THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Giaman, Neil. 2008. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780060530938



PLOT SUMMARY

On a dark night, “the man Jack”, enters a house and kills a family only to discover that the baby is gone. The sole survivor of the attack--an 18-month-old boy--escapes his crib and his house, and toddles to a nearby graveyard. There he is taken in, named, and cared for by a ghostly community. The boy Nobody, or ‘Bod’ as he is known, is given the freedom of the graveyard and taught important ghosting skills such as how to fade, haunt and visit people’s dreams. He has adventures with a friend who appears and also gets captured by ghouls.Whenever the boy strays from his usual play among the headstones, he finds new dangers, learns his limitations and strengths, and acquires the skills he needs to survive within the confines of the graveyard and in wider world beyond.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman has created a charming allegory of childhood. Although the book opens with a scary scene--a family is stabbed to death --the story quickly moves into more child-friendly storytelling. It is a fun, fast-paced action-adventure story with a terrifying villain and a gentle, serious young hero. The plot follows Bod's progress, as he changes from baby to teen, learning life’s lessons from the graveyard inhabitants. His quest to find out who he truly is brings readers along on a well-paced journey that is both exciting and dangerous.

The fantastic elements of the plot are so convincing because Gaiman describes his characters the way Bod sees them: as normal, everyday people who happen to be ghosts, ghouls, werewolves and vampires. Even though he has grown up among aged ghosts and crumbling graves, Bod is a very believable character who portrays many of the same traits as children everywhere. The reader develops an attachment to Bod and wants to see him succeed.

Gaiman is an excellent storyteller, carefully balancing the intrigue of a triple murder with the fresh innocence of a child like any other, learning about the world with wide eyes and a million questions. He has found the perfect voice for this sinister story, intelligently handling the complex issues without losing sight of his inventive narrative. True to his writing style, he customizes the details of the setting, making them an integral part of the story and uses vivid description that allows the readers to fully immerse themselves in the fantasy world that he creates.
The timeless themes of good and evil and growing up are present throughout the book; and, while they are not presented in the traditional manner, they are still quite relevant and applicable to readers of all ages and interests.


AWARDS

ALA Notable Children's Books - Middle Readers Category: 2009
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Older Readers Category: 2008
Carnegie Medal
Hugo Awards: Best Novel
Indies' Choice Book Awards: Young Adult Fiction
Kentucky Bluegrass Award: Grades 6-8
Locus Young Adult Book Award
Newbery Medal
Oprah's Kids' Reading Lists - New Releases: 10-to-12 Years
USBBY Outstanding International Books - Grades 6-8: 2009
Wisconsin Library Association Children's Book Awards: Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 2009

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist Reviews *Starred Review*: “ This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel's ultimate message is strong and life affirming. “

School Library Journal: “Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.”

Kirkus Reviews: “Wistful, witty, wise….”


CONNECTIONS

Gaiman cites his inspiration for The Graveyard Book from Kipling’s The Jungle Book. Read it with students and discuss some obvious parallels between Bod’s story and The Jungle Book.

*Introduce to students to other read-alike books, starting with A Series from Unfortunate Events.
Snicket, Lemony. The bad beginning. ISBN: 9780807261781

* Read more spooky stories:
Almond, David. Skellig. ISBN: 9780385326537
Schwartz, Alvin. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark : Collected from Folklore ISBN: 9780060835194

RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE by Shannon Hale

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hale, Shannon, and Dean Hale. Illus. Nathan Hale. 2008. Rapunzel’s Revenge. Bloomsbury: London. ISBN : 9780747587439.


PLOT SUMMARY

Rapunzel doesn’t know there is something wrong with her life, until her curiousity grows and she manages to finally scale the high wall that surrounds her opulent home. When she finds that the world outside is a dark place oppressed by her 'mother'’s greed for power and uncovers the real secret of her own birth, she is locked away in a tall magic tree tower. As Rapunzel herself says in the narration, “This is where the ‘once upon a time’ part ends.” In her years of captivity, she learns a lot about self-reliance and the numerous uses of her very long hair. With the will to escape, she eventually frees herself and vows to bring down her mother’s cruel empire while making friends and enemies all the way.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this new take of the old classic fairytale Shannon and Deal Hale bring Rapunzel to the Wild West in a graphic novel that depicts a strong, powerful heroine with a bit of a temper but brave and loyal heart, and who doesn’t wait for the prince to escape her. She refuses to use her 'feminine wiles' to distract enemies, but rather uses her brains and physical strength to do so. The non-stop action adventure interweaves another fairytale character – Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk. His fast-talking humor makes him very likable. This book will appeal to both boys and girls with the female protagonist and the equally spunky male sidekick.

The setting of Rapunzel’s Revenge around the wild and western landscape itself is so original that it is not difficult for us to forget we might have met these characters before. Mixing fantastical elements with the Wild West environment gives the book a bit of a more modern feel, accentuated with Rapunzel’s denim and boots outfit, the lively dialog and the contemporary language throughout the pages. The plot is logical, fast-paced and creative and keeps the reader’s attention with witty banter and jokes galore. The themes of friendship and good versus evil reflects universal truths that transcendent time and place.

Readers who are not familiar with graphic novels, will easily read this one and instantly like it. Each panel is intricately drawn out so that the story jumps off the page.The text is spaced out and easy to follow. The different boxes for narrative and dialogue are efortlessly identifiable. The book is rich with enough detail and subtext to keep even the most advance readers busy, while the interplay of text and images can help reluctant readers on the other end of the spectrum. Illustrator Nathan Hale does a great job reflecting the dialogue and action with his illustrations. This full-color graphic novel is definitely appealing to the eyes and all-over a delightful read.


AWARDS
ALA Notable Children's Books - Middle Readers Category: 2009
Amelia Bloomer Lists - Middle Graders Fiction: 2010
Surrey Schools' Book of the Year Award (British Columbia)
YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens: 2009
YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults: Twists on the Tale (2010)



REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist : “Hale's art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.”
Kirkus Reviews: “ A beloved fairy tale gets a glossy graphic-novel makeover, reworked in a fanciful Old West setting.”
School Library Journal: “This is the tale as you've never seen it before..… The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after."

CONNECTIONS
* Fractured tales provide engaging and humorous retellings of traditional tales.They are a perfect vehicle for launching compare-contrast studies of characters, setting, and plot. The Rapunzel stories make excellent lesson choices for limited English or non-proficient students.

* Students can compare and contrast this graphic novel to the original Rapunzel and find clues or allusions to the Jack and the Bean Stalk stories by The Brothers Grimm. They can learn about literary devices such as identifying and exploring themes, making inferences, and analyzing the graphic representations in the graphic novel.
* For a creative writing exercise, students could reinvent another fairy tale or legend, create a dialogue and perform it or illustrate it.

GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray

BIBLIOGRAPHY Bray, Libba. 2009. Going Bovine. Unabridged ed. New York, NY: Random House/Listening Library. ISBN 9780739385593


PLOT SUMMARY

Sixteen-year-old Cameron doesn't care much about anything, has few friends, and, isn’t very likable. But when he finds himself in a hospital, terminally ill, he plans to escape to seek a cure--and then the journey begins. As his doctors search desperately for a cure, Cameron spends his time trying to save the world (and himself) by trying desperately to locate a mysterious Dr. X. Mad cow disease, string theory, a punk angel, an enchanted garden gnome who claims to be a Norse god, and a Mexican-American hypochondriac dwarf, combined with Bray's storytelling genius produce one of the funniest and most surprisingly touching books.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Told in Cameron’s perspective, this witty, sprawling story is narrated in authentic voice by smart, cynical teenage boy, outsider at school who ponders life's bigger issues, shrewdly observe American culture, and think a lot about girls. He sets off on a complicated quest to find out what matters most. Incredibly apathetic at the beginning, Cameron’s character changes later and his internal journey and emotional growth provoke rooting for him.
Going Bovine brings complex, sophisticated themes that question contemporary values, especially musings on the meaning of life. The events in the books are basically realistic but include somewhat bizarre, fantastical elements. Full of surprising plot twists reveal as the teenage protagonist searches for meaning and hope for romance while facing some tough personal problems.

