Genre 5: Historical Fiction: CHAINS

Book cover accessed from: goodreads.com

Bibliographic data:

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2010. chains. New York: Anthenum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-1-4169-0586-8 (pbk)

Summary:

Isabel is a 13 year-old girl whose owner promised they would be set free when she died; of course, this doesn’t happen and she is sold together with her sister Ruth, to a horrible couple in New York. Isabel does not have many friends of people she can count on other than Becky, another slave, and Curzon—the boy he met on her first day in New York. Even though Isabel is young, she has grown up fast due to the lack of parents in her life and having to take care of her sister and the pain and suffering she has to go through (I tried to figure the whos and the whys of the matter, but my own name escaped me, and I knew only the pain in my head and the iron taste of lost teeth. My remembery broke into bits when they beat my head.”) (p. 142) Isabel fights for her freedom and her survival at a time of unrest. (This is my country mark. I did not ask for it, but I would carry it as Poppa carried his. It made me his daughter. It made me strong.”)(p. 280)

Critical analysis:

Any reader would be able to identify with Isabel, Curzon, and the soldiers. It is eye opening to read about her situation and think that there were many girls like Isabel and that many of the things in the story actually took place. Chains is a spellbinding story. “You are a small black girl, Country,” he said bitterly. “You are a slave, not a person. They’ll say things in front of you they won’t say in front of the white servants. ‘Cause you don’t count to them.” (p. 41)

Laurie Halse Anderson presents historical events that are not sugar-coated and presents them in terms that children can understand. The plot is not overwhelmed by details, but does make the reader feel (at least I did) like you are part of the period in which Isabel is living. In addition, the setting is an integral part of the story. The story takes unfolds in the USA during the American War of Independence between Britain and America. Anderson reflects the morals of the times and the universal themes of power and freedom. (If Madam sees you idling and jawing out there, there’ll be devil to pay” She paused. “She can be a harsh mistress to slaves.”)(p. 45)

Anderson also captures the flavor of the times and the speech patterns of the era combining all the literary elements to create a seamless story that just happens to be set in a previous historical time. (CHRISTMAS HAS COME, HANG ON THE POT, LET SPITS TURN ROUND, AND OVENS BE HOT; BEEF, PORK, AND POULTRY, NOW PROVIDE TO FEAST THY NEIGHBORS AT THIS TIDE; THEN WASH ALL DOWN WITH GOOD WINE AND BEER, AND SO WITH MIRTH CONCLUDE THE YEAR.—ROYAL VIRGINIA ALMANAC) (P. 242)

The appendix contains wide-ranging questions that readers may have in regards to history, what is fact and what is fiction, which is woven into this historical novel. A reading group guide is also included.

Review excerpt(s):

BookList, 11/01/2008

In the spring of 1776, Isabel, a teenage slave, and her sister, Ruth, are sold to ruthless, wealthy loyalists in Manhattan. While running errands, Isabel is approached by rebels, who promise her freedom (and help finding Ruth, who has been sent away) if she agrees to spy. Using the invisibility her slave status brings, Isabel lurks and listens as Master Lockton and his fellow Tories plot to crush the rebel uprisings, but the incendiary proof that she carries to the rebel camp doesn’t bring the desired rewards. Like the central character in M. T. Anderson’s Octavian Nothing duet, Isabel finds that both patriots and loyalists support slavery. The specifics of Isabel’s daily drudgery may slow some readers, but the catalogue of chores communicates the brutal rhythms of unrelenting toil, helping readers to imagine vividly the realities of Isabel’s life. The story’s perspective creates effective contrasts. Overwhelmed with domestic concerns, Isabel and indeed all the women in the household learn about the war from their marginalized position: they listen at doors to rooms where they are excluded, and they collect gossip from the streets. Anderson explores elemental themes of power (“She can do anything. I can do nothing,” Isabel realizes about her sadistic owner), freedom, and the sources of human strength in this searing, fascinating story. The extensive back matter includes a documented section that addresses many questions about history that readers will want to discuss -- Gillian Engberg. Booklist, published by the American Library Association. ^[1]

School Library Journal, 10/01/2008

Gr 6–10— Set in New York City at the beginning of the American Revolution, Chains addresses the price of freedom both for a nation and for individuals. Isabel tells the story of her life as a slave. She was sold with her five-year-old sister to a cruel Loyalist family even though the girls were to be free upon the death of their former owner. She has hopes of finding a way to freedom and becomes a spy for the rebels, but soon realizes that it is difficult to trust anyone. She chooses to find someone to help her no matter which side he or she is on. With short chapters, each beginning with a historical quote, this fast-paced novel reveals the heartache and struggles of a country and slave fighting for freedom. The characters are well developed, and the situations are realistic. An author's note gives insight into issues surrounding the Revolutionary War and the fight for the nation's freedom even though 20 percent of its people were in chains. Well researched and affecting in its presentation, the story offers readers a fresh look at the conflict and struggle of a developing nation.—Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD School Library Journal, A Reed Business Information Publication ^[1]

Kirkus Reviews, 09/01/2008

" 'Freedom and liberty' has many meanings," but enslaved Isabel knows that while Loyalists and Patriots battle for their own versions of freedom, she is "chained between two nations" that uphold slavery. She wonders, "If an entire nation could seek its freedom, why not a girl?" Anderson brilliantly recreates New York City in the summer of 1776, viewed through the eyes of a remarkable heroine. Taught to read by her previous owner, Isabel knows the Bible and has memorized poetry, and her eloquent first-person voice portrays her life as a slave even as she spies for the rebels, covertly delivers food to Bridewell Prison and plots her own escape. Readers will care deeply about Isabel and may feel frustrated by the abrupt ending to the novel, clearly poised for a sequel or two. While waiting, they can enjoy M.T. Anderson's The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: Volume II, The Kingdom on the Waves, another superb take on the subject. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 10 & up) Copyright 2008, VNU Business Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved ^[1]

Publishers Weekly, 09/01/2008

Pursuing similar themes as M.T. Anderson's Octavian Nothing , this gripping novel offers readers a startlingly provocative view of the Revolutionary War. Isabel Finch, the narrator, and her five-year-old sister, Ruth, are to be freed from slavery upon the death of their mistress in Rhode Island, but the mistress's unscrupulous heir easily persuades the local pastor to dispense with reading the will. Before long Isabel and Ruth are in New York City, the property of a Loyalist couple, whose abusiveness inspires Isabel to a dangerous course: she steals into the Patriot army camp to trade a crucial Loyalist secret in exchange for passage to Rhode Island for herself and Ruth. But not only does the Patriot colonel fail to honor his promise, he personally hands her over to her Loyalist mistress when she runs away, to face disastrous consequences. Anderson (Speak ; Fever 1793 ) packs so much detail into her evocation of wartime New York City that readers will see the turmoil and confusion of the times, and her solidly researched exploration of British and Patriot treatment of slaves during a war for freedom is nuanced and evenhanded, presented in service of a fast-moving, emotionally involving plot. Ages 10–up. (Oct.) Publishers Weekly, A Reed Business Information Publication ^[1]

Connections:

Focusing on English Language Arts, students need to identify the plot, setting, main characteristics (protagonists and antagonists), main ideas, themes, climax, and the rising/falling action in Chains. Students should place their answers on 3x5 index cards to ensure organization; each index card indicating at the top whether the focus is plot, setting, etc. While performing this activity, students need to particular focus their attentions on understanding the main ideas and dilemmas Isabel and other characters encountered throughout the story, as well as, the climatic point of the novel. Students should support their choice of a climax with evidence and valid arguments as to why their climatic choice is indicative of the book. (This activity is from Chains: Decreasing Marginalization and Increasing Awareness--access more activities from: http://madwomanintheforest.com/pdfs/tg-chains-bilski.pdf ) ^[2]

Chains – Teacher Section

(access at http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/historical-chains/ ) ^[2]

--Teacher’s Guide (download as PDF)

--Teacher’s Guide by Bilski

--Chains Reading Group Guide (download PDF)

--Inspiration for Chains

--How to put on a Colonial Tea

--Hands-on Activities & Social Action Projects

Other books by Laurie Halse Anderson  ^[2]

Historical Thrillers: Fever 1793, Forge

Young Adult: Speak, Twisted, Wintergirls, Prom, Catalyst

Awards and Nominations: ^[2]

National Book Award Finalist

Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Choice Award

ALA Notable Children's Books

Bibliographies:

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2010. chains. New York: Anthenum Books for Young Readers.

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2008. Chains. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2008. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 29, 2011).

Laurie Halse Anderson. http://madwomanintheforest.com/historical-chains/ (accessed July 30, 2011).

Citations:

[1] Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2008. Chains. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2008. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 29, 2011).

[2] Laurie Halse Anderson. http://madwomanintheforest.com/historical-chains/  (accessed July 30, 2011).

Genre 5: Historical Fiction: CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY

Book cover accessed from: goodreads.com

Bibliographic data:

Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called birdy. New York: Harper Trophy.           
ISBN 0-06-440584-2

Summary:

Catherine’s 14^th year of life is one that brings her much turmoil. She has to deal with her abominable father’s decision to marry her off, or according to Catherine, “sell her like a cheese to some lack-wit seeking a wife.” (p.6) She feels trapped! She keeps a journal of her day-to-day life, her dreams, and her fears. Her diary is a great account of how she avoids her father, her needlework, and most of all, marriage!

Critical analysis:

Catherine’s diary of the year 1290 gives us a picture/glimpse of what life was like in the Middle Ages. Her wit, trickery, and imagination make her a believable character with which readers can identify with. She “seems to be like us,” but she (and other characters) are still grounded in the clothing, attitudes, and language appropriate to their time. What 14 year old teenager doesn’t think their parents are ruining their lives? “24^th DAY OF SEPTEMBER…The stars and my family align to make my life black and miserable. My mother seeks to make me a fine lady—dumb, docile, and accomplished—so I must take lady-lessons and keep my mouth closed.” (p. 2)

The plot presents the Middle Ages accurately (not sugar coated), in terms that children are able to understand, and realistic to the period. In addition, the plot is not overwhelmed by details. Catherine’s diary is not written in overwhelming details she writes things in a straight forward manner and as she sees them and depending on how she is feeling on the day she writes—“16^th DAY OF SEPTEMBER…Spinning. Tangled.” “1^st DAY OF SEPTEMBER…More lady lessons. I let my mother instruct me but once I leave her I plan to do as I please. The pig who wishes to wed me liked me well enough when I did not walk with my eyes cast down and hands clasped. God’s thumbs! If he doesn’t like me to grab up my skirts and run, he can send me back. Oh that he would!”(p. 190).

The setting, the year 1290—Middle Ages, is an integral part of the story. The time and place are explicit, vividly described, and the recreation of the time and place contribute to the authenticity. “30^th DAY OF OCTOBER, Feast of Saint Marcellus the Centurion, killed for resigning from the army…I tried after dinner today to get George to play chess with me, but he said he promised Lady Aelis a walk to acquaint her with our manor. Corpus bones! It is moat and muddy yard, house and stables and barn, dovecote, privy, and pig yard. She could see it all from the hall door.” (p.40)

Catherine, Called Birdy clearly reflects the morals of the times, but is still relevant to today. In addition it reflects the universal theme of freedom or the lack of freedom and timeless parallels. Even though Catherine’s family is wealthy, by the standards of her time, she has to do housework and share her bedroom with servants and guests. The worse loss of freedom is having her greedy father choose when and who she will marry and have no choice. Catherine’s nickname, Birdy, the caged birds she keeps in her bedroom, the cocks that are set free in the market,  and her constant challenges against the rules she must live by also echo the theme of lack of freedom and want of self expression and making choices.  Catherine makes a list of all the things girls are not allowed to do: “go on crusade, be horse trainers, be monks, laugh very loud, wear breeches, drink in ale houses, cut their hair, piss in the fire to make it  hiss, wear nothing, be alone, get sunburned, run, marry whom they will, and glide on ice” (p. 83-84). Lady Aislinn, asks her daughter, “Why not cease your fearful pounding against bars of your cage and be content?” (p.53)  In the end, Catherine finally understands the words of the wise Jewish woman and chooses to accept her fate of an arranged marriage, but declares; “I cannot escape my life, but can only use my determination and courage to make it the best I can.” (p. 203)

Cushman, through her voice and manner, clearly captures the flavor of the times and the speech patterns of the era. She has woven literary elements together to create a seamless story that just happens to be set in a previous historical time. "Corpus Bones! I utterly loathe my life."

Cushman has balanced fact and fiction in telling Catherine’s story. In addition, in the Author’s Note, she includes and discusses information about the period in which the book is set. She has also included a list of books that will help readers learn about medieval England, books that will help readers get a sense of the Middle Ages from first-hand accounts, and a list of stories set in or near the Middle Ages.

Review excerpt(s):

School Library Journal, 09/01/1997

Gr 6-9?The 14-year-old daughter of a rustic knight records the events of her days in the year 1290, writing perceptive, scathing, and often raucously funny observations about her family, friends, and would-be suitors. A delightful, rebellious heroine, determined not to marry the man of her father's choice. (June 1994) ^[2]

Publishers Weekly, 05/15/1995

A Newbery Honor Book, this witty and wise fictive diary of a 13th-century English girl, according to PW, ``introduces an admirable heroine and pungently evokes a largely unfamiliar setting.'' Ages 12-up. (May) ^[2]

Connections:

Students can compare/contrast Catherine’s life with their own and work on a novel study of characterization and setting.

Listen to an audio clip of  Catherine, called birdy ^[3] http://www.karencushman.com/books/catherine.html

Access discussion guide: ^[3] http://www.karencushman.com/pdfs/DG_catherine.pdf

access Lesson Plan: ^[3]

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=780

awards: ^[3]

ALA Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Notable Book for Children
ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Booklist Editors' Choice
Golden Kite Award
Horn Book Fanfare Selection
IRA Teachers' Choice
Newbery Honor Book
School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year
American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists"
South Carolina Book Award
New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Awards
Commonwealth Club Silver Medal
Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
Commonwealth Club of California Medal
Carl Sandburg Literary Arts Award
International Board on Books for Young People Honor List
ABC Children's Booksellers Choice Award

Bibliographies:

Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called birdy. New York: Harper Trophy. ISBN 0-06-440584-2

Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called Birdy. HarperTrophy, 1995. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 29, 2011).

Karen Cushman. http://www.karencushman.com (accessed July 30, 2011).

Citations:

[1] Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called birdy. New York: Harper Trophy. ISBN 0-06-440584-2

[2] Cushman, Karen. 1995. Catherine, called Birdy. HarperTrophy, 1995. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 29, 2011).

[3] Karen Cushman. http://www.karencushman.com (accessed July 30, 2011).

Genre 5: Historical Fiction: TURTLE IN PARADISE

Book cover accessed from: goodreads.com

Bibliographic data:

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. turtle in paradise. New York: Random House. ISBN 978-0-375-83688-6

Summary:

Turtle, an 11 year old girl, can no longer live with her mother. In her short lived life she has created a shell that protects her against her mother’s failed dreams. The 1935 depression has caused many hardships and loss of jobs. Turtle’s mother has just found a job with a woman that does not like children; she makes the heartbreaking decision to send Turtle away to live with unknown relatives in Key West. Turtle only knows Key West through the eyes of her mother, who loves to dream and paints a beautiful picture of what it is like. It is a shocker to Turtle that Key West is HOT; she has a grandmother she thought was dead, cousins that are a pain, and an aunt that resents her mother.

Critical analysis:

Turtle is a believable character that readers can identify with as we read about her separation from her mother and her adventures in Key West. Turtle is intelligent, perceptive, and independent.  Turtle’s story takes place during a time in our nation’s history when the economy forced families to make choices that had them live separately until situations improved. Turtle arrives with her Aunt Minnie and has to explain why she is there…“I didn’t have anywhere else to go.” When asked how long she will stay she tells her aunt, “Until we can get a place of our own, I guess,” “Or until she gets a new job where I can live with her.” (p. 19)

The plot is full of adventures, fun, and personal experiences that allow Turtle to finally come out of the hard shell she has created in order to protect herself from all the hardships she has had to endure. It is presented by Ms. Holm in terms that children can understand, it is not overwhelming with details, and she keeps it realistic to the period. Even Ernest “Papa” Hemingway is part of the regular folks in Key West.

The Depression, 1935…jobs and money do not come easy and sometimes not at all. Difficult times and a woman that does not like kids cause Turtle to say goodbye to mama without a tear and move to Key West, Florida, with an aunt she has never met. In Key West Turtle is exposed to a whole new world; it is a place that isn’t anything she has ever seen or dreamed of. She learns about Alligator pears (avocadoes), scorpions, the Conch Telegraph, and the Diaper Gang, and Duval Street where there is a movie theater that plays Shirley Temple pictures.

Turtle’s experiences—getting to know extended family, where she came from, and gaining a sense of belonging--are all things that shape her life and are relevant even today.  

Jennifer L. Holm has been able to weave her family lore with some of American’s historical past. She has captured the flavor of the times and has created a seamless story that brings to light the uniqueness of Key West.

In the Author’s Note, Jennifer L. Holm, discusses what inspired her to write Turtle in Paradise, and explains/clarifies historical information that was woven into the story. Additionally, she has pictures of some of the places, activities, and the real people that inspired Kermit and Pork Chop in the story and includes a list of resources and websites.

Review excerpt(s):

Publishers Weekly, 05/03/2010

Turtle, the witty 11-year-old narrator of this standout historical novel, is a straight shooter: “Everyone thinks children are sweet as Necco Wafers, but I’ve lived long enough to know the truth: kids are rotten.” When her romantic and unrealistic mother, who’s always falling in and out of love, gets a housekeeping job that won’t allow children, she sends Turtle to her estranged family in Depression-era Key West. Though her mother hails Key West as paradise, Turtle initially think it’s a dump (“Truth is, the place looks like a broken chair that’s been left out in the sun to rot”). Two-time Newbery Honor author Holm again crafts a winning heroine who, despite her hardened exterior, gradually warms to her eccentric family members, including her unruly cousins and waspish grandmother (who Turtle thought was dead). Infused with period pop culture references, a strong sense of place, and the unique traditions and culture of Key West natives (aka “Conchs”), this humorous adventure effectively portrays Turtle as caught between her mother’s Hollywood-inspired dreams and the very real family and geography that offer a different kind of paradise. Ages 8–12. (May) Publishers Weekly, A Reed Business Information Publication ^[1]

BookList, 04/15/2010

Eleven-year-old Turtle is not one to suffer fools gladly. And she runs into a lot of fools, especially the no-goods her starry-eyed mother meets. So it’s a tough little Turtle who arrives in Key West in June of 1935. She’s been sent to Florida to stay with relatives because her mother’s latest housekeeping job doesn’t allow children. Unfortunately, Mama has neglected to tell Aunt Minnie she’s coming, and Turtle gets the stink eye from cousins with monikers like Buddy and Beans. As Turtle soon learns, everything is different in Key West, from the fruit hanging on trees to the scorpions in nightgowns to the ways kids earn money. She can’t be part of her cousins’ Diaper Gang (no girls allowed), which takes care of fussy babies, but when she finds a treasure map, she hopes she’ll be on Easy Street like Little Orphan Annie. Holm uses family stories as the basis for this tale, part romp, part steely-eyed look at the Depression era. Reminiscent of Addie in the movie Paper Moon, Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure. The many references to 1930s entertainments (Terry and the Pirates, Shirley Temple) will mostly go over kids’ heads, but they’ll get how much comics and movies meant to a population desperate for smiles. An author’s note (with photos) shows Holm’s family close-up -- Ilene Cooper. Booklist, published by the American Library Association. ^[1]

School Library Journal, 04/01/2010

Gr 3–5— In 1935, jobs are hard to come by, and Turtle's mother is lucky to find work as a live-in housekeeper. When she learns that her employer can't stand children, she sends her 11-year-old daughter from New Jersey to Key West to live with relatives. Turtle discovers a startlingly different way of life amid boisterous cousins, Nana Philly, and buried treasure. This richly detailed novel was inspired by Holm's great-grandmother's stories. Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won't want to miss it.—Stephanie Malosh, Vernon Area Public Library, Lincolnshire, IL School Library Journal, A Reed Business Information Publication^[1]

Connections: ^[2]

In the Author’s Note at the back of Turtle in Paradise, Jennifer L. Holm writes, “Then, as now, entertainment was a great distraction, and movies, radio shows, and the funny pages provided much amusement for children. Little Orphan Annie, Shirley Temple, and the Shadow were all superstars in their day.” Do an online search for examples of entertainment media from the Depression era.

As a writing extension, have each student write a “letter through time” to Turtle, describing their favorite media and personalities of the present day.

Additional activities: ^[2]

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/teachers_guides/9780375836886.pdf

awards: ^[2]

2011 Newbery Honor Book

An ALA Notable Book

Booklist Editor's Choice

Chicago Library Best of the Best

Texas Bluebonnet List

A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2010

Spring 2010 Junior Library Guild Selection

New York Times Bestseller

Starred reviews in

Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

Booklist

Bibliographies:

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. turtle in paradise. New York: Random House.

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. Turtle in paradise. Random House, 2010. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 29, 2011).

Jennifer Holm. www.jenniferholm.com (accessed July 29, 2011).

Citations:

[1] Jennifer L. Holm. 2010. Turtle in paradise. (accessed July 29, 2011).

[2] Jennifer L. Holm. www.jenniferholm.com (accessed July 29, 2011).

Genre 4: Nonfiction and Biography-WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?

Book cover accessed from: goodreads.com

Bibliographic data:

Kerley, Barbara. 2008. What to do about Alice? : how Alice Roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father Teddy crazy!. Ill. Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press.

Summary:

Alice, the only child of Theodore Roosevelt and his first wife Alice Lee, was a “small problem,” that according to her loving and doting father was “running riot.” Alice thought differently, she called it “eating up the world,” which she did. She captured the heart of the nation and showed the world, that she was ahead of the times, by stepping out of societies expectations of women in the 1900’s. All of her antics did not take away from her being an intelligent and educated dynamic member of society. This biography, with its vivacious illustrations gives insight into Alice Roosevelt’s life growing up in the White House.

 Critical analysis:

Barbara Kerley’s, What to Do about Alice?, the biography of Alice Lee Roosevelt, is informative and captivating to the intended audience of readers. As Alice “eats up the world” we learn many pieces of information about Theodore Roosevelt’s “small problem.”

What To Do About Alice? is a biography that follows a logical  and clear sequence of events as Alice experiences and lives life on her own terms—“From the time she was a little girl, Alice ate up the world” or as her loving father, Teddy, stated she was “running riot.”   The author’s note gives credibility to what she has written about Alice’s life, her father’s love for her, and her “life of social excitement.”

The book design and illustrations are colorful with Alice blue all throughout making it totally attractive and complementing the text in conjunction with the vivid character illustrations. Edwin Fotheringham’s graphics throughout the book show us Alice in motion using speed lines depicting her constant movement, especially when she said to her father, “Let me loose in your library” or when she taught her brothers and sister how to sled down the staircase in the White House because “She watched her younger brothers and sister so her stepmother could get some rest.” His graphics, including headlines, communicate what is going on in Alice’s life clearly and effectively.

The overall combination of large, vivid illustrations, eye catching fonts and author’s choice of words make What To Do About Alice? a story that is full of Alice’s personality and active life. Kerley wrote the book in a language and vocabulary that is easily comprehendible to readers of any age.  

Review excerpt(s):

Publishers Weekly, 03/31/2008

It’s hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt. Kerley (The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins ) knows just how to introduce her to contemporary readers: “Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem. It wasn’t herding thousands of cattle across the Dakota badlands. He’d done that. It wasn’t leading the Rough Riders.... He’d bagged a grizzly bear, captured outlaws, governed the state of New York, and served as vice president of the United States, and still he had a problem. Her name was Alice.” Debut illustrator Fotheringham creates the perfect mood from the start: his stylish digital art sets a fast pace, making use of speed lines (rendered in dots, these earn their names) and multiple vignettes to evoke characters in perpetual motion. His compositions wittily incorporate headlines, iconic images and plenty of Alice blue, too. Kids will embrace a heroine who teaches her younger stepsiblings to sled down the White House stairs (“Alice tried to be helpful,” Kerley writes soberly as Fotheringham shows her in action), entertains dignitaries with her pet snake and captivates a nation with pranks and high jinks. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) Publishers Weekly, A Reed Business Information Publication ^[1]

School Library Journal, 03/01/2008

Gr 2–4— Kerley brings another historical figure to life. Alice Lee Roosevelt was President Theodore Roosevelt's only child by his first wife, who died two days after her birth. From the start, Alice's behavior was unconventional, and that pattern was to continue throughout her colorful life. Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship's swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father's trusted advisers. Fotheringham's digitally rendered, retro-style illustrations are a superb match for the text. The energy in his pictures is palpable as when Alice is turned loose in her father's library and five Alices dart about followed by lines that trace her frenetic path as she reads eclectically and voraciously. The illustrations not only enhance but are frequently the source of humor: "Alice tried to be helpful. She watched her younger brothers and sister so her stepmother could get some rest." The picture depicts Alice and her siblings careening down the White House stairs on sleds. Alice blue, the color named after her eyes, swirls throughout in a subtle tribute. This book provides a fascinating glimpse into both a bygone era and one of its more interesting denizens as well as a surefire antidote for any child who thinks that historical figures are boring.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ School Library Journal, A Reed Business Information Publication^[1]

