesting. The writing is clear, with many new vocabulary terms defined. Many young readers will be interested to learn about pet and animal care; others may be interested in becoming er vets after reading this book.Review ExcerptsBooklist: "Jackson gives both pets and their caregivers their due, and numerous, excellent photos, including a look at a surgery in progress, make this not only intriguing browsing material but also an honest initiation to a worthwhile career."From School Library Journal Starred Review : "With plentiful, excellent-quality photographs, well-researched and well-written, ER Vets is an engaging book on a hot topic.Kirkus Reviews : "An easy sell to animal lovers of various reading levels, and they may also get some ideas about future career options."ConnectionsStudents can share or write personal animal and pet emergency experiences, or create stories or poems about animal emergencies.Students can act out some of their experiences or the ones described in the book.Students can compare and discuss veterinary medicine and medicine for humans.Students can discuss other potential careers.Young children can "doctor" toy animals.Read "Bark George", about a dog who visits the vet because he can't bark.
Monday, March 17, 2008
PENGUINS
BibliographySimon, Seymour. 2007. Penguins. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0060283955SummaryThis book includes interesting facts and fantastic photographs of all kinds of penguins. Information is included about habitats, feeding, breeding, babies and more. Critical AnalysisSeymour Simon is one of the most well-known authors of non-ficiton for children. The information in PENGUINS is presented in such as way as to distinguish between fact and theory, without stereotypes or anthropomorphism. The layout of the book is logical with general information about penguins presented first, followed by a description of several different species of penguins. The illustrations complement the text and help to give the reader an idea of what the penguins look like and how the exist. The index and glossary at the end of the book are helpful additions. Readers will want to learn even more about penguins after reading this book.Review ExcerptsAmazon: "Acclaimed science writer Seymour Simon has teamed up with the Smithsonian Institution to take you on a journey to the Antarctic region for a close-up look at one of nature's most beloved and sociable animals."Kirkus Reviews: "Simon may have done more than any other living author to help us understand and appreciated the beauty of our planet and our universe."ConnectionsStart by examining only the pictures in the book with the class.Students can do more in depth research on penguins. It would be fun to see how many different kinds of penguins there are. Each student could do a report on a different species, or research projects could be done in small groups.Children could create artwork with penguins as subjects using various media.Find and read other penguin books, especially easy fiction for young children.Do a study of Antartica, New Zealand and other areas inhabited by penquins.Compare penguins with other birds.Watch the movie MARCH OF THE PENGUINS as a treat or on a rainy day.
Posted by Lisa at 8:33 PM 0 comments
Monday, March 3, 2008
IT'S SNOWING! IT'S SNOWING! WINTER POEMS
BibliographyPrelutsky, Jack. 1984, 2006. IT'S SNOWING! IT'S SNOWING!: WINTER POEMS. Ill by. Yossi Abolafia. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0060537167.Critical AnalysisThis collection contains sixteen easy to read poems about winter by well known poet Jack Prelutsky. Children will enjoy the rhythm, rhyme and repetition. The repetition in the title portrays excitement - It's Snowing! It's Snowing! Winter is not all fun, though. In "I Am Freezing" the repetition of the title phrase emphasizes the misery of not being able to get warm:"I am freezing! I am freezing!From my bottom to my top,all my teeth are clacking madlyand I cannot make them stop"and what a dramatic ending -"I have icicles inside meand my lips are turnig blue,and I'm sneezing as I'm freezing,for I've caught a coldACHOOOOOOOOOO"The soft, water color illustrations on white background help the reader experience the cold. On the other hand, in the final poem "The Snowman's Lament", the illustrations and imagery conjure the feeling of springtime's warmth as the snowman melts into the soft green grass. Readers will feel sorry when it is time for the little boy to bid farewell to the snowman and the good times of winter:"My snowman sadly bowed his headin March, one sunny day,and this is what he softly saidbefore he went away:In the middle of December I was handsome, round and tall,now I hardly can remember those December days at all...."and finally,"Through the icy weeks of winterI stood prouder than a king,now I'm thinner than a splinter,winter's melting into spring!"Review ExcerptsBooklist - "The sounds of the rhyming words are as much fun as the snow action in these 16 poems by well-known children's poet Prelutsky, accompanied by exuberant line-and-watercolor illustrations that capture all the play in the cold. "School Library Journal - " The watercolor-and-ink paintings are warm and filled with expressive faces and animated scenes. Young readers will enjoy this collection on their own, but the bouncing rhymes make the selections easy choices for readers theater presentations and for sharing aloud."ConnectionsUse this book when discussing winter and the seasons.Have children read or listen and act out some of the poems. They can pretend to shovel, skate, romp, roll, throw snowballs and build snowmen.It would be fun to read some winter poems while lining up to go in from or out to recess, especially if the whether is cold or snowy.Let the children make winter illustrations or collages after or while listening to the poems read aloud.
Posted by Lisa at 8:05 PM 0 comments
ONE MITTEN
BibliographyGeorge, Kristine O'Connell. 2004. ONE MITTEN. Ill. by Maggie Smith. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618117563.Plot SummaryA girl finds a mitten and entertains herself and her little brother with it. She uses it to make animal shape shadows on the wall. The mitten makes a perfect hat for a toy rooster, and a bed for a toy bunny. It even fits on the puppy's tail. The little girl is delighted and excited when she finds the mitten's mate under the sleeping cat. Out she goes to play in the snow with two warm mittens.Critical AnalysisEach page has bright, colorful, cheerful pictures portraying the children and their surroundings. Inside the home there are many familiar things young children will recognize - toys, pets, furniture, laundry. The pictures of the outside include sweet images of nature-snowflakes, birds, trees.The two page spreads in the book contain rhyming phrases. Alliteration is used, as well -"one mitten can make a shadow show...with shadow shapes of a mitten whaleand a slow, slow mitten snail.The illustrations create action as the children chase the dog running through the house with the mitten on his tail. When the mitten mate is found under the sleeping cat, the little girl claps and dances and discovers the falling snow. She goes out to play, all bundled up in her hat, coat, scarf and mittens.Review ExcerptsBooklist - "Who knew a mitten could be so much fun? Good for story hours, this shows how much enjoyment can be derived from a very simple item."School Library Journal - "PreSchool-Grade 1–Using playful and engaging rhymes, a girl shows readers the many different things that she can do with one mitten. When she finds the missing mate underneath the cat, the child demonstrates just how much fun two mittens can be, both indoors and out. Done in acrylic gouache, Smith's distinctive illustrations are filled with warm colors and eye-catching patterns. They capture the activities of a busy family on a winter day and provide a backdrop filled with objects that will be familiar to young listeners."ConnectionsSchool Library Journal suggests, "Pair this tale with Jan Brett's The Mitten (Putnam, 1989), Ezra Jack Keats's The Snowy Day (Viking, 1962), and Janet Stoeke's A Hat for Minerva Louise (Dutton, 1994) for storytime or laptime winter fun."Have children put their real mittens on a table or the floor, mix them up and play a matching game.Have children color and cut out pairs of paper mittens to mix and match. Turn them over for a concentration matching game.
Posted by Lisa at 8:05 PM 0 comments
OUT OF THE DUST
BibliographyHesse, Karen. 1997. OUT OF THE DUST. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 05903608091998 Newbery Medal winnerPlot SummaryFourteen year old Billie Jo is growing up during the Depression in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl. She longs to get out of the dust, away from the tragedy and hardships of her life. She loves to play piano, but a fire burns her hands and kills her mother and newborn brother. How she survives and recovers unfolds in the story written in free verse. When Billy Jo jumps a train and runs away, she finally discovers that her Dad and the dusty land they live on are all she has. They are her foundations. She returns home to heal her hands, her relationship with her Dad and her spirit.Critical AnalysisThis book is written in free verse in a journal format in first person narrative. Each entry chronicles a day in the life of fourteen year old Billie Jo over the course of a year. The setting is rural Oklahoma in the 1930's during the Great Depression Dust Bowl years. Dust is the most prevalent thing in the story. It affects everything in Billie Jo's life. All she wants to do is to get out of the dust.Billy loves to play piano. She learned this from her mother. She looses the ability to play when her hands are burned in an accident, the same accident that kills her mother. The piano represents the mother in the story.Billy Jo experiences many losses over the course of the year in which the story takes place. People move away to find work; others die, including her mother and baby brother; she loses the ability to play piano.Hope comes and goes in the story, every time it rains or snows. When Billy Jo runs away, she seems to have lost hope, but somehow she realizes she needs to go back home. At this turning point in the story, she regains hope, returns home and regains her relationship with her father. Review ExcerptsPublishers Weekly - starred review "This intimate novel, written in stanza form, poetically conveys the heat, dust and wind of Oklahoma."Kirkus Reviews - Told in free-verse poetry of dated entries that span the winter of 1934 to the winter of 1935, this is an unremittingly bleak portrait of one corner of Depression-era life. In Billie Jo, the only character who comes to life, Hesse (The Music of Dolphins, 1996, etc.) presents a hale and determined heroine who confronts unrelenting misery and begins to transcend it. The poem/novel ends with only a trace of hope; there are no pat endings, but a glimpse of beauty wrought from brutal reality."School Library Journal - "Grade 5 Up. After facing loss after loss during the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, Billie Jo begins to reconstruct her life. A triumphant story, eloquently told through prose-poetry."ConnectionsHave students take turns reading passages from the book over the course of a few days.Discuss the plot, imagery, historical context.Have students keep a journal of the events of their lives over a period of time.
