Module 4/Genre 4 - Non-Fiction

Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 1977. Look to the night sky an introduction to star watching. New York: Viking Press. ISBN 9780670439935

Plot Summary
This classic book is an introduction for children on star gazing. It starts with the explanation of the basics of star gazing and the types of conditions that are most favorable for looking at the night sky. It then continues with how to map the sky and stars. That is followed by a section that discusses seasons and how the sky changes accordingly. It moves into special items to observe and then buying and using a telescope. In the appendix is a short section about astrology followed by telescope sources and a guide to further reading.

Critical Analysis
Look to the Night Sky, although an older book, is still relevant and valuable. It lays out astronomy for the beginner in very simple and basic terms. It teaches how to find stars, constellations, and more with the naked eye. Easy to remember nicknames, as well as, the constellations real names are given throughout the book. These nicknames make it easy to remember what one is looking for in the night sky; for example it is easier to find the W in the sky instead of remembering what the constellation Cassiopeia looks like.

The clear and basic illustrations also make the instructions easier to understand. There are also wonderful photos in other areas that help show what to look for, like comets and such. Even though the book is rather old, it is very interesting to see actual photos of Halley’s Comet from 1910 and the black and white photos of other objects from space like nebula.

Any youngster who was interested in stars or the night sky would easily find Look to the Night Sky helpful in their pursuits. This book would also be helpful in going beyond the basics since it moves into telescopes – how to use them and what to look for shopping for one.

Review Excerpt
Kirkus Review: "A clear, attractive introduction which starts at the very beginning. . . . This brisk and eminently readable orientation will surely succeed in making almost any youngster feel right at home with the night sky"

Connections
Have students pick a constellation from this introduction and have them research, draw, and share with the group the constellation he/she chose.

Assign two to three constellations that are in season and have the students locate them at night with the help of their parents.

Explore other out of this world titles by Seymour Simon:
Our Solar System ISBN 9780061140082
The Sun ISBN 9780688092368
Stars ISBN 9780060890018
Galaxies ISBN 9780688109929
Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids ISBN 9780688158439
The Universe ISBN 9780060877255
Destination Space ISBN 9780060877231

Module 4/Genre 4 - Non-Fiction

Bibliography
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2005. Hitler Youth growing up in Hitler's shadow. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction. ISBN 9780439353793

Plot Summary
In the powerful book, Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow, Susan Campbell Bartoletti has told the stories of different youngsters who were involved with the Hitlerjugend – Hitler Youth – and intertwines what was taking place during that time. The different perspectives start from before Hitler became Chancellor and ends with the fall of Nazi Germany and how that affected these same young people. World War II events are placed through out so known historical happenings help place what was going on in these youngsters’ lives. The book ends with an important epilogue that explains what happened to people who Bartoletti wrote about in this book. The author also gives a time line of the Hitler Youth from 1926 to 1945, a note about the photographs included in the book, and a note from the author.

Critical Analysis
Hitler Youth is an exceptional book that includes so much history and depicts well the complex lives and choices that young people in war-time Germany had to face. The stories are compelling and really beg the question of every reader, “What would I have done if I was in the same situation?” Bartoletti uses interviews, biographies, letters, diaries, and history books to create a book that really allows the reader to feel what it was like during those difficult years.

The book, although not attractive in the traditional sense, has a very provocative cover. Not only do the capitalized block letters "HITLER YOUTH" jump out at you, but there is a photo of a pre-teen centered on the cover standing the the grasp of what seems to be Adolf Hitler (his trademark mustache just visible in the upper right hand corner). The photographs throughout this book are well placed and are used to give the reader a picture of life in Nazi Germany. Seeing the children and teens in these photos at the beginning of the book and throughout helps remind the reader that they were just normal children who are just like us. The book is laid out well and tells the stories flow together. The historical pictures interspersed with candid photos help bring life to the book.

This book is definitely for older children, teens, and adults. The subject matter will provoke many discussions and opinions. This book’s subject could bridge to many other areas of learning and discussion.

