M.L.K Journey of a King

"I must go back to
   Montgomery...
I have begun the struggle,
   and
I can't turn back.
I have reach a
   point of no return."

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Bolden, Tonya. M.L.K. Journey of a King. New York: Abrams Books
for Young Readers, 2007.

ISBN 0810954761

Tonya Bolden

PLOT SUMMARY:

Not only does this book introduce young readers to the person behind the icon, it also takes them on a literal and visual journey of one man's personal life -- with his wife Coretta Scott King and their four children -- to his public struggle for equal rights and the belief that agape -- the selfless love for one's neighbor is the tie that binds all mankind. From his birth in 1929 to his death in 1968; this book truly shows the journey of a King -- M.L.K., born "Michael, his father changed his name to Martin Luther King in 1934 after her returned from a Baptist convention in Germany, birthplace of the sixteenth-century theologian Martin Luther, a leader of the Protestant Reformation." M.L. -- "his father's nickname for him," preferred "keeping it simple long before his life became so intense." Martin Luther experienced prejudice early in life, at the age of eight, outside a store, while "waiting for Mother Dear his face and spirit stinging from a white woman's slap and slander: 'Your are that nigger that stepped on my foot,' -- one might say this was the beginning of his journey to put an end to racism.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Coretta Scott King - Honor Winner, Tonya Bolden, has written a biography that is more than interesting -- it is compelling and it is accurate. Ms. Bolden brings words and pictures together in such a manner that the reader feels as if they have walked with M.L.K. and they have fought his fight and struggled his strife. Tonya Bolden provides documentation of her journey and research that took place while writing this book.  Her author's notes, selected sources, photography credits, and acknowledgments give a glimpse into Bolden's pilgrimage. Bolden choose to organize the book in a chronological manner. The layout is logical and easy to understand. Beginning with Michael's birth to his name change through formative years and experiences on to dating and marrying Coretta Scott and raising their young family;  to his commitment and steadfastness to Civil Rights and finally ending with his murder in 1968 -- his diverse, complicated yet simple and basic life is presented in such a manner that both young and old readers will be captivated. Bolden pointed out on several occasions Martin Luther's belief in nonviolence  and "he preached nonviolence to his followers in part for practical reasons. If blacks resorted to violence, the authorities might well call on the entire city police force, state troopers, and if necessary, the National Guard." M.L. believed in the Civil Rights Movement and hoped and prayed that "...God help [him] to see that where [he] stands today, [he] stands because others helped [him] to stand there and because the forces of history projected [him] there." The quotes by themselves are moving but coupled with the emotional and inspiring pictures -- this book goes beyond interesting to  charismatic, compelling, captivating and consuming. Tonya Bolden uses language and delivery that takes readers back in time, to another era when a "crowd of fifty thousand, the largest civil rights demonstration to date in America, and where M.L. gave his first national address." As readers progress through the book questions about that time are popping up in their minds and amazement of how far mankind has come and has yet to go -- welcome to the future.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

BookList: "Do libraries need another biography of King? Yes, if it's as good as this one, which will reach a wide audience. In an author's note, Bolden says she chose not to detail King's flaws but rather to focus on the "dream." The chatty style is accessible (why, though, does Bolden call King by his personal nickname, M. L., throughout?), and the handsome book design will encourage browsers. Stirring, beautifully reproduced, well-captioned photos (at least one on every double-page spread) accompany the text, supplemented with boxed quotes. Everything is fully documented in notes, and Bolden supplies a bibliography and a very detailed time line.

CONNECTIONS:

* Re-enact their favorite M.L.K. speech / moment
* Draw a timeline of M.L.K.'s life (birth, school, marriage, etc...)
* Draw a scene from the book -- how they imagine it would
    have been
* Read other biographies from that timeframe
* Read other bookis from Civil Rights Era

Oceans

If you visit the shore, you'll soon notice
the daily rise and fall of the water, which
we call tides.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Simon, Seymour. Oceans. New York: Smithsonian HapreCollins

Publishers, 1990.

ISBN 0688094538

Seymour Simon

PLOT SUMMARY:

The Earth, unlike any other planet, more liquid water than surface -- come explore the currents, depths, and tides of the ocean. Oceans bring us life and death; beauty and brutality  -- oceans are a beautiful contradiction that play a vital role in Earth's existence and human activity. Life in the ocean "began millions of years ago and is home to an incredible number of living things, from microscopic plants and animals called plankton to giant whales larger than any dinosaur." The ocean is awakening and full of life and "throughout the ages, the sea has been the inspiration for art, music, and poetry..."and this perpetual game will continue all "a source of food and a highway to travel."

CRITICALY ANALYSIS:

Seymour Simon begins this book and journey from space looking at the Earth and discussing it's distinct surface; the fact that "more than 70 percent of the earth's surface is covered by oceans" speaks volumes to our existence and ability to continue existing. The images and pictures help to demonstrate the Simon's text. As Simon introduces and discusses the "ocean currents of the world" and how they "flow in huge circular paths called gyres," the "computer-generated picture shows water temperature in colors from the warmest (red) to the coolest (blue);" without this visual the reader is left to image where the warm and cool waters flow. Seymour Simon's usage of basic words and simple language along with detailed images and vivid pictures brings a unique style that is attractive to all readers. As Simon ventures into the ocean depths to show a different world and more specific life forms  we learn that "all sea animals depend upon the multitudes of tiny plankton plants, which drift in the surface waters of the ocean" and these "tiny plants are eaten by small fish and other animals, which are eaten by large animals, and which are eaten, in turn, by even larger animals." The food chain is alive and working; as a matter of fact, "tons of sea animals of all kinds are eaten each day by people all over the world" which brings the food chain to the Earth's surface. Seymour Simon also points out that mankind has mistreated the oceans and in an eloquent manner informs readers that "the seas have always been able to renew itself, but we are reaching the limits of this vast ocean world;" this elicits critical thinking and questions from readers. What should we do; what can we do to stop this and preserve our oceans.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Booklist: "Remarkable."

The Horn Book: "Visually stunning."

                  
Lalith Polepeddi: "This is a very edicational, easy-to-read book that gives information on the single body of water that the world is covered in. I especially liked all the interesting facts mentioned in this book and it was an informational and short read. Some of the facts that I found interesting were that the ocean has more tha one-and-one-half quintillion (15 followed by 17 zeros) tons of water - that 100 billion gallons of water for each person in the world - , how scientists use echo sounding to find out the physical features of the ocean, the cause of tides in relation to the moon and the sun, and the incredible numbers of life forms in the sea. There are also a couple of pages talking about waves - both destructive (tsunamis, hurricane waves) and normal waves that you see at the beach. The fantastic color photographs are simply breathtaking. This book also has good diagrams and the text is clear and concise."

CONNECTIONS:

* Develop a fact sheet from the book

* Draw a picture of your favorite ocean creature

* Create a 3-dimensional representation of the Earth
    (accuaracy is important--remember 70% of Earth's
      surface is water)
* Read other books by Seymour Simon
* Read other books about the Earth
* Compare and contrast the food chain -- Earth & Oceans

What My Mother Doesn't Know

 "It's like/ my mind/

and my body/ and my heart/

just don't seem to be able to agree/o

on anything.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2001.

ISBN0689841140

PLOT SUMMARY:

In this verse novel, Sonya Sones chronicles the life of a ninth grade student, Sophie. Sophie, an apparently boy-crazed teenager, shares the struggles of her daily life from her first love to fighting with her best friends and much more -- the normal life of every teenage girl. Sophie thinks she loves Dylan but she soon realizes they are not right for each much less a match made in heaven. After Dylan breaks her heart by asking her not to mention she is Jewish in front of his prejudice mother, Sophie meets Chaz, on the Internet in a chat room. This relationship also fizzles but leads to a more meaningful relationship with an unpopular boy named Robin. Sophie spends a majority of her time struggling to be understood and to understand people around her.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Sonya Sones has written this verse novel from the first person point of view, Sophie. In doing this the readers are taken through Sophie's daily, weekly, and monthly trials - tribulations and joy - jubilance.  Sophie informs readers quickly that "This book is about me. It tells/the heart-stoppingly riveting story/ of my first love. And also of my second. And, okay my third love, too." Despite these three intoxicating and all consuming loves, Sophie states, "It's not that I'm boy crazy," she believes she is just having a "...hard time/ trying to figure out the difference between love and lust." The chapters are the individual titles of each poem. Each poem deals with something specific in her life. Readers are able to identify with the issues the protagonist encounters; these are common everyday occurrences for adolescence -- family, friends, love, hate, race, and gender. Sones writes in narrative poetry, which is easy and enjoyable to read; especially for the individuals with an aversion to reading.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Publishers Weekly: "The author keenly portray ninth-grader Sophie's trajectory of lusty crushes and disillusionment whether she is gazing at Dylan's 'smoldery dark eyes' or dancing with a mystery man to music that 'is slow/ and/ saxophony.' Best friends Rachel and Grace provide anchoring friendships for Sophie as she navigates her home life as an only child with a distant father and a soap opera-devotee mother..."

CONNECTIONS:

* Create their own poem from their favorite chapter

* Discuss and predict what might occur in the sequel

* Read the sequel to this book, What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know

* Discuss how and why people feel lonely when they are  surrounded by other

   people (family, friends, etc.)

* Read other verse novels my Sonya Sones

Footprints on the Roof

Celebrating the wonders and beauty of our world ~~

Inspiring and stunning ~~
          visual images of
          seas and oceans-      
          deserts and dunes--

Read and See our beautiful planet

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Singer, Marilyn ; illustrated by Meilo So. FootPrints on the Roof: poems about the earth. New York: Knopf Books for Young, 2002.

ISBN 0375810943

PLOT SUMMARY:

An exhilarating and discerning collection of poems ranging from rabbits and worms to space and wind and everything in between. Even Go-Betweens are discussed, trees -- "Trees are go-betweens listening to the stories of both earth and sky the conversations of vireos and star-nosed moles..."  As imagery takes over, the reader is swept up into the high branches of the trees, the Go-Between who can listen to the conversations "of eagles and worms Trees know the soft secrets of clouds the dark siftings of soil..." Through Marilyn Singer's  words, a diverse and lavish representation of our environment is mentally created.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Footprints on the Roof celebrates and memorializes the allurement and wonders of our celestial body -- Earth. Marilyn Singer's usage of free verse and idyll lyrics is filled with visual representation. Her poems touch on topics from mud and ice to islands and deserts; always utilizing prose that do not limit but allow the reader to find the fluid boundary of our universe. Environmentally based, Singer uses metaophr and personfication throughtout the book Footprints on the Roof --
                 "Dormant Dragons /Volcanoes there are that sleep/ 
                   the sleep of dragons/ with cool head
                   and hot bellies/they crouch/solid and still..."
                 "Go-Betweens /Trees...listening to stories/of both
                    earth and sky..."  
Comparing dormant volcanoes to sleeping dragons is a great use of metaphor. Singer also demonstrates her knowledge and use of personification when she has the trees listening to stories from the earth and sky.

The illustrations provided by Meilo So are analogous with Singer's poems -- they are simple yet complex, basic and primary. The artwork gives compassion and conviction to each poem.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Publishers Weekly: "Sometimes I'm in the mood for mud When my toes have tasted too many sidewalks. In the park or by the rive I choose ooze," writes Marilyn Singer in "Mud," one of several environmentally-themed offerings in Footprints on the Roof.

CONNECTIONS:

* Choose a poem and draw a picture representing the poem and/or the feelings/images you had
* Use in conjunction with a social studies lesson and/or science lesson regarding our planet
* Create your own poem using other matter,items, things in nature

Little Dog Poems

~Little Dog,
~~Little Dog,
~~~Little Dog --
"loves to supervise the neighborhood"

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

George, Kristine O'Connell; illustrated by June Otani. Little Dog Poems. New York: Clarion Books, 1999

ISBN 0395822661

PLOT SUMMARY:

Little Dog Poems is a book brimming with short, sweet poems about the life of a cute little dog and its owner. The book begins with the adorable dog waking its master with its Cold Nose which "is better than any alarm clock."As the book progresses so does the dog's day from battling with the Enemy -- "Little Dog barks and chases the noisy enemy around the house until the vacuum learns its lesson and stops growling" to the pooch's Morning Nap and finally Coming Home -- Little Dog is "jumping so high, trying to turn yourself inside out," Little Dog is happy [my] owner is home.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Kristine O'Connell George relies on both free-verse and concrete poetry, sometimes called visual poetry,  This book of Little Dog Poems is lacking what most people think of as poetry -- there is no rhyme, rhythm or cadence but this book certainly does conjure a Carpe diem spirit. This simple book covertly urges the reader to continue reading -- turning the pages -- even though the reader is intrinsically aware what will be on the next page -- they turn the page and another event of Little Dog's day is exposed. George speaks the words that every dog owner is cognizant of -- they know their dog wants to go outside and is always ready to battle a beetle. George does not use alliteration or versification in these poems, her poetry is based more on emotions. She is able to capture the moments of Little Dog's day and the various feelings -- sadness of the master leaving to happiness riding in the car and the owners arrival back home. Little Dog has an delightful and eventful day.

June Otani's watercolor illustrations in this book tell the perfect story -- realistic and heat-warming moments are captured for the readers. Little Dog approaches the Enemy vacuum curiously and protectively and when it is nap time the gentle and soft colors coupled with Little Dog's peaceful slumber has the reader relaxing and wishing happy thoughts for the pooch. The choice of watercolor adds a sense of gentleness and affection between owner and canine. Otani continues to mesmerize readers with the dogs happy expression on the Car Ride to it's effervescent bounce as Little Dog see it's owner Coming Home. True devotion is evident, it exists between Little Dog and the owner.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Kirkus Reviews: These agreeable poems from George chronicle a day in the life of a little dog doing little dog things. After the obligatory cold nose wakes the dog's young keeper, the dog duels the vacuum cleaner, surveys the territory from the window, gives the letter carrier notice, curls like a watch spring into a spot on sunlight, snoozes, duels with a beetle, makes a mess, tears things apart, serves and protects.

CONNECTIONS:

* Read other poems by Kristine O'Connell George
* Discuss similarities of Little Dog and their pets
* Read what other animals need regarding care, food and shelter

Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales

~~~don't forget
~~the flea and the oxen
~the moon and the sun

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Philip, Neil ; illustrated by Jacqueline Mair. Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales. New York: Clarion Book, 2003

ISBN 0618194630

Neil Philip

PLOT SUMMARY:

These fourteen Mexican folktales are entertaining; they are packed with wonderment and amazement. Culture and religion are woven into a majority of these folktales. It is evident that many of these folktales are based on the country's solid Catholic faith; however, a person does not need to be of the Catholic faith to enjoy the tales. The folktales range from the one page tale, The Priest who had a Glimpse of Glory,  to the five page tale of Pedro the Trickster.  These classic tales are embedded with magic and transformation.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Neil Philip brings together fourteen wonderful folktales from our neighbor to the south. Philip's introduction  gives the reader a brief background  in the culture, types of tales usually told and possible reasonings for the "cleverness and stupidity" that exist in many of the tales. These Mexican tales are enhanced by the exuberantly colorful illustrations of Jacqueline Mair. Mair's work brilliantly conceals and reveals details of each folktale. Her illustrations are phenomenal -- they are alive with rich vibrant colors and befitting embellishments.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Children's Literature: "As Hispanic culture weaves itself into the American landscape with an ever-increasing saturation, this book of Mexican folktales proves to be a vibrant addition to the folktale genre to which children today are so rarely exposed."

CONNECTIONS;

* Choose a folktale, choose and assign characters, and act it out
* Draw a picture from one of the folktales
* Read other Mexican folktales
* Read other ethnic folktales
* Review other woks by Jacqueline Mair

Jacqueline Mair

Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale

Bubba's fairy godcow swished her tail and transformed his raggedy clothes into the handsomest cowboy duds and changed a nearby steer into the most beautiful white stallion.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Ketteman, Helen. Bubba The Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale. New York; Scholastic Press, 1997
 ISBN 0590255061

Helen Ketteman

PLOT SUMMARY:

 Bubba, the Cinderella Cowboy Prince, is pushed around and walked on at the family ranch by his hateful step-dad and his horrible step-brothers. Bubba does not complain mainly because he is a real cowboy and enjoys working the ranch.

Miz. Lurleen is lonesome and wants to find herself "a feller and it wouldn't hurt if he was cute as a cow's ear, either." She wants a true cowboy to help with her ranch. She  decides to throw a ball and send out invitations to all the ranchers in Texas.

Bubba has to help his horrible step-family prepare for the ball and when he asked if they will wait for him they laugh at him and say "You smell more like the cattle than the cattle do" and leave Bubba at behind to stay at home alone.

Luckily, Bubba's Fairy Godcow is watching over him as he rides to the pasture to check on the herd. The Fairy Godcow creates some Texas magic and Bubba and a steer are transformed. Bubba rides to the ball on his white stallion and Miz Lurleen meets the cowboy of her dreams.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Helen Ketteman does a wonderful job with this Cinderella parody with a Texas twist. This uncommon story has all of the elements of the traditional Cinderella fairy tale. Bubba's character will give all readers enjoyment and laughs. Warhola's illustration exhibit a high quality of artwork with Texas flavor from cowboys in ten gallon Stetson hats to Miz. Lurlenn and her big Texas hair. The illustrations are colorful yet soft and whimsical with irony. The detail in each illustration is amazing -- from the wicked step-father missing various teeth to the cows under the thunder storm; which is really Bubba's fair godcow.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Kirkus: "A fairy "godcow" comes to the aid of an overworked cowboy named Bubba, who hilariously embodies an overblown and Texas-grown Cinderella. "Appealingly whimsical, delightful visual surprises."

CONNECTIONS:

* Create a list comparing and contrasting Bubba the Cowboy Prince to Cinderella.
* Have students create their own fractured fairy tale.
* Create/continue the fairy talk of Bubba and Miz Lurleen.
* Draw a picture from their favorite part of the fairy tale.
* Read other books by Helen Ketteman.
* View and discuss other artworks by James Warhola.

James Warhola