1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Armstrong, Jennifer. 1998. SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: THE EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY OF SHACKLETON AND THE ENDURANCE. New York, New York. Crown Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0517800136.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: THE EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY OF SHACKLETON AND THE ENDURANCE is the inconceivable survival account of Ernest Shackleton, who endeavors to cross the Antarctic continent in 1914. Shackleton, with his crew of twenty-seven men, ends up confined on an ice pack for seven months. When the ice finally crushes Ernest Shackleton’s ship, he and crew survives another five months on the moving ice floes. Shackleton and his crew travels
through stormy seas to the cast off Elephant Island. Shackleton and his crew are finally rescued two years after they had set out on their expedition. This happens when Shackleton and five crew members travels eight hundred miles in an open boat to get help. The saga ends happily with all crew members surviving the unimaginable ordeal.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: THE TRUE STORY OF SHACKELTON AND THE ENDURANCE is a biography written in prose form by Jennifer Armstrong. Jennifer Armstrong is a multitalented author of series books for young and older readers. Armstrong is also the writer of chapter books for young and adult readers. She is the author of picture books and young and adult novels too. On Mrs. Armstrong’s web page, she enlightens her readers with why she shifts from fiction writing to nonfiction writing in SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: THE EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY OF SHACKLETON AND THE ENDURANCE. Mrs. Armstrong states, "I always thought it was one of the greatest adventures I had ever heard about. At the time, nobody had written a book about the voyage for kids, so when I decided I'd like to try writing nonfiction, I picked this story to write." Armstrong’s accounts of this extraordinary journey is conveyed through journals, memoirs, and Ernest Shackleton and other crew members diaries. For example, Shackleton writes in his journal, “Mighty blocks of ice, gripped between meeting floes, rose slowly until they jumped like cherrystones squeezed between thumb and finger.” Further Harry McNeish writes in his diary, “As the wind increased, it gained a grip on the broken ice and began driving it relentlessly against the ship. ’All hands is standing bye, we had a slight shot last. . .there was a noise under the bottom aft the same as if the ice had broken up. . .the Boss thinks it was a whale but I think different.’”
The cover of this biography is extremely impressive and appealing. This book reads like a narrative. For instance, Armstrong writes, “The penguins did not disappear. They seemed to be stuck on Elephant Island along with the men. As the weeks lengthened into months of captivity, the men could not help feeling twinges of despair. But every morning the ever-optimistic Wild rolled up his sleeping bag and said to the men, ‘Get your things ready, boys. The Boss may come today.’”
The font utilized in this amazing text is not large. In addition, there is a great deal of white space and over forty fascinating copies of black and white photographs saved from the hundreds that Frank Harley had to thrust aside. Shackelton saves his reproductions of the photographs as his documentation of his enthralling adventure.
Jennifer Armstrong’s SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD is organized in a logical and coherent format. The framework for the subject matter is clear and in sequential order. Included in this biography is a contents page, a photograph and a list of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition crew, the original plans of the ship Endurance, maps of the Endurance expedition of 1914-1916, epilogue, acknowledgments, bibliography, and an index.
Jennifer Armstrong’s reveals through her description of the crew’s adventures, a story of sheer courage and strength of the crew of the Endurance. This biography is a must for ages ten and above who love to read nonfiction.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
”Grade 6 Up-Filled with intriguing details and written with dramatic style, this riveting account of the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition reads like an adventure novel. In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton attempted to be the first explorer to cross Antarctica by foot "from sea to sea." On the eve of World War I, he set out with a crew of scientists and sailors on a specially designed ship, Endurance, but he and his team never reached their objective. The ship became entrapped in ice, and the men were forced to abandon their mission and try to survive in the brutally harsh Antarctic wasteland for 19 months. Thanks to Shackleton's leadership, the bravery of his crew, and a lot of luck, everyone survived. The astonishing circumstances of their ordeal include a treacherous hike across miles of frozen wasteland, an 800-mile open-boat journey through savage seas, and a perilous trek across the uncharted mountain ranges of South Georgia Island. Armstrong brings all of these experiences vividly to life, frequently using quotes from members of the expedition. Excellent black-and-white photographs taken during the journey document the entire adventure story. Elizabeth Cody Kimmel's Ice Story (Clarion, 1999) has larger and more plentiful photographs but Armstrong's text is far more engaging. Kimmel relates all of the facts skillfully, but Armstrong crafts them into an unforgettable story of true heroism and the triumph of the human spirit. A look that will capture the attention and imagination of any reader.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS:
”( Mairhe Mehan, 1996, etc.) narrates the incredible survival saga of Ernest Shackleton, who with a crew of 27 attempted to cross the Antarctic continent in 1914, and ended up trapped in their ship in the ice pack for seven months. When their ship was finally crushed by the ice they survived for another five months on the moving ice floes, traveled through storm-tossed seas to an uninhabited island, and were rescued, two years after they had set out, after Shackleton and five of his crew traveled 800 miles in an open boat to get help. This unbelievable story is enhanced by the vigorous prose; from the captivating introduction through the epilogue, it is the writing as much as the story that will rivet readers. The black-and-white photos, taken mostly on glass plates by the expedition's photographer, Frank Hurley, survived along with the men and are of exceptional quality.”
Publishers Weekly: "Armstrong's absorbing storytelling, illustrated with dramatic black-and-white photographs, makes this an enthralling adventure."
5. CONNECTIONS
*As a social studies lesson, allow students to chart the expedition of the Endurance.
* http://www.jennifer-armstrong.com/
*Other non-fiction books by Jennifer Armstrong:
Armstrong, Jennifer.
SHATTERED: STORIES OF CHILDREN AND WAR. ISBN 0440237653
Armstrong, Jennifer. POCKETS. ISBN 0517709260
Armstrong, Jennifer. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: THEODORE ROOSEVELT LETTERS FROM A YOUNG COAL MINER. ISBN 1890817275
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Montgomery, Sy. 2006. THE GOOD GOOD PIG: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER HOGWOOD. Detriot, MI: Thorndike Press. ISBN 0786289511
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Sy Montgomery is a naturalist who would spend many months living on her own in remote areas, such as the Amazon. Montgomery reveals her life with a family pet named Christopher Hogwood. “Christopher Hogwood came home on my lap in a shoebox. He was a creature who would prove in many ways to be more human than I am.” Christopher not only survived his runt beginnings of seven pounds, but also flourished into a seven hundred and fifty pound hog. The life and times of Christopher Hogwood is inspiring to all readers. During Christopher’s fourteen years of life, he taught the rural New Hampshire community many lessons which includes, supporting your community, the value of family and friends, the ability to be self-accepting, and never giving up. After reading this book, I will never eat pork again.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
THE GOOD GOOD PIG is a wonderful chronicle of a pig named Christopher Hogwood. This narrative acquaints the reader with Christopher Hogwood and Sy Montgomery’s life story. This book includes interesting facts about pigs and pig lore. For instance, there are more than three hundred different breeds from around the world, from the fat Poland China developed in Ohio to the long-bodied Yorkshire from England. From New Zealand breeders come the small, docile Kune-Kunes, with cute dewlaps hanging from the lower jaw. From the Austro-Hungarian Empire came the fleecy-coated Swallow-Bellied Mangalitsa, bred for meat suited to Hungarian salami” In addition, “For their strength and cunning, wild pigs were emulated by warrior, invoked by wizards, consulted by soothsayers. In pre-Christian Europe, fortune-tellers looked into the fresh livers of pigs to see the future, for it was said their organs reflected the divine rays sent down by the gods.”
