1. Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 2005. Amazing Bats. San Francisco: Seastar Books. ISBN 1587172615
2. Plot Summary
Amazing Bats is an overview of bats. It mentions several kinds of bats and tells something about them. It tells facts like where some bats live, what some eat, and why people should not be afraid of them.
3. Critical Analysis
Simon Seymour’s book, Amazing Bats, is a well-written book for younger students. He tells accurate facts about bats and even explains some of the myths about them. He states, “Many stories about bats are untrue. For example, bats are not blind. Many bats can see very well.”
The book has a clear focus of introducing the reader to the world of bats by using simple vocabulary and definitions throughout, like when he defines hibernation.
“Other bats that live in cold places spend the winter in a deep sleep called hibernation.”
Seymour also has wonderful, intriguing details in his close up photographs of the bats. These glossy photos are part of the design of the book that is very eye-catching. The text is always written with colors that stand out from the background color.
This nonfiction book is short and is easily read cover to cover. Therefore, it does not have or need a table of content, index, and/ or glossary.
Seymour’s style in this book is a good work of nonfiction literature for a quick, broad look at bats. He explains things so that young readers can comprehend them. For example, “Most bats eat insects. A little brown bat can eat about 600 bugs an hour. That’s like you eating 20 pizza’s a night!” This comparison really helps the student grasp the amount the bats eat. He uses appropriate vocabulary and definitions for young readers.
This book is definitely a good introduction to bats and will spark kids curiosity to learn more about them.
4. Review Excerpts (s)
Review in School Library Journal
Gr 1-3-Gorgeous photographs distinguish these two books from similar titles. The first one begins with an introduction to the topic, followed by facts about where bats live, what they eat, and how they handle the cold weather.
5. Connections
* Invite students to write about bats.
* Allow students to search the internet for information on bats.
* Read other books about bats including fiction and poems.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance
1. Bibliography
Armstrong, Jennifer. 1998. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance. New York: Crown Publisher’s, Inc. ISBN 0517800144
2. Plot Summary
This story describes in detail of an expedition of twenty-eight men to try who got stranded in the southern continent, Antartica, with no way to contact anyone for months and how they all survived.
3. Critical Analysis
Armstrong includes specific date, times, and quotes from the actual journals of the men themselves. For example on page 59, “ At 5p.m. she went down by the head: the stern… was the last to go under the water,” Shackleton recorded in his diary that night. “I can’t write about it.”
By this use of quotes you know the book is as accurate as possible. She also uses actual photographs taken from the journey throughout the book.
The book is well organized with a table of contents, members of the crew, diagrams and maps, and an overview at the beginning of the book. Then it goes through each chapter that is in sequential order and easy for the reader to follow.
The design is well though out. The cover of the book itself is very simply illustrated with a vague picture of men pulling a ship with a completely white background. The photographs and story are compelling. The layout is very appropriate for the subject matter.
Armstrong’s overall style is notices through her vivid descriptions and vocabulary that makes the readers truly engaged in the facts of the story. Her writing reveals her interest in this heroic story. The quotes she chose to put into the story help bring out the attitudes of the characters. As in their toast, “The toast, as always, was, “To our sweethearts and wives – may they never meet!” (Armstrong, 34).
She includes many compelling details that give the reader that “wow” factor.
“His frantic cries brought Wild out of his tent with a rifle, and Wild immediately dropped to one knee, raised the weapon, and began firing-and cursing furiously at Orde-Lees. The leopard seal now rushed toward Wild, who shot again and again. The animal was only thirty feet away from Wild when it fell at last. The entire crew was breathless.”
This is one of the many details that really help the reader feel like they are right there with the character in the story. Armstrong’s has an overall style that keeps the reader wanting to read more.
4. Review Excerpts (s)
School Library Journal
Gr 6 Up-When their ship, Endurance, became icebound in Antarctica and sank in 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his 27 crewmen were 100 miles from land. Unbelievably, they all survived. At first, the men played on the ice to kill time, but after Endurance sank, they took to their life boats, and spent a year and a half traveling over ice, water, and mountains to reach safety.
5. Connections
* Invite students to research the Antarctica
* Invite students to discuss and write what items they would like if they were stranded in the ice and could only have a limited number of things.
* Discuss what the men used to know their location.
Armstrong, Jennifer. 1998. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance. New York: Crown Publisher’s, Inc. ISBN 0517800144
2. Plot Summary
This story describes in detail of an expedition of twenty-eight men to try who got stranded in the southern continent, Antartica, with no way to contact anyone for months and how they all survived.
3. Critical Analysis
Armstrong includes specific date, times, and quotes from the actual journals of the men themselves. For example on page 59, “ At 5p.m. she went down by the head: the stern… was the last to go under the water,” Shackleton recorded in his diary that night. “I can’t write about it.”
By this use of quotes you know the book is as accurate as possible. She also uses actual photographs taken from the journey throughout the book.
The book is well organized with a table of contents, members of the crew, diagrams and maps, and an overview at the beginning of the book. Then it goes through each chapter that is in sequential order and easy for the reader to follow.
The design is well though out. The cover of the book itself is very simply illustrated with a vague picture of men pulling a ship with a completely white background. The photographs and story are compelling. The layout is very appropriate for the subject matter.
Armstrong’s overall style is notices through her vivid descriptions and vocabulary that makes the readers truly engaged in the facts of the story. Her writing reveals her interest in this heroic story. The quotes she chose to put into the story help bring out the attitudes of the characters. As in their toast, “The toast, as always, was, “To our sweethearts and wives – may they never meet!” (Armstrong, 34).
She includes many compelling details that give the reader that “wow” factor.
“His frantic cries brought Wild out of his tent with a rifle, and Wild immediately dropped to one knee, raised the weapon, and began firing-and cursing furiously at Orde-Lees. The leopard seal now rushed toward Wild, who shot again and again. The animal was only thirty feet away from Wild when it fell at last. The entire crew was breathless.”
This is one of the many details that really help the reader feel like they are right there with the character in the story. Armstrong’s has an overall style that keeps the reader wanting to read more.
4. Review Excerpts (s)
School Library Journal
Gr 6 Up-When their ship, Endurance, became icebound in Antarctica and sank in 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his 27 crewmen were 100 miles from land. Unbelievably, they all survived. At first, the men played on the ice to kill time, but after Endurance sank, they took to their life boats, and spent a year and a half traveling over ice, water, and mountains to reach safety.
5. Connections
* Invite students to research the Antarctica
* Invite students to discuss and write what items they would like if they were stranded in the ice and could only have a limited number of things.
* Discuss what the men used to know their location.
Biggest, Strongest, Fastest
1. Bibliography
Jenkins, Steve. 1995. Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. New York: Tickor & Fields Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0395697018
2. Plot Summary
This book describes different animals and their most distinguishing characteristics and compares it to everyday things. It even includes a chart that tells the animals record, size, diet, and range.
3. Critical Analysis
This book contains accurate record facts about animals. Jenkins includes a bibliography at the front of the book to show where he found his information.
As for the organization of the book, the information goes from general, “The Galapagos tortoise lives longer that any other animal, “which is in larger print, to more detailed, “ Galapagos tortoises can live to be over 150 years old- about twice as long as the average person can expect to live”, in smaller print. The book ends with a chart that recaps all the animals, their record, and size, and includes other information such as their diet and range.
The book design is inviting due to the large, yet simple illustrations and simple comparisons.
The illustrations of the animals are large with little or no background that helps them to stand out. There is a small shadow of the animal and a shadow of an object being compared to it, to help support the text and help the reader visualize the information.
The style of the book is interesting because of the vivid comparisons. These comparisons make the abstract more concrete. The vocabulary is appropriate for this book, and does not “talk-down” to the reader. This book generates curiosity about the records animal hold.
4. Review Excerpts (s)
Children's Literature
For kids who ask those impossible questions- what animal is the biggest, or smallest, longest or shortest, and so on-Jenkins has created a delightful series of answers using full color cut paper collage illustrations. From the streaking cheetah on the cover to the tiny Etruscan shrew sitting on a teaspoon, readers see the animal and learn salient facts plus a few more delicious tidbits. Cleverly done and sure to appeal to both the littlest and biggest of readers.
5. Connections
* Students could use measuring and actually draw the real size of the animals.
* The teacher could model using a chart at the back of the book, and then have students create their own chart.
*Encourage students to research other animals and their most unique characteristic.
Jenkins, Steve. 1995. Biggest, Strongest, Fastest. New York: Tickor & Fields Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0395697018
2. Plot Summary
This book describes different animals and their most distinguishing characteristics and compares it to everyday things. It even includes a chart that tells the animals record, size, diet, and range.
