THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE by Karen Cushman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. New York: Clarion. ISBN 0395692296

PLOT SUMMARY

Set in the early fourteenth century, a girl named Brat, with a past worth forgetting and no prospect of a better future, finds herself taken in by a Jane, the town midwife.  When circumstances change, so does the girl until she finally finds a place where she’s needed. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The main character in this story, Brat, is a young adult with a difficult situation.  She is alone, poor, dirty, and unwanted but she is also kind, hardworking, and curious.  This story evokes empathy and the reader will want to befriend her.  The setting of the story is the early 1300s and the language and details are consistent with the time period.  Language such as “wimple,” “spat,” “bedevil,” “this wag grows boresome,” and “Walpurgis Night” are examples of the time period.  Details early in the story also support the time period; Brat sweeps the cottage floor, sprinkles it with water, and stamps it to keep it packed. 

The history within the plot is an accurate depiction.  Animal and human labor was done at home (or in the barn), with the help of home remedies and things like “goose greese ointment.”  Electricity was not available and homes had dirt floors.  This was also a time when unusual occurrences were thought to be caused by witches or the devil, “the priest decided that Wat’s gluttony and deceit were the fault of the Devil.” 

While sources are not cited, author Karen Cushman’s reputation from previous work and awards stand for the authenticity of the story.  Though few young people are assisting midwives, the theme of the story is something most readers can relate to; finding a place in this world and learning who you are in it.        

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Starred Kirkus Reviews - “From the rebirth in the dung heap to Brat's renaming herself Alyce after a heady visit to a medieval fair, this is not for fans of historical drama only. It's a rouser for all times.”

Publisher’s Weekly – “The force of the ambience produces more than enough momentum to propel the reader from start to finish in a single happy sitting.”

John Newbery Medal winner

CONNECTIONS

*Have students write a modern day version of this story being sure to focus on current language, events, and dress in order to show the time period.

*Read the story with other picture books or nonfiction books from that time period.

*Write a character analysis on Brat.

BOOTLEG: MURDER, MOONSHINE, AND THE LAWLESS YEARS OF PROHIBITION by Karen Blumenthal

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Blumenthal, Karen. 2011. BOOTLEG: MURDER, MOONSHINE, AND THE LAWLESS YEARS OF PROHIBITION. New York: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 9781596434493

PLOT SUMMARY

In this historical attention getter, Blumenthal explains the sequence of events leading up to prohibition, the activity during that time, and our nation’s return to being “wet.”      

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Karen Blumenthal is a journalist whose books have been noticed and awarded over the years.  Credible reviewers from The Horn Book, School Library Journal, and additional publications have added to her popularity with reviews for this book as well as several others.  A bibliography of source notes and source notes by chapter are available at the end of the story as well as an index and a glossary of terms related to the topic. 

The story is written in nine chapters and a contents page is located at the front.  The pages are full of text and geared more towards a young adult reader.  Though heavy with content, the pages of text are spaced and give the reader the freedom to read and comprehend.  The story is written in a way that the reader can be drawn in with topics like “gangsters,” “illegal liquor,” and “massacre of seven men.”  The story, so well researched, is full of higher-level vocabulary and sentence structure.  It's readability may be difficult for the average reader to comprehend.  The photographs are the real thing which adds a sense of novelty.  The photos are amazingly vibrant and each one, with its caption, holds a period of time and a piece of priceless history. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Starred Kirkus Review - "When Congress passed the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the manufacture and sale of alcohol, supporters were convinced it would create a stronger, more moral nation. Instead, it ushered in an era of corruption and lawlessness, here brought to life with a fast-paced, gripping narrative and period photographs."

The Horn Book - "With an ambitious scope that includes anecdotes, quotes, statistics, photographs, and illustrations to complement the larger story, Blumenthal makes the subject matter relevant for modern readers."

Goodreads Review - "Filled with period art and photographs, anecdotes, and portraits of unique characters from the era, this fascinating book looks at the rise and fall of the disastrous social experiment known as Prohibition."

CONNECTIONS

*Students can read the book and take a stance by conducting philosophical chairs.  Students can take turns persuading others to join their side.

*Similarly, students can take a stance on whether alcohol should currently be illegal or remain the way it is.  Students can make a case in the form of an essay, philosophical chairs, speeches, or other projects.

*A local small county has been trying for years to become “wet” again.  The class could compare and contrast the benefits of remaining dry and could even conduct local research on accidents and events that have occurred as the result of alcohol abuse.