Posted by Lisa at 8:05 PM 0 comments
Monday, February 18, 2008
THE GOLDEN SANDAL; A MIDDLE EASTERN CINDERELLA STORY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hickox, Rebecca. 1998. THE GOLDEN SANDAL; A MIDDLE EASTERN CINDERELLA STORY. Ill. by Will Hillenbrand. New York, NY: Holiday House. ISBN 0823413314Plot SummaryIn this Cinderella tale from Iraq, a magical red fish comes to the aid of a kind young girl, Maha, who is mistreated by her wicked stepmother and stepsister. One night the fish provides Maha with beautiful clothes to wear to a wedding party. Maha is supposed to leave the party before her stepmother, but she loses track of time and stays too long. One of Maha's golden sandals falls into the river as she runs across a bridge in her haste to get home. The bride's brother Tariq, finds the sandal and longs to marry the owner. The bride's mother had met Maha at the wedding party, and approves of the match. With her help Maha is found. Tariq and Maha marry and live happily ever after. The stepmother and step sister are punished for their misdeeds.Critical AnalysisThe plot of this story is simple. Maha's mother has drowned. She convinces her father to remarry. The stepmother and stepsister mistreat her. Maha is befriended by a magical fish who helps her find a wonderful husband and live happily ever after. The illustrations in the book help to explain the story. Maha is portrayed as sweet and graceful. The stepsister is clumsy and haughty. The magical fish appears in illustrations, even when not mentioned in the text. For example when Tariq finds the golden sandal in the water, the fish is there. The fish is also in the picture at Maha and Tariq's wedding celebration. It is interesting that the mother has drowned and it is a fish who comes to Maha's aid. Perhaps the fish represents the spirit of Maha's mother.Perhaps the most interesting element of the story is the setting of an Iraqi fishing village. The illustrations detailing architecture, household items, clothing, animals, even the henna celebration help to make the reader understand what is going on. It also arouses curiosity about the Iraqi culture.The universal theme of good and evil is included in the story. The good and kind Maha is rewarded in the end with a blessed marriage. On the other hand, bad things happen to the mean stepmother and stepsister. There was a bit of humor in the end when the stepmother tries to sabotage Maha's wedding by buying a stinky potion for her hair, only to be disappointed when the potion has the opposite effect and makes Maha's hair more beautiful than ever and smell of roses. When the stepsister is to be married, her mother puts the potion on her own daughter's hair. It creates a terrible odor and makes blisters on her head. "The girl was taken back to her mother in disgrace." The accompanying illustration for this part of the story is the most striking one in the book. It is funny and satisfying to see the bad girl get what she deserves.The story is told, in regard to both text and illustrations, in a soft and smooth style. The language and pictures are not harsh, even when bad things happen. The use of magic, humor and the attempt at trickery add interest to the story. The happy ending with the beautiful painting of Maha and Tariq's wedding celebration is soothing and satisfying.This simple and familiar story will appeal to children. They will enjoy the beautiful, interestingly detailed and sometimes funny pictures; and finally, they will like the happy ending.Review ExcerptsBooklist: "Hillenbrand's illustrations capture a strong sense of place: women carry trays and jugs of water on their heads, and chickens outnumber dogs and cats on the streets."Kirkus: "...readers will come away with an appreciation for the unusual setting, comic characters, and the age-old emotions and resolutions that rule this story."Publishers Weekly: "...a visual treat from start to finish".School Library Journal: "In her gracefully written narrative, Hickox effectively blends many familiar touches with elements of the story that will be new to Western audiences."ConnectionsGiven our country's current situation in Iraq, this would be an interesting book to share with a group of children. Pointing out the similarities in the Cinderella stories, along with the good and evil theme will illustrate the common ground between our cultures. Exploring the many details of Iraqi culture found in the book will teach children about other lands and peoples.
Posted by Lisa at 9:18 AM 0 comments
PORCH LIES; TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
McKissack, Patricia. 2006. PORCH LIES; TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS. Ill. by Andre Carrilho. New York, NY: Schwartz and Wade Books. ISBN 037593619XPlot SummaryPatricia McKissack grows up listening to stories, or porch lies, on the front porch of her grandparents' house. Each story unfolds as a friend, relative or neighbor stops by. Tricksters and slicksters in the stories are not so much bad as they are able to get folks to do what they want them to do. For example, Aunt Gran is so persuasive and commanding, she is able to get Jesse James and his brother, Frank, to leave their guns at the door in exchange for a good meal and a clean bed. That is just the beginning of the porch lie, "Aunt Gran and the Outlaws". The James brothers help Aunt Gran and the rest of the community regain control of their community from the dreaded bully Green Farley and the Klansmen who threaten to take their land.Critical AnalysisSome of the stories are funny, some are scary, most have a moral. In "The Devil's Guitar", Bukka Black wants so badly to be a famous musician that he travels around impersonating his idol, the famous Robert Johnson, until one day he meets the Devil. Bukka struggles but makes the decision to heed his mother's advice not to trade his soul for the Devil's guitar, and he goes back home.The porch lies get more and more far-fetched as the book progresses. The first stories are about tricksters who are good at getting what they want. Later on the characters encounter devils, ghosts and angels. In "By the weight of a Feather" Clovis Reed dreams he is on trial for all the good and bad things he has done in his life. He is not really sure (nor is the reader) whether the trial was a dream or real, but in the end Clovis turns over a new leaf and resolves to lead an honest life so as to deserve the love of his sweetheart.The black and white illustrations are line drawings that are humorous and somewhat distorted. This gives a dream-like quality to the scenes.The stories take place in the 1930's among small southern African American communities. Hard-times and racism are themes that reoccur. Most of the plots are moved along with dialog, often humorous. Children are included in the stories as well as elders. The children are always innocent. The elders are usually wise and respected. The tricksters sometimes, but not always, mend their ways, and decide to lead better lives.Review ExcerptsBooklist: Starred Review. "The nine original tales in this uproarious collection draw on African American oral tradition and blend history and legend with sly humor, creepy horror, villainous characters and wild farce. McKissack based the stories on those she heard as a child while sitting on her grandparents' porch."School Library Journal: "These 10 literated stories make for great leisure listening and knowing chuckles."ConnectionsChilden will enjoy these stories, whether read aloud, or on their own. Discussions could include historical context of the stories, including the Civil Rights Movement, the Great Depression, and the Civil War.Children could be asked to share stories that their families have passed down, either orally or written; and possibly illustrated.
Posted by Lisa at 9:18 AM 0 comments
DONKEY TROUBLE
BIBLIOGRAPHYYoung, Ed. 1995. DONKEY TROUBLE. New York, NY: Altheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689318545Plot SummaryAn old man and his grandson cross the desert to get to a market town so they can sell their last possession, a donkey. Along the way they encounter many people who criticize and advise them in their travels. They try to please everyone they meet, but end up losing the donkey because of it. In the end they learn "to prosper, they must follow their own hearts."Critical AnalysisThe plot of the story is simple. The old man and his grandson must get to market to sell their donkey. People criticize them along the way. They call them fools for walking beside the donkey, so the grandson rides for a way. Then after more criticism, the old man rides. Next they both ride. Finally they carry the donkey, which results in even more ridicule. They end up dropping the donkey in the river, which proves they should have followed their own instincts in the first place.The style of the language and pictures is spare and bleak. Repetition is used as the old man and his grandson encounter other travelers and avoid their criticism.The desert setting of the story is told mostly through the illustrations. The sand, the sun, the barren terrain all describe the hard journey that the old man and his grandson must make.The characters of the old man and his grandson are described as good and kind; the fellow travelers are harsh and critical; however, in the end the old man and his grandson are fools because they should have followed their hearts.This ending is not a satisfying one. Children may wonder what happened to the donkey. Did he survive the fall? What happened to the old man and his grandson? Were they left destitute? Did they starve to death because they lost their last possession?Connections:This book can be used to talk with children about when and whether it is better to decide things for themselves, or listen to what others have to say. It would be interesting to ask questions about the ending of the story, and perhaps have the children continue the story a bit further.Review ExcerptsBooklist: "Young gives the old fable a beautitul setting...A timeless interpretation of an ancient fable."School Library Journal: "Young's elegant retelling [of this story] is an excellent variation and well worth acquiring."
