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.