Children and YA Book Reviews: Nonfiction Books

Nonfiction Book Review #1
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krull, Kathleen. 2006. SIGMUND FREUD. Illus. by Boris Kulikov. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 0670058920
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The biography of Sigmund Freud by Kathleen Krull is the third in a series entitled, Giants of Science. The book begins with a basic overview of the past beliefs of ‘great thinkers’ and where our thoughts, emotions, and intelligence come from and how people with mental illness were unpleasantly treated in the past. “By the 1880’s, the field of psychiatry, the medical treatment of diseases of the mind, had been born,” and with it came a flurry of theories and interpretations. The account of Freud’s life portrays how his curious mind persevered with dedication by developing and pioneering theories on psychoanalysis. The basic topics covered about Freud were his family life, his relationships with his parents and siblings, and how they affected his later life. Freud (born 1856), known to his mother as “my Golden Sigi” was a bright determined young boy whom continued his challenging and academic life exploring how the mind works until his death in London (1939) a year after fleeing Vienna from the Nazi’s. His life story goes through his education toward becoming a scientist, his contemporaries, the desire to help other people and his determination to “understand something of the riddles of the world in which we live and perhaps to contribute something to their solution.” Fifth grade to ninth grade.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Krull identifies the “strong men in history” and colleagues of Freud’s day (Darwin, Koch, Pasteur, Keepler, Brucke, Meynert, Charcot, and Carl Jung) and how they influenced his thoughts throughout his life. The eventual popularization of his theories (i.e. hysteria, sexuality, dreams) and the analysis (i.e. psychoanalysis “talking therapy,” hypnosis) that have paved the way for the current field of psychiatry. The structure of this biography is presented in chronological order beginning with general background information and then follows with specific examples of Freud’s relationships with patients and colleagues. Krull gives insight into Freud’s beliefs and his scientific exploration by documenting stories of patients and activities throughout his life. Krull’s interesting style of writing incorporates a creative, technical vocabulary with a casual tone. Direct quotes are used throughout the text in describing thoughts by others or by Freud himself. The book jacket design contains an attractive and colorful illustration of Freud. The individual chapters could be read alone but each chapter/topic supports others so it is recommended to read the entire biography to get a greater understanding of the man and his discoveries. The depth and complexity of the subject matter would be appropriate for ages 10 through 14. Children of this age may have questions about some of the contents (i.e. sexuality-complexes, cocaine use) after reading the book. The accuracy of this biography is demonstrated by a bibliography in the back of the book and the author’s reputation in writing this series. This nonfiction series book contains special features of a Table of Contents, Appendix of major works by Sigmund Freud, a Bibliography of 19 resources on background information; 3 designated books especially for young readers, a list of 9 Websites (last verified in May 2006), and an Index by subject and name. Six half to full page black ink artistic interpretation sketches are located throughout the text. The illustrations portray Freud, dressed in a suit, as a thinker, an inquirer, and a patient. One particular thought provoking illustration depicts a small image of Freud sitting on the world/brain with his papers on fire whirling around, with his head tipped forward and hand on his head; this makes one think, is he reflecting on his life, his theories, his contribution to humanity or his shortcomings, failures, and to a degree his unsuccessfulness to satisfy his own therapeutic needs that he became known for and that he was instrumental in fostering into the field of psychiatry today.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Notable books for children (2007), A CBC/NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book, New York Public Library “Books for the Teen Age”
VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES: “In her highly engaging and accessible biography for middle grade readers, Krull provides a thorough overview of Freud’s work and his oftentimes tumultuous medical career.”
BOOKLIST: “With her usual breezy, forthright, and intelligent approach …. [Krull] unravels just how much the inventor of psychoanalysis and student of the human mind has shaped the way we think … and does not shirk from Freud’s study of cocaine, his problems with understanding women, or the horrors of his final disease.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Sophisticated cartoon pen-and-ink drawings add to the text.”
KIRKUS: Starred Review. “Lucid and thoughtful examination of Freud’s life, work and legacy … tactfully admit young readers into such a contention dialogue is no small feat, and marks this offering as truly stellar.”
5. CONNECTIONS
· Read other books in the Giants of Science Series by Kathleen Krull
· Connect to the study of psychology for middle school children
· Connect to the study of science, theories, and scientific method: challenges of scientific research and studies
· Connect to English and writing about dreams, emotions, and feelings
· Invite a psychiatrist to speak to the class about his/her occupation
· Explore the Website: http://www.pbs.org/youngdrfreud Young Dr. Freud for additional information

Nonfiction Book Review #2
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Murphy, Jim. 2003. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1973. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395776082
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Jim Murphy’s multi-award winning historical nonfiction book, AN AMERICAN PLAGUE: THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1793 is an account of life and the challenging times of our nation’s first capital in Philadelphia. The story is a chronological account beginning on August 3, 1793 and continues through September 1, 1858 with detailed observations of the people, their living conditions, and the medical treatments of the day. Yellow fever, like many diseases of this time were not well understood and consequently suffering was endured by the population affected by this terrible illness. The relentless suffering by the sick and the panic by the general population is retold by Jim Murphy using descriptive narrative adding suspense and feeling of compassion for the people throughout the book. The devastating account is complemented by copies of primary sources of the time. Fifth through ninth grade.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
During the plague of 1793 there was a lot of uncertainty about what caused and how to treat what is now known as yellow fever. Award-winning author Jim Murphy uses numerous sources to tell the story of life during this horrific time. His research included consulting “a great many books, newspapers, magazines, personal journals, and letters” to select the backbone of his award-winning historical nonfiction book. These 97 sources located in the back of the book are divided into 10 categories (firsthand accounts (medical and nonmedical)), background information on yellow fever (both informational and fiction), doctoring in the old days, Philadelphia, George Washington and his problems, Blacks in Philadelphia, other plagues, and buzzing in your ear (mosquitoes). Complementing the text are black and white reproductions of primary source documents, art work, maps, directory’s, cartoons, newspapers, with a brief explanation that aides in the authenticity of the time period. A subject/name index is also included. The book is divided into 11 chapters that are in chronological order describing the onset of the illness and the next five devastating months of dealing with it, followed by a final chapter on describing other plagues of similar nature. The text is 139 pages with 54 illustrations dispersed throughout. A note about the illustrations (in the back of the book) states that some of the illustrations are from Europe and are included to “help the readers imagine what the city was like back then.” The writing style of the author portrays a clear telling of the hardships and suffering that occurred with the minimal knowledge of medicine and a few dedicated people to organize the recovery of the city of Philadelphia. This historical informational account of the plague is captivating and should be read fully as it goes into some depth and complexity of this time period making it a captivating read for ages 10-14.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year (2003, Robert F. Siebert Informational Book Award (2004), ALA Notable Books for Children (2004), NCTE Orbis Pictus Award (2004), Boston-Globe-Horn Book Awards (2004)
BOOKLIST: “Murphy recreates the fear and panic in the infected city, the social conditions that caused the disease to spread, and the arguments about causes and cures.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Murphy here adopts a leisurely, lyrical tone to chronicle the invisible spread of the deadly disease that not only crippled Philadelphia … but also set off a constitutional crisis.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Students will become immersed in the dramatic narrative as they read how fear and panic spread throughout the country’s capital … The author masterfully weaves facts and fascinating stories in describing the course of the disease and the heroic roles played by a few doctors and the free African-American citizen’s of the city.”
VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES: “In this superbly written work, …every aspect of the epidemic is brought to life … the disease itself is covered from symptoms to cause … Readers come away with a sense of the era as a whole and a keen picture of the overall devastation brought by yellow fever.”
5. CONNECTIONS
· Connect to American History and the discuss the challenges of life during colonial times
· Connect to English: writing about ‘current events’ and documentation (i.e. primary and secondary sources - photographs, newspaper articles, interviews) to get accurate information
· Connect to Science: for current information on Yellow Fever go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website on Yellow Fever, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/yellowfever/YF_FactSheet.html

Nonfiction Book Review #3
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Montgomery, Sy. 2006. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGEROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. Illus. by Nic Bishop (photographer). New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618496416
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGEROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA is a nonfiction adventure story about a research scientist, Lisa Dabek and her associates (including the author and photographer of this book) travelling to Papua New Guinea to learn more about a shy kangaroo who lives in a tree, called Matschie’s. A team of local people assist the naturalists in accomplishing their mission. The author gives background information on the research, the preparation and actual challenges of the journey to the site, and the gathering of research data once they locate the tree kangaroos. Fifth grade through tenth.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Award-winning author Sy Montgomery is also known as a naturalist, and documentary scriptwriter. Her personal experience travelling to the location gives the reader an inside view of what the journey actually encompassed. This view is complemented by Nic Bishop’s spectacular photo-log of 75 beautiful up close and detailed pictures of people (children and adults, scientists, research assistants) working and collecting data, lush tropical flora, furry and feathered fauna, scenic views, and houses, depicting life in a wonderful exotic haven in New Guinea. The attractive photos are dispersed through out the book and comprise up to a full page spread that corresponds with the text. The story is written in an adventure style on how scientists deal with understanding the natural world and its unpredictable challenges of learning about species. The author describes the detail of sighting, capturing, collaring (Global Positioning device), and releasing the tree kangaroo to track by the locals and learn about animal behavior and habitat needs. Montgomery includes background information in the back of the book on conservation at home and around the world, Lisa’s advice for kids (following your passion), tree kangaroos near you (in zoo’s), let’s Tok Pisin (the language of the local people of this area of New Guinea), an acknowledgement to all who have made the travel successful, and a subject/name index. The book is not divided into formal chapters but reads like an adventure story from beginning to end. The story makes science relevant and gives the reader a chance to see the hard work that actually goes into completing this type of expedition and the positive consequences of learning about the importance of other species. The information contained within this resource should be read in full as each section complements the others in story form.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST: Starred Review. “Montgomery gives an unusually strong, visceral sense of the work and cooperation fieldwork entails and the scope and uniqueness of this particular mission … [and] communicates the thrill of studying animals in the wild, making observations, and discovering new information.”
BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS: “ … there’s plenty of evocative description of their [tree kangaroo], thoughtful exploration of the role the locals play in conserving the animals, and revealing information about the rigors of this kind of scientific project. Bishop’s photography is stunning portraiture … “
HORNBOOK: Montgomery’s friendliness and curiosity set the tone: she enthusiastically engages with the people, plants, and animals she encounters o the trip. The realities of field work…”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: Starred Review. Bishop’s photographs capture the expedition in detail. Stunning close-ups of plants, insects, and birds vie for attention with panoramas of moss-draped trees in the eerie, ancient forest.”
5. CONNECTIONS
· Read other award books by Sy Montgomery about scientists: THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST and THE SNAKE SCIENTIST
· Connect to Science: study other animals that are endangered around the world, discuss animal behavior and habitat
· Connect to other Women in Science
· Connect to World Geography: discuss and research this region and the people
· Connect to English: retell a story about a family vacation (planning, good and bad experiences)