In Seedfolks, individuals in a run-down Cleveland neighborhood build a garden thanks to one child who starts it all. Each chapter is written from a different character's point of view. Through each character, I realized that while the garden helped each member of its community, the characters' motivations, life situations, and perspectives were all so different. The garden truly created common ground for people with little else in common.
I enjoyed that each chapter was written from a different characters' point of view. I started each chapter excited to learn how this individual was changed by the community garden. As the garden really started to take shape several chapters into the book, I wanted to hear from Kim again. I wanted to know how she felt knowing that what she had started had, literally, grown so huge. I was disappointed when I looked ahead and found that no character would have a repeat performance. So, when characters began reappearing in other chapters, I cherished the moments.
I wanted desperately for the characters to interact and make a true community. I appreciated that the garden brought joy to people in the community and meant something different to each of them; however I longed for them to become a true community. I have fond memories of my childhood community, but as an adult I don't feel that same sense of shared experiences in my neighborhood now. I wished that the characters would make themselves into a community. I wanted it to bring me some hope that communities can still exist. I remember Sam's chapter most. He really spoke to the divides that still existed between individual's in the garden. "Each group kept to itself, spoke its own language, and grew its own special crops." (p. 34) I wish it could be different, but that does seem to be the reality of humankind.
I am more excited to read Bull Run now, knowing that Fleischman uses the same format. I'm not usually a war book fan, but I'm holding out hope that I'll like it...
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Missing May by Cynthia Rylant
My favorite part of Missing May is the characterization. I often miss getting to know the characters when I read Cynthia Rylant, however I feel as though I know Ob, Cletus, even May, and especially Summer. I was pleasantly surprised. When Rylant described Ob, I had a visual of his appearance, his mannerisms, and an idea as to his personality. I felt like I knew Ob well from early in the story but it took most of the book for me to know Cletus, May and Summer.
Cynthia Rylant set the tone for Missing May from the outset. I felt somber and slightly depressed all the way through. I think her craft was at play here to set the tone. Initially, she used several repetitious phrases such as "and hold me and hold me" (p. 4) "swallow and nod, swallow and nod" (p. 5), and others. I was struck with the sentence that read "I feel adrift." (p. 10) I thought, what a simple, yet perfect description for how she must feel without her mother figure, May.
In Missing May, Summer's aunt has died. Her uncle, Ob and herself are trying to heal and go on with life without May. Summer is frightened because she is afraid Ob will leave her too. Eventually, Ob and Summer lstart earning to live without their beloved May, with the help of their new friend Cletus. They have a long road ahead of them when the book ends, but I felt assured that they would make it through.
From Summer's description of her life, the reader can tell she had everything she thought she needed. However, details about their lives clearly indicate that they are impoverished. Summer's perspective on her life is different than outsider's view. Since Rylant wrote from Summer's point of view I was able to see what she found to be so rich about her life. Otherwise, I probably would have felt like the kids at school described her. What craft to let me understand Summer's point of view while recognizing that many other people probably view her life differently.
Poverty, and grace in poverty, reappear in Rylant books. She writes about individuals in poverty but writes about their lives beyond their poverty. I was reminded of Miss Maggie where the poor old woman is eventually befriended by a young boy whose family helps Miss Maggie, and Silver Packages where the boy receives Christmas gifts each year and appreciates the smallest of things he receives. Then, as an adult, he returns to doctor to his childhood community. She writes of the things that make her characters human--kindness, sorrow, pain, and joy while recognizing the poverty. I'm sure her childhood in the Appalachia mountains has inspired her to share such stories with us.
Cynthia Rylant set the tone for Missing May from the outset. I felt somber and slightly depressed all the way through. I think her craft was at play here to set the tone. Initially, she used several repetitious phrases such as "and hold me and hold me" (p. 4) "swallow and nod, swallow and nod" (p. 5), and others. I was struck with the sentence that read "I feel adrift." (p. 10) I thought, what a simple, yet perfect description for how she must feel without her mother figure, May.
In Missing May, Summer's aunt has died. Her uncle, Ob and herself are trying to heal and go on with life without May. Summer is frightened because she is afraid Ob will leave her too. Eventually, Ob and Summer lstart earning to live without their beloved May, with the help of their new friend Cletus. They have a long road ahead of them when the book ends, but I felt assured that they would make it through.
From Summer's description of her life, the reader can tell she had everything she thought she needed. However, details about their lives clearly indicate that they are impoverished. Summer's perspective on her life is different than outsider's view. Since Rylant wrote from Summer's point of view I was able to see what she found to be so rich about her life. Otherwise, I probably would have felt like the kids at school described her. What craft to let me understand Summer's point of view while recognizing that many other people probably view her life differently.
