October Sky directed by Joe Johnston (1999)

Viewing grade level: 6-12

Film length: 108 min.

Film rating: PG for some mild language, teen sensuality, and alcohol use

Film summary and analysis: October Sky is based on the amazing true story of Homer Hickam, one of NASA's leading engineers and instructors for 17 years. We meet Homer as a teenage kid growing up in a poor coal-mining town with his future headed straight for the mines. But he and his friends love rocketry, spending hours upon hours designing and setting off hand-made rockets. One teacher in their school recognizes the talent the boys have, and so she tells them of an opportunity to compete in the national science fair with the winners obtaining college scholarships. Recognizing this as a ticket to a brighter future, Homer and his friends work tirelessly to reach their goal. But their way isn't unhindered, especially when Homer's father is completely opposed to his work.

October Sky is highly inspiring, wonderfully depicting that every dream has many obstacles, but the desire to defeat them will provide a strength unknown to those who aren't willing to give their all.

Additional curricular connections: the human spirit, the science of rocketry, the power of education

Links:
More movie information: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0132477/
Homer Hickam's website: http://www.homerhickam.com/
To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/October-Sky-Special-Jake-Gyllenhaal/dp/B0006FYOTC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324246460&sr=8-1

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Reading grade level: 8 - 12

Pages: 560 p.

Book summary and analysis: A small cast of characters shine forth in this novel and set the theatre of Germany during World War II ablaze with their simplistic reality. Liesel, a young German girl, and her little brother are sent to live with a foster family to escape what?--Liesel does not know. On the journey her brother dies, leaving her alone with two strangers and years of nightmares. But Life begins to quickly change as Liesel and her foster parents struggle through the war together and decide to fulfill a promise made long ago that will alter their lives forever.

Narrated by Death, this humorous but gripping story is a self-fulfilling example of its own treatise: the power of words and their ability to strengthen and to heal. It is a story for children about children, but it is also a story that will empower any reader's heart.

Winner of the 2006 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year Award and the 2007 ALA Best Books for Young Adults Award. Also a Michael L. Printz Honor Book.

Additional curricular connections: Holocaust, World War II, the human spirit, the power of words

Links:
Website for Markus and his books: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/
 Discussion questions for The Book Thief: http://www.literacypbc.org/files/2010_Read_Together_ReadersGuide.pdf
 To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375831002

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

Reading grade level: 5 - 9

Pages: 192 p.

Book summary and analysis: Based on the true story of a woman found living alone on the island of Saint Nicolas from 1835 to 1853, Island of the Blue Dolphins is a survival story unlike any other because of the length of time that Karana lived alone and fended for herself. Filled with fantastic descriptions of Karana practicing the skills of survival, such as hunting and designing new tools, Island also deals with the emotional and psychological skills needed to be faced with such a predicament: conquering fears and learning to be alone.

The story is told in first person, which gives the tale an immediacy and intimacy that makes it all the more real. It also readily draws out that question that we all find emerging within us when we read survival stories: could I do this? Would I be able to figure out how to defend myself against wild animals and find food if I lived absolutely alone on a rocky island? A wonderful book to use for independent reading as well as small and whole group discussions.

Winner of the 1961 Newbery Medal.

Made into a movie by Universal Pictures in 1964.

Additional curricular connections: survival, women of history, self-discovery

Links:
An interactive site to accompany the book: http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/dolphin/home2.shtml
A reading guide: http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/pdfs/island_of_the_blue_dolphins.pdf
To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Blue-Dolphins-Scott-ODell/dp/0440439884

Man on Wire directed by James Marsh (2008)

Viewing grade level: edited for school viewing-- 6-12

Film length: 90 minutes (unedited)

Film rating: PG-13 for brief drug use, sexuality, and nudity

Film summary and analysis: Especially moving since the Towers no longer exist, Man on Wire is the documentary of Philippe Petit, a French tightrope walker with the dream to walk between the Twin Towers in New York City. Planning with a group of friends for 6 years, Petit overcame incredible obstacles and did the impossible--and touched the souls of hundreds in doing so.

The film is rated PG-13 for brief scenes of drug use and nudity (Petit celebrating his success). I would recommend cutting these very brief scenes out (maybe for a moment of discussion) before finishing this very inspiring and beautiful film with your class.

Winner of two 2008 Sundance Film Festival awards and the 2009 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Additional curricular connections: the Twin Towers, tightrope walking, the human spirit

Links:
Preview the film at Magnolia Picture's website: http://www.manonwire.com/
To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Man-Wire-Philippe-Petit/dp/B001E5FYS8

Left for Dead: A Young Man's Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis

Reading grade level: 6 - 9

Pages: 201 p.; chapter book

Book summary and analysis: At once a heart-wrenching story of survival and a thrilling account of a fight for justice, Left for Dead tells two stories perfectly intertwined: the true tale of the torpedoing of the U.S.S. Indianapolis at the end of World War II and the survival stories of the men who spent five days in the open water after her sinking, as well as the inspiring account of an extraordinary 11-year-old boy, Hunter Scott, who made discoveries for a history fair project about the Indianapolis' captain and crew that had never been told and led a fight in Congress to exonerate her captain, the only Navy officer court-martialed during the second World War. A fantastic book for whole class discussion, this book is as inspiring as it is educational for all readers.

Book includes: table of contents, preface by Hunter, photographs, acknowledgements, bibliography, and index

Additional curricular connections: World War II, the human spirit, the power of research, U.S. Navy history, survival

Links:
Author's website: http://www.ipetenelson.com/index.htm
Hunter's website: http://www.unc.edu/~hascott/hunter/hunter..html
USS Indianapolis organization's website: http://www.ussindianapolis.org/intro.htm
To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Left-Dead-Search-Justice-Indianapolis/dp/0385730918

Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges

Reading grade level: 3 - 8

Pages: 64 p.

Book summary and analysis: "When I was six years old, the civil rights movement came knocking at the door." So starts the book Through My Eyes, a first-hand account of school integration in the 1960s, told by Ruby Bridges. Following a timeline, this book details the historical events that Ruby lived in order to enforce the desegregation of Southern schools and includes a brief account of her life as an adult. Full of information not just about herself but about those who helped and supported her, readers gain a deeper understanding of what it meant to live through such violent times and the strength that it took to do so in order to make change. Pay close attention to the many photographs; their reading is equally disturbing and enlightening.

Book includes: an introduction by Harry Belafonte, a preface from Ruby, many photographs of the time, quotes from articles written during the event and from those involved with the process, photo credits for reference, and a jump rope rhyme called "Ruby B."

A 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award winner.

Additional curricular connections: 1960s, segregation, African American history, the human spirit, civil rights movement

Links:
Author's website: http://www.rubybridges.com/
Discussion lesson plan: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/through-my-eyes-discussion-guide
To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Through-My-Eyes-Ruby-Bridges/dp/0590189239

Memories of Survival by Esther Nisenthal Krinitz and Bernice Steinhardt

Reading grade level: 6 - 9

Pages: 64 p.

Book summary and analysis: Art has the power to heal, and no book makes this more evident than Memories of Survival. Esther, the author, was 10 years old and happily living with her family in their small Polish village, freely carrying on their Jewish customs, when the Nazis' invasion began World War II. Targeted because of their ethnicity but rejected by family and friends, Esther and her sister are separated from their family (who they never see again) and are forced to disguise themselves as Catholic farmhands on a stranger's land in an effort to survive.

Many, many years later, Esther began to create highly detailed, embroidered panels that told her story, memories that she would tell her children so that she would not forget. Finally, together with her daughter's recollection of her mother's words, these striking panels were published in the form of this beautiful and heart-wrenching book--a type of graphic novel unlike any other.

Book includes: dimensional information about each panel, a note about the art, a note from Bernice, table of contents, afterword

Winner of the Sydney Taylor Honor Award for Older Readers in 2006.

Additional curricular connections: Holocaust, World War II, survival, the human spirit

Links:

Watch an interview with Esther: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTJpGM5xDI8
To review and purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Memories-Survival-Esther-Nisenthal-Krinitz/dp/0786851260

Journey to the Bottomless Pit: The Story of Stephen Bishop & Mammoth Cave by Elizabeth Mitchell

Reading grade level: 4 - 8

Pages: 64 p.; chapter book

Book summary and analysis: Stephen Bishop, a pre-Civil War slave, had the opportunity of a lifetime--and, thank heavens, took advantage of it. In 1838, at the age of 17, he became the first tour guide of Mammoth Cave, what is now know to be the largest cave system in the world. With a courage that most could not muster, Bishop took his duty as a tour guide far beyond his job description and discovered miles upon miles of breath-taking natural wonders with only a lantern and candle stubs. What he saw ignited his desire to learn, and on his own, Bishop became one of the most learned men in the field of cave formations at that time.

This book, written as historical fiction, is based on the many accounts written by visitors to Mammoth Cave who commented on their experience with Bishop, their extraordinary guide. The end pieces are the map that Bishop drew himself of Mammoth Cave, and the narrative deftly weaves in the many geological wonders that Bishop discovered and shared with his visitors during his years as a guide.

Book includes: table of contents, life timeline of Stephen Bishop, several story illustrations

Additional curricular connections: geology, slavery, African American history month, caves

Links:
Scholastic book info: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/journey-bottomless-pit
Unit plan: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/journey_to_the_bottomless_pit.php
To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Bottomless-Pit-Stephen-Mammoth/dp/0670059080

Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman

Reading grade level: 5 - 8

Pages: 96 p.; chapter book

Book summary and analysis: One day by accident (and truly, by an accident), one ordinary railroad worker, Phineas Gage, became the catalyst for brain discoveries that would change the world forever. In a rather frighteningly sad turn of events, Phineas loses his life as he knew it while surviving a horrific accident--yet he soldiers on for another 11 years, making life the best he can despite his drastic change of personality. Unselfishly he submits himself to medical study, allowing himself to be used as a tool of research for doctors to gain a new (and MUCH better) understanding of the human brain. Filled with illustrations and photographs that will leave your mouth hanging open, this book is perfect for whole class discussions. While filled with great scientific data, the book ultimately focuses on Phineas himself as a person--and truly showcases how extraordinary he was.

Book includes: many color illustrations and photographs with captions, glossary, resources, index

Additional curricular connections: brain science, accidents, germs and bacteria, human personality

Links:
Scholastic book info: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/phineas-gage
To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Phineas-Gage-Gruesome-Story-Science/dp/0618052526

Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists: Da Vinci by Mike Venezia

Reading grade level: 2 - 5

Pages: 32 p.

Book summary and analysis: Using cartoons characters alongside prints of da Vinci's actual work, Venezia shares a simple biography of Leonardo da Vinci, quite possibly the most famous human being to have ever lived. Sharing not just his fame as a painter but also as an inventor and architect, this book shows the absolute genius of a man who was an outcast of society (not discussed in the book, but true: he was illegitimate and therefore never able to hold any kind of social status). Humorous because of the cartoons but still inspiring due to the information, this book will be enjoyable to anyone who picks it up.

Book includes: color illustrations, museum listing

Additional curricular connections: art, architecture, inventions, Renaissance period

Links:
Author's website: http://www.mikevenezia.com/mikevenezia/
To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Vinci-Getting-Worlds-Greatest-Artists/dp/0516422758

Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hopkinson & James E. Ransome

Reading grade level: 2 - 4

Pages: 48 p.

Book summary and analysis: Told in second person, this "recollection" of the building of the Empire State Building is as fascinating as it is frightening. With beautiful oil illustrations and a free verse format, Sky Boys details the incredible building of the world's first true skyscraper and the amazingly daring men who built it. Complete with an end note about the Empire State Building.

An ALA Notable Book and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book.

Book includes: color illustrations, additional resources

Additional curricular connections: the Great Depression, New York City, jobs, architecture/engineering

Links:
Author's website: http://www.deborahhopkinson.com/
Illustrator's website: http://www.jamesransome.com/
Made into a musical: http://timeoutnewyorkkids.com/arts-entertainment/movies-music-stage/82195/sky-boys
To review & purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Sky-Boys-Built-Empire-Building/dp/B002KE5VXU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323023424&sr=1-1