Module12/SLIS 5420 Biographies and Autobiographies

Becoming Billie Holiday

Written by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

2009 Coretta Scott King Honor Author
2009 ALA Best Books for Young Adults


Summary

Weatherford and Cooper tell the story of Billie Holiday's early life through illustrations and poetry. Each poem carries the name of one of Billie's songs, and expresses her thoughts and feelings while describing each turn of event. The biography is told from Holiday's point of view, and discusses her relationships with people as well as justification for many of her actions. The book takes the reader through the beginning of Holiday's career and tells of the abuse, neglect, and discrimination she had to endure. The biography ends after Holiday tells of her landmark recording, Strange Fruit.

My Impressions

This biography successfully navigates through the savory and unsavory moments in her life, including jail time, prostitution, and drug use, by utilizing a dialect that remains sensitive to Holiday's character. The sepia illustrations add a vibrant dimension to the overall tone and structure of the book that assists in bringing Holiday's character alive.

Reviews

In this fictionalized memoir, Weatherford has composed nearly 100 first-person narrative poems that detail Holiday's life from birth until age 25, the age at which she debuted her signature song, "Strange Fruit." The poems borrow their titles from Holiday's songs, a brilliant device that provides readers with a haunting built-in sound track. Weatherford's language is straightforward and accessible—almost conversational. She captures the woman's jazzy, candid voice so adroitly that at times the poems seem like they could have been lifted wholesale from Holiday's autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues. Cooper's sepia-toned, nostalgic, mixed-media illustrations provide an emotional counterpoint to the text.... This captivating title places readers solidly into Holiday's world, and is suitable for independent reading as well as a variety of classroom uses.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD for School Library Journal.

In a series of free-verse poems and bluesy lyrics, headed by song titles, Weatherford retraces Holiday’s childhood and early career in the renowned jazz singer’s own voice... Closing with Holiday’s spectacular headline gig at the Café Society, where she sang “Strange Fruit”—“how could I not claim: / this is my song?”—Weatherford leaves the 25-year-old at a high spot in her career, before later troubles and drug addiction. After the whole story readers will find a generous assortment of recommended reading and listening at the end of this proud, clear-voiced testimonial. John Peters for Booklist.

Activities

Listen to some of Holiday's more notable recordings before reading the book. Note that the names of the book sections are the titles of her songs. Have the students choose their favorite titles and listen to those songs.

Bibliography

Weatherford, Carole Boston, Floyd Cooper, ill. Becoming Billie Holiday. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong, 2008. ISBN: 159078507X

Module 11/SLIS 5420: Informational Books

Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin


Written and Illustrated by Gene Barretta


Summary

Barretta introduces the many inventions of Benjamin Franklin to younger readers through the use of clever illustrations and narrative. Each invention or innovation is represented by the pun, "Now and Ben,"while illustrations depict Franklin's inventions or innovations on one side of the spread, and their modern equivalants on the other side. The book ends with a futuristic montage that will delight readers as they imagine how Franklin's inventions will evolve in the future.

My Impressions

Now and Ben offers a unique view of many of Benjamin Franklin's inventions that will delight young readers. Although he repeatedly uses a bad pun to illustrate his point, Barretta links Franklin's to concepts and contraptions that modern children can relate to. The illustrations are fun and clever, and overall, the book is a fun addition to American history.

Reviews

A clever, concise introduction to the contributions of this colorful colonial figure... Engaging and humorous watercolor cartoons depict just how Franklins inventions were conceived and developed. The yellow mottled endpapers are filled with sketches of the inventions featured within.... this lively offering is sure to inspire readers to learn more about its fascinating subject.—Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools for School Library Journal.

