Jen Bryant - A Conundrum

I have three books in my "new" pile to write about... and they're all by Jen Bryant which is causing me a huge conundrum!  Do I write about them in one entry?  

Nope.  But let me write about two today...

The first book is Georgia's Bones.  It's a wonderful book about Georgia O'Keefe.  Listen to the first lines:

As a child, shapes often drifted

in and out of Georgia's mind.

Curved and straight, round or square, 

she studied them, and let them disappear.

The way Jen Bryant takes us on a "collection of words" about Georgia O'Keefe's life is gentle and spirited.  Even though the book is "fiction," you gather a sense of Georgia O'Keefe's innate curiosity and sensitivity to the natural world.  And Bethanne Andersen blends her illustrations with Ms. Bryant's words almost magically.  As I read it, I felt like I was learning about a part of Georgia O'Keefe's life that I never knew.

How will I use it?  I might use it in a study of "Stamina and Endurance."  Or I might use it to introduce the concept of "Noticings" as we work in our writer's notebooks.  Or I might use in a study of lyrical nonfiction.  Or I might use it during a study of "Line Lifts" to nudge our writing.

• • • • • • • • • 

The second book is Abe's Fish.  This will go into my classroom collection of "Books about Abe Lincoln."  Listen to this writing:

The late-day sun warmed Abe's back and 

deepened the red of a ripe apple that hung

by the roadside, just out of reach.  Abe tried

three times to poke it down with a stick, 

but the apple refused to drop.

I wish I was tall! he thought

Ms. Bryant takes us on a childhood journey of Abraham Lincoln's life that is eloquent and poignant.  Freedom.  The ending pages are breathtaking.  I loved that it focused not on his presidency, but on his childhood.  The author's notes at the end of the book are an example of superb nonfiction writing.  Amy June Bates has illustrated the books beautifully.

How will I use it?  I might use as a "cousin" text to my other Lincoln books.  Or I might use it in a study of "Stamina and Endurance."  Or I might use it in a study of "Evoking Sensory Images."  Or I might use it as an example of "mixing narrative in a nonfiction study." 

• • • • • • • • • 

Jen Bryant is an talented writer.  We loved her River of Words about William Carlos Williams.  She's bringing nonfiction to young readers in the most interesting and breathtaking ways.  Her ability to blend "fiction" with "nonfiction" is the exact kind of book I like to read... it causes me pause.  It makes me reread.  It makes me notice.  It makes me want to read more.  It makes me want to learn more.  Dare I say her writing deserves a closer read?

So what's the rest of my conundrum?  I'll mention that in my next "Jen Bryant" post...

Hand in Hand

I've always admired the work of Brian Pinkney.  There's something striking about his artwork with its marvelous twists and swirls, the richness of the colors blended with the black ink... the fact that he often scratches away ink to define his subjects, filling white spaces with color.  He's an amazing illustrator, writer, and collaborator.
     I've always admired the work of Andrea David Pinkney.  Her words are rich and haunting.  I read once that she never leaves home without her writing notebook.  She's a writer's role model.  She has the incredible knack of transforming important ideas into captivating words... topics of great human interest.
     I've always admired the collaborations between this amazing couple.  What I love most about the Pinkneys is their sense of family.  In every interview I have read or in any talk that I've heard, both mention that family is their priority.  They share their family focus with honesty and humor.  For them to collaborate on Hand in Hand:  Ten Black Men Who Changed America is a gift to all of us.  It provides us with an important message about life.
     In the book, Andrea tells the stories of ten men who, through education and learning, overcame the injustices that they faced.  Freedom... justice... equality... honor... those are the themes that resonate throughout this book.  Ms. Pinkney has written ten stunning biographies of black men whose lives have impacted society in a variety ways.  As I read this book, however, her words transcended race as she shared the stories of fortitude, endurance, and patience.  This book is about men who faced adversity with power and grace... and she tells each man's story by focusing on his vision for making his world a better place.
     Each man's story is coupled with a poem.  The biographical poetry that precedes each piece is the perfect synthesis of the story it introduces.  As I read, I found myself moving from poem, to story, back to poem, back to story.  What a wonderful mentor Ms. Pinkey is for writers... the structure of this text will serve young writers well.
     I plan to use this text when my students write biographies of famous Coloradans.  I've been searching for books that create that juxtapose between poetry and biography.  Which comes first?  I'll leave that up to the writer, but what a grand way to write with intention and purpose.  Stunning!
     And, Brian's illustrations are breathtaking.  The portraits are captivating.  As I write this, I'm looking into the eyes of Pinkey's Jackie Robinson and I'm mesmerized.  The catchlight in his eyes.  The slight swirl on his left cheek.  The hint of red on his brow.  Mr. Pinkey's illustrations are magical really.  
     If, like me, you are drawn to the Pinkey's work, you'll love this collection; particularly if you work with older children.  As we celebrate civil rights in America, this collection shouldn't go unnoticed!  Ms. Pinkey writes, "It is my hope that the qualities embodied in the stories of each Hand in Hand man will encourage young readers to build connections that will link them to their birthright of excellence."  The sooner this book makes it into the hands of students, the sooner her hope will come to fruition.  

The Story of Charlotte's Web

I remember years ago when my friend Cheryl shared a photograph of E.B. White with me from her classroom calendar.  Famous writers writing in their favorite "writing spots" filled each month's pages, black and white photographs coupled with a quote by the featured author.  E.B. White sitting alone at a typewriter at a plain oak table in his barn was one of the images.  It was poignant.
      I've always loved E.B. White's writing.  It's charming.  It's simple.  It's often poignant.  And, sometimes strange subject matter aside, his writing is just brilliant.  And, like most of you, I think Charlotte's Web is his most endearing piece of work.  His description of the barn is, by all accounts, the most delicious, detailed, and delectable text I think I've ever read (of course, it helps that I spent summer's exploring the nooks and crannies of my sister's barn)!  I shudder when I read it!*
     When I was at The Tattered Cover a few weeks ago, The Story of Charlotte's Web caught my eye... perhaps because of the simplicity of the cover which includes the picture of E.B. White as a child.  It made it into my shopping basket.  And, I'm so glad it did!
     Michael Sims has paid humble homage to White in this book.  E.B. White, shy and unassuming, makes for delightful subject matter.  Sims explores White's life, his writing, and his connection to nature with depth and candor.  He spends most of the book exploring Charlotte's Web from both the point of view of a writer and a philosopher.  Michael Sims writes about White with utmost respect.  
     I love that White describes himself as a "writing fool" as a child and I think my students will love to hear that.  In today's program-oriented climate, I worry sometimes that we're not nurturing our students to become "writing fools" as much as we are nudging them into the realms of "foolish writing!"  Sometimes it takes a detailed account of a writer's life to remind us what that life can and should look like... full of words, poetry, essay, exploration, research, and writing!  Sometimes we have to be reminded of what a writer is... and, in turn, help define for our students what power writing brings to their young lives (and ourselves perhaps)!
  NPR did a wonderful story on this book.  Why not take a read and a listen!  "It's not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both" (White, 1952, p. 184).  In this case, both White and Sims are tremendous writers!

*White's description is a great cousin text to the beginning pages of The Winter Room by Gary Paulsen.

Home, Home on the Range...

In my classroom, I have a basket of books labeled "About Country Life"... and in it are all my favorite "cowboy" books.  When I was little, I remember saying, "I want to be a cowboy when I grow up, just like Curtis" (he's my brother-in-law and I've written about him many times, if you search my blog archives you can read all about him... and, by the way, he's still hanging in there).  Mrs. Cannon had our entire class interviewed in "Heckart's Market" by the local radio station.  And, something about that six-year-old dream still sticks with me.  I haven't ridden a horse in years, I haven't helped brand cattle since I was about 16-years-old, and can you imagine what a pair of size 13 cowboy boots would look like?  But, there's a part of me that still remembers... especially the songs!  I'm still a country buff and loves "old" country music and I'm partial to the Sons of the Pioneers. 
     I also happen to love Deborah Hopkinson's work.  In this book, she writes a delightful "biography" based on the life of John Avery Lomax, a "musicologist."  She brilliantly captures his life growing up in Texas and his love for music.  John Lomax didn't grow up to be a "cowboy" either, but he did grow up to be a searcher of songs.  He was a music hunter (sounds like a good show on TLC, eh?)!  Traveling, collecting, recording... he was a collector of folk songs!  Lomax attended the University of Texas and later Harvard.  He focused his efforts on documenting the cowboy songs that drifted through this childhood memories... and even attempted to collect recordings of them being sung by real cowboys.  Now that's a hobby! 
     And, I'm so glad Deborah Hopkinson captured his story... in detail, based on fact, and brilliantly inviting!