*Students could read an article about the banning of candy or cokes on school campuses.  Some articles highlight the establishment of student and even parent bootleggers of candy to schools with the ban.  Students could then compare and contrast the two situations.  For schools where students talk openly about the desire for marijuana to be legalized, this topic could also be brought into discussion… especially for older students. 

CHARLES DARWIN by Kathleen Krull

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Krull, Kathleen. 2010. GIANTS OF SCIENCE: CHARLES DARWIN. Ill. by Boris Kulikov. New York: Penguin. ISBN 97806700633352

PLOT SUMMARY

A biography about scientist Charles Darwin, this story personalizes him by revealing who he was as a child, a young man, and his battles and victories throughout adulthood.   

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this story about Charles Darwin, Krull immediately personalizes him as a little boy curious about worms.  She continues to highlight interesting tidbits, funny stories, quirks, ailments, family, education, travel, tragedy, and scientific findings as she journeys through his life.  “He rode another one [tortoise] like a horse, rapping on the shell to get it going” is just one unusual event associated with Darwin.  Krull sites her sources in a bibliography, both books and websites, at the back of the book.  The sources are credible and most are related to research, museums, history, and science.  Krull has received many honors such as 2011 Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award and many of her books have received multiple awards such as ALA Notable Book, Outstanding Science Trade Book, Booklist Editor’s Choice, and Parents’ Choice Award. 

She makes it clear to the reader that his theories have never been proven.  She also adds that Darwin and other scientists with similar thoughts had supporting details to back up their theory.  While studying animals of all sorts including rabbits, turtles, gorillas, worms, ducks, cattle, and more, he concluded that, “There must be some law that whatever organization an animal has, it tends to multiply and IMPROVE on it.”    

This biography is written in sequential order as the story begins with Darwin’s birth and continues with his death.  It goes on to the events and controversy that continue today.  The text is easy to read and can be read in one or a few sittings.  While the text is interesting and informative, it is not an overload of facts.  It includes a table of contents as well as sources and an index in back.  The cover and other illustrations are peculiar and grab the reader’s attention. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal – “Krull does a fabulous job of making Darwin real, from boyhood to adulthood.”

Children’s Literature – “In this presentation, Darwin is a kind, curious misfit.  Born to privilege but a non-conformist, the brilliant scientist struggles until he finds his calling.”

CONNECTIONS

*In a private Christian school setting, students could study controversial figures such as Darwin and this book would be a good introduction to the subject.

*In schools where teaching evolution is permitted, students could read and follow up with a lesson on natural selection and the-strongest-survive theory [my title]. 

*For 10^th grade World History, the teacher could read this story before learning about Lucy – the humanlike, fossilized skeleton.  Students could discuss the impact that finding Lucy had to Darwin’s theory.

 

QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA by Sy Montgomery

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. 2006. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. Photographs by Nic Bishop. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618496419

PLOT SUMMARY

In this delightful story about Matschie’s Tree Kangaroos, a research team sets out to explore the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea.  Scientist Lisa Dabek takes this trek through the forest every year in order to learn more about her favorite animal and encounter some others as well. “Here you’ll find birds that grow as tall as a man. Cassowaries remind you of dinosaurs.  They sport helmets of bone growing up from their blue and black heads.”  Author, Sy Montgomery, and Photographer, Nic Bishop, follow along the difficult but rewarding and exciting journey.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The first impression for readers is a large book with a cover of color and a fuzzy creature.  Upon opening the book, one sees large and small colorful photos of the native people, the jungle, the animals, and so much more.  Each photograph ties in with the text.  They are so alive and intriguing that they really leave you begging for more.  Their placement on the pages is inviting and has good use of variety as far as size, color, and photo bleeding.  Though entrenched with good material, the text is not overly small and the headings are large and colorful.

The text follows a sequential order.  It is dynamic and includes interest, personal stories, and factual information. The book also includes a list of words from the local language of Tok Pisin.  Readers can refer to the list of “Tree Kangaroos near You” in order to experience the joy of seeing one in person. The author and field researcher are both women with credible backgrounds.  Montgomery is an award-winning author who experiences her writing first-hand by traveling around the world.   Dr. Lisa Dabek worked at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island as the zoo’s director of conservation and research. 

This story can be read by people of many ages and is interesting to all!  The text is clear, readable, and lively.  As you begin the story, you will be immediately drawn into the events and you will celebrate when Lisa and the team make the discoveries that they do.  “That is the miracle of doing work here,” Lisa says. “They are so elusive.  And then you finally find them.  The whole field season is riding on these moments.”

REVIEW EXCERPTS

STARRED KIRKUS REVIEW – “From the maps in front to the concluding suggestions for young enthusiasts, information about the language, and index, this is another commendable title from an experienced team.”

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE REVIEW - “Much information is provided about the singular island of New Guinea with beautiful photographs of parrots, snakes, waterfalls, and tropical flowers. Yes—the team finds the tree kangaroos, way up high at 80 feet in the forest canopy.”

Received “The Robert F. Sibert Honor Book” Award.

CONNECTIONS

*View video of Dabek by national geographic at the following site:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/field/projects/bioblitz/bioblitz-kangaroos/

*Incorporate critical thinking questions:

What question or issue is the researcher investigating?

What challenges does the researcher face?

What tools are researchers using to gather geospatial data?

What impact might the researcher have on the issue being researched?

*Conduct a field study of your own.  Have the class make flip books with each page having an area of study such as habitat, food, body parts necessary for their environment, and other categories.  Choose animals available in your area to study and arrange for students to leave the classroom in order to do this.

*This book could be an activity to lead into endangered and extinct animals.  Lists of these can be found online.

*For language arts classes, have students write about what they can do to help.  How can they help protect animals from becoming endangered?  How can they help Dr. Dabek with her work?

COME SUNDAY by Nikki Grimes

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grimes, Nikki. 1996. COME SUNDAY. Ill. by Michael Bryant. Michigan: Eerdmans. ISBN 0802851088

PLOT SUMMARY

COME SUNDAY is a book of poems describing a young girl’s typical Sunday at church.  By the end of her day, our character views the day as “long” but is thankful for her day in “Paradise – Paradise Baptist Church.”

                                                              

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The poetry included in COME SUNDAY incorporates the use of rhyming sounds but does not require it.  “At the Altar” begins with the first two lines ending in rhyme: open and hopin’.  The third line ends with place and the poem never ends with rhyme again.  Other poems, one for example “Ladies’ Hats” utilizes rhyme throughout.  Elements such as repetition and alliteration are used as well.  One selection, “Baptism” begins with the repetitive words, “Down, down, down into the water” and continues with “Gone, gone, gone,” “Up, Up, Up,” and “Joy, joy, joy.”  The language could best be described as descriptive.  The reader can envision exactly how things looked, felt, and happened based on the author’s words.  The reader can picture the blue-haired ladies pinching her cheeks, and the movement during Rock-a-my-soul like clapping, swaying, and dancing.  One can even picture her anxiety for lunch as she dreams of fried chicken and pumpkin pie.  Not only does the reader imagine the events but can also feel them.  As a reader, you sense the excitement as she runs to church, her delight in wearing white gloves like her Mommy, and the “shiver” that takes over as she listens to the lady preacher in the afternoon.  The emotions are natural and relatable.  The watercolor illustrations by Michael Bryant are vivid and support the stand-alone poetry.  The arrangement of poems is sequential and allows for young readers to walk-along with the girl through her day.  The cultural component is enticing for students who can relate but also gives other readers a look into what an African- American Sunday might be like.  It is a book with captivating pictures and language that speaks to the senses. 

                                                      

REVIEW EXCERPTS

KIRKUS REVIEWS –“While some of Bryant's watercolor paintings are more skilled than others, the overall effect is one of exaltation tempered by serene faith. Whatever their religious background, readers will smile at the jubilation.”

Starred review by Publishers Weekly – “Reverent, funny and wildly energetic all at the same time, this is a wonderful book for introducing children to church life.”

                                                                                      

CONNECTIONS

*Compare to SIDEWALK CHALK: POEMS OF THE CITY by Carole Boston Weatherford

*Plan on reading another Nikki Grimes book on another day and have students bring their favorite snack to share with everyone like a potluck. 

*With various common materials, have students create a hat like one that the main character would see at her church.

BLUE LIPSTICK: CONCRETE POEMS by John Grandits

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grandits, John. 2007. BLUE LIPSTICK: CONCRETE POEMS. New York: Clarion. ISBN 0618568603

PLOT SUMMARY

BLUE LIPSTICK is a book of concrete poems which utilize shape and art to make things interesting.  The book is written from the perspective of a teenage girl, Jessie, who writes about her experiences with school, family, and fitting in. 

                                                              

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this compilation, each poem tells a story and leads into the next.  The reader is captivated and pulled in by the elements and is able to easily read from poem to poem.  Each individual poem has its own rhythm.  “Zombie Jocks” is written in four-line stanzas and includes repetition and rhyming at the end while “Pep Rally” is not in equal stanzas and does not have any rhyming qualities.  However, “Pep Rally” does flow nicely and provides dramatic pauses.  The book of poems incorporates sound elements such as onomatopoeia in the poem, “Talking to My Stupid Younger Brother…” which uses the words burp and achoo. The language is reflective of a teenager girl and incorporates words like duh, jeez, jerk, road kill, whatever, uh-huh, and bummed. 

