Haym Salomon: American Patriot
Susan Goldman Rubin, illustrated by David Slonim, Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2007, hb, 978-0810910874 , 40 pp, ages 4-8.
Susan Goldman Rubin does it again. The author of favorites, The Cat With The Yellow Star, and Fireflies in the Dark, among other notable titles, has continued to bring fascinating people to life for children. Her focus on little known Jewish subjects led her to the tale of Haym Saloman, a Jewish immigrant who was a member of the legendary Sons of Liberty and was given the honorary title of the “Financier of the American Revolution”. Rubin’s well-written picture book narrative is the perfect addition to an elementary school unit on the American Revolution. Following the story Rubin provides a detailed author’s note and a glossary, which further the book’s classroom appeal
(review originally published by Historical Novel Society)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Interview: Emily Arnold McCully
I had a chance to chat with the award winning illustrator/author Emily Arnold McCully after my "Writing History" panel at the Spencertown Academy Festival of Books last weekend. I was excited to learn about Emily's new title, historical fiction picture book The Escape of Oney Judge: Martha Washington's Slave Finds Freedom.
I'm not sure if we choose our stories or if they choose us. You have authored and illustrated so many titles, what was the case for your latest, The Escape of Oney Judge: Martha Washington's Slave Finds Freedom?
Certainly a certain kind of protagonist, preferably female appeals to me. Oney Judge's story is one of coming to consciousness and taking bold action. There is inherent suspense and a satisfying conclusion in that she was proud ever after of what she had achieved, difficult
as it was to sustain. I was also very interested in the way Oney’s daring sheds light on the Washingtons. I had no desire to condemn them - Martha's dismay that a creature she felt she had treated like one of her own children would actually run away from her becomes understandable. George Washington's willingness to use government machinery in secret to recover his lost property is also understandable, given Martha's demands. And while he was already wrestling with his decision to free his slaves after his death, he was still responsible for managing those slaves while he lived. All of this made for an exciting story that has lots of subtlety as well as a clear arc.
What were the challenges in bringing this story to life with words and pictures?
The main challenge was to pare it down sufficiently, zero in on the high points and keep the spotlight on Oney's growing awareness of her opportunity.
This is not your first historical work. Your historical titles include Caldecott Award winner Mirette on the High Wire, set in 19th century Paris and The Bobbin Girl set in 1830s New England. Clearly you don't show preference for time period, but your protagonists do share some traits. How do you select your subjects?
I like most of all to write about brave, persevering girls overcoming their gender disadvantages in ways that today's girls, pretty free of those handicaps, can understand imaginatively. (Another is Elizabeth Cady Stanton in THE BALLOT BOX BATTLE) But anybody with courage and curiosity appeals to me.
What can your fans look forward to next?
Two books: one, called MY HEART GLOW, about the first school for the deaf in America and the birth of ASLThe other is a story of a Japanese boy, MANJIRO, who was shipwrecked off the coast of Japan in the 1830's and was picked up by a American whaler. Over the course of many adventures, he "risked his life for two countries."
I'm not sure if we choose our stories or if they choose us. You have authored and illustrated so many titles, what was the case for your latest, The Escape of Oney Judge: Martha Washington's Slave Finds Freedom?
Certainly a certain kind of protagonist, preferably female appeals to me. Oney Judge's story is one of coming to consciousness and taking bold action. There is inherent suspense and a satisfying conclusion in that she was proud ever after of what she had achieved, difficult
as it was to sustain. I was also very interested in the way Oney’s daring sheds light on the Washingtons. I had no desire to condemn them - Martha's dismay that a creature she felt she had treated like one of her own children would actually run away from her becomes understandable. George Washington's willingness to use government machinery in secret to recover his lost property is also understandable, given Martha's demands. And while he was already wrestling with his decision to free his slaves after his death, he was still responsible for managing those slaves while he lived. All of this made for an exciting story that has lots of subtlety as well as a clear arc.
What were the challenges in bringing this story to life with words and pictures?
The main challenge was to pare it down sufficiently, zero in on the high points and keep the spotlight on Oney's growing awareness of her opportunity.
This is not your first historical work. Your historical titles include Caldecott Award winner Mirette on the High Wire, set in 19th century Paris and The Bobbin Girl set in 1830s New England. Clearly you don't show preference for time period, but your protagonists do share some traits. How do you select your subjects?
I like most of all to write about brave, persevering girls overcoming their gender disadvantages in ways that today's girls, pretty free of those handicaps, can understand imaginatively. (Another is Elizabeth Cady Stanton in THE BALLOT BOX BATTLE) But anybody with courage and curiosity appeals to me.
What can your fans look forward to next?
Two books: one, called MY HEART GLOW, about the first school for the deaf in America and the birth of ASLThe other is a story of a Japanese boy, MANJIRO, who was shipwrecked off the coast of Japan in the 1830's and was picked up by a American whaler. Over the course of many adventures, he "risked his life for two countries."
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Bookstore Browsing
Had a wonderful time in Blackwood and Brouwer Booksellers today and found some great teen historicals to add to my TO READ list.
The Red Thread by Roderick Townley : Crime drama played out over three lifetimes? Interesting.
The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman: How did I miss this one last year? I've read all of Karen's other terrific titles. The Loud Silence is set in 1949-1950 at All Saints School in Los Angeles.
Petals in the Ashes by Mary Hooper: Set in 1666 against the backdrop of London's Great Fire, Petals in the Ashes is the sequel to At the Sign of the Sugared Plum. Looks great. Hmm, should I read Sugared Plum first?
Fire From the Rock by Sharon Draper: Just released novel set in 1957 tells the story of Sylvia Patterson who is asked to be one of the first black students at Central High.
The Red Thread by Roderick Townley : Crime drama played out over three lifetimes? Interesting.
The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman: How did I miss this one last year? I've read all of Karen's other terrific titles. The Loud Silence is set in 1949-1950 at All Saints School in Los Angeles.
Petals in the Ashes by Mary Hooper: Set in 1666 against the backdrop of London's Great Fire, Petals in the Ashes is the sequel to At the Sign of the Sugared Plum. Looks great. Hmm, should I read Sugared Plum first?
Fire From the Rock by Sharon Draper: Just released novel set in 1957 tells the story of Sylvia Patterson who is asked to be one of the first black students at Central High.
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