Book Review of Biography by Diane Stanley
1.Bibliography: Stanley,Diane. Michelangelo. Hong Kong: Harper Collins Publishers, 2000.
2. Plot Summary: This is the story of Michelangelo di Lodovico di Lionardo di Buonarroti Simomi, who later become known as the greatest sculptor in Italy. Michelangelo began his life as a the second son of a local magistrate, who felt that ordinary work was beneath his social status. Through working as an apprentice with an artist, Michelangelo discovered his love of sculpture and his fascination with paying attention to the details of sculpting the human body.
3. Critical Analysis: The accuracy of the story of Michelangelo is very carefully presented with attention to detail. Each facet of his life was impacted in one way or another by the religious leaders of the time, leading to his greatest triumphs, as well as his worst defeats. The author has investigated the life of Michelangelo, along with many other historical figures, such as Elizabeth I and Shakespeare. The style of the writing reveals that this author wants to share her enthusiasm for historical figures that many children are not usually interested in reading about. The design of the book is inviting and makes the reader want to discover more about this artist. Many of the important works of Michelangelo are included in the book and they are embedded into the illustrations done by the author. The inclusion of the author’s note at the beginning of the book helps to prepare the reader with a mini-lesson on the Renaissance period and the impact of this on the life and works of Michelangelo.
4. Awards won and review excerpts:
-Booklist review- “One of the most pleasing things about Stanley's books is the way her sturdy texts stand up to her strong artwork.”
- Bulletin of the Center for Children' s Books review- “Images of Michelangelo's art are photo-based and computer manipulated, and they're seamlessly integrated into the compositions...an in-depth picture of Michelangelo..."
5. Connections:
-Other books by Diane Stanley:
-Stanley, Diane. Leonardo da Vinci. ISBN-10: 0688161553
-Stanley, Diane& Vennema, Peter. Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare. ISBN-10: 0688162940
-Stanley, Diane. Joan of Arc. ISBN-10: 0064437485
-Stanley, Diane & Vennema, Peter. Cleopatra. ISBN-10: 0688154808
-Stanley, Diane & Vennema, Peter. Good Queen Bess : The Story of Elizabeth I of England. ISBN-10: 0688179614
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Genre 4-LS 5603 Book review-Orbis Pictus
Book Review of Orbis Pictus/ Sibert Award book
1.Bibligraphy: Nelson,Kadir. We are the Ship, the story of Negro League Baseball. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, 2008.
2. Plot Summary: This book is a history of the struggles and triumphs of the Negro Baseball League. The book leads the reader through the beginnings in the 1920s’ to the decline after the great Jackie Robinson crossed over to play with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
3. Critical Analysis: The book is written in a style that makes the reader want to know more about the organization of the Negro Baseball League. It is organized in sequential chapters, each describing the certain aspects of life in the league. The author uses the term innings instead of chapters. The sources cited at the end of the book thoroughly show the information was carefully researched and organized. The design of the book is inviting with each illustration including the most intricate of details, such as the muscles in the arms of Josh Gibson( pg. 41, 5th inning). Each illustration enhances the story helping the reader to make a connection with the player mentioned in the history. Kadir Nelson is an accomplished artist and has illustrated many childrens’ books and has been honored for his work.
4. Awards won and review excerpts:
-Orbis Pictus Honor book-2009
-Texas Bluebonnet Nominee 2009-2010
-Coretta Scott King author award winner-2009
-School Library Journal starred review: A lost piece of American history comes to life in Kadir Nelson's elegant and eloquent history (Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008) of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players. The history of the Leagues echoes the social and political struggles of black America during the first half of the 20th century.
-Booklist review- The narrative showcases the pride and comradery of the Negro Leagues, celebrates triumphing on one’s own terms and embracing adversity, even as it clearly shows the “us” and “them” mentality bred by segregation.
5. Connections:
Other books about the Negro Baseball League:
-Morelli, Jack. Heroes of the Negro Leagues. Illustr. Mark Chiarello. ISBN-10: 0810994348
-Peterson, Robert. Only the Ball Was White: A History of Legendary Black Players and All-Black Professional Teams. ISBN-10: 0195076370
-Lanctot, Neil. Negro League Baseball: The Rise and Ruin of a Black Institution. ISBN-10: 0812220277
- Hogan, Lawrence D. Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African-American Baseball. ISBN-10: 079225306X
1.Bibligraphy: Nelson,Kadir. We are the Ship, the story of Negro League Baseball. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, 2008.
2. Plot Summary: This book is a history of the struggles and triumphs of the Negro Baseball League. The book leads the reader through the beginnings in the 1920s’ to the decline after the great Jackie Robinson crossed over to play with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
3. Critical Analysis: The book is written in a style that makes the reader want to know more about the organization of the Negro Baseball League. It is organized in sequential chapters, each describing the certain aspects of life in the league. The author uses the term innings instead of chapters. The sources cited at the end of the book thoroughly show the information was carefully researched and organized. The design of the book is inviting with each illustration including the most intricate of details, such as the muscles in the arms of Josh Gibson( pg. 41, 5th inning). Each illustration enhances the story helping the reader to make a connection with the player mentioned in the history. Kadir Nelson is an accomplished artist and has illustrated many childrens’ books and has been honored for his work.
4. Awards won and review excerpts:
-Orbis Pictus Honor book-2009
-Texas Bluebonnet Nominee 2009-2010
-Coretta Scott King author award winner-2009
-School Library Journal starred review: A lost piece of American history comes to life in Kadir Nelson's elegant and eloquent history (Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008) of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players. The history of the Leagues echoes the social and political struggles of black America during the first half of the 20th century.
-Booklist review- The narrative showcases the pride and comradery of the Negro Leagues, celebrates triumphing on one’s own terms and embracing adversity, even as it clearly shows the “us” and “them” mentality bred by segregation.
5. Connections:
Other books about the Negro Baseball League:
-Morelli, Jack. Heroes of the Negro Leagues. Illustr. Mark Chiarello. ISBN-10: 0810994348
-Peterson, Robert. Only the Ball Was White: A History of Legendary Black Players and All-Black Professional Teams. ISBN-10: 0195076370
-Lanctot, Neil. Negro League Baseball: The Rise and Ruin of a Black Institution. ISBN-10: 0812220277
- Hogan, Lawrence D. Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African-American Baseball. ISBN-10: 079225306X
Genre 4-LS 5603 Book review-Seymour Simon
Book Review of Seymour Simon
1.Bibliography: Simon,Seymour. Tornadoes. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1999. ISBN 0688146465
2. Plot Summary: Many people are fascinated with tornadoes and tornado watching, yet do not understand the science behind them. Seymour Simon takes the reader step by step through a tornado explaining what happens to cause it, as well as the history of some of the nation’s worst tornadoes.
3. Critical Analysis: The organization of this book helps the reader to understand the scientific terminology used to describe the activity of a tornado. Mr. Simon explains the progression of a tornado in easy to understand language, while using actual pictures, as well as actual Doppler radar photographs. Seymour Simon is considered an expert in the field of writing children’s science books. He has writing over 200 books and has won numerous awards. His writing style encourages children to want to learn more about science. He has put the facts about tornadoes into a easier to understand format than a science textbook and encourages the reader to want to research more about the topic.
4. Awards Won and review excerpts:
-Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 2000--selected by Natn'l Science Tchrs Assoc. & Child. Bk Cncl
-School Library Journal review-Simons clear, well-organized text discusses the weather conditions necessary to spawn these violent storms; how they form; where they are most likely to occur; and how scientists predict, rate, and track them. He also describes some of the major tornadoes recorded in the U.S. and includes weather maps and a diagram.
5. Connections:
The following are books in the weather series by Seymour Simon:
Simon, Seymour. Weather. ISBN-13: 9780060884352
Simon, Seymour. Hurricanes, Smithsonian Institution Series. ISBN-13: 9780061170713
Simon,Seymour. Lightning. ISBN-13: 9780060884352
To enhance the study of weather, the following could be useful:
Gibbons, Gail. Weather Words and What They Mean. ISBN-13: 9780823409525
De Paola, Tomie. The Cloud Book. ISBN-13: 978082340531
1.Bibliography: Simon,Seymour. Tornadoes. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1999. ISBN 0688146465
2. Plot Summary: Many people are fascinated with tornadoes and tornado watching, yet do not understand the science behind them. Seymour Simon takes the reader step by step through a tornado explaining what happens to cause it, as well as the history of some of the nation’s worst tornadoes.
3. Critical Analysis: The organization of this book helps the reader to understand the scientific terminology used to describe the activity of a tornado. Mr. Simon explains the progression of a tornado in easy to understand language, while using actual pictures, as well as actual Doppler radar photographs. Seymour Simon is considered an expert in the field of writing children’s science books. He has writing over 200 books and has won numerous awards. His writing style encourages children to want to learn more about science. He has put the facts about tornadoes into a easier to understand format than a science textbook and encourages the reader to want to research more about the topic.
4. Awards Won and review excerpts:
-Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 2000--selected by Natn'l Science Tchrs Assoc. & Child. Bk Cncl
-School Library Journal review-Simons clear, well-organized text discusses the weather conditions necessary to spawn these violent storms; how they form; where they are most likely to occur; and how scientists predict, rate, and track them. He also describes some of the major tornadoes recorded in the U.S. and includes weather maps and a diagram.
5. Connections:
The following are books in the weather series by Seymour Simon:
Simon, Seymour. Weather. ISBN-13: 9780060884352
Simon, Seymour. Hurricanes, Smithsonian Institution Series. ISBN-13: 9780061170713
Simon,Seymour. Lightning. ISBN-13: 9780060884352
To enhance the study of weather, the following could be useful:
Gibbons, Gail. Weather Words and What They Mean. ISBN-13: 9780823409525
De Paola, Tomie. The Cloud Book. ISBN-13: 978082340531
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Genre 3-LS 5603-Margarita Engle
Genre 3-Book Review of verse novel by Margarita Engle
1.Bibliography: Engle,Margarita. The Surrender Tree. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2008. ISBN 9780805086744
2. Plot Summary: This verse novel tells the story of Cuba’s struggle for freedom, told from the point of view of several characters. The main character, Rosa, is a healer who uses whatever the forest supplies to help the rebels. The character of Lieutenant Death is the son of the man who searches for runaway slaves and his life goal is to capture Rosa, whom he calls the Child Witch. Each part of the novel is broken down to segment the years that the wars occurred.
3. Critical Analysis: The organization of this verse novel helps to explain the struggles of the Cuban people to obtain their freedom from Spain, by breaking the sections into a timeline of each war. The inclusion of a introduction and notes from the author help the reader to have a deeper understanding of the background behind the struggle. The point of view changes from page to page, often with each character dealing with the emotion of dealing with the violence. In the verse titled “Rosa”, (The Ten Years’ War, pg. 39), we see the weary Rosa state “Who would have imagined such stubborn dedication?..If only he would change sides and become one of us, a stubborn , determined, weary nurse, fighting this daily war against death. The arrangement of the verses helps to explain the struggle and how each character deals with their involvement, whatever side they may be fighting for.
-School Library Journal review: “The Surrender Tree is hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba's troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments such as the glimpse of a woman shuttling children through a cave roof for Rosa's care or the snapshot of runaway Chinese slaves catching a crocodile to eat.”
-Horn Book review: “A powerful narrative in free verse . . . haunting.”
-Kirkus reviews: “Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people.”
5. Connections:
The following book, when paired with The Surrender Tree give a compelling account of the struggles for Cuba’s fight for freedom:
Engle, Margarita. The Poet Slave of Cuba. ISBN-10: 0805077065
1.Bibliography: Engle,Margarita. The Surrender Tree. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2008. ISBN 9780805086744
2. Plot Summary: This verse novel tells the story of Cuba’s struggle for freedom, told from the point of view of several characters. The main character, Rosa, is a healer who uses whatever the forest supplies to help the rebels. The character of Lieutenant Death is the son of the man who searches for runaway slaves and his life goal is to capture Rosa, whom he calls the Child Witch. Each part of the novel is broken down to segment the years that the wars occurred.
3. Critical Analysis: The organization of this verse novel helps to explain the struggles of the Cuban people to obtain their freedom from Spain, by breaking the sections into a timeline of each war. The inclusion of a introduction and notes from the author help the reader to have a deeper understanding of the background behind the struggle. The point of view changes from page to page, often with each character dealing with the emotion of dealing with the violence. In the verse titled “Rosa”, (The Ten Years’ War, pg. 39), we see the weary Rosa state “Who would have imagined such stubborn dedication?..If only he would change sides and become one of us, a stubborn , determined, weary nurse, fighting this daily war against death. The arrangement of the verses helps to explain the struggle and how each character deals with their involvement, whatever side they may be fighting for.
-School Library Journal review: “The Surrender Tree is hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba's troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments such as the glimpse of a woman shuttling children through a cave roof for Rosa's care or the snapshot of runaway Chinese slaves catching a crocodile to eat.”
-Horn Book review: “A powerful narrative in free verse . . . haunting.”
-Kirkus reviews: “Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people.”
5. Connections:
The following book, when paired with The Surrender Tree give a compelling account of the struggles for Cuba’s fight for freedom:
Engle, Margarita. The Poet Slave of Cuba. ISBN-10: 0805077065
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Genre 3-LS 5603 Kristine O'Connell George
Genre 3-Book Review-Kristine O’ Connell George
1.Bibliography: George, Kristine O'Connell. Toasting Marshmallows:Camping Poems. New York: Clarion Books, 2001. ISBN 061804597X
2. Plot Summary: Kristine O’Connell George has created a group of poems that transport the reader to special times when fond memories are made. Each poem is insight to moments when the outside world seems to disappear, and the smells, tastes of spending time outdoors make life more enjoyable.
3. Critical Analysis: Each of the poems help to relive camping experiences. The words chosen by the poet are arranged in such a way, the reader can almost taste the marshmallows as they are roasting and turning in the fire as in the poem titled “Toasting Marshmallows”. The use of imagery is key throughout the entire book. In the poem titled “ Rain Dance”, the images of rain falling as a result of the birds moving as if in a dancing motion makes one almost feel the raindrops coming down on their head. The poem “Two Voices in a Tent at Night” can make someone feel as if they were inside the tent hearing outside noises and not wanting to make a move to see what it is. Each poem presents a mental picture in which each of the senses are heightened and the use of unexpected visual images help to make the poem more memorable. The visual image of the beams of light in the poem “Flashlight” make the reader almost squint at the light when reading this poem.
4. Awards Won and Review Excerpts:
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee-2003-2004
Horn Book Guide- The pleasure and surprise of going camping are conveyed in eighteen brief poems. . . .Richly colored paintings enhance the verses.
Booklist, ALA, Starred Review -"fine collection brings the outdoors up close...direct, satisfying poems that will engage kids at school, across the curriculum, or at home."
School Library Journal Starred -The poems are varied and inventive, replete with marvelous images and universal truths. . . .A terrific idyll for summertime sharing, even for confirmed couch potatoes.
5.Connections:
Other books by Kristine O’Connell George:
-George, Kristine O’Connell. The Great Frog Race and Other Poems. ISBN-10: 0618604782
-George, Kristine O’Connell. Old Elm Speaks: Tree Poems. ISBN-10: 0618752420
-George, Kristine O’Connell. Little Dog Poems. ISBN-10: 0395822661
Other books about camping and the experience of being outdoors:
-Ruurs, Margriet. When We Go Camping. ISBN-10: 0887766854
-James, Helen Foster. S Is For S’mores: A Camping Alphabet(Alphabet Books). ISBN-10: 1585363022
1.Bibliography: George, Kristine O'Connell. Toasting Marshmallows:Camping Poems. New York: Clarion Books, 2001. ISBN 061804597X
2. Plot Summary: Kristine O’Connell George has created a group of poems that transport the reader to special times when fond memories are made. Each poem is insight to moments when the outside world seems to disappear, and the smells, tastes of spending time outdoors make life more enjoyable.
3. Critical Analysis: Each of the poems help to relive camping experiences. The words chosen by the poet are arranged in such a way, the reader can almost taste the marshmallows as they are roasting and turning in the fire as in the poem titled “Toasting Marshmallows”. The use of imagery is key throughout the entire book. In the poem titled “ Rain Dance”, the images of rain falling as a result of the birds moving as if in a dancing motion makes one almost feel the raindrops coming down on their head. The poem “Two Voices in a Tent at Night” can make someone feel as if they were inside the tent hearing outside noises and not wanting to make a move to see what it is. Each poem presents a mental picture in which each of the senses are heightened and the use of unexpected visual images help to make the poem more memorable. The visual image of the beams of light in the poem “Flashlight” make the reader almost squint at the light when reading this poem.
4. Awards Won and Review Excerpts:
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee-2003-2004
Horn Book Guide- The pleasure and surprise of going camping are conveyed in eighteen brief poems. . . .Richly colored paintings enhance the verses.
Booklist, ALA, Starred Review -"fine collection brings the outdoors up close...direct, satisfying poems that will engage kids at school, across the curriculum, or at home."
School Library Journal Starred -The poems are varied and inventive, replete with marvelous images and universal truths. . . .A terrific idyll for summertime sharing, even for confirmed couch potatoes.
5.Connections:
Other books by Kristine O’Connell George:
-George, Kristine O’Connell. The Great Frog Race and Other Poems. ISBN-10: 0618604782
-George, Kristine O’Connell. Old Elm Speaks: Tree Poems. ISBN-10: 0618752420
-George, Kristine O’Connell. Little Dog Poems. ISBN-10: 0395822661
Other books about camping and the experience of being outdoors:
-Ruurs, Margriet. When We Go Camping. ISBN-10: 0887766854
-James, Helen Foster. S Is For S’mores: A Camping Alphabet(Alphabet Books). ISBN-10: 1585363022
Genre 3-LS 5603 Nikki Grimes
Genre 3-Book Review-Nikki Grimes
1.Bibliography: Grimes, Nikki. A Dime A Dozen. New York: Dial Books For Young Readers, 1998. ISBN 0803722273
2. Plot Summary: In this book of poetry, Nikki Grimes shares the pride and the disappointments that embody the character in the book. The poems are divided into three parts, each sharing the sometimes confusing, yet really exciting moments of discovering who you are today and what you will become.
3.Critical Analysis: The book begins with the poet describing how her family thought that she could not become a writer because of her surroundings. Many of the poems are shaped by events from the life of the author. From the poem “ A Dime A Dozen”, we feel the pain that she felt when told by her mother to find another dream instead. The rhythm of each of the poems fits the words and meaning, which should be read aloud to truly share the pain and heartbreak felt by the character. Each poem addresses different aspects of her life, some are positive, while others cause pain and heartbreak. In the poem titled “Untitled”, the character shares how she now fits in with all of her friends because her parents are divorced. In the poem titled “Less the Perfect”, we are introduced to a mother who needs to depend on alcohol to cope with the disappointments of life and tries her best to not let her daughter know that she is having trouble. The author shares so much emotion through her words, each part allowing the reader to peer deeper into the heart of the character. Many of the poems bringing back feelings brought on by jealousy or hurt that each one of us may have faced as we have grown into adulthood.
4. Awards won and Review Excerpts:
Junior Library Guild –Outstanding Book B Group
School Library Journal-these 28 poems celebrate family, culture, writing, and the spirit of a creative, introspective child. Grimes's carefully crafted word placement matches the rhythms and messages of the poems.
Nikki Grimes was chosen as the winner of the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 2006. This award is given for the poet’s group of work.
5. Connections:
Other books of poetry by Nikki Grimes:
-Grimes, Nikki. A Pocketful of Poems. ISBN-10: 0395938686
-Grimes, Nikki. Oh, Brother! ISBN-10: 0688172946
-Grimes, Nikki. Meet Danitra Brown. ISBN-10: 0688154719
1.Bibliography: Grimes, Nikki. A Dime A Dozen. New York: Dial Books For Young Readers, 1998. ISBN 0803722273
2. Plot Summary: In this book of poetry, Nikki Grimes shares the pride and the disappointments that embody the character in the book. The poems are divided into three parts, each sharing the sometimes confusing, yet really exciting moments of discovering who you are today and what you will become.
3.Critical Analysis: The book begins with the poet describing how her family thought that she could not become a writer because of her surroundings. Many of the poems are shaped by events from the life of the author. From the poem “ A Dime A Dozen”, we feel the pain that she felt when told by her mother to find another dream instead. The rhythm of each of the poems fits the words and meaning, which should be read aloud to truly share the pain and heartbreak felt by the character. Each poem addresses different aspects of her life, some are positive, while others cause pain and heartbreak. In the poem titled “Untitled”, the character shares how she now fits in with all of her friends because her parents are divorced. In the poem titled “Less the Perfect”, we are introduced to a mother who needs to depend on alcohol to cope with the disappointments of life and tries her best to not let her daughter know that she is having trouble. The author shares so much emotion through her words, each part allowing the reader to peer deeper into the heart of the character. Many of the poems bringing back feelings brought on by jealousy or hurt that each one of us may have faced as we have grown into adulthood.
4. Awards won and Review Excerpts:
Junior Library Guild –Outstanding Book B Group
School Library Journal-these 28 poems celebrate family, culture, writing, and the spirit of a creative, introspective child. Grimes's carefully crafted word placement matches the rhythms and messages of the poems.
Nikki Grimes was chosen as the winner of the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 2006. This award is given for the poet’s group of work.
5. Connections:
Other books of poetry by Nikki Grimes:
-Grimes, Nikki. A Pocketful of Poems. ISBN-10: 0395938686
-Grimes, Nikki. Oh, Brother! ISBN-10: 0688172946
-Grimes, Nikki. Meet Danitra Brown. ISBN-10: 0688154719
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