Digital Trailer for The Braid

Digital Trailer for The Braid

Book Review: What to do About Alice? Module 4

1. BILBIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. What to do About Alice? New York: Scholastic Press, 2008. Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. ISBN 978-0-439-92231-9

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This biography tells the story of Alice Lee Roosevelt, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt. Alice liked to “eat up the world” and explore, have fun, and experience new things. Even with the loss of her mother and difficulty with her legs growing properly, Alice grew up to be a free-spirited and fun loving lady and often got involved in politics. Despite her good intentions, Theodore Roosevelt never quite solved “What to do about Alice?”

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kerley begins this delightful biography with explaining that Theodore Roosevelt had a “small problem.” In fact, in comparison to herding cattle, leading the Rough Riders, and serving as Vice President; Alice proved to be a much more difficult challenge. Kerley humorously presents this biography of Alice so that the reader will both love Alice and sympathize with her father. Theodore’s comments of “Oh, Alice” demonstrate his exasperation while Alice’s fun loving spirit is irresistible. Certain words in the text are capitalized in order to add emphasis to the phrases. When Alice’s father tells her to “SIT DOWN,” the reader can perceive his frustration.

The design of this picture book biography includes illustrations by Fotheringham that support and enhance the text of the biography. The illustrations show Alice’s animation, excitement, and energy. When Alice says to her father, “Let me loose in your library,” the illustrations reveal her moving from place to place, selecting various titles to study. Although much of the text is very dramatic all on its own, the illustrations bring it to a new level. The idea of having to go to boarding school completely “shriveled” Alice. Fotheringham adds more drama to the scene by depicting Alice lying face down on her bed, surrounded by strewn handkerchiefs. Through many of the pages, Alice’s free spirit is portrayed with her smile, playful walk, riding horses, dancing, and welcoming visitors to the White House with a snake.

The story line is organized in chronological order. Since this biography would be categorized as a picture book biography, it reads more like a regular picture book. The style is more like a person telling a story, rather than a list of facts. The voice of the book includes animation and emotion that reflects the activities of Alice. Resources that were used in creating the biography are cited at the end of the book.  

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

*Starred Review – Booklist: "Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was....The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art."
*Starred Review – Kirkus Reviews: "Theodore Roosevelt’s irrepressible oldest child receives an appropriately vivacious appreciation in this superb picture book.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Read other picture book biographies:

-Adler, David. A PICTURE BOOK OF ANNE FRANK. ISBN 978-0823410781

-Kerley, Barbara. DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS. ISBN 978-0439114950

-Ringgold, Faith. IF A BUS COULD TALK: THE STORY OF ROSA PARKS. ISBN 978-0689856761

*Discuss why Alice was held to a higher standard than other girls. What kinds of behaviors were expected and what behaviors were unacceptable?

*Have students work with partners to create a biography of any president or family member of a president. Include accurate research in the biography.

Book Review: Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream

Module 4

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stone, Tanya. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-763-63611-1

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Stone tells the story of thirteen remarkable women who dared to dream an impossible dream. In 1958, the United States was determined to beat the Russians in the Space Race and created the NASA program. The man who tested the first astronauts was Randy Lovelace, and he was determined to prove that women were as capable as men. Although the results showed that women could handle loneliness, stress, heat, cold, noise, and pain better than men and would be less expensive than men, NASA refused to allow women in the program.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story of these amazing women is an inspiration to all women and anyone who dares to dream. During the 1960s, women were seen simply as housewives. Men, and even some women, did not think that women were capable of handling jobs that men typically did. Cobb and the other twelve women showed that you can fight for what you believe in, and just because everyone says that it is impossible, you do not have to give up.

The illustrations in this book include original photographs of astronauts and the thirteen women, cartoon clippings, and magazine covers that were printed at that time. The illustrations were instrumental in relating the story of these thirteen women. It showed them undergoing the tests and gave the reader a chance to see their experiences. The cartoon clips and magazine covers demonstrated the difficulty that the women had in standing up for their beliefs. They were made fun of and criticized in the media. These were truly extraordinary women who could not only pass the physical and mental tests that many thought only men could handle, but they also handled all the criticism and negative press that tried to stop their dreams.

The information is organized chronologically and sources are cited throughout the book. The style of writing is unique, and often reads like a narrator is telling the story. Short sentences create pauses in the flow of reading that allow the reader to take a moment to consider the information.

 

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

*Robert F. Sibert Medal

*School Library Journal: “She understands how to weave setting, exposition, and analysis to keep the reader’s perspective fresh and involved.”

*Kirkus Reviews: “Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering story will leave readers inspired.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Research occupations that women were previously not allowed to do but are now a part of. What occupations are they still excluded from or have very little participation in?

*Discuss the major accomplishments of the NASA program.

