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
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
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
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