Tanya Lee Stone's "Almost Astronauts 13 Women Who Dared to Dream" Book review

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stone, Tanya Lee. 2009. Almost Astronauts 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Tanton, MA. Candlewick Press. ISBN 978-0-329-70080-5

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Author Tanya Lee Stone tells the true story of thirteen extraordinary women who had a dream and became “space-age pioneers” these women challenged social norms during a time period where women were bound to certain roles deemed standard for women. These courageous women had a quest to live their dreams just like any man, and fought for them, during the rush to launch into space when all countries were competing in the space race, women were competing for just the mere chance to be astronauts. During this time, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was created in the USA in 1958.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book tells the story about the thirteen women who “blazed a trail for generations of women to follow.” Almost Astronauts is a book about thirteen women who had a dream to go to space, in a time period (the 1960s) were male prejudice created a complex political tug of war that prevented these women to achieve their dream. Author Tanya Lee Stone tells a dramatic nonfiction story of women who met all of NASA’s qualifications just like their male counterparts, yet were unable and barred from entering the NASA program simply because of their gender and society norms. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Goodreads starred review: “But even though the Mercury 13 women did not make it into space, they did not lose, for their example empowered young women to take their place in the sky, piloting jets and commanding space capsules. ALMOST ASTRONAUTS is the story of thirteen true pioneers of the space age.”

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book can be recommended to students who aspire to be astronauts, whether they be female or male.

*Other books with similar theme:

Floca, Brian. Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11. ISBN 9781416950462

Nelson, Kadir. We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. ISBN 9780786808328

Jan Greenberg's "Chuck Close Up Close" Book review

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Greenberg, Jan. Jodan, Sandra. 1998. Chuck Close Up Close. New York. Dorling Kindersley Publishing. ISBN 03292121-5

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

American painter and artist Charles Thomas “Chuck” Close achieved recognition and fame through his massive scale portraits, “big heads.”

In the book “Chuck Close Up Close” authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan capture his essence as an artist. In this informative biography, facts about the artist’s background, life and art are told in an ingenious manner. Close’s rise as a world renowned artist is skillfully told in five chapters. 

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book consists of five chapters, forty-eight pages, a glossary, a section that defines what a portrait is, and provides a list of figures. Each chapter describes an important element of how Chuck Close came to be; how he became an artist, how he developed his craft to be, how his talent snuck up on him, and the event that stopped him in his tracks for only a moment, and how he persevered and with hard work and dedication he continues his passion of painting.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

The New York Times: “An inspiring biography…a simply written yet fascinating account of how nearly insurmountable obstacles can often spur artistic growth.”

School Library Journal: “Based on interviews this is an inspiring look at the contemporary artist…”

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*Invite students to research their favorite artists and plan a virtual tour of a museum that displays those artists!

*Other books that are biographical depictions of artists:

Greensberg, Jan. Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist. ISBN 978-0440419174

Kelley, True. Who Was Pablo Picasso? ISBN 978-044844986

Sy Montgomery's "The Tarantula Scientist" Book review

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. 2004. The Tarantula Scientist. Boston. Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-618-14799-3

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Most people think tarantulas are dangerous and venomous creatures. In this extremely visual and informative book, The Tarantula Scientist, author Sy Montgomery, reveals the true nature of tarantulas, and provides a closer look at these magnificent arachnids in a fun and innovative manner.

The tarantulas dazzle in the photographs taken by award-winning photographer Nic Bishop, who accompanied Scientist and arachnologist, Sam Marshall on an expedition to the French Guiana Rainforest in South America. Author Sy Montgomery, photographer Nic Bishop, and scientist Sam Marshall, “…surprise and delight readers not only with secrets of the giant spiders, but also with fascinating discoveries about the nature of science itself,” making this book informative and intriguing.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book consists of eighty pages of informative text on tarantulas, where they came from, explains their origins, describes their habitats, environments, natural instincts and attributes, and explains what makes them unique, in a world full of different creatures. The Tarantula Scientist, is Sam Marshall, who is an arachnologist, whose life background helps establish how he became a scientist and how following his passion made him the scientist he is today. Tarantulas are one of a kind creatures, and in the book the special feature is the Goliath Bird eater Tarantula. This book will make the reader feel as if they are exploring the rainforest looking for tarantulas alongside with the team!

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

The Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books starred review: “…This would liven up a science curriculum no end, it might also convince young readers to go beyond the elemental pleasures of ‘Ew, gross’ to the more sophisticated appreciation of ‘Wow, cool.”

The Monadnock Ledger starred review: “…The Tarantula Scientist offers an up-close look at creatures most of us know little about, and convinces us to care about them. The book is beautiful, and tarantulas who creep around each page make it fun

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book makes students aware of the importance to immerse themselves in what they love and discusses the importance of respecting wild creatures, especially arachnids. There are classroom activities for “The Tarantula Scientist” at https://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/librarian/teachers.shtml

*Other nonfiction books about exploring wildlife creatures:

Montgomery, Sy. The Snake Scientist. ISBN 978-0547576985

Turner, Pamela S. The Frog Scientist. ISBN 978-0547576985

Allen Say's "Drawing From Memory" Book review

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Say, Allen. 2011. Drawing From Memory. New York. Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0-545-17686-6

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Allen Say brings to life his own journey, and how he became a renowned artist in this nonfiction book, Drawing From Memory. Author Allen Say recounts his life as a child growing up in Japan, and his life as a teenager and adult, he provides beautiful recollections of those who influence him and who helped shape him into the artist he is now.

Say’s life story of perseverance and devotion to his craft serves as an inspiration to other artists or aspiring artists! In the book, he vividly details were he came from, the Seashore of Yokohoma, Japan. He writes about his childhood, upbringing, his father’s disapproval of his passion for art, mentions the repercussions of World War II, how his parents separated and later divorce, and how he took refuge in his dream of becoming a cartoonist. Say found a Sensei who mentored him, friends who guided him and encouraged his artistic yearnings, he credits them for helping him become the world renowned artist that he is today.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book written by Allen Say, is “part memoir, part graphic novel, part narrative history…” the history of his life and everything and everyone he encountered throughout his life. It brings to light his relationship with his “spiritual father,” Noro Shenpei, Japan’s leading cartoonist, whom he credits for his inspiration and determination that helped him accomplish his life dream of becoming a cartoonist.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2012 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Goodreads starred review: “Caldecott Medalist Allen Say presents a stunning graphic novel chronicling his journey as an artist during WWII, when he apprenticed under Noro Shenpei, Japan’s premier cartoonist.”

Scholastic starred review: “Drawing From Memory” is Allen Say’s own story of his pain to becoming the renowned artist he is today.”

 

5. CONNECTIONS

*Invite students to write about what their dream in life is. Introduce other biographies of renowned artists.

*Other books about accomplishing your dreams are:

Greenberg, Jan. Chuck Close Up Close. ISBN 0329212125

Young, Ed. The House Baba Built: An Artist’s Childhood in China. ISBN 978-0316076289