Thursday, October 28, 2010

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone

Genre 4 - Non-Fiction

"Read one of the following Orbis Pictus/Sibert Award winning/honor books"
Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream (Jane Addams Honor Book (Awards))

Plot Summary

Almost Astronauts follows the beginnings of and subsequent trials of 13 highly qualified females secretly vying for a spot among NASA's team of astronauts. After pilot Jerrie Cobb undergoes the full battery of tests to which male astronauts are subjected and performs excellently on them, twelve other women are recruited and tested in part before behind-the-scenes political workings shut it all down abruptly. Details are given about the congressional hearings and the reasons the program was stopped. The book does not end with the trials of the Mercury 13 women, however; it goes on to detail the advances into space made by women after the Mercury 13 were shut down.

Critical Analysis

The narrative form of the text is compelling to read. It details not only the events immediate to Jerrie Cobb and the rest of the Mercury 13 but also the media and political climate during the era. Even though this is a story of these particular women, it gives a good idea of the politics of the era as surrounds womens rights and space travel.

The photographs are varied enough in size and layout to break up the extensive text into less intimidating chunks. Their placement coincides with the mention of their photographic subjects so that they flow well with the text itself. Political cartoons and television stills are also included to show the media climate and reactions to the female astronaut candidates.

Connections


Awards/Reviews

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award 2010
Nominated for Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards 2009
Nominated for NCTE Orbis Pictus Award 2010
Nominated for Jane Addams Children's Book Award 2010
Nominated for Beehive Children's Informational Book Award 2011

From Publishers Weekly:
Enlivened by numerous b&w and color photographs, this thorough book takes readers back to the early 1960s . . . Readers with an interest in history and in women's struggle for equality will undoubtedly be moved.
From School Library Journal:
Stone adopts a tone of righteous indignation in chronicling the quixotic efforts of 13 women to win admission into NASA's initial astronaut training program in the early 1960s. . . Illustrated with sheaves of photos, and based on published sources, recently discovered documents, and original interviews with surviving members of the "Mercury 13," this passionately written account of a classic but little-known challenge to established gender prejudices also introduces readers to a select group of courageous, independent women.-John Peters, New York Public Library
From The Horn Book:
The story of the ultimately unsuccessful effort to get women into NASA's Mercury astronaut training program is meticulously researched and thrillingly told by Stone using first- and second-hand sources, including interviews with many of the women who participated in Lovelace's tests, and a set of outstanding historical photographs. . . There is no sugarcoating here -- Stone presents the full story of early-sixties public discourse about women's capabilities and clearly shows the personal, political, and physical risks taken by the women in pursuit of their dream. The details will likely be a revelation for the intended middle- and high-school audience, who may be surprised to find the world of their grandmothers' childhoods a far cry from their own. Extensive bibliographies and endnotes are appended.
From Booklist:
Space gals. Astronettes. Astrodolls . . . Who do these women think they are? The media mocked them. Male astronauts did not want them, and neither did then vice-president Lyndon Johnson. If they were to let women into the space program, blacks and other minorities would be next. Nearly 20 years before the U.S. officially admitted women into the astronaut program, 13 women, known as the Mercury 13, fought for the right to soar into space. This dramatic, large-size photo-essay covers their stories, along with the exciting politics of the women's liberation struggle in the 1950s and '60s ( What is a woman's place? ) and the breakthrough science and technology surrounding space exploration, including details of the would-be astronauts' tests and training. The chatty, immediate style ( Picture this ) and full-page photos make for a fast read, and the crucial civil-rights history will stay with readers. The long, spacious back matter is part of the story, with detailed chapter notes and a bibliography.--Rochman, Hazel

Bibliography

Stone, Tanya Lee. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Library Binding ed. Cambridge: Candlewick, 2009. ISBN 9780763636111.

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Posted by Nan, C. at 10:22 AM 0 comments

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea by Sy Montgomery, photos by Nic Bishop

Genre 4 - Non-Fiction

"Read one nonfiction book by Steve Jenkins or Sy Montgomery or Seymour Simon"
The Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea (Scientists in the Field Series)

Plot Summary

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo follows a team of field scientists through their preparations and into the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea to track, capture, tag, and release the Matschie's tree kangaroo. Descriptions and photos are given of the entire crew and equipment before and during the expedition.

Critical Analysis

The photographs are gorgeous and relevant. However, the photos of area wildlife appear far from their textual descriptions which makes it difficult to associate the two during reading, and there are descriptions of things that would be enhanced by a photo where there is none. It's as though the photos and the text are related, but not complementary.

The text is well written and laid out chronologically through the expedition. Equal time is given to the wildlife and environment and the people on and around the expedition. The focus of everyone is on the Matschie's tree kangaroo, and the text expands to focus on the people in search of the tree kangaroo.

Connections


Awards/Reviews

Winner of NCTE Orbis Pictus Award 2007
American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2007
Nominated for Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award 2007
Nominated for Maine Student Book Award 2007
Nominated for Beehive Children's Informational Book Award 2009
Nominated for Young Hoosier Book Award 2009

From School Library Journal:
Montgomery and Bishop continue their outstanding collaboration to introduce readers to scientists at work. . . Bishop's photographs capture the expedition in detail. Stunning close-ups of plants, insects, and birds vie for attention with panoramas of moss-draped trees in the eerie, ancient forest. Montgomery describes both the hardships and exhilaration of the enterprise. She also introduces readers to some of the local people dedicated to conservation efforts. Dabek's pursuit of her interest in animals despite problems with asthma and her suggestions about exploring the natural world should encourage young scientists. The book's fascinating glimpses into a little-explored region will hold the attention of anyone interested in unusual creatures and the efforts to study them.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
From The Horn Book:
Montgomery and Bishop team up again (The Tarantula Scientist, rev. 7/04) on a Scientists in the Field nature adventure, this time traveling with scientist Lisa Dabek to the remote mountains of New Guinea in search of the rare Matschie's tree kangaroo. . . Montgomery describes the trip in detail, including arriving at the field site on a tiny missionary plane, visiting a local school to observe a conservation lesson, hiking deep into the cloud forest, and eventually examining and tagging several tree kangaroos. Montgomery's friendliness and curiosity set the tone: she enthusiastically engages with the people, plants, and animals she encounters on the trip. The realities of field work, with long periods of not much happening scientifically, give her time to include descriptions of camp life in a remote location, such as campfire cooking and bathing in streams. Bishop's photography is, as always, outstanding, and seamlessly integrated into the narrative. The brilliant colors and sharp focus capture a host of rainforest plants and animals up close, including the adorably fuzzy tree kangaroos. Equally absorbing are his photos of the local residents and the research team as they visit and camp together. Dabek's advice to young naturalists, websites for further information, a list of words and phrases in the local language, and an index are useful additions.
From Booklist:
Montgomery and Bishop follow award-wining titles such as The Tarantula Scientist (2004) with another beautifully illustrated entry in the Scientists in the Field series. This time, they join researchers on a grueling expedition in Papua New Guinea to track the rare Matschie's tree kangaroo. Montgomery gives a chronological, sometimes moment-by-moment account of the challenging climb into the remote cloud forest, the conditions in camp (rice-and-fern dinners, icy waterfall showers), and the awe-inspiring encounters with barely studied animals. The text occasionally veers into a casual tone (a leech dropped into Lisa's eye. Yuck! ) that seems aimed at a young audience, while the small font, exacting detail, and meandering narrative may demand older readers. Still, Montgomery gives an unusually strong, visceral sense of the work and cooperation fieldwork entails and the scope and uniqueness of this particular mission. She also communicates the thrill of studying animals in the wild, making observations, and discovering new information. As usual, Bishop's color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in stunning close-ups of creatures and of the team at work. Web resources, notes about conservation, and a glossary of Tok Pisin (the language spoken by the team's Papuan members) are appended. --Gillian Engberg

Bibliography

Montgomery, Sy. Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea (Scientists in the Field Series). Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006. ISBN 0618496416.

