Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. London: the Penguin Group. 2008 ISBN: 978-0-141-32491-3

PLOT SUMMARY
In this sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller, Greg Heffley returns to start a new school year. He wants to forget all about his summer vacation, particularly the one event his older brother knows all about. This story is Gregg's second diary in which he writes about his daily life in middle school. In these pages, he chronicles his time at school trying to avoid swim practice by hiding in the boys’ bathroom and begins a class prank directed at a kid who returns to the school after having moved away. His nerdy friend, Rowley, who wants to be just like Gregg, also keeps a diary and Gregg goes to great lengths to find out what Rowley writes. At home Gregg has to deal with his older brother, Rodrick, a rock star “wannabe,” a younger brother who can do no wrong, and parents who are largely clueless about his troubles.  The war at home continues when Rodrick throws a party and locks Greg in the basement. The book is full of funny anecdotes and incidents that keep the reader laughing right up to the very end.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
First developed in online installments, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a humorous tale that is sure to be enjoyed by reluctant readers, especially boys. The series was hailed a great success on Funbrain.com and in 2006 Kinney signed a publishing deal to turn his work into a print series. Gregg Heffley is an appealing, hapless character that continues to bring about his own troubles. He is essentially a good kid who doesn’t like to work very hard and is trying to find his niche in middle school. Readers will identify with some of the home anxiety Gregg feels and with having parents who seem out of touch. These are real people with problems not unlike those of the child reader. Younger brother, Manny, seems to be the favorite and Gregg is always paying for his older brother, Rodrick’s, blunders. Kinney combines line drawings, cartoon captions and hand-written text on every page to present a character that is devious, somewhat insincere and always amusing.  The events are plausible and engaging while the dialogue is natural and believable. This book is sure to appeal to readers who can identify with “older sibling” troubles and looming adolescence.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

New York Times bestseller (Children’s Chapter, 2008)

School Library Journal- “This sequel should be an equally big hit with reluctant readers, especially boys, and anyone looking for a funny book.”

Publisher’s Weekly- “The hilarious interplay between text and cartoons and the keen familial observations that set Diary of a Wimpy Kid apart are just as evident in this outing, and are just as likely to keep readers in stitches.”

Booklist- “…the real and deeper appeal of Greg’s story is the unapologetic honesty of his adolescence…his story is one that will appeal to all those real kids who feel just like him.”

CONNECTIONS
Have readers create their own ideas for a graphic novel or comic strip.

Additional recommended reading:
Other books in the series by Jeff Kinney:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid ISBN-10: 0810993139
Do-It-Yourself Book ISBN-10: 0810979772
The Last Straw ISBN-10: 0810970686
Dog Days ISBN-10: 0810983915

as well as:

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt ISBN-10: 0618724834
One False Note by Gordan Korman ISBN-10: 0545060427
The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman ISBN-10: 0689876785
No Talking by Andrew Clements ISBN-10: 1416909834

RESOURCES
http:titlepeek.fsc.follett.com

http://www.librarything.com/work/5145202

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.

Joey Pigza Loses Control

Gantos, Jack. Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 2000
ISBN: 10-037439989-1

PLOT SUMMARY
In this sequel to Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, Joey is still taking medication to keep him from getting too wired. Wanting to get to know his father, whom he has not seen in years, Joey decides to spend the summer with Carter, his dad, even though his mother is leery of the idea. Joey’s father is a heavy drinker and his grandmother’s health is seriously failing due to emphysema. Joey, encouraged by the fact that his dad coaches a local Little League team, joins the team as the star pitcher in order to help them win the championship. As the summer weeks dash by, Joey realizes that his dad is an older version of himself, before his time in the special education classes and before the new medication. Carter Pigza has great plans for Joey including the idea that Joey can overcome his hyperactivity without the benefit of a doctor’s prescription. Carter’s distorted sense of reality and unpredictable drinking habits make this the perfect recipe for disaster.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this first person narrative, Gantos portrays the characters with real human qualities that adolescents can identify. Joey’s internal struggle and emotional growth are integral to the story, reflecting the way children think and talk in their journey of self-discovery. The story includes topics that can be difficult to discuss, but are nonetheless important to address with teenagers (e.g., divorce, alcoholism, AD/HD, custody disputes, legal issues, etc.). The plot will keep young readers engaged as they root for Joey and his hope to find balance in his life. The author’s message to adults reminds us all that we serve as role models to our children and that they will want to imitate our behaviors. Children identified with AD/HD will appreciate an honest portrayal of their struggle with hyperactivity. This is an important book to read with children diagnosed with AD/HD or who know someone identified it, and for professionals who want to know more.

REVIEW EXCERPTS AND AWARDS
Newbery Honor (2001)
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (2001)
BBC Blue Ribbon Book (2000)
ALA Notable Children’s Book (2001)
Kirkus Review- Starred

Publishers Weekly Starred review- “Like its predecessor, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear and courage with deceptive ease. Struggling to please everyone even as he sees himself hurtling toward disaster, Joey emerges as a sympathetic hero, and his heart of gold never loses its shine.”

School Library Journal Starred- “Readers will be drawn in immediately to the boy's gripping first-person narrative and be pulled pell-mell through episodes that are at once hilarious, harrowing, and ultimately heartening as Joey grows to understand himself and the people around him.”

Booklist Starred Review- “Ganto's skillful pacing, sly humor, and in-depth characterization make it a truly memorable read.”

CONNECTIONS
Additional reading recommendations:

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos ISBN-10: 0064408337
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff ISBN-10: 0439692393
Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan ISBN-10: 0064410447
Hope was here by Joan Bauer ISBN-10: 0142404241
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck ISBN-10: 0142401102
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin ISBN-10: 0439388813
Belle Prater’s Boy by Ruth White ISBN-10: 0440413729

RESOURCES
http://titlepeek.com/

http://www.librarything.com/work/247417

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.

The Book Thief

Zukas, Markus. The Book Thief. Ill by Trudy White. New York: Knopf:  2005
ISBN: 10-0375831002

PLOT SUMMARY
Death, tired and burdened with the millions of souls he must collect, is the narrator of this story set in World War II Germany. Told from the perspective of a first person point of view, Death is not really a character and does not influence the events in the story. Liesel Meminger is left with a loving foster family outside of Munich because her mother can no longer care for her and her younger brother. Her father is suspiciously absent and Liesel suspects he was imprisoned or killed as a Communist. When her younger brother dies on the way to her new home, and her mother leaves her without explanation, she is traumatized with nightmares. Liesel seizes the opportunity to steal her first book, The Gravedigger’s Handbook, at the burial service for her brother when the gravedigger drops it. Yet, Liesel cannot read.  Hans and Rosa Hubermann care for the ten-year-old girl and Hans teaches her to read from the stolen book. She finds a loving home with the Hubermann’s despite Rosa’s sharp tongue and impatient manner. Liesel befriends Rudy, a spirited neighbor boy, who defies the Hitler Youth and teaches Liesel to steal for fun. There is nothing more rewarding for Liesel than a newly acquired book and she takes many risks to steal books from wherever she can. When Hans agrees to hide a Jewish man in his basement, Liesel shares her stolen books with him and with her neighbors during the bombing raids on Himmel Street.
 
