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READING STYLE GUIDE

Freedom Stories

11/2/2020

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William Still and His Freedom Stories:
​The Father of the Underground Railroad

by Don Tate

Free was not always fair
​ Fascinating story of American hero William Still.
Born in New Jersey in1821, Still was the youngest child of his formerly enslaved parents. A pivotal moment for young William came when he helped a freedom-seeking neighbor escape a brutal assault. At age twenty-three he left home and moved to Philadelphia. Still found work with the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. His skills were recognized by his employer and he eventually became the society’s manager.
​During this time, William’s Philapelphia home became an Underground Railroad “station, ” where he assisted numerous individuals seeking freedom. He was astonished to learn that one of those he helped was his older brother.
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Still began keeping a detailed record of each freedom-seeking person he encountered. His meticulous records helped unite families that had been torn apart. When it became apparent that his journals could jeopardize the lives of those migrating north, he hid his records in a cemetery’s vault. After fourteen years with the Anti-Slavery Society, William left the organization and started a coal business. He became a successful businessman and in 1870 was deemed one of the richest Black men. In 1872, he published The Underground Rail Road, a collection of  life stories of those who escaped slavery.
A word about the art: Close-up faces place the audience directly and personally into the story. Textual phrases are incorporated into the illustrations and become part of the visual experience. Tate's use of color is intriguing. Purple, often associated with royalty, is featured predominantly throughout the pages as well as on the cover. A sepia-toned background reinforces the historical nature of the subject.
Back matter includes a Timeline, Author’s Note (which includes fascinating person background), Bibliography, and Quotation Sources. End papers are stunning: a page taken from Still’s meticulous documentation of individuals who passed through his home on the way to freedom.
William Still and His Freedom Stories is a significant addition to the cannon of picture books about Underground Railroad heroes. It speaks to the value of education, fighting injustice, and keeping an accurate record of significant events. Inspiring.
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Underground Railroad Heroes

Meet individuals who made important contributions to early struggles for freedom.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: November 1, 2020  Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company, Illustrated Edition  ISBN: 978-1561459353
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Black Legends of the Wild West

9/14/2020

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Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons
​by James Otis Smith

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Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons is the comic we’ve all been longing for. Meet historical Black figures who come to life in an action-packed graphic novel.
This trio of biographical vignettes features fascinating stories from the American west. Though all were born enslaved, each legendary Black adventurer left southern roots and moved west to freedom in Montana, Arkansas, or Texas. Their stories are true tales of hard work, courage, resourcefulness, and grit. Nevertheless, he injects humor and intrigue into the narrative. Smith has done his homework, creating back matter that is chock full of information, period photographs, primary sources, timelines, and other informational graphics.
The color palette is predominantly earth tones, evoking the western setting. Each chapter begins with a full-page photo of the chapter’s subject. Includes an introduction by Kadir Nelson. ​

Stagecoach Mary

Mary Fields was a large, no-nonsense woman, packing an impressively fearsome rifle. Opening panels tell the well-known, almost mythical saga of one frigid Montana night in 1898 when mail clerk Mary Fields fought off a pack of vicious wolves.
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Born about 1832 on a Tennessee plantation, she set out to find work following Emancipation in 1865. From chambermaid, to companion, mission laborer, and restaurant proprietor, Mary was a hard worker. She had a reputation as a whisky-drinking, card-playing, sharp-shooter. She was well-regarded for her years delivering mail by stagecoach. She was the second woman and the first African American woman to drive the Star Route. She never missed a delivery, even when she had to strap on snowshoes and slog through wet snow to complete a shipment. Mary was so revered by the people of Cascade Montana that each year school would close in honor of her birthday.

Bob Lemmons

Herds of wild mustangs, comprised of up to forty females and led by one stallion, roamed over a vast expanse of the Texas plains. They were fearless. The prevailing method to control the herd was to kill the stallion and force the females on long marches.
​​Bob Lemmons had another method. To the mustangs, he was perceived as a stallion. Traveling alone with his horse Warrior, he studied a herd’s habits and recognized individual mustangs by scent and scant. Bob never changed his clothes and waited to eat until his food had lost all human smell. He moved deliberately and cautiously until he was accepted as the leader of these wild horses. Only then would he lead this herd to a ranch. There the mustangs would follow him into a corral.
​He eventually established his own ranch. This Texas legend lived 99 years.
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Bass Reeves

Bass Reeves was a clever lawman who employed unusual tactics to capture wanted felons. For example, the Clancy brothers of Arkansas were wanted criminals with a $5000 reward offered for their capture. One night a quiet hardworking Black man arrived at the Clancy homestead, offering to work for a meal. He quietly endured an evening of insults from the brothers. After dark, Bass set to work and handcuffed the outlaws while they slept. The fugitives woke the next morning in irons and under arrest. They learned that the quiet visitor was Bass Reeves, Deputy US Marshall.

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Action. Intrigue. Humor. Fascinating tales well told. Kudos Mr. Smith. A must-have for library and school collections.

Additional Resources

Learn more about these American frontier heroes with picture books created by award-winning authors and illustrators. Bonus: R. Gregory Christi's art print of Bass Reeves is available for purchase.
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Electronic copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 15, 2020  Publisher: TOON Graphic  ISBN:  978-6976535210
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Art and Nature

8/19/2020

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Beatrix Potter, Scientist (She Made History)
​by Lindsay H. Metcalf ill by Junyi Wu

The connection between art and science is symbiotic. Scientists record observations with accurate representations of phenomena. Artists rely on a careful study of anatomy and physiology to inform their art.
It is no surprise that artist Beatrix Potter studied her surroundings and recorded her findings with precision. What is remarkable is that her published books are not scientific treatises, but instead are delightful fantasies.
Metcalf gives young readers fresh insight into the life of the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Each summer Beatrix’s family would travel to Scotland. It was there that the young girl met Charles McIntosh , the postman who encouraged her study of life forms. She was a dedicated researcher, making meticulous drawings, examining small animal skeletons, and preparing slides for microscopic observation.
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Potter's specific field of study was fungi: the study of mushroom spores. She made a breakthrough discovery on the germination of these spores and prepared a paper for the Linnean Society of London. She could not present her paper in person, as women were not allowed to join this scientific society. She withdrew her paper from consideration after the society said her findings needed more work. Shortly afterward, she discontinued her fungi research. History does not explain her abandonment of nature studies. A century later the Linnean Society apologized for the treatment of Beatrix Potter and other women.​
Metcalf enhances this picture book with backmatter that includes "More About Beatrix Potter," a Timeline, Bibliography, Source Notes, and suggestions for Further Reading. Wu's soft colored pencil illustrations honor both the wonders of nature and storytelling. Her style does not attempt to imitate the precision of Potter's studies. Her illustrations focus on Beatrix and her joy of discovery.
Beatrix Potter, Scientist explores the value of close observation in the fields of both science and art and speaks to the work of women in science. Add to biography and STEM collections.

More Women Who Changed Our World

She Made History: Women Who Changed Our World is an ongoing picture book series celebrating the contributions of women. In addition to well-known historical figures such as Helen Keller, Harriet Tubman, Phillis Wheatley, and Susan B. Anthony, the series introduces young readers to other women who have been change agents. Alice Coachman the first African American woman to earn an Olympic gold medal, Kathryn Johnston the first girl to play Little League baseball, and astronomer Nancy Grace Roman who led the NASA team which built the Hubble Space Telescope are some of the featured woman who have made history.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 1, 2020 Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company ISBN: 978-0807551752
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Presidents Past, Present, Future

3/19/2020

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The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents (Presidents Book for Kids; History of United States Presidents When They Were Young)

But no matter who holds the job right now, the presidents of tomorrow are always out there somewhere.
It's difficult to write informational picture books. It's doubly difficult to create picture books on contemporary political topics that have a timeless quality, transcending the current political climate. These books can easily become outdated.
Messner and Rex have brilliantly overcome this problem. How did they do it?
The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America's Presidents is set in the present at a museum that closely resembles the Smithsonian Museum of American History. 
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Visitors explore the halls, looking back in time and then imagining what may take place in the future. Past, present, and future are combined to inspire youngsters to become actively involved in the political process. It's an elegant construct that really works. Lots of good things here. Word bubbles and short descriptive passages offer fascinating factoids. ​
Rex uses a mixed media approach. Black line drawings mix with realistic portraits as well as stylized color wash renderings. The variety of styles reinforce a sense of traveling through time. A limited color palette consisting of various shades of red and blue gives a unifying visual effect. The figures are active, suggesting vibrancy and activism. This is not staid, stuffy old history. This is real, active, forward-thinking civic engagement.
A clever numbering system, hidden within each presidential likeness creates its own game to engage readers: find each numeral and arrange the list of presidents in sequential order. One very tricky presidential image is depicted out of historical sequence.  Youngster will enjoy the visual scavenger hunt to find the "hidden" president. Loads of fun!
A special touch precedes the title page.  It's a play on the use of phrase "This book belongs to:" and a signature line for claiming the book as personal property. The Next President begins with this statement before the title page "This country belongs to:" and a line for writing one's name.  
Back matter is a treasure trove of supplemental information including a United States Map that charts presidential birthplaces. It should be no surprise that Virginia leads the list with eight presidents. Additional resources consist of the requirements to be president of the United States as explained in the Constitution, a note on the changing face of the American Presidency, suggested books for young readers, and a more extensive bibliography for older readers.
An excellent pictorial review of American political history that is apolitical. A wonderful introduction to civic engagement. The timing of this book's publication makes it an excellent introduction to the upcoming presidential election. Using the past and the present, this book invites youngsters to think about a future for themselves and for their country. It's a consideration brimming with possibilities.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​And where is the next president now? It's exciting to think about, isn't it?
Pub date: March 24, 2020  Publisher: Chronicle Books  ISBN: 978-1452174884
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Justice is Served

1/13/2020

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​Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Big Words)
by Doreen Rappaport ill by Eric Velasquez

I got the idea that being a lawyer was a pretty good thing, because you could do something for your society.
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This generously-sized picture book celebrates the life and legacy of the second woman to serve as a Supreme Court Justice.
Using her trademark format, biographical narrative interspersed with appropriate quotations,  Rappaport recounts important events in the life of this influential woman. 
The U.S Constitution serves as a backdrop for the cover’s close-up portrait of the Associate Justice. Looking directly into the faces of readers, Ruth is clear-eyed and resolute. ​Opening pages feature Ruth as a young girl, her childhood filled with books and school activities, music and traditional Jewish observances.
Ruth loved her mother, who taught her to work hard, think for herself, and act independently.
My mother was the bravest and strongest person I have known.
The well-researched profile highlights Ginsburg’s scholarship, her efforts to overcome inequities she experienced firsthand and witnessed in the lives of others, her marriage and family, and the crowning achievement of her professional life: nomination to the Supreme Court. Rappaport supports the narrative with interesting details.
Velasquez' stunning images of Ruth begin with a tender girl and conclude with a joy-filled group portrait of the four women who have served or are currently serving as Supreme Court Justices. Intervening pages reveal Ginsburg's developing maturity and gradual aging.  Her innate girlish shyness is replaced with growing resolve, and and quiet confidence. Facial expressions and body language reflect her evolving self-assurance.
Rich back matter includes a timeline of events, author's note, illustrator's note, selected bibliography with additional resources, acknowledgements, and source notes. This excellent introduction to a remarkable individual, Ruth Objects: The Life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a worthy addition to classroom and children’s library collections.

Big Words: Picture Book Series

A variety of illustrators capture the individual’s essence in each of Rappaport’s beautifully presented biographies. The artist's style is appropriate to the subject. The realistic Frederick Douglass portrait is rendered in somber tones. Helen Keller is positioned in profile, rather than a direct full face. John Lennon’s glasses reveal the title in his left lens and a mirrored reflection of the words in his right lens. Each portrait could be a framed work of art. Discover this glorious series.
Captivating life stories. Memorable quotations. Gorgeous art. Stellar series.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: February 11, 2020  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion   ISBN: 978-1484747179
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King Shaka: Zulu Legend by Luke W. Molver

11/4/2019

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King Shaka Zulu Legend by Luke W. Molver

He who beats but is not beaten
The voracious one of Senzangakhona
Whose spear is red, even on the handle.
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King Shaka: Zulu Legend continues the fascinating story of this historic figure, Introduced in Shaka Rising: A Legend of the Warrior Prince. As with the first volume, Molver sets the work of historical fiction within the context of a storyteller capturing the rapt attention of her audience as she continues her tale.
​This format emphasizes the importance of an oral language tradition, the epic "larger than life" stature of King Shaka, and mythological elements in this graphic novelization.
With his rise to power King Shaka united many of the local clans resulting in the Zulus becoming a dominant force throughout south Africa. Shaka maintained an elaborate system of governance which provided protection and assistance while allowing local chiefs some autonomy over their own lands.
​It was during his reign that white settlers arrived on Zulu soil. Attempts to establish relationships between the Zulu and the British were difficult and less than successful.
Molver paints Shaka as a conflicted man. The demands of ruling, fighting attacks from neighboring clans, negotiating the arrival of white settlers, receiving conflicting advice from those he trusted took their toll.
Finding the balance between the roles of conqueror and protector, between uprooting treachery and honoring family loyalty were part of King Shaka's ongoing governing challenges. His leadership strengths outweighed his missteps.
The role of women during King Shaka's reign is fascinating. While the culture was patriarchal, women held positions of prominence and influence. Shaka's mother, referred to as She Elephant and his aunt known as The Kingmaker exerted considerable influence. Shaka appointed women as amakhosikazi, overseers in outlying areas who served as proxies for the king.
Bold color palette and strong images which aggressively dominate each panel accentuate the life and times of this compelling historical figure.
His influence and place in Africa's history have earned him the honorific title of legend. King Shaka is now regarded as the founder of the Zulu nation.
Rich back matter enhances the work. Sections include: "The Story Continues," "How Accurate is This Story?" "The Historical Setting of King Shaka's Time," "The Challenges of Leadership," "Zulu Political Structures," "The Role of Women," "Siblings," "The Royal Homestead," "Zulu Culture and Beliefs," "Language and Naming," "Questions and Ideas for Going Deeper," "Glossary," and "Pronunciation Guide."
Learn about the Shaka’s early life and his rise to power in Shaka Rising: A Legend of the Warrior Prince.
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Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 1, 2019 Publisher: Story Press Africa: 978-1946498939
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Women’s Business

9/24/2019

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Charlotte Brontë Before Jane Eyre
by Glynnis Fawkes introduction by Alison Bechdel

Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! -
​I have as much soul as you, - and full as much heart!
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​Charlotte Brontë Before Jane Eyre is an insightful and well-researched portrait of young Charlotte Brontë.
Prologue features Brontë receiving a letter from England's Poet laureate Robert Southey. A series of panels focus on Charlotte and the emotions that play across her face as she reads his critique of her poetry. 
Literature cannot be the business of a woman's life.
This opening sets the stage for an illustrated chronology of the sixteen-year struggle for Brontë and her sisters Emily and Anne to establish themselves as authors. The 1800’s were not a period favorable for educated women who aspired to move beyond the traditional vocations of teacher or governess.
Following the death of her mother, Charlotte is sent, along with her three sisters, to an austere boarding school. Both of her of older sisters die from "consumption" and the two younger girls are withdrawn from the school.
The four surviving Brontë children remain at home, where their imaginations take flight as they create an elaborate world based on a set of toy soldiers. They call their fantasy world Glass Town. It becomes the basis for their early ventures into writing.
We will be the subject of tales and verse for years to come! Hooray for Great Glass Town!
Eventually Charlotte and Emily return to school and prepare to become teachers. Both girls find the life of a teacher and governess to be distasteful. They want to write. Assuming constant care of young charges leaves no time for these accomplished siblings to pursue their passion for writing. They receive this advice: women cannot support themselves as authors.
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Finally the sisters determine that they will find a way to see their work in published form. All three women submit novels for consideration. Anne's Agnes Grey and Emily's Wuthering Heights are accepted. Charlotte's The Professor is rejected. Fortunately Charlotte receives this encouraging response: perhaps she might write another novel for consideration. She gets to work on a story set on the moors. The main character is neither wealthy nor glamorous. She has endured a painful childhood. Despite difficulties the heroine is determined to succeed. Her name is Jane Eyre.
Brontë writes, pouring her life and her heart into the work. When she is ready to submit her final clean copy of Jane Eyre she learns that if the publisher rejects the novel she must pay both sending and returning shipping fees. She risks a double payment if the novel is rejected. She decides to send the manuscript.
I've been writing incessantly for a year- what will come of it?
Her book is accepted.
Fawkes concludes Brontë’s story with a full-page tribute to Jane Eyre. First published in 1847, it has never been out of print, has been adapted numerous times for a variety of media, and translated into approximately sixty languages.
Emily Bechdel’s Forward serves as a a personal and fitting introduction.​ Back matter is a treasure trove of valuable resources. Author’s Postscript offers a rationale for focusing on the life of Charlotte, the influence of the Glass Town Saga, and the necessity of editing Brontë’s writing to fit within the constraints of sequential art. Panel Discussions meticulously document specific details with supporting sources of information. Selected Bibliography, Credits, and a Thank You conclude the work.
It is not necessary to read or to even be familiar with the novels of Brontë to appreciate her ongoing efforts to establish herself as a credible author. Her story is a moving tribute to the desire to follow one’s passion regardless of societal mores. Above all, it is a poignant glimpse into the struggle to advance the stature of literary women.
This beautiful and thought-provoking graphic novel is part of The Center for Cartoon Studies reality-based cartoon series. A rich resource and worthy addition to libraries and the school curriculum.
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Fawkes line drawings and ink wash are an excellent medium for the pastoral British Isles ​setting.
Meet Glynnis Fawkes as she discusses two of her recent projects.

Brontë Times Three

Can't get enough of Brontë? Try this imaginative introduction to Glass Town, the fantasy world created by the Brontë siblings, a graphic novel version of Jane Eyre, and a young adult novel inspired by Jane Eyre.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher
Pub date: September 24, 2019  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1368045827​
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Finding Her Voice

8/5/2019

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A Likkle Miss Lou:
​
How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice

by Nadia L. Hohn ill by Eugenie Fernandes

‘I wish’ I wished, ‘that I could be
A poet great and with my pen
Trace paths of peace and harmony
For the uncertain minds of men.’

​May 1, 1928
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A picture book brimming with poetry, rhythms, and song, A Likkle Miss Lou: How Jamaican Poet Louise Bennett Coverley Found Her Voice introduces young readers to the early years of a native poet and performance artist. 
Nadia L. Hohn describes Louise's fascination with the speech she that was an integral part of her daily life. Jamaican patois, an English-based creole language with a West African influence is spoken by the most Jamaicans.
At school, she was required to restrict her language to what was considered "proper" English. Louise was reprimanded by her teacher when she included words and phrases from Jamaican dialect in her assignments. ​Fortunately, she became a student at Excelsior College, where acceptance and appreciation for her native tongue was encouraged.
​Hohn's narrative is rich and colorful. She captures the flavor and cadence of the language in this sumptuous feast of poetic expression. 
Like a doctor bird's wings, the words tickled Louise's ear and like peanut drops, they stuck.
Fernandes' illustrations tell their own tale. Louise's face moves from doubt and discouragement to wonder and joy. The animated faces of her classmates and native storytellers feature a variety of warm shades of brown.
Back matter includes an extensive Note from the Author with details on the life and works of Coverley. Hohn describes her own introduction to the works of this poet. A glossary, with photos of peanut drops and water crackers, is helpful. References contains a citation list.
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Spread out youself deh, Liza.
Dress ooman a come.
A picture book that sparkles with a love for language. Excellent as an introduction to the power of one's own voice and as a validation of student self-expression.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: August 13, 2019  Publisher: Owlkids ISBN: 978-1771473507
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Tummy Trouble

7/30/2019

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Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Can you be sick even if you're not sick?
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Uber-talented Raina Telgemeier has done it again. She has created a companion volume to her endearing and enduring classics Smile and Sisters. Guts is also autobiographical. It recounts Telgemeier’s bouts with stress and the mental, social, and emotional costs of anxiety. This may be her most personal book to date, detailing her childhood panic attacks, phobias, and anxiety. She opens up about the distress that she experienced and her body's responses to these fears. ​
Beginning in the fourth grade, Raina begins worrying about vomiting, an experience that assaults all of the senses: sight, sound, taste, and smell. The possibility of throwing up, even hearing the word vomit becomes a trigger, sending her to the bathroom.
​Stress-provoking factors multiply. They include crowded living conditions, fear of speaking in public, the possibility of contracting the flu, and eating contaminated food. The result: this young girl spends her days and nights in a state of continual turmoil.
There are numerous visits to doctors who suggest possible causes. Everything from food poisoning to puberty and Irritable bowel syndrome are suggested. ​None of these diagnoses seem accurate.
Fortunately, her mother suggests therapy and arranges for Raina to meet with a professional who helps her work through her issues.  Together they plan ways that she can anticipate anxiety triggers and deal effectively with her angst. She eventually reaches the point where she can share her coping techniques with others. She is amazed to learn that she is not alone. Others have health-related problems. Others find therapy helpful. 
Raina brilliantly uses the graphic novel format to tell her story. She knows when to over-fill a panel or page with people and actions, reinforcing her suffocating claustrophic feelings. Panel placement is an integral part of the story, at times horizontal bands move from the top of the bottom of the page.  Full page panels set the scene and provide important background information.  A full page is a significant statement which invites readers to pause. One of my favorites is the full-page image of her sneakers.  As readers pause to consider what it feels like to look down at shoes and become "grounded" they can experience the value of this technique.
Facial expressions and body language are a hallmark of her work. She effectively captures fear, frustration, and eventually, self-confidence.
Panels which are predominantly green signal her moments of extreme distress. A swirling mass of worry and doubt encircle Raina in various shades of green.
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The poignant dedication acknowledges the fears that many children face. Telgemeier reaches out to her readers, describing her pain and the ways it manifests itself. Individual battles with stress will vary. However children who live with anxiety will see and understand that they are not alone.
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​Thanks Raina. It takes courage to relive painful childhood experiences. It takes talent to accurately record your experiences in comic format. It takes empathy to share your journey through dark moments with young readers. It takes intention to seek help through therapy.
You are a woman of courage, talent, empathy, and guts.
Readers are fortunate that their beloved author has shared her story.
Thank you.
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Telgemeier Treasures

Collect them all. They are kid-tested, award-winning, time-honored classics. 
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 17, 2019  Publisher: Graphix  ISBN: 978-0545852500
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On Your Toes

3/13/2019

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Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins
by Michelle Meadows ill Ebony Glenn

This is the girl who danced...
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​Echoing the rhythmic quality of dance, Meadows uses rhyming couplets to tell the story of Janet Collins.  The cumulative syntax traces her story from early beginnings to prima ballerina with the Metropolitan Opera House.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1917 and raised in Los Angeles, California, Janet displayed not only talent, but a love for dance. ​
In a time when dance opportunities were limited for a youngster of color, Collins found ways to realize her dream. Whether it was finding teachers or studying and performing other forms of dance including Spanish, Caribbean, and African, she continued to pursue her passion.
Collins' determination to be true to herself and her heritage is remarkable.  She was invited to join Ballet Russe with the stipulation that she lighten her skin. She refused. She would find ways to dance, but on her terms.
Glenn captures the joyous enthusiasm of a young girl and the willowy body of a gifted dancer. She uses a realistic approach, positioning bodies in classic ballet style with arms gracefully rounded, fingertips with thumb and middle finger slightly curved inward. The arms are always extended, reaching out and up. The bearing is regal.  Glenn's color palette allows Janet’s skin to be the focal point. The gorgeous sienna skin makes each pose more elegant and visually arresting.
This picture book is enriched with an author's note which provides additional information on the life of Janet Collins. Two small photographs of Collins as a professional performer provide a real life look at this beautiful, poised woman. A list of print and online resources is also included.
Together Meadows and Glenn have choreographed a sparkling tribute to dedication, persistence and above all, the wonder of dance. Youngsters will be enchanted and inspired by Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins.
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Young Ballerinas

Meet Misty Copeland, Siena Cherson, and Maria Tallchief. Each dreamed of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Each practiced endless hours, pushing her body to execute difficult moves with precision and grace. Along with Janet Collins, they are role models for aspiring dancers.
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Copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: January 8, 2019  Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)  ISBN:  978-1250127730
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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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