Redwoods, ALA Notable Children's Book
Author/Illustrator: Chin, Jason
Publisher: Scholastic, 2009
Genre: Informational/Fantasy
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-5
Plot Summary: Information about Redwood trees is given through the perspective of a boy who is reading about Redwood trees and finds himself entering their world.
Literary Element: Traditional non-fiction text features are almost completely absent in this book. The very end of the book shows a "page" from the "book" the boy has been reading with a heading and a bar chart.
Illustrations: While the words give the factual information about Redwood trees, the illustrations tell the fantasy part of the story - where the main character, who's reading a book about Redwood trees, finds himself in the book he's reading. It adds a whole other level of interest to the book.
Review: School Library Journal (May 1, 2009)
Gr 1-4 - This remarkable picture book delivers a mix of fantasy and fiction through beautifully detailed watercolors. Waiting on a subway platform alone, a boy finds a book about redwood trees and becomes captivated while reading it on the train. As he learns that there are trees alive today that first sprouted during the Roman Empire, readers notice two passengers seated beside him from that period. When he comes out of the station, he finds himself deep in a redwood forest, where, clad in climber's gear and a harness, he launches a rope, climbs a tree, discovers wildlife in the branches, and experiences the many wonders similar to a professional researcher. Colorful panels focus on his observations. Chin superbly captures the boy's varied expressions throughout his adventure. Perspective is artfully used to show the immensity of the trees as he rappels back down into the city with images of landmarks and skyscrapers. Reality returns when he notices the time and darts off, leaving the book behind for a girl to discover and begin her journey in the redwoods. The final pages include information about the environmental dangers that the redwoods face, some nature graphics drawn to scale, and an inspiring author's note. This inventive story will charm and educate readers and send their imaginations soaring.-Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information
Promotion: Redwoods fits well into a unit on plants and trees. A timeline project could be done on all the events that have happened during the lifetime of a redwood tree.
Author/Illustrator: Chin, Jason
Publisher: Scholastic, 2009
Genre: Informational/Fantasy
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-5
Plot Summary: Information about Redwood trees is given through the perspective of a boy who is reading about Redwood trees and finds himself entering their world.
Literary Element: Traditional non-fiction text features are almost completely absent in this book. The very end of the book shows a "page" from the "book" the boy has been reading with a heading and a bar chart.
Illustrations: While the words give the factual information about Redwood trees, the illustrations tell the fantasy part of the story - where the main character, who's reading a book about Redwood trees, finds himself in the book he's reading. It adds a whole other level of interest to the book.
Review: School Library Journal (May 1, 2009)
Gr 1-4 - This remarkable picture book delivers a mix of fantasy and fiction through beautifully detailed watercolors. Waiting on a subway platform alone, a boy finds a book about redwood trees and becomes captivated while reading it on the train. As he learns that there are trees alive today that first sprouted during the Roman Empire, readers notice two passengers seated beside him from that period. When he comes out of the station, he finds himself deep in a redwood forest, where, clad in climber's gear and a harness, he launches a rope, climbs a tree, discovers wildlife in the branches, and experiences the many wonders similar to a professional researcher. Colorful panels focus on his observations. Chin superbly captures the boy's varied expressions throughout his adventure. Perspective is artfully used to show the immensity of the trees as he rappels back down into the city with images of landmarks and skyscrapers. Reality returns when he notices the time and darts off, leaving the book behind for a girl to discover and begin her journey in the redwoods. The final pages include information about the environmental dangers that the redwoods face, some nature graphics drawn to scale, and an inspiring author's note. This inventive story will charm and educate readers and send their imaginations soaring.-Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information
Promotion: Redwoods fits well into a unit on plants and trees. A timeline project could be done on all the events that have happened during the lifetime of a redwood tree.
This Jazz Man
Author: Ehrhardt, Karent
Illustrator: Roth, R.G.
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc., 2006
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grades pre-k-4
Plot Summary: This Jazz Man tells the story of ten great jazz musicians and their contributions. It's told very simply through the pattern of the old rhyme, "this old man, he played one..." Each jazz musician is highlighted for their contribution and their instrument that they're known for. In the back, a short biography of each jazz musician can be found.
Personal Reaction: I really love this book. The art work is fantastic, and it helped connect my students to a concept they were struggling with. They enjoyed identifying the jazz musicians that we had discussed in a new and interesting way. I also enjoyed guessing who the musicians were the first time through, based on the clues for each one.
Literary Element: As mentioned above, the pattern of the story is to the "this old man" rhyme. This brings familiarity to learning about jazz, which is often a new musical concept to children. Duke Ellington is the fourth jazz musician in the book. His page takes the rhyme and puts his orchestral mark on it. "This jazz man, he plays four. He conducts 'em through the score, With a 'One, and-a two, and-a-' Give the man a hand, This jazz man, he leads the band."
Illustrations: The illustrations were done in mixed media collage and printmaking on watercolor paper. Each page has its own color scheme. The illustrations help illuminate the personality of the ten jazz musicians.
