Book Reviews

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The Other Half of My Heart

March 2, 2010

THE OTHER HALF OF MY HEART by Sundee T. Frazier  ( Delacorte Press,  2010, $16.99  June 2010 ) is a story of twins born in a bi-racial marriage. Kiera is born  black like her mother; Minerva (Minni) white like her father.  Through the intercession of their maternal grandmother Johnson the girls are entered in the Miss Black Pearl Princess of America Program. The girls spend ten days in the south participating in the program activities.

The girls have grownup  to be very close, and new life in the south puts this friendship under serious strain.  Life with Grandmother Johnson is also very strenuous for the girls. Personal strengths and motivations are questioned as the days prior to the pageant slowly pass. At the actual event the girls each shine with their own strengths emerging.

The story has moments of hilarious high jinks where the twins work to relieve some of their pent up pressures. There also are moments of great humanity and passion especially as Minni gets to know the next door neighbor.  Previously Grandmother Jackson had the girls nail a brown bag of dog poop to the neighbor’s front door, so this new friendship for Minni has a definite bit of tension.

Being recognized as twins, despite  their  color differences,  is one of the major components of this marvelous fast-paced story.  Young readers will quickly identify with our intrepid twins.  I can hear the laughter and chuckles as they follow the twins from their safe home in the Northwest to humid pressure-prone life in the south at the program particularly.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Middle School | Tagged , | Comments (0)

The Beatitudes

March 1, 2010

THE BEATITUDES: FROM SLAVERY TO CIVIL RIGHTS by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Tim Ladwig (Eerdmans Publishing Co,  2010, $16.99) comes to us, not as a story per se, but rather a free verse poem loosely based on the Beatitudes from Jesus’ sermon on the Mount.  Since the early days of slavery African Americans have called on religion to help them endure and flourish.

Carole Weatherford has built a free verse poem quoting from the Beatitudes to delineate the highlights of the struggle African American faced from slavery up to modern times ending dramatically with these words: “Even now I am with the downtrodden and with those who seek uplift. I am holy water in the stream of humanity, Drink,  bathe, and be free.”

Indeed the Weatherford words are strong, but they only emphasize the powerful, powerful art from Mr Ladwig.  The images he has painted to accompany each page are nothing short of spectacular.  They cry to be displayed prominently in every public place of assembly or worship. They add fire to the powerful words spoken  and written of so long ago.

This is a book for every home, every library, every classroom in the world. It speaks universally to us all.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Picture Books | Tagged | Comments (0)

Ben and the Emancipation Proclamation

March 1, 2010

Black History month celebrations will soon be in the forefront of school programs. I get concerned every year when the same people , and this is not to be taken wrong, are recognized.  Truly,  Harriet and Sojourner were fearsome ladies who accomplished much in their lives. However, today’s young people  need to be told about some of the lesser, but equally as important  figures, worthy of recognition at this time. Particularly others who worked to bring recognition to the fight for equality for all.

A new profound and beautifully illustrated book,  BEN AND THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION by Pat Sherman, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (Eerdmans Publishing Co ,  2010, $16.99 ) is based on the true story of Benjamin Holmes.  Ben, a slave in Charleston, taught himself to read. At one point his master was a tailor who sent Ben on errands around the city. By politely asking white men if he was in the correct spot he learned his way about at the same time he was learning to read street and other signs.  As the Civil War neared Charleston, Ben’s master fled but not before he put Ben in a prison to await sale after things settled down.

While incarcerated some of the other prisoners bribed a guard and obtained the latest  copy of the CHARLESTON MERCURY, the local newspaper.  Ben read the Proclamation aloud to his fellow slave prisoners. This happened at a time in our history when slaves were not allowed to read.  Ben was inspired originally by his father who taught him the letters he later was able to combine into the words, names of streets he journeyed for his master.

One can only imagine the dramatic effect Ben’s reading must have had on the other imprisoned slaves. The effect that Floyd Cooper’s illustrations will have on today’s readers are immeasurable. I know I felt I was there with Ben the entire time I was reading his story.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Picture Books, Upper Elementary | Tagged , | Comments (0)

How the World Works

March 1, 2010

One of the most special books I have seen recently is from the Pop-Up category.  This is identified as  ”A  hands-on guide to our amazing planet.” HOW THE WORLD WORKS  by Christiane Dorian , illustrated by Beverley Young  (Candlewick Press,  2010,  $17.99) is truly an amazing enterprise.  The book is loosely based on a series of questions young readers might ask.  For example the first question is “What on earth happened?”And answers “astronomers think that 13.7 billion years ago the whole universe emerged from a tiny invisible dot.” (The Big Bang Theory) This leads to information about the planets, the sun, asteroids and comets.

Then nearly 4.6 billion years ago the earth, in a section called Our World, is formed.
This opening is followed by  sections as “When did life begin?” followed by questions  How did life begin? Is the earth moving beneath our feet? Then on to questions about weather, plants, the sea, etc.  The responses to each query are very basic and provide enough information to satisfy the young inquisitive mind.

The format will have great appeal to young readers.  As questions are raised various methods of pop-up structures are there to be opened and/ or investigated. The artwork is attractive and provides ample information to lead the reader to more exacting scientific answers and details.

Usually I have found most pop-up books, with the exception of those done by Robert Sabuda, inadequate and many very fragile making them not appropriate for youngest hands and fingers. This one however, is built more sturdy and useable. Personally, I found this book filled with good information directed at young readers say, grs. 2-4.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Picture Books | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Young Zeus

March 1, 2010

It is never too early to introduce young readers to the world of mythology.  Many later stories and allusions are based on mythology. So I heartily endorse and recommend an “irreverent retelling of the myth of Zeus”. (Quote from book jacket) YOUNG ZEUS  by G. Brian Karas   (Scholastic Press,  2010,  $17.99).

The story opens with Rhea giving her son, Zeus, to an enchanted she-goat on the isle of Crete. Rhea tells that she fears  Zeus’ father Cronus will harm the baby boy.  On the isle Zeus has a happy childhood but when he questions why he has no playmates, he learns that Cronus, fearing he might be overthrown by one of his own children,  did away with all his siblings. His mother, Rhea, gives Zeus a stinky potion to use whenever he catches up with his father.  Eventually he finds Cronus sleeping and pours the potion into his open mouth. And while doing this Zeus sings, ” One, two, three, four, five,You swallowed my brothers and sisters alive.  Now drink this stuff — set them free! For I am ZEUS , you didn’t eat me!”  Zeus organizes everything and everyone. Thus he becomes ruler of heaven and earth.

It is a bit simplified, yes, but the story is there.  The artwork is splendid  and reinforces the irreverence beautifully.

Greek Mythology Zeus —  humorous retelling   elementary level

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Upper Elementary | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Hot Rod Hamster

March 1, 2010

HOT ROD HAMSTER by Cynthia Lord, pictures by Derek Anderson (Scholastic Press,  2010,  $16.99) is an interactive picture book in which a hamster builds a hot rod.  The young readers work with him in refurbishing a small green car. As each item is added the author ends the page with ,” Which would you choose?”  The hamster ends up with tires that burn rubber, a motor that roars, and a helmet. Now he is ready to roll.

Of special note here is the way the author uses such vibrant language. After the car is made ready to roll and the hamster is lined up at the starting line she writes, “Stare face, scowl face, frowning grouchy-growl face, Bored face, dare face, nose up in the air face.” And the illustrator very cleverly has drawn other drivers for each of the descriptive phrases in the text.  Throughout this remarkable book the art is spectacular.  Very colorful, active, expressive especially the wee hamster.  A truly delightful book guaranteed to hold every future race car driver spellbound yet hilarious.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Picture Books | Comments (1)

Shooting Kabul

January 31, 2010

The news recently has been full of  war stories happening in Afghanistan.  For many young people the part of the world is unfamiliar. Unfortunately stories out of this country will make headlines and news probably for many years to come. To fill in the gaps for young readers I would highly  recommend SHOOTING KABUL by N.H. Senzai (A Paula Wiseman book, Simon and Schuster Book for Young Readers, 2010. $16.99.  June 2010).

This story opens as eleven year old Fadi is staring out a cab backseat window one starry night.  Fadi, his parents and two sisters are fleeing from Kabul, Afghanistan,  heading to Jalalabad in the eastern part of the country.  Fadi’s father has given him a charge to watch over his six year old sister, Mariam. The taxi leaves the family at an abandoned site where they will be collected and taken the final part of their journey into Pakistan. When the truck arrives, other refugees hiding at the site rush to board.  Fadi refuses to put his sister’s Barbie doll in his jacket and in the confusion she slips out of his hand. She is swept into the crowd and, when they arrive, Mariam is not with them. She has been left behind.

After trying valiantly to locate the child, the family continues on its flight to America where they will seek asylum. Fadi is stricken with guilt over his minor role in the sister’s disappearance.

His father with a PHD in agriculture lands a job driving taxi; the older sister, Noor, starts working at MacDonalds and Fadi starts middle school in Freemont California. His mother is not well over worry about Mariam. As one might imagine Fadi faces multiple problems adjusting to school.  Conflicts arise and get resolved in a variety of ways

The particular importance of this book to me was in the blending of the coming of age of Fadi and the history of Afghanistan. At no time does the author ever interrupt the narrative to give the reader a history lesson. Instead history is brought out naturally as the characters talk, react to each other, and generally go about their daily living. Concerns over Osama, the Taliban , President Karzai  all surface especially after the terror attack in New York and Washington. Now the concerns over their Muslim faith  surfaces and must be confronted.

The story is captivating and will hold any readers’ interest. A Glossary of terms and suggested other writings are included at the end of the book. One writing in particular I know is very helpful in explaining the Taliban’s effect on the country.  Ellis, Deborah  PARVANA’S JOURNEY , Groundwood Books, 2004.   Appropriate for any reader grade 5 and up.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Middle School, Upper Elementary | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Waggit Forever

January 31, 2010

I must admit I have never been one for series.  I seem to like my stories all tied up in one neat package. However, I have to make an exception when it comes to the series by  Peter Howe. The books about Waggit , the abandoned dog, have held me spellbound through all three volumes.  The third book WAGGIT FOREVER by Peter Howe, drawings by Omar Rayyan  (HarperCollins,  2020, $16.99. May 2010) finds Waggit and the other dogs in their family being forced to leave their shelter in the city park.  It seems foodstuffs are becoming more and more scarce so the dogs will soon be forced to scavenge outside the safety of the large park. On the advice of a city dog group’s  leader,  Waggit’s group is advised to leave and journey through the dangerous city to another much larger and more remote park facility. They will be escorted in groups to avoid any contacts with the humans, particularly the dreaded dog-wardens.

Needless to say this journey is fraught with dangers. Many of the dogs are older now and travel is very difficult. At one point in the story
an abandoned skate board is discovered and ultimately used to transport an ailing member. They make the trip safely through the intervention of their long standing friendship with a financially well-off semi- derelict old lady. She speaks dog language and is able to secure veterinary help for the injured leader shortly before they arrive at their new home.

During the leader’s absence, Waggit is forced to assume the role.  While he enjoys the adulation, he regrets terribly the loss of privacy. When the leader returns all healed and ready to resume his role, Waggit is happy and sets about exploring and searching for other lost and thrown away dogs.

The reader leaves each volume of this  series hopeful and happy.  The earlier books are WAGGIT’S TALE and WAGGIT’S AGAIN. These would make tremendous readalouds for grades 3 through 5 or even 6th. It is a series so well crafted with humor, suspense and loving characters .  If a child is breathing, I can almost guarantee he/she will fall in love completely with Waggit.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Middle School, Upper Elementary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Blindsided

January 31, 2010

A remarkable young adult author whose earlier book RED KAYAK was a must-read recommendation from me, has done it again in her latest BLINDSIDED by Priscilla Cummings  (Dutton, 2010, $16.99. July 2010). In this story we meet 14 year old Natalie. She’s a typical young girl does well in school and has many friends.  Her life is turned upside down, when on a recent visit to the eye doctor she is told she will soon be blind.

After the news is accepted, Natalie’s family arranges for her to attend a School for the Blind. Her eyesight at this point is still functioning on a limited basis and the family feels this will help Natalie when all of her sight is gone. Initially Natalie is withdrawn and tries to weather this new school without any companionship. She starts out as a single but son is assigned a roommate.

Learning how to function safely as a blind person is a challenge at first. However, as she loses more and more of her extremely limited sight she adapts and learns quickly.  One of the major exams, going alone to a shopping center, she passes successfully. Natalie seems to be well on her way to being able to survive independently and successfully as a blind person.

When her roommate leaves school on her own  and needs rescuing , Natalie is called on for help. This real situation has none of the safety features provided during Natalie’s exam and she is truly put to the test. The suspense builds and builds as the two blind girls are on their own in an attempt to return to the safety of the school.

In addition to a marvelous story of Natalie’s fight to learn life as a blind person. there is much  information on how a blind person is trained to be independent. The story is intriguing and should easily capture the interest of any middle-schooler or high school boy or girl. There is even a developing love interest for Natalie and a male student at the school.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in High School, Middle School | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Take Me With You

January 22, 2010

TAKE ME WITH YOU  by Carolyn Marsden (Candlewick Press,  March 2010, $14.99) brings the reader into a home in Milan, Italy, for babies abandoned  after WWII.  The girls, Susanna and Pina are best friends and have lived at the Istituto di Gesu Bambino  as long as they can remember. We meet the friends at a Sunday  service where some potential adopters are present.  The girls know they are not considered candidates as they each have a parent in contact with the orphanage.

The nuns run the facility with iron gloves and offer little sympathy to the girls. To earn money for upkeep the nuns put the girls to work doing various jobs. At one point they crochet black berets to wear and sell; other times they are taken into the city of MIlan to sing at funerals and wakes. The two friends are constantly thinking of the parent(s) who have left them there.

They know Pina’s mother was sent a telegram but never responded. The girls get the address of the telegram and head into the city to approach Pina’s mother. Shortly thereafter Susanna’s US Navy father makes contact and arranges a visit at the Instituto.

Things seem to be looking up for the girls.  But in an attempt to emulate a saint suffering the stigmata and bring more suffering into her life, Susanna falls very ill. Her father’s reappearance after all these years aids greatly in her recovery. Pina however meets a different kind of reception.

By the end of a very quick moving story both girls are in  much improved positions with  more positive futures.

This author has written so many distinguished books for young readers independently and has co-authored a significant  number also.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Middle School, Upper Elementary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)