ALMOST ASTRONAUTS: 13 WOMEN WHO DARED TO DREAM

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stone, Tanya Lee. 2009. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763636111

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Imagine living during a time when being a woman meant staying at home, taking care of the kids, and playing cards in your free time.  Imagine being one of thirteen women who dared to want more from life, who dared to live for a different kind of dream.  Imagine the ridicule you would endure from people who simply could not understand the kind of woman who would dare to become an astronaut.  Just think about what it would be like to endure strenuous physical and psychological tests to prove that you were just as capable as a man to train to be an astronaut.  Imagine the disappointment when after passing all of the tests with flying colors, the momentum comes to a standstill and the entire operation ceases.  Imagine being just a stepping stone in the journey for women to one day train in the NASA program.  For Jerrie Cobb and the other members of the “Mercury 13,” this was reality.  But their story is not about failure; it is about what almost was as well as what happened next.  It is about “Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a space shuttle.”  It is about proving that women are every bit as capable as men, and it is about breaking down gender barriers that women still face today. 

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Stone writes passionately about the women whose dreams never fully became a reality.  She begins by describing the intensity of the mood of Jerrie Cobb as she prepares to watch the space shuttle with Eileen Collins, the first woman commander, lift off.  The book continues with the back story of Cobb and the other women who were almost astronauts, and describes in detail how worthy these women were of achieving their dreams.  Pictures are strategically placed and help to bring an understanding of the procedures and tests described in the text.  The book is categorized by chapters, and it is best read straight through, in order to receive the full impact of the story.  The story is highly readable, and well documented in the appendix and source list at the end of the book.  There is also a small section for suggested reading as well as a webliography.  The index contains many important terms and concepts addressed in the book, and would provide a useful resource for student research. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal Starred 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.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Read Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming.  

DRAWING FROM MEMORY

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Say, Allen. 2011. Drawing From Memory. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0545176866

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Allen Say was born in a fishing village “by the seashore of Yokohama, Japan” just a few years before World War II began.  From early childhood throughout his life, his passion has been drawing, and that passion is on vivid display in Drawing from Memory, a story of Say’s own journey to becoming the beloved artist he is today. Though his pursuit of art was a disgrace to his father, Say found a mentor in his favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei.  Shinpei became a mentor to Say, and considered his disciple "the treasure of [his] life."  Allen Say walked the road less traveled as his dream of being an artist became a reality in his life.  

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Drawing from Memory is an autobiography that is like a good storybook, a graphic novel, and an informational text, all at the same time.  It is full of photos from Say’s journey, cartoons that help tell his story, and of course, his drawings from memory. The details of Say’s story are rich and inspiring, as his life has been one of courage and adventure.  The black and white photos provide a nice contrast to the color drawings and cartoons, and remind the reader that this is not just a good story, but the history of someone’s life.   The book is as artistic as its author, with so many visual details to catch the eye of the reader.  The double spread layout is attractive and inviting, with multiple images on every page, and the text is beautifully woven in. Highly readable, the style is like a graphic novel, and children are unlikely to think of this book as traditional “non-fiction.” It is not organized in a typical format for an informational book, and this provides a fresh experience for the non-fiction reader.  The author’s note pays a special tribute to Noro Shinpei and the “master/disciple relationship” shared between Shinpei and Say.  There are photos of “the master” at work as well as a priceless photo of the master with his disciple the last time they were together.  A very special “drawing from memory” is of Sensei’s first wife, Masako, drawn by Say for her two daughters who did not have recollection of their mother.  His writing honest and transparent, Allen Say has inspired countless children to pursue their dreams, artistic or otherwise, with his poignant memoir. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Kirkus Review:  “Exquisite drawings, paintings, comics and photographs balance each other perfectly as they illustrate Say’s childhood path to becoming an artist.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Also from Allen Say is the Caldecott Medal book Grandfather’s Journey.

*Read A to Zen: A Book of Japanese Culture by Ruth Wells and Yoshi as a follow up book to Drawing from Memory.    

FROZEN SECRETS

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Walker, Sally M. 2010. Frozen Secrets: Antarctica Revealed. Minneapolis, MN: Learner Publishing Group, Inc. ISBN 1580136075

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

“Mysterious and majestic” are the words used to describe Antarctica in Sally Walker’s Prologue of Frozen Secrets, and she could not have chosen two more appropriate words.  The book is bursting with fascinating information and photographs about Antarctica’s explorers, wildlife, and the science behind the discovery of its secrets.  In the pages of this book one learns about the great lengths that must be taken by scientific researchers who wish to explore the South Pole, as well as the frightening and potentially fatal errors that occur during an exploration.  Unfortunately, lives have been lost to its “bleak, forbidding” cold, and researchers and tourists alike must follow strict rules and procedures to ensure their safety and to ensure the preservation of the Antarctic environment. 

One of the most intriguing portions of the book details information about the ice of Antarctica. Scientists study the different types of ice, the way the ice is formed, the way the ice moves, floating ice, the size and depth of the ice, and even the chemical makeup of the ice.  Research is also conducted in the water beneath the ice through sophisticated equipment that gathers information and gives more insight into Antarctica’s story.  One surprising detail of note is the discovery of dinosaur fossils from a time when Antarctica was joined with another part of the world.  There are still many more questions scientists have about Antarctica, but the research to date has provided a wealth of knowledge about Antarctica’s past, present, and future.     

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The book is loaded with information, but the story and photos of Antarctica keep the reader eagerly turning each page, with never a dull moment.  Organized by chapters with subtitles throughout each chapter, Frozen Secrets can be read from start to finish or out of order in smaller segments.  There is a handy glossary of terms as well as “Further Reading and Websites” that can be explored for more information.  Though she has never personally visited Antarctica, the author has done her homework, as evidenced through the long list of articles, books, emails, and expert interviews detailed in her Source Notes at the end of the book.  Frozen Secrets is like a portal to a beautiful yet forbidding world few of us will ever have the chance to otherwise experience. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal Review: “With its superb design and Walker's gripping prose, this book will draw readers in and keep them involved.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Poetry Connection:  Read Antarctic Antics: A Book of Penguin Poems by Judy Sierra for a poetry connection with Antarctica.  Children will enjoy these poems more after finding out so much about the real penguins of Antarctica in Frozen Secrets. 

*Also by Sally M. Walker:  Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World. 

THE SCORPIO RACES book trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUd71a-qN7w