Poverty, and grace in poverty, reappear in Rylant books. She writes about individuals in poverty but writes about their lives beyond their poverty. I was reminded of Miss Maggie where the poor old woman is eventually befriended by a young boy whose family helps Miss Maggie, and Silver Packages where the boy receives Christmas gifts each year and appreciates the smallest of things he receives. Then, as an adult, he returns to doctor to his childhood community. She writes of the things that make her characters human--kindness, sorrow, pain, and joy while recognizing the poverty. I'm sure her childhood in the Appalachia mountains has inspired her to share such stories with us.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
I have intended to read this book for several years, and have not managed to find the time. What better time than the present, right? My interest was piqued because it won the Newbury and because I had heard it was written in verse.
Immediately upon pulling it off the shelf, I noticed that the title is written so that the words appear to be emerging from the dust as you read it. I really can't explain it more clearly; I think you will need to see it to understand.
Over the course of the year chronicled in Out of the Dust, the main character, Billie Jo, deals with dust storms, poor crops, and psychological as well as physical trauma. Just as her community struggles to come "out of the dust," Billie Jo does too.
As I read about Billie Jo, I was immediately drawn to her character. She seems like a young girl trying to figure out who she is. It is obvious she loves her family but she is also trying to spread her wings and stretch beyond her immediate family. So, when tragedy struck Billie Jo's family, I was empathetic to her problems. Throughout the rest of the story, Billie Jo tries to pull herself up after the tragedies and move on with her life. It is not easy.
Her struggles are juxtaposed with the Dust Bowl. At the same time I was getting to know Billie Jo in the beginning, I was learning more about the dust bowl. Parts of the story described people moving to California hoping for work, poor crops, starving animals, storms wiping out all of the growing wheat. As Billie Jo's situation worsened, the dust storms got worse. Both aspects of the book-- Billie Jo's story and the Dust Bowl worked together cohesively, they complement one another and add to the impact of the book as a whole.
I know little about the Dust Bowl, however the historical details appear accurate. Roosevelt is mentioned, a short explanation about the causes of the Dust Bowl are included, and other details. Hesse did a superb job of including important historical details to make the story believable and give the reader the necessary frame of mind without making it feel as though you were reading facts about the Dust Bowl. The reader learns them by reading Billie Jo's perspective on events occuring around her.
I'm glad I finally had the chance to read Out of the Dust. It was worth it!
Immediately upon pulling it off the shelf, I noticed that the title is written so that the words appear to be emerging from the dust as you read it. I really can't explain it more clearly; I think you will need to see it to understand.
Over the course of the year chronicled in Out of the Dust, the main character, Billie Jo, deals with dust storms, poor crops, and psychological as well as physical trauma. Just as her community struggles to come "out of the dust," Billie Jo does too.
As I read about Billie Jo, I was immediately drawn to her character. She seems like a young girl trying to figure out who she is. It is obvious she loves her family but she is also trying to spread her wings and stretch beyond her immediate family. So, when tragedy struck Billie Jo's family, I was empathetic to her problems. Throughout the rest of the story, Billie Jo tries to pull herself up after the tragedies and move on with her life. It is not easy.
Her struggles are juxtaposed with the Dust Bowl. At the same time I was getting to know Billie Jo in the beginning, I was learning more about the dust bowl. Parts of the story described people moving to California hoping for work, poor crops, starving animals, storms wiping out all of the growing wheat. As Billie Jo's situation worsened, the dust storms got worse. Both aspects of the book-- Billie Jo's story and the Dust Bowl worked together cohesively, they complement one another and add to the impact of the book as a whole.
I know little about the Dust Bowl, however the historical details appear accurate. Roosevelt is mentioned, a short explanation about the causes of the Dust Bowl are included, and other details. Hesse did a superb job of including important historical details to make the story believable and give the reader the necessary frame of mind without making it feel as though you were reading facts about the Dust Bowl. The reader learns them by reading Billie Jo's perspective on events occuring around her.
I'm glad I finally had the chance to read Out of the Dust. It was worth it!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The Three Pigs by David Weisner
In this fractured fairy tale, the three little pigs escape the pages of their folktale and have an adventure going to other stories. Along the way, they recruit other characters from their stories. In the end, they go home with their new friends and live happily ever after.
Wiesner used a series of framed illustrations to initially tell the story and allow the characters to escape into the white background. After escaping, his illustrations depict the pigs crumpling the pages, knocking them over and even folding one into paper airplane. By using frames for the illustrations of the traditional tale, an alternate reality was created in the white background. Additionally, when the pigs are out on their adventure, the text is dialogue in speech bubbles as the characters interact. The dialogue and speech bubbles when contrasted with the narrative text within the illustrated frames also adds to the alternate reality Wiesner creates for the pigs.
The Three Pigs is intended for older audiences. Readers must have knowledge of other folktales and be able to step outside the traditional story structure to understand and appreciate the book. I think it would be lost on many elementary aged students. Additionally, teachers would be hardpressed to give the book justice as a read-aloud. Kids will have to wait to read it on their own in order to truly enjoy the story.
The Three Pigs represents a step away from traditional story telling by an author/illustrator who thinks outside the box.
