Archive for February, 2012

What would YOU do?

February 27, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Novels, Realistic · Tagged , , , , , ,

One of the best parts of reading fiction is the ability to put yourself into difficult situations without any of the risks of actually being in a spot.  It can be kind of interesting to immerse yourself in a book in which the character is facing a tough decision and wonder what we would do in their place.  What would you do if you were pregnant and on your own as a teenager?  Or if you faced a fifty-fifty chance of inheriting a terminal disease?  Would you get tested?  These books are for the readers who want to explore “what if’s” beyond their own experiences.

In Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan, Eleanor Crowe is pregnant.  She’s only 16, so her choices are pretty limited.  She can go to Kenya with her missionary parents, stay with her snooty sister in California, or marry the baby’s father and live on the grounds of the summer camp his parents run.  She chooses marriage as the option that buys her the most time to make her ultimate decision—whether she will keep the baby or put it up for adoption.  Eleanor’s obstacles feel huge, but she is determined to face them on her own terms no matter what.

Sara Zarr also takes on teen pregnancy in How to Save a Life, but she addresses it from two different perspectives. Mandy is looking for an escape from her emotionally abusive mother and her mother’s sexually abusive boyfriend.  She’s pregnant and not really sure of anything except that she needs to find somewhere safe for her baby.  That’s where Jill and her mother come in to the story, as they have agreed to adopt Mandy’s baby. Well, Jill isn’t entirely on board with the adoption.  As she tells her side of the story, we learn that her father has died unexpectedly, and readers can see that she is clearly still grieving. The two girls are at odds as each tries to make sure that she doesn’t get hurt again.  Zarr’s emotional story follows the girls as they create the futures they want for themselves.  (By the way, I liked this book so much that it made by Top 10 of 2011 list.)

In Someone Else’s Life by Katie Dale, Rosie is also grieving.  She has lost her mother to Huntington’s Disease, and she faces a fifty percent chance of inheriting the disease herself.  As Rosie wrestles with the question of getting tested or not, she receives news that changes everything: she is not her mother’s daughter after all.  She was swapped at birth, and her real family is out there somewhere.  It’s good news as far as the Huntington’s Disease is concerned, but it opens up a whole new set of decisions to make.  Should she track down her real family? What should she do when she finds them?  This drama-filled novel will keep teens guessing as more and more secrets are revealed and new decisions have to be made because of them.

I’m still not sure what I would do in any of these characters’ places, but they each had me thinking about the possibilities.  I can imagine teen girls who like realistic fiction, in particular, will love these books.

Bibliography:

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr. October 2011.

Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan. September 2011.

Someone Else’s Life by Katie Dale. February 2012.

Blogger:  Mindy R.

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Nature Picture Books

February 23, 2012 · Filed under Language Arts, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Poetry, Primary (K-2), Science · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

I don’t know about you, but I wish I had more time to enjoy the beauty of nature. Last weekend while I was ice fishing, being in the great outdoors (or pop-up fish shack) really made me think about how we take nature for granted. While I was sitting and waiting for a perch or sunfish to grab my line, I enjoyed looking off into the distance and seeing the ravens fly about and announce their presence. I listened to the trees sway as the wind whispered through them and across the ice. I even admired the beautiful sunfish that I ended up catching. Their elegant purple hues mixed with browns and grays. My favorite part was freeing them into the open water below, as they splashed with independence. Nature is an amazing thing, and I know that from now on I will strive to appreciate it every chance I get.

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano. Illustrated by Erin Stead. 2012.

Looking for a book to fit into your spring story-time schedule? Look no further! And Then It’s Spring will enchant you as well as your audience. Fogliano uses poetic prose to capture the serenity of gardening, the burden of late winter, and the promise that must be invested in order to see seeds come to life. Amazing illustrations by Caldecott winner Stead are a wonderful addition to this beautiful story. Don’t think that this story is all seriousness though; it’s not! Expect to see stomping bears and lumpy gardens, for a touch of playfulness with an underlying message.

When Blue Met Egg by Lindsay Ward. 2012.

One morning, Blue wakes up and spies a strange looking Egg in her nest. Not knowing what to do with it, Blue decides to journey throughout New York City to look for Egg’s mother. Unfortunately, Egg’s family cannot be found, but Blue never gives up. As a huge fan of NYC, I really enjoyed the setting of When Blue Met Egg. To make it even better, the end papers include small ‘telescope views’ of the different places that Blue and Egg visit. I also really loved Blue’s matter-of-fact attitude. For example: “Blue knew they wouldn’t make it in time if she tried to carry Egg, so she decided they would do what anyone would: take the subway uptown.” Her optimism was infectious and a great role model for kids. There are so many more things I could say about this lovely gem of a story, but I will let you read it to find out!

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies. Illustrated by Mark Herald. 2012.

This exquisite volume of poetry captures all of the sights and sounds of a child’s interaction with nature. Eating crisp apples, or watching birds overhead (among other things) will encourage children to explore the world around them. Outside Your Window is a striking reminder of the natural world outside our windows, just waiting to be observed. A wonderful title to add to any science collection, or just to enjoy on your own.

Kristin J.

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Alphabet Picture Books

February 20, 2012 · Filed under Picture Books, Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When my younger son, Nathan, was 3, I realized that not all alphabet books were alike.  While browsing in the library, we found The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin.  The great thing about this book is that it covered not only the printed alphabet, but also the signing alphabet.  Each page contained a beautifully drawn hand making the signed letter, with the hand holding something that started with that letter.  I was especially interested in this book for Nathan, because he had a birth injury to the nerves in his right arm, and we spent time each day using this book as muscle therapy for his fine motor skills.  The Handmade Alphabet is an oldie, but still a definite goodie.

I like alphabet books because they usually don’t just teach the alphabet.  Rather, they use the alphabet as a framework in which to tell a story or to provide information.   The ones in this posting are recent, but I’ll include some of my older favorites in the bibliography below.

An Annoying ABC tells about a quiet morning in school.  Quiet, that is, until Adelaide annoys Bailey, who blames Clyde, who cries…all the way to Zelda, who zaps Adelaide.  And when Adelaide apologizes, so does everyone else. The illustrations are great, a lesson is very gently learned, and each child is unique with spot-on expressions.

In Apple Pie ABC, a small dog watches a young girl Bake an apple pie and Cool it and Dish it out.  He is so Eager for it. But when he tries to reach it, he gets in trouble.  Will this mischievous little pup ever get a taste of that pie?   The story is short and sweet, and the illustrations are simple and funny.

On the copyright and dedication pages of Z Is for Moose, Zebra has lined up all of the animals and objects in alphabetical order, so they will be ready for their turn.  By the time we get to “D”, Moose is so excited that he jumps in, and Zebra needs to shoo him off.  Moose interrupts again and again.  Finally it is time for M…but when he finds out that “M is for Mouse,” he is disappointed and upset.  Moose is a typical kid that just wants to be noticed, and Zelinsky’s scenes are hilarious.

An Edible Alphabet : 26 Reasons to Love the Farm provides information about farming and agriculture.  Short lines of text can be read to kids in preschool through first grade, while older students can learn all about crops that are grown and the animals that live on the farm—even the bugs!  Poems, jokes, and trivia boxes add to the fascinating facts and attractive layout.  Did you know that the most yolks ever found in one egg was NINE?!

S Is for Scientists : A Discovery Alphabet  and other alphabet books from Sleeping Bear Press are also written for a wide range of grades.  Poems that describe facts, terms, and people relating to important scientific discoveries can be read aloud to younger students, while older students can read the additional material or use it for reports.

I love words, and collective nouns are some of the most fun.  In A Zeal of Zebras : An Alphabet of Collective Nouns, kids not only learn about different animals and the kinds of groups they live in, but are introduced to some great vocabulary words—an implausibility of gnus, a kaleidoscope of butterflies, an ostentation of peacocks, and more.  And other terms—such as a hum of bees and a leap of leopards—are lots of fun.  Each graphic illustration gives a great visual interpretation of its collective noun.

And finally, LMNO Peas is an entertaining blend of the alphabet, work and play, and peas.  Acrobat peas, biking peas (complete with helmets and water bottles), camping peas roasting marshmallows over a fire, driving peas (even one with a flat tire), and so on, show us how they “work and play in the ABCs.”  We had a hoot reading this book and can’t wait to see Baker’s 1-2-3 Peas when it comes out in July.

Bibliography of some of my favorite alphabet books, old and new:

An Annoying ABC by Barbara Bottner (ill. Michael Emberley). 2011.

Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray. 2011.

Country Road ABC : An Illustrated Journey Through America’s Farmland by Arthur Geisert. 2010.

