Module 10 - Henry's Freedom Box

Citation: Levine, E. (2007). Henry's freedom box. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Book Summary: This is based on a true story of a slave.  Henry was separated from his mother when he was sold into slavery.  Later in life, he was again separated from his family when he was separated from his wife and children.  He finally earned his freedom when he mailed himself to Washington D.C. in a box, but he was never reunited with his family. 

My Impressions: This is a fascinating story that truly helps readers understand what it would have been like to be a slave during the time of the Underground railroad.  It helps readers see what slaves had to go through, and the price they had to pay for their freedom.  The illustrations are wonderful and complement the story beautifully!

Professional Review: Although the cover shows a young boy staring intently at the reader, this book is really about Henry Brown as an adult and a staggering decision he made to achieve freedom. Henry, born a slave, hears from his mother that leaves blowing in the wind "are torn from the trees like slave children are torn from their families." When his master grows ill, Henry hopes that he will be freed; instead, he is given to his master's son, and his life becomes worse. Eventually, Henry marries and has children; then his family is sold. With nothing left to lose, he asks a white abolitionist to pack him in a crate so he can be mailed to freedom. The journey is fraught with danger as he travels by train and then steamboat, but 27 hours later, he reaches Philadelphia. A brief author's note confirms the details of the story, but it's the dramatic artwork that brings it emphatically to life. According to the flap copy, an antique lithograph of Brown inspired Nelson's paintings, which use crosshatched pencil lines layered with watercolors and oil paints. The technique adds a certain look of age to the art and also gives the pictures the heft they need to visualize Brown's life. Transcending technique is the humanity Nelson imbues in his characters, especially Brown and his mother—her dream of freedom deferred, his amazingly achieved.

Cooper, I. (2007, March). [Review of the book Henry’s freedom box: A true story from the underground railroad, by E. Levine]. Book Links, 16(4), 11

Library uses: This would be a good book to include in a book display during African American History Month.

Module 9 - Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective

Citation: Biedrzycki, D. (2008). Ace Lacewing, bug detective. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Book Summary: Ace Lacewing is a detective.  His job in this book is to try to crack the case behind Queenie Bee's kidnapping.  He questions many suspects along the way.  With the help of his friends Doctor Xerces Blue and Sergeant Zito, Ace is able to crack the case.

My Impressions: This is an entertaining mystery for younger kids. It contains all the elements of a traditional mystery in a picture book format.  The colorful illustrations will attract readers to this book.  I love the insect characters, and the author does a good job of telling the story while adding humor along the way.  This is a book that kids will want to read again and again.   

Professional Review: Gr 1-4 --Motham City is abuzz with the kidnapping of Queenie Bee, and Ace Lacewing, the Sam Spade of insects, is on the case. His motto is, "Bad bugs are my business." Lacewing follows the trail of honey with the help of his gal, Doctor Xerces Blue, and Sergeant Zito, a mosquito. A motley (and sometimes molting) assortment of suspects is questioned. Their character traits are based on facts: "The roaches said of course they ran from the scene of the crime-it was their nature to scatter when the lights go on." Puns and wordplay abound: "I've known him ever since we were pupae at the same school"; "The full moon hung in the sky like a large compound eye...." The digitally enhanced illustrations evoke a film noir atmosphere, with moody blue and black backgrounds. The pages are also brimming with humorous details such as glowworm street lamps, "Bug Off" police tape, and "Slow Larvae" road signs. This clever parody of hard-boiled detective stories is sure to tickle readers' thorax.

Ludke, L. (2005, September). [Review of Ace Lacewing: Bug detective by D. Biedrzycki]. School Library Journal, 51(8), 85-85. Retrieved from www.schoollibraryjournal.com

Library Uses: This book would be good to use for a storytime on books with insects as characters.

Module 8 - Gregor the Overlander

Citation: Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the Overlander. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Book Summary: Gregor is disappointed when he does not get to go to summer camp because he has to care for his younger sister, Boots.  Things get interesting when Gregor and his sister find themselves in an unfamiliar land known as the Underland.  While in the Underland, he realizes he is the chosen one to fulfill a prophecy that will ultimately lead to him being reunited with his father.  While in the Underland, he has interactions with giant bats, rats, roaches, and spiders, and has to befriend them in order to help them on his quest.

My Impressions: I usually do not care much for science fiction books, but there was something about this book that kept me interested.  I love how Gregor looked after his sister and took such good care of her, even during the strangest of circumstances.  Kids love how the roaches think of Boots as a princess because of the way she smells when her diaper is dirty.  This book leaves readers in suspense and rooting for Gregor to fulfill the prophecy so he can be reunited with his father and return home.  There are many twists and turns along the way that keeps the book interesting! 

Professional Review: Gr 4-8-- In this accessible, almost-cinematic fantasy, Gregor and his two-year-old sister fall into an amazing underground world. Taken in by people who have lived beneath the earth for centuries, the 11-year-old learns about the giant-sized talking creatures that also reside there, including bats, cockroaches, and vicious rats. Gregor just wants to get home, but a prophecy hints that he may be the "overlander" destined to save the humans from the warlike rodents. He is reluctant until he learns that his father, who disappeared from their New York City home a few years before, is a prisoner of the rats. Gregor is not an eager hero, but with common sense, quick thinking, and determination he grows into the role. His sister, who provides some comic relief, also plays a key part because of her ability to befriend creatures, especially the giant cockroaches. Plot threads unwind smoothly, and the pace of the book is just right. Exciting scenes and cliff-hanger chapters are balanced by decisions and interactions that drive the action. Gregor is not the most compelling figure at first, but as the story progresses he becomes more interesting, maturing through the challenges he faces. Supporting characters are generally engaging, particularly the enigmatic warrior rat that claims to support the protagonist's mission. This is an engrossing adventure for fantasy fans and for those new to the genre.

Engelfried, S. (2003, November). [Review of the book Gregor the Overlander, by S. Collins]. School Library Journal. . Retrieved from www.schoollibaryjournal.com

Library Uses: This would be a good book to use for a contest where patrons could design a poster advertising the book.  It would be interesting to see their illustrations of all the Underland creatures.