One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome - OPTIONAL

One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome, 304 pages. Candlewick, 2024. $19. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G Violence: PG (Deaths, peril, injuries, fighting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

11yo Lettie, the daughter of former slaves, is traveling across the midwest from the deep south with her family by covered wagon. Her father has joined a wagon train of black families wanting to receive land in Nebraska from the Homestead Act. 

One Big Open Sky is told mostly from the perspective of Lettie, who, based on her maturity and responsibility, seems to be 12yo or younger. It also contains entries told by her mother, as well as a woman who joined the wagon train later on. I struggled with the poetry format, it's not lyrical or rhythmic, using very little punctuation, which made it an odd read. I appreciated the hardship these travelers experienced, magnified by their race and poverty. I'm reminded of Wilder's Little House on the Prairie, or more recently, Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park. It's nice to read these varying perspectives on Westward Expansion. Lettie and the other characters are African American. 

Lisa Librarian 

Of Walden Pond by Lesa Cline-Ransome and Ashley Benham-Yazdani - OPTIONAL

 Of Walden Pond: Henry David Thoreau, Frederic Tudor, and the pond between by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by Ashley Benham-Yazdani. PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2022. $19. 9780823448586

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

The winter that Thoreau started his vigil on Walden Pond, Tudor, trying to restore his fortune and to show that delivering ice around the world was feasible, started harvesting Walden Pond’s ice. While the sawing and cutting disturbed nature, Thoreau was still fascinated that someone on the other side of the world was enjoying the same waters he did. More interesting to me was a look at the ice business – from cutting to delivering so far away. Thoreau may still be taught in high schools, but I don’t think his work is covered at the elementary level. Librarians – keep an eye out for those chances to share. I would promote this as a book about ice storage before electricity – not about Thoreau.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Not Playing By the Rules : 21 Female Athletes Who Changed Sports by Lesa Cline-Ransome - ADVISABLE

Not Playing By the Rules : 21 Female Athletes Who Changed Sports by Lesa Cline-Ransome, 48 pages. NON-FICTION Penguin Random House, 2020. $19.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Ever since Constance Applebee brought field hockey for women to Harvard in 1901, athletic women have been blazing trails, being the first to break into men only sports, and crossing age, race and ability barriers. Each athlete has a 2 page spread - a full page picture with a inspirational quote, and a full page bio/historical contribution. Like Ethelda Bleibtrey who was arrested twice for swimming nude (because she took off her stockings to swim); Nadia Comaneci, first to receive a perfect score in Olympic Gymnastics; Joy Johnson who started running marathons after she retired and continued until age 86; Mia Hamm, soccer sensation; and Ibtihaj Muhammad - first Muslim American to wear hijab while competing for the US Olympic team.

 I really liked this collected biography - it is a great spring board to build interest in an individual and inspire research to learn more about them. I loved the quotes - it reminded me of the teen magazines of the 70s where you could take out the page and put it on your wall. The text is engaging with lots of good information about each woman. Includes an appendix with "just a little bit more" about each athlete.

Lisa Librarian

Germs by Lesa Cline-Ransome –ADVISABLE

Cline-Ransome, Lesa Germs.  PICTURE BOOK.  Christy Ottaviano Books (Henry Holt), 2017.  $17.99.  Content: G.

This picture book features a history of ‘germs’ from a germs point of view. They tell us how they have always been with us, their real names, the first humans to discover them, how they got such a bad reputation, and some of the wonderful things they do. Features large, bright and engaging illustrations.

I think this will be a very handy book for teachers, especially when they talk about washing hands, and especially during cold and flu season. It simple and easy to read and understand. The cover is appealing enough that students will want to read this book on their own.

EL(K-3) – ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Light in the Darkness by Lesa Cline-Ransome-ADVISABLE

Cline-Ransome, Lesa, ill. by James Ransome, Light in the Darkness. Disney Press, 2013. PICTURE BOOK.

Slaves during the 19^th century were forbidden from learning to read. Some slaves were taught in secret by their masters, but others risked everything to learn in secret from those who already knew how to read and write. If they were caught, they would suffer severe punishment. Here is just one example of many stories.

The pictures are a little dark, but are detailed, enjoyable, and complement the text. The story is well-written and would appeal to older students. Recommended for use in classroom or for older readers interested in slavery.

EL, MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome - ESSENTIAL

Cline-Ransome, Lesa Before She Was Harriet Illustrated by James E. Ransome PICTURE BOOK Holiday House, 2017. $18. Content: G.  

Harriet Tubman had a lot of different names throughout her life.  This book takes the reader through Harriet’s life as a reflection from her time as a suffragist, a general in the Underground Railroad, a Union Spy and many other roles until she is a small girl named Minty who is taught by her father to read the stars at night.  In the end it returns to Harriet sitting on a train as a free woman.  

This book makes me cry.  I love Harriet Tubman and this fantastic look at all that she did with her amazing life is inspiring.  Each page has a poetic format that gives a simplified version of that part of her life.  The illustrations are very well done.  If kids don’t know who Harriet Tubman is, this can be a starting point, or if they do know who she is, this is a great summary of all she did.  Loved it.  

EL (K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL.  MS – ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Benny Goodman & Teddy Wilson: Taking the Stage as the First Black-and Jazz Band in History by Lesa Cline-Ransome -- ADVISABLE

Cline-Ransome, Lesa Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson: Taking the Stage as the First Black-and-White Jazz Band in History, illustrated by James E. Ransome. Holiday House, 2014. $16.95. Content: G

This book is an account of Benny Goodman's and Teddy Wilson's introductions to music, their serendipitous meeting, and their fight against racism with their interracial jazz band. Includes two pages of backmatter with a more extensive history of Goodman and Wilson, a jazz time line, and short biographies of other important jazz musicians.

This is a wonderful approach to biography, lively and entertaining, with a snappy rhythm that's fun to read aloud, while still imparting facts and addressing deeper issues such as racism. It would be great for a music class, or for discussions on race and integration, and may even help some students discover jazz music. The illustrations capture available pictures and photos of the band members very well, and would pair quite nicely with actual photos or videos of the band.

EL -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn

Freedom School by Lesa Cline-Ransome-OPTIONAL

Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Ill. By James E. Ransome, Freedom's School. Disney Hyperion, 2015. $17.99. PICTURE BOOK.

After her family is freed from slavery, Lizzie’s parents decide it is time for her and her brother to go to school. The bit she learned there, however, made her thirsty for more. It wasn’t easy to get there, though. Angry white folks, bad weather, and extreme temperatures made the long trek seem longer. Will the schoolhouse withstand the challenges the students and teacher face?

The story is touching and teaches readers and children about the importance of bravery. The illustrations are detailed, look realistic, and complement the well-written text. Readers and young children who like true stories will enjoy reading this book or having it read to them. PreK, EL (K-3). OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Before There Was Mozart: The Story of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George by Lesa Cline-Ransome - ESSENTIAL

Cline-Ransome, Lesa Before There Was Mozart: The Story of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George illustrated by James E. Ransome 40 pg. Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011. PICTURE BOOK. $17.99. This book shares the unique and interesting life story of Joseph Boulogne. Born to a black slave and a white plantation owner, Joseph's life begins different than most. Fascinated with music his whole life, Joseph moves to Paris with his mother and father at the age of 9. Despite the societal snubs he receives for being a "mulatto", Joseph excelled at the violin and his name became known among the most noble of people. He performed for King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette and eventually became the queen's personal music instructor. 
The book is written as if it were a musical piece beginning with the first movement and ending with the finale. Also included at the back is more biographical information on Joseph. The illustrations complemented the story perfectly. This is a wonderful biography. Though the book indicates it is for the 5-9 yr. old age group, I think it is geared towards a much older group. It could never hold the attention span of 5 year olds. I think it would be best suited for 3rd grade and beyond. The title didn't fit the book as Mozart is only briefly mentioned. Besides those points it was fascinating and informative. EL- ESSENTIAL. Whitney, Library-Teacher. 

Words Set Me Free by Lesa Cline-Ransome - ADVISABLE

Cline-Ransome, Lesa Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass, illustrated by James E. Ransome.  Simon & Schuster, 2012.  PICTURE BOOK.  $17.  

When Hugh’s master catches his wife teaching the young slave Frederick to read, he tells her, “it would forever unfit him to be a slave.”  How true those words were.  While it didn’t happen quickly, the renames Frederick Douglass later finds his way to freedom and becomes an important part of our country’s history.  

While a picture book, there is just enough story to make this worth looking at for a longer lesson.  There are so many great picture books about Slavery and Civil Rights, an elementary school or middle school class could use then all as a basis for an excellent unit.  

EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher.

Just a Lucky So and So by Lesa Cline-Ransome - OPTIONAL

Cline-Ransome, Lesa Just a Lucky So and So, illustrated by James Ransome.  PICTUREBOOK. Holiday House, 2016. $16.95. Content: G.  

Louis Armstrong was troubled youth, growing up in New Orleans. He bought a cornet from a pawn shop and started his own band.  Often in trouble with the law, he was sent to a boy’s home at the age of 11.  Always interested in music, he worked his way to bandleader of the boy’s home, returning home leading a big parade.  As an adult, he was mentored by many famous jazz musicians of the day.  Who would have ever thought that a small boy from a rough part of New Orleans would grow to be the famous “Satchmo” Louis Armstrong?  

This fully illustrated picturebook biography includes an author’s note (more detailed biography) and resources, including places to visit and websites where you can see photographs and listen to his music.  Too much name dropping though - without the background knowledge of who all these people were, it’s just a list of names.  This would be a good springboard for a research project on Armstrong or Jazz.  

EL - OPTIONAL  Lisa Librarian