A Step From Heaven - Fiction, Fantasy and YA

Bibliography

Na, An. 2001. A STEP FROM HEAVEN. Asheville: Front Street.
ISBN 1-886910-58-8.

Plot Summary

            An Na’s A STEP FROM HEAVEN is the story of Young Ju and her family who immigrate to the United States, a place they think is heaven, from Korea. Young Ju’s parents want her to act American to the outside world and live up to her traditional Korean upbringing at home; these are complicated roles for her to play and her dual personalities are increasingly difficult to maintain due to her father’s alcoholism and their extreme poverty. After her parents divorce Young Ju matures and adapts to her circumstances, eventually going to college. Her story ends on a hopeful note, her mother works three jobs and buys her family a house of their own and Young Ju has her future ahead of her and can now discover what life holds for her.

Critical Analysis

            An Na’s book A STEP FROM HEAVEN is, at its core, about hope. This feeling of hope is first discovered in the way Young Ju and her family choose to leave the only home they know for what they believe are better circumstances in California. The family struggles to fit in, having trouble learning the new language and customs. During her life journey the reader sees Young Ju exposed to many situations that would weaken the strongest hope. Young Ju is tested by not only her new home, but also by what the changes of moving to California do to her family. However even though it may not always be present, hope remains in their lives. At the end of the novel we see Young Ju, her mother and brother starting over again after their father abandoned them. Here again the reader is shown the idea that hope for a better future can come from the bleakest of circumstances.

An Na paints an authentic portrait of an immigrant family. Through a series of events in a young girl’s life, we see how the family learns to adjust to life in their new home. The book does not shy away from portraying events with realism and harshness. We see and feel the struggle that Young Ju and her family experience to try to understand their new home. The characters are credible and authentic. The reader sees Young Ju evolve from an innocent little girl into a stronger, more world wise young adult. The characters in her family are described with the same level of realism. Young Ju’s mother or Uhmma is depicted as a woman trying her best every day to provide for her family while dealing with an ever increasingly abusive husband. The reader experiences her pain and her determination to retain her dignity and elevate herself. Young Ju’s father or Apa is the opposite character. He makes no effort to control his drinking, does not feel it is wrong to abuse his family and ultimately abandons them. Finally, Young Ju’s brother Joon becomes an apathetic person. He skips school and does not strive to succeed or better himself. Each of these characters deals with immigration and acculturation differently and An Na presents an honest portrayal of this difficult experience. 

          A STEP FROM HEAVEN has a plot structure that brings to mind a series of photographs. Each chapter is like a snapshot in Young Ju’s life. The reader undergoes a sense of what is happening to her at that moment, what she is feeling, and how the other people in her life play a role in that moment in her life. We see these snapshots unfold in two locations, Korea and California. Each setting affects the characters and changes them. In Korea we see a family preparing to depart their homeland and all that is familiar. In California we see a family unprepared for the changes a new life and new country create. How they each chose to respond to their new life defines them.

Review Excerpts and Awards

Children’s Book Award Winner for Young Adult Fiction 2002

National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature 2001

VOYA review 2001: “In this luminous, bittersweet debut novel, a young Korean girl crosses the Pacific and does her best to adapt to life in Mi Gook, the United States, despite the difficulties involved in learning western customs and the English language.”

COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER CHOICES review 2002: “An Na's stunning first novel depicts Young's development by showing the complexities of her world, screened through her mind.”

Connections

·       A good way to help students learn something from this book would be a discussion of personal experiences. Have you ever had to move to a new place? Do you know someone who has moved from another country? Having students talk about their own experiences makes the book much more personal.

·       Similar books include FINDING MY VOICE by Marie G. Lee ISBN 0064472450 and FINDING MY HAT by John Son ISBN 0439435390.

·       An Na has a website that provides Educators with links to lesson plans for A STEP FROM HEAVEN. The author’s website can be found at this URL http://www.anwriting.com/astep_lessons.html.

