The Arrival

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Tan, Shaun. 2006. The Arrival. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books. ISBN 0439895293

PLOT SUMMARY

A man embraces his wife and daughter and departs for a journey on a steamboat to create a better life.  This book chronicles the man’s voyage and his experience in the new land.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This graphic novel is universally well-reviewed.  While searching for positive reviews to include with this post, I had a hard time limiting myself.  In The Arrival, Shaun Tan has created a story unlike anything I have ever read before.  This book is completely wordless.  Unlike wordless picture books, the story spans 128 pages.  The story is told through small frames and it allows the reader an experience similar to watching a still-frame movie.  The sepia-toned illustrations are both realistic and beautiful.

The main character of this story is the father, who leaves his family behind to immigrate to a strange new land.  Shaun is able to evoke emotion in the reader by creating pictures that show how distraught the entire family is over his departure.  Readers should be able to identify with the man’s love for his family and the feelings of hopefulness that his journey creates.

Like many fantasy novels, the plot of The Arrival focuses on a journey.  The plot is absolutely believable and many readers will be able to relate the story to familiar stories of immigration to the United States.  Unlike those historical stories, however, in The Arrival, the man encounters bizarre creatures in the foreign land.  The creatures sometimes appear like marine-life, but are created from Tan’s imagination.

Tan excels at creating a thorough setting for this story as the setting is very much the epicenter of the entire book.  I particularly enjoyed how the new world is not completely identifiable.  It could be any place.  It reminded me strongly of scenes from Ellis Island, but that is based on my prior experiences.  Readers from other places will be able to bring their personal background and identify with the setting in their own way.  Similarly, the characters do not have clear ethnic features.  This perpetuates the feeling that the story could be taking place anywhere.  By saying that the setting could be anywhere, I do not mean that it is unclear or under-developed; I mean that readers will be able to place the story in a setting that makes the most sense for them.  This feature makes the story more valuable as it will reach more people on a personal level than a book that is specific to a certain place and a certain time. 

At the heart of this novel is the theme of the importance of family.  Although there is no text, the love that the man has for his family is obvious through Tan’s illustrations.   The Arrival is arranged in a style that is distinct and unique to this piece of work.  Tan has created an atypical story and although there is no actual dialogue, the pictures speak more than I ever thought possible.

The strength of this story is that allows readers to experience what immigrant life was actually like.  The man moves to a foreign land where everything is unknown.  As readers turn each page, they are discovering the new world along with the main character.  Readers become immigrants as well and truly experience what it means to be an immigrant.  This book would be an excellent addition to a history lesson on immigration.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in 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.”

Starred review in Booklist: “Filled with subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form.”

CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed The Arrival might also enjoy some of Shaun Tan’s other works such as:

Tan, Shaun. Tales from Outer Suburbia. ISBN 0545055871

Tan, Shaun. The Red Tree. ISBN 0734411375

Feathers

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2007. Feathers. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399239892

PLOT SUMMARY

There is a new student in Frannie’s sixth grade classroom.  He is white, unlike any of the other students, but insists that he isn’t.  The new student, Jesus Boy, impacts the other students’ lives, and especially Frannie’s, in unexpected ways.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The characters in this story offer unique experiences and viewpoints.  Child readers will be able to relate to the protagonist, Frannie.  As a sixth grader, many of her views will be relatable to other children.  Older readers will be able to understand deeper implications of her observations.  For example, it was obvious to me that her mother was pregnant when she complained of the exhaustion, which is something that younger readers would not understand. 

Woodson’s character descriptions are unique in that she is able to create a completely vivid image of characters without giving explicit details about their physical appearance.  As I was reading the story, I was able to picture all of the characters in my mind, very easily.  Upon further reflection, I realized that Woodson’s descriptions of the character’s mannerisms gave me more of a visual image than her descriptions of their appearances.  For example, Woodson writes about Frannie’s friend, Samantha: “She unfolded a tissue to blow her nose.  When she blew it, she leaned down and away from the table like I wouldn’t have thought of doing.  She even excused herself afterward” (11).  As a result, I pictured Samantha as a prim and proper girl.  Further description cemented this image.  Although Frannie is definitely the main character, the other characters are well-developed.

