FLORA & ULYSSES by Kate DiCamillo

Bibliographic Data

DiCamillo, Kate.  2013.  FLORA & ULYSSES.  Somerville, MA:  Candlewick Press.  ISBN:  9780763660406

Plot

Flora is a practical, cynical girl who lives vicariously through the lives of her favorite comic book superheroes in order to avoid the dreadfully dull reality of her own life.  She is unappreciated by her divorced, self-absorbed mother and only has occasional visits with her timid, pushover father.  But when bizarre circumstances lead her to befriend a squirrel who seems to have superpowers (and the uncanny ability to write deep, thoughtful poetry), she experiences adventure, new friendships, and learns little known truths about her familial relationships.

Critical Analysis

Kate DiCamillo has written a touching story of love and family in this low-fantasy novel about a girl and her squirrel, Ulysses.  Ulysses is a sweet, loveable, always-hungry character who survived an unfortunate mishap and discovers newfound superpowers such as flying, super strength, the ability to understand humans, and an astonishing knack for writing poetry.  Flora is a lonely, unhappy girl who longs to escape reality because it holds no joy for her.  The two quickly become the best of friends and embark on a series of mishaps and mayhem that prove to be both humorous and educational.

An oddball cast of characters and delightfully quirky vocabulary truly make this an enjoyable and entertaining read.  Chapters are brief and draw the reader in with bizarre titles like “Victims of Extended Hallucinations,” “The Inadvertent I,” and “What It Said.”  With a nod to classic superhero comics, Flora mentally narrates the strange and exciting events occurring around her with quips such as “Holy unanticipated occurrences!” and “Destiny could no longer be forestalled!  The arch-nemesis must be faced!”  Fanciful fonts,

Perhaps the best part of the story is Ulysses’s love and admiration for Flora.  When he discovers a typewriter in her home, he is finally able to express the innermost thoughts of his soul, in a heartfelt poem:

I love your round head, 
the brilliant green, 

the watching blue,

these letters, 

this world, you.

I am very, very hungry.

Through a series of strange events and “unanticipated occurrences,” Flora not only gains a gaggle of new friends, but discovers that both of her parents do, truly indeed, love her more than life itself.

Review Excerpts

Original, touching and oh-so-funny tale starring an endearingly implausible superhero and a not-so-cynical girl.  —Kirkus Reviews

Despite supremely quirky characters and dialogue worthy of an SAT prep class, there’s real emotion at the heart of this story involving two kids who have been failed by the most important people in their lives: their parents.  —Publishers Weekly

Rife with marvelously rich vocabulary reminiscent of the early superhero era (e.g., “Holy unanticipated occurrences!”) and amusing glimpses at the world from the point of view of Ulysses the supersquirrel, this book will appeal to a broad audience of sophisticated readers. There are plenty of action sequences, but the novel primarily dwells in the realm of sensitive, hopeful, and quietly philosophical literature.  —School Library Journal

Connections

• Read other books by Kate DiCamillo, such as the MERCY WATSON series, TALE OF DESPEREAUX, or THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE
• Use in a study of fantasy books
• Include in a study of Newbery Award winning books

Awards and Honors

• John Newbery Medal (2014)

BABYMOUSE: QUEEN OF THE WORLD! by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Bibliographic Data

Holm, Jennifer L. and Holm, Matthew.  2005.  BABYMOUSE:  QUEEN OF THE WORLD.  New York:  Random House.  ISBN:  9780375832291

Plot

Creative and imaginative Babymouse dreams of being “Queen of the World.”  Life, however, has other plans.  From stuck lockers to being snubbed by the popular girls, Babymouse faces many challenges in her daily routine.  A chance to attend a sleepover of the most popular girl in school seems like the perfect solution to all of her problems, but she will soon realize that the opportunity comes with a cost!

Critical Analysis

Babymouse is a character that children will easily identify with and root for, as she struggles through the life’s little challenges:  hard-to-comb whiskers, stuck lockers, overdue library books, an overactive imagination, and trying to fit in.  While she longs to be best friends with the insanely popular Felicia Furrypaws, she is regularly belittled and ignored by Felicia and her friends.  A poor decision and potential consequences help her to learn what true and meaningful friendship really is.

This story will appeal to emergent readers who want to dive into the graphic novel genre, as the text is simple yet engaging, and the plot is highly relatable.  Illustrations are basic black and white line drawings, with pops of pink which draw attention to important objects and actions.  Engaging short stories play out in Babymouse’s imagination and these are interspersed throughout the text at critical points in the plotline.  

