Title: The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary
Author: Candace Fleming
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books, a division of Random House Children's Books
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Awards and Recognition:
Booklist Starred 2008
Horn Book Starred 2008
Kirkus Reviews Starred 2008
School Library Journal Starred 2008
Plot Description:
The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look At Abraham and Mary is both a complete biography and a historical reference resource publication. Its arrangement and content make it a suitable biography, additionally however it may be shelved in the Dewey 973.7 history area of a library. The book provides a chronological view of both Abraham and Mary from their childhood years, their marriage, the birth of their children, the presidency, the Civil War, and up to their eventual deaths. Uniquely the scrapbook style arrangement includes hundreds of artifacts such as photographs, drawings, writing excerpts, legal documentation, newspaper clippings and additional historic information regarding the couple and their legacy.
To accompany the historical facts, dates and major events in the Lincoln's lives, Candace Fleming includes an impressive array of reproduced primary source material in both written and visual form. Examples of photos included are of his boyhood school house, one showing the way each of them appeared when they first met, Mary and Abraham as small children, as well as a few from Civil War battlefields and of his funeral procession in Washington D.C. Written information includes an account of Abraham nearly drowning after falling into a creek as a boy, his early law writings, a quote about honesty and information regarding a patent he received for developing a system to assist vessels free themselves from shallow shoals.
The Horn Book Guide Online refers to the funny little stories that really bring Mary and Abraham to life as "anecdotes". A few examples of these "anecdotes" are that Abraham detested the name "Abe", thus the author always refers to him as "Abraham"; as a child Mary was more of a tomboy and a prankster than a little girl; and Abraham's rise in popularity was largely due to images of him that hung in homes across America often depicting him as a homely man rather than a stately presidential figure. An additional shocking detail was that Abraham had several premonitions throughout his presidency, the most chilling was the vision he had seen of his own death, just days before his assassination.
My Reaction:
I absolutely love to study and read history. I am particularly intrigued by Civil War and American,as well as local, history. I have been to Gettysburg several times and have tremendous respect for the soldiers who fought for principles in which they believed. I also have come to realize how dramatically different this country would be without men like Abraham and women like Mary Lincoln. By the way, Mary removed the "Todd" from her name after the two were married, and refused to let anyone refer to her as "Mary Todd Lincoln". Little historical facts like these, a fabulously detailed timeline of events in the Lincoln's lives, combined with the headlines of the the times, makes this book an awesome resource that every library should possess. It is a valuable reference book, an invaluable history book, and a fascinating book to just sit and read for fun and to be inspired by two American icons.
Reader Recommendation:
The reviews specify the book to be appropriate for seventh to eleventh grade readers. Depending on the student, the format including the timeline allows even a lower functioning reader to easily gain information. I also believe that most adults would be fascinated to read and learn of the rich history and little known fun facts that are treasures of American history and contained within this incredible book.
Book Talk Hook:
Have you ever thought of the United States of America as two or more countries?
Can you imagine going to Kentucky and having it be a seperate country? This was very nearly the case back in the 1860s. Predident Abraham Lincoln so loved this country that he and his wife Mary stood strong together. despite death threats, they stood for what they believed was right. Abraham united the Northern States "Union" army to fight in an effort to abolish slavery and restore the seperated territories as "The United States of America. As you probably know, Abraham Lincoln paid the ultimate price for his principles. However, his courage and principles have left his legacy as one of the greatest presidents and men in American history. Read The Lincolns, A Scrapbook Look At Abraham and Mary to learn more.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Title: The Graveyard Book
Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrations by: Dave McKean
Genre: Modern Fantasy-Special Fantasy Situations
Awards:
Newbery Honor Medal, 2009
Booklist Starred, 2008
Horn Book Starred, 2008
Kirkus Review Starred, 2008
Plot Summary:
While a triple murder is taking place elsewhere in the house, a toddler scales the railings of his crib and makes his way down the steep staircase and out the front door into the street. The babe, the killers prime target, has escaped and is now making his way up the street, through the small spaces between the fence gate and into a small hilltop ancient graveyard. The inhabitants of the graveyard include a paranormal "motley crew" cast of characters, whom after some debate and a plea from the ghost of the child's mother, become the young boys family, providers and protectors.
A couple, (Mr. and Mrs. Owens) who had been married over 250 years in life-and-death, never had children of their own and agreed to act as his the child's parents. A tall distinguished man in all black (Silas) agreed to act as the child's guardian between the living and the dead. Several additional well developed characters, and I mean "characters" play an influential role in the child's upbringing. Having not a name that anyone knew they called him "Nobody", "Nobody Owens"
Bod, as he was known, spent his entire childhood having adventures interacting with his paranormal family and friends. He also made acquaintance with a young girl (Scarlett) who would frequent the area near the graveyard with her mother. The setting is in England and in the midst of what at times is a spooky tale, the nomenclature and old English sayings were quite lighthearted and rather humorous. In the closing chapters, the killer of Bod's family had returned, this time with friends, to finish the job and Kill Bod. The ending is one that is both hair-raising and thrilling.
My Reaction:
I enjoyed the book. While reading it however I did become bored during several chapters when there were lulls in the action and the plot. Each character was well developed to suit their particular role. The setting descriptions were vivid, demanded by a good fantacy. Character interactions were quite witty and also well described, realistic and use of regional language was delightful and humorous. The use of intermittent vague illustrations enhanced the setting and developed the characters more completely. The thrilling encounters made the lulls worth stumbling through, because it was at these times that I could not put the book down. While thrilling and at times somber, the book also presents underlying themes of family, friendship, morality and loss.
Reader Recommendation:
While the recommended ages are YA 11-16, I believe that more mature readers would also enjoy the book. The vocabulary and nomenclature are at times advanced, humorous, and the spooky paranormal situations are definately descriptive and captivating, worthy maintaining the attention of more advanced readers. Reluctant readers may shy away from the story when they see the 307 pages contained within.
Book Talk Hook:
The best way to get students hooked on this book is to get them into it by paraphrasing the early pages of the book.
While the Father lie on the floor and the mother in the bed, both freshly dead, the older child also had been murdered as the killer ("The Man Jack") headed upstairs to the baby's room. As "The Man Jack" Lifted his hand, the knife blade shown in the moonlight. He focused on the dark figure in the crib, aimed for the chest, and lowered his arm, He had pierced the chest of a teddy bear. But.....Where was the killer's main target? Where Was The Child??!!!......."
Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrations by: Dave McKean
Genre: Modern Fantasy-Special Fantasy Situations
Awards:
Newbery Honor Medal, 2009
Booklist Starred, 2008
Horn Book Starred, 2008
Kirkus Review Starred, 2008
Plot Summary:
While a triple murder is taking place elsewhere in the house, a toddler scales the railings of his crib and makes his way down the steep staircase and out the front door into the street. The babe, the killers prime target, has escaped and is now making his way up the street, through the small spaces between the fence gate and into a small hilltop ancient graveyard. The inhabitants of the graveyard include a paranormal "motley crew" cast of characters, whom after some debate and a plea from the ghost of the child's mother, become the young boys family, providers and protectors.
A couple, (Mr. and Mrs. Owens) who had been married over 250 years in life-and-death, never had children of their own and agreed to act as his the child's parents. A tall distinguished man in all black (Silas) agreed to act as the child's guardian between the living and the dead. Several additional well developed characters, and I mean "characters" play an influential role in the child's upbringing. Having not a name that anyone knew they called him "Nobody", "Nobody Owens"
Bod, as he was known, spent his entire childhood having adventures interacting with his paranormal family and friends. He also made acquaintance with a young girl (Scarlett) who would frequent the area near the graveyard with her mother. The setting is in England and in the midst of what at times is a spooky tale, the nomenclature and old English sayings were quite lighthearted and rather humorous. In the closing chapters, the killer of Bod's family had returned, this time with friends, to finish the job and Kill Bod. The ending is one that is both hair-raising and thrilling.
My Reaction:
I enjoyed the book. While reading it however I did become bored during several chapters when there were lulls in the action and the plot. Each character was well developed to suit their particular role. The setting descriptions were vivid, demanded by a good fantacy. Character interactions were quite witty and also well described, realistic and use of regional language was delightful and humorous. The use of intermittent vague illustrations enhanced the setting and developed the characters more completely. The thrilling encounters made the lulls worth stumbling through, because it was at these times that I could not put the book down. While thrilling and at times somber, the book also presents underlying themes of family, friendship, morality and loss.
Reader Recommendation:
While the recommended ages are YA 11-16, I believe that more mature readers would also enjoy the book. The vocabulary and nomenclature are at times advanced, humorous, and the spooky paranormal situations are definately descriptive and captivating, worthy maintaining the attention of more advanced readers. Reluctant readers may shy away from the story when they see the 307 pages contained within.
Book Talk Hook:
The best way to get students hooked on this book is to get them into it by paraphrasing the early pages of the book.
While the Father lie on the floor and the mother in the bed, both freshly dead, the older child also had been murdered as the killer ("The Man Jack") headed upstairs to the baby's room. As "The Man Jack" Lifted his hand, the knife blade shown in the moonlight. He focused on the dark figure in the crib, aimed for the chest, and lowered his arm, He had pierced the chest of a teddy bear. But.....Where was the killer's main target? Where Was The Child??!!!......."
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