Posted by Lisa at 9:16 AM 0 comments
Monday, February 4, 2008
MY FRIEND RABBIT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Rohmann, Eric. 2002. MY FRIEND RABBIT. Brookfield, CT: Roaring Book Press.ISBN 0761315357
PLOT SUMMARY
Trouble follows mouse's friend rabbit wherever he goes. When rabbit plays with mouse's toy airplane, it gets stuck in a tree. Rabbit's idea to retrieve the airplane by building a ladder of animals ends in disaster. In spite of the trouble, mouse and rabbit remain friends.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
There are very few words in this book. The story is told mostly through illustrations done in brightly colored relief prints. The expressions on the animals faces help to tell the story and relay the message. The animals go from puzzlement at being pushed and pulled into a pile, to annoyance at having come crashing down. Rabbit seems oblivious to it all. Mouse forgives rabbit and remains loyal in spite of what the other animals think and the trouble rabbit causes. The messages here are friendship and loyalty.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publishers Weekly: "This gentle lesson in patience and loyalty, balanced on the back of a hilarious set of illustrations, will leave young readers clamoring for repeat readings."
School Library Journal: "The double-page, hand-colored relief prints with heavy black outlines are magnificent, and children will enjoy the comically expressive pictures of the animals before and after their attempt to extract the plane. The text is minimal; it's the illustrations that are the draw here."
CONNECTIONS
This is a great book for talking about sharing and friendships.
It would also be a nice book to use to discuss different types of animals.
Posted by Lisa at 7:17 PM 0 comments
PLEASE, PUPPY, PLEASE
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lee, Spike and Lee, Tonya Lewis. 2005. PLEASE, PUPPY, PLEASE. Ill. By Kadir Nelson. New York, NY: Simon Y Schuster. ISBN 0689868049
PLOT SUMMARYTwo young children try to manage their very active puppy. The puppy makes a mess inside, so the children take him out to play. The puppy escapes from the yard and the children call for him to come back, "Please, puppy, please!". When he does comes back, he rolls in the mud, has to have a bath, runs away again, then comes back and gets everyone wet. The children have their hands full with their playful and loveable puppy.CRITICAL ANALYSISOn each two-page spread in this book, a few words describe the puppy's lively antics and the children's pleadings. "Not the mud, puppy. Oh no, puppy, puppy, puppy, please." The words "please" and "puppy" are emphasized throughout the book by repetition and varying text size.The illustrations are large with deep, vibrant colors and are presented from different perspectives. For example, when the puppy is rolling in the mud, it seems that the reader is down on the ground with him. When the puppy is running away, it is as if the reader is at some distance from him. The illustrations take the reader in and out of the action, as if we are in on the chase, too. In the big hug picture near the end of the story, one can almost feel the soft fur and smell the puppy breath.REVIEW EXCERPTSBooklist: "Picture books featuring children of color that don't make ethnicity the focus of the story are needed in all collections; this one is particularly accessible and fun."School Library Journal: "This book would be fun to read to a group, small or large, and the text is easy enough for beginning readers."CONNECTIONSThis would be a good book to read to children when discussing pets.This is a good book to share with a group of young children because of the large vivid pictures, spare text, and repetition.It is also good to use in a group setting because of the multicultural children featured in the story.
Posted by Lisa at 7:15 PM 0 comments
A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION
BIBLIOGRAPHYMarcus, Leonard S. 1998. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION. New York, NY: Walker & Co. ISBN 0802786588PLOT SUMMARYLeonard S. Marcus tells the history of the Caldecott Award in this book that appeals to children and adults. He features 6 artists who received the award, one for each decade following the Caldecott Award's beginning in 1938. He starts with Robert McCloskey who won the medal in 1942 for MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS; followed by Marcia Brown who won in 1955 for CINDERELLA; OR THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER; Maurice Sendak, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, 1964; William Steig, SYLVESTER AND THE MAGIC STONE,1970; Chris Van Allsburg, JUMANJI, 1982; and finally, David Wiesner, TUESDAY, 1992.CRITICAL ANALYSISInformation is presented about the artists and the processes they go through to create their award winning illustrations. Marcus's book includes photographs and illustrations that give the reader insight into the artists' lives and the making of their books.REVIEW EXCERPTSHorn Book: "The text is remarkable...A fresh, inviting examination of an established process and ritual."Booklist: Starred review"A beautifully made book, this will serve as a fine resource for children interested in illustration and for teachers researching author/ illustrator studies.”Publishers Weekly: Starred review "With Marcus's sure hand guiding this tour, readers will find cause for celebration. "Children's Literature: "Well-known historian and critic Leonard Marcus takes a fascinating look at six artists who won the most prestigious honor for children's book illustration. The book includes information and visuals on the artists' process, and it is enlightening (as well as heartening for young artists) to see how a work can evolve from a few doodles to admirable art."CONNECTIONSThis book would be great to use when discussing and reviewing award winning books.The book would be good to use in art class to study different illustration techniques.The book would be helpful in history lessons, to discuss what was happening in the world during each decade, and how art and literature are affected by historical events.
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