Blogs I'm Reading..

If you check out the left hand side of my page, you can see some of the blogs I'm currently following! Usually I just like to read what their thoughts are, but sometimes I'll leave some comments.. here are a few I've been responding to recently..

http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/brunch-for-superbowl-sunday.html

http://inkrethink.blogspot.com/2009/03/buzz-worthy-books-and-newbery.html

http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2009/03/magic-and-luck-for-friday-13th.html

http://educ311msb.blogspot.com/2009/02/traditional-literature.html?showComment=1237139100000#c3862443030584637830

Sci Fi/Fantasy # 5

(Fantasy)
Author: Jessica Day George
Title: Dragon Slippers
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books Date: 2007

Age level: Elementary (3-4) Upper (5-6)

Summary:
Creel’s family was very poor, and needed some way to make money. Her Aunt decided that she would feed Creel to a dragon in hopes that a noble Prince would try and rescue her, and then they would be married. It turns out that Creel is not a damsel in distress, but in charge of her own fate. She talks her way out of being eaten by the dragon, but now she must save her town from the dragon wars…

Strengths:
This is a great story of empowerment for women. Creel does not ever rely on the men who try and save her, although she accepts help from them when she needs it. Throughout the story she is portrayed as a brave, intelligent girl. She also has the gift of being able to talk to dragons and help them see her way. The story is very entertaining, and keeps you guessing. The language is simple enough for younger elementary (3-4) but the storyline is appropriate all the way to upper elementary. It is a truly entertaining book.

Concerns:
I wish the book had a few pictures to illustrate some of the action. There is so much that happens that I feel there is the potential to have great pictures accompanying some of the scenes.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This would be a great book for free reading time, or for a child to use for a book report. It is entertaining and definitely a great fantasy read.

Biographies/Informational Books # 5

Author: Russell Freedman
Title: Who Was First? Discovering the Americas
Publisher: Clarion Books Date: 2007

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Most people believe that Columbus was the first to arrive in the Americas. That is what we are taught throughout our whole childhood, but was he really the first? What about China, and what about Leif Erickson? Or maybe there were indigenous people who lived here.. This is the story of them all, and who really discovered America.

Strengths:
This book is a great read for elementary school children. It takes a lot of historical information and turns it into a readable book for children. The information is presented in a fun manner, and accompanied by various artworks. The pictures really help break up the text and make the book more exciting. The new approach on the topic is also something children would be interested in, and the book does a great job of explaining the different theories.

Concerns:
Like all informational books, a few sections of the book are bogged down with facts. The overload of information is inevitable in a book like this, and although they usually do a good job at breaking up the tedious parts, sometimes there is a bit too much information.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great addition to a history class period about America. It can be used in a variety of ways, and can really help the children understand. It can be a read aloud, or independent read, or useful in a group project.

Graphic Novel # 5

Author: Aaron Shepard
Title: Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria
Publisher: Harper Collins Date: 2001

Age level: Primary (K-2)

Summary:
Shadusa once thought he was the strongest man in the world, and decided he wanted to be called Master Man. His wife warned him that one day he may meet someone who was stronger, but he did not listen. Shadusa hears of another man who calls himself “Master Man” and vows to go challenge him. When he gets there, however, things change. Maybe Shadusa isn’t the strongest man in the world…

Strengths:
For a graphic novel, this book is very entertaining. It starts off like a simple story, then resembles the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, and then finishes off with a twist and an explanation for the noise of thunder. It is a very compelling story which would keep many children occupied. There is great detail used in the pictures, and the illustrations really help tell the story. The twist at the end keeps the book interesting, and would most likely prompt a discussion between children who read this book. It is very well done.

Concerns:
The text jumps all over the page, and often times I read it out-of-order. Another thing that bothered me was the fact that one of the women in the book has so many muscles she looks like a man, but the other woman does not. There seems to be a discrepancy when it comes to drawing the different characters, and although these two should be very similarly built, they are not. It just looks a little strange.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to read during a folk tale unit, to illustrate how stories from other cultures get passed down and what type of folklore has come out of them. The teacher could talk about the representation of thunder in this book, and have the students come up with their own ideas and creative stories of what the noise of thunder

Graphic Novel # 4

Author: Mark Crilley
Title: Akiko and the Intergalactic Zoo
Publisher: Dell Yearling Date: 2002

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Akiko and all her friends are headed off on a new adventure. This time they are going to the Intergalactic Zoo! What starts out as a normal vacation quickly turns into a scary nightmare. The zookeeper wants to keep Akiko, will she find a way to escape?

Strengths:
Crilley tells the story through the point of view of an upper elementary school girl, and he nails it. The language is great for children and something they can really relate to because it is how they talk and think (mostly). The cast of characters are all unique and quite entertaining. The way everything plays out flows really well and it is a real page turner, especially for the science fiction lovers.

Concerns:
For a graphic novel, it has far too few pictures. It is a great storyline, but it could use a lot more help in the illustration department.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a good example of a creative story, and the teacher could use it as an introductory to creative writing. As a starting point, she could have them write an alternate ending, or an additional scene.

Graphic Novel # 3

Author: Scott Morse
Title: Magic Pickle
Publisher: Scholastic Inc Date: 2008

Age level: Primary (K-2) Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
What happens when a science experience goes wrong and produce is accidentally turned into good and evil? Magic pickles happen! Weapon Kosher has been awaken and is trying to round out the bad vegetables before they cause trouble in the city. In the process he makes friends with a young girl, Jo Jo, who has her own problems with a bully at school. Maybe they can help each other at the same time…

Strengths:
The storyline of this book is priceless. It is well thought out and definitely something children would love. The girl is really sassy and the pickle tries to be somewhat of an gentleman. The story weaves together nicely and everything is explained really well. The illustrations in this book are very well done and greatly enhance the story. It is a truly entertaining graphic novel which uses a lot of play-on-words and pokes fun at stereotypes.

Concerns:
The only real concern is that the pickle does not really look that much like a pickle…

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is just a fun book to have around the classroom for children to read when they have free time. It can also be used to talk about safety when conducting science experiments.

Graphic Novel # 2

Author: Shaun Tan
Title: The Arrival
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Date: 2006

Age level: Elementary (3-4) Upper (5-6)

Summary:
In this wordless graphic novel, you follow the story of a man and his life in a strange new place. Follow his encounters with new people and his new life, waiting for the arrival.

Strengths:
The details of these pictures are so good, even the slight change of color in one of them can signify so much. The pictures really tell a great story. It is a story for anyone from third grade and up, because there is so much you can interpret from it. It can be a simple story, yet it can be made into much, much more. The way that all the elements work together in the book is great and leaves room for so much interpretation- it could be linked to history or to the future. It is very well done.

Concerns:
Most of the story flows from picture to picture, but sometimes there is a jump. You can’t tell if something is happening in the present or if it is a flashback, so it can be a little confusing.

Classroom use/Other comments:
It would be great to have children write their own text to go along with the story. Have them each create their own scenarios of what is happening in the pictures.