Nonfiction Book Reviews

NONFICTION BOOK REVIEWS

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kerley, Barbara. 2008. What to do about alice? Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham.  New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439922319

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

A picture book biography about the first-born daughter of Theodore Roosevelt.  Alice Roosevelt Longworth was quite the high spirited, outgoing sweetheart of the nation.  The book tells of what her life was like before during and after the Whitehouse.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The book starts at the beginning of Alice’s life and continues into adulthood.  The author makes note of the fact “From the time she was a little girl, Alice ate up the world.”  Kerley did her due diligence to make sure that this biography was as accurate as possible.  There are notes from the author in the back of the book as well as a list of references of other books and newspaper articles that were used to obtain quotes and information.  The author even gives special thanks to the fact checker of the text and artwork in the book. 

Edwin Fotheringham made his debut as an illustrator with this book showing off his beautiful drawings of the spirited “Princess Alice”.  The illustrations along with the unique font used to capture the meaning of the text is eye catching and clearly adds to the flow of the book.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in BOOKLIST review: “Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was...”

Starred review in KIRKUS review: “Kerley’s precise text presents readers with a devilishly smart, strong willed girl who was determined to live life on her own terms-and largely succeeded.”

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*Students should create a poster of interesting facts about Alice Roosevelt Longworth including pictures, words and symbols. 

*Other biographies form the same author include:

Kerley, Barbara.  THE DINOSAURS OF WATERHOUSE HAWKINS. ISBN 9780439114942

Kerley, Barbara. WALT WHITMAN: WORDS FOR AMERICA. ISBN 9780439357918

                                                                                     

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Young, Ed., & Koponen, Libby. 2011. the house baba built. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316076289

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This biography picture book is about a father who built a house of love, safety, adventure and laughter.  The author tells the story of his wonderful childhood amid war, safe and secure in “the house Baba built”.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author tells of his childhood during war time in Shanghai, China.  At the end of the book the author provides a time line of the events described in the book as well as author notes in which he explains how the book came about.  Young describes a trip to China in 1990 with his sister Fifi where they revisited “the house Baba built”.  Young goes on to say that “Seeing it, however, triggered long-forgotten memories in both of us.”  The author acknowledges relatives and friends who were able to provide him with old maps and photographs from that time that contributes to the accuracy of his own life story.

The many visuals throughout the picture book are amazingly beautiful and bring Young’s memories to life.  There are colorful drawings mixed with black and white photographs, full color photographs, cut out images, maps and sketches of floor plans of the house that are intricately woven throughout the book to present this loving family.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Young set the course of his life by his father’s words.  It’s history at its most personal.”

KIRKUS review: “Sophisticated, inventive art invites close viewings for patient readers in this unusual family story.”

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*After reading this book have students sketch their own childhood home or the home of a relative where they feel the safe. 

*Other books that have a similar theme include:

Nivola, Claire. ORANI: MY FATHER’S VILLAGE. ISBN 9780374356576

Tonatuih, Duncan. DIEGO RIVERA: HIS WORLD AND OURS. ISBN 9780810997312

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Murphy, Jim, & Blank, Alison.   2012. invincible microbe: tuberculosis and the never-ending search for a cure. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 9780618535743

2.  PLOT SUMMARY                                                             

This book is about the history of tuberculosis otherwise known as TB. For approximately half a million years people have been looking for a cure.  This microbe is indeed hard to eradicate.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This informational nonfiction book tells the sequential history of the microbe.  The book contains a table of contents and ends with proof of extensive research on the topic including acknowledgements, a bibliography, source notes and picture credits.  The authors use medical terminology that is defined and explained through out the text.  They do a good job of defining words that would be unfamiliar to young readers however I do believe that this book is more geared towards more advanced readers.  The author explains how the disease does not discriminate and took the lives of many different races, cultures, young, old, rich, poor and even details famous literary artists who succumb to the disease including Edgar Allan Poe, John Keats, Paul Laurence Dunbar, the Brontë sisters Emily and Charlotte. 

Throughout the book the authors insert various pictures and photographs to illustrate the search for the cure of this debilitating disease.  The visuals are appropriately placed to help give a clear understanding of the text.  These images take the reader back in time to visualize the way of life of the people who were affected by the disease.

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4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in KIRKUS review: “Who knew the biography of a germ could be so fascinating?”

Starred review in BOOKLIST review: “Wide ranging in breadth, yet always well focused on the topic at hand, this fascinating book offers a sharply detailed picture of tuberculosis throughout history.”

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*After reading the book, readers can create their own poster advertising why people should get checked for TB.

*Other nonfiction books for young readers by Jim Murphy include:

Murphy, Jim. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC of 1793. ISBN 9780395776082

Murphy, Jim. BREAKTHROUGH!: HOW THREE PEOPLE SAVED "BLUE BABIES" AND CHANGED MEDICINE FOREVER. ISBN 9780547821832

1.  BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell 2010. they called themselves the K.k.k.:  the birth of an american terrorist group. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 9780618440337

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This book describes how one of the most notorious terrorist groups in American history came to be and why.  From the end of the civil war to present day, the Klu Klux Klan has existed in one form or another.  Over time, the organization has lost power.

3.  CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The author presents the reader with historical facts allowing the reader to examine the information for themselves.  In a note to the reader at the beginning of the book, the author explains that there is no censorship of images or historical statements preparing the reader for possible discomfort in reading this book. There are disturbing images and language throughout the book that may not be appropriate for some readers.  Included in the book is an extensive bibliography and source notes to prove accuracy of the historical accounts.

Bartoletti attempts to humanize the organization when she states, “Today psychologists explain that people who join groups such as the Klu Klux Klan are insecure and feel a need to belong to something that makes them feel powerful or superior.  Perhaps W.E.B. DuBois, historian and civil rights leader understood Klansmen best: ‘These human beings at heart are desperately afraid of something.’…”

Black and white photographs and images from various sources depicting life as it was in the south during reconstruction and the years that follow are present throughout the book.  They enhance the text on the pages surrounding them.  In chapter 3 the author explains how the southern states were divided into five military districts and places an image of a map of the continental United States showing how they are divided.  Some of the most inspiring photographs were those of former slaves that were interviewed many decades after they were emancipated with a quote from their interview about their life experiences.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in KIRKUS review: “An exemplar of history writing and a must for libraries and classrooms.”

Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Bartoletti effectively targets teens with her engaging and informative account that presents a well structured inside look at the KKK, societal forces that spawn hate/terrorist groups, and the research process.”

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*Students could create a timeline of the Klu Klux Klan’s pivotal historical moments throughout the book. 

*Other nonfiction historical books by this author include:

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. HITLER YOUTH:  GROWING UP IN HITLER’S SHADOW. ISBN 9780439353793

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. TERRIBLE TYPHOID MARY:  A TRUE STORY OF THE DEADLIEST COOK IN AMERICA. ISBN 9780544313674