Book Corner by Sharon Levin
Welcome to 2003! So many events, so little time! This first part of this column is mainly for my Bay Area readers, or those of you who are bigger author groupies than I am and want to travel out here.February 8, 12 - 4 p.m. - Author and Illustrator Faire - Orion School, Redwood City. Okay, I have a vested interest in this one, since it's a fundraiser for my daughters' school, but check out our lineup!! National Book Award winner, Nancy Farmer, Robert San Souci, Elisa Kleven, Shirley Climo, John Clapp and Bob Barner. There will be presentations and book signings, admission is free.
This reminds me of something my daughter said the other day. She was reading, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg and I said to her, "You know, that was the first author I ever met." She asked me how old I was at the time and when I told her "Ten" she said, "Wow, you were old." (At least she didn't use the present tense of the verb.) I tried to explain to her that not every child is raised on author signings and presentations, plus I sought out Mrs. Konigsburg (groupie behavior started at an early age, thank goodness she cancelled the restraining order) and that no author ever came to my school.
In the Bay Area, you could go hear an author at least once a week, if not more, we are EXTREMELY lucky to have these valuable resources available to us.
For those of you who enjoy the study of children's literature, we have one of the BEST conferences in the country on multicultural children's literature. Reading the World, March 1 & 2 at the University of San Francisco. The unparalleled illustrators, husband and wife team, Leo and Diane Dillon will be presenting and they are as much fun to listen to as their artwork is to look at. They once said that the reason they work together is that they're both extremely competitive and they decided the only way for their marriage to work was not to have separate and competing careers. Hudson Talbott will be there with Jaap Penraat, the hero of his book Forging Freedom. Naomi Shihab Nye, Gerald McDermott, Herb Kohl, Alma Flor Ada and so many more. Check it out at www.soe.usfca.edu/childlit.
So, y'all want to hear about a couple of books this month? Okay, twist my arm.
Grandma U, by Jeanie Franz Ransom, illustrated by Lucy Corvino (Peachtree, 2002) This book is one of the examples of why I often need to read a book a few times before forming an opinion. I did not care for this on first read through, I found it condescending, assuming that grandmothers would be nervous and insecure about becoming grandmothers. Then I showed it to a new grandma and it instantly resonated for her, so I took another look. The premise? About to be grandmas go to school to learn everything they've forgotten since they had children in addition to all the 'new' stuff (computers, etc.), although the 'most important thing of all' can't be taught. I now really enjoy the book, especially the part where the main character brings storebought cookies to cookie day and discovers that 'grandkids don't care if you make cookies or buy them. All they care about is spending time with you.' This is a great gift book for first time grandmas. If you get this book, please e-mail me and let me know what you think.
Speaking of gift books, Mrs. Spitzer's Garden, by Edith Pattou, illustrated by Tricia Tusa (Harcourt, Inc. 2001) is the perfect end of the year present for a teacher. Mrs. Spitzer, a teacher, receives her 'seeds' from the school principal in September. She plants them waters, feeds them and makes sure they get plenty of sun. 'She knows that different plants need different things. And that each plant has its own shape.' This wonderful view of a classroom being a garden is absolutely delightful. Tricia Tusa's illustrations are the perfect accompaniment. Ms. Tusa's work is showing up more and more and I always find her pictures add so much to every book she does.
That's it for this month, except for one last personal plug. If you're on the Peninsula, I'll be teaching classes on Great Books for Preschoolers and one on Great Books for K-2 through Redwood City Parks and Rec and through Sequoia Adult Ed. I'd love to see you there!
Sharon Levin can be reached at sharonlevin@mindspring.com.
Read previous months' Book Corner features from Sharon Levin:
December
November
October
September
Reviews
Forging Freedom: A True Story of Heroism During the Holocaust
Hudson Talbott
As a child, Jaap Penraat helped his Jewish neighbors by being their "Shabbas Goy," a non-Jew who performs chores forbidden to Jews on the Sabbath. As an adult in Nazi occupied Holland, Jaap did not abandon his Jewish friends. He forged identity and work papers to smuggle over four hundred young men out of Europe. This exciting account dramatizes Jaap's first rescue mission, depicting Jaap as a calm and clever hero who young readers should find inspiring. The book provides straightforward historical background without graphic details of horror, making this sixty-four-page volume suitable for elementary school readers. Talbott's topnotch illustrations are well-designed, amplifying the text in an arresting manner. For example, one double-page spread shows Hitler's head on a map of Europe. Barbed wire tentacles extend from the despot's head, suggesting a demonic octopus with myriad arms. Another double-page spread surrounds text with images of Nazi storm troopers. This book engages the eye, the mind and the heart. It could be well utilized in values curriculums. ESL students and older reluctant readers who need high interest/low reading level books should also find it stimulating. 2000, G. P. Putnam, $15.99. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf
ISBN: 0-399-23434-9
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Books About Trauma, Tragedy and Loss, 2002 ; Children's Book Council; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2002 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2001 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States
State Reading Lists:
Virginia State Young Readers' Award, 2003 ; Virginia
Grandma U
Jeanie Franz Ransom
Illustrated by Lucy Corvino
How about a picture book dedicated to the proposition that a woman who finds out she is about to become a grandmother will have to enroll in school to learn how to fulfill that role? This rather absurd notion is pursued by the author, a school counselor, to the extent of having Molly McCool and four other anxious but jolly ladies study such subjects as diaper changing (called coyly "Bottoms Up"), making silly faces, reading the same book over and over, playing games, exploring the Internet, and baking cookies. Surely any reasonably intelligent woman could master these skills on her own! (The reader notices that the grandfather is apparently not in need of such education.) One redeeming feature is the suggestion that each can perform these duties in her own way, but the conclusion that the most important attribute of a grandparent is to love the baby is redundantly self-evident. While the bright and lively illustrations in watercolor and colored pencil seem designed to appeal to the youngest readers, the subject matter would appear to be more absorbing to prospective grandmothers who might buy the book. It is hard to imagine toddlers being much interested in their grandmother's credentials from Grandma U. If teachers or parents want to explore the child-grandparent relationship, they would probably do better to try more authentic stories like Valerie Flournoy's The Patchwork Quilt or Patricia Polacco's Thunder Cake, among many others. 2002, Peachtree, $15.95. Ages 3 to 5. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft
ISBN: 1-56145-214-9
Mrs. Spitzer's garden
Edith Pattou
Illustrated by Tricia Tusa
Mrs. Spitzer knows what seeds need to grow and flourish and that different plants require different care. The wise teacher also knows how to make the "seeds" in her classroom grow, to cultivate them until it is time for them to move on, and then accept her new "packet of seeds" from her principal in the new school year. Some children may not get the parallel at first, but with the help of Tusa's light-hearted ink and watercolor drawings of anthropomorphic flowers and pumpkins marching off on spindly legs, the visual metaphor should soon become evident. Double-page scenes are bright with the paper's whiteness behind the fantasy of frogs with head kerchiefs and flowers with smiling faces, all tended lovingly by their engaged overseer. Not only should this book delight youngsters, it should surely warm the heart of any teacher. Buy a copy for your favorite! 2001, Harcourt, $16.00. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
ISBN: 0-15-201978-2
Best Books:
Children's Book Sense 76 Picks, Fall 2001 ; Book Sense 76; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 2002 Picture Books United States
State Reading Lists:
Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2003 ; Kentucky
Silent to the Bone
E.L. Konigsburg
In the past several years, E. L Konigsburg has shown us her gift for taking complex ideas and expressing them with a spare, seemingly simple poetic voice that captivates readers. But when the covers of the book close, readers are haunted by how this simple structure all hangs together. Her originality of form and word unite to transform both her characters and her readers, and it appears effortless. The plot of her newest novel seems derivative of recent news reporting. Thirteen-year-old Branwell Zamborska, calling 911 when his infant sister slips into a coma, is suddenly struck dumb. Vivian, the au pair, grabs the phone and explains that he has dropped and shaken his sister. Readers might be suspicious, but the police transport Branwell to a juvenile behavior center. Konigsburg elevates the mundane with the complicated relationship she unveils when Connor, Branwell's closest friend, becomes determined to get him talking again. Only Connor seems to understand that Branwell is screaming on the inside. And no one hears. Konigsburg shows respect for words and for her reader's intellect, and conveys the complexities of the relationship between family, friends and oneself. She captures the confusion and shame of first sexual stirrings, and masterfully depicts the sensitivity and thoughtfulness of two very bright children. 2000, Atheneum, $16.00. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Susie Wilde
The transcript of a distress call to 911 opens this story of silences, emergent sexuality, family and honor. Someone dropped Branwell's baby sister and Vivian, the pretty au pair, accuses him. But Branwell has stopped being able to speak, so no one knows his side of the story. When his best friend, Connor, is called in to help, the boys develop a creative method of communicating. Connor spreads out flashcards in front of Bran, who blinks at the one carrying a word or symbol that represents something or someone to the boys. Like the other children we have met from the town of Epiphany (The View from Saturday), these boys are bright and painfully sensitive. Connor gradually pieces together the crucial events, as well as Bran's emotional situation, by beginning to feel the allure of Vivian's taunting sexuality. By enlisting the help of his adult half-sister, and speaking with Branwell's father and stepmother, he facilitates some much needed bonding in both blended families. Although Vivian is drawn one-dimensionally as a sexual predator and cruelly neglectful babysitter, Connor and Branwell's story will speak volumes to sensitive young teen readers. 2000, Atheneum, $17.00. Ages 12 to 14. Reviewer: Jendy Murphy
ISBN: 0-689-83601-5
Best Books:
Best Books for Young Adults, 2001 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Capitol Choices, 2000 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2000 ; American Library Association-Booklist; United States
Fanfare Honor List, 2000 ; Horn Book; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2001 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, October 2000 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, September 2000 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal: Best Books, 2000 ; Cahners; United States
Young Adults' Choices, 2002 ; International Reading Association; United States
State Reading Lists:
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominees, 2003 ; Maryland
Charlotte Book Awards, 2002 ; New York
Iowa Teen Award, 2002-2003 ; Iowa
Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 2001-2002 ; Kentucky
Land of Enchantment Book Awards, 2002-2003 ; New Mexico
Lone Star Reading List, 2002-2003 ; Texas
Maine Student Book Award, 2001-2002 ; Maine
Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award, 2003 ; Oklahoma
Volunteer State Book Award, 2003 ; Tennessee
Young Hoosier Book Award, 2003 ; Indiana
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Added 2/1/03
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If you're interested in reviewing children's and young adult books, then send a resume and writing sample to marilyn@childrenslit.com.