Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - Two Very Different but Similar Stories

When I started to put this post together, I was thinking about books I had recently purchased and read. On the surface, each book appeared to be very different. One was about Ben Franklin & a Frenchman named Dr. Mesmer, and the other about Robert Miller, a.k.a. Count Victor Lustig.

However as I started thinking about them a bit more, I realized that the books were quite similar. Both books have France as a common location (at least for some part of the story), and both books deal with the gullibility of individuals.  In MESMERIZED, readers get a lesson in scientific method, as Ben Franklin seeks to reveal the truth behind Dr. Mesmer's "ability" to cure people. In TRICKY VIC, readers are introduced to a man who was not only able to "sell" the Eiffel Tower but also con the infamous, Al Capone. 

Written for similar age audiences, each book provides teachers and readers with a wealth of information for discussion and also a look at the challenges in writing nonfiction books when even primary sources can be a bit unreliable. Additionally, both books marry text and illustrations in a way that are essential to the story. Finally, MESMERIZED and TRICKY VIC provide students with different approaches for writing biographical stories and would be excellent mentor texts.  

Note: This is one of those times when I realized that any review that I could write would not live up to the reviews done by others. Please see the links listed below the book information, which will take you to some well written reviews and interviews. 

Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery That Baffled All of France
by Mara Rockliff; Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
Candlewick Press (March 10, 2015)
Audience: Grades 1 to 4
History * Scientific Method * Biographical
Indiebound | WorldCat

Links worth checking out: Shelf Awareness Review & Interview 

Description from GoodReads: 
Discover how Benjamin Franklin’s scientific method challenged a certain Dr. Mesmer’s mysterious powers in a whimsical look at a true moment in history.

The day Ben Franklin first set foot in Paris, France, he found the city all abuzz. Everyone was talking about something new. Remarkable. Thrilling. Strange. Something called Science!

But soon the straightforward American inventor Benjamin Franklin is upstaged by a compelling and enigmatic figure: Dr. Mesmer. In elaborately staged shows, Mesmer, wearing a fancy coat of purple silk and carrying an iron wand, convinces the people of Paris that he controls a magic force that can make water taste like a hundred different things, cure illness, and control thoughts! But Ben Franklin is not convinced. Will his practical approach of observing, hypothesizing, and testing get to the bottom of the mysterious Mesmer’s tricks? A rip-roaring, lavishly illustrated peek into a fascinating moment in history shows the development and practice of the scientific method—and reveals the amazing power of the human mind.

Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower
by Greg Pizzoli
Viking Books for Young Readers (March 10, 2015)
Audience: Grades 2 to 4
History * Law & Crime * Biographical
IndieBound | WorldCat

Links worth checking out: 100 Scopenotes Review of Tricky Vic | Seven Impossible Things - The Making of Tricky Vic | Design of the Picture Book Review of Tricky Vic

Description from Goodreads: 
In the early 1900s, Robert Miller, a.k.a. “Count Victor Lustig,” moved to Paris hoping to be an artist. A con artist, that is. He used his ingenious scams on unsuspecting marks all over the world, from the Czech Republic, to Atlantic ocean liners, and across America. Tricky Vic pulled off his most daring con in 1925, when he managed to "sell" the Eiffel Tower to one of the city’s most successful scrap metal dealers! Six weeks later, he tried to sell the Eiffel Tower all over again. Vic was never caught. For that particular scam, anyway. . . .
 
Kids will love to read about Vic's thrilling life, and teachers will love the informational sidebars and back matter. Award-winner Greg Pizzoli’s humorous and vibrant graphic style of illustration mark a bold approach to picture book biography.

Don't forget to link up your reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: The Baseball Edition

Each year, I do some type of baseball post. I marvel that baseball far surpasses other sports in the number of picture books, early chapter books, and novels for children and teens that are published. I know I am a little biased, but every year when I look at new releases, baseball still leads the pack.

This year, Matt Tavares is back with another baseball picture book biography. This one is about Pedro Martínez, his relationship with his brother Ramon, and the journey to the major leagues from the Dominican Republic. I have also included a couple of other baseball titles to check out and also links to past posts. 

Growing Up Pedro: How the Martinez Brothers Made It from the
Dominican Republic All the Way to the Major Leagues
by Matt Tavares
Candlewick Press (February 10, 2015)
Audience: Grades 3 to 7
Nonfiction * Biography * Baseball
IndieBound | WoldCat

Quick Thoughts on this book:
There is no denying that Matt Tavares loves baseball.  He has written and illustrated at least 7 picture books with the theme of baseball.  His most recent biography on Pedro Martínez follows in form and style as his biographies about Ted Williams and Babe Ruth. Also, in similar fashion, Tavares focuses on a specific aspect of the ball player's life and career. In this case, Tavares looks at the relationship between Pedro and his brother Ramon and how Pedro's dream of playing in the major league with his brother eventually came true. 

For more information about the book including teacher's guide, check out the publisher's page . For more information about Matt Tavares, check out his website.

Official Book Trailer:

A 3-minute drawing less with Matt Tavares:

Candlewick's Five Questions (Plus One) with Matt Tavares:

And not to forget the women of baseball...

Queen of the Diamond: The Lizzie Murphy Story
by Emily Arnold Murphy
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (February 17, 2015)
Audience: Kindergarten to 3rd
Nonfiction * Biography * Baseball * Women's History
IndieBound | WorldCat

Quick thoughts on this book: 
Another aspect of baseball that fascinates me is how women have played a significant role in the history of baseball. New to me was the inclusion of Lizzie Murphy as an actual baseball player in the first half of the 20th century. Murphy played professional baseball from 1918 to 1935. When Lizzie realized that people were coming to see her play and yet she wasn't receiving a share of the collection, she took a stand "no pay, no play". This resulted in her receiving similar shares to the men on her team.  Definitely a biography to add to a classroom or school library.

For more information about the book, check out the publisher's website.

If you missed these 2014 nonfiction picture book baseball releases, add them to your pile:

Baseball Is.... by Louise Borden; Illustrated by Raul Colón (Margaret K. McElderry, February 18, 2014)

The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America's Hero by Barb Rosenstock; Illustrated by Terry Widener (Calkins Creeks, March 1, 2014)

Below are some of the previous posts that I have done around baseball books both fiction and nonfiction:

Review of There Goes Ted Williams

Common Core IRL: Baseball Edition

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2013 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game - Books on Baseball

Last week, I was unable to to do a nonfiction post. If you want, please link up twice with last week's link and then this week's link:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: April New Releases

As part of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, I do my best to round-up as many new quality nonfiction books for children and share them with readers of this blog.  Some months, I miss the release of books and add them to the next month's post. Though I have not read all of these titles yet, I will be on the lookout for them.  Hope this is a helpful resource for you, since I know that this is an extremely useful resource for me. ~ Happy Reading!

Links to previous 2015 new release posts: January | February | March 

Here are some new releases coming out this month. So many interesting ones this month:

April 1, 2015

The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton, Illustrated by Don Tate (Erdmans)

April 14, 2015

High Tide for Horseshoe Crabs by Lisa Kahn Schnell; Illustrated by Alan Marks (Charlesbridge)

A Nest is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston; Illustrated by Sylvia Long (Chronicle Books)

Sea Bones by Bob Barner (Chronicle Books)

Trapped! A Whale's Rescue by Robert Burleigh; Illustrated by Wendell Minor (Charlesbridge)

Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews, Illustrated by Bryan Collier (Abrams Books for Young Readers)

April 21, 2015

Elvis: The Story of the Rock and Roll King by Bonnie Christensen, illustrated by (Henry Holt & Co.)

April 28, 2015

The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist by Margarita Engle, Illustrated by Aliona Bereghici (Two Lions)

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

An InLinkz Link-up

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Mini Reviews

As part of the nonfiction picture book challenge, each week, I try to share as many new books as possible. Though I cannot review each and everyone in great detail, I am hoping that mini-reviews will provide some highlights to help you make decisions as to what to read. 

Here is what jumped out of the pile from this week:

Egg: Nature's Perfect Package by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page (HMH Books for Young Readers, March 3, 2015) - Jenkins and Page have worked together on a number of books. Each one seems to be as good if not better than the previous one. Their new collaborative book looks at the size of eggs, where they are laid, egg eaters, how many are laid at one time, and much, much more. The end contains information about each animal and it's eggs, along with some additional reading sources. Informative, engaging, and one for your classroom or school library.  Discussion guide located on the publisher's website here.

Sweep Up the Sun by Helen Frost; Photographs by Rick Lieder (Candlewick, March 10, 2015) - When I saw this one at ALA Midwinter I was so excited. I loved Step Gently Out by Frost & Lieder. The photographs are beautiful and the verse text is lyrical. This would make a wonderful read aloud or mentor text for writing. 

A Nest is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston; Illustrated by Sylvia Long (Chronicle Books, April  14, 2015) - Maybe because I read this one after reading EGG, but eggs and nests go together, right? Very different style from Jenkins & Page, but Aston & Long have another great book with NEST.  This series is wonderful and I have enjoyed each and every book.  The language is rich and wonderful to explore with children and would be a great mentor text for writing. Though I was sad not to see any of the resources I have come to expect at the end of informational books,  this one is still worth adding to your collection. The Chronicle Books webpage does include a teacher's guide with some extension activities, click here. 

Toad Weather by Sandra Markle; Illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez (Peachtree Publishers, March 1 , 2015) - I am a fan of Markle's work and I was super excited to read this one. It wasn't exactly what I expected but it was special nonetheless. A young girl goes on an adventure with her mother and grandmother and is treated to a special treat - a migration of baby toads.   Sandra's website included some Toad Weather fun, click here. Peachtree Publisher has a teacher's guide for the book as well, here.

Spectacular Spots by Susan Stockdale (Peachtree Publishers, March  1, 2015) - This book may seem like a simple read aloud for very young children, but if that is all you used it for then you would be missing so many opportunities.  The text makes great use of verbs and may expose some children to new vocabulary.  The resources at the end provide readers with more information about the animals, and teachers can discuss with children how spots can help animals camouflage themselves. Peachtree Publishers includes a teacher's guide for the book on here. 

My Name is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth by Ann Turner; Illustrated by James Ransome (HarperCollins, January 20, 2015) - I have read a number of picture book biographies on Sojourner Truth. Each one overlaps some details but then provides a new slant on the life of this incredible woman. In this biography, Turner focuses on where Sojourner Truth came from and how that built the foundation for her eventually life's work as a preacher. The author note provides more background information for readers. 

Mahalia Jackson: Walking With Kings and Queens by Nina Nolan; Illustrated by John Holyfield (Amistad, January 27, 2015) - I had limited knowledge of Mahalia Jackson but after reading this picture book biography I had some new insight and an interest in learning more about the Queen of Gospel. A chronological timeline and some additional resources are included at the end of the book. 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews:

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Fatal Fever Blog Tour

Fatal Fever: Tracking Down Typhoid Mary
by Gail Jarrow
Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills Press (March 10, 2015)
Audience: Grades 5 to 12
Nonfiction * Epidemics * Disease Control
WorldCat | IndieBound

When I was approached by Boyds Mills Press to be a part of this blog tour, I knew a certain 14 year old who would love to interview Gail.  So, today I welcome author Gail Jarrow to Kid Lit Frenzy and thank you Jax for handling the interview.  

Jax had previously red Gail's Red Madness and found it extremely fascinating. She had a chance to read an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of Fatal Fever.  As with Red Madness, Jax felt that Fatal Fever keeps readers engaged and interested and on the edge of their seats. Jax loved how Gail clearly articulates thoughts and concepts and felt that she learned a lot about Typhoid Mary and looks forward to reading more from Gail.

Thank you Jax for the interview questions and thank you Gail for your fabulous responses.  

What got you interested in writing  about epidemics?
When I was in 8th grade, I won a prize in my school science fair. It was a book called “Giants of Medicine”  about the scientists who discovered cures for various diseases. I’ve been fascinated by epidemics ever since.   I decided to write a trilogy about the doctors and public health experts who fought disease in the early 1900s. Those years were a turning point in medicine. [The final book in the trilogy is about bubonic plague.]

....and about Typhoid Mary?
As I was doing research for RED MADNESS, about pellagra, I read that typhoid fever sickened many Americans during the same period. Typhoid Mary became a symbol of the disease, and I wanted to find out more about her.  I heard from a friend that my hometown of Ithaca, New York, had experienced a typhoid epidemic in 1903. When I looked into it, I discovered that the same man who tracked down Typhoid Mary had helped Ithaca end its outbreak.  I knew I had the subject of my next book!
 
How long does it take to gather all of the information/research? 
For about a year, I read about Typhoid Mary and  typhoid fever epidemics in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I interviewed scientists and read their research papers so that I could understand the disease. I went to the New York City area where much of the book’s action takes place. 

...and how do you decide on what goes into the book? 
In the beginning chapters, I wanted to show that typhoid outbreaks were common in 1900. Chances are good that one of your ancestors had the disease or personally knew someone who did.   I included the chapters about the Ithaca epidemic to give readers a close-up look at  typhoid fever’s devastating effect on individuals, families, and communities. Those tragedies  explain why people like George Soper and Josephine Baker worked so hard to stop the outbreaks. 

...and what is left out?
I found two problems in writing a nonfiction book about Typhoid Mary. One, we don’t have too much solid information about her. Two, everyone involved in her story died long ago. Over the years, many  myths  about her have circulated. I only included what I could confirm with  reliable sources  such as her writings or those  of people who actually knew her.
 
I also left out the more complicated scientific facts about typhoid fever.  I learned as much as possible so that I could  explain the disease to readers. But some of the information is only interesting and understandable to medical experts. Any reader who wants to learn more will check out my bibliography.

Where do you get all of the photographs?
I looked through collections of medical photographs, past and present; century-old books, magazines, and newspapers; history museums and archives; and the Library of Congress.
 
What grossed you out the most in writing about Typhoid Mary?
Because I studied zoology in college, I don’t often get grossed out by gruesome medical details.  For instance, I didn’t mind reading about how typhoid bacteria attack the body. What bothered me was thinking about how the disease spreads. As one scientist wrote in the early 1900s: “Dirt, diarrhea and dinner too often get sadly confused.” You can bet I wash my hands before eating and cooking! And in a restaurant, I  hope the chef does, too.

What is your research routine?
That depends on the topic. In general, I  start by looking for primary sources, such as autobiographies, accounts of events written by witnesses, and government records.  I read well-researched books and articles about the subject,  written by professional historians and scientists. By checking out their bibliographies, I find other sources. While I’m doing my research, I keep a running list of questions I  need answered. I save those for the experts I interview.
 
What is the most asked question from your readers?
“Why did you become a writer?”
Answer: Because ever since I was 7 or 8, I’ve enjoyed using the written word to communicate my thoughts and ideas. I write nonfiction because I love learning about  new subjects and sharing my knowledge with others, particularly young people. 
 
What is most interesting about writing for this age group (Middle School/High School)?
I used to teach science to this age group. I like that these readers understand more complex subjects and think about ideas more deeply than much younger students do. That opens many exciting and intriguing possibilities for my writing projects. Since I want readers to be as excited and intrigued by a subject as I am, I challenge myself to write the best book I can. 

About the author: 
Gail Jarrow is the award-winning author of nonfiction books for upper elementary through high school ages. A former science teacher, she likes to choose subjects for her books that combine history and science.

She lives in Ithaca, New York. Visit her at Website | Facebook 

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews: