Syar's blog

  Title:  The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read Genre: Non-fiction Author:  Rita Lorraine Hubbard Major Awards: Texas Bluebonnet  Grade Level: Preschool- 3 Age: 4-8 Summary:  In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. At 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. And at 116, she learned to read. From Rita Lorraine Hubbard and rising star Oge Mora comes the inspirational story of Mary Walker, a woman whose long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and who--with perseverance and dedication--proved that you're never too old to learn. Evaluation:

  Title: The Canyon's Edge Genre: Fiction Author: Dusti Bowling Major Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Grade Level: 3-7 Age: 8-12 Summary:  One year after a random shooting changed their family forever, Nora and her father are exploring a slot canyon deep in the Arizona desert, hoping it will help them find peace. Nora longs for things to go back to normal, like they were when her mother was still alive, while her father keeps them isolated in fear of other people. But when they reach the bottom of the canyon, the unthinkable happens: A flash flood rips across their path, sweeping away Nora's father and all of their supplies. Suddenly, Nora finds herself lost and alone in the desert, facing dehydration, venomous scorpions, deadly snakes, and, worst of all, the Beast who has terrorized her dreams for the past year. If Nora is going to save herself and her father, she must conquer her fears, defeat the Beast, and find the courage to live her new life. Evaluation:

  Title: The Incredibly Dead Pets Genre: Fiction/Mystery Author: Aaron Reynolds Major Awards: Texas Bluebonnet  Grade Level: 3-7 Age:  8-12 Summary: Rex Dexter really wants a dog and has been itching for one.  When Rex's B-Day for Me-Day finally arrives, his parents surprise him with a box. A box with holes. But he realizes that instead of receiving a dog, he got a pet. chicken for his birthday.  One hour and fourteen minutes later, the chicken is dead (by a steamroller), Rex is cursed (by the Grim Reaper), and wild animals are haunting Rex's room (hounding him for answers).  Rex's uninvited ghostly guests are a messy bunch and talk a lot. And they need Rex to solve their mysterious deadly departures from the Middling Falls Zoo before it happens again. Evaluation: Although this a g reat choice for humor-seeking students in grades 3-7, I  wouldn't recommend this as a read aloud if you want the students to learn the moral of the story. Some p a...

  Title: Twins Genre: Fiction Author: Varian Johnson Major Awards: Washing ton Post Best Children's book Grade Level: 3-7 Age: 8-12 Summary:  Twins Maureen and Francine Carter have always done everything together, but things have changed as they’re starting sixth grade. For one, they have nearly all their classes apart from each other, and Francine is dressing differently, trying to stand out from her twin Maureen. Maureen has always been the quieter, introverted one — her parents call her the thinker, and Francine, the talker. So she feels a bit lost when Francine joins different clubs and extra-curricular activities, while she joins cadet training. The girls are still figuring out their new dynamic when Francine decides to run for student council, and by some stroke of fate, her shy, terrified-of-public-speaking sister is also running for president. Despite the ground rules laid by their parents, things get a bit messy as both girls try to establish their personal identities...

  Title: My Awesome Farm Book Genre: Children's Education Author: Make Believe Ideas Major Awards: N/A Grade Level: Any grade level Age: 3 months and up Summary:  My Awesome Farm Book   is a fantastic new way to introduce children to farm animals. Each page is filled with brilliant pictures and engaging activities. Clear word labels accompany cute illustrations, making this book perfect for adults and children to enjoy together.  With die-cut pages in different shapes, children can explore the book with their hands! Evaluation:

  Title: Who Was Hellen Keller? Genre: Non-fiction Author: Gare Thompson Major Awards: N/A Grade Level: 3-7 Age: 8-12 Summary:  Helen Keller became deaf and blind when she was 2 years old. She lived in a world of silence and darkness and she spent the rest of her life trying to overcome these obstacles. With the help of teacher Annie Sullivan, Helen learned to read, write, and do many amazing things. This inspiring illustrated biography is perfect for young middle-grade readers.  There are black-and-white line drawings throughout, sidebars on related topics such as Louis Braille, a timeline, and a bibliography enhance readers' understanding of the subject. Evaluation:

  Title: The Black Flamingo Genre: Fiction Author: Dean Atta Major Awards: Stonewall Award Grade Level: 9-12 Age: 14-17 Summary:  A boy comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen - then at university he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. A bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness. Sometimes, we need to take charge, to stand up wearing pink feathers - to show ourselves to the world in bold colour. Evaluation:

  Title:  An Indian Among Los Indigenas: A Native Memoir Genre: Non-fiction Author: Ursula Pike Major Awards:   Peace Corps Writers’ Marian Haley Beil  Award Grade Level: 12 Age: 17-18 Summary:  When she was twenty-five, Ursula Pike boarded a plane to Bolivia and began her two years of service in the Peace Corps. A member of the Karuk Tribe, Pike sought to make meaningful connections with Indigenous people halfway around the world. But she arrived in La Paz with trepidation as well as excitement, “knowing I followed in the footsteps of Western colonizers and missionaries who had also claimed they were there to help.” In the following two years, as a series of dramatic episodes brought that tension to boiling point, she began to ask: what does it mean to have experienced the effects of colonialism firsthand, and yet to risk becoming a colonizing force in turn? Evaluation:

  Title: Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match Genre: Fiction Author: Monica Brown Major Awards: International Latino Book Award Grade Level: K-3 Age: 4-8 Summary:  Marisol McDonald wears polka dot shirts and striped pants but does not seem to care.   Her friends are always telling her that she does not match.  One day she decides that she is going to match and wears a shirt and pants that match, plays pirates and recess, and draws a picture of a house in art class.  She did not have much fun matching!  It takes a note from her teacher for Marisol to understand that being happy does not mean you have to match. Evaluation:  This book was holds on of the most amazing lessons that can be taught to students.  Being different is okay.  One of the activities found at  www.monicabrown.net/files/MarisolActivityKit.pdf  is to participate in a unique  art lesson.  Everyone will draw 4 lines, 5 circles, 1 curved line, color 2 of the ci...

  Title: Black Artists Shaping the World Genre: Non-fiction Author: Sharna Jackson Major Awards: N/A Grade Level: 9-12 Age: 3-7 Summary: T his engaging book introduces young readers to twenty-six contemporary artists from Africa and of the African diaspora, working in everything from painting, sculpture, and drawing to ceramics, installation art, and sound art. These include prominent American artists Kerry James Marshall, Faith Ringgold, portraitist to Michelle Obama Amy Sherald, and Kehinde Wiley; British Turner Prize–winning painters Lubaina Himid and Chris Ofili; renowned South African visual activist and photographer Zanele Muholi; Nigerian sound artist Emeka Ogboh; Sudanese painter Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq; Kenyan-British ceramicist Magdalene Odundo; Afrofuturist-inspired performance artist Harold Offeh; and moving image artist Larry Achiampong, among others. Evaluation:

  Title: Queen of Tejano: Selena Genre: Non-fiction Author: Silvia López Major Awards:  Gwen P. Reichert Gold Medal for Children’s Literature Grade Level: K-4 Age: 6-9 Summary:  Selena Quintanilla's music career began at the age of nine when she started singing in her family's band. She went from using a hairbrush as a microphone to traveling from town to town to play gigs. But Selena faced a challenge: People said that she would never make it in Tejano music, which was dominated by male performers. Selena was determined to prove them wrong. Born and raised in Texas, Selena didn't know how to speak Spanish, but with the help of her dad, she learned to sing it. With songs written and composed by her older brother and the fun dance steps Selena created, her band, Selena Y Los Dinos, rose to stardom.  Evaluation:

  Title: All Are Welcome Genre: Fiction Author: Alexandra Penfold Major Awards: N/A Grade Level: PK-2 Age: 4-8 Summary: This book is about  a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yamulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.   All Are Welcome  lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school. Evaluation:

  Title: The Civil War: Visual Encyclopedia Genre: Non-fiction Author: Philip Parker Major Awards: N/A Grade Level: 3-7 Age: 9-12 Summary:  This book journeys into the history of America's Civil War and  familiarizes  children with American history and how it became the country it is today. Each chapter explores people, causes, and consequences of America's bloodiest conflict.     Evaluation:

  Title: Stamped Genre: Non-fiction Author: Sonja Cherry-Paul Major Awards:  Grade Level: 4-7 Age: 8-12 Summary:  It started with Ibram X. Kendi’s book  Stamped from the Beginning .  Then Jason Reynolds did a “remix” for teens:  Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You , and now there is this version for elementary kids.  In keeping with Reynolds’ assertion that  Stamped  isn’t a history book, Cherry-Paul writes that her book talks about history but is “directly connected to our lives as we live them right this minute.”  She suggests using rope as a metaphor when learning about race: a rope can lift climbers, join people together, or be used as a weapon.  In 24 chapters she traces the history of racism in America from 1415 to the present.  Throughout the narrative there are boxes inviting readers to pause and think more deeply about an idea that’s been introduced and how it relates to them.  The final section, “An Antiracist F...

  Title:  Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Genre: Non-fiction Author: Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik Major Awards: N/A Grade Level: 4-7 Age: 8-12 Summary:   Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg , created by the young lawyer who began the Internet sensation and an award-winning journalist, takes you behind the myth for an intimate, irreverent look at the justice's life and work. Evaluation:

  Title: Epic Athletes: Tom Brady Genre: Non-fiction Author: Dan Wetzel  Major Awards: Grade Level:  3-7 Age: 8-12 Summary:  In this inspirational biography of a living legend, acclaimed sports writer and bestselling author Dan Wetzel chronicles Tom Brady's rise from a backup quarterback at the University of Michigan to an MVP on the biggest stage in sports--the Super Bowl. This fantastic biography also includes vibrant comic-style interior illustrations. Evaluation:

  Title: Her Own Two Feet Genre: Non-fiction Author: Meredith Davis Major Awards: Children's Book of the Year- Nonfiction  Grade Level: 4-7 Age: 8-12 Summary:  Her Own Two Feet is a narrative nonfiction middle grade co-authored by Meredith Davis and Rebeka Uwitonze. It is based on the true story of Rebeka, a Rwandan girl who came to America at the age of nine to have corrective surgery for her club feet. The book begins with her growing up with seven siblings, her mother and father in a small home made from the red dirt of Rwanda. She eventually learns to walk on her twisted feet, but it is painful and slow and as she grew older and heavier, she knew she would go back to crawling. So, when offered the chance to see doctors in Texas, she takes it. Her stay turns into a year of castings, surgeries and physical therapy, before returning to Rwanda. This project began in 2012 not with words on the page, but living the story. When nine-year-old Rebeka arrived in Texas she did ...

  Title: Sulwe Genre: Fiction Author: Lupita Nyong' o Major Awards: Coretta Scott King Award Grade Level: K-3 Age: 4-8 Summary:  In Sulwe’s family, everyone’s skin is a different shade, but Sulwe is the only one with skin as dark as the midnight sky. At school, her classmates call her hurtful names because of her skin color, causing Sulwe to try almost anything to lighten it. But when none of her attempts work and even a talk with Mama can’t lift her spirits, it’s the magical storytelling of a shooting star that reveals the beauty in the blackest of nights and the darkest of people. Together, author Nyong’o’s compelling narrative and Harrison’s emotionally charged illustrations tell a story of a Black girl’s journey toward self-love that will resonate with everyone who has ever felt different or out of place. Evaluation:

  Title: Bridge to Terabithia Genre: Fiction Author: Katherine Paterson  Major Awards: Newbery Grade Level: 4-8 Age: 10-14 Summary:  Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie's house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief. Evaluation:

  Title: New Kid Genre: Fiction Author: Jerry Craft Major Awards: Newbery, Coretta Scott King Grade Level: 3-7 Age: 8-12 Summary:  Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. As he  adapts  to the new atmosphere he's around,  and with good advice from some of his family members, he is able to balance his  friendships  and his personality around others and finally becomes happy where he is. Evaluation:

  Title: Hello, Universe Genre: Fiction Author: Erin Entrada Kelly Major Awards: Newbery Grade Level: 3-7 Age: 8-12 Summary:  Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his loud and boisterous family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister Gen is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just act normal so that he can concentrate on basketball. They aren’t friends until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find the missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms. Evaluation:

  Title: The Polar Express Genre: Fantasy Author: Chris Van Allsburg Major Awards: Caldecott Grade Level: PK-3 Age: 4-7 Summary:  One Christmas Eve many years ago, a boy lies in bed, listening hard for the bells of Santa’s sleigh, which he has been told by a friend do not exist. Later that night he hears not bells but a very different sound. He looks out his window and is astounded to see a steam engine parked in front of his house! The conductor invites him to board the Polar Express, a train filled with children on their way to the North Pole. The train takes the children to the center of the city, where Santa and the elves have gathered for the giving of the first gift of Christmas. The boy is chosen to receive this first gift. Knowing that he can choose anything in the world, he decides on a simple gift: one silver bell from Santa’s sleigh. Santa cuts a bell from a reindeer’s harness and the delighted boy slips it into his bathrobe pocket as the clock strikes midnight and ...

  Title: The Lion and the Mouse Genre: Fiction Author: Jerry Pinkney Major Awards: Caldecott Grade Level: PK-6 Age: 4-11 Summary:  A Lion lay asleep in the forest, his great head resting on his paws. A timid little Mouse came upon him unexpectedly, and in her fright, ran across Lion’s nose. Roused from his nap, the Lion laid his huge paw angrily on the tiny creature. The Mouse begged to let him go and someday I will surely repay. The Lion was much amused to think that a Mouse could ever help him. But he was generous and finally let the Mouse go.  Some days later, while stalking his prey in the forest, the Lion was caught in the toils of a hunter’s net. Unable to free himself, he filled the forest with his angry roaring. The Mouse knew the voice and quickly found the Lion struggling in the net. Running to one of the great ropes that bound him, she gnawed it until it parted, and soon the Lion was free. Evaluation:

  Title: Where the Wild Things Are Genre: Fantasy. Fiction Author: Maurice Sendak Major Awards: Caldecott Grade Level: PK-2 Age: 4-6 Summary:  A young boy named Max has an active imagination, and he will throw fits if others don't go along with what he wants. Max - following an incident with Claire (his sister) and her friends, and following a tantrum which he throws as a result of his Mother paying more attention to her boyfriend than to him - runs away from home. Wearing his wolf costume at the time, Max not only runs away physically, but runs toward a world in his imagination. This world, an ocean away, is inhabited by large wild beasts, including one named Carol who is much like Max himself in temperament. Instead of eating Max like they normally would with creatures of his type, the wild things befriend Max after he proclaims himself a king who can magically solve all their problems. Evaluation: