page 120 Honor Books

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2 page 120 Children s Literature Reviews 2013 Orbis Pictus Award Winners Marcel Mangel was born into a family of musicians and dancers in 1923 in Strasbourg, France. As a child, he dreamed of being Charlie Chaplin, the star of the silent movies. At the age of seven, Marcel could make his friends laugh as he entertained them by miming. Marcel s life took a serious turn at age sixteen, however, with the outbreak of World War II when he and his family were forced to leave Strasbourg on foot with all of their possessions in hand. Crafty Marcel led hundreds of Jewish children high over the Alps of France to the safety of Switzerland by having them pose as boy scouts. While fighting with the French Resistance, he learned the power of illusion when he and his friend were suddenly faced with a unit of German soldiers. Marcel creatively pretended to be the advance guard of a larger French force and demanded their surrender. Marcel studied the ancient Greek art of mime after the war. In 1947, the world met Bip, the white- faced man with the red- painted lips, highdrawn eyebrows, and smashed stovepipe hat. Marcel traveled and entertained people all around the world, astonishing them with his performances and his ability to make them understand the language that he spoke with the use of his body. Monsieur Marceau s talent is captured through this well- crafted text that enables the reader to discover the person behind the whiteface. The book is well researched and includes both source notes and a list of resources for further reading. The carefully selected colors in the illustrations allow the reader to experience Marcel s journey through the sadness of war to his fame as a mime. The afterword provides additional information about Marcel Marceau that complements the text. Children will delight in reading this book and exploring the mime activity in the back matter. (FW) Honor Books Citizen Scientist: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard Written by Loree Griffin Burns Photo- illustrated by Ellen Harasimowicz Henry Holt, 2012, 80 pp., ISBN What do autumn butterflying, winter birding, spring frogging, and summer ladybugging have in common? They are all fascinating examples of citizen science: the study of our world by the people who live in it including children! Each of the described citizen science projects in this book has provided valuable data for researchers around the world. Monarch butterfly enthusiasts have tagged the butterflies wings, which has led to the discovery of various hibernation routes. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was initiated to encourage an interest in observing instead of shooting birds and now provides permanently recorded data in the CBC database so that future bird counters can monitor trends in populations. The roots of frog watching as a citizen science project actually began during a school field trip in Minnesota when children noticed that many of the frogs they were collecting were deformed. And the lack of field sightings of several species of ladybugs prompted an appeal to kids to participate in the Lost Ladybug Project, which eventually led to findings of these rare ladybugs by children as young as six! Much more than a how- to guide, detailed descriptions, crisp photographs, a when you go checklist, and a quick quiz engage readers in a highly interactive book that will leave budding scientists wanting to participate in their own godo science discovery project. Readers will enjoy

3 Children s Literature Reviews 2013 Orbis Pictus Award Winners the Internet resources available in the back matter to assist them in finding a discovery project of interest, and the list of books and field guides will help with animal identification. (LMW) Electric Ben: The Amazing Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin Written and illustrated by Robert Byrd Dial, 2012, unpaged, ISBN By titling this biography Electric Ben, Robert Byrd conjures up images of a rock star. Indeed, as Byrd points out, Franklin was the greatest celebrity of his time, famous in a world where news, and people, certainly didn t travel fast. The telling, like the illustration, is rich, detailed, and nuanced. While providing a comprehensive birth- todeath chronology, Byrd helps us to really know Franklin his influences, personality, passions, and motivations and the history he lived and made. The substantial primary narrative is carefully developed and lively with descriptive vignettes and quotes. Glowing, fully captioned illustrations arranged liberally in and around the text provide a depth and scope that would, in a more traditional format, require a thick volume. Illustrations not only provide strong visual support for the text, but also deftly deepen character development and articulate historical context and significance. It is through the illustrations, too, that readers will come to grasp the significance of Franklin s scientific experiments and sensibilities on gender and race equality for our world today. Add