The Listeners

The Listeners

Gloria Whelan

Illustrated by Mike Benny

2009

Ella May, Bobby and Sue are the Listeners.  They listen and masters window each night to carry news, good and bad, back to their parents and the other slaves so they know what may be coming for them next:  who will be sold or what changes are in store.  It was during this listening that Ella May found out that her father would not be sold, and that President Lincoln was elected.  During one of the Listening sessions, Mistress Louise asked if she could educate the slave children only to be reminded that it was against the law to do so. 

The illustrations were warm and showed so much expression.  I read Homeless Bird by the same author, Gloria Whelan,  so it was cool to see her in another writing form.

Zen Shorts

Zen Shorts

By Jon J. Muth

2005

AWARDS: Caldecott Award Winner

What a fascinating read tying western culture with eastern culture.  The illustrations are endearing and vibrant!  I love the water color and ink fusion.  I love the facial expressions and body language that the author/ artist was able to show.

Stillwater is a Giant Panda with Buddhist beliefs and a warm way of sharing lesson stories with his new young friends Addy, Michael and Karl.  The book shares a moment, good or bad, in one of children’s lives and Stillwater is able to tell them a similar Zen story full of love and patience to help them through it. 

I have never read any of the Zen books…..but I will now!

Harlem- a poem

Harlem- a poem

By Walter Dean Myers

Pictures by Christopher Myers

1997

AWARDS: Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott-King Award

Melodic verses of story, of poem unravel as author Walter Dean Meyers sings to us the truth and the hope of Harlem.  Nearly every page has some reference to music and the song, or pulse, or rhythm that music offers to the streets and people of Harlem,.  He denotes places known to us who have not been there like The Apollo, the Cotton Club, and Dr.

Martin Luther Boulevard

.  He references great people who have influenced life in Harlem , but left behind their words, their sorrows and their hopes like Asante, Mede, Malcolm, DuBois and Langston. 

The art was very similar to that of Jabberwocky and I did recognize the illustrator as the same person.  Art in ink, gouache and collage adorn the pages in a beautiful mix of color and depth.

Father and Son? Brothers? 

Homeless Bird

Homeless Bird

By Gloria Whelan

2000

AWARD: National Book Award Winner

At 13 years old young Koly is expected to leave her family and marry someone she has never met.  It is custom in India to have your parents arrange a marriage for you!  Koly’s family, although of highest Hindu caste Brahman, still had very little to offer as dowry for Koly so the family cow, among other family possessions had to be sold to pay to the grooms family to take her. UGH!  Upon arriving in the village of her groom, Hari, the first thing asked was of her dowry, leading her to believe that the money for her was all her in-laws were interested in. She was correct. The money would be used to take Hari to Varanasi to the holy Ganges River in hopes of curing her sickly and terminally ill husband. The events that unfold are heartbreaking as well as uplifting, but the strength and courage in the heart of young Koly is inspiring.

I really didn’t think I would like this book.  The cover did not appeal to me, and the title was vague.  It wasn’t until about half way into the book that the title held meaning!  I love the culture and tradition depicted in the book, but I really think it should be more for older elementary students as opposed to 3^rd, 4^th or 5^th grade.  I fell in love with Koly and delighted in her happy ending!

The Trouble with Huck

The Trouble with Huck

By Theodore Taylor

1981

AWARD: Young Reader Medal

This is an inspiring story of Helen and Friar Tuck and the friendship, bond and unconditional love shared by both girl and dog.  When Friar Tuck (Tuck) was 3 years old his family had discovered his blindness.  The family found Lady Daisy, a female Germans Sheppard from a companion-dog school in San Carlos.  She was only six years old, but they thought she may be too old to start retraining with a new master, so they placed her with Tuck.  Lady Daisy would be a Seeing Eye dog…….to a dog. 

I loved that this story was inspired by the true story of the Orser family in San Francisco and their beloved dog, Big Bonanza.  I loved that it was an exceptional story for animal lovers and I love that it was about taking care of the ones we love!  Its a fast read, with only 17 chapters.

Martin’s Big Words- The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, JR.

Written by Doreen Rappaport

Illustrated by Bryan Collier

2001 Picture Book, Award Winner

AWARDS; Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Award,  Best Illustrated Children’s Book 2001 The New York Times Book Review

A chronological story of little Martin and his exposure and struggles with injustice, leads to Dr. King and the ways he used love instead of hate, and hope to break the chains of segregation.  The illustrations are captivating, event the end pages with windows of stained-glass are symbolic of Dr. Kings life.

I loved the use of water colors and cut paper collage, like things that ordinarily would not be used together, but work very nicely together if given a chance….like people. 

I chose this beautiful picture book as a tool for students to “see” and “hear” and “read” about a pivotal time in American History.   However, the book will offer understanding and hope, and unconditional love for us as well.  There is a timeline in the back of the book as well, so the important dates of Dr. King can be followed. 

Chains

Chains

Laurie Halse

A book that focuses on a time in our history that was so horrific and tumultuous for so many, the Revolutionary War.  The writing was so clear that at times, I truly felt like I was there. As I read,  I often had a hard time believing that it was written for children.  The story of young Isabel took place in less than a year, which seems so crazy given the amount of obstacles, heartbreaks and change that she had to endure. I liked the book talk in the back of the book for student lead discussions. This story was heartbreaking.

I will not read the second book, I was hanging on my seat until the very end, hoping that Isabel would somehow be freed or even reunited with her baby sister Ruth.  The book contained pieces of historical fiction, and the writing was poetic, I found it difficult and sad to read. We did have a nice discussion about it.