International Literature Book Review: Soldier Bear

 A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibi Dumon Tak, et al. Soldier Bear. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Erdmans Books For Young Readers, 2018.

 

B. PLOT SUMMARY
This profoundly unique book is surprising, entertaining and also informative of the time. This book takes place during World War II. It follows a group of Polish soldiers as they are stationed in Iran and find an orphaned bear cub, which they take into their care. You follow these soldiers and bear, named Voytek, through their journey during the war.

 

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

This book creates so much interest, it is enjoyable for young and older readers. It is such a unique story and explains the experience of soldiers in World War II through such a unique lens. There are cultural markers seen through the Polish soldiers. It is interesting how those cultural aspects are transferred to the bear.

 

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Winner of The Bachelder Award in 2012 

 

E. CONNECTIONS
You could use a writing extension activity after reading this book. What object or thing, living or nonliving, could student write about as following them through their lives?

By Barbara Jean Thompson 

International Literature Book Review: Hello, Baby

 A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fox, Mem. Hello Baby! Simon and Schuster, 3 Jan. 2012.

 

B. PLOT SUMMARY
This colorful picture book invites children to explore different animals through their movements and body parts. This is an educational book with beautiful illustrations and simple text.

 

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

This book, by Mem Fox, explores many different baby animals. This author hails from Australia, but she features animals from around the world.

 

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Caldecott Honor Medalist

 

E. CONNECTIONS
This would be a great book to use for reading comprehension. An adult could ask questions like, “What was the monkey doing?”

By Barbara Jean Thompson 

International Literature Book Review: Letters in Charcoal

 A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Vasco, Irene. Letters in Charcoal. 1 Jan. 2015. Lantana Publishing.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
This children’s picture book is about a girl who wants to learn to read. Her experience in a very small town in Columbia is a unique one. There is only one person who knows how to read where she lives. The story follows the steps this girl takes to learn to read.

 

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

This book contains several cultural markers including the way the characters look, the aspects of poverty that affect this town and way the characters interact with each other in the community. This is a heartwarming and reflective book. It shows the impact of education in these small communities.

 

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

“Vasco’s narrative reminds readers that even in the face of lost connections, the joy of reading can light the way to a brighter future. A heartfelt tale that captures the transformative power of education.”—Kirkus Reviews

E. CONNECTIONS
This is a compelling story that could be used to teach children about how not everyone grows up with opportunities and privilege. Teachers could use a Venn diagram to compare the growing and learning experiences of their lives and this character.

By Barbara Jean Thompson

 

 

 

 

 

International Literature Book Review: The Pebble

 A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Marius Marcinkevicius. The Pebble. 23 Feb. 2023.

B. PLOT SUMMARY
The Pebble is a simple, but meaningful novel written by Marius Marcinkevicius. This author is of Lithuanian decent, and this book reflects subtle features of this culture. The Pebble is a story about a boy in Eastern Europe during the time of the Holocaust. He finds a pebble, but this small object takes on much greater meaning over time.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

This book is compelling and makes you think deeply about the experience of these people during this horrific time in history. There are several themes throughout the book like despair and hope, reflection of the past but also fear of the future and love and loss. There is a lot of specific information given about the setting and events in this novel, but I wouldn’t say it is necessarily reflective of a specific culture. The story to exemplify the culture of Eastern Europeans. Some Cultural Markers that I observed in this book were how the people interacted and entertained themselves. There are also characteristics that explain experiences of these people before the Holocaust and during that time. This book is described as an “Allegory of the Holocaust.” An allegory being a “a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.” This book seems like a good introduction to children about the Holocaust. It would create good conversation to expand upon. This book in published in 6 editions, being published in English and other languages. I am quantifying this book as a novel based on the content, the length of the book and the characters’ experiences.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS
“A sensitively written and illustrated story about a young Jewish boy growing up in the horrors of World War II.” – Good Reads

E. CONNECTIONS
This book is described as an “Allegory of the Holocaust.” An allegory being a “a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.” This book seems like a good introduction to children about the Holocaust. It would create good conversation to expand upon.

By Barbara Jean Thompson