The Day the Universe Exploded My Head: Poems to Take You Into Space and Back Again by Allan Wolf, illustrated by Anna Raff [Review & 2-winner Giveaway - USA/CANADA]

ISBN: 9780763680251
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My thoughts:  You really have to dig into this children's astronomy and poetry book to totally enjoy it. It is not a simple read since it has vocabulary words the young child won't normally know or understand. Also, the scientific facts would be a bit over their head (and yes, a pun is intended).

But the book is fun. It has a good smattering of scientific information explained in a pretty elementary manner. It takes the reader all over the Universe or rather Solar System giving glimpses of what each planet is like, orbits, positions, what they are made of, etc.

Great poetry? No. Good poetry? Probably not. Does it work? I think it does.

I particularly liked the "choric speaking" style of some of the poems. This would give grand opportunity for a classroom to use the poems for a bit of fun when studying the Solar System or astronomy. (Note: I do object to the small print of these poems on the black pages. Hard to read.)

The book seems to be just made to be read aloud. Great for classrooms or home school situations. Aside for the fun and intellectual poems about the Universe, there are a few pages at the back of the book with real scientific explanations and a glossary of word/phrase definitions.

Don't you just love it when education is made fun?

About the book: The Day the Universe Exploded My Head: Poems to Take You Into Space and Back Again by Allan Wolf,  illustrated by Anna Raff
Hang on tight for a raucous bounce through the solar system and back -- propelled by funny, fanciful, factually sound poems and exuberant illustrations.

The universe poured into me. 

My brain was overloaded. 

It smoked and glowed red-hot. 

And then 

it actually exploded.

Ever wonder what the sun has to say about being the closest star to Earth? Or what Pluto has gotten up to since being demoted to a dwarf planet? Or where rocket ships go when they retire? Listen closely, because maybe, just maybe, your head will explode, too. With poetry that is equal parts accurate and entertaining -- and illustrations that are positively out of this world -- this book will enthrall amateur stargazers and budding astrophysicists as it reveals many of the wonders our universe holds. Space travelers in search of more information will find notes about the poems, a glossary, and a list of resources at the end.

GIVEAWAY

2 Winners Selected

Begins April 1

Ends April 30 at 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA addresses.

NO P.O. Boxes, please. (Phone # for Canada winners required)

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine, alone, and are freely given. Winners' copies are provided and shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick.

Beneath the Slashings by Michelle Isenhoff: Book Review

Beneath the Slashings is the last book in the Divided Decade Trilogy, set in the Civil War. But the trilogy is a series of stand-alone novels, so you need not read the first two. Here’s a synopsis of Beneath the Slashings:

After four uncertain years of war, twelve-year-old Grace Nickerson is desperate to return to a sense of normalcy. But soon after her father returns, he sells the farm and drags the family to a lumber camp in Michigan’s northern wilderness.

Living among the rough loggers is frightening enough, but then a series of accidents prove intentional. Who is sabotaging the camp, and why? Will the winter in the woods bring the healing Grace’s family needs? Or will it drive a wedge between Grace and her father? 

My thoughts:  Beneath the Slashings deals with a family in crisis resulting from the aftermath of the Civil War.  It opens in 1865.  Pa is returning from the war and plans to move his family, Grace and Sam, to the northern woods into a desolate logging camp.  The practice of logging at that period was one of slashing all the trees and leaving the land destroyed.  However, one thought was that it would be partially cleared for the onslaught of homesteaders headed that way.

Although Ms. Isenhoff writes fiction for the entertainment of middle school students, it is quite evident to the reader that a major intent is to also present lessons that can be learned from history, culture, and life in general.  Ms. Isenhoff writes skillfully using beautiful word pictures that capture the attention of the young reader (and any adults who happen to pick up her books as well).  The interaction of the children in the story with each other and with those around them will be that which a middle school student will not find stilted and out of age character. They will totally relate to the action.

Now what is to be learned from Beneath the Slashings?

1. Logging Camps:  A detailed picture is given of life in a logging camp during 1865.  It was rough and really not the place for a young girl. Baths were scarce but food was plentiful.  Work was hard and long but there was a bit of fun thrown in.  Terms used for activities involved in the work of felling trees and getting them out of the woods are woven right in conversations.
2. Racial:  This story takes place immediately following the Civil War and the issue of freed slaves and their relationships and working with non-blacks was not very well liked by some even in the north woods at that time.  As head of the logging camp, "Pa," dealt with the issue sternly but with grace.
3. Indian Life:  Grace meets an old Indian woman who teaches Grace kindness, understanding, forgiveness, anger control, and the old ways of the Indian.  Ms. Isenhoff writes an elegant word pictures and describing each action from healing arts to leather work in detail yet not boringly.
   

As with the other books written by Michelle Isenhoff, I can highly recommend Beneath the Slashings.

Other books by Michelle Isenhoff reviewed here on Chat With Vera are:  Candle Star (see my review by clicking here)--Civil War 1858, was book one in the Divided Decade triology.  Broken Ladders (Book 2 in the Divided Decade), and The Color of Freedom. (Revolutionary War).

The author Michelle Isenhoff says.... So what do I write? Three words: ADVENTURE - I won't read a story that doesn't transport me to a new, exciting world. I won't write one, either. INNOCENCE - My target audiences range from 9 to 15. Kids. I won't market profanity or controversy. And SUBSTANCE - I prefer stories with some depth to them.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of Beneath the Slashings in order to facilitate a review.  I was not obligated to give a positive account.  All opinions expressed are my own.