Book Reviews from Mrs. H.

 This biography review covers the life of a presidential daughter. Book Review #11, What to Do About Alice? 1.        Bibliography: Kerley, Barbara. What to do About Alice? .   Scholastic Press; 2008. ISBN: 978043992313. 2.        Plot Summary: This biographical tale is the true story of Alice Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt’s oldest child. Alice was known to be tough, and ahead of her times. She had to wear braces on her legs, but didn’t want or expect anyone’s sympathy. After spending some time having fun riding a bicycle, she was sent to a boarding school to learn how to be a young lady. Things changed even more for her when her father became the president, and the family moved to the White House. Alice’s behaviors and actions were always being watched and criticized. Eventually, Alice gets married and has her own life, but she is still remembered for living a full life full of spunk. This is an important story that...

 We are moving on to nonfiction/informational text books.  Book Review #10, Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and her Family’s Fight for Desegregation 1.        Bibliography: Tonatiuh, Duncan. Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and her Family’s Fight for Desegregation .   Harry N. Abrams; 2014. ISBN: 9781419710544. 2.        Plot Summary: This true story tells the sale of Sylvia Mendez and her family, as they fight for Sylvia to have the right to attend a public school, instead of a Mexican school that she was assigned to. The Mexican school was not equal to the public school in many areas, and was a part of segregation. This book is an example of a social history nonfiction book. 3.        Critical Analysis: This picture book tells an important story about a fight for desegregation in history, one that perhaps is little known compared to other more well-known stories,...

Here is the latest in my round of poetry book reviews!  Book Review #9, Rebound 1.        Bibliography: Alexander, Kwame. HMH Books for Young Readers; 2018. ISBN: 9780544868137. 2.        Plot Summary: This is the second book in the Crossover series. While the first book focuses on two brothers, this one goes back in time to tell their father’s story. In the 1980s, Charlie is a comic book loving middle school student, grieving over the loss of his father. He spends the summer with his grandparents, where he learns to appreciate the sport of basketball. This book is written entirely in poetic verse, just like The Crossover. 3.        Critical Analysis: This is a very touching story written in poetic verse. Each “chapter” is its own poem. Each poem is different than the others in style. “Looking Back” is the first poem in the story, bringing readers into Charlie’s world with details such a...

 This book review is on a poetry book that is moon themed. Book Review #8, A Full Moon is Rising 1.        Bibliography: Singer, Marilyn. Lee and Low Books; 2011. ISBN: 9781620141960. 2.        Plot Summary: This is a book of poems that are connected only by one thing- the moon. The book examines the role that the moon plays all across the world. China, India, Mexico, Israel and the USA are some of the places featured in the book. The book starts and ends with Broadway in New York City. 3.        Critical Analysis: This topical poem book starts off with a note about how we only have one moon in our world, along with some facts about the moon. Moon drawings accompany this text, showing the moon in different phases. The book then opens with the poem, “Broadway Moon”, which is where it closes too. This first poem compares the moon to an actor, making a stage debut, “On the sidewalk, an audi...

  We are entering the vivacious world of jazz music with this book review! Book Review #7, Jazz 1.        Bibliography: Myers, Walter Dean. Holiday House; 2008. ISBN: 9780823421732. 2.        Plot Summary: This is a book of 15 poems that celebrates jazz music and its musicians, starting in the beginning with some introductions, and ending in New Orleans, followed by a glossary of jazz terminology. The book is a celebration of jazz music and culture. 3.        Critical Analysis: This is a very fun book that is sure to increase jazz appreciation. The introduction of the book explains jazz elements, such as melody and rhythm, explain how African and European music were influential in this movement. A history of the jazz movement follows, ending with “Ultimately it becomes, like all art, a dialogue between the artist and the audience, a dialogue that is still vital, still fun, and still Amer...

 Enjoy my latest book review! Book Review #6, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins 1.        Bibliography: Kimmel, Eric. Scholastic Inc., 1990. ISBN: 0590440578. 2.        Plot Summary: This is a tale about how a village can no longer celebrate Hanukkah, due to goblins that cause trouble whenever the village people try to do things, such as light candles, or make latkes. One man, Hershel, decides that he will try to help the people, thinking it will not be too difficult. Hanukkah is celebrated over eight nights, so the story unfolds over those eight nights. Each night, Hershel works hard to outwit the goblins. All appears to go well, until the king of the goblins arrives early. Although he is scary, Hershel still works very hard to trick the king, allowing the villagers to enjoy the last night of Hanukkah. 3.        Critical Analysis: This is a fun story to share to celebrate Hanukkah. The s...

  Hi everyone! Here is my 5th review, from a favorite author/illustrator: Book Review #5, The Lion and the Mouse! 1.        Bibliography: Pinkney, Jerry.   Little, Brown and Company, 2009. ISBN 99780316013567. 2.        Plot Summary: This wordless book is a retelling of the traditional tale of The Lion and the Mouse . This book uses only lustrous illustrations combined with a few animal sound effect words such as “grrr” and “screech” to tell a tale of friendship. A little mouse wanders around an African landscape, when he is caught by a lion. Rather than eat or hurt him, the lion lets the mouse go free, where he is returned to his mouse family. Later, hunters set a trap, catching the mighty lion in a net. While out exploring again, the mouse sees the trapped lion. Although he is small, he uses his teeth and hands to gnaw through the rope, freeing the lion. The mouse, again, returns to his family, but not before a ...