Curious readers often want to know more when the final page of a book is reached, and while quality nonfiction texts will provide additional references and sources for further exploration, there is often a need for books that tell the rest of the story about a person or a phenomenon. Many of us may still remember thumbing through the pages of our history and science texts looking for the contributions of women or those by men, women, and even children who looked like us. Often, those contributions were omitted, leaving the rest of many stories untold. These recent titles, reviewed by members of the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group, add rich layers to what we already know about various individuals and topics. They may inspire young readers to aspire to great heights, now that that they know the rest of the story.

Grades 3-6

Burleigh, Robert. (2011). Night flight: Amelia Earhart crosses the Atlantic. Paintings by Wendell Minor. New York: Simon & Schuster.

In this riveting biography about Amelia Earhart, readers will learn about her solo flight across the Atlantic in 1932. She crosses the dark and seething waters because, “Women must try to do things as men have tried.” Her journey is not trouble-free. She flies through lightning that scribbles danger in zigzags. She tries to out climb of a raging storm when the plane’s broken altimeter needle swirls wildly. The Vega airplane then grows sluggish because there is ice on the wings. Readers will feel the tension as she accelerates to gain control only to feel the exhaust pipe crack. To stay awake in the early morning hours she sniffs salts and counts out loud. Morning comes and she must hurry because gas fumes and exhaust flames are rising into the cockpit. Finally, the Ireland countryside spreads out like a green fan and the intrepid aviator lands in a farmer’s field, in the process, becoming the first woman to successfully fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Vibrant watercolor paintings accompany the text along with an afterword, bibliography, internet resources, and quotes from Amelia.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Moss, Marissa. (2011). Nurse, soldier, spy: The story of Sarah Edmonds: A Civil War hero. Illustrations by John Hendrix. New York: Abrams.

This picture book biography is a story about which most children will know little. It tells the story of Sarah Emma Edmonds who posed as a man during the Civil War. Sarah originally cut her hair and donned trousers in order to escape an arranged marriage. Once she discovered the freedom of wearing pants, she couldn’t put a dress back on. She ran away, taking on a male identity in the form of Frank Thompson, which required that she learn how to walk, talk, eat, and gesture like a man. She then enlisted in the Union army where she could outshoot and outride most men. Since soldiers slept in their clothes, no one ever learned of her masquerade. The other soldiers even nicknamed her “our little woman” because of her small feet. She trained as a nurse, pulling men off the battlefields and assisting doctors during surgeries. Later, she became a spy, disguising herself as a freed slave and joining the Confederate army. She studied the rebel fortifications by counting how many cannons, guns, and weapons they had. She returned to the Union army to share her knowledge. Sarah fought in some of the biggest Civil War battles, including Bull Run and Fredericksburg. After the war she changed back into a dress and never took on a man’s identity. The book concludes with an author’s note, glossary and bibliography.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Say, Allen. (2011). Drawing from memory. New York: Scholastic.

Fans of the creator of Grandfather’s Journey will certainly want to take a look at this amazing exploration of the formative years of the beloved author/illustrator. Filled with the author's own photographs, drawings, and cartoons as well as comic strip panels from his mentor, comic book artist Noro Shinpei, this memoir of Say's early years in Japan is a must-read for anyone who loves his work and wants to understand it on a deeper level. Beginning with Say's birth in 1937 in Yokohoma, the book traces his early literacy and artistic experiences and his fondness for comic books. When WWII separated the family, Say lived first with his mother, then his father, then his mother again. His father and maternal grandmother were skeptical about the career possibilities of an artist, but his mother promised him an apartment of his own if he earned acceptance into a prestigious middle school. The cover image shows the young Say, frolicking about his new studio apartment, free at last to follow his artistic dreams. When he happens upon a newspaper story about another young artist in Tokyo working with Say's favorite cartoonist, Noro Shinpei, Say begins his own studies with the man who will become so influential in his life. The artist's journey in mastering his craft takes him through city streets, to protests, and on weekend field trips. The memorable memoir ends with Say burning his sketchbooks before leaving for a new home in the United States. This stunning and deeply personal book provides insight into the influences on an artist whose work often captures perfectly lives caught between two cultures.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Stauffacher, Sue. (2011). Tillie the Terrible Swede: How One woman, a Sewing Needle, and a Bicycle Changed History. Illustrated by Sarah McMenemy. New York: Knopf/Random House.

During the nineteenth century, Tillie Anderson immigrated to the United States from Sweden and worked as a seamstress in a tailor shop. One day she observed a man speeding by her shop on a bicycle and her dream of racing was born. Both her racing behavior and her newly designed attire were deemed inappropriate by her mother, her neighbors and her friends. Yet, this did not deter Tillie. She worked out with weights and an "Indian club" to develop the strength necessary to achieve her goals. From 1896 through 1901, Tillie entered and won numerous races shattering records and earning the title of "Champion of the World." Not everyone scorned her racing, her friend/manager/husband Philip encouraged her, and Susan B. Anthony along with other women's rights activists acknowledged Tillie's accomplishments and what female cyclists had accomplished to "emancipate women." Tillie eventually crossed another gender barrier and began to drive motorcars in the early 1900s.

- Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University

Van Allsburg, C. (2010). Queen of the Falls. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin.

“Over Niagra Falls in a barrel"—the phrase usually conjures up images of daring and foolhardy young adventurers. But in this nonfiction debut from Van Allsburg, we learn that it should bring to mind an elderly retired teacher looking for a way to gain fame and fortune. In 1901, 62-year-old Annie Edson Taylor, without a pension and “too proud” to take on menial labor, hired a publicist, designed a special barrel, and took the plunge—the first person ever to accomplish the feat and, to this day, the only woman to go it alone. Van Allsburg’s sepia-toned illustrations lend a sense of period while his theatrical style—marked by expressive close-ups, dramatic lighting, and palpable movement—is a strong match for this unexpected tale. The narrative, though, while energetic and intriguing, is forthright in tone, carefully describing Annie’s preparation, the feat itself, and the disappointing aftermath. Annie Taylor did not achieve fame or fortune, but a gently crafted concluding scene has Taylor explaining to a reporter: "…I am content when I can say, 'I am the one who did it.'" While opening the door to critical discussions on topics such as gender, aging, and celebrity culture, Queen of the Falls may also provide an enticing invitation for the reader who tends to shy away from nonfiction.

- Sue Parsons, Oklahoma State University

Young, Ed. (2011). The house Baba built: An artist’s childhood in China. New York: Little, Brown.

The house that Ed Young’s Baba built was structurally sound. In order to keep the family safe, Ed's engineer father designed and built the house on the edge of the town. Ed's father built double-tiered walls from bricks and covered the roof with concrete, important design elements that helped it survived World War II, something the illustrator realized only as he was creating the book that pays homage to his father and "the house that Baba built" (unpaginated), a phrase that is repeated throughout the story. The way the family spent its free time and Young's first attempts at drawing are described, and it is clear that despite the war and the changes that were occurring in China, the house's rooms were filled with affection and trust.

What a treasure this memory-filled book is! The multimedia illustrations by Ed Young, who himself is an artistic treasure, are filled with images of the artist and his family during their early years in Shanghai. This wonderful memoir is filled with the love of family and the difficulties involved in retrieving long-lost pieces of the past. Pair this one with the memoir of another well-loved children's illustrator, Allen Say's Drawing from Memory.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Grades 7-10

Nelson, Kadir. (2011). Heart and soul: The story of America and African-Americans. New York: Balzer + Bray.

Using the Everyman narrative device he used in his earlier We Are the Ship but with a feminine twist, Nelson dips back in time to describe how some African-Americans came to this country on slave ships, and then describes the parts they played in the nation’s history, all the way through the civil rights movement and the historical 2008 Presidential election. From the book's very first pages, the narrator's voice is true and engaging as she describes to her descendants her family's part in the Civil War, the Great Migration, World War II, even the early feminist movement. In the back matter, Nelson describes his own less than stellar academic experiences with history, and how he came to fall in love with it over the course of his own painting projects. It is worth noting that he never intends to tell the definitive story of the history of African Americans in this volume; instead, he draws from his own family history and family members' recollection of a particular part of history. It's easy to picture him drawing inspiration from cherished family photos and realizing that they, too, somehow captured an important part of history.

With more than 45 illustrations, many covering an entire page, and some filling two pages, the book is visually stunning and almost forces readers to stop and think before moving to the next page. Nelson’s artwork lovingly depicts the pain, dignity, determination, fear, and confusion on the faces of his subjects. Providing protection, support, and guidance, fathers place their hands firmly but lovingly on the shoulders of their children. This incredible collection of watercolor images contains two that are particularly moving: a portrait of a woman surrounded by cotton that has been painstakingly picked and cleaned and one of the Little Rock school children as they attempt to enter the school building amid crowds of rabid protesters. Although his paintings pay tribute to the famous—Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks—they also celebrate the contributions of the lesser known men and women. After all, they, too, are the heart and soul of America.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Animals! Book Review Series

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The final set of reviews in this series about animals features books for grades seven through twelve. We'd like to thank members of the Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) of the International Reading Association (IRA) for contributing these fantastic reviews!

Grades 4-6 

Bial, Raymond. (2011). Rescuing Rover: Saving America’s dogs. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Clearly, Bial wants readers to be mindful of the responsibility of pet ownership, but he also wants to publicize the ever-increasing numbers of dogs who end up in animal shelters. Countless unwanted litters of puppies are born each year since their owners fail to have their dogs spayed or neutered, and those puppies often have nowhere to go. As part of his research for this nonfiction book, Bial visits several local animal shelters in Illinois to report on the dogs living there and the men and women who care for them. In his usual carefully detailed style, he describes the cost of caring for these unwanted animals and tells some of their stories. The book is filled with photographs that tug at the heart, including one on the cover that practically begs readers to take this dog home. - Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University

MacLachlan, Patricia. (2011). Waiting for the magic. Illus. by Amy June Bates. New York: Athenenum. 

When their college professor father leaves the family in order to write, the three children left behind are as confused about his motivation for leaving as their mother is. But Mama doesn't take his desertion lightly, and she decides to replace her husband with a pet. After a trip to the animal shelter, they have five new pets, four dogs and a cat. The dogs range in size from a terrier to a Great Pyrenees. When their father finishes sewing his wild oats and trying to write in solitude, and returns home, the children have all come to recognize that these animals are able to talk to those who will listen to them. Along with Mama’s own surprise, the four dogs and a cat work to reunite a family that has come adrift. With the magic of love that only animals can weave, all find their way to forgiveness, if not understanding. - Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University

Wagner, Hilary. (2011). The White Assassin. New York: Holiday House. 

Fans of last year’s Nightshade City will be delighted with this follow-up story. Three years have passed since the Catacombs were rescued from the dictatorial control of Killdeer and the viciously cruel Billycan. Since the white rat has disappeared into the swamps, all should be safe; however, Billycan now leads a group of swamp rats who are eager to help him wreak vengeance on Nightshade City. Juniper and his band of democratic rats thwart Billycan’s plans and bring him back to Nightshade City where he is given a truth serum so the rats can learn the identity of the traitor among them. But the truth serum is actually an antidote for the drugs Billycan was given as a lab rat.  Slowly, in a series of flashbacks, Billycan remembers poignant details about his time in the laboratory.  As evidence of treachery mounts, some old alliances threaten to crack while others form. This touching story about rat society also makes astute observations about the nature of humans, animal experiments, and the power of family and forgiveness. As in the previous title, the characters are complex with even Billycan garnering some empathy. The author has crafted a story that somehow romanticizes rats and leaves readers wanting even more. - Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University

A love for the swans that winter on the lakes near their home is something that thirteen-year-old Isla and her father share. But on one of their jaunts to determine where they have landed, her father becomes ill and is hospitalized. While visiting him, Isla meets Harry, who has leukemia and is waiting for a bone marrow transfusion. Harry spends his time looking from his window at a young swan that has been separated from the rest of the flock, and the two bond over their shared interest in this bird that seems unsure how to fly. Isla is convinced that her father will recover if the two of them can help the swan rejoin its flock and if she can make her school art project--a Leonardo Da Vinci-inspired flying machine made with a harness and real wings--work. The book’s lyrical passages, the description of the swan with an almost mystical connection to Isla, and the budding love between Isla and Harry demonstrate that Christopher clearly knows her way around the often complicated familial bonds that keep some members close and others at a distance. The scenes in which Isla runs as fast as she can, flapping her wings and coaxing the swan to follow her example, are stunning. - Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University

Deedy, Carmen Agra, & Wright, Randall. (2011). The Cheshire cheese cat: A Dickens of a tale. Illus. by Barry Moser. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree. 

Skilley is an alley cat looking for a warm place to spend the cold winter months. When he learns that the local innkeeper is looking for a cat that is a good mouser, he makes sure that the man sees him catching a mouse scurrying across the room. But as is often the case, things are not as they seem, and Skilley doesn’t kill the mice he catches. Instead, he becomes friends with one of the mice, Pip, who has a fondness for large vocabulary words when speaking. The inn is visited by several London writers, including Charles Dickens who is suffering from a writer’s block and is unable to come up with the right opening lines for his latest masterpiece. Looking for inspiration for his story, Dickens observes Skilley closely and realizes that he catches the same mouse over and over again. This tale is filled with wry humor and witty observations on the nature of humans and animals. The literary references will make careful readers smile. After all, it was the best of times and the worst of times, right? - Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University

Animals! Book Review Series Number 2

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The parade of animals continues with this second installment of animal book reviews from members of the Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) of the International Reading Association (IRA). Visit their website to join CL/R SIG or to read more about them. 

Grades K-3

Rohmann, Eric. (2011). Bone Dog. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

When his dog Ella dies, Gus lacks interest in regular activities. Although he doesn’t even feel excited about trick-or-treating, het puts on his skeleton costume and heads out. His outfit leads to a perilous situation when he runs into real celebrating skeletons. Luckily “skeleton-dog” Ella comes to his rescue and, with some dog-and-bone humor, helps to save the day. Rohmann’s signature black outlines and cartoonish figures suggest the fun of his Caldecott-winning My Friend Rabbit. However, here he places his main character in a more sinister state; skeletons crawl from their graves and threaten to eat Gus. The skeletons’ rounded features and silly word-play soften the scare, and a perfectly paced, wordless resolution will leave readers giggling. In addition to a hint of spine-tingling thrill, Bone Dog presents a relatable depiction of grief that can lead to meaningful discussions on loss and depression. This slightly edgy Halloween tale is a read-aloud for all seasons. - Lauren Aimonette Liang, University of Utah

Taylor, Sean. (2011). Huck runs amuck. Illus. by Peter Reynolds. New York: Dial.

Mountain goat Huck simply cannot live without plenty of yummy flowers to eat. When there are no more flowers in the mountains, he begins a pilgrimage to the city for more. After a series of near accidents, mishaps, and an encounter or two, Huck faces a dilemma. He happens upon a wedding during which the delectable flower-laden hat of Mrs. Spooner, the mother of the bride, is blown to the top of a church spire. When Huck races to retrieve the hat and devour the flowers, onlookers see his brave ascension and dub him a hero. Huck is truly on the horns of a dilemma, caught between doing the heroic, right thing and filling his belly with petals. Nobly resisting temptation, Huck climbs down, and returns the hat, with nary a nibble. There is a reward for Huck and a surprise for all the wedding guests. The illustrations, created from watercolor, ink, and tea, depict perfectly Huck’s passion for petals. - Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University 

Srinivasan, Divya. (2011). Little Owl’s night. New York: Viking. 

It’s night time, and while much of the rest of the world heads for their beds, Little Owl is wide awake. The curious owl watches his nocturnal friends become active and takes note of everything that’s happening around him, even the flights of moths and the movement of fog into a field. As dawn approaches, the tired owl begs his mother for a bedtime story. She obliges and describes how night ends and day begins, but Little Owl never hears the end of the story because he’s fast asleep. Young readers will request this title again and again when it's time for their bedtime reading, and their caregivers won't mind repeated readings because the text has a dreamlike quality about it. Drenched in rich colors, the illustrations also are appealing with wonderfully drawn pines, green grass, and animals with huge eyes. Even the end papers feature interesting details such as a raccoon reaching into a squirrel's treasure trove of nuts to steal an acorn or two. This is a great picture book debut from a new author/illustrator. - Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University

Ehlert, Lois. (2011). RRRALPH. New York: Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster.

IRA Special Interest Groups 

by Judith A. Hayn

Booth, C.  (2011).  Bronxwood.  New York, NY: Push.

Dr. Judith A. Hayn is an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 

This article is part of a series from the Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature (SIGNAL). 

Animal books seem to have an almost universal appeal. Youngsters love listening to read-alouds featuring animals since they can point to the ones they recognize while also learning about those that they have never seen. Once they become readers, animal books are often among the titles they select because of the illustrations and the familiarity. Then, too, savvy teachers have learned to use animal stories to address gently issues such as bullying, cooperation, and social justice. They know that they can rarely go wrong when they choose books featuring animals to share with their students or recommend them for independent reading. Even students entering middle grades search for books featuring animals since they may provide avenues to escape the turmoil of approaching adolescence, appeal to their tender sides, and provide possible career choices. Here are some recently published animal stories with youth appeal. 

This weekly series of book reviews is contributed by the Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) of the International Reading Association (IRA). All reviews have been written by CL/R SIG members. Visit their website to join CL/R SIG or to read more about them. 

Grades K-3

Bliss, Harry. (2011). Bailey. New York: Scholastic. 

Precocious Bailey is a dog that wants to add to what he knows by attending school. Like many other elementary school students, he has some problems catching the bus, whether it's heading toward school or on its way home. He loves reading and math, but his favorite subject is lunch when he can trade dog bones for sandwiches. Although things don't always go right for Bailey, he knows that school is the place he belongs, and he makes plenty of friends there. This title would be a great read-aloud for the transition to a new classroom since it effectively reassures those who feel anxious about anything new. The pastel illustrations highlight Bailey's personality in the wiggle of his tail or the frown of concentration on his face. One of the book’s best scenes shows Bailey giving a report on Fala, the canine companion of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt with a tiny photo of the President and a huge one of Fala. Clearly, Bailey has resolved his priorities about who or what matters. - Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University

McDermott, Gerald. (2011). Monkey: A trickster tale from India. Boston: Harcourt. 

Hungry Crocodile lolls in the river and longs for a nice Monkey snack in this final installment of McDermott’s trickster tales series. Monkey is also hungry and craves the delicious mangoes growing on an island in the middle of the river. Since he can’t reach those mangoes by himself, Monkey must outsmart the hungry, wily Crocodile in order to fill his belly with the delicious fruit. Young readers will be amused at how Monkey outsmarts Crocodile and avoids his sharp teeth. McDermott’s bold collage made of cut and torn handmade paper from India perfectly complements this traditional Buddhist story from the Jataka Tales. Teachers will enjoy reading this title aloud, and are as likely to be tickled by the mischievous monkey’s antics as students will be. - Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University

Godwin, Laura. (2011). One moon, two cats. Illus. by Yoko Tanaka. New York: Atheneum.

As night falls, two cats in separate places wait until their human companions are asleep before heading out for fun. As both felines slip from their homes, they saunter confidently through the dark until noises and movements claim their attention. As the cats race after their favorite prey, mice, they leap acrobatically all over the pages. Just when the demise of a mouse seems imminent, a storm sends the cats and mice in separate directions as they scurry for cover. The cats slip surreptitiously back into their respective dwellings, leaving their human bedmates unaware of their outdoor travels. The descriptions of the cats’ appearance, actions, and personalities are extended through the use of different font sizes throughout the story. The acrylic illustrations show the playful yet sly and sneaky nature of these cats with very active night lives. - Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University

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