Historical Fiction

Artwork by Sally Wern Comport
Image from www.ritawg.com

One Crazy Summer 

by Rita Williams-Garcia

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York: Amistad Press. ISBN 9780060760885

PLOT SUMMARY

In the summer of 1968, 11-year-old Delphine boards a 727 with her two younger sisters, 9 year-old Vonetta, and  7 year-old Fern, for a month-long visit with Cecile, their estranged mother in Oakland, CA who abandoned the girls seven years earlier. Told from the perspective of Delphine, the girls adventure begins with turbulence on the plane, a very distant and unwelcoming reunion with their mother, and take-out Chinese dinner eaten on the floor. On top of that, their mother sends them to the local Black Panther's day-camp while she stays home, mysteriously working in her kitchen. Although they are unwanted, and mostly in their mother's way, Delphine is determined to get to know her, but ends up learning much about herself, her past, and her place in society as well. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In One Crazy Summer, Williams-Garcia tells the story of Delphine and her unusual, estranged relationship to her mother. Although she has flashes, or memories of Cecile, Delphine really doesn't know her mother, except what her grandmother, Big Ma, has told her, which in not very positive. Still, Delphine is determined to make her four week stay as tolerable for herself and her sisters as she can. Her take-charge attitude, her work ethic, and protectiveness over her sisters make her a strong personality capable of telling this story in a first-person narrative. Her child's perceptive gives the story innocence and awe, as she observes the people around her, their interactions, and her place among them. 

Williams-Garcia brings 1968's Oakland to life with her vivid descriptions of the places, the people, and even the streets of Cecile's neighborhood. References to real-life character like Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali, Huey Newton, and Bobby Hutton, and the girls' experiences with pop culture like Brenda and the Tabulations and The Mike Douglas Show add to the story's authenticity.  

One Crazy Summer is recommended for students in grades 6 through 9.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

“Delphine’s growing awareness of injustice on a personal and universal level is smoothly woven into the story in poetic language what will stimulate and move readers.” (Publisher’s Weekly, Jan. 2010)

“The depiction of the time is well done, and while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults, their resilience is celebrated and energetically told with writing that snaps off the page.” (Kirkus starred review, Feb. 2010)

“In One Crazy Summer Williams-Garcia presents a child’s-eye view of the Black Panther movement within a powerful and affecting story of sisterhood and motherhood.”  (New York Times, Jan. 2010)

“Set during a pivotal moment in African American history, this vibrant novel shows the subtle ways that political movements affect personal lives; but just as memorable is the finely drawn universal story of children reclaiming a reluctant parent’s love.” (Booklist starred review, Feb. 2010)

“Emotionally challenging and beautifully written, this book immerses readers in a time and place and raises difficult questions of cultural and ethnic identity and personal responsibility.” (School Library Journal starred review, Mar. 2010)

“…readers will want to know more about Delphine and her sisters after they return to Brooklyn with their radical new ideas about the world.” (Horn Book starred review, Mar./Apr. 2010 

• 2011 Newbery Honor Book
• 2011 Coretta Scott King Award Winner
• 2011 Scott O’Dell Prize for Historical Fiction
• 2010 National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature
• 2010 Texas Library Association Best Book
• Goodreads Choice Award Nominee (2010)
• Publishers Weekly's Best Children's Books of the Year for Fiction (2010)

CONNECTIONS

Preview the book with students using this book trailer.

Use this book for an in-depth lesson on character analysis, including the changes (physical, emotional, mental, etc.) Delphine, Vonetta, or Fern go through, throughout the course of the book. 

Use this discussion guide from the publisher. 

Use this book for an introduction to the turbulent times of the late 1960’s, including the Black Panther movement and the Hippie culture in California.

Use this book as an introduction to poetry, poets, and their role in social movements.

Have students interview someone who lived through the late sixties or early seventies when they were 11 or 12 years old.

Other fiction books for children about sisters.

--Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

--Ten Rules for Living with My Sister by Ann M. Martin.

--The Rule of Three by Megan McDonald.

 --Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood

Other historical fiction books for children set in the late 1960s.

--Shooting the Moon by Frances O’Roark Dowell

--Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan

--Countdown by Deborah Wiles

Listen to Rita Williams-Garcia talk about writing One Crazy Summer. 

Visit the Rita Williams-Garcia's website.

