LSSL 5360 GENRE 6 FICTION, FANTASY, AND GRAPHIC NOVELS

GHOSTS BY RAINA TELGEMEIER

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Telgemeier, R. (2016). Ghosts(First ed.). New York, New York: Graphix.

ISBN 9780545540612

PLOT SUMMARY

An endearing tale of two sisters and their view of life and death while battling a terminal illness.  Maya is a carefree, live for the moment young girl, who was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that can cause a buildup of mucus in the lungs, which can lead to other serious respiratory problems.  While her sister Catrina, on the other hand, is afraid of everything.  Due to Maya’s illness, the family decides to move to the Coast of Northern California, where the cool, salty air will benefit Maya’s condition.  Cat is not happy she has to move from South California to the gloomy Bahia del la Luna, where the sun only shines sixty-two days out of the year.  When the power goes out in their new home, Cat and Maya explore the neighborhood and stumble upon an old abandoned arcade where they meet Carlos the local ghost tour guide.  He enlightens the girls on the November 1^st  festival called,  Dia del los Muertos, a day when ghosts reunite with their loved ones.   Maya is determined to meet a ghost, but Cat wants nothing to do with them.  As the Day of the Dead rapidly approaches Cat must figure out how to overcome her fears for her sister's sake and her own.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Telgemeier takes us inside the lives of two sisters to explore real fear, loss, and anger, which many individuals and families with loved ones batting a terminal illness face on a daily basis. Although, death is a sensitive subject Telgemeier did an amazing job portraying the complexity and reality of it, by her choice of text, art, and colors used throughout the book.  Telgemeier allows the reader to experience death by making it less scary or ominous.  Like Maya, the main character, the book is sincere, fun, lighthearted and entertaining. 

Telgemeier’s message is about how we connect with our family both in life and in death, and how they can give us the courage to keep going when the odds are against us

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

"The story is consistently engaging, the plot is tightly built." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Raina Telgemeier's characters fizz with visual energy." -- The New York Times Book Review

"Telgemeier has her finger on the pulse of middle-grade readers, and this might be her best yet." -- Booklist, starred review

CONNECTIONS

 

“Stories are such a powerful way of communicating ideas and in comforting people. So even young readers, I would like to believe that it's a means of opening up conversations. It's a means of telling stories yourself and remembering people that you may have lost in your life. And that's a really powerful thing and a way that people can connect to one another while they're still here. And I think that's a lot of the message that I was trying to get across with the book itself.”  Raina Telgemeier

Students draw a story in four to six panels with thumbnail sketches — these can be very rough pictures created with any medium (pencil, pen, digital tools, etc.). The images can be as simple as stick figures with a few setting details if needed. Students draw speech bubbles where characters might be talking and leave space for words or sound effects to be added in.

Students then must illustrate their drawings— these drawings should get a sense of the characters, their movement, where they are, and the dialogue.

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/ghosts-teaching-guide/

RULES BY CYNTHIA LORD

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York, New York: Scholastic Inc.

ISBN 9780545036405

PLOT SUMMARY

Rules, a realistic fiction novel, written by Cynthia Lord, describes a young teen living with her autistic brother and the struggles she faces while trying to find her own identity.  Twelve-year-old Catherine has conflicting feelings about her younger brother, David, who is autistic. While she loves him, she is also embarrassed by his behavior and feels neglected by their parents. Catherine creates rules for him (It's okay to hug Mom, but not the clerk at the video store). When Kristi moves in next door, Catherine hopes that the girl will become a friend, but is nervous about her reaction to David. Then, while at her brother's clinic, Catherine meets and befriends Jason, a nonverbal paraplegic, who uses a book of pictures to communicate. Catherine experiences some of the same awkwardness with Jason that others do in the presence of her brother. In the end, Jason helps Catherine see that her rules may really be excuses, opening the way for her to look at life with her brother differently.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Lord weaves together a heartwarming story, narrated by Catherine, detailing the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. The main character, Catherine tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. . Her love for her brother is as real as are her frustrations with him. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance.  Lord‘s descriptions of autistic behavior are realistic and comparable to children David’s age.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Catherine is an appealing and believable character, acutely self-conscious and torn between her love for her brother and her resentment of his special needs. Middle-grade readers will recognize her longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences. (Kirkus)

 A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter.-Connie Tyrrell Burns (School Library Journal)

"The emotions in this fast-paced novel ring true." -The Horn Book

CONNECTIONS

ARTS

Drawing Words

Catherine illustrates the words she adds to Jason’s book. She asks herself, “What does awesome look like?” Challenge students to choose a word like gross, awesome, cruel, cool, embarrassed, or another descriptive word; ask themselves what it looks like; and then illustrate the word. Encourage students to display and compare their drawings.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Equal Access

With Catherine’s help, Jason gets a motorized wheelchair and takes it for a run. Explain to students that communities have a legal responsibility to provide equal access for disabled persons. Suggest that they plan a route around their community for someone like Jason who is in a wheelchair. What barriers would he encounter? What helpful things like ramps and automatic doors are in community buildings?

READING AND WRITING CONNECTION

Rating Rules

Cynthia Lord’s award-winning book is an introspective story that appeals to some students more than others. Challenge students to write a review of the book, giving it a rating from one to four stars. First, have each student create a rating system using stars, deciding what — for them — makes a four-star book as opposed to a one-star book. Then ask students to rate the book according to their own criteria and write an argument essay that explains their rating. Emphasize that every opinion is legitimate as long as it is supported by reasoning and evidence.      

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/rules-storia-teaching-guide/

AWARDS

Newberry Honor Book 2007

Schneider  Family Book Award

THE ARRIVAL BY SHAUN TAN

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Tan, S. (2007). The Arrival. New York, New York:Arthur A. Levine Books.

ISBN 9780439895293

PLOT SUMMARY

In this wordless graphic novel, a lone immigrant, leaves his family and journeys to a new world, filled with strange, alien like objects, animals, words, and graphics.  An ominous dragon like dark shadow follows him at the beginning of the story.  Once he reaches his destination he embarks on a mission to discover this new land with its different language, customs, and people eventually making it into a home for his family.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Arrival is a wordless graphic novel, which tells an emotional story about a man who leaves his family.  The man travels for several days on a ship. The sadness on his face is easily seen.  The front cover illustrates a man holding a suitcase in his hand, while conversing with a white odd shaped animal. The story is full of pictures of people, strange symbols, and graphics. I think the writer’s use of metaphors, imagery and foreshadowing makes the story feel confusing, gloomy, and dreary.  

The majority of the artwork is in gray, black, and white.  The illustrator’s use of dark dreary colors, conveys an atmosphere full of sadness and hopelessness.  Some characters are realistic, but I feel this book may be a little advanced for younger children, due to the dark graphics, overabundance of pictures, and lack of words.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Tan captures the displacement and awe with which immigrants respond to their new surroundings in this wordless graphic novel. It depicts the journey of one man, threatened by dark shapes, that cast shadows on his family's life to a new country.  (School Library Journal)

 The Arrival proves a beautiful, compelling piece of art, in both content and form. (Booklist)

"Mesmerizing... Such visual eloquence can only motivate readers to seek out any future graphic novels from Shaun Tan, regardless of where they might be shelved." -- New York Times Book Review

"Astonishing." -- The Washington Post

The Arrival is a graphic novel (told in illustrations, not in comics) telling the story of an immigrant coming to a new land. The metaphor is brilliant: Shaun Tan sensitively illustrates a very human protagonist coming to a country where everything is literally alien: tentacled fruits, many legged animals, bizarre and fascinating architecture, and bewildering methods of transport. The result is an often laugh-out-loud funny study in magical realism.

CONNECTIONS

It is a wonderful book to use within a study of immigration, bringing together the essence of that experience today, historically, and always.

AWARDS

A New York Times Best Illustrated Book
Book Sense Book of the Year -- Honor Book
World Fantasy Award -- Best Artist
An ALA Top Ten Great Graphic Novel for Teens
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book
New York Magazine's Top Comic Book
A School Library Journal Best Book

LOST AND FOUND BY SHAUN TAN

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Tan, S. (1998). Lost and Found.  New York, New York:Arthur A. Levine Books.

ISBN 9780545229241

PLOT SUMMARY

Lost and Found is a collection of three stories, written and illustrated by Shaun Tan, about how we lose and find what matters most to us.

A girl finds a bright spot in a dark world.  A boy leads a strange lost creature home. And a group of peaceful creatures loses their home to cruel invaders.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Shaun Tan’s book Lost and Found contains three separate short stories.  The first story is about depression and how a young girl experiences each stage of sadness and then achieves some peace at the end.  The second, is about finding a place for a lost thing that seems to not belong anywhere, and the third, is about rabbits killing the planet. Each story is emotional and heartfelt, but I found this book to cover topics that may not be very child friendly.  The colors and graphics are bright, vivid, and each page is covered in some form of art. The mix of illustrations used by Tan is visually appealing and will keep the reader engaged.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

"Mesmerizing... Such visual eloquence can only motivate readers to seek out any future graphic novels from Shaun Tan, regardless of where they might be shelved." -- New York Times Book Review

"Astonishing." -- The Washington Post

 "A silent, fantastical masterpiece... Filled with both subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form." -- Booklist, starred review

 "An unashamed paean to the immigrant's spirit, tenacity and guts, perfectly crafted for maximum effect." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 "Few will remain unaffected by this timeless stunner." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

CONNECTIONS

A school counselor may use this book to encourage a child to express his feelings about depression or loss.

AWARDS

A New York Times Best Illustrated Book
An ALA Top Ten Great Graphic Novel for Teens
A Publishers Weekly Best Book

LSSL 5360 GENRE 5 HISTORICAL FICTION

NIGHT OF THE HOWLING DOGS BY GRAHAM SALISBURY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Salisbury, G. (2007). Night of the howling dogs (First ed.). New York: Random House.

ISBN 9780385731225

PLOT SUMMARY

Night of the Howling Dogs, is based on the true events of a Boy Scout troop’s camping trip turned deadly.   While camping along the shore at Halape (Ha-la-pay) Volcanoes National Park, in Hawaii, the boys and their leaders are hit by an earthquake and a tsunami.  The story begins with the boys excitingly gathering their gear.  Dylan is upset to find out that Louie, a tough Hawaiian kid, with a chip on his shoulder, who once threatened Dylan, is coming along on the trip.  As the new senior patrol leader, Dylan decides to ignore Louie and make the best of the trip.   The troop sets out on the grueling 12 mile hike from a cliff on Mauna Loa, 2,000 feet above sea level to a secluded coconut grove by the ocean. Finally, after several hours the boys reach their destination, a lush tropical island isolated from civilization.   The boys swim, get stung by wasps, tell ghost stories, and are frightened by a shark.  One night they meet Masa, a paniolo, who tells them a legend of Pele, a small white dog sent to warn people of the danger of the volcano.   Then on the morning of the third day, their tranquil world falls apart. First, the earthquake brings down the cliff in a hail of boulders, and then the wall of water bears down on them like a mountain. The unsuspecting troop is scattered, injured and afraid.   Dylan and Louie must team up to save the troop and get everyone out alive.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Salisbury skillfully weaves together the story, narrated by Dylan, detailing the joys of friendship, the adventure of scouting, and the fear of facing a natural disaster. 

His vivid storytelling left an impression on my mind of the beauty of Hawaii, as well as the dangerous hot lava, jagged rocks, rising water and the tough terrain the boys encountered on their trip. He brilliantly introduces foreshadowing into his story by including the Hawaiian culture and legends of the howling dog Pele.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Like any good survival story, this will make readers ponder what they would do when survival is on the line. A sure-fire literary thriller.  (Kirkus Reviews, July 1st, 2007)

"Salisbury weaves Hawaiian legend into the modern-day narrative to create haunting, unusual novels that will practically book talk itself." —Carolyn Phelan Starred Review, Booklist, August 1, 2007

“This vivid adventure soon strips away every vestige of normality leaving characters dependent on their wits.”—Book List Starred 8/07

CONNECTIONS

A great resource to discuss the important events in Hawaiin history.   

AWARDS

NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2008, Geography/People/Places

ALL THE WAY HOME BY PATRICIA RILEY GIFF

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Giff, P. R. (2001). All the Way Home. New York, New York: Delacorte Press.

ISBN 0385322097

PLOT SUMMARY

All the Way Home by Patricia Giff, is a heartwarming story of a young girl who lives in Brooklyn and a young boy who lives in the Midwest on a farm.  Although, they live miles apart, they have one thing in common, the town of Windy Hill.  As a child, Mariel contracted polio and was hospitalized in Windy Hill, where Brick Tiernan lives.   She was soon adopted by her nurse Loretta and moved to Brooklyn, right next to the Dodgers Stadium.  Brick loves the Dodgers and listens to the games on his radio while working on his family’s apple orchard.  Tragedy strikes Brick’s family when a fire destroys the orchard and he is sent to Brooklyn to live with Loretta and Mariel.  Together they find a way to return to Windy Hill, save the apple harvest, and learn the truth about Mariel’s mother. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Patricia Giff’s writing is simple and keeps the reader interested.  Although, this book is historical fiction it does share real events of the era.  Readers are introduced to Polio with little information on how it was contracted.  This omission leaves the reader wanting more information of how it was transmitted, how children looked, and how they lived with a debilitating condition during the Great Depression.  This book actually had me asking all these questions and enticed an informative conversation with my mother who was born in the 1940’s.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Giff's writing is filled with wonderful details that appeal to all of the senses. Readers experience the treacherous fire just as realistically as they cheer when Mariel catches a fly ball. A compelling story of two unforgettable youngsters, their strength, and their friendship. (Barbara Auerbach, School Library Journal)

In her tightly woven, inspirational story, every character counts: Brick and Mariel's determination to beat the odds is mirrored in Loretta's hope that her beloved Dodgers will win the pennant. The characters unashamedly care about each other, long for home, and treasure family love. They are winners, as is Loretta's favorite baseball team.( Ellen Mandel,  Booklist)

CONNECTIONS

Students could research polio, and its effects on the body.  Another great connection to history is President Franklin Roosevelt, his life with the disease, overcoming his condition and becoming the first president with a disability.  With his strength and determination  he became an inspirational figure for disabled people around the world.

PENNY FROM HEAVEN BY JENNIFER L. HOLM

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holm, J. L. (2006). Penny from Heaven (First ed.). New York, New York: Random House.

ISBN 0375936874

PLOT SUMMARY

Jennifer Holm has taken her personal family history and crafted an excellent work of historical fiction in Penny From Heaven. The book follows Penny, and her family throughout the summer of 1953. Penny, nicknamed for a Bing Crosby song, is 11 years old and like many other girls her age, she loves Dodgers baseball, butter pecan ice cream, her dog Scarlett, and her family.  She lives with her mother, grandmother, and grandfather in New Jersey.  Her father died when she was young and she has always wanted to know what happened to him.   Although, her father is gone, she remains close to his large Italian family.   She dislikes mean girls from school, not being allowed to go to the swimming pool, due to her mom’s fear of Polio, her grandmother Me-me’s cooking, and especially her mother's new boyfriend.  Penny enjoys working in her Uncle's store and playing with her cousin over the summer, but this all comes to an abrupt end after a serious injury. Throughout the novel, Penny learns more about her family, her father’s death, and ultimately becomes hopeful towards a new future.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 Holm brilliantly uses the first person narrative to let the reader make a personal connection with Penny.  Her kind, smart, funny and thoughtful character shows throughout the book.   Holm’s mention of the family’s fear to speak Italian in public, allows the reader to sympathize with the family and get a glimpse of hatred and loathing some people felt against Italian’s during that era.   

Another historical element similar in books based in the 1940’s -1950’s was the real fear of contracting Polio.  Due to the uncertainty of how polio was transmitted Penny’s mother was deathly afraid that she would contract polio while swimming in the pool.  The pride and love for the Dodgers shows readers the pastime many children and families enjoyed.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

 Holm impressively wraps pathos with comedy in this coming-of-age story, populated by a cast of vivid characters (a burping, farting grandpa; an eccentric uncle who lives in his car--"not exactly normal for people in New Jersey"). Concluding with a photo-illustrated endnote explaining Holm's inspirations in family history, this languidly paced novel will appeal most to readers who appreciate gentle, episodic tales with a nostalgic flavor. ( Jennifer Mattson,Booklist)

CONNECTIONS

Students could research polio, and its effects on the body. Students can also research Italy, Italian food, their customs and traditions.

AWARDS

John Newberry Medal Honor Book 2007

Rebecca Caudill Young Reader’s Book Award nominee in 2009

The New York Times children book best seller in 2007

ELIJAH OF BUXTON BY CHRISTOPHER PAUL CURTIS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curtis, C. P. (2007). Elijah of Buxton(First ed.). New York, New York: Scholastic Press.

ISBN 9780439023443

PLOT SUMMARY

In 1849 Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman, is the first freeborn child in Buxton, Canada, a settlement established for former slaves just over the Michigan border. Elijah can "chunk rocks" with such accuracy that he catches fish by taking aim and hitting them on the head with stones. As Elijah is returning home with ten fish, he runs into the Preacher, a former slave, who tricks him out of the fish.  Elijah becomes suspicious and uncertain of the Pastor but he continues to associate with him.  When the carnival comes to town, the children of Buxton are forbidden to go, due to its appalling reputation.  In an attempt to help the Buxton community, Elijah defies his parents and heads to the circus with the Preacher.  With the support of Elijah, Mr. Leroy entrusts the Preacher with money he’s been saving to free his family from slavery, and sends him to a village in Michigan to retrieve his family.  Tricked again by the Preacher, Elijah sets out to America to find him, and discovers the horrors of slavery and the reasons his family fled.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Curtis tells his story in the first person narrative allowing the reader to experience Elijah’s personal insecurities, suspicions of the Preacher and his realization of the dishonest nature of people.  Curtis’ brilliant use of language and text exposes the reader to the hard life of slavery and the right of all men to be free.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

 Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears. A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller. Phelan, Carolyn (Booklist)

CONNECTIONS

Students can research slavery in the early 1800’s and its abolishment.

AWARDS

John Newberry Medal 2008

Coretta Scott King Award for Authors 2008

LSSL 5360 GENRE 4 NON-FICTION

THE HOUSE BABA BUILT BY ED YOUNG

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Young, E. (2011). The House Baba Built: An Artist's Childhood in China (First ed.). New York, New York: Little, Brown and Company.

ISBN 9780316076289

PLOT SUMMARY

        In The House that Baba Built, Ed Young invites readers into his personal story with an autobiography exploring his childhood years in Shanghai.  In 1931, Japan invaded China and left countless families homeless.  As the war creeps closer to Young’s home, his father an engineer, makes a deal with the landlord promising to build a big brick house with courtyards, garden, and a swimming pool.  The agreement allowed the family to live in the house for 20 years and relinquish the rights once the time came. Additionally, this plan allowed the Young family and several others the opportunity to live in the safe embassy neighborhood of Shanghia.  Baba’s house became a haven for families to swim, dance, and come together, while a war was raging outside.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ed Young’s effortless words are cleverly conveyed by using unique placements of texts.  The reader will notice that his text is not only horizontal but vertical and angled, an interesting tool used to keep the reader’s attention.

 His use of complex art techniques consists of drawings, watercolor paintings, folded pages, torn paper and photographs are amazingly lifelike and stunning.  I had to touch the pages just to see if I could feel the edges of the torn paper.  Although, I did like all the beautiful artwork, I did feel the story was a little long and dull for a younger audience. 

Of all the picture books I have reviewed for this class this one by far has incorporated a great use of art by using different mediums, timelines, maps, house blueprints, photographs, and an outstanding text format to convey the story.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“Life,” Baba writes to his children, “is not rich, not real unless you partake life with your fellow man”; Young set the course of his life by his father’s words. It’s history at its most personal.  All ages. (Publisher’s Weekly August 2011)

Flashes of multi-media brilliance illuminate this darkly colored, leisurely paced memoir of childhood in Shanghai. Sophisticated, inventive art invites close viewings for patient readers in this unusual family story. (Kirkus Review)

CONNECTIONS

The story could easily be used by a middle grader for history, biography, or art study. It is definitely a picture book that needs an older audience.

AWARDS

·         Booklist Top 10 Art Books for Youth, 2011

·         Booklist 2011 Editor’s Choice

·         Publisher’s Weekly Best Children’s Books 2011, Nonfiction

·         SLJ Best Books of 2011Nonfiction

·         ALA Notable Children’s Book 2012

·         Booklist Top 10 Biography Books for Youth 2012

THE RIGHT WORD; ROGET AND HIS THESAURUS BY JEN BRYANT AND ILLUSTRATED BY MELISSA SWEET

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryant, J., & Sweet, M. (2014). The right word: Roget and his thesaurus. Grand Rapids MI: Eerdmans Pub Co.

ISBN 9780802853851

PLOT SUMMARY

This is an informational picture book of how Peter Roget came to the idea of creating a thesaurus.  After Peter’s father passed away, his mother moved the family from Switzerland to England.  Peter was a shy, timid boy, who didn’t make friends easily.  So, instead of friends, he surrounded himself with a multitude of books.  He realized that as long as he had books, he would never be alone and he didn’t have to leave them behind when he moved.  He began writing his first book at the age of eight and he called it Peter, Mark, Roget. His Book.   The book consisted of a compilation of Latin words which helped him remember his lessons.   As time progressed and his interests changed Peter began adding more lists and subjects.  The long neat rows made him feel like the world was in order.  Unknowingly, Peter’s mother’s constant disapproval of his “scribbling” played an immense role in his creation of new word lists.  His frustrations of never finding the right word to his mom’s questions left him with a longing to get the perfect one.   Peter became a doctor at the age of nineteen and was advised by his uncle to do something else because at his age no one would take him seriously.  Instead, he became a tutor for two young boys and traveled to distant places.   Later he returned to medicine and owned his own practice.  In 1805, Peter finished his first book of word lists a Collection of English Synonyms Classified and Arranged.   He joined many Science organizations, became a respected doctor and an excellent speaker.  At the age of 45 he married Mary Hoson and they had two children.  Peter continued to write. His dream of creating a book for all to use became a reality n 1852 when he released Thesaurus, meaning “treasure house” in Greek.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author uses short paragraphs and formats several lines of text into long lists.  Great visuals to help the reader imagine what Roget’s lists may have looked like.  The book reminded me of an alphabet book because of the large letters used in the text.  The illustrations are engaging and colorful.  I think this book would be a great read aloud for young children, but some children may become overwhelmed with the varying text styles, patchy collages, and complexity of the images.   Almost every page contains examples of word lists that Roget compiled.   Bryant includes a timeline of his life and a picture of a page from Roget's original word book at the end.

A list of sources for further reading is given.

Readers may enjoy the rear endpapers which display a list of all 997 words that appeared in the first edition of Roget's thesaurus.

This informational picture book would be great for introducing students to the joy of being curious about words, motivating students to be a collector of words, and selecting just the right word to communicate ideas.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Together with Bryant’s sympathetic account, Sweet’s gentle riot of images and words humanizes the man behind this ubiquitous reference work and demystifies the thesaurus itself. (Publishers Weekly ,2014)

CONNECTIONS

Use this book to introduce a lesson on synonyms.

AWARDS

Caldecott Medal 2015

Sibert Award 2015

Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration 2015

THOSE REBELS, JOHN AND TOM BY BARBARA KERLEY

ILLUSTRATED BY EDWIN FOTHERINGHAM

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kerley, B., & Fotheringham, E. (2012). Those rebels, John and Tom. New York: Scholastic Press.

ISBN 9780545222686

PLOT SUMMARY

This informational and child-friendly history book by Barbara Kerley, does a first-rate job of introducing the human side of Tomas Jefferson and John Adams.  The book details the life of two young boys growing in different circumstances and eventually becoming an integral part of the Declaration of Independence.    John was a sturdy, stout loud, stubborn man, while Tom was described as a tall, thin, well-mannered, well-dressed, educated, soft spoken man.  Although, they exhibited different personalities one common interest united them.  They both cared deeply about the American colonies and found King George to be a tyrant.   Using their unique differences, Tom’s skill with a pen and Jon’s powers of persuasion they unanimously convinced Congress to declare independence from England. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The text and format is visually appealing and age appropriate.  The story is easy to understand and would be a great history lesson to use to teach the Declaration of Independence.   The drawings are lively and should hold young readers attention well.   Edwin Fotheringham did an amazing job of using his illustrations to convey the physical and characteristic differences between Tom and John. For example, we see Adams wearing mud-covered clothing, pushing a wheelbarrow, working his own land, and Jefferson in contrast, rides on a horse, wears nice clothes, while his slaves busily work building his estate.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

 “A witty and wise portrait of strength being born out of difference”. (Publisher’s Weekly, 2011)

CONNECTIONS

This book could also be used in a history lesson when learning about our countries freedom and the Declaration of Independence.

Children could read this book before learning about the men John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Students could pick one of the two men and write a report on the very eventful lives that the men lead. Students could compare and contrast the differences they find between the two men during their research.

AWARDS

Booklist Lasting Connections of 2012, Social Studies

2013 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, Honor Book