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a novel that some might say is too long for younger adult readers. In fact, the story was first published in Australia specifically for adults. However, it is a book that will intrigue adolescent book lovers. The unique perspective of a personal point of view elicits observations from Death throughout the story and as happens in war, Death becomes somewhat involved, albeit without altering the plot. Although Death is present to collect the many souls in this WWII era, the main information in the story comes from Liesel’s own writing about her life and what Death hears from others. Zusak effectively uses color to describe the deaths of humans in this story and sound to describe the compelling characters. Hans, an accordion player, offers Liesel hope, comfort and distraction; and the colors in the sky at the time of a person’s death illustrate that human life does matter. The imagery is prominent and straightforward, the story complicated and suspenseful. One learns of the happenings in Germany during this time period as related by this unusual narrator who is on hand to witness the terrible atrocities of which humans are capable. The death march through Molching to the Dachau concentration camp and the beating of prisoners by Nazi guards and those who feel compelled to show them any sort of kindness are true events, which the author skillfully weaves into this tale. In his own words, Zusak’s choice of the narrator stems from a thoughtful position that war and death are best friends. But he changes that point of view so that Death is virtually weary and fatigued, nearly instilling in the reader a sense of compassion. This is a creative and ingenious book that will keep readers absorbed in the power of the written word.

REVIEW EXCERPTS AND AWARDS

Michael L. Printz Award (2007)

Booklist- “More than the overt message about the power of words, it’s Liesel’s confrontation with horrifying cruelty and her discovery of kindness in unexpected places that tell the heartbreaking truth.”

The Horn Book- Starred review “Exquisitely written and memorably populated… A tour de force to be not just read but inhabited.”

Kirkus Reviews- “The writing in elegant, philosophical and moving. Even at its length, it’s a work to read slowly and savor. Beautiful and important.”

New York Times- “The Book Thief will be appreciated for Mr. Zusak’s audacity, also on display in his earlier I Am the Messenger. It will be widely read and admired because it tells a story in which books become treasures.”

Publishers Weekly- Starred book “This hefty volume is an achievement- a challenging book in both length and subject.”

CONNECTIONS
Lead a discussion about the connections humans make with one another.

Additional recommended reading:
   I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak ISBN: 10-0375830995
   The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins ISBN: 10-0439023483
   The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne ISBN: 10-0385751893
   The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield ISBN: 10-0743298020
   The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen ISBN: 10-0140345353
   The Help by Kathryn Stockett ISBN: 10-0399155341

RESOURCES
http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/

http://titlepeek.fsc.follett.com/tp/query?=action=3&subnumber=8501546&isbn=978037584

http://www.librarything.com/work/393681

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.

Number the Stars

BILBIOGRAPHY
Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1989
ISBN: 0395-73270-0

PLOT SUMMARY
Told from the point of view of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen, Number the Stars is a touching and heroic story about a child facing the struggles of growing up in occupied Denmark. Without an army to defend his tiny country, King Christian X had no choice but to surrender to the Nazis during World War II, changing life for all Danes in Copenhagen. Annemarie discovers many unpleasant truths about the changes that affect not only her best friend, Ellen Rosen, but also many of her other Jewish neighbors and her own view of the world. The story begins when Annemarie and her best friend, Ellen, are frightened by their first encounter with German soldiers on their way home from school. When the Nazis begin forcing Jewish families out of their homes and businesses, the Rosens go into hiding and Ellen is protected by the Johansens. Their journey to the seaside is an attempt to help the Rosens escape to nearby Sweden and also a journey to adulthood for Annmarie.  Although the story is a work of fiction, the events regarding the Nazi occupation of Denmark are based on fact. The food shortages, bombings and other heroic acts of the Resistance, and scientific discoveries that helped many Jews escape, provide an insight into the fear and struggles experienced by the Jews and the Danes who helped them.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Lois Lowry portrays a loving family whose lives are changed forever with the German occupation of Denmark. From the start, she skillfully weaves historical details of World War II and Annmarie’s difficulties of growing up in a world filled with adult responsibilities. Annmarie’s transformation into adulthood is parallel with the trip the family makes to the woods, on the boat and into Sweden. Lowry’s expert use of symbolism demonstrates Annmarie’s devotion to her friend and to her stance against the Germans. Certain elements in the story (e.g. the Star of David, the shell, the woods) represent a rite of passage, inner strength and the need to keep one’s identity hidden. Ellen’s interests in acting signify the need to keep appearances hidden and Ellen learns in earnest the importance of this dream. Number the Stars is a work of fiction but the facts are historically accurate. The information about the war that Lowry adds at the end of the book provides the reader with a point of reference to historical facts as she explains her recollection of the account retold to her by a friend. It makes the reader understand that during a time of war, struggle, risk and death are real, even if fictional characters portray the events. This is an inspiring book that can provide meaningful insights to young readers as they view the war from a child's point of view.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

National Jewish Book Award 1990
Newbery Medal 1990
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book 1990

School Library Journal starred review- “ The gripping story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts to smuggle Jews out of their Nazi-occupied homeland to safety in Sweden. Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery.”

Publishers Weekly-“ Set in Nazi-occupied Denmark in 1943, this 1990 Newbery winner tells of a 10-year-old girl who undertakes a dangerous mission to save her best friend.”

CONNECTONS
Additional recommended reading in historical fiction for upper elementary and middle school students:
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis 1999 ISBN: 10-0385323069
Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess 2003 ISBN: 10-0763621641
The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery in History 2002 ISBN: 10-0689851227
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor 1991 ISBN: 10-014034893-X
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan 1985 ISBN: 10-0064402053
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman 1987 ISBN: 10-0816710384
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare 1958 ISBN: 0-395-071143

RESOURCES
http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/fiction/a/history.htm


Picture: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5196ZMP0QRL.jpg


http://www.librarything.com/work/33867


http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/numberthestars.html

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.

The River Between Us

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Peck, Richard. The River Between Us. New York: Dial Books. 2003
ISBN: 0-8037-2735-6

PLOT SUMMARY
The year is 1916 and young Howard Leyland Hutchins travels with his father and younger twin brothers to Southern Illinois to visit his father’s relatives whom he does not recall meeting before. Once the family is introduced, the story flashes back to 1861, setting the stage for family intrigue. Grandma Tilly tells of the start of the Civil War in 1861 and how the entire Pruitt family was transformed in spirit by a beautiful, young debutante. Delphine and her quiet, dark-skinned companion, Calinda, came to their small town of Grand Tower on the banks of the Mississippi River to escape the inevitable conflict in New Orleans. No one knows who these women are or what their purpose is in this small community and with the tension of war building, the rumors begin to fly. 
When the women disembark from the steamboat, Rob Roy, they find a room to rent in the Pruitt household. Everyone in the Pruitt family forms a special bond with the women who forever change their lives. Feeling the effects of war and their father long gone, Noah, Tilly’s twin brother, is anxious to enlist but delays joining the Union Army until the age of sixteen due to his feelings for Delphine. Then facing the rages of war, Noah becomes sick and Mrs. Pruitt sends Tilly and Delphine to the army camp in Cairo, Illinois to find him and nurse him back to health. Dr. Hutchins, the new physician in town joins them on this journey and through twists and turns, relationships are formed and destiny becomes entwined.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Richard Peck vividly describes life in the antebellum South. In a small Mississippi river town the unique mixture of characters are drawn together through circumstances born of conflict. The  reader is quickly pulled into the story through the intriguing characters forming lasting relationships as the story unfolds. This story is a testament to the impact one individual can have on the life of another. Descriptions of time and place are integral to the story and authentically represented. Peck provides an accurate historical snapshot of the life and times in Southern Illinois at the start of the Civil War that students who are studying this era will understand. He uses flashbacks to tell the main part of the story and one is compelled to reflect upon the opening chapter to tie the story elements together. The Cajun and French vernacular may be difficult for students not familiar with the South, but the vocabulary is explained flawlessly throughout the book in order to capture the flavor of the locale. The story is rich with personal secrets that will keep the reader engaged, saving the best for last. This is an excellent read for middle school students or young adults connecting historical studies of the Civil War.

REVIEW EXCERPTS AND AWARDS

Booklist starred review- “It's a riveting story that shows racism everywhere and young people facing war, not sure what side to be on or why.”

Horn Book starred review- “ The harsh realities of war are brutally related in a complex, always surprising plot that resonates on multiple levels.

Kirkus Review starred review- “A rich tale full of magic, mystery, and surprise.”

Publishers Weekly starred review “Peck reaches new depth with this
Civil War-era novel. . .”

National Book Award finalist (Young People's Literature, 2003)

ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2004)

Scott O'Dell Award (2004)

CONNECTIONS
Partner with a social studies and language arts teaching team to promote an integrated study of history. Encourage students to keep a journal of reflection from the viewpoint of the main character.

Additional recommended reading in historical fiction for middle school students:

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park 2001 ISBN: 10-0395978270
A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck 2002 ISBN: 10-0142300705
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis 1999 ISBN: 10-0385323069
Day of Tears: a Novel in Dialogue by Julius Lester 2005 ISBN: 10-0786804904
Elijah of Buxton by Paul Curtis 2007 ISBN: 10-0439023440
Fair Weather by Richard Peck 2001 ISBN: 10-0803725167
On the Wings of Heros by Richard Peck ISBN: 10-0803730810

RESOURCES
Picture: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0803727356.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/river-between-us#whats-the-story-main

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/ 

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/search?query=A%20river%20between%20us

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Avi. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. New York: Orchard Books. 1990.
ISBN: 0-53108493-0

PLOT SUMMARY

In the year 1832, during the Industrial Revolution, Charlotte Doyle is left to finish her studies at an English boarding school while her father is summoned home to attend to a textile manufacturing business. This is the story of a prim and proper thirteen year-old girl who has been educated at the best schools, dressed in the finest, and spoiled by her parents and governess. The family sails to America without her with the intent for her to finish her studies and join them in America. Her father has made arrangements for her safe passage at a later date, traveling under the supervision of a well-respected family, but they are unable to make the voyage. Charlotte becomes the sole passenger on the Seahawk, amongst a dozen rough, mutinous seamen and a feared and tyrannical leader, Captain Andrew Jaggery.  The ship’s cook, Zachariah, warns Charlotte of impending troubles and presents her with a dagger to keep for self-defense. Putting all her trust in the captain, whom she reveres as a father figure, she becomes his informer and tells him all about the crewmen’s conniving. She soon learns that her words and actions are used against her as she becomes entangled in the vengeful uprising against the captain. Charlotte is met with a grim opportunity to reflect on her life when she is accused, tried, and found guilty for murder aboard the Seahawk. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Avi is a prolific writer of young adult fiction. In The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle he has created a character reflecting the voice of a strong female point of view. Although Charlotte is groomed to be a prim and proper young lady without thoughts and views of her own, she undergoes a transformation in her own perspectives and courage. The elements of tyranny, mutiny, and moral growth portray challenges that are artfully woven together to suggest conflict that is both internal and external. Charlotte is faced with a moral dilemma to support her shipmates in their uprising or to side with the immoral authority of Captain Jaggery. Avi's vivid descriptions of life on a ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the mid 1800s offer a unique setting integral to the time period of the story. The appendix by the author at the end of the book and the explanation of terms throughout are helpful to someone not familiar with the unique features of the setting (e.g., masts, rigging, bowsprit, etc.). This exciting, adventurous tale is a classic journey novel that is enjoyable for both genders of any middle school population.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS
Newbery Honor Book 1991
ALA’s Best Book for Young Adults and ALA’s Notable Children’s Book

Publishers Weekly-“ In this crackling good yarn--a Newbery Honor book--a 13-year-old girl must extricate herself from a perilous position during an 1832 transatlantic voyage.”

School Library Journal-“ On a long, grueling journey from England to Rhode Island in 1802, a 12 year old changes from a prim and proper girl to a swashbuckling mate of a mutinous crew and is accused of murder by the captain. Awash with shipboard activity, intense feelings, and a keen sense of time and place, the story is a throwback to good old-fashioned adventure yarns on the high seas.”

CONNECTIONS
Encourage middle school children to choose other historical fiction and to keep a journal from the viewpoint of the main character.
 
Additional reading of historical fiction:
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns 1986 ISBN: 10 0618919710
Flight of the Fisherbird by Nora Martin 2003 ISBN: 10-1582348146
Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson 2002 ISBN: 10-0525467394
Post Captain by Patrick O’Brian 1990 ISBN: 10 0393307069
The Secret River by Kate Greenville 2006 ISBN: 10 1841959146
Tales from Gold Mountain: Stories of the Chinese in the New World by Paul Yee 1990 ISBN: 10-0888990983
The Voyage of Patience Goodspeed by Heather Vogel Fredrick 2002 ISBN:10-068984851-X

RESOURCES
Ansell, Janis and Holley, Pam. What do Children and Young Adults Read Next? A Reader’s Guide to Fiction for Children and Young Adults. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale Cengage Learning. 2005.

http://www.bookrags.com/The_True_Confessions_of_Charlotte_Doyle

Picture:
http://unihighlib.pbworks.com/f/1196102696/trueconfessions.jpg

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001196.shtml

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.

