“A symbol of hope in the darkest of times,” the Empire State Building was built in record time during the Great Depression. In their latest collaboration, Hopkinson and Ransome beautifully depict its construction in one year and 45 days, as seen through the watchful eyes of a young boy. The free-verse narrative and dynamic oil paintings are a superb one-two punch, nicely complemented by endpapers celebrating the photographs of Lewis Hine, who documented the construction of the Empire State Building from 1930 to 1931. Poetic lines are packed with information, and the palette ranges from blue-sky days to rich nighttime hues to beautiful bursts of oranges, yellows and blues. As in Mordicai Gerstein’s The Man Who Walked Between the Towers (2003), perspectives range from ground-level views to soaring vistas to dizzying looks down to earth from above. A beautiful work befitting its subject. (author’s note, sources) (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-9)
Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2006
ISBN: 0-375-83610-1
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2006
A young girl comes to understand the meaning of church in this newest Log Cabin treat (Log Cabin Quilt, 1997, etc.). “ ‘Come spring, we’ll see about buildin’ a church,’ my pap had said at Christmastime.” Granny desperately wants a church, but people are few in Michigan, and the life of a pioneer family is not an easy one. When Elvirey has trouble remembering what church is, her siblings touchingly try to alleviate her bewilderment—church is where you look at pretty girls and sing songs at Christmastime. In the spring, more people arrive and Pap thinks about building the building . . . but clearing the land, plowing, and planting the crops come first. Finally, on a Sunday morning in summer, Pap takes the day off and dresses in his Sabbath clothes. The neighbors gradually gather, sharing food, conversation, advice, and companionship. And as the last notes of song die away and the worshipers bow their heads to ask the blessing over the meal, it doesn’t seem to matter that there is no physical sanctuary. Elvirey remembers all at once what church really is. For those unfamiliar with this pioneer family, Howard has Elvirey recall burying her mother and moving to Michigan from Carolina. Himler’s pencil-and-watercolor illustrations accurately show the life led by the pioneers and add to the enjoyment of the story and the understanding of the period. An effort doubly blessed. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2002
ISBN: 0-8234-1740-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2002
The War of 1812 is the period setting for this transitional chapter book from Caldecott Medalist McCully (The Orphan Singer, 2001, etc.). The story is based on a wartime incident that occurred in the Maryland coastal town of St. Michaels. McCully utilizes the facts about an invasion of British troops along with a legend of the townspeople hanging lanterns from roofs and treetops to trick the British into missing their targets. She uses several real military men as characters and invents an independent girl named Caroline and her friend Robert as her main characters. Caroline can run “faster than anyone else in town under fifteen,” putting her talent and fearless nature to good effect several times by running messages between commanders and running the flag back to town during a battle. McCully does a fine job of making the battle scene exciting without glorifying war or violence, and the devices of running messages and hanging the lanterns give Caroline and Robert a real part in the military maneuvers. McCully’s watercolor illustrations are full of interesting uniforms and period details, and she deftly handles the challenge of illustrating many scenes that occur at night. One rather jarring aspect of her art is Caroline’s unexplained short-cropped hair, which perhaps is intended to reflect her unconventional nature, but which is out of place with the time period. (author’s note) (Easy reader. 6-9)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2002
ISBN: 0-06-028728-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2002
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