I was automatically attracted to this title, by James Giblin, because I recognized the name John Wilkes Booth. John and his brother Edwin were sons of the actor Junnius Booth. While Edwin spent his time fixing and working on his acting crafts, to be like his father, John was making a bad name for the Booth family. Edwin supported the north in the war, while John supported the south. The story even goes into detail of John's plans to kidnap and capture Lincoln. There are many photographs of the time as well.
I definately recommend this story for 7th and 8th grade readers learning about Lincoln. It was neat to see the relevance and real things going on in the criminals mind and life.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Voyages Through Time: The Beginning- Nonfiction Information
Voyages Through Time: The Beginning by Peter Ackroyd is a perfect book to explain the begining of earth (scientifically) to grades 7 and up. It starts with the Big Bang theory, and goes to talking about how humans got to earth. There are many scientific and technical terms used, but is easy to understand because of the layout. Though it is almost strictly scientific, the other theories of life are briefly mentioned. I feel like that is the only thing that could cause controversy with the book. There could be parents that want their children to believe in the religious way of the beginning of life, and some that strictly do believe in the scientific beginning of life.
The illustrations are amazing. I felt like I was looking at real, clean and good quality photos. The dinosaur on the cover really scared me!
The illustrations are amazing. I felt like I was looking at real, clean and good quality photos. The dinosaur on the cover really scared me!
Deep Song: The Dance Story of Martha Graham- Nonfiction Biography
The biography of Martha Graham, by Ernestine Stodelle, has touched me in many ways. I really look up to her as a dancer, performer, and creator of modern dance. This biography is the best thing I have read in a VERY long time. There is photography in the book of Martha, her family, her performances, and her works on stage throughout the whole book. It talks about the tasks and things she went through when she was younger and trying to figure out what she wanted to do in life. It takes the reader through her fathers death and other tragedies. It shows how she came from the bottom, and definitely rose to the top! I loved it!
I am not a nonfiction reader, and feel that it is VERY important that when assignming a nonfiction assignment, especially when a biography is involved, the student should be able to chose something that they are interested in. I definitely recommend this book for jr. high students, IF they are interested in the performing arts. I do not think anyone or everyone would love this book as much as I did.
I am not a nonfiction reader, and feel that it is VERY important that when assignming a nonfiction assignment, especially when a biography is involved, the student should be able to chose something that they are interested in. I definitely recommend this book for jr. high students, IF they are interested in the performing arts. I do not think anyone or everyone would love this book as much as I did.
Secrets of the Sphinx- Nonfiction Informational
Secrets of the Sphinx by James Giblin is very interesting. With illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline, the cover caught my attention right away. The big picture on the cover of the Egyptian craftsmanship is beautiful. I also noticed that Scholastic sponsors this book. This is just a quick read book that gives secrets of the amazing creations in Egypt. It also touches on Egyptian religion. Giblin talks about what conditions the architectures face now due to all of the tourism and pollution. I did not know anything about any of the information given in the book before reading it. Giblin traces the clues and things left behind to explain the things like the pyramids. I definitely recommend this be used in any classrooms between the grades of 4 and 7.
Penny From Heaven- Historical Fiction
Penny From Heaven by Jennifer Holm is and historical fiction story about a confused daughter and the 1950 post war feeling. Penny's father died a mysterious death, and no one will fill Penny in on it. She lives with her mother, and grandparents. Her grandparents are more of a bother than they are a help. She also has a huge extended family, with a cousin that she gets along with very well. When her mom starts dating the milkman, Penny gets very bitter. She does not want to give him a chance into her family, and does not like the situation at all. But when things finally turn around, Penny finds out the answers to her questions, and a lot more. Turns out, that her fathers death reveals many secrets and bad things of the country.
This is an intense, quick read book. There is always a bit of suspense that makes the reader want to keep reading. The reader gets extremely close to Penny and her feelings about different things going on. I felt for Penny. I really wanted to know everything she wanted to know. I thought she was being selfish when it came to her mother dating, but then again, I have never been in that sort of situation. Students that are in this situation can really relate to her, and maybe this will help them cope, and/or see that they are not alone. But also, it does have a lot of history in and out throughout the whole story. It is a little bit opinion provoke, though, I feel. But if it is used in the classroom, I think it would be best in grades 5-8.
This is an intense, quick read book. There is always a bit of suspense that makes the reader want to keep reading. The reader gets extremely close to Penny and her feelings about different things going on. I felt for Penny. I really wanted to know everything she wanted to know. I thought she was being selfish when it came to her mother dating, but then again, I have never been in that sort of situation. Students that are in this situation can really relate to her, and maybe this will help them cope, and/or see that they are not alone. But also, it does have a lot of history in and out throughout the whole story. It is a little bit opinion provoke, though, I feel. But if it is used in the classroom, I think it would be best in grades 5-8.
The Lotus Seed- Historical Fiction
The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garlad and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi is about a Vietnamese family. A young Vietnamese girl takes a lotus seed from the emperor of her homeland before she is forced to leave. She saves that during her journey to America. She is pleased when she is greated by the bright lights of America. Her husband is forced to leave and be in the army. During this time, she plants the lotus seed. When she grows old and has grandchildren, they see the lotus plant, and she explains the story of the seed and her emperor. She gives a seed to each grandchild, and they keep it and plant it to remember the story of their grandmother.
This was a fictitious way to explain the bombing of Vietnam. We see it from a young girls point of view. The importance of this seed, and eventually a plant is extremely important to her, and it reminds her of where and what she came from.
The illustrations in this book were huge, and colorful. They were amazing and extremely descriptive. I got an extremely good and realistic look at the Vietnamese culture with just reading this book, than I ever have before.
This was a fictitious way to explain the bombing of Vietnam. We see it from a young girls point of view. The importance of this seed, and eventually a plant is extremely important to her, and it reminds her of where and what she came from.
The illustrations in this book were huge, and colorful. They were amazing and extremely descriptive. I got an extremely good and realistic look at the Vietnamese culture with just reading this book, than I ever have before.
Junie B. First Grader At Last!- Realistic Fiction
We all know Barbara Parks character, Junie B. Jones, as a funny, outspoken Kindergartener. A new series was started for her first grade year. This book shows Junie B.'s fears of going to first grade, and how she adjusts. Not only does she have to find a new seat on the bus, a new best friend, and a new seat in the classroom, she comes across something else that is a life changing event. Junie B. is told she needs to get glasses. Glasses? For Junie B.?! That doesn't fit her style. But her new best friend helps her through it, and helps her realize that they are cool, and will help her a lot!
I think it is extremely important to use this book, especially in the beginning of the first grade classroom. There are many activities that can be incorporated with this book. Junie B. has a first grade journal. The students will see how nice and important it is to have a journal. She gets to get all of her frustrations and fears out on that paper. They also see how she doesn't always spell everything right, but thats okay in a personal journal. The most important and nice thing about this book, is that most of the students are familiar with her, and they see that they are not the only ones making new friends and having fears in a new classroom. The pictures are like any other Junie B. Jones books. They are not on every page, and the color is only on the cover. They are kind of just pencil drawings, but always detailed and to the point. Junie B. is also looking a little older as a first grader! I recommend this book for 1st and 2nd grade.
I think it is extremely important to use this book, especially in the beginning of the first grade classroom. There are many activities that can be incorporated with this book. Junie B. has a first grade journal. The students will see how nice and important it is to have a journal. She gets to get all of her frustrations and fears out on that paper. They also see how she doesn't always spell everything right, but thats okay in a personal journal. The most important and nice thing about this book, is that most of the students are familiar with her, and they see that they are not the only ones making new friends and having fears in a new classroom. The pictures are like any other Junie B. Jones books. They are not on every page, and the color is only on the cover. They are kind of just pencil drawings, but always detailed and to the point. Junie B. is also looking a little older as a first grader! I recommend this book for 1st and 2nd grade.
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