3. Critical Analysis
This book contains accurate record facts about animals. Jenkins includes a bibliography at the front of the book to show where he found his information.
As for the organization of the book, the information goes from general, “The Galapagos tortoise lives longer that any other animal, “which is in larger print, to more detailed, “ Galapagos tortoises can live to be over 150 years old- about twice as long as the average person can expect to live”, in smaller print. The book ends with a chart that recaps all the animals, their record, and size, and includes other information such as their diet and range.
The book design is inviting due to the large, yet simple illustrations and simple comparisons.
The illustrations of the animals are large with little or no background that helps them to stand out. There is a small shadow of the animal and a shadow of an object being compared to it, to help support the text and help the reader visualize the information.
The style of the book is interesting because of the vivid comparisons. These comparisons make the abstract more concrete. The vocabulary is appropriate for this book, and does not “talk-down” to the reader. This book generates curiosity about the records animal hold.
4. Review Excerpts (s)
Children's Literature
For kids who ask those impossible questions- what animal is the biggest, or smallest, longest or shortest, and so on-Jenkins has created a delightful series of answers using full color cut paper collage illustrations. From the streaking cheetah on the cover to the tiny Etruscan shrew sitting on a teaspoon, readers see the animal and learn salient facts plus a few more delicious tidbits. Cleverly done and sure to appeal to both the littlest and biggest of readers.
5. Connections
* Students could use measuring and actually draw the real size of the animals.
* The teacher could model using a chart at the back of the book, and then have students create their own chart.
*Encourage students to research other animals and their most unique characteristic.
Friday, October 12, 2007
The New Kid on the Block
Bibliography
Prelutsky, Jack. 1984. The New Kid on the Block. Ill. by James Stevenson. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0329044532
Plot Summary
The New Kid on the Block is an anthology of hilarious poems on many silly topics all by the same author, Jack Prelutsky.
Critical Analysis
Prelutsky proves that poetry doesn’t always have to be deep and meaningful, but it can be fun and humorous. His choice of topics stimulate the imagination. A good example of this is, "Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face",
"…Imagine if your precious nose
were sandwiched in between your toes,
that clearly would not be a treat,
for you’d be forced to smell your feet."
This shows how he took a simple topic, such as a nose, and turned it into a hilarious poem. Prelutsky uses great imagination when creating some of his poems, as in, The Underwater Wibbles, The Flotz, and Snillies.
My favorite poem of his since I first heard it in 1989, is Homework!, Oh Homework! Many of his poems have and will be timeless because the topics are universal and kids can relate to them. Some others are; My Baby Brother, My Dog, He Is an Ugly Dog, and The New Kid on the Block. Prelutsky uses many elements of poetry in his poems. In, Boing! Boing! Squeak, he obviously uses onomatapoeia. He also uses great sense of imagery as in, Jellyfish Stew. Each poem has something funny to laugh at and enjoy.
James Stevenson uses simple pencil drawings to go with each poem, but the poems really are what make the book.
This book does not have a table of contents, instead it has 2 indexes where the poems are listed by titles, and by the first lines of the poems. This organization works out because each poem has a rhythmic pattern that sounds great read aloud.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal
"Grade 1-8AJack Prelutsky's popular book and recording is now available on compact disc. This new format includes five poem/songs from the book not found on the cassette version: "The Carpenter Rages," "Drumpp the Grump," "Oh, Teddy Bear," "I've Got an Incredible Headache," and "Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon." These new pieces feature guitar, banjo, and fiddle playing behind Prelutsky's fun vocal antics."
Pubisher Review
Open this book to any page to begin your exploration. Here are poems about things that you may never have thought about before. You'll be introduced to jellyfish stew, a bouncing mouse, a ridiculous dog, and a boneless chicken. You'll learn why you shouldn't argue with a shark, eat a dinosaur, or have an alligator for a pet. You'll meet the world's worst singer and the greatest video game player in history. You'll even find an invitation to a dragon's birthday party....Your friends are invited too.
Connections
*Read some of his poems and have students choose a simple topic and write a poem.
*Do an author study on Jack Prelutsky.
*Read one of his poems aloud and have students illustrate it.