Contemporary setting takes us on this winding, almost dizzying trip through the country that resembles reality and yet is nothing like it. Based loosely on Don Quixote and both comedic and tragic, this is another novel that leaves the reader thinking about what really happened: how much of Cameron’s trip is simply a delusion caused by his disease and how much really happened.This road-trip story, crafted by Libba Bray is creative, funny, and poignant at the same time. Her writing style is a combination of depth and accessibility and features witty dialogue, wacky situations, and terrific characters. It demands a creative narration and makes it a good choice for listening as an audiobook.

The audiobook is a pleasurable experience in a whole different way. It is presented by the professional actor Erik Davies. His style of reading -- the way he sounds, the rhythm, the flow, the tone, and how he interprets the characters — matches the mood and resonance of the book. Davis gives Cameron a steady, almost-nonchalant voice as his journeys take him to unusual places. He relishes masterly the characters Cameron meets. Hearing how the actor envisions the book characters is very interesting: all of them receive unique voices and accents. His best is the talking gnome Balder, who is really hilarious. The amusing and creative manner of presenting the book makes this production a standout.

Going Bovine hurtles through time and space with self-effacing humor, consistent and distinct language for each character and clear point of view that presents real people and real problems.


AWARDS
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Older Readers Category: 2009
Michael L. Printz Award 2010
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 2010


REVIEW EXCERPT
Booklist *Starred Review*: “ In a giant departure from her Gemma Doyle historical fiction trilogy, Bray's latest offering is an unforgettable, nearly indefinable fantasy adventure, as immense and sprawling as Cervantes' Don Quixote, on which it's based.”

Library Journal: “Bray has not written a teen problem novel about mad cow disease. She swims in deeper water, defending the importance of friendship, family, and life purpose in the face of mediocrity”.

Publishers Weekly: “Bray's surreal humor may surprise fans of her historical fantasies about Gemma Doyle, as she trains her satirical eye on modern education, American materialism and religious cults (the smoothie-drinking members of the Church of Everlasting Satisfaction and Snack 'N' Bowl).”


CONNECTIONS
• Introduce to students the classic Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, which is referenced throughout the book. Compare similarities and differences.

• Offer to read other books with protagonist high school “losers”:
Portman, Frank. King Dork. ISBN 0385732910

• Read more funny road-trip novels:
Behrens, Andy. All the way . ISBN 0525477616

THE GAME OF SILENCE by Louise Erdrich

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Erdrich, Louise. 2005. THE GAME OF SILENCE. Unabridged ed. New York, NY: Harper Children’s Audio. ISBN 0060758392.

PLOT SUMMARY
Omakayas, or Little Frog, is a nine-year-old Ojibwe girl living on the shores of Lake Superior in 1850. Her family is camped in their summer birchbark house when a raggedy, starving group of Ojibwe approach the island in waterlogged canoes, bearing the news that their entire tribe is soon to be removed into the lands held by their feared Lakota and Dakota enemies. As the strongest men of Omakayas' clan set forth to find out their fate, the family waits though summer and fall to learn the nature of their future.
The book is a sequel to The Birchbark House and describes another year in the life of Omakayas.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
With The Game of Silence Louis Erdrich brings a taste of Native American fiction at its best. The dramatic and impressive story presents the responsibilities and challenges that the Ojibwe tribes faced to survive, and the consequences for them when the chimookomanag, or the white people came to their lands, changing their life. Their everyday ordinary tasks are described in loving detail, enabling readers to gain a fuller picture of a time, a place, and a way of life. All facts about the Ojibwe people are accurate and well researched by the author, making the historical aspect of this novel appeal to the audience.

The writer’s interesting, creative, yet believable, fictional plot line makes the reading a page turner that really draws in the readers and connects them to the characters. The story is told from Omakayas’s viewpoint, in a vigorous narrative that is complemented by the use of dialect and specific Ojibwe terms. Eldrich’s rich, evocative prose and vibrant imagination creates characters that are very likable and easy to relate to. A major theme is the unveiling of Omakaya's gifts and the acceptance of her maturing identity, which creates timeless parallels to the agitations of the modern day children.

The Game of Silence is a good choice to listen to as an audio book. Anna Field’s excellent performance brought the voice and personality of Omakayas and the other characters to life. She clearly voiced all of the dialogue in a convincing Native American manner of speaking, using different intonations for the different characters both male and female. Her performance, along with Erdrich's well-written narration and dialogue, transports the listener/reader straight into the everyday life of Ojibwe tribe in mid-1800’s. The descriptions, vocabulary, and all traditional words interspersed among the text, perfectly set the tone for this story. Listening to the audio while reading along in the book would be a perfect literature experience.

Readers who enjoy Erdrich’s character-driven style will not be disappointed from this lyrical,relaxed paced and yet moving and stylistically complex novel.

AWARDS
ALA Notable Children's Books - Middle Readers Category: 2006
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Middle Readers Category: 2005
New York Times Notable Books - Children's Books: 2005
Parents' Choice Awards - Fiction: 2005
Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award

REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Librarly Journal: “Omakayas's tale, begun in The Birchbark House, continues in this book. Older and more insightful, Omakayas begins to understand the elements of life more fully as she accepts her gift of telling dreams. Changes are coming to the Ojibwa people and she struggles to deal with all that she is experiencing and her dreams foretell.”

Publishers Weekly: "… this meticulously researched novel offers an even balance of joyful and sorrowful moments while conveying a perspective of America's past that is rarely found in history books."

Kirkus Reviews: ”Omakayas's relationships with her prickly brother Pinch, the white child she calls Break-Apart Girl and Two Strike, who scorns women's work, allow for emotional resonance. She learns not only from the hands of her grandmother, mother and Old Tallow, but by her own sharp observation and practice. Eager readers beguiled by her sturdy and engaging person will scarcely notice that they have absorbed great draughts of Ojibwe culture, habits and language. It's hard not to weep when white settlers drive the Ojibwe west, and hard not to hope for what comes next for this radiant nine-year-old.”

CONNECTIONS
*Follow the story of Omakayas:
THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE (book #1). ISBN 0060297875
THE PORCUINE YEAR (book#3). ISBN 0060297875

*Expose children to other selected books about Native American people:
Hamm, Diane Johnston. Daughter of Suqua . ISBN: 9780807514771
O'Dell, Scott . Island of the Blue Dolphins. ISBN: 9780395536803
Bruchac, Joseph. The journal of Jesse Smoke : a Cherokee boy. ISBN: 9780439121972
Bunting, Eve. Cheyenne again. ISBN: 9780395703649
Bruchac, Joseph. Children of the longhouse . ISBN: 9780140385045

HATTIE BIG SKY by Kirby Larson

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Larson, Kirby. 2006. Hattie Big Sky. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385733137

PLOT SUMMARY
Hatie Brooks is a sixteen-year-old orphan. Her parents died when she was very young, and since then she has been shuffled around from one relative to another. She has never felt honestly wanted; she has never had a real home. When an uncle she has never met leaves her a homestead in Montana, Hattie decides that his claim is her chance for a home of her own. In order to prove the claim, she must learn a new set of skills to survive. Hattie has to deal with a frigid winter, a threat of no crops, and her own inexperience and loneliness. At the end, when a disaster strikes, Hattie will unveil the true meaning of home and the full scope of friendship; she will dicover that the possibilities are always around her.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Inspired by the author's great-grandmother, who did homestead by herself in eastern Montana, this absorbing story introduces us to the questing, indomitable Hattie, one of the strongest pioneer girl characters. Through these pages, we witness her evolution from the child who calls herself "Hattie Here-and-There" to the young woman who says “there were bigger things in life than proving up on a claim. I was proving up on my life”. She grows to a person who does what needs to be done, and learns the true life values. Hattie’s struggle for survival is shown in vivid details and readers could relate to her grit, determination and humor.

