"The Yankee at the Seder" by Elka Weber, Illustrated by Adam Gustavson

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: The Yankee at the Seder

Author: Elka Weber

Illustrator: Adam Gustavson

Year of Publication: 2009

Publisher City: Berkeley

Publisher: Tricycle Press

ISBN: 9781582462561

Author Website: http://www.elkaweber.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.adamgustavson.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Watercolor, Gouache

Awards

·         Publishers Weekly Starred Review

·         NCSS/CBC Notable Children’s Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies

·         Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

·         Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Book Award, 2010

Annotation

The Civil War has ended and Passover is about to begin.  Jacob is resentful of the North.  But when an unexpected guest, a Jewish Yankee, comes to Passover everyone at the dinner must rethink how they observe past enemies.

Personal Reaction

                This picturebook provides readers with a good example of how views vary around the world, even among people of the same religion/political view/etc.  Readers can use this book as a starting off point to discuss how differing cultures can still unite among some commonalities.  Also, this story teaches readers about the Jewish religion, also expanding their understanding of other cultures.  The fact that this story is based on an actual event is quite interesting and makes the story all the more impactful.  “The Real Story” at the end of the book shows the amount of research conducted by Weber.  It was nice to even see actual photographs of Corporal Levy’s saber that was such an important part of the story.

                The illustrations do a wonderful job of conveying the emotions of the characters that are being described in the text.  One of my favorite illustrations is of Levy, Jacob’s father and grandfather’s boots, showing their desire to not start a confrontation if they discussed the war.  I agree with the narrator when he stated “So it was something to see as they all tried to make polite conversation without talking about the one subject that was most on their minds,” especially because of the illustration.

Use of sophisticated language: The author provides definitions of terms used for Passover at the beginning of the book.

Use of personification:
Example: “If a stray crumb did somehow find its way into our house, it would just die of loneliness.”

"Brothers" by Yin, Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: Brothers

Author: Yin

Illustrator: Chris Soentpiet

Year of Publication: 2006

Publisher City: New York

Publisher: Philomel Books

ISBN: 0399234063

Author Website: http://www.soentpiet.com/yins_corner.html

Illustrator Website: http://www.soentpiet.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Watercolor

Awards

·         Junior Library Guild Selection, 2006

·         International Reading Association Teachers’ Choice, 2007

·         Annual Exhibition of the Society of Illustrators, 2007

·         California Young Reader Nominee, 2008

Annotation

When Ming arrives to San Francisco he is told not to leave the borders of Chinatown.  Even with that warning he still leaves and meets an Irish boy named Patrick.  Together they work past cultural differences to become brothers.

Personal Reaction

                This is a sequel to a picture book by Yin and Soentpiet entitled “Coolies.”  This time the story follows the story of Ming and his arrival from China.  He is left alone by his brothers and told not to leave Chinatown.  Ming longs to have companionship, especially with how empty his brother’s general store is all day with all of the Chinese gone to work on the railroad.  When Ming finally wanders past the boarder of Chinatown he is lucky enough to meet an Irish boy named Patrick.  A friendship quickly forms despite the language and cultural differences.  Both begin to teach the other about their culture so they come to understand each other better.

The fact that Yin made it so Ming met a boy whose family just a generation earlier were immigrants as well shows the similarities of all people, no matter their race.  By the two friends working together they are able to find a way to save Ming’s brother’s general store, while also having other people integrate into the environment they created where people of all cultures could interact.

                The illustrations dominate the pages, taking up almost both pages.  Readers are able to create a visual understanding of San Francisco in the late 1800’s that Yin discusses in her text.  Both the text and the illustrations work together to allow readers to form a better understanding of the historical moment they are being taught.  Soentpiet’s watercolors add a great deal of texture and color.  Every illustration is filled with people and objects.  Readers should take a moment before turning to the next page to appreciate all of the details.  From the bricks of the school house to Ming’s long braid.

               

Curriculum: Grade 8 History: This picture book can be used as an introduction to immigrants and their impact on the development of early America.  There are several mentions about the immigrants working on the railroad.  After reading this book students can begin research on the rail work that both the Chinese and Irish did and how they united the country and made travel easier. Also, students can learn more about Chinatown and its development in San Francisco.

"The Odyssey" by Gareth Hinds

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: The Odyssey

Author/Illustrator: Gareth Hinds

Year of Publication: 2010

Publisher City: Somerville

Publisher: Candlewick Press

ISBN: 9780763642662

Author/Illustrator Website: http://www.thecomic.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Pencil, Watercolor

Fiction Graphic Novel

Copyright 2010/2011

Awards

·         Kirkus Reviews Best YA Books of the Year

·         American Library Association’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens nominee

·         Kids Indie Next List

·         The Horn Book Starred Review

·         Booklist Starred Review

Annotation

A graphic novel adaption of Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey” in which we follow Odysseus’ journey and his many adventures to reach his home of Ithaca and his wife, Penelope.

Personal Reaction

                It is clear that Hinds did his research when it came to adapting the epic tale of Odysseus.  At the end of the novel he discusses the different translations he used as reference when writing the graphic novel version, making this a rather accurate interpretation.

                This novel will work well for older readers because it lays out a complicated story in a way that they can follow.  For example, the story begins with Telemachus’ journey instead of his father’s.  This helped to set an understanding of the actions of all of the characters.  Also, the common themes become more apparent in this version instead of being lost in the poetic language that is found in other versions.

                The illustrations have a rawness to them that was given because of the work with the pencil.  It adds to the grittiness of the battles and also the moments at sea where Odysseus and his crew fight against the waves.  The colors chosen were muted with browns, adding an age to them, making it almost feel as if the graphic novel was written a long time age.  The aged affect reminders a reader of the fact that “The Odyssey” has been told for a very long time and it still endures.  One of my favorite characterizations of Hinds is from how he draws the gods.  They are drawn with one color instead of several colors like the mortals.  For example, Athena is blue.  So when she is ever in the novel she stands out from the rest, showing her authority as a goddess.

Curriculum: Grade 9 English: “The Odyssey” is a requirement for students to read in this grade.  This graphic novel version is a good addition to reading the other version chosen for the class.  This version is written in modern terminology so students can pick up on things that they may have missed in other versions.  The addition of the illustrations can help them to visualize what occurs during Odysseus adventures.  The graphic novel can reinforce the story for students to help with interpreting.

"Smile" by Raina Telgemeier

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: Smile

Author/Illustrator: Raina Telgemeier

Year of Publication: 2010

Publisher City: New York

Publisher: Graphix

ISBN: 9780545132053

Author/Illustrator Website: http://goraina.com/

Media Used for Artwork: India Ink

Copyright 2010/2011

Nonfiction Graphic Novel

My Top 10 Favorite Picturebooks for Older Readers

Awards

·         Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Title, 2010

·         New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice, 2010

·         American Library Association’s Notable Book, 2011

·         Young Adult Library Services Association’s Top 10 Graphic Novels for Teens, 2011

·         Eisner Award nominee, 2011

Annotation

Raina starts of sixth grade as a normal girl, until an accident causes her to loose her front teeth.  What follows is her trials and tribulations of growing up and trying to smile again.

Personal Reaction

                Any preteen/teenager will appreciate this graphic novel memoir from Raina Telgemeier.  It is divided into small vignettes that all revolve around the major mouth reconstructed Telgemeier had to endure.  She does a wonderful job of retelling the often times embarrassing adolescence, while still conveying the lessons she learned.  She does this with humor and grace, instead of lecturing about what the moral of her story is.  This memoir tells the classic coming of age story in a very creative way.

Middle school and high school is a very complicated time for all teens.  Not only are you changing (dreaded property) but so is everyone else.  Friendships change, school gets harder, people mature at different rates (physically and mentally), and a “serious” relationship becomes a possibility.  Telgemeier’s memoir tells all of this, the inclusion of the dramatic issues she had with her teeth makes sure readers will remember it throughout their own trials as teenagers. 

