Why War is Never a Good Idea

Walker, Alice, 1944-. (2007). Why war is never a good idea. New York, NY : HarperCollinsPublishers. ISBN: 0060753854.

Annotation: Rhythmic poetry that discusses how war changes the environment, animals, and the all around humanity of the world without cause or care.

Commentary: I understand why this book is cataloged as an Easy picture book, because of the reading level – it does not require a high level, but like so many books it is about understanding the content that makes the book more appropriate for young adults. War is not easy concept to understand. The artistry demonstrating war is extremely compelling. The use of so many different elements and materials clearly reflects the exorbitant amount of damage left behind by war and disseminating the damage is like attempting to understanding all the material used in these illustrations. I also enjoyed the change in page layout orientation from horizontal to vertical in order to better convey the illustration and it’s message of how the bi-product of war creeps into the ground consequently damage the well water. Great book for all ages, but even better for young adults. A serious reconsideration for this book cataloging is needed.

Artwork: acrylic paint, wood, bark, found objects, metal, collage, and melted wax(?)

Author website: no author website

Illustrator website: http://www.stefanovitale.com/

Pink Innocent

Momoyuki, Kotori. (2010). Pink innocent. New York : Del Rey. ISBN: 978-0-34551-4684

Annotation: Young girl, Kokona finds herself with her first boyfriend, Renji-kun. Like many young loves, what do you do once you are in a relationship?

Commentary: This is the first manga book I have ever read. I have worked in a library for four years that distinguishes its manga collection pretty well, but I have never ventured to reading them. So, from what little I know about this particular genre, I would most definitely recommend this particular manga book to a Tween. It personally reminds me of the time when I first realized, “what is it that you are supposed to do with a boyfriend once you get one?” This book is full of that tween attitude that you see develop from watching too many hours of bad television shows (age appropriate or not). This book has four lessons or chapters that each begin with a short blog entry from Kokona – blogging about your relationship is a terrible idea at the that age. That is just one a many types of behavior from this book I would not promote to Tween girls, and therefore why I wouldn’t recommend this book. The book does not contain any sexually explicated content. I think I will the manga to those who like them and keep reading graphic novels.

Artwork: manga, pen and ink

Author/Illustator website: no website

Around the World

Phelan, Matt. (2011). Around the World. Candlewick Press. Somerville, MA. ISBN: 978-0-7636-3619-7.

Annotation: Three different journeys from three different make up the three storied from Around the World, the common thread is the plot takes place at the end of the 19th century.

Commentary: I have become a big fan of Matt Phelan’s books. I feel a more complete story is delivered with author as illustrator. The three characters racing against time to go around the world brings the reader a bit a suspense. A bicyclist, a reporter, and a sea captain is a perfect set a variety. My favorite though is the reporter, Nellie Bly. She is courageous, strong, and fearless about her epic journey. When faced with nearly missing her connection that would set her grand finish  back by 5 days, she was steadfast and did not give up hope. The illustrations made her appear a bit pouty, but it perhaps it was more of a stern look. Overall, all three stories complement one another, and equally shine for there own reasons.

Artwork: pencil, ink, gouache, and watercolor

Author/Illustrator website: www.mattphelan.com

Life Story

Burton, Virginia Lee. (1962). LIfe Story. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. New York. ISBN: 978-0-547-19508-7.

Annotation: A look at the history of the earth covering billions of years and ending with present day.

Commentary: The most artistic look back to out planets history I have ever read. I love Burton’s stories and this is not a let down. I understand the book is 40 years old now, but this is my first time reading it. Burton illustrates and text as if it is stage show and this show has five acts and a prologue, and each act has five scenes and Burton doesn’t miss a epoch or era. Starting with the our galaxy and Milky Way, working her way through climate changes, animal evolution, and ending with the present day. I love this book and recommend to anyone of any age.

Challenged Book: I believe this book has potential to be challenged based on inaccuracy or a religious view point. This challenge would most likely be initiated by parents or religious groups, and most likely from a school library or public library.
The book does not print the word ‘evolution’ or the phrase ‘the big bang theory’, but it alludes to notion by starting the earth’s birth around 4,560,000,000 years ago when the earth formed its crust. A year that does not exist in the eyes of those who believe in creationism. The book additionally states that vertebrate animals starting appearing around 350,000,000 years ago, and prehistoric humans debuted 11,000 years ago. Again years in history not recognized by creationists.
I would rationale this book maintaining circulation in a school or public library in three ways. One, the book only alludes those ideas, and does not state it in a rightful manner/tone. Secondly, the focus of the book isn’t just the earth’s life, but in essences the as the title clearly state Life Story. It is about the seasons the day and how they how developed through time, and how life has continued through the years – no matter what your beliefs may be. Lastly, the artistic value Burton shares the story. A literal stage is the platform for the acts and scenes. Burton even gives leading animals and leading plants as roles in the story. A style of artistry that is fun, creative, and should be noticed by the reader.

Artwork: ink and watercolor

Author/Illustrator website: no website

The Heroine of the Titanic

Blos, Joan W. (1991). The Heroine of the Titanic. Illustrated by Tennessee Dixon. Morrow Junior Books. New York. ISBN: 0-688-07546-0.

Annotation: An account of the life Molly Brown, including her heroism on the Titanic.

Commentary: I have always been a fan of Molly Brown. I watched the musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown many times as a child and reading this book drives my desire to watch it as an adult. Her life is full of adventure and the illustrations are great. I believe the use of watercolor is fitting, but also the pallet of colors is great too. I would have like a bit more details, but after reading the author note I understand that the limited facts provided from all sources makes those details a bit more difficult. Molly’s life started on a very stormy night, and she survived in being mud-stuck in the Mississippi River for three days until rescued by a donkey and her father. It was only fitting she survived the great Titanic sinking. A fun story about a Colorado women fun life.

Artwork: watercolor and ink

Author website: no author website

Illustrator website: no illustrator website

George vs. George: the American Revolution as seen from Both Sides

Schanzer, Rosalyn. (2004). George vs. George: the American Revolution as seen from Both Sides. National Geographic Society. ISBN: 978-0-7922-6999-1.

Annotation: Opposing views from two men both named George. George Washington and King George the III during the Revolutionary War.

Commentary: Another fun non-fiction book about history. I feel this particular period in history is often misremembered, or forgotten. I am not sure if it is because it was so long ago or it is just bunched up with everything else with the birth of America, but the simple fact the leading men are both named George just adds another anecdote. This book is chalked full with details starting with a comparison between the two George’s personal background. Important historical comparisons also include the differences between how the governments worked in both countries, where the trouble started, and specific battles that took place.  The personal reactions from each of the George’s illustrated with the text about battles is one of my favorite aspects created. I recommend this to anyone wanting to brush up with early American history.

Artwork: acrylic on canvas

Author/Illustrator website: http://www.rosalynschanzer.com/

Curriculum Connections: 18th century US history for grades 5-6.

Awards: ALA Notable Book-2005
~Orbis Pictus Recommended Book-2005
~Capitol Choices Best Book-2005
~2004 Best Books winner-School Library Journal
~Starred review-School Library Journal
~Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2004
~Maine Student Book Award List

City Across Time

Kent, Peter. (2010). City Across Time. Kingfisher. New York. ISBN: 978-0-7534-6400-7.

Annotation: A story that takes you on an adventure through time that displays how archeology works and what made it possible to discover thousand of artifacts

Commentary: This illustrated book is a lot of fun. The cross-cut, Where’s Waldo style  illustrations creates so much detail the reader can gaze at each page for minutes and still not have caught all the details. Each page layout contains a main body of text that explains the major event of each century, but my favorite aspect of the smaller text is that they are embedded into the illustrations – juxtaposed to objects in the illustrations creating close connection to what you are learning.  Fun nonfiction book for all ages!

Artwork: pen and markers

Author/Illustrator website: no author website

Awards: NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

Heart and Soul

Nelson, Kadir. (2011). Heart and Soul: the story of America and African Americans. Harper Collins. New York. ISBN: 987-0-06-173074-0.

Annotation: US history throught the eyes of African Americans – the often left out side of the story.

Commentary: This an outstanding picture book. The combination of art, story-telling, and heartfelt emotions delivers a book worthily to be a part of everyone education. Many of the stories in the beginning of book I had not heard, unlike the ones in the latter part of book. The text is very concise for 100 pages, but the detail is made up in the illustrations. The paintings are beautiful and completely detailed down to the  wrinkles and muscle definition. The reader can see the variety of emotions on the faces of those painted. The face-forward looking back at you illustrations conveys a sense that they are telling you the story. Excellent, highly recommended.

Artwork: oil on canvas

Author/Illustrator website: www.kadirnelson.com

Curriculum Connections: African American history in the US for grades 5-8.

Awards: 2012 Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner
2012 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor

Jurassic Poop: What Dinosaurs (and Others) Left Behind

Berkowitz, Jacob. (2006). Jurassic Poop: what dinosaurs (and others) left behind. Illustrated by Steve Mack. Kids Can Press. Tonawanda, NY. ISBN: 978-1-55337-860-0.

Annotation: Non-fiction picturebook educated readers how Coprolites, aka dinosaur poop transformed into fossils or rocks.

Commentary: I included this book into my blog selection because finding non-fiction picture books of science that isn’t boring for a fifth grader can be difficult. I am not saying that young girl won’t like it, but ninety percent of the time you know a boy will find it interesting. The discusses that fecal fakes are something to be aware of and it teaches them the difference. Fossilized coprolites have been found in icy areas as well as cave areas. The also educates the reader that removing coprolites from their found location cannot help properly identify fossil in the future. Overall, an excellent picture book for kids who thought even mentioning the work poop is improper, they will now know to refer to it as Coprolites.

Artwork: paint, pencil, ink, and collage

Author website: http://www.jacobberkowitz.com/

Illustrator website: http://stevemack.com/

Rapunzel’s Revenge

Hale, Shannon & Dean (2008). Rapunzel’s Revenge. Illustrated by Nathan Hale. Bloomsburg. New York. ISBN: 978-1-59990-070-4.

Annotation: A new graphic novel with a twist to the classic tale of Rapunzel, including more adventure and an ending without the “handsome prince.”

Commentary: This new tale of Rapunzel is perfect the modern teenager. She is witty and quick. She isn’t rescued by a prince, but finds her own way of freeing herself. She meets another young boy who is in the midst of a bit of danger too. They join forces and crusade across the land perfuming what appear to be noble deeds, but turn into traps. The two eventually make their way to the Gothel’s wall, the place where Rapunzel taken from her mother and resided there until the day she was sent the tower. Gothel was defeated and so it kinda ended up being happy-ever-after. I enjoyed this graphic novel, but I felt it went on longer than necessary. About 75 pages in I felt it should coming to a close. I thought there were a bit too many climatic scenes that ended, and started over again. Generally, l liked the content, again a bit too much content distracted from the pace of the story. I would recommend for teenage girls.

Artwork: pen and ink

Author website: www.shannonhale.com

Illustrator website: www.spacestationnathan.com

The Mutiny on the Bounty

O’Brien, Patrick. (2007). The Mutiny on the Bounty. Walker & Company. New York. ISBN:978-0-8027-9587-8.

Annotation: Story of the ship the Bounty and it’s journey to Tahiti, and what occurred after they ship, captain, and its mate left.

Commentary: I have vaguely heard about this incident in history, but this illustrated book definitely makes me more knowledgable. Starting from Great Britain the Bounty sailed to Cape Horn, then to Cape of Good Hope, then around the south side of Australia and New Zealand, and finally headed up to the Pacific Island of Tahiti. The author describes the food and accommodations the seaman handle for ten month at sea. Upon leaving Tahiti the captain attitude and temper change for the worse, and lead his men to make an extremely serious decision. The severity of a mutiny is the highest offensive seaman can commit against their captain. The men that resorted to not returning to Great Britain, but starting a new life on small empty island was absolutely their best chance at surviving the punishment for their crime of mutiny. Excellent story about a little piece of history.

