Scholastic Discover More: Planets

Scholastic Discover More: Planets 

by Penelope Arlon and Tory Gordon-Harris
Scholastic Inc., 2012
ISBN: 9780545330282
Grades 2 and up

The reviewer received a copy of the book from the publisher.

A few months ago, Louise and I posted a piece about how to evaluate nonfiction for children. In that post we described the different types of nonfiction texts (browser, specialized, concept, biography, and how-to).

Some nonfiction texts delve deeply into one topic. You can usually tell those books by the pages of back matter including source notes, extensive bibliography and notes from the author. Bomb: The Race to Build- and Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin fits into the "specialized" category.

Another type of nonfiction text is the "browser." Children in my library check out a lot of browsers. They love to share interesting facts and stats with their friends as they pore over the photos and information in "browsers" such as world record books. Scholastic Discover More: Planets falls into the browser category.

This book will appeal to children as soon as they open the cover. Colorful photographs and illustrations will capture their attention, and the information is presented in a manner that children who are beginning to read independently will find easy to comprehend. Scholastic offers three levels of books in the Discover More series: emergent reader, confident reader, and expert reader. Discover More: Planets is categorized as a book for confident readers.

Fans of mythology will enjoy the section that shows how each planet is named for a Roman god. A two-page timeline provides readers with important dates in space exploration. Each planet is presented on a two-page spread. The information is presented in small chunks and in the form of fact boxes and captions. The book is designed so that readers may open to any page and begin reading, which many developing readers find less daunting than reading an entire nonfiction text from cover to cover. Students in need of in-depth information for research projects may find this series limiting. However, the books will please readers who want to sit back, relax and learn about science.

Each book in the series comes with access to a free digital book. The e-book companion for Discover More: Planets was impressive. The digital text focused on space machines and included close-up photographs of the Mars rovers along with photos and illustrations of space probes and satellites. Readers will enjoy testing their space knowledge with the "Quick Quiz." Scholastic Discover More: Planets has the potential to inspire young readers to check out more nonfiction books about the solar system and outer space.

To see the complete list of books in the Scholastic Discover More series, visit the site: http://www.scholastic.com/discovermore/

Rabbit's Snow Dance by James and Joseph Bruchac

A look back at a folktale from 2012.

Rabbit's Snow Dance
As told by James & Joseph Bruchac; Illustrated by Jeff Newman
Dial Books. 2012
ISBN: 9780803732704
Grades K and up
I checked out a copy of this book from my local public library.

Do you go out looking for pussy willows? In this entertaining take on a traditional Native American fable, father and son storytelling pair, Joseph and James Bruchac have re-told this engaging cautionary tale about how pussy willows came to be. 

Long ago, Rabbit had a long, beautiful tail. But even though his tale was long, his patience was short. When Rabbit wanted something he chanted, I want it. I want it. I want it right now!

What is sending Rabbit into a tantrum is his desire to eat the tasty leaves and buds at the top of the trees, but he can't reach them. If there was snow, Rabbit could easily reach them with his big snowshoe feet that allow him to walk on top of the snow. But, it is summertime. Rabbit decides it should snow right now, so he starts his special snow song and dance, ignoring the pleas from the other animals.

I bet you can guess the outcome. Rabbit sings and dances and soon there is so much snow - too much-- it covers all but the top leaves of the tallest tree. Worn out from all that dancing and singing, and before he takes one bite, Rabbit takes a long nap at the top of that tree. It is when he wakes, the snow all melted by the hot summer sun, that he falls down, down, down and little pieces of his tail get caught on one branch and another. And, ever since then, at the time of year when the snow goes away, you can see those little furry pieces of Rabbit's tale stuck on certain trees. Some call them pussy willows...

Newman's colorful illustrations, rendered in watercolor, gouache, and ink, are terrific. They show very expressive animals. From the worried looks of the bear and moose to the almost giddy smiles of Lynx, Otter, and Grouse who help with the snow dance, the pictures perfectly complement this tale about patience.

Be forewarned. When sharing this story with any age, Rabbit's snow chant is contagious. 

"Ee-OOO!"
Thump! Thump!
"Ee-OOO!"
Thump! Thump!
"Yo, Yo, Yo!
Yo, Yo, Yo!"

Happy Spring!

Listen to Joe tell a version of this traditional tale.

Read Debbie Reese's review on her blog American Indians in Children's Literature.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909

By Michelle Markel; Pictures by Melissa Sweet

Balzer + Bray (an imprint of HarperCollins) 2013

ISBN: 978-0-06-1804427

Grades 2 and up

I used a copy from the public library for this review

In 1909, thousands of young women, many just twelve years old, streamed from factories to strike. One young woman, Clara Lemlich, was their leader. In Brave Girl, Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 Michelle Markel celebrates how Clara stood up for what she believed was right and set in motion a strike that would make conditions better for garment workers in NYC and throughout the United States. 

This book tells the true story of Clara Lemlich, a Jewish immigrant who came to America to flee persecution in Eastern Europe. After moving with her family into the tenements in NYC, no one will hire Clara’s father. They will, however, hire Clara. Like thousand of other immigrant girls, Clara becomes a garment worker. They earn a few dollars a month, but it helps pay for food and rent. So instead of carrying books to school, many girls carry sewing machines to work. This was not the America Clara had imagined. Fed up with the horrible working conditions (Has everyone read Lyddie by Katherine Paterson, Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix, or Bobbin Girl by Emily Arnold McCully?) Clara begins speaking out, urging her fellow workers to team up and join a union. When she spoke out against the factory owners, Clara was beaten, arrested seventeen times, and had six ribs broken, but they can’t break her spirit.

Maine artist, Melissa Sweet, uses watercolor, gouache, and mixed media to create the paintings used in this book. Sweet frames each illustration to give the impression we are looking through a scrapbook, seeing snapshots of Clara’s life. They capture Clara’s determination and reflect the spirit of the thousands of women who stuck together to make their lives a bit better. There is one quite stunning illustration that allows us to look down on rows and rows of young women bent over their sewing tables. It gives one the perspective of how cramped their working conditions were. 

The combination of text and illustrations work together to make Brave Girl a must read for those in grades 5 and up. An author’s note give more back story about the garment industry, and the bibliography lists general and primary sources.

Brave Girl is a very powerful story. When addressing older students, use it to explain the benefits of Unions, the horrors of sweatshops in other countries, and how they -- the students -- can make a difference. 

Highly recommended.

To see selected pages from this book, go here.
For more books celebrating Women's History Month, go to Kidlit.

To learn more about women leadership, go here.

From the Backlist: The Mermaid Queen and other titles for Women's History Month

Mermaid Queen: The Spectacular True Story of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way to Fame, Fortune & Swimsuit History!
by Shana Corey
illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
Scholastic Press, 2009
ISBN: 9780439698351
Grades: K-5

The reviewer borrowed a copy of the book from her school library.

Each month we'll be visiting nonfiction titles from past as part of our "From the Backlist" series. (The backlist is publishing term for books published in previous years.)

This month is we're celebrating Women's History Month, and one of my favorite picture book biographies is Mermaid Queen. This book is full of kid appeal! Corey eloquently tells the story of Annette Kellerman, a woman who made swimming for pleasure and fitness acceptable for women at the turn of the last century. Kellerman began swimming to strengthen her legs when she was a child. Swimming made her strong, and she loved it. Kellerman enjoyed swimming, diving and showing girls they could be athletes, too. People were shocked when she attempted to swim the English Channel, and she stunned Americans with her athletic bathing suit that showed off her legs. Kellerman's amazing life story coupled with Corey's narrative style and rich word choice make this a perfect book to read aloud.

"When she wasn't racing, she daydreamed about the ballerinas she'd loved as a little girl. She whirled and twirled, She dipped and danced and dived. No was was sure exactly what she was doing, but Annette didn't care one bit. She loved her new invention. It wasn't quite water ballet, and it wasn't quite swimming- it was water ballet!"

