George

Gino, A. (2015). George. New York: Scholastic.

About the Book

George is a book that looks at a topic that is not widely discussed. The author Alex Gino presents the topic in a very innocent and tasteful manner. George is a transgender child in fourth grade. He is in love with the character Charlotte in Charlotte's Web. He dreams of playing the part of the glorious spider, but it is a part set aside for girls. George has a best friend Kelly who eventually discovers his secret and supports him/her. At the end of the story George is making small strides to become the girl that he feels he is. Kelly provides him/her the opportunity to spend the day as a girl. George or Melissa as he refers to himself, has one of the best days of their lives at the end of the story.

Evaluative Criteria for Realistic Fiction

George is a beautifully written book about a topic that is not discussed openly by very many people. The gender identity in the book is giving a voice to transgender individuals. The story is told very innocently, but truthfully by George. He shares his worries about not being accepted by people in public and in his family. He is struggling to belong in the world, but does not identify with the gender that he has the anatomy for. George’s brain and personality are female centered and driven. The struggle he slowly begins to overcome is in baby steps, but it gives hope to other children who can relate to his experience. The book also provides a story for children who are not familiar with the topic to develop empathy for others who may be struggling with the same questions as George. The plot follows very familiar daily events that kids of current society can relate to. The story builds over time. It begins with George’s inner monologue describing his secret inner feelings. During the story he tells his best friend his true feelings and his family. He is slowly accepted by the people who care the most for him. At the end of the story George is given the opportunity to be a girl for the day with his best girlfriend.

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. NY: Morrow.

About the Book

Leigh Botts is the main character he is in elementary school when he begins to write to his favorite author Mr. Henshaw. Mr. Henshaw wrote Ways to Amuse a Dog that Leigh believes to be the best book ever written. He is from a divorced family and moves to a new school. He is disappointed by his father multiple times throughout the book. Leigh writes to the author, and eventually begins to write in a journal. He develops into a writer over the course of the book with the limited mentoring from Mr. Henshaw through his return letters.

Evaluative Criteria for Realistic Fiction

The main character Leigh Botts is a young boy who begins writing letters to his favorite author. Mr. Henshaw is the author who very rarely responded to Leigh’s notes. Leigh expresses a variety of emotions in his writing about a variety of different topics. He is coping with growing up without his father in the picture and dealing with the feelings of abandonment. Leigh’s character can easily be related to by young boys who are dealing with learning how to express their emotions. Leigh is also depicted as a writer and he grows as a more confident writer over the course of the book. The theme in the book is Leigh coming to terms with his life after his parents’ divorce. He also must come to the understanding that he is not to blame in any way for his parents’ decisions.  

Orbiting Jupiter

Schmidt, G. (2015). Orbiting Jupiter. New York: Clarion Books.

About the Book

Jack and his family bring Joseph into their family through the foster care system. Joseph has been at the detention center and is brought into Jack's family at a last resort for healing. As the story develops Jack gets to know Joseph better and learns that he has a daughter named Jupiter that he is dispirit to see.  Joseph's story is very sad and involves an abusive parent and the results when he finally found someone he loved. In the end Jupiter will be provided the opportunity to know about her birth parents.

Evaluative Criteria for Realistic Fiction

The theme in the story Orbiting Jupiter is about the life of foster families and foster kids. The story also hits on abuse and innocent mistakes. Joseph is a child who comes from a very different life, than Jack his foster brother. Joseph learns what unconditional love is through his time with Jack’s family. Jack is accepting of Joseph and gets to know him for who he is and not what he has done. The setting in the story is very descriptive. The farm and all the workings are described in depth through the story. The very harsh winter is described so that a reader that is not familiar with such experiences can understand and relate.

Crossover

Alexander, K. (2014). Crossover. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

About the Book

Josh a.k.a Filthy McNasty is the main character in this uniquely written realistic fiction novel. The story is told through poet verse. The plot of the story is about Josh and his twin brothers relationship with basketball and how their relationship is threatened when a girlfriend enters the picture. Josh's relationship with his father is also explored and in the end he is forced to deal with the death of his father.

Evaluative Criteria for Realistic Fiction

Crossover is a wonderful example of literary style, it is written in poetic format. Each poem is the next chapter in the story. Josh a.k.a Filthy McNasty is telling the story about his family and their love for basketball and each other. K. Alexander uses descriptive language throughout the entire book. For example, the poem about the main character Josh’s hair, “Ode to My Hair” uses multiple similes to describe his hair. Throughout the story the tone and mood changes along with the plot. When Josh is on the basketball court the language is carefree and full of action, but when he is having struggles with his twin brother the language becomes very serious. The setting in the book is modern day taking place at home, school and the basketball court. The backdrop of this story is very familiar to boys who play basketball. The reader can relate to the balance of family, school and the game with their lives. 

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1972). Bridge to Terabithia. NY: Crown.

About the Book

Jess and Leslie become fast friends even though they come from different life experiences. Leslie is an imaginative story teller and Jess is an artist. They come together and are the King and Queen of their own secret world "Terabithia." A tragedy happens and Leslie dies, leaving Jess to figure out how to navigate the world with out her brilliant soul.

Evaluative Criteria for Realistic Fiction

The theme of friendship, family and death develops through this classic story. The Character of Jess grows as he befriends the new girl next door. Through their adventures they become inseparable companions, until Leslie has a tragic accident and dies. Jess must overcome his sadness and learn to live without his best friend. Culture is compared in this story between the country and city life. Jess lives in the country and his family is poor. Leslie moves next door from the big city and her family is well off. Jess learns about the culture of educated city people through his relationship with Leslie’s family. Some of the descriptions of Jess’s home environment is becoming less familiar to today’s youth. Soon this book may become more of a historical fiction as society continues to change. 

The Paperbag Princess

Munsch, R. (2012). The paperbag princess. NY: Annick Press.

About the Book

The Paperbag Princess is a different twist on the traditional damsel in distress. The princes is the hostage taken by the dragon. The princess decides she must save the princes, even after the dragon has burned her clothes and everything around. In the end the princess saves the princes using her wits, and the prince is ungrateful for her bravery.

Visual Elements of Art Evaluation

Line – The illustrator uses very simple lines to depict the story. The lines are delicate, but used to shadow and detail the picture. The drawings are very simplistic.

Literature Evaluative Criteria

Imagery – In the story the author uses words to describe the destruction of the dragon. An example is “He left a trail of burnt forest and horses bones.” The author uses very straightforward words to help the reader know exactly what is happening to help them visualize the story. An example is “She lifted up the dragon’s ear and put her head right inside.”

Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow

Bartoletti, S. (2005). Hitler Youth. NY: Scholastic.

About this book

I had no idea that Hitler brain washed the youth of Germany during his reign of terror. The book shares stories from youth who lived through the experiences of the Hitler Youth as males and females. Each sex had slightly different experiences. Males were taught to survive and protect Socialism. Girls were in the BDM and were taught how to be proper ladies in a socialism society. I the book several of the individuals stated how their parents warned them not to become involved, but over time they had no choice but to let their children become part of the Hitler Youth. This book is a different experience from Hitler's reign that is not widely discussed, but has merit to be shared and understood.

Nonfiction Evaluation Criteria

The Accuracy of the information in this book is able to be validated by all of the references the author gives in the back of the book in the Epilogue, Author's Note, Quote Sources and Bibliography sections. The author, Susan Campbell Bartoletti, is an award winning author. She won a Newberry Honor for this book. While writing the book the author was able to stay unbiased and avoided stereotypes. The content of the book would be very difficult for most people to be able to stay non-biased.

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous

Bragg, G. (2011). How they croaked: The awful ends of the awfully famous. NY: Walker.

About this book

How they Croaked is a very interesting look into the history of very famous people. I learned several things I did not know before reading this book. I did not know that King Tut was believed to be murdered. I did not know that Caesar and Cleopatra had a child together. I did not realize George Washington died from an infection in his mouth. I also learned a lot of interesting facts at the end of each persons story, a little bit of trivia about the individual and their life.

Nonfiction Evaluation Criteria

The Organization of this book is nicely done. It is set up like a short stories book, but with nonfiction content. The table of contents list the people who are discussed in the book. The order of the people in the book are sequential by year of their death. The layout is the same for each person. A hand drawn picture of the person, a headstone with date and place of birth and death, the story of their death, and then lastly a section on weird facts associated with that persons life. At the back of the book a thorough list of sources is available for validating the content in the book by person, plus an index is available.

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship. NY: Hyperion.

About the Book

The story of the Negro League Baseball is very informative. The history of baseball that is most familiar is Babe Ruth and other white baseball players. I appreciate this book being written and sharing the story of the first African American baseball players. I also found it very interesting that the Negro league players developed some of the first safety gear that is still used today. My family spends a lot of time enjoying baseball, it is much more meaningful now for me to know more history about the game. My appreciation for the differences that people in the past had to over come is humbling.

Nonfiction Evaluation Criteria

The layout of the story is in a pattern. Each new section is labeled like a new inning in a baseball game. The history of Negro League baseball is presented in a very respectable way that brings attention to a subject that is not spoken about very much.  The Organization of the book also includes a foreword, author's notes, acknowledgments, Bibliography, Filmography, End notes and an Index. The artful Design of the illustrations brings this book into a class of its own.

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy's parade. NY:
      Houghton.

About the Book

I enjoyed learning about where the big balloons in the Macy's Day Parades originated from. Tony Sarg is a very creative inventor. His vision for the large spectacular balloons still is around today. The art work in the book is wonderful and adds to the whimsicalness of the story. Tony Sarg was a magnificent puppet maker who still puts smiles on peoples faces through his legacy.

Nonfiction Evaluation Criteria

The Organization of the book is sequential by the events in Tony Sarg's life. The story is a biography of his life. The author uses a timeline sequence to help the reader understand who Tony was and what he did that was important. The illustrations throughout the story help support the text. At the end of the book the author includes: author notes, background about the art/illustrations, Thank you's to the people who shared the facts about Tony's life with the author, Bibliography and Sources list.

Me...Jane

McDonnell, P. (2011). Me...jane. NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

About the Book

Me...Jane is a biography about the early life of Jane Goodall. At first glance one might think this is a picture book and just a story. A little girl and her chimpanzee Jubilee observe the world around them, taking notes about their experiences. At the end of the book the author includes a section about Jane Goodall and a message from Jane, plus notes about the drawings; to inform the reader that this is based on a true story and is not fiction.

Nonfiction Evaluation Criteria

At first glance I felt like I was reading a picture book. The Design of the illustrations using India Ink and watercolor is a very simply, yet very pleasing illustrations. The shadow like stamps of animals and nature brings more depth and curiosity to the text. The Style is written to tell the story of Jane Goodall's childhood. The text is written in a way to encourage the reader to dream just as Jane did as a child. The vocabulary is simple, yet powerful at the same time.

Rosa

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. NY: Holt.

About the Book

Rosa is a beautifully illustrated story about Rosa Parks involvement in the civil rights movement. I have heard the text book version of Rosa Parks story many times over the years. While reading this book I felt much more connected to her story than ever before. This book gives a very personal account of her experience during the civil rights movement. The story brought me to tears several times. Rosa Parks is a true inspiration to women.

Nonfiction Evaluation Criteria

The book is a beautiful piece of art in two ways. First the design, the pictures are magnificently illustrated as a collage with watercolors. The book is a Caldecott Honor Book for its illustrations. Second the Style or voice used to tell the story grabs the reader. The author weaves the text to create perspective for the reader of the past. I've heard the story of Rosa Parks many times before but this version made me feel more connected to her as a person and not just a story from history.

Spiders

Bishop, N. (2007). Spiders. NY: Scholastic.

About the Book

Spiders is a very informative book about arachnids. I learned several new facts about spiders as I read the book. I did not know that spiders molt, I thought only reptiles did. I also learned that spiders bite their prey and the venom turns the prey's inside to liquid for the spider to drink. Nic Bishop's photographs are spectacular. They are very life like, so much so that at times I almost could not finish reading the book. I do not care for spiders and have a slight fear of them. After reading this book I do have a deeper respect for spiders, but I can not say I would not step on one if it crosses my path.

Nonfiction Evaluation Criteria

The design of this nonfiction book is very appealing. The photographs of the spiders are so life like. The author provides captions with the photos to help communicate information to the reader about the different spiders. The font is very interesting. When the author has a specific fact about the spider he wants the reader to understand he highlights that print with bigger, colored font.

Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas

Ottaviani, J. (2013). Primates. NY: FirstSecond.

About the Book

Primates is a graphic novel that tells the story about three female scientists (Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas) who researched primates. The story is humorous in the way their lives are portrayed but also shows seriousness at times. Louis Leakey was the driving force in each of the researchers careers. He gave them each the opportunity to study the animals they felt driven to follow. Life was not easy for them, but each scientist discovered new findings about what people thought was true about the animals they studied (chimps, gorillas, orangutans). Plus each researcher is an advocate for the animals they studied and the environments in which they live.

Nonfiction Evaluation Criteria

The style of this nonfiction book is not the usual format you would expect to see in the nonfiction section. The format is a graphic novel. The story is very entertaining with all the pictures and text working together to tell the story of the three anthropology driven females. The writing also weaves together how the three researchers lives over lap and intertwine. The book leaves the reader with just enough information to want to learn more. In the afterword the author provides the reader with further thoughts and further reading options to learn more.

It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex & Sexual Health

Harris, R. (2004). It's perfectly normal: Changing bodies, growing up, sex, and sexual health.
         Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

About the Book

It's Perfectly Normal is an information book about growing up. The book touches on several important topics for adolescent boys and girls. The "our body" part of the book has some graphic pictures, but important information to fully inform young people about their body and the opposite sex. I feel the author shares this very sensitive information in a non judgmental way. The book contains very pertinent information to help young people understand their changes and be more empathetic to people who are different from them.

Nonfiction Evaluation Criteria

Accuracy of information is the number one evaluation criteria I would assign to this nonfiction book. The topic is very sensitive in nature. People struggle to share accurate information with young people about sex and sexual development. The books preface has an over whelming amount of respected people from the field of human development endorsing the content of the book. The preface also has two pages of respectable book review sources sharing positive reviews. The author writes the information in a nonjudgmental, matter of fact manner, with out stereotypes. At times the book attempts to keep stereotypes from developing in young adolescent's mind sets.