Book Review (Fantasy): When You Reach Me

Bibliography Stead, Rebecca. 2009. WHEN YOU REACH ME. Wendy Lamb Books: New York. ISBN 9780385906647

Summary
12-year old Miranda is a typical girl struggling with friends, budding romance, and conflicts with her single mother; then to complicate matters, she starts receiving mysterious notes from a stranger.

Critical Analysis
In WhenYou Reach Me, Rebecca Stead creates a fictional setting that is realistic to young readers, but becomes low fantasy when the main character Miranda starts to receive notes that predict future events and actions. On the first page, the fantasy element is introduced in an intriguing way when her mom is invited to be a contestant on a game show on April 27, 1979. Miranda was told this date would be important by the mysterious person sending the notes. Stead masterfully develops the plot of the story by revealing parts of the mystery a little at a time to build suspense, and then she concludes the story with how all of the pieces of the mystery fit together. By using the first person point of view, the reader is able to see the events through Miranda’s eyes and get a greater sense of what is happening in the story. While this story does not deliver the common themes associated with fantasy, like good conquering evil and the main character overcoming something bigger, it does convey a message of how even minor events can have a major impact on the future. For example, when Miranda’s acquaintance Marcus met her other acquaintance Julia, it seemed very minor in the story, but this event eventually helps to solve the mystery of the notes, and saves a life as well.

Review Excerpt and Awards
This Newbury Medal Award winner reads like a book you are rediscovering from your childhood. It seems like it has always been around. Perhaps that is because Stead’s writing appears so effortless, the style so natural, as she tells the story of Miranda, an eleven year- old New Yorker trying to solve a mystery whose real nature is slowly revealed as the story unfolds. The more immediate puzzle is why Miranda’s oldest, best friend should be ignoring her. This new space in her life forces Miranda to negotiate the treacherous waters of early adolescence, trying to make new friends and understand people better, learning amongst other things that material privilege might not make for a better life. When You Reach Me has well developed, authentic characters and a tight plot that has many strands to draw together by the final pages including television quiz shows, time travel and naked men running through the streets of New York. A satisfying read that should remain popular as long as the classic A Wrinkle in Time to which it pays homage. Annalise Taylor, Carousel

·         Andre Norton Award, 2009

·         John Newbery Medal, 2010

Strengths and Weaknesses
The greatest strength of When You Reach Me is that the characters reflect the thoughts and feelings of the audience of young adult readers. Miranda has a best friend named Sal that she does everything with, but he decides he needs to make other friends other than Miranda. For the first time, Miranda has to reach out to others and try to make connections with them. This leads to some good friends and even her first kiss. One touching moment is when Miranda realizes that her one friend named Annemarie has deeper feelings for her other friend named Julia. This opens Miranda’s eyes to the thoughts and feelings that other people have. We see Annemarie’s feelings played out as she overcomes jealously that Julia could have other friends.

Another strength of the book is how Stead hands out the pieces of the story in little chunks, but it isn’t until the end of the story that all of the pieces come together to show love in a very deep and meaningful way.

Personal Response and Connections
I absolutely loved this novel. The story was so layered that just like A Wrinkle in Time, which was Miranda’s favorite book, each time you read the book you would learn not only something new about the story, but you could learn something new about yourself. This story played deeply in my mind, and will leave an imprint on my brain.  

I would use this novel as merely a read-aloud that could be discussed as a class. I would love for the students to visualize themselves as the characters and trace how each character impacts another character.

Book Review (Historical Fiction): The Game of Silence

Bibliography Erdrich, Louise. 2005. THE GAME OF SILENCE. Harper Collins: New York. ISBN 0060297905

Summary
Young Omakayas, a member of the Ojibwe tribe on an island of Lake Superior, continues daily life, even when her home is threatened by incoming “chimookomanag,” or white people.

