Flotsam
by David Wiesner
Summary
A young boy is playing on the beach when an old, underwater camera washes on shore. The boy finds a roll of film in the camera and takes it to be developed. He is shocked to find pictures of mysterious creatures under the sea doing all kinds of strange activities. The last picture he sees is the image of a girl standing on the beach holding a photo. The young boys notices that the photo the girl is holding is a picture of a boy who in turn is holding a photo of another girl. The young boy who found the camera inspects the photograph under magnification to discover a history of children who have found this same camera. He then sets about adding himself to the group before returning the magical camera to the sea.
My Thoughts
I absolutely love this book! The best part of the book is that it tells a very complex story with only the use of pictures. The book has no dialogue, yet tells a magical and intriguing story. I'm not sure that young children would be able to follow the story without the help of a parent, but I think older children would love it. It is a beautiful book with great illustrations. Each page tells its own story and the reader can find something new each time the book is "read".
Reviews
"Wiesner offers another exceptional, wordless picture book that finds wild magic in quiet, everyday settings." -Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"New details swim into focus with every rereading of this immensely satisfying excursion." -Publishers Weekly, Starred
"A mind-bending journey of imagination." -School Library Journal, Starred
Awards / Honors
Caldecott winner 2007
Suggested Activities
In preparation for storytime, the librarian could fold sheets of art paper into six or eight squares. After reading Flotsam, the children would each get a sheet of paper and unfold it. The librarian would have the children try to tell a story by drawing a part of the story in each box using no words to help explain what is going on.
Esperanza Rising
by
Pam Munoz Ryan
Summary
The journey of a young Mexican girl begins as Esperanza Ortega is six years old, growing up in a life of privilege on El Rancho de las Rosas in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The story follows the many sad and tragic turns that occur in Esperanza's life beginning with the murder of her father. She goes from a pampered, secure girl to a fearful young lady who must struggle to help her family survive in a new unfamiliar country. Along the way, Esperanza learns that while a privileged life is an easy life, the love of family and friends provides true riches.
My Thoughts
I was so happy to have taken the suggestion of one of my students to read Esperanza Rising. It is a story that so many can relate to their own lives. We all have times when we are fearful of new things and we all have times of tragedy that we must not only endure but use to propel ourselves to a new life. I think so many of us dream of the life that Esperanza had as a young child. We dream of what it would be like to be rich and to have people wait on us. It is always a good reminder that riches are found so many times in relationships and not in possessions.
Reviews
"A lyrical...robust novel." -Publishers Weekly
"Easy to booktalk, useful in classroom discussions, and accessible as pleasure reading, this well-written novel belongs in all collections." -School Library Journal, starred review
Awards / Honors
Pura Belpre Award
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year 2000
Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2000
Suggested Activities
This would be a great novel to use as a springboard for adolescents to find out about their heritage. Pam Munoz Ryan would not have been able to write Esperanza Rising if she had not listened to the stories of her grandmother's childhood. During the course of reading the novel, I would have students interview a grandparent or other relative to find out the differences and similarities of a child's life in the past and the life of the student today. I would have students share their stories with others in the reading group. It would also be great to actually have one of the grandparents come to share their own story.
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