30. The Thanksgiving Door (Russian)

30. The Thanksgiving Door

Debby Atwell

Houghton Mifflin Company Boston, 2003

31 pages

Multicultural

Russian

            I chose this book because it is one that had been recommended to me by a parent from the preschool I work at. I have a student whose grandparents are Russian and the parent suggested doing this book when I was speaking to her about the project. Ed and Ann were at home preparing the Thanksgiving dinner when Ann burned the food. After burning the meal they decide to go to a family restaurant who is having their family Thanksgiving dinner and forgot to close the door to the building. Ann and Ed make themselves at home while the family tries to scare them off. The grandmother finally speaks up and encourages the family that Thanksgiving is a day of family bonding. When asked what he was most thankful for later that night Ed said he was most thankful that Ann had burned their dinner.

            The illustrations in this book are done with oil colors and composed of many warm colors such as reds, oranges, and yellows. The illustrations capture the festivities of Thanksgiving day and the culture in an excellent manner. The text is in the negative space of the illustrations and each illustration is one full page.

            This book would be great for a language arts lesson to have each student write an essay about a different culture they are not familiar with or their own traditions for Thanksgiving. The book would also lead into an excellent social studies lesson, to discuss where the first Thanksgiving took place and how Thanksgiving originated. I liked this book because it showed the importance of Thanksgiving and families getting together and remembering all that they have to be thankful for as well as introducing a culture students may not be familiar with such as the Russian culture. This book does not have any awards.

29. The Other Side (African American)

29. The Other Side

Jaqueline Woodson

E.B. Lewis

G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2001

29 pages

Multicultural

I chose this book because I saw the illustration of the girl on the front sitting on the tire swing and it reminded me of my childhood when I would swing on the tire swing in my front yard. This book describes the blossoming of a friendship between a Caucasian girl and an African American girl. The girl’s mothers both told them not to ever cross the fence that separated their yards, but finally one day the girls decided it was acceptable to sit on top on the fence because it was not breaking any rules. The girl’s friendship grows and dream of a day when someone will come along and knock down the fence that separates their lives.

The illustrations in this book are captivating. The illustrator used watercolors to create the pictures. The text is on one side of the layout in the negative space while the illustration occupies the remainder of the layout of the pages. The illustrations do not give great attention to the small details, but captivate the relationship between the two friends perfectly. The colors used are cool colors full of purples, blues, greens, browns, and whites.

I enjoyed reading this book because of the unique friendship that started off simply because of a boundary placed between the girls. This story gives the implication of the fact that there is a day that was coming that no longer would there be such segregation between different races and the girls were anxious and dreamed about that day. This book could be used in a language arts lesson to have students explore the possibilities of how the girls could have furthered their friendship and what finally led them to no longer worrying about the fence that separated them or how they would react and handle that situation if it was about them. This book could also be used in a character development lesson to teach students to accept others just as they are for their differences and uniqueness in life. This book does not have any awards, but tells a story of hope for all readers.



28. I don't have Your Eyes

28. I don’t have Your Eyes

Carrie A. Kitze

Rob Williams

EMK Press, 2003

28 pages

Multicultural

            This book caught my attention as I was looking for multicultural books because of the numerous ethnic groups displayed. There is no main character in the book. Each of the pages showcases two people of different cultures interacting in a friendly way. Throughout the book many cultures are contrasted through the individuals. Each page is started with a statement that each person does not have in common, but then follows with a list of similarities. The one common ground in each group is the kindness and love for one another shared in all cultures.

            The illustrations of this book are done with watercolors and charcoal. The portrayal of the many ethnic groups shows the diversity in the illustrator’s talent. The line usage in the illustrations varies depending on the culture picture. This book does not have any awards or honors.

            The story line for this book could be used in a social studies lesson to show the differences between cultures and explanation that although we all have physical differences; we are all similar at heart. The different cultures could be used in the classroom to create a world day where each student researches a specific culture and then does a small presentation about the culture they researched and the students could dress up like that culture. This book has a simple message of love and acceptance and would be great for any classroom no matter what the grade level.

27. Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal (A Worldwide Cinderella)

27. Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal A worldwide Cinderella

Paul Flieschman

Julie Paschkis

Henry Holt and Company, 2007

28 pages

Multicultural

            I chose this book because what girl does not know the story of Cinderella? When I saw this title I was curious to see how it was told in other cultures. The basic story of Cinderella is being retold throughout the book from a variety of different cultures. There is an evil stepmother who is jealous of her husband’s biological daughter and attempts to starve her, but the animals and fairy help to keep the young girl alive. A king announces he is looking for a wife and all of the single young women dress up and head to the palace. The attire of the women shows the variety of cultures as Cinderella leaves the palace she loses her shoe and in each culture it changes it is either a glass slipper, a gold sandal…

            The illustrations in this book are done with gouache. The text throughout the book is informal and there is a use of heavy lines in the characters. Each page has a representation of the artwork from the specific culture being represented. In each illustration both clothing and personal features are illustrated.

            In the classroom this book could be used for social studies to introduce a variety of places around the world. In a character development lesson the book could be read aloud to teach students that life isn’t always fair, fair treatment is not always found, but never give up because your sacrifice will someday be rewarded. This book is absolutely beautiful and so creative to tie all of the different cultural beliefs of the story into one. I have always only known of the Disney Cinderella and the seven dwarfs, but am intrigued at the variety of stories about Cinderella.

26. Shoesless Joe and Black Betsy

26. Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy

Phil Bildner

C.F. Payne

Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2002

30 pages

Non-fiction

            I chose this book because baseball season just started for my brothers and I thought they would enjoy reading this book so I picked it up and let them read it. This book is about a baseball player named Joseph Jefferson Jackson who played without shoes during the game. He got the name “Shoeless Joe Jackson” and was the greatest hitter ever. Shoeless Joe was not hitting as well as he normally did so he went to Ol’ Charlie and had him make him a baseball bat, but when his slump would not break he continued to go back until finally he learned that his bat needed to be cared for on a regular basis. Shoeless Joe would rub his bat down with oil, wrap it in cloth, sleep with it in his bed, and treated it like a precious item. Shoeless Joe finally came out of his slump and got to play in the major leagues.

            The illustrations in this book are done in a mixed media style. The colors are from the warm end of the color spectrum using a variety of greens, browns, and blues. The illustrations of the characters facial expressions are very realistic and the illustrator does a fantastic job of creating each scene to help the story play out. Very thin lines are used in the illustrations and this book has no honors.

            This book would be great for older ages between 4^th and 6^th grade.  The story would be a great character development lesson for the boys in a classroom to teach them the importance of practice and responsibility to take care of their things used for extracurricular activities. The book could also be used to introduce a language arts lesson to have the students write about their favorite athlete and what they were famous for in their sport. I like this book because it is about a man who did something out of the ordinary and was recognized for his actions.

25. Salt In His Shoes

25. Salt in His Shoes

Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan

Kadir Nelson

Scholastic Inc. 2000

30 pages
Nonfiction

            I chose this book because it is March and my family is crazy about basketball and we spend our nights watching the NCAA March madness tournaments. This book is a story about Michael Jordan and his pursuit of becoming a basketball player. Michael does not ever think he will be tall enough to play basketball, but his momma tells him the secret to growing is being patient and putting salt in his shoes. Every night after Micahel would say his paryers and go to bed his momma would put salt in his shoes and pray that he would grow. Michael finally got the opportunity to prove his ability to play with the guys at the park and shot the winning basket for the game.

            The illustrations in this book are rendered in oils. The illustrator does an outstanding job at creating a loving warm home full of hospitality in the illustrations. The Illustrations use warm colors and depict the love that Michael's family has for one another. This book has no honors.

            This book would be great for a 4^th-6^th grade classroom. The story of Michael Jordan could be used in character development to teach students to chase their dreams and never give up no matter what obstacle stands in the way. The book could also be used in Language Arts to have each student write about a famous athlete who followed their dreams and did not give up. This book hit home when I read about Michaels mom praying for him at night time. I know my parents have continuously prayed for me and have seen me through some tough situations. Michael Jordan is an inspiration to me and many others.

24. So You Want To Be President

24. So You Want to be President

Judith St. George

David Small

Philomel Books 2000

52 pages

Non-fiction

            I chose this book because one of the students in my practicum is obsessed with the presidents and wanting to know everything about them. This book gives information about the presidents and little known facts for the reader. The author shows the similarities of each man and highlights their great moments as well as their moments of failure. The book gives facts that are now no longer applicable and in the back of the book each president is listed along with their term, birthplace, and a description of their term.

            The illustrations in this book are of each individual president. The pictures are done in a caricature style and the medium used is ink, watercolors, and pastels. The text throughout the book is done in formal and informal styles. This book does not have any awards or honors.

            The classroom connections for this book could be in language arts, social studies, and character development. In language arts the students could write an essay about a president or what they think should be required of a person who wants to be a president or in a position of leadership and power. In Social studies the students can learn about the presidents of the United States and how they changed history. In a character development lesson this book could teach students the importance of being a leader of character and integrity. Making the right decisions and taking power with responsibility. I would use this book in my classroom for a trivia game or as a resource for the students to learn more about presidents.

23. Aquila's Drinking Gourd (A story of the Underground Railroad)

23. Aquila's Drinking Gourd

Author: Pamela Dell

Tradition Books Publishing, 2003

47 pages
Historical Fiction

I chose this book because the story of the Underground Railroad is one of my most favorite events in history to read about. This book is about a girl named Aquila who was sold as a slave and separated from her family. Aquila's father would tell her stories of the Underground Railroad and how one day they would all escape and be reunited there. Aquila's drinking gourd was given to her from her father for her eleventh birthday and she used it. Aquila's drinking gourd had a special meaning to it and always provided her with hope whenever she saw the message carved into the back of the gourd by her father.

The illustrations in this book are a combination of pictures with captions describing the photographs from the actual Underground Railroad and maps, hand sketched drawings with pencil, and illustrations done with watercolors and oils. The text is placed on the sides of the paper creating a space in the middle for the illustrations. There is no negative space on any of the pages and the colors used are cool colors such as: browns, blues, purples, and greens.

This book is one that should be in a classroom because it can be incorporated into a language arts lesson or a social studies lesson. For social studies the students will be introduced to the slavery movement and how the Underground Railroad led many slaves to a life of freedom. In language arts the students could write an essay about an African American who changed history for the slaves and was a leader in the movement or students could research information about the Underground Railroad and details about how the slaves used it to gain freedom. This book is one that I want to have in my own personal classroom library because of the relationship Aquila has with her father. I am close with my father and could relate to the gift that Aquila received. This book does not have any awards, but does have a vast amount of facts and information on each page and would be great to use as a resource.

22. Liams Watch (A strange story of the great chicago fire)

22. Liams Watch

Author: Pamela Dell

Tradition Book Publishing, 2003

47 pages
Historical Fiction

         I chose this book while I was in the library because the librarian had just got a whole new shipment of books in and this book was a historical fiction book. The story is about a male named Liam who was woken early in the night when the Chicago fires broke out. The boy wakes his family up, but his family does not heed his warning and then is caught at the last minute trying to escape the fires. The story describes the mystery behind the supposed fireproof buildings collapsing and the safes exploding, but one artifact was spared.

         The illustrations in this book are beautiful. The text surrounds the pictures on the edges. Some of the illustrations are done across the entire spread of both pages while others are only on one side or the other. The illustrations are photographs  that have been inserted into the pages surrounded by true facts about each picture. Some of the illustrations are done with very fine lines that are sketched using pencils and colors from the warm end of the spectrum.

         This book would be a great book to use in the classroom for a Social Studies lesson. The book introduces the topic of the Chicago fires and could lead into a lesson about the events surrounding the fires. In a language arts lesson this book could provide the opportunity for students to write about how they would respond to the fires or how they would warn their family and friends if they were Liam. This is one of my favorite genres to read because I enjoy reading about past events that affected history. This book does not have any awards or honors.

21. Coming on Home Soon

 21. Coming On Home Soon

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2004

29 pages

 Historical Fiction

          I chose this book because the mother in this story reminded me of my mother who would willingly pick up as many jobs necessary to provide for me and my siblings. At one time she worked three different jobs just so we could do the extra curricular activities we desired to participate in during school. The story is about a little girl named Ada Ruth whose mother is leaving the family to go work during wartime while the men are away fighting. The grandmother is left to care for Ada and daily they would wait for a letter from momma saying she was coming home. Finally one day a letter arrived and the letter said that momma would be coming on home soon.

          The illustrations in this book are done in watercolor on Arches paper. The illustrator uses vignettes throughout the story to bring the mood into reality. The colors throughout are warm except for the use of negative space that depicts the snow and the cold climate. In the middle of the story an illustration is used to show that time has passed that uses the space of two pages and the font changes and the text is written in formal style throughout the book. This book has no honors or rewards.

         This book would be appropriate for thrid through fifth grade students in a classroom. This book could be used in a social studies lesson to discuss wartime. The book is a great story of sadness, missing loved one, and most of all hope in the end. This book could also be used for character development to help young girls understand the importance of women in our society especially during wartime. This story could be used to show responsability to our country for all staudents. I think this story showed a great relationship of a grandmother and grandchild who leaned on eachother during a hard time and pulled through the season of life and found hope and strength in eachother. The story is very heartwarming and would be one I will add to me classroom.