BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cushman, Karen. 2003. RODZINA. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618133518
SUMMARY:
Karen Cushman writes this historical novel that tells the story of a 12 year old Polish American girl who boards an orphan train in Chicago with fears about traveling to the west and a life of unpaid slavery. Rodzina was young girl who had lost her whole family. Her 2 brothers were burned in a house fire, her father died while he was working and her mother passed away from fever. Rodzina lived on the streets of Chicago until an orpan agency picked her up. The novel is set in a time when Orphan Trains took orphans from cities in the east to find homes in the frontier lands out west during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Rodzina finds that the families interested in adopting her only wanted her for working, not as a daughter.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
RODZINA is and excellent historical fiction book probably best suited for upper elementary to middle school students. It tells good story and gives the imaage of the hardship, loneliness, fear and stuggles of orphaned children. It also looks at the history of the Orphan Train and the unwanted American children during the late 1800's. There is information about the origin of orphanages, orphan trains and a bibliography of resources for students to use as reference. This makes this selection all the more credible.
AWARDS/REVIEWS/EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST TOP 10 HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUTH, 2003; ALA United States
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE CHOICE LIST, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
*CHILDREN'S LITERATURE- "The skill and finesse we have come to expect from Karen Cushman weaves a rich and powerful tale of self-discovery, and untimately, hope. The reader will find a detailed history of the orphan train and other similar efforts to 'rehabilitate' orphaned and unwanted children in the back of the book."
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION- "This historical fiction novel is filled with the atmosphere of the late 19th century: Industrial Chicago, Indian relations, mail order brides, and more."
THE LORGNETTE- HEART OF TEXAS REVIEWS - This is an excellent choice for sixth grade and up. History and other social studies teachers can use this book for report material. Girls will love the strong heroine."
CONNECTIONS:
*Discussion: Orphans and what happened to them during the time period. How are orphans treated differently now than they were back then?
*Discuss the history of the Orpan train.
*Read THE MIDWIFE"S APPRENTICE
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Larson, Kirby. c2006. HATTIE BIG SKY. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385733137
SUMMARY:
This book is about a 16 year old girl named Hattie Brooks. Hattie is an orphan l who lives with her aunt and uncle in Iowa in 1918. She inherits a homestead in Montana and travels on her own to claim the land. It is winter time and she has to learn to survive alone in bad conditions and try to figure out how she will build a fence on the homestead and grow crops so she can keep the land. She has less than a year to complete the task. This book also confronts the prejudice agains her neighbor, a German American farming his own land during World War I. When reading the book, it makes you feel as if you are right there with Hattie. The book includes letters that Hattie writes to her best friend who is in Europe fighting in the war.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This is a heart warming Newberry Honor Book that tells of the historcial period during World War I. When you read the book, you feel as if you are right there with Hattie. This makes the book feel authentic as Larson uses wit to describe the struggles and joy of a common homesteader during World War 1. This historical novel portrays as a young woman struggling and facing terrible odds as she tries to build her own homestead. The effective way the author incorporates articles Hattie wrote for a newspaper and letters she wrote to a friend adds to the credibility and historic value of the book.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXCERPTS:
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2007 Honor Book, United States
YALSA BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS, 2007 ALA, United States
TOP 10 WOMEN'S HISTORY BOOKS FOR YOUTH , 2007 BOOKLIST, United States
*BOOKLIST "Writing in figurative language that draws on nature and domestic detail to infuse her story with the sounds, smells, and sights of the prairie, she creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters."
*CHILDREN'S LITERATURE "This well-researched and gripping novel firmly places its lively heroine in loneliness and debt on her rugged uncle's land claim."
CONNECTION:
Use this book to introduce to discuss the concept of settling the frontier and homesteading. Discuss the struggles of pioneer life.
