Bibliography Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. 2003. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. ISBN 9780547255552 Plot Summary This interactive guessing book encourages readers to explore the amazing things animals can do with their noses, ears, tails, eyes, mouths, and feet. Readers of all ages will enjoy guessing the animals and how they use their specialized extremities to stay cool, protect themselves, find food, etc. Critical Analysis In this eye-catching nonfiction book about animals and their specialized body parts, Steve Jenkins and Robin Page create an interactive learning experience for young readers. Both Jenkins and Page, who frequently collaborate (and are also husband and wife!), are well-known for providing accurate, entertaining informational books for younger readers. This particular title was a Caldecott Honor Book in 2004 and remains on numerous list of exemplary nonfiction titles for children. This informational text is organized in a way that encourages the reader to guess what animal each body part belongs to and how they use it. The authors include normal adaptations that are easily recognizable, as well as more jaw-dropping adaptations like a cricket with ears on its knees and a horned lizard that squirts blood out of its eyes. These interesting facts will engage young readers and provide that “wow” factor that is likely to encourage further nonfiction reading. The book follows a clear sequence, showing a snapshot of the body parts with a question like, “What do you do with a nose like this?” Readers will excite in guessing each animal and how they use their nose, ears, tail, eyes, mouth, and feet. The illustrations add to the book by providing accurate pictures that are still accessible for younger readers. Even though they are cut-paper collage and not actual photographs, the authors have taken care to ensure that each animal is accurately represented as it looks in nature. One of the most important features of What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? is the brief explanation of each animal at the end of the book. The authors dedicate the last four pages to a picture dictionary explaining more about each of the animals presented and the specialized way they use their body parts. Overall, this book is entertaining and fun while remaining clear, concise, and scientific. It is truly a gem of nonfiction that young readers will enjoy interacting with and learning from time and time again. Response I have always loved Steve Jenkins and his wonderful works of nonfiction. I found this title to be particularly enjoyable, especially when shared with my young readers. The students I shared the story with (ages 5-8) greatly enjoyed guessing what each animal was and how it used that particular body part. They also enjoyed reading more about each animal at the end of the book, and had many more questions to ask that we are now researching. This title is a great work of nonfiction that encourages young readers to enjoy and, hopefully, continue reading nonfiction in the future. Honors 2004 Caldecott Honor American Library Association Notable Children's Book 2004 Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year 2003 National Council for Teachers of English Notable Children's Book 2004 Reviews “Jenkins, this time in collaboration with his wife, has created yet another eye-opening book. Children will learn that lizards can completely break off their tail as a defense and that it will grow back. And, they'll find out that crickets' ears are on their knees. Most fish have two eyes, but some have four, the better to see above and below the water at the same time. These are just a few of the fascinating facts of nature dangled out front to draw readers into this beautifully illustrated book. On each spread, five different animals' tails, ears, eyes, or other body parts, done in vibrant cut-paper collage, appear with a simple question ("What do you do with a- like this?"). The next spread shows the five creatures in their entirety and offers a brief explanation. For example, "If you're an elephant, you use your nose to give yourself a bath." The back pages offer more information for older or more curious readers. This is a great book for sharing one-on-one or with a group.” –School Library Journal “Here's another exceptional cut-paper science book from Jenkins, this time put together with a partner, and like previous books, it's a stunner. An opening page, clearly explaining how to use the book, is followed by a double-page spread picturing the mouths of several different animals, accompanied by the question, "What do you do with a mouth like this?" The next spread shows each animal in full, explaining in a few simple words how the part functions. Tail, ears, nose, and eyes are covered in the same manner. A picture glossary at the back shows each animal again, postage-stamp size, with an informative note elaborating on the creature's special adaptation. The notes also neatly answer questions that might arise during a reading (Why do horned lizards squirt blood out their eyes?) and add to the interactive aspect of the book. A variety of animals is represented--some (elephant, hippo, chimp) will be comfortably familiar; others (four-eyed fish, blue-footed booby) are of interest because of their strangeness. Jenkins' handsome paper-cut collages are both lovely and anatomically informative, and their white background helps emphasize the particular feature, be it the bush baby's lustrous, liquid-brown eyes or the skunk's fuzzy tail. This is a striking, thoughtfully created book with intriguing facts made more memorable through dynamic art.” – Booklist, starred review Connections
Other Notable Books by Jenkins:
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Bibliography Kerley, Barbara. 2014. A Home for Mr. Emerson. Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780545350884 Plot Summary The great writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, longed for a simple life in the country surrounded by the things he loved. In this picture book biography, the story of Ralph’s life in Concord is beautifully told and illustrated, along with an event that almost took his home away forever. Readers of all ages will enjoy learning more about the life of this inspiring and historically important American writer. Critical Analysis This award winning book about Ralph Waldo Emerson highlights his desire for a home and community that supported freedom of thinking, creativity, and friendship. Written by Barbara Kerley, this title focuses on the home that Emerson loved and the people that filled it. Kerley is known for her nonfiction/informational picture books and has won numerous awards for them. She uses careful research to develop her story and cites her sources at the end of the book. Kerley also includes an author’s note where she discusses Emerson’s life and the history around it in a succinct and easy to understand way. This biographical story is organized in picture book format. It feels more as if you are reading a story than a biography, which is engaging for younger readers. The story follows a clear sequence starting when Emerson was a young boy, to finding his home again after a devastating fire. The timeline is logical, easy to follow, and tells the story concisely in an entertaining way. The illustrations, done in digital media by Edwin Fotheringham, are fun, entertaining, and complex. Each illustration has emotion, color, and even some fantastical elements that play perfectly with Emerson’s personality and life. The illustrations really bring the story to life and make it that much more fun to read! Another feature of the book that was interesting was the use of quotes from Emerson inside the front and back cover. The quotes provide another way for readers to connect with Emerson and his life’s story. A Home for Mr. Emerson is entertaining and educational. It focuses on an important aspect of Emerson’s life; his home, family, and community. Readers of all ages will connect with Emerson’s love of the simple things in Kerley’s well-written and entertaining biography. Response I really enjoyed this nonfiction/biographical story! I have to admit that Ralph Waldo Emerson is not a writer I knew much about. After reading this book, I felt motivated to learn more about his life and his writing. Readers will easily connect to Emerson’s love of family and home, which come alive through Fotheringham’s entertaining illustrations. The illustrations were one of my favorite parts of story; each time I read it, I noticed a new detail in the pictures. This story was an enjoyable read that I will enthusiastically share with young readers. Honors A Junior Library Guild Selection 2014 Parents’ Choice Gold Award NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book 2014 Oregon Spirit Book Award for Nonfiction Best New England Books 2014, The Boston Globe Gold Award Winner, National Parenting Publications Awards “Trailblazers” Seasonal Showcase, The Children’s Book Council 2015 International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choices Reading List 2015 “Must-Reads” Picture Books, Massachusetts Center for the Book Reviews “This introduction to the life of Ralph Waldo Emerson will help readers begin to understand the thoughts and values of this great American thinker. Emerson grows up in Boston, but yearns to make a life closer to nature where he can surround himself with books and friends. He finds a perfect home in Concord, Massachusetts, where he and his wife raise a family. Emerson eagerly becomes a part of the community, even playing the role of hog reeve, gathering up the town's runaway pigs. After collecting his thoughts in journals, Emerson begins traveling across the country to lecture, attracting visitors from around the world to his doorstep. A house fire later in his life devastates Emerson, but