When Jesus Boy becomes a student in the classroom, he doesn’t fit in.  Any child who has ever transferred schools will be able to identify with this.  Frannie herself can identify with it because she was once a month late starting school because of the chicken pox.  Jesus Boy also knows sign language like Frannie.  Jesus Boy brings tension to the classroom and the climax and conclusion focus on Jesus Boy establishing his place in the classroom’s society.  There are secondary plotlines throughout the story, like Frannie’s search for religion and meaning, her mother’s pregnancy, and Sean’s attempts to fit in to a world where others can hear when he can’t.

Frannie lives with her deaf brother, Sean, and her parents in the black side of town. It is 1971, but the year is irrelevant to the overall plot of the story.  A majority of the story takes place in Frannie’s home and at her school.  Woodson is able to create a vibrant setting with her descriptions.  I found her descriptions of Frannie’s apartment building to be especially noteworthy (17-18).  By referencing the other side of the highway, the author effectively conjures up images of segregation.

The theme of this novel is hope, but other themes include religion and race.  The story begins with Frannie exploring a poem of hope that her teacher introduced in class.  Throughout the remainder of the story, Frannie seeks to explain the metaphor.

Woodson makes this story authentic to the 1970s by incorporating “jive talk” into the dialogue between characters.  This does not take away from the content, but gives important cultural context to the characters.  The dialogue seems natural in all parts of the book-- the way the children address each other, Frannie’s discussions with her brother, and Frannie’s interactions with her parents and grandmother.  Frannie’s internal dialogue is natural, as well and is endearing.  Woodson has the ability to write in a way that is not only believable, but absolutely lovely.

After reading this story, I can fully understand why Jacqueline Woodson won a Newbery Honor for it.  This book affected me in a way that no other story has before.  

I have never cried because of the sheer beauty of a book.  Until I read Feathers. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in Publishers Weekly: “Set in 1971, Woodson's novel skillfully weaves in the music and events surrounding the rising opposition to the Vietnam War, giving this gentle, timeless story depth. She raises important questions about God, racial segregation and issues surrounding the hearing-impaired with a light and thoughtful touch.”

Starred review in School Library Journal: “The story ends with hope and thoughtfulness while speaking to those adolescents who struggle with race, faith, and prejudice.”

CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed Feathers might also enjoy the following books by Jacqueline Woodson:

Woodson, Jacqueline. After Tupac and D Foster. ISBN 0142413992

Woodson, Jacqueline. Locomotion. ISBN 0142415529

Speak

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. Speak. New York: Puffin Books. ISBN 014131088X

PLOT SUMMARY

Speak is the story of high school freshman Melinda Sordino.  While at a party the summer before high school, Melinda calls 911.  When the police show up, the party is dismantled.  From that point on, Melinda is treated as a social outcast.  Later, her classmates learn the real reason that she called 911—she was raped.  In this story, Anderson chronicles Melinda’s reactions to her rape. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson was published nearly fifteen years ago, its popularity is still great.  Of all the books I read for this class, this was the only one that I purchased my own copy of because the request list at my local library was to long for me to receive a copy in a timely manner.

Speak remains popular in large part because of the appeal of the protagonist, Melinda.  While readers of all ages will be able to identify with the character on some level, female teenagers will be able to identify with Melinda the most.  Like other contemporary realistic fiction novels, the appeal of this book is the emotional growth that Melinda demonstrates throughout the story.  The other characters, especially Melinda’s classmates, behave in a way typical of high school students.  The varied dynamics between the characters will be familiar to readers and the characters are without question believable.  I found it interesting that Anderson never really describes Melinda’s physical appearance.  This allows readers to create their own images and relate to the character on an additional level.