Historical Fiction

Cover art by Beth White

Image from www.HenryHoltKids.com 

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

by Jacqueline Kelly

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kelly, Jacqueline. 2009. THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE. Unabridged audio book. Read by Natalie Ross. Grand Haven, MI: Brilliance Audio. ISBN 9781441802439

PLOT SUMMARY

Jacqueline Kelly’s debut novel, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate, tells the story of 11 year-old Calpurnia Virginia Tate and her summer of 1899 in the small town of Fentress, Texas. The only girl, stuck between three older brothers and three younger, Callie Vee (as she was known back then) spends her time observing and discovering the natural world around her, and going through the motions of learning how to play piano, cook, and knit, the skills her mother feels she needs to become a proper Texas lady. Her love of nature and wonderment at how it all works helps her develop a unique bond with her once-distant grandfather, Granddaddy, who is somewhat of an important naturalist in his own right. With the discovery of a possible new species of vetch, Callie gradually realizes that she really wants to grow up to be a scientist, despite what society expects of her.

In this short excerpt from the audio book, Callie Vee fails to acquire a copy of Darwin's On the Origin of Species from the Lockhart, TX library. Soon after, she tells her grandfather of her experience, and is pleasantly surprised when he presents her with his own personal copy. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

To the delight of listeners and enthusiasts of historical fiction, this well-written story, beautifully narrated by a talented actress, brings late 19th century Texas to life. Kelly’s Calpurnia is an authentic depiction of a typical 11-year-old girl, caught between the desires and emotions of a child, and the realities and expectations of becoming a young lady. Natalie Ross’s gentle voice brings Callie to life, with both innocence and maturity, in this wonderful first-person narrative. The rest of the characters are perfectly representative of the times, and Ross does a great job of distinguishing each. The relationships and interactions of the characters accurately depict life in 1899, complete with slavery, sexism, and the importance of social standing. Callie’s struggle to understand these turn-of-the-century social norms make for a compelling story of a young girl’s journey to self-discovery, and her desire to set and follow her own path.

Kelly creates a setting that transports the reader to a hot Texas small-town summer of many decades past, complete with real major events, inventions, and famous personalities sprinkled throughout.  She shows her own knowledge of science with such extensive descriptions as that of a moth’s life cycle, the habits of possums, and the taxonomy of plants and animals. The author also adds quite of bit of humor and wit in her depiction of the Tate clan, from Granddaddy's attempt to distill whiskey from pecans, to the Tate brothers’ rivalry over Callie's best friend's affections. All in all, this audio-book version does not disappoint. 

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is recommended for ages 10 and up, and the print version is also available in Spanish.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

“Readers will finish this witty, deftly crafted debut novel rooting for "Callie Vee" and wishing they knew what kind of adult she would become.” (Kirkus starred review, Apr. 2009)

“Callie’s transformation into an adult and her unexpected bravery make for an exciting and enjoyable read. Kelly’s rich images and setting, believable relationships and a touch of magic take this story far.”  (Publishers Weekly starred review, May 2009)

“Interwoven with the scientific theme are threads of daily life in a large family—the bonds with siblings, the conversations overheard, the unspoken understandings and misunderstandings—all told with wry humor and a sharp eye for details that bring the characters and the setting to life.” (Booklist starred review, May 2009)

“A charming and inventive story of a child struggling to find her identity at the turn of the 20th century. --there’s no uncertainty over the achievement of Kelly’s debut novel.” (School Library Journal starred review, May 2009)

“Ross makes a great Callie, full of 12 year old emotions: one minute grown-up, the next childlike. --despite a lack of Texas twang or character, listeners always know who is speaking as she reads with enthusiasm and appropriate emotion.” (Booklist, Mar. 2010)

“Natalie Ross’s sensitive, poetic narration reflects all the emotions experienced by Callie and the members of her family.” (School Library Journal, Apr. 2010)

• Newbery Honor Book (2010)
• Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Children's Book (2009)
• IRA Children’s and Young Adult’s Book Award (2010)
• Chicago Public Library Best of the Best list (2010)
• Texas Lone Star Reading List (2010)
• BCCB Blue Ribbon Award (2009)
• Booklist’s Top 10 First Novels for Youth on Audio (2010)
• Audie Award for Children's for Ages 8-12 (2011)

CONNECTIONS

Preview the book with students with this book trailer.

From the publisher: Discussion Questions and downloadable Poster.

Use this book as a jumping off point to study the indigenous plants or animals of Texas.

Use this book to demonstrate the Scientific Method in action.

Encourage students to interview an older family member or an older family friend to see what life was like when they were around 11 or 12 years old.

Other historical fiction books about life in 19th Centrury Texas

--Founding father: the life and times of John Neely Bryan by Jimmy Clay.

--The legend of Bass Reeves : being the true and fictional account of the most valiant marshal in the West by Gary Paulsen.

Other historical fiction books for children

--Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber

--Katerina's Wish by Jeannie Mobley

--The Luck of the Buttons by Anne Ylvisaker

Other recent Newberry Medal and Honor Books

--When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (2010)

--Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm (2011)

--One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (2011)

--Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos (2012)

--Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai (2012)

Visit the Jacqueline Kelly's website. 

Follow The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate on Facebook.

Historical Fiction

Artwork by Trina Schart Hyman
Image from www.hyman.pagebooks.net

The Midwife's Apprentice 

by Karen Cushman 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395692296

PLOT SUMMARY

In The Midwife’s Apprentice Karen Cushman tells the story of a homeless, orphaned young girl with low self-esteem who transforms into a young woman with a true name, a true identity, and the confidence to take on the challenges put in front of her. On a cold winter morning, in an unnamed English medieval village, Brat is seeking the comfort of a warm compost heap when she is found by Jane Sharp, the village midwife. Recognizing the girl’s ingenuity, Jane renames her Beetle (as in dung beetle) and takes her in as her apprentice. Though treated cruelly, overworked, and underfed, Beetle goes through several experiences that demonstrate her courage, cleverness, and self-worth, including deserving of the name Alyce. She slowly, and covertly, learns about midwifery by watching Jane, even successfully helping a mother give birth when Jane is away. But when a mother specifically requests Alyce’s help and not Jane’s, Jane feels threatened and promises to make Alyce’s life even more difficult. The birth, however, does not go well and Alyce is forced to call for Jane’s help. Feeling stupid and humiliated, Alyce runs away, and begins working at a nearby inn. There she meets others who recognize her intelligence and strong work ethic, despite the fact that she doesn't see these qualities in herself. Eventually, however, Alyce discovers exactly what she’s capable of, that others really do care about her and need her, and that she can take charge of her life, on her terms.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Karen Cushman’s descriptions of the village, the villagers, and their daily comings and goings successfully bring medieval England to life. From the people’s occupations, to their humble dwellings, she transports the reader to a place and time where hardship, poverty, and superstition were part of everyday life. Cushman does an excellent job of using England’s under-educated, lower-class dialect and speech patterns to add to the authenticity of the story, and her atmospheric details and depictions constantly remind readers that they are in a place long ago and far way. Cushman does not gloss over the realities of daily medieval existence, either, depicting such occurrences as the cruel abandonment of children and the difficulty of natural childbirth. Yet, this story definitely speaks to the universal idea that, through hard work and fortitude, one’s destiny is in one’s hand. Alyce’s attitudes, emotions, and journey to self-discovery, while interwoven into a historical novel, are very relevant to modern young readers who are on their own journey to self-discovery.

The Midwife’s Apprentice is recommended for students in grades 6 through 9.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

“Cushman has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village is supremely colorful and pungent." (Publisher’s Weekly, Feb. 1995)

"Kids will be caught up in this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone." (Booklist starred review, Mar. 1995)

"From the rebirth in the dung heap to Brat's renaming herself Alyce after a heady visit to a medieval fair, this is not for fans of historical drama only. It's a rouser for all times." (Kirkus starred review, Mar. 1995)

"Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal remedies attached to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature." (School Library Journal starred review, May 1995)

"The graphic and convincing portrayals of medieval life and especially the villagers given to superstition, casual cruelty, and duplicity – afford a fascinating view of a far distant time." (The Horn Book, starred review, Jul/Aug 1995)

"Readers interested in this time period or in understanding the incredible misery of children living in past ages will enjoy this novel." (The Book Report, Sept/Oct 1995)

• Newbery Medal 1996
• ALA Best Book for Young Adults
• ALA Notable Book for Children
• Booklist Editors' Choice
• Horn Book Fanfare Selection
• School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year
• Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
• American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists"

CONNECTIONS

Use this book for an in-depth lesson on character analysis, including the changes (physical, emotional, mental, etc.) the character goes through, throughout the course of the book.

Visit a Medieval-themed restaurant or a local Renaissance Festival. Two in/near the Dallas area are Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament and Scarborough Renaissance Festival

Other historical fiction books by Karen Cushman

--Will Sparrow's Road (2012)

--Alchemy and Meggy Swann (2010)

--Matilda Bone (2000)

--The Ballad of Lucy Whipple (1996)

--Catherine, Called Birdy (1994)

Other historical fiction books for children set in medieval times.

--Young Joan by Barbara Dana

--The Winter Hare by Joan Elizabeth Goodman

--The Striped Ships by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

--The Sword and the Circle: King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Rosemary Sutcliff

 --Passager by Jane Yolen

Other Newbery Books from the 1990’s

--Holes by Louis Sachar(1999)

--Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse(1998)

--The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg (1997)

--Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (1995);

--The Giver by Lois Lowry (1994)

Visit the Karen Cushman’s website. 

Listen to an excerpt from the audio book as read by Jenny Sterlin found on the author's website.

Non-Fiction Books

Artwork by Edwin Fotheringham
Image from www.edfotheringham. com

The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)
by Barbara Kerley 
illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

BIBLIOGRAPHY 
Kerley, Barbara. 2010. THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUSY). Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press. 
ISBN 9780545125086 

PLOT SUMMARY 
In The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy), Barbara Kerley once again teams up with Edwin Fotheringham to bring another great book about a young subject and her famous father. This time, the story is of Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) through the eyes and notes of his oldest daughter, Susy Clemens. Despite its title, it is really the story of an unlikely biographer of one of America’s most beloved authors. At the age of thirteen, Susy Clemens secretly begins to write, in her opinion, a more comprehensive account of her famous father’s life. Based in large part on these writings, facts and anecdotes about both Mark Twain, his daughter, and their family are interwoven in this creative informational text. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 

Both Kerley and Fotheringham successfully give readers an extraordinarily informative book through their writing and illustrations. 

Told chronologically, the story follows Susy, as she follows Papa (Twain), from the spring of 1885 to the summer of 1886, writing down her observations of her father and their family. Through these writings, the reader gets personal insight into the life of the Clemens family, despite Twain’s very public persona. Kerley brilliantly adds her own writing to further Susy’s life story, as well as her father’s. “Like Papa, Susy wrote and wrote, filling over 130 pages.” Fotheringham’s illustrations are whimsical and tie in perfectly to the text. The importance, or predominance, of words in the Clemens family is represented with scribbles and curlicues coming off papers and pens, or out of people’s mouths. Susy’s actual writings, excerpts from her journal including misspelling, are masterfully interwoven in the book through small, card-sized inserts labeled “Journal”. These, along with Fotheringham’s bold and often silly illustrations (the last page of the story shows Susy pulling Twain’s mustache out from a larger than life portrait while holding a giant pen), depict what life must have been like in the Clemens household – extra ordinary. 

Additional resources in the back of the book include an Author’s Note about Papa and Susy Clemens, the author’s guide to writing an Extraordinary Biography, a selected timeline of the life of Mark Twain, and a list of quotation sources. 

Recommended for children ages 8 to 12, The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy) is a delightful book.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

"An original." (Booklist, Dec. 2009) 

"A heartwarming tribute to both the writing life in general and the well-loved humorist—oops, sorry Susy… ‘Pholosopher!’" (Kirkus Starred Review, Dec. 2009)

"…accessible and inventive vision of an American legend." (Publisher’s Weekly, Dec. 2009)

"A delightful primer on researching and writing biographies, and a joy to peruse." (School Library Journal Starred Review, Jan. 2010) 

"Students will enjoy the sparse but rich text, Susy's diary inserts, and bold illustrations in digital media; they will definitely learn something new about the American icon that is Twain as well. Teachers will love the detailed Author's Notes and timeline of Twain’s life." (Library Media Connection, May/June 2010) 

¸2010 Cybils Award Winner Nonfiction Picture Books 

¸2010 NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book 

¸Kirkus Review Best Children’s Book: Non-Fiction (2010) 

¸School Library Journal Best Books (2010) 

¸Publisher’s Weekly Best Children’s Books (2010) 

CONNECTIONS

Use this book to introduce students to, or demonstrate the power or benefits of, journaling or keeping a diary. To further the lesson, have students use this graphic organizer to help them write their own personal narratives. 

Use this book among others to introduce students to biographies. After reading several biographies, students can use this graphic organizer from Time for Kids to research a famous author, athlete, politician, etc. and write their own biography. Also, consult the author’s guide to Writing an Extraordinary Biography (also found in the back of the book).

An alternate lesson would be to read several additional books about Mark Twain and compare and contrast how the different biographers depicted him using a Venn diagram.

Other books for children about keeping a journal or diary 

--Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin

--Writing Down the Days: 365 Creative Journaling Ideas for Young People by Lorraine M. Dahlstrom 
--Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

--It's All About You: Writing Your Own Journal by Nancy Loewen 

--Amelia's Notebook by Marissa Moss 
--Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renée Russell 

Other books for children about Mark Twain 

--The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West by Sid Fleischman 
--Bambino and Mr. Twain by P.I. Maltbie 
--Who Was Mark Twain? by April Jones Prince 
--Mark Twain for Kids: His Life & Times, 21 Activities by R. Kent Rasmussen 

Other books for children by Barbara Kerley, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham.
--Those Rebels, John and Tom
--What To Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy!

Visit Barbara Kerley's website and Ed Fotheringham's website. 

Listen to Barbara Kerley talk about writing The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy).

Non-Fiction Books

Artwork by Melissa Sweet
Image from www.hmhbooks.com

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

by Melissa Sweet

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sweet, Melissa. 2011. BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY: THE TRUE STORY OF THE PUPPETEER OF MACY’S PARADE Ill. by the author.
New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780547199450

PLOT SUMMARY
In Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade, author and illustrator Melissa Sweet brings young readers the biography of Anthony “Tony” Frederick Sarg, the man behind the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon floats. The story begins with Sarg as a young boy discovering how to make things move, specifically marionettes. As an adult, Sarg continues to create puppets out of different materials such as wood, strings, and cloth, eventually making it to Broadway in New York City. Macy’s department store then asks him to design a holiday window display. The success of the display leads to the creation of Macy’s first street parade in 1924 where Sarg designs everything from the costumes to the floats, and even arranges to bring in live animals. As the parade’s popularity grew, and because the live animals scared the children, Sarg is tasked to replace the live animals with something spectacular. With inspiration from his marionettes and an Indonesian rod puppet in his collection, Sarg eventually develops large puppet-balloon hybrids that are high enough for all spectators to see. Today, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is still one of the most famous parades in the world because of Tony Sarg and his puppets.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sweet’s wonderfully designed picture book successfully brings a slice of history and a charming biography to young readers. Her writing describes Sarg’s life from childhood to adulthood in simple story form. Her gouache, collage and mixed-media illustrations mirror that of Sarg’s interest in making puppets out of everyday materials, depicting an artist’s “work space” and enhancing the time period with details such as fonts and old books and papers. The book is filled with visual delights, literally, from cover to cover. The front inside-cover spread features an opened copy presumably of 1921’s The Tony Sarg Marionette Book surrounded by Sweet’s collage materials, while the back inside-cover spread shows an advertisement for the parade that ran in the New York Times in 1933. Additional resources include an Author’s Note that gives a bit more biographical data about Sarg, a note about the book’s art, and bibliographical and quote sources. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade is recommended for children ages 8 to 12, but can be enjoyed by anyone who loves a parade.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS
“The rush that comes from inspiration, the cliffhanger moments of creation, the sheer joy of building something and watching it delight the multitudes— Sweet captures it all in what is truly a story for all ages.” (Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review, Aug. 2011)

“What [Melissa Sweet] has done is make a joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal parts.” (Booklist Starred Review, Sept. 2011)

“This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high.” (Kirkus Starred Review, Sept. 2011)

“This one should float off the shelves.” (School Library Journal Starred Review, Sept. 2011)

♦ 2012 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Winner
♦ 2012 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award
♦ 2012 Cook Prize honoring the best science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) picture book
♦ 2012 The Flora Stieglitz Straus Award
♦ 2012 Jefferson Cup Award :: Virginia Library Association
♦ 2012 ALA Notable Book
♦ Recently named in the 2013-2014 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List

CONNECTIONS
For a complete Balloons Over Broadway Activity Kit from the publisher, click here.

Visit the official Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade website.

Use this book among others to introduce students to biographies. After reading several biographies, students can use this graphic organizer from Time for Kids to research a famous author, athlete, politician, etc. and write their own biography.

