Module 10: Calamity Jack

Bibliography: Hale, D. & Hale, S. (2010). Calamity Jack.  New York, NY: Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Summary: Jack is an incorrigible schemer always on the lookout for an easy mark.  Along with his partner Prudence the pixie, he enjoys swindling his marks and concocting new schemes.  He has a run of bad luck when burgling the tower of Blunderboar the giant and is forced to flee town while leaving Prudence behind and his mother’s bakery in shambles.  Jack eventually returns to his hometown with his new partner Rapunzel only to find it a run down wreck under Blunderboar’s control.  He and Rapunzel suspect that Blunderboar is working with an ant-people force to exert that control.  They team up with Jack’s old partner Prudence and newspaper owner Freddie Sparksmith to find the evidence they need to run Blunderboar out of town.  Working as a team, they successfully infiltrate Blunderboar’s tower and after a series of adventures manage to accomplish their goal.

Impressions:  The authors’ skill in constructing a fast paced action thriller that does not rely on blood and gore is astonishing.  I was also impressed with the way that the authors’ took classic characters like Jack and Rapunzel and gave them an edgy, modern feel that should appeal to the current generation of young adults.  The colorful illustrations are well done and successfully fill in the gaps left by the sparse dialogue.  Jack’s journey from petty criminal to hero is  a common theme in fiction but the authors’ do an excellent job of bringing it to fruition.  Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this book was the way the authors’ combined the steam punk and classic fairytale genres into a seamless whole.

Reviews:

“The stars of the graphic novel Rapunzel’s Revenge (2008) move from the Old West to the big city, and this time the spotlight shines on Jack. After his success during his time on the run with Rapunzel, Jack returns to the city determined to prove to his mother (and to Rapunzel) that he is not the scheming delinquent she believes him to be. Instead, he finds the city controlled by an evil giant and under attack by a mysterious enemy. Jack must come up with his best scheme yet to defeat the enemy, save the city, and prove his worth to the women he cares about most. The urban setting suits this retelling of the familiar beanstalk tale; Nathan Hale’s art gives it a steampunk twist, and the addition of fairy-tale creatures like giants and pixies is natural and convincing. Shannon and Dean Hale have done an excellent job stretching the bones of the traditional fable into a high-action coming-of-age story that will keep young teen readers excited and engaged.” – Eva Volin (Booklist)

-          Volin, E. (2009). Calamity Jack Review. Booklist (Vol. 106, No. 3). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~Bw1RU8:1

“In Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and Nathan Hale’s fractured fairy tale Rapunzel’s Revenge, readers were treated to an Old West version of the Rapunzel story where Rapunzel becomes a Western heroine who uses her long braids as whips and lassos. Now in Calamity Jack, the Hales turn their attention to Rapunzel’s sidekick Jack as they put their own spin on the Jack and the Beanstalk story. All the Western motifs remain as Jack, here a Native American small time thief, tries to help his mother by stealing a magic goose from crooked businessman giant Blunderboar. Unfortunately, when a magic bean makes the scheme go horribly wrong, Jack is forced to flee--and winds up meeting Rapunzel. Now hoping to right some old wrongs, Jack and Rapunzel return to his home city of Shyport, along with some golden eggs to settle his debts. But when Jack learns that the giants have taken over Shyport, he must use all of his cunning to uncover the giants’ scheme and free his own home from their rule--if the giants do not grind his bones into flour first! A fantastic story that keeps the fun tone of Rapunzel’s Revenge while also breaking new ground, Calamity Jack shows how good storytellers can pay homage to classic fairytales without being limited by familiar plots. While it is easy to see who Jack, Rapunzel, and Blunderboar are based on, each figure is also a unique character in their own right, with rich personal histories and motives that make them more than just imitations of their predecessors. As with Rapunzel’s Revenge, the Hales leave the door open for another sequel, and many readers will hope they follow through.” – Michael Jung (Children’s Literature)

-          Jung, M. (2010). Calamity Jack Review. Children’s Literature. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~Bw1RU8:1

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Read the classic tales Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapuzel to a group of children.  Ask each child to point out one difference and one similarity between the characters from the classic tales and the ones from the re-imagined story.

