Read All About It: Biographer's Day

I've been a biography fan since I was a kid.  I had my favorites: Amelia Earhart, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller--the usual suspects.  I don't remember children's biographies being as creative and diverse as they are today, so my choices were mainly limited to the classic biography subjects (presidents and the like).  When I found out that May 16th is Biographer's Day (also verified by Chase's Calendar of Events), I thought that there would be no better time than to share my favorite biographies (children and adult).  I'm going to cheat and include a few memoirs. Let's start with the children's biographies:

Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man

David Adler has a fine picture book series for young readers, but this picture book biography for slightly older readers is one of his best.  Lou Gehrig might not have been as charismatic as Babe Ruth, but his tremendous batting skills, along with the courage and dignity he displayed when he announced his retirement due to amyotrophic lateral scleroris (ALS, also commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease") made him one of the greatest baseball champions of all time. Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man is a sensitively written and illustrated picture book biography that will endear this legend to new generations. 

The Great and Only Barnum

I must have The Ordinary Acrobat on my mind, because when I thought about which outstanding Candace Fleming biography to include in this list, her biography of the great circus showman immediately came to mind.  Doesn't matter if she writes about presidential couples, aviators, or founding fathers; Fleming is a genius at creating children's biographies that are fascinating and accessible.  

Honda: The Boy Who Dreamed of Cars

It's difficult to find biographies of prominent Asians, so it's a treat that Honda: The Boy Who Dreamed of Cars is such a genuinely fun read.  It's also an inspirational story about perseverance and pride in one's work.

She Touched the World: Laura Bridgman, Deaf-Blind Pioneer

Helen Keller might be the most famous deaf-blind person in history, but Laura Bridgman paved the way for her education and triumphs.  Bridgman, like Keller, became blind and deaf at a very young age, but learned how to read, write, and even teach.  She became an international sensation; Dickens wrote about her in his American Notes.  For those interested in reading a biography outside the norm, this comes highly recommended. 

The Journey That Saved Curious George

Margret and H.A. Rey, creators of the Curious George stories, literally went on the run (via bicycles) after Paris fell to the Nazis.  Among their few possessions was the manuscript that became the first Curious George book.  This is a bit longer (and more mature, given the subject matter) than your average picture book biography, making this a fine choice for older elementary school students.

A Girl From Yamhill and My Own Two Feet 

Although I was a huge Beverly Cleary fan during my childhood, I didn't discover her memoirs until several years ago.  Cleary winningly captured the everyday joys, worries, and disappointments of childhood in her Ramona/Henry Huggins novels, but her own childhood was rather dark, due to her mother's psychological issues and the poverty experienced by the family due to the Depression (the books are age appropriate for upper elementary/middle grade readers).  Cleary's second memoir ends with the publication of her first book, Henry Huggins.  These are must reads for Cleary fans. It's just too bad that there's no hint of any further memoirs; since Cleary is 97, I'm assuming that none are in the works. 

Wilma Unlimited

I've blogged about Wilma Unlimited several times, so I'm obviously a big fan. Wilma Rudolph was the first woman to win three gold medals at an Olympic track event; the fact that she overcame polio and extreme poverty to do so makes this an inspiring and gripping read.  It's a terrific read aloud for grade school children (I read it to a Boys & Girls Club group several years ago, and it was a hit). 

Something Out of Nothing: Marie Curie and Radium

If I had to name my top five favorites, this engrossing middle grade biography of Madame Curie would definitely be at the top.  Dr. Curie's life story makes for an incredible read, vividly brought to life through Carla Killough McClafferty's writing.

Sparky: The Art and Life of Charles Schulz


As long as the Halloween and Christmas Peanuts specials are shown on an annual basis, Charles Schulz's offbeat characters will remain favorites with children.  This is a terrific middle-grade biography; each chapter opens with a Peanuts comic strip that touches on Schulz's actual life and personality.  Schulz was a complicated man, and this biography illustrates that in an age appropriate manner (there's a fantastic adult biography that was not happily received by some members of Schulz's family when it was published).

Janis Joplin: Rise up Singing 


This YA biography of Janis Joplin was highly praised when it was published, even winning the 2011 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction.  Although  teens might not know much about Joplin's life and career, Joplin's outsider status and her controversial life should interest quite a few readers.  Ann Angel interviewed many family members, friends, and band members, which makes this a very intimate and personal read (too bad that there was no accompanying CD for readers, but I assume that getting the rights would have been expensive).