This book consists of six-paged colored photographs, which informs the reader of interesting tidbits about Christopher Hogwood. For example, on the first page of the two colored photograph spread, Montgomery writes,“ Even when he began to bulk up, at first, Chris stayed about the size of a cat.”
This book reveals to readers the relationship Mrs. Montgomery had with her parents. Montgomery tells the reader how her parents did not approve of her husband. Montgomery states, “When we announced our plans to marry, Howard came to Virginia. My father was pained. He knew what was in store. My mother was livid. Speaking to me even more slowly than her Arkansas accent normally flowed, as if belaboring the obvious. She detailed Howard’s unsuitability: he didn’t have a ‘real’ job, he laughed too loudly, his hair was wild, and his sneakers were coming untied. Then attempting to sound sympathetic, she added, ‘And he can’t help it that he’s Jewish.’”
Sy Montgomery’s THE GOOD GOOD PIG THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER HOGWOOD is a must read for middle school age to adults. This book is filled with clever humor. I enjoyed reading this book and learning interesting facts about pigs and Sy Montgomery’s adventurous life.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Montgomery's books on exotic wildlife (Journey of the Pink Dolphins, etc.) take her to the far corners of the world, but the
story of her closest relationships with the animal kingdom plays out in her own New England backyard. When she adopts a sickly runt from a litter of pigs, naming him Christopher Hogwood after the symphony conductor, raising him for slaughter isn't an option: Montgomery's a vegetarian and her husband is Jewish. Refitting their barn to accommodate a (mostly) secure sty, they keep Christopher as a pet. As he swells to 750 pounds, he becomes a local celebrity, getting loose frequently enough that the local police officer knows to carry spare apples to lure him back home. The pig also bonds with Montgomery's neighbors, especially two children who come over to help feed him and rub his tummy. Montgomery's love for Christopher (and later for Tess, an adopted border collie) dominates the memoir's emotional space, but she's also demonstrably grateful for the friendships the pig sparks within her community. The humor with which she recounts Christopher's meticulous eating habits and love of digging up turf is sure to charm readers.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Adult/High School–For
writer and world traveler Montgomery, the grounding force of her New Hampshire home was a 750-pound pig. This book is not merely a chronicle of her love for and life with Christopher Hogwood, but also a testament to the lessons learned through her 14-year relationship with him. Usually preferring the company of animals to most people, Montgomery developed an extensive network of friends who were willing to cache and freeze their food scraps for the always grateful, bottomless pig. In turn, these friends witnessed an enjoyment of life's bounty as only a pig can experience–with utter abandon. Montgomery's delightful anecdotes about Christopher's personality, neighborhood wanderings, and haute skin care à la Pig Spa are entwined with biographical details about her family life and fascinating animal-research projects. Christopher was undoubtedly Montgomery's muse for this introspective account of personal growth and her underlying mantra of caring for all the Earth's creatures. He also helped her weather the pain of intractable parents who would not accept their Jewish son-in-law. Like Montgomery's earlier books, this title blends facts about animal behavior, natural history, geography, and culture with myths, legends, and a large helping of adventure. The color photographs of Christopher from runt to virtual behemoth are an added attraction. More importantly, the author's engaging writing style will captivate even the most uninspired teen readers.”
BOOKLIST: “Starred Review No less an authority
than the great biologist E. O. Wilson has affirmed the significance of our intrinsic affinity for other living organisms, our biophilia, and it's obvious from naturalist Montgomery's unforgettable books about tigers, pink dolphins, and the golden moon bear that she is an animal lover of the first order. Now she chronicles the life of the animal her life revolved around for 14 years, a pig named Christopher Hogwood: 750 pounds of bliss, affection, and good cheer. Even as a runt he had a special aura, and once Montgomery and her husband, the writer Howard Mansfield, nursed him into robust health on their New Hampshire homestead, he proved to be an exceptionally intelligent, sociable, and loving companion, if rather demanding. It took a village to keep Christopher fed and entertained, and Montgomery's descriptions of Christopher's amazing adventures and celebrity status are hilarious, enchanting, and deeply affecting. Joyful and serene, smart and friendly, Christopher soothed many a troubled heart, and Montgomery writes with extraordinary lucidity, candor, and grace about what this good, good pig taught her and others about life, love, happiness, and all that we share with our fellow species on this precious planet.”
CONNECTIONS
*Arrange for an employee of an animal care-facility to be a guest speaker in your classroom.
*Plan a school class fundraising activity such as a car wash or bike-a-thon to help our local animal shelters.
*Investigate volunteering at The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
*Allow students to bring pictures of their pets to school and discuss how the pet(s) have changed their lives.
