Hatshepsut, His Majesty, Herself

Andronik, Catherine M. Hatshepsut, his majesty, herself. Illustrated by Joseph Daniel Fiedler. New York: Atheneum, 2001. ISBN: 978-0689825620.

Author Website: None

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

Media: Alkyd (Oil) Paint on Paper

Special Notations: Non-Fiction, Lesson Plan (available at http://picturebooksforbigkids.blogspot.com/2011/08/6th-grade-information-skills-lesson.html).

Curricular Connection: History Social-Science Content Standards for California, Grade Six, Standard 6.2: Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Kush, 7. Understand the significance of Queen Hatshepsut and Ramses the Great.

Annotation: This picture book biography takes readers back to 1458 B.C. to a time when Egypt’s only female pharaoh ruled. The life of Hatshepsut is recounted alongside earth-toned oil paintings.

Personal Reaction: Sixth graders in California study the life and times of Egypt’s only female pharaoh and Andronik’s picture book geared toward older readers is an ideal source for these students. Andronik, a school library media teacher, teams up with artist Joseph Daniel Fiedler to share the significance of Hatshepsut’s life with readers. Fiedler’s rich paintings are done in Alkyd, a common oil paint that looks anything but common. On one page, text is overlaid on a highlighted rectangle of Fiedler’s painting of the Egyptian cliffs in the background of Hatshepsut’s temple (p. 6), creating a wonderful marriage between the writing and drawings in this book. I was fascinated by Hatshepsut’s moxie. At the tender age of fifteen, Hatshepsut declares herself a pharaoh and takes on ruling Egypt until her deceased husband’s son (also her nephew) by another woman is old enough to rule. The title of this book, Hatshepsut, His Majesty, Herself references the fact that there is no word for female ruler in the Egyptian language. Hatshepsut used the word for male ruler and even wore a beard and men’s clothing at times. At age twenty-two years, Hatshepsut died and her nephew began his reign and did his best to erase proof of his aunt’s historic years ruling Egypt. The author includes a timeline at the beginning of the book, as well as a bibliography of recommended reading at the back of the book. A final note on the last page of the book informs students of museums in the United States where archaeological finds related to Hatshepsut can be seen. Fans of Rick Riordan’s The Kane Chronicles may enjoy learning that the two obelisks prominently featured in Riordan’s Egyptian fantasy series were built by Tuthmosis III, Hatshepsut’s successor.

Lives of the Pirates: Swashbucklers, Scoundrels (Neighbors Beware!)

Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the pirates: swashbucklers, scoundrels (neighbors beware!). Illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt. Boston: Harcourt Children's Books, 2010. ISBN: 978-0-15-205908-8.

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

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

Media: Watercolor

Special Notations: 2010 Copyright Date, Non-Fiction

Annotation: Kathleen Krull and Kathryn Hewitt have teamed up again to bring readers a funny, but factual book full of information about history’s most notorious pirates.

Personal Reaction: Krull’s witty writing and Hewitt’s drawings of pirates with oversized heads immediately caught my attention when I picked up Lives of the Pirates: Swashbucklers, Scoundrels (Neighbors Beware!). This picture book for older readers is a captivating read and includes the tales of familiar names such as Captain Kidd, Blackbeard and Black Bart, as well as a number of lesser know pirates. I was surprised to learn that there were a number of female pirates including Alvilda whose “father, king of the Goths, arranged an excellent marriage for her to Prince Alf of Denmark.” Per Krull, “Apparently Alvilda was unenthusiastic. She ran away and became a pirate instead,” (p.15). Krull entitles Alvilda’s entry, “A Case of Cold Feet?” (p. 15). Krull also clears up the rumor that Long John Silver was a real pirate, labeling his entry, “Not a Real Pirate,” (p. 93). Long John Silver was a fictional pirate invented by writer Robert Louis Stevenson. A list of additional pirate books is provided at the back of the book. Hewitt starts the book with a double-page map showing the waters terrorized by each pirate included in this collection. This captivating picture book is a wonderful read for older readers for pleasure; it will appeal to those with or without a specific interest in pirates and is an excellent example of why kids shouldn’t abandon picture books – at any age! I have also read Krull and Hewitt’s Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought). In my opinion, books by this talented author / illustrator team would be great gift books or enticing books to leave laying on a coffee table. I personally keep a stack of books such as these on a table next to a couch in the library where I work and will soon be adding Lives of Pirates to my stack.

So You Want to Be President?

George, Judith St. So You Want to Be President? Illustrated by David Small. New York: Philomel Books, 2004. ISBN: 0399243178.

Author Website: www.judithstgeorge.com/books.htm

Media: Ink, watercolor and pastel chalk

Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book, 2001, Caldecott Medal, 2001.

