Woodson, Jacqueline. FROM THE NOTEBOOKS OF MELANIN SUN. New York: Scholastic, 1995. ISBN 0590458817
Melanin Sun is a 13 year-old boy. He is experiencing the typical things boys his age go through: hormone changes, girls, friends, insecurity. He has an extremely close relationship with his mom. When he finds out she's in love and who she's in love with it challenges what he thought was right. Readers will be moved by Melanin's emotions as he works through them in this story that may be more real than we think.
Jacqueline Woodson has created a character in 13 year-old, African-American, Melanin Sun that kids of similar and older ages will relate to. He is the type of person that boys and girls can understand no matter what race. He is quiet, observant, thoughtful, and writes about everything. He is living in an apartment in the city, has two close friends, is just beginning to show interest in a particular girl. He also shows how insecure he is around the opposite sex. It is important that readers bond with Melanin so that when his mother tells him her secret readers will be rooting for Melanin to find a way to be at peace. It's a coming of age story in a modern world with real emotion.
Many young people growing up today not only have to deal with the typical problems but also may worry about sexual preference. Because Melanin is quiet and thoughtful he seems to worry about his or at least how it appears to others. "I knew it was faggy to collect stamps but I didn't care. It was something I liked and as long as I didn't start wanting to kiss on Raphael and Sean, I was okay." His friends know he collects stamps and tease him so he is dealing with the inner conflict.
As an African-American Melanin and his friends also have issues with whites at times. Melanin and his mother go to the beach and he realizes "no one was as dark as me." When he gets teased by some white boys at the beach he feels "stupid then, dark and ugly. Alone. It made me hate white people in a way I hadn't thought about hating them before." His friends talk about wanting to beat them up but know they wouldn't. They all hold on to "the hate." This issue sets up part of the problem with his mother's secret.
When Melanin's mother tells him she is in love with Kristin, a woman, a white woman, his first reaction is that he will become what he has been reassuring himself he is not, gay. As he begins processing the new information he feels great anger, he wants to die, he punches walls, and cries. He screams obscenities at her and moves to feeling embarrassed because others will know what she is. Woodson does a great job of combining the actions and emotions so readers feel the fury inside Melanin.
Melanin retreats to his own world and works on putting some order back in his mind. When one of his friends makes a comment revealing he knows about Melanin's mother and her girlfriend the raw emotions come to the surface again in a physical fight that results in the ending of a friendship.
As the story comes to a close, Melanin is still dealing with wanting things to go back the way they were before the secret was revealed, ignoring his mother, yet wanting the love of his mother even though he doesn't agree with her choice. He feels so torn and Woodson writes to allow readers to feel the same. Melanin's close relationship to his mother finally results in a deep and sincere dialogue where the beginning of understanding is born for Melanin. His mother asks him to " ' see her [Kristin] as human, Mel. Just walk into one day without being so mad at me.' " Melanin wants to know how he's supposed to " 'walk out of it' " and she replies, " 'However you walk out of it.' " She gives Melanin some power in his feelings and how he views things but by asking him to keep an open mind he begins to see his mother as he did before. Melanin also questions Kristin about why she loves his mother. As he talks with her more he begins to allow himself to accept her thus accepting that this is his reality. He starts looking, also, for the time when this newness will be behind him. Readers are left with a sense of hope that Melanin will make peace with his new situation and hopefully more acceptance.
Woodson has done a terrific job revealing a side of this issue that most do not think about because it happens behind closed doors. Melanin shows us this is not an issue that kids go discuss with their friends. Woodson's descriptions of Melanin's thoughts and emotions bring him to life. Also, showing Melanin's and Kristin's conversations gives great insights to conversations that must have taken place before but aren't discussed openly in many circles. Woodson writes with a purpose, but it's the story and Melanin that will be remembered.
HORN BOOK GUIDE: "Woodson tells a powerful and ultimately hopeful story in this concise novel."
KIRKUS: "Melanin Sun's inner journey will leave readers moved and reassured."
Read other books by Jacqueline Woodson:'
FEATHERS
ISBN 9780399239892
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Culture 6 - Inclusive: HABIBI
Nye, Naomi Shihab. HABIBI. New York: Simon Pulse, 1997. ISBN 9780689825231
Liyana is moving to another country. She has grown up in America and now her father is moving the family of four to his homeland - Palestine. She doesn't know this Arab side of herself. She doesn't know the relatives, the language, the customs, anything. It takes a friendship for her to begin to feel at home in this new place.
HABIBI is full of cultural markers towards the Arab culture. Cultural markers exist for the Jewish and Armenian cultures as well. The combination of all the cultures are woven together to tell the story of Liyana's family as they move from America to Jerusalem. Liyana, her mother, and brother were all born in America and always knew they would move overseas to experience the other half of their heritage. Liyana's parents decided this was a good time because of Liyana's and Rafik's ages, entering high school and middle school, respectively. Her father thinks it is safe enough to return to his homeland. Liyana is not sure this will be fun since she has just experiences her first kiss. The story is full of conflicting emotions in many of the character's lives and it will be reassuring for readers to see Liyana's inner thoughts throughout.
The idea of being immigrants is raised several ways. Liyana's father, Poppy, is an immigrant in the United States and his wife and children become immigrants in Jerusalem. After announcing the move, Poppy tells his family, " 'I never thought I'd become a citizen. I planned to return home after medical school.' " Poppy is preparing Liyana for the move by telling her "Arab women don't wear shorts" because they are inappropriate, as well as other tidbits about Arab women. Liyana's stress builds and we see what many people with dual heritage background may experience when face with the prospect of going to a place that is part of them but not known to them. She tells it to her father like this: " 'I'm just a half-half, woman-girl, Arab-American, a mixed breed like those wild characters that ride up on ponies in the cowboy movies Rafik likes to watch. The half-breeds are always villains or rescuers, never anybody normal in between.' " Liyana's character is admirable because she is bright and articulate and is able to put into words what many people her age cannot. Readers will admire and learn from her through her experience.
Liyana is a writer and we see bits of things she writes down, but one of her assignments before she moves is to interview her father about Jerusalem and discuss some of the issues from his point of view. Her paper has references to food and friends of different backgrounds but gives a simple explanation of some of the reasons for unrest in Jerusalem. "After the British weren't in control anymore, the Jews wanted control and the Arabs wanted control. Everybody said Jerusalem and Palestine was theirs. Too many other countries, especially the United States, got involved with money, guns, and bossing around." Liyana also shares information regarding what it was like during the fighting as it touched close to her father. Her paper also makes a reference to American Indians and how they "made my father very sad. He knew how the felt." This paper is integral to the story for background and will help readers who don't know the history from watching the news.
Once the family moves Nye gives readers vivid pictures of life in Israel. The tone is set for the story when the family is stopped at customs. The family is nervous and the reality of the peace that exists in America is not the same in Israel is apparent. The family begins their new life at a hotel in Jerusalem and is a good transition for them. The first time they meet Sitti, their grandmother, she blesses them and expresses her joy in a traditional cry, "threw her head back, rolled her tongue high up in her mouth and began trilling wildly." It is awhile before Liyana feels comfortable enough to go stay with her relatives in their village. She does not know their language and they do not know hers. It is a barrier that is overcome by love.
Cultural markers of appearance are introduced when meeting the relatives. Vivid details abound like Sitti's hands "tattooed with the dark blue shapes of flying birds." "The women's long dresses were made of thick fabrics, purple, gold, and navy blue, and stitched brightly with fabulous, complicated embroidery." "All the women wore gold bangle bracelets. The older ones had long white scarves draped and knotted firmly over their hair. The younger ones had bare heads, which made Liyana feel relieved." Details of the men's attire is given as well with differences noted for the older men. Rafik wants to understand names of relatives. A few words are thrown in interlingually but are explained well.
Liyana goes to an Armenian school and during lunch off campus one day meets a boy, Omer. Omer is Jewish, thus presenting a sensitive issue in the dynamics of the cultures of Israel. Omer is interested in Liyana's relatives but Poppy isn't sure the family would understand their friendship. She wins over her father by bringing up the issue of peace that he so desperately wants for his country. The relatives have mixed emotions regarding Omer's presence, but it is Sitti who welcomes him and opens the eyes of others in the family.
HABIBI is a must-read for students. Nye has woven together strong cultural markers and a strong story-line that captivates readers from the first sentence to the end. The themes of peace will be left with readers and could interest them enough to find ways to contribute.
BOOKLIST: "The story is steeped in detail about the place and cultures: food, geography, history, shopping, schools, language, religions, etc."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Nye's climactic ending will leave readers pondering, long after the last page is turned, why Arabs, Jews, Greeks and Armenians can no longer live in harmony the way they once did."
Read other works by Naomi Shihab Nye:
19 VARITIES OF GAZELLE: POEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
ISBN 9780060504045
Liyana is moving to another country. She has grown up in America and now her father is moving the family of four to his homeland - Palestine. She doesn't know this Arab side of herself. She doesn't know the relatives, the language, the customs, anything. It takes a friendship for her to begin to feel at home in this new place.
HABIBI is full of cultural markers towards the Arab culture. Cultural markers exist for the Jewish and Armenian cultures as well. The combination of all the cultures are woven together to tell the story of Liyana's family as they move from America to Jerusalem. Liyana, her mother, and brother were all born in America and always knew they would move overseas to experience the other half of their heritage. Liyana's parents decided this was a good time because of Liyana's and Rafik's ages, entering high school and middle school, respectively. Her father thinks it is safe enough to return to his homeland. Liyana is not sure this will be fun since she has just experiences her first kiss. The story is full of conflicting emotions in many of the character's lives and it will be reassuring for readers to see Liyana's inner thoughts throughout.
The idea of being immigrants is raised several ways. Liyana's father, Poppy, is an immigrant in the United States and his wife and children become immigrants in Jerusalem. After announcing the move, Poppy tells his family, " 'I never thought I'd become a citizen. I planned to return home after medical school.' " Poppy is preparing Liyana for the move by telling her "Arab women don't wear shorts" because they are inappropriate, as well as other tidbits about Arab women. Liyana's stress builds and we see what many people with dual heritage background may experience when face with the prospect of going to a place that is part of them but not known to them. She tells it to her father like this: " 'I'm just a half-half, woman-girl, Arab-American, a mixed breed like those wild characters that ride up on ponies in the cowboy movies Rafik likes to watch. The half-breeds are always villains or rescuers, never anybody normal in between.' " Liyana's character is admirable because she is bright and articulate and is able to put into words what many people her age cannot. Readers will admire and learn from her through her experience.
Liyana is a writer and we see bits of things she writes down, but one of her assignments before she moves is to interview her father about Jerusalem and discuss some of the issues from his point of view. Her paper has references to food and friends of different backgrounds but gives a simple explanation of some of the reasons for unrest in Jerusalem. "After the British weren't in control anymore, the Jews wanted control and the Arabs wanted control. Everybody said Jerusalem and Palestine was theirs. Too many other countries, especially the United States, got involved with money, guns, and bossing around." Liyana also shares information regarding what it was like during the fighting as it touched close to her father. Her paper also makes a reference to American Indians and how they "made my father very sad. He knew how the felt." This paper is integral to the story for background and will help readers who don't know the history from watching the news.
Once the family moves Nye gives readers vivid pictures of life in Israel. The tone is set for the story when the family is stopped at customs. The family is nervous and the reality of the peace that exists in America is not the same in Israel is apparent. The family begins their new life at a hotel in Jerusalem and is a good transition for them. The first time they meet Sitti, their grandmother, she blesses them and expresses her joy in a traditional cry, "threw her head back, rolled her tongue high up in her mouth and began trilling wildly." It is awhile before Liyana feels comfortable enough to go stay with her relatives in their village. She does not know their language and they do not know hers. It is a barrier that is overcome by love.
Cultural markers of appearance are introduced when meeting the relatives. Vivid details abound like Sitti's hands "tattooed with the dark blue shapes of flying birds." "The women's long dresses were made of thick fabrics, purple, gold, and navy blue, and stitched brightly with fabulous, complicated embroidery." "All the women wore gold bangle bracelets. The older ones had long white scarves draped and knotted firmly over their hair. The younger ones had bare heads, which made Liyana feel relieved." Details of the men's attire is given as well with differences noted for the older men. Rafik wants to understand names of relatives. A few words are thrown in interlingually but are explained well.
Liyana goes to an Armenian school and during lunch off campus one day meets a boy, Omer. Omer is Jewish, thus presenting a sensitive issue in the dynamics of the cultures of Israel. Omer is interested in Liyana's relatives but Poppy isn't sure the family would understand their friendship. She wins over her father by bringing up the issue of peace that he so desperately wants for his country. The relatives have mixed emotions regarding Omer's presence, but it is Sitti who welcomes him and opens the eyes of others in the family.
HABIBI is a must-read for students. Nye has woven together strong cultural markers and a strong story-line that captivates readers from the first sentence to the end. The themes of peace will be left with readers and could interest them enough to find ways to contribute.
BOOKLIST: "The story is steeped in detail about the place and cultures: food, geography, history, shopping, schools, language, religions, etc."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Nye's climactic ending will leave readers pondering, long after the last page is turned, why Arabs, Jews, Greeks and Armenians can no longer live in harmony the way they once did."
Read other works by Naomi Shihab Nye:
19 VARITIES OF GAZELLE: POEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST
ISBN 9780060504045
Culture 6 - Inclusive: RULES
Lord, Cynthia. RULES. New York: Scholastic, 2006. ISBN 0439443822
Catherine is 12 years old. She has a brother that she thinks interferes with her having a normal life. Her brother has autism and although she helps him a great deal she is embarrassed in front of people who don't know and angered by people who make fun of him. When she makes friends with a boy who challenges her to define normal.
Rules, written, unwritten, and unspoken are all around us. "Most kids don't even consider these rules." Catherine writes rules for her autistic brother, David, as a way to hopefully avoid embarrassment. Most of the rules apply to us all and will make us laugh binding readers with the story and characters from the beginning. "Sometimes people don't answer because they didn't hear you. Other times it's because they don't want to hear you." "If you want to get away with something, don't announce it first." Readers can almost forget Catherine is only 12 since she is the one writing the rules for her brother. Her parents rely on Catherine to help care for David so it has made her mature faster than other girls her age. Catherine is endearing to readers because we see that she's not always comfortable being a caretaker and wants to do what everyone else is doing. "It feels deliciously easy to be visiting a friend's house without having to say first, 'Sorry, David, this is for me.'"
Lord does a great job showing Catherine as a normal girl experiencing frustration with her family that all girls and boys experience. Catherine is also frustrated by the fact that her dad chooses to distance himself from his family. He works late, spends time in his garden and takes David to his favorite place, the video store. Catherine reaches out to her father and asks to do something with him and he puts her off. "'Someday soon,' he says. 'I promise.'" Catherine thinks to herself, "I know he's just promising to stop me from asking again."
All students experience teasing and children with disabilities are no exception. Ryan, a boy in Catherine's neighborhood, has teased David and therefore, has an enemy in Catherine. Catherine meets a boy, Jason, at the OT's office who is in a wheelchair and doesn't speak. Catherine and Jason become friends and when faced with the prospect of being seen together at a dance steps back for fear of both being made fun of. Catherine's friendship with Jason began with her making word cards for him to use to point to when he wanted to "speak". She begins to see he is normal in his thoughts, ideas, and feelings, but his body is what makes him different. Even though she despises Ryan's treatment of her brother it is her desire to keep Jason hidden from others that forces her to question what she believes is normal and acceptable. When Jason asks if she wants to go to the dance she makes excuses and he sees right through and asks her "Are? You. Embarrassed. About. Me." It is the question we all wonder how we would answer. We hope we would answer it correctly but Catherine shows us our true answer may not be the right one and she realizes she must change her thinking. Her confrontation with the issue is realistic and universal. Readers will gain insight from Catherine and begin asking themselves how they would react.
Another important issue in RULES is that Cynthia Lord does not give clinical details about autism or Jason's disability. Facts about each one are woven into the story without becoming a distraction. One day at OT Catherine notices Jason is angry because he "slides his hand across his book, jabbing at cards. His fingers curl, clawlike, as his knuckle raps one word and another." Jason's "hands twitch, and he makes rumbling-throat sounds, near to growling." Autism has so many different characteristics but Lord gives readers enough tidbits of information to give a good visual of what he's like. David loves to go to the video store and has to "walk down each row of videos, flipping boxes over to read the parental advisory and the rating - even on videos Dad would never let him rent."
RULES is a great book that readers will love whether or not they have had any experiences with people with disabilities. Hopefully, it challenges readers to examine their own feelings towards people with disabilities.
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' point of view."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability."
Read other Schneider Family Book Award winners:
Sachar, Louis. SMALL STEPS. New York: Delacorte Press, 2006. ISBN 9780385733144
Catherine is 12 years old. She has a brother that she thinks interferes with her having a normal life. Her brother has autism and although she helps him a great deal she is embarrassed in front of people who don't know and angered by people who make fun of him. When she makes friends with a boy who challenges her to define normal.
Rules, written, unwritten, and unspoken are all around us. "Most kids don't even consider these rules." Catherine writes rules for her autistic brother, David, as a way to hopefully avoid embarrassment. Most of the rules apply to us all and will make us laugh binding readers with the story and characters from the beginning. "Sometimes people don't answer because they didn't hear you. Other times it's because they don't want to hear you." "If you want to get away with something, don't announce it first." Readers can almost forget Catherine is only 12 since she is the one writing the rules for her brother. Her parents rely on Catherine to help care for David so it has made her mature faster than other girls her age. Catherine is endearing to readers because we see that she's not always comfortable being a caretaker and wants to do what everyone else is doing. "It feels deliciously easy to be visiting a friend's house without having to say first, 'Sorry, David, this is for me.'"
Lord does a great job showing Catherine as a normal girl experiencing frustration with her family that all girls and boys experience. Catherine is also frustrated by the fact that her dad chooses to distance himself from his family. He works late, spends time in his garden and takes David to his favorite place, the video store. Catherine reaches out to her father and asks to do something with him and he puts her off. "'Someday soon,' he says. 'I promise.'" Catherine thinks to herself, "I know he's just promising to stop me from asking again."
All students experience teasing and children with disabilities are no exception. Ryan, a boy in Catherine's neighborhood, has teased David and therefore, has an enemy in Catherine. Catherine meets a boy, Jason, at the OT's office who is in a wheelchair and doesn't speak. Catherine and Jason become friends and when faced with the prospect of being seen together at a dance steps back for fear of both being made fun of. Catherine's friendship with Jason began with her making word cards for him to use to point to when he wanted to "speak". She begins to see he is normal in his thoughts, ideas, and feelings, but his body is what makes him different. Even though she despises Ryan's treatment of her brother it is her desire to keep Jason hidden from others that forces her to question what she believes is normal and acceptable. When Jason asks if she wants to go to the dance she makes excuses and he sees right through and asks her "Are? You. Embarrassed. About. Me." It is the question we all wonder how we would answer. We hope we would answer it correctly but Catherine shows us our true answer may not be the right one and she realizes she must change her thinking. Her confrontation with the issue is realistic and universal. Readers will gain insight from Catherine and begin asking themselves how they would react.
Another important issue in RULES is that Cynthia Lord does not give clinical details about autism or Jason's disability. Facts about each one are woven into the story without becoming a distraction. One day at OT Catherine notices Jason is angry because he "slides his hand across his book, jabbing at cards. His fingers curl, clawlike, as his knuckle raps one word and another." Jason's "hands twitch, and he makes rumbling-throat sounds, near to growling." Autism has so many different characteristics but Lord gives readers enough tidbits of information to give a good visual of what he's like. David loves to go to the video store and has to "walk down each row of videos, flipping boxes over to read the parental advisory and the rating - even on videos Dad would never let him rent."
RULES is a great book that readers will love whether or not they have had any experiences with people with disabilities. Hopefully, it challenges readers to examine their own feelings towards people with disabilities.
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' point of view."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability."
Read other Schneider Family Book Award winners:
Sachar, Louis. SMALL STEPS. New York: Delacorte Press, 2006. ISBN 9780385733144
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Culture 5 - Asian Pacific American: When the Circus Came to Town
Yep, Laurence. WHEN THE CIRCUS CAME TO TOWN. Ill. by Suling Wang. New York: Harper Trophy, 2002. ISBN 0064409651
When ten year old Ursula gets smallpox and decides not to go out in public until her face heals, it is Ah Sam, a Chinese cook working for her parents, who helps her realize she is more than her appearance. Set in the early twentieth century, WHEN THE CIRCUS CAME TO TOWN, is a book based on a similar event in Montana.
In WHEN THE CIRCUS CAME TO TOWN, ten year old Ursula is our main character. She is white and living in Montana during the pioneer days. Everyone around her is white except for one man, Tom, who lives outside of town. Tom is a Native American and not always accepted by people in town and those traveling through. Ursula's parents are kind to anyone of any culture and teach Ursula to appreciate all people. This offers a unique contrast during this time period and is integral to the other important character, Ah Sam. Ah Sam is Chinese and moved to America to provide for his family still in China.
When Ah Sam comes to work for Ursula's parents at their restaurant townspeople were not happy. "They said Chinese used a drug called opium. They would cheat and steal. They said a lot of other things too." Ah Sam gives a lot of cultural markers to the story. His appearance is what Ursula notices first: "The cook was a small man with long, slender fingers. His skin was a light tan, and his eyes were strange. But his hair was the funniest. It was shaved on the crown so his forehead looked real big. In back, though he wore his hair in a long pigtail. Ma called it his queue." Ah Sam later tells Ursula why he wears his hair in a queue: "the Manchus would kill me if I cut it...They are the barbarians who rule China...They make us wear our hair like horse tails. That reminds the Chinese of the horses the Manchus rode when they beat us."
Yep does a great job showing Ursula as well as readers that all people have similarities. When Ursula learns Ah Sam has a daughter in China she wants him to not feel sadness and also wants to know more about where he's from. She works hard to include him in her family's Christmas celebration and when she learns what it's about and to recreate it for him in her hometown. She learns that some things they do to celebrate are "important for Heaven. But we do other things, like eat lots, clean our houses. Men get haircuts. Maybe they trim their queue a little. And they shave the crowns of their heads. Anyone who has debts pays up. And we put money in red envelopes and give them out to children. We set off fireworks and beat gongs to scare away the bad spirits and have a dragon parade." Ursula gets all the town members to contribute and they all learn about Chinese New Year and that people from different cultures are valuable.
The town puts all their heart into Ursula's project because Ah Sam, a former circus performer in China, was able to get Ursula out of her house after smallpox left her face with permanent reminders. Ah Sam learned how much Ursula loved the circus and brought his cousins, also circus performers, to her hometown to perform, but said they couldn't perform without music. So Ursula's new-found skill of playing the harmonica was vital to her emotional healing process.
Yep blends so much cultural information with a strong story line of a young girl's emotional healing process that readers will learn about Japanese culture and not realize how much they are being taught. It's an excellent historical fiction work with cultural authenticity.
Find Elliot Paul's memoir which this story is based on:
A GHOST TOWN ON THE YELLOWSTONE
ISBN 9781417983353
Read other books by Laurence Yep:
DRAGON'S GATE
ISBN 9780064404891
DRAGON CAULDRON
ISBN 9780064403986
When ten year old Ursula gets smallpox and decides not to go out in public until her face heals, it is Ah Sam, a Chinese cook working for her parents, who helps her realize she is more than her appearance. Set in the early twentieth century, WHEN THE CIRCUS CAME TO TOWN, is a book based on a similar event in Montana.
In WHEN THE CIRCUS CAME TO TOWN, ten year old Ursula is our main character. She is white and living in Montana during the pioneer days. Everyone around her is white except for one man, Tom, who lives outside of town. Tom is a Native American and not always accepted by people in town and those traveling through. Ursula's parents are kind to anyone of any culture and teach Ursula to appreciate all people. This offers a unique contrast during this time period and is integral to the other important character, Ah Sam. Ah Sam is Chinese and moved to America to provide for his family still in China.
When Ah Sam comes to work for Ursula's parents at their restaurant townspeople were not happy. "They said Chinese used a drug called opium. They would cheat and steal. They said a lot of other things too." Ah Sam gives a lot of cultural markers to the story. His appearance is what Ursula notices first: "The cook was a small man with long, slender fingers. His skin was a light tan, and his eyes were strange. But his hair was the funniest. It was shaved on the crown so his forehead looked real big. In back, though he wore his hair in a long pigtail. Ma called it his queue." Ah Sam later tells Ursula why he wears his hair in a queue: "the Manchus would kill me if I cut it...They are the barbarians who rule China...They make us wear our hair like horse tails. That reminds the Chinese of the horses the Manchus rode when they beat us."
Yep does a great job showing Ursula as well as readers that all people have similarities. When Ursula learns Ah Sam has a daughter in China she wants him to not feel sadness and also wants to know more about where he's from. She works hard to include him in her family's Christmas celebration and when she learns what it's about and to recreate it for him in her hometown. She learns that some things they do to celebrate are "important for Heaven. But we do other things, like eat lots, clean our houses. Men get haircuts. Maybe they trim their queue a little. And they shave the crowns of their heads. Anyone who has debts pays up. And we put money in red envelopes and give them out to children. We set off fireworks and beat gongs to scare away the bad spirits and have a dragon parade." Ursula gets all the town members to contribute and they all learn about Chinese New Year and that people from different cultures are valuable.
The town puts all their heart into Ursula's project because Ah Sam, a former circus performer in China, was able to get Ursula out of her house after smallpox left her face with permanent reminders. Ah Sam learned how much Ursula loved the circus and brought his cousins, also circus performers, to her hometown to perform, but said they couldn't perform without music. So Ursula's new-found skill of playing the harmonica was vital to her emotional healing process.
Yep blends so much cultural information with a strong story line of a young girl's emotional healing process that readers will learn about Japanese culture and not realize how much they are being taught. It's an excellent historical fiction work with cultural authenticity.
Find Elliot Paul's memoir which this story is based on:
A GHOST TOWN ON THE YELLOWSTONE
ISBN 9781417983353
Read other books by Laurence Yep:
DRAGON'S GATE
ISBN 9780064404891
DRAGON CAULDRON
ISBN 9780064403986
Culture 5 - Asian Pacific American: Tree of Cranes
Say, Allen. TREE OF CRANES. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991. ISBN 039552024X
Set in Japan, a boy learns about Christmas and his mother when she decorates a special tree with handmade paper crane ornaments.
TREE OF CRANES is full of cultural markers for Japanese culture through words and Say's watercolor illustrations. The story is set in Japan so cultural authenticity is a must and is evident throughout.
The opening line sets the reader's mind for awareness of differences between the Japanese and American cultures: "When I was not yet old enough to wear long pants,..." It seems odd because as the story progresses one realizes it is set in December and the boy narrating the story is wearing shorts, gloves, a thick sweater, and a scarf. The boy is playing at a pond, gets wet, and gets a chill. He heads home knowing his mother will be upset but evidence of a strong family bond is shown when he thinks to himself, "she might be happy just to see me." He is surprised she doesn't come right out to greet him so assumes she is sick. She takes great care of him to help him get over his cold, further evidence of a close bond.
The mother is also preparing a special celebration for her son. She is very secretive and the boy finds this very unusual. We discover through her story to her son that she was born and grew up in California. She is teaching him about Christmas but adds some Japanese touches. The tree is decorated with origami cranes she folded which are associated with making wishes. She tells him how the trees would be decorated with lights and ornaments and would have presents underneath. Right away he gets into the spirit of presents and asks for "a samurai kite!" He asks his mother what she would like as well and makes her a promise as his gift. When he wakes up Christmas morning he finds his kite left by the tree and the excitement he feels is the same as American children on Christmas day.
Many cultural markers are found in the illustrations. The traditional clothing worn by the mother throughout the story and by the boy when he is inside his house is accurately depicted. The home and furnishings are also culturally authentic. Readers will see sliding doors with rice paper windows, sparse furnishings with clean, simple lines, and the boy's bed - a futon with one pillow and a simple coverlet. The dishes used to serve the boy consist of a simple cup with Japanese symbols, a rectangular plate, a bowl, and chopsticks. When the boy looks out his bedroom window at his mother we see her in their outer courtyard which contains a well-kept garden. The most intriguing furnishing of the house was the wooden bathtub. It will capture reader's attention and lead to discussions of whether or not houses in Japan are really like the pictures in the book.
TREE OF CRANES is a beautiful book which will peak students' interest in Japanese culture. I shared this book with elementary students and they commented on every picture and had so many questions and comments about things that were unfamiliar to them.
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY - "The story is a poignant one, illuminated with finely drawn illustrations reflecting the serenity of a Japanese home and the quiet love between mother and son."
BOOKLIST - "Infused with gentle nostalgia, the quiet, graciously told picture book is a perfect blend of text and art."
Research and study Japanese clothing and housing.
Read other books by Allen Say:
THE BICYCLE MAN
ISBN 9780395506523
EL CHINO
ISBN 9780395778753
Set in Japan, a boy learns about Christmas and his mother when she decorates a special tree with handmade paper crane ornaments.
TREE OF CRANES is full of cultural markers for Japanese culture through words and Say's watercolor illustrations. The story is set in Japan so cultural authenticity is a must and is evident throughout.
The opening line sets the reader's mind for awareness of differences between the Japanese and American cultures: "When I was not yet old enough to wear long pants,..." It seems odd because as the story progresses one realizes it is set in December and the boy narrating the story is wearing shorts, gloves, a thick sweater, and a scarf. The boy is playing at a pond, gets wet, and gets a chill. He heads home knowing his mother will be upset but evidence of a strong family bond is shown when he thinks to himself, "she might be happy just to see me." He is surprised she doesn't come right out to greet him so assumes she is sick. She takes great care of him to help him get over his cold, further evidence of a close bond.
The mother is also preparing a special celebration for her son. She is very secretive and the boy finds this very unusual. We discover through her story to her son that she was born and grew up in California. She is teaching him about Christmas but adds some Japanese touches. The tree is decorated with origami cranes she folded which are associated with making wishes. She tells him how the trees would be decorated with lights and ornaments and would have presents underneath. Right away he gets into the spirit of presents and asks for "a samurai kite!" He asks his mother what she would like as well and makes her a promise as his gift. When he wakes up Christmas morning he finds his kite left by the tree and the excitement he feels is the same as American children on Christmas day.
Many cultural markers are found in the illustrations. The traditional clothing worn by the mother throughout the story and by the boy when he is inside his house is accurately depicted. The home and furnishings are also culturally authentic. Readers will see sliding doors with rice paper windows, sparse furnishings with clean, simple lines, and the boy's bed - a futon with one pillow and a simple coverlet. The dishes used to serve the boy consist of a simple cup with Japanese symbols, a rectangular plate, a bowl, and chopsticks. When the boy looks out his bedroom window at his mother we see her in their outer courtyard which contains a well-kept garden. The most intriguing furnishing of the house was the wooden bathtub. It will capture reader's attention and lead to discussions of whether or not houses in Japan are really like the pictures in the book.
TREE OF CRANES is a beautiful book which will peak students' interest in Japanese culture. I shared this book with elementary students and they commented on every picture and had so many questions and comments about things that were unfamiliar to them.
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY - "The story is a poignant one, illuminated with finely drawn illustrations reflecting the serenity of a Japanese home and the quiet love between mother and son."
BOOKLIST - "Infused with gentle nostalgia, the quiet, graciously told picture book is a perfect blend of text and art."
Research and study Japanese clothing and housing.
Read other books by Allen Say:
THE BICYCLE MAN
ISBN 9780395506523
EL CHINO
ISBN 9780395778753
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Culture 5 - Asian Pacific American: A Step from Heaven
Na,An. A STEP FROM HEAVEN. New York: Speak, 2001. ISBN 0142500275
A STEP FROM HEAVEN is the story of a Korean girl's life from age four to college. It is her life's story of her family's transition from Korea to America which she thought would be heaven. Her family's world is shaken because the reality of moving didn't match their dream of moving.
"Uhmma", "Halmoni", "Apa", "Harabugi" are family names used interlingually throughout A STEP FROM HEAVEN. Clues given in the text help readers learn what each word means: "Halmoni, who is old and has a sleepy blanket face, says that a long time ago Apa was young like me and she could boss him around." A few other Korean words are used in the text but a significant one is "Mi Gook" which means America. Young Ju believes they both mean "heaven", so she has great expectations when she moves there. She hopes her father, Apa, will stop drinking and breaking things in the house. When her parents find out for sure they will be moving she sees and feels peace. "No more mean eyes over the rice bowl, and my stomach keeps the rice inside like a good stomach is supposed to do. I hope they will talk about Mi Gook forever and ever."
Much of the story centers around family dynamics and their importance for the Korean culture. In Korea Young Ju's family that lives together includes her grandmother and they move to America without her. Young Ju is upset by this. Her parents want desperately to fit in with the American way of life and feel it's the best place for people with big dreams of prosperity. Young Ju's aunt and uncle already live in America and offer her Coca Cola to drink because "you can become a Mi Gook girl. Here, try this drink. Everyone in Mi Gook love Ko-ka Ko-la. They drink it like water. You will love it too." Young ju looks at it and doesn't drink it right away. Her father becomes very upset and Young Ju knows she "cannot show bad manners." She forces herself to drink it out of respect for her father and other family members. This passage shows the conflict within her father of wanting the American lifestyle but clinging to his Korean background where children would not disrespect, disobey, or question a parent. As the story progresses and the American dream is not coming true for Young Ju's father more conflict becomes evident. The violence he has at home towards his wife and children increases because he is drinking more. He is missing work more often, shirking responsibility which is a trait taken very seriously in his culture. We see references to the Korean newspaper and his demands that Young Ju speak Korean at home and not befriend an American girl because "she is a bad influence." He expects Young Ju never to question him or "be someone other than a good Korean girl daughter."
Young Ju shows readers how it feels wanting to fit in with peers yet being pulled back because her parents don't approve of all things American. She is torn because she knows her parents brought her to America for a better life yet she is corrected for not being Korean. She feels embarrassed by her home and family and keeps it hidden from her American friend. She will not allow her friend to see her home or meet her family. Yet, Young Ju feels comfortable going to the Korean church. The author really allows us to see the struggles of each member of this family that most would never have realized existed because many display a strong, unified front.
Another cultural marker related to the family values is the importance placed on education. Young Ju excels at school because her parents value education and she strives to please her parents. When she receives an award at school for her grades her mother is sad she could not attend because she had to work. Her mother wants to know it she bowed or had to make a speech and if she should send a gift to the principal because "he is a very important man."
A STEP FROM HEAVEN is a great book to help readers understand that just like abuse is often well-hidden within a home, so too are the struggles of a family moving from one country to another.
BOOKLIST: "As in the best writing, the particulars make the story, a first novel, universal."
THE HORN BOOK: "An Na displays an astonishing and memorable force."
Locate Korea on a map and try to learn other words in Korean.
Read other Michael Printz Award winners:
LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
ISBN 9780142402511
POSTCARDS FROM NO MAN'S LAND by Aidan Chambers
ISBN 9780142401453
A STEP FROM HEAVEN is the story of a Korean girl's life from age four to college. It is her life's story of her family's transition from Korea to America which she thought would be heaven. Her family's world is shaken because the reality of moving didn't match their dream of moving.
"Uhmma", "Halmoni", "Apa", "Harabugi" are family names used interlingually throughout A STEP FROM HEAVEN. Clues given in the text help readers learn what each word means: "Halmoni, who is old and has a sleepy blanket face, says that a long time ago Apa was young like me and she could boss him around." A few other Korean words are used in the text but a significant one is "Mi Gook" which means America. Young Ju believes they both mean "heaven", so she has great expectations when she moves there. She hopes her father, Apa, will stop drinking and breaking things in the house. When her parents find out for sure they will be moving she sees and feels peace. "No more mean eyes over the rice bowl, and my stomach keeps the rice inside like a good stomach is supposed to do. I hope they will talk about Mi Gook forever and ever."
Much of the story centers around family dynamics and their importance for the Korean culture. In Korea Young Ju's family that lives together includes her grandmother and they move to America without her. Young Ju is upset by this. Her parents want desperately to fit in with the American way of life and feel it's the best place for people with big dreams of prosperity. Young Ju's aunt and uncle already live in America and offer her Coca Cola to drink because "you can become a Mi Gook girl. Here, try this drink. Everyone in Mi Gook love Ko-ka Ko-la. They drink it like water. You will love it too." Young ju looks at it and doesn't drink it right away. Her father becomes very upset and Young Ju knows she "cannot show bad manners." She forces herself to drink it out of respect for her father and other family members. This passage shows the conflict within her father of wanting the American lifestyle but clinging to his Korean background where children would not disrespect, disobey, or question a parent. As the story progresses and the American dream is not coming true for Young Ju's father more conflict becomes evident. The violence he has at home towards his wife and children increases because he is drinking more. He is missing work more often, shirking responsibility which is a trait taken very seriously in his culture. We see references to the Korean newspaper and his demands that Young Ju speak Korean at home and not befriend an American girl because "she is a bad influence." He expects Young Ju never to question him or "be someone other than a good Korean girl daughter."
Young Ju shows readers how it feels wanting to fit in with peers yet being pulled back because her parents don't approve of all things American. She is torn because she knows her parents brought her to America for a better life yet she is corrected for not being Korean. She feels embarrassed by her home and family and keeps it hidden from her American friend. She will not allow her friend to see her home or meet her family. Yet, Young Ju feels comfortable going to the Korean church. The author really allows us to see the struggles of each member of this family that most would never have realized existed because many display a strong, unified front.
Another cultural marker related to the family values is the importance placed on education. Young Ju excels at school because her parents value education and she strives to please her parents. When she receives an award at school for her grades her mother is sad she could not attend because she had to work. Her mother wants to know it she bowed or had to make a speech and if she should send a gift to the principal because "he is a very important man."
A STEP FROM HEAVEN is a great book to help readers understand that just like abuse is often well-hidden within a home, so too are the struggles of a family moving from one country to another.
BOOKLIST: "As in the best writing, the particulars make the story, a first novel, universal."
THE HORN BOOK: "An Na displays an astonishing and memorable force."
Locate Korea on a map and try to learn other words in Korean.
Read other Michael Printz Award winners:
LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
ISBN 9780142402511
POSTCARDS FROM NO MAN'S LAND by Aidan Chambers
ISBN 9780142401453
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Culture 4 - Native American: The Girl Who Married the Moon
Bruchac, Joseph and Gayle Ross. THE GIRL WHO MARRIED THE MOON. Colorado: Fulcrum Publishing, 1994. ISBN 9781555915667
This is a collection of various nations' stories celebrating female rites of passage. It shows women as strong, brave and role models for younger generations.
The book begins with a note from Gayle Ross. Readers will learn much from reading this because it contains information about the importance of women in different nations and different regions in North America. "[A]mong all Native cultures, no force was considered more sacred or more powerful than the ability to create new life."
The book is divided into four sections for four regions in North America. Each section consists of four stories. Four is an important number in Native American culture, "four seasons, four winds, four directions, four stages in a person's life."
"Arrowhead Finger" tells the story of a girl who shows bravery and strength in the face of danger. Native language is seen in several stories. This one begins with the work, "Kita!" for listen. This story, like others, also gives details about lifestyle, foods, the importance of names, and types of houses. Different regions and landforms have different types of houses: longhouses, lodges and teepees.
The themes of respect and obeying elders is seen in most of the stories. Grave consequences follow those who do not follow advice from their elders as seen in "Chipmunk Girl and Owl Woman" when Chipmunk Girl's heart is cut out and eaten because she spoke to Owl Woman. Chipmunk Girl had been told by her grandmother "to be careful of dangerous people like Owl Woman and never talk to them."
Native traditions and ceremonies are also shown in relation to various tribes. In "How Pelican Girl was Saved" a girl disobeys after her special ceremony for her becoming a woman and became very sick. It took much to heal her but she learned from her mistakes to become a wise woman who was able to teach others.
This book is an encouraging book for girls of any culture but gives us a special glimpse into a culture we know little about because of stereotypes. This is a book that should be read if doing any type of lesson on Native Americans. The sources listed in the back of the book is also a valuable resource.
BOOKLIST: "Ross introduces the collection by noting that the role of women in traditional native cultures is 'perhaps the most falsely portrayed,' and indeed these tales bring a perspective that is little known outside the communities they represent."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "An afterword and source notes close this useful resource for storytelling and multicultural learning."
Rewrite a chosen story as a Reader's Theater.
Read other books by Gayle Ross:
HOW RABBIT TRICKED OTTER (AND OTHER CHEROKEE STORIES)
ISBN 9780930407605
This is a collection of various nations' stories celebrating female rites of passage. It shows women as strong, brave and role models for younger generations.
The book begins with a note from Gayle Ross. Readers will learn much from reading this because it contains information about the importance of women in different nations and different regions in North America. "[A]mong all Native cultures, no force was considered more sacred or more powerful than the ability to create new life."
The book is divided into four sections for four regions in North America. Each section consists of four stories. Four is an important number in Native American culture, "four seasons, four winds, four directions, four stages in a person's life."
"Arrowhead Finger" tells the story of a girl who shows bravery and strength in the face of danger. Native language is seen in several stories. This one begins with the work, "Kita!" for listen. This story, like others, also gives details about lifestyle, foods, the importance of names, and types of houses. Different regions and landforms have different types of houses: longhouses, lodges and teepees.
The themes of respect and obeying elders is seen in most of the stories. Grave consequences follow those who do not follow advice from their elders as seen in "Chipmunk Girl and Owl Woman" when Chipmunk Girl's heart is cut out and eaten because she spoke to Owl Woman. Chipmunk Girl had been told by her grandmother "to be careful of dangerous people like Owl Woman and never talk to them."
Native traditions and ceremonies are also shown in relation to various tribes. In "How Pelican Girl was Saved" a girl disobeys after her special ceremony for her becoming a woman and became very sick. It took much to heal her but she learned from her mistakes to become a wise woman who was able to teach others.
This book is an encouraging book for girls of any culture but gives us a special glimpse into a culture we know little about because of stereotypes. This is a book that should be read if doing any type of lesson on Native Americans. The sources listed in the back of the book is also a valuable resource.
BOOKLIST: "Ross introduces the collection by noting that the role of women in traditional native cultures is 'perhaps the most falsely portrayed,' and indeed these tales bring a perspective that is little known outside the communities they represent."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "An afterword and source notes close this useful resource for storytelling and multicultural learning."
Rewrite a chosen story as a Reader's Theater.
Read other books by Gayle Ross:
HOW RABBIT TRICKED OTTER (AND OTHER CHEROKEE STORIES)
ISBN 9780930407605
Culture 4 - Native American: Rain is Not My Indian Name
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2001. ISBN 9780688173975
Rain is a 14 year-old girl with some Native American background. After Rain's best friend dies, she hides from everyone and everything. An assignment to shoot pictures of Indian Camp is the beginning of stepping out of her darkness. She realizes life is still going on and she wants to be a part.
Rain is a 14 year-old girl who is dealing with the death of her best friend. She is a typical girl who is experiencing things most girls are with friends, boys and family issues. Rain also has Native American heritage from both sides of her family, "I'm Muscogee Creek-Cherokee and Scots-Irish on Mom's side, Irish-German-Ojibway on Dad's."
Rain's aunt has decided to start an Indian Camp in their hometown for the few Native Americans there. Rain has decided not to attend but worries about "having hurt Aunt Georgia's feelings or having shown disrespect." Respect is an important characteristic with Native American groups.
The author gives several examples of negative stereotypes relating to Native Americans. Rain mentions how she's always hated the "song about counting 'little Indians' " and how things like "construction-paper feathers, a plastic paint pony, and Malibu Pocahontas" are indicators that "seem Indian." Rain gives readers insight into how it feels when others look at her and wonder about her being Native American because of her lighter coloring. People ask her, " 'How much Indian are you?' (About forty-five pounds' worth.) And 'Are you legally [or a card-carrying] Indian?' (Yes, but only on my mother's side.)" The issue of respect is mentioned again in reference to these questions asked of her.
Although Rain has grown up feeling distant from her Native American heritage by the time the story is wrapping up she wants "to connect with the Ojibway side of my heritage." It is a good message to encourage readers to find out about their heritage.
The author's note in the back of the book explains that the book is a work of fiction. Several of the places mentioned are true, for example, Haskell Indian Nations University.
KIRKUS: "Tender, funny, and full of sharp wordplay. Smith's first novel deals with a whole host of interconnecting issues, but the center is Rain herself."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "[R]eaders will feel the affection of Rain's loose-knit family and admire the way that they, like the author with the audience, allow Rain to draw her own conclusions about who she is and what her heritage means to her."
Students should find out what cultural heritage they are and research it.
Check out http://www.oyate.org for authentic Native American information and resources.
Rain is a 14 year-old girl with some Native American background. After Rain's best friend dies, she hides from everyone and everything. An assignment to shoot pictures of Indian Camp is the beginning of stepping out of her darkness. She realizes life is still going on and she wants to be a part.
Rain is a 14 year-old girl who is dealing with the death of her best friend. She is a typical girl who is experiencing things most girls are with friends, boys and family issues. Rain also has Native American heritage from both sides of her family, "I'm Muscogee Creek-Cherokee and Scots-Irish on Mom's side, Irish-German-Ojibway on Dad's."
Rain's aunt has decided to start an Indian Camp in their hometown for the few Native Americans there. Rain has decided not to attend but worries about "having hurt Aunt Georgia's feelings or having shown disrespect." Respect is an important characteristic with Native American groups.
The author gives several examples of negative stereotypes relating to Native Americans. Rain mentions how she's always hated the "song about counting 'little Indians' " and how things like "construction-paper feathers, a plastic paint pony, and Malibu Pocahontas" are indicators that "seem Indian." Rain gives readers insight into how it feels when others look at her and wonder about her being Native American because of her lighter coloring. People ask her, " 'How much Indian are you?' (About forty-five pounds' worth.) And 'Are you legally [or a card-carrying] Indian?' (Yes, but only on my mother's side.)" The issue of respect is mentioned again in reference to these questions asked of her.
Although Rain has grown up feeling distant from her Native American heritage by the time the story is wrapping up she wants "to connect with the Ojibway side of my heritage." It is a good message to encourage readers to find out about their heritage.
The author's note in the back of the book explains that the book is a work of fiction. Several of the places mentioned are true, for example, Haskell Indian Nations University.
KIRKUS: "Tender, funny, and full of sharp wordplay. Smith's first novel deals with a whole host of interconnecting issues, but the center is Rain herself."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "[R]eaders will feel the affection of Rain's loose-knit family and admire the way that they, like the author with the audience, allow Rain to draw her own conclusions about who she is and what her heritage means to her."
Students should find out what cultural heritage they are and research it.
Check out http://www.oyate.org for authentic Native American information and resources.
Culture 4 - Native American: The Great Ball Game
Bruchac, Joseph. THE GREAT BALL GAME. Ill. by Susan L. Roth. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1994. ISBN 0803715390
Bruchac retells the Muskogee Indian Nation legend about the disagreement between the animals and the birds. Bat has characteristics of both groups but proves invaluable for one side in the end. It is fun to read pourquoi tale.
The introduction to THE GREAT BALL GAME is the first indication of cultural authenticity. It explains where the story comes from, "the Muskogee (also known as the Creek) Indian Nation that lived in the area we now call Georgia" and the fact that similar stories abound from various regions of the United States. It also mentions that this version is based on a telling from an elder in the Muskogee Nation.
Showing the animals and birds working out their disagreement by playing a game as opposed to fighting shows Indians to be peaceful where typically many think of them as battle ready: " ' Let us have a ball game,' Crane said. 'The first side to score a goal will win the argument.' "
One positive thing the book does is tell a story from a Native American perspective but does not use things that too many people associate with Indians such as feathers, war paint and violence.
The artwork does not identify the story as a Native American story because there are no people or other objects that most would expect in a story from Indians. The artwork is memorable because it is collages with different types of papers to add lots of visual interest. The papers give lots of texture and the colors are earthy while still being colorful.
This is a fun book that tells a great story but more importantly gives children a culturally authentic view of Native Americans. It is a good springboard for creating interest in this culture.
BOOKLIST: "Short and well told, this appealing pourqoui tale lends itself to reading aloud."
HORN BOOK GUIDE: "Artful cut-and torn-paper collages feature creatures juxtaposed against brilliantly colored or patterned backgrounds."
Read another version of the tale by Lloyd Arneach called THE ANIMALS' BALLGAME.
ISBN 9780516051390
Visit the official Muscogee (Creek) Nation website:
http://www.muscogeenation-nsn.gov/index.htm
Bruchac retells the Muskogee Indian Nation legend about the disagreement between the animals and the birds. Bat has characteristics of both groups but proves invaluable for one side in the end. It is fun to read pourquoi tale.
The introduction to THE GREAT BALL GAME is the first indication of cultural authenticity. It explains where the story comes from, "the Muskogee (also known as the Creek) Indian Nation that lived in the area we now call Georgia" and the fact that similar stories abound from various regions of the United States. It also mentions that this version is based on a telling from an elder in the Muskogee Nation.
Showing the animals and birds working out their disagreement by playing a game as opposed to fighting shows Indians to be peaceful where typically many think of them as battle ready: " ' Let us have a ball game,' Crane said. 'The first side to score a goal will win the argument.' "
One positive thing the book does is tell a story from a Native American perspective but does not use things that too many people associate with Indians such as feathers, war paint and violence.
The artwork does not identify the story as a Native American story because there are no people or other objects that most would expect in a story from Indians. The artwork is memorable because it is collages with different types of papers to add lots of visual interest. The papers give lots of texture and the colors are earthy while still being colorful.
This is a fun book that tells a great story but more importantly gives children a culturally authentic view of Native Americans. It is a good springboard for creating interest in this culture.
BOOKLIST: "Short and well told, this appealing pourqoui tale lends itself to reading aloud."
HORN BOOK GUIDE: "Artful cut-and torn-paper collages feature creatures juxtaposed against brilliantly colored or patterned backgrounds."
Read another version of the tale by Lloyd Arneach called THE ANIMALS' BALLGAME.
ISBN 9780516051390
Visit the official Muscogee (Creek) Nation website:
http://www.muscogeenation-nsn.gov/index.htm
Friday, July 6, 2007
Culture 3 - Hispanic/Latino(a): Cuba 15
Osa, Nancy. CUBA 15. New York: Delacorte Press, 2003. ISBN 0385900864
CUBA 15 gives us a fairly detailed view of part of a school year of a Cuban-American girl's life at an important time. Violet Paz lives in Chicago and is preparing for her quinceanero to celebrate her 15th birthday. Her strong-willed Cuban grandmother is the one who introduces Violet to this tradition, but it is Violet who makes it her own by combining all that is important to her. Readers will identify with Violet as she shares her high school experiences on the speech team, a boyfriend, good times with friends and an eccentric family. Cuban history and culture is woven in to help readers appreciate other's uniqueness.
The largest cultural marker is the quinceanero Violet is preparing for. Since she has not heard of this celebration before she must learn from books, family and herself how this celebration will best represent her. Violet's grandmother teachers her and her brother what the celebration is about, "The quinceanero, m'ijo, this is the time when the girl becomes the woman...The quince is the time when all the resto del mundo ass-cepts your dear sister as an adult in the eyes of God and family. And she, in turn, promises to ass-cept responsabilidad for all the wonders in the world of adults." As Violet learns about the special occasion she also learns about herself.
Violet also learns about her Cuban background which can be a sore point with her father since he mostly grew up in the U.S. and didn't want to acknowledge his background growing up. Her father learns he needs to share his knowledge with his children. "Maybe we should talk a little bit about Cuba sometime." Violet also learns about Cuba from her grandmother, aunt, music and some of her own research. She goes to a Cuba-focused peace rally with her friend and really begins to want to know her background. "I was fascinated. People all over the globe were working to normalize relations with the island. People who weren't even Cuban. I wanted to ask them why."
Osa uses Spanish interlingually which helps give authenticity to the story. The use of Spanish varies according to the characters. Violet's grandmother uses the most Spanish and the author gives her a "Spanglish accent". "We plan the fiestecita for next ehspring. My little Violeta is becoming una mujer!", "He die in Coo-ba. Is a long time ago. But always he is with me...I think I inherit some-sing from him." The use of Spanish also varies depending on who is talking to whom. Violet's dad speaks more Spanish to his parents than to his children. Violet speaks to this when she is thinking about what her grandmother tells her about the quinceanero: "I couldn't plead ignorance-as-usual and say No comprendo, because this time I understood her Spanish, but only because she'd used a cognate."
Playing dominoes for dimes, smoking cigars, food and music are also cultural markers in the story. All of these elements are combined at a large multi-day party at Violet's house for her friends and extended family. So much detail is used to describe many of the aspects of their party. "The house smelled of garlicky frijoles negros and frying platanos-green plantain chips, the kind I liked; they'd be salty-sweet and too hot to eat, but in no time they would disappear, leaving just an oil-spotted paper towel and spilled salt on the plate.", "Friday night, I fell asleep to the alternate clacking of dominoes and Tito Puente's timbales. The only time I could get a dime in edgewise on one of the packed porch tables was when I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and found Abuelo and two friends still playing...The men signaled me to throw in a dime, and a new game began."
Readers will love the glimpse into a family that has so much going on as well as learning about a culture they may not have known much about.
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "As a bonus, readers get some exposure to Cuban history and culture, including a smattering of Spanish words and phrases."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Among the many strengths of this book are its likable and very real protagonist and her introduction to the nexus of politics and family.
Read other books about quinceaneras:
QUINCEANERA MEANS SWEET 15 by Veronica Chambers
ISBN 0786804971
QUINCEANERA: CELEBRATING FIFTEEN by Elizabeth King
ISBN 0525456384
CUBA 15 gives us a fairly detailed view of part of a school year of a Cuban-American girl's life at an important time. Violet Paz lives in Chicago and is preparing for her quinceanero to celebrate her 15th birthday. Her strong-willed Cuban grandmother is the one who introduces Violet to this tradition, but it is Violet who makes it her own by combining all that is important to her. Readers will identify with Violet as she shares her high school experiences on the speech team, a boyfriend, good times with friends and an eccentric family. Cuban history and culture is woven in to help readers appreciate other's uniqueness.
The largest cultural marker is the quinceanero Violet is preparing for. Since she has not heard of this celebration before she must learn from books, family and herself how this celebration will best represent her. Violet's grandmother teachers her and her brother what the celebration is about, "The quinceanero, m'ijo, this is the time when the girl becomes the woman...The quince is the time when all the resto del mundo ass-cepts your dear sister as an adult in the eyes of God and family. And she, in turn, promises to ass-cept responsabilidad for all the wonders in the world of adults." As Violet learns about the special occasion she also learns about herself.
Violet also learns about her Cuban background which can be a sore point with her father since he mostly grew up in the U.S. and didn't want to acknowledge his background growing up. Her father learns he needs to share his knowledge with his children. "Maybe we should talk a little bit about Cuba sometime." Violet also learns about Cuba from her grandmother, aunt, music and some of her own research. She goes to a Cuba-focused peace rally with her friend and really begins to want to know her background. "I was fascinated. People all over the globe were working to normalize relations with the island. People who weren't even Cuban. I wanted to ask them why."
Osa uses Spanish interlingually which helps give authenticity to the story. The use of Spanish varies according to the characters. Violet's grandmother uses the most Spanish and the author gives her a "Spanglish accent". "We plan the fiestecita for next ehspring. My little Violeta is becoming una mujer!", "He die in Coo-ba. Is a long time ago. But always he is with me...I think I inherit some-sing from him." The use of Spanish also varies depending on who is talking to whom. Violet's dad speaks more Spanish to his parents than to his children. Violet speaks to this when she is thinking about what her grandmother tells her about the quinceanero: "I couldn't plead ignorance-as-usual and say No comprendo, because this time I understood her Spanish, but only because she'd used a cognate."
Playing dominoes for dimes, smoking cigars, food and music are also cultural markers in the story. All of these elements are combined at a large multi-day party at Violet's house for her friends and extended family. So much detail is used to describe many of the aspects of their party. "The house smelled of garlicky frijoles negros and frying platanos-green plantain chips, the kind I liked; they'd be salty-sweet and too hot to eat, but in no time they would disappear, leaving just an oil-spotted paper towel and spilled salt on the plate.", "Friday night, I fell asleep to the alternate clacking of dominoes and Tito Puente's timbales. The only time I could get a dime in edgewise on one of the packed porch tables was when I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and found Abuelo and two friends still playing...The men signaled me to throw in a dime, and a new game began."
Readers will love the glimpse into a family that has so much going on as well as learning about a culture they may not have known much about.
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "As a bonus, readers get some exposure to Cuban history and culture, including a smattering of Spanish words and phrases."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Among the many strengths of this book are its likable and very real protagonist and her introduction to the nexus of politics and family.
Read other books about quinceaneras:
QUINCEANERA MEANS SWEET 15 by Veronica Chambers
ISBN 0786804971
QUINCEANERA: CELEBRATING FIFTEEN by Elizabeth King
ISBN 0525456384
Culture 3 - Hispanic/Latino(a): Confetti
Mora, Pat. CONFETTI: POEMS FOR CHILDREN. Ill. by Enrique O. Sanchez. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc., 1996. ISBN 1880000857
CONFETTI is a collection of poems from the perspective of a young Mexican-American girl living in the Southwest. The girl is celebrating the things around her such as the sun, cloud shapes, leaves and sounds. The poems really point to using your senses to notice things around you.
CONFETTI uses interlingual Spanish and translates words in the text as well. Some of the interlingual Spanish is best figured out with the illustrations. "Oh, I see caballitos that race the wind high in shimmering blue" in "Cloud Dragons" with pictures of clouds in the shape of horses. "Castanet Clicks" uses English and Spanish numbers to make the poem sing-songy. "Uno, dos, one two, baskets blue."
"Abuelita's Lap" is about the little girl's feelings of comfort from her grandmother. All readers will be able to relate to these feelings for a special family member no matter what they call them.
Sanchez's illustrations will capture readers' attention because they are so colorful and vibrant. The bright colors of orange, yellow, red, blue and purple go well with the Southwest theme. They have a simplicity that allows the colors to take center stage. The pictures help tell the stories of each poem. "Purple Snake" is about carving wood into animal shapes but the poem doesn't use the word "carve" until the middle. In the beginning the author says the animal is "asleep in a piece of wood". The picture accompanying the poem shows the little girl watching a pair of hands with a knife working on a purple snake. In the background are paint cans with bright colors and in the foreground two other animals already carved.
The characters are also illustrated culturally accurate. They are colored with dark hair and brown skin. Their children's clothes are simple and would be suitable for any child of any current culture.
Objects in the illustrations are also cultural markers for the Southwest. Bright green cacti, pottery and baskets adorn many pages. Another interesting addition drawn on some of the objects are simple line details of contrasting color that give the art an ancient feel.
BOOKLIST: "Using Spanish and English, this collection of poems is as much fun to look at as it is to read."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Narrative poems in free verse capture the rhythms and uniqueness of the Southwest and its culture as seen through the eyes of a Mexican-American girl."
Read other books by Pat Mora:
A LIBRARY FOR JUANA
ISBN 9780375806438
MY OWN TRUE NAME
ISBN 9781558852921
CONFETTI is a collection of poems from the perspective of a young Mexican-American girl living in the Southwest. The girl is celebrating the things around her such as the sun, cloud shapes, leaves and sounds. The poems really point to using your senses to notice things around you.
CONFETTI uses interlingual Spanish and translates words in the text as well. Some of the interlingual Spanish is best figured out with the illustrations. "Oh, I see caballitos that race the wind high in shimmering blue" in "Cloud Dragons" with pictures of clouds in the shape of horses. "Castanet Clicks" uses English and Spanish numbers to make the poem sing-songy. "Uno, dos, one two, baskets blue."
"Abuelita's Lap" is about the little girl's feelings of comfort from her grandmother. All readers will be able to relate to these feelings for a special family member no matter what they call them.
Sanchez's illustrations will capture readers' attention because they are so colorful and vibrant. The bright colors of orange, yellow, red, blue and purple go well with the Southwest theme. They have a simplicity that allows the colors to take center stage. The pictures help tell the stories of each poem. "Purple Snake" is about carving wood into animal shapes but the poem doesn't use the word "carve" until the middle. In the beginning the author says the animal is "asleep in a piece of wood". The picture accompanying the poem shows the little girl watching a pair of hands with a knife working on a purple snake. In the background are paint cans with bright colors and in the foreground two other animals already carved.
The characters are also illustrated culturally accurate. They are colored with dark hair and brown skin. Their children's clothes are simple and would be suitable for any child of any current culture.
Objects in the illustrations are also cultural markers for the Southwest. Bright green cacti, pottery and baskets adorn many pages. Another interesting addition drawn on some of the objects are simple line details of contrasting color that give the art an ancient feel.
BOOKLIST: "Using Spanish and English, this collection of poems is as much fun to look at as it is to read."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Narrative poems in free verse capture the rhythms and uniqueness of the Southwest and its culture as seen through the eyes of a Mexican-American girl."
Read other books by Pat Mora:
A LIBRARY FOR JUANA
ISBN 9780375806438
MY OWN TRUE NAME
ISBN 9781558852921
Culture 3 - Hispanic/Latino(a): Neighborhood Odes
Soto, Gary. NEIGHBORHOOD ODES. Ill. by David Diaz. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc., 1992. ISBN 0152053646
NEIGHBORHOOD ODES is a collection of poems about life in a Mexican-American community. Soto takes seemingly insignificant things like pomegranates, family pictures and tortillas and shows how they can bind people together.
The interlingual use of Spanish is a distinct cultural marker from the first poem, "Ode to Los Raspados". The Spanish words are defined in a glossary so as not to disrupt the picture being painted. "Papa drives a truck Of helados and Snow cones, the Music of arrival Playing block After block." Some poems are all English and others are a combination, "Ode to El Guitarron" and "Ode to Pablo's Tennis Shoes". The Spanish words are used with clues to be able to figure out the meaning without interrupting the poem. "The high school novios Are now married, Belinda and Rudolfo," from "Ode to Weddings".
Celebrations mentioned in the poems also present cultural markers. "Ode to La Pinata" is about a girl's birthday party and the fun of hitting a candy-filled pinata. "Ode to Weddings" mentions different family and friends: "Abuelo, compradres, tias, viejos".
The poem that presents a strong cultural aspect is "Ode to La Llorona" which tells the story of a ghost weeping for her children who drowned. This is a legend that has been told for years within this culture.
The illustrations by David Diaz also contribute to the feel of the book. They are all black and white and look similar to the paper art, papel picado. They look simplistic but are beautiful and anyone who has any experience with the Mexican-American culture will be familiar with it.
I shared "Ode to Family Photographs" with a group of students and shared personal pictures that did not turn out well. The students loved it and were anxious to discuss their own families.
HORN BOOK GUIDE: "With humor, sensitivity, and insight, Soto explores the lives of children."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Black-and-white illustrations blend well with the astute verbal imagery."
Read other books of poetry by Gary Soto:
A FIRE IN MY HANDS
ISBN 9780152055646
CANTO FAMILIAR
ISBN9780152000677
Have students write their own odes to things in their neighborhoods.
Visit the following website to read one version of La Llorona:
http://www.literacynet.org/lp/hperspectives/llorona.html
NEIGHBORHOOD ODES is a collection of poems about life in a Mexican-American community. Soto takes seemingly insignificant things like pomegranates, family pictures and tortillas and shows how they can bind people together.
The interlingual use of Spanish is a distinct cultural marker from the first poem, "Ode to Los Raspados". The Spanish words are defined in a glossary so as not to disrupt the picture being painted. "Papa drives a truck Of helados and Snow cones, the Music of arrival Playing block After block." Some poems are all English and others are a combination, "Ode to El Guitarron" and "Ode to Pablo's Tennis Shoes". The Spanish words are used with clues to be able to figure out the meaning without interrupting the poem. "The high school novios Are now married, Belinda and Rudolfo," from "Ode to Weddings".
Celebrations mentioned in the poems also present cultural markers. "Ode to La Pinata" is about a girl's birthday party and the fun of hitting a candy-filled pinata. "Ode to Weddings" mentions different family and friends: "Abuelo, compradres, tias, viejos".
The poem that presents a strong cultural aspect is "Ode to La Llorona" which tells the story of a ghost weeping for her children who drowned. This is a legend that has been told for years within this culture.
The illustrations by David Diaz also contribute to the feel of the book. They are all black and white and look similar to the paper art, papel picado. They look simplistic but are beautiful and anyone who has any experience with the Mexican-American culture will be familiar with it.
I shared "Ode to Family Photographs" with a group of students and shared personal pictures that did not turn out well. The students loved it and were anxious to discuss their own families.
HORN BOOK GUIDE: "With humor, sensitivity, and insight, Soto explores the lives of children."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Black-and-white illustrations blend well with the astute verbal imagery."
Read other books of poetry by Gary Soto:
A FIRE IN MY HANDS
ISBN 9780152055646
CANTO FAMILIAR
ISBN9780152000677
Have students write their own odes to things in their neighborhoods.
Visit the following website to read one version of La Llorona:
http://www.literacynet.org/lp/hperspectives/llorona.html
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Culture 2 - African American: Uptown
Collier, Bryan. UPTOWN. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2000. ISBN 9780805073997
UPTOWN is a boy's story about what makes his neighborhood special. The special things are very specific and the few words for each thing leaves room for the wonderful collage and watercolor pictures to help tell the story.
The text is very simply written and tells about our character's favorite things in Harlem. "Uptown is canvas awnings on the windows to block the sun. It's like the buildings are all dressed up. Several of the things mentioned are large cultural markers with Harlem being the largest. The narrator tells of The Apollo Theater, jazz music and the Boys Choir of Harlem. A specific reference to "a Van Der Zee photograph" sent me researching because I had not heard of him. I discovered he was an African American photographer who is best known for taking pictures of black New Yorkers. Most comments were about the 3 sisters who were dressed alike in bright yellow dresses. The comments mostly referred to their hair which all have in many braids and pulled up in high pony tails and tied with colorful fabrics. Students loved the picture but had a hard time relating to the fact that these girls looked too old to be dressing alike to go to church.
The words tell a simple story but this book is all about the pictures. The collages will appeal to children especially but older readers can appreciate the detail. For example the pictures of brownstones compared to bars of chocolate are created with pictures of Cadbury chocolate bars. The Van Der Zee photograph page includes very small photos inside different types of frames. The combination of realism and painting will hold the reader's attention for a lot longer than it takes to read the text. So many more details will come out in subsequent viewings of the illustrations.
BOOKLIST - "It's the artwork that takes center stage, the gorgeous, textured collages giving impressions of spaces and moments in the boy's neighborhood."
HORN BOOK GUIDE - "...the reader's senses are bathed in the sights and sounds that make Harlem this small boy's paradise."
This story is also available in audio:
ISBN 9781430100522
Make a collage and write about your hometown favorites.
Listen to the Boys Choir of Harlem:
"Up in Harlem"
ASIN B00000IZTM
visit Bryan Collier's website:
http://www.bryancollier.com/
UPTOWN is a boy's story about what makes his neighborhood special. The special things are very specific and the few words for each thing leaves room for the wonderful collage and watercolor pictures to help tell the story.
The text is very simply written and tells about our character's favorite things in Harlem. "Uptown is canvas awnings on the windows to block the sun. It's like the buildings are all dressed up. Several of the things mentioned are large cultural markers with Harlem being the largest. The narrator tells of The Apollo Theater, jazz music and the Boys Choir of Harlem. A specific reference to "a Van Der Zee photograph" sent me researching because I had not heard of him. I discovered he was an African American photographer who is best known for taking pictures of black New Yorkers. Most comments were about the 3 sisters who were dressed alike in bright yellow dresses. The comments mostly referred to their hair which all have in many braids and pulled up in high pony tails and tied with colorful fabrics. Students loved the picture but had a hard time relating to the fact that these girls looked too old to be dressing alike to go to church.
The words tell a simple story but this book is all about the pictures. The collages will appeal to children especially but older readers can appreciate the detail. For example the pictures of brownstones compared to bars of chocolate are created with pictures of Cadbury chocolate bars. The Van Der Zee photograph page includes very small photos inside different types of frames. The combination of realism and painting will hold the reader's attention for a lot longer than it takes to read the text. So many more details will come out in subsequent viewings of the illustrations.
BOOKLIST - "It's the artwork that takes center stage, the gorgeous, textured collages giving impressions of spaces and moments in the boy's neighborhood."
HORN BOOK GUIDE - "...the reader's senses are bathed in the sights and sounds that make Harlem this small boy's paradise."
This story is also available in audio:
ISBN 9781430100522
Make a collage and write about your hometown favorites.
Listen to the Boys Choir of Harlem:
"Up in Harlem"
ASIN B00000IZTM
visit Bryan Collier's website:
http://www.bryancollier.com/
Culture 2 - African American: John Henry
Lester, Julius. JOHN HENRY. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Puffin Books, 1994. ISBN 0803716060
JOHN HENRY is a tall-tale retold in words and pictures by a terrific pair. The story is based on a ballad and the text is great when read aloud. Readers will recognize many parts of the story about a larger than life man who could break through mountains with 2 sledgehammers faster than any machine. Pinkney's illustrations are a beautiful accompaniment to a story that still mesmerizes those who hear it.
The story of John Henry comes from a black folk ballad. Some of the lines of text are said to be taken directly from the song but there seem to be quite a few different versions of the song. The idea that John Henry could work harder and faster than any steam drill of his time is accurate in songs and in this text as well. The exaggeration in the story is what makes the tale so easy to listen to. When describing the boulder in the path of a road being built it is described as being "hard as anger and so big around, it took half a week for a tall man to walk from one side to the other." Students I read this to loved when "John Henry was swinging the hammers so fast, he was making a rainbow around his shoulders." The picture for this is mostly shades of brown and beige which enables the rainbow to stand out. The song John Henry sings is definitely in the fashion of a ballad, "I got a rainbow...Tied round my shoulder...It ain't gon' rain, No, it ain't gon' rain."
The books illustrations depict African Americans and whites side by side in many of the pictures. One of the illustrations shows John Henry talking with Ferret-Faced Freddy and a little girl watching their conversation stands out. She is a black girl with round cheeks and braids on her head and she is smiling at the men's bet being made. The pictures portray all the characters accurately in terms of clothing for the time of the story. John Henry's character is shown to be larger than all the other characters since he "grew until his head and shoulders busted through the roof which was over the porch."
Students I read this to were mostly familiar with this story and knew it was a tall tale but were so captured with the story that when I came to the end and it says he was buried in the White House lawn wanted to find out if that was true by taking a trip to see it for themselves.
BOOKLIST - "...the story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exaggeration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and the natural world."
HORN BOOK GUIDE - "Pinkney's evocative illustrations - especially the landscapes, splotchy and impressionistic, yet very solid and vigorous - are little short of magnificent."
Watch a videocassette of the story:
JOHN HENRY
ASIN 6304049285
Read other Caldecott Honor books illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:
THE TALKING EGG by Robert D. San Souci
ISBN 9780590441896
MIRANDY AND BROTHER WIND by Patricia McKissack
ISBN 9780679883333
JOHN HENRY is a tall-tale retold in words and pictures by a terrific pair. The story is based on a ballad and the text is great when read aloud. Readers will recognize many parts of the story about a larger than life man who could break through mountains with 2 sledgehammers faster than any machine. Pinkney's illustrations are a beautiful accompaniment to a story that still mesmerizes those who hear it.
The story of John Henry comes from a black folk ballad. Some of the lines of text are said to be taken directly from the song but there seem to be quite a few different versions of the song. The idea that John Henry could work harder and faster than any steam drill of his time is accurate in songs and in this text as well. The exaggeration in the story is what makes the tale so easy to listen to. When describing the boulder in the path of a road being built it is described as being "hard as anger and so big around, it took half a week for a tall man to walk from one side to the other." Students I read this to loved when "John Henry was swinging the hammers so fast, he was making a rainbow around his shoulders." The picture for this is mostly shades of brown and beige which enables the rainbow to stand out. The song John Henry sings is definitely in the fashion of a ballad, "I got a rainbow...Tied round my shoulder...It ain't gon' rain, No, it ain't gon' rain."
The books illustrations depict African Americans and whites side by side in many of the pictures. One of the illustrations shows John Henry talking with Ferret-Faced Freddy and a little girl watching their conversation stands out. She is a black girl with round cheeks and braids on her head and she is smiling at the men's bet being made. The pictures portray all the characters accurately in terms of clothing for the time of the story. John Henry's character is shown to be larger than all the other characters since he "grew until his head and shoulders busted through the roof which was over the porch."
Students I read this to were mostly familiar with this story and knew it was a tall tale but were so captured with the story that when I came to the end and it says he was buried in the White House lawn wanted to find out if that was true by taking a trip to see it for themselves.
BOOKLIST - "...the story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exaggeration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and the natural world."
HORN BOOK GUIDE - "Pinkney's evocative illustrations - especially the landscapes, splotchy and impressionistic, yet very solid and vigorous - are little short of magnificent."
Watch a videocassette of the story:
JOHN HENRY
ASIN 6304049285
Read other Caldecott Honor books illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:
THE TALKING EGG by Robert D. San Souci
ISBN 9780590441896
MIRANDY AND BROTHER WIND by Patricia McKissack
ISBN 9780679883333
Culture 2 - African American: John Henry
Lester, Julius. JOHN HENRY. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Puffin Books, 1994. ISBN 0803716060
JOHN HENRY is a tall-tale retold in words and pictures by a terrific pair. The story is based on a ballad and the text is great when read aloud. Readers will recognize many parts of the story about a larger than life man who could break through mountains with 2 sledgehammers faster than any machine. Pinkney's illustrations are a beautiful accompaniment to a story that still mesmerizes those who hear it.
The story of John Henry comes from a black folk ballad. Some of the lines of text are said to be taken directly from the song but there seem to be quite a few different versions of the song. The idea that John Henry could work harder and faster than any steam drill of his time is accurate in songs and in this text as well. The exaggeration in the story is what makes the tale so easy to listen to. When describing the boulder in the path of a road being built it is described as being "hard as anger and so big around, it took half a week for a tall man to walk from one side to the other." Students I read this to loved when "John Henry was swinging the hammers so fast, he was making a rainbow around his shoulders." The picture for this is mostly shades of brown and beige which enables the rainbow to stand out. The song John Henry sings is definitely in the fashion of a ballad, "I got a rainbow...Tied round my shoulder...It ain't gon' rain, No, it ain't gon' rain."
The books illustrations depict African Americans and whites side by side in many of the pictures. One of the illustrations shows John Henry talking with Ferret-Faced Freddy and a little girl watching their conversation stands out. She is a black girl with round cheeks and braids on her head and she is smiling at the men's bet being made. The pictures portray all the characters accurately in terms of clothing for the time of the story. John Henry's character is shown to be larger than all the other characters since he "grew until his head and shoulders busted through the roof which was over the porch."
Students I read this to were mostly familiar with this story and knew it was a tall tale but were so captured with the story that when I came to the end and it says he was buried in the White House lawn wanted to find out if that was true by taking a trip to see it for themselves.
BOOKLIST - "...the story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exaggeration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and the natural world."
HORN BOOK GUIDE - "Pinkney's evocative illustrations - especially the landscapes, splotchy and impressionistic, yet very solid and vigorous - are little short of magnificent."
Watch a videocassette of the story:
JOHN HENRY
ASIN 6304049285
Read other Caldecott Honor books illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:
THE TALKING EGG by Robert D. San Souci
ISBN 9780590441896
MIRANDY AND BROTHER WIND by Patricia McKissack
ISBN 9780679883333
JOHN HENRY is a tall-tale retold in words and pictures by a terrific pair. The story is based on a ballad and the text is great when read aloud. Readers will recognize many parts of the story about a larger than life man who could break through mountains with 2 sledgehammers faster than any machine. Pinkney's illustrations are a beautiful accompaniment to a story that still mesmerizes those who hear it.
The story of John Henry comes from a black folk ballad. Some of the lines of text are said to be taken directly from the song but there seem to be quite a few different versions of the song. The idea that John Henry could work harder and faster than any steam drill of his time is accurate in songs and in this text as well. The exaggeration in the story is what makes the tale so easy to listen to. When describing the boulder in the path of a road being built it is described as being "hard as anger and so big around, it took half a week for a tall man to walk from one side to the other." Students I read this to loved when "John Henry was swinging the hammers so fast, he was making a rainbow around his shoulders." The picture for this is mostly shades of brown and beige which enables the rainbow to stand out. The song John Henry sings is definitely in the fashion of a ballad, "I got a rainbow...Tied round my shoulder...It ain't gon' rain, No, it ain't gon' rain."
The books illustrations depict African Americans and whites side by side in many of the pictures. One of the illustrations shows John Henry talking with Ferret-Faced Freddy and a little girl watching their conversation stands out. She is a black girl with round cheeks and braids on her head and she is smiling at the men's bet being made. The pictures portray all the characters accurately in terms of clothing for the time of the story. John Henry's character is shown to be larger than all the other characters since he "grew until his head and shoulders busted through the roof which was over the porch."
Students I read this to were mostly familiar with this story and knew it was a tall tale but were so captured with the story that when I came to the end and it says he was buried in the White House lawn wanted to find out if that was true by taking a trip to see it for themselves.
BOOKLIST - "...the story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exaggeration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and the natural world."
HORN BOOK GUIDE - "Pinkney's evocative illustrations - especially the landscapes, splotchy and impressionistic, yet very solid and vigorous - are little short of magnificent."
Watch a videocassette of the story:
JOHN HENRY
ASIN 6304049285
Read other Caldecott Honor books illustrated by Jerry Pinkney:
THE TALKING EGG by Robert D. San Souci
ISBN 9780590441896
MIRANDY AND BROTHER WIND by Patricia McKissack
ISBN 9780679883333
Culture 2 - African American: The Dear One
Woodson, Jacqueline. THE DEAR ONE. New York: Speak, 1991. ISBN 0142501905
Twelve year old Feni's comfortable world is turned upside down when her mother opens up their home to a pregnant 15 year old girl, Rebecca. Feni is an African-American girl who has lived a privileged lifestyle and her beliefs and idealogy are challenged when she begins to befriend this 15 year old who has been living a vastly different lifestyle. The two girls form a strong friendship as they decide to be open to learning about new things.
From the beginning we see a picture of Feni's privileged life and Feni's mother wants her to understand and appreciate it in relationship to her being black. "Black professionals are special, Feni. The kids should be proud of who they are." Feni pretends not to care about having money and things that others do not, but when confronted by Rebecca she begins to see how different her life is. Rebecca tells her to trade beds so Feni would have to sleep on a cot and Feni angrily gives in to prove to herself and Rebecca she is not who she appears to be. "Trade beds with me. You got that big bed with that soft mattress. I know, 'cause I felt it. That's how your whole life's been, isn't it? All rich and soft."
Another contrast between the 2 girls and a cultural marker in some aspects is the character's language. When Feni and Rebecca meet for the first time Rebecca comments on "those fishes" in their fish tank and is corrected by Feni. Rebecca fires back at Feni, "Look. Just 'cause I'm in your ritzy little house,' she hissed, 'doesn't mean you gonna teach me how to talk and tell me what to do. I don't want to be in this mansion in the boring country nohow!" Rebecca later accuses Feni of not acting black because of terms she doesn't understand. Rebecca talks about a friend getting "cracked out." "Learn the language already,' Rebecca said. 'God! You're black. Talk like it.' "
Another strong cultural marker comes near the end of the book when Feni explains her name is Swahili. Feni tells Rebecca, "It's short for Afeni, which means 'the Dear One.' "
Feni wraps up the truths she learned for herself as a black girl and for readers when she sees her family and friends as "a long line of dear ones." The truths apply to anyone struggling to seek people as people, regardless of color or background.
HORN BOOK GUIDE - "Woodson's strikingly original story, with its richly developed characters, makes this a welcome reissue."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY - "Woodson's deep understanding of and concern for the role of black women in society is evident as she eloquently introduces the reader to teenage pregnancy, alternate lifestyles and adoption in her moving, powerful story."
Other books by Jacqueline Woodson:
BETWEEN MADISON AND PALMETTO
ISBN 9780399237577
MIRACLE'S BOYS
ISBN 9780399231131
LOCOMOTION
ISBN 9780142401491
Twelve year old Feni's comfortable world is turned upside down when her mother opens up their home to a pregnant 15 year old girl, Rebecca. Feni is an African-American girl who has lived a privileged lifestyle and her beliefs and idealogy are challenged when she begins to befriend this 15 year old who has been living a vastly different lifestyle. The two girls form a strong friendship as they decide to be open to learning about new things.
From the beginning we see a picture of Feni's privileged life and Feni's mother wants her to understand and appreciate it in relationship to her being black. "Black professionals are special, Feni. The kids should be proud of who they are." Feni pretends not to care about having money and things that others do not, but when confronted by Rebecca she begins to see how different her life is. Rebecca tells her to trade beds so Feni would have to sleep on a cot and Feni angrily gives in to prove to herself and Rebecca she is not who she appears to be. "Trade beds with me. You got that big bed with that soft mattress. I know, 'cause I felt it. That's how your whole life's been, isn't it? All rich and soft."
Another contrast between the 2 girls and a cultural marker in some aspects is the character's language. When Feni and Rebecca meet for the first time Rebecca comments on "those fishes" in their fish tank and is corrected by Feni. Rebecca fires back at Feni, "Look. Just 'cause I'm in your ritzy little house,' she hissed, 'doesn't mean you gonna teach me how to talk and tell me what to do. I don't want to be in this mansion in the boring country nohow!" Rebecca later accuses Feni of not acting black because of terms she doesn't understand. Rebecca talks about a friend getting "cracked out." "Learn the language already,' Rebecca said. 'God! You're black. Talk like it.' "
Another strong cultural marker comes near the end of the book when Feni explains her name is Swahili. Feni tells Rebecca, "It's short for Afeni, which means 'the Dear One.' "
Feni wraps up the truths she learned for herself as a black girl and for readers when she sees her family and friends as "a long line of dear ones." The truths apply to anyone struggling to seek people as people, regardless of color or background.
HORN BOOK GUIDE - "Woodson's strikingly original story, with its richly developed characters, makes this a welcome reissue."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY - "Woodson's deep understanding of and concern for the role of black women in society is evident as she eloquently introduces the reader to teenage pregnancy, alternate lifestyles and adoption in her moving, powerful story."
Other books by Jacqueline Woodson:
BETWEEN MADISON AND PALMETTO
ISBN 9780399237577
MIRACLE'S BOYS
ISBN 9780399231131
LOCOMOTION
ISBN 9780142401491
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Culture 1 - International: The Shadows of Ghadames
Stolz, Joelle. THE SHADOWS OF GHADAMES. Trans. by Catherine Temerson. New York: Delacourte Press, 1999. ISBN 0385901313
Malika is an 11 year old girl growing up in Ghadames, a Libyan city, in the late 19th century. Ghadames is a city steeped in traditions where Muslim women are kept secluded from many things. Malika is a bright young girl questioning the way things are in the secret world of women and begins to see hope for change.
Many readers will know that women are considered to be inferior to men in some cultures but may not realize that there is a sort of secret world for these same women. THE SHADOWS OF GHADAMES title even alludes to the fact that women are in the shadows of what goes on in this Libyan city. Malika, the main character, is nearly 12 and almost of a marrying age and it is through her eyes that she and the reader learn many Muslim customs and customs which may not be related, festivals, and other traditions for women. "The rooftops of Ghadames are like a city above the city, an open, sunny town for women only, where they walk about, lead their own lives, visit one another, and never talk to men." Malika is inquisitive and is learning things from an ultra-traditional mother as well as her father's other wife from another city whose ways are not as strict. Malika is learning from each woman which leads to frustration while she is forming her own ideas about life. This is a theme older students will be able to relate to regardless of culture.
Many words in the book are specific to the culture and related to things such as clothing, "throwing the thick pleats of his burnoose behind his shoulder", beliefs, "jinn, or spirits", and religion, such as references to Ramadan.
A big issue for Malika is that she wants to learn to read and in Ghadames that is not normally taught to girls. We see evidence of change coming concerning this issue because her mother doesn't read but the second wife does and Malika's father would like her to learn. A visitor is able to begin teaching her after her mother consents.
Stolz also is descriptive of how the characters look. Malika's mother "has bluish tattoos on her forehead and chin, and a mark in the shape of a star on each of her cheekbones." Even jewelry worn by women is important. When the men are returning from a journey the women can wear jewelry such as "silver drops that dangle gently against their cheeks; they slip on bracelets and anklets...fasten necklaces made of fragrant grains...pin on a brooch..." Descriptions of clothing help the reader to visualize the characters also: Malika's father in a "camel-hair burnoose...and his head is wrapped in a turban with the flaps floating around his neck. When it's time to leave, he will fold them over his mouth, as the Tuareg nomads do" and the second wife, Bilkisu, "draped in indigo blue veils."
This is an eye-opening book that could raise many questions that a reader could begin researching to learn more about women in this culture.
BOOKLIST - "Stolz invigorates her tale with elegant prose and a deft portrayal of a girl verging on adolescence."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "This quiet story is notable for the intimate picture of the traditional Muslim world that it conveys."
Read about Arab women:
ARAB WOMEN: BETWEEN DEFIANCE AND RESTRAINT by Suha Sabbagh
ISBN 9781566561877
Read more Batchelder Award books:
THE PULL OF THE OCEAN by Jean-Claude Mourlevat
ISBN 9780385733489
AN INNOCENT SOLDIER by Josef Holub
ISBN9780439627719
Malika is an 11 year old girl growing up in Ghadames, a Libyan city, in the late 19th century. Ghadames is a city steeped in traditions where Muslim women are kept secluded from many things. Malika is a bright young girl questioning the way things are in the secret world of women and begins to see hope for change.
Many readers will know that women are considered to be inferior to men in some cultures but may not realize that there is a sort of secret world for these same women. THE SHADOWS OF GHADAMES title even alludes to the fact that women are in the shadows of what goes on in this Libyan city. Malika, the main character, is nearly 12 and almost of a marrying age and it is through her eyes that she and the reader learn many Muslim customs and customs which may not be related, festivals, and other traditions for women. "The rooftops of Ghadames are like a city above the city, an open, sunny town for women only, where they walk about, lead their own lives, visit one another, and never talk to men." Malika is inquisitive and is learning things from an ultra-traditional mother as well as her father's other wife from another city whose ways are not as strict. Malika is learning from each woman which leads to frustration while she is forming her own ideas about life. This is a theme older students will be able to relate to regardless of culture.
Many words in the book are specific to the culture and related to things such as clothing, "throwing the thick pleats of his burnoose behind his shoulder", beliefs, "jinn, or spirits", and religion, such as references to Ramadan.
A big issue for Malika is that she wants to learn to read and in Ghadames that is not normally taught to girls. We see evidence of change coming concerning this issue because her mother doesn't read but the second wife does and Malika's father would like her to learn. A visitor is able to begin teaching her after her mother consents.
Stolz also is descriptive of how the characters look. Malika's mother "has bluish tattoos on her forehead and chin, and a mark in the shape of a star on each of her cheekbones." Even jewelry worn by women is important. When the men are returning from a journey the women can wear jewelry such as "silver drops that dangle gently against their cheeks; they slip on bracelets and anklets...fasten necklaces made of fragrant grains...pin on a brooch..." Descriptions of clothing help the reader to visualize the characters also: Malika's father in a "camel-hair burnoose...and his head is wrapped in a turban with the flaps floating around his neck. When it's time to leave, he will fold them over his mouth, as the Tuareg nomads do" and the second wife, Bilkisu, "draped in indigo blue veils."
This is an eye-opening book that could raise many questions that a reader could begin researching to learn more about women in this culture.
BOOKLIST - "Stolz invigorates her tale with elegant prose and a deft portrayal of a girl verging on adolescence."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "This quiet story is notable for the intimate picture of the traditional Muslim world that it conveys."
Read about Arab women:
ARAB WOMEN: BETWEEN DEFIANCE AND RESTRAINT by Suha Sabbagh
ISBN 9781566561877
Read more Batchelder Award books:
THE PULL OF THE OCEAN by Jean-Claude Mourlevat
ISBN 9780385733489
AN INNOCENT SOLDIER by Josef Holub
ISBN9780439627719
Culture 1 - International: The Breadwinner
Ellis, Deborah. THE BREADWINNER. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 9780192752840
A sixth grade girl growing up in Afghanistan under the Taliban, must become the breadwinner for her family after her father is taken away. Parvana takes on a dangerous challenge to be able to care for remaining family. Her eyes are opened to more horrors than she thought existed and yet she is able to see glimpses of hope.
The Breadwinner is rich in cultural markers. The map at the beginning of the book and the glossary were so helpful. Many of the terms listed related to clothing and the first sentence of the book lets readers know they will be learning as well as becoming involved in the character's world. " " I can read that letter as well as Father can, " Parvana whispered into the folds of her chador." The next few paragraphs go on to give background as to why Parvana must whisper and some of the events that have occurred due to the existence of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Readers are quickly pulled into a world most cannot comprehend and will want to know more. Ellis does a great job incorporating so many aspects of Parvana's day to day existence by dialogue and Parvana's thoughts which at times show a great deal of fear for her way of life. When her family decides to recreate her as a boy so she can leave the house to get things they need to survive Parvana has a great deal of internal conflict and her sister accuses her of being scared. Parvana's response shows she realizes the dangers she will face in this endeavor, " "It's safe to call someone else scared when you're safe inside your home all the time!" " But her fear of her family suffering pushes her to do this extraordinary task. It is this combination of internal and external conflict that draws the reader into this world that more students are hearing about because of references to the Taliban, Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar in the news.
The names of the characters are so beautiful one might wish to hear them spoken - Mrs. Weera, Maryam, Shauzia, Nooria. The fact that there are so many people interacting with Parvana shows how Taliban rule affects people of all ages and from many parts of Afghanistan.
The story is enlightening and disturbing because of the reality of the severe restrictions placed on people. Middle school aged children will be moved by the emotion woven into the truth of the characters' lives.
BOOKLIST - "The Breadwinner is a potent portrait of life in contemporary Afghanistan, showing that powerful heroines can survive even in the most oppressive and sexist social conditions."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "The girl's courage and wit are admirable; she comes alive as a character..."
Read other books by Deborah Ellis:
PARVANA'S JOURNEY
ISBN 9780192753489
MUD CITY
ISBN9780192753762
A sixth grade girl growing up in Afghanistan under the Taliban, must become the breadwinner for her family after her father is taken away. Parvana takes on a dangerous challenge to be able to care for remaining family. Her eyes are opened to more horrors than she thought existed and yet she is able to see glimpses of hope.
The Breadwinner is rich in cultural markers. The map at the beginning of the book and the glossary were so helpful. Many of the terms listed related to clothing and the first sentence of the book lets readers know they will be learning as well as becoming involved in the character's world. " " I can read that letter as well as Father can, " Parvana whispered into the folds of her chador." The next few paragraphs go on to give background as to why Parvana must whisper and some of the events that have occurred due to the existence of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Readers are quickly pulled into a world most cannot comprehend and will want to know more. Ellis does a great job incorporating so many aspects of Parvana's day to day existence by dialogue and Parvana's thoughts which at times show a great deal of fear for her way of life. When her family decides to recreate her as a boy so she can leave the house to get things they need to survive Parvana has a great deal of internal conflict and her sister accuses her of being scared. Parvana's response shows she realizes the dangers she will face in this endeavor, " "It's safe to call someone else scared when you're safe inside your home all the time!" " But her fear of her family suffering pushes her to do this extraordinary task. It is this combination of internal and external conflict that draws the reader into this world that more students are hearing about because of references to the Taliban, Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar in the news.
The names of the characters are so beautiful one might wish to hear them spoken - Mrs. Weera, Maryam, Shauzia, Nooria. The fact that there are so many people interacting with Parvana shows how Taliban rule affects people of all ages and from many parts of Afghanistan.
The story is enlightening and disturbing because of the reality of the severe restrictions placed on people. Middle school aged children will be moved by the emotion woven into the truth of the characters' lives.
BOOKLIST - "The Breadwinner is a potent portrait of life in contemporary Afghanistan, showing that powerful heroines can survive even in the most oppressive and sexist social conditions."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "The girl's courage and wit are admirable; she comes alive as a character..."
Read other books by Deborah Ellis:
PARVANA'S JOURNEY
ISBN 9780192753489
MUD CITY
ISBN9780192753762
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Culture 1 - International: Koala Lou
Fox, Mem. KOALA LOU. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. Melbourne: Ian Drake Publishing, 1988. ISBN 0152000763
A young koala loves to hear how her mother loves her. When baby brothers and sisters come along mother's attention must be divided among all the children and leaves Koala Lou feeling left out. She comes up with a plan to gain her mother's attention from her mother. Even though her plan doesn't go her way she still receives the reward she was initially seeking - her mother's reassurance of love.
Mem Fox's book KOALA LOU is mostly a sweet story with simple text and story line written to assure children parents love them even if they are sometimes too busy to say it.
The book is set in the Australian bush but doesn't overwhelm the reader with terms that would cloud the true message of the book. The text combined with Pamela Loft's detailed yet soft illustrations create a fantastic opportunity to teach about the landscape, plants and animals of Australia. "SHE would enter the Bush Olympics! She would compete in the gum tree climbing event,..." face a page with a gum tree, owl and a lizard. The most colorful page shows so many native animals ready for the Bush Olympics. Many of the animals are wearing hats in honor of the occasion.
My son read the book and was fascinated by the animals illustrated throughout the book. He was also sure Koala Lou would win her event at the Bush Olympics.
The text and illustrations combine factual information about Australia and a fanciful story of talking animals for younger children. Children may be excited when they hear the reference to the kookaburra because they may have heard the song about it.
HORN BOOK - "A first-rate choice for bedtime, story hour, or reading aloud."
KIRKUS REVIEWS - "Another winning import from one of Australia's favorite authors."
Check out the Kookaburra Song - http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Songs/Kookaburra.html
Teach children about Australian animals and the gum tree, also known as a eucalyptus tree.
Read HUNWICK'S EGG by Mem Fox.
ISBN 9780152163181
A young koala loves to hear how her mother loves her. When baby brothers and sisters come along mother's attention must be divided among all the children and leaves Koala Lou feeling left out. She comes up with a plan to gain her mother's attention from her mother. Even though her plan doesn't go her way she still receives the reward she was initially seeking - her mother's reassurance of love.
Mem Fox's book KOALA LOU is mostly a sweet story with simple text and story line written to assure children parents love them even if they are sometimes too busy to say it.
The book is set in the Australian bush but doesn't overwhelm the reader with terms that would cloud the true message of the book. The text combined with Pamela Loft's detailed yet soft illustrations create a fantastic opportunity to teach about the landscape, plants and animals of Australia. "SHE would enter the Bush Olympics! She would compete in the gum tree climbing event,..." face a page with a gum tree, owl and a lizard. The most colorful page shows so many native animals ready for the Bush Olympics. Many of the animals are wearing hats in honor of the occasion.
My son read the book and was fascinated by the animals illustrated throughout the book. He was also sure Koala Lou would win her event at the Bush Olympics.
The text and illustrations combine factual information about Australia and a fanciful story of talking animals for younger children. Children may be excited when they hear the reference to the kookaburra because they may have heard the song about it.
HORN BOOK - "A first-rate choice for bedtime, story hour, or reading aloud."
KIRKUS REVIEWS - "Another winning import from one of Australia's favorite authors."
Check out the Kookaburra Song - http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Songs/Kookaburra.html
Teach children about Australian animals and the gum tree, also known as a eucalyptus tree.
Read HUNWICK'S EGG by Mem Fox.
ISBN 9780152163181
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Welcome!
I am creating this blog for a graduate class I am taking at Texas Woman's University. The class is about multicultural literature for children and young adults. I will be posting my reviews and thoughts about books I will be reading this summer.
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