Saturday, January 14, 2012

the nonfiction keeps on coming



THE BRAVEST WOMAN IN AMERICA by Marissa Moss with illustrations by Andrea U'ren (Tricycle Press 2011) is a fictionalized biography of Ida Lewis who, at the tender age of 16, helped tend the lighthouse and rescue sailors. She eventually became an official light house keeper and was honored with The Congressional Life Saving medal later in her life. Perhaps we can use this as an introduction to THE DEAD TOSSED WAVES, a story set at the base of a lighthouse? <10>



POLAR BEARS by Mark Newman (Holt 2011) would make an excellent model for readers and writers. Each double page spread contains one simple sentence (i.e., Polar bears are twins) in large type. Smaller paragraphs then elaborate on that sentence. Pair with THE GOLDEN COMPASS since that is the mental image that swam in my mind as I viewed this wonderful photos of polar bears. <11>




FRANKLIN AND WINSTON: A CHRISTMAS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Douglas Wood with illustrations by Barry Moser (Candlewick Press 2011) tells the story of the Christmas that the US entered into WWII following the bombing of Pearl harbor. Churchill and Roosevelt enjoyed a visit at the White House, one filled with friendship between the two world leaders. Pair this with Jim Giblin's TRUCE. <12>





BEFORE THERE WAS MOZART, there was Joseph, Chevalier de Saint-George, the son of a slave and her master. Joseph and his parents emigrated to Paris when Joseph was a child. It was his father's home, and the family hoped they might all find acceptance there. For Joseph, life was not so easy. A mixed race child, he suffered from the murmurings of others. However, his immense musical talents won him admirers, including Louis XV and his wife. I might pair this with THE MOVES MAKE THE MAN by Bruce Brooks. <13>

No comments:

Post a Comment