Literacy MapTAL 203

Jordan Perry

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Where do sharks live?Literacy Map

Analysis Sharks

By Eric S. Grace

Annotated Bibliography

SharksBy Eric S. Grace

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Grace, E.S. (1999). Sharks. Canada: Key

Porter Books Limited.

Image borrowed from http://www.world-atlas.us/world-map.gif

Where do sharks live?

Mackerel Shark Basking shark

Bramble shark

Carpet Shark

Bull Shark

Sand Shark

Great White Shark

As you can see, sharks live in just about any ocean!

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A Literary Element Analysis:Setting and Style

The underwater setting for Eric Grace’s Sharks is naturally appropriate for this informational piece of literature. In the onset of the book, the photographs of the sharks in their natural habitats set a tone for the book that continually enhances the fascinating text. This effective establishment of setting transports readers to the deep blue world of the shark.

Furthermore, the setting creates a constant mood adding suspense throughout the book. For example accompanied by a powerful photograph of the fearsome great white, Grace writes “The great white shark is suspended motionless in the gloomy water…Its powerful body is twice the length of the diver who faces it, eye to eye, with only a wall of clear plastic between them” (6). This vivid language alone would efficiently captivate readers, however, when hand in hand with such dramatic photographs, a life-like setting is established, drawing the reader into a world far beyond and below the water’s surface.

With scientific, yet comprehensive language, this appropriate style generates a necessary respect for the author and his reputable research. Though kid-friendly, the language demonstrates an appropriate manner for discussing scientific knowledge. Grace gently introduces the jargon that esteemed scientists use to describe the tendencies of these marvelous underwater creatures by including comprehensive definitions of terms scattered throughout the book.

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Annotated Bibliography

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http://www.top-adventure-tours.com/image-files/shark-picture.jpg

• Arnold, C. (1991). Watch out for sharks! New York, NY: Clarion Books.

Grade Level: 4-8

Watch out for Sharks! is an excellent book recommended for children in grades ranging from 4 to 8. In her book, Caroline Arnold includes stunning facts about these marvelous creatures that have swum in the earth’s oceans for more than 415 million years! (pg. 8) Enhanced by the work of photographer Richard Hewett, this book takes readers all the way through exciting shark museums to the very bottom of the sea where some of the craziest sharks are lurking.

• Landau, E. (2003). Fearsome, scary, and creepy animals: Scary sharks. Berkley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers Inc.

Grade Level: 2-4

Opening with the miraculous story of a young boy’s recovery from a shark attack, Scary Sharks will have you sitting on the edge of your seat from beginning to end! Not only will Elaine Landau capture you with her thrilling, page-turning set of shark-attack survivor stories, but Landau’s book features shocking shark facts with beautiful comprehensible illustrations accompanied by close-up photographs of these fascinating animals.

Bibliography Continued

Annotated Bibliography CTD.

Image borrowed from http://www.sharkdiving.us/images/hammerhead/02.jpg

Sabuda, R. & Reinhart, M. (2006). Encyclopedia prehistorica: Sharks and other sea monsters. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick.

Grade Level: 2-12

If you thought close-up pictures of sharks were cool, wait until you see Robert Sabuda’s shark illustrations as they pop-up at you with the turn of every page. Packed with countless facts and hidden surprises under every flap, you’ll see that this book isn’t just an encyclopedia!

Steel, R. (1991). The concise illustrated book of sharks. New York, New York: Brian Trodd Publishing House Limited.

Grade Level: 5-12

Rodney Steel’s colorful picture book features both hand-drawn pictures as well as real-life photographs of 46 different shark species! This book features explicit detailed information including diet, habitat, physical features, and historical facts! This is a great reference book for any shark fanatic!

World book’s animals of the world: Hammerheads and other sharks. (2002). Chicago: World Book, Inc.

Grade Level: 2-6

Ever wonder how the cookie cutter shark got its name? Or maybe you’d like to know what saw sharks use their saws for! Brace yourself, because this book is filled to the brim of fascinating questions and answers about all the things you’ve ever wondered about the fantastic world of sharks.

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Quotation“Designed like underwater flying machines, sharks are built to cruise effortless through the seas. Although capable of bursts of speed up to 30 miles per hour, sharks usually swim at a more leisurely pace over long distances” (Grace, 14).

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