Larson, Kirby. c2006. HATTIE BIG SKY. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385733137
SUMMARY:
This book is about a 16 year old girl named Hattie Brooks. Hattie is an orphan l who lives with her aunt and uncle in Iowa in 1918. She inherits a homestead in Montana and travels on her own to claim the land. It is winter time and she has to learn to survive alone in bad conditions and try to figure out how she will build a fence on the homestead and grow crops so she can keep the land. She has less than a year to complete the task. This book also confronts the prejudice agains her neighbor, a German American farming his own land during World War I. When reading the book, it makes you feel as if you are right there with Hattie. The book includes letters that Hattie writes to her best friend who is in Europe fighting in the war.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This is a heart warming Newberry Honor Book that tells of the historcial period during World War I. When you read the book, you feel as if you are right there with Hattie. This makes the book feel authentic as Larson uses wit to describe the struggles and joy of a common homesteader during World War 1. This historical novel portrays as a young woman struggling and facing terrible odds as she tries to build her own homestead. The effective way the author incorporates articles Hattie wrote for a newspaper and letters she wrote to a friend adds to the credibility and historic value of the book.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXCERPTS:
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2007 Honor Book, United States
YALSA BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS, 2007 ALA, United States
TOP 10 WOMEN'S HISTORY BOOKS FOR YOUTH , 2007 BOOKLIST, United States
*BOOKLIST "Writing in figurative language that draws on nature and domestic detail to infuse her story with the sounds, smells, and sights of the prairie, she creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters."
*CHILDREN'S LITERATURE "This well-researched and gripping novel firmly places its lively heroine in loneliness and debt on her rugged uncle's land claim."
CONNECTION:
Use this book to introduce to discuss the concept of settling the frontier and homesteading. Discuss the struggles of pioneer life.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Williams-Garcia, Rita. c2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York: Amistad. ISBN 9780060760892
SUMMARY:
This book is about Delphine, an eleven year old and her two sisters, Vonetta and Fern. The girls live with their father and grandmother in Brooklyn. In the summer of 1968, they find themselves traveling to Oakland, Califronia to spend part of their summer with their mother against their wishes. As the girls try to get to know their mother and why she abandoned them, they find out quickly that their mother did not really want them. She sends them to a Black Panther Day Camp to keep them out of her way. Cecile, the mother, works with the Black Panthers and through Delphine we learn aboutthe Black Panther movement of the 1960's and 1970's.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Rita Williams-Garcia writes this story that tells of the revolutionary movement in California in the late 1960's. It is told from the perspective of 3 black teenage girls. The story is powerful and the characters believable. Readers will love the girls and gain insight into this period of history from a different point of view. The story will leave you with a good feeling inside yet also give you a better understanding and give you things to think about. The time and place are well defined and the characters are strong. It is an insightful look into a segment of American History that is seldom explored.
AWARDS/EXCERPTS:
CORRETA SCOTT KING AWARD, 2011 Winner Author United States
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2011, Honor Book United States
SCOTT O'DELL AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION, 2011 Winner United States
*KIRKUS Starred Review - "The depiction of time is well done, and while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults, their resilience is celebrated and energectically told with writing that snaps off the page."
* VOYA - "The historical details sprinkled throughout the book do not seem forced; rather, they lend authenticity to the settings, and the protrayal of the Black Panthers breaks with the harsher stereotypes."
CONNECTIONS:
*Discussion about being a homeless teenager. What do you think it would be like to be homeless? What do you think the challenges would be both away from school and at school?
* What did you learn about the Black Panther movement? Research articles written about Black Panthers.
Williams-Garcia, Rita. c2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York: Amistad. ISBN 9780060760892
SUMMARY:
This book is about Delphine, an eleven year old and her two sisters, Vonetta and Fern. The girls live with their father and grandmother in Brooklyn. In the summer of 1968, they find themselves traveling to Oakland, Califronia to spend part of their summer with their mother against their wishes. As the girls try to get to know their mother and why she abandoned them, they find out quickly that their mother did not really want them. She sends them to a Black Panther Day Camp to keep them out of her way. Cecile, the mother, works with the Black Panthers and through Delphine we learn aboutthe Black Panther movement of the 1960's and 1970's.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Rita Williams-Garcia writes this story that tells of the revolutionary movement in California in the late 1960's. It is told from the perspective of 3 black teenage girls. The story is powerful and the characters believable. Readers will love the girls and gain insight into this period of history from a different point of view. The story will leave you with a good feeling inside yet also give you a better understanding and give you things to think about. The time and place are well defined and the characters are strong. It is an insightful look into a segment of American History that is seldom explored.
