Nonfiction- "Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery"

Bibliography

Freedman, Russell. Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery. New York: Clarion

     Books, 1993.

Plot Summary

Freedman explores the life of Eleanor Roosevelt.  He begins with her childhood and takes the reader through her awkwardness as a teenager, meeting and marrying F.D.R., becoming a mother and first lady, the trials of her marriage and eventually her death. 

Critical Analysis

This biography is organized well and follows the chronological order of Roosevelt’s life.  There is a table contents and an index to help the reader find specific information quickly.  The information appears to be accurate and well researched.  Freedman even lists other books written on the life of Eleanor Roosevelt at the end of the biography.   He has many direct quotes from Roosevelt and her family and friends.  There are photos of Eleanor that compliment her story throughout the book and several at the end with captions that allow the reader to better visualize her life story.  The biography is well designed and stylized for middle schoolers, with a somewhat cartoon characture of Eleanor Roosevelt on the cover.  The almost two hundred pages are not stuffed full of text, thus not too overwhelming to younger readers. 

Awards Won and Review Excerpts

Newberry Honor Book

Starred review in BOOKLIST: “This is a book to read across the generations.”

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The sensitivity and frankness of this volume, as well as the extensive, supporting black-and-white photographs, mark this as a wide-ranging, honest appraisal of this admirable, courageous woman.”

Connections

This biography could be used to help support the social studies curriculum discussing World War I, the Great Depression, The New Deal and World War II. 

This biography could be used in conjunction with other strong, famous women to compare their contributions.  

Nonfiction- "Destination Space"

Bibliography

Simon, Seymour. Destination Space. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2002.

Plot Summary

Seymour Simon allows the reader to view some of the amazing pictures and discoveries that have been made by the Hubble Space Telescope.  He teaches the reader about Mars, Saturn, Supernovas, the collision of galaxies, the life cycle of stars and much more.  He uses common Earth distances to try and help the reader understand what ten billion light years is.  Simon even leaves the reader with thoughts of the new discoveries yet to be made.

Critical Analysis

The pages are split with one side filled with images from the Hubble Space Telescope and the other with text.  Simon explains what the reader is seeing in these images and refers to them throughout the text.  The information in the text relates directly to the images from the Hubble Space Telescope and appears to be well researched.  The style of the book is perfect for middle school students, as it gives enough information to explain the concept on the page, but not too much to confuse the reader.  In this book there are no chapters or an index.  The pages are not even titled.  The book itself will draw interest as the pictures draw the reader in and make him or her want to investigate what he or she is looking at.   

Review Excerpts

KIRKUS REVIEWS:  “It will leave even readers who are not scientifically inclined with both a clearer understanding of modern astronomy's frontiers, and an enhanced sense of wonder at the starscape's vast, turbulent beauty.”

BOOKLIST: “An attractive, informative addition to a fine series.”

Connections

After reading “Destination Space” students could research new findings in space and create their own narrative of their findings.

This book would be a great introduction to an astronomy unit.  The students could continue with the rest of the series.

Nonfiction- "The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain"

Bibliography

Sís, Peter. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain. New York: Frances Foster Books, 2007.

Plot Summary

In this biography, Peter Sís takes the reader through his experiences of growing up in Soviet controlled Berlin throughout the Cold War.  Sís shares the restrictions and freedoms that he was denied through text and illustrations.  For instance, he could only read and draw what he was told to and had to report any of his parents’ anti-communist sentiments to the authorities. 

Critical Analysis

The style of this biography is well suited for younger readers.  The illustrations accompanied by captions explain the circumstances he faced growing up in Communist Berlin.  Sís acts as the narrator and writes simple sentences that address how he personally was affected during this turbulent time.   For the most part, the illustrations are black and white with red accents representing the Communist influence.  Some pages are filled with color to express happier times when restrictions were lifted.  The Wall is an incredible resource to teach younger readers what life was like in Berlin during the Cold War.  Sís even includes dated entries from his personal journal throughout the book to help the reader better understand the implications on the people based on what was happening. 

Awards Won and Review Excerpts

The Robert F. Sibert Winner
Caldecott Honor Book

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Complex, multifaceted, rich in detail, this book shares the artist's specific heritage while connecting to universal longings.”

BOOKLIST: "But this will certainly grab teens—who will grasp both the history and the passionate, youthful rebellions against authority."

Connections

The Wall would fit in well with a social studies unit on Communism or The Cold War.  Students could write their own biography based on their real-life experiences. 
Students could keep a journal for a set period of time and include world events and news as well as the events of their daily life.  The students could show how the happenings in the world affect their personal lives.

Poetry- “Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems”

Biography

George, Kristine O'Connell. Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems. New York:
     Clarion Books, 2002.

Plot Summary

Kristine O’Connell George tells the story of a girl and the events and issues she faces during her first year in middle school.  George does this through poetry. The poems allow the reader to follow the main character through her first year of middle school.  Each poem addresses common middle school problems and issues.  Locker troubles, notes and gossip, crushes and homework are some of the many topics covered that the reader will immediately relate to. 

Critical Analysis

George uses a variety of poetic forms to fill this book and tell the unnamed main character’s story in a single voice.  The poems are mostly short and as this sixth grader moves through her first year of middle school, the poems offer a positive conclusion and hope for the future.  Debbie Tilley is the illustrator and while the illustrations are few and far between they do a tremendous job of bringing the poems and story to life. They almost leave the reader wanting more as they reveal these middle schoolers catching glimpses of their first crush, experiencing mishaps in band practice and eating lunch envying their friends sushi.  The poems illicit feelings of nostalgia and middle school aged kids will immediately relate to the events told throughout the book. 

Review Excerpts

BOOKLIST- “There’s a running thread about practicing the flute until at last she can make something like music. Sweet and on key.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL- “Students will relate to this voice navigating "upstream," while they try to find their own place in the middle-school wilderness.”

Connections

Sixth graders who are new to middle school can read this collection of poetry and begin to write their own based on their middle school experiences.
Students can try to identify the different poetic forms George uses throughout the book: rhyme, free verse, acrostic and haiku.

Poetry- “Spinning Through the Universe”

Bibliography

Frost, Helen. Spinning Through the Universe. New York: Frances Foster Books, 2004.

Plot Summary

Helen Frost delivers poetry in different poetic forms to the readers in this verse novel.  Each poem is written from the perspective and story of a fifth grade class in room 214.  The subject matter goes from the serious: child abuse, racism and homelessness, to lighter subjects like recess and new kittens.  Even the teacher’s story is told from this fifth grade class. 

Critical Analysis
Frost uses the students’ stories to create poetry in order to tell their stories.   The book is divided into two parts: Great Explorers and Elm Trees.  The language of each poem is written as if a particular fifth grader or the teacher was the author, even their names are given at the beginning of each.  The reader gains some insight into the happenings of the lives of this fifth grade class, both their home life and school life.  Throughout “Spinning Through the Universe” are poems by the student, Naomi.  They are short insightful poems that make the reader think Naomi is sitting by a classroom window, looking out at nature and the happenings outside.  Frost not only uses different poetic forms, but she explains these forms and how she chose which one to use in the “Notes on Forms and Acknowledgments” section. The reader will actually feel as if they know the students and teacher in classroom 214 when they finish with "Spinning Through the Universe".

Review Excerpts

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Interwoven dramatic stories and interesting poetic patterns give this book extra appeal.”

BOOKLIST: “Here the poems provide a glimpse of a greater diversity of characters.”

Connections

After sharing this book of poetry to students, they can begin to form their own poetry about the events of their lives. 
Students can use these poems as examples to see that poetry does not have to follow one specific form.  Spinning Through the Universe is an excellent way to expose kids to different poetic forms.

Poetry- “Knock on Wood”

Bibliography

Wong, Janet S. Knock on Wood: Poems about Superstitions. New York: Margaret K.
     McElderry Books, 2003.

Plot Summary

“Knock on Wood” is filled with poetic explanations to well known and some not so well known superstitions.  These include: knocking on wood (of course), four leaf clovers, salt and not opening umbrellas indoors.  It also includes potatoes being a cure for rheumatism and using keys to help you find your way.  These short poems offer explanations and readers can find out where these strange beliefs came about.  Janet Wong explains the history of the superstitions at the end of the book. 

Critical Analysis

This book of poetry resembles a poetry picture book and each poem is arranged alphabetically with superstitions from all over the world.  The illustrations by Julie Paschkis completely fill the pages and surround the poems.  They are colorful and depict the details of the superstitions in a whimsical manner.  The language is simple enough for young children, but because they are based on superstions, the poetry itself will appeal to both children and adults.  Wong supplies the results of her research on each of the superstitions to further hook the reader.  Some of the rhymes are a little awkward, but because of the subject matter, audiences of all ages will be interested in this book.

Review Excerpts

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “There is much to ponder in both words and pictures.”

BOOKLIST: “Filled with mystery, magic, and hidden worlds, these are poems to liven up language arts classes and to spark discussions about personal beliefs.”

Connections

This book would be a great tie in to Halloween.
Students could create their own superstitions and follow up with their own poetry.
Students could act out the superstitions from “Knock on Wood”.