An Innocent Soldier
Holub, Josef. 2005. An Innocent Soldier. New York: Arthur A. Levine. ISBN 0439627729.
PLOT SUMMARY
The year is 1812, and Napoleon is gathering his Grande Armée for an assault on Russia. When a privileged farmer’s son is sought as a new recruit, the farmer sends his unwitting farmhand, Adam, to serve in his stead. The poor servant boy is exposed to grueling conditions –depravity, deprivation, and the horrors of war, as he struggles to survive the ordeal and make sense of it all.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
An Innocent Soldier is a historical fiction novel best suited for a YA audience due to its mature subject matter. The book is the 2006 winner of the Mildred Batchelder Award for an outstanding children's book first published in a foreign language. The story by Josef Holub and translated from German by Michael Hofmann, tells the story of Napoleon's grand march to Russia and subsequent retreat, through the eyes of an uneducated, though not unintelligent, teenaged farm boy, Adam. Betrayed by his master and forced to substitute for the master's son, Adam travels with the army through the Germanic Kingdoms, Prussia and Poland and finally to Moscow itself. French spellings (Armée and troupe) are scattered throughout the text to remind the reader that Adam has been thrust into a foreign army, while the names of the soldiers in his troop are indicative of Adam's home in Wurttemburg (Konrad Klara, Kleinknecht, Krauter). Adam tells the story in a kind of musing format, with sparse dialogue. "On the street lies an upset barrel. Thousands of kopek pieces have spilled onto the dirt. What riches! But no one is interested. If only it were bread. What would we do with metal coin?" This format suits his position and condition; an innocent farmhand assigned as a lieutenant's servant in a cold, miserable, and eventually pointless military campaign.
Although set amidst a tragic military campaign, the overriding theme of Soldier is one of friendship. Through shared hardships, Adam becomes the friend and confidant of the noble-born, Konrad Klara, and becomes respected in his own right. Ironically, Adam receives succor from an elderly Russian woman, and his greatest enemy is a sadistic member of his own regiment, underscoring the perplexities of war and the transforming power it has over human nature.
The story of An Innocent Soldier is timely despite its 1812 setting. The weapons, tactics, and adversaries may change, but the moral questions of war remain constant throughout the years. Young teens should relate to Adam as he grows in maturity and overcomes adversity. A period map and historical notes precede the book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
"Arthur A, Levine Books has been awarded the 2006 Mildred L, Batchelder Award for its publication of An Innocent Soldier, The award is given for the most outstanding children's book originally published in a foreign language and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States, The book was written by Josef Holub, translated from the German version by Michael Hofmann."
2006. "Mildred L. Batchelder Award." Teacher Librarian 33, no. 4: 12-12. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 7, 2007).
"This is a well-wrought psychological tale that might have a difficult time finding an audience, but has a lot to offer to those seeking to build a deep historical fiction collection."
Stenson-Carey, Christina, Jones, Trevelyn E., Toth, Luann, Charnizon, Marlene, Grabarek, Daryl, and Dale Raben. 2005. "An Innocent Soldier." School Library Journal 51, no. 12: 148-148. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 7, 2007).
CONNECTIONS
This book is an obvious choice for an integrated curriculum based on this period in history. The rich historical details of daily wartime struggles can add life to the study of this era.
Though it may be a difficult sell because of its unappealing cover art (Adam appears too feminine and childlike to be a battle-weary soldier, and Konrad Klara appears more as an "add-on" than an integral part of the cover), this book has great possibilities for a book discussion group. The themes of friendship, war, and morality are sure to engage older teens.
Read Thura's Diary: My Life in Wartime Iraq (2004) by Thura al-Windawi for a view of the current war through the eyes of a teen.
Showing posts with label International Children's Literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Children's Literature. Show all posts
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
My Father's Shop
My Father's Shop
Ichikawa, Satomi. 2006. My Father's Shop. La Jolla, CA: Kane/Miller. (originally published in Paris by l'ecole de loisirs) ISBN13 9781929132997.
PLOT SUMMARY
Young Mustafa's father owns a carpet shop in a busy Moroccan marketplace. When Mustafa requests a carpet with a hole in it to keep for himself, his father makes a deal. Mustafa must agree to learn the foreign languages necessary for working in the shop. When the foreign language lessons become boring, Mustafa dashes off into the bazaar wearing his brightly colored carpet, peering through its convenient hole. A similarly attired rooster follows him and Mustafa calls to the rooster in his native tongue, "Kho Kho Hou Houuu!!!" Tourists from France, England, Spain, and Japan offer their own rooster calls, "Co-co-ri-co!" "Qui-qui-ri-qi!" "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" and "Koke-ko-kooo!" Mustafa races back to the shop, carpet flying. Trailing behind him are his new-found feathered friend, and all of the foreign tourists. Not only has he brought many customers to his father's shop, he has learned to speak rooster in five languages as well!
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
My Father's Shop is a multicultural book in every sense of the word. Although its setting is Morocco, Mustafa interacts with tourists and shoppers from Spain, France, England, and Japan. The book simultaneously points out cultural differences and brings cultures together. Each group of tourists is dressed in the fashion of their country and calls the rooster in their own language; yet all of the rooster calls are similar, and all of the characters delight in Mustafa's garb - a brightly colored carpet over his head with a hole for his eyes.
Japanese born Satomi Ichikawa may seem an unlikely author and illustrator for a book about a Moroccan carpet shop; however, she has lived in Paris for over thirty years. Morocco has a strong French presence, being once a protectorate of France. I have been fortunate enough to have visited Morocco and shopped in the busy Casbah marketplace. Ichikawa's colorful double spread paintings evoke the essence of the bazaar in their bright colors and details. The abundant, richly colored and patterned carpets are warm, typical and inviting, as is the silver teapot for mint tea, a common offering in shops and restaurants. Only the teeming crowds are missing. The locals are depicted in the varying head coverings, robes, sandals and slippers typical for the hot desert climate.
My Father's Shop has an exotic setting, but it is a story of inclusion and humor. The antics of little boy and a rooster are enough to warm the hearts of people from any country. The liner notes on the artwork are sparse, noting only that Ichikawa never attended art school.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
"A joyous story that brings people from different cultures together."
2006. "MY FATHER'S SHOP." Kirkus Reviews 74, no. 6: 292-292. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 7, 2007).
"Besides a gentle cultural lesson in how animals sound in different countries, Ichikawa's glowing pictures, with their radiant colors...., present an engaging image of a Moroccan marketplace and of a boy who can find a dozen ways of playing with a rug with a small hole."
DeCandido, GraceAnne. 2006. "My Father's Shop." Booklist 102, no. 12: 102. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 7, 2007).
On the 2007 United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Booklist
CONNECTIONS
My Father's Shop makes an excellent introduction to a study of Morocco, and can also serve as a segue to a lesson on map reading or globes - finding the location of Morocco and the home countries of the tourists.
The colorful carpets can serve as an inspiration for an art class, examining the woven rugs of different cultures.
Public librarians might follow a reading of this story with multicultural or multilingual children's music.
Ichikawa, Satomi. 2006. My Father's Shop. La Jolla, CA: Kane/Miller. (originally published in Paris by l'ecole de loisirs) ISBN13 9781929132997.
PLOT SUMMARY
Young Mustafa's father owns a carpet shop in a busy Moroccan marketplace. When Mustafa requests a carpet with a hole in it to keep for himself, his father makes a deal. Mustafa must agree to learn the foreign languages necessary for working in the shop. When the foreign language lessons become boring, Mustafa dashes off into the bazaar wearing his brightly colored carpet, peering through its convenient hole. A similarly attired rooster follows him and Mustafa calls to the rooster in his native tongue, "Kho Kho Hou Houuu!!!" Tourists from France, England, Spain, and Japan offer their own rooster calls, "Co-co-ri-co!" "Qui-qui-ri-qi!" "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" and "Koke-ko-kooo!" Mustafa races back to the shop, carpet flying. Trailing behind him are his new-found feathered friend, and all of the foreign tourists. Not only has he brought many customers to his father's shop, he has learned to speak rooster in five languages as well!
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
My Father's Shop is a multicultural book in every sense of the word. Although its setting is Morocco, Mustafa interacts with tourists and shoppers from Spain, France, England, and Japan. The book simultaneously points out cultural differences and brings cultures together. Each group of tourists is dressed in the fashion of their country and calls the rooster in their own language; yet all of the rooster calls are similar, and all of the characters delight in Mustafa's garb - a brightly colored carpet over his head with a hole for his eyes.
Japanese born Satomi Ichikawa may seem an unlikely author and illustrator for a book about a Moroccan carpet shop; however, she has lived in Paris for over thirty years. Morocco has a strong French presence, being once a protectorate of France. I have been fortunate enough to have visited Morocco and shopped in the busy Casbah marketplace. Ichikawa's colorful double spread paintings evoke the essence of the bazaar in their bright colors and details. The abundant, richly colored and patterned carpets are warm, typical and inviting, as is the silver teapot for mint tea, a common offering in shops and restaurants. Only the teeming crowds are missing. The locals are depicted in the varying head coverings, robes, sandals and slippers typical for the hot desert climate.
My Father's Shop has an exotic setting, but it is a story of inclusion and humor. The antics of little boy and a rooster are enough to warm the hearts of people from any country. The liner notes on the artwork are sparse, noting only that Ichikawa never attended art school.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
"A joyous story that brings people from different cultures together."
2006. "MY FATHER'S SHOP." Kirkus Reviews 74, no. 6: 292-292. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 7, 2007).
"Besides a gentle cultural lesson in how animals sound in different countries, Ichikawa's glowing pictures, with their radiant colors...., present an engaging image of a Moroccan marketplace and of a boy who can find a dozen ways of playing with a rug with a small hole."
DeCandido, GraceAnne. 2006. "My Father's Shop." Booklist 102, no. 12: 102. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 7, 2007).
On the 2007 United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Booklist
CONNECTIONS
My Father's Shop makes an excellent introduction to a study of Morocco, and can also serve as a segue to a lesson on map reading or globes - finding the location of Morocco and the home countries of the tourists.
The colorful carpets can serve as an inspiration for an art class, examining the woven rugs of different cultures.
Public librarians might follow a reading of this story with multicultural or multilingual children's music.
Monday, June 4, 2007
A Particular Cow
A Particular Cow
Fox, Mem. 2006. A Particular Cow. Ill. by Terry Denton. Orlando, FL: Harcourt. ISBN13 97800152002502.
PLOT SUMMARY
A Particular Cow begins as the particular cow sets out on her accustomed Saturday morning particular walk. She accidentally becomes entangled in a pair of bloomers hanging on a clothesline, setting in motion a chain of amusing and unexpected events. The cow, whose vision is often obscured by the flowered bloomers, is blissfully unperturbed by the entire sequence of misadventures. Terry Denton's black ink and bright watercolor illustrations accompany the sparse text.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The text of A Particular Cow may be sparse, but the fun is abundant. Children should relate to the accidental chaos let loose by the cow's innocent blunder; and they may secretly rejoice in its conclusion, as the particular cow goes merrily on her way without regard to the chaos in her wake. What child does not dream of such a scenario? The repeated use of the word 'particular' gives the text a particular predictability which makes it an excellent read-aloud. Additionally, the illustrations are bright and full of interest. All are double-spreads and contain humorous asides by the human characters and animals alike.
Cultural markers in this book are few, but distinct. Readers may note the mild swearword "bloomin'," and the use of the words "Blimey" and "bloomers." Visual clues to the book's location are more obscure - only the vast semi-arid plains and the presence of Dingoes are possible references to author Mem Fox's or illustrator, Terry Denton's Australian roots.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
"Denton captures the chaos in simple, bland cartoon illustrations, and Fox's repeated use of "particular" gives the text a playful beat--but it's all over almost before it begins. Similar excursions, such as John Burningham's Mr. Gumpy's Outing (1970) or Cynthia Rylant's Great Gracie Chase: Stop That Dog! (2001), illustrated by Mark Teague, will give readers and listeners more time to become engaged in the goings-on."
2006. "A Particular Cow." Kirkus Reviews 74, no. 15: 14-786. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 5, 2007).
"The story is told with a dry wit and an economy of words, and the illustrations interpret the action with panache."
Loch-Wouters, Marge. 2006. "A Particular Cow." School Library Journal 52, no. 9: 171-171. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 5, 2007).
CONNECTIONS
This book is an excellent example of cause and effect and sequencing. Use this text with an exercise in story order. Students can be given jumbled and wordless story frames to place in sequence, teaching cause and effect, sequencing, and the use of visual clues.
Pair this book with an author study and explorations of other Mem Fox titles, searching for cultural markers from her Australian home or her native Zimbabwe.
Fox, Mem. 2006. A Particular Cow. Ill. by Terry Denton. Orlando, FL: Harcourt. ISBN13 97800152002502.
PLOT SUMMARY
A Particular Cow begins as the particular cow sets out on her accustomed Saturday morning particular walk. She accidentally becomes entangled in a pair of bloomers hanging on a clothesline, setting in motion a chain of amusing and unexpected events. The cow, whose vision is often obscured by the flowered bloomers, is blissfully unperturbed by the entire sequence of misadventures. Terry Denton's black ink and bright watercolor illustrations accompany the sparse text.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The text of A Particular Cow may be sparse, but the fun is abundant. Children should relate to the accidental chaos let loose by the cow's innocent blunder; and they may secretly rejoice in its conclusion, as the particular cow goes merrily on her way without regard to the chaos in her wake. What child does not dream of such a scenario? The repeated use of the word 'particular' gives the text a particular predictability which makes it an excellent read-aloud. Additionally, the illustrations are bright and full of interest. All are double-spreads and contain humorous asides by the human characters and animals alike.
Cultural markers in this book are few, but distinct. Readers may note the mild swearword "bloomin'," and the use of the words "Blimey" and "bloomers." Visual clues to the book's location are more obscure - only the vast semi-arid plains and the presence of Dingoes are possible references to author Mem Fox's or illustrator, Terry Denton's Australian roots.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
"Denton captures the chaos in simple, bland cartoon illustrations, and Fox's repeated use of "particular" gives the text a playful beat--but it's all over almost before it begins. Similar excursions, such as John Burningham's Mr. Gumpy's Outing (1970) or Cynthia Rylant's Great Gracie Chase: Stop That Dog! (2001), illustrated by Mark Teague, will give readers and listeners more time to become engaged in the goings-on."
2006. "A Particular Cow." Kirkus Reviews 74, no. 15: 14-786. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 5, 2007).
"The story is told with a dry wit and an economy of words, and the illustrations interpret the action with panache."
Loch-Wouters, Marge. 2006. "A Particular Cow." School Library Journal 52, no. 9: 171-171. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed June 5, 2007).
CONNECTIONS
This book is an excellent example of cause and effect and sequencing. Use this text with an exercise in story order. Students can be given jumbled and wordless story frames to place in sequence, teaching cause and effect, sequencing, and the use of visual clues.
Pair this book with an author study and explorations of other Mem Fox titles, searching for cultural markers from her Australian home or her native Zimbabwe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