The plot of this book follows Melinda’s reactions to her date rape the summer before high school.  The story is unique and original, but highly relatable.  Although there are obvious antagonists in this story (Andy and Melinda’s former friends), Melinda herself provides the most barriers for herself.  Melinda can only overcome these barriers when she learns to cope with the trauma and find the strength to speak up about the rape.  Like other works from this genre, the conclusion leaves the reader satisfied.

Mostly set in the school, Anderson has created a setting that is familiar for most people.  The school is generalized and nonspecific.  It could be any school in any community.  This increases the emotional value of this book as readers will recognize that terrible events like this could happen to their friends and in their schools, just like they happened to Melinda.

The major themes of this story include sense of belonging and personal strength.  Throughout the story, Melinda explores how she fits in to the social structure of the school as she is ostracized.  Most importantly, Melinda discovers personal strength in her abilities to speak up for herself.

Anderson has written this novel in a way that reads almost like a journal entry.  The internal dialogue not only engages readers, but gives them insight into Melinda’s thought process.  I especially like how Melinda’s comments are typical of teenage girls.  For example, according to Melinda “Gym should be illegal. It is humiliating” (18).  Comical quips such as that lend a lighthearted feel to otherwise difficult content.

This novel has been frequently challenged in libraries across the country because of the rape content.  In fact, Speak was listed as number sixty on the American Library Association’s Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009.  Despite a difficult topic, Anderson tells a story that is cathartic and engaging.  Although Speak has been challenged, its literary merit has been upheld time and time again.  Speak has won numerous awards including:

• 2000 Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year
• 2000 ALA Best Books for Young Adults
• 2000 Printz Honor Book

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal: “Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.”

Starred review in Horn Book: “An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last.”

Booklist: “Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.”

Library Journal: “A story told with acute insight, acid wit, and affecting prose.”

CONNECTIONS

The following books are well-reviewed and deal with difficult topics similar to Anderson’s Speak:

Asher, Jay. Thirteen Reasons Why. ISBN 159514188X

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Wintergirls. ISBN 014241557X

The Green Glass Sea: A Novel

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Klages, Ellen. 2006. The Green Glass Sea: A Novel. New York: Viking. ISBN 0670061344

PLOT SUMMARY

In 1942, ten-year-old Dewey Kerrigan is sent to live in New Mexico to live with her father, a scientist working on the Manhattan Project.  Klages focuses the story on what it is like for the children living in a secret community and the implications that come with that lifestyle.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The plot of this story is authentic to the time period.  Small details like the adults constantly smoking demonstrate the difference between the 1940s and the present.  Dewey and her friend, Suze, both have parents working on “the gadget” which we later learn is the nuclear bomb.  The characters are completely believable.  Dewey and Suze are left in the dark regarding the details surrounding the secret work that is happening in their town.  Dewey is an unusual character.  As a girl, she is more into math and science than typical “girly” things.  She walks with a leg brace and is the kind of character that never really fits in.  Dewey has a loving relationship with her father, which makes later events in the book more meaningful.  At first, Suze and Dewey do not get along at all.  The story really becomes about their evolving friendship.

Although this story takes place during WWII, the war is secondary to the girls’ lives.  Klages focuses less on the actual war and more on what life was like for the children whose parents were working on The Mahattan Project.  The war is more of a backdrop to the plot than the center of it. 

Klages excels at recreating 1940s New Mexico for the reader.  She gives details throughout the story that allow the reader to visualize the setting.  For example, she writes: “The air smelled like sawdust and pine resin. Off to the south they could hear the pounding of hammers and the whine of motors. New people moved to the Hill almost every week, and the army was busy building more apartments and bigger labs” (63).  In addition to giving the reader a visual image of the scene, the reader also gets the impression of the enormity of the scope of the project that is happening in the labs.  Klages is able to slip these details into the story without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary minutiae.

The theme of this story focuses on the struggle between deciding between right and wrong.  The children confront this (Suze and her bullying, for example) and the adults are forced to reconcile their jobs with the destruction that they might be bringing on others.

The importance and later effects of the atomic bomb are only alluded to in the text.  The effects on Hiroshima are not explored and readers must bring that knowledge to their reading of the book.  Understanding the implications of the atomic bomb is crucial to getting the most out of this story.  Readers who do not have a good understanding of WWII will still enjoy the book, as it is very well-written, but their experience may be less powerful than that of readers who can place The Green Glass Sea in its correct historical context.  For readers interested in learning more about the events in the book, Klages has included a bibliography at the end.  This also lends further credibility to her work.

Overall, Klages did a wonderful job of creating a fictional story that is entirely believable.  Vivid descriptions and historical facts work seamlessly together to form this engaging story.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal: “After the atomic bomb test succeeds, ethical concerns of both youngsters and adults intensify as the characters learn how it is ultimately used. Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way.”

Starred review in Publishers Weekly: “Klages makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulously researched novel set during WWII. Writing from the points of view of two displaced children, she successfully recreates life at Los Alamos Camp, where scientists and mathematicians converge with their families to construct and test the first nuclear bomb.”

CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed The Green Glass Sea: A Novel might want to explore what happens next in the sequel:

Klages, Ellen. White Sands, Red Menace. ISBN 0142415189

Several books have been published about WWII, but readers interested in learning more about the atomic bomb might like:

Sheinkin, Steve. Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. ISBN 1596434872

Breaking Stalin's Nose

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Yelchin, Eugene. 2011. Breaking Stalin’s Nose. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 0805092165

PLOT SUMMARY

Told from the perspective of ten-year-old Sasha Zaichik, Breaking Stalin’s Nose is the story of how one Soviet child begins to question everything he has ever known.  Sasha is about to join the Young Pioneers (Stalin’s youth organization) when his father, a secret police officer, is unexpectedly arrested.  The story chronicles Sasha’s reactions to the arrest when his life changes forever.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although the topic of Communism may be completely unknown to many children, they will be able to relate to Yelchin’s main character, Sasha.  This book is written from the perspective of ten-year-old Sasha and this gives the book a youthful point of view.  Children will relate to the choices that Sasha makes, the love he has for his father, and the turmoil that he is going through.  Additionally, children should be able to relate to Sasha’s feelings about the other characters, such as the scary school principal.

Yelchin presents an accurate historical plot, based on his own experiences as a child in the Soviet Union.  While not sugar-coated exactly, Yelchin does gloss over some of the more horrific aspects of Stalin’s reign.  For example, torture is alluded to but not explicitly explained when Yelchin writes: “Everybody confesses in Lubyanka. We know how to make people talk” (118).  Sufficient details are given so that the reader has an understanding of life in the Soviet Union under Stalin. 

Throughout the story, Yelchin adds details that describe the setting.  Sasha’s father’s coat smells of snow, which allows readers to picture a cold, snowy place.  Yelchin’s description of the communal apartment effectively demonstrates the squalid conditions that Sasha is living in.  I especially liked the small details that Yelchin added.  For example, Sasha’s neighbor gives him a treat--a carrot.  These snippets make the reader ponder what life would have really been like for Sasha.  Yelchin also is able to give readers a subtle understanding of the tenets of Communism.  For example, when describing the communal apartment building where Sasha lives, Yelchin writes: “We live here as one large, happy family: We are all equal; we have no secrets” (5).  Although younger readers may not be able to understand all of the nuances that Yelchin has included, older readers will appreciate them and it creates an engaging plot and setting for the story.

Yelchin seamlessly weaves the themes of honor, and loyalty throughout this story.  While young American readers may not be able to relate to the Communism that appears in the book, they will be able to relate to the importance in standing up for one’s beliefs.

The style of Breaking Stalin’s Nose is unique.  It is written in the first-person and readers will definitely feel like they are in Sasha’s head.  Russian words are included (proper nouns, mostly), but they are easily understood in the context of the story.  Also unique to this story are Yelchin’s illustrations, which are scattered throughout the book.  The black and white drawings are over-exaggerated.  The darkness of the drawings adds to the mood of the setting and the illustrations of the government officials are exaggerated to make them look scary.

