THE CROSSOVER
Alexander, K. (2014) The Crossover. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Josh Bell has some mad basketball skills, just like his father, but that’s not all Josh has to offer. He can write a mean verse too and he uses this medium to tell the story of his successful African American family, his life on the basketball court, and the love woes that arise from crushing on his twin brother’s girlfriend.
Assignment 3
Josh and his twin JB are the children of successful parents; mom is an assistant principal and dad is a retired professional basketball player. Through a poetic verse Josh brings us into his family’s life, on and off the court. The story weaves the normal issues of teenage boys and the realities of adulthood. We witness the roller-coaster year of two young men as they learn the lessons of basketball, first love, and tremendous loss. While Alexander presents the reader with a unique writing style in the form of light hearted and fresh story through the modern poetry of a young man, it feels like ultimately the most poignant moment in the book takes place when Josh’s father dies of heart disease, taking the plot from what feels like a coming of age tale to a bleak ending that brings the reader back into the reality of adulthood.
CRENSHAW
Applegate, K. (2015) Crenshaw. New York, NY: Feiwel & Friends.
When Jackson’s family falls on hard times once more, Jackson starts to see Crenshaw hanging around again. Crenshaw is an imaginary giant cat that Jackson made up the last time his family faced economic hardship. Now Crenshaw is back to help him face certain struggle a second time.
Assignment 5
Plot
The woes of Jackson and his family definitely are rooted in reality. Too much reality sometimes, at least that’s what it feels like to the reader as we realize that Jackson and his family are on the brink of homelessness once more. Crenshaw’s return into Jackson’s life gives us a dose of much needed fantasy as he helps Jackson cope with the fears and anxiety that come with the very real issues of hunger, homelessness, shame and illness of a parent. While there is no real physical adversary to battle in Crenshaw, we consider Jackson’s shame at his condition as the real enemy and Crenshaw is the one who can help him overcome it.
Character
In Crenshaw Jackson is a great representation of the character criteria. It is easy to feel sympathy for this child because he’s everyone’s child. We witness the internal conflicts and hope that his family’s situation is not long lived. Wen Crenshaw comes along he becomes Jackson’s other voice. Through it we realize that Jackson is learning slowly to let go of the burden that comes along with his current family situation.
HITLER YOUTH
Campbell Bartoletti, S. (2005) Hitler Youth. New York, NY: Scholastic.
This nonfiction book will recount the stories of the children who were part of Hitler's war effort during World War II. There are interviews of several members of the movement, their role within the organization and ultimately the fate of these youngsters after finding themselves on the wrong side of history.
Assignment 2
Accuracy
There is no shortage of notes and bibliographies in Campbell’s Hitler Youth. She does her research and writes an unprejudiced story. The photographs offer the reader a glimpse into a different time and likely a different world. While the history of the Nazi party is an atrocious one, Campbell make is easy for me as a reader to feel some form of sympathy for the children in the this story who had to bear the weight of their actions after the end of WWII.
EL DEAFO
Bell, C. (2014) El Deafo. New York, NY: Abrams.
Cece has gone deaf at a very young age and the only way for her to hear is by using an hearing aid called the Phonic Ear. It makes her stand out and makes her feel self conscious. How will she make friends with the Phonic Ear hanging around her neck and strings hanging out of her ears? Watch Cece overcome in this positive and endearing graphic novel.
Assignment 6
Cece is a very young girl when she loses her hearing and is very afraid of what school will be like when she shows up with her hearing aid. There is no way to hide the enormous device with cords sticking out of her ears! But Cece shows up and she finds that despite the Phonic Ear there are good friends who love and respect her, and even manage to ignore her disability.
Cece Bell has also written Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover, Chuck and Woodchuck, and Bee Wigged. I believe that Cece Bell writes a lot about friendship and it features in these books as well as in El Deafo. Her stories are about characters who feel like they don’t always fit in, but who are still very positive and cheerful.
SPIDERS
Bishop, N. (2007) Spiders. New York, NY: Scholastic Nonfiction.
Nic Bishop photographs spiders up close, giving us a look into their physical appearance and prowess. He writes about amazing facts and has one close-up shot of a spider mid jump that gives us a sense of the strength of these tiny arachnids.
Assignment 2
Design and Accuracy
Design is the criteria that I want to mention about Nic Bishop’s Spiders. His book is written so that the pictures take center stage, with concise information that tells the reader just enough. Some facts are written in bold and colorful letters to attract attention to some amazing spider facts. There is a poster-like photo in the middle of the pages where one can see an incredible picture of a jumping spider, which Bishop talks about taking, giving the reader insight not only into the world of spiders, but also that of a photographer.
I also want to mention Accuracy in regards to this book since Bishop is definitely well qualified to write about these arthropods.
HOW THEY CROAKED
Bragg, G. (2001) How They Croaked. New York, NY: Walker Publishing Company.
Young and old will be delighted by the curious nature of the deaths of famous people. But don’t worry, this book is not out to exploit the death of those who have been important to history. Rather it gives significant and fascinating facts about the lives people such as Madame Curie, Napoleon Bonaparte and Edgar Allan Poe.
Assignment 2
Organization
Young children love books about weird things. There are books written on funny facts about animals, places and historical figures. At first glance How They Croaked appears to be about morbid facts but upon reading it I found that the ‘croaking’ part was small. It gave great information on the life and works of great individuals. It feels like disguised learning, especially for those children who shy away from lengthy books , especially works of nonfiction. The information is concise and the illustrations keep the reader wanting to find out more.
MY TEACHER IS A MONSTER
Brown, P. (2014) My Teacher is a Monster. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company.
Bobby’s teacher is a monster. At least that’s what Bobby thinks. Miss Kirby gets after him and won’t let him throw paper airplanes around the classroom. Then one day in the park Booby runs into Miss Kirby and after spending part of the of day together he realizes that his teacher is not so mean after all. Well, maybe not so mean.
Assignment 1
The visual elements in My Teacher is a Monster are very diverse throughout the book and even within one single illustration. Brown incorporates a variety of lines, bulky shapes and what appear to be brush dabs to depict trees. While at first look the elements don’t seem to mesh, the result is a style that is very unique to the characters and the story.
The evaluation criteria for setting is found in My Teacher is a Monster. In it Brown is able to bring about change in the relationship between Bobby and his teacher by writing about a chance encounter in a place where a teacher and student are unlikely to meet. After that day Bobby didn’t see his teacher as the monster he thought she was, at least not completely.
DEAR MR. HENSHAW
Cleary, B (1983) Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Leigh Botts admires the written works of author Boyd Crenshaw. For a school assignment he must write to an author and naturally he writes to him. Soon Mr. Crenshaw and Leigh find themselves corresponding regularly. This pen-pal arrangement leads Leigh to face a myriad of emotions such as his parents’ divorce, being a new kid at school, a lunch thief and the absence and unreliability of his father.
Assignment 3
Leigh Botts is nothing if not dedicated. He corresponds with his favorite author Mr. Henshaw in attempts to get helpful tips on how to become a famous author himself someday. Through a series of letters Leigh shares his life story with him. He writes of his parent’s divorce, to a tiny home in Pacific Grove, his attempts at catching a lunch thief, and his growing disappointment at a father who he does not see enough. Leigh is a character who may appear to be very calm and steady but is rapidly growing both as a writer and a teenager who is supportive and of his single mother. The setting of Pacific Grove is a sleepy town that gives the reader a sense of why it is so appealing for Leigh to wonder about the places where his truck driver father visits and Wyoming, where Mr. Henshaw lives.
GREGOR THE OVERLANDER
Collins, S. (2003) Gregor the Overlander. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
Gregor is not quite living the great life. He will spend his summer babysitting his little sister Boots and his grandmother while his mother works. His father disappeared some years ago and it has weighed on Gregor, who believes his father would not abandon his family. While babysitting and doing laundry in the basement of their apartment building one day, Boots falls through an air duct vent and Gregor dives in behind her. They fall for what feels like forever, falling safely into the Underland, a magical world of translucent humans, enormous cockroaches, sentient bats, and the rats that seeks to control the underground world.
Assignment 5
Character
In Gregor the Overlader Collins presents Gregor to the reader as the young hero who does not realize the immense courage that he possesses. Gregor has struggled for more than two and half years with the notion that his father walked out on his family but holds on to the hope that one day he will come back and life will be as it was. When he finds himself accidentally stranded in the Underland with his little sister, Boots, Gregor steps up to the massive challenge to fight for the Underlanders. He protects his sister through the perilous quest and is ready to make the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill what he believe is his destiny. Through the entire book we root for Gregor, who has experienced a lot of grief but who’s discovers bravery that he did not know could be within him.
Setting
The Underland where Gregor finds himself in comes to life in my mind much like the City of Ember, large, cavernous and dimly lit. Collins carefully details the land below; the Underland Palace, the river that flows out of the palace, the damp and smelly tunnels and the layout of the Underland. It’s the careful details that allow the reader to visualize the eight questers as they make the journey from the palace to the land of the rats and through all the places in between.
LOVE THAT DOG
Creech, S. (2001) Love That Dog. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
Jack’s teacher has been asking her students to write poetry. Jack is not feeling it and keeps resisting, writing short diary entries about how he refuses to write. As the book goes along and the year progresses Jack becomes better at writing poetry gets inspired to write about his own beloved dog.
Assignment 6
Jack does not like to write poems. He is very vocal about it. But his teacher Ms. Stretchberry keeps asking her students to write it, frequently. Jack finds that it’s becoming easier and easier to write it, and he’s getting better. He soon finds himself writing about his beloved dog Sky and wants to meet the author who inspired him.
Sharon Creech has also written Walk Two Moons, Ruby Holler, and The Wanderer. While Love That Dog deals with reminiscing about a deceased pet, it does not share in the common factor of her other books where the main characters must deal with the loss of a parent.
THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM, 1963
Curtis, C.P. (1995) The Watsons Go To Birmingham, 1963. New York, NY: Delacorte.
In this fictional tale revolving around true events The Watsons are living in Flint, Michigan. When their oldest son, Byron, starts getting into trouble, the family makes a descicion yo have him spend a summer with his strict grandmother in Alabama. After driving there the family is witness to the tragic events at the 16th Street Baptist Church, where four little Black girls were killed by a bomb planted by the Ku-Klux-Klan. Being so close to this event rattles the Watson’s sense of safety and they must decide if this a place where they can stay.
Assignment 4
Kenny leads a happy life in Flint, Michigan with his older brother Byron (the school bully), his little sister Joetta (Joey), and his parents, who try to raise a good family in a loving home. With humor and sass the Watsons have tried their best to rear their children down a good path, but time and time again Byron keeps testing their patience with antics of school fights, playing with matches inside the house, and straightening out his afro. Before Byron can get himself into any more trouble the Watsons pack up their car and make their way down to Mrs. Watson’s mother in Birmingham, Alabama to see if she can get some sense into him. The trip coincides with the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing by white supremacist terrorists that would take the life of four little girls. In the chaos of the aftermath Kenny believes that Joey was a victim at the church and let’s fear and shame overtake him. Despite the sometimes tumultuous sibling relation between the brothers, it is Byron who finally helps Kenny come out of his shell shocked state and come to terms with the unfairness of the bombing.
MARTINA THE BEAUTIFUL COCKROACH
Agra Deedy, C. (2007) Martina The Beautiful Cockroach. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers
Martina the cockroach is ready to get married, and many suitors are coming to impress her. But heading her grandmother’s advice to test the suitors, Martina gives them the coffee test by pouring coffee over their feet and Martina soon discovers that the suitors are not suited for marriage. Martina ends up finding a suitable husband when the coffee test is performed on her.
Assignment 1
In Martina the Beautiful Cockroach the element of composition makes Agra Deedy’s retelling of the folktale a visual delight. The use of lines, shape, color and texture create an extremely detailed picture of Martina’s world. Austin captures all the fine details of her small world and incorporates human sized objects to create a whimsical setting.
The evaluation criteria of cultural markers in Martina the Beautiful Cockroach are very authentic. The story is a Cuban folktale and it is understandable that Spanish words are used to make it authentic, but they did not have to be added by Agra Deedy. That fact that she incorporates the native language of the story shows respect for both the story and the culture.
LEGEND OF THE BLUEBONNET
DePaola, T. (1983) Legend of the Bluebonnet. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
In an attempt to end a terrible drought She-Who-Is-Alone sacrifices her doll, her most prized possession, to the Great Spirits. As a reward for her selfless act the Great Spirits end the drought and send the gift of the blue bonnets to cover the land every spring.
Assignment 1
The visual element of line in The Legend of the Bluebonnet is found through all the illustrations. DePaola keeps the lines clean and with a flow that can almost be felt like gentle waves that flow in the same calm manner in which the narrator speaks of the great sense of duty in She-Who-Is-Alone.
The evaluation criteria of cultural markers in Legend of the Bluebonnet are feel what I may believe is authentic. I am not familiar with lore or history of the Comanche Indians but looking at the book the illustrations don’t appear cartoonish or what one would perceive as bad stereotypes. The story has a wonderful message about selflessness that gives a positive portrayal of a Native people.
OLIVIA
Falconer, I. ( 2000) Olivia. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Olivia is a delightful and energetic little pig who goes about her day dressing up, building sand castles, writing on the wall and eventually tiring herself out.
Assignment 1
In Olivia the visual element of color is found in the form of shades of grey, black and the vibrant red. The use of the bright red color allows Falconer to draw the reader’s attention to aspects of Olivia’s and her playful personality. The use of other colors, such as yellow and flesh, when Olivia tans, is rare and that makes it stand out on the pages of a book dominated by grey, black and red.
The evaluation criteria of illustrations in Falconer’s Olivia allows Falconer to show us many of the things that Olivia does throughout the day by drawing several smaller versions of the delightful pig on a single page. A lot is expressed by these illustrations, sometimes more than is actually written. So much happens in Olivia’s day and readers can see exactly how the author and illustrator visualize the antics of Olivia.
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK
When a family is killed by Jack Frost, the only surviving member is the toddler boy. He is able to escape by sheer luck. Jack is in search of him but the boy has snuck into a graveyard where the undead residents adopt him as one of his own, giving him the name Nobody Owens (Bod). Bod is cared for by several beings who inhabit the cemetery and we see him grow up a child of two worlds, eventually learning the reason his family was murdered and why Jack Frost is still looking to kill him after so many years.
Assignment 5
Setting
In The Graveyard Book Gaiman brings to life a lively cemetery where so much happens for Bod and his family of undead. Through his details we can understand that it does not represent death or stagnation but the place where Bod can feel safety and the love of his adoptive parents and his relentless protectors. It was in the cemetery amongst the dead that Bod felt at home.
Theme
We find the theme of good vs evil once more in The Graveyard Book, where a young orphan is sought after by a villain who has killed his family. There is the theme of prophecy and in this case another story of a boy “who lived”. Through many years and many events we are comforted in the fulfillment of a prophecy that assured the death of the evil Jacks if Bod lived to become a man.
GEORGE
Gino, A. (2015) George. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
This is a moving story about George, who is a girl, but others perceive him as a boy. All he wants to do is play Charlotte the Spider in a school play, but is turned down because her teacher believes she is a boy. With the help of her friend Kelly George will break through on stage as the wise Charlotte and finally come out of her shell and into a new world.
Assignment 3
George is a girl. She knows it. But when others look at her they see a boy. George does not know how much longer she’ll have to keep that secret. Fortunately, her school is having a play for Charlotte’s Web and George desperately wants to play Charlotte. But if George is not a girl, according to his teacher, how will she play Charlotte? With the help of her best friend Kelly, George will find a way to finally be on the outside who she feels on the inside. Gino whimsically and lightheartedly writes about the delicate subject of transgender youth and makes the reader cheer for George as he takes a brave leap into making his own happiness. The theme centers around love and acceptance because despite the fear of ‘coming out’, the important people in George’s life are supportive of her and her self-identity.
ROSA
Giovanni, N. (2005) Rosa. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
This is the story not of Rosa Parks the woman, but of Rosa Parks the moment, the instance on the bus when she decided that she could not and would not relegated to second class citizen status. It takes us through that historic day and through some events of the civil rights movement.
Assignment 2
Design
Rosa is a very visually pleasing books that takes us right to the day that Rosa Parks refused to give up a bus seat and walked into the pages of American history. The writing is set against colorful backgrounds of half a page and the illustrations capture the reader’s attention. Much like pictures of the civil rights movement era, the illustrations evoke feeling as much as, if not more than, the actual story.
RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE
Hale, S. (2008) Rapunzel’s Revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Children’s Book.
This reimagined fairy tale takes us to the Wild West and turns Rapunzel form a damsel in distress to a heroine out to fight the unjust rule of Mother Gothel on the people of the town. With the help of Calamity Jack she will take on this task that will make you see Rapunzel in a whole new light.
Assignment 5
Characters
In Rapunzel’s Revenge heroines are reimagined as Rapunzel, the long-haired damsel in distress find her own way out of her prison tower. She, along with her friend Jack, brake the norms of this classical fairy as they embark on a quest to find and free Rapunzel’s birth mother from the slave mines and free Gothel’s Reach from her oppressor. Rapunzel lives off in a land of imagination but she is relatable as 16 year old girl with strong will and resolve who has found that her destiny lies in her own hands.
Setting
The setting for Rapunzel’s Revenge is definitely a great spin on this classic fairy tale. The Wild West offers a great setting for the adventures and misfortunes that await Rapunzel and Jack. Being a graphic novel allows the setting to encompass of a great part of the story; it is ever present in the illustrations, reminding the reader that our two heroes must endure the arid and harsh conditions of the land as they go on their quest to do what is right.
IT’S PERFECTLY NORMAL
Harris, R. (1994) It’s Perfectly Normal. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
This informative book is a great resource for parents and children who have questions about our developing bodies and human sexuality. The information is scientifically sound and the age appropriate illustrations help parents discuss these important matters with their children.
Assignment 2
Accuracy and Design
I must begin to first write this as a parent of a girl who just turned 13 last November. I did not know this book existed until a few weeks ago and I believe that everything about It’s Perfectly Normal is an asset. The choice of words and the tasteful but accurate illustrations made me comfortable as a parent to share this book with my child. It gives so much information that it leaves nothing unsaid about an important and delicate topic. All information is chunked in small paragraphs with corresponding illustrations and makes the book easy to read and navigate. Harris and Emberley checked and rechecked scientific information and that gives the reader peace of mind knowing that the book they’ll share with their children is based on sound research. My daughter didn’t freak out over it, so I take that as a great sign.
COMICS SQUAD: RECESS!
Holm, J., Holm, M., Krosoczka, J., Pilkey, D., Roman, D., Santat, D., Telgemeier, R., Vernon, U., Wright, E., Yang, G. (2014) Comic Squad: Recess! New York, NY: Random House Books for Young Readers.
This collection of graphic novels by a well known authors will have you laughing at every turn of the page, with a variety of plots to satisfy the needs of all readers of funny stories.
Assignment 5
Style
Comic books are the perfect medium for short fantasy stories. So much can be transmitted not only through character dialogue but through illustrations as well. In Betty we perceive the sense of urgency the lunch lady is experiencing as she realizes the burden of feeding an entire school all on her own. When her Pizzatron 2000 goes awry and she seeks out to save the school from the pizza monster we get the superhero side of Betty taking control with her rolling pin along with the onomatopoeia of words such as Whoop! Bam! Block! and Bonk!
Setting
The short stories in Comics Squad are not like traditional fantasy stories. Every box is illustrated and the settings are clearly pictured. There is no need to explain a setting because they are featured as the story goes along and this makes it easier for visual learners and young readers to follow along. In The Magic Acorn there is such little dialogue that the settings of the background are truly what make sense of the story. It is a great representation of how important an illustrated setting can be, especially for stories in comic book format.
THIS IS NOT MY HAT
Klassen, J. (2012) This is Not My Hat. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
A tiny fish has stolen a hat. A tiny hat. He is not feeling guilty, and he is confident that he can get away with it too. But the the hat’s owner, a great big fish, will not let his hat be taken, and he goes in search of the thief, ultimately getting it back.
Assignment 1
The visual element of shape in This is Not My Hat is found almost exclusively in the shape of an oval. Both the small and big fish are drawn nearly with the same shape and upon further review you can see that the shape appears in the form of underwater plants. The limited variety in shapes keeps the focus on the facial expressions of the two fish and the crab in the story.
The evaluation criteria of plot in This is Not My Hat is brief. It is appears to be a very short story and one sided in terms of narration due to the fact that the only one speaking is the fish who stole the hat. But as the fish recounts the tale of his theft, the true owner of the hat is making his way to get back his tiny hat. There is a good message for young children. We don’t know the exact ending of the story, but it opens up discussions of standing up for yourself and about why stealing is wrong.
SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT
Landy, D. (2007) Skulduggery Pleasant. New York, NY: HarperCollins.
Stephanie Edgley has just inherited her uncle Gordon’s mansion and book royalties. After spending the night alone in the mansion and being threatened by a strange man, Stephanie is thrown into the world of the magic and undead with Skulduggery Pleasant, an undead mage who is nothing but bones held together by magic. Together they will take on the task of keeping the world safe from the forces of great evil.
Assignment 5
Theme
Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant is a fantastic read with themes of the ultimate good vs evil battles. The stakes are high for the heroes, especially Stephanie, who has made a decision to leave her ordinary life behind and embark on a quest to save the world along with Skulduggery. For his part Skulduggery appears to have lost all that was important with the death of his family, but he continues to fight the good fight to save the world and diligently protect Stephanie from Nefarian.
Style
Landy pulls in readers of Skulduggery Pleasant with writing that keeps the reader hooked. He makes Skulduggery the unconventional hero with the fast wit and sharp tongue. Its is the fast exchanges between the characters, particularly the equally sharp Stephanie, that maintain the reader on the edge of their seat and unable to put the book down. The same excitement that I felt as I read the Harry Potter books came back as I anxiously cheered for Skulduggery and his band of heroes.
ME…JANE
McDonnell, P. (2012) Me...Jane. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Meet Jane Goodall as a child, along with her beloved toy chimpanzee Jubilee. She dreams of helping all the animals. Her life progresses through endearing illustrations, to find that one day her dream has come true.
Assignment 2
Design
The illustrations of this short book complement the writing. A few words surrounded by whimsical drawings and actual pictures tell a story that feels like a page turner. A short sentence leaves you wondering what will be said next about Jane and Jubilee. As a reader I am eager to know how it will end despite the fact that I know how it ends. The way in which McDonnell separated the last sentence into four pages gave me a sense of urgency to turn the pages. The beautiful picture of Goodall and the baby chimp truly captures the reader’s heart, reminding us of happy endings and dreams that can come true.
THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS
Munsch, R. (1980) The Paper Bag Princess. Toronto, Canada: Annick Press. .
ELizabeth is a beautiful princess who will soon marry Prince Ronald, but a mean dragon burns down the caste and steals the Prince away. Elizabeth is off to recuse him but needs clothes to wear. The only thing that was not burned was a paper bag, so Elizabeth puts it on and is on her way. She outwits the dragon so that she may rescue Ronald, but when he sees her wearing a bag he shuns her. Elizabeth realizes that Ronald is not worth her time and leaves him in the Dragon’s lair.
Assignment 1
In The Paper Bag Princess Munsch uses color to make a distinction between Elizabeth and the dragon and Prince Ronald. All through the story Elizabeth is portrayed in warm yellow hues. The dragon, though not really a villain, is a green creature who is less than pleasant. Prince Ronald, who proved to be rather superficial in the end, also sports the color green on his leggings, visually connecting him to the dragon’s demeanor.
The evaluation criteria of characters is represented in The Paper Bag Princess. The princess faces challenges throughout the story but tackles them with a clever mind. She does not play the role of damsel in distress and in the end I believe she surprises even herself when she makes the choice to not marry the prince.
WE ARE THE SHIP
Nelson, K. (2009) We Are The Ship. Collingdale, PA: Diane Publishing Company.
Kadir Nelson uses the voice of “Everyman” player to recount the inception of The Negro League Baseball in his visually stunning book. The “everyman” narration takes the through the history of the segregated sport with details about the different teams, their struggles for equality and through the eventual crossover of Jackie Robinson to the Major Leagues
Assignment 2
Style
Nelson’s We Are The Ship has the feel of a leisure read due to Nelson’s writing style. It does indeed have the feel of being told a story by a person who’s experienced the events in the book. The details of the chapter names as innings are not lost on the reader. They offer a touch that ties the book’s theme. While there is no shortage of facts, it does not feel like one is reading for information. The illustrations throughout the books at times remind me of sports photography and other of trading cards. It is visually pleasing and well written.
PRIMATES
Ottaviani, J. (2013) Primates. New York, NY. First Second.
This is the origins story of three women who, under the guidance of Louis Leakey, made great strides in the field of primatology by conducting groundbreaking research in Africa. Beginning with the story of a young Goodall, the book continues with the story of how the women met and each worked in their respective area of research.
Assignment 2
Organization
The of organization of Primates was something I had not seen in the other eight books for assignment #2. Ottaviani seamlessly blends the lives of three different scientists in an appealing graphic novel. It was a long read but by Ottaviani’s own admission, he did not set out to create a textbook and the book almost does not come across as non-fiction. It was easy to navigate and information is logically laid out, but you’d have to read through the book to come across specific information since it was not set up as a reference guide. There are no chapters to divide the stories of Goodall, Fossey, and Galdikas yet their stories have a good natural transition from one to the other, and that keeps you hooked until the very end.
BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA
Paterson, K. (1972) Bridge to Terabithia. New York, NY: HarperTeen
Jess does not stand out at home amongst his sisters and he does not particularly stand out at school either. During the new school year he has made it his goal to be the fastest runner in the school, but a new student named Leslie leaves him in the dust when she proves to be faster. The initial dislike for Leslie eventually wears off and she and Jess become inseparable friends finding adventure in the imaginary world of Terabithia.
Assignment 3
Jess Aaron’s lives in Lark Creek where nothing exciting really happens and change is not seen as a good thing. His dream is to be the fastest runner in 5th grade, until Leslie, the new girl in town, comes along and proves to be faster. Despite initial tension between them, they form an unlikely friendship that takes them on magical adventures in a secret world painted by Paterson. Terabithia comes to life through the imagination of Leslie and Jess, transforming it from a hidden forest to a magical land. They forge a friendship that will give Jess the powers of bravery and strength to overcome immense loss. Terabithia is magical place that is real to Jess and Leslie, and it feels real to the reader as well. Paterson’s use of language reflects her life in the American South and the dialogue of the characters feels genuine.