An authorial debut for illustrator Barretta, Now & Ben aims at the youngest readers, limiting its purview to Franklin as a slightly tubby, jolly inventor and innovator. Each left-hand page describes and illustrates one of Franklin's contributions as we know it ("Now . . . our newspapers are filled with illustrations"); the opposite page goes back in time to reveal the Franklin connection ("Ben . . . was the first to print a political cartoon in America"). Most young children won't grasp the play on the phrase now and then but will zero in instead on the well-chosen examples, which include bifocals and lightning rods as well as lesser-known notions (a rocking chair that churned butter!), all appealingly rendered in Barretta's relaxed, cartoonlike watercolors. This will be a punchy read-aloud to lighten up American history units, though teachers wanting more details will need to look elsewhere as the book's biographical context is scattershot and no end matter is provided. Jennifer Mattson for Booklist.

Activities

Bring physical examples or representations of many of Franklin's inventions or innovations to show to the students. For example: bifocal lenses, "the grabber," political cartoons, swim flippers, a map of the gulf stream, etc.

Bibliography

Barretta, Gene. Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Henry Holt & Company, 2006. ISBN: 0805079173

Module 10/SLIS 5420: Historical Fiction

A Northern Light

by Jennifer Donnelly



2004 Printz Honor Book
2003 Carnegie Medal
2003 Los Angeles Times Book Prize
2004 ALA Best Books for Young Adults






Summary

Sixteen-year-old Mattie has just been accepted into Barnard College for her exceptional writing talent. However, she is doing all she can to make ends meet for her widowed father and struggling family; Mattie promised her dying mother that she would take care of her father and four siblings. The handsome but uneducated Royal Loomis has also convinced her that she must marry him and remain in her rural community. While working as a waitress at the Glenmore Hotel, a young woman instructs Mattie to burn a stack of letters. The young woman is murdered by her young lover, and Mattie reads the letters instead. Through a series of flashbacks and intertwining stories, Mattie realizes that she needs to live her own life and continue on to college.

My Impressions

A Northern Light is a beautifully written account of a young girls' coming of age. Mattie must make some serious decisions about the quality of life she must choose for herself. The letters of the murdered Grace Brown are intertwined throughout the story, and through reading them, Mattie is able to put her own life in focus. The narrative captures the dialect and personalities of the North Woods characters and weaves a beautiful tale about a girl who discovers that she possesses admirable talents that deserve to be fostered.

Reviews

Mattie Gokey, 16, a talented writer, promised her dying mother that she would always take care of her father and younger siblings.... In 1906, Grace Brown was killed by Chester Gillette because she was poor and pregnant, and he hoped to make his fortune by marrying a rich, society girl. Grace's story weaves its way through Mattie's, staying in the background but providing impetus. The protagonist tells her tale through flashback and time shifts from past to present.... Donnelly's characters ring true to life, and the meticulously described setting forms a vivid backdrop to this finely crafted story. An outstanding choice for historical-fiction fans, particularly those who have read Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy.
Lisa Prolman, Greenfield Public Library, MA for School Library Journal, 2003.

Donnelly's first YA novel begins with high drama drawn straight from history: Grace Brown's body is discovered, and her murder, which also inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, is the framework for this ambitious, beautifully written coming-of-age story set in upstate New York in 1906. Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey is a waitress at the Glenmore Hotel when Brown is murdered... In an intelligent, colloquial voice that speaks with a writer's love of language and an observant eye, Mattie details the physical particulars of people's lives as well as deeper issues of race, class, and gender as she strains against family and societal limitations. Donnelly adds a crowd of intriguing, well-drawn secondary characters whose stories help Mattie define her own desires and sense of self. Many teens will connect with Mattie's deep yearning for independence and for stories, like her own, that are frank, messy, complicated, and inspiring. Gillian Engberg for Booklist, 2003.

Activities

This would be a good candidate for a book talk. Include a short summary of the murder of Grace Brown and the subsequent trial and execution of her lover. Read a few passages of her letters; focus on some of the more poignant or sensational passages. Add an enticing introduction to Mattie's character and her interaction with Grace Brown.

Bibliography

Donnelly, Jennifer. A Northern Light. Orlando, Fla.: Harcourt Publishing, 2003. ISBN: 0152167056