TWU Course
Book Review: WICKED GIRLS: A NOVEL OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hemphill, Stephanie. 2010. WICKED GIRLS: A NOVEL OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS. New York:Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-06-185328-9
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this novel, Hemphill writes about a group of girls living in Salem in 1692. They start playing a dangerous game with the community that will cause a witch hunt.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
WICKED GIRLS," is a novel that shows the mean side of each one of the girls. I thought the girls should have been arrested and put in prison. Hemphill does a good job describing their character in verse. I enjoy reading about Mercy Lewis because she reminds me of someone. I feel her character is a young girl who will do anything to survive. She has conflicts with herself but maintains an appearance of a good servant.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
"The expressive writing, masterful tension, and parallels to modern group dynamics create a powerful and relevant page-turner." (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY)
5. CONNECTIONS
*Activities
Research the history of witchcraft and superstitions, starting in Europe during the Dark Ages until the present day globally. What are the characteristics of witches, and do they exist today?
*Other engaging books similar to WICKED GIRLS.
Rinaldi, Ann. A BREAK WITH CHARITY: A STORY ABOUT THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS. ISBN-10: 0152046828
Hill, Frances. DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL: A NOVEL OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS.
ISBN 0618568603
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
WE ARE AMERICA, written by Walter Dean Myers, Illustrated by Christopher Myers
TWU course
Book Review: WE ARE AMERICA written by Walter Dean Myers
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Myers, Walter Dean. 2011 WE ARE AMERICA. Ill. Myers, Christopher. New York: Collins.
ISBN 978-0-06-052308-4
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In the poem picture book of "WE ARE AMERICA," Myers explain to readers about America. He uses poems and mural-like paintings to illustrate everything that has shaped America. Going back to the first man who claimed America's sacred land by expressing emotions in free verse.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations that Myers used to enhance his poems are mural-like paintings. Reading the poems plus viewing the beautiful mural-like paintings stirs up emotions about certain events which took place. In a poem titled "Before there was America," shows murals with Native Americans running and enjoying their land. I see them dancing, and swaying. There is a quote "THIS LAND BELONGS TO THE FIRST WHO SITS DOWN ON HIS BLANKET..." (TECUMSEH)
In a poem titled "And from the tensions," the illustrations paint a picture of a nation that is trying to keep everyone together.
Myers uses these illustrations and poems to make readers aware of what happened in America.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
KIRKUS review: "The Myers team shares their heartfelt and stirring vision of an America flawed but filled with promises and dreams. Like weavers connecting warp and woof, father threads lofty words and son paints seamless pictures. Each double-page spread contains a brief poem and usually a quote from a relevant document or person. A mural rendered in pastels spans both pages. Homage is paid to young people, Native Americans; immigrants from Europe, African and Asia; laborers, protestors, soldiers and performers. "We were willing to die to forge our dream" writes Walter Dean Myers paints snarling dogs attacking civil rights protestors, and colonial patriots throwing tea into Boston Harbor. Juxtaposed with this are the opening line to the Constitution and King George's words granting independence. In another tableau, a slave shows his terribly scarred back, Indians lie dead at Wounded Knee and Japanese American citizens stand behind barbed wire, but Americans learned to "light the darkness with the blazing torch that is the Constitution." Backmatter credits each quotation and identifies the people in each painting. The poetry and the paintings will be an excellent jumping-off for discussions. Readers will take every opportunity to pause and reflect and trace their fingers along the glorious artwork. Stunning. (Picture book/poetry. 8 & up)
5. CONNECTIONS
*Activities
Have students prepare a painting and a poem about a tragic event in America. The poem should tell a story.
*Other engaging books of poetry for ages 10-18.
Philip, Neil.SINGING AMERICA POEMS THAT DEFINE A NATION. ISBN-10: 0670861507
Grady, Cynthia. I LAY MY STITCHES DOWN POEMS OF AMERICAN SLAVERY.
Book Review: WE ARE AMERICA written by Walter Dean Myers
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Myers, Walter Dean. 2011 WE ARE AMERICA. Ill. Myers, Christopher. New York: Collins.
ISBN 978-0-06-052308-4
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In the poem picture book of "WE ARE AMERICA," Myers explain to readers about America. He uses poems and mural-like paintings to illustrate everything that has shaped America. Going back to the first man who claimed America's sacred land by expressing emotions in free verse.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations that Myers used to enhance his poems are mural-like paintings. Reading the poems plus viewing the beautiful mural-like paintings stirs up emotions about certain events which took place. In a poem titled "Before there was America," shows murals with Native Americans running and enjoying their land. I see them dancing, and swaying. There is a quote "THIS LAND BELONGS TO THE FIRST WHO SITS DOWN ON HIS BLANKET..." (TECUMSEH)
In a poem titled "And from the tensions," the illustrations paint a picture of a nation that is trying to keep everyone together.
Myers uses these illustrations and poems to make readers aware of what happened in America.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
KIRKUS review: "The Myers team shares their heartfelt and stirring vision of an America flawed but filled with promises and dreams. Like weavers connecting warp and woof, father threads lofty words and son paints seamless pictures. Each double-page spread contains a brief poem and usually a quote from a relevant document or person. A mural rendered in pastels spans both pages. Homage is paid to young people, Native Americans; immigrants from Europe, African and Asia; laborers, protestors, soldiers and performers. "We were willing to die to forge our dream" writes Walter Dean Myers paints snarling dogs attacking civil rights protestors, and colonial patriots throwing tea into Boston Harbor. Juxtaposed with this are the opening line to the Constitution and King George's words granting independence. In another tableau, a slave shows his terribly scarred back, Indians lie dead at Wounded Knee and Japanese American citizens stand behind barbed wire, but Americans learned to "light the darkness with the blazing torch that is the Constitution." Backmatter credits each quotation and identifies the people in each painting. The poetry and the paintings will be an excellent jumping-off for discussions. Readers will take every opportunity to pause and reflect and trace their fingers along the glorious artwork. Stunning. (Picture book/poetry. 8 & up)
5. CONNECTIONS
*Activities
Have students prepare a painting and a poem about a tragic event in America. The poem should tell a story.
*Other engaging books of poetry for ages 10-18.
Philip, Neil.SINGING AMERICA POEMS THAT DEFINE A NATION. ISBN-10: 0670861507
Grady, Cynthia. I LAY MY STITCHES DOWN POEMS OF AMERICAN SLAVERY.
Come Sunday written by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Michael Bryant
TWU course
COME SUNDAY written by Nikki Grimes
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. 1996. COME SUNDAY. Michigan: Eerdmans. ISBN 0-8028-5108-8.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In "COME SUNDAY" Grimes tells the story of a young Afro-American girl who describes her Sunday at Paradise Baptist Church. The main character "Latasha," is a sweet girl who enjoys attending church with her parents.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations are great! I like the way Grimes sketch the congregation and the colors used to represent the many different shades of Afro-Americans. The front cover illustrates Latasha as she smiles during church with her hands pressed together during prayer. My emotions are happy and understanding when reading the poem story. I can relate to Latasha and Paradise Baptist Church. Paradise Baptist Church reminds me of the church I attended when I was a young girl. Grimes gives a excellent description of everything in the church that is special to Latasha. From the morning she wakes-up with her mom until church service is over.
The poems are perfect for COME SUNDAY because the Blue-Haired Ladies, Baptism, and Church Supper tell the story of a young girl "Latasha," and Paradise Baptist Church.
Blue-Haired Ladies
We enter the church in time to greet
the pastor's wife we sometimes meet.
I curtsy, ladylike, then see
those blue-haired ladies coming for me.
Baptism
Down, down, down into the water,
preacher leaning over me.
Gone, gone, gone the fear of drowning, once my father's face I see.
Up, up, up-baptized forever!
Mommy let me make the choice.
Joy, joy, joy is what I'm feeling,
hearing pride in Daddy's voice.
