The Bibliophile's Book Collection

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Busing Brewster

Written by Richard Michelson

Illustrated by R.G. Roth

Published by Alfred A. Knopf

32 pages

Historical fiction

Busing Brewster is about a boy named Brewster who has to go to Central School, which is an all-white school. His mom is excited about his new school, but Brewster is not. When he gets to the school, people are not friendly. How will he like his first day at a new school?

R.G. Roth used ink, watercolor, and collage to illustrate this book. Each book stands out in the collage of the library. The illustrations help explain the story. Without the illustrations, Brewster asking his brother about the signs would not make sense.

Busing Brewster could be used in a fifth or sixth grade classroom. It could be used for a social studies lesson. Students could research the history of segregation. This book could be used for a writing lesson. Students could write about how they would feel if they had to go to a different school. Busing Brewster could also be used for a science lesson. Students could research different types of transportation. This book made the New York Times list of the Ten Best Illustrated Books of 2010. This book also won a National Council for the Social Studies and Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People in 2011.

Eli Remembers

Written by Ruth Vander Zee and Marian Sneider

Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth

Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

32 pages

Historical fiction

Eli Remembers is a book about a boy named Eli who celebrates Rosh Hashanah Eve with his family. When his great-grandmother lights seven candles, everyone seems sad. Eli visits Lithuania with his parents, his grandma, and his grandpa. When they get to Lithuania, Eli learns about his family’s history? What is the significance of the seven candles? Will Eli find out why everyone is sad?

Bill Farnsworth used oils on canvas to illustrate this book. The use of duller colors helps create a somber tone throughout the book. The realistic illustrations help readers see themselves in the story. The full page picture of the boy shows his emotion after he heard the information.

This book could be used in a sixth grade classroom. The subject matter in this book would not be appropriate for students in earlier grades. Eli Remembers could be used for a social studies lesson. Students could read the book before they learn about the Holocaust. This book could be used for a writing lesson. Students could write about how the book made them feel. This book could be used for another social studies lesson. Students could research the history of Lithuania. This book won a bronze medal Florida Book Award in 2007. This book won a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People award in 2008.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Roanoke: The Mystery of the Lost Colony

Written by Lee Miller

Book design by Nancy Sabato

Published by Scholastic Inc.

112 pages

Nonfiction

Roanoke: The Mystery of the Lost Colony is about a colony formed in North America that disappeared. The book is written in narrative form. It focuses on different members of the Roanoke colony. What will happen to them?

It seems like Nancy Sabato used the computer to design this book. The warm colors used on the front cover give the book an inviting feel. The use of drawings and actual photographs help make the book more interesting. The pictures are spread out throughout the book, which helps break up the text.

This book could be used in a fifth or sixth grade classroom. This book could be used for a social studies lesson. Students could compare and contrast Roanoke to other early colonies. This book could be used for a writing lesson. Students could compare life in Roanoke to life in their hometowns. This book could be used for another social studies lesson. Students could make a timeline of events that happened in Roanoke. This book has not won any awards.

Too Hot? Too Cold? Keeping Body Temperature Just Right

Written by Caroline Arnold

Illustrated by Annie Patterson

Published by Charlesbridge

32 pages

Nonfiction

Too Hot? Too Cold? is a book about how people and animals regulate body temperature. The book includes information about polar bears, bottlenose dolphins, cougars, and several other animals. How many animals are included in the book? How do they stay warm or stay cool?

Annie Patterson used watercolor and Adobe Photoshop to illustrate the book. The drawings of different animals on each page make the book interesting. The use of the color blue throughout the book gives the book a relaxing feel. Although there are several pictures on each page, they are spread out enough to not be overwhelming.

This book could be used in a third or fourth grade classroom. This book could be used for a science lesson. Students could choose an animal from the book to research. This book could also be used for a social studies lesson. Students could compare climates of different countries. This book could also be used for a writing lesson. Students could write a summary of what they learned on a poster and decorate it. This book was chosen by the Junior Library Guild in 2013. It was a finalist for an AAAS Science Books and Films award in 2014.

Built to Last: Building America's Amazing Bridges, Dams, Tunnels, and Skyscrapers

Built to Last: Building America’s Amazing Bridges, Dams, Tunnels, and Skyscrapers

Written by George Sullivan

Book design by Nancy Sabato

Published by Scholastic Inc.

128 pages

Nonfiction

Built to Last is a book about different man-made structures in the United States. The book includes the Hoover Dam, the George Washington Bridge, and the Statue of Freedom. The book includes facts about different structures. How are these structures built?

It seems like Nancy Sabato used the computer to design the book. The mixture of modern pictures and older pictures add to the subject matter of the book. The use of two pages for the picture of the Sears Tower helps the reader visualize the height of the tower. The photos are important to the book, because drawings would not fit the nonfiction topic.

This book would be useful in a fifth or sixth grade classroom. Some of the vocabulary in the book would be too difficult for students in earlier grades. This book could be used for a social studies lesson. Students could create a timeline of when the different structures were built. This book could also be used for a science lesson. Students could research different materials used to make structures. This book could also be used for a writing lesson. Students could write a story about a structure using facts they learned. This book was nominated for a Grand Canyon Award in 2009. It was also chosen by the Children’s Book of the Month Club.

The Tooth Mouse

Written by Susan Hood

Illustrated by Janice Nadeau

Published by Kids Can Press

32 pages

Fantasy

The Tooth Mouse is a story about mice in France who want to be the next Tooth Mouse. The current Tooth Mouse gives them three tasks to decide who will be her replacement. What are the tasks? Which mouse will become the next Tooth Mouse?

Janice Nadeau used pencil and watercolor to illustrate the book. The use of cool colors give the book a relaxing feel. The colors also make the book seem like it was set in the past. The detailed illustrations will keep students’ interest in the book.

This book would be useful in a fourth or fifth grade classroom, because the book has some French words. Children in younger grades would have a more difficult time learning words from a different language. This book could be used for a science lesson. Students could research facts about mice. This book could be used for a social studies lesson. Students could research France. This book could also be used for a writing lesson. Students could write a story about their own version of the Tooth Mouse. This book was selected by the Junior Library Guild in 2012.

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Created and Illustrated by James Dean

Story by Eric Litwin

Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books

40 pages

Fantasy

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons is a book about a cat named Pete. He has four buttons on his shirt, but one falls off his shirt. After the first button falls, more buttons fall off his shirt. Will Pete get mad about the buttons falling? Will he have any buttons left?

It seems like Eric Litwin used paint to illustrate his book. The bright colors will appeal to young students. Painting the cat blue gives the book a whimsical feel. The illustrations are large enough for students to see when a teacher holds the book up during a read aloud.

This book would be beneficial in a first or second grade classroom. The song that accompanies the book would interest students in early grades. This book could be used for a math lesson. Students could practice adding and subtracting Pete the Cat’s buttons. This book could also be used for a science lesson. Students could choose a type of cat to research. This book could be used for a writing lesson. Students could write their own short story about Pete the Cat. This book received a Theodore Seuss Geisel Award in 2013. It is also an ALA Notable Children’s Book for Younger Readers.