Book Reviews

All the time I was reading “Titanic: Voices from the Disaster” (Scholastic 2012) by Deborah Hopkinson, I wanted to yell, “Get on those life boats. Now!” Repeatedly we hear testimony of the survivors saying they waited for instructions. In the end about 700 passengers, staff, and crew, survived. 1500 people perished.

To help us understand this, we know the survivors had felt safer on the immense opulently fitted, well-lighted Titanic than they did at the idea of huddling in small lifeboats bobbing on the icy black Atlantic. They were also told by the crew, Help is just minutes away. Sadly, this was not true.

Lack of organization was only one problem. If every lifeboat had been filled, 1200 might have survived, but there would still not have been space in lifeboats for 1000 passenger and crew members. They’d broken no law. The number of lifeboats required was based on the tonnage of the ship—a number set half a century earlier—a rule based on freight vehicles rather than luxury liners.

There were still more problems. This most luxurious ship with its grand staircase, mahogany fittings, dinner served on gold-rimmed bone china, was thought invincible. In spite of being warned all day, April 14, 1912, by other ships in the area, of the ice field looming ahead in the north Atlantic, Captain Smith chose to steam straight on, not altering course, not even slowing the engines. Arrogance?

Another sad commentary is the huge proportion of third class or steerage passengers who perished. The crew’s call was “Women and children first,” meaning first and second-class women and children. Third class passengers were not released from the lower decks until shortly before the Titanic sank at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, only a few hours after striking the iceberg.

It’s unclear why the Californian, a large ship steaming in the vicinity did not come to their aid in spite of the Titanic’s radio SOS and the flares sent up every 15 minutes. The Carpathian chugged at top speed from 53 miles away and rescued those in lifeboats at dawn on April 15, but it was too late for those 1500 people in the water who’d expired of drowning or hypothermia soon after falling or jumping into the water.

There are stories of heroism. The radio operators never ceased sending out alerts. A few crew members worked tirelessly to help those they could. Even knowing the outcome, the book is a page turner or a disc changer. Read by Mark Bramhall for Listening Library, the sound production is a bit of a challenge considering all the sidebars breaking into the narrative, but still a worthwhile transmission of the story.

            The century-old Titanic tragedy continues to fascinate. In these days of preparedness it’s difficult to understand their innocence—the fact that they did not have a plan in the event of a disaster.

“Iceberg, Right Ahead! The Tragedy of the Titanic” (Twenty-First Century Books 2011) by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson is another fine book about the Titanic tragedy.

 

Patricia Hruby Powell is a nationally touring speaker, dancer, storyteller, occasional librarian, and children’s book author. See more at www.talesforallages.com/

When his inattentive parents deny him a cat, 8 year old Peter runs into the street to save a kitten, and is hit by a car. On the spot, Peter morphs into a cat, in the republished “The Abandoned” (New York Review Children’s Collection 2013) by Paul Gallico—first published in 1950.

The people of London recovering from the devastation of WWII—loss of life and bombed out buildings—were generally not sentimental toward the thousands of stray cats roaming the city. Most saw them as pests. Cats developed a rough hierarchy trying to defend themselves in this tough world—the world into which Peter is cast.

After a brush with death at the paws and claws of a vicious tomcat, a generous cat named Jennie licks Peter clean of soot and blood. What a sensual calming experience it is—reminiscent of those very early days when his mother’s touch was familiar to him. Jennie begins Peter’s instruction as a cat with, “When in doubt, clean,” and we are invited into the world of cats’ contortions (picture one hind leg stretching straight up so she can get her tongue to the back of that haunch) and I now know that feline washing is essentially yoga for cats. Jennie tells Peter that a cat should commence washing whenever confused or when needing a moment to regroup. Sort of a stopgap—perhaps the equivalent of saying “um,” “y’know” or “like.” And think how beneficial washing is.

Jennie explains to Peter (and us), that a cat keeps “…a mouse alive and in the air as long as possible, not to torture it, but to gain skill and accuracy and train his muscles to react swiftly at the slightest movement.” Isn’t that helpful?

Of course, cats have much to teach us. For instance, you never charge out into a new situation. Instead, “You stop, look, listen and feel, before going outside.”

Written in an earlier time, when people had fewer distractions, “Abandoned” includes more description than you’ll find in most contemporary children’s literature. For that reason I’d suggest giving it to young readers who are ready to read at a slightly more adult level. Or read it to the family on a road trip. The abundant description is fascinating, gives one a thorough and charming understanding of cats, and serves to drive forward the story action (of which there is plenty).

Jennie and Peter stow away on a ship steaming to Glasgow, giving us a view of (a former) London’s streets and docks as well as a glimpse into the human working class. The “cat overboard” episode is breathtaking. And there are plenty of high stakes street scenes that are less than gentle.

Best of all, Gallico deeply observes cats and passes along many gleaned truths—confirming what cat-lovers already may know and giving those of us who aren’t born cat-lovers, a deeper appreciation of felines.

 

Patricia Hruby Powell is a nationally touring speaker, dancer, storyteller, occasional librarian, and children’s book author.

Start a summer project by reading “Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard” (Candlewick 2013) by Annette LeBlanc Cate. Bird watching might not be just a summer-long project but a lifelong project, and can be done right in your backyard. The author points out that birds are the easiest of wild animals to observe.

They’re everywhere.

The author/illustrator has drawn identifiable birds—with attitude. Hawks, robins, sparrows and all kinds of birds frequently speak in dialog bubbles, usually giving information about themselves. The various chapters show the new bird-watcher how to identify birds by color and shape—not just standing still but in flight. It might make you realize how much you already know, but most definitely what you could know.

The author asks you to draw the bird despite your sketching ability because this will make you a better observer. The finished drawing doesn’t matter as much as what you’ve observed. She asks: does the shape of the body, particularly the wings, have anything to do with the way a bird flies. Does this kind of bird fly straight, swoopy (undulating), or erratically.

Is the bird “short-legged and long-necked” like a swan? “Round and plump” like a grouse? Have “a scoopy shovel” of a bill like a duck? Or a “tearing hook” like a vulture? What do these shapes have to do with their behavior? Their way of eating?

If you get to know the birds in your backyard really well, you’ll notice differences of other birds father afield, more readily. Observe their behavior. You’ll find sparrows are social and want to be with other sparrows. Hawks are usually solitary or might hunt with a mate.

What about the sounds of birds? Their physical presence (swooping birds of prey, hammering of a woodpecker)? Is their call harsh or musical? Does the call seem to say something to you (chick-a-dee-dee-dee)? These are all identifying characteristics.

The thousands of individual illustrations that make up a page are both cartoony and accurate—and both kid and adult-friendly. The author gives tips on how to draw birds, such as go for the shape first. Start with birds that might be still for periods of time.

I’m a backyard bird watcher and this book gave me a load of tips to better observe. It ends with a bibliography (including examples of the best field guides) and an index. Read it for fun!

 

Patricia Hruby Powell is a nationally touring speaker, dancer, storyteller, occasional librarian, and children’s book author. See more about her books at www.talesforallages.com

 

In the spring of 1942 the U.S. government imprisoned 110,000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans who lived on the United States west coast after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. America declared war on Japan, and the fighting that had begun in Europe became World War II. The Japanese living in California were considered a threat to American safety.

“Best Friends Forever: A World War II Scrapbook” (Marshall Cavendish 2010) by Beverly Patt is the story of friends—an American girl of European descent, Louise Krueger, and one of Japanese descent, Dottie Masuoka—who are wrenched apart by this unfortunate event.

Dottie’s family loses their home when they are taken away and forced to live behind barbed wire in a Japanese internment camp. She must leave behind friends, school, and her puppy. Louise takes the puppy who grows into a dog in the ensuing months.

Louise also constructs a scrapbook for Dottie, so she’ll have a keepsake when she comes back—if she comes back. A frayed program for Washington Junior High School’s May Day celebration, drawings of the socks Louise knits for the soldiers as part of the war effort, or the pressed flower from Dottie’s grandfather’s garden go in the scrapbook.

In return, Dottie writes letters describing the experiences living shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of displaced Japanese families. To help her pass the time, old Mrs. Yatsushiro trains Dottie in flower arranging, tea ceremony, while kneeling—all part of traditional Japanese culture.

Louise mentions the new couple who now own the Masuoka’s home. She is not horrified, but the modern reader will be. The Masuokas will have no home, if they return.

Details of the times are woven seamlessly into the story, such as the Kruegers driving 35 mph or “victory speed” (to save gas) when they visit the Masuokas at the camp (Mr. Krueger, a journalist, has been assigned to write about the camps). Louise is shocked to see soldiers pointing guns at them while the two families talk on either side of the fence.

The author uses the name and picture of her own mother (Louise) and that of a friend (for Dottie). It’s surprising how mature they look at 13. I see the same maturity in pictures of my own mother, from that era. They wanted to appear grownup. In contrast, the reader will be surprised how innocent they seem. I think that’s accurate, too.

This sweet story of friendship shows a shameful episode in American history and the endnote describes both sides of the story. The scrapbook format will be attractive to both willing and reluctant readers.

 

 

Patricia Hruby Powell is a nationally touring speaker, dancer, storyteller, occasional librarian, and children’s book author.

“Lulu and the Duck in the Park” (Albert Whitman 2012) by Hilary McKay is a perfect chapter (early middle grade) book from an author who understands how to make both kids and adults laugh.

