Monday, April 9, 2012

Autumn Across America by Seymour Simon


Autumn Across America
By Seymour Simon

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Simon, Seymour, 1993, Autumn Across America, Hyperion Books for Children; New York, ISBN 9781562824686

PLOT SUMMARY

Scientific writer, Seymour Simon explores another season autumn, guiding readers through the scientific journey of change.  Simon provides comprehensive facts on the changes that take place during this season and discusses the Earth’s rotation, harvests, migration and photosynthesis.  The colorful photographs reiterate the content and capture the true beauty and fascination autumn brings.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Seymour Simon once again delivers factual information to readers in a simplistic and meaningful way.  Simon delivers an introduction to the unique characteristics of fall through age appropriate content and colorful, bold photographs which integrate beautifully with the text.  The content is well organized and flows nicely from topic to topic.  The descriptive word selection combined with the often close-up photography captivates the reader and provokes the need to turn the page. Simon’s style is once again delivered through imagery and scientific vocabulary which encourages critical and exploratory thinking.

An accurate and delightful look at the splendor and scientific wonder autumn brings.
(Nonfiction, ages 6 – 10)

REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal: "Since there is no index and no table of contents, children looking for specific information will be frustrated. The book's main attraction is its design-beautiful photographs set in pages of glowing fall colors... Seasonal materials are always in demand; this one is a good choice for browsers."

Booklist: "Simon's first book in a series about the changing seasons introduces autumn as a 'season of memory and change.' By the book's end, readers will grasp the significance of that phrase. Throughout this tribute, each double-page spread contains at least one, sometimes two, four-color photographs of a typical fall scene opposite two or three paragraphs of Simon's information-packed text, all appearing on a brilliant background color. This makes each turn of the page a delightful shock, not unlike the astonishment of seeing the first orange tree of fall."

AWARDS: 
1994, Teacher’s Choice, International Reading Association.

CONNECTIONS:
Science; Have students continue their study of photosynthesis and study of fall foliage by having student’s collect, journal and identify different leaves found during autumn.
Art; Have students draw sketch or create a photographic collage of leaves they encounter during their research.  Have the students present their findings/collection to the class.
Language Arts; Have students write a short poem or descriptive essay about fall and the scientific changes that take place.

OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Johnson, Sylvia, How Leaves Change, ISBN 0822595133
Robbins, Ken, Autumn Leaves, ISBN 0590298798
Maestro, Betsy, Why Do Leaves Change Color? ISBN 0064451267
Hirschi, Ron, Fall, ISBN 0525650539
Simon, Seymour, Spring Across America, ISBN 97807868820566
Simon, Seymour, Winter Across America, ISBN 9780786800193


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