Bibliography:
Yep, Laurence. (1995). Hiroshima. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0590208322.
Plot Summary:
Yep takes the reader inside Hiroshima before, during, and after the atomic bomb was dropped on the city by the United States in attempt to end World War II. A survivor, young girl Sachi, is highlighted along with the one group of "Hiroshima Maidens" who came to the U.S. to receive medical treatments. Hiroshima created hospitals for the survivors to go to as well. Today you may visit a park in Hiroshima to pay your respects. This book tells the reader about the aftermath of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
Critical Analysis:
This historical fiction novel gives many interesting perspectives from people involved in the bombing of Hiroshima. It is most appropriate for grades 3rd and above. The book is a quick read, only 55 pages long. Yep includes sources and background of characters and facts included in the novel.
The setting is described in detail, down to the melted bottles after the bomb is dropped. The story flows well and includes important information regarding the bombing. Characters in the story are typical of the time period and the event. An interesting aspect of this novel is that Sachi, the main character, is a composite of several children who survived and later came to the United States. Students will be able to identify with the characters, especially Sachi. Yep does an excellent job of showing the devastation and aftermath of the bombing in Hiroshima to young students.
Awards & Reviews:
No awards were given for this particular novel.
"This powerful chronicle ensures that what was done on that awful day will remain in readers' memories for a very long time." -Publisher's Weekly (http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-590-20832-1)
Connections:
Humanities Connection: Make paper cranes to send to the Hiroshima monument in Japan.
Geography Connection: Before and after reading Hiroshima, study the geographic location of Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Author Study - Laurence Yep: Highlight Yep and other works by him including Dragon Child, The Earth Dragon Awakes, and others.
Topic Study - Hiroshima: Find non-fiction books about Hiroshima along with other historical fiction novels about Hiroshima or the atomic bomb (The Green Glass Sea for example) to read as part of a themed unit.
Poetry Connection: Write a poem about peace and the bombing/recovery of Hiroshima.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Book Review: Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
Bibliography:
Holm, Jennifer L. (2010). Turtle in Paradise. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 9780375936883.
Plot Summary:
The book takes place during the Great Depression. Turtle goes to live with family in Key West, Florida and opens herself to a great deal of adventure with the "Diaper Gang." After finding what seems to be a treasure map in their grandmother's home, they embark on a quest to find treasure. Turtle is moved from a pessimistic-type child to a girl who can see the chance of a "Hollywood" happy ending.
Critical Analysis:
Turtle in Paradise is an interesting historical fiction novel. The characters are detailed and fit the time period of the Great Depression. Many characters have nicknames! From the boy who has a heart condition who needs to take it easy to the overly tired mother who takes in one more child, Holm creates characters who are easy to identify with and are true to the time period of the book. She ends the book with an Author's Note about the history of the book - what the characters were based on and even some photos of the Key West area during the Great Depression.
It is important to note the setting and plot. Holm does an excellent job describing the surroundings (all true to the time period) of several cities, transportation, ideas, values and jobs. Details like the dialect are even taken into consideration (for example, the "alligator pear" versus an avocado). The story is an adventure and it would be good for students grades 3rd and above. The authenticity of the book can be credited by the resources in the back. The book is set in the 1930s, but still connects to the children reading it today.
Awards:
2011 Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
Booklist Editor's Choice
Texas Bluebonnet List
New York Times bestseller
Review: "Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure." -Booklist
Connections:
--Read the text while studying the era of the Great Depression
--Study Turtle in Paradise along with Key West, Florida
--Art connection: Make your own drawing of the treasure map from the book
--Language Arts: Have the students create a reading response journal from their reading of this book.
--Social Studies connection: Verify facts and cultural environment about the time period from the book
--Other books by Jennifer Holm: Our Only May Amelia, Penny from Heaven, and Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf.
--Note: Jennifer Holm and her brother write the Babymouse series.
Holm, Jennifer L. (2010). Turtle in Paradise. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN 9780375936883.
Plot Summary:
The book takes place during the Great Depression. Turtle goes to live with family in Key West, Florida and opens herself to a great deal of adventure with the "Diaper Gang." After finding what seems to be a treasure map in their grandmother's home, they embark on a quest to find treasure. Turtle is moved from a pessimistic-type child to a girl who can see the chance of a "Hollywood" happy ending.
Critical Analysis:
Turtle in Paradise is an interesting historical fiction novel. The characters are detailed and fit the time period of the Great Depression. Many characters have nicknames! From the boy who has a heart condition who needs to take it easy to the overly tired mother who takes in one more child, Holm creates characters who are easy to identify with and are true to the time period of the book. She ends the book with an Author's Note about the history of the book - what the characters were based on and even some photos of the Key West area during the Great Depression.
It is important to note the setting and plot. Holm does an excellent job describing the surroundings (all true to the time period) of several cities, transportation, ideas, values and jobs. Details like the dialect are even taken into consideration (for example, the "alligator pear" versus an avocado). The story is an adventure and it would be good for students grades 3rd and above. The authenticity of the book can be credited by the resources in the back. The book is set in the 1930s, but still connects to the children reading it today.
