Post by mtaniguchi on Nov 1, 2004 18:14:22 GMT -5
Wow, it looks like I have alot of reading to do! Our problem here in Beverly Hills is that while our library will undoubtedly purchase most of these books, our slow system will delay their arrival for some time.
I've only seen a few of the books on the list, though I will go over my reading notes. I would like to introduce two books: first, I recently reviewed Barbara Kerley and Brian Selznick's latest collaboration, a picture book biography of Walt Whitman. It's a wonderful introduction for older elementary school students to Whitman's life and work, and an unabashed tribute to Whitman. I found it to be well-written and well researched, ingeniously illustrated, and worth a look as an informational book (though it may also be considered for its illustration as a Caldecott contender).
Also, I thoroughly enjoyed Tom Lalicki's Grierson's Raid: A Daring Cavalry Strike Through the Heart of the Confederacy. One of the most impressive achievements of this book is that it reads like the best historical fiction. Exhaustively researched, it is filled with details and anecdotal quotes, and these details serve to bring the characters to life and lend immediacy to the account. It humanizes contestants on both sides, and fits the raid into the larger context on the war itself. I look forward to recommending this book to readers in grades 6 and up.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on these books.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Taniguchi
Children's Librarian
Beverly Hills Public Library
I've only seen a few of the books on the list, though I will go over my reading notes. I would like to introduce two books: first, I recently reviewed Barbara Kerley and Brian Selznick's latest collaboration, a picture book biography of Walt Whitman. It's a wonderful introduction for older elementary school students to Whitman's life and work, and an unabashed tribute to Whitman. I found it to be well-written and well researched, ingeniously illustrated, and worth a look as an informational book (though it may also be considered for its illustration as a Caldecott contender).
Also, I thoroughly enjoyed Tom Lalicki's Grierson's Raid: A Daring Cavalry Strike Through the Heart of the Confederacy. One of the most impressive achievements of this book is that it reads like the best historical fiction. Exhaustively researched, it is filled with details and anecdotal quotes, and these details serve to bring the characters to life and lend immediacy to the account. It humanizes contestants on both sides, and fits the raid into the larger context on the war itself. I look forward to recommending this book to readers in grades 6 and up.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on these books.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Taniguchi
Children's Librarian
Beverly Hills Public Library