Wiesner used a series of framed illustrations to initially tell the story and allow the characters to escape into the white background. After escaping, his illustrations depict the pigs crumpling the pages, knocking them over and even folding one into paper airplane. By using frames for the illustrations of the traditional tale, an alternate reality was created in the white background. Additionally, when the pigs are out on their adventure, the text is dialogue in speech bubbles as the characters interact. The dialogue and speech bubbles when contrasted with the narrative text within the illustrated frames also adds to the alternate reality Wiesner creates for the pigs.
The Three Pigs is intended for older audiences. Readers must have knowledge of other folktales and be able to step outside the traditional story structure to understand and appreciate the book. I think it would be lost on many elementary aged students. Additionally, teachers would be hardpressed to give the book justice as a read-aloud. Kids will have to wait to read it on their own in order to truly enjoy the story.
The Three Pigs represents a step away from traditional story telling by an author/illustrator who thinks outside the box.
Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes
I'm so accustomed to picture books for young children by Kevin Henkes. It was great to see him write for a different audience-- with much success too. Olive's Ocean was a Newbery Honor Book. A girl named Olive died in a car accident. After her death, her mother brings Martha a page out of Olive's journal in which Olive wrote that she hoped Martha and she would become friends. While on vacation at Grandmother Godbee's cape home, Martha thinks a lot about Olive, has her first taste of teenage love, and grows closer to her Grandmother.
Martha is an introspective young girl, aged 12, who learns some important lessons on her vacation. Don't trust everything a guy tells you, its okay to have mixed emotions about your family at times, and most importantly, the world doesn't revolve around you.
While the title would indicate that Olive was an important part of the story, the book is definitely about Martha. Olive is only important because her journal entry and death are catalysts for Martha's introspection and ensuing realizations.
Olive's Ocean is a simple story of a girl's experiences growing up. Nothing amazing happens, no crazy circumstances, or anything like that. Martha just experiences some important life events and is changed as a result. That is exactly why I think it was a Newbery Honor book--young readers can relate to what Martha experienced and may gain some understanding about themselves by reading about Martha.
Martha is an introspective young girl, aged 12, who learns some important lessons on her vacation. Don't trust everything a guy tells you, its okay to have mixed emotions about your family at times, and most importantly, the world doesn't revolve around you.
While the title would indicate that Olive was an important part of the story, the book is definitely about Martha. Olive is only important because her journal entry and death are catalysts for Martha's introspection and ensuing realizations.
Olive's Ocean is a simple story of a girl's experiences growing up. Nothing amazing happens, no crazy circumstances, or anything like that. Martha just experiences some important life events and is changed as a result. That is exactly why I think it was a Newbery Honor book--young readers can relate to what Martha experienced and may gain some understanding about themselves by reading about Martha.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor won the Newbery Award in 1977. The story takes place in the rural South during the Great Depression. Over the course of a year, the Logan family battles against prejudice, race related violence, and unfairness after an African American in the community is beaten and set on fire. Events build as tension between the White landowners and the African American families grow. The Logan family tries to maintain the safety of the family while fighting for what they believe.
Roll of Thunder was a heavy read. Not only is the subject matter heavy, but the reading is dense as well. I think most elementary aged students would be unable to handle the book. By AR it is leveled as a 5.7 (for whatever that is worth) but I think middle schoolers would be better suited for it.
The main character, Cassie is 8 years old. She must have been sheltered because over the course of the story, she must learn of the prejudice and inequality prevalent in her community. At the beginning of the story, the African American students receive the discarded textbooks from the county, and she nor her siblings understand why they are receiving such poor materials. Later in the story, Cassie goes into a store and is angered when the proprieter helps all of the white customers before he will help her and her friends. Other events occur highlighting how little she understands about the prejudice toward her race.
While I found her innocence somewhat unbelievable, it could help a young reader to understand the time period. As a young reader, many students may have a limited understanding of the prejudicial practices in the rural South. A reader could relate to Cassie's feelings of anger, resentment, and confusion as she experienced prejudice because of her race. As she is coming to understand the situation, the reader is also coming to understand it. For young adults, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry could be a fictional representation of America's ugly past that would help them become aware of our history in a way that would move them emotionally as they become invested in the Logan family.
Roll of Thunder was a heavy read. Not only is the subject matter heavy, but the reading is dense as well. I think most elementary aged students would be unable to handle the book. By AR it is leveled as a 5.7 (for whatever that is worth) but I think middle schoolers would be better suited for it.
The main character, Cassie is 8 years old. She must have been sheltered because over the course of the story, she must learn of the prejudice and inequality prevalent in her community. At the beginning of the story, the African American students receive the discarded textbooks from the county, and she nor her siblings understand why they are receiving such poor materials. Later in the story, Cassie goes into a store and is angered when the proprieter helps all of the white customers before he will help her and her friends. Other events occur highlighting how little she understands about the prejudice toward her race.
