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[CCBC-Net] picture books for teens
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From: Ryan, Pat <PRyan>
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 11:19:35 -0700
I don't know if anyone has mentioned yet The Wall, by Eve Bunting
Patricia Ryan, Children's Librarian Union City Library 510-745-1464 ext. 19
________________________________
From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu on behalf of Strnad, Benita Sent: Wed 9/27/2006 10:04 AM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.ad.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] picture books for teens
Picture books are often under-utilized by high school and middle school teachers. I think that they fear that the books will be viewed as childish and oftentimes they simply don't know about the wide variety of picture books that are available and that have potential use with older students.
One of my favorite picture books to use with children above 5th grade is the Caldecott winning book "Golem" by David Wisniewski. This book is useful in world history or western civilization classes in which the rise of cities is discussed. This book deals with the social and culture realities of city life in the Middle Ages and is a very effective way to start discussion about what it would have been like to live under those conditions. I have used the David Macaulay books
"Castle" and "Cathedral" as a more technical back-up to "Golem."
"Golem" is also a good way to start talking about the roots of prejudice and in particular anti-Semitism. (as an aside, I have often wondered what the Caldecott committee was thinking when they awarded the medal for that book. No argument that the illustrations are outstanding, but they had to know that the subject matter was controversial. It's a puzzle.)
Another Golem book that has tremendous visual impact but doesn't do the city, society, and cultural thing as well is the earlier Caldecott Honor book "Golem" by Barbara Brodsky McDermott.
There are several versions of medieval stories that are available in picture books that are useful in Middle and High School. One of those is Trina Schart Hyman's lovely illustrated version of "Saint George and the Dragon." This book has to the one of worst Caldecott winners ever from a purely textual point-of-view, but the illustrations are glorious. My sister teaches 10th grade English and she has used this book to great effect in her classes. "Rapunzel" another Caldecott winner is very well suited for High School and can be used as a discussion starter to talk about the Medieval frame of mind and about the cultural messages sent in these traditional stories. Zelinsky is to be congratulated for the great notes at the end of the book.
"Smoky Night" by Eve Bunting and illustrated by David Diaz is another effective book to use with High School students. It will certainly start discussion about many issues connected with civil rights and recent history.
Benita Strnad McLure Education Library The Univeristy of Alabama Libraries
One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe German author, politician, philosopher, & scientist 1749-1832
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Wed 27 Sep 2006 01:19:35 PM CDT
Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 11:19:35 -0700
I don't know if anyone has mentioned yet The Wall, by Eve Bunting
Patricia Ryan, Children's Librarian Union City Library 510-745-1464 ext. 19
________________________________
From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu on behalf of Strnad, Benita Sent: Wed 9/27/2006 10:04 AM To: ccbc-net at ccbc.ad.education.wisc.edu Subject: [CCBC-Net] picture books for teens
Picture books are often under-utilized by high school and middle school teachers. I think that they fear that the books will be viewed as childish and oftentimes they simply don't know about the wide variety of picture books that are available and that have potential use with older students.
One of my favorite picture books to use with children above 5th grade is the Caldecott winning book "Golem" by David Wisniewski. This book is useful in world history or western civilization classes in which the rise of cities is discussed. This book deals with the social and culture realities of city life in the Middle Ages and is a very effective way to start discussion about what it would have been like to live under those conditions. I have used the David Macaulay books
"Castle" and "Cathedral" as a more technical back-up to "Golem."
"Golem" is also a good way to start talking about the roots of prejudice and in particular anti-Semitism. (as an aside, I have often wondered what the Caldecott committee was thinking when they awarded the medal for that book. No argument that the illustrations are outstanding, but they had to know that the subject matter was controversial. It's a puzzle.)
Another Golem book that has tremendous visual impact but doesn't do the city, society, and cultural thing as well is the earlier Caldecott Honor book "Golem" by Barbara Brodsky McDermott.
There are several versions of medieval stories that are available in picture books that are useful in Middle and High School. One of those is Trina Schart Hyman's lovely illustrated version of "Saint George and the Dragon." This book has to the one of worst Caldecott winners ever from a purely textual point-of-view, but the illustrations are glorious. My sister teaches 10th grade English and she has used this book to great effect in her classes. "Rapunzel" another Caldecott winner is very well suited for High School and can be used as a discussion starter to talk about the Medieval frame of mind and about the cultural messages sent in these traditional stories. Zelinsky is to be congratulated for the great notes at the end of the book.
"Smoky Night" by Eve Bunting and illustrated by David Diaz is another effective book to use with High School students. It will certainly start discussion about many issues connected with civil rights and recent history.
Benita Strnad McLure Education Library The Univeristy of Alabama Libraries
One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe German author, politician, philosopher, & scientist 1749-1832
_______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Wed 27 Sep 2006 01:19:35 PM CDT