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Posted by Nan, C. at 6:41 AM 0 comments

Sunday, October 17, 2010

The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Greg Couch

Genre 4 - Non-Fiction

"Read one of the following BIOGRAPHIES"
The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth

Plot Summary

The Boy Who Invented TV begins by setting the stage for readers and letting them know what entertainment was available before TV was invented. We follow Philo Farnsworth as he explores technology and learns about trains and inventors and electricity. The narrative briefly touches on Philo's musical interests and the bullying he experienced at the hands of other kids. We learn of Philo's self-learned expertise with electrical gadgetry and his fascination with popular science. And finally, we get to the invention of television and his inspiration that occurred while plowing fields, the explanation of the electrical television concept to his high school teacher, funding received to build the first one, failure, and finally success. An author's note at the end explains the legal battles against RCA that Philo faced regarding his invention and patents, the evolution of television past its initial invention, and Philo's eventual death.

Critical Analysis

Greg Couch's splotchy illustrations convey well the feel of the time period. The blurry softness of the images feel a bit like early television and its limited resolution. Lots of sepia tones also contribute to the aura of long ago times.

The writing is simplistic, but conveys well the life of Philo Farnsworth without exceeding the reading abilities of the target audience. Technological advances are skimmed over without much explanation of their workings. The book is primarily about Philo and not so much about how television works. Overall the presentation is engaging and compelling, even if it is highly simplified.

Connections

  • Learn about other inventors.
  • Explore the workings behind television.
  • Explore electricity.

Awards/Reviews

Nominated for Beehive Children's Informational Book Award 2011
Parents' Choice Award Nonfiction 2009
School Library Journal Best Books 2009

From Publishers Weekly:
This entertaining book explores the life of inventor Philo Farnsworth, who discovered how to transmit images electronically, leading to the first television. . . Krull's substantial, captivating text is balanced by Couch's warm, mixed-media illustrations. His muted tones suggest the grainy light of early TV screens and bring home the message about curiosity and perseverance.
From School Library Journal:
Endpapers featuring a photo collage of generations of televisions from the earliest oval-screened version to modern flat screens set the book's context. Then, readers are asked to imagine life when there was no TV, radio was only for the military, news was hard to come by, and people studied the Sears, Roebuck catalog to make their purchases. Juxtaposing the staid images of farm life with fanciful ones depicting Farnsworth's broadening vision, Couch draws, paints, and digitally enhances the story. To show the boy learning about inventors as he studies the stars, Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell appear among the constellations like ancient Greek heroes. . . Krull's focus is on the boy genius becoming an inventor like his heroes, and only in a note does she mention his struggles with RCA and his bitterness later in life. The facts aren't new, but with Krull building the story and Couch's exceptional images, it's one to inspire young audiences with the vast possibilities that imagination and diligence can accomplish.-Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library
From The Horn Book:
To help young readers -- raised with the Internet, iPods, and instant messaging -- understand and appreciate Philo Farnsworth's groundbreaking invention, Krull first asks her audience to imagine life in 1906 (the year of Farnsworth's birth): "No refrigerators, no cars, few phones, hardly any indoor bathrooms...Movies -- no. Radio -- no...And there was no television. That's right. NO TV." . . . Muted and grainy, Couch's mixed-media illustrations are illuminated with startling splashes of light, such as the glow from a light bulb, the sun -- or a television.
From Booklist:
In an attention-holding narrative, Krull explains how Farnsworth held on to his dream to develop television, and in smart, concise fashion ably explains scientific concepts behind it. It will take reading the afterword, however, to understand how RCA virtually took the patent away from him. Philo usually looks more like a man than a boy in the pictures, but the oversize artwork cleverly incorporates images from Sears, Roebuck catalogs and scientific diagrams to extend the story.--Cooper, Ilene

Bibliography

Krull, Kathleen. The Boy Who Invented TV: The Story of Philo Farnsworth. Ill. by Greg Couch. New York: Knopf Books For Young Readers, 2009. ISBN 9780375845611.

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Posted by Nan, C. at 12:32 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

Genre 3 - Poetry

"Read one of the following novels in verse"
What My Mother Doesn't Know

Plot Summary

What My Mother Doesn't Know follows Sophie's many romances from first kisses with Lou, the boy she didn't really like, to Murphy, the skinny homely boy she can't keep her mind off of. It also chronicles the events that made Sophie, Grace, and Rachel best friends, and the declining state of her parent's marriage and their relationships with her. Poems about getting her first period, shopping with mom, school dances, and interfaith relationships are all given fair treatment in this verse novel. Eventually, Sophie sorts her emotions out and decides that the boy she's fallen for over winter break, even though he is shunned by others at school, does not have to remain a secret.

Critical Analysis

In this tale Sones has captured the idealism and youth of our poetic narrator Sophie. She accurately represents the fickle lust of an adolescent girl and her many different relationships, of all varieties. The events and feelings within the story are representative of those any adolescent girl might encounter as she tries to make sense of herself and the world around her.

The free verse form feels so raw and truthful it's as though we're reading through the diary of a young, idealistic girl as she figures out the nuances of love and relationships. This poetic narrative flows so well in natural speech patterns that the story flies past in what feels like moments. The different voices of Sophie and her friends are printed in different typefaces, so as to lend an additional bit of personality to each one, even though we mostly hear from Sophie throughout the novel.

Connections


Awards/Reviews

American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults 2002
American Library Association Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2002
Iowa Teen Award
Nominated for SCASL Book Award (South Carolina)
Nominated for Volunteer State Book Award

From Publishers Weekly:
Drawing on the recognizable cadences of teenage speech, Sones (Stop Pretending) poignantly captures the tingle and heartache of being young and boy-crazy. . . With its separate free verse poems woven into a fluid and coherent narrative with a satisfying ending, Sophie's honest and earthy story feels destined to captivate a young female audience, avid and reluctant readers alike.
From School Library Journal:
Sonya Sones's novel (S & S, 2001) draws listeners into the private thoughts and longings of a ninth grade girl on the verge of finding love and learning what it means to mature. . . Although the reading is sometimes too rapid for listeners to absorb the changes in topics, girls will relate to the author's honest prose and Sophie's angst. An excellent addition to YA collections.-Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT
From The Horn Book:
Sones tries a little too hard to be hip and her style is sometimes contrived, but overall the voice is fresh and honest, often transcending cool to realistically portray adolescent vulnerability.
From Booklist:
In a fast, funny, touching book, Sones uses the same simple, first-person poetic narrative she used in Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy (1999), but this story isn't about family anguish; it's about the joy and surprise of falling in love. . . The poetry is never pretentious or difficult; on the contrary, the very short, sometimes rhythmic lines make each page fly. Sophie's voice is colloquial and intimate, and the discoveries she makes are beyond formula, even while they are as sweetly romantic as popular song. A natural for reluctant readers, this will also attract young people who love to read. --Hazel Rochman

Bibliography

Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know. 1st ed. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0689841140.

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Posted by Nan, C. at 9:04 PM 0 comments

Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems by John Grandits

Genre 3 - Poetry

"Read one of the following award winning poetry books"
Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems

Plot Summary

Blue Lipstick begins on the cover with Jessie's exploration into wearing blue lipstick, and continues through her experiments with blue hair and her self-styled punk outfits. In these poems she argues with her brother, babysits her cousin, swoons over a boy named Elton, plays volleyball, cello, and generally bucks the prevailing trends by doing things her own way both at school and elsewhere. The poems don't follow a particular storyline beyond the progression through the school year, but the narrator Jessie does show growth between the first and the last pages.

Critical Analysis

Grandits' subjects, typefaces, and layouts are primarily playful and engaging. A glimpse through the book does not begin to hint at the actual growth and emotion that the poems convey upon reading. Because the poems themselves also serve as the illustrations, there are multiple layers of meaning within each one. The typeface and colors of text add varied emphasis and interest to the subjects portrayed through the shapes.

The poetic language encompasses many of the characteristics and patterns of typical informal speech among teenagers, which keeps the characterization within each one believable. The unique character of Jessie shares her viewpoint of school through an unusual blue lens which really brings her to life for the reader.

Connections

  • Explore concrete or shape poetry of both modern and classic forms.
  • Read the companion volume of concrete poetry by the same author.
    Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems by John Grandits
  • Rewrite and reread one of the poems without its shape and discuss how the shape affects the feel of the poem.

