The Pot That Juan Built

Andrews-Goebel, Nancy. Ill. by David Diaz. 2002. The Pot That Juan Built. New York : Lee & Low Books, Inc. ISBN : 1583400388.

2004 Pura Belpre Honor Book

The Graveyard Book. Neil Gaiman.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Neil Gaiman; Béla Fleck. 2008. The Graveyard Book CD [AUDIOBOOK] [UNABRIDGED] (Audio CD) New York : Harper Children's Audio. ISBN : 9780061551895

PLOT SUMMARY

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He lives in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for Bod-an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible Sleer. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will no longer be safe from the man Jack-who is still out there looking for the baby that got away. Nobody Owens’s parents were killed when he was a toddler and he escaped to a cemetery where the people buried there hid him from the murderer. After a heated debate on whether to take him in and what to do with him from then on, the community of the dead agree to make him one of their own. They name him Nobody, and call him Bod, because he's like nobody else in the cemetery. Bod is taken in by Mr. and Mrs. Owens, a married, sadly childless, couple in ghost form who lived many years ago and raise the toddler as a member of their family. A nocturnal guardian named Silas ensures that Bod receives food, books, and anything else he might need from the human world. From the inhabitants of the yard and from his guardian, Silas, Bod learns the ways of ghosts: tricks for haunting fading, dream-walking, and soon is well known across all the graveyards in London. He also has academic lessons with a cast of dead intelligencia and tries a short stint at the local public school. Bod interacts naturally with humans and nonhumans alike, making a few friends among the living but mostly staying close to home. Wherever the boy wonders he finds new dangers and the skills he’ll need to survive within the graveyard and in the scary world of the living.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

There is a space of two years between each vignette and each can stand alone in story. The plot follows Bod's progress as he grows from baby to teen, learning life’s lessons amid a cadre of the long-dead, ghouls, witches, and all walks of undead. In time, Bod becomes a guardian of the graveyard. Gaiman’s world consists of a multigenerational cast of characters from different historical periods that includes matronly Mistress Owens, ancient Roman Caius Pompeius, an hidebound young witch, a captivating woman in grey, a Hound of God/school teacher for Bod and his beloved mentor and guardian, Silas, who is neither living nor dead. One of Bod’s most gripping adventures portrays the Duke of Westminster, the Emperor of China and the 33rd President of the United States (Harry Truman's name is never mentioned) as hideous ghouls hungry for Bod's flesh.

Gaiman cites his inspiration for his newest novel from Kipling’s The Jungle Book. There are some obvious parallels between Bod’s story and The Jungle Book; for example, instead of getting kidnapped by apes, Bod gets kidnapped by ghouls. Pieces of other epic stories are glimpsed throughout as well; Bod is prophesied to overthrow an ancient and powerful sect, he lives between two worlds, and then some… can’t give it all away! Gaiman cleverly blends horror, humor, and humanity into a exhilarating story. In all, this is a wonderful metaphor about a kid growing up and exploring the world beyond the safety his homes. There's so much to read into in this novel, no wonder it won the Newbery.

AUDIO EXPERIENCE

Neil Gaiman; Béla Fleck. 2008. The Graveyard Book CD [AUDIOBOOK] [UNABRIDGED] (7 Audio CD7 1/2 hr) Written and read by Neil Gaiman. Music performed by Béla Fleck.
The audio disc features a brilliant version of Saint-Saëns' "The Danse Macabre" performed by Béla Fleck on the banjo. Also introductory banjo in the beginning of each disc but then fades out for the remainder of the narration. Gaiman's voice never changes overmuch –he is nasal and scratchy for most of the reading; but he conveys the range of characters and their emotions by giving each character a different voice or accent. Nevertheless, curled up with the headphones, it’s as if he’s sitting beside me reading me a story, which is always soothing (this was my first audio book, probably not my last, but I’m not anxious for another).

I listened to this book while on a road trip with my family and in-laws –all avid readers. We all decided to give Gaiman a go, but the first two chapters of the book was all it took for the company to vote this book off the radio. It was slow to begin, and I think the baby-hunting in the first few scenes was just too much for some listening. I moved to headphones and listened for another 2 discs. If this wasn’t formal homework I may have returned the audio book for the print version altogether. The experience of listening to this audio book felt more like a chore than it should have. I had trouble following the story. I missed transitions and character introductions. Often I would suddenly feel like I had no idea what was going on. Not for not paying attention, but rather because I had trouble marking the important transitions between scenes. I didn’t catch character introductions and wondered who they were. At first I kept rewinding the audio to try to catch it, but that drove me crazy, so I listened and hoped it would come to make some sense. In the text those same transitions are marked by paragraph spacing or sometimes a small graphic between scenes that is not a new chapter but rather a long breathe between subjects. By disc 3 I was a little lost. My auditory acuity isn’t suited for listening to long vocal tracks like this. It could be complicated by his thick accent and changing tones. I just had a lot of trouble following Gaiman’s narration. I can’t blame the frustration on Gaiman’s writing, however, because my husband brought one of his other novels along for his own vacation reading, Anansi Boys. I picked it up a few times and was hooked immediately. (I must admit, even now I am anxious to finish this review so I can stay up reading about Fat Charlie) I was quickly intrigued by the writing, interested in the characters, and over the first few chapters, I found the story easy to follow as I would a Terry Pratchett or Stephen King novel. In conclusion, reading print is by far my preference over audio books any day, anywhere. But it was a good story and I'd like to read it –read it- again because I did miss quite a lot.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

“In this novel of wonder, Neil Gaiman follows in the footsteps of long-ago storytellers, weaving a tale of unforgettable enchantment.” -Monica Edinger. New York Times.
The Graveyard Book has spent 15 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list for children’s chapter books. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/books/27newb.html?em

“Gaiman's novel is a soothing towel on the forehead of an ashen, fevered rugrat who wants to know what it all means.” –miracle. http://www.fictioncircus.com/

AWARDS

The Graveyard Book won the 2009 Hugo and Newbery Awards, as well as a Locus Award for best YA novel.

Its numerous honors makes The Graveyard Book one of the most honored children's books in recent history. Gaiman's work was cited by the ALA for its "delicious mix of murder, fantasy, humor and human longing", noting its "magical, haunting prose."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Graveyard_Book

CONNECTIONS

Irish Academy Award-winning filmmaker Neil Jordan has signed on to write and direct the film adaptation.

Neil keeps a blog on jacketflap. You can learn an awful lot about him here http://www.jacketflap.com/megablog/index.asp?blogid=416

And of course on his website http://www.neilgaiman.com/

Gravestone Rubbing. Visit a cemetery with paper and charcoal to rub some gravestones of your own. Play the part of a detective and see what you can learn about the people who are buried there. Try to find the oldest and most recent residents.

The graveyard is populated with characters we typically think of as evil. How does Gaiman play with this idea, particularly in the characters of Silas, Miss Lupescu, and Eliza Hempstock?

Bod's human interactions are limited to a brief friendship with Scarlett and an even briefer stint at school. Discuss how these experiences change Bod. How do our friendships and associations with others affect us?

Rapunzel's Revenge. Shannon Hale.

