Penny Colman

I'm sick in bed and NaNo is over for the year, so I can finally catch up on some book reviewing.

"Thanksgiving: The True Story" is exactly what it claims to be. Amazingly for a book on the subject of America's most controversial holiday, it keeps an even tone *and* a firm grip on reality.

It begins with what seems like a simple question: what was the first Thanksgiving? Colman explores 12 competing claims. In the course of doing so, she helps us sort out fact from fantasy. She delves into what show more she calls "the 'pilgrim and Indian' story." She discusses, with obvious admiration but without hero worship, the woman who spent decades trying to get Thanksgiving declared a national holiday. She writes movingly of what Thanksgiving has meant and continues to mean to recent immigrants to America.

My son and I both read this book for a history unit this November. I want to say "I strongly recommend this," but that doesn't go far enough. This book should be required reading for all ages. show less

I might be slightly biased since I am coming off another book that tells the same story (in my opinion) rather poorly, but I feel Penny Coleman's version of the tale of Mary Harris Jones is an effective, historical, and engaging perspective on an important story in American labor rights history. Unlike "On the Way to Oyster Bay," this story is a specialized, narrative-driven, bibliographical story book for kids that tells the entire story of Mary Harris Jones from her humble beginnings in show more Ireland to her tragic past in Memphis and her eventual engagement with the labor rights movement.
Probably the most effective difference between this and "On the Way to Oyster Bay" is the shift in perspective and the resulting shift in tone. This book is told from the third person perspective with a narrative focus on Mary Harris Jones and her life leading up to the famous march. This results in a much more sympathetic, emotional, and full picture of the character where you see why she became who she did and why she would feel especially compelled to help and defend children. The other book's first person perspective from the point of view of one of the children ultimately ends up with an incomplete picture and a rather patronizing tone to the writing.
Structurally, I think the context of the labor conditions in the period and regarding Mother Jones's life up to this point is essential for understanding the motivations that led to this march. This is accented by wonderful choices of art, pictures, propaganda, and satirical art that that figuratively paint the mood and mindsets of the time. All of this is very essential for the book's informative tone to not come off as patronizing or biased.
I understand that you must always consider your audience when writing a book, and both this book and "On the Way to Oyster Bay" are aimed at very young children. The big difference between these two books is that this one chooses to show the human struggle and the cruelty of the working conditions that led to children marching with Mother Jones. The other book just treats the march as a quaint little holiday trek. Even for a story intended for children, I find that a little insulting. This book might be getting a little bit of bump from favorable comparison, but I still think Penny Coleman has made a great history book for children. The author's notes are informative, the index is useful, and she lists her sources and places people can go to find out more information. All of this makes for a much more compelling reading experience in my book. show less

The story of Fannie Lou Hammer is a story of a woman who worked to register to vote and educate black people to be able to do the same.
The author was able to convey through the text how difficult Hamer childhood was and how Hamer faced racism at a very early age. Hamer seemed to understand that racism and discrimination played a major role in her family's inability to progress. Young Hamer's understanding of the situation caused her to wish she was white so that she could enjoy simple things show more such as having enough food to eat. After growing up and marrying she attended a meeting held at her church just out of curiosity. At this meeting, Hamer learned that black people could vote. Hamer's ignorance of her right to vote is a great way to begin a discussion on how as citizens we have a right to vote and why wouldn't white want blacks to vote during this time period. Colman also goes on to discuss at what lengths whites went to ensure that blacks wasn't able to vote.

Due to the book being text heavy and including photos, but lacking in illustrations I would recommend it for upper elementary grades. This biography can be used for learning about Hamer but should be supplemented with additional resources to get a full understanding of Hamer's life and the importance of her work. show less

Suitable for young adults & casual readers

In "Corpses, Coffins and Crypts: A History of Burial," author Penny Colman offers a brief overview of death, dying, and related customs and rituals throughout time and across cultures. Intended for a younger audience (grades 9 through 12), the book is a relatively superficial examination of an incredibly complex topic.

Although the book's title stresses burial customs, "Corpses, Coffins and Crypts" includes discussions of a number of disposal methods, show more such as burial (in cemeteries, tombs, catacombs, and mausoleums), cremation (with either burial or scattering), exposure, and cryopreservation. More morbid practices, like cannibalism, are largely omitted. The most emphasis is placed on burial in cemeteries, and Colman includes a number of black-and-white photos to supplement the text; most are of famous or historic cemeteries and graves.

Throughout the book, Colman maintains a lighthearted and humorous tone, perhaps to set apprehensive readers at ease with the taboo material. For instance, she incorporates a picture of Archie Arnold's grave into the book. Arnold, a prankster in life, arranged to have his tomb flanked on either side by antique parking meters, with their dials set to "expired." Colman also interweaves a number of personal anecdotes and narratives into the text, giving her discussion a conversational, friendly feel. While some readers might appreciate the tone, I found it a bit informal for my tastes.

"Corpses, Coffins and Crypts" is probably most suitable for teenagers, as well as adult audiences who want a brief, casual read on the subject. For those looking for a more scholarly and in-depth look at death and dying, I highly recommend Kenneth Iserson's encyclopedic Death to Dust: What Happens to Dead Bodies? (from which Colman quoted heavily). At over 800 pages, Iserson truly does cover all the bases!

http://www.easyvegan.info/2005/06/04/corpses-coffins-and-crypts-a-history-of-bur... show less