Awards/Reviews

American Library Association Notable Books for Children
Nominated for Beehive Children's Poetry Book Award
Nominated for Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
Nominated for Garden State Teen Book Award
Nominated for SCASL Book Award

From School Library Journal:
Grandits crafts his collections with the needs of poetry-phobic readers in mind. It isn't even necessary to crack the book, since the first poem, "Blue Lipstick," is cleverly placed on the front cover, surrounding a reflective mirror. . . This irreverent, witty collection should resonate with a wide audience.-Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
From The Horn Book:
Grandits playfully, and quite effectively, channels a teenage girl's dreams, anxieties, and pet peeves -- all in a series of concrete poems, no less -- in this much stronger follow-up to Technically, It's Not My Fault.

Bibliography

Grandits, John. Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems. 1 ed. New York: Clarion Books, 2007. ISBN 0618568603.

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Posted by Nan, C. at 8:51 PM 0 comments

Flamingos on the Roof by Calef Brown

Genre 3 - Poetry

"Read one book of poetry written by Calef Brown, Betsy Franco, Marilyn Singer or Charles R. Smith, Jr."
Flamingos on the Roof

Plot Summary

Flamingos on the Roof is a playful collection of miscellaneously humorous poems. The only theme shared between them is that of randomness and absurdity. Each poem is presented by itself on the left side of a two page spread, and accompanied by an illustration filled with bold lines and colors to the right. Topics such as weather, insects, dancing, mythology, bowling, skating, eating, driving, camping, and animals are all represented within the collection.

Critical Analysis

The poems in this collection take various forms and generally have irregular rhyming schemes, which makes them a bit awkward to read aloud at first. Because of the irregularity in the rhyming poems, approaching poetry from this level may not be as intimidating to potential poets as immaculately rhymed verses would be.

Other poetic devices such as alliteration and assonance are used periodically throughout the book. Overall this volume of poems is a fun reading experience, but not thematically or otherwise linked. Because Brown does both the illustrations and poems himself, they go together quite well as a unit on each two-page spread.

Connections

Awards/Reviews

From Publishers Weekly:
Brown (Polkabats and Octopus Slacks) angles for the Silverstein or Prelutsky mantle in this collection of zany rhymes and funky folk-boho paintings. . . Brown's volume constitutes an uneven variety show, unified by a hearty salute to eccentricity.
From School Library Journal:
These 29 nonsense poems, written in a variety of rhymed meters, are deliciously loaded with alliterative and assonant sounds and filled with delightful doggerel. Brown's playful verses are foolish ("Life is a dream/with a nautical theme/in a barnacle built for two."); preposterous ("Light bulbs on a birthday cake./What a difference that would make!"); exhilarating ("Boogie to the banjo./Bop to the bongo./Freeze like an igloo./Stomp like a buffalo" in the "Combo Tango"); and filled with wordplay ("Allicatter Gatorpillar/by and by/my oh my!/Allibutter Gatorfly!"). The author's strong command of poetic form and his way with words make creating nonsense rhyme look effortless. Full-page, flat acrylic illustrations, most painted in harmonious jewel tones, face single-toned pages of text in a variety of colors. The style is abstract with a folk-art quality, often cartoonish, and always whimsical. The characters have humorous, stylized features and varied skin tones, ranging from pale blue to light green to burnt umber. Packed with amusing details, the paintings consistently expand upon the text. Read aloud, these poems are sure to delight listeners. They also provide a great impetus for inspiring youngsters to write nonsense poetry of their own.-Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
From The Horn Book:
In Calef Brown's world, everything is whimsically surreal. . . Using a variety of poetic forms, Brown takes something familiar and twists it ingeniously to become something new. . . Brown's imaginative wordplay is matched by his acrylic paintings depicting people and places in unusual hues. He also incorporates many quirky details to discover . . . and other surprises. Silly it may be, but all the best kind, prompting the reader to see the world (slightly) askew and to delight in it.
From Booklist:
Brown's lively nonsense rhymes blend the mythic and the contemporary, as do his acrylic illustrations, part folk art, part postmodern. The wry mockery of the haikus will appeal to older readers, but even preschoolers will enjoy acting out poems such as Combo Tango . . . Words and pictures manage to be both clear and weird, an enjoyable mix. --Hazel Rochman

Bibliography

Brown, Calef. Flamingos on the Roof. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006. ISBN 0618562982.

Related Links

Posted by Nan, C. at 8:23 PM 0 comments
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