The historical aspects of the plot are very believable, without being overwhelming. Set in 1917 during World War I, the novel not only portrays the challenges of pioneer life as experienced by a young woman, but also accurately represents the background of the war, and associated with it privations and pressures. Even in the wilderness of Montana, the war against the Germans causes a wave of anti-German sentiment and adds tension. The book deals openly and frankly with the universal themes of loyalty, prejudice, patriotism and human morals. The authentic first-person narrative, full of hope and anxiety, as well as Hattie’s letters and newspaper articles, convey additional themes about struggle and survival and finding your place in the world, so relevant in today’s world.

Larson’s capturing writing style will keep the reader interested until the very last page. Full of both triumph and heartache and beautifully written, the story combines sufficient action, historical accuracy and compelling description to attract even reluctant readers. Hattie Big Sky is a fantastic story about courage and friendship.

AWARDS
ALA Notable Children's Books - Older Readers Category: 2007
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Older Readers Category: 2006
Montana Book Award
School Library Journal Best Books: 2006
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 2007


REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal: “Larson creates a masterful picture of the homesteading experience and the people who persevered.”

Booklist: “Writing in figurative language that draws on nature and domestic detail to infuse her story with the sounds, smells, and sights of the prairie, she creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters.

Horn Book : “Set in Montana during World War I, Larson's novel tells a gripping story of frontier life through the eyes of an unlikely homesteader--a sixteen-year-old orphan girl. Pressures to be a "loyal" American complicate her situation after she befriends a German couple. Evocative yet straightforward language ably depicts Hattie's joys and struggles.”

CONNECTIONS
* Introduce other historical fiction novels, discussing teens who discover their self-reliance:

Van Leeuwen, Jean. Cabin on Trouble Creek . ISBN: 9780803725485

MacColl, Michaela.Prisoners in the Palace : How Victoria Became Queen With the Help of her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel. ISBN: 9780811873000

Finn, Mary.Anila's Journey. ISBN: 9780763639167

THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE by Karen Cushman

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. New York, NY: Harper Trophy. ISBN 9780064406307.

PLOT SUMMARY:
Brat is “unwashed, unnourished, unloved and unlovely” young girl with no home, no family; nothing. She doesn’t know other name than Brat; she doesn’t know her actual age. She has no past and no future until she meets the village’s midwife and becomes her apprentice. While her hunger drives her to work for the sometimes cruel midwife, the girl-who renames herself Alyce- begins to discover more about herself and her own abilities, and gains the courage to want something from life: "A full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world.”


CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Karen Cushman has created a lively, gritty story with an unforgettable female heroine in this compact, dense novel.
Setting the story in pre-1500's England, Cushman has done her research to give an authentic picture of life in a medieval village. The book gives a realistic portrayal of the culture of the country, as seen through the eyes of the protagonist. Accurate, historical details are vividly described without calling too much attention. Cushman’s medieval village is dirty, smelly, and completely realistic, as opposite of the romanticized images of castles and princesses. The dialogue used captures very well the speech patterns used during medieval times.Even more impressive is the fact that her protagonist (in spite of the book’s shortness) is fully-fleshed and believable: Alyce is a plucky, gawky, and endearing heroine, and her story is utterly compelling. We see her transformation from a girl who runs from failure, to a self acknowledged person who learns that she is worthy of other people's respect, care and love.

Children today will recognize and empathize with Alyce's predicaments: feeling unwanted, being different, moving into unfamiliar territory. While they won’t face trials as extreme as the girl’s in the novel, they still must develop self-confidence and determine what their own dreams are. The main theme of the book is Alyce's survival and maturity. Cushman doesn't sugarcoat her struggles: life was hard for such children during those times. Alyce, while imperfect, is shown as a character that grows and begins to build her own identity. The story definitely reflects the morals and attitudes existing at the time. Younger children may be challenged to read this historical fiction novel, but those who enjoy fast-paced, witty, atmospheric, and descriptive stories may enjoy the book.

Cushman successfully manages to bridge the gap between illusion and reality, combining specificity of historical detail with adventure and mystery - a hearty concoction of literary appeal for any young reader.


AWARDS:
ALA Notable Children's Books: 1996
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Older Readers Category: 1995
Newbery Medal
Parents' Choice Awards - Story Books: 1995
School Library Journal Best Books: 1995
YALSA 100 Best Books (1950-2000)
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 1996
Young Reader's Choice Award (Pacific Northwest): Senior

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Kirkus Reviews: “How Brat comes to terms with her failure and returns to Jane's home as a true apprentice is a gripping story about a time, place, and society that 20th-century readers can hardly fathom. Fortunately, Cushman does the fathoming for them, rendering in Brat a character as fully fleshed and real.... in language that is simple, poetic, and funny”.
Publishers Weekly: “The force of the ambience produces more than enough momentum to propel the reader from start to finish in a single happy sitting. “
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. Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal remedies attached to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature.”


CONNECTIONS:
*Introduce children to other books featuring ordinary medieval people with strong personalities:
Alder, Elizabeth. The king's shadow. ISBN: 9780440220114
Avi. Crispin: the cross of lead. ISBN:9780786808281
DeAngeli, Marguerite. The Door in the Wall. ISBN: 038507283X
Cadnum, Michael. The Book of the Lion. ISBN: 9780142300343

* Create a discussions of the middle ages and young girls in medieval England using other books by Karen Cushman…
CATHRINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 0395681863.
MATILDA BONE. ISBN 0440418224.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE? HOW ALICE ROOSEVELT BROKE THE RULES, CHARMED THE WORLD, AND DROVE HER FATHER TEDDY CRAZY! by Barbara Kerley

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kerley, Barbara.What To Do About Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! . Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York, Scholastic. ISBN 0545123259

PLOT SUMMARY
“Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem….Her name was Alice.” So begins a simplified yet personal picture book biography of Alice Lee Roosevelt – Teddy Roosevelt’s oldest daughter. This book presents a spirited young woman, determined not to conform to the expectations of the society. While she loved reading the books in her father’s library, she also loved to run through the parks in Washington pretending to be a horse. She roamed over the capital city at all hours of the day and night. She welcomed visitors to the White House draped by her pet snake, Emily Spinach, “named for its color and its resemblance to a very thin aunt.” She played cards, bet on the horses, and danced the hula on a visit to Hawaii. After Alice married, she participated in political advising and continued to eat “up the world” in her own way.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

What to do About Alice? portrays true events in the First Daughter's life. Kerley describes Alice’s impetuous childhood, the frustrations her father felt trying to get her to behave, and how she scandalized many in the society at the time who felt she was too forward, doing things no young lady should be doing. While primarily focusing on her childhood and teen years, an Author's Note at the end describes elements of her mature years and her lifelong interest in politics.

This biography is presented with a simple plot, creating an easy to read story. Barbara Kerley trimmes her book with excellent word choices and perfectly selected dialogue. Quotation marks used throughout the book imply that the writer researched well the facts and bring a sense of authenticity. The text is informative, yet fast-paced and keeps the tone light and playful.

The eye-catching design of the book compliments the content.Beautiful classic looking pictures are as colorful as Alice herself and add gaily to the engaging spirit of the text. The illustrator, Edwin Fotheringham, in his debut picture book, creates artwork that conveys the energy and spunk of Theodore Roosevelt’s first daughter. His dynamic, animated style and his whimsical illustrations with lots of Alice blues and vibrant reds popping on every page resemble Alice’s personality.

Kerley’s accessible, expressive style engages young readers while exposing them to some of the lesser known aspects of history. With both humorous and touching moments, What to do About Alice? is a great choice for read alouds.


REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist, starred review: "Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was.... Kerley's text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line.... The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art."
School Library Review, starred review: "Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship's swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father's trusted advisers.... Fascinating."
Publishers Weekly, starred review: “It's hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt."


