YA Literature Module 6: Informational Books

 

 #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women 

Edited by: Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale 

Bibliography: Charleyboy, L., & Leatherdale, M. B. (2017). #notyourprincess. Annick Press. 

ISBN: 978-1554519576 

Plot Summary: #NotYourPrincess is a collection of stories, poems, art, and other written works by Indigenous women about their life experiences. Some of the entries focus on the writer’s heritage and important traditions, while others focus on the abuse and violence they or their loved ones have faced. Some entries feature the accomplishments and many talents of Indigenous women through photographs, interviews, and biographies. All of the components of this collection highlight the many facets of Indigenous culture and provides thoughtful insight into the experiences of Indigenous women. 

Critical Analysis: #NotYourPrincess is an important look into the often misunderstood or appropriated Indigenous cultures, specifically highlighting Indigenous women. The varied format of each entry in this collection makes it unique and inspiring, as it gives the reader a close look at the individual experiences of many Indigenous women. Some are two-page spreads that look similar to a magazine feature or photo essay, and some are short but powerful poems about the oppression and mistreatment many Indigenous women have faced. The editors’ choice to mix all of the formats together results in a compelling and memorable reading experience that reflects the diversity within Indigenous culture itself. Every contributor to this collection has their name featured as well as their Indigenous tribe, leaving an important reminder to the reader that Indigenous culture is diverse and vast. Readers are also reminded that Indigenous culture is not of the past, but is existing right now as well, and there are powerful and confident women sharing their experiences in real and insightful ways. This collection leaves readers with a more informed and hopefully more compassionate of the experiences of Indigenous women. 

Awards and Recognition: 

CCBC Choices Selection, 2018 

American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner, 2018 

YALSA Nonfiction Award Finalist, 2018 

Norma Fleck Award Winner, 2018 

Review Excerpts: 

From Kirkus Reviews: “Original and accessible, both an exuberant work of art and a uniquely valuable resource.” 

From School Library Journal: “Honest portrayals of strong, hopeful, and courageous indigenous youth living non-stereotypical lives. Not to be missed.” 

Connections: Readers who want to learn more about Indigenous experiences and stories will want to check out Dreaming in Indian and Urban Tribes, both edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, the editors of #NotYourPrincess. Another story of true lived experiences by Indigenous people is Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation by Monique Gray Smith. On a different note, Trickster by Matt Dembicki is a collection of Native American traditional tales retold in comic form. Another way readers can connect to this collection is to research a contributor to the #NotYourPrincess collection and create a biography representation about her. 

 

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart 

Written by: Candace Fleming 

Bibliography: Fleming, C., & Hische, J. (2011). Amelia lost: The life and disappearance of amelia earhart. Schwartz & Wade Books. 

ISBN: 978-0375841989 

Plot Summary: Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart is a biography about the famous and adventurous pilot, Amelia Earhart. The biography takes the reader from Amelia’s childhood, journey to becoming a world-famous pilot, and what would tragically be her final flight as she attempted to fly around the world. Author Candace Fleming provides a glimpse into Amelia’s childhood, highlighting the events and family dynamics that resulted in her moving around the country often as a child. The majority of the biography focuses on Amelia’s career as a pilot and the ways in which she broke world records and inspired women and girls to aim for their dreams. The book also discusses the many people who worked with Amelia throughout her career, including engineers, mechanics, and her husband, who was instrumental in creating her public image and finding opportunities to showcase her talents. The details lead up to Amelia’s final flight, as she attempts to fly around the globe with navigator Fred Noonan. Information is shared about the search for the missing pilots and their plane, as well as the global impact her disappearance had around the world. 

Critical Analysis: Author Candace Fleming does an outstanding job of highlighting the many details and nuances of Amelia Earhart’s life and career as a pilot. While many people are familiar with the name Amelia Earhart and her many accomplishments, as well as her mysterious disappearance, the insight usually stops at the surface level. This biography goes into further detail about her life experiences and the way that she had to create a specific public image in order to get the opportunities to fulfill her dreams of flying, including her unique relationship with her husband George Putnam. Fleming creates a well-rounded look into Amelia’s life, using first-hand accounts and interviews from people who knew and worked with Amelia to fill in the details about her life. In this way, Fleming creates a portrait of Amelia Earhart that goes deeper than the surface and shines a spotlight on the multi-faceted ins and outs of Amelia Earhart’s life and career. Included in the text are photographs with detailed captions, as well as text boxes with related facts that help the reader understand the time period, such as information explaining about radios from that time. Additionally, the biography begins with Amelia’s disappearance and then works backwards, starting at her childhood, with chapters interspersed that go back to the frantic moments leading up to and during her disappearance and subsequent search. This choice keeps the momentum of the book at a rapid pace and keeps the reader engaged and eager to see how all the parts of Amelia’s life and career lead to this moment. 