Storyteller: Roald Dahl

First off, Storyteller: The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl by Donald Sturrock, is written for adults.  I love reading biographies that are "authorized" because they are filled with details, anecdotes, and interviews that many biographies lack.  And, this book provides hundreds of details about Roald Dahl's life... details that we, as fans of his children's books, might find interesting or that might taint our view of one of our favorite writers.
     Roald Dahl led an extraordinary, unusually chaotic, life.  Donald Sturrock writes about the triumphs and tragedies that shaped Dahl's life.  Storyteller shares many personal details of Dahl's relationships with others, his marriage to Patricia Neal, his life as a pilot, the deaths of family members, etc.  Sturrock tells the story of a man who led an eclectic and complicated existence.  And, throughout the read he uncovers just how difficult a man Roald Dahl was and he isn't afraid to take a look at Dahl's "darker" side.  Knowing that Sturrock had full acess to Dahl's archives makes this an interesting read.  He synthesizes Dahl's journals, correspondence, and papers into an intimate portrayal of an complex man.  There's a great review on the book on NPR's website.
     There are hints about what made Dahl tick as a writer, but that wasn't the purpose of the biography.  This is not a book to read to find out more about Charlie, Augustus Gloop, or Aunts Spiker and Sponge came to be.  For that, we'll have to rely on other accounts of his life, like Boy or Going Solo or D is for Dahl: A Gloriumptious A-Z Guide to the World of Roald Dahl. 
     Based on this read, Roald Dahl probably wouldn't have been the person we'd have on our friends list... in fact, he likely would have been "unfriended" by many of us.  But there's no denying that he'll remain one of our favorite children's authors.  If you like "tell all" biographies, you might find this a great one to check out from the library!  

Philo Farnsworth

Don't you love Kathleen Krull (author of Wilma Unlimited)?  You can see her work at: http://www.kathleenkrull.com.  There's something about her books that always makes me stop and look.  
     She has amazing ability to write creative and thoughtful biographical text.  The Boy Who Invented TV:  The Story of Philo Farnsworth is another winner!
     While plowing the potato fields, Philo dreams of making pictures "fly through the air."  Always inquisitive and interested in invention, Philo had a mentor in his father who nurtured his passions for anything mechanical.  And this book tells his story.
     As a young boy, he read the Sears catalog with longing and wonder... despite the fact that the only thing he ever got out of the catalog was a violin.  Philo was fascinated with electricity and the prospects of "television."  And, while plowing the fields he dreamed,
(and dreamed big) about the possibilities.  He was a genius inventor and this story details the life of Philo, who was almost forgotten as the man who invented "one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth century."  In the book we learn the details about why he was not credited with the invention.
     I love the illustrations in this book.  They fit the text with authenticity and a sense of the eclectic.  I especially love the variety of televisions represented.  
     I'm adding this one to my collection of "stamina and endurance" books!  I'll print and fold up these little tidbits in the front of the book.  I think his is a fascinating story (Philco... get the connection?):  http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=farnsworthp and http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/farnsworth.html

George Washington - A Biography

Three hundred years ago, there was no United States of America. Instead, there were thirteen English colonies in North America. In the one called Virginia, a tall boy loved to get on his horse and gallop through the woods alone. He wasn't afraid of bears, or wolves, or the native hunters with bows and arrows who shared those woods. George Washington wasn't afraid of anything, except making conversation. He was shy.

      So begins Anne Rockwell's Big George:  How a Shy Boy Became President.  This is a personal story of our first president written in Anne Rockwell style, with precision and wonderful language, painting a wonderful portrait of a man we've come to know as the father of our country.  In her version we see him grow from a boy of 13 to a man... a boy who tames his temper, a natural leader (digging trenches with his troops), and with a destain for the horrors of the battlefield.  We learn a bit about his family and his love of country as well as his bravery and skillled leadership... leadership that eventually leads him to the presidency.  You can learn more about her on her website at: http://www.annerockwell.com
     I am becoming a Matt Phelan fan.  His subtle illustrations fit this story well (I blogged about his book The Storm in the Barn in November).  There's a sense of mystery in his drawings of George Washington and his journey.  Matt Phelan has a great blog (which explores his work):  http://planetham.blogspot.com.  Take a look at the illustrator's website also, it's well worth a visit: http://www.mattphelan.com.
     This is a perfect tribute to George Washington, the perfect entry to mention today.