There are over thirty poems and each is written in a shape that reinforces the message of them poem.  “Bad Hair Day” is written in the shape of crazy hair and “Happy B*Day, Mom” is in the shape of a hot air balloon.  In this poem about her mother’s birthday wish of flying in a hot air balloon, Jessie ends the trip by barfing and the word barf is repeatedly seen in the shape of cascading barf from the sky.  Though written by Grandits, an older man, the reader falls right into the events Jessie is writing about as if the author has lived them. 

One selection, “Silver Spandex” is a poem written about a conversation with Andrea, a cheerleader who is also a guitar player.  Jessie finds that Andrea is just a regular person, though “annoyingly pretty” and that they might have more in common that she originally realized.  The poem is shaped like a guitar and a cello. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS

KIRKUS REVIEWS –““All My Important Thinking Gets Done in the Shower,” possibly the best selection, features gentle streams of blue words emerging from a showerhead, each forming a sentence completely unrelated to the one next to it.”

ReadKiddoRead – “How John Grandits, a man, has gotten under the skin of a ninth grader with such resonance, honesty, and humor, I can't fathom, but if you were ever a ninth grade girl, you'll marvel. And if you weren't, you'll learn a lot.”

CONNECTIONS

*After learning about shape poems and assigning students to write their own, read/show BLUE LIPSTICK to give students an example. 

*Have students get into groups and choose one of Jessie’s poems to discuss.  Students can discuss how they can relate to her and how she can solve the problem [if there is one].

*For personal character-related units, have students pick a poem of Jessie’s that they can somehow relate to and create a similar poem identifying how they relate and the importance of being themselves.

ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES by Sonya Sones

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sones, Sonya. 2004. ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0689858205

PLOT SUMMARY

Ruby is a teenage girl who suddenly finds herself uprooted from the life she has always known and separated from her Mother, friends, and boyfriend.  After her mother dies, Ruby is sent to live with a father that was never there for her before and to attend school with other privileged teens.  Determined to be bitter, Ruby is reluctant to acknowledge her father’s efforts but finds she can relate to him.  When she learns the truth of his absence, her relational walls begin to fall and she slowly opens up to her new father, friends, and even Wyatt, the “Brad Pitt wannabe” from her dream interpretation class.       

                                                              

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A novel in poetic free verse, this story is an easy read and utilizes both short lines and long lines. The rhythm requires times of sentence-long speech as well as dramatic pauses suitable to any young girl’s life story.  As Ruby journals through her experience, the novel incorporates intrapersonal and interpersonal dialog, letters, and even conversations with her dead mother. Different fonts are used to emphasize the battle and confusion going on in her head as well as for the letters from back home.  The language Sones uses is reflective of the typical teenager, especially when Ruby expresses her feelings.  For example, Ruby said “She’ll die when she sees yours,” “I swear to God,” and “it made me feel like such a moron.”  The language also provides the reader with a mental picture of her new over-the-top and dramatic life: her father’s name, “Whip,” and her new bedroom being “literally the room of [her] dreams.” Throughout the verses, the reader can feel the sense of desperation in Ruby through the language.  “I just give up,” “I’m not that depressed,” and “You traitor, you deserter” are just a few of the lines that Ruby expresses.  As she works through her new venture, the language, emotions, and feelings change.  “Wow… And I fling my arms around both of them,” “and the three of us crack up.” Emotions of depression, anger, and sadness are replaced with excitement, joy and anticipation… and the verses shout it to the reader.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

KIRKUS REVIEWS – “It’s a hugely artificial form, but its free acknowledgment thereof (“my life better not turn out to be like one of those hideous books where the mother dies and so the girl has to go live with her absentee father . . . ”) allows the text, and Ruby, to explore the possibilities behind the fantasy.”

Publishers Weekly - "winning portrayal of a teenage girl's loves and losses."

Iowa Teen Award

CONNECTIONS

*Read the novel with other similar poetic novels such as JINX by Margaret Wild and KEESHA’S HOUSE by Helen Frost.  Students can compare and contrast the novels.

*Discuss first impressions: hers on her father and friends.

*Have students write a similar poem about themselves.  They could include intrapersonal thought as well as dialog and letters. 

*Identify language that shows imagery and provokes emotion.

*Students could write the next poem that would come after the ending.  What happens next?