Krull, Kathleen. 2003. HARVESTING HOPE: THE STORY OF CESAR CHAVEZ. Illustrated by Yuyi Morales. New York: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152014373.
This picture book, a partial biography, paints the life of Cesar Chavez through the beautiful illustrations done in acrylic. Cesar Chavez was happy as a young boy, growing up on an 80 acre ranch in the Arizona desert. When he was ten, a terrible drought began to suck the life out of the land. It wasn�t long before his family gave up their struggle to hold onto the ranch and headed for California looking for work like so many others. He and his family now became migrant workers, instead of working for themselves, they worked for others who were cruel and uncaring. They lived in conditions of filth and much overcrowding. No longer did they have an abundance of food and found themselves living off �dandelion greens gathered along the road.� (pg 9). No matter how they tried to save money thinking they would one day head home to Arizona again and buy back their ranch, it became obvious with the passing of time that they would never go home again. Not only was Cesar living in poor conditions he was also ridiculed in school by his teacher. By the end of eighth grade, Cesar left school to help work in the fields to food on his family�s table. Work conditions for migrant workers only worsened over the years. Chavez decided it was time to take a stand. He worked hard to get other migrant workers to join in his cause for better conditions. When speaking, Chavez proved to be someone others listened to. He preached nonviolence remembering lessons and values his mother had taught him as a boy. His fight began with a single vineyard landowner and as the grapes began to rot on the vines the landowner began to listen more intently. Chavez organized a march covering more than 300 miles to head towards the state capitol. Bleeding blisters began to develop on the marcher�s feet, but they continued with the help of farm workers along the way. Everywhere they stopped, Chavez wove his words into the listener�s ears, all the while, the grapes rotting on the vines, began to make a large impact in the landowners thinking. Chavez created the National Farm Workers Association and went on fighting causes for other migrant workers. �Cesar Chavez had won this fight � without violence- and he would never be powerless again.� (pg 42). The depth of information in this picture book lets the reader follow a time in Cesar Chavez�s life when he made a difference for so many. Without references to back up where the information came, one could question the authenticity of the book. Chavez�s life reads like a story and leads you to ask how much is real and how much is fiction? Booklist also wraps this book up by saying, �� Morales' gorgeous paintings, with their rounded, organic forms and lush, gemstone hues, more than make up for glitches as they draw children deeply into an inspiring picture-book account of a young boy who grew up to change the world. Traci Todd
Copyright � American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Staley, Diane. 1998. JOAN OF ARC. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688143296.
One hundred years of war and all its suffering is laid out in this picture book biography. Who would believe that a little peasant girl would have such an impact on the course of France and England? Born around 1412, Jeannette, one of five children, was a different short of child. At the age of 13, Joan began to hear voices and soon realized that angels were coming to visit her. It was through these voices and visions that Joan was convinced to take part in the war with her first undertaking being to convince Charles of his course in life which was to become the true crowned King. It wasn�t long before Joan�s reputation preceded her. She became known as the �saintly Maid of God� (pg 19). No matter where Joan traveled, she brought hope for peace and a resolution to what the people believed was to be an end to the war. As time progressed her voices warned her of her downfall. Once the English captured her it wasn�t long before her life spiraled to its conclusion. During the course of her trial, not being able to demean her, it was decided that she was to be cut off from the Church, thus giving England total power over her destiny. In the end it was decided to burn her at the stake. The one person she felt who would come to her aide, Charles, never did intervene. It was 25 years after her death when a second verdict cleared Joan�s name. This book is written from the transcripts from her trial and gives the reader an accurate and in-depth look at Joan. The acrylic color illustrations take the reader one step past the text to see beyond what the words are able to express. Placing the text and illustrations on the thick smooth textured paper, outlined in gold, adds to the era of the time that the book entails. Staley backs up the authenticity of the book through her stated resources in her bibliography, and offers the reader other readings for more sources on Joan. School Library Journal goes on to say, �This narrative description of the greatest of French saints is a work of art, a good story, and a model of historical writing.
Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Giblin, James Cross. 2002. THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ADOLF HITLER. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395903718.
Who was this man that changed a nation and terrorized a people? Giblin paints Hitler�s life from beginning to end through his �crimes against humanity.� (pg 2) in this complete biography. Publishers Weekly fine tunes Hitler when it states, Giblin offers an absorbing portrait of an enigmatic leader who loved dogs and opera but could also order the extermination of millions of innocent people. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. �The Table of Contents reads almost like a mini series of events to come � �Young Adolf; Homeless in Vienna; The Power of Speech; Arrested; Before the Storm; The Last Offensive; Hitler Lives.� In chapter two you learn of Hitler�s doting mother, his abusive father, and the pain in Hitler�s childhood. As you look into the innocent face of Hitler�s baby picture taken from the National Archives, you begin to see the innocent child that once was. This glimpse of innocence is carried on through his early years. Adolf wanted desperately to become an artist, but suffered the blunt criticisms and rejection of being turned down from art school and then the loss of his mother to cancer. Things began to look up for Hitler when he enlisted in the army. He was no longer homeless and had square meals to eat everyday. He fought for Germany, but at the end of the war, Germany had been defeated and the country he loved so much was disintegrating. It wasn�t long before Hitler proved to be a powerfully motivating speaker. Using exact verbiage to help describe this power he was beginning to have on the people Giblin inserts an evaluation written about Hitler stating, �Herr Hitler is a born people�s speaker�He clearly compels the attention of his listeners, and makes them think his way.� (pg 26) You now begin to see the hold he had on the peoples minds. He created his party, National Socialist German Workers� Party (the Nazi Party), and began to rise in power. He emulated Mussolini and modeled himself after him. There were those in Germany who believed Hitler was someone to be stopped. Hitler�s arrest was another pivotal point in his life. While jailed he had the opportunity to fine tune his memoirs which helped him visualize what he felt was his destiny. Even while at the height of his power, some in his inner circle were planning his demise. After the attempt on his life, Hitler felt compelled to give a radio address where he said, �I speak to you today for two reasons,�� �First, so that you may hear my voice and know that I am uninjured and well, and secondly, so that you may learn the details about a crime like no other in German history.� (pg 191) When the war turned and Germany could no longer hold its own, Hitler was finally resigned to accept his defeat. There is still some speculation today as to where and how his life ended. Today, there are those who believe in Hitler�s doctrine (the Neo Nazis). The end of the book states it well when Giblin writes, �The challenge to the world�s peoples couldn�t be clearer. Now and in the future, every possible step must be taken to ensure that the Fuhrer�s final predictions never come true.� (pg 223) Giblin weaves Hitler�s exact words with ease throughout the book, bringing realism to the text, letting Hitler�s words speak for themselves. Actual pictures help add depth and credence to the text along with a very detailed source of notes by chapter. School Library Journal adds to this by saying, �Good-quality photos, political cartoons, and reproductions augment the text. A biography in the truest sense, this is a terrifying must for all libraries.
Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. The glossary of terms and the index wraps up some of the essential elements that help make this book real.