*Related books about space flight

Chaikin, Andrew. MISSION CONTROL, THIS IS APOLLO: THE STORY OF THE FIRST VOYAGES TO THE MOON. ISBN 978-0670011568

Floca, Brian. MOONSHOT: THE FLIGHT OF APOLLO 11. ISBN 978-1416950462

Book Review: The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom

Module 3

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Engle, Margarita. The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2008. ISBN 978-0-8050-8674-4

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Engle tells the story of Cuba’s fight for freedom, mainly centered on the character Rosa. Rosa, born into slavery, learns how to use herbs for healing purposes. During the three wars that Cuba fights in, she secretly lends aid to runaway slaves and rebels who are ill or have been injured.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This history in verse shows the slaves’ desperation for freedom in their attempts to flee their owners and risk death. Early on in the book, Engle lets the reader know the gravity of the situation of the slaves. “Many run away again, or kill themselves. But then my father chops each body into four pieces…” The repeated mention of slave hunters taking the ears of dead slaves constantly reminds the reader of the gruesomeness and horrible plight of the slaves. Engle uses simplistic language, yet they hold powerful messages. “How can there be a little war? Are some deaths smaller than others?” Even though the Little War only lasted for two years, many lives were lost and the independence that the Cubans sought continued to elude them. Whether the deaths number in the hundreds or thousands, one death is an enormous loss. In reading Engle’s verses, readers will get a perspective of Cuban’s independence different than that found in their text book. The ending of the book will leave the reader wondering why Cuba never truly got independence.

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

*School Library Journal: The Surrender Tree is hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba's troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments.”

*Booklist Starred Review: “Many readers will be caught by the compelling narrative voices and want to pursue the historical accounts in Engle’s bibliography.”

*Americas Award

5. CONNECTIONS

*Research how the United States got their independence from Great Britain.

*Discuss why independence is so important to a nation.

*Read other books about Cuba’s history:

Engle, Margarita. THE POET SLAVE OF CUBA: A BIOGRAPHY OF JAUN FRANCISCO MANZANO. ISBN 978-0312659288

Engle, Margarita. TROPICAL SECRETS: HOLOCAUST REFUGESS IN CUBA. ISBN 0805089365

Book Review: Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers: 14 More Stories

Module 3

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown, Calef. Dutch Sneakers and Flea Keepers: 14 More Stories. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000. ISBN 0-618-05183-X

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In this collection of humorous poems, Brown takes the reader through fourteen different poems including Dutch sneakers made of wood, the reunion of celestial bodies in space, an unusual pirate, chewing bubble gum, Tattlesnakes, a dancing knight, little Ned with a rash, waffles running away, fleas learning German, a mysterious fish, teeth with cavities, a Jack in the Bucket, grandmothers playing electric guitars, and Donut Beetles on the beach.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Brown’s poems evoke laughter with his unique poems that are based on imaginative characters and situations. His portrayal of a pirate with a rabbit instead of a parrot and a carrot instead of a sword takes a familiar stereotypical character and gives it a new spin. He includes rhyming in the poems to help create an ease of flow, “They creak and they squeak, and they constantly leak.” His rhymes do not detract from the message of the poem but instead add more humor.

Brown’s illustrations help the reader to imagine his creative characters. Who would imagine a giant waffle with legs, arms, eyes, nose, and quirky smile? Or teeth with glasses and sour expressions? Although the text by itself is creative and imaginative, the illustrations help the reader to grasp a picture of the character and then can further imagine their entertaining actions long after the book was read.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

*Booklist: “In zany, ebullient verse and stylish, wildly angled paintings, Brown presents an irresistible roundup of eccentrics: the Flea keepers, who train fleas for cash.”

*School Library Journal: “The far-out "plots" and silly pictures will interest younger children but older readers especially will revel in the fanciful possibilities.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Read other poetry books by Calef Brown:

Brown, Calef. FLAMINGOS ON THE ROOF. ISBN 978-0618562985

Brown, Calef. POLKABATS AND OCTOPUS SLACKS: 14 STORIES. ISBN 978-0618111299

Brown, Calef. SOUP FOR BREAKFAST. ISBN 978-0618916412

*Have students create a humorous poem about their teacher or school.

*Before the students see the illustrations in the book, read a poem to them and have them draw the character that they think Brown is portraying.

*Read the poems out loud to the students. Then, read the poem in unison with the students.