Church Supper
Sundays and church suppers go together,
even better than collards and ham
and honey-glazed yams,
fried chicken and black-eyed peas,
and pumpkin pie-and I better stop
before my stomach starts to growl.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Notable Book
California Readers Collection-elementary schools list
"In lively and delicious poetry, accompanied by evocative, full-color illustrations, Nikki Grimes recount LaTasha's Sunday adventures in Paradise--Paradise Baptist Church, that is. From rising in the morning, to greeting the blue-haired ladies at church, to the soft and powerful voice of the visiting lady preacher, the church offering, a baptism, a church supper, and finally home to bed, Grimes bring the experience of Sundays at church to life. Reverent, funny and wildly energetic all at the same time, this is a wonderful book for introducing children to church life." (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY)
"At the end of the long, joy-filled day, Latasha is sleepy and glad she spent another day in Paradise." Whatever their religious background, readers will smile at their jubilation." (KIRKUS REVIEW)
"Reading Nikki Grimes' delightful collection of poems is like taking a trip to church through the eyes and mind of a little girl... This little girl's love of church is certainly the kind of experience many parents would hope their own children would have Come Sunday." (DETROIT FREE PRESS)
5. CONNECTIONS
*Activities for children ages five to eight.
Make biblical trading cards based on your favorite character from the book. Write down facts about the person on one side and draw a picture on the other side.
Plan a potluck dinner of kids favorite food to share. Have children sign up to bring their favorite dish (with the recipe) and share at your next meeting.
*Other engaging books of poetry
Grimes, Nikki. WHEN DADDY PRAYS. ISBN 0-8028-5152-5
Ladwig, Tim. THE LORD'S PRAYER. ISBN 0-8028-5238-6
COME SUNDAY written by Nikki Grimes
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. 1996. COME SUNDAY. Michigan: Eerdmans. ISBN 0-8028-5108-8.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In "COME SUNDAY" Grimes tells the story of a young Afro-American girl who describes her Sunday at Paradise Baptist Church. The main character "Latasha," is a sweet girl who enjoys attending church with her parents.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations are great! I like the way Grimes sketch the congregation and the colors used to represent the many different shades of Afro-Americans. The front cover illustrates Latasha as she smiles during church with her hands pressed together during prayer. My emotions are happy and understanding when reading the poem story. I can relate to Latasha and Paradise Baptist Church. Paradise Baptist Church reminds me of the church I attended when I was a young girl. Grimes gives a excellent description of everything in the church that is special to Latasha. From the morning she wakes-up with her mom until church service is over.
The poems are perfect for COME SUNDAY because the Blue-Haired Ladies, Baptism, and Church Supper tell the story of a young girl "Latasha," and Paradise Baptist Church.
Blue-Haired Ladies
We enter the church in time to greet
the pastor's wife we sometimes meet.
I curtsy, ladylike, then see
those blue-haired ladies coming for me.
Baptism
Down, down, down into the water,
preacher leaning over me.
Gone, gone, gone the fear of drowning, once my father's face I see.
Up, up, up-baptized forever!
Mommy let me make the choice.
Joy, joy, joy is what I'm feeling,
hearing pride in Daddy's voice.
Church Supper
Sundays and church suppers go together,
even better than collards and ham
and honey-glazed yams,
fried chicken and black-eyed peas,
and pumpkin pie-and I better stop
before my stomach starts to growl.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Notable Book
California Readers Collection-elementary schools list
"In lively and delicious poetry, accompanied by evocative, full-color illustrations, Nikki Grimes recount LaTasha's Sunday adventures in Paradise--Paradise Baptist Church, that is. From rising in the morning, to greeting the blue-haired ladies at church, to the soft and powerful voice of the visiting lady preacher, the church offering, a baptism, a church supper, and finally home to bed, Grimes bring the experience of Sundays at church to life. Reverent, funny and wildly energetic all at the same time, this is a wonderful book for introducing children to church life." (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY)
"At the end of the long, joy-filled day, Latasha is sleepy and glad she spent another day in Paradise." Whatever their religious background, readers will smile at their jubilation." (KIRKUS REVIEW)
"Reading Nikki Grimes' delightful collection of poems is like taking a trip to church through the eyes and mind of a little girl... This little girl's love of church is certainly the kind of experience many parents would hope their own children would have Come Sunday." (DETROIT FREE PRESS)
5. CONNECTIONS
*Activities for children ages five to eight.
Make biblical trading cards based on your favorite character from the book. Write down facts about the person on one side and draw a picture on the other side.
Plan a potluck dinner of kids favorite food to share. Have children sign up to bring their favorite dish (with the recipe) and share at your next meeting.
*Other engaging books of poetry
Grimes, Nikki. WHEN DADDY PRAYS. ISBN 0-8028-5152-5
Ladwig, Tim. THE LORD'S PRAYER. ISBN 0-8028-5238-6
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