BIBLIOGRAPHY
Freedman, Russell. 2004. THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARION ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618159762
PLOT SUMMARY
Most of us find it inconceivable that prejudice and malice would or could keep a talented singer from performing in any venue, but that is precisely what happened to Marion Anderson. Born in 1897, Anderson was the oldest daughter in a family of three girls. Living in Philadelphia in a neighborhood of mixed races, Marion really didn't experience prejudice growing up. As a young adult, Marion finally did what she loved to do-sing. She sang all over the world, but was banned from performing here in Constitution Hall by the DAR. That began her battle to break down the barrier.
Critical Analysis
This book contains a lot of white space in eight chapters. There are plenty of photographs (all black and white) that document Anderson's struggle for the right to sing anywhere, but young readers may not be drawn to it visually. Freedman's handling of the subject is both matter-of-fact and empathetic. Using both personal accounts and those of her contemporaries, Freedman shows that Marion Anderson was willing to become a crusader for freedoms she had been previously denied along with many performers of color. She was not a natural crusader, but through her efforts, and with the help of then first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson was able to perform before a record crowd on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 signaling the beginning of the end of segregation in the arts. Contains bibliography, discography, acknowledgements, picture credits and index. Winner of the Robert F Sibert Medal, and a Newbery Honor Book.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Kirkus Reviews: "Well-chosen, well placed archival photographs, clear writing, abundant research seamlessly woven into the text, and careful documentation make an outstanding, handsome biography."
Publisher's Weekly: "An engrossing biography."
CONNECTIONS
Read some other books by Russell Freedman:
Freedman, Russell. THE WAR TO END ALL WARS: WORLD WAR I. ISBN 9780547026862
Freedman, Russell. CHILDREN OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION/ EDITION 1. ISBN 9780618446308
Freedman, Russell. LINCOLN: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY. ISBN 9780395518489
Freedman, Russell. IMMIGRANT KIDS. ISBN 9780140375947
Learn to interview family members and maybe their friends and write someone's biography.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Review of WE ARE THE SHIP The Story of Negro League Baseball
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP; THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9780786808328
PLOT SUMMARY:
Kadir Nelson tells the story of the Negro League Baseball teams. Well researched, and inspired by both a project while a student at Pratt Institute and Ken Burns' series about baseball, Nelson has written a beautiful tribute to the members of the former Negro League teams. The narration is done as a collective voice, and is as entertaining as it is informative. His paintings were based on research, but he admits in his Author's Note that he used some creative license.
Critical Analysis:
This book can be summed up in a word: beautiful. The narration is used as a collective voice, speaking for the many players that played in the Negro Leagues from the beginning in the 1920's to the ending that began around 1947. Forced out of the majors, the players formed their own league and the many teams were both entertaining and very skilled. They loved the game and had plenty of fans. Kadir Nelson, until this offering has illustrated books, but this time illustrated and wrote the book that includes lists for those members who made it to the major leagues, as well as the Baseball Hall of Fame, a bibliography, filmography, end notes for each chapter, and an index. There is a four page spread for the painting of the First Colored World Series portrait of the players, managers and officials. A foreward is offered by Hank Aaron and the text of the book is so captivating it makes it difficult to put down. The most compelling eighty-eight pages about baseball a young reader can encounter. This book won the Robert F. Sibert medal, the Coretta Scott King Honor medal and the Coretta Scott King winner medal.
Review Excerpt(s):
School Library Journal: "Social studies teachers and baseball fans of all ages will covet this delightful winnerof the 2009 Coretta Scott King author award illustrator honor award."
The Washington Post: "Divided into chapters labeled "innings", Nelson's inspiring book is a riveting read that is sure to be a home run with both kids and adults."
CONNECTIONS:
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP; THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9780786808328
PLOT SUMMARY:
Kadir Nelson tells the story of the Negro League Baseball teams. Well researched, and inspired by both a project while a student at Pratt Institute and Ken Burns' series about baseball, Nelson has written a beautiful tribute to the members of the former Negro League teams. The narration is done as a collective voice, and is as entertaining as it is informative. His paintings were based on research, but he admits in his Author's Note that he used some creative license.
