Module 13 - The Truth About Stacey

The Baby-Sitters Club: The Truth About Stacey a Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeier from the book by Ann M. Martin

Summary - In The Truth About Stacey, the Baby-sitters Club faces the reality of health problems for the first time, has a show down with a rival babysitting group, and learns how friendships can change over time and distance. The classic Ann M. Martin children's series has been updated for modern audiences in a series of graphic novels that allow young audiences today to identify with characters experiencing classic childhood dilemmas who were created for a very different era. This book follows Stacey, the baby-sitter who has recently moved to Stoneybrook from New York City as she navigates her diagnosis with Diabetes, a trip back to New York to settle things with old friends, and competition from a group of girls who threaten the very existence of the Baby-Sitters Club.

Impressions - The Baby-Sitters Club (BSC) books had an enormous audience when they were first released in 1986 and continued to grow with their audience in spinoffs of the original series until 2000. By updating the first few books that originally started the series, Raina Telgemeier is able to bring a whole new audience to these classic stories which early teenaged girls will identify with and enjoy. The simplicity of the original text, and its clearly defined character types are brought to life in the graphic novel in a much more modern sense that will bring more readers in than the original, somewhat outdated, chapter books.

Reviews - In her review on Young Adult Books Central.com(1), the reviewer known as 'Young Willow" raves about the renewal of the BSC, "the beloved books", in graphic novel form as bringing these "squeaky-clean" books to a modern audience. Telgemeier's artwork is called "adorable" and the series is "highly" recommended as classic and age appropriate. Giving readers an overview of the text, while placing this graphic novel in context in the larger BSC universe, this review is a good insight for parents and children and may bring in readers who would not have found this series on their own.

Use - This graphic novel is a great starting point for young teen girls who are looking for a simple, yet entertaining, series to get "hooked on" but who may not be as comfortable with books in general. As a lead in to the newly updated chapter book series, these graphic novels with their clear drawings and basis in text vice art, are wonderful examples of what this genre can accomplish if done from a literary perspective, vice when they are created with more illustrations than text and only to entertain.

(1) Willow, Little. (Unk). Treasured truth. http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=14928.

Module 12 - Our Eleanor

Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life by Candace Fleming

Summary - Our Eleanor is a comprehensive biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady, told in a style somewhere between a scrapbook and a newspaper. Following this incomparable woman from her childhood, riddled with death and disillusion, through the years she served as the First Lady of the United States to her waning years of service and, finally, her death, this book offers detailed information on her family, life, and impact in an easy to read (if not always follow) manner. Older children especially will enjoy how the author humanizes Eleanor while still offering a staggering amount of information on the subject (quite useful to someone studying on writing on her).

Impressions - This book is almost overwhelming in the amount of information it gives on Eleanor Roosevelt. Covering every facet of her life from childhood to marriage to public works, the text offers readers insight into Eleanor's feelings, experiences, and beliefs - and allows them to follow how each impacted the other, in turn affecting the world as Eleanor was such a prominent figure throughout her husband's terms as President. The style of the book may overwhelm some readers as it vacillates between text (usually one page of explanatory text on the events of the era being discussed) and article-type discussions covering one piece/aspect of Eleanor's life, her family and friends, her works, etc. Trying to follow this book linearly may cause confusion or disinterest, it is designed more for a browsing or overview interest review and/or for someone who uses the index to find information on a particular issue/event within the overall text. There are tons of pictures, breaking up the text further, and the overall impression is one of an in-depth and interesting portrait of a full life - vice one timeframe or issue - therefore, it acts as a great resource work for anyone interested in Eleanor Roosevelt.

Reviews - In a starred review(1), Publishers Weekly called Our Eleanor a "standout biography" with an "attractive design". Discussing how the book offers a comprehensive look at all of the aspects of Eleanor's life, it marvels at the even-handedness of the book that allows "readers to draw their own conclusions", although the age range (10-14) they advise for the book is a little young and should really be more in the 14-18 range, as the density of the text may overwhelm some younger readers.

Use - Our Eleanor would be perhaps most useful to children who need to gather a large amount of information in an easily accessible manner for a general understanding of Eleanor Roosevelt's life. Older children will find it most easy to use, although some sophisticated middle school aged children would also find it helpful and enjoyable. As an introduction to biography asa genre, this is a great opening piece which both instructs and entertains, and may lead some kids to want to explore more non-fiction and biography books.

(1) Unk. Our Eleanor: a scrapbook look at Eleanor Roosevelt's remarkable life. (2005, September 19). Publishers Weekly.

Module 11 - An Egg is Quiet

An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Aston and illustrated by Sylvia Long

Summary - An Egg is Quiet is a beautifully illustrated work which depicts the world of eggs, and their many natural settings and services, in a restful and informative manner, similar to the style of 19th century "flower books" or "naturalist's diaries". Vacillating between highly detailed pages and whole leafs which only show one egg, this book is designed for individual exploration and offers children a quiet place to explore natural items and ideas at their own pace. Although it is not conducive for either a read aloud Storytime or for readers who need more stimulation, An Egg is Quiet is a beautiful and interesting book which will both engage and enlighten young readers.

Impressions - This book is designed as a educational work of art for children. The subject matter is interesting, if a little obscure, and the text is sporadic enough to set it in the realm of picture book first, information piece next. It has a number of subtle additions (rulers at the top of pages and text placed in unique positions on the page) which most children will most likely discover only over time or intense review unless they are specifically pointed out. However, the discovery aspect of this book is a large part of it charm and children should be given quality time for review with it and allowed to progress at their own pace. While their is no real 'story' in the text, it does follow a natural progression from birth to life, with the genesis stages between, and the lyrical nature of the language allows kids to read it without feeling as if their are being 'taught', increasing their enjoyment factor and, hopefully, establishing non-fiction or information books as part of their literary world.

Reviews - An Egg is Quiet is discussed in a 2008 article on the use of information books in teaching(1) as examples of works which children can be enticed to love, and therefore learn from. Working off of the premise that children are in face more drawn to informational books than others in early childhood, the authors point to techniques that teachers can use to work off of this love, and show how books like An Egg is Quiet are especially helpful for establishing a foundation of non-fiction reading, because they encourage "knowledge seeking" and entice children to explore less familiar text styles, but only, as in the case of An Egg..., when they are well thought out and well structured.

Use - An Egg is Quiet is especially designed for young elementary aged students. It uses simple, but descriptive language, and includes beautifully detailed and colorful illustrations which will capture the attention of active children. Repetition may be necessary for children whose attention may not be able to last for long periods of quiet time, but each page offers enough detail to offer new discovery upon each reading. The interesting events and concepts described (camouflage, fossilization, birth) are expressed in a realistic manner which makes them real for children, with none of the sensationalism or over-sentimentality which sometimes makes its way into children's books.

(1) Read, S., Reitzel, D. R., & Fawson, P. C. (2008). Do you want to know what I learned? Using informational trade books as models to teach text structure. Early Childhood Education Journal, 36(3), 213-219.