Genre 5 - Historical Fiction: The Witch of Blackbird Pond

1. Bibliography
Speare, Elizabeth George. 1958. The witch of blackbird pond. New York: Yearling. ISBN 9780440495963

2. Plot Summary
Katherine "Kit" Tyler is a wealthy orphan who is forced to move from her childhood home in tropical Barbados to her aunt's house in Puritan Connecticut in 1687 following the death of her beloved grandfather. From the beginning, Kit feels like a fish out of water. Her clothes are far fancier than the plain, practical dresses of her cousins Judith and Mercy, she is forced to do household work although she is used to having slaves, and she is free-spirited while everyone else is strictly religious. She finds refuge in the meadows and meets the old woman, Hannah, who lives there and who is rumored to be a witch. Kit grows fond of Hannah and a friendship quickly develops. When an illness breaks out in the village of Wethersfield, Kit is accused of learning witchcraft from Hannah and is forced to endure a trial.

3. Analysis
Elizabeth George Speare's depiction of Colonial Connecticut and the descriptions of the bleak, gray landscape transport the reader to an unfamiliar time and place. The struggle of the settlers to gain freedom from the king of England roots the story to a recognizable period in history. An author's note explains that some of the characters in the book were actually real people including the royal governor, the magistrate, the schoolmaster, and the reverend who so often visited the Wood family's household. The inclusion of these real people in a fictional story help ground the story and make it feel like Kit and the Wood family were real people as well.

The Puritan hysterics of the time are also accurately portrayed. The fear that drove people to accuse women of being witches is explored as well. Kit being a bit of an odd ball in Wethersfield made her a prime target of the distress of the townspeople and their mob mentality.

The tumultuous relationship Kit has with Nat, the son of the captain of the ship that brought her to Connecticut concludes with the sweet and somewhat expected romance that blossoms at the end of the book. Kit finally finds the true happiness she had been longing for the entire year before in Wethersfield. Her character comes full circle from eccentric newcomer to a fulfilled, content woman.

4. Review Excerpts

Newbery Medal Winner

Children's Book Watch - "Her unconventional ways lead to conflict and trouble for the lonely girl in this moving story which combines a powerful plot and strong characterization with insights on social change. "

Booklist - "Strong plot, fully realized characters and convincing atmosphere distinguish this historical narrative of a girl whose rebellion against bigotry and her Puritan surroundings culminates in a witch hunt and trial."

5. Connections
* Both Puritan and Quaker religions are mentioned in the book. Students can research these two religions as they were practiced during colonial times and make a Venn diagram comparing the two.

*Students can research illnesses that spread throughout the colonies during the late 1600s to make a conclusion about what they think the illness could have been that swept through Wethersfield during the winter.

*The issue of religious freedom is explored in this book. Students can have a discussion about the freedoms Americans hold today in regards to religion and compare them to the strict religious ideals of the Puritans in the story.

Genre 5 - Historical Fiction: A Single Shard

1. Bibliography
Park, Linda Sue. 2001. A Single Shard. New York: Yearling. ISBN 9780440418511

2. Plot Summary
Tree-ear is an orphan living in 12th century Korea in the potter's village of Ch'ulp'o. He lives with an old, handicapped man named Crane-man, to whom he was delivered by monks when a sickness broke out in the monastery. Tree-ear has a great admiration for potters and secretly watches Min, the most skilled potter in Ch'ulp'o. He accidentally breaks one of Min's pots while admiring it and has to work for Min in order to pay for the broken pot. When the royal emissary visits to commission a potter for the king, Tree-ear is certain Min will be chosen. When a small disaster with the pottery forces Tree-ear to make a long, dangerous journey to Songdo to show Min's pottery to the emissary, his life is forever changed.

3. Analysis
Park's attention to the detail of the time period is to be admired. The celadon pottery and potters' traditions are the backdrop for the characters' interactions throughout the book. Tree-ear's longing to learn the art of pottery making is palpable, and the little figure he gives to Crane-man is nice foreshadowing for Tree-ear's future. The tender relationships between Tree-ear and Crane-man as well as Tree-ear and Min's wife, Ajima, show that family doesn't have to be related by blood.

While I felt this book started off a bit dry and slow, it redeemed itself when Tree-ear begins his work with Min. The quest to get the king's commission is the high point of action in the book and the vivid descriptions of the Korean landscape allow the reader to envision the sights and sounds of Tree-ear's journey. A single shard of pottery is all Tree-ear has to show the emissary after robbers break the pots, but his determination and confidence are unwavering. Tree-ear's courage on his quest to Songdo is sure to inspire children to pursue difficult challenges in their own lives.

Also to be appreciated are the author's note and essay about celadon pottery that help the reader put the history and craftsmanship into perspective.

4. Review Excerpts

Newbery Medal Winner

Publishers Weekly - "Park (Seesaw Girl) molds a moving tribute to perseverance and creativity in this finely etched novel set in mid- to late 12th-century Korea. Readers will not soon forget these characters or their sacrifices."

School Library Journal - "This quiet story is rich in the details of life in Korea during this period. In addition it gives a full picture of the painstaking process needed to produce celadon pottery...this book not only gives readers insight into an unfamiliar time and place, but it is also a great story."

Booklist - "This quiet, but involving, story draws readers into a very different time and place. Though the society has its own conventions, the hearts and minds and stomachs of the characters are not so far removed from those of people today. Readers will feel the hunger and cold that Tree-ear experiences, as well as his shame, fear, gratitude, and love. A well-crafted novel with an unusual setting."

5. Connections
*Students can look at photos of celadon pottery and find more background information about the pottery on Linda Sue Park's website www.lindasuepark.com. Here is the link straight to the pottery page http://www.lindasuepark.com/books/singleshard/singleshardbs.html

*This book would be a great link between literature and the fine arts. The art teacher can have the students make pottery (not celadon) and fire it. This may require a field trip to a ceramic shop, or some schools may have a kiln.

*Students can research ancient Korean history.

Genre 5 - Historical Fiction: The Land

1. Bibliography
Taylor, Mildred D., 2001. The Land. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 0142501468

2. Plot Summary
In this prequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Taylor tells the story of Cassie's grandfather, Paul-Edward Logan. Born in Georgia just after slavery had been abolished, Paul-Edward is the son of a white plantation owner and his former slave mistress. His father claims him and his sister, Cassie, as his own, however they aren't granted the same freedoms as their three white half brothers. As a young boy, Paul-Edward is still naive to race relations of the time since his family openly accepts him. A traumatizing family incident in his early adolescence breaks his ignorance and changes the course of his life forever. A turbulent beginning to a life long friendship is found in Mitchell, the son of one of his father's workers. Paul-Edward and Mitchell travel together in Paul-Edward's pursuit of one day owning a piece of land as great as his father's land in Georgia. The many triumphs and heartbreaks that follow Paul-Edward throughout his life shape this touching historical fiction novel.

3. Analysis
Taylor's ability to transport the reader to the post Civil War-era American South is impressive. While the South was not a great place for African Americans during this time period, Taylor writes with an honesty and hope that will leave the reader feeling satisfied rather than depressed. Paul-Edward seems to be trapped in a world where the only thing that matters to people is the color of their skin. He is labeled as black even though he passes as white at one point in the book. While some of the scenes in the book can bring a tear to they eye, they are written with compassion and grace. The driving force of this novel is Paul-Edward's determination to one day be a land owner. Although he faces many hardships along his journey and the reader might think he will never see his dream realized, Paul-Edward's perseverance holds the reader's attention through to the end.

While I have not read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, it is definitely next on my list. Taylor's realistic and heartbreaking portrayal of Paul-Edward left me wanting to read more about the Logan family and their connection to the land.

An author's note and acknowledgments at the beginning of the book explain Taylor's inspiration from her own family stories to write about the Logan family and her choice to not edit the language in her books. While the language is harsh and hurtful, it was important to her to include it to make the book as authentic as possible.

4. Review Excerpts
Kirkus Reviews - "...this is an aspect of the legacy of slavery not often confronted in children's books; Paul-Edward makes the reader feel its grotesque injustices. They will root for him, as they have for his children and grandchildren, to overcome."

School Library Journal - "The Land by Mildred Taylor (Putnam, 2001) is a wonderful novel of close friendship, harsh prejudices, and deep yearning."

Publishers Weekly - "Taylor's gift for combining history and storytelling are as evident here as in her other stories about the Logan family. Taylor fans should hasten to read this latest contribution to the Logan family history, and newcomers will eagerly lap this up and plunge into the author's other titles."

5. Connections
*Students can play "What Would Cloepatra Do?" The teacher can pose the question: What would Paul-Edward think of Barack Obama becoming the first black (mixed race) president of the United States?

*This book could be followed up by reading any of the other books about the Logan family.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry ISBN 978-0142401125
Song of the Trees ISBN 978-0142500750
Let the Circle Be Unbroken ISBN 978-0140348927
The Road to Memphis ISBN 978-0140360776

*Students can research race relations in the American South post Civil War.

Genre 4 - Nonfiction - Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

1. Bibliography
Krull, Kathleen. 2003. Harvesting hope: the story of cesar chavez. Ill. by Yuyi Morales. San Diego: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 9780152014377

2. Plot Summary
In this narrative biography, Krull tells the life story of Cesar Chavez. Beginning with his childhood in Yuma, Arizona, the books details the harsh and unfair conditions forced upon Mexican migrant farm workers in California that led to Chavez forming the National Farm Workers Association. The main focus of the book is the National Farm Workers Association's grape picking strike and march from Delano to the capitol in Sacramento to bring attention to the cause of fair treatment and laws concerning farm workers. The march was successful, and officials from one grape company recognized the National Farm Workers Association and agreed to fair treatment and better pay. An author's note at the end of the book explains more about Chavez's long life of nonviolent protests, rallies, and hunger strikes in support of better conditions, treatment, and fair pay for farm workers.

3. Analysis
The beginning of the book paints a lovely picture of a pleasant childhood for Chavez with a huge family support system, which makes the scene when the family has to move to California and endure substandard housing and work conditions all the more heartbreaking to the reader. Krull writes with alluring, almost poetic imagery of Chavez's childhood in Arizona: "The eighty acres of their ranch were an island in the shimmering Arizona desert, and the starry skies were all their own." Chavez's misery can be felt by the reader in the scene where Chavez is punished at school for speaking Spanish and forced to wear a sign that says, "I am a clown. I speak Spanish." Morales does a magnificent job of illustrating the emotions and feeling of the characters in the story. Her mix of acrylic paint, handmade stamps, and computer-created cutouts are filled with vibrant colors and sprawling landscapes of farm land. The folk art appearance gives the illustrations a nice link to the subject matter.

While this book could be used as a relevant addition to any collection about Cesar Chavez's life, it really only focuses on his childhood and the march to Sacramento. This should not be used as the sole piece of information in exploring Chavez's life's work and accomplishments. Although, the author's note at the end does satisfactorily explain more about Chavez's work and legacy. In addition, the primary target audience for this book is, of course, children, and I think there is much that they can take from this book about Chavez.

One thing I noticed was the absence of a bibliography. While it is obvious Krull did much research on Chavez's life, I was curious about the dialogue included in the book. Are there really recorded accounts of what people actually said? It makes one wonder.

Overall, this book is beautifully written and could be useful in introducing Cesar Chavez as a historical figure to elementary students.

4. Review Excerpts

Kirkus Reviews - "Krull and Morales introduce a long-neglected figure from recent history to a new audience in an informative, eye-catching manner. A notable achievement."

School Library Journal - "...beautifully rendered earth-toned illustrations flow out from behind the words and onto the facing page. A fine addition to any collection."

Publishers Weekly - "Krull selects details that the target audience will readily understand."
"The visual statement is as powerful as the story."

5. Connections
*This book should definitely be included as a read aloud on Cesar Chavez Day for elementary school students. Cesar Chavez Day is celebrated on March 31 in honor of Chavez's birthday.

*Students can find out more about the holiday and the struggle to make it a national holiday on this site http://www.cesarchavezholiday.org/

*Students can learn more about the author at http://kathleenkrull.com/
and more about the illustrator at http://yuyimorales.com/ .

Genre 4 - Nonfiction - The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain

1. Bibliography
Sis, Peter. 2007. The Wall: growing up behind the iron curtain. New York: Francis Foster Books. ISBN 9780374347017

2. Plot Summary
This book is a powerful first hand account told through cartoon-like drawings, photographs, text, and personal journal entries of what it was like growing up in Communist Prague, Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. Sis tells his own experiences from his childhood through teenage years of his own support and later rebellion against the Communist Soviet government. This picture book/graphic novel/autobiography/history book creates a genre all its own. An introduction and an afterward help put the events into context for readers to understand more about the incidents depicted in the book.

3. Analysis
The unassuming cartoon drawing of the baby Peter Sis on the first page of the book with the text, "As long as he could remember, he loved to draw" surrounded by the definitions of Iron Curtain, Cold War, and Communism demonstrate right away that this is no ordinary picture book. The juxtaposition of cartoon drawings in black and white with red, to symbolize the pervasiveness of the Communist government, fill the pages of this remarkable true story. The drawings effectively convey Sis's love of art and the darkness of the stifling government of the time. Sis's use of his own journal entries throughout the book are a nice addition in relaying his own experiences about the situations surrounding him. As a child he was brainwashed and oblivious. The drawings are all black and white with red. As he becomes a teenager, and "found out there were things he wasn't told," some of the drawings contain full color to depict his personal awakening as well as the Prague Spring of 1968.

Another addition to the artwork is the inclusion of little pig faced secret police in almost every drawing. Perhaps the most powerful piece of art in the book is the image of Sis's dream of freedom. This illustration depicts the Eastern Bloc on one side of a wall with adjectives such as "terror"and "injustice" and the Western Bloc on the other with adjectives such as "truth" and "liberty" as Peter flies across the wall on a winged bicycle.

Middle school and high school English, art, or history classes can all benefit from reading this book. Not that younger children should not read this book, it may be just a little too sophisticated for them to fully appreciate. I was impressed by this wonderfully personal account of Cold War-era Prague.

4. Review Excerpts

Booklist Starred Review - "the author pairs his remarkable artistry with journal entries, historical context and period photography to create a powerful account of his childhood in Cold War–era Prague."

New York Times - "The ecstatic energy and big-spirited inventiveness of the artist’s drawings make the once all but unimaginable realization of that dream visible for all to see."

Kirkus Reviews - "A masterpiece for readers young and old."

5. Connections
*Students can listen to an interview with Peter Sis about his book, The Wall.
http://www.bookexpocast.com/authors-studio/2007/the-wall-by-peter-sis/

*Students can create a graphic novel type interpretation of a historical event for a history or art class.

*Students can be encouraged to read more historical literature about the Cold War.

Genre 4 - Nonfiction: Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest

1. Bibliography
Jenkins, Steve. 1998. Hottest, coldest, highest, deepest. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 9780395899991

2. Plot Summary
In this informative book, Jenkins uncovers some of the world's highest mountains, deepest oceans, coldest locations, most active volcanoes, and much more. In addition, he illustrates his work with unique cut paper collages that may surprise some readers who may have been expecting photographs. Each fact or land form is granted a two-page collage with smaller insets that help the reader put things into perspective by comparing them to objects such as the Empire State Building or an average human man. On the last page is world map with numbers showing each location written about in the book. A bibliography is also included in the front of the book.

3. Analysis
Jenkins's use of collage to illustrate a nonfiction book is a welcomed medium where one might otherwise expect to see a photograph. The collages of each geographical location contain bright colors and enjoyable depictions of animals, ocean waves, rainfall, deserts, and more. The information given is astounding to say the least. More than once I caught myself saying, "Wow, I didn't know that!" For example, I had absolutely no idea that the oldest and deepest lake is Lake Baikal in Russia. It is over 5,000 feet deep in places. Jenkins also adds a bit of trivia about the Great Lakes, sharing that Lake Superior is the largest in square miles, but not the deepest.
Children will be amazed at the information exposed in this book and delighted by the unique illustrations. This book would be a wonderful addition to any math or geography class, and could also be used as inspiration for an art project.

The small insets comparing the geographical facts described to a more common object will really help children put the enormity of the subject matter into proportion. Children may not be able to visualize 462 inches of rain falling in Tutunendo, Colombia per year. However, when visually compared to a 72 inch average man and 36 inch average rainfall in Chicago, children can really appreciate the magnitude of 462 inches of rain per year.

4. Review Excerpts
Booklist - "Highly effective visual education for the classroom or for young browsers intrigued by superlatives."

School Library Journal - "Browsers will pick up this delightful picture book and read it through completely. This eye-catching introduction to geography will find a lot of use in libraries and classrooms."

5. Connections
*Students can create math word problems for each other to solve such as: How much deeper is the Marianas Trench than Lake Baikal?
*Students can research on the Internet to find actual photographs of some of the locations explored in the book.
*Students can create their own paper collage depicting a land form in their own city.

Genre 3 - Poetry - What My Mother Doesn't Know

1. Bibliography
Sones, Sonya. 2001. What my mother doesn't know. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689841149

2. Plot Summary
In this verse novel, Sones explores all the joys and heartaches of being a teenage girl. From boyfriends to best friends to parents, this book tells the story of Sophie Stein, an almost fifteen year old girl living in Massachusetts. What My Mother Doesn't Know reads almost like a diary of Sophie's roller coaster of experiences throughout her freshman year of high school.

3. Analysis
Sones's candid subject matter combined with her definitive teenage voice give this book an irresistible charm. From the first poem of the book, the reader can tell exactly who Sophie is:

"But Dylan calls me Sapphire.
He says it's because of my eyes.
I love the way his voice sounds
when he says it.
Sapphire.
I like whispering it to myself.
His name for me.
Sapphire.
It's like the secret password
to my heart."

Sones paints a clear picture in free verse of Sophie's love crazed desires with several boys, her disinterested parents, and her brilliant friendship with Rachel and Grace. The compilation comes to a satisfying conclusion when Sophie finally uncovers her "masked man" in the form of the school laughing stock, Murphy. I especially enjoyed the staccato style and assonance of "Hair Prayer," an ode to Murphy's hand in Sophie's hair. At the end of the book when Sophie decides to give in and fully accept Murphy as her boyfriend, little sketches of their favorite painting, Renoir's Le Bal a Bougival, appear in the lower right corner signifying Sophie's realization about the difference between love and lust.

Any teen or tweenaged girl as well as most grown women will relate to these heartfelt poems about love and loss, growing up, and, of course, going behind our mothers' backs. Sones's poignant look at teenage life captivates the reader to keep reading just one more poem. This book is sure to be a favorite to be passed down from mother to daughter or friend to friend as a tribute to our days gone by.

4. Review Excerpts
Publishers Weekly Starred Review -"...Sophie's honest and earthy story feels destined to captivate a young female audience, avid and reluctant readers alike."
School Library Journal - "Sones is a bright, perceptive writer who digs deeply into her protagonist's soul."
Booklist Starred Review - "Sophie's voice is colloquial and intimate, and the discoveries she makes are beyond formula, even while they are as sweetly romantic as popular song."

5. Connections
*This book could definitely be utilized by a school counselor when dealing with students' feelings. Girls should be urged to read the book and respond to Sones's poems with stories of their own. Then, the English teacher can have the students turn their responses into their own free verse poems.
*Boys can be urged to read the sequel to What My Mother Doesn't Know, What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know ISBN 9780689876035. This book is written from Murphy's, Sophies's new boyfriend's, point of view. Then the same collaboration between counselor and English teacher can take place.

Genre 3 - Poetry - Knock on Wood: Poems About Superstitions

1. Bibliography
Wong, Janet S. 2003. Knock on wood: poems about superstitions. Ill. by Julie Paschkis. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. ISBN 9780689855122

2. Plot Summary
In this enchanting collection of children's poems, each of Wong's seventeen verses, listed in alphabetical order, is written about a superstition. Since some are more common than others, she has included a note at the end of the book about each superstition explored and details from where it originated. Also included is an author's note about her interest in superstitions and how this book came to be.

3. Analysis
The combination of the font used and Paschkis's swirling watercolor illustrations gives this collection of poems an ethereal quality. The beautiful two-page backdrops for each poem require more than just a casual look to be fully appreciated. Each poem is framed within a "window" shaped in a figure relating to the subject, showcasing not only the poem, but a small scene relating to each verse as well.

Wong's poems explore all sorts of superstitions from garlic and vampires to walking under ladders to potatoes that cure arthritis. The note at the end of the book explaining each superstition is much appreciated as some of the superstitions explored are very obscure. Some so obscure, in fact, that the poem's meaning may not translate very well. I had to read some of them several times while reading the note at the end of the book in between to understand Wong's intended meaning.

For the most part, however, Wong's lyrical verses are saturated with whimsical humor and imaginative imagery. For example in "Thirteen" she writes, "Friday the 13th/ thirteen witches are meeting in the Office of Bad Luck- on the thirteenth floor at 13 Thirteenth Street, of course." Then the Onomatopoeia "Zing!" "Zap!" and "Zarg!" that children will adore. And in "Garlic" the final verse reads "one big smelly mouthful- one big vampire good-bye." Wong's carefully chosen words paired with Paschkis's flowing watercolors are a pleasant combination in this inviting book of multicultural superstitious poems.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal - "Humor, satire, subplots, historic references, and decorative and surreal elements abound in artful profusion. There is much to ponder in both words and pictures."
Booklist - "Filled with mystery, magic, and hidden worlds, these are poems to liven up language arts classes and to spark discussions about personal beliefs."

5. Connections
*Children can share superstitions from their culture and compare their similarities and differences.
*Children can pick their own favorite superstition and write a poem about it.
*Read other books written by Janet S. Wong and illustrated by Julie Paschkis:
Twist: Yoga Poems ISBN 9780689873942
Night Garden: Poems for the World of Dreams ISBN 9781416968160