Book Review - BUD, NOT BUDDY by Christopher Paul Curtis

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Curtis, Christopher Paul. 1999. BUD, NOT BUDDY. New York, NY: Delacourt Press. ISBN 0385323069

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Set during the Great Depression in the 1930's this book gives us a glimpse into the life of an orphan who is in constant search of a better life.

With only a battered suitcase to his name, Bud runs away from one bad living situation to another. Moving from an orphanage to a foster home, eventually Bud sets out on his own. Clinging to a flyer about a jazz band that he knew was important to his mother, Bud makes his way to Grand Rapids, Michican in search of the man named in the flyer, Herman Calloway, whom he believes is his father.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Here we see the world through the eyes of a ten year old. Bud is a wonderful character whom we simultaneously feel sorry for yet cheer for. He has an unbelievably good nature for someone who has found his mother dead, has lived in an orphanage, and who has been abused at the hands of his peers.

Resolving to run away, Bud meets challenges but finds kind strangers who help him along the way; a family who "adopts" him so that he can eat at a mission; a kind man who drives him to his destination and invites Bud into his home.

What Christopher Paul Curtis has done is created a character that makes you want to turn the page. I probably should have known what was going to happen next, but I didn't. I was struck by the juxtaposition of Bud's innocence and maturity. At times, I couldn't tell which was which.

All along, I thought that his search for Herman Calloway was a lark. I was absolutely stunned to find out that he was actually Bud's grandfather and that Bud was sleeping in his mother's old bedroom. When I found out, it was a moment I won't forget. I closed the book. My eyes opened wide. I remember saying the word, "wow", about 10 times.

I have since recommended this book to my mother and other teachers. With so many new books out, some get lost in the shuffle. This book is a prime example. I am the only one who has ever taken it out of the elementary library. It will now be used in my library curriculum!

Tunnel and Jacobs' criterea for historical fiction has been met.
1. There is no sugar-coating in this book. The details of the depression and foster care are quite vivid.
2. In the same vein, historical accuracy regarding places and facts is accurate with descriptions of the cities involved and the music as well.
3. The physical environment, patterns of daily living and spirit of the times lives through the music as well as the decription of the living conditions.
4. The story is told through the eyes of our young protagonist, Bud.
5. The writing style avoids giving too much attention to historical detail, concentrating more on the story.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* A 1999 Gold Medal Award Winner from PARENT'S CHOICE: "An orphaned runaway, Bud copes with the adult world with his numbered "Rules and Things." His few treasures from his former life with "Momma," are kept in a battered suitcase. One, a flyer advertising a musical group, leads him on a fantasy journey to an amazing reality."

* Starred review from BOOKLIST: "Told in the boy's naive, desperate voice, with lots of examples of his survival tactics, this will make a great read-aloud. Curtis says in an afterword that some of the characters are based on real people, including his own grandfathers, so it's not surprising that the rich blend of tall tale, slapstick, sorrow, and sweetness has the wry, teasing warmth of family folklore."

5. CONNECTIONS
*Because many of the events here center around the time of the Great Depression, perhaps a bit of background might help. Devise a worksheet on "Then and Now" prices. Also, many resource are on the internet about this topic, including pictures. Use this to open the eyes and minds of the students. Google is a good place to start.

*Have students make up their own "Rules and Things". What are some things they have learned in their few short years? What rules would they include? This may be an eye-opener. Watch out!

Book Review - THE ART OF KEEPING COOL by Janet Taylor Lisle

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lisle, Janet Taylor. 2000. THE ART OF KEEPING COOL. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689837887


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Set during World War II, THE ART OF KEEPING COOL chronicles the life of a boy, Robert, learning to cope with an ever-changing life: his father is flying for the war, his mother has moved the family to his grandparents house - new school, new family, new town, and new challenges.

During his stay with his new-found family, Robert and his cousin, Elliot, befriend a German immigrant, Abel Hoffman. After an attack near them, the boys live in an environment fraught with fear and tension. This leads to the town's suspicions regarding Abel's intentions. During this time, Robert also discovers the reason his family does not discuss his father.

What happens next leads the reader to discover who the real enemy is: ourselves.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The actual art of keeping cool is not nearly as glamorous as the title suggests. Rather, it is the art of keeping one's wits around an abusive grandfather, as well as living in a taut, war-wounded world.

There are many layers to this story. I found that I could only read this book in short bursts. I was bothered by the town's treatment of Abel and the discrimination present. Weren't we in Germany fighting those who were dispensing the same injustice? I was also amazed at the depiction of the grandfather. I often wonder how people like this are allowed to get away with their selfish actions. Unfortunately, I was also faced with the realization that many who read this either know of or are themselves in an abusive family relationship.

The tone and tension of this book will ring just as true today as it would have 50 years ago. We, too, are engaged in a war overseas. Many of the children in my school have parents and relatives who are serving their country. The apprehension of Robert regarding his father's safety will hit home hard.

Unfortunately, the other theme of an abusive grandfather/father will also strike a nerve.

Children grow up fast in this world. Childhood doesn't last nearly as long as we would like it to. Naturally, then, children like to read books that they can identify with. THE ART OF KEEPING COOL is one of those books.

Tunnel and Jacobs' criterea for historical fiction has been met.

1. There is no sugar-coating in this book. The details of the atmosphere and fear surrounding WW2 and abuse are quite vivid, as well as the stigma of being a German living in America.

2. In the same vein, historical accuracy regarding events, places and facts is accurate with descriptions of the cities involved, the life of those involved in the war, and the life of those back home..

3. The physical environment, patterns of daily living and spirit of the times lives through the music as well as the decription of the living conditions of those who are abused, as well as life lived in wartime.

4. The story is told through the eyes of our young protagonist, Robert.

5. The writing style avoids giving too much attention to historical detail, concentrating more on the storylines involving Robert, Elliot, and Abel.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This is a heartfelt story about family dynamics and the harmful power of prejudice and hatred."

* Starred review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "This wrenching WWII novel traces the relationship between two 13-year-old American boys and a German-born Expressionist painter reputed to be a spy. The intimate first-person narrative brings universal themes of prejudice and loss to a personal level."

5. CONNECTIONS
*To further understand how Abel Hoffman was treated by the Americans (and how the Jews were treated by the Germans), try this activity: Divide the class at random. Give 1/2 of the students blue handkerchiefs to put around their necks and have the other 1/2 do the same with red handkerchiefs. Tell the students with the blue handkerchiefs that they are smarter, better readers and better looking. Discuss how this is unfair. Compare/contrast with Hitler's sorting method as well as the unfairness of labeling Abel Hoffman.

*Use maps to point out the places identified in the book. Find where the secret painting place of Elliot and Abel might be. Calculate the distance between England and the USA. Calculate the distance between France and the English Channel.

Book Review - LEONARDO DA VINCI by Diane Stanley

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stanley, Diane. 1996. LEONARDO DA VINCI. New York, NY: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688104371


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Diane Stanley takes us into the fascinating world of Leonardo da Vinci. More than simply a painter, da Vinci's world should be fascinating to young readers as Stanley walks us through his inventions and forward-thinking ideas.

Throughout this book, we get more than just a rote biography; we are exposed to the culture of the day and the history behind it. The illustrations are beautiful, as well as the reproductions. Students will be interested in the fact that da Vinci wrote from right to left and painted in an odd way as well. The back cover reveals his secret!

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
I've got to admit, biographies don't really interest me unless there is drama, suspense, or lurid tidbits. My taste runs toward JFK or Teddy Roosevelt. da Vinci would not be my first pick.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Definitely written for older readers, Stanley gives us background and details with prose that captures attention. da Vinci's life does have drama and suspense, yet most works are so dry, I never get to that point. Stanley grabs us from the beginning with a glimpse into the not-so-perfect birth of Leonardo. As I read it, I thought to myself, "Now THIS is something my kids can relate with".

