Becky Brown

MEDT 6465/Summer 2013

Comparative Review


Steam Train, Dream Train is a picture book written by Sherri Rinker and illustrated Tom Lichtenheld that
was published in April 2013. Upon its release by Chronicle Books, it was reviewed by several
publications. Each had glowing reviews for Steam Train, Dream Train but the reviews I decided to
concentrate on were from School Library Journal, written by Teri Markson of the Los Angeles Public
Library, and Booklist, written by Thom Barthelmess a library science professor at Dominican University.
The reviews were in some ways eerily similar but in other ways different from each other.

When comparing the two reviews, it fairly easy to find how each is alike. One of the first things that I
noticed was how both Markson and Barthelmess referred to Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site,
which was published by Rinker and Lichtenheld in 2011, as a way to impress upon readers the standard
upon which Steam Train, Dream Train was written. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site was wildly
successful and has become a favorite of both parents and young children. In their reviews, both
Markson and Barthelmess expressed that because of the artwork and rhyming nature of the book, it too
will become a favorite. Another similarity between the two is the praise that Lichtenheld received for
the illustrations that he created for the book. Markson states that the strength of this book is in the
striking spreads in wax oil pastel while Barthelmess explained that Lichtenheld was able to capture the
luminous magic of dreams set against the endless dark of nighttime, while also adding a touch of
comedy with his grinning, cartoony animal characters. In addition, Markson and Barthelmess conveyed
to readers of the review the plot line of the book. Each review conveyed that animals were loading a
train for an exciting journey but each also explains how the text is enriched with information about
trains so that young readers can ascertain for themselves the different parts of one.

Just as it is effortless to find similarities between the two reviews, it also simple to find differences. The
first difference that I was able to determine was the difference in the length of the review. Marksons
review was 265 words while Barthelmesss review was 210. Fifty words may not seem as a huge
difference in reviewing a picture book but I could tell a difference in the plot summary. Marksons
summary was detailed while Barthelmesss summary gave the reader the basics of the plot. Another
discrepancy between the two is how Markson and Barthelmess differed on Rinkers use of language.
Markson explained how the rhyming text loses a bit of steam in the middle, describing but not always
enhancing the activity depicted in the illustrations whereas Barthelmess refers to Rinkers writing as
romantic rhyming text. For myself, I tend to agree with Markson. The beginning and the end of the
story were quite wonderful but the middle was a little bogged down.


Upon further reflection of these reviews, I can begin to understand how imperative it is for librarians or
media specialists to delve deeply into the selection process. If I was to read just Marksons review in
School Library Journal I may not be so keen on purchasing the book for a media center. But, with the
help of the review written by Barthelmess, I would probably have changed my mind because his review
while short was thoughtful and insightful about Dream Train, Steam Train.




From School Library Journal:

Rinker, Sherri Duskey. Steam Train, Dream Train. illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. 40p. Chronicle. 2013. Tr
$16.99. ISBN 978-1-4521-0920-6. LC 2012030942.

PreS-KFrom out of the midnight darkness comes a mighty train heading to Night Falls station. With
clouds of steam hissing from the smokestack and brakes squealing, it comes to a stop and the animal
crew jumps out, ready to load up the cars with freight. A rambunctious bunch of monkeys fills the
boxcar with toys while kangaroos toss balls into the open-topped hopper car. Purple elephants use their
trunks to fill the tanker cars with different colored paints as a polar bear and penguin put giant ice-
cream sundaes in the reefer car. After such a hard nights work, the crew beds down on the flatbed car,
ready for the steam engine to fire up and take them to dreamland. The strength of this book is in the
striking spreads in wax oil pastel. A vast night sky is filled with sparkly stars and large billowing clouds
that frame the oncoming train traveling through a realistically silhouetted landscape, while the animal
crew looks strangely toy like, as though made of plush and plastic. It is not until the final spread that this
incongruous bunch, and this whole dream, is explained by a nighttime look at a young train lovers
bedroom. The beginning and end of the book are filled with expressive and enjoyable railroad sounds,
yet the rhyming text loses a bit of steam in the middle, describing but not always enhancing the activity
depicted in the illustrations. Still, this is a book that will, like its predecessor, Goodnight, Goodnight
Construction Site (Chronicle, 2011), be embraced as a nighttime standard, particularly among train
lovers everywhere.Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library
From Booklist:
Rinker, Sherri Duskey (author).Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld.
Apr. 2013. 40p. Chronicle, hardcover, $16.99 (9781452109206). PreS-K.
REVIEW. First published May 15, 2013 (Booklist).
Rinker and Lichtenheld hit pay dirt with Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (2011) and follow that
success with another rhyming bedtime adventure full of sweet surprise. A train pulls into Nightfalls
Station to be loaded with cargo, and page by page, different animals stock a series of cars, each with
items suited to their species (rabbits load pogo sticks, polar bears load ice cream). When the cargo is
complete, the train departs, and we see it circling the floor at the foot of a childs bed in a pool of
moonlight. The romantic rhyming text (Through the darkness, clickety-clack . . . / coming closer, down
the track . . . / hold your breath so you can hear / huffing, chuffing drawing near) never refers to the
animals by name, allowing the audience to make the clever matches on their own. The different train
cars, with the technical name for each given in slightly bolded typeface, add special appeal for young
railroad aficionados. Working in vivid oil pastels on dark gray paper, Lichtenheld captures the luminous
magic of dreams set against the endless dark of nighttime, while also adding a touch of comedy with his
grinning, cartoony animal characters. Kids will clamor for this one at bedtime and storytime alike.
Thom Barthelmess


Bibliography


Barthelmess, T. (2013, May 15). [Review of the book Steam Train, Dream Train, by S. D. Rinker].
Booklist Magazine. Retrieved from http://booklistonline.com/Steam-Train-Dream-Train-Sherri-
Duskey-Rinker/pid=6023382

Duskey, S. R. (2013). Steam Train, Dream Train (T. Lichtenheld, Illustrator). Chronicle Books.

Markson, T. (2013, June 3). [Review of the book Steam Train, Dream Train, by S. D. Rinker].
School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2013/06/books-media/reviews/
pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-steam-train-dream-train/



Becky Brown
MEDT 6465/Summer 2013
Double Book Review-Part I


Riordan, R. (2005). The Lightning Thief. New York, NY: Disney-Hyperion Books.

Ever wished that one of your parentss, or maybe even both, were gods? Well, in The Lightning
Thief by Rick Riordan, Perseus Jackson found out that one of his parents is a god. Finding this
out explained so much to Percy-his diagnosis of ADHD and dyslexia, the creepy things that
happen to him all of the time, and the fact that Percy nor his mother had not heard from his
father in 12 years. To protect Percy from all of mythological monsters that seem to be after
him, he is sent to live at Camp Half-Blood with other demigod children and teenagers. Percy is
given a quest by the Oracle, along with his best friend, satyr, and protector Grover and his new
friend Annabeth Chase, daughter of the goddess Athena. Zeuss lightning bolt has been stolen
and the gods on Mount Olympus believe that Percy has stolen it for his father, Poseidon. He
has to return it to Mount Olympus by the summer solstice or war will break out amongst the
gods and destroy the human race. Percy, Grover, and Annabeth set out on their quest and
encounter Medusa, mind-blowing events at the Lotus Casino in Las Vegas, and the Underworld
(which just happens to be in Los Angeles). But, will Percy and his friends be able to find and
return Zeuss lightning bolt to Mount Olympus in time? Will they be able to discover who the
real lightning thief is and bring him/her to justice? You will have to read The Lightning Thief to
find out!













Becky Brown
MEDT 6465/Summer 2013
Double Book Review-Part II


Riordan, R. (2005). The Lightning Thief. New York, NY: Disney-Hyperion Books.

Ever wished that one of your parentss, or maybe even both, were gods? Well, in The Lightning
Thief by Rick Riordan, Perseus Jackson found out that one of his parents is a god. Finding this
out explained so much to Percy-his diagnosis of ADHD and dyslexia, the creepy things that
happen to him all of the time, and the fact that Percy nor his mother had not heard from his
father in 12 years. To protect Percy from all of mythological monsters that seem to be after
him, he is sent to live at Camp Half-Blood with other demigod children and teenagers. Percy is
given a quest by the Oracle, along with his best friend, satyr, and protector Grover and his new
friend Annabeth Chase, daughter of the goddess Athena. Zeuss lightning bolt has been stolen
and the gods on Mount Olympus believe that Percy has stolen it for his father, Poseidon. He
has to return it to Mount Olympus by the summer solstice or war will break out amongst the
gods and destroy the human race. Percy, Grover, and Annabeth set out on their quest and
encounter Medusa, mind-blowing events at the Lotus Casino in Las Vegas, and the Underworld
(which just happens to be in Los Angeles). But, will Percy and his friends be able to find and
return Zeuss lightning bolt to Mount Olympus in time? Will they be able to discover who the
real lightning thief is and bring him/her to justice? Students will be dying to find out and will
want to read The Lightning Thief to figure it out!

Riordans writing in the book was fast-paced, full of action, and brings to life the gods and
goddesses of Ancient Greece and Rome in a way that students in grades 5-9 will grasp and
understand. In many ways, Percys adventures are comparable to classical heroes such as
Odysseus and Hercules. Just like Odysseus and Hercules, Percy is sent on a quest which helps
to determine his own strengths and weaknesses as a child of a Mount Olympus god. But the
quest also touches on several other modern issues such as blended families and the
environment. As a normal pre-teen, Percys life is totally relatable to readers (even if their
parents are just normal human beings). This is the first book out of series of five about the
adventures of the demigod Perseus Jackson, with each being just as exciting and action-packed
as the first.






