Franklyn MLynn KostelLynn Kostel222005-03-22T03:39:00Z2005-03-22T18:27:00Z2005-03-22T18:27:00Z113347606Home6317892311.6359Franklyn M. Branley AnalysisHere’s an author who seems to get it right every time. He writes to the kids in a language that is easy to understand, easy to follow, and leaves them with knowledge greater than even they imagined they would know. What makes Branley such a writer becomes obvious once you open the cover of one of his books. AccuracyBranley’s credentials speak loudly as to his qualifications and background. An Astronomer Emeritus and former Chairman of The American Museum-Hayden Planetarium, along with being a science teacher for many years, adds credence to his books. Two books that add extra credibility are Mission to Mars with a forward by Neil Armstrong and The International Space Station that has an introduction by Mercury Astronaut, Scott Carpenter. The accuracy of Branley’s books comes in factual information given to the reader in a smoothly written explanation of each concept explored, along with detailed illustrations to help visually explain the concept. An example of this accuracy happens at the beginning of The International Space Station, as he begins his book with specific dates and names. “In December of 1988 two astronauts floating in outer space fastened together the first two parts of the International Space Station. The Russian part was called Zarya, which means “sunrise.” The American part was called Unity. Together, Zarya and Unity were as tall as a seven-story building and weighed 77,000 pounds.”(pg 3) He then grabs the reader with “But that was just the beginning.” (pg 3)OrganizationBranley’s writing does not exactly fit the typical nonfiction book where you canpick and choose what you want to read. it is written in more of a flowing narrativeexplanation, leading the reader from one page to the next, continually building onprevious given information. The layout of the text is logically sequenced. An exampleof this can be seen in The Moon Seems to Change. In this A Let’s-Read-and Find-Out-Book, Branley again begins his book as if talking right to the reader, “Tonight take a lookat the sky. See if the moon is there.” (pg 2) Once he has established what the book is about, he then begins to explain the concept more in depth using succinct text and easy toread diagrams. As each page turns, the concept of the moons phases is further explained detailing the complexity of how the moon rotates around the earth, to how the earth and moon rotate around the sun in hours and days and weeks, coming out at the end of the book with a simple question again of, “Which phase of the moon can you see tonight?” (pg.30) Branley does not use any reference aids such as subheadings, table of contents, indexes, or glossaries. Branley aids the reader through his continual use of diagrams and labeling.DesignThe design of Branley’s books becomes more attractive and inviting with eachnew book. He has even remade some of his earlier books such as Sunshine Makes TheSeason originally produced in 1974, and revising and releasing it in 1985. The illustrations complement the text. Each page is done in a picture book style giving abundant visual clues to further explain the text. The type is large enough for earlyreaders, along with the texture of the paper being a heavier, thicker grade for more easeand durability in handling. The shape and size of each book is small enough for little hands with covers being a visual prelude to the pages in between. The endpapers in Mission to Mars gives a visual view of Mars surface enticing the reader to look further.StyleBranley has a very distinctive style of writing. He takes what can be a very complex concept and lays it out in very simple terminology. He begins with a statementsometimes challenging, as in Mission to Mars, “…In this century, you may become the first person to walk on Mars.” (pg. 4), sometimes evoking curiosity as in, The International Space Station, “But that was just the beginning.” (pg.3), and sometimes making you wonder as in The Moon Seems To Change, “Tonight take a look at the sky.See if the moon is there.” (pg 2) The reader is taken full circle through a concept and Branley leaves the reader with either a question as in The Moon Seems To Change,“Which phase of the moon can you see tonight?” (pg 30), a statement of comfort as inFlash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll, “But there’s no reason for us to fear storms. We know what makes thunder and lightning. And we know how to keep safe.”(pg 31), or with something to ponder as in The International Space Station, “Someday you may be a crew member aboard to International Space Station.” (pg 31) and as in Mission to Mars, “Youmight become an engineer at the Moon Base or the International Space Station. You might even set out on another mission to Mars.” (pg 30) Branley makes his books interesting and lively taking you by the hand and walking you through each page andeach piece of explanation. Along with just enough repetitive jargon to help solidify aconcept and idea, Branley gives kids an experiment to try to help bring furtherunderstanding and engage the readers curiosity and wonder in some of his books. Examples of this include learning to gage the distance of a storm, Branley explains the counting rule to see how far away a storm is in, Flash, Crash, Rumble, and Roll. In The Moon Seems to Change, he gives the reader an experiment using an orange to learn about the rotation and phases of the moon, and in The International Space Station there is an experiment on how to grow crystals.ReviewsEach of Branley’s books brings with it positive reviews and backs up this writersthoughts and views. School Library Journal says of Mission to Mars, “The renowned science writer posthumously invites readers to set their sights on the high frontier by envisioning themselves as members of the first Mars Mission's crew.” Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition. The International Space Station is described by Booklist as, “Clear writing and excellent diagrams combine to make the basics of this complex program understandable to fairly young children. The presentation of technological material to an interested but unsophisticated audience can be difficult, but Branley and Kelley have shown a good grasp of what to include and what to leave out. Kelley's artwork, evidently ink and watercolor, maintains a fine balance of beauty, clarity, and child appeal. Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to the Hardcover edition. School Library Journal says of The Moon Seems to Change, “Each page has colorful explanatory illustrations. Simon's The Moon (Four Winds, 1984) is more detailed and has exceptional photographs, but Branley's brief-easy-to-read text and the Emberleys' diagrams make this book a welcome addition to science collections for young children or the picture book section.” Alice R. Arnett, Greenwood Elementary School, Louisville, Ky. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.—School Library Journal again concurs with this writer’s thoughts and stated views of Flash, Crash, Rumble and Roll when it says, “The text contains minor revisions, and Kelley’s watercolor illustrations are bright and appealing. Diagrams are clearer and labeling promotes easier interpretation. Also included, for active home investigators (or enthusiastic classroom teachers), is a page containing two simple weather experiments and a list of three Internet weather sites. Nicely done.” Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. As for the revised book Sunshine Makes The Seasons, School Library Journal says it is, “A simply stated and carefully illustrated experiment using an orange, a pencil and a flashlight to help children actually see the differences on earth caused by the tilt of the earth as it rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun is particularly useful.” Eunice Weech, M. L. King Elementary School, Urbana, Ill. Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.OverviewOverall, Franklyn M. Branley, is a good example of what makes a goodnonfiction writer. He is a qualified, organized writer with an engaging style that makeslearning a new concept fun for kids. His books seem to fall somewhere in-between Concept Books, explaining basic information about a single topic in an interesting manner, to Survey Books, where he acquaints the reader with a topic.