While I found her innocence somewhat unbelievable, it could help a young reader to understand the time period. As a young reader, many students may have a limited understanding of the prejudicial practices in the rural South. A reader could relate to Cassie's feelings of anger, resentment, and confusion as she experienced prejudice because of her race. As she is coming to understand the situation, the reader is also coming to understand it. For young adults, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry could be a fictional representation of America's ugly past that would help them become aware of our history in a way that would move them emotionally as they become invested in the Logan family.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
In Tar Beach, an eight year old girl fantasizes about making her family's life better. She flies above the city. Anything that she can fly over, becomes hers. She wants the George Washington Bridge, she wants to Union Building, presto all she has to do is fly over them.
The text is simple yet my heart-strings were pulled as I read a child's perspective on prejudice, family sacrifice, and happy times with loved ones. The girl is attempting to claim ownership of things that her parents have no hope of owning or controlling on their own. To right the wrong of prejudice against the Union her father can't join, she plans to fly over it, and own it. Happy times with friends and family on Tar Beach (the apartment building roof) create the sense of safety that allows the girl to dream of giving her family the things they want. So they can have more happy times.
The story of Tar Beach was first told on a story quilt. In the quilt. a single large painting of the family on Tar Beach is the focal point. The text is written on the top and bottom with quilting squares along the perimeter. To make the book, Ringgold painted addition illustrations in the same style as the quilt painting. On the bottom border, prints of the quilt squares are pictured. It is no wonder Tar Beach is a Caldecott Honor Book. For students, it would be interesting to explore how the story, quilting, and painting all go together to create the book. Autobiographical information detailing some of the process is included at the end of the text along with a photograph of the original quilt.
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
In the historical fiction and Newbery Honor book, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Charlotte makes the journey to America on a merchant sailing ship with no other passengers. As she soon discovers, there is tension between the captain and the crew. She gets involved in the ensuing drama, and her life is changed forever.
True Confessions explores how significant life events can alter the course of your life. When Charlotte boards the ship, she narrates "What could I do? All my life I had been trained to obey, educated to accept. I could hardly change in a moment" (p.17). Over the course of the two month journey, Charlotte does change. The events that transpire-- mutiny, deceit, murder, and chaos change her so that she is no longer "trained to obey, educated to accept."
While True Confessions takes place in the 19th century and chronicles the journey of a 12 year old girl, the book deals with stereotypes and prejudice in ways that modern children could understand and might understand more clearly because of the historical time period. As evidenced in the quotation above, Charlotte starts out as the stereotypical genteel young lady of the 19th century. She has no voice of her own, attempts to do what would please her father, and feels she must stay "above" the crew. Because of the situation where she finds herself, Charlotte fights against gender stereotyping. She learns to have her own voice, think for herself, and befriend individuals because of who they are, not their station in life. She also becomes friends with the only non-white, an African, on the ship. He meets with prejudice from other crew mates, and racism in the 19th century North is briefly mentioned. Charlotte comes to see that he is a true friend and that they have much in common.
To help the modern reader, Avi provides an appendix with definitions and diagrams to explain sailing terminology and parts of the ship. Descriptions of sailing and details like how time was kept added to the historical context of the book. The appendix was a necessary aid to help the reader understand the descriptions. I have not been drawn to historical fiction, but I will try to read more now that I've enjoyed The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.
True Confessions explores how significant life events can alter the course of your life. When Charlotte boards the ship, she narrates "What could I do? All my life I had been trained to obey, educated to accept. I could hardly change in a moment" (p.17). Over the course of the two month journey, Charlotte does change. The events that transpire-- mutiny, deceit, murder, and chaos change her so that she is no longer "trained to obey, educated to accept."
While True Confessions takes place in the 19th century and chronicles the journey of a 12 year old girl, the book deals with stereotypes and prejudice in ways that modern children could understand and might understand more clearly because of the historical time period. As evidenced in the quotation above, Charlotte starts out as the stereotypical genteel young lady of the 19th century. She has no voice of her own, attempts to do what would please her father, and feels she must stay "above" the crew. Because of the situation where she finds herself, Charlotte fights against gender stereotyping. She learns to have her own voice, think for herself, and befriend individuals because of who they are, not their station in life. She also becomes friends with the only non-white, an African, on the ship. He meets with prejudice from other crew mates, and racism in the 19th century North is briefly mentioned. Charlotte comes to see that he is a true friend and that they have much in common.
To help the modern reader, Avi provides an appendix with definitions and diagrams to explain sailing terminology and parts of the ship. Descriptions of sailing and details like how time was kept added to the historical context of the book. The appendix was a necessary aid to help the reader understand the descriptions. I have not been drawn to historical fiction, but I will try to read more now that I've enjoyed The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Van Gogh Cafe by Cynthia Rylant
I enjoy reading fantasy, but I think science fiction is more my cup of tea. I had a lot of trouble believing what I was reading in Van Gogh Cafe. In science fiction, I can be drawn into an alternative reality and can be convinced of almost anything. But, with Van Gogh Cafe I read each chapter and tried to figure out an explanation for each magical event. With each chapter, the magic was harder and harder to explain away. But, I just couldn't believe it.
