Fantasy & Contemporary Realistic Fiction - Review #3

DiCamillo, Kate. 2003. A Tale of Despereaux. Ill. by Timothy Basil Ering. Cambridge: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763617229. Also available on CD read by Graeme Malcolm. ISBN 9781400099139.

Plot Summary-

Dear, dear Reader, enter the tale of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who follows his heart and, in doing so, saves himself, the Princess Pea, servant-girl Miggery Sow, and the rat, Roscuro from the darkness of the dungeon and their own personal prisons.

Critical Analysis-

Characters-

This tale contrasts darkness and light. Despereaux Tilling, a mouse weak in body but strong in heart, has never acted like a mouse. In fact, Reader, his loves include stories and reading, music that sounds like honey, and the Princess Pea. He is the light. He is a brave knight and throughout his journey to the darkness of the dungeon, first unwillingly as a misunderstood victim and then second as a determined knight on a quest to save the princess, he will find his way to the happily-ever-after ending. The kind, forgiving, empathic Princess Pea is his inspiration.

Roscuro, dear Reader, is the darkness. When once he had a chance to become more than just a rat, his actions caused the death of the queen. Thus his fate became inextricably linked with the darkness in the dungeon and the darkness in his heart. As the narrator mentions, those who have their heart broken and put back together wrongly, can never be truly whole again. The mistreated, misunderstood servant girl, Miggery Sow is his collaborator.

Setting-

Reader, this is not a fairy tale, but it does feel like a fairy tale. The castle and the dungeon become real as we feel the darkness of the dungeon closing in with every step down the stairway. We know it is a desolate place as the rats describe the methods they use to prolong the suffering of the human hearts left to wither there. The dungeon is not just physical darkness; it is heart-wrenching, soul-draining darkness. The castle above is light with big windows and music and books and chances to fix past wrongs.

Theme-

Two themes emerge from this tale. The first is the symbolic contrast between light and darkness, good and evil. Those in darkness yearn for the light. The journey through the darkness is fraught with danger and self-examination but the light is worth the struggle. The second theme is that of destiny. Despereaux was a mouse who did not act like a mouse. Even so, maybe because of that fact, he had a special destiny.

Style-

Even though you, dear Reader, are reading the book, you get the feeling that you are sitting at the feet of a masterful storyteller as he weaves the tale for you. Ms. DiCamillo accomplishes this by talking, at times, directly to the reader. She switches between the storyline and discussion to clarify key vocabulary words, such as perfidy, and key concepts. She invites you to consider the characters feelings and actions. She gives the characters different voices by varying the vocabulary used and the sentence patterns. Gregory the jailer refers to himself as "Gregory" instead of "me" or "I". Despereaux's mother speaks with a French accent and sentence structure, "...such the disappointment." Miggery Sow, the servant girl, is loud and uncouth, frequently using the word "gore" as an expletive.

Audio Evaluation -

The recording was made by theater actor, Graeme Malcom. There are three CD's in the unabridged version. It takes three hours and 32 minutes to listen to A Tale of Despereaux. This recording was wonderful. Mr. Malcom used differing voices for the characters. There is introductory music at the beginning and at the end. Also at the end is a piece about the importance of audio books to reluctant readers. The outside box looks much like the cover of the book; however, the inside slipcase is a standard Listening Library case without the title or artwork.

Reviews-

Winner of the 2004 Newbery Medal

Children’s Literature- “This is a tale made for reading aloud and family enjoyment.”

School Library Journal- “With memorable characters, brief chapters, and inventive plot twists, this fast-paced romp is perfect for reading alone or sharing aloud.”

Kirkus Reviews-“The melodramatic voice of the narrator glides through DiCamillo's entirely pleasing tale, at times addressing the reader directly, at others, moving the reader back and forward in time”

Booklist-"Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is as soul-stirring as it is delicious."

Connections-

*Read another fantasy book by Kate DiCamillo, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane ISBN 9780763625894

*Listen to the author read the first chapter and talk about her inspiration for writing this story at http://www.candlewick.com/cat.asp?browse=Title&mode=book&isbn=0763625299&pix=y.

*Read another Newbery Award winning book about mice and rats, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien ISBN 9780689710681

*Visit Kate DiCamillo's website http://www.katedicamillo.com/index.html.

*Choose a chapter to perform as reader's theater.

*Soup was outlawed for a time in the book. Find a recipe for soup with chicken and watercress and spices, just as Cook was making the evening Despereaux found her in the kitchen. Do you think soup really accomplishes all that is attributed to it in the book?

Fantasy & Contemporary Realistic Fiction - Review #2

Rosoff, Meg. 2004. How I Live Now. New York: Random House. ISBN 0385746776

Plot Summary-
This is the story of Daisy and her long journey to belonging in a family. Along the way, she saves her younger cousin, survives a third world war and redeems another cousin.

Critical Analysis-
Daisy leaves New York, her father, and stepmother for the English countryside to live with her Aunt and cousins whom she has never met. She has an eating disorder, her way of controlling her circumstances. As she gets to know her aunt and cousins, she feels loved and accepted and develops family bonds she has never had. A hint of psychic abilities exists between the cousins and, as Daisy notes, they seem to know what she is thinking without her saying anything. When the young people are left as orphans at the onset of World War III, they learn to rely on and take care of each other, even after they are separated by the foreign occupation of England. Daisy, in particular, transforms from being a self-centered teenager to a young woman who puts others first. This transformation happens as she first saves and sustains her younger cousin during the foreign occupation and then saves Edmond, her first love, from himself and his memories after the war.

Told in the first person voice of Daisy, the story is mostly of a past time in her life. Daisy's telling of her story is part of her journey to who she will become. After a six-year journey from the beginning of the novel to the end, Daisy is finally home.

Mrs. Rosoff's writing style is unique in that she uses no quotation marks to denote dialogue and takes extra liberties with capitalization rules. I found it very distracting. The overall story is definitely for young adults, high school and older.

Reviews-

Michael L. Printz Award 2003

Publishers Weekly- "This riveting first novel paints a frighteningly realistic picture of a world war breaking out in the 21st century."

Kirkus Reviews- “This is a very relatable contemporary story, told in honest, raw first-person and filled with humor, love, pathos, and carnage.”

Connections-

*Read other books by Meg Rosoff.

• Just in Case ISBN 9780385746786
• What I Was ISBN 9780670018444

*Visit the author's website. http://www.megrosoff.co.uk/

Fantasy & Contemporary Realistic Fiction - Review #1

DeTerlizzi, Tony and Holly Black. 2003. The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide. New York: Scholastic ISBN 0439597404

Plot Summary-

"Go away, close the book, put it down, do not look." so says the back cover of the book, but it is too late, you are already hooked.

After their parents' divorce, the Grace Children, older sister, Mallory, and twin brothers, Jared and Simon, are moving, with their mother, into Aunt Lucinda's old, run down, Victorian mansion. This transition does not go smoothly, however. The children hear noises within the walls and when strange things begin happening, it is Jared who discovers the cause of their troubles and finds the solution.

Critical Analysis-

Characters-

Children will find much to identify with in the book's characters. Mallory is the typical bossy big sister and Simon the quiet academic type. Jared is the sibling seemingly on the outside, trying to find his place.

Setting-

Aunt Lucinda's old Victorian mansion is the perfect setting for the strange happenings and unsolved mysteries. Readers expect it to have the obligatory secret passages, hidden rooms, dusty, worn out furnishings and rickety staircases that lead to damp and dark attics. The mansion does not disappoint and since the mansion has many unused and unexplored rooms, the reader has much material with which to imagine future adventures. Also, there is a map at the beginning of the book showing the mansion's relative position to the surrounding areas. Since these areas are not mentioned in the story, we know there will be further adventures.

Theme-

As Jared and his siblings move to begin a new life, the theme of change and adjusting to it is explored. Jared's adjustment is specifically chronicled and even though he is far from completing his journey, we get glimpses of his success.

The first sparks of self-confidence ignite as he chooses to perform the difficult tasks his siblings can not do. Being the only one small enough, Jared is the one who rides in the dumbwaiter looking for the "creature" making the noise in the wall. This leads to his discovery of the secret room with no doors or windows. Jared takes the initiative to collect clues and solve the mystery. He presents the evidence showing that they have a boggart in the house and tries to convince his mother and siblings to believe his conclusions. We know that Jared will make the adjustment to his new life and will be the better for it.