Overall, this book would be a good introduction to life under Communism.  Breaking Stalin’s Nose is recommended for children in grades 4-7, but older children may appreciate some of the more intricate details.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publishers Weekly: "Picture book author/illustrator Yelchin makes an impressive middle-grade debut with this compact novel about a devoted young Communist in Stalin-era Russia, illustrated with dramatically lit spot art."

Starred review in Horn Book: “…this brief novel gets at the heart of a society that asks its citizens, even its children, to report on relatives and friends. Appropriately menacing illustrations by first-time novelist Yelchin add a sinister tone.”

Kirkus: “Yelchin’s graphite illustrations are an effective complement to his prose, which unfurls in Sasha’s steady, first-person voice, and together they tell an important tale.”

CONNECTIONS

Children who enjoyed Breaking Stalin’s Nose might also enjoy these books that take place during World War II:

Susan Campbell Bartoletti. The Boy Who Dared. ISBN 0439680134

John Boyne. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. ISBN 0385751532

Will Sparrow's Road

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cushman, Karen. 2012. Will Sparrow’s Road. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0547739621

PLOT SUMMARY

Thirteen-year-old Will Sparrow has had a tragic life.  Abandoned by his mother and sold by his father for beer, Will runs away and becomes a traveler.  Cushman’s story chronicles the people he meets on his journey.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Karen Cushman’s strength as an author is creating characters and settings that are completely believable.  Although this is the first of Cushman’s books that features a male protagonist, Will Sparrow is easily related to, similar to Cushman’s other characters.  Young Will definitely has a youthful point of view.  As an adult reader, Will’s actions may be seen as somewhat childish, but younger readers will be able to identify with these actions.  Will is the main character of the story, but lesser characters are peppered throughout the story.  The other characters are not as developed, but they are described vividly and are absolutely intriguing.

Cushman is well-known for creating accurate plotlines that are true to the time in which they are taking place.  Will Sparrow’s Road does not differ from her other books in this way.  All of the events of the story are authentic to late sixteenth century England. Cushman’s descriptions of the setting make the story come alive for the reader.  Readers will be able to visualize the markets, the roads, and the characters.  Additionally, Cushman is able to subtly weave in concepts of social history and teaches the reader about life was really like for most people during Elizabethan England.  For example, her descriptions of Will’s hunger will teach the reader about how often young boys went without food.  The theme presented throughout this book is one of self discovery as Will struggles to find himself and figure out where he belongs in society.   

The main appeal of Will Sparrow’s Road is Cushman’s writing style and her ability to make the pages come alive.  She uses words and dialogue authentic to the time period (Certes, for example) throughout the story.  When read in context, the reader will be able to understand the meaning.  The dialogue definitely has a historical feel, but it is not overwhelming.

It is difficult to review Will Sparrow’s Road without comparing it to Cushman’s other works.  As a Newbery Medal and Honor winner, her books are well-known.  Will Sparrow’s Road will appeal to readers, but it does not have the overreaching appeal of The Midwife’s Apprentice or Catherine, Called Birdy.  Positively, the male protagonist featured in Will Sparrow’s Road will appeal to male readers in a way that some of other Cushman’s books may not.  This book provides an excellent introduction to the social history of Elizabethan England.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in Publishers Weekly: "Offering action, humor, and heart in equal doses, Cushman's story is, at its core, about creating and claiming a family of one's own."

Booklist: "Set in Elizabethan England, the novel is built upon Cushman's thorough research and solid understanding of the period."

Horn Book: “"[Cushman] manages the tricky balance of keeping her characters engaging and understandable for her audience while still making them very much of their time."

CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed this novel by Karen Cushman are likely to enjoy her other historical novels as well.  Some of these titles include:

Cushman, Karen. The Midwife’s Apprentice. ISBN 0547722176

Cushman, Karen. Catherine, Called Birdy. ISBN 0547722184

Actual Size

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. 2004. Actual Size. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618375945

PLOT SUMMARY

In this picture book, Caldecott award winner Steve Jenkins shows eighteen animals and insects, both large and small, in their actual size.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although this book does not include references, Steven Jenkins is a well known author who can be trusted as a reliable source.  Based on the format of the book, there is little room for deviating from accuracy.  As a picture book, the book is short, at only 28 pages long.  Despite the length of this book, it is packed with information.  Each entry gives a fact about an animal (such as the Alaskan brown bear is the largest meat-eating animal that lives on land) and information about the size of the animal (the same brown bear is 13 feet tall and weighs 1,700 pounds).  Along with each entry is an illustration depicting the animal in its actual size.  The result is completely engaging.  At the end of the book, Jenkins has included a section that shows a small illustration of the animals included in the book and a short paragraph detailing the animal’s traits and characteristics. 

Other than the descriptions at the end of the book, Jenkins does not include any other reference aids.  While that may make searching for specific information difficult, that is not really the purpose of this book.  Most children would not use this specific book as a tool for research, but rather as an engaging way to learn more about animals.  The lack of reference aids does not minimize the effectiveness of this book.

The design of Actual Size is an area where Jenkins is really able to show off.  Each graphic is expertly created from collages of cut and torn paper.  By illustrating the animals in their actual size, the pictures take on a real-life feel and the impact is huge.  The detail that Jenkins is able to master with his illustrations is completely astounding.  For example, the illustration of the gorilla’s hand looks lifelike and it is almost impossible to stop yourself from putting your hand on top of it. 

While the final section includes complex words that may be difficult for younger readers, the text throughout most of the book is written in a simple way that will not be so difficult that children are turned off.  Jenkins seems to have the ability to take a book filled with information and present it in a way that makes the reader forget they are learning something.

Actual Size is targeted toward children ages 4-8, but all ages will enjoy this book.  I sure did!

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide:  “Jenkins's signature cut-paper collages are once again amazing.”

School Library Journal:  “Mixing deceptive simplicity with absolute clarity, this beautiful book is an enticing way to introduce children to the glorious diversity of our natural world, or to illustrate to budding scientists the importance of comparison, measurement, observation, and record keeping. A thoroughly engaging read-aloud and a must-have for any collection.”

CONNECTIONS

Actual Size is a good indicator of Jenkins’ style.  If readers are interest in this book, the following might appeal to them as well:

Jenkins, Steve. Prehistoric Actual Size. ISBN 0618535780

Jenkins, Steve. What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? ISBN 0618152431

Jenkins, Steve. What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? ISBN 0618256288

The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fleming, Candace. 2008. The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books. ISBN 0375936180

PLOT SUMMARY

Fleming presents this biography of Abraham and Mary Lincoln in the format of a scrapbook.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary, author Candace Fleming provides a stellar example of how to prove the accuracy of the content within a book.  In the acknowledgements section at the beginning of the book, Fleming thanks several notable scholars, historians, and librarians.  Specifically, Fleming thanks history professor Dr. Herbert Lasky for his fact checking of the content.  At the end of the book, Fleming provides a list of suggested reading, related websites, and notes about her research strategies.  There is also an extensive notes section.  Primary documents were utilized extensively throughout the book, which leads to further credibility.  While it is difficult to judge the accuracy of a book without being familiar with the topic, Fleming gives thorough evidence to the accuracy of her content.

This book is organized chronologically, which could be useful for research.  Reference aids are included throughout the text -- a table of contents, subheadings, and index are all available.  If readers are looking for specific information, such as content on a specific event, it is likely that they will easily be able to find it.

Fleming chose to format this book as a scrapbook.  This was a wise decision as the content might otherwise appear as large blocks of text.  The scrapbook format does a good job of breaking up the text so that it is not overwhelming to the reader.  The prevalent use of primary documents dominates the text.  According to a note at the beginning of the book, the font throughout the book is based on typefaces from the 1800s.  This special feature is a nice touch that lends itself well to the scrapbook format. Photos and other graphics are scattered on every page.  All black and white, these pictures add to the authenticity of the content.  Coupled with the font, the book reads more like newspaper articles than a simple non-fiction book. 