AWARDS
Sibert Honor Book
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
Irma Black Award Honor Book
Parents Choice Award
Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award
California Collections
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
ALA Notable Book
Capitol Choices
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Nominated for Young Reader awards in Texas, Illinois, Utah and Tennessee

CONNECTIONS
- The author’s website offers a wonderful teacher’s guide for the book. Creative suggestions range from asking children to imagine what living in the White House would be like, to having them chart Alice’s Asian journey on a map while learning about the various points of interest.
http://www.barbarakerley.com/TRAlice.html
- Use the book as an introduction to history lessons about presidents. Pair with titles about Teddy Roosevelt such as:
Brown, Don.Teedie: The story of young Teddy Roosevelt. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN: 9780618179992.
Keating, Frank.Theodore. Ill. by Mike Wimmer. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN: 9780689865329.
St. George, Judith.You’re on your way, Teddy Roosevelt. Ill. by Matt Faulkner. Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780399238888.

BODIES FROM THE ICE: MELTING GLACIERS AND THE RECOVERY OF THE PAST by James Deem

Bibliography
Deem, James M. 2008. Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN-13: 978-0-618-80045-2


Plot Summary

In 1991 a couple climbing the Alps came across what they thought was trash left behind by other hikers. Upon further investigation, scientists revealed that it was the body of a man who lived 5300 years ago.
The Andes, 1995. In the lands of the ancient Incan settlements, an anthropologist found children religious sacrifices preserved in caves.
These stories are followed by others: in 1999 a special expedition in the Himalayas discovered the frozen body of George Mallory, who disappeared while climbing Mount Everest in 1924; the body of a Native American was uncovered in a glacier in British Columbia.

This truly fascinating book describes unique archeological discoveries. As glaciers melt throughout the world, more frozen bodies are appearing, adding to our knowledge of culture and history. James M. Deem takes us on a breathtaking adventure to learn some gripping secrets of our past and reminds us to appreciate,respect and conserve our natural resources.

Critical Analysis

The importance of science is underlined in this attractive book that explores glaciers, melting ice and mysteries from the human history. Bodies from the Ice offers a combination of topics in several disciplines: anthropology, archaeology, geography, glaciology, history and environmental studies. Due to the global warming, the mountain’s ice caps all around the world are melting, and unexpected objects are coming to the surface. Discoveries of mummies, body fragments and artifacts are described, as are the scientific methods of investigating them. Deem's carefully researched photo-essay examines the information on these remarkable finds and pieces it with other known facts to present a factual book that is everything else but boring.

Bodies from the Ice emphasizes the science over the melting glaciers but also gives details as to how the bodies were uncovered and what scientists and archaeologists have learned about people and cultures of the past. Lots of maps, sidebars that break up the pages with factual tidbits, an extensive bibliography and illustration credits, and an index are included as well. There is even a section on how young people can help to slow down the process of global warming and suggested glaciers to visit.

In addition to the informational text, starkly dramatic graphics are given dignity by the spacious and understated page design. Their variety impresses – from full-color or black and white archival photos, through lithographs and paintings, or just old newspapers facsimiles - they are all identified and captioned and illuminate the fascinating descriptions.

Deem’s engaging style and accessible writing creates a book that will capture young readers' attentions and will present them with useful resources at the same time. Bodies from the Ice is a very intriguing nonfiction read, and will be appealing even to those who just want an entertaining book to read.


Review Excerpts
School Library Journal: “Deem's lucid account explores mummified remains recovered from several glacial locations and time periods…. With its extensive bibliography, suggested Web sites, and a listing of glaciers to visit, Bodies is a fantastic resource. Deem superbly weaves diverse geographical settings, time periods, and climate issues into a readable work that reveals the increasing interdisciplinary dimensions of the science”

Kirkus Reviews: “With global warming, the glaciers that crown our highest mountains have retreated, revealing humans who died there long ago. This respectful photo-essay opens with the story of Ötzi, found in the Alps in 1991 more than 5,000 years after his death. Deem goes on to explain how glaciers work to preserve and destroy human remains and to provide some historical background.”

Library Media Connection: “This highly intriguing work takes readers on a fascinating venture into some of the most remote regions of the world, to glaciers that are revealing their hidden treasures as they melt at ever increasing speeds. Individual chapters discuss different glacier types with discussion of how they can preserve and destroy human remains, and they feature simple maps so readers can get their bearings. The author discusses what archaeologists learn about history and culture through study of the preserved bodies".


Awards
2009 Robert F. Sibert Informational Award Honor Book
Finalist for the 2010 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science BooksKirkus Reviews' Best Children's Books of 2008
Notable Book for Children 2009
2009 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12
2008 New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and SharingCapitol Choices Noteworthy Book 2009 (10-14)
Nominated for:
Young Hoosier Book Award, Middle Grades, 2010-2011
South Dakota Library Association Prairie Pasque Awards for Grades 3-5, 2010-2011 Garden State Teen Book Award for Nonfiction Grades 6-12, 2011


Connections
- Explore additional books about “bodies from ice”:
Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw. Secrets of the ice man. ISBN 0761407820
Fowler, Brenda. Iceman : uncovering the life and times of a prehistoric man found in an alpine glacier. ISBN 0226258238


- Other books by James M. Deem:
Deem, James M. Bodies from the Ash: Life and Death in Ancient Pompei. ISBN-10: 0618473084;ISBN-13: 978-0618473083
Deem, James M. Bodies from the Bog. ISBN-10: 0618354026;ISBN-13: 978-0618354023
Deem, James M. How to Hunt Buried Treasure. ISBN-10: 0380721767;ISBN-13: 978-0380721764

ALMOST GONE: THE WORLD'S RAREST ANIMALS by Steve Jenkins

Bibliography
Jenkins, Steve. 2006. Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060535988.

Plot Summary

Ever seen a Bactrian camel? What about Abington Island tortoise? A coelacanth? These are but a few of the rarest yet surviving animals you’ll find in Almost Gone.In this visually appealing nonfiction picture book, profiles of 28 different endangered animal species from around the world, drawn from almost every type of habitat, including mammals, insects, reptiles, birds and amphibians, are described and grouped in categories. Each animal entry is a paragraph long, giving basic facts and background on the animal, how human activity has contributed to their numbers, how many remain, and ways in which conservationists attempt to protect them.
A world map at the back of the book identifies the geographical locations where each animal was found and provides additional facts about them.


Critical Analysis

Almost Gone is part of the popular Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. These books are hard to miss, and for good reason. They are widely regarded as excellent choices for curious readers seeking information about science. An important note in the beginning of the book states that the text and illustrations are checked for accuracy by an expert in the relevant field. Almost Gone features an excellent introduction that clearly explains what effect the loss of even one small creature can have on the Earth’s ecosystem.

The book is cleverly organized and simplified into three categories: "almost gone," "gone forever," and "coming back." Starting with the Amur Leopard from the book cover, the informative text and corresponding illustrations take us through observing diverse array of declining and threatened animals. Although some of the species in this book are unheard of by most children, Jenkins keeps the reader interested with his simple, yet detailed descriptions. This book looks at the many animals that have become endangered through hunting, poaching, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change and provokes poignant thoughts about our environmental responsibilities. However, the author chooses to finish the book with positive examples, listing three animals whose numbers are stepping back from the brink of extinction.

Jenkins designs the book with his intended audience in mind. The brief text is attractive and invites the reader to turn the pages, but it’s the illustrations that are truly impressing. True to his own style, he uses colorful and various textured handmade papers to create each animal. The cut-paper artwork on completely white background makes each rare animal stand out majestic and beautiful. All collage images are scrupulously detailed. The papers’ color and optical appearance as well as the physical texture are carefully selected to create almost realistic look.

Almost Gone is an engaging choice that will provide readers with a thoughtful overview to the subject of endangered species. Using his signature approach, Jenkins presents another esthetic and stylish informational book for children.


Review Excerpts

Booklist:“Caldecott Honor Book illustrator Jenkins applies his considerable talents to the cause of conservation in this book in the long-running Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Using his signature cut-and torn-paper collages, he shows 21 endangered species, accompanying each image with a few sentences about the animal's habitat, a particular characteristic, and, sometimes, the reason for its endangered status.”
School Library Journal:“This engaging title is informative as well as visually stunning. Jenkins captures the essence of his subjects with appropriately colored, cut-paper collage illustrations on stark white backgrounds.”
Horn Book:“Jenkins first discusses the interdependence of living things, then portrays twenty-eight endangered and extinct animals. Each profile includes a striking cut-paper rendering of an animal along with a paragraph about the animal's habits and habitat and why its population has dwindled.”



