Just a Second

1. Bibliography:

Jenkins, S. 2011. Just a Second. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade & Reference Publishers. 

2. Plot Summary:

Steve Jenkins nonfiction picture book teaches young readers the concept of time by comparing it to different events in nature and space. Jenkins shows us events that can happen in seconds, minutes, days, months, years and even less than a second. 

3. Critical Analysis:

This nonfiction book is bound to entertain kids of all ages as they learn facts about the weather, nature, animals and space while also teaching about time. For example, in one hour, “an adult takes about 900 breaths.” There are so many topics that are covered that will bring an interest to readers and make them want to continue reading. The illustrations are simple but go with each fact given. The back of the book provides even more information with timelines of the universe, earth’s human population, life spans of pants and animals and a timeline of important dates. 

4. Review Excerpt(s): 

"Jenkins renders this package both eye-catching and mind boggling. Teachers will find good jumping-off points here for math, science, and history discussions." -School Library Journal

5. Connections:

• Try to find other examples that could happen in one second, minute, hour, etc.

• Try to find videos of the examples given in the book

The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion and the Fall of Imperial Russia

1. Bibliography:

Fleming, C. 2014. The family romanov: Murder, rebellion and the fall of Imperial Russia. Anne Schwartz Books. 

2. Plot Summary:

Candace Fleming writes about the true story of Russia’s last royal family, the Romanovs. Using first-hand accounts including diaries and photographs, Fleming tells the story of how Tsar Nicholas II of Russia came to rule, created a family of the massive empire that would ultimately have a tragic ending. 

3. Critical Analysis:

The story is so thoughtfully written that you forget that you are reading a nonfiction story. Since it is written from first-hand accounts and excerpts from diaries of the Romanov family and close friends, the book reads like a fiction story and doesn’t just give you facts and details. The way Fleming writes this story transports you back into time and makes you not want to stop reading. You don’t just hear about the Romanov family but, you also learn about how life was in Russia at the time that brought on the ending of the royal family. Readers are shown more insight with pictures of the royal family and their lifestyle, as well as life of the peasants in Russia. 

4. Review Excerpt(s):

“For readers who regard history as dull, Fleming’s extraordinary book is proof positive that, on the contrary, it is endlessly fascinating absorbing as any novel.” - Booklist

“Riveting…Appeals to the imagination as much as the intellect.”- The Horn

The Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Los Angeles Book Prizes Winner

5. Connections:

Read other nonfiction works by Candace Fleming such as: 

• Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

• The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum

• The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary

Bomb: Graphic Novel: The Race to Build -- and Steal-- the World's Most Dangerous Weapon

1. Bibliography:

Sheinkin, S. 2023. Bomb: Graphic novel: The race to build--and steal--the world's most dangerous weapon. Roaring Brook Press. Ill. Bertozzi, N.

2. Plot Summary:

Told as a graphic novel, Bomb tells the true story of the creation of the atomic bomb. The story starts when a chemist in Germany makes a shocking discovery. The discovery of a uranium atom splitting in two when placed next to radioactive materials creates a race between countries to create the world’s deadliest weapon. 

3. Critical Analysis:

The story and understanding of the atomic bomb can be intense and complex especially for someone that maybe doesn’t have an interest or an understanding of it. In Sheinkin’s graphic novel, tells the story in an entertaining way that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The use of images that isn’t crammed with information fills the story with suspense that provides students with an understanding and learn about the creation of the atomic bomb. The beginning of the story begins with agents trying to find Henry Gold. The reader sees him trying to get rid of documents. You find out he’s gone to different places around the country even though he denied it and the reader is hooked to find out who he is and what has he done. 

4. Review Excerpt(s):

"Sheinkin and Bertozzi take the story of one of the most significant events in recent world history and make it accessible to all readers, regardless of background knowledge." ―School Library Journal

"Sheinkin once again shows his versatility with this simple yet powerful format shift." ―Booklist

5. Connections:

Read Steve Sheinkin’s original novel Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon and compare the two novels.

Heroines, Rescuers, Rabbis, Spies: Unsung Women of the Holocaust

1. Bibliography:

Swartz, S. S. 2022. Heroines, rescuers, rabbis, spies: Unsung women of the Holocaust. Second Story Press. 

2. Plot Summary

Sarah Silberstein Swartz tells the true story of nine women that faced danger head on to save lives during the Holocaust. Some of these stories include going undercover, in hiding and in concentration camps. 

3. Critical Analysis:

Swartz’s inspirational stories for young adults brings recognition to these hidden heroes. The information is shown mostly through text that Swartz has research immensely. Throughout each person’s story, the reader is given personal quotes by each person which serves as a reminder for the reader that this is a true story. The pictures and maps in the story make the story appealing to the reader as it connects to the text. This story not only tells powerful stories about women but also stories about the those that are interested in the Holocaust. 

4. Review Excerpt(s): 

"These personal stories are illuminating and powerful, offering ways for readers to connect with and understand the past. Swartz writes from a feminist perspective, questioning why these heroic figures went unsung and frequently even unmentioned while male heroes received praise and recognition... Phenomenally done and more necessary than ever." ― Kirkus Reviews

5. Connections:

Read similar stories of inspiring women: Troublemakers in Trousers: Women and What They Wore to Get Things Done and Hope Wins: A Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers

Diamond Willow

1. Bibliography:

Frost, H. 2011. Diamond Willow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

2. Plot Summary:

Helen Frost creates diamond shaped poems to tell a story about a twelve-year-old girl named Willow. Willow wants to blend in and thinks of herself as average but still wants to be seen for who she is. More than anything, she wants to mush the dogs out to her grandparents’ house by herself. An adventure leads willow to the discovery of a family secret and Willow learns her own strength and place in the small Alaskan town.

3. Critical Analysis:

Diamond Willow might seem like it could be a chapter book but once you open and see the diamond design of each poem, you realize that it is a set of poems that creates a story that is made for early teens. Each uniquely shaped diamond tells its own story and can stand on its own to tell a story of emotions and feelings. Diamond Willow brings out emotions when dealing with life and death (especially if you are a dog lover) that young teens can relate to or gain a somewhat understanding of as Willow learns her full identity. In each diamond the reader will notice darker print in parts of each poem. As the reader continues on the journey of the story they will notice the darker print shows a hidden message that symbolizes the scar of a missing branch for Willow. 

4. Review Excerpts:

Bank Street- Best Children’s Book of the Year 

Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Winner

School Library Journal- “Willow relates her story in one-page poems, each of which contains a hidden message printed in darker type. At key intervals, the narrative is continued in the voices of her ancestors, who take the form of animal spirits—Red Fox, Spruce Hen, Mouse, Chickadee, Lynx—and her sled dogs. Frost casts a subtle spell through innovative storytelling. Her poems offer pensive imagery and glimpses of character, and strong emotion. This complex and elegant novel will resonate with readers who savor powerful drama and multifaceted characters.”

5. Connections:

Pick one of the “poems” from the book and draw a picture based on the imagery.

Read other works from Helen Frost such as Keesha’s House, All He Knew, The Braid

Edgar Allan Poe's Pie Math Puzzlers in Classic Poems

1. Bibliography: 

Lewis, J. P., & Slack, M. H. (2012). Edgar Allan Poe's Pie Math Puzzlers in Classic Poems. Ill: Slack, M.H Harcourt Mifflin Harcourt. 

2. Plot Summary:

J. Patrick Lewis combines poetry and math to create poems mixed with brainteasers. Classic poems and poets are reimagined with a dash of math to create a brand-new poem with a puzzle to solve. 

3. Critical Analysis: 

J. Patrick Lewis’ book provides a fun and silly way to work on your math skills for the reluctant math learners while also learning about poetry. In the poem “Edgar Allan Poe’s Apple Pie,” the reader is trying to figure how many cuts can make 10 slices in a pie. This poem is inspired by “The Raven,” and starts in a similar matter with “Once upon a midnight rotten, cold and rainy,” that is similar to Poe’s poem. Someone that isn’t familiar with the poems might not find the similarities but I know for me, I went back read the original poems to find the inspiration. The eye catching illustrations by Michael Slack help to enhance the clever word play by Lewis.  At the end of the book, Lewis also includes prose about each poet that was used in the book that helps to build more interest for young readers.

