The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman (Genre: Historical Fiction)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1995. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. New York, NY: Harper Trophy. ISBN 9780064406307.

PLOT SUMMARY
This is a story of a homeless girl who has no family and no one to care for her. She does not know her age and has no name other than Brat. On a frosty evening, Brat found shelter and warmth in a farmer’s dung heap. Jane, an ill-tempered village midwife finds her and takes her as an apprentice. She called her Beetle and started teaching her some of the skills. Beetle was now forgetting her past. She tamed a cat and befriends a homeless village boy and helps a cow give birth twin calves. She also finds herself a real name- Alyce.
One day Jane leaves a woman in labor in Alice’s care to attend to a richer woman. She successfully delivered the baby and was paid for her services which made Jane angry. Alyce tried to work as a midwife on her own but was unsuccessful. Her failure discouraged her and she finds a job at the inn instead. She met a scholar at the inn and started to learning from him. She delivers a baby successfully at the inn for a guest and decides to go back to the village to pursue her career.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is an interesting novel by Karen Cushman about a girl who is in search for a name and an identity for herself. The story is beautifully set in Medieval England and also describes the culture and fascinating details of. Medieval England.
The story portrays a nameless and homeless girl who with her hard work, courage and determination achieves a name and identity for herself. In the same way, the author has a message attached for the readers. The book encourages the readers to try hard and achieve what they want. The book also encourages the readers not to give up when they feel discouraged.
The readers will enjoy the journey of Brat from being a scared girl to Beetle where she learns and forgets her past to finally becoming Alyce who is confident and courageous. The story will be enjoyed by readers 12 and above. In my opinion, girls will enjoy reading it more than boys. Some content in the story is not appropriate for young readers.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Notable Children's Books: 1996
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Older Readers Category: 1995
Newbery Medal
Parents' Choice Awards - Story Books: 1995
School Library Journal Best Books: 1995
YALSA 100 Best Books (1950-2000)
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 1996

Kirkus Reviews: “How Brat comes to terms with her failure and returns to Jane's home as a true apprentice is a gripping story about a time, place, and society that 20th-century readers can hardly fathom. Fortunately, Cushman does the fathoming for them, rendering in Brat a character as fully fleshed and real.... in language that is simple, poetic, and funny”.

Publishers Weekly: “The force of the ambience produces more than enough momentum to propel the reader from start to finish in a single happy sitting.”

School Library Journal: “Characters are sketched briefly but with telling, witty detail, and the very scents and sounds of the land and people's occupations fill each page as Alyce comes of age and heart. Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal remedies attached to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature.”

CONNECTIONS
* Discuss with readers how they handle failure.
* Discuss the message attached with the story.
* Have the readers paint a picture of the Medieval era as told in the story.
* Related books:
-Cushman, Karen. 1995. CATHERINE CALLED BIRDY. HarperCollins. ISBN 9780064405843.
-Avi. 2004. THE CRISPIN: CROSS OF LEAD. Hyperion Book CH. ISBN 9780786816583.

THE Game Of Silence by Louise Erdrich (Genre: Historical Fiction)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Erdrich, Louise. 2005. THE GAME OF SILENCE. Unabridged ed. New York, NY: Harper Children’s Audio. ISBN 0060758392.

PLOT SUMMARY
This book is a sequel to the National Book Award nominee The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich. This is a story of a 9 yr old girl named Omakayas that means Little Frog because her first step was a hop. She was a part of the Ojibwa tribe who lived on an island in Lake Superior in 1850. Omakayas had learnt a lot of different things from her tribe and was now aware of the fact that she could retell the future through her dreams.

The Ojibwas were now living peacefully on the island. They lived in houses made of birch bark in summer, went to the ricing camps in fall where they would harvest and feast and finally move to their cozy log cabins at LaPointe before the first snow. This serenity was interrupted by a group of white men or chimookomanag who wanted Omakayas and her people to leave their island and move to the west. The children were made to play the game of silence and the adults tried to find a course of action. The story focuses on the threat of losing their home and the adjustments that the tribal people had to make.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Author Louise Erdrich tells this heart touching story through the eyes of 9 year old girl, Omakayas. Even though Omkayas lived in 1850 with a different lifestyle but the readers will easily relate to this story of a typical child of this age. Like every child, she enjoyed snowball fights, fishing and avoided doing her daily chores.
The author uses native terms and phrases throughout the story to help readers connect to the culture, myths and traditions of the Ojibwa tribe. The pencil illustrations by Louise Erdrich complement the story. They provide the readers with an insight into the lives, culture, natural surrounding and crafts of the Native Americans. The book is written in simple words which would be easily understood by the readers.
This sequel to the The Birchbark House will be enjoyed by readers aged 9-14 years. This book will give them a better way of understanding life, the joy of having a place to live, the fear of losing it and the other uncertainties of life.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Kirkus Editor’s Choice
Horn Book Fanfare
ALA Notable Children’s Book
ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice
New York Times Notable