Style-

This short novel is set in contemporary time and the language and vocabulary is appropriate to such.

The authors do a fine job of explaining enough about the fantasy elements to keep the reader interested. The books in the mansion's secret library have titles like A Historie of Scottish Dwarves and A Compendium of Brownie Visitations from Around the World. Jared finds an old book, Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastic World Around You. It explains the difference between a Brownie and a Boggart and serves as Jared and the reader's guide to understanding the strange happenings in the mansion.

The authors begin the story with two letters. The first letter is from one of the authors giving the creative basis for the book. The other letter is from the Grade children themselves begging for their story to be told. While fictional, both of these letters draw the reader into the story, already it is easy to believe the story is true. Along with these letters, the map at the front of the book and the "authentic reproduction" of the first mysterious note further add to the book's believability.

Reviews-

Publishers Weekly – “Appealing characters, well-measured suspense and an inviting package will lure readers on to The Seeing Stone [Spiderwick Chronicles #2].”

Children’s Literature- “Detailed illustrations help bring the strange world of Spiderwick alive. Short paragraphs and "cliffhanger" chapters make the book especially unintimidating and intriguing for young readers.”

Kirkus Reviews- “Cleverly marketed as too dangerous to read, handsomely designed, and extravagantly illustrated this packs quite a punch.”

Connections-

*Read the other books in the Spiderwick Chronicles series.

• Spiderwick Chronicles #2 Seeing Stone ISBN 9781416950189
• Spiderwick Chronicles #3 Lucinda’s Secret ISBN 9780689859380
• Spiderwick Chronicles #4 Ironwood Tree ISBN 9781416950202
• Spiderwick Chronicles #5 Wrath of Mulgrath ISBN 9781416950219

*Read Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You ISBN 9781416960959

*Read the books in the next series called Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles

• Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles #1 Nixie's Song ISBN 9780689871313
• Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles #2 Giant Problem ISBN 780689871320

*Choose a chapter to perform as a reader's theater.

*Design a poster for the book that will make someone else want to read it.

*In the book, Jared supplied the boggart with a new house. Design a different house in which the boggart would want to live.

*In the book, Mallory's hobby was fencing. Learn more about this sport. Try these books.

• Velez, Carlos. 2008 En Garde! A Girl's Introduction to the World of Fencing. Photos by Alex J. Ripa. Wish Publishing ISBN 1930546890
• Nadi, Aldo. 2005. Nadi on Fencing. Dover Publications ISBN 0486443752

Historical Fiction - Review #3

Peck, Richard. 2003. The River Between Us. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0803727356.

Summary-
This is the story of one family at the onset of the Civil War. As they confront feelings and mindsets on both sides of the issues, they are forever changed.

Characters-
The story is told from the viewpoint of the main character, Tilly Pruitt. She finds herself confronting her own beliefs and that of society about slavery and what it means to be free. The new boarders at her mother's home are a young Creole woman and her young black companion. Understanding someone so different from her is a confusing and daunting task at times. Throughout the story, the young Creole, Delphine Duval is unlike anyone in the small town of Grand Tower, Illinois. She is confident, beautiful, and at times larger than life. Her presence challenges the Pruitt family to become more than they thought they could be.

Plot-
While the mystery surrounding Delphine Duval and her companion Calina is not revealed until the last fourth of the book, the whole of the story builds to the revelation of the mystery. Delphine was going north to escape the war surely coming to New Orleans. She knew it would forever change her situation and way of life. Hoping to make her own way in a new life far away from the attitudes and prejudices of the South, she finds refuge with the Pruitt family. They accept her, revealed secrets and all. Delphine is looking for a place where she can be who she is already.

Tilly, on the other hand, is looking for who she should be. She learns exactly what it is about her life that she likes and dislikes and is content to keep what she has. Facing her mother's rejection of her, she finds the strength to locate her brother and bring him home from the war.

As both girls nurse wounded soldiers back to health, confront their family histories, and make their way through a year of heartbreak, their lives become forever entwined.


Setting-
The story is set in Grand Tower, Illinois which is an actual town. The Mississippi River flows next to Grand Tower and separates Illinois and Missouri. In the 1860's, this was the line between the North and the South. The fact that once in Grand Tower Delphine felt safer, it technically being in the North, was surely only a psychological comfort because many of Grand Tower's citizens were Southerners at heart. To find a location that blurred the ideological and physical lines between the North and South was essential to this story.


This story depends on the Civil War just beginning for its plot. Delphine leaving New Orleans for the safer North, the boys of Grand Tower splitting between soldiering for the North and the South, and the differing viewpoints of the citizens of Grand Tower belong to the time as the war is beginning.

Theme-
The theme of the story is acceptance. It comes in many forms, acceptance of those who hurt others, physically and emotionally, acceptance of those who look and act different, acceptance of those who choose to think differently, and acceptance of those whose chosen path is different.

Style-
Mr. Peck is extremely talented at giving voice to his characters. Delphine's speech patterns are truly authentic to Creole speech. In addition, the vocabulary used is time specific, such as loblolly and moon-calfing. The dialect is clear as well, "We thought we et pretty good." (pg. 28)

Mr. Peck describes the land in detail for the reader to imagine. He describes the ridge of land called the Devil's Backbone, the Tower Rock on the Missouri side of the Mississippi, and the various plants and trees that grow in the area.

He also describes the mud and muck ever present in the towns as well as the squalid conditions of the "hospitals" in the army. It makes the reader glad of modern paving and hygiene practices.


Mr. Peck chooses to introduce this story by beginning it some 50 years after the Civil War. The only child from the generation after Tilly's has come home to see his aging parents and family, bringing his own boys with him. Grandma Tilly is telling the oldest boy the story of their family and the second chapter switches to the past events. The final chapter has Grandma Tilly finishing her tale and the grandsons and their father returning home. Along the way, the father has his own details to add to the story and a future to discuss with his oldest son.

After the story ends, Mr. Peck has a section telling more about the beginning of the war, the soldiers and soldiering, some Northern strategy, and of the society of "free people of color" of which Delphine had belonged.

Reviews-
Publishers Weekly - "The author crafts his characters impeccably and threads together their fates in surprising ways that shed light on the complicated events of the Civil War."

School Library Journal - "In the opening days of the Civil War, a genteel but worldly wise young woman and her companion step off a steamboat from New Orleans onto the dock of a provincial Illinois town. This richly told and evocatively realized novel tells how the strangers are taken into the Pruitts' home (and into their hearts), changing all of the characters' lives forever."

Kirkus Reviews -"Peck writes beautifully, bringing history alive through Tilly's marvelous voice and deftly handling themes of family, race, war, and history. A rich tale full of magic, mystery, and surprise."

2004 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Connections-
*Grand Tower and Cairo, Illinois are real places. Use the Internet to find maps and learn more about these locales.

*Find and read about the history of New Orleans.

*Read more about the Creole people.

*People used many natural remedies for illness. Learn more about some of these. Visit a natural foods health store to learn more.

*Read other stories about the Civil War experience.

• The Boys' War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk about the Civil War by Jim Murphy. ISBN 9780395664124
• Civil War (an Eyewitness Book) by John Stanchak. ISBN 0789463024
• Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen. ISBN 0553526111 Note: This is for older readers.

*In The River Between Us, Delphine and Tilly nurse sick and wounded soldiers. Clara Barton was a real woman who did the same for many, many soldiers in the Civil War. Read about her accomplishments during the war and her life's work after the Civil War.

Historical Fiction - Review #2

Lowry, Lois. 1989. Number the Stars. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395510600. Also available on CD read by Blair Brown. ISBN 1400085551.

Summary-

This is the story of two families in German-occupied Denmark in 1943. One family is Jewish and the other is Danish. The Danish family must risk their lives to save their friends.

Characters-

The main character is ten year old Annemarie Johansen. Her best friend is Ellen Rosen, a Jewish girl. As the lives of Ellen and her family are threatened, Annemarie wonders if she is brave enough to face what will happen in the future. She would like to think so, but being untested, must wait for the trial to be sure. She also wonders about the goings on around her. Why would being Jewish and thus different, be a problem? Why would trusted adults lie to her? Although specific situations are different, some of these same questions echo in children's minds even today.

