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Book Summary
Fone Bone's cousin Phoney Bone has gotten himself in trouble again. In an effort to help Phoney escape the angry mobs in Boneville, Fone Bone and his other cousin Smiley Bone all run from Boneville. After traveling for some time, they realize they are completely lost. They find themselves caught in a storm of locusts which separates them all from each other. Fone Bone makes his way into a forest where he befriends many of the creatures. He also realizes that a dragon is watching over him and protecting him from the evil rat creatures who want nothing more than to eat him. Fone Bone also meets Thorn, a very attractive young girl who lives with her grandmother, a famous cow racer. Even with his newly found happy life in the forest, Fone Bone doesn't give up hope that he will find his cousins and return to Boneville.
My Thoughts
The story of Fone Bone and his adventures is truely a great read for anyone from elementary school students and up. Jeff Smith's expressive characters are illustrated so simply yet with so much emotion. This is a graphic novel series that I will continue to read and will recommend to friends and patrons.
Library Usage
This graphic novel is a great tool getting relectuant readers to start reading. I would use it on a display for graphic novels in the young adult section of the library as well as in a readers advisory pamphlet. It could also be used to help launch a library program or contest based on graphic novels.
Journal Reviews
School Library Journal
"A whimsical journey, cunningly told. It combines fable with American legend in a tale of greed, friendship, and struggle." Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA
Publishers Weekly, February 07, 2005
"The story is something like a Chuck Jones version of The Lord of the Rings: hilarious and action-packed, but rarely losing track of its darker subtext about power and evil. This volume is the most lighthearted of the bunch, though, featuring some of the wittiest writing of any children's literature in recent memory-a few of Smith's gags are so delicious that he repeated them for the rest of the series. This is first-class kid lit: exciting, funny, scary and resonant enough that it will stick with readers for a long time."
Book Summary
Young Albert Einstein never quite fit in. He had a horrible temper but was also very focused on how things work. He never enjoyed his studies until he was introduced to math. It fascinated him. He studied math and science. He eventually grew to become one of the most famous scientists in the world.
My Thoughts
This book offers young children a great introduction to Albert Einstein and how he became a scientist. The book barely makes mention of exactly what he is famous for but as a story about a boy who becomes a scientist, it is a good book.
Library Usage
Due to its limited text and eye-catching illustrations, this book would make an excellent read-aloud for a science oriented program for elementary school students.
Journal Reviews
Publishers Weekly, October 18, 2004
"Writing in the present tense, the author shares anecdotes that reveal young Einstein's character. The writing occasionally becomes muddy when discussing Einstein's scientific thinking and discoveries, targeting the book more to kids who identify with the hero's personality traits than to those interested in the man's ideas. But Brown's narrative and appealingly quirky pen-and-ink and watercolor art effectively illuminate the eccentricities and intelligence of Einstein the boy and the man." Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal, October 01, 2004
"This well-crafted picture-book biography focuses on Einstein's hard-to-classify brilliance, which led to awesome scientific discoveries, but all too often left him a misunderstood outsider. Through eloquent narrative and illustration, Brown offers a thoughtful introduction to an enigmatic man. This book will pique the interest of readers with little or no knowledge of Einstein." -Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Book Summary
This book describes the events that took place on August 24 and 25, AD 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the city of Pompeii. It also tells about the excavation of Pompeii and how the story of those days was pieced together. Included are photographs of the excavation site and the plaster casts of the bodies that were found.
My Thoughts
This book does an excellent job of teaching about Pompeii and the events that have taken place there since the eruption. It is extremely informative, explaining how the excavations were done as well as how the stories of those who died were figured out. The facts are given in an interesting way so as not to loose the interest of the reader.
Library Usage
I would use this book for a display on ancient times. It would also be useful in a reader's advisory recommended informational books.
Journal Reviews
School Library Journal, December 01, 2005
"In this well-researched account, Deem retells the story of this devastating eruption, combining a lively text with photographs of the bones and artifacts that have been unearthed through the years. Dramatic photographs of the casts capture the horror of this event and help readers to envision day-to-day life in this civilization. With incredibly engrossing images and narrative, this is a powerful and poignant piece of nonfiction." -Jodi Kearns, University of Akron, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Booklist, November 01, 2005
"What the text lacks in excitement is made up for by the enormous amount of information Deem offers, some of which was acquired in on-site research. But the jewels here are the numerous black-and-white (and some color) photographs, especially those featuring the plaster casts and skeletons of people in their death throes. The horizontal format, with pages looking as though they were partially bordered in marble, makes an attractive setting for the art. Excellent for browsers as well as researchers." --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2005
Book Summary
As a child born into slavery, Emma works hard to care for the children of plantation owner Pierce Butler. When Butler gambles all of his money away, he must sell his slaves in order to pay his debt. Throughout the slave auction there has been heavy rains which the slaves explain as god's tears for the horrible injustice that is taking place. On the last day of the auction, Butler requests Emma accompanies him in order to help watch over his two young daughters. Without warning, Emma is sold to a new owner and taken from her family and friends. Through stories told from each characters point of view, Lester pulls you into this story of Emma and her life as she goes from slave to a free woman.
My Thoughts
This is a very powerful book. It easily engages the reader in the story and shoves the reality of slavery in your face. It is heart wrenching to read about these families being torn apart so that a stupid man can pay off his gambling debt. Once you begin this book, it is nearly impossible to put down.
Library Usage
This book is a great way to tie together literature and history. Slavery is a fairly abstract concept in today's world but this book will help bring it to life in the mind's of young readers. Use this book in a book club setting since it will provide an excellent opportunity for discussion and teaching.
Journal Reviews
School Library Journal, March 01, 2005
"The text itself is easy to read and flows nicely. Different typefaces distinguish the characters' monologues, their dialogues with one another, and their memories. Still, middle school readers may have some difficulty following the plot until they get used to the unusual format. Altogether this novel does a superb job of showing the inhumanity of slavery. It begs to be read aloud, and it could be used in sections to produce some stunning reader's theatre." -Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Booklist, February 01, 2005
"From his first book, To Be a Slave (1968), Lester has told the history of slavery through personal accounts that relay the dehumanizing message of the perpetrators. The personal voices make this a stirring text for group discussion. Older readers may want to go on from here to the nonfiction narratives in Growing Up in Slavery." --Hazel Rochman Copyright 2005 Booklist
Book Summary