Awards and Recognition: 

Golden Kite Award Nonfiction Winner, 2012 

ALSC Notable Children’s Books Commended, 2012 

Orbis Pictus Award Honor, 2012 

CCBC Choices Selection, 2012 

Review Excerpts: 

From Kirkus Reviews: "Handwritten notes, photos, maps and inquisitive sidebars (What did Earhart eat during flight? Tomato juice and chocolate) complete this impeccably researched, appealing package. A stunning look at an equally stunning lady." 

From Horn Book Magazine: "The book’s structure and scope, along with the story’s inherent drama, provide a taut, cinematic backdrop for the history of Earhart’s doomed flight." 

Connections: There are many connection activities that readers can participate in with this biography, including studying maps of Amelia Earhart’s famous flights, researching her disappearance further, and learning more about other famous aviators. Some texts that can assist readers in this research include American Wings: Chicago’s Pioneering Black Aviators by Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein and The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh by Candace Fleming. Readers can also learn how to use coordinates on a map and create their own model airplane using everyday materials. 

Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein 

Written by: Lita Judge 

Bibliography: Judge, L. (2018). Mary’s monster: Love, madness, and how Mary Shelley created Frankenstein. Roaring Brook Press. 

ISBN: 978-1626725003 

Plot Summary: Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein is a biography of Mary Shelley, written in graphic novel format. The biography uses pictures and lyrical writing to provide details about Mary’s early life, tumultuous relationship with Percy Shelley, and creation of the classic novel, Frankenstein. The biography recounts how Mary was mistreated and unwanted by her stepmother and had a complicated relationship with Percy Shelley, whom she eventually ran away with while she was pregnant and he was married. The biography goes into further detail about Mary’s confusion and hurt when Percy changes from loving and devoted to becoming moody, distant, and erratic, as well as her multiple losses of her child, and describes how she creates the story Frankenstein as a way to channel her grief and the many parts of herself that she is able to express through her writing. The story ends with a detailed author’s note and gives brief but insightful information about the people mentioned throughout the biography. 

Critical Analysis: Mary’s Monster takes a unique approach in telling the story of Mary Shelley, with haunting black and white illustrations dominating the pages and lyrical writing bringing the reader into Mary’s world. All of these elements come together to piece together the tumultuous life Mary Shelley lived, giving the reader important insight into the events that shaped her life. While many readers are familiar with the classic novel Frankenstein, there are many details included in this biography that paint a more detailed picture of the hardships and relationships of Mary’s life. Author Lita Judge expertly creates a dark and haunting mood with her sensory language and poetic prose, and the illustrations add to the sense of melancholy throughout the text. While it is at times hard to read about the traumatic events that occurred throughout Mary Shelley’s life, all of these details are important in understanding who Mary Shelley was and the events that shaped her and led to the creation of a classic novel that has remained prevalent hundreds of years later. 

Awards and Recognition: 

CCBC Choices Selection, 2019 

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Biography Selection, 2019 

Review Excerpts: 

From Booklist: “[T]his is a stirring, impeccably researched portrait of a remarkable woman and her literary 'progeny.' Much like Mary, Judge forges a Creature all her own.” 

From School Library Journal: “Readers will be enthralled by the dark and exacting verse, beautifully accompanied by haunting black-and-white watercolor spreads. . . A must-purchase.” 

Connections: One connection activity would be to read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, now that the reader has a better understanding of the author behind the famous novel. Another book about the life of Mary Shelley includes Hideous Love by Stephanie Hemphill. Readers may enjoy a retelling of Frankenstein in Kiersten White’s The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein or This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee, or Frankenstein-like story in Clay by David Almond.