The Promise

THE PROMISE by Nicola Davies. Illustrated by Laura Carlin. Candlewick, 2014.

A young girl steals a bag of what she thinks are groceries from an old woman. Tyhe woman exacts a promise from the girl to plant what she has taken. What she has are acorns. And plant them she does, all over her dark, ugly neighborhood. The neighborhood is changed by the trees, and the girl continues to travel to other places, to plant, to make changes. What a lovely allegory for how to make the world better. Tie to MISS RUMPHIUS for a terrific text set.

Spy Story

NAZI HUNTERS: HOW A TEAM OF SPIES AND SURVIVORS CAPTURED THE WORLD'S MOST NOTORIOUS NAZI by Neal Bascomb. Scholastic, 2013.

The story behind the capture of Adolf Eichmann is the focus for this piece of narrative nonfiction. Pacing suitable for a grand spy adventure novel, spies whose identities are tied in no small part to their feelings about Eichmann and Hitler and the Holocaust, all combine to create nonfiction that will draw readers in and hold them captive. Other suggestions for books include HITLER YOUTH by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and the GN biography of Anne Frank by Colon and Jacobs.

the lonely and the brave

WE MARCH by Shane Evans (Neal Porter/Roaring Brook, 2012) is a simple homage to the brave men and women and children who gathered on the Mall in Washington, DC, in the summer of 1963. The words are spare and the illustrations are simple yet radiate all sorts of quiet strength. History teachers should consider taking this into the classroom to supplement the textbook. <711>



THERE GOES TED WILLIAMS: THE GREATEST HITTER WHO EVER LIVED (Candlewick Press 2012) by Matt Tavares simply exudes joy. From the joy in the face of the young Ted Williams as he breaks high school records and is signed to a contract at the tender age of 17, to the newly minted big leaguer Ted Williams as he practices until his hands bleed. This biography clearly communicates the incredible joy that Williams found in his sport. <712>





THE LONELY BOOK by Kate Bernheimer with illustrations by Chris Sheban (Schwartz and Wade 2012) shows how much the love of a reader can do in the life of a book. As the story opens, the book is new. It is frequently checked out and lovingly read. Eventually, though, the new-ness wears off and the book is relegated to a normal shelf where sometimes it will sit for a long time without anyone reading it. The special bond between a book and a reader comes to life in this lovely story. <713>

rhythm, rhyme, and "harmony"

I must admit that I was unfamiliar with the song which is the basis for this picture book, WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON? by George Ella Lyon with illustrations by Christopher Cardinale (Cinco Puntos 2011). Now, on its 80th anniversary, we learn of the origins of this song about unions penned by the wife of a coal worker who was being hunted down because he dared tried to join a union for better working conditions. never has this book seemed more timely since then, I imagine, in this day when others seek to ban unions that protect workers. The illustrations capture perfectly the tenor of the story behind this song. Words and music are included on the back cover. There is also an appendix with author notes. <500>





Since music seems to be important, it seemed logical to tie this book in here. DUKE ELLINGTON'S NUTCRACKER SUITE by Anna Harwell Celenza with illustrations by Don Tate (Charlesbridge 2011) again recounts a story unknown to me. Ellington and his collaborator Billy Strayhorn composed a jazz variation on the Nutcracker Suite. A CD includes a recording of this incredible piece. I played it in the background as I was reading the book for a total reading/listening experience. Music teachers would find this not only interesting but perhaps a sort of mentor text as well. <501>