Keesha's House

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Frost, Helen. 2003. KEESHA’S HOUSE. New York: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 0374340641

PLOT SUMMARY
Through poetry, Frost describes the interwoven lives of seven teenagers “wearing lives designed for people twice their age.” Stephi is sixteen, pregnant, and trying to straighten out her feelings for her boyfriend, Jason. He is also trying to figure out his feelings for Stephi and his plans for a future. Dontay has yet to find a home with foster parents, while his friend Carmen spends time in juvenile detention for a DUI charge. Harris was kicked out of his home after revealing his homosexuality, and Katie tries to focus on her job and schoolwork, while avoiding her abusive stepfather. These teens find a safe haven in Keesha’s house (owned by Joe), a place where Keesha has escaped her own abusive and neglectful parents.
Keesha reaches out to her peers in need of a safe place to stay, and those that join her, whether temporarily or for a longer amount of time, find a way deal with the situation they’ve been dealt. Others, while not living at Keesha’s house, keep company with the teens who have stayed there, all overcoming obstacles and working to better their lives. Each one learns how to ask for help, the value of helping others, and most importantly, that “home is in your mind.”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This verse novel is written in two poetry forms, primarily sestinas and some sonnets, each type explained in further detail at the book’s conclusion. Frost’s poetry allows readers to feel the heaviness of each character’s circumstance, with every poem loaded with figurative language, symbolism, and a dismal effect. The words are easy to read, yet they are so powerful and exude a great deal of emotion.
Through reading this novel, students will learn to appreciate forms of poetry different from what is most familiar to students. They will also gain some insight on social issues and obstacles that many teens in today’s world face. Although some teens will personally relate to these characters, many young adult readers will not directly relate to the somewhat controversial or disturbing issues brought up in this novel. However, they will be able to relate to the presence of teen angst, as well as understand and sympathize with Keesa and lives of the people she touches. These readers will hopefully find encouragement for the own lives, seeing how difficult situations can be overcome.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book, American Library Association, 2004
Tayshas High School Reading List, Texas Library Association, 2005-2006
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “a thoughtfully composed and ultimately touching book”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The poems that recount these stories unfold realistically. Revealing heartbreak and hope, these poems could stand alone, but work best as a story collection.”
BOOKLIST: “This moving first novel tells the story in a series of dramatic monologues that are personal, poetic, and immediate.”

CONNECTIONS
*Use this book, or individual poems from it, to introduce an issue that is more difficult to touch on in schools.
*Read other verse novels by Helen Frost and other poets. Compare and contrast the forms of poetry used as well as the other poetic elements used in the novels.
*Use Frost poetry to expose students to lesser-known forms of poetry.

*Other verse novels by Helen Frost

Frost, Helen. 2006. THE BRAID. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374309620

Frost, Helen. 2004. SPINNING THROUGH THE UNIVERSE: A NOVEL IN POEMS FROM ROOM 214. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 0374371598

The World According to Dog: poems and teen voices

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sidman, Joyce. 2003. THE WORLD ACCORDING TO DOG: POEMS AND TEEN VOICES. Photos by Doug Mindell. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618174974

PLOT SUMMARY
This collection of haiku and free verse poems tells the many stories that dogs and their people have. Some of the poems are about dogs waking up in your face, how they play, chase squirrels, and get into trouble. Others talk about how dogs understand their people, take over their bed, and protect them. Several essays, written by young adults, accompany the poems with other stories about their own dogs. These writings explain the feelings the teens have for their dogs, include accounts of when they got their dogs as well as when they lost them. The collection concludes with a poems of “dog” sayings, showing just how prominent these loveable animals are in our lives and in our language.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Inspired by her own dog and “poetry muse,” Joyce Sidman has developed a playful, and often sentimental collection of poetry and essays. Readers, especially those who have had a dog, will find that they can relate many, if not all, of these poems to their own experience with dogs. Many will laugh, others may cry, as they recall memories of their own dogs and see the world through the eyes of man’s best friend.

Essays, obtained through listserves and teen websites, add a different personal effect to this collection of poetry. Each essay includes a photo and a memorable account of a teen’s real pet, bringing smiles to readers’ faces. These writings offer a unique support to Sidman’s work, helping to tell the dogs’ stories and add to the experience of reading each poem. Through these essays, readers will remember that the companionship of a dog is irreplaceable, providing the friendship and love needed at the end of a long day.

Each of these poems is paired with a grayscale photograph of a dog, often experiencing the words of Sidman’s poems. Mindell uses light and a blurred effect in each photo, allowing readers to pinpoint the focus of each scene. They are perfectly matched and beautifully show the personality of each dog, strengthening the poems’ effect for readers.


REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “some may well be inspired to express their own thoughts about the world of dog in writing or pictures”
KIRKUS REVIEW: “Dog lovers will likely lap it up eagerly, budding writers will snuffle it with interest “
BOOKLIST: “heartfelt prose about intense bonds with dogs that will resonate with other teen dog lovers”

CONNECTIONS
*Use this book to increase student appreciation of free verse poetry and haiku.
*Use this book to bridge students from writing essays to poetry, showing the similarities in expression between the teen essays and Sidman’s poems.
*Compare and contrast Sidman’s poetry in several of her different collections.


*Other poetry collections by Joyce Sidman

Sidman, Joyce. 2007. THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0 618616802
* Texas Bluebonnet nominee, 2008

Sidman, Joyce. 2005. SONGS OF THE WATER BOATMAN AND OTHER POND POEMS. Ill. by Beckie Prange. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618135472
* Caldecott Honor Book, 2006

Sidman, Joyce. 2002. EUREKA: POEMS ABOUT INVENTORS. Ill. by K. Bennett Chavez. Brookfield, Connecticut: Millbrook Press. ISBN 0761316655

Sidman, Joyce. 2006. MEOW RUFF: A STORY IN CONCRETE POETRY. Ill by. Michelle Berg. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0618448942

Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Florian, Douglas. 2007. COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152053727

PLOT SUMMARY
This collection of outer space verse begins with poems about sky-watching, the universe, and galaxies. Then, Florian’s poems go through the solar system, from the sun, through the asteroid belt, to Pluto, and all the planets in between. The poetry continues with poems about comets, stars, the black hole, and beyond. The end of this collection has “A Galactic Glossary” that gives further information about the key parts of the universe Florian has included in his poetry.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This compilation of poems reflects some of Florian’s best work. Each poem provides basic, sometimes lesser-known facts about its subject as well as offers an element of fun. Readers will enjoy the creative rhymes and be hooked by the interesting information they learn as the poems continue.

Florian’s gouache paintings, collage work, and use of rubber stamps come together to create unique illustrations. The use of bright colors, shapes, and an element of texture on every page add a significant visual effect to each of these poems, reinforcing the text, as well as label various objects for added information.

Fans of Douglas Florian and other readers will be entertained by these poems and their accompanying illustrations, particularly the comedic points and the random planetary information. Teachers will appreciate the educational element found in each poem as well as in the additional facts, resources, and available website addresses found in the back, supplementing Florian’s poems with more interesting information. This is a quality collection of poetry, and would be a great addition to any library.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Texas Bluebonnet Honor Book, 2008
Starred review in HORN BOOK: “an expansive and illuminating view of the subject”
NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW: “brings warm wit to the outermost reaches of cold, dark space”
Starred KIRKUS REVIEW: “characteristically playful, wrapping itself around astronomical facts with ease”
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “In both language and artwork, Florian strikes the perfect balance between grandeur and whimsy.”

CONNECTIONS
*Read this book along with other collections written by Douglas Florian. Compare and contrast his style of poetry writing, as well as his artwork.
*Use this book as a supplement to a unit on the planets and our solar system. Have students point out the factual information Florian provides as well as the elements meant to entertain.
*Use these poems for a readers’ theater activity.

*Other poetry collections by Douglas Florian include:

Florian, Douglas. 1998. INSECTLOPEDIA. San Diego: Harcourt Brace. ISBN 0152013067

Florian, Douglas. 2004. OMINBEASTS. Orlando: Harcourt. ISBN 0152050388

Florian, Douglas. 2003. BOW WOW MEOW MEOW: IT’S RHYMING CATS AND DOGS. San Diego: Harcourt Brace. ISBN 0152163956

*Other galactic poetry collections include:

Fisher, Eileen Lucia. 2001. SING OF THE EARTH AND SKY : POEMS ABOUT OUR PLANET AND THE WONDERS BEYOND. Ill. by Karmen Thompson. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. ISBN 1563978024

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 1995. BLAST OFF!: POEMS ABOUT SPACE. Ill. by Melissa Sweet. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0060242604

Simon, Seymour. STAR WALK. 1995. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688118879

What About Me?

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Young, Ed. 2002. WHAT ABOUT ME?. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 0399236244

PLOT SUMMARY
In this book, Ed Young retells an ancient Sufi tale that teaches the nature of giving and receiving. A young boy wants to acquire some knowledge, so he goes to ask the Grand Master how he can gain some of his knowledge. However, the Grand Master has needs, too. He would like a carpet in exchange for his imparted wisdom. Here the story takes off on a wild chase, the boy seeking an item from various people who all are willing to give the boy what he needs if he can give them what they need. The boy finally meets a girl who can help him supply everyone with what they are looking for. As a result, he takes a carpet back to the Grand Master and learns two lessons about giving and receiving, and how knowledge may be acquired.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Young’s words flow easily throughout the pages of this retelling, with an abundance of dialogue to add voice to the simple organization of the tale. Repetition in the text and predictability will draw the attention of younger readers, while creating some anticipation in what is to come.

The bold collage artwork on a speckled background gives the book an antique look, with each page complementing the text and adding more to the story. Each character is pieced together, creatively showing off how people of the Middle East dressed as well as giving the characters a personality through the expression in their body language.

An author’s note found at the at the beginning gives readers a little background in Sufi teaching tales and their origin, allowing readers to notice various elements of this traditional tale. Although many will enjoy the story, they might miss the morals given at the end without an explanation. This book highlights a culture that is less represented in literature, making it a great multicultural addition to any library collection.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “collage illustrations frequently achieve a nearly transcendent lightness and simplicity”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “A welcome supplement to basic folk and fairy-tale collections”
starred review in BOOKLIST: “will make children think as well as smile.”

CONNECTIONS
*Begin a book study on Sufi or other Middle Eastern folktales. Discuss common themes and morals as well as the differences among the tales.
*Share this book with other multi-cultural folktales during a unit on other cultures or traditions.


*Other Sufi or Middle Eastern folktales for children are:

Shah, Idries. 2000. THE SILLY CHICKEN. Ill. by Jeff Jackson. Cambridge, MA: Hoopoe Books. ISBN 1883536197

Shah, Idries. 2006. THE CLEVER BOY AND THE TERRIBLE, DANGEROUS ANIMAL. Ill. by Rose Mary Santiago. Cambridge, MA: Hoopoe Books. ISBN 1883536642

Chickerella

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Auch, Mary Jane & Herm Auch. 2005. CHICKERELLA. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823418049

PLOT SUMMARY
Chickerella, a fashion-conscious chicken, has a good life until her stepmother and stepsisters come to make her miserable. Her fancy dresses are given to her stepsisters, and she is quickly moved out of the main coop into the springhouse, where she begins to lay eggs made of pure glass.

Then, the stepsisters are invited to the Fowl Ball, an event that Chickerella would like to attend so she can look at the pretty dresses, rather than marry the prince. Instead, she is forced to design and make dresses for her stepsisters to wear, only to be locked in the springhouse. Chickerella’s Fairy Goosemother appears and helps her on her way to the Fowl Ball in a beautiful dress, where her fine fashion sense intrigues the prince. Chickerella has to leave early, but not without laying one of her glass eggs. Determined to find Chickerella, the prince orders all the hens to present their eggs so he may find the one to match the glass egg. The prince then finds Chickerella and her matching egg. When they learn of their common interest in fashion, as well as their lack of desire to be married, they become designing partners with the Fairy Goosemother and create the successful fashion line called Chickerella.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
CHICKERELLA is an entertaining, light-hearted spoof of the fairytale Cinderella. The similarities in the story are obvious, but many details are changed, including a completely different ending where the normal “happily ever after” has a new meaning. The text is filled with chicken puns and the clever use of all things chicken and eggs. Young readers will be kept laughing throughout this fractured fairytale, especially if the harder to understand expressions throughout the story are explained to them.

However, what makes this story stand out is the artwork. As noted at the beginning, each picture was created from a miniature photo shoot. Mary Jane Auch made small three-dimensional chickens, dressed them, and used various materials such as clay, wire, and other small objects to create facial expressions, accessories, and other props. Scenes for each illustration were created and then photographed and digitally altered to achieve the right effect, while maintaining the mulit-dimensional look. Each picture includes an enormous amount of detail to complement the story, from facial expressions and room décor to Chickerella’s brand-name “Chickenstock” shoes. Some readers, however, may be distracted by this interesting and highly creative artwork to pick up on all of the details in the text.

Overall, this is a fun story that will keep readers entertained and wanting to find out more about its loveable characters. They will certainly enjoy this new, and very original twist to the traditional Cinderella.


REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “the ending will satisfy children who like 'eggstravaganzas'”
HORN BOOK: “funny, original illustrations”
KIRKUS REVIEW: “another eggceptional addition to the oeuvre of this feather-brained duo”

CONNECTIONS
*Read CHICKERELLA along with other Cinderella stories or parodies, and compare and contrast
*Read some of Auch’s other chicken-related works. Look for and discuss the many allusions to chicken, eggs, etc.
*After reading CHICKERELLA, have students create their own fairytale parody.


*Other Cinderella stories

Daly, Jude. 2000. FAIR, BROWN & TREMBLING: AN IRISH CINDERELLA STORY. New York: Farrar Straus & Giroux. ISBN 0374322473

Edwards, Pamela Duncan. 1997. DINORELLA: A PREHISTORIC FAIRY TALE. Ill. by Henry Cole. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786803096

Lowell, Susan. 2000. CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA. Ill by Jane Manning. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0060274468

Martin, Rafe. 1992. THE ROUGH-FACE GIRL. Ill. by David Shannon. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399218599

Whipple, Laura. 2002. IF THE SHOE FITS: VOICES FROM CINDERELLA. Ill. by Laura Beingessner. New York: M.K. McElderry Books. ISBN 0689840705


*Other chicken parodies by Mary Jane Auch

Auch, Mary Jane. 1997. BANTAM OF THE OPERA. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823413128

Auch, Mary Jane. 1999. THE NUTQUACKER. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823415244

Auch, Mary Jane. 1993. PEEPING BEAUTY. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823410013

Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters

BIBLIOGRAPHY
McKissack, Patricia. 2006. PORCH LIES: TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS, AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS. Ill. By André Carrilho. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books. ISBN 0375836195

PLOT SUMMARY
In this story collection, Patricia McKissack shares ten fictitious tales. Some are modeled after stories she heard as a child, and some are her own originals. They are all written based on the African American oral storytelling tradition. Through these stories, you will meet sly characters that outsmart and trick other people, and get by just on their wits.

Readers will learn how Pete Bruce got a free pie, but eventually became Mis Martha June’s best customer. They will see why freeloading Mingo Cass always carried a one hundred dollar bill in his wallet and how he used it to get free haircuts for a year. Next, readers will travel on the road with bluesman, Mr. James “Bukka” Black and watch as he denies the Devil’s guitar to save his soul. The lies continue with Aunt Gran and her plot to get the famous outlaws Frank and Jesse James to save her farm from Farley and the Knights, while forming a life-long friendship with the dangerous criminals.

Readers will experience the dream that saved Clovis Reed “by the weight of a feather” and made him go through with his wedding. Then, Mis Crickett is almost buried alive by her crooked lawyer, but saved by her twisted, jewel thieving, jitney service partner. Readers will hear “the best lie ever told” and many others in an all-county liar’s contest. They will learn how Montgomery Red used an ordinary rock to tame the King of the Ghosts and ended up with a house full of cats. This collection wraps up explaining the possible immortality of Cake Norris and his trip within the holding station of the afterlife.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
McKissack brings out the richness of the African American culture in this entertaining collection of folk tales. The author’s note at the beginning fully explains the tradition of storytelling within this culture and how her short stories originated, leaving readers excited to hear about the crazy characters. With hints of a southern dialect throughout the collection, and an explanation to the origin of each story, it is easy to feel like a part of the group listening on the porch swing.

Carrilho’s illustrations are few, but add a bit of visualization to each story. The details are lacking, however the expression of each character in the artwork is clear. These grayscale, charicature-like illustrations do not aid in storytelling, but rather bring out the personalities of McKissack’s wily, yet charming characters.

This book gives readers a glimpse of what it was like to live during The Great Depression, lets some see the perspective of a different culture, and allows them to learn to appreciate a good lie – or story. True porch lies were meant “to teach a value, to encourage us to think critically, or just to entertain,” and McKissack does a good job in achieving this purpose. Readers are provided with fun stories, some with a good lesson, that also allow them to experience the grand tradition of storytelling.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “great leisure listening and knowing chuckles”
Starred review in BOOK LIST: “surprising twists and turns that are true to trickster tradition”
ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2007

CONNECTIONS
*Use PORCH LIES along with other story collections to recreate the oral storytelling ritual with students. Each student can read a short story to the group.
*After reading PORCH LIES and other story collections, discuss the African American storytelling tradition, then have the students create their own stories to pass along to their friends and families.
*Use PORCH LIES to teach the difference between fantasy and realism.


*Other multicultural story collections

Ada, Alma Flor & F. Isabel Campoy. Ill by Felipe Davalos, Susan Guevara, and Leyla Torres. 2006. TALES OUR ABUELITAS TOLD: A HISPANIC FOLKTALE COLLECTION. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 0689825838

Jungman, Ann. 2008. THE PRINCE WHO THOUGHT HE WAS A ROOSTER AND OTHER JEWISH STORIES. London: Frances Lincoln. ISBN 1845077938
**not yet published – released on February 28, 2008

McKissack, Patricia. 1992. THE DARK-THIRTY: SOUTHERN TALES OF THE SUPERNATURAL. Ill. by Brian Pinkney. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0679918639
**Newberry Honor Book, 1993
**Coretta Scott King Author Award, 1993

My Friend Rabbit

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Rohmann, Eric. 2002. MY FRIEND RABBIT. Brookfield, Connecticut: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761324208

PLOT SUMMARY
Eric Rohmann shares a tale of friendship between a rabbit and a mouse in this endearing book. Rabbit seems to find trouble “whatever he does, wherever he goes,” and mouse is always around to tag along. The two are playing with a toy airplane when it gets stuck in a tree. As usual, Rabbit has a plan; this one consisting of gathering several animals, and stacking them on top of each other to reach the tall branches. When the plan fails and everyone tumbles to the ground, the animals are not happy, leaving Rabbit the target of their anger. However, Mouse was able to get the toy airplane and save his grateful friend Rabbit from the others.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story begins with simple text that gives readers and listeners the information they will need to really understand the rest. The minimal amount of remaining text assist in moving the story along, as this story is primarily told though pictures.

Rohmann’s bright illustrations begin supporting his words, but quickly take responsibility for the characterization and plot development. The amount work Rabbit puts into his plan, the support that Mouse tries to give, and the confusion, irritability, and other emotions of the annoyed animals are clear in the great attention to detail Rohmann has. Readers will not mistake the expressions on the animals’ faces, and their eyes will be drawn to the vibrant colors used throughout.

This almost wordless story is simple to follow, but still leaves room for children to imagine various parts throughout the sequences of events. Many children can relate to this story, as it is easy to understand the bond between Rabbit and Mouse. Young readers will find joy and humor in this heartwarming story of unconditional friendship.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Caldecott Medal winner, 2003
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “comically expressive pictures”
BOOKLIST: “Tremendous physical humor”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “gentle lesson in patience and loyalty, balanced on the back of a hilarious set of illustrations”

CONNECTIONS
*This book can bring about a great discussion on friendship, loyalty, and encouragement as well as making good decisions about friendship and the trouble one may get into with friends.
*Gather other books written and/or illustrated by Eric Rohmann. Compare and contrast his artwork, focusing on the animal characters he creates.


*Other books for children written and illustrated by Eric Rohmann are:

Rohmann, Eric. 2008. A KITTEN TALE. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0517709153

Rohmann, Eric. 2001. THE CINDER-EYED CATS. New York: Dragonfly Books. ISBN 0440417430

Rohmann, Eric. 1997. TIME FLIES. New York: Dragonfly Books. ISBN 0517885557

Side By Side: Five Favorite Picture-Book Teams Go To Work

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Marcus, Leonard S. 2001. SIDE BY SIDE: FIVE FAVORITE PICTURE-BOOK TEAMS GO TO WORK. New York: Walker & Company. ISBN 0802787789

PLOT SUMMARY
Throughout this book, Marcus gives readers some insight into the world of picture book creation, as it happened to five different collaborative teams. He begins with the interesting, and rather coincidental, story of how Arthur Yorinks and Richard Egielski came to publish the book Louis the Fish (Farrar, Straus & Girous, 1980) and several other children’s books together. The next featured team is the husband and wife duo Martin and Alice Provensen. Each beginning their careers as “largely self-trained” artists working at rival story/animation departments, Marin and Alice eventually illustrated over forty books, co-authoring nineteen of them. This books highlights their accomplishment of publishing The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot (Viking, 1983).

The book continues with the detailed account of how Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith began their collaborative author-illustrator relationship, and then brought on Molly Leach as a publication designer for their widely successful book The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (Viking, 1992). Next, Marcus tells readers the story of how the old controversial tale and banned book, The Story of Little Black Sambo (Bannerman, 1899), was remade by collaborators who rarely saw or spoke to each other. Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney worked together on several picture books, but the story of Sam and the Tigers (Dial, 1996) allowed them to bring back joy and the childhood memories of many in this new version of an old tale.

The book concludes with a detailed account of the creation and publication process of The Magic School Bus series, mainly The Magic School Bus Explores the Senses (Scholastic, 1999). Marcus shows readers the extent of the research, rewriting, redrawing, and hard work it took for each of Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen’s books to be of the quality that readers have loved over the years.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This work of nonfiction allows readers to jump inside the process of collaboration in picture book creation. Marcus’ explanation of each teams’ work is clear and includes several anecdotes about how each team came to be or about various steps along their way to the publication of their books. Direct quotes from each team are also included. These small stories and quotes help readers to relate to the authors and illustrators as people and understand more clearly the long and very involved process of creating a picture book. Many readers, young and old, will be surprised at the amount of work each creation took, learning how a picture is not just a picture and a text is not just a group of words. They will see the many aspects that go into each illustration, sentence, even the design of the book.

The illustrations provided in this book are not used to assist in story-telling, but rather to share real artifacts of each collaborative teams’ work. These pictures include photos of each team, copies of finished illustrations found in the highlighted literature, rough copies of sketches, writing, and page layout. These, as well as pictures of authentic dummy books visually break down the creation of each book and help readers to better understand the intense process.

Any student, ages ten and up, with an aptitude of art or a love of children’s literature will be interested in the content of this book. They may find inspiration in the hard work of each team, and having a behind-scenes-look at creating picture books may encourage them to follow their own interests and dreams.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Humorous anecdotes and personal comments make the figures come alive.”
Starred review in BOOKLIST: “a wealth of interesting details about these creative individuals and their books”

CONNECTIONS
*A great support for teaching students (4th grade and up) about the creation of children’s books. This would most likely work best if read in pieces, not all at once.
* Art teachers could use the description of artist inspiration with their students, discussing the depth of illustrations.
* This title, along with other similar books, could be a starting point in a class where students collaborate (or work alone) to create their own picture books.


*Other books for children about picture book creation by Leonard S. Marcus:

Marcus, Leonard S. 2008. A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SEVEN ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL. New York: Walker Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0802797032
** to be released on February 5, 2008
**an update of Marcus’ previous work in A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS SHARE THEIR PATHS TO THE CALEDECOTT MEDAL (1999)

Marcus, Leonard S. 2002. WAYS OF TELLING: CONVERSATIONS ON THE ART OF THE PICTURE BOOK. New York: Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN 0525464905

Henry's Freedom Box

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Levine, Ellen. 2007. HENRY’S FREEDOM BOX. Ill. By Kadir Nelson. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 043977733X

PLOT SUMMARY
In this picture book, Ellen Levine tells the story of a famous runaway slave, Henry “Box” Brown. The story begins with Henry as a child, growing up as a slave and dreaming of freedom. He is forced to leave his family to work for a new, more intense master, where Henry and the other slaves are badly mistreated. When he gets older, he meets his future wife, builds a life with her and their small children, all of whom are sold at the slave market, leaving Henry all alone. Not willing to accept his upsetting and depressing situation, Henry devises a plan to mail himself to freedom. After a long, uncomfortable journey in a crate, Henry reaches friends in Philadelphia and celebrates his first day of freedom.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Levine paints a beautiful picture in words throughout this heart-wrenching story. Her sentences are often short and simple, allowing younger readers and listeners, even those with little prior knowledge, to fully understand the concept of slavery. The music of her words “Henry twisted tobacco leaves. His heart twisted in his chest,” shows readers how sad the lives of slaves were as well as allows them to feel the desperation the characters portray. Readers will undoubtedly be touched by the sadness and pain of Henry’s life as well as experience his joy when he finally becomes a free man.

Nelson’s artwork adds volumes to Levine’s already artistic writing. The pencil, watercolor, and oil illustrations flawlessly portray the expression and emotion of Henry “Box” Brown’s remarkable story, allowing readers to see the true emotions and motivations of the characters. Nelson’s attention to details beautifully contributes a life-like quality to his art throughout the book, leaving readers even more captured by the words and the illustrations that move with them.

An author’s note found at the end shares more information about Henry “Box” Brown and the Underground Railroad. Sharing this story with younger and older children alike will teach them and help them to understand a dark part in our nation’s history. They will find the life of this runaway slave fascinating. It just might spark an interest and motivate them to find out more about slavery, the Underground Railroad, and how our nation has been affected by this time in history.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
A Caldecott Honor Book, 2008
A KIRKUS REVIEWS Best Book and starred review: “sonorous prose that makes a perfect match for the art”
Editors’ choice and starred review in BOOKLIST: “Transcending technique is the humanity Nelson imbues in his characters.”

CONNECTIONS
*Use this book and others about the Underground Railroad in a unit about slavery in the United States.
*Share this story along with Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom (Jump at the Sun, 2006) and compare Nelson’s artwork in both.
*Begin a study on famous runaway slaves and the people who helped them.


*Other books for children about slavery and the Underground Railroad are:

Hopkinson, Deborah. 2002. UNDER THE QUILT OF NIGHT. Ill. by James E. Ransome. New York: Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books. ISBN 0689822278

Ringold, Faith. 1992. AUNT HARRIET’S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN THE SKY. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0517587688

Weatherford, Carole Boston. 2006. MOSES: WHEN HARRIET TUBMAN LED HER PEOPLE TO FREEDOM. Ill. by Kadir Nelson. New York: Jump at the Sun. ISBN 0786851759
**Caldecott Honor Book, 2007