Module 6 – Informational Books
1. TEMPLE GRANDIN: HOW THE GIRL WHO LOVED COWS EMBRACED AUTISM AND CHANGED THE WORLD by Sy Montgomery
Bibliography
Montgomery, Sy. (2012). Temple Grandin: how the girl who loved cows embraced autism and changed the world. Candlewick on Blackstone Audio, Inc. https://www.audible.com/pd/Temple-Grandin-Audiobook/B007X560GS?ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=6JX96953MGY9FNAX3CNB
Plot Summary
This is a biography of Temple Grandin. Temple was diagnosed with autism as a young child in the 1950s. Her father struggled to come to terms with her behavior, but her mother was much more understanding and fought to get Temple the education and care that she needed. Temple went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Franklin Pierce College, a master’s degree from Arizona State University, and her doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She went on to invent new farm equipment that transformed the farming industry, and she became an unwavering advocate for animal welfare.
Critical Analysis
The unabridged audiobook Temple Grandin: how the girl who loved cows embraced autism and changed the world begins with a foreword by Temple Grandin. There are 13 chapters, with chapters 3, 5, 8, 10, and 11 having subchapters. It concludes with advice from Temple for kids on the autism spectrum in an appendix and end credits. There is one female narrator and no musical background. The voice is clear and easily understood. Temple’s story is compelling and the narrator speaks with inflections that make the text interesting to listen to. This would be enjoyable for young adults that have a connection to autism or are drawn to animal causes.
Temple Grandin serves as a role model for young adult women in general, especially those on the autism spectrum. The author intentionally includes stories of Temple overcoming stigma and challenges in her environment, to succeed brilliantly. Facts and figures are included to give authenticity to the points being made. The author also includes many pieces of advice from the author herself on what it takes to be successful, as an autistic person in a typical world.
Review excerpts
Connections
- Visit Sy Montgomery’s website to find a discussion guide and pre-reading activities. Symontgomery.com/class-activities
- Have students read nonfiction books about autism to gain background information.- Students can do a research project on how animals are treated in meat-processing plants.
2. ALL THIRTEEN: THE INCREDIBLE CAVE RESCUE OF THE THAI BOYS’ SOCCER TEAM by Christina Soontornvat
Bibliography
Soontornvat, Christina. (2020). All thirteen: the incredible cave rescue of the Thai boys’ soccer team. Candlewick on Brilliance Audio. https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/all-thirteen-the-incredible-cave-rescue-of-the-thai-boys-soccer-team/549032
Plot Summary
This is the story of the Thai Boys’ soccer team’s cave rescue in 2018. Twelve boys, ages 11-17, and their 25-year-old assistant coach went on an excursion to hike a local cave in June, one month before the rainy season was set to begin. A few hours after they began their hike, they realized they were in trouble. Their way out no longer looked the same and had become unpassable. They were stuck. Lost with no perceivable way out. Meanwhile, back home, their families pieced together where the team had gone and what had happened to them. They set out to find a way to rescue the team. Experts from all over the globe came to help and people all over the world were enraptured by the story. In the end, with the help of many brave volunteers, all thirteen people were successfully rescued.
Critical Analysis
All Thirteen is a dramatic retelling of a riveting real-world event. The audiobook is read by one male narrator. The sound is clear, without music, and the voice is easily understood. It begins with opening credits and a dedication. There are 31 chapters, followed by an author’s note. It ends with credits. The narrator pronounces the Thai names and words authentically.
The story is fast paced. Each chapter begins with a date. This builds tension, even though the reader undoubtedly knows that the boys were rescued safely. Soontornvat crafts a narrative that leaves readers eager to hear how the tale unfolds.
The author uses her own personal experience as a Thai American, to help her English-speaking audience understand the nuances of the events. She includes many background details about Thai culture and the environment to give context to the story and to help explain the actions of the people involved. Many personal anecdotes about each person involved, help the reader connect with the boys, their families, and the volunteers who risked their lives to save all thirteen members of the soccer team.
Review excerpts
- Kirkus Reviews starred: “An in-depth account of a harrowing real-life mission that succeeds against all odds.”
- School Library Journal: “This stellar nonfiction work reads like a heart-pounding adventure story. Every library should have a copy.”- Booklist starred: "Readers who already know the outcome will nonetheless be enthralled by this singular tale...”
Connections
- Authors note at the end of the book.
- The Trapped 13 documentary on Netflix and Thirteen Lives movie on Amazon Prime.
3. CLARA LEMLICH (SHE PERSISTED) by Deborah Heiligman
Bibliography
Heiligman, Deborah. (2021). Clara Lemlich (She Persisted). Listening Library. https://www.audible.com/pd/She-Persisted-Clara-Lemlich-Audiobook/0593454472?ref=a_library_t_c5_libItem_&pf_rd_p=80765e81-b10a-4f33-b1d3-ffb87793d047&pf_rd_r=GCEXY6YDPJZGENPZA10Q
Plot Summary
Clara Lemlich is a short biography by Deborah Heiligman. It’s a part of the She Persisted series by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger. Clara Lemlich was born in Russia (Ukraine) in 1886, in a jewish family. Jews were severely oppressed in Russia at the time, and while she and her family were unharmed, they were denied many rights afforded to other Russian citizens. Clara was not allowed to attend school like her brothers, and she yearned to read and go to school. The situation became untenable, and she and her family fled to America to live safely. Once there, they adapted like other immigrants. They joined her older sister, Ella, in New York City. Clara got a job at a shirt-waist factory to support her family. This was not her dream, but she found her voice, and made a difference in the lives of the workers around her.
Critical Analysis
This unabridged audiobook begins with opening credits and a dedication. Then there is a note from Chelsea Clinton. Clara’s story is told in six chapters. This is followed by a note to the reader titled, “How You Can Persist”. It is read by a female narrator. There is no music, and the voice is expressive and clear.
The subject of this biography is someone that young adults can look up to. The author includes many details about Clara seeing injustice and standing up for people. She uses her voice in a way that young adults will admire and emulate. The note at the end gives solid, actionable advice to young people on how to make a difference and live a life of purpose.
Review excerpts
Connections
- Note from the author at the end of the book: “How You Can Persist”.
- Have students research working conditions in factories and government regulations.
