1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krull, Kathleen. 2004. A WOMAN FOR PRESIDENT. Ill. by Jane Dyer. New York, NY: Walter and Company. ISBN 0802789080
2. SUMMARY
Born Victoria Claflin, Woodhull was raised in a very large and impoverished family led by an abusive father. When she was five years old, she came to a neighbor's house to do chores in exchange for food, but what she found was a kindly young woman who taught her how to read. The neighbor died shortly after that, but this experience helped Woodhull not only see her potential, but see that there were other ways of living than the way she shared with her family. A few years later, Woodhull's father discovered that she had a talent for preaching and conducting seances so he took her on the road with her sister to earn enough money to support the family. This lifestyle caused her to become exhausted and sickly, and at the age of fourteen she decided to escape by marrying her doctor. Dr. Woodhull turned out to be an alcoholic and an unreliable husband and doctor, causing permanent damage to both of her children during the delivery process. Woodhull ended up supporting him with her spiritual readings, even after she divorced him. She became a millionaire when Mr. Vanderbilt shared half of his profit with her from a stock trade made based upon Woodhull's "spiritual reading". With this money, she and her sister began the first female run stock brokerage firm. Woodhull began speaking about the right to vote for women, and eventually decided to run for president, even though she still could not vote. She lost of course, but people noticed, which was what Woodhull had hoped for. Unfortunately, many people, including famous women like Harriett Beecher Stowe did not approve of what she was doing with her life and defamed her in any way they could. Woodhull's defense cost her most of her fortune, so she and her sister divorced their husbands and moved to England where they both married rich Englishman and "lived out their days in great style".
3. ANALYSIS
This biography does a good job of keeping the story as authentic as possible for its young readers. The reader gets a sense that all of the dialogue shared in this book is dialogue that the characters have actually been documented in saying because they are written with quotation marks around them. Also, Krull includes a bibliography at the end of the book. Listing her sources legitimizes her claims. It is true that Krull only paints a pleasing picture of the life of Woodhull and skims over her less accepted views on free love and eugenics, but nowhere in the book does she claim to be writing an all inclusive portrait of the life of a perfect woman. The story is about how a woman who started from humble beginnings decided to run for president. Her other political and social views are not relevant here.
Jane Dyer's watercolor illustrations are each beautiful and intricate enough to be a stand alone work of art. However, in many of the pictures, Woodhull appears to have bright rouge on her cheeks, lipstick, and even blue eye shadow. This image is in direct contrast with Krull's text that states that Woodhull never wore makeup.
4. REVIEWS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This book, though soft-pedaling the more scandalous aspects of her life, rectifies that omission"
BOOKLIST: "lively and astute writing"
5. CONNECTIONS
* Collect and share other materials about the suffragette movement.
*Have both girls and boys plan their own platforms for fictional presidential campaigns.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Book Review: Actual Size
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve. 2004. ACTUAL SIZE. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618375945
2. SUMMARY
In this clever book, Steve Jenkins shows readers the actual size of some of the largest and smallest animals in the world. Under each picture, a caption tells the reader the name of the animal, as well as the average height and weight. Some of the creatures are too large to show the actual size of their entire bodies, so Jenkins chooses a particular part of the animal to show full size. For example, unable to fit a 59 ft giant squid on the page, Jenkins focuses on illustrating the actual size of the squid's eye. At the end of the book, more detailed information is given about each animal pictured, including information about where they can be found and what they like to eat.
3. ANALYSIS
This book is perfect for visual learners. It is one thing to tell a person how big an animal is, but measurements can be difficult to conceptualize. In order to fully comprehend what 12 inches or a half an inch means, it is helpful for many to be able to see what those measurements actually look like.
A wonderful thing about this book is that it is not simply illustrating items of common knowledge about animals. Even the child (or adult for that matter) that has done lots of reading about animals in the past will learn something new.
Jenkins' illustrations are essential in this book, as the text mostly serves to support the pictures. The illustrations are all carefully created to the correct measurements out of bits of torn paper.
4. REVIEWS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "a must-have for any collection"
BOOKLIST: "unusually effective tool for connecting children to nature's astonishing variety"
5.CONNECTIONS
*Have students graph the height and weight of each animal in the book to get the perspective of a side by side comparison.
*Plan an activity where students must choose an animal from the book and find other resources about that animal from the library.
Jenkins, Steve. 2004. ACTUAL SIZE. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618375945
2. SUMMARY
In this clever book, Steve Jenkins shows readers the actual size of some of the largest and smallest animals in the world. Under each picture, a caption tells the reader the name of the animal, as well as the average height and weight. Some of the creatures are too large to show the actual size of their entire bodies, so Jenkins chooses a particular part of the animal to show full size. For example, unable to fit a 59 ft giant squid on the page, Jenkins focuses on illustrating the actual size of the squid's eye. At the end of the book, more detailed information is given about each animal pictured, including information about where they can be found and what they like to eat.
3. ANALYSIS
This book is perfect for visual learners. It is one thing to tell a person how big an animal is, but measurements can be difficult to conceptualize. In order to fully comprehend what 12 inches or a half an inch means, it is helpful for many to be able to see what those measurements actually look like.
A wonderful thing about this book is that it is not simply illustrating items of common knowledge about animals. Even the child (or adult for that matter) that has done lots of reading about animals in the past will learn something new.
Jenkins' illustrations are essential in this book, as the text mostly serves to support the pictures. The illustrations are all carefully created to the correct measurements out of bits of torn paper.
4. REVIEWS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "a must-have for any collection"
BOOKLIST: "unusually effective tool for connecting children to nature's astonishing variety"
5.CONNECTIONS
*Have students graph the height and weight of each animal in the book to get the perspective of a side by side comparison.
*Plan an activity where students must choose an animal from the book and find other resources about that animal from the library.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Book Review: Summersaults
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Florian, Douglas. 2002. SUMMERSAULTS. Hong Kong: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0060292679
2. SUMMARY
In this topical book of poems, Florian Douglas uses a variety of poetic styles to write dozens of short, humorous poems about different aspects of summertime. All of the poems employ rhyme, but the rhythms vary widely. He talks about what he likes about summer on one page, and foils that with what he doesn't like on the next page. He talks about summer activities like swimming, double dutch, and baseball. He celebrates the good and bad of summer creatures like bees and fireflies and assigns the season the color green. At the end, he encourages the reader to pack an "ocean spray" and save the memories of summer to help get through the winter.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
One of the most successful things that Douglas does in this book is his use of concrete poetry. The way that the words on the page are arranged in a way that reflects part of their meaning is a great way to help kids understand and enjoy the fun of poetry. The way he arranged the poem "Double Dutch Girls" makes the readers eye go from side to side, mimicking the way it feels to watch two double dutch ropes fly in circles. The poem "Fireflies" causes the readers eye to dart all around the page in a way that feels very similar to the experience of spotting fireflies as they appear and then disappear in the dark. The humor in this book is very well done and makes the poetry all the more appealing to its target audience.
Douglas also does a nice job with the illustrations in this book. The fact that they look as if a talented child drew them lends itself to the overall feeling of the book being one of jovial innocence. He even uses media that are common for school children to use: water color paint and colored pencils. The bright colors add to the summery feel of the book.
4. BOOK REVIEW EXCERPTS
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "overflows with inventive verses celebrating the delights and discontents of summer"
BOOKLIST "a few poems are forgettable"
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL "language is simple enough for bridge-book-ready children"
5. CONNECTIONS
* Gather other books about Summer
* Have children illustrate their own favorite as well as least favorite things about Summer. Older students can write short, accompanying poems
* Have children brainstorm together what they think the "Sum of Summer" is and post their answers where everyone can enjoy
Florian, Douglas. 2002. SUMMERSAULTS. Hong Kong: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0060292679
2. SUMMARY
In this topical book of poems, Florian Douglas uses a variety of poetic styles to write dozens of short, humorous poems about different aspects of summertime. All of the poems employ rhyme, but the rhythms vary widely. He talks about what he likes about summer on one page, and foils that with what he doesn't like on the next page. He talks about summer activities like swimming, double dutch, and baseball. He celebrates the good and bad of summer creatures like bees and fireflies and assigns the season the color green. At the end, he encourages the reader to pack an "ocean spray" and save the memories of summer to help get through the winter.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
One of the most successful things that Douglas does in this book is his use of concrete poetry. The way that the words on the page are arranged in a way that reflects part of their meaning is a great way to help kids understand and enjoy the fun of poetry. The way he arranged the poem "Double Dutch Girls" makes the readers eye go from side to side, mimicking the way it feels to watch two double dutch ropes fly in circles. The poem "Fireflies" causes the readers eye to dart all around the page in a way that feels very similar to the experience of spotting fireflies as they appear and then disappear in the dark. The humor in this book is very well done and makes the poetry all the more appealing to its target audience.
Douglas also does a nice job with the illustrations in this book. The fact that they look as if a talented child drew them lends itself to the overall feeling of the book being one of jovial innocence. He even uses media that are common for school children to use: water color paint and colored pencils. The bright colors add to the summery feel of the book.
4. BOOK REVIEW EXCERPTS
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "overflows with inventive verses celebrating the delights and discontents of summer"
BOOKLIST "a few poems are forgettable"
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL "language is simple enough for bridge-book-ready children"
5. CONNECTIONS
* Gather other books about Summer
* Have children illustrate their own favorite as well as least favorite things about Summer. Older students can write short, accompanying poems
* Have children brainstorm together what they think the "Sum of Summer" is and post their answers where everyone can enjoy
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Book Review: What My Mother Doesn't Know
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sones, Sonya. 2001. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0689855532
2. SUMMARY
Sophie is a young teenage girl who reveals her deepest secrets through poetry in a style that feels like writing in a diary. She finds herself in between childhood and adulthood, most of the story deals with her search for love. She goes through a few attractive boys only to finally settle on a boy that makes her happy, but is embarrassingly "homely". She is not sure if this relationship can work because she is afraid of what her friends and other peers will have to say about it. Always in the background is Sophie's less than ideal family life. Her mother and father fight a lot and both are emotionally distant. The book ends on a positive if not definitive note however, as Sophie chooses the unattractive boy and seems to be pleased with her choice.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sones does an impeccable job of fooling the reader into believing that Sophie is real at that we are actually reading her words and not the words of Sones. Not only does Sophie sounds age appropriate, she also sounds contemporary "I'm going to e them back". This makes Sones' writing very comfortable for young readers to connect with. Breaking a novel down into hundreds of individual poems could easily make for a choppy story, but the flow is remarkably smooth and one poem seems to lead naturally into the next. Often times in fact, the rhythm of the verse seems to quicken the pace novel, which makes for a fast read.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
starred review: PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY "Sophie's honest and earthy story feels destined to captivate a young female audience, avid and reluctant readers alike"
AMAZON.COM "shamefully delicious collection of angst poems is a loving and amazingly accurate tribute to adolescent girlhood"
5. CONNECTIONS
*Collect Sonya Sones's other teen verse novels for young adults to explore
*Have teens choose one poem from the book that they identify with the most and discuss their reasons
Sones, Sonya. 2001. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0689855532
2. SUMMARY
Sophie is a young teenage girl who reveals her deepest secrets through poetry in a style that feels like writing in a diary. She finds herself in between childhood and adulthood, most of the story deals with her search for love. She goes through a few attractive boys only to finally settle on a boy that makes her happy, but is embarrassingly "homely". She is not sure if this relationship can work because she is afraid of what her friends and other peers will have to say about it. Always in the background is Sophie's less than ideal family life. Her mother and father fight a lot and both are emotionally distant. The book ends on a positive if not definitive note however, as Sophie chooses the unattractive boy and seems to be pleased with her choice.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sones does an impeccable job of fooling the reader into believing that Sophie is real at that we are actually reading her words and not the words of Sones. Not only does Sophie sounds age appropriate, she also sounds contemporary "I'm going to e them back". This makes Sones' writing very comfortable for young readers to connect with. Breaking a novel down into hundreds of individual poems could easily make for a choppy story, but the flow is remarkably smooth and one poem seems to lead naturally into the next. Often times in fact, the rhythm of the verse seems to quicken the pace novel, which makes for a fast read.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
starred review: PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY "Sophie's honest and earthy story feels destined to captivate a young female audience, avid and reluctant readers alike"
AMAZON.COM "shamefully delicious collection of angst poems is a loving and amazingly accurate tribute to adolescent girlhood"
5. CONNECTIONS
*Collect Sonya Sones's other teen verse novels for young adults to explore
*Have teens choose one poem from the book that they identify with the most and discuss their reasons
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Book Review: Stepping Out with Grandma Mac
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. STEPPING OUT WITH GRANDMA MAC. Ill. Angelo. New York, NY: Orchard Books. ISBN 9780531303207
2. SUMMARY
In this book, a young girl tells the story of her relationship with her grandmother through a series of poems, each describing a memory or an emotion tied to Grandma Mac. Grandma Mac does not fit the typical grandmother archetype that the main character has in her mind. Grandma Mac does not bake cookies or spoil her granddaughter in any way and never says anything sweet like "come here sugar". Even so, the girl finds small ways to connect with her grandmother and ends up figuring out that her grandmother does love her but has her own ways of showing (or not showing) her love.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Through poetry, Nikki Grimes manages to discuss with grace a very important but difficult subject. Families are not all the same. Children need to know that families come in all shapes and sizes and that just because their family does not match the ones in their picture books, it doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with them. The girl in this book had a "grandma in [her] mind". She probably developed this image from a combination of sources including books. She spends quite a bit of time trying to reconcile this idea of what a grandma should be like with her own living, breathing grandmother that happened to be a real person. The rhythm of her poetry lends itself beautifully to oral expression and the language is simple enough for young readers to enjoy without having to try and interpret meaning.
Angelo's simple but realistic pen and ink drawings help the reader to imagine certain elements of the poems. They are not on every page and they really do not need to be. Although they are lovely drawings, Grimes' poems are strong enough to stand alone if need be.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Bank Street College Best Book of the Year
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A rewarding poetry experience."
5. CONNECTIONS
* Ask children to compile a list of words that they associate with grandparents, then have them discuss any ways a grandparent of theirs is different from this collection of words.
* Have children brainstorm different ways of showing a person that you love and care about them
* Compile poetry books about family
Grimes, Nikki. STEPPING OUT WITH GRANDMA MAC. Ill. Angelo. New York, NY: Orchard Books. ISBN 9780531303207
2. SUMMARY
In this book, a young girl tells the story of her relationship with her grandmother through a series of poems, each describing a memory or an emotion tied to Grandma Mac. Grandma Mac does not fit the typical grandmother archetype that the main character has in her mind. Grandma Mac does not bake cookies or spoil her granddaughter in any way and never says anything sweet like "come here sugar". Even so, the girl finds small ways to connect with her grandmother and ends up figuring out that her grandmother does love her but has her own ways of showing (or not showing) her love.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Through poetry, Nikki Grimes manages to discuss with grace a very important but difficult subject. Families are not all the same. Children need to know that families come in all shapes and sizes and that just because their family does not match the ones in their picture books, it doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with them. The girl in this book had a "grandma in [her] mind". She probably developed this image from a combination of sources including books. She spends quite a bit of time trying to reconcile this idea of what a grandma should be like with her own living, breathing grandmother that happened to be a real person. The rhythm of her poetry lends itself beautifully to oral expression and the language is simple enough for young readers to enjoy without having to try and interpret meaning.
Angelo's simple but realistic pen and ink drawings help the reader to imagine certain elements of the poems. They are not on every page and they really do not need to be. Although they are lovely drawings, Grimes' poems are strong enough to stand alone if need be.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Bank Street College Best Book of the Year
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A rewarding poetry experience."
5. CONNECTIONS
* Ask children to compile a list of words that they associate with grandparents, then have them discuss any ways a grandparent of theirs is different from this collection of words.
* Have children brainstorm different ways of showing a person that you love and care about them
* Compile poetry books about family
Friday, June 25, 2010
Book Review: Lon Po Po
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Young, Ed. LON PO PO: A RED-RIDING HOOD STORY FROM CHINA. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. ISBN 039921619
2. SUMMARY
In this Chinese folktale, a mother leaves her three children at home to go and visit their grandmother. Before she leaves, she instructs the children to bolt the door and not let anyone come inside. The mean old wolf that lives near by sees the mother leave and decides to take advantage of the situation. The wolf disguises himself as an old woman and pretends to be the children's grandmother in order to get himself let into the house. His plan works and the children lead him inside. The wolf blows out the children's candle, so they cannot get a good look at him, but while laying in bed with the wolf, they begin to ask questions. The oldest child is the one who discovers the truth and she comes up with a plan to kill the wolf by tricking him with a Ginkgo tree. The mother returns home the next day and the children share their story.
3. LITERARY CRITICISM
In this version of the classic Little Red-Riding Hood tale, the children are very easily fooled by the wolf, just like the European version. However, here they are wise enough to discover the truth before it is too late. Also, unlike the European version, the little girls do not have to depend on the big strong manhood of the lumberjack/hunter figure to defeat the wolf. The children themselves are brave enough in this story to devise and carry out a plan for destruction.
The Caldecott Medal winning illustrations are very beautiful. The pastel drawings give just enough detail, leaving the rest of the scene to be imagined by the reader.
4. LITERARY CRITICISM
-PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY "The juxtaposition of abstract and realistic representations, the complicated play of color and shadow, and the depth of the artist's vision all help transform this simple fairy tale into an extraordinary and powerful book"
-starred review SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL "is an outstanding achievement that will be pored over again and again"
5. CONNECTIONS
*Talk to students about the concept of "stranger danger" in the book and in their lives.
*Read and compare different variations of the Red-Riding Hood tale
Young, Ed. LON PO PO: A RED-RIDING HOOD STORY FROM CHINA. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. ISBN 039921619
2. SUMMARY
In this Chinese folktale, a mother leaves her three children at home to go and visit their grandmother. Before she leaves, she instructs the children to bolt the door and not let anyone come inside. The mean old wolf that lives near by sees the mother leave and decides to take advantage of the situation. The wolf disguises himself as an old woman and pretends to be the children's grandmother in order to get himself let into the house. His plan works and the children lead him inside. The wolf blows out the children's candle, so they cannot get a good look at him, but while laying in bed with the wolf, they begin to ask questions. The oldest child is the one who discovers the truth and she comes up with a plan to kill the wolf by tricking him with a Ginkgo tree. The mother returns home the next day and the children share their story.
3. LITERARY CRITICISM
In this version of the classic Little Red-Riding Hood tale, the children are very easily fooled by the wolf, just like the European version. However, here they are wise enough to discover the truth before it is too late. Also, unlike the European version, the little girls do not have to depend on the big strong manhood of the lumberjack/hunter figure to defeat the wolf. The children themselves are brave enough in this story to devise and carry out a plan for destruction.
The Caldecott Medal winning illustrations are very beautiful. The pastel drawings give just enough detail, leaving the rest of the scene to be imagined by the reader.
4. LITERARY CRITICISM
-PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY "The juxtaposition of abstract and realistic representations, the complicated play of color and shadow, and the depth of the artist's vision all help transform this simple fairy tale into an extraordinary and powerful book"
-starred review SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL "is an outstanding achievement that will be pored over again and again"
5. CONNECTIONS
*Talk to students about the concept of "stranger danger" in the book and in their lives.
*Read and compare different variations of the Red-Riding Hood tale
Monday, June 21, 2010
Book Review: Cinderella
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brown, Marcia, Trans. 1954. CINDERELLA. Ill. Marcia Brown. New York, NY: Aladdin. ISBN 0689814747
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this folk tale translated from Charles Perrault's CENDRILLION, Cinderella is the daughter of a man who marries a wicked woman with two wicked daughters. Cinderella on the other hand is one hundred percent good. So good, that when she is transformed into a beautiful princess and sent to the ball, she finds her wicked stepsisters and gives them "a thousand kindnesses" including the gifts of citrus fruits that the prince has given her. In the end, she even forgives her wicked stepsisters and invites them to live in the palace with her, marrying them to Lords of the court.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This syrupy sweet version of the classic Cinderella tale, has many of the normal elements of a fairytale: good vs. evil, a damsel in distress, and a lot of magic. The idea that the good get rewarded while the evil get the punishment that they deserve is, however, is completely missing here. This is either totally refreshing, or sadly disappointing, depending on the expectations and attitudes of the reader.
Marcia Brown's Caldecott Medal winning illustrations are lovely and do a nice job of carrying out the magical, ethereal feeling of the fairytale. The drawings appear to be pen and pastel. Unfortunately, all of the faces look nearly the same and echo the images you might see on a deck of cards.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT
I was unable to find any book reviews, likely because this book was published so long ago.
5. CONNECTIONS
* Collect many different versions of the Cinderella tale.
* Discuss why Cinderella treated her wicked stepsisters so nicely, and whether or not you think its a good thing.
Brown, Marcia, Trans. 1954. CINDERELLA. Ill. Marcia Brown. New York, NY: Aladdin. ISBN 0689814747
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this folk tale translated from Charles Perrault's CENDRILLION, Cinderella is the daughter of a man who marries a wicked woman with two wicked daughters. Cinderella on the other hand is one hundred percent good. So good, that when she is transformed into a beautiful princess and sent to the ball, she finds her wicked stepsisters and gives them "a thousand kindnesses" including the gifts of citrus fruits that the prince has given her. In the end, she even forgives her wicked stepsisters and invites them to live in the palace with her, marrying them to Lords of the court.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This syrupy sweet version of the classic Cinderella tale, has many of the normal elements of a fairytale: good vs. evil, a damsel in distress, and a lot of magic. The idea that the good get rewarded while the evil get the punishment that they deserve is, however, is completely missing here. This is either totally refreshing, or sadly disappointing, depending on the expectations and attitudes of the reader.
Marcia Brown's Caldecott Medal winning illustrations are lovely and do a nice job of carrying out the magical, ethereal feeling of the fairytale. The drawings appear to be pen and pastel. Unfortunately, all of the faces look nearly the same and echo the images you might see on a deck of cards.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT
I was unable to find any book reviews, likely because this book was published so long ago.
5. CONNECTIONS
* Collect many different versions of the Cinderella tale.
* Discuss why Cinderella treated her wicked stepsisters so nicely, and whether or not you think its a good thing.
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