Connections

-Present other nonfiction books about endangered animals such as:
Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans. ISBN 9780802795632.
Will We Miss Them? Endangered Species by Alexandra Wright. ISBN 9780881064889.
Endangered Animals by Rhonda Lucas Donald. ISBN 9780516259994.


-Offer other books by Steve Jenkins such as:
What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? Illustrated by Robin Page. ISBN 9780618256280.
Actual Size. ISBN 9780618375943.
Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. ISBN 9780395861363.

DIAMOND WILLOW By Helen Frost

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York, NY: Farrar, Strauss and Girouox. ISBN 978-0-374-31776-8.

PLOT SUMMARY

Twelve year old Willow lives with her family in a small town in the middle of Alaska. Cold, snow, and wild animals are their everyday companions. Often, the only way to get around is by dog sled. Willow’s great passions are dogs and dogsledding. When not in school, she helps her father with his dog sled team.
The girl wants to prove to her parents that she is growing up so she urges them to let her drive the sled dogs. Willow’s first solo journey to her grandparents ends up having serious consequences: she has an accident and the lead dog Roxy is blinded. However, as both she and Roxy heal, Willow discovers magical family secrets; she learns about herself, courage, and the real meaning of friendship.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Diamond Willow is a wonderfully serious book for pre-teens who love character-driven novels with just a bit of mystical intervention and wilderness adventure. The novel begins with an author's note stating that the majority of the story is written in diamond-shaped poems with hidden messages printed in darker ink inside each one. She explains how the willow tree creates beautiful diamond shapes out of the places where a branch had been injured and fell away.Frost uses the image of the diamond willow to tell the story of her young heroine. Willow is a girl who struggles with all the normal contemporary problems of a pre-teen girl: self esteem, popularity, awkwardness, feeling out of place, independence, community, responsibility. When the secrets are stripped away and she is sanded by the trials she faces, she becomes a beautiful diamond despite the scar of her loss.

This captivating story is filled with fantastic language and descriptions. Helen Frost loads the metaphor of the diamond willow with many layers of meaning. The result is an implied comparison that suggests a likeness through the creation of images. She perfects the use of verse novel format to enhance the powerful, heart-warming story. There is no rhyming scheme; no particular rhythm catches the ear, just a really great description, presented in a creative way.The story is told in different voices. When Willow is speaking, the text is written in concrete free verse. Other sections are narrated by the various animals who witness the events, and who are actually the spirits of Willow's Athabascan reincarnated ancestors watching over her.

Helen Frost captures the life drama and girl’s anxiety in very few words. The plot of this story is intriguing and the ideas about family, heritage, nature and self-discovery are so attractively constructed. Diamond Willow touches deeply in a way that is not overly emotional or graphic, but with beautiful simplicity.


AWARDS
Texas LoneStar Award 2009


REVIEW EXCERPTS

Voice of Youth Advocates: “Under its bark, the diamond willow is beautiful, with reddish-brown diamond shapes on a cream-colored shank. Likewise this lyrical gem of a story reveals the inner beauty of a seemingly ordinary Athabascan girl.”

Booklist: " Set in a remote part of Alaska, this story in easy-to-read verse blends exciting survival adventure with a contemporary girl's discovery of family roots and secrets"

School Library Journal: " As she unravels the truth, Willow comes to understand the diamonds and scars that bind her family together. She also gains awareness of her own strength and place in her community. Willow relates her story in one-page poems, each of which contains a hidden message printed in darker type."


CONNECTIONS

- This is a quick-read, but don't underestimate the power of a complex story. A good candidate for book discussion, poetry-related units, and multi-cultural reading. A companion read to:
Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet. ISBN 9781416936473
George, Jean Craighead . Julie of the Wolves. ISBN 9780060219437

- Introduce to children other books by Helen Frost:
Frost, Helen. “Keesha’s House.” ISBN-10: 0374400121
Frost, Helen. “The Braid.” ISBN-10: 0374309620

MIRROR, MIRROR by Marilyn Siger

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Singer, Marilyn. 2010. MIRROR MIRROR. Ill. By Josee Masse. NewYork: Dutton Children’s Book. ISBN 0525479015



PLOT SUMMARY

Marilyn Singer takes the sights and images of popular fairy tales and tells the traditional stories of various characters through their own poetic voice. This is a collection of short poems which, when flipped to read bottom to top, offer new points of view. Beginning with Cinderella, Singer brings to the reader her double life; next is the Sleeping Beauty, introduced through her own story but also through the “wide-awake” prince’s perspective. As the book progresses, the reader meets the Ugly Duckling and his doubtful self, Rumplestiltskin and the Nameless girl and many other children’s favorites.



CRITICAL ANALYSIS

All poems in this original and unique collection are created in reversible verse. The concept is simple, yet provoking: on one side of the page the poem is written down and on the other side the exact words are arranged backwards going up. In the endnotes of the book, Marilyn Singer shares that she experimented with reading poems down a page and then up the page. The outcome impressed her and led to the invention of “reverso” style. Amazingly, even though no other changes are made, except some in capitalization, punctuation and line breaks, the reverse of the poems completely alters the perspective of the story, depicting two opposing sides.

The poems do not follow consistent fixed metrical pattern. Using short lines, Marilyn Singer offers imaginative and nontraditional elements of poetic language that emphasize her capacity to achieve an emotional impact beyond literal words. Her clever selection of words is genuinely skillful and brings out visions of the character’s feelings and actions depicted in the verses.

Each poem is accompanied by illustrations, helping the readers to recognize images and characters, already familiar to them from the fairy tales. Vibrant, bold drawings by Josse Masse are felicitously complementary to the imaginative poems. They decorate the pages, hinting at content but never interfering with interpretation. It is easy to notice the vast range of intense colors and shades throughout the book. The artist plays with the contrast of colors, reinforcing the “reverso” style.

This beautiful book of poems will please not only poetry lovers, but also all fairy tales devotees.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

BookPage: “Clever and delightful—those are the best words to describe Mirror Mirror, a new collection by noted poet Marilyn Singer.”

School Library Journal: “This is a remarkably clever and versatile book that would work in any poetry or fairy-tale unit. A must-have for any library.”

Kirkus Reviews: “A collection of masterful fairy-tale–inspired reversos—a poetic form invented by the author, in which each poem is presented forward and backward.”

CONNECTIONS

- Encourage children to try creating a short reverso poem
- Introduce other Poetry Books by Marilyn Singer:
Creature Carnival. ISBN 0-786-81877-8
Eggs. ISBN 0-823-41727-1
Tough Beginnings: How Baby Animals Survive. ISBN 0-805-06164-9

Button Up! Wrinkled Ryhmes by Alice Schertle

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schertle, Alice. 2009. Button Up! Wrinkled Rhymes Ill. by Petra Mathers. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing. ISBN 9780152050504


PLOT SUMMARY

This kid-friendly book contains a collection of 15 poems, and all of them focus on the theme of clothing, in particular children’s clothing. The amusing verse is told in first person (or first piece of clothing, as it is).The quirky cast of unusual characters including shoelaces, a hiking hat, and a bicycle helmet speak out in this unique collection of engaging and humorous poems. The young readers can see immediately just how cool Bertie is by his sunglasses, or how much Harvey enjoys playing in the mud in his galoshes, or how sleepy Joshua looks in his jammies.
The poems focus not only on aspects of clothing’s view of self, but also reveal their relationship with their owners. These relationships are comparable to those some children somewhere in today’s world could experience, and would be understood by and would be of their interest.



