Prep by Jake Coburn. Dutton. $15.99 Ages 14 Up

May, 2004 Issue # 30

The word “lagniappe” (pronounced ‘lan Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by yap’) is a common term used in Sharon Creech. Illustrated by Chris Louisiana. It means “a little something Raschka. Harper Collins. $16.89. Ages extra.” The literary community of the 7-12. University of New Orleans offers our A twelve-year-old girl named readers a literary lagniappe–reviews of Rosie learns some valuable lessons from recently published children’s books. her Granny Torrelli in Sharon Creech’s Within categories, books are arranged Granny Torrelli Makes Soup. Rosie alphabetically by the author's last name becomes jealous when her best friend Bailey, the boy next door, starts to hang FICTION out with the new girl in the Prep by Jake Coburn. Dutton. $15.99 neighborhood. Granny Torrelli subtly Ages 14 up. gives advice by telling Rosie and Bailey a story of her younger days which Prep is the story of Nick, who has all coincides with the events currently the advantages of money, a great living taking place. Granny Torrelli offers her environment, and a great educational help while making soup and pasta in the opportunity. Instead of being caught up kitchen with Rosie and Bailey. in taking advantage of all the Granny Torrelli Makes Soup opportunities he has, Nick gets caught up teaches about the values of family and in gang violence, drinking, smoking, friendship. Creech tells the basic story having sex, and drawing graffiti. of friends that are starting to become Through all of this, Nick turns his more than just friends and offers sincere attention to his best friend's little brother. advice that everything will work out for Kris's little brother becomes a gang the best. This book portrays a strong target after he fooled around with the bond of family and the coming together leader's girlfriend. Nick puts his life on of generations. It shows that we all go the line to save the little boy's life. through the same thing despite our ages, Through this all, a romance blooms. I and that we can all relate in some way would recommend this book for a and may have more in common than we mature audience. –Jessica M. Wallace. might expect. Granny Torrelli Makes Soup teaches that like soup, friendship takes plenty of hard work, time, and energy, and that some friendships, just as some foods, are worth it all. – Angelle Fourcade

1 Amber Brown Is Green With Envy by Paula Danziger. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. $14.99. Ages 7-10. Amber Brown is a fourth grader Every Day and All the Time whose parents have just been divorced. by Sis Deans. Henry Holt & Company. In addition to dealing with the divorce, $16.95. Ages 10-14. Amber has to cope with her mother’s It is a six months after the car getting remarried, her father's neglecting accident and Emily Racine's world is his time with her to go on dates, the still torn apart. While her injury keeps possibility of having to move to a new her from dancing, her mother submerges town, and the tension that still exists herself in work, her father continues to between her parents. Amber thinks that drink heavily, and her brother, Jon, everyone else’s life is normal and that remains dead. The only comfort in makes her green with envy. As Amber Emily's life is the cellar where she and lives through each life change, she her brother spent so many days before comes to realize that change is not the accident. In the cellar, Emily escapes always a bad thing. the lonely reality of her life by Paula Danziger does a connecting with her brother's spirit. phenomenal job of dealing with the When her parents decide to sell the delicate subjects presented in this novel. house, Emily is threatened with the Amber Brown is a realistic character, possibility of losing her one and only which enables the reader to identify with comfort. To her, losing the house means her and the struggles she faces. The losing Jon a second time and this is author’s humorous tone helps the reader something that she cannot bear. to enjoy the novel despite the difficult Sis Deans' writing successfully subject matter presented. Tony Ross’s conveys Emily's complicated emotions black and white sketches effectively in a touching and earnest way. She does capture the mood of Amber which adds not cheapen the characters or the story to the humor of the novel. This is an by inserting moments of trite melodrama excellent book for any child or parent like so many other tales of loss and who is dealing with divorce. It is also a acceptance. This poignant read is sure to great way for anyone who has never be a favorite of many young adults.– dealt with divorce to understand how Maggie Scarbrock hard it can be for everyone involved. -Ashley Allemand What Would Joey Do? By Jack Gantos. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. $16.00. Ages 9 - up. Joey returns in the final book of the Joey Pigza trilogy that began with