Most importantly, Babymouse learns an important lesson about actions and consequences, and readers will take pride in the way she resolves her problem.

Review Excerpts

"Cute, smart, sassy Babymouse is fun and funny, and this book, like its predecessors, will draw reluctant readers as well as Babymouse fans." - Booklist

"An almost absurdly likeable heroine." - The Bulletin

"Move over, Superman, here comes Babymouse!" - The Chicago Sun-Times

"Nobody puts Babymouse in the corner!" - The Horn Book

"Emergent readers will cheer 'Babymouse!'" - Kirkus Reviews

Connections

• Read other books in the BABYMOUSE series.
• Read other graphic novels for emergent readers, such as CLUES IN THE ATTIC by Cari Meister and Remy Simard or THE CAT THAT DISAPPEARED by Lily Mortenson
• Use as a mentor text for creative writing, where students can plan out their plot in graphic novel form.

Awards and Honors

• ALSC Notable Children’s Book (2006)

LILY'S CROSSING by Patricia Reilly Giff

Bibliographic Data

Giff, Patricia Reilly.  1997.  LILY’S CROSSING.  New York:  Yearling.  ISBN:  0440414539

Plot

As Lily begins her annual trip to her family’s summer home by the ocean, she is unaware that this summer will be nothing like the joyful escapes she has had in the past.  Her father is about to leave for the war, her best friend’s family is relocating for wartime work, and a mysterious foreigner is about to

Critical Analysis

Patricia Reilly Giff writes of the beautiful seaside town of Rockaway in 1944, inflicted with the adversities of World War II.  Shop owners struggle to stay in business as supplies are harder to come by, and ships line the horizon as they head into war.  

Lily is a spunky and strong-willed character who cares little about the consequences that accompany her poor choices.  But her guiltless lying and thieving habits are challenged when she befriends a boy who is depending on her to help him find his lost sister.  As the two share secrets and grief over war-torn relationships, Lily begins to see her prejudices and assumptions in a new light, and grows to realize that her choices can have serious and painful effects for herself and others.  

Giff uses well-written characters to bring the hardships of war to life.  Motherless Lily is so angered by her father’s announcement that he is being called to war, she leaves home for the day and is burdened with guilt over not saying good-bye.  Lily’s father, Poppy, faithfully writes her letters and keeps his promise to let her know where he is (despite the required military censorship) through clues left in book titles.  Stern Gran, constantly trying to keep Lily’s behavior in line, exposes her soft side through moments of tears and worry over her son’s deployment.  Margaret, Lily’s friend who has had to relocate for her father’s wartime employment, writes of the terrible fear her family lives with as her enlisted brother has gone missing in battle.  And the reader’s heart will be most torn when they learn the story of Albert, whose parents were murdered by the government for printing an anti-Hitler newspaper and who was separated from his sister – his only remaining family – during their long, covert trip towards America.

This story starts as a simple summer vacation, but each page peels back another layer of an emotional, wartime story and the community that presses on through hardship and tragedy.

Review Excerpts

"Details...are woven with great effect into a realistic story." --The Horn Book Magazine

"Exceptional characterizations and a robust story line...this has all the ingredients that best reward readers." --Publishers Weekly

"Brilliantly told." --The New York Times Book Review

"With wry comedy and intense feeling...Giff gets across a strong sense of what it was like on the home front during World War II...The friendship story is beautifully drawn." --Booklist

Connections

• Read other World War II stories such as The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley or Duke by Kirby Larson
• Include in a study of World War II
• Include in a thematic study of strong female characters

Awards and Honors

• 1998 Newbery Honor Book
• ALA Notable Book
• Horn Book Honor Book

THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Bibliographic Data

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker.  2015.  THE WAR THAT SAVED MY LIFE.  New York:  Dial Books for Young Readers.  ISBN:  9780803740815

Plot

Ada, a disfigured 10 year old girl, lives in poverty-stricken London during World War II.  Never allowed to leave her apartment, she has no clue what lies beyond her view from their third story window, but she longs to find out.  Feeling unloved and unwanted by her mother, Ada escapes her confinement and joins her brother and the other children at his school who are being relocated to the country for their safety during the war.  Ada experiences a multitude of joys and troubles, as she navigates being part of the world for the first time, being different than others, and learning how to trust the love and friendship that is offered to her.

Critical Analysis

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley has crafted a masterpiece in the story of Ada Smith:  a young girl who has lived her life unloved, unwanted, and unaware of the simple joys that await her beyond the view of her apartment window.  Ada’s naiveté paired with her genuine intelligence and bravery makes for an impactful, emotional story, as she struggles to learn how to behave in social situations, how to converse while lacking basic vocabulary, and how to survive from day to day when she isn’t sure what love and family actually look like.  Readers will cry during her struggles and rejoice at her victories; but most of all they will applaud her courage and determination for pressing on in every challenging situation. 

Settings are honestly depicted, from the dirty, noisy streets of London to the rolling expanse of grass and ocean in the country.  The hardships of wartime are evident through the stories of those who give up their children for fear of their safety, and those who take them in, some unwillingly, and struggle to provide when government rations become more scarce.  Without being gruesome or instilling fear, the author accurately depicts life in World War II, from blackout curtains and underground shelters to bombings, spies, and casualties of war.  All while telling a story of family, belonging, friendship, and love.  This is truly a book not to be missed!

Review Excerpts

"Achingly lovely . . . Nuanced and emotionally acute, this vivid tale from the wartime home front will have readers ages 10-14 wincing at Ada's stumbles and rejoicing to the point of tears in her victories." —The Wall Street Journal

“Ada's voice is brisk and honest; her dawning realizations are made all the more poignant for their simplicity. . . . Things come to an explosive head, metaphorically and literally. Ignorance and abuse are brought to light, as are the healing powers of care, respect and love. Set against a backdrop of war and sacrifice, Ada's personal fight for freedom and ultimate triumph are cause for celebration.” —Kirkus, starred review

"Proving that her courage and compassion carry far more power than her disability, Ada earns self-respect, emerges a hero, and learns the meaning of home. "—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Involving, poignant, nuanced . . . This is a feel-good story, but an earned one . . . distinct and powerful in its own right." —The Horn Book, starred review

Connections

• Read Jefferson’s Sons by the same author
• Read other World War II stories such as Lily’s Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff or Duke by Kirby Larson
• Include in a study of World War II
• Include in a study of social justice, disabilities, or diversity

Awards and Honors

• Newbery Honor Book
• #1 New York Times Bestseller
• Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award (Middle School)
• Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of 2015
• New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing

A HOME FOR MR. EMERSON by Barbara Kerley

Bibliographic Data

Kerley, Barbara.  2014.  A HOME FOR MR. EMERSON.  New York:  Scholastic Press.  ISBN:  9780545350884

Plot Summary

As a boy, Ralph dreamed of making a comfortable home for himself.  When he grew up to become Ralph Waldo Emerson, he did just that!  Nothing could tempt Mr. Emerson to leave his wonderful life in Concord, Massachusetts, until a fire devastates his beloved home.  A distraught Mr. Emerson is persuaded to seek out a series of adventures that will help him heal, as his loyal and devoted Concord neighbors work to do the same back home.

Critical Analysis

Barbara Kerley delivers a simple and heartwarming narrative of the complex and brilliant Ralph Waldo Emerson.  The story revolves around Emerson’s love for the town of Concord, beginning with his childhood dreams of making a pleasant life through adulthood when he chooses Concord as the perfect place to transform those dreams into reality.  Amusing, little-known details - such as his volunteer duty rounding up wayward hogs around town or his habit of eating apple pie for breakfast every morning – portray Emerson as a friendly, personable character that every reader will wish to have for a neighbor. 

Emerson is described as a welcoming host, who loves to entertain and longs to befriend anyone and everyone he encounters.  An author’s note in the back matter further describes Emerson’s special attachments and generosity.  We read of him ice skating with Nathanial Hawthorne, loaning books to his neighbor Louisa May Alcott, and allowing his good friend, Henry David Thoreau, to build a cabin on his land next to Walden Pond and reside there for two years.  A true neighbor and friend, Mr. Emerson was well loved and respected in his hometown as much as he was by people all around the world.

Quotes from Emerson’s own writings are woven into the text, authentically describing his love for home, nature, words, and ideas.  The text is complemented by literal illustrations of metaphoric ideas, as Emerson “dives” into a stack of books and walks out the other side into an imagined forest or flies over the ocean, urged on by his neighbors, “to run across the sea, and rest and repair.”    These colorful, fanciful, and child-friendly images will appeal to even the very young readers, but also reveal a glimpse of the hurt and pain he feels when his home is destroyed.

Though biographical in nature, this story is not intended as a factual account of the writer, philosopher, and poet we know as Ralph Waldo Emerson.  It is instead a lovely portrait of a contented life, good neighbors, and the joys of homecoming. 

Review Excerpts

“Emerson, who is likely little known to younger students, is brought to life in an approachable biography…An eye-catching, kid-friendly biography that is a wonderful addition to any collection.”  – School Library Journal

"This work about Ralph Waldo Emerson—someone who is probably not known to many children—is a tale of deep love for his home and community in Concord, Massachusetts." –Booklist

"[A] tightly crafted narrative arc that stresses the hope, community and optimism required to create the life of one’s dreams....Emerson’s joie de vivre explodes from the pages.... Jubilant."  -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Connections

• Include in a study of influential Americans
• Read excerpts from the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson
• As an extension, research Mr. Emerson’s well known friends:  Henry David Thoreau, Nathanial Hawthorne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Learn more and see photos of Emerson’s home at https://www.ralphwaldoemersonhouse.org/

Awards and Honors

• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• 2014 Parents’ Choice Gold Award
• NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book
• 2014 Oregon Spirit Book Award for Nonfiction
• Best New England Books 2014, The Boston Globe
• Gold Award Winner, National Parenting Publications Awards
• “Trailblazers” Seasonal Showcase, The Children’s Book Council
• 2015 International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choices Reading List
• 2015 “Must-Reads” Picture Books, Massachusetts Center for the Book

DOWN, DOWN, DOWN by Steve Jenkins

Bibliographic Data

Jenkins, Steve.  2009.  DOWN, DOWN, DOWN:  A JOURNEY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA.  Boston:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.  ISBN:  9780618966363

Plot Summary

Gear up for an exhilarating learning adventure as author Steve Jenkins invites you to explore the deepest depths of the ocean while educating you to the fullest with facts, figures, and images about this amazing body of water that covers most of our Earth.  Many surprises await you as you plunge downward towards the very bottom of the Mariana Trench at 35,838 feet.  Reaching this final destination will only wet your appetite, as you will want to take this trip again and again!

Critical Analysis

It is evident from the meticulously detailed text that Jenkins has performed extensive research on the ocean and its life forms.  Ocean zones, measurements of depth and temperature, animals and their descriptive behaviors all contribute to making this a quality informational text for young people. 

The text is condensed and confined to a small section of each two page spread, allowing the illustrations to draw the reader’s interest prior to delving into the technical details of the ocean habitat.  The non-fiction text features truly enhance the reading, even to the very back matter where further information can be found about each animal mentioned in the book.  Every life form is clearly labeled and beautifully represented in colorful and textured torn paper collage.  Succinct yet intriguing headings prepare the reader to use their schema prior to reading on.  On the right side of each two page spread is a measurement bar, which notes how far down you are traveling into the ocean and identifying the oceanic zone you currently occupy.  As you turn each page, the background gets darker, just as it would if you descend deeper and deeper towards the ocean floor.

Bursting with scientific facts and data, this educational ocean adventure has certainly not been “watered-down” for adolescent learners – there is much to be learned and discovered on this journey to the depths of the sea.

Review Excerpts

"In this plunge into the deep, Jenkins displays his usual keen awareness of what is fascinating about biology and imparts it without sensationalism—the facts speak for themselves . . Sophisticated cut- and torn-paper collage-work fit the alien qualities of the subjects well; it’s equally at home capturing the tiered needlepoints of lizardfish teeth as it is delivering an impressive and illuminating display of bioluminescence."--Booklist

“Browsers will be delighted by the variety of species, shown in their appropriate colors although not to scale. Backmatter provides some information about the animals pictured, including sizes compared to a human body or hand, although the bibliography does not seem to include the sources used for those facts. Once again, Jenkins provides an almost irresistible entry into our natural world for the youngest readers.”--Kirkus Reviews

"Jenkins takes his signature collage to the oceans, sinking readers from the surface of the Pacific Ocean down nearly 11,000 meters to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. His style works well here: with passage into each zone (from the surface to the sunlit zone to the twilight zone, etc.), the blue backgrounds shade darker and murkier, which allows the intricate cut-paper animal illustrations to pop."--Horn Book

"Depicted in Jenkins's signature handsome collages, the denizens of each level swim against ever-darkening backgrounds ranging from sunny blue to deepest black . . . The bold views tend to emphasize the weirdness of these little-known species, but the repeated message that humans have much to explore and learn in the deeper ocean is intriguing and inviting."--School Library Journal

Connections

• Use with a  study on ocean habitat and life forms
• Read poetry about the ocean and ocean life to extend learning
• Research a new animal from the text
• Research the Mariana Trench
• Compare with another non-fiction text on this topic that includes photographs

Awards and Honors

• Cybils Award Nominee for Nonfiction Picture Books (2009)
• CCBC Choices Selection (2010)
• ALSC Noteable Children’s Book – Commended (2010)

THE RIGHT WORD: ROGET AND HIS THESAURUS by Jen Bryant

Bibliographic Data

Bryant, Jen.  2014.  THE RIGHT WORD: ROGET AND HIS THESAURUS.  Grand Rapids, Michigan:  Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.  ISBN:  9780802853851

Plot Summary

As a young boy, Peter Roget was quiet and introverted, and had difficulty making friends when his family moved so frequently.  Peter used his quiet time to make lists:  lists of events, lists of knowledge, and lists of interesting words.  This is the story of how the gifted young Peter’s love of knowledge and words led him to create Roget's Thesaurus:  published in 1852 and still in use today. 

Critical Analysis

This fascinating, well-researched book is a true tribute to the genius of Peter Roget.  The narrative story is captivating and informative, but it is the illustrations that steal the thunder and make this a breathtaking, awe-inspiring read.  Each page is littered with words, dutifully organized, and accented with scattered illustrations of partial maps, books, decorative papers, botanicals, and miscellaneous objects of random interest.  Just as Roget was interested in every subject, so this book is filled with numerous little bits of everything.  The biographical text is often organized in list-like form, sentences travelling vertically down the page, as an homage to Roget’s love for “lists in long, neat rows.”  Bundles of words are scribbled, drawn, and emphasized in child-like print, colorfully accented and appropriately clustered by category, a visual representation of Peter’s mind at work as he searches for just the right word in every situation.  The final pages include a timeline of Roget's life, aptly titled "List of Principal Events" and modeled by the very first list Peter wrote as a young boy.

The author and illustrator show true reverence for Roget’s extensive intellect.  Both include notes to the reader at the end of the book, describing time spent poring over a copy of the original thesaurus and marveling at the dedication it took to classify and record most every English word by its meaning.

Children will love this story of a boy who collected words and grew to create a useful tool that is still around today. 

Review Excerpts

"Sweet envisions Roget's work as a shadow box crammed with the wonders of the natural world, adorned with exuberant hand-lettered typography. Together with Bryant's sympathetic account, Sweet's gentle riot of images and words humanizes the man behind this ubiquitous reference work and demystifies the thesaurus itself." -- Publishers Weekly (STARRED Review)

"In brilliant pages teeming with enthusiasm for language and learning, Bryant and Sweet joyfully celebrate curiosity, the love of knowledge, and the power of words."

-- Booklist (STARRED review)

 “Expertly researched and well written, Bryant’s narrative not only details the creation of the thesaurus; it also conveys a sense of Roget the man. . . . An excellent illustrated biography.” -- School Library Journal (STARRED review)

"Encourages a sense of wonder. . . . Myriad visual temptations luring viewers into a fine browsing experience." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

• Connections
  Include in grammatical studies of synonyms, antonyms, and homophones
• Connect the classification of words with the classification of object properties in scientific studiesa
• Read other books that pay tribute to words and the English language, such as Max’s Words by Kate Banks and The Boy Who Loved Words by Roni Schotter
• Start a collection of interesting words by cutting them from newspapers and magazines.  Categorize them and glue in a journal.

Awards and Honors

• Booklist’s 2014 Lasting Connections
• Booklist Editor's Choice List—Books for Youth: nonfiction
• Caldecott Honor Book 
• CLSC Young Readers selection for 2015
• Eureka! Honor Award, 2014
• Horn Book Magazine‘s Best Books of 2014
• The Horn Book Fanfare 2014 
• Huffington Post Best Picture Books of 2014
• IRA Reading Today Online Best Picture Books of 2014 
• Junior Library Guild Selection
• Kirkus Review Best of 2014—Children's Books
• Maine Lupine Book Award
• Nerdy Book Club’s 2014 Nerdy Awards for Nonfiction Picture Books 
• New York Times Notable Children’s Books 2014
• Orbis Pictus Honor Book 2015 (NCTE)
• Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal 
• Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2014
• SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Illustration 
• School Library Journal Best Books 2014
• Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibit 2014 selection 
• Texas Bluebonnet Master List for 2015-16