Review Excerpts
BookList: “The handsome book design, with black-and-white historical photos on every double page spread, will draw in readers and help spark deep discussion, which will extend beyond the Holocaust curriculum.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: "This well-contextualized narrative allows readers largely unfamiliar with the history to gain a solid understanding not only of Hitler and his legions of youth but of the deeper connections back to the first World War, the Treaty of Versailles, and the anti-Semitism of the nation, and the abundant details effectively function to broaden understanding rather than dragging the plotline down.”
The Horn Book: “…The power of the account is matched by the many period candid and propaganda photographs, well-married to the text by strong captions and placement…”
New York Times Book Review: “The real strength of Susan Campbell Bartoletti's handsome book, which is illustrated with documentary photographs, lies in its interviews with former members, as well as with Jews and Mischling (half-Jews) who were forbidden to join the ranks.”

Connections
Have students discuss the pressures that the German teenagers must have felt about having to join this group. Compare and contrast what that is like for those pressured to join gangs.

Follow up with reading The Diary of Anne Frank and have students discuss the different perspective that this story gives.

Have students visit the United States Holocaust Museum (http://www.ushmm.org/) and do an online scavenger hunt to find out different information that is presented on their web site. Also have them browse the online exhibits (http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/).

Module 4/Genre 4 - Non-Fiction

Bibliography

Jenkins, Steve, and Robin Page. 2005. I see a kookaburra! discovering animal habitats around the world. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 9780618507641

Plot Summary

I See a Kookaburra! is a wonderfully crafted book about different habitats and the creatures that live there. The book covers the American Southwest desert, England’s southern coast tidal pools, South American jungles, the savanna of central Africa, Australia’s eastern forest, and America’s ponds in the Midwest. Each habitat is shown with its animals hidden and then the following pages show them with a little blurb about each. At the end of the book is a glossary for each habitat with a more detailed description of each animal. There’s also a world map with each habitat area labeled and then a brief additional reading section.

Critical Analysis

This bright picture book is a wonderful non-fiction selection for young children, whether they can read or not. Learning will take place without the youngster realizing it. The engaging collages will captivate children to search for animals and then encourage them to read on to find out more about each creature.

The paper collages are well thought out and executed. The variety of textures used really makes the animals seem three dimensional. The natterjack toad alone is made up of at least eight different layers of paper that makes the toad look like part amphibian, part rock. The art in this book not only pleases whoever browses this book, but also inspires any artist, quasi-artist, or artist-wanna-be to try paper collages.

The information in this book is well researched and detailed in the back of the book. The book is also laid out in a way consistent way that helps students to realize that after seeing the habitat page and searching for animals within, the next page will expose each hidden animal and tell a little about each. I See a Kookaburra will motivate children to find out more about habitats and the animals found in each one.

Review Excerpts

BookList: “Jenkins and Page team up again, this time to combine vibrant paper-collage art with an I Spy game to introduce wildlife in six habitats around the world.”

Kirkus Reviews: “…and in general, this offering provides what readers have come to expect from Jenkins: eye-popping collages and accessible information about the natural world.”

School Library Journal: “Filled with vibrant colors and palpable textures, the illustrations are breathtaking and give a real sense of the vitality, diversity, and beauty of nature. A first-rate foray into ecology that will encourage readers to explore the world around them.”

Connections

Have an art class pick animals to make up using paper collages. Extend the activity by having them make the habitats for the animals as well. Have students look at http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/makingbooks/ to see how Mr. Jenkins planned the art for his books.

Have students research the local habitat and the creatures that live close by. Have presentations on what they find. Students could even “extend” I See a Kookaburra by adding their own habitat and animals to continue the book.

Have students read Animal Poems (ISBN 9780374380571) and have them write a poem about one of the animals listed in I See a Kookaburra.

Have students check out some of the other Steve Jenkins books:
Move! ISBN 9780618646371
Prehistoric Actual Size ISBN 9780618535781
Next Stop, Neptune: Experiencing Our Solar System ISBN 9780618416035
What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? ISBN 9780618256280
Biggest, Strongest, Fastest ISBN 9780395697016

Module 3/Genre 3 - Poetry

Meow Ruff

Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce, and Michelle Berg. 2006. Meow ruff. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Plot Summary

This concrete poetry picture book by Joyce Sidman is a simple story, but has some valuable lessons in it. The cat in this story is abandoned at the same time the dog escapes from his home. Of course, the dog pursues the cat; all the while – through each page – clouds are getting bigger and darker. Just as the anticipated fight starts, so does the storm. This forces the natural enemies to seek shelter in the same place. They fall asleep only to be awakened by the irritating crows once the storm has passed. They team up to chase the crows solidifying their friendship. Finally, the dog’s owner finds his dog and his dog’s new friend leaving the reader with the hope of a new home for the cat when the human carries the cat in his arms.

Critical Analysis

The concrete poetry in this story adds so much detail and fun. As the back of the book says in the picture of the grass, “Concrete poetry is poetry that makes pictures out of letters and words.” Even the cement, house, car, clouds, trees, and shelter describe the story in a unique way as words make up each object. The clouds on one page that are made up of full, round, mostly white letters that say, “large white steamy bread loaves rising in the sun’s bright heat, a billowing batch of cumulus.” This story’s small details, like its numbered lady bugs or the hail stones that are made up of, “ice," add to the overall enjoyment of the story.

The graphics in this book, by designer Michelle Berg, are simple and fun, but so appealing. The bright colors really draw the eye to each subject throughout the story. The well chosen fonts are so clever in this story. The tree trunk is made of a solid, thick font, while the clouds are made up of fat and round ones, just like a cloud. Even the “A” in the anthill sticks up above the ground just like an anthill does.

This is a story that any age will enjoy, but especially young ones with the bright colors and the almost puzzle like way the words make up objects throughout the story. This story also deals with some very real issues like friendship and pet abandonment, which can help children explore those issues.

Review Excerpts

Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books – “This title is rife with possibilities for art, reading, or language curricula, and it could serve as an early introduction to concrete poetry for readers not yet ready for Janeczko's A Poke in the I.”
The Horn Book – “Looking for the poetry hidden in the visual imagery is the most obvious appeal of this beautiful, innovative book; other pleasures include the splendid flood of onomatopoeia and the stunning design.”
School Library Journal – “The adjective-loaded unrhyrned verse is actually a series of descriptive phrases that have been compressed and arranged to create elements of the artwork.”

Connections

Lead a discussion with students about friendship and a time when a past enemy has become a friend.

For a language arts/art connection have children draw animals or objects and have the children put words in them that describe the subject. See where this writing leads!

Lead a discussion with older children about pet abandonment and responsibility.

Other concrete poetry books for children:
Burg, Brad, and Rebecca Gibbon. 2002. Outside the lines poetry at play. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN – 0399234462

Janeczko, Paul B., and Christopher Raschka. 2001. A poke in the I. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN – 0763606618

Lewis, J. Patrick, and Lisa Desimini. 1998. Doodle dandies poems that take shape. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN - 068981075X

Grandits, John. 2004. Technically, it's not my fault concrete poems. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN - 061842833X

Module 3/Genre 3 - Poetry

Nightmares Poems to Trouble Your Sleep

Bibliography

Prelutsky, Jack, and Arnold Lobel. 1976. Nightmares poems to trouble your sleep. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Plot Summary

Nightmares Poems to Trouble Your Sleep is a wonderfully creepy collection of poems by Jack Prelutsky. It starts easily enough with The Haunted House and then moves on to scarier poems about the Bogeyman, the Werewolf, The Ghoul, and more. Some of the topics of the poems are well known like Dracula, but some are general like the Witch or the Wizard. Each rhyming poem describes each monster with great detail – enough to strike fear into some adults!

The most frightening poem is called, The Ghoul. This poem goes into detail about the ghoul waiting for children outside of their schools and then what he does with them like, “…he chews their thumbs like candy snacks and pulls apart their tongues.” After describing even more what the ghoul does and eats, he goes on to another school, waiting atop the playground equipment for little boys and girls to come out.

Critical Analysis

This is a chilling gathering of poems that would be a wonderful fall or Halloween time read for children who are old enough to appreciate the frightful tones of the poems. The rhyming verses almost mimic the footsteps one would hear after reading them while alone. Besides rhyme, Prelutsky uses alliteration in some of his poems as well.

What really adds to the eerie tone of this book are the dark feeling black and white illustrations by Arnold Lobel. These black pen drawings really help communicate the scariness of each evil lurking and the innocence of each unknowing victim. Some of these illustrations are even humorous, like the Troll’s duck-billed nose and long fingernails. The art is very detailed and is very well done. Each picture shows shadow and depth that contributes to the dismal theme of the book.

Overall, children, teens, and adults would like to be spooked by this compilation of nightmarish poems. Teachers, librarians, and parents could create much fun for children with this book at Halloween time.

Review Excerpts

Kirkus Review: “Whether or not they trouble your sleep, Prelutsky's ogre's gallery makes other monster poems turn pale.”
School Library Journal: "A dozen original poems on the `horrifying' subjects (ghouls, vampires, skeletons, etc.) so dear to many young hearts....Your steel-nerved patrons will appreciate both poems and pictures."

Connections

Have students go to Jack Prelutsky’s web site (http://www.jackprelutsky.com/). Let them explore the children’s site of his site and the poems on his site. Also, check out the parent/teacher side of his site for more ideas.

Other Jack Prelutsky books for Halloween time:
Awful Ogre's Awful Day
It’s Halloween
Monday’s Troll
The Headless Horseman Rides Tonight : More Poems to Trouble Your Sleep
The Gargoyle on the Roof: Poems
Wild Witches’ Ball
The Wizard

Have students come up with sound effects for one of the poems to be performed before the class.

Module 3/Genre 3 - Poetry

Witness

Bibliography

Hesse, Karen. 2001. Witness. New York: Scholastic Press.

Plot Summary

This is a story in verse that is also a historical novel. It is a story about a small town in Vermont in 1924. You start with pictures and very brief descriptions of each character. Then the story begins. First you meet Leanora Sutter, a twelve year old African American girl who is full of passion and very smart. All the characters are varied. Besides Leanora, there’s six year old Esther, whose first narration causes you to adore her and her quirky way of story telling. There are shop owners, a town constable, a newspaper editor, clergyman, rum-runner, a lady-farmer, a doctor, and an eighteen year old boy. All these characters give different perspectives on their town and how the Ku Klux Klan tries to come in and take over. The story clearly shows how destructive the Klan is and how the town starts turning on itself and how they eventually get free from the evil influence.

Critical Analysis

This collection of narrations tells a full and compelling story that engages and enrages. It also helps the reader feel like they were there, in 1924, and what each person was struggling with. Esther, almost commits suicide as she wants to go see her mother in heaven. Mrs. Pettibone fights her husband about his mixing with the Klan. Sara Chickering, the old-maid farmer softens as she grows more attached to little Esther, who is staying with her. Leanora faces injustice daily, but is befriended by a visually impaired man whom she starts to take care of and ends up being the unlikely savior of not one, but two people in this tale. This story shows character development and growth while still being poetic with Hesse’s free verse style.

The list of characters at the beginning of the book really help as a reference as starting to read the story and figuring out who is who. It’s also interesting that in this story of prejudice the pictures communicate in such a way that the reader pre-judges the characters from those pictures until getting to know them through their stories. Also, the staccato lines of poetry and lack of capitalization really relay the casualness of people telling a story without much dialog.

Mentions of Clarence Darrow and Calvin Coolidge help draw from real history to set the story and give a background that can help the reader have hooks into the time of the story. Overall, this is an eye-opening story for older children and adults who can grasp the cruelty of the Klan and the hardships of that time in history.

Review Excerpts

Booklist – “The story is told in five acts, and, in fact, it will work best as reader's theater. It's more a situation than a straight narrative, with too many characters and too many plot threads that aren't fully developed. But Hesse's spare writing leaves space for readers to imagine more about that time and about their own.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books – “…this is also a thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of a national phenomenon on a local level. The book is rife with curricular applications…”
School Library Journal – “The small details seem just right, and demonstrate that this is much more than a social tract. It's a thoughtful look at people and their capacity for love and hate.”

Connections

Have students choose parts and read the story as a class.

Have children research what life was like in the north in 1924. Have them compare and contrast to their current culture and way of life.

Students could write about times when felt like they were treated unjustly or when they misjudged or pre-judged someone and was wrong. They can explore the thought processes behind each subject.

Compare and contrast their technology with our technology (i.e. running water vs. having a well). Discuss how things have changed with technology and how much have things really changed or not.