2 Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, and the Although the book may spark Newbery Honor Book Joey Pigza Loses controversy with some parents, it's a Control. Like the preceding books, great book to teach children about Joey’s struggle continues as he navigates different types of families, because there through his family circle. His family are many different types.–Jessica M. circle, however, closely resembles a Wallace three-ring circus that includes his divorced parents in one ring, a spiteful blind girl and her pious mother in another ring, and Joey’s brutally honest grandmother in the last ring. Calling himself “Mr. Helpful,” Joey becomes the ringmaster, and in desperation he utters, “I want to help everyone be nice. That’s A Shelter in Our Car by Monica all I want to do.” For Joey this is no Gunning. Illustrated by Elaine Pedlar. easy task. Between the crazy antics of Children's Book Press. Ages 5-9. his parents and the relentless abuse of With well-developed, likable Olivia (the blind girl), Joey’s characters, this wonderful picture book grandmother encourages him to do explores homelessness in America, what’s best for him; her dying wish is conveying that it can happen to anyone. that Joey find a friend. Zettie and her mother live, for the Told in first-person, this time being, in their junky looking car, triumphant narrative has all the elements which means Zettie has to put up with of a captivating story. Although this lots of teasing at school. Mama has book is intended for adolescents, adults temporary jobs, and with dreams for a will also relish this eye-opening account better future, is taking classes at the of Gantos’s hyperactive hero, “Mr. community college. Despite the Helpful.” Joey’s grandmother captured hardships, this spunky duo recognizes the essence of Joey’s struggle when she the power of love. They know they will said, “You know, Joey, if you didn’t be okay as long as they have one wear those med patches, you’d just be another. thinking about yourself, and you The expressionistic style of art, wouldn’t care about making everyone with overly colorful, distorted faces, may happy. Your problem is that you got not appeal to young children, but the better, and the rest of the world didn’t. book's upbeat take on the plight of the –Tracey Sam. homeless make this a worthwhile book for sharing and discussion.–Malika Molly's Family by Nancy Garden. Johnson Illustrated by Sharon Wooding. Farrar, Straus, Giroux. $16. Ages 5-9 Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes. Harper Molly's Family is an innocent picture Collins Publishers. $16.89. Ages 9-13. book about a little girl who has a Olive’s Ocean brings readers into different type of family. Molly was told twelve year old Martha Boyle’s world as by a classmate that she could not she shares her concerns and thoughts possibly have a mommy and a mama about life, often using writing to because he has a mommy and a daddy. discover them herself. Olive, a classmate

3 of Martha’s, has recently died. Martha girl by the name of Peg who helps him must try to make sense of this while find shelter in the barn of the mansion visiting her beloved grandmother where she works. While there, Rufus Godbee who lives by the ocean. Godbee befriends some of the rebel army and is an excellent confidant. She shares starts a small business by running many of her own stories to help Martha errands for the soldiers. Days later the feel comfortable telling her own, even Union army begins arriving and the about boys. Martha has made the Confederate army takes over the decision to be a writer and must find the mansion for use as their headquarters. perfect time to share this with her Rufus does not mind this because he gets family. This is not so easy because most to see the battle first hand. After days of of Martha’s thoughts stay in her head or waiting, the battle finally starts. It ends on paper. up being one of the bloodiest battles in Kevin Henkes’ writing is clean the war, and Rufus is there to see it all. and sincere. Henkes blew me away with This book is an enlightening way of his ability to capture the thoughts and learning about the Civil War. It gives feelings of a young girl, a rarity for male facts about the war while putting the authors. The flow of this book presents character Rufus, right there in the middle an eloquence that captured me within the of it all. The historical note and pictures first few pages resulting in a fast and at the end of the book only add to the fulfilling read. - Kerrie L. Partridge book’s already entertaining and instructive qualities. –Angela Perez