Stanley knows her audience and breathes life into her work. She makes sure she includes, as mentioned above, an out-of-wedlock birth, gore (Leonardo's dissected corpses decomposing too fast), self-closing toliet lids, and helicopters. Every boy's fantasy!

A major author in biographies, Diane Stanley stays true to the form of what is good in biographies...tells historical facts in a story form, lots of colorful pictures, fairly short, and makes da Vinci more human by not brushing over the "darker" side of his life.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review from ALA BOOKLIST: "This is the best of the many children's books on Leonardo."

* Starred review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "These exquisite reproductions, as well as sepia-toned spot art taken from da Vinci's notebooks, sit uncommonly well within Stanley's own paintings, educating the reader about da Vinci's masterpieces as a natural part of the visual storytelling. A virtuosic work."

5. CONNECTIONS
*There is a wonderful website called "Welcome to Exploring Leonardo". There are links that look at his workshop, his perspective, from left to right, etc. What a great place for a class to explore and have a hands on approach. The site can be found at: http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/

*We have a great book in the elementary library by Jean Fritz called LEONARDO'S HORSE. It has quite a bit of the same biographical information
included by Diane Stanley. The pictures are more "childlike" and midway through the book focuses more on the 24 foot high horse da Vinci made from clay that was destroyed by the French. This book is a great companion to Stanley's book.

Fritz, Jean. 2001. LEONARDO'S HORSE. Ill. by Hudson Talbott. New York, NY. G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN: 0399235760

Book Review - THE BRAIN:OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM by Seymour Simon

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. 2006. THE BRAIN: OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM. New York, NY: Collins. ISBN 0060877197


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Simon dissects the brain in his book regarding our nervous system. Repleat with cat scans and slices, he cuts right to the point. Breaking down the different sections of our nerve center and analyzing the various roles each plays, Simon deftly divides this brain book into organized sections.

Though there is not a table of contents or index, the book is easy to follow in its layout and is chock full of information. The writing content suggests that the audience should be higher-aged elementary to middle school children. This is especially true in regard to the photos. Some may be too graphic for little stomachs.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
I've got to admit, in this non-fiction section, this is my least favorite book. Of course it could be because I'm not science oriented.

That being said, I was actually interested at the beginning. Mr. Simon's opening page really piqued my curiousity but he soon lost me. I was bogged down by details and words I had trouble pronouncing. Mid-way through, Simon moved away from the scientific explanations and described the skull and brain. This part was quite interesting and was well written, although short-lived. The next pages dove right back into the science.

The text is a bit dry for my taste, though the images were fairly interesting. I'm glad the pictures were there or I may have reshelved the book halfway through. I'm guessing that any elementary-aged female would be loath to check this book out. Perhaps it would be interesting to their male counterparts.

Please realize my opinion is just that. Seymour Simon has won awards for his books and he has written over 200 of them, so he certainly is prolific in his work. If you are interested in facts and scientific explanations of why your brain does what it does, this book fits the bill. If you are looking for a generalization and don't really care about specifics, look elsewhere.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Full-color photographs, computer simulations, drawings, and three-dimensional models are used to grand effect to clarify, explain, and celebrate the remarkably complex system of brain and nerves; the large format, often with white type on black paper and full-page photos, is visually striking."

* Starred review in HORN BOOK: "The variety of views and the lucid presentation provide an absorbing introduction to this amazing control system that can do more jobs than the most powerful computer ever made."

5. CONNECTIONS
*If Seymour Simon's book is too "real", a good follow-up is a book written by Pamela Nettleton called THINK, THINK, THINK: LEARNING ABOUT YOUR BRAIN. The cartoonish drawings and simple wording really scales down the information, but gives enough to accurately convey detail.

Nettleton, Pamela Hill. 20047. THINK, THINK, THINK: LEARNING ABOUT YOUR BRAIN. Minneapolis, MN: Picture Window Books. ISBN 1404802525

*It would be neat to do some brain science experiments! Perhaps some jigsaw puzzles, brain teasers, face recognition games, short-term memory games, word jumbles, etc.