Destination Space

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. Destination Space. Singapore: Harper Collins Publishers. 2002 ISBN 0-68816290-8

SUMMARY
Scientist have studied and contemplated forces in the universe for hundreds of years. The Hubble Space Telescope has been orbiting the Earth since 1990. It has taken many incredible photos of our solar system and other far away galaxies. Photos of a star cluster display thousands of yellow stars similar to our own Sun and other red stars near the ends of their lives. Spiral galaxies deep in space and the Milky Way are just some of the intriguing elements of the cosmos being studied by scientists through Hubble’s eyes.  With the launching of the Hubble Space Telescope, scientists have been able to learn that black holes really do exist and that Saturn, whose rings are made of ice chunks of different sizes, displays an aurora caused by a solar wind that sweeps over the planet, much like Earth’s Northern Lights.  These spectacular images are the most amazing ever recorded and help scientists explain in more detail concepts already known, as well as help them develop new ideas and hypothesis about other mysteries of the universe.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Seymour Simon uses clear, concise language to explain complex scientific ideas to children. Do black holes really exist? How long would it take to travel to another galaxy? How long is a light year? What is it that makes up the rings of Saturn? With over two hundred children’s science books to his credit, the author has mastered his craft.  His word choices compares difficult concepts to things that are common in a child’s world: “tadpole-shaped clumps of gasses” “water ice…that whirl…like swarms of tiny moons.” Providing just enough information in each two-page spread, Simon adds beautiful descriptions that evoke wonder and awe. Each photo generates enthusiasm to investigate further and is supported by large print and simple text that helps children comprehend scientific ideas. As an endnote, the author states the fact that scientists now  believe there are more than one hundred billion galaxies, and that each galaxy contains about one hundred billion stars. It boggles the mind when one remembers that each star is a sun, which might very likely support other planets in other solar systems. Who knows what we will find?  This is a very interesting and engaging book for children of all ages.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Booklist: “An attractive, informative addition to a fine series. One of those ‘must have books for children’s nonfiction collections…”

The Horn Book: “A comprehensible yet rigorous science text for young children.”

School Library Journal: “The author explains what discovery each image produced and how the information fits into our existing knowledge. His enthusiastic descriptions create vivid pictures in and of themselves.”

CONNECTIONS
*Coordinate with another teacher to help children do a report on a science topic related to the curriculum. A collection of age appropriate science books by Seymour Simon may include any of the following:

Bones: Our Skeletal System. 2000 ISBN: 10-0688177212


The Brain: Our Nervous System. 2006 ISBN 10-0060877197 


Comets, Meteors and Asteroids. 1998. ISBN 10-0688158439


Destination Mars. 2004 ISBN 10-0060546387


The Heart: Our Circulatory System. 2006. ISBN 10-0060877219  

Oceans 2006. ISBN 10-0060889993

RESOURCES
Picture:
http://www.thereadingnook.com/image_manager/attributes/image/image_5/0060596813_large.jpg

http://titlepeek.fsc.follett.com/tp/query?action=3&subnumber=8501546&isbn=0688162894&appid=4

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.

Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow. New York: Scholastic Inc. 2005 ISBN 0-439-35379-3

SUMMARY
 In 1925 Hitler wrote of his intentions to defy the Treaty of Versailles and outlined his plans to “Nazify” young people. By 1939 over seven million Hitler Youth became indoctrinated in National Socialist tyranny. More people were killed in World War II than in any other war in history. It left an estimated 53 million dead, including Jews, Catholics, young men in their late teens and early twenties, women and children, the elderly, the physically or mentally handicapped, and anyone who showed dissent to the Reich. Primo Levi, a Holocaust survivor, wrote of “willed ignorance,” asking, “How is it possible that the extermination of millions of human beings could have been carried out in the heart of Europe without anyone’s knowledge?” In her book, Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler’s Shadow, Susan Campbell Bartoletti shares personal letters and interviews from many of the youth caught up in this horrific time. What will happen to the world if new generations of our young people sacrifice everything in order to serve the ideals of a despot? This riveting book is an account of the young citizens who devoted themselves to the Hitler Youth organization, even to the point of reporting their own family members to Nazi authorities.

  
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In the author’s notes Bartoletti explains that her idea for this story was sparked by an article she read in a 1944 issue of The Nation magazine. As a result, she felt compelled to investigate the phenomena of Hitler’s rise to power in more detail.  During her research she visited countless libraries, museums and other archives in the U.S. and Germany, where she poured over thousands of newspapers, magazines and photos. She has skillfully used extensive interviews, email and other correspondence together to convey this compelling piece of history. Many characters are depicted throughout the book in the black and white photos, showing some who remained devoted to Hitler and others who became disillusioned. The sidebars and photo captions remind the reader that these were real people, teenagers and young children with hopes and dreams much like any child in the world. Yet they became Nazis. Not only does Bartoletti share a captivating piece of history, she also provides additional details in the epilogue, bibliography, timeline and author’s notes at the back of the book.  This historical work is her attempt to makes sense of the adults who taught their children to hate and the choices the young people made to kill. It is an outstanding resource that will help us understand the role of young people in Hitler’s rise to power and remind us that we should never let this happen again.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist starred review- “The handsome book design, with black-and-white historical photos on every double-page spread, will draw in readers and help spark deep discussion, which will extend beyond the Holocaust curriculum.”

Newbery Medal/Honor 2006

Notable/Best Books (A.L.A) 2006

School Library Journal starred review- “Bartoletti lets many of the subjects' words, emotions, and deeds speak for themselves, bringing them together clearly to tell this story unlike anyone else has.”
Seibert Honor Books 2006

CONNECTIONS
Other nonfiction books for intermediate students:

*The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti 2008. ISBN-10: 0439680131

          

*An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy 2003 ISBN-10: 0395776082  

     

*The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain 2007 by Peter Sis 

ISBN-13: 9780374347017 
                                                                         

RESOURCES
http://www.blogger.com/goog_1268405880839

http://titlepeek.fsc.follett.com/tp/query?action=3&subnumber=8501546&isbn=9780439353793&appid=4

Picture:

http://www.audiobooksonline.com/media/Hitler_Youth_Susan_Campbell_Bartoletti_unabridged_compact_discs.jpg

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.

Freedom Walkers

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Freedom, Russell. Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. New York: Holiday House. 2006 ISBN 978-0-8234-2031-5

SUMMARY
In 1955 segregation was the law in the American South. It separated whites from blacks in every aspect of life: in hospitals, schools, churches, hotels, restaurants and even simply riding a public bus. The laws of the South in the 1950s were such that blacks were prevented of being in the same company of whites in any public setting.  These “Jim Crow” laws required a black person to pay a poll tax to vote or to give up their seat to a white person even if he/she were sitting in a seat designated “for blacks only.” The black community of Montgomery, Alabama, led by Martin Luther King Jr. initiated a non-violent bus boycott in the spirit of his belief that “we must meet hate with love.” The boycott ended the use of this critical means of transportation for the poorer Negro population. The effort to change discriminatory laws lasted over a year and involved the entire community of Montgomery. This 381-day struggle resulted in an eventual Supreme Court ruling that declared Alabama’s state and local segregation laws a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This struggle for civil rights did not simply begin and end with Rosa Parks’ refusal one day to give up her seat to a white man. Russell Freedman’s compelling book is the story of the thousands of people who sacrificed and banded together in order to end this injustice and win a major victory in the civil rights movement.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Freedman’s inclusion of so many players in the Montgomery Bus Boycott sets this scene for the heroes who protested and changeed the course of American history. The courage of these American citizens to persevere in order to eliminate injustice and inequality leave the reader with a feeling of raw emotion, as if to experience the humiliation and anger present in those explosive times.  The black and white photos in each two-page spread are just a few of the illustrations depicting a united effort in this time of civil defiance. Even Mother Pollard, a well-known elderly woman in the community refused a ride from a car-owning minister and preferred to walk instead declaring, “My feets is tired, but my soul is rested.” Homes were bombed and blacks were intimidated by the white authorities and the Klu Klux Klan. Yet the long, peaceful struggle continued. Being arrested became a badge of honor, despite the palpable fear throughout the Negro community.

Freedman’s writing is compelling and informative. It encourages critical thinking and lively discussion. The interviews and quotations from those directly involved in the boycott, the black and white photographs depicting segregated scenes, and the inclusion of so many important, yet largely unknown facts, make this an exceptional reference book for intermediate students. The bibliographic references and an extensive index provide additional resources for students who want to learn more about this period. In his own words about Martin Luther King Jr. Freedman says, “More than any other leader of his turbulent era, he had been able to give America’s conscience a voice.” Freedman has given young people the ears and eyes to stand up and take notice of injustice and the knowledge that peaceful protest can evoke hope and change.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Booklist starred review- “In his signature clear prose, Freedman draws on the best of those personal stories and historical accounts to provide a dramatic overview of how the 381-day resistance to segregated buses spearheaded the civil rights movement.”

Horn Book starred review

School Library Journal starred review- “…an exemplary presentation…a powerful introduction to the Civil Rights Movement.”

CONNECTIONS
*Link Freedom Walkers to other books about the Civil Rights Movement. Encourage students to write a poem that extends the meaning of Martin Luther King’s message “we must meet hate with love.”
(p. 66)

*Discuss the terms “justice” and “oppression” and what it means for minorities and those who mistreat them. How has peaceful resistance changed the course of other historical struggles?

*Additional Russell Freedman books that chronicle extraordinary events or people:

Buffalo Hunt. 1995 ISBN-10: 0823411591

Give Me Liberty: The Story of the Declaration of Independence. 2002 ISBN-10: 0823417530

The Life and Death of Crazy Horse. 1996. ISBN-10: 0823412199

RESOURCES

http://www.5minutesforbooks.com/812/freedom-walkers/

http://titlepeek.fsc.follett.com/tp/query?action=3&subnumber=8501546&isbn=9780823420315&appid=4

Picture:
http://bookwizard.scholastic.com/tbw/viewWorkDetail.do?workId=1211772&

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.

Stop Pretending

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sones, Sonya. Stop Pretending: what happened when my big sister went crazy. New York: Harper/Collins. 1999.  ISBN 10-0-06-446218-8

SUMMARY
Sonya Sones writes this verse novel based on her own life experiences chronicled in journals she kept as a teen. Cookie, the voice of this story, shares her perspective of family members dealing with mental illness. She speaks of embarrassment, shame, and the pain of losing her sister, her parents and later her friends. In “My Sister’s Christmas Eve Breakdown,” Cookie shares her confusion: One day he was my dad/ so calm and quiet and in control/ the next he was a stranger…/ One day she was my mom/ so reliable and good in a crisis/ the next she was a stranger…That day I sank into the wall/ wondering what these three people were doing in my house… All of the family energy is put into her sister who is institutionalized, leaving Cookie alone at a time in her early teens when she needs them the most. The poems are sad and heartfelt, but offer the reader a sense of empathy and hope as she begins to find new interests and surprising subtle changes in her sister.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sones has crafted a verse novel from the perspective of a 13-year-old girl. The reader discovers a character who, not only struggles with the exceptional case of her sister’s mental illness but with her own self-discovery. The poems are a journey of raw emotion and grief in losing someone very close, someone who does not even recognize her anymore. The poetry is brief and simply written but leaves the reader with unbridled emotion. The poignant impact of “Minus” leaves one with a feeling of deep sadness, compassion and understanding. This morning I’m sitting here taking the test/ but the numbers on the page keep scrambling in my head/ and the only equation I really understand is: 4-1=0.
A change in the mood and tone of the story is evident in “Tired” as Cookie pours out her loneliness and eventually reaches out to someone else to help her cope: I’m tired of this lump in my throat/ and this ache in my chest/ and these knots that gnaw at my stomach…/ I’m tired of having nobody to talk to…/and of crying till my eyes look like I’ve walked into a door/ I’m tired of not believing in God/ or in miracles or in angels…/ I’m tired of being thirteen/ and of not being twelve anymore/ I’m tired of wanting to help my sister and of not being able to help. This is a book of teenage insecurities, coping with unspeakable family issues, making friends, finding new love, anger, grief and hope.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred Review in Booklist “…this novel-in-verse shows the capacity of poetry to record the personal and translate it into the universal.”

School Library Journal: “An unpretentious, accessible book that could provide entry points for a discussion about mental illness-its stigma, its realities and its effect on family members.”

Kirkus Reviews: “Individually the poems appear simple and unremarkable…Collected they take on life and movement, the individual frames of a movie…telling a compelling tale and presenting a painful passage through young adolescence…”

CONNECTIONS
*Other verse novels by Sonya Sones:
what my mother doesn’t know. 2003 ISBN-10: 0689855532
one of those hideous books where the mother dies. 2004 ISBN: 0689858205

*Other verse novels for teens:
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. 1997 ISBN-10: 0590371258
Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff. 1993 ISBN-10: 0805080708
Keesha’s House by Helen Frost. 2003 ISBN-10: 0374400121
Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters by Gale Giles. 2003 ISBN-10: 0761317279


RESOURCES
http://www.sonyasones.com/spreviews.htm


http://www.sonyasones.com/greatbooks.htm

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. 2008

Picture: http://www.sonyasones.com/mybooks.htm

Fold Me A Poem

BIBLIOGRAPHY
George, Kristine O’Connell. Fold Me A Poem. Ill. by Lauren Stringer. Singapore: Harcourt, Inc. 2005. ISBN 0152025014

SUMMARY
A young boy shares his imagination through the origami animals he makes of all shapes and sizes while sitting at the table contemplating their adventures. In “Possibilities” he ponders what to make next. Forty bright sheets of colored paper./A world of animals./ Who will be next? As he begins, he realizes that the camel didn’t quite turn out right and makes reference to checking the directions again. The story begins at breakfast and ends at bedtime while the giraffe keeps his place in a book and the animals settle in his room. Throughout the day he and the animals have encounters with a blowing fan, birds in the outside world, and a troublesome cat. There are thirty-two poems in this collection with a note from the illustrator at the end that provides references for learning more about this beautiful art of paper folding.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Kristine O’Connell George uses gentle line breaks to pause the reader, and to convey a child's feelings expressed in her poetry (e.g. kindness, empathy, disappointment, impatience, warnings). The language is sensitive to the simplicity of a child deeply engaged in his craft. He warns the dragon to behave, reminding him “You are made of paper.” Her use of figurative language and the arrangements they make on the page express forethought and reflection. “Folding a snake? / Need advice? / Be precisssssse.” George does what poets do best; she says a great deal using very few words.

Stringer’s beautifully detailed illustrations almost bring the animals to life. She skillfully places art materials in the pictures, suggesting to young children that there is so much you can do with your imagination and a piece of brightly colored paper. The colors are vibrant and the detail amazing in this 32-page work of art. She explains in her note at the end of the book how she came to be such an expert at origami and invites children to visit other books for help as well as her website. This amazing display of creativity is a delightful book for young children to experience the potential of their own imagination.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist (ALA): “Warm in colors and often large in scale…Unusual, handsome, and good for reading aloud.”

Publishers Weekly: "A dazzling celebration of imagination...Each turn of the page brings a clever new perspective or insight-even humor."

School Library Journal: “…selections exhibit a creative spark, take their meaning from the illustrations, which are the real strength of the presentation.”

CONNECTIONS
*Have students work in pairs to make a list of verbs found in the poem.
*Invite children to make an origami bookmark and compose haiku poems to accompany them.
* Coordinate curriculum studies with classroom teachers to recommend and select appropriate topic poetry books to share with children. 

 *Other poetry and resource books for teachers and young readers: 

Franco, Betsy. Math Poetry: Linking Language and Math in a Fresh Way: Grades 2-5: Teacher Resource. 2006 ISBN: 10-1596470720

Prelutsky, Jack. Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme. Ill by Meilo So. 2005. ISBN: 978-0-375-82286-5

Shields, Carol Diggory. The Bugliest Bug. 2002. ISBN:13: 978-0763622930

RESOURCES

http://www.kristinegeorge.com/teachers_guide_fold_me_a_poem.html

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited 2008

Picture: http://www.kristinegeorge.com/foldmepoem.html

Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sidman, Joyce. Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow. Ill. By Beth Krommes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. 2006.
ISBN 978-0-618-56313-5

SUMMARY
 Joyce Sidman creates a distinctive combination of poetry and prose as the reader tours the peaceful meadow. There is a diverse mix of poetry style throughout the book and a striking arrangement of words on many pages that create visual images of the animals. A hint of the use of concrete poetry is evident in the shape of "Peal Deal" that resembles a snake, while "Ultraviolet" suggests the shape of a butterfly’s wings. Visual images in Krommes’s illustrations provide clues for readers who miss this clever style. The artful use of repetitive language captures a sense of urgency in "Shhh! They Are Sleeping."  Some poems like "Always Together" lend themselves to unique readings of two voices in paired recitations using partner words and phrases: We tumble/we twitter, we dip, float and flitter/ on thistle we rustle/and whistle and bustle/dip-dogging/leap-frogging/ we're birds of a feather...Sidman provides a scientific narrative explaining the habitats or behavior habits of the creatures in the meadow following each pair of poems and a useful glossary explaining scientific vocabulary.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sidman tries a variety of different styles that work well for each poem. The artful arrangement of the words on each page let the reader experiment with different voice and techniques in reading the poetry. Her use of rhyming and repetitive language provides rhythm and cadence that add to the ease of reading and will keep the interest of intermediate readers. Beautiful bubbles/bubbles of foam/ bubbly castle/ snug bubble home/ keeps my skin tender/saves me from drought/ (I’ll never/I’ll never/ I’ll never come out!) Although the varied poetry may be difficult for young readers, the prose following each pair of poems makes this a pleasant read aloud for all children.

Beth Krommes, a Caldecott winner, uses a scratch-board technique that adds much detail to the illustrations. She skillfully uses a black and white drawing medium to create each picture, adding a thin veneer of fine, white clay covered by layers of india ink. Then each picture is finished with watercolor paint. Each two-page spread is filled with earthy tones and complimentary colors that draw the reader's attention to the hidden wonders of the meadow.  These beautiful illustrations will keep even the youngest reader entranced in observation of the detailed flora and fauna of nature.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred Review: Kirkus, Aug. 3, 2006  
“Combining striking illustrations and evocative poems do double duty as riddles and lucid prose commentary. This venture into the natural world stands out for both its beauty and its unusual approach…A top drawer blend of art and science.”

Starred Review: The Horn Book Magazine, Sept-Oct. 2006
“The verse is vivid, melodious, and rich in variety…Krommes’s scratch-board illustrations are splendid…they reflect such precise observation that each species is easily recognizable…An elegantly conceived, beautifully integrated volume.”

Starred review: School Library Journal, Oct. 2006
“Sidman applies her flair with poetry to explore the interactions of creatures and plants in a particular environment. This book is a handsome and versatile compendium, melding art, poetry and natural history”

CONNECTIONS
*Invite children to compose their own “letter poem” to animals, seasons or types of weather. Ask them to include a compliment, question or wish. Share their poems in a display in the library. 

*Other topic poetry books:
George, Kristine O’Connell. Hummingbird Nest: A Journal of Poems. 2004
ISBN: 0152023259
George, Kristine O’Connell. Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems. 2001
ISBN: 0-618-04597-X
Hamilton, Virginia. When Birds Could Talk and Bats Could Sing. 1996
ISBN: 10:0590473727
Sidman, Joyce. Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. 2005
ISBN: 10: 0618135472

RESOURCES
http://dadtalk.typepad.com/cybils/

http://bethkrommes.com/illustration/reviews-for-butterfly-eyes-and-other-secrets-of

http://www.joycesidman.com/butterflyeyesTG.html

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. 2008

Picture:
http://www.bethkrommes.com/img/illustration/covers/butterfly-eyes-cover.jpg

Cinderella folklore

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schroeder, Alan. Smoky Mountain Rose: An Applacian Cinderella. Ill. by Brad Sneed. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. c1997. ISBN: 0-8037-1733-4

PLOT SUMMARY
This lively story is based on the well-known version of Cinderella told by Charles Perrault. When Rose's trapper father dies, she is left to reside with her stepmother and stepsisters in the backwoods of the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. The story elements are true to form with the twist of a magical hog (instead of the Fairy Godmother). The mean old stepmother and the nasty stepsisters are as awful as can be, giving Rose "enough chores that'll just about kill her." When they set off to the shindig for Seb, "the rich feller who made his money in sowbellies and grits," Rose cries her eyes out down at the pig trough. The hog, upon hearing her woes, transforms her into a beautiful "belle of the ball" and she sets off to the party in style. The next day Seb comes looking for his bride to fit the glass slipper, while Liza Jane is ready to get the axe to make it fit! When he sees Rose down at the pig trough, he recognizes her from the previous evening. All the components in this Cinderella tale are typical of the story from "once upon a time..." to "...and they lived happily ever after," and that is what makes the story so inviting.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Children familiar with the tale of Cinderella can identify easily with this predictable story, and will enjoy the colorful language used by the narrator, as told from the position of a storyteller from Tarbelly Creek. It is a delightful read aloud, using a language style that is challenging for young children to read. Yet an adult versed in accent and expression will bring this tale to life while children eagerly wait to view Sneed's expressive watercolor illustrations. The style of American gothic art creates a feeling of serenity and conveys a wholesome point of view. The use of perspective and soft, pastel colors lends itself to an interesting position that exaggerates the characters' physical qualities (e.g. big feet, elongated bodies and large noses), adding humor to the story. It is sure to be a popular read aloud among older children and will be read and reread in the tradition of the timeless Cinderella classic.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publishers Weekly: "...if read aloud, this Cinderella will make readers "happy as a pig in a peanut patch."

Booklist: "this spirited rendition begs to be told or read out loud for sheer enjoyment and for enrichment in folklore studies."

CONNECTIONS
*Read and compare Cinderella variants noting the traditional elements found in each. Children love creative drama. Have groups of students write their own version of Cinderella to perform that would be suitable for the culture in which they live.

Suggestions for additional reading:
*Rafe Martin. The Rough- Face Girl, 1992. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons ISBN: 0-39921859-9
*Janet Perlman, Cinderella Penguin or, The Little Glass Flipper. 1992. New York: Puffin Books.
ISBN: 0-14055552-8
*Robert San Souci. The Talking Eggs, 1989. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers,
ISBN: 0-8037-0619-7

RESOURCES
http://martsubhub.lib.wv.us:8000/kcweb/kcContent?isbn=0803717334&type=review&controlnumber=+++92001250&referedby=titlelist
(Accessed Feb. 15, 2010)
http://www.amazon.com/Smoky-Mountain-Rose-Appalachian-Cinderella/dp/0140566732
(Accessed Feb. 16, 2010)
Picture:
http://static.squidoo.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens2708022module16223102photo_1257690877smoky_mountain_rose.jpg
(Accessed Feb. 3, 2010)

Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric, A. Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock. Ill. by Janet Stevens. New York: Holiday House. 1988. ISBN: 0-8234-0689-X

PLOT SUMMARY
Anansi the spider uses a moss-covered rock with special powers to trick his animal friends: Lion, Zebra, Elephant and Giraffe. The strange rock puts his friends to sleep so that Anansi can steal their food to feed his voracious appetite. Little Deer, who is hiding in the jungle brush, sees Anansi’s antics and decides to teach him a lesson. When Anansi tries to trick her, the tables are turned and the joke is on him!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Originally told as a West African tale, the story was adapted to Caribbean culture where Anansi is a beloved folklore character. Stevens uses both cultures to depict the setting (e.g. lush greenery, a rustic cabin with lawn chairs and ceiling fans on the porch, coconuts in a basket, etc.). The story features repetitive language and events that enhance the plot, leading children to make predictions in anticipation of the story climax. Kimmel’s characterization and Steven’s delightful illustrations give the characters human qualities with which children can identify - even the lion has a pet iguana! The choice of natural colors and predominantly neutral tones evokes a feeling of a serene, natural environment typical of the Caribbean and the West African coast. Children will enjoy looking for Little Deer hiding in the brightly colored foliage as she witnesses Anansi’s pranks. They will be eager to discuss the theme of good verses bad and provide insight about the deserved consequences of being a trickster. This folktale is sure to be a favorite among teachers and primary school students.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist: “With perfect pacing and repetition and with surprising reversals up to the very last page, this is a great choice for reading aloud and storytelling.”

School Library Journal: “Stevens' anthropomorphic animals are both expressive and endearing…A surefire hit.”

CONNECTIONS
*Collect other trickster stories to read and compare characters and their antics.
*Read other trickster stories and have children create animal puppets to perform a readers theater or to retell the story.

Related books:
Virginia Hamilton, A Ring of Tricksters: Animal Tales from America, the West Indies and Africa. 1997 ISBN: 10: 0590473743
Eric Kimmel, Anansi and the Talking Melon.1994. ISBN: 10: 0823411672

RESOURCES
Picture: http://www.sunprairiepubliclibrary.org/images/AnansiandtheMossCoveredRock.jpg
(Accessed February 3, 2010)
http://www.funfelt.com/anansi_rock.html (Accessed Feb. 15, 2010)

Folklore

Neil Philip (editor). Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales. Ill. by Jacqueline Mair. New York: Clarion Books. 2003. ISBN: 10-0618194630

PLOT SUMMARY
This collection of folktales, selected by Neil Philip, comes from Mexican and Mexican American storytellers. These traditional tales show transformations of cats and kings, priests and tricksters, ordinary people and supernatural beings. Some of the folktales in the book can be found in the Grimm’s collection but the flavor and tale type are mixed with religious imagery drawn from Mexican culture. Some were collected in Mexico while others came from the Mexican populations of Colorado and New Mexico. There are many traditional elements indigenous to the culture, including witches, widows, angels and the devil.  There are fourteen stories in the collection. Pedro the Trickster is the story of man who cheats death, while The Story of the Sun and the Moon borrows elements from stories, such as Jack and the Beanstalk. The story of The Two Marias is adapted from “Cinderella” with the role of the fairy godmother taken by the Virgin Mary. The Mule Drivers Who Lost Their Feet is a story that spotlights the silliness of characters with no common sense. The story viewpoints incorporate metaphors and similes and show life as essentially humorous with intimations of seriousness.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Philip obtained the stories from authentic sources to create a rich and varied collection blending elements of religion and humor. The spiritual element in many of the tales makes them sparkle with life and meaning in Mexican culture.  All of the stories have been told and retold over generations. There are notes discussing the backgrounds of each story at the end of the book that are helpful for readers who want to learn more about their origins. The story, Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet, is explained by Philip as a common Spanish American tale that was collected from a 12-year-old Mexican American girl who had heard it from a classmate and believed it to be true. The vibrant colors used by Jacqueline Mair, are a mix of paint and print that draw on many images from Mexico. The decorative use of patterns in the architecture, tableware, the clothing worn by the characters at the fiesta, and traditional animals such as the donkey are all beautifully woven into the artwork. Human expressions and use of symbolism convey the mood of each story and act as a powerful narrative in telling of superstitious and spiritual elements. This is a book to share with older children who are learning about or already have a rich background in traditional folklore.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal: "Richly varied collection...distinctive flavor...stylish and humorous retellings...alive with bright color...a well-put-together package. Clearly superior...enjoyable volume."  School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews: "well-documented and authentic...Mexican flavor is strong throughout...occasional brilliant, hot watercolors...much information for the serious student of folklore." 

Booklinks: (American Library Association): "useful and attractively presented...stories are simply yet effectively retold...exuberant illustrations...illuminating introduction...An extensive bibliography...a solid collection"

CONNECTIONS
Children will enjoy making puppets of popular trickster characters and role play scenes from various folktales.

Other folklore collections:
 *Virginia Hamilton, A Ring of Tricksters: Animal Tales from America, the West Indies and Africa. 1997 ISBN: 10: 0590473743
*Lewis Mahlmann and David Cadwalader Jones, Folk Tale Plays for Puppets: 13 Royalty-Free Plays for Hand Puppets, Rod Puppets, or Marionettes. c1980 ISBN: 0-8238-0242-6
*Howard Norman, The Girl Who Dreamed Only Gees and Other Tales of the Far North. 1997.
ISBN: 0-15-230979-9
*Neil Philip, Stockings of Buttermilk: American Folktales. 1999 ISBN:10: 0395849802
*Judy Sierra, Can you Guess My Name? Traditional Tales Around the World. 2002.
ISBN: 0-618-13328-3

RESOURCES
Ansell, Janis and Holley, Pam. What do Children and Young Adults Read Next? A Reader’s Guide to Fiction for Children and Young Adults. Vol. 6. Detroit: Gale Cengage Learning. 2005.

http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/titledetail.cfm?titleNumber=111156
(Retrieved February 12, 2010)

http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/downloadresultsa.cfm?adv=y&ean=9780618194636
(Retrieved February 3, 2010)

Picture Book Reviews

A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Marcus, Leonard S.  A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal. Walker Company: New York. 1999. 48p.
ISBN: 0-8027-8656-1

SUMMARY
Leonard Marcus shares the experiences of six authors/illustrators who received this prestigious award for their work in children’s literature. This book spotlights the enduring works of one author from each decade from 1938-1998: Maurice Sendak for Where the Wild Things Are, William Steig for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, Marcia Brown for Cinderella, Robert McCloskey for Make Way for Ducklings, Chris van Allsburg for Jumanji and David Wiesner for Tuesday. Each author reveals not only the process of their work but also their struggles in making these ideas come to life. Readers learn about the terminology of “white space”, using “dummies,” - preliminary rough drawings that show the progression of the story- the struggles of re-drawing and detailing the plans and the medium used in creating these timeless treasures. In candid interviews each author discusses their journey toward illustrating children’s literature and their reactions to receiving this esteemed award.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is an informative book for children and adults alike. For teachers of writing it is a must have resource that can be used in teaching the writing and illustration process, character development the study of authors and their unique craft. Children will benefit from insights gleaned from these authors’ habits of keeping their ideas in notebooks and sketchpads. Simple drawings collected from the authors’ original works are depicted in the book while each explains the steps necessary to work toward a finished piece of quality literature. Although it is a dated publication, Marcus has shared valuable insights about the writing process that will endure for generations.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
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.”

School Library Journal: “A brilliant and distinguished collaboration”

Publishers Weekly “With Marcus's sure hand guiding this tour, readers will find cause for celebration. All ages.”

CONNECTIONS
*Older children can research their favorite authors for biography studies while younger children practice sketching in the style of each various artists.
*Read other Caldecott books to feature in a ‘Caldecott of the Month’ study.

Related Books:
Pass it Down: Five Picture-Book Families Make Their Mark by Leonard Marcus, 2007
ISBN: 13:978-0-8027-9600-4
Side by Side by Leonard Marcus, 2001 ISBN:0-8027-8778-9
The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss by Kathleen Krull, 2004 ISBN: 0-375-822298-4
From Pictures to Words: A Book About Making a Book by Janet Stevens, 1995.
ISBN: 0-8234-1154-0
What do Authors Do? by Eileen Christelow. 1995 ISBN:0-395-71124-X

RESOURCES
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal online accessed January 2010)
http://www.publishersweekly.com/Community/Reviews/47159.html (Publisher’s Weekly accessed January 2010)
http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=booklinks (Booklist online accessed January 2010)
Picture: http://www.bookpage.com/9901bp/childrens/caldecott_celebration.html

Picture Books

THE HOUSE IN THE NIGHT

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Swanson, Susan Marie, The House in the Night. Ill. by Beth Krommes, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Boston. 2008
ISBN: 0618862447


PLOT SUMMARY
This simple poem is a story told through the eyes of a child who finds comfort in the house at night. A little girl finds reassuring order to the nighttime and asserts her independence in taking care of a golden key to the house. Predictable, rhythmic patterning comes full circle as she discovers adventure in a book, flies through the city and returns home to the quiet, cozy comfort of her own room.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The welcoming imagery and word play create a unique voice through pictures, depicting the beauty of things in the night as a child eases her nocturnal fears. This is a beautiful book that invites parent and child to snuggle up for a bedtime story full of peaceful feelings of warmth and safekeeping.
Beth Krommes conveys an engaging story of safety and comfort in a double-page spread format using textured etchings of two simple colors. The important focus on familiar nighttime things is done in gold while using light and dark shadows to bring attention to other details. The patterning of color compliments the patterning of text making this a delightful book that brings warmth to the heart.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Caldecott Award winner, 2009

Booklist: “A beautiful piece of bookmaking that will delight both parents and children.”

School Library Journal: “It is a masterpiece that has all the hallmarks of a classic that will be loved for generations to come."

CONNECTIONS:
*Read other nighttime stories and create posters of familiar items in dual color.
*Read other books about the nighttime.

Related books:
The Napping House by Don and Audrey Wood ISBN: 0152026320
On a Starry Night by Natalie Kinsey –Warnock ISBN: 0-53106820-X

RESOURCES:
Marcus, Leonard S., A Caldecott Celebration: Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal, Walker & Company, NY, 1998.

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal online accessed January 2010)http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=booklinks (Booklist online accessed January 2010)

Picture: http://awesomestorytime.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/house-in-the-night-cover.jpg (accessed January 2010)

Picture Book Reviews

JUST THE TWO OF US

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Will.  Just the Two of Us. llI. by Kadir Nelson.  Scholastic Press: Singapore. 2001.
Scholastic ISBN: 0439087929

PLOT SUMMARY
An African-American man raps the lyrics to this popular song by Ralph MacDonald as he reflects upon the feelings he has for his son. He chronicles his commitment as the child grows into a young man. The story follows the development of the young boy with typical problems along his path in life and the advice he tries to remember from his father. The main struggle through the story, belongs to the author, Will Smith, who is concerned about his growth in being a positive role model for his son. The refrain of the song is repeated in this rap which uses some rhyming to express Smith's feelings as he learns what it means to be a father.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book begins with quotes from Will Smith’s parents as he was growing up. It is dedicated to his parents and the memory of his grandmother. The last quote is from his son who “said he wants to build castles in the sky.” His parents’ responses to his comments and his response to his own son set the tone of this lovely story. In the book the father gives the child valuable advice as he grows, “I’ll do everything I can to show you how to be a man. Dignity, integrity, honor…and you can cry, there ain’t no shame in it” The theme "Just the two of us..." provides a deeper meaning of the father's commitment that is implicit throughout the story. It is a touching story for fathers to share with their sons and mothers to share with their daughters.

Kadir Nelson's illustrations use warm and cool colors to compliment the realistic facial expressions of the father and to depict the mood changes throughout the book. Colors move from dark to light providing a sense of worry and hope. The story begins with the sunrise and ends with the sunset, illustrating the journey of the man's path through fatherhood. Beautiful poster-like illustrations provide a focal point in the father's experiences with his son and convey a sense of meaningful lessons learned along the way.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist: starred review “A good choice for parent-child sharing.”
School Library Journal: “A lovely book for fathers and sons to share.”

CONNECTIONS
*Discuss the relationships between fathers and sons/ mothers and daughters
*Gather other books illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Look at how the pictures express the mood of the book as well as character development in the feelings of anxiety, worry, happiness, strength, and contentment.

*Other books by Kadir Nelson:
Henry's Freedom Box By Ellen Levine, 2007 ISBN: 043477733-X
Dancing Wings  By Debbie Allen, 2000 ISBN: 0803725019

RESOURCES:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/ (School Library Journal accessed January 2010)
http://www.publishersweekly.com/Community/Reviews/47159.html
(Publisher’s Weekly accessed January 2010)
Picture: http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0439087929.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_SL250_.jpg