A Killing in Plymouth Colony By: Carol Otis Hurst and Rebecca Otis. Walter Lorraine. $ 15.00. Ages 10 and up. In A Killing in Plymouth Colony, John Bradford discovers the harsh reality of a father who he believes does not love The Journal of Rufus Rowe: A him and the mysterious murder that Witness to the Battle of takes place within the colony. John Fredericksburg (My Name Is America Bradford, an 11-yr. old who has been in Series) by Sid Hite. Scholastic. $10.95. the colony for two years, realizes that Ages 12 and up. life is not always what you want it to be. Rufus Rowe is a sixteen-year-old Governor William Bradford, his father, southerner who lives in Bowling Green, is harsh and demands only the best from Virginia with his mother and stepfather. his son. No matter what John says or Rufus leaves his home to escape his does, it is wrong in his father’s eyes. harsh stepfather and heads to John’s only solace is his stepmother and Fredericksburg just in time to witness his best friend, Sam. The two Bradfords the battle that took place there in 1862. are continuously at odds and when a With the journal his teacher gave him, newcomer is murdered, John finds Rufus records his daily adventures. And himself even more at odds with his what an adventure he has. After arriving father. In young Bradford’s eyes, John in town and finding no work he meets a Billington is an easy target for suspicion.

4 The title of the story leads the as well as see Bobby mature as a result reader to believe that this is a murder of parenthood. mystery, but the murder is actually the The image on the cover of the second part of this story. The main book is Bobby holding his daughter. conflict in the story is the relationship However, where is Nia? Why is she not between father and son. Although I'd with her newborn baby? The reader must recommend this novel, I caution readers wait until the last few pages in order to not to expect a murder mystery. -Amy discover where Nia is and why Bobby Ivy always tells his baby girl stories about her mother. Johnson’s emotional and surprising conclusion is exquisitely well written and it will shock and sadden any reader. Michelle Chauvin

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson. Silk Umbrellas by Carolyn Marsden. Simon and Schuster Books For Young Candlewick Press. $15.99. Ages 8-12. Readers. $15.95. Ages 12 and up. Set in Thailand, this is a story Bobby’s sixteenth birthday was about a young girl named Noi who sees like any other birthday. His dad cooked her bleak future being played out his favorite meal (cheese fries and ribs), through the changing life of her sister, and he just knew his mom would have a Ting. As the family undergoes the stress huge cake waiting for him at home. of the unstable Thai economy, Ting must However, this year for Bobby’s birthday, begin working at a local radio factory to he would receive a gift that would help ease her family’s strife. change his life forever: the gift of Noi has a talent—she’s an artist. fatherhood. But, as her family puts more pressure on The First Part Last is told from Ting, Noi realizes that Ting’s life may Bobby’s point of view. Some pages are soon become her own—unless she written similar to entries into his proves herself and her talent. Noi has personal journal, filled with fear and spent many days at home painting silk memories from the past. Others describe umbrellas with her grandmother Kun Ya, Bobby’s life after he learned he would to sell in the market. There is a direct become a daddy (including thoughts conflict within Noi as she realizes that about his girlfriend Nia’s pregnancy and she must choose whether to be happy in the responsibilities that fatherhood life doing what she loves, or conform to entails.) Johnson manipulates time her family’s and culture’s values by constantly from past (Nia’s pregnancy) doing something more “constructive.” to present (after the child’s birth). This This is more than an artist’s allows the reader to truly connect and coming-of-age story—this piece understand what Bobby is going through illustrates the delicate balance between being who you are and becoming what

5 you want to be. The diversity between had rebelled against an aristocratic American culture and South Asian lifestyle. She thought that she knew culture make this story one that I found everything that there was, but that all hard to put down. The language is changed with the arrival of Adam. romantic, warm, and entrancing and the Hattie learns that Adam is her descriptions of the land and the customs mother’s younger brother who has been are brilliantly detailed. As an added living in a mental hospital. Her bonus there is a small glossary at the end grandparents and parents have kept his of the novel that clarifies and explains existence a secret until now. Upon his many of the Thai words that have been arrival, the pristine image her wealthy entwined into the work. An American, grandparents have worked so hard to Carolyn Marsden captures the spirit of establish is immediately shattered. Asia—acute subtlety, elegance, and Adam is unadulterated and uninhibited. poise. Silk Umbrellas is a cultural He is not restrained by the confines of masterpiece.—Nicholas Young societal etiquette like everyone else. It is in becoming friends with him that Hattie learns the importance of relationships. It is through him that Ann M. Martin teaches all of us that relationships can change our view of our own little “corner of the universe“ if only we let them.–Élan Armitage

