THE MIDWIFE'S APPRENTICE

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife’s Apprentice. New York. Harper Trophy.

ISBN# 978-0-06-440630-7

AWARDS:

Winner of the Newbery Medal

ALA Notable Children’s Book

ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults

ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice

School Library Journal Best Book

PLOT SUMMARY:

            The Midwife’s Apprentice revolves around a young girl who has no family, no friends and no one to love her. With very low self-esteem and known only by the name Brat, the story begins with Jane, the village midwife, finding Brat asleep in a dung heap.  The midwife takes her in, calls her Beetle and puts her to work as her apprentice. Just as Beetle is becoming aware that maybe she is someone of worth, something happens, she feels like she has failed and runs away. It is during this time that she comes to realize that she is a person of worth and returns to finish her apprenticeship.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: 

            Set in the Middle Ages, in a time of history before doctors and hospitals, Karen Cushman does an outstanding job of weaving a story with characters readers will identify with. The trials Beetle goes through are very close in nature to trials children of all ages have today. Being bullied and mistreated her whole life, she feels worthless and her self esteem is nonexistent. Much of this is still seen in the neighborhoods and playgrounds today. Others who have been ridiculed and despised will form an instant attachment to Beetle.

             Descriptions and explanations of village life and social classes give the reader an accurate portrayal of the Medieval England setting of the story which Cushman has researched. Her author’s notes at the end of the book are informative and portray just how much research she has done even though the research is not cited.

REVIEWS:

HORN BOOK (starred review)  '. . .A fascinating view of a far distant time.'

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: "With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of  Medieval England.”

CONNECTIONS:

            Have a discussion unit on bullying. Compare the feelings Beetle had when being bullied to those children feel today.

            Vocabulary building: This book has many words not used today (such as dung, dung beetle, miller, midwife, etc….). Students can define the words and write what word means the same thing but is used in modern day.

            Other activities and a reader’s guide may also be purchased for this book.

Other books by Karen Cushman set in Medieval England:

            Catherine, Called Birdy

ONE CRAZY SUMMER

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2009. One Crazy Summer. New York. HarperCollins e-books.

ISBN # 978-0-06-196667-5

AWARDS:

Coretta Scott King Book Award 2011

John Newbery Medal Honor Book 2011

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction 2011

PLOT SUMMARY:

            It is the summer of 1968 and Delphine Gaither and her two younger sisters begin a journey to visit their mother. While it is not unheard of for children to visit a parent in the summer, this visit was to be anything but normal. The girls have not seen or heard from their mother since she walked out on them when they were little. When they arrive, their mother comes across as uncaring and she does not want them to be with her. She views the girls as a hindrance and does not even feed them or take care of them. It is up to Delphine to take care of her sisters and stay out of trouble. The girls spend most of their summer at a Black Panther Summer Camp because their mother doesn’t want to be bothered with them. During the course of their stay, they learn a little about the civil rights movement and they also view first hand some of the racial issues the negro people faced during this time. By the end of the book, the girls are drawn closer to their mother and a bond is forged.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            Told from the perspective of Delphine who is an 11 year old negro girl, Williams-Garcia takes three girls from Oakland and places them in an environment that is totally out of their comfort zone and worlds away from a loving father and grandmother. Girls who have to take care of their younger siblings will relate to Delphine and her attempts to take care of her sisters. Other girls will relate to Vonetta and Fern who do not like to be “bossed” about at the hands of an older sibling.  

Rita Williams-Garcia’s softer portrayal of the Black Panther Party is a direct contrast to the ruthless and violent characterizations that we often associate with this group. The history and events of the party and this important time in black history blend nicely with the story to lend an authenticity to the book that makes it believable and educational.

REVIEWS:

BOOKLIST: “Set during a pivotal moment in African American history, this vibrant novel shows the subtle ways that political movements affect personal lives; but just as memorable is the finely drawn, universal story of children reclaiming a reluctant parent’s love.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.

CONNECTIONS:

            *Students may do further research on the Black Panther Party, its history and ideals,

            * Students may research the Civil Rights movement at this time and compare how it relates and affects the world today.

            * Discuss different types of families and responsibilities. (one parent, two parent, sibling relationships, etc..)





Penny From Heaven

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Holm, Jennifer L. 2006. Penny From Heaven. New York. Random House.

ISBN#: 0-375-83687-x

AWARDS:

Newbery Honor Book 2007

ALA Notable Children’s Book 2007

PLOT SUMMARY:

            Penny Falluci’s summer does not quite live up to her expectations. Her mother begins dating the milk man of all people and won’t let her go swimming in the public pool because she is afraid that Penny will get polio. Her mother and her father’s families do not get along, her Uncle Dominic lives in a car and her cousin Freddy ends up in major trouble. As if this was not enough, Penny injures her arm while washing clothes and faces the possibility of never being able to use it again. It is during this time that she learns the truth of how her father died and a healing process hesitantly begins between two families.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            Penny From Heaven is a story about the ups, downs and intricacies of families. Everyone experiences a time when they wished their family was not their family and readers are bound to find an experience in this book which they can relate to. Whether it is growing up without a father, having an overprotective mother, or simply the trouble one can be drawn into because of peer pressure, there is something that will bring back a memory for everyone.

            Set in New Jersey in 1953, a mere 8 years after the end of WWII, the book addresses how Italians and Italian Americans were treated during the war and after the war. The term “enemy aliens” was used to refer to the Italian people who were in the United States when France declared war. Penny’s father was sent to an internment camp and died while he was there. The book also portrays examples of how suspicious people were towards people of Italian descent.            

      Inspired by the stories of her Italian American family, Jennifer Holm includes author’s notes of how the stories came to be and includes pictures and posters of actual people and items of this time in American History. Her resource listed in the back gives further indication that this book definitely has historic evidence of this time period.

REVIEWS:

BOOKLIST: “……this languidly paced novel will appeal most to readers who appreciate gentle, episodic tales with a nostalgic flavor.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The period is lovingly re-created, from the fear of catching polio to Penny's use of the word swell.”

CONNECTIONS:

            This book can be tied to many different areas of research and discussion.

·         Students may research Internment camps and how people lived and were treated in them.

·         Research polio: the causes, effects, cures and history of it.

·         Family relationships: Penny has a different relationship with each side of her family. Students can discuss the difference and compare it to their own family.



BODIES FROM THE ICE



BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Deem, James M. 2008. Bodies from the Ice: Melting glaciers and the Recovery of the Past.  New York. Houghton Mifflin Company

ISBN#  978-0-618-80045-2

PLOT SUMMARY:

            Since the dawn of time, glaciers have covered large portions of the earth. How were they created?  What secrets lay beneath the cold, icy surfaces? Why are they disappearing? Author and retired college Professor James Deem has traveled across the world and in this book, he takes the reader on a journey to uncover the truths, myths, stories and mysteries behind these fast disappearing mountains of ice.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            This book about melting glaciers and what they are revealing is phenomenal. The book is well-written without the abundant use of hard to understand technical terms. Actual photographs of discoveries beneath the ice and the paintings of what artists perceive the expeditions to be like are used together to create perfect harmony with the text. From Incan children sacrificed to the gods to missing hikers and explorers, the stories printed in this book will hold and capture the reader’s interest. Sidebars and captions are used effectively to give additional information about an object, event and pictures. Detailed research sources for the information and illustrations are provided as well as an index for locating information easily. James Deem has truly done an exemplary job on this informational book.

AWARDS:

2009 Robert F. Sibert Informational Award Honor Book

Kirkus Reviews' Best Children's Books of 2008

Notable Book for Children 2009

2009 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K- 12

2009 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

CCBC Choices 2009

REVIEWS:

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:

“Deem superbly weaves diverse geographical settings, time periods, and climate issues into a readable work that reveals the increasing interdisciplinary dimensions of the sciences.”

BOOKLIST:

"There are books about melting glaciers and books about frozen bodies, but this attractive offering combines the topics in a way that will intrigue readers.”

CONNECTIONS:

Science: Students may visit one of the websites listed in the back of the book for
              further research on glaciers and the discoveries they reveal.

              Students may also do research or activities on the list of glaciers from the
              book.

Social Studies: Students may engage in activities to learn about the cultures of the
                       geographic regions from the book.
                       Students may study the Incan beliefs and culture.



THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Freedman, Russell. 2004. THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARIAN ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. New York. Clarion Books

ISBN# 0-618-15976-2

PLOT SUMMARY:

           

Many of us have never suffered the blatant rejection that the negro people did for many years. The book, THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARIAN ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS, tells us a little bit about that time and the struggle of Marian Anderson, a young African American singer. It tells of her love of singing from a very young age and chronicles her journey of how she rose above the ranks to become one of the greatest singers of all times.

After being accepted and performing in concert halls all over the United States, the White House and even Europe, think of how devastating it was to be denied the opportunity to sing in Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in her own country. The fact that she was denied this opportunity due to her color, sparked a major controversy which put her in the middle of the civil rights movement. On Easter Sunday April 9, 1939 with the help of Eleanor Roosevelt and others, Marian gave the concert of her life on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            Freedman uses actual photographs taken at different times during Marian Anderson’s life and career. These pictures coupled with quotes and information from Anderson’s family, her private papers, her autobiography My Lord, What A Morning and Allan Keiler’s Marian Anderson: A Singer’s Journey makes this book an excellent source of information on the singer and her life. The pictures and text clearly give the reader an idea of what life was like for blacks back in those days. Detailed chapter notes, a bibliography and an index make it easy to locate information in the book or can send the reader to find further information on this singer and her life. Freedman has captured the singer’s life and times in a way that invites further study.

CONNECTIONS:

Students may research and study other black artists of this time and compare
      their stories

Timelines may be constructed of the important events in Anderson’s life

           

AWARDS:

           

2005 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
2005 Newbery Honor Book
2005 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year
2005 Voice for Youth Advocates (VOYA) Nonfiction
2005 Notable Children's Book in the Language
2005 Carter G. Woodson Book Award, NCSS
2005 James Madison Honor Book
2005 Orbis Pictus Honor Book
2005 CCBC Choices
2005 Notable Books for a Global Society
2005 Capitol Choices Selection
2005 Notable Children's Trade Book in Social Studies
2004 Parents' Choice Silver Honor
2004 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
2004 NY Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading
2004 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
2004 Parenting Magazine Best Book of the Year
2004 Booklinks Lasting Connections Selection
2004 Kirkus Editors' Choice
2004 Horn Book Fanfare Selection
2004 Society School Librarians International Honor Book
2004 ALA Best Book for Young Adults
2004 ALA Notable Children's Book

REVIEWS:

VOYA:  "A masterful biography...The prose is sharp and clean with generous use of quotations...a superb choice."

KIRKUS: "A fully realized portrait of a musical artist and her times...an outstanding, handsome biography. Freedman at his best."

AMAZING BATS

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Simon, Seymour. 2005. AMAZING BATS. New York, New York. Scholastic.

ISBN: 0-439-80178-8

AWARDS:

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book Award Gold Seal

PLOT SUMMARY:

            “There are about a thousand kinds.” They live in caves, trees and roofs. Some eat fruit, some eat insects, some eat other small animals and some even drink blood.  Bats are fascinating creatures and the book AMAZING BATS by Seymour Simon will appeal to children. The book tells interesting facts about a variety of bats and is accompanied by pictures which are close ups of these bats. Boys especially will love the photos which accompany the book.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The book, AMAZING BATS, dispels many myths that children have about bats. Simon does this by relating basic, scientific information about bats and their habits and habitats.  Being a former science teacher and also considering his reputation in the field, I believe it is safe to assume that Seymour Simon is very knowledgeable on the subject of bats even though sources are not cited about where his facts come from. The photos which accompany the book do have sources cited and are a definite complement to the text. While some photos are a single page spread and others are double page spreads, they almost bring the bats to life for the reader. Details of the bats shown in the photos are captivating and show the differences between the various bats. After reading this book, it would not surprise me to have children wanting to learn more about bats. The tidbits of information gleaned from this book will whet the appetite of the reader to find out more.

REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:

“Simon does a good job dispelling myths, adding trivia, and drawing readers
           in:”

CONNECTIONS:

            After reading the book, students can:

 write to Seymour Simon

make origami bats

http://video.about.com/familycrafts/How-to-Fold-an-Origami-Bat.htm

                        Do more study on bat habitats and create a “bat habitat”

Other books by Seymour Simon:

                                    SNAKES

                                    THE UNIVERSE

                                    PYRAMIDS & MUMMIES

                                    BABY ANIMALS