Critical Analysis:
This book can be summed up in a word: beautiful. The narration is used as a collective voice, speaking for the many players that played in the Negro Leagues from the beginning in the 1920's to the ending that began around 1947. Forced out of the majors, the players formed their own league and the many teams were both entertaining and very skilled. They loved the game and had plenty of fans. Kadir Nelson, until this offering has illustrated books, but this time illustrated and wrote the book that includes lists for those members who made it to the major leagues, as well as the Baseball Hall of Fame, a bibliography, filmography, end notes for each chapter, and an index. There is a four page spread for the painting of the First Colored World Series portrait of the players, managers and officials. A foreward is offered by Hank Aaron and the text of the book is so captivating it makes it difficult to put down. The most compelling eighty-eight pages about baseball a young reader can encounter. This book won the Robert F. Sibert medal, the Coretta Scott King Honor medal and the Coretta Scott King winner medal.
Review Excerpt(s):
School Library Journal: "Social studies teachers and baseball fans of all ages will covet this delightful winnerof the 2009 Coretta Scott King author award illustrator honor award."
The Washington Post: "Divided into chapters labeled "innings", Nelson's inspiring book is a riveting read that is sure to be a home run with both kids and adults."
CONNECTIONS:
- Baseball books:
Feinstein, John. CHANGE-UP: MYSTERY AT THE WORLD SERIES. ISBN 9780375847592
Corbett, Sue. FREE BASEBALL. ISBN 9780142410806
Ritter, John H. BOY WHO SAVED BASEBALL. ISBN 9780142402863
Mochizuki, Ken. BASEBALL SAVED US. ISBN 9780785764601
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Review of Wolves
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. 1993. WOLVES. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0060225319
PLOT SUMMARY
People throughout history have demonized the wolf for many reasons. Fear of the carnivore may stem from the characterization the wolf has received in fairy tales, or the fear of the unknown about a creature that avoids human interaction. Either way, Seymour Simon has attempted to dispell the myths surrounding wolves in this volume with information about wolves that may surprise some young readers. He tells about the hierarchy of the pack and family dynamics, territories, and habits, including howling. Photographs from wildlife photographers add visual impact.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this 32 page volume, Simon tells about the daily lives of wolves and asks the reader why wolves have been so maligned historically. Challenging the reader and then presenting the evidence is a nice, yet subtle way to get young readers interested in such a complex animal. His text reads more like a novel than an informational text. Using photographs from photographers Joe McDonald (wildlife photographer), Tom and Pat Leeson (wildlife and stock photograpers), Lynn M. Stone (stock photographer whose images appear on many informational books), Bob Winsett (stock photographer), Thomas Kitchin (stock photographer), Rolf Peterson (professor of Wildlife Ecology at Michigan Technological University, wildlife biologist, and photographer), and Art Wolfe (wildlife and world photographer) Simon weaves a story about loving, intelligent animals that are worthy of a deeper understanding.
The book does not offer an index, glossary or chapters separating information into categories, but is sure to be a treat for young readers as it encourages a respect for the wolf and further conservation. Published prior to the wolf reintroduction program in Yellowstone National Park, there is the expression of hope for such a conservation effort. It would be a treat to have Simon write a follow-up to this engaging text.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
Booklist: "The facts and the glorious photographs support Simon's plea for the animals' conservation. They debunk the big-bad-wolf horror stories without in any waydetracting from the fiercebeauty of the wolves' wild nature."
School Library Journal: " An introduction uses imagery to conjure up the spirit of the wolf; the conclusion touches on the animal's past and questionable future. An attractive and simple introduction, Candace Savage's Wolves (Sierra, 1989) has more to offer."
