The Arrival by Shaun Tan

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

                                                        

1.      Bibliography

Tan, Shaun. The Arrival. Melbourne, Australia: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2006. ISBN 0439895294

2.      Plot Summary

The Arrival is a wordless book about an Asian gentleman who leaves his homeland to immigrate to a Western civilization.  His arrival, told all in pictures, shows how foreign the world feels to him.  Animals look unfamiliar, all the signs and writing in the book are unintelligible. When he immigrates, the process he goes through seems foreign to him and therefore we feel confused looking through the pictures. Several friends, that the man makes, tell him of their experiences immigrating and we get to see the process through their eyes also.  The man gets a job and saves enough money to get his family over, which is all shown in a touching reunion.

3.   Critical Analysis

The main character, of the story, is a father and husband who immigrates to a foreign land.  His view will be familiar to children because the drawings show just how confusing this new land is to the foreign man. And, therefore, similar to new experiences children experience in their daily lives. The plot moves along from a familiar setting and circumstances to a foreign setting that feels unfamiliar and uncomfortable for the man and his friends. The story depicts themes of isolation, belonging, novelty, cultural difference and the issues and challenges around the whole idea of displacement.

A wide variety of cultures are represented in the hyper-lifelike style, and the sense of warmth and caring for others, regardless of race, age, or background, is shown on nearly every page. Tan used the style he learned from working on the storyboard while adapting The Lost Thing into a short film to illustrate this book. His sorrow about leaving his home is communicated through the sepia-like tone and weird, dark textured style.

4.      Review Excerpts

A New York Times Best Illustrated Book
Book Sense Book of the Year -- Honor Book

From Booklist: “Soft brushstrokes and grand Art Deco style architecture evoke a time long ago, but the story's immediacy and fantasy elements will appeal even to readers younger than the target audience, though they may miss many of the complexities. Filled with subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form.”

From Kirkus Reviews: “Small panels move the story along; full- and double-page spreads provide dazzling panoramas. It’s an unashamed paean to the immigrant’s spirit, tenacity and guts, perfectly crafted for maximum effect.”

From School Library Journal: “Young readers will be fascinated by the strange new world the artist creates, complete with floating elevators and unusual creatures, but may not realize the depth of meaning or understand what the man's journey symbolizes. More sophisticated readers, however, will grasp the sense of strangeness and find themselves participating in the man's experiences. They will linger over the details in the beautiful sepia pictures and will likely pick up the book to pore over it again and again.”

5.      Connections

Gather and read other graphic novels popular with young adults such as:

      L’Engle, Madeleine.  A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel.  ISBN 1250056942
      Gaiman, Neil. Coraline: The Graphic Novel. ASIN: B00I9IP4QA
      Brosgol, Vera. Anya’s Ghost. ISBN 1250040019

Gather and read other Shaun Tan books such as:

      Lost & Found. ISBN 0545229243
      The Singing Bones. ISBN 0545946123
      Tales from Outer Suburbia. ISBN 0545055873

Explore and discuss the work of Shaun Tan and the influence of his own life on his writing.

Become aware of some possible reasons for migration and its effects on people’s lives.

Analyze Tan's artistic style and how it is used to convey various elements of the story.

Debate whether written language is necessary for effective storytelling.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

                                                        

1.      Bibliography

Green, John.  The Fault in Our Stars.  Grand Haven, MI: Brilliance Audio, 2012. ASIN B00OHX3KT4.

2.      Plot Summary

Hazel has been struggling as a cancer survivor much of her life.  Medical science has found a drug to keep her cancer at bay but it has still only bought her time not eradicated the disease.  At the insistence of her mother, Hazel attends a support group where she meets the love of her life, Gus.  Gus makes her feel more alive than she has ever felt but he is also a cancer survivor.  Hazel turns Gus onto her favorite book, An Imperial Affliction, and they use his “Cancer Kid” wish to go to Amsterdam to meet the author. The story tackles the heavy questions, ‘Does my life and will my death have meaning?”

