Module 5: Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Photo taken from:

 http://www.amazon.com/Esperanza-Rising-Pam-Munoz-Ryan/dp/043912042X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Summary:

After the murder of Esperanza’s father by bandidos, Esperanza and her mother are forced to flee their beautiful ranch and wealth to escape a dangerous future. Esperanza and her mother, Ramona travel to California in the hopes of finding work on one of the large farms. It is the 1930s and everyone is looking for work and struggling to make ends meet. Esperanza must adjust to a life of hard work and hardships. After her mother becomes ill with Valley fever, Esperanza must depend on those she once called servants and work ensure that her mother’s medical bills are paid. Esperanza learns that it doesn’t matter how rich you are, family, memories, and love are the real wealth. 

Citation:

Ryan, P.M. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York, New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Impression:

This novel tells a beautiful story about kindness, family, and grit. Esperanza is a dynamic character that must unlearn the societal norms she was taught as a wealthy man’s daughter. Esperanza spent much of her live believing there was a metaphorical river that ran between her and the servants who worked for her. Once her life is turned upside down by the tragic murder of her family, she must learn to trust and rely on those she snubbed. Esperanza learns the valuable life lesson of humility.

This novel is a winner of the Pura Belpra award, which is given to Spanish speaking authors who best portray Latino life experiences (Tunnell, et al., 2008). I believe that this novel deserves the award it was given, the characters are strong and robust and the story is complex and engaging. I especially enjoyed the reading from the point of view of those working on the large farms during the 1930s. 

Citation:

Bryan, G.W., Jacobs, J.S., Tunnell, M.O., & Young, T.A. (2008). Children’s literature briefly. Boston, Massachusetts. Pearson Education, Inc.

Review:

At times Esperanza Rising, although it takes place in Depression-era Mexico and the United States instead of Victorian England, seems a dead ringer for Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess. Both are dramatic riches-to-rags stories about girls forced to trade fancy dolls and dresses for hard work and ill-fitting hand-me-downs after their beloved fathers die. Thirteen-year-old Esperanza even possesses a touch of Sara Crewe's romantic spirit. The daughter of an affluent Mexican rancher, she had been taught by her father to believe that the "land is alive," that she could lie down beneath the arbors in her family's vineyards, press her ear to the ground, and hear a heart beat. Yet can this still hold true for Esperanza when she no longer reigns as queen of the harvest but labors in the fields of a foreign country, picking grapes on someone else's land for pennies an hour? The transition does net come easily for her, and thus her story ultimately diverges from The Little Princess's fairytale script to become a poignant look at the realities of immigration. Political as well as personal history inform the sometimes florid narrative (loosely based, we are told in an afterword, on the experiences of the author's grandmother). Esperanza's struggles begin amidst class unrest in post-revolutionary Mexico and intersect with labor strikes in the United States, which serve to illustrate the time period's prevailing hostility toward people of Mexican descent. In one of the more glaring injustices she witnesses, striking workers, who were born American citizens and have never set foot on Mexican soil, are loaded onto buses for deportation. Through it all, Esperanza is transformed from a sheltered aristocrat into someone who can take care of herself and others. Although her material wealth is not restored in the end, the way it is for Sara Crewe, she is rich in family, friends, and esperanza — the Spanish word for hope.

By Christine M. Heppermann

Citation:

Happermann, C. M. (2001). [Esperanza rising] [book review]. Horn Book Magazine, 77(1), 96. Retrieved from www.hbook.com

Uses:

• Use the book part of a multicultural event. Invite individuals of Mexican decent to tell about their culture and people’s history.
• Throw a jamaican party like the one the worker’s

Module 4: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elzabeth George Speare

Photo taken from:
 http://www.amazon.com/Witch-Blackbird-Elizabeth-George-Speare/dp/0547550294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316744284&sr=8-1

Summary:

After the death of Kit Tyler’s grandfather, Kit is forced to leave her home in the Barbados where she had servants and wealth to live with her strict Puritan relatives in the Connecticut Colony. Kit travels on a ship called the Dolphin, and befriends the sea captain’s son, Nathaniel Eaton, Kit is a lively intelligent young woman who is shocked by her family’s strict religious and difficult lives. Kit does not fit in well with the residents of the Connecticut Colony and instantly made to feel like she is an intruder on her family and the Colony Citizens.

When Kit befriends an old Quaker women who lives on the outskirts of town, she is warned that the women is not to be associated with because of her religious beliefs. Some residents even claim that the old woman is a witch. Kit continues to meet with the women and when an epidemic strikes the town, everyone is looking for someone to blame. The townsfolk go on a witch hunt for the old women, but Kit disobey’s her family and saves the old women. Kit is then accused of witchcraft and sent to trial. Kit’s name is cleared by Nathaniel Eaton, but Kit comes to the understanding that she will never fit in with the Puritan lifestyle.  Eventually Kit ends up marrying Nathaniel Eaton, giving her the freedom she desired from the staunch religious lifestyle of the small town. 

Citation:

Speare, E.G. (1958). The witch of blackbird pond. New York, New York: Dell Publishing Co.

Impression:

I greatly enjoyed The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare and can understand why this book won the Newbery Award in 1959. The novel has strong, round characters and a well developed plot line. I can associate with the character of Kit and believe that she possessed many characteristics that are familiar to the average reader.

The novel covered many themes about friendship, family, prejudices, religion, and love without beating the reader over the head with religious doctrine or preachy diatribes.  The author did a good job of creating a character that fit into the puritan era without being irrelevant to the reader. This book is a timeless treasure that can be enjoyed by all age groups.

Review:

Forced to leave her sunny Caribbean home for the bleak Connecticut Colony, Kit Tyler is filled with trepidation. As they sail up the river to Kit's new home, the teasing and moodiness of a young sailor named Nat doesn't help. Still, her unsinkable spirit soon bobs back up. What this spirited teenager doesn't count on, however, is how her aunt and uncle's stern Puritan community will view her. In the colonies of 1687, a girl who swims, wears silk and satin gowns, and talks back to her elders is not only headstrong, she is in grave danger of being regarded as a witch. When Kit befriends an old Quaker woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond, it is more than the ascetics can take: soon Kit is defending her life. Who can she count on as she confronts these angry and suspicious townspeople?

A thoroughly exciting and rewarding Newbery Medal winner and ALA Notable Children's Book, Elizabeth George Speare's The Witch of Blackbird Pond brings this frightening period of witch hysteria to life. Readers will wonder at the power of the mob mentality, and the need for communities in desperate times--even current times--to find a scapegoat. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Citation:

Coulter, E. (2011). [The witch of blackbird pond] [book review]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com

Uses:

• Around Thanksgiving make the novel “Book of the Week.” Ask readers to create entries in the library’s Young Adult Blog to create some discussion about the book. 
  Librarians can input some discussion aids, but the blog is designed to get readers to discuss books among peers.
• Use the book in a display for banned books week. 

Module 3: Smoky Night-Written by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by David Dias

Picture taken from:

http://www.amazon.com/Smoky-Night-Eve-Bunting/dp/0152018840/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318198876&sr=1-1

Summary:

Smoky Night written by Eve Bunting and Illustrated by David Diaz is written in the perspective of a young boy experiencing riots in his neighborhood. The young boy lives in an apartment with his mother and orange cat and is observing the riots from an upstairs window. The child asks many questions about the people who are stealing and destroying the property of others and his mother calmly answers his questions with a straight-forward honesty. The child notices a woman in an apartment nearby getting robbed, the child explains that his mother does not shop from this woman because she is of a different ethnicity. The child eventually falls asleep only to be awakened a short time later by his mother telling him that their apartment is on fire and that they must flee. The child is very concerned about his orange cat, and begs the firefighters who have come to the scene to save his cat. 

The tenants are relocated to a shelter where the child is fed hot chocolate and told they can return to their home in a few days. The neighbor woman has lost her cat as well and is concerned about its well-being, just like the child. Eventually a firefighter returns the boy’s cat as well as the neighbor woman’s cat. Normally the two cat’s don’t get along, but in their fear, they were found snuggled up together hiding from the fire. The boy’s mother sees this and decides that she should befriend the neighbor woman she was so reluctant to trust. 

Citation:

Bunting, E. (1994). Smoky night. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt Brace & Company.

Impression:

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting caught my attention because of its subject matter and the beautiful way illustrator, David Diaz, caught the emotion of the story. Smoky Night was the 1995 Caldecott winner and Caldecott books are nominated on their illustrations alone, but I believe that this book needs both the works and the illustrations to work together to bring the true emotional punch.

 Smoky Night was written in reaction to the Los Angeles Riots though the eyes of a small child. The illustrations are vivid, yet blocky with images boarded by frames made of found objects. The child’s views and the harsh-almost broken looking illustrations bring the reality of the riots to the reader, but also portray the hope and beauty that a child can see in the world in the midst of tragedy. “Smoky Night” is a great example of how to tell a troubling history lesson to a child. The story is straight forward, but ends with a great sense of promise and hope. 

Review:

Illustrated by David Diaz. Daniel's mother explains that the rioting in the street outside their apartment "can happen when people get angry." The aberrant behavior of the people who are smashing windows, cars, and street lights and the looters who look angry and happy at the same time fascinate Daniel. When the smell of smoke wakens the two of them during the night, they flee to a shelter with other residents of their building. Daniel is frantic because he cannot locate his cat, Jasmine. Mrs. Kim's mean orange cat, who always fights with Jasmine, is missing, too. Daniel and his mother don't have too much to do with Mrs. Kim and do not shop at Kim's Market because "Mama says it's better if we buy from our own people." Eventually, a fire fighter appears at the shelter with one cat under each arm, claiming to have discovered the cats "holding paws" under the stairs of the burning building. When the cats drink from the same dish, Daniel observes that the animals might not have previously liked each other because they didn't know each other. Silence follows Daniel's innocent comment, until his mother introduces herself to Mrs. Kim: "My name is Gena. Perhaps when things settle down you and your cat will come over and share a dish of milk with us." Clearly, the African-American woman's attempt to reach out to the Korean-American woman is a result of surviving the riots together and understanding the commonality of their lives. Although the CIP page mentions that these events took place during the recent Los Angeles riots, young readers may need some additional explanation, since the setting is not mentioned anywhere in the book. Diaz's bold artwork is a perfect match for the intensity of the story. Thick black lines border vibrant acrylic paintings that are reminiscent of Picasso's early work, especially in the composition of the characters' faces. Diaz's work also evokes images of the French impressionist Georges Rouault and of the early books of John Steptoe, both of whom used black to outline individual elements in their paintings. Diaz places these dynamic paintings on collages of real objects that, for the most part, reinforce the narrative action. For example, a painting of Daniel observing someone looting a dry cleaners is superimposed on a collage composed of wire hangers and clothes wrapped in clear plastic. Because each double-page spread is so carefully designed, because the pictorial elements work together harmoniously, the overall effect is that of urban energy, rather than cacophony. Both author and illustrator insist on a headlong confrontation with the issue of rapport between different races, and the result is a memorable, thought-provoking book.

~~~~~~~~

By Ellen Fader

Citation:

Fader, E. (1994). [Smoky night] [book review]. Horn Book Magazine, 70(3), 308-309. Retrieved from www.hbook.com

Uses:

• Have a craft night where children write their own books and decorate the stories using found objects like the illustrations in Smoky Night.
• Put the book in a book display with the theme of modern history.

Module 2: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

Picture taken from:

http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Rumphius-MISS-RUMPHIUS-Hardcover/dp/B002VKL0FG/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318198167&sr=1-4

Summary:

This story is told from the perceptive of the great niece of an older woman named Miss Rumphius. Everyone in the town where Miss Rumphius lives thinks she is an eccentric old lady and call her the Lupine Lady, but the narrator explains that Miss Rumphius has lived an exciting and meaningful life.

 Miss Rumphius, who’ first name is Alice, grew up under the watchful eye of her grandfather who was an wood sculpture. Alice would tell her grandfather that when she grows up she is going to travel to see far away places and live by the sea. Her grandfather explained that she must also make the world a beautiful place to live. As Alice grew, she travelled to far away places and experiences great adventures as she settles down in a home near the sea she remembers her grandfathers words about making the world a more beautiful place.  Alice takes the Lupine flowers that grew near her home and spread them throughout the village were she lived making it a more beautiful place to live. 

Citation:

Cooney, B. (1982). Miss Rumphius. New York, New York: The Viking Press.

Impressions:

I would go out and buy this book for its artwork alone. Author Barbara Cooney both wrote and illustrated the book and it is beautiful in both aspects. The story is told by a child narrator who is relaying the biography of her aunt Alice Rumphius with the same eloquence and confidence as any adult.  

I appreciate the child’s retelling of her aunt’s life story. This story is a great way to teach children not to disrespect someone because they come across eccentric or strange and that there is always a story to be told if you are willing to listen. I also liked how the main character was a women who traveled and followed her dreams in a historical setting that would normally not portray such an interesting woman.  

Review:

Citiation:

Dooley, P. (1982). [Miss Rumphius] [book review]. School Library Journal, 29(1), 106. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Uses:

• The book can be used to discuss respecting elders with children.
• The book could be used to discuss feminist issues with adults.

Module 2: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Photo taken from:
http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Fourth-Grade-Nothing-Blume/dp/0439559863/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318194701&sr=1-3

Summary:

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume is a story from the perspective a a fourth grader named Peter Warren Hatcher. Peter lives near Central Park in New York City. Peter lives with his stay-at-home mother, advertising professional father, and his two-year-old brother, Farley Drexel Hatcher or “Fudge” as he is better known. The story follows Peter as he tries to come to terms with his curious, energetic and naughty younger brother who is constantly getting into trouble. Peter expresses great exasperation towards his younger brother’s antics and is often the focus of Fudge’s naughty deeds. Peter feels that his parents do not take his feeling into consideration when Fudge’s antics destroy his school work or his beloved pet turtle, Dribble.  As the story unfolds, Peter feels less and less appreciative towards his younger brother and wishes he were an only child. Peter feels his parents do not understand him and favor the younger child. It isn’t until the end of the story that Peter comes to an understanding that his parents are there for him when he needs them the most. 

Citation:

Cleary, B. (1980, April). Tales from a fourth grade nothing. New York, New York: Dell Publishing.

Impression:

I liked the first person narrative of this novel. By getting inside Peter’s head, the reader got to experience first-hand the feelings that he felt as he interacted with his parents and his younger brother, Fudge. The novel did a fantastic job of letting the reader experience life as a fourth grader and as an adult reading this book it made me feel like I was 10 years old again.

Judy Blume did an exceptional job of creating a character that the reader can associate with and care about. The character of Peter is interesting and his story engages the reader to want to read on to the end of the book. This book is a great book for young readers experiencing the fourth grade for the first time or for older readers that wish to revisit their youth. 

Review:

Amazon.com Review

“Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is the first of these entertaining yarns. Peter, because he's the oldest, must deal with Fudgie's disgusting cuteness, his constant meddling with Peter's stuff, and other grave offenses, one of which is almost too much to bear. All these incidents are presented with the unfailing ear and big-hearted humor of the masterful Judy Blume. Though some of her books for older kids have aroused controversy, the Hatcher brothers and their adventures remain above the fray, where they belong. (Peter's in fourth grade, so the book is suitable for kids ages 8 and older.)” (2011).

Citation:

Amazon. (2011).[Tales of a fourth grade nothing] [book review]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com

Uses:

• Use the book is a display with books about siblings.
• Because Peter is a pet lover, have a day in the library where a member of the local Human’s Society comes in and talks about proper pet care. 

Module 1: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Photo taken from:
http://www.amazon.com/Giving-Tree-Sid-Silverstein/dp/B004R64766/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1318194562&sr=8-2

Summary:

The Giving Tree, written by Shel Silverstein, tells of a relationship between a tree and its beloved boy. The tree and the boy have a very close relationship, especially during the boy’s childhood, as the boy plays on the tree, eats its apples, and sleeps under its shade. As the boy grows older, his need for the tree becomes less and less and the tree is sad and longs for the boy’s company. The boy always returns to visit the tree and the tree always asks why he doesn’t visit more often. The boy always has some need that he requires and the tree always provides a piece of itself to the boy to fill that need. Finally, in the later years of the boy’s life, the tree is nothing more than a stump and explains that it has nothing more to provide the boy. The boy, now an old man, is satisfied with the stump as it provides a place for him to sit. The tree is happy now that the boy is content and the two can be together again. 

Citation:

Silverstein, S.(1964). The giving tree. New York, New York: Harper & Collins.

Impression:

I thought the book was beautifully written in a poetic and artistic fashion. I loved the story and the lesson it portrayed. However, The Giving Tree is often criticized as not being an appropriate book for children. I agree with this criticism. I think the story strikes a strong chord in the adults who read it because it tells a story of a life long friendship and kindness and adults want children to experience the same lessons. I don’t believe that children experience the story the same way adults do. Children are starting to develop friendships for the first time whereas adults have some life long friends that they can associate the relationship between the tree and its boy with. I honestly believe this book relates better to adults than children.

Review:

Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein - A Forty-Five Year Celebration

by Carolyn S. Brodie

Once there was a tree... and she loved a little boy.

Thus begins one of the best-known and most memorable stories from the last forty-five years - The Giving Tree, written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. It was first published in 1964(HarperCollins). At first it was rejected by publishers because of concerns that it fell somewhere between children and adults' literature. It has since, however, been embraced by various audiences and has remained in print almost the entire time since its first publication. A fortieth anniversary edition was released in 2004 that includes a CD of the poetry performed by Silverstein.

A Boy and a Tree

The Giving Tree shares the story of a young boy and his lifetime relationship with a certain apple tree. But it is much more than that. It is also a story of giving (and taking or receiving), friendship, happiness, loyalty, sacrifice, gratitude, happiness, and most importantly - love. The tree ultimately gives everything for the boy without receiving much in return. The theme or message of the book has been interpreted in many different ways. It can be very simply understood by a second grader, or an adult can search for a deeper meaning.

Multiple Talents

Silverstein is also very well known for his children's poetry books and the accompanying recordings done by the author himself. Silverstein's first book, in the trio of children's poetry, is Where the Sidewalk Ends. It was published in 1974 and won the New York Times Outstanding Book Award among others. Where the Sidewalk Ends also provided a fresh new direction for children's poetry books. It was followed by two other volumes of Silverstein's poetry and line drawings: A Light in the Attic (1981) and Falling Up (1996).

Silverstein was a composer, singer, musician, cartoonist, reporter, playwright, illustrator, and author. He wrote for adults as well as children. He began his career as a cartoonist for Stars and Stripes, a publication of the U. S. Army, while he was in the service as a young man. He was born in Chicago in 1930 and died in Key West, Florida, in 1999. The following Web sites provide additional biographical information.

Citation:

Brodie, C. S. (2009). The giving tree by Shel Silverstein--A forty-five year celebration [The giving tree] [book review]. School Library Monthly, 26(1), 22- 24. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/

Uses:

• Use The Giving Tree in a program called "Friends Read Together" to encourage young children to read  to each other.

• During the fall the library could host a harvest party and bob for apples and do fun fall games followed by a reading of the book.