The War That Saved My Life

  The War That Saved My Life Book Review 

By Kelly Hartman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker.  The War That Saved My Life. New York: Puffin Books,  2015 ISBN 9780147510488

PLOT SUMMARY

Ada and her brother Jamie live with their cruel mother in London.  Crippled by an unattended club foot, Ada is forced to crawl away from the only place she's ever known, her apartment, to safety as a child evacuee during the threat of WW11 air raids.  Ada and her brother find themselves in the care of Ms. Susan Smith who lives in the countryside with a horse named Butter. Even though Susan protests that she never wanted children, Ada experiences more nurture than she could have ever imagined, but it terrifies her.  Ada works hard to keep her guard up, thinking that at any moment the clean clothes, unrationed food supply, and ultimately Susan's love will all disappear.  Will Ada's fears come true when their mother shows up to take them back home?

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

It is no wonder that the unabridged audiobook version of The War That Saved My Life won the American Library Association Odyssey award. Presented by Audible's Listening Library, Jayne Entwistle's narration transports listeners to WWII England. Within the pacing, volume, and inflection of Entwistle's voice, the audience senses Ada's sorrows, her joys, her fears, and her determination.  Entwistle's voice exposes mum's cruelty and then smoothly ushers in Susan's gentle nature, all the while highlighting the difference in London's coarse dialect versus the English country's more polite accent and pronunciations. 

Readers will cry with Ada and be enraged by the physical and verbal abuse that she endures.  Sad, but true to trauma experiences, Bradley develops characters who do not naturally adjust to a normal life.  Ada and Jamie have meltdowns, keep their expectations low, and continue to doubt their very worth.  The characters are not the only credible element.  True to the historical fiction format, Bradley sets the stage of WWII with descriptive details about air raids, food rations, and evacuated children. The timeline of the war accurately parallels the four years of Ada's story.  

In the end, whether immersed in the written text or engulfed in the audiobook, readers will fall in love with Ada and cheer at how the war saved her life.  

AWARD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS 

Odyssey Award Winner, 2016

Schneider Family Book Award Winner, 2016

"With her skillful presentation of true-to-life characters, Entwistle's narration is totally compelling." -Audiofile, January 2015

“There is much to like here—Ada’s engaging voice, the vivid setting, the humor, the heartbreak,

but most of all the tenacious will to survive.” —School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS

Analyze the audio book excerpt to determine why it won the Odyssey Award.

Vocabulary

Ada loves learning new words.  Use vocabulary.com to work on vocabulary.

Extensions

More activities and discussion questions found at Brightly's Book Club.

One Crazy Summer

 One Crazy Summer Book Review 

By Kelly Hartman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Williams-Garcia, Rita.  One Crazy Summer. New York: Harper Collins Publishing, 2010 ISBN 9780060760885

PLOT SUMMARY

In the summer of 1968, Delphine and her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, fly from Brooklyn to Oakland in hopes of bonding with their mother, Cecile.  Instead of spending time with the girls, Cecile sends them off to Black Panther summer camp.  Responsible eleven year old Delphine continues to bear the burden as a mother-figure to her sisters by cooking home-cooked meals and planning a weekend excursion. Yet throughout their time in Oakland, Delphine's attitudes about her mother begin to change, and with it comes a revelation about herself.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

From the moment that Delphine and her sisters fly high into the clouds to meet their mother in Oakland, the reader believes every word and action.  Even though the story is set in the 1960's, today's readers can identify with birth order: responsibility of the oldest, "show-boating" from a middle child, and the babyish behavior of the youngest.  The author is successful at making all feel at home with the common strife of sibling rivalry, yet the feelings of protection and love that come with being part of a sisterly(or brotherly) relationship. Told from the perspective of the oldest sister, Delphine, the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride of the ups and downs that came with being a young black girl during that time period.  

The setting of Oakland, California in the summer of 1968 is integral to the events of the story.  Williams-Garcia takes her readers back to a tumultuous time of racial prejudice and social injustices.  Through Delphine's eyes, the reader changes from being suspicious of the Black Panther group to understanding the necessary action needed to make a change for the black community. The author solidifies her story-telling with an authentic backdrop through pop-culture, historical events, and well-known black activists from that time period.  

Rita Williams-Garcia acknowledges her ability to write this story based on reading books, conducting interviews, and specific praise for David Hillard's The Black Panther Intercommunal News Service. The author's purpose is written within a theme that transcends time; children making a change in 1968 and the changes that are still needed for our present time take both awareness and courage.   

AWARD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS 

Scott Odell Award Winner, 2011

Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner, 2011

Newbery Medal Honor, 2011

CONNECTIONS

Author's Purpose

Watch the book trailer to discuss and write a reflection on the author's purpose.  

Extensions

Use these activities and discussion questions to connect to the story.  

Gather 

Here are more books using the 2011 Coretta Scott King Award Guide.

The Earth Dragon Awakes: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

 The Earth Dragon Awakes: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

By Kelly Hartman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Yep, Laurence.  The Earth Dragon Awakes: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. New York: Harper Collins Publishing, 2008 ISBN 9780060275242

PLOT SUMMARY

Henry Travis and Chin are unlikely best friends; Chin's father is the Travis family's houseboy.  During the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the boys are separated; yet they continue to worry about each other's well-being. Through a third person perspective, the boys face many dangers beyond the destruction of the quake. Digging out of the rubble, fearing for their safety during the aftershocks, experiencing their community members at their worst...and at their best, and then fleeing for their lives in the midst of the city burning to the ground are just some of the perils that the boys face.  Will they be reunited despite the horrific odds?

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Laurence Yep, a Laura Ingalls Wilder Award winner, writes The Earth Dragon Awakes: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 as a historically accurate account, yet with a sensationally literary style.  Organizing each chapter as a news event(time of day, date, and place), Yep gives the reader a sense of the horrific events that occurred over 100 years ago. His preface promises that even though his characters are fictional, the events are based on his research. The author is thorough in gaining his reader's confidence throughout the story. Interictally woven throughout the story, Yep gives scientific details such as descriptions of the earth's core versus its surface and definitions of tools such as a Richter scale.  In addition, the author gives the reader footnotes(pg. 42, 102) providing cultural and historical notes needed to understand the events of the story.  

Even though the story is written from a third person perspective, the reader finds himself immersed in the lives of two believable characters, Henry and Chin.  Young readers will relate to the friendship that the two boys share, yet will pick up on the differences in what the boys are interested in(penny dreadfuls, Wyatt Earp) due to the time and place of their story.  The plot and setting are firmly based in many details that revolve around San Francisco in 1906.  Yep takes care in naming landmarks(Chinatown, Portsmouth Square) throughout the city, yet does not overwhelm the reader with too many facts. 

The author has no need to over sensualize the story.  According to the Afterword, his events are based on actual research about the earthquake.  From the bull gouging to the fires set on that day, the reader is reassured that this story, although made-up, could  have really happened.  Yep is successful in communicating themes that transcend time: Friendship, Family, and Everyday Heroes.  

AWARD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS 

Written by 2005 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Winner, Laurence Yep

"Told in the present tense, the narration provides a "you are there" sense of immediacy and will appeal to readers who enjoy action-packed survival stories." Linda Perkins―Booklist

"The afterword includes Yep's personal connection to the subject, sources for further reading, and photographs. Young readers will find the story engaging and the disaster fascinating, and they will breathe a sigh of relief when the two friends are reunited." Library Media Review  

"Its "natural disaster" subject is both timely and topical, and Yep weaves snippets of information on plate tectonics and more very neatly around his prose. A solid supplemental choice." School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS

Book Trailer

Meet Laurence Yep

Research 

Create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting events, places, people from article vs the historical fiction book.  

Create Reader's Theater

Students, librarian, and teacher write, read, and act several chapters of the book.

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

   Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

By Kelly Hartman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Steptoe, Javaka.  Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2016 ISBN 9780316213882

PLOT SUMMARY

Jean-Michel Basquiat grew up in Brooklyn, always dreaming of becoming a famous artist.  His mother, Matilde, an artist of sorts, influenced his creativity, spending countless hours drawing with him and taking him to art galleries.  Due to a mental illness, Basquiat is separated from his mother, yet he continued to express himself through his vibrant art.  Gaining inspiration from the streets of New York City, he splattered his collages on downtown walls, eventually achieving a place among many different art galleries.  Basquiat is described as "radiant, wild, a genius child"; his art giving him fame and a voice for others in his community.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In Radiant Child, Javaka Steptoe gives an accurate description of the ups and downs of aspiring artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. The story itself is a simple recounting of the major events of the artist's childhood through adulthood, but it is not meant to be "sugar-coated".  Within the end pages of the book, Steptoe includes more details, an author's note, and cited sources. The reader can trust Steptoe's dedication to this biography as a true story. 

The author organizes his story in a clear and sequential manner, making it easy for even young readers to follow the timeline.  The illustrations appropriately match the storyline. The use of literary devices such as rhythm and figurative language("hearts that thump", "storm of papers") become part of the story's lively style, appropriately expressing the text as a work of art, as well.  The reader learns in the author's notes that Steptoe made a purposeful choice to create his own interpretations, instead of just copying and reproducing Basquiat's art for the book's illustrations.  Readers can appreciate his commitment in honoring Basquiat while encouraging others to express their own voice.   

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean Michel Basquiat is told in present tense; an effort to keep Basquiat's life story alive and well for any budding artist.  An inspiration to those wanting to express themselves in life's journey.  

Just like his art, Basquiat's life was "not neat or clean"; it was, in fact, "sloppy, ugly, and sometimes weird; but somehow still BEAUTIFUL." 

AWARD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS 

2017 Caldecott Medal Winner

2017 Coretta Scott King Award Winner

"A lively, engaging introduction to a one-of-a-kind artist perfect for art-loving kids.... An excellent read-aloud."―Booklist, starred review

"Vibrant colors and personal symbols channel the 'sloppy, ugly, and sometimes weird, but somehow still BEAUTIFUL' paintings, incorporating meticulously attributed collage elements and capturing the artist's energy and mystery. Stellar bookmarking--a riveting portrait of a young artist."

―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

CONNECTIONS

About this Book Connection 

Just like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Javaka Steptoe used bits of New York City to create their masterpieces, students will be encouraged to do the same with their surroundings.  Read "About this Book" to students and have them use "materials, people, and places in their environment" to create their own work of art. 

Art Connection

Motifs and Symbolism

Help students to find crowns, eyes, and cars within the art of the book.  View some of Basquiat's art and look for these motifs.  Discuss the symbolism.  Ask students to come up with three motifs that they would like to include in their art and encourage them to add to their art project.  

Read Aloud 

More Teaching Activities 

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus

                                                    The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus 

By Kelly Hartman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bryant, Jen.  The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus. Michigan: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014 ISBN 9780802853851

PLOT SUMMARY

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus outlines the true story of shy and introverted Peter Mark Roget. Beginning with the death of his father, Roget used lists to make sense of the world.  His family moved often, but as a young boy one thing that didn't change was his ability to classify and categorize his understanding of concepts like the elements, weather, and gardening.  His mother worried about his seclusion with his lists, but even as a young man he traveled the world soaking up as much knowledge as he could, and always organizing his thoughts in a book.  Later he became a doctor, but with every free moment he continued to write a book that would help him, and eventually others, to find the "just right" word to communicate to the world. This "treasure house" book is used all over the world to this day.   

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

From the labeling of the credits on the title page to the bibliographical references at the end of the book, the reader rests assured that The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus is a true story about Roget's life and his contribution to our society.  The author and illustrator use creativity to engage the reader without sacrificing the accuracy of the story begging to be told. Both author and illustrator's notes included in The Right Word prove the research required to write the historical details of Roget's life. The creators are careful to provide the readers with their sources, bibliographical references, and even the scanned first page of Roget's original work; with permission granted, of course.  The illustrator, Melissa Sweet, explains that even the "back endpapers list Roget's thousand words with an abbreviated Plan of Classification." The reader knows that Bryant and Sweet did their homework.   

For the reader familiar with a modern thesaurus, it may come as a shock that Roget did not categorize his words alphabetically.  To assist readers in understanding the organization of Roget's ideas, Bryant and Sweet choose a similar layout where specific words from the text are numbered with a list of synonyms just like the original "treasure house".  To clearly sequence and explain each page of written text, the collage of cut-out illustrations serve as a reference aid of sorts; charts, labels, and numbered lists. The Right Word includes a List of Principal Events serving as a timeline for Roget's life and paralleled world affairs.  

There is a definite inviting design and lively style found within the covers of The Right Word. Sweet's illustrations complement Bryant's text.  The reader can tell that both author and illustrator were enthusiastic contributors in this project.  Their passion ignites the reader to learn more about this man who made sense of his world by writing lists.  After reading The Right Word, readers will never look at a thesaurus as an ordinary-normal, usual, humdrum- tool again.  

AWARD AND REVIEW EXCERPTS 

2015 Caldecott Honor Book

2015 Sibert Medal Winner

"In brilliant pages teeming with enthusiasm for language and learning, Bryant and Sweet joyfully celebrate curiosity, the love of knowledge, and the power of words." Booklist Starred Review

CONNECTIONS

Author Study

Visit Jen Bryant's website: www.jenbryant.com

Illustrator Study

Visit Melissa Sweet's website: www.melissasweet.net

Gather More Books by This Duo

A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams 978-0802853028

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin 978-0375867125

Book Trailer 

Activity Guide