Tuesday, August 5, 2008

The Color of Water A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother


The Color of Water A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother
James McBride
ALA Notable Book 1997
Interest Level: high school to adult
CATEGORY: Biography
TYPE: Novel

SUMMARY: This book is about James McBride, as a boy he knew his mother was different but whenever he would ask her a direct question about her and their situation she always cut him short in a roundabout way. His interracial family, with 11 siblings, a stepfather, his white Jewish mother and growing up poor made it hard for him to know who he was. But his mother’s determination for them to get a good education and him backtracking to find out about his mother’s past gave him a sense of what it really means to have a family, unconditionally. A is a wonderful tribute to his mother.


BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Song Yet Song by James McBride
Miracle at ST. Anna by James McBride

KEYWORDS: Jewish, Black, White, mother, love, discrimination, interracial


Notes: Wow this was such a fascinating book. Not only does it tell of the struggles of growing up in a bi-racial family but being poor and having 11 brothers and sister. I think the vision Ruth, the mother, had for her children was that the value of receiving a good education was priceless, regardless of who you are or where you came from. Ruth was a wise mother too because not only did she send all her kids to college but she also taught them how to be strong, enduring and faithful in their Christian beliefs.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie


Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie
David Lubar
Best Book for Young Adults
Interest Level: Young Adult (12 +)
CATEGORY: Juvenile Fiction
TYPE: Novel
SUMMARY: This is a book about a boy in his Freshman Year in high school. Scott tries so desperately to make himself visible to Julia that he ends up doing everything he did not ever expect to do. He is a typical freshman documenting in his journal his interesting and exciting adventures of going through normal freshman things at home and at school so that his little unborn sibling will not make the same mistakes he has made.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Interview with the author:
http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/authors/interviews/DavidLubar.html
Author’s web site:
http://www.davidlubar.com/
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Punished by David Lubar
Hidden Talents by David Lubar
KEYWORDS: Freshman, boy, girl, oblivious, high school.
Wow, do you remember your freshman year in high school? Some of the things that happen in this book make it easy to relate to and understand (or remember) what it is like to be a freshman in high school. I guess things really do not change much in high school. Kids everywhere must go through basically the same kinds of stuff. It is a fun book to read. You will enjoy it.

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses


The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses
Paul Goble
Caldecott Medal
Interest Level: Elementary
CATEGORY: Juvenile Fiction
TYPE: Multicultural
SUMMARY: This is a story about a young girl who loved horses. She got lost with the horses during a bad storm. Her people searched for her but could not find her. Two hunters eventually found her but they had to fight a stallion in order to return the girl home. Even though she was home she was not happy so she was allowed to return to the wild horses.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
About the author:
http://www.turtletrack.org/Issues00/Co02262000/CO_02262000_Goble.htm
Interview with author:
http://www.eerdmans.com/Interviews/gobleinterview.htm
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Buffalo Woman by Paul Goble
Star Boy by Paul Goble
KEYWORDS: wild horses, storm, girl, stallion, freedom
This is a wonderful book. You can feel the storm, the horses running, her heart beating and the calm after the storm. It explains some of the cultural ideas of the Navaho People, helping one understand the connection to nature.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Fever 1793


Fever 1793
Laurie Halse Anderson
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Interest Level: 10 and up
CATEGORY: historical fiction
TYPE: Juvenile Novel
SUMMARY: This book is about a fever epidemic of 1793. Thousands of people died as a result of contracting yellow fever. Mattie’s mother sends her away with her grandfather when she contracts this deadly fever. In the process Mattie is separated from her mother. Mattie’s grandfather becomes deathly ill leaving Mattie to face the dying city’s devastations alone.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Author’s web site:
http://www.writerlady.com/
About Yellow Fever in Philadelphia:
http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/akm/lessons/yellowFever
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
KEYWORDS: fever, suspense, death, Philadelphia, a lone
This is a great book that gives students an idea of some of the struggles children and adults went through during the 1790’s with the Yellow Fever Epidemic. It is a good book for young adults to read and understand without feeling overwhelmed by the situations Yellow Fever put people in.

Shakespeare's Secret


Shakespeare’s Secret
Elise Broach
ALA Notable book
Interest Level: 10 to 14
CATEGORY: Contemporary Fiction
TYPE: Juvenile Novel
SUMMARY: This is a book about a girl named, Hero, after one of Shakespeare’s characters. Her family has just moved into their new home. The day before she is to start sixth grade she meets her neighbor Marian Roth, an elderly lady that tells Hero about a stolen diamond hidden somewhere in her new home. Hero also becomes friends with the coolest guy in eighth grade, Daniel Cordova. He helps her find the stolen diamond. In their efforts to find the stolen diamond they not only discover possible connections between Shakespeare, Edward de Vere, Queen Elizabeth and Ann Bolryn to the diamonds past but also a connection between Mrs. Roth and Daniel.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Author’s Web site:
http://www.elisebroach.com/
About the book:
http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=62-9780805073874-0
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
The Diamond of Drury Lane (Cat Royal) by Julia Golding
The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood.
KEYWORDS: mystery, diamond, Hero, Shakespeare, police
This book turned out to be one of the most interesting introductions to Shakespeare. It was wonderful how some of his plays were introduced and quotes were used. Also the poetry used was just enough to get you interested. It also allows one to see that elderly people have so much to offer, that it is okay to make friends with them, they will enjoy the company.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Harvesting Hope The Story of Cesar Chavez


Harvesting Hope The Story of Cesar Chavez
Kathleen Krull
ALA Pura Belpre Honor Book
Interest Level: Elementary
CATEGORY: biography
TYPE: juvenile nonfiction picture book
SUMMARY: This is a story of Cesar Chavez, a civil rights leader, growing up. His family lost the family farm due to a drought. Sending his family to go where ever there is work, living in crowded shacks with other workers. As a migrant worker he along with others endured long hours of hard work for very little pay.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Author’s web site:
http://www.kathleenkrull.com//
About this book:
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=ZiEhe9pOt10C&dq=Kathleen+Krull&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=KKPglXVaQ6&sig=xflxBHi-Do4ean2_2mF87LAm0F8&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Wilma Unlimted: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman by KathleenKrull
Boy on Fairfield Street by Kathleen Krull
KEYWORDS: hard work, low pay, fields, civic duty.
Cesar Chavez was a typical migrate worker. He became a very important person when it came to the civil rights of farm workers. Cesar Chavez was a peaceful advocate for the improvements of the lives of migrant works.

The Icky Bug Alphabet Book


The Icky Bug Alphabet Book
Jerry Pallotta
Illustrated by Ralph Masiello
Interest Level: elementary
CATEGORY: nonfiction
TYPE: Picture Book
SUMMARY: this is a book of different bugs with snippets of information from Ants to Zebra Butterflies. This books helps students enjoy and learn about different types of creatures.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Authors site:
http://www.jerrypallotta.com/
About the author:
http://content.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=343_type=Contributor_typeId=3671
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
The Icky Bug Counting Book By Jerry Pallotta
The Yucky Reptile Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta
KEYWORDS: ABC’s, insects, flying, icky,
This is a wonderful book with interesting facts about different bugs. Something interesting about this book is that at the end it states that there were only two true bugs in this book the others are spiders, arachnids, the others are insects. Hummm.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Wait Till Helen Comes


Wait Till Helen Comes
Mary Downing Hahn
Texas Bluebonnet Award 1989
Interest Level: young adult
CATEGORY: Fantasy
TYPE: young adult fiction
SUMMARY: This is a story about a little girl who at the age of three loses her mother in fire. Three years after the fire her father remarries and Heather has to adjust to living with a step family and they with her. The family moves into an old church out in the country. Behind the church is an old graveyard where Heather discovers a forgotten 100 year old grave of a little girl. Because of an untold guilt Heather befriends the ghost of the little girl buried in this grave, Helen. Heather’s 12 year old step sister, Molly, seems to appear every time Heather is talking with Helen. Helen convinces Heather to go with her, if it were not for Molly Heather would have drowned too.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
About the Author:
http://www.childrensbookguild.org/hahn.html
List of books and what they are about by the same Author:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/mary-downing-hahn/
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn
Keywords: Ghost, cemetery, forgotten, forgiveness
This is a great story of a step family coming together, clearing up misunderstandings and forgiving. It is a great book for young adults interested in the mysteries of old places and the unknown.
Just a note, the cover changes depending on who publishes this book so do not let the cover fool you. Look for the title and the author match.

ARROW TO THE SUN


Arrow to the Sun a Pueblo Indian tale
Gerald McDermott
The Caldecott Medal
Interest Level: Elementary
CATEGORY: Multicultural folk tale
TYPE: Juvenile fiction
SUMMARY: It is about a boy in search of his father. He finds he has to go through some trials to prove he is his son. The boy easily goes through the challenge chambers and is transformed by the power of the sun. The boy returns to the world to be greeted with a great welcoming celebration.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Author’s web site:
http://www.geraldmcdermott.com/
About the Author and his books:
http://www.rif.org/art/illustrators/mcdermott.mspx
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
MUSICIAN OF THE SUN by Gerald McDermott
Anansi The Spider by Gerald McDermott
KEYWORDS: son, father, arrow, searching, life
This is a great book from the Pueblo Indians. It gives us an opportunity to hear and enjoy some of their stories. Gerald McDermott is a great author of folk tales and he brings his fascinating art work into his books.

Friday, June 20, 2008

LOVE THAT DOG


LOVE THAT DOG
Sharon Creech
Newbery- winning novelist
Interest Level: upper elementary
CATEGORY: Poetry Novel
TYPE: Juvenile Fiction
SUMMARY: This novel is about a boy who thinks that writing poetry is just for girls. As his school year progresses, he realizes that he is writing poetry even if it is not what he thought it should be like. He becomes aware that poetry is not just for girls.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
A review about this book:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/Love-That-Dog.html
Author’s web site:
http://www.sharoncreech.com/novels/01.asp
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
KEYWORDS: girls, poems, boy, dog, dad
Using a journal format to write Jacks’ poetry, Creech creates an interesting way to follow the story line while still enjoying the poems.

A PIZZA the size of the SUN


a PIZZA the size of the SUN
Jack Prelutsky
Children’s Poet Laureate, 2006
Interest Level: elementary
CATEGORY: Poems
TYPE: Juvenile Fiction
SUMMARY: This poem book has a great variety of poems. Prelutsky’s poems are very entertaining, easy to read, and he has an interesting variety of poem formats. For example, several of his poems have to be read from right to left. This can be challenging and fun at the same time.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Reviews about this book:
http://www.jackson.lib.la.us:8000/kcweb/kcContent?isbn=9780688132354&type=review&controlnumber=+++95035930&referedby=titlelist
About the author:
http://project1.caryacademy.org/echoes/poet_Jack_Perlutsky/DefaultJack%20Prelutsky.htm
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky
Something Big Has Been Here By Jack Prelutsky
KEYWORDS: Variety, short, long, humorous, imaginative
This is not a book I would have just picked up to read, but after reading it; I have a different outlook about picking up a book of poems to read. Prelutsky’s poems have a rich vocabulary that our children would benefit from. Children would definitely enjoy this book, for its humor, imagination, and rhythm.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Dog and Bear Two's Company


Dog and Bear Two’s company
Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Publish April 2008
Interest Level: ages 3 to 7
CATEGORY: fiction
TYPE: Picture book
SUMMARY: the story continues with dog and bear enjoying each others company. The bright colorful watercolor pictures are outlined with a black paint brush outline which makes the colors even more vibrant. The pictures show the actions of the dog and bear which would make the book easy to connect with.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
About the Author;
http://www.studiolvs.com/website_root/StudioLVS_Home/About.html
Book article:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb3499/is_200803/ai_n25238737
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Dog and Bear-Two Friends, Three Stories by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
My Friend John by Charlotte Zolotow
KEYWORDS: friends, birthday, dog, bear, watercolors
This is a wonderful book about friendship and what friends do for each other. It is very simple and easy to read, the pictures support the story, and it keeps the readers wanting to read it again and again.

First the Egg


First the Egg
Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Caldecott Honor Award 2008
Interest Level: ages 3 to 7
CATEGORY: nonfiction
TYPE: Picture Book
SUMMARY: This is a simple book about which comes first in life; the chicken or the egg. The pictures are simple and bright they are an acrylic on canvas which gives it a beautiful textured look. The Die cuts add to the visual connections from what it was to what it becomes.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Reviews about the book and the author:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/books/review/London-t.html
About the author:
http://www.studiolvs.com/website_root/StudioLVS_Home/About.html
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too? By Eric Carle
SPOTS, FEATHERS AND CURLY TAILS BY Nancy Tafuri
KEYWORDS: egg, chicken, words, story, colorful
This is a good book that would be easy to use with very young children and beginning readers. It is interesting and simple yet it keeps a child’s attention.

Kitten's First Full Moon


Kitten’s First Full Moon
Kevin Henkes
Caldecott Medal Winner 2005
Interest Level: elementary
CATEGORY: fiction
TYPE: Picture Book
SUMMARY: This is a book about a kitten that sees the moon and thinks it is its bowl of milk and is determined to get to it. The pictures are in shades of black, grey and white. With these three colors alone, Henkes shows the kittens facial expressions to let you know exactly how the kitten may be feeling as he chases, stumbles, and jumps for what he thinks is his bowl of milk, he eventually gets his bowl of milk when he returns home.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
The authors website:
http://www.kevinhenkes.com/
About the author along with lessons plans for his different mouse books:
http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/henkes.htm
BOOK CONNECTIONS:
A Kitten’s Year by Nancy Raines Day
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
KEYWORDS: kitten, milk, moon, playful, sad, happy
Anybody who has had any experience with kittens can see the playful kitten in this book actually behaving in this manner. This is a wonderful book that allows you to feel, though the kitten’s facial expressions, the frustrations he goes through to get a bowl of milk.

Monday, June 9, 2008

The Book Thief


The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Tayshas 2006
Interest Level: High School
CATEGORY: Historical Fiction
TYPE: Novel


SUMMARY: A little girl finds herself in a new environment with a foster family. During the time of World War II, through tragedy she steals a book; she learns to read and begins to collect books by stealing them. She reads her stolen books in a neighbor’s cellar during air raids, and to a Jewish man taking refuge in her basement, and to a lonely neighbor.

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Background on this book by Markus Zusak, featured by Random House:
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/
About the author:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=1275

BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Resistance by Owen Sheers
A Storm of Swords by George R R. Martin

KEYWORDS: War, Germany, bombs, refuge, death

This was a good book to read considering that most of the books that I have read about World War II have been about the Holocaust, the Jewish massacre. This book was about some of the hardships of the underprivileged German people especially the children.

The House of the Scorpion




The House of the Scorpion
By Nancy Farmer
Newbery and Honor Books 2003
Interest Level: high school
Category: Futuristic Science Fiction
Type: Novel

Summary: Matt could not understand why he could not go outside to play. Later when he is discovered he is treated like a piece of property by the children and most of the adults, except a child named Maria. Matt eventually learns that he is a clone of El Patron, Matteo Alacran. Clones of El Patron are made to harvest organs, will the same fate fall on Matt or will he be the lucky one to gain his freedom?

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Nancy Keane does a book talk on this book:
http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/farmer_house.htm
About the author:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=818

BOOK CONNECTIONS:
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
Night Watch by Terry Pratcett

KEYWORDS: future, alone, identity, freedom

This is a fascinating book that makes you wonder what could happen if human cloning is allowed. What struggles would the cloned person go through? It is set in a future world with realistic possibilities of what one man with money, power and control is capable of doing.