Critical Analysis
When researching her own ancestry, Louise Erdrich was inspired to write the story of The Birchbark House, and its sequel, The Game of Silence. The Game of Silence is authentic to the time period and reflects the history of the white people claiming the land of the Native Americans. Erdrich weaves the daily life, as well as the customs and traditions of the Ojibwe tribe into the story. The reader gets a true picture of what life was like for the Native Americans. The characters of the story add to the authenticity of the story. The main character, Omakayas, is easily relatable to readers. Even though her way of life is very different than what children face today, her actions still resonate into today’s society. For example, she is plagued by her pesky little brother that does just about anything to annoy her. Also, Omakayas makes mistakes just like young adults do, like when she decided to pick the rice before the rice boss said it was ready. Omakayas’ character directs and guides the plot. All of the action of the story revolves around Omakayas and her reactions to the world and how she grows and changes in the year the story takes place.

The setting of the novel also adds to the realism of the story. The novel takes place when white people were starting to enter the land of the Native Americans. Omakayas even forms a friendship with a white girl, whom she calls “The Break-Apart Girl,” because it looks like she will break apart at the waist due to the style of her dress.

There are multiple themes woven throughout The Game of Silence that make the story engaging and relatable. Omakayas struggles to find her place in her tribe, which she eventually finds, despite the rivalry she has with another tribe member. Omakayas also learns that being with the people that she loves is more important than where they are located.

Erdrich adds to the authenticity of the story by including words that were used by the Ojibwe tribe. She even includes a glossary that defines the words. In the Author’s Note, Erdrich apologizes to the reader for any mistakes she may have made with the language, even though she used reliable resources.

Review Excerpt and Awards
Like its predecessor “The Birchbark House” (1999), this long-awaited sequel is framed by catastrophe, but the core of the story, which is set in 1850, is white settlers' threats to the traditional Ojibwe way of life. Omakayas is now nine and living at her beautiful island home in Lake Superior. But whites want Ojibwe off the island: Where will they go? In addition to an abundance of details about life through the seasons, Erdrich deals with the wider meaning of family and Omakayas' coming-of-age on a vision quest. Just on the edge of the child's daily life and coming ever closer are the whites--among them, a Catholic "soul-stealer" priest and a friendly teacher who helps the children learn to read and write both Ojibwe and English so that they can confront cheating white agents. Readers familiar with the first book will welcome the return of several richly drawn nonreverential characters, including Omakayas' pesky brother, her irritable mom, and her bold, tough mentor, Old Tallow. As Erdrich said in the Booklist Story Behind the Story, "Little House on the Lake" [BKL Ap 1 99], about “The Birchbark House,” her research into her ancestors revealed the horrifying history and also a culture rich, funny, and warm. In this heartrending novel the sense of what was lost is overwhelming. Hazel Rochman, Booklist

·         Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 2006

Strengths and Weaknesses
The strength of The Game of Silence is in how relatable the main character is to young readers. Omakayas has a pesky brother, an older sister she admires, a mom that corrects her when she gets in trouble, and a tribe member that she has a rivalry with. This is very similar to what young readers face today. Most readers will be able to see a piece of themselves in Omakayas.

The main weakness of the book is that it is a sequel. The reader will have a greater understanding of the characters if they read The Birchbark House first because this will build greater background knowledge and understanding of the characters.

Personal Response and Connections
This is one of the first historical fiction novels for young readers that I really did not enjoy. I had trouble engaging with story and with the characters. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read The Birckbark House first. One part of the story I did enjoy was how Erdrich told the reader what happens to Omakayas after the novel ends. Instead of an epilogue, the future of Omakayas is revealed in a dream she has. She sees herself growing old and surrounded by family. After her dream, the story tells of Omakayas and her tribe leaving their land, but the reader knows what her future holds and the hope she has.

This novel would be an excellent supplement to the western expansion through the perspective of the Native Americans. With many history lessons, we see how the white people claimed the land without addressing how the Native Americans would have felt. Students can then write about how they would feel if they were kicked out of their homes.

Book Review (Historical Fiction): Catherine, Called Birdy

Bibliography Cushman, Karen. 1994. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. Clarion Books: New York. ISBN 0395681863

Summary
The year is 1290 in England and thirteen-year old Catherine, also known as Birdy, fights to find independence in a world where daughters are expected to do as their fathers tell them to do, including marrying for family monetary gain over love.

Critical Analysis
Catherine, Called Birdy reads like a diary straight from the medieval times in England. This historical fiction novel documents the daily life of a young girl on a manor as she tries to be obedient to her family, but wants to be able to make her own choices. During this time period in England, a daughter of a more well-to-do family was expected to marry whomever her father has selected for her, even if he has horrid table manners and bad teeth. Even though Catherine’s expectations are very different than what is expected in current times, her character is still relatable to young readers, especially in the mischievous ways she defies her parents, like by hiding her embroidery in the privy instead of working on it. Catherine dreams of being able to make her own choices, whether it be that she runs off to become a bard, or become a Crusader like her Uncle George.

The plot of the novel is realistic to the time period of the story. The story climaxes when Catherine is told she will marry the man she calls “Shaggy Beard” so her father can get some land in exchange. The reader is drawn into Catherine’s world through the plot and is made to feel empathy for her as she struggles to make choices for herself. The setting is vividly portrayed in the novel, from the dialog, to the details of the surroundings, and even the customs and traditions of the people work to draw the reader into medieval times to give a realistic picture of what life was like during that time. Through the Author’s Note, it is clear that Cushman has researched and depicted medieval life in an authentic manner.

Review Excerpt and Awards
Why must I learn to walk with a lady's tiny steps one day and sweat over great steaming kettles of dung and nettle for remedies the next? Why must the lady of the manor do all the least lovable tasks? I'd rather be a pig boy." This is just one of the entries in the diary of Catherine. A spirited, independent 13-year-old in 1290, Catherine records her daily activities and thoughts in this candid record that is filled with the rigid restrictions and raucous action of all the players in her life. Her father, a knight, wants to marry her to an old but wealthy suitor while she wants to be a scribe, a Crusader, a minstrel...anything other than a wife. Jan Lieberman, Children’s Literature

·         Carl Sandburg Literary Arts Awards, 1994

·         Golden Kite Award, 1995

·         John Newbery Medal, 1995 Honor Book United

Strengths and Weaknesses
The strength of Catherine, Called Birdy is the details that Cushman uses to depict life during medieval times. Often this time period is romanticized with brave knights and fair-haired maidens, but in reality it was a harsh time to live. Death lurked in every corner, even in something like childbirth or a simple wound. Even though life was hard, the people still found time to enjoy the merriments of life through celebrations. Even when death occurred, the people would find a way to eat, drink, and be merry. The novel shows that Birdy struggled with this concept; for example, she was excited about going to witness her first hanging, which was a town celebration, but in the end, she was disgusted by the reality of the loss of life.

One of the weaknesses of the book is engaging with the story. It wasn’t until the last twenty pages that a connection with the story and Birdy were developed. At that point, I didn’t want the story to end but I wanted to know more about what happens to Birdy.

Personal Response and Connections
Just about young person struggles with being independent and following the wishes of their parents, this is how Cushman relates to her audience of young readers. As an older reader, I had trouble connecting with Birdy because this is not where I am in my life with my parents. The best part of the book is when Birdy realizes she would not be who she is without her family, they are a part of her that cannot be taken away, even if she marries someone she doesn’t want to marry. It really hits home when she says, “I decided I cannot escape my life but can only use my determination and courage to make it the best I can.” This is a powerful message to young readers that they cannot run away and expect things to get better, but it is up to them to make their lives the best it can possibly be.

This novel would be a great discussion point for what life was really like in medieval times. It would tie in well with a history lesson on medieval life.

Book Review (Historical Fiction): Turtle in Paradise

Bibliography Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. TURTLE IN PARADISE. Random House: New York. ISBN 9780375936883

Summary
Eleven-year old Turtle is sent to live with her relatives in Key West, Florida when her mother gets a job working as a housekeeper for a lady that does not like children during the Great Depression.

Critical Analysis
Turtle in Paradise is a historical fiction novel set in 1935, during the Great Depression. This novel depicts the struggles people faced with lack of money and jobs during this time. Holm’s lends authenticity to the story by including an Author’s Note at the end of the novel. In the Author’s Note she writes how she was inspired by her own grandmother who lived in Key West. She also includes more information about Key West during the Great Depression and pictures from during that time. The climax of the novel revolves around the Labor Day Hurricane, which was a true event. Turtle and some other Key West children get stranded in a shack on an island while they were on a treasure hunt when a hurricane suddenly hits the town. This adds to the realism of the story. One of the nuggets of the story has fictional Turtle interacting with a writer who turns out to be Ernest Hemingway, who actually lived on the island during this time period. The plot of the story takes the reader on a believable journey to depression-era Key West because it depicts life as it really was during this time, complete with the struggles and hardships that people faced.

Turtle is a character that young readers will be able to relate to easily. She has a very realistic view of the world and prides herself as seeing things for what they are. She struggles with finding a place to fit in, especially in the strange environment of Key West. In the end of the novel she discovers what it is like to feel like she truly belongs somewhere. This theme relates to young readers because many of them also struggle with feeling accepted and they all want to feel like they belong.

Through the dialog and descriptions, Holm’s captures the reader’s attention and makes them feel like a part of the story. Through the dialog, the reader gets a feel of how people during this era spoke and interacted with each other. The people of Key West are shown to be very informal, close-knit, and skeptical of new people. The people address each other with nicknames, like “Pork Chop” and “Beans,” which according to the author, this was very common on Key West.

Turtle in Paradise combines all of the literary elements to deliver a story that is realistic and believable.

Review Excerpt and Awards
Eleven-year-old Turtle is not one to suffer fools gladly. And she runs into a lot of fools, especially the no-goods her starry-eyed mother meets. So it’s a tough little Turtle who arrives in Key West in June of 1935. She’s been sent to Florida to stay with relatives because her mother’s latest housekeeping job doesn’t allow children. Unfortunately, Mama has neglected to tell Aunt Minnie she’s coming, and Turtle gets the stink eye from cousins with monikers like Buddy and Beans. As Turtle soon learns, everything is different in Key West, from the fruit hanging on trees to the scorpions in nightgowns to the ways kids earn money. She can’t be part of her cousins’ Diaper Gang (no girls allowed), which takes care of fussy babies, but when she finds a treasure map, she hopes she’ll be on Easy Street like Little Orphan Annie. Holm uses family stories as the basis for this tale, part romp, part steely-eyed look at the Depression era. Reminiscent of Addie in the movie Paper Moon, Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure. The many references to 1930s entertainments (Terry and the Pirates, Shirley Temple) will mostly go over kids’ heads, but they’ll get how much comics and movies meant to a population desperate for smiles. An author’s note (with photos) shows Holm’s family close-up. Ilene Cooper, Booklist

·         Golden Kite Award, 2011

·         John Newbery Medal, 2011 Honor Book

Strengths and Weaknesses
One of the greatest strengths of Turtle in Paradise is the authenticity of the novel. Holm’s depicts the Great Depression and Key West with accuracy and believability. The reader gets a true sense of what it was like during the depression and the struggles that children had to endure. Most history books show the Great Depression from the perspective of the adults, and it is rarely seen how children coped during that time.

One of the weaknesses of the novel is that some of the references will go above the young reader’s heads. For example, when Turtle interacts with a writer in a bar, young readers will not know that Holm’s is referring to Ernest Hemingway, nor will they even know who he is.

Personal Response and Connections
Turtle in Paradise is more than a historical fiction novel about the Great Depression, it is about a young girl that struggles to belong and fit in. She discovers that paradise is not a fancy house with a happy ending, but it is being surrounded by those you love. She learns the hard way that people are not always as they seem, for example, Archie, her mother’s boyfriend, runs away with Turtle’s money she got as the result of a treasure hunt. She has learned the truth the hard way: “not all kids are rotten, and there are grown-ups who are sweet as Necco Wafers.”

This novel would be a great addition to a Social Studies lesson on the Great Depression. This book gives students the viewpoint of what it was like as children to live during this era. Students could then research more about children during the Great Depression.

Book Review (Nonfiction and Biography): Quest for the Tree Kangaroo

Bibliography Montgomery, Sy. 2006. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. Photographs by Nic Bishop.  Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston, MA. ISBN 0618496416

Summary
Sy Montgomery details a scientific expedition into the heart of New Guinea in search of the rare tree kangaroo with scientist Lisa Dabek and her crew. Along for the journey is photographer Nic Bishop, who captures the journey using his camera.

Critical Analysis
Quest for the Tree Kangaroo contains accurate and informative documentation that is based on an actual expedition into the forest of New Guinea. Montgomery has established herself as a reputable writer, plus since she was on the expedition, she was able to experience and document all of the events as a first hand witness. Photographer Nic Bishop is also known for his photographs of the natural world, and was also on the expedition. This book has many of the organizational features of informational texts, like an index, photo captions, and subheadings. This is helpful because information was not always presented in a logical manner, and the book was chock full of other information, not just information about the expedition. For example, there is a section of the book about the people of New Guinea, including pictures of school children.

This text-heavy informational book is supplemented with photographs by Nic Bishop. Sometimes the small font and the quantity of text on a page are overwhelming to the reader, especially younger readers. Young readers would still be able to gain information about the book by reading the photo captions and looking at the pictures.

Since this book was written by someone that was actually on the expedition, the style is unique and engaging. It is clear that Montgomery is passionate about her work and documenting what she sees. There is almost too much information included with the book.

Review Excerpt and Awards
Montgomery and Bishop follow award-winning titles such as The Tarantula Scientist (2004) with another beautifully illustrated entry in the Scientists in the Field series. This time, they join researchers on a grueling expedition in Papua New Guinea to track the rare Matschie's tree kangaroo. Montgomery gives a chronological, sometimes moment-by-moment account of the challenging climb into the remote cloud forest, the conditions in camp (rice-and-fern dinners, icy waterfall showers), and the awe-inspiring encounters with barely studied animals. The text occasionally veers into a casual tone ("a leech dropped into Lisa's eye. Yuck!") that seems aimed at a young audience, while the small font, exacting detail, and meandering narrative may demand older readers. Still, Montgomery gives an unusually strong, visceral sense of the work and cooperation fieldwork entails and the scope and uniqueness of this particular mission. She also communicates the thrill of studying animals in the wild, making observations, and discovering new information. As usual, Bishop's color photographs are exemplary and extend the excitement in stunning close-ups of creatures and of the team at work. Web resources, notes about conservation, and a glossary of Tok Pisin (the language spoken by the team's Papuan members) are appended. Gillian Engberg, Booklist

Awards:

Green Earth Book Award, 2007 Honor Book
Henry Bergh Children's Book Award, 2006 Winner Non-Fiction Environment and Ecology
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2007 Winner
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2007 Honor Book

Strengths and Weaknesses
Quest for the Tree Kangaroo is filled with information about the expedition into New Guinea while looking for the tree kangaroo, which is a major strength for the book. Also, information is included that really gives readers an accurate picture of what it is like to be a field scientist. Montgomery also includes information about conservation and the importance of taking care of animals. Another strength of this book is the photographs by Nic Bishop. His photos bring life to the story and give meaning to the expedition.

One of the weaknesses of the book is that it almost contains too much information, the quantity of text could be overwhelming to less advanced readers; also the information can be too detailed. For example, there are seven pages dedicated to the people of New Guinea and how they live, which although it is good information, it doesn’t necessarily relate to the quest. Another weakness of the book is that more photographs could have been used to convey the information rather than text. For example, Montgomery mentions the cloud forest frequently, but there are very few pictures to show the forest.

Personal Response and Connections
Quest for the Tree Kangaroo is not just a book about an expedition into the forest of New Guinea, but it also a means to inspire children to follow their passions. Montgomery gives background information on the lead scientist, Lisa Dabek. We learn that she is allergic to animals and has asthma, and she has not let her circumstances stop her from pursuing her passions. Dabek says to “Follow your passion!” and your circumstances should not get in the way.

This book could be used for several library activities. One of the things that could be done is after reading this book; students can research a job that they feel they could be passionate about someday. Another activity would be to tie this book into wildlife and conservation study.

Book Review (Nonfiction and Biography): What Do You Do If Something Wants to Eat You?

Bibliography
Jenkins, Steve. 1997. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SOMETHING WANTS TO EAT YOU?  Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston, MA. ISBN 0395825148

Summary
In this concept book by Steve Jenkins, how animals defend themselves from other animals is explored. This book is filled with unusual and surprising examples. Some of the animals that are included are the clown fish, basilisk lizard, and the flying fish.

Critical Analysis
Jenkins informs and entertains readers in this informational book that is geared for younger readers, but can be enjoyed by older readers. The accuracy of the book is assumed, mainly because Jenkins has a gained a reputation for his books on the animal kingdom. The information in the book is either common knowledge by adults, or easy to verify. Since this book is written for younger audiences, the organization is simple and easy to follow. There is predictability with the pattern of the book; for example, on one page is the animal, and then when the page is turned, it is revealed how the animal defends itself. From the start, Jenkins engages the reader by telling them “most animals face the constant danger of being eaten by other animals. This book shows a few of the ways that they try to avoid this fate.” He closes the book by asking the reader to imagine what they would do if something wanted to eat you.

Jenkins has a unique design and style to this book. The font that is used to perfect for young readers and easy for them to follow. This couples with the artwork that Jenkins creates. Jenkins depicts the animals and their situations using collages made of cut paper. The artwork is intricate, but remains appealing to the readers. He is also able to give visual representation to the words, so the readers can see exactly what the words are saying.

Review Excerpt
The art of camouflage works on several levels here: Jenkins (Big and Little, 1996, etc.) cleverly conceals a factual compendium of 14 animal and insect defenses as a colorful picture book. Predators are depicted in pursuit of prey on each right-hand side of the spread; a flip of the page uncovers the clever escape mechanism employed by the would-be victim, from the bombardier beetle that can spray hot chemicals up to 500 times a second, to the glass snake that conveniently segments its tail. Whether curling up into an armor-plated ball, squirting clouds of ink, or imitating a leaf, the tricksters are described in a couple of sentences that invite further investigation of these survival techniques. Layered cut-paper collage animals are positioned in dramatic stances against textured handmade-paper backgrounds. In a few instances, the black typeface is difficult to discern when it is superimposed on the dark green of leaf or grass. One final question, "What would you do if something wanted to eat you?" takes readers into their own cat-and-mouse scenarios. A dashing look at natural escape routes. Kirkus Reviews

Strengths and Weaknesses
The artwork of What Do You Do if Something Wants to Eat You is both its strength and weakness. Jenkins creates amazing illustrations using cut paper and it is both beautiful and informing to look it. On the other hand, in my mind I kept wondering what it would really look like to see these animals defending themselves and I thought real photographs would also be helpful.

Personal Response and Connections
Jenkins created a beautiful and well-written informational book about animals and how they defend themselves. I had to read the book several times, the first time I read the words and glanced at the pictures, and the second time I glanced at the words and took my time looking at the pictures. I was especially amazed by the hog-nosed snake and all of the little pieces of paper that were used to create it. Even though this book is designed for younger audiences, I still learned some new things, like the glass snake is actually a type of lizard that has a tail that breaks into pieces if it is grabbed.

One of the activities that could be done with this book is to invite children to imagine what they would do to defend themselves if something wanted to eat them. Then they can be given paper to create their own collages, modeling the work of Jenkins.

Book Review (Nonfiction and Biography): Lincoln Tells a Joke

Bibliography
Krull, Kathleen and Paul Brewer. 2010. LINCOLN TELLS A JOKE: HOW LAUGHTER SAVED THE PRESIDENT (AND THE COUNTRY). Illus. Stacy Innerst. Harcourt Children's Books: Boston, MA. ISBN 9780152066390

Summary
This biography of Abraham Lincoln shows a different side of Lincoln than what is typically portrayed. This book details how Lincoln often used comedy to make hard situations better and to win people over by using humor.

Critical Analysis
In history books, there is very little, if any mention, of the outstanding sense of humor of our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln. In Lincoln Tells a Joke, Krull and Brewer use various sources, including primary sources, to tell the story of Lincoln as a very funny man. In the Note from the Authors, the authors indicate that "Lincoln's jokes in this book are from collections compiled by a variety of people...some of his clever remarks were passed on by eyewitnesses; some are second-hand, third-hand, or further removed." A bibliography is also included which adds to the accuracy of the biography. Plus, Krull is a noted author of biographies for children. The organization of the book is user friendly to children. The information is presented in sequential order from Lincoln's birth to death, and quotes from Lincoln are dispersed throughout the book.

Innerst creates inviting artwork for the book using acrylics on illustration board. He clearly captures Lincoln's humor in the images, plus he is able to capture how people feel around him. The illustrations follow along with the biography and show different major events in Lincoln's life, like the Civil War. Also, the biography and the images perfectly balance each other, without being heavy on one side or the other.

Krull and Brewer have a unique style to Lincoln Tells a Joke. They take a completely different approach to giving information about Abraham Lincoln and present it in a way that is funny and gives the reader a distinctive view of Lincoln, since he is rarely portrayed as someone with such a keen sense of humor. This book gives a good background to Abraham Lincoln and his life story and will encourage readers to learn more.

This biography also portrays a very human side of Abraham Lincoln. Major events in his life are included, from his wedding to his tenure as president. He used his humor to diffuse intense situations. For example, in cabinet meetings he was known to say, "Gentlemen, why don't you just laugh?" Like the title says, laughter did save the president, and the country.

Review Excerpt
Laughter is not only good medicine. It can also be a political tool, human motivator, and saving grace, as the authors show in this upbeat overview of Lincoln’s life. Moving through the sixteenth president’s many challenges, from family deaths to lost elections to fighting slavery, the text emphasizes how Lincoln coped with a joke on his tongue and a smile on his lips. Many direct quotes are interwoven in a contrasting font within the spreads that delve into subjects such as his military service, when he faced “a good many bloody battles—with mosquitoes,” and marriage: “Here I am, and here is Mrs. Lincoln. And that’s the long and short of it.” Innerst’s acrylic artwork feels homey and humorous, very much in the style of his previous work with Krull, M is for Music (2003), and while not every word or picture is necessarily a hoot and a holler, they do present a positive portrait that humanizes the lionized man for whom it was “a love of laughter that kept him going.” Andrew Medler, Booklist

Strengths
The strength of this biography is in how the authors take a historical figure and make him exciting and interesting by giving the readers a different perspective of his life. Lincoln had an outstanding sense of humor that eased emotions and made people feel better about themselves and what was going on in the world around them. One of the other strengths of this biography is how it shows readers that Lincoln was an incredibly hard worker, and achieved great things because of his hard work. Although he was a jokester, he continually wanted to learn more and better himself. This is a great inspiration for students, and adults.


Personal Response and Connections
I really enjoyed this different view of Abraham Lincoln; I never knew he liked to joke around so much. I really like how the authors make him relatable and engaging. This book was a very refreshing and different biography of Abraham Lincoln. I am excited to read more by these authors.

One of the activities that could be done with this book is a springboard for researching famous people. This book shows that researching and writing about a person can be fun and entertaining, as well as a terrific learning experience, I think Abraham Lincoln would approve!