Woods Runner

1. Bibliography

Paulsen, Gary. WOODS RUNNER. 2010. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780385738842

2. Review

In this historical fiction novel by Gary Paulsen, author of the Newbery Honor Book HATCHET, readers are taken to the backwoods of Pennsylvania during the early stages of the Revolutionary War. Samuel is a 13-year-old boy who is more at home in the deep forest than in the small cabin with his family. His family learns that a war is brewing in nearby cities, but they still feel far removed from the crisis. When Samuel returns from hunting, he discovers to his shock that his home has been burnt to the ground and his parents are taken prisoner by the British and Hessians (Germans soldiers for hire who were brutal during the war). Samuel then ventures out on his own to find them and along the way meets several people who help him. He discovers his own inner strength and must set aside his childhood to become a man in the midst of the danger and chaos. Paulsen includes fascinating historical blurbs before each chapter that give the reader some context as to what is happening in the book. A thrilling read, with some graphic war passages. Recommended for children ages 12 and up.

3. Connections

• Some other books by Gary Paulsen include:
  -BRIAN'S WINTER, BRIAN'S RETURN, and BRIAN'S HUNT
  -HARRIS AND ME
  -HATCHET
  -LAWN BOY and LAWN BOY RETURNS
  -MUDSHARK
  -THE RIVER

• Other books for middle schoolers about the Revolutionary War include:
  -Avi. THE FIGHTING GROUND
  -Fast, Howard. APRIL MORNING
  -Forbes, Esther. JOHNNY TREMAIN
  -Goodman, Joan. HOPE'S CROSSING
  -Harlow, Joan Hiatt. MIDNIGHT RIDER
  -O'Dell, Scott. SARAH BISHOP
  -Wisler, G. Clifton. KING'S MOUNTAIN
  

Rapunzel's Revenge

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hale, Shannon and Hale, Dean (authors) and Hale, Nathan (illustrator). RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. 2008. New York: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books. ISBN: 9781599900704.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE, authors Shannon and Dean Hale retell the story of long-haired Rapunzel, but with a more modern and humorous twist. At the beginning, Rapunzel leads a secluded life in a grand villa surrounded by a towering wall. Her only companions are loyal servants and Gothel, whom she believes is her mother and possesses the power of “growth magic.” On Rapunzel’s twelfth birthday, she finally scales the mysterious wall and is stunned to discover the truth about the family she’s lost, Gothel’s identity, and the desolation of the land that spreads beyond her home. Soon after, Rapunzel is banished by Gothel to “a creepy tree,” but is eventually able to escape by using her long, red hair as a lasso. She then meets Jack, a funny and mysterious outlaw who helps Rapunzel find her way back to Gothel. With the use of their wits and Rapunzel’s skillful handling of her braided hair, Rapunzel and Jack seek justice for Gothel’s wicked deeds, save Rapunzel’s true mother, and discover their love for one another.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In the graphic novel RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE, authors Shannon and Dean Hale create a thrilling and unconventional retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale. At the beginning of the story, Rapunzel reveals how she discovered the wickedness and deceit of villainous Gothel, whom she had been tricked to believe was her mother. When Gothel banishes Rapunzel to live within the hollow of a giant tree, Rapunzel manages to escape the prison by using her long locks. In her quest for vengeance, Rapunzel meets Jack, an outlaw with a sketchy past. Together they forge a friendship that eventually leads to trust and love. Unlike traditional Rapunzel fairy tails, this story is set in the Wild West, incorporating outlaws, gunfights, and rugged terrain.

Throughout the novel, Shannon and Dean Hale use amusing prose and dialogue, mixed with both sarcasm and wit. When one of Gothel’s henchman leaves Rapunzel in the towering tree, she explains that “I hoped he might come right back, that it was just a joke. But for all I knew, he’d been eaten by a wild boar in the forest. A girl can dream…” Chapter titles further add to the humorous story, including “Rustling Up Some Grub” and “The Shindig.”

Illustrator Nathan Hale masterfully shows the emotions of Rapunzel, such as her astonishment when she discovers the barren land that lies beyond the confines of her villa, her sadness when she meets her true mother for the first time, and her fierceness when she battles wild coyotes with the whip of her braids. Nathan Hale also cleverly uses sepia-toned pictures to cue readers to events that happened in the past, such as Rapunzel’s flashback of being torn from mother’s arms by Gothel, and the back-story of how Gothel gained her “growth magic.” Throughout the graphic novel, Hale’s dramatic and vivid drawings will captivate readers as they are whisked through Rapunzel’s journey, including her early years in the lavish grand villa, Gothel’s horrid mine camps, Jack and Rapunzel’s stay at Pig Tree Gulch, and Rapunzel’s battle with a vicious serpent.

Readers will thoroughly enjoy Rapunzel’s evolution to a strong, self-sufficient heroine who is determined to bring justice to the witch who separated Rapunzel from her birth mother. The classic fairy tale theme of good versus evil and a happy ending will feel familiar to readers, but the action-packed scenes, clever writing, and a southwestern flare will be an exciting surprise. Both boys and girls are sure to be entertained by RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE and eager to revisit the pages again and again.


4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Booklist: “Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.”
  
  
• Kirkus Reviews: “A dash of typical fairy-tale romance, a strong sense of social justice and a spunky heroine make this a standout choice for younger teens.”
  
  
• School Library Journal (starred review): “This is the tale as you've never seen it before…The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after.”
  
  
• VOYA: “The Hale team creates an engaging heroine…This novel presents entertaining girl power at its quirkiest.
  
  

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for children ages 10 and up.
  
  
• Children may be interested in exploring other tales of Rapunzel, such as:
  -A traditional tale: Zelinsky, Paul O. (adapter, illustrator) and Brothers Grimm (author). RAPUNZEL. 1997. New York: Dutton Juvenile. ISBN: 9780525456070. (Caldecott Medal Book)
  -A humorous tale: Wilcox, Leah (author) and Monks, Lydia (illustrator) FALLING FOR RAPUNZEL. 2003. New York: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN: 9780399237942.
  -A Caribbean retelling: Storace, Patricia (author) and Colon, Raul (illustrator). SUGAR CANE: A CARIBBEAN RAPUNZEL. 2007. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN: 9780786807918.
  
  
• Children may be interested to read other books by Newbery Honor winning author Shannon Hale, including:
  -Hale, Shannon. PRINCESS ACADEMY. 2005. New York: Bloomsbury USA. ISBN: 9781582349930. (Newbery Honor book)
  -The Books of Bayern Series:
  -Hale, Shannon. THE GOOSE GIRL. 2003. New York: Bloomsbury USA. ISBN: 9781582348438
  -Hale, Shannon. ENNA BURNING. 2004. New York: Bloomsbury USA. ISBN: 9781582348896.
  -Hale, Shannon. RIVER SECRETS. 2006. New York: Bloomsbury USA. ISBN: 9781582349015.
  
  
• To learn more about Shannon Hale, visit her Web site: www.shannonhale.com
  
  
• Children may be interested in other books authored and illustrated by Nathan Hale, including:
  -Hale, Nathan (author and illustrator). THE DEVIL YOU KNOW. 2010. New York: Walker & Company. ISBN: 9781616805388.
  -Hale, Nathan (author and illustrator). YELLOWBELLY AND PLUM GO TO SCHOOL. 2007. New York: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN: 9780399246241.
  
  
• To learn more about Nathan Hale, visit his Web site at: www.spacestationnathan.com
  

How I Live Now

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Rosoff, Meg. HOW I LIVE NOW. 2004. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN: 9780553376050.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In Meg Rosoff’s, HOW I LIVE NOW, fifteen-year-old Daisy has a turbulent relationship with her father and pregnant stepmother. She is sent from her home in New York City to live with her aunt and teen cousins Edmond, Isaac, and Osmond, as well as their nine-year-old sister Piper at their farmhouse in the English countryside. Upon arrival to her aunt’s home, Daisy, who also struggles with an eating disorder, surprisingly feels that she “belonged to this house for centuries.” Daisy and her cousins often find themselves living alone, since Aunt Penn travels abroad. The cousins forge a bond—at times familial, amorous, and mystical. However, their carefree days abruptly come to an end when an unnamed enemy invades England. Daisy and Piper are forced to separate from the others and leave the safety of their home. Then begins Daisy’s struggle to survive in the countryside, desperate to find and rejoin her cousins, especially Edmond with whom she has fallen in love.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In the 2005 Michael A. Printz Award winning novel, HOW I LIVE NOW, author Meg Rosoff creates a gripping tale of teens becoming embroiled in World War III on the shores of a slightly futuristic England. Readers are told the story through the eyes of Daisy, a fifteen-year-old girl grappling with discovering who she is and where she belongs. Rosoff depicts Daisy as being insightful, sarcastic, and vulnerable. Over the course of the novel, Daisy evolves from a narcissistic teen to a survivor who is determined to save her cousins from harm.

