BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hale, Shannon. 2005. PRINCESS ACADEMY. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1582349932
PLOT SUMMARY
Miri is 14 years old and living with her family on Mount Eskel. She lives with her father and sister in a linder quarry. Her mother died a week after she was born. Miri spends her time tending the house and goats as she is not allowed to work in the quarry. Everything changes when the village learns that the Prince will choose his bride from their village. All girls ages 12-18 are sent to the Princess Academy a few hours walk away. Miri and the other girls have to face many challenges at the academy, a strict teacher, strict rules, and learning to read. As time goes on the girls become competitive for one girl will earn the title of Academy Princess. The competition becomes intense and Miri wants to win, yet her heart belongs to Peder.
The story discusses the isolation that the girls felt, kept away from their families and expected to learn a new way of life at the Academy. Miri teaches herself to quarry speak a silent language which allows the girls to communicate. This skill becomes useful when the girls are kidnapped as ransom. In the end Miri realizes that she wishes to be home with her family and true love. She is relieved to have won the Academy Princess title, and not chosen to be the princess. Miri is pleased to see her friend Britta be reunited with the love of her life Prince Steffan.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Shannon Hale writes a wonderful story about a girl on a journey to learn more about the world since she is forced to attend the Princess Academy. The author writes the story using a voice which enables the reader to feel that they are on Mount Eskel, having the same experiences as Miri. She is a young girl who is easy to relate to.
Miri is a small and determined girl who puts into action the things that she is learning at the academy. She learns about democracy and trading. The information that she learns will touch the lives of her classmates and the people in her village. Readers should realize that anyone can make a difference. Miri was able to living high up on top of Mount Eskel. This story was engaging and quick to read. Miri learns that it is great to learn about new places and things, yet there is no place like home on Mount Eskel with her family, community and Peder. Girls in 5th grade and up will enjoy reading this novel, along with others by Shannon Hale.
REVIEWS
Starred Review in School Library Journal: “Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home.”
Reviewed in Booklist: “Hale nicely interweaves feminist sensibilities in this quest-for-a-prince-charming, historical-fantasy tale.”
Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Children’s Book
CONNECTIONS
*Have students write a story of how they can make a difference in their community.
*Other stories written by Shannon Hale:
Hale, Shannon. BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS. ISBN 1599900513
Hale, Shannon. RIVER SECRETS: BOOKS OF BAYERN. ISBN 1599902931
Hale, Shannon. THE GOOSE GIRL: BOOKS OF BAYERN. ISBN 1582349908
Saturday, August 8, 2009
LOOKING FOR ALASKA
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Green, John. 2005. LOOKING FOR ALASKA. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0525475060
PLOT SUMMARY
This is the story of Miles Halter who is a teenager from Florida that decides to attend a boarding school in Alabama in search of his “great perhaps”. Miles adjusts to life without his parents monitoring his every move. He is searching for new friends and a more exciting life than his boring and uneventful life in Florida. Miles new found friends teach him about smoking and cigarettes. One friend is particular is very special, Alaska. She is beautiful, intellectual, and liked to live life on the edge. Alaska was traumatized as a child by her mom’s sudden death. The story takes a sudden turn when Alaska is killed in a car crash in the middle of the night rushing to take flower’s to her mother’s grave. She felt that she had let her mother down again. The shock of the death left Miles and their close friends reeling and attempting to find the answers as to why she died.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story depicts a teenagers need to find something better and different than what they already know. Miles made several friends, yet he had to learn how to be a friend. He found the social Labyrinth a challenge to navigate. It was a daily struggle at first, adjusting to boarding school. Miles fell in Love with Alaska and the idea of loving her. The chapters are labeled days before and after; this leads the reader to assume that something is going to go wrong for Alaska. It was through her death that Miles was able to recognize that she had touched the lives of many people at the school. Miles matures as he realizes that he should have been a better friend. The book illustrates the range of feelings that a teenager goes through when they lose a close friend to drunk driving. Miles and his friends set out to find answers as to why she died. The book also discusses drinking and the problems that it caused the students. Alaska was using drinking and smoking to ease her pain. In the end, it is what killed her.
REVIEWS
Reviewed in Publishers Weekly: “Readers will only hope that this is not the last word from this promising new author.”
Reviewed in School Library Journal: “Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability.”
Michael L. Printz Award
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 2005
CONNECTIONS
*Students can learn more about famous farewells:
Allen, Robert. FAMOUS LAST WORDS: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION OF FINALES AND FAREWELLS. ISBN 1856487083
*Other stories by John Green:
Green, John. AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES. ISBN 0142410705
Green, John. PAPER TOWNS. ISBN 0525478183
Green, John. 2005. LOOKING FOR ALASKA. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0525475060
PLOT SUMMARY
This is the story of Miles Halter who is a teenager from Florida that decides to attend a boarding school in Alabama in search of his “great perhaps”. Miles adjusts to life without his parents monitoring his every move. He is searching for new friends and a more exciting life than his boring and uneventful life in Florida. Miles new found friends teach him about smoking and cigarettes. One friend is particular is very special, Alaska. She is beautiful, intellectual, and liked to live life on the edge. Alaska was traumatized as a child by her mom’s sudden death. The story takes a sudden turn when Alaska is killed in a car crash in the middle of the night rushing to take flower’s to her mother’s grave. She felt that she had let her mother down again. The shock of the death left Miles and their close friends reeling and attempting to find the answers as to why she died.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story depicts a teenagers need to find something better and different than what they already know. Miles made several friends, yet he had to learn how to be a friend. He found the social Labyrinth a challenge to navigate. It was a daily struggle at first, adjusting to boarding school. Miles fell in Love with Alaska and the idea of loving her. The chapters are labeled days before and after; this leads the reader to assume that something is going to go wrong for Alaska. It was through her death that Miles was able to recognize that she had touched the lives of many people at the school. Miles matures as he realizes that he should have been a better friend. The book illustrates the range of feelings that a teenager goes through when they lose a close friend to drunk driving. Miles and his friends set out to find answers as to why she died. The book also discusses drinking and the problems that it caused the students. Alaska was using drinking and smoking to ease her pain. In the end, it is what killed her.
REVIEWS
Reviewed in Publishers Weekly: “Readers will only hope that this is not the last word from this promising new author.”
Reviewed in School Library Journal: “Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability.”
Michael L. Printz Award
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 2005
CONNECTIONS
*Students can learn more about famous farewells:
Allen, Robert. FAMOUS LAST WORDS: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION OF FINALES AND FAREWELLS. ISBN 1856487083
*Other stories by John Green:
Green, John. AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES. ISBN 0142410705
Green, John. PAPER TOWNS. ISBN 0525478183
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kinney, Jeff. 2007. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. New York: Amulet. ISBN 0810993139
PLOT SUMMARY
Greg Heffley is a middle school student who tells the reader about a year of events in middle school through sketches and journal entries. Greg discusses what his life is like with an older brother, younger brother and a best friend named Rowley. He tries to fit in at school and finds that it is not easy. Rowley and Greg have several adventures together including, trick-or-treating and snowball making, somehow things do not turn out as he plans them to.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jeff Kinney has written this book with engaging characters and the preteen dialogue which allows the story to come to life. Readers of many ages will be able to connect with Greg’s mishaps in Middle School and with his family. Humor is found in the many situations in which he finds himself, such as dressed as a tree in the school play, having to go trick-or-treating with his father and little brother on Halloween, and having his mom as a substitute teacher. The cartoon sketches allow the pages to come to life and they give the reader a visual picture of the situation in which Greg has found himself. The pictures allow the story to be an easy and enjoyable read. This is an immediately engaging graphic novel that will motivate boys to keep on reading, to learn what happens next.
REVIEWS
School Library Journal Review: “Kinney does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious.”
Starred review in Publishers Weekly: “Kinney ably skewers familiar aspects of junior high life, from dealing with the mysteries of what makes someone popular to the trauma of a wrestling unit in gym class.”
Horn Book Review: “Kinney's writing and illustrations are filled with laugh-out-loud kid humor.”
CONNECTIONS
*Students may enjoy writing their own graphic novel.
*Read more about Greg’s middle school adventures in DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LAST STRAW.
*Look for these other graphic novels:
Holm, Jennifer. MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN MEATLOAF: A YEAR TOLD THROUGH STUFF. ISBN 0689852819
Kinney, Jeff. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES. ISBN 0810994739
Kinney, Jeff. 2007. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. New York: Amulet. ISBN 0810993139
PLOT SUMMARY
Greg Heffley is a middle school student who tells the reader about a year of events in middle school through sketches and journal entries. Greg discusses what his life is like with an older brother, younger brother and a best friend named Rowley. He tries to fit in at school and finds that it is not easy. Rowley and Greg have several adventures together including, trick-or-treating and snowball making, somehow things do not turn out as he plans them to.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jeff Kinney has written this book with engaging characters and the preteen dialogue which allows the story to come to life. Readers of many ages will be able to connect with Greg’s mishaps in Middle School and with his family. Humor is found in the many situations in which he finds himself, such as dressed as a tree in the school play, having to go trick-or-treating with his father and little brother on Halloween, and having his mom as a substitute teacher. The cartoon sketches allow the pages to come to life and they give the reader a visual picture of the situation in which Greg has found himself. The pictures allow the story to be an easy and enjoyable read. This is an immediately engaging graphic novel that will motivate boys to keep on reading, to learn what happens next.
REVIEWS
School Library Journal Review: “Kinney does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious.”
Starred review in Publishers Weekly: “Kinney ably skewers familiar aspects of junior high life, from dealing with the mysteries of what makes someone popular to the trauma of a wrestling unit in gym class.”
Horn Book Review: “Kinney's writing and illustrations are filled with laugh-out-loud kid humor.”
CONNECTIONS
*Students may enjoy writing their own graphic novel.
*Read more about Greg’s middle school adventures in DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LAST STRAW.
*Look for these other graphic novels:
Holm, Jennifer. MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN MEATLOAF: A YEAR TOLD THROUGH STUFF. ISBN 0689852819
Kinney, Jeff. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES. ISBN 0810994739
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
WEEDFLOWER
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. WEEDFLOWER. New York: Atheneum Books. ISBN 1416975667
PLOT SUMMARY
Sumiko is a young girl, who was born in America to Japanese parents. When she was young her parents died in a car accident. Leaving her and her younger brother to live with their Aunt, Uncle, Cousins and Grandfather on their flower farm. Sumiko was the only Japanese American girl at her school and felt loneliness and isolation as a result of not having many friends. Life on the farm was happy until the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. Within a few days her Uncle and Grandfather were sent to Prison Camp in the North due to the fact that they were born in Japan. The family burned all of their belongings that would imply that they are loyal to Japan. A few months later the family was evacuated to Arizona.
When Sumiko arrived in Arizona, her life changed. It was hot, very hot. Not at all like the cool southern California weather that she was used to. The family was relocated to a camp that had been placed on an Indian reservation. The transition to the sand and harsh conditions took time to get used to. Sumiko made friends with other children, but had a hard time understanding how the children did whatever they wanted, often not listening to their parents. She also became friends with an Indian boy who was interested in learning about irrigation. Sumiko’s neighbor planted a garden complete with flowers thanks to Sumiko who had brought carnation seeds. When the time comes to leave Sumiko is sad to leave her friends and the place she called home in the middle of the desert.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is an incredible story of how a young girl finds happiness during a sad and uncertain time in her life. The character is developed to become a young girl finding her way during a time when her family has been placed in a prison camp because they are Japanese descendants. She is not bitter or angry, but she is lonely. Loneliness and boredom can be powerful and cause you to lose focus. The reader is taught that anything is possible, even in the harshest of conditions. Sumiko helped her neighbor build a beautiful garden by willingly helping to transport water to the site. What resulted was a garden that she was proud of and it kept her and her mind busy during a time in which there was little to do. She found peace in the structure of the camp, and was unhappy to leave and face a future of uncertainty that came with moving.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in School Library Journal: “Kadohata brings into play some complex issues, but they realistically dovetail with Sumiko’s growth from child to young woman”
Reviewed in Publishers Weekly: “Kadohata clearly and eloquently conveys her heroine’s mixture of shame, anger and courage. Readers will be inspired…”
CONNECTIONS
*Invite students to write a story about how life was different during World War II.
*Other books by Cynthia Kadohata:
Kadohata, Cynthia. KIRA-KIRA. ISBN 0689856407
Kadohata, Cynthia. CRACKER!: THE BEST DOG IN VIETNAM. ISBN 141690638X
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2006. WEEDFLOWER. New York: Atheneum Books. ISBN 1416975667
PLOT SUMMARY
Sumiko is a young girl, who was born in America to Japanese parents. When she was young her parents died in a car accident. Leaving her and her younger brother to live with their Aunt, Uncle, Cousins and Grandfather on their flower farm. Sumiko was the only Japanese American girl at her school and felt loneliness and isolation as a result of not having many friends. Life on the farm was happy until the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. Within a few days her Uncle and Grandfather were sent to Prison Camp in the North due to the fact that they were born in Japan. The family burned all of their belongings that would imply that they are loyal to Japan. A few months later the family was evacuated to Arizona.
When Sumiko arrived in Arizona, her life changed. It was hot, very hot. Not at all like the cool southern California weather that she was used to. The family was relocated to a camp that had been placed on an Indian reservation. The transition to the sand and harsh conditions took time to get used to. Sumiko made friends with other children, but had a hard time understanding how the children did whatever they wanted, often not listening to their parents. She also became friends with an Indian boy who was interested in learning about irrigation. Sumiko’s neighbor planted a garden complete with flowers thanks to Sumiko who had brought carnation seeds. When the time comes to leave Sumiko is sad to leave her friends and the place she called home in the middle of the desert.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is an incredible story of how a young girl finds happiness during a sad and uncertain time in her life. The character is developed to become a young girl finding her way during a time when her family has been placed in a prison camp because they are Japanese descendants. She is not bitter or angry, but she is lonely. Loneliness and boredom can be powerful and cause you to lose focus. The reader is taught that anything is possible, even in the harshest of conditions. Sumiko helped her neighbor build a beautiful garden by willingly helping to transport water to the site. What resulted was a garden that she was proud of and it kept her and her mind busy during a time in which there was little to do. She found peace in the structure of the camp, and was unhappy to leave and face a future of uncertainty that came with moving.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in School Library Journal: “Kadohata brings into play some complex issues, but they realistically dovetail with Sumiko’s growth from child to young woman”
Reviewed in Publishers Weekly: “Kadohata clearly and eloquently conveys her heroine’s mixture of shame, anger and courage. Readers will be inspired…”
CONNECTIONS
*Invite students to write a story about how life was different during World War II.
*Other books by Cynthia Kadohata:
Kadohata, Cynthia. KIRA-KIRA. ISBN 0689856407
Kadohata, Cynthia. CRACKER!: THE BEST DOG IN VIETNAM. ISBN 141690638X
ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
O’Dell, Scott.1960. ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395536804
PLOT SUMMARY
In the early 1800’s a young girl named Karana lived for 18 years on an Island all by herself, with a dog as a companion. This is the story of the young girl who watched her father be confronted by the foreign men who came to hunt otters on the island for their pelts. Her father and many of the other men died in the battle. Resulting in the new leader leaving in search of a new home for the remaining tribe. He sent a ship back for the tribe, in the confusion loading the boat the young girls brother does not board the ship. The brave young girl dives in the water to return to the island and wait with her brother for the ship to return. The young boy dies early the next morning when he is attacked by a pack of wild dogs. For eighteen years the girl lives on the Island learning to love it after experiencing so much sorrow. She befriends the lead dog of the wield pack after, she almost killed it. The dog becomes her constant companion. During her time on the Island she learns to do all of the skills which were only taught to the men. Through her resourcefulness she survived alone, until she was rescued many years later.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The story is told in such a way that the reader is able to feel the young girls mourning and loss. The character is developed into a strong woman, who is fearful of strangers who come to her Island, and is able to learn what is necessary to survive on the island alone for so many years. The loneliness that she faced in her early days alone was challenging. Extreme Sorrow and agony. She learned to forgive the leader of the wild dog pack and befriend him. The dog developed into her constant companion. The story flows quickly keeping the reader engaged through Karana’s continual resourcefulness. She was able to keep herself busy in a quiet and lonely place. The reader will learn the history of the Indian girl from San Nicolas Island through this engaging story.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
John Newbery Medal. 1961Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. 1961
School Library Journal, Books That Shaped the Century. 2000
Reviewed in Library Journal: “a haunting and unusual story”
Reviewed in the Sunday Chicago Tribune: “This extraordinary book ... has the timeless, enduring quality of a classic."
CONNECTIONS
*Invite students to create their own story based on historical information.
*Other engaging books by Scott O’Dell:
O’Dell, Scott. THE BLACK PEARL. ISBN 0440411467 O’Dell, Scott. SING DOWN THE MOON. ISBN 0440979757
O’Dell, Scott.1960. ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395536804
PLOT SUMMARY
In the early 1800’s a young girl named Karana lived for 18 years on an Island all by herself, with a dog as a companion. This is the story of the young girl who watched her father be confronted by the foreign men who came to hunt otters on the island for their pelts. Her father and many of the other men died in the battle. Resulting in the new leader leaving in search of a new home for the remaining tribe. He sent a ship back for the tribe, in the confusion loading the boat the young girls brother does not board the ship. The brave young girl dives in the water to return to the island and wait with her brother for the ship to return. The young boy dies early the next morning when he is attacked by a pack of wild dogs. For eighteen years the girl lives on the Island learning to love it after experiencing so much sorrow. She befriends the lead dog of the wield pack after, she almost killed it. The dog becomes her constant companion. During her time on the Island she learns to do all of the skills which were only taught to the men. Through her resourcefulness she survived alone, until she was rescued many years later.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The story is told in such a way that the reader is able to feel the young girls mourning and loss. The character is developed into a strong woman, who is fearful of strangers who come to her Island, and is able to learn what is necessary to survive on the island alone for so many years. The loneliness that she faced in her early days alone was challenging. Extreme Sorrow and agony. She learned to forgive the leader of the wild dog pack and befriend him. The dog developed into her constant companion. The story flows quickly keeping the reader engaged through Karana’s continual resourcefulness. She was able to keep herself busy in a quiet and lonely place. The reader will learn the history of the Indian girl from San Nicolas Island through this engaging story.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
John Newbery Medal. 1961Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. 1961
School Library Journal, Books That Shaped the Century. 2000
Reviewed in Library Journal: “a haunting and unusual story”
Reviewed in the Sunday Chicago Tribune: “This extraordinary book ... has the timeless, enduring quality of a classic."
CONNECTIONS
*Invite students to create their own story based on historical information.
*Other engaging books by Scott O’Dell:
O’Dell, Scott. THE BLACK PEARL. ISBN 0440411467 O’Dell, Scott. SING DOWN THE MOON. ISBN 0440979757
THE GREEN GRASS SEA
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GRASS SEA. New York: Viking. ISBN 0670061344
PLOT SUMMARY
Dewey Carrigan is an 11 year old girl who has been raised by her grandmother, since her mother left when she was young and her father spends most of his time away at work. When her grandmother dies she is sent by train to join her father in New Mexico. She finds it lonely to live in a place that does not really exist, according to the government. Dewey finds comfort in her strong relationship with her dad and his support in her quest to build things out of gadgets. She has created her own radio. Dewey finds herself an outsider at school, with few friends. She does enjoy meeting the many scientists that lived at the hill, who were working on the top secret “gadget”. Dewey’s world is shattered when her father dies suddenly and she is left living with a fellow classmate’s family. Through the pain, Dewey finds a place in her classmate’s family. As the gadget is successfully tested and the family learns of its intended use and is distraught to learn of the government’s plans.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The story is set in 1943 During World War II, when the American Military was developing a “gadget” to end the war. Dewey’s character felt much pain in her lifetime. She was developed as a girl who did not easily fit in with the other students. Los Alamos became a home to her; she was thrilled to be living with her father again after so many years. The book gives the reader a real impression of what life was like on the hill for the children. Life was not easy for the children, bored and often unsupervised. The children learned quickly that it was a sacrifice for their country, and that the gadget was important. The secrets of Los Alamos are slowly revealed in the book, educating the reader on what life was like for the families and scientists who lived there. Young readers will learn the historical significance of Los Alamos; it is a real place with a real purpose, and that the mystery gadget was the atomic bomb which was used to end World War II.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Scott O’Dell Award: Historical Fiction 2007
School Library Journal: “Clear prose brings readers right into the unusual atmosphere of the secretive scientific community, seen through the eyes of the kids and their families.”
Booklist: “the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes.”
CONNECTIONS
*Other books about Los Alamos; invite students to learn more about life on “the hill”.
Broder, Bernice. TALES OF LOS ALAMOS; LIFE ON THE MESA 1943-1945. ISBN 0941232174.
Mason, Katrina. CHILDREN OF LOS ALAMOS: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE TOWN WHERE THE ATOMIC AGE BEGAN. ISBN 0805791388
*Other books by Ellen Klages;
Klages, Ellen. WHITE SANDS, RED MENACE. ISBN 0670062359
Klages, Ellen. PORTABLE CHILDHOODS. ISBN 0670062359
Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GRASS SEA. New York: Viking. ISBN 0670061344
PLOT SUMMARY
Dewey Carrigan is an 11 year old girl who has been raised by her grandmother, since her mother left when she was young and her father spends most of his time away at work. When her grandmother dies she is sent by train to join her father in New Mexico. She finds it lonely to live in a place that does not really exist, according to the government. Dewey finds comfort in her strong relationship with her dad and his support in her quest to build things out of gadgets. She has created her own radio. Dewey finds herself an outsider at school, with few friends. She does enjoy meeting the many scientists that lived at the hill, who were working on the top secret “gadget”. Dewey’s world is shattered when her father dies suddenly and she is left living with a fellow classmate’s family. Through the pain, Dewey finds a place in her classmate’s family. As the gadget is successfully tested and the family learns of its intended use and is distraught to learn of the government’s plans.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The story is set in 1943 During World War II, when the American Military was developing a “gadget” to end the war. Dewey’s character felt much pain in her lifetime. She was developed as a girl who did not easily fit in with the other students. Los Alamos became a home to her; she was thrilled to be living with her father again after so many years. The book gives the reader a real impression of what life was like on the hill for the children. Life was not easy for the children, bored and often unsupervised. The children learned quickly that it was a sacrifice for their country, and that the gadget was important. The secrets of Los Alamos are slowly revealed in the book, educating the reader on what life was like for the families and scientists who lived there. Young readers will learn the historical significance of Los Alamos; it is a real place with a real purpose, and that the mystery gadget was the atomic bomb which was used to end World War II.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Scott O’Dell Award: Historical Fiction 2007
School Library Journal: “Clear prose brings readers right into the unusual atmosphere of the secretive scientific community, seen through the eyes of the kids and their families.”
Booklist: “the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes.”
CONNECTIONS
*Other books about Los Alamos; invite students to learn more about life on “the hill”.
Broder, Bernice. TALES OF LOS ALAMOS; LIFE ON THE MESA 1943-1945. ISBN 0941232174.
Mason, Katrina. CHILDREN OF LOS ALAMOS: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE TOWN WHERE THE ATOMIC AGE BEGAN. ISBN 0805791388
*Other books by Ellen Klages;
Klages, Ellen. WHITE SANDS, RED MENACE. ISBN 0670062359
Klages, Ellen. PORTABLE CHILDHOODS. ISBN 0670062359
Saturday, July 18, 2009
THE WALL: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sis, Peter. 2007. THE WALL: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN. New York: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 9780374347017
PLOT SUMMARY
Peter Sis grew up in Czechoslovakia during the time in which it was ruled by the Soviets. As a child he loved to draw and sketch. As he grew in age and ability, so did the strong hold of the communists. “Children are encouraged to report on their families and fellow students” at this stage he only draws what he is told to draw. The Berlin wall is built in 1961, dividing the city in half. As he grew older he began to question what he had been taught. Painting in secret and joining a rock band. Censorship is slowly lifted and he is able to experience the Beatles, Coca Cola and blue jeans it was the summer of 1968.
Over time the censorship returned and he realized that his dreams were safe, yet his drawings could be used against him. He discovered peace in painting the interior of his home, including his refrigerator. The Berlin wall fell in 1989. He now lives in America with his family, yet returns to Czechoslovakia to visit his extended family. Peter Sis finds it challenging to put into words what the beautiful country was like when he was growing up. Full of suspicion, fear, and lies, a world he preferred to see through his drawings, a comfort in uncertain times.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Peter Sis uses crosshatched black-and-white drawings of parades and what life was like growing up in Prague. The additions of color add another dimension to this representation of what life was like through his eyes. Even with the obvious color, the black ink allows the reader to feel and experience the oppression of the time. When oppression is lifted, colors and experiences abound. This story of Peter Sis’s experience of growing up gives us a rare glimpse into the world behind the iron curtain.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “terrific design dramatizes the conflict between conformity and creative freedom”
Starred Review in Publishers Weekly:”the author pairs his remarkable artistry with journal entries, historical context and period photography to create a powerful account of his childhood.”
Caldecott Honor Book: 2008
Sibert Award Winner: 2008
CONNECTIONS
*Have students read several books by Peter Sis, and have students write a story about their own childhood, and create their own black and white sketch drawing.
*Other books by Peter Sis:
Sis, Peter. MADELENKA. ISBN 0374399697
Sis, Peter. THE THREE GOLDEN KEYS. ISBN 0374375259
Sis, Peter. 2007. THE WALL: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN. New York: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 9780374347017
PLOT SUMMARY
Peter Sis grew up in Czechoslovakia during the time in which it was ruled by the Soviets. As a child he loved to draw and sketch. As he grew in age and ability, so did the strong hold of the communists. “Children are encouraged to report on their families and fellow students” at this stage he only draws what he is told to draw. The Berlin wall is built in 1961, dividing the city in half. As he grew older he began to question what he had been taught. Painting in secret and joining a rock band. Censorship is slowly lifted and he is able to experience the Beatles, Coca Cola and blue jeans it was the summer of 1968.
Over time the censorship returned and he realized that his dreams were safe, yet his drawings could be used against him. He discovered peace in painting the interior of his home, including his refrigerator. The Berlin wall fell in 1989. He now lives in America with his family, yet returns to Czechoslovakia to visit his extended family. Peter Sis finds it challenging to put into words what the beautiful country was like when he was growing up. Full of suspicion, fear, and lies, a world he preferred to see through his drawings, a comfort in uncertain times.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Peter Sis uses crosshatched black-and-white drawings of parades and what life was like growing up in Prague. The additions of color add another dimension to this representation of what life was like through his eyes. Even with the obvious color, the black ink allows the reader to feel and experience the oppression of the time. When oppression is lifted, colors and experiences abound. This story of Peter Sis’s experience of growing up gives us a rare glimpse into the world behind the iron curtain.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in BOOKLIST: “terrific design dramatizes the conflict between conformity and creative freedom”
Starred Review in Publishers Weekly:”the author pairs his remarkable artistry with journal entries, historical context and period photography to create a powerful account of his childhood.”
Caldecott Honor Book: 2008
Sibert Award Winner: 2008
CONNECTIONS
*Have students read several books by Peter Sis, and have students write a story about their own childhood, and create their own black and white sketch drawing.
*Other books by Peter Sis:
Sis, Peter. MADELENKA. ISBN 0374399697
Sis, Peter. THE THREE GOLDEN KEYS. ISBN 0374375259
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