Michelangelo
by Diane Stanley

Bibliography

Stanley, D. (2000). Michelangelo. New York: HarperCollins.  ISBN 0439353793

Summary

We are invited to watch the life of one of the most interesting famous artists in history unfold from beginning to end.  Follow young Michelangelo as he changes homes as a child, becomes an apprentice, and creates the sculpture and paintings we all know and love.

Critical Analysis

Diane Stanley’s illustrations are stunning.  Using watercolors, colored pencils and goache on watercolor paper, Stanley succeeds in creating a believable world in which to place Michelangelo’s art using modern photo manipulation.  The illustrations would steal the show if the writing wasn’t so compelling and the story so interestingly crafted.

With the background and setting prepared by an Author’s Note, we are ready to travel through Michelangelo’s life which Stanley portrays accurately and with vitality.  Stanley never glorifies her subject; she shows Michelangelo as a real person with real flaws even though he is a genius.  Her story is supported by a complete bibliography.  This book is a keeper.

Review Excerpts

*Booklist, “ … her sturdy texts stand up to her strong artwork”

*Kirkus, “ … lavishly illustrated and wonderfully readable.”

*Horn Book, “Stanley captures in words and pictures the essence of Michelangelo..."

Connections

* Pair with Leonardo da Vinci, also by Diane Stanley.  Da Vinci is mentioned as a rival in Michelangelo.

* Here is a link to Diane Stanley’s Biographies and History page on her website.  She has written so many and they are excellent!  I can personally recommend Good Queen Bess, Peter the Great, Bard of Avon, and Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation.

* And here is a link to her newest publications.

Hilter Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow
by Susan Campbell Bartoletti


Bibliography

Bartoletti, S. C. (2005). Hitler youth: Growing up in hitler's shadow. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction.  ISBN 0439353793

Summary

Susan Campbell Bartoletti gives the reader an inside view of life as a child during the rise, reign and fall of one of the world’s most hated men.  Although clearly viewing the story through the lens of history, she writes sympathetically to both children who supported and those who subverted the Nazi Party.  Get your heart tangled up with real German and Jewish children living through what we now consider one of the most appalling times within modern memory.

Critical Analysis

This compelling portrayal of what it was like growing up in or near the Hitler Youth is an emotionally riveting page turner that still manages to be historically accurate and full of detail. The pictures take you back to the time and place discussed and allow you to get to know the young people profiled.

 The organization of the book is one of its strengths.  It has many access features that make the information presented easy to locate after a front to back reading. In addition to the typical Contents, Introduction, Bibliography, Acknowledgements, and Index, Hitler Youth also has a helpful reference called The Young People in this Book, an Epilogue which tells the end of the young peoples’ stories, a Time Line, an Author’s Note, Quote Sources and Photo Information.

This is a hard book to read, not because of the reading level, but because of the content.  Almost as much as you want to turn the page, you want to put it down.  But the truth is the truth and this book tells it. Children can be expected to need to discuss what they read here with a parent or mentor, but a valuable history lesson is learned which hopefully helps children answer the closing question, “What are you willing to do to prevent such a shadow from falling over you and others?”

Review Excerpts

*Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter, “ … this superb book is unreservedly recommended for middle school and high school readers.”

*Kirkus, “ … an attractive format with well-chosen archival photographs make this nonfiction writing at its best.”

*Horn Book, “scrupulously sourced"

Connections

* Pair with the story of Helmuth Hubener from Hitler Youth.  Here is a link to THE BOY WHO DARED: A Novel Based on a True Story by Susan Campbell Bartoletti.

* Here is an excellent video interview with Susan Campbell Bartoletti. She discusses her career, the writing process for nonfiction, and her books Hitler Youth and The Boy Who Dared.  The total interview is 24 minutes. I can not recommend this interview enough.

Gorillas

Gorillas
by Seymour Simon


Bibliography

Simon, S. (2000). Gorillas (1st ed.). New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0060891017 (paperback edition)

Summary

Seymour Simon’s photo essay, Gorillas, reveals in words and photographs interesting details about three types of gorillas, including where they live, what they look like and what they eat.  Family life, social habits, and behaviors common to all three types are also presented.  Simon closes with an explanation of the dangers gorillas face and preservation efforts made by humans on behalf of gorillas.

Critical Analysis

Simon, a trusted name in fun yet accurate science photo essays for children, succeeds again in Gorillas.  The fascinating text keeps you interested in turning pages; but with plenty of white space,  it is not overwhelming for the younger reader.  Vocabulary for the target group, certainly not too easy, provides an appropriate challenge worthy of children interested in scientific topics.

The pictures selected for this book and the layout of the text combine to make a pleasurable, readable book.  The photos complement the text, giving you a visual of what you are learning.  Clear, crisp, brightly colored close-ups put you right next to the gorillas, giving you the feeling that you are getting to know them through their expressions.

Overall, Simon provides and intriguing introduction to gorillas with enough information to satisfy a casual reader and to spur on those who would like to know more.

Review Excerpts

*Booklist, “...creates a striking, powerful impression. Good for browsing as well as reports”

*Kirkus, “...a fluently informative report...”

*Horn Book “...accurate portrayal of these gentle animals."

Connections

* Seymour Science is Seymour Simon’s blog.  He posts about once a month.

* Visit Seymour Simon’s website.  A great listing of all his books, categorized by topic, provides a quick way to find the perfect book needed for lots of science!  There is also a biography and an interview to browse.  The best bit is a page with links to non-commercial science pages!

*Here is a link to seven short video interview clips with Seymour Simon.  He talks about a wide variety of biographical, bibliographic and scientific topics.

Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust            

Written by Karen Hesse

Bibliography 

Hesse, K. (1997). Out of the Dust: A novel. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590360809 

Summary



The reader gets a glimpse into the life of Billy Jo and her family through her journal that spans January 1934 through December 1935.  We follow Billy Jo as she watches her father struggle to grow wheat; her pregnant mother grow bitter and suffer a horrible accident; and the rest of the community endure during the Dust Bowl years of the Depression.  This is a story of growth: Grow along with Billy Jo as getting out of the dust changes meaning over the period of these grueling years. 

Critical Analysis 

Karen Hesse uses free verse to write in the first person, as Billy Jo.  Because the book is set up as a journal or diary, each section having dated poems, the reader is able to see the passage of time. The straightforward, frugal style of the poetry exactly fits the austere nature of the times, yet still allows Hesse to develop Billy Jo as a dynamic character.  

Many of the poems can stand alone, but together they form an indescribably beautiful, yet indescribably sad story.  Even though the story is heart-rending, it never feels hopeless; we see Billy Jo mature and learn to be at peace with her life.  At first Billy Jo thinks getting out of the dust means that she must leave her home, but as she lives the years chronicled in her diary she realizes getting out of the dust can be a mental change, and that she is where she belongs, home.

Review Excerpts

* Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices: “Richly detailed and raw with emotion...”

* The ALAN Review: “Out of the Dust will wrench your gut...”

* Kirkus Reviews: "…a glimpse of beauty wrought from brutal reality."

Connections 

* This is a fabulous site on farming during the 1920s through the 1960s. It has more information on The Dust Bowl with video clips of people who lived through it.  There are also pictures.  Here is a link directly to the information on The Dust Bowl.   Here is a link to more pictures on a different site.

* Here is a link for Apple Pandowdy, mentioned in the book. 

* History and Social Studies teachers have a wonderful opportunity to bridge the curriculum by bringing poetry and historical fiction into their classrooms with this book.  I recommend it as a read aloud in the classroom.  Bring tissue.

*Also available on audio. ISBN 0307284034

Song of the Water Boatman & Other Pond Poems            
Written by Joyce Sidman
Illustrated by Beckie Prange

Bibliography

Sidman, J. and Prange, B. (2005). Song of the water boatman: & other pond poems. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618135472

Summary

Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems has eleven poems paired with eleven scientific explanations each gracing a two page spread filled with a fabulous woodcut print for each.  A table of contents and a glossary complete the text.  Some of the poems and accompanying explanations are “Listen for Me” (Spring Peepers); “Fly, Dragonfly!” (Green Darner); and “Travel Time” (Water Bear).

Critical Analysis

If only this book had been available years ago!  I would have loved to share it with even my older science students.  Why?  Because it is beautifully illustrated by Breckie Prange with detailed, accurate spectacularly hand-colored woodcuts that bring nature study to life.  Prange’s past as a naturalist is evident in the care she takes with her creations.  The poems in this book can easily stand alone, but having these illustrations as partners lifts both poems and illustrations to a higher level.

Joyce Sidman’s poetry, themed around pond life, includes different types, forms and lengths of poetry, providing a pleasing balance that flows through the entire book.  Some of the poems rhyme, some are in free verse, some have stanzas, some travel playfully around the page, all are meaningful and fun to read.  And just to add icing to the cake, Sidman includes a clear, concise explanation to accompany each poem which makes these beautiful poems even more valuable.  The poems provide pleasure on their own; with the additional information, this becomes a resource.

I can’t pass up the opportunity to share another favorite poem.  I can’t get enough of “Diving Beetle’s Food-Sharing Rules.”

Diving Beetle’s Food Sharing Rules

Any type of larva is mine,
as well as all tadpoles, minnows, and newts.
Sticklebacks, caddis flies, spiders,
and small frogs of any kind – mine.
Snails eggs, and bugs – all mine.
In short,
if it moves, it is mine.
If it’s anywhere near me, it is mine.
If I’m hungry (and I’m always hungry),
it is mine, mine, mine.

And if, by chance, I choose
to crawl up yonder smartweed,
bask for a bit,
open my armored wings,
and fly about my kingdom
(within which everything is mine),
do not forget what is mine,
For if I return
and you have taken it
YOU
are mine.

By Joyce Sidman

So who can I can share this book with now?  You can rest assured that both of my children will own a copy and nieces’ and nephews’ birthday gifts are planned for the next year.

Review Excerpts

* Booklist:  “In this strikingly illustrated collection, science facts combine with vivid poems about pond life through the seasons.” Gillian Engberg

* Children's Literature: “...a pleasure to read aloud.”

* Library Media Connection: "...an amazing collection of naturalist poetry and stunning woodcut illustrations."

Connections

* Beckie Prange’s website can be found here.  She provides information on woodcut art and sells card sets from Song of the Water Boatman.

* Here is Joyce Sidman’s website.  Children can send poems to her which may end up on her site.  She has a fabulous page called Poem Starters that teachers, librarians and parents can use in poetry activities.  Check out the other pages, too!

* This book is a perfect companion to nature studies in the science classroom.  I’d recommend it as an easy way to introduce poetry across the curriculum - kind of like a spoonful of sugar!

mammalabilia

mammalabilia              

by Douglas Forian

Bibliography  

Florian, D. (2000). Mammalabilia. New York: Harcourt, Inc.  ISBN 0152021671

Summary

Douglas Florian’s mammalabilia consists of twenty-one short poems about wild animals.  Each poem is accompanied by Florian’s interpretive paintings of the animals.  A sampling of titles to whet your whistle?  Okay, here are a few: The Aardvarks, The Tapir, The Bear, The Rhebok, and The Mule.  You can find just the one you want to read by using the table of contents located at the front of the book.

Critical Analysis

These poems are funny, hilarious!  Each one is simple, short and sweet, but the rhythm and rhyme are so appealing that you can read them again and again.  Florian can fit so much imagery into so few words; these poems will fill your mind with pictures.  Some of the poems themselves are pictures, for example, the words of The Camel are shaped into two humps, and the words of The Porcupine form spines.

Your mind doesn’t form pictures well? Never mind. Douglas Florian takes care of that with just right paintings done on primed brown paper bags.  How appropriate for an environmentally themed book of poems! These paintings will appeal to the younger set, and they complement the simplicity and joviality of the poems themselves. Of course we all pick favorites in a book of poems. Mine is "The Mule." Imagine this poem set opposite a full page painting of a mule whose legs have become tree trunks, humorously illustrating the last line. His hind leg/trunk is currently occupied by a woodpecker!

The Mule

Voice of the mule:  bray

Hue of the mule:  bay

Fuel of the mule:  hay

Rule of the mule:  stay

Young children and the adults who read to them will enjoy sharing these poems with each other.

Review Excerpts

* School Library Journal  “Florian has created a zoological garden of delights.”

* Kirkus “His verses are witty and succinct, but perfectly descriptive.”

* Publishers Weekly "...brims with whimsy and fun. An irresistible homage to mammal memorabilia."

Connections

* Pair this title with Mary Ann Hoberman and Malcah Zeldis's A Fine Fat Pig (HarperCollins, 1991) to show children the diversity of images that animals may evoke for poets and artists. (Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.)

* Here is Douglas Florian’s blog.  On it you will find links to all his other books, plus lots of poetry.  This blogs seems to be aimed at adults, perhaps parents of his fans.

* My nine year old daughter thought this was an excellent book, poems and illustrations.  My twelve year old son thought the poems were “really funny”, except the ones that you had to twist the book to read – that bugged him. The illustrations just didn’t appeal to him.  

* Douglas Florian is an artist as well as a poet.  View his art, his thoughts about his art, and his resume here.