Into the Words: John James Audubon Lives His Dream #28
Robert Burleigh
Wendell Minor, Illustrator
Burleigh, Robert. (2003). Into the woods: John James Audubon lives his dream. New York: Atheneum.
Awards: CBC/NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
Grade Level: 3-6
Content Area: Social Studies
Standards: Explain the importance of supporting certain beliefs, values, and principles.
(History, Civics, Economics)
Summary: This extraordinary biography is about the life of John James Audubon. It is about an imaginary letter written to his father explaining why he has chosen his way of living. His father thinks that he does not know which life path to choose, so he is always telling him what he should do. Audubon always knew what he wanted to do, which was to be in the woods. He wanted to explore, record, and to paint all species of birds that he could find. The topic of living your dream is an excellent one to use for this book.
Author’s Credibility: Quotations in script were taken from Audubon’s journal, which further emphasize the profound worldview of this remarkable man. Burleigh was fascinated with Audubon's life.
Illustrations: Watercolors. Each one captures a very special moment for Audubon. The illustrations invite you to look at them first, before you read the text. Some of them showed very up-close images of the wildlife that Audubon painted.
Access Features: The author’s note in the front gives an brief overview of the story. There is also a brief biography about Audubon in the back.
Response: This book is appropriate for independent reading in grades 3-6. It is a wonderful read aloud for grades K-2.
This book reminded me of Barbara Kerley’s biography about Walt Whitman. Both books are about stories of great men who followed their dreams. This book also reminded me that Whitman and Audubon both took pride in their work. Watercolors were also used in both books.
Text Structure: I liked the way the text was written. It was very easy to read. The cursive text gave very vivid details about Audubon’s journey. Some of the text was written in a style like poetry. The different styles of texts grabbbed your attention and made you want to read on without stopping. That's what I want for all children!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
The Mississippi Burning Trial: A Primary Source Account #27
Bill Scheppler
Scheppler, Bill. (2004). The mississippi burning trial: A primary source account.
New York: Rosen Publishing.
Grade Level: 4-8
Awards:
Content Area: Social Studies
Standards: Acquire the characteristics to be a responsible citizen (voting process)
History, Civics, Economics
Author Credibility: Scheppler used actual photographs and documents to do his research.
Summary: This book talked about the continuous struggle for equal rights for African Americans. Three strangers on the same mission were murdered in cold blood for what they believed in.
Illustrations: The illustrations were actual photographs from the court case. They also included other important people during that time period. All were in black and white except the ones with the plaque dedicated to those brave men.
Access Features: There are various maps that go along with the text as it is written. There is a diagram of the interior of the Neshoba County Jail that aids in the understanding of how they were treated.
Text Structure: Descriptive
Tone: Partisan
Response: I was very interested in this book after hearing about it. I never really knew the full story behind what happened and why. I just knew three civil rights activists were killed in Mississippi. It just goes to show you how hard it was for all people. I only became interested after reading the story about Emmett Till. It made me want to learn more about my history as an African American.
Related Text: Getting Away With Murder by Chris
Bill Scheppler
Scheppler, Bill. (2004). The mississippi burning trial: A primary source account.
New York: Rosen Publishing.
Grade Level: 4-8
Awards:
Content Area: Social Studies
Standards: Acquire the characteristics to be a responsible citizen (voting process)
History, Civics, Economics
Author Credibility: Scheppler used actual photographs and documents to do his research.
Summary: This book talked about the continuous struggle for equal rights for African Americans. Three strangers on the same mission were murdered in cold blood for what they believed in.
Illustrations: The illustrations were actual photographs from the court case. They also included other important people during that time period. All were in black and white except the ones with the plaque dedicated to those brave men.
Access Features: There are various maps that go along with the text as it is written. There is a diagram of the interior of the Neshoba County Jail that aids in the understanding of how they were treated.
Text Structure: Descriptive
Tone: Partisan
Response: I was very interested in this book after hearing about it. I never really knew the full story behind what happened and why. I just knew three civil rights activists were killed in Mississippi. It just goes to show you how hard it was for all people. I only became interested after reading the story about Emmett Till. It made me want to learn more about my history as an African American.
Related Text: Getting Away With Murder by Chris
Blue Sky Bluebird #26
Rick Chrustowski
Chrustowski: Rick. (2004). Blue sky bluebird. New York: Henry Holt.
