Wednesday, March 21, 2007

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park


Bibliography
Park, Linda Sue. 2001. A SINGLE SHARD. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395978270

Plot Summary
Set in the 12th-century Korea, an orphan named Tree Ear is raised by an older gentleman named Crane-man in a potter’s village. The pair lives under a brigde, and survives off of rubbish and rice. Tree Ear begins to follow the work of a talented potter who catches him snooping around his house after breaking some of his work. To repay his debt, Tree Ear begins to work for the potter, and then stays on to work for food and the hopes to learn the trade. Through very hard work and much selflessness readers will see Tree Ear grow through his experiences and know what it is like to live in this time period.

Critical Analysis
In Ch'ul'po, a potter’s village, an orphan named Tree Ear is raised by Crane-man who has one shriveled leg, which is how he got his name. The pair lives under a bridge when the weather is nice and in an old kimchee cellar during the winter months. They are able to survive off of rubbish and rice that has fallen on the ground. The two work hard for everything they have, because in this time period “stealing and begging…make a man no better than a dog.” Park gives readers vivid images with her writing throughout to allow a true connection with Tree Ear.

Around the age of 12, Tree Ear accidentally breaks a rectangular lidded box by Min, who is considered the most talented craftsman in the town. To repay his dept, Tree Ear will work for Min for nine days completing task like chopping wood and cutting clay. During the nine days he builds a relationship with Min’s wife who is filling up his bowl with more food after he hides half of his lunch for Crane-Man. With completion of paying back his debt, Tree Ear stays on with Min to continue to help and get paid in food. During his work with Min, Tree Ear learns and experiences many new things. Including his biggest challenge of being sent on a journey to deliver two pieces of pottery created for Emissary Kim, but only arriving with a single shard due to trouble he runs into a long the way. Throughout the novel readers will be amazed with the determination Tree Ear has. Park does an award winning job in portraying a boy who must over come many obstacles to achieve his goal, and readers will be engaged throughout the book as Tree Ear encounters the ups and downs of his life.

Review Excerpts
Newbery Award
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Linda Sue Park's 2002 Newbery Award-winning story (Clarion, 2001) about Tree-ear, a 12th century Korean orphan who finds his future through his intuitive interest in the potter's trade, is nicely rendered.”
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Park (Seesaw Girl) molds a moving tribute to perseverance and creativity in this finely etched novel set in mid- to late 12th-century Korea.”

Connections
*Similar Books
BUD, NOT BUDDY. By Christopher Paul Curtis ISBN 043940200X
A YEAR DOWN YONDER. By Richard Peck ISBN 0142300705
KIRA-KIRA. By Cynthia Kadohata ISBN 0689856407
OUT OF THE DUST. By Karen Hesse ISBN 0590371258

The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Bibliography
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 1997. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 0440414121

Plot Summary
In this humorous book about the Watson’s, readers will see the typical interactions and routines of an African-American family living in Flint, Michigan. This will all drastically change when the family goes to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963 to drop off the “official juvenile,” Bryon. In the cleaned up Ultra-Glide, the family will have a trip like no other, including being a part of one of the saddest moments in history.

Critical Analysis
Curtis uses a good mixture of drama and humor to write this unforgettable novel of the Weird Watson’s. Starting the story off on a very cold morning in their home in Flint, Michigan we can see comic features this book is going to have. Telling the story from a ten year old boy named Kenny, the middle brother; we get a creative story with a true understanding of all the characters.

All through, readers will see how a family’s closeness helps get them through the good and bad times. Like the decision to take Byron, the oldest son, who is an “official juvenile,” to Alabama to spend time with his grandmother to straighten up his bad behavior. Through the adventures, readers will laugh at events like Bryon getting his lips stuck to glass and cry when Joetta faces a bombing at a local church. From the beginning to the end, Curtis will show how African-Americans faced challenges of discrimination during the 60’s.

Review Excerpts
Newbery Honor Book
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Ribald humor, sly sibling digs, and a totally believable child's view of the world will make this book an instant hit”
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: “The spectrum of emotions from comedy to tragedy make this a worthy Newbery Honor Book, 1996.”

Connections
*Other books similar to THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM – 1963
ESPERANZA RISING. By Pam Munoz Ryan. ISBN 043912042X
OUT OF THE DUST. By Karen Hesse. ISBN 0590371258
A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO. By Richard Peck. ISBN 0141303522
A SINGLE SHARD. By Linda Sue Park. ISBN 0440418518



Children of the Great Depression by Russell Freedman

Bibliography
Freedman, Russell. 2005. CHILDREN OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618446303

Plot Summary
Russell Freedom tells of the American children of the Great Depression and how they were affected by the economic and social changes. From challenges of unemployment, lack of food and shelter, and the struggles of their parents, readers will finish this book with a true perceptive of the Great Depression. Freedom also includes photographs of the time that aid in the understanding of this time period and what children faced.

Critical Analysis
As many families faced much difficulty during the Great Depression, Freedman shows how the children of this time were affected. From poor and the starving, the Okies, and the boxcar kids, the lives of these children are captured in this historical book. Using information from sources like diaries and newspapers he portrays to readers an outstanding view. Freedman uses quotes from real children all through the book that helps readers see what they felt during those days. Like, “I have done a boy’s work ever since I was five years old,” written by a fourteen-year-old girl. Reading this shows how hard the children of that time worked to help their family stay afloat.

Also, incorporated throughout are pictures by photographers like Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange, which creates a vivid picture of what life was like during that time. Pictures from a sharecropper and his family to children of the dust bowl, these captured photographs gives readers a true glimpse. With the combination of a well written words and interesting black-and-white photographs Freedman generated a must read book.

Review Excerpts
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Few authors are as well suited as Freedman to present a clear and understandable outline of this period.”
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “A Photobiography, tackles the Great Depression with the same flair as he does in his previous books.”

Connections
*CHILDREN OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION would be a great addition to use in classes that are studying this time period.
*Similar books
THE FORBIDDEN SCHOOLHOUSE: THE TRUE AND DRAMATIC STORY OF PRUDENCE CRANDALL AND HER STUDENTS. By Suzanne Jurmain. ISBN 0618473025
DUST TO EAT: DROUGHT AND DEPRESSION IS THE 1930S. By Michael L. Cooper. ISBN 0618154493
CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL: THE TRUE STORY OF THE SCHOOL AT WEEDPATCH CAMP. By Jerry Stanley. ISBN 0517880946
HITLER YOUTH. By Susan Campbell Bartoletti. ISBN 0439353793

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Whales by Gail Gibbons


1. Bibliography
Gibbons, Gail. 1991. WHALES. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823409006

2. Plot Summary
In this well written book, Gibbons gives details of whales including what they look like, and how and where they live. Readers will also discover what they sound like, and how and why they have been hunted by humans. This book will give a great introduction to facts of whales and it includes attractive illustrations to enhance the text.

3. Critical Analysis
In this simple to read book about whales, young readers can learn many facts about these great animals. Gibbons talks about two different whales that includes the tooted and baleen showing readers the difference between their physiology and behavior. From being "the world’s largest animals" to "they don’t chew their food," the facts presented throughout will fascinate its viewers. The information provided is also done in a well designed script that makes for easy understanding.

To add to the book, illustrations are provided in bright watercolors that accent the pages. Throughout readers can find drawings that are labeled, helpful hints on how to pronounce words, and interesting facts. A reader can enjoy the whole book at once, or just flip through and read the extra facts presented all over the illustrations. To close the book, Gibbons concludes with whale tales, for readers to learn other fascinating facts like “a blue whale is so big that 50 people could stand on its tongue”.

4. Review Excerpts
HORN BOOK: “An attractive, well-designed volume that provides much information in an accessible format.”
BOOKLIST: “The simple, straightforward, though choppy text is enhanced by nicely balanced, captioned paintings that emphasize clean, clear figures against aqueous backgrounds in watercolor."

5. Connections
*This book would be a great to use for beginning readers or as a read-aloud.
*Other books by Gail Gibbons discussing different animals
BATS. ISBN 0823416372
CATS. ISBN 0823414108
DOGS. ISBN 0823413357
FROGS. ISBN 0823411346
PIGS. ISBN 0823415546

Gorillas by Seymour Simon




1. Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 2000. GORILLAS. USA: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0060230363

2. Plot Summary
In this detailed book, Simon tells of three different gorillas and their physical make-up and the behavior each one presents. Included in this are their habitats, diet, and daily habits. With the many close up photographs and extensive descriptions readers will have a true understanding of these creatures and the lifestyles.

3. Critical Analysis
Gorillas are interesting creatures, and this is the feeling readers get after learning the facts Simon shares. Between their daily routines, how they raise their young, their family life, and the noises they can make like belching we see the life of a gorilla. In the details given, Simon also shows us that gorillas are not that different from us like their fingerprints and DNA. In addition he includes many attention-grabbing facts like "a gorilla can support their body weight on their knuckles" or "a four-hundred-pound gorilla can eat up to fifty pounds of plants a day." In the photographs provided, mainly close-ups, readers can get a good idea about a gorillas looks, especially their faces. They are oversized and real life that truly enhance the books presentation. Between the comprehensible text and well picked illustrations this book makes for a great read for children all ages.

4. Review Excerpts
Horn Book: “While the stunning, highly expressive photographs dominate in space and impact, Simon's concise and child-friendly writing means that a fairly full picture of gorilla behavior. . .is amply conveyed...”
School Library Journal: “A clear, concise picture of these endangered creatures and their lifestyle.”

5. Connections
*Other books about animals by Seymour Simon
SHARKS. ISBN 0060877138
SNAKES. ISBN 0064461653
WOLVES. ISBN 0064461769
BIG CATS. ISBN 006446119X

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy

1. Bibliography
Murphy, Jim. 2003. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395776082

2. Plot Summary
In the nation’s capital an incurable disease is rushing through North America. It is Philadelphia, 1793 and Jim Murphy uses a powerful narrative to describe this illness. The disease is known as the yellow fever, and it impacts every resident of the city in some way or another. As this epidemic flows through the capital, Murphy tells of the major social and political events that occur. Included in this glance in the past is the crisis faced by President Washington, the roles of free blacks, and the search for the causes and a cure. This book allows people to understand and feel the suffering caused by the yellow fever.

3. Critical Analysis
Jim Murphy does a solid job in showing the challenges faced by the yellow fever in 1793. Starting with the young French sailor, details are merged together of the frightening events that swept through Philadelphia. As Murphy tells readers “the tolling bells that had so thoroughly terrified everyone were ordered to remain still,” we can see the horrifying events become real. Murphy shows us the heroes that emerge from the Free African Society thinking they were immune and volunteer to make rounds through the city to help the dying. We also see the many methods used during this time period to find the cure, including Dr. Rush and his methods known as “Prince of Bleeders.” As readers see the fear and panic told by Murphy, a true understanding of this disease is shown. In this recreation of events, Murphy includes archival prints, photos, newspaper articles with a list of the dead, and more that help add to the understanding of this period. With these dramatic accounts and the illustrations, readers will have a true understanding of what it was like to live during this epidemic.

4. Review Excerpts
Orbis Pictus Award
Newbery Honor Book
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Leisurely, lyrical tone...Murphy injects the events with immediacy...archival photographs...bring the story to life...comprehensive history."
Horn Book: "diverse voices...representative images...Everywhere, Murphy is attentive to telling detail...Thoroughly documented...the work is both rigorous and inviting."

5. Connections
*Similar Books
FEVER 1793. BY Laurie Halse Anderson and Lori Earley. ISBN 0689848919
BLACK POTATOES: THE STORY OF THE GREAT IRISH FAMINE, 1845-1850. By Susan Campbell Bartoletti. ISBN 0618548831
THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARIAN ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. By Russell Freedman. ISBN 0618159762
*Other Book by Jim Murphy
THE GREAT FIRE. ISBN 0439203074