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.

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.

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.

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)

HOOP KINGS by Charles R. Smith, Jr.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Smith, Charles R. JR. 2004. HOOP KINGS. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763614238

PLOT SUMMARY:
HOOP KINGS puts basketball players in verse form. It spotlights famous basketball players like Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garrett and Kobe Bryant. Each player, twelve in all, has an individual poem that describes and highlights the players best attribute. The poems are accompanied by large photos of the player. Each photograph illustrates the player in action with a spectacular display of athletic abiblity. An enormous actual-size footprint of Shaquille's basktball shoe accompanies his poem on a large fold out page in the book. The poems are also identified by the player's numbers instead of page numbers. To end the experience. Charle R. Smith, Jr. offers notes with a commentary on the player and why he wrote in the style that he did about that player.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The basketball players that Smith chose to write about is probably one of the most appealing qualities of this book of poetry. His choosing current famous players makes this book appealing to many who might not otherwise choose a poetry book. The photographs of the players in action would be another factor that would draw reluctant readers to HOOP KINGS, especially boys who might not choose to read poetry. The display of Shaquilles' life size shoe print adds to the credibility of what the author says about the players. The author's admiration for the 12 talented male athletes is evident through is writings and the notes he adds about each at the end of the book. Sports fans of many ages would enjoy reading this poetry about the athletes in HOOP KINGS. Boys, especially who might not be interested in poetry, would find the book fun and entertaining. They may suddenly decide that poetty is interesting.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST - " Illuminating notes on each poem's style or central image tempt readers to turn back the pages for repeated looks."
COOPERATIVE CHILDREN"S BOOK CENTER CHOICES - "Twelve other NBA stars are celebrated in jamming action poems accompanined by large photographs embellished with electric designs."
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION - "This is another visually impressive book by Charles Smith, Jr., who has authored other books that blend his love of basketball and poetry."

CONNECTIONS:
HOOP KINGS encourages students to read poetry that is different from traditional literature. Encourages the athletic student who otherwise might not read anything.

Use this book in a poetry unit. Divide class into groups and assign different kinds of poetry books. Let students discuss why they like the type of potry they chose and try writing their own poetry of the chosen type.

THE FIREFLY LETTERS by Margarita Engle

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Engle, Margarita. 2010. THE FIREFLY LETTERS: A SUFFRAGETTES"S JOURNEY TO CUBA. New York: Henry Holt and Co. ISBN 9780805090826

PLOT SUMMARY:
Margarita Engle, A Cuban American poet wrote THE FIREFLY LETTRERS based on the diaries of Fredrika Bremer. The sroty of Cicilia , a teenage slave who was traded by her own father for a cow tells her feelings of living the life she was sold in to. Readers hear alternatley from Cecilia, Fredrika and Elena. Fredrka is an advocate for women's rights while Elena is a 12 year old Cuban who feels trapped in her world of wealth. The three characters explore the countryside in Cuban as they form a bond that will amaze and inspire readers.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The writing of Margarita Engle takes the reader on a magical journey as she reveals the feelings of oppression that women and people of color have lived with througout history. The feelings and thoughts of the women are effectively communicated with the use of similes and metaphors. The book is based on historical events of a visit Fredrika Bremer took to Cuba in 1851. Her writings are a display of the author's powerful emotions through her simple verse. A simple to understand easy reading acount of historical fiction.

REVIEW EXCEPTS:
"And like the firefly light, Engle's poetry is a gossamer thread of subtle beauty weaving together three memorable characters who together find hope and courage." KIRKUS Starred Review.

"Through this moving combination of historcial viewpoints, Engle creates dramatic tension among the characters, especially in the story of Elena, who makes a surprising sacrifice." - BOOKLIST

"The easily digestible, poetic narrative makes this a perfiect choice for reluctant readers, students fo the women's movement, those interested in Cuba, and teens with biography assignments." - SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

CONNECTIONS:
Use as an example of how potry can be used to tell a story with history integrated.

Discuss the friendships of the 3 women and what created the bond for the three women.

BLUE LIPSTICK by John Grandits

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Grandits, John. c2007. BLUE LIPSTICK: CONCRETE POEMS. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780618568604

PLOT SUMMARY:
BLUE LIPSTICK is a book of concrete poems written in the voice and thoughts of a 15 year old girl named Jessie. She writes the poetry to illustrate the typical concerns and thoughts of adolescents she and others like her face in a teenager's world. Jessie talks about things like new hairstyles, playing volleyball and cello, and dealing with her annoying little brother. The poems take the shape of their themes. For example, "All My Important Thinking Gets Done in the Shower" is written in the shape of water streaming out of a showerhead.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
BLUE LIPSTICK would be a great resource for showing students examples of concrete poems. The topics are those that middle and high schoolers would find interesting and relevant to their own lives. This book would be excellent for using with a poetry unit or for leisure reading. The design is simple and easy to read. Each of the 34 poems takes a certain shape as the author tries to paint a picture of what the teenager, Jessie, is talking about. As with any shape poem, the concreteness, adds to the meaning of the poetry. The topics that teenagers deal with are used in a way that it gives the reader a real insight into a teenager's thinking process. This book would be appropriate for any adolescent, but it would also be beneficial and interesting reading for parents and teachers of this age group.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION - "Purchase this thin, highly creative collection to involve teens in poetry in an engaging and humorous way. Recommended"

THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS - "Design is friendlly and accessible... This has enough activity to appeal to fans of sophistocated poetry and enough energy to draw those who find the sophisticated stuff merely dull, and it will undoubtedly inspire a multitude of curricular uses."

LEE BENNETT HOPKINS POETRY AWARD, 2008 Honor Book, United States.
SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA JOURNAL BEST BOOKS, 2007
Notable Children's Books, 2008 ALSC

CONNECTIONS:
Students divide into groups of 2 or 3. Assign poetry to groups, Each group discusses poetry and Jessie's problem or idea presented in the poem. Come up with a solution to her problem.
Show exampels of concrete poetry. Students think of a topic that might be faced by adolescents. Write poem and make a large posster to present the poem.