Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia

Written by: Sy Montgomery

Photographs by: Nic Bishop

Recommended for: Children Ages

Themes: Non-Fiction, Science, Social Studies

Summary:
      This book chronicles the journey of several widlife experts as they work to catch and track the white leopard in an attempt to save them from extinction. This book also give wonderful information about the country of Mongolia, as this is where this section of their expedition takes place. The author adds in information about the culture, lifestyle, topography and wildlife of Mongolia as he describes the mission of these experts.
     Children will enjoy learning about the culture of Mongolia. This book will give them a glimpse into what it would be like living in this Asian country. The book gives maps, to help children to understand where Mongolia is, as well as wonderful photographs of the people, animals and land in Mongolia. The information is presented in a way where it is interesting and not overwhelming to children, however, it would be best to break this book up into different sections in order to make it more manageable.

Suggestions for the Classroom:
     This book would be best used to support instruction on the cultures of Asia, that of Mongolia in particular. In addition, the book provides information about the wildlife of Mongolia, including: snow leopards, goats, camels, takhi (wild horse),yaks, etc.

*Pre-Reading Activities: Show children a map of the world. Point out to them where Mongolia is. If possible, show them a short video about Mongolia to peak their interest:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abKtXa-UCP8 or http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/planet-earth-camels-of-the-gobi-desert.html

*During Reading: In small groups, reading groups, create a book club where you will read with students different sections of the book each day (Chap. 1- Where is Mongolia, Chap. 2- About the Experts, Chap. 3- Culture of Mongolia, Chap. 4 - Trapping and Tagging, Chap. 5- Topography, etc). With the children, point out the important details (Book Talks) from each section using a graphic organizer. *You may want to select different books to go with different Book Club groups to give students opportunities to work with different levels and to provide a greater variety of information to be shared at its conclusion.

*Post-Reading Activities: At the conclusion of the Book Club have the students prepare some sort of visual representation of what they have learned, a poster, using the information that they have collected on their graphic organizers during your Book Talks.

About the Author:

     Sy Montgomery a graduate of Syracuse University, with three degrees in: Magazine Journalism from the Newhouse School of Public Communication; the French Language and Literature; and in Psychology. She has traveled extensively to do research for her books which center around the preservation and protection of animals. She has received several awards for her writing, including: the 2009 New England Independent Booksellers Association Nonfiction Award, the 2010 Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award, the Henry Bergh Award for Nonfiction (given by the ASPCA for Humane Education) and dozens of other honors.

About the Photographer:

     Nic Bishop moved around a lot as a child, the son of a Biology professor he was taught to love and respect the animals found around him in each place that they traveled to and lived in. He began taking photographs at the age of 9 and as an adult decided to pursue his degree in Biology as well. He decided to travel after receiving his degree and took his cameras with him to chronicle his journey around the world, which he later turned into his first book Untouched Horizons. He decided to get into providing photographs for children's books after seeing how children responded to his work and thinking back to his love for non-fiction books as a child.

The Zoo at Night

Written by: Martha Robinson

Illustrated by: Antonio Frasconi

Suggested for: Children Ages 4-8

Themes: Fiction, Poetry, Science

Summary:

     The Zoo at Night is a poetry picture book that explains to children what happens to the animals at the zoo at night. The book show children while some animals sleep at night, just as they do, others stay up howling at the moon, flying or playing. This book teaches children more about the sleeping patterns of animals, as some are nocturnal. The illustrations are dark, yet colorful, giving the children the perspective of what the animals would actually look like in a night sky.

     Children will enjoy learning more about these animals and on exploring the illustrations.

Suggestions for the Classroom:

     This book would be an excellent selection to read with children after visiting the zoo. This book can connect the experience with the Science curriculum in connection to the animals found at the zoo.

*Pre-Reading Activities: Give students an opportunity to share some of the experiences that they had on their visit to the zoo, such as: what types of animals did they see? (make a list on the board/chart paper for children to refer to during writing activity) what were the animals doing? and what is something that they learned about the animals? Point out that while we were there that some of the animals were sleeping. Ask the students why they think that the animals were sleeping (they are tired, they are taking a nap, etc.) Ask the students, "Have you ever wondered what the zoo animals do at night?" Give them some time to respond and make predictions.

*During Reading: Point out that some of the animals are awake during the night. When do you think they sleep? Do you remember seeing that animal at the zoo today? Was it awake or asleep? Why might this animal be awake at night instead of during the day? Point out that they may hunt their pray when the prey is sleeping, they play when temperatures are cooler, etc.

*Post-Reading Activities: Give students an opportunity to write in writing journals about their trip to the zoo. They can use the story starter: Today at the zoo I saw... Students will complete their journal entry with a picture.

About the Author:

     The Zoo at Night is the first children's book written by Martha Robinson. Robinson lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and has two grown sons. She works as a Professor of Law and Loyola Law School.

About the Illustrator:

     Antonio Frasconi has illustrated over 100 books and is well-known for his woodcuts. He grew up in South America after his parents fled from Argentina during World War I. His mother always encouraged his artistic ability and said that it was a gift from God and that he was meant to do big things. Frasconi moved to the United States after World War II and has become a successful illustrator, artist, and professor here in America.

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Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest

Written and Illustrated by: John Lechner

Recommended for: Children Ages 9-12

Genre: Fiction, Science, Graphic Novel, Informational Text

Summary:

     In this graphic novel we follow the story of Sticy Burr as he struggles to be accepted by the other Burrs. This is a wonderful story about a young burr who enjoys music and art and is teased by his peers, lead by Scurvy Burr, because he doesn't spend his days on adventures that stem from being stuck to things. As a child reads this book they learn that Sticky Burr really does not enjoy being stuck to things, and the trouble that it gets him into. He emurges as an unlikely hero at the end of the book and gains the respect of all the burrs as well as the lightning bugs.

    Throughout the story, Lecher gives readers lessons about the animals and objects that make up the characters in his book. These introductions provide factual information that not only enhance the readers knowledge about its content but also about animals and objects that they will at some point of their lives likely have contact with. The vocabulary used by Lecher throughout the book is challenging and the comic book design of the book can be hard to follow. I would suggest this book to who like to be challenges and who are able to use context clues and additional sources to help with vocabulary that they are unfamiliar with.

     Children will enjoy reading this story because it is a mixture of both factual information as well as fantasy. I believe that it will appeal most to young boys through its comic book layout. Many children will identify with its theme of an outcast who saves the day. The main characters ability to overcome his fears and to help his friends provides them with the predictable and positive outcome that they expect in their stories. This book will hold their interest, and even though they may predict that Sticky Burr will save the day, they will be surprised at the twists and turns that Sticky Burr encounters throughout his days journey.
Suggestions for the Classroom:
     This book would be wonderful to use, with a collection of other graphic novels and comic books, to introduce to children the skills that they will need in order to be successful in reading books of this format. Several copies of this book, along with other lower-level comics, could be used for children to work with independently after a mini-lesson on how to read graphic novels.

*Pre-Reading Activities:Model reading cartoons or comic strips with students. Discuss how to decide the order in which to read talking bubbles when there are more than one in a square. Explain to students what a Graphic Novel is. Ask students, what do you think is appealing to people about Graphic Novels? (With any luck you will have a nice convesation about how they are like picture books but more challenging) Model with students by sharing some of the comic strips from the Sunday newspaper.

*During Reading: As students are reading, ask them to keep a journal entry noting what they find challenging about graphic novels and what they find interesting about graphic novels ( a two-column chart). They can also jot down any questions that they have as they read.

*Post-Reading Activities:Think-Pair-Share: Have each student pair with another partner (not necessarily having had to have read the same exact book) and discuss the notes that each made on their two-column chart. Ask them to decide whether they feel that Graphic Novels are (1) too difficult to read or if they are (2) interesting and fun. Give the students time to pick their top three reasons, from their charts and discussions, to suppport their case. Give each partnered group to make a case for their side of the debate as they share with the group.

     After each paired group has had an opportunity to present, have the students take a vote: Are Graphic Novels (1) too hard to follow or are (2) interesting and fun. If there is time, or on another day, give the students an opportunity to make their own graphic novel with their partner.

About the Author/Illustrator:

    John Lechner grew up with six brothers and sisters in a home where the Arts were stressed in their importance. He has always enjoyed music, drawing and writing. One of his many jobs is writing and illustrating his own books, which includes his Sticky Burr series. However, Lechner also works as an animator, musician, puppeteer and an interactive designer. He has even started his own interactive website where visitors can see his movies, view interactive storybooks, and play games that he has designed.

Purchase or Read Reviews of Sticky Burr: Adventrures in Burrwood Forest