Cool Salsa

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Carlson, Lori M., ed. Cool salsa: Bilingual poems on growing up Latino in the United States. Introduction by Oscar Hijuelos. Henry Holt and Company: New York. ISBN 0805031359

This book begins with a heart wrenching editors note and introduction. The editor’s note details her love of the Latin culture and how it shaped her future. The editor recalls her high school years in which only poets from Spain were in the Spanish class curriculum and how this must have had an affect on her Puerto Rican girl friend. She states that the poems selected are as varied as the Latin culture itself and “are about struggling to survive and finding respect, about dating and family, dreams and future plans, hot dogs, and orange trees.” She remarks on her search for the best Latino poems for this compilation as if trying to make up for and provide a venue for diverse Latin poetry.

The introduction by Oscar Hijuelos reads as a short autobiography of the lives of immigrants and their first generation American children. This sentence encompasses the reality of Latino immigrants in America – “That panic which characterized my parent’s lives, was what I was raised with; an unrelenting, unending sense of second classness that is perhaps common to all immigrants, but that was certainly enhanced by the gut feeling that we were not, nor ever would be, the inheritors of this earth, this America.”

The thirty-six poems are divided into six categories, School Days, Home and Homeland, Memories, Hard Times, Time to Party and a Promising Future. Some poems are in English, some in both English and Spanish and some translated into English. Many poems are free verse and many lose much in their translations. All are heartwarming and touching. One poem includes the N-word in context and as part of someone’s nickname. Even this poem touched my heart – in sadness for ignorance’s of the past. Includes a bibliography and glossary.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S) :

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: July 13, 1994

Illustrating the ``beat and pulse'' of generations of U.S. writers of Latin American heritage, the poems are presented both in the original and in translation; poems making use of both languages are easily accessible to English-only readers by virtue of an appended glossary of Spanish terms. In his introduction, Hijuelos ( The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love ) focuses on the ``unrelenting, unending sense of second classness'' that his parents experienced as Cuban emigrants and explains how this ``sense'' affected his uses of English and Spanish. The political agenda is not hidden, but the potency of the volume lies in Carlson's eclectic selection of voices--her volume approximates what one poet here calls ``a Mixtec chant that touches la tierra and the heavens.''

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: August 01, 1994

“Whether discussing the immigrant's frustration at not being able to speak English, the violence suffered both within and outside of the ethnic community, the familiar adolescent desire to belong, or celebrating the simple joys of life, these fine poems are incisive and photographic in their depiction of a moment. Some of the poets are well-known, others are not, but all contribute to the whole. The Spanish translations capture the sense of the English so well that without the translator's byline one would be hard pressed to discern the original language. The same is true for those few poems translated from Spanish to English. This is a must for multicultural collections, and excellent enrichment material for literature courses.”

Red Rock Mysteries: Haunted Waters and Stolen Secrets

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Jenkins, Jerry B. and Chris Fabry. 2005. Haunted Waters. Red Rock Mysteries. Tyndale Publishers: Colorado Springs. ISBN 1414301405

Jenkins, Jerry B. and Chris Fabry. 2005. Stolen Secrets. Red Rock Mysteries. Tyndale Publishers: Colorado Springs. ISBN 1414301405

Thirteen-year-old twins, Ashley and Bryce Timberline live in Colorado with their brother and mother. They also have a new stepfather and stepsister. After their father died in a plane crash, things have not been the same for the twins. Their one solace has been to ride ATV’s to school, but they soon catch the eye of and become the target of a school bully. When their stepfather offers to take them on a weekend getaway to a nearby gold nugget exhibit, they believe they have been granted a reprieve. Unfortunately, the teens seem to find trouble wherever they happen to be. When the gold nugget is stolen, Ashley’s camera seems to hold a key piece of evidence that the thieves want back.

This book was a great surprise to me. I expected a Christian book to be bland and boring, but was surprised to find myself engaged in the mystery and plot. The title of the book did not seem to fit with the storyline as there were not any haunted bodies of water. After finishing book one in the series, the suspenseful cliffhanger had me wanting to read the second book in the series. Book two had more quotes and references to the Bible and Jesus than did book one. Stolen secrets begins where Haunted Waters leaves off. In Stolen Secrets the twins discover how their new stepfather has a secret past and ties to their father's death. The second storyline involves two teen girls and an apparent abduction by a local vagabond, wayward young adult. The premise of the storyline is that people should not be judged harshly, but given a chance to explain themselves and their situations.I would recommend this series for any middle school student who enjoys reading mystery stories.

REVIEW EXCERPT:

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: May 30, 2005

“Jenkins and Fabry know their way around a suspenseful tale, and readers will enjoy taking the roller-coaster ride with this realistic family. Ashley's occasional discussions of her Christian faith are not center stage, but still an essential, believable part of her character, allowing readers an open door to ponder their own beliefs while enjoying a good yarn.”

Who Was First? : Discovering the Americas

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Freedman, Russell. 2007. Who was first? : Discovering the Americas. Houghton Mifflin: New York. ISBN 0618663916

This non-fiction book seeks to share the knowledge gleaned by many as to “who was first” to discover the Americas. Many textbooks have already been written that contain false or outdated and incorrect information. Freedman manages to contain all the known theories into one picture book for young adults. North America and South America were clearly full of inhabitants before the declaration of “discovery” by non-native visitors. Freedman follows the trail through history, first by providing the errors of granting Christopher Columbus the honor, then proceeds with the Vikings, Chinese, Spaniards and finally ends up with questioning how the “Native Americans” arrived as the first inhabitants.

This book contains a vast wealth of information in maps, pictures, photographs and drawings. It may seem like information overload, to pack so much into one text, but the story would not be complete chopped up into parts separate from the whole (story). I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I especially appreciate the way Freedman presented the story of the discovery of Americas diplomatically presenting all sides and leaving the question for further discussion. As always, Freedman backs up his non-fiction with a complete biography, chapter notes, acknowledgement and picture credits.

I highly recommend this book as an addition to any young adult library collection.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: November 01, 2007
“This focused, investigative presentation will enhance collections that typically feature individual explorer biographies or descriptions of specific ancient Native American civilizations. Freedman conveys the allure of history and research through anecdotes, archaeological evidence, maps and illustrations, different points of view, and unanswered questions. His "Chapter Notes" and annotated "Selected Bibliography" are informative models of style and technique for young researchers. Students will discover fascinating information as well as a fine example of the research process in this thought-provoking work.”

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: October 01, 2007
Beyond the very readable presentation of facts and theories, the book's main accomplishment is in showing that history is not a static body of knowledge, but an evolving process of logically interpreted evidence continually questioned, disputed, and revised in the light of new discoveries and theories put forth by obsessed amateurs as well as professional historians. Back matter includes chapter notes identifying the sources of quotes as well as a short discussion, chapter by chapter, of books, articles, and Web sites used in researching the book. The illustrations, many in color, include many excellent maps as well as reproductions of period drawings, paintings, engravings, and photos of people, artifacts, and sites. A well-researched, intelligent account of America's discovery.

Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Thimmesh, Catherine. 2006. Team Moon: How 400, 000 people landed Apollo 11 on the moon. Houghton Mifflin: New York. ISBN 0618507574

There has been much controversy over the first flight to the moon. Many believe the first moon flight was made possible only by the people at NASA. Thimmesh’s non-fiction piece sets the record straight. Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong may be well known for braving the mission, but the workers behind the true accomplishment were many and according to Thimmesh, 400,000 strong. Many are named by name and documented in this beautifully put together scrapbook complete with pictures and actual quotes from those that made it all happen. From the seamstresses who labored over the astronaut suits to the mechanical foreman in Parkes, Australia manning the Parks Radio Telescope in contact with the lunar cameras. The pictures are outstanding and placing them all together in sequence adds much needed visuals to the text of this non-fiction picture book.

In 2007, Team Moon won the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (honors nonfiction children’s literature), the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award (for excellence in non-fiction writing) and American Library Association Notable Books for Children Award. Team Moon is a current nominee for the Texas Bluebonnet Award.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: June 01, 2006
“In infectiously hyperbolic prose that's liberally interspersed with quotes and accompanied by sheaves of period photos, Thimmesh retraces the course of the space mission that landed "an actual man, on the actual Moon." It's an oft-told tale, but the author tells it from the point of view not of astronauts or general observers, but of some of the 17,000 behind-the-scenes workers at Kennedy Space Center, the 7500 Grumman employees who built the lunar module, the 500 designers and seamstresses who actually constructed the space suits, and other low-profile contributors who made the historic flight possible.”

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: April 17, 2006.
“This behind-the-scenes look at the first Apollo moon landing has the feel of a public television documentary in its breadth and detail.The book opens with several photographs of people huddled around TVs to view the event (one shows Italians watching a small set at an outdoor cafe). The author then delves into the back story of the organizations and hundreds of thousands of people who made the 1969 mission possible.”

Genius: A Photobiography of Albert Einstein

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Delano, Marfe Ferguson. 2005. Genius: A photobiography of Albert Einstein. National Geographic Society: New York. ISBN 0792295447

This text provides insight into the man behind the space-time continuum. Better known for his equation of e=mc² , Einstein was a man thought to be “the” genius of our time. This photobiography captures Einstein in pictures from early childhood to his later years. Simple illustrations in layman;s terms explain his theories and photographs of his family are included. Photobiographies are so much fun to read and offer much to look at in terms of the humanity behind the celebrity name. Sharing his life through visuals and text gives many the insight that text alone cannot provide.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: May 01, 2005

“While the myriad photographs are fascinating, the bigger draw here is the wonderfully simple explanations of some of Einstein's theories. … The black-and-white and sepia photographs follow Einstein from boyhood to old age and show him in a variety of settings: at the blackboard, delivering a speech, taking the oath of U.S. citizenship, in his Princeton home with children who survived the Holocaust, and so on. Many have appeared elsewhere.”

Review from BOOKLIST: April 01, 2005

“There are plenty of books about Einstein, but this one combines a solid text with a particularly attractive format. Delano moves briskly through Einstein's life, clearing up misconceptions along the way … She does not delve too deeply into his relationships or motives, but she brings him to life so that readers come to care about Einstein as a person, not simply see him as a genius. Delano offers just enough information about Einstein's theories to give a sense of his work, keeping in mind that his ideas go over the heads of most people. What is particularly impressive, however, is the format. Oversize and filled with well-selected photographs, the book is very handsome.”

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Selznick, Brian. 2007. The invention of Hugo Cabret. Scholastic Press: New York. ISBN 0439813786

Orphan, Hugo Cabret fixes the clocks of Paris train station in the 1930’s. Hugo, left all alone, suspects he was abandoned by his uncle, the official caretaker of the train station clocks. Hugo travels through the secret train station walls, maintaining the clocks, stealing food and spying on a toy maker and his daughter. A broken automaton in his possession prompts him to steal parts from the toy maker’s booth. When caught red handed, Hugo is thrown into the world of the toy maker and his daughter which leads to Hugo’s and the toy maker’s salvation. The storyline blends the story of orphan Hugo with the toy makers historical past, as one of the earliest and greatest filmmakers.

This book has intrigue, mystery and beautiful pencil drawings by the author himself. The title from the title page states this is a “Novel in Pictures and Words”. The many black and white illustrations (and photos) are an intricate part of the text. The illustrations continue where the text of the story ends, before becoming text again. Selznick won the 2008 Caldecott Medal for distinguished art in Children’s Picture Books.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: March 01, 2007
“With characteristic intelligence, exquisite images, and a breathtaking design, Selznick shatters conventions related to the art of bookmaking in this magical mystery set in 1930s Paris. He employs wordless sequential pictures and distinct pages of text to let the cinematic story unfold, and the artwork, rendered in pencil and bordered in black, contains elements of a flip book, a graphic novel, and film.”

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: January 01, 2007
“Here is a true masterpiece-an artful blending of narrative, illustration and cinematic technique, for a story as tantalizing as it is touching. Twelve-year-old orphan Hugo lives in the walls of a Paris train station at the turn of the 20th century, where he tends to the clocks and filches what he needs to survive. … The plot ultimately has much to do with the history of the movies, and Selznick's genius lies in his expert use of such a visual style to spotlight the role of this highly visual media. A standout achievement.”

Zen Shorts

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Muth, John J. 2005. Zen shorts. Ill. by John J. Muth. Scholastic Press: New York. ISBN 0439339111

A giant panda, named Stillwater, moves in next door to children, Addy, Michael and Karl. He captures their attention by sitting in their backyard after following his red umbrella from his backyard to their backyard. They become fast friends. Stillwater shares three Zen stories with the children in their time together. In his first story to Addy, Stillwater shares the story his uncle Ry, who took pity on his house burglar and gave him his only possession. With Michael, Stillwater shares the story of a farmer, who is not upset or excited at how his luck turns out on a daily basis. Stillwater’s last story shared with Karl was titled, A Heavy Load. In a Heavy Load, two monks discuss a rude young woman and her selfishness. The older monk had taken it upon himself to help her across a puddle, for which she was not grateful. The younger monk was the only one of the two still brooding about her selfish and rude behavior hours after the incident.

When I read through this story for the first time, I was put off by how non-linear the storyline turned out. There was no obvious plot. The end of the book contains an author’s note that put the book in perspective for me. The author explains that “ ‘Zen Shorts’ are short meditations – ideas to puzzle over – tools which hone our ability to act with intuition. The have no goal, but they often challenge us to reexamine our habits, desires, concepts and fears.”


REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

Review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: February 01, 2005
Beautifully illustrated in two distinct styles, this book introduces readers to a Zen approach to the world, wrapped in a story about three siblings and their new neighbor, a panda. One by one, the children visit Stillwater, enjoying his company and listening to him tell a brief tale that illustrates a Zen principle.

Review from PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: February 28, 2005
Muth, who has retold traditional stories such as Stone Soup and Tolstoy's The Three Questions, and played up their spiritual elements with his elegant watercolors, here introduces three Zen stories from Japan. He frames the trio of tales within the context of a suburban household. Three siblings befriend a giant panda when his red umbrella blows into their yard. … Each day one of the children goes to visit Stillwater, revealing something of him- or herself. The panda chooses an appropriate Zen fable for each child, illustrated with rough-edged, Chinese-style brush-and-ink paintings on duotone pages, to play up the story-within-a-story structure.