GOOD MASTERS, SWEET LADIES
Schlitz, L.A. (2007) Good Masters, Sweet Ladies. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.
Dive into the lives of different people of medieval England. Written in monologues we learn about the lord’s nephew, Hugo, who must prove himself a man by hunting a boar, Mogg, who must cleverly save the family cow from the greedy landlord, and Alice the singing shepherdess.
Assignment 4
In a series of monologues and dialogues the lives of 22 people from a 1255 English village come to life and almost feel connected. The collection of stories tells the tales of the different players in a medieval manor, with their lives covering a spectrum of bleakness to hope. There is Mogg, whose father beat his family; Alice, the kind-hearted shepherdess who saves a sheep from dying; Isobel, the Lord’s daughter whose dress was ruined by dung; Barbary, the mud slinger, and Will, the plow boy who vows to honor the memory of his deceased father. The writing has the power to immerse you into the linguistic history of the time while giving the reader an authentic connection to 22 lives.
ORBITING JUPITER
Schmidt, G. (2015) Orbiting Jupiter. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
Joseph moves in with his new foster family, and his brother Jack has been warned about Joseph. Joseph could be just another troubled teen, but something sets him apart. Joseph has a daughter, and he is desperate trying to reunite with her. Despite the tough exterior Jack and his parents will do their best to help Joseph overcome his struggles and find the daughter he’s never met.
Assignment 3
Joseph Brook has lived a difficult childhood, so when he is placed in foster care at the age of 14 he’s fortunate to be in the care of the Hurd family. Little by little he starts to warm up to the Hurds especially Jack, his foster brother. Joseph carries a lot of pain, but none greater than not knowing his baby daughter, Jupiter. With time and through ongoing struggles, Joseph and his foster family will forge an unbreakable bond. The growth theme is present in Orbiting Jupiter, with both Joseph attempting to be a man who could make Jupiter proud and the Hurds finding that Joseph is now more than a Foster son. Setting the story in the frozen Northeast gives the reader a sense of the pain that both Jack and Joseph constantly experience in the inclement weather, and ultimately it’s the frigid water where Joseph meets an untimely death.
WONDERSTRUCK
Selznick, B. (2001) Wonderstruck. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
Two seemingly different stories; one told in words, the other in pictures, set 50 years apart. They will merge to tell the stories of Ben and Rose. He a boy who has just lost his mother, and she is a deaf child who longs to meet her idol. Wonderstruck is masterfully written to combine into one heartwarming story of loss and the discovery of family.
Assignment 6
The stories of Ben and Rose are set decades apart. They are a boy and a girl. His story told in words, hers illustrated, both slowly intertwining until they begin to merge. There is nothing in common between Ben and Rose, or is there? Find out how the lives of these two people living worlds apart will soon collide.
Brian Selznick is the author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, The Houdini Box, and The Marvels. These books, including Wonderstruck, follow the lives of young boys who are on a quest to solve a mystery that will make the puzzle pieces of their lives finally fall into place.
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Sendak, M. (1963) Where the Wild Things Are. New York, NY: Harper & Row.
Max is having a rambunctious time wreaking havoc inside. When his mother asks him to stop Max refuses and he gets sent up to his room without dinner. In his room Max imagines a trip to where the wild things are. Max has a mini adventure with his wild friends and even becomes the king of the “Wild Things”. He finally decides that he wants to be back home and he sails back, realizing that a hot meal is waiting for him.
Assignment 1
All the elements of illustration work well together in Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. The bold lines and shapes combine to create big and bold creatures with exaggerated features that occupy much of the space on the book’s pages. The colors are not vibrant but create a great contrast to Max’s wolf suit, causing him to be the visual focus of the illustrations.
The two worlds of Max in Where the Wild Things Are are safe places for him. In one (home) he longed to let out his wild side if only for an evening. When he is sent to ‘where the wild things are’ Max allows himself to go wild but still finds that it was not the place in which he ultimately wanted to be. As a young boy he still longed for the warmth of his home.
MIRROR MIRROR
Singer, M. (2010) Mirror Mirror. New York, NY: Dutton Books for Young Readers.
Find out how stories can change when read in reverse. These fairy tales takes on new life as they are read from end to beginning and with punctuation changed. The accompanying illustrations also help carry the theme of revereso poetry.
Assignment 1
The visual element of line can be identified in Mirror, Mirror. Singer uses lines to make a visual distinction both in the the illustration and in the writing itself. The lines in the illustration sometimes create harsh contrast between two versions of a tale, while other times the lines form a visually pleasing transition between both, such as in The Sleeping Beauty and the Wide-Awake Prince in which the lines of the dress turn into what appear to be hills.
The evaluation criteria of style is magnificently exemplified in Mirror, Mirror. Singer definitely created a books that has a style of opposites in both writing and illustration. She creates new stories by strategically writing it one way and then reversing the dialogue, giving each piece a different life. Masse’s illustrations all are meant to be opposites within one image as well, but at times they appear to actually fit like two puzzle pieces.
IT’S A BOOK
Smith, L. (2010) It’s a Book. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.
Monkey is reading a book and Donkey has no idea what it is or what it does. He asks if it scrolls, if you text, tweet or blog with it. Monkey reminds him that it’s a book. Donkey is intrigued! So intrigued that he keeps the book so he can read it. Monkey gives up trying to get the book back and heads for the library, but Donkey has promised to charge it up when he is done.
Assignment 1
The element of texture in It’s a Book complements the illustration of animals that resemble stuffed toys. The monkey, the mouse and the jackass all appear to have a felted texture that that soften the very clean lines of Smith’s illustrations.
The theme of It’s a Book feels more like a social commentary than a theme or a lesson. It pokes lighthearted fun at the many things an electronic device such a computer can do by reminding the reader that a book is just a book. For all the bells and whistles on donkey’s computer he was excited to hold a book and ultimately was very excited to read from it.
BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY
Sweet, M. (2011) Balloons Over Broadway. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.
Tony Sarg was a young boy who loved marionettes, and this love developed into the tradition that has been upheld since the 1920s. Sarg was the creative mind behind the ballon animals that float yearly during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Assignment 2
Design
Balloons Over Broadway was a visual delight as much as it was informative. Sweet marries a good story about a man who created a tradition and creative illustration mediums. He book is definitely inviting; the pictures are bright and fun and appropriate for a young child who is being read to and the story is a pleasant read for young readers as much as for adults. The page with the giant blue elephant was a creative use of space, drawing our attention to the height to which Sarg made his balloons soar.
THE THREE PIGS
Wiesner, D. (2001) The Three Pigs. New, NY: Clarion Books.
This twist on a classic tale finds the three little pigs trying to save themselves from the big bad wolf. But they are able to escape in a most unconventional way: by running away through the illustrations of other stories, rescuing a dragon along the way. The make it back to the pig's brick house in time to rid themselves of the big bad wol for good.
Assignment 1
Wiesner’s clever use of texture in The Three Pigs is essential to the plot of the story. The different textures give the reader a sense of setting. Each different story that the pigs go into has a unique look and feel. The texture also helps creates the illusion of 3D movement, as it appears that the pigs are leaping from their own story and onto the world of the reader.
The evaluation criteria of illustrations in The Three Pigs is sophisticated. Wiesner makes distinction between settings of the story by changing the style of his illustration. The art as much as the story itself captures the reader’s imagination.
BROWN GIRL DREAMING
Woodson, J. (2014) Brown Girl Dreaming. New York, NY: Penguin Group.
Raised by her grandparents in South Carolina and in New York by her single mother, Jacqueline was a child of two distinct worlds. She lived a life of love with her mother and siblings, growing up during the 1960s and 1970s with the Civil Rights movement rising up across the country. Read about this magnificent author as a young Black girl discovering her voice in a changing world.
Assignment 6
Jackie Woodson lived most of her early childhood with her siblings and grandparents in South Carolina. She becomes enamored with the life she leads in her grandparents’ house and the many memories she creates while living in the South during the 1960s. When her mother moves to New York to make a life for her and he children, Jackie must learn to cope with the absence of her mother and later on leave behind the people and the city that are a part of her.
In Coming On Home Soon, This Is the Rope, and Our Gracie Aunt, Woodson parallels some elements of Brown Girl Dreaming. Both Aunt Gracie and Coming On Home Soon share the fact that the main characters’ parents are out of their lives, either because they are deceased or due to economic reasons, much like in Brown Girl Dreaming when Jackie’s mother had to move to New York to establish herself. Her characters must learn to live with other relatives and yearn to have their mother back. This Is the Rope is written as a memoir, much like her own life story in Brown Girl Dreaming. This Is the Rope, however, is not based on her own life, rather on the lives of many Black people who moved from the southern United States to northern cities during the first half of the twentieth century.