Other books for children about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
--Milly And The Macy's Parade by Shana Corey
--Macy's on Parade: A Pop-Up Celebration of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by Pamela Pease
--America's Parade: A Celebration of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by Time-Life Books

Other award-winning biographies for young readers.
--The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors by Chris Barton
--The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
--Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill
--Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell
--The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis

Other books for children by Melissa Sweet.
-- Tupelo Rides the Rails
-- Carmine: A Little More Red
--A Dozen Easter Eggs 

Listen to Melissa Sweet talk about writing and illustrating Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade.

Visit Melissa Sweet’s website.

Dallas, TX 1936 - Tony Sarg Theater at Fair Park during the Texas Centennial

Non-Fiction Books

Artwork by Steve Jenkins
Image from www.barnesandnoble.com

What Do You Do With
a Tail Like This? 

by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. 2003. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618256288

PLOT SUMMARY

The husband and wife team of Steve Jenkins and Robin Page brings young readers a great book about animals and their very functional body parts. After a short introduction, the book is divided into six sections consisting of 2-double-page spreads. Each section begins with a question to the reader asking them what they would do with a nose, ears, tail, eyes, feet, or mouth like the ones pictured. The next page lets the reader know exactly what the animals pictured do with features like that! What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? includes thirty different animals, some familiar, others not so much, that demonstrate the variety and complexity of the world’s animal kingdom.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jenkins and Page successfully bring a unique twist to what is already an abundant subject matter in children’s non-fiction books - animals. Their focus on animal body parts, each beautifully illustrated by Jenkins, offers an informative and attractive look at animal adaptations and senses. Readers of all ages will enjoy learning that skunks use their tail to warn potential predators, and that snakes can swallow eggs that are larger than their heads. Others will be introduced to exotic creatures such as the star-nosed mole and the blue-footed booby.

Each animal is accurately represented in bright, layered cut-paper collages, with Jenkins’ incredible attention to detail and texture. All of the illustrations are set against a white background, and the corresponding text, which answers the preceding question, is set close to the animals, often type-set in rhythmic, flowing patterns. The book’s text makes it easy for young readers to follow because it is organized in a repetitive pattern. It asks a question about a body part, then immediately provides the answer in the following pages. The writing is simple enough for children to understand, and the illustrated glossary at the back of the book gives more details and information about the animals that were mentioned, including where in the world they are found and how exactly they use their unique feature. What Do You Do With A Tail Like This? is recommended for ages 4-8, and is also available in Spanish.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

“-this array of wide eyes and open mouths will definitely have viewers responding with wide eyes and open mouths of their own.” (Kirkus Starred Review, Jan. 2003)

“This is a striking, thoughtfully created book with intriguing facts made more memorable through dynamic art.” (Booklist Starred Review, Feb. 2003)

“This wonderfully creative and well designed book will be fun for early readers who enjoy animals.” (Library Media Connection Starred Review, Feb. 2004)

“This is a great book for sharing one-on-one or with a group.” (School Library Journal, Starred Review, Mar. 2003)

• Caldecott Honor Book (2004)
• ALSC Notable Children's Books (2004)
• Charlotte Zolotow Commendation (2004)
• The Children's Literature Choice List, Children's Literature (2004)
• NCTE Children's Literature Assembly / Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (2004)

CONNECTIONS

Preview the book with this Book Trailer: What Do You Do With A Tail Like This?

Use this book in a unit study on animal adaptations, and how different body parts (including human parts) are used for different purposes.

Choose one or two animals featured in each body part in the book to compare and contrast using a Venn diagram or other graphic organizer.

On 30 flash cards, draw each featured body part and a short description (how the animal uses it). Then have the students choose two or three cards each and make up a “new” animal that has these features.  Have them explain, either written or orally, what this made-up animal does and where it lives, based on their adaptations.

For older kids, here are some children's websites to learn more about animals and adaptations:

• PBS Kids: Wild Kratts. 
• National Geographic Kids: Animals and Pets. 
• Scholastic: Study Jams. 

Other fun books for children about animal adaptations and body parts 

--The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle
--If I Had a Tail by Karen Clemens Warrick
--Omnibeasts: Animal Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian
--Who Has These Feet? By Laura Hulbert
--What's Looking at You, Kid? By J. Patrick Lewis

Other animal books for children by Robin Page and Steve Jenkins

--How to Clean a Hippopotamus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships

--Move! Board book

--How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly?

--Sisters and Brothers: Sibling Relationships in the Animal World

Other animal books for children by Steve Jenkins

--Animals in Flight

--Slap, Squeak & Scatter

--Actual Size

--What Do You Do When Something Wants To Eat You?

Visit the illustrator’s website.