A non-fiction book for all ages is the Update of the 1962 book, LIFE STORY by Virginia Lee Burton (Houghton Mifflin, 1962, copyright renewed 1990, 2009. $22.00). For almost a half century this book has been informing and amazing readers of all ages, Ms Burton in a very direct almost simplistic style explains the history of planet earth.
WE TROUBLED THE WATERS Poems by Ntozake Shange, Paintings by Rod Brown (Amistad An Imprint of HarperCollins 2009, $16.99) arrived yesterday and my mind is still mulling over the message found here.
The first image to hit the reader comes from the title page. Minimum amount of text giving pertinent data about the book at the top of the two page spread. One’s eyes instead are drawn immediately to the body of a black man floating the stream on the bottom half of the page. No words other than the book data. What a shocking sight. It helps set up the reader for what is to come.
Patricia Reilly Giff, dear friend and author of so many significant books, especially the series that brought Chapter Books (THE POLK STREET KIDS ) into the lives of so many very young readers. Her newest book, WILD GIRL by Patricia Reilly Giff ( Wendy Lamb Books, Random House, 2009, $15.99) takes the reader into the world of horse racing. The main character, Lidie, lives in Brazil where she spends her time riding horses and dreaming about the day when she’ll be able to join her father and brother in America. Lidie’s mother has died and now she is twelve, she figures she’s ready to join her family on Long Island in New York.
Teaching the Civil War in history class can be a tedious job going from skirmish to skirmish until the class dies of sheer exhaustion. No more need this happen. Do the Civil War by reading a chapter a day from BLACK ANGELS by Linda Beatrice Brown (Putnam, 2009, $16.99). To quote Nicki Giovanni ,” BLACK ANGELS has found a way to bring home the sadness and the hope of the Civil War.”
An author and friend who has contributed many wonderful reading experiences for young readers is Cynthia DeFelice. Her major work is the book, WEASEL, a story destined to become a classic for middle school readers and others. Cynthia has a variety of titles to her credit, and each of them is original and surefire winner with young readers.
In her latest book, SIGNAL (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009, $16.99) we meet Owen McGuire , a lonely new-in-town boy , and his dog, Josie. Owen is looking forward to a nothing summer when Campion enters his life. She tells Owen her parents left her behind accidentally. Their spaceship will return for her and bring her back to their planet known as HOME. Campion enlists Owen to help her make a signal fire to direct her family’s rescue. Will Owen assist her?
This story combines many diverse elements like biography, poetry and magical realism as it slowly unfolds the life of an extremely uncommon boy. This curious child walks to the beat of a different drummer most assuredly. Paramount in his life however, is the menacing almost presence of his father. This wall of obstinacy counteracts all the creative aspects of this child’s life. The child acts and reacts as an almost terror stricken human. There are times and places though when his creative spirit takes control and our young child thrives and matures.
On a more serious note another picture book by a friend introduces Michelle Obama. The book MICHELLE by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by AG Ford ( Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2009, $17.99 ) comes soon on the heels of many television reports talking about the heritage of this remarkable First Lady. The book opens with scenes from the inauguration of her husband as the first black man elected to the presidency. The text then shifts to following the life of Michelle.
One delightful little character is back for her second adventure, DON’T BE AFRAID, LITTLE PIP by Karma West, illustrated by Jane Chapman (McElderry Books, Simon and Schuster, 2009, $16.99 ). Learning to swim frightens our young penguin, Pip. All the young penguins are assembled at the shore and their swimming teacher, Mr. Tucks, is going to teach them how to swim properly.
Humor needs to play an important part in reading with youngsters. One graphic picturebook which should guarantee a chuckle or two, maybe even a giggle or four is TWO BAD PILGRIMS by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by John Manders (Viking, 2009, $16.99). This text, while loaded with good information about the Pilgrims and the settlement at Plymouth Rock, has a counterpoint delivered by two young scamps.
A new book, MUKTAR AND THE CAMELS by Janet Graber, illustrated by Scott Mack (Henry Holt, 2009, $16.99) takes our young reader into an orphanage on the Kenya and Somalia border. An orphan Muktar dreams fondly of his family when he tended their camels. One day a visitor arrives with camels and books. However one of the camels is injured and Muktar offers his help to the traveler. The traveler is a librarian working for the Kenya National Library Service and not particularly adept at handling camels. Muktar is taken on and promises to return often to the orphanage to replenish their supply of books.