BIBLIOGRAPHY
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439023459
PLOT SUMMARY
In the community of Buxton, in Canada reside both freed and runaway slaves. 11 year old Elijah was the first free child born there and he is considered fragile by some. But he proves himself to be less than fragile when he takes it upon himself to help when a slick preacher steals money meant to purchase a slave family and bring them to freedom in Canada.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Written in first person, this lively, entertaining tale of a young boy is both comical and, at times, heart-wrenching. Elijah Freeman is known for being able to catch fish by chunking rocks at their heads. People considered him fragile for many reasons; he's afraid of riding horses, and snakes. Curtis' use of casual register is possibly accurate, but at times borders on the stereotypical. Elijah is tested and is able prove himself in this coming of age novel when a freed man in town sends another trusted man to buy his family's freedom and he turns out to be crooked. Things go wrong and Elijah attempts to right the wrong, taking him across the border and perhaps into great danger. A book that is sure to win the hearts of many a reader.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
2008 Newbery Honor Book
Corretta Scott King Award Winner
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "This is Curtis' best novel yet, and no doubt many readers, young and old, will finish and say, "This is one of the best books I have ever read." "
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "...demonstrating how Elijah, the "fra-gile" child has become sturdy, capable of stealing across the border in pursuit of the crooked preacher, and strong enough to withstand a confrontation with the horrors of slavery. The powerful ending is violent and unsettling, yet also manages to be uplifting."
CONNECTIONS
Have students visit the web site for the Buxton Settlement and research more about the real place where the fictional characters lived.
http://www.buxtonmuseum.com/history/hist-SETTLEMENT.html
National Geographic's site for the Underground Railroad:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/99/railroad/j1.html
Visit the University of Virginia's site for American Slave Narratives and have students listen to and read what they had to say about their enslavement:
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/wpa/wpahome.html
Other books about the Underground Railroad:
Monjo, F.N.. THE DRINKING GOURD:A STORY OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. ISBN 0064440427
Pearsall, Shelley. TROUBLE DON'T LAST. ISBN 04440418119
Polacco, Patricia. JANUARY'S SPARROW. ISBN 0399250778
Porter, Connie Rose. MEET ADDY: AN AMERICAN GIRL (AMERICAN GIRLS COLLECTION SERIES: ADDY #1). ISBN 1562470752
Hopkinson, Deborah. UNDER THE QUILT OF NIGHT. ISBN 0689877005
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Review of The Midwife's Apprentice
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 006440630x.
PLOT SUMMARY
Brat, Beetle, whatever her name, a girl who is orphaned, dirty, unloved and uncared for finds herself in the employ of the town's midwife. Suddenly with a roof over her head, food in her belly and a friend in the form of a cat, the 12 year old names herself Alyce and learns to deliver babies. She fails, runs away only to return and try again.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Cushman is a master storyteller and loses nothing in this 13th century tale of a young girl about 12 years old who is dirty, unloved, hungry and does not know her name. She has been called Brat, finds herself in the dung heap of a midwife, then renamed Beetle. The midwife, Jane Sharp, takes her in not so much as an apprentice, but more for the service she can get from the girl. Beetle renames herself Alyce and befriends the town cat as she can relate to his plight; they are both bullied and picked on. Alyce accompanies Jane on her duties and when called upon to deliver, she fails. She runs away, but then with pluck and fortitude decides to go back and try again to make her own place in the world. A lovely book that may help children find the courage to stand up for themselves and find their own independence as Alyce did. Introduces children to birth that is not often found in literature targeted for the young reader.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
1996 Newbery Medal Winner
Booklist: "Kids will like this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone."
School Library Journal: "Characters are sketched briefly but with telling, witty detail,and the very scents and sounds of the land and people's occupations fill each page as Alyce comes of age and heart."
Connections:
Have students hold a mock trial of Alyce with this lesson plan:
http://eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Language_Arts/Literature/Childrens_Literature/CHL0219.html
Another book by the same author:
Cushman, Karen. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN0064405842
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 006440630x.
PLOT SUMMARY
Brat, Beetle, whatever her name, a girl who is orphaned, dirty, unloved and uncared for finds herself in the employ of the town's midwife. Suddenly with a roof over her head, food in her belly and a friend in the form of a cat, the 12 year old names herself Alyce and learns to deliver babies. She fails, runs away only to return and try again.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Cushman is a master storyteller and loses nothing in this 13th century tale of a young girl about 12 years old who is dirty, unloved, hungry and does not know her name. She has been called Brat, finds herself in the dung heap of a midwife, then renamed Beetle. The midwife, Jane Sharp, takes her in not so much as an apprentice, but more for the service she can get from the girl. Beetle renames herself Alyce and befriends the town cat as she can relate to his plight; they are both bullied and picked on. Alyce accompanies Jane on her duties and when called upon to deliver, she fails. She runs away, but then with pluck and fortitude decides to go back and try again to make her own place in the world. A lovely book that may help children find the courage to stand up for themselves and find their own independence as Alyce did. Introduces children to birth that is not often found in literature targeted for the young reader.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
1996 Newbery Medal Winner
Booklist: "Kids will like this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone."
