Reading Matters Winter 2018

and remind readers that no matter how dark life may seem, if you set your mind to it, you too can “be bigger, stronger, older.”

journey takes. Illustrations bursting with color are interspersed throughout and reflect the fast-paced and dynamic world in which Pinmei is journeying. The use of detailed borders around Lin’s illustrations is reminiscent of Chinese tapestries, many of which tell stories of their own and complement the power of traditional storytelling. Through stories, shy Pinmei finds her own, unique voice along the way and becomes empowered as she begins the art of storytelling like her grandmother. In the end, Pinmei discovers more than what she intended to on her quest to free Amah: She discovers the secret to true immortality.

Animals by the Numbers: A Book of Animal Infographics Jenkins, Steve. (2016). 48 pp. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 978-0-544-63092-5. $17.99 (Primary/Intermediate). —by Margaret Jolly This informational work allows readers to gain an understanding of how numbers are significant to

Reading Matters Literature Matters

Can I Tell You a Secret? Kang, Anna. (2016). Illus. by Christopher Weyant. Unpaged. HarperCollins. 978-0-06- 239684-6. $17.99 (Primary). —by Lindsay Looper “Can you keep a secret? You sure? Because I don’t want anyone else to know. Do you promise ?”

human life as a whole, with an emphasis on animals. The book begins with an overview of the analysis of numbers and how they help us measure the components of our world. The numerical figures throughout the text provide facts and comparisons that range from simple to more complex data. This variety of knowledge enables the piece to be suitable for many different age groups. It can be useful for school classrooms across several grades and subjects. Steve Jenkins reveals to his readers, “It is estimated that all the insects on earth weigh almost 300 times as much as all the humans. There may be more than 15 tons (13,600 kilograms) of insects for every person on earth” (p. 14). Comparisons and intriguing factual statistics such as these are found throughout the book. Information is incorporated in such a way that it becomes relatable to readers’ lives and gives a fresh outlook on animals in society. Jenkins uses vibrant hues to illustrate the graphs, symbols, and charts. The colorful infographics displayed grasp readers’ attention and draw their engagement to the informative aspects available within. Jenkins also utilizes scientific terms, which often consists of challenging vocabulary that enhances the mind and introduces new information about various animal species.

Monty, a young frog, has been keeping a secret that he really wants to share. He can’t swim, and he’s afraid of the water. Monty has spent his entire life hiding from the water. He is exhausted from hiding and wants to know what he should do, so he asks the reader for help. Should he keep his secret forever, or should he tell his parents? Monty communicates directly with the reader throughout the book, which allows the reader to feel a personal connection with the young frog. The dialogue is childlike and filled with Monty’s lovable personality. The amount of words is limited, which shows the importance of the illustrations. The watercolor art lets the reader feel a part of the setting, especially when Monty makes direct eye contact. The illustrations are cartoonlike and lively and add humor to the story line. While following Monty, the reader learns the significance of supportive friendships and trying new things. By the end of the story, he faces his fear, tells his parents his secret, and makes a loud “SPLASH!” into the water!

When the Sea Turned to Silver Lin, Grace. (2016). 370 pp. Little, Brown. 978- 0-316-12592-5. $18.99 (Intermediate). —by CourtneyWilliams “She had thought herself many things before—a scared mouse, a quiet girl, a coward—but never a storyteller” (p. 87). Young and timid Pinmei must find the courage to face the Tiger Emperor when she

The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century Miller, Sarah. (2016). 288 pp. Schwartz & Wade. 978-0553498080. $17.99 (Young Adult). “Lizzie Borden took an axe, / Gave her mother forty whacks. / When she saw what she had done, / She gave her father forty-one” (p. xiii). This famous rhyme has been passed —by Ellie Jameson

discovers that her beloved grandmother and legendary storyteller, Amah, has been kidnapped. Selfish and cruel, the Tiger Emperor longs to capture the Luminous Stone That Lights the Night and believes the secret lies within Amah. With her grandmother’s stories in tow, Pinmei and her best friend, Yishan, courageously journey across land and sea to discover the Luminous Stone and rescue Amah. Faced with an unusually harsh winter, mythical creatures, and her own insecurities, Pinmei begins to realize how capable she truly is. Grace Lin seamlessly weaves traditional Chinese folktales into her novel, and each of these stories within a story reinforces an integral part of the overall plot. The folktales often mirror Pinmei’s world and influence the direction her

down for generations from the alleged Lizzie Borden murders. Sarah Miller transforms this 19th-century murder mystery into a thriller for young adult readers. In August 1892, the parents of Lizzie Borden, Andrew and Abby, were brutally murdered. Lizzie, the younger of their two daughters, was arrested one week later for the double homicide. To complicate matters, news in Fall River, Massachusetts, spreads like wildfire. Consequently, the entire town becomes involved in the investigation. Did Lizzie kill her

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