We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know

 

Multicultural Book Review

Bibliography:

Sorell, T. (2021). We are still here!: Native American truths everyone should know. Charlesbridge.

ISBN 1623541921

Plot Summary:

We Are Still Here! presents facts about a sometimes uncomfortable history of the Native American peoples in a way that is easy for children to understand. The truths are presented in the style of a class of students giving reports on different topics of Native American history such as assimilation, termination, relocation, activism, and language revival efforts. Through each trial and triumph, the Native Nations cry "We are still here!" This book full of facts many may not know, a depiction of the hardships many Native Nations have faced, and the hopeful refrain that through it all, they survive and are still here. 

Critical Analysis:

We Are Still Here! is witting as more of a presentation of facts than a story. But the illustrations that go along with the facts show the story of students receiving an assignment and presenting their findings on each topic. The pictures by Frané Lessac are done in gouache folk-art style. They show real places, historic events, and people with a variety of backgrounds and skin tones (showing the diversity of the many Native Nations). The refrain, "We are still here!" is echoed through the book, giving strength and hope to the people. In the back of the book there is a glossary defining each of the twelve terms presented in the book along with a description of what the illustration for each term shows. It also includes a timeline that begins after treaty making between the US government and Native Nations ended. The author, Traci Sorrel, states, "This is when Indigenous people generally disappear from curriculum." This book is an important look at events that many be overlooked in schools.

Review Excerpts:

"...emphasizes contemporary strength, community, and joy.... Stirringly portray[s] the ongoing fight for Native American recognition and rights." -School Library Journal, starred review

"This book provides information that is omitted from most curricula...in an easy-to-understand manner. Above all, the message is reinforced for all readers: Native people are still here." -The Horn Book, starred review

Connections:

Because this book presents events that happen after "Indigenous people generally disappear from curriculum," it is a valuable asset to have in social studies and history classrooms. Students could do their own research about different topics presented in the book and give presentations like the students in the book.

Awards

A 2022 American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Book

A 2022 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book

Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God & Science

 

Christian Book Review

Bibliography:

Giglio, L. (2017). Indescribable: 100 Devotions about God & Science. Tommy Nelson.

ISBN 0718086104

Plot Summary:

Indescribable is a children's devotional written by inspirational pastor, author, and public speaker Louie Giglio. Each of these devotions starts with a scripture. The body of each is a science concept and how it is connected to God, who created all things. Every devotion thought ends with a prayer. Along with each devotion is the "Be Amazed" section that gives fun facts about different creatures, objects, and living things found in nature. 

Critical Analysis:

This book is written in a captivating way that encourages children and adults alike to see how science and nature are connected to God. Four main topics are mixed throughout the book, but the introduction shows the four topics: space, earth, animals, and people, and gives the page numbers for each, so if you wanted to read about one specific topic, you could do so. There is a combination of beautiful illustration by Nicola Anderson and photographs that lend authenticity to the scientific information in the book.

Review Excerpts:

"This book, Indescribable, is so unique and definitely stands out from the rest. The illustrations are outstanding, and the devotions share the wonders of God in such a creative way. I think this is a book that you will come back to over and over with the children in your life." -Chris Tomlin, Grammy Award-winning Christian recording artist

"This book is so original! I don't think I've ever seen a book that leads kids from inspiring scientific facts into devotion and worship. The design itself is stunning, but the content of the book is the real hero." -Matt Redman, Grammy Award-winning Christian recording artist

Connections:

This book would be great for family devotions or in a Christian classroom. IndescribableKids.com provides free resources to go along with this and other Louie Giglio devotions. These include a free "Experience Kit and Activity Book" and "Indescribable Educator Guide". There are other materials for purchase like a board book for littles and a kids activity book that pair with Indescribable. 

In the introduction of the book there is a list of four themes that the book covers: space, earth, animals, and people. A science or social studies teacher at a Christian school could select devotions from a specific topic to read to students to go along with the materials or themes they are covering in class.

The Midwife's Apprentice

 Historical Fiction Review

Bibliography:

Cushman, K. (1995). The midwife's apprentice. Harper Trophy.

ISBN 006440630X

Plot Summary:

Brat has never known another name, a family, or a place to call home. Her life is lonely, traveling from place to place, looking for scraps to eat, and sleeping anywhere that is warm. One cold morning, Brat is discovered sleeping in a dung heap by Jane, the village midwife. She begs Jane for food, and when Jane tells her people that don't work don't eat, Brat offers to work. Jane renames the young girl Dung Beetle, usually just Beetle, and she begins her work as a midwife's apprentice. Though not as lonely and hard as her time before, her life with Jane the midwife is not easy. Jane is hard and ill-tempered. Even so, Beetle begins to make a life for herself in the village, adopting a cat and making friends with a village boy. She even decides to give herself a proper name—Alyce.  As she watches Jane work, she learns more about midwifery, too. But when she fails at something important, Alyce runs away. She continually tells herself, "I am nothing, have nothing, belong nowhere." Can she find her place in the world? Is she Brat once again with nothing and no one? Is she Beetle, who sleeps where she can and begs scraps from whomever she can? Or is she Alyce, the midwife's apprentice? 

Critical Analysis:

The Midwife's Apprentice is a good middle school read. The setting, while never explicitly stated in the story, is medieval England. From descriptions of people and places in and near the village, a reader can understand this if they have some background knowledge. The author's note in the back of the book gives some background on midwifery in medieval times and can give the reader a better idea of the setting as well. The chapters of the story are short and can be easily accessible for less experienced readers. While Alyce's experience is not common for today's early teens, her feelings of inadequacy and desire to belong are definitely experiences of young people today.  

Review Excerpts:

"A truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature." -School Library Journal, starred review

"A fascinating view of a far distant time." -Horn Book, starred review

Connections:

This book would be an excellent read-aloud to go along with a history or social studies unit covering medieval England. It would also be a good segue into a discussion of women's roles throughout history. In a science class, it could be used to open a discussion about the differences in medieval vs modern medicine practices. 

Awards

1996 Newbery Award winner

1996 American Library Association "Notable Children's Book" and Best Book for Young Adults

Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis mellifera

Nonfiction (Informational) Book Review

 Bibliography:

Fleming, C. (2020). Honeybee: The busy life of Apis mellifera. Neal Porter Books.

ISBN 9780823442850

Plot Summary:

The book Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis mellifera follows the life of a newly emerged honeybee, scientific name Apis mellifera, or Apis for short. As she grows, Apis takes on various roles in the hive. She builds wax combs, collects nectar from other bees that come in, takes care of the queen, and more! As she gets ready for each new job, readers are led to wonder: Is she ready to fly? The beautiful illustrations follow Apis as she journeys through her life as part of the hive.

Critical Analysis:

Candace Flemming provides an accurate and informational account of the life of a honeybee in the form of a lovely story. As Apis does the different jobs of a worker bee, Flemming creates intrigue by asking on each page if flying will be part of the next job. On each subsequent page, the answer comes, "Not yet." The excitement that Apis might be ready to fly builds until, with a wonderfully illustrated gatefold page, the little bee takes flight. Eric Rohmann provides beautiful illustrations using oil painting on paper. His double-page spread images bring Apis' world to life. His art shows a unique perspective, giving us a larger-than-life view of the tiny insects.  

Review Excerpts:

"This book is nonfiction at its best - a combination of beautifully crafted language and astonishing close-up illustrations." -School Library Journal, starred review

"Whether used to support inquiry projects or as a stunning storytime selection, this offering will captivate audiences." -Booklist, starred review

Connections:

This book would be an excellent resource for studying honeybees, pollinators, or lifecycles in science class. The literary device of "ready for flying? ..... not yet" could be a good introduction to using suspense-building in students' writing.

Awards

2021 Sibert Medal Winner - an award given to the most distinguished informational children's book from the preceding year

2021 Orbis Pictus Award Honor book

Rules

 

Contemporary Realistic Fiction Review

Bibliography:

Lord, C. (2013). Rules. Scholastic Inc..

ISBN 9780439443838

Plot Summary:

"No toys in the fish tank. Chew with your mouth closed. If someone says 'hi,' you say 'hi' back. Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you." Twelve-year-old Catherine has a list of rules for her younger brother David, who has autism, to better navigate the world - and keep him from embarrassing her. She loves her brother but wishes he were a bit more "normal." During the summer, Catherine develops a friendship with a boy named Jason, who uses word cards to communicate. She also tries to build a friendship with her new neighbor Kristi, but is worried about what she will think of David and her new friend Jason. Catherine learns about honesty and friendship, and questions her own views of what "normal" really means.

Critical Analysis:

This realistic fiction book is an excellent read for middle school students. The main character, Catherine, is very relatable as she navigates friendships and family and tries to decide the right things to do. Chapters are cleverly titled with different "rules" that fit with each part of the story. Different font types indicate the difference in the narrative, Catherine's written rules, and Jason's communication word cards. The theme is one of growth and hope as Catherine goes through her summer. 