School Library Journal: "Characters are sketched briefly but with telling, witty detail,and the very scents and sounds of the land and people's occupations fill each page as Alyce comes of age and heart."
Connections:
Have students hold a mock trial of Alyce with this lesson plan:
http://eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Language_Arts/Literature/Childrens_Literature/CHL0219.html
Another book by the same author:
Cushman, Karen. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN0064405842
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Review of Hattie Big Sky
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Larson, Kirby. 2006. HATTIE BIG SKY. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 9780385735957
PLOT SUMMARY
Hattie Brooks inherits her uncle's Montana claim in 1917. As a sixteen-year-old orphan, the chance to have a place of her own proved to be the driving force behind her determination to prove the claim. Moving from Iowa to Montana, Hattie encounters plenty of obstacles during her first year in this World War I novel.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Written in first person, Hattie Inez Brooks has called herself "Hattie Here And There" since her parents died. Passed around from one relative to the next, she jumps at the chance to move to Montana and finish proving her uncle's claim. For the first time, she feels like she will have a place to call her very own. She exchanges letters quite often with a very close friend, Charlie, who is in Europe fighting during World War I. After her arrival in Montana she makes some very close friends, and also learns that the war in Europe is having a profound effect on the people of Montana as well, producing strong anti-German sentiment. She learns to battle the elements, run a fence line, work with animals, plant crops and how to deal with prejudice and loss.
Inspired by the author's Great-grandmother by the same name, the reader is given a look at what life was like for many late 19th century and early 20th century pioneers. The feelings of anti-German sentiment in the novel was accurate to the time period, and mirrors current anti-Muslim sentiment that has been stirred during war. It will challenge readers to see current issues and reminds of the destructiveness of hate. Well researched, the book is difficult to put down. Hattie is a character that is easy to like and you want the best for her. Includes recipes, author's note, bibliography for further reading.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
2007 Newbery Honor book
2006 Montana Book Award
Kirkus: "Based on a bit of Larson's family history, this is not so much a happily-ever-after story as a next-year-will-be-better tale, with Hattie's new-found definition of home. This fine offering may well inspire readers to find out more about their own family histories."
KLIATT: "Hattie's strength and intelligence, her courage and loyal friendship make her a real hero."
CONNECTIONS
Another book about WWI:
Lowery, Lois. LIKE THE WILLOW TREE. ISBN 0545265568
Lesson plan unit http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/advancedacademics/gifted/gifted_downloads/learn_contract/Hattie_Big_Sky.pdf
Larson, Kirby. 2006. HATTIE BIG SKY. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 9780385735957
PLOT SUMMARY
Hattie Brooks inherits her uncle's Montana claim in 1917. As a sixteen-year-old orphan, the chance to have a place of her own proved to be the driving force behind her determination to prove the claim. Moving from Iowa to Montana, Hattie encounters plenty of obstacles during her first year in this World War I novel.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Written in first person, Hattie Inez Brooks has called herself "Hattie Here And There" since her parents died. Passed around from one relative to the next, she jumps at the chance to move to Montana and finish proving her uncle's claim. For the first time, she feels like she will have a place to call her very own. She exchanges letters quite often with a very close friend, Charlie, who is in Europe fighting during World War I. After her arrival in Montana she makes some very close friends, and also learns that the war in Europe is having a profound effect on the people of Montana as well, producing strong anti-German sentiment. She learns to battle the elements, run a fence line, work with animals, plant crops and how to deal with prejudice and loss.
Inspired by the author's Great-grandmother by the same name, the reader is given a look at what life was like for many late 19th century and early 20th century pioneers. The feelings of anti-German sentiment in the novel was accurate to the time period, and mirrors current anti-Muslim sentiment that has been stirred during war. It will challenge readers to see current issues and reminds of the destructiveness of hate. Well researched, the book is difficult to put down. Hattie is a character that is easy to like and you want the best for her. Includes recipes, author's note, bibliography for further reading.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
2007 Newbery Honor book
2006 Montana Book Award
Kirkus: "Based on a bit of Larson's family history, this is not so much a happily-ever-after story as a next-year-will-be-better tale, with Hattie's new-found definition of home. This fine offering may well inspire readers to find out more about their own family histories."
KLIATT: "Hattie's strength and intelligence, her courage and loyal friendship make her a real hero."
CONNECTIONS
Another book about WWI:
Lowery, Lois. LIKE THE WILLOW TREE. ISBN 0545265568
Lesson plan unit http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/advancedacademics/gifted/gifted_downloads/learn_contract/Hattie_Big_Sky.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)