Awards: Wisconsin Winter’s Essay Award
Grade Level 2-4
Genre: Informational
Content Area: Science
Standards: Life Science (Birds, habitats, growth development)
Access Features: Bluebird News, a page that gives more background information about blue birds.
Author’s Credibility: Rick loves to learn about nature, and while he was making this book he spent lots of time studying a family of blue birds that live in a nest box he made for them.
Illustrations: The artist used up to forty layers of colored pencil over watercolor wash on 140 pounds of watercolor paper to create the illustrations for this book.
Summary: The book discusses a family of bluebirds and how quickly they grow and become independent. When the fledglings (babies) are old enough to collect their food, the parents renew their mating bond and the process starts all over again.
Tone: Conversational
Text: Descriptive
Response: This book reminded me of the Ducks’ book by Gail Gibbons. Ducks develop quickly also.
Related books:
Bright Beetle, Rick Chrustowski; Army Ant Parada, April Pulley
Rick Chrustowski
Chrustowski: Rick. (2004). Blue sky bluebird. New York: Henry Holt.
Awards: Wisconsin Winter’s Essay Award
Grade Level 2-4
Genre: Informational
Content Area: Science
Standards: Life Science (Birds, habitats, growth development)
Access Features: Bluebird News, a page that gives more background information about blue birds.
Author’s Credibility: Rick loves to learn about nature, and while he was making this book he spent lots of time studying a family of blue birds that live in a nest box he made for them.
Illustrations: The artist used up to forty layers of colored pencil over watercolor wash on 140 pounds of watercolor paper to create the illustrations for this book.
Summary: The book discusses a family of bluebirds and how quickly they grow and become independent. When the fledglings (babies) are old enough to collect their food, the parents renew their mating bond and the process starts all over again.
Tone: Conversational
Text: Descriptive
Response: This book reminded me of the Ducks’ book by Gail Gibbons. Ducks develop quickly also.
Related books:
Bright Beetle, Rick Chrustowski; Army Ant Parada, April Pulley
Clarence Thomas: Fighting with Words #25
David R. Collins
Rosalie M. Shepherd, Illustrated
Collins, D. (2003). Clarence Thomas: Fighting with words. Gretna: Pelican
Awards: Coretta Scott King
Grade Level: K-3
Genre: Biography
Content Area: Social Studies
Standards: Social Studies (Explain the importance of American sharing history and supporting certain values principals and beliefs of historical figures.)
Access Features: None
Author’s Credibility: The late David R. Collins published over sixty books for young readers during his lifetime. He was an admired and respected educator. This was his last book.
Illustrators: Oils, acrylics, charcoal, and watercolors
Summary: Clarence Thomas knew all about being poor and growing up in a segregated town. But he remembered his grandfather words, “God rewards a hard worker.” His hard work paid off for him when he was appointed the 106th justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1991.
Tone: Conversational
Voice: Calming
Text Structure: Chronological
Use: Black History unit and Supreme Court Judges
Response: This book takes a look at the past and the present. It will encourage readers not to give up on their dreams.
David R. Collins
Rosalie M. Shepherd, Illustrated
Collins, D. (2003). Clarence Thomas: Fighting with words. Gretna: Pelican
Awards: Coretta Scott King
Grade Level: K-3
Genre: Biography
Content Area: Social Studies
Standards: Social Studies (Explain the importance of American sharing history and supporting certain values principals and beliefs of historical figures.)
Access Features: None
Author’s Credibility: The late David R. Collins published over sixty books for young readers during his lifetime. He was an admired and respected educator. This was his last book.
Illustrators: Oils, acrylics, charcoal, and watercolors
Summary: Clarence Thomas knew all about being poor and growing up in a segregated town. But he remembered his grandfather words, “God rewards a hard worker.” His hard work paid off for him when he was appointed the 106th justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1991.
Tone: Conversational
Voice: Calming
Text Structure: Chronological
Use: Black History unit and Supreme Court Judges
Response: This book takes a look at the past and the present. It will encourage readers not to give up on their dreams.
Play, Mozart, Play #24
Peter Sis
Sis, Peter. (2006). Play, mozart, play! Greenwillow
Grade Level: K-2
Awards: New York Time Best Illustrated Book; Bologna-Ragazzi Award
Genre: Biography
Content Area: Music
Standards: Social Studies: Integrate, connect, and apply social studies into other subject areas in everyday life. (Composers)
Access Features: Biography page
Illustrations: Black line and watercolors were used to prepare the full-color art.
Author’s Credibility: There was no information about the author in the book.
Tone: Partisan
Voice:
Text Structure: Simple and easy to read text; not much text on a page
Summary: Mozart never attended school because his father did not let him go. Since his father was a well-respected musician, he taught Mozart and his sister music at home. Mozart began playing the piano at five. He did not get a chance to play with other children because he had to practice, practice, and play!
Use: I would use this book to point out the different places in the book and talk about them. Let the children find the places on the map.
Response: This is a simple book to introduce children to music. I do think music is important, but not so much to the point that a person is deprived of his childhood. Play is important for children.
Peter Sis
Sis, Peter. (2006). Play, mozart, play! Greenwillow
Grade Level: K-2
Awards: New York Time Best Illustrated Book; Bologna-Ragazzi Award
Genre: Biography
Content Area: Music
Standards: Social Studies: Integrate, connect, and apply social studies into other subject areas in everyday life. (Composers)
Access Features: Biography page
Illustrations: Black line and watercolors were used to prepare the full-color art.
Author’s Credibility: There was no information about the author in the book.
Tone: Partisan
Voice:
Text Structure: Simple and easy to read text; not much text on a page
Summary: Mozart never attended school because his father did not let him go. Since his father was a well-respected musician, he taught Mozart and his sister music at home. Mozart began playing the piano at five. He did not get a chance to play with other children because he had to practice, practice, and play!
Use: I would use this book to point out the different places in the book and talk about them. Let the children find the places on the map.
Response: This is a simple book to introduce children to music. I do think music is important, but not so much to the point that a person is deprived of his childhood. Play is important for children.
Langston’s Train Ride #23
Robert Burleigh
Leonard Jenkins, Illustrated
Burleigh, R. (2004). Langston’s train ride. New York: Orchard
Awards: Best Children’s Book of the Year
Grade Level: 1-4
Genre: Picture Book
Content Area: Social Studies
Standards: History and Social Studies
Access Features: Author’s note, afterword
Author’s Credibility: Robert is the acclaimed author of several books for young people, including Into the Woods; Earth From Above for Young Readers; Flight: The Journey of Charles Lindbergh; and Home Run. He is also a painter.
Illustrations: Bold colorful chalk illustrations
Text Structure: Descriptive
Voice: Doubt
Tone: Conversational
Summary: Langston is having trouble believing that he can be a poet as good as all the other poets that he knows. On the long train ride to visit his father, Langston comes up with some words that sound good to them. He writes the words on an envelope (father’s letter) so that he would not forget the words. This would become his first famous poet: The Negro Speaks of Rivers.
Use: I would use this book with poets and with art. The book has some beautiful illustrations. I like for my students to try their hands at drawing and sketching.
Response: This book reminded me of Francis Scott Key. When the words to the Star Spangled Banner came to his mind, Francis wrote them on an envelope just like Langston wrote his poem on an envelope.
Related Books: It’s Funny Where Ben’s Train Takes Him – Robert Burleigh
Into the Woods – Robert Burleigh
Robert Burleigh
Leonard Jenkins, Illustrated
Burleigh, R. (2004). Langston’s train ride. New York: Orchard
Awards: Best Children’s Book of the Year
Grade Level: 1-4
Genre: Picture Book
Content Area: Social Studies
Standards: History and Social Studies
Access Features: Author’s note, afterword
Author’s Credibility: Robert is the acclaimed author of several books for young people, including Into the Woods; Earth From Above for Young Readers; Flight: The Journey of Charles Lindbergh; and Home Run. He is also a painter.
Illustrations: Bold colorful chalk illustrations
Text Structure: Descriptive
Voice: Doubt
Tone: Conversational
Summary: Langston is having trouble believing that he can be a poet as good as all the other poets that he knows. On the long train ride to visit his father, Langston comes up with some words that sound good to them. He writes the words on an envelope (father’s letter) so that he would not forget the words. This would become his first famous poet: The Negro Speaks of Rivers.
Use: I would use this book with poets and with art. The book has some beautiful illustrations. I like for my students to try their hands at drawing and sketching.
Response: This book reminded me of Francis Scott Key. When the words to the Star Spangled Banner came to his mind, Francis wrote them on an envelope just like Langston wrote his poem on an envelope.
Related Books: It’s Funny Where Ben’s Train Takes Him – Robert Burleigh
Into the Woods – Robert Burleigh
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