BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stone, Tonya Lee. 2009. ALMOST ASTRONAUTS: 13 WOMEN WHO DARED TO DREAM. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763645021
PLOT SUMMARY
In this spectacular story Tanya Lee Stone highlights the difficulty of thirteen women who challenged society and the government to prove they could be exceptional astronauts. With the cards stacked against them these courageous women fought for the right to go into space. Everyone was against them; the media, male astronauts even the president Lyndon B. Johnson. The “Mercury 13” were fighting an uphill battle because society believed that if they let women into the space program, minorities would be next. The “Mercury 13” proved to be as brave, intelligent and fit as any man, but who were nonetheless denied from NASA's astronaut program because of their gender. At the center of the story is Jerrie Cobb, a veteran pilot who successfully completed every test given to male astronauts. Her performance, and that of the others, proved women were as capable as men. Sadly the “Mercury 13” did not have a happen ending, it took 20 more years before NASA admitted women into the astronaut program.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Award winning author Tanya Lee Stone, who has written over 90 books for your readers, did an excellent job researching and retelling about NASA's Mercury astronaut training program. Stone uses first- and second-hand sources, including interviews with many of the women who participated in Lovelace's tests to accurately depict the trials and tribulations of the “Mercury 13”.
Inside the book are beautiful historical photographs that enhance this true story. The sequence of the story logical and provides just enough background to inform the reader about the events leading up to the “Mercury 13”. Stone includes insight into early-sixties public views about the capability of women.
You can clearly see that Stone has a passion for non-fiction as the story flows easily and gives just the right amount of information to be relevant and not redundant. Middle school and high school readers will thoroughly enjoy learning about how society perceived women in the past and learning the progression of society.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Booklist (February 15, 2009) This dramatic, large-size photo-essay covers their stories, along with the exciting politics of the women’s liberation struggle in the 1950s and ’60s (“What is a woman’s place?”) and the breakthrough science and technology surrounding space exploration, including details of the would-be astronauts’ tests and training.
Horn Book (March/April, 2009)
There is no sugarcoating here -- Stone presents the full story of early-sixties public discourse about women's capabilities and clearly shows the personal, political, and physical risks taken by the women in pursuit of their dream. The details will likely be a revelation for the intended middle- and high-school audience, who may be surprised to find the world of their grandmothers' childhoods a far cry from their own.
Kirkus Review starred (January 1, 2009) The author offers great insight into how deeply ingrained sexism was in American society and its institutions. Handsomely illustrated with photographs, this empowering, impassioned story will leave readers inspired.
CONNECTIONS
· Have students research the 13 women.
· Complete a Venn diagram to compare the role of women in the 50’s and 60’s to present day women.
· Have students right about a time they had to overcome adversity.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Blumenthal, Karen. 2011. Mr. Sam: How Sam Walton Built Wal-Mart and Became America's Richest Man. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 978-0-670-01177-3.
2. Plot Summary
In this rags to riches story Sam Walton came from nothing to become the founder of the biggest chain store, Wal-Mart. While growing up, Sam was a natural competitor and a well-rounded student who was president of his class and a football player. His drive and competitive nature allowed Sam to transform his small general store into an empire.
3. Critical Analysis
Karen Blumenthal provides adolescent students with inspiring story of how Sam Walton built his small business into the world's largest retail company. Although the story is filled with informative tidbits about Wal-Mart that is both entertaining and informative to the reader this story is about the life of Sam Walton. Blumenthal beautifully intertwines narratives into information about economics.
Blumentahal does an excellent job of blending her research of Sam’s life with historical references. This type of writing style along with the black and white photos allows the reader a glimpse into what Sam Walton’s life was like. Blumenthal does not sugar coat Sam Walton, but portrays both the good and bad.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
School Library Journal (July 1, 2011)
Gr 5-8-What is promoted as a biography offers much more in the form of a history of Wal-Mart and the evolution of sales and merchandising in American stores over the second half of the 20th century.
Kirkus Review (June 1, 2011)
Making the life of a man who devoted nearly every moment of his adult life to expanding his company an interesting story could be tough, but Blumenthal succeeds in bringing Walton's driven personality and obsession with winning to life.
CONNECTIONS
*Students can draw/write a timeline of Sam Walton’s life
*Divide students into small groups and devise a business and develop a business plan.
* Schedule a field trip to the local Wal-Mart and take a behind the scene tour.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kerley, Barbara. 2010. THE EXTRAORDINARY MARK TWAIN (ACCORDING TO SUZY). ILL. By Edwin Fotheringham. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780329839147
PLOT SUMMARY
In this picture book biography the reader learns about Samuel Clemens from his 13-year-old daughter, Susy, who decides to write her father’s biography in her journal. The book includes little journals that are blurbs from the actual biography that Suzy Clemens wrote. Through the journals and text the reader can enjoy insight into the not so ordinary life of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens).
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Barbara Kerley writes a beautiful story about a little girl named Susy who decided to write a biography of her famous father Mark Twain. Intertwined into the story are descriptions about how to write a biography. Kerlye writes that Suzy "noted his habits. She described his fine qualities. She even described his not-so-fine qualities". To help elaborate on the story Kerley also uses small direct quotes from Suzy Clemens’ personal journal. Cleverly, Kerley embeds small journal pages into the body of the book. Although there are several spelling inaccuracies it fits well and can be use to encourage students to write even though they aren’t the best spellers.
Although the book doesn’t go in chronological order (at one point in the story Suzy is writing about when her father was a young boy) the randomness of Suzy’s thought allows the story to progress nicely. Overall, the story is information rich and even includes a time line of Mark Twain’s life.
Another interesting aspect of the book is the source page. Which includes references buy page numbers. For example, if something is mentioned on page 12 of the book the reader can go to the source page and found out where the information came from. Kerley also includes a step-by-step direction page on how to right a biography and even gives a web link where the printable instructions can be downloaded.
Although the intended audience may not be familiar with Mark Twain they will fully enjoy the illustrations that promote the story. The difference in fonts make it easy to distinguish between who is talking, Suzy or her Papa. The way Kerley and Fotheringham blend these elements will easily engage the reader.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Booklist (December 1, 2009)
“Kerley manages to bring Susy and her famous father to life using plenty of household anecdotes.”
Kirkus Review starred (December 15, 2009)
“Kerley's conversational, quotation-rich narration effectively complements Susy's insights, and the result is an affectionate portrait of Twain as writer and family man.”
Library Media Connection (May/June 2010)
“The author is noted as a picture book biographer who is not only accurate, but a dynamic writer whose biographies possess a unique sense of flair.”
CONNECTIONS
*Have students write a biography of a member of their family.
* Research Mark Twain and complete a character biography sheet.
* Students can start their own journal it document their school year.
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