Polar Express

Van Allsburg, C. (1985). Polar express. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Awards: 1986 Caldecott Medal Book; New York Times Best Illustrated; Children's Books of the Year; ALA Notable Book for Children; Booklist Editors' Choice; Horn Book Fanfare Selection; Reading Rainbow Review Book.

Chris Van Allsburg’s books have never ceased to amaze my students or me through his deep illustrations and well-worded text. His stories tend to enthrall and engage all readers no matter the age. Polar Express is no exception. The story of the little boy who doubts whether there is a Santa, yet climbs on board the train to the North Pole to see Santa and get a gift to only lose it, is one that is timeless. When this book first came out, it was the illustrations that made me purchase it, but it is the story that makes me read to it my children, grandchildren, and students every year. Just like the movie Miracle on 34^th Street, Polar Express helps give credence to Santa and bring back memories during the Christmas season.

Grandma's Gift

Velasquez, E. (2010). Grandma’s gift. New York: Walker.

Awards: Pura Belpre, 2011.

 

Just like Dave the Potter and Always Room for One More, Grandma’s Gift has a story behind the story. I didn’t read the back first like I usually do when previewing a book, so was pleasantly surprised when I read about the author and found out this was autobiographical. The story centers on the main character, Eric, who goes to visit his grandmother during Christmas break. He accompanies her to various stores to get just the right ingredients to make her famous pasteles. The detail in the illustrations showing how she makes them and the Spanish words incorporated throughout this book add flavor to the story. But the height of Eric’s visit is when they go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a class assignment, and Eric’s grandmother recognizes a figure in a portrait. It is there that Eric learns a little more about his heritage. Teaching memoir writing can sometimes be difficult, but this book is a great tool for showing that memoir writing can be engaging and fun for both the writer and the reader. I enjoyed reading not only about Eric’s experiences and feelings as he went with his grandmother from store to store, but also how she had trepidations about going to an unfamiliar place. However, when she arrived she found something she was knowledgeable about and her fears vanished. I can relate to those feelings on many occasions, and seeing it in the expressions on her face made the book more meaningful to me. The historical information and Spanish explanations at the end were an added benefit.

Dave the Potter

Hill, L. (2010). Dave the potter. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Awards: Coretta Scott King, 2011; Caldecott, 2011.

 

Dave the Potter is a wonderfully illustrated book that tells the story of a slave who made pots out of clay in South Carolina. The story went deeper though as through the text and illustrations you could see some of the life Dave led and how he told a story in his pottery. The historical information at the end of this book made it one that could be used as a starting point for research into this person or era, or to show what may seem a simple picture book is really something more. I enjoy books that have a historical background, and finding one like this that was new information for me, was an added treat. My oldest son is going to Charleston School of Law, so when I visit I will definitely see about going to visit the area Dave is from. Finding books that can be used to enhance travel is always an additional benefit when reading.

Always Room for One More

 Leodhas, S. (1965). Always room for one more. New York: Henry Holt.

Awards: Caldecott, 1966; American Library Association Notable Children’s Book.

Always Room for One More is a quaint story told from the lyrics of an old Scottish folk song. I liked the base of kindness and hospitality the story taught as all were welcome in the home, no matter their age, job, or where they came from. But when the small house became too full the house collapsed, turning the tables on the ones who got hospitality to become the ones who give it by rebuilding a larger home that could hold all the friends and neighbors who passed by. The book was illustrated in a style that conveyed the Scottish highlands, but for me it was the story, the lyrics of the song with music, and the author’s note that definitely made this book one that I would use in a classroom to show there is more behind a picture book than meets the eye. I especially enjoy books that have a background rooted in history behind them, such as this book, as it gives the book more meaning.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Stead, P. (2010). A sick day for Amos McGee. New York: Roaring Book Press.

Awards: Caldecott, 2011.

I absolutely was enamored when I read A Sick Day for Amos McGee. I am a firm believer that picture books are not just for kids, and this book was yet another one that I would add to my collection. The illustrations are “old style” in that they appear to have a look that could me matched with books illustrated forty plus years ago, but that makes the book that much more engaging. As you read about Amos visiting his friends in the zoo as he goes about his daily work there, and then when he gets too sick to come to work his friends decide to go visit him, the illustrations don’t just show the text they also add to the story. A little mouse, a bird, and a balloon are illustrated in each page but aren’t mentioned in the words of the story. The attention to detail as seen in the expressions on each face, and the added extra of a “hidden story” make this book one that could be enjoyed more by sharing and exploring each page. My love of animals and how the zoo friends came to visit Amos reminded me of the times when I was younger and home sick from school. My cat and dog would curl up on the bed and keep me company until I was better. The book brought back a warm feeling of home.

Ninth Ward

Rhodes, J. (2010). Ninth ward. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Awards: Coretta Scott King, 2010; Parents Choice Foundation Gold Award, 2010; School Library Journal Best Fiction, 2010.

 

Ninth Ward is a fascinating story told from the viewpoint of the main character, Lanesha, a thirteen-year-old girl being raised by her grandmother, Mama Ya-Ya. Lanesha is not a normal thirteen-year-old though as she has the gift of seeing dead people. That gift doesn’t seem to bother Lanesha much except that it does keep her from being accepted into certain circles at school as others shy away or tease her. The first part of the story tells about Lanesha, her gift, and those that are in her inner circle (dead and alive). Hurricane Katrina plays a role in the story as it is the impetus that makes Lanesha realize her gift is her strength and part of who she is. I enjoyed the character development at the first of the book, and was on the edge of my seat during the last part hoping that all would make it through the hurricane. This book reminded me of the movie Sixth Sense as both had children who had a gift of seeing dead people, they both had a hard time reconciling to their gift, and at the end realized it wasn’t a weakness but actually a strength.

The Hunger Games

Collins, S.  (2008). The hunger games. New York: Scholastic.

Awards: Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year, 2008; The New York Times Notable Children's Book, 2008; Cybil Winner for fantasy and science-fiction books, 2008;  School Library Journal's Best Books, 2008; Booklist Editors' Choice, 2008.

 

The Hunger Games is a futuristic story set in what used to be the United States. A sadistic, cruel political system is in place that makes each area (district) of the country chose randomly a teenage boy and girl to basically fight to the death with the others that have been picked. The story is built around the two main characters, Katniss and Peeta, from District 12. The reasoning for the games was not very clear to me, but upon reflection I realized that these games and the people that view them are no different than those during the Roman Empire. During biblical times Rome and other conquering empires were known to capture youths from outlaying areas for either concubine or gladiatorial purposes. That was one brutal time in history, and I hope (and pray) that humankind doesn’t repeat it as Collins has presented in her trilogy. I had a hard time reading this book due to the violent features, but was intrigued by the relationship that was growing between Katniss and Peeta. In some ways the story was similar to Twilight as there was constant upheaval between the two main characters themselves (mostly on the female side) and between the characters and outside forces.