Special Notations: Non-fiction.

Annotation: Learn amusing and interesting facts about American Presidency. Discover a wide assortment of information as it relates to presidential lifestyle and how it has varied from president to president.

Personal Reaction: I am a fan of books about the presidency and so I was naturally drawn to Judith St. George’s book, So You Want to Be President? Initially, I thought the author had missed the mark by going for trivia and entertainment versus useful facts. By the end of the book, I had changed my mind because the text builds into greater coverage of the office of the presidency and ultimately, provides a great deal of useful and factual information. I particularly enjoyed the appendix at the end of the book that lists each president, dates in office, place and date of birth and what he is most famous for achieving while in office. The author successfully manages to provide comic relief along a dose of history at the same time. “One of the bad things about being President is that the President always has to be dressed up” explains this amusing yet factual book on what it takes to be president. The combination will especially appeal to older readers. The attractive illustrations rendered in ink, watercolor and chalk offer scenes that will bring both smiles and contemplative expressions to the faces of readers.

Starry Messenger

Sís, Peter. Starry messenger: a book depicting the life of a famous scientist, mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, physicist, Galileo Galilei. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1996. ISBN: 0-374-37191-1.

Author / Illustrator Website: http://www.petersis.com/index2.html

Media: Detailed Pen and Ink Drawings with Watercolor.

Use of Metaphor: (p. 8) “Italy was a quilt of city states,” (p. 10) “born with stars in his eyes.”

Special Notations: Non-fiction

Curricular Connection: California Science Standards, Grade 5, Standard 5. The solar system consists of planets and other bodies that orbit the Sun in predictable paths. As a basis for understanding this concept: a. Students know the Sun, an average star, is the central and largest body in the solar system and is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. b. Students know the solar system includes the planet Earth, the Moon, the Sun, eight other planets and their satellites, and smaller objects, such as asteroids and comets.

c. Students know the path of a planet around the Sun is due to the gravitational attraction between the Sun and the planet.

Annotation: Starry Messenger shares the incredible discovery by Galileo Galilei that the sun is the center of the universe. Peter Sis uses detailed artwork to explain Galileo’s work and contributions to science.

Personal Reaction: Peter Sis takes the incredible discovery of a prolific man and shares it with readers through detailed and evocative drawings that capture the life and times of Galileo beautifully. Sis includes minimal text in this book, choosing to rely on illustrations packed full of information. Galileo’s birth is told by way of a large drawing of nearly 100 babies wrapped in blankets (p. 10-11). Each baby’s blanket is decorated with a drawing that depicts the baby’s future line of work; Baby Galileo’s blanket is covered in stars, foreshadowing Galileo’s work studying the stars. The same page offers seemingly handwritten notes about Galileo’s family and the birth of Galileo’s famous contemporary Shakespeare. Every other page in the books contains similar “handwritten” script, often times presented in a spiral shape or as part of an illustration. Sis uses this script to include details from Galileo’s books and work notes, as well as facts about the Italian government and the Church. Starry Messenger is a work of art that contains many facts about the stars, planets and universe documented by Galileo using a homemade telescope. This book is surprisingly informative and could be used as a supplement for fifth grade students studying the solar system.

Ghosts

Malam, John. Ghosts. Irvine, CA: QEB Pub, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-59566-750-2.

Author / Illustrator Website: http://www.johnmalam.co.uk/index.htm

Media: Pencil, Pen and Colored Ink with Photographs

Use of Allusion: (p. 30) “The Friendly Ghost,” “A Christmas Carol,”

Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 21) “The line is crackly,”

Use of Alliteration: (p. 22) “House of Horrors.”

Special Notations: Non-fiction, 2010 Copyright Date

Annotation: Ghosts contains over a dozen brief chapters about the meaning of the term ghost, famous reputedly haunted houses, poltergeists and how to hunt for ghosts. Book includes a timeline, glossary and index.

Personal Reaction: The subject of this book is pure fun and will appeal to many curious students in grades five, six and seven. Author John Malam takes a subject that has fascinated people for centuries and updates it with a graphic novel / yearbook style that makes factual information pop off the page. I appreciated the style of this book and believe that students are more likely to read non-fiction works with this type of visual appeal. Blending high-interest subjects with fresh graphics and short chapter lengths encourages reading and will especially appeal to reluctant readers. “The Most Haunted House in England,” (p. 10) is a good example of the appeal of this book. This chapter draws readers in from the start: “Borley Rectory was doomed from the day it was built in 1863, on the site of an old monastery where a nun was said to have been buried alive.” Accompanying illustrations show a man finding part of a skull and a map of England marking the haunted house’s location, as well as a factual sidebar about the history of haunted castle stories. This would be a good book for teaching students how to use a glossary, timeline, index or table of contents because the subject matter would certainly keep students’ attention. Additional books in the Monster Mania series and the “You Wouldn’t Want to be . . . ” history series, also by John Malam, are equally appealing non-fiction purchases.

Abe’s Honest Words

Rappaport, Doreen. Abe’s Honest Words. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-42310408-7

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

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

Media: Oil Paint

Use of Sophisticated Language:

"It is for us the living, rather

that we here highly resolve

that these dead

shall not have died in vain--

that this nation, under God,

shall have a new birth of freedom--

and that government of the people,

by the people,

for the people,

shall not perish from the earth."

Curricular Connection: California History / Social Science, Grade 8, California Standards: 8.9: Students analyze the early and steady attempts to abolish slavery and to realize the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, 8.10: Students analyze the multiple causes, key events, and complex consequences of the Civil War.

Annotation: Abe's Honest Words tells the story of Abraham Lincoln, from his childhood in Kentucky to his role as Commander in Chief of the United States, to his untimely death. Artwork and portions of Lincoln’s speeches accompany the narrative.

Personal Reaction: Rappaport's text is interspersed with historical facts that combine with Nelson's beautiful artwork and make Lincoln a more human character. We see Lincoln age; see him run for office and lose, try and fail. We see him persevere and make his toughest decision that changed the direction of the entire country forever: the freeing of slaves. Rapport opts to include Lincoln's original words on the pages, sharing that Lincoln was eloquent, as well as honest.

I enjoyed this book on Lincoln and think it would make a great introduction for students studying the Civil War. Rapport’s work would pair well with Mr. Lincoln's High Tech War, which discusses the technology approved for use by Lincoln; it's fascinating to read about how forward-thinking Lincoln was for his time.

The Revolutionary John Adams

Harness, Cheryl. The Revolutionary John Adams. Washington, D.C: National Geographic, 2003. ISBN: 0-7922-6970-5

Awards: Beacon of Freedom Award, Nominee, 2006.

Author Website: None

Media: Rich watercolors on paper.

Use of Simile: (p.31) “news that plunked like a round black stone into the world of John and Abigail Adams.”

Use of Metaphor: (p.5) “stomach full of butterflies.” (p.26) “dug deep into his bag of political skills.” (p.29) “Two old lions, France and England.”

Use of Alliteration: (p.16) “soldiers froze and failed.” (p.24) “diamond-decked Marie Antoinette.” (p.32) “stump-stubbled Pennsylvania Avenue.”

Use of Onomatopoeia: (p.6) “John Adams fizzed with total and complete happiness.” (p.8) “People began to grumble.” (p.11) “plunk . . .plunk . . .plunked boxes of tea into Boston Harbor.”

Use of Sophisticated Language: (p. 26) “coaxed out of Holland official recognition and loans, lifeblood for his nation.”

Curricular Connection: California History / Social Science, Grade 5, California Standards: 5.6: Students understand the course and consequences of the American Revolution. 5.7: Students describe the people and events associated with the development of the U.S. Constitution and analyze the Constitution’s significance as the foundation of the American republic.

Special Notation: Non-fiction

Annotation: Harness traces the life of President John Adams from his humble beginnings on a farm to the White House. This biography offers details of Adams’ work as a revolutionary, politician, lawyer, statesman and leader.

Personal Reaction: This biography is steeped in facts, but it is also a very personal story of a man’s life. The author traces John Adams’ life from his birth on a farm in New England to his death on a farm not far away. In between, the reader learns about the role of Adams in revolting against England, building the government of new nation, working side by side with Washington, Jefferson and Franklin, serving as Vice-President and President, as well as working as a statesman abroad. The numerous quotes from Adams, familial details and excerpts from personal letters to his beloved wife Abigail allow for an insight into Adams life that makes this biography more memorable than others. Harness use sweeping watercolor paintings of people and maps to bring Adams’ time to life. In just 40 pages, Harness not only tells Adams’ story, but the history of our emerging and young nation. The personal perspective and illustrations provide an accessible history lesson for students in grades five to seven.

George vs. George: the American Revolution as Seen From Both Sides

Schanzer, Rosalyn. George vs. George: the American Revolution as seen from both sides. Washington, DC: National Geographic, 2004. ISBN: 0-7922-7349-4

Awards: ALA Notable Book for Children, 2005. NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book, 2005.

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

Media: Watercolor on paper.

Use of Alliteration: (p. 13) “gentlemen in fancy white wigs wearing all the latest fashions.” (p. 13) “from Borneo to the Bay of Botega.” (p. 14) “wealthy widow.” (p. 18) “drowning in debt.”

Use of Sophisticated Language: (p. 34) “Washington despaired over the inexperience of his volunteers, the constant desertions, and a paralyzing lack of food and military supplies.”

Use of Metaphor: (p. 11) “fabric binding America to Great Britain was about to unravel”

Curricular Connection: California History / Social Science, Grade 5, California Standard: 5.6: Students understand the course and consequences of the American Revolution.

Special Notation: Non-fiction, Lesson Plan (available at http://picturebooksforbigkids.blogspot.com/2011/08/5th-grade-language-arts-lesson-plan_03.html).

Annotation: George vs. George provides detailed coverage of the American Revolution from the perspectives of George Washington and George III, King of England. Details about the underlying causes of the war and the lives of both Georges contribute to a fascinating book.

Personal Reaction: Watercolor illustrations of George Washington and George III on the introductory page of this book set the tone for this rare, balanced presentation of the facts surrounding the American Revolution. Author Schanzer presents each George in an oval portrait glaring at each other. Washington is frowning and giving King George the evil eye and King George simply looks repulsed by Washington. From page one, I knew this book was going to give me both George’s stories and the chance to decide for myself what I thought of this period of history. Providing students with the opportunity to decide what they think about history is like giving the gift of higher order thinking. Schanzer doesn’t just offer a simplified version of these two men’s perspectives, either. George vs. George is packed with information about George Washington, his family, various other key figures of the time, details about King George, his family, England’s recent history and quotations from both men and their contemporaries that give readers a comprehensive sense of this period in history. The book offers a wealth of background material on the circumstances and environment in both the colonies and England before, during and after the war. Schanzer’s cheerful voice kept me interested as I read through this dense 60-page dual perspective story. I truly gained a sense of both sides of this historic story and appreciated that this author did not favor the U.S. perspective by glossing over details such as the fact that most Native Americans fought on the British side in hopes of protecting their land from colonists. Also, this book is definitely a picture book for older readers as indicated by the complex information about the structure of government, battle logistics, political posturing and mature verbiage. For example, on page 30, Schanzer writes, “Rebel newspapers reported that bloodthirsty redcoats burned houses, drove naked women into the streets and butchered old men and infants. The King was told that rebel savages broke the rules of war by ambushing his army. Then they scalped fallen British infantry and cut off their ears.”

The Daring Nellie Bly: America’s Star Reporter

Christensen, Bonnie. The Daring Nellie Bly: America’s Star Reporter. New York: Knopf, 2003. ISBN: 0-375-81568-6

Awards: Notable Social Studies Trade Book, 2004. NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book, 2004.

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

Media: Pen and Ink on paper, stylized to match drawing style popular during subject’s lifetime.

Use of Simile: (p. 3) “dared to defy”

Use of Onomatopoeia: (p. 14) “the expose that would blaze across the World’s front page.”

Curricular Connection: California History / Social Science, Grades 11, California, Standard 11.10.7: Analyze the women’s rights movement from the era of Elizabeth Stanton and Susan Anthony and the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the movement launched in the 1960s, including differing perspectives on the roles of women.

Special Notation: Non-fiction

Annotation: From the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, a bold and talented woman named Nellie Bly used her writing post at the New York World newspaper to educate readers about women’s rights, mental health issues and the first world war.

Personal Reaction: Nellie Bly, born Elizabeth Cochran, volunteered to go undercover as a patient in an insane asylum in order to write about the horrific conditions in the asylum for the New York World newspaper. Bly later captured worldwide attention by traveling around the world in a record breaking 72 days. Bly was also one of the first newspaper reporters to report from the front lines of World War I. Bonnie Christensen writes about Nellie Bly’s life with a voice that puts readers on the front lines of Bly’s life. “When the asylum doors slammed behind her, she was on her own,” (p.14) Christensen writes about Bly’s undercover reporting from the asylum. This picture book for older readers about Bly’s life gave me a firm sense of Bly’s character and personality. When Bly’s newspaper editor worries about sending a woman around world alone and suggests the trip would be better suited to a man, Bly’s retort is “Start the man and I’ll start the same day for some other newspaper and beat him,” (p.3). I think that young readers, particularly girls, would be inspired by Bly’s life which Christensen captures with enthusiasm in this biography. Christensen tells the story of a bold woman with an unconventional life for the times she lived in: Bly is a child of divorce, groundbreaking in her career and an early advocate for women’s rights. Bly’s fascinating and adventurous life is told against a backdrop of simple pen and ink drawings that conjure up the 1800’s. Christensen’s old-fashioned illustrations serve as a strong contrast to Bly’s not so old-fashioned life, reminding readers just how ahead of her time Nellie Bly was in her endeavors as a star newspaper reporter.