Bibliography
Freedman, Russell. 1991. THE WRIGHT BROTHERS: HOW THEY INVENTED THE AIRPLANE. Holiday House. New York, New York. ISBN 0823408752
Plot Summary
THE WRIGHT BROTHERS is an account of the life that brothers, Orville and Wilber, lived together. From childhood and early curiosities to the invention and perfection of the airplane this book is filled with photographs and artifacts such as journal entries. The relationship that these two brothers shared together is evident from their pictures, writings, and even the way they work together. These two young men are different ages but their relationship is as close as twins.
Critical Analysis
The photographs that Freedman has used in this book tell the story of the Wright Brothers all on their own. It was interesting to see what they were really thinking and feeling by getting to see a glimpse at their writings, drawings, and diagrams. Freedman weaves the actual writings and journals beautifully with his own words making a seamless account of the lives of the Wright Brothers. The accuracy in this book is evident by the artifacts that Freedman uses that back up his statements. Freedman portrays the Wright Brothers as good honest men that children, especially those interested in airplanes, could easily idolize. The only question I have is if these truly were two outstanding individuals or if there is aspect of these men that would be less than glorified. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE BRIEFLY suggests that this is a stereotyping that readers should be wary of so I would like to do more research to see if there are elements of their life that are left out to portray them in a specific way.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “Freedman takes readers back to that exciting time, using not only the Wrights' written descriptions and the accounts of awed observers, but also a large selection of the careful photographs that Wilbur and Orville took to document their experiments. After an opening chapter to set the stage, the author creates a detailed family portrait.”
Publishers Weekly: “In understated, involving prose--skillfully laced with pertinent excerpts from journals, letters and contemporary accounts--Freedman lays out a clear and compelling history of the early aviation experiments that culminated in the legendary flight at Kitty Hawk. As with Lincoln , photographs are integral to Freedman's exposition and he makes ample, effective use of the many astonishing photos taken by the brothers in order to better document their experiments.”
Connections
*This book could be used to teach inventors and inventions.
*This book could be used to teach about airplane mechanics.
*This book could be used to teach perseverance and believing in yourself.
*This book could e used to start a timeline on the invention of airplanes.
Berger, Melvin and Gilda. HOW DO AIRPLANES FLY? A BOOK ABOUT AIRPLANES. ISBN 1571020586
Otfinoski, Steven. TAKING OFF: AIRPLANES THEN AND NOW. ISBN 0761404074
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Hostorical Fiction - THE GREEN GLASS SEA
Bibliography
Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GLASS SEA. Recorded Books. New York,
New York. ISBN 978428146396
Plot Summary
This story, set in World War II in the non-existent place of Los Alamos, is an eye opener about the war and the way scientists helped in the war. This story, from the point of view of two ten year old girls allows young readers to engage in a war that happened along time ago and that seemingly didn’t affect children. This book will open children’s minds to what wars really cost.
Critical Analysis
This book is a great historical fiction. The accounts of life in Los Alamos are authentic and bring these experiences to an appropriate level for upper elementary students. The characters are well though out and developed. The characters emotions are portrayed so clearly that many times I found myself feeling like they must have felt. The plotline is easy follow and an engaging read for students who are and are not familiar with the story of Los Alamos. I love the way Ellen Klages describes the setting so that it is clear what Los Alamos must have looked. The audiobook version is read by Julie Dretzin. She does a great job of changing voices so that conversations between people are easily understood.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way.”
Publishers Weekly: “…the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes.”
I was unable to find a review of the audiobook.
Connections
*This book could be used to teach about World War II and the life of secrecy in Los Alamos.
*This book could be used for a student who is curious about how the atomic bomb came about and how the scientists who created it felt.
*This story could be used to reveal the good and bad of science.
Taylor, Mike. WEAPONS OF WORLD WAR II. ISBN 1562398083
Maruki, Toshi. HIROSHIMA NO PIKA. ISBN 0688012973
Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GLASS SEA. Recorded Books. New York,
New York. ISBN 978428146396
Plot Summary
This story, set in World War II in the non-existent place of Los Alamos, is an eye opener about the war and the way scientists helped in the war. This story, from the point of view of two ten year old girls allows young readers to engage in a war that happened along time ago and that seemingly didn’t affect children. This book will open children’s minds to what wars really cost.
Critical Analysis
This book is a great historical fiction. The accounts of life in Los Alamos are authentic and bring these experiences to an appropriate level for upper elementary students. The characters are well though out and developed. The characters emotions are portrayed so clearly that many times I found myself feeling like they must have felt. The plotline is easy follow and an engaging read for students who are and are not familiar with the story of Los Alamos. I love the way Ellen Klages describes the setting so that it is clear what Los Alamos must have looked. The audiobook version is read by Julie Dretzin. She does a great job of changing voices so that conversations between people are easily understood.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal: “Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way.”
Publishers Weekly: “…the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes.”
I was unable to find a review of the audiobook.
Connections
*This book could be used to teach about World War II and the life of secrecy in Los Alamos.
*This book could be used for a student who is curious about how the atomic bomb came about and how the scientists who created it felt.
*This story could be used to reveal the good and bad of science.
Taylor, Mike. WEAPONS OF WORLD WAR II. ISBN 1562398083
Maruki, Toshi. HIROSHIMA NO PIKA. ISBN 0688012973
Historical Fiction-A SINGLE SHARD
Bibliography
Park, Linda Sue. 2001. A SINGLE SHARD. Clarion Books. New York, New York. ISBN 0395978270
Plot Summary
An orphan named Tree Ear is fascinated by a local potter, Min. After an unfortunate accident with Min’s pottery Tree Ear gets the opportunity to work for Min. Once his debt is repaid he continues to work for Min with the hope that as Tree Ear states to Min “you would one day be teaching me to make a pot.” Tree ear is able to help Min get a royal commission by taking a piece of pottery to an Emissary.
Critical Analysis
The characterization in this book is outstanding. Linda Sue Park has done a marvelous job of bringing her characters to life. Tree Ear’s determination, Crane-Man’s unconditional friendship and servanthood, Min’s grumpiness and perfectionism, and Min’s tenderhearted wife are so clear that the reader will feel like they know the characters and can see them. At the conclusion of the book Min’s character is still grumpy, but my heart leapt with joy at Min’s words, “How are you to help me if you do not have a wheel of your own? And how is the wheel to be made if do not fetch logs of considerable size? Go!” The end of the book evokes such emotion - among the sadness is such great joy and excitement for Tree Ear and the reward he gets for his humble servanthood.
Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal “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.”
From Publishers Weekly
“She charts Tree Ear's transformation from apprentice to artist and portrays his selflessness during a pilgrimage to Songdo to show Min's work to the royal court he faithfully continues even after robbers shatter the work and he has only a single shard to show. Readers will not soon forget these characters or their sacrifices.”
Connections
*This book could be used to help teach about the art of pottery.
*This book is great to show a character overcoming obstacles and making the best of unfortunate circumstances.
*This book would relate well to readers that have lost parents and have to live with someone different whether it is a family member or foster care.
*This book would also be good to use to talk about homelessness.
Gibbons, Gail. THE POTTERY PLACE. ISBN 0152632654
Potter, Tony. POTTERY. ISBN 08811023195
Park, Linda Sue. 2001. A SINGLE SHARD. Clarion Books. New York, New York. ISBN 0395978270
Plot Summary
An orphan named Tree Ear is fascinated by a local potter, Min. After an unfortunate accident with Min’s pottery Tree Ear gets the opportunity to work for Min. Once his debt is repaid he continues to work for Min with the hope that as Tree Ear states to Min “you would one day be teaching me to make a pot.” Tree ear is able to help Min get a royal commission by taking a piece of pottery to an Emissary.
Critical Analysis
The characterization in this book is outstanding. Linda Sue Park has done a marvelous job of bringing her characters to life. Tree Ear’s determination, Crane-Man’s unconditional friendship and servanthood, Min’s grumpiness and perfectionism, and Min’s tenderhearted wife are so clear that the reader will feel like they know the characters and can see them. At the conclusion of the book Min’s character is still grumpy, but my heart leapt with joy at Min’s words, “How are you to help me if you do not have a wheel of your own? And how is the wheel to be made if do not fetch logs of considerable size? Go!” The end of the book evokes such emotion - among the sadness is such great joy and excitement for Tree Ear and the reward he gets for his humble servanthood.
Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal “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.”
From Publishers Weekly
“She charts Tree Ear's transformation from apprentice to artist and portrays his selflessness during a pilgrimage to Songdo to show Min's work to the royal court he faithfully continues even after robbers shatter the work and he has only a single shard to show. Readers will not soon forget these characters or their sacrifices.”
Connections
*This book could be used to help teach about the art of pottery.
*This book is great to show a character overcoming obstacles and making the best of unfortunate circumstances.
*This book would relate well to readers that have lost parents and have to live with someone different whether it is a family member or foster care.
*This book would also be good to use to talk about homelessness.
Gibbons, Gail. THE POTTERY PLACE. ISBN 0152632654
Potter, Tony. POTTERY. ISBN 08811023195
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Nonfiction - SPACE TRAVELERS
Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 2003. SPACE TRAVELERS. Chronicle Books. San Francisco, California. ISBN 0329347489
Plot Summary
This book gives basic history and information about space travels. The book starts with raves in 1951 in which animals were sent to space and goes all the way through 1997. Space shuttle parts and satellites are also discussed briefly.
Critical Analysis
This book teaches basic information but is a good starter book for children who are interested in space and ready for a little more text. The photography in the book is gorgeous! Photos are clear and show great details. I do wish that there was some picture information throughout the book. The text discusses the picture a little bit as it deals with main points but it would be great to know more information about the photos themselves. For example one photo is on a two page spread of a female astronaut floating with a video camera. The text discusses that their days are carefully planned but never tells us who the astronaut pictured is or what she is doing.
Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal “Space has a mix of black-and-white and color photographs that capture the action and excitement of space travel as well as the beauty of the moon and Earth. Unfortunately, the pictures are uncaptioned.”
Connections
*This book could be used to make a timeline of space travel.
*This book could be used to introduce space travel followed up by research on satellites, astronauts, space shuttles, and the Pathfinder.
Baird, Anne. THE U.S. SPACE CAMP BOOK OF ASTRONAUTS. ISBN 0688122264
Kallen, Stuart A. SPACE SHUTTLES. ISBN 1562395696
Stott, Carole. SPACE EXPLORATION. ISBN 0679985638
Kallen, Stuart A. THE RACE TO SPACE. ISBN 1562395645
Hamilton, John. THE PATHFINDER MISSION TO MARS. ISBN 1562398318
Simon, Seymour. 2003. SPACE TRAVELERS. Chronicle Books. San Francisco, California. ISBN 0329347489
Plot Summary
This book gives basic history and information about space travels. The book starts with raves in 1951 in which animals were sent to space and goes all the way through 1997. Space shuttle parts and satellites are also discussed briefly.
Critical Analysis
This book teaches basic information but is a good starter book for children who are interested in space and ready for a little more text. The photography in the book is gorgeous! Photos are clear and show great details. I do wish that there was some picture information throughout the book. The text discusses the picture a little bit as it deals with main points but it would be great to know more information about the photos themselves. For example one photo is on a two page spread of a female astronaut floating with a video camera. The text discusses that their days are carefully planned but never tells us who the astronaut pictured is or what she is doing.
Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal “Space has a mix of black-and-white and color photographs that capture the action and excitement of space travel as well as the beauty of the moon and Earth. Unfortunately, the pictures are uncaptioned.”
Connections
*This book could be used to make a timeline of space travel.
*This book could be used to introduce space travel followed up by research on satellites, astronauts, space shuttles, and the Pathfinder.
Baird, Anne. THE U.S. SPACE CAMP BOOK OF ASTRONAUTS. ISBN 0688122264
Kallen, Stuart A. SPACE SHUTTLES. ISBN 1562395696
Stott, Carole. SPACE EXPLORATION. ISBN 0679985638
Kallen, Stuart A. THE RACE TO SPACE. ISBN 1562395645
Hamilton, John. THE PATHFINDER MISSION TO MARS. ISBN 1562398318
Nonfiction - WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SOMETHING WANTS TO EAT YOU?
Bibliography
Jenkins, Steve. 1997. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SOMETHING WANTS TO EAT YOU? Houghton Mifflin Company. New York, New York. ISBN 0395825148.
Plot Summary
This nonfiction book explains how animals try to avoid dangerous predators. Illustrations are done with cut paper collage.
Critical Analysis
Steve Jenkins creatively put together a great book to discuss animal predators and how animals are able to defend themselves. The layout is wonderful because readers read about the potential predator and prey before they see how prey manages to escape being eaten. I like that readers can make predictions before turning the page. For example on one page Jenkins wrote, “When an octopus is threatened…” then the reader must urn the page to see “it squirts a think cloud of black ink into the water confusing its attacker.” I also like that Jenkins refers to the animals by proper names not just a beetle but “The bombardier beetle”. The illustrations are filled with color from the paper collage. Animals look realistic and are textured through the use of the various papers. This is a beautiful book for introducing animals and their predators.
Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal “The artist's trademark cut-paper collages on textured backgrounds show both attacker and potential prey on one page, and then a close-up of the animal escaping on the next.”From Horn Book
“Young children will delight in first guessing, then seeing, how each of fourteen unusual animals avoids becoming someone else’s dinner”
From Kirkus Reviews
“Layered cut-paper collage animals are positioned in dramatic stances against textured handmade-paper backgrounds. In a few instances, the black typeface is difficult to discern when it is superimposed on the dark green of leaf or grass.”
Connections
*This book could be used to help readers understand how animals defend themselves.
*This book could be a great supplement to a lesson on the food chain and how animals might try to defend themselves.
Mullin, Rita Thievon. WHO’S FOR DINNER PREDATORS AND PREY. ISBN 0517800055
Kalman, Bobbie. HOW DO ANIMALS ADAPT? ISBN 0865059802
Kalman, Boobie and MacAulay, Kelley. PRAIRIE FOOD CHAINS. ISBN 0778719472
Jenkins, Steve. 1997. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SOMETHING WANTS TO EAT YOU? Houghton Mifflin Company. New York, New York. ISBN 0395825148.
Plot Summary
This nonfiction book explains how animals try to avoid dangerous predators. Illustrations are done with cut paper collage.
Critical Analysis
Steve Jenkins creatively put together a great book to discuss animal predators and how animals are able to defend themselves. The layout is wonderful because readers read about the potential predator and prey before they see how prey manages to escape being eaten. I like that readers can make predictions before turning the page. For example on one page Jenkins wrote, “When an octopus is threatened…” then the reader must urn the page to see “it squirts a think cloud of black ink into the water confusing its attacker.” I also like that Jenkins refers to the animals by proper names not just a beetle but “The bombardier beetle”. The illustrations are filled with color from the paper collage. Animals look realistic and are textured through the use of the various papers. This is a beautiful book for introducing animals and their predators.
Review Excerpt(s)
From School Library Journal “The artist's trademark cut-paper collages on textured backgrounds show both attacker and potential prey on one page, and then a close-up of the animal escaping on the next.”From Horn Book
“Young children will delight in first guessing, then seeing, how each of fourteen unusual animals avoids becoming someone else’s dinner”
From Kirkus Reviews
“Layered cut-paper collage animals are positioned in dramatic stances against textured handmade-paper backgrounds. In a few instances, the black typeface is difficult to discern when it is superimposed on the dark green of leaf or grass.”
Connections
*This book could be used to help readers understand how animals defend themselves.
*This book could be a great supplement to a lesson on the food chain and how animals might try to defend themselves.
Mullin, Rita Thievon. WHO’S FOR DINNER PREDATORS AND PREY. ISBN 0517800055
Kalman, Bobbie. HOW DO ANIMALS ADAPT? ISBN 0865059802
Kalman, Boobie and MacAulay, Kelley. PRAIRIE FOOD CHAINS. ISBN 0778719472
Non Fiction - AMERICAN PLAGUE
Bibliography
Murphy, Jim. 2003. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE. Recorded Books. New York,
New York. ISBN 1402587449
Plot Summary
AN AMERICAN PLAGUE is the account of the yellow fever that spread throughout Philadelphia. The year was 1793 and the cause of the yellow fever was unknown. This is a horrific account of the life that the people of Philadelphia encountered as the plague swept through their town and changed the city forever.
Critical Analysis
This audiobook was hard for me. The reader almost had a frantic tone to his reading even at points when frantic is not the emotion the author was trying to portray. The story itself was full of images that were hard to take in. Historically, form what I have found out through research they are accurate portrayals of the yellow fever. This is so foreign to readers now that the images in the book are critical. I think most readers are only going to know how to compare this to West Nile Virus which truly pales in comparison to the panic of the yellow fever. This story truly is frightening and leaves the reader hoping that this part of history never repeats itself.
Review Excerpt(s)
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…”
Booklist: “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.”
I was unable to find a review of the audiobook.
Connections
*This book could be coupled with FEVER 1793 to study the yellow fever.
*This book could be used to compare/contrast Yellow Fever with the current West Nile Virus.
Anderson, Laurie Halse. FEVER 1793. ISBN 0689848919
Margulies, Phillip. WEST NILE VIRUS. ISBN 0823942031
Abramovitz, Melissa. WEST NILE VIRUS. ISBN: 1590183436
Murphy, Jim. 2003. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE. Recorded Books. New York,
New York. ISBN 1402587449
Plot Summary
AN AMERICAN PLAGUE is the account of the yellow fever that spread throughout Philadelphia. The year was 1793 and the cause of the yellow fever was unknown. This is a horrific account of the life that the people of Philadelphia encountered as the plague swept through their town and changed the city forever.
Critical Analysis
This audiobook was hard for me. The reader almost had a frantic tone to his reading even at points when frantic is not the emotion the author was trying to portray. The story itself was full of images that were hard to take in. Historically, form what I have found out through research they are accurate portrayals of the yellow fever. This is so foreign to readers now that the images in the book are critical. I think most readers are only going to know how to compare this to West Nile Virus which truly pales in comparison to the panic of the yellow fever. This story truly is frightening and leaves the reader hoping that this part of history never repeats itself.
Review Excerpt(s)
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…”
Booklist: “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.”
I was unable to find a review of the audiobook.
Connections
*This book could be coupled with FEVER 1793 to study the yellow fever.
*This book could be used to compare/contrast Yellow Fever with the current West Nile Virus.
Anderson, Laurie Halse. FEVER 1793. ISBN 0689848919
Margulies, Phillip. WEST NILE VIRUS. ISBN 0823942031
Abramovitz, Melissa. WEST NILE VIRUS. ISBN: 1590183436
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