·       There is a book trailer for A STEP FROM HEAVEN available on You Tube at this URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5HNA398L0Y.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon - Fiction, Fantasy and YA

Bibliography

Lin, Grace. 2009. WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON. New York: Little Brown and Co.

ISBN 978-0-316-11427-1.

Plot Summary:

 Minli, the heroine of Grace Lin’s WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, is a young girl who wants desperately to change her family’s fortune so her parents will be happier, her village will prosper and Fruitless Mountain and the Jade River will come back to life. Minli ardently believes in the fantastic tales her father tells her every night, especially the tale of the Old Man of the Moon; who, if you can find him, will answer one question that may change your future. After buying a magical goldfish who gives her directions to the Old Man, being joined by a dragon without the ability to fly, and enduring many trials and rewards, Minli reaches the end of her quest. During her journey, and at the meeting with the Old Man, Minli realizes the most important lesson of all; she does not need to change her family’s fortune for they have all they could need in their love for each other. 

Critical Analysis

            Grace Lin’s novel WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON has all the elements of a good fantasy, starting with the heroine Minli. She is patient, honest, hardworking and determined. She comes from hard circumstances and wants to improve her families life. She embarks on a quest to make life better for her family and her character evolves as the journey continues. She begins her quest by believing good fortune means riches, and ends her journey by realizing that having a loving home and parents who care for you is worth more than any amount of gold. This theme of love being more important than wealth or power is traditional in fantasy.

          Lin’s novel is set in an Asian country, most probably China, but it is never specifically mentioned. This is an area of the world known for its tales of fantasy and folklore and Lin uses that to great effect. The fantasy elements employed by Lin are common to Asia, primarily the use of the dragon. One, Jade dragon, creates the need for Minli’s quest, another aspect of fantasy fiction. Another dragon (called Dragon) is her companion on this quest because he too is looking for the answer to a personal dilemma, why he cannot fly. Since they have similar goals they combine forces to find The Old Man of the Mountain. The Old Man is yet another common component of Asian fantasy. There are many figures like him, immortal, wise, beings who know the future and live in a remote, hard to reach locations. The hero and his or her companions must be worthy to reach him and to seek his wisdom.

Lin describes each new place in great detail. For example, Minli and her parents live in a dilapidated village and work long hours in the rice fields. They partake of a meager bowl of rice for dinner with nothing to spare. Lin’s descriptions of the locales and daily life create sharp images of what life is like in a poor rural village. In contrast to Lin’s portrayals of Minli’s village, her descriptions of the City of Bright Moonlight are colorful and filled with varying detail. She creates a sprawling city filled with markets, a royal palace and peasant houses allowing the reader to experiences the activity, the sights and sounds of the city.

          The plot line of Lin’s novel follows a traditional quest framework with the heroine embarking on a journey, meeting many strange and interesting characters along the way and eventually proving her worthiness to complete the quest thorough determination and intelligence. However, this novel also adds an extra element. There are fairy tales within fairy tales in this book. At strategic moments throughout the novel, a character will tell a story. These short folktales relate to the larger narrative and serve to highlight plot points for the reader.

          There are two distinct types of illustrations in Lin’s book. Single color images such as two coins, a goldfish or a cityscape, appear above every chapter heading and provide the reader with a hint of what will happen in the ensuing chapter. Also, there are full page color drawings that resemble traditional Asian art. They are found sporadically throughout the novel and serve to illustrate key points in the plot. 

Review Excerpts and Awards

Newberry Honor Book 2010

Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature Winner 2010

Josette Frank Award Winner 2010

BOOKLIST Starred review 2009: “With beautiful language, Lin creates a strong, memorable heroine and a mystical land. Stories, drawn from a rich history of Chinese folktales, weave throughout her narrative, deepening the sense of both the characters and the setting and smoothly furthering the plot.”

KIRKUS review 2009: “With her "lively and impulsive spirit," Minli emerges a stalwart female role model who learns the importance of family, friendship and faith during her amazing journey. Richly hued illustrations reinforce the Chinese folk theme.”

Connections

·       A discussion about the one question each reader would ask the Old Man of the Moon.

·       An assignment to write a mini fairy tale based on a character in the book.

·       Grace Lin’s website offers a book trailer and video interview with the author in the area entitled OVERVIEW. There is also an activity guide for WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON, in the area entitled ACTIVITIES that is free to download. The website can be found at this URL  http://gracelin.com/content.php?page=wherethemountainmeetsthemoon&display=activities.

·       An Educator’s Guide to Grace Lin’s book can be found at this URL http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/_assets/guides/EG_9780316114271.pdf.

 

Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians - Fiction, Fantasy and YA

Bibliography

Krosoczka, Jarrett J. 2009. LUNCH LADY AND THE LEAGUE OF LIBRARIANS. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 978-0-375-94684-4.

Plot Summary

            LUNCH LADY AND THE LEAGUE OF LIBRARIANS is the second book in Jarrett Krosoczka’s LUNCH LADY series of graphic novels featuring an elementary school cafeteria worker, her assistant Betty, and a group of kids known as the Breakfast Bunch who are secret crime fighters. In this volume a new video game system is being released, the X-Station 5000, which does not sit well with the League of Librarians, an evil organization composed of the elementary school, public and high school librarians who see the new video games as corrupting the children and preventing them from enrolling in the schools Read-A-Thon. The night the new X-Stations are delivered the League of Librarians arrives with their deadly weapons, Book Beasts, animals they have summoned from popular children’s books like BLACK BEAUTY and THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, that proceed to destroy all the X-Stations until the timely arrive of the Lunch Lady and Betty. The Lunch Lady takes over the Read-A-Thon, since the librarian is now in jail, and she combines the reading with the video games; her rule being “Read while you wait to play.”

Critical Analysis

            Krosoczka’s Lunch Lady and Betty represent the typical idea of superhero and sidekick. They have normal everyday jobs, but behind the scenes they work to fight crime. They have a hideout in the school, the boiler room, and a wide array of gadgets. The Breakfast Bunch are also portrayed in a sidekick role, and are also characters that appeal to younger readers. They have average childhood interests; and even have trouble with bullies at school; beyond that The Breakfast Bunch are superhero crime fighters. Younger readers will see average children who through intelligence and cunning can be extraordinary.

          The plot follows a traditional superhero storyline as well with the villains concocting an evil plan and the heroes working together to defeat them and stand up for what is right. There are two distinct settings in which the plot unfolds, the school and the docks where the battle to stop the destruction of the video game systems takes place.          

          Krosoczka makes a successful effort to be evocative of the superhero comic book in the style of this graphic novel as well. The villains have quirky names like Rhonda Page and Jane Shelver, representing the types of characters they are, in this case librarians. Also, typical phrases of exclamation are used. For example, the Lunch Lady shouts “Great Tuna!” when she discovers the League has obtained deadly weapons. Phrases like this are common in this genre of writing. The Lunch Lady’s phrases reflect her job, they all revolve around food.

          The illustrations are very cartoon like and drawn in four colors, black, white, gray and yellow. The yellow serves to highlight and enhance both the illustrations in general and key features within them. For example, the Book Beasts are all in yellow as are the Breakfast Bunch’s costumes.

          A universal theme is present here, good triumphing over evil. The Lunch Lady and her sidekicks prevent the League of Librarians from taking over the world and destroying the video games. Also, by allowing the students to play the new video game system as a reward for participating in the Read-A-Thon, children realize that reading is a positive activity, but they can have other interests as well.

Review Excerpts

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review 2009: “With its appealing mix of action and humor, this clever, entertaining addition to the series should have wide appeal.”

COOPERATIVE CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTER CHOICES review 2010: “Jarrett Krosoczka’s new graphic novel series, rendered in black, white, and yellow, inspires laughter in everything from its wild premise to clever details that extend the pleasure in countless ways.”

