Diamond Willow Review by Allison Trippe

Bibliography

Frost, Helen. 2008. Diamond Willow. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (USA).       ISBN 978-0-374-31776-8

Plot Summary

Diamond Willow, known to most as Willow, is an introverted twelve-year old of Athabascan and European descent. She lives with her family in a small, secluded town in Alaska. Her name comes from a natural occurrence in willow trees. When  a branch breaks off a willow tree  a beautiful diamond shaped scar is left on the trunk. Being a shy girl, Willow wishes to blend in and be left alone. Although, she wants her parents to notice she is growing up, and she wants to be treated like the young woman she is becoming. Willow helps care for her family’s team of six dogs. She learns to mush the dogs from her father, and longs for the independence to lead her own dogsled. When she musters up the courage to ask her parents if she can mush her own sled and dogs to her grandparent’s house, they hesitantly allow her. She sets out, ready to prove herself. However, little did she know this journey would lead her to discover haunting secrets of her past.

On her return trip home from visiting her grandparents, feeling confident and free, Willow commands her team of dogs to travel faster and faster. A freak and devastating accident leaves her favorite dog, Roxy, blind and useless to her parents. Willow and her best friend, Kaylie, decide to abduct the injured dog and take her somewhere safe from her parents who want to euthanize Roxy. Along the way, Willow, Kaylie, Roxy and her new teams of dogs encounter more problems. Despite their trouble, they begin to notice animals who seem to be watching and guiding them. Eventually, the girls and dogs are forced to spend the night in the harsh, sub-zero temperatures. After surviving a night on their own, a series of family secrets begin to unravel. When Willow learns about the past, and where her name really came from, she begins to understand her true identity and destiny.

Critical Analysis

Author Helen Frost presents a beautifully-written novel in verse, through several unique ways. She uses diamond-shaped poems to tell the story of Willow in first person point of view. Just as diamonds are hidden scars under the bark of willow trees, hidden messages are included in the novel and revealed in bold print. This technique appeals to the reader by helping them gain deeper insight into the thoughts and emotions of the main character. Spirits of Willow’s beloved ancestors are characters in the form of personified, forest animals. They intermittently tell background information throughout the story from their point of view and written in standard, paragraph form.

Frost writes with idiomatic and conversational language to tell an engaging narrative. She uses imagery and symbolism to build interest, and keep readers captivated. Metaphors are used frequently and effectively to enhance the imagery. Several themes emerge from Diamond Willow, strongest of which are family, friendship, and perseverance. By using these elements of poetry, Frost is able to evoke strong emotion in her readers. Readers will feel a myriad of emotions from sorrow and regret, to fear and loneliness, and finally joy and contentment.

Awards and Review Excerpts

• 2009 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award
• 2008 Mitten Award, Michigan Library Association
• 2009 The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry Honor Book
• 2009 Winner of Best Books of Indiana, Children and Young Adult Book
• 2009 CCBC Choices List
• Indie Next Kids' List Great Read
• Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Finalist
• Bank Street List of Best Children's Books
• Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens

From School Library Journal: “Frost casts a subtle spell through innovative storytelling. Her poems offer pensive imagery and glimpses of character, and strong emotion. This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters.”

From The Bulletin for Center of Children’s Books: “Frost invents an ingenious poetic form for her story that is both stable and fluid; like the diamond willow branches that she is imitating, the diamond shapes of her poems vary. . . . Frost has spun metaphoric gold out of an evocative natural landscape, and she knows just how to craft it into an elegant and moving story of a young girl's deepening understanding of the relationships she shares with those around her.”

From Booklist: “Set in a remote part of Alaska, this story in easy-to-read verse blends exciting survival adventure with a contemporary girl's discovery of family roots and secrets.”

Connections

• Utilize the discussion questions and writing ideas included at the end of the book.
• Ask students to select a scene from the book to illustrate.
• Research the animals from the book to learn about their adaptations for living in a cold climate.
• After reading Diamond Willow, pair the poem with an informational text about Rachel Scdoris, the first legally blind person to complete the Iditarod Race.
• Students can write their own poem in a certain shape, and include a hidden message in bold print.
• Students can research the Athabascan culture and learn more about their beliefs, art, language, and traditions.

Created as an assignment for a Texas Woman's University course.