"This meticulously researched novel offers an even balence of joyful and sorrowful moments while conveying a perspective of America’s past that is rarely found in history books." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"Erdrich’s captivating tale of four seasons portrays a deep appreciation of our environment, our history, and our Native American sisters and brothers." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

CONNECTIONS
* Discuss the Native American culture including their surrounding and their lifestyle with the students.
* Discuss with the students how they feel about change in their lifestyle or place of residence that may affect their life.
* Encourage students to draw a pencil illustration of any part or character of the story that they like.
*Related Books:
Erdrich, Louise. 2010. THE PORCUPINE YEAR. New York, NY. HarperCollins. ISBN 0064410307.
Bruchac, Joseph.2002. NAVAJO LONG WALK : TRAGIC STORY OF A PROUD PEOPLES FORCED MARCH FROM HOMELAND. National Geographic Children's Books. ISBN 0792270584.

What To Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke The Rules, Charmed The World And Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! by Barbara Kerley (Genre: Biography)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kerley, Barbara.What To Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! . Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York, Scholastic. ISBN 0545123259

PLOT SUMMARY
This book gives an interesting look into the life of Alice Roosevelt who was born in 1884 and was the eldest daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. She was an independent and happy child who was hard to contain. For pets, she had a snake and a monkey that she showed to everyone visiting. She named her snake, Emily spinach because of its color and its resemblance to her thin aunt. She refused to go to boarding school and instead stayed at home and educated herself by reading at her father’s library. She was an adventurous little girl who roamed on the streets of Washington and taught her younger siblings to slide down the stairways on trays. President Roosevelt famously said about his daughter, "I can be president of the United States or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both." The author focuses on the childhood, youth, teenage and finally the marriage of Alice to a congressman. The large, colorful and hilarious illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham complement the biography of this fun loving little girl.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE ? is a good picture book biography to read aloud. Author Barbara Kerley brings to light the life of Alice Roosevelt and the troubles she created for her father. Young children will enjoy hearing about the early years of her life. The book describes the tough childhood and teenage years, but at the end the author also talks about her life as a mature individual who joined politics and proved to be an asset to her father.
The text used is simple and will keep young children engaged. Quotation marks have been used throughout the book.
The illustrations are colorful and vibrant. The large illustrations capture the facial expressions of the characters perfectly. Blue and red colors are used on every page to depict the full of life personality of Alice.
This is a light hearted and colorful biography of Alice Roosevelt that will be enjoyed by young children and will keep them engaged with her funny and hilarious life style.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS

Sibert Honor Book

Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

Irma Black Award Honor Book

Parents Choice Award

Washington State Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award

California Collections

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

An ALA Notable Book

Capitol Choices

New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Nominated for Young Reader awards in Texas, Illinois, Utah and Tennessee

Booklist, starred review: "Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was.... Kerley's text has the same rambunctious spirit as its subject, grabbing readers from the first line.... The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art."

School Library Review, starred review: "Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship's swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father's trusted advisers.... Fascinating."

Publishers Weekly, starred review: “It's hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt."

CONNECTIONS
*There is lot of information about teacher’s guide on this book on the author’s own website http://www.barbarakerley.com/TRAlice.html
*For art, children could be asked to draw a picture of Alice with her pets.
*Related books:
-Kimmelman, Leslie.2009. MIND YOUR MANNERS, ALICE ROOSEVELT! Peachtree Publishers. ISBN 1561454923
-Felsenthal, Carol.2003. PRINCESS ALICE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ALICE ROOSEVELT LONGWORTH. St. Martin's Griffin.ISBN 0312302223

Almost Gone : The World's Rarest Animals by Steve Jenkins (Genre: Non Fiction)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jenkins, Steve. 2006. Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060535988.