CONNECTIONS:
Paulsen, Gary. WOODSONG. ISBN 0689852509
Heinz, Brian J. THE WOLVES. ISBN 0803717369
Gibbons, Gail. WOLVES. ISBN 0823411273
Simon, Seymour. 1993. WOLVES. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0060225319
PLOT SUMMARY
People throughout history have demonized the wolf for many reasons. Fear of the carnivore may stem from the characterization the wolf has received in fairy tales, or the fear of the unknown about a creature that avoids human interaction. Either way, Seymour Simon has attempted to dispell the myths surrounding wolves in this volume with information about wolves that may surprise some young readers. He tells about the hierarchy of the pack and family dynamics, territories, and habits, including howling. Photographs from wildlife photographers add visual impact.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this 32 page volume, Simon tells about the daily lives of wolves and asks the reader why wolves have been so maligned historically. Challenging the reader and then presenting the evidence is a nice, yet subtle way to get young readers interested in such a complex animal. His text reads more like a novel than an informational text. Using photographs from photographers Joe McDonald (wildlife photographer), Tom and Pat Leeson (wildlife and stock photograpers), Lynn M. Stone (stock photographer whose images appear on many informational books), Bob Winsett (stock photographer), Thomas Kitchin (stock photographer), Rolf Peterson (professor of Wildlife Ecology at Michigan Technological University, wildlife biologist, and photographer), and Art Wolfe (wildlife and world photographer) Simon weaves a story about loving, intelligent animals that are worthy of a deeper understanding.
The book does not offer an index, glossary or chapters separating information into categories, but is sure to be a treat for young readers as it encourages a respect for the wolf and further conservation. Published prior to the wolf reintroduction program in Yellowstone National Park, there is the expression of hope for such a conservation effort. It would be a treat to have Simon write a follow-up to this engaging text.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
Booklist: "The facts and the glorious photographs support Simon's plea for the animals' conservation. They debunk the big-bad-wolf horror stories without in any waydetracting from the fiercebeauty of the wolves' wild nature."
School Library Journal: " An introduction uses imagery to conjure up the spirit of the wolf; the conclusion touches on the animal's past and questionable future. An attractive and simple introduction, Candace Savage's Wolves (Sierra, 1989) has more to offer."
CONNECTIONS:
- Have students adopt a wolf and raise finds to support that animal through World Wildlife Fund.
- Hold a mock trial debating the wolf reintroduction program in Yellowstone National Park or a trial debating the issues of the Bush Administration's announcement that killing wolves in the states surrounding the park would be allowed even though it violates the Endangered Species Act.
- Other texts to consider for information:
Paulsen, Gary. WOODSONG. ISBN 0689852509
Heinz, Brian J. THE WOLVES. ISBN 0803717369
Gibbons, Gail. WOLVES. ISBN 0823411273
- Text to consider to illustrate fiction:
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Review of FIRST FOOD FIGHT THIS FALL AND OTHER SCHOOL POEMS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Singer, Marilyn. 2008. FIRST FOOD FIGHT THIS FALL AND OTHER SCHOOL POEMS. New York: Sterling. ISBN 9781402741456
PLOT SUMMARY
Told through short poems by different students, this picture book poetry selection is quite humorous and should be a great addition to the beginning of the school year in an elementary classroom. Each verse is told about everyday life in school from the goings-on in the cafeteria, to the class field trip, class picture, and even the first snow. Children talk about thier favorite , and least favorite subjects in school and children can laugh with this 'class' all the way through their year.
Artwork by Sachiko Yoshikawa is rich, vibrant, colorful and quite delightful. Done in collage form and with mixed media, the colorful pages and so much charm and appeal to the poems that young children should thoroughly enjoy this book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal-"...these poems resonate with mischievous good cheer."
Kirkus Reviews-"The interesting combination of identifiable poetic forms and Yoshikawa's amusing illustrations should make this a popular choice for classroom reading, as students recognize at least some of their own school experiences (though, one hopes, not food fights) in the poetry."
CONNECTIONS
Dakos, Kalli. 1995. IF YOU'RE NOT HERE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. ISBN 9780689801167
lansky, Bruce. 2004. IF KIDS RULED THE SCHOOL: MORE KIDS' FAVORITE FUNNY SCHOOL POEMS. ISBN 9780689032738
Shields, Carol Diggory. 1998. LUNCH MONEY AND OTHER POEMS ABOUT SCHOOL. ISBN 9780140558906
Singer, Marilyn. 2008. FIRST FOOD FIGHT THIS FALL AND OTHER SCHOOL POEMS. New York: Sterling. ISBN 9781402741456
PLOT SUMMARY
Told through short poems by different students, this picture book poetry selection is quite humorous and should be a great addition to the beginning of the school year in an elementary classroom. Each verse is told about everyday life in school from the goings-on in the cafeteria, to the class field trip, class picture, and even the first snow. Children talk about thier favorite , and least favorite subjects in school and children can laugh with this 'class' all the way through their year.
Artwork by Sachiko Yoshikawa is rich, vibrant, colorful and quite delightful. Done in collage form and with mixed media, the colorful pages and so much charm and appeal to the poems that young children should thoroughly enjoy this book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal-"...these poems resonate with mischievous good cheer."
Kirkus Reviews-"The interesting combination of identifiable poetic forms and Yoshikawa's amusing illustrations should make this a popular choice for classroom reading, as students recognize at least some of their own school experiences (though, one hopes, not food fights) in the poetry."
CONNECTIONS
Dakos, Kalli. 1995. IF YOU'RE NOT HERE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. ISBN 9780689801167
lansky, Bruce. 2004. IF KIDS RULED THE SCHOOL: MORE KIDS' FAVORITE FUNNY SCHOOL POEMS. ISBN 9780689032738
Shields, Carol Diggory. 1998. LUNCH MONEY AND OTHER POEMS ABOUT SCHOOL. ISBN 9780140558906
Review of WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sones, Sonya. 2001. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW. New York: Simon & Schuster.
ISBN 9780689841149
PLOT SUMMARY
Sophie is a typical teenage girl who has many ideas about love, life, friends, and family. She wanders through a series of loves, both lost and found, as she looks for the one that she calls "Mr. Right and a half". As an only child she is quite close to her two best friends, Grace and Rachel. She worries about acceptance by her boyfirend's parents when they are introduced. (She is Jewish and he is not). But when she finds the one boy that she considers "The One" she realizes that he, too, has experienced many rejections and that the heart is where you should look first.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Pre-teen and teenage girls should enjoy this book as they will likely be able to relate to many of the ups and downs that Sophie experiences. A book in verse, it reads fairly fast and the material is relevant to the issues that young girls experience today. Sophie's parents fight a lot and she is always concerned about her father leaving and her mother watching TV more than paying attention to her. She defies her mother and regrets it at a later date. She goes through a series of boyfriends, and wonders what she saw in each of the previous ones. Her firends go away for Christmas and she is left alone over the winter break from school when she not only discovers her city again, but a new love that she previously overlooked and even made fun of.
Boys will not likely enjoy this book, so librarians and book sellers may want to keep that in mind when recommending selections.
Sones, Sonya. 2001. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW. New York: Simon & Schuster.
ISBN 9780689841149
PLOT SUMMARY
Sophie is a typical teenage girl who has many ideas about love, life, friends, and family. She wanders through a series of loves, both lost and found, as she looks for the one that she calls "Mr. Right and a half". As an only child she is quite close to her two best friends, Grace and Rachel. She worries about acceptance by her boyfirend's parents when they are introduced. (She is Jewish and he is not). But when she finds the one boy that she considers "The One" she realizes that he, too, has experienced many rejections and that the heart is where you should look first.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Pre-teen and teenage girls should enjoy this book as they will likely be able to relate to many of the ups and downs that Sophie experiences. A book in verse, it reads fairly fast and the material is relevant to the issues that young girls experience today. Sophie's parents fight a lot and she is always concerned about her father leaving and her mother watching TV more than paying attention to her. She defies her mother and regrets it at a later date. She goes through a series of boyfriends, and wonders what she saw in each of the previous ones. Her firends go away for Christmas and she is left alone over the winter break from school when she not only discovers her city again, but a new love that she previously overlooked and even made fun of.
Boys will not likely enjoy this book, so librarians and book sellers may want to keep that in mind when recommending selections.
REVIEW EXCERPTS-
School Library Journal-"Sone's book makes these often-difficult years a little more livable by making them real, normal, and OK."
Kirkus Reviews-"...a verse experience that will leave teenage readers sighing with recognition and satisfaction."
