TE 849, Instructor: Laura Apol
Part 2
Rating: 3
Upper Elementary
The history of the Aztec civilization is brought to life in this newspaper-style book. The special edition of the Aztec News begins with the founding of the city of Tenochtitlan and ends with a despairing note about the losing battle with the Spanish invaders led by Hernan Cortes. The book combines the building of the great Aztec empire with details about the everyday lives of nobles and commoners alike. Readers will enjoy the "headline" stories about great battles and achievements, the victory over the city of Coixtlahuaca, and the construction of the Great Temple. The occasional cartoons, ads, and public notices give readers more details about Aztec life, while adding just the right amount of humor. Readers will find out about upcoming slave auctions, where to get funeral supplies, how to find entertainers, local sports, and the women's pages. The illustrations are bright paintings of maps, cartoons, and "tribal" art. Overall, this book is informative and presents the facts in an entertaining way which is easy to follow.
Angie Montpas
Soto, Gary. Stephanie Garcia, Illustrator. Snapshots from the Wedding. NP. New York: Putnam, 1997. ISBN: 0-3992-2808-X
Rating: 4
5 - 9 Years
Sculpy clay images are placed in a shadowbox setting to replicate the moments of a Latino-American wedding in Snapshots from the Wedding. The wedding's activities are seen through the eyes of the flower girl, Maya, who sees the wedding as only children can. From soiled and threadbare anklets to the ride she takes on daddy's shoes, the scenes of a wedding are artfully sculpted. Soto parallels this childlike viewpoint through metaphorical comparisons. The wedding cake's frosting is described as a "mountain of snow," and the bride's hands are compared to doves. These metaphors align with the clay images and integrate the story. Snapshots from the Wedding unites illustrator and author in holy matrimony, and provides a wedding that should be attended by even the most selective of readers.
Nancy Wells
Steedman, Scott and James Putnam. The Egyptian News. 32 pp. Cambridge: Candlewick Press, 1997. ISBN: 0-3992-2651-6
Rating: 2
Middle School Level
This pictorial representation of Ancient Egypt will help capture students' attention and heighten their curiosity about this ancient civilization. The artistry captures and motivates students to investigate Egypt through a first-hand look at life in the Ancient Nile Valley. readers are invited to learn about Ancient Egypt in a newspaper format and a journalistic approach to writing helps create a user friendly atmosphere. Topics include major historical events of the period (first political separation of the Middle Kingdom , Tutankhamen's death, etc.). The advertisements for furniture and amulets provide a "slice of life" insight for kids. Because the authors used a variety of writing techniques, a basic news story, news, lists, advertisements, captions and timelines, the book lends itself as a model for students to create their own newspaper. This text could serve as a basic introduction to Ancient Egypt. Due to a high volume of information, this text requires an active reader.
Gina Frappier
Rating:
3
5 - 9 Years
In Christina Katerina and Fats and the Great Neighborhood War, Christina's friendship with Fats is based on childhood thirst for imaginative play and a love for chocolate bars. Like all friendships, their companionship is eventually challenged with a neighborhood bully, Tommy Morehouse, moves in next door. Gauch does a tremendous job of inviting the reader to take sides against Tommy, while rooting for Christina and Fats' friendship to be restored. The "war like" dialogue that occurs between the two sides in incredibly indicative of the childhood friendships that take place during the elementary years. This realism positions the reader in the midst of the school yard playground. Stacy Shuett's artwork, done in acrylic and gouache, is bright and vivid, adding spunk to the main characters of the text. Christina Katerina and Fats and the Great Neighborhood War is a fun, humorously real story which describes young friendships and the challenges they endure. It has a hopeful and friendly ending.
Janelle Marler
Keehen, Sally M. Moon of Two Dark Horses. 215pp. New York: Philomel Books, 1997. ISBN: 0-3992-2783-0
Rating: 3
Upper Elementary
Coshmoo, a young Delaware Indian boy, and his tribe are threatened by settlers and neighboring tribes. In his dream, Coshmoo is unable to subdue a bear, and in the end, his people are not able to determine their own fate. The readers feels the desperation and impending doom that Native Americans must have felt during the turbulent time of our history. This book gives readers an appreciation and understanding of the Delaware Indian customs and spiritual beliefs. The story is set in Tioga Point (present-day Athens), Pennsylvania, and it offers a possible explanation for the killing of many Americans with a stone maul with later became known as the "Bloody Rock" during the Wyoming Valley massacre. Themes of friendship, coming of age, and war are combined with historical accuracy to make this a rich book for adolescent readers.
Susan Provencal
Borton, Lady. Kimberly Bulken Root, Illustrator. Junk Pile! NP. New York: Philomel Books,: 1997. ISBN: 0-3992-2728-8
Rating: 2
Grades 2 - 5
To newcomer Robert Haines, Jamie and her handicapped brother live in nothing but a junkyard. Robert taunts young Jamie by calling her "Junk Pile" as she helps her brother off the school bus. Jamie sees the junkyard as a magical place with her very own hubcap garden and a school bus that flies. However, Jamie needs a friend to share her play land with. Armed with creativity and kindness, Jamie sets out to persuade Robert to be her friend. Kimberly Root's full-page, watercolor illustrations enhance Borton's story. Expressionless faces, ragged clothing, and the soft pastels of the rural-south environment transmit a mood of hope amidst poverty. The text is appropriate for young readers, although Borton should have chosen to include a southern dialect for her characters. Also, do not mistake this story for one that addressed issues concerning handicapped children. Jamie's brother seems a token character, and the reader is sometimes confused about other character's handicaps as well.
John Asbury