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold Review

by Allison Trippe

Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce. 2014. Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold. Ill. by Rick Allen. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company (USA).  ISBN 978-0-547-90650-8

Summary

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold is a compilation of poems by poet Joyce Sidman. The book contains short poems, often comprised of between two to six stanzas. Poems are mostly about the survival adaptations of animals and plants during winter in the north. Additionally, with each page, the poet supplements her poems with a paragraph of facts about each animal or plant. The information aids the reader in discovering new details, thus combining poetry and nonfiction text. This effective technique elicits wonder, interest and intrigue in young readers. Though written for young children, even adults who reads Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold will surely find themselves learning something new.

Critical Analysis

Throughout her poetry compilation, poet Joyce Sidman uses many elements of poetry. She writes with rhythmic and lyrical phrases. When read aloud, the poem “Big Brown Moose” has such strong song-like qualities that it almost begs to be chanted or clapped. Many of her poems contain clever rhyming patterns that add humor and wit. Alliteration is widely used throughout the book, incorporating a playful use of sound. The use of similes and especially the strong metaphors help readers visualize the characters and their actions in the book.

Some poems, such as “Winter Bees” and “Vole in Winter,” are actually told in first person point of view from the perspective of the bee and vole. This writing approach, along with the poet's use of sensory language, allows the reader to take on the perspective of these characters in order to empathize and understand their struggles. Sidman’s poems that are written in this way almost seem as if the animals are sharing secrets or an inner dialogue with the readers. The poet’s use of personification adds another playful flare of descriptive language furthering the reader’s ability to relate to her characters.

Illustrations

Illustrator Rick Allen uses a combination of painterly and graphic techniques to create detailed pictures for Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold. Initially he cuts images into linoleum blocks and wood blocks, and then prints them on paper. Next, he intricately hand colors the prints with gauche. What culminates are beautiful, two-page spreads of stunning artwork with vibrant and complementary colors. On almost every page, the artist includes a red fox who makes sly, cameo appearance creating cohesion for the compilation of poems.

Awards and Review Excerpts

• 2015 Claudia Lewis Poetry Award
• ALSC Notable Children’s Book
• ILA Teachers’ Choice Award
• Midwest Bookseller’s Choice Award
• School Library Journal Best Book of 2014
• Kirkus Best Book of 2014
• The Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
• Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2014
• New York Public Library's 100 Best Books for Reading and Sharing
• 2014 Nerdy Poetry Award

From School Library Journal: “Winter Bees distinguishes itself with a focus on the science of animal survival, coupled with superlative illustrations. Readers young and old will enjoy this winter journey and marvel at the wonders of nature.”

From Booklist: “Concluded with a glossary of big but fascinating words, this is equally suited to curricular units and cozy reads in front of a fire.”

Connections

• Use the poems and supplemental information on each page in this book to support science units about seasons, animals, adaptations, habitats, and biomes.
• Read the poem titled “Snowflake Wakes” as an introduction to a science lesson about the water cycle or forms of precipitation.
• After reading the book, students can write and share their own original poems.
• Teach students how to write Haiku poetry, which is usually about nature and seasons.
• Art teachers can read the poems and showcase the art when teaching printmaking techniques.
• Conduct an “Author Study” and read other poet compilations by Joyce Sidman such as:
• Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems. ISBN: 978-0618135479
• Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow. ISBN: 978-0618563135
• Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night. ISBN: 978-0547152288

*Created as an assignment for a Texas Woman's University course.

Please Bury Me in the Library Review by Allison Trippe

Bibliography

Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. Please Bury Me in the Library. Ill. by Kyle M. Stone. Orlando, FL: Gulliver Books Harcourt, Inc. (USA).   ISBN 0-15-216387-5

Summary

Poet J. Patrick Lewis’ poetry compilation, Please Bury Me in the Library, is a hilarious book filled with clever wordplay and eccentric language. With a mixture of poetry forms, this picture poetry book is filled with sixteen poems about the joys of literature and reading. Children’s book artist, Kyle M. Stone, creates vivid, colorful yet somewhat somber pictures. He uses acrylic and mixed media to illustrate images that mirror the whimsical poems, showing expressive and comical characters.

Critical Analysis

Filled with wit and wordplay, poet J. Patrick Lewis’ Please Bury Me in the Library provides an offbeat journey about reading and libraries. He includes many forms of short poems from haiku, acrostic, quatrain, couplet to free verse. Many of his poems offer creative puns, nonsensical lines and rich vocabulary. The use of rhyme is present in almost every poem adding juvenile humor geared toward young readers. Lewis carefully combines many elements of poetry including personification, alliteration, assonance, and consonance throughout his poems. His word selection offers rhythm that lead readers away from reality and into a creative world of reading adventures.

Young children will surely enjoy listening to Please Bury Me in the Library being read aloud. Older children will appreciate the carefully chosen words and skillfully crafted puns. So, don’t be surprised if, when you read this book aloud, you hear snickering and laughter from your audience young and old.

Review Excerpts

From Booklist: “Despite the picture-book format, it will take children older than the preschool crowd to appreciate the wordplay, which on occasion is quite sophisticated (Lewis credits Lear, Carroll, and X. J Kennedy as his inspirations).”

From Children’s Literature: “For a wild and whimsical time, let acclaimed poet J. Patrick Lewis accompany your kids on their next book-borrowing trip. Please Bury Me in the Library gathers 15 poems about the magic and mayhem of books.”

From School Library Journal:  “Usually printed one per spread, the poems are accompanied by richly dark artwork. The thickly applied acrylic paint and mixed-media illustrations are sometimes reminiscent of the work of David Shannon, with a comically grotesque air, and add comprehension to the verses.”

Connections

• Use Please Bury Me in the Library to provide examples when teaching students about puns and creative writing.
• Librarians can select poems to use as an introduction to a library lesson or library orientation.
• Use the poem “Three Haikus” to provide students with examples of Haiku. Students can write their own Haiku poems.
• Students can practice reading selected poems to build reading fluency.
• Use this book as an opportunity to teach new vocabulary words: extraordinary, epitaph, unsurpassed, devoted, incomprehensibly, homing device, amuse.
• Discuss the plays on words made with book titles in “What If Books Had Different Names?” and see if students can identify each title.
• Students can write their own acrostic poems.
• Discuss the last poem, “Acknowledgments,” and expose students to each author mentioned. Discuss possible reasons why these authors are being acknowledged.

*Created as an assignment for a Texas Woman's University course.

Swamp Angel Review by Allison Trippe

Bibliography

Isaacs, Anne. 1994. Swamp Angel. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: The Penguin Group.    ISBN: 978-0140559088

Plot Summary

Swamp Angel is an entertaining American Tall Tale about the greatest woodswoman in all of Tennessee. When an enormous black bear threatens settlers in a nearby town, Swamp Angel comes to their rescue. The extraordinary girl faces the bear, known as Thundering Tarnation, with confidence, might, and strength. She tosses him high into the sky, lassos him with a tornado, and wrestles the bear through the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Tarnation recovers and pins Swamp Angel at the bottom of a lake. Just when it seems as if Swamp Angel will surely lose the battle, she cleverly outsmarts the bear, escapes from being held captive, and defeats Tarnation. In the end, the whole state of Tennessee celebrates her bravery and accomplishment. Through humor and extreme exaggeration, author Anne Isaacs creates a memorable, original folklore.

Critical Analysis

Anne Isaacs, author of Swamp Angel,  masters the art of writing a tall tale with her imagery, alliterative narrative, and hyperbolic descriptions. The book begins with an exposition providing readers with background information about young Angelica Longrider. The main character, Swamp Angel, is a larger-than-life heroine developed through quick-witted wording and eye-catching illustrations. The plot contains plenty of action to keep readers engaged and turning pages. Isaacs combines metaphors, similes, rhyme, dialogue, and alliteration to unfold the narrative set somewhere in a Tennessee wilderness in the time of settlers and pioneers.

When the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist begin, outlandish and humorous obstacles help readers advance quickly to the resolution. Cultural markers representative of the frontier days of the southeast region of the United States are present throughout the book. Coonskin hats, buckskins, log cabins, bonnets, wagons and storehouses help readers identify the setting. The universal theme of good triumphing over evil is present amidst this original tall tale.

Illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky creates vivid images, mostly in the form of two-page spreads. He uses oil paintings with veneer borders to support the mood of the rural Tennessee frontier. Zelinsky’s illustrations contain quintessential characteristics of 19th Century American Folk Art. His artwork for Swamp Angel includes portraits and landscapes with particular attention given to strong color, highlights and shadowing. He creatively captures the humor and outlandish scenes in a visual format to effectively complement the author’s style.

Awards, Recognitions and Review Excerpts

• 1995 Caldecott Honor Book
• 2013 Phoenix Picture Book Award by the Children's Literature Association
• 1995 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
• 1994 ALA Notable Book
• New York Public Library, 100 Books Every Child Should Read
• New York Times Best Illustrated Books of 1994
• School Library Journal Best Books of 1994
• Booklist Children's Editors Choices 1994
• Publisher's Weekly Best Books of 1994
• Time Magazine's 8 Best Children's Books, 1994
• Parenting Magazine Reading-Magic Award, 10 Best Books of 1994
• 1995 Notable Trade Book in Language Arts, National Council of Teachers of English

From Kirkus Review: “It is impossible to convey the sheer pleasure, the exaggerated loopiness, of newcomer Isaacs's wonderful story. Matching the superb text stride for stride are Zelinsky's (The Wheels on the Bus, 1990) altered-state, American primitive paintings--gems that provide new pleasures, reading after reading.”

From Horn Book: “Move over, Paul Bunyan, you are about to meet Swamp Angel, an original creation in the tall-tale tradition whose exploits are guaranteed to amaze and amuse a wide swath of readers. . . Visually exciting, wonderful to read aloud, this is a picture book to remember.”

Connections

• Compare and contrast Swamp Angel with other American tall tales such as:
• Paul Bunyan. ISBN: 978-0688058005
• Pecos Bill. ISBN: 978-0688099244
• John Henry. ISBN: 978-0140566222
• Use this book to help teach students the elements of tall tales.
• After reading Swamp Angel, students can write their own tall tale.
• Study the qualities and characteristics of the artwork, and compare it to 19th Century American folk art.
• Locate Tennessee on a map and discuss the Southeast region of the United States. Discuss how the setting influences the plot.

*Created as an assignment for a Texas Woman's University course.

The Great Ball Game Review by Allison Trippe

Bibliography

Bruchac, Joseph. 1994. The Great Ball Game. Ill. by Susan L. Roth. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.    ISBN: 978-0-8037-1539-4

Plot Summary

In this folktale, originally passed down from the Muskogee Nation, animals and birds settle an argument by playing a ball game instead of going to war. They decide that the first team to score a point wins the argument, and will create a punishment for the losing team. The two sides divide themselves into teams: those with wings against those with teeth. A problem arises when one creature, the bat, possesses both wings and teeth. At first, neither team would allow Bat to join them. Finally, the animals accept Bat on their team, but tell him he must let the bigger animals play first. When it appears as if one team will surely win, suddenly an unlikely character uses his unstoppable and unique abilities to come from behind and score. This Pourquoi Tale offers explanations for why bats are considered animals, and why birds migrate.

Critical Analysis

Author Joseph Bruchac begins the book with a note about the origin of the story, a mention of other versions, and an explanation of his own version. The book begins with anthropomorphic characters, all of whom exhibit human qualities and weaknesses from teamwork and leadership to arguing and rejection. With a simple plot and realistic setting, the author uses minimal text to retell the story of how a conflict is settled in a peaceful way.

The style and pace of The Great Ball Game make this book engaging as a read aloud. Cultural attributes of Native American traditions run strong in this version of a Muskogee folktale. For example, the birds and animals play a game similar to lacrosse. The Muskogee Nation played lacrosse for recreation as well as conflict resolution. Themes and cultural values such as the importance of inclusion, acceptance, and valuing differences are present throughout the book. The denouement provides a satisfying conclusion by giving a final nod to the character of the bat.

Illustrations are in the form of paper collage. Illustrator, Susan L. Roth, overlaps pieces of paper to create color, texture, pattern and shape. She cuts and rips paper to depict different animals and birds. The artist uses a similar method to create contrast in her subtle backgrounds representing a realistic habitat. By varying the shape and color of the eyes, the author is able to portray different emotions in her characters. Through a unique artistic style, the illustrations give the reader a sense of tradition. The artwork almost seems to parallel the iconic look of ancient cave paintings.

Review Excerpts

2003 Oklahoma Book Award for Design and Illustration

From Booklist: “Short and well told, this appealing pourquoi tale lends itself to reading aloud.”

From Kirkus Review:  “Roth's distinctive collages have a Red Grooms busyness ranging from bright and appealing to appropriately subtle, rendered from elegant handmade papers gathered in Tibet, Italy, Japan, and Thailand.”

Connections

• Introduce this book by giving students background information on the history of the  Muskogee or Creek Nation.
• Art teachers can use the artwork from this book as examples for teaching collage.
• Pre-teach vocabulary words during a mini-lesson: argument, quarrel, swift, penalty, stumbled, fair, accept
• Make connections to science concepts like animal adaptations and animal migration.
• Pair this book with other Pourquoi tales such as:
• How Tiger Got His Stripes. ISBN: 978-0874837995
• Why The Sky Is Far Away. ISBN: 978-0316308748
• When the World Was Young: Creation and Pourquoi Tales. ISBN: 978-0689808678
• After reading the book, challenge students to write their own Pourquoi Tale to explain the origin of something.

*Created as an assignment for a Texas Woman's University course.