4. Review Excerpts:

Kirkus- "Lewis cleverly combines math and language arts with this collection of humorous poetry parodies that present readers with math word problems to solve."

School Library Journal- "Teachers and parents might challenge youngsters to try solving the math problems, then introduce them to the classic poems by reading them together.”

5. Connections:

Solve the math problems and puzzles from the poem.

Create your own poem that includes a math problem or puzzle to solve.

Research one of the poets or poems that are mentioned in a poem from the book.

The Llama Who Had No Pajama: 100 Favorite Poems

1. Bibliography:

Hoberman, M. A. 2006. The Llama who had no pajama: 100 favorite poems. Ill: Fraser, B. Harcourt Brace & Co. 

2. Plot Summary:

Mary Ann Hoberman’s The Llama Who Had No Pajama: 100 Favorite Poems gives us a variety of poems of all different subjects and moods that is a great introduction to poetry. The poems range from animals, seasons, money, people and food. 

3. Critical Analysis:

Young readers are going to thoroughly enjoy this introduction to poems as they venture through a variety of 100 different poems. The word play and set up of the books makes it kid friendly. With the wide range of topics there is a poem that a student can relate to or a topic they enjoy. The book design is unique to other books. The layout of the book doesn’t make you feel like there are 100 poems in the book. Some pages have one poem and other pages have 3 or 4 poems. Some of the designs of the poems go with the topic of the poem such as in “Windshield Wipers.” Hoberman creates two columns one saying “This way,” and the other saying “That way,” to symbolize that windshield wipers go back and forth. The lengths of each poem also vary with some only being a few lines. With not having the pressure to read long lengths of poems on each page, young readers will enjoy reading these fun poems.

4. Review Excerpt(s): 

Goodreads: “It provides a variety of poems on different subjects like animals, people, childhood fun, and other concepts like time, opposites, and up comparisons. The poems are all enhanced by illustrations that creatively illustrate the action in the poem. This anthology can be a good resource for the classroom to enhance and supplement other genres in reading instruction or just make accessible to students to read independently.”

School Library Journal: “Hoberman's poems, accompanied by Fraser's illustrations, have been delighting children for 40 years. Now, many poems from their out-of-print books are available in this satisfying collection. The selections are mostly humorous, sometimes contemplative, and deal with animals, family, play, and plain silliness. Hoberman's rhythms are lively and agile, and her imagination and sense of humor are still in tune with young readers. Fraser's simple but detailed gouache and watercolor illustrations exhibit the same qualities. The layout is masterfully varied and never overwhelms the poems. There is a table of contents as well as an index of first lines. Good for beginning or experienced readers of poetry, this should indeed become a favorite.”

5. Connections:

Read other works by Mary Ann Hoberman such as The Lady with the Alligator Purse, A House is a House for Me, Very Short Mother Goose Tales to Read Together.

Pick your favorite poem from the book and explain why you like it. 

Zoobilations! Animal Poems and Paintings

1. Bibliography:

Florian, D. 2022. Zoobilations!: Animal Poems and Paintings. Beach Lane Books. 

2. Plot Summary:

Douglas Florian’s book Zoobilations! is a collection of animal poems filled with a fun way to learn about different animals.

3. Critical Analysis:

This collection of poems about animals will not only keep kids entertained by the clever information and matching illustrations that look like it was drawn with crayons, but it will also give adults a little chuckle as well. Kids will let out a laugh when Florian uses clever word play to write that a mandrill isn’t just a monkey but a monkey with a rainbow on its face. Next to the poem is a picture that shows the mandrill holding paint and a paintbrush like it drew on its face. Adults might laugh when they notice the hidden puns that kids might not grasp or be familiar with a term such as “horses rarely horse around.” The illustrations add a certain style to each poem when you see the animals acting in a way that you normally would see them like seeing a naked mole rat wearing pants. 

4. Review Excerpt(s):

Goodreads- “The author's illustrations carry a lot of weight in this book of animal poetry. Whimsy is the operative mode. Kids will have fun with these poems, though several jokes are old as the hills.”

5. Connections:

Create your own poem using a different animal that wasn’t used in the book.

Read other collection of poems by Douglas Florian- Beast Feast, Dinothesaurus, and Comets, Stars, The Moon and Mars.