AWARDS/EXCERPTS:
CORRETA SCOTT KING AWARD, 2011 Winner Author United States
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2011, Honor Book United States
SCOTT O'DELL AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION, 2011 Winner United States
*KIRKUS Starred Review - "The depiction of time is well done, and while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults, their resilience is celebrated and energectically told with writing that snaps off the page."
* VOYA - "The historical details sprinkled throughout the book do not seem forced; rather, they lend authenticity to the settings, and the protrayal of the Black Panthers breaks with the harsher stereotypes."
CONNECTIONS:
*Discussion about being a homeless teenager. What do you think it would be like to be homeless? What do you think the challenges would be both away from school and at school?
* What did you learn about the Black Panther movement? Research articles written about Black Panthers.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Witch-Hunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials by Marc Aronson
1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Aronson, Marc. c2003. WITCH-HUNT: MYSTERIES OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS. New York: Atheneum Books for Young People. ISBN 06898486410
2.PLOT SUMMARY
The Salem Witch Tirals have intrigued and roused the curiosity of adults and adolescents for many years. Marc Aronson covers the topic as he tells what really happened during the trials in Salem Village in the late 1600s. He explains the trials, presents facts, myths and theories that surround teh trials as he provides a narrative of what actually took place. The book also includes a timeline of Puritan History and a notes and comments section that aids the reader in the understanding of the events of the Salem Witch Trials.
3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This is a book that I would recommend because Aronson does a great job of explaining teh events of the Salem Witch Trials. Students will want to read it because even though it is about events of the late 1600s, it is based on teenage girls who become the changing factor in the village. The book is organized chronilogically which makes it easy to understand. Aronson's narrative creates a book that explains the aspects of all the people, accusers, victims, judges, and families, involved in the witch trials. Through his writing, Aronson encourages readers to think for themselves. This would be a great addition to a middle or high school library.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS:
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - "WITCH-HUNT is the curious and fascinating result of his latest inquiries. Taking the reader by the hand, Aronson walks him/her through the questions arising from the mass psychosis that overcame Salem in 1692."
KIRKUS- Starred Review "Not just about the trials but about the study of history itself, the volume includes a superb epilogue,notes and comments on trends in interpreting teh events, an a bibliography that offers a 'route map' for readers who want to research further."
VOYA - "Aronson offers a blend of primary source documentation, theory, and speculation about this compelling era. Challenged to llok beyond the few known facts, Aronson encourages readers to examine the accusers' motivations through many diverse theories."
5. CONNECTIONS:
*Divide students into groups to research the Puritan's beliefs on the specific topics, so they can better understand the role a Puritan believed played in society. Suggestions for topics: Woman, Slavery, Wealth and Work Ethic, Children Personal Responsibility.
* Create a map of Salem Town and Salem Village properties in 1692 with collor key indicating the accused and the accusers. What patterns emerge from a map that might not emerge from just reading a text accounts of the Salem Witch Trials?
* Students write an essay answering the following question: Based on your understanding fo the motives behind the accusers during the Salem Witch Trials, do you see humans as essentially good or evil? State your opinion and give at least 3 reasons in detail to support your position.
Aronson, Marc. c2003. WITCH-HUNT: MYSTERIES OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS. New York: Atheneum Books for Young People. ISBN 06898486410
2.PLOT SUMMARY
The Salem Witch Tirals have intrigued and roused the curiosity of adults and adolescents for many years. Marc Aronson covers the topic as he tells what really happened during the trials in Salem Village in the late 1600s. He explains the trials, presents facts, myths and theories that surround teh trials as he provides a narrative of what actually took place. The book also includes a timeline of Puritan History and a notes and comments section that aids the reader in the understanding of the events of the Salem Witch Trials.