*Other books written by Sy Montgomery:
Montgomery, Sy. SEARCH FOR THE GOLDEN MOON BEAR: SCIENCE AND ADVENTURE IN THE ASIAN TROPICS. ISBN 0743205847
Montgomery, Sy. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA. ISBN 0618496416
Montgomery, Sy. JOURNEY OF THE PINK DOLPHIN: AN AMAZON QUEST. ISBN 0753156083
Montgomery, Sy. 2006. THE GOOD GOOD PIG: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER HOGWOOD. Detriot, MI: Thorndike Press. ISBN 0786289511
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Sy Montgomery is a naturalist who would spend many months living on her own in remote areas, such as the Amazon. Montgomery reveals her life with a family pet named Christopher Hogwood. “Christopher Hogwood came home on my lap in a shoebox. He was a creature who would prove in many ways to be more human than I am.” Christopher not only survived his runt beginnings of seven pounds, but also flourished into a seven hundred and fifty pound hog. The life and times of Christopher Hogwood is inspiring to all readers. During Christopher’s fourteen years of life, he taught the rural New Hampshire community many lessons which includes, supporting your community, the value of family and friends, the ability to be self-accepting, and never giving up. After reading this book, I will never eat pork again.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
THE GOOD GOOD PIG is a wonderful chronicle of a pig named Christopher Hogwood. This narrative acquaints the reader with Christopher Hogwood and Sy Montgomery’s life story. This book includes interesting facts about pigs and pig lore. For instance, there are more than three hundred different breeds from around the world, from the fat Poland China developed in Ohio to the long-bodied Yorkshire from England. From New Zealand breeders come the small, docile Kune-Kunes, with cute dewlaps hanging from the lower jaw. From the Austro-Hungarian Empire came the fleecy-coated Swallow-Bellied Mangalitsa, bred for meat suited to Hungarian salami” In addition, “For their strength and cunning, wild pigs were emulated by warrior, invoked by wizards, consulted by soothsayers. In pre-Christian Europe, fortune-tellers looked into the fresh livers of pigs to see the future, for it was said their organs reflected the divine rays sent down by the gods.”
This book consists of six-paged colored photographs, which informs the reader of interesting tidbits about Christopher Hogwood. For example, on the first page of the two colored photograph spread, Montgomery writes,“ Even when he began to bulk up, at first, Chris stayed about the size of a cat.”
This book reveals to readers the relationship Mrs. Montgomery had with her parents. Montgomery tells the reader how her parents did not approve of her husband. Montgomery states, “When we announced our plans to marry, Howard came to Virginia. My father was pained. He knew what was in store. My mother was livid. Speaking to me even more slowly than her Arkansas accent normally flowed, as if belaboring the obvious. She detailed Howard’s unsuitability: he didn’t have a ‘real’ job, he laughed too loudly, his hair was wild, and his sneakers were coming untied. Then attempting to sound sympathetic, she added, ‘And he can’t help it that he’s Jewish.’”
Sy Montgomery’s THE GOOD GOOD PIG THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER HOGWOOD is a must read for middle school age to adults. This book is filled with clever humor. I enjoyed reading this book and learning interesting facts about pigs and Sy Montgomery’s adventurous life.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Montgomery's books on exotic wildlife (Journey of the Pink Dolphins, etc.) take her to the far corners of the world, but the
story of her closest relationships with the animal kingdom plays out in her own New England backyard. When she adopts a sickly runt from a litter of pigs, naming him Christopher Hogwood after the symphony conductor, raising him for slaughter isn't an option: Montgomery's a vegetarian and her husband is Jewish. Refitting their barn to accommodate a (mostly) secure sty, they keep Christopher as a pet. As he swells to 750 pounds, he becomes a local celebrity, getting loose frequently enough that the local police officer knows to carry spare apples to lure him back home. The pig also bonds with Montgomery's neighbors, especially two children who come over to help feed him and rub his tummy. Montgomery's love for Christopher (and later for Tess, an adopted border collie) dominates the memoir's emotional space, but she's also demonstrably grateful for the friendships the pig sparks within her community. The humor with which she recounts Christopher's meticulous eating habits and love of digging up turf is sure to charm readers.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Adult/High School–For
writer and world traveler Montgomery, the grounding force of her New Hampshire home was a 750-pound pig. This book is not merely a chronicle of her love for and life with Christopher Hogwood, but also a testament to the lessons learned through her 14-year relationship with him. Usually preferring the company of animals to most people, Montgomery developed an extensive network of friends who were willing to cache and freeze their food scraps for the always grateful, bottomless pig. In turn, these friends witnessed an enjoyment of life's bounty as only a pig can experience–with utter abandon. Montgomery's delightful anecdotes about Christopher's personality, neighborhood wanderings, and haute skin care à la Pig Spa are entwined with biographical details about her family life and fascinating animal-research projects. Christopher was undoubtedly Montgomery's muse for this introspective account of personal growth and her underlying mantra of caring for all the Earth's creatures. He also helped her weather the pain of intractable parents who would not accept their Jewish son-in-law. Like Montgomery's earlier books, this title blends facts about animal behavior, natural history, geography, and culture with myths, legends, and a large helping of adventure. The color photographs of Christopher from runt to virtual behemoth are an added attraction. More importantly, the author's engaging writing style will captivate even the most uninspired teen readers.”
BOOKLIST: “Starred Review No less an authority
than the great biologist E. O. Wilson has affirmed the significance of our intrinsic affinity for other living organisms, our biophilia, and it's obvious from naturalist Montgomery's unforgettable books about tigers, pink dolphins, and the golden moon bear that she is an animal lover of the first order. Now she chronicles the life of the animal her life revolved around for 14 years, a pig named Christopher Hogwood: 750 pounds of bliss, affection, and good cheer. Even as a runt he had a special aura, and once Montgomery and her husband, the writer Howard Mansfield, nursed him into robust health on their New Hampshire homestead, he proved to be an exceptionally intelligent, sociable, and loving companion, if rather demanding. It took a village to keep Christopher fed and entertained, and Montgomery's descriptions of Christopher's amazing adventures and celebrity status are hilarious, enchanting, and deeply affecting. Joyful and serene, smart and friendly, Christopher soothed many a troubled heart, and Montgomery writes with extraordinary lucidity, candor, and grace about what this good, good pig taught her and others about life, love, happiness, and all that we share with our fellow species on this precious planet.”
CONNECTIONS
*Arrange for an employee of an animal care-facility to be a guest speaker in your classroom.
*Plan a school class fundraising activity such as a car wash or bike-a-thon to help our local animal shelters.
*Investigate volunteering at The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
*Allow students to bring pictures of their pets to school and discuss how the pet(s) have changed their lives.
*Other books written by Sy Montgomery:
Montgomery, Sy. SEARCH FOR THE GOLDEN MOON BEAR: SCIENCE AND ADVENTURE IN THE ASIAN TROPICS. ISBN 0743205847
Montgomery, Sy. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA. ISBN 0618496416
Montgomery, Sy. JOURNEY OF THE PINK DOLPHIN: AN AMAZON QUEST. ISBN 0753156083
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. 1991. SNAKES. 1992. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0-06-0229-752
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This is a very interesting book about snakes. The information included in this book are about the snake’s predators, their prey, the way they survive, and how they live. Also, included in SNAKES are visually captivating photographs. Readers will learn about the snake’s characteristics, habits, and the natural environment of all kinds of snakes.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Seymour Simon is the author of over two hundred and fifty well written science trade books. The National Science Teachers Association has named over half of these books Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children. Therefore, the information presented in SNAKES is very accurate. For example, my children loved reading these facts, “Giant snakes sometimes attack people, but they almost never try to eat them. One reason is that most humans are just too large and too quick to be caught easily. Another reason is that humans are smart and in a group can help one another fend off the snake. If a giant snake does attack a person, it is probably because the snake mistakes the person for an animal that it normally preys upon. A person is more likely to be hit by lightning than attacked by a giant snake.” My students enjoy reading these facts about giant snakes. This trade book is very engaging and appropriate for young readers. The organization of SNAKES is sufficient. There are no reference aids in this book. This trade book is without subheadings, no table of contents, and no index page. Even though these reference aids are missing, SNAKES is a good read aloud and browsing trade book.
