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Book Title:

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable:

Publisher:

Copyright Date:

Selection Choice:

Brief Annotation:

Your Rating:

Readers who will like this book:

Question to ask about this book before reading:

Question to ask about this book during reading:

Question to ask about this book after reading:

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1. Interest Level (age):

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade):
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Sunday, September 25, 2011

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

Book Title: Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

Authors: Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Illustrator: Brian Floca

Publisher: Roaring Brook

Copyright Date: 2010

Genre: Nonfiction Picture

Brief Annotation: Martha Graham, a pioneer of American modern dance, writes a story of American pioneers. She seeks the help of Aaron Copeland, an American composer, to turn her idea into a ballet. Copeland thinks of an old Shaker Hymn as a beginning point to grow his composition from. Graham builds her ballet, through the music, much thought, and trial and error. She enlists the help of artist, Isamu Noguchi, to design the perfect set: “spare and angular”. Their collaboration produces Appalachian Spring, one of the most well liked pieces of classical American music.

Your Rating: 5 (out of 5)

Readers Who Will Like this Book: Any student who appreciates ballet, music, or just art, in general, will enjoy this book. The illustrations are large, sometimes taking up the entire page, so readers who enjoy having an image to accompany their story will like this book.

Teaching Idea: This book shows how successful collaboration works. It could be used to teach how using many different peoples’ ideas can produce amazing end results. Everyone has something to contribute. It also illustrates the creative process.

Question to Ask Before Reading: Who has heard a piece of music or who has seen a ballet? Have you ever wondered how it was created?

Question to Ask During Reading: Why does Martha stare out the window and get frustrated?

Question to Ask After Reading: How did each person help the other in this story? Have you ever had to ask for someone's help to accomplish something?

Age Level: 9-12

Grade Level Equivalent: 3.4

Awards: ALSC Notable Children's Book; ALSC Notable Children's Book; Orbis Pictus; Orbis Pictus; CCBC Choice (Univ. of WI); CCBC Choice (Univ. of WI); NYPL Book for Reading and Sharing; NYPL Book for Reading and Sharing; Robert F. Sibert Award - Honor; Robert F. Sibert Award - Honor; Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens; Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens
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1 comment:

  1. Suzy Kaback & FamilyOctober 4, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    I wrote to you about your book choice in an e-mail (can't wait to read this one, especially since I didn't know the connection between Marth, Aaron Copeland (one of my favorite musicians), and Appalachian Spring.

    You're still not using the template accurately for your posts--instead of "genre", you need to explain which selection choice your book fits (from the list of choice on the chart), and you don't need to include a teaching idea (unless you want to). We're focusing more on writing questions that prompt substantive discussions with each of our "blog books".

    Please don't revise this post, but keep that template in mind as you move forward!

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