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

PLOT SUMMARY

Rapunzel has no idea what lies over the giant wall surrounding the castle where she lives as Mother Gothel’s daughter and heir. When she dares to spy over it one day, she meets her real mother living in slavery on the other side. Her curiosity incurs the wrath of Mother Gothel and she is locked away in a small room at the top of a very tall, very magical tree. During her years in captivity her hair grows extremely long and she devises an escape plan to use her hair like a rope: rappelling out of the tree, into the wild forest around her, and off to save her real mother from Mother Gothel’s evil rule. As Rapunzel herself says in the narration, “This is where the ‘once upon a time’ part ends.”


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Rapunzel is reinvented in this exciting rendition of the classic fairy tale collaboration by Shannon Hale, her husband Dean Hale, the brilliant artist Nathan Hale (no relation) and Melinda Hale (also no relation) on text detail. Here is where the Brothers Grimm meets the Wild West with creative abandon. Everything is exaggerated by Mother Gothel’s growth magic. There is a reassuring diversity among characters living in Gothel's realm coming in every shape and color. There are dwarves and a magic pick axe named Inga, a crazy hermit named Witchy Jasper who has a pet jackelope, a sea serpent, a giant bucking boar, scary coyotes, and more. Rapunzel herself is a lasso wielding acrobat out to save the world in her funky outfits and flaming locks a mile long. Jack, the mysterious outlaw with magic beans, is a native boy running from the law with a goose named Goldie who may one day lay an egg.

This tall tale has all the best from western legends and the desert scenery with rocky landscape, native architecture, and oversize cactus bring home the high desert. The two protagonists are in trouble everywhere they go, making for non-stop action adventure. After Rapunzel’s escape from the magic tree, Mother Gothel put a price on Rapunzel’s head for treason and sent her muscleman, Brute, to fetch her. (He’s huge and rides a ginormous buffalo … are you thinking Paul Bunyan?) Gothel locked up Rapunzel’s birth mother, and Rapunzel is determined to get back to the castle to rescue her mother, overthrow Gothel’s evil rule, and return the country to prosperity. But first they outwit every foe that crosses their path and make some friends along the way. The writing is spunky with witty banter and jokes galore. The fast paced plot doesn’t faze Nathan Hale. His illustrations move across the page with a rhythm all their own and bring the story to life. If you don’t take time to study them you’ll miss some better details of the story. A number of well known fairy tales find their way into the telling of Rapunzel’s Revenge adding intrigue and humor on a myriad of levels, but it would take an evil stepmother to give that part away.

Though nearly 150 pages thick, I devoured this novel in one afternoon. It proved to be a great escape from the real world for a few hours and I will gratefully read it again. A joy for anyone and everyone –even my toddler is now trying to lasso the world!


REVIEW EXCERPTS

“In this graphic novel, Rapunzel's a spunky, hair-whip-toting cowgirl. She joins with stolen-goose rapscallion Jack to rescue her mother and end her wicked stepmother's reign. The gutsy tale is particularly well suited to its format, with illustrations mixing the familiar and offbeat. High action, sensory thrills, and the wisecracking heroes are clearly conveyed through image cropping, text placement, and facial emotional cues.” Horn Book. http://www.perma-bound.com/

“If you don’t love this one… I’ll grow super-long braids and ride off into the sunset.” Shelfelf. http://shelfelf.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/rapunzels-revenge/


AWARDS for Rapunzel’s Revenge

Rapunzel’s Revenge has won or has been nominated for many awards, including an ALA 2009 Notable Children’s Book award, a YALSA 2009 Great Graphic Novel for Teens award, and an Eisner Award nomination.


CONNECTIONS

Students can search for the different characters mentioned in this rendition. Each student can choose one and compare their original tale to the new characterization in Rapunzel’s Revenge.

For a creative writing exercise, reinvent another fairy tale or legend, create a dialogue and perform it or illustrate and publish it.

In history, relate Rapunzel’s hair-power with other Samson tales or tie it to the traditional role of hair across cultures (Seikh, Native American, etc)
Shannon provides some wonderful activity ideas on her website, http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books_rap.html

Find out more about the Hales online at Shannon’s official website http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html and in her wikipedia page, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shannon_Hale.

Jellicoe Road. Melina Marchetta.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Marchetta, Melina. 2006. Jellicoe Road. New York : HarperCollins. ISBN 9780061431845.

PLOT SUMMARY

Five people die in a car accident on the Jellicoe Road. Three kids survive, another saves them and they embrace one more. This crew will be friends for as long as they live. Taylor Markham's mother left her at the 7-11 on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven years old and she has no idea where she comes from. A novel of self discovery and friendship; two stories from the past and present bring together bonds of history- shared love, grief, secrets, truth and forgiveness- at the school on Jellicoe Road.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel is really two stories set in a rural Australian boarding school: about a girl struggling to find her peace, and about a group of teenagers 20 years in the past whose friendship shaped her history. The ending is suddenly intense, with happy and painful moments crushed together so that you don’t know whether to cry or laugh. At its heart, this a story about how friendships born from grief can last a lifetime.

Taylor Markham is the hesitant leader of the school in the traditional territory wars between the Jellicoe School students (led by Taylor), the Townies (led by Chaz Santangelo), and the Cadets (led by Jonah Griggs), who come in for six weeks from the city. Taylor is lost in herself; she struggles with leading the school, her missing mother, the disappearance of Hannah, a serial killer on the loose, and general teenage angst. When Hannah suddenly goes away, Taylor comes undone in her despair. She finds some solace in Hannah's house reading her unfinished manuscript which slowly reveals the story of Taylor’s mysterious past. Only Jonah, the boy that is getting under her skin through her heart, and the support from her wards will bring her out of her head and strengthen her resolve to find her own peace.

Hannah's manuscript brings the past into Taylor’s present with the story of five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road: Tate, Narnie, Webb, Fitz, and Jude. A terrible accident brings these five together with a bond to outlast life and death. They begin the territory wars, built the clubhouse, carve their story in the Prayer Tree, and share the horrible secret. Not all of them grow up, and those that do have issues. But the survivors carry their love for each other through all sorts of trial and tribulation, till the bitter end.

The first 150 pages are confusing and disjointed -just like a disturbed teenage girl’s mind. It seems to be all about the war games and poor Taylor’s abandonment issues -except for the insertion of a seemingly unconnected plotline which I originally thought was about Talyor’s schoolmates. One moment Taylor’s drowning a cat with her bare hands and the next moment she’s fallen for her worst rival. Then suddenly the characters change altogether and there’s depression, suicide, and melodramatics from the past. There’s a boy in her dreams that spooks her but she worries when the he doesn’t appear even though she’s avoided sleep to miss him. I nearly quit this book for all the whining self-absorbed teenage ick.

The juxtaposition between Taylor’s narrative and Hanna’s story is a very clever idea and ultimately made an awesome journey out of a mediocre coming of age novel. The lack of transition between stories made it difficult to keep up, even sometimes they felt like the same characters. The character development is sporadic and most of the connections are not clear until the very last chapters. Once the pieces began to fit together though, I had a hard time putting the novel down. Slowly the characters become surprisingly real and it’s hard not to be swallowed by their raw and vivid emotions. I felt what the characters felt: joy, sadness, hope, despair, happiness, and belonging. Taylor and her friends are different people at the beginning and the end of the book. They seem to forget about the territory wars and fall in love with one another, run away, and collaborate on solving the mystery of Taylor’s life. Each character is changed by the past in some way. In the end, Taylor is no longer the manic-depressed girl forced to lead her school, but a confident young woman who’s found her home, her family, and peace in her soul.

