What do you think?
Have You Seen Mary?
Distributed by the University of Nebraska Press for Michael Forsberg Photography
“. . . and the sky blackened with dark, gray bodies. In the blurry confusion, John lost Mary.” So begins Have You Seen Mary?, Jeff Kurrus’s fictional account of one sandhill crane’s faithful search during spring migration for his lost mate. Set on Nebraska’s Platte River, this tenderly woven story of love is also a stirring introduction to these majestic birds, replete with Michael Forsberg’s radiant color photographs. This book will appeal to all ages, for it both entertains and educates readers about sandhill cranes.
“. . . and the sky blackened with dark, gray bodies. In the blurry confusion, John lost Mary.” So begins Have You Seen Mary?, Jeff Kurrus’s fictional account of one sandhill crane’s faithful search during spring migration for his lost mate. Set on Nebraska’s Platte River, this tenderly woven story of love is also a stirring introduction to these majestic birds, replete with Michael Forsberg’s radiant color photographs. This book will appeal to all ages, for it both entertains and educates readers about sandhill cranes.
44 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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July 5, 2013Audience: Primary
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The strategy that I would use for “Have You Seen Mary?” would be a KWL chart. KWL stands for what you Know, Want to Know, and Learned from a story or topic being discussed. The students will turn a piece of paper long ways and make three columns labeled K, W, and L. The first column is the “know” section where students can write what they Know about Sandhill Cranes. This is done prior to reading the book. The students are encouraged to write down anything they have heard or read on the subject of Sandhill Cranes.
Next, also before starting the book, students can fill out the “Want to Know” section of their chart. Here it is important for them to really think about what questions they would like answered about Sandhill Cranes. If the students struggle with this section prompt them with a few ideas like what types of problems do you think they might face? What do you think they might need to survive? Etc. Finally, read the book “What About Mary.” The “Learned” section of the chart can either be filled out as you read the story or after the story. My preference is after the story so that I know that they are still listening to the whole story and not just trying to find answers to their questions. After the story we can refer back to our KWL charts for a class discussion. Ask: Which questions were answered? Which ones were not? Where can we go to find out more about Sandhill Cranes in order to answer these questions? Together you could have the group look them up or they could do it individually during independent time and report their answers back to the class. I like this strategy for this book because it helps the students stay focused on the story and the questions they might answer as well as describes some of the real (nonfiction) elements to this story that tie in with the fun love story between Mary and John Crane.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The strategy that I would use for “Have You Seen Mary?” would be a KWL chart. KWL stands for what you Know, Want to Know, and Learned from a story or topic being discussed. The students will turn a piece of paper long ways and make three columns labeled K, W, and L. The first column is the “know” section where students can write what they Know about Sandhill Cranes. This is done prior to reading the book. The students are encouraged to write down anything they have heard or read on the subject of Sandhill Cranes.
Next, also before starting the book, students can fill out the “Want to Know” section of their chart. Here it is important for them to really think about what questions they would like answered about Sandhill Cranes. If the students struggle with this section prompt them with a few ideas like what types of problems do you think they might face? What do you think they might need to survive? Etc. Finally, read the book “What About Mary.” The “Learned” section of the chart can either be filled out as you read the story or after the story. My preference is after the story so that I know that they are still listening to the whole story and not just trying to find answers to their questions. After the story we can refer back to our KWL charts for a class discussion. Ask: Which questions were answered? Which ones were not? Where can we go to find out more about Sandhill Cranes in order to answer these questions? Together you could have the group look them up or they could do it individually during independent time and report their answers back to the class. I like this strategy for this book because it helps the students stay focused on the story and the questions they might answer as well as describes some of the real (nonfiction) elements to this story that tie in with the fun love story between Mary and John Crane.
January 19, 2014
Today we are going to read a book called Have You Seen Mary By Jeff Kurrus.
What do you predict this book is going to be about just by hearing the title?
This book is about two sandhill cranes named John and Mary who lose each other in the process of migration. The story is narrated by John, the male crane who tells us of his adventures while searching for Mary. As he searches for Mary he is coming across some clues that he thinks will lead him to her but none tell him where she might have gone. He also meets some new characters on his journey so I want you to remember who they are.
What kind of pictures has the author chosen to use in his book?
As we look at the real photographs in the book what do you notice about the cranes that might be causing John some problems in his search?
Have any of you ever been lost? What are some things people do to find someone that is lost? How is that different than what John will have to do?
The audience I would choose for this book is K-6.
The opening I have written would be more for grades 1-3.
(2012, March). Prairie Fire-The Progressive Voice of the Great Plains.
http://www.prairiefirenewspaper.com/2...
What do you predict this book is going to be about just by hearing the title?
This book is about two sandhill cranes named John and Mary who lose each other in the process of migration. The story is narrated by John, the male crane who tells us of his adventures while searching for Mary. As he searches for Mary he is coming across some clues that he thinks will lead him to her but none tell him where she might have gone. He also meets some new characters on his journey so I want you to remember who they are.
What kind of pictures has the author chosen to use in his book?
As we look at the real photographs in the book what do you notice about the cranes that might be causing John some problems in his search?
Have any of you ever been lost? What are some things people do to find someone that is lost? How is that different than what John will have to do?
The audience I would choose for this book is K-6.
The opening I have written would be more for grades 1-3.
(2012, March). Prairie Fire-The Progressive Voice of the Great Plains.
http://www.prairiefirenewspaper.com/2...
March 11, 2012
This is my new, favorite children's book! This past weekend I went to Nebraska to see the migration of sandhill cranes. After learning about them, particularly that they mate for life, and then stumbling across this book about two cranes that get separated midst 100,000's of sandhill cranes, I just had to have a copy for myself. The photography is beautiful, the story very sweet, and the introduction factual and informative. This book stays on my favorites shelf!
March 24, 2012
Native Nebraskans will recognize the towns and locales Kurrus mentions in this story of two Sand Hills crane on their annual migration north. The author is from Gretna, minutes from me, and the photographer from Lincoln. I loved the combination of nature photography with the tale of two birls searching for each other along the Platte River.
September 21, 2023
It's scary when you lose someone you love. John knew that, and John also knew that Mary was worth searching for.
This was a very good story about earnestly searching for someone who's missing and the adventures which happen along the way.
This was a very good story about earnestly searching for someone who's missing and the adventures which happen along the way.
March 21, 2024
Good book about the Sand Hills Crane migration in Nebraska. Pictures are wonderful. Reading in conjunction with my library video and live cam on the subject.
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July 8, 2013Audience: 1-3rd graders
Genre:Non-Fiction Informational
Pre-reading strategy: Pre-reading Plan (PreP) http://www.readingeducator.com/strate...
Steps:
1. Select a reading passage for the class. Identify its central concept and state it in a brief sentence. Share this statement with the class as the springboard for their pre-reading activities.
2. Divide the class up into small groups. Ask each group to list words and phrases from their prior knowledge that are associated with the central concept of the reading selection. Have the students group the ideas into logical categories. Have the groups share their list of associated terms with the class.
3. Have the students reflect on the specific relationship of each term they listed to the central theme. Ask the following questions to help students clarify these associations: "What made you think of this association?" "How is the specific word related to the general concept?"
4. Encourage students to refine their word list by eliminating any words that do not relate as previously thought and by adding words that better relate to the central concept.
5. With the list of associated words in hand, have students read the passage carefully. After reading, students should revisit the list of associated terms again, evaluating how well their prior knowledge relates to the information in the reading selection.
Title: Have You Seen Mary?
1. The journey of two birds getting separated and finding each other on the plains of Nebraska.
2. Examples of words and fracases could be: Birds, Lots of Birds, Migrating, Corn, Farm land, Lost, How did they get lost?
3. Answers to some of the questions could be: The reason we wrote lots of birds is because typically when birds are migrating or on a journey somewhere they come in large groups. We put down corn and farm land because that is what Nebraska is known for.
4. After hearing other peoples thoughts we are going to illuminate the word Bird and add the work death. We know that on these longs journeys many birds die before they reach their destination.
5. After reading the book and adding and taking away some words, we felt that a lot of our words aligned with the story of the book.
Genre:Non-Fiction Informational
Pre-reading strategy: Pre-reading Plan (PreP) http://www.readingeducator.com/strate...
Steps:
1. Select a reading passage for the class. Identify its central concept and state it in a brief sentence. Share this statement with the class as the springboard for their pre-reading activities.
2. Divide the class up into small groups. Ask each group to list words and phrases from their prior knowledge that are associated with the central concept of the reading selection. Have the students group the ideas into logical categories. Have the groups share their list of associated terms with the class.
3. Have the students reflect on the specific relationship of each term they listed to the central theme. Ask the following questions to help students clarify these associations: "What made you think of this association?" "How is the specific word related to the general concept?"
4. Encourage students to refine their word list by eliminating any words that do not relate as previously thought and by adding words that better relate to the central concept.
5. With the list of associated words in hand, have students read the passage carefully. After reading, students should revisit the list of associated terms again, evaluating how well their prior knowledge relates to the information in the reading selection.
Title: Have You Seen Mary?
1. The journey of two birds getting separated and finding each other on the plains of Nebraska.
2. Examples of words and fracases could be: Birds, Lots of Birds, Migrating, Corn, Farm land, Lost, How did they get lost?
3. Answers to some of the questions could be: The reason we wrote lots of birds is because typically when birds are migrating or on a journey somewhere they come in large groups. We put down corn and farm land because that is what Nebraska is known for.
4. After hearing other peoples thoughts we are going to illuminate the word Bird and add the work death. We know that on these longs journeys many birds die before they reach their destination.
5. After reading the book and adding and taking away some words, we felt that a lot of our words aligned with the story of the book.
February 14, 2014
#4 Kurrus, J. (2012). Have you seen Mary? Lincoln, NE. Michael Forsberg Photography.
1. Opening: Hi Everyone! We’ve been reading and learning a lot about different kinds of birds and even different kinds of writing. We’ve seen “picture books” that tell true/real stories, and we’ve seen books with real pictures to tell a story. The book I am sharing with you today is also like that; it uses real pictures and facts to tell of story about Sandhills Cranes. Have you ever seen these birds fly over your house? Or maybe “camped out” on a pond by the interstate? What do you know about this bird? (Listen to responses). My cousin is a biologist and part of his work is to study and follow the Sandhills Cranes. He travels to Mexico and Canada to observe them. Does that sound like fun?!
One other thing I’d like to point out is that the author and the photographer both live in our home state. This book was created by the two of them working together, sharing pictures and choosing words to make a story, based on those pictures. Doesn’t that sound fun? I bet we could try to do something like that?
2. Opening Moves: Lay groundwork for helping children children understand the theme, raise interest in topic or theme, share a personal connection you have with the text, provide important background information
3. This book was selected because it is geographically connected to our state. It features real photographs and facts, while telling a story through characters, John and Mary. I love that it merges fact and fiction, giving older readers a great way to explore “voice” and helping young readers be introduced to Sandhills Cranes. This book links to the first, in that it shares some of the challenges that cranes face and could also be used as a springboard for additional research with migration and conservations themes. The author also shared how the book was “born” which I think is a great example for emerging authors and even better, since takes place right here in our state.
4. (April 1, 2012). Kirkus Reviews.
http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID...
1. Opening: Hi Everyone! We’ve been reading and learning a lot about different kinds of birds and even different kinds of writing. We’ve seen “picture books” that tell true/real stories, and we’ve seen books with real pictures to tell a story. The book I am sharing with you today is also like that; it uses real pictures and facts to tell of story about Sandhills Cranes. Have you ever seen these birds fly over your house? Or maybe “camped out” on a pond by the interstate? What do you know about this bird? (Listen to responses). My cousin is a biologist and part of his work is to study and follow the Sandhills Cranes. He travels to Mexico and Canada to observe them. Does that sound like fun?!
One other thing I’d like to point out is that the author and the photographer both live in our home state. This book was created by the two of them working together, sharing pictures and choosing words to make a story, based on those pictures. Doesn’t that sound fun? I bet we could try to do something like that?
2. Opening Moves: Lay groundwork for helping children children understand the theme, raise interest in topic or theme, share a personal connection you have with the text, provide important background information
3. This book was selected because it is geographically connected to our state. It features real photographs and facts, while telling a story through characters, John and Mary. I love that it merges fact and fiction, giving older readers a great way to explore “voice” and helping young readers be introduced to Sandhills Cranes. This book links to the first, in that it shares some of the challenges that cranes face and could also be used as a springboard for additional research with migration and conservations themes. The author also shared how the book was “born” which I think is a great example for emerging authors and even better, since takes place right here in our state.
4. (April 1, 2012). Kirkus Reviews.
http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID...
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July 5, 2013Audience: Primary
Genre: Picture Book
Pre-Reading Strategy: Story Sequence
The story sequence pre-reading strategy would be perfect for this book because it describes the lives of John and Mary (sandhill cranes). The author shares the many adventures the Cranes have gone on together. I would draw a chart on the board with three different columns. I would label each column with the words Beginning, Middle, End. I would ask the students to preview the book. Without reading the words, I would ask the students to look at the pictures and describe what was happening in each section of the story. You could do this as a whole class or independently. You could also have the students go back after reading the story and either add information to the chart or make a new chart. You could compare the differences in responses. You could also have the students retell the story using words like first, then, next, finally, etc.
I also think this book we be a great anticipatory set in a science class or a social studies class. On the first page, the book opens with John and Mary flying for nearly 600 miles from New Mexico toward the Platte River in Nebraska. The author then describes what happens at the river once they arrive. I think it would be an awesome way for kids to learn a little bit more about our state's history.
Genre: Picture Book
Pre-Reading Strategy: Story Sequence
The story sequence pre-reading strategy would be perfect for this book because it describes the lives of John and Mary (sandhill cranes). The author shares the many adventures the Cranes have gone on together. I would draw a chart on the board with three different columns. I would label each column with the words Beginning, Middle, End. I would ask the students to preview the book. Without reading the words, I would ask the students to look at the pictures and describe what was happening in each section of the story. You could do this as a whole class or independently. You could also have the students go back after reading the story and either add information to the chart or make a new chart. You could compare the differences in responses. You could also have the students retell the story using words like first, then, next, finally, etc.
I also think this book we be a great anticipatory set in a science class or a social studies class. On the first page, the book opens with John and Mary flying for nearly 600 miles from New Mexico toward the Platte River in Nebraska. The author then describes what happens at the river once they arrive. I think it would be an awesome way for kids to learn a little bit more about our state's history.
Read
June 6, 2013Audience: Primary
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pre-Reading Strategy: Visual Imagery
Good readers construct mental images as they read a text. By using prior knowledge and background experiences, readers connect the author's writing with a personal picture. Through guided visualization, students learn how to create mental pictures as they read.
For the book, Have You Seen Mary, I believe visual imagery is a great pre-reading strategy for students. The book is set on Nebraska's Platte River and is a story about two sandhill cranes who lost each other in the migration. It is a love story and the pictures in the book are breath-taking. I would start off by reading the story and explain the imagery I am seeing. When I got to the line, "and the sky blackened with dark, gray bodies. In the blurry confusion, John lost Mary.", I would have the students draw out exactly what they are seeing in the book and how they think the cranes were separated. This is a great way to have the students express how they are interpreting the book, but also a way of predicting what is going to happen in the end.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pre-Reading Strategy: Visual Imagery
Good readers construct mental images as they read a text. By using prior knowledge and background experiences, readers connect the author's writing with a personal picture. Through guided visualization, students learn how to create mental pictures as they read.
For the book, Have You Seen Mary, I believe visual imagery is a great pre-reading strategy for students. The book is set on Nebraska's Platte River and is a story about two sandhill cranes who lost each other in the migration. It is a love story and the pictures in the book are breath-taking. I would start off by reading the story and explain the imagery I am seeing. When I got to the line, "and the sky blackened with dark, gray bodies. In the blurry confusion, John lost Mary.", I would have the students draw out exactly what they are seeing in the book and how they think the cranes were separated. This is a great way to have the students express how they are interpreting the book, but also a way of predicting what is going to happen in the end.
June 7, 2014
Can someone remind me: what is the difference between fiction and nonfiction?
Let’s look through this book and see if we can guess if it is fiction or non-fiction based on the illustrations.
This is a very unique book. The pictures are real pictures of the sand-hill cranes. So if you thought the book was going to be nonfiction, it makes sense. However, this story is fiction. When we read the story, pay attention to what makes this story fiction.
Did you see how many birds some of the pictures showed? Imagine that you are someplace really crowded. Where do you go that has a lot of people in a close together space? Do you go to the mall or sporting events, like a Husker football game? Have you ever gotten separated from the adult you were with? Can you describe the adult you would go with (parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, older brother or sister)? Can you recognize their voice or their laugh?
We are about to read Have You Seen Mary? Lets see how our main character looks for Mary.
Opening Moves:
Draw attention to the genre
Alert children to unusual features of the text
Prompt brief sharing of personal experiences related to the topic or theme
Let’s look through this book and see if we can guess if it is fiction or non-fiction based on the illustrations.
This is a very unique book. The pictures are real pictures of the sand-hill cranes. So if you thought the book was going to be nonfiction, it makes sense. However, this story is fiction. When we read the story, pay attention to what makes this story fiction.
Did you see how many birds some of the pictures showed? Imagine that you are someplace really crowded. Where do you go that has a lot of people in a close together space? Do you go to the mall or sporting events, like a Husker football game? Have you ever gotten separated from the adult you were with? Can you describe the adult you would go with (parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, older brother or sister)? Can you recognize their voice or their laugh?
We are about to read Have You Seen Mary? Lets see how our main character looks for Mary.
Opening Moves:
Draw attention to the genre
Alert children to unusual features of the text
Prompt brief sharing of personal experiences related to the topic or theme
January 25, 2014
I love the Sandhill Crane migration through Central Nebraska every spring! This is a cute story of two Sandhill Cranes who lose and search for each other in the migration. Sandhill Cranes mate for life! Besides the outstanding photography, there is much information about the Sandhill Cranes. This was a Nebraska Golden Sower nominee and I would hope a staple in every Nebraska elementary teacher's library!
July 18, 2014
Have You Seen Mary, a great read-aloud book for primary students, gives readers a peek into the lives of sandhill cranes. Primary readers learn more about interactions of wildlife and the connections of nature through the award-winning photography and fictional story of the crane's migration.
June 23, 2012
aw i liked it! photographs of wildlife that are stunning in their simplicity. nice plot, not too scary. enjoyable read.
January 10, 2013
Great book! Good book for teachers to read if they teach in central Nebraska (especially Grand Island, Hastings area because of the crane migration)
March 1, 2013
This is such a great book! Not only is the story very touching, the photography is beautiful! This book will be my new baby gift.
March 18, 2013
Great photography and cute story. Enjoyed it alot!
July 29, 2013
Stunning photography makes this story of two sandhills cranes a beautiful experience, especially for Nebraskans.
September 12, 2013
Awesome children book about the sandhill cranes that land in Nebraska on the Platte River. Both author and photographer are from Nebraska. This is a NE Golden Sower Nominee also!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews