Module #4—Newbery Winners- Johnny Tremain

“Johnny Tremain”

By Esther Forbes

Book Summary: 

“Johnny Tremain” is the 1944 winner of the Newbery Award.  Johnny has an apprenticeship with a silversmith, but a horrible accident burning his hand changes his occupation and his life.  Finding a job in a printing shop, he finds camaraderie and direction in assisting with the cause for independence during the pre-Revolutionary time. 

APA Reference:

Forbes, E. (1443/1969). Johnny Tremain. (3^rd ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

  

My Impressions: 

This well-known story is a classic which stands the test of time, blending timeless difficulties, interests, and causes.  Historic events and figures are intermingled with the problems Johnny solves.  The accident as a silversmith’s apprentice left him without a secure future.  Swimming was the only activity where Johnny felt “normal.”  He ended up working at a printing press and becoming involved in political escapades.  His friend Rab was a role-model for Johnny and the two had great adventures, including assisting with the infamous Boston Tea Party.  The story ends on a happy note when Johnny not only solves the mystery of the missing cup, but has his hand and self-esteem restored.  

Johnny Tremain is not a fast-paced story as popular novels are today, but the historical value of this fictionalized story makes this a worthwhile read. 

Professional Review: 

Although dry by today’s standards, Johnny Tremain gives a look into the past with positive messages.  This educational, “well told tale” presents opportunities for discussion and interest in our nation’s governmental foundations and historical events.  Recommended for middle-school children aged 11 years.

Docherty, J. (n.d.). [Review of the book Johnny Tremain by E. Forbes]. Common Sense Media. Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/.

Book Week compares Johnny Tremain to “Jim Hawkins, Huck Finn and other young immortals" as author, Esther Forbs portrays the young protagonist “with such sympathy and insight…

[Review of the book Johnny Tremain by E. Forbes]. (n.d.) Book Week. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/.

Library Uses: 

Reading this historical fiction story in a middle school classroom can supplement history lessons, showing young students life as it was in pre-Revolutionary America in the 1700’s.  Discussion on lifestyles during this era allows creation of book reports, posters, plays, shadow boxes, or other creative classroom activities.

Module #3—Caldecott Winners- Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten’s First Full Moon
by Kevin Henkes

Book Summary: 
Beautifully illustrated and written by Kevin Henkes, this 2005 winner of the Caldecott medal is about a little kitten that thought the moon was a bowl of milk and the adventures she encounters in attempting to obtain a drink.

Henkes’ simple black and white illustrations emphasize contrast and highlight certain features, such as the white, fullness of the moon, which Kitten thinks is a full bowl of milk, compared to the darkness of the night.  Children are drawn to these visual comparisons and find empathy for Kitten in his search. 

APA Reference:

Henkes, K. (2004). Kitten's first full moon. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

My Impressions: 
With black and white pictures and very simple text, story tells a wonderful tale in which very young children can relate, the trial and error of attempting to get what is simply out of reach and the consequences that may occur.  Problem solving is a learned skill, as children will find along with Kitten; from eating bugs to getting down from a tree which she has climbed.

Professional Review:

A summary is included after the description of Kitten and her irresistible first impression of licking her paw.  This charming  scene opens a “fetchingly simple story [that is] quite irresistible.”  After depictions of her adventures, artistry is cited; “cinematic use of the spreads, rendered in variegated hues of black and white, in gouache and colored pencil” will endear Kitten to readers and listeners ages 3 and up.

[Review of the book Kitten’s First Full Moon by K. Henkes]. (2004, Feb. 16). Publisher’s Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/. 

Library Uses: 
Problem solving skills can be enhanced with the use of this story in a parent/toddler program session.  Using the kitten as an example, toddlers can reason that how something appears is not always real.  Like playing Peek-a-Boo, a subject does not disappear because it is hidden.

Module #3—Caldecott Winners- Ox-Cart Man

"Ox-Cart Man" 
 by Donald Hall

Book Summary: 
This 1980 Caldecott winner tells of the cycle of work and life on an 18^th century farm in New England.  Each family member plays an integral part in helping with the family economics throughout the year-- going through how items are made, sold and every item sold to support the family through the year.  Even the containers are sold to support the family operation.
 
The pictures are straight-forward so the message is clear—they convey simplicity of lifestyle with their uncomplicated drawings of every-day life.  Reason enough to award this story the Caldecott medal.

APA Reference
Hall, D., & Cooney, B. (1979). Ox-cart man. New York, NY: Viking Press. 

My Impressions: 
Describing the repeating family activities gives the reader of the cyclical rhythm of family life and seasons on this Amish farm.  The illustrations are excellent for transporting the reader/listener into the 19^th century setting, making one feel the slow but steady pulse of how each action affects the outcome and continuance of family economics and their life-cycle.  I thought the farmer kissing the ox as he sold it, shows his care for the animals and the way he looks at life’s consistency. 

Professional Review:
The cadence of the verse intertwined with the concrete family commodities, containers and even the cart and ox sold at Portsmouth depict life’s cyclic rhythms in this plain and pleasant story.  Description of how each item is made, how it is sold for needed items and how the new items assist in supporting the future support for the family.  Cooney’s folk-art illustrations are touted as plain yet satisfying, as she follows the farmer along the countryside. 

[Review of the book The Ox-cart Man by D. Hall]. (n.d.). Kirkus Reviews. Available from http://www.kirkusreviews.com/. 

Library Uses: 
This story could be used to teach youngsters the merit of each individual’s effect and importance on family economics and the natural cycle of young animals and their growth, seasons, and economics.

Module #2--Classic Chapter Books-Blue Willow

"Blue Willow" by Doris Gates  

Book Summary: 
Janey and her family have been moving from place to place because her dad needs the work during the difficult Depression times of the 1930’s.  They finally find a home near the beautiful house that looks just like the scene on her precious blue willow plate—the single beautiful heirloom from her deceased mother.

A picnic at the ideal locale under the willows, a trip to the fair with good friends the Romero family, a new school, and dad winning the cotton-picking contest —all seems too good to be true.  But winter comes, the rent is due and the harsh, hired man, Bounce is determined to chase them off.  Then Janey’s step-mother falls ill and there are the doctor bills.  Can Janey’s willow plate help save her new-found happy home?

APA Reference: 
Gates, D. (1940/1968). Blue willow. (9th ed.).  New York, NY: Scholastic Book Services.

My Impressions:
This old-time award-winner went to great lengths to explain details and three-fourths of the book was spent developing the conflict of the story.  By today’s standards, this story is very slow-moving and uneventful, but the underlying elements of self-sacrifice, honesty and hard work are reinforced by a happy ending. 

Professional Review: 
Walker reviews this book giving recent and original publishing information, language level for ages 8-12 and a 5 star rating of excellent.  The insightful comments are helpful in putting this book in perspective; “Today, it seems like historical fiction to us, but when it was published it would have been considered contemporary fiction. I call books like this “period fiction,” fiction written during what is now a historical period that accurately portrays life in that period for later generations.”

Summary is given of the Larkin family, their circumstances, the blue willow plate that is Janey’s only possession of her deceased mother’s, and the conflict that is really “the beginning of something wonderful”.  The author continues with a more values-based evaluation which recommends this Newbery Medal winner.

Walker W. S. (2010, March 6). [Review of the book Blue Willow, by D. Gates]. Home School Book Review. Retrieved from http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolbookreview/770048/.

Library Uses: 
This book could be used by the many home-schooled students that use our library.  Parents visit with their students and have particular books in mind to borrow when they come.  This book could be used as historical fiction for the 1930’s Great Depression era, reinforcing history and literature for their curriculum.