Maggie's Door

Written by Patricia Reilly Giff

Bibliographic data

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2003. Maggie’s Door. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

ISBN 0385900953

Plot Summary

Nora is the last of her family to leave on the journey to America to escape the famine and disease of Ireland. As Nora and a friend, Sean, travel independently to the ships and America, they overcome many obstacles that seem never ending. As you travel with them, you will soon hope for their success in reaching Maggie’s door in Brooklyn, New York.

Critical Analysis

For the majority of the story Patricia Reilly Giff alternates the chapters between Sean Mallon and Nory Ryan. Each one describes the challenges that they encounter on their journeys to Brooklyn, New York. During each chapter the alternate characters discuss their memories of happier times with family and friends in Ireland. To understand some of the unfamiliar terms in the story, Giff has provided a glossary at the beginning of the book. She also has a list of “The People of Maidin Bay” to help the reader keep up with the characters.

Giff does not include a date in the story, so a reader may not know that some of the information is factual unless they read the Afterword of the book. Even so, the Afterword is very helpful in understanding the historical references in the story. I found it interesting that Giff has a personal connection to the Irish immigrants in 1845.

This story is filled with loss, despair, hope, and survival. It is very easy to feel sympathy for the characters throughout the novel. Even with the hopeful end the story is sad and depressing. The struggles and heartache definitely out-weigh the happiness in this story.

Review Excerpts

• “Giff uses vivid language and precisely detailed observation to convey experience and emotion.” Horn Book
• “Giff brings the immigration history to life through the heartbreaking experiences of parting, loss, and, sometimes, thrilling reunion.” Booklist
• “..the book consistently expresses the children's strength and courage-which eventually leads them to one another and, later, to Maggie's door in Brooklyn.” Publishers Weekly

Connections

• Have students research and learn more about the Irish culture.
• Have students investigate different cultures that immigrated to America.

The Green Glass Sea

Written by Ellen Klages

Bibliographic data

Klages, Ellen. 2006. The Green Glass Sea. New York: Viking.

ISBN 0670061344

Plot Summary

In 1943, Dewey Kerrigan, 10, starts on her journey to New Mexico to meet up with her scientist dad. She doesn’t know what he is working on because everything is classified. When she reaches Los Alamos, New Mexico she finds out that her father and many others are working on something to help end WWII. This story continues with her life experiences on “the Hill” and how the Manhattan Project is about to change the world.

Critical Analysis

Ellen Klages does a great job in her description of the setting on “the Hill” and off. It is very easy to an experienced reader to envision what life was like for the characters, and for people who lived in the mid-1940s. Children and young adults of today however, might find it hard to actualize living in those times without a lot of prior knowledge.

Readers who are or have ever been shy or kept to themselves will probably be able to relate to the main character, Dewey. She is extremely smart, caring, and independent. She is a great character for female readers to look up to. The way her mind works with inventing gadgets is incredible. Klages writing allows the reader to feel so sorry for Dewey for everything she has to go through in life, but amazed at how she continues on. Suze Gordon is a little different story. She is a girl who wants to fit in so bad that she bullies and degrades others to stand out. It is actually the influence of Dewey that turns Suze into a more confident, caring, and artistic person.

At the end of the book, Klages provides an Author’s Note that talks about the historical references throughout the novel with additional information on the history of nuclear physics, the atomic bomb, and “the Hill.” On the copyright page there is a mention that even though the story is fictional, the historical events are very real. For readers interested in history this would be a part that might encourage them to read the novel. I appreciated the authenticity and research that Klages did for this story.

For me, the best part of the story was the end. The excitement of the testing of “the gadget” and the discovery of the green glass sea is what drew me in. I was disappointed that it didn’t happen until the end. Even though this is a good historical fiction novel, I don’t think it will be appreciated amongst all children and young adults.

Review Excerpts

• Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 2007
• Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature, 2007
• “The novel occasionally gets mired down in detail, but the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes.” Booklist
• “History and story are drawn together with confidence in this intense but accessible page-turner.” Horn Book starred review
• “Klages makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulously researched novel set during WWII.” Publishers Weekly

Connections

• Geared for ages 9 and up
• Have students research more one the atomic bomb by using some of the sources the author provides at the end of the book.
• Have students learn more about life in the 1940’s during the war.
• Have the students discuss reasons why Charlie and the boys let Dewey see the secret tree house they built when there were “no girls allowed.”

Okay for Now

Written by Gary D. Schmidt

Bibliographic data

Schmidt, Gary D. 2011. Okay for Now. New York: Clarion Books.

ISBN 9780547152608

Plot Summary

This story is about a piece of 14 year old, Doug Swieteck’s life. It includes challenges he faces with family, teachers, police officers, and other citizens of Marysville, New York. In what seems like a pretty rotten time, comes a mentor, Mr. Powell and a friend, Lil Spicer, that start to brighten Doug’s life.

Critical Analysis

Gary Schmidt does a fabulous job with the creation of his characters. The reader can really identify with some, envy some, and despise others. As I was reading, I felt every emotion the characters went through. I was especially drawn to the times when Doug (the main character) talks to the reader by saying, “You know what this feels like.” It makes the reader really think about how it would feel. I also loved reading and being a part of Doug’s transformation from a grumpy teenage boy hating everything except baseball, to an appreciative young adult.

A main piece of this story is the relationship Doug finds in the Birds of America book by John James Audubon. In a new town where everyone is a stranger, the Arctic Tern, Plate CCL, is the start of Doug’s fascination with bringing things back together and making them whole again. With a little encouragement from Mr. Powell at the public library, Doug learns that he can draw. This is a starting point to Doug’s life turning around.

Schmidt’s description of the setting in 1968 is very detailed and alive. When Doug is delivering groceries in the heat you can really see the sweat dripping off of him. In the winter months the reader can imagine the frigid air and the snow soaking through Doug’s shoes and pants. Through every part of the novel, I could actually envision the town, streets, and houses that Schmidt describes.

The story is written in the first person of Doug with quotes, inner monologues, and talking to the reader. Schmidt wrote this story with such grace and elegance. On the book jacket Schmidt provides information on the images throughout the book. He notes that the images are from John James Audubon’s Birds of America. I would definitely recommend this book to adults and students in secondary to get them interested in historical nonfiction.

Review Excerpts

• ALA Notable Children’s Books 2012
• “[A] stealthily powerful, unexpectedly affirming story of discovering and rescuing one’s best self.” Booklist starred review
• “There are laugh-out-loud moments here, and passages that will move a reader to tears; it’s brilliant, and beautiful, and very nearly a perfect book.” Library Media Connection
• “Schmidt’s masterful characterization and balance of humor and pathos make this coming-of-age novel so memorable.” School Library Journal

Connections

• Intended for Grades 6-9
• Have the students write about what they think is happening to the birds in the Audubon prints.
• Since the story was set in the late 1968, the students can research articles from that time to find out more about the Vietnam War and other events of the time.
• In groups have the students describe how the different characters transform throughout the book.

What to do about Alice?

Written by Barbara Kerley

Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

Bibliographic data

Kerley, Barbara. 2008. What To Do About Alice? Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439922319

Plot Summary

Alice, the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, “was hungry to go places, meet people, do things!” This book talks about the problems she caused her father by breaking the rules to become her own person. Through her journey of life she “charmed the world” by ways that were unconventional for women. This biography is a fun an energetic way to display life of an influential woman.

Critical Analysis

This picture-book biography of Alice Lee Roosevelt is fun and entertaining, as well as, informational. The whimsical cartoon-like illustrations are eye-catching and help guide the reader through the book. Barbara Kerley’s text is easy to read and fun. She uses different sizes and fonts to emphasize quotes and facts.

This book is far from ordinary. With the interesting arrangement of the text and the comical illustrations, the reader can experience pieces of Alice’s busy and robust life. The sequence of the story is very simple and easy to understand. Kerley starts the story of Alice as a little girl and continues through her life experiences in sequential order. Following the end of the story are Author’s Noes, credits, and copyright data. Kerley is thorough by making note of who was responsible for fact checking of the text and artwork for the book. The question throughout the book that is consistent is that Theodore Roosevelt never figured out “What to do about Alice?”

I would recommend reading this story aloud to a young audience. They will enjoy the colorful illustrations and Alice’s hunger for life.

Review Excerpts

• Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor 2009
• "Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was....The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art." Booklist starred review
• "Theodore Roosevelt s irrepressible oldest child receives an appropriately vivacious appreciation in this superb picture book.... Kerley s precise text presents readers with a devilishly smart, strong-willed girl who was determined to live life on her own terms and largely succeeded." Kirkus starred review
• "Kerley s text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject s antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship’s swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father s trusted advisers. Fotheringham s digitally rendered, retro-style illustrations are a superb match for the text." School Library Journal starred review

Connections

• Have the students research other children of US presidents.
• Introduce the students to other books on Alice Roosevelt, like Mind Your Manners, Alice Roosevelt! by Leslie Kimmelman.
• Have the students think about what hey would like to do or accomplish is they were the child of a president.

Wolves

Written by Seymour Simon

Bibliographic data

Simon, Seymour. 1993. Wolves. New York: Scholastic Inc.

ISBN 0590636219

Plot Summary

This is an informational book on the misunderstood animals, wolves. Through straightforward text and extraordinary photographs you will learn about the characteristics, behaviors, and life of a wolf. This is a great book give insight into these amazing creatures.

Critical Analysis

This nonfiction book was written by the award winning science writer, Seymour Simon. He collaborated with the Smithsonian Institution in this story about the truth of the wolf.

Simon is very thorough in giving credit to the photographers of the beautiful color photographs. In this book, the reader learns of the differences between the factual information about wolves and the misinformation that has been believed by so many. Wolves actually resemble dogs more than you would probably think. Simon provides the beliefs of scientists throughout the text.

The layout of the book is very clean and simple. Each page with text has an opposing side with a real life color photograph of wolves in their nature environment. Unlike most books I have read, the credits, dedication, and copyright information are located at the end of the book on the last page.

Simon does not stick to one specific wolf, but he presents the behaviors and characteristics of various species of wolves. As a writer, Simon does a great job in providing the reader with an abundance of information without being overwhelming. I learned a lot of new information about wolves from this book, but the photographs really caught my interest and attention.

Review Excerpts

• "Simon dispels the traditionally negative images of the wolf in this...attractive and simple introduction."  School Library Journal
• “[The facts] debunk the big-bad-wolf horror stories without in any way detracting from the fierce beauty of the wolves' wild nature.” Booklist

Connections

• Have students read another informational book about wolves, like Face to Face with Wolves by Jim Brandenburg
• Have the students select different types of wolves to learn about.
• Introduce the students to other books by Seymour Simon, like Butterflies or Penguins.

Almost Astronauts: 13 women who dared to dream

Written by Tanya Lee Stone

Foreword by Margaret A. Weitekamp, Curator, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Bibliographic data

Stone, Tanya Lee. 2009. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women who dared to dream. Somerville: Candlewick Press.

ISBN 9780763645021

Plot Summary

This is an inspiring informational book of how 13 women almost became astronauts. In learning about these women you will experience how they proved to be tougher than the men of Mercury 7, and brave enough to take on the world.

Critical Analysis

At the beginning of the book, on the page with copyright data is also the author’s dedication and note about “Mercury 13.” On the opposing page are two quotes. One of the quotes is by Amelia Earhart and the other by Tom Wolf, about the Mercury 7 astronauts. There is also a table of contents displaying every section of information throughout the book. Next, comes the forward written by Margaret A. Weitekamp, the curator of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In her forward she mentions how excited she is about finally having a book to recommend to people when she talks publicly about the Lovelace Woman in Space program, and the women of the 1960s who helped pave the way for women today.

A major focus in this book is the courage, struggle, and determination of women to become equals with men in the astronaut program, specifically Jerri Cobb and the “Mercury 13” women. Stone starts the book in July 1999, but flashes back to the early 1960s. With the amount of information and some complex vocabulary, this book is geared more toward ages 10 and up.

Stone has left no table unturned by providing a two page Author’s Note, Appendix, Further Reading, Webliography, Sources, Source Notes by chapter, Photography Credits, and Index and Acknowledgements at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the different display of color and black & white photographs throughout the book. Some of the photographs are the background of a page with text on top. With every photograph, Stone provides a description of whom and what is happening in the scene. I also found that the photographs along with the text help the reader understand the culture of being a woman in the 1960s. Stone’s words invite the reader to become a part of the women’s lives and allow you to put yourself in their shoes. At the beginning of chapter 3, Stone describes the experience of “The Tank.” I actually envisioned myself freaking out after a short period of time. It really gives you an amazing appreciation for what Jerri Cobb went through to try and live out her dream.

This book definitely encourages critical thinking and a want to read more about other phenomenal women who have contributed so much to the rights of women today.

Review Excerpts

• Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal 2010
• “Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering, impassioned story will leave readers inspired.” Kirkus starred review
• “Readers with an interest in history and in women's struggle for equality will undoubtedly be moved.” Publishers Weekly
• “This passionately written account of a classic but little-known challenge to established gender prejudices also introduces readers to a select group of courageous, independent women.” School Library Journal

Connections

• Have students research and present other women you have made a contribution to the equality of rights movement for women.
• Discuss other professions where women had to fight to gain the same respect as men.