My Reflection Before Seminar in Literature for Youth, I have previous experience with blogs. I have written blog posts here and there during my time as an undergrad at Ball State University. For example, two of the classes that I took required writing blog posts. These two classes were Communication & Popular Culture and Sales & Promotion Writing. Throughout this semester, I have found the experience of blogging to be thoroughly enjoyable. I may even continue efforts to review literature for youth beyond this course. This blog could be a good resource to utilize in my future career as a librarian. An ongoing effort to read both fiction and nonfiction for youth could definitely stretch the scope of my reading. This blog could also be great resource for both myself, fellow librarians, and readers, especially for readers' advisory purposes. It could provide myself and others with ideas for book recommendations/suggestions for young readers. I appreciated how this blog has pushed me to step out of "comfort zone" in reading. It led me to step out of fictional worlds and back to reality, if even just for a bit. This was a great experience that continues to expand my scope of available nonfiction for youth that is...
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Hamilton: |
(Miranda, 16). |
Professional Review
School Library Journal
"This glorious, oversize testament to the multiple Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton is a joy to anyone who loves the sound track or who has been lucky enough to score tickets to the show... VERDICT An uplifting, gorgeous, diverse, and emotional libretto that will be performed in high schools as soon as the rights are available, and a must-have for initiated and uninitiated alike." - Sarah Hill |
My Thoughts
I believe that readers of all ages would enjoy this book, and though this is not necessarily a youth nonfiction books, Hamilton: The Revolution has major cross-over potential that could definitely appeal to readers of various ages, including teens, young adults, and adults. Though one may not be lucky enough to snag tickets to see this production live, this well-crafted book gives readers a behind the scenes look at the making of Hamilton from the eyes of its creator and musical genius... Lin-Manuel Miranda. |
From the inspiration behind the musical to Miranda's writing process to the musical tremendous success and sold out shows, this book would be perfect for those looking to learn more about the musical.
Additional Resources & Read-A-Likes
I would also encourage fans of the musical to check out both the soundtrack with recordings of the original Broadway cast and the mix tape coming out in December. Now, let's take a look at some more books...Those willing to take the challenge of "big" read may be interested in reading the book that started it all... Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. |
However, this book may be a little too much for younger readers. Therefore, I would recommend younger readers to explore nonfiction books for youth about Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Fathers, the birth of our nation, etc.
Works Cited
- Hill, Sarah. "Hamilton: The Revolution." School Library Journal 62.10 (2016): 121-122. Library & Information Science Source. Web.
- Miranda, Lin-Manuel, and Jeremy McCarter. Hamilton: The Revolution. New York: Grand Central Pub., 2016. Print.
Maker Lab:
28 Super Cool Projects
Written by Jack Challoner
Summary
In past book blogs, I have chosen a variety of nonfiction, including graphic nonfiction, memoirs, and narrative nonfiction. For this week's book blog, I chose Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects by Jack Challoner with a forward by Jack Andraka. Maker Lab is a procedural nonfiction book targeted to children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. Throughout 160 pages, young readers can learn about and experiment with a variety of different activities and projects.
Professional Review
Library School Journal
"Spinning off of the popularity of maker spaces and capitalizing on the call for STEM-based products, this title offers a plethora of engaging projects that will capture the attention and curiosity of students from lower elementary (with guidance) through high school." - Sarah Knutson |
My Thoughts
Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects would be a good recommendation for young readers interested in working on projects or working with their hands. It has a variety of projects from sticky slime to paper planes. The following image shows the step-by-step instructions on how to make a wind catcher out of plastic cups.
Also, the book is divided up into the following 4 sections.
Along with interesting individual or solo readers, Maker Lab could also be a great resource for library programmers as well. More and more libraries are offering patrons and communities with "maker spaces." This book, along with many others, could be helpful in gathering ideas for and in encouraging this new initiative.
- Food for Thought
- Around the Home
- Water World
- The Great Outdoors
Along with interesting individual or solo readers, Maker Lab could also be a great resource for library programmers as well. More and more libraries are offering patrons and communities with "maker spaces." This book, along with many others, could be helpful in gathering ideas for and in encouraging this new initiative.
Read-A-Likes
The Big Book of Makerspace Projects | | Utterly Amazing Science |
Works Cited
- Challoner, Jack, and Jack Andraka. Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects: Build, Invent, Create, Discover. New York: DK, 2016. Print.
- Knutson, Sarah. "Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects: Build. Invent. Create. Discover." School Library Journal 62.8 (2016): 120. Library & Information Science Source. Web.
I Am Malala
How One Girl Stood Up for Education & Changed the World
By Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick
Summary
Within I Am Malala, Malala Yousafzai reworks and retells her story specifically to an audience of younger readers. A courageous Malala stood up for the girls of Pakistan and the fight for every girl's right to an education. At the young age of fifteen, her life was changed forever. On the way home from school, Malala was shot at point blank range by members of the Taliban. Malala miraculously survived and has since continued her fight for the education and equality of girls everywhere. In fact, Malala won the highest honor in 2014... the Nobel Peace Prize.
This is her story.
This is her story.
Professional Reviews
Publishers Weekly
"It’s a searing and personal portrait of a young woman who dared to make a difference." |
School Library Journal
"Yousafzai effectively summarizes her story and her advocacy for girls’ education, peace, and human rights. Above all, she stresses that she doesn’t want to be known as the girl shot by the Taliban but rather as a young person who actively fought for education. A strong addition to social studies, history, and biography collection." - Sujei Lugo |
My Thoughts
While reading I Am Malala, I couldn't help but think...
- What an inspiring young lady?
- What an amazing role model for young girls everywhere?
"Living under wraps seemed so unfair - and uncomfortable. From an early age, I told my parents that no matter what other girls did, I would never cover my face like that. My face was my identity. My mother, who is quite devout and traditional, was shocked. Our relatives thought I was bold. (Some said rude). But my father said I could do as I wished. "Malala will live as free as a bird," he told everyone" (25). |
Another passage struck me hard. Malala writes...
"[When] it was time for the kite-flying contest - where boys would skillfully try to cut their competitors' kite strings, It was an exciting game, full of unpredictable escapes and plunges. It was beautiful, and also a bit melancholy for me to see the pretty kites sputter to the ground. I could see a future that would be cut down just like those kites - simply because I was a girl" (25 - 26). |
Malala's story truly gives one, myself included, some much needed perspective. Living in the United States of America and the land of opportunity and freedom...so often we tend to take things, such as the right and access to education, for granted. I cannot imagine growing up in a country or region with the constant threat of terrorism. Malala's courage and bravery is astounding.
Additional Resources & Read-A-Likes
There have been many nonfiction works for youth published on Malala's story, some of which include:
There are also many additional resources for young readers, parents, and fellow librarians interested in learning more about Malala.
- Biography features a short biography on Malala Yousafzai on their website.
- The Nobel Prize website also features a profile on Malala, which includes a video of her Nobel Lecture.
- Also, there is a documentary film titled He Named Me Malala (2015) that may prove to be a valuable resource in the classroom. Here is the official trailer for the documentary.
Works Cited
- "I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World." Publishers Weekly (2014): 80. Library & Information Science Source. Web.
- Lugo, Sujei. "I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World." School Library Journal 61.1 (2015): 134-135. Library & Information Science Source. Web.
- Yousafzai, Malala, and Patricia McCormick. I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood up for Education and Changed the World. New York: Little Brown &, 2014. eIndiana Digital Consortium. eBook.
Dawn Stump
My name is Dawn, and I am a graduate student at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis in pursuit of a master's degree in library science. To learn more about me, click HERE.
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