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librarybonanza
Origin tale of music from the animals of Africa. Storytelling would be great to add instruments.
Before There Was Mozart: The Story of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-George
Lesa Cline-Ransome, James E. Ransome
Age: 2-3rd grade
Rich watercolor depict Joseph Boulogne's growing love of and expertise with the violin. A unique story of a child born of an African slave and a French plantation owner, he excels against outside persecution in order to conduct his own orchestra and perform in front of the queen and king of France.
Rich watercolor depict Joseph Boulogne's growing love of and expertise with the violin. A unique story of a child born of an African slave and a French plantation owner, he excels against outside persecution in order to conduct his own orchestra and perform in front of the queen and king of France.
Age: 4th-7th grade
"Meli Lleshi is positive that her drawing of her teacher with his pelican nose started it all. The Lleshis are Albanians living in Kosovo, a country trying to fight off Serbian oppressors, and suddenly they are homeless refugees. Old and young alike, they find their courage tested by hunger, illness, the long, arduous journey, and danger on every side. Then, unexpectedly, they are brought to America by a church group and begin a new life in a small Vermont town. The events of 9/11 bring more challenges for this Muslim family--but this country is their home now and there can be no turning back" (Goodreads featured review")
A thought-provoking look into a culture that is not showcased often in children's literature. This well-woven story illuminates the effect that war has on a child's ability to hate, and what provides them strength to move beyond it. Although the movement of the plot is fast without much detail, this is perfect for a slower, emergent reader.
"Meli Lleshi is positive that her drawing of her teacher with his pelican nose started it all. The Lleshis are Albanians living in Kosovo, a country trying to fight off Serbian oppressors, and suddenly they are homeless refugees. Old and young alike, they find their courage tested by hunger, illness, the long, arduous journey, and danger on every side. Then, unexpectedly, they are brought to America by a church group and begin a new life in a small Vermont town. The events of 9/11 bring more challenges for this Muslim family--but this country is their home now and there can be no turning back" (Goodreads featured review")
A thought-provoking look into a culture that is not showcased often in children's literature. This well-woven story illuminates the effect that war has on a child's ability to hate, and what provides them strength to move beyond it. Although the movement of the plot is fast without much detail, this is perfect for a slower, emergent reader.
Age: 4th-5th grade, for advanced readers
Awards: Newbery
"Jancsi is overjoyed to hear that his cousin from Budapest is coming to spend the summer on his father's ranch on the Hungarian plains. But their summer proves more adventurous than he had hoped when headstrong Kate arrives, as together they share horseback races across the plains, country fairs and festivals, and a dangerous run-in with the gypsies" (Goodreads featured review).
Seredy provides a unique female character that remains true to her adventurous spirit. I liked that Kate could have tomboy characteristics without constantly juxtaposing or comparing them to more prim, effeminate characteristics. Although the gyspy scene was rather racist and the goodness of the children rather exaggerated this tale was expertly told to incorporate a time and setting that is oftentimes missed in children's literature.
Awards: Newbery
"Jancsi is overjoyed to hear that his cousin from Budapest is coming to spend the summer on his father's ranch on the Hungarian plains. But their summer proves more adventurous than he had hoped when headstrong Kate arrives, as together they share horseback races across the plains, country fairs and festivals, and a dangerous run-in with the gypsies" (Goodreads featured review).
Seredy provides a unique female character that remains true to her adventurous spirit. I liked that Kate could have tomboy characteristics without constantly juxtaposing or comparing them to more prim, effeminate characteristics. Although the gyspy scene was rather racist and the goodness of the children rather exaggerated this tale was expertly told to incorporate a time and setting that is oftentimes missed in children's literature.
Age: 16-adult
This novel provides a new perspective to WWII stories by giving sympathy to the Germans: for those that risked their lives to hide Jewish people and to those that were unknowingly swept into the tragedy of war. Truly a phenomenal work of art, suspense, characterization, and haunting foreshadowing. Although the ending is graphic and somewhat over-dramatized it fits with the horrors caused by one man's ownership over words. The characters are masterfully genuine, allowing their life's experiences to be truthful, gripping, and terrible. This really is a life changing book.
"It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, this is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau" (Goodreads feature review).
This novel provides a new perspective to WWII stories by giving sympathy to the Germans: for those that risked their lives to hide Jewish people and to those that were unknowingly swept into the tragedy of war. Truly a phenomenal work of art, suspense, characterization, and haunting foreshadowing. Although the ending is graphic and somewhat over-dramatized it fits with the horrors caused by one man's ownership over words. The characters are masterfully genuine, allowing their life's experiences to be truthful, gripping, and terrible. This really is a life changing book.
"It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, this is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau" (Goodreads feature review).
Ages: 4-7 years
Pablo Neruda wrote about the world around him: sometimes about love, other times about curiosity, and eventually about human injustice and protest. Brown creates a beautiful mosaic of Neruda's life and his fascination with his surroundings.
This book excels in showcasing Pablo Neruda's love of the world around him. In each painting, Spanish and English words are interwoven in the images, showing children the connection between words and images (an early literacy skill). On top of this enriching integration of words, the artwork is stunningly filled with luscious colors that capture the true emotion of each scene. Illustrator Julie Paschkis traveled to Neruda's home, clearly imbibing the Chilean surroundings. This would make an excellent book to spark a poetry program for children to write poetry about anything--just like Pablo Neruda!
Pablo Neruda wrote about the world around him: sometimes about love, other times about curiosity, and eventually about human injustice and protest. Brown creates a beautiful mosaic of Neruda's life and his fascination with his surroundings.
This book excels in showcasing Pablo Neruda's love of the world around him. In each painting, Spanish and English words are interwoven in the images, showing children the connection between words and images (an early literacy skill). On top of this enriching integration of words, the artwork is stunningly filled with luscious colors that capture the true emotion of each scene. Illustrator Julie Paschkis traveled to Neruda's home, clearly imbibing the Chilean surroundings. This would make an excellent book to spark a poetry program for children to write poetry about anything--just like Pablo Neruda!
Age: 3rd-5th grade
Zitkala-Sa, or Gertrude Simmons, was born in 1876 on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota. Her youthful curiosity gets the better of her at eight years and she begs her mother to go with visiting Quaker missionaries to distant and mysterious lands out east. In the Anglo world, Zitkala-Sa becomes passionately involved with two things: music (violin, piano, voice) and oration. Throughout her story, Zitkala-Sa pursues her two passions with a fierceness challenged and admired by the Anglo culture. Zitkala-Sa embraces the Quaker education she received while promoting equality for women and Native Americans, blending both cultures to make a truly remarkable person.
This primary documentation provides excellent research material (although it is a reconstructed story to shorten the length and to appeal to a younger audience). My only reservation for children is that this book includes a long and complex timeline of events.
Supplementary material includes further facts about historical dates, laws, and her influence. An interesting note on the use of sources where some scholars suggest the Atlantic Monthly stories as semiautobiographical. However, the authors suggest that Zitkala-Sa's story "share common themes within the Siouan experiences of the period." Includes selected bibliography, a partial list of Zitkala-Sa's writings, and further readings for a juvenile audience.
Zitkala-Sa, or Gertrude Simmons, was born in 1876 on the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota. Her youthful curiosity gets the better of her at eight years and she begs her mother to go with visiting Quaker missionaries to distant and mysterious lands out east. In the Anglo world, Zitkala-Sa becomes passionately involved with two things: music (violin, piano, voice) and oration. Throughout her story, Zitkala-Sa pursues her two passions with a fierceness challenged and admired by the Anglo culture. Zitkala-Sa embraces the Quaker education she received while promoting equality for women and Native Americans, blending both cultures to make a truly remarkable person.
This primary documentation provides excellent research material (although it is a reconstructed story to shorten the length and to appeal to a younger audience). My only reservation for children is that this book includes a long and complex timeline of events.
Supplementary material includes further facts about historical dates, laws, and her influence. An interesting note on the use of sources where some scholars suggest the Atlantic Monthly stories as semiautobiographical. However, the authors suggest that Zitkala-Sa's story "share common themes within the Siouan experiences of the period." Includes selected bibliography, a partial list of Zitkala-Sa's writings, and further readings for a juvenile audience.
Age: 1st-4th grade
Following a quilt passed from generation to generation, the reader sees the warmth of Russian tradition and shared experiences across generations. Beautiful art captures the importance of this one, bright object amidst black and white sketches.
Following a quilt passed from generation to generation, the reader sees the warmth of Russian tradition and shared experiences across generations. Beautiful art captures the importance of this one, bright object amidst black and white sketches.
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Age: 5th-7th grade
While Georgia's wit and her ability to add humor to every situation keep these books in tweens' hands, her harsh honesty reveal obnoxious prejudices (homophobic). However, I believe that she is not as harsh as she tries to present herself. Attempting to look cool through cruelty, humor, and apathy, she very briefly mentions some nice actions which she chooses not to harp on about because that's not what people really want to read.
While Georgia's wit and her ