Nonfiction and Biography

Book Review: ALMOST ASTRONAUTS: 13 WOMEN WHO DARED TO DREAM


1. Bibliography
STONE, TANYA LEE. 2009. ALMOST ASTRONAUTS: 13 WOMEN WHO DARED TO DREAM. Somerville, Massachusetts. Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763636111

2. Plot Summary
ALMOST ASTRONAUTS is the true story of 13 women who came to be known as the “Mercury 13.” When NASA was launched in 1958, these 13 women challenged social norms and government policies and proved they were just as capable if not more qualified as men to be astronauts. However, their way to space was blocked by prejudice and discrimination. In the end their determination eventually opened doors for women to be allowed to participate in the space program today.

3. Critical Analysis
ALMOST ASTRONAUTS is a Social History informational book because it portrays historical events that made an impact on our society today. Tanya Lee Stone is an award- winning author who is known for writing about strong women and this book is another great example of that. It is obvious that Tanya did her research for this book based on the 10 pages of sources and credits. In the author’s note, Stone reveals to us that she even had the opportunity to meet some of these women to help guide her research which made this book that much more meaningful to write. The book is divided into chapters with subheadings that show dates and landmark events. The book begins in the year 1999, giving readers a snapshot of what things are like in the ‘90s for women in NASA. Chapter 2 goes back to 1960 to begin telling the story in its entirety. The chapter begins with the sentence, “We have turned back the clock,” but it takes a minute to get used to the abrupt change in time. However, once the story gets underway Stone does a wonderful job at thoroughly portraying each of the women, as well as what was going on in the world around them at the time. Throughout the story photographs with captions are found on almost every page so readers are able to connect with these women and have a better understanding of the differences of the time. Stone’s enthusiasm on the subject is apparent and she leaves readers feeling proud to learn about these women and wanting to know more. At the end of some paragraphs she leaves questions or makes statements that readers will probably want to stop and think about. In addition, she is careful to stay focused on the women and their journey throughout the story and not get readers sidetracked on other subjects that could be discussed. Stone finishes the story by coming back to present day to show readers all that is possible and that dreams can come true thanks to these remarkable women.

4. Awards won:
Sibert Medal Award Winner-2010
Almost Astronauts has also won a YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Honor
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor
NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor
Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award

Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly Review- Readers with an interest in history and in women's struggle for equality will undoubtedly be moved. Ages 10-up. (Feb.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal Review- Illustrated with sheaves of photos, and based on published sources, recently discovered documents, and original interviews with surviving members of the "Mercury 13," this passionately written account of a classic but little-known challenge to established gender prejudices also introduces readers to a select group of courageous, independent women.-John Peters, New York Public Library Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

5. Connections:
Students may want to continue reading about women in space so this would be good book to suggest:
Atkins, Jeannine. WINGS AND ROCKETS: THE STORY OF WOMEN IN AIR AND SPACE. ISBN 0374384509

Or they may want to continue reading about one of the main characters of ALMOST ASTRONAUTS, Jerrie Cobb, and complete a biography book report on her. They could use the book written by her.
Cobb, Jerrie. WOMAN INTO SPACE, THE JERRIE COBB STORY. No ISBN # found.


Citations for Reviews:
Dallas Public Library. http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/. Accessed July 10, 2010.


Book Review: PENGUINS


1. Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 2007. PENGUINS. New York, NY. Smithsonian/Collins. ISBN 9780060283957

2. Plot Summary
Seymour Simon’s book PENGUINS is 32 pages of a variety of information about Penguins. Topics range from the different species attributes, to their habitats and mating patterns. Simon also includes a collection of photographs on every page to accompany the numerous facts given.

3. Critical Analysis
Seymour Simon is an award winning author known for writing nonfiction books for children including hundreds of books published on a variety of science topics (Vardell 249). One of his best traits is including breathtaking photographs in each of his books and PENGUINS is no exception. Simon credits the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of Natural History’s curator for much of his research so readers can be confident they are getting accurate information. PENGUINS is a wonderful book for elementary age students because the photographs on the front and throughout the book will grab and keep their attention. The information given is detailed and interesting, but laid out in a short form, good for young readers. It is apparent that Simon is passionate about science topics like penguins and helping young children learn. At the end of the story he discusses the importance of protecting penguins and keeping them from becoming endangered. In the index he provides a glossary and he gives suggestions of other books and websites that can be visited to learn more about penguins and how one can help to conserve them.

Awards: Some of his general awards include:
· The New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature
· The Hope S. Dean Memorial Award from the Boston Public Library
· The Eva L. Gordon Award, presented by the American Nature Society, for his contribution to children's science literature
· The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for Non-fiction for the body of his work.
· Lifetime Achievement Award in Science Literature from Children from American Association for the Advancement of Science
· Kansas Reading Association 2001 Picture Book Award
· The 2002 Jeremiah Neward Leddington Memorial Award
· 1992 National Forum on Children's Science Books Lifetime Achievement Commendation
New York Time's One of the Years Best Illustrated Children's Books, Certificate of Excellence

4. Review Excerpt(s)
School Library Journal- Gr 3-5-In his signature photo-essay format with appealing full-page color photographs, Simon provides a broad overview of Antarctic penguins' physical characteristics and behavior.
A serviceable introduction that will have familiarity for the author's many fans.
-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

5. Connections
Websites to visit if further research was to be done:
Smithsonian Institution: http://www.si.edu
Penguin World: http://www.penguinworld.com
International Penguin Conservation Work Group: www.seabirds.org

Other Informational books that can to the study of penguins:
Simon, Seymour. OCEANS. ISBN 9780060889982
Tatham, Betty. PENGUIN CHINK. ISBN 006028594X

A fun fiction chapter book for a read aloud or a literature circle that could be paired with the non-fiction books about penguins could be:

Atwater, Richard and Florence. MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS. ISBN 0316058432

Citations for Reviews:
Dallas Public Library. http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/. Accessed July 10, 2010.

Dallas Independent School District Online Public Access Catalog. http://www2.youseemore.com/dallasisd/Default.asp? Accessed July 10, 2010.

Vardell, Sylvia. (2008). Children’s Literature in Action. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.


Book Review: BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS: THE MAKING OF A CHAMPION


1. Bibliography
Freedman, Russell. 1999. BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS: THE MAKING OF A CHAMPION. New York. Clarion Books. ISBN 0395633672

2. Plot Summary
In BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS: THE MAKING OF A CHAMPION, Russell Freedman writes a biography about the greatest woman athlete the world has ever seen. The story begins at the time she was born and continues until her death. Readers learn about every sport she played and the numerous awards she was given, as well as other personal details of her life. She was an All-American basketball player, an Olympic gold medalist in track and field, and a championship golfer who won 82 amateur and professional tournaments. She also mastered tennis, played exhibition baseball, and was an accomplished diver and bowler. She was a dynamic and unique woman and athlete of the times who not only broke records, but also broke barriers and changed the way the world perceived women athletes.

3. Critical Analysis
Russell Freedman, an award-winning author of several nonfiction books, wrote the biography of BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS. He first wrote about Babe in his first book, TEENAGERS WHO MADE HISTORY, published in 1961. He reveals that after writing 40 nonfiction books, he was intrigued to go back to his original book to revisit the story and do further research on the life of Babe Didrikson. He did so with the help of additional biographies and Babe’s autobiography (Freedman, 165). The book is written in 13 chapters covering the beginning of her life until her death. Every chapter is filled with extensive details, black and white photographs with captions, quotes from Babe’s autobiography, and statements from various people in Babe’s life. Because of Russell Freedman’s style of writing and the detail he includes, readers should begin to feel like they know Babe through her struggles and triumphs. The sports connection may inspire further research from student readers. The book covers the various sports and games played by Babe Didrikson and most readers will agree that just the right amount of information is given. Other readers or non-sports fans could argue that not every game and tournament Babe played in needs to be written in so much detail. I feel that the amount of detail is necessary because it paints a clear picture of who the real Babe Didrikson was. Students everywhere, and especially girls, may be encouraged and inspired by Babe’s story and will want to learn more about her or visit the Babe Didrikson Museum mentioned by Freedman (200) at the end of the book.

Awards: Some of his general awards include:
He has received three Newbery Honors, a National Humanities Medal, the Sibert Medal, the Orbis Pictus Award, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award.

Review Excerpt(s)
Library Journal Review-Animated writing and action photographs capture the energy and indomitable spirit of a true champion. (July) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly Review-By paying attention, however, to the times in which she lived, Freedman demonstrates Zaharias's role as a challenger not only of sporting records, but of cultural assumptions about class and gender as well. This celebratory work gives readers a chance to cheer Zaharias's legendary life. Ages 10-up. (Aug.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

5. Connections
Readers can read more about Babe by reading her autobiography:
Zaharias, Babe Didrikson. THIS LIFE I’VE LED; MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS AS TOLD TO HARRY PAXTON. No ISBN found.

If readers were younger or one felt that Freedman’s book was too long, this book would be a great alternative or an additional one to visit as the biography is written in a story format while still giving valuable facts and information.
Sutcliffe, Jane. BABE DIDRIKSON ZAHARIAS: ALL-AROUND ATHLETE. ISBN 1575054213


Citations for Reviews:
Dallas Public Library. http://www.dallaslibrary2.org/. Accessed July 12, 2010.

Barnes and Noble. http://www.bn.com. Accessed July 12, 2010.