The Dangerous Alphabet by Neil Gaiman (ill. Gris Grimly). 2008.

An Edible Alphabet : 26 Reasons to Love the Farm by Carol Watterson (ill. by Michela Sorrentino). 2011.

A Fabulous Fair Alphabet by Debra Frasier. 2010.

If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk. 2011.

The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin. 1996.

LMNO Peas by Keith Baker. 2010.

Minnesota’s Hidden Alphabet by David LaRochelle (phot. Joe Rossi). 2011.

Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth (ill. Stephen Gammell). 1991.

S Is for Scientists : A Discovery Alphabet by Larry Verstraete (ill. David Geister). 2010.

Z Is for Moose by Kelly Bingham (ill. Paul O. Zelinsky). 2012.

A Zeal of Zebras : An Alphabet of Collective Nouns by Woop Studios. 2011.

Blogger: Tracey L.

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U.S. History in Picture Books!

February 16, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, Historical, History, Intermediate (3-5), Nonfiction, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Social Studies, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As you can probably tell by now, I love history.  And I love when history comes alive in books and stories.  So when I find good picture books that focus on history, I just have to talk about them!  Here are some that have come out in the last year that I think you’ll love just as much as I do.

Franklin and Winston: A Christmas that Changed the World by Douglas Wood.  Illustrated by Barry Moser.

In the winter of 1941 aboard the HMS Duke of York, Winston Churchill braved the threat of Nazi submarines to travel to America in order to meet with President Roosevelt. America just entered the war days before, and the two world leaders agreed to meet and formulate a strategy against their enemies. When asked how long it would take to end the war, Churchill responded, “If we manage it well, it will only take half as long as if we manage it badly.” Even though they planned day and night, Churchill and Roosevelt still took time to joke together and celebrate the holidays. Children will enjoy reading about the relationship between these two pivotal historical figures.  I loved this one so much, I included it on my Top Ten of 2011.

Crossing: Lewis & Clark’s Historic Journey Seen Through a Brand-New Pair of Eyes by Donna Jo Napoli.  Illustrated by Jim Madsen.

Experience Lewis and Clark’s journey as never before through the eyes of Jean Baptiste, Sacagawea’s baby boy. Napoli gets in Jean’s head as she describes the sights, sounds and smells of his journey. He’s fascinated by the grizzly bears, cougars, elk and other animals and hears an assortment of different languages. Madsen’s crackled oil illustration give off a dream-like quality and denotes the passage of time through changing seasons and the boy’s own growth. Children will experience this historic and famous journey as never before.

Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea: A Fairly Fabricated Story of a Pair of Pants by Tony Johnston.  Illustrated by Stacy Innerst.

All the gold in the world is no good if it falls right out of a miner’s worn out pockets! It’s Levi Strauss to the rescue in this taller than tall-tale. Arriving too late to get gold, Levi noticed how worn the miner’s pants were. Armed with a needle, thread, and the durable fabric of the miner’s tents, Levi set out to make a name for himself. Kids will love the humorous illustrations painted on actual Levi jeans, and colorful prose while storytellers won’t be able to resists performing the book with an old-timey Western accent.

Born and Bred in the Great Depression by Jonah Winter.  Illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root.

Jonah Winter writes this story as though he’s talking to his father and reminiscing over stories his father told him about living in the Great Depression. The fact that the author is speaking of his own father makes the story feel personal and real. The Great Depression taught people to overcome hardship, to find joy in the little things, and that family is the most important thing. And because this story is written in second person, it will be a great resource to teach students the difference between first, second and third person narratives.

Bibliography

Levi Strauss Gets a Bright Idea: A Fairly Fabricated Story of a Pair of Pants by Tony Johnston.  Illustrated by Stacy Innerst.  January, 2011.

Crossing: Lewis & Clark’s Historic Journey Seen Through a Brand-New Pair of Eyes by Donna Jo Napoli.  Illustrated by Jim Madsen.  June, 2011.

Born and Bred in the Great Depression by Jonah Winter.  Illustrated by Kimberly Bulcken Root.  October, 2011.

Franklin and Winston: A Christmas that Changed the World by Douglas Wood.  Illustrated by Barry Moser.  September, 2011.

Lindsey L.

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New Teen Romances

February 14, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, High School, Novels, Realistic, Romance · Tagged , , , , , ,

One of my first posts on this blog last year was Stand-out Teen Romances, and I thought I’d reprise the post with a few new titles for those who want to spend Valentine’s Day curled up with a good book.

I can’t not mention Stephanie Perkins’ latest, Lola and the Boy Next Door.  This follow-up to Anna and the French Kiss, which I included in last year’s post, is every bit as good as the first book.  Anna and St. Clair take secondary roles in this story, which features Lola—a girl who never wears the same costume twice.  Yes, I said costume.  He wardrobe goes way beyond outfits.  But underneath the wigs and fabric, Lola is just a girl with a crush on the boy next door.  It’s complicated, of course.  Lola has a boyfriend, for one.  There’s a history between them, for another.  Not to mention, there’s a bit of family drama to bring Lola down just when she’s getting things figured out.  Strongly recommended to fans of Anna, but even if you haven’t read that one, don’t miss Lola.

In the tradition of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Jennifer E. Smith offers a fast-paced romance that goes from first meeting to love in about twenty-four hours in The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.  Hadley and Oliver meet by chance in an airport.  It turns out that they are on the same flight to London and they’ll be sitting near each other on the plane.  A few quirks of fate later and Hadley is running around London in search of Oliver to make sure they don’t lose the connection they found oh-so-randomly in the airport.  This is a book that will make you believe that true love could be around any corner.

Finally, The Future of Us is the highly anticipated sophomore effort from Jay Asher after the phenomenally successful Thirteen Reasons Why.  He teams up with Carolyn Mackler for a trip back to 1996 with two friends who get a unique glimpse into their future via Facebook.  Maybe I’m a bit biased since I was a teenager in the ’90s, but I loved the opportunity to chuckle over all the references to now outdated technology and pop culture.  Teens looking for a romantic comedy should not miss this great collaboration.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Bibliography:

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. November 2011.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. September 2011.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith. January 2012.

Blogger:  Mindy R.

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Language Arts Fun

February 13, 2012 · Filed under High School, Language Arts, Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Professional · Tagged , , , , , ,

Call me a grammar geek or a word nerd if you will.  I have to admit it: I really enjoy browsing in the 400s.  Here are a few  titles I think you might like too.

Grammar Girl is the technical editor behind the Grammar Girl podcast, and Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Writing Guide for Students is her first aimed at teens.  Yes, it is a book all about the rules and exceptions of the English language, but she manages to make it interesting–even kind of inspiring.  She writes in the introduction,

“If by the end of this book you find yourself addicted to grammar, to the many wonders of the comma, or to spotting apostrophe misuse, don’t fight it.  Embrace your inner grammar guru.” 

I consider this book a must-have for middle and high school collections.

I never would have thought of adverbs as detectives before reading Grammar by Simon Basher.  Adverb speaks in the first person:

“I’m a word detective.  I tease and test Verb, probing for just a little bit more information.  You slept last night, you say? Don’t keep me in the dark—exactly how did you sleep?  Deeply or fitfully? Peacefully or restlessly?” 

I got a kick out of all of these characters, but for middle school students who are trying to keep all these new concepts straight, these little cartoon characters might be just the thing to help them remember.

Lemony Snicket defined “nemesis” in The Reptile Room as “The worst enemy you could imagine.” Of course that isn’t a precise definition, and it doesn’t begin to tell the story of how that word came to mean what it does.  That’s the story Gifts from the Gods aims to tell.  Nemesis, it turns out, was a Greek goddess of justice, and her story, as it relates to the definition of the word, is in this book with many others for a fascinating look at language and mythology that includes quotations from children’s books old and new as examples of the words in use.  This book would do well in an elementary or middle school collection.

Language arts teachers may be interested in a new professional title that takes on good writing from a unique angle.  Grammar Rants: How a Backstage Tour of Writing Complaints Can Help Students Make Informed, Savvy Choices About Their Writing takes real-world examples of outraged grammar complaints from books, blogs, and other media and incorporates them into lessons that are designed to help kids think critically about language and how it is used.  What better way to empower students to engage with language than to take on those who criticize their choices? Don’t worry—the aim of this book is not to let student writers off the hook for their mistakes.  Rather, the goal of the lessons seems to be helping students see why mistakes happen and why they upset some people. 

Bibliography:

Gifts From the Gods: Ancient Words and Wisdom from Greek and Roman Mythology by Lise Lunge-Larsen. October 2011.

Grammar by Mary Budzik. July 2011.

Grammar Girl Presents the Ultimate Guide to Writing for Students by Mignon Fogarty. May 2011.

Grammar Rants by Patricia A. Dunn and Ken Lindblom. March 2011.

Blogger:  Mindy R.

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February is Black History Month

February 9, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, Grade Levels, High School, Historical, History, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Multicultural, Nonfiction, Novel in Verse, Novels, Picture Books, Poetry, Primary (K-2), Reviews, Social Studies · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, / I am the dream and hope of the slave. / I rise. / I rise. / I rise.” ~ Maya Angelou, Still I Rise.

Whenever I think about Black History Month, I always think of this amazing quote from Angelou. She eloquently states that she has learned from her ancestors’ history and lives her life with their hopes and dreams (as well as her own) at the forefront. It’s a very inspirational quote that we can all learn from. Keeping Still I Rise in mind, each of the titles that I have chosen has an impressive message that people of all colors and creeds can appreciate. If you are looking for similar titles, check out my ALA Mock Youth Media Awards post (specifically the Coretta Scott King Award picks), as well as Lindsey’s Historical Fiction for Elementary School post.

Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neir. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. 2011.

Twelve-year-old Coltrane is always getting in trouble at school, and his mother cannot take it anymore. She decides to drive him to Philadelphia to meet his father for the first time. In Philly, Cole is in for many surprises! He learns that his father is part of a group of black urban cowboys who save horses from slaughterhouses. They use the horses to teach the neighborhood kids how to be responsible for the care of another life. The kids groom and feed the horses as well as help with the upkeep of the stables. In exchange, they get to ride the horses as payment. I really enjoyed the fact that this story is based upon an actual group of urban black horsemen in North Philadelphia. A wonderful and inspirational story for children and adults, it will have you cheering and crying at the end!


Never Forgotten by Patricia C. McKissack. Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. 2011.

An African folktale mixed with historical fiction tells the story of an 18th century West African boy, Musafa, raised by his blacksmith father and the Mother Elements (Earth, Fire, Water and Wind). One day Musafa disappears and is captured by the slave traders. The Mother Elements try to save him, but to no avail. Luckily, the wind is able to bring Musafa’s father news that he is still alive and working as a blacksmith. McKissack’s Coretta Scott King honor book will haunt you in many ways, and the free-verse will beat across the page at you like a drum. An amazing story with beautiful acrylic and watercolor illustrations. A must for any library collection!


Little Rock Girl 1957; How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration by Shelley Marie Tougas. 2011.

A worthwhile and honest approach to the events surrounding the Little Rock Nine’s attempt to integrate Central High. There are 64 pages of clearly addressed history, which is appropriate for its target audience (5th-8th graders). The book concentrates not only on the events of the three years of attempted integration, but on other things such as what happened with the photographer, the students, and many of those who opposed their chance at education (such as Hazel Bryan, who will forever be known as the lewd girl following Eckford). Little Rock Girl is an excellent resource for those looking for more information on this aspect of the Civil Rights movement.

Belle, The Last Mule at Gee’s Bend: A Civil Rights Story by Calvin Alexander and Bettye Stroud. Illustrated by John Holyfield. 2011.

This story centers around the people of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and the part they played in the struggle for civil rights for all citizens. This community, or “Benders” as they are called, were motivated by a visit from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to take the ferry to Camden to register to vote. Upon their arrival at the river, they are stopped by the white sheriff who has shut the ferry down. So the Benders pack up their wagons and hitch up their mules, Belle included, and make the trip to register to vote. As you can imagine, it was not a peaceful resolution. In April 1968, Gee’s Bend is saddened to hear of  the assassination of Dr. King, but some of that grief is eased when they find out it was Dr. King’s wish to have mules pull the wagon with his coffin. Belle and Ada, the mules of Gee’s Bend, became part of history in tribute to the late civil rights leader. The story is framed around a young boy named Alex, who hears the whole story from Belle’s owner. Young readers will relate to Alex as he realizes that the people he’s learned about were not just characters in a book; they were real people. A fantastic nonfiction picture book that belongs on every library and classroom shelf.


*More new Black History reads:
Best Shot in the West: The Adventures of Nat Love by Fred McKissack. 2012.
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson. 2011.
Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. 2011.
To the Mountaintop!: My Journey through the Civil Rights Movement by Charlayne Hunter-Gault. 2012.
White Water by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein. Illustrated by Shadra Strickland. 2011.

