THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books. ISBN 0060530944

PLOT SUMMARY: Escaping his family's murderer, Bod lives in a cemetery, raised by ghosts, educated by werewolves and hides from the killer.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Teen reader will enjoy this tale of an orphan boy Nobody Owens, who is raised by ghost in a grave yard, after this real family is murdered. The murderer is still after him and to keep him safe, he finds his way to a graveyard, where he is adopted by ghosts. The setting itself will be intriguing to the teen reader. Walking among grave sites, speaking to the inhabitants, sleeping in a crypt and living among the dead may appeal to the teen readers, who are into death, Gothic themes and supernatural elements. The other characters, ghosts as friends, escaping ghouls and having a werewolf/hound of hell as a substitute teacher, add to the mystery of the plot and with entertain the teen reader in this low fantasy/ghost story. Family is important to Nobody Owens, since his real family was murdered, his ghost family/guardian care for him very deeply and try to keep him safe.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Newbery Medal 2009, Hugo Awards 2009, Locus Awards 2009, Audie Award 2009, Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award2009, Book Sense Book of the Year 2009, American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2009, Carnegie Medal 2010, Bluegrass Award 2010


From School Library Journal
"...Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.—Megan Honig, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From BookList
This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages. Grades 6-10. --Holly Koelling


CONNECTIONS:

ORPHANS
CEMETERIES
SUPERNATURAL
GHOSTS

THE BOOK THIEF (audio) by Markus Zusak





BIBLIOGRAPHY: Zusak, Markus. 2006. The Book Thief. New York: Random House Listening Library. ISBN 0739337270

PLOT SUMMARY: Death narrates a story about a young girl whose love for books and story-telling helps her family and herself survive Nazi Germany, and in particularly the Jewish man they are hiding.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Allan Corduner, Broadway and London's West End actor, lends his voice talents as the narrator to audio version to Zusak's The Book Thief. This eleven CD unabridged version, Corduner is single reader who changes his voice with each character. There is no background noises, music or additional sounds, other than Corduner's voice, which adds to the clear reading and great listening experience, given the subject matter of The Book Thief. Corduner changes his voice with each character. switching back and forth from German and Jewish accents, again, adding to the listening experience.
In this realistic adventure fiction, a young girl, Liesel Meminger, who steals to make a living in Germany during World War II, starts to "steal" books. Learning how to read and discovers to joy of storytelling, Liesel helps her foster family to survive and also helps the Jewish man hiding in their basement. Although set in the past, a young reader/listener can get enthralled in this novel. Liesel tries to find her identity in a strange country and with a foster family. Also, the setting in World War II Germany adds to the survival story of Liesel.


AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Michael L. Printz Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2007, National Jewish Book Awards 2006, Book Sense Book of the Year 2007, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year 2006, Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books 2006, Garden State Teen Book Award 2009

From School Library Journal
"...Zusak explores behind-the-lines life in World War II Germany, showing the day-to-day heroism of ordinary people. Relevant for class discussions on wars both past and present."
-Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


From Publisher's Weekly

"The storytelling aspects of this structure include asides to the listener, and lots of foreshadowing about what eventually happens to the various lead characters-appealing features for listeners."
(Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

CONNECTIONS:
DEATH
FOSTER FAMILIES
GERMANY
JEWS
HISTORY
WORLD WAR, 1939-1945
STORYTELLING
BOOKS AND READING

AMERICAN BORN CHINESE by Gene Luen Yang





BIBLIOGRAPHY: Yang, Gene Luen. 2006. American Born Chinese. Ill. Lark Pien. New York: First Second. ISBN 1-59643-208-X

PLOT SUMMARY: In this comic-style book, three seeming unrelated stories: that of the ancient Chinese folktale of the Monkey King, a young boy tries to fit in with his schoolmates and a young man embarrassed every year by his visiting cousin from China; all become intertwined in a surprising ending.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: All three characters, the Monkey King, Jin Wang and Danny have one thing in common; they are trying to fit in and try to find their identity, but get laughed at in the process. With the subtopic of realistic fiction of self, all three characters are searching for a sense of self, exploring the "purpose" in school, at home and with friends and holding on to those friendships. In trying to find their identity each encounter prejudice, discrimination and comments that are on the verge of racism. Aside from ancient China, the setting of Danny and Jin's tale are primarily in school. Although transporting back and forth from ancient China and modern-day high school adds to the style of the book. Chin-Kee, Danny's cousin, character is over-the-top, stereo-typical and almost racist. However, this leads to the over-all charm of the book and the moral of all three stories.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
2006 A National Book Award finalist
2007 ALA's Printz Award winner
2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album
2007 Havey Award for Best Colorist (Lark Pien)

From Voice of Youth Advocates
"This graphic novel first appeared as a long running Web comic on http://www.Moderntales.com, where it enjoyed an enthusiastic following. The artwork is clean and distinctive, with varying panel styles and inking that is visually appealing." -Sherrie Williams

From Booklist
Yang helps the humor shine by using his art to exaggerate or contradict the words, creating a synthesis that marks an accomplished graphic storyteller. The stories have a simple, engaging sweep to them, but their weighty subjects--shame, racism, and friendship--receive thoughtful, powerful examination. --Jesse Karp Copyright 2006 Booklist


CONNECTIONS:
CARTOONS AND COMICS
CHINESE AMERICANS
IDENTITY
SCHOOLS

The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Klages, Ellen. 2006. Green Glass Sea. New York, NY: Viking Juvenile. ISBN 9780670061341

PLOT SUMMARY: Eleven-year-old Dewey Kerrigan comes to live with her father at a secluded community in New Mexico.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Klages's setting of Green Grass Sea will appear to the young reader because it is secluded and a secret place, even the soldier escorting Dewey can not tell her. Moving to live with her father on "The Hill" is challenging for Dewey but is it realistic to tweens and teens. Even though she is with her father, he always working and doesn't spend time with her. Even when she befriends other adults- she's always alone. This may appeal to a teens because of their own feeling abandonment, isolation, "no one understands me", "play attention to me" feelings. Dewey often times visits the dump to collect old parts for her "inventions"- again, all alone. Dewey had been in the care of her grandmother when her mother is not in her life; the grandmother suffers a stroke, then Dewey is sent to live with her father, who in turns dies. Once again, the feeling a abandonment is noticed. Authenticity of teen-age life is also experienced by Dewey. She is bullied and made fun of because of her love of math, science and her mechanical knowledge. She is called names and must confront the meanest bully of all, when she goes to live with Suze, who is also ridicule and bullied herself. but just like teenagers, Dewey labels the people around her, the physicists are "fizzlers" and the chemists are "stinkers". In the end, Dewey has a new family and has witness the testing of the first atomic bomb

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT:
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature
New Mexico State Book Award (YA)


From Booklist
The novel occasionally gets mired down in detail, but the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes. John Green


From 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.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR


CONNECTIONS: Themes that can be associated and connected in a classroom are father/daughter relationships, friendships, scientist, atom bomb race, WWII, death and abandonment. Historical people/events and locations mentioned: Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, Los Alamos and atomic/nuclear bomb testing.

Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Napoli, Donna Jo. 1997. Stones in Winter. New York, NY: Dutton's Children's Books. ISBN 0525458425

PLOT SUMMARY: Young Venetian boys learn how to survive, when forcibly taken by Nazi soldiers to work in a work camp.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Students of the WWII will be riveted by the setting of this book. First set in beautiful with the descriptions of the water and gondolas quickly changes to the atrocities of child labor camps. The description of a cold winter, harsh living conditions in the camp, the feeling of starvation and the life of an escapee will transport a young reader to Europe during WWII. Samuele and Roberto are rounded up with other boys attending a movie. They are sent to a work camp, where Samuele helps Roberto to cope by telling him stories. Working on a "pen", the boys befriend two Polish Jewish girls. Sharing the little food rations they have with the girls, they give Roberto a present "stones". When Samuele dies after a fight over Roberto's boots, Roberto escapes. The second story of survival is filled with accounts of  Germans trying to track him, fighting off wolves, starvation, eating slugs and freezing cold. After helping Jewish people. Roberto is a hero. This riveting story of friendship and hardship will be an addition to any WWII lesson.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
An ALA Notable Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
An NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

"A gripping, meticulously researched story." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"An intense, gripping tale." --School Library Journal, starred review

"An affecting coming-of-age novel with a vivid and undeniable message about the human costs of war." --The Horn Book

CONNECTIONS: Connect in the classroom with themes of survival, German-occupied Italy, WWII, Italy, and work camps. Historical events, figures and locations: German Work Camps, Nazis, Italian Resistence Movement- Partigiano

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Choldenko, Gennnifer. 2004. Al Capone Does My Shirts. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0399238611

PLOT SUMMARY: Twelve year-old Moose Flanagan moves unto Alcatraz Island, where his father works as a guard and electrician at the prison.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Teens and tweens will be enchanted by the fact of Choldenko's setting- Alcatraz Island. An island in the middle of San Francisco Bay inhabited by criminals serving time in the penitentiary. Choldenko's story will interest readers in what it was like to live and grow up on "the Rock". Moose moves away from friends and gives up his favorite sport, baseball. As any teen who is uprooted from a comfortable home, Moose has to make sacrifices. His older sister, Natalie who is "ill" needs sopeical attention. He never sees his father because the job and hos mother tends to Natalie. Moose can not enjoy a minute's free time because she takes care of Natalie when he is not on school. Much like teens today, who babysit other siblings when their parents need them to. Moose befriends the warden's daughter, Piper, who through peer-pressure gets him to take part in her schemes. There is a lot of family tension because of Natalie's illness, which puts a strain on everyone. All these aspects of dealing with his sick sister, strained family life, peer pressure, and his "yearning" for Piper can be idenitified by young readers.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
A Newbery Honor Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Notable Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection

From School Library Journal
The story, told with humor and skill, will fascinate readers with an interest in what it was like for the children of prison guards and other workers to actually grow up on Alcatraz Island.--Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library

From Booklist
With its unique setting and well-developed characters, this warm, engaging coming-of-age story has plenty of appeal, and Choldenko offers some fascinating historical background on Alcatraz Island in an afterword. Ed Sullivan

CONNECTIONS: Some themes to incorporate in the classroom can be Alcatraz Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island, Autism, Al Capone, family problems and brother/sister relationsips. Noted historical figures/events and locations: Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Alcatraz Penitenitary. Pair with choldenko's second book in the series, Al Capone Shines My Shoes and The Children of Alcatraz: Growing Up on the Rock by Claire Rudolf Murphy

Never Smile at a Monkey



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Jenkins, Steve. 2009. Never Smile at a Monkey. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780618966202

PLOT SUMMARY: A book about animal natural defenses against its predators.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: This survey informational and wonderfully illustrated book of cut and torn paper will entice the younger elementary school reader. The front cover, for example will automatic interest a potential reader. The "rules" stated for each animal, such as, "Never cuddle a [bear] cub or "Never swim with a squid" in engage older elementary students. Jenkins informs the reader on animal self defense mechanisms and how they ward off their predators. Jenkins provides facts and notes that some encounters are deadly, which may frighten the younger readers. The design of Never Smile at the Monkey is very attractive and the book will entertain as well as inform its reader. The organization adds to the book's attractiveness. The "rule" is stated separately and the fact underneath it. Some of the pictures lay-out over both pages, which is visually stimulating. With not too much information, Jenkins invokes curiosity and wonder, which is the world of animals, in general, to children.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
From Booklist
"Although some kids might choose to never again venture outdoors, most will find the alarmist details ( a kangaroo can deliver a kick powerful enough to cave in a person's chest ) irresistible."- Chipman, Ian Copyright 2009.

From School Library Journal
"This exceptionally well-written portion of the book is generously illustrated."--Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC

CONNECTIONS: Elementary School Science thematic unit on animals. Include other informational books by Steven Jenkins in classroom collection.

We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson





BIBLIOGRAPHY: Nelson, Kadir. 2008. We are the Ship-The Story of Negro League Baseball. New York, NY: Jump at the Sun/ Hyperion Books For Children. ISBN 9780786808328

PLOT SUMMARY: The story about the Negro League Baseball and its heroes.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Nelson's social historical informational book about Negro baseball is visually stimulating, with his paintings from photographs. Commenting on the social climate and racism of the time, Nelson, depicts the unsung heroes and the league of the early days a baseball. In keeping with the theme of baseball, the "chapters" of the book are entitled "Innings". For example, the first chapter is "1st Inning-Beginnings" and the last chapter is, of course, "9th Inning". The epilogue is"Extra Innings". The illustrations add to the remarkable design of the book, engrossing the reader into the passion of Nelson on this subject.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
Coretta Scott King Award
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award
Sibert Medal

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. "Social studies teachers and baseball fans of all ages will covet this delightful winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King author award and illustrator Honor award.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

From Booklist
"With enormous blue skies and jam-packed grandstands backing them, these players look like the giants they are."--Ian Chipman


CONNECTIONS: Social studies/History units of racism, discrimination, inequality, segregation and baseball. Pair with other books, such as Heroes of the Negro League by Jack Morelli and Only the Ball Was White: A History of Legendary Black Players and All-Black Professional Teams by Robert Peterson

The Great and Only Barnum by Candace Fleming





BIBLIOGRAPHY: Fleming, Candace. 2009. The Great and Only Barnum- The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum. New York, NY: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9780375841972

PLOT SUMMARY: Biography about P.T. Barum and his attractions.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Fleming not only chronicles the life of P.T. Barnum in this "biography" but also informs the reader about the early circus, sideshow and entertainment of the early 1900's. Fleming's illustrations to each chapter invokes the feel of the circus, with depictions of posters and advertisements of the period. With pictures and photographs throughout the book, Fleming also enlightens the reader to the era. Teens will be entertained by the section of the sideshow "freaks" and attractions. Though Fleming does discuss the life of Barnum, she also informs the reader about the whole circus history and how Barnum brought it life, itself.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

From Booklist:
Starred Review. “The material is inherently juicy, but credit Fleming’s vivacious prose, bountiful period illustrations, and copious source notes for fashioning a full picture of one of the forbearers of modern celebrity.”--June 1, 2009


Publishers Weekly:
"Audiences will step right up to this illuminating and thorough portrait of an entertainment legend"
August 31, 2009

CONNECTIONS: This book would appeal to teens, especially the section about the side show attractions.

Button Up! Wrinkled Rhymes by Alice Schertle



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Schertle, Alice. 2009. Button Up! Ill. by Petra Mathers. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing. ISBN 9780152050504

PLOT SUMMARY: Poems, from the clothes point of view, talk about their animal owners.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Articles of clothing come to life to discuss their animal owners in the collection of rhyming poems. Mather's illustrations are indeed whimsical, depicting a girl mouse wearing undies and an little boy alligator in pajamas. Rhythm and meter is easily detected in these rhyming poems. 

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS:
From Booklist
Starred Review."Playful spreads and spot art suit the small, snappy verses beautifully. This whimsical little volume will make a delightful addition to poetry collections."
—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

CONNECTIONS:
This book can be used in an elementary school level in thematic units of poetry. It can also be used in introducing literature where animals are given human characteristics.

A Curious Collecion of Cats Concrete Poems by Betsy Franco

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Franco, Betsy. 2009. A Curious Collection of Cats. Ill. by Michael Wertz. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press. ISBN 9781582462486

PLOT SUMMARY: Visual poems about cats

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
A fun poetry book about cats, their characteristics and their every-day adventures. A collection of concrete poems, poems that form a shape, about cats is visually stimulating yet may be hard to read at times because of the shapes. It may be confusing in which way to poem is to be read, but that may be the fun in reading this book. Wertz's illustrations truely invoke the meaning of each poem. With the way the poems are written it is difficult to determine meter, sound even language, but the physical imagery is enticing to a reader at any age. Different kinds of poems such as haiku and limmerick, are introduced between fighting cats and sleeping cats.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS:

HONOR - Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award

From Booklist
"Once kids get the feel of how to follow the lines--up and down or in curving jumps pr around the page borders--they will have fun with the playful images."---Hazel Rochman, Booklist March 15, 2009.

CONNECTIONS:

This book may be used in a middle/ high school poem themed unit. It can be use to illustrate to young readers that poetry is not boring.

Tropical Secrets by Margarita Engle

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Engle, Margartia. 2009. Tropical Secrets. New York, NY; Henry Holt and Company.
ISBN 9780805089363

PLOT SUMMARY: Daniel's life in verse after escaping Nazi Germany and ending up in Cuba.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Engle's free verse narration of Daniel, a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany and a girl in Cuba, where Daniel ends up, is full a descriptive imagery. Students may be bored with the subject of Nazi Germany or Cuba, but reading Daniel's and Paloma's accounts of their lives intertwined is brought to life through the poems. The books reads like an actual story and not like a collection of poems. Although meter, rhythm, sound is hard to detect, because the story comes to life through the imagery and emotion through the poetry.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS:
 “This book is an outstanding choice for young people of all reading skills. Reluctant readers will be encouraged by the open layout and brief text, and everyone will be captivated by the eloquent poems and compelling characters.”—School Library Journal, starred review

“Readers who think they might not like a novel in verse will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly and smoothly the story flows...The book will provide great fodder for discussion of the Holocaust, self-reliance, ethnic and religious bias, and more.”—VOYA

CONNECTIONS:
Middle and High School themed units in which this book may be used in conjuction with are: immigration, refugees, WWII, Nazi Gernany, Holocaust, Cuba 

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Taback, Simms. 1999. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. Ill by Simms Taback. New York, NY: Viking. ISBN 0670878553

PLOT SUMMARY:
Joseph makes something new out of his old overcoat.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Taback has turned a yiddish folksong from his childhood into delighful, interactive and colorful storybook that will entertain readers of all ages. As a realisitc and a culumulative tale, young listeners can participate in the repetitive phrases with every new thing made from the torn out overcoat. They will also enjoy the cut-outs, which give a clue to what the new items will be. With a mixture of watercolors, gouache, pencil, pen and collage, older readers will be enthrawed with real photos within the illustrations, especially the flower field, "town" scene, "fruit" field, and the lettuce patch. These pages resembles a "Where's Waldo" effect engaging the reader. Also delightful is collage illustrations that are visually stimulating.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS:

Caldecott Medal

From School Library Journal
"A book bursting at the seams with ingenuity and creative spirit."- Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly
"This diverting, sequential story unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat." Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

CONNECTIONS:
This book may be connected to a unit on recycling.  Taback also wrote the 1997 Caldecott Honor Book There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! By A. Wolf as told to Jon Scieszka



BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Scieszka, Jon. 1989.The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs! by A. Wolf. Ill. by Lane Smith. 
New York, NY: Viking Penguin. ISBN 0670825792

PLOT SUMMARY:
Alexander T. Wolf recounts the incident(s) that occurred with his neighbors, three pigs, to Jon Scieszka.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

This fractured fairy tale will send readers into a laughing fit even adult readers. With the story of The Three Little Pigs firmly planeted in everyone's childhood memory, the recounting of it by Alexander T. Wolf is hilarious. Convincing the reader that he was baking a cake for his granmother, that his sneezes were accidental and his eating the pigs, a natural instinct, Wolf possesses an "it's not my fault" attitude that may draw sympathy for him but in the end he is punished. The reporters, newspaper clippings and police modernize this classic tale. Although Smith's illustration are whimsical and fantasy-like, they are clever, using items as letters in "This is the real story" page to begin the tale.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS:
From Booklist

"Wiesner's latest is a post-modern fantasy for young readers that takes Scieszka's fragmentation a step further: it not only breaks apart and deliciously reinvents the pigs' tale, it invites readers to step beyond the boundaries of story and picture book altogether."-Carolyn Phelan Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From School Library Journal
"... the bespectacled wolf moves with a rather sinister bonelessness, and his juicy sneezes tear like thunderbolts through a dim, grainy world. It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny." - John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

CONNECTIONS:

The Firebird by Jane Yolen



BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yolen, Jane. 2002. The Firebird. Ill. by Vladimir Vagin. Hong Kong:  HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN 0060285389

PLOT SUMMARY:
Hero Prince Ivan, with the help of the Firebird, defeats the evil wizard and frees a princess and her maids

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Yolen's retelling of the Russian folktale of the Firebird is beautifully illustrated to bring it to life. With the classic concept of a folktale, of good vs. evil and a happy ending, hero Prince Ivan, with the help of the Firebird, defeats the evil wizard and frees a princess and her maids. Beautifully illustrated, Vagin transports the reader to czarist Russian, with dense forest and recognizable architecture. With illustrations of the famous Firebird ballet, (choreographed by George Balanchine to Igor Stravinsky's music) at the bottom of each page, Yolen introduces an added visual to the book.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

From Publishers Weekly
"The elegant costumes and poses in his ballet scenes may well leave many readers eager to view a live performance." Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal

"Not to be confused with two stunningly illustrated titles of different folktales, Demi's The Firebird (Holt, 1994; o.p.) and Ruth Sanderson's The Golden Mare, the Firebird, and the Magic Ring (Little, Brown, 2001), Yolen's Firebird will be most appreciated as an introduction to the ballet."
Ellen Heath, Orchard School, Ridgewood, NJ
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

CONNECTIONS
A great book to be used with a music themed unit, specifically to introduce ballet to young readers.

Tomas and the Library Lady

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mora, Pat. 1997. Tomas and the Library Lady. Ill. by Paul Colon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
ISBN 0679904018

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Migrant worker, Tomas learns the joy of reading and the love for books and educates family members and the librarian, too!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Tomas travels with his family to Iowa as migrant workers. Mora's depiction of a poor migrant is evident when Mama makes a ball out of an old teddy bear and also when the family rummages in the junkyard for extra money. It's curious how Papa Grande (grandfather) gave Tomas the idea of going to the library, but he haven't gone himself? but then again, he speaks only Spanish. The book also moves from oral tradition of telling stories to reading a book with stories. Tomas teaches his family English and also teaches the librarian, Spanish. The depiction of the librarian is realistic in that she initiates contact with Tomas. she doesn't wait for him to ask questions; she welcomes him in, offers him the water foundation for cool water and brings him books to a table. Colon's illustrations reflexes Mexican-American culture with earth tones scratch board pictures.

4. AWARD AND EXCERPTS
 Texas Bluebonnet Master List, 1999-2000                                                                          
 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, Southwest Texas State University, 1998
 Teachers' Choices, International Reading Association, 1998
 Honor Award in the Multicultural and International category. Skipping Stones Magazine, 1998
 Notable Books for Children, Smithsonian, 1997
 (Pat Mora Website. http://www.patmora.com. Assessed Sept. 15, 2010)        

From School Library Journal
"Colon's earthy, sun-warmed colors, textured with swirling lines, add life to this biographical fragment and help portray Tomas's reading adventures in appealing ways."-Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition


5.CONNECTIONS
"Stack this up with Sarah Stewart and David Small's The Library (Farrar, 1995) and Suzanne Williams and Steven Kellogg's Library Lil (Dial, 1997) to demonstrate the impact librarians can have on youngsters." -Barbara Elleman, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


This book may go over well here in Texas, emphasizing the Mexican-aAmerican community and a bilingual household. It may be used when introducing students to library science/ dewey decimal system/ Spanish and early research units.

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
McCloskey, Robert. 1941. Make Way for Ducklings. Ill. by Robert McCloskey. New York: Viking Press.
ISBN 0670451495

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Ducks, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard,  are looking for a perfect new home for their ducklings. Searching all over town and with the help of humans, they find a great place to rise their new-hatched baby ducks.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
McCloskey takes readers on a delightful tale of duck parents looking for a place to hatch their ducklings. Searching the landmarks of Boston, MA., the Mallards hatch their babies but move to another part of Public Gardens. With the help of a police officer, who has been feeding the parents, Mrs. Mallard and the duckling make their way safely to their new home. McCloskey's illustrations, done in charcoal, bring to life the plight and determination of the parent ducks. Especially entertaining is the expression of the ducks when almost being run over by the cyclists. Though in this very scene, Mrs. Mallard "squawked..., all in a dither", may not be understand by young readers. A close-up  illustration of the little ducks as they "grow-up" is adorable.


4. AWARDS AND REVIEWS
1942 Caldecott Medal

From The New York Times (recovered from book jacket) "This brilliantly illustrated, amusingly observed tale of Mallards on the move has won the hearts of generations of readers.  Awarded the Caldecott Medal as 'the most distinguished American picture book for children' in 1941, it has since become a favorite of millions, children and adults alike, as 'one of the merriest picture-book ever...told in very few words with a gravity that underscores the delightful comedy of the pictures'".


5. CONNECTIONS
Make Way for Duckings is a bit long for a preschool story time, it may suit well for elementary students. I think this book may be used in a thematic units on animal habitats; though ducks are considered farm animals, we see them here in the city.

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Henkes, Kevin. 2004. Kitten's First Full Moon. Ill. by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow Books.
ISBN 0060588284

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk and tries different ways to get to it.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Henkes's tale of a kitten who mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk will capture a young reader's attention by his gouache and colored pencils illustrations. The simplicity of black and white will compare to a real night adventure. The layout of large illustrations and text makes for an easy and fast read. The expression on Kitten's face after a misadventure will entertain the reader. Also Henke has captured characteristics of a cat that will bring a smile to a young child.

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCEPTS
Caldecott Medal

From School Library Journal
"An irresistible offering from the multifaceted Henkes".-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
*Starred Review* "Henkes' text, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown's work in the elemental words, rhythms, and appealing sounds, tells a warm, humorous story that's beautifully extended in his shimmering, gray-toned artwork."
-Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

5. CONNECTIONS
"Pair this tale with Frank Asch's classic Moongame (S & S, 1987) and Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's The Sun, the Moon and the Stars (Houghton, 2003) for nocturnal celebrations."-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

This book will be an excellent choice for story time. Listeners can participate with repetition and/or echoing the phrases of "Poor Kitten". Storytellers can initiate predicting thinking.

In a pre-school environment which uses learning centers and /or thematic lessons, this book will emphasize the themes of moon, milk, cats/kittens, and night.