CONNECTIONS
Sones, Sonya. 2008. WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN'T KNOW. ISBN 9780689876035
Sones, Sonya. 2005. ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES.
ISBN 9781416907886
Review of Blue Lipstick; Concrete Poems
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grandits, John. 2007. BLUE LIPSTICK: CONCRETE POEMS. New York: Clarion. ISBN 9780618568604
PLOT SUMMARY
This collection of poems by John Grandits centers around Jessie, a teenage girl and her family, friends, and life at school. She is irritated by her younger brother, Robert, jocks, cheerleaders, grownups talking and many things that irritate most teenagers. She loves her "rocker girl" image that she tries to maintain, music, volleyball, and her cat, Boo-boo Kitty. The poems are a humorous look into the life of a teenage girl, and the shape of the poems in text is extremely amusing.
Critical Analysis
Reading this book is a workout! The reader must turn the book in many directions to read the text, which is used to 'illustrate' the poem, making it quite delightful. Each page brings a new look at a usually mundane subject, like the poem titled "My Absolutely Bad Cranky Day". The poem spans a two-page spread requiring the reader to turn the book sideways and the timeline runs the length of her day. Each line has a letter of the alphabet highlighted (in order, of course), and the text runs through each letter as Jessie explains her day. The most unusual poem is "Go Look In The Mirror!" where her father tells her that she may not leave the house looking like that, then after she questions him, he tells her to go look at herself. The text is then placed in the 'mirror frame' and the reader must then choose to read the poem in a mirror or have the ability to read reverse print. She then describes her look and simply cannot understand what is wrong with how she looks!
This book is quite amusing, irreverent, and hilarious. The design of the book is unique. Children should enjoy the zany text twisting while reading it, and poetry may become a genre they enjoy more after reading this book. I wish it had been around when I was a child!
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
School Library Journal- "This irreverent, witty collection should resonate with a wide audience."
Horn Book-"A cover that'll grab adolescent girls' attention-and the poetry inside is equally appealing."
CONNECTIONS
Grandits, John. 2004. TECHNICALLY, IT'S NOT MY FAULT: CONCRETE POEMS. ISBN 061842833X
Janeczko, Paul B. A POKE IN THE I. ISBN 0763606618
Grandits, John. 2007. BLUE LIPSTICK: CONCRETE POEMS. New York: Clarion. ISBN 9780618568604
PLOT SUMMARY
This collection of poems by John Grandits centers around Jessie, a teenage girl and her family, friends, and life at school. She is irritated by her younger brother, Robert, jocks, cheerleaders, grownups talking and many things that irritate most teenagers. She loves her "rocker girl" image that she tries to maintain, music, volleyball, and her cat, Boo-boo Kitty. The poems are a humorous look into the life of a teenage girl, and the shape of the poems in text is extremely amusing.
Critical Analysis
Reading this book is a workout! The reader must turn the book in many directions to read the text, which is used to 'illustrate' the poem, making it quite delightful. Each page brings a new look at a usually mundane subject, like the poem titled "My Absolutely Bad Cranky Day". The poem spans a two-page spread requiring the reader to turn the book sideways and the timeline runs the length of her day. Each line has a letter of the alphabet highlighted (in order, of course), and the text runs through each letter as Jessie explains her day. The most unusual poem is "Go Look In The Mirror!" where her father tells her that she may not leave the house looking like that, then after she questions him, he tells her to go look at herself. The text is then placed in the 'mirror frame' and the reader must then choose to read the poem in a mirror or have the ability to read reverse print. She then describes her look and simply cannot understand what is wrong with how she looks!
This book is quite amusing, irreverent, and hilarious. The design of the book is unique. Children should enjoy the zany text twisting while reading it, and poetry may become a genre they enjoy more after reading this book. I wish it had been around when I was a child!
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
School Library Journal- "This irreverent, witty collection should resonate with a wide audience."
Horn Book-"A cover that'll grab adolescent girls' attention-and the poetry inside is equally appealing."
CONNECTIONS
Grandits, John. 2004. TECHNICALLY, IT'S NOT MY FAULT: CONCRETE POEMS. ISBN 061842833X
Janeczko, Paul B. A POKE IN THE I. ISBN 0763606618
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