The House of the Scorpion Booktalk

Here is a booktalk I created for The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer.

Princess Academy

Bibliography:
Hale, Shannon. Princess Academy. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2005. ISBN-13 9781582349930

Plot Summary:
In Danland the wife of the Prince is chosen from among a village, selected by the priests. Miri’s village of Mount Eskel was chosen and all the eligible girls, Miri included, were sent to the Princess Academy, where they would learn the manners and education required of a Princess. Miri is torn in her desire to become the Princess and see the world or to stay with her home and family and make the knowledge she is gaining useful to her village. Miri’s lessons and her investigations into “quarry speak” help her when bandits capture the Princess Academy, but it is still up to the Prince if she leaves her village and the mountains to become the Princess or if she stays with her family in her home.

Critical Analysis:
While Princess Academy could have been a cheesy book full of fairy tale fluff (not to imply that fairy tales don’t have a wonderful place in society and carry good messages), it is instead a story with well developed characters in a land that doesn’t seem as if it need be all that far far away. There is no great divide between “good” and “bad” because although you know that Miri is “good”, you are unsure about Tutor Olana’s true character for much of the book and even the bandits have varying limits on how “bad” they are.
The Princess Academy speaks to girls who are in their early teens and beginning to try and figure out their place in society as well as trying to figure out what they want in life: both professionally and romantically. The thought processes behind Miri’s revelations are shown clearly enough that girls can associate with her struggles and feel as if they have something in common with her. It was a well written, enjoyable book with good messages that exceeded my expectations.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal – “When it is announced that the prince will choose a bride from their village, 14-year-old Miri, who thinks she is being kept from working in the quarry because of her small stature, believes that this is her opportunity to prove her worth to her father. All eligible females are sent off to attend a special academy where they face many challenges and hardships as they are forced to adapt to the cultured life of a lowlander… As their isolation increases, competition builds among them. The story is much like the mountains, with plenty of suspenseful moments that peak and fall, building into the next intense event. Miri discovers much about herself, including a special talent called quarry speak, a silent way to communicate. She uses this ability in many ways, most importantly to save herself and the other girls from harm. Each girl's story is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but this is not a fluffy, predictable fairy tale, even though it has wonderful moments of humor. Instead, Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home.”
Booklist – “When the local girls are rounded up to compete for the hand of the kingdom's prince, Miri, the prize student in the Princess Academy, gets her chance to shine. In addition to her natural intelligence and spunk, she discovers an intuitive, and at times unspoken, language that grew out of work songs in the mines and uses linder as a medium. With this "quarry-speech" giving a boost to her courage and intelligence, Miri leads her classmates in the fight against being treated as social inferiors in the academy, at the same time educating herself in ways that will better the village. Hale nicely interweaves feminist sensibilities in this quest-for-a-prince-charming, historical-fantasy tale. Strong suspense and plot drive the action as the girls outwit would-be kidnappers and explore the boundaries of leadership, competition, and friendship.”

Connections:
For other books of girls facing the prospect of marrying someone they don’t know and in the process figuring out who they are, check out the following books:
Durst, Sarah Beth. Ice. ISBN 9781416986430
Hale, Shannon. The Goose Girl. ISBN 9781582349909
Hale, Shannon. Book of a Thousand Days. ISBN 9781599903781

How I Live Now

Bibliography:
Rosoff, Meg. How I live now. New York: Wendy Lamb Books, 2004. ISBN-10 0385746776

Plot Summary:
How I Live Now is the story of a girl, Daisy, who moves from New York City to live with her cousins in the English countryside. She was sent there in the midst of tension, which devolved into hostile occupation of England while she and her cousins are taking care of themselves. Daisy grows as she falls in love with her cousin Edmond and ensures the survival and her cousin Piper and herself in a warzone.

Critical Analysis:
While this novel deals with many heavy issues (anorexia, teenage sexual relationships between cousins, and death), it manages to do so without fully overwhelming the reader. Daisy’s experiences are described in just enough detail to let the reader envision what is happening, but enough detail is left out that the reader is able to fill in enough with imagination to make it believable, such as describing the way the sun felt on her skin when she was swimming, but not explaining exactly how she fell in love with her cousin.
Unfortunately, I personally felt that the story was too disjointed to make as deep an impact as would otherwise have been possible. The jump to the future near the end of the novel is too abrupt without an explanation of what happened to get there and causes the reader to detach from the book, consequently not enjoying it as much or taking away the intended lessons.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal – “Impending war, parental rejection, and anorexia are Daisy's concerns as she steps off the plane in England where she's been sent to stay with her Aunt Pen and her four cousins. The 15-year-old has landed in a chaotic but supportive country household where she is immediately intrigued by her cousin, Edmund. In this novel (Wendy Lamb Books, 2004), Meg Rosoff explores what happens when war leaves these five youngsters to fend for themselves. There are the hardships of finding food and the loss of their mother, but there is also freedom and unexpected tenderness that evolves into an intense physical relationship between Daisy and Edmund…. Though the novel has disturbing elements, Rosoff handles the harshness of war and the taboo of incest with honest introspection. This Printz award winner is a good choice for book discussions as it considers the disruption of war both physically and emotionally and should be on every high school and public library shelf.”
Booklist – “A 15-year-old, contemporary urbanite named Daisy, sent to England to summer with relatives, falls in love with her aunt's ‘oldy worldy’ farm and her soulful cousins--especially Edmond, with whom she forms ‘the world's most inappropriate case of sexual obsession.’ Matters veer in a startling direction when terrorists strike while Daisy's aunt is out of the country, war erupts, and soldiers divide the cousins by gender between two guardians. Determined to rejoin Edmond, Daisy and her youngest cousin embark upon a dangerous journey that brings them face to face with horrific violence and undreamt-of deprivation. Just prior to the hopeful conclusion, Rosoff introduces a jolting leap forward in time accompanied by an evocative graphic device that will undoubtedly spark lively discussions. As for the incestuous romance, Daisy and Edmond's separation for most of the novel and the obvious emotional sustenance Daisy draws from their bond sensitively shift the focus away from the relationship's implicit (and potentially discomfiting) physical dimension. More central to the potency of Rosoff's debut, though, is the ominous prognostication of what a third world war might look like, and the opportunity it provides for teens to imagine themselves, like Daisy, exhibiting courage and resilience in roles traditionally occupied by earlier generations.”

Connections:
Other books dealing with teenagers struggling through fictional war include:
Marsden, John. Tomorrow, When the War Began. ISBN 9780440219859
Bracken, Matthew. Foreign Enemies and Traitors. ISBN 9780972831031

American Born Chinese

Bibliography:
Yang, Gene Luen and Lark Pien, ill. American Born Chinese. New York: First Second, 2006. ISBN-13 9781596432086

Plot Summary:
Three stories are interwoven into one in American Born Chinese. The first story presented is the story of the Monkey King and his desire to become better than the other gods. The second is the story of Jin Wang, a first generation Chinese-American trying to fit in at his new school. The final story is of Danny, a white jock, and his very stereotypical Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee, who’s first words are “Harro Amellica!” By the end of the book, the three stories come together into one.

Critical Analysis:
This graphic novel is definitely written for those who find themselves trying to be true to their heritage while feeling as if they belong in a different culture. It does, however, cater to those who are Chinese-American as some of the comments said by the characters are in Chinese. Not understanding these remarks does not detract from the overall impact of the story; the comments simply enhance the story for any reader who does come from the Chinese-American tradition.
The illustrations of the novel are appropriately done in a manner which combines the traditional comic strip style with distinctly Asian touches. This also helps to emphasize the main theme of the book, namely maintaining cultural heritage while adjusting to your surroundings, or do not try to be something that you are not because what you are is what you were meant to be.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal – “Graphic novels that focus on nonwhite characters are exceedingly rare in American comics. Enter American Born Chinese, a well-crafted work that aptly explores issues of self-image, cultural identity, transformation, and self-acceptance. In a series of three linked tales, the central characters are introduced: Jin Wang, a teen who meets with ridicule and social isolation when his family moves from San Franciscos Chinatown to an exclusively white suburb; Danny, a popular blond, blue-eyed high school jock whose social status is jeopardized when his goofy, embarrassing Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee, enrolls at his high school; and the Monkey King who, unsatisfied with his current sovereign, desperately longs to be elevated to the status of a god. Their stories converge into a satisfying coming-of-age novel that aptly blends traditional Chinese fables and legends with bathroom humor, action figures, and playground politics. Yangs crisp line drawings, linear panel arrangement, and muted colors provide a strong visual complement to the textual narrative. Like Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye and Laurence Yeps Dragonwings, this novel explores the impact of the American dream on those outside the dominant culture in a finely wrought story that is an effective combination of humor and drama.”
Booklist – “With vibrant colors and visual panache, indie writer-illustrator Yang (Rosary Comic Book) focuses on three characters in tales that touch on facets of Chinese American life. Jin is a boy faced with the casual racism of fellow students and the pressure of his crush on a Caucasian girl; the Monkey King, a character from Chinese folklore, has attained great power but feels he is being held back because of what the gods perceive as his lowly status; and Danny, a popular high-school student, suffers through an annual visit from his cousin Chin-Kee, a walking, talking compendium of exaggerated Chinese stereotypes. Each of the characters is flawed but familiar, and, in a clever postmodern twist, all share a deep, unforeseen connection. Yang helps the humor shine by using his art to exaggerate or contradict the words, creating a synthesis that marks an accomplished graphic storyteller. The stories have a simple, engaging sweep to them, but their weighty subjects--shame, racism, and friendship--receive thoughtful, powerful examination.”

Connections:
For other books dealing with living between two cultures see:
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. ISBN 9780316013697
Canales, Viola. The Tequila Worm. ISBN 9780375840890

The Game of Silence

Bibliography:
Erdrich, Louise and Anna Fields, reader. The Game of Silence. Harper Collins Publishers, Inc., 2005. ISBN 0060758392

Plot Summary:
The Game of Silence continues the story of Omakayas and her Ojibwa family. It covers the daily lives of the Ojibwa, the growth of Omakayas as a person, the loss of loved ones, and the fear of leaving one’s home.

Critical Analysis:
Told from the perspective of a girl approximately 9-10 years old, The Game of Silence puts as much emphasis on a great snowball fight or the story of a little person as it does the arrival of starving refugees. This only helps to make Omakayas a real person to the reader (or listener in my case). It goes from serious topics to what adults may call unimportant matters from one page to the next, but each event is important in its own right. Omakayas’ childlike questioning brings up some wonderful questions that children reading The Game of Silence will probably want answered as well, the most potent of which would be, “Why are they making us leave?” Through the eyes of a child, the inhumane treatment of the Native Americans during the settlement of the United States can be clearly seen.
The game of silence also acts as a wonderful documentary of how life was like for the Ojibwa during the mid 19th century. Descriptions of the bead work, leather making, fishing and rice gathering, and the importance of abiding by your word all showed through in the daily interactions of the story.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal – “Although the story is set on an island in Lake Superior in 1850, readers will identify with the everyday activities of the Ojibwa, from snowball fights to fishing excursions, providing a parallel to their own lives while encouraging an appreciation for one that is very different. The action is somewhat slow, but Erdrich's captivating tale of four seasons portrays a deep appreciation of our environment, our history, and our Native American sisters and brothers.”
Booklist – “In addition to an abundance of details about life through the seasons, Erdrich deals with the wider meaning of family and Omakayas' coming-of-age on a vision quest…Readers familiar with the first book will welcome the return of several richly drawn nonreverential characters, including Omakayas' pesky brother, her irritable mom, and her bold, tough mentor, Old Tallow. As Erdrich said in the Booklist Story Behind the Story, "Little House on the Lake" [BKL Ap 1 99], about The Birchbark House, her research into her ancestors revealed the horrifying history and also a culture rich, funny, and warm. In this heartrending novel the sense of what was lost is overwhelming.”

Connections:
Other books dealing with Native Americans include:
Erdrich, Louise. The Birchbark House. ISBN 9780786814541
Erdrich, Louise. The Porcupine Year. ISBN 9780060297879
Bruchac, Joseph. The Journey of Jesse Smoke: A Cherokee Boy, Trail of Tears, 1838 (My Name is America). ISBN 9780439121972
Shaw, Janet Beeler, Bill Farnsworth, ill. and Susan McAliley, ill. Meet Kaya: An American Girl (American Girls Collection). ISBN 9781584854234

A Single Shard

Bibliography:
Park, Linda Sue. A Single Shard. New York: Clarion Books, 2001. ISBN-10 0395978270

Plot Summary:
A Single Shard is the story of a poor orphan, Tree-ear, in 12th Century Korea. His only “family” is Crane-Man, who took him in when he had no-one else. They live under a bridge and scavenge for food. Tree-ear is fascinated by the pottery workings of Min, the best of the local potters, and through accident comes to work for him. The story centers around pottery and how Tree-ear grows as a person the more he learns.

Critical Analysis:
Linda Sue Park based her pottery descriptions on actual pots and techniques from Korean history; consequently the story comes to life. When Tree-ear is feeling the silt for quality, you can feel the texture right alongside him. You feel his fear when he is being attacked, and you understand how terrifying it must have been to continue on. You also feel his sense of obligation and his sense of loss. Because Park so clearly portrays her characters, the aspects of Korean culture and geography simply become part of the background, easily infiltrating the mind without distracting from the rest of the story in any way. And yet, at the same time, the cultural aspects are the key elements of the story, which would not exist without them. The entire story contains beautiful symmetry, just like one of the pots.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal – “In this tale of courage and devotion, a single shard from a celadon vase changes the life of a young boy and his master…This quiet story is rich in the details of life in Korea during this period. In addition it gives a full picture of the painstaking process needed to produce celadon pottery. However, what truly stands out are the characters: the grumpy perfectionist, Min; his kind wife; wise Crane-man; and most of all, Tree-ear, whose determination and lively intelligence result in good fortune. Like Park's Seesaw Girl (1999) and The Kite Fighters (2000, both Clarion), this book not only gives readers insight into an unfamiliar time and place, but it is also a great story.”
Booklist – “When the polite greeting in a society is "Have you eaten well today?' one may guess that subsistence is of prime concern. Surely no one in this twelfth-century Korean village is more accustomed to hunger than the orphan boy Tree-ear and his guardian Crane-man who is lame…This quiet, but involving, story draws readers into a very different time and place. Though the society has its own conventions, the hearts and minds and stomachs of the characters are not so far removed from those of people today. Readers will feel the hunger and cold that Tree-ear experiences, as well as his shame, fear, gratitude, and love. A well-crafted novel with an unusual setting.”

Connections:
Other historical fiction based in Korea includes:
Park, Linda Sue. The Kite Fighters. ISBN 9780440418139
Choi, Sook Nyul. Echoes of the White Giraffe. ISBN 9780618809172
Michener, James A. The Bridges at Toko-ri. ISBN 9780449206515

Jip, His Story

Bibliography:
Paterson, Katherine. Jip, His Story. New York: Puffin Books, 1996. ISBN-10 0140386742

Plot Summary:
Jip is the story of a boy who grows up on the Poor farm because he fell out of a wagon when he was approximately two and therefore became, essentially, an orphan. It tells the story of his development as a person, through his relationships with others, and his questions about where he comes from. His past is revealed near the end of the book, to his dismay.

Critical Analysis:
Katherine Paterson did a wonderful job of creating in Jip a character people understand and sympathize with. Because of his sweet nature, and the fact that he could be the boy down the street, the change in attitude of the townspeople after his past is discovered is even more shocking. The most potent example of the attitude adjustment comes when Lucy tells Jip that her mother would turn him in if she caught him. While the Booklist review below claims that the characters are on the extreme ends of good and bad, I feel that those extremes are needed to help shock the reader into understanding the harsh realities of certain aspects in United States history.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal – “Paterson's story resonates with respect for the Vermont landscape and its mid-19th-century residents, with the drama of life during a dark period in our nation's history, and with the human quest for freedom.”
Booklist – “What a story. It's not often that the revelations of the plot are so astonishing--and yet so inevitable--that they make you shout and think and shiver and cry. Paterson has taken the old orphan foundling tale, set it in Vermont in the 1850s, and made it new. Jip (as in ‘Gypsy’ ) doesn't know where he came from; they say he fell off the back of a wagon and was found on the road somewhere when he was about two years old. Now, as a young boy, he lives and works on the town poor farm with the other paupers and strays… At school, Teacher reads aloud from Oliver Twist, and Jip wonders, as he always has, whether he might have a loving parent far away somewhere. Is Jip somebody's lost boy? The answer is devastating. There are some problems with this book. Jip is idealized, too saintly to be true; in fact, as in Dickens, most of the characters are either totally good or totally bad. But the time and the place are drawn with powerful realism. Paterson's simple sentences lay bare the dark historical truth and the transforming light of love.”

Connections:
Here are some books that also deal with the era during the Civil War:
Paterson, Katherine. Lyddie. ISBN 9780142402542 (prequel to Jip)
Keith, Harold. Rifles for Watie. ISBN 9780064470308
Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. ISBN 9780812504798
Parry, Owen. Faded Coat of Blue. ISBN 9780380797394 (First in a series of mysteries)

Guts: Our Digestive System

Bibliography:
Simon, Seymour. Guts: Our Digestive System. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2005. ISBN-13 9780060546519

Plot Summary:
Guts tells how food goes in and out of a body, with everything in between. It uses actual scientific terms and detailed photographs to depict the digestive system is its full glory.

Critical Analysis:
Guts is one of those books that should be in the library of any school that has a science program dealing with the human body. The fact that it uses the scientific labels for the parts of the body and the processes used in breaking down food allows it to be accessible to and relevant for older audiences, yet the simplicity of the language makes it understandable to children. It makes me wonder how much I would have learned if my textbooks had not been so dry and had instead been written with Simon’s talent.
The research all seems to be very in depth, with very detailed descriptions and photographs, but there is no page of resources or references for further reading. This seriously detracts from the usefulness of the book as a learning tool. However, the only aspect of it which seemed remotely out of date was the brief mention of the appendix. Simon says that the appendix “doesn’t seem to have any job at all” but science has since found what they believe to be its purpose: it may be a safe haven for healthy bacteria.
Overall, I look forward to reading other books by Seymour Simon, and I assume that anyone interested in Biology would find his book fascinating.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: “Simon's specialty of drawing in readers through large, detailed, breathtaking photos and then entertaining them with facts is again in evidence. Beginning with the teeth, esophagus, and stomach, the information then winds its way through the small and large intestines, with the importance of the pancreas and liver included. The text is enhanced with detailed colored X rays, computer-generated pictures, and microscopic photos. The material is detailed, with terminology that may be difficult for children with no background, but not sophisticated enough to need a medical degree for interpretation. Students will find the book fascinating as well as a bit gross. Writers of health-related reports, as well as casual browsers, will surely put this title to use.”
Booklist: “The latest in Simon's books about the human body explains how the digestive system works. In his signature style, accessible without being cute or condescending, he describes the complex facts and processes of the physiology, from the time food enters the mouth until all the various organs transform it into energy, nutrients, and waste. Some of the text is quite dense, but the clearly labeled, full-page color photos show the anatomy close-up, from an X-ray of the colon and a photo of a dissected pancreas to a microscopic view of what heartburn looks like in the stomach. Simon also includes a page about a healthy diet. The facts of how the body works are astonishing. Readers older than the target audience may want to look at this, too.”

Connections:
Other parts of the body that Seymour Simon addresses include:
The Heart: Our Circulatory System. ISBN 9780060877217
The Brain: Our Nervous System. ISBN 9780060877194
Muscles: Our Muscular System. ISBN 9780688177201
Bones: Our Skeletal System. ISBN 9780688177218

An American Plague

Bibliography:
Murphy, Jim. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. New York: Clarion Books, 2003. ISBN-10 0395776082

Plot Summary:
The book, An American Plague, tells the story of the Yellow Fever plague which took place in Philadelphia in 1793. It is told through the eyes and opinions of the people living in and around Philadelphia at the time by means of quotes from letters, newspaper articles and books. The plague is documented in detail: where it started, the opinions and biases of the people facing it, the medical nature of the plague, and the names of many killed by it. The book ends by recounting how the Yellow Fever has been studied and further fought since it swept through Philadelphia that first time.

Critical Analysis:
This book – recipient of a Newbery Honor, a national Book Award Finalist, and the winner of the Robert F. Sibert Medal – does not talk down to children. It should probably be reserved for older children, but that is simply because of the vocabulary used. It is told in a very matter-of-fact manner that, while it does inspire some sympathy for those who lived through the epidemic, does not disgust or frighten readers. Rather, it allows the reader to think about how things could have been done better to prevent the tragedy from become as large as it did. Examples of this include analyzing how the government was set up so that nobody in power was around while those who were around (such as Mayor Matthew Clarkson) were breaking the law to be able to create some sort of order, how to give care to those who could not otherwise afford it, and how the bickering between professionals ended up delaying and in some cases preventing care.
The book also allows a glimpse of some Americans who deserve recognition for brave and selfless acts in defense of their home and community. One source of pleasure and regret came from the efforts of the Free African Society: pleasure in the fact that there were some people in the community who were willing to risk themselves to help those in need (even though those in need often despised them), and regret that they never received the credit or acclaim they deserved.
The illustrations of the book, mostly portraits, pictures and newspaper articles, help add to the reality of the story. They solidify the fact that the plague happened, and it happened to real people. This is a good book for anyone interested in history, and more importantly, anyone who wants to discover new ways to help people in need.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: “Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories, beginning with the fever's emergence on August 3, when a young French sailor died in Richard Denny's boardinghouse on North Water Street… Black-and-white reproductions of period art, coupled with chapter headings that face full-page copies of newspaper articles of the time, help bring this dreadful episode to life. An afterword explains the yellow fever phenomenon, its causes, and contemporary outbreaks, and source notes are extensive and interesting.”
Booklist: “History, science, politics, and public health come together in this dramatic account of the disastrous yellow fever epidemic that hit the nation's capital more than 200 years ago. Drawing on firsthand accounts, medical and non-medical, Murphy re-creates the fear and panic in the infected city, the social conditions that caused the disease to spread, and the arguments about causes and cures. With archival prints, photos, contemporary newspaper facsimiles that include lists of the dead, and full, chatty source notes, he tells of those who fled and those who stayed”

Connections:
Other stories by Jim Murphy regarding disasters that affected the country include:
The Great Fire. ISBN 9780439203074
Blizzard! The Storm That Changed America. ISBN 9780590673105

Isaac Newton

Bibliography:
Krull, Kathleen and Boris Kulikov, ill. Isaac Newton. New York: Penguin Group, 2006. ISBN-13 9780670059218

Plot Summary:
Isaac Newton is a brief biography of Isaac Newton from childhood through his death. The main focus, of course, is his time spent experimenting with scientific subjects, especially optics, physics and calculus. It also covers the historical events of his time period to put everything into context.

Critical Analysis:
The biography does not glorify Isaac Newton, but rather lets his accomplishments speak for themselves. He is portrayed with all of his faults and qualities. Because of this, the insights he has into the sciences actually seem more impressive because it is easy to see him as a person that anyone could know. He could be that grouchy but genius neighbor down the street. Kathleen Krull does a wonderful job of also incorporating modern day analogies into the text so that kids can relate to what is happening. At one point she compares Isaac Newton’s awe at entering Cambridge for the first time with the awe that Harry Potter must have felt when he first spied Hogwarts. The language is also written for children, with much more of a spoken format than most books, which makes this book a good choice for reading aloud to kids.

The historical background given in the book, and the discussion of other famous scientists and philosophers of the age, adds depth to the book and does not detract from Newton as the focus. In fact, this book could be interesting to someone who likes science, math or history. As someone who used to be heavily involved in Physics, this book makes me want to delve into the subject once again, preferably starting with all of the primary sources referenced in the book, some of which Newton wrote himself.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal Starred Review: “Writing in a style aptly described in the blurb as juicily anecdotal (a tone reflected in Kulikovs witty illustrations), she offers a multifaceted portrait of a genius who was both brilliant and several slices short of a loaf, capable of revolutionary insights into science but also rude, jealous, and secretive. Along with presenting lucid, animated descriptions of Newtons major achievements, from calculus and the laws of motion to the reflecting telescope (a cool new toy that earned him instant election to the Royal Society), the author carefully takes on such speculative topics as his religious beliefs, his homosexuality, and the possibility that his emotional imbalance was a result of poisoning caused by his obsessive alchemical experiments.”
Booklist: “Engaging in limited speculation about Newton's personality (Did he have Asperger's syndrome or suffer from mercury poisoning?), Krull recounts Newton's lonely childhood, his penchant for quiet reflection, and the difficulties that led to his feuding with other scientists. The lively, conversational style will appeal to readers; Newton comes off as disagreeable and difficult, but never boring. Krull also does a credible job explaining several of Newton's complex theories. She offers no documentation, but she appends a list of books and Web sites for those who want more facts. Kulikov's humorous pen-and-ink drawings complement the lighthearted text of this fascinating introduction, which will appeal to both would-be scientists and children in need of a quick-to-read biography.”

Connections:
Other biographies in Kathleen Krull’s “Giants of Science” series include:
Marie Curie. ISBN 9780670058945
Leonardo da Vinci. ISBN 9780670059201
Sigmund Freud. 9780670058921

Scien-trickery

Bibliography:
Lewis, J. Patrick and Frank Remkiewicz, ill. Scien-Trickery. Orlando: Voyager Books, 2007. ISBN-13 9780152166816

Plot Summary:
Scien-Trickery offers children 18 riddles having to do with various objects (and people) in Science. The riddles are short but there is only one per page due to the wonderful illustrations which accompany them. Each illustration gives clues to the answer, which can be found upside down on the page after the riddle.

Critical Analysis:
Most of the riddles are relevant to science today, a feat in itself. The only notable exception is the following, You’ll N-E-ver Guess What’s N-E-xt: “I begin with N-E, / and I'm one of nine / I end with N-E, / and I'm eighth in line" – which is about the planet Neptune. It is out of date since Pluto was demoted. The illustrations are what truly make this riddle book worthwhile. Each illustration has clues to help discover the answer, some of which is not going to be understood by children, but could spark their curiosity. The riddle on the Galapagos Islands has all sorts of (labeled) wildlife including Giant Tortoises, Fur Seals, Flightless Cormorants, and a Vermilion Flycatcher. The one on Dinosaur bones has a skeleton of an Iguanodon. My personal favorite is the integral on the chalk board that is flying Albert Einstein around. Children can use the detailed illustrations to help guide their answer, not only helping them in Science, but in Critical Thinking as well.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal – “These amusing rhyming-verse riddles touch on a variety of science topics and concepts. The jokes are lively, entertaining, and moderately challenging, with answers provided on the bottoms of the pages. Lewis includes a page of notes for readers who are driven to find more information about the topics. The colorful and detailed cartoon illustrations call to mind the work of Michael Martchenko. The riddles are printed on what is designed to look like loose-leaf sheets that are then incorporated into the larger pictures. The text and illustrations reinforce the atmosphere of learning while having fun, and the book works well as a read-aloud and for independent reading.”
Booklist – “Lewis, author of Arithme-Tickle (2002), offers a new collection of 18 riddles in verse, all inspired by science. Remkiewicz adds energetic art with zippy colors and accessible wit. The large, colorful illustrations often suggest the riddles' answers. Indeed, some of the verses would be difficult to solve without the visual hints… A few of the rhymes require real thought and a little knowledge to solve, but many are easy. Though mostly for fun, this attractive book has a place in classrooms where the study of science involves imagination and deduction as well as rote learning.”

Connections:
Here are other books for children that riddle and rhyme about science:
Saffer, Barbara. ABC Science Riddles. ISBN 9780939217557
Kranking, Kathleen W. 25 Solve-the-Riddle Science Mini-Books. ISBN 9780590644617
Moore, Jo E. The Big Book of Science Rhymes and Chants. ISBN 9781557992116
Decastro, Amy. Teaching Math and Science through Nursery Rhymes. ISBN 9781576906545
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Spectacular Science: A Book of Poems. ISBN 9780689851209

What My Mother Doesn’t Know

Bibliography:
Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn’t Know. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2001. ISBN-10 0689841140

Plot Summary:
What My Mother Doesn’t Know is the story of one teenagers love and experiences, related through poetry and presented privately, as if to a journal. It follows Sophie’s life through a year of school having just broken up with one boyfriend and finding another, Dylan; her realizations about her heritage and her family; her social and school life; and her eventual recognition of a love that makes her feel good about herself. This is all clearly stated in the poem on the front flap which starts with,
“My name is Sophie.
This book is about me.
It tells
the heart-stoppingly riveting story
of my first love.
And also of my second.
And, okay, my third love, too”

Critical Analysis:
This is definitely a book written from a teenage girl’s perspective. The poems switch from topic to topic, usually discussing how distracted she is in class because of a boy, how nice it is to be kissed by said boy, how she likes spending time with the boy, talking to her friends about the boy, breaking up with the boy, and everything in between. Because of the journal entry format, as a reader, you begin to really feel for Sophie and want the best from her. She is honest in her wants and desires and in her hesitations and fears. It is refreshing to see the world through such young eyes, without having to be young again.
The poetry is simplistic in style, something that could be written on the back of a page of notes while avoiding a teacher’s attention, only adding to the reality of the collection.

Review Excerpts:
Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review - “Drawing on the recognizable cadences of teenage speech, Sones (Stop Pretending) poignantly captures the tingle and heartache of being young and boy-crazy. The author keenly portrays ninth-grader Sophie's trajectory of lusty crushes and disillusionment whether she is gazing at Dylan's ‘smoldery dark eyes’ or dancing with a mystery man to music that ‘is slow/ and/ saxophony’… With its separate free verse poems woven into a fluid and coherent narrative with a satisfying ending, Sophie's honest and earthy story feels destined to captivate a young female audience, avid and reluctant readers alike."

Connections:
Here are other books of teen poetry and more:
Bynoe, Sara, ed. Teen Angst: A Celebration of Really Bad Poetry. ISBN 9780312334741
Meyer, Stephanie H. and John Meyer. Teen Ink: Written in Dirt: A Collection of Short Stories, Poetry, Art and Photography. ISBN 9780757300509

Bronx Masquerade

Bibliography:
Grimes, Nikki. Bronx Masquerade. New York: Dial Books, 2002. ISBN-10 0803725698

Plot Summary:
Bronx Masquerade is a fictional collection of journal article style entries and poems by 18 high school students relating to their English class and the “Open Mike Fridays” their teacher, Mr. Ward, started, during which they are allowed to share their poems. The journal articles discuss the thoughts of the particular student regarding the events in their life, followed by poems written by the same student which relate back to the journal entry. The next entries are reactions to the poems by one or more of the classmates. Issues written about involve discrimination, personal identity and aspirations. The book covers the course of one school year.

Critical Analysis:
People who have seen the movie Freedom Writers may find a similar feel in Bronx Masquerade. It is a book in which students come together and view each other in new light, becoming in some ways a family. The development can be seen through two quotes by the same student, Tyrone, one from the beginning of the book, and one from the end: “School ain’t nothin’ but a joke… I’m just about ready to sleep off the whole year when this teacher starts talking about poetry. And he rattles off a poem by some white guy named Dylan Thomas that sounds an awful lot like rap. Now, I know me some rap, and I start to thinking I should show Mr. Ward what rap is really all about” (7-8), followed by, “Okay. I just wanted to say I’m really glad I got to do this poetry thing because I feel like, even though the people in our class are all different colors and some of you speak a different language and everything, I feel like we connected. I feel like I know you now. You know what I’m saying? I feel like we’re not as different as I thought” (164).
Even though the book is not written entirely in poetry, poetry holds it all together. None of the poetry is written with strict rules and measures, but it comes from the heart and so speaks loudly to the reader (or listener). It shows that anyone can be a poet:
“I’m more than tall
and lengthy of limb.
I dare you to peep
behind these eyes,
discover the poet
in tough-guy disguise” (32).
The students come to know each other on a personal level because of the poems, helping them through hardship and loneliness in addition to typical teenage trials and tribulations. The book shows that something as small as a poem can bring people together. One student not from the class commented on her feelings of discrimination, “but then we had an assembly yesterday with all these kids reading poetry. They seemed to get along with each other, almost like family. They said it was the poems that brought them together. It can’t be that simple, can it” (167)?

Review Excerpts:
Publisher’s Weekly – “Grimes's (Jazmin's Notebook) creative, contemporary premise will hook teens, and the poems may even inspire readers to try a few of their own. The poetic forms range from lyrics penned by aspiring rapper Tyrone to the concrete poem of a budding Puerto Rican painter Raul (titled ‘Zorro’ and formed as the letter ‘Z’). Ultimately, though, there may be too many characters for the audience to penetrate deeply… The narrators trade off quickly, offering only a glimpse into their lives. Not even Tyrone, who breaks in after each student's poem to offer some commentary, comes fully to life. The students' poems, however, provide some lasting images… Any one of these students could likely dominate a novel of his or her own, they simply get too little time to hold the floor here.

Connections:
Other books about bringing people together through poetry include:
Aquado, Bill and Richard Newirth. Paint Me Like I Am: Teen Poems from WritersCorps. ISBN 9780064472647
Franco, Betsy. You Hear Me?: Poems and Writing by Teenage Boys. ISBN 9780763611590
Franco, Betsy. You Hear Me?: Poems and Writing by Teenage Girls. ISBN 978-0763610357
Shakur, Tupac. The Rose that Grew from Concrete. ISBN 9780671028459

Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters

Bibliography:
McKissack, Patricia C. and André Carrilho, ill. Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books. 2006. ISBN-10 0375836195 ISBN-13 9780375836190

Plot Summary:
Porch Lies is a compilation of fictional tales told in a manner befitting a front porch. Each story is told from a different narrator, but the author pulls them all together as visitors to her grandparent’s porch. The stories are all told from an African American viewpoint and deal with issues in African American history such as slavery, segregation and KKK-ish actions. Through each story is a character who is able to swindle and talk their way into and out of just about any imaginable situation from getting free pie to outsmarting the King of the Ghosts. Each story leaves the reader impressed by the trickster and wanting to hear more.

Critical Analysis:
The way in which the stories are told, a relating of stories told to the author, helps to immediately grab the reader/listener’s attention since if the story is worth repeating, it must be good. Trickster stories are also easily appealing to an audience since the audience wants to figure out how the tricksters will end up convincing those around them that they are right and have done nothing wrong. The various elements of the supernatural found in some of the stories help to keep the stories as just that, stories, but they also have such an ease about them that the reader starts to wonder if there is some truth to them. The illustrations all have this supernatural feeling to them as well which makes the characters seem more fictitious but at the same time more real because the reader is able to put their own imaginative face on the characters and make them more personal. Overall, the only thing this book is missing is a little historical reference and of course, more stories.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: “Carrilhos eerie black-and-white illustrations, dramatically off-balance, lit by moonlight, and elongated like nightmares, are well-matched with the stories. The tales are variously narrated by boys and girls, even though the authors preface seems to set readers up for a single, female narrator in the persona of McKissack herself. They contain the essence of truth but are fiction from beginning to end, an amalgam of old stories, characters, jokes, setups, and motifs. As such, they have no provenance. Still, it would have helped readers unfamiliar with African-American history to have an authors note helping separate the truth of these lies that allude to Depression-era African-American and Southern traditions. That aside, theyre great fun to read aloud and the tricksters, sharpies, slicksters, and outlaws wink knowingly at the child narrators, and at us foolish humans.”
Booklist: “Like McKissack's award-winning The Dark Thirty (1992), the nine original tales in this uproarious collection draw on African American oral tradition and blend history and legend with sly humor, creepy horror, villainous characters, and wild farce. McKissack based the stories on those she heard as a child while sitting on her grandparents' porch; now she is passing them on to her grandchildren. Without using dialect, her intimate folk idiom celebrates the storytelling among friends, neighbors, and family as much as the stories themselves. ‘Some folk believe the story; some don't. You decide for yourself.’… In black and white, Carrilho's full-page illustrations--part cartoon, part portrait in silhouette--combine realistic characters with scary monsters. History is always in the background (runaway slaves, segregation cruelty, white-robed Klansmen), and in surprising twists and turns that are true to trickster tradition, the weak and exploited beat powerful oppressors with the best lies ever told. Great for sharing, on the porch and in the classroom.”

Connections:
Here are some other books with stories that should be shared, many of which are about “slicksters” or “tricksters”:
Avi. ed. and Chris Raschka, ill. Best Shorts: Favorite Stories for Sharing. ISBN 9780618476039
Souci, Robert San. Sister Tricksters: Rollicking Tales of Clever Females. ISBN 9780874837919
Sherman, Josepha. Trickster Tales: Forty Folk Stories from Around the World. ISBN 9780874834505

Tattercoats

Bibliography:
Jacobs, Joseph. ed. And Margot Tomes, ill. Tattercoats. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 1989. ISBN-10 0399215840

Plot Summary:
Similar to the story of Cinderella, the story of Tattercoats is about the granddaughter of a rich, old lord who is mistreated because her birth killed the lord’s favorite daughter. Her only friends are her nanny and a gooseherd. One day she and the gooseherd meet a stranger in the forest and after watching her while listening to the gooseherd’s pipe, he invites her to the King’s ball, held in honor of the prince, where the stranger would introduce her as his bride in front of the King and all of the great lords and ladies.

Critical Analysis:
This is a very obvious Cinderella variant in that there is a poor girl without many friends and a prince who falls in love with and marries her. Some of the main differences between Tattercoats and the stereotypical Cinderella are that she has a family member still alive (her grandfather simply refuses to look at her), no sisters (step or otherwise), there is no fairy god-mother (instead there is a gooseherd) and not everybody lives happily ever after. It is this last aspect of the story that really causes it to differ from the Disney Cinderella, and the art work helps to understand and make sense of the ending because it is never bright and cheerful, but mellow and occasionally sobering. The children have the brightest clothes but they do not have the carefree sparkle in their eyes that so many children book characters have, allowing the reader to know that the children are the bright spot in the story but that even they have to live with reality.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: “The story is a quiet celebration with just a twinge of sadness, for even though the granddaughter exchanges her tattered rags for the shining robes of a prince's wife, her grandfather will not break his vow never to look on her face. Thus, the last picture is the same as the first, with the old lord "weeping more bitterly than ever, as he looks out over he sea." In between, of course, magic happens, but not the obvious magic of a fairy godmother or a powerful potion or a magic wand. Here it is the true, if more subtle, magic of love. Somber gray-browns predominate in Tomes' illustrations, with the yellows and pale blues of the children's clothing providing spots of light. Strong lines of streets or paths or doorways provide perspective and draw viewers into the pictures. The attention to architectural detail, as well as to the details of the text, are visual delights, while the facial expressions and body language of minor characters provide humor for this tale in which not everyone lives happily ever after.”
Publisher’s Weekly: “Long, flowing sentences and traditional language stylize this familiar tale. Tomes's elegant paintings delicately capture and extend the emotions in the story; grays, beiges and pale pastel colors, outlined and embellished with fine strokes, re-create the simplicity and nobility of the era.”

Connections:
Here are other variations on the Cinderella story:
Climo, Shirley and Ruth Heller, ill. The Egyptian Cinderella. ISBN 9780064432795
Martin, Rafe. The Rough-Face Girl. ISBN 9780698116269
Louise, Ai-Ling. Yeh-Shen. ISBN 9780698113886

Three Samurai Cats

Bibliography:
Kimmel, Eric A. and Mordicai Gerstein, ill. Three Samurai Cats: A Story from Japan. New York: Scholastic Inc. 2003. ISBN-10 0439692563

Plot Summary:
Three Samurai Cats is a Japanese story in which a rat takes over the household of a rich diamyo. The daimyo then rides off to a monastery where the dōchō promises to send a samurai cat in to face the rat. One cat comes and fails. Another cat comes and fails. Finally a tattered, old cat comes to face the rat.

Critical Analysis:
The story of the Three Cats clearly depicts the messages of the book, allow your opponents to defeat themselves and “draw strength from stillness”, in a very child friendly manner. The repetition of the daimyo going back and forth to the monastery, and the rat beating the first two cats, allows for children to see a pattern and predict what is going to happen. When the old cat comes there is again repetition in the rat and cat behavior which again draws the child into the story and makes them feel they are able to interact with the plot. The artwork of the books supports this relationship with the children listening to the book by using very exaggerated emotions on animal characters while at the same time incorporating many traditional Japanese artistic aspects.

Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: “Here's an adaptation of an adaptation of a story Zen masters used to illustrate how unconventional approaches to problems can be disarmingly effective… Kimmel's telling is reasonably successful and the message to ‘Draw strength from stillness. Learn to act without acting. And never underestimate a samurai cat-‘ is conveyed without any element of preachiness. Gerstein's lively cartoon illustrations are at their best in depicting the loathsome rat. The daimyo and the abbot are depicted as dogs, but there's no question as to who has the upper paw.”
Booklist: “Kimmel tempers the folktale's heavy message about passive resistance with humorous, perfectly paced language that is ideal for read-alouds, and the characters in Gerstein's colorful, detailed drawings are irresistible--the saggy-jowled hound in robes; the buffoonish, wildly costumed daimyo bulldog; the scruffy, shrunken Neko Roshi; and, best of all, the pot-bellied, gleefully wicked ‘barbarous rat,’ who is more comic foil than villain. An author's note offers some historical background and sources.”

Connections:
Here are some other Japanese folktales:
Bodkin, Odds. The Crane Wife. ISBN 9780152014070
Sakade, Florence and Yoshisuke Kurosaki. Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories Book One. ISBN 9780804834490
Say, Allen. Under the Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale. ISBN 9780618556151

Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art

Bibliography:
Carle, Eric. Ed. 2007. Artist to Artist: 23 Major illustrators Talk to Children about Their Art. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN-13 9780399246005

Plot Summary:
The title of this book tells quite clearly what the contents are: namely, 23 artists discussing their art in short (one page) letters and three pages of their artwork, including a self-portrait. The letters vary in content but the general theme is why the artists chose picture books and who their influences were.

Critical Analysis:
Even if you do not know any of the artists’ names before reading the book, as was my case, you will recognize many of their various styles, and each one that you recognize makes you remember some childhood memory. It is a very good book for gaining a general idea of picture book illustrators and it allows you to see the individual author’s work paired up with well known books they worked on.

Review Excerpts:
The illustrators reveal common themes of dedication, hard work, and practice, plus personal anecdotes that really bring to life the person behind the "illustrated by" credit on a book cover… The sheer variety in "breaking in" stories, illustrative styles, and professional advice makes for excellent reading for kids interested in making a living in art, or at least making art a part of their lives for a very long time. –Amy Brozio-Andrews

Connections:
Here are other books for children about art/artists:
Venezia, Mike. Jacob Lawrence (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists). ISBN 9780516265339
Venezia, Mike. Georgia O’Keeffe (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists). ISBN 9780516422978
Matisse, Henri. Drawing with Scissors (Smart About Art). ISBN 9780448425191

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Bibliography:
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN-13 9780786808328 ISBN-10 0786808322

Plot Summary:
Organized by “Innings”, this is the story of the Negro League as told by the players. There are many personal anecdotes related to why the league was formed, who formed it, which players were the best/most noteworthy, and the general lifestyle of the league. In addition, it addressed the attitude of the Negro League players and owners toward the integration of Baseball.

Critical Analysis:
Even as someone who is not very passionate about baseball this book fascinated me. The story, which seems rarely told to someone outside of the African-American culture, is told on such a personal level and through so many voices that being drawn in is inevitable. The voices, however, are never identified and so it becomes the story of an entire people. Through these pages, and the artwork of Kadir Nelson, a whole new world is opened up where the people of two different cultures can be better understood: the African Americans who have had to grow up with such segregation in their past and any fans of baseball who realize talent when they see it.

Review Excerpts:
Starred Review in School Library Journal: A lost piece of American history comes to life in Kadir Nelson's elegant and eloquent history of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players… Listeners glimpse the pain black Americans endured because of bigotry and segregation, but the true center of this story is the joy of baseball and the joy men felt at being able to play the game.
Starred Review in Booklist: Award-winning illustrator and first-time author Nelson’s history of the Negro Leagues, told from the vantage point of an unnamed narrator, reads like an old-timer regaling his grandchildren with tales of baseball greats Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and others who forged the path toward breaking the race barrier before Jackie Robinson made his historic debut. The narrative showcases the pride and comradery of the Negro Leagues, celebrates triumphing on one’s own terms and embracing adversity, even as it clearly shows the “us” and “them” mentality bred by segregation.

Connections:
Here is one general educational book about baseball and two books about baseball players who were segregated out (one because of race, the other because of sex).
Herzog, Brad. H is for Home Run: A Baseball Alphabet. Illustrated by Melanie Rose-Popp. ISBN 9781585362196
Hayes, Florence. Skid. Illustrated by Elton C. Fax. ISBN 9780395068083
Hopkinson, Deborah. Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings. Illustrated by Terry Widener. ISBN 9780689833007

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Bibliography:
Selznick, Biran. 2007. The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN-13 9780439813785 ISBN-10 0439813786

Plot Summary:
The Invention of Hugo Cabret is about a twelve year old boy’s interactions with an old toy maker and his god-daughter while working as a secret timekeeper in a Paris train station. The boy, Hugo, has only two main goals: avoid detection by the Station Inspector and fix an old automaton in order to discover the message it can write.

Critical Analysis:
The illustrations that Brian Selznick includes in this book do not simply supplement the plot, but in many cases tell whole sections of the story. The power the images play in the novel can be summed up in a line said by the character Isabelle, “You can make up our own story when you look at a photo”. The story is then made real through the occasional use of actual photographs and images of the time. This freedom of imagination given to the reader, combined with realistic aspects, helps the story and the characters come to life.

The ending, revealing even why the illustrations are black and white sketches, wraps up the story so well that even the book in the readers hand becomes a part of the story. It is a wonderful book, suitable for all ages, that shows how a simple drawing can change a life forever.

Review Excerpts:
Starred Review in Publisher’s Weekly: “a true masterpiece—an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching.”
Starred Review in School Library Journal: “With characteristic intelligence, exquisite images, and a breathtaking design, Selznick shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking in this magical mystery set in 1930s Paris… This is a masterful narrative that readers can literally manipulate.”

Connections:
Here are three other books that deal with famous artists:
Warhola, James. Uncle Andy's: A Faabbbulous Visit with Andy Warhol. ISBN 9780399238697
Rumford, James. Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs. ISBN 9780395979341
Krull, Kathleen. The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss. ISBN 9780375822988

Two tracks for the blog focus

For the following few months, this blog will not only be reviewing how libraries can help integrate technology into academics, but will be reviewing children/young adult books as well. I'm also going to try and catch up on posting the information I have learned in the past year regarding various uses of technology. Enjoy!