My second grade students loved the photographs. The full-page photographs are remarkable. My students were thrilled to see the photograph of the cobra. The photographs complement the text. The size of font and the photographs clearly communicate the subject matter effectively. The overall layout of SNAKES is appropriate to the subject matter. After reading this book, my students were drawing pictures of cobras, vipers, and boas for days. This trade book by Seymour Simon, illustrate the brilliance of his work. Simons writing is interesting and offers the reader the opportunity to want to learn more about snakes. I utilize Simon’s work in my curriculum because he is an outstanding author of children’s trade books, his writing is accurate, and his knowledge of the subject matter is exceptional.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Grade 1-4-- An attractive, well-written easy reader. Demuth looks
at how several types of snakes live, what they eat, and how they protect themselves. Comparisons are made between small and large varieties, and between snakes and familiar objects in order to describe their size and weight. Some facts are merely mentioned with little or no follow-up, e.g., How is the snake's venom used for medicine? How does a cobra know to raise its head and look around in response to a snake charmer? Moffatt's cut-paper illustrations are interesting, colorful, and well designed. While not as naturalistic as photographs or some representational art, the collage technique has the advantage of appearing three dimensional and does a fine job of conveying movement and texture. Alexandra Parsons's Amazing Snakes (McKay, 1990) offers similar coverage, and its full-color photographs effectively enhance its informational value. Make a place for Snakes in primary-level nonfiction collections.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “The dramatic cover photo of an orangey-gold boa snaking from a black background will insure
that this doesn't sit long on the shelf. Inside, riveting full-page color photos on every spread and the clearly written (if rather difficult) text on life cycle, anatomy, reproduction, classification, movement, diet, and poisonous snakes will also draw an appreciative audience. Another winner from the prolific, reliable Simon. insure that this doesn't sit long on the shelf. Inside,
riveting full-page color photos on every spread and the clearly written (if rather difficult) text on life cycle, anatomy, reproduction, classification, movement, diet, and poisonous snakes will also draw an appreciative audience. Another winner from the prolific, reliable Simon.”
BOOKLIST: “Simon offers a clear, siccinct text illuminated with stunning, large color photographs of these graceful felines.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Allow students to categorize Seymour Simon’s books according to subjects.
*Students will use the computer and trade books on snakes. Students will choose a snake from SNAKES and draw a picture of their favorite snake. Students will write interesting facts about their snake. Students will share their final product with the class. Place all completed work on the bulletin board in the classroom.
*Other books by Seymour Simon:
Simon, Seymour. GIANT SNAKES. ISBN 0811854116
Simon, Seymour. WEATHER. ISBN 0688175211X
Simon, Seymour. TORNADOES. ISBN 0788146465
Simon, Seymour. STARS. ISBN 0060890002
Simon, Seymour. OCEANS. ISBN 0688094538
* http: www.seymoursimon.com
Simon, Seymour. 1991. SNAKES. 1992. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0-06-0229-752
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This is a very interesting book about snakes. The information included in this book are about the snake’s predators, their prey, the way they survive, and how they live. Also, included in SNAKES are visually captivating photographs. Readers will learn about the snake’s characteristics, habits, and the natural environment of all kinds of snakes.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Seymour Simon is the author of over two hundred and fifty well written science trade books. The National Science Teachers Association has named over half of these books Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children. Therefore, the information presented in SNAKES is very accurate. For example, my children loved reading these facts, “Giant snakes sometimes attack people, but they almost never try to eat them. One reason is that most humans are just too large and too quick to be caught easily. Another reason is that humans are smart and in a group can help one another fend off the snake. If a giant snake does attack a person, it is probably because the snake mistakes the person for an animal that it normally preys upon. A person is more likely to be hit by lightning than attacked by a giant snake.” My students enjoy reading these facts about giant snakes. This trade book is very engaging and appropriate for young readers. The organization of SNAKES is sufficient. There are no reference aids in this book. This trade book is without subheadings, no table of contents, and no index page. Even though these reference aids are missing, SNAKES is a good read aloud and browsing trade book.
My second grade students loved the photographs. The full-page photographs are remarkable. My students were thrilled to see the photograph of the cobra. The photographs complement the text. The size of font and the photographs clearly communicate the subject matter effectively. The overall layout of SNAKES is appropriate to the subject matter. After reading this book, my students were drawing pictures of cobras, vipers, and boas for days. This trade book by Seymour Simon, illustrate the brilliance of his work. Simons writing is interesting and offers the reader the opportunity to want to learn more about snakes. I utilize Simon’s work in my curriculum because he is an outstanding author of children’s trade books, his writing is accurate, and his knowledge of the subject matter is exceptional.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Grade 1-4-- An attractive, well-written easy reader. Demuth looks
at how several types of snakes live, what they eat, and how they protect themselves. Comparisons are made between small and large varieties, and between snakes and familiar objects in order to describe their size and weight. Some facts are merely mentioned with little or no follow-up, e.g., How is the snake's venom used for medicine? How does a cobra know to raise its head and look around in response to a snake charmer? Moffatt's cut-paper illustrations are interesting, colorful, and well designed. While not as naturalistic as photographs or some representational art, the collage technique has the advantage of appearing three dimensional and does a fine job of conveying movement and texture. Alexandra Parsons's Amazing Snakes (McKay, 1990) offers similar coverage, and its full-color photographs effectively enhance its informational value. Make a place for Snakes in primary-level nonfiction collections.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “The dramatic cover photo of an orangey-gold boa snaking from a black background will insure
that this doesn't sit long on the shelf. Inside, riveting full-page color photos on every spread and the clearly written (if rather difficult) text on life cycle, anatomy, reproduction, classification, movement, diet, and poisonous snakes will also draw an appreciative audience. Another winner from the prolific, reliable Simon. insure that this doesn't sit long on the shelf. Inside,
riveting full-page color photos on every spread and the clearly written (if rather difficult) text on life cycle, anatomy, reproduction, classification, movement, diet, and poisonous snakes will also draw an appreciative audience. Another winner from the prolific, reliable Simon.”
BOOKLIST: “Simon offers a clear, siccinct text illuminated with stunning, large color photographs of these graceful felines.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Allow students to categorize Seymour Simon’s books according to subjects.
*Students will use the computer and trade books on snakes. Students will choose a snake from SNAKES and draw a picture of their favorite snake. Students will write interesting facts about their snake. Students will share their final product with the class. Place all completed work on the bulletin board in the classroom.
*Other books by Seymour Simon:
Simon, Seymour. GIANT SNAKES. ISBN 0811854116
Simon, Seymour. WEATHER. ISBN 0688175211X
Simon, Seymour. TORNADOES. ISBN 0788146465
Simon, Seymour. STARS. ISBN 0060890002
Simon, Seymour. OCEANS. ISBN 0688094538
* http: www.seymoursimon.com
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
THE FROGS WORE RED SUSPENDERS
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Prelutsky, Jack. 2002. THE FROGS WORE RED SUSPENDERS. Ill. by Petra Mathers. Greenwillow Books. New York, New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0688167195
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Jack Prelutsky’s twenty-eight modern classic poems are nonsensical. These poems are centered around a geographical theme, which covers Canada and fifteen states. For example, there are poems about people and animals, set in such places as South Dakota, Atlanta, Minot, Indianapolis, Kentucky, Minneapolis, Tuscaloosa, Tucumcari, and the Grand Canyon.”
Children will delight in the Poem entitled “Peanut Peg and Peanut Pete.” This is a very catchy poem filled with rhyme and rhythm. For example, “Peanut cookies, peanut cakes, peanut butter shakes, peanut ices, peanut pies, peanut sauce, and peanut fries!”
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jack Prelutsky’s collection of poetry is entertaining and fun, especially when read aloud. His writing is in the traditional poetic form. He utilizes word play, alliteration, and puns. Prelutsky achieves humor through strong word play. For instance, the poem “Sarah Small” is rich in internal rhyme and a nonsense theme. “Near pajamas, row on row, multicolored sweaters grow. Neckties flutter in the breeze underneath the mitten trees.” Further, in the poem “Barnaby Boone” Prelutsky’s utilization of unpredictable rhymes appeal to readers of all ages. For example, “He drifted up north, and he drifted out east, until he had finished the last of his feast. He ran out of food, so he came back to earth, landing his yellow balloon in Fort Worth.”
Petra Mathers’ illustrations are in watercolors. Mathers’ use of watercolors communicates subtle thematic tone in each poem. Moreover, each drawing is entertaining, humorous, and compelling images that connect perfectly with the poems. Readers are thrilled with the subplots in many of the illustrations. Petra Mathers illustrations accurately complement Jack Prelutsky’s poetry.
My students love the illustrations in this poetry book. They especially enjoy the drawings of “Baby in a High Chair” and “One Old Owl.” Many of my students were drawing the baby boy and the owl over and over again in their journals. This is an excellent poetry book.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Prechool-Grade 3- -The prolific poet is back with an illustrator who matches him in freshness and simplicity. The poems offer vivid glimpses of life; have a beginning, middle, and end; and have a clear underlying music and flow. The selections are for slightly younger audience than much of Prelutsky’s work: Some poems are as simple as MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES (“Baby in a high chair,/baby in a bib,/baby in a stroller,/baby in a crib”), while others would make great flannelboard rhymes for sharing with four-and five-year-olds (“In her garden, Sarah Small/grows galoshes, short and tall./Shirts of yellow, hats of red/beautify her flower bed”) Many of the 28 poems play with American place names, from Tuscaloosa to Tucumcari, and might enliven a geography lesson. Mathers’s wonderful watercolors highlight her talents for color and expression. Her treatment of light is lovely, especially in her delicate and exquisite skies, while the comic dignity of some of her creatures, such as the frogs in red suspenders, suits Prelutsky’s mood just right. A superb choice.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:”In these 28 poems that alight everywhere from Tuscaloosa to El Paso, Winnemucca to the Grand Canyon, ‘the rhymes flow easily, set to a consistently bouncy beat that makes reading them aloud effortless,’ wrote PW. ‘The watercolors exude a puckish charm well matched to the nimble word play.’”
PARENT’S CHOICE: “The prolific and talented Jack Prelutsky offers yet another collection of newly-minted nonsense verse. There’s a fresh wrinkle in this volume: Exotic place names of various cities and towns across the nation-Minneapolis, Winnemucca and El Paso, to name a few-figure in the rhymes. The title verse is one of the exception, as is this reviewer’s favorite, There was a Tiny Baker (“Who had a tiny shop / he baked a tiny cook / with frosting on the top.” Etc.) Petra Mather’s bright and cheery watercolor illustrations are a decided asset to an uneven but enjoyable work.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*In the art center, students will create a frog puppet wearing red suspenders. After creating their puppets, students are to share their puppets with the class, as the teacher reads “The Frog Wore Red Suspenders.”
*Allow students to choose their favorite illustration from the book. Using watercolors, students are to draw and paint their favorite illustration. Display students work on the wall.
*Allow Students to read aloud “Granny Gooding.” After reading aloud the poem, students are to illustrate the poem in their journals.
*Other books by Jack Prelutsky include:
Prelutsky, Jack. THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK. ISBN 0807202460
Prelutsky, Jack. A PIZZA THE SIZE OF THE SUN. ISBN 1415918007
Prelutsky, Jack. JACK PRELUTSKY”S BIG COLLECTION. ISBN 0807284289
Prelutsky, Jack. 2002. THE FROGS WORE RED SUSPENDERS. Ill. by Petra Mathers. Greenwillow Books. New York, New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0688167195
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Jack Prelutsky’s twenty-eight modern classic poems are nonsensical. These poems are centered around a geographical theme, which covers Canada and fifteen states. For example, there are poems about people and animals, set in such places as South Dakota, Atlanta, Minot, Indianapolis, Kentucky, Minneapolis, Tuscaloosa, Tucumcari, and the Grand Canyon.”
Children will delight in the Poem entitled “Peanut Peg and Peanut Pete.” This is a very catchy poem filled with rhyme and rhythm. For example, “Peanut cookies, peanut cakes, peanut butter shakes, peanut ices, peanut pies, peanut sauce, and peanut fries!”
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jack Prelutsky’s collection of poetry is entertaining and fun, especially when read aloud. His writing is in the traditional poetic form. He utilizes word play, alliteration, and puns. Prelutsky achieves humor through strong word play. For instance, the poem “Sarah Small” is rich in internal rhyme and a nonsense theme. “Near pajamas, row on row, multicolored sweaters grow. Neckties flutter in the breeze underneath the mitten trees.” Further, in the poem “Barnaby Boone” Prelutsky’s utilization of unpredictable rhymes appeal to readers of all ages. For example, “He drifted up north, and he drifted out east, until he had finished the last of his feast. He ran out of food, so he came back to earth, landing his yellow balloon in Fort Worth.”
Petra Mathers’ illustrations are in watercolors. Mathers’ use of watercolors communicates subtle thematic tone in each poem. Moreover, each drawing is entertaining, humorous, and compelling images that connect perfectly with the poems. Readers are thrilled with the subplots in many of the illustrations. Petra Mathers illustrations accurately complement Jack Prelutsky’s poetry.
My students love the illustrations in this poetry book. They especially enjoy the drawings of “Baby in a High Chair” and “One Old Owl.” Many of my students were drawing the baby boy and the owl over and over again in their journals. This is an excellent poetry book.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Prechool-Grade 3- -The prolific poet is back with an illustrator who matches him in freshness and simplicity. The poems offer vivid glimpses of life; have a beginning, middle, and end; and have a clear underlying music and flow. The selections are for slightly younger audience than much of Prelutsky’s work: Some poems are as simple as MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES (“Baby in a high chair,/baby in a bib,/baby in a stroller,/baby in a crib”), while others would make great flannelboard rhymes for sharing with four-and five-year-olds (“In her garden, Sarah Small/grows galoshes, short and tall./Shirts of yellow, hats of red/beautify her flower bed”) Many of the 28 poems play with American place names, from Tuscaloosa to Tucumcari, and might enliven a geography lesson. Mathers’s wonderful watercolors highlight her talents for color and expression. Her treatment of light is lovely, especially in her delicate and exquisite skies, while the comic dignity of some of her creatures, such as the frogs in red suspenders, suits Prelutsky’s mood just right. A superb choice.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:”In these 28 poems that alight everywhere from Tuscaloosa to El Paso, Winnemucca to the Grand Canyon, ‘the rhymes flow easily, set to a consistently bouncy beat that makes reading them aloud effortless,’ wrote PW. ‘The watercolors exude a puckish charm well matched to the nimble word play.’”
PARENT’S CHOICE: “The prolific and talented Jack Prelutsky offers yet another collection of newly-minted nonsense verse. There’s a fresh wrinkle in this volume: Exotic place names of various cities and towns across the nation-Minneapolis, Winnemucca and El Paso, to name a few-figure in the rhymes. The title verse is one of the exception, as is this reviewer’s favorite, There was a Tiny Baker (“Who had a tiny shop / he baked a tiny cook / with frosting on the top.” Etc.) Petra Mather’s bright and cheery watercolor illustrations are a decided asset to an uneven but enjoyable work.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*In the art center, students will create a frog puppet wearing red suspenders. After creating their puppets, students are to share their puppets with the class, as the teacher reads “The Frog Wore Red Suspenders.”
*Allow students to choose their favorite illustration from the book. Using watercolors, students are to draw and paint their favorite illustration. Display students work on the wall.
*Allow Students to read aloud “Granny Gooding.” After reading aloud the poem, students are to illustrate the poem in their journals.
*Other books by Jack Prelutsky include:
Prelutsky, Jack. THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK. ISBN 0807202460
Prelutsky, Jack. A PIZZA THE SIZE OF THE SUN. ISBN 1415918007
Prelutsky, Jack. JACK PRELUTSKY”S BIG COLLECTION. ISBN 0807284289
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
DANITRA BROWN LEAVES TOWN
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. 2002. DANITRA BROWN LEAVES TOWN. Ill. by Floyd Cooper. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0688131565
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Danitra Brown share with readers her summer at her aunt’s house in the country and her best friend Zuri’s summer at home in the city. Zuri and Danitra share events in their lives by corresponding with each other through poems and letters.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
DANITRA BROWN LEAVES TOWN is a delightful series of letters and poems told in very simple free verse form by two best friends, Danitra and Zuri. In the poem “Big Plans,” Danitra Brown’s advice to her best friend Zuri Jackson is to enjoy her summer of freedom, She says, ”surrender to summer; to raspberry ices and pink lemonade and walks on the beach…never a lick of homework to spoil one afternoon.” Danitra is excited about leaving. Zuri is upset that Danitra is happy about leaving her. In the poem “ The Bad Good-bye,” Zuri says, “ And now that she is on her way, she has the nerve to call and say which station she is leaving from, as though expecting me to come. ‘I have better things to do,’ I blurt. The phone is silent. Danitra’s hurt. But why am I supposed to care when my Supposed-to-be best friend is leaving me. And loving it?” After getting over her anger, Zuri decides to begin her summer. While outside playing, Zuri encounters Nina. They play handball together. Zuri says, “I wonder why I’d never noticed Nina before. Maybe the summer wouldn’t be such a bore.”
Through letters, the girls make up and share their life with each other. For example, Danitra writes Zuri, “I wish that you were here. I camped out my first night in my aunt’s yard.” This is a warm story about friends being separated and welcoming each other home as best friends.
Floyd Cooper’s oil wash paintings are filled with soft pastels against a vibrant backdrop. Cooper’s illustrations are remarkable! His exuberant paintings are a complement to the lively poems in this splendid book of poetry. Floyd Cooper’s illustrations are so life-like that each painting gives the eye an appearance of Photography. Each page is filled with color and images of carefree youth. For example, “First Night’s” illustrations are exquisite and detailed. Floyd’s use of bright yellow, teal, lavender, and dark brown depicts tone and mood for this piece.
My students enjoyed reading this book of poetry. They could relate to Danitra and Zuri’s relationship. Many students shared their thoughts about their summer without their friends. My class could understand Zuri's and Danitra's emotions. They discussed why Zuri is unkind to Danitra, before she leaves for the country. They know Zuri really isn't mad at Danitra for leaving her. One student said, "Zuri is sad because she is going to miss Danitra."
This is a perfect book to read to students at the beginning of the school year and before the close of the school year.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Texas Bluebonnet Book 2004-2005
BOOKLIST: “. . .told in simple free verse with big, joyful oil-wash paintings. . .The surprise is in the details: On one page Zuri writes to Danitra about a hip-swinging, head-bobbling, foot-stomping block party, and the bouncy painting shows Cooper at his best. Just as vital are the words and pictures of Danitra swinging in the country garden. Kids will see that both friends travel far and welcome each other home.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Zuri describes in verse the summer that she and her best friend Danitra are separated in DANITRA BROWN LEAVES TOWN by NIKKI Grimes, a follow-up to MEET DANITRA BROWN. Floyd Cooper’s luminescent pastels chronicle the long days and Zuri’s many moods.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Grades 3-5- -Grimes and Cooper return with another story told through poems about Danitra Brown and Zuri Jackson. This time, the friends exchange letters all summer long while Danitra is visiting relatives. Zuri starts out felling angry and disappointed that Danitra is leaving her behind and doesn’t seem to care, but eventually both girls make new friends while they look forward to being together again. Some vignettes may leave readers with perplexing questions; for example, Danitra describes a stubborn dragonfly that she’s sure would like to eat her, but the accompanying image depicts her smiling at it benignly. All in all, however, Cooper’s photo-realist artwork in soft hues against glowing backdrops is a lovely complement to the girls’ many moods.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Allow students to create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Zuri and Danitra.
*Students are to write in their journals about a friend they had to leave behind, due to summer vacation.
*Other book written by Nikki Grimes:
Grimes, Nikki. JAZMIN’S NOTEBOOK. ISBN 9780141307022.
Grimes, Nikki. MEET DANITRA BROWN. Ill. By Floyd Cooper. ISBN 9780688154714.
Grimes, Nikki. BRONX MASQUERADE. ISBN 9780142501894.
*For further information on Nikki Grimes visit her web site at: http://www.nikkigrimes.com
Grimes, Nikki. 2002. DANITRA BROWN LEAVES TOWN. Ill. by Floyd Cooper. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0688131565
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Danitra Brown share with readers her summer at her aunt’s house in the country and her best friend Zuri’s summer at home in the city. Zuri and Danitra share events in their lives by corresponding with each other through poems and letters.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
DANITRA BROWN LEAVES TOWN is a delightful series of letters and poems told in very simple free verse form by two best friends, Danitra and Zuri. In the poem “Big Plans,” Danitra Brown’s advice to her best friend Zuri Jackson is to enjoy her summer of freedom, She says, ”surrender to summer; to raspberry ices and pink lemonade and walks on the beach…never a lick of homework to spoil one afternoon.” Danitra is excited about leaving. Zuri is upset that Danitra is happy about leaving her. In the poem “ The Bad Good-bye,” Zuri says, “ And now that she is on her way, she has the nerve to call and say which station she is leaving from, as though expecting me to come. ‘I have better things to do,’ I blurt. The phone is silent. Danitra’s hurt. But why am I supposed to care when my Supposed-to-be best friend is leaving me. And loving it?” After getting over her anger, Zuri decides to begin her summer. While outside playing, Zuri encounters Nina. They play handball together. Zuri says, “I wonder why I’d never noticed Nina before. Maybe the summer wouldn’t be such a bore.”
Through letters, the girls make up and share their life with each other. For example, Danitra writes Zuri, “I wish that you were here. I camped out my first night in my aunt’s yard.” This is a warm story about friends being separated and welcoming each other home as best friends.
Floyd Cooper’s oil wash paintings are filled with soft pastels against a vibrant backdrop. Cooper’s illustrations are remarkable! His exuberant paintings are a complement to the lively poems in this splendid book of poetry. Floyd Cooper’s illustrations are so life-like that each painting gives the eye an appearance of Photography. Each page is filled with color and images of carefree youth. For example, “First Night’s” illustrations are exquisite and detailed. Floyd’s use of bright yellow, teal, lavender, and dark brown depicts tone and mood for this piece.
My students enjoyed reading this book of poetry. They could relate to Danitra and Zuri’s relationship. Many students shared their thoughts about their summer without their friends. My class could understand Zuri's and Danitra's emotions. They discussed why Zuri is unkind to Danitra, before she leaves for the country. They know Zuri really isn't mad at Danitra for leaving her. One student said, "Zuri is sad because she is going to miss Danitra."
This is a perfect book to read to students at the beginning of the school year and before the close of the school year.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Texas Bluebonnet Book 2004-2005
BOOKLIST: “. . .told in simple free verse with big, joyful oil-wash paintings. . .The surprise is in the details: On one page Zuri writes to Danitra about a hip-swinging, head-bobbling, foot-stomping block party, and the bouncy painting shows Cooper at his best. Just as vital are the words and pictures of Danitra swinging in the country garden. Kids will see that both friends travel far and welcome each other home.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Zuri describes in verse the summer that she and her best friend Danitra are separated in DANITRA BROWN LEAVES TOWN by NIKKI Grimes, a follow-up to MEET DANITRA BROWN. Floyd Cooper’s luminescent pastels chronicle the long days and Zuri’s many moods.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Grades 3-5- -Grimes and Cooper return with another story told through poems about Danitra Brown and Zuri Jackson. This time, the friends exchange letters all summer long while Danitra is visiting relatives. Zuri starts out felling angry and disappointed that Danitra is leaving her behind and doesn’t seem to care, but eventually both girls make new friends while they look forward to being together again. Some vignettes may leave readers with perplexing questions; for example, Danitra describes a stubborn dragonfly that she’s sure would like to eat her, but the accompanying image depicts her smiling at it benignly. All in all, however, Cooper’s photo-realist artwork in soft hues against glowing backdrops is a lovely complement to the girls’ many moods.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Allow students to create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Zuri and Danitra.
*Students are to write in their journals about a friend they had to leave behind, due to summer vacation.
*Other book written by Nikki Grimes:
Grimes, Nikki. JAZMIN’S NOTEBOOK. ISBN 9780141307022.
Grimes, Nikki. MEET DANITRA BROWN. Ill. By Floyd Cooper. ISBN 9780688154714.
Grimes, Nikki. BRONX MASQUERADE. ISBN 9780142501894.
*For further information on Nikki Grimes visit her web site at: http://www.nikkigrimes.com
OUT OF THE DUST
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hesse, Karen. 1997. OUT OF THE DUST. New
York, New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0-590-36080-9
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Karen Hesse tells the story of farm life, dust storms, and the 1930’s Depression era, through the first person narrative of a fourteen-year-old girl named Billie Jo Kelby. OUT OF THE DUST is a wonderful coming of age novel about a young girl’s bleak life on a wheat farm, during the horrific Dust Bowl. Further, this is a story about a young person’s struggle against the elements of nature, the break down and the rebuilding of a family’s life.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
OUT OF THE DUST is a historical novel written in a journal style of blank verse poems. Karen Hesse’s use of spacing reflects the emotions of the characters in the story. For example, when Billie Jo is playing the piano, Hesse spacing of words remind me of piano keys and people swaying to the beat of the music. The lines on each page capture the beautiful rhythm of this wonderful novel.
Throughout this book, Hesse provides recurring imagery of dust, fire, wind, and red. For example, Billie Jo states, ”I hollered myself red the day I was born. Red’s the color I’ve stayed ever since.” Further,” Daddy named me Billie Jo. He wanted a boy. Instead, he got a long-legged girl with a wide mouth and cheekbones like bicycle handles. He got a redheaded, freckled, narrow-hipped girl with a fondness for apples and a hunger for playing fierce piano.” Moreover, “. . .Wind came, bringing a red dust like prairie fire, hot and peppery, searing the inside of my nose, the whites of my eyes. Roaring dust, turning the day from sunlight to midnight.” Finally, ”And I know now that all the time I was trying to get out of the dust, the fact is, what I am, I am because of the dust. And what I am is good enough. Even for me.”
The main characters in Karen Hesse’s OUT OF THE DUST novel are Billie Jo Kelby, Bayard Kelby,Polly (Ma) Kelby, Mad Dog Craddock, and Louise. This story takes place during the Great Depression, on a farm in the Oklahoma Panhandle,
during the winter of 1934 through the fall of 1935. During this time, in the Oklahoma Panhandle, there were severe dust storms, drought, and tornadoes that caused the soil to erode. Farmers and their families suffered great losses. This time in history is called the Dust Bowl. Billie Jo wants to be “free of the weight of dust.’’
There are several major themes in OUT OF THE DUST. The themes are family, loss, grief, forgiveness, and the harsh environment. In this novel, Billie Jo and her father suffer numerous losses. The first loss is when Billie Jo’s best friend Livvie and her family move away to California to avoid the Dust Bowl. Next, Billie Jo’s mother dies during childbirth. Later, Billie Jo’s newborn brother dies. Then, due to the fire that caused the death of Billie Jo’s mother, Billie Jo suffers the loss of not being able to play the piano, because of her severely burned hands. As a result of the accident, Billie Jo has experienced the loss of a mother, a brother, the inability to play the piano, her self-esteem, and a grieving father who has lost everything and everyone, except for his daughter, Billie Jo.
OUT OF THE DUST is an excellent read aloud. I read this book to my class, during story time. My students loved this book! They did not want me to put it down. My students really enjoyed the rhythm of the words.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “A Powerfully compelling tale of a girl with enormous strength, courage, and love.”
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Readers may find their own feelings swaying in beat with the heroine’s shifting moods.”
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Free-Verse poems...allow the narrator to speak for herself much more eloquently than would be possible in standard prose.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*For students to make a music connection,throughout the day, provide Depression-era music for the students to enjoy.
*Allow students to read other books set during the Great Depression. Compare and contrast the lives of these characters.
Porter, Tracey. TREASURES IN THE DUST. ISBN 0613182847
Stanley, Jerry. CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL: THE TRUE STORY OF THE SCHOOL AT WEEDPATCH CAMP.ISBN 0517880946
Hesse, Karen. 1997. OUT OF THE DUST. New
York, New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0-590-36080-9
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Karen Hesse tells the story of farm life, dust storms, and the 1930’s Depression era, through the first person narrative of a fourteen-year-old girl named Billie Jo Kelby. OUT OF THE DUST is a wonderful coming of age novel about a young girl’s bleak life on a wheat farm, during the horrific Dust Bowl. Further, this is a story about a young person’s struggle against the elements of nature, the break down and the rebuilding of a family’s life.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
OUT OF THE DUST is a historical novel written in a journal style of blank verse poems. Karen Hesse’s use of spacing reflects the emotions of the characters in the story. For example, when Billie Jo is playing the piano, Hesse spacing of words remind me of piano keys and people swaying to the beat of the music. The lines on each page capture the beautiful rhythm of this wonderful novel.
Throughout this book, Hesse provides recurring imagery of dust, fire, wind, and red. For example, Billie Jo states, ”I hollered myself red the day I was born. Red’s the color I’ve stayed ever since.” Further,” Daddy named me Billie Jo. He wanted a boy. Instead, he got a long-legged girl with a wide mouth and cheekbones like bicycle handles. He got a redheaded, freckled, narrow-hipped girl with a fondness for apples and a hunger for playing fierce piano.” Moreover, “. . .Wind came, bringing a red dust like prairie fire, hot and peppery, searing the inside of my nose, the whites of my eyes. Roaring dust, turning the day from sunlight to midnight.” Finally, ”And I know now that all the time I was trying to get out of the dust, the fact is, what I am, I am because of the dust. And what I am is good enough. Even for me.”
The main characters in Karen Hesse’s OUT OF THE DUST novel are Billie Jo Kelby, Bayard Kelby,Polly (Ma) Kelby, Mad Dog Craddock, and Louise. This story takes place during the Great Depression, on a farm in the Oklahoma Panhandle,
during the winter of 1934 through the fall of 1935. During this time, in the Oklahoma Panhandle, there were severe dust storms, drought, and tornadoes that caused the soil to erode. Farmers and their families suffered great losses. This time in history is called the Dust Bowl. Billie Jo wants to be “free of the weight of dust.’’
There are several major themes in OUT OF THE DUST. The themes are family, loss, grief, forgiveness, and the harsh environment. In this novel, Billie Jo and her father suffer numerous losses. The first loss is when Billie Jo’s best friend Livvie and her family move away to California to avoid the Dust Bowl. Next, Billie Jo’s mother dies during childbirth. Later, Billie Jo’s newborn brother dies. Then, due to the fire that caused the death of Billie Jo’s mother, Billie Jo suffers the loss of not being able to play the piano, because of her severely burned hands. As a result of the accident, Billie Jo has experienced the loss of a mother, a brother, the inability to play the piano, her self-esteem, and a grieving father who has lost everything and everyone, except for his daughter, Billie Jo.
OUT OF THE DUST is an excellent read aloud. I read this book to my class, during story time. My students loved this book! They did not want me to put it down. My students really enjoyed the rhythm of the words.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “A Powerfully compelling tale of a girl with enormous strength, courage, and love.”
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Readers may find their own feelings swaying in beat with the heroine’s shifting moods.”
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Free-Verse poems...allow the narrator to speak for herself much more eloquently than would be possible in standard prose.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*For students to make a music connection,throughout the day, provide Depression-era music for the students to enjoy.
*Allow students to read other books set during the Great Depression. Compare and contrast the lives of these characters.
Porter, Tracey. TREASURES IN THE DUST. ISBN 0613182847
Stanley, Jerry. CHILDREN OF THE DUST BOWL: THE TRUE STORY OF THE SCHOOL AT WEEDPATCH CAMP.ISBN 0517880946
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