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