HISTORICAL FICTION 1: THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND

1. Bibliography
Speare, Elizabeth George. 1958. The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395071143

2. Plot Summary
A young girl, Kit, arrives to live with her aunt in Puritan Connecticut from Barbados after her grandfather dies in the late 1600's. Having not been accustomed to the stringent religious philosophy of her remaining family members, Kit's outspokenness and free spirit quickly cause some residents to suspect her of being a witch. To make matters worse, she curiously befriends a lonesome, elderly lady that is already known as a "witch."

3. Critical Analysis
Written in 1958, The Witch of Blackbird Pond is still an all-absorbing tale that captures the historical nature of early Colonialism. It is a wonderfully crafted romance set amidst the fevered political lines drawn between England's early rule and those with a visionary alliance to the New World. Speare uses meticulous details in describing the tone and personalities of each character and uses just enough thee's, thou's and thy's to remember the setting.

"To work in?" Disappointment had put an edge to Judith's tongue.
'Tis all I have,' retorted Kit. "Give me something of yours then."
Judith's cheeks went scarlet. "Oh, wear that one. You can help Mercy with the carding. You won't dirty yourself at that."

Each character is fully developed throughout the story with hints of their natures hidden in some of their names--Mercy, the paralyzed cousin; Patience, the little girl learning to read; old Goodwife Cruff, accusatory and overbearing. Some of the names mentioned are of real citizens in New England history, as stated in the author's notes, such as Sir Edmond Andros, the royal governor, and Eleazer Kimberley, the schoolmaster.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond gives readers a glimpse into Old World religious doctrines from the eyes of a naive outsider who is forced to decide if she can conform to such strict behaviors or if she can choose to return to her beloved Barbados. Worthy of winning the Newbery Award a half-century ago, Speare's ingenious account of Puritanism and witchcraft is, indeed, a classic.

4. Review Excerpt(s) Taken from Back Cover
HORN BOOK: "The New England of colonial times . . . is realistically drawn as background for a solidly written character study."
NEW YORK TIMES: "The book has a lively plot and excellent characterizations. The background has every dimension of reality."

5. Connections
*Books on the Puritans
Stille, Darlene R. 2006. Anne Hutchinson: Puritan Protester. ISBN 0756515777
Slavicek, Louise Chipley. 2001. Life Among the Puritans. ISBN 1560068698
Fraustino, Lisa Rowe. 2004. I Walk in Dread: the diary of Deliverance Trembley, witness to the Salem Witch Trials. ISBN 0439249732

*A sound recording
Reese, Celia. 2001. Witch Child. In 1659, fourteen-year-old Mary keeps a journal of her voyage from England to the New World. ISBN 080720627X
Website for Witch Child and the author. http://www.witchchild.com/

NONFICTION REVIEW: ER VETS: LIFE IN AN ANIMAL EMERGENCY ROOM

1. Bibliography
Jackson, Donna M. 2005. ER VETS: LIFE IN AN ANIMAL EMERGENCY ROOM. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618436634

2. Summary
A comprehensive survey book, detailing life in an animal emergency room at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Multitudes of photos, that show actual animals being treated for a wide array of maladies, accompany stories about the pets, their owners, and the loving staff that care for them.

3. Critical Analysis
Donna Jackson's unparalleled sense of visual display, combined with emotional dialogue captures the interest of readers wanting to find out what it takes to be a veterinarian at one of the nation's leading veterinary teaching hospitals. "'Vets solve the mysteries of an animal's illness," says ER nurse, Sue Mordi, opposite a picture of her assisting an Irish setter recovering from back surgery. Interesting facts, terminology, and histories make this an all-encompassing book, rich with useful information. Jackson has included a table of contents that separates each story in a chapter style. An index and glossary help readers focus on much narrower topics and are useful tools for student investigation. Source notes, websites, and photo credits all add to the authenticity of Jackson's superb research.

4. Review Excerpt(s)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Well researched and well-written"
THE HORN BOOK: "bright, colorful design and 'aww'-inspiring photographs"

5. Connections
*Visit the websites included in the book
American Veterinary Medical Association http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/default.asp
Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine http://www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu/
Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital http://www.csuvets.colostate.edu/

*Make posters of information in book
*Invite a speaker from an animal hospital
*Make a promotional display with career books
*Have students bring pictures of their pets to share

NONFICTION REVIEW: WINTER ACROSS AMERICA

1. Bibliography
Simon, Seymour. 1994. WINTER ACROSS AMERICA. New York, NY: Hyperion. ISBN 0786800194

2. Summary
Winter Across America is an impressive photo display of wintery, snowy scenes from different parts of the United States. Interesting facts about the animals and wildlife of corresponding regions are added to complement the pictures, such as a baby gray whale riding alongside its mother on a 10,000-mile journey.

3. Critical Analysis
Simon's selection of stark photographs that cover each page make this book worthwhile. Although some of the photos are his, many have been credited to other photographers. Simon's accompanying text brings the photos to life and light up the imagination of the reader as if you are standing behind the camera. Colorful pastel backgrounds of lavender and blue, dotted with small, inconspicuous snowflakes, frame the photos and text. Given Simon's background in science, no research references are needed. Simon's well-chosen words feel as if he is reading the lines to you in his voice--"winter is a time of earth sounds: the creaking of bare trees blowing in the chill wind, the howling of a blizzard, the crunch of snow underfoot." An enjoyable book, from a renown and respected author.

4. Review Excerpt(s)
BOOKLIST: "Excellent color photographs, often breathtaking scenes of landscapes and animals"
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Simon teams his flowing, poetic narrative style with superb full-color nature photographs"

5. Connections
*have other books on winter available
Berger, Melvin. What Do Animals Do in Winter? ISBN 1571020551
Sunders-Smith, Gail. Winter. ISBN 1560657847

*other books on seasons, some by Seymour Simon
Simon, Seymour. Autumn Across America. ISBN 1562824678
Simon, Seymour. Spring Across America. ISBN 0786800690
Burton, Jane. The Nature and Science of Summer. ISBN 0836821890

*Could include this with a science lesson on winter, botany, or animals
*Could also research some of the animals in the book such as musk ox, chickadee, owl, whooping cranes, etc.