CRITICAL ANALYSIS

There has rarely been a more charming collection of poetry than you will find in this widely admired book. The verse focuses on the lives of pieces of clothing, told from their perspective. The use of personification, a metaphor in which nonhuman things are described as if they were human or animal is a strategy that wins children’s attention. Schertle’s mastery of rhyme and meter makes it clear that she is in command of the tools of poetry. The imaginative language is simple yet rich in image and expression. Skillfully, the poetess switches up her rhyme scheme from page to page:

“Bob’s on his bike/ and I ‘m on Bob/ I’m Bob’s helmet./ I’m on the job.”

from “Bob’s bicycle helmet” , and then in “Tanya’s old T-shirt the beat goes:

“I live in a bucket shoved under the stair./ They call me a dust rag!/ I don’t think it’s fair.”

Engaging readers in the secret dissatisfactions and fears of an old T-shirt, for example, can be a risky proposition, by Alice Schertle carries it off with a perfect tone and astounding grace. Petra Mather’s art does not disappoint either. The illustrations depict the wide variety of animals wearing the clothing with personalities that are both playful and stylish. Some are full-page, some are smaller size; and all are appealing to kids. Colors are bright and airy at the same time. The cover artwork shows the most adorable ostrich you have ever seen! Children will find easily recognizable images of objects and animals that are at a glance familiar to them. Each illustration helps the reader to guess whatever piece of apparel is commented upon in the accompanying poem in a fresh and engaging perspective.

The watercolor paintings are a perfect match for the text because they are as whimsical and as charming as the poems. The cheerful visual presentation of Wanda’s Swimsuit and Harvey’s Galoshes share center stage with the content of Schertle’s clever verse, combining into a sensory extravaganza. Check out the double page illustrations of Jack’s Soccer Jersey, which invites readers to follow the text as though they were watching the soccer game.

This wonderful book of poetry is great for a read alouds. Children will be drawn to the silly and enchanting poems, complemented by the action packed illustrations.


AWARDS
Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, 2010
Best Childrens Book of the Year, 2010


REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist Starred Review: "With varied rhymes and rhythms occasionally disrupted for emphasis, Schertle's poetry is reminiscent of A. A. Milne and begs to be read aloud."

Kirkus Reviews: “There are otters and pigs, alligators and rabbits, emus and moles. And these creatures have personality, exuberance and high style that perfectly match the verses. Loads of fun.”

School Library Journal: “Playful spreads and spot art suit the small, snappy verses beautifully. This whimsical little volume will make a delightful addition to poetry collections.


CONNECTIONS

- Spark a discussion on favorite clothing or on hand-me-downs. Children could even draw their own favorites.
- Introduce other mask poetry books:
Janeczko, Paul B. Dirty laundry pile: poems in different voices. ISBN 0688162517
- Invite children to compose their own poems. Button up shows them that you can write poems about your world and anything in it.

RAPUNZEL by Paul O. Zelinsky

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zelinsky, Paul O. 1997. RAPUNZEL. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 978-0-590-38602-9.

PLOT SUMMARY

After a longing for a baby, a childless family discovers that the wife is pregnant. She craves the rapunzel from their neighbor’s garden and to ease her pregnancy, her husband sneaks into the garden to pick some of the herb. The neighbor, a sorceress, catches him stealing and demands in return for their unborn child. The sorceress takes the newborn baby girl and names her Rapunzel, raising her with care and satisfying all her needs. When Rapunzel turns twelve, the sorceress isolates her to live in a high tower in the woods with no doors and only one window at the very top.

For years Rapunzel lives alone in her tower with the sorceress her only visitor, until one day a prince riding through the woods hears Rapunzel's beautiful singing. Enchanted by her voice, he watches the strange tower to learn how to enter. After the sorceress has come and gone, the prince mimics her by calling "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" Rapunzel's golden hair cascades down to the prince, who climbs up as he has seen the sorceress do. He falls in love with Rapunzel and marries her in secret in the tower. When the sorceress discovers the result of their forbidden love, she cuts Rapunzel's hair in a fury and uses it to lure the prince to tragedy. Blind and wandering through the wilderness for a year, he is saved by the sound of Rapunzel's sweet voice. The two are reunited and are welcomed back into his kingdom, where they live happily ever after.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author takes this age old fairy tale and creates a beautifully illustrated picture book. The artwork in this version of Rapunzel is emphasized, and gives the story more meaning than the plot line itself. Exquisite, highly decorative and over-sized pictures establish, with an emanation of realism and drama, a specific sense to the era, action and personalities that make up this story. A peacock's shimmering plumes on one page, a marble wall background on another, an inlaid scissors on the next page, a convex mirror on the table, reinforcing the pregnancy theme achieve the Renaissance ideals of beauty through details. The artistic style depicts people, places and things as they are seen in the real life; this allows the reader to connect visually with illustrations that represent the world as the eyes see it.

Zelinsky perfects the oil painting, one of the artistic mediums mostly used by the Old Italian masters. This technique entails priming an absorbent surface after initial detailed sketching and then applying one or more layers of paint. The use of layers builds depth into the paintings. A closer look at the faces in the illustrations reveals “underpainting” in grays and browns under the skin of the characters. This effect exalts their expressions. The artwork is so rich, so lush; the reader could almost expect to feel the texture of oil paint.

Zelinsky’s writing is careful and gripping, and his stylized interpretation of the emotional themes in this timeless story is complex. Worthy of notice is that his sorceress is not depicted as a scary old witch, but yet as a motherly figure who wants to protect Rapunzel from the harsh reality of the real world. This idea is also provided through the tower where the sorceress locks Rapunzel in. The tower is beautifully painted with an ornate design and is described as having “many elegant rooms”. In each picture, Rapunzel also wears a beautiful dress and lovely necklaces. If the sorceress wanted to imprison Rapunzel as a punishment, she would have locked her in an ugly, barren tower.

This is a remakable, well-written retelling of the Rapunzel story, exploring ideas and themes that most versions of the fairy tale either gloss over or completely ignore. Borrowing from both the Grimms and previous versions of the tale from France and Italy, Zelinsky, with his masterful paintings of the Italian landscaping and architecture, captures the essence of the Renaissance and at the same time, offers the old story in fresh and new aspect. This is a book that, while appropriate for younger children, will probably be better understood and appreciated by older readers, including adults.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Horn Book Magazine: “…it takes a scholar's mind and an artist's insight to endow the familiar with unexpected nuances-which Zelinsky does with passion and dazzling technique. Given the story's Italian origins, his choice of a Renaissance setting is inspired, allowing for many allusions to the art and architecture of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries…. Simply put, this is a gorgeous book; it demonstrates respect for the traditions of painting and the fairy tale while at the same time adhering to a singular, wholly original, artistic vision.”

Publishers Weekly: “Zelinsky does a star turn with this breathtaking interpretation of a favorite fairy tale. Daringly and effectively mimicking the masters of Italian Renaissance painting, he creates a primarily Tuscan setting. His Rapunzel, for example, seems a relative of Botticelli's immortal red-haired beauties, while her tower appears an only partially fantastic exaggeration of a Florentine bell tower. For the most part, his bold experiment brilliantly succeeds: the almost otherworldly golden light with which he bathes his paintings has the effect of consecrating them, elevating them to a grandeur befitting their adoptive art-historical roots".

Booklist Reviews: “Zelinsky turns to the formal beauty of Italian Renaissance art as the setting for his glowingly illustrated version of an age-old story. ...this story is as much about the fierce love of mother for child as it is about the romantic passion between the imprisoned Rapunzel and the prince…. Rapunzel is both gorgeous and maidenly.”

AWARDS

Caldecott Medal Book, 1998
Carl Sandburg Award


CONNECTIONS

• Organize a field trip to a nearby museum or a virtual trip to the National Gallery of Art (www.nga.gov) to view old and new master works using oil painting to develop a rich appreciation of this medium.

• Arrange guest demonstrations of oil paintings by local artists or picture book illustrators.

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS by James Marshall

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Marshall, James. 1989. THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-7587-3804-8

PLOT SUMMARY

In this humorous retelling of the traditional tale The Three Little Pigs, mother pig sends her three young pigs out to live on their own. Each one of them decides to build a house. Two pigs settle respectively into houses made of straw and sticks. The hungry wolf blows down their houses and gobbles them up. The third pig builds his home out of bricks, and the wolf cannot blow down the sturdy house. The wolf then asks the pig to get turnips, pick apples, and meet at the fair. Each time the pig goes an hour earlier, tricking the wolf. At the fair, the pig sees the wolf and escapes from him by rolling home in a butter churn. The wolf comes to the pig's house, climbs onto the roof, and jumps into a pot of boiling water. The third little pig outsmarts the wolf and eats him up for dinner.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This charming book is a modern retelling of the classic folk tale and recounts the fatal episodes in the lives of the two foolish pigs and how the third pig managed to avoid the same fate. The wolf, as a traditional archetype of the villain is menacing and dodgy, but still zany and laughable, while his round, pink pig opponent is surprisingly roguish and alert. Though many versions of the story stop with the success of the brick house, in this simple tale of wisdom Marshall continues with the extension of turnips, apples, and a trip to the fair to show just how clever the last little pig is and how foolish the wolf. Additionally, the personality of each little pig is illustrated not only in their choice of materials with which to build their homes but also in their clothing.

In this amusing alternatives to the traditional story, along with the familiar refrains of "let me come in," "chinney chin chin," and "huff" and "puff," Marshall embraces examples of more present-day language as in “mind your own business” and “Oh, pooh”. The illustrations in the book embellish the text with dynamic and set the story in contemporary times without losing its fabulist elements. Action-filed, cartoon-style sketches in full color offer a sophisticated modern twist. Pictures are silly and goofy, and the artist makes no attempt to make the art appear realistic. Bright color washes added to expressive line drawings directly convey the plot.

Known for his ability to add depth and substance to seemingly simple story, Marshall creates a version of The Three Little Pigs that is witty, engaging, and easy for younger listeners to follow.


REVIEW EXCERPTS

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Marshall brings his own brand of humor to both text and pictures in this retelling of the popular nursery tale….Good stories can be retold endlessly, and Marshall's inventive version of The Three Little Pigs is an excellent addition for all library picture-book collections.”

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “The Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator retells the story of the "Three Little Pigs" in the same silly manner of his previously released Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. His retelling minimizes the gruesome aspects of traditional versions but still portrays the three pigs building their respective houses out of straw, wood and bricks and then tricking the Big Bad Wolf.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "There are fairy tales, and there are Marshall's tales. Readers can be forgiven for preferring his over all the rest."


CONNECTIONS

• Children may explore a literary archetype, such as the wolf, by locating a variety of fiction and nonfiction books about wolves, and charting how many times wolves are portrayed positively and how many times they are portrayed negatively.

• Companion Rhyme: Read the nursery rhymes 'To Market, To Market' (accentuating the rhyming words 'pig and jig' or 'hog and jog') and “This Little Piggy”.

• Lead a discussion about the ways the third little pig outsmarted the wolf. Encourage children to try to think of other things the pig might have done to fend off the wolf. Have children consider what the three pigs might have done together to keep the wolf at bay.

RACCOON'S LAST RACE by Joseph and James Bruchac

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bruchac, Joseph and James Bruchac. 2004. Raccoon’s Last Race. Ill. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0803729774.



PLOT SUMMARY

In this story from the oral traditions of the Native Americans, father and son Bruchac explain why the raccoons have short legs. The book tells that long time ago, Raccoon looks different then the way he does now. He has long legs and he is the fastest of all the animals. Azban always challenges other animals to run races and always wins, however, he taunts and tricks them. Soon no one likes to race him and Azban decides to push a boulder down a hill and race Big Rock. When the rock flattens the raccoon, only the ants offer to help the misshapen Azban. He makes a deal with the ants but is he going to keep his promise?


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

As a typical pourquoi tale, Raccoon’s Last Race explains the phenomena of nature – why things are the way they are – although the explanations are not scientifically true. This Abenaki story, retold by Joseph and James Bruchak, carries significant elements of traditional Native American tales. The story of Azban the Raccoon is also a cautionary tale; while it illustrates the results of bad behavior, it teaches a lesson and shares moral values with the readers. In the Authors’s Notes, Bruchac explains that the Abenaki have a strong tradition of using stories rather than physical punishment as a means of disciplining children. The humanization of animals and elements are another definite marker of the Native American culture.

The story of Azban is simple and relatively short and illustrations fill in for the untold words. The lively, bright pictures, done in pen-and-ink, gouache, and pastel, add animation and action to this book. Colorful illustrations bring life, character, and personality to all of the animals. The art of Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey help tell the story in a humorous way and blend well with the witty writing. The animal characters faces are shown with expression and even the big boulder has personality.
This traditional tale underscores the importance of both humility and being sensitive to others' feelings, encourages friendship and loyalty, and warns against conceitedness.



REVIEW EXCERPTS

KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Azban the Raccoon is a favorite Abenaki trickster and this father-and-son storytelling pair creates a lively, clever, and authentic version of his story…”

HORN BOOK: "This pourquoi tale is alive with sound, and the illustrations humorously convey the animals' irritation and Azban's arrogance."

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: "Father and son writing team Joseph and James Bruchac return with their third folktale, Raccoon's Last Race, illus. by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey. Here, long-limbed, speedy raccoon taunts his rivals as he easily outruns them. But when he has an accident, he gets his just deserts because of his ungracious nature.”, starred review, August 2006 review, August 2006



CONNECTIONS

• After being introduced to pourquoi tales, students may try to find an imaginative explanation for phenomenon in nature (e.g. why oceans have waves). Or, they may read more pourquoi tales and brainstorm other imaginative explanations for the natural occurrence:
Dayrell, Elphinstone. Why the sun and the moon live in the sky: an African folktale. ISBN 9780395296097
Aardema, Verna. Why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears: a West African tale. ISBN 0758700814

• Introduce other books by the same author:
Bruchac, Joseph. How Chipmunk got his stripes: a tale of bragging and teasing. ISBN 0803724047
Bruchac, Joseph. The great ball game: a Muskogee story. ISBN: 0803715404

FLOTSAM by David Weisner

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Weisner, David. 2006. FLOTSAM. New York : Clarion Books.
ISBN: 9780618194575 .


AWARDS

Winner of the 2007 Randolph Caldecott Medal
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book

PLOT SUMMARY

It's a clear, sunny day on the beach. A young boy examines flotsam--anything floating that has been washed ashore. Suddenly, the waves dispense an old-fashioned underwater camera with a collection of unusual pictures. A sequence of scenes reveals amazing secrets, from mechanical fish and octopi reading in a living room, to a puffer fish hot-air balloon, sea turtles with buildings on their backs and starfish islands. The most amusing is the image of a girl looking directly out at the viewer and holding a photo of another kid, who is holding a photo of another kid, back through all the kids who had had the camera before and finally reaching the child who had started it all many years ago. The boy takes his own picture and then returns the camera back to the ocean where it belongs to deliver it to the next curious child….

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

True to his own style, David Weisner presents another eloquent book filled with exotic and extraordinary art. The bright colors on the cover highlight the rich and vibrant story; innovative designs and page layouts add to the sense of surreal. The work contains no words; the story is told entirely with pictures arranged in perfect sequence. Expressive, sensitively painted watercolors tell the story as words never could. Versatile, light and airy pictures in the beginning create the impression of a real-life beach story. Later in the book, a more generous, colorful palette is used to frame the imaginary. The illustrations are loaded with narrative information, so the story naturally moves along with dramas and development. And the magic of the boy's imaginative, dreamlike photos is intriguing and will amaze the reader.

The joyful process of reading pictures is the earliest stage of reading. Flotsam, with its vivid pictures enforces the visual literacy. It could be read not only by pre-readers and beginning readers, but also by adults (even illiterate or semiliterate) who want to read to children. They can tell the book, using the pictures for clues to the emerging plot. Flotsam encourages children to notice the details of beautiful illustrations, make discoveries for themselves, and anticipate what is going to happen next.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

BOOKLIST, starred review: "Wiesner offers another exceptional, wordless picture book that finds wild magic in quiet, everyday settings…”

HORN BOOK MAGAZINE: "The meticulous and rich detail of Wiesner's watercolors makes the fantasy involving and convincing."