The illustrations are reminiscent of the daily comic strips in a newspaper.  The addition of colors adds a great deal of depth to it, reminiscent of a cartoon.  That is probably why I kept thinking of the show “Braceface.”  Another story that involves a girl forced to wear braces who must endure the trials of being a teen.  Readers who like this story may also be interested in watching the show.

"Goal!" by Mina Javaherbin, Illustrated by A.G. Ford

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: Goal!

Author: Mina Javaherbin

Illustrator: A.G. Ford

Year of Publication: 2010

Publisher City: Somerville

Publisher: Candlewick Press

ISBN: 9780763675717

Author Website: http://minajavaherbin.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.agfordillustration.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Oil Paint

Copyright 2010/2011

Awards

·         International Reading Association’s Notable Book for a Global Society List, 2011

·         Bank Street Library Irma Black Award Semi-Finalist 2010-2011

·         California Young Reader Nominee, 2011-2012

·         Texas Library Association’s Bluebonnet Award Master List 2011-2012

·         Smithsonian’s Notable Books for Children, 2010

Annotation

In South Africa a boy has received a regulation soccer ball for being the best reader in class and wants to share the prize with his friends. They bond over the game, even with the threat of bullies.

Personal Reaction

                This is a good story that shows the importance of friendship.  The boys in the story bond over the game of soccer.  They even work together to fend off the bullies that want to steal their new regulation soccer ball.

                Older readers will enjoy this book for its subtleness.  Though it is never directly stated it is clear through the illustrations that the characters in the story must endure a great deal of poverty.  The boys’ clothes are a little more worn, with stains and tears.  The buildings are also shabby.  But things like that are ignored in the text because the focus is on the joy of playing soccer.  And above all the gift of a new soccer ball is all the more important.

                This picture book would be good to show the universal nature of children, even when they live in a range of environments (location, financial, etc.).    Things like a game of soccer in the middle of the street is something every child could relate to.  This book teaches that every child is the same, no matter what his or her circumstances are.

Use of Metaphor:
“When we play,

the sound

of our kicks

on the ball

is music.”

Use of Onomatopoeia:
“I steal from Hassan

and whoosh like the wind,

glued to the ball.”

Use of Repetition:

“Left is clear.

Right is clear.”

"Math Curse" by Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by Lane Smith

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: Math Curse

Author: Jon Scieszka

Illustrator: Lane Smith

Year of Publication: 1995

Publisher City: New York

Publisher: Viking Books

ISBN: 0670861944

Author Website: http://www.jsworldwide.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.lanesmithbooks.com/LaneSmithBooks/Lane_Smith_Books.html

Media Used for Artwork: Collage, Oil and Acrylic Paint

2009 Students’ List

Awards

·         American Library Association’s Best Books for Young Adults

·         Texas Bluebonnet Fanfare

·         Publishers Weekly Best Books of 1995

·         School Library Journal Best Books of 1995

·         Booklist Editors’ Choice Award

Annotation

A math teacher, Mrs. Fibonacci curses her student to think of the different aspects of daily life as math problems.  Literally everything involves math and worse yet for the student, everything involves fractions.

Personal Reaction

                Scieskza is a very tricky author for putting all of those math problems in a picture book.  Young readers could easily become confused by the story, but older readers on the other hand will be able to understand it and have to work to find the answers.  Parents or teachers can use this to help older readers work on solving math problems.  This book is especially useful for questions that involve fractions, which the narrator tried to avoid until the end.  While reading this book I couldn’t help but try to solve the problems presented.  It appears I was hit with the math curse as well.

                Smith’s illustrations are really amazing.  The collage method he uses adds a great deal of texture to each picture.  There are a variety of images used to create one illustration.  For example, the paper used for the birthday’s question is beautiful for the fact that it is actual paper being used to represent the table.  It must have taken a great amount of time to complete these, but it certainly adds a depth to the story that would not have been there if there was only text for a reader (that would have been too similar to a math textbook).

Curriculum: Grade 5 Math- This book can be read in class to help show students that teachers have an understanding of their math anxiety.  In addition, teachers can actually use the problems in this book in class for students to solve in class.