Book Review: Hope Wins

 NONFICTION: Hope Wins  

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brock, Rose. 2022. HOPE WINS: A COLLECTION OF INSPIRITNG STORIES FOR YOUNG READERS. Philomel Books. ISBN 0593463935

 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This is a collection of real short stories to encourage and uplift the reader. The stories are not all lighthearted, but they show the strength and struggle of human experience and how the heart and the spirit can overcome and achieve. This should be a read for every classroom and home.

 

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is writer and compiled by Rose Brock with contributions from Tom Angleberger, James Bird, Max Brallier, Julie Buxbaum, Pablo Cartaya, J.C. Cervantes, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Peña, Stuart Gibbs, Adam Gidwitz, Karina Yan Glaser, Veera Hiranandani, Hena Khan, Gordon Korman, Janae Marks, Sarah Mlynowski, Rex Ogle, James Ponti, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Ronald L.Smith, Christina Soontornvat, and R.L. Stine. What an amazing collection of real stories from these dynamic authors. This book feels like a compilation of narrative short stories, but these are from real like experiences, so it that that much more inspiring.

 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

"These personal essays, whose authors embody myriad worldviews and represent a widely intersectional spectrum, provide a much-needed window into how hope can flourish in hardship, and stress the importance of perseverance and a supportive community." –Publisher's Weekly

 

5. CONNECTIONS

- This book could be paired up with another book that is a collection of narrative stories. Do they impact the reader in the same way, knowing that one is a collection of real stories, and one is a collection of fiction narratives?

- This book could be used in social emotional skills teaching. How did this person overcome? How did this person feel during this time and how did they proceed and overcome?  

 

Based on a review by Barbara Jean Thompson

 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Family Romanov

 NONFICTION: The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and The Fall of Imperial Russia  

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fleming, Candace. 2014. THE FAMILY ROMANOV: MURDER, REBELLION, AND THE FALL OF IMPERIAL RUSSIA. Ann Schwartz Books. ISBN 0375867821

 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

The story of the Romanov family is widely written about and documented through books and TV/movies. This is a dynamic family that garners much interest because of how they lived their lives but also how their lives ended. This book not only highlights the story of these people but also of the Russian people and their experiences during this time in history. This book is extremely intriguing as it is told in a narrative manner while including actual artifacts (excerpts) from the Romanov family.

 

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The experience of reading this book is different than watching a documentary or show like I have before. You are constantly changing your mind and justifying some of the events that happen in this highly controversial family’s history. The book is written well in a narrative way but also highlights facts from history which makes what you’re reading feel like nonfiction. The most interesting and endearing aspect of this book is the people. The author does a great job of giving enough detail, experience, and insight of the individual people to bring you into their insight and decision making.  

 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Robert Sibert Honor Book

Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children

 

"An exhilarating narrative history of a doomed and clueless family and empire." —Jim Murphy, author of Newbery Honor Books an American Plague and The Great Fire

 

5. CONNECTIONS

- This book could be paired up with nonfiction sources of Russia at the time, The Romanov family, or the experience of Russian people at this time

- This book could be a jumping off point of research into other aspects of the Romanov family, example: Romanov brides, Romanov sister, Romanov exile, the last days of the Romanovs, etc.

 

Based on a review by Barbara Jean Thompson

Book Review: Breakthrough

 NONFICTION: Breakthrough! How Three People Saved “Blue Babies” and Changed Medicine Forever

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Murphy, Jim. 2015. BREAKTHROUGH: HOW THREE PEOPLE SAVED “BLUE BABIES” AND CHANGED MEDICINE FOREVER. Clarion Books. ISBN 978-0547821832

 

 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This medical history book is told with so much heart tugging in the emotions of the human experience. It highlights the struggles of the time and how much adversity these medical professionals went through to make advancements and attempt to save their patients. A surprising highlight of this book is how the experiences of women and people of color are featured in this historical event. Without these people, the advancements made regarding open heart surgery would not have been possible. This book is intriguing and makes you wonder more about this time and how the people involved had the courage to make remarkable strides toward advancement in medicine.

 

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This books flows as you read it. It creates building interest and anticipation to where you can’t put it down. The author makes it apparently clear how dangerous and unknown this surgery is. You have to keep reading to find out what happens. An amazing aspect of this book is how it highlights the people involved in the surgery. They aren’t people that are necessarily successful in society at this time, but they are necessary to make this procedure successful. Because of these different aspects contributing to this medical history book, it is a book that must be read.   

 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Winner, Notable Books for a Global Society * Horn Book Fanfare List * A Booklist Best Young Adult Book

"Murphy assembles a complicated set of facts, strip away the inessentials, and tells a memorable, moving story." —Booklist, STARRED review  

"Murphy’s dramatic nonfiction narrative recounting of one of the first open heart surgeries ever performed is not to be missed..." —School Library Journal, STARRED review.  

"Murphy masterfully interweaves discussions of discrimination, the controversy over animal testing, and the background of each protagonist into the main narrative, building tension as he leads up to the surgery itself." —Publishers Weekly, STARRED review  

"A gripping look at a major medical breakthrough." —Kirkus  

“[T]he book’s clear and concise account offers a compelling picture of all that goes into medical — and societal — advances.” —Washington Post —

 

5. CONNECTIONS

- This book could be paired up with research about early medical advances or congenital heart defects

- Compare how congenital heart defects are handled medically now in comparison to how they were handled when these medical advances were discovered

 

Based on a review by Barbara Jean Thompson

 

 

Book Review: Hitler Youth

 NONFICTION: Hitler Youth

 

1.    BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2005. HITLER YOUTH. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-1-338-30984-3

 

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

 

This book presents the experiences of young people with facts through their stories. This makes it to where the reader can connect with the people whose stories are represented. This book shows readers how, through trial and tribulations, what some young people have to do to survive in a time that was unimaginable. These people are often demonized, but were they forced into a way of living to avoid a different life, potentially the ending of their life?

 

3.    CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 

After the Table of Contents listing the Chapters and their titles, there is a section that features information about the young people in this book. This is a great way to learn more about the people in this book as I feel like when reading you are always wondering more. With a book presenting information about a group of people we find hard to relate to and don’t understand their experiences and stance, this section is a nice touch. The real photographs in this book are so intriguing. They show so much detail about what life was like and really bring the reader into the Hitler Youth’s experiences. This book is laid out fabulously for young adult readers. The spacing on each page is manageable with breaks for photographs to process the material.

 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

 

·         ALA Best Book for Young Adults Top Ten

·         ALA Notable Children’s Book

·         Booklist Editor’s Choice

·         Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

·         Horn Book Fanfare

·         IRA Notable Book for a Global Society

·         Junior Library Guild selection

·         Kirkus Editors’ Choice

·         NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

·         Newbery Honor Book

·         Orbis Pictus Honor

·         Parent’s Gold Choice Award

·         Pennsylvania Carolyn Field Award

·         Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of the Year

·         School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

·         Sibert Honor Book

·         Sydney Taylor Notable

·         VOYA Nonfiction Honor

·         YALSA Best Books for Young Adults

 

5. CONNECTIONS

 

-          Students could compare and contrast the experiences of Jewish children and Hitler youth during this time.

-          Students could do a writer’s response: How would life be different if the Hitler Youth did not join?

-          Students could do a writer’s response: Would you join Hitler Youth?

 

*Other books about libraries Hitler Youth:

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti ISBN 9780739374085 (eBook)

 

Based on a review by Barbara Jean Thompson

 

 

 

Book Review: Jazz

Jazz by Walter Dean Meyers

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Myers, Walter Dean. 1998. JAZZ. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823421732

PLOT SUMMARY:

This book is a collection of poems encompassing the topic of jazz music. There is a detailed introduction informing the reader of how jazz music came about. Through this collection of poems, you discover how jazz originated and where it is going.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The author’s poetry in this book is rhythmic and almost like the lyrics of a song. The author uses a lot of sensory language making it easier to envision what is happening while you are reading. Repeated phrases are used again and again making the experience feel intentionally melodic. The illustrations in this book pair perfectly with the rich poetry. They fill the expanse of the page with saturated jewel tone colors. On each page, the pictures heighten what is happening in the poem. You can visualize what is happening, but also what they are feeling.

REVIEW EXERPT(S):

One of TIME's 100 Best Children's Books of All Time

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor Book

American Library Association Notable Children’s Book

Book Links Best New Book for the Classroom

Booklist Editor’s Choice Selection

Booklist Top 10 Black History Title for Youth

Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Text (SCBWI)

Hans Christian Andersen Award Honor List (Illustrator Honor)

International Reading Association Notable Book for a Global Society

Kirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice Award

Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Award for Outstanding Literacy Work in Poetry Nominee

New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production (First)

Parenting Magazine “Mom-Tested” Book of the Year

Publishers Weekly 100 Best Books of the Year

CONNECTIONS:

This book would pair with music education and teaching about black musicians, musicians, instruments, and the personal experiences of the subjects.

An author study of the poet Walter Dean Meyers using the books: Jazz, Here in Harlem and We are America. These are all powerful collections of poems that communicate human experiences.

Based on a review by Barbara Jean Thompson

Book Review: Mirror Mirror

 Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems by Marilyn Singer  

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Singer, Marilyn. 2010. MIRROR MIRROR. New York: Dutton Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780525479017

PLOT SUMMARY:

Each page is beautifully illustrated containing two poems. There is one poem that is a recognizable nursery rhyme poem. But the other poem is written in reverse by reversing the lines. It ends up in a humorous comparison to the original poem. The illustrations are bright using great detail. It was learned that the illustrator used acrylic paint with an undercoat of acrylic paint to create texture. The illustrator then will build colors on top of the texture creating a

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

This poetry book is an amazing example of how to capture the attention of children. When reading the first poem you are anticipating reading the second poem to see how it turns out. These poems are humorous and entertaining while also feeling familiar to the reader. The theme of this book is in the style of nursery rhyme poetry.

REVIEW EXERPT(S):

Cybil Award in Poetry and the Land of Enchantment Picture Book Award

Nominee for Texas Bluebonnet Award

Horn Book Fanfare list

New York Public Library's 2010 Best 100 Children's Books

2010 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books

Betsy Bird's 100 Magnificent Children's Books of 2010

Publishers Weekly's Best Children's Books of 2010

Booklist's Editors' Choice list

Washington Post's Top 15 Children's Books of 2010

CONNECTIONS:

This would be a good resource to use when comparing different aspects of writing or literature, comparing the poems side by side.   

Use this to teach nursery rhymes or compare to other nursery rhymes.

Study the author Marilyn Singer using this book.

Teach Reverso poetry through this book.

Based on a review by Barbara Jean Thompson

Book Review: Hidden

 Hidden by Helen Frost   

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Frost, Helen. 2011. HIDDEN. New York: Square Fish. ISBN 9781466896369

PLOT SUMMARY:

This novel is written in poem form through the perspectives of Wren and Darra while attending summer camp. These characters discover that they know each other through a past experience. This book shows the perspectives of two young people who have very different realities at home. Follow these girls along in surprising and anticipated situations.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

I’ve never experienced a piece of literature like this. It is a collection of poems but is described as a novel because the poems proceed in a cohesive story. The theme of this novel is interesting and captivating, as everyone has experiences of growing up and many people have experiences from summer camp. The author endears you to the characters through their experience of wanting to have friends, of how young people navigate difficult situations, of aspects of want and regret. The language of this book shows great imagery and flows in a way that is fluid.

REVIEW EXERPT(S):

William Allan White Award—2014 Winner, Kansas, grades 6-8

Lee Bennett Hopkins Children’s Poetry Award, Honor book

ALA Notable Book

CCBC Choices

Bank Street Best Children’s Books, Starred

2012 IRA (International Reading Association) Teachers’ Choices

VOYA’s “Perfect 10” List

Kirkus Review’s Best Children’s books of 2011

Fuse #8 (School Library Journal)

“100 Magnificent Children’s Books of 2011”

Richie Partington’s “Best of 2011” list

Sylvia Vardell’s “Top 20 Children’s Poetry Books of 2011”

Paul Hankin’s “Top ten plus 1” list of 2011 Middle Grade Fiction

CONNECTIONS:

This book would be a fabulous book to compare a traditional novel to. How is the language different? How is the author showing the perspectives of these two girls in different ways?

Author Study of Helen Frost

Explore other Novels in Verse: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, Finding Wonders by Jeanine Atkins, Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton

Based on a review by Barbara Jean Thompson

Book Review: Odder

 Odder by Katherine Applegate

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Applegate, Katherine. 2022. ODDER. New York: MacMillan. ISBN 0823421732

PLOT SUMMARY:

This Novel in Verse follows the happenings of an odd otter named Odder. You will follow this character through many endearing endeavors. This book is based on real events that have taken place at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium program.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The style of this book is simple and lyrical, making for a very descriptive, visual text. This novel is written in free verse form. The author makes it to where you are interested in finding out what happens to this character. This is a beautiful way to convey the story of Odder the otter.

REVIEW EXERPT(S):                                                                                                                                       A #1 New York Times Bestseller                                                                                                 A Publisher’s Weekly bestseller
A #1 Indie Bestseller!
A 2023 Notable Verse Novel, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
An Amazon Best Book of 2022
Parents Magazine Best Book of 2022
A 2022 Blue Ribbon List selection
2022-2023 Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Master List
Evanston Public Library 2022 Blueberry Fiction Honor Title
"Applegate’s Odder will win your heart." —The New York Times                                                            From Newberry Award winning author Katherine Applegate

CONNECTIONS:

This book could teach about animal issues, rights, and rescue.

Pair with a nonfiction book about otters.

Book study referencing how to write about nonfiction subjects in the form of poetry.

Based on a review by Barbara Jean Thompson