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY, starred review: "New details swim into focus with every rereading of this immensely satisfying excursion.”, starred review, August 2006 review, August 2006

CONNECTIONS

• Watercolors have been the medium of choice for a number of picture book illustrators:
Shulevitz, Uri. Snow. ISBN 9780374468620
Henkes, Kevin. Wemberly Worried. ISBN 9780061857768
Say, Allen. Grandfathers’s Journey. ISBN 9780547076805
Children may be introduced to some examples through a book display and by examining carefully one that appeals to them. These activities may be followed by a demonstration of watercolor painting by local artists.
• Ocean/Beach stories discussion – children can talk about the things the boy finds in the ocean and the adventures he has. What kind of shore flotsam they have found in the past?
• Introduce other wordless books:
Wiesner, David. Tuesday.ISBN-10: 0395870828 ISBN-13: 978-0395870822
Myer, Mercer. A boy, a Dog, a Frog, and a Friend. ISBN-10: 0803728816
Ormerod, Jan. Sunshine. ISBN-13: 9781845073909

TOMAS AND THE LIBRARY LADY by Pat Mora, Illustrated by Raul Colon

Bibliography
Mora, Pat. Tomas and The Library Lady. Random House International,1977. ISBN 0375803491

Awards

1997 Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature Commended Title
Notable Books for Children,1997, Smithsonian
1998 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award

Plot Summary

Tomas was born to a family of migrants. The story starts with the family’s annual drive through the summer heat from Texas to Iowa to pick corn. In Iowa, Tomas listens to his grandfather tell stories, and with Papa Grande’s encouragement, he walks downtown to the library to find more stories. Noticing his reluctance to enter, a librarian kindly offers him a drink and brings him books. Tomas spends all day reading, and when the library closes, the library lady lets him take books home, checked out on her own card. All summer, Tomas goes to the library whenever he can, reading his library books to his family in English and teaching the library lady a few words of Spanish. At the end of the summer, Tomas teaches her a sad word: Adios. He gives her a loaf of pan dulce, sweet bread, from his mother. And in the car on the way back to Texas, he reads his new book, a gift from the library lady.

Critical Analysis

This book is a heartwarming story from the childhood of Tomas Rivera. It is not a full biography, but a true and significant incident in the life of a real person. In a natural way, when describing what Tomas is reading, Mora uses the imagery words “smelled, rode, heard, and felt" to express all the different experiences he finds in books. The mixture of English and Spanish, instinctively translated within the dialogue, is used throughout the book and lends cultural credibility to the text. The idea of the boy, teaching the library lady some Spanish words, is also an excellent addition. Tomas and the Library Lady is a lovely tribute to a remarkable man, and to the woman who first set him on his journey of discovery.

Tomas and the Library Lady was Mora's first children's book to be accepted for publication, however, it took 8 years to see it in print. The book's illustrations slowed down the publication process. Raul Colon, the illustrator of the finished book, was actually the third illustrator to work on it. With his unique illustrating style Colon creates beautiful pictures. He weaves the illustrations to demonstrate to the reader the stories Tomas is hearing, and the books he is reading. The textures and colors used are gentle and moving. Some images in this book appear as if the artist used an etching tool on his painting to give an allusion of an old master print.

Although the story skims over the difficulty and poverty of migrant living, it introduces the concept to young readers, while offering an example of a real boy who had a very strong drive to learn. This is a book about the wonderful way librarians can change lives; a powerful vision of the rewards of the education that will reach across cultures.

Review Excerpts

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “While young readers and future librarians will find this an inspiring tale, the endnote gives it a real kick; the story is based on an actual migrant worker who became chancellor of a university—where the library now bears his name."
SMITHSONIAN: “powerful story”
BOOKLIST: “Mora’s story is based on a true incident in the life of the famous writer Tomás Rivera, the son of migrant workers who became an education leader and university president."

Connections

• The book could be used with other books that depict a special love for the library and reading:
McKissack, Patricia. Goin' Someplace Special. ISBN 9781416927358
Miller, William. Richard Wright and the Library Card. ISBN 9781880000885
Parr, Todd. Reading Makes You Feel Good. ISBN 0316043486

• Lead a discussion about migrant labor:
Adler, David A. A picture book of Cesar Chavez. ISBN 9780823422029
Ancona, George. Harvest. ISBN 9780761450863


• Gather more book related to the traditions of Mexican American families
• Dorros, Arthur. Abuela. ISBN 0140562257
• Soto, Gary. Too many tamales. ISBN 0698114124
• Garza, Carmen Lomas. In my family. ISBN 0892391634

THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT by Beatrix Potter

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Potter, Beatrix. 2002. The tale of Peter Rabbit. London: Frederick Warne. ISBN: 9780723247708 .

AWARDS

Waterstones The Nation's Favourite Children's Books (1997)
New York Public Library's Books of the Century
1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009)


PLOT SUMMARY

In The Tale of Peter Rabbit three of Mrs. Rabbit’s children – Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail – are good little bunnies, but the fourth, the dear Peter, is too curious and that gets him into trouble. He goes to Mr. McGregor’s garden even after his mother strictly forbids him to visit. The lure of goodies in Mr. McGregor’s garden is a big temptation for him and Peter disobeys. Unfortunately, he gets sick from eating the farmer’s vegetables and is chased by Mr. McGregor. When, without his clothes, he finally gets home, Mrs. Rabbit gives him chamomile tea, while his sisters get to eat supper.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Tale of Peter Rabbit is dramatic, exciting, and full of action little book. The original small format is specifically selected by Beatrix Potter because young children feel more comfortable holding that size. The story is well written in every aspect; there is no denying the charm of the crisp language and scientifically accurate (albeit the clothes) bunny rabbits.

The illustrations are artfully executed. Tiny, detailed watercolors each get a page of their own. Images are beautiful classics. Transparent, natural colors add to the sense of realism even though they depict little rabbits wearing coats and shoes. As a result, most children seem to find them thoroughly believable; consequently, they tend to see themselves in these stories and identify with the characters in them. Children like Peter’s naughty sense of adventure, and they are thrilled when he escapes from the clutches of Mr. McGregor. However, the literary concept of poetic justice that the good are rewarded and the bad are punished is also noticeable. The readers hold their anticipation for fairness and justice, and their expectations are fulfilled, seeing Peter’s endangerment and ultimate reconciliation.

Beatrix Potter delivers an engaging, brilliant classic.


REVIEW EXCERPTS

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “It is pleasing to the eye and easy to read, a plus for every parent, teacher or child reading this story time and again.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Potter’s beautiful, impeccable illustrations are a perfect match for her finely honed prose. Our children deserve no less."

AMAZON.COM: "Beatrix Potter's animal stories have been a joy to generations of young readers.”, starred review, August 2006 review, August 2006


CONNECTIONS

• Rabbits Story Time Extensions:
Arnosky, Jim. Rabbits and Raindrops. ISBN 0399226354
Weninger, Brigitte. What have you done, Davy? ISBN 1558585818
Dunbar, Joyce. Tell me something happy before I go to sleep. ISBN 015201795X
• Storybook Gardens discussion – children’s literature includes many stories about vegetable gardens and flowers and the people who cared for them:
Stewart, Sarah. The Gardener. ISBN 0374425183
Saltzman, Ruth E. Poppy Bear: the garden that overslept. ISBN 1582700427
Cooney, Barbara. Miss Rumphius. ISBN 9780670479580
• Discussion – oral story telling provides valuable language experiences and helps children understand story structure:
Was The Tale of Peter Rabbit the only adventure in Peter’s life?
Ask the children do they disobey parent’s words
Have the children continue the story with their own ideas.

Every book is its own world. On the bookmobile we are surrounded by shelves with picture books, chapter books, board books, and sometimes books left on the floor. We want to raise readers - children with empathy for other characters and people, children with reach vocabularies, children with big imaginations, and children who can always move into another world with a book.