Synergy apparent in collaborations in Ballet for Martha

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, illustrated by Brian Floca; published by Roaring Brook Press, New York; 2010.

The synergy of collaboration is the theme in this multiple-award winning book.  American composer Aaron Copland, choreographer Martha Graham, and artist Isamu Noguchi worked together to make Martha Graham’s concept of capturing America’s spirit in dance a reality.  The resulting ballet, Appalachian Spring, has become an American classic!

Just as the three visionaries worked together to capture the American spirit in art, so the writers and illustrators have collaborated to capture the process of creating Appalachian Spring.  From the robin’s egg blue end pages, through the storytelling, images, and resources at the end, the synergy of this book is remarkable.  Words and pictures drew me into the story of the artists as well as into the tale of a springtime wedding between a farmer and his bride.  It was no surprise to learn that Ballet for Martha was recognized with multiple awards (2011 Robert F. Sibert Honor book, 2011 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award, 2011 ALSC Notable Book List) and starred reviews.  Collaborating is not easy, but to do so successfully twice (in creating Appalachian Spring as well as writing about it!) is remarkable.  And just like the pieces of the ballet–the music, dance and set–work together to create a whole that is more than the sum of its parts, the book has done the same.  Part history lesson, part interpretation of music and dance, and part biography, Ballet for Martha tells the story of a collaboration that sums up the American experience.

During my tenure in an elementary school library, fulfilling book requests from the music teacher was a chore.  There were very few books to offer her.  I would enthusiastically recommend this book to her now, and include the links to the YouTube videos that captured a television performance of the ballet.  In any library, I would include this book in a family story time, and maybe only show part 3 of the YouTube videos (recognize that first song?).  Any spring displays would have to incorporate this book with a CD of Copland’s inspired score.

If the book has piqued your interest about the ballet, please watch the 4 part videos!  I’ve embedded them here so that librarians, music teachers, or anyone interested in watching this American classic can do so from this location!

The Storm in the Barn whisks reader back to dusty Kansas

The Storm in the Barn written and illustrated by Matt Phelan; published by Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts; 2009.

Eleven year old Jack hasn’t seen rain since he was seven.  His sister is struggling with dust pneumonia and members of the community begin to think Jack has “dust dementia.”  It’s 1937 and Kansas has become the Dust Bowl.  When the neighbors move away from the desolation of a dust-covered farm, Jack notices bizarre activity emanating from their locked barn.  In between his trips to explore the barn, life around him becomes more desperate.  All the farmers gather to round up and slaughter rabbits (who have been eating the meager green that dares grow in the dust).  Bullies torment Jack.  But it is Jack, in spite of the world falling apart around him, who is the hero.

Phelan has created a surreal yet dramatically accurate portrayal of the Dust Bowl era.  His illustrations in this graphic novel are predominantly overheated browns when we are following Jack’s historically accurate life.  When folklore or fable appear, in the storekeeper’s “Jack” stories or in scenes within the barn, full color or cool blues tell the story.  It was painful for me to look into the faces of Jack’s parents; Phelan captures the essence of the WPA photos of the Great Depression in their hopeless, gaunt countenances.  And the “phantom” in the barn is frighteningly ominous; I rooted for Jack’s victory but doubted he could vanquish this evil presence.

Words are spare in Phelan’s book.  Incorporating folklore from the era, along with excerpts from L. Frank Baum’s Oz books, not only assist in the storytelling but also put the reader firmly in the time period.  The author’s note at the end of the book helps fill in the blanks of the story as well as put us in his shoes as he created this remarkable project.

It is no wonder this book won the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction in 2010, the first graphic novel to do so.  Nor is it surprising that it made ALSC’s Notable Book List.  Paired with Karen Hesse’s Out of the Dust, the two would help sixth graders understand the desperation of this event in American history.  I’d also be sure to include images from the FSA’s photo project covering the Great Depression and Dust Bowl.  The Library of Congress has created a slideshow in Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/sets/72157618541455384/) that is invaluable.  This image is from the collection; Phelan must have been affected by this woman because his depiction of Jack’s mother is reminiscent of this photo.

