By Robert Kraus
I just found a reading of this book on YouTube. It's a very simple story in a question-response format, but the resolve of the mouse to change his situation was unexpected, on my part, and inspiring. What is even more interesting about this video clip is that it's read in Jamaican Patois, the creole language of that country. The theme of Kraus' story resonates with the people's struggle to reclaim their culture and heritage in the aftermath of colonization.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Listmania!
The Urban Experience Through Children's Eyes
Many of these books are set in America's most prominent cities. Some books just have a city vibe. Others address issues prevalent within urban areas. Kids from the city can find connections in these stories, and readers from outside the city can observe and learn a lot.
Click here to view the list.
Many of these books are set in America's most prominent cities. Some books just have a city vibe. Others address issues prevalent within urban areas. Kids from the city can find connections in these stories, and readers from outside the city can observe and learn a lot.
Click here to view the list.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Author: Brian Selznick
Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Comments:
What a captivating masterpiece! The Invention of Hugo Cabret is part picturebook, part novel. As the work is inspired by the film maker, Georges Méliès, the illustrations serve as shots, for action or close-up, which usually require pages of words to fully describe. Selznick's sketches can be as closely analyzed as his prose, and the alternating of illustrations and text gives the book its flow.
Copyright: Scholastic Press, 2007
Age level: 9-12
Format: Chapterbook, Picturebook
Genre: Historical Fiction, Wordless
Multicultural/International: French
Award: 2008 Caldecott Award
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * * *
Illustrator: Brian Selznick
Comments:
What a captivating masterpiece! The Invention of Hugo Cabret is part picturebook, part novel. As the work is inspired by the film maker, Georges Méliès, the illustrations serve as shots, for action or close-up, which usually require pages of words to fully describe. Selznick's sketches can be as closely analyzed as his prose, and the alternating of illustrations and text gives the book its flow.
Copyright: Scholastic Press, 2007
Age level: 9-12
Format: Chapterbook, Picturebook
Genre: Historical Fiction, Wordless
Multicultural/International: French
Award: 2008 Caldecott Award
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * * *
The Phantom Tollbooth
Author: Norton Jester
Illustrator: Jules Feiffer
Comments:
The Phantom Tollbooth is a like a book-length riddle. It's full of word play, puns, and brain teasers. At time, in "The Lands Beyond," things seem so logical that they become ridiculous. The Kings of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis have banished Rhyme and Reason and nothing seem to run smoothly any more. It's up to Milo, who has been mysterious transported to this world by "the phantom tollbooth," Tock the Watchdog and Humbug to rescue the two princesses from the Castle in the Air.
Copyright: Random House, 1961
Age level: 9-12
Format: Chapter book
Genre: Fantasy and Science Fiction
Multicultural/International: No
Award: WINNER 1963 - Kansas William White Master List
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * *
Illustrator: Jules Feiffer
Comments:
The Phantom Tollbooth is a like a book-length riddle. It's full of word play, puns, and brain teasers. At time, in "The Lands Beyond," things seem so logical that they become ridiculous. The Kings of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis have banished Rhyme and Reason and nothing seem to run smoothly any more. It's up to Milo, who has been mysterious transported to this world by "the phantom tollbooth," Tock the Watchdog and Humbug to rescue the two princesses from the Castle in the Air.
Copyright: Random House, 1961
Age level: 9-12
Format: Chapter book
Genre: Fantasy and Science Fiction
Multicultural/International: No
Award: WINNER 1963 - Kansas William White Master List
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * *
Walk Two Moons
Author: Sharon Creech
Comments:
By telling the story of her friend Phoebe, Sal discovers the mystery behind her mother's disappearance and her father's sudden move. Sal's story is interrupted with details of the trip she is taking with her grandparents to see her mother. Along this journey she not only learns to deal with loss but also that things are not always what they seem.
Copyright: HarperCollins Publishers (September 1996)
Age level: 12 and up
Format: Chapter book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fictiotn
Multicultural/International: Native American
Award: Newbery Medal, Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (NCTE), Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books), School Library Journal Best Book, ALA Notable Children's Book, Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award (Oklahoma)
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * *
Comments:
By telling the story of her friend Phoebe, Sal discovers the mystery behind her mother's disappearance and her father's sudden move. Sal's story is interrupted with details of the trip she is taking with her grandparents to see her mother. Along this journey she not only learns to deal with loss but also that things are not always what they seem.
Copyright: HarperCollins Publishers (September 1996)
Age level: 12 and up
Format: Chapter book
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fictiotn
Multicultural/International: Native American
Award: Newbery Medal, Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (NCTE), Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books), School Library Journal Best Book, ALA Notable Children's Book, Sequoyah Young Adult Book Award (Oklahoma)
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * *
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Author: Gennifer Choldenko
Comments:
It's 1935, and Moose and his family are moving... to Alcatraz. Aside from learning the ropes of his new neighborhood, Moose feels responsible to keep an eye on his sister, who has autism. The move is not the only change the family will experience as each member is challenged and grows throughout the novel. Through the engaging voice of Moose, Choldenko gives us a glimpse into a family dealing with disability, their stresses, joys, hopes, and frustrations.
Copyright: Penguin Group (USA) April 2006
Age level: 10-12
Format: Chapterbook
Genre: Historical Fiction
Multicultural/International: No
Award: Newbery Honor Book, ALA Notable Book, Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Junior Library Guild Selection, Kirkus Editor's Choice
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * * *
Comments:
It's 1935, and Moose and his family are moving... to Alcatraz. Aside from learning the ropes of his new neighborhood, Moose feels responsible to keep an eye on his sister, who has autism. The move is not the only change the family will experience as each member is challenged and grows throughout the novel. Through the engaging voice of Moose, Choldenko gives us a glimpse into a family dealing with disability, their stresses, joys, hopes, and frustrations.
Copyright: Penguin Group (USA) April 2006
Age level: 10-12
Format: Chapterbook
Genre: Historical Fiction
Multicultural/International: No
Award: Newbery Honor Book, ALA Notable Book, Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, Junior Library Guild Selection, Kirkus Editor's Choice
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * * *
The Tale of Despereaux
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
Comments:
DiCamillo weaves a contemporary fairy tale about Despereaux, a very atypical mouse who loves to read and can't learn to cower. Each section of the book is told from a different character's perspective. Despereaux seeks for true love and questions whether he will ever get his "happily ever after." This book is just as much about dark and evil as light and good; they intertwine to create a unique adventure.
Copyright: Candlewick, 2003
Age level: 9-12
Format: Chapterbook
Genre: Fantasy
Multicultural/International: French
Award: Newbery Medal
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * * *
Illustrator: Timothy Basil Ering
Comments:
DiCamillo weaves a contemporary fairy tale about Despereaux, a very atypical mouse who loves to read and can't learn to cower. Each section of the book is told from a different character's perspective. Despereaux seeks for true love and questions whether he will ever get his "happily ever after." This book is just as much about dark and evil as light and good; they intertwine to create a unique adventure.
Copyright: Candlewick, 2003
Age level: 9-12
Format: Chapterbook
Genre: Fantasy
Multicultural/International: French
Award: Newbery Medal
Location: Personal Collection
Rating: * * * * *
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