The Books of Elsewhere: The Shadows

Bibliographic Information (APA): West, J. (2010). The Books of Elsewhere: The Shadows. Illus. Illustrator Poly Bernatene. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Brief Annotation: Something strange is happening in Olive's new house. She discovers a pair of glasses that allows her to enter the many paintings that line the walls.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Fiction

Grade Level: 5th-12th

Readers who will like this: Children that enjoy fantasy fiction will really enjoy this book.

Response/Rating (1-4): 4; If I could give it a 5 or more I would. Jacqueline lives in our backyard and is always willing to come to schools and libraries for talks or workshops. This is a beautifully written book about paintings that come to life when she puts on a pair of classes she finds. She soon meets three cats that act as guardians to the paintings. This book is beautifully written and I highly recommend it.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: Have you ever wished you could climb into a painting?

Reading Strategies Connection:

Artist workshop:

Have the children study different paintings and artists. When the children have had some time to explore different paintings provide the children with a canvas and some different art medias. Allow the children to create their own paintings to "put inside Olive's House". When the paintings are complete ask the children to write a story about what it would be like to enter their painting. Have them include what it would be like and who they would encounter. Allow the children's imaginations to run wild.