"Migrant Mother" by Dorothea Lange

Teachers will be interested in reading through the suggestions on this website: http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/storminthebarn.html.  Certainly, I would include this book on a pathfinder about the Dust Bowl, especially since upper elementary and middle school students study the era.

Children’s “Notable” Lists published for 2011

ALSC (ALA’s Association for Library Service t0 Children) has posted their Children’s Notable Lists for 2011.

Their list of Notable Children’s Videos can be found here: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncv/index.cfm

Notable Children’s Recordings, which includes audiobooks, is listed here: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncr/index.cfm

Congratulations to all!

Rules for living

Rules by Cynthia Lord; published by Scholastic, New York, 2006.

Twelve year old Catherine keeps a list of rules for living.  Some are for her, some are for her 8 year old brother, David.  ”If the bathroom door is closed, knock (especially if Catherine has a friend over” is one of David’s simple rules.  He also has some harder rules, like “Sometimes people laugh when they like you.  But sometimes they laugh to hurt you.”  Catherine’s rules include “Not everything worth keeping has to be useful” and “No dancing unless I’m alone in my room or it’s pitch-black dark.”  Why so many rules?  It is Catherine’s way of dealing with things she can’t control.  Things like the predictable meltdowns of an autistic brother, or the self-conscious struggles every tween faces.  Catherine longs for a friend to talk to, to share frustrations and successes with.  Her hopes are high when the house next door is sold to a family with a daughter her own age.  But Kristi may not be the friend Catherine had hoped for.  Could Jason fill that need for friendship?  But how can he, when he is in a wheelchair and cannot speak?  Catherine finds her voice, speaking up to her parents for equal attention from them, and helps Jason find his, by using her artistic talents to add words to his communication book.  And together, Catherine and Jason find friendship.

As the mother of a boy on the autism spectrum, and a daughter who isn’t, this book hit a resonant chord with me.  Reading the book brought tears and laughter as I related our similar experiences.  When I closed the book after reading the last words, I wanted to call every teacher I know, every teacher the kids ever had, and make them all vow to read this book and include it in their required reading lists.

Wow, Lord nailed my mantra when she wrote this book; I’ll paraphrase a line from the book to express it best: Everyone has a place.  The lessons in acceptance, diversity, and overcoming prejudice are subtly taught in Catherine’s actions and choices.  When elementary school students are working on their citizenship skills, this book should be mandatory reading.  Middle schoolers, with their hormone-induced posturing, should have to read this book.  Teachers, whose actions teach more profoundly than their words, should have to read this book.

That being said, there are other reasons to read Rules. The paperback copy I read includes a section at the end of the book called “After Words.”  Included are an interview with the author, activities, and a bibliography of books about siblings dealing with autistic and special needs brothers and sisters.  The teachable moments continue even after the story is done!

This book is next month’s selection for the middle school book club I participate in.  I can’t wait to see what they have to say about the book!  I’ll be sure to let you know!

Why you Knucklehead…

Knucklehead by Jon Scieszka; published by Viking, Penguin Group, New York; 2008.

I laughed out loud non-stop.  Scieszka seems to have eavesdropped on my childhood (especially the My Side of the Mountain story).  More important than the humor is the way Scieszka has written this specifically to reach kids—he even seems to talk directly to them (boys in particular).  The lessons couched in funny stories are rich and well-described.  He has taken a giant step toward fulfilling his mission of reaching reluctant readers!

I would add this to a pathfinder for reluctant readers.  I would use it in a display with realia, like the toys and comic books he mentions in his stories.  Maybe I’d read a chapter or two then show upper elementary students the cover of the book; I’d supply them with a variety of old comic book covers that they could paste their pictures on and name their autobiographies (and maybe I could encourage them to write a chapter or two to put inside).

By the way, does anyone else have a younger brother nicknamed “Chuff” or is it just Scieszka & me?

Nothing prickly about The Porcupine Year

The Porcupine Year by Louise Erdrich; published by HarperCollins, New York; 2008.

I didn’t realize that this is a sequel to two other books when I chose to read it.  Without reading the preceding books, I was able to garner enough information from the prologue to follow the story.  The Porcupine Year could stand on its own.  It is the engrossing tale of Omakayas, a twelve year old Ojibwe whose family was displaced from their Lake Superior home.  In 1852, they were forced to flee across Minnesota to find a new home among other Native Americans.

Even in this historical setting, this is truly the story of a young girl coming of age—growing from a playful child to new woman over the course of a year.  She suffers loss, finds new love, and struggles with her family.  I was swept away by the rhythm of the prose.  I felt like I was eavesdropping on a family in another world.  I understand why Erdrich’s books about Omakaya have been recognized with honors and awards (the second book won the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction).

I would pair this book with other stories of Native American children, including The Beaded Moccasins by Lynda Durrant (historical fiction about Mary Campbell), especially to support the upper elementary curriculum.

In fact, I did add this to a pathfinder for Ohio Native Americans for fourth graders as part of my practicum project.

What’s Up Duck? What’s down, Goose?

What’s Up Duck? A Book of Opposites by Tad Hills; published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, New York; 2008.

Hills’ watercolor images of Duck and Goose are sweet renderings of this odd couple.  When Duck is loud, we know because thick black lines are coming from his mouth.  When Goose is near, we know because he is large as is the type.  Images and simple, one word text show what the opposite words mean.

I would use this book in a display about opposites. I think it would make a sweet addition to a program about opposites geared for preschoolers through kindergarteners.

Masterpiece of museum fiction

Masterpiece by Elise Broach, illustrated by Kelly Murphy; published by Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt and Company; New York; 2008.

The end pages include maps of the Pompaday’s kitchen; their cupboard, to be exact, with notes of where the relatives live.  Whose relatives live behind a kitchen cupboard?  Marvin, the beetle’s family, that’s whose.  Marvin is a talented beetle—he can swim and he can create works of art.  He discovered his gift for art when creating a birthday gift for a human boy, James.  James lives with his mother, step-father and baby brother.  But his real adventures lie in his friendship with Marvin and their daring adventure to save priceless art stolen from the Met Museum.  Truly, this book is about friendship and valuing small gifts.

The story is beautifully written in language appropriate for upper elementary aged children.  Murphy’s sketches enhance the story.  Including illustrations in this book helps to break up the text for those children starting to read longer chapter books.

Ironically, I read this book after reviewing The Walker museum’s Portrait Detectives website.  I would pair this book with that website and the Met’s website (they have works by Durer and Bellini on their timeline of art history).  In fact, I think I would create a pathfinder that pairs books like this and Chasing Vermeer with art websites and non-fiction print materials.

Hop to it!

Frogs by Nic Bishop; published by Scholastic, New York; 2008.

Nic Bishop is at his best with photo essays such as this one.  The deep, frog green end pages set us up for bright and vivid images that bleed off every page.  There is even a double fold-out in the middle of the book to capture a frog’s leap.  The information is presented in easy to read font and sometimes color is used to highlight pertinent information.  Bishop’s enthusiasm for frogs is apparent in every picture, in every word, and in every layout in this remarkable book.

I would use this in a display about amphibians, in pathfinders, and even as examples of images for a photography program for children.

Giddyup, Buster

Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp by Denise Fleming; published by Henry Holt and Company, New York; 2008.

Knowing how Fleming creates her art was almost a distraction for me in this book.  I especially liked the blue bandanna printed end pages!  But the story was charming and presented many opportunities to teach students some information literacy skills. Like One Boy, this book works on many levels.

Fleming uses a form of chapters that could be pointed out to early elementary aged children to teach them about organization of a book.  A map of Buster’s camp is also included and children could use it to follow along with Buster’s adventures at Cowboy Camp.

In addition to these information literacy lessons, I would use this book in a kit about summer camp.  Perhaps the most fun use of this book would be to create a program based on Buster’s experiences at camp—the games, food, and so on.  The program could be at the library or done as a collaboration between the library and schools or day care centers.