I laughed, I cried, I held my breath; I even forgot the rambling beginning as I read well into the night –hooked in Marchetta’s fierce storytelling. If you can stand the beginning, it’s well worth it to keep reading.


REVIEW EXCERPTS

"Melina Marchetta has a knack for writing stories that swallow you up and refuse to let you go until you’ve read every last word....Marchetta is a master at creating intriguing characters and her stories are heartfelt." -Sydney Morning Herald on JELLICOE ROAD

"Two tragic stories--one past, one present--come together in this carefully constructed novel set in the Australian bush. Despite grief piled on grief in the personal histories of the characters, they are all firmly bound by friendship and love. Suspenseful plotting, slowly unraveling mysteries, and generations of romance shape the absorbing novel." -The Horn Book


AWARDS FOR JELLICOE ROAD
Michael L. Printz Award
Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book
ALA Best Book for Young Adults

CONNECTIONS

The disordered plotlines provide an opportunity to teach notetaking and diagramming to older students. As they read the novel, have them take notes on the character relationships, story lines, or even to track the clues that bring the two sagas together.

Marchetta repeatedly refers to the 1980’s (the setting for Hannah’s story) as being far in the past. What do the eighties mean to us now? How to modern students view that era, the music and culture from 20 years ago?

This novel broaches the tender subject of teenage emotions: suicide.grief. loneliness.etc. How can students relate? Offer a journal exercise to help them define their own emotions.

If teaching a geography module on Australia, try to connect the culture for the students by providing a selection of realistic-fiction novels set there. Talk about the diversity of language and lifestyle present across the continent. How do the students relate to Aussie perspective as compared with their own native culture?

The Game of Silence. Louise Erdrich

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Erdrich, Louise. 2005. The Game of Silence. New York : HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780060297909.




PLOT SUMMARY

Her name is Omakayas and she lives in an Ojibwe village on the Island of the Golden-Breasted Woodpecker (Lake Superior) in 1850. The routine of the village is interrupted by the arrival of a group of desperate strangers without clothes or food. Her people take them in immediately; giving the orphaned children new homes and nurses the older travelers back to health. From these travelers the village learns that the whites are forcing all Native Americans to move west, despite the treaty. To be sure of the stories brought by these strangers the village sends their men in the four directions to learn why the chimookomanag are breaking the treaty and how the tribe will live in this western reserve (not well, as the men soon find out). A whole year passes before the first man returns. Meanwhile, Erdich tells the daily life and migrations of Omakayas and her family. Her dreams tell her that there is much change in her future –she will leave her island and seek a new home away from the white settlers.




CRITICAL ANALYSIS

It is 1850 and the lives of her have a familiar rhythm: they build their birchbark houses in the summer, go to the rice camps in the fall, and move to their cozy cedar log cabins near town for the winter. The historic novel paints a wonderful picture of Anishinabe culture during colonization. Erdich conveys the experiences of traditional family life in vivid language and dots the text with humorous and very real moments of childhood. The children play, get in trouble, care for (and terrorize) each other, animals, plan war parties, gather food and do their chores. Sometimes the parents sing the song for silence and the Game begins. Prizes are piled up for the children who win and they all sit quietly while their parents talk about the impending changes and search for a solution.

Erdich does not downplay the terror of colonization nor the fear coursing through the families; but neither do her characters wallow in despair. In town near their winter cabin the family has more interaction with the settlers. Omakay and her sister befriend a young girl in town; they go to school and teach their father to read and write; the family trades with the merchants there. The interaction between the two cultures is peaceful. The girls communicate through gesture and broken sounds –mostly they are curious of each other.

This novel glows with insight and appreciation for traditional Ojibwa life. Dozens of sweet pencil illustrations show the characters in their natural surroundings. Just a little open web research on the Anishinabe/Ojibwa people will confirm that Erdich’s literary illustrations are truthful to their history. Louise Erdrich is of German-American/Chippewa descent, a native of North Dakota, and she is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe. She writes with both English and Anishinaabemowin. In the end pages she offers a comprehensive glossary of Ojibwe terms in the story.

I simply could not put this novel down. This is the middle of a trilogy set during the 1800's in Minnesota: The Birchbark House, then The Game of Silence, and finally The Porcupine Year. I think I'd like to read the series through. I love a good long tale and if this volume is like the others, I know what I’ll be reading over Christmas!


REVIEW EXCERPT

“A bloody brilliant piece of work.” E.R. Bird, Children’s Librarian.


AWARDS for Game of Silence

New York Times Notable
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Kirkus Editor’s Choice
Horn Book Fanfare
ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice


CONNECTIONS

Ojibwe culture: I hate to say it but Wikipedia is a pretty good starting place for finding out more about the Ojibwe Nation. They have collected some high quality links to information on all aspects of the tribes history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojibwe

Ojibwe language: http://www.ojibwemowin.com/ is the site for teachers of Anishinaabemowin. This is a great place to find research on language revitalization, curricular ideas, and to connect to other linguistic sites for Native languages.

Reviews and author biography at http://www.kidsreads.com/ among many.

Midnight Magic. Avi

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Avi. 1999. Midnight Magic. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780590360357.

PLOT SUMMARY
Set in Italy 1491, in the Kingdom of Pergamontio, Mangus the Magician and his apprentice, Fabrizio, are summoned to the castle of King Claudio to banish the ghost that haunts his daughter -only to discover that it is worse than that.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

After being tried for the sin of performing magic, and in exchange for his life, Mangus the Magician is pursuing Reason and Science over the dark mysteries and intrigues of the Middle Ages. Mangus is not a real wizard but a former entertainer, and indeed he does not believe in magic but rather that every mystery can be explained through logic and reason. He and his apprentice, Fabrizio, spend their days of house arrest in a cold dark home filled with old tomes of knowledge.

One stormy midnight Fabrizio casts his tarot cards. Hoping to see a great future for his master Fabrizio draws: THE CASTELLO, THE KING, THE GHOST, THE PRINCESS, THE TUTOR, THE QUEEN and DEATH. In that moment, the story begins! A soldier arrives to escort Mangus to help the King free the princess from her ghostly visions. Fabrizio follows his master to the King’s side and soon the pair discovers a foul plot is afoot involving a missing prince, murders, hidden passages and of course, the king's deceitful adviser, Count Scarazoni. The tarot cards’ message unfolds as Avi rolls out a wonderful story. The book feels predictable until the plot twists -just when you think you have it figured out. I liked the end when truth and reason win out over lies conspiracy and everyone lives happily in peace and comfort.

The story flows well. I enjoyed the innocence of the plot; not riveting, but certainly entertaining. Avi skillfully weaves serious philosophy into a stirring and spirited piece of fiction. Something that really made this book work for me was the clever banter between Mangus and Fabrizio. Referencing old sayings of truth and wisdom their interactions are humorous and sometimes quite profound. (“I think it’s better to be a living donkey than a dead wise man” –Fabrizio page 127)

[A taste of an early conversation… ]

“Fabrizio, if you buy with ignorance, you will be paid with the same coin.
“But master, you know what people say, ‘False gold often buys more than iron.’
Fabrizio, a fool is paid in folly.
Master, if a foolish man makes a map, let him journey alone.
(Mangus) Ah, but until all men are wise, the wise must act for all men.
Master, just because a flea needs blood to live, am I obliged to carry him on my skin?”
(Page 60)

I have heard about Avi and see his books fly off the shelves. I was curious what the buzz is about so chose him for our featured author of Historical Fiction. After reading the synopsis for this novel I decided it was probably one that I would enjoy. The book was okay - nothing spectacular but an easy and entertaining read. I’m not an “Avi-fan” yet though I’ll likely give another of his novels a try –perhaps his other books are more riveting. I will look forward to the next one.

FEATURED AUTHOR: AVI

Edward Irving Wortis and his sister were born 1937, in New York and were raised in Brooklyn. His twin sister gave him the nickname "Avi" at an early age. He grew up in a family of readers, writers, and artists but did not come easily into his gift. “Teachers told young Avi that his writing didn't make any sense. Little did they know he had dysgraphia, a learning disability that makes writing difficult. Yet, with boundless talent and the encouragement of an understanding tutor, Avi kept writing.” Avi is now a proud author of many novels. For 25 years his career as a librarian supported both his family and his writing until literary success enabled him to retire and become a full-time author. He has won Newbery awards for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (1990), Nothing But The Truth (1991) and Poppy (1995). He writes historical novels, comedies, animal adventures and ghost stories –all for a young audience. Avi lives with his wife in Denver, Colorado. His website features interviews, biographies, photos, and his bibliography of published work. Avi says that his favorite book he’s ever written is “The Next One.”
http://www.avi-writer.com/avi_biography

REVIEW EXCERPT

“Weaving in the age-old clash between superstition and reason, Avi creates a sort of 15th-century Holmes and Watson in the characters of Mangus and Fabrizio, who continually trade aphorisms (" `Fabrizio, if you buy with ignorance, you will be paid with the same coin.' `But, Master, you know what people say, False gold often buys more than iron' "). With snappy dialogue, nonstop action and lavishly embroidered period backdrops, this will please Avi's fans and may well win over some new ones.” (Publishers Weekly: Barnes & Noble)

CONNECTIONS

The inclusion of a ghost and the incongruities of science and magic evoke the lingering question of whether there is truth in the supernatural or if it's merely something science has yet to explain. What mysteries exist today that science has yet to interpret? How do people define these phenomenon in modern day?

Scholastic provides some really wonderful discussion questions for Midnight Magic. One particularly good discussion point scholastic offers is below:

"With its medieval setting, Midnight Magic shows how through time human nature has basically remained the same. Consider Count Scarazoni's statement, "There are laws against magic. Our people fear it" (page 32). At what other times in our history would this statement be true? What does his comment reveal about human nature? What are other things against which people have made laws mainly because of fear?"
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=1054_type=Book_typeId=3982

For ideas on lesson plans and other AVI connections for the classroom check out http://www.webenglishteacher.com/avi.html .

Island of the Blue Dolphins. Scott O’Dell.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

O’Dell, Scott. 1960. Island of the Blue Dolphins. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0440439884.

PLOT SUMMARY

As everyone in Karana’s tribe is leaving the island to join their chief in a new land, she realizes her little brother has been left behind. She jumps out of the boat and swims back to the island. They live there alone until her brother is killed by a pack of wild dogs. After his death she is very lonely and tries to sail after her family, only to return to the island when the boat begins to leak. Over time she makes friends with a variety of animals, she builds a house, gathers food, makes canoes and even weapons to eradicate the dogs that threaten to kill her too. She is lonely. As the months turn into years she prepares to go with the next ship that lands on the island but that is a long time to come. Many things happen while she grows older on the island. This well crafted story is a unique and enchanting adventure.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Karana’s story takes place on San Nicolas Island off the coast of California. The island is shaped like a big fish sunning itself on the ocean. The village is called Ghalas-at and Karana was possibly the last member of the Nicoleño tribe. Unlike many contemporary novels of the time, Island of the Blue Dolphins portrays a strong female protagonist. The representation of tribal life, written by a non-native in 1960, is admirable; none of the crazy prejudice against Natives during that era is present in O’Dell’s writing. As a reader I appreciate how he pays honor to the ways of her tribe and the traditions that help her thrive after everyone leaves.

The first person narrative follows her experiences on the island across 20+ years. As Karana matures, O’Dell skillfully includes subtle changes in her perception, emotions, and thoughts as each experience gives shape to her story. After losing her brother to the dogs, she goes through stages of loneliness, loss, determination, and peace. She develops a family of animal friends she recued and tamed: an orphaned otter, two birds taken from their nest, and even the wild dog she initially sought to destroy.. She thinks in terms of rocks, sand, sea, wind which brings the reader further into her world. Eventually she realizes how deep her loneliness has rooted and she decides to join the next ship that lands on her island. Luckily the very next ship is actually looking to rescue her (but she doesn’t know that, so neither does the reader.) The sailors seem to expect her though and welcome her and her animals. The story ends as she sails away from the island for the last time, already missing her quiet life and happy times.

The sequel to Island of the Blue Dolphins picks up on the main land (California) and is the story of her niece, Zia. … both sad and happy times come for Karana. She reunites with some of her family but is never quite comfortable among people. Plot twists galore, but mostly more of the same, O’Dell published Zia some sixteen years later. If you liked the first, you’ll like the second.

For me, I especially enjoyed this book as a young girl dreaming of a wild life among the animals… which one of us didn’t go through that phase! As an adult, the book was slow, reminding me of Jean Auel’s series, Earth’s Children. I am especially fascinated (now) by the history of the actual woman, Juana Maria; I couldn’t help but snoop around a little and find out about her:

Juana Maria (died October 18, 1853), better known to history as "The Lone Woman of San Nicolas" (her Indian name is unknown), was a Native American woman who was the last surviving member of her tribe, the Nicoleño. She lived alone on San Nicolas Island from 1835 until her discovery in 1853. Just seven weeks after arriving on the mainland, Juana Maria died. In that time she danced and entertained her many visitors. The story of Juana Maria had captured the imagination of many, and still does. Most of the evidence of her life is gone and her story is pieced together from several accounts. Juana Maria's water basket, clothing and various artifacts, including bone needles which had been brought back from the island, were part of the collections of the California Academy of Sciences. Unfortunately, they were destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Her cormorant feather dress was apparently sent to the Vatican, but it appears to have been lost.

From what I’ve learned researching Juana Maria on the web, Scott O’Dell minimized the gruesome massacre of her tribe, and portrayed her infant son as her young brother to make the novel more appealing to a young audience. He added to the story many fantastical details to bring her legend to life. He did a wonderful job of writing a story based on the Lost Woman of San Nicolas Island, but there is more to the history then he lets on. Several websites that have worked to accurately connect the different legends and histories that tell her story.

http://www.missionscalifornia.com/stories/lone-woman-san-nicolas-island.html

Joe Robinson. "Marooned - 18 Years of Solitude". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 1, 2009.

http://www.nativevillage.org/Messages%20from%20the%20People/Lone%20Woman%20of%20San%20Nicolas%20Island.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juana_Maria

She was buried in a unmarked grave in Santa Barbara, only seven weeks after she arrived to the mainland. In 1928 the Daughters of the American Revolution installed a plaque commemorating her.

REVIEW EXCERPT

"A haunting and unusual story based on the fact that in the early 1800s an Indian girl spent eighteen years alone on a rocky island far off the coast of California ... A quiet acceptance of fate characterizes her ordeal." School Library Journal, Starred


CONNECTIONS

This is definitely a book for older students, even adult book clubs. There are many possible conversations that can be born from these pages, depending on your audience.
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/dolphin/
This website has activities and educational games exploring the world of San Nicolas Island. I like how they’ve set up the learning interaction here. Children will find something to connect with.

O’Dell wrote a sequel, Zia, a sequel to Island of the Blue Dolphins. It was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1976, sixteen years after the publication of the first novel.

Discuss with the group what Karana's life would have been like after she left the island. Remind students that she didn't speak English or Spanish and that she had been alone for nearly 20 years. Have students write about what they think happened to Karana when she reached California (Mid 1800’s). Was she happy? Did she miss the quiet of the island? How did she communicate and make new friends?

A film version of Island of the Blue Dolphins was released in 1963. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058241/

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain -Peter Sís

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sís, Peter. 2007. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux: New York. ISBN 9780374347017.

PLOT SUMMARY

This book is a true history of Czechoslovakia under Soviet occupation, an autobiography of Peter Sís’s childhood behind the Iron Curtain and a graphic novel all at the same time. Expertly crafted and well recognized for the impact it has had on millions of people –and now me.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Peter Sís is an internationally acclaimed illustrator, author, and filmmaker. He was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, in 1949. He often writes about his life growing up during The Cold War in Czechoslovakia.

In The Wall Sís provides the narrative of his life at the bottom of each page. Surrounding the fascinating illustrations are italicized notes about socialistic influences and reactions of the people to the communist directives conveyed in the illustration. He repeatedly uses the word Compulsory to convey that the people had no choice but to conform to the new laws. He writes with the voice of a child in the beginning of his life. His voice matures as he does. Sís’s illustrations show his emotions maturing, his ideas changing with each page–taking the reader through those very experiences. Even giving the Communists pig faces! The narrative Sís focus on the influences of art and music on his generation and conveys his personal experiences -his own unique perspective on life. He uses a clever combination of text, photographs, maps, and drawings to contrast his natural creativity against the symbols and responses associated with communist ideology. He impresses on the reader that our dreams are our own; no one can take them away. He also teaches us –and this is important- that creativity can be discouraged but not revoked.

The Wall, as Sís draws it, divides two worlds. On one side the convivial lands of the west are labeled with positive experiences such as Equality, Happiness, Liberty, Justice, Truth, Knowledge, Integrity, and Freedom –even our Statue of Liberty beckoning from the background. On the other side are the darker lands east of the wall; home of Terror, Suspicion, Injustice, Corruption, Lies... Sís depicts himself flying away from these terrible lands on the wings of his art, his dreams carrying him to a new world and happier life.

Sís drew me into this book with his ingenious symbolism, his journal entries, and the way he uses color to communicate the relationship between real world and dreams. I’ve never made a connection like this with history before, particularly not with Eastern Europe. There are many details to pull out and study; it's a seek-and-find adventure for all readers, and a social history lesson for older students; an amazing introduction for lessons on European history, the cold war, or social oppression. After reading this book, my head is full of questions and curiosity about their culture and history.

Read this book with your children. Because we should never forget how precious freedom is.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

“Peter Sís, who has entranced children and adults with his magical stories and drawings, has taken his talent to a new level. Peter, born to dream and draw, is now also teaching the tragic history of his native Czechoslovakia under communism in this beautiful, poignant, and important work for those of all ages.” Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State

"The ecstatic energy and big-spirited inventiveness of the artists drawings make the once all but unimaginable realization of that dream visible for all to see." The New York Times Book Review

“Peter Sís’s book is most of all about the will to live one’s life in freedom and should be required reading for all those who take their freedom for granted.” Václav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic


CONNECTIONS

Featured Author: Peter Sís http://www.peterSís.com/

There is an interview with Sís on http://us.macmillan.com/thewall talking about The Wall and his work telling the stories of growing up in Czechoslovakia. This website was a joy to find -I particularly enjoyed the audio clips. To hear Sís talk about his experiences was insightful, and emotional. There are also reviews, biography, excerpts from the book, and even a teacher’s guide that provides classroom ideas for The Wall. From the teacher’s guide one lesson stuck with me: analyzing his emotions and how they evolve through the illustrations:


· Compare how Sís presents the realities of life and the way he responded to those realities.

· Ask how the Sís communicates his emotions in his pictures and how he changes when he discovers that “there were things he wasn’t told.”

· Also discuss the use of the color red in the book and the emotions that red provokes in the reader. What more information do you get from the use of color through the book, and what emotions are conveyed?


AWARDS FOR THE WALL

Caldecott Honor (2008) and Sibert Medal (2008)
American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults; American Library Association Notable Children's Books; Caldecott Honor Book; IRA Notable Books for a Global Society; Boston Globe - Horn Book Award; New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Books of the Year; Orbis Pictus; Amazon.com Top 10 Editors’ Picks: Children; Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year; CCBC Choice (Univ. of WI); Children's Books: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, New York Public Library; Eisner Award Nominee; Parents' Choice Award Winner; NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies; Booklinks Lasting Connection; Booklist Editors' Choice; Booklist Top 10 Biographies for Youth; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Award; Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List; Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice; Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books of the Year; School Library Journal Best Books of the Year; VOYA's Nonfiction Honor List; Robert F. Sibert Award - Medal; Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens; Illinois Read for a Lifetime Award Master List; Michigan Great Lakes Great Books Award Master List; New Mexico Battle of the Books Master List; North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Award Master List; Utah Beehive Book Award Master List
http://us.macmillan.com/thewall

Life on Earth the story of evolution - Steve Jenkins

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Steve Jenkins. 2002. Life on Earth the story of evolution. : Houghton Mifflin: Boston. ISBN 9780618164769.

PLOT SUMMARY

In Life on Earth the Story of Evolution, Steve Jenkins explores the history of evolution on earth and introduces young readers to Charles Darwin and genetics. This book provides the basics for children learning about science, biology, and evolution. It's great as a seek and find or naming book, and for initiating more specific conversations about evolutionary history.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book begins with the first bacteria and progresses through the emergence of human life as we look now. Jenkins tells the story of Charles Darwin’s research and how he developed his theories of evolution and natural selection. He explains how offspring have traits from both parents, resulting in mutations both positive and negative. Jenkins touches on the evolution of mammals, reptiles, fish, and insects. He identifies the oldest designs still around today: bacteria, alligators, etc. The main story is presented in large text using language that is easy to understand and digest. In smaller font intermingled with the pictures are interesting facts that connect ideas, satiating curiosities about the animals. A delightful illustration toward the end breaks down evolution as if it were in a 24 hour period, midnight being modern day. According to this analogy, dinosaurs went extinct at 11:39pm and the first humans appeared at 11:59:58 pm.