Smile

I adore Smile.  It's funny, honest, adorable, and sensitively drawn (this is a graphic novel).  Raina Telgemeier relates her years of extensive orthodontic work throughout the ups and downs of middle school and high school life.  Anyone who has/has had braces will identify with this story; even if readers are/were fortunate enough to not need braces, they will empathize with the awkwardness of adolescence.

And as they say in those As Seen on TV commercials: but wait! there's more!  Here are my favorite biographies if you're looking for grownup reads:

Alicia: My Story 


Alicia Appleman-Jurman's Holocaust memoir is a harrowing and extraordinary read.  Not only did she escape and hide from Nazis during her teen years (her family perished), but she also helped other Jews escape during this time period.  She later immigrated to Israel and the United States, where she raised her family.  It's been a long time since I've read it, but I know that it's obviously not for sensitive readers, as Alicia loses her family members one by one to the Nazi terror. On the other hand, it's an amazing story of courage, survival, and hope.

Helen and Teacher


Out of the many biographies I've read on Helen Keller, I've yet to find one that matches or exceeds the depth, scope, and brilliance of Joseph P. Lash's extensive biography.  Keller lived an extraordinary and lengthy life (she was 87 when she died); she was an extensive world traveler, a prolific writer, an activist, and an astonishing intellect, which may come as a surprise to those who only know of Keller through watching The Miracle Worker.  Anne Sullivan Macy's life prior to meeting Helen is often sketched in very basic terms in most biographies; Lash goes into great detail concerning her childhood and young adulthood.  It is easy to idolize these two women, but Lash shows their deeply human and complex personalities.  (I was amused at the buzz created over Helen Keller in Love; Helen Keller's engagement has been known for many years!). 

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

Robert K. Massie's best known work is Nicholas and Alexandra--one that I've read many times.  I think Catherine the Great, his most recent work, surpasses even that great achievement.  Massie writes biographies as if he were a novelist; he makes his larger than life subjects truly come to life. 

Child Star


During the Depression, there was no bigger star than little Shirley Temple.  Her sunny personality and song-and-dance routines lifted the spirits of dejected Americans for an hour or two as she dealt with parental loss (was there any more thankless role for an actor during this time to play Shirley Temple's parent? Good news! You're going to be in a movie. Bad news! You're playing Shirley Temple's only surviving parent.), horrid little girls who were jealous of angelic Shirley, cantankerous hermit grandfathers, the Civil War, and other calamities.   Unfortunately, what was cute at 5 was awkward at 12, and Shirley was eventually sent packing.  After a few attempts at a comeback in her teens, she eventually retired from show business (save for a few television appearances here and there) and began her UN diplomatic career.  Although she was fortunate enough to escape the ugly side of being a former child star (the most disturbing parts are her recollections and descriptions of her very early movies before she was signed to Twentieth Century-Fox, which would be considered racist and exploitative today), she did suffer several dark moments in her life, including an impulsive marriage at the age of 17 to an abusive man and being diagnosed with breast cancer, which was still a taboo subject in the early 1970s.  Shirley Temple Black's life story is written with little bitterness, a healthy dose of amusement, and with great candor and affection for her family.  Celebrity autobiographies are a dime a dozen (and hit or miss in regard to quality), but Child Star rises above the pack.

Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend

And now we jump from one classic Hollywood icon to another.  At the height of his popularity, Rin Tin Tin was the most famous silent film star in Hollywood.  (It's been rumored for years that he was actually the winner of the first Academy Award in the Actor category, but because the organizers wanted the awards to be taken seriously, he was denied the award.)  This is an outstanding read for both dog lovers and classic film fans alike.

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, And the Death of a President

American history and/or presidential history buffs need to read this book; it's an invigorating look at a little-known yet fascinating president.  Garfield was an intellectual and quite progressive for his time in regard to race relations at a time in which the country was still reeling from the effects of the Civil War.  The promise and hope of American leadership and industry was finally emerging, yet corruption and scandal were rampant in the country's politics.  Garfield was an ardent reformer and was determined to stamp out corruption in Washington, yet he was mortally wounded only four months into his presidency.  Candice Millard balances the many egregious mistakes of his doctors against Alexander Graham Bell's mad dash to invent a device to find the bullet buried within Garfield.  This is an exceptional tale of politics, invention, medicine, and a young country awakening to its destiny.  Truly an unforgettable read; if only Candice Millard would write a biography of Alexander Graham Bell! We need a new one.