Kristin J.

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Book Review: Billions of Years, Amazing Changes : The Story of Evolution

February 6, 2012 · Filed under Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Reviews, Science · Tagged , , , ,

Billions of Years, Amazing Changes : The Story of Evolution by Laurence Pringle (ill. by Steve Jenkins). 2011.

In Billions of Years, Amazing Changes : The Story of Evolution, Laurence Pringle, an award-winning children’s science writer, traces the history of scientific discoveries relating to evolution.

He begins with early geologists, who noticed that rock layers showed the changes that had been made by powerful forces from inside the Earth, and who discovered fossils of strange creatures not found in their time.  He describes the voyages of Charles Darwin and how his discoveries in the Galapagos Islands led to the theory of evolution.

“Evolution”, says Pringle, “is simply change over time,” and this change depends on basic characteristics of nature. Pringle almost as simply explains these characteristics, which include variation, competition, and natural selection.  Though Darwin and other scientists throughout the world agreed that evolution explained the changes in the Earth, science was not advanced enough at that time to explain exactly HOW it happened.

Pringle goes on to explain how several fields of science have contributed to understanding the “how.”  Geologists have discovered how to tell the age of rocks by measuring their radioactive decay.  Scientists discovered DNA and figured out not only how genes work but how mutations in DNA cause variation. Geologists have also come to understand how plate tectonics and continental drift have affected the distribution of life on our planet.

Billions of Years, Amazing Changes provides a clear and accurate description of several complex concepts related to evolution.  Not only can it be used for studying about evolution, genetics, and geology, but it is also interesting enough for young science buffs to read for fun.  In addition, Steve Jenkins’ signature collage artwork enhances this fascinating book.

Blogger:  Tracey L.

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Historical Fiction for Elementary School

February 2, 2012 · Filed under Fiction, Historical, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Novels · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Historical fiction is a great way for kids to get a glimpse of the past if they don’t like reading non-fiction. Historical fiction allows readers to immerse themselves in the past, to feel what the characters feel and experience what the characters experience. Whether the issues are slavery or racial inequality, these books will give readers a peek into the past so we don’t repeat it.

Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberley Brubak Bradeley
Thomas Jefferson was a great man, a leader in the Revolution, a founding father. But to Maddy and Beverly, he was the father they weren’t suppose to call papa, because Maddy and Beverly’s mother was Sally Hemmings, Jefferson’s slave. Thomas Jefferson didn’t make his sons work in the fields, and they were never beaten. He even gave them a violin and provided music lessons for them. But they weren’t free. Light-skinned Beverly learns that when he turns 21, he’ll be freed to live among white people. But how can he leave his darker-skinned brother Maddy, who doesn’t have the same option, behind? This powerful book shows Jefferson in a different light…as a patriot of freedman while his own sons lived in captivity.

Sylvia & Aki by Winifred Conkling
Based on true events, this story follows Sylvia, whose parents are from Puerto Rico and Mexico, and Aki, whose parents were born in Japan. Although both girls are American citizens, they do not enjoy the same rights as other children. When Aki’s family is forced into an internment camp, Sylvia’s father rents their farm in hopes of sending his children to a better school. But when they try to register, they’re told his children must attend the Mexican school instead. Sylvia’s father takes the matter to court and wins, a case that became the precedent for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1955. The story alternates between Sylvia’s struggles to attend school, and Aki’s struggles of being separated from her family and the poor conditions in the internment camp. This book will be great for social studies units, both on the impact of World War II and on equality.

Lunch-Box Dream by Tony Abbott
When Bobby and Ricky’s mother tells them they have to drive 1,300 miles to bring their grandmother back home, she promises that they’ll stop at several Civil War battle fields for Ricky, and they’ll fly back in an airplane for Bobby. While Ricky enjoys visiting each war site, Bobby finds himself confused and scared at the thought of so much death. The boy’s story is intermixed with a southern African-American family’s as they discover their son is missing a few towns over. Their worlds come together when a car accident forces Bobby and his family to take the bus. On it, they witness racial discrimination first hand as the African-American family struggles to find passage to locate their son. Based on a childhood experience, Abbott’s work will give children a lot to think about when it comes to the history of race relations in our country’s past.

Lindsey L.

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