Historical Fiction
Bibliography
Cushman, Karen. 1996. THE BALLAD OF LUCY WHIPPLE. New York, NY: HarpersCollins Publishers. ISBN 0-06-440684-9
Plot Summary
Lucy is very upset when her widowed mother decides to move the family from Massachusetts to a California mining town during the gold rush, 1849. While Lucy's mother tries to make a life for her family, Lucy plots and schemes to find a way to get to get to her "true home" Massachusetts.
Critical Analysis
This book starts off with a sentiment many readers can empathize with, "I was, sad, mad and feeling bad. The rocking wagon had upset my stomach, my bottom hurt from bouncing on the wooden seat, and my head ached from too much sun and too much emotion." It may not come from riding in a covered wagon but, what reader has not had one of those days where nothing feels right? Throughout the book the main character, Lucy (a.k.a. California), relates her historical situation in plain words the reader can understand and feel.
A crucial point of the text is the author's note at the end. The author's note includes facts that the narrative is built on. For example, "Indeed, I discovered an 1850 census that estimated ninety percent of those who came to California to search for gold were male. But what about the other ten percent? They were wives, mothers, sisters, daughters and sometimes women like Arvella Whipple (Lucy's mother) who came without a man." The author's note also includes a list of books the author found helpful in the construction of the story. This list would be a good place to start for any reader who wants to learn more.
This story is first and foremost, just that, a story, with believable characters, engaging dialog, and a setting that is clear in the readers mind; when readers learn a little history while reading an enticing story that is just a welcome bonus.
Review Excerpts
BOOKLIST: " Many readers will recognize their own dislocations in Lucy's reluctant adventure."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Lucy is no stranger to heartache yet she recounts her New England family's move to a California gold rush town with verve and wit. A rich historical novel. "
Connections
*As a group create a timeline for Lucy's typical day, then create a timeline for a child in the present day. Compare the two timelines. What is the same? What is different?
* Throughout the book Lucy wrote to her Gram and Grampop telling them about her life. Have children write a letter to a relative they don't see very often (some children may have to pretend) telling about their life.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
LS 5603 Book Review: THE LAND
Historical Fiction
Bibliography
Taylor, Mildred. 2001. THE LAND. New York, NY: Speak, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. ISBN 0-14-250146-8
Plot Summary
Caught between two worlds Paul is the son of a prosperous landowner father who is white and former slave mother of African-Indian Heritage. Living in post-Civil War Georgia, Paul is discriminated against from both sides. Working past the obstacles placed before him Paul tries to make a life for himself while following his greatest dream - landowner.
Critical Analysis
Taylor portrays her protagonist, Paul-Edward Logan, with warmth and empathy that has everyone cheering for this hard-working underdog. We feel Paul's pain as a child when he is picked on by bigger boys. Our hopes are crushed when events conspire against him as an adult. When Paul is told, "You think I care about a paper signed with a nigger?", we are every bit as indignant as Paul is.
Taylor informs the readers that she uses, "Stories told by my family, and on the history of the United States". She goes on to explain that she uses the language of the times and that some people wish to ban these books. By remaining true to the language and events of the time that is portrayed in her stories Taylor gives knowledge to readers; hopefully knowledge that will bring understanding about America's past. For as David C. McCullough says, "History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are."
Review Excerpts
Winner of Coretta Scott King Award 2002
Winner of Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction 2002
AMAZON.COM Review: "Taylor's books are not only essential in understanding what led up to the Civil Rights movement in America--they are also breathtaking page-turners, full of suspense, humor, love, and hope."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Taylor's gift for combining history and storytelling are as evident here as in her other stories about the Logan family. "
Connections
*In the beginning of the story Paul is bullied by Mitchell. Paul works with Mitchell and they reach a compromise. What else could Paul have done? Other books about bullying:
HOT ISSUES, COOL CHOICES: FACING BULLIES, PEER PRESSURE, POPULARITY, AND PUT DOWNS by Sandra McLeod Humphrey ISBN 978-1591025696
JAY MCGRAW'S LIFE STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH BULLIES by Jay McGraw ISBN 978-1416974734
*Have children create a diorama depicting one of the important scenes in the book.
Bibliography
Taylor, Mildred. 2001. THE LAND. New York, NY: Speak, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. ISBN 0-14-250146-8
Plot Summary
Caught between two worlds Paul is the son of a prosperous landowner father who is white and former slave mother of African-Indian Heritage. Living in post-Civil War Georgia, Paul is discriminated against from both sides. Working past the obstacles placed before him Paul tries to make a life for himself while following his greatest dream - landowner.
Critical Analysis
Taylor portrays her protagonist, Paul-Edward Logan, with warmth and empathy that has everyone cheering for this hard-working underdog. We feel Paul's pain as a child when he is picked on by bigger boys. Our hopes are crushed when events conspire against him as an adult. When Paul is told, "You think I care about a paper signed with a nigger?", we are every bit as indignant as Paul is.
Taylor informs the readers that she uses, "Stories told by my family, and on the history of the United States". She goes on to explain that she uses the language of the times and that some people wish to ban these books. By remaining true to the language and events of the time that is portrayed in her stories Taylor gives knowledge to readers; hopefully knowledge that will bring understanding about America's past. For as David C. McCullough says, "History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are."
Review Excerpts
Winner of Coretta Scott King Award 2002
Winner of Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction 2002
AMAZON.COM Review: "Taylor's books are not only essential in understanding what led up to the Civil Rights movement in America--they are also breathtaking page-turners, full of suspense, humor, love, and hope."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Taylor's gift for combining history and storytelling are as evident here as in her other stories about the Logan family. "
Connections
*In the beginning of the story Paul is bullied by Mitchell. Paul works with Mitchell and they reach a compromise. What else could Paul have done? Other books about bullying:
HOT ISSUES, COOL CHOICES: FACING BULLIES, PEER PRESSURE, POPULARITY, AND PUT DOWNS by Sandra McLeod Humphrey ISBN 978-1591025696
JAY MCGRAW'S LIFE STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH BULLIES by Jay McGraw ISBN 978-1416974734
*Have children create a diorama depicting one of the important scenes in the book.
Monday, April 12, 2010
LS 5603 Book Review: A JAR OF DREAMS
Historical Fiction
Bibliography
Uchida, Yoshiko. 1996. A JAR OF DREAMS. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0-395-73263-8
Plot Summary
In this coming of age story Rinko, the protagonist, comes to terms with being a Japanese American. In the beginning of the story Rinko feels uncomfortable about being "different" from many of her friends at school. When Rinko's Aunt Waka visits for the summer, bringing her kimonos and Buddhist alters Rinko discovers that differences can be something to be proud of.
Critical Analysis
Uchida's novel is full of wonderful imagery that makes the reader understand exactly how the character is feeling. When Rinko says, "I felt the way I do when I've got one sweater button in the wrong hole or when I put my left slipper on the right foot", readers, understand that Rinko feels a little strange. Uchida uses this imagery to weave Japanese American cultural practices into the story. This deft weaving of imagery lets the story shine through while describing practices that may be different than the reader's.
Choosing the "Paperback Plus" version of the story is well worth the investment. In the Paperback Plus version of the book readers are given extra information. In FROM THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN readers are given a pictorial/text glossary. Readers will recognize elements from Rinko's story in Uchida's autobiographical OUR JAPANESE SUNDAYS. The last inclusion by Patricia Saint Lawrence, THE PICTURE BRIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO, gives readers a small slice of American history. With the Paperback Plus version readers understand that Uchida's story is a somewhat autobiographical telling of what Japanese American life was like in the 1950's, giving authenticity to the story.
Review Excerpts
Commonwealth Club of California - Silver Medal 1981
Friends of Children & Literature Award - Awarded to Yoshiko Uchida for A JAR OF DREAMS 1986
HORN BOOK: "Compared with the many worldly-wise contemporary book heroines, Rinko in her guilelessness is genuine and refreshing, and her worries and concerns seem wholly natural, honest and convincing".
Connections
*In the story Rinko saved her money in a jar, her "jar of dreams". Have children create a collage of what they could save money for, their own "collage of dreams".
*The story was full of foods special to Rinko's family, have children share foods that are special to their family. The sharing can be as simple as telling about a food or elaborate as a potluck of special foods.
Bibliography
Uchida, Yoshiko. 1996. A JAR OF DREAMS. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0-395-73263-8
Plot Summary
In this coming of age story Rinko, the protagonist, comes to terms with being a Japanese American. In the beginning of the story Rinko feels uncomfortable about being "different" from many of her friends at school. When Rinko's Aunt Waka visits for the summer, bringing her kimonos and Buddhist alters Rinko discovers that differences can be something to be proud of.
Critical Analysis
Uchida's novel is full of wonderful imagery that makes the reader understand exactly how the character is feeling. When Rinko says, "I felt the way I do when I've got one sweater button in the wrong hole or when I put my left slipper on the right foot", readers, understand that Rinko feels a little strange. Uchida uses this imagery to weave Japanese American cultural practices into the story. This deft weaving of imagery lets the story shine through while describing practices that may be different than the reader's.
Choosing the "Paperback Plus" version of the story is well worth the investment. In the Paperback Plus version of the book readers are given extra information. In FROM THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN readers are given a pictorial/text glossary. Readers will recognize elements from Rinko's story in Uchida's autobiographical OUR JAPANESE SUNDAYS. The last inclusion by Patricia Saint Lawrence, THE PICTURE BRIDES OF SAN FRANCISCO, gives readers a small slice of American history. With the Paperback Plus version readers understand that Uchida's story is a somewhat autobiographical telling of what Japanese American life was like in the 1950's, giving authenticity to the story.
Review Excerpts
Commonwealth Club of California - Silver Medal 1981
Friends of Children & Literature Award - Awarded to Yoshiko Uchida for A JAR OF DREAMS 1986
HORN BOOK: "Compared with the many worldly-wise contemporary book heroines, Rinko in her guilelessness is genuine and refreshing, and her worries and concerns seem wholly natural, honest and convincing".
Connections
*In the story Rinko saved her money in a jar, her "jar of dreams". Have children create a collage of what they could save money for, their own "collage of dreams".
*The story was full of foods special to Rinko's family, have children share foods that are special to their family. The sharing can be as simple as telling about a food or elaborate as a potluck of special foods.
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