Review: Booklist (November 15, 2006)
Ehrhardt moves the traditional counting chant "This Old Man" to the jazz club in this infectious, rhythmic offering. Each page features a different jazz musician who plays "rhythm with his thumb,"makes "music with his shoes,"and so on. The rhyming text scans with a smooth, toe-tapping tempo that's nicely extended by the colorful, mixed-media images, arranged in compositions that have their own staccato beat. Bars of striped color slide across page edges, and stylized African American musicians, rendered in geometric shapes and textured prints, send up "notes that rise to heaven."Children will want to shout along with the scat-cat rhythms ("Beedle-di-Bop! Bebop!") that replace the original chant's "paddy-whack"refrain and are printed in colorful letters that punctuate the artwork. This will appeal most to preschoolers and kindergarteners, but older children will appreciate the closing section, which reveals that the featured musicians represent real-life jazz legends, including Charles Mingus and Charlie Parker. A short biography of each is appended. A welcome introduction to the world of jazz.
Review: School Library Journal (December 1, 2006)
Gr 1-5-Using a lively version of the children's song "This Old Man," this book introduces famous African-American jazz musicians as it counts to nine. Louis Armstrong is number 1. "This jazz man, he plays one,/He plays rhythm with his thumb,/With a Snap! Snap! Snazzy-snap!/Give the man a hand,/This jazz man scats with the band." The illustrations give clues to the performers, and the end matter has a biographical sketch for each one. In the final spread, all of the musicians are together, taking bows: "These jazz men make one great band!" The energetic collage illustrations introduce the action by picturing bold striped curtains encompassing an empty stage set up with jazz instruments; each performer's subsequent spread has striped borders. Onomatopoeic words spill across the pages in imitation of the music's sounds. The book is fun for jazz aficionados and neophytes alike. Children will enjoy the sounds and illustrations and sing along without needing to know more.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Promotion: I used this book as part of the unit we did on jazz in the library preparing for the Nashville Public Library's Puppet Truck production of Ellingtown. We talked about different jazz musicians, and the children loved being able to identify them in this book. The younger children loved the motions that easily accompany each page as you read/sing.
Author: Ehrhardt, Karent
Illustrator: Roth, R.G.
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc., 2006
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grades pre-k-4
Plot Summary: This Jazz Man tells the story of ten great jazz musicians and their contributions. It's told very simply through the pattern of the old rhyme, "this old man, he played one..." Each jazz musician is highlighted for their contribution and their instrument that they're known for. In the back, a short biography of each jazz musician can be found.
Personal Reaction: I really love this book. The art work is fantastic, and it helped connect my students to a concept they were struggling with. They enjoyed identifying the jazz musicians that we had discussed in a new and interesting way. I also enjoyed guessing who the musicians were the first time through, based on the clues for each one.
Literary Element: As mentioned above, the pattern of the story is to the "this old man" rhyme. This brings familiarity to learning about jazz, which is often a new musical concept to children. Duke Ellington is the fourth jazz musician in the book. His page takes the rhyme and puts his orchestral mark on it. "This jazz man, he plays four. He conducts 'em through the score, With a 'One, and-a two, and-a-' Give the man a hand, This jazz man, he leads the band."
Illustrations: The illustrations were done in mixed media collage and printmaking on watercolor paper. Each page has its own color scheme. The illustrations help illuminate the personality of the ten jazz musicians.
Review: Booklist (November 15, 2006)
Ehrhardt moves the traditional counting chant "This Old Man" to the jazz club in this infectious, rhythmic offering. Each page features a different jazz musician who plays "rhythm with his thumb,"makes "music with his shoes,"and so on. The rhyming text scans with a smooth, toe-tapping tempo that's nicely extended by the colorful, mixed-media images, arranged in compositions that have their own staccato beat. Bars of striped color slide across page edges, and stylized African American musicians, rendered in geometric shapes and textured prints, send up "notes that rise to heaven."Children will want to shout along with the scat-cat rhythms ("Beedle-di-Bop! Bebop!") that replace the original chant's "paddy-whack"refrain and are printed in colorful letters that punctuate the artwork. This will appeal most to preschoolers and kindergarteners, but older children will appreciate the closing section, which reveals that the featured musicians represent real-life jazz legends, including Charles Mingus and Charlie Parker. A short biography of each is appended. A welcome introduction to the world of jazz.
Review: School Library Journal (December 1, 2006)
Gr 1-5-Using a lively version of the children's song "This Old Man," this book introduces famous African-American jazz musicians as it counts to nine. Louis Armstrong is number 1. "This jazz man, he plays one,/He plays rhythm with his thumb,/With a Snap! Snap! Snazzy-snap!/Give the man a hand,/This jazz man scats with the band." The illustrations give clues to the performers, and the end matter has a biographical sketch for each one. In the final spread, all of the musicians are together, taking bows: "These jazz men make one great band!" The energetic collage illustrations introduce the action by picturing bold striped curtains encompassing an empty stage set up with jazz instruments; each performer's subsequent spread has striped borders. Onomatopoeic words spill across the pages in imitation of the music's sounds. The book is fun for jazz aficionados and neophytes alike. Children will enjoy the sounds and illustrations and sing along without needing to know more.-Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Promotion: I used this book as part of the unit we did on jazz in the library preparing for the Nashville Public Library's Puppet Truck production of Ellingtown. We talked about different jazz musicians, and the children loved being able to identify them in this book. The younger children loved the motions that easily accompany each page as you read/sing.
Noah Webster & His Words
Author: Ferris, Jeri Chase
Illustrator: Kirsch, Vincent X.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012
Genre: Biography
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-5
Plot Summary: This delightful biography outlines Noah Webster’s early life, and how it contributed to his life’s work – Webster’s Dictionary. It also gives us information about books he wrote that are less-well known today – the “blue-backed” speller, reading books, etc.
Personal Response: I love a biography. Taking a “dry” historical figure and making a charming story out of it – there’s nothing better.
Literary Element: Throughout the book, vocabulary words are pulled out in bold and defined. "Yale was EX-PEN-SIVE [adj.: having a high price; costly]."
Illustrations: The pen/pencil drawings with watercolor overlay are very attractive and done mostly in earth tones. The people are not realistically drawn, but are more stylized with big round heads. My third graders thought the illustrations were funny.
Review: Library Media Connection (August/September 2012)
Noah Webster was a pioneer, writing the first American school textbooks. This wonderfully illustrated biography chronicles his desire to unite America after the Revolutionary War by unifying the spelling and meaning of words. Readers learn how Webster created both a spelling textbook as well as the first American dictionary. Pioneers traveling west brought his blue-backed speller in their covered wagons, slaves newly freed after the Civil War learned to read using the speller, and his dictionary is the second most popular book printed in English. This book captivates and draws readers into the work of Noah Webster. Educators will appreciate the embedded definitions and the historical context and timelines provided. Jenny Seiler, Teacher, Woodworth Middle School, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Promotion: This would be great for an introduction to dictionary skills - entry words, part of speech, number of syllables in a word, etc.
Author: Ferris, Jeri Chase
Illustrator: Kirsch, Vincent X.
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012
Genre: Biography
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-5
Plot Summary: This delightful biography outlines Noah Webster’s early life, and how it contributed to his life’s work – Webster’s Dictionary. It also gives us information about books he wrote that are less-well known today – the “blue-backed” speller, reading books, etc.
Personal Response: I love a biography. Taking a “dry” historical figure and making a charming story out of it – there’s nothing better.
Literary Element: Throughout the book, vocabulary words are pulled out in bold and defined. "Yale was EX-PEN-SIVE [adj.: having a high price; costly]."
Illustrations: The pen/pencil drawings with watercolor overlay are very attractive and done mostly in earth tones. The people are not realistically drawn, but are more stylized with big round heads. My third graders thought the illustrations were funny.
Review: Library Media Connection (August/September 2012)
Noah Webster was a pioneer, writing the first American school textbooks. This wonderfully illustrated biography chronicles his desire to unite America after the Revolutionary War by unifying the spelling and meaning of words. Readers learn how Webster created both a spelling textbook as well as the first American dictionary. Pioneers traveling west brought his blue-backed speller in their covered wagons, slaves newly freed after the Civil War learned to read using the speller, and his dictionary is the second most popular book printed in English. This book captivates and draws readers into the work of Noah Webster. Educators will appreciate the embedded definitions and the historical context and timelines provided. Jenny Seiler, Teacher, Woodworth Middle School, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Promotion: This would be great for an introduction to dictionary skills - entry words, part of speech, number of syllables in a word, etc.
Just a Second: A Different Way to Look at Time
Author/Illustrator: Jenkins, Steve
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-6
Plot Summary: Just a Second demonstrates the idea of time by showing us how long it takes for things to happen in our world. In one second, "a very fast human can run 39 feet." It also goes on to show other measurements of time and explain if they are natural measures or man-made. A history of the universe is also included in a graphic meant to show change over time.
Personal Response: This is a fascinating book. The charts showing human population growth over time are astounding and quite scary. It was very interesting to see so many different aspects of life - nature, inventions, human impact on the earth - viewed from the perspective of time.
Literary Element: Each section has a paragraph explaining the unit of time discussed. For example, a seven day week is a man made measurement originating from Babylonia 2,500 years ago. Other than the explanation paragraphs, all of the book's words are captions for the images of time elements being described. There are also traditional non-fiction elements such as charts and graphs.
Illustrations: The illustrations are done in torn and cut paper collage. Each image is surrounded by space on a monochrome background, helping each image stand out.
Review: Booklist (November 1, 2011)
Grades 4-7. In his introduction Jenkins writes, “Some surprising—even amazing—things can take place in a very short time.” And, in bright two-page spreads of alternating colors, he uses torn- and cut-paper collage to illustrate the many things—shocking, intriguing, hopeful, and sad—that are finished in the blink of an eye. He begins with what happens in one second: “A bat can make 200 high-pitched calls.” “A black mamba slithers a frightening 24 feet.” “1,500 chickens are killed.” One minute allows for even bigger accomplishments: “A skydiver in free fall plunges two miles.” One hour is even more impressive, and then comes one day: “The world’s population increases by about 215,000 people (382,000 are born and 167,000 die).” Fascinating though it is, the flat presentation has the quality of a museum exhibit, and some kids may sift through it just as quickly. In short doses, though, the art is clever, and the back matter regarding the history of the universe, Earth’s population, and the life span of species is pretty staggering.
Review: Horn Book (Spring 2012)
Jenkins's trademark cut-paper illustrations portray time in the context of animal (and a few technological and earth-related) movements, such as the number of wing flaps and heartbeats in a second, distances traveled in minutes, and growth over years. The facts are interesting and will reward browsers looking for animal trivia or trying to get a handle on time. Reading list, timeline.
Promotion: Just a Second would fit logically into a unit on time in math. It would also be a great jumping off place for a writing project about any of the elements found in the book. Take the baby blue whale that's discussed and find out "time" and other measurements for it - how long does it live, how much does it weigh, etc. This pairs well with the 2013 book, The Silver Button by Bob Graham. It also looks at what happens in a moment's time.
Author/Illustrator: Jenkins, Steve
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-6
Plot Summary: Just a Second demonstrates the idea of time by showing us how long it takes for things to happen in our world. In one second, "a very fast human can run 39 feet." It also goes on to show other measurements of time and explain if they are natural measures or man-made. A history of the universe is also included in a graphic meant to show change over time.
Personal Response: This is a fascinating book. The charts showing human population growth over time are astounding and quite scary. It was very interesting to see so many different aspects of life - nature, inventions, human impact on the earth - viewed from the perspective of time.
Literary Element: Each section has a paragraph explaining the unit of time discussed. For example, a seven day week is a man made measurement originating from Babylonia 2,500 years ago. Other than the explanation paragraphs, all of the book's words are captions for the images of time elements being described. There are also traditional non-fiction elements such as charts and graphs.
Illustrations: The illustrations are done in torn and cut paper collage. Each image is surrounded by space on a monochrome background, helping each image stand out.
Review: Booklist (November 1, 2011)
Grades 4-7. In his introduction Jenkins writes, “Some surprising—even amazing—things can take place in a very short time.” And, in bright two-page spreads of alternating colors, he uses torn- and cut-paper collage to illustrate the many things—shocking, intriguing, hopeful, and sad—that are finished in the blink of an eye. He begins with what happens in one second: “A bat can make 200 high-pitched calls.” “A black mamba slithers a frightening 24 feet.” “1,500 chickens are killed.” One minute allows for even bigger accomplishments: “A skydiver in free fall plunges two miles.” One hour is even more impressive, and then comes one day: “The world’s population increases by about 215,000 people (382,000 are born and 167,000 die).” Fascinating though it is, the flat presentation has the quality of a museum exhibit, and some kids may sift through it just as quickly. In short doses, though, the art is clever, and the back matter regarding the history of the universe, Earth’s population, and the life span of species is pretty staggering.
Review: Horn Book (Spring 2012)
Jenkins's trademark cut-paper illustrations portray time in the context of animal (and a few technological and earth-related) movements, such as the number of wing flaps and heartbeats in a second, distances traveled in minutes, and growth over years. The facts are interesting and will reward browsers looking for animal trivia or trying to get a handle on time. Reading list, timeline.
Promotion: Just a Second would fit logically into a unit on time in math. It would also be a great jumping off place for a writing project about any of the elements found in the book. Take the baby blue whale that's discussed and find out "time" and other measurements for it - how long does it live, how much does it weigh, etc. This pairs well with the 2013 book, The Silver Button by Bob Graham. It also looks at what happens in a moment's time.
Words Wound: Delete Cyberbullying and Make Kindness Go Viral
Authors: Patchin, Justin, & Hinduja, Sameer
Publisher: Free Spirit Press, 2013
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grade 7-12
Plot Summary: Words Wound is a guide for teens dealing with cyberbullying in their schools. There are personal stories interspersed with information about the phenomenon. Several chapters focus on practical tips (that actually seem practical) on how to deal with cyberbullying personally and as it affects others around you. The end of the book focuses on the movement to make kindness go viral including several programs created by teens including TBK (To Be Kind).
Personal Response: Words Wound was an interesting read that dealt with the issue of cyberbullying without panic or a doomsday attitude about today's teenagers. By sharing statistics that show how relatively few teens are actually engaging in cyberbullying, it helps us remian hopeful while looking at a very dark subject. The suggestions for how to handle cyberbullying and how to protect yourself online were practical and doable.
Literary Element: The authors try to reach teens through the style of the book by including colorful textboxes with personal stories and important points. The chapters are short, and move quickly through each idea. The tips for online safety are useful - "Be careful with content - the next time you text, tweet, email, or post, take a minute to think about the fact that anything you do online could eventually be seen by anyone."
Review: “Words Wound is the first book that has been specifically written for teens to help them confront cyberbullying. Whether they are being targeted, see cyberbullying happening to others, or want to promote kindness within their schools, this book provides practical and proven advice on issues teens face every single day. Parents need to buy this book, read it, and share its wisdom with their children. Working together, parents and teens can be a solution to the problem of cyberbullying, and Words Wound can help guide those conversations.”
--Dr. Michele Borba, internationally recognized parenting and bullying expert and author of 22 books including Building Moral Intelligence
Review: “Words Wound empowers people of all ages to recognize cyberbullying and delete it from social behavior. Words Wound not only addresses the origins of bullying, but also provides effective strategies to combat it, proven through research and personal testimonies from targets of bullying. There couldn’t be a more effective book when it comes to understanding, identifying, and combatting bullying in any form.”
--Kevin Curwick, creator of @OsseoNiceThings and founder of the “Nice It Forward” movement
* I realize that these review sources do not fit the qualifications set out in the project rubric. However, the book covers an extremely relevant and important topic, and I did not want to exclude it due to a lack of qualifying reviews. The reviewers above are experts in the field of bullying, teens, and teaching morality.
Promotion: Words Wound fits perfectly into an internet safety curriculum or guidance counselor's lessons on cyberbullying or internet safety. Each chapter could be broken down as a lesson. The chapters already come with discussion questions and self-quizzes, so discussion would be very easy to facilitate.
Authors: Patchin, Justin, & Hinduja, Sameer
Publisher: Free Spirit Press, 2013
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grade 7-12
Plot Summary: Words Wound is a guide for teens dealing with cyberbullying in their schools. There are personal stories interspersed with information about the phenomenon. Several chapters focus on practical tips (that actually seem practical) on how to deal with cyberbullying personally and as it affects others around you. The end of the book focuses on the movement to make kindness go viral including several programs created by teens including TBK (To Be Kind).
Personal Response: Words Wound was an interesting read that dealt with the issue of cyberbullying without panic or a doomsday attitude about today's teenagers. By sharing statistics that show how relatively few teens are actually engaging in cyberbullying, it helps us remian hopeful while looking at a very dark subject. The suggestions for how to handle cyberbullying and how to protect yourself online were practical and doable.
Literary Element: The authors try to reach teens through the style of the book by including colorful textboxes with personal stories and important points. The chapters are short, and move quickly through each idea. The tips for online safety are useful - "Be careful with content - the next time you text, tweet, email, or post, take a minute to think about the fact that anything you do online could eventually be seen by anyone."
Review: “Words Wound is the first book that has been specifically written for teens to help them confront cyberbullying. Whether they are being targeted, see cyberbullying happening to others, or want to promote kindness within their schools, this book provides practical and proven advice on issues teens face every single day. Parents need to buy this book, read it, and share its wisdom with their children. Working together, parents and teens can be a solution to the problem of cyberbullying, and Words Wound can help guide those conversations.”
--Dr. Michele Borba, internationally recognized parenting and bullying expert and author of 22 books including Building Moral Intelligence
Review: “Words Wound empowers people of all ages to recognize cyberbullying and delete it from social behavior. Words Wound not only addresses the origins of bullying, but also provides effective strategies to combat it, proven through research and personal testimonies from targets of bullying. There couldn’t be a more effective book when it comes to understanding, identifying, and combatting bullying in any form.”
--Kevin Curwick, creator of @OsseoNiceThings and founder of the “Nice It Forward” movement
* I realize that these review sources do not fit the qualifications set out in the project rubric. However, the book covers an extremely relevant and important topic, and I did not want to exclude it due to a lack of qualifying reviews. The reviewers above are experts in the field of bullying, teens, and teaching morality.
Promotion: Words Wound fits perfectly into an internet safety curriculum or guidance counselor's lessons on cyberbullying or internet safety. Each chapter could be broken down as a lesson. The chapters already come with discussion questions and self-quizzes, so discussion would be very easy to facilitate.
Bomb: The Race to Build (and Steal) the World's Most Dangerous Weapon, Newbery Honor, Robert F. Sibert Information Medal Winner, YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Winner
Author: Sheinkin, Steve
Publisher: Roaring Book Press, 2012
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grades 5-12
Plot Summary: Bomb explores the race to build the world's first atomic bomb from the infancy of the idea to the aftermath. It introduces us to the major players in the physics world that made the bomb possible. We also meet the spies (German, Russian, and American) who tried to steal intelligence from each other and sabotage where possible to be the first country with this awesome power.
Personal Response: I found this to be one of the most fascinating non-fiction books I've read in a while. I loved the intermingling of the spy stories with the science of the building of the atomic bomb. I re-learned a lot that I had forgotten from high school physics.
Literary Element: There are two major plot forms that readers will recognize - man vs. man (the story of the spies), and man versus nature/science (the creation of the bomb). The prologue begins in a intriguing way. "May 22, 1950 - He had a few more minutes to destroy seventeen years of evidence. Still in pajamas, Harry Gold raced around his cluttered bedroom, pulling out desk drawers, tossing boxes out of the closet, and yanking books from the shelves. He was horrified. Everywhere he looked were incriminating papers - a plane ticket stub, a secret report, a letter from a fellow spy." From here, the story goes back in time twenty years and the whole book explains how Harry Gold ended up in this predicament in 1950.
Illustrations: There were no illustrations, but many historical photographs that helped put a face to the names discussed. Charts and drawings also helped the reader to understand the science of the atomic bomb.
Review: Kirkus Reviews starred (August 1, 2012)
In late December 1938, German chemist Otto Hahn discovered that uranium atoms could be split, and just a few months later the race to build an atomic bomb was on. The story unfolds in three parts, covering American attempts to build the bomb, how the Soviets tried to steal American designs and how the Americans tried to keep the Germans from building a bomb. It was the eve of World War II, and the fate of the world was at stake, "[b]ut how was a theoretical physicist supposed to save the world?" It's a true spy thriller, ranging from the football stadium at the University of Chicago to the mountains of Norway, from the deserts of New Mexico to laboratories in East Tennessee, and all along the way spies in the United States were feeding sensitive information to the KGB. Groups of photographs are sprinkled throughout the volume, offering just enough visual support for the splendid character development in the writing, and thorough documentation is provided in the backmatter. It takes a lot of work to make a complicated subject clear and exciting, and from his prodigious research and storytelling skill, Sheinkin has created a nonfiction story young people will want to read. A superb tale of an era and an effort that forever changed our world. (source notes, quotation notes, acknowledgments, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)
Promotion: This is an excellent book to accompany high school physics unit on the atomic bomb, nuclear fission, or fusion.
Author: Sheinkin, Steve
Publisher: Roaring Book Press, 2012
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grades 5-12
Plot Summary: Bomb explores the race to build the world's first atomic bomb from the infancy of the idea to the aftermath. It introduces us to the major players in the physics world that made the bomb possible. We also meet the spies (German, Russian, and American) who tried to steal intelligence from each other and sabotage where possible to be the first country with this awesome power.
Personal Response: I found this to be one of the most fascinating non-fiction books I've read in a while. I loved the intermingling of the spy stories with the science of the building of the atomic bomb. I re-learned a lot that I had forgotten from high school physics.
Literary Element: There are two major plot forms that readers will recognize - man vs. man (the story of the spies), and man versus nature/science (the creation of the bomb). The prologue begins in a intriguing way. "May 22, 1950 - He had a few more minutes to destroy seventeen years of evidence. Still in pajamas, Harry Gold raced around his cluttered bedroom, pulling out desk drawers, tossing boxes out of the closet, and yanking books from the shelves. He was horrified. Everywhere he looked were incriminating papers - a plane ticket stub, a secret report, a letter from a fellow spy." From here, the story goes back in time twenty years and the whole book explains how Harry Gold ended up in this predicament in 1950.
Illustrations: There were no illustrations, but many historical photographs that helped put a face to the names discussed. Charts and drawings also helped the reader to understand the science of the atomic bomb.
Review: Kirkus Reviews starred (August 1, 2012)
In late December 1938, German chemist Otto Hahn discovered that uranium atoms could be split, and just a few months later the race to build an atomic bomb was on. The story unfolds in three parts, covering American attempts to build the bomb, how the Soviets tried to steal American designs and how the Americans tried to keep the Germans from building a bomb. It was the eve of World War II, and the fate of the world was at stake, "[b]ut how was a theoretical physicist supposed to save the world?" It's a true spy thriller, ranging from the football stadium at the University of Chicago to the mountains of Norway, from the deserts of New Mexico to laboratories in East Tennessee, and all along the way spies in the United States were feeding sensitive information to the KGB. Groups of photographs are sprinkled throughout the volume, offering just enough visual support for the splendid character development in the writing, and thorough documentation is provided in the backmatter. It takes a lot of work to make a complicated subject clear and exciting, and from his prodigious research and storytelling skill, Sheinkin has created a nonfiction story young people will want to read. A superb tale of an era and an effort that forever changed our world. (source notes, quotation notes, acknowledgments, photo credits, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)
Promotion: This is an excellent book to accompany high school physics unit on the atomic bomb, nuclear fission, or fusion.
The House That George Built
Author: Slade, Suzanne
Illustrator: Bond, Rebecca
Publisher: Charlesbridge, 2012
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-6
Plot Summary: The story of the design and building of the White House is told in this beautifully written book. It tells how Washington worked to build the White House, but never lived in it.
Personal Reaction: I loved the way the story was told twice - once simply and once with great historical detail. I am always amazed that our country became what it is today when reading about the struggles of our founding fathers.
Literary Element: The pages on the left hand side tell the detailed story of how George Washington helped the White House get built. On the right side pages, the story is told simply with the pattern of "the house that Jack built." For example, "This is the foundation, that was dug for our nation, that held the design, that would stand for all time, that was drawn for the lot, that grand, scenic spot, for the President's House that George built."
Illustrations: The illustrations add great depth to the story. They are detailed and give the reader (especially children with little background knowledge) a good idea of what the historical period looked like.
Review: Booklist (September 1, 2012)
Grades K-3. When George Washington decided to build a suitable home for future presidents of the U.S., he selected the site, chose the design, helped survey the land, and directed the construction of a stately house on the Potomac River. Slowed by political considerations as well as practical ones, the building project continued until after Washington’s death. In 1800, John and Abigail Adams became the first residents of the President’s House, as it was called then. Every U.S. president except Washington has lived there. Broad double-page spreads feature panoramic watercolor-and-ink scenes illustrating the building of the great house. The dual text clearly tells the story in prose on the left-hand pages, while on the right, a cumulative rhyme follows the familiar pattern of “This Is the House That Jack Built.” Back matter includes a list of additions and changes to the White House through 2009, an author’s note, a source bibliography, and lists of recommended books and websites. Young students of American history will learn a lot from this one.
Promotion: This would be a great book to use with multi-leveled readers. More advanced readers could read the left hand pages, while readers who are not as advanced could read the right hand pages. For that same reason, it would be great for parent library nights. It, of course, fits into a unit on the Revolutionary War. If there is a class trip planned to Washington D.C. - as many schools make - it would be a great introduction to the history of the White House.
Author: Slade, Suzanne
Illustrator: Bond, Rebecca
Publisher: Charlesbridge, 2012
Genre: Informational
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-6
Plot Summary: The story of the design and building of the White House is told in this beautifully written book. It tells how Washington worked to build the White House, but never lived in it.
Personal Reaction: I loved the way the story was told twice - once simply and once with great historical detail. I am always amazed that our country became what it is today when reading about the struggles of our founding fathers.
Literary Element: The pages on the left hand side tell the detailed story of how George Washington helped the White House get built. On the right side pages, the story is told simply with the pattern of "the house that Jack built." For example, "This is the foundation, that was dug for our nation, that held the design, that would stand for all time, that was drawn for the lot, that grand, scenic spot, for the President's House that George built."
Illustrations: The illustrations add great depth to the story. They are detailed and give the reader (especially children with little background knowledge) a good idea of what the historical period looked like.
Review: Booklist (September 1, 2012)
Grades K-3. When George Washington decided to build a suitable home for future presidents of the U.S., he selected the site, chose the design, helped survey the land, and directed the construction of a stately house on the Potomac River. Slowed by political considerations as well as practical ones, the building project continued until after Washington’s death. In 1800, John and Abigail Adams became the first residents of the President’s House, as it was called then. Every U.S. president except Washington has lived there. Broad double-page spreads feature panoramic watercolor-and-ink scenes illustrating the building of the great house. The dual text clearly tells the story in prose on the left-hand pages, while on the right, a cumulative rhyme follows the familiar pattern of “This Is the House That Jack Built.” Back matter includes a list of additions and changes to the White House through 2009, an author’s note, a source bibliography, and lists of recommended books and websites. Young students of American history will learn a lot from this one.
Promotion: This would be a great book to use with multi-leveled readers. More advanced readers could read the left hand pages, while readers who are not as advanced could read the right hand pages. For that same reason, it would be great for parent library nights. It, of course, fits into a unit on the Revolutionary War. If there is a class trip planned to Washington D.C. - as many schools make - it would be a great introduction to the history of the White House.
Becoming Babe Ruth
Author & Illustrator: Tavares, Matt
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2013
Genre: Biography
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-6
Plot Summary: Becoming Babe Ruth is the story of Babe Ruth's childhood and the events and inspirations that led him to be the baseball player we all know so well. His early life at Saint Mary's Industrial School for Boys is examined, as well as his relationship with Brother Matthias, who inspired him to play baseball. Saint Mary's enters the story again when, as a baseball star, Babe Ruth helps fund the rebuilding of the school after it is demolished in a fire.
Personal Reaction: Not being much of a sports fan, I wasn't sure I would enjoy this book. However, it is very charming with its illustrations that evoke another time, and the story behind what made Babe Ruth the man he became. A story that shows how a child came out of difficult times to succeed is always appealing to me.
Literary Element: The prose leans toward sparse at times. The beginning of the book in particular uses sentences that are very simplistic and bare. After Babe Ruth leaves Saint Mary's, we seem to see his world expand as the complexity of the language increases. The language never strays from being straight forward, however. "They go to class. They go to work. They follow the rules" (p. 5). " Back in New York, Babe Ruth strolls toward the plate. He sees Brother Matthias sits in the grandstand with the boys from Saint Mary's. He wave and tips his cap. The boys' faces beam with pride" (p. 31).
Illustrations: Though the language used is simple, the illustrations help fill in the storytelling gaps. They are done in watercolor, gouache, and pencil. They evoke the early 20th century with sepia tones, and carefully recreated newspaper articles and pictures.
Review: Library Media Connection (August/September 2013)
Everything about this picture book biography will engage the child reader. From the close-up of Babe on the cover, to the reproduced newspaper articles and photos and charts of statistics, kids will be fascinated by how George Ruth became the Babe. The spare text focuses on his formative years and how he learned his baseball techniques at a reform school. The story also includes the Babe's career and how he gave back to the school during his lucrative years. An end note fills in the details of the Babe's life. However, very little is said about the negative side of his personality. The varying sizes and layouts keep the illustrations interesting, and the muted colors are reminiscent of the time period. Christina Dorr, Ph.D., Media Specialist, Hilliard (Ohio) City School District. RECOMMENDED
Review: Booklist Starred Review
On the cover portrait of this picture-book biography, George Herman Ruth’s eyes twinkle so realistically, one expects the famous wink. Inside, this exceptionally engaging chronicle recounts Ruth’s amazing rags-to-riches story, from his early family troubles and placement at age seven into Saint Mary’s Industrial School for Boys to his triumphant career with the New York Yankees. The narrative wisely telescopes much of his baseball career, citing a few professional feats, explaining the origin of his nickname, and vividly capturing his larger-than-life celebrity status, including his enormous appetite, undisciplined lifestyle, and boyish charm. But there’s also an emphasis on Ruth’s time at St. Mary’s and the critical influence of the school’s Brother Matthias. The story comes full circle, closing with Ruth’s generosity to the school after a disastrous fire. Well-researched, realistic illustrations, rendered in watercolor, gouache, and pencil, depict early-twentieth-century life and Major League Baseball during Ruth’s era. Equally important, the art captures Ruth’s irrepressible personality and joy in playing baseball. Yes, the eyes definitely twinkle. Back matter includes a chart of statistics, author’s note, and bibliography. Grades 1-4. --Linda Perkins
Promotion: Becoming Babe Ruth engages reluctant readers with colorful, engaging illustrations, simple sentences, and an intriguing baseball story. It would be a good "go-to" book for suggesting to reluctant readers in the library. It would fit well with a sports unit in most classrooms. It would also work well in a language arts classroom studying biographies. The story is much more compelling than many biographies that tend to be dry.
Author & Illustrator: Tavares, Matt
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2013
Genre: Biography
Recommended Audience: Grades 2-6
Plot Summary: Becoming Babe Ruth is the story of Babe Ruth's childhood and the events and inspirations that led him to be the baseball player we all know so well. His early life at Saint Mary's Industrial School for Boys is examined, as well as his relationship with Brother Matthias, who inspired him to play baseball. Saint Mary's enters the story again when, as a baseball star, Babe Ruth helps fund the rebuilding of the school after it is demolished in a fire.
Personal Reaction: Not being much of a sports fan, I wasn't sure I would enjoy this book. However, it is very charming with its illustrations that evoke another time, and the story behind what made Babe Ruth the man he became. A story that shows how a child came out of difficult times to succeed is always appealing to me.
Literary Element: The prose leans toward sparse at times. The beginning of the book in particular uses sentences that are very simplistic and bare. After Babe Ruth leaves Saint Mary's, we seem to see his world expand as the complexity of the language increases. The language never strays from being straight forward, however. "They go to class. They go to work. They follow the rules" (p. 5). " Back in New York, Babe Ruth strolls toward the plate. He sees Brother Matthias sits in the grandstand with the boys from Saint Mary's. He wave and tips his cap. The boys' faces beam with pride" (p. 31).
Illustrations: Though the language used is simple, the illustrations help fill in the storytelling gaps. They are done in watercolor, gouache, and pencil. They evoke the early 20th century with sepia tones, and carefully recreated newspaper articles and pictures.
Review: Library Media Connection (August/September 2013)
Everything about this picture book biography will engage the child reader. From the close-up of Babe on the cover, to the reproduced newspaper articles and photos and charts of statistics, kids will be fascinated by how George Ruth became the Babe. The spare text focuses on his formative years and how he learned his baseball techniques at a reform school. The story also includes the Babe's career and how he gave back to the school during his lucrative years. An end note fills in the details of the Babe's life. However, very little is said about the negative side of his personality. The varying sizes and layouts keep the illustrations interesting, and the muted colors are reminiscent of the time period. Christina Dorr, Ph.D., Media Specialist, Hilliard (Ohio) City School District. RECOMMENDED
Review: Booklist Starred Review
On the cover portrait of this picture-book biography, George Herman Ruth’s eyes twinkle so realistically, one expects the famous wink. Inside, this exceptionally engaging chronicle recounts Ruth’s amazing rags-to-riches story, from his early family troubles and placement at age seven into Saint Mary’s Industrial School for Boys to his triumphant career with the New York Yankees. The narrative wisely telescopes much of his baseball career, citing a few professional feats, explaining the origin of his nickname, and vividly capturing his larger-than-life celebrity status, including his enormous appetite, undisciplined lifestyle, and boyish charm. But there’s also an emphasis on Ruth’s time at St. Mary’s and the critical influence of the school’s Brother Matthias. The story comes full circle, closing with Ruth’s generosity to the school after a disastrous fire. Well-researched, realistic illustrations, rendered in watercolor, gouache, and pencil, depict early-twentieth-century life and Major League Baseball during Ruth’s era. Equally important, the art captures Ruth’s irrepressible personality and joy in playing baseball. Yes, the eyes definitely twinkle. Back matter includes a chart of statistics, author’s note, and bibliography. Grades 1-4. --Linda Perkins
Promotion: Becoming Babe Ruth engages reluctant readers with colorful, engaging illustrations, simple sentences, and an intriguing baseball story. It would be a good "go-to" book for suggesting to reluctant readers in the library. It would fit well with a sports unit in most classrooms. It would also work well in a language arts classroom studying biographies. The story is much more compelling than many biographies that tend to be dry.