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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)