Graphic Nonfiction Review: Exploring Ecosystems...
The first section of the graphic nonfiction title, Exploring Ecosystems with Max Axiom Super Scientist, discusses ecosystems. The main character, Max, defines organisms, communities, populations, and ecosystems. In section two of the graphic novel, Max describes consumers, producers, and decomposers in nature. Rich illustrations are used to provide examples. Max also describes and defines photosynthesis, carnivores, and omnivores. In this section, Max takes a ride on a boat where he uses marine wildlife to provide examples in describing food chains and food webs. Predator/prey relationships are also described. The predator/prey relationship discussion feeds into a discussion about the water cycle. Illustrations of maps, desert, and rainforest help to convey the factual information of section three: ?world?s biomes?. Max explains to the reader the differences between deciduous forests, grasslands, and tundra. In the final section of this graphic novel, Max discusses the importance of taking care of our ecosystem.
I feel that the strength of this book is the depth of information provided. This book is full of facts and useful examples. The only weakness I might find in this book is that it could be providing an information overload for some students. The book should be read over a period of time and could be used to supplement a class textbook or notes. The material in this book perfectly matches the curriculum for sixth grade standard course of study. Ecosystems, predator/prey relationships, and the water cycle are all sixth grade curriculum topics. The book addresses these topics well and the illustrations with the information might make this book more engaging than a normal textbook.
I think that middle school students would be more interested in reading this book than the textbook. I would strongly recommend this book to teachers. The book has tons of information directly linked to sixth grade curriculum and shares the information in a fun and interesting way.
- Melissa Williams, Spring 2008
Posted at
02:35PM Aug 13, 2008
by Melissa Williams in Graphic Nonfiction Reviews |
Graphic Nonfiction Review: Nat Turner
The graphic nonfiction title that I read was Nat Turner's Slave Rebellion, by Micheal Burgan. This book is about the slave revolt that happend during the 1800's and was led by Nat Turner. The novel talks about why Nat Turner decided to start the slave revolt, along with who he killed and how he got the people who were involved in the revolt.
The graphics in the novel are set up in comic style. This where the page is split up into boxes and each part of the story is told in each box. The art work is drawn and in color to help show the intensity of the story. The words that the people are saying are in conversation bubbles, and the narriative part is written at the bottom of the boxes.
I feel the strength of the book is the actual story itself, and the color of the drawings in the book. The color is very vibrant, I feel this is to show the intesity of the story.
I think the weakness the book has is the point of view of the story. I know that the revolt was a horrible thing and that it shouldn't have happend but there is more emphasis on how terrible he was instead of how the conditions that he was in.
I would use this book to help explain the conditions of slavery, and how it affected the people. This book would be good for eigth grade students who are learning about the civil war, and the slave conditions. This will help explain things that are happening in the US compared to North Carolina. In eight grade students are suppose to learn about the civil war especially in North Carolina.
The book shows how the slave revolt affected the people in the south. I thought it was very good, and even though the point of view isn't the best. It still shows how intense the slave situation was in the south. The students will be able to understand the feeling of people during that time.
I think that the students will like this book. It has great pictures for them to look at, along with the story line. Kids like to hear about how people are being killed, and then being arrested.
I think teachers should use this book to help get students understand the intensity in the south during this time. Teachers should also use this book to help show what type of things happend during this time, such as revolts.
- Nicole Lessar, Spring 2008
Posted at
02:34PM Aug 13, 2008
by Nichole Lessard in Graphic Nonfiction Reviews |
Graphic Nonfiction Review: The Wright Brothers...
I choose to read The Wright Brothers and the Airplane by Xavier Niz. This book tells the story of the Wright borthers and there quest to fly an airplane. The book shows all of the trial and error that they went throught to get to their goal to pilot this first aircraft. I believe one strength of the book is the fact that it is not very long and easy to read. The pictures in the book are very detailed and can almost tell the story without words. I did feel that it was sometimes confusing where the words were placed on the pictures. At times I had to figure out the exact order that they went in and for an inexperienced reader this might be difficult.
This could be used in the North Carolina curriculm in the 8th grade becuse this is when they teach the history of North Carolina and that is where Wilber and Orville flew for the first time. I think that most students would recieve this book well becuase it would be better than reading the material straight out of a textbook. I think that graphic nonfiction books are a great way for teacher to incorporate material into their lessons becuse if a student is reading that is appealing to them they will get more out of the book.
- Erin Shattuck, Spring 2008
Posted at
02:33PM Aug 13, 2008
by Erin Shattuck in Graphic Nonfiction Reviews |