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by Kelly Herold, Big A little a
The American Story,
by Jennifer Armstrong. Illustrations by Roger Roth
The American Story is one of those books you hope will end up in every classroom, in every library,
and in every home. It's just that good and that relevant.
The American Story covers American history and culture from "1565: First City" to "2000: The Election." Each
chapter covers an historical event, an invention or cultural happening, a natural disaster and its consequencs,
or an important social change. The overall impression of these stories, like E.H. Gombrich's A Little History of
the World, is one of progress and change for the better. There is a major importance difference, however, between
these two histories for children: Early Americans of all backgrounds—including Native American, the French, and the
Spanish—are treated with respect for their beliefs and actions at the time.
After reading The American Story from cover to cover, I was most surprised by the significant role played by
natural disasters in our history. And this significance illustrates one of the major strengths of Armstrong's work—
larger events are linked to smaller ones in a way children can understand. "1871: The Great Chicago Fire" is not just
about the destruction of a major city. It also tells of the changing American economy, the reasons for Chicago's
present-day architecture, and why Americans cling to silly stories such as the one blaming Mrs. O'Leary's cow for igniting the Chicago fire.
Armstrong's technique of telling a larger story by means of a smaller one is particularly effective when addressing issues
of social change. Take "1973: The Battle of the Sexes," for example. Feminism, Title IX, and the 1970s "Battle of the Sexes" is
discussed within the context of the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
"Bobby Riggs...was proud to call himself a male chauvinist pig. At fifty-five, he was still
a powerful tennis player, a former champion. He boasted that no woman really had what it took
took to excel in professional sports. They didn't have the nerve, he said. They would always
crack under pressure. So they didn't deserve the big prize money, the television coverage,
and the sponsorships that male atheletes enjoyed."
On the day of the match, September 20, "In the women's locker room, Billie Jean felt queasy, knowing that there was
much more than a tennis match at stake: it was about women's equlity throughout society."
Great technique, snappy writing, and an unsentimental approach sets The American Story apart from any other
history of the U.S. written for children. Roger Roth's illustrations complement the text perfectly. His Americans
are dynamic and, in many ways, unchanging over time. Children will recognize themselves in the 16th century as in
the 21st. The American Story is appropriate as a read-aloud title for children as young as five. Children
as young as seven or eight will enjoy reading it on their own.
Liftoff: A Photobiography of John Glenn,
by Don Mitchell
Don’t let the title of this new biography of John Glenn fool you. While there are many photos included in this
outstanding biography, there is also a quite a bit of text. In fact, Liftoff: A Photobiography of John Glenn
is classic Middle Grade biography, only better. Its large size, great photographic illustrations throughout, and use of
quotation from Glenn himself, transform the genre into something highly compelling to the Middle Grade reader.
Liftoff tells the story of John Glenn from his birth in 1921 to the present day. We learn about his interest in flight
from a young age, life in a Midwestern small town, how he married his childhood friend, and all his exploits in the air and
in space. John Glenn was a highly-decorated Marine Corps pilot in War World II, served in Korea, worked as a test pilot,
and was the first American to orbit the planet. He was also a three-time Senator from Ohio. Recently, he was the
oldest person ever in space as he joined a shuttle mission at the age of 77. It’s a fascinating tale in and of itself,
but Liftoff: A Photobiography of John Glenn, is not just a record of John Glen's life. It is something more—
it's the story of a generation and an era in American history.
The opening quote to the biography is as follows: “One of the most exhilarating things that can ever happen to a man or
woman is to be able to represent their country and be called to something, to a purpose larger than themselves.” The quote
overlays a photo of John Glenn and John Kennedy sitting together in a convertible. This spirit of service, to an other and to one’s
country, is a theme that runs throughout the biography—in Glenn’s own words and in the text itself. Glenn’s optimism
and cheerful service highlight a positive spirit and era. It’s almost difficult to read in this day and age when messages
are of fear, instead of hope and progress. Nonetheless, it’s a powerful message that will resonate with some young
readers.
Don Mitchell’s text is both straightforward and inspiring. Liftoff: A Photobiography of John Glenn is best suited for
readers ages 8-12.
Selvakumar Knew Better,
by Virginia Kroll. Illustrations by Xiaojun Li
Sometimes an animal understands the world better than we humans do. That’s certainly the case with Selvakumar, a dog in
India who saved a seven-year-old boy from the tsunami.
"The December day in south India dawned like any other, kissed by the
golden sun. Papa came back with his boat full of fish. Mama made
breakfast for seven-year-old Dinakaran and his two little brothers. That
day seemed like any other day, but Selvakumar knew better."
When the tsunami comes, Mom yells to Selvakumar, “Dinakaran, run! You’re swift and strong. Follow me. Up the hill. Fast as
you can!” Mom has to take the little brothers, one under each arm, and Dinakaran must make his way on his own. The
tsunami was loud, though, and Dinakaran only hears “run!” So, he reasons, he should run home and hide.
But smart Selvakumar is having none of it. He barks, nudges and howls at Dinakaran and finally drags him out of the
house. Selvakumar pushes the boy up the hill and to safety.
Virginia Kroll conspires to break my heart with the last page of this eloquent, touching picture book. Survivors are
sleeping in a nearby university and,
“A tall teenager hung his head. ‘We’ve lost absolutely everything,’ he said.
But Selvakumar felt the regular rhythm of Dinakaran’s chest rising and falling
under his chin. He heard the soft, sweet snoring of Dinakaran’s little brothers.
He smelled the familiar scents of Papa’s fishy clothes and Mama’s coconut
skin cream.
And Selvakumar knew better.”
Xiojun Li’s illustrations are soft, lush, and vibrant at the same time. He focuses on the eyes of Selvakumar and
Dinakaran throughout showing the characters knowledge of and sadness at the events of the day.
Selvakumar Knows Better is a true story and Virginia Kroll does it justice. The publisher, Shen’s Books, is
donating a portion of the profits on Selvakumar Knows Better to the Tsunami Recovery Fund.
The American Story, by Jennifer Armstrong. Illustrations by Roger Roth. Alfred A. Knopf, 2006.
ISBN: 0-3758-1256-3.
Liftoff: A Photobiography of John Glenn, by Don Mitchell. National Geographic, 2006. ISBN: 0-7922-5899-1.
Selvakumar Knew Better, written by Virginia Kroll. Illustrations by Xiaojun Li. Shen’s Books, 2006.
ISBN: 1-8850-0829-5.
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