3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This is a book that I would recommend because Aronson does a great job of explaining teh events of the Salem Witch Trials. Students will want to read it because even though it is about events of the late 1600s, it is based on teenage girls who become the changing factor in the village. The book is organized chronilogically which makes it easy to understand. Aronson's narrative creates a book that explains the aspects of all the people, accusers, victims, judges, and families, involved in the witch trials. Through his writing, Aronson encourages readers to think for themselves. This would be a great addition to a middle or high school library.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS:
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE - "WITCH-HUNT is the curious and fascinating result of his latest inquiries. Taking the reader by the hand, Aronson walks him/her through the questions arising from the mass psychosis that overcame Salem in 1692."
KIRKUS- Starred Review "Not just about the trials but about the study of history itself, the volume includes a superb epilogue,notes and comments on trends in interpreting teh events, an a bibliography that offers a 'route map' for readers who want to research further."
VOYA - "Aronson offers a blend of primary source documentation, theory, and speculation about this compelling era. Challenged to llok beyond the few known facts, Aronson encourages readers to examine the accusers' motivations through many diverse theories."
5. CONNECTIONS:
*Divide students into groups to research the Puritan's beliefs on the specific topics, so they can better understand the role a Puritan believed played in society. Suggestions for topics: Woman, Slavery, Wealth and Work Ethic, Children Personal Responsibility.
* Create a map of Salem Town and Salem Village properties in 1692 with collor key indicating the accused and the accusers. What patterns emerge from a map that might not emerge from just reading a text accounts of the Salem Witch Trials?
* Students write an essay answering the following question: Based on your understanding fo the motives behind the accusers during the Salem Witch Trials, do you see humans as essentially good or evil? State your opinion and give at least 3 reasons in detail to support your position.
The Voice That Challenged A Nation by Russell Freedman
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Freedman, Russell. c2004. THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618159762
2. PLOT SUMMARY:
This biography is about Marian Anderson, an African American vocalist from a poor family who became famous. The biography focuses on two important aspects of Marian Anderson's life. The first, her own struggles to become a singer and the second, her role in the African American civil rights movement. Russel Freedman describes her life, her struggles, and her accomplishments. He shows how Anderson continued persuing her singing career and despite the limitations that she faced in the 1920's and 1930's when people of color were not given the same rights as white people. Through the efforts of people such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson was allowed to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial which led to desegregation in the area of arts. The book includes black and white photographs of her, her family and events and lyrics of some of her songs.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This biography of Marian Anderson is beautifully told and inspiring as it tells of her struggles to overcome the difficulties associated with being African American and her quest for a singing career. Freedman brings her to life for the reader, accentuating characteristics the reader can relate to. He is able to bring to the surface that feeling of being left out that all can relate to. At the same time he emphasizes the seriousness of segregation. Freedman's account of Anderson's life is moving and inspiring and is enhanced by the addition of many black and white photographs showing her from age one all the way to her adult life. It also includes photographs of her family and song lyrics. Freedman's writing and accompanying photographs paint a picture of her struggles and brings her story to life. Students will learn and become captivated with the story of how this poor African American woman fights for her own success and fights for civil rights and makes a place in American History.
4. REVIEW EXCEPTS
* KIRKUS, Starred Review-"He offers instead a fully realized portrait of a musical artist and her times. Well-chosen, well-paced archival photographs, clear writing, abundant research seamlessly woven into the text, and careful documentation make an outstanding, handsome biography. Freedman at his best."
*THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS - "Freedman offers the story of a movement encapsulated in the biography of an extraordinary African-American woman."
*VOYA- "Freedman creates a masterful biography of Marian Anderson. The prose is sharp and clean with generous use of quotations."
5. CONNECTIONS
*Social Studies: Tie this book into a lesson on Civil Rights. The biography will offer a story different from the typical stories about Civil Rights movements. This book could be read aloud to the class througout the study of Civil Rights or students could read it as a class literature selelction. Have class or small group discussions about events taking place in the life of Anderson as students read.
*Music: Have students study the musical vocabulary in this book and listen to recordings by Marian Anderson. Students may respond to the music in written form, or for others who enjoy performing, encourage them to perform for the class "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands or "My Country Tis of Thee".
