Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué rico! Americas’ Sproutings

Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué rico! Americas’ Sproutings. Pat Mora. Illus. by Rafael López. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc., 2007.  30 pages. $16.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 978-1-58430-271-1. Grades K-4. English with some Spanish.

Blueberries, chile, chocolate, and papaya are four of the fourteen delicious foods from the Americas that Pat Mora introduces to readers in the delectable Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué rico! Americas’ Sproutings. Mora engages readers’ silly sides and curiosity with haikus for each food while feeding their intellect with background knowledge. She discusses word origin, cultural significance, and past present uses. The beautifully colored illustrations of Rafael López tell readers another story as children and adults from different cultures interact with the food in their own way. The illustrations also incorporate cultural images and fantastical ones to create a world that teaches readers and enriches their imagination. Eating is fun, and the innovative mixture of poetry, art and facts is too. Readers will find their mouths watering and hoping their peanut butter sandwich can play the trumpet too. Highly Recommended.

Trickster: Native American Tales a Graphic Collection

Trickster: Native American Tales a Graphic Collection. Edited by Matt Dembicki. Golden: Fulcrum Books, 2010. 231 pages. $22.95 (Paperback). ISBN 978-1-55591-724-1. Grades 5-8.

Reminds Me Of…

I have read stories similar to the tales in this book, so I was reminded of them as I read. The first tale, for example, “Coyote and the Pebbles” not only referenced The Great Mystery, a term I learned from the Virginia Stroud book A Walk to the Great Mystery. While the Great Mystery didn’t speak and give direction in Stroud’s book, it could be heard in nature its beings. The creation of stars reminded me of the story about the creation of the Milky Way as I t was expressed in The Story of the Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale by Joseph Bruchac. I was reminded of many a Br’r Rabbit tale as I read the story “Azban and the Crayfish” due to the determination and wit of the Raccoon, and upon researching I found that these tales actually have Cherokee origins I wasn’t aware of. This was a neat blend of something I recognized with something new.  “Rabbit and the Tug of War” was another story I was familiar with, but the version I heard had different characters. I cannot recall the title of this tale, but I heard it told be Jess Willis at Storyfest SC 2011 at the State Museum, and in that story one small animal pulled a similar tug of war trick to earn the respect of the larger animals in the forest. It was told as an action story with audience volunteers. It was adorable. “Rabbit and the Tug of War” would make a great supporting story or recommendation at a similar story time. I also found it interesting how certain stories within this collection reminded me of each other. I didn’t realize that so many Native American tales mentioned why animals look and act the way they do (Crawfish eyes, wolves’ eyes, and rabbit’s tails). I like having these explanations and stories, they make great party topics!

I was intrigued by the illustrations in Trickster. They varied from story to story, making this a neat art show. I found that the first tale reminded me of anime graphics, especially when the animals turned in to their human forms. “Rabbit’s Choctaw Tail Tale” was more like a cartoon that you would see on television and also reminded me of the book Stinky, about the monster who was scared of a little boy. This incredibly cartoony animation style makes it harder for me to take the story seriously, but then again, the Rabbit story was kind of silly. I also noticed how some of the tales, “Moshup’s Bridge” for example used a lot of color to depict the tone and mood of the story through the nature, which I recognized from other Native American picture book illustrations.

The book as a whole is AMAZING. All of the trickster tales have something to offer, and although they remind me of each other and other materials, this book is one of a kind. It would be great for a storytime and an awesome suggestion for reluctant readers. The graphic format for one makes it a no brainer, but the collection of short stories also allows readers to take breaks or skip around or even keep reading. This is a great book to have.

On a slightly different note…

Okay, the story “The Dangerous Beaver” was quite disturbing. Cannibalism kind of freaks me out, okay, it really freaks me out so I was quite nervous and disturbed for the first few pages of this story, but was relieved that ended up okay. At the same time, however, I think this might be a little much for some readers. This was how I felt about Coraline, but then I remember I am kind of a baby. Haha.

Before Columbus: The America of 1491

Before Columbus: The America of 1491. Charles C. Mann. New York, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009. 117 pages. $24.99 (Hardcover). ISBN978-1-4169-4900-8. Grades 6-12.

It turns out history books had it wrong, and Charles C. Mann wants to set the record straight in Before Columbus: The America of 1491.  Mann constructs a strongly supported framework of Pre-Columbian America by blending colorful images of artifacts, maps, and carefully selected photographs with tremendous amounts of research. This historical snapshot is organized around three questions: How Old was the “New World?,” “Why did Europe Succeed?”, and “Were the Americas Really a Wilderness?”. The chapters are broken down in to comprehendible, bite sized pieces utilizing simple metaphors and a conversational style of writing that are perfect for his adolescent audience. Leaving no stone unturned, Mann addresses agriculture, infrastructure, religion, warfare, economic systems, ecosystems and so much more. This comprehensive title is sure to pique the curiosity of future archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians as well as any scholar in between. Mann dispel myths of history classes passed while also teaching readers that there is much about history we have yet to discover.  A glossary and list of resources for further reading add to this book's value as a great tool for the classroom or for general knowledge enhancement.  Highly Recommended

1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving

1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving. Catherine O’Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac with Plimoth Plantation. Illus. by Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society, 2001. 47 pages. $17.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-7922-7027-4. Grades 3-5.

My Thoughts...

I thought this book might be drag, but I was pleasantly proved wrong. I admired this book for more than its gorgeous photographs and bountiful information, which I will return to later. I was blown away by the acknowledgement and admission of flawed history and presentation along with stereotypes and falsehoods that we have come to learn about as Thanksgiving. I am pleased that the Plimoth Plantation is working to show the other side of the story and reassess what they thought they knew about history. This is not something I feel is admitted to very often, and I am glad to know that this book is working to really teach students and dispel myths.

I loved that the book was blunt and honest, “The history of the English colonies in America is a history of European people imposing their culture, politics, and religion onto Native people.” After seeing how this book was going to be I was thrilled to keep going. Of course I learned a ton from this book! The book was organized chronologically so it was easy to follow, and I think other readers will appreciate that. I think what I enjoyed most was how the book went over the myths and common beliefs and well, de-bunked them and explained what really happened. Not only does this book aim to teach, but it aims to get the readers doing something. They offer hands on approach by putting recipes in the book that could actually be completed for a Thanksgiving feast.

The photographs in this book, some of reenactments, some of real people going about their lives, really open readers’ eyes to the information in the book. I love that some of the photos are even a little blurry to show that it is real and this really did and does take place. I enjoyed looking at each page before and after reading it to get the full effect.

One of the best things about this book is that I want to retell everything I learned. The problem is, that would just be retelling the book. I will of course bring up my new knowledge the first time it is relevant, but I will not recap what I learned here. If you haven’t read this book, then you should, because it really is enlightening. Of course there is more information than just the text itself. There is also a chronology and bibliography.

Dia’s Story Cloth: The Hmong People’s Journey of Freedom

Dia’s Story Cloth: The Hmong People’s Journey of Freedom. Dia Cha. Illus. by Chue and Nhia Thao Cha. New York: Lee & Low Books, 1996. 24 pages. $14.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 1-880000-34-2. Grades 3-5.

My Thoughts...

I had only ever head of the Hmong people in Clint Eastwood’s film Gran Torino, and trust me, that is not a film I would recommend to people for learning about other cultures. While the Eastwood’s character in the film was incredibly racist toward his Hmong neighbors, I did learn a little about their culture from this film. Needless to say, this book was much more educational, not to mention reliable. One of my first thoughts was holy cow; I can’t believe these illustrations are actually a cloth that has been hand stitched. Not only does this artwork speak to the skill and talent of the Hmong, but it also says loads about their dedication to their heritage, their determination, their devotion, their pride, etc. I definitely think the story cloth speaks volumes more than the text of this book, but since we do not know the history the text is required in order for us to interpret the cloth. I did enjoy how the story was told in a very conversational style, much like I would imagine she would tell it out loud. I think this simple writing, as well as the large white pages make it much easier to pay attention and observe the story cloth.

I think readers as young as five could appreciate and learn from this story, but I think the real information included at the end of the story would benefit an older target audience. That being said, I was reminded of When My Name Was Keoko as I read this book because that novel tells the story of how one culture was forced to abandon their ways (not flee) due to political turmoil that is often omitted from our classrooms. I felt that the trials of the Hmong are also often forgotten, so these two books could work together to expose children to the vast amount of history out there. This was an interesting, informative book that I think could be worked in to a program or classroom lesson easily.

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night

Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night. Joyce Sidman. Illus. by Rick Allen. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2010. 32 pages. $16.99(Hardcover). ISBN 978-0-547-15228-8. Grades 3-6.

Reminds Me Of...

The first book I thought of alter/while reading Dark Emperor was Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué rico! Americas’ Sproutings by Pat Mora and illustrated by Rafael López. This is another nonfiction book of poetry that has poems on one side of the page and information on the following page. It too has a glossary. Although the subjects are different, nature and food, the style book is similar. I think both books introduce poetry to children and work to teach them about what they are reading. I think they are good informational and enjoyable tools. Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué rico! Americas’ Sproutings is written in Haikus, which is another form of poetry that could be taught alongside the more traditional poems found in Dark Emperor. I also believe that Joyce Sidman has already written and published other volumes of nature related poetry that readers would also enjoy. Like this book there is information and a glossary included to add to learning in Song of the Water Boatman and Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow.  Of course the oldie but VERY GOODIE is Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. No, I did not just choose this book because it is poetry, even though that is a huge similarity, but because the different style and forms of poetry found within its covers. For example, the poem “Dark Emperor” about the great horned owl in Dark Emperor & Other Poems of the Night is a shape poem in the shape of an owl. There are poems of different shapes in styles in Where the Sidewalk Ends that could serve as more examples of poetry.

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. Jim Murphy. New York: Clarion Books, 2003. 165 pages. $17.00 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-395-77608-2. Grades 6-12.  

“No one knew that a killer was already moving through their streets…an invisible stalker that would go house to house until it had touched everyone in some terrible way.” This mysterious killer was soon identified as yellow fever, and its unrelenting wrath ultimately killed thousands of Philadelphians in 1793. Jim Murphy transports readers to that summer, when the air was thick with heat and reeked of spoiled coffee, stale water, and rotting sewage. He spares none of the gruesome details of suffering and artfully recreates the fear and panic of the infected city. In addition to first hand accounts from sufferers, medical professionals, government officials, and observers; Murphy weaves historic documents and materials in to this intricate, captivating account. This terrifyingly true account expounds on the debated and controversial treatments of the fever, the political unrest and instability that it caused, and selfless activism exemplified by individuals and organizations. The roles of key players like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Dr. Benjamin Rush, and the Free African Society are sure to enlighten and engage readers while sparking their interest in history. Murphy also includes an extensive list of related resources to encourage future examination of the intricacies and situations surrounding the yellow fever. Highly Recommended

My Thoughts...

I tend to stray from books that cause my stomach to turn, but the nausea and ‘squirms’ that I felt while reading this book definitely speak to how well written this detailed and engaging book is. The attention to detail in the text itself was supplemented with the quotes at the start of each chapter, as well as the excerpts from papers and personal records. I found myself trying to read every name and every article in order to get more involved in the text. The style of this book is different to what I am used to, and I kept wanting it to be told in a narrative form. Although there were not characters telling the story, the key players were thoroughly developed and I looked forward to hearing their side/view of history. I especially liked reading about the different cures and opinions of the medical professionals. I found that I read this text more slowly than I would have a fiction novel because I was trying to actually learn about yellow fever, but I found that this nonfiction reading was infinitely more enjoyable than a textbook. I also loved that as a reader I was only as knowledgeable as the characters were at any given point of the book. I kind of knew that mosquitoes carried yellow fever, but I my knowledge increased as the book and time progressed. I was thrilled the there were so many suggested readings as well. As a future librarian I appreciate how the author broke the resources down by type and topic and included a brief synopsis.

Potential Response... 

This title relies heavily on details and facts, but it does not list or drone on about either, much like a textbook could/would. Therefore, I think young adults would find learning about yellow fever’s role in American history much more interesting through this book. Murphy appeals to all five senses through the details in this book, and I find that boys in particular would enjoy the way putrid smells and morbid scenes are described. The suspense and fear that is reflected in the text is also engaging and will pique the interest of young adults as well. I do wonder if the general teenage “I know everything” would kick in while they read this book. The Philadelphians were acting pretty loony, but in their defense they didn’t have the same knowledge of modern medicine our teens have. I think some teenagers may sneer at their ‘ignorance.’ I do think that readers of this book who have an inkling of interest in history or medicine will have a strong desire to learn or read more. There is social, political, medical and even religious history in this novel, which I think would make it appeal to a wide variety of teenagers. Nonfiction books are often hard to get in to, but the details and all of a sudden presence of the problem in this book is sure to get their attention. This book can definitely grab readers’ attention just as suddenly has yellow fever hit Philadelphia.

Reminds me of......

I hate to admit it, but I am very unfamiliar with nonfiction titles for young adults. The nonfiction I am most familiar with tends to be more autobiographical/biographical, like Frida: Viva la Vida =Long Live Life by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand; or considered fiction like The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle. These books and other nonfiction titles I have read do focus on characters and tell an individual’s experience with an event or historical period or their life; whether the character is real or not. Like I mentioned in my personal reaction, this book has key players, but their individual stories are not told, rather Murphy gives an overview of the event in detail with supporting facts.