BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. 1993. WOLVES. HarperCollins. ISBN: 00060225343
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a non-fiction book that gives us an idea of what wolves in the wild are truly like. It begins by explaining the many good things about wolves, and tries to show how false many of our beliefs and fears of wolves really are. This book showcases the many wonderful attributes of wolves. It shows us through beautiful photographs and well written text the way that wolves live in the wild.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is full of gorgeous photographs of wolves in nature. Each page of text is accompanied by a beautiful full page glossy photo. Each of these pictures is relevant to the text that is on the opposite page. The text is clear, simple and easy to understand without being condescending to the reader. It is an informational book that is interesting and well written. It does not just list facts, but tends almost to be telling a story. It gives information and explanations in an easy tone that keeps things interesting for the reader. One example of how the book works is that on one page we see a photograph of a wolf running through water, and on the accompanying page the text is written as “The wolf looks much liked a German shepherd with thick, shaggy fur and a bushy tail. The fur is extra thick in winter and is a good protection against rain or snow. Water runs off a wolf’s fur the way it runs off a raincoat.” This text is written in a way that a child can understand it. It gives real life examples and explanations that children can relate to. Comparing the wolf to a German Shepard, and water running off a raincoat, are things that children can identify with and connect with, so the book is more meaningful to the student. This is a well written book with superb pictures and it would definitely be a book that I would recommend for any elementary library or classroom.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
"From School Library Journal Grade 4-6-Simon dispels the traditionally negative images of the wolf in this photo essay. Through the appealing full-color photographs and succinct, conversational text, these dynamic, affectionate, and highly intelligent animals are shown to possess many positive traits, such as loyalty, cooperation, and adaptability. A broad range of information is touched upon lightly, including physical characteristics, habitat, hunting and diet, breeding and raising pups, and some unique facts about pack hierarchy and howling."
From Booklist "Gr. 2-4. As in Snakes (1992) and his other photo-essays about animals, Simon includes dramatic action pictures by several wildlife photographers. Each full-page photo, splendidly reproduced in full color, faces a page of plain text that gives basic information about how wolves live in the natural world, what they look like, how they hunt, how they rear their young, etc. The facts and the glorious photographs support Simon's plea for the animals' conservation."
CONNECTIONS
Read a variety of books about wolves, and design a book cover
Display a variety of books about wolves
Read other books by the same author Seymour Simon: SNAKES, BIG CATS, and WHALES
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Genre 4 Nonfiction: SECRETS OF A CIVIL WAR SUBMARINE: SOLVING THE MYSTERIES OF THE H.L. HUNLEY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Walker, Sally M.. 2005. SECRETS OF A CIVIL WAR SUBMARINE: SOLVING THE MYSTERIES OF THE H.L. HUNLEY. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, Inc. ISBN: 139781575058306
PLOT SUMMARY
This is the true story of a submarine called the H. L. Hunley. The book sets out to describe and solve the mysteries surrounding this submarine. It explains the history of the boat and what was happening in the U.S. Civil War when the boat was built.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The design and layout of this book is very attractive. The end of the book has some very good information. It has an Author’s Note page, a Source Notes page, a list of Websites, and a Glossary. It has informational text and interesting drawings, pictures and photographs. It tells the story of a Civil War submarine that disappears during the war. The book starts out emphasizing the mystery of the submarines disappearance. The prologue gives a brief account of the ships disappearance, and the mystery surrounding it. The book then goes into a little bit of Civil War history. The next part is about the people who invent the submarine. The book shows drawings of the inside and outside of the Hunley. This part of the book was very interesting and intriguing. The text was well written, factual and yet still written like a story. The next several chapters started to get boring. The book goes on to tell the story that after many years they actually find the Hunley. The book then goes into great detail about everything that has to do with bringing up the Hunley and discovering her secrets. This part of the book is like eating sand. It becomes very dry reading. The pictures are still good but I have lost interest, and I read the book all the way to the end only to discover that they do not solve the mystery. They answered some questions, but did not solve the mystery. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I would have liked a better ending. The cover says “Solving the Mysteries of the H. L. Hunley”, and I was expecting a solution at the conclusion of the book. Some readers would definitely enjoy this book for the good content and interesting pictures. A person who is interested in these things would probably think this was an excellent book on this topic. As someone who is not really interested in this topic it did not have enough pizzazz to pull me in and keep me interested.