Connections

·       A fun activity for children would be to have them create a superhero out of someone they see in their daily lives. Have the children extend their imagination by creating costumes, a hideout, gadgets and sidekicks.

·       The RANDOM HOUSE website offers a Teacher’s Guide, video excerpt of the book and other information related to LUNCH LADY AND THE LEAGUE OF LIBRARIANS. The website can be found at this URL http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375846847.

·       Jarrett J Krosoczka has written several graphic novels in the Lunch Lady series including LUNCH LADY AND THE FIELD TRIP FIASCO ISBN 0375867309 and LUNCH LADY AND THE AUTHOR VISIT VENDETTA ISBN 0375860940.

·       The website http://www.lunchladycomics.com/ offers various Resources, Activities and Videos for Teachers, book trailers and descriptions of each volume in the LUNCH LADY series along with additional interactive material.

Nory Ryan's Song - Historical Fiction

Bibliography

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2000. NORY RYAN’S SONG. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0-385-32141-4.

         
Plot Summary

            In NORY RYAN’S SONG it is 1845 Ireland and Nory Ryan and her family have a hard life due to British subjugation, many of the people in the village, along with Nory’s older sister, have left to make a new life in America. One horrible day the potato blight strikes Ireland, because they cannot pay the rent to the British, the entire village is starving and Nory explores any possibility, no matter how dangerous, to find food for her family. She rejects a chance to leave for America with a friend’s family, asking them instead to take her younger brother so he will survive the famine. Nory is a courageous spirit, who embodies the values of family, home, loyalty, valor, hope and unselfish love and her spirit will continue because this book is the first of a trilogy, Nory Ryan’s song will continue to be sung.

Critical Analysis

            Two major elements of historical fiction are the accurate representations of places and people, and Patricia Reilly Giff presents an excellent portrait of poor Irish in the 1800’s in NORY RYAN’S SONG. At that time Ireland was a land under English domination. The Irish were kept uneducated and impoverished. Giff’s descriptions of this harsh life create a feeling of despair and hopelessness. She depicts a life of bare existence. Sleeping on straw, making their own clothes out of scraps and foraging wherever they could for food creates the atmosphere of sadness that was prevalent at the time. Giff recreates Ireland in vivid detail not just in the people’s lives, but in depictions of the land itself. The rolling green hills, the craggy coastlines and most importantly the blackened potato fields are all brought to life.

          The inhabitants of Nory’s village each have a distinct voice. Giff’s characterization is strongest in her portrayal of Nory, the English Lord Cunnigham and Nory’s neighbor Anna, a local healer. Nory is a young girl who refuses to be beaten down by her circumstances. She is always singing, and always quick to offer a positive word. The English Lord Cunningham is a cold, cruel man who delights in making life miserable for the Irish who live on his land. His goal is to drive the Irish from their lands and turn it into pasture for his sheep. He raises taxes and destroys homes without a second thought. Anna is a woman who has been shunned by some neighbors for being a witch, yet she is befriended by Nory. Anna’s voice represents the older generation who will never abandon their home no matter how bad life becomes. Giff’s writing style is both reflective of the setting and easy for younger readers. The dialogue and narrative is simple and easy to comprehend, but sprinkled with native Irish words to strengthen the characters. These words are italicized and there is a glossary in the beginning that defines them for the reader.

          Finally, the plot is realistically presented. The reader feels great sympathy for these characters and experiences an accurate sense of the hardships they went through. The reader feels the hunger, the despair, and the hope because the historical specifics of the potato famine and exodus of people are well represented. Giff’s characters reinforce these details and make them come alive. Through their decisions and actions readers see how the potato famine would have affected not only an individual family, but an entire nation. Eventually, Nory follows many of her fellow countrymen and leaves Ireland for the United States. This is the first book in a trilogy and readers are left wondering about Nory’s fate. For resolution they would have to read Giff’s next two books MAGGIE’S DOOR and WATER STREET.

 

Review Excerpts and Awards

Parents' Choice Award 2000: Gold Fiction

Golden Kite Award Honor Book for Fiction 2001

VOYA review 2001: “Vivid detail brings to life the fields filled with rotting crops, the merciless landlords, and the rocky landscape that offers no respite to the starving families. Readers will be drawn to Nory's spirit and admire the courage she shows while helping her family and friends.”

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE JOURNAL review 2000: “Based on her own family's history and extensive research of the Great Hunger, Patricia Reilly Giff has written a tender and uplifting story of a remarkable girl who saw hope in spite of tragedy. The writing is as proud, strong, and dignified as the people who suffered through this difficult time. It is the author's gift and tribute to the courageous spirit of the Irish.”

Connections

·       This book is part of a trilogy, and if readers enjoyed NORY RYAN’S SONG, they should be encouraged to read Patricia Reilly Giff’s two sequels, MAGGIE’S DOOR, ISBN 0440415810 and WATER STREET, ISBN 0440419212.

·       As an activity for a history class, students could research the history of Irish immigration to the United States. A good companion to this is the History Channel documentary THE IRISH IN AMERICA, ASIN B0002V7NQ6.

·       Another good research topic would be a compare and contrast between the Irish famine and famines today. How are they alike and different? How do the affect the populations?

·       Random House offers a Teacher’s Guide to this book that can be found at this web address http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780440418290&view=tg.

Chains - Historical Fiction

Bibliography

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2008. CHAINS. Audiobook narrated by Madison Leigh. Grand Haven: Brilliance Audio.

Plot Summary

            Laurie Halse Anderson’s CHAINS is set in New York, 1776 and early 1777, at the outset of the American Revolution. Isabel and her sister Ruth are African American slaves who were promised freedom in the will of their mistress Mary Finch; however, upon Mary’s death her nephew Mr. Robert Finch sees more profit in selling Isabel and Ruth to the Lockton’s, a Tory couple who support King George IV. Isabel is approached by a fellow slave, Curzon, and offered her freedom by the Patriots if she will spy on her master, but soon it becomes clear to Isabel that the Lockton’s know she is a spy for the Patriots and she is to be sold, so she develops a plan to escape to New Jersey with Curzon, and at this point, the book suddenly ends. The reader learns that CHAINS refers not only to the chains that bind slaves to their masters, but also the chains that bind a nation to another nation; both seek freedom and a release from those chains, but it is uncertain at the end of the story if either Isabel or the country will receive that precious freedom.

Critical Analysis

            Laurie Halse Anderson’s written depiction, and Madison Leigh’s audio portrayal of the characters, is in depth and realistic. Through characters such as Isabel, the Lockton’s and various Rebel officers, the listener is given a glimpse of what New York City was like at the outset of the American Revolution. The characters all speak with an authentic voice, and their radically different lives and points of view are shown expertly. Isabel in particular is a character that truly represents the time. Anderson’s descriptions of slavery show the drudgery, uncertainty and abuse that slaves suffered at the hands of their masters. While perhaps not a character many young readers could identify with, Isabel still fittingly represents the idea of fighting for what is right despite overwhelming hardship. This idea is represented not only by the slaves, but also by the American colonists fighting for freedom from King George IV.

 Nothing in the storyline is glossed over. The listener experiences not only what slavery was like, but also what it was like to live in a city under siege during a war. It is the little details that Anderson adds that make the book so believable. Details such as the Revolutionary army charging into people’s homes and removing any lead fixtures to melt down for ammunition. Leigh gives voice to these events in a dramatic, emotional way. Through her we experience the characters outrage, fear and uncertainty as the Revolution erupts around them and their lives are thrown into chaos.

          Anderson provides the readers with the setting in several ways. First it is described, not only in words, but through the characters. When Isabel and her sister Ruth first arrive in New York, from a farm in Rhode Island, Isabel describes her impressions of this new city. Through Isabel’s eyes the listener experiences the unfamiliar setting of a large city, with its many streets and tall buildings. Another way Anderson shows the setting is through quotes at the beginning of each chapter. These quotes are all from letters and other documents of the time that were written by people who figured prominently in the Revolution, such as John Adams.

Listeners should take notice of the fact that this book concludes with a cliff hanger ending. Isabel has helped Curzon escape from prison, and both have crossed the Hudson River into New Jersey. Here, abruptly, the book ends. The reader does not get a resolution to either Isabel or the Revolutionaries dilemma. To find that resolution readers must go on to examine Anderson’s sequel FORGE.

          The CHAINS audio book was unabridged and downloaded, through Audible.com, to a Kindle. It was performed by one individual, Madison Leigh. The different characters were identifiable through changes in the tone, depth and pitch of Leigh’s voice. The sound quality was excellent and there was no background noise or static to mar the recording. Sound effects such as city noise, cannon fire and other war related noises were incorporated. These sound effects added a further dimension of reality. Overall, the listening experience was enjoyable. Leigh had a very engaging voice and reading style that kept you entertained and interested in the narrative. The introductory and closing comments were very similar, with only a few differences. Both stated the title, author copyright date and performer of the audio recording. They also both identified the publisher, Brilliance Audio, and specified that the audio recording was unabridged. The introductory comments included the book dedication, while the closing comments provided the listener a phone number and web address for Brilliance Audio, should they want more information on other audio recordings. The closing comments also included credits naming the directory, Jim Bond, and the engineer, Troy Harrison. The CHAINS audio book had the ability to absorb the listener’s attention from the very beginning. It is Anderson’s writing combined with Leigh’s narration that makes this work very appealing. The audience will be captivated.

Review Excerpts and Awards

Cybil Award Winner 2009

National Book Award Finalist for Young People’s Literature 2008

Scott O’Dell Award Winner 2009

BOOKLIST Starred review 2008: “Anderson explores elemental themes of power (“She can do anything. I can do nothing,” Isabel realizes about her sadistic owner), freedom, and the sources of human strength in this searing, fascinating story.”

VOYA review 2008: “This exceptional book pulls in readers from the first sentence and keeps them engaged through the last with its gentle pacing and gripping portrayal of a young woman struggling to stay true to herself and fighting for her freedom in any way she can. The layers of complexity, detail, and rich imagery found within these pages allow more mature readers to delve deeply while still giving younger middle school readers a story and characters they will appreciate.”

Connections

·       Laurie Halse Anderson’s sequel FORGE, ISBN 1416961445 must be recommended so readers will be able to continue the story.

·       A project for older students would be to take some of the lesser known names mentioned in the quotes at the beginning of each chapter and research them.

·       Older students could use this book to engage in classroom debates. Relevant issues such as Patriot vs. Royalist and slavery make excellent debate topics. 

·       Laure Halse Anderson’s website provides pages for both CHAINS and FORGE. On the CHAINS page is a section entitled CHAINS: LINKS, a list of references to things like ADAM’S FAMILY PAPERS, JOURNALS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS and CHAINS TEACHERS SECTION. On Anderson’s page devoted to FORGE the author provides a similar list of references entitled FORGE: LINKS. Also on the FORGE page is a Teacher’s Section, Bibliography and FORGE: QUESTIONS. The website can be found at this URL http://madwomanintheforest.com/historical-chains/.

 

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate - Historical Fiction

Bibliography

Kelly, Jacqueline. 2009. THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE. New York: Henry Holt.
ISBN 0-8050-8841-5.

Plot Summary

            Calpurnia Tate is an eleven year old girl living in Texas in 1899 who prefers to spend time with her grandfather Walter, a passionate naturalist, who imparts his knowledge and values to her, and her story is told in THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly. The knowledge her grandfather conveys changes Calpurnia and she begins to have a dream of attending the University and becoming a scientist, a goal unheard of for a girl in Victorian America. One day, they discover what they think may be a new species of vetch and they submit their findings to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and after half a year, the Smithsonian responds that they have in fact discovered a new species which will be named after them. Calpurnia’s dream is reinforced and she realizes that through study, determination and hard work it might be possible to make her future whatever she wishes it to be.

Critical Analysis

            Setting is a very important aspect of historical fiction. It must be established early and clearly in the story, and Jacqueline Kelly creates a clear picture of late nineteenth century, small town Texas life. Fentress is a small, out of the way little town known for its cotton farms and its cotton gin. Calpurnia’s own little world, her house, the river, and town are vividly described. Other elements of the story help define the setting as well. For example  Calpurnia discusses the subjects she is studying in school with her grandfather and she tells him, “We’re studying Reading, Spelling, Arithmetic and Penmanship. Oh, and Deportment.” This description depicts what is deemed appropriate for children to study in the 1890’s. The issue of slavery also creates a feeling of the time period. The Civil War has ended but Calpurnia’s family still has African American workers and at several points in the novel the hardships of slavery are discussed. Finally, there are the new technologies that are mentioned, the telephone and automobile. The reader gets a real sense that these are new and exciting inventions and no one quite knows how they will revolutionize life.

          The novel is told from a first person point of view, Calpurnia’s, and the writing style is an effective representation of the era. For example, the family must all sit down to dinner together, no one is allowed to be late, they must be washed and dressed presentably and display proper manners at all times.  As Calpurnia states, “We were expected to be on time for dinner, washed and brushed, or else.”

          The characters are well depicted for the time period as well. Calpurnia’s mother, for example, wants her daughter to excel at being a housewife and stop spending time with her grandfather learning about science; something she views as nonessential. Calpurnia, in contrast, is not your typical girl for the time. She dreams of a life beyond the home, and is more concerned with keeping a caterpillar alive long enough for it to turn into a butterfly than she is about learning how to bake apple pie. Young girls will identify with Calpurnia on several levels. She has big dreams and aspirations. She knows she wants to go to the University to be a scientist, but she also knows that society would shun her for that. She is on the cusp of finding out just how far her dreams can take her, and many girls who don’t quite know what they want to be will see a kindred spirit in her.

          Each chapter opens with an excerpt from Charles Darwin’s book THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES. This addition to the text has multiple meanings. First, the excerpts relate to what the chapter will be about. Second, Calpurnia is trying to read the book, which was given to her by her grandfather, and understand the naturalist world with the guidance of her grandfather who knew Charles Darwin. Third, like the evolution of the natural world, Calpurnia is experiencing a personal evolution. She grows and changes as a person over the course of a year just like the caterpillar evolves into a butterfly.

Review Excerpts and Awards

Newberry Medal Honor Book 2010

Josette Frank Award Winner 2010

BOOKLIST Starred review 2009: "...though really the main story here is Callie’s gradual self-discovery as revealed in her vivid first-person narrative. By the end, she is equally aware of her growing desire to become a scientist and of societal expectations that make her dream seem nearly impossible. Interwoven with the scientific theme are threads of daily life in a large family—the bonds with siblings, the conversations overheard, the unspoken understandings and misunderstandings—all told with wry humor and a sharp eye for details that bring the characters and the setting to life.”

KIRKUS review 2009 “Calpurnia is not a boilerplate folksy Southern heroine who spouts wise-beyond-her-years maxims that seem destined for needlepoint—her character is authentically childlike and complex, her struggles believable. Readers will finish this witty, deftly crafted debut novel rooting for "Callie Vee" and wishing they knew what kind of adult she would become.”

Connections
 

·       Teachers could use this book to introduce scientific concepts to their class. Darwin’s ideas, and the flora and fauna mentioned would make excellent topics for lessons.

·       A discussion with children who have read the book about what technological advances have changed their lives and how those changes have affected not only them, but also the world.