Rosoff writes vivid descriptions of the characters, their actions, and the English countryside. For example, this is shown when Daisy describes her first encounter with Edmond: “…hair that looked like he cut it himself with a hatchet in the dead of night…he’s exactly like some kind of mutt…the ones you see at the dog shelter who are kind of hopeful and sweet and put their nose straight into your hand.” Daisy’s cousins also have the eerie ability to read minds. However, Rosoff is careful not to make the novel feel like science fiction, and instead the telepathy only emphasizes the uncommon bond that the cousins feel for one another.

While much of the plot seems plausible, Rosoff neglects to elaborate on some details that readers may want answered. Who are the hostile invaders infiltrating England? How do telephone and television communications become so widely disrupted? Why do English forces feel it necessary to split up the cousins? However, readers will be riveted to follow Daisy as she shares her coming of age story—discovering a place where she finally feels she truly belongs, finding her first love, and doggedly surviving in the wilderness when the world is crumbling around her. Rosoff does well to show how scared and defenseless Daisy feels as she tries to safely lead her young cousin Piper through the countryside, out of sight of hostile forces and in search for her other cousins. “For some stupid reason I started to cry then and I felt completely choked with despair and worthlessness and I couldn’t believe I was trying to lead Piper miles across England to find something the side of a microbe on a map when in my real life I couldn’t even find a clean pair of underpants in a chest of drawers.”

While the novel is written as Daisy’s stream of consciousness, long, run-on sentences are often cumbersome to read. Rosoff also seems to throw out grammatical rules—eliminating the traditional use of dialogue and instead prose and conversation are strung together. Readers may appreciate this somewhat creative way of telling the story, but it may also be distracting to some.

Many readers will have a hard time putting this novel down and will want to discover what becomes of Daisy and her cousins. However, some readers may be disturbed by some of the events that occur in the novel, including an intimacy that develops between Daisy and Edmond, and violent actions taken by the occupiers. During the last few chapters, Rosoff takes readers six years into the future and provides some insight on how the global conflict has impacted the cousins. While readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with elements of the story being funny, sad, troubling, and exciting, the novel ends with Daisy finding peace within herself and hopeful for new beginnings.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Publisher’s Weekly: "This riveting first novel paints a frighteningly realistic picture of a world war breaking out in the 21st century…Like the heroine, readers will emerge from the rubble much shaken, a little wiser and with perhaps a greater sense of humanity."
  
  
• School Library Journal: “Daisy's voice is uneven, being at times teenage vapid, while elsewhere sporting a vocabulary rich with 50-cent words, phrases, and references. Rosoff barely scratches the surface of the material at hand. At times, this is both intentional and effective … but for the most part the dearth of explanation creates insurmountable questions around the basic mechanisms of the plot.”
  
  
• Kirkus Reviews: “This is a very relatable contemporary story, told in honest, raw first-person and filled with humor, love, pathos, and carnage.”
  
  
• 2005 Winner of Michael L. Printz Award
  
  
• 2005 Los Angeles Times Book Prize
  

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for young adult readers ages 14 and up.
  
  
• Other YA fiction novels of dystopia that may be of interest to readers include:
  -Collins, Suzanne. THE HUNGER GAMES. 2008. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN: 9780439023481.
  -Dashner, James. THE MAZE RUNNER. 2009. New York: Delacorte Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780385737944.
  -Grant, Michael. GONE. 2008. Katherine Tegen Books. ISBN: 9780061448768
  -Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE HIDDEN. 1998. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN: 9780689817007 (first book of the Shadow Children Sequence).
  -Lowry, Lois. THE GIVER. 1993. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395645666 (first book of a trilogy).
  
  
• To learn more about author Meg Rosoff, visit her Web site at: http://www.megrosoff.co.uk/
  
  
• Other fiction books by Meg Rosoff include:
  -Rosoff, Meg. JUST IN CASE. 2008. New York: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN: 9780452289376.
  -Rosoff, Meg. WHAT I WAS. 2008. New York: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN: 9780452290235
  -Rosoff, Meg. THE BRIDE’S FAREWELL. 2009. New York: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN: 9780670020997.
  

When You Reach Me

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stead, Rebecca. WHEN YOU REACH ME. 2009. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN: 9780385737425.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In Rebecca Stead’s WHEN YOU REACH ME, sixth grader Miranda is a latchkey kid who lives with her mother in New York City. In an apartment in the same building lives Sal, who has been Miranda’s best friend her entire life. Miranda explains: “I used to think of Sal as being a part of me: Sal and Miranda, Miranda and Sal.” However, after an incident with a mysterious boy on the way home from school, Sal first stops walking home from school with Miranda and then hardly spends any time with her at all. Miranda must adjust to Sal’s sudden distance, and gradually makes new friends. Meanwhile, the story takes a supernatural turn, when letters start to arrive predicting events before they happen. As Miranda helps her mother prepare to be a contestant on the popular television game show $20,0000 Pyramid, she must solve the great mystery of what happened to her friendship with Sal, why a homeless man loiters under the mailbox at the corner of her block, and who has written the mysterious letters.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In the 2010 Newbery Award winning WHEN YOU REACH ME, author Rebecca Stead masterfully writes a tale that incorporates a little bit of everything—mystery, science fiction, adventure, and realism. Readers travel through time as the story unravels and answers to questions become apparent. Stead tells the story from Miranda’s perspective, including her worry and confusion over the mysterious notes she keeps receiving. As Miranda explains “I check the box under my bed, which is where I’ve kept your notes these past few months. There it is, in your tiny handwriting: April 27th: Studio TV-15, the words all jerky-looking, like you wrote them on the subway. Your last ‘proof.’”

Readers will relate to twelve-year-old Miranda who has a strong relationship with her single mother and her mother’s boyfriend, Richard. Stead skillfully portrays an easy and natural relationship between mother and daughter—whether it be Miranda teasing her mother about a wacky outfit or how they routinely practice questions for her mother’s upcoming appearance on the popular 1970s game show $20,000 Pyramid. Stead also takes great care to describe the realistic worries of the pre-teen main character, whether it be her embarrassment over her apartment’s condition when a wealthy girl from her school comes to visit or her feelings toward a boy she makes sandwiches with at a local shop.

Humorous elements appear throughout the story, such as when Miranda explains that: “I was named for a criminal. Mom says that’s a dramatic way of looking at things, but sometimes the truth is dramatic.” Chapter titles also draw in readers and carry the story along, such as “Mom’s Rules for Life in New York City” or the “Things” chapters, including “Things You Don’t Forget”, “Things You Push Away”, and “Things You Realize. ” Stead also subtly incorporates aspects of the 1970s, such as aspects of the popular TV game show or that Miranda’s mother won’t buy grapes “because Mom doesn’t like the way grape farmers are treated in California.”

While the time travel aspect of the plot could be confusing to some readers, most will be riveted as they try to make sense of how all the pieces to the puzzle fit together—who is “the laughing man” who shakes his fist at the sky, kicks his legs toward the street, and sleeps under the mailbox? Why did the strange boy punch Miranda’s best friend Sal on their way home from school? When and where will Miranda receive another strange note that somehow proves that an event will eventually happen? Readers will be eager to discover how all of the events and characters become intertwined at the end of the story. Sure to become a classic, booklovers will want to revisit Stead’s tale again and again.


4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• School Library Journal (starred review): This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers.
  
  
• Kirkus Reviews (starred review): "[T]een readers will circle back to the beginning and say, ‘Wow...cool.’”
  
  
• Booklist (starred review): "[Q]uite wonderful … [j]ust as Miranda rereads L’Engle, children will return to this."
  
  
• Horn Book (starred review): "Closing revelations are startling and satisfying, but quietly made."
  
  
• The New York Times Book Review: "Every word, every sentence, has meaning and substance ... [in this] smart and mesmerizing book."
  
  
• 2010 Newbery Medal Winner
  
  

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for children ages 10 and up. Adults will love it too!
  
  
• To learn more about author Rebecca Stead, visit her Web site at: http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/
  
  
• To listen to an audio interview of Rebecca Stead discussing WHEN YOU REACH ME, visit: http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/whenyoureachme/interview.html
  
  
• Children may also enjoy reading Rebecca Stead’s other fiction book:
  -Stead, Rebecca. FIRST LIGHT. 2007. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN: 9780375840173.
  
  
• Children may also enjoy reading A WRINKLE IN TIME, which is mentioned in the book:
  -L’Engle, Madeleine. A WRINKLE IN TIME. 2007. New York: Square Fish. ISBN: 9780312367541. (Published in 1962 and winner of the 1963 Newbery Medal)
  

Number the Stars

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lowry, Lois. NUMBER THE STARS. 1989. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0395510600.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Annemarie Johansen and her dear friend Ellen have been playmates for years and have much in common. Yet Ellen is different in one critical way—she is Jewish. In NUMBER THE STARS, author Lois Lowry describes the bravery of one ten-year-old girl, as well as the dedication of the Danes to help the Jews during the 1943 Nazi occupation of Denmark. When German troops attempt to relocate all Jews from Denmark, the Johansens help to smuggle Ellen and her family to the safe shores of Sweden. Annemarie is at first confused by all that is happening and the tactics needed to shelter her friend. However, as her Uncle Henrik explains: “it is much easier to be brave if you do not know everything.” When the plan to bring Ellen and her family to safety is threatened, Annemarie discovers her own bravery and ultimately saves their lives.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In the 1990 Newbery Medal winning book NUMBER THE STARS, Lowry tells the gripping tale of Annemarie, a young Danish girl, who must quickly grow up when German soldiers begin to infiltrate her home of Copenhagen, Denmark. Annemarie’s neighbor and best friend is Ellen Rosen. Both girls attend the same school and spend hours playing paper dolls and running footraces together. However, in 1943, the increasing presence of Nazis threatens the safety of Ellen and her family because they are Jewish. Lowry expertly writes the urgency felt by ten-year-old Annemarie and her family as they attempt to rescue their dear neighbors. Lowry also realistically depicts the thoughts and concerns of a young girl faced with confusing and dire circumstances.

Lowry provides a frank description of the heroism many Danes displayed during the Nazi occupation without sharing the graphic horrors that are often portrayed in many books set in this time period. Through prose and dialog, Lowry provides significant background information about the historical events that occurred in 1943, helping young readers gain a clear understanding of their significance. For example, when Annemarie’s younger sister Kristi complains that she wants pink frosted cupcakes, her mother explains that “there hasn’t been any butter, or sugar for cupcakes, for a long time.” Similarly, at the beginning of the novel, Annemarie tries to understand why German soldiers have increased their presence in the city. Lowry writes: “…she knew what resistance meant…The resistance fighters were Danish people—no one knew who, because they were very secret—who were determined to bring harm to the Nazis however they could.”

The resonating theme of the novel is that heroism and selfless acts often occur during times of turmoil. Such was the story of many Danes who risked their own lives to save those of their Jewish countrymen during World War II. While Annemarie doubts her own bravery, her Uncle Henrik insists that she was courageous. He explains that “…you were very brave…you risked your life…that’s all that brave means—not thinking about the dangers.”

In an afterward, readers will be fascinated to learn that many of the events occurring in the novel are indeed factual. For example, Lowry explains that the Danes sinking their own naval fleet and the ingenious method used to thwart Nazi searches for Jews on fishing vessels are true. She also shares a letter excerpt written by an actual Danish resistance fighter, which she discovered during her research. Stories of the Danes' courage is less heralded than those of other occupied nations during World War II. Readers are sure to learn much in this short, fast-paced novel. Lowry’s riveting story provides a remarkable glimpse of the heroic acts often described during this significant period in world history.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Kirkus Review (starred): “A deftly told story that dramatizes how Danes appointed themselves bodyguards--not only for their king, who was in the habit of riding alone in Copenhagen, but for their Jews.”
  
  
• Publisher’s Weekly: "The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable -- impossible to put down; difficult to forget."
  
  
• School Library Journal: “Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery.”
  
  
• 1990 Newbery Medal Winner
  

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for readers ages 12 and up.
  
  
• There are numerous other fiction books about the Holocaust for this age group. Some examples include:
  -Baylis-White, Mary. SHELTERING REBECCA. 1991. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780525673491.
  -Drucker, Malka and Halperin, Michael. JACOB’s RESCUE: A HOLOCAUST STORY. 1994. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780440409656.
  -Kerr, Judith. WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. 1972. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780698201828.
  -Matas, Carol. LISA’S War. 2007. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN: 9781416961635.
  -Orgel, Doris. THE DEVIL IN VIENNA. 1988. New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated. ISBN: 9780140325003.
  -Orlev, Uri. ISLAND ON BIRD STREET. 1992. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395616239.
  -Suhl, Yuri. UNCLE MISHA’S PARTISANS: THE STORY OF YOUNG FREEDOM FIGHTERS IN NAZI-OCCUPIED EUROPE. 1975. London: Hamish Hamilton. ISBN: 9780241891575.
  

• To learn more about Lois Lowry visit her Web site and read her blog at: http://www.loislowry.com/

• Lois Lowry has written numerous books; several examples include:
  -Nine books within her ANASTASIA series and four books about Anastasia’s brother Sam (e.g., ALL ABOUT SAM).
  -Lowry, Lois. AUTUMN STREET. 1980. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395278123.
  -Lowry, Lois. FIND A STRANGER, SAY GOODBYE. 1978. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395264591.
  -Lowry, Lois. THE SILENT BOY. 2005. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780440419808.
  -Lowry, Lois. A SUMMER TO DIE. 2007. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780385734202.
  -Lowry, Lois. TAKING CARE OF TERRIFIC. 1983. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395340707.
  -Lowry, Lois. THE GIVER. 1993. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395645666.
  -Lowry, Lois. GATHERING BLUE. 2000. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780618055814.
  -Lowry, Lois. MESSANGER. 2004. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 978061840441.
  

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Avi. THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE. 1997. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780380728855.
(first published in 1990)

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE by Avi, the main character Charlotte Doyle recounts her transatlantic journey aboard the Seahawk in 1832. Charlotte, whose father is an officer of the company that owns the Seahawk, is leaving from her boarding school in England to return to her family in Providence, RI. Charlotte is a well-groomed schoolgirl who feels misplaced sailing among a boorish crew. At first, Charlotte is enamored by Captain Jaggery’s gentlemanly and fastidious ways. However, Zachariah, an old sailor aboard the ship, befriends Charlotte and warns her of potential danger lurking among the crew and Captain Jaggery. Not long after, Charlotte discovers a darker side to Jaggery. She ultimately takes the side of the mutinous crew and transforms herself into a sailor, donning canvas shirt and pants. Jaggery feels threatened by young Charlotte and is determined to regain control at any cost. When Jaggery accuses Charlotte of murder, she must find a way to prove her innocence before it’s too late.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In the Newbery Honor Book THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE, Avi, an awarding-winning author of many children’s books, writes a thrilling tale of high seas adventure, deception, and redemption. Charlotte Doyle, a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl from a prominent family, is traveling alone aboard the Seahawk merchant ship. Avi writes the book as a first person narrative in which Charlotte shares her personal account of the eventful transatlantic voyage. He provides vivid descriptions of Charlotte’s inner thoughts, as well as her emotional and physical transformation throughout the novel. For example, when Charlotte finally switches loyalty from Captain Jaggery to the crew, Charlotte explains: “…I told myself I must accept my responsibility so as to prove to those men that it had been my head that was wrong, not my heart…with fumbling hands I put on the seaman’s clothing.”

At the beginning of the book, Avi cleverly draws the reader into the story and provides details about the book’s setting and character’s history with a short prologue titled “An Important Warning.” Specifically, Charlotte, warns readers that the events they are about to read are truthful and that “if strong ideas and action offend you, read no more.” Readers quickly discover that the year is 1832, that Charlotte was American born and has been living in England for several years, and that her father is a prominent agent for an American business. Throughout the remainder of the book, Avi subtly provides the historical context in which well-bred girls of the day were expected to be refined in speech, dress, and manners. Captain Jaggery tries hard to use Charlotte’s unconventional actions aboard ship to his advantage, such as when he describes Charlotte as “a girl who, we all agree, is unnatural in every way she acts…Is it not our duty, our obligation to protect the natural order of the world?”

Avi uses authentic vernacular for all the characters, including Charlotte’s refined dialect from her proper upbringing in an English school, as well as the more rough and slang-infused language of the sailors. These varying voices add a rich flavor to the characters, yet are easy to understand for young readers. Avi also takes great care to use authentic language to describe the various parts of ship and how nautical time is kept. In the first chapter, Charlotte explains that she uses “words during my account that might not be readily familiar” and points the readers to an informative appendix where diagrams and definitions of boating terms are presented.

Throughout the novel, Charlotte struggles to do what is right and to find her suitable place in society. She at first seeks acceptance from Captain Jaggery, but is stunned to discover his deceptive and cruel ways. She then pledges her allegiance to the crew, donning a sailor’s garb and working among them. However, when she meets her family in Providence, she must return to her formal attire and cloistered existence. When Charlotte’s father reads her journal, she is forbidden to speak again of her “outlandish, not to say unnatural tales.” Charlotte will forever remember her old sailor friend Zachariah when he said “a sailor chooses the wind that takes the ship from a safe port. Be careful, Charlotte, careful of the wind you choose.” Readers will relish Avi’s surprise ending in which Charlotte follows the wind in her heart.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• School Library Journal (starred review): "A breathtaking, seafaring adventure.... Awash with shipboard activity, intense feelings, and a keen sense of time and place, the story is a throwback to good old-fashioned adventure yarns on the high seas. "
  
  
• Publisher’s Weekly: “Charlotte's story is a gem of nautical adventure… Never wavering from its 19th century setting, the novel offers suspense and entertainment modern-day readers will enjoy.”
  
  
• Newbery Honor Book Award 1991
  

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for ages 12 and up.
  
  
• Avi had written over 60 books for children, many of which have received major awards. His books cover a variety of genres—historical fiction, animal tales, picture books, early readers, young adult books, etc. To learn more about Avi and to read is daily updated blog, visit: http://www.avi-writer.com/
  
  
• Avi has written numerous historical fiction novels; several examples include:
  -Avi. CRISPIN: THE CROSS OF LEAD. 2003. New York: Hyperion. ISBN: 9780786808281 (winner of the 2003 Newbery Medal) (Book 1)
  -Avi. CRISPIN: AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD. 2006. New York: Hyperion. ISBN: 9780786851522 (Book 2)
  -Avi. CRISPIN: THE END OF TIME. 2010. New York: Balzer & Bray. ISBN: 9780061740800. Coming June 2010 (Book 3).
  -Avi. DON’T YOU KNOW THERE’S A WAR ON? 2001. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780380978632.
  -Avi. FIGHTING GROUND. 1984. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780380730223.
  -Avi. HARD GOLD: THE COLORADO GOLD RUSH OF 1859. 2008. New York: Hyperion. ISBN: 9781423105190.
  -Avi. THE SECRET SCHOOL. 2001. New York: Harcourt. ISBN: 9780152163754.
  

• Examples of other children’s novels with strong female heroines include:
  -Creech, Sharon. WALK TWO MOONS. 1996. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780064405171.
  -George, Jean Craighead. JULIE OF THE WOLVES. 2003. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780060540951. (first published 1973).
  -Paterson, Katherine. BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA. 1987. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780064401845.
  -Paterson, Katherine. JACOB HAVE I LOVED. 1990. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780064403689.
  -O’Dell, Scott. ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. 1987. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780440439882.
  -West, Clare. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. 1982. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780553213133.
  

The River Between Us

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Peck, Richard. THE RIVER BETWEEN US. 2003. New York: Dial Books. ISBN: 9780803727359.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In THE RIVER BETWEEN US, Peck begins the novel in 1916 through the eyes of Howard Hutchins, a teenage boy traveling in a model T Ford with his father and two younger brothers. Together, they drive to Grand Tower, Illinois, where Howard meets several relatives for the first time and learns about his grandma Tilly Pruitt’s life during the Civil War. Tilly describes how her life changed forever in 1861 when two mysterious women from New Orleans—Delphine Duval and her companion Calinda—arrived in Grand Tower by steamboat. Tilly had never met a woman more glamorous and flamboyant than Delphine. Even more puzzling was the dark-skinned Calinda, who many speculated was Delphine’s slave. When Tilly’s mother offers to house the two newcomers, scandal erupts among the town folk. As fighting continues to surge between the North and South, Tilly’s twin brother, Noah, runs off to join the Union Army. Tilly and Delphine set off to find him and soon discover the horrors of war. Amid all the chaos, Tilly learns of Delphine’s true identity and an unlikely bond is forged between to the two young women that lasts a lifetime.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Award-winning author, Richard Peck, tells a riveting story that incorporates mystery, war, friendship, and love. The story begins in 1916 through the eyes of Howard Hutchins, a fifteen-year-old boy on his way to visit his elderly grandparents, great aunt, and great uncle in Grand Tower, Illinois. Upon his arrival to his relatives’ home, he feels “the weight of its history, and mystery.” Peck switches narrators and the novel then flashes back to 1861, when Howard’s grandmother, Tilly Pruitt, was only a teenager herself. Tilly recounts living in the small settlement of Grand Tower along the Mississippi River and how her life shifted when two newcomers arrived to town.

Through Tilly’s eyes, Peck carefully provides the historical context in which the characters live. The nation was in the midst of the Civil War, Lincoln was president, neighbor was fighting neighbor, and mothers were terrified that their young sons would disappear one day to fight in the war. In addition, Peck depicts the prejudice endured by “people of color” and the means many of mixed heritage took to hide their true identity. While Peck weaves details relevant to this pivotal time in our nation’s history, young readers will be not be overwhelmed with the prose. Peck creates realistic characters with authentic voices of the time. As Tilly describes, “you had to set fire to the woods and sift the ashes to find a Republican around here. But Lincoln was an Illinois man, one of us.”

Peck also takes great care in writing realistic descriptions of the clothing, living conditions, and language of his characters. For example, Peck vividly depicts Tilly’s first impressions of the newcomer Delphine: “heavens, I’d never seen such skirts—rustling taffeta stretched wide over hoops. Her top part was encased in a cut-plush cape, with tassels.” In addition, Delphine’s New Orleans French Creole and haughty dialog is peppered throughout the novel. Peck also reveals the horror of war when Tilly and Delphine set out to find Tilly’s twin brother who is injured and suffering in Camp Defiance in Cairo, Illinois—a hospital tent city in deplorable condition. As Peck writes, “they lay where they’d been sick…In the afternoon light slanting through the canvas, they looked like old men.”

In the author’s note, Peck discusses his comprehensive research while writing the novel. He provides background on Illinois’ role in the Civil War, as well as the history, culture, and attitude toward “people of color” in New Orleans during the nineteenth century and earlier times. Readers will be captivated by the excitement and mystery experienced by the young characters in THE RIVER BETWEEN US and also gain a fascinating perspective of our nation’s history.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Booklist (starred review) (2003): “Peck's spare writing has never been more eloquent than in this powerful mystery in which personal secrets drive the plot and reveal the history…It's a riveting story that shows racism everywhere and young people facing war, not sure what side to be on or why.”

• Horn Book (starred review) (2003): “The harsh realities of war are brutally related in a complex, always surprising plot that resonates on multiple levels.”

• Kirkus Review (starred) (2003): “Peck writes beautifully…deftly handling themes of family, race, war, and history. A rich tale full of magic, mystery, and surprise.”

• School Library Journal (2003): “In this thoroughly researched novel, Peck masterfully describes the female Civil War experience, the subtle and not-too-subtle ways the country was changing, and the split in loyalty that separated towns and even families.”

• Finalist for the 2003 National Book Award, Young People's Literature

• Winner of the 2004 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for readers age 12 and up.

• Readers can learn more about Richard Peck by visiting his Web site at: http://www.richardepeck.com/
  

• There are numerous other historical fiction novels about the American Civil War for older children and young adults. Several examples include:
  -Banks, Sandra. ABRAHAM’S BATTLE: A NOVEL OF GETTYSBURG. 1999. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's. ISBN: 9780689817793.
  -Beatty, Patricia. TURN HOMEWARD, HANNALEE. 1999. New York: HarperCollins Publisher. ISBN: 9780688166762.
  -Brenaman, Miriam. EVVY'S CIVIL WAR. 2004. New York: Penguin Group (USA). ISBN: 9780142400395.
  -Clapp, Patricia. THE TAMARACK TREE. 1986. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN: 9780688028527.
  -Crane, Stephen. THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE. 1981. New York: Random House Publishing Group. ISBN: 9780553210118.
  -Hahn, Mary Downing. HEAR THE WIND BLOW. 2003. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780618181902.
  -Matas, Carol. THE WAR WITHIN: A NOVEL OF THE CIVIL WAR. 2002. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's. ISBN: 9780689843587.
  -Paulson, Gary. A SOLDIER'S HEART: A NOVEL OF THE CIVIL WAR. 2000. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780440228387.
  

• Other books for children and young adults by Richard Peck include:
  -Peck Richard. A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO. 2000. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780141303529 (winner of the Newberry Honor).
  -Peck, Richard. ON THE WINGS OF HEROES. 2008. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780142412046.
  -Peck, Richard. REMEMBERING THE GOOD TIMES. 1986. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780440973393.
  -Peck, Richard. A SEASON OF GIFTS. 2009. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780803730823.
  -Peck, Richard. SOMETHING FOR JOEY. 1983. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780553271997.
  -Peck, Richard. THE TEACHER’S FUNERAL. 2006. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780142405079.
  -Peck, Richard. A YEAR DOWN YONDER. 2002. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780142300701 (winner of the Newberry Award)
  

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Armstrong, Jennifer. SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: THE EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY OF SHACKLETON AND THE ENDURANCE. 2000. New York: Crown Publishers. ISBN: 9780375810497.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In SHIPWRECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WORLD: THE EXTRAORDINARY TRUE STORY OF SHACKLETON AND THE ENDURACE, Jennifer Armstrong shares the amazing early twentieth-century survival tale of twenty-eight men traveling to the South Pole aboard the ship Endurance. The book describes how the crew was stranded on the Antarctic ice for nearly a year and a half. They were then forced to trudge across hundreds of miles by foot dragging lifeboats until they reached the frigid open waters. By using diaries, logbooks, and photographs saved from the journey, Armstrong chronicles the level-headedness and grit of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jennifer Armstrong, an award-winning author of over 100 books for children, describes the fascinating true story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew’s 1915 journey to the South Pole aboard the Endurance. Armstrong writes enthralling descriptions of the ship’s destruction and the crew’s harrowing survival on ice flows and lifeboats for nearly a year and a half. From the beginning to end, Armstrong methodically and eloquently describes each stage of the crew’s journey. The abundance of black and white photographs throughout the book will mesmerize readers, and provide a vivid glimpse of the horrifying conditions the famous explorer and crew suffered.

At the very beginning of the book, Armstrong draws readers into Shackleton’s gripping adventure: “Just imagine yourself in the most hostile place on earth…almost the entire southern continent is covered in ice...in 1915, a British crew of twenty-eight men was stranded there, with no ship and no way to contact the outside world. They all survived.” Armstrong also captures the historical context of the early twentieth century, when thrill-seekers were racing to the South Pole eager to etch their names in history. Throughout the text, astounding accounts gleaned from diary entries from Shackleton and the crew are also presented. As Shackleton wrote in his diary: “Though we’ve been compelled to abandon the ship, which is crushed beyond all hope of ever being righted, we are alive and well, and we have stores and equipment for the task that lies before us.”

In terms of organization and other features of the book, a table of contents directs readers to the various stages of the Endurance’s journey. In addition, Armstrong provides labeled photographs and a list of the crew with their corresponding positions on the ship. Also shown are original plans of the 144-foot long vessel, as well as maps illustrating past journeys to the South Pole by other explorers and the specific path traveled by the Endurance.

At the end of the text, Armstrong acknowledges the many sources she used during the writing of her book and the assistance she received at the Scott Polar Research Institute in England. She explains that all photographs are reproductions of those taken by Frank Hurley, the Endurance’s expedition photographer. Armstrong also presents a well-organized bibliography that is subdivided by resource type and subject (e.g., books related to Antarctica and navigation, books about Shackleton, periodicals). The book concludes with a comprehensive index that also clearly identifies with boldface type where photographs appear within the text. Thanks to Armstrong’s well-written prose and stunning photographs, this real-life adventure story is sure to captivate readers age 12 and up.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• School Library Journal (1999, starred review): “Filled with intriguing details and written with dramatic style, this riveting account of the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition reads like an adventure novel…Armstrong crafts [the facts] into an unforgettable story of true heroism and the triumph of the human spirit. A book that will capture the attention and imagination of any reader.”

• Kirkus Review (starred): “This unbelievable story is enhanced by the vigorous prose; from the captivating introduction through the epilogue, it is the writing as much as the story that will rivet readers.”

• Publisher’s Weekly (starred review): "Armstrong's absorbing storytelling, illustrated with dramatic black-and-white photographs, makes this an enthralling adventure.”

• Winner of the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction

• Notable/Best Books for YA (A.L.A.) 02/11/99

• Boston Globe Horn Book Honor Book

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for grades 6 and up.

• Other books about Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition include:
  -Armstrong, Jennifer (author) and Maugham, William (illustrator). SPIRIT OF THE ENDURANCE. 2000. New York: Crown Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780517800911.
  -McCurdy, Michael. TRAPPED BY ICE!: SHACKLETON’S AMAZING ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE. 1997. New York: Walker Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780802784384.

• Children may also enjoy reading the following historical fiction novel about a teenage stowaway who traveled on the Endurance with Shackleton and his crew: McKernan, Victoria. SHACKLETON’S STOWAWAY. 2006. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780440419846.

• Armstrong has written over 100 books for children of all ages (e.g., easier readers, fiction books for middle readers, and more complicated nonfiction works). To learn more about Jennifer Armstrong, visit her Web site at: www.jennifer-armstrong.com
  

• Other informational books written by Jennifer Armstrong include:
  -Armstrong, Jennifer (author) and Roth, Robert (illustrator). THE AMERICAN STORY: 100 TRUE TALES FROM AMERICAN HISTORY. 2006. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780375812569.
  -Armstrong, Jennifer. DEAR MR. PRESIDENT SERIES—THEODORE ROOSEVELT: LETTERS FROM A YOUNG COAL MINER. 2001. New York: WinslowHouse International. ISBN: 9781890817275.
  -Armstrong, Jennifer. PHOTO BY BRADE: A PICTURE OF THE CIVIL WAR. 2005. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780689857850.
  -Armstrong, Jennifer (editor). SHATTERED: STORIES OF CHILDREN AND WAR. 2003. New York: Laurel Leaf Books. ISBN: 9780440237655.
  

Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Freedman, Russell (author) and Keisler, Kate (illustrator). OUT OF DARKNESS: THE STORY OF LOUIS BRAILLE. 1997. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 9780395775165.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In OUT OF THE DARKNESS: THE STORY OF LOUIS BRAILLE, Freedman documents the life of the famous Frenchman who invented the revolutionary system that allowed the blind to read. In the book, the struggles Braille endured are discussed, including his tragic childhood accident that led to his blindness and his enrollment at the Royal Institute for the Blind in Paris. When Braille learned of a secret military code involving raised dots and dashes on cardboard strip, he became determined to adapt the dot system for the blind. At the young age of fifteen, Braille “invented a simple code that allowed him to represent any letter of the alphabet within the space of a fingertip.” However, it was not until many years later that the Braille system was accepted. As Freedman writes, “in his short lifetime, Louis Braille had done more than anyone in history to bring blind people into the mainstream of life.”

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Freedman, an award-winning author who has written over forty books, traces the fascinating life story of Louis Braille. Braille’s life as a boy in nineteenth century France is vividly described, as well as his tragic accident at the age of three that led to his blindness. Freedman expertly tells the gripping story of the determined young man who at the young age of fifteen developed a way of reading and communicating with others that surpassed the inferior methods used during that time. Freedman writes: “On some nights, he lost all track of time. He would be sitting on the edge of his bed punching dots, when the rumbling of wagons on the cobblestones outside told him that morning had come.”

Freedman methodically describes Braille’s resolve to improve the inadequate and cumbersome reading system that was available to the blind—embossing, which involved pressing alphabet letters into thick sheets of paper. As each chapter progresses, Freedman skillfully explains the patience and dedication of Braille to perfect his dot punching system. Freedman describes how Braille’s ingenious invention was fraught with resistance from school officials for 20 years. Finally, Joseph Gaudet, an administrator at the school, championed the system and Braille received the credit he deserved.

While the book does not contain specific citations or a bibliography, Freedman acknowledges the help he received from the American Federation for the Blind, the Louis Braille Birthplace Municipal Museum, and the people of Coupvray, France. On occasion, Freedman includes narration and uses literary license to make the story more vivid. For example, conversations Braille had as a young boy with other students and family are not cited. Dialog from later in his life does appear to come from letters and journals.

The book begins with a table of contents and ends with an index of terms to help readers revisit various phases of Braille’s life, people who influenced him, as well as aspects of the Braille system. In addition, the book contains clear and informative examples of the Braille cell and how dot patterns represent characters of the alphabet and Arabic numerals. Throughout the book, black and white illustrations by Kate Kiesler bring the book to life, such as depictions of Braille as a young boy, attending school in Paris, as well as his role as a teacher. This fascinating biography will be an enjoyable read and a compelling story for middle school children.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• School Library Journal (starred review): “An extremely well-written and informative book that tells about Braille's life and the development of his alphabet system for the blind. Freedman's gift for making his subjects both accessible and intriguing comes through wonderfully in this book.”

• Booklist: “Without melodrama, Freedman tells the momentous story in quiet chapters in his best plain style, making the facts immediate and personal.”

• Kirkus Reviews: “Rigidly rendered black-and-white illustrations make the setting of the story real; useful diagrams of Braille's alphabet and the slate and stylus used to write are included. With warmth and care, Freedman deftly delineates a life.”
  

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for children ages 12 and up.

• To learn more about Braille visit a site through the American Federation for the Blind (AFB) that is specifically geared toward children in grades 3 through 6: http://www.afb.org/braillebug/.

• Other examples of books written by Russell Freedman include:
  -Freedman, Russell. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY. 1997. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395845202.
  -Freedman, Russell. GIVE ME LIBERTY: THE STORY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 2000. New York: Holiday House, Inc. ISBN: 9780823414482.
  -Freedman, Russell. LINCOLN: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY. 1989. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395518489.
  -Freedman, Russell. THE WRIGHT BROTHERS: HOW THEY INVENTED THE AIRPLANE. 1991. New York: Holiday House, Inc. ISBN: 9780823408757.
  

Earth: Our Planet in Space

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Simon, Seymour. EARTH: OUR PLANET IN SPACE. 2003. Revised edition. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN: 9780689835629.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In Simon’s photo essay book, EARTH: OUR PLANET IN SPACE, the many facets of Earth are explored. Topics include the Earth’s relationship to the sun, moon and other planets; how seasons occur; the roles of the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field; and how our planet’s surface is constantly changing. The book features Simon’s signature color photos, most of which are courtesy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Seymour Simon, the award-winning author of 250 science books for children, presents a breathtaking look at our planet in his book EARTH: OUR PLANET IN SPACE. Simon matches fascinating facts and explanations about Earth and other aspects of our solar system with stunning photographs from space. The book follows a logical flow, beginning with simpler concepts of how Earth looks from space and it’s relationship to the sun, moon, and other planets. It progresses with more complicated topics including the Earth’s rotation, orbit, atmosphere, and magnetic field.

While the book does not contain a bibliography, on the verso page of the book, Simon credits NASA for providing nearly all of the photographs. Many of the photos cover the entire page or are superimposed on black backgrounds that make the images pop from the sheet. Multicolored and informative diagrams are also present and help to support the complicated topics that Simon clearly and concisely describes. However, a list of other recommended resources or kid-friendly Web sites, would have been helpful for parents, teachers, and children to further explore Earth- and space-related topics.

EARTH: OUR PLANET IN SPACE is a wonderful introduction to astronomy and is a must for children’s library and classroom collections. While Simon’s book is only 32 pages, it does contain a wealth of information that should satisfy the most curious of young astronomers. Simon’s easy to understand writing style and enthralling photographs encourage young readers to explore more about our planet and other outer space discoveries.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Horn Book (2004): “These new editions include fresh images and minor editing of the original texts; what hasn’t changed is Simon’s gently authoritative signature voice… The books feature updated and now color photos, primarily of the earth from space and the moon from surface expeditions. [Review covers these titles: Earth and The Moon.]”

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for children ages 9 to 12.

• Younger children (ages 4 to 8) will also appreciate the photographs and information presented in this book. The text is not too difficult for this age group and may be shared as part of an outer space unit.

• Celebrate Earth Day (April 22, 2010) with children by reading EARTH: OUR PLANET IN SPACE and perhaps one of these other titles:
  -Earth Works Group. 50 SIMPLE THINGS KIDS CAN DO TO SAVE THE EARTH. 1990. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN: 0833544721.
  -Schwartz, Linda. EARTH BOOK FOR KIDS: ACTIVITIES TO HELP HEAL THE ENVIRONMENT. 1990. Huntington Beach, CA: Learning Works. ISBN: 0881601950
  -Ross, Kathy. EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY. 1995. Brookfield, CT: The Millbrook Press. ISBN: 156294888.
  -Nobleman, Marc Tyler. EARTH DAY. 2005. Mankato, MN: Compass Point Books. ISBN: 075650645X.
  

• Visit Seymor Simon’s blog at: http://www.seymourscience.com/ to see what Simon currently has to share and where “readers are invited to post comments and questions about Seymour Simon's books.”

• According to Simon’s blog, he has written over 250 science books for children. Examples of just a few of these titles include:
  -Simon, Seymour. THE BRAIN. 1999. New York: HarperTrophy. ISBN: 9780688170608.
  -Simon, Seymour. GORILLAS. 2008. New York: Collins. ISBN: 9780060891015.
  -Simon, Seymour. OUR SOLAR SYSTEM. 2007. New York: Collins. ISBN: 9780061140082.
  -Simon, Seymour. THE SUN. 1989. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780688092368.
  -Simon, Seymour. TORNADOES. 2001. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 9780064437912.
  -Simon, Seymour. WHALES. 2006. New York: Collins. ISBN: 9780060877118.
  

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sones, Sonya. WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN’T KNOW. 2008. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780689876035.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Fourteen-year-old Robin Murphy’s days just recently started looking up. Usually considered a “loser” by his high school peers, Robin’s love life has become a surprise to his classmates when he starts dating Sophie, one of the most popular girls in the school. In this novel written in verse, author Sonya Sones shares the story of Sophie and Robin who have so much in common, yet differ on the high school social ladder. Robin is amazed by how much Sophie and he have in common and just how right their relationship feels. Robin wonders “if only everyone else/ could see/ what Sophie sees/ when she looks at me.” However, their bliss is thwarted when Sophie’s friends begin to snub her unless she ends her relationship with Robin…”date a loser, turn into a loser.” To make matters more complicated, another potential love interest emerges for Robin when he audits an art class at Harvard. The pressures continue to build until the end of the novel and test whether Robin and Sophie’s love is truly meant to be.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sones realistically captures the inner thoughts of a teenage boy, Robin, who discovers love during his tumultuous freshman year of high school. Throughout the book, Sones cleverly presents Robin’s fears, desires, worries, and determination. Oftentimes, the titles of the poems sequentially connect one poem to the next. However, each poem may also stands on its own and often relays an emotional, humorous, and gripping story within itself.

The entire novel is written in verse, with some poems written in a rhythmic and/or rhyming fashion, while others are written in free verse form. The verses in the novel are a combination of voices—narrative (“Because when I was with her, I was Robin, Robin Murphy”), a stream of consciousness (“Is it possible/ that they could be/ flirting with me?”) and conversational (“Everything will be all right, she says./ They’ll get used to the idea of us being together./ This will all blow over./ It will.”). This variety of voice further adds to the feelings and perspectives evoked by the main character.

In some instances, Sones visually arranges the lines of her poems to form images that further add to the humor of the book. She also uses language that feels authentic for the teenage characters, such as “outlaws rule” and “What a Murphy.” In addition, Sones’ funny and vivid descriptions of Robin’s anxieties (e.g., his fear of losing Sophie), as well as his overactive imagination resonate throughout the novel. Robin’s emotions are very realistically presented and make the reader continue to root for this underdog.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• School Library Journal: “Written as a novel in verse, this title is a fast-paced, page-turning romp that gives authentic voice to male youth even when it is painfully truthful.”

• Kirkus Reviews: “Six years after What My Mother Doesn't Know sizzled onto the scene, Sones returns to continue the story of teen sweethearts Sophie Stein and Robin Murphy…If this offering lacks some of the intensity of its predecessor, it nevertheless provides both an opportunity to revisit two likable characters and the advantage of a fresh viewpoint.”
  

• VOYA: “Teens will devour this book and again will be left wishing for more at the end. Both Sophie and Robin are unforgettable characters, and their trials and triumphs are completely recognizable and easy to relate to by teens their age. It is not necessary to have read the first book to understand the second, so buy multiple copies-it will fly off the shelves.”

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for grades 8 and up.

• To learn more about author Sonya Sones, visit her Web site at: http://www.sonyasones.com/wmgdk.htm

• Other books written by Sonya Sones include:
  -Sones, Sonya. STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY. 2001. New York: HarperTeen. ISBN: 9780064462181.
  -Sones, Sonya. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN’T KNOW. 2003. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN: 9780689855535.
  -Sones, Sonya. ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES. 2005. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN: 9781416907886.

• Other examples of authors who write YA novels in verse include:
  -Sharon Creech
  -Helen Frost
  -Nikki Grimes
  -Lorie Ann Grover
  -Steven Herrick
  -Karen Hesse
  -Maria Testa
  -Ann Warren Turner
  

Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce (author) and Krommes, Beth (illustrator). BUTTERFLY EYES: AND OTHER SECRETS OF THE MEADOW. 2006. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books. ISBN: 9780618563135.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Joyce Sidman writes an assortment of poetic riddles about the life and beauty found in the meadow. Topics include the morning dew, the vascular system of plants, and a variety of wildlife, including grasshoppers, deer, fox, and owls to just name a few. Each poem is accompanied by a scientific explanation of the role each of these organisms play in the ecosystem. Throughout the book are scratchboard illustrations created by Beth Krommes. The artwork helps the reader solve the sixteen riddles, as well as complements the natural science descriptions.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In BUTTERFLY EYES AND OTHER SECRETS, Joyce Sidman uses a variety of poetic elements in this beautifully written ode to the meadow. The children’s poems are written as riddles, with carefully selected word choices so as to not reveal the answer too soon to the reader. Instead, readers are given clues in both the poems and illustrations before turning the page to discover the answers. Scientific, yet easy to understand descriptions accompany each poem and explain the role the various organisms have in the meadow ecosystem.

Several of the poems use rhyming to capture the essence of the meadow, such as the verse “Sap Song” where Sidman writes “I go up/ I go down/ from the roots/ to the crown.” In terms of rhythm, Sidman varies one poem from the next—sometimes using short lines to create a beat-like feel (“Glaze/daze/itch/twitch/hot/spot”), while in other instances she uses several words per line (“I am deeply sorry for my huge orbs/of eyes, keen and hooded/that pierce your lush/tapestry of meadow”).

Throughout the poems, Sidman also uses words that create a vivid mental image, such as that seen in the “Heavenly” verse: “At high noon/on a midsummer’s day/ when the pavement is steeped in heat/and cicadas are screaming.” Many of the poems will be enjoyed even more when read aloud, such as in “Shhh! They Are Sleeping,” which will delight children when read in a hushed tone. Sidman’s also adds some whimsy to her poetry when she writes several of the verses from the perspective of the creatures, such as in the poems “Apology to My Prey,” “Letter to the Sun” and “Letter to the Rain.”

Readers will not only be captivated by the cleverly written poems, but also by the exquisite illustrations by Beth Krommes. The colorful and detailed scratchboard pictures jump off the pages and capture the beauty of the meadow and its complicated web of life. Environmentalists and poetry lovers will certainly enjoy this collection of nature poems and it will be welcomed in both language arts and science classrooms.


4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• School Library Journal (2006): “This book is a handsome and versatile compendium, melding art, poetry, and natural history.”

• Kirkus Reviews: “Combining striking illustrations, evocative poems that do double duty as riddles and lucid prose commentary, this venture into the natural world stands out for both its beauty and its unusual approach.”

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for children ages 8 to 11

• Have children research a topic related to nature (e.g., an animal, plant, weather, etc.) and cite their sources. Based on the information they find, ask children to write a poem and/or a riddle about their topic.

• In the classroom, BUTTERFLY EYES AND OTHER SECRETS may be used both during poetry units, as well as in the science classroom when discussing ecosystems.

• Other children’s poetry books by Joyce Sidman include:
  -Sidman, Joyce (author) and Prange, Beckie (Illustrator). UBIQUITOUS: CELEBRATING NATURE’S SURVIVORS. 2010. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780618717194.
  -Sidman, Joyce (author) and Zagarenski, Pamela (illustrator). RED SINGS FROM TREETOPS: A YEAR IN COLORS. 2009. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780547014944.
  -Sidman, Joyce (author) and Zagarenski, Pamela (illustrator). THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS. 2007. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780618616800.
  -Sidman, Joyce (author) and Prange, Beckie (illustrator). SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN AND OTHER POND POEMS. 2005. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780618135479.
  -Sidman, Joyce (author) and Swan, Susan (illustrator). JUST US TWO: POEMS ABOUT DADS. 2003. Minneapolis, MA: Lerner Publishing Group. ISBN: 9780761318330.
  

Comet, Stars, the Moon, and Mars

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Florian, Douglas (author and illustrator). COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS. 2007. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780152053727

2. PLOT SUMMARY

In COMETS, STARS, THE MOON AND MARS, Douglas Florian presents twenty playful poems about astronomy and the many wonders of our universe. Various heavenly bodies are described, including the stars and constellations, the sun and moon, the planets, and other outer space marvels. Each poem is also accompanied by an illustration of mixed media (e.g., paint, collage, stamped lettering) created by Florian, many of which also include die cuts on the pages. At the end of the collection is a “galactic glossary” that gives further scientific descriptions of the celestial terms presented in the poems.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Douglas Florian’s COMETS, STARS, THE MOON AND MARS is an out of this world collection of twenty lighthearted poems for children describing the astronomical bodies that fill the universe. The poems are witty, yet present fascinating tidbits of information that will engross young readers. For example, Florian humorously describes the planet Mercury: “Speedy, nimble, quick and fast/Round the sun it rushes past/always racing on the run…/you’d run, too, so near the sun.”

All of the poems have fun, rhyming words that contribute to the rhythmic beat of the verses. The poems are relatively short—most ranging from four to ten lines, but each is chock full of facts and fanciful language. This can be seen in “The Constellations” poem, where Florian writes: “Pisces is two fish/Musca is a fly/And Cygnus is a swan/in this zoo up in the sky.”

This collection of poems is also a showcase of Florian’s illustrative talent. Throughout the book, he uses a variety of artistic techniques, including painting, collage, and die cuts. The colors and designs he selects beautifully coordinate with the poems. For his poem “A Galaxy,” Florian uses deep blues, oranges, and whites to illustrate the many shapes of galaxies (spiral, round, and flat) and even presents the actual words in a spiral pattern. This collection of poems, which uses a combination of catchy lines, intriguing facts, and eye-catching illustrations, will help readers discover the delights of poetry.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• New York Times Book Review: "The poet-painter's latest book brings warm wit to the outermost reaches of cold, dark space . . . Florian's illustrations depict the marvels of space with luminous texture and detail."

• School Library Journal (starred review—2007): "Nothing gladdens the heart of believers of good poetry for children more than a new collection by Florian. . . . This one literally sings the music of the spheres. . . . In both language and artwork, Florian strikes the perfect balance between grandeur and whimsy.

• Kirkus Reviews: “Stunning mixed-media illustrations accompany a series of poems that celebrate the wonder and mystery of space…The verse is characteristically playful, wrapping itself around astronomical facts with ease.

• Booklist: “Stamped type, cutout pages, collage elements with printed papers, and sweeping brushstrokes all figure prominently in the expressive collage artwork, which ably illustrates the verse.”
  

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for children ages 5 to 10.

• Other children’ poetry related to astronomy include:
  -Salas, Laura Purdie. AND THEN THERE WERE EIGHT: POEMS ABOUT SPACE. 2008. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press. ISBN: 978-1429617475.
  -Prelusky, Jack (author) and Pickering, Jimmy (illustrator). THE SWAMPS OF SLEETHE: POEMS FROM BEOND THE SOLAR SYSTEM. 2009. New York: Random House Children’s Books. 9780375846748.

• Douglas Florian has written numerous children’s poetry books. Some examples include:
  -Florian, Douglas. DINOTHESAURUS: PREHISTORIC POEMS AND PAINTINGS. 2009. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN: 9781416979784.
  -Florian, Douglas. HANDSPRINGS. 2006. New York: HarperCollins Publishers: ISBN: 9780060092801.
  -Florian, Douglas. WINTER EYES. 1999. New York: HarperCollins Publishers: ISBN: 9780688164584.
  -Florian, Douglas. INSECTLOPEDIA. 1998. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780152013066
  

The Gifts of Wali Dad

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Shepard, Aaron (retold by) and San Souci, Daniel (illustrator). THE GIFTS OF WALI DAD: A TALE OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN. 1995. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN: 9780684194455.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Wali Dad is an old grass cutter who diligently saved his money and led a simple life. One day, he discovers that he has accumulated many coins, and decides to share his wealth with a gift to a noble lady. The surprised queen reciprocates with her own gift of silk. Anxious by what to do with the queen’s extravagant present, Wali Dad decides to send it to the noble king of Nekabad. In turn, the king reciprocates Wali Dad with twelve fine horses. The gift exchange continues on and on, with Wali Dad becoming more and more determined to return to his simple ways. With the help of two magical peris, a traveling merchant, and Wali Dad’s own humble nature, the two royals are brought together in an unexpected matrimonial match.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In the GIFTS OF WALI DAD, Shepard retells a heartwarming Indian and Pakistani tale with the theme of generosity resonating throughout the book. Wali Dad is a happy grass cutter whose simple life is turned upside down when his kindness is repaid with luxurious items he does not want. The plot thickens when the passing of gifts between Wali Dad and the nobles continues to grow more and more extravagant. The tale has a pleasing ending, with the discovery of true love and Wali Dad’s life returning to normal.

In the beginning of the tale, Shepard quickly establishes how Wali Dad leads a simple life and saves his money in “a clay pot under his bed.” Throughout the text, Shepard does well to present the worry and fear that Wali Dad feels if his true identity is revealed to the royals. Shepard also includes many references to the Indian and Pakistani culture, including descriptions of clothing (“a jeweled turban”) and gifts (“finest silks”), as well as the places in which the nobles reside—Khaistan and Nekabad. Mystical elements are also included with the appearance of “two radiant ladies”—the peris of Paradise.

San Souci’s illustrations compliment the tale by reflecting the Indian and Pakistani culture, with beautiful depictions of the marketplace, palaces, animal caravans, and costumes. Wali Dad is portrayed somewhat comically, with San Souci depicting him with larger facial features and having a smaller stature compared with the rest of the characters. Readers sense Wali Dad’s unease with luxury through his obvious expressions and poses.


4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• School Library Journal (1995): “A superior retelling... Shepard has brought [the story] to life for new audiences…Full of interesting details, the pictures support and enlarge upon the text. A worthy addition.”

• Booklist (1995): “In addition to introducing some figures of Indian and Pakistani folklore, the illustrations convey an atmosphere of radiating generosity, which begins in the pictures of the golden wheat Wali Dad cuts and ends when Wali Dad is back in his cottage of golden straw, with a golden moon above.”

• Hornbook (1995): “Wali Dad, with his exaggerated features, is an amusing and sympathetic character in this humorous folktale.”

• Kirkus Review (1995): This happy story by Shepard has no evil characters and an irresistible hero, pictured by San Souci as a skinny old man with kind eyes and a big nose. The skillfully constructed watercolors are sometimes laid out in storyboard-fashion: The page is broken up into several frames, with different shots of the same scene. A fun, well-crafted book, with nothing out of place.

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for children ages 5 to 8 years.

• Ask children to locate India and Pakistan on a globe or map. If reading other tales from around the world, also mark the location from where these folktales originated.

• Children may be interested in other folktales from India, including:
  -Cleveland, Robert (retold by). THE DRUM: A TALE FROM INDIA. 2006. August House. ISBN: 9780874838022.
  -Milbourne, Anna (retold by) and Edwards, Linda (illustrator). STORIES FROM INDIA. 2006. Usborne Books. ISBN: 9780794511517.
  -Verma, Jatinder (retold by) and Nilesh, Mistry (illustrator). THE STORY OF DIVAALI. 2002. Barefoot Books. ISBN: 9781841489360.
  

• For more information on author and illustrator Daniel San Souci, visit his Web site at: http://danielsansouci.com/.

• Create a display showcasing the many picture books authored and/or illustrated by Daniel San Souci books, such as:
  -San Souci, Daniel (author) and Neilan, Eujin Kim. IN THE MOONLIGHT MIST: A KOREAN TALE. 1999. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. ISBN: 9781563977541.
  -San Souci, Daniel (retold by) and Neilan, Eujin Kim. RABBIT AND THE DRAGON KING: BASED ON A KOREAN FOLKTALE. 2006. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. ISBN: 9781590784181.
  -San Souci, Daniel. NORTH COUNTRY NIGHT. 1994. New York: Yearling. ISBN: 9780440410294.
  -San Souci, Robert (author) and San Souci, Daniel (illustrator). SOOTFACE: AN OJIBWA CINDERELLA STORY. 1997. New York: Random House Childrens Books. ISBN: 9780440413639.
  -London, Jonathon (author) and San Souci, Daniel (illustrator). RED WOLF COUNTRY. 1996. New York: Dutton Juvenile. ISBN:9780525451914.
  

And the Green Grass Grew All Around

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Schwartz, Alvin (author) and Truesdell, Sue (illustrator). AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND: FOLK POETRY FROM EVERYONE. 1999. New York: HarperTrophy. ISBN: 978-0064462143.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Schwartz shares a compilation of “folk poetry,” which is essentially poetry that is passed by word of mouth rather written down, with no known author. Many of these folk poems may be familiar to readers, with variations in some of the rhymes. As Schwartz explains, folk poetry can be just about anything—people, school, food, work, weather, the list goes on and on. Some of these rhymes may have been heard on the playground while jumping rope or bouncing a ball or are just silly riddles. One thing they all have in common is that they have existed for some time—whether it be from the turn of the century or even as long as 2,000 years ago!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Many adults will feel nostalgic when reading Schwartz’s collection of folk poetry. Some of the rhymes are sarcastic (“Liar, liar, pants on fire, Tongue as long as a telephone wire”), catchy (“I’m the boss, Applesauce”), or downright silly (“Higglety, pigglety, pop, The dog has eaten the mop”). While some of the folk poems may not be familiar to younger readers, most will enjoy the nonsense and humor found in nearly all of the verses.

To give readers more perspective on the genre, near the end of the book Schwartz clearly explains how folk poems differ from literary poems, as well as how the poems sometimes evolve. Readers will be interested in learning that many verses originated a hundred or more years ago, when children were viewed as miniature adults and not sheltered from grievances of the times.

Truesdell’s illustrations are found throughout the book and add even more humor to the verses. Her fun and whimsical characters reflect the silliness of many of the poems, providing a comic book feel.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• School Library Journal: “A marvelous book that is sure to become a classic if children have any say in the matter…Read this outrageous volume before it is shelved; once the kids discover it, it will always be checked out.”

• Kirkus Reviews: “Not since Carl Withers's A Rocket in My Pocket (1948) has there been such a grand compilation of familiar (and unfamiliar) rhymes and chants from the children's own tradition: riddles, games, wishes and taunts; poems about love, food, school, or animals; parodies, nonsense, and stories.”

5. CONNECTIONS

• For children ages 9 to 12; however, younger audiences would also appreciate many of the funny poems and songs.

• At the end of the book, Schwartz lists several additional books that may be of interest to young readers, including:

• Abrahams, Roger D. JUMP-ROPE RHYMES: A DICTIONARY. 1969. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. ISBN: 978-0292784000.

• Chase, Richard. AMERICAN FOLK TALES AND SONGS. 1971. New York: Dover Publications. ISBN: 978-0486226927.

• Emrich, Duncan. THE NONSENSE BOOK OF RIDDLES, RHMES, TONGUE TWISTERS, PUZZLES AND JOKES FROM AMRICAN FOLKLORE. 1970. New York: Four Winds Press. ISBN: 978-0590071574.

• To learn more about American Folk Life and for teacher/student resources on this topic, visit the American Folklife Center Web site: http://www.loc.gov/folklife/index.html

• Other books by Alvin Schwartz include:
  -Schwartz, Alvin (author) and Gammel, Stephanie (illustrator). SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK; COLLECTED FROM AMERICAN FOLKLORE. 1986. New York: HarperCollins Publishing. ISBN: 9780064401708.
  -Schwartz, Alvin (author) and Gammel, Stephanie (illustrator). MORE SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK. New York: HarperCollins Publishing. ISBN: 9780397320813.
  -Schwartz, Alvin. WITCRACKS: JOKES AND JESTS FROM AMERICAN FOLKLORE. 1973. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN: 0397314760