Awards:
2011 Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
Booklist Editor's Choice
Texas Bluebonnet List
New York Times bestseller
Review: "Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure." -Booklist
Connections:
--Read the text while studying the era of the Great Depression
--Study Turtle in Paradise along with Key West, Florida
--Art connection: Make your own drawing of the treasure map from the book
--Language Arts: Have the students create a reading response journal from their reading of this book.
--Social Studies connection: Verify facts and cultural environment about the time period from the book
--Other books by Jennifer Holm: Our Only May Amelia, Penny from Heaven, and Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf.
--Note: Jennifer Holm and her brother write the Babymouse series.
Book Review: The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
Bibliography:
Klages, Ellen. (2006). The Green Glass Sea. New York, NY: Viking. ISBN 978670061341.
Plot Summary:
The Green Glass Sea follows residents of "The Hill," a top secret base where scientists are working on a "gadget" to end World War II. Suze and Dewey are two young girls, daughters of the scientists working on the gadget. The girls encounter different trials and tribulations through the story, including getting to know each other in close quarters and the death of Dewey's father. In the end, the gadget works. On Suze's birthday, the family goes to the site where the bomb was tested.
Critical Analysis:
The Green Glass Sea is most appropriate for grades 4 and above. This historical fiction novel gives credit in the end to different entities for their knowledge and information sharing, which shows us the historical setting was well researched. Klages suggests several titles for readers interested in knowing more about the making and testing of the atomic bomb.
The characters in the book are well written and intertwined. Several real key-players in the nuclear bomb are casually mentioned in the text. Without the background knowledge of these characters, they will be passed over by readers most likely (as I myself passed them up). Building some background knowledge of the non-fiction characters before reading would likely benefit readers.
Awards/Reviews:
2007 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
2007 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature
2007 New Mexico State Book Award (YA)
"Klages makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulousy researched novel set during WWII. Writing from the points of two displaced children, she successfully recreates life at Los Alamos Camp, where scientists and mathemiticians converge with their families to construct and test the first nuclear bomb." -Publishers Weekly
"Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way." -School Library Journal
Connections:
Art Connection: Have students use different media to make their own "Trinitite" as described in the book.
History Connection: Study characters mentioned in the book like Richard Oppenheimer and their contributions to the making of the atomic bomb.
Author Study: Read the follow up novel White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages. See other books at http://ellenklages.com.
Geography Connection: Discuss the geographic location and features of "The Hill." (Desert, near Santa Fe, etc.) Draw a map of the location if desired.
Humanities Connection: Discuss the isolation the girls may have felt throughout the book (especially in the beginning) not being able to talk or write about where they were or what they saw.
Klages, Ellen. (2006). The Green Glass Sea. New York, NY: Viking. ISBN 978670061341.
Plot Summary:
The Green Glass Sea follows residents of "The Hill," a top secret base where scientists are working on a "gadget" to end World War II. Suze and Dewey are two young girls, daughters of the scientists working on the gadget. The girls encounter different trials and tribulations through the story, including getting to know each other in close quarters and the death of Dewey's father. In the end, the gadget works. On Suze's birthday, the family goes to the site where the bomb was tested.
Critical Analysis:
The Green Glass Sea is most appropriate for grades 4 and above. This historical fiction novel gives credit in the end to different entities for their knowledge and information sharing, which shows us the historical setting was well researched. Klages suggests several titles for readers interested in knowing more about the making and testing of the atomic bomb.
The characters in the book are well written and intertwined. Several real key-players in the nuclear bomb are casually mentioned in the text. Without the background knowledge of these characters, they will be passed over by readers most likely (as I myself passed them up). Building some background knowledge of the non-fiction characters before reading would likely benefit readers.
Awards/Reviews:
2007 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
2007 Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature
2007 New Mexico State Book Award (YA)
"Klages makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulousy researched novel set during WWII. Writing from the points of two displaced children, she successfully recreates life at Los Alamos Camp, where scientists and mathemiticians converge with their families to construct and test the first nuclear bomb." -Publishers Weekly
"Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way." -School Library Journal
Connections:
Art Connection: Have students use different media to make their own "Trinitite" as described in the book.
History Connection: Study characters mentioned in the book like Richard Oppenheimer and their contributions to the making of the atomic bomb.
Author Study: Read the follow up novel White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages. See other books at http://ellenklages.com.
Geography Connection: Discuss the geographic location and features of "The Hill." (Desert, near Santa Fe, etc.) Draw a map of the location if desired.
Humanities Connection: Discuss the isolation the girls may have felt throughout the book (especially in the beginning) not being able to talk or write about where they were or what they saw.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Book Review: Almost Astronauts by Tanya Lee Stone
Bibliography:
Stone, Tanya Lee. (2009). Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Somerville, MS: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763636111.
Summary:
This book discusses the "Mercury 13" and the trials they go through. From tedious testing to disappointing turn-downs, these 13 ladies show perseverance and never give up on their dreams. The book follows the Mercury 13 from their earliest dreams of flight to 1999 when the first woman to serve as space shuttle commander blasts into space. Sadly, none of the Mercury 13 ever became astronauts, but they always had their passion and dreams at the forefront of their lives.
Critical Analysis:
This unique informational text was very moving. The book is accurate and hosts pages of sources and credits in the back. The book presents itself in mostly sequential order (except for the first chapter). The timeline of the events is helpful in understanding the trials that each of the Mercury 13 went up against while fighting to get into a space shuttle. The photos in the book not only put a face to a name in the book, but also show the devices and technology used in space flight and testing.
This book is a great way to encourage girls in the fields of science. It would be an interesting read for anyone interested in space, NASA, equality between genders, and/or the roles of women in space and flight. The testimonials and stories in this book are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. While the subject matter could be appropriate for any level, and would make a great read aloud, the essence of the book should be saved for 4th grade and above. These women were marked as "ahead of their time." These were the pioneers who broke records and barriers in flight! These women also broke records in astronaut training tests.
Overall, it is a book to recommend to grades 4 and above, especially to young girls interested in space, flight, or science. The authors website (cited below) has several materials that could be helpful in sharing this book with a class.
Awards:
2010 Sibert Medal Award
YALSA Excellence in Nonficton Honor
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor
NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor
Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award
Jane Addams Honor
Outstanding Science Trade Book
Kirkus Best YA Books 2009
Smithsonian Magazine Best Books of 2009
"...Passionately written account." -School Library Journal
"A fast read....the crucial civil-rights history will stay with readers...long, spacious back matter is part of the story." -Booklist
"Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. Even after thirty years of flying, the "Mercury 13" still inspire me!" -Eileen Collins, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired) and first female Space Shuttle Commander
Connections:
Physical Education Connection: Discuss the tests used to test the strength and agility of potential astronauts. Have students test their own strength in some of the areas.
Science Connection: Discuss space and what astronauts mission in space can be before, during and after a mission.
Career Connection: Study the strong female role models in this book and in other books with strong females.
History Study: Study the feminist movement and the civil rights movement and discuss injustice to women during these times.
Author Study: Other books by Tanya Lee Stone - Up Close: Ella Fitzgerald, Wild America series, The House That Jane Built. See http://www.tanyastone.com for a full list.
Source:
Tanya Lee Stone. Retrieved on April 1, 2012 from http://www.tanyastone.com/
Stone, Tanya Lee. (2009). Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Somerville, MS: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763636111.
Summary:
This book discusses the "Mercury 13" and the trials they go through. From tedious testing to disappointing turn-downs, these 13 ladies show perseverance and never give up on their dreams. The book follows the Mercury 13 from their earliest dreams of flight to 1999 when the first woman to serve as space shuttle commander blasts into space. Sadly, none of the Mercury 13 ever became astronauts, but they always had their passion and dreams at the forefront of their lives.
Critical Analysis:
This unique informational text was very moving. The book is accurate and hosts pages of sources and credits in the back. The book presents itself in mostly sequential order (except for the first chapter). The timeline of the events is helpful in understanding the trials that each of the Mercury 13 went up against while fighting to get into a space shuttle. The photos in the book not only put a face to a name in the book, but also show the devices and technology used in space flight and testing.
This book is a great way to encourage girls in the fields of science. It would be an interesting read for anyone interested in space, NASA, equality between genders, and/or the roles of women in space and flight. The testimonials and stories in this book are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. While the subject matter could be appropriate for any level, and would make a great read aloud, the essence of the book should be saved for 4th grade and above. These women were marked as "ahead of their time." These were the pioneers who broke records and barriers in flight! These women also broke records in astronaut training tests.
Overall, it is a book to recommend to grades 4 and above, especially to young girls interested in space, flight, or science. The authors website (cited below) has several materials that could be helpful in sharing this book with a class.
Awards:
2010 Sibert Medal Award
YALSA Excellence in Nonficton Honor
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor
NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor
Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award
Jane Addams Honor
Outstanding Science Trade Book
Kirkus Best YA Books 2009
Smithsonian Magazine Best Books of 2009
"...Passionately written account." -School Library Journal
"A fast read....the crucial civil-rights history will stay with readers...long, spacious back matter is part of the story." -Booklist
"Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. Even after thirty years of flying, the "Mercury 13" still inspire me!" -Eileen Collins, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired) and first female Space Shuttle Commander
Connections:
Physical Education Connection: Discuss the tests used to test the strength and agility of potential astronauts. Have students test their own strength in some of the areas.
Science Connection: Discuss space and what astronauts mission in space can be before, during and after a mission.
Career Connection: Study the strong female role models in this book and in other books with strong females.
History Study: Study the feminist movement and the civil rights movement and discuss injustice to women during these times.
Author Study: Other books by Tanya Lee Stone - Up Close: Ella Fitzgerald, Wild America series, The House That Jane Built. See http://www.tanyastone.com for a full list.
Source:
Tanya Lee Stone. Retrieved on April 1, 2012 from http://www.tanyastone.com/
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