Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Module 13 The Sons of Liberty Death and Taxes
Citation:
Lagos, A. & Lagos, J. (2011). The Sons of Liberty Death and Taxes. New York: Random House.
Summary:
“With its vile villains, electrifying action, and riveting suspense, The Sons of Liberty casts new light on the faces and events of pre-Revolution America, including Ben Franklin and the French and Indian War. American history has rarely been this compelling-and it's never looked this good” (Lagos, 2010).
In the Sons of Liberty, we meet two escaped slaves with superpowers and how they use those powers to help those in need and in the fight for independence.
Review:
Booklist (September 15, 2011 (Vol. 108, No. 2))“Grades 8-12. Graham and Brody, escaped slaves gifted with superpowers, remain at the center of this continuing pre–Revolutionary War saga of political intrigue and reimagined history. As Benjamin Franklin seeks to stop the stamp tax from falling on the colonies and enemies attack his good name, Graham attempts to arrange an escape back to Africa along with his love, the slave girl Isabel. With the English aristocracy colonizing new territories of foulness, this lacks any complex shades of gray. However, the embellishments, literate dialogue, and several historical truths—effectively counterpointed with glossy contemporary art—keep things fun and suspenseful” (Titlewave, 2011).
Impression:
I was quite impressed with the artwork and action in this book. The Lagos Brothers have presented their own take on an important historical event in American History. I have read other graphic novels based on historical events and have always enjoyed the drawings and dialogue. These types of books are entertaining yet informative. I can see the appeal of them on adolescents and young adults.
Library setting:
I would have students create a timeline of events leading up to the American Revolution, including such events as the Sugar and Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and Lexington and Concord.
Titlewave. (2011). [A Review of The Sons of Liberty Death and Taxes by Alexander and Joseph Lagos]. Retrieved from http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=246338d1510787a9d8771e16eb473c1c
Lagos, A. & Lagos, J. (2010). The Sons of Liberty. Retrieved from
http://www.thesonsoflibertybook.com/Story
Lagos, A. & Lagos, J. (2011). The Sons of Liberty Death and Taxes. New York: Random House.
Summary:
“With its vile villains, electrifying action, and riveting suspense, The Sons of Liberty casts new light on the faces and events of pre-Revolution America, including Ben Franklin and the French and Indian War. American history has rarely been this compelling-and it's never looked this good” (Lagos, 2010).
In the Sons of Liberty, we meet two escaped slaves with superpowers and how they use those powers to help those in need and in the fight for independence.
Review:
Booklist (September 15, 2011 (Vol. 108, No. 2))“Grades 8-12. Graham and Brody, escaped slaves gifted with superpowers, remain at the center of this continuing pre–Revolutionary War saga of political intrigue and reimagined history. As Benjamin Franklin seeks to stop the stamp tax from falling on the colonies and enemies attack his good name, Graham attempts to arrange an escape back to Africa along with his love, the slave girl Isabel. With the English aristocracy colonizing new territories of foulness, this lacks any complex shades of gray. However, the embellishments, literate dialogue, and several historical truths—effectively counterpointed with glossy contemporary art—keep things fun and suspenseful” (Titlewave, 2011).
Impression:
I was quite impressed with the artwork and action in this book. The Lagos Brothers have presented their own take on an important historical event in American History. I have read other graphic novels based on historical events and have always enjoyed the drawings and dialogue. These types of books are entertaining yet informative. I can see the appeal of them on adolescents and young adults.
Library setting:
I would have students create a timeline of events leading up to the American Revolution, including such events as the Sugar and Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and Lexington and Concord.
Titlewave. (2011). [A Review of The Sons of Liberty Death and Taxes by Alexander and Joseph Lagos]. Retrieved from http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=246338d1510787a9d8771e16eb473c1c
Lagos, A. & Lagos, J. (2010). The Sons of Liberty. Retrieved from
http://www.thesonsoflibertybook.com/Story
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Module 12 Confucius The Golden Rule
Freedman, R. (2002). Confucius The Golden Rule. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.
Summary:
The author recounts the life of the well known philosopher Confucius known for his teachings and the impact that they have on society today.
Review:
Horn Book starred (Spring, 2003“With an economy of words, Freedman's text skillfully imparts the few known facts about the philosopher's life. The main emphasis is on his teachings, quoted from The Analects of Confucius and related in wise, often witty, vignettes. Illustrated with Asian-themed art, the volume concludes with an account of Freedman's experiences doing research in China and a note on sources. Bib” (Title wave, 2011).
Impression:
My favorite part of the book was how Confucius stressed the importance of education. As an educator myself, try and stress this to my students and daughter. “Confucius insisted that education be open to all, rich or poor, nobleman or commoner, so that every young man of ability, no matter how humble, might have a chance to serve as a leader” (Freedman, 2002, p. 15). He insisted that when people are educated, distinction between classes disappears. Education is the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter what race or gender we are, we all have the ability to learn and better ourselves.
Library setting:
Allow students to partner up and provide them with a list of sayings from Confucius and have them interpret them and put them in their own words. Have students present their interpretations and sayings to the group.
Note: At the back of the book are a list of sayings from The Analects of Confucius.
Title wave. (2011). [Review of Confucius The Golden Rule by Russell Freedman]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=c4c0b98b061fb45c98c96e987e8f39f6
Freedman, R. (2002). Confucius The Golden Rule. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.
Summary:
The author recounts the life of the well known philosopher Confucius known for his teachings and the impact that they have on society today.
Review:
Horn Book starred (Spring, 2003“With an economy of words, Freedman's text skillfully imparts the few known facts about the philosopher's life. The main emphasis is on his teachings, quoted from The Analects of Confucius and related in wise, often witty, vignettes. Illustrated with Asian-themed art, the volume concludes with an account of Freedman's experiences doing research in China and a note on sources. Bib” (Title wave, 2011).
Impression:
My favorite part of the book was how Confucius stressed the importance of education. As an educator myself, try and stress this to my students and daughter. “Confucius insisted that education be open to all, rich or poor, nobleman or commoner, so that every young man of ability, no matter how humble, might have a chance to serve as a leader” (Freedman, 2002, p. 15). He insisted that when people are educated, distinction between classes disappears. Education is the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter what race or gender we are, we all have the ability to learn and better ourselves.
Library setting:
Allow students to partner up and provide them with a list of sayings from Confucius and have them interpret them and put them in their own words. Have students present their interpretations and sayings to the group.
Note: At the back of the book are a list of sayings from The Analects of Confucius.
Title wave. (2011). [Review of Confucius The Golden Rule by Russell Freedman]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=c4c0b98b061fb45c98c96e987e8f39f6
Freedman, R. (2002). Confucius The Golden Rule. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Module 11 George Washington's Teeth
George Washington’s Teeth
Citation:
Chandra, D. & Comora, M. (2003). George Washington’s Teeth. New York: Farra Straus Giroux.
Summary:
The author chronicles historical events of George Washington’s life through the loss of his teeth. “Starting at age twenty-four, he lost on average a tooth a year, and by the time he was elected President, he had only two left! In this reverentially funny tales based on Washington’s letters, diaries and other historical records, readers will find out what really happened as they follow the trail of lost teeth to complete tooflessness” (Chandra and Comora, 2003).
Review:
Booklist starred (January 1, 2003 (Vol. 99, No. 9))
“K-Gr. 3. Second only to kids'curiosity about George Washington and the cherry tree may be their interest in his teeth.Did the prez wear wooden dentures? Chandra and Comora set the record straight with wit, verve, and a generous amount of sympathy for poor Washington and his dental woes. Unfurling smoothly against a backdrop of Washington's career as soldier and president, the tale goes forward in sprightly, read-aloud rhyme that never falters: "Poor George has two teeth in his mouth / The day the votes came in. / The people had a President /But one afraid to grin."And illustrator Cole is at his absolute best here, totally at ease with human gesture and expression. Each spread is a tableaulike scene (or scenes) filled with costumed characters busily engaged in humorously visualizing the actual history. The color palette and energy of the art harks back to Cole's Buttons (1999), but there's much more detail and movement in these pictures, which work well as amusing preparation for the more sedately illustrated, annotated time line of George's dental decay that precedes a full roundup of historical sources the authors used in telling the tale. This is history for youngsters that will stick; it's wild and fun and factual, without a trace of mockery” (Titlewave, 2011).
Impression:
I read George Washington's Teeth too and loved it. I had actually bought it for my daughter, but had not actually read it. I plan on reading it to my class since we study the American Revolution. It has a lot of interesting and entertaining information in it. I did not realize that Washington only had two teeth when he became President. He had a lot of dental problems. I now notice that in a lot of his portraits his face does appear to be swollen; it's because of infected teeth or gaps left after most of his teeth fell out. The painters would have him put cotton in his mouth because his face was so sunken in because of his missing teeth. I was lucky enough to travel to Washington, D.C. a couple of summers ago and was able to visit Mount Vernon. There is a musuem on Washington's estate and on display are the fake teeth that Washington would wear and often times they were made of bone not wood like most people believe. This book was a perfect example of what I think an informational book should be like.
Library setting:
I would have students create a timeline similar to the one at the end of the book except the events would be simplified and would include pictures that the students drew and colored.
Titlewave. (2011). [Review of George Washington’s Teeth by Deborah Chandra & Madeleine Comora]. Retrieved from http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=7083990ad58d141b96f708da08da0f61
Module 10 The Dreamer
Ryan, P. M. (2010). The Dreamer. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Summary:
Neftali is a young boy who lives in Chile and dreams of becoming a writer one day. However, his domineering father has other plans for Neftali; he wants him to become a doctor or a businessman. Nefhtali is forced to change so that his father is none the wiser to his writings. We find out that Neftali is the famous poet, Pablo Neruda.
Review:
Booklist starred (February 1, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 11))
“Grades 4-8. Respinning the childhood of the widely beloved poet Pablo Neruda, Ryan and Sís collaborate to create a stirring, fictionalized portrait of a timid boy’s flowering artistry. Young Neftalí Reyes (Neruda’s real name) spends most of his time either dreamily pondering the world or cowering from his domineering father, who will brook no such idleness from his son. In early scenes, when the boy wanders rapt in a forest or spends a formative summer by the seashore, Ryan loads the narrative with vivid sensory details. And although it isn’t quite poetry, it eloquently evokes the sensation of experiencing the world as someone who savors the rhythms of words and gets lost in the intricate surprises of nature. The neat squares of Sís’ meticulously stippled illustrations, richly symbolic in their own right, complement and deepen the lyrical quality of the book. As Neftalí grows into a teen, he becomes increasingly aware of the plight of the indigenous Mapuche in his Chilean homeland, and Ryan does a remarkable job of integrating these themes of social injustice, neither overwhelming nor becoming secondary to Neftalí’s story. This book has all the feel of a classic, elegant and measured, but deeply rewarding and eminently readable. Ryan includes a small collection of Neruda’s poetry and a thoughtful endnote that delves into how she found the seeds for the story and sketches Neruda’s subsequent life and legacy” (Titlewave, 2011).
Impression:
I knew that I was going to like The Dreamer even before I listened to it. After reading another book by the author Pam Munoz Ryan (Esperanza Rising); I had wanted to read more books written by her. Some of the following are some quotes from her book that give you an idea of how she combined prose with poetry.
In her fictionalized biography of Neruda, Pam Muñoz Ryan asks, "Does a metamorphosis begin from the outside in? Or from the inside out?"
"Which is sharper? The hatchet that cuts down the dream? Or the scythe that clears a path for another?"
"Where is the heaven of lost stories? Who spins the elaborate web that entraps the timid spirit? What wisdom does the eagle whisper to those who are learning to fly?"
Library setting:
I would have students write a poem of their own about their own lives and to be as creative as possible with lots of details and visual elements. Their poems can be about a time they were sad or happy. I would ask some students to share what they have written.
Titlewave. (2011). [Review of The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan]. Retrieved from http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=e5b34f705ee8e8b85e768472b4927faa
Summary:
Neftali is a young boy who lives in Chile and dreams of becoming a writer one day. However, his domineering father has other plans for Neftali; he wants him to become a doctor or a businessman. Nefhtali is forced to change so that his father is none the wiser to his writings. We find out that Neftali is the famous poet, Pablo Neruda.
Review:
Booklist starred (February 1, 2010 (Vol. 106, No. 11))
“Grades 4-8. Respinning the childhood of the widely beloved poet Pablo Neruda, Ryan and Sís collaborate to create a stirring, fictionalized portrait of a timid boy’s flowering artistry. Young Neftalí Reyes (Neruda’s real name) spends most of his time either dreamily pondering the world or cowering from his domineering father, who will brook no such idleness from his son. In early scenes, when the boy wanders rapt in a forest or spends a formative summer by the seashore, Ryan loads the narrative with vivid sensory details. And although it isn’t quite poetry, it eloquently evokes the sensation of experiencing the world as someone who savors the rhythms of words and gets lost in the intricate surprises of nature. The neat squares of Sís’ meticulously stippled illustrations, richly symbolic in their own right, complement and deepen the lyrical quality of the book. As Neftalí grows into a teen, he becomes increasingly aware of the plight of the indigenous Mapuche in his Chilean homeland, and Ryan does a remarkable job of integrating these themes of social injustice, neither overwhelming nor becoming secondary to Neftalí’s story. This book has all the feel of a classic, elegant and measured, but deeply rewarding and eminently readable. Ryan includes a small collection of Neruda’s poetry and a thoughtful endnote that delves into how she found the seeds for the story and sketches Neruda’s subsequent life and legacy” (Titlewave, 2011).
Impression:
I knew that I was going to like The Dreamer even before I listened to it. After reading another book by the author Pam Munoz Ryan (Esperanza Rising); I had wanted to read more books written by her. Some of the following are some quotes from her book that give you an idea of how she combined prose with poetry.
In her fictionalized biography of Neruda, Pam Muñoz Ryan asks, "Does a metamorphosis begin from the outside in? Or from the inside out?"
"Which is sharper? The hatchet that cuts down the dream? Or the scythe that clears a path for another?"
"Where is the heaven of lost stories? Who spins the elaborate web that entraps the timid spirit? What wisdom does the eagle whisper to those who are learning to fly?"
Library setting:
I would have students write a poem of their own about their own lives and to be as creative as possible with lots of details and visual elements. Their poems can be about a time they were sad or happy. I would ask some students to share what they have written.
Titlewave. (2011). [Review of The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan]. Retrieved from http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=e5b34f705ee8e8b85e768472b4927faa
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)