Prelutsky, Jack. 1984. The New Kid on the Block. Ill. by James Stevenson. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0329044532
Plot Summary
The New Kid on the Block is an anthology of hilarious poems on many silly topics all by the same author, Jack Prelutsky.
Critical Analysis
Prelutsky proves that poetry doesn’t always have to be deep and meaningful, but it can be fun and humorous. His choice of topics stimulate the imagination. A good example of this is, "Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face",
"…Imagine if your precious nose
were sandwiched in between your toes,
that clearly would not be a treat,
for you’d be forced to smell your feet."
This shows how he took a simple topic, such as a nose, and turned it into a hilarious poem. Prelutsky uses great imagination when creating some of his poems, as in, The Underwater Wibbles, The Flotz, and Snillies.
My favorite poem of his since I first heard it in 1989, is Homework!, Oh Homework! Many of his poems have and will be timeless because the topics are universal and kids can relate to them. Some others are; My Baby Brother, My Dog, He Is an Ugly Dog, and The New Kid on the Block. Prelutsky uses many elements of poetry in his poems. In, Boing! Boing! Squeak, he obviously uses onomatapoeia. He also uses great sense of imagery as in, Jellyfish Stew. Each poem has something funny to laugh at and enjoy.
James Stevenson uses simple pencil drawings to go with each poem, but the poems really are what make the book.
This book does not have a table of contents, instead it has 2 indexes where the poems are listed by titles, and by the first lines of the poems. This organization works out because each poem has a rhythmic pattern that sounds great read aloud.
Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal
"Grade 1-8AJack Prelutsky's popular book and recording is now available on compact disc. This new format includes five poem/songs from the book not found on the cassette version: "The Carpenter Rages," "Drumpp the Grump," "Oh, Teddy Bear," "I've Got an Incredible Headache," and "Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon." These new pieces feature guitar, banjo, and fiddle playing behind Prelutsky's fun vocal antics."
Pubisher Review
Open this book to any page to begin your exploration. Here are poems about things that you may never have thought about before. You'll be introduced to jellyfish stew, a bouncing mouse, a ridiculous dog, and a boneless chicken. You'll learn why you shouldn't argue with a shark, eat a dinosaur, or have an alligator for a pet. You'll meet the world's worst singer and the greatest video game player in history. You'll even find an invitation to a dragon's birthday party....Your friends are invited too.
Connections
*Read some of his poems and have students choose a simple topic and write a poem.
*Do an author study on Jack Prelutsky.
*Read one of his poems aloud and have students illustrate it.
Danitra Brown Leaves Town
Bibliography
Grimes, Nikki. 2002. Danitra Brown Leaves Town. Ill. by Floyd Cooper. New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. ISBN 0688131557
Plot Summary
Danitra Brown Leaves Town is a series of 13 poems and letters about two best friends who are spending the summer apart. Through these poems and letters each character has their own summer adventures.
Critical Analysis
Nikki Grimes has used a combination of narrative poems and letters, which describe the feelings, and attitudes of two best friends being apart during the summer. A good example of showing one of the characters ( Zuri) feelings is in "The Letter."
"…I said mean things when she left me.
I was so mad at her then.
Was she writing to forgive me,
or say I’m not her friend?
I ripped Danitra’s letter open,
in spite of my worst fear.
I bit my lip until I read
"I wish that you were here".
Through Grimes choice of rhyming words you can feel Zuri feeling guilty about being mad at her friend for leaving. Many young readers can relate to saying something to a friend when they were angry at them, yet not really meaning what they had said, as Zuri did in this poem.
Each poem and letter represents a particular mood. The beautifully painted pictures by Floyd Cooper really help portray the characters attitudes, and feelings. The overall meaning of the two friends being separated and going through their own adventures is something many readers will be able to relate to and especially the feeling at the end when they reunite.
Both the poetry and the illustrations help make the characters come to life. One letter that really shows the characters voice is in, "Zuri at Bat",
"…At the softball game last week,
smart-mouth J.T. snickered loud and said,
"What makes you think a puny girl like you can help us win?"
"Exactly where you been?" I asked him, stepping in.
When the pitch came, I slammed the ball so far,
It ripped through the clouds and headed for a star.
I strutted ‘round the bases, took my own sweet time…" The descriptions represent Zuri’s attitude.
Grimes uses distinctive rhythm and language which makes this book enjoyable and appeal to young people.
