Murphy, Jim. 2003. AN AMERICAN PLAGUE:THE TRUE AND TERRIFYING STORY OF THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395776082.
This book tells �The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793.� As I read this book I began to understand why it had three awards: Newberry Honor Book, The Robert F. Sibert Medal, and the National Book Award Finalist. As I turned the pages and delved deeper into the chapters, I was overcome with the ignorance of the time. So many with big egos made bad decisions as to the treatment or even the belief of what the disease was at the expense of so many lives. The connection between this tragedy and todays AIDS Epidemic seem to have many similarities. Society has not changed much since the late 1700�s. We still have those who jump on the bandwagons, those who look the other way, some that run and hide and some who contradict everything. I was pulled from chapter to chapter hoping someone would come to his/her senses and realize the simple solution to the problem. School Library Journal wrote: �Murphy chronicles this frightening time with solid research and a flair for weaving facts into fascinating stories, beginning with the fever's emergence on August 3, when a young French sailor died in Richard Denny's boardinghouse on North Water Street.� Murphy�s, detail, facts, and accounts, are all brought to life with Murphy�s personal touch of voice, to make you believe you were a part of the time. As all good nonfiction, as mentioned in School Library Journal, Murphy brings authenticity to his writing through the many sources and acknowledgements supplied in the back of the book. As an added bonus, he supplies a reading list of other books about other plagues.
Fritz, Jean. 1989. THE GREAT LITTLE MADISON. New York: G.P. Putnam�s Sons. ISBN 0399217681.
From the beginning, Fritz does not mix words. He describes Madison with depth and clarity, leaving you with no disillusion as to who Madison was and what he became. This book became even more vivid for me after reading An American Plague and connecting the time with Madison. The delicate balance this nation teetered on, is vividly portrayed through the accounts of Madison�s life and the times of this nations growth. Fritz takes you behind the scenes as you walk in the shadow of Madison as you follow him through his life. I have a much different picture of Jefferson, Hamilton and Adams, with a much greater respect for Madison. He persevered over his short comings � his height and his lack of voice. Fritz painted Madison with brilliance, giving you a glimpse of a brilliant mind that analyzed and planned and helped set a solid foundation for this country. As with the previous book, I am once again reminded how similar people are today to the people of past times. Politics has not changed since the first congress met, argued, debated and came to some decision. Have we grown as a country? Are we stronger today? With all that we are encountering today with being politically correct are we still supporting a strong foundation or whittling away at our very foundation? These and other questions are raised after reading this book. Publisher�s Weekly states it well when it writes, �In her characteristic way of bringing history to life, Fritz writes in a highly engaging, entertaining manner, providing vivid descriptions of Madison�� By the end of this novel, you felt you were personally introduced to Madison and walked in the times of our nations first struggles to become a union. The bibliography, notes and acknowledgements, and pictures of original documents, help solidify the authenticity
of this book.
Jenkins, Steve. 1999. THE TOP OF THE WORLD: CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395942187.
For all the simplicity of this picture book, the thorough detailed account of the mountain takes you on an expedition. As Jenkins takes you up the mountain, you can almost feel the cold and the lack of oxygen from the height. From the pages which describe what supplies you would need to take, to the description of the altitude being the same as you would cruise on a passenger jet, to rivers of ice that shift and change, and the extreme cold, you either want to make such a trip or you are so grateful your feet are on the ground at sea level. Jenkins helps you understand the sheer joy of reaching the summit and all the danger along the way. This book is written in language elementary children can understand. The facts presented in the back: �Youngest climber to reach the top: 16; Number of climbers to die on the mountain: 161��, are facts young children can understand. The illustrations done in collage, appear 3-D and make you feel you can almost walk into the picture, or at least touch it. Library Journal states, �Breathtaking cut-paper collages capture the dramatic vistas and the frightening realities of high-altitude climbs.� This is an excellent book to help kids appreciate the wonder and danger of nature�s forces.
Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2002. WHEN MARIAN SANG:THE TRUE RECITAL OF MARIAN ANDERSON: THE VOICE OF A CENTURY. Illustrated by Brian Selznick. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439269679.
The acrylic, tepid colors help give this picture book biography a softness, and a richness of depth to match the life of one of the world�s greatest singers. Ryan takes you on a quick tour of Marian Anderson�s life. She dips you into the early 1900�s when this country was not kind to color and takes you on Marion�s journey as she reaches for her life�s dream. Determination, perseverance, and the love and support of family are strong themes throughout this book. Library School Journal states it well when they describe this book with the following words, �As the book opens, the theater curtains part to reveal a girl singing in a window, framed in light. The title page is a concert program. The foreshadowing, tightly controlled recapitulation of themes, and stylized scenes (frequently incorporating stages) combine to suggest a performance.� This biography is written with children in mind. The language is understandable, the story line easy to follow, and a life laid out in simple quarters to digest along the way. The timeline of dates in the back of the book depicting Marian Anderson�s life help paint a vivid picture of this incredible life.