The Book Thief

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zusak, Markus. 2005. THE BOOK THIEF. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0-375-84220-7

AWARD(S) and STARS

• ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2007
• Michael L. Printz Honor Book, 2007
• NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, 2007
• Book Sense Book of the Year, 2007
• Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award, 2006
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2006
• Daniel Elliott Peace Award, 2006

PLOT SUMMARY
This powerful story of friendship and survival, narrated by Death, tells of Liesel Meminger, who at the age of nine, went to live with her foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann becoming part of Hitler’s Youth, stealing, keeping secrets and “discovering the power of words.” Liesel learns to read and write under the compassionate tutelage of her stoic accordion-playing foster father using her stolen books, paint and a basement wall. She befriends the neighbor boy Rudy, the reclusive and depressed mayor’s wife, the hidden Jew, Max, and her foster mother’s spiteful enemy. As “the human race likes to crank things up a bit,” the reader will learn that “even Death has a heart.”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Beautifully written and interspersed with figurative language, Markus Zusak creates a visual picture of all that is ugly and heart-warming about World War II in Germany. Zusak’s uses vivid and poetic language to describe events like the foreboding feeling about the war as it “waltzed through the window with the draft” or when Rudy raced ahead “[l]ike an elastic rope, he lengthened his lead…” He sprinkles the horror with bits of humor, for example when Rudy continually asks Liesel for a kiss or when Liesel brings a “weather report” to Max by building a snowman in the basement. Throughout the novel, Zusak also uses snippets of German terms and creatively includes their translation. Without sugarcoating or sensationalizing the devastation, readers will empathize with the characters as they courageously live while “the world is an ugly stew.”

Markus Zusak gives thanks to Trudy White in his acknowledgements for her artistic ability when rendering the few illustrations for Max’s books. Her simple black and white illustrations expertly depict someone who would have been painting a story on torn out book pages that had been painted white.

In the back of the paperback version is included a brief summary of the book, questions for discussion, related titles, internet resources and a short interview/ conversation with Marcus Zusak. These resources would assist anyone wanting to conduct a book group, research more about the time, and of course, learn more about Zusak.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2005) – “Zusak has created a work that deserves the attention of sophisticated teen and adult readers… Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward. Death is not a sentimental storyteller, but he does attend to an array of satisfying details, giving Liesel’s story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves.”
• HORN BOOK (2006) - "Exquisitely written and memorably populated, Zusak's poignant tribute to words, survival, and their curiously inevitable entwinement is a tour de force to be not just read but inhabited."
• BOOKS FOR KEEPS (2007) – “ [I]t is about survival; the survival of people in the first instance, but it is also a reflection on the survival of books despite efforts to eradicate them, and of words too in the face of a political system which makes everyone afraid of saying too much.”

CONNECTIONS

• Zusak offers four suggestions if related titles: In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer, Milkweed, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Tunes for Bears to Dance To. Other suggested readings would include:
• THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK by Anne Frank, ISBN 978-0582017368  
• NUMBER THE STARS by Lois Lowery, ISBN 978-0547577098
• EMIL AND KARL by Yankev Glatshteyn, ISBN 978-0312373870  
• SURVIVORS: TRUE STORIES OF CHILDREN IN THE HOLOCAUST by Allan Zullo, ISBN 978-0439669962
• Rich with poetic and figurative language, dialogue and vivid descriptions, The Book Thief would be a good book for a reader’s theater. Some suggested scripts could be when Liesel and Rudy are describing their thieving talents to the new gang leader Viktor Chemmel or when the Nazi Party is going house to house looking for deep basements for shelters Liesel purposely injures herself by running into another soccer player so she can go inside to warn her Mama and Papa knowing that Max, the Jew, is hidden in her basement.
• Zusak offers two websites for more information about this difficult time:
• www.ushmm.org
• www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org
• Below are a few more relevant websites for information or research:
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/
• http://www.besthistorysites.net/WWII.shtml
• http://www.wwiianimated.com/

Baby Mouse: Queen of the World!

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Holm, Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. BABYMOUSE: QUEEN OF THE WORLD! New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0-375-83229-1

AWARD(S) and STARS

• Gryphon Honor Book Award, 2006
• ALA Core Collection: Great Graphic Novels for Younger Readers, 2006
• ALSC Notable Children’s Books, 2006
• Booklist Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth, 2006

PLOT SUMMARY
The first of the popular Babymouse graphic novel series, Babymouse: Queen of the World “squeaks” volumes about the desire to be popular with the “in” crowd and friendship that outlasts everything. Spunky Babymouse shares her “typical” days of lockers that are stuck and whiskers that just won’t straighten out while using her imagination to battle squids, become “Babymouserella,” fly into space and navigate the spooky castle. Babymouse: Queen of the World will win your heart with its humor, quirkiness and links to real life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jennifer and Matthew Holm, a brother and sister team, create a lively tale about a young mouse navigating school, friends and life. Jennifer Holm, also known for her Newbery Honor Book winners Penny in Heaven, Our Only May Amelia and Turtle in Paradise, composes the snappy easy-to-follow manuscript based on brainstormed ideas that she and her brother remember about their childhoods. Children will relate to Babymouse’s life because it could easily be their own. Every part of this book has Babymouse appearing with a comment even on the copyright page she’s peering at all the information and comments in a speech bubble, “What is all this stuff?”

Matthew Holm creates the images from the storyboard his sister has created using black felt marker and splashes of pink. Most of the text is delivered in boxes and speech bubbles in regular comic strip format. Humor is also indicated in the illustrations like when the caption is “The Joy of Learning,” the giraffe is bent over backwards snoring, the cat is turned around in her seat, Babymouse is reading her detective book and another character is filing her nails. This is a great novel to get young girl readers interested in graphic novels.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS (2005) – “A new hero emerges in these graphic novels about the resolute mouse, Babymouse, who faces the average third-grade set of problems with an audacious sense of humor and a vivid imagination…. The artwork is simple and accessible; the black lines are sturdy yet energetic, and pink accents indicate Babymouse’s frequent daydream sequences and add touches of color. The sometimes sarcastic and always informative contrast between the understated narrative captions and the high-energy speech bubbles of the characters helps establish the separation between the way life appears to adults and the way it actually feels to children. Graphic novels for the early elementary set are rare, and this humorous and adventurous series will be snapped up.”
• CHILDREN’S LITERATURE (2005) – “Babymouse’s imaginative subplots are hilarious, as are the wonderful illustrations that give life to Babymouse and her friends and acquaintances. A delightful read for the middle elementary female reader who is looking for a quick read.”
• COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER CHOICES (2006) – “A perfect entrée into the land of graphic novels for grade school girls, Babymouse brims with humor and imagination. Babymousewill be met with open arms by libraries everywhere that are anxious to meet high demand for graphic novels, and especially eager to find good choices for younger readers.”

CONNECTIONS

• New to using graphic novels in the classroom? This website has a Teacher’s Guide just for you! Use this guide to help you get started sharing these literary treasures: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/teachers_guides/9780375857126.pdf.
• Want to get better connected to Babymouse? Try the Babymouse website at http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/babymouse/homepage.htm. Learn about Babymouse and her books, create your own Babymouse story, read about the authors, print posters, play games and send e-cards.
• After reading Babymouse: Queen of the World and other Babymouse graphic novels, students will realize they can create stories about their “typical” days. Using a storyboard format, have students create a comic strip story using an event from their day. Keep them simple and perhaps add one “splash” color to add emphasis like Matthew Holm does.

When You Reach Me

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. WHEN YOU REACH M: Listening Library CDs. Performed by Cynthia Holloway. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0739380727

OR
Stead, Rebecca. 2009. WHEN YOU REACH ME. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0-375-85086-8

AWARD(S) and STARS

• John Newbery Medal Winner, 2010
• ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2010
• Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature, 2010
• Indies Choice Book Awards Winner, 2010
• IRA Children’s and Young Adult’s Book Award Winner, 2010
• NCSS/ CBC Notable Children’s Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies Winner, 2010
• NCTE Notable Children’s Trade Books in Language Arts Winner, 2010
• Parents’ Choice Gold Award, 2009
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2009
• Andre Norton Award Finalist, 2009

PLOT SUMMARY
Miranda, also known as Mira, receives mysterious notes about saving someone’s life while navigating her own life during her sixth grade year in 1978. How does the person sending the notes know what’s going to happen before it actually happens? Miranda and her mom’s boyfriend Richard prepare her mom to be a contestant for “The $20,000 Pyramid” television game show. Learning to show sensitivity to a homeless man, finding out about epilepsy, becoming friends with her former “enemy” and taking the brunt of jokes for a girl too shy to ask to go to the bathroom, Mira realizes that “there are days when everything changes…”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Deemed a mystery and science fiction novel, Rebecca Stead merges a tale of a young girl trying to find her identity with a story about time travel, yet artfully keeps it a mystery until the end of the book. Narrated by Miranda as if she’s talking to the writer of the notes, readers will relate to Miranda’s relationship with her mother, new found love and budding friendships, while remembering old friendships and frustrations in flashbacks. Readers will see the courage and risks that Mira takes. In order to emphasize the climax, Stead artfully uses numbers, bold print and italics to emphasize events pinpointing the story’s peak exactly when it occurs.

Cynthia Holloway performs the narration of When You Reach Mealmost flawlessly. Her strong voice and tone keep the reader engaged in the story. She changes her voice slightly for different characters, yet not always accurately. This does not detract from the telling of the story. Offering this novel in audio form will delight readers of all ages and abilities.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• BOOKLIST (2009) -"[T]he mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children, and adults are honest bits of humanity no matter in whatplace or time their souls rest."
• HORN BOOK (2009) - "Closing revelations are startling and satisfying but quietly made, their reverberations giving plenty of impetus for the reader to go back to the beginning and catch what was missed."
• SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2009) "This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers."
• CHILDREN’S LITERATURE (2009) – “The movement between the ordinary and the fantastic creates a kind of magical realism, in which the extraordinary is every bit as acceptable as the everyday. Amusing, bemusing and occasionally plain puzzling, this book works its way to a deliciously twisty ending. It is an interesting, multi-layered book that can be read and interpreted at many levels.”
• LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION (2009) – “This well-written book is planned and executed to keep readers engaged until the very end. The author’s style is appealing because of her character development and clever plot vehicles. The topics are interesting and the short chapters keep the pace flowing quickly.”

CONNECTIONS

• In When You Reach Me, Miranda is reading “her” book, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Have several copies of this book available for students to read or to refer to as Miranda tells the story to Belle.
• Miranda is helping her mother prepare for the $20,000 Pyramid. Have students watch some clips of former episodes of the television show (YouTube offers a number of clips). The kids will probably get a kick out of the fashions and hairstyles of the contestants! Then have students create their own categories and lists to play $20,000 Pyramid with each other. This would be a great way to prepare for a culminating test to a subject area or vocabulary practice.
• Students will be intrigued by the time travel element from the novel. Have other books available with the time travel theme such as:
• TIME TRAVEL TRAP (Twisted Journeys) by Dan Jolley, ISBN 978-0822588740 – In this 111-page graphic novel the reader chooses what will happen next allowing for rereading and different combinations of plots.
• NICK OF TIME by Ted Bell, ISBN 978-0312380687 – Nick is thrown back and forth through time fighting pirates, Napoleon’s naval forces, and Nazi spies – a sure read for middle school boys.
• THE TIME MACHINE by H.G. Wells, ISBN 978-1403709905 – The classic 1895 science fiction novella offers students a view of the inspirational book that coined the concept of a “time machine.”

Dragon’s Gate

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yep, Laurence. 1993. DRAGON’S GATE. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0-06-440489-7

AWARD(S) and STARS

• John Newbery Medal, Honor Book, 1994
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, 2005

PLOT SUMMARY
Part of the Golden Mountain Chronicles, Dragon’s Gate is the story of Otter, adopted by a wealthy family friend living in Three Willows Village, China. Through an unfortunate accident, he kills a Manchu and must leave his “charmed life” to go to the “Land of the Golden Mountain”- America, to work with his Uncle Firefox and Father Squeaky constructing the transcontinental railroad. Otter befriends a young westerner named Sean, the son of the railroad bosses, realizing he’s an “outcast among outcasts,” yet heir to his uncle’s dreams and wisdom, he learns to “change things or go on being changed by events.” Through his tribulations and those of others – frostbite, whippings, explosions and an avalanche, Otter shows his ingenuity and backbone becoming the man he’s meant to be.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Laurence Yep weaves the events of 1865 to 1869 as he tells the story of 14-year-old Otter, the heir of his adoptive father Squeaky and Uncle Foxfire. He begins the story with great detail depicting the time and events occurring in China. The Chinese culture emerges throughout the book sometimes through conversations between Otter and his friend Sean like when they talk about chopsticks and forks. Vivid descriptions bring the reader to each scene, for example, “storm clouds like black-hulled warships on the attack” or “the (snow-covered) ridge reminded me of a tiger crouching, ready to spring.” Readers will relate to Otter as he changes becoming strong and unites his fellow workers.

Throughout the book Yep uses italics to indicate when the characters are speaking English instead of a Chinese dialect. At the conclusion of the book, an afterwards tells about the writing of Dragon’s Gate, the real events within the story and thanks to those who made it possible. Yep also includes a brief list of references aiding those interested in learning more about these events.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• BOOKLIST (1994) – “This is an engaging survival-adventure story, a social history, a heroic quest. While the long tale brings together the many hardships known to have been suffered by Chinese laborers--cold and hunger, poverty and exhaustion, maimings and death--it is leavened by some humor. The language has an appealing naturalism, and the concerns (equality, identity, family loyalty, ethnic conflict) are universally human.”
• KIRKUS (1993) – “In a story enlivened with humor and heroism, Yep pays tribute to the immigrants who played such a vital role in our country's history.”
• SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (1994) – “Combining believable characters with thrilling adventure, Yep convinces readers that the Chinese railroad workers were indeed men to match the towering mountains of the west. Because the first few chapters, set in China, may be a bit confusing to children who have not read the previous two books, this will likely need booktalking.”

CONNECTIONS

• This story is the tale of a Chinese immigrant during the construction of the transcontinental railroad. There are other tales of Chinese immigrants. Offering an array of books both fiction and nonfiction about immigration would enrich the knowledge of the “melting pot” of America and strengthen students’ understanding of diversity. Here are a few books to consider:
• THE DRAGON’S CHILD: A STORY OF ANGEL ISLAND by Lawrence Yep, ISBN 978-0060276928
• PUZZLE OF THE PAPER DAUGHTER: A JULIE MYSTERY by Kathryn Reiss, ISBN 978-1593696580
• LANDED by Milly Lee, ISBN 978-0374343149
• THE GOLD RUSH: CHINESE IMMIGRANTS COME TO AMERICA (1848-1882) by Jeremy Thornton, ISBN 978-0823989591

·         The building of the transcontinental railroad was a momentous occasion in United States history. Researching about the construction of the railroad and its effects would make students realize its effect. Also learning about the railroad and its uses today would help students realize its impact. If available, visiting a nearby railroad museum would be invaluable. To start, visiting Yahoo! Kids list of eight sites: http://kids.yahoo.com/directory/Around-the-World/Countries/United-States/History/Westward-Movement/Transcontinental-Railroad . 

Hattie Big Sky

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Larson, Kirby. 2006. HATTIE BIG SKY. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN 978-0385735957

AWARD(S) and STARS

• John Newbery Medal, Honor Book, 2007
• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, 2006
• Booklist Book Review Stars, 2006
• YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2007
• Cybil Award, 2006

PLOT SUMMARY

Orphaned at five years old and moved from place to place, Hattie Brooks, or “Hattie Big Sky” as she names herself, inherits a Montana homestead from her uncle. In 1917, as her friend Charlie “fights the Kaisers” in France and living in a nine by twelve foot claim shack, Hattie learns through hardships and victories that the most important element to living the life of a homesteader is friendship. Hattie’s sense of humor, strong work ethic and stick-to-itiveness help her through a winter blizzard, a wolf attack, planting crops, a drought, anti-German sentiment, and the birth of a neighbor’s baby with help from her new friends. Little does Hattie know, but she’s the reason Charlie wants to head to Montana too.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Told in the first person, Kirby Larson uses humor, creativeness, and historical elements to bring the reader to the early 1900s in the wide expanses of Montana. Interspersed throughout the text are accurate accounts of this historical time like the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, World War I, petticoats and spittoons, using the “Monkey Ward catalog” for toilet paper in the outhouse, taking irons off the wood burning stove, and fetching water from the pump to warm for a bath. Similar references to the Montana setting are made like when it’s explained that buffalo chips are used for fires in the stove instead of wood. Larson uses numerous similes and metaphors to help the reader understand the text and relate to Hattie – “greeted by a sky like a gray flannel crazy quilt” or “blood began to simmer like sage hen stew.” Added features are the letters Hattie writes to her Uncle Holt and friend Charlie, as well as newspaper articles she writes which help document somewhat like a journal events in her life.  

Larson begins the book with brief acknowledgements and in the end shares two recipes, author’s notes and suggests further reading about Montana from books she read for her research. According to her notes, many of the scenes in the novel are based on real events her great-grandmother encountered ash she homesteaded alone in Montana.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

·         BOOKLIST (2006) – “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 (2006) – “This well-researched and gripping novel firmly places its lively heroine in loneliness and debt on her rugged uncle's land claim….. (Hattie’s) discovery of enormous strength within herself as she makes independent decisions on what is right, how to lead her life, and build her character makes this a delightful and empowering book for young women who will enjoy some of the eccentric Montana characters as much as Hattie's forthrightness and intimate concerns.”

·         KIRKUS (2006) – “Based on a bit of Larson's family history, this is not so much a happily-ever-after story as a next-year-will-be-better tale, with Hattie's new-found definition of home. This fine offering may well inspire readers to find out more about their own family histories.”

CONNECTIONS

• Most communities have historical centers or homes which can offer an opportunity for personal experience with items from the early 1900s. Visiting these centers or bringing someone from the center to talk to students about that time period would bring to life the trials that Hattie experienced.
• Many references are made to items that were used in the 1900s that are no longer used now. Students can compile a list of those items and research what they were, how they were used and what they looked like. Then students can determine what items are used now instead and create a “Before and Now” display. Some items mentioned in the novel are: outhouses, party line phones, petticoats, homemade salve for blisters, spittoons, wagons, buffalo chips for fuel, and washboards.
• The novel offers two recipes – Perilee’s Wartime Spice Cake and Hattie’s Lighter-Than-Lead Biscuits. These would be good to serve during a presentation of projects centered on the historical events depicted in the novel or during literature circles.

One Crazy Summer

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 978-0-06-076089-2

AWARD(S) and STARS

• Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 2011
• John Newbery Medal, Honor Book, 2011
• Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2011
• Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2001
• Booklist Book Review Stars, 2010
• Kirkus Book Review Stars, 2010
• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, 2010

PLOT SUMMARY
During the late 60s, Delphine Clark and her sisters, Fern and Vonetta, fly to spend a month during the summer with their mother, a self-claimed poet, who left them seven years earlier and doesn’t want them now reflected in her comments like “I didn’t send for you.” and “Didn’t want you in the first place.” Having grown up with their father and under the stern but loving grandmother Big Ma, the girls try to understand their mother Cecile Johnson, also known as Nzila, and gain her love. In charge of her sisters from the time they left Brooklyn and all throughout their stay in Oakland, California, Delphine uses her ingenuity and strong will to protect them. She bathes them, feeds them and even comforts them through difficult times. Much of their time is spent at a summer camp sponsored by the Black Panthers staying out of their mother’s hair and learning to be proud of who they are regardless of skin color or who their mother is. Through their courage and respect, they earn their mother’s attention and her form of love.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Narrated by Delphine, the oldest of three African-American sisters, One Crazy Summer takes readers through the adventures the three have while in the care of their mother. The characters are realistic, funny and each have a voice of their own depicting typical sibling relationships and rivalry. Rita Williams-Garcia sensitively adds historically significant events that occurred during this tumultuous time in America’s history like the Vietnam War, the jailing of Huey Newton, young Bobby Hutton’s shooting and the underground circulations of the Black Panthers. She  artfully includes small details about the era by adding titles of current TV programs such as, Mighty Mouse, Captain Kangaroo, Hogan’s Heroes, The Mike Douglas Show and by describing the “”white hippies with long, hanging hair.” Throughout the book, readers will appreciate Delphine’s strength and courage and question her mother’s parenting skills or lack thereof.

