"My Pen" by Christopher Myers

"My Pen" 

by Christopher Myers

32 pages /  Print / Fantasy

Summary: "To the people who make things, and to the people who share them." Christopher Myers dedicates this book to the creators. This simple story is page after page of a boy creating fantasy scenes with his pen. His pen allows him to travel to Africa in a newspaper boat, ride dinosaurs, tell people that he loves him, and more. Myers encourages readers to pick up a pen and let your own world be created.

Evaluation: The illustrations of "My Pen" are very detailed and imaginative. I think students that have a drawing talent will enjoy reading this book and gain inspiration. After reading this book I wanted to pick up a pen and create a world of my own. This book celebrates beauty and the expression and art.

Appeal Terms: leisurely, inspirational, magical, character centered, thought provoking, introspective, art

"Unspoken: A Tale From The Underground Railroad" by Henry Cole

"Unspoken: A Tale From The Underground Railroad" by Henry Cole

40 pages /  Print / Historical

Summary: :A farm girl hears a noise from the harvested corn stalks in the barn. It is a runaway slave that has found a secret hiding place at her family's farm. The girl sneaks food to her each night. Some men come looking for the runaway slave, but the girl keeps quiet. Their secret friendship is a light of hope for the other runaway slaves.

Evaluation: "What would you do if you had a chance to help a person find freedom?"(Henry Cole). This wordless book speaks much more for the humanity that some felt for runaway slaves during the Civil War era. Sympathetic southerners hosted "safe-houses", or houses where runaway slaves could hide. The underground railroad is something everyone should know and appreciate. A gloomy mood is helped my the pencil drawings in the book, each shade and shadow shows the darkness of these times in American history. This book makes us reflect how our actions effect others lives and what sacrifices we need to make when we are faced with difficult situations.

Appeal Terms: historical, realistic, problem, measured, hopeful, sad, heartwarming, inspirational, issue oriented, lifelike, introspective 

"The Lion and the Mouse" by Jerry Pinkney

 

"The Lion and the Mouse" 

by Jerry Pinkney

40 pages /  E-Book / Folktale

Summary: After escaping the grasp of a hungry owl, a mouse finds itself in the clutches of a lion. The lion does a noble thing and lets the mouse run away free. Some poachers set up a net to catch wild game. The lion gets caught in the netting and is trapped. The same mouse comes to rescue it.

Evaluation: This retelling of Aesop's Fable accompanied by Pinkney's illustrations makes for a delightful reading experience for the reader. There are no words ( just onomatopoeia ) in the story, which leaves the reader to fill in the noises and plot-line with his or her imagination. The warm colors used in the illustrations match the warmth inside of the lion and mouse's heart as they help each other in times of despair. Using this book to teach about humanity and compassion could prove as a successful hook for a classroom lesson.

Appeal Terms: fable, lively, heartwarming, inspirational, thought provoking, introspective