READING EXCERPTS
From School Library JournalStarred Review. “Grade 6-10–Walker brings a little-known story of the Civil War to life in this fascinating book. When the Union blockade of all ports in the South stopped supplies from reaching the Confederate Army, Horace L. Hunley decided to create a submarine that would be able to sneak up on enemy ships and blow them up. After many years of trial and error, the H. L. Hunley actually succeeded in sinking the USS Housatonic in February of 1864. But the submarine never returned to port, and her crew perished in the Charleston Harbor. This is a finely crafted account of the Hunley from its inception to the modern archaeological quest to exhume her from the water. It is divided into chronological chapters complete with pictures, maps, and primary sources. Half of the book discusses the construction and design of the submarine, in addition to its practice runs and its first and only mission.”
From Booklist"*Starred Review* Gr. 7-10. The author of Fossil Fish Found Alive (2002) now discusses a different sort of discovery, the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley. After sinking a Union sloop near Charleston, South Carolina, in 1864, the hunley did not return to port. Although divers searched for more than 130 years, the sub was not found until 1995. Over the last 10 years, archaeologists have carefully raised the hunley and painstakingly sifted through the 20,000 pounds of sediment it contained for artifacts and human remains and, ultimately, clues to why, when, and how the vessel sank. Walker begins with the history of the Hunley's design and construction as well as its place in Civil War and naval history. She really hits her stride, though, in explaining the complex techniques and loving care used in raising the craft, recovering its contents, and even reconstructing models of the crewmembers' bodies."
CONNECTIONS
Do more research into the H. L. Hunley by using the websites listed in the book.
Display books about submarines
Walker, Sally M.. 2005. SECRETS OF A CIVIL WAR SUBMARINE: SOLVING THE MYSTERIES OF THE H.L. HUNLEY. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, Inc. ISBN: 139781575058306
PLOT SUMMARY
This is the true story of a submarine called the H. L. Hunley. The book sets out to describe and solve the mysteries surrounding this submarine. It explains the history of the boat and what was happening in the U.S. Civil War when the boat was built.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The design and layout of this book is very attractive. The end of the book has some very good information. It has an Author’s Note page, a Source Notes page, a list of Websites, and a Glossary. It has informational text and interesting drawings, pictures and photographs. It tells the story of a Civil War submarine that disappears during the war. The book starts out emphasizing the mystery of the submarines disappearance. The prologue gives a brief account of the ships disappearance, and the mystery surrounding it. The book then goes into a little bit of Civil War history. The next part is about the people who invent the submarine. The book shows drawings of the inside and outside of the Hunley. This part of the book was very interesting and intriguing. The text was well written, factual and yet still written like a story. The next several chapters started to get boring. The book goes on to tell the story that after many years they actually find the Hunley. The book then goes into great detail about everything that has to do with bringing up the Hunley and discovering her secrets. This part of the book is like eating sand. It becomes very dry reading. The pictures are still good but I have lost interest, and I read the book all the way to the end only to discover that they do not solve the mystery. They answered some questions, but did not solve the mystery. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I would have liked a better ending. The cover says “Solving the Mysteries of the H. L. Hunley”, and I was expecting a solution at the conclusion of the book. Some readers would definitely enjoy this book for the good content and interesting pictures. A person who is interested in these things would probably think this was an excellent book on this topic. As someone who is not really interested in this topic it did not have enough pizzazz to pull me in and keep me interested.
READING EXCERPTS
From School Library JournalStarred Review. “Grade 6-10–Walker brings a little-known story of the Civil War to life in this fascinating book. When the Union blockade of all ports in the South stopped supplies from reaching the Confederate Army, Horace L. Hunley decided to create a submarine that would be able to sneak up on enemy ships and blow them up. After many years of trial and error, the H. L. Hunley actually succeeded in sinking the USS Housatonic in February of 1864. But the submarine never returned to port, and her crew perished in the Charleston Harbor. This is a finely crafted account of the Hunley from its inception to the modern archaeological quest to exhume her from the water. It is divided into chronological chapters complete with pictures, maps, and primary sources. Half of the book discusses the construction and design of the submarine, in addition to its practice runs and its first and only mission.”
From Booklist"*Starred Review* Gr. 7-10. The author of Fossil Fish Found Alive (2002) now discusses a different sort of discovery, the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley. After sinking a Union sloop near Charleston, South Carolina, in 1864, the hunley did not return to port. Although divers searched for more than 130 years, the sub was not found until 1995. Over the last 10 years, archaeologists have carefully raised the hunley and painstakingly sifted through the 20,000 pounds of sediment it contained for artifacts and human remains and, ultimately, clues to why, when, and how the vessel sank. Walker begins with the history of the Hunley's design and construction as well as its place in Civil War and naval history. She really hits her stride, though, in explaining the complex techniques and loving care used in raising the craft, recovering its contents, and even reconstructing models of the crewmembers' bodies."
CONNECTIONS
Do more research into the H. L. Hunley by using the websites listed in the book.
Display books about submarines
Genre 4 Nonfiction: WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. 2003. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0618256288
PLOT SUMMARY
This non-fiction book by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page is an interesting book about animals. It is a “guessing book”. The reader is given picture clues of the various animals on one set of pages, and then the second set of pages answers the questions. At the end of the book is a picture dictionary that shows all the animals that are mentioned in the book. It gives easy yet good descriptions and more in-depth explanations of the animals.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book begins with an informational page on how to use this book. Clear instructions tell the reader to look at the various animal body parts and then “guess” which animal they belong to. The opening page also tells the reader about the glossary at the end of the book. A typical set of pages starts with a two page spread with a question about an animal body part, and then the next two pages show the full animals and the answers to the question. One set up had the question “What do you do with ears like these?” The pictures were of rabbit ears, a cricket leg, bat ears, hippopotamus ears and humpback whale ears. Turning the page showed the reader full pictures of the animals with information about how each animal hears things. The reader learns that a cricket hears with ears that are on its knees, and that a hippopotamus can close its ears under water. This book is informative and entertaining at the same time. The beautiful illustrations on each page look as if someone has cut out paper animals and pasted them to the pages. The illustrations are very colorful and add a rich texture to the pages. The text is done in a unique way. The text often follows the lines of each animal. If an animal has curves to its shape, then the text will curve around the animal. The text is done differently for each animal depending on its shape. This clever way of formatting the text makes it very interesting to read. At the end of the book is a well written and informative picture dictionary describing the animals from the book. Many of the animals would be well-known to children, while some of the animals are less well-know and are very unique. The glossary at the end would prove to be of great value if the students are interested in these animals and have more questions about them. Some of the unique animals that are talked about in the book are the four-eyed fish, the blue-footed booby, the star-nosed mole and the archer fish. All of these interesting animals have well written explanations next to a small picture in the glossary. This entertaining and informational book would definitely be a joy to read aloud and share with children.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
"From School Library JournalKindergarten-Grade 4-Jenkins, this time in collaboration with his wife, has created yet another eye-opening book. Children will learn that lizards can completely break off their tail as a defense and that it will grow back. And, they'll find out that crickets' ears are on their knees. Most fish have two eyes, but some have four, the better to see above and below the water at the same time. These are just a few of the fascinating facts of nature dangled out front to draw readers into this beautifully illustrated book."
