Two New Books - Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan

Where do we sit?  We sit side-by-side, carefully listening.  The way we look at the student, a spark of intent in our eyes, leaning in naturally, gives the student the sense that for the next few minutes he has our undivided attention.  It says to the reader that we have only one purpose--to listen.  It is a stunning act, sitting next to a young reader, waiting to be amazed?  It's like Anne Sullivan writing, "My heart is singing for joy this morning!  A miracle has happened!  The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed!"  And, who knows a reader might just trust himself a bit more if we choose to move in and listen--at just the right time."  (Conferring:  The Keystone of Reader's Workshop, page 153).

I used this quote (from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller) to describe the power of sitting next to a reader... discovering the joy they bring to their reading lives if we just listen to their thinking.  If we learn to confer, and confer well, we can see that "light of understanding" in all of our students.  Change happens.  If we learn to listen, it's an amazing gift.  

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I've loved Helen Keller's story since I saw The Miracle Worker when I was young; has anyone captured them better than Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke?  In fact, I played James Keller in our school production of the play in high school.  There's something about Helen's life that fascinates me.

     That's why I was excited to add Doreen Rappaport's book, Helen's Big World, to my collection.  And, who doesn't love illustrations by Matt Tavares; marvelous and detailed.  I love Doreen Rappaport's ability to "determine important ideas" and then weave them into beautifully written text that captures so eloquently the lives of her subjects.  This book is no exception.  She covers Helen's life from infancy to that moment at the water pump we've come to recognize as the breakthrough into Helen's world.  There's a simplicity to Rappaport's words that envelope the complicated world of a brilliant mind.  Anne Sullivan recognized Helen's potential and her love for Helen is revealed across time.  Knowing that Helen was able to overcome her own disabilities adds to the richness of this piece.  I appreciate how Ms. Rappaport weaves Helen's own words into the text.   

     In the classroom, I love using books about Helen Keller to engage students in the concept of "strengthening stamina and endurance."  Her drive, her interest in injustice and activism, her ability to face adversity... all because of an unknown illness that left her blind and mute at the age of 18 months.  It's a story that amazes me every time I read it.  We all know what happens when a wise teacher is able to engage and support the gifts of even the most reticent learner. 

     Another wonderful book I found at NCTE is Anne Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller.  It's a brilliant graphic novel by Joseph Lambert.  Lambert, too, puts a new twist on the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan.  The darkness and light of his illustrations are mesmerizing. 

   This text focuses on the lives of both Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller as they work to discover their own lives, paralleling Helen's struggles in the Keller home and Annie's in helping Helen learn.  It focuses on the struggles Helen had at the Perkins Institution when she was accused of plagarism.  It covers new territory, something that's not often explored in stories of Helen's and Annie's relationship.  Because it's a graphic novel, it requires close reading and lots of inferring.  I found the "Panel Discussions" in the back of the text compelling and thought-provoking.  In fact, I spent time rereading the text after reading the discussion.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart - one of my favorite Helen Keller quotes.  And, adding these two books to my growing collection of books about Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan reminds me that learning about a subject you find intriguing never ends.  Thanks to Doreen Rappaport and Joseph Lambert for their brilliance. 

All Will Be Well

Jo Knowles was one of the authors I met at a dinner gathering in November.  Her book See You at Harry's is beautifully written.  Ms. Knowles has developed characters who grab your heartstrings.  Ms. Knowles has created a story that makes you laugh, cry, laugh, cry.  Ms. Knowles has wrapped words around a plot that leaves you breathless.  Ms. Knowles has written a story about bullying, family, tragedy, conflict... all real issues.  Writing in first person, Ms. Knowles takes readers on an incredible journey.

"The truth feels like it's crushing me.  Drowning me before I even get to my knees."  This quote from the book is exactly how you'll feel when you sit down (tissues in hand) to read it.  The truth of Ms. Knowles writing is strong, emotional, sincere.  The truth of her ability to write an incredible story is without questions.   

     Ms. Knowles signed her book, "All will be well!'  "All will be well" is Ran's mantra to Fern, his best friend.  Fern is the main character, whose life is "invisible" to those around her... until an unexpected turn of events changes things forever.  Reading See You at Harry's is like taking a personal journey; a journey through tragedy, a journey through survival.  I'd describe it with one word--breathtaking!

     I am slipping this one onto my daughter's "must-read" pile.  As an 8th grader, I think it will be the perfect book for her to read.  Powerful characters.  Important issues.  This is a wonderful book.  It's a testament to the strength of love and family. 

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I love this interview with Jo Knowles, click here.

A Baseball Book about Larry Doby

Jackie Robinson is the most famous African-American baseball player.  In his new book, Just as Good:  How Larry Doby Changed America's Game, Chris Crow tells the story of lesser known Larry Doby.  Doby was the first African-American player in the American League.  He played for the Cleveland Indians and helped lead them to the World Series and their first victory in many years.  This book focuses on one single game in the series, told by a fictional character named Homer.  Homer was told he couldn't play on his local Little League team because he was black.

     Homer and his parents listen to the game on their new radio.  Mike Benny has blended his illustrations with Chris Crow's text and they transport us between the kitchen table where Homer's family is listening to the game and the stadium where the Indians are battling the Boston Braves.  Homer's excitement is just as genuine as if they had attended the actually game.  Mr. Crow's story shares the inspiration that came during a time when baseball was changed forever.  When he sees the picture of Larry Doby and Steve Gromek in the newspaper the next day, Homer's daddy ends the book saying, "Change ain't a-coming', Homer.  It's already here."

     Young fans of baseball will enjoy reading this story.  I can't wait to add it to my classroom library in the "Sports" basket.  I think the "Historical Note" in the back of the book adds a lot to the text, rich in detail and ties this story to that of Jackie Robinson.  I think young readers, especially baseball fans will love this book.   

Doreen Rappaport - Beyond Courage

Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust by Doreen Rappaport is an amazing new book published by Candlewick Press.  I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Rappaport in November and received copy of her book.  The few minutes I spent with her as she signed my book is engrained in my memory, she speaks with the same passion.
     This book is powerful and poignant.  These words written by Franta Bass, age eleven (find the remainder of her words on page one and page 196), provide a glimpse into the content of the text:

I am a Jew and will be Jew forever, 

Even if I should die from hunger, 

never will I submit.

I will always fight for my people, 

on my honor...

     Doreen Rappaport shares the courage of the people who, during the war, rallied to stand up to the Nazi regime and face it with courage.  In her book, we learn about thousands of Jewish lives that were saved by the ingenuity, conviction, and tenacity of those who were willing to risk their lives to save others... smuggling children to safety, forging identifications and paperwork, creating secret ways to ensure freedom and hope for those whose lives were changed forever.  In this book, Ms. Rappaport takes on a tough subject and shares stories of survival that would otherwise be lost had she not had the courage to research and write this book.  And, while she states, "the scope and extent of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust cannot possibly be contained in one book," this book is an amazing resource and should find its way into every classroom.  Thankfully, she plans to continue to explore this topic on her website, Doreenrappaport.com.
     The power of Ms. Rappaport's words and voice made me understand more clearly the tragedy of this time in our world's history.  A perfect addition to any text set about the Holocaust and its impact on humanity.  The photographs and personal accounts shared in this book provide richness and draw us closer to the lives of those who risked everything to save the lives of others.  Ms. Rappaport has written about defiance... about standing up against oppression.  It must have been so daunting for people like George Loinger, Marianne Cohn, Mordechai Anielewizc, and all those whose story she tells to fight for the survival of others.  This book chronicles a harrowing time in our history eloquently, purposefully, and with the same passion that we find in all Ms. Rappaport's writing... every teacher and student should read it.
     The power of story... of sharing story... of remembering story, that's what Beyond Courage does for us.  As long as we have people like Doreen Rappaport, we can never forget!  Powerful.  Beautifully written.  Unforgettable.

October Mourning

One of the highlights of NCTE 2012 for me was sitting next to Leslea Newman at a dinner party.  The dinner was lovely, we shared great conversation, and lots of laughter was floating around the table.  Strangers who shared a bit of time together.  After dessert, we circulated to the other three tables and had books signed by the other authors (those posts are coming).  Delightful.
     In the airport and on the flight home, I read her book October Mourning:  A Song for Matthew Shepard* and I only wish I had read it before dinner.  I know that it's made its way onto several award lists (including the Nerdies) since that time.  Ms. Newman's book is a lasting tribute to Matthew Shepard, whose life ended far too early and whose senseless death is unimaginable.  Fortunately, Ms. Newman found the courage and respect to tell Matthew's story.  As I was sitting the airport reading, tears were welling in my eyes (read the poem "Every Mother's Plea" and you'll understand).  Ms. Newman's honest, poignant, and compassionate story is heart-wrenching.  Her sixty-eight poems capture the horrific events of that October night from the points-of-view of everyone and everything that surrounded his death, including the moon, the fencepost, the sheriff, his mother, the rope... it's not an easy read, but an important one.  
     As a writer, you'll notice many tools Leslea used to weave her incredible piece.  You'll notice that she shares an explanation of the poetic forms she used when writing the text.  You'll notice that she included an explanation of epigraphs used throughout the text.  You'll notice that the "Afterward" is just as important as the poems contained in her story.  You'll notice that writers who take on tough subjects can do so with grace and honor, even when writing about tough subjects.  You'll notice that writers who have passion produce amazing results.  You'll notice that when a writer writes with purpose, the reader is changed forever.
     If we were having dinner tonight it would still be lovely, we'd still share great conversation, and lots of laughter would float around the table.  Strangers who shared a bit of time together would still leave all the better.  After dessert, I would have leaned to my left and said, "Thank you!"  Thank you, Leslea.

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*(the only reason I put it down in the airport was because some of my Ohio friends were at the next gate and we had to visit a bit before we both took off... but that's another story).  

Timothy Egan - Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher

It's time to blog again... after a LONG bit of "blog block"!

      The first book I'm reading in 2013 is Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher:  The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis.  If you are a Timothy Egan fan, you're going to love this new book.  The Worst Hard Time, for which he won the National Book Award is one of my favorite books.  I knew when I saw his new book, I had to read it!
     Timothy Egan writes about Edward Curtis - a famous mountaineer and photographer - with riveting and thought-provoking insight.  It's the kind of narrative nonfiction that I can't put down.
     Edward Curtis was a man on a mission when he decided to capture as much of Native American life as he could... on both film and audio.  Curtis moved from studio photographer to "archiver" of Native American life like no other person.  He settled in Seattle after moving from Minnesota.  In the early 1900s, he decided that he would capture as much of Native American life as possible before the life of our country's original inhabitants disappeared forever.  He was willing to give up everything - his family, his business, his rights as a photographer - to pursue his dream of capturing authentic insight about the lives of Native Americans.  And, as a result of his persistence, there are over 40,000 photographs and 10,000 audio recordings captured all over our country.  Curtis was driven.  He died in 1952 at a time when his work was all but forgotten (Mr. Egan's book will certainly revitalize an interest in Curtis's photography).
     As I read the first chapter about Chief Seattle's daughter, Princess Angeline, I was awestruck.  The conflict between the development of the Seattle area and the demise of the native people who occupied the area is brilliantly described and impeccably researched.  It was Curtis's interest in Angeline that nudged hims to spend 30 years photographing Native Americans... he spent over ten years trying to persuade the Hopi to let him into their Snake Dance ceremony.  By 1930 he had created 20 volumes of documentation.  Amazing.  And, we learn it was not without the sacrifice.
     Timothy Egan is a gifted writer.  He writes with passion and purpose.  Check out his essays in the New York Times.  But first, check out Short Nights of the the Shadow Catcher.  

Daniel Pinkwater - Another Great Title

Daniel Pinkwater.  Who doesn't love Daniel Pinkwater?  
     I use his book The Big Orange Splot often to remind teachers that creativity matters, that being yourself matters... and to relax! (Thanks to my friend, Lori, for telling me about it).
     I love The Hoboken Chicken Emergency because it makes me laugh!  I've seen 4th graders read it with the strangest look on their faces.
     I think of I am the Dog every time I sit and wonder what Timber is trying to tell me.  It makes me almost want to try kibble!
     I was a Second-Grade Werewolf makes me wish my name was Lawrence Talbot.  It makes me smile.
     I think of William every time I'm at the dentist because I think it would be so cool to pick up radio signals in my tooth ala Fat Men From Space.  It's a favorite read aloud.
     I laugh when I read The Ratatouille Weight Loss Plan and ponder when I read his tribute to Jean Shepherd (author of A Christmas Story).
     I haven't read all of his works, but he's one gifted writer.

I just received a copy of Bear in Love published by Candlewick Press.  I love Bear.  Who else finds joy in a carrot, or two, or three?  Daniel Pinkwater captures the burgeoning friendship between a bunny and a bear with such simplicity and humor.  The last line "And the two of them sat side by side in the clearing, singing songs as the sun went down," is brilliant.  This book would be a perfect read aloud for young readers.  You could use it during a study of inferring at any age.  You could use it as a mentor text with young writers.  Or you could just spend some time basking in the Pinkwater gift...

Thank you to Candlewick Press for the Advanced Copy