Insectlopedia by Douglas Florian

1. Bibliography
Florian, Douglas. 1998. INSECTLOPEDIA. New York: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152013067

2. Plot Summary
Douglas Florian creates a book full of different bugs ranging from the black widow spider to the praying mantis. Children can enjoy learning about twenty-one different insects in a verse poem style, with designs that fit the characteristics of the insect. Children of all ages will love this book of poetry.

3. Critical Analysis
In this creative book of poems, readers will enjoy learning about many different insects. Using a verse form, Florian will catch the readers eyes with the different patterns he uses to portray the creatures. As he presents the Whirligig Beetles, and since they are known for, “We whirl, we twirl”, Florian uses the pattern of a circle to represent their lifestyle.

The words used throughout the poems create a tone that fits the characteristics of each subject. He makes patterns and rhythms that are enjoyable and easily read by people of all ages. As he represents the dragonfly and states, “I am a dragon, the demon of skies. Behold my bold enormous eyes,” readers will be intrigued by this artistic description.

To add to the inspired words of each subject, Florian presents readers with pictures to enhance the imagination of the subjects. The layout of the pictures fit perfectly to the description of each bug and the colors chosen just enhance the mind's eye even more. With each subject given its own page, readers can focus on the presentation of the insects, and enjoy the lessons given for all.

4. Reviews
ALA Notable Children’s Book
Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year
BOOKLIST: “The clever artwork, deftly constructed, and the entertaining collection of insect and arachnid verse it illustrates will delight readers.”

5. Connections
*Other books by Douglas Florian
LIZARDS, FROGS, AND POLLIWOGS. ISBN 015202591X
MAMMALABILIA. ISBN 0152050248
IN THE SWIM. ISBN 0152024379
*Teachers and parents can use this book to help review children about insects. This would be a good book to include in lessons in science class when learning about insects.

Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems by Kristine O'Connell George

1. Bibliography
O’Connell George, Kristine. 2001. Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems. Ill. By Kate Kiesler. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 061804597

2. Plot Summary
Camping can be such an exciting journey, and Kristine O’Connell George helps readers see vivid pictures through simple poems. Whether it is changing in a sleeping bag or setting and taking down a tent, readers can experience life in the outdoors. The creative paintings by Kate Kiesler add to the captivating poems that will have readers full of ideas of an exciting camping trip.

3. Critical Analysis
The simple poems created by George will capture the life of camping, from sitting by a campfire to sleeping outdoors. Readers will enjoy this well crafted book of thirty poems told through a child’s eye. As readers visit different areas of camping, one can enjoy the memories just like they were there. From sitting by the campfire and going from “warm front, cold back” it will entice someone to want to participate in the joys of camping.

The creative style used for rhythm and the pattern of each page gives a distinct look and feel for the readers. Like the pattern of Two Voices in a Tent at Night helps reveal two people in a joint conversation, although a reader can not see them. As one goes from the magical rain dance to the fierce mosquito song, children of all ages will be anticipating the next page.

Kiesler portrays the illusion of camping with the watercolor drawings included with each poem. The illustrations help build a more extensive idea of what camping is all about. Between the joint efforts of George and Kiesler, a magical book is created that will have readers wanting more.

4. Reviews
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “this volume by George and Kiesler is as delicious as a toasted marshmallow treat.”
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “Anyone who has ever gone on a family camping trip will delight in this simple yet affecting collection of poems.”

5. Connections
*Similar books
WHEN WE GO CAMPING. BY Margriet Ruurs. ISBN 0887766854
SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN AND OTHER POND POEMS. BY Joyce Sidman. ISBN 0618135472
LEAF MAN. BY Lois Ehlert. ISBN 0152053042

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

1. Bibliography
Hesse, Karen. OUT OF THE DUST. New York: Scholastic, 1997.

2. Plot Summary
At the age of fourteen, the narrator Billy Jo must face the devastation of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Through her eyes, she shares her story and the effects it has on her family. During this emotional period of her life, Billie Jo’s dream to become a pianist is stolen from her after a heartbreaking fire takes her mother’s life and damages her hands, making them useless. As a result, she has to learn to keep her spirit alive and persevere through the pit falls of life. In a diary form, Hesse tells about Billie Jo’s incredible journey through this tragic part of her life.

3. Critical Analysis
This heart felt book portraying the life of Billie Jo in Oklahoma will have readers in admiration of her will to survive. The Dust Bowl and the Great Depression are just the beginning of her fight in life. While dealing with these struggles, a dreadful fire takes her mother and baby brother, and damages her hands to “swollen lumps.” When her only content in life was being a piano player was taken from her, she must try and keep her spirit alive. In this narrative, Billie Jo will walk you through her life showing readers many emotions and her fight to survive.

With a strong narrative voice, Hesse writes a Newberry Medal winner in a free verse poem, which helps readers create a vivid image of Billie Jo’s life. As she tells of different times in her life like when the dust came on “like a fired locomotive,” readers can feel the suffering she is encountering. This novel will convey life during the Dust Bowl of the Great Depression, and allow one to feel the ups and downs of this time period through the eyes of a child.

4. Reviews
1998 Newbery Medal winner
Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - Best Book for Young Adults
Publisher’s Weekly – "This intimate novel, written in stanza form, poetically conveys the heat, dust and wind of Oklahoma. With each meticulously arranged entry Hesse paints a vivid picture of her heroine's emotions."

5. Connections
*Similar Books
THE GIVER. By Lois Lowry. ISBN 0440237688
A SINGLE SHARD. By Linda Sue Park. ISBN 0440418518
WALK TWO MOONS. By Sharon Creech. ISBN 0064405176
*A Guide for Using Out of the Dust in the Classroom by Sarah Clark would be a good resource for teachers to use to help teach OUT OF THE DUST.