From Booklist"*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 2. Here's another exceptional cut-paper science book from Jenkins, this time put together with a partner, and like previous books, it's a stunner. An opening page, clearly explaining how to use the book, is followed by a double-page spread picturing the mouths of several different animals, accompanied by the question, "What do you do with a mouth like this?" The next spread shows each animal in full, explaining in a few simple words how the part functions."
CONNECTIONS
Read other animal books by the author Steve Jenkins: SLAP, SQUEAK, AND SCATTER, and ANIMALS IN FLIGHT
Make a class mural of "cut paper" animals
Display other books about some of the unique animals in the book
Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page. 2003. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0618256288
PLOT SUMMARY
This non-fiction book by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page is an interesting book about animals. It is a “guessing book”. The reader is given picture clues of the various animals on one set of pages, and then the second set of pages answers the questions. At the end of the book is a picture dictionary that shows all the animals that are mentioned in the book. It gives easy yet good descriptions and more in-depth explanations of the animals.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book begins with an informational page on how to use this book. Clear instructions tell the reader to look at the various animal body parts and then “guess” which animal they belong to. The opening page also tells the reader about the glossary at the end of the book. A typical set of pages starts with a two page spread with a question about an animal body part, and then the next two pages show the full animals and the answers to the question. One set up had the question “What do you do with ears like these?” The pictures were of rabbit ears, a cricket leg, bat ears, hippopotamus ears and humpback whale ears. Turning the page showed the reader full pictures of the animals with information about how each animal hears things. The reader learns that a cricket hears with ears that are on its knees, and that a hippopotamus can close its ears under water. This book is informative and entertaining at the same time. The beautiful illustrations on each page look as if someone has cut out paper animals and pasted them to the pages. The illustrations are very colorful and add a rich texture to the pages. The text is done in a unique way. The text often follows the lines of each animal. If an animal has curves to its shape, then the text will curve around the animal. The text is done differently for each animal depending on its shape. This clever way of formatting the text makes it very interesting to read. At the end of the book is a well written and informative picture dictionary describing the animals from the book. Many of the animals would be well-known to children, while some of the animals are less well-know and are very unique. The glossary at the end would prove to be of great value if the students are interested in these animals and have more questions about them. Some of the unique animals that are talked about in the book are the four-eyed fish, the blue-footed booby, the star-nosed mole and the archer fish. All of these interesting animals have well written explanations next to a small picture in the glossary. This entertaining and informational book would definitely be a joy to read aloud and share with children.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
"From School Library JournalKindergarten-Grade 4-Jenkins, this time in collaboration with his wife, has created yet another eye-opening book. Children will learn that lizards can completely break off their tail as a defense and that it will grow back. And, they'll find out that crickets' ears are on their knees. Most fish have two eyes, but some have four, the better to see above and below the water at the same time. These are just a few of the fascinating facts of nature dangled out front to draw readers into this beautifully illustrated book."
From Booklist"*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 2. Here's another exceptional cut-paper science book from Jenkins, this time put together with a partner, and like previous books, it's a stunner. An opening page, clearly explaining how to use the book, is followed by a double-page spread picturing the mouths of several different animals, accompanied by the question, "What do you do with a mouth like this?" The next spread shows each animal in full, explaining in a few simple words how the part functions."
CONNECTIONS
Read other animal books by the author Steve Jenkins: SLAP, SQUEAK, AND SCATTER, and ANIMALS IN FLIGHT
Make a class mural of "cut paper" animals
Display other books about some of the unique animals in the book
Sunday, October 7, 2007
GENRE 3 POETRY: IN THE SWIM
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Florian, Douglas. 1997. IN THE SWIM. San Diego: Voyager Books Harcourt. ISBN 0152013075
PLOT SUMMARY
In this book of poems we meet the creatures of the water. This book is a collection of fish poems. Each poem is about a specific type of fish, and each poem is accompanied by a picture. The poems are child-friendly and full of fun.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a delightful collection of fish poems. The book is designed with a poem on one page and a picture on the next page. The poems are very short and direct with simple language that rhymes. Children and adults can appreciate the way the poems flow. There are many unique poems within the book. In the poem Sawfish we see an example of a concrete poem. The words in the poem are placed so they imitate that of a saw going back and forth. Most of the poems are written in a humorous manner. The Sea Horse poem is an example of a fun poem that children would see the humor in. The form is also concrete in that it mimics the shape of a seahorse.