allows the town to demonstrate their affection for him as they rebuild his home. Emerson, who is likely little known to younger students, is brought to life in an approachable biography. The colorful depictions of Emerson are warm, cheerful, and full of movement. Children will love the cartoonlike illustrations that make Emerson seem like a superhero as he dives into oversized books and flies through the sky on another giant tome. Quotes from his writings are liberally used to illuminate moments of his life, allowing readers to get to know the man through his own words. The author's note provides further information about Emerson and his philosophy of thought. An eye-catching, kid-friendly biography that is a wonderful addition to any collection.” – School Library Journal “Kerley and Fotheringham are known for their upbeat picture books about famous historical figures. This work about Ralph Waldo Emerson—someone who is probably not known to many children—is a tale of deep love for his home and community in Concord, Massachusetts. After a fire destroys Emerson’s house, neighbors rally around him, returning some of the generosity and affection received from his family over the years. This has the same format and style of Kerley and Fotheringham’s earlier works, with colorful illustrations featuring cartoon-style figures in a pleasing, open layout. The brief text focuses on the story of Emerson’s community life and doesn’t bother much with why he was famous, which works well for the storytelling even as it may leave some readers wondering just who he was. Some of his famous quotes are placed in the endpapers and woven into the story. Back matter includes a helpful author’s note and a page of suggestions to encourage readers to examine their own lives and values.” -- Booklist Connections
Other Notable Books by Kerley:
Bibliography Bartoletti, Susan C. 2010. They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618440337 Plot Summary Following the Civil War, six young Confederate war veterans started a club, the Ku Klux Klan, which quickly grew from their small town of Pulaski, Tennessee to encompass and enflame the passion of men across the South. This nonfiction title tells the tale of the K.K.K. from its modest beginnings to the widespread terrorist organization it became. With vivid accounts of actual events taken from oral histories, diaries, and Congressional documents, this book takes readers on a ride through history with the most chilling of details. Critical Analysis “Boys, let us get up a club.” With those seven words, an organization bent on terrorizing minorities and restoring the South to its former glory was born. In her vivid, chilling, and detailed informational book, Bartoletti uses personal accounts of actual events and actions of the Ku Klux Klan taken from oral histories, diaries, newspapers, magazines, and government documents. Bartoletti cites all of her sources, including documentation for each quote she uses at the end of the book. She also documents her trip to Pulaski, the birthplace of the K.K.K. and includes an extensive bibliography and source notes. A Civil Rights Timeline and Index further help the reader confirm and review important events, people, laws, etc. passed during this tumultuous time. Bartoletti is known for her accurate, unbiased representation of historic events from multiple time periods. She is also known for her dedicated research and immersion into the important events, people, and actions during that particular event. Some of her other well known works are listed below in “Connections.” Bartoletti meticulously documents all of her sources and research to present the best, most accurate version of history to her readers. Also included in this book are political cartoons, photographs, documents, and other images that enhance the text and add depth to the story being told. Each image is documented and has notes accompanying it that describe and detail its significance to the story. The story is organized into chapters which are presented in the Table of Contents at the beginning of the book. There is also an epilogue that addresses how the struggle for freedom continued for the freedmen through the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and beyond. Each chapter is noticeably titled with a quote from one of the histories presented in the chapter. The quotes are vivid and summarize the content of the chapter in an engaging and memorable way. They Called Themselves the K.K.K. is written in a style that is story-like. It engages the reader by feeling as if you are reading a story, not a piece of nonfiction or informational text. The way the text and graphics are laid out is interesting, adds to the flow of the story, and gives the reader breaks in the text with pictures, quotes, and documents. There is a lot of important information included in this book. This information could be overwhelming, especially to young adult readers. It is presented in a way, however, that is interesting, readable, and aesthetically appealing. The information, though intense and deep, is engaging and encourages the reader to think deeply about his/her own feelings and knowledge of cultural/racial history. It is obvious through Bartoletti’s writing, and through her bibliography and source notes at the end of the text, that she takes creating an accurate historical and informational text very seriously. This book is engaging, educational, and thought-provoking. It is truly an eye-opening read that will captivate readers and provide a window into the past. Response This title was engaging, thought-provoking, and at times difficult to read due to the intensity of its subject. The honest way in which Bartoletti writes, including vivid and accurate details of the experiences of those during this time, can be overwhelming at times, but in a good way. Bartoletti does an amazing job of communicating the past accurately, but in a way that feels as if you are reading a story, not a nonfiction text. I enjoyed reading this book and will be book talking it with my high school students in the near future. Honors 2011 NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist Junior Library Guild Selection Kirkus Best Books for Teens 2010 ALA Notable Title CCBC Choices 2011 Title Publisher’s Weekly Best Children’s Book of the Year 2010 School Library Journal Best Children’s Book of the Year 2010 Reviews “Balancing the stories of the Klan and the former slaves’ determination to remake their lives, Bartoletti makes extensive use of congressional testimony, interviews, journals, diaries and slave narratives to allow the players to speak in their own voices as much as possible. Documentation is superb, and even the source notes are fascinating. An exemplar of history writing and a must for libraries and classrooms.” – Kirkus Reviews “[A]nother stand-out contribution to youth history shelves. . . . It’s the numerous first-person quotes, though, that give the book its beating heart, and her searing, expertly selected stories of people on all sides of the violent conflicts will give readers a larger understanding of the conditions that incubated the Klan’s terrorism, how profoundly the freed people and their sympathizers suffered, and how the legacy of that fear, racism, and brutality runs through our own time. . . . [T]his lucid, important title . . . should be required reading for young people, as well as the adults in their lives.” – Booklist “This richly documented, historically contextualized account traces the origin and evolution of the Ku Klux Klan . . . Bartoletti effectively targets teens with her engaging and informative account that presents a well-structured inside look at the KKK, societal forces that spawn hate/terrorist groups, and the research process.” – School Library Journal ”In this comprehensive, accessible account, Newbery Honor author Bartoletti (Hitler Youth) draws from documentary histories, slave narratives, newspapers, congressional testimony, and other sources to chronicle the origins and proliferation of the Ku Klux Klan against the charged backdrop of Reconstruction politics and legislation . . . Copious photos, engravings, and illustrations provide a hard-hitting graphic component to this illuminating book. And while Bartoletti notes that contemporary “hate groups wield none of the power or prestige that the Ku Klux Klan held in earlier years,” her account of attending a Klan meeting while researching the book is chilling to the core.” – Publisher’s Weekly Connections
Other Notable Books by Susan Campbell Bartoletti:
This book trailer was created as my midterm project for LS 5603 - Literature for Children and Young Adults in the fall of 2016. Look for the book review coming soon!
Bibliography Sones, Sonya. 2004. One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689858208 Plot Summary When Ruby’s mother dies, she is forced to leave behind everything, and everyone, she loves and move three thousand miles away to Los Angeles to live with the father she has never met. Ruby’s father, the famous actor Whip Logan, tries his best to form a relationship with Ruby, give her everything she needs, and make up for lost time. Ruby resents his attempts pushes him away. However, as the pages turn, Ruby learns about friendship, forgiveness, and what family really means. Critical Analysis This novel in verse is made up of one to two page poetic entries. The majority of the verses are free verse, with a few rhyming couplets mixed in. Even though there is not much rhyme, each poem flows with a rhythm that brings Ruby’s voice to life. You can hear and feel her teenage angst, sadness, joy, resentment, etc. through the words and rhythm. The language of each poetic entry is fresh and very much the voice of a teenager. Mixed in with the poems, Ruby writes and receives e-mails from her best friend, Lizzie, and boyfriend, Ray, who she has left behind in Boston. They talk, banter, and flirt in a realistic, genuine way. One of the most striking features of this novel in verse is the way Ruby communicates with her dead mother. Even though she knows she can’t receive them, she sends her mother e-mails. The way Sones writes from Ruby’s perspective about the loss of her mother is heart-wrenching, yet at times, humorous. Ruby tells the reader she will not talk about how her mother died, then gives details that lead the reader to infer what her illness was and how it affected Ruby. Some of Ruby’s e-mails are funny, others are heart breaking, and still others are full of anger at her mother’s death and the upheaval it has caused in her life. Throughout the novel, Ruby’s absentee-father strives to make up for lost time. Ruby sees him as the famous actor, Whip Logan, who abandoned her before she was even born. She does not trust him, even though throughout the story she sees pieces of herself reflected through him. Ruby forms a strong bond with Whip’s assistant/personal trainer/all-around lifesaver, Max, who tries to encourage Ruby to see Whip for the good guy he really is. As the story develops, Ruby experiences betrayal and heartbreak from the friends and loved ones she left behind in Boston. At her new school she feels invisible, and the way Sones writes about these events is touching and easy to connect with on a personal level. After a classmate dies and a sudden earthquake hits, Ruby finally sees the truth that was hiding right in front of her all along. The book ends on a happy note with a family reunited in an unconventional, yet totally satisfying way. It feels like the ending to one of Whip’s famous Hollywood movies! What surprised me the most about this novel in verse is the way that Sones is able to immerse you completely in the world and emotions of Ruby through language and poetry. The book moves quickly, keeps readers interested, and has enough humor, angst, joy, forgiveness, etc. to convince you that Ruby must be real! I would recommend this book for students in 9th-12th grade, as the themes are mature. However, adults will enjoy this book as well, reminiscing in the feelings they had as angsty teenagers themselves, and in the overarching theme of family. Response This book had me from the first poem. I sat down to begin reading, thinking, “Oh, I’ll just read about twenty pages and call it a night.” Yeah, right! I ended up staying up until it was finished. That’s one of the great things about this novel in verse; it moves quickly and you don’t want to miss what happens next! I totally connected with the feelings and emotions of Ruby, as well as those of her father. The themes of heartbreak, friendship, forgiveness, and family resound, and make it a book that tugs at your heartstrings while making you laugh out loud. I am planning to do my next book talk over this novel in verse, and just know it will be a hit with my high school students. This is a phenomenal example of young adult novel in verse! Honors ALA Best Books For Young Adults ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers NYPL Best Books for Teens PSLA Fiction List Texas Tayshas High School Reading List YASIG Best of the Best (MO) And many more! Reviews “After the death of her mother, high-schooler Ruby is sent from Boston to L.A. to live with the father she has never met: "He's such a scumbag / that he divorced my mother / before I was even born." The "scumbag" is Whip Logan, a famous movie actor, but Ruby is too angry to be impressed; at the airport she wonders whether to "ask him for his autograph, / or kick him in the balls." Sones' latest free-verse novel follows Ruby through her first few months in her new home, a mansion where her every desire is granted--except what she longs for most: her best friend, her boyfriend, and of course, her mother. Sones' novel is an unusual combination of over-the-top Hollywood fairy tale and sharp, honest story about overcoming grief. Teens may predict the novel's surprises long before Ruby discovers them... and, as in every fairy tale, many things are too good to be true--especially Whip's eager devotion and celebrity. It's Ruby's first-person voice--acrimonious, raw, and very funny--that pulls everything together, whether she is writing e-mails to her deceased mother, attending Dream Analysis class at a private L.A. high school, or finally learning to accept her father and embrace a new life. A satisfying, moving novel that will be a winner for both eager and reluctant readers.” -- Booklist (starred review) “In one- to two-page breezy poetic prose-style entries, 15-year-old Ruby Milliken describes her flight from Boston to California and her gradual adjustment to life with her estranged movie-star father following her mother's death. E-mails to her best friend, her boyfriend, and her mother ("in heaven") and outpourings of her innermost thoughts display her overwhelming unhappiness and feelings of isolation, loss, and grief ("…most days,/I wander around Lakewood feeling invisible./Like I'm just a speck of dust/floating in the air/that can only be seen/when a shaft of light hits it"). Ruby's affable personality is evident in her humorous quips and clever wordplays. Her depth of character is revealed through her honest admissions, poignant revelations, and sensitive insights. This is not just another one of those gimmicky novels written in poetry. It's solid and well written, and Sones has a lot to say about the importance of carefully assessing people and situations and about opening the door to one's own happiness. Despite several predictable particulars of plot, Ruby's story is gripping, enjoyable, and memorable.” -- School Library Journal “This winning portrayal of a teenage girl's loves and losses, written in Sones's (What My Mother Doesn't Know ) signature free-verse style, opens as 15-year-old Ruby is en route from Boston to L.A. ("HellA" as she calls it). Following her mother's untimely death (in a poem called "Maybe You're Wondering About It," Ruby furiously says, "But that's just tough./ Because I'm not even going to go in / to how she died"), Ruby leaves behind her best friend Lizzie and her boyfriend Ray, to live with a father she's never met. Whip Logan, a famous actor, seems anxious to kindle a relationship; however, when Ruby meets him, she thinks: "I don't know whether/ to ask him for his autograph,/ kick him in the balls,/ or run." The scene in California proves "deeply surreal": neighbor Cameron Diaz pops over, Brad Pitt grins at her in the local bookstore, and at the high school she enrolls in "Dream Interpretation Through the Ages." The only person Ruby feels comfortable with is her father's live-in "assistant/slash personal trainer," Max, whom Ruby believes is gay. Sones gives the audience clear signals of what Ruby can't allow herself to take in. Readers will accept some melodrama because, even with a few contrivances, Ruby's voice conveys genuine emotions.” -- Publisher’s Weekly Connections Use this book in connection with other novels in verse by Sonya Sones to compare and contrast the characteristics of the book and voice of the characters.
Bibliography Grimes, Nikki. 2007. When Gorilla Goes Walking. Ill. by Shane Evans. New York: Orchard Books. ISBN 9780439317702 Plot Summary This simple story of a girl named Cecilia and her cat, Gorilla, is told through a series of poems. The personalities of the little girl and her cat shine through the sweet, rhythmic poems and vibrant illustrations. The unique, funny, loving relationship between Cecilia and Gorilla will appeal to readers of all ages. Critical Analysis In this book, a series of poems describes the personalities and relationship between Cecilia and her cat, Gorilla. The poems vary in style and mood throughout the book, helping the reader to connect to the characters. Poems range from a haiku to rhyming couplets, each varying in length and mood, creating a vivid picture of Cecilia and her life with Gorilla. One element of the poems that stands out is Grimes’ use of language that is simple and childlike. It is easy to read and understand, and completes the perspective of young Cecilia as she tells about her cat, and inadvertently the events of her own life. Throughout the poems the language ranges from playful and silly, to melancholy as Cecilia describes her cat and events in her own life. We see Cecilia go through ups and downs from walking the fierce Gorilla through the neighborhood, to her best friend moving away. The language of the poems is expressive and creates a different feeling for each poem. In “Chase,” the reader can almost feel Gorilla chasing after the fly, and in “Comfort,” the sadness Cecilia feels after her best friend moves away is tangible. The personalities of each character are brought to life, and Grimes’ does an excellent job of describing the playful, silly, stubborn, loving relationship between a pet and his/her owner. The illustrations bring the story to life with their simple lines and bold colors. The emotions and personalities of the characters shine in Evans’ wonderful artwork. The illustrations paired with Grimes’ uncanny ability to capture the personality of a cat and her owner will entice and capture the hearts of even the youngest readers. Overall, this book is a wonderful, and fun, introduction to poetry that young children will enjoy. Response Being a cat owner myself, this book of poetry had great appeal to me. I thought the author, Grimes, did a wonderful job of using poetry and language to capture not only the personalities of the two characters, but also the dynamic of the relationship between them. Any pet owner can empathize with the feelings Cecilia has about her cat, Gorilla. Children will be able to make connections to the events that happen in Cecilia’s life, from getting into trouble to having a friend move away. This book is a great and simple introduction into poetry that will appeal to readers of all ages. Honors Bank Street Best Books for Children 2009 California Readers Collection Reviews “Enormous, lively illustrations are paired with an equally bouncy text in this winning picture book. In a series of delightful poems, a girl introduces her cat, Gorilla, and describes her pet's many interests, talents, and behaviors. A fierce meow,/a tiger's claws–/Gorilla ain't/no Santa Paws….She has no tail./She's rain-cloud gray./I love that cool cat/more each day. While the feline is decidedly the star of this show, Cecilia also shares tidbits about her own life, such as getting into trouble for making a mess and feeling sad when her best friend moves away. The rich and rewarding relationship enjoyed by cat and human comes through loud and clear. From a breathless entry about the animal chasing a fly, to an elegant haiku (Gorilla gazes/into a puddle. Does she/know she's beautiful?), the poems vary in style and mood. Grimes's use of language and point of view are consistently refreshing and childlike. The bold cartoon artwork endearingly portrays the African-American narrator and her smoke-colored pet as they play together, comfort one another, and experience life's ups and downs. This book is an excellent choice for cat lovers, budding poetry enthusiasts, and just about any reader who enjoys a fun-filled romp with words.” -- School Library Journal “In interlinked poems, Cecilia, a young African American girl, introduces her "cool cat,"---a fierce, tailless, gray shorthair named Gorilla. Written in a variety of forms, from rhyming couplets to haiku, the poems celebrate Gorilla's idiosyncrasies and "everycat" habits. Grimes' skillfully chosen sounds and rhythms echo the distinctly feline behavior, from erratic, zooming action--"skate 'cross the floor. / Sail by the window, / leap through the door"--to soothing, purring comforts: "Gorilla raised a paw / and pet me." In spare, expressive lines and bold colors, Evans' dynamic paintings capture the messy intimacy of the cat and human bond. Also evident is the sense that Gorilla isn't just a pet; she's also a mirror. Like many children, Cecilia sees her own best and worst qualities in her bossy, beautiful cat, who is, she says, "like stubborn me." A fill-the-page portrait of dreadlocked, brown Cecelia, arm and arm with a blue-eyed, white best friend opens this playful, insightful poetry collection (classified as fiction) with an image of open-hearted friendship.” -- Booklist (starred review) “A girl's keen and loving observations of her audacious, "rain-cloud gray" cat—the Gorilla of the title—are the inspiration for this wonderful suite of poems by Grimes (Dark Sons). The book also serves as a kind of primer on poetry, proving that the medium is infinite in its versatility; Grimes offers up everything from multi-stanza paeans (both rhyming and not) to a sort of haiku ("Gorilla gazes/ into a puddle. Does she/ know she's beautiful—"). Her word choices are always lively and evoke an appropriately feline combination of affection and entitlement ("I scratch Gorilla's belly when/ she commandeers my lap"). Of course, it helps to have such a rich subject—Gorilla loves to fight with Ivy, cuddle on a sick bed, interrupt homework, eat soul food and pine for a tom cat. Evans's (Here We Go Round) poster-like paintings are the perfect accompaniment—the illustrator beautifully captures the many moods of both the supremely confident Gorilla and her adoring mistress. A winner for youngsters, cat fans and poetry lovers of all ages.” -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) Connections
Other Notable Books by Nikki Grimes:
Bibliography Weatherford, Carole B. 2015. Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. Ill. by Ekua Holmes. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763665319 Plot Summary This moving book of poems celebrates the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a sharecropper’s daughter who grew up on the Mississippi delta to become an unexpected and powerful voice in the Civil Rights Movement. The poems feature important events and emotions during Hamer’s life, including her speech at the Democratic National Convention that garnered support for the Freedom Democrats during the Freedom Summer of 1964. Critical Analysis The poems in this book are arranged chronologically, describing the events and feelings throughout Fannie Lou Hamer’s life. The text, although not rhyming, has a lyrical quality that adds to the depiction of Hamer’s booming voice and love of African American spirituals. The lines and verses are arranged in a way that is esthetically pleasing and easy to read. Another feature included in Weatherford’s poems is the use of italics to denote quotes directly from Hamer. Each poem is written in first-person, with Hamer telling the stories of her life. Weatherford’s use of regional language and dialect increases the authenticity of Hamer’s voice. It truly feels as if she is speaking to the reader! The emotions