Want even MORE suggestions? Check out my post on the ALSC blog for more children's biographies.

Happy Biographer's Day!  Pick out a biography for your next read, and discover an extraordinary life...and read!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: National Transportation Week

When I need inspiration for blog posts and story time themes, I often consult Chase's Calendar of Events and the Brownie Locks site.  Hundreds upon hundreds of  (verified) National This-That-or-The-Other Days/Weeks/Months are included; while some are awareness events for serious health issues, others are more adaptable for story times and blog posts. Case in point: National Transportation Week. 

National Transportation Week!

Jackpot!

I'm set!

If you have a transportation-obsessed toddler/preschooler, these are must-reads:

Eveything Goes series


I've mentioned this series several times.  It is OUTSTANDING.  Full of facts and fun details that will satisfy even the most savvy transportation loving youngster--and, it's FUNNY.  Some jokes might go over very young children's heads, but it's not mean snark at all--just observational humor from time to time.  The picture books feature a family navigating a busy city (Everything Goes: On Land) or airport (Everything Goes: In the Air) as they discusses facts about the various items surrounding them. 

Freight Train



Donald Crews has many transportation-themed picture books to his credit, but Freight Train is his best-known work.  A brightly colored train slowly travels through cities and on bridges, gradually picking up steam until it reaches its final destination.  Readers can count the cars and name colors; this is very simple text, so the main attraction is in its illustrations.  This is definitely a childhood classic, although I'm also very partial to School Bus and Flying.

All Aboard! A True Train Story


This is an outstanding train book; I always use it when I do a train-themed or transportation story time.  With simple text and big photos of an impressive steam train, it never fails to impress.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!


Mo Willems's demanding little pigeon has starred in many hilarious picture books, but this is where it all began.  A bus-driving obsessed pigeon begs to drive the bus.  Preschoolers, kindergartners, and even older children who might think they're too old for picture books will find this hysterical.


This is just a teeny tiny sample of the awesome transportation-themed books we have at the library!






Other titles to enjoy:

Jon Scieszka's Trucktown series

The Wheels on the Race Car

Trashy Town

Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

Marvelous Moms

My toddler story time before Mother's Day is one of my favorite story times, because there are so many fabulous picture books featuring mothers.  Best of all--they're not specific to Mother's Day, so they can be enjoyed year round. Here are a handful of favorites that I've included in my story times over the years:

Daisy is a Mommy


Lisa Kopper has written a number of "Daisy" stories, but Daisy is a Mommy is my favorite.  This is a very simple and attractive read aloud; we see Daisy and her babies, accompanied by an unnamed human mother and her baby, as they go through the day (meal times, play times, pick up times, and finally nap times).  My group and I enjoy pointing out the differences between the way Daisy and the human mommy care for their young (picking them up, bathing them, and Daisy being no help at all with clean up!).

Mama Zooms


Mama Zooms was published in 1993, and I've yet to find a picture book featuring a wheelchair-bound mother that's so matter of fact and appealing to many children.  While a little boy sits on his mother's lap as she wheels them in her wheelchair, he imagines that they are taking off in spaceships, trains, and other high-powered modes of transportation.

A Mother for Choco


I adore A Mother for Choco; this sweet story about a little bird looking for a mother has been a staple in my story time sessions for years.  Choco is longing for a mother that looks just like him; although several animals share similar color and structure, they're not exactly like him. Enter Bear, who looks absolutely nothing like him, but turns out to be the ideal mother for Choco (and his new diverse group of siblings, including an alligator!).  A Mother for Choco shows up on many lists featuring stories about adoption, especially for multiracial/multiethnic families, because it gets the message across without being patronizing or preachy.

On Mother's Lap


I frequently recommend On Mother's Lap to patrons looking for "new baby" books.  If I had to name one recurring theme in picture books that sets me off, it's stories that are inherently negative about a new brother or sister.  Stories that feature a child who is tantruming throughout the entire story (until the very end) about the baby sibling, threatening to run away, etc are definite no-goes for me.  Michael is enjoying cuddle time with his mother, and keeps adding items to their laps--his toy boat, his reindeer blanket (Michael and his mother are Inuit), and their puppy.  Mother suggests that his baby sibling might enjoy rocking time too; Michael says that there's no room, but Mother wants to try.  Of course, there's room for baby ("There's always room on Mother's lap"), and Michael agrees that everything is nice and cozy.  Awwww. 



Happy Mother's Day!

Farewell, National Poetry Month!

Another National Poetry Month has come and gone.  Despite NPM being officially over, I have one more poetry roundup post to present. After all, we should celebrate poetry every month! In the interest of time, I browsed through these collections rather than read each one through.

Dirty Laundry Pile: Poems in Different Voices


This is such a fun collection.  Poems are told through the perspective of sundry household appliances (vacuum cleaner) and animals (cow).  Anyone poem-searching to fulfill a memorization assignment would do well to browse through this collection: most are the ideal length to satisfy teachers' expectations and just as importantly, would be fun to perform.

Extra Innings: Baseball Poems


Baseball season is in full swing (groan), so this slim volume caught my eye.  Lee Bennett Hopkins is a master of poetry collections; if he's the editor or poet, you're in for a great read.  Poems reflect the excitement and drama of the game; the most famous baseball poem, "Casey at the Bat," is also included.

Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry


We have a handful of "first book of poetry" books, but this collection edited by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters is my favorite.  Illustrations and poems are balanced perfectly against wide, clear pages; the poems describe everyday delights, emotions, and observations of very young children.

Poetry Speaks to Children


This was on the New York Times Bestseller list when it was published in 2005.  Not surprising, given that it's a handsomely illustrated and constructed volume of classic and modern poetry. The CD contains many poems recorded by the authors, which adds to its appeal and depth.



Tra la! It's May!  I just delivered my children's/YA orders for May; many great reads are in store for our patrons!

New Reads Roundup

April showers bring flowers, and April books bring remarkable and fun new reads.  Here are my favorite brand-new reads for this month (not necessarily published in April):

Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story


Knitters and history buffs alike will get a kick out of this unique World War I tale.  When Mikey's father is sent to Europe to fight in The Great War, Mikey is eager to help out with the war effort on the homefront.  The men in uniform are always in need of socks, so his teacher suggests that the class help out with the big knitting bee held in Central Park.  Mikey and his friends don't think much of that idea, but when it turns into a class competition between the boys and the girls...look out! I am fascinated with World War I and II homefront efforts, so I am delighted that this is such an appealing and informative look at the World War I homefront activities.  Deborah Hopkinson is an expert author of children's nonfiction and historical fiction picture books; I highly recommend her books (last year's Titanic: Voices From the Disaster and Annie and Helen are some of her best work to date).

Pete the Cat: Pete's Big Lunch


I am PUMPED about the Pete the Cat readers.  Making an easy reader a fun read is a challenge; working with limited vocabulary is certainly tricky. Pete the Cat fans should know that the readers are not like the picture books; you can't sing-read these books.  However, like the picture books, "it's all good" with Pete.  Pete the Cat: Play Ball has a good message about sportsmanship that's not overbearing.

Penny and Her Marble


Kevin Henkes's Penny easy reader stories are darling readers that bridge the gap between beginning easy readers and short chapter books.  Penny faces a moral dilemma in this story, for the lovely marble that she found in Mrs. Goodwin's grass doesn't really belong to her....or does it?

Betty Bunny Didn't Didn't Do It


Telling lies is a normal childhood developmental stage between the ages of two and four. They all do it. It's perfectly normal.  For the parent or caregiver, though,  it's very exasperating and worrisome, no matter how much you tell yourself that it's normal, especially if it seems to be happening more frequently.  The most famous tale about the consequences of lying is, of course, The Boy Who Cried Wolf.  If, arguments about cultural literacy aside, you're looking for a story with a tad less drama, Betty Bunny Didn't Do It should do the job nicely.  Betty Bunny, who learned how to control her chocolate cake obsession  and the consequences of throwing tantrums in toy stores, now has to deal with the consequences of lying and learn the importance of honesty, in her usual roundabout manner. 

Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems


If Follow Follow doesn't end up on the "Best of 2013" lists, I'll eat my hat. (If I had a hat to eat.) If you need to teach the concept of "perspective" in your language arts class,  have your students read this and its predecessor,  Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse.  What's reverso poems/reversible verse? Singer's reverso poems/reversible verses go like this: a well-know folk/fairy tale is told through a short poem.  Singer reverses the order of the poem, which tells the same story, but adds an entirely new perspective on the story from another character's point of view.  It's quite extraordinary to read.

Red River Stallion


Rose is half-Scottish, half-Cree, and determined to find her Scottish father after her mother dies.  Following the journey of a new-found beloved horse and his high-born English owner, Rose discovers truths about her identity and navigates the treacherous waters of maturity.  This is a fine read for horse fans and historical fiction fans alike. (I will say that I found the font distracting.)

Road Trip


A new book by Gary Paulsen is an automatic order for me; he's a surefire hit for eager readers and reluctant readers alike. In this age of bloated fantasy novels and neverending series, it's refreshing to find a little over 100 pages book with humor, adventure, and a realistically tender father-son story.  Ben's father is hoping that a trip to save a border collie puppy will bring him closer to his son; Ben isn't so sure, especially when each stop and misstep seems to add another passenger on their trip.  Their border collie, Atticus, is equally wary about the new addition to the family.  The hijinks are told in alternating chapters by Ben and Atticus (and by Gary Paulsen and his son, Jim). This is one of those books that's on the blurry line between children's and young adult books; a mention about a waitress's tight-fitting outfit is about the extent of it.  The alternating chapters flow seamlessly, with the Atticus chapters encompassing the obsessive attitude of a typical Border Collie (Atticus's chapters are quite funny).

I Am Blop!


Herve Tullet's Press Here was one of the knockouts of the 2011 publishing season, so it was with great anticipation that I opened the sturdy pages of I Am Blop!  It should be to no one's surprise that this is just as impressive and innovative as Press Here (it is a bit longer than Press Here).  I Am Blop! includes some very cool color mixing sequences; this is tons of fun.

Exclamation Mark


Can a story about punctuation with a message about accepting and appreciating your own and others' abilities and uniqueness be a hilarious read? It is when Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld create it!  The team behind such creative and just-plain-awesome Duck! Rabbit! and Wumbers books tell the tale of the exclamation mark, who feels weird about being so different from the other punctuation marks, until he
meets question mark, who complements him perfectly. Okay, this may sound incredibly cheesy, but believe me....it works, it's funny, and it's a great example of why picture books shouldn't be abandoned after the age of five (because you're not going to find sentences like "He was confused, flummoxed, and deflated" in easy readers or easy chapter books).

Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America's First Black Paratroopers


I was eager yet a tad apprehensive about reading Tanya Lee Stone's Courage Has No Color. Her Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream thrilled yet aggravated me intensely (and stirred up a bit of controversy for various reasons).  Luckily, that apprehension faded quickly once I fell into this inspiring and heartbreaking look at the Triple Nickles.  The terrible attitude toward African Americans in the military during World War II is achingly and honestly depicted, as are the Triple Nickles's courage, strength, and determination.  Stone was fortunate enough to speak with surviving members of the Triple Nickles, which adds a great deal of intimacy and depth to her writing.


Because the Triple Nickles never saw combat, due to the attitudes at that time, there has been speculation that young readers looking for an action-packed war story will be disappointed.  Perhaps, but that's not the scope of the book (whether or not Stone should have made this clear at the beginning is something that's been debated, and I go back and forth about this).  The courage and power of these determined men is admirable and noteworthy.  This is an essential addition to books about African-Americans' involvement in the military; I would pair this with Patricia and Frederick McKissack's excellent Red-Tail Angels: The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II for an engaging study of African American involvement in World War II.

I Dare You Not to Yawn


Some bedtime stories are soft and dreamy (like Time for Bed), while others are more rambunctious (The Bunnies Are Not in Their Bed).  I Dare You Not to Yawn definitely falls into the latter category.  The dangers of yawning are cleverly conveyed directly to the reader; if you're not careful and you let a yawn sneak up on you, you'll be marched off to bed!  Funny and tons of fun.

Piggies in Pajamas


I need to plan a pigs story time so that I can read Piggies in Pajamas.  These pajama-clad piggies are absolutely not ready for bedtime.  Mama has a few things to tend to before putting them to bed, so the pigs take advantage of their delayed bedtime.  Several times during their fun, though--"Thump, thump, oink, oink--All the piggies fall. Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp--Mama's in the hall!"--with different variations on that theme popping up throughout the story.  No awkward rhymes here--just scrumptious illustrations and bouncy text.

The Dark


The Dark is awesome. It's funny, it's clever, and it's one of my new Caldecott picks.  Could Jon Klassen pull off a second win in a row? It's only April, so we have a long way to go before next January.  But this is quite remarkable. I can't tell you too much about the story, but basically, it's about a small boy conquering his fear of the dark.  I already have several plans for using it--in our upcoming pajamas story time next May (more details soon), or even for a slightly-spooky Halloween story time. 

Hooked

Native American characters are all too rare in YA fiction, so I had high hopes for the well-reviewed Hooked.  I wasn't disappointed; not only does Liz Fichera honestly depict the challenges in some Native American communities (unemployment, alcoholism, unfair treatment), but she balances them with positive portrayals of hard work, determination, and self-respect.  Fred (never Fredericka) Oday is obsessed with golf and practices whenever she can (her father's job at the swanky country club allows her this privilege).  She can hardly believe it when she is invited to join the (boys only) golf team at her high school--and neither can the other players on the team.  There's no denying that Fred's skills on the golf course will advance their standings in local tournaments, though.  As Fred deals with being the only girl (and Native American) on the team, she must also contend with her mother's alcohol abuse--and her growing feelings toward golf team superstar Ryan Berenger.  Although the challenges faced on the reservation are not glossed over, they are not sensationalized; Fred's strong relationship with her father and friends are more important, and there is genuine hope for her mother at the conclusion of the novel.  The relationship between Fred and Ryan, including the suspicion each other's family and friends feel toward the other, is developed in a believable manner.  As a representative from Harlequin Teen said in a recent webinar promoting this book (and other new YA books), it's Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending.  I'm looking forward to the companion novel, told from Ryan's sister's point of view.


What a great month for great reads!  I wonder what May will bring....

Grown Up Reads for April

April is winding down, so it's time to discuss my favorite (grown up) reads for April.  I've read a handful, but these two are standouts (note that I'm not actually finished with the second, but it's amazing, and I won't finish it before April is over):

The Ordinary Acrobat


I hated the circus when I was a kid.  I went twice, and since my mother made a comment some years ago that she dislikes circuses too, I'm guessing that I was taken due to an idea that going to the circus is some kind of childhood ritual that should be experienced.  So the fact that I adored The Ordinary Acrobat might seem a bit strange.  Reading The Night Circus, though, made me eager and open to reading anything else that was circus related (my review is here; Susan Orlean's Rin Tin Tin is also ridiculously entertaining, so you should read that too). 

Duncan Wall had a similar prejudice about circuses, until he attended a Parisian circus as a college student and discovered that many European circuses have a different history and sensibility from traditional American circuses.  Captivated by the artistry of the French circus, he enrolled at the Ecole Nationale des Arts du Cirque.  Wall's description of his arduous classes intertwined with chapters on circus history (both in the States and Europe) are absolutely captivating. The sections on circus history are eye-opening; it was not uncommon for jugglers and clowns (whose acts were often commentaries on social and political matters of the day) to become international celebrities, even until the early days of the 20th century.   While the entirety of the book is compelling, his experiences with juggling and interviews with noted jugglers and clowns are extraordinary (he also takes classes on trapeze arts and acrobatics, but the juggling and clowning sections are highlights).  If you have any romantic tendencies toward theatricals, you will inhale this book.


Wanting to actually see examples of the performers and acts that Wall interviews and discusses, I headed to Youtube.   A juggling star mentions that the European style of juggling is catching on in the States due to the Internet, so I figured that Youtube would have plenty of examples.   So much so--and so many awe-inspiring videos-- that I put aside the book for a good half hour or so Youtubing people and troupes mentioned in The Ordinary Acrobat (I had the same "problem" when I read Craig Marks's and Rob Tannenbaum's terrific history of MTV). If you're not familiar with contemporary circus arts acts, you'll be astonished:


For an example of artistic juggling, watch a clip of the Gandini Jugglers. Gandini is a British juggling troupe that combines choreography and juggling:








Jay Gilligan is an American juggler who largely performs in Europe, and is interviewed at length in The Ordinary Acrobat:








Many in the juggling world consider Anthony Gatto to be the greatest juggler in the world (and in juggling history).  This clip is from Cirque du Soleil, which is controversial in the circus world (Wall devotes an entire chapter to the Cirque phenomenon, which was an avant-garde troupe of Montrealites until they caused a sensation in Los Angeles in 1984--and the rest is history).  Gatto's act is more traditional (and razz-mattazz showbizzy) than Gandini and Gilligan, as he focuses on breathtaking trick after trick rather than interpretation:









Wall's depiction of Les Arts Sauts was so thrilling that I immediately searched for them on Youtube.  Many have offered them huge amounts of money to become the next Cirque, but they have so far refused. LAS does full-length trapeze shows/ballets:









Chiche Cabon is one of France's premier contemporary clown troupes (there are many clowns and clown troupes featured in the book, but since many are French, and since many incorporate dialogue into their programs, it was tricky finding something that was largely physical and indicative of artistic clowning):










Circus Baobab is only briefly mentioned in The Ordinary Acrobat as an example of how modern circus arts artists have translated their art to other countries. As Africa does not have a circus tradition, Baobab is the first professional circus on the continent:








This is a clip of Circus Baobab acrobats and contortionists performing for a rural African audience, which is quite a change from this above clip! Very cool:










Quite amazing, isn't it? Even those who have never dreamed of running away to join the circus will become immersed in The Ordinary Acrobat.

The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II


Truth: I am nearly halfway through this book.  It's an amazing read, so I've no doubt that it will continue to be amazing.  I am fascinated with the homefront efforts during World War I and II, especially women's involvement on the homefront. (I'm similarly intrigued by the Works Progress Administration, but that's for another time and place).  So when I read about The Girls of Atomic City through Wowbrary (you should subscribe if you're a Fauquier County patron!), I immediately jumped on the waiting list.  Many women arriving in Oak Ridge, TN had little clue as to what exactly they would be working on, much less that they were working on the Manhattan Project.  Denise Kiernan was fortunate enough to interview many women who lived and worked in Oak Ridge during the war; women from the rural South and Appalachia, others from the industrial North; some trained in science and math, while others were 19 year old high school graduates.  It's a brilliant, moving, infuriating, and inspiring look at a little known story in World War II history. 


In my next post, I'll discuss my favorite children's reads for April.  Picture books galore. 

Poetry Picks for National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month is nearly over.  It's been such a treat browsing through our children's poetry collection this month--so many goodies that I didn't know we had!  I missed a post last week, so I doubled up on the poetry for this post (one book will be featured in an upcoming post about my latest Newbery reads). 

Swing Around the Sun



The poems in Swing Around the Sun were originally published in 1965, accompanied by black-and-white illustrations.  In this recent reprint,  four artists have captured the artistry of the poetry (arranged by season) with stunning and expansive color illustrations.  Out of all the poetry books I've read this month, this is one of the standouts, for both its nature-themed poetry and the brilliant illustrations.

Perfect Harmony: A Musical Journey With the Boys' Choir of Harlem


What better way to demonstrate the beauty and rhythm of poetry than through the perspective of a children's choir? Poems about vocal range, the joy felt while performing, the dedication needed for music study, and more are paired with heartwarming photographs of the famed Boys Choir of Harlem members rehearsing and performing.  A glossary of musical terms is included. 

Little Dog Poems


The poems in Little Dog Poems may be short, but they are packed with personality and humor.  The reader follows this adorable little dog throughout his busy day of napping, eating, and playing.  Although the poems are likely too short to fulfill a memorization assignment, they will delight all dog lovers.

Earthshake: Poems From the Ground Up



National Poetry Month does not (and should not!) be only celebrated in language arts classes.  A poem or two from Earthshake: Poems From the Ground Up at the beginning or end of an Earth Science or Geography class/unit would be a fantastic way to show students that poetry isn't always dreamy poems about nature.  These poems are rockin'--truthfully!  Explosive lava, tectonic plates, and geodes are just a few of the earthy topics featured here.

Today at the Bluebird Cafe



I'm trying to make these poetry posts as diverse as possible, but I couldn't resist including another collection of bird poems.  This is a handsome collection of both funny and thoughtful poems about our fine-feathered friends--eagles, woodpeckers, swans, and, of course, bluebirds are showcased through excellent poems and illustrations.

Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys


I love Guyku.  Guyku shows that there's nothing more "guy like" than enjoying the great outdoors.  Poems are arranged seasonally, so we see this little guy throwing snowballs in the winter and climbing trees in the summer.  This is a celebration of unplugged and unwired fun, and a great way to teach haiku (it emphasizes the important fact that haiku should always be written in present tense, among other things).


I'm enjoying this so much that I'm planning another poetry post for next week, even though this is the last full week of National Poetry Month. Stay tuned!