WE ARE THE SHIP written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP. Ill. by Kadir Nelson.New York, NY. Jump At The Sun/Hyperion Books For Children. ISBN: 9780786808238

2.    PLOT SUMMARY

Nelson tells the story of the Negro Baseball League in his award winning book titled by a quote from the founder of the League, Rube Foster, “We are the ship: all else the sea.” No quote holds truer than this one when reading the story about talented athletes and the owners of the teams.

From the beginnings of the League in the 1920’s this historical fiction book takes the reader from its early roots based in discrimination as blacks were not allowed to play on white baseball teams.  Through determination a league was formed. Even though they were underpaid, had to deal with segregation and racism and play in poor conditions as their white counterparts it is obvious that they played for the love of the game. The league came to an end in the late 40’s when Jackie Robinson, breaking the color barrier, began playing in the majors. The need for separate leagues came to an end.


3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The way Nelson’s tells this story off America’s past history gives the reader the feeling that they are there, in the time and place. Sitting on bleachers listening to the sounds of the crowd cheering and seeing the players play ball. The back of the book contains a wealth of information for those interested in “just the facts”.  Names of the Negro League players who made it into the majors and into the National Baseball Hall of Fame are included along with an index, bibliography and Nelson’s source notes are a wealth of information for anyone wanting to know more about the Negro League.

Told in first person, conversational tone of “any player,” gives the ability to convey the humor, the game and the era the league existed. The book is divided into nine chapters appropriately called innings and contains a gate fold that when opened reveals the players from the First Negro World Series and when closed, depicts a ticket to that game.

I find the real story is told through Nelson’s amazing full page and double page illustrations. His oil paintings bring you right into the time period and the feel for the game. In order to create accurate paintings Nelson served as his own model, daunting uniforms from the time period and photographing himself. Nelson was able to capture, so perfectly, the depiction of life as a baseball player during the run of the league. His paintings used in the book, depict the athleticism of the members. Over sized hands, long bodies and muscle allows the observer to know just how athletic these players were. Without Nelson’s writing and illustrations this part of American history could be lost  and greats of the game forgotten. It is an exciting read that is definitely a homerun find for me!

4.     REVIEWS/AWARDS

Sibert Medal
Coretta Scott King Author Award
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award

LIBRARY SCHOOL JOURNAL review: “Social studies teachers and baseball fans of all ages will covet this delightful winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King author award and illustrator Honor award.”—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

BOOKLIST review: “The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball’s history shelves. For students and fans (and those even older than the suggested grade level), this is the book to accomplish just that.” --Ian Chipman

5.    CONNECTIONS

Link to the book/ author website
http://www.wearetheship.com/

Link to the Negro League Baseball Museum
http://www.nlbm.com/

Other Baseball Titles:

ONE –HANDED CATCH by M.J. Auch
HONUS AND ME by Dan Dutman
ALL THE WAY HOME by Patrica Reilly Giff
SHOELESS JOE by Phil Bildner
HOME RUN by Robert Burleigh
THE LUCKIEST MAN: LOU GEHRIG by David Adler
A SEASON OF COMEBACKS by Kathy Mackel
THE YEAR OF THE BOAR AND JACKIE ROBINSON by Bette Bao Lord

THE GREAT AND ONLY BARNUM: THE TREAMENDOUS, STUPENOUS LIFE OF SHOWMAN P.T. BARNUM by Candace Fleming and Illustrated by Ray Fenwick

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fleming, Candace. 2009. THE GREAT AND ONLY BARNUM: THE TREMENDOUS, STUPENDOUS LIFE OF SHOWMAN P.T.BARNUM. Ill. By Ray Fenwick. New York, NY. Random House. ISBN 978037594597

2.    SUMMARY

Most of us probably know P.T. Barnum for his famous traveling circus. What readers may not know until reading Fleming's book is that the circus career for Barnum did not begin until he was sixty years old!

This autobiography details Barnum’s rise from his beginnings as a childhood prankster to his rise as an iconic figure in American history.  \A brilliant business man, from a young age, developed one of the earliest style museums with it grand “saloons” exhibiting mummies, art work, animal taxidermy, skeletons and people with unusual conditions like the Swiss Bearded Lady. Barnum was the first in the US to have a public aquarium and a hippopotamus on display as well. After losing his museum twice due to fire Barnum spent time traveling the world with his show of oddities- Tiny Tim and the singing Swedish Nightingale for example.Then, much later in life, developed what is known to most as the three ring circus. As a shrewd businessman, politician, abolitionist and a "hum bugger", Barnum has left a lasting legacy.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

With its imaginative illustrations, ephemera, photographs and added extras this book was a thrill to read!

The tone of Flemings book takes on a circus like production. It is written with sidebars for more interesting tidbits as well as lots of exclamation points scattered throughout. The design gives it an old time feel.  With just over 100 pages it makes it a quality biography with lots of fun! The author included a bibliography, index, Internet site page and source notes. A nice addition if you are wanting to research further.

Fleming takes on the life story of an American forefather in the sense that P.T Barnum was the first in many of his accomplishments. Although, a man with out fault, the author does not dwell on the unpleasant aspects of his career choices, family and the way he sometimes immorally made his living.  Her tone keeps it right at the age its intended for the young audience and allows the reader to make the decision to research further about Barnum.

4.    REVIEWS/AWARDS

NEW YORK TIMES review: “Lively… an engrossing portrait… honest and fun.”

BOOKLIST review: “The material is inherently juicy, but credit Fleming’s vivacious prose, bountiful period illustrations, and copious source notes for fashioning a full picture of one of the forbearers of modern celebrity.”

KIRKUS Review: "As revealing as it is entertaining."

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: An outstanding choice for all middle level and secondary collections."

ALA Best Books for Children 2010

ALSC Notable Book 2010

BOOKLIST Top Ten Biographies for Youth 2010

KIRKUS REVIEWS Best Young Adult Book 2009

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY  Best Book 2009

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults 2010  nominee

5.    CONNECTIONS

Authors website includes classroom activities.

http://www.candacefleming.com/index.html

Have students develop a circus poster to help promote biographies, featuring Barnum.

Explain to students what a biography is and how it differs from an Autobiography.

Create a timeline while reading this book with your class

Take a virtual tour of The Barnum museum. Two have burned down in the past and the current museum was struck by a tornado in 2010. A circus is helping to raise funds for the nearly 6 million in damages.

http://www.barnum-museum.org/core.htm

Another great website allows you to visit the original Barnum Museum and assist in solving the mystery of how the museum caught fire…and who the suspects may be! My favorite when furthering my research!


http://www.lostmuseum.cuny.edu/home.html

BONES written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. 2010. BONES. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York, NY. Scholastic. Inc. ISBN 9780545046510

2.    SUMMARY

Bones come in all shapes and sizes and no one gives a better illustration of that then Steve Jenkins in his latest book BONES. Jenkins shows the comparison and differences between animal and human bones with many of them depicted to scale.

Beginning with the hand and comparing it to that of a chimp, Jenkins moves through he book with comparisons of feet, femur, ribs, spine and skull from that of a human to various animals. Joints, symmetry and how the adaptations for survival are touched upon but the main focus is the skeletal system.

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Words are sparse in this book but support the highly visual aspect of this book. The scale and animal counterpart are clearly labeled. Several gatefold pages are included to interact with the reader and to add additional life size bone comparisons. But, this book is not all-serious business. A grinning skull, a chimp skeleton swinging from the title page and questions to engage the reader will definitely hold the readers interest in wanting to know more. Title pages such as That's a Handful and Head Case add to the humor of the book.

Illustrations are created with a cut-paper collage technique using whites, grays and some muted yellows to depict the bones laid against solid backgrounds. This combination creates a contrasted visual appeal to the eye and gives it a nice, clean look to the content. The book becomes interactive as bones are placed in a pile and it is up to the reader to decide where they go. By opening the gatefold the reader can check their bone placement.  Other interactive elements include leading questions such as, "What Bone Is This?"With the easy to read and the visual attributes of this book, it has the ability to become a timeless reference source.

4.    REVIEWS/AWARDS

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “With applications that range from anatomy to evolution and mathematics, this book will find a place in every collection.”

BOOKLIST REVIEW: “the clean design of the intricate skeletons set against solid background colors is striking and provides a wonderful visual introduction to what keeps us all upright. Thoughtful back matter probes deeper into bone-related science concepts.”

A Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2010

Society of Illustrators Original Art Show

5.  Connections

The University of Texas Anthropology Department has a website depicting animals and their skeletons. Also, located under the resource tab is the ability to print out life size human skeletons to use in classroom projects.

http://www.eskeletons.org/

The virtual Skeleton link allows you to listen to the skeletal system being explained.

http://www.medtropolis.com/VBody.asp

THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. 2007. THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVNESS. Ill. By Pamela Zagarenski. New York. Houghton Mifflin company. ISBN 0618616802

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Fictional teacher, Mrs. Mertz assigns her students to write poems of apology after sharing an apologetic poem by William Carlos Williams titled, “This is Just to Say.” Williams explains that he is sorry from eating the plums that were in the icebox but he could not help himself, they were cold, sweet and delicious. From that poem students begin writing their own poems on topics that are whimsical, such as Thomas apologizing to Mrs. Garcia in the office for stealing doughnuts from the teachers lounge, from some that weigh on your heart, like Jewel, questioning why her father left her family and if it was her fault. From there, poems found there way to whom they were intended and responses were written back. Mrs. Garcia knows Thomas steals doughnuts and even though she adores him…she still has to call his mom. Jewel receives a letter back from her father, which couldn’t be printed in full text, so Jewel took parts from the letter to write a response poem. Turns out, it wasn’t her fault at all why her dad left.

Using pantoums, haiku, duet/two part and rhymes this writing project reveals connections…those that happen between siblings, student and teacher, fathers and sons/daughters and best friends.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Using collage drawings, paintings and computer graphics, Zagarenski’s illustrations make the poems come to life.  Notebook and gragh paper, bags, newspapers and school supplies are used to give the poems a feeling that they indeed came from a classroom.  White paper reinforcements are used as  doughnuts and the definition for apology can be found typed into a girls shirt.
Whimsical drawings of characters throughout the book add to the school charm of this collection.

The concept of the book is an excellent one, however the organization of the book is not its’ strong point.  The book is divided with Part 1 The collection of apologies appearing first and then part 2 Responses coming later.  This makes the reader have to flip back and forth between to sections to read each poem as a pairing.  Some of the moment get lost while the reader flips around to find the right section and makes sure they have the two paired poems together.

The work by the author, Joyce Sidman, more than makes up for the confusing layout of the book.  Each poem and response written is carefully thought out and worded.  Sidman, takes into consideration each tellers view whether they are a 6th grade student or a fouled mouth older brother, Sidman weaves you through a glimpse of each students thought of how an apology should be worded and a glimpse into who they are.  The response section, often giving a forgiveness statement in verse, can make you laugh or bring tears to our eyes.  Then roller coaster ride of mood swings in this book and the complexity of the characters keep you wanting to read the next pairing and the next.  Like potato chips, one is not enough!

4.  REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS

Claudia Lewis Poetry Award
Cybils Poetry Award
Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book
IRA Teachers Choice Book
Texas Bluebonnets Award Nomination
North Carolina Junior Book Nomination
New York Public Library’s “100 Titles for Reading and Sharing”
School Library Journal Best Book of the year
Book Links Lasting Connection Book

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Sidman’s ear is keen, caturing many voices.  Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched… This is an important book for creativity and wisdom.”

KIRKUS review: “Packed with the intensity of everyday pain and sorrow, kids and adults exchange the words that convey grief, delight, love and acceptance of themselves and others.”

BOOKLIST review: “Captivating.”

BOOK PAGE review:  “A standout.”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review” “This often humerous and touching anthology… successfully navigate(s) the complicated terrain for those who seek forgiveness.”

5.  CONNECTIONS

The authors website is a valuable resource. Click on the link to her books and then click on This is Just to Say selection.  From there you find amazing tools to use with the book.

http://www.joycesidman.com/

Advice- from the children in the book, on how to write your own apology poem.
Listen- to Joyce Sidman read some of her selections.
Readers Guide- suggestions for activities to accompany the book. Great for classroom or library use.

POLKA DOT BATS AND OCTOPUS SLACKS: A COLLECTION OF STORIES by Calef Brown

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown, Calef.  2000. POLKA DOT BATS AND OCTOPUS SLACKS. New York. Scholastic. ISBN 0439172403

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

While the title of Calef Brown’s first collection alludes to 14 stories, in truth, you will find 14 funny, cooky nonsense rhyming poems.  Brown pens such witty tales and introduces us to unusual characters such as the Octopus in his bell bottom pants, to a funky dancing snowman and lets not forget Georgie Spider who catches flies but never eats the little guys! With Browns own invented words and sounds along with subject matter his collection easily entertains any age.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The illustrations that Brown uses to help tell the poems are modern and quirky. From the cover to the back flap the reader will find bold, folk art style illustrations to add to the delight of the poems themselves. With their odd proportions and extreme use of color Brown creates an art style all his own. From the green page about Clementown and their love for the color green to Ed who adores the color red, Calefs hues make up the stories just as much as the words. Polka Dot Bat turds and the mention of no artificial dyes in the spiders pie lends a sense of modern language use making it feel current to the reader.With the silliness that kids love, Brown has created 14 poems that can make anyone giggle.

4. REVIEWS

BOOKLIST review:  “A wacky, postmodern array of characters. . . . Brown’s illustrations (are) a perfect choice of style for the poetry’s quirky logic. An exuberant debut, equally enjoyable read silently or aloud

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review:  “The deadpan tone and weird words, worthy of a carnival barker, inject a step-right-up sensibility into the humorous rhymes

5.  CONNECTIONS

Another way to enjoy Browns stories is through music.  The link below has a few selections available to delight the ears.  Make sure to check out Funky Snowman!

http://www.peapods.com/browse.cfm/4,1150.html

Other silly collections by Calef Brown:

Brown, Calef. DUTCH SNEAKERS AND FLEAKEEPERS: 14 MORE STORIES. ISBN 0547237510

Brown, Calef. FLAMINGOS ON THE ROOF: POEMS AND PAINTINGS. ISBN  0618562982

More silly poems can be found at the link below:

http://www.gigglepoetry.com/

Jack Prelutsky, another silly poem author, includes on his website the instructions on how to write a funny poem.

http://www.jackprelutsky.com/flash/pdf_docs/HowToWriteAFunnyPoem.pdf

ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES by Sonya Sones

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sones, Sonya. 2004. ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES. New York. Simon and Schuster.  ISBN 0689858205.

2.  PLOT  SUMMARY

Sones book tells the story of Ruby Milikin, a 15 year old who’s mother has recently passed away from cancer. The story describes her flight from Boston to California and her lifestyle adjustment with her estranged father, Whip Logan, who happens to be a mega super star. He also happened to abandon her as a baby, which does not set well with Ruby at all and is determined to hate him no matter what. She is in no way friendly toward him as he tries to relate and get to know her. Other than attending school, Ruby spends most of her time e-mailing her dead mother, her best friend and the boyfriend she left behind. A friendship develops with her father’s personal assistant Max and provides Ruby some comfort. Things in Ruby’s already shook up life becomes even more troublesome as she discovers her best friend and boyfriend have developed a relationship in her absence. It takes an earthquake, literally, to bring Ruby to open up to her dad and the truth of their separation.

3.  CRITICAL ANNALYSIS

In one or two page poetic, free verse poem style entries, Sonya Sones took the reader through the ups and downs of 15 year old Ruby’s adjustment to moving across country to live with her movie star dad.  The title may allude to some drama, which sucks the reader in, but the photo on the cover, a somewhat smiling girl, gives the hint the book may not be all serious business.  Once inside, devouring the short  “chapters” you become engrossed to the emotionally verses of Ruby, her dead mother, famous father and her friendships that have gone awry. The reader will find Ruby’s depth of character  and personality can be found through her sarcasm and humorous quips, as well as her point blank honesty and discoveries. The fact that the language is minimal was an effective way to develop the story but not to overpower the main idea with filler words. The hatred for her father becomes redundant but the ending leaves the reader with a happy ending…of sorts.

4.  REVIEWS and AWARDS

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY review:  “Winning.”
BOOKLIST Review: “Fast, Funny, Touching.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW; “Honest…destined to captivate.”
KIRKUS review; “ Romantic and Sexy.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review:  “This is not just another one of those gimmicky novels written in poetry. It's solid and well written, and Sones has a lot to say about the importance of carefully assessing people and situations and about opening the door to one's own happiness. Despite several predictable particulars of plot, Ruby's story is gripping, enjoyable, and memorable.–Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2005
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2005

5.  CONNECTIONS

Below information is from http://teenreads.com and authors’ website.

Discussion questions for a reading group:

What influence does Ruby's relationship with Max have on her relationship with her father?
What do you think are the reasons why Ruby continues to email her dead mother?
How does the difference in weather between the East coast and the West coast impact Ruby's adjustment to her new life?
Why do you think Ruby is able to forgive Liz's betrayal with Ray? Do you think she will ever be able to forgive Ray for betraying her?
What are some of the things Ruby finds she has in common with her father? What events help change her perspective of Whip?
Ruby claims to have a strong "gaydar," and she senses that Max is gay. Why do you think she never suspected Whip was gay?
What are some reasons the death of Devon, a boy she never met, might have affected Ruby so deeply?
How do Ruby's feelings toward her mother change, as reflected in her letters? Has she come to terms with her mother's death?
Do you think Ruby's dream warning from her mother will change her spiritual views about life and death?
Where do you see Ruby in a few years? Do you think she will return to the East Coast for college, or stay in California?

Related Websites:

Author's Website - http://www.sonyasones.com/

Read-a-Likes:

Jinx by Margaret Wild, 2002 (2004 RITBA Nominee)
Keesha's House by Helen Frost, 2003
Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff, 1993
Pepperland by Mark Delaney, 2004
Running Back to Ludie by Angela Johnson, 2001
The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick, 2004
True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff, 2001(sequel to Make Lemonade) (2002 RITBA Nominee)
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block, 1989
You Remind Me of You: A Poetry Memoir by Eireann Corrigan, 2002
Other Books by the Author:
Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy, 1999 (2002 RITBA Nominee)
What My Mother Doesn't Know, 2001 (2004 RITBA Nominee)