Review Excerpt(s)
Children’s Literature
"Grimes tells the story in free verse with occasional rhymes, both ending and internal, that hint at poetry but don't sacrifice meaning for rhyme or rhythm. Cooper's paintings depict Danitra with glasses and Zuri with puffy hair but it is difficult to tell who each girl is without reading several poems first. The final picture of Danitra and Zuri hugging is accompanied by a poem that's sure to ring true with other friends"
Publishers Weekly
"Zuri describes in verse the summer that she and her best friend Danitra are separated in Danitra Brown Leaves Town by Nikki Grimes, a follow-up to Meet Danitra Brown. Floyd Cooper's luminescent pastels chronicle the long days and Zuri's many moods."
Connections
* This would be a great book to read as part of a friendship unit.
* Read other books by Nikki Grimes such as: Meet Danitra Brown, Danitra Brown, Class Clown, or Stepping Out with Grandma Mac.
Grimes, Nikki. 2002. Danitra Brown Leaves Town. Ill. by Floyd Cooper. New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. ISBN 0688131557
Plot Summary
Danitra Brown Leaves Town is a series of 13 poems and letters about two best friends who are spending the summer apart. Through these poems and letters each character has their own summer adventures.
Critical Analysis
Nikki Grimes has used a combination of narrative poems and letters, which describe the feelings, and attitudes of two best friends being apart during the summer. A good example of showing one of the characters ( Zuri) feelings is in "The Letter."
"…I said mean things when she left me.
I was so mad at her then.
Was she writing to forgive me,
or say I’m not her friend?
I ripped Danitra’s letter open,
in spite of my worst fear.
I bit my lip until I read
"I wish that you were here".
Through Grimes choice of rhyming words you can feel Zuri feeling guilty about being mad at her friend for leaving. Many young readers can relate to saying something to a friend when they were angry at them, yet not really meaning what they had said, as Zuri did in this poem.
Each poem and letter represents a particular mood. The beautifully painted pictures by Floyd Cooper really help portray the characters attitudes, and feelings. The overall meaning of the two friends being separated and going through their own adventures is something many readers will be able to relate to and especially the feeling at the end when they reunite.
Both the poetry and the illustrations help make the characters come to life. One letter that really shows the characters voice is in, "Zuri at Bat",
"…At the softball game last week,
smart-mouth J.T. snickered loud and said,
"What makes you think a puny girl like you can help us win?"
"Exactly where you been?" I asked him, stepping in.
When the pitch came, I slammed the ball so far,
It ripped through the clouds and headed for a star.
I strutted ‘round the bases, took my own sweet time…" The descriptions represent Zuri’s attitude.
Grimes uses distinctive rhythm and language which makes this book enjoyable and appeal to young people.
Review Excerpt(s)
Children’s Literature
"Grimes tells the story in free verse with occasional rhymes, both ending and internal, that hint at poetry but don't sacrifice meaning for rhyme or rhythm. Cooper's paintings depict Danitra with glasses and Zuri with puffy hair but it is difficult to tell who each girl is without reading several poems first. The final picture of Danitra and Zuri hugging is accompanied by a poem that's sure to ring true with other friends"
Publishers Weekly
"Zuri describes in verse the summer that she and her best friend Danitra are separated in Danitra Brown Leaves Town by Nikki Grimes, a follow-up to Meet Danitra Brown. Floyd Cooper's luminescent pastels chronicle the long days and Zuri's many moods."
Connections
* This would be a great book to read as part of a friendship unit.
* Read other books by Nikki Grimes such as: Meet Danitra Brown, Danitra Brown, Class Clown, or Stepping Out with Grandma Mac.
Out of the Dust
Bibliography
Hesse, Karen. 1997. Out of the Dust. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590360809
Plot Summary
Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse is a novel written in free verse from the perspective of a teenage girl, Billie Jo. It tells of her life at age 14 to 15, living in Oklahoma during the dust bowl.
Critical Analysis
This novel uses a series of free verse poems which are title and dated. The organization of the poems tell an emotional story that flows well and made easy to read. It doesn't rhyme, but definately has a sense of rhythm. Every poem is full of meaning that represents emotions, experiences, and images.
Hesse uses sense imagery throughout the novel. She makes you feel as if you are really their right along with the main character. An example is in, Dust Storm,
"...The dirt blew down so thick
it scratched my eyes
and stung my tender skin,
it plugged my nose and filled inside my mouth.