and the first-person language of the poems are what really strike the reader’s heart. You can truly visualize and feel the struggles and worries of Hamer in her childhood. Your heart aches for her as she fights for the right to vote, and your anger is ignited as you hear the awful ways she was treated. The deep emotions and personal stories from these poems depict a tumultuous time period in a way that is engaging, thought provoking, emotionally charged, and eye-opening. The illustrations add to the poems by creating a background with bold, rich colors through collage on paper. The illustrator, Holmes, uses just enough detail to add to the poetry without taking over the page. The layering effect of the collage provides background information in context to what is happening in the events of each poem. Also included in the book are an author’s note describing the story of Fannie Lou Hamer’s life, a timeline of events from 1917 to 1977 that affected the Civil Rights Movement and Fannie Lou Hamer’s life, and source notes for the quotes from Hamer found throughout the book. Another feature is a selected bibliography with resources for books, audio recordings, and online resources about Hamer and her accomplishments. Overall, this book is incredibly moving, with poetry that creates an atmosphere of emotion and engages the reader in learning about the history of Hamer and the Civil Rights movement in a lyrical, interesting way. Response When I opened this book, I had honestly never heard of Fannie Lou Hamer. However, several pages in, I was completely captured by her story. I really enjoyed hearing her life told through poetry. The rhythm of the poems, combined with the beautiful collage illustrations captured my attention and created an emotional bond to the book. As soon as I finished reading, I began watching videos of her speech at the Democratic National Convention in 1964 and reading more about her on the web. This book will be a great addition to our library’s collection to use as a springboard for discussion and historical comparison of civil rights and current events. Honors 2016 Caldecott Honor 2016 Robert F. Sibert Honor 2016 John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award Winner Social Justice Literature Award for Nonfiction National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts National Council for the Social Studies Notable Trade Book for Young People 2016 Flora Stieglitz Straus Award Winner Reviews “Caldecott Honor winner Weatherford (Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, 2006) has rendered Hamer’s voice so precisely that it is like sitting at her knee as she tells her story. Holmes’ multimedia collages perfectly capture the essence of each poem. Like Hamer’s life, the illustrations are filled with light, texture, movement, and darkness. They are both abstract and realistic, brilliantly juxtaposing gentle floral motifs with protest placards and Fannie Lou Hamer’s face in bold relief. Ultimately, though this is Hamer’s story, it includes the collaborative struggles of others with whom she worked and fought for a different America. Bold, unapologetic, and beautiful.” -- Booklist (starred review) “Told in the first person from Hamer’s own perspective, this lyrical text in verse emphasizes the activist’s perseverance and courage, as she let her booming voice be heard. Holmes’s beautiful, vibrant collage illustrations add detail and nuance, often depicting Hamer wearing yellow, which reflects her Sunflower County roots...Hamer’s heroic life story should be widely known, and this well-crafted work should find a place in most libraries.” -- School Library Journal (starred review) “A welcome addition to civil rights literature for children ... Hamer's determination, perseverance, and unwavering resolve come through on every page. Holmes' quiltlike collage illustrations emphasize the importance Hamer placed on community among African-Americans. Young readers who open this book with just a vague notion of who Fannie Lou Hamer was will wonder no more after absorbing this striking portrait of the singer and activist. Bold, honest, informative, and unforgettable.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Artist Holmes, in her children’s literature debut, elevates an already excellent narrative with richly colored collage illustrations that layer meaning upon meaning with scraps of historical photos, newsprint, maps, musical scores, and more...This majestic biography offers a detailed, intelligible overview of Hamer’s life while never losing the thread of her motivations, fears, and heroic triumphs, and places the civil rights movement in personal, local, national, and international contexts.” -- The Horn Book (starred review) Connections
Other Notable Books by Carole Boston Weatherford:
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AuthorMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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