Graphic Novel

Book Title: Mo and Jo Fighting Together Forever
Author: Jay Lynch
Illustrator: Dean Haspiel
Publisher: TOON Books
Date Published: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-935179-37-5

About the book: 

Mona and Jona are twins and all they seem to do is fight. They both love the superhero Mighty Mojo so when they find out that the mailman is Mighty Mojo they are super excited. However, when Mighty Mojo decides to give them his powerful costume, they end up tearing the costume in half fighting over it. Their mother fixes the torn costume and makes it into two. Now Mo and Joe are each only half as strong. Can the twins find a way to work together and fight the evil Saw-Jaw to save their town?

Book Review:

Personally I'm not usually a big fan of comic books but I can appreciate the style and format of graphic novels. I like the message of problem solving and working together that this book presents. Children can relate to the storyline and enjoy the visuals that use bright, bold colors as well. Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5.

Poetry

Book Title/ Site: The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
Poem Title: I Heard A Fly Buzz When I Died 
Author: Emily Dickinson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Date Published: 1976
ISBN: 9780316184137

About the poem: 

This poem is about death and the atmosphere and scene of which it occurs. It is told from the perspective of the person deceased rather than the living. As this goes on, a fly comes into the picture and interupts the peace changing the whole atmosphere. 

Below is the poem:

I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died 

I heard a fly buzz when I died;

The stillness round my form

Was like the stillness in the air

Between the heaves of storm.

The eyes beside had wrung them dry,

And breaths were gathering sure

For that last onset, when the king

Be witnessed in his power.

I willed my keepsakes, signed away

What portion of me I

Could make assignable, and then

There interposed a fly,

With blue, uncertain, stumbling buzz,

Between the light and me;

And then the windows failed, and then

I could not see to see.

Poem Review: These are the types of poems that I always struggled with as a kid. All of the hidden meanings and symbolisms used throughout the poem are complex ideas that most children would probably not understand. Although Emily Dickonson is a commendable poet, I think that her poems are more suitable for high school students and adults. The topic of death may be a little harsh for young children especially when presented in such a abstract and confusing way. Unless a substantial amount of support is provided, I think that using these types of poems in instruction can lead to frustration and discourage children from wanting to read poetry. I give this poem a 3 out of 5. 

Poetry

Book Title: The Golden Book of Poetry (1947)
Poem Title: My Shadow
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Publisher: Poetry Foundation 
Date Published: 1915
ISBN: 

About the poem: 

The poem My Shadow is about a young girl's recollections and experiences with her shadow, who she considers to be a companion and refers to it as a "him" as if it's someone other than herself. She goes all to talk about it's size, shape, actions, and even how it embarrasses her at school. She talks about how it follows her and is with her always. 

Poem Review

I enjoyed reading this poem and think children would too. It is cute and presents a completely relatable topic to young children that they can understand. The structure and language used throughout the poem is appropriate for children and doesn't require over analysis but just the use of creativity and imagination. Children can become actively engaged in this poem and even read it aloud in class or at home. The good thing about this poem is that it can appeal to adults as well. I give this poem a 4 out of 5. 

Poetry

Book Title: The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni (1968-1998)
Poem Title: Make Up 
Author: Nikki Giovanni 
Publisher: William Morrow 
Date Published: 2003
ISBN: 9780060541330

About the poem:
I think Nikki Giovanni's poem Make Up is about how we use make up both literally and figuratively throughout our lives to protect ourselves and cover up imperfections. She uses the term "make up" as we use it on our faces to cover up and "make up" in the sense of making stories up to help cope with situations in our lives. 

Last stanza from the poem Make Up 

we make up excuses
to say i’m sorry that
forgive me because
and after all didn’t i tell you
why
and i make up with you
because you aren’t strong
enough to reach out
to say

come home I need you

Poem Review

I love this poem. When I was younger I received this poetry book as a gift and spent hours going through selecting poems by Nikki Giovanni that I loved and compiled them into some type of poetry collection. I wanted to use this poem and share it because she writes her poems for children and even adults. This poem is one that can have multiple interpretations which is the beauty of poetry. I definitely reccomend this poem for children, especially older children in elementary and middle school. I give this poem a 5 out of 5 owls. 

Historical Fiction

Book Title:  Naming Liberty 

Author: Jane Yolen

Illustrator: Jim Burke 

Publisher: Philomel Books a division of Penguin Young Readers 

Date Published: 2008

ISBN: 9780399242502

About the book: 

Naming Liberty is a heartfelt journey in which two stories are weaved together. One is about a young girl, Gitl, and her journey from Russia to America with her family, and the other is about a young artist from France, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, who wants to build a monument in honor of America's independence. Eventually Gitl and her family arrive in New York Harbor and see the Statue of Liberty. The significance of this is that the Statue of Liberty was the monument built by the artist, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. 

Book Review

Although some of the content and language used throughout the book might be difficult for young children to comprehend, with the proper guidance and support provided by a teacher this story is a great selection to introduce the concepts of immigration and freedom to children. The paintings provide great opportunities for readers to identify the similarities of families in different periods of time and cultures. I give this book a 3 out of 5 owls. 

Historical Fiction

Book Title: Harlem Renaissance Party
Author/Illustrator: Faith Ringgold
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Date Published: 2015 
ISBN: 9780060579111

About the book:

Harlem Renaissance Party is a journey about a little boy, Lonnie, and his Uncle Bates who go back in time to Harlem in the 1920s. On their journey they meet many famous people that played a significant part in the Harlem Renaissance including Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight boxing champion of the world and Langston Hughes, Lonnie's favorite poet.  

Book Review

This is not my favorite book but I do appreciate the topic and the illustrations of the text. The story itself is more informational than engaging which could lead to lack of interest from children however, I really liked the glossary provided in the back of the book. Personally, I found this extremely helpful and beneficial because it  helped me to better understand the Harlem Renaissance and all of the terms or people referenced throughout the book. Although some were familiar to me, I didn't know much about the Harlem Renaissance before reading this book. I give this book 3 owls. 

Historical Fiction

Book Title:  The Patchwork Path
Author: Bettye Stroud
Illustrator: Erin Susanne Bennett
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Date Published: 2005
ISBN: 9780763635190


About the book:

The Patchwork Path is a story of hope about a young girl, Hannah, and her father who were slaves on a Georgia plantation and embark on a journey towards freedom. Hannah's mother taught her how to make a quilt made of patches and patterns that each represent a code that would help guide them towards freedom. Each pattern signifies a different part of the journey.

Book Review

The Patchwork Path is an inspiring story with beautiful illustrations. Stroud's idea of incorporating a quilt with patches that represent hidden meanings and clues is a great way of catching reader's interest and giving them more of an incentive to read, while introducing them to the important and real subject of runaway slaves as a part of our history. This is a beautiful story full of hope and inspiration told through the eyes of a young girl. I'm giving this story a 4 out of 5 owls.