Ms. Lowry helps us empathize with Annemarie. Through her eyes, we see the German soldiers with their shiny boots and rifles, and grim, unsmiling faces. We hear the strange sounding German words and accents. We are scared, just as much as she.

Plot-

In this story, Annemarie's family helps their Jewish friends escape Denmark with the assistance of the Danish Resistance movement. This process, experienced through Annemarie, is confusing at best. She is told very little of what will happen and why and is told by her uncle that it is easier to be brave when you do not know all the answers. For the reader, this is experienced exactly as Annemarie experienced it with fear, joy, uncertainty, focus, and resolution.

Setting-

The book has two settings. One is Copenhagen, Denmark and the other is the Danish countryside/seaside. Throughout the book, we are given many examples of the hardships of war; no meat, no sugar, no coffee or tea, no leather for shoes, no material for new clothes, and the list continues. Annemarie tells of how the soldiers are on every street corner of Copenhagen and how they enjoy scaring the Danish people. She tells us how shops are boarded up with an official notice in German pasted to the door. In American society today, it is almost unfathomable.

Annemarie's friend, Ellen has never been to the countryside or seen the sea. As they travel there to help Ellen escape to Sweden, we enjoy Ellen's first experiences of walking barefoot through a meadow, picking meadow flowers, gazing upon the sea for the first time.

We can vividly imagine the dark, rocky, twisted root path Annemarie must take to reach her uncle in the story's climax. All throughout the book, we feel as if we are there, watching the action, not just reading about it.

Style-

Ms. Lowry uses her writing to help us feel the opposing forces in the story. The German's dialogue is in thick German accent. Since the book is written for English readers, the Danish characters' dialogue is written in English. This immediately helps the reader identify with the Danish characters. There are a few clues to indicate that the Danish characters are not really speaking English. Several comments are made by the characters lamenting the fact that after three years of occupation, the Germans still cannot speak Danish.

Knowing the Rosens arrived in Sweden safely, allows us to, at last, begin breathing again. But Ms. Lowry lets us know what becomes of the characters when the war finally ends. This is the last chapter of the story and it is a satisfying end. In the afterward, Ms. Lowry tells us which parts of the story are history and which parts are purely fiction. This allows us to marvel at the strength of character of the Danish people during World War II and helps us see a timeless theme. Sometimes things are bigger than just us and standing for what is right is never wrong even though, at times, it comes with great cost.

Audio Evaluation-

This presentation was an unabridged version on three CD's. The reader was Tony Award winner Blair Brown. She was the only reader and provided different voices for different characters. The sound quality was good, no background noises or static and the recorded volume level was appropriate throughout. There was background music only during the introduction and closing credits of the production. There were no sound effects to compliment the reading. I wish there had been a few although I did enjoy this presentation. It made the short day trip I had to make much more enjoyable.

Reviews-

Publishers Weekly - "The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable -- impossible to put down; difficult to forget."

School Library Journal - "The gripping story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts to smuggle Jews out of their Nazi-occupied homeland to safety in Sweden. Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery. "

John Newbery Medal 1990

Connections-

*Read The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco ISBN 9780399231704. This picture book has a similar story. Compare and contrast the two stories.

*On a map of Denmark, trace the route that the Johansen family took to help their friends, the Rosens, escape.

*Do some research about World War II. How many countries did Germany occupy? Get a map of Europe and mark them.

*Learn more about the Danish resistance movement. There were other resistance movements in other countries. Learn about them as well.

*The Diary of Anne Frank is about World War II from a Jewish girl's perspective. How did her experiences compare to that of the Rosen's? How did her family survive?

*Imagine the reunion between Annemarie and Ellen after the war. What would it be like? Write a short dialogue to perform with a classmate that tells the story of this reunion.

*Dramatize a scene from this novel.

*Many Jewish people were never able to escape to safety. Use your local library and Internet resources to research these times and events known as the Holocaust.

Historical Fiction - Review #1

Schlitz, Laura Amy. 2007. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village. Ill. by Robert Byrd. Cambridge: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763615789.

Summary-
This book is a crossover between the historical fiction genre and the poetry genre. It is a collection of monologues and dialogues set in a medieval village in England in 1255. The voices are of the children and young adults who tell about their world through their own experiences.

Characters-
Many different classes and trades are represented by the young characters and it is not hard to find one with which to identify. For instance, who has not shared in the feeling of being laughed at but not understanding why? Such is the experience of Isobel, the lord's daughter. Opposite Isobel is Barbary, a young lady burdened with her tasks and station in life who sees Isobel, with her many privileges, and feels momentary outrage at the unfairness of the situation. Young men may identify with Hugo, the lord's nephew as he is off on his first hunt and his first kill.

Plot-
As the stories are told, we glimpse the life of medieval children. We learn of Will, the plowboy, struggling to farm the family's land after his father's death. We learn of boys, like Thomas, the doctor's son, and Otho, the miller's son, who are expected to follow in their father's occupational footsteps. Then there is Simon, the knight's son, who has aspirations of following his father into knighthood but never will because his father's participation in the Crusade has left his family bankrupt.

We learn of the tension between Christians and Jews from the dialogue between Jacob Ben Salomon, the moneylender's son, and Petronella, the merchant's daughter. We see their discovery that they are not really so different from one another after all. Through all these stories and more, we meet children, young people, and even parents who are from a different time and a different place, yet not so different from us.

Setting-
The medieval village is very different from modern day America. At the beginning of the book is a map. It shows the lord's manor and town inside the stone wall, the village outside the stone wall but within the wooden fence and gate, and the village and fields outside the gate. We are told stories of life in all three areas. On this map, each character is drawn and named to show their "place in time."

Some day-to-day challenges of living in a medieval village truly turn the stomach. Lowdy, the varlet's child, who lives inside the stone wall, laments about the pests, namely lice and fleas, which she must deal with daily. Mogg, the villein's daughter, who lives outside the wooden fence and gate, notices how the lord, "pinches his nose when he enters our hut," (pg. 25) and how their cow's dung patched the roof all through the winter.

Theme-
We each have a place to belong. This timeless theme echoes throughout the book. The characters are from all walks of life, classes, and professions yet each has his own place. Some characters are content, others are not. Some are acutely aware of their station while others are truly oblivious.

Style-
Schlitz chooses to write in three forms, namely free verse poetry, rhyming verse poetry, and prose. She gives each character a voice by varying the forms. Nelly, the sniggler's voice is prose. "I was born lucky. Nay, not born lucky, as you shall hear--but lucky soon after and ever after." (pg. 75)

Otho, the miller's son's voice is rhyming verse with a repeating refrain that echoes the constant, trudging spin of the water wheel.
"Oh, God makes the water, and the water makes the river,
And the river turns the mill wheel
and the wheel goes on forever.
Every man's a cheater, and so every man is fed,
For we feed upon each other,
when we seek our daily bread." (pg. 27)

Alice, the shepherdess' voice is free verse poetry.
"My mother died when I was born,
so I was suckled by one of the sheep.
It's made me--my father says--
more sheep than human,
which is true." (pg. 14)

Throughout the book, time specific vocabulary is used. For example sooth for truth and what's amiss for what's wrong. Many unfamiliar words are explained in the margins of the book. In addition, the author helps clarify thoughts and feelings of the time in the margins as well.

Also, there are six background pieces sprinkled throughout the book that further explain some aspects of medieval life, such as the three-field system, medieval pilgrimages, the Crusades, falconry, etc.

Personal Note-
I mentioned to my fourteen year old son that he would enjoy reading this book. He told me he had already picked it up off my desk and read about a few of the characters. He especially liked Hugo, the lord' son, off on his first hunt. Since my son loves to hunt, he knew exactly what Hugo was feeling.

Review Excerpts-

Kirkus Reviews -"Schlitz takes the breath away with unabashed excellence in every direction."

The Horn Book -"Schlitz gives teachers a refreshing option for enhancing the study of the European Middle Ages: here are seventeen monologues and two dialogues that collectively create a portrait of life on an English manor in 1255."

School Library Journal - "Couplets, blank verse, and prose bring children living in a medieval village in 1255 to life in this Newbery Medal-winning book (Candlewick, 2007) by Laura Amy Schlitz....The language is lyrical and the separate stories mesh to provide a rich picture of medieval life."

Connections-

*Choose a character to portray as a monologue or dialogue. After all, this book was written specifically for this purpose. Have fun being someone who lived long ago.

