How to Speak Dolphin by Ginny Rorby

How to Speak Dolphin

This book brings to the surface topics about acceptance within a community, school, and family. The main character Lily is a tenacious girl who struggles to find her place in her family after losing her mother and being left to live with her stepfather Don and younger brother Adam who is autistic. Lily spends a great deal of time with her brother who loves dolphin. Lily thinks Adam seems to communicate better with the dolphins off the coast of Florida than with his own family. Author Ginny Rorby has created some complex and compassionate characters in this book. She also addresses family, community and environmental issues that many readers themselves with grapple with at some point in life. I would recommend this book for students grades 4-6 who enjoy reading realistic fiction books that deal with family, friendship and of course dolphins!

 

 

 

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–7—Lily has little time for friends or activities since her life seems to revolve around her half-brother, Adam, who has autism. Life has not been easy. Her stepfather, Don, doesn't acknowledge that Adam needs to attend a special school, and Lily has yet to get over the grief of losing her mother in a car accident two years ago. When Don, an oncologist, receives a call about assisting with a young dolphin who has cancer, he eagerly agrees to help. Adam has a strong attachment to dolphins, and Don thinks this will be the panacea to cure all his troubles. Adam quickly bonds with the dolphin Nori, but Lily begins to suspect that life in captivity in a marine mammal park is not the best scenario for Nori. Rorby paints a vivid picture of life with a child with autism and the struggles a family can face. VERDICT This book will raise questions about the ethics of marine life attractions and leave readers rooting for Lily, an appealing narrator.—Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY

The author has written other notable books that are appropriate for grades 5-8

 

 

 

Authors Website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor Written by Robert Burleigh Illustrated by Raul Colon

This is the inspirational story of a woman who was one of the most important scientist of the twentieth century. You likely have never heard of her , yet you have heard of the continental drift. She and her professional partner were the pioneers in establishing at the time the theory of the continental drift based on her work mapping the ocean floor. The story of this woman's work and life is fascinating and unique. She is an example to all students of following your passion regardless of the many obstacles you may face. Last but certainly not least the illustrations in this book are simply magnificent! Take a journey through the life of a woman motivated by a sheer curiosity of the ocean!
This book can easily be used in classrooms 2-6 in the curriculum of science, social studies and english language arts. The book has multiple nonfiction text features. It is told in a narrative format, however the resources at the end include; a photograph, a biography passage, a glossary and bibliography. This author has written many notable nonfiction narrative biographies and two in particular about twentieth century women who were pioneers in their fields. The following is an author study unit provided on his website. Robert Burleigh Author Study

The following was a review of this book written for the December 2015 edition of School Library Journal.
"Gr 2-4 –In this excellent biography of scientist Marie Tharp, Burleigh, writing in the first person, allows this adept geologist and oceanographic cartographer to tell her own story. Map lover Tharp became one of the 20th century’s most important scientists, despite working in a field that greatly favored men. With fellow geologist Bruce Heezen, she mapped the world’s oceans. Colón’s signature softly hued, textured watercolors greatly enhance the text. One image depicts a research ship in the water upon which scientists took measurements called soundings to chart the ocean’s depth. The writing is accessible and immediate, and though Burleigh acknowledges that Tharp was a woman working in a man’s field, he casts her story in a happy light. A biographical page is appended, as well as thorough back matter. VERDICT A finely told, beautifully illustrated biography that saves a world class scientist from obscurity".–Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI

A Worlds Fair Invention!

Mr. Ferris and His Wheel Written by Kathryn Gibbs Davis Illustrated by Gilbert Ford

This wonderful new nonfiction picture book tells the story of the creation of The Ferris Wheel. The book takes the reader through the whole process of why Mr. George Ferris was compelled to build his historic Ferris Wheel and how he did it. The author uses a narrative format but also incorporates text features with the use of captions for the elaborate illustrations. There are  additional nonfiction text features of a bibliography, website resources, a photograph, and direct quotes from the builders and inventors. The story also addresses other historical impacts of The Worlds Fair of 1893 in Chicago. This book is an intriguing  teaching tool to combine elements of Science, Social Studies and English Language Arts. You will  have a new found appreciation for a ride on a Ferris Wheel after learning about the story of its invention and inventor.  This book is not to be missed!

The following is a link to the authors website that includes additional reviews, a book trailer, and podcasts.
http://gibbsdavis.com/books/bk_mrferris.html
Lastly I have included a link to the National Education Association website that has curriculum and professional development resources for educators.
http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/61956.htm