Module 13 - The Odyssey

Book Summary

Homer’s Odyssey is one of the greatest epics ever written and Gareth Hinds writes and illustrates a brilliant graphic novel modernizing the work. Monsters, magic, gods and goddesses are beautifully drawn and the story is full of action.

Reference

Hinds, G. (2010). The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel. Somerville, Massachusetts. Candlewick Press.

Impressions:

The watercolor and pastel is really great in this book. The drawings of women could flag parents but this book has plenty of depth. I would also assume some form of teaching guide will still be needed if using this book in English class. The drawings are very realistic and the book has plenty of action sequences.

Professional Review:

Gr 7 Up--Taking a world-famous epic poem and adapting it into a graphic-novel format for modern readers is certainly an enormous endeavor. But since Hinds already performed the same feat quite admirably with Beowulf (Candlewick, 2007) he has proven himself more than capable of the task. To sum up the classic story: Odysseus tries to get home after the Trojan War, but many obstacles are thrown in his way, and many people, creatures, and gods try to stop him. His men are loyal on the one hand, yet bad at following critical orders on the other, which results in even more delays. Meanwhile, his faithful wife Penelope waits for him while fending off scores of impatient suitors. Luckily for Odysseus, he does have a few supporters, including the goddess Athena. Hinds' beautiful watercolors skillfully capture the rosy-fingered dawn, the wine-dark sea, the land of the dead, and many other settings and characters that will inspire readers. This adaptation goes far above and beyond the "highlights" coverage that other versions such as Tim Mucci's The Odyssey (Sterling, 2010) provide. Hinds' work will be a welcome addition for fans of Homer's original work and for newcomers to this classic story.

Lipinski, A. (2010). The Odyssey. School Library Journal, 56(11), 145.

Library Uses:

Librarians need to extend this version to English teachers who aim to teach Homer’s Odyssey to help them understand Greek poetry. All the themes in the original text are present in this graphic novel. 

Module 12 - John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth

Book Summary

The photographic biography of John Lennon wonderfully describes Lennon’s life before, during and after The Beatles. The book is rich with photographs, but Patridge’s writing really makes this book engaging. Patridge really tells Lennon’s storied life with ease and straightforward writing.

Reference

Partridge, E. (2005). John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth: a Photographic Biography. New York. Viking.

Impressions:

The photographs in this book are extensive and introduce readers to images that even a diehard Beatles and Lennon fans may never have seen before. The writing is very straightforward and easy to read and includes some of Lennon’s own writings. A reader seeking more thoughts from Lennon may be better served reading another book with more direct quotations. The book includes his life from birth to death and ends with a section about his legacy.

Professional Review:

Gr 9 Up-- Partridge cuts through the mythology and misinformation surrounding the life of the legendary singer/songwriter and goes a long way toward revealing the complexities of his personality. She relies heavily on Lennon's own writings and the wealth of interviews he granted during his lifetime. What emerges is an unflinchingly honest portrait of a troubled, angry, and highly creative individual who was captivated by rock 'n' roll and often used it as a means of expressing his unhappiness and confusion. Partridge skillfully captures the amazing speed at which the Beatles were swept into astonishing popularity that led to an unrelenting schedule of touring, songwriting, and recording that slowed down only when touring became both too grueling and too dangerous. She doesn't shy away from the sordid details of the band's mercurial rise to fame and fortune but her nonjudgmental commentary focuses first and foremost on the music. Lennon's life after the dissolution of the Beatles is explored in depth, as are Yoko Ono's influence and the worldwide impact of his death. With an abundance of gorgeous black-and-white photos, some of them full-page or even spreads, this handsome book will be eagerly received by both Beatles fans, who are legion, and their elders, who will enjoy reliving the glory days of the Fab Four and exploring the inner workings of a creative talent.

Gustin, G., Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Raben, D. (2005). John Lennon: All I Want Is the Truth. School Library Journal, 51(10), 192.

Library Uses:

Librarians who are seeking books about cultural understandings of the 1960s and 70s could use this book for historical context. The book really thrives at describing the activism of Lennon’s life post Beatles, particularly around subjects like Vietnam. This book should be included in any bibliographies about the war. 

Module 11 - Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

Book Summary

Candace Fleming writes a compelling biography of Amelia Earhart. The whole story is here; her life as a child, accomplishments and then finally her disappearance, recovery attempts and rumors after her disappearance. Newspaper articles and advertisements help readers accurately date the time and glimpse into rich cultural history about the role of women at the time.

Reference

Fleming, C. (2011). Amelia lost: The life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart. New York: Random House.

Impressions:

The book could be read for pleasure, as the book unfolds her life story with an easy narrative and plenty of dialogue from people who knew her and Amelia’s letters and logbooks. The book is certainly worthy of reference material with plenty of primary source photographs, source notes by chapter, bibliography and index. The book’s rich depth about the character of Earhart breaks any form of stereotyping, but to keep readers engaged she uses questioning techniques to help readers follow along in mystery.

Professional Review:

Gr 4-7--Ho-hum history? Not in Fleming's apt hands. What could be a dry recitation of facts and dates is instead a gripping and suspenseful thriller. Even though readers likely know the end of the story, Fleming makes this book difficult to put down by moving between several accounts of Earhart's disappearance and her chronological life story. Quotes from primary sources are woven so seamlessly throughout that it seems as though the individuals involved are telling the story. The Art Deco-inspired book design and excellent black-and-white photographs help to transport readers back in time. Fleming has made a phenomenal woman accessible to a new generation of readers; she unapologetically shows Earhart as a real person and dispels the mythology surrounding her. Exploring more than just her famous flights, she introduces Earhart's other pursuits. Being a pilot in the early 20th century was prohibitively expensive and Earhart had to be a savvy businesswoman willing to try anything and everything to earn enough money to stay in the sky. With G.P. Putnam, a proficient publicist behind her, she not only influenced the future of popular culture, but also forged a path of opportunity for women to follow. Fame is a business, and Earhart and Putnam worked steadily to achieve it; the legend of Amelia Earhart is a testament to their hard work. This book is splendid. Hand it to everyone.

Acerro, H. (2011). Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart. School Library Journal, 57(3), 179.

Library Uses:

This is a great book to introduce readers to Earhart. Librarians should be sure to include this book in any collections about important women in history. The book has plenty of primary source documents and could be used by teachers needing examples.

Module 10 - Brothers At Bat

Book Summary

Being a baseball team requires 12 players on the field and the spirit to always stay a team through times, good and bad. This is the story of the Acerra family, and the 15 brothers who play together on a semipro team in 1938. Their story is more than just baseball, but family and being there on and off the field.

Reference

Vernick, A. (2012). Brothers at bat: The true story of an amazing all-brother baseball team. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Impressions:

I had no idea that the story of 12 brothers playing baseball together on one team was a true story. The book is really fun and teaches readers a lot about loyalty and family. The book also includes the journey this family takes as WW2 begins and ends (geography). Great illustrations with plenty to examine for historical purposes. The vintage style art is really cool.

The book has a little hyperbole with the extent of how well the boys could play baseball, but overall the book should give readers some historical context to the size of families, the context of war, and the role of women (sisters) at the time. The story is mainly about family.

Professional Review:

K-Gr 3--Here's a fun and true story to start out the baseball season. Vernick relates the history of the Acerra family's 16 children, consisting of 12 boys who formed their own semiprofessional baseball team in Long Branch, NJ, during the 1930s. Their dad was their coach and biggest fan. The team is honored in the Baseball Hall of Fame for being the all-time longest-playing all-brother team in baseball history. The author exhibits good humor by pointing out individual boys' distinguishing characteristics such as Charlie, the slow runner who "hit a ball nearly out of the park, but only made it to second." There is a retro feel to Salerno's illustrations done in black crayon, gouache, watercolor, and pastel, with digital color added. Shades of green, blue, and turquoise augment the outdoor scenes. Readers will laugh out loud as they spot one brother out the bedroom window at night running with toilet paper in hand to their three-seater outhouse. This story sends out positive vibes of a family who sticks together, yet couples the tale with sorrowful times as well. A delight not to miss.

Christolon, B. (2012). Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team. School Library Journal, 58(4), 153.

Library Uses:

Brothers At Bat could be used by librarians interested in reaching students who love sports, but aren’t necessarily interested in history. The sport of baseball is considered America’s past time and could serve as a resource for students interested in the sport. The book is full of baseball phrases and would also be a great book to introduce baseball terminology to students.