Book Review: Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors

Module 3

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for children, 2009. Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. ISBN 978-0-547-01494-4

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In this book, Sidman takes the reader through the four seasons, describing each season based on its colors. In the spring you can hear red birds singing and white thunderstorms, in the summer you will find many different shades of green in the trees and different shades of blue in the water, in the fall green gladly gives way to brown and red apples are ready to eat, and in the winter fingers and cheeks turn pink with cold and red birds sing.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sidman and Zagarenski combine their efforts to show that within each season, our senses respond to different colors. Sidman creates imagery with her language by using very descriptive wording. For example, “Red whispers along my finger with little beetle feet” describes a ladybug. However, the wording “whispers” indicates that the ladybug is gently crawling on her finger and “little beetle feet” can help the reader imagine the slight tickling sensation they might feel if a ladybug were on their finger. Sidman has captured the essence of colors in the seasons and how we feel, see, smell, taste, and hear them. 

Zagarenski’s unique style compliments the descriptive language of the poetry and puts the words into pictures. The illustrations will benefit young readers in interpreting the meaning of the poetry. For example, “Brown gleams in my hand: a tiny round house, dolloped with roof” may be difficult for young readers to understand. However, by glancing at the character on the page, the reader will see that she is holding an acorn and can associate that description with it. There are techniques that are not commonly used in illustrations. The main character is pale faced and her outfit changes with each page to represent the color of the season that is being described. Characters have crowns above their heads, including little birds. The name of the season or the color is also written in some of the illustrations. For fall, there are leaves on the ground and “Fall” is written inside each leaf in a manner similar to a newspaper. The illustrations are truly unique and leave the reader continually searching for hidden details.

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

*Starred Review from School Library Journal: “This is an important book both for its creativity and for its wisdom.”

*Starred Review from Horn Book: "A poet known for multilayered explorations of nature rejoices here in the way colors, and how we perceive them, change with the seasons . . .[with] the playfulness of the text and its sense of awe, mystery, and beauty."

* 2010 Caldecott Honor Award

*Horn Book Fanfare

*Claudia Lewis Poetry Award

5. CONNECTIONS

*Read other poetry books by Joyce Sidman:

Sidman, Joyce. DARK EMPEROR AND OTHER POEMS OF THE NIGHT. ISBN 978-0-547-15228-8

Sidman, Joyce. BUTTERFLY EYES AND OTHER SECRETS OF THE MEADOW. ISBN 978-0618563135

Sidman, Joyce. SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN AND OTHER POND POEMS. ISBN 978-0618135479

*After reading the book, re-read the section on your current season. Take students outside and see how many of the colors they can find. What new colors do they see, hear, taste, smell, or feel?

*Sidman used colors to describe the seasons. Some of the colors were used in multiple seasons, and others were not. For example, red was found in each season but brown was only found in fall and winter. Have the students discover whether or not they can find all of the colors for all of the seasons.

Book Review: The Hero Beowulf

Module 2

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kimmel, Eric. The Hero Beowulf. Canada: Douglas & McIntyre Publishing Group, 2005. Illustrated by Leonard Fisher. ISBN 0-374-30671-0

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Beowulf was a hero from childhood, beginning with his first heroic deed of defeating savage trolls when he was ten years old. Many other great deeds followed. When Beowulf hears of the monster Grendel terrorizing Heorot Hall, Beowulf goes to defeat him. He pretends to sleep in the hall at night when Grendel shows up and bravely fights the monster in hand-to-hand combat. Although other warriors attempt to assist Beowulf, their weapons cannot pierce Grendel’s enchanted scales. Beowulf fiercely holds on to Grendel’s arm as Grendel attempts to get loose and severs his arm from his shoulder. Grendel runs away and dies in the marshes and can no longer torment Heorot.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kimmel’s retelling of Beowulf’s story is very descriptive. The text includes specific details that enable the reader to picture the scene, even without the assistance of the illustrations. “Green slime dripped from the scales covering his body. Each hand ended in three claws, curved blades that could rip the life out of any man or beast.” Although originally a poem, this version of Beowulf only includes one short poem which announces Beowulf’s heroism and that there is no one equal to him. The conflict with Grendel’s mother and slaying the dragon, which costs Beowulf his life, are not included in this reduced version.

Unlike many other picture books, the text is extremely detailed and does not require illustrations to create the image of the scene. However, Kimmel’s full page, colorful illustrations will assist young readers with remembering the heroism of Beowulf as his defeat over enormous sea serpents and Grendel is recorded in the illustrations. Although the illustrations depict Grendel’s shoulder bursting and the bloody mess that follows, it is not overly gruesome and is appropriate for the intended young audience. 

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

*School Library Journal: “Fisher's large-scale compositions, easily visible across a reading group, feature bright tones for sails, shields, and jerkins bracketed by sky and sea.”

*Kirkus Reviews: “well worth introducing to younger audiences.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Other retellings of Beowulf:

Morpurgo, Michael. BEOWULF. ISBN 978-0763632069

Rumford, James. BEOWULF. ISBN 978-0618756377

Storrie, Paul. BEOWULF: MONSTER SLAYER. ISBN 978-0822585121

*Discuss what makes a hero. What would a modern day hero look like and what kind of enemies would he or she have to fight?