Washington at Valley Forge perfect partner for Anderson’s Forge

Washington at Valley Forge by Russell Freedman; published by Holiday House, New York; 2008.

Valley Forge marked a turning point for the rebels in the American Revolution.  Ragtag soldiers, most unprepared for harsh winter conditions, gathered at Valley Forge to prepare for new battles against the Redcoats.  In unbelievably cruel conditions, General George Washington stood shoulder to shoulder in the snow with his troops building shelters.  Why did Washington choose this place to spend the winter?  Where were the wagons, long overdue, bearing food, clothing and other supplies?  And how did the future first president of the United States of America keep morale strong and train this motley crew to win the war for freedom?  All these questions are answered in Russell Freedman’s Washington at Valley Forge.

I admit that I pulled this book off the library shelves shortly after finishing Laurie Halse Anderson’s Forge. So much of that story was new to me; how much literary license did the author take?  I also admit that it took me some time to actually open the cover of Washington at Valley Forge. After Anderson’s riveting tale, I wasn’t sure a nonfiction account would hold my interest.  With Russell Freedman behind the pen, I should not have worried.  I was drawn into the history immediately.  (Washington at Valley Forge was an Orbis Pictus honoree in 2009.)  I even discovered a few “aha!” moments, deeper explanations of Curzon’s experiences.  The maps were created with the assistance of an archivist from Valley Forge National Historic Park–talk about accuracy!–and really helped me picture Curzon’s movements in Forge.  The illustrations in Freedman’s book are reproductions of engravings, paintings, and magazine images.  Overall, the book provided history in words and images that made this turning point in the American Revolution real for me.

As a librarian, I am always thinking of how to pair fiction with nonfiction.  In the case of Forge and Washington at Valley Forge, synergy occurs; the two books offer a view of Valley Forge from different perspectives that work beautifully together to create a 360 degree view.  I believe these two books should be read together.  I also want to make clear that Washington at Valley Forge is not a picture book for preschoolers or even early elementary aged children; this book is for upper elementary students at the youngest, and most definitely for middle school students.

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!

Amelia Earhart is flying high

Amelia Earhart: The Legend of the Lost Aviator by Shelley Tanaka, illustrated by David Craig; illustrated by A Madison Press Book, Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York; 2008.

The text on the title page is very art-deco which sets the timeframe in the reader’s mind.  The background image appears to be a close up of Earhart from a painting on canvas.  Following the setting of the era is a book filled with illustrations, photos, sidebars and easy to read text about the first aviatrix.  The images are engaging.  The sidebars are filled with nuggets of information.  I think the best part of the book is the accessible text that makes Earhart a real person, a real woman, a real heroine.

I’m not sure why I’ve selected so many books about Earhart for these two reading record assignments; perhaps the second Night at the Museum movie, featuring the feisty Amelia, has piqued my interest.  I would definitely pair this book with the movie, when it is released on DVD, as well as with other books about Earhart.  I know I would include it in a display, kit or box, and pathfinder about female role models.

Team’s quest hits the mark

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Nic Bishop; published by Houghton Mifflin, Boston; 2006.

This photo essay by the Montgomery-Bishop team does not disappoint.  Once again, the book opens with a map (what a great literacy tool).  Unbelievably poignant photos include roaring rivers, tree canopies, and candid portraits of people and animals.  The print information is once again well-written by Montgomery—she doesn’t speak down to her audience.  In addition, we get a sense of the adventure of the expedition along with plenty of facts.  One problem I had with the text was that it was too small and tended to “vibrate” on the pages making it difficult to read without taking breaks.

I would use this in displays about animals but also about adventurers.  I would certainly recommend it to teachers and include it on a pathfinder for them.