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A review by drtlovesbooks
Alphamaniacs: Builders of 26 Wonders of the Word by Paul Fleischman
4.0
What it's about: This book is a nonfiction work that reviews 26 authors whose love for language came through in amazing and unusual ways. This book hits many different categories - literature, history, biography, etymology, art, math. Each chapter is 3-4 pages long, often featuring interesting supplemental art.
What I thought: I happened across a publisher's advertisement for this book that included a brief Q&A with the author and the illustrator, along with a few sample chapters. I was so taken with the first few chapters that I got a copy of the book, and then recommended the book for adoption by the Gifted and Talented program at my middle school. I think it could serve as a source of inspiration to the G&T students as they consider their own areas of interest and prepare to work on projects that reflect their interests.
In filling out the paperwork for adopting this book into the curriculum, I noted that it contains glancing references in the latter half to some authors' works that some might find controversial - the words "rape", "abortion", "erotica" and "obscenity" are mentioned as part of the discussions. But there is nothing graphic, and the word choice throughout remains classroom-friendly for tweens and teens.
Why I rated it like I did: This is a very short, enjoyable, engaging book that really opened my eyes to the many ways one can splash through the waters of language.
Those who love language will love see how others have explored it and twisted it and played with it in dozens of ways. And those who don't love language may be encouraged to consider the many fascinating things we have done, and can do, with the written word and communication.
What I thought: I happened across a publisher's advertisement for this book that included a brief Q&A with the author and the illustrator, along with a few sample chapters. I was so taken with the first few chapters that I got a copy of the book, and then recommended the book for adoption by the Gifted and Talented program at my middle school. I think it could serve as a source of inspiration to the G&T students as they consider their own areas of interest and prepare to work on projects that reflect their interests.
In filling out the paperwork for adopting this book into the curriculum, I noted that it contains glancing references in the latter half to some authors' works that some might find controversial - the words "rape", "abortion", "erotica" and "obscenity" are mentioned as part of the discussions. But there is nothing graphic, and the word choice throughout remains classroom-friendly for tweens and teens.
Why I rated it like I did: This is a very short, enjoyable, engaging book that really opened my eyes to the many ways one can splash through the waters of language.
Those who love language will love see how others have explored it and twisted it and played with it in dozens of ways. And those who don't love language may be encouraged to consider the many fascinating things we have done, and can do, with the written word and communication.