all my stripes: a story for children with autism written by shaina rudolph & danielle royer and illustrated by jennifer zivoin & alison singer

Royer, Danielle, and Shaina Rudolph. All my Stripes: A Story for Children with Autusim, Illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin and Alison Singer. Washington D.C.: Magination Press, 2015. ISBN: 9781433819179

Plot Summary:
     Zane is a zebra who attends school but is self-conscious about his schoolmates only noticing his Autism stripe. He endures so many ventures in school; however, he doesn't endure them like all of the other children. When the fire alarm goes off, the noise is too loud. When he's in art class and has to paint, he doesn't want the paint to get on his hooves. After all of these instances, Zane finds comfort in his mother's words to endure the events that occur in his everyday life of being a student.

Critical Analysis:
     All My Stripes is a children's picture book that depicts certain aspects of autism. The authors, Shaina Rudolph and Danielle Royer, do an excellent job by using parallelism through the stripes of a zebra. Zane the zebra is a child in class who feels as if everyone only sees his autism; however, his mother assures him that there is more to him than that. The authors incorporate some of the characteristics of autism such as sensitivity and fear to abrupt noises, creating new elements, and a sensitivity to getting messy. By including these aspects, readers are provided with understanding of some of the things that differ in autistic people. The authors also collaborate with Jennifer Zivoin who provides beautiful illustrates to coincide with the story. They demonstrate symbolism by using the different stripes of a zebra as character traits, as well as explaining through illustration and context the importance of why everyone is different. The authors and illustrator do a beautiful job of explaining autism to not only autistic children, but to those who may not know what it entails.

Review Excerpts:

"Does your child feel different from or misunderstood by his or her peers? If so, he or she will relate to Zane, an adorable zebra who is having a hard day at school. From not wanting to get paint on his hooves during an art project, to being overwhelmed by the sound of the fire alarm to having trouble socializing with his classmates, Zane is having a tough time fitting in. “How come all anyone sees is my autism stripe?!” he asks his mama, who explains that we all have many different stripes that make us unique and special. Zane, for instance, has a pilot strip, a caring stripe, an honesty stripe and a curiosity stripe, to name a few. Zane realizes all of his stripes—including his autism stripe—make him who he is, and he loves each one. Authors Rudolph and Royer have created an endearing story about a zebra on the autism spectrum and the common sensory and social difficulties that leave some children feeling upset, sad and frustrated. They show Zane trying to process situations that are common for children. A story of empowerment, Zane shows how we can accept our differences, and learn to embrace our unique attributes, and thrive. Zivoin brings this cute zebra to life with endearing illustrations in vibrant colors. A reading guide discusses Zane’s dialogue and actions in the story. A note to parents and caregivers discusses diagnosis and treatment.This story is a wonderful teaching tool for initiating a helpful dialogue about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)." - Children's Literature

"Rudolph and Royer shine a light on the autism spectrum, but go a step further and show how endearing, unique and beautiful the children are in this inspiring story about embracing differences." - Children's Books Heal

Connections:
Customers who bought this book also purchased My Brother Charlie, Understanding Sam, and Since We're Friends.

Interactivity:

• Ask children if there's anything that makes them special or unique.
• Educate children on Autism and what it's like for a child with Autism. 
• Ask children if they have ever felt left out from their peers and why, and allow them to suggest ways that they would've included those who were left out.

i am jazz written by jazz jennings & jessica herthel and illustrated by shelagh mcnicholas

Herthel, Jessica, and Jazz Jennings. I Am Jazz, Illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014. ISBN: 9780803741072

Plot Summary:
     Jazz Jennings is just like any other adoolescent girl. Her favorite colors are pink and green, she likes makeup, and she loves to dance. One thing that sets Jazz apart from her peers in school is that she was born in a boy's body with a girl's brain. Being diagnosed as transgender, Jazz's family begins to understand and accept her being a girl and allows her to live her life as such.

Critical Analysis:
     I Am Jazz is a children's picture book that tells the story of Jazz Jennings, the youngest publicly documented person to be identified as gender dysphoric. The author, Jessica Herthel, collaborates with Jazz Jennings as her co-author. By co-authoring with Jazz herself, the story is told through Jazz's eyes. Jazz is a child who tells her story about how she's always known that she was born with a girl's brain in a boy's body. By allowing Jazz to tell her own story, she adds a simplicity to understanding the complexity in gender dysphoric.
     Not only do the authors share the story of Jazz through context, but they strengthen her story with illustrations. The illustrator, Shelagh McNicholas, conveys each emotion that Jazz describes accurately. During the story where the authors state, "Be who you are. We love you no matter what," Shelagh illustrates Jazz with a huge smile on her face. Not only does she demonstrate facial accuracy, but she also subtly shows the physical transition that Jazz goes through from boy to girl. The details in these instances allow readers to understand the basics of transgender people.

Review Excerpts:

"This enlightening autobiographical picture book tells the story of a transgender child who knew from the time she was two that despite her physical body she wasn't really a boy. Young Jazz was passionate about her love of mermaids, dancing, dress-up, and pop stars, as well as her conviction that her gender identity was female. Readers are taken through her journey with upbeat, pink-hued watercolor illustrations that are a good complement to the cheerful tone and positive message of the story ("I don't mind being different. Different is special! I think what matters most is what a person is like inside."). Joining the ranks of new books targeted at young children that examine gender roles, such as Ian and Sarah Hoffman's Jacob's New Dress (Albert Whitman, 2014), this title highlights a topic that has not been well represented in children's literature in an uplifting and empowering way. Jazz's explanation of what transgender means ("I have a girl brain but a boy body") is somewhat simplified. However, for those looking to introduce the concept to young readers or those seeking books that value differences, this illustrated memoir is a solid choice." - School Library Journal

"An autobiographical picture book describes trans-youth activist Jazz Jennings' story of embracing and asserting her transgender identity.Both the title and the opening text proclaims, "I am Jazz!" The book goes on to detail Jazz's various interests and tastes, which follow traditionally feminine gender norms. But as Jazz goes on to explain, she has "a girl brain but a boy body. This is called transgender. I was born this way!" Although the realistic watercolor illustrations consistently display only happy faces in these beginning pages, the text recounts her family's struggle to understand her early-childhood assertion of femininity: "At first my family was confused. They'd always thought of me as a boy." Jazz recalls her pain when compelled to wear "boy clothes" in public. "Pretending I was a boy felt like telling a lie." Her parents' efforts to understand prompt them to meet with a doctor who introduces the word "transgender," which enables the family's powerful affirmation: "We understand now. Be who you are. We love you no matter what." The story balances this acceptance with honest acknowledgement of others' ongoing confusion and intermittent cruelty, and it briefly addresses Jazz's exclusion from girls' soccer in her state. Ultimately, Jazz's self-acceptance, bolstered by her family's support and advocacy, acts as a beacon for readers, trans- and cisgender alike.An empowering, timely story with the power to help readers proclaim, in the words of Jazz's parents, 'We understand now.'" - Kirkus Reviews

Connections:
Customers who purchased this book also purchased the following titles: Jacob's New Dress, My Princess Boy, and It's Okay to Be Different.

Interactivity:

• Ask boys if they have ever played with a doll or wore the color pink. Ask girls if they have ever worn pants or wore the color blue.
• Educate children on the importance of accepting people on who they are.
• Facilitate a discussion encouraging children to ask questions and help them understand the trans- community.

does my head look big in this? written by randa abdel-fattah

 

Abdel-Fattah, Randa. Does My Head Look Big In This. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2008. ISBN: 9780439922333

Plot Summary:
     Amal is an Australian-Palestinian teenage girl who faces everyday teenage dilemmas but with an addition -- discrimination due to her decision of wearing the hijab. Amal makes the conscious decision to wear the hijab as a testament to her faith. However, she is overwhelmed with, both, negative and positive attention on her decision.

