WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE ?: HOW ALICE ROOSEVELT BROKE THE RULES, CHARMED THE WORLD, AND DROVE HER FATHER TEDDY CRAZY!. Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York, NY: Scholastic Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0-439-92231-9

2.  SUMMARY

This picture book biography can be summed up in the lengthy title! The biographical story chronicles the passionate and precocious life of President Theodore Roosevelt’s first child, Alice.  In spite of early setbacks, Alice’s desire to “eat up the world” shines through clearly as the author reveals the very special place Alice held in her father’s life, to Americans, and even to the world.

3.  CRITICAL REVIEW

The stylish and vibrant illustrations grace this picture book and add to the pure joy reflected in the story of Alice Roosevelt’s life. The delightful story weaves a bit of history about President Roosevelt’s life and accomplishments, while emphasizing his relationship with his beloved daughter, Alice, who had a sense of adventure that rivaled her father’s. This text completely captures the energy, love, and passion of Alice as it chronicles her life from childhood through her marriage to a congressman. The lively illustrations are reminiscent of Bemelman’s MADELINE series. The boldness of the color and lines create excitement that complements this charming biography. Even the variations in letter print add emphasis to the character’s vibrant personality. The author’s notes and bibliography lend authenticity of the author’s research about this beloved good will ambassador.

4.  AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Notable/Best Books (ALA), 2009

BOOKLIST starred, January 2008: “Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was.”

HORN BOOK, March/April, 2008: “This sassy biography of Alice Roosevelt Longworth validates President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous quip about his oldest child...”

LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION, February 2008: “This successful melding of text and pictures showcases the life o Teddy Roosevelt’s irrepressible daughter , Alice. From her earliest years, independent-minded Alice defied convention and did what she liked.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

* Research the lives of other President's children

* Create a display highlighting books by Barbara Kerley including:

THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS            ISBN 978-0439114943

WALT WHITMAN: WORDS FOR AMERICA                     ISBN 978-0439357913

WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?                                            ISBN 978-0439922319

THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN                            ISBN 978-0545125086

A LITTLE PEACE                                                                  ISBN 978-1426300868

SIX DAYS IN OCTOBER

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Blumenthal, Karen. SIX DAYS IN OCTOBER: THE STOCK MARKET CRASH OF 1929. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002.  ISBN 0-689-84276-7

2. SUMMARY

SIX DAYS IN OCTOBER chronicles the harrowing story of the days immediately surrounding the stock market crash of 1929 in the United States. The informational book juxtaposes the deeply personal human experiences alongside valuable educational details that teach readers about what a stock market is and how it functions. Author Blumenthal provides an absolutely fascinating education that includes all of the major players of this particular stock market era. She even includes some unexpected participants from the entertainment world. SIX DAYS IN OCTOBER offers a solid overview of one of America’s most difficult times.

3. CRITICAL REVIEW

After serving as the Dallas bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal and reporting on business and finance for over twenty year, Karen Blumenthal employs her journalistic savvy, expertise, and research acumen in this must-read book. Outstandingly organized, this 156-page text includes a helpful table of contents, extensive source bibliography, detailed index, acknowledgments, and wonderful captions explaining all of the photos and replicas of documents that complement the primary text. The political cartoons reveal another insightful aspect of this turbulent time, though it is the marriage of the history with the information sidebars that make the book both educational and compelling. Black and white photographs, copies of Western Union telegrams, and hand-written ledgers  add to the authenticity of the period. Blumenthal’s detailed acknowledgments section enhances the credibility of her research and writing. Her lively but serious writing style creates a vivid picture of the time, engages the reader, and creates anticipation that further creates curiosity that compels further investigation of these compelling events, connecting historical events, people, and practices to today’s life and culture.

4.  AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book              2003

Notable Children’s Book (ALSC)            2003

Notable Social Studies Trade Book (NCSS)            2003

HORN BOOK starred, Spring 2003: “ Tracing the trajectory of the 1929 stock market crash across six days, Blumenthal provides a vividly drawn picture of Wall Street pandemonium, introduces key players, and explains often complex concepts.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, September 2002: “This fast-paced, gripping (and all-too-timely) account of the market crash of October 1029 puts a human face on the crisis.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

*Study and discuss economic and cultural comparisons and contrasts between 1929 and the present economy.

* The text addresses the experiences primarily of the Caucasian middle, upper-middle, and upper class of people who experienced the boom before the bust. Create a Webquest to have students (intermediate school and above) research the experiences of people of color during the boom and bust of the stock market.

* Read the text as a part of a social studies unit on economics.

THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST

1.  BIBLIORAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST. Ill. by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.  ISBN 0-618-14799-3

2.  SUMMARY

Award winning author Sy Montgomery and photographer Nic Bishop team up once again to journey with expert arachnologist  researcher, Sam Marshall, on his quest to study the wonders of the giant Goliath birdeater tarantula of the French Guiana rain forest. This eighty-page photo essay book’s documentary-like narrative weaves compelling facts about this South American spider, in addition to insight into research methods, as readers travel from the jungle, to Marshall’s laboratory in Ohio, and back again to the rain forest. The reader discovers along the way the uniqueness and importance of the tarantula.

3.  CRITICAL REVIEW

THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST overflows with scientist Marshall’s passion for the Goliath birdeater tarantula and his quest to study and protect the species.  Organized in seven chapters that follow Marshall from the heart of the rain forest, to his university laboratory in the states, and then again back to the field in French Guiana, the text may spark student interest in research. Meanwhile, the author and photographer enlighten and engage the reader, informing of this tarantula’s traits, habitat, habits, and virtual enemies.

Montgomery writes with clarity and light humor such as her reference to Sam’s “hairy” experiences. The lively writing juxtaposed with the up-close-and-personal photographs invite the reader into the tarantula scientist’s adventure in nature, and illicit respect and compassion for the species of arachnid. This informational text contains ample information, too much for one to digest in one sitting.  Never the less, the text and photos together bring the reader right down to eye level with this amazing creature. Three full pages of endnotes and special features enhance the other access features throughout the book and develop both reader interest and understanding. Note that it may be worthwhile to browse the photos and informative captions for a while before delving fully into this informative adventure.

4.  AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Notable/Best Books (A.L.A), January 2005

Wilson’s Children, October 2010

HORN BOOK, July 2004: “Montgomery is effective in showing how scientists’ research questions integrate their field and laboratory study, and how Marshall’s enthusiasm drives his scientific work.”

KIRKUS REVIEW starred, February 2004: “Montgomery and Bishop team up for another stellar excursion into the world of working scientists.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Sy Montgomery includes downloadable classroom activities on the last page of The Tarantula Scientist text. Look under “Teachers Resources” at: http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/librarians/teacher.shtml or  http://www.authorwire.com .

Other award winning science books by Sy Montgomery:

THE SNAKE SCIENTIST, ISBN-13: 978-0618111190

THE MAN-EATING TIGERS OF SUNDARBANS, ISBN-13: 978-0618494903

ENCANTADO: PINK DOLPHIN OF THE AMAZON, ISBN-13: 978-0618131037

FIREFLIES AT MIDNIGHT

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Singer, Marilyn. FIREFLIES AT MIDNIGHT. Ill. by Ken Robbins. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003.  ISBN 978-0-689-82492-0

2. SUMMARY

FIREFLIES AT MIDNIGHT is a thematic collection of poems about the life and activities of various insects and creatures. Each poem focuses upon the work or play of a specific creature in its natural setting within a twenty-four hour period.

3. CRITICAL REVIEW

Marilyn Singer structures the order of the poems so that the reader has a distinct sense of nature in action throughout a twenty-four hour period. The author writes many of the poems from the creature’s point of view and with great attention to its voice. Each page of poetry mirrors an illustration page that consists of a grainy photo-like rendering of the subject matter. Ken Robbins’ illustrations give the reader a close-up, relatively natural looking view of the creature at work or play, often interacting with other creatures of nature.

“Up cheerup I’m up” from the morning robin gives the reader the joy of morning while the words blend together to sound like a bird chirping. As the otter poem tells of the otter’s fun slipping and sliding, the author cleverly placed the couplets in a curving form that support a slipping and sliding motion effect. These are great poems to read aloud, and within the collection, each poem includes a cleverly rhythmic cadence and many repeat a verse between stanzas. “One and one and one and one” repeats throughout the poems about ants; this reinforces the theme that synergy is the best way to accomplish tasks. From the free-flowing butterflies, to the shadowy elusive bunny, to the quietness and serenity of a bat’s moonlit night, the illustrations each complement the informative yet whimsical poetry.

FIRELIES AT MIDNIGHT includes subtle humor as illustrated in the poem and illustration about the frog: “I’m the duke/ I’m the king/ of this piece of the pond.” The early dawn illustration depicts a frog with a look of superiority, perched upon a rock, staring boldly at the reader. There is simply something so silly about a regal frog . . . a reader must smile. This is a collection that you will want to read over and over because with each examinations, the reader discovers something new and clever.

3. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books starred, May 2003

Horn Book, October 2003

School Library Journal starred, May 2003

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: (2003) “Robbins's ‘photographic treatments’ use full-color, graphically enhanced photos and photo collage for an almost painterly effect. These portraits perfectly echo the tone of the poems as subjects soar, hide, flit, and sit.”

KIRKUS REVIEW starred: (2003) “This time, Singer spreads her evocative poems throughout a single day, from a robin "first to greet the light" and a cavorting otter out for a morning swim to ants in the afternoon, a camouflaged rabbit at dusk, the eponymous fireflies flashing at midnight, and on through the night to a mole digging in for sleep as a new dawn approaches.”

4. CONNECTIONS

* Because many of the poems in this collection are brief and follow a distinct pattern, each one would be an appropriate model for young students to create their own original  “pattern poetry.” The class first analyzes the pattern in the original poem, and then creates original poetry following the same pattern. This activity can be an end of unit activity and assessment after studying or researching any particular content area subject. 

RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009.  ISBN 978-0-547-01494-4

2.  SUMMARY

Joyce Sidman’s RED SINGS FROM TREETOP journeys with a young boy and his dog through the yearly seasons while simultaneously divulging people’s diverse perceptions of various colors within spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The crowned boy, venturing through the seasons with his equally crowned pup, narrates each unique poem.

3. CRITICAL REVIEW

Sidman’s nature themed collection reveals her unique voice and style embedded in Pamela Zagarenski’s illustrative artistry. This whimsical view of seasonal color and how it is perceived poetically glimpses into the visuals of each season with vivid textual imagery: “Green is queen in summer/ Green trills from trees, clings, to Pup’s knees, covers all with leaves, leaves, leaves!” Throughout this fresh and innovative collection, Sidman personifies individual colors such as describing summer-blue as: “Humming, shimmering, snoozing in the lazy haze.”  The figurative language creates distinct mental images for the reader, with or without the accompanying illustrations. Poetry flows without warning between stanzas of couplets and stanzas of free verse. The boxing and highlighting of the color-words in text enhance the emphasis on color, while the choice of active verbs creates a sense of action that engages readers of all ages.

Pamela Zagarenski’s fanciful illustrations enhance and complement the poetry with rustic folk-art. A comforting country flair and intricately detailed paintings, overlaid with collage-like hairless characters, invite the reader to slow down and taste the beautifully detailed features that go unnoticed if rushed. The color choices for each illustration reflect tremendous thought, each design creating a distinct mood. This collection of poems should not be hurried; instead, the reader must take time to dwell upon the colors and events illustrated on each charming page. Readers will want to pay close attention to the illustrations of animals including the pup, the raccoon, and the flock of tiny red birds singing from the roof and treetops, dropping miniature musical notes that rain into the fabric of the illustrations. The yellow animal-filled school bus of fall also promises to be a favorite. It is pure visual delight!

4.  AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Caldecott Medal/Honor, January 2010

Horn Book starred, March 2009

Booklist starred, May 2009

Wilson’s Children, October 2010

BOOKLIST starred, Mays 2009: “Throughout, the mixed-media illustrations including collage and paintings on wood, provide much to look at. And as the title implies, the colors that surprise on every page do sing.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, April 2009: “The words and pictures depend upon one another and blend well to conjure up quirky, magical imagery. Children will find many small stories waiting to be told within the detailed painting and enjoy looking at them over and over.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

* Create a chart that includes spring, summer, fall, and winter; list the traits and perceptions of green for each season. Then compare and contrast the traits and perceptions. Discuss the contrasts. For example, ask the children to explain why green may be perceived as shy in the spring but perceived as queen in the summer.

* Utilize RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS as a jumping off point for a thematic unit on seasons, which incorporates concepts in science, geography, and the language arts.

Other books about seasons:

Branley, Franklyn M. SUNSHINE MAKES THE SEASONS. ISBN 978-0060592059

Gibbons, Gail. THE REASONS FR SEASONS. ISBN 978-0823412389

Gibbons, Gail. THE SEASONS OF ARNOLD’S APPLE TREE. ISBN 978-0152712457

DIAMOND WILLOW

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Frost, Helen. DIAMOND WILLOW. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008.

ISBN 978-0-374-31776-8

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This coming of age story tells of a pre-adolescent girl’s quest of self-discovery. While living with her close-knit family in Alaska, Willow often feels isolated and alone at school, yet she loves the families’ working dogs, especially Roxy. After finally receiving her parents’ blessing to drive the dogsled to her grandparent’s home, Willow allows the dogs to take a curve too quickly, causing an accident to blind Willow’s favorite dog. Willow spends much of the story on a quest to protect Roxy from destruction. Throughout her journey, her ancestors mystically come to her aid in times of great need.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Helen Frost’s verse novel presents a rich story highlighted by a brilliant visual structure. Whenever the protagonist Willow narrates, each page’s text is formed in a cone-like diamond shape. Within the verse of the diamond-shaped text, various bolded words trickle down the page, resembling tears trickling down the diamonds. These trickling bolded words create an otherwise hidden message that reflects the heart of the narrator during the events described on the page. The brilliantly chosen word choice and imagery create anticipation in the reader. The touching narrative descriptions of Willow’s feelings, frustrations, and hopes, elicit feelings of empathy and tenderness toward the protagonist. Frost paints a vivid picture of the setting with her graceful word choice. Anyone who has felt lost or left out can relate thematically to Willow’s unspoken quest to find herself.

DIAMOND WILLOW is well suited for fifth through eighth grade students because of its form and subject matter. This narrative poetry is rich with Alaskan native cultural traditions. Although some may find the mystic aspects of the novel objectionable, those who love a touching story will still enjoy this creative and intelligently composed narrative while simultaneously learning about another culture. Readers will appreciate the universal angst of a pre-adolescent’s journey to confidence and maturity.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, 2009

The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry: Honor Book, 2009

Horn Book, July 2008

HORN BOOK starred, September 2008: “Despite some misplaced mysticism, as a dog and dogsled story, the tale wears its knowledge gracefully.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, June 2008: “This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

Create a cause-and-effect organizer for DIAMOND WILLOW. As a class, in partners, or individually, analyze the causes, prior causes, effects, and later effects of Willow’s accident on the way home from her grandparent’s home. Make sure students give examples of text support. As a class, create inference statements about Willow’s behavior and choices. Finally, from the inferences, take the process a step further and create generalizations about how people may in general behave in situations similar to Willow’s.

Other writings of Helen Frost:

• KEESHA’S HOUSE.  ISBN 978-1-42872-872-1
• SPINNINNG THROUGH THE UNIVERSE.  ISBN 978-0-374-37159-3
• THE BRAID.  ISBN 978-0-374-30962-6