Stunning paper collage illustrations truthfully portray each animal. Handmade papers provide variety of texture and fiber effects: torn paper resembles the fuzziness of hair and grass, careful cutouts become spikes and toenails, and the patterns from the pulled fibers give depth to the illustrations I’ve never seen in collage work.

Across pages 4-7 Jenkins fashioned all sorts of animals and included the name of each. Reading with my 3 year old daughter, we pointed at and name each animal; she patiently sounded out the long names with us. She was engrossed for long time, repeating their names, independently reading ahead. Later we switched roles; she asked me the name (if I said wrong, she corrected meJ) and flipped back and forth through the pages that revisited her favored animals. On the final page, Jenkins provides a number index stating each of those corresponding animals’ names, where they lived, and if they’re extinct, how long ago they were on Earth. Did you know the Bear Beetle only lives in California? Adjacent to the index is his bibliography and citations for further reading.

Overall this was an awesome book, for both the toddler and adults. I’m sure it will be a hit for the middle years as well! It is a great addition to any classroom or home.

Jenkins said in an interview, "In my books, I try to present straightforward information in a context that makes sense to children. Children don't need anyone to give them a sense of wonder; they already have that. But they do need a way to incorporate the various bits and pieces of knowledge they acquire into some logical picture of the world. For me, science provides the most elegant and satisfying way to construct this picture." Read more: http://biography.jrank.org/pages/936/Jenkins-Steve-1952.html#ixzz0UzyCAxTg


REVIEW EXCERPTS

The information spans an impressive range; Jenkins organizes and presents it with a clarity that demonstrates his mindfulness of the audience. Bright-eyed frogs appear ready to jump off the pages; a shark swims menacingly toward readers; a wooly mammoth looks soft enough to pet. Science at its most inviting. -Publishers Weekly

"An accessible introduction to a complex topic [that] taps into children's sense of wonder about the world, which is the great starting point for scientific exploration." -Christine Hepperman, New York Times Book Review

CONNECTIONS

Steve Jenkins has only been illustrating for less than ten years, but in that time he’s impressed us all with his gift of creating nonfiction works of art. He depicts various animal characteristics and capabilities in kid-friendly terms. In his acceptance speech for the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction for The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest, Jenkins said, "In my books, I try to present straightforward information in a context that makes sense to children. Children don't need anyone to give them a sense of wonder; they already have that. But they do need a way to incorporate the various bits and pieces of knowledge they acquire into some logical picture of the world. For me, science provides the most elegant and satisfying way to construct this picture."

He starts with photographs from books or those he takes himself. Once he has the overall ideas in his head, he begins putting things on paper. He begins with sketches based on the references and how he envisions them on the page. Then he decides what paper to use for the details of the collage, and begins to tear and cut the paper into animals, layer by layer In an interview on childrenslit.com Jenkins says “[that's] one of the appeals of this kind of art for kids, that they are filling in part of the information. So not only is it satisfying for me to find a piece of paper that is at the same time a hippopotamus's skin, but I think kids get the same satisfaction from filling in the details and making it into a hippo as well as a piece of paper.” Read more, it’s a great interview: www.childrenslit.com/childrenslit/mai_jenkins_steve.html

School Library Journal: In Living Color Here is another interview with Steve Jenkins in which he discusses how he makes his books.

http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/
Invite this author to come do a session with your reading community. Make collages, make paper books, tell stories.

Awards for Life on Earth

Booklist Editor's Choice citation, and School Library Journal best books of the year citation, both 2002, and NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book citation, 2003.
http://biography.jrank.org/pages/936/Jenkins-Steve-1952.html#ixzz0UzxxFWQq

Walt Whitman: Words for America - Barbara Kerley

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. 2004. Walt Whitman: Words for America. Ill. Brian Selznick. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 9780439357913.




PLOT SUMMARY

This biography tells the story of Walt Whitman’s life from childhood through the Civil War, and the experiences that inspired his writing.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The book begins with Walt’s early years as a printer's apprentice in Brooklyn, where his love of words was born. By the age of 19, Walt was writing and printing his own newspaper. Forever a free and curious spirit he was an avid reader and would run the beaches reciting Shakespeare. He talked constantly with people and carefully recorded his observations in homemade notebooks. He was devastated by his country divided and also compelled to serve, Walt nursed every soldier he could-Union & Confederate, black & white. “By getting to know them and sharing many intense and affecting experiences, he began to see a greater life purpose: His writing gave these men a voice.” Through his writing about these experiences he achieved his greatest aspiration--to capture the true spirit of America.

This is a brilliant historical account of Walt Whitman's contribution to America. The historical information is detailed and accurate, but keeps a dynamic pace so that young readers remain engaged. Kerley manages a simple but revealing account of a very complex man. Whitman's eloquent voice resonates across the pages through quotes from his correspondence, and the bountiful journal entries he kept in little notebooks. Brian Selznick's paintings portray every detail of the textures and materials of the 19th century world in which the poet lived. In his notes Selznick describes his travels to Walt’s home, holding his belongings, and studied portraits of the man to learn about his subject. His research experiences found their way into his illustrations. The art is exceptional. It adds to the reading experience through the intricate details and realistic representation of the era.

My favorite illustration in this book is the collection of portraits of Civil War soldiers. Each portrait is based on an actual photo of a real soldier, and the one portrait in color is really Whitman's brother George. Each painting captures the expression of the soldiers; some of them are very young! Selznick talks about this painting in his notes: “I found an indispensable book called The Civil War… I discovered an actual spread of photographs of young soldiers arranged in rows just like I had imagined… I used it as reference for my book.” He also mentions the picture where Walt and his brother are reunited in the hospital; he left out the holes dug underneath the tents where the wounded would crawl to stay warm.

In the end of the book, additional biographical facts are provided, along with a full bibliography. This section talks about his personal life and beliefs not included in the main story: his connections to President Lincoln, his ailing health, his intense compassion for the human experience. This final section removes any doubts as to the research and dedication that the authors put into the integrity of their story. Additional insight into Whitman’s life is provided through the authors’ notes telling their inspirations and experiences writing the book. Finally, the full text of poems cited in the story, a wonderful end to a remarkable book.



REVIEW EXCERPT

"An exuberant picture-book biography that focuses on Whitman's formative years and his selfless work as a Civil War nurse. Delightfully old-fashioned in design, its oversized pages are replete with graceful illustrations and snippets of poetry. The brilliantly inventive paintings add vibrant testimonial to the nuanced text."-School Library Journal


CONNECTIONS

Walt wanted to capture the spirit of America in his poems. As a class, brainstorm what ideas and objects best represent the spirit of America. Then invite students to write their own poems about America.

