It's Monday! What are you reading? was started by Sheila at Book Journey and was adapted for children's books from picture books through YA by Jen of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers. You can visit either site for a round up of blogs sharing their weekly readings and thoughts or search Twitter for #IMWAYR.
Last Week's Posts
- Celebrating Multicultural Children's Book Day! - as part of MCCBD I put together a huge listing of all of my multicultural blog posts and book recommendations - more than 20 posts and 100s of great books. (Plus some cute pictures of my third graders
- Worldwide Cinderella: part 3 - fractured fairy tales - this third part in a series on Cinderella stories features fractured and otherwise unexpected versions of the Cinderella story line, often with much hilarity.
- New Book Alert: Juneteenth for Mazie - this brand-new book provides a great background for introducing children to Juneteenth
- Mock Caldecott Ballot - featuring the 24 books chosen for our school-wide Mock Caldecott vote this week
- Mock Caldecott - Results! Grade-by-grade results of our Mock Caldecott voting
Picture Books
Back of the Bus (2010) by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Floyd Cooper. This "insiders" view of Rosa Park's bus boycott beginning is told through the eyes of our young narrator who is sitting quietly next to his mother on the back of the same bus. I think this would be a really interesting book to use as part of a text set of stories about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, especially with older students who could really delve into the ideas of point of view and historical impact. (H/T Linda at Teacher Dance.)
The Camel in the Sun (2013) by Griffin Ondaatje and illustrated by Linda Wolfsgruber. This fascinating and evocative story is based on a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad and his encounter with a tired camel. This story has an important message about thinking about the thoughts and perspectives of others, including animals.
Because Amelia Smiled (2012) by David Ezra Stein. An interesting take on the interconnectedness of people, countries, and cultures. although some of the "connections" get a little far fetched. Could spark some interesting discussions about actions and consequences (intended and otherwise). (H/T Someone during the wonderfully frenetic #ReadYourWorld twitter chat last week Tuesday on Multicultural Children's Book Day.)
A Perfectly Messed Up Story (2014) by Patrick McDonnell. I love a good meta story, and in this one, you, the reader, end up at fault as food, fingerprints, and other general book threats are called out by Louie, the main character. The transitions at the end from frustration to despair to hope went a little quick for me, but I think kids will enjoy the humor of poor Louie struggling as his story gets messed up. (H/T Carrie of There's a Book for That.)
Middle Grade
Serafina's Promise (2013) by Ann E, Burg. This novel is verse is told from the point-of-view of Serafina, a young girl living in poverty in Haiti. I really dislike when book jackets manage to give away potential "twists" in a book, and this one mentioned all major catastrophes on both the back of the book and the inside flap, which to me made the book fall flat. I also wished there was more information about the author's connection to Haiti and why she felt qualified to write this story.
Shelter Pet Squad: Jelly Bean (2014) by Cynthia Lord and illustrated by Erin McGuire. This charming, quick read is a great book to fill the gap for readers between young and middle grade fiction and is the first book in the soon-to-be-continued series. Second-grader Suzannah really wants a pet of her own, but her apartment complex doesn't allow pets. Instead, her parents sign her up to join the Shelter Pet Squad and help out at the local animal shelter, which kicks off the rest of the book. The story is engaging and fast-moving, and Cynthia Lord includes a variety of back matter, including facts, activities, an author's note, ways to help your local animal shelter, and thoughtful questions when considering getting a guinea pig as a pet. I think a lot of students will be drawn to this series, and I look forward to introducing it to my students as well!
Award-Winning Books Reading Challenge update: 2 (Mock Caldecott Ballot and Mock Caldecott - Results!)
Dive into Diversity Challenge update: 19 books, 8 dedicated posts (this week: Celebrating Multicultural Children's Book Day! and Juneteenth for Mazie )
Happy Reading!
I really need to get to Shelter Pet Squad. I have it, but the kids haven't really been picking it up. I think it's a perfect level for most of my readers. I need to book talk it more!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Michele. I'm looking forward to finding out what they think!
DeleteI need to get to Shelter Pet Squad too. I don't think my Children's Lit students will pick it up unless I can book talk it. Luckily, I'm pretty sure it will be a very quick read. You raise some good questions about Serafina's Promise. It always bothers me when authors writing about different cultures don't provide ample information about their research and writing process. I will be sure to avoid reading the book covers when I check this one out from the library!
ReplyDeleteYes, Shelter Pet Squad is definitely a quick read. One of those transitional types of books with larger font spacing and images to give the appearance of a longer chapter book.
DeleteI agree with you. I'm ok with the potential of people writing books outside of their culture, but I really want details before I accept it.
I love the sound of these books! The Back of the Bus would have been great to use when I was teaching my kiddos about MLK Jr and the Civil Rights Movement. I'll have to keep that in mind for next year!
ReplyDeleteAnd A Perfectly Messed Up Story reminds me a lot of Chloe and the Lion where the story doesn't quite go as the reader would expect!
Thanks for sharing these great reads!
Katie
Teaching Voracious Learners
Thanks, Katie! Yes, Back of the Bus is a great addition to a Civil Rights unit. My students are getting a blast out of a Perfectly Messed Up story, for sure.
DeleteI know some of these, Katie, & they are good. Thanks especially for the Shelter Pet Squad. I'm always looking for one teacher who needs books about this level with diversity, just a life story but showing all kinds of kids. Looks and sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I definitely appreciate that this is another book that will appeal to lots of kids and features diverse kids without it being a focus.
DeleteI loved your Mock Caldecott results post! So much excitement. Really glad to hear that you liked this title by Cynthia Lord. I will be on the lookout for my classroom next time I am at the bookstore.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie! It is always fun when the kids fall in love with some of the same books as the committee. It really validates the conversations, analysis, and discussions that we have been having.
DeleteI've loved both of these novels. When I read Seraphina's Promise, I too was worried about appropriation. In the acknowledgment section she notes working with the Haitian People's Support Project as well as thanking the librarians who helped her with her research. I was still left with these questions - Is it appropriate for a white woman to write the story of a black girl who lives in a country she has never been to? Where does the profit from this book go? If it goes to support schools and learning conditions in Haiti, then I would be more likely to let go of my discomfort.
ReplyDeleteI think you raise an excellent point about the profits of the book too. Personally, when I read these kinds of books (same issues with Caminar too), I want a detailed explanation of cultural knowledge, otherwise I do not understand why you write the book in the first place.
DeleteThank you for reminding me about Shelter Pet Squad and Back of the Bus! Because Amelia Smiled looks interesting, as does The Camel in the Sun. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad to help - lots to love in the choices this week.
DeleteMy daughter and I loved A Perfectly Messed Up Story - she was laughing out loud while reading it at the library - so much fun. I've been meaning to read Serafina's Promise for the longest time now - I am hoping I can find it soon to share with my higher degree class. :)
ReplyDeleteI could see that - my students have been carrying around A Perfectly Messed Up Story and sharing it with each other. There was even some debate about whether the coffee stain in the end papers was intentional or not!
DeleteI just placed a book hold for Back of the Bus. My 5th graders are working on a We Need Diverse Books board for our school, and this looks like a great addition!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Maria! I think it is especially interesting for kids to imagine what it would have been like to have also been on that bus.
Delete