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READING STYLE GUIDE

Huzzah! Huzzah!

9/29/2016

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Ashes by Laurie Halse Anderson

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​​There is so much to say about this book. The first thing that comes to mind is that the series has a strong finish. Clearly, Ashes is not an afterthought. Beginning with the striking cover which continues the bold silhouettes from the previous books in the trilogy, this case sets itself apart with distinctive colors and images. The book design, text font, and inclusion of colloquial language contribute to the story's authenticity without becoming overbearing or trite. No mean feat.
Each chapter begins with extract from a  journal entry or other historical document, setting the stage and framing each chapter, seamlessly placing fictional characters squarely in events leading up to and concluding with the 1781 Siege of Yorktown.
​As with the first two volumes, Anderson's storytelling skills are consistently evident. This is Isabel’s story. Beginning with the rattlesnake episode, short chapters reveal the strength of her resilience and resolve. 
​At its heart this is a story of love lost and love found. Isabel has long-searched for and finally located her sister Ruth. The loss has been more than a physical separation. The bond between the two siblings was seriously breached and requires considerable effort on the part of Isabel to understand her sister's pain and patiently work to regain her love and trust. It is a brilliant study in the power of love to heal deep wounds within a family.
The book concludes with a fitting resolution to a defining battle in the conflict of American colonies seeking independence from Great Britain.  Of equal importance is Isabel‘s struggle to be a free and independent woman in a society that labels her as property. "Freedom would not be handed to us as a gift. Freedom had to be fought for and taken."
This is historical fiction at its finest. A worthy conclusion to a stellar series.

Companion books

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Chains
by Laurie Halse Anderson
National Book Award finalist and Scott O'Dell Historical Fiction Award
​Meet Isabel, a young slave living with her sister in New York City.
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Forge
by Laurie Halse Anderson
In this continuation of the story, Curzon and Isabel find themselves at Valley Forge.
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Gingerbread for Liberty!
​How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution

by Mara Rockliff  illustrated by ​Vincent X. Kirsch
Charming picture book about the Baker General of gingerbread, Ruth's favorite treat.
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Journeys of Life

9/26/2016

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Teacup by Rebecca Young and lllustrated by Matt Ottley

​We were having one of those "take me away from  the world"  days.  
​Too much stress.  Too much drama. It was all too much.
The teen and I found a quiet spot and settled down with a new picture book. Turns out, it was the perfect antidote to a day that seemed to be going wrong. Teacup by Rebecca Young and illustrated by Matt Ottley introduces readers to a young boy who must leave what is familiar and undertake a journey across a vast expanse of water in search of a new home. He brings with him a teacup filled with soil from his homeland. Carefully chosen lyrical text and soft full page images illustrate the challenge of moving on and starting over. The pages are brimming with loving the past, bravely facing the unknown, and remaining hopeful for the future. Ottley's oil paintings exquisitely capture the wonder of the journey. We poured over the pages again and again.
This book brings respite to bruised souls and peaceful moments to those facing challenges. Solace for the eyes, the mind, and the heart.
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Bringing the Dark Ages to Light

9/26/2016

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The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog  by Adam Gidwitz

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"When you think about it, each book is a lot of lives. Dozens and dozens of them."
Preface
​My mother loved books. My mother loved history. She was particularly partial to Chaucer and Shakespeare. We grew up loving Barbara Cooney's adaptation of Chanticleer and the Fox as well as Tales of Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb. 
Mother was especially fond of Marchette Chute's work for both adults and children.  A well-worn copy of Chaucer of London was on her bookshelf. We were taught to recite Chute's poetry and loved The Innocent Wayfaring, a story enhanced with the authors own "decorations". (Sadly, this book is now out of print.) The opening chapter is a classic, one that I never tire of reading. It features a blue vaulted ceiling, scattered with stars. When I read Gidwitz's description of "the double-barreled-vaulted ceiling...painted deep blue with golden stars aping the real heavens" I knew that I had found the book that was a continuation of my childhood fascination with books about the Middle Ages.  
​I was not disappointed.
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The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog loosely follows the construct of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It's 1242 and a group of wayfarers find themselves at the Holy Cross-Roads Inn. The ale is flowing and rounds of storytelling commence. The group begins discussing the rumors circulating about three children: William, a Saracen of enormous size and son of a Crusader; Jeanne, a young peasant whose 'fits" often prove to be remarkably prophetic; and Jacob, a Jew searching for his parentage. And then there is the dog, the remarkable Gwenforte. This unlikely trio of companions has attracted the attention of King Louis. Individuals at the Inn are anxious to elaborate on the saga of these remarkable children.

Like Chaucer, some of the tales are earthy. Gidwitz adds this own signature "go for the gruesome" scenes with downright disgusting incidents that young readers will relish. (How many times will kids reread the gross-out description of the dragon that gets sick while gorging on sheep? My guess is an infinite number of times.)

There is religion, a lot of religion in the book. There are saints and martyrs, Jews and monks, Talmuds, and Bibles. There are questions. Big questions such as the question of Evil.
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Gidwitz's storytelling skills are considerable and shine gloriously ​in this magnificent tale. The well- researched historical details are neatly embedded but never overshadow the story. Tension builds as events unfold, and an important secret is revealed. I kept caressing the cover over and over again when I reached the denouement.
Read this book for the medieval history. Read it for the humor. Read it for a consideration of thought-provoking questions on racism, religion, and the value of books. Read it for the wild and wonderful narrative that it is. Whatever your reason for reading The Inquisitor's Tale, you will be richly rewarded.


A word about the illustrations.
Confession. I'm a seriously attracted to illuminated text. The visual aspect of this form instantly captures my attention and draws me into the page.
I love the intricate patterns and designs. I find that this imagery enhances the text, adding richness and depth to the printed word.
Hatem Aly has incorporated traditional elements of illumination with the lively nature of Gidwitz's writing style to create his own riff on this traditional art style that is well suited to the story.
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Companion Books

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A Medieval Feast
​by Aliki
A sumptuous picture book filled with rich detailed illustrations. A Reading Rainbow book.

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Good Masters Sweet Ladies 
by Laura Amy Schlitz  illustrated by Robert Byrd
Interconnected monologues describr life during the Middle Ages. Well-suited to performance reading. Newbery Award  2008


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Chanticleer and the Fox
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by Geoffry Chaucer, adapted by Barbara Cooney
A picture book adaptation of The Nun Priest's Tale from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Caldecott Award 1959
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Being Brave

9/22/2016

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Brave Like Me by Barbara Kerley

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When someone I love is far away, I have to be brave.
I miss them. I know they miss me too.
We talk. We write letters. We keep each other in our hearts.
I stay busy. I try to do lots of things that make me happy.
And I count down the days until they come home.
I currently reside in a city whose residents include a large population of families serving in the military. This past weekend I listened to a heartfelt, tear-filled longing from a young girl.  She desperately missed her father, currently serving far from home.  
Shortly after listening to her share her yearning for her absent father, I discovered this excellent little photo journal for young children, coping with separation due to deployment of a parent.
Readers are introduced to individuals throughout the world who face this challenge. Photos capture the longing for an absent family member. In most photos the children are smiling and in close proximity to nurturing adults. The emphasis is on warm and comforting family relationships.
Large-sized font highlights key words on each page. These bolded words include such concepts as: far away, careful, proud of me, take care of me, friends, pets, and home.
Helpful back matter includes an annotated world map, connecting each image in the book with an individual or family. Back matter also includes information on dealing with separation, children's thoughts on bravery, descriptions of the various overseas assignments, a note for caregivers, additional resources, and suggestions for parents. 
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A reassuring book for young readers coping with separation from a parent and a welcome addition to home, school, and public libraries.

"When everyone's daddy is wearing the same unifrom and you haven't seen your daddy for a while, you can sometimes accidentally hug the wrong guy. That's embarrassing!" Mia
"I took one of their favorite teddy bears, and I took photos of Teddy all throughout my deployment." Kerry
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A Treasure Trove

9/1/2016

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How to Build a Museum: Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture by Tonya Bolden

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For history, as nearly no one seems to know, is not merely something to be read. And it does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On- the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously con- trolled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do. It could scarcely be other- wise, since it is to history that we owe our frames of reference, our identities, and our aspirations.
James Baldwin, "The White Man's Guilt" 1965
This handsome volume by award-winning author Tonya Bolden is jointly published by Penguin Random House and the Smithsonian Institution. The story of the creation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture unfolds from its early beginnings at the September 1915 Grand Army of the Republic's Forty-ninth National Encampment in Washington D.C. to the realization of the dream over one hundred years later.  This unique national landmark is built upon the last available acreage on the national mall and provides a fitting addition to the Smithsonian Institution's nineteen museums and galleries. 

The book's organization focuses on the museum's over-arching vision, the collecting and curation of artifacts, as well as the building's architecture and construction. Concluding sections highlight aspects of the eleven permanent exhibitions. The trim size is well suited to the subject matter and is best experienced with pages spread out on a flat viewing surface. Excellent page layout with a unifying graphic design element echoes the museum's intricate bronze-colored panels.  
History comes to life with inclusion of details such as the design of the museum's distinctive corona. The effort required to include in the exhibit a 155,000 pound Southern Railway car is fascinating. The passanger coach retains the original segregated sections which were in keeping with the prevailing Jim Crow laws.
Excellent photographs from the collection's treasure trove of historical artifacts are liberally and thoughtfully placed throughout the entire book.

More extensive back matter including a timeline, short biographies of key players involved in the creation of the museum, and a bibliography highlighting related reference materials would have been helpful additions.

An outstanding addition to library collections for young people.
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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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