*Website: The Marian Anderson Historical Society http://www.mariananderson.org/
Students can listen to her sing, find out more information about her, and view a photo gallery.
Freedman, Russell. c2004. THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618159762
2. PLOT SUMMARY:
This biography is about Marian Anderson, an African American vocalist from a poor family who became famous. The biography focuses on two important aspects of Marian Anderson's life. The first, her own struggles to become a singer and the second, her role in the African American civil rights movement. Russel Freedman describes her life, her struggles, and her accomplishments. He shows how Anderson continued persuing her singing career and despite the limitations that she faced in the 1920's and 1930's when people of color were not given the same rights as white people. Through the efforts of people such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Anderson was allowed to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial which led to desegregation in the area of arts. The book includes black and white photographs of her, her family and events and lyrics of some of her songs.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This biography of Marian Anderson is beautifully told and inspiring as it tells of her struggles to overcome the difficulties associated with being African American and her quest for a singing career. Freedman brings her to life for the reader, accentuating characteristics the reader can relate to. He is able to bring to the surface that feeling of being left out that all can relate to. At the same time he emphasizes the seriousness of segregation. Freedman's account of Anderson's life is moving and inspiring and is enhanced by the addition of many black and white photographs showing her from age one all the way to her adult life. It also includes photographs of her family and song lyrics. Freedman's writing and accompanying photographs paint a picture of her struggles and brings her story to life. Students will learn and become captivated with the story of how this poor African American woman fights for her own success and fights for civil rights and makes a place in American History.
4. REVIEW EXCEPTS
* KIRKUS, Starred Review-"He offers instead a fully realized portrait of a musical artist and her times. Well-chosen, well-paced archival photographs, clear writing, abundant research seamlessly woven into the text, and careful documentation make an outstanding, handsome biography. Freedman at his best."
*THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS - "Freedman offers the story of a movement encapsulated in the biography of an extraordinary African-American woman."
*VOYA- "Freedman creates a masterful biography of Marian Anderson. The prose is sharp and clean with generous use of quotations."
5. CONNECTIONS
*Social Studies: Tie this book into a lesson on Civil Rights. The biography will offer a story different from the typical stories about Civil Rights movements. This book could be read aloud to the class througout the study of Civil Rights or students could read it as a class literature selelction. Have class or small group discussions about events taking place in the life of Anderson as students read.
*Music: Have students study the musical vocabulary in this book and listen to recordings by Marian Anderson. Students may respond to the music in written form, or for others who enjoy performing, encourage them to perform for the class "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands or "My Country Tis of Thee".
*Website: The Marian Anderson Historical Society http://www.mariananderson.org/
Students can listen to her sing, find out more information about her, and view a photo gallery.
We Are the Ship: the Story of Negro League Baseball Words and paintings by Kadir Nelson
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Nelson, Kadir. c2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUE. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786808322
PLOT SUMMARY:
Kadir Nelson is not only the author ofthe book, but he also illustrates his story through his own paintings of baseball scenes and portraits of specific historical baseball figures. Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its start in the 1920's to its end after Jackie Robinson left and went into the majors in 1947. WE ARE THE SHIP tells an important story that chronicles the struggle of great athletes to become players and their struggles and trials with discrimination of negroes in the 1900s. Readers will gain insite into what it must have been like to be a negro who could not play with white people.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
WE ARE THE SHIP is superbly written as Kadir Nelson narrates the story and has created paintings to go with each Inning, which was his creative way to name the chapters. In the 9 Innings, he brings to life the battles these baseball palyers faced when trying to do something they loved, play baseball. Readers will love this book because of its story and sensitivity given to the sport and players. The paintings that go with the story give it life and more credibility. While reading, you will get to meet the players and empathize with what they went through to play a sport they loved. Historically, readers will get a real sense of baseball and how it evolved. The large portraits and one fold out ticket replica for the 1st Colored World Series will capture your attention and give a different dimension to your reading. Baseball fanatics, as well as others will not be able to put the book down. Highly Recommened.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXCERPTS:
CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK AWARD, 2009 Honor Book Illustrator United States
CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK AWARD, 2009 Winner Author United States
ORBUS PICTUS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NONFICTION FOR CHILDREN, 2009 Honor Book United States
ROBERT F. SIBERT INFORMATIONAL BOOK MEDAL, 2009 Winner United States
* BOOKLIST Starred Review - "The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball's history shelves."
*KIRKUS REVIEWS Starred Review - "Nelson continues to top himself with each new book. Here, working solo for the first time, he pays tribute to the hardy African-American players of baseball's first century with a reminiscence written in a collective voice-" " Alomg with being absolutely riveted by the art, readers will come away with a good picture of the Negro Leaguers' distinctive style of play, as well as an idea of how their excellence challenged the racial attitudes of both their sport and their times."
*VOYA - "Gorgeous, larger-than-life oil paintings and a Negro League composite narrator, who reflects on the players' second-class-citizen lives filled with wit, melancholy, and determination, bring a historic battle against prejudice to life."
CONNECTIONS:
* Students can find out more about WE ARE THE SHIP by visiting the website http://www.wearetheship.com Learn about the book, author, making the book(with phots and videos) and traveling exhibits.
*Art- Studetns create baseball cards for 3 players from the Negro League. (5th Inning)
*Writing - Write a news report about Rube Foster. (1st Inning)
*Language Arts - Use a venn diagram to compare and contrast the Latin Leagues and the Negro Legues.(6th Inning)
Nelson, Kadir. c2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO BASEBALL LEAGUE. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786808322
PLOT SUMMARY:
Kadir Nelson is not only the author ofthe book, but he also illustrates his story through his own paintings of baseball scenes and portraits of specific historical baseball figures. Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its start in the 1920's to its end after Jackie Robinson left and went into the majors in 1947. WE ARE THE SHIP tells an important story that chronicles the struggle of great athletes to become players and their struggles and trials with discrimination of negroes in the 1900s. Readers will gain insite into what it must have been like to be a negro who could not play with white people.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
WE ARE THE SHIP is superbly written as Kadir Nelson narrates the story and has created paintings to go with each Inning, which was his creative way to name the chapters. In the 9 Innings, he brings to life the battles these baseball palyers faced when trying to do something they loved, play baseball. Readers will love this book because of its story and sensitivity given to the sport and players. The paintings that go with the story give it life and more credibility. While reading, you will get to meet the players and empathize with what they went through to play a sport they loved. Historically, readers will get a real sense of baseball and how it evolved. The large portraits and one fold out ticket replica for the 1st Colored World Series will capture your attention and give a different dimension to your reading. Baseball fanatics, as well as others will not be able to put the book down. Highly Recommened.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXCERPTS:
CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK AWARD, 2009 Honor Book Illustrator United States
CORETTA SCOTT KING BOOK AWARD, 2009 Winner Author United States
ORBUS PICTUS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NONFICTION FOR CHILDREN, 2009 Honor Book United States
ROBERT F. SIBERT INFORMATIONAL BOOK MEDAL, 2009 Winner United States
* BOOKLIST Starred Review - "The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball's history shelves."
*KIRKUS REVIEWS Starred Review - "Nelson continues to top himself with each new book. Here, working solo for the first time, he pays tribute to the hardy African-American players of baseball's first century with a reminiscence written in a collective voice-" " Alomg with being absolutely riveted by the art, readers will come away with a good picture of the Negro Leaguers' distinctive style of play, as well as an idea of how their excellence challenged the racial attitudes of both their sport and their times."
*VOYA - "Gorgeous, larger-than-life oil paintings and a Negro League composite narrator, who reflects on the players' second-class-citizen lives filled with wit, melancholy, and determination, bring a historic battle against prejudice to life."
CONNECTIONS:
* Students can find out more about WE ARE THE SHIP by visiting the website http://www.wearetheship.com Learn about the book, author, making the book(with phots and videos) and traveling exhibits.
*Art- Studetns create baseball cards for 3 players from the Negro League. (5th Inning)
*Writing - Write a news report about Rube Foster. (1st Inning)
*Language Arts - Use a venn diagram to compare and contrast the Latin Leagues and the Negro Legues.(6th Inning)
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