THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARION ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS by Russell Freedman

THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARION ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS by Russell Freedman

Bibliography: Freedman, Russell. 2004. THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARION ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-618-15976-5.

Plot Summary: This story follows the wonderful, inspiring story of Marion Anderson, an African American contralto throughout the 1900’s. Marion faced prejudice, anger, fear and the Jim Crow laws in the South, but she never let them dampen her spirit.  The story follows her life from her poverty stricken upbringing, to her celebrated carrier in the U.S., Canada and Europe, to her astounding concert on the steps of the Lincoln Monument, to her death in 1993.   

Critical Analysis: This story is quite possibly the most touching I’ve ever read.  The author really pulls at the reader’s heartstrings throughout the entire thing.  It was an emotional roller coaster from beginning to end.  The black and white photographs throughout beautifully accent the story, allowing the reader to be transported to the 1920’s, 30’s, and beyond.  The story is inspiring and the pictures draw the reader ever further in.  Marion Anderson’s humble, proud; strong personality drove this story and made this reader extremely interested in her and her music.  After reading this book, I spent the better part of an hour listening to her music.

Review Excerpts:

·      Winner of the Sibert Medal

·      School Library Journal- “This inspiring work once again demonstrates Freedman’s talent for showing how a person’s life is molded by its historical and cultural context.”

·      Kirkus Reviews- “a fully realized portrait of a musical artist and her times…an outstanding, handsome biography. Freedman at his best.”

Connections:

·      This book would make a great study for a college class

·      Great history and civil rights lesson

·      Other books by this author:

o   Freedman, Russell. 2008. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY. ISBN: 978-1435286030

o   Freedman, Russell.  2010. CHILDREN OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION. ISBN: 978-0547480350

o   Freedman, Russell.  1990. COWBOYS OF THE WILD WEST. ISBN: 978-0395548004

BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST by Steve Jenkins

BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST by Steve Jenkins

Bibliography: Jenkins, Steve.  1997. BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-547-25557-6.

Plot Summary: Biggest, Strongest, Fastest by Steve Jenkins is made up of comparisons. The story is more of a trivia book, containing information about the smallest, tallest, longest, and fastest animals on the planet.  For example the sun jellyfish is the longest animal measuring up to 200 feet long. Then compares it to the smallest mammal, the Etruscan shrew who, “could sleep in a teaspoon.”  The book also contains a table that has the animal; it’s record, where it lives and what it eats.

Critical Analysis: I love all of Steve Jenkins books. He really has a knack for giving kids information and trivia in a way that will keep them entertained.  His illustrations are what amaze me the most.  They are made to look like they’re made out of paper.  Much like an Eric Carle book, Steve Jenkins’ illustrations are bright and have such texture that the reader feels they can just reach out and feel them. 

Review Excerpts:

·      School Library Journal- “Kindergarten- Grade 2; Large, clear print’ fascinating facts; and beautiful, detailed, cut-paper collages make this excellent title a delight.”

·      Booklist- “Here’s proof that power isn’t just about size and that science can be a lot of fun.”

Connections:

·      This book would be a great way to introduce research to young children.

·      The illustrations in this book could be a copycat lesson in an art class.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Jenkins, Steve. 2004. ACTUAL SIZE.  ISBN:978-0618375943

o   Jenkins, Steve. 2003. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? ISBN: 978-0618256280

QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA by Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop Photography

QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA by Sy Montgomery and Photographs by Nic Bishop

Bibliography: Montgomery, Sy. 2006.  QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-547-24892-9.

Bishop, Nic. 2006. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-547-24892-9.

Plot Summary:  The story centers around the search for and capture of Matschie’s tree kangaroo in the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea.  The story follows two men, Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop, as they search for these rare creatures with a team of scientists. 

Critical Analysis: As an animal lover I adored this book. The story of the tree kangaroo was astounding.  It felt as if you had stepped into Jurassic Park with all of the strange animals and birds.  My favorite line from the story is on the very first page. “ In a place like this, we half expect a hobbit or a troll to show up. But it’s better than that. The animals who really do live here are even more fantastic.” The author, scientists, and photographer take you to a place many of us can only dream about.  We not only see them finding these rare creatures but also how they tag them for study and rerelease them.  The pictures were just magnificent.  The photographer, Nic Bishop, did an amazing job of capturing the expedition and the people. However, my favorite pictures are the ones of the animals, insects, and plants. There are pictures of birds, tree kangaroos, weevils, snakes, and breath-taking scenery.  The pictures really do make the story come alive for the reader.

Review Excerpts:

·      School Library Journal: “ The books’ fascinating glimpses into a little-explored region will hold the attention of anyone interested in unusual creatures and the efforts to study them.”

·      Booklist: “As usual, Bishop’s color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in stunning close-ups of creatures and of the team at work.”

Connections:

·      This story is a great way to introduce expeditions and wildlife preservation efforts

·      The story can help children understand the process by which scientists go through to study rare species in order to better preserve and care for them.

·      Other titles by this author:

o   Montgomery, Sy and Nic Bishop, photographer. 2009. SAVING THE GHOST OF THE MOUNTAIN: AN EXPEDITION AMONG SNOW LEOPARDS IN MONGOLIA. ISBN: 978-0618916450.

o   Montgomery, Sy and Nic Bishop, photographer.  2007. THE TRANTULA SCIENTIST. ISBN: 978-0618915774

COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR by J. Patrick Lewis

COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
by J. Patrick Lewis

Bibliography: Lewis, J. Patrick.  2009. COUNTDOWN TO SUMMER: A POEM FOR EVERY DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. Illus. Ethan Long.  New York, N.Y.: Hachette Book Group.  ISBN:978-0-316-02089-3

Summary: Countdown to Summer by J. Patrick Lewis is a collection of 180 poems for every day of the school year.  The poems include nonsense and rhyming along with many poems on holidays throughout the year.

Critical Analysis: I love this book because it’s a lot of fun.  Most of the poems rhyme and just roll off the tongue.  It reminds me a lot of Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein because of the topics that the poems cover.  My favorite part of the book is that it goes through the different seasons.  There are poems about Halloween, Christmas, the Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day and others.  These poems seem to be most appropriate for those in 5^th grade and up.  There was one poem that I do not think I would read to a classroom full of kids called The Ninth Ward.  The poem follows a young girl who was in the ninth ward of New Orleans, Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit. The poem is very sad and talks about that the little girl was strapped to a chimney with a chord waiting to be rescued but her, “miracle flew to a passerby.” Overall I love the book and most of the poems are very light hearted and fun.  

Review Excerpts:

·      Children’s Literature: This is a fun book that could suit a number of classroom purposes.”

·      School Library Journal: A lively mostly lighthearted countdown to summer, beginning with #180, ‘A Sixth Grader Sees the Future.’”

Connection:

·      This book would be a great way to start the day in a classroom.

·      Could be used at home to help interest kids to read for other purposes other than just for school

·      Other books by this author:

o   Lewis, J. Patrick. 2012. TAKE TWO!  A CELEBRATION OF TWINS. ISBN:0763637025

o   Lewis, J. Patrick. 2012. EDGAR ALLAN POE’S PIE, AND OTHER MATH PUZZLERS IN CLASSIC POEMS. ISBN:0547513380

THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT: A CELEBRATION OF NATURE, SCIENCE, AND IMAGINATION By Mary Ann Hoberman and Linda Winston

THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT: A CELEBRATION OF NATURE, SCIENCE, AND IMAGINATION by Mary Ann Hoberman and Linda Winston

Bibliography: Hoberman, Mary Ann and Linda Winston. 2009. THE TREE THAT TIME BUILT: A CELEBRATION OF NATURE, SCIENCE, AND IMAGINATION.  Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. 

Plot Summary: The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination is a book of poetry about different themes from different authors.  These themes include Oh Fields of Wonder, The Sea is Our Mother, Prehistoric Praise, Think Like a Tree, Meditations of a Tortoise, Some Primal Termite, Everything That Lives Wants to Fly, I am the Family Face and Hurt No Living Thing.  Under each theme are different poems that go with it.  For example, under Some Primal Termite, there are poems about insects and under Think Like a Tree there are poems about trees and plants. 

Critical Analysis: This book was absolutely gorgeous in its simplistic illustrations and great poetry.  I especially liked the poem If They Spoke under Oh, Fields of Wonder.  The poem is about animals and their names that we give them.  The gist is that animals don’t call themselves by the names we give them, they just are.  To quote the poem, “Simply they are. And so with us; And they would say it if they spoke; And we might listen; and the world Be uncreated at one stroke.”  The poems in this book are uplifting, thought provoking and strong.  I especially like that at the bottom of most of the pages there’s a description of the poem and what it means.  I don’t think I would let kids read that because I would want their interpretations not the ones from the book.   However, I love the poems and would love to use them.

Review Excerpts:

·      The Washington Post: “This anthology is perfect for dipping or diving into, for reading aloud and for celebrating the quirks and glories of everything from William Blake’s ‘World in a grain of sand’ to Wislawa Szymborska’s lighthearted whale.”

·      School Library Journal: “From the playful to the profound, the poems invite reflection and inspire further investigation.”

Connection:

·      This is a great way to introduce poetry in a classroom

·      Great way to start thinking deeper  into poetry

·      Other books by this author

o   Hoberman, Mary Ann. 2009.  STRAWBERRY HILL. ISBN: 9780316041355

o   Hoberman, Mary Ann. 2009. ALL KINDS OF FAMILIES. ISBN: 9780316146333

o   Hoberman, Mary Ann.  2002.  THE MARVELOUS MOUSE MAN. ISBN: 9780152017156