The Sea Horse
You have
No hooves.
You have no hair
You don’t eat oats.
You don’t breathe air.
You hatch from eggs.
You cannot race.
(You have no legs
With which to chase.)
You’re not a colt
Nor mare
Nor filly.
You’re called a horse.
I call that silly.
The illustrations in this book add to playfulness of this book. The pictures are done in beautiful watercolors. Using watercolors was a wonderful way to showcase the fact that the whole book has to do with water. The book has a light and happy feel that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal"Grade 2-6?Twenty-one lighthearted poems about fish. Florian, whose previous collections about the denizens of land and air have delighted many, dives into the deep with equally felicitous results."
From Booklist"Gr. 1^-4, younger for reading aloud. This collection of 21 original short poems features fresh-and saltwater critters such as the piranha, manatee, and rainbow trout. In the pattern established in Beast Feast 1994) and On the Wing (1996), puns and wordplay make up the verbal humor while the equally absurd pictures carry out the idea. This witty intersection of poetry, art, and science will delight children and may inspire them to come up with their own creative ideas."
CONNECTIONS
Students can create there own poems about fish and draw pictures to go with their poems.
Teacher can compile the poems and turn them into a class book
Read some other poetry books by the same author, Douglas Florian: BEAST FEAST, ON THE WING, INSECTLOPEDIA, MAMMALABILIA, AND LIZARDS, FROGS, AND POLLIWOGS.
Florian, Douglas. 1997. IN THE SWIM. San Diego: Voyager Books Harcourt. ISBN 0152013075
PLOT SUMMARY
In this book of poems we meet the creatures of the water. This book is a collection of fish poems. Each poem is about a specific type of fish, and each poem is accompanied by a picture. The poems are child-friendly and full of fun.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a delightful collection of fish poems. The book is designed with a poem on one page and a picture on the next page. The poems are very short and direct with simple language that rhymes. Children and adults can appreciate the way the poems flow. There are many unique poems within the book. In the poem Sawfish we see an example of a concrete poem. The words in the poem are placed so they imitate that of a saw going back and forth. Most of the poems are written in a humorous manner. The Sea Horse poem is an example of a fun poem that children would see the humor in. The form is also concrete in that it mimics the shape of a seahorse.
The Sea Horse
You have
No hooves.
You have no hair
You don’t eat oats.
You don’t breathe air.
You hatch from eggs.
You cannot race.
(You have no legs
With which to chase.)
You’re not a colt
Nor mare
Nor filly.
You’re called a horse.
I call that silly.
The illustrations in this book add to playfulness of this book. The pictures are done in beautiful watercolors. Using watercolors was a wonderful way to showcase the fact that the whole book has to do with water. The book has a light and happy feel that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal"Grade 2-6?Twenty-one lighthearted poems about fish. Florian, whose previous collections about the denizens of land and air have delighted many, dives into the deep with equally felicitous results."
From Booklist"Gr. 1^-4, younger for reading aloud. This collection of 21 original short poems features fresh-and saltwater critters such as the piranha, manatee, and rainbow trout. In the pattern established in Beast Feast 1994) and On the Wing (1996), puns and wordplay make up the verbal humor while the equally absurd pictures carry out the idea. This witty intersection of poetry, art, and science will delight children and may inspire them to come up with their own creative ideas."
CONNECTIONS
Students can create there own poems about fish and draw pictures to go with their poems.
Teacher can compile the poems and turn them into a class book
Read some other poetry books by the same author, Douglas Florian: BEAST FEAST, ON THE WING, INSECTLOPEDIA, MAMMALABILIA, AND LIZARDS, FROGS, AND POLLIWOGS.
GENRE 3 POETRY: THE GREAT FROG RACE AND OTHER POEMS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
George, Kristine O’Connell. 1997. THE GREAT FROG RACE: AND OTHER POEMS. Ill. By Kate Kiesler. New York: Clarion. ISBN 0395776074
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a collection of poems about everyday life. Each poem is about some ordinary object or a simple moment in one’s life. The setting is in the countryside in an unidentified time in the past. Some poems seem to reflect life in the 1950’s. The poems appear to be a collection of childhood memories.
CRITICAL ANALASYSIS
The author uses poetry to describe living in the country. The simple things in life are described using beautifully written text. Most of the poems have a rhyme and rhythm to them. The poem titled “Egg” is in concrete form, and the words form the shape of an egg. The poems go together nicely in the book, but they could also be read out of order and still be enjoyed. The illustrations that go along with the poems are done in beautiful oil paint. They completely capture the time period of the book, and are a great addition to the poetry.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal"Grade 3-6. Atmospheric paintings and crystal-clear imagery uncover the magic and dreams of ordinary things, from polliwogs to a spring wind to a garden hose."
From Booklist"Gr. 4^-6, younger for reading aloud. Outdoors at night under a full moon, children gather to watch captured frogs race. A girl sniffs the air in September: "It smells / Spicy. Sharp. / Like freshly sharpened pencils." The words capture children playing out their lives: throwing water balloons, hovering over pollywogs in a shallow pond, listening to Canada geese flying overhead. Both the picture-book format and the poetry in this collection are wonderfully enticing."
CONNECTIONS
Read other poetry books
Students can create their own poems
George, Kristine O’Connell. 1997. THE GREAT FROG RACE: AND OTHER POEMS. Ill. By Kate Kiesler. New York: Clarion. ISBN 0395776074
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a collection of poems about everyday life. Each poem is about some ordinary object or a simple moment in one’s life. The setting is in the countryside in an unidentified time in the past. Some poems seem to reflect life in the 1950’s. The poems appear to be a collection of childhood memories.
CRITICAL ANALASYSIS
The author uses poetry to describe living in the country. The simple things in life are described using beautifully written text. Most of the poems have a rhyme and rhythm to them. The poem titled “Egg” is in concrete form, and the words form the shape of an egg. The poems go together nicely in the book, but they could also be read out of order and still be enjoyed. The illustrations that go along with the poems are done in beautiful oil paint. They completely capture the time period of the book, and are a great addition to the poetry.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal"Grade 3-6. Atmospheric paintings and crystal-clear imagery uncover the magic and dreams of ordinary things, from polliwogs to a spring wind to a garden hose."
From Booklist"Gr. 4^-6, younger for reading aloud. Outdoors at night under a full moon, children gather to watch captured frogs race. A girl sniffs the air in September: "It smells / Spicy. Sharp. / Like freshly sharpened pencils." The words capture children playing out their lives: throwing water balloons, hovering over pollywogs in a shallow pond, listening to Canada geese flying overhead. Both the picture-book format and the poetry in this collection are wonderfully enticing."
CONNECTIONS
Read other poetry books
Students can create their own poems
GENRE 3 POETRY: STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sones, Sonya. 1999. STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060283874
PLOT SUMMARY
Sonya Sones has written a verse novel about her own experiences of what was happening in her life when her sister was diagnosed with a mental illness and was institutionalized. The poems are organized into a very dramatic story of how the family deals with the trauma. The author is thirteen and has to figure out her own way to deal with the loss of her big sister, as she knows her, because her parents are very much in shock and are barely coping themselves.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a very emotional story written as a verse novel. Each poem is like a clip in a movie that tells the details of each dramatic day. One can literally feel the author’s pain and confusion of what is happening in her life. It is almost like reading a diary that is written in poetry. She creates visual imagery through the use of her words. The reader can truly picture her sister and the place she is now living in. An example of this is an excerpt of the poem titled SISTER’S ROOM
How can she live
in that puke green room
with only that one barred window
to look out of ?
How can she sleep
in that narrow steel bed
on that thin mattress
under those scratchy sheets?
The words are simple yet expressive. Instead of just describing the room we are able to connect to it through the use of her questioning each thing in the room. One uses all of their senses while reading this novel. There is an Author’s Note page at the end that explains how she came to write this verse novel. This book is based on true events. The author used the journal that she was keeping during this time period to write this novel. Her sister was diagnosed as manic-depressive, and we learn from these notes that she continues to receive treatment, and has gone on to lead a normal and productive life. This is a very powerful and moving novel. This is an emotional subject that touches so many people on so many different levels. Expressing her thirteen year old thoughts this way is deeply moving.
BOOK REVIEWS
From School Library Journal:"Grade 6-9-An unpretentious, accessible book that could provide entry points for a discussion about mental illness-its stigma, its realities, and its affect on family members. Based on the journals Sones wrote at the age of 13 when her 19-year-old sister was hospitalized due to manic depression, the simply crafted but deeply felt poems reflect her thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams during that troubling time."
From Kirkus Reviews"PLB 0-06-028386-6 In a story based on real events, and told in poems, Sones explores what happened and how she reacted when her adored older sister suddenly began screaming and hearing voices in her head, and was ultimately hospitalized. Individually, the poems appear simple and unremarkable, snapshot portraits of two sisters, a family, unfaithful friends, and a sweet first love."
CONNECTIONS
Students could read other novels written in verse
Make a book display of a variety of novels written in verse
Sones, Sonya. 1999. STOP PRETENDING: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN MY BIG SISTER WENT CRAZY. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060283874
PLOT SUMMARY
Sonya Sones has written a verse novel about her own experiences of what was happening in her life when her sister was diagnosed with a mental illness and was institutionalized. The poems are organized into a very dramatic story of how the family deals with the trauma. The author is thirteen and has to figure out her own way to deal with the loss of her big sister, as she knows her, because her parents are very much in shock and are barely coping themselves.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a very emotional story written as a verse novel. Each poem is like a clip in a movie that tells the details of each dramatic day. One can literally feel the author’s pain and confusion of what is happening in her life. It is almost like reading a diary that is written in poetry. She creates visual imagery through the use of her words. The reader can truly picture her sister and the place she is now living in. An example of this is an excerpt of the poem titled SISTER’S ROOM
How can she live
in that puke green room
with only that one barred window
to look out of ?
How can she sleep
in that narrow steel bed
on that thin mattress
under those scratchy sheets?
The words are simple yet expressive. Instead of just describing the room we are able to connect to it through the use of her questioning each thing in the room. One uses all of their senses while reading this novel. There is an Author’s Note page at the end that explains how she came to write this verse novel. This book is based on true events. The author used the journal that she was keeping during this time period to write this novel. Her sister was diagnosed as manic-depressive, and we learn from these notes that she continues to receive treatment, and has gone on to lead a normal and productive life. This is a very powerful and moving novel. This is an emotional subject that touches so many people on so many different levels. Expressing her thirteen year old thoughts this way is deeply moving.
BOOK REVIEWS
From School Library Journal:"Grade 6-9-An unpretentious, accessible book that could provide entry points for a discussion about mental illness-its stigma, its realities, and its affect on family members. Based on the journals Sones wrote at the age of 13 when her 19-year-old sister was hospitalized due to manic depression, the simply crafted but deeply felt poems reflect her thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams during that troubling time."
From Kirkus Reviews"PLB 0-06-028386-6 In a story based on real events, and told in poems, Sones explores what happened and how she reacted when her adored older sister suddenly began screaming and hearing voices in her head, and was ultimately hospitalized. Individually, the poems appear simple and unremarkable, snapshot portraits of two sisters, a family, unfaithful friends, and a sweet first love."
CONNECTIONS
Students could read other novels written in verse
Make a book display of a variety of novels written in verse
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