L. Frank Baum: Royal Historian of Oz

Author: Angelica Shirley Carpenter & Jean Shirley
Title: L. Frank Baum: Royal Historian of Oz
Book Genre: Biography
Publishing Info: Lerner Publications, 139 pp

Summary: Wow! Anyone who appreciated/or did not appreciate the film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , will surely appreciate Frank Baum’s work after reading this biography. The book begins with Baum’s life as a child who suffered from severe health problems, but managed to find a dream and passion that would not interact with his heart conditions. The authors have deeply researched Baum’s life and accomplishments to write this book. I personally had no idea about the other 13 Oz stories. This book talks about his journey’s in and out of the states. When Baum died in 1919, his legacy still continued. Most people are only familiar with the 1939 classic film released by MGM of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but that production did not involve Frank, only his ideas from his book. “The Wizard of Oz is one of the 25 film titles to be protected as “national treasure” under the National Preservation Act of 1988.”

Personal Rating: *****

Rationale: Well-written, well researched material, detailed, great photos included

Reading Level: 7.2 Interest Level: 4th-8th

Thematic Areas: Determination, character, values, culture, diversity, perserverance

Subject Content: Social Studies, Language Arts, Geography

Possible problems or difficulties: N/A

Possible uses in the classroom: For a Geography lesson: Frank Baum and his wife Maud traveled all around the world, where he would write and get ideas. Have the students do a map of the places that Frank Baum traveled.
For a Social Studies unit, have the students do a timeline of events that happened in his lifetime.
For a language arts activity, have the students choose two of his Oz books and have them compare and contrast the characters, setting, and plot.
Also, have the students get into literature circle groups and choose one of the Oz books by Frank Baum to read and discuss.

Wood-Song

Information for students
Author: Gary Paulsen Title: Wood-Song
Book Genre: autobiography Publishing Info: Bradbury Press

Summary: This is a great book for the adventurists. Gary Paulsen has always wanted to take his dogs to Alaska and participate in a dogsled race. This is Paulsen autobiography of the 17 days it took him and his dogs to go over the finish line. It is told with beauty and humor.




Personal rating: *****

Pages: 144

Rationale: good book for people that love adventure and nature, loved the map of Iditarod so when you are reading the story you know where Paulsen is

Information for teachers
Reading level: 4.75 Interest level: ages 10-14

Thematic Areas: dog-sledding, sled dogs, Minnesota, nature, social life and customs, outdoor life, Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Content Areas: science, geography, language arts

Potential Problems or Difficulties:

Possible use in classroom:
· Learn more about wolves
· Have students to research animals of the Artic
· Have students to find out what the weather in Alaska is right now
· Look up the recipe for Puppy Chow, make and share with the class
· Show students were Minnesota and Alaska are on a map