An annotated bibliography is simply a list of consulted sources followed by a summary of each source. The point of these assignments is to familiarize yourself with new children’s books.
Your list should be comprised of 10 books with correct MLA citations and summaries. 1. Choose a genre of interest/topics areas and an age group from the below and select ten (10) books related to the topic from the same approximate reading level. Topic Areas to Choose from: • Native American Life and History • African-American Life and History • Women’s History, Suffrage, Feminism • The history/life of another specific ethnic group • LGBTQ+ issues • Social Activism • Social Justice • Mixed or Untraditional Families • Anger (or other emotions). **I am open to other topics as well as long they are not the typical basic instruction books on the usual topics. Please email me for approval.
2. You must choose any age group to focus your reading list on • Picture Books (Babies-Toddlers-Preschool) • Early Readers/Chapter Books (6-10) • Middle Readers (8-12) • Young Adult (12+). 3. Read each book. 4. Write MLA works cited entry of each book **check our NCC library website for more info: http://library.ncc.edu/docs/mlacitation.pdf or https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ 5. Write short (about 100 words) annotations of each book paying special attention to the way each story captivates readers of the specific reading level. Annotations include conceptual summaries of the book, which means you will have to read each of the books on your list. HELPFUL TIPS
As in an MLA works cited page, your list should be organized alphabetically, by author’s last name. After each citation, the summary should follow. Then write the next citation and summary.
In your 100 word summary, you must provide the following: 1. A conceptual summary of the book (identify the theme; describe elements of plot such as character, tone, conflict etc.; discuss author’s style; consider ultimate goal of the book and how the author got there) 2. Identify the specific genre of the book (beyond “picture book”, is it fantasy, science fiction, historical realism?) 3. A brief discussion of how illustrations and text work together in the book to create meaning.
Before your summary, you must provide a correct MLA entry of the book itself (as it would appear on a works cited page). Make sure to refer to the 2009 MLA format. If you need to refresh your memory on MLA format, check out the Purdue University MLA website: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/06/ Example of one annotated bibliography entry: Leaf, Munro. How to Speak Politely and Why. New York, Universe, 2005. Munro Leaf’s book, How to Speak Politely and Why, is an instructional picture book that aims to teach children proper speech and grammar. Leaf provides examples of improper speech and common usage mistakes, and explains the correct forms of expression. He addresses various faulty uses of speech such as erroneous word pronunciations, impolite forms of expression, issues of tense and common grammar mistakes while maintaining an uplifting, non-pedantic tone. Personification of words is one method Leaf employs in this book to draw in readers and help them understand the purpose or misuse of certain words. The use of simple stick figure illustrations maintains the practical mood of the book while adding an element of silliness to it which may appeal to children.