·       You Tube has a book trailer for THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE at this URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqTm0D0huBw  

·       The website DARWIN ONLINE has a wealth of information on Charles Darwin in the form of letters he both wrote and received, manuscripts and other writings. Both students and educators would benefit from this site and its wide array of information not only on, and written by, Darwin, but also concerning his voyage on the Beagle.The website can be found at this URL http://darwin-online.org.uk/ .
·        THE DARWIN CORRESPONDENCE PROJECT has the full text of over 7,000 of Darwin’s letters, with additional information for over 7,000 more. The letters are categorized by theme. There are also lesson plans available for educators on how Darwin’s writings can be used in conjunction with a variety of subjects from history to science. This is the URL: http://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/

Lafayette and the American Revolution - Nonfiction and Biography

Bibliography

Freedman, Russell. 2010. LAFAYETTE AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 978-0-8234-2182-4.

Plot Summary

            LAFAYETTE AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION by Russell Freedman depicts the life of Gilbert de Lafayette, a French aristocrat who held the title of marquis and came to America to aid the colonists in their fight for freedom during the American Revolution. He served under General Washington and proved his bravery and dedication to such an extent that Washington looked upon him as the son he never had. Lafayette was instrumental in the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown ending the revolution, after which Lafayette then returned to France and continued to campaign not only for French political freedom, but also for liberty for all people.

Critical Analysis

             Russell Freedman’s book is extensively researched. He has written several books dealing with the Revolutionary era in America and is well versed in his subject. One of the major criteria for biography is the ability to document the subjects own words. Therefore any quotes used in a biography should be accompanied by reliable, historically sound source documentation. Freedman’s source documentation adheres to these criteria. He depicts Lafayette’s character through his own words and provides source notes on the quotation indicating the publication containing the quote. In addition, he provides a Selected Bibliography describing the main resources used and why they were selected.

          Freedman’s book is structured and presented to the reader in a well-organized fashion. It presents a chronological history of Lafayette’s life starting from his early years in France, continuing with his participation in the American Revolution, and concluding with his final years back in France striving for liberty and freedom. The writing style is very readable and supported by engaging illustrations.

          The book is organized so that reproductions of paintings or documents from the actual time period are found on the same page as the text to which they refer. These illustrations give the reader a visual reference to the information being chronicled. Each of the reproductions is of the highest quality and fits seamlessly with the surrounding text. Overall, the book is dynamic and thought-provoking. The author’s detailed knowledge and admiration of his subject makes the book more intriguing.  Freedman presents the life of an interesting, charismatic figure, a hero of the American Revolution and a champion of liberty for all people, to a young adult audience very successfully.  

Review Excerpts and Awards

Christopher Award Winner 2011

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal 2011 Honor Book

BOOKLIST Starred review 2010:  “In this solidly researched and smoothly written biography, Freedman creates a vivid portrait of Lafayette as he matures from an impetuous young man and inexperienced solider to a leader capable of wisdom as well as valor.”

THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS review 2010: “With its attractive, heavily illustrated layout, timeline, source notes, bibliography, and index, this invaluable addition to the collection of Revolutionary War material should serve report writers and engross middle-school fans of military history.”

Connections

·       Other books by Russell Freedman that also deal with the American Revolution include WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE ISBN 0823420698 and GIVE ME LIBERTY! THE STORY OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ISBN 0823417530

·       Have the class create their own modern “Declaration of the Rights of Man.”

·       An Educator’s Guide for LAFAYETTE AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION and WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE can be found at this URL http://holidayhouse.com/docs/Lafayette_ValleyForge_Ed_Guide.pdf. This guide offers educators activities, discussion topics and research information pertaining to both books.

·       The Library of Congress offers a list of resources for teachers on the American Revolution at this URL http://www.loc.gov/teachers/additionalresources/relatedresources/ushist/chrono/revoluti.html#. Here teachers can find information on Lafayette, George Washington, Valley Forge and a multitude of other topics relation to the American Revolution.