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin. Scholastic. $15.95. Ages 9 to 12. What separates one man from another is the relationships he has. Our relationships, whether they are the ones we make by choice or the ones we are The Best Cat in the World by Leslea born into, can alter our view of the world Newman. Illustrated by Ronald Himler. if we allow them. This is the message Eerdmans. Ages 5-9. Ann M. Martin portrays in her novel, A There are many books about Corner of the Universe, and this is the losing a pet and learning to love again, lesson Hattie Owens learns the summer but this one is a special one and deserves she turns twelve. Hattie had been a place in every library. On the very first looking forward to a predictable but page, Newman makes you fall in love comfortable summer. She planned on with the now-aging Charlie whose "big taking leisurely walks into town, visiting green eyes that looked like two lucky with the tenants living in her and her marbles" now have grey clouds floating parent’s boarding house, and painting across them. And that makes it all the with her father. Hattie was just more heart wrenching, even though you beginning to understand how to juggle know what's coming, when Charlie, the between her wealthy, socialite best cat in the world, dies. Young Victor grandparents and her own parents who is devastated, and Himler's expressive

6 watercolor paintings echo Newman's son, while Tony’s art is questioned poignant prose. whether his work is actually art. After a few weeks, the vet calls The Glass Cafe shows how hard and asks Victor if he knows anyone who it can be for a single mother who is loves cats; she has a kitten that needs a struggling to make ends meet and raise home. Victor agrees to give the cat a her son. It teaches that you should not chance, but that's easier said than done. make assumptions of people based on The calico kitten is nothing like Charlie. their job when you do not know the real The first days are filled with the refrain reason why they are in the profession of what Charlie used to do. Gradually, that they are in. Paulsen also raises the though, Victor comes to appreciate the issue of what should and should not be new kitten for what she is. Soon considered art.– Angelle Fourcade charmed by the kitten's antics, Victor finds himself thinking; "I wonder why Cooper's Lesson by Sun Young Shin. Charlie never thought of that." Illustrated by Kim Cogan. Children's Rarely in a picture book are Book Press. $16.95. Ages 5-9. characters so fully developed or Cooper doesn't feel Korean; he emotions so deeply conveyed. If you doesn't even speak the language. He have ever loved and lost a cat, you will hates going to Mr. Lee's store because cry, not just the first time you read this everyone but him seems to belong there. book, but every time. But you will smile But Cooper is half Korean and an too. Newman truly captures the experience with Mr. Lee helps him to human/feline bond. This one is a confront–and to be proud of–his winner.–Patricia Austin heritage. Despite a plot twist that seems to R come from nowhere and never does get explained, this picture book sends powerful messages about acculturation, identity, and how language truly is tied up with one's self image. An author's note explaining the genesis of this lovely picture book assures readers of the authenticity of this story. The colorful paintings, often depicting unusual angles give breadth to the story, which, at its heart is about understanding varying The Glass Cafe by Gary Paulsen. perspectives. Random House. $12.95. Ages 10 and The best feature of the book is up. that it is bilingual. While of obvious Tony, a young artist whose value for Korean children, the Korean mother is an exotic dancer, draws text also opens a world to American sketches of his mother’s co-workers. He children who have never seen writing in enters his drawings into an art show another language. –Kaitlyn Simmons where social services happen to notice them. Al, who is a single parent, has to fight social services in order to keep her

7 of, finally became interesting. He finally realized how people truly felt about him. He got to do things he was unable to do while he was alive. No one can see him Something to Tell the Grandcows by or hear him, but he is able to let them Eileen Spinelli. Illustrated by Bill know he is there. Somewhere along the Slavin. Eerdmans. Ages 5-9. way he meets Crystal, a girl he falls Emmadine the cow thinks everyone hopelessly in love with. She, too, is a else on the farm has great stories to tell ghost, and together, they travel, hand-in- the grandchildren. But what about her? hand, through what they call, the When she sees a notice that Admiral afterlife. Byrd is looking for cows to go to the Gary Soto has come up with a South Pole, she volunteers. This will be story that gives readers a glimpse of life an experience to tell the grandcows. from a different point of view, through Loosely basing her story on a real the eyes of someone who isn’t even historical event, Spinelli gives children a living at all. The Afterlife is set in taste of history and provides a humorous Fresno, CA, and is centered around the story as well–especially for any child character of Chuy, a Mexican boy. who has listened to grandparents tell Because of the setting and the ethnic stories of the past. Rhythmic text and background of the characters, Soto charming illustrations will engage young includes Spanish words and phrases readers. –Janice Simmons throughout the text of the book. This allows for a more realistic portrayal of the characters and their culture. The Afterlife discusses death in a somewhat lighter sense, discussing the possibility of life thereafter. This book may not be suitable for grades 7th or under, as it references bastards, whores, gangsters, and drugs. Also, the murder scene may be too intense for some readers. Overall, this is intriguing story. Chuy, the main The Afterlife by Gary Soto. Harcourt. character, is in conflict with himself and $16.00. Ages 12+ others after his death. No one knows Chuy was just an average high what happens after death, but through his school senior at East Fresno High imagination, Gary Soto shares with his School. He had no girlfriend and not readers the afterlife of a high school boy much else going on in his life. One and forces his audience to look at their night, in a single instant, this all own lives and the lives of others in a changed. He had gone to Club Estrella to new way. – Ashley Laughlin dance, and after paying a guy a compliment on his shoes, Chuy’s life came to a brutal end. Chuy is left for dead on the restroom floor of Club Estrella. Most people would have assumed this was the end for him, but for Chuy, this is when his life, or lack there

8 The Bee-Man of Orn by Frank R. Stockton. Illustrated by P. J. Lynch. Candlewick Press. $17.99 Ages 7 +. A Song for Ba by Paul Yee. Illustrated You are what you are. This is the by Jan Peng Wang. Groundwood. Ages essence of this story published first in 6-10. 1887 and brought back to life by the Set in the 1940s on the west coast in intricately detailed illustrations by P.J. Chinatown, this story sheds light on a Lynch. The Bee-man lives happily and little-known cultural art –Chinese opera. contented amongst his bees and hives Wei Lim's father and grandfather both until a Junior Sorcerer convinces him sing in the opera, and Wei hopes to do that he may have been transformed from the same one day. Because the audiences something else. The Bee-man goes on a are dwindling, his father discourages quest to seek his true nature and him, however; he sees no future for his ultimately ends up in the same place son as a singer. Before he returns to where he began: happy and contented China, his grandfather secretly teaches amongst his bees. You are what you are Wei, and Wei in turn teaches his father no matter when someone else questions when he must take on a new role. you. Destiny holds the key to a person's Accompanied by magnificent paintings, destiny and sometimes that should be this moving book explores interesting enough instead of questioning one's dynamics of intergenerational purpose in life. relationships. –Scott Richey As an added bonus, included is a fascinating short film on DVD of how Holding at Third by Linda Zinnen. Lynch created the artwork for this book. Dutton. $15.99 Grades 6-8. The film takes readers on a journey of Holding at Third is a truly what an illustrator does when creating inspirational book. The main art for a book. From the initial character Matt Bainter has the thumbnail sketches for the manuscript to athletic ability that most kids dream the final watercolor painting that can of having. Matt is the stud outfielder take up to a month long each to complete on his middle school’s baseball team allows readers to appreciate the artist's and the league’s best hitter. All is complex task of bringing life to an well until he has to move schools author’s stories. due to his brother’s illness. Matt’s The rich, detailed artwork older brother Tom has bone cancer combined with the enriching vocabulary and has to move to Upper West for and theme makes this picture book one his treatments. Matt and his mother that can be appreciated by children as move with Tom to be there for him. well as adults. - Diane Gioia At Upper West, Matt is faced with many problems like a new school,

9 new friends and baseball team, and surprised to read that their Russian Tom’s illness. counterparts hear the same messages of What Matt goes through is a the value of cleverness that they do. story that I will never forget. Matt’s Furthermore, the unusual manners in strength throughout this book is truly which the stories' characters reach their remarkable as he leaves his dad and conclusions may help American children two sisters and younger brother to gain sophistication in their own ethical stick by his older brother side. Matt determinations. Hall's playful illustrations entertain the eye, and their has to overcome hitting poorly, not layout on the pages fuse pictures and text having any friends and trying to fit in in a complimentary, though not at a new school. extraordinary, way. Use All My Shining Zinnen does a great job on Silver as a simple storybook or a catalyst this book. Through her plot she uses for moral discussion. Either way, you the baseball aspect as a way to show can't go wrong. –Glen Bryant the struggles in Matt’s life. This novel would be perfect for a child facing a trying situation. It gives great insight and shows a way to cope with hardship through family strength. -Nate Feder

NONFICTION All My Shining Silver: Stories of Sea Clocks: The Story of Longitude. Values from Around the World by By Louise Borden. Illustrated by Erik Barbara Baumgartner. Illustrated by Blegvad. Margaret K. McElderry Amanda Hall. Dorling Kindersley. Ages Books. 2004. $18.95. Ages 7-10. 9-12. Sea Clocks: The Story of All My Shining Silver is a collection Longitude is an historic narrative of fables from around the world that describing the remarkable search to help involve choices and consequences. The sailors find their longitude while sailing stories come from Ireland, Mozambique, on the open waters. Finding latitude was Indonesia, and elsewhere and are as simple as observing the location of the entertaining in their own right. However, moon and the sun in the sky. But the skillful teacher or storyteller will use finding longitude was much more these stories as a jumping-off point for problematic and took many years to discussions about ethics, cultural solve. In the mean time, hunger, commonalities, and differences. For, sickness, and death plagued sailors as despite their far-flung countries of they traveled the seas not knowing their origin, American children will find east/west positions. The problem was of familiar morals in each tale. These days, such importance that the English as the rest of the world may seem a bit Parliament offered a substantial reward more alien than it has in recent memory, to the person who found a workable such stories could help reinforce global solution. John Harrison was a fine village concepts without the usual carpenter and an extraordinary pitfalls of homogeneity. Children may be clockmaker. Harrison knew that he

10 could solve the problem and his work departure, Macaulay chooses to color his became an obsession. Forty years and illustrations and, in so doing, loses some five prototypes later, Harrison did find of the meticulous detail for which he is the perfect solution and after overcoming renowned. Gone is much of his delicate several obstacles to the reward did win crosshatching and shading, now replaced the illustrious prize. Sea Clocks: The with swaths of color. Furthermore, every Story of Longitude is well researched bit of the light-hearted humor that helped and offers lovely watercolor drawings make Castle and The Way Things Work and black and white sketches that such pleasures to read are conspicuously beautifully enhance the narration. The missing. Mosque is a fantastic resource story will delight children as well as for those interested in the architecture inform them of a wonderful achievement and culture of the mighty Ottoman in history.—Julie Pertuit Empire and its descendents; and those new to Macaulay are sure to enjoy this book without reservation. However, for those that have been with David Macaulay since Cathedral, Mosque may be a bit of a disappointment. –Glen Bryant

Mosque by David Macaulay. Houghton Mifflin. Ages 12 and up. In fine Macaulay fashion, Mosque chronicles the design and construction of a fictional–but typical– mosque of the late sixteenth-century Ottoman Empire. Remember: The Journey to School It tells the story of Admiral Suha Integration by Toni Morrison. Mehmet Pasa who, confronted with his Houghton Mifflin. $18. Ages 8-14. own mortality, decides to build a Toni Morrison begins her book with a structure that would be all at once a narrative that provides a brief description tribute to God, a gift to the community, of the lives of African Americans in our and a final resting place for himself. country before 1954. The Supreme Court Over the next 87 pages, Macaulay's decision in the case of Brown v. Board detailed but easy to read text details of Education declared that separate every aspect of the mosque's birth and schools were not equal. This decision early life from the laying of its gave rise to the nation-wide civil rights foundations to the placement of its solid movement. Morrison has gathered a lead roofs to the good Admiral's final collection of black and white interment within its walls. The reader photographs that tell the story of school will find no shortage of information integration in a powerful way. Even the about Muslim architectural and religious names of the chapters evoke emotional tradition in the text, but it is on responses: "The Narrow Path," "The illustration that Macaulay hangs his hat– Open Gate," and "The Wide Road." and it is Mosque's illustrations that may Each chapter begins with a paragraph ultimately disappoint longtime fans. In a written in stark black and white text. The

11 photographs provided Morrison with the project/activity related to the song. In inspiration for the fictional dialogue, addition, there is a resource section that which expresses the vulnerability, fear, lists other books and web sites related to and courage of the children as they the topic. moved into the spaces of white America. Classic and patriotic songs go The faces of those who resisted change hand in hand with childhood and are an undeniable testimony to the learning. This series of books helps violence and hatred, which often teach children about the history of the accompanied the integration of our United States through folklore with the schools. This is a tender yet compelling traditional songs and through historical account of our history, which should be facts with the patriotic songs. Each page shared with our young people. It draws of the books brings the words of the the reader into the setting and expresses songs alive through the use of vivid, the feelings of the children in a way no detailed, child-friendly illustrations. other book I have read has been able to Students can personally connect with the do. books through the use of up to date –Ginger Henry illustrations that bring the events of these songs to a perspective easily I’ve Been Working on the Railroad generalizable to all children. However, edited by Ann Owens. Picture Window despite the fact that the events are Books. $15.95. Ages 4-8. generalizable, the illustrations focus She’ll Be Coming around the heavily on the Caucasians. This fact Mountain edited by Ann Owens. may cause students of other races not to Picture Window Books. $15.95. Ages connect to these song books. As far a 4-8. teaching is concerned, there is great When Johnny Comes Marching Home merit with these books. The words by Patrick S. Gilmore. Picture informational page at the end of each Window Books. $15.95. Ages 4-10. book has vital and brilliant components America: My Country ‘Tis of Thee to help the students further internalize words by Samuel Francis Smith. Picture the origin and purpose of the events Window Books. $15.95. Ages 4-10. related to these songs. In addition, the Picture Window Books offer section that includes a project/activity to wonderful opportunities to link music go with each song is a very insightful and literature. They come in two way to help the children further connect different series: traditional songs and and learn from the song book patriotic songs. The books from both experience. –Summer Anderson series are formatted similarly. They begin with some prompting questions and information about music and how it can tell a story. Then each page thereafter vividly illustrates a few words of the featured song with full-color illustrations. The end of each book features the entire song written in score, information and facts about the song and its origin, and a step-by-step

12 Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet by Goldman Rubin. Crown. $19.95. Ages Michael Rosen. Illustrated by Jane Ray. 10 and up. Candlewick Press. $17.99. Ages 9 +. This book tells the story of This new rendition of one of the children and adults who create art in most famous love stories ever written spite of the most terrible circumstances. deserves to have a home in every library. Rubin devotes a chapter to the art of Rosen retells the story for younger each of the environments in which the readers in an easy to read format that is artists existed: mental illness, largely narrative in style. A brief history imprisonment, war, poverty, and racism. of life in England during the 1590s when "Outsider Art" describes the lives and art this play was first introduced preludes of two schizophrenics. "Captured" the actual story. One of the appealing presents text and reproductions of prison aspects of this retelling is the border art. The most poignant narratives in this which highlights and explains the more chapter tell the stories of a girl and a difficult words and references. Another young woman. Mine Okubo, a young appealing aspect is that Rosen has Japanese woman, recorded her selected just enough of the original play experiences in an internment camp near to make it readable for younger children. San Francisco during World War II. He includes narrative text that helps Twelve-year old Helga Weissova, who move the story along. Inexperienced was deported by the Nazis to the Terezin readers of Shakespeare get a taste of the Concentration Camp, packed "a pad, a language without missing out on the key box of watercolours, crayons, and elements of the story line yet aren't pencils" and used them secretly to depict bogged down by archaic language. daily life in the camp. Rubin also The illustrations by Jane Ray devotes a chapter in the book to the art give this version of Romeo and Juliet a of quilting, which was integral to the dream-like quality. Her ornate designs lives of slaves in America. Finally, the depict the major scenes in exquisite book includes the work of children in detail that add to the value of this tragic various settings, from the South Bronx tale. to Kenya. The story of each artist is told Overall, this version of The Most with captivating detail and the Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of reproductions touch the heart. Both give Romeo and Juliet is valuable for younger the reader a real sense of the courage of readers as an introduction to the works the human spirit and the ingenuity of the of William Shakespeare. –Diane Gioia artist. –Ginger Henry

Editor: Patricia Austin

Reviews by graduate students and undergraduate students.

A thousand thanks to the publishers who support the UNO Children’s Literature Art Against the Odds: From Slave Examination Center. Quilts to Prison Paintings by Susan