SLIS 5420 Module 7 Realistic Fiction IVY + BEAN WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

Ivy + Bean What's the Big Idea by Annie Barrows
Book Cover

http://www.blissandwhimsyblog.com/2012/04/earth-and-eco-friendly-reads.html

Book Summary

Ivy and Bean's second grade science class is talking about the science fair. Their teacher introduces global warming to the class and the class decides that global warming is going to be the theme of their science fair projects. Someone is building a robot; someone is trying to reduce the production of carbon dioxide by holding breaths; and someone is experimenting with a vacuum cleaner. So what will Ivy and Bean do? Do they want to mix chemicals and create a new solution? Or can they get the help from using ice cubes? Read on to find out what Ivy and Bean's science fair project is about.

Reference
Barrows, Annie. (2010) Ivy + Bean: What's the big idea? San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Librarian's Corner
I have never read any of the books from the Ivy + Bean series and have been curious about this series ever since it came out. I enjoyed this book very much. I was surprised that this book held my interest to the end. I think the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders can definitely make connections with this series because they are going through the same things in life. As an adult, I think this is a fund book to read aloud to elementary aged children. I love the way the authors writes about adults through the eyes of Ivy and Bean - how adults are not fun and are always so serious. I also love that this book teaches the readers a concept or an idea. This series will help the readers to love reading and understand our daily life.

Reviews
From Children's Literature
Second-graders Bean and Ivy learn about global warming in their latest adventure. After hearing a presentation from fifth-graders about how the world will become desert-like, and how polar bears are endangered, they are glum. They are cheered by the news that the theme for the science fair will be global warming, and embark on trying out different ideas. Ivy and Bean experiment with ice cubes, rice and other things around them, and ultimately come up with a plan that gets parents involved. The fair culminates in them bringing a group of adults outside and having them lay down in the woods, breathing in fresh air, which makes the adults feel in touch with nature and care about global warming. The last chapter is called "Why Can't We Just Throw Ice Cubes in the Air?" that fleshes out scientific theories touched upon by Ivy and Bean, such as nuclear fission and tree-planting. Despite a heavy theme, Barrows is an adept writer whose characters never lose their optimism about saving the world. Ivy and Bean are excellent role models, and their adventure makes science go down easy. Elementary school readers will latch onto the girls and their lives, whether it's playing outside, being harassed by fifth-graders, or getting into trouble with parents. The illustrations lend depth to the story. While it is Book 7 in the "Ivy and Bean" series, readers do not need to have read the previous books to understand or relate to the characters. 2010, Chronicle Books, $14.99. Ages 9 to 12.

Leis-Newman, Elizabeth (n.d.) [Review on Ivy + Bean: What's the big idea? by Annie Barrows]. Children's Literature.

Value to the Library
Elementary School Library

When the school librarian is introducing series to the students, he or she can read aloud the first couple chapters of Ivy + Bean: What's the Big Idea? to the students. Or it can be a part of the book talk the school librarian plans on to have when introducing students to series.

SLIS 5420 Module 6 Picture Books THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
Book Cover

http://www.amazon.com/The-Crayons-Quit-Drew-Daywalt/dp/0399255370

Book Summary

Duncan loves to color. But when he opens his crayon box, he finds letters telling him that his crayons have had it! Red not only has to color anything that's red, it also has to work on holidays! Blue can never see over the crayon box because he is Duncan's favorite and gets short and stubby quickly. Yellow and Orange are fighting over being the color of the sun because Duncan uses both of them and they need him to make up his mind. Elementary aged children will greatly enjoy this book with humor and a little truth. The readers will not be able to color without thinking after reading this book. Recommended for K-4.

Reference
Daywalt, Drew. (2013). The day the crayons quit, Philomel Books.

Librarian's Corner
Before I read this book, I thought that this book would only be suitable for primary grades. After reading this book, I think besides being enjoyed by the primary students, upper elementary students can also get a kick out of it. Children naturally enjoy fiction stories and this book not only is great for enjoyment, it is also a wonderful teaching tool for teachers who teach writing. Drew Daywalt has done a fabulous job on showing persuasive writing using a kid friendly approach that can bring up debate even in kindergartners!

Reviews
From Booklist
Duncan's crayons are on strike. One morning he opens his desk looking for them and, in their place, finds a pack of letters detailing their grievances, one crayon at a time. Red is tired. Beige is bored. Black is misunderstood. Peach is naked! The conceit is an enticing one, and although the crayons' complaints are not entirely unique (a preponderance centers around some variation of overuse), the artist's indelible characterization contributes significant charm. Indeed, Jeffers' ability to communicate emotion in simple gestures, even on a skinny cylinder of wax, elevates crayon drawing to remarkable heights. First-class bookmaking, with clean design, ample trim size, and substantial paper stock, adds to the quality feel. A final spread sees all things right, as Duncan fills a page with bright, delightful imagery, addressing each of the crayons' issues and forcing them into colorful cooperation. Kids who already attribute feelings to their playthings will never look at crayons the same way again. Grades K-3

Barthelmess, Thom. (July 2013). [Review for the book The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt]. Booklist, 109(21).

From Kirkus
Duncan wants to draw, but instead of crayons, he finds a stack of letters listing the crayons' demands in this humorous tale. Red is overworked, laboring even on holidays. Gray is exhausted from coloring expansive spaces (elephants, rhinos and whales). Black wants to be considered a color-in color, and Peach? He's naked without his wrapper! This anthropomorphized lot amicably requests workplace changes in hand-lettered writing, explaining their work stoppage to a surprised Duncan. Some are tired, others underutilized, while a few want official titles. With a little creativity and a lot of color, Duncan saves the day. Jeffers delivers energetic and playful illustrations, done in pencil, paint and crayon. The drawings are loose and lively, and with few lines, he makes his characters effectively emote. Clever spreads, such as Duncan's "white cat in the snow" perfectly capture the crayons' conundrum, and photographic representations of both the letters and coloring pages offer another layer of texture, lending to the tale's overall believability. A comical, fresh look at crayons and color. 2013, Philomel, 40 pp., $17.99. Category: Picture book. Ages 3 to 7. © 2013 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Review.(May 2013). [Review for the book The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt]. Kirkus Review, 81(9).

Value to the Library
Elementary School Library
The school librarian can incorporate this book into a read aloud with the upper elementary grades to enhance their learning in language arts, especially with the 4th graders since their language arts curriculum emphasizes heavily on writing. The Day the Crayons Quit can be used to teach writing with voice and writing from different perspectives. The school librarian can lead a discussion with the upper elementary students on many different topics, for instance, he or she can have the upper elementary students examine their own crayon boxes and brainstorm things that can be written into a letter from a specific color; or he or she can have the students brainstorm letters written by the same color crayons if they were owned by a girl.

SLIS 5420 Module 5 Other Award Winners WE ARE THE SHIP

We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson
Book Cover

http://nileslibya.wordpress.com/2009/01/

Book Summary

This nonfiction book on the story of Negro League baseball from when it started in the 1920s through the end of it when Jackie Robinson went to the major league in 1947 is an informational book on the daily life of the players in the league and the way they played the games. This book does not just tell the history and the come-and-go of the Negro League baseball. It also tells of racial discrimination and triumphs and defeats on and off the field. It tells the story of many determined baseball players of color who overcame segregation, hatred, hardship, and unfair pay to just play baseball. It is a book about what our nation went though between the 1920s and 1940s and great sportsmanship.

Reference
Nelson, Kadir. (2008). We are the ship: The story of negro league baseball, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children.

Librarian's Corner
The readers will understand what segregation did to a group of dedicated African American baseball players and lovers. These baseball players were treated differently because of their skin color when they played just as well as the players in the major league, but they kept on playing even when they didn't get much pay and had to suffer through many terrible conditions for the games. This book is a wonderful book to be on a PE teacher's or a coach's shelf because this book shows what great athletes are and mean. I've always enjoyed reading nonfiction and historical stories. This book has given me another opportunity to appreciate great athletes and courageous people who believed in themselves and had a dream.

Reviews
From Booklist
Starred Review* Award-winning illustrator and first-time author Nelson's history of the Negro Leagues, told from the vantage point of an unnamed narrator, reads like an old-timer regaling his grandchildren with tales of baseball greats Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and others who forged the path toward breaking the race barrier before Jackie Robinson made his historic debut. The narrative showcases the pride and comradery of the Negro Leagues, celebrates triumphing on one's own terms and embracing adversity, even as it clearly shows the "us" and "them" mentality bred by segregation. If the story is the pitch, though, it's the artwork that blasts the book into the stands. Nelson often works from a straight-on vantage point, as if the players took time out of the action to peer at the viewer from history, eyes leveled and challenging, before turning back to the field of play. With enormous blue skies and jam-packed grandstands backing them, these players look like the giants they are. The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball's history shelves. For students and fans (and those even older than the suggested grade level), this is the book to accomplish just that. Grades 5-8

Chipman, Ian. (February 2008). [Review for the book We are the ship: The story of negro league baseball by Kadir Nelson.] Booklist, 104(11).

From Kirkus
Nelson continues to top himself with each new book. Here, working solo for the first time, he pays tribute to the hardy African-American players of baseball's first century with a reminiscence written in a collective voice "But you know something? We had many Josh Gibsons in the Negro Leagues. We had many Satchel Paiges. But you never heard about them" matched to a generous set of full-page painted portraits and stadium views. Generally viewed from low angles, the players seem to tower monumentally, all dark-skinned game faces glowering up from the page and big, gracefully expressive hands dangling from powerful arms. Arranging his narrative into historical "Innings," the author closes with lists of Negro Leaguers who played in the Majors, and who are in the Baseball Hall of Fame, plus a detailed working note. Along with being absolutely riveted by the art, readers will come away with a good picture of the Negro Leaguers' distinctive style of play, as well as an idea of how their excellence challenged the racial attitudes of both their sport and their times. (bibliography, index) 2008, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 96p, $18.99. Category: Nonfiction. Ages 10 to 13. Starred Review. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Review. (December 2007). [Review for the book We are the ship: The story of negro league baseball by Kadir Nelson]. Kirkus Review, 75(23).

Value to the Library
Elementary School Library
This book can be used as one of the books to display for the Black History Month in February. Not only does this book talk about segregation, it also shows sportsmanship and determination of these African American baseball players who's goal was to play baseball.

SLIS 5420 Module 5 Other Award Winners LET IT SHINE

Let It Shine by Ashley Bryan
Book Cover

http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Let-it-Shine/Ashley-Bryan/9780689847325

Book Summary

The book, Let It Shine, is a book with the lyrics and melody to three songs that were originally called "Negro Spirituals:" This Little Light of Mine, Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In, and He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. These "Negro Spirituals" were created by the enslaved African Americans. With laws against teaching the slaves to read and write, these African Americans managed to pass down these spiritual songs down from generation to generation by singing.

Reference
Bryan, Ashley. (2007). Let it shine, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.

Librarian's Corner
After being reminded on how terrible slavery was from reading The Slave Dancer, it amazes me that these African Americans still had a way of having faith and believing in their Gods so they could move on each day. Through the lyrics of these three spiritual songs, I could feel their sorrow and hopes, and the words really send a positive message to get the slaves through the hardship. The author, also the illustrator, did a magnificent job on the colorful collages to demonstrate the positiveness of these spiritual songs. The melodies included at the end of the book enable readers who can play piano or other musical instrument to self teach themselves the songs. Recommend for grades 3 to 5.

Reviews
From Kirkus Review
An extra-large trim size, a vibrant palette and Bryan’s glorious cut-paper collage illustrations add up to a marvelous interpretation of three traditional African-American spirituals: “This Little Light of Mine,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Intriguing endpapers show larger-than-life hands set against flowing stripes of color, with scissors and cut-paper shapes hinting at the arresting artistic style within. Children in silhouette are the main design element for the first two songs, with the final song illustrated with remarkable images of huge hands holding up different elements of the world. The volume’s large size and brilliant colors make this a natural choice for a rousing sing-along with a group, and the musical notation for the songs is included. Incorporated into these final spreads with the music are concluding illustrations for every song, each focusing on a shining source of light. (Nonfiction. 3-8)

Kirkus Review. (Dec. 2006). [Review for the book Let It Shine, by Ashley Bryan.] Kirkus Review, retrieve from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ashley-bryan/let-it-shine-2/.

From Booklist
The inspiring words of three well-known spirituals, "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," are matched with powerful construction-paper collage illustrations. Each double-page spread of this oversize picture book is an explosion of shapes and bright colors. Stocky figures, silhouetted against swirling colors are created from geometric shapes woven together. Rather than conceive a story to accompany the lyrics, Bryan presents series of scenes to reflect each set of lyrics. Children dance around with candles and march with saints; God holds a world of colored objects in his hands. The musical notation and lyrics for each song appear at the end of the book, as does a brief note from Bryan about the history of the spiritual and the changes he made in some of the lyrics. This will be hard to read without breaking into song. Category: Books for the Young--Nonfiction. 2007, Simon & Schuster/Atheneum, $16.99.

Enos, Randal. (November 2006). [Review for the book Let it Shine, by Ashley Bryan.] Booklist, 103(6).

Value to the Library
Elementary School Library

During Black History Month, the library can present a book talk featuring different literature on slavery and have a discussion on ways to keep going in difficult times.

SLIS 5420 Module 4 Newbery Winner THE SLAVE DANCER

The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox
Book Cover

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Slave_Dancer

Book Summary

The setting of the story is in New Orleans, Louisiana. One night when 11-year-old Jessie Bollier is walking back from his Auntie's house to his own, two men capture him in a canvas bag and takes to a ship, The Moonlight. Jessie plays his fife and these men need someone who knows how to play a music instrument on their transporting ship for the slaves to keep the slaves upbeat and dancing from time to time to stay healthy. Jessie experiences the hardship for months on a ship and also experiences many conflicting emotions toward his shipmates and slavery. The Moonlight goes through a storm right before it reaches land. Jessie and a slave boy about his age are the only two survivors. The slave boy is sent to the north for his safety and Jessie moves to Boston with his mother and sister and starts over his life. Even though the time on The Moonlight is not a long one but it haunts him for the rest of his life.

Reference

Fox, Paula. (1973). The slave dancer, Bradbury Press, Inc.

Librarian's Corner

The Slave Dancer is a good resource for 5th graders when they are studying the slave trade in American History. Even though all children in America study this part in history, it is still difficult for students to make sense and understand the ordeal. As an adult, I've gone through many classes in high school and college on slavery, but I was still shocked while reading this book. The Slave Dancer is one of the many great literature that covers that part in history with graphic descriptions of the horrible aspects of slave trade. The children are sheltered more in the present time compare to children lived in a couple decades ago. I would recommend this book to students 5th grade and up.

Reviews

From Historicalnovelsociety.com

This reissued Newbery Honor book tells what could easily be a true story. Beginning in 1839, thirteen-year-old Jessie Bollier is on the bustling New Orleans docks playing his fife for pennies. He does this every day to help support his widowed mother and ailing sister. He’s not afraid of the rough sailors who surround him; his father, until he drowned, was one of them. One night, he is kidnapped and carried aboard The Moonlight, bound for Africa. The hard men on the ship set him to work learning what might have been his trade anyway, but this is a slave ship. On the return voyage, he will “dance” the slaves, who will be released for a short time each day from the hold where they are packed like sardines. This book does not turn away from the horrors of the trade. Jessie carries buckets of human waste from the filthy hold and witnesses disease and floggings. He learns how the sailors justify the horror in which they participate, and how the man who smiles the most can be the one who betrays you. This is an unshrinking look at a terrible chapter in our history, and at the horror of slavery, which even today still exists. The Slave Dancer is moving, harrowing, and, unfortunately, entirely believable.

Historical Novel Society. (n.d.). [Review for the book The Slave Dancer, by Paula Fox.] Historicalnovelsociety.com.

From Kirkus
A forceful shipboard story of a boy impressed by slavers to exercise the captives, playing his fife for their bizarre daily dance.

Kirkus Review. (n.d.). [Review for the book The Slave Dancer,by Paula Fox.]. Kirkus Review.

Value to the Library
Upper Elementary Grades & Middle School

The Slave Dancer is going to be included in a display with books that cover topics on slavery and colonization when the 5th graders are studying this part of the American History in their social studies class. Many 5th grade teachers teach social studies topics using literature to kill two birds with one stone. As a librarian, I can help the fifth grade social studies or language arts teachers by sharing books on this topic in a display. I noticed that the students tend to check out books that are recommended by teachers. If the fifth graders are studying slavery and see these books displayed in the library, there is a better chance of these books being checked out.