3.   Critical Analysis

The character of Hazel feels real because she has the same emotions as any teenager we ever met.  She has depression over her situation in life, elation over her new love, and angst about what others think about her.  The story is about Hazel’s emotional journey and how other people impact your views about life. Hazel’s world is small, since she takes classes online, she really only ever sees her parents and her support group.  So, when she goes to Amsterdam, her world opens up and seems even bigger to her then it would to a more traveled individual.

The Fault in our Stars explores Life and Death.  The story also explores Family, Isolation, Love, Religion, Courage, Identity, Consciousness, Existence, Morality and Coming of Age. Sometimes in life, you may not always get what you want and what you wish for, so you have to be thankful for what you have while you have it. John Green says in the Questions and Answers after the audiobook, that he chose a female lead to show that women can be strong in the face of adversity.  And since the story is told through Hazel, the reader can feel Hazel’s emotion as she goes from despondent to hopeful.

I listened to the unabridged version of the book on CD.  The reader of the story was actress and voice talent Kate Rudd whose narration of a teenage girl is excellent.  She is also believable in her narration of the other myriad of characters. This version of the audiobook also includes a question and answer session with the author.

4.      Review Excerpts

#1 New York Times Bestseller

TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012

From Booklist: Starred review. “Beautifully conceived and executed, this story artfully examines the largest possible considerations—life, love, and death—with sensitivity, intelligence, honesty, and integrity. In its every aspect, The Fault in Our Stars is a triumph.”

From Horn Book Starred review. “Hazel, the most multi-dimensional yet of John Green Girls, may not be able to change the course of her stars, but she navigates their heartbreaking directives with humor, honesty, and — while she would probably deny it — grace.”

From Kirkus Reviews: Starred review. “A smartly crafted intellectual explosion of a romance.”

From Publisher’s Weekly: Starred review. “So maybe there's not a new formula at work so much as a gender swap. But this iteration is smart, witty, profoundly sad, and full of questions worth asking, even those like "Why me?" that have no answer.”

From School Library Journal: Starred review. “An achingly beautiful story.”

5.      Connections

Gather and use with other John Green books such as:

      Looking for Alaska. ISBN 0142402516
      Paper Towns. ISBN 014241493X

Gather and use with other #1 Best Seller in Teen & Young Adult such as:

      Forman, Gayle. If I Stay. ISBN 014241543X
      Yoon, Nicola. Everything, Everything. ISBN 0553496670

Gather and use with other teen books that explore death and dying such as:

      Ness, Patrick. A Monster Calls. ISBN 0763655597
      Hesse, Monica. Girl in the Blue Coat. ISBN 0316260630
      Niven, Jennifer. All the Bright Places.  ISBN 0385755910

Explore the connections between the story and Romeo and Juliet.

 

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

                                                            

1.      Bibliography

Barnhill, Kelly. The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Young Readers, 2016. ISBN 1616205679.

2.      Plot Summary

The people of the Protectorate sacrifice a baby to the witch in the woods once a year.  What they don’t know is that the witch takes their babies and gives them to nice families in the free cities on the other side of the woods.  That is, until one year, when the witch accidently feeds the baby moonlight and the baby takes on special characteristics.  Since the folks in the free cities wouldn’t know how to handle such a child, the witch decides to keep her.  She raises the child as her own with the help of her friends, a swamp monster and a tiny dragon.  As the child grows, so does her magic so the witch hides her magic until the child is old enough to handle it.

3.   Critical Analysis

The young protagonist of the story is Luna, a young girl rescued by the witch and accidently fed moonlight.  She is relatable because, like most young children, she loves the family that lovingly raised her even though, in her case, it is her grandmother (the witch), a swamp monster and a tiny dragon.  The plot put forward in the story, while not plausible in our realm, is logical to the characters world.  We understand the actions of the characters because they are driven by the same emotions that drive all of us such as love, jealousy, and power.  The story is fun, interesting and exciting.  There is a villain to vanquish, just not the one the characters have been led to believe is the villain.

The setting of the story takes place mostly in the woods, which to those outside is described as dark and foreboding but for the characters who live there it is described as homey and comfortable.  The other setting is the Protectorate, the sad and foreboding town from which the children are sacrificed.  It is described in all of its gloom and the reader can feel the suppression under which the townsfolks live.  Themes to be discovered and discussed include hope versus sorrow, family and parenting, the complexities and injustices of our modern society, effects of power and tyranny and how love can conquer fear and despair.

4.      Review Excerpts

Winner of the 2017 Newbery Medal
The New York Times Bestseller

From Booklist: Starred Review. “Rich with multiple plotlines that culminate in a suspenseful climax, characters of inspiring integrity, a world with elements of both whimsy and treachery, and prose that melds into poetry. A sure bet for anyone who enjoys a truly fantastic story.”

From Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review. “Guaranteed to enchant, enthrall, and enmagick.  Replete with traditional motifs, this nontraditional fairy tale boasts sinister and endearing characters, magical elements, strong storytelling, and unleashed forces.”

From School Library Journal: “The swiftly paced, highly imaginative plot draws a myriad of threads together to form a web of characters, magic, and integrated lives. Spiritual overtones encompass much of the storytelling with love as the glue that holds it all together. VERDICT An expertly woven and enchanting offering for readers who love classic fairy tales.”

5.      Connections

Gather and read other Newberry winning fantasy books such as:

      Lowry, Lois.  The Giver. ISBN B008224A68
      DiCamillo, Kate.  The Tale of Despereaux.  ISBN 0763680893
      Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. ISBN 0060530944

Gather and read other books by Kelly Barnhill:

      The Witches Boy. ISBN 1616205482
      Iron Hearted Violet. ISBN 0316056758
      The Mostly True Story of Jack. ISBN 0316056723

Gather and read other well know young adult books about magical children such as:

      Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter series. ISBN 0545162076
      Riordan, Rick. Percy Jackson series. ISBN 1484707230

Use in a science unit when discussing starlight and moonlight.

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman

The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman

1.      Bibliography

Cushman, Karen.  The Midwife’s Apprentice.  New York: Clarion Books, 1995. ISBN 0547722176

2.      Plot Summary

A nameless child is found in the dung heap where she has gone to keep warm.  Because she has sought the dung heap, the villagers call her “Beetle”, like a dung beetle. The local midwife takes her in to perform odd jobs like fetching things and mixing things.  She slowly starts to pick up some skills and the villagers start to call her “The Midwife’s Apprentice”.  She has a success and thinks she is ready for a task she cannot achieve.  Feeling a failure, she runs away and goes to work at the inn in a nearby village. The story is about the young girls struggle to find way, herself and some share of happiness.

3.   Critical Analysis

Readers will associate with Beetle’s struggle to find her identity.  Her journey is familiar to people of all ages as we strive to find what makes us happy and fulfilled in our lives. However, Beetle’s plight may not be readily understood by anyone who not been without a roof over their head or food in their stomach.  The story does not get too much into the detail of the other characters so the village itself does not come to life.  And, the location could just as easily be colonial America as medieval England with the exception of some of the words of dialogue used.  But, the backwardness of medicine of the time is very apparent in the midwife’s concoctions and potions.

The book focuses on the theme of searching for identify and sense of belonging.  This theme is universally understood and something that people around the world struggle with their whole lives.  It is also a story about resolve and determination in the middle of hard times.  Beetle choice to be a named person; changing from Beetle to Alyce and wanted to not run away from her hardships is a universal goal of persistence. Following the story, the author has an addendum about midwifery.  She discusses what midwife’s were through history, how the managed delivering babies in medieval times and what they do today.

4.      Review Excerpts

1996 Newbery Winner

ALA Best Book for Young Adults

ALA Notable Book for Children

From School Library Journal: Starred review. "With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of medieval England. Here readers follow the satisfying, literal and figurative journey of a homeless, nameless child called Brat. Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal remedies attached to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature."

From Booklist: Starred review. "This novel is about a strong, young woman in medieval England who finds her own way home. Kids will be caught up in this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone."

5.      Connections

Use with a social studies unit on homelessness and poverty.

Gather and read other Karen Cushman books such as:

      Catherine, Called Birdy. ISBN 0547722184
      The Ballad of Lucy Whipple. ISBN 054772215X

Gather other Newbery Medal books to read such as:

      Barnhill, Kelly. The Girl Who Drank the Moon. ISBN 1616205679
      From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. ISBN 0689711816

Gather other children’s books about medieval time period such as:

      Avi. Crispin: The Cross of Lead. ISBN 0786816589
      Gidwitz, Adam. The Inquisitor’s Tale. ISBN 0525426167

Use in a history unit to illustrate life for women in medieval times.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 

                                                         

1.      Bibliography

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker.  The War That Saved My Life. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2015. ISBN 0147510481

2.      Plot Summary

A young girl seizes an opportunity to escape an abusive relationship when London is evacuated during WWII.  Taking her younger brother, she flees to the countryside to live with a reclusive older lady.  Ada struggles with her disability, with the thought that she is unwanted and unlovable because, in the past, she has been treated as less than a human.  When Ada and her younger brother are forced upon an unwilling woman, it enforces Ada’s opinion that no one could ever care for her.  Ada has to learn that others can be trusted and that she can take care of herself.  In her new home she learns to ride a horse, to see her self-worth and she learns how to love and be loved by others.

3.   Critical Analysis

Ada is heartbreakingly relatable.  Her plight touches on the insecurities we all feel about being inadequate in our own eyes and feeling unworthy of love from others.  Her story will be hauntingly familiar to anyone who has grown up with less than they need.  Ada’s relationship with her brother will touch a nerve to those who have felt the need to protect a younger sibling but feel jealous of them at the same time.  Ada’s internal fight feels real and raw and could be a bit overwhelming for anyone who has struggled with a dysfunctional relationship.  The horrors of war are not shied away from.  Ada helps with the soldiers wounded in the battle of Dunkirk and the author does not shy away from the smells and sights of the wounded and dying.

The theme of truth and lies is explored by looking at different kinds of truths and lies and whether there are justifications for any type of lie.  Freedom is another theme explored during the story.  Ada escapes not just from the bombing of London, but also from the one-room apartment in which she is kept, her mother and the confines society and binds she has created in her own mind.  Themes of hope, resilience and perseverance are explored as Ada learns to rebound for her confines, both physical and mentally. The book explores self-discovery, self-worth and the strength of the family (those we are born into and those we create).

4.      Review Excerpts

2016 Newbery Honor Book

#1 New York Times Bestseller

From Booklist: “The home-front realities of WWII, as well as Ada’s realistic anger and fear, come to life in Bradley’s affecting and austerely told story, and readers will cheer for steadfast Ada as she triumphs over despair.”

From The Horn Book: Starred review. “Involving, poignant, nuanced . . . This is a feel-good story, but an earned one . . . distinct and powerful in its own right.”

From Kirkus Review: Starred review. “Ada’s voice is brisk and honest; her dawning realizations are made all the more poignant for their simplicity. Things come to an explosive head, metaphorically and literally. Ignorance and abuse are brought to light, as are the healing powers of care, respect and love. Set against a backdrop of war and sacrifice, Ada’s personal fight for freedom and ultimate triumph are cause for celebration.”

From Publishers Weekly: Starred review. “Proving that her courage and compassion carry far more power than her disability, Ada earns self-respect, emerges a hero, and learns the meaning of home.”

From School Library Journal: “There is much to like here—Ada’s engaging voice, the vivid setting, the humor, the heartbreak, but most of all the tenacious will to survive.”

5.      Connections

Gather other Kimberly Brubaker Bradley books to read such as:
      Jefferson’s Sons.  ISBN 0142421847
      For Freedom. ISBN 0440418313

Gather classic books mentioned in the story to read such as:

      Barrie, J.M. Peter Pan. ISBN 1781393613
      Burnett, Frances H. The Secret Garden. ISBN 1518780350
      Carroll, Lewis. Alice in Wonderland. ISBN 1781393354
      Grahame, Kenneth. The Wind in the Willows. ISBN 0735842957
      Wyss, Johann David. The Swiss Family Robinson. ISBN 1973986590

Gather other WWII children’s books to read such as:

      Borden, Louise. The Little Ships. ISBN 0689853963
      Larson, Kirby. Dash. ISBN 0545416361
      Ryan, Pam Munoz, Echo. ISBN 0439874025

Use in a history lesson about World War II

Use in a social studies lesson to discuss abuse and dysfunctional relationships

 

Deadend in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Deadend in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

                                                         

1.      Bibliography

Gantos, Jack.  Deadend in Norvelt. MacMillion Audio. CD 7 hrs. ISBN 1427213569

2.      Plot Summary

Deadend in Norvelt is the story of a young Jack Gantos (the author) as he relives one summer of his childhood in Norvelt, Pennsylvania.  The town is a community that was originally founded for unemployed coal miners during the Great Depression.  The idea was that they would communally farm and barter for their needs.  The story takes place as the town is dying and young Jack is enlisted to document the tale in a series of obituaries of the town’s dying residents.  It is a story of family dynamics as his mother, a town native, struggles to stay put and his father, a restless soul, tries to find a way to move the family to a place he can find a job to support them.  Jack is caught in the middle and struggles for a way to please everyone.

3.  Critical Analysis

The character of Jack Gantos is relatable to today’s children because he experiences the same things today’s youth experience.  He gets into trouble, he becomes a go-between with his parents, he experiences health issues and he has interactions with people his own age and the elderly neighbors.  The historical time period can be “felt”.  It was a simpler time, after the Great Depression and World War II, the town is concerned with economic stability and the cold war (bomb shelters in the back yard). It is a small-town atmosphere and Jack just wants to play ball with his friends.  The pull between parental chores and peer pressure is relevant and timeless.

The unabridged audio version is contained on 6 CD and runs for 7 hours.  The sound is clear and contains no sound effects or musical score.  It is read by the author and even though the author is not a professional voice talent, by having the author as the narrator, his inflection is authentic.  The listener can feel what young Jack was feeling because it comes from the real experiences of the teller.  The story is followed by an interview with the author which children will find enjoyable because the author tells how much of the story is true and how much is fictional and he gives a little more background of his experiences growing up in this town and about the dichotomy of his parents.

4.      Review Excerpts

2012 Newbery Medal winner

2012 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

ALA Notable Children’s Book

ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults

From Booklist: “Gantos, as always, delivers bushels of food for thought and plenty of outright guffaws.”

From Horn Book Magazine: Starred review. “The audiobook was just for fun, since Jack narrated it himself and I'd listen to him read a grocery list, his delivery is that funny. There's more than laugh-out-loud gothic comedy here. This is a richly layered semi-autobiographical tale, an ode to a time and place, to history and the power of reading.”

From Kirkus Reviews: Starred review. “An exhilarating summer marked by death, gore and fire sparks deep thoughts in a small-town lad not uncoincidentally named ‘Jack Gantos.' The gore is all Jack's, which to his continuing embarrassment ‘would spray out of my nose holes like dragon flames' whenever anything exciting or upsetting happens. And that would be on every other page, seemingly . . . Characteristically provocative gothic comedy, with sublime undertones.”

From Publishers Weekly: Starred review. “A bit of autobiography works its way into all of Gantos's work, but he one-ups himself in this wildly entertaining meld of truth and fiction by naming the main character . . . Jackie Gantos.”

From School Library Journal: “Gantos narrates this laugh-out-loud semi-autobiographical tale, providing a pitch-perfect rendition of Jack's sarcasm, exaggeration, and whining.”

5.      Connections

Gather and use with other Jack Gantos, such as:

      Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key. ISBN 1250061687
      Joey Pigza Loses Control. ISBN 1250061679

Gather and use with other children’s’ books set in the 1960s, such as:

      Schmidt, Gary D. The Wednesday Wars. ISBN 054723760X
      Zindel, Paul. The Pigman. ISBN 0060757353

Include in a history lesson using the time periods Jack Gantos uses in his obituaries.

Use in a history lesson about Eleanor Roosevelt.

Use in a social studies, history or geography lesson and study Homestead Communities.

Use in an economics lesson when discussing bartering.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

 

 

The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius

by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

                                                        

1.      Bibliography

Greenberg, Jan and Sandra Jordan.  The Mad Potter: George E. Ohr, Eccentric Genius.  New York: Roaring Brooks Press, 2013.  ISBN 159643810X

2.      Plot Summary

George E. Ohr, the self-proclaimed’ Mad Potter of Biloxi’ was an eccentric potter not recognized for his artistic genius until 50 years after his death.  George grew up the son of a Germany immigrant to New Orleans.  He apprenticed to be a blacksmith in his father’s smithy.  When, he grew tired of that, he went to work in his mother’s grocery store. He was soon restless again so, he struck out on his own.  At first making practical pottery in the style of the day but George wanted to make art.  He went to the World’s Fairs of his day to learn from the style of the art pottery masters of the period.  George knew that his work was the best however, he was not recognized for his artistic genius during his lifetime.

3.    Critical Analysis

Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan are a well-known and respected duo in informational books for children.  And, this book is no exception.  It is thoroughly researched and cited.  The photographs of George Ohr, his family, his life and his works are displayed well and each carefully marked.  The book is logically laid out, mostly chronologically with examples of his pottery throughout.  The chapter headings give a hint as to their context without being too obvious such as: “Fire” and “The Last Hurrah”.  There are a few appendixes that add to the books use such as the one about the Ohr Museum or how to throw your own pot.  And, the one I find most helpful, to the art teachers, would be “How to Look at a Pot”.

The design is attractive with more illustrations than words which is fitting for a book about an artist.  It is mostly about his art and secondly about the artist.  About half of the pages have some text in bold to highlight a quote or saying of Mr. Ohr’s.  The style of the book is slightly eccentric with some random quotes, photographs or pictures of the art scattered around or in a different font.  However, this seem perfectly fitting for The Mad Potter.

4.      Review Excerpts

2014 Robert F. Sibert Medal Honor Book

2014 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book
ALA 2014 Notable Children’s Books, Middle Readers
Booklist 2014 Top 10 Books for Youth, Arts
Booklist 2014 Top 10 Books for Youth, Biography
Booklist Editor’s Choice: Books for Youth, 2013, Nonfiction
SLJs Best Books of 2013, Nonfiction

From Booklist: Starred Review. “The artist comes to life in this clearly written narrative, full of well-chosen details and anecdotes. Fine vintage photos show Ohr at work and with his family.”

From Kirkus Reviews: ““A fascinating introduction to an innovative artist.”

From Publishers Weekly: “...will certainly prod them to ask themselves if they're really living life to the fullest.”

From School Library Journal: Starred Review. “The authors do an excellent job describing this larger-than-life character through quotes and plentiful color photos of his pottery, or “mud babies” as he referred to his creations.”

5.      Connections

Gather and use other books by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, such as:

      Action Jackson.  ISBN 0312367511
      Vincent van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist. ISBN 0440419174
      Ballet for Martha: Making of Appalachian Spring. ISBN 1596433388

Gather and use other biographies about artists, such as:

      Martin, Jacqueline Briggs.  Snowflake Bentley.  ISBN 0547248296
      Rosenstock, Barb.  The Noisy Paint Box.  ISBN 0307978486
      Tonatiuh, Duncan.  Funny Bones.  ISBN 1419716476

Gather and use other books about artist ahead of their time, such as:

      DK Publishing.  Frank O. Gehry: Outside In.  ISBN 0789426773
      Escher, M.C. and Michael Solomon Sachs.  The Pop-Up Book of M.C. Escher. ISBN 0876548192

Use in an art lesson on pottery

Becoming Ben Franklin: How a Candle-Maker's Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty by Russell Freedman

Becoming Ben Franklin: How a Candle-Maker’s Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty

 by Russell Freedman

 

1.      Bibliography

Freedman, Russell. Becoming Ben Franklin: How a Candle-Maker’s Son Helped Light the Flame of Liberty. New York: Holiday House, 2013. ISBN 0823423743

2.      Plot Summary

Becoming Ben Franklin tells the story of our great statesman and inventor and how became the great American we all know. Born to a candle-maker in Boston, he apprenticed with his father and brother before he set out on his own (ran away) to Philadelphia to find his independence.  He sought neither fame nor fortune but achieved both.  He retired from the printing business at the age of 42 to pursue his study of science.  He discovered the conductivity of electricity and invented the lightening rod.  He was drafted into his statesman role, representing the United States to England twice and France late in his life.  This book captures Benjamin Franklin, and all of his quirkiness and eccentricities, all through his amazing life.

3.      Critical Analysis

The life of Benjamin Franklin will serve as an example for American children possibly forever.  Not only as a founding father, but as a self-starter and someone who always strives to be a better person.  Reading a story about his life not only teaches the history of our country but puts context to the life and times of its people during this historical time in our history.  His story serves as a good role model, and would be of interest, to any child who wishes to pursue a life in the trades, politics or the sciences.  But also, it serves as a shining example to anyone who wishes to work on the betterment of self.

Dr. Franklin strove to be a better person and focused on what he thought were the most important virtues of industry, frugality, resolution, humility, vanity and pride.  He was more successful in some virtues than other but he would continue the pursuit his whole life. The book does not shy away from Franklin’s faults as well as his virtues.  It points out that the man had a child out of wedlock, was estranged from one of his children and was known for gluttony. The book is meticulously researched with many original sources sighted.  The pictures included are mostly famous paintings done during Franklin’s life.  The book flows naturally through Franklin’s life, telling all the high points through narration and quotes.

4.      Review Excerpts

ALA 2014 Notable Children’s Books, Older Reader

Booklist 2013 Lasting Connections, Social Studies

Booklist Editor’s Choice: Books for Youth, 2013, Nonfiction

BooklistTop 10 Books for Youth 2013, Biographies

Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books of 2013

School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2013, Nonfiction

2014 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book

From Booklist: Starred Review. “Russell Freedman writes perceptively about every stage of Franklin’s life, weaving in lively anecdotes as well as quotes from his Autobiography and other writings”.

From School Library Journal: “Biographers make decisions about what to leave out as much as what to put in, but Freedman is consistent in connecting his discussion to primary sources. The result is an account that examines the whole of Franklin's remarkable life but does not overwhelm readers”.

5.      Connections

Gather and use other children’s biographies about Benjamin Franklin, such as:

        Byrd, Robert. Electric Ben. ISBN 0803737491
        Fleming, Candace. Ben Franklin's Almanac. ISBN 0689835493
        Schanzer, Rosalyn. How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning. ISBN 0688169937

Gather and use other Russell Freedman biographies, such as:

        The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane. ISBN 082341082X
        Lincoln: A Photobiography. 0395518482
        The Life and Death of Crazy Horse. ISBN 0823412199

Use in a history lesson about the Revolutionary War.

Use in a social studies lesson about the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States or American government.

Use in a science lesson about Electricity.