The story begins on a school field trip and moves into the classroom, making this a great read aloud in kindergarten through third grades. Especially if it happens to be spring and even more especially if you happen to be hatching eggs in your classroom.

Lulu loves to jump off swings at the highest point so she can fly for a brief moment. She loves animals—furry ones, feathery ones, stick-insect ones. Her teacher doesn’t.

Mellie loses everything. When she loses her sweater, Lulu gives hers to Mellie.

Lulu and Mellie are best friends and cousins. The book begins, “Lulu was famous for animals. Her famousness for animals was known throughout the whole neighborhood.” Sentences are simply constructed and ingenious repetition makes for humor rather than monotony.

“Every few minutes Mrs. Holiday glared over her shoulder at Lulu to make sure she knew she was still in trouble. Every few minutes Lulu looked unhappily down at the ground to show that she did.”

The book is sweetly British. The children are in Class Three, and often in a muddle. The Britishness is understandable and will give American kids a view of a slightly different school culture—but only slightly different.

On to the plot. While Class Three is eating lunch in the park, two big black dogs race through the park trampling the ducks’ nests and wreaking havoc. Lulu secretly grabs one rolling egg and keeps it warm. You can guess what happens, but McKay tells it so delightfully, it’s brand new.

At the end of the day Mrs. Holiday is quizzing, comforting, and convincing her class to leave behind the day’s bad memory of trampled nests. We are going to move on because…? she prompts. Henry responds, “Because the ducks are all dead.” “(The ducks are not all dead).” Please, Good Teachers, read this to your class.

The prequel story, “Lulu and the Dog from the Sea,” (2011) is every bit as good. Lulu and Mellie are on holiday at the seaside with Lulu’s family. The dog catchers are after this menacing, thieving, mangy escape artist (dog). Hilary McKay takes us on a heartwarming hilarious ride to its guessable and satisfying conclusion.

 

Patricia Hruby Powell is a nationally touring speaker, dancer, storyteller,  librarian, and children’s book author.

 

In Kansas, near the end of WWII, Jack’s mother dies. His father, off at war, has Jack sent to a boys’ military school in Maine. There, Jack meets “the strangest of boys” whose name is Early Auden. So begins “Navigating Early” (Delacorte 2013) by Clare Vanderpool (Newbery Winner 2011 – “Moon Over Manifest”).

Early lives in the school basement rather than the dormitory. He rarely attends class. He’s alone. He’s also a mathematical savant. (Today, we’d say he was on the autism spectrum, but such labels were rarely used in 1943). Early is an outsider, but so is Jack, and they become friends.

Early sees colors, textures, and best of all, a story in the infinite number of pi, which begins 3.1415926…The boys’ math professor believes a theory that the number pi is finite, that it can be calculated to completion. Early doesn’t think so. According to Early, the digit 3 is the mother, 1 is a boy named Pi, 4 is his father. Pi then begins his adventure. The numbers tell Early the story of Pi being swallowed by a whale, of being lost on an island, of being cast out at sea, and that’s just the beginning.

During a school break Jack and Early set out on a quest together along the Appalachian Trail. For Early it is a matter of following Pi’s story. First, they are searching for a legendary bear foretold in the numbers. Jack is telling their adventure story and he frequently invokes his mother’s folksy wisdom, such as, “What’s more important? The seeking or the finding?”

But it is Early who tells Pi’s story—and he finds the story by calculating the next digits of pi. That is their guiding light.

Pi’s story seems to be a metaphor for the boys’ adventure. And at first Jack doubts Early’s guidance, but having nowhere else to go, he follows. When the boys meet characters who have been foretold in Pi’s story, Jack begins to believe. Pi has been abducted by pirates on the open seas. Early has taken the beautiful sculling boat from the school’s boathouse saying it belongs to him. On the river, some tough men lure the boys ashore and take their boat. Pirates.

The boys’ adventures are harrowing and at times we’re reminded of the war going on in Europe. The boys get trapped in a cave behind a waterfall. An old woman thinks Jack is her long lost son who died a generation ago. They have major mishaps and Jack recuperates with a mountain man. Early is not surprised by the twists of their quest, because they’ve been foretold in the numbers. The boys’ quest goes from paralleling Pi’s quest to becoming one and the same quest.

It’s hard to believe that Early will find what he’s looking for. He doesn’t get exactly what he wants, but the reader will be surprised by what he does find. Jack finds comfort in his life and gratitude for his odd friend.

All the complex threads of the quests—both real and imaginary—are knitted together in a satisfying end. It isn’t always a fast read, but those who are carried along in the magical realism will have a more than worthwhile adventure.

 

Patricia Hruby Powell is a nationally touring speaker, dancer, storyteller, occasional librarian, and children’s book author. See more on-line at www.talesforallages.com/