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 However, the only aspect of it which seemed remotely out of date was the brief mention of the appendix.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