Artwork: watercolor and gouache on watercolor paper

Author/Illustrator website: wwwpatrickobrienstudio.com

Dinosaur Mountain: Digging into the Jurassic Age

Ray, Deborah Ray. (2010). Dinosaur Mountain: digging into the jurassic age. Frances Foster Books: New York. ISBN: 987-0-374-31789-8.

Annotation: A glimpse into the life of Earl Douglass a dinosaur hunter, the man who discovered a bone quarry in the US containing 350 tons of dinosaur fossils.

Commentary: This picture book not only appeals to readers who hunger for dinosaur knowledge, but who enjoy a story of discovery. The text shares insights of the journal Douglass maintained while being in quarry and about his feelings of what was and wasn’t happening with his hunt for dinosaur bones. The author, Ray, also discusses the nature of where is hunt began, with Andrew Carnegie. A man who wanted the biggest dinosaur for his museum. During the process Douglass moved his wife and small child to live with him near the quarry. After the quarry closed Douglass remained close his bones by living out the rest of his years in Utah. The illustrations bring this history to life with their full page size and use of deep colors.

Artwork: Charcoal and colored pencils

Author/Illustrator website: http://www.dkray.com/

Curriculum Connections: Discovering dinosaurs in America for grades 5-6.

Dinothesaurus

Florian, Douglas. (2009). Dinothesaurus: prehistoric poems and paintings. Simon & Schuster: New York. ISBN:978-1-4169-7978-4.

Annontation: Juvenile rhythmic poetry, dinosaurs, and artwork come together to share a cohesive story.

Commentary: This is a fun book of poetry. Even though it is classified in the 811s, I think the subject of dinosaurs is most appealing, and then the poetry, and of course the artwork. The artwork is very creative and appealing to readers who may not yet realize good art doesn’t have to be clean and neat. Each page there a full layout for a specific dinosaur, and the enunciation for the typical long perplexing name. Each poem also teaches the reader a bit something about the dinosaur such as what they eat or their physical attributes. Great poetry that appeals to anyone who likes dinosaurs and a laugh.

Artwork: gouache, collage, colored pencils, stencils, dinosaur dust, and rubber stamps on primed brown paper bags.

Author/Illustrator website: http://www.douglasflorian.com/

Curriculum Connections: Combining the field of science (dinosaurs) with poetry and mixed media arts for grades 5-6.

There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me

Walker, Alice. (2006). There is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me. Illustrated by Stefano Vitale. Harper Collins: New York. ISBN: 9878-0-06-07080-4.

Annotation: Poetry personal inspired by Alice Walker as she walked outside her home one afternoon.

Commentary: This book-length poem is great for all ages. The short stanzas on each page make for easy transitions for younger readers while the content and inspiration for the words resonates with older folks. The illustrations are vivid with rich, deep colors. The illustrations and story have a good flow together. This beautiful book is a great representation of nature with human connection.

Artwork:  acrylic paint on wood

Author website: no author website

Illustrator website: http://www.stefanovitale.com/

Bookspeak!: poems about books

Salas, Laura Purdie. (2011). Bookspeak!: poems about books. Illustrated by Josee Bisaillon. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: New York. ISBN: 978-0-547-22300-1.

Annotation: Collection of poem that also tells a story the parts of a book and what it takes for a book to become a book.

Commentary: This variety of poetry is not just rhythmic, but brings a book a to life. These poems are some what generalizing all books, but it doesn’t make this book generic. The wide use of mixed media add flavor to a poems about a book. Some of the artwork created even resembles parts of books. Such as the material for cloth binding, and the pages with printed restructured to make new art. My favorite is the poem titled ‘Index.’ This poem is told from the perspective of the index like it has come alive and teaches the reader all the wonderful parts and uses the index offers, and even brags about  it at the end.

Artwork: Mixed media

Author website: www.laurasalas.com

Illustrator website: www.joseebisaillon.com

Gettysburg: the graphic novel

Butzer, C.M. (2009). Gettysburg: the graphic novel. Harper Collins: New York. ISBN: 987-0-06-156176-4

Annotation: Recount of the Battle at Gettysburg ending with President Lincoln delivery the Gettysburg address in graphic novel format.

Commentary: This graphic novel is not only graphic in the sense that is illustrated, but it is also vividly graphic in the content. Not a gruesome way, but in a realistic way. The portrayal of the Battle of Gettysburg is not understated in the images. This war is deemed the deadliest in US history and one of the more horrific in terms of injuries. The images are represented in only black, white, and blue demonstrate the those facts well. The second half of the book pictorials President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The biggest highlight for me is that the author juxtaposed specific words in the address with future (post 19th century US history) civil right movements. The author made this connection so clear that the Gettysburg’s address applies to not only to the Civil War, but to all other civil liberties groups that have faced resistance in the past, and more importantly the present. Highly recommended.

Artwork:  pen and ink

Author/Illustrator website: www.cmbutzer.com

Curriculum Connections: Mid-19th century US history for grades 8-9.

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace

Johnson, Jen Cullerton. (2010). Seeds of change: planting a path to peace. Illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler. Leed & Low Books: New York. ISBN: 987-1-60060-367-9.

Annotation: A biography of environmentalist Wangari Maathai, a female scientist who  won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for regenerating Kenya with planting trees known as The Green Belt Movement.

Commentary: This story is a happy journey for Wangari. She learns early in childhood the importance of nature and the circle of life. And how the land feeds the people, but the land needs to be preserved in order to maintain successful life, especially for her people in Kenya. She travelled in the US is study biology and returned to Kenya only to find it had ravaged by logging thousand of trees and plowing the forests. She started a revolution by with planting trees to bring her home land back the way it was before. She was wrongfully arrested, but that didn’t stop her. She went on taking her knowledge and story to others to share what she accomplished. She continues to plant trees and share her environmental message with others even after being awarded the Noble Prize for Peace in 2004.

alliteration “Twenty divided by two is ten. There are seven great seas to sail.”

Artwork: scratchboard and oil

Author website: jencullertonjohnson.com

Illustrator website: sonialynnsadlerarts.com

Curriculum Connections: Influential woman of the 20th century for grades 5-6.

Awards: 2011 John Steptoe Award for New Talent

Benno and the Night of Broken Glass.

Wiviott, M. (2010). Benno and the Night of Broken Glass. Illustrated by Josée    Bisaillon. Minneapolis: Kar-Ben Publishing. ISBN: 9780822599296

Annotation: In 1938 Berlin, a cat experiences gradual changes in his neighborhood until one night, known as Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass), where Jewish people are terrorized and arrested by the Nazis.

Commentary: Initially, this book may appear simplistic; however, it provides a unique introduction to Kristallnacht and the beginning of the Holocaust in a sensitive and honest manner.
Set from the unique perspective of a neighborhood cat, Benno, who roams in and out of local homes, readers are able to understand that Germans and Jewish people once lived together as neighbors.

However, the mood in Berlin is slowly changes. The lack of food, the burning of books, and the severing of ties between the German and Jewish families all lead up to November 9, 1938, also known as Kristallnacht, or The Night of Broken Glass.

The author and illustrator do a remarkable job depicting the chaotic atmosphere as Nazis stormed into neighborhoods burning books, arresting and killing Jewish people, and destroying Jewish businesses and synagogues. After that night, many of the Jewish people disappeared and life would never be the same, even for Benno the cat.

The Afterword provides a detailed account and two photographs of Kristallnacht, which are beneficial for classroom discussion. This book achieves a good balance of portraying the terror of Kristallnacht and is suitable for middle grade readers.

Artwork: Collage, drawing, and digital montage.
Author website: http://megwiviott.com/
Illustrator website:http://joseebisaillon.com/
Curricular connection: Introduction to Kristallnacht, which is considered the beginning of the Holocaust.
Awards: 2010 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards-Gold Medal.

Can We Save the Tiger?

Jenkins, Martin. (2011). Can we save the tiger? Illustrated by Vicky White. Candlewick Press: Somerville, MA. ISBN: 978-0-7636-4909-8.

Annotation: An overview of animals from across the world that became, are, or have been saved from extinction.

Commentary: One of the most beautifully illustrated books I have ever read, but what is even better is that it is illustrating for a such an important topic that ultimately affects everybody in the world. That’s what makes this book so invaluable; it affects all people and all species. The pace of the story is perfect. It starts with sharing what animals the world has lost, and then discusses the tiger and other species we are close to losing. The explanation for the extinction of these animals aren’t placing blame on someone, but provide the reason they are endangered. The cause of the extinction is not intentional, but merely unknown by those who may have introduced another species that it would cause harm. The book finishes with discussing animals that have been saved before it was too late. The story flows so completely that the reader feels more knowledgable and aware of what species are endangered.

The illustrations are drawn in pencil and oil paint which I feel invokes a real sense of rawness to the problem at hand. Before photography all species were recorded by artists with hand drawings just as you see in this book, and since all these species have been around thousand of years before photography I believe it is only fitting that they are depicted in this way. Also each drawing is accompanied by its biological/scientific name along with where the species can be found and how many are left or the year they were last seen. Highly recommended.

Artwork: pencil and oil paint

Author website: no author website

Illustrator website: http://wandsprints.com/blogcategory/vicky-white/

Curriculum Connection: Wildlife conservation with a concentration on tigers for grades 7-9.

Supersized: Strange Tales from a Fast-Food Culture

Spurlock, Morgan and Jeremy Barlow. (2011). Supersized: strange tales from a fast-food culture. Illustrated by Lukas Ketner, Ron Chan, Lucas Marangon, and Tony Millionaire. Dark Horse Comics. Milwaukie, OR. ISBN: 978-1-59582-511-7.

Annotation: Combination of personal stories shared from former employees or customers of commonly known fast-food chains.

Commentary: This graphic novel will surely gross anybody out about the dangerous and real-life consequences about consuming fast-food. From the director of the documentary sensation Morgan Spurlock  incorporates some aspects from his film into the book – primarily about fast-food doesn’t only make you gain weight, but affects so many other parts of your health and lifestyle. The tales he shares in the book are offerings from former employees or customers of fast-food chains what can go one behind the scenes and what can occasionally be served to the public because of the employees behavior and lack of knowledge. You may never want to eat at fast-food chains again.

Artwork: pen and ink

Author website: http://morganspurlock.com/ and http://www.jeremybarlow.com/

Illustrator website: http://lukasketner.blogspot.com/ and http://www.maakies.com/

Curriculum Connections: Physical/health education about the dangers of eating fast-food for grades 7-12 (but really all ages).

Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean

Taylor, Sarah Stewart. (2010). Amelia Earhart: this broad ocean. Illustrated by Ben Towle. Introduction by Eileen Collins. Hyperion Books. New York. ISBN: 978-1-4231-1337-9

Annotation: A glimpse into the life of Amelia Earhart before her journey over the Atlantic shared from the perspective of local girl from Newfoundland.

Commentary: This piece of history shares such a human spirit, because it is told from the perspective of a young local girl, Gracie. Shared in a graphic novel format with only using three colors – black, white, and light blue. Which I think the blue represents the mighty blue Atlantic Ocean she must cross. Gracie becomes an immediate fan of Amelia once she learns one of the visitors coming off the plane is a young woman. She is quickly drawn to Amelia and seeks a chance to interview her, and once she is given that opportunity Gracie learned more about Amelia that she ever imagined. As Gracie grows to a young woman herself she continues to flow Amelia’s career until the fateful day when her plane disappears. Great graphic novel – highly recommended.

Artwork: pen and ink

Author website: http://sarahstewarttaylor.com/

Illustrator website: http://www.benzilla.com/

Curriculum Connections: Influential people of the 20th century for grades 5 and up.

Z is for Zeus

Wilbur, Helen L. (2008). Z is for Zeus: a greek mythology alphabet. Illustratedby Victor Juhasz. Sleeping Bear Press. Chelsea, MI. ISBN: 978-1-58536-341-4.

Annotation: An introduction to Greek mythology and major greek gods and goddesses.

Commentary: This picture book takes readers of all ages on an A to Z journey to learn some Greek mythology. The best part of how this book is created is that each image has a small four line rhyming poem – appropriate for a younger reader to understand, but it also contains detail expository text portion that benefits older readers. The picture book also contains a glossary of terms preceding the story that helps the reader prepare a little for what is about to come. The illustrations are filled with good detail that provide a great connection to the text.

Example of literary element rhyme: ” T is for Trojan Horse – The man of Troy took  up their spears and fought the Greeks for ten long years. One thing that they learned, of course- Do not bring home a wooden horse!”

Artwork: pencil and watercolor

Author website: http://www.helenwilbur.com/hw/

Illustrator website: http://www.drawger.com/victorjuhasz/? and http://juhaszillustration.com/

Awards:  Gold Medal from The Mom’s Choice Awards in 2009.

Curriculum Connections: Mythology studies for grades 5-8.

Page by Paige

Gulledge, Laura Lee. (2011). Page by Paige. Amulet Books. New York. ISBN: 978-0-8109-9721-9

Annotation: Detailed diary of a young girl who moves to New York City and learns to like herself just as her new friends do.

Commentary: This graphic novel examines the life of a teenage girl, Paige who is trying to understand herself, her parents, her new friends, and her feelings. Her parents becoming increasingly bothersome which can be understood by any teenage girl. The reader can feel her lost like emotions she has about every part of her life through the black and white with shades of gray illustrations. The illustrations represent her emotions through images such as when she is yelling at her mother and she writes “I want to YELL into my sketchbook!!!”  And it is depicted as if she stuck inside a box and beneath the images Paige is illustrated by being a miniature size of herself in a large chair with a large sketchbook indicated she feels so small. While I read this I became increasingly annoyed with the character because it is so recognizable as a typical teenager – which only tells me that I am getting old. Great read for any teenage girl.

Artwork: pencil and ink

Author/Illustrator website: http://whoislauralee.blogspot.com/

Literally element: An allusion to Jane Eyre from Paige identifying that she has a “Jane Eyre complex.”

Ballet for Martha

Greenberg, Jan, & Sandra Jordan. (2010). Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring. Illustrated by Brian Floca. Roaring Book Press. New York. ISBN: 978-1-59643-338-0.

Annotation: an overview of how the ballet “Appalachian Spring” came together with the efforts from three extroadinary people.

Commentary:  I found this book to be beautifully illustrated. I feel the images are vivid and guide the reader with the text. Although I think this book is for the younger end of our target audience, this picturebook still teaches anyone at any age something new about people who created history in the ballet world. The combination of watercolor and subject matter of ballet gives way to a cohesive flow while telling the story. Of course like many great picturebooks, the author’s note shares a greater understanding of how these three individuals came to work together along with a mini-bio for each of them. Recommended to all ages.

Artwork: watercolor with pen and ink

Author website: jangreenbergsandrajordan.com

Illustrator website: www.brianfloca.com

Curriculum Connections: Influential people of the 20th century for grades 5-7.

Conquering Everest

Helfand, Lewis. (2011). Conquering Everest. Illustrated by Amit Tayal. Campfire. New Delhi, India. ISBN: 978-93-80741-24-6.

Annotation: A close examination of the lives of Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay the first men to summit Mt. Everest.

Commentary:  Another compelling book from Helfand. I thoroughly enjoyed this text, because I learned so much. I did not have too much knowledge regarding the first summit to Mt. Everest, although I had heard of these two men before. The details of their life experiences before meeting one another is truly exceptional. I felt to story was told in a way that they were destined to be together even if you weren’t sure they were going to eventually meet. The illustrations are magnificent. The combination of graphic novel with real Everest photos illustrates how large the mountain is in real life. The reader can feel their hard, determined attitudes about life adventure and more specifically about becoming mountaineers.

Artwork: photographs, pen and ink

Author website: no author website

Illustrator website: www.amittayal.com

Curriculum Connections: Notable figures of the 20th century for grades 7-8.