Kirkus Reviews, 02/01/2008

Theodore Roosevelt's irrepressible oldest child receives an appropriately vivacious appreciation in this superb picture book. "From the time she was a little girl, Alice ate up the world." Taking her thematic approach from Alice's own self-description, Kerley's precise text presents readers with a devilishly smart, strong-willed girl who was determined to live life on her own terms—and largely succeeded. Sprinkling her account with well-chosen quotations, she outlines Alice Roosevelt Longworth's childhood and its increasingly outrageous hijinks, as well as the loving (if sometimes exasperating) relationship she enjoyed with her renowned father. Fotheringham's digital illustrations perfectly evoke the retro styles of an earlier age, depicting a confident Alice sailing through life and tackling every challenge with delight and aplomb. The illustrator takes every opportunity to develop Alice's character further; one memorable spread shows a blandly smiling Alice leading her smaller siblings in riding trays down the White House stairs while the text merely remarks, "She watched her younger brothers and sister so her stepmother could get some rest." It's a gleeful celebration of a fully, unapologetically led life. (author's note) (Picture book/biography. 5-10) Copyright 2008, VNU Business Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved ^[1]

BookList, 01/01/2008

Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was. The daughter of Theodore Roosevelt (and a mother who died soon after childbirth), Alice had a joie de vivre that she called “eating up the world.” This energy exhibited itself in her joining an all-boys club, tramping around Washington, D.C., and, later, taking off on around-the-world adventures. Kerley’s text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line: “Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem.” Children will be impressed with the way Alice took control of her life: eschewing formal schooling, she convinced T. R. to “let her loose in his library.” The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art, which includes use of digital media. In almost every picture, Alice is running, motoring, racing. One clever spread shows what it was like to be a media princess: newspaper pages fly across the spread, obscuring Alice. There are a few flaws. Kids, who have a shaky sense of history, would have benefited from a time line, and quotes are barely sourced. These are small points, though, in an otherwise invigorating look at larger-than-life Alice. An afterword is appended -- Ilene Cooper. Booklist, published by the American Library Association. ^[1]

Connections:^[3]

Teacher's Guide for What To Do About Alice?

1.  Alice described her zest for life as "eating up the world."  Ask students what they think this phrase means.  Reread the book as a class, noting the kinds of things Alice did to experience everything life had to offer.

As a follow-up, have students consider what kinds of things they would like to do to "eat up the world."  Invite them to share their ideas orally, in a written paragraph, or through making a poster.

2.  What is it like to live in the White House?  Try a lesson created by The White House Historical Association:K - 3
4 - 8

Visit Barbara Kerley's website for Classroom Ideas, which includes "fun" ways to use her books--including What To Do About Alice?

more about alice:

http://www.aliceroosevelt.com/

http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/life/familytree/AliceLongworth.htm

awards:^[2]

Sibert Honor Book

ALA Notable Book

Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

Irma Black Award Honor Book

Parents Choice Award

Best Books of the Year -- Publishers Weekly

Best Books of the Year -- School Library Journal

Best Books of the Year -- Kirkus Reviews

Washington State Scandiuzzi Children’s Book Award

California Collections

Capitol Choices

New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Nominated for Young Reader Awards in Texas, Illinois, Utah, and Tennessee

Bibliographies:

Kerley, Barbara, and Ed Fotheringham. What to do about Alice? : how Alice Roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father Teddy crazy!. Scholastic Press, 2008. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 16, 2011).

Kerley, Barbara. Barbara Kerley Children’s Book Author, accessed July 16, 2011, http://www.barbarakerley.com/Site/Welcome.html

Citations:

[1] Kerley, Barbara, and Ed Fotheringham. What to do about Alice? : how Alice Roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father Teddy crazy!. Scholastic Press, 2008. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 16, 2011).

[2] Kerley, Barbara. Barbara Kerley Children’s Book Author, accessed July 16, 2011, http://www.barbarakerley.com/Site/Welcome.html

[3] Ibid, http://www.barbarakerley.com/TRAlice.html

Genre 4: Nonfiction and Biography-BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST

Book cover accessed from: goodreads.com

Bibliographic data:

Jenkins, Steve. 1995. biggest, strongest, fastest. New York: Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0-395-69701-8

Summary:

Biggest, Strongest, Fastest and even the slowest creatures are showcased in this book. The simple expository text tells us about animal champions that break records in the animal kingdom. The illustrations are brightly represented in cut-paper collages.

 Critical analysis:

In the beautifully illustrated Biggest, Strongest, Fastest, Steve Jenkins continues with his style of cut-paper collages and creates this eye catching book of “world records” that children enjoy reading. The illustrations are correct according to the animal that is showcased and he includes cited sources in bibliographies that back up his text. He organizes the text and illustrations in a way that puts things into context for children. Steve includes text in sidebars that allow the visual theme of the book to flow freely. At the end of the book, the content is summarized, in a chart, which includes each animal name, record, size, diet, and range. The amazing paper collages and simple colors are attractive and inviting, making the illustrations appropriate and complementary to the text. The graphics are clear and placed appropriately and the overall design communicates subject matter clearly and effectively. The cut-paper collages, looking almost real, seem about ready to jump out of the pages. Steve’s style is clear, lively, and interesting. He clearly reveals and demonstrates his passion, enthusiasm, love of science, in addition to his want to capture a child’s sense of wonder. Steve uses appropriate vocabulary and encourages critical thinking and more reading without too much information.

Review excerpt(s):

School Library Journal, 05/01/1995

K-Gr 2. Large, clear print; fascinating facts; and beautiful, detailed, cut-paper collages make this excellent title a delight. One main fact is presented per spread about each of 14 animals, e.g., ``The Etruscan shrew, the world's smallest mammal, could sleep in a teaspoon.'' Two more relevant facts are given in smaller print. Silhouette drawings show comparative sizes?the blue whale is shown next to an adult human. The realistic, inventive, textured illustrations, mostly double spreads, flow smoothly from page to page. A helpful chart at the end contains further information about each creature, such as diet and habitat. An all-round superlative effort.?Jan Shepherd Ross, Dixie Elementary Magnet School, Lexington, KY ^[1]

BookList, 02/01/1995

Ages 4-9. Beautiful double-page-spread cut-paper collages illustrate a picture book about "some of the biggest and smallest, fastest and slowest, strongest and longest" record holders in the animal world. The facts are amazing. Their juxtaposition makes you gasp, not just about size and speed but about comparative wonders. Right after the African elephant, which eats more than 300 pounds of grass and leaves every day, there's a close-up two-page picture of an ant, which turns out to be the strongest animal for its size: it can carry five times its own weight. The book's design makes it accessible at many levels. The youngest can identify the various creatures. Preschoolers can enjoy the one-sentence descriptions in large type ("The cheetah can run faster than any other animal. . . . The flea is very small, but it is the world's best jumper"). Older kids will love thinking about the additional facts regarding scale and proportion that are printed in small type, accompanied by a tiny silhouette in the corner of each picture ("If a 5 1/2-foot-tall woman could jump as well as a flea, she could leap to the top of a 65-story building"). Here's proof that power isn't just about size and that science can be a lot of fun. ((Reviewed February 01, 1995)) -- Hazel Rochman. Booklist, published by the American Library Association. ^[1]

Connections: ^[2]

See how Steve makes his books:

http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/makingbooks.html

Activities Featuring Number and Operations-access activity PDF here:^[3]

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/allynbacon/Ward_020552916x_21-26_key.pdf

awards: ^[2]

The Children’s Literature Choice List, 1996 Children’s Literature; United States

Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 1995

American Library Association-Booklist Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 1996 National Science Teachers Association

Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 California Department of Education

1998 Washington Childrens’  Choice Picture Book Award

Bibliographies:

Jenkins, Steve, 1952-. 1995. Biggest, strongest, fastest. Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers, 1995. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 16, 2011).

Steve Jenkins Books, accessed July 16, 2011, http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/

Teachervision, accessed July 16, 2011, http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/allynbacon/Ward_020552916x_21-26_key.pdf

Citations:

[1] Jenkins, Steve, 1952-. 1995. Biggest, strongest, fastest. Ticknor & Fields Books for Young Readers, 1995. Book Index with Reviews, EBSCOhost (accessed July 16, 2011).

[2] Steve Jenkins Books, accessed July 16, 2011, http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/

[3] Teachervision, accessed July 16, 2011, http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/allynbacon/Ward_020552916x_21-26_key.pdf