Moon Over Manifest

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Vanderpool, Clare. 2010. Moon Over Manifest. New York: Delacourt Press. ISBN 978-0-385-73883-5

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Abilene Tucker arrives in Manifest, Kansas after being put on a train by her father feeling lost and alone.  Through the stories of Miss Sadie and mementos of the past, Abilene pieces together the life of her father and his place in Manifest.  Through the stories Abilene finds not only who her father was, but a home for them both.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Clare Vanderpool's first book is a wonderful web of time and place.  Strong character development enables the reader to feel as if they know the people of Manifest.  Interwoven story lines that jump from the present depression era to the past of WWI flow seamlessly and help to create a full and enriching historical experience.  Historical facts in the story are accurate and bring the setting and time periods to life.  The Newbery Award winning novel flows with language which accurately reflects the time and place of the setting and flows together to create the sense of a conversation.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Kirkus Starred Review- "readers will cherish every word "

Publishers Weekly Starred Review- " Replete with historical details "

Booklist Starred Review- "believable dialogue, vocabulary and imagery appropriate to time and place"

School Library Journal-"This thoroughly enjoyable, unique page-turner is a definite winner"

2011 Newbery Award Winner

Top 10 Best Kids Books, Historical Fiction - Instructor Magazine

2011 Kansas Notable Book Selection

Kirkus 2010 Best Books for Children

2011 Best Children's Book of the Year – Midwest Bookseller's Association

5. CONNECTIONS
Visit the authors website:  http://clarevanderpool.com/home.html
Have students create time lines of the two story lines.

read more books about the depression:
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm
All the Kit American Girl Stories
Children of the Great Depression by Russell Freedman
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Explore PBS.org and the American Experience
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/orphan/  (Orphan Trains)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/interview/rails-tales/ (Tales from the Rails- stories of teenage hobos)

The Midwife's Apprentice

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion. ISBN 0-395-69229-6

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Midwife's Apprentice is the story of Brat later renamed Beetle, an orphan who is selected to be the apprentice of the village midwife Jane.  Brat is unwanted and must endure years of ridicule and teasing.  Jane is a difficult task master and does not want Beetle to be overly successful.  However, thanks to an accident Beetle is allowed to travel to get supplies and is mistaken for a girl named Alyce.  Beetle takes on the name Alyce and gain in confidence after the successful delivery of a baby. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Midwife's Apprentice tackles subject matters which are seldom spoken of in children's literature.  The first is childbirth and the dangers that it represented in 14th century England.  The second is unwanted and neglected children.  Cushman integrates real herbal remedies and folklore into The Midwife's Apprentice and by doing so paints a picture of the sad reality of life for women in medieval England.  Alyce's character and intelligence is slowly developed throughout the novel.  Elements of feminism run throughout the novel but does not intrude into the setting in a way that detracts from the flow of the story.  

Historical elements of the text are accurate and lend to the feel of the novel.  Small items such as clothing and the comb which Alyce is given by a peddler provide a realistic feel to the book's location and time.  Ms. Cushman does a good job of providing specific details of the craft of midwifery.  This is especially true of the herbs and natural remedies which were widely used during the time in which the novel is set. 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newbery Medal
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Notable Book for Children
Booklist Editors' Choice
Horn Book Fanfare Selection
School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Hungry Mind Review Book of Distinction
Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts
Not Just For Children Anymore! Selection (CBC)
Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Awards
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers Choice Award Short List
Parents' Choice Gold Award
American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists"
New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
ABC Children's Booksellers Choice Award
NYPL Books for the Teen Age List

5. CONNECTIONS
Introduce students to more daily life activities from the 14th century.  Include items about clothing, culture and food.  Have student make butter and bread which were staples in medieval life.

Examine the life of women in medieval times. 

Read more books by Karen Cushman -
*Catherine, Called Birdy
*The Ballad of Lucy Whipple
*Matilda Bone
*Alchemy and Meggy Swan

Visit http://www.karencushman.com/

Explore character development.  Each of the character's in The Midwife's Apprentice is different and well developed.  Have students select a character and describe their traits.  Each student can select objects which represent the character and explain why the object is relevant.

The Game of Silence

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Erdrich, Louise. 2005. The Game of Silence. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-029790-5

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Game of Silence is the story of Omakayas of the Ojibwe tribe.  The story,  set in 1850 tells of the tribes struggle to survive and keep their way of life in a world that is changing.  Omakayas life is full of routines and love until the arrival of a malnourished group of people with tales of broken treaties.  Can Omakayas and her people save their way of life or is everything about to change?

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Louise Erdrich paints a picture of everyday Ojibwe life that is relatable for readers.  Although the plot is slow moving at times the feelings portrayed by the writing use this as a way of letting the reader feel the unknown future of the tribe.  The main characters are well developed and likable.  The family dynamic portrayed is loving and healthy.  Historical content is well researched and accurate.  Louise Erdrich is a member of the Turtle Mountain Ojibwe and uses her knowledge of her tribes history to full advantage.  Small details about how daily life was for the Ojibwe people make the book interesting and entertaining.  While the government that is breaking the treaty with Omakayas people is portrayed as dishonest, the overall feeling of the novel is not one of hostility, but rather one of hope for the future.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction Kirkus Editor’s Choice Horn Book Fanfare

ALA Notable Children’s Book ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice New York Times Notable

*Erdrich's captivating tale of four seasons portrays a deep appreciation of our environment, our history, and our Native American sisters and brothers - School Library Journal

*Starred Review*- Booklist

5. CONNECTIONS
* Read the other two books in the series:

Erdrich, Louise. 2002. The Birchbark House. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0786814541

Erdrich, Louise. 2008. The Porcupine Year. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0060297879

Research the Ojibwe people:

http://www.ojibwe.org/ (a documentary about the people and their life)

http://www.bigorrin.org/chippewa_kids.htm

Learn about the native people in the area in which you live.  And if you live in Texas you can download this activity book created by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4000_0016.pdf

Children can create dream catchers or create beading projects in the style of the tribe.  Easy dream catcher kits are available from http://www.orientaltrading.com/