Bibliographic Data:
Avi. 2002. Crispin: The Cross of Lead. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786826479
Plot Summary:
Crispin, a 13-year-old peasant boy in 1377 England, is claimed a wolf’s head. This means he is not considered human and anyone may kill him, so he leaves his small village hoping to find freedom in a larger town. He meets a traveling juggler named Bear who takes Crispin as his apprentice and attempts to protect him from the men that are searching for him throughout the villages and towns of England.
Critical Analysis:
Crispin: The Cross of Lead is a historical fiction tale of a young peasant boy in medieval England. Avi shows the importance of God and religion, especially to the poor, in the fourteenth century by Crispin’s constant prayer, trust in priests, and belief that God will lead him on the correct path in life. Crispin’s only possession after his mother passes away is a lead cross from his father’s death; they were given to dying during the Great Death (plague) years before. The writing on the cross ultimately gives Crispin an identity he never had before.
Avi includes real characters in his story of peasant life in 1377; John Ball was in fact a leader in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. In Crispin, Ball holds meetings to discuss the living conditions of the poor throughout the lands. Those involved attempt to figure out when the best time to revolt against authority will be, and some feel the time is right since Lord Furnival, the Lord over the area, has died. Historically it was only four years until the unsuccessful revolution began.
The danger and violence of the times are clearly described early in the book. As Crispin flees his own village, he comes upon a decaying hanged man on a path. The picture presented is disturbing and grotesque, but I am sure it is also quite accurate as to what could have happened to an outlaw in 1377.
Great Wexly, where Bear and Crispin eventually travel to, is a large fortified city of thousands, much different than Crispin’s village of 150 souls. The filth of city living and dramatic separation between the rich and poor are evident in Avi’s writing of this area.
Crispin: The Cross of Lead is an amazing adventure story of a boy finding himself in a medieval era where few were ever freed from their monotonous and predictable lives serving rich lords and kings.
Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal “Avi has done an excellent job of integrating background and historical information, of pacing the plot so that the book is a page-turner from beginning to end, and of creating characters for whom readers will have great empathy. The result is a meticulously crafted story, full of adventure, mystery, and action.”
Booklist “Avi sets his story in fourteenth-century England and introduces some of his most unforgettable characters--a 13-year-old orphan, seemingly without a name, and a huge, odd juggler named Bear. At first, the boy is known as Asta's Son, but when his mother dies, he learns from a priest that his name is really Crispin… Avi builds an impressive backdrop for his arresting characters: a tense medieval world in which hostility against the landowners and their cruelties is increasing. There's also other nail-biting tension in the story that builds to a gripping, somewhat confusing ending, which finds Crispin, once weak, now strong. Readers may not understand every nuance of the political machinations that propel the story, but they will feel the shifting winds of change beginning to blow through a feudal society.”
Connections:
Avi’s website http://www.avi-writer.com/books/crispin.html
Crispin: The Cross of Lead would be a wonderful addition to a history unit on the medieval era for middle school grades.
A great lesson guide (PDF file), compete with historical information, a glossary, an author interview, and questions is available online from Hyperion Books for Children. hyperionbooksforchildren.com/data/books/tgpdf/0786808284147.pdf
A Literature Circle Guide (PDF file) with even more ideas for questions and activities based on the book.
teacher.scholastic.com/clubs/pdfs/crispin_t.pdf
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
LS 5603 Nonfiction - Optical Illusions
Bibliographic Data:
Simon, Seymour. 1998 (1976). Now You See It, Now You Don't: The Amazing World of Optical Illusions. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688161529
Plot Summary:
Originally published in 1976 as The Optical Illusion Book, Simon details the science behind our eyes and why we see optical illusions.
Critical Analysis:
Although some of the illustrations in Now You See It, Now You Don't: The Amazing World of Optical Illusions are somewhat dated, the information is still interesting and intriguing. Simon, a former science teacher, goes into simple details of the parts of the eye, how they work, and why we may or may not see certain things. I found it particularly interesting that people with no prior knowledge of two dimensional perspective (think railroad tracks in a painting getting smaller as they are farther away) did not get tricked by certain illusions.
Many images are ones that have been used for years in art and psychology classes. The black and white vase that can also be two faces is included, as well as the young woman or old witch (depending on your perspective) illustration. But more interesting are the slick color pages found in the center of the book; the most unusual is a photograph of two children, one quite small and the other very large. The illusion, the book tells, is created by a room constructed with a high ceiling on one side and a low ceiling on the other.
There are dozens of activities that are simple for children to do playing with color and light to create illusions themselves. This is a good introduction to a fun topic that also teaches children about the science of the eye in a way that can excite. It is no wonder that it was republished after so many years.
Review Excerpts:
Booklist "One of the clearest and most interesting discussions of optical illusions ever written for children, this was first published in 1976 as The Optical Illusion Book. The new format allows space to increase the size of the illustrations, making them clearer and more effective. Though the text of the new edition remains substantially the same, improvements to the volume include a more attractive book design and more dynamic jacket."
The Horn Book "Fascinating because it has so much for the reader to do and to try."
Connections:
There are many other optical illusion books to look for.
Seeing Double by J. Richard Block (2002)
The Mighty Big Book of Optical Illusions by Craig Yoe
Amazing Optical Illusions by IllusionWorks
There are also artists that work in illusions and impossible objects.
M. C. Escher http://www.mcescher.com/
Rob Gonsalves http://www.sapergalleries.com/Gonsalves.html
Julian Beever http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm
Simon, Seymour. 1998 (1976). Now You See It, Now You Don't: The Amazing World of Optical Illusions. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688161529
Plot Summary:
Originally published in 1976 as The Optical Illusion Book, Simon details the science behind our eyes and why we see optical illusions.
Critical Analysis:
Although some of the illustrations in Now You See It, Now You Don't: The Amazing World of Optical Illusions are somewhat dated, the information is still interesting and intriguing. Simon, a former science teacher, goes into simple details of the parts of the eye, how they work, and why we may or may not see certain things. I found it particularly interesting that people with no prior knowledge of two dimensional perspective (think railroad tracks in a painting getting smaller as they are farther away) did not get tricked by certain illusions.
Many images are ones that have been used for years in art and psychology classes. The black and white vase that can also be two faces is included, as well as the young woman or old witch (depending on your perspective) illustration. But more interesting are the slick color pages found in the center of the book; the most unusual is a photograph of two children, one quite small and the other very large. The illusion, the book tells, is created by a room constructed with a high ceiling on one side and a low ceiling on the other.
There are dozens of activities that are simple for children to do playing with color and light to create illusions themselves. This is a good introduction to a fun topic that also teaches children about the science of the eye in a way that can excite. It is no wonder that it was republished after so many years.
Review Excerpts:
Booklist "One of the clearest and most interesting discussions of optical illusions ever written for children, this was first published in 1976 as The Optical Illusion Book. The new format allows space to increase the size of the illustrations, making them clearer and more effective. Though the text of the new edition remains substantially the same, improvements to the volume include a more attractive book design and more dynamic jacket."
The Horn Book "Fascinating because it has so much for the reader to do and to try."
Connections:
There are many other optical illusion books to look for.
Seeing Double by J. Richard Block (2002)
The Mighty Big Book of Optical Illusions by Craig Yoe
Amazing Optical Illusions by IllusionWorks
There are also artists that work in illusions and impossible objects.
M. C. Escher http://www.mcescher.com/
Rob Gonsalves http://www.sapergalleries.com/Gonsalves.html
Julian Beever http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm
LS 5603 Nonfiction - CLICK!
Bibliographic Data:
Gibbons, Gail. 1997. Click!: A Book About Cameras and Taking Pictures. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0316309761
Plot Summary:
This informative book gives an introduction to basic photography for children. It includes how the camera works, how to take photographs, and a brief history of photography.
Critical Analysis:
Click!: A Book About Cameras and Taking Pictures by Gail Gibbons is a good introduction to photography and cameras for children. The information on how cameras operate and directions given on how to take photographs are simple and easy to understand. Gibbons takes children through the process of creating a latent image on film all the way to developing a photograph to place in a frame. She even shows methods for taking better photographs, such as not taking a photograph while facing sunlight or using a flash indoors.
I was somewhat disappointed, however, by the inclusion of disk cameras and film in this book that was published only ten years ago. Currently I am not aware of any lab that can even make prints off of disk film (although I am sure there may be a few if you searched); it has been so long since it has been produced and sold. A much better inclusion of a different type of film would have been a Polaroid, or instant, film, which is barely mentioned at the end of the book. In contrast to a format that barely lasted over a decade, Polaroid has been making self-developing film and instant cameras since the late 1940's.
This is a minor, although unfortunate, problem in a well put together book though. The colorful illustrations are eye catching and each page is bordered with sprockets giving the pages the look of 35 mm film. Illustrations are labeled for easy location of the shutter or viewfinder for example. Interchangeable terms are also given for terms like photograph (picture, photo, snapshot) and developing film (processing).
Some "Fun Photo Facts" conclude Click!: A Book About Cameras and Taking Pictures. My favorite describes the world's longest photograph taken in Japan using 100 cameras and enlarged into life-size prints. In a world now dominated by digital photography, this is a wonderful book to show children how film photography works on a basic level.
Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal "Gibbons takes a complex subject and breaks it down into simple, easy to understand terms. She describes different types of cameras and their film, and explains what happens to film inside the camera and at a photo-processing center. At this point, the author states, "First the film is removed from the cartridge in a darkroom, lit only by a red light. Then the latent images on the film are developed by soaking the film in chemicals." In fact, film must be removed in total darkness or it will be ruined; a red light will erase latent images. Explanations of printing, negatives and enlargements, tips on the care of a camera and on taking photos both indoors and outdoors are provided. A very basic chronology on the history of photography completes the presentation. The good-quality illustrations, done in the artist's unmistakable style, complement the text. Overall, a well-rounded introduction to photography."
This review caught the one mistake in accuracy I didn't at first. Film cannot be exposed to light at all or the image will be destroyed.
Connections:
Pinhole camera ideas for both young and older kids:
From a Pringles Can http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/pringles_pinhole.html
Oatmeal Box http://users.rcn.com/stewoody/
An interesting site on the Brownie featuring stories of photographers, such as Ansel Adams, and their first experiences with Brownie cameras. http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/brownieCam/index.shtml
Gibbons, Gail. 1997. Click!: A Book About Cameras and Taking Pictures. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0316309761
Plot Summary:
This informative book gives an introduction to basic photography for children. It includes how the camera works, how to take photographs, and a brief history of photography.
Critical Analysis:
Click!: A Book About Cameras and Taking Pictures by Gail Gibbons is a good introduction to photography and cameras for children. The information on how cameras operate and directions given on how to take photographs are simple and easy to understand. Gibbons takes children through the process of creating a latent image on film all the way to developing a photograph to place in a frame. She even shows methods for taking better photographs, such as not taking a photograph while facing sunlight or using a flash indoors.
I was somewhat disappointed, however, by the inclusion of disk cameras and film in this book that was published only ten years ago. Currently I am not aware of any lab that can even make prints off of disk film (although I am sure there may be a few if you searched); it has been so long since it has been produced and sold. A much better inclusion of a different type of film would have been a Polaroid, or instant, film, which is barely mentioned at the end of the book. In contrast to a format that barely lasted over a decade, Polaroid has been making self-developing film and instant cameras since the late 1940's.
This is a minor, although unfortunate, problem in a well put together book though. The colorful illustrations are eye catching and each page is bordered with sprockets giving the pages the look of 35 mm film. Illustrations are labeled for easy location of the shutter or viewfinder for example. Interchangeable terms are also given for terms like photograph (picture, photo, snapshot) and developing film (processing).
Some "Fun Photo Facts" conclude Click!: A Book About Cameras and Taking Pictures. My favorite describes the world's longest photograph taken in Japan using 100 cameras and enlarged into life-size prints. In a world now dominated by digital photography, this is a wonderful book to show children how film photography works on a basic level.
Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal "Gibbons takes a complex subject and breaks it down into simple, easy to understand terms. She describes different types of cameras and their film, and explains what happens to film inside the camera and at a photo-processing center. At this point, the author states, "First the film is removed from the cartridge in a darkroom, lit only by a red light. Then the latent images on the film are developed by soaking the film in chemicals." In fact, film must be removed in total darkness or it will be ruined; a red light will erase latent images. Explanations of printing, negatives and enlargements, tips on the care of a camera and on taking photos both indoors and outdoors are provided. A very basic chronology on the history of photography completes the presentation. The good-quality illustrations, done in the artist's unmistakable style, complement the text. Overall, a well-rounded introduction to photography."
This review caught the one mistake in accuracy I didn't at first. Film cannot be exposed to light at all or the image will be destroyed.
Connections:
Pinhole camera ideas for both young and older kids:
From a Pringles Can http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/pringles_pinhole.html
Oatmeal Box http://users.rcn.com/stewoody/
An interesting site on the Brownie featuring stories of photographers, such as Ansel Adams, and their first experiences with Brownie cameras. http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/brownieCam/index.shtml
Friday, March 9, 2007
LS 5603 Nonfiction - Through My Eyes
Bibliographic Data:
Bridges, Ruby. 1999. Through My Eyes. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590189239
Plot Summary:
In Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges tells her story of courage as a six year old girl being integrated into an all white school in 1960. Photographs and quotes from the time accompany her amazing tale.
Critical Analysis:
Although Ruby Bridges could probably fill a book ten times as long as Through My Eyes with her story, the impact would doubtfully be as great. Children need to understand the truth of what happened during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's, and without firsthand accounts like this, the information they will likely get will fill two paragraphs in a history textbook.
Even as an adult who knows what happened in the U.S. in the 1960's and has heard about the Little Rock Nine on countless occasions, this story was new and full of amazing and eye-opening details. One such detail was how the black kindergartners were tested by the New Orleans school board to see which, if any, should be allowed to attend white schools the next year. Ruby Bridges was one of five that passed the test, one of four to actually go on to a white school, and the only black student integrated into William Frantz Public School.
Large photographs of protesters, Federal Marshals escorting students into schools, Ruby and her teacher Mrs. Henry, and Ruby Bridges today accompany the story. Quotes from people in Ruby's life as well as famous figures of the time, such as John F. Kennedy, also appear throughout the book making connections to her story.
This social essay gives voice to a six year old girl that was given the chance to change the way the United States functioned. By 1961, her second grade year, the schools in New Orleans were integrated and there were no more protesters outside. Through My Eyes may be a quick snapshot of what happened in 1960, but it is telling in its simplicity. The emotions of a grown up little girl can truly open a readers eyes to the confusion, horror, and ultimately joy of this era in U.S. history.
Reviews:
Publishers Weekly "With heartbreaking understatement, she gives voice to her six-year-old self. Escorted on her first day by U.S. marshals, young Ruby was met by throngs of virulent protesters... Sepia-toned period photographs join the sidebars in rounding out Bridges' account. But Bridges' words, recalling a child's innocence and trust, are more vivid than even the best of the photos."
Library Journal "In her recounting of the events of 1960-61, the year she became the first African-American child to integrate the William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Bridges is true to her childhood memories. She is clear about what she remembers and what she later learned. Her account is accompanied by excerpts from newspaper articles, comments by her teacher, and a time line that fill in the details and place her story within the context of the Civil Rights Movement."
Connections:
The Ruby Bridges Foundation
http://www.rubybridges.org/home.htm
The Story of Ruby Bridges is a picture book written by Robert Coles, a child psychiatrist that met with not only Ruby Bridges, but three other girls integrated into another white school and the few white children remaining in the two schools. This would be a good way to introduce younger readers to the Civil Rights Movement.
In Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges writes about John Steinbeck's interest in the integration of elementary students in New Orleans. Steinbeck wrote Travels with Charley about her and the situation of integration.
Other Civil Rights Movement books that may interest students of various ages include Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks and Jim Haskins , Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, and Witness to Freedom: Young People Who Fought for Civil Rights by Belinda Rochelle.
Bridges, Ruby. 1999. Through My Eyes. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590189239
Plot Summary:
In Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges tells her story of courage as a six year old girl being integrated into an all white school in 1960. Photographs and quotes from the time accompany her amazing tale.
Critical Analysis:
Although Ruby Bridges could probably fill a book ten times as long as Through My Eyes with her story, the impact would doubtfully be as great. Children need to understand the truth of what happened during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's, and without firsthand accounts like this, the information they will likely get will fill two paragraphs in a history textbook.
Even as an adult who knows what happened in the U.S. in the 1960's and has heard about the Little Rock Nine on countless occasions, this story was new and full of amazing and eye-opening details. One such detail was how the black kindergartners were tested by the New Orleans school board to see which, if any, should be allowed to attend white schools the next year. Ruby Bridges was one of five that passed the test, one of four to actually go on to a white school, and the only black student integrated into William Frantz Public School.
Large photographs of protesters, Federal Marshals escorting students into schools, Ruby and her teacher Mrs. Henry, and Ruby Bridges today accompany the story. Quotes from people in Ruby's life as well as famous figures of the time, such as John F. Kennedy, also appear throughout the book making connections to her story.
This social essay gives voice to a six year old girl that was given the chance to change the way the United States functioned. By 1961, her second grade year, the schools in New Orleans were integrated and there were no more protesters outside. Through My Eyes may be a quick snapshot of what happened in 1960, but it is telling in its simplicity. The emotions of a grown up little girl can truly open a readers eyes to the confusion, horror, and ultimately joy of this era in U.S. history.
Reviews:
Publishers Weekly "With heartbreaking understatement, she gives voice to her six-year-old self. Escorted on her first day by U.S. marshals, young Ruby was met by throngs of virulent protesters... Sepia-toned period photographs join the sidebars in rounding out Bridges' account. But Bridges' words, recalling a child's innocence and trust, are more vivid than even the best of the photos."
Library Journal "In her recounting of the events of 1960-61, the year she became the first African-American child to integrate the William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Bridges is true to her childhood memories. She is clear about what she remembers and what she later learned. Her account is accompanied by excerpts from newspaper articles, comments by her teacher, and a time line that fill in the details and place her story within the context of the Civil Rights Movement."
Connections:
The Ruby Bridges Foundation
http://www.rubybridges.org/home.htm
The Story of Ruby Bridges is a picture book written by Robert Coles, a child psychiatrist that met with not only Ruby Bridges, but three other girls integrated into another white school and the few white children remaining in the two schools. This would be a good way to introduce younger readers to the Civil Rights Movement.
In Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges writes about John Steinbeck's interest in the integration of elementary students in New Orleans. Steinbeck wrote Travels with Charley about her and the situation of integration.
Other Civil Rights Movement books that may interest students of various ages include Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks and Jim Haskins , Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, and Witness to Freedom: Young People Who Fought for Civil Rights by Belinda Rochelle.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
LS 5603 Poetry - bow wow meow meow
Bibliographic Data:
Florian, Douglas. 2003. Bow Wow Meow Meow: It's Rhyming Cats and Dogs. New York: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152163956
Plot Summary:
This is a short picture book of poems about various types of cats and dogs, ranging from lions to bloodhounds.
Critical Analysis:
Douglas Florian both wrote and illustrated this fun poetry book about different types of cats and dogs. There is only one poem per page and each simple square painting of a cat or dog faces the poem it corresponds with. This makes the reading of the poetry and understanding of the illustrations simple.
Two concrete poems, "The Poodles" and "The Ocelot," are imaginative and creative. "The Poodles" is written in circles as the poem mentions the "oodles and oodles of curls" of a poodle's fur. "The Ocelot" is one simple line in the shape of a question mark. It works okay on its own, but in this concrete form, the short poem has life.
The majority of the poems use simple rhymes that easily could appeal to children. The variety of cats and dogs contained in the poems also creates more interest to a child that may have a Dalmatian or a Siamese cat. Personally, I liked "The Manx" because my cat is half Manx and although she has a tail it is quite short.
School Library Journal: "The language has flair, and the writing is zany and creative. The watercolor paintings in primarily pastel colors are great fun, revealing an attribute or the character of each animal. This is a delightful selection to read aloud to younger children, and it offers older students models of simple poems that really work."
Connections:
A good way to interest students interested in poetry is to read what they know and are interested in. Since several students may have a cat or a dog, Bow Wow Meow Meow: It's Rhyming Cats and Dogs could be a great starting point for students reluctant to read poetry.
If you have $1,500 to spare "The Poodle" as well as other paintings by Florian from various children's books are for sale. http://www.storybookart.com/dflorian.html
Florian, Douglas. 2003. Bow Wow Meow Meow: It's Rhyming Cats and Dogs. New York: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152163956
Plot Summary:
This is a short picture book of poems about various types of cats and dogs, ranging from lions to bloodhounds.
Critical Analysis:
Douglas Florian both wrote and illustrated this fun poetry book about different types of cats and dogs. There is only one poem per page and each simple square painting of a cat or dog faces the poem it corresponds with. This makes the reading of the poetry and understanding of the illustrations simple.
Two concrete poems, "The Poodles" and "The Ocelot," are imaginative and creative. "The Poodles" is written in circles as the poem mentions the "oodles and oodles of curls" of a poodle's fur. "The Ocelot" is one simple line in the shape of a question mark. It works okay on its own, but in this concrete form, the short poem has life.
The Ocelot
Why ocelots have lots of spots puzzles ocelot.
The majority of the poems use simple rhymes that easily could appeal to children. The variety of cats and dogs contained in the poems also creates more interest to a child that may have a Dalmatian or a Siamese cat. Personally, I liked "The Manx" because my cat is half Manx and although she has a tail it is quite short.
The ManxReview Excerpts:
Who always yanks
The tail off the Manx?
School Library Journal: "The language has flair, and the writing is zany and creative. The watercolor paintings in primarily pastel colors are great fun, revealing an attribute or the character of each animal. This is a delightful selection to read aloud to younger children, and it offers older students models of simple poems that really work."
Connections:
A good way to interest students interested in poetry is to read what they know and are interested in. Since several students may have a cat or a dog, Bow Wow Meow Meow: It's Rhyming Cats and Dogs could be a great starting point for students reluctant to read poetry.
If you have $1,500 to spare "The Poodle" as well as other paintings by Florian from various children's books are for sale. http://www.storybookart.com/dflorian.html
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