Learn more about Whitman online:
http://www.whitmanarchive.org/
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ihas/poet/whitman.html

AWARDS:
Sibert Honor BookCalifornia Book AwardBest Book Award -- Oppenheim Toy PortfolioALA Notable BookBest Children's Books -- Publishers WeeklyBest Illustrated Books -- New York Times100 Titles for Reading and Sharing -- New York Public LibraryNominated for Young Reader Awards in Kentucky, New Mexico, and Tennessee
http://www.barbarakerley.com/Walt.html

Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape - J Patrick Lewis

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lewis, J Patrick. 1998. Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape. Ill. By Lisa Desimini. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689810756

PLOT SUMMARY

In Doodle Dandies: Poems That Take Shape, Lewis and Desimini present a series of concrete poems where words are arranged in the shape of the thing they are describing and collage is created to tell the story of the poem.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The illustrations are bright and colorful, the poems are whimsical and entertaining. Desimini incorporates all sorts of materials into her collage. Not all of them rhyme, but each poem flows through the shape, leaving the reader with a very clear image of the subject in mind. In one illustration, for a poem called "Dachshund", takes the shape of a dashund and cast a dog-shaped shadow while the woman with a diamond rings and purple hair holds the leash, as described in the poem. Photographs, cut outs, drawings, and textart all come together in this creative collage to bring the words to life. In "Lashondra Scores!" each line of the poem includes a word with the letter O which Desimini portrays as a basketball, the text creates an arc that follows the ball from Lashondra's hand to the hoop. Different kinds of poetry are included in the compilation: haiku, internal rhyming, combination of two poems overlapping (“Synchronized Swim Team”). The only thing that could improve this volume would be adding texture to the pages to create a fully three dimensional experience for the reader.

Illustrator Desimini called it "A true collaboration of text and art presenting poems that are pictures that are poems." (http://biography.jrank.org/pages/1729/Lewis-J-Patrick-1942.html) I think this is a treat for the ear and the eye, and a great introduction to poetry for children.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

“From endpaper to doodled endpaper, this mix of clever language and visual delights makes a dandy treat for all ages. Desimini's mixed-media illustrations and Lewis's inventive poems converge in a single work stronger than either would be independent of the other.” Publishers Weekly ( June 29, 1998)

“Every page of this book is well designed, creating words and images that work together in harmony. From the lavender endpapers that feature a mix of childlike drawings and letters in different typefaces, and the magic-marker doodles surrounding the various shapes on the CIP page, to the final page, each spread is fresh and inviting. Doodle Dandies captures the joy that wordplay can bring. It deserves a place on every library shelf.” -Kathleen Whalin. School Library Journal (August 01, 1998)

CONNECTIONS

Kids will have a great time exploring these verses to see how words and artistic materials can literally shape a poem. They will equally enjoy creating poems of their own that mimic the shape of their subject.

Extend the poetry to include making an object (3D art project) and then writing the poem on the sculpture. Or write a poem, then create a shape for it that the student can copy the poem onto. Give attention to the media with which the shape is created. If the poem is about –try to use the same materials to create the object.

RECOGNITIONS

Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee 1999-2000.

From A Child's Heart - Nikki Grimes.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grimes, Nikki. 1993. From a Child’s Heart. Ill. Brenda Joysmith. New Jersey: Just Us Books. ISBN 0940975442.

PLOT SUMMARY

This book of poems that are a child's prayers to God about her everyday hopes, dreams, and fears. She asks God for understanding and blessings, and always remembers to thank Him for listening to her requests.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Nikki Grimes' prayer-poems are wonderful, touching the hearts of young and old alike. The emotion conveyed through Brenda Joysmith's illustrations add to each poem’s potency. The prayers are written directly to God, addressing Him as a friend. It’s often said that children are closest to God. They know that He is nearby and can talk to Him anytime, about anything. There are no reservations in their expressions. In these poems the child prays for peace in the home, for confidence, for friends, for grandma, for work, school …all of the things that we struggle with growing up, and those we want to never end. She remembers to always thank God for blessings. Her introspection is surprisingly astute. “I’m always too something in somebody’s eyes.” Reading the poems bring memories back from childhood –not being picked for the ball team or wishing summer would never end. The connection between author and reader is realized in this collection of poetry.

I’m not a poet scholar and I’m not sure what styles are called, but I can see patterns in which the words rhyme or relate. There is a fine rhythm to reading the poem like a child telling a story. Not all of them rhyme, but the words flow together naturally, bringing the innocence along. Sometimes the prayer is a conversation or simple thanksgiving. I enjoyed them very much.

Nikki talks about writing this book in the introduction:
“Like the children in this book, when I was a child, I talked to God about my hopes, my fears, my longings, and all the ordinary, everyday concerns that touched my life. I still do. It's awesome to know that the God of the Universe is listening, that He cares, that He understands me, even when no one else does. I needed to know that when I was growing up. I think all children do, whether five years old or fifty. That's the reason I've decided to share the prayers of my childhood with you...” from From A Child's Heart © 1993 by Nikki Grimes.

I chose this poem (below) to highlight because it reminds me of a prayer I once said as a child. My grandmother passed one year ago and reading this brought vivid memories for me. The picture is my grandmother looking out across our Rio Grande Valley.

One More Year

Lord,
Please give my Grandma one more year. Just one.
I know she’s been around a while,
But You don’t need her half as bad as me.
You see, she’s been my mom and dad as far back as memory goes
And she knows the ins and outs of being free inside.
When she got sick last night, I cried.
Don’t know what I'd do without her.
I guess I'd make it if I tried,
But I can wait.
Can’t You?

REVIEW EXCERPT

"To see the world without prejudice, hate or physical pain is to look at the world through a child's eyes. In these short poems, Grimes reveals the hearts and souls of children as they speak one-on-one to the Creator." American Visions http://www.nikkigrimes.com/


CONNECTIONS

Something I like to do with children is to write out a prayer (let’s make it a poem) and put it inside a helium balloon. Say the prayer aloud or internally as you let the balloon go up into the sky. It’s easy to imagine with them that the balloon is on it’s way to heaven, delivering our prayer to God.

Apples for the Teacher has a selection of children’s prayers and prayerful activities for different occasions. http://www.apples4theteacher.com/childrens-prayers/


AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Benjamin Franklin Picture Book Award
ABA-CBC Books Mean Business
http://www.nikkigrimes.com/

Desert Willow -Helen Frost

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost, Helen. 2008. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 9780374317768.




PLOT SUMMARY

This is a verse novel about a young girl coming of age during the Alaska winter. 110 poems compile the story of a young girl, Willow, who is finally old enough for her first solo journey from her home and her grandparents all by herself on the dog sled. An accident happens on the way back home that injures their best dog, and her best friend, Roxy. The poems tell of her brave adventure to save Roxy, find the meaning of her name and learn a secret along the way. Her family and friends help her through every challenge proving that love is a powerful and timeless bond. The cover art is by Max Grafe.




CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Poems are presented in different shapes, particularly diamonds. There is no rhyming scheme, no particular rhythm catches the ear, just a really great story presented in a creative way. Each page is like an individual chapter in the story, presented as a poem without the traditional requirements of rhyme and rythm. The animals observing Willow’s movements are actually her grandkin passed on into their next lives as animals. They watch and interact with Willow and her friends. The Spruce Hen is really Willow’s great-great-great-grandmother, Jean. The dog, Roxy, is really her…well, you’ve got to read to find out. The humans don’t seem to recognize their relatives for who they are, but do feel a sense of familiarity and share a traditional belief that the animals could be kin.

As with the natural diamond willow, each poem contains a darker center. Bolded words inside the poems create a hidden verse that brings an emotional depth to the story revealing the characters’ internal thoughts and feelings. Helen Frost has a knack for writing I haven’t encountered for a long time. I’ll read more of her works now that I’ve discovered her.

I must say that I am not a big poetry fan –small doses suffice. Some modern poetry I do enjoy is Slam Poetry, in performance is always best. When I first picked up the books for this module, I cringed at the 100+ pages of poetry for this section, no matter what shape. I skimmed through them to decide which title I would read for the review. Frost’s work caught my attention because of the Diamond Willow wood and the Alaskan setting. From the moment I opened it, I didn’t want to put this book down. I was captivated by how she presented her poems through the eyes of the grandkin-animals, and through the eyes of a surprisingly intelligent girl. None of the whiny adolescent language that I expected was there. I will recommend this volume to the next person looking for Alaska, or poetry, or even just a good piece of fiction.



WHAT IS A DIAMOND WILLOW?
The Diamond Willow is not a species of willow tree Diamond willow is found throughout colder northern climates, especially Alaska, the Great Plains, Minnesota and Michigan. Collecting these wooden jewels requires trekking into swamps, bogs, and riverbeds; places that are only accessible for a short period each year. The diamonds are actually more like elongated ovals with pointed ends with deepest point in the center. According to the Artisans Quarterly Review article(2:2 2009), “Diamond in the Willow, ”the shapes form as the result of an attack of a fungus particular to the willow family, Valsa Sordida. “The tree reacts to the fungus much like an oyster reacts to sand; it causes an irritation that results in the tree growing around the root of the fungus.” Depending on the size and shape of the wood, the diamond willow is useful for lamps, table legs, coat racks, chair frames, walking sticks, or any number of other creative projects. In our book, Willow made a lamp with the stick her father gave her, taken from a very special tree. http://www.artisansofthevalley.com/docs/Artisans_Quarterly_Review_Vol2_Issue2_2009.pdf




REVIEW EXCERPT

“Diamond Willow aims younger than Frost's usual teenaged fare. Examining the relationship between a girl and her sled dog, Frost combines her standard intelligent wordplay with a story that will catch in the throats of dog lovers and people lovers alike.” Elizabeth Bird. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/


HONORS AND AWARDS FOR DIAMOND WILLOW

2010 North Carolina Children’s Book Award Master List
2009 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award
2009 Texas Lone Star Reading List
2009 Best Books of Indiana, Children and Young Adult
2009 CCBC Choices List
2009-2010 Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Master List
2009-2010 Keystone to Reading Book Award Master List (Pennsylvania)
2009 Honor Book: The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry
Bank Street List of Best Children's Books
Indie Next Kids' List Great Read
Cybil’s Middle Grade Fiction Finalist
Capitol Choice’s Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens
Mitten Award--Michigan Library Association
http://www.helenfrost.net/item.php?postid=25




CONNECTIONS

This would be a great piece to read aloud in a round robin. The group members can take turns reading whole poems and listening to the story unfold.

The sound of language: Frost’s writing is a wonderful introduction to the prosody of storytelling and even the anthropomorphic applications of language. Frost says in her biography, “I love the music of language, the intricacies of the way sound patterns and patterns of meaning intersect and weave together, the way language brings its own history into a story so that the story becomes multi-layered--the story of the narrative and the story of how the narrative takes shape within language.”

Check out other books and poetry by Helen Frost on her website, http://www.helenfrost.net/.

Moonbeams, Dumplings and Dragon Boats

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Simonds, Nina, Leslie Swartz, & The Children's Museum. 2002. Moonbeams, Dumplings and Dragon Boats. Ill. by Meilo So. Boston: Harcourt. ISBN 9780152019839.

PLOT SUMMARY

Moonbeams, Dumplings and Dragon Boats takes the reader to five Chinese festivals--Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival, Qing Ming, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Moon Festival. For each holiday there is a traditional Chinese tale about why this day is celebrated, delectable recipes, creative activities, and easy projects to make at home.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The authors present background information about the holiday and describe how it is celebrated today. The holidays are punctuated by dynamic watercolor paintings. Throughout the book, remarkable watercolor images bring the words to life. Heo draws the titles of each page in both English and Chinese . The authors tell of Gods and Goddesses, Emperors, officers, poets, lovers, wise men... The collected stories address social values of loyalty, generosity, kindness, love, forgiveness. At the end of the book are resources for further research as well a glossary of Chinese pronunciations. The resources are divided into three parts: for adults, young readers, and websites. This incredible compilation will inspire families everywhere to celebrate Chinese holidays in their own homes, and hopefully learn more about this ancient culture.

Qing Ming and the
Cold Foods Festival.
This spring holiday is a time to honor and celebrate the dead. Graves are cleaned, weeded, painted, and offerings placed to nurture ancestors in the next life. Families convene for prayers and communion, remembering the ancestors (much like Dia de Los Muertos). The reason for cold foods is that, by decree, there are no fires this day in remembrance of Jie Zitui, a loyal official who died in the fire with his mother. Following the tale of Jie Zitui, there are recipes for tea eggs, spring rolls, and barbecue drumsticks –all traditional treats made during Qing Ming. The authors provide simple, illustrated directions to make a kite and a pinwheel, both popular toys on this holiday.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

"Moonbeams, Dumplings & Dragon Boats is a super book. Though intended for younger kids, older children and even adults will be delighted by the stories, projects and recipes included. This is a wonderful book to aid in introducing children to the finer points of another culture, or as a guide for parents wanting their offspring to get in touch with their own." - Monica Stark, January Magazine. 2003. http://januarymagazine.com/kidsbooks/moondumplings.html

"This stunning compilation from bestselling cookbook author Nina Simonds and Leslie Swartz of the Children's Museum, Boston, is the perfect gift for families that have embraced Chinese holidays for generations--and for those just beginning new traditions for the new year." http://www.apples4theteacher.com/

“Each section explains the holiday, tells stories related to it, and offers at least one activity and one recipe. Attractively designed, the pages include plenty of white space, creating a fine background for So's brilliantly colored, stylized paintings.” -- Carolyn Phelan Booklist October 15 2002

CONNECTIONS

Do some research. What customs are celebrated today and how have they changed over time?

Lantern Festival: Explore how other cultures use light in their celebrations and festivals –particularly around new years. Locate them on a map; describe what their light symbolizes. (e.g. Farolitos in New Mexico at Christmas)

Explore and compare the culture of your family and/or neighboring culture. Are there similarities with the Chinese culture? Discover how and why people pass on and retain their cultural heritage.

Celebrate Chinese Holdays in your own home, or attend celebrations with the local Chinese in your town.

Related Books:

Around the World Celebrate! The Best Feasts and Festivals from Many Lands (Kids Around the World) by Lydia Jones. ISBN 9781439522622.

Why do we celebrate that? by Jane Wilcox. ISBN 9780531143933.

New Year's celebrations. by World Book, Inc ISBN 9780716650065.

Chinese-American festivals : Moon Festival & Thanksgiving by Irene Kwok; Chinese Bilingual Pilot Program. OCLC 18342947.

"Ho lee chow!" : Chinese for kids. by Carole Marsh. ISBN 9780635024435.