PLOT SUMMARY
The book starts with the introduction of a simple example of chickadees and goes on to explain the ecological cycle and ecological balance to children with the use of very simple language. The author talks about Grand Cayman blue iguanas, hairy nosed wombat, California condor and other species that are on the verge of extinction. This non fiction picture book has 28 different species listed from around the world that are rare. These include mammals, insects, reptiles and birds that are grouped in categories. There is one page for each species with a picture, animal description, basic facts, human activities that have contributed to their low numbers, the number of remaining animals and what steps the conservationists are taking to protect them. There is a world map at the back of the book that gives the locations where each animal is found.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals belongs to the Lets –Read-and –Find –Out –Science series. The author has taken a simple example of a bird in the beginning of the book to explain the young readers about ecosystem and ecological balance. The author also talks about the effect of the loss of one species on the other and the entire ecosystem.
There is information about one animal on every page. There is a small paragraph about the facts, location, number of animals surviving and what has contributed to their low number. The illustrations are very colorful and eye catching. The cut paper artwork has been done in such a creative way that the animal pictures get a realistic look to them.
The book’s categories are very well organized. The “almost gone” category talks about the animals that are rare and could disappear from the face of the earth. The “gone forever” category describes those species that are extinct now and the “coming back” category gives readers the confidence that these animals could be protected from extinction.
Almost Gone is a book with colorful and artistic illustrations that will be enjoyed not only by young children but will also keep readers of any age engaged with the wonderful facts and information about different species.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist:“Caldecott Honor Book illustrator Jenkins applies his considerable talents to the cause of conservation in this book in the long-running Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. Using his signature cut-and torn-paper collages, he shows 21 endangered species, accompanying each image with a few sentences about the animal's habitat, a particular characteristic, and, sometimes, the reason for its endangered status.”
School Library Journal:“This engaging title is informative as well as visually stunning. Jenkins captures the essence of his subjects with appropriately colored, cut-paper collage illustrations on stark white backgrounds.”
Horn Book:“Jenkins first discusses the interdependence of living things, then portrays twenty-eight endangered and extinct animals. Each profile includes a striking cut-paper rendering of an animal along with a paragraph about the animal's habits and habitat and why its population has dwindled.”

CONNECTIONS
*Open a discussion with children about the earth, effects of pollution and how they can help keep the earth clean and save the planet.
*The world map could be used to teach the children about the location of animals and their habitat.
* Children could be encouraged to paint a picture of one endangered animal.
*Children could paint animal face masks as an art project.
Related book:
Jenkins, Steve. 2003.WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A TAIL LIKE THIS? Houghton Mifflin Books for Children .ISBN 9780618256280.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Philip Hoose (Genre: Biography)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hoose, Phillip. 2009. CLAUDETTE COLVIN: TWICE TOWARD JUSTICE. New York, N.Y.: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 0374313227

SUMMARY
Rosa Parks is a familiar name in the Civil Rights Movement who took a stand against racial segregation and injustice. Author Philip Hoose brings to light a lesser known teenager, Claudette Colvin, who refused to give her seat to a white person and thereby played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Back in 1955, Claudette Colvin lived in Montgomery, Alabama where people were divided on the basis of their color, white and black. White and black people had separate schools, bathrooms, restaurants, buses seats and movie theaters. This law of segregation or separation was also called Jim Crow law. On March 2nd 1955, Claudette Colvin was travelling in a segregated bus, where the front four rows were reserved for white passengers only. Black passengers had to give up their seats to white passengers if there were additional white passengers. She had occupied the seats behind the reserved seats but when additional white passengers boarded the bus, a white woman expected her to vacate her seat for her. Her friends gave up their seats but Claudette refused. She was arrested on the charges of violating segregation laws. After being released on bail she was treated more like an outcast and an unfit role model by her own classmates instead of being celebrated as a Civil Rights hero. Later she made a significant contribution towards the Civil Rights movement by becoming one of the four plaintiffs in the case Browder vs. Gayle.
This is an inspiring biography of a young girl with wonderful accounts of her courage that helped change the course of history and has been presented in a very interesting and a heart touching way by author Philip Hoose.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book has been written by author Philip Hoose in simple words so that it is easy to understand by the younger audience. The book is divided into two parts. The first part has eight chapters that depict the condition of Montgomery in 1955, the segregation laws and the injustice that was done because of the Jim Crow law. The second part of the book has two chapters that describe the Browder vs. Gayle case and the rage and outcry in Montgomery.
There is an author’s note and an index at the end of the book.There are several photographs in the book that show segregation of whites and blacks in restaurants, waiting rooms and movie theaters. The photographs play an important role in keeping the readers connected to the book by giving them actual account of the events that happened along with the interesting text that complemented them. The note at the end of the book shows that the author had consulted a number of books, websites and articles to write about Claudette. He had also conducted 14 interviews with her between Jan –Sept 2007 before writing the book.
This book gives young readers the inspiration and the message to make a difference in society by standing against injustice. The author has brought an unsung Civil Right Movement hero in light through his hard work and extensive research in the form of this wonderful book.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPT (S)

2009 National Book Award Winner, Young People’s Literature

Jane Addams Honor Book Award

Booklist, Starred Review: “Hoose draws from numerous personal interviews with Colvin in this exceptional title that is part historical account, part memoir. Hoose’s lucid explanations of background figures and events alternate with lengthy passages in Colvin’s own words, and the mix of voices creates a comprehensive view of the Montgomery bus boycott and the landmark court case, Browder v. Gayle, that grew from it.”

School Library Journal: “The text is supplemented with black-and-white photos, reproductions of period newspapers and documents, and sidebars. While virtually all students know Rosa Parks's story, this well-written and engaging book will introduce them to a teen who also fought for racial justice and give them a new perspective on the era, making it an outstanding choice for most collections.”

CONNECTIONS
* Each student could do a research project on one Civil Rights Movement hero
and present it to the class.

*As a group, students could do a timeline on major events in Black History and describe them too.
* Discussion could be held on topics like segregation laws and discrimination and how they affected people and society.
*Related books:
-Morrison, Tony. 2004. REMEMBER: THE JOURNEY TO SCHOOL INTEGRATION. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618397402

-Bridges, Ruby. 1999. THROUGH MY EYES. Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780545108553

-Moore, Johnny Ray.2002. THE STORY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Ideals Publications. ISBN 0824941446

What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones (Genre: Poetry)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sones, Sonya. 2001. WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689841140

PLOT SUMMARY
This is a story of a 15 yr old girl named Sophie who is a typical teenager looking for true love. She does not get along with her family but loves her best friends, Grace and Rachel. First it was Lou. Then she falls in love with Dylan, who was Rachel's big sister’s best friend’s younger brother. After being together for some time, she meets Chaz online. This made her loose interest in Dyaln and she decides to break up with him. And after Chaz, she secretly harbors a crush for Murphy, the class Geek. For the Halloween dance, Sophie changes her ugly rose covered dress and wears a cool black dress. She finds herself longing for Dylan but when she danced with a mysterious masked man, she felt that she had found her soul mate and wanted to dance with him all night. During her winter break she spends some time with Murphy and finally finds out that the mystery masked man with whom she had danced on the Halloween party was none other than Murphy.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is a light hearted verse novel by Sonya Sones that expresses the feelings of a teenage girl. Each poem has a different title and describes one moment in Sophie’s life. The story keeps moving in sequence to keep the readers connected to the main character. The book is not set as a rhyming poetry but is more like reading a journal in which Sophie describes all her love for her friends, her relationship with her family and her search for love.
My favorite poem in the book was “The Mocking Bird”. Like the mocking bird, Sophie was also trying to use different voices to attract a boy bird so that he could come and dance with her.
This book will be enjoyed by teenagers and adults who could easily connect with the story and discover little pieces of themselves in Sophie. The shape of the poem and the use of fonts compliment the story perfectly.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Top Ten Most Challenged Books (2004-2005)

ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2002)

International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice (2003)

VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers (2003)

BOOKLIST Editor's Choice (2001)

Texas Lone Star State Reading List Choice (2003-2004)

Starred review in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "...Sones poignantly captures the tingle and heartache of being young and boy-crazy..."

Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Sones has crafted a verse experience that will leave teenage readers sighing with recognition and satisfaction.

Starred review in BOOKLIST: "The poetry is never pretentious or difficult; on the contrary, the very short, sometimes rhythmic lines make each page fly."

Starred review in VOYA: "The poems are snappy, and each one strikes a chord that fluidly moves the reader to the next episode."

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Sones's poems are glimpses through a peephold many teens may be peering through for the first time..."

PAGES MAGAZINE: "...WHAT MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW captures the sweet confusion of being a teen girl in love for the first time."

CONNECTIONS
• Students could be asked to write a poem in verse form.
• Students could be encouraged to discuss about Sophie and her relationship with her friends.
• A discussion on the safety of internet chats/dating could be initiated.
• Related books
-Tan, Amy. 1989. THE JOY LUCK CLUB. ISBN 0143038095
-Sones, Sonya.2007.WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN'T KNOW. ISBN 0689876025
-Janeczko, Paul B. 1991. PREPOSTEROUS: POEMS OF YOUTH. ISBN 0531059014