*Read Crispin: the Cross of Lead (ISBN 9780786816583) by Avi. Can you find similarities between this book and Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village? Can you find the same types of people in both books? Compare any characters you find common to both books.

*Read other books about medieval times.

• Damsels Not in Distress : the True Story of Women in Medieval Times by Andrea Hopkins. ISBN 9780823939923
• Ms. Frizzle's Adventures: Medieval Castle by Joanna Cole ISBN 9780590108201
• The Middle Ages by Andread Bachini ISBN 9780764109485

Non-fiction - Review #3 - Orbis Pictus/Sibert Award

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

Accuracy -

Jim Murphy is well-known for his riveting retellings of historical happenings. He has won many awards including two Newbery Honors, a Sibert Award, a Sibert Honor Award, and three Orbis Pictus Awards, among others.

Mr. Murphy has twelve pages of documented sources that are organized by subject. For example, he has sources that are firsthand accounts - non-medical, firsthand accounts - medical, yellow fever, and yellow fever - fiction to name just a few. His acknowledgements page contains many professionals employed by museums, libraries, historical societies, and universities.

He presents a balanced view of the epidemic and the major characters; he gives us the good and the bad of their personalities and the situations. For example, he recounts instances about Dr. Benjamin Rush that show his kindness and his arrogance. Mr. Murphy tells of the Free African Society and their roles as nursemaids and caretakers when many others had fled the city.

Organization -

This story is told in a narrative form and follows the timeline of the outbreak of the epidemic. Each chapter begins with a date to help the reader follow the progression of the epidemic. In addition, each chapter begins with a quote from someone who was living through the epidemic. There is a table of contents as well as an index at the end. Also included is a map showing places with specific impact to the story. These places are numbered and marked so the reader may understand their importance to the story.

Design-

There are many, many historical illustrations in this book. Many are of individuals mentioned in the book so the reader has a face to accompany the quotes. It makes the story more personal. In addition to the portraits, there are historical drawings of places mentioned in the book. There are reproductions of political cartoons, proclamations, and other historical documents. As there is no artwork from this epidemic, Mr. Murphy includes artwork depicting the same kinds of situations from other calamities around the world. All the artwork, illustrations and reproductions are in black and white. This adds to the very desolate and desperate feeling of the book.

Each page facing the new chapter title has a reproduction of part of a local newspaper from the epidemic or a page from Matthew Carey's list of the dead, 1794. Reading the names and reading the articles in the newspapers helps convey the very serious subject of the book. This is not just a story, it really happened and it was really terrible.

Style -

This book is filled with documented first hand accounts of the Yellow Fever epidemic to strike Philadelphia in 1793. Many different voices speak to us from the pages of the book. Doctors, politicians, regular citizens, and others account their experiences during the epidemic. Mr. Murphy allows their voices to help him tell this story.

In this book, Mr. Murphy relays not only the facts surrounding the epidemic but the various cures suggested to counter the fever, the accepted medical practices of the day, the lack of sanitation, the effect on local and national government and lessons learned and actions taken as a direct result of the epidemic.

At the end, Mr. Murphy brings the subject of Yellow Fever to modern applications, telling of more current outbreaks and efforts to find the cause and cure of this disease. Incidentally, one person living at the time of the epidemic in 1793 suspected the mosquito was to blame and published advice on how to contain the pest by destroying it's breeding grounds; advice we now hear to help avoid an outbreak of West Nile Virus.

Reviews -

School Library Journal - "This book tells the story of the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia and its effect on the young nation. Students will become immersed in the dramatic narrative as they read how fear and panic spread throughout the country's capital. The author masterfully weaves facts and fascinating stories in describing the course of the disease and the heroic roles played by a few doctors and the free African-American citizens of the city. Black-and-white reproductions of period paintings, maps, and news articles enhance this absorbing title."

Kirkus Reviews - "A mesmerizing, macabre account that will make readers happy they live in the 21st century."

Finalist for the 2003 National Book Award, Young People's Literature

A 2004 Newbery Honor Book

Winner of the 2004 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award

Connections -

*Investigate how other serious diseases have been cured, for instance, polio or small pox.

*Investigate other serious diseases that do not yet have a cure. How long have they been in existence?

*Read other books by Jim Murphy.

• The Long Road to Gettysburg ISBN-13: 9780395559659
• The Great Fire (Newbery Honor) ISBN-13: 9780590472678
• Across America on an Emigrant Train ISBN-13: 9780788722721
• Blizzard ISBN-13: 9780590673099
• The Boys' War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk About the Civil War ISBN-13: 9780899198934
• Inside the Alamo ISBN-13: 9780385325745

Biography - Review #2 - Russell Freedman

Freedman, Russell. 2002. Confucius: The Golden Rule. Ill. by Frederic Clement. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439139570.


Accuracy -

Russell Freedman is well-known for his non-fiction works as well as his biography works. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Newbery Medal, three Newbery Honors, a Sibert Medal, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award.

In this biography, he deftly negotiates between facts and imagination communicating clearly what is fact and what is not. As Confucius himself recorded nothing about his life or his sayings, this is a task that requires constant monitoring and communication with the reader.

Mr. Freedman sites three pages of sources, including an explanation of the difficulty in learning the events of Confucius' life. He also achieves the "gold standard" of biographies, that of documentable quotes. The end papers are filled with some of these quotes and they are scattered throughout the book.

Organization -

This book has no table of contents although it is organized by chapters and proceeds in linear fashion to relate the events of Confucius' life. Each chapter begins with a title and not just a chapter number. There are page numbers which help the reader find the various sayings scattered throughout the book. These are listed in a short index in the back of the book. This index also lists the location of the quote from The Analects of Confucius.

Design -

This book has the feel of a storybook as there are no charts or timelines. There are pictures throughout the book. They are paintings in a muted, hazy type style. I found an interesting note to the paintings. As Confucius supposedly had two large front teeth, this theme is carried into the illustrations. Each picture has an element of two white shapes reminiscent of Confucius' two large front teeth.

Style -

Through his writing, Mr. Freedman is able to convey Confucius' personality. His love of learning, his dedication to the reformation of his government, his wit and quirkiness are all evident in this book. Mr. Freedman also draws many parallels between Confucius' teachings and modern day ideas and sayings, thereby communicating to us that Confucius is still teaching even today.
His writing is straightforward and uses appropriate vocabulary. That he is a gifted writer is evidenced by the following quote. "Fanciful stories and legends have clustered about his [Confucius] name like iron filings drawn irresistibly to a powerful magnetic field." (Freedman 2002, 8)

Reviews -

Publishers Weekly - "Freedman draws on stories, legends and collected dialogues from The Analects of Confucius, written by his students, to reveal a man of deep perceptions as well as great humor...Skillfully and smoothly weaving Chinese history, culture and language into the narrative, Freedman also explains Confucian philosophy succinctly, without dumbing it down ("The first task of a true statesman, Confucius said, is to face the truth, to use words honestly")."

School Library Journal - "In writing this biography, Freedman faced two obstacles: a distorted popular idea of Confucius, and a paucity of data about the real man. He directly addresses the first, and his engaging book beautifully compensates for the second. He sets his subject in the context of strife-torn China, since Confucius was a radical reformer whose ideas had political applications. Politics, education, spirituality: the philosopher has something to say in all these areas, and Freedman compellingly conveys the profundity of his thoughts."

Booklist - "Freedman’s Confucius jumps off the page as a fiery revolutionary… The fascinating narrative seamlessly intersperses stories from the Analects with Chinese history and biographical information about Confucius, focusing on his philosophical brilliance… Clément’s muted, elegant paintings of towns, temples and the bucktoothed Confucius himself have a suitably ancient feel with jagged borders and fading colors."

Connections -

* Read other biographies from Russell Freedman.

• Lincoln: A Photobiography (Newbery Medal) ISBN-13: 9780395518489
• Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille ISBN-13: 9780395968888
• The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane ISBN-13: 9780823410828
• The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights ISBN-13: 9780618159765
• Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery (Newbery Honor) ISBN-13: 9780395845202

* Read other non-fiction books by Russell Freedman.

• Children of the Great Depression ISBN-13: 9780618446308
• Who Was First? Discovering the Americas ISBN-13: 9780618663910
• Immigrant Kids ISBN-13: 9780140375947
• Children of the Wild West ISBN-13: 9780395547854

* Choose one of Confucius' sayings. Find a way it relates to your life or your situation. Write about it.

* Make a display of some of Confucius' sayings. Have fellow students vote for their favorite and create a graph displaying the results.

* Make a list of other sayings you can remember. Do some research and find out if they are attributable to Confucius or someone else.

Non-fiction - Review #1 - Steve Jenkins

Jenkins, Steve. 2007. Living Color. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618708979

Accuracy -

Steve Jenkins is a well-respected author of over 20 books. He has a reputation for accuracy and "stunning, eyepopping, inventive, gorgeous, masterful, extraordinary, playful, irresistible, compelling, engaging, accessible, glorious, and informative" books.

Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/authordetail.cfm?authorID=1643

Organization -

This book about how animals use color is organized around colors. The first page is an introduction with successive pages belonging to one color at a time. Examples are given for red, blue, yellow, green, orange, purple, and pink. Each two-page spread shows various animals and tells why and how each animal uses the color. Following the "color" pages is a more detailed explanation of other facets, such as if animals see color and how color is created. Towards the end of the book, Jenkins includes statistics about each animal, again by color, including length, habitat, diet, and an additional high-interest fact or two. He also includes titles of other books to read to learn more on the subject of animals and their colors.

Design -

The design of Living Color is eye-catching. Each page has a white background with bold, cut-paper collages of each animal. The message the animal is sending through color is summarized by one sentence, in the correct color, and further detailed in black text. For instance, on the red page, by the picture of the scarlet percher dragonfly it reads, "I'm all grown up. The male scarlet percher dragonfly changes from yellow-green to bright red when it is fully grown. Female dragonflies are attracted to its brilliant color."

Two animals with multiple colors, the cuttle fish and the chameleon, wrap around the page from one color to the next and further explanation continues. The cuttle fish is on the yellow and green pages. The chameleon is on the green and orange pages.

There are about 6 animals per two-page spread. This is visually appealing without being cluttered.

Style -

Steve Jenkins has a very clear writing style. He explains about the animals and their use of color in understandable terms. He also uses fun and familiar adjectives, like nasty, tasty, and lumpy, to describe the animals. This adds an element of whimsy to the text. From the variety of animals included, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and insects, it is clear the author finds the subject fascinating. In the book, he raises some questions that do not have clear answers, such as why robin's eggs are blue.

Review Excerpts -

Kirkus Reviews - "Color by color, gorgeous collages against clean white backgrounds are accompanied by playful typography and cool factoids (did you know that sloths enjoy a greenish hue lent by algae growing in their fur?). Jenkins's design, always striking, reaches the heights of inspiration with this offering, as when the color-changing cuttlefish appears half on the yellow page and continues through the turn onto the green page, a sly trick repeated with the chameleon. It's a smorgasbord approach that does not seek to make connections beyond color, but rather to astonish the reader with the range of colors and adaptations found in the natural world.

Booklist - "From the pink fairy armadillo to the purple deep-sea dragonfish, readers will be fascinated by the panoply of critters that often seem the stuff of fairy lore, and educators will applaud the clever concept of presenting survival adaptations as a biological fashion show."

Publishers Weekly - "Jenkins once again astounds...the combination of easy-to-understand language and gorgeous illustrations makes this a prime choice for any young animal enthusiast's collection."

Connections -

* For younger readers, make a rainbow book. Choose one animal per color, tell how that animal uses color and illustrate a picture to go with the writing.

* This could be presented as reader's theater. Each student chooses an animal and writes a script from the animal's point of view to relay information about how the animal uses color. Organize the presentation by color.

* After reading the book, extrapolate the main reasons animals use color. Sort the animals by these reasons.

* Read other books by Steve Jenkins.

• Actual Size ISBN-13: 9780618375943
• Sisters & Brothers: Sibling Relationships in the Animal World ISBN-13: 9780618375967
• What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? ISBN-13: 9780618256280

* Read the books recommended by Steve Jenkins in the book, Living Color.

• Animals and Their Colors: Camouflage, Warning Coloration, Courtship and Territorial Display, Mimicry. by Michael and Patricia Fogdon. ISBN-13: 9780517514894
• Animal Dazzlers: The Role of Brilliant Colors in Nature by Sneed B. Collard III. ISBN-13: 9780613183703
• Dramatic Displays by Tim Knight. ISBN-13: 9781403432551
• Red Eyes or Blue Feathers: A Book About Animal Colors by Patrician M. Stockland. Illustrated by Todd Ouren. ISBN-13: 9781404809314

Poetry-Review #3-Karen Hesse

Hesse, Karen. 2001. Witness. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439271991

Plot Summary—

Witness is a verse novel set in 1924 in Vermont. The Ku Klux Klan is trying to gain a following. The story is told from the points of view of eleven different townspeople of different ages and professions. Two families are the targets of the Klan’s hatred, a Jewish family and an African-American family. Over the course of a year, the community must choose between hatred and acceptance.

Critical Analysis—

This novel is written in free verse. Each personality of the eleven characters is aptly portrayed. We can hear their voices and feel their emotions through their monologues. From the speech patterns of Esther Hirsh, it is evident she is a six-year-old Jewish immigrant, “so i made a long walk all by myself./ i did follow the train tracks and/ pretty quick daddy did have comings after me.” We feel Merlin Van Tornhout’s hatred of twelve-year-old African-American Leanora Sutter when he says, “i left school right then./ no amount of air will get the smell of her/ out of my nose,/ the soot of her out of my eyes.” We feel Leanora’s pride in her people as she learns of their great triumphs and sacrifices during the Civil War, “i marched home in a straight line,/ with my back tall,/ and thought about that regiment of men/ like a streamer of dark silk.”

Hesse masterfully tells this story from many points of view, from Klan supporters and those who simply looked the other way, to those who were the subject of Klan abuses and those who refused to be bullied. Each character has an integral part in the story and Hesse weaves every thread of verse into the completed tapestry of the novel with skill and an understanding of the completeness of the picture formed by each Witness.

Review Excerpts—

Publishers Weekly- "Hesse weaves together 11 distinct narrative voices to create a moving account of the Ku Klux Klan's encroachment on a small Vermont town in 1924. Told completely in verse, her quietly powerful novel addresses the inevitable loss of innocence that accompanies the fight for social justice."

Kirkus Reviews—“What Copeland created with music, and Hopper created with paint, Hesse deftly and unerringly creates with words: the iconography of Americana, carefully researched, beautifully written, and profoundly honest.”

School Library Journal—“The writing includes vivid images, such as when Leanora, the black girl, sees a burning cross. She hides in a closet: "in that dark and narrow place,/ i opened a hole for myself/ but no matter how i turned,/ the light from the cross/ curled its bright claws under the door." It also includes some quiet yet irreducible moments that resonate long after the book is put down. The small details seem just right, and demonstrate that this is much more than a social tract. It's a thoughtful look at people and their capacity for love and hate.”

Connections—

*Perform this verse novel as a play or reader’s theater piece.

*Read Karen Hesse’s Newbery Award winning verse novel, Out of the Dust ISBN 0590371258.

*Read Aleutian Sparrow ISBN 1416903275 by Karen Hesse.

*Many of Karen Hesse’s novels could be considered historical fiction. Find out more about the history included in her books.

Poetry-Review #2-Kristine O'Connell George

George, Kristine O’Connell. 2002. Little Dog and Duncan. Ill. by June Otani. New York: Clarion. ISBN 061811758X


Plot Summary—

This is the story of two dogs, Little Dog and Duncan, told exclusively through poems. Duncan is an Irish Wolfhound who comes to stay with Little Dog and his owners for a time. Readers watch the relationship between the dogs build and strengthen from the beginning of the visit to the inevitable parting upon the return of Duncan’s owners. Dog lovers will notice behaviors seen in their own dogs. Duncan and Little Dog pout and mope when Duncan is left. They each want what the other has. They both get the leashes tangled up around Little Dog’s owner and Little Dog defends his territory by hiding his toys and growling to claim his owner’s lap.


Critical Analysis—

George uses free verse to tell the story of Little Dog and Duncan. Each poem is a vignette of the time Little Dog and Duncan spend together. She uses placement of the words on the page to lend rhythm and emotion to each poem. For example, in the poem Hello!, readers can feel the uncertainty of Little Dog and Duncan’s first meeting.
Hello!
Little Dog and Duncan
touch noses,
wiggle,
wag.
Friend?
Friend!