Review Excerpts:

"A heartwarming first novel." -Booklist

"A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter." -School Library Journal

"A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' points of view." -Publishers Weekly

Connections:

Middle school students could create their own "rules to live by," like Catherine creates for David in the story. There could be a discussion of unwritten rules, those rules that people "just know," and see which rules students believe are unwritten. Students could create illustrated word cards, like Jason's communication cards.

Awards

2007 Newbery Honor book

2007 Schneider Family Book Award (middle school)

Jazz

 

Poetry Book Review

Bibliography:

Meyers, W. D. (2006). Jazz. Holiday House.

ISBN 0823421732

Plot Summary:

This beautiful book of poems by author Walter Dean Myers gives a look into the history of jazz, and each poem describes a different part of the style of music or pays homage to some of the greatest jazz artists. The vibrant illustrations, created by the author's son Christopher Myers, add a sense of movement and musicality to each poem. It is a creative and educational look at an influential music style.

Critical Analysis

Walter Dean Myers uses rhyme and rhythm to create a glimpse into the history of jazz. He uses rhyme, as well as free verse, to describe and demonstrate different aspects of the musical genre. He introduces famous musicians, instruments, and styles of jazz in each of his 17 poems. The different stylized texts also create a sense of movement and rhythm within the lines of each poem.

Illustrator Christopher Myers uses the technique of painting black ink on acetate and placing it over acrylic. His colorful illustrations add to the emotion of each poem. Very few straight lines in the images give the effect of movement throughout the illustrations on the book.

Review Excerpts:

"Awakens interest in listening." -School Library Journal, starred review

"This offering stands as a welcome addition to the literature of jazz... Excellent." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"The father-son Myers team has put together an absolutely airtight melding of words and pictures that is perfectly accessible to a younger audience." -Booklist, starred review

Connections

Music teachers and writing instructors can both find something to love about Jazz. Music teachers can utilize the book for jazz terms and style. Writing instructors can use the different poems to discuss poetic structures and figurative language, and have students apply those ideas to their own writing. This book is also a great peek into the lives of the musicians around the genre. 

Here are a few other titles with a similar theme of poetry and jazz:

Charlie Parker Plays Be Bop by Chris Raschka (ISBN 0531070956)

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown (ISBN 1600608981)

Ellington Was Not A Street by Ntozake Shange (ISBN 9780689828843)

Before John Was a Jazz Giant by Carole Boston Weatherford (ISBN 9781250822703)

Awards

Christopher Myers received a Coretta Scott King Award Honor for his illustrations in Jazz in 2007.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

 

Traditional Literature Review

Bibliography:

Taback, S. (1999). Joseph had a little overcoat. Penguin. 

ISBN 0670878553

Plot Summary:

Joseph had a little overcoat, but it soon became as full of holes as the pages of this book! As the story continues, Joseph wears his coat until it is old and worn, then turns it into something new. It goes from an overcoat to a jacket, from a jacket to a vest, and so on. The die-cut pages help readers guess what smaller and smaller items have been created from the worn-out garment. Joseph's animals and neighbors watch in surprise as Joseph mends and creates, until the pieces of his overcoat become so small, maybe he cannot create anything more!

Critical Analysis:

Simms Taback draws from a Yiddish folk song called "I Had a Little Overcoat" to create his colorful and clever story. Single, repetitive lines of text on each page make this a simple book for readers of all ages to read, understand, and enjoy. Taback's art blends the use of watercolor, Gouache (similar to watercolor but less transparent), pencil, ink, and collage. Young readers may delight in seeing the use of real photographs of food and people collaged with Taback's drawings. Die-cut pages give a glimpse of what Joseph will create next and provide a clever look at the new creation. Small details in the illustrations help give clues to the European Jewish background of Joseph and the story. The style of clothing worn by Joseph and his neighbors, items like a menorah and a dreidel, and newspaper clippings saying things like "Fiddler on Roof Falls Off Roof" all indicate this background. A note from the author and sheet music of the original song provide more context for the reader.

Review Excerpts:

"This diverting, sequential story unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat." -Publisher Weekly

"...clever, visually engrossing, poignant, it's worth holding on to." -Horn Book Magazine

Connections:

This book lends itself to a few excellent art lessons. Younger students would enjoy decorating an outline of Joseph's overcoat with fabric like the images found on the book's inside cover. Older students may like to use the idea of reusing materials to create something new out of scraps of cardboard, fabric, old toys, or anything else that might otherwise be thrown away! This could easily extend into a lesson about "reduce, reuse, recycle."

Music teachers could use the book in a music lesson as well, using the music and lyrics at the end of the book to draw from.

Awards

Josepsh Had a Little Overcoat won the Caldecott Medal in 2000.