LSSL 5360 Module 3 Review: Enchanted Air

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Engle, Margarita. 2015. Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings. New York, NY. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 97014814352222

PLOT SUMMARY

Margarita Engle created a memoir made up of poems that guide the reader through her life and growing up during the Cold War.  Throughout her childhood in Los Angeles, she dreams of summers in her mother’s faraway, beautiful country while children are unkind to her at school.  Using free verse, she shares a love of both of her countries, America and Cuba.  Her worlds collide when the conflict between Cuba and the United States thickens, resulting in the Bay of Pigs invasion, and she fears she may never see her beloved island again.       

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Engle pens a novel in a unique and different way.  Personally, I have never read a memoir of poems and to be quite honest, it’s not my preferred genre.  I will say it was moving to see the reflective, vulnerable, and self-aware nature of her writing.  She does an amazing and clear job of reflecting on who she is, how she is changing, and how her experiences impact her.  Self-awareness is a rare and powerful tool. What better way to teach this to our students than by using this novel as a model for how we can explore our own understanding of who we are and how we came to be that way.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2016 Bura Pelpre Award

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults

SCWBI Golden Kite Award Winner in Nonfiction

Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award

Emotionally rich memory poems begin with Margarita's joyful childhood visits to Cuba, her mother's homeland. At first, navigating two cultures is fairly seamless. But then there's the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and suddenly all is different. Margarita struggles to find her American self in a country that views Cuba as the enemy. An intimate view of a complicated time and life. Horn Book Guide, 2016

CONNECTIONS

A fiction title that would connect well with this book is a graphic novel called American Born Chinese.

This book could also be useful for teaching content beyond writing style or genre.  Students can explore the conflicts between the United States and Cuba and the Bay of Pigs Invasion.  This book provides one unique perspective.  

LSSL 5360 Module 3 Review: Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Florian, Douglas. 2007. Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars: Space Poems and Paintings. Orlando, Florida. ISBN 9780152053727

PLOT SUMMARY

Douglas Florian created a whimsical collection of celestial themed poems that transport the reader to another galaxy.  The book is a blend of colorful illustrations and educational poems that touch on everything from constellations, to planets, to space exploration. The factual poems cover twenty topics and flow beautifully with the detailed pictures on each page.        

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Artist and poet Douglas Florian defies gravity by putting space into the hands of the reader.  He used brown paper bags as his canvas along with a variety of techniques to create a picture (paint, multimedia, and rubber stamps). Different patterns, shapes, and colors combine to create complete images throughout the book. Florian’s fact based poems were meticulously depicted in a way that was relatable to the text and pleasing to the eye.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Moving from universe to galaxy to sun, planets to constellations and "the great beyond," Florian sums up the heavens in twenty snappy rhymes. Variants of flame-orange and blues predominate in the full-spread paintings, which incorporate collage-like accents. With its gorgeous palette, sweeping vistas, and ingenious effects (including occasional die-cut holes), this is an expansive and illuminating view of the subject. Bib., glos. Copyright 2007 of The Horn Book, Inc

CONNECTIONS

This book would be a great addition to any science unit on the study of space.  

It could be used as a springboard to invite students to compose their own galactic poetry or create a poem as a class and then collaborate on illustrations to go with each part/stanza.  

Related website - www.douglasflorian.com

LSSL 5360 Module 3 Review: Poems in the Attic

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Grimes, Nikki. 2015. Ill. Elizabeth Zunon. Poems in the Attic. NewYork: Lee & Low Books Inc. ISBN 9781620140277

PLOT SUMMARY

In Poems in the Attic, Nikki Grimes complies an intergenerational story of poems.  A young girl sifts through her grandmother’s attic and discovers a collection of poems composed by her mother when she was a girl the same age.  The poems share a story of the family moving from place to place because of a father in the Air Force.  The mother’s work is displayed on the right side of each page, while on the left are short poems written by the little girl as a reflection on what she reads of her mother’s work.      

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Nikki Grimes pens a story through poetry when a young girl discovers a box of poems in her grandma's attic. The poems were written by her mother when she was growing up, almost as a journal. Reading the poems introduces the young girl to the various places her mother lived because of her father's military career.  She is able to see and experience the world through her mother’s eyes and feel closer to her.   Inspired by her mother’s writings, the little girl decides to respond through her own reflective poetry.

Poems in the Attic alternates between two poetic forms: tanka for the mother's poems and free verse for the daughter's. Each set of poems is paired on every two-page spread and complemented beautifully by Elizabeth Zunon's vibrant paint and collage illustrations.

The author includes notes at the end with a list of the eleven U.S. Air Force bases where the poems are set, a description of the free verse and tanka forms, and an invitation to the reader to write their own.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner 2016-2017

A little girl finds her mother's stash of childhood poems reflecting the mother's travels as an Air Force brat. The daughter's free-verse poems about finding and reading her mother's work appear on left-hand pages, facing her mother's tanka poems (a Japanese poetic form) on the right. Pink-toned acrylic and oil illustrations are enhanced by cut-paper and fabric collage. Notes on the poetic forms are appended. - Horn Book Guide, 2015

Sweet and accessible but never simplistic, this collection captures the experience of a military childhood with graceful sophistication. - School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS

With students, read the author’s note at the conclusion of the book containing the invitation to write their own poem.  Encourage them to brainstorm places they have visited and could compose one of the two types of poetry about.  

LSSL 5360 Module 3 Review: This is Just to Say

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sidman, Joyce. 2007. Ill. Pamela Zagarenski. This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness. NewYork: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 9780618616800

PLOT SUMMARY

This is Just to Say is a collection of poems written by Joyce Sidman, but posed as an anthology by a sixth grade class.  In the two section book, the first contains the apology poems and the second contains pieces in response.  There are a variety of pieces included, ranging from the very silly to the heartbreakingly serious.    

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sidman’s concept of this book is interesting - creating a fictional story of sorts as a premise for the collection of poems.  The book begins with William Carlos Williams’s poem This is Just to Say posing as a springboard for the fictitious sixth grade class to compose their own poems of apology.  The poems are written with a juvenile tone, so they hit the mark with their target audience.  With the first section containing apology poems and the second section containing response poems, the opportunities for paired pieces abound.  

Pamela Zagarenski’s illustrations are a whimsical variety of mixed media including paper, canvas, and wood, as well as collage and computer graphics.  They add brightness to each poem, fit the content, and add to the overall quirky feel of the book.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

This book is a collection of "sorry poems" and responses, ostensibly (but not always believably) written, illustrated, and collected by a sixth-grade class. Though the poems are not as varied in tone or style as could be desired, they provide intimate, often touching glimpses of relationships by which real classes might be inspired. - The Horn Book, Inc, 2007

CONNECTIONS

Discuss the concept of apology.

Invite children to think or things they might apologize for, no matter how small, and then compose a poem on the topic.

LSSL 5360 Module 2 Review: The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teague, Mark. 2014. The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf. New York: Scholastic. ISBN  9780545686624

PLOT SUMMARY

Award winning Mark Teague begins his rendition of a familiar favorite in a "somewhat" different way.  After a farmer pays his three little pigs for their hard work, he sends them off to find their way in the world.  The two less responsible piggies choose to spend their money on chips and sody-pop, leaving only enough to build houses of straw and sticks.  The third un-pig-like piggy tediously constructs an abode of brick.  One day a hungry wolf comes to town, but the dining establishments are either closed or refuse to serve him!  In a moment of hungry rage, the wolf blows down the homes of the first two piggies, but passes out cold trying to destroy the third house.  In the end the three piggies feed their new friend, as he was only somewhat bad...and only very hungry.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Mark Teague does it again with a hilarious version of The Three Little Pigs.  Detailed oil paintings keep the reader enthralled while the storyline brings about laughter.  As with most versions, there are two less responsible piggies whose homes are destroyed.  The cutest part of this story is the “somewhat” bad wolf.  When he comes to town, he’s truly in search of a regular meal.  The hungrier he gets, the more clouded his judgement becomes.  He only blows down the homes of the first two piggies because he is blinded by his starvation status!  In an adorable ending, the wolf is embarrassed by his behavior and befriended by the three piggies who share their snacks and dinner with him.   

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

This fractured-fairy-tale version is a silly lesson in responsible spending, as two pigs squander their money on chips and "sody-pop" instead of solid building materials. The wolf--ultimately benign, just hungry--fails to knock down the third pig's brick house and is invited in for a snack. Teague's humorous take on the tale and his bold, polished oils are spot-on. -Horn Book Guide 2013

CONNECTIONS

This title would be great to include in a comparative study of different versions of the same fairy tale.  It offers a perspective not visited in other variations of this story.  

Related titles:

Tell the Truth BB Wolf by Judy Sierra

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugenios Trivizas

The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

LSSL 5360 Module 2 Review: Beautiful Blackbird

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryan, Ashley. 2003. Beautiful Blackbird. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN  0689847319

PLOT SUMMARY

Long ago, the colorful birds of Africa voted Blackbird to be the more beautiful of all.  They beg him to share his beauty and rich, black color with them so that they too can be beautiful as he is.  The birds come from far and wide to get in line for Blackbird to paint them with his “blackening brew” because “black is beautiful” and they want to be beautiful too.      

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ashley Bryan uses colorful collage to breathe life into an African folktale about how Blackbird shares his beauty by painting the other birds with his “blackening brew.”  Each page is filled with vibrant colors to capture the reader’s attention.  His words flow across the page in an almost rhythmic way with carefully placed rhyme.  His interspersed lyrical phrases gives the book a sing-song feeling when read aloud and brings a true African feel to this folktale about how beauty is spread in the forest.  

Though it is not overtly stated, the book is meant to encourage African-American children to be proud of their heritage, along with all races and ethnicities to embrace their inner beauty.  

There do appear to be a few inconsistencies in the storyline.  Though Blackbird preaches that, “Color on the outside, is not what’s on the inside,” he continues to stripe the other birds with his black coloring.  These contradictions may get in the way of the author’s intended lesson of self-esteem.  

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Coretta Scott King Award Winner

Here's a life-enhancing folktale from Zambia--how birds got their black markings--and a simple, scissors-and-brush way of using collage. - Horn Book Guide, 2003

CONNECTIONS

This is a book that encourages children be comfortable in their own skin and accept the differences in other cultures and ethnic groups.

Other books on self-esteem:

Adams, Christine.  Happy to Be Me!: A Kid Book about Self-Esteem. ISBN 978-0870293559

Curtis, Jamie Lee. I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem.  ISBN 978-0060287610

LSSL 5360 Module 2 Review: The Ugly Duckling

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pinkney, Jerry. 1999. The Ugly Duckling. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN  9780688159320

PLOT SUMMARY

Jerry Pinkney retells a Hans Christian Andersen classic in his adaptation of The Ugly Duckling.  From the moment the ugly duckling is bord, he is taunted and mistreated until he flies away from his first family.  He experiences many challenges in life as he searches for a place to belong and a purpose for his life.  For a very long time he believes the unkind things that were said to him when he was young and impressionable.  Finally, he meets up with a group of beautiful swans and catches his first glimpse of his own reflection.  Because he knew sadness and isolation, he had a true appreciation for belonging and happiness.    

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this classic tale, Pinkney paints a picture with detailed illustrations and precise word choice.  The rich language adds to the depth of this retelling and helps the reader experience the depth of the duckling’s feelings.  Intricate illustrations keep the audience engrossed in the events in the life of a duckling as he grows into a beautiful swan and finds true happiness.  

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Honor - 2000

Crafted with much thought as to the pacing required for the picture-book format, Pinkney's adaptation emphasizes the actions of the protagonists and omits the social commentary and philosophizing. The mesmerizing illustrations are a fitting interpretation of the story, and each spread is carefully composed so that it surrounds but does not overwhelm the text. - Horn Book Guide, 1999

CONNECTIONS

What a beautiful story this is to share with children about the importance of how we treat others.  In addition to being revisited as part of a unit on traditional literature, this would be a great book for the first week of school as classroom norms are developed.  Students can discuss the events in the life of the duckling the impacted him negatively and explore how he grew from the adversity he experienced.  

LSSL 5360 Module 2 Review: The Three Pigs

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wiesner, David.  2001.  The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion. ISBN  0618007016

PLOT SUMMARY

The David Wiesner version of The Three Pigs begins as the classic, familiar tale.  Before long, the wolf begins blowing down houses...and pigs right out of the story!  The three pigs escape the wolf and certain death by leaving the pages of their story.  Along their journey they enter other classics and adapt to their illustrated surroundings before they finally return home with a few new friends to live happily ever after.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

David Wiesner’s twist on a familiar story is a delight to readers that tickles the imagination and funny bone.  The story begins as one would expect, but leaves the reader hooked when it takes an unexpected turn and the pigs exit the pages of their story, escape certain death, and begin a journey of their own creation.  The illustrations come to life as the pigs appear almost three-dimensional.  As they journey through other classics, their appearance changes to match their surroundings.  At one point they even appear to notice their audience, the reader.  While jumping from story to story, they collect new friends who eventually follow them all the way back home.  

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Medal 2002

Wiesner demonstrated that pigs could fly.  Here, he shows what happens when they take control of their own story.  - School Library Journal, 2001

CONNECTIONS

This book would be wonderful to use as part of a fairy tale unit to compare different versions of the same story.  

Related titles:

Marshall, James. 1989. The Three Little Pigs. New York. Scholastic. 0590457810

Teague, Mark. The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf. New York. Scholastic. 9780545686624