Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Genre: Story in Poems

Grade Level: 4-8

Interest Level: 4-8

Themes: family, loss/grief, foster care, resilience, poetry

Sensitivity Issues: topic of parents death in a fire

Lonnie C. Motion is 11 years old and with the help of his teacher is finally finding a way to deal with the loss, grief and change that struck his life at the age of 7. 

Locomotion is one of my favorite Jacqueline Woodson books. Not only because the pages paint a vivid picture of Lonnie C. Motion, a wonderful 11 year old African American boy, but because it is a great book for instruction and engagement.

This is a story in poems. Poems that are assigned by a teacher, Ms. Marcus, who tells Lonnie to “write it down before it leaves your brain.” Right there on the first page, in the first poem, we learn who Lonnie is. “I tell her about the smoke and she says Good Lonnie, write that. Not a whole lot of people be saying Good Lonnie to me…”  I know this 11 year old Lonnie, not many people tell him what he does right, but many people are waiting for him to do something wrong. Ms. Marcus, however, gets him to write a whole book of what is in his head. The fire, his parents, the foster homes, his little sister and many ideas, thoughts and occurrences in between occupy the words on his pages.

This book is great for read alouds, reading in small groups and/or , reading independently. The poem format will be non-threatening for struggling readers, but it provides many opportunities for critical thinking/discussion, interpretation  of literary elements, and explicit discussion/learning about African American language.  If you are teaching poetry, then students can learn right along with Lonnie’s free verse, haiku, sonnets, epistles, epitaph. There are many ways to be creative, while addressing common core standards, but more importantly, many ways to see into the heart and mind of young black boy, that is at risk of being thrown away, feared, ignored or lost. 

Thank goodness the fabulous Ms. Woodson shows us a way to VABB our black boys, and our underserved, in this wonderful book.

Don’t walk...go get it.

Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales

Genre: Biographical

Grade Level: Pre-K – 2

Interest Level: Pre-K – 4

Themes: Frida Kahlo, creativity, art, imagination, Mexican culture

Yuyi Morales has created another wonderfully, authentic text for your classroom library. This Pura Belpre’ winner, Viva Frida, is a peek into Morales’ perception of Frida Kahlo’s creative process. The text is minimal, but provocative, and Morales leads the reader on a journey through  the artistic imagination of Frida Kahlo.

The artwork creates the vitality of the book, that imitates the vitality of Kahlos’ life and art. Every page is vibrant and beautiful. The combination of Tim O’Meara’s stop-motion puppet photography,  and Morales’ illustrations bring Kahlo’s passion and creativity to life.  Each page contains cultural elements of Kahlo’s life in Mexico, from the traditional Tehuana clothing and indigenous jewelry Kahlo was known for, to the vibrant Casa Azul where she lived. The illustrations also depict Kahlo’s love of nature,  her pets, and of her fellow artist/husband, Diego Rivera.

The text has many instructional possibilities. Teaching verbs works with the spare text, that is both in English and Spanish, “Soy/I am…busca/I search…Veo/I see”.  In addition, a study of the creative process as Morales interprets it, might be covered with the students as a critical discussion and an art lesson.  A lesson also awaits in  the extended metaphor of imagination and  creativity, as freedom. The images and text suggest that Kahlo was freed from her frail and broken body through her art. This is represented in both the pictures and the strong verbs throughout the text.  Art was her freedom, as it is for many students.  For older students, Morales includes a brief author’s note to explain her connection to Frida Kahlo's life and work. This works well for the Common Core’s informational text requirements.

Viva Frida is a beautiful book. Go out and get it!

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick - Young Reader's Edition

Genre: Memoir

Grade Level: 4-7

Interest Level: 4-8

Themes: education, freedom for children,girls/women, human rights,  standing up for what you believe, courage, perseverance, gratitude

Culture(s): Pakastani, children/youth, girls/women

“To those children all over the world who have no access to education, to those teachers who bravely continue teaching, and to anyone who has fought for their basic human rights and education.”

                                                                          Malala Yousafzai

Malala’s story of courage, steadfastness and survival has touched the hearts of millions, so I was delighted on a recent bookstore trip with my 10 year old when she picked this up and then proceeded to devour it (without waiting for our nightly bedtime reading as I had hoped). Mind you, this is a 10 year old that I usually have to cajole into finding AND reading a book, so it was significant that she discovered this on her own. She remembered that  Malala had won a prize, said that she was very pretty and she wanted to find out more about her. 

This young readers edition of Malala’s courage and triumph has important instructional possibility for middle grade readers. The Common Core’s focus on informational text makes it a great choice. It includes a map of Pakistan, Swat and surrounding areas, as well as color photos of Malala, her family, and Pakistan. The photos would work well for pre-reading/during reading discussion or quick write. The book is divided  into five parts, and includes a time line of important events. All of these elements would work well with a study of informational text features, and/or in dividing reading and instruction according to the lesson focus or themes.

When I asked my daughter what she liked about Malala’s story, she said “It’s about every girl just wanting to be a regular girl…you know, go to school, watch Twilight or her other favorite shows, and hang out with her family/friends. Some girls can’t do that because of the Taliban. That’s not right, and Malala is trying to fix it.” 

Validate, Affirm, Build and Bridge with I am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World.

See also:

     

  

Dalia's Wondrous Hair/El cabello maravilloso de Dalia by Laura Lacamara

Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

Grade Level: K-2

Interest Level: K-4

Themes: Self-Love, hair, imagination, butterflies, Cuban flora & fauna

Culture(s) – Cuban, youth

Hair is a big deal for many people. How does it look? I’m having a ‘bad’ hair day. Is it long? Is it short? Thick? Thinning? Gray? How shall I wear it? 

For many underserved and marginalized cultures, hair is often not only a big deal, but it is inextricably tied to their cultures, traditions and sense of self-love and standard of beauty. Unfortunately, for those same groups, it can also be a source of ridicule, judgment and self-loathing

It was just a few weeks ago that a twitter, instagram, media frenzy erupted over comments made by a Caucasian media personality about the locs of the teen Disney personality, Zendaya. The former, disparaged Zendaya’s Oscar night locs by saying they must smell like Patchouli and weed. Zendaya launched a quick, direct and intelligent response, educating folks on black hair texture, and the heritage, and pride associated with the hairstyle.

This is not the first time however, that an African American woman’s hairstyle choice has been met with an unfortunate,  uninformed and biased comment.   Unfortunately, it will not be the last, because in our culture where we are all held to a Caucasian beauty standard, any hair that is not long, straight and blonde for females and/or straight, and  neatly trimmed for males, will be looked upon by many as substandard and undesirable. (Note - many of these confused opinions are held by other African Americans)

Fortunately, we  have the opportunity to Validate and Affirm the beauty of hair that is “good” in ALL it’s textures, lengths and styles, and also Build and Bridge understanding and acceptance for the wonderful differences in our “locks”.

Dalia’s Wondrous Hair by Laura Lacamara is one of the latest delightful, authentic picture books that addresses a culture of “hair” for one little Cuban girl. The vibrant illustrations, bilingual text and whimsical tale of Dalia’s thick, exuberant, towering head of hair provides many instructional possibilties.  As a bonus, Lacamara also provides a glossary of the plant life native to Cuba mentioned in the story.

VABB your student's hair knowledge with this beautiful book!

See also:

 

Sugar Hill by Carole Boston Weatherford

Historical Verse

Grade Level: K-4

Interest Level: K-4

Themes:  African American History, Harlem Renaissance, Famous African Americans

Related Text: Ellington Was Not a Street by Ntozake Shange

Sugar Hill is a delightful picture to add to your classroom library, not just for Black History month, but for always.  Sugar Hill, a historic neighborhood in New York City’s Harlem, was a thriving center for black culture during the early twentieth century. Carole Boston Weatherford takes us on a stroll through this neighborhood to learn and reflect on a time when famous African Americans, like Duke Ellington, Zora Neale Hurston and W.E.B Dubois , walked the streets with Harlem’s other black residents, and the appreciation for art, education, and culture was palpable.   

This book has great instructional possibility. It is not text heavy and the vibrant, yet simple illustrations, are perfect for picture walks through the text with emerging readers.   The simple, rhyming verse provides repetition and various font types/colors, which make it a good choice for a variety of effective read alouds. For example,  “Sugar Hill, Sugar Hill where life is sweet,” repeats five times in the book which provides an opportunity for Choral Jump In reading. The text has a rhythm that draws the reader in, helping to create the vibrancy  of life that was  Sugar Hill during this time in history.

Informational text at the back of the book is a bonus for reading instruction. There is an author’s note that provides information on Sugar Hill and it’s residents, as well as brief “Sugar Hill’s Who’s Who” biographies on some of the neighborhoods most famous residents.

Go ahead, go get it. Your classroom library will thank you.

See also - Ellington Was Not a Street by Ntozake Shange

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan

Realistic Fiction

Grade Level: PK-3

Interest Level: PK - 4

Themes: Muslim Life, Colors, Family, traditions, Muslim religious practices

An adorable Somali girl was sitting in her 1st grade class, in a Minnesota elementary school. She was a bit fidgety, and distracted. She wasn't interested in joining the story circle with the other children, despite the urgings of her teacher and the paraprofessional working with her. She sat at a desk and began to color, while the other students waited for the teacher to begin her read aloud. As the teacher began to read, the little girl continued to color, seemingly uninterested in what was going on at the front of the room. The teacher read one page, then the next. Suddenly, the little girl in the back of the room looked up and shouted, "That book is about ME!" She put down her crayons, and walked to the front of the room. She wriggled herself in between two students right in front of the teacher, and listened to the rest of the story with rapt attention. She had heard what mattered to her heart....Validated and Affirmed.

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns is beautiful and authentic. It is not text heavy, and the illustrations are exquisite, making it a wonderful choice for early readers. This journey through daily colors, peeking into the life of a young Muslim girl, will be intriguing and enjoyable for young and older readers alike. 

There is great instructional possibility about world religions and culture. Students will be able to ask questions and make observations about similarities and differences in family traditions, beliefs and practices.  In addition, it provides an excellent opportunity for Muslim students to be the "experts" as they help to explain/discuss important Islamic terms like "hijab" or "Eid", as they come to life with Mehrdokht Amini's gorgeous, colorful pictures.

This book is a beautiful, responsive read! Go get it!

Nino Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales

Fiction

Grade Level: Pk-3

Interest Level: PK - 4

Themes: Lucha Libre wrestling, imagination, playtime, sibling play

Sensitivity Issues: potentially scary wrestling opponents

This story is not text heavy, making it great for early readers, but  it is full of action, making it interesting for many readers!  This is a wonderful read aloud with instructional possibilities for language, onomatopoeia, picture walks and predictions. Students will relate to the imagination and playtime of a little boy during his afternoon play. Latino students will be validated and affirmed through language, images and the Lucha Libre storyline.

Little Nino is so cute in his Mexican Luchadore wrestling costume which consists of his underwear and a red lucha libre mask. We are drawn into the corner of Nino's playroom where he is planning to  take on a carnival of characters: The Mummy of Guanajuato, The Stone Olmec Head, La Llorona, the Alien and El Chamuco. Of course, he defeats them all with his own signature moves.

The illustrations are bright and energetic, as is Nino.   Nino's attacks provide  great content for a lesson on onomatopoeia  – FWAP!, BLOOP!, SLISH!  The page formatting is as engaging and action packed as the story.  Spanish words and phrases appear throughout the text, and a note at the end explains the Lucha Libre Wrestling culture. 

 This book is great way to validate and affirm Mexican culture, and the energetic, and  imaginative students in  class. Morales celebrates her Mexican heritage and the Latino cultural experience in yet another great book. Don’t wait. Go read it!

Yuyi Morales