Readers will be drawn into the book by the beautiful jacket art by Sally Wern Comport as Delphine “reminisces” about her One Crazy Summer daydreaming. Similar to art produced in the 60s, she reflects the setting with the bright hot yellow sun and cars from that time.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (2010) – “Emotionally challenging and beautifully written, this book immerses readers in a time and place and raises difficult questions of cultural and ethnic identity and personal responsibility. With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.”
• BOOKLIST(2010) – “Set during a pivotal moment in African American history, this vibrant novel shows the subtle ways that political movements affect personal lives; but just as memorable is the finely drawn, universal story of children reclaiming a reluctant parent’s love.”
• COOPERATIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK CENTER (2011) – “Rita Williams-Garcia’s fresh, funny novel resonates with depth and meaning that comes through the brilliant characterizations, sparkling dialogue, and a stunningly realistic recreation of a time and place in a story that concludes with a surprising, yet wholly satisfying resolution. She’s created a small masterpiece of a middle-grade novel that will have broad child appeal.”

CONNECTIONS

• Kekla Magoon’s The Rock and the River would be a good companion book to One Crazy Summer to compare and contrast the historical context, characters, and themes. Its strong protagonist is a 13-year-old boy also with ties to the Black Panthers. These would be good books to read in correlation to a study on the Civil Rights Movement.
• This book is rich with conversations between the sisters and others making this an excellent book for reader’s theater.
• Invite students to listen to Rita Williams-Garcia as she reads an excerpt of the book at http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=4049&a=1.
• The Vierbo University offers a downloadable unit plan at http://www.viterbo.edu/uploadedFiles/academics/letters/english/UnitPlanOneCrazySummer.pdfwhich includes discussion questions, daily writing prompts, vocabulary exercises, research projects, information on 1968 and more.

Almost Gone: The World’s Rarest Animals

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. 2006. ALMOST GONE: THE WORLD’S RAREST ANIMALS. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 978-0-06-053598-8

AWARD(S) and STARS

• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, 2006

PLOT SUMMARY
Are there any more crested shelduck in China? How about Miami blue butterflies in Florida? When was the last time someone saw a golden lion tamarin in the tropical forests of Brazil? Investigate animals that are near extinction and some that “gone forever” in Almost Gone: The World’s Rarest Animals. While discovering which animals are endangered, learn where to find these creatures and why their numbers are diminishing.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Stage 2 series book, Almost Gone: The World’s Rarest Animals, Steve Jenkins introduces rare and extinct animals in short informative paragraphs. He prefaces the animal pages with a statement about the difficulty in counting these animals and that the accuracy of the number of remaining creatures can be questioned. He also gives an example in an introduction of the interconnectivity of the ecosystem using the life of a chickadee. Three sections are included: animals that are “almost gone”, “gone forever” and “coming back.” A world map can be found at the back of the book showing where each animal’s natural habitat is located and their average sizes.

Jenkins, known for his unique creative style, captures the essence of each creature using colored, cut or torn paper collages to create each of the illustrations. The front cover dons an Amur leopard, but frustratingly, there isn’t an informational paragraph about this creature, yet it is located on the map. Although informative, a researcher would need to investigate further sources for in depth facts about each animal. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• School Library Journal (2006) – “This engaging title is informative as well as visually stunning.”
• Kirkus (2006) – “Although the breadth both geographically and zoologically is as complete as the 40-page picture-book format can allow, with the exception of an introduction, little attempt is made to contextualize the global dimensions of extinction and its effects on biodiversity-and why readers should be concerned.”
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (2006) – “Since there’s no connecting narrative, this is more like a series of thumbnail encyclopedia entries, and since there’s no rationale for inclusion of these particular species over other endangered, extinct, and reviving species, the selections seem somewhat random. Jenkins’ textured-paper composite figures retain their usual elegance, with color variations subtly suggesting the shimmer of scales or the shine of glistening skin.”

CONNECTIONS

• Research the animals in the book to see if there has been progress made in saving the animals close to extinction or research other animals that may be extinct or close to extinction and write a detailed informative paragraph similar to those that Steve Jenkins has written, then create a diorama of the animal in its natural habitat.
• Research zoos that have animals in captivity in order to protect them and increase their numbers. Then have the students write to that zoo to gain information about those animals and what the zoo is doing to help the animals.