Smile
Written by Raina Telgemeier
2010
Raina is a sixth grader which is hard enough for anyone to deal with, but even harder when you fall on your face and knock your two front teeth out. She just can't seem to catch a break. Throughout her ordeal, Raina discovers who her true friends are, and that looks aren't everything. She learns a lot about herself along the way, and finds that if she focuses on her interests, it brings out what she likes about herself. After three years and many visits to the dentist, orthodontist, periodontist, and endodontist, she finally looks like a "normal" kid, just in time for high school.
This book definitely describes the stereotypical nightmare of a teenage girl. Kids are cruel when someone looks different, and they were certainly cruel to Raina. She did her best to keep a good attitude, but the situation sometimes go the best of her. Not every kid is going to go through something this extreme, but I'd say that most kids will go through something that will make them stand out in a way they'd rather not. Raina shows us how to recognize our true friends, and that eventually it really will be okay.
Goin' Someplace Special
Written by Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
2001
'Tricia Ann is excited that Mama Frances is finally letting her go to Someplace Special all by herself. We accompany 'Tricia Ann on her journey as she boards the bus and heads to the back to sit behind the Jim Crow sign that reads "colored section." She gives up her seat to one of her grandmother's friends, even though there are plenty of empty seats up front. All along the way her mood is dampened by the Jim Crow laws. She tries to remain positive and think about what her grandmother would do if she were there. After talking with Blooming Mary in the Mission Church ruins, she sets off for Someplace Special with a new determination. Before long, she arrives at her destination and happily reads the sign on the front of the building...PUBLIC LIBRARY: ALL ARE WELCOME.
This book is absolutely wonderful! I will definitely be incorporating this into some of my lessons during Black History Month next year. The entire time I was reading I found myself trying to guess what Someplace Special was going to be. Just when I thought I had it figured out, 'Tricia Ann proved me wrong, but I am so happy that the library is her "someplace special" for so many reasons.
The Hired Hand
Written by Robert D. San Souci
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
1997
This African-American folktale tells the story of Old Sam, Young Sam, and their new hired hand, who is known as New Hand throughout the book. Old Sam is very kind and hard working, while his son Young Sam would rather take the easy way out. When New Hand begins working in their sawmill, Young Sam takes advantage of it, orders him around, and has him do his work for him. When an old farmer comes by one day and complains of a bad back, New Hand asks Old Sam and Young Sam to go off into the woods while he helps the farmer. Old Sam does as he's asked, but Young Sam's curiosity gets the best of him and he sneaks back to watch New Hand work his magic, and then takes advantage of New Hand's generosity towards the old farmer. When Old Sam goes out of town, Young Sam continues to take advantage of New Hand, who ends up leaving and not returning. When the farmer comes back and wants New Hand to work his magic on his wife, Young Sam takes his money...but will he be able to achieve the same results as New Hand?
This story teaches some very good lessons to readers of all ages, including treating others kindly and to always work hard. As with his other books, Jerry Pinkney's pencil and water color illustrations add a great deal of detail to the story. We are presented with a vivid picture of what is happening in the story with both the descriptive text and illustrations. This book would be great to use with a unit on fables and folktales.
Noah's Ark
Written and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
2002
Jerry Pinkney tells the familiar story of Noah's ark, but he does so with extremely detailed illustrations. We read about God's request that Noah build an ark out of cypress wood, and fill it with two of each creature and food for the animals and his family. Noah and his family begin to build the ark on the top of a mountain which strikes others as strange, but they don't know what Noah knows. The detail of the pictures, combined with the familiar story, allows the reader to have a good understanding of what's happening without even looking at the text itself. The illustrations are so intricate that you can clearly see the facial expressions on the faces of the characters.
Words with Wings
Written by Nikki Grimes
2013
Gabby is a daydreamer, which is making it difficult for her at her new school. The daydreaming begins as a way for Gabby to get away from what's happening in her life, but later consumes her life. At school, Gabby's teacher is constantly telling her to pay attention. At home, her mother becomes frustrated with her for wandering into her own world. When Gabby looks at or hears words, some do as they should and behave like they would for any other child; some instantly transport her into another world beyond her control. While most people tell Gabby to stop daydreaming, her teacher encourages her to daydream, but at appropriate times. He finds a way to help her continue to be who she is, while at the same time helping her to be more successful in school.
Grimes does a fabulous job of inviting the reader into Gabby's daydreams. I was not only able to see what she sees, but also to have a better understanding of daydreamers like her. These poems reminded me of a few of my past and present students, those who always seem to be in their own little world. I feel like this book gave me a small peak into the minds of these children, as well as a better appreciation of the importance of daydreams. This book would be a great way to encourage the use of imagination among upper elementary and middle school students in their writing and other creative assignments.
The Name Jar
Written by Yangsook Choi
2003
Being the new kid at school is never easy, but Unhei was from Korea and had a name that no one could pronounce. The other kids made fun of her on the bus and in order to avoid the same thing happening in her class, she tells them that she will choose an American name instead. To help her, Unhei's classmates start a name jar that they can add different American names to in order to help her decide which one to choose. In the end one of her classmates discovers her real Korean name and it's meaning; the name jar at school mysteriously disappears, and she proudly goes by Unhei from then on.
This book would be particularly beneficial with the number of students that we have from Mexico. Many of them have unique names and they all come from diverse backgrounds. This story would be a great way to help teach all of our students to celebrate and embrace their cultural backgrounds, and to be proud of who they are and where they come from.
The Bicycle Man
Written by Allen Say
1982
This is the story of a small boy in Japan. At his school they are having what they call their sportsday. The children and staff are excited and eager to begin the day's events. After getting the playground ready, they begin their first race. Once each grade level has completed their race and the awards have been given out, the children sit and enjoy lunch with their parents. The fun continues after lunch until everyone notices that there are two strangers watching them from over the fence. The two American soldiers come through the gate and one asks to borrow the principal's bicycle. He begins riding around, putting on quite a show for the students, staff, and parents. They are all so amazed and impressed that the soldier is given the largest award of the day. He and his friend thank him, bow to the school, and head down the mountain, waving and laughing as they go.
The first thing that came to my mind as I read this book was our field day, which is essentially the same thing as the sportsday in the story. I could completely relate to the excitement of the children as they participated in each event. Although the story takes place many years ago and in a different country, our students could definitely relate to the events since it is something that we do in our school each year. It would be a great way to talk about the history of events between our two countries, and even to discuss some common stereotypes and first impressions which are often proven to be false.
Raina is a sixth grader which is hard enough for anyone to deal with, but even harder when you fall on your face and knock your two front teeth out. She just can't seem to catch a break. Throughout her ordeal, Raina discovers who her true friends are, and that looks aren't everything. She learns a lot about herself along the way, and finds that if she focuses on her interests, it brings out what she likes about herself. After three years and many visits to the dentist, orthodontist, periodontist, and endodontist, she finally looks like a "normal" kid, just in time for high school.