Critical Analysis:
     Does My Head Look Big In This is a novel that details the decision of a teenage girl to wear the hijab at her new school. The author, Randa Abdel-Fattah, allows Amal to tell her own story providing her audience with a first person point of view. Through this usage, the audience is able to experience the impact and education as Amal embraces her culture and religion among Western culture. Randa does a good job of incorporating interlingualism such as Yallah, fajr, and wudah. Not only does she incorporate these words, but she provides her readers with their meanings.
     The author does an exceptional job delivering the details of the everyday life that Amal entails. She vividly describes Amal's day-to-day occurrences in a manner that reaches her audience. More specifically, within the first five chapters Amal details how she makes her decision to wear the hijab; she details that she writes a list of people who would accept her decision; she details how on her first day of school, how her principle reacted; and she also details how her teacher reacts to her seeking permission for prayer in the afternoon. All of these descriptions provide readers with a varying perspective on her religion and what it entails, as well as some of the hesitation that she feels due to her assumptions on the people around her.

Review Excerpts:

"With an engaging narrator at the helm, Abdel-Fattah's debut novel should open the eyes of many a reader. Headstrong and witty, 16-year-old Amal, an Australian-Muslim-Palestinian ("That means I was born an Aussie and whacked with some seriously confusing identity hyphens") decides during winter break from her posh private school that she's ready to wear the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, fulltime, as a testament to her faith. Amal knows she will face discrimination by classmates and misinformed people but she is committed to her decision; her parents are initially concerned, but ultimately rally behind her. Their worries, in fact, are well-founded: Amal attracts her share of stares and taunts both at school and around town, but she finds strength, not only from her convictions, but from her close-knit group of friends, who for various reasons-being Japanese, Jewish, nerdy or body-conscious-are perceived as being outside "the norm." As Amal struggles with her identity in a post-9/11 world ("Do you have any idea how it feels to be me, a Muslim, today? I mean, just turn on the television, open a newspaper.... It feels like I'm drowning in it all"), her faith-and an array of ever-ready quips-help her navigate an often-unforgiving world. Using a winning mix of humor and sensitivity, Abdel-Fattah ably demonstrates that her heroine is, at heart, a teen like any other. This debut should speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider for any reason." - Publishers Weekly

"The sight of Jennifer Aniston in a bridesmaid's dress creates an urge to change the channel for most viewers, but for witty, academically talented Amal Abdel-Hakim, it inspires the confidence to wear the hijab full time. As a Pakistani Australian Muslim, she has been teased about her religion, but in her decision to wear the hijab, she also has the support of loyal friends and her loving parents. Armed with fashion sense as well as faith, Amal sets out to match her hijab to her school clothes and modify her weekend wardrobe to flatter her assets as well as to express her belief in modesty. Not everyone is so accepting of her hijab, however. Classmates at her private high school ask her what she knows about terrorism, and a cranky neighbor makes no effort to hide her prejudices. Throughout the book, Amal makes candid yet astute observations on what it means to be a Muslim, a modern woman, and a good friend and daughter. Although the book addresses many teen issues including identity, family, religious traditions, and body image, it rarely strays into the realm of didactic. There is plenty of gentle humor, and strong female relationships balance Amal's racist classmates and a friend's crushingly traditional Muslim parent. In addition to her friendships, Amal also tries to deal with a crush that she knows will never develop into a romance and the hypocritical behaviors of some of her cousins. This novel is an excellent addition to the multicultural and chick-lit genres, and it is recommended for most collections." - VOYA

"An "Australian-Muslim-Palestinian" teen opts to wear the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, full-time, embarking on a courageous exercise in self-understanding. Sixteen-year-old Amal attends an elite prep school in a Melbourne suburb. Poised to begin the third term of 11th grade, Amal admits, "it's hard enough being an Arab Muslim at a new school," but "shawling up is just plain psychotic." Determined to prove she's strong enough to "wear a badge of my faith," Amal faces ostracism and ridicule as she dons her hijab with both good humor and trepidation. Supported by her parents, Amal spurns racial epithets like "towel head" and discovers her friends still accept her for who she is, not what she wears. As the term progresses, Amal's friends face their own issues of self-worth while her faith is tested when she falls in love with a non-Muslim classmate. Wearing the hijab full-time shuts some doors, but opens others for Amal as she emerges a bright, articulate heroine true to herself and her faith. Abdel-Fattah's fine first novel offers a world of insight to post-9/11 readers." - Kirkus Reviews

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title also bought the following books: Ten Things I Hate About Me, Dreamrider, Ready or Not.

Interactivity:

• Ask children have they ever been mocked for something that is normal to them and their family i.e. religion, sexual orientation, race, etc...
• Facilitate a discussion surfaced around the notion of not associating one race with terrorism.
• Ask children what are some physical religious practices they've seen i.e. Ash Wednesday, hijab, not eating pork, etc...

the name jar written and illustrated by yangsook choi

Choi, Yangsook. The Name Jar. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2010. ISBN: 9780440417996.

Plot Summary:
     Unhei is a Korean girl who just moved from Korea a week ago to begin school in another country where she has no friends. Like any new student, Unhei is apprehensive about her first day of school and whether or not the kids will like her. Her biggest concerns stems from the pronunciation of her name, and her biggest fears come to life when she is introduced on her first day and no one can pronounce her name -- not even the teacher. However, her classmates are incredibly in awe with the new girl who introduces herself with no name and are eager to help her choose one.

Critical Analysis:
     The Name Jar is the story of a Korean girl who moves from Korea to America with her family who faces cultural boundaries concerning her name. The author and illustrator, Yangsook Choi, uses the story of the protagonist to bring attention to assimilation and social identity. The protagonist, Unhei, starts a new school, but struggles in defining herself in comparison to the American children -- more specifically, through her name and the pronunciation. On her first day of school she introduces herself as not having a name and telling her classmates she will have one within the next week. She peaks their interest and on the next day, she is welcomed by a jar that is sitting on her desk with various name choices to assist her in choice. Through this story line, the author depicts how Unhei struggles to try to fit in. For instance, after she comes home from her first day of school, Unhei tells her mother that she needs an American name so the kids in her classroom can pronounce her name. Her mother responds saying, "Why? Unhei is a beautiful name. You grandmother and I went to a name master for it." This response demonstrates the significance and importance of Korean naming practices. However, Unhei feels the need to assimilate to American culture to fit in.
     For the most part, this story does a good job of accurately depicting the issues and concerns that Asians face while living in America or even growing up in America. However, the author does provide one obvious "positive stereotype" when Unhei's mother says, "You must study hard, behave nicely, and get good grades to show that you're a good Korean." This is an example of a "positive stereotype" which does the complete opposite of transcending stereotypes among Asian culture.
     The author also provides illustrations for this title which aides in a positive reflection of Asian culture. For instance, there is a part in the story when Unhei and her family are at the airport saying their goodbyes to her grandmother. Choi illustrates the skin tone of the four of them with varying shades of  tan. This depiction of skin tone variation accurately portrays that Asian skin tone varies from white to black. Aside from this one example of a negative depiction, the author does provide her audience with accurate portrayals of Asian culture through her context and illustrations of this title.

Review Excerpts:

"Unhee is the new girl in school. She and her family have just arrived and she feels scared and alone. Unhee can speak English very well, but she is worried her classmates will not be able to pronounce her name. Unhee decides she must choose a new American name for herself, much to her parents' dismay. Unhee's Korean grandma has given Unhee her name stamp. Her classmates think this is a wonderful possession and they envy her. Unhee discovers that the symbol on her stamp means grace. Unhee also discovers what her new name will be. Her classmates and neighbors know Unhee is looking for a new name and make many suggestions, placing their ideas in a name jar. Unhee faces her classmates and tells them she loves the names they have selected for her, but her decision has been made. Choi's beautiful art enhances her depth of the characters and adds warmness to this problem faced by so many children¾that of fitting in and being accepted." - Children's Literature

"On the way to her first day of school, Unhei is teased by the children on the bus for her Korean name. When she reaches her classroom and is asked her name, she tells her classmates that she has not yet decided on one. To be helpful the children put their suggestions into a "name jar." Eventually the girl decides to keep her own name as one of her classmates takes pride in the new Korean nickname he has chosen, Chinku, meaning "friend." The round, red imprint of the Korean character for Unhei's name provides the graphic manifestation of the story's theme. Attractive golden endpapers feature random repetitions of the stamp imprint interspersed with her classmates' handwritten suggestions on scraps of torn paper. The bold, bright paintings that illustrate the story are realistic, warm, and appealing." - School Library Journal 

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title also bought the following books: Recess Queen, Those Shoes, and A Chair for my Mother.

Interactivity:

• Ask children have they ever been embarrassed of their name and if they have, was it based on the response to other people.
• Facilitate a discussion on the  importance of accepting everyone, especially their differences vs. trying to make someone feel ashamed of who they are.
• Allow children to go home and ask their parents why they chose their names and research the meaning of their name.

dumpling days written by grace lin

Lin, Grace. Dumpling Days. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2012. ISBN: 9780316125901

Plot Summary:
     Pacy is a school aged girl whose home is in New York and always has been. Because she is Taiwanese-American, she doesn't look like all of the other kids in her schools, but she surely acts just like them. However, during this particular summer Pacy's parents decide to send her to Taiwan, as well as participate in a couple of art classes. She is apprehensive of this trip, but she gradually begins to learn the culture of her family.

Critical Analysis:
     Dumpling Days is the story of the struggles that Pacy faces with her cultural identity. The author, Grace Lin, allows Pacy to tell her own story providing her audience with a first point of view. Through the usage of this first person point of view, the audience is experiencing the impact and education of Taiwanese culture just as Pacy does. Lin incorporates some of the negative stereotypes that Taiwanese-American children encounter. For example, Pacy states that some of her peers refer to her as a twinkie - yellow on the outside and white on the inside. Along with the negative depictions that are presented, the author does a great job of providing accurate cultural representations by comparison. She finds ways to describe the differences between American culture and Taiwanese culture by comparing everyday items with each other such as how the toilets in Taiwan are incredibly high-tech versus the ones in America, and how the garbage trucks in Taiwan play the same tune as the ice cream trucks in New York. Throughout this novel, the author does a great job accurately depicting cultural identity for a Taiwanese-American girl as well as incorporating an accurate culturally representative novel that children can either relate to or learn from.

Review Excerpts:

"Pacy and her family travel to Taiwan for one month to celebrate her grandmother's 60th birthday, giving this Chinese-American girl another lens through which she can examine her identity. When Pacy's dad calls Taiwan an island of treasure, or bao dao, which sounds similar to the Chinese word for dumplings, she wonders--could Taiwan's treasure be food? In a companion novel to The Year of the Dog (2006) and The Year of the Rat (2008), gentle Pacy is back, brimming with questions of identity and self-discovery. At home in New York, Pacy is one of the few Asians in her class. She tries hard to fit in. In Taiwan, she looks similar to everyone else, but she doesn't speak Chinese or Taiwanese. So she doesn't fit in there either. Pacy's mom signs her up for a painting class, and Pacy is excited. She's a good artist; surely she'll make some friends. But painting with a bamboo brush on rice paper is difficult! The one talent that made her feel safe is suddenly gone; Pacy doesn't know who she is anymore or where she belongs. Luckily, there is a lot of loving family to surround her, and a lot of incredible food to eat (especially dumplings). This third outing is as warmhearted as the first two. Deftly weaving together historical anecdotes and simple line illustrations, Lin once again touches the heart of growing up in a multicultural family." - Kirkus Reviews

"Dumpling Days is a charming book about family and searching for identity. It is best suited for children nine to thirteen years old, but readers who grew up with a multicultural background will relate to the story. Ten-year-old Pacy struggles to find the balance between her two cultures, and the lessons she learns are relevant for everyone. Dumpling Days is sweet, fun, and honest; its vivid descriptions and amusing anecdotes will whet readers' appetites for dumplings." - VOYA

Connections:
More titles written by Grace Lin include: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, The Year of the Dog, and The Year of the Rat.

Interactivity:

• Ask children to research their family history and their heritage. 
• Ask children have they ever visited the area where their family is from; be it, a particular state from America or a different country.

drawing from memory written by allen say

Say, Allen. Drawing From Memory. New York: Scholastic Press, 2011. ISBN: 9780545176866

Plot Summary:

     Born in Japan, Allen Say is an imaginative young boy whose mother taught him how to read before he began school with her own motive for her son to become popular among his peers. From this motive grows an intelligent boy who becomes fascinated with comic books and their illustrations. Allen's love for comic books turned into a fascination with their illustrations resulting in his determination to become a cartoonist. Throughout Allen's life, he faces many difficulties and much disapproval from his father regarding his aspirations; however, these difficulties paired with his passion allows Allen to grow into who he is now. 

Critical Analysis:

     Allen Say recounts his story and memories of his life through an autobiographical nonfiction piece titled Drawing from Memory. Allen is a renowned writer and illustrator whose work has been featured in the Japanese American National Museum. Who else could recount the life of Allen Say more accurately than himself? Say captivates readers' interest through his usage of cartoon-like drawings and sketches created using watercolors, ink, and pencils. Paired with a vast integration of pictures is the textual story of Allen Say's life. As the author details his story, he follows a chronological timeline spanning from childhood to adulthood that allows readers to easily follow his story while appreciating his unique style of illustrations. Such depictions include just enough information of how Say recounts how his life was changed during WWII as he states, "Then a war began in 1941. When bombs started to fall on our city, Mother took us and fled to a village named Tabuse between Hiroshima and Iwakuni." This example displays an accurate display of Japanese history. Not only does Say's story unfold before the reader, but he displays his growth and progression as an artist through the details of his illustrations. 

Review Excerpts:

"Retooling some of the material in his autobiographical middle-grade novel The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice (1994), Say tells the story of his decidedly nontraditional Japanese upbringing, supplying watercolors, photographs, and humorous sketches to create a vivid record of life in postwar Tokyo. Say's family rented him his own apartment when he was 12 so he could attend a better school. "The one-room apartment was for me to study in," he writes, beneath a b&w sketch of his desk, "but studying was far from my mind... this was going to be my art studio!" (A second drawing, in color, shows his conception of the perfect desk, covered with paints and brushes.) Japan's most famous cartoonist, Noro Shinpei, accepted Say as an apprentice until Say immigrated to the United States in 1953. Say's account of his relationship with Noro (who later called Say "the treasure of my life") is the centerpiece of the narrative. As the story of a young artist's coming of age, Say's account is complex, poignant, and unfailingly honest. Say's fans—and those who also feel the pull of the artist's life—will be captivated." - Publishers Weekly

"Say's picture book memoir shows his passion for drawing and determination in pursuing his dream of becoming an artist. It is about the goals and accomplishments of a middle school-aged boy who wanted to work with a famous cartoonist. He actually knocked on the artist's door and asked! This "Sensei," or teacher, became the key to his development as an artist and a young man. "Let your dear child journey," is a Japanese saying that allowed Say to be on his own, achieve his goals, and become one of the best known children's authors and illustrators today. Although the cover illustration may not entice students, this memoir would be a good choice for those who need to be encouraged in their own passion, particularly if it is art. The illustrations inside the book are a rich mixture of Say's artwork from this training period, the work of his teacher, photographs, and graphic novel-like depictions of his memories. It would be a good companion to The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice, Say's earlier novel based on these same experiences. It would be a good source for an author study as well, as the memoir provides insights into many of the portraits of Japanese culture Say presents in his other work." - Children's Literature

"Say tells the story of how he became an artist through a vibrant blend of words and images. Beginning with his boyhood in World War II-era Japan, he traces his life-changing relationship with Noro Shinpei, an illustrious cartoonist who became his surrogate father figure and art mentor. Illustrations are richly detailed and infused with warmth. Exquisite use of light makes night scenes glow, and the mid-20th-century Tokyo setting is captured with vivid authenticity. A variety of media and artistic styles, including full-color paintings, black-and-white sketches, photographs, and comic-book panels, adds texture and depth to the narrative. Fans of the artist's work will take particular delight in seeing sketches from his student days. Simple, straightforward sentences and a conversational narration in combination with a wealth of images will appeal to aspiring artists and reluctant readers alike. This book covers much of the same material as Say's autobiographical novel, The Ink-Keeper's Apprentice (Harper & Row, 1979), but the lively mix of art and text will draw in a new generation and a slightly younger audience. The somewhat abrupt ending, with Say moving to the United States, may leave readers wishing for a more extended epilogue or sequel, but that is simply because his story is so engaging. Readers of all ages will be inspired by the young Say's drive and determination that set him on a successful career path." - School Library Journal

"Say, an award-winning author and illustrator of juvenile literature, has created in this memoir a beautiful tribute to his sensei, Japanese for "teacher" or "master." Taught to read at an early age, Say loved comic books, which inspired a passion for drawing: "When I was drawing, I was happy. I didn't need toys or friends or parents." His father, however, had a low regard for artists. At age twelve, Say was sent to live with his maternal grandmother in Tokyo. Used to living alone, his grandmother had little patience for her artistic grandson. He studied and gained admittance into a prestigious middle school, and with his grandmother's blessing, he moved into his own apartment. That night, he read a newspaper article about a boy, an apprentice to the famous Japanese cartoonist Noro Shinpei. Say writes of Shinpei, "His books were my secret treasures I hid from my parents." The article set Say on the path to realizing his dream of becoming an artist and into a relationship of mutual respect and admiration. Say's autobiographical story introduces readers to Japanese culture of the 1940s and 50s. Teens will envy the extreme independence accorded to Say at such an early age. The mixture of text, sketches, and photographs illustrates Say's development as an artist and provides a glimpse into his youth and the lives of those closest to him. This book is sure to appeal to reluctant readers. Its brief text and plentiful graphics make it a quick but fulfilling read, and leave the reader wanting more." - VOYA 

Connections:

Customers who purchased this book also bought the following titles: The House Baba Built: An Artist's Childhood in China, Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom, and The Extraordinary Mark Twain.

Interactivity:

• Have children draw their lives within five frames.
• Ask children if they have any of their artwork displayed in their homes i.e. hanging on the refrigerator, framed on the walls, or drawings on the wall. 
• Ask children what they want to be when they grow up and who they look up to for that choice. 

rabbit's snow dance as told by joseph & james bruchac and illustrated by jeff newman

Bruchac, James, and Joseph Bruchac. Rabbit's Snow Dance, Illustrated by Jeff Newman. New York: Penguin Group, 2012. ISBN: 9780803732704

Plot Summary:
     Rabbit is a snow bunny who loves the Winter snow. He has his own special snow dance he performs to call the snow to fall during Winter; however, one bright sunny Summer day, Rabbit decides he wants it to snow. He sings his song and dances his dance causing it to snow in the middle of Summer, but due to his impatience, Rabbit is in for a surprise.

Critical Analysis:
     Rabbit's Snow Dance is a retelling of a traditional Iroquois story. The authors, James and Joseph Bruchac, retell this traditional story in a friendly and humorous manner while maintaining Native American authenticity. The authors base their main focus around the religious and ceremonial practices of weather dances in Native American culture. They proceed to describe one prominent figure (Rabbit) with the ability and power to call a weather occurrence when there is a lack thereof. In the case of this story, the authors correlate Rabbit with that prominent role of having great responsibility and knowing the importance of tradition.  The story continues as the authors detail how due to Rabbit's impatience and lack of responsibility to his gift, he endures great consequence. Along with the emphasis of traditional practices, the authors also incorporate animistic attributes which coincides with Native American beliefs of animals having living souls. This is shown at the conclusion of the story as the authors state, "...if yo keep an open ear toward the forest, you may just hear a small voice singing this song...," depicting the living soul after Rabbit is gone.
     In addition to the retelling of this story, the authors collaborate with Jeff Newman to illustrate this Iroquois tale. Newman utilizes watercolor, gouache, and ink to add to this story. He uses a simplistic artistic approach by only illustrating the outlines and main parts of each animal and the scenery. This approach allows the audience to not be distracted by detailed images that could result in taking away from the content of the story. Despite the illustrators lack of detail in his art, he is still able to depict the story by his accurate portrayal as he follows the storyline. The authors and illustrator do a good job in providing their audience with a humorous twist on this traditional Iroquois story.

Review Excerpts:

"The father-and-son storytelling team behind Raccoon’s Last Race and Turtle’s Race with Beaver return with their version of a traditional Iroquois tale. While the Bruchacs reach back hundreds of years for the source of their story, Newman’s influences are comparatively modern—think Mary Blair with a touch of Hanna-Barbera. Set back when Rabbit had a “very long, beautiful tail,” the story follows the selfish, impatient animal’s attempts to conjure a massive midsummer snowstorm (rabbit’s big snowshoe-like feet allow him to hop atop the snow and reach “tasty leaves and buds” more easily). His chanting and drumming do the trick, creating so much snow that it covers the treetops and causes difficulties for the small animals; the summer sun that rises the next day, however, brings about rabbit’s comeuppance and costs him his tail. Rabbit and the other animals don’t always look consistent from page to page, as though Newman couldn’t quite settle on a style, but his paintings are nonetheless a welcome departure from the stodgier artwork that can often accompany myths and folk tales." - Publishers Weekly

"When the long-tailed Rabbit wants something, he wants it immediately. One summer, tasty leaves high in the trees prove so irresistible to Rabbit that he decides he needs piles of snow to build up to the point he can reach the leaves. Small animals, such as Squirrel and Chipmunk, warn Rabbit that bringing snow in the summer will leave them without food. Beaver's dam is not finished, and Turtle is not ready to sleep. But Rabbit does not listen. He rushes home, grabs his drum and begins singing his winter song, the song that brings snow. Though the snow lasts only a day, the consequences of Rabbit's selfishness are long-lasting. This retelling of a traditional Iroquois tale by father-son duo James and Joseph Bruchac begs to be read aloud and shared at story time. Repeated sentences and sounds invite young listeners to chime in and bring the impatient Rabbit to life. Unusual animals, such as lynx and grouse give teachers an opportunity to discuss different habitats and the story's woodland inhabitants. Jeff Newman's energetic illustrations capture the feeling of animated cartoons of the 1970s and will inspire reenactments of Rabbit's racing, dancing, sleeping, and falling. A fun addition to any personal or library collection, this dramatic tale will capture the imagination of readers of all ages and gently teach lessons about seasons, thoughtfulness, and the importance of being patient." - Children's Literature

"A long-tailed rabbit who wants a nibble of the highest, tastiest leaves uses his special snow song in the summertime, despite the protests of the other animals. The Bruchacs' Iroquois pourquoi tale tells how selfish Rabbit, who is short on patience, simply cannot wait for natural snow, no matter that the other forest denizens are not yet ready for winter. Drum in hand, he sings as he dances in a circle: "I will make it snow, AZIKANAPO!" (It won't take much coaching before listeners join in with this and other infectious refrains.) Like the Energizer Bunny, Rabbit just keeps going; by the time he ceases his drumming, only the top of the tallest tree is left sticking above the snow. Exhausted, Rabbit curls up on this branch and sleeps through the night and the hot sunshine of the next day, which melts all the snow. Stepping from his treetop, Rabbit gets a terrible surprise when he falls to the ground, his long bushy tail catching on each branch he passes and making the first pussy willows. And that is why rabbits now have short tails. Newman's watercolor, gouache and ink illustrations are an interesting mix of styles. Some foregrounds appear to be painted in a pointillist manner, and some of the animals are almost manga-esque, lacking any shading in their sharp outlines and flat colors. Kids who are looking forward to a snow day may give Rabbit's chant a try, but hopefully, they will know when to stop." - Kirkus Reviews 

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title as purchased the following books: Turtle's Race with Beaver, Bear has a Story to Tell, and Between Earth and Sky.

Interactivity:

• Ask children if they have ever heard of a rain or snow dance and then educate them on the cultural significance as well as the factual information pertaining to these Native American ceremonial dances.
• Share the significance of lessons told at the conclusion of fables and their importance.

the absolutely true story of a part-time indian written by sherman alexie and art by ellen forney

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Art by Ellen Forney. New York: Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009. ISBN: 9780316013697

Plot Summary:
     Arnold "Junior" Spirit is a Native American teenager who resides on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Through his observations of the lack of educational emphasis among his reservation, he decides to transfer to a high school outside of his reservation. Junior tells his story of his journey as the outcast of his new school and as an outcast for leaving the reservation to attend a new school. Through his journey, he loses his best-friend on the reservation for being a traitor and he also endures many accomplishments at his new school.

Critical Analysis:
     The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the story of a Native American teenager who endures the everyday struggles of a typical highschooler; however, this story incorporates some of the struggles that a Native American teenager may endure. The author, Sherman Alexie, incorporates a great deal of Native American culture within this novel such as details of reservation living to some to details of annual Native American celebrations. For instance, Sherman details how "the Spoke Tribe holds their annual powwow celebration over the Labor Day weekend," and how "there would be singing, war dancing, gambling, storytelling, laughter, fry bread, hamburgers, hot dogs, arts and crafts, and plenty of alcoholic brawling." This description is culturally accurate to Native American practices, as well as depicting some of the foods included among their culture. Another culturally authentic inclusion presented is when the author details how Junior is called an "Apple" by the kids from his reservation for leaving the reservation school to attend a white highschool. The author describes the insult as an Apple because Junior is seen as red on the outside and white on the inside. This insult coincides with the well known insult of an African-American person being called an oreo.
     Throughout this whole novel, Sherman Alexie incorporates a whole culture within his writing, especially with the inclusion of language relative to Native Americans such as rez (slang term for reservation), powwow, and the stereotypical names that Native Americans endure such as Chief, Tonto, and Squaw Boy. This story is the story of your everyday teenager, but through the eyes and life of a Native American teenager. Alexie does a great job incorporating accurate cultural depictions so well that his audience can understand and learn a vast amount of understanding for Native American culture as well as how inaccurate some stereotypes are portrayed.

Review Excerpts:

"Nimbly blends sharp with unapologetic emotion....fluid narration deftly mingles raw feelings with funny, sardonic insight." - Kirkus Reviews

"Screenwriter, novelist and poet, Alexie bounds into YA with what might be a Native American equivalent of Angela's Ashes,a coming-of-age story so well observed that its very rootedness in one specific culture is also what lends it universality, and so emotionally honest that the humor almost always proves painful. Presented as the diary of hydrocephalic 14-year-old cartoonist and Spokane Indian Arnold Spirit Jr., the novel revolves around Junior's desperate hope of escaping the reservation. As he says of his drawings, "I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats." He transfers to a public school 22 miles away in a rich farm town where the only other Indian is the team mascot. Although his parents support his decision, everyone else on the rez sees him as a traitor, an apple ("red on the outside and white on the inside"), while at school most teachers and students project stereotypes onto him: "I was half Indian in one place and half white in the other." Readers begin to understand Junior's determination as, over the course of the school year, alcoholism and self-destructive behaviors lead to the deaths of close relatives. Unlike protagonists in many YA novels who reclaim or retain ethnic ties in order to find their true selves, Junior must separate from his tribe in order to preserve his identity. Jazzy syntax and Forney's witty cartoons examining Indian versus White attire and behavior transmute despair into dark humor; Alexie's no-holds-barred jokes have the effect of throwing the seriousness of his themes into high relief." - Publishers Weekly

"This book would really appeal to high school and junior high boys for casual and interesting reading. People who are interested in reservation life would find that this book gives a wonderful insight to Native American culture. Alexie makes a good storyteller. The pictures in the book give great detail to the story and writing. Within the story, there are two worlds that a boy must distinguish between and live in." - VOYA

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title also bought the following titles: Rain is Not My Indian Name, Indian Shoes, and Skysisters.

Interactivity:

• Ask audience if they ever recall a time where they had to leave or made the choice to leave somewhere they grew up to go somewhere new and how people treated them from their old residence in comparison to their new residence. 
• Contemplate how the life of a Native American teenager may differ from a teenager from another culture. Would it be different? Should it be different? Should they be treated any differently because they come from a different culture?
• Ask audience to find words or phrases that are significant to the Native American culture.

when turtle grew feathers written by tim tingle and illustrated by stacey schuett

Tingle, Tim. When Turtle Grew Feathers, Illustrated by Stacey Schuett. Atlanta: August House LittleFolk, 2007. ISBN: 978087487773

Plot Summary:
     Turtle has no reservation telling the story of the day Turtle beat Rabbit in a foot race. The story begins as Turtle takes his daily walk when he's stepped on by Turkey who accidentally cracks his shell. With the help of the ants, they manage to mend his shell. Through this encounter Turtle and Turkey become friends -- such good friends that Turtle allows Turkey to try on his shell. While Turkey is trying on Turtle's shell, Rabbit comes along challenging Turtle to a foot race. Unaware of Turkey's disguise, Rabbit is in for a rude awakening.

Critical Analysis:
     When Turtle Grew Feathers is a variant of the popular Aesop fable The Tortoise and the Hare; however, this particular version derives from the Choctaw Nation. The author, Tim Tingle, tells this tale through the incorporation of Choctaw culture gained through oral interviews as well as knowledge acquired through his personal membership of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Within the beginning of the story, Tim includes an introduction on how this Choctaw version varies from The Tortoise and the Hare as he describes, "that the reason Rabbit couldn't outrun Turtle was that he wasn't racing a turtle at all. He only thought he was." By incorporating this brief introduction, the author successfully shows the continuity of Native societies by connecting the Choctaw Nation's traditional tales to the present. The author also subtly incorporates the common Choctaw phrase "Chata hapita hoke." This phrase is used at the conclusion of his story meaning "We are proud to be Choctaw," denoting the pride of this particular Native American Nation.
     In collaboration with author Tim Tingle, Stacey Schuett provides illustrations for this story. Stacey uses bold reds, greens, and browns to visually depict the story of Turtle and Rabbit. She accurately illustrates the storyline by following the narrative from literally depicting Turkey not seeing Turtle laying in the grass to various facial expressions that the animals convey. Her attention to detail in her brush strokes from the usage of watercolors and acrylics allow her audience to visualize the context of this story. The collaboration between the author and illustrator convey this Choctaw Nation folktale in an enjoyable manner.

Review Excerpts:

"This Choctaw version of Aesop's fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, is retold with equal wisdom but more humor. It points out the common tendency to blame others for offenses we commit, but also models reconciliation and generosity, showing that cooperation solves problems. Without preachiness, readers are reminded that learning is the point of experience, but in this case the lesson is not only that the weak may prevail but also that it helps to have powerful friends. The storyteller's heartening conversational voice brings the vocabulary down to earth, substituting turtle and rabbit for tortoise and hare. Author and illustrator play with size images to increase the contrast between big and small, fast and slow. The illustrations so enlarge the animals that we perceive the landscape from the turtle's perspective—very near to the ground. Action scenes explode with color and movement, some of them bursting the bounds of their tame, tessellated frames, contrasting the turtle's slow, low lifestyle with the explosive events around him. The majesty of wings astounds both the ground-bound animals, rabbit and turtle, and the reader, and fills a double spread with their mythic power. The big astounded eyes of the surprised rabbit are compared to "Little Bitty Turtle shells," and thus embarrass him more. Irony adds humor when the defeated rabbit hops away like a bunny, but making "hip-hoppity, hip-hoppity" sound like a poor and somehow very slow exit line." - Children's Literature

"Variations of the race between the tortoise and the hare crop up regularly, but this version, retold as a trickster tale, stands out for its humor and expressive illustrations. Here, the rabbit only thinks he raced a turtle. In fact, it was a flying turkey wearing Turtle's shell. Also a porquoi tale, the story begins when Turkey steps on Turtle's back, breaking his shell into pieces. Turkey recruits an army of ants to mend it with cornsilk, and the shell transforms from a swirl into its familiar geometric pattern. In appreciation, Turtle allows Turkey to try it on just as Rabbit appears, itching for a race. The rest is history, though few have heard the historic event retold quite like this. The prose alternates between rhyming and nonrhyming text and for the most part it bounces along without stumbling. A few lines feel manipulated to create the rhyme, such as "'What is it?' asked Turtle, his eyes opened wide./'Here comes Rabbit,' said the Little Bitty Five./'Rabbit wants to race, and he won't be denied.'" Bright cartoon illustrations capture the tale's humor and energy. Turkey explodes off the page as he emerges from Turtle's shell, ready to run. The animals' various emotions are well rendered, including Turtle's chagrin, Rabbit's aggression and later humiliation, and the budding friendship between Turtle and Turkey. Use this book as a variation to a common folktale, an introduction to Native American lore, or as a fine read-aloud all on its own." - School Library Journal

"In this amusing variation on the traditional tortoise and the hare tale, Turkey tries on Turtle's shell after accidentally cracking and then repairing it. Then, " 'Here comes Rabbit,' said the Little Bitty Five. / Rabbit wants to race, and he won't be denied.' " Turkey, hidden in Turtle's shell, accepts the challenge of the bullying Rabbit, who is mean-looking and larger-than-life. The look on Rabbit's face when Turkey pushes out his long neck, then his long skinny legs, and finally his wings, is not to be missed. Turkey circles the lake before Rabbit even gets started, and puts Rabbit to shame. The story concludes, "Rabbit never challenged Turtle again. That's why you never see them racing today." The bold and colorful illustrations are a good match for this lively telling that, with Rabbit's breezy rap-like dialogue, is a joy to read aloud. Based on a traditional Choctaw story, this telling wins the race. Includes notes on sources." - Kirkus Reviews

Connections:
Customers who bought this title also purchased How Jackrabbit Got His Very Long Ears, Little Rooster's Diamond Button, and Jabuti the Tortoise.

Interactivity:

• Read The Tortoise and the Hare prior to reading this version and have children compare and contrast between the two.
• Ask children which story they enjoyed better and why.

separate is never equal: sylvia mendez and her family’s fight for desegregation written by duncan tonatiuh

Tonatiuh, Duncan. Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & her Family's Fight for Desegregation. New York: Abrams, Harry N., Inc., 2014. ISBN: 9781419710544

Plot Summary:
     Sylvia Mendez was a young girl excited to begin school in her new town in California. However, upon the arrival of her first day, her and her siblings were turned away and told that they must attend the Mexican school. Being a young child, Sylvia could not comprehend why her and her siblings who spoke perfect English could not attend the same school as her peers. This day begins the day in which the Mendez family begins their fight for desegregation within the school system. A compelling story behind a family who fought for equality prior to the famous Brown vs. the Board of Education.

Critical Analysis:
     Separate is Never Equal is a picture book that both illustrates and articulates the story behind the efforts of the Mendez family as they seek justice and equality within segregated schools. The author, Duncan Tonatiuh, incorporates actual interviews with Sylvia Mendez as well as information gathered from court records and news accounts. The most moving part of this story is when the author depicts when the lawsuit went to court and incorporates actual transcript from the case within this work of historical fiction. Dialogue from the superintendents as they make claims such as, "they need to learn cleanliness of mind, manner, and dress. They are not learning that at home." These are actual accounts from court transcripts from the Mendez vs. Westminster court case. Further strengthening the author's usage of cultural authenticity is his inclusion of interlingualism throughout the context including another powerful line said by Sylvia's mother; "No sabes que por eso luchamos?" This line is translated as, "Don't you know that is why we fought?," as Mrs. Mendez begins to describe the importance and hardships endured for desegregation.
     Along with Tonatiuh's strong inclusions from actual dialog, he also provides his audience with profound illustrations. He utilizes simplified shapes and various textures to portray cultural elements among the Mexican Americans he depicts. Such elements include the usage of brown skin and thick shiny hair to depict Mexican Americans, as well as including the style of clothing worn in the mid 1940's. The author does a great job including various elements to accurately depict and tell the story of Mendez vs. Westminster.

Review Excerpts:

"Tonatiuh (Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote) offers an illuminating account of a family’s hard-fought legal battle to desegregate California schools in the years before Brown v. Board of Education. In 1944, after years of laboring as a field worker, Sylvia Mendez’s father leases his own farm in Westminster, Calif. But even though Mexican-born Mr. Mendez is a U.S. citizen and his wife is Puerto Rican, their children are banned from the local public school and told they must attend the inferior “Mexican school.” When all else fails, the Mendezes and four other families file a lawsuit. Readers will share Sylvia’s outrage as she listens to a district superintendent denigrate Mexicans (Tonatiuh drew his words and other testimony from court transcripts). Visually, the book is in keeping with Tonatiuh’s previous work, his simplified and stylized shapes drawn from Mexican artwork. He again portrays his characters’ faces in profile, with collaged elements of hair, fabric, and fibrous paper lending an understated texture. An extensive author’s note provides historical context (including that Sylvia Mendez received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011) and urges readers to make their own voices heard." - Publishers Weekly

"When the Mendezes moved to Westminster, CA, in 1944, third-grader Sylvia tried to enter Westminster School. However, the family was repeatedly told, "'Your children have to go to the Mexican school.' 'But why?' asked Mr. Mendez……'That is how it is done.'" In response, they formed the Parents' Association of Mexican-American Children, distributed petitions, and eventually filed a successful lawsuit that was supported by organizations ranging from the Japanese American Citizens League to the American Jewish Congress. Younger children will be outraged by the injustice of the Mendez family story but pleased by its successful resolution. Older children will understand the importance of the 1947 ruling that desegregated California schools, paving the way for Brown v. Board of Education seven years later. Back matter includes a detailed author's note and photographs. The excellent bibliography cites primary sources, including court transcripts and the author's interview with Sylvia Mendez, who did attend Westminster School and grew up to earn the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Tonatiuh's illustrations tell a modern story with figures reminiscent of the pictorial writing of the Mixtec, an indigenous people from Mexico. Here, the author deliberately connects his heritage with the prejudices of mid-20th century America. One jarring illustration of three brown children barred from a pool filled with lighter-skinned children behind a sign that reads, "No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed," will remind readers of photographs from the Jim Crow South. Compare and contrast young Sylvia Mendez's experience with Robert Coles's The Story of Ruby Bridges (Scholastic, 1995) to broaden a discussion of school desegregation." - School Library Journal

"A little-known yet important story of the fight to end school discrimination against Mexican-American children is told with lively text and expressive art.Most associate the fight for school integration with the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education. However, seven years earlier, Mexican-American students in California saw an end to discrimination there. The little girl at the center of that case, Sylvia Mendez, was the daughter of parents who looked forward to sending her to the school near their newly leased farm. When her aunt attempted to register the family children, they were directed to the "Mexican school," despite proficiency in English and citizenship. No one could explain to Mr. Mendez why his children were not allowed to attend the better-appointed school nearby. Despite the reluctance of many fellow Mexican-Americans to cause "problems," he filed a suit, receiving the support of numerous civil rights organizations. Tonatiuh masterfully combines text and folk-inspired art to add an important piece to the mosaic of U.S. civil rights history. The universality of parents' desires for better opportunities for their children is made plain. The extensive author's note provides context, and readers can connect with the real people in the story through photographs of Sylvia, her parents and the schools in question. Helpful backmatter includes a glossary, bibliography and index. Even the sourcing of dialogue is explained.A compelling story told with impeccable care." - Kirkus Reviews

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title also purchased Brown Girl Dreaming, The Right Word, and When the Beat was Born.

Interactivity:

• Ask children if they have heard of Brown vs. The Board of Education, then educate them on Mendez vs. Westminster.
• Teach children that separate is not equal.
• Allow children to describe how they would feel if they were not able to sit next to their friends because they do not have the same eye color as them.

dizzy in your eyes: poems about love written by pat mora

Mora, Pat. Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems About Love. New York: Random House Inc., 2010. ISBN: 9780375843754

Plot Summary:
      Various poems depicting the emotions people go through as they experience love are collectively compiled in this title. Through these poems, the author takes her audience through a myriad of emotions as she details all kinds of love varying from the love of a pet to the love of your first crush. These poems question your own understanding of love and the relationships we all hold dear and true.

Critical Analysis:
     Dizzy in Your Eyes is a compilation of fifty poems detailing the emotions of love. The author, Pat Mora, subtly incorporates Hispanic cultural markers such as interlingualism and the struggles that one may succumb due to language barriers. Within the poem titled Spanish, the author, Pat Mora, incorporates various inclusions of Spanish terminology and the Spanish language such as, "Porque estas tan quieta?" Along with these inclusions, the author also details how hard it is for a Hispanic girl to go to school because she struggles to comprehend English. Because of this description, the author allows her audience to take a look on the inside of literacy issues that those who may not speak fluent English deal with on a day-to-day basis. The author subtly incorporates Hispanic cultural authenticity within this compilation; however, she emphasizes more on love itself.

Review Excerpts:

"In the introductory material readers learn that most of the poems started out as free verse in which Mora addresses various forms of love—filial, boyfriends, pets and just those warm fuzzy feeling caused by caring for someone or something. Mora decided to take some of her poems and put them into forms some of which like tercet, tanka, letter, pantoum, sestina and villanelle are not all that familiar while sonnet, cinquian, haiku, dialogue and list are much more familiar formats. The effect is to create a varied collection held together by the subject of love. Some poems will bring back memories of first love, friendships that lasted through school but were shattered when it came time for the prom. Perhaps that one held a special significance because it stayed with me-the boy whose company you have enjoyed for years asks someone else to the prom, (your heart almost stops.) There are wonderful poems celebrating an older couple's long life together, family outings and the unfailing love of parents and unquestioning love of a pet for its owner or vice versa. One of the poetic forms used to great effect is the tercet (Revenge X3) where a young man slips the same note to three girls, but finally gets his comeuppance. Yet another wonderful poem, Sisters,extols all the positive aspects of sisterhood. A nice item to be shared with ones own sisters. Teachers should be able to make effective use of this collection and students are bound to find several poems that will resonate." - Children's Literature 

"Celebrated author and speaker Mora offers encouragement by example in this appealing and evocative poetry collection that spans the rainbow of different types of love as well as provides an array of poetry forms. Many poems are snapshots or vignettes of the myriad emotions and angst experienced during young adulthood. The love is at times simple, innocent, and playful and at other times celebrates those important people such as mothers and teachers. Finally there is the new, intense, dizzy but sometimes scary and often unrequited love. For example in the pantoum form "Dumped," Mora writes "me, a lump you dumped, casually," which conveys a feeling almost all teens will experience. While in the villanelle, "Our Private Rhyme," she offers "I feel you near. We're intertwined." The choices of poetry are arranged in a cycle which parallels that of love itself and mirrors a song with four movements. The poems run the gamut of emotions and offer glimpses into the heart and head as well as the creative soul. There are helpful and informative footnotes throughout the text that describe the various styles of poetic form used in the poem on the following page. One poem is even offered in both English and the author's native Spanish. This collection may be used to stimulate young adults to attempt their own poetry and could easily be employed as a classroom tool." - VOYA 

"A collection of poems written in various forms, each narrated in a different teen voice. According to the author's note, Mora envisioned the flow of the poems as that of a symphony with four movements—an opening focus on love's initial rush, followed by a few bumps in the road, healing after loss of love, and finally the joy of finding new love. This cohesion is indeed delivered. Peppered with Spanish, the selections define the emotion in countless ways. The quiet lyricism of some lines will prompt many readers to roll them over and over on their tongues; this is a world in which a simple smile can make a boy feel as if he's "swallowed the sun" or one's worst fear might be a kiss "dull like oatmeal." Where relevant, poetic form is indicated, defined, and discussed on the adjacent page. For all its beauty, this collection is also, in some ways, hard to pin down. The jacket copy and title might lead one to expect a focus on the intensity of teen romantic love. The love here is neither hot and heavy nor clichéd, however, but rather a glimpse into the last remaining innocence of the teen years. At times, the narration even slips a bit astray from an authentically teenage voice. Those expecting a more typical raw, edgy approach to love with poetry akin to the ramblings of a teenager's journal will be better off elsewhere. Teachers in need of a fresh new avenue for teaching poetic form, lovers of language, and teens in search of a broader definition of love will find it here." - School Library Journal 

Connections:
Some titles purchased by customers who also purchased this title include: Secret Saturdays, Surface Tension, and All Unquiet Things.

Interactivity:

• Ask children if they have ever felt left out because of something they felt like they didn't grasp as fast as other children.
• Facilitate a discussion based around the things they love the most and why they love them.
• Have children write a short poem on the thing they love the most and then have them choose a noun and replace it with the Spanish translation of that word.

the surrender tree: poems of cuba's struggle for freedom written by margarita engle

Engle, Margarita. The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom. New York: Henry Holt, 2008. ISBN: 9780805086744

Plot Summary:
     Rosa is a young nurse/healer who makes it her duty to help those in need of medical attention. Despite the circumstances during Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain, she helps those in need of her gift. Through her journey to help, she becomes a target in Lieutenant Death's eyes because she aides the wounded runaways that he hunts. However, a time comes when even Lieutenant Death seeks the medical attention from Rosa.

Critical Analysis:
     The Surrender Tree is a compilation of poems organized in narrative form to articulate the story of Cuba's struggle through the eyes of the protagonist, Rosa. The author, Margarita Engle, organizes this story within five separate parts detailing significant events surrounding Cuba's fight for freedom. Three of the five parts includes descriptions of The Ten Years' War, The Little War, and The War of Independence. Within these segments, the author accurately incorporates historical markers portraying the time period that of which is being described. Lines such as, "Ten years of war are over. A treaty. Peace...The Spanish Empire still owns this suffering island," are examples of the details utilized to strengthen historical context. Along with historical inclusions, the author also incorporates interlingualism; these examples can be seen in sentences such as, "Quien vive? Who lives?" The utilization of interlingualism strengthens language introduction to his audience. Lastly, the author also incorporates cultural markers through the descriptions of the types of foods prepared, such as yams, cornmeal, coconuts, and pineapples -- these foods are indigenous to Cuba. Through the usage of various cultural markers, the author provides his audience with varied cultural authenticity.

Review Excerpts:

"A powerful narrative in free verse . . . haunting." - The Horn Book

"Tales of political dissent can prove, at times, to be challenging reads for youngsters, but this fictionalized version of the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain may act as an entry to the form. The poems offer rich character portraits through concise, heightened language, and their order within the cycle provides suspense. Four characters tell the bulk of the story: Rosa, a child who grows up to be a nurse who heals the wounded, sick and starving with herbal medicine; her husband, Jose, who helps her move makeshift hospitals from cave to cave; Silvia, an orphaned girl who escapes a slave camp so that she may learn from Rosa; and Lieutenant Death, a hardened boy who grows up wanting only to kill Rosa and all others like her. Stretching from 1850 to 1899, these poems convey the fierce desire of the Cuban people to be free. Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people." - Kirkus Reviews

"Often, popular knowledge of Cuba begins and ends with late-20th-century textbook fare: the Cuban Revolution, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Fidel Castro. The Surrender Tree , however, transports readers to another, though no less tumultuous, era. Spanning the years 1850-1899, Engle's poems construct a narrative woven around the nation's Wars for Independence. The poems are told in alternating voices, though predominantly by Rosa, a "freed" slave and natural healer destined to a life on the lam in the island' s wild interior. Other narrators include Teniente Muerte , or Lieutenant Death, the son of a slave hunter turned ruthless soldier; José, Rosa's husband and partner in healing; and Silvia, an escapee from one of Cuba's reconcentration camps. The Surrender Tree is hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba's troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments such as the glimpse of a woman shuttling children through a cave roof for Rosa's care or the snapshot of runaway Chinese slaves catching a crocodile to eat. Though the narrative feels somewhat repetitive in its first third, one comes to realize it is merely symbolic of the unending cycle of war and the necessity for Rosa and other freed slaves to flee domesticity each time a new conflict begins. Aside from its considerable stand-alone merit, this book, when paired with Engle's The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano (Holt, 2006), delivers endless possibilities for discussion about poetry, colonialism, slavery, and American foreign policy." - School Library Journal 

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title also purchased the following titles: Savvy, After Tupac and D Foster, and The Underneath.

Interactivity:

• Ask children if they are familiar with The Ten Years' War, The Little War, and The War of Independence.
• Facilitate a discussion on the similarities between the Underground Railroad and how Rosa created her own makeshift hospitals for the wounded and sick.
• Ask children if they think they are brave enough to help those in need vs. not helping them because they are told not to.

boycott blues written by andrea davis pinkney and illustrated by brian pinkney

Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Boycott Blues, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books, 2008. ISBN: 9780060821197

Plot Summary:
     Rosa Parks was an African-American woman who encountered racism as she rode the bus home from a long day of work. After one long day of work, Rosa boarded a bus that was fairly crowded; however, there was one seat available in the area where people with skin darker than a brown paper bag were not allowed to sit. What do you do when you've been working all day? You sit down to enjoy your ride home and that's exactly what Rosa did. Her very action of sitting where she was not allowed to sit was followed by a long and enduring battle for equality.

Critical Analysis:
     Boycott Blues is a picture book that vividly tells the journey that men and women endured during the Montgomery bus boycott. The author, Andrea Davis Pinkney, provides her audience with a beautiful story that is told through a blues like tribute that also incorporates a bit of poetry. Pinkney sets the tone of this story with a narrator who begins describing a story that they're going to tell that "walks. And walks. And walks. To the blues." This introduction utilizes the structure of a three stanza poem. As the story begins, the author states that on December 1, 1955 Jim Crow flew in who pecked at Rosa Parks. This date aligns with the accurate date that of which Rosa Parks was arrested for sitting in the whites-only section. Andrea Davis Pinkney proceeds to detail the events that Rosa Parks and "the black people in town" endured as this was the beginning of the Montgomery bus boycotts. She continues to detail the events of how "the black people in town" protested riding the buses and walked three hundred days until Jim Crow was abolished. As she details the events, she also utilizes personification as she mentions Jim Crow. She takes the literal form of the word 'crow' and gives it human-like characteristics that align with the misery, inequality, and injustice that the Jim Crow laws caused.
     Along with a thorough and culturally authentic storyline, Andrea Davis Pinkney collaborates with her brother, Brian Pinkney, to illustrate and bring her story to life. Brian utilizes colored inks on clay board to illustrate this story. Bold hues of black, blue, yellow, and brown are used as the basis of his color scheme. He accurately portrays the color of "the black people in town" with skin tones of brown and with kinky black hair, as well as the driver of the bus with white skin. These subtle inclusions visually appeal to their audience while depicting cultural accuracy. The collaboration between the brother and sister author and illustrator vividly detail a time of injustice.
     
Review Excerpts:

"When a guitar-playing, blues-singing hound dog named Dog Tired talks about the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott of 1955, he tells it in a steady rhythm of facts with a lot of soul. In this creative retelling of the events leading up to and following Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man, the Jim Crow laws separating people based on their skin color are personified as an aggressive, bony-winged black crow pecking and strutting. Dog Tired recounts Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech and admonition to fight for justice in a nonviolent way, to refuse to ride the buses until they received fair treatment. For nearly a year, the African American community, as well as other supporters, walked, rode bikes, and carpooled to their destinations. Then, in November, 1956, the Supreme Court ruled against segregation and required equal treatment for all people, regardless of their ethnicity. Vivid, motion-filled illustrations convey the menace of Jim Crow, the passion of Dr. King, and the hope of those who marched. The Pinkneys' inspiring collaboration effectively brings a challenging topic to young audiences. An author's note at the end of the book offers additional information on the Montgomery bus boycott, as well as a short bibliography of books for further exploration." - Children's Literature

"Color and movement are vibrant components in this extraordinary book about Rosa Parks's efforts to take down Jim Crow. Text and illustration work in perfect sync. Andrea Pinkney chose the rhythm of the blues as cadence for the guitar-strumming hound-dog narrator: "This story begins with shoes./This story is all for true./This story walks. And walks. And walks./To the blues." In riveting poetic style, the author relates how Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus in Montgomery, AL, on December 1, 1955; her defiance brought about the boycott that changed this nation. The evocative text is bolstered by Brian Pinkney's perceptive vision: he portrays a swirling black mass, colored ink on clay board, to simulate a menacing bird-Jim Crow-that "pecks, pecks, pecks" its determination to undermine the movement. Jim Crow hovers menacingly over the bus and whirls above the beleaguered walkers, but the ever-present dog keeps belting out inspiring words, swinging his tune out over the people. Against electric blues and greens diffused with streaks of black line, Pinkney's artwork rivets the eye with the red of Parks's coat, the yellow of the city bus, and the sunrise red that signals the Supreme Court ruling to end segregation. Children unfamiliar with the historic events of the period will find the tale uplifting and memorable, and for librarians, teachers, and parents, this story will read aloud well, mesmerizing listeners." - School Library Journal 

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title also purchased the following titles: Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood up by Sitting Down, Sweet Smell of Roses, and January's Sparrow.

Interactivity:

• Ask children if they know about Jim Crow. If they are not familiar with these laws, ask them what they may think they were.
• After the reading of the story, re-seat children according to the color of their shirts and create a popular area where the children like to gather only for people with blue colored shirts. Afterwards, explain segregation and seek explanation on how the children who wore other colored shirts besides blue felt.
• Educate children on the importance of equality and standing up for what is right.