Informational/Non-Fiction book reviews

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krull, Kathleen. 2000. Lives of Extraordinary Women: rulers, rebels, (and what the neighbors thought). Ill. by Kathryn Hewitt. Orlando: Harcourt Inc. ISBN 0152008071

PLOT SUMMARY
This is a great informational book about 20 extraordinary women throughout history. The women profiled in the book are noted for either positive or negative attributes in history. A very interesting read of historical facts, humorous comments, and awe-inspiring acts of heroism that leaps from page to page.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Considering Kathleen Krull's 20 plus years of reliable experience, I'm inclined to believe the information presented in the book to be true. Krull carefully annotates facts from rumors and gossip. In addition, Krull uses standard punctuation to separate her personal thoughts (e.g., parenthesis).
Organization is great. It is very simple to navigate through the book and peruse through the table of contents before reading, if one wants to skip ahead to another profile. The illustrations and design of the book was well done. The illustrations were done in watercolor and color pencil. Each profile is accompanied by a caricature of each woman and displays elements listed within the description of the individual's lifestyle, hobbies, or known characteristics. For example, Queen Victoria is drawn wearing boots--that are slightly revealed as she stepping on a stack of books, illustrating her love for hiking and reading Jane Austen novels.
Krull's style of writing is comical, informative, and clearly understood for various age groups. Krull excellently highlighted intimate details about each woman--stuff that is typically not noted within standard history books (i.e., missing teeth, sugar addictions, poisonous facial make-up, etc.). Any reader can learn new things about each woman. There are several notable tidbits listed within, for instance: Harriet Tubman also "served for more than three years as spy, nurse, and the only woman to lead troops into battle" after her success with the underground railroad; Cleopatra "coped with the required marriage to her ten-year-old brother". To help the reader relate and apply the information to modern life, Krull adds an EVER AFTER section per profile--"Hillary Rodham Clinton said in 1995,...used (Eleanor Roosevelt) her as evidence that a first lady can influence policy and remain popular".

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
KIRKUS review: “Fabulous reading, great for research, deliciously and subversively feminist, this will sit happily on the shelf with the presidents, artists, musicians, and others this duo has covered so well…. Krull packs an astonishing amount of information in three to five pages of biography for these [20] female rulers… Hewitt’s illustrations remain dazzling.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “As with other titles in this nicely thought-out series… a captivating browsers' delight and a jumping-off point for report writers.”

CONNECTIONS
Other related information books:
Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Musicians: Good Times, Bad Times (and What the Neighbors Thought) . ISBN 0152164367
Krull, Kathleen. Masterpieces, Messes (and What the Neighbors Thought). ISBN 0152001034

Awards
2001 Burr Award for Best Book of the Year by a Wisconsin book creator
Voice of Youth Advocates' Nonfiction Honor Book

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour. 2000. Out of Sight: Pictures of Hidden Worlds. Ill. by NASA and various photographers. New York: Sea Star Books. ISBN 1587170116

PLOT SUMMARY
This book introduces the reader to worlds not seen by the naked eye--via microscope or telescope. Colorful photographs throughout will wow the reader and the explanations thereof will surprise. A mix of modern technology with the intricacies of nature will delight readers of all ages.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Seymour Simon has more than 200 science books for children under his belt. He is a recognized author and is well renowned for his literary achievements. This book is just yet another of his works.
There is a little organization to the book. Each picture is categorized in subsections, those dealing with the body are grouped together, as well as those relating to time, outer space, and on the Earth. In addition, within each passage is an introduction of the picture, the explanation of thereof, and the technology used to achieve each photo.
The design of the book is very modern and fresh. The clarity and the size of the photos are very appealing to the eye. The quality of the overall book, including the jacket cover, is very impressive.
The style of writing is very clear. However, unless you are interested in the science of technology (i.e., MRI scans, telescopes, etc.) the book can be rather boring. It is very cool to see the worlds around us in different ways, and Simon does a great job of capturing each one.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “From a three-dimensional picture of a virus, as seen through an electron microscope, to a dramatic photograph of the vast Eagle Nebula, a star-forming region of the Milky Way galaxy, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, these images are awesome in every sense of the word.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “This book would work well with an adult who wants to share the wonders of science with young children. Older elementary students will be able to read it on their own, although the striking presentation will also appeal to younger browsers.”

CONNECTIONS
Simon, Seymour. The Brain: Our Nervous System. ISBN 0060877197
Simon, Seymour. Lightning. ISBN 0060884355


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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sis, Peter. 2007. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain. New York: Francis Foster Books. ISBN 0374347018

PLOT SUMMARY
This book is a history lesson presented in a unique and imaginative way. It shows the reader an individual's life within the constraints of communism, within Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union--behind the Iron Curtain. Peter Sis uses illustrations, his personal journals, etc. to give the reader a bird's eye view of his life during that time.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The organization took some getting used to. There is too much going on throughout the book, on every page. It is a very creative way to tell a story but on some pages can be very overwhelming. At first glance, some readers may decline to read it for this very reason (I tested this with a few of my friends and young children...to gauge the appeal or interest in reading the book, purely by the look of it).
The accuracy of the information of certain facts can be researched for accuracy. However, the personal journals are subjective considering that Sis is pulling from his own mind and personal experiences. The mix of Sis' personal diaries and history make for an interesting overall design. Sis' style is definitely distinctive but not all together clear. If one can get passed the organization of the book, then the reader will be inspired by the writer's trials and triumphs during this time in history.


REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Although some of Sís's other books have their source in his family's history, this one gives the adage write what you know biting significance. Younger readers have not yet had a graphic memoir with the power of Maus or Persepolis to call their own, but they do now.”
BOOKLIST review: “But this will certainly grab teens—who will grasp both the history and the passionate, youthful rebellions against authority—as well as adults, many of whom will respond to the Cold War setting. Though the term picture book for older readers has been bandied about quite a bit, this memorable title is a true example.”

CONNECTIONS
Sis, Peter. The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin (New York Times Best Illustrated Books. ISBN 0374456283

AWARDS
Caldecott Honor Book
The Robert F. Sibert Medal

Poetry Book Reviews

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sones, Sonya. 2001. what my mother doesn’t know. Ill. by Charise Mericle Harper. New York: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. ISBN 0689841140

PLOT SUMMARY
This second book of poetry by Sones follows her character Sophie through her, “boy crazy” high school career. Also, Sophie tells the reader about her life, to include the events in her home, with her best friends—Grace and Rachel, her different episodes with her male companions, and then her first mature love.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The rhythm of this novel of verse has a combination of rhyming and free verse. It juggles between short, choppy phrasing in some passages. However in others, it reads aloud as a regular story or colloquial pattern of speech--written very close to a natural rhythm of a spoken teenage language.

The imagery of this novel leads the reader to actual visualization of the conflicts and the happiness of the main character, Sophie...from light satire with her friends to the issues of a failing marriage between her parents, and the neglect of attention from her mother. A very surprising element of the story is further illustrated by the jacket illustration--which sublimely tells the reader about the most significant relationship in the book. The description of Murphy's Room:"...he's got one whole wall done up like a huge bulletin board...he's covered it with sketches...and these headlines from trashy papers that say things like: psychic lobster earns gambler four million...” After reading that bit of poetry, the reader is given the spoiler of the whole novel...it lets the reader know that Murphy (also known as Robin) is her first true love. I really enjoyed reading this novel in verse. I can see the appeal that it can potentially have on the young adult. It had such an emotional impact in various areas of the novel that draws out the familiar connection of reality between the everyday relationships that we are all exposed.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST review: “Many teens will see themselves, and they’ll cheer when Sophie and Robin thwart the bullies and reclaim their social standing. Like Sones’ other titles, this is a great choice for reluctant and avid readers alike.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Written as a novel in verse, this title is a fast-paced, page-turning romp that gives authentic voice to male youth even when it is painfully truthful.”

CONNECTIONS
Other engaging books of poetry for teenagers and young adults:
Hopkins, Ellen. Crank. ISBN 0689865198
Creech, Sharon. Love That Dog. ISBN 0064409597


BIBLIOGRAPHY
O’Connell George, Kristine. 2005. Fold Me A Poem. Ill. by Lauren Stringer. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152025014

PLOT SUMMARY
This book introduces the reader to the world of Origami—paper folding. A zoo of animals is created by the hands of a child and is given life through his imagination. This book captures the simple play that engages a young child through poetry.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations in this book definitely draw the reader into the world of Origami and a child's imagination. This book of poetry also has an alternating pattern of free verse rhythm and rhyming tendencies. In some stanzas, the style of rhyme is presented either first, in the middle, or listed last. One particular passage comes to mind of the variations of rhythm, "Snake: Folding a snake? Need advice? Be precissssssse"--which also cleverly mimics the sound of a snake.

The style of language use is very surprising and unconventional. The author notes that she was inspired by viewing a child practicing the art of Origami--to which inspired the writing of the book. Through George's careful use of language and punctuation a pace and tempo can be heard when read aloud. The emotion felt within each poem sparks a playful, inquisitive nature that will appeal to the young reader.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “A dazzling celebration of imagination...Each turn of the page brings a clever new perspective or insight-even humor.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “…a cornucopia of poetry that you can use to beef up your library collections, to introduce to your children.”

CONNECTIONS
Pratchett, Terry. Only You Can Save Mankind. ISBN 0060541857
Bennett Hopkins, Lee. Days to Celebrate: A Full Year of Poetry, People, Holidays, History, Fascinating Facts, and More. ISBN 0060007664


BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. 2004. What is goodbye? Ill. by Raul Colon. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786807784

PLOT SUMMARY
This sensitive collection of poems was written in the voices of Jerilyn and Jesse—a sister and brother who have lost their older brother. It showcases the ways that they cope with the event. The older brother, Jaron, dies at a young age and leaves the household to grieve…of course, to include the mother and the father.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book shows the reader the several stages of mourning (e.g., denial, anger, etc.). The illustrations are very vivid and help in the expression of the turmoil, sadness, and happiness of the memories shared between Jerilyn, Jessie, Jaron, and the parents. The emotion from the poems presented is certain to invoke feelings from the reader.

The poems alternate between Jessie and Jerilyn--each titled the same but written to reflect the age of each child. Jessie's poems are almost in a full rhyming pattern. On the other hand, Jerilyn's style is a combination of rhyme and free verse--which shows her higher maturity level than her younger brother, Jessie. The poems describe the siblings' feelings in episodic memories with their parents, Jaron, and the community. It is a powerful book of poems that can help any person, of any age cope with the tragedy of losing a loved one. It even addresses the fact that everyone grieves in their own way and on their own time. Jessie's poem best describes that, "Buck up! Be brave! Get over it! Those words make me just want to spit. Folks wind my sadness...like a clock. Time's up, they say...Forget your tears...You've cried enough...they're telling me my heart is wrong for hurting past the date they set? Well I'm not ready to move on yet." Grimes does a great job of allowing the reader to witness the different levels and ways of mourning--which will help the reader cope in a similar situation.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Anyone who has experienced loss will recognize the gamut of emotions Grimes lays out here. Insightfully and concisely, Grimes traces the stages of grief and healing…portrait of a loving family coping, alone and together, with their grief.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Grimes’ novella in verse is a prime example of how poetry and story can be combined to extend one another.”

BOOKLIST review: “Moving and wise, these are poems that beautifully capture a family’s heartache as well as the bewildering questions that death brings.”

CONNECTIONS
Yeomans, Ellen. Rubber Houses. ISBN 031610647X
Turner, Ann W. Hard Hit. ISBN 0439296803

AWARDS
• William Allen White Children’s Book Award
• A 2005 ALA Notable Children's Book
• SLJ Best Book of 2004
• Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2004
• Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005
• One of “Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for children” 2005
• A VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers 2004
• Selected for New York Library’s 'Children’s Books, 2004-100 Titles for Reading and Sharing'