Module 10: Tales from Outer Suburbia

Bibliography: Tan, S. (2008). Tales from Outer Suburbia. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Summary: This novel contains several fictional stories that cover the strange and unusual happenings of suburban life.  The stories cover everything from a giant water buffalo who gives obscure directions to an unusual holiday in which people sacrifice precious objects to a blind reindeer. One particular story covers the journey of a giant paper ball formed from scraps of forgotten or discarded poetry. Surrealistic images accompany each story and appear in a variety of formats – from hand-drawn to collage.

Impressions: Readers who delight in the strange and unusual will enjoy this novel.  Tan’s stories weave a magical effect and bring imagination to life.  The surrealistic images that accompany all his stores serve to enhance this effect.  The language used, with few exceptions, is suited to young adults which are the books intended audience.  Though all the stories were interesting, I found “Distant Rain” the most interesting.  This particular story explains how some works of poetry escape the destruction that often befalls them and eventually form a giant paper ball that takes on a life of its own.  The giant ball falls apart in the end and the various pieces fall all over the neighborhood and instill a variety of emotions in the residents. 

Reviews:

“Starred Review* After teaching the graphic format a thing or two about its own potential for elegance with The Arrival (2007), Tan follows up with this array of 15 extraordinary illustrated tales. But here is an achievement in diametric opposition to his silent masterpiece, as Tan combines spare words and weirdly dazzling images—in styles ranging from painting to doodles to collage—to create a unity that holds complexities of emotion seldom found in even the most mature works. The story of a water buffalo who sits in a vacant lot mysteriously pointing children “in the right direction” is whimsical but also ominous. The centerpiece, “Grandpa’s Story,” recalling a ceremonial marriage journey and the unnameable perils faced therein, captures a tone of aching melancholy and longing, but also, ultimately, a sense of deep, deep happiness. And the eerie “Stick Figures” is both a poignant and rather disturbing narrative that plays out in the washed-out daylight of suburban streets where curious, tortured creatures wait at the ends of pathways and behind bus stops. The thoughtful and engaged reader will take from these stories an experience as deep and profound as with anything he or she has ever read.”  – Jesse Karp (Booklist)

-          Karp, J. (2008). Tales from Outer Suburbia Review. Booklist (Vol. 105, No. 7). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~Y80Bt9:2

“Far from the simple life, Tan's suburbia is full of exotic characters and strange situations. Made up of fifteen short stories, Tales from Outer Suburbia explores various issues related to the rise of the suburbs. Several stories deal with the consequences of consumerism. There is even a how-to guide on creating a lovable pet from discarded electronics. Another tale describes two children who travel across town searching for the end of the concrete sprawl. At last they come to the end of the road and find nothing exists beyond the sheer drop-off. Other memorable stories range from cold war fall-out, a neighborhood full of idle "backyard missiles" which have found diverse practical uses over the years, to tracing the fate of discarded poems. Throughout Tan's masterful blend of visual and written art, the reader is taken on a nostalgic journey. Every inch of the book is carefully designed, alternating between various mediums-paint, pencil, and colleague-to bring the ideas to life. The stories each stand on their own, while also uniting to complete a holistic vision of modern suburbia. Tales from Outer Suburbia is ideal for use in the classroom as it can be studied and analyzed either lightly or in great depth depending on the students' individual levels. One reading is not enough, and readers will continue to glean more each time they visit "Outer Suburbia." – Alison Canar (Children’s Book and Play Review)

-          Canar, A. (2009). Tales from Outer Suburbia Review.  Children’s Book and Play Review (Vol. 29, No. 6). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~Y80Bt9:2

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Librarians can use this book as a starting point for a discussion about strange and unusual things that occur in reality.  Children can share stories about unusual events that have happened in their own lives.

Module 9: Dog Poems

Bibliography: Crawley, D. (2007). Dog Poems. Homesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press, Inc.

Summary:   This book contains a collection of humorous dog poems written in simple, rhythmic verse.  A number of topics are explored such as domestication, expression, different dog breeds and amusing behavior.  One example is the poem “Telling a Tail” which describes how a dog’s tale changes with different moods.  Another poem, “Washing the Dog”, depicts a young boy’s struggle to wash his dirty dog.  Each poem is accompanied by one to six colorful illustrations that depict a scene or scenes from the poem. 

Impressions:  Crawley’s use of simple, rhythmic verse is combined with colorful and humorous illustrations to produce an excellent collection of children’s poems.  Young readers who enjoy dog related material will enjoy the variety of guises that man’s best friends is shown in over the course of this book.  The mood of every poem, from the laziness of the sheepdog in “Shaggy Sheepdog” to the happy abandon of the labrador in “The Labrador Loves Liquid” is faithfully captured by the accompanying illustrations.  A great way to introduce children to the world of poetry!

Reviews:

“This collection of twenty-four humorously illustrated-verses will please dog lovers, classroom teachers, young readers, and poetry lovers who are young at heart. Size, shape, breed, and pedigree do not matter as author Crawley captures man’s best friend in a variety of guises. He includes the benevolent shaggy sheep dog, dogs who adopt the moods and appearance of their owners, the little canines’ emotions, the fierce mongrel in the junkyard guarding his territory, and many others. Each animal is unique. Types of barks, variety of sizes, and adventures with slobbery kisses, bathing and walking the pooch are all explored with wit and affection in rhyming lines. Petrosino reflects the mood of each poem in her expressive cartoon-like drawings. Librarians, teachers and parents will want to add this enjoyable picture book to their poetry shelves to share with children who have dogs and those who would love to have them but cannot. This title is a great resource for tempting reluctant poetry readers to enjoy the genre.” – Janice DeLong (Children’s Literature)

-          DeLong, J. (2007). Dog Poems Review. Children’s Literature. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~YUCRSZ:5

“This follow-up to Cat Poems (2005) captures the pleasure and occasional problems that come with man’s best friend. The rhythmic poetry introduces kids to “Oodles of Poodles,” gives them a chuckle in “Washing the Dog,” and shows them how much dogs look like their owners in “Almost Human.” Deeper issues are tackled in a poem about a rescued greyhound (though young readers may not understand the idea of rescue dog), and “Wolf Dog” looks back at the time when canines were becoming socialized. The rhyme scheme is sometimes unrelentingly uncomplicated, but there’s lots of humor packed in the poems, and most dog owners will find something to remind them of their own pets. The cartoon-style watercolor art has a bounce all its own; kids will want to draw their own dogs wagging their tails, jumping on beds, and giving great slobbering kisses.”  – Ilene Cooper (Booklist)

-          Cooper, I. (2007). Dog Poems Review. Booklist (Vol. 104, No. 1). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~YUCRSZ:5

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Read several poems from the book aloud to a group of children.  The librarian can then show a few short video clips of dogs in action.  The children can describe what they like best or don’t like about dogs.

Module 9: Scranimals

Bibliography: Prelutsky, J. (2002). Scranimals. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Summary: This collection of poems follows the adventures of a young boy and girl as they explore Scranimal Island.  The poems describe a multitude of scranimals, animals mixed with plants and other animals, that live on the island.  One example is the Rhinocerose – a cross between a Rhinocerus and a rose bush.  Another is the Radishark – a cross between a radish and a shark.  Descriptive illustrations accompany each poem and depict the scranimals in action.

Impressions:

Prelutsky is a master of his trade!  His poems perfectly capture the actions and characteristics of the scranimals they describe.  The striking illustrations complement the poems very well and draw the reader into the world of the scranimals.  All of the poems have a regular rhyme scheme that lends itself to chanting and a quick pace of reading.  These poems can be enjoyed by readers of all ages but very young children may have some difficulty with the vocabulary which sometimes surpasses an elementary level.

Reviews:

“Be prepared to have your senses scrambled with this starred review selection from the September issue of School Library Journal. In this review, SCRANIMALS is described as Prelutsky and Sis's "...best collaboration to date." The poems are about the creatures that inhabit Scranimal Island, which are a cross between animal and plant, such as a Mangorilla and Porcupineapple. Seventeen poems exalt the creatively bizarre lifestyles, habitats, and personalities of each "Scranimal." The Rhinocerose verse proclaims, "Oh beautiful Rhinocerose/So captivating head to toes/So aromatic, toes to head, /Enchantress of the flower bed, /Your blossoms cheer us every morn, /And we adore your tail and horn. /You soothe the eyes, delight the nose, /Most glorious RHINOCEROSE." Sis's illustrations of black-ink drawings over watercolors successfully blend surrealistic settings with the children viewing each Scranimal, such as the "Potatotoad sitting on a bump beside a road." This journey through Scranimal Island is enhanced with a map on the front and back cover pages of the Scranimals and their Island. Rebus puzzles of each critter on the back cover conclude and complete this crazily concocted adventure for young readers.”  – Shirley Petersen (Heart of Texas Reviews)

-          Petersen, S. (2002). Scranimals Review. Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 15, No. 2). Retreived from  http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~bjZJFs:1

“Prelutsky and Sis follow previous titles such as The Gargoyle on the Roof (1999) with another beautifully illustrated collection of nonsense verse that celebrates creatures of the imagination who, described in singsong verse, are "sailing to Scranimal Island." Each spread features a different "scrambled" creature that is often a hybrid of animal and vegetable. There is the "sleek," snakelike Bananconda; a pride of green Broccolions; and a fierce Radishark, whose enormous, red fish-head comes complete with a radish-root snout. Prelutsky's language is uneven, and despite the humor and some delicious rhymes, many selections are stilted and slightly forced. It is Sis' fantastical illustrations that will generate the most excitement. His beasts shine with seemingly irrepressible personalities, and he creates a layered story in the scenes of a boy and girl who travel through the enchanted, slightly prehistoric otherworld. Read this aloud to small groups so that children can crowd up close and take in the jokes and the fantasy in the glorious images.”  – Gillian Engberg (Booklist)

-          Engberg, G. (2002). Scranimals Review. Booklist (Vol. 99, No. 2). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~bjZJFs:1

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Cut out several dozen animal parts and plant parts using construction paper.  Put them in a container and have a group of children pick several pieces.  They can then use glue sticks to create their very own scranimal!

Module 8: Murder, My Tweet

Bibliography:  Hale, B. (2004). Murder, My Tweet. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc.

Summary: This story follows the adventures of fourth-grade detective Chet Gecko and his sidekick Natalie Attired.  Chet and Natalie are in the midst of a case to discover why T-Bone LaLouche is cheating on his girlfriend when Natalie is framed for blackmail and suspended.  Chet vows to clear his partners name and with Natalie’s clandestine help follows a trail of clues to find the real blackmailer.  This trail leads them from one suspect to another: beginning with T-Bone and ending up with Olivier who has plans to take over the school with his robot army.  Chet, with the help of his friends, foils Oliver’ plans and saves the day.

Impressions:  Bruce Hale does weave a charming tale of mystery and mayhem that keeps the reader on his or her toes with suitable number of twists and turns.  The melding of slapstick humor and hard-boiled detective norms creates a fascinating amalgam of its own.  The frequent use of puns will delight the young reader but leave adults groaning.  Scattered throughout the text are a number of black and white illustrations that faithfully capture strategic moments in the story and the spirit of the old black and white detective movies.

Reviews:

“Number ten in the "Chet Gecko Mystery" series, Bruce Hale keeps up the nonstop puns and takeoff of the hard-boiled detectives of book and movie fame. It is hard to believe that Chet Gecko is a fourth grader; he really talks and acts much older. At least he admits that he is the brawn while his partner, a mocking bird named Natalie Attired, is the real brains. This time Chet has to try to prove that Natalie is not a blackmailer and get her reinstated in school. There are plenty of missed cues, red herrings and mayhem to keep readers turning the pages. The story takes an odd twist, but that is what makes it interesting--you never know what will happen next. Even though the story is short, it is targeted to middle readers because there are plenty of puns, which caused this reviewer to groan now and then. It is all in good fun, and the text is sprinkled with black and white drawings by Bruce Hale that pick up on the images of those movie detectives like Humphrey Bogart. The back of the book contains a brief synopsis of the other cases that feature Chet and Natalie.”  – Marilyn Courtot (Children’s Literature)

-          Courtot, M. (2004). Murder, My Tweet Review. Children’s Literature. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~847ikx:11

“Grade 3-6–Chet Gecko is on a case again. This time he must clear the name of his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, who has been accused of blackmail by the school's tough vice-principal, Ms. Shrewer. The fourth-grade gecko pools all of his wits and wittiness to track down and capture the mastermind behind the scheme. As he has in previous titles, Hale saturates the story with wacky wordplay, corny jokes, and droll humor. This mystery is just right for young readers willing to suspend belief and enjoy a lighthearted ride. The author's black-and-white illustrations highlight the action.” – Deanna Romriell (School Library Journal)

-          Romriell, D. (2004). Murder, My Tweet Review. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Murder-My-Tweet-Gecko-Mystery/dp/B000C4T302/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312143096&sr=1-1

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Set up a mini-mystery center for children.  Have them find ‘clues’ that will help them solve the mystery of the disappearing snacks. 

Module 8: A Shocker on Shock Street

Bibliography: Stine, R.L. (1995). A Shocker on Shock Street. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Summary:  This story follows the adventure of two young children, Erin and Marty, as they take a personal tour of the brand-new Shocker Studio Tour ride.  Events proceed normally until the duo are forced to leave their broken-down tour tram.  As they try and find a way out of the studio park they confront giant grasshoppers, zombies, werewolves, and all manner of other creatures from the popular Shock Street films.  The entire time Erin and Marty wonder if the creatures are simply robots run amok or real beings.  At the end of the journey a terrible secret about the two is revealed.

Impressions: Standard Goosebumps fare.  Young readers may be impressed with the cheap scares and sensationalized writing in this book but older readers will likely not enjoy it.  I find it hard to believe that I enjoyed these books as a child since reading A Shocker on Shock Street quickly sent me into a reading induced stupor.  The twist at the end of the book was painfully obvious from the beginning but young readers should enjoy the revelation of Marty and Erin’s true nature.

Reviews:

(NOTE: The following review is based on the version of the story told as retold with illustrations.  A professional review for the original version could not be located.)

The Goosebumps trademark has fascinated young readers since it began in the 1990s. Originally told descriptively with words, this book gives life to the descriptions through the retelling of these tales as a graphic novel. The second story, “A Shocker on Shock Street,” begins with the protagonists Josh and Erin watching the movie Shocker VI in the theater. Erin’s father, creator of high-end robots for movies, decides to give the kids a ride through a new theme park that goes through the streets and towns where the movies are filmed. Josh and Erin experience many adventures on their quest through the theme park, all while growing suspicious that the attractions may not actually be robots. In the end, Erin’s father comes out and turns his two faulty, robotic children, Josh and Erin, off.  - Jonathan Hodges (Children’s Literature)

-          Hodges, J. (2007). A Shocker on Shock Street Review. Children’s Literature. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

This book is a good resource to use with a Halloween style program in a library’s children’s center.  The can accompany a narration of the story with appropriate sound effects played on a tape or cd.

Module 7: Frogs

Bibliography: Bishop, N. (2008). Frogs. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Summary:  A large variety of information on frogs is presented in this book.  For example, the general characteristics of a frog are given: long back legs, large head, big eyes, and damp skin.  The importance of habitat is also discussed.  Most frogs need wet places to live because they can only breathe easily through damp skin.  Other topics covered include types of skin, feet, the reason for large eyes, camouflage, eating habits and movement.

Impressions:  A good addition to any library’s children section and especially useful for elementary school teachers.  The text is easy to follow and serves as a good introduction to and overview of general information on frogs. Colorful and striking photos help the reader understand the various concepts discussed in the book and include a fair sampling of the various types of frogs that exist in the wild.  I was especially impressed with the photo that showed a frog jumping up out of the water to capture a tasty caterpillar.

Reviews:

Bishop, who illustrated Cowley’s Red-Eyed Tree Frog (1999) and his own Nic Bishop Spiders (2007), presents a number of large, striking photos illustrating a clearly written discussion of the physical characteristics and habits of frogs. Dominating the book are Bishop’s remarkably fine color photographs of frogs from around the world. One dual-foldout spread carries a stop-action scene showing five stages of a frog’s motion as it leaps into the air and dives into water. Even the images that are magnified to many times life-size, such as the underwater shot of a tadpole in the clutches of a predatory water bug, are exceptionally clear. Another remarkable shot shows the underside of a tiny glass frog with its internal organs visible through its transparent skin. In an appended, illustrated note, Bishop relates some of his encounters with the frogs he photographed. Even libraries with dozens of frog books on the shelf should make room for this eye-catching volume. – Carolyn Phelan (Booklist)

-          Phelan, C. (2008). Frogs Review. Booklist (Vol. 104, No. 9). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~ylhMvF:11

“WOW! These up-close, spectacular photos of frogs from around the world will certainly grab the attention of readers. Biologist Nic Bishop scores another hit and utilizes patience and resourcefulness to capture these candid moments. Amazing photos reveal the internal organs of the see-through skin of the glass frog, the resplendent color of the poison dart frogs of the rainforest--and the sequence of a jumping frog is breathtaking. Fascinating and quirky facts--such as one half of a frog’s bones are in its feet and toads can eat up to 5,000 insects in a single summer--provide information about size, life expectancy, habitat, diet, etc. One of the most hardworking mother frogs is the Strawberry poison dart frog who carries each of her tadpoles, one at a time, on her back from the rainforest floor up a tree and then deposits each one in a separate bromeliad pool. Just like the frogs, this handsome book will jump from library shelves into eager hands.” – Beverly Fahey (Children’s Literature)

-          Fahey, B. (2008). Frogs Review. Children’s Literature. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~ylhMvF:11

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Bring a large bundle of construction paper, scissor, markers, glue and a single large piece of poster board.  Have children cut out a frog shaped piece of paper and decorate it.  Paste the ‘frogs’ on a single piece of poster board for display.

Module 7: Home on the Range

Bibliography: Hopkinson, D. (2009). Home on the Range. New York, NY: The Penguin Group.

Summary: This story follows the early life of famous song hunter John Avery Lomax.  Lomax grows up on a small farm near the Chisholm Trail.  He learns various types of folk songs from his family and cowboys herding cattle along the trail.  Years later he is attending college at Harvard University when he decides to write a paper about the many different kinds of folk songs sung in the West.  He collects songs from people all over who shared cowboy songs, sea chanteys, lumberjack songs and many others with him.  His paper was a hit and he decides to devote his life to collecting and recording folk songs from all over the country.  Liberally sprinkled throughout the book are excerpts from a number of well-known and not-so-well-known folk songs.

Impressions: A charming introduction to an early pioneer in the collection and recording of American folk music.  The story is kept simple enough for young readers to understand and those of all ages will appreciate the numerous folk song excerpts scattered throughout the book.  These songs are a nice addition to the text and give readers a taste of American culture in the late 19^th and early 20^th century.  The illustrations are also well done and capture the emotions expressed by Lomax in his journey of self-discovery.

Reviews:

“This picture book traces the early life of John Avery Lomax (1867–1948), whose childhood love of cowboy songs led to a career collecting and recording America’s folk songs. His discovery of the now-familiar “Home on the Range” is featured on two double-page spreads, but the book covers much more ground than that. Nicely written for a young audience, it portrays Lomax growing up on a Texas farm, attending two universities, and traveling about the country as a young man with an unusual calling: song hunting. Throughout the book, appealing line-and-wash illustrations depict believably quirky individuals within nicely composed settings. The landscapes are particularly fine. In the appended author’s note, Hopkinson calls the book historical fiction “based closely on the life of John Avery Lomax,” but it’s unclear what parts are fictional. The book concludes with a note on sources and a brief bibliography.” – Carolyn Phelan (Booklist)

-          Phelan, C. (2009). Home on the Range Review. Booklist (Vol. 105, No. 9). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~1VY3v8:1

“This picture-book-style biography traces the life and contributions of pioneering musicologist John Lomax. The account follows Lomax through his youth in nineteenth century Texas, where he became fascinated with cowboys and their music, to his study at the University of Texas (where his interest was discouraged) and at Harvard (where it was welcomed and celebrated). Embarking on a professional career of collecting songs, he found cowboys often shy of singing into the huge old-fashioned recording Ediphone, but between it and pen and paper he managed to record a tremendous oeuvre of American song (including the classic “Home on the Range”) and preserve it for posterity. Lomax, hardly a household name, is an unusual choice for a biography, but his influence on music is inarguable, and it’s most deeply felt nowadays by youngsters learning classic old tunes; they’ll be intrigued to realize that songbook standards didn’t just turn up out of thin air. Hopkinson is a dab hand at choosing particularly resonant details in her subject’s life, so even less musically inclined kids will find interest in Lomax’s peripatetic life and cowboy-adjacent labors. Snatches of song lyrics (with no musical notation, unfortunately) are interspersed throughout, offering practical as well as learning opportunities should the title be integrated into a music curriculum. While Schindler’s polished line-and-watercolor artwork is friendly and familiar, he’s moved from his usual black line for hatching and outline to softer self-colors, and he reserves his droll caricature for the academics while drafting the cowpokes with a rough and earnest respect.” – Deborah Stevenson (The Bulleting of the Center for Children’s Books)

-          Stevenson, D. (2009). Home on the Range Review. The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (Vol. 62, No. 5). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~1VY3v8:1

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Invite a local singer to the library.  Gather a group of children and have them pick out a few songs from the book.  As the singer plays each tune, the group can sing along.  Children can also suggest other songs they might know.

Module 6: Testing the Ice

Bibliography:  Robinson, S.  (2009). Testing the Ice. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Summary: Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie Robinson, tells a story involving her father that took place at the family home in Stamford, Connecticut.  She recalls how the lake next to the home was a favorite playground for her, her siblings, and their friends.  Season after season they would try and get Jackie to play with them out on the lake but he always refused.  One winter they convinced him to take them ice skating on the lake and he agreed.  With extreme reluctance, he ventured onto the ice and tested it to make sure the children could use it safely.  Only later did Sharon find out he could not swim and testing the ice took a great deal of courage.  She also relates how he displayed the same courage years earlier when he broke the color barrier in major league baseball by becoming the first black player to turn pro.

Impressions:   I enjoyed this book because it allows the reader to see a different side of Jackie Robinson.  Most only know him as the historical figure who paved the way for other black players to enter the world of pro baseball.  It is refreshing to see that he displayed the same courage in his home life that he displayed in his professional one.  Young readers (especially sports fans) will learn quite a bit about who Jackie Robinson is and what he accomplished in the fight for civil rights.  The illustrations in the book are so well done they are almost like photographs and add strong emotion to the story.

Reviews:

“Jackie Robinson’s bravery extended well beyond the world of baseball, as demonstrated in this heartwarming family story by his daughter, Sharon. At their lakeside home in Stamford, Connecticut, Jackie never joins his children in their aquatic activities. Sharon eventually realizes her father can’t swim, but it takes a frozen-over lake and Jackie’s brave testing of the ice for Sharon to fully appreciate the courage that defined her father’s life. A brief author’s note gives details about Jackie’s contribution to integration in baseball. Nelson’s sumptuous illustrations, with larger-than-life figures and beautiful landscapes filling the double-page spreads, are perfectly suited to the text. The baseball scenes are clearly on par with those in Nelson’s highly praised We Are the Ship (2008), and the spreads with the children interacting with Jackie have a Norman Rockwell–like quality. Pair with Teammates, by Peter Golenbock (1990), about Jackie Robinson’s bravery on the playing field.” – Randall Enos (Booklist)

Enos, R. (2009). Testing the Ice Review. Booklist (Vol. 106., No. 4). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~LN3IQn:1

“Sharon Robinson begins her story by briefly recounting the events of her father’s life, Jackie Robinson, who was the first African-American to play baseball for the all-white Major League. The story moves quickly to the Robinsons’ new home in rural Stamford, Connecticut where they lived on a six-acre estate with a large forest and a small lake near the house. Sharon remembers a happy childhood filled with playing outside and swimming in the lake with friends and neighbors. She also enjoys hearing her father tell the story of his struggles and triumphs over racism while breaking the color barrier in professional baseball. One cold winter day the children decide they want to go ice-skating on the frozen lake and beg their father for permission. Jackie had always been reluctant to go in the water with the children because he did not know how to swim. Yet, he summons the courage to walk out on the frozen lake to make sure the ice was firm enough for the children to skate on. What follows is a frightening moment for Jackie and the children when the ice rumbles below his feet and danger immediately becomes apparent. Sharon Robinsons uses the story of her father literally testing the ice on a frozen pond as a metaphor for his breaking of the race barrier in professional baseball. The book effectively compares these two incidents for children who cannot fathom the unbelievable courage required for either of these acts. The stunning realism of Nelson’s illustrations help to facilitate the larger-than-life persona Robinson assigns to her father.” – George DuBose (Children’s Literature)

DuBose, G. (2009). Testing the Ice Review. Children’s Literature. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~LN3IQn:1

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

Bring a large poster board and several markers.  After reading the story to a group of children, ask each one to think of someone they know who has done something brave.  They can then write that person’s name and a little something about them on the board.  Display the board in the children’s section of the library.

Module 6: Freedom Summer

Bibliography: Wiles, D. (2001).  Freedom Summer. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Summary:  Set in the summer of 1964, this story is about two boys – Joe and John Henry.  The boys do their best to ignore the fact that society does not grant John Henry the same privileges as Joe because he is black.  Joe and John encounter this reality in various situations as when John is forced to wait outside the General Store while Joe gets them ice pops or when he is forbidden from going to the community pool with his friend.  After the Civil Rights Act is passed, the two boys decide to test John’s new freedom by going to swim together in the community pool.  They arrive at the pool only to discover that it is being filled in to prevent blacks from using it.  Undaunted, Joe displays his firm friendship with John by accompanying him into the General Store.

Impressions:  A great read!  Freedom Summer perfectly captures the racial tension that existed in the South at this time in terms that young readers can understand.  The incident with the pool highlights the fact that many Southerners at the time were willing to close down services for everyone if that is what it took to keep from serving blacks.  Wiles did a good job of interweaving fiction and fact to produce a story of adversity and friendship that children of any age can relate to.  This powerful tale is enhanced by colorful and well-drawn illustrations that add emotional impact to each scene in the book.

Reviews:

Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Feb. 15, 2001 (Vol. 97, No. 12))
“John Henry Waddell is my best friend," begins the narrator of this story, set during a summer of desegregation in the South. John Henry is black and the narrator is white, so the boys swim together at the creek, rather than at the whites-only town pool, and the narrator buys the ice-cream at the segregated store. When new laws mandate that the pool, and everything else, must desegregate, the boys rejoice, until the town fills the pool with tar in protest and the narrator tries to see this town, "through John Henry's eyes." The boy's voice, presented in punchy, almost poetic sentences, feels overly romanticized, even contrived in places. It's the illustrations that stun. In vibrantly colored, broad strokes, Lagarrigue, who illustrated Nikki Grimes' My Man Blue (1999), paints riveting portraits of the boys, particularly of John Henry, that greatly increase the story's emotional power. Beautiful work by an illustrator to watch. Category: Books for the Young--Fiction.” – Gillian Engberg (Booklist)

Engberg, G. (2001). Freedom Summer Review. Booklist (Vol. 97, No. 12). Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~JfO07C:1

“A great introductory step for parents and teachers to help children become writers is to examine the work of others. There are a slew of personal narrative picture books to help children understand this genre. Freedom Summer is one. It tells of two boys who are best friends. John Henry is black and Joe is white, and though they love the same things, segregation laws prevent them from doing everything together. They have compensated. Instead of going to the town pool, they dam a creek where they "jump in, wearing only our skins." Descriptions and a strong voice draw the reader into the kind of caring that builds as the boys anticipate the end of the law that has divided them. On the morning that desegregation goes into effect, the two boys leave for the clear waters of the town pool, taking John Henry's lucky coin to dive for. When they arrive, they discover workers have filled the pool with "hot spongy tar." Joe, wanting to shift the mood, suggests an ice pop that comes from a store John Henry has never entered. Joe hands his friend a nickel, but John Henry shakes his head and replies, "I got my own" and the boys walk into the store together. Lyricism and feelings will help children relate, better understand another era and discover the power of a personal narrative.” – Susie Wilde (Children’s Literature)

Wilde, S. (2001). Freedom Summer Review. Children’s Literature. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~JfO07C:1

Suggestions for Use in a Library:

As one of the reviews above suggested this book is a great way to introduce the concept of racism as it existed in the past.  Librarians can also discuss with children how the world has changed since then and how people of all races in the United States have more freedom than ever before.