No matter how I pressed my lips together,
the dust made muddy tracks
across my toungue."
When reading this you feel like you are engulfed with dust.
There are no illustrations in the novel, but through her use of descriptions the reader gets a clear image of the text.
This moving novel was really intriguing and definately makes you want to read more by this poet.
This novel would be more appreciated by mature secondary students and adults. This audience would be able to relate to many of the topics and issues in this book.
Hesse's reference to out of the dust is repeated throughout the novel and really stands out and in the end the character symbolically comes, "out of the dust".
Review Excerpt(s)
Children's Literature
"It's 1934 in the Oklahoma Panhandle and fourteen-year-old Billie Jo must face the devastation of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Told in a very convincing, first person, poetic style, the listener comes to feel great empathy and admiration for Billie Jo's indomitable spirit. The audiotape version of this Newbery novel is especially well done and the skilled narrator really helps bring this striking free-verse novel to life. It makes for a riveting listening experience for older children, teens and adults."
School Library
"Journal Gr 5-8-Fourteen-year-old Billie Jo's life is defined by struggle both physical and emotional. She struggles to forgive her father for causing the accident that killed her mother. She fights a daily battle to survive during the worst days of the Oklahoma dust storms. And she strives to heal her body and her soul when severe burns leave her disfigured and unable to play the music she loves. Set during the time of the Great Depression and written in free verse, Karen Hesse's spare but powerful work (Scholastic, 1997) captures every nuance of Billie Jo's emotions, from heartwrenching sadness at the death of her mother and newborn brother to the challenge of rebuilding a relationship with her embittered father."
Connections
*Read other books by Karen Hesse.
*Read aloud and encourage students to create a diary.
*Students could read this novel then do a character analysis of Billie Jo.
*Students could research the Dust Bowl.
Hesse, Karen. 1997. Out of the Dust. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590360809
Plot Summary
Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse is a novel written in free verse from the perspective of a teenage girl, Billie Jo. It tells of her life at age 14 to 15, living in Oklahoma during the dust bowl.
Critical Analysis
This novel uses a series of free verse poems which are title and dated. The organization of the poems tell an emotional story that flows well and made easy to read. It doesn't rhyme, but definately has a sense of rhythm. Every poem is full of meaning that represents emotions, experiences, and images.
Hesse uses sense imagery throughout the novel. She makes you feel as if you are really their right along with the main character. An example is in, Dust Storm,
"...The dirt blew down so thick
it scratched my eyes
and stung my tender skin,
it plugged my nose and filled inside my mouth.
No matter how I pressed my lips together,
the dust made muddy tracks
across my toungue."
When reading this you feel like you are engulfed with dust.
There are no illustrations in the novel, but through her use of descriptions the reader gets a clear image of the text.
This moving novel was really intriguing and definately makes you want to read more by this poet.
This novel would be more appreciated by mature secondary students and adults. This audience would be able to relate to many of the topics and issues in this book.
Hesse's reference to out of the dust is repeated throughout the novel and really stands out and in the end the character symbolically comes, "out of the dust".
Review Excerpt(s)
Children's Literature
"It's 1934 in the Oklahoma Panhandle and fourteen-year-old Billie Jo must face the devastation of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Told in a very convincing, first person, poetic style, the listener comes to feel great empathy and admiration for Billie Jo's indomitable spirit. The audiotape version of this Newbery novel is especially well done and the skilled narrator really helps bring this striking free-verse novel to life. It makes for a riveting listening experience for older children, teens and adults."
School Library
"Journal Gr 5-8-Fourteen-year-old Billie Jo's life is defined by struggle both physical and emotional. She struggles to forgive her father for causing the accident that killed her mother. She fights a daily battle to survive during the worst days of the Oklahoma dust storms. And she strives to heal her body and her soul when severe burns leave her disfigured and unable to play the music she loves. Set during the time of the Great Depression and written in free verse, Karen Hesse's spare but powerful work (Scholastic, 1997) captures every nuance of Billie Jo's emotions, from heartwrenching sadness at the death of her mother and newborn brother to the challenge of rebuilding a relationship with her embittered father."
Connections
*Read other books by Karen Hesse.
*Read aloud and encourage students to create a diary.
*Students could read this novel then do a character analysis of Billie Jo.
*Students could research the Dust Bowl.
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