end papers brimming with poor Richard quotes and descriptive, informative back matter, and you have a book that will spark learning. (SP) The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity Written by Elizabeth Rusch Houghton Mifflin, 2012, 80 pp., ISBN In this excellent addition to the Scientists in the Field series, Elizabeth Rusch provides the reader with an exceptional Martian adventure without the help of little green extraterrestrials. Her superbly written chronicle of the two Mars Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, enhanced by stunning photography, nail- biting episodes, and the lead scientist s thoughts and feelings, reads like the best science fiction, but it is all true. The story of the two intrepid robots begins with the lead scientist, Steven Squyres, whose transition from terrestrial geologist to space scientist began with a term paper and a visit to the Mars Room at Cornell University. His discoveries redirected his geological focus to a different planet Mars. When NASA finally decided to accept his ideas on robot exploration of Mars, Steve and his team designed and constructed the two rovers. After meticulous work and two summer launches in 2003, the scientists were rewarded when Spirit landed safely early in 2004 and began to transmit stunning Martian photos and data. Opportunity landed several weeks later in another area of Mars, and like Spirit, began to transmit exciting photographs and data. Although only programmed to work for three months, the two rugged little Rovers transmitted photos and data until 2009 when Spirit got lodged in a patch of slippery sand and could not extricate herself. Sadly, in 2011, the team quit sending her commands. Her twin, Opportunity, has continued to transmit and has been joined by a larger rover Curiosity. The author includes copious source materials, a glossary, and an index. (DT) page 121

4 page 122 Children s Literature Reviews 2013 Orbis Pictus Award Winners Those Rebels, John & Tom Written by Barbara Kerley Illustrated by Edward Fotheringham Scholastic, 2012, unpaged, ISBN Opposites attract. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson couldn t have been more different. John was poor, short, athletic, talkative, and loud. Tom was rich, tall, studious, shy, and quiet. They found, however, that when they pooled their contrasting talents, they were very powerful. John was a dynamic speaker. Tom was an excellent writer. Working together, they convinced the other delegates at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to declare their independence from King George. Never has history been so entertaining. Fotheringham s colorful cartoon- style illustrations capture the subtle body language and idiosyncratic details that distinguish John and Tom. As babies, John s crib was a drawer in a room lit by a candle, but John escaped the bedding and crawled across the bare floor to explore the unknown. Meanwhile, Tom was sleeping soundly in a lace- lined crib atop a fringed rug, under a chandelier. Kerley s concise text and witty word play make this deceptively simple book appreciated by all ages. Even the changes in font emphasize the contrast between the two men. At the end of the book, a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence displays Tom s masterpiece of writing that, because of John s persuasive talk, was the result of the meeting in Philadelphia. Those rebels, John and Tom, demonstrate that differences can be a good thing when it comes to cooperation and working for the common good. The Author s Note adds more details of John and Tom s relationship after the Declaration of Independence. In fact, they died on the same day, only hours apart: July 4, (JH) We ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children s March Written by Cynthia Levinson Peachtree Publishers, 2012, 176 pp., ISBN A thoroughly informative, completely engrossing, and truly inspiring account of how the children of Birmingham saved the civil rights movement from failure in that city, this dramatic and absorbing narrative chronicles the heroic actions of four young protesters who participated in the marches. Particularly notable is the fact that these stories have never before been told. We ve Got a Job conveys the empowering message that young people can be agents of change. It is a book that can easily be connected to other works of nonfiction, novels, poetry, and primary source materials. There are abundant possibilities for classroom discussion, research and writing activities, and cross- curricular use. The exemplary layout and design of the book make it appealing and accessible. The reproductions of photographs and archival materials are of excellent quality and include detailed captions. Levinson thoroughly documents her research with extensive source notes and includes an excellent bibliography of multimedia resources for further research. (ES) Recommended Books A Black Hole Is Not a Hole Written by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano Illustrated by Michael Carroll Charlesbridge, 2012, 74 pp., ISBN Black holes. It s esoteric stuff, right? The kind of

5 Children s Literature Reviews 2013 Orbis Pictus Award Winners concept that only a certain kind of mind can truly comprehend and appreciate, don t you think? Not at all when Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano explains it! In A Black Hole Is Not a Hole, she uses a question/answer format and tangible metaphors to explain complicated concepts. Lively language and perfectly targeted humor make this book a particularly engaging and inviting read. A casual reader will glean a good bit of information from skimming titles, reading chapter introductions, and exploring the striking captioned illustrations, but this is far from a surface level treatment. Carefully developed and crystal clear descriptions allow readers access to complicated and astronomically fascinating information about the real- life forces of the universe, how science happens, and why it all matters to each of us. Thoughtfully crafted sidebars, many employing graphics, extend and further explain the content, and thorough back matter encourages further exploration into the text and beyond. Bring on the budding scientists! A Black Hole Is Not a Hole is just the kind of book to fuel their passions. (SP) 128 pp., ISBN Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass: The Story behind an American Friendship Written by Russell Freedman Clarion Books, 2012, Even though Frederick Douglass was born a slave, he and Abraham Lincoln had a lot in common. Both started out penniless and uneducated, but both realized the value of education. They were proud of being self- taught, having read many of the same books. One of the books they both read that may have resulted in their skill as public speakers was The Columbian Orator, which focused on the art of eloquence. Russell Freedman smoothly weaves the stories of these two men, their rise to fame, their friendship, and their struggles to end slavery. The book is illustrated with photographs and drawings from the time period, along with posters and advertisements from the Civil War era that pull the reader into the 1860s. A selected bibliography, documented sources of quotes, picture credits, and a Master/Slave dialogue from The Colombian Orator assure the reader that this most engaging and thought- provoking writing is also accurate and authentic. (JH) The Amazing Harry Kellar: Great American Magician Written by Gail Jarrow Calkins Creek, 2012, 96 pp., ISBN Harry Houdini is more famous, but Harry Kellar is the magician Houdini idolized. Jarrow conjures up a fascinating biography of the first American- born magician to become an international celebrity and who served as the model for the Wizard of Oz. The son of German immigrant parents, Kellar apprenticed to a performing magician at the age of twelve. His career in magic and illusion took him to South America, England, and Australia before he achieved success in the United States. Kellar and his team borrowed from other well- known performers. His meticulous attention to detail in the building of his illusions and staging of his performances made him a global sensation. Few secrets of Kellar s illusions are revealed, but it is clear that Kellar s artistic sensibility and perfection made them seem like real magic. Accompanying the engaging narrative is a first- rate visual presentation featuring dozens of spectacular fullcolor reproductions of Kellar posters along with a dramatic design that superbly brings to life this consummate showman. (ES) page 123

6 page 124 Children s Literature Reviews 2013 Orbis Pictus Award Winners Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance during the Holocaust Written by Doreen Rappaport Candlewick Press, 2012, 240 pp., ISBN Much has been written about the Holocaust and the murder of six million Jews. Less known and rarely written about, especially for younger readers, are stories of the partisans the Jewish Resistance. In this heartfelt and well- researched work, Doreen Rappaport brings to life Jewish people, mainly young, who defied the Nazis with ingenuity and resourcefulness that freed their fellow Jews but also sometimes resulted in their own deaths. Rappaport includes many memorable and poignant stories of partisans in action from Belgium to Warsaw. Archival photographs put faces on these brave women and men. However, the most amazing story was of an unlikely partisan twelve- year- old Motele, whose violin serenades for the Nazis provided him a perfect cover to gather intelligence and, at an opportune time, detonate a bomb in a restaurant full of high-ranking Nazis. Rappaport ends this much needed addition to Holocaust nonfiction with extended source notes, a bibliography, a timeline, and an index. (DT) The Case of the Vanishing Golden Frogs: A Scientific Mystery Written by Sandra Markle Millbrook Press, 2012, 48 pp., ISBN Why were all the Panamanian golden frogs disappearing? Scientists realized this national symbol of Panama was vanishing when few frogs could be found in the misty mountain forest, and those that were found were dead. This engaging text that reads like a mystery enables readers to experience the scientific process as scientists collaborate on researching the cause of the frogs death. The questions placed in colored font as subtitles guide the reader through the exploration. The team then races to search for a cure and a way to rescue this species from extinction. The appealing page layouts with beautiful colored photos provide information about the golden frog, the evidence acquired, and the work to cure and save them. Sources for further investigating golden frogs as well as tips for helping local frogs are included, along with the invitation to become a scientific detective that may forever stop the frogs killer. (FW) Chuck Close: Face Book Written by Chuck Close Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2012, 64 pp., ISBN This fascinating, interactive autobiography is based on an interview with Chuck Close that was conducted by Brooklyn fifth graders. Using a question- and- answer format, Close reveals that he was severely dyslexic as a child, was never able to master multiplication tables, and suffers from prosopagnosia (face blindness). Close s parents supported his artistic aspirations when he was young, and teachers recognized his burgeoning talent. By the age of 37, Close was a well- established artist, known for his large- scale paintings of faces. What Close describes as The Event occurred at age 48, when he suffered the collapse of a spinal artery that left him nearly paralyzed. Close divulges his technique of using grids to paint faces and shares how he is able to complete large paintings even though he is wheelchair- bound. An interesting component of the book is the mix- and- match Chuck Close selfportrait section that allows readers to assemble

7 Children s Literature Reviews 2013 Orbis Pictus Award Winners faces using various eyes, noses, and mouths. A timeline of his life, a list of museums exhibiting Close s work, and an extensive glossary conclude this enthralling book about life and art. (CG) Illustrated by Susan L. Roth Dial, 2012, unpaged, ISBN Hands around the Library: Protecting Egypt s Treasured Books Written by Susan L. Roth and Karen Leggett Abouraya On January 23, 2011, Egyptians began marching in the streets to protest the oppressive government they had been living under for decades. Library director Ismail Serageldin was concerned that the books inside Bibliotheca Alexandrina would be vandalized by these protestors. The story s narrator, who was also a participant in the demonstrations, relates how young people joined hands with Dr. Serageldin to form a human chain around the library to protect it. Thank you for protecting our library with us./ Go forth into the journey of your lives/ and create a better world! Roth s exuberant collage illustrations offer bold colors and a variety of textures while incorporating photos, papers, motifs, and fabrics. Extensive back matter includes information about the ancient and modern libraries in Alexandria, a synopsis of the January 2011 Revolution, an author s note, an explanation of graphic motifs, and a list of resources. (CG) Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle Written and illustrated by Claire A. Nivola Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012, unpaged, ISBN The path to educate the world about the beauty of the ocean and its need for protection began for oceanographer Sylvia Earle at an early age as she explored and recorded the living creatures that lived in the woods, orchards, pond, and creek around her home. These outings, or investigations, continued when Sylvia, at age twelve, moved to Florida where the Gulf of Mexico was in her backyard. Sylvia knew she wanted to explore its depths, and explore she did. Sylvia s laurels range from leading a team of divers stationed for two weeks in a deep- sea laboratory off the US Virgin Islands to plunging 13,000 feet underwater in a Japanese submersible. Delicate illustrations and lyrical text exemplify the beauty of the ocean in this lovely picturebook biography. Back matter includes a bibliography and author s note with pertinent facts about the dangers the ocean is currently facing, thus encouraging important discussions about these ecological dilemmas. (LMW) page 125 Fran Wilson (Committee Chair) is a second- grade teacher at Madeira Elementary School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cyndi Giorgis is an associate dean and professor of Literature Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Joyce Herbeck is an associate professor of Children s Literature and Literacy at Montana State University, Bozeman. Lisa Morris-wilkey is media center director at Casa Grande Union High School in Casa Grande, Arizona. Sue Parsons is an associate professor of Elementary Education and Literacy at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. Ed Sullivan is a freelance book review writer. Deborah Thompson is an associate professor of Education at The College of New Jersey, Ewing. Together, they comprise the 2013 Orbis Pictus Award committee. Like Language Arts Journal on Facebook