Becky Brown
MEDT 6465/Summer
Elementary Fiction Review


Sarah, Plain and Tall
MacLachlan, Patricia (author). Illustrated by Marcia Sewell.
June 1985. 64p. HarperCollins, paperback, $8.95 (0-06-024101-2). Grades 3-5.

Anna and Caleb live on a farm with their father Jacob. Their mother died after giving birth to
Caleb and their father has never remarried. Jacob comes home from town one day and
announces to Anna and Caleb that he has decided to advertise for a mail order bride and
mother. In response to his ad, Sarah Elisabeth Wheaton writes to Jacob and as time goes on
she also writes to Anna and Caleb as well. One day, the Wittings receive a letter stating that
Sarah has left her home in Maine and will be joining them in Kansas. Anna and Caleb worry-will
Sarah like their home? Will she like them enough to stay? Sarah finally arrives in the spring,
along with her cat Seal, and a new life begins for all of them. The Wittings find that although
Sarah is plain and tall, she is also very caring which is what each of them is craving. But, even
while Sarah is starting to adjust to her life in the west, there is an undercurrent that reveals that
Sarah desperately misses her home in Maine which leads the Jacob, Anna, and Caleb to believe
that Sarah will leave before the preacher comes at the end of the summer to marry Jacob and
Sarah. After learning how to drive the wagon, Sarah requests that she use the wagon and team
to go into town. Will Sarah leave the Wittings or will she return home to them? Although the
tale seems very simple, it is in fact not. Maclachlan interweaves words with deep seated
emotions and sentiments to describe a very poignant story about lost but also rebirth. With
such a wonderful story, it is no wonder that MacLachlan was bestowed with the Newberry
Award for Sarah, Plain and Tall.



Becky Brown
MEDT 6465/Summer
Middle School Fiction Review

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
Rowling, J.K. (author)
Sept. 1998. 320p. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine, hardcover, $16.95 (0-590-35340-3). Grades 5-8.

Harry Potter lives in the cupboard under the stairs at 4 Privet Dr, Little Whinging, Surrey with
his very rotund Uncle Vernon, horse-like Aunt Petunia, and obnoxious cousin Dudley. On his
11
th
birthday, he starts to receive mysterious letters but his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia
intercept them before Harry can even read them! To stop the letters from coming, Uncle
Vernon takes the entire family far away but much to his chagrin, a giant named Hagrid is finally
able to deliver Harrys acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry. But
how was Harry even admitted to Hogwarts? He is actually a wizard and his parents also had
magical powers! His parents did not die in a car accident, like his Uncle Vernon and Aunt
Petunia had told him, but were viciously murdered by Lord Voldemort, an evil wizard who
wants to control the entire wizarding world. Harry is the only person who has survived being
attacked by Lord Voldemort and as a result has a lightning scar on his forehead. But what has
happened to Lord Voldemort? Has he disappeared for good? More importantly, what will
Harrys first year at Hogwarts be like? Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone is J.K. Rowlings
first published work but in it she has created an absolutely fascinating work of fiction. It not
only details what life is like for students in a boarding school but she describes the sports they
play, the faculty who teach the students and the magic they make without sacrificing the plot of
the story. This title has won several awards in the United Kingdom and was a part of the
Notable Childrens Book list in the United States.


Becky Brown
MEDT 6465/Summer
High School Fiction Review


Catching Fire

Collins, Suzanne (author)
Sept. 2009. 400p. Scholastic, hardcover, $17.99 (9780439023498). Grades 9-12.

So what happens in Panem after Katniss and Peeta win the Hunger Games? The sequel,
Catching Fire, enlightens readers about the chaos that unfolds as a result of the defiant way in
which Katniss and Peeta were able to win the Hunger Games. As the two teenagers embark on
the tour of the 12 districts, they are witness to the unrest that plagues Panem but what
happens next surprises even them. When they return to district 12, Katniss and Peeta are
informed that the Quarter Quell will be played with former champions coming back to
participate in the game. Katniss decides to go to the Quarter Quell to protect Peeta while
Peeta decides to go to protect Katniss. But what does Gale think about all of this? Besides that,
how is Katniss going to protect her mother and sister now that President Snow has promised
Katniss that he will retaliate against her because of her behavior in the Games? In this
installment, Collins has been able to satisfy readers but to also set up what is to happen in the
conclusion of the trilogy. However, the biggest problem with Catching Fire is its pacing. The
first 1/3 of the book is told as a narrative by Katniss and it moves slowly. However, by the time
the Quarter Quell begins, the action is back and never looks back. But what is going to happen
to Panem? To Katniss and her family? Who will win Katniss heart-Peeta or Gale? Readers will
have to read the conclusion of the trilogy, Mockingjay, to find out!