In the poem Equality, the placement of each line helps convey the action of sharing back and forth between each dog. This blog does not seem to always publish text exactly as it is typed. The "Little Dog" sentences below should be indented about 6 spaces.
Equality
Duncan gets a hug.
Little Dog gets a hug.
Duncan gets pats.
Little Dog gets pats.
Duncan gets a cookie.
Little Dog gets a cookie.

Fair is fair.


Otani used watercolors for the illustrations in Little Dog and Duncan. Each picture is simple with white space around so that the reader’s eye is drawn to the most important elements in the illustrations and to the placement of the words in the poem. Both the word placement and pictures contribute to the emotional appeal of the book.


Review Excerpts—

PlanetEsme.com—Esme Raji Codell- “Besides being a tender and observant ode to canine life, O'Connell's natural, almost conversational free verse surreptitiously shows children what a poem can be.”

School Library Journal—“George has a real knack for choosing ordinary moments and describing them in accessible yet lyrical language, transforming the mundane into the magical. The poems have been pared down and polished to perfection; although written in free verse, they have the elegance and quiet eloquence of haiku.”

Book Magazine—“ Elegantly simple, short poems and appealing watercolors capture the excitement of the fun and friendship the dogs share and the slight tensions that spring from their different sizes.”

Claudia Lewis Poetry Award-2003


Connections—

*Identify the emotions conveyed in the book. Help students compare and contrast those emotions to how they feel when someone comes to stay with them for a while.

*Read the first poem book about Little Dog and his owner.

• Little Dog Poems Ill. by June Otani ISBN 0395822661

*Read other poem picture books by Kristine O’Connell George.

• Toasting Marshmallows Ills. by Kate Kiesler ISBN 061804597X
• The Great Frog Race and Other Poems Ill. by Kate Kiesler ISBN 0618604782
• Old Elm Speaks: Tree Poems Ill. by Kate Kiesler ISBN 0618752420
• Hummingbird Nest: A Journal of Poems Ill. by Barry Moser ISBN 0152023259

Poetry-Review #1-Jack Prelutsky

Prelutsky, Jack. 2002. Scranimals. Ill. by Peter Sis. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0688178197

Plot Summary—

This book, told exclusively through poems, tells the tale of two children’s wondrous journey to Scranimal Island. Here the inhabitants are mixtures of animals and plants or animals and other animals. Creatures such as the Rhinocerose (a rhinoceros and a rose), Spinachickens (spinach and chickens), and Toucanemones (toucans and anemones) are not quickly forgotten. In this imaginary land, the laws of predator and prey still hold true as a pride of Broccolions (broccoli and lions) stalk and subdue an Antelopetunia (antelope and petunia). There are animals to fear, like the dreaded Radishark (a radish and a shark), animals to endear, like the Pandaffodil (a panda and a daffodil), and animals no longer here, like the Avocadodo (an avocado and a dodo).

Critical Analysis—

Prelutsky is a master at rhyme. His poems have a predictable rhythm and meter and this remains true in Scranimals. In the poems, he gives the mixed up animals the traits inherent in each of the separate “parts.” For example, in the poem about the Bananaconda (a banana and an anaconda), he pens, “Oh sleek bananaconda,/ You longest long long fellow,/ How sinuous and sly you are,/ How slippery, how yellow./ You slither on your belly,/ And you slither on your chin./ You’re only unappealing/ As you shed your slinky skin.” Traits of a banana and an anaconda mix into a satisfying picture of this imaginary creature. The rhymes are not forced but flow naturally and effortlessly. In addition, the alliteration of the /s/ words delights the tongue as the poem is read aloud.

Another example of Prelutsky’s mastery of his craft is the poem about the Ostricheetah (an ostrich and a cheetah). Again in perfect rhyme and rhythm, he talks about this creature, attributing the traits of speed and fearfulness into one animal. His use of simple rimes (/-ast/, /-ace/, /-ing/, /-and/) gives a faster tempo to this poem. He writes, “With fur and feathers flying,/ It hurtles on and then,/ Somehow, not even trying,/ Accelerates again./ But when it tires of running,/ It doesn’t simply stand./ Though quick, it’s far from cunning--/ Its head goes in the sand.”

The pictures by Peter Sis are in black line art with watercolor and help to tell the story of this imaginary land. At the beginning, the children are preparing for their journey with their map, red and white life preserver, orange polka-dot umbrella, yellow backpack, and skateboard. In each illustration in the book, they are readily identifiable because of this colorful ensemble. On many pages, they are the most colorful part of the illustration. For each poem, Sis gives the reader visual impressions of the mixed animals. For readers who take time to study the illustrations, the previous mixed up animal and the next mixed up animal are placed discretely in the background of many illustrations.

Review Excerpts—

Publishers Weekly-“Prelutsky tweaks language with his characteristic glee, wedging in plenty of humor ("Poor Avocadodos, Ungainly and green, You're gone from today's Biological scene") and, as always when Sis is on board, his exquisite artistry raises the bar, adding depth to Prelutsky's light verse.”

School Library Journal—“…Prelutsky and Sis have pulled off something great here-it is their best collaboration to date.”

Horn Book—“The verses are peppy, singsongy, and clever. Imaginative and concrete illustrations transform this collection into a unified whole.”

Connections—

*Invite children to create their own mixed up animals and write a poem to go with their creation.

*Read other poem picture books by Jack Prelutsky.

• Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems Ill. by Carin Berger ISBN 0060543183 This one has mixed up animals again. This time they are mixed with household objects instead of other animals and plants.
• Awful Ogre’s Awful Day Ill. by Robert O. Zelinsky ISBN 0060774592
• The Terrible Tiger Ill. by Arnold Lobel ISBN 0689713002

*Read holiday collections of poetry by Jack Prelutsky.

• It’s Thanksgiving Ill. by Marylin Hafner ISBN 0060537116
• It’s Christmas Ill. by Marylin Hafner ISBN 006053706X
• It’s Valentine’s Day Ill. by Marylin Hafner ISBN 0060537124

*Read other collections of poetry by Jack Prelutsky.

• It’s Raining Pigs and Noodles Ill. by James Stevenson ISBN 0060763906
• The New Kid on the Block Ill. by James Stevenson ISBN 0688022715
• A Pizza the Size of the Sun Ill. by James Stevenson ISBN 0688132359
• Something Big Has Been Here Ill. by James Stevenson ISBN 0688064345

Traditional Tales-Review #3-Eric Kimmel book

Kimmel, Eric A. 1994. The Three Princes: A Tale from the Middle East. Ill. by Leonard Everett Fisher. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823415538

Plot Summary--

This is the tale of three princes who seek the hand of a beautiful princess. The choice is hers to make and, as is often the case in love, she wants to choose the prince who touches her heart even though he has few possessions. She devises a plan. For a year, the princes will go out into the world to search for and bring back the greatest wonder. At the end of the year, the princes meet together to show each other their wonders. One has found a crystal ball that will let him see what is happening anywhere in the world. Another has found a flying carpet that will carry him wherever he wants to go. The third prince, the princess' choice, has found a magic orange that will cure any illness. As the princes talk, they decide to check on the princess whom they have not seen in a year. Through the crystal ball, they discover she is deathly ill. They ride the flying carpet to her bedside and use the magic orange to cure her. In the end, the princess must decide who found the greatest wonder.

Critical Analysis--

This tale begins in a most satisfying way. "Once there was and once there was not a princess who was as wise as she was beautiful." From the beginning, the reader knows a wonderful story is about to unfold. This traditional, but not so traditional, way of beginning this tale, immediately sets the tone for the story. While the challenges of finding the wonders are not fully related in the tale, the reader glimpses the challenges through carefully chosen words. For the crystal ball, "In a cave guarded by a frightful djinn..." For the flying carpet, "In the tomb of a forgotten king..." For the magic orange, "... [on] the shores of the Great Sea...there I met a sailor who gave me this." The reader is left wondering, what great danger did the third prince face to gain his wonder?

The tale ends as it should. The princess, "who was as wise as she was beautiful--which made her more beautiful still," and her prince "lived together in joy and delight to the end of their days."

Mr. Fisher uses bold colors in his pictures. Camels, desert landscapes, and traditional clothing contribute to an appreciation of Middle Eastern culture. The night sky pictures show a deep midnight blue with bright, white stars and a crescent moon. They remind me of stargazing out in the country when there are hundreds stars and they seem so close, you can almost touch them. My favorite night sky picture is the three princes on the flying carpet rushing to save the princess. There are stars all around them, even below them. I remember this feeling on an overnight airplane flight, as I was gazing out the window, amazed that I was high enough to feel like I was "in" the stars and not below them.


Review Excerpts--

Publishers Weekly--"Kimmel's sprightly retelling of a Middle Eastern folktale and Fisher's ambient artwork shimmer with wisdom and magic."

School Library Journal-"His [Kimmel] smooth narrative is strong and direct-traditional in structure, but with a fresh, contemporary voice. Dark underpainting and dense blocks of bold color give Fisher's illustrations weight and dimension, while his dramatic use of light focuses the eye effortlessly through the pictures. A welcome addition that deserves to become a read-aloud standard."

Booklist--"Kimmel uses the familiar fairy-tale construct, but his telling has precision and a bouyancy that gives the story wonderful life. The text is well matched by Fisher's muscular artwork, here executed in bold evening colors that masterfully mix the Middle Eastern setting and the Arabian Nights goings-on."


Connections--

*Locate the Middle East region on a map.

*Read some other Middle Eastern folktales.

• The Secret of Laughter: Fairytales and Folktales from Ancient Persia by Shusha Guppy ISBN 1850434271
• Well of Truth: A Folktale from Egypt by Martha Hamilton ISBN 0874838800
• Two Pairs of Shoes by P.L. Travers ISBN 0670736775
• Tales from the Bazaars of Arabia: Folk Srories from the Middle East by Amina Shah ISBN 1845117018 Available November 25, 2008.
• Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights by N.J. Dawood ISBN 0140367829

Traditional Tales-Review #2-Cinderella Variant

Louie, Ai-Ling. 1982. Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China. Ill. by Ed Young. New York: Philomel. ISBN 039920900X.

Plot Summary--

This "Cinderella" tale originally appeared in a book that dates from the T'ang dynasty (618-907 A.D.), pre-dating European versions of the Cinderella story. Yeh-Shen is the "Cinderella" who has a cruel, unfair stepmother and a stepsister. Yeh-Shen's only friend is a fish she caught and raised. Yeh-Shen's stepmother captures and kills the fish. Through this, Yeh-Shen learns the fish's bones are magical and will fulfill her heart's desires. Yeh-Shen longs to go to the spring festival but, of course, is not allowed to go. Her fish's bones provide her with an azure gown, feathered cloak, and golden slippers whose weave pattern looks like fish scales. She loses one of the slippers on the way home from the festival which provides the way for the king to find her.

Critical Analysis--

This variant contains some expected "Cinderella tale" elements, such as the evil stepmother, magic, the fancy dress, the dance, and the lost slipper. Some unexpected elements include only one stepsister, the fish bones, in lieu of a fairy godmother, and the manner is which Yeh-Shen is reunited with her lost, golden slipper.

The illustrations are beautiful and convey Chinese culture. Each page is sectioned into panels, either one, two, or three. The pictures are divided into these panels. Prominent in almost every picture is the fish. Blending into the mouth and eyes of the fish are the various characters and events from the story. Mr. Young's choice of colors conveys the feelings in the story. Dark plums and magentas are used for the fish when the stepmother and sister or serious events are depicted. Shades of light green are used to show the friendship between the fish and Yeh-Shen. Reds are used for the dancing and spring festival. Hues of turquoise blue and green are used to show Yeh-Shen in her finery and fortell her future status as queen.

Reviews--

Publishers Weekly-"Misty, jewel-like illustrations evoke the mythic past in this Chinese Cinderella story."

Booklist--"A misty dreamlike air. A worthwhile addition to picture-book collections."

Awards-

• Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award Winner
• ALA Notable Children's Book
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• IRA Children's Choice
• IRA Teachers' Choice
  

Connections--

*Read other Asian Cinderella variants and compare them.

• Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella by J.R. Coburn ISBN 1885008090
• Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella by J.R. Coburn ISBN 1885008015
• The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo ISBN 0064433978

*Read and compare other Cinderella variants from different cultures.

• The Turkey Girl: a Zuni Cinderella Story by Penny Pollack ISBN 0316713147
• Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaola ISBN 0399238662
• The Talking Eggs by Robert San Souci ISBN 0803706197
  

*On a map, locate the various countries or regions of origin for the stories.

*Re-write the story of Cinderella. Make the setting and the other elements specific to your town.

*Read other Chinese folktales.

• The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop ISBN 0698113578
• Two of Everything: A Chinese Folktale by Lily Toy Hong ISBN 0807581577
• The Lost Horse: A Chinese Folktale by Ed Young ISBN 015205023X
• The Weaving of a Dream: A Chinese Folktale by Marilee Heyer ISBN 0140505288

Traditional Tales-Review #1-Anthology

Yolen, Jane. 2003. Mightier Than the Sword: World Folktales for Strong Boys. Ill. by Raul Colon. New York: Harcourt. ISBN 978-0-15-216391-4.

Plot Summary--

This is an anthology of folktales from around the world. The heroes of these tales are boys and the goal of the collection is to show their triumphs when using their brains over their brawn. The themes of self-sacrifice, thoughtfulness, bravery of heart, and faithfulness run throughout the selected tales.

Critical Analysis--

The fourteen tales in this collection come from all over the world and represent many different peoples and cultures. China, Angola, Russia, Burma, Hungary, and Israel are just a few of the countries represented in the anthology. Some of the tales are variants of fairly well-known tales, such as Jack and His Companions, which is a variant of The Bremen-town Musicians and Mighty Mikki, a variant of Puss-in-Boots. Other tales may be less well known, such as Thick-Head, a Native American tale or The False Knight on the Road from England. While a few of the tales have some intense elements, like the hero tricking the troll into cutting open his own stomach in the tale, Eating with Trolls, most of the stories depict good triumphing over evil without much violence.

Each tale is accompanied by a simple black and white line drawing that depicts an important scene and offers the reader a small view of the traditional culture from which the tale originates. Another cultural element found in the tales is traditional storytelling wording. In the tale, The Young Man Protected by the River from Angola, the traditional ending is preserved. The tale ends with three sayings, all of which mean, "I am finished."

The anthology includes a table of contents with not only titles and page numbers, but also the country of origin for each tale. Also, Yolen lists a bibliography and gives details of her research for each tale.

My 9 year old son and I enjoyed sharing this book. Our favorite tale was Jack and His Companions.

Reviews--

School Library Journal--"Her [Yolen] versions of these stories are lively, expressively written, ready for reading aloud or telling, and illustrative of her point."

Kirkus Reviews--"Yolen, an undisputable queen of storytelling, shines with these retellings...A stellar read-aloud volume as well as just right for independent readers."

Awards--Aesop Prize

Connections--

*Choose a tale or two to rewrite as a reader's theater piece.

*Jane Yolen has compiled an anthology entitled, Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls ISBN-13 9780152020477. How does this anthology compare with Mightier Than the Sword? Do they have any of the same themes?

*Other folktale anthologies to read and enjoy.

• Outfoxing Fear: Folktales from Around the World edited by Kathleen Ragan ISBN 0393060365.


• From the Winds of Manguito: Cuban Folktales in English and Spanish retold by Elvia Perez edited by Margaret Read MacDonald ISBN 1591580919.


• Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales selected by Neil Philip ISBN 0618194630.

Picture Books-Review #3

Cronin, Doreen. 2000. Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. Ill. Betsy Lewin. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1-4169-0348-8

Plot Summary--

This clever book details labor/management negotiations between Farmer Brown and his farm animals, specifically, the cows. Neither side is willing to make concessions until a neutral party (the duck) is brought in to mediate the dispute.

Critical Analysis--

Cronin's story is whimsical with simple but direct text. Using the cleverness of barnyard animals who can type and demand better working conditions immediately draws the reader into the story. Even though some of the vocabulary is challenging for younger readers (neutral party, ultamatum), they will enjoy the surface story, that of animals wanting warm blankets because they get cold at night. The deeper story, management/labor relations is not lost to older readers who enjoy the book as well.

Lewin's illustrations capture the whimsy of the story. Bold colors and simple lines invite the reader into the story. Lewin's drawings of the old, manual typewriter add to the story's charm. Also, the letters between the farmer and his animals that are written on the typewriter, look truly typewritten.

The surprised expressions on the animals' faces let the reader know that the animals think their demands are perfectly rational. Why should Farmer Brown be upset over such a simple request? Conversly, the shadow of Farmer Brown on the bard door as well as his facial expressions let us share in his utter frustrations. We know he feels his animals are being totally unreasonable.

The illustration of the cows' secret over-night meeting leaves the reader wondering what will happen. The chain and padlock on the barn door, as well as the moss green wash across the two-page spread, complete the secrecy picture. The ending illustrations of the ducks and their demand, leaves us wondering what is next for Farmer Brown.

My son enjoyed this story. He giggled over the thought of the cows and hens having electric blankets. The ducks and their diving board got an actual chuckle from him. I enjoyed the cleverness of this story as well. I can empathize with Farmer Brown. My son's negotiating personality is not unlike that of the cows in this story. Books that can reach varied levels of audiences are truly amazing books and this is surely an amazing book.

Review Excerpts--

Bookbag Magazine-"This hilarious story with a surprise ending is a great tribute to fair play and introduces the power of communication in a way that even the youngest listener will enjoy."

School Library Journal-"Farmer Brown is no match for his conspiring cows [who] type notes demanding electric blankets. Artful lines as bold as the bovines and a silly text result in a satisfying story that reinforces the power of the written word."

Connections--

*Cronin and Lewin have collaborated on other books about Farmer Brown and his animals. Read some of them.

• Thump, Quack, Moo: A Whacky Adventure ISBN 9781416916307
• Giggle, Giggle, Quack ISBN 9780689845062
• Duck for President ISBN 9781416958000
• Dooby Dooby Moo ISBN 9780689845079
• Click, Clack, Splish, Splash: A Counting Adventure ISBN 9780689877162
• Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack: An Alphabet Adventure ISBN 9780689877155

*No Moon, No Milk by Chris Babcock ISBN 0517885409 has a similar story line. Compare and contrast the two stories.

*Read other books written by Doreen Cronin.

• Diary of a Worm ISBN 9780060001506
• Diary of a Fly ISBN 9780060001568
• Diary of a Spider ISBN 9780060001537

*Talk about negotiations and give-and-take. Why is it important? Have you ever made an agreement with someone where you got something and the other person got something as well?

Picture Books--Review #2

Taback, Simms. 1999. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0-439-21697-4

Plot Summary--

This delightful picture book tells the story of resourceful Joseph and how he uses his worn out overcoat in new and useful ways. It conveys the message that old and worn does not mean useless.

Critical Analysis--

Taback's story is simple and endearing. He uses repetitive text to tell the story and invites readers to predict the next use of the old and worn overcoat with his use of cut-out shapes. Taback's illustration style uses a combination of collage, watercolor, pencil, ink, and Gouache (a kind of paint). Each picture is a feast for the eye with detailed pictures. The drawings invite children to imitate his style as the faces are simply drawn. The clothing is a mixture of collage materials and drawn patterns.

Throughout the illustrations, Taback places newspapers, letters, postcards, and framed photogaphs to give Joseph's house a truly homey feel. In addition, wise sayings that look cross-stitched add to this homey feel. It is evident that Joseph lives in a rural area as we see his barn and animals and his vegetable crops.

Taback conveys Jewish culture through the illustrations. There is Hebrew writing in the books and newspapers, pictures of Rabbis, menorahs, and other male characters wearing yarmulke.

The story seems to end abruptly. The text ceases its repetitive pattern and ends with, "Now he had nothing." To mirror this text, the illustration is uncharacteristic of the rest of the book. Gone are the many details Taback takes such care to add to the other illustrations in the book. We are left with Joseph, plain walls and floor, a rug, and a simple coat rack. Even his animals are walking away from him.

Much to the relief of the reader, the final page resolves this dischordant note by resuming the illustration style and adding the text, "...you can always make something out of nothing."

An author's note ends the book. In it, Taback explains his inspiration for the story; a song from his childhood which is printed on the facing page.

As an adult, I enjoyed this book. The story's message is timeless, that of finding something good in the bad. I enjoyed the illustrations because of the many "extras" added--the postcards, letters, wise sayings, and newspaper headlines. Many of these are out of the experience of the young reader but add interest for the more experienced reader.

Review Excerpts--

Publishers Weekly--"With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud."

School Library Journal--"A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit."

2000 Caldecott Medal

Connections--

*Read other books illustrated by Simms Taback

• There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly ISBN 0670869392
• Too Much Noise by Ann McGovern. Illus. by Simms Taback ISBN 0395629853
• This is the House that Jack Built ISBN 0142402001
• I Miss You Everyday ISBN 0670061921

*Read other stories taken from songs.

• Today is Monday by Eric Carle ISBN 0698115635
• Mary Had a Little Lamb by Sara Josepha Hale. Pictures by Bruce McMillan ISBN 0590437747
• The Itsy, Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani ISBN 9781580890144
• I'm a Little Teapot by Iza Trapani ISBN 9781580890557
• Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Iza Trapani ISBN 9781580890151

*Create your own piece of art by using drawing, coloring and collage techniques.

*Re-use something old in a new way.

*Read other books that have been inspired by specific childhood memories.

• Tom by Tomie dePaola ISBN 9780698114487
• My Apron by Eric Carle ISBN 9780399226854

Picture Books--Review #1

Gaugh, Patricia Lee, David Briggs, Courtenay Palmer, and Kiffin Steurer, eds. 2007. Artist to Artist 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art. New York: Philomel. ISBN 978-0-399-246000-5

Plot Summary-
This book features 23 well-known children's book illustrators from around the world. Each illustrator has written a letter to aspiring artists telling the story of becoming an illustrator and encouraging the budding artist to persevere and follow his dreams.


Critical Analysis-
Each artists' letter is accompanied by a self-portrait, a picture of the illustrator as a child, and a picture of the illustrator's studio. The pictures of childhood art, early works, and current works included with each artists' letter, help show his development as an artist. Artists working in numerous disciplines are featured. These disciplines include painterly techniques, such as line drawings, paintings, and sketches in pencil and ink as well as graphic techniques like collages and pop-ups. As each illustrator shares his or her story, we discover the many roads that lead to becoming a picture book illustrator. From artists who knew from a very young age they would be artists (like Tomie dePaola and Eric Carle) to those who found their calling later (like Chris Van Allsburg, Leo Lionni, and Petra Mathers), their stories are here.

This book achieves its goal of inspiring young artists. As Eric Carle writes in his introduction, "I hope that this book will be a kind of mentor for you, young artist, and that you will feel when reading these artists' stories that you are among friends, fellow dreamers, and scribblers, who follow their instincts and listen to their own inner voices." (Eric Carle 7)

Review Excerpts--

School Library Journal-"...the end result is a gorgeous, browsable gallery of international treasures, with a behind-the-scenes tour led bythe generous and gifted creators themselves."

Kirkus Reviews- "Fun to read and view, this anthology is a treasure trove of creative insight and inspiration."

Connections--
*Gather several books by one of the illustrators. Is the style easily recognizable? Try to duplicate the style on your own.

*Several artists mentioned working with different mediums. Try creating the same picture using different art materials and techniques. Is there one you prefer?

*Read other books about artists and their works. Here are a few ideas.

• A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION by Leonard Marcus
• TALKING WITH ARTISTS (any of the volumes) by Pat Cummings
• PICTURE THIS: HOW PICTURES WORK by Molly Bang
• PASS IT DOWN: FIVE PICTURE BOOK FAMILIES MAKE THEIR MARK by Leonard S. Marcus
• SIDE BY SIDE: FIVE FAVORITE PICTURE BOOK TEAMS GO TO WORK by Leonard Marcus

*Several artists mentioned being inspired by "traditional" well-known artists, such as Michelangelo, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Klee and others. Find some artwork by these artists. What do you think about them? Do they inspire you?

*Some artists mentioned other picture book illustrators that inspired them like Maxfield Parrish, Dr. Seuss, and Wanda Gag. Find some books illustrated by these illustrators. Do they inspire you, too?

*Gather supplies for your own art box or studio. Include pens, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, watercolors, different kinds of papers, scissors, and anything else that will excite and inspire you to create.