In The Van Gogh Cafe, a man and his daughter run a cafe where magic is known to happen. While there are many incidental characters in the story, the daughter is the one who senses the magic and waits to see how each magical event will turn out.
I did try to consider how each magical event helped the people in Flowers. I especially liked how the possom helped everyone to get along. I had a sense that while each magical event, like with the possom, was meant to help one character in particular, many people benefited from the magic. The possom helped the man go make an animal shelter, the poetry helped the boy find his cat.
I would have liked to know more about the characters that were affected-- the boy or the man or the star. However, the flat characters and short vignettes fit with the setting. In a cafe near a major highway, I'm sure the owners know many locals but don't really know much about them. In addition, the owners probably meet many new faces and do little more than serve them food and see them on their way. Even Clara, the girl, had little characterization. I have no idea what she looks like, what she likes to do (other than work at the cafe), who her friends are, or what kind of a person she is. I missed getting to know the characters in the book.
This is not a book I enjoyed or would recommend to others.
In The Van Gogh Cafe, a man and his daughter run a cafe where magic is known to happen. While there are many incidental characters in the story, the daughter is the one who senses the magic and waits to see how each magical event will turn out.
I did try to consider how each magical event helped the people in Flowers. I especially liked how the possom helped everyone to get along. I had a sense that while each magical event, like with the possom, was meant to help one character in particular, many people benefited from the magic. The possom helped the man go make an animal shelter, the poetry helped the boy find his cat.
I would have liked to know more about the characters that were affected-- the boy or the man or the star. However, the flat characters and short vignettes fit with the setting. In a cafe near a major highway, I'm sure the owners know many locals but don't really know much about them. In addition, the owners probably meet many new faces and do little more than serve them food and see them on their way. Even Clara, the girl, had little characterization. I have no idea what she looks like, what she likes to do (other than work at the cafe), who her friends are, or what kind of a person she is. I missed getting to know the characters in the book.
This is not a book I enjoyed or would recommend to others.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Can you imagine a world without color or emotions? I can't. But, that is the world imagined by Lowry in The Giver. From early on in my reading of this book, I was reminded of 1984. As Lowry described the speakers giving announcements or the regimented daily schedules I thought of the other science fiction book I love.
In The Giver, people live in a world where they do not know emotions, choice, or color. There is no such thing as happiness, remorse, anger, love, courage or fear. People are not even affected by killing another through "release." As I was reading the book, I constantly thought, "why?" "why bother even living?" I think that is what Lowry was attempting to elucidate for all of us. Yes-- there is pain, heart-ache, fear, and unhappiness. But, negative feelings are balanced by joy, love, exhilaration, and courage. I was proud of Jonas as he realized that he could not allow the community to continue without emotion. In part, I think his feelings were selfish, he didn't want to live such a solitary life. However, more than that, I think he wanted to share the wonderful (and sometimes painful) emotions with the people he loved. With the capacity to love, he wanted to share it. In the end, he showed himself to be selfless. He lost his family, his home, his safety, his physical well-being so that others could feel and might make choices.
Lowry's descriptions of the Giver as a pained, tormented, old looking man made me think about how lucky we all are. All the things we experience would totally weigh us down psychologically if we couldn't share them with others. The Giver experienced some relief as he transferred memories to Jonas and could share not only the bad but the good.
At the beginning of the book, I thought that much of the story was just about giving us information so we could picture the community so different from our own lives. However, I was happily surprised when I realized how Lowry had tied together her descriptions with important events that moved the story along. For instance, learning about Father's job as Nurturer introduced us to Gabriel, an important character at the end of the book. Learning about the public admonishments informed us that Jonas could see more than others, what we later discover is his ability to see "beyond", to see color.
It made so much sense at the end to discover that Rosemary was The Giver's daughter. Of course the prospect of causing her pain and unhappiness was difficult for him. Only he, in the whole community, actually had the capacity to love and he was forced to transform his child. However, it is still somewhat unclear to me why Rosemary asked for release. Why couldn't she bear it? Did she come to love her father and couldn't bear to see him in pain? Did she lack the bravery to bear the burden? But, I suppose The Giver wondered as well.
In The Giver, people live in a world where they do not know emotions, choice, or color. There is no such thing as happiness, remorse, anger, love, courage or fear. People are not even affected by killing another through "release." As I was reading the book, I constantly thought, "why?" "why bother even living?" I think that is what Lowry was attempting to elucidate for all of us. Yes-- there is pain, heart-ache, fear, and unhappiness. But, negative feelings are balanced by joy, love, exhilaration, and courage. I was proud of Jonas as he realized that he could not allow the community to continue without emotion. In part, I think his feelings were selfish, he didn't want to live such a solitary life. However, more than that, I think he wanted to share the wonderful (and sometimes painful) emotions with the people he loved. With the capacity to love, he wanted to share it. In the end, he showed himself to be selfless. He lost his family, his home, his safety, his physical well-being so that others could feel and might make choices.
Lowry's descriptions of the Giver as a pained, tormented, old looking man made me think about how lucky we all are. All the things we experience would totally weigh us down psychologically if we couldn't share them with others. The Giver experienced some relief as he transferred memories to Jonas and could share not only the bad but the good.
At the beginning of the book, I thought that much of the story was just about giving us information so we could picture the community so different from our own lives. However, I was happily surprised when I realized how Lowry had tied together her descriptions with important events that moved the story along. For instance, learning about Father's job as Nurturer introduced us to Gabriel, an important character at the end of the book. Learning about the public admonishments informed us that Jonas could see more than others, what we later discover is his ability to see "beyond", to see color.
It made so much sense at the end to discover that Rosemary was The Giver's daughter. Of course the prospect of causing her pain and unhappiness was difficult for him. Only he, in the whole community, actually had the capacity to love and he was forced to transform his child. However, it is still somewhat unclear to me why Rosemary asked for release. Why couldn't she bear it? Did she come to love her father and couldn't bear to see him in pain? Did she lack the bravery to bear the burden? But, I suppose The Giver wondered as well.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo illustrated by Ruth Heller
The Egyptian Cinderella tells the story of a Greek girl kidnapped and sold into slavery in Egypt. The other servants resented her because she was different, but her master loved how beautifully she danced. As a result, he gave her gold slippers. When the other girls went to see the Pharoah, Rhodopis was left behind. A falcon came along and stole one of her gold slippers. The falcon took the slipper to the Pharoah and he came looking for its owner. In time, he found Rhodopis. He married her and found her Greek features beautiful.
According to the author's note, the story of Rhodopis was first recorded in first century B.C. And, a greek slaved named Rhodopis did marry a Pharoah.
Unlike other Cinderella versions I have read, Rhodopis is not particularly kind. In all the other versions, the author states that she is very kind and good. However, that is not the case in The Egyptian Cinderella. Rhodopis is described as loving animals and dancing beautifully.
A falcon is the "magical" creature that leads the Pharoah to Rhodopis. (A falcon is the animal that the sky god, Horus, would come to earth as, according to the author's note.) So, while there is no fairy godmother changing the way Rhodopis (Cinderella) looks, an other-worldly character does allow the Pharoah and Rhodopis to meet.
The illustrations of the book remind me of artwork I have seen from Egypt. The characters are depicted in profile and the body positions are reminiscent of Egyptian artwork. Bodies are angular, hair hangs down and eyes are decorated. Even the falcon is similar to Egyptian artwork. While I think the pictures could have been culturally insensitive, each individual has different facial features. I did not get the impression that all of the women looked the same. The illustrations drew me into the story and reminded me that I was reading a different, earlier! version of a story I know well.
According to the author's note, the story of Rhodopis was first recorded in first century B.C. And, a greek slaved named Rhodopis did marry a Pharoah.
Unlike other Cinderella versions I have read, Rhodopis is not particularly kind. In all the other versions, the author states that she is very kind and good. However, that is not the case in The Egyptian Cinderella. Rhodopis is described as loving animals and dancing beautifully.
A falcon is the "magical" creature that leads the Pharoah to Rhodopis. (A falcon is the animal that the sky god, Horus, would come to earth as, according to the author's note.) So, while there is no fairy godmother changing the way Rhodopis (Cinderella) looks, an other-worldly character does allow the Pharoah and Rhodopis to meet.
The illustrations of the book remind me of artwork I have seen from Egypt. The characters are depicted in profile and the body positions are reminiscent of Egyptian artwork. Bodies are angular, hair hangs down and eyes are decorated. Even the falcon is similar to Egyptian artwork. While I think the pictures could have been culturally insensitive, each individual has different facial features. I did not get the impression that all of the women looked the same. The illustrations drew me into the story and reminded me that I was reading a different, earlier! version of a story I know well.
Smoky Mountain Rose: An Appalachian Cinderella by Alan Schroeder pictures by Brad Sneed
In this version of Cinderella, the tale takes place in the Appalachia mountains. The culture, language, and environment are clear through the words and illustrations of the picturebook.
There were some changes, but the story very much follows the Perrault version of Cinderella. One notable change was that of the father. He was a very minor character in Perrault's version, however he has a more prominent role in this story. The father asks Rose (Cinderella) if he should try to remarry and then feels remorse over how Rose is treated by the step-mother and sisters. I was glad that someone in the story loved Rose-- she wasn't completely forgotten by her father when he remarried.
The language used is very amusing. I felt like I could hear the narrator. Words are spelled as they are to be pronounced and colorful figurative language is used throughout. For example,
"Now lis'en" (the very first line of the book)
"Way I see it, we'd all fit together neater'n a jigsaw" (The father had high hopes for his new marriage.)
"why, they were so mean they'd steal flies from a blind spider" (describing the step sisters)
"they started a-howlin': 'Lawd-a-marcy! Who'd want to dance with a dirt clod lak you?'" (I love how he spelled like)
My favorite part though, is the fairy godmother. It's a pig who can talk and do magic. She has no magic wand but grunts and carries on when doing magic.
The illustrations in Smoky Mountain Rose are beautiful. They are watercolors with vivid colors. Most of the illustrations are full-bleed on one page with text on the other. The use of full-bleed illustrations is different than other fairy tales. Usually, like in the Perrault version, illustrations are framed, giving the reader a sense of distance. But, that is not the case in Smoky Mountain Rose. The reader is drawn into the illustrations and I think it makes Rose a more "real" character. Rose is depicted in various places on the page. When the attention is on her, she is centered however her back is in view when she is being mistreated. It is not until you see her at the ball that she is centered and faces the reader. Throughout the ball scene, she is obviously the center of attention in the text and the illustrations.
There were some changes, but the story very much follows the Perrault version of Cinderella. One notable change was that of the father. He was a very minor character in Perrault's version, however he has a more prominent role in this story. The father asks Rose (Cinderella) if he should try to remarry and then feels remorse over how Rose is treated by the step-mother and sisters. I was glad that someone in the story loved Rose-- she wasn't completely forgotten by her father when he remarried.
The language used is very amusing. I felt like I could hear the narrator. Words are spelled as they are to be pronounced and colorful figurative language is used throughout. For example,
"Now lis'en" (the very first line of the book)
"Way I see it, we'd all fit together neater'n a jigsaw" (The father had high hopes for his new marriage.)
"why, they were so mean they'd steal flies from a blind spider" (describing the step sisters)
"they started a-howlin': 'Lawd-a-marcy! Who'd want to dance with a dirt clod lak you?'" (I love how he spelled like)
My favorite part though, is the fairy godmother. It's a pig who can talk and do magic. She has no magic wand but grunts and carries on when doing magic.
The illustrations in Smoky Mountain Rose are beautiful. They are watercolors with vivid colors. Most of the illustrations are full-bleed on one page with text on the other. The use of full-bleed illustrations is different than other fairy tales. Usually, like in the Perrault version, illustrations are framed, giving the reader a sense of distance. But, that is not the case in Smoky Mountain Rose. The reader is drawn into the illustrations and I think it makes Rose a more "real" character. Rose is depicted in various places on the page. When the attention is on her, she is centered however her back is in view when she is being mistreated. It is not until you see her at the ball that she is centered and faces the reader. Throughout the ball scene, she is obviously the center of attention in the text and the illustrations.
Cinderella by Charles Perrault retold by Amy Ehrlich illustrated by Susan Jeffers
Like many Americans, my knowledge of Cinderella comes from the Disney version I watched as a girl. So, I thought I should actually read the French version it was based on!
In Perrault's version of Cinderella, Cinderella is the stepdaughter who is forced to work unmercifully by her stepmother and sisters. When there is a ball, her fairy godmother makes her a coach, horses, a coachman, and a beautiful dress. She goes to the ball and enchants everyone-- even her stepsisters-- with her beauty and kindness. On the second night, she leaves behind her glass slipper. She tries it on later when the prince is looking for her. Her sisters ask for her forgiveness, she marries the prince, and all live happily ever after.
I can't help but compare this version to the Disney version. I cringed as I had the thoughts while reading, but it couldn't be helped. There are no mice that befriend Cinderella in the Perrault version. In the movie, there is only one ball that Cinderella attends and she is not as forgiving or kind to her sisters.
In Perrault's version, Cinderella's goodness and kindness are highlighted throughout. She is kind to her sisters at the ball and easily forgives them when they repent after realizing she is the princess from the ball. The moral seems to be that one should be forgiving no matter what others have done to you. I wanted to say, "They don't deserve your forgiveness! Don't be so nice to them! They are only repenting because they are selfish." I guess I'm too old for the fairy tale ending. And, I am none too sure I really want that to be the ending. Couldn't she have forgiven them but not welcomed them into her court and helped them marry well?
The illustrations in the book were beautiful. They were ink line drawings. The illustrations depicted Cinderella's emotions well. On the dedication page, you see Cinderella sitting by a gate looking forlorn, lonely, and sad. There is red bird that shows up in each illustration where Cinderella is being mistreated. It is as if the bird is her companion and friend. However, when she is at the ball or with her Fairy Godmother, the bird is not in the illustration. I probably wouldn't have even noticed him, but he is illustrated in the front matter and is also perched on Cinderella's shoulder on the cover. The illustrations added depth to Cinderella's character.
In Perrault's version of Cinderella, Cinderella is the stepdaughter who is forced to work unmercifully by her stepmother and sisters. When there is a ball, her fairy godmother makes her a coach, horses, a coachman, and a beautiful dress. She goes to the ball and enchants everyone-- even her stepsisters-- with her beauty and kindness. On the second night, she leaves behind her glass slipper. She tries it on later when the prince is looking for her. Her sisters ask for her forgiveness, she marries the prince, and all live happily ever after.
I can't help but compare this version to the Disney version. I cringed as I had the thoughts while reading, but it couldn't be helped. There are no mice that befriend Cinderella in the Perrault version. In the movie, there is only one ball that Cinderella attends and she is not as forgiving or kind to her sisters.
In Perrault's version, Cinderella's goodness and kindness are highlighted throughout. She is kind to her sisters at the ball and easily forgives them when they repent after realizing she is the princess from the ball. The moral seems to be that one should be forgiving no matter what others have done to you. I wanted to say, "They don't deserve your forgiveness! Don't be so nice to them! They are only repenting because they are selfish." I guess I'm too old for the fairy tale ending. And, I am none too sure I really want that to be the ending. Couldn't she have forgiven them but not welcomed them into her court and helped them marry well?
The illustrations in the book were beautiful. They were ink line drawings. The illustrations depicted Cinderella's emotions well. On the dedication page, you see Cinderella sitting by a gate looking forlorn, lonely, and sad. There is red bird that shows up in each illustration where Cinderella is being mistreated. It is as if the bird is her companion and friend. However, when she is at the ball or with her Fairy Godmother, the bird is not in the illustration. I probably wouldn't have even noticed him, but he is illustrated in the front matter and is also perched on Cinderella's shoulder on the cover. The illustrations added depth to Cinderella's character.
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit
I have heard many good things about this book, so just had to read it as one of my fantasy entries. Unfortunately, I wasn't that impressed. It was ok, but not anything I would rave about.
Tuck Everlasting is the story of a young girl who happens upon the Tucks in the wood. The Tucks unknowingly drank from a spring giving eternal life. They kidnap her and tell her about their fate. She comes to love them and must help them when events start spiralling out of control.
The first few chapters were difficult to get through. There is extensive description of the wood-- I was a bit bored. As I read on, I began to feel empathetic toward the characters. Through the dialogue between Winnie (the young girl) and each Tuck it became clear that they were unhappy, felt that they belonged nowhere, and had little hope.
The most interesting part of the book was that each 100+ year old Tuck was more child-like than Winnie in many ways. They seemed innocent and needy. Throughout her night with them, each one came to see her while she tried to sleep. Each family member asked her for assurance that she was ok despite the fact that she was trying to sleep. That reminded me of a child going to their parents bed and asking, "Are you awake? Are you awake?" until the parent wakes up. The family members were looking to Winnie for direction and validation-- she even viewed them as helpless.
Babbit explored what life would be like without death. To elucidate her thoughts, she used dialogue between Winnie and the Tucks. From the beginning, I knew that Babbit thought eternal life would be terrible. The Tucks took Winnie so that they could convince her not to drink from the spring. Each member of the family had a slightly different perspective about their plight. The father thought, "It's something you don't find out how you feel until afterwards." (p.119) The mother was saddened because they had to move so often and had no friends. The youngest Tuck was the only one who seemed to enjoy the life. He even tried to convince Winnie to drink from the spring when she turned 17. She was wise enough to understand that she didn't really want eternal life.
Tuck Everlasting is the story of a young girl who happens upon the Tucks in the wood. The Tucks unknowingly drank from a spring giving eternal life. They kidnap her and tell her about their fate. She comes to love them and must help them when events start spiralling out of control.
The first few chapters were difficult to get through. There is extensive description of the wood-- I was a bit bored. As I read on, I began to feel empathetic toward the characters. Through the dialogue between Winnie (the young girl) and each Tuck it became clear that they were unhappy, felt that they belonged nowhere, and had little hope.
The most interesting part of the book was that each 100+ year old Tuck was more child-like than Winnie in many ways. They seemed innocent and needy. Throughout her night with them, each one came to see her while she tried to sleep. Each family member asked her for assurance that she was ok despite the fact that she was trying to sleep. That reminded me of a child going to their parents bed and asking, "Are you awake? Are you awake?" until the parent wakes up. The family members were looking to Winnie for direction and validation-- she even viewed them as helpless.
Babbit explored what life would be like without death. To elucidate her thoughts, she used dialogue between Winnie and the Tucks. From the beginning, I knew that Babbit thought eternal life would be terrible. The Tucks took Winnie so that they could convince her not to drink from the spring. Each member of the family had a slightly different perspective about their plight. The father thought, "It's something you don't find out how you feel until afterwards." (p.119) The mother was saddened because they had to move so often and had no friends. The youngest Tuck was the only one who seemed to enjoy the life. He even tried to convince Winnie to drink from the spring when she turned 17. She was wise enough to understand that she didn't really want eternal life.
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