Bold computer illustrations will delight readers. Splashes of water in bright blue and orange are used in backgrounds and as frames around illustrations. An author's note give provides readers with further information about Kellerman. It's evident from the source notes that Corey did extensive research when writing the book. Not only is this book fun to read aloud to children, it's also important to show them how far we have evolved as a society. The next time kids see women swimming in the Olympics, they'll think of Annette Kellerman, the Mermaid Queen.

Be sure to visit the Kidlit Celebrates Women's History blog for articles and book reviews by a variety of kidlit authors and bloggers: http://kidlitwhm.blogspot.com/

Here are some other excellent books to share with children during Women's History Month (with links to our reviews). 

Here Come the Girl Scouts!

by Shana Corey, illustrated by Hadley Hooper

In the Bag!: Margaret Knight Wraps It Up

by Monica Kulling, illustrated by David Parkins

Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle

by Claire A. Nivola

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise

by Jan Pinborough, illustrated by Debby Atwell

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

by Alicia Potter, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero

by Melissa Moss, illustrated by John Hendrix

Elizabeth Leads the Way

by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon

Look Up!: bird-watching in your own backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate

Look Up!: Bird-watching in your own backyard

Written and illustrated by Annette Leblanc Cate

Candlewick Press. 2013

ISBN: 9780763645618

Grades 4 and up

The publisher sent a copy for review.

If you have students, friends, or you yourself are interested in learning how to identify birds then read Look Up! It is a terrific introduction to not just watching birds, but how to sketch them as well. Cate’s cartoon illustrations of birds, dozens of them, chatting about their unique and distinctive characteristics are combined with tons of birding facts, great suggestions for how to observe birds, and helpful tips on sketching what you see. Go here and click on ‘view an inside slide’)

Bird watching doesn’t have to include high tech instruments. The author recommends leaving your binoculars inside. Instead, one needs practice seeing the whole bird..its shape, size, and the way it moves. Birds are, by far, the easiest-to-see of all wild creatures. No matter how small your corner of the world, there will be some birds in it. You might be amazed at just how thrilling it can be to see new birds, find out about them, and learn their names.

Cate goes on to emphasize that by spending time outside observing what’s around you can help you to see the world of birds in a whole new way. When you take the time to sit and patiently draw them [birds], you do more than see them: you experience them. You feel more connected to the natural world, more at home in it.  Cate believes that once you become aware of the birds in your backyard, and you've paid attention to their shape, color, habits, and songs, then is the time to open a field guide to find out more details. Great advice! 

As I said earlier, there is so much detail in this book, but one never feels overwhelmed. This book is perfect for those who learn best with the combination of picture and text. Placed throughout are side charts with more information. Also, a bibliography, and an index.

Even the endpapers are packed with tips for enjoying this life-long hobby. Cate says, One of the best things about bird-watching is that it’s a hobby that you can have for your whole life. And if you keep sketchbooks, you’ll have a record of your lifelong pursuit, and that will be an amazing thing to have. This definitely will be one of my top Ten books for 2013.

Display with Bateman’s Backyard Birds by Robert Bateman, and The Boy who Drew Birds: a story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies; illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

Here Come the Humpbacks by April Pulley Sayre

Here Come the Humpbacks!

Written by April Pulley Sayre; Illustrated by Jamie Hogan

Charlesbridge. 2013

ISBN: 9781580894050

Ages 4-7

I received a copy of the book from the illustrator.

Flippers paddle. Flukes push. In every ocean on Earth, humpback whales swim.

Acclaimed science writer, April Pulley Sayre (Stars Beneath Your Bed) and Maine illustrator Jamie Hogan (Warmer World) have teamed up in Here Come the Humpbacks, a nifty informational picture book for a slightly older audience that introduces children to whale migration.  

The main text follows a mother humpback as she gives birth to her calf, and their eventual migration from the Caribbean Sea to Stellwagen Banks in the Gulf of Maine. The main narrative text uses short, informational sentences.

By April, the waters are quieter. The escort whale and most other whales have migrated. But the calf and his mother still cruise the reefs. She has not eaten for six months. She is ten tons lighter than she was last May. 

The mother does not have teeth for tearing, and the passage from her mouth to her stomach is small. She needs many small fish in one big bite. Those fish swim in cold waters, far, far north. It is time, at last, to migrate. 

Supplementing the text are expository sidebars. 

Teeth or No Teeth

Whales are divided into two main types: toothed whales and baleen whales. Toothed whales, such as orcas, use their sharp teeth to catch fish and other prey. Humpback whales are baleen whales. Baleen is a stiff fringe that hangs down from each side of a whale’s mouth. It is made of keratin, the same material that makes up human fingernails and hair. The baleen acts as a sieve to keep food in the whale’s mouth as the water drains out.” 

 As the whales travel north, they do face many dangers, either from predators (orcas) and environmental challenges (ocean pollution, busy shipping lanes)

Jamie Hogan’s illustrations, done in charcoal pencil and pastel on sanded paper are expansive. Using muted blues, greens, and grays (with a splash of red) we are immersed in the ocean world of the humpbacks. There are a few pages where the black text over the darker tones of the illustrations makes it difficult to read. 

The book lacks additional reading recommendations, but Pulley does include a comment about whale migration, the difficulties studying whales, and how the number of humpbacks is slowly increasing. A fine addition to libraries.

Pair this with Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out! by April Pulley Sayre, Surprising Sharks by Nicola Davies, The Whale Scientists: solving the mystery of whale strandings by Fran Hodgkins,

And for fun, Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr.

Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin

Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin  
by Robert Byrd
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012
ISBN: 9780803737495
Grades 3-8
The reviewer borrowed a copy of the book from her public library.

Robert Byrd recently won a 2013 Sibert Honor and an Orbis Pictus Honor for Electric Ben. In January, we included the title in a list of books from 2012 we wished we had reviewed. Well, there's no time like the present!

Upon opening the picture book biography, it's easy to see why this book was recognized by the Sibert committee. Byrd's ink and watercolor illustrations will attract the attention of middle grade readers. The layout of each page is different, which makes turning the page exciting. On one page, the intricate illustrations show Franklin as a young man standing on the streets of Philadelphia munching on bread with brick buildings and the waterfront in the background. On the accompanying page a small illustration in a circle depicts Franklin on board a ship writing his observations of flying fish and dolphins. Detailed captions describe each of Byrd's illustrations.

The book follows Franklin's life from his early years growing up in Boston to his move to Philadelphia where he started his printing shop to later years spent in Europe. Readers will learn about Benjamin Franklin the witty writer, inventor, and statesman. Franklin was constantly looking for ways to help improve the lives of others. We can thank Mr. Franklin for libraries. He formed a "lending club" that became the first library in the America.

"Franklin was the key founder of the first hospital in America. He sponsored a police force, where townspeople paid to have their streets patrolled. He formed a volunteer fire brigade. It became the nation's first full-time firefighting force."

Even though this is a picture book biography, the audience is for older elementary and middle school students. There is a lot of print on page that might overwhelm beginning readers, but proficient readers will be amazed by the accomplishments of our founding father. The back matter (author's note, timeline and bibliography) is comprehensive. Readers will be interested in the "About the Pictures" section where Byrd explains how he based the color palette on Colonial colors and describes the research to illustrate the book.

Electric Ben deserves a place in a juvenile biography collection. It's unlike other biographies of Benjamin Franklin, and it's a prime example of how picture books can be for older readers, too.

A Splash of Red: the life and art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant

A Splash of Red: the life and art of Horace Pippin

Written by Jen Bryant; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Knopf. 2013

ISBN: 9780375867125

All ages

I used a copy checked out from my local public library for this review.

It's snowing, again, here in Maine. Everywhere I look it is white…white…white. 

How perfect, then, to read A Splash of Red. The team that gave us A River of Words: the story of William Carlos Williams (Caldecott honor, 2009) has again paired up to write this beautiful and inspiring story about a man who had lost the use of his right arm, his drawing arm, but through sheer determination he overcomes his injury to draw and paint again.

Horace Pippin, a self-taught American artist, was born on February 22, 1888, in the town of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Horace grew fast -- so fast that his mother could barely keep up with the mending. "He’ll be a giant someday,” the neighbors would say. Grandma Pippin smiled at Horace’s long legs and big hands. She figured the neighbors were right. 

Though Horace had to work hard helping his family by fetching flour for his mother, sorting laundry, holding the milk delivery horse, or playing with his baby brother, in the evenings Horace always took time to sketch out what he’d seen that day. Using scrapes of paper and charcoal, Horace loved to draw. He loved the feel of the charcoal as it slid across the floor. He loved looking at something in the room and making it come alive again in front of him. He loved thinking about a friend or a pet, then drawing them from the picture in his mind.

The book traces the major turning points in Pippin’s life. Though he worked, he continued to draw until, while fighting in World War I, a bullet badly damaged his right arm. When it healed, he couldn’t lift or move it the way he used to. Now, when someone said, “Make a picture for us, Horace!”...Horace could not. Yet, he continued to make picture in his head. And then one evening, With his left hand, he grasped his right wrist. He thrust the poker into the flames until it glowed red-hot. Using his good arm to move the hurt one, he scorched lines into wood. Horace, with much patience and determination, began to draw again.  

The magnificent Maine artist Melissa Sweet, using her signature style of mixing illustration rendered in watercolor, gouache, with collage art are perfect companions for Bryant’s text. Together, they create a tone of light and joy. In her illustrator’s note, Sweet explains how she made the art supplies Pippin won in the contest, I re-created the brushes and pencils, which I carved from basswood and painted to look as realistic as the ones Horace might have received. I learned, too, that once he got those art supplies, Pippin used them to make small oval paintings on muslin of Bible scenes. I’ve imagined one of those paintings on the title page.

A Splash of Red is a wonderful example of quality nonfiction. The text is accessible, factual, and lists resources for more information: books, films, and websites for further reading. Sprinkled throughout the book are quotes from Pippin and Sweet lists her sources.

This is a beautiful, inspiring book; an introduction to an important American artist. Perfect for all libraries.

Visit the website set up for this book that has a lots of great stuff, including a book trailer. 

Also visit Sweet’s website...Don’t you love the quote! and Jen Bryant’s website.

From the Backlist- Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky

Last week Louise reviewed Miss Moore Thought Otherwise. The picture book biography describes how librarian Anne Carroll Moore made libraries more accessible to children in the early 1900s. We thought it would be the perfect time to revisit another nonfiction book about dedicated librarians who went to great lengths to make sure their patrons had access to information.

Down Cut Shin Creek: The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky
by Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannela Schmitzer
Harper Collins, 2001
ISBN: 0060291354
Grades 4-8
The reviewer borrowed a copy of the book from her public library.

Many nonfiction books have been written about the Great Depression, but few people know about the pack horse librarians of Kentucky. In 1933, the Work Progress Administration was created to put Americans back to work by paying people to build roads, schools, parks, etc... The WPA also paid librarians to travel into the mountains on horseback to bring reading material to residents of remote areas of Kentucky.

"The Kentucky pack horse librarians were tough. They had to be in order to travel atop horses and mules over the rockiest terrain, through all kinds of weather..."

In just fifty-eight pages, Appelt and Schmitzer eloquently tell the story of the tough, determined and caring librarians who made special connections with their patrons. They were all local women (and even a few men) who knew what people wanted to read. The librarians provided their own horses, the books and magazines were donated by local organizations, and the salaries were paid by the WPA. Readers will be intrigued by the dozens of black and white photographs showing librarians reading with patrons in their cabins, delivering books on horseback, and greeting school children.

Although the pack horse librarian program ended in 1943, it made a great impact on improving the lives of adults and children in isolated parts of Kentucky. The authors did their research, and an extensive bibliography is included in the back of the book. Down Shin Creek is an inspiring story that will capture the attention of middle grade readers while teaching them about U.S. history. Unfortunately, Down Cut Shin Creek is now out of print, so hold on to the copies that you own or pick up a used copy if you can. With the Common Core State Standards requiring more high quality, narrative nonfiction in schools, Harper Collins would be wise to reprint this gem.

Check out these books about other amazing librarians.

Hands Around the Library: Protecting Egypt's Treasured Books

by Susan L. Roth and Karen Leggett Abouraya

Biblioburro: A True Story from Columbia

by Jeanette Winter

My Librarian is  Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World by 

Margriet Ruurs

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter

Lincoln's Grave Robbers by Steve Sheinkin

Lincoln's Grave Robbers
Steve Sheinkin
Scholastic. 2013
ISBN: 9780545405720
Grades 5 and up
An uncorrected proof provided by the publisher was used for this review.

Why did a few cony men, those who deal in counterfeit money, decide to steal Lincoln’s body? 

In Lincoln's Grave Robbers, we learn that the idea to run off with our 16th president’s body was to get Benjamin Boyd, one of the nation's top engrave of counterfeit plates, out of jail.  He had been arrested on October 20, 1875. Money made from Boyd’s plates were so close to the real thing that it was extremely difficult to identify, so without Boyd’s talent, counterfeiter’s were no longer on easy street. 

Desperate to get him out of jail was James “Big Jim” Kennally, boss of counterfeiting around Chicago. Kennally's plan was to steal Lincoln’s body from his tomb in Springfield,IL and hold it as ransom until Boyd was released from prison and he got $200,000 in cash. Kennally and his gang decided that to stage the event on election night, November 7, 1876. This particular election, between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden, would go down in history as the most contentious election in American history. (that is until 2000.) Who would notice a trio of strangers in Springfield amidst all those who were there to vote. The Lincoln Monument would be deserted -- everyone would be in town, voting and then waiting for election results to come into the newspaper offices by telegraph. And later that night, as they sped off with Lincoln's casket, the roads would be conveniently busy. "A wagon going along the roads would not be noticed," Swegles later explained, "since those who saw it would think it contained farmers going home from the polls."

The theft almost worked, but for Lewis C. Swegles, a career criminal turned snitch, “a roper”, who kept the Secret Service informed of every detail. If not for Swegles, the plot would not have been intercepted nor the criminals caught and brought to justice. 

Steve Sheinkin once again digs back into our history to uncover a fascinating story and pulls it all together in a page turner reminiscent of the hard-boiled detective stories of the 1920’s. We learn how Secret Service agents conducted their sting operation without the use of today’s high-tech tools, just good old-fashioned police know-how.

The addition of historic photos, all well-captioned, adds depth to this exciting event. As with other books by Sheinkin (The Notorious Benedict Arnold & Bomb), once I begin reading I can't stop until the end. He writes so well. The one difference I did feel with Lincoln's Grave Robbers was the narrative slowed a bit as Sheinkin tried to cover additional topics -- counterfeiting, stealing bodies for medical research, the formation of the secret service, and the reburial of Lincoln’s body in Springfield. These were important to the overall narrative, but it did feel as if he was getting off topic for a few pages, then he'd go back to the main topic and things would pick up. I bet he would be an entertaining speaker. Readers will be glad to have the listing of all the names mentioned in the text. That helped me keep track of the who was a good guy and who was not. In addition, included are a glossary of phrases (shover, pipe, boodle game, and hack), plus source notes, an index, and a Body Snatcher Bonus Section.  

Display Lincoln’s Grave Robbers with Candace Fleming’s, The Lincolns: a scrapbook look at Abraham and Mary, Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: the story behind the friendship by Russell Freedman, Second Sight by Gary Blackwood, Assassin by Anna Myers, An Acquaintance with Darkness by Ann Rinaldi.

For a virtual tour of Lincoln's tomb, go here.

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise

Written by Jan Pinborough; illustrated by Debby Atwell

Houghton Mifflin. 2013

ISBN: 9789547471051

I received a copy of the book from the publisher.

In the 1870’s many people thought a girl should stay inside and do quiet things such as sewing and embroidery. But Annie thought otherwise.

And so begins Miss Moore Thought Otherwise: How Anne Carroll Moore Created Libraries for Children written by Jan Pinborough; illustrated by Maine artist Debby Atwell.

Pinborough uses simple language to introduce to readers the real-life accomplishments of Anne Carroll Moore, the person credited with defining the role of children librarians. Born in Limerick, Maine on July 12, 1871, Moore graduated from the Pratt Institute one-year library program in 1896. Her first job was organizing a children’s room at the Pratt Institute. Some libraries were beginning to let children come inside, but Annie’s library had something brand new – a library room planned just for children. Children could come in and takes books off the shelves. And in the evenings Annie read aloud to them—just as her father had read to her.

After ten years working at Pratt, Moore became supervisor of the children’s section of all thirty-six branches of the New York Public Library. She saw that many librarians did not let children touch the books, for fear that they would smudge their pages or break their spines. They thought if children were allowed to take books home, they would surely forget to bring them back. But Miss Moore thought otherwise. While at the New York Public Library, she encouraged librarians to talk with children and share stories. When it was announced that a grand new library would be built on Fifth Avenue and Forty-Second Street, Miss Moore was determined to make its new Central Children’s Room the best it could be for all the children of New York.

Gracing the text is the folksy art of Maine artist Debby Atwell. Her primitive style illustrations use acrylic paint in thick strokes and bold colors and show adults and children enjoying the many wonderful opportunities at Miss Moore’s library.  

Pinborough includes an author’s note and a good listing of books for further reading. Watch the book trailer created by the Mooresville Public Library.

All that librarians do everyday to enrich the lives of children, encouraging them to love books with a wide variety of programming can all be traced back to this quintessential librarian. Maybe we could encourage ALSC (the Association for Library Service to Children) to create an Anne Carroll Moore Day as a way to acknowledge and celebrate Moore and her contemporaries for their work in making libraries accessible to children.

Nonfiction Awards

A lot has happened in the past two weeks. Louise and I traveled to Seattle to attend the American Library Association's Midwinter Conference. While we were at the conference, a number of children's literature awards were announced. Here's a re-cap of recent award results (with links to our reviews).

The National Council for Teachers of English announced the winner of the 2013 Orbis Pictus Award. The Orbis Pictus recognizes "excellence in the writing of nonfiction for children." We are pleased that the winner of the 2013 Orbis Pictus Award is Monsieur Marceau by Leda Schubert and Gerard DuBois. Not only did we review this picture book biography, but we named it one of our Top Ten Biographies of 2012.

2013 Orbis Pictus Winner

Monsieur Marceau by Leda Schubert, illustrated by Gerard Dubois

(Named a 2012 Top Ten Biography by the Nonfiction Detectives.)

2013 Orbis Pictus Honor Books

Citizen Scientists by Loree Griffin Burns

(Named a 2012 Top Ten Science & Math Book by the Nonfiction Detectives.)

Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin by Robert Byrd

The Mighty Mars Rovers by Elizabeth Rusch

(Named a 2012 Top Ten Science and Math Book by the Nonfiction Detectives.)

Those Rebels, John & Tom by Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham

We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children's March by Cynthia Levinson

(Named a 2012 Top Ten History Book by the Nonfiction Detectives.)

ALA Youth Media Awards

Robert F. Sibert Medal Informational Book Medal

The Sibert Medal is awarded annually to the author and illustrator of "the most distinguished informational book published in the United States." The award is sponsored by ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children), and the award is for informational books for children up to age 14.

The winner of the Sibert Medal was announced during the ALA Youth Media Awards last week in Seattle. I was in the room when the announcement was made, and the winning title received a lot of cheers and applause from the audience.

2013 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner

Bomb: The Race to Build -and Steal- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin

(Named a 2012 Top Ten History Book by the Nonfiction Detectives.)

Bomb also won a 2013 Newbery Honor and a YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults. 

2013 Sibert Honor Books

Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin by Robert Byrd

Moonbird: A Year on the Wind with the Great Survivor B95 by Phillip Hoose

(Named a 2012 Top Ten Science and Math Book by the Nonfiction Detectives.)

Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson

Other Nonfiction Books That Were Recognized

My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf won an Alex Award.

 It was named one of ten adult books for teen readers.

Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal was a finalist for YALSA's Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adult Readers Award.

Andrea Davis Pinkney won a Coretta Scott King Author Award for Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America.

THE NONFICTION DETECTIVES' TIPS FOR EVALUATING NONFICTION

Nonfiction is a hot topic right now. It kicked in when states began adopting the Common Core State Standards. It makes us happy to know more children will be exposed to nonfiction, because we LOVE it!  

Recently, we were asked to present a workshop for librarians on how we evaluate nonfiction. What do we think about each time we crack open a book. We thought we'd share the highlights from our workshop with you.

WHAT TYPE OF NONFICTION IT IS?

• Survey – these books provide readers with an overview of a topic  
• Concept – books in this category cover abstract ideas or classification – life cycles  
• Specialized – topics are delved into more deeply and may use primary or secondary resources 
• Biography/Autobiography – the story of a person's life, either written by them or someone else
• How-To – gives directions

Once we determine the type, we move on to the meatier stuff.

WHO IS THE AUTHOR? 

• What are the author's credentials?
• We read the introduction, preface, author’s note, and author's note (if provided).

BACK MATTER

• How much of the author’s research is documented?
• Does the book have the following: Epilogue, Author's Note, Appendix, Glossary, Source Notes, Bibliography, Bibliographical Information, Timeline, Index, Table of Contents?
• Is a nonfiction book still good if it lacks any or all of these things?

ORGANIZATION
How is the information presented?

Is it:  Chronological, Description/List/How-To, Classification, Cause and Effect?

WRITING STYLE

• Expository (just the facts)
• Narrative --Straight narrative or Second person
• Persuasive
• Poetry
• Descriptive

TONE
Is the author trying to persuade readers or present a particular point of view?

DESIGN

This is how everything in the book is put together (maps, charts, photos, side bars, captions, etc...). Do sidebars or information boxes force readers to turn several pages before break up sentences?  How do the text and visual elements work together to help readers digest the information?

AUDIENCE

Once you’ve read the book, ask yourself: Who is the target audience? Do all of the ingredients match the target? 

All books are flawed. The question is: Do the flaws detract from the overall quality?

The House That George Built

The House That George Built
by Suzanne Slade
illustrated by Rebecca Bond
Charlesbridge, 2012
ISBN: 9781580892629
Grades K-5

The reviewer received a copy of the book from the publisher.

Attention will be on The White House next week as President Barack Obama is inaugurated for a second term as President of the United States. The House That George Built is the perfect book for children who want to know more about the history of the President's home. The book has a lot of kid appeal. Each two-page spread contains a paragraph about how the White House was built accompanied by a rhyme in the style of This Is the House That Jack Built.

"This is the foundation,
that was dug for our nation,
that held the design,
that would stand for all time,
that was drawn for the lot,
that grand, scenic spot,
for the President's House that George built."

Young readers will enjoy hearing about the contest to design the president's home. They may be surprised to learn that President Washington helped to survey the land and measure the building site. A shortage of stone forced Washington to change the design from three stories to two. Ink and watercolor illustrations use the entire page; illustrations show workers laying bricks, chiseling stone and cutting lumber during construction. After all the planning and work, George Washington didn't live to see the White House finished. John and Abigail Adams moved into the home in 1800, the year after Washington died.

History buffs won't want to miss the page of interesting White House facts located in the back of the book. An author's note provides readers with further information; Slade points out that "Slaves, hired from their owners, and free black men also worked on this immense construction project."

The combination of rhyme, short informational paragraphs and delightful illustrations make The House That George Built an excellent read aloud for a range of ages. 

It's Nonfiction Monday! Head over to 100 Scope Notes to read the reviews.