One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grade Level: 6-9

Interest Level: 6-10

Themes: family, estranged parents, new places, Black Panthers, coming of age, new perspectives

Awards: Newberry Honor Winner, National Book Award Finalist, Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, Coretta Scott King Award Finalist

Summer is coming and this is one of my favorite summer reads! Delphine, and her sisters Vonetta and Fern, board a plane from New York to Oakland to spend the summer with their estranged mother, Cecile and it makes for an entertaining trip.

Delphine and her sisters Vonetta and Fern are funny, vulnerable and authentic, as young black girls reaching towards adolescence. I can see the exasperation, rolling eyes, hands on hips and sucking of  teeth in this poignant, historical fiction novel,  as sister’s work at “being sisters” and daughters and adolescents.  Please don’t see this as a stereotype, even though you easily could. It is not that. It is one snapshot of an urban, black girls rite of passage. It is not wrong, or “ratchet”, too grown, or flip. It is young, black girls finding their way, making sense of their circumstance, history and how they are perceived and treated in the world as well as, how they will make peace, and a difference in the world. 

Rita Williams-Garcia’s Newberry honor winner is culturally authentic and engaging! It  is the first book in a series that follows the lives and growing up of the adolescent Delphine and her younger sisters Vonetta and Fern.

In One Crazy Summer we meet Delphine, as she and her sisters are shuffled onto a plane from New York to Oakland to spend time with their absent, and estranged mother Cecile. Very rarely do we have an “absent mother” situation, so this novel presents an interesting twist in the black family dynamic. We are usually faced with an  absent father in the black community. That we get to question and reflect on “roles’ of motherhood and womanhood in the process is a bonus.

What awaits them in Oakland is a different way of life, new people, new experiences and a whole lot of growing up. This book dives below the surface of the Iceberg of Culture. In this story we see the subtle layers underneath the surface of the Iceberg concerning rules of conduct, concepts of food, notions of child rearing, concept of "self" , tone of voice, attitudes towards dependence, attitudes towards elders, problem solving in relation to age and more.   

Delphine, and her sisters,  however, keep it “100”(real, true to self), which means keeping it honest, sassy, curious and fun-loving.  Check your bias here folks, because these smart and vivacious little girls( and their momma) might have you going to your “first thought”, but do them the favor of letting it move to your “responsive” thought.

Instructional Possibilities are many.  An in depth study of the Black Panthers in their vision, work, and the  controversy surrounding them are obvious choices as well as , the relationship between the police and the black community. Less obvious instructional possibilities are the  study of the roles of women, the importance of extended family, the statistics/roles of single fathers, the below the surface cultural realities,  and of course, the historical study of race, class, &  gender during a tumultuous time in our country’s history.

Delphine, Vonetta and Fern are waiting. Don't leave them hanging!

See also:

April is National Poetry Month - Hip Hop Speaks to Children edited by Nikki Giovanni

Genre – Poetry

Grade Level:  K – 8

Interest Level: K-10

Themes – 

This book has GOT to be in your collection. It is a must have for the poetry, history and the artwork. Published in 2008, it is already timeless.

Nikki Giovanni edited this collection of poems, lyrics, raps that range in topic from everyday activities like walking to the store to get candy, or getting sent to the principals office to more ideological topics of  love, equality and having a dream.

Just as diverse, are the author’s Giovanni has included.  In this collection you will find classic poetry titans like Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks and Pedro Pietri;urban legends Gil Scott Heron and Tupac; cultural icons like Maya Angelou, and Queen Latifah; and contemporary wordsmiths, Common,  Kanye West and Jacqueline Woodson.  This collection represents generations of African American and urban stories and experiences.

Nikki Giovanni’s scholarship, and creative genius, along with her knowledge, appreciation and understanding of  hip hop culture, make her the perfect conduit for this celebration of stories, rhythm, language and hip hop.  Her goal is not only to celebrate hip hop, but to evidence the essential elements of hip hop  throughout history.

In addition to the delight of simply reading and/or listening to the selections in the book(a cd is included), there are many instructional possibilities. These begin with Giovanni’s introduction which takes the reader on a historical journey of language and rhythm. She discusses oral tradition, music, vernacular,  and other forms of expression, laid against a timeline of African American History. The introduction is worthy of  a lesson(s)  that would be relevant in history, ELA and possibly music. It provides an opportunity for meeting common core requirements as an informational text. In addition, at the end of the book, there is biographical information about the editor/advisors, illustrators and all contributors. This could lend itself to more in depth biographical studies of the many diverse authors and illustrators represented in the collection.

The illustrations, with credit to several wonderful illustrators are beautiful and  worthy of picture walks, critical viewing and discussion on their own. The 51 poems provide many choices for lessons in ELA, music, social studies, as core or supplemental material.

This collection not only provides an excellent responsive, instructional opportunity to provide  your students, but also for the educator who needs to increase his/her cultural knowledge of hip hop culture, youth culture, urban culture and African American culture. Move to the beat of cultural responsiveness, in Hip Hop Speak to Children.

Don't walk, get yo' groove and go get this book!

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