If a reader were to open to any page in the book, they might be overwhelmed by the amount of text.  Upon further examination, however, the content is written in a clear and simple manner.  Although Fleming has included a lot of information, it is not too much or too complex.  Unfortunately, some young readers may be scared away before realizing this.  This book is a great tool for both research, but would also be enjoyable for children just interested in the Lincolns.  Fleming has included a lot more than normally reported historical facts.  For example, Fleming writes about Abraham’s favorite childhood books and gives the recipe for Mary’s favorite cake.  These unique facts add an interesting dynamic to the book and give it a distinctive place in the often told narrative of the Lincolns.

This book is recommended for ages 10 and up.  The content may be overwhelming for younger readers.  The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary is classified as a Juvenile book, but older readers should not shy away from it for this reason.  This would have been a valuable resource when I was in college.  Overall, I was astounded by both the quantity and the quality of the primary documents.  This is an exemplary book!

REVIEW EXCERPT(S

School Library Journal:  “From portraits to pets, the book contains a wide variety of graphics, including written and visual primary documents that enrich every spread. Notes, resources, and source notes are exemplary. It's hard to imagine a more engaging or well-told biography of the Lincolns.”

Starred review in Booklist:  “Fleming's writing, filled with quotes and personal details, is just as lively as the assortment of images, and an extensive time line, suggested resources, and source notes round out the text. Starting with her personal introduction, this exemplary resource will prompt readers to consider how an individual's life story, and a country's history, are constructed.”

CONNECTIONS

Other American biographies from Fleming include:

Fleming, Candace. Ben Franklin's Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman's Life. ISBN 0689835493

Fleming, Candace. Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life. ISBN 0689865449

They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bartoletti, Susan Cambell. 2010. They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618440337

PLOT SUMMARY

Bartoletti tells the story of how a clandestine terrorist group took root in America.  Bartoletti explores the origins of the K.K.K. and focuses on the stories from victims.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Award winning author Bartoletti is well known for her non-fiction books, especially Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow.  Her latest non-fiction book, They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group will not leave readers disappointed.  Although at this point her name lends credibility to her work, Bartoletti includes an extensive notes section at the end of the book to affirm the accuracy of the content.  Additionally, in the acknowledgements section, she thanks several historians for their help which leads the reader to conclude that her facts have been verified.  Bartoletti also details her research process in a journal-like entry.

This book is organized chronologically.  Bartoletti details the creation and subsequent consequences of the formation of the K.K.K.  Several reference aids are included throughout the book, including a table of contents, time line, quote attributions, bibliography, notes, and index.  Each chapter includes several pictures and visuals from the time period which support the text and provide interest to the content.  The portraits of people give an especially personal feel to the book as the text is more meaningful when there is a face associated with the content.

While reading They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group, a reader might forget that they are reading a work of non-fiction.  Bartoletti writes in a way that is simple without sacrificing the content.  The inclusion of personal accounts makes the content personal and more meaningful.  This book is likely to spark interest among readers and leave readers desiring more information on the topic. 

They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group is suggested for ages 12 and up.  Some of the content is gruesome (such as a depiction of two lynching victims on p. 127) and could be inappropriate for younger readers.  This is definitely not to say that this book should be avoided, as the content is excellent, but caution should be exercised when suggesting this book to younger children.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide:  “Exemplary in scholarship, interpretation, and presentation.”

School Library Journal:  “Bartoletti effectively targets teens with her engaging and informative account that presents a well-structured inside look at the KKK, societal forces that spawn hate/terrorist groups, and the research process.”

Publisher’s Weekly:  “Copious photos, engravings, and illustrations provide a hard-hitting graphic component to this illuminating book.”

CONNECTIONS

Children interested in Bartoletti’s book might also enjoy:

Crowe, Chris. Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case. ISBN 0803728042

Bowers, Rick. Spies of Mississippi: The True Story of the Spy Network that Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement. ISBN 1426305958