Absolute True Story of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

So a couple years ago, I had the pleasure of reading this book: The Absolute True Story of a Part-Time Indian. It is about a young teenager growing up as an adolescence living on the reservation while going to the all-white school. It is auto-biographical. Alexie uses humor and whit to reveal the pains and laughs of being the only "Indian" in his school. I am always amazed at a authors ability to share deep themes about identity, especially racial identity through the language that speaks to young adult readers. It is refreshing. It brought me to laughs and tears and spoke deeply to my heart. It is a must read.

One

By Kathryn Otoshi

So I bought this book for my sons when I ran across it at Busboys and Poets in Washington DC on our vacation. I love this book! It talks about bullying and how sometimes it takes just one to stand up to a bully. It also expresses the power the collective whole has when individuals stand together. It is a beautiful book! It's language and reading level is very low and it is yet able to present such complex themes. Written by Kathryn Otoshi, who also illustrates her books. She is coming out with another kid's book called "Zero". I am yearning to also read it. I think another reason I like this book is because Kathryn Otoshi has her own publishing label: KO Kid's Books. Praise and honor to our independent publishers.

Happy to Be Nappy

By Bell Hooks
Illustrated by Christ Raschka

Summary: This book celebrates black hair. As oppose to the negatives messages often portrayed in media about natural black hair, Bell Hooks uses poetic language to describe it's beauty and creativity. It is a book for young women giving a message that affirms their hair.

Special Notes: The art is beautiful. It compliments the text very well as she describes all the different ways to describe and style hair. A book like this is very important because it affirms the identity of black women. I find the title to be filled with irony because she uses the word, "nappy" in a positive light. When the general public would associate "nappy" as bad, Hooks embraces the word and challenges the norms of what "good hair" is. It is a celebration of black hair. This book is beautiful.

Here is a great book review from this blog.

Be Boy Buzz

By Bell Hooks
Illustrated by Chris Raschka

Summary: This book uses poetry to celebrate being a boy and it's complexities and wonder.

Other Notes: I really value this book because it celebrates boys. The spirited boy, the tender boy, the talkative boy, the quiet boy. It is absolutely wonderful and I especially appreciate how it is not a book that reinforces gender stereotypes. These are rare to find. The art is also beautiful with the text.

"I be boy. All bliss. All fine beat. All beau boy."

A book for toddlers.

Homemade Love

by Bell Hooks
Illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Summary: This is a story about a girl and how she is loved by her parents. Her parents call her, "Girlpie" who knows that she is treasured and adored by her mother and father. Even when she makes a mistake, every hurt is healed and everything will be forgiven. Life will move on and she feels safe knowing she is loved.

Notes: I love this book. Taj loves the poetry in this book and the pictures bring the words to life. The main character has the freedom and charisma as a young child who explores the world. She feels safe knowing and having memories of her parents who will always be with her. This book is absolutely delightful to read.

Activities: Analyze the poetry, pictures to make inferences

Apple Pie 4th of July

by Janet S. Wong

Illustrated by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Genre: Fiction

Summary: A young, feisty Chinese-American girl tries to teacher her parents a lesson about "Americans". While all the store close on the forth of July, her parents are working at the restaurant cooking food for customers. As the parade passes and people are celebrating, the business is slow. She is convinced that Americans do not want to eat Chinese food on such a holiday. At the end of the story she finds that the restaurant is busy with customers until the store closes where she watches fireworks and participates in the celebration.

Notes: There is a strong theme in this story that emphasizes inclusion. The US is a diverse country and Janet Wong expresses how everyone is a part of being American. That you can celebrate the 4th of July and still eat Chinese food. I like the character in this book and the poetry is witty. However, I do not agree with her analysis of the 4th of July and being Chinese American in the US. The 4th of July is very symbolic of freedom in our country but yet the very foundations of this country was never built on such for all peoples. This is a false lie that needs to be let known. All people cannot take part in the privileges of being an American. We need to find literature (especially written from an Asian-American perspectives) for young children that can critically analyze the effects of White Supremacy and it's effects on the Asian community. We also need to find a strong voice that is forward thinking towards dismantling the systems that limits us and isolates us from other disenfranchised groups.

For more information visit:
Scholastic

Moses

Author: Carole Boston Wellington
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Genre: Biographical

Summary: This is shares the long and difficult journey for Harriet Tubman when she escaped from slavery through the Underground Railroad. It reveals her fears, hopes and perseverance through her conversations with God and herself. Harriet's strength and faith was what brought her out of slavery and gave her the courage to free other slaves as well through the Underground Railroad.

Other Notes: This story is beautiful. The pictures bring the book to life. The text is very poetic and descriptive. Carole Boston Wellington gift with poetry really shows in this book. Harriet's faith is very apparent in this book. It's the type of faith that brings a person to oppose and disobey the law because the faith is rooted in liberation. The text also portrays an accurate depiction of the harsh conditions of slavery and the dangers of escaping from the plantation. It does not gloss over the ugly past. There is mention of Harriet's rifle in the story as well which too often people forget to share about how Harriet carried a gun as a means of protection and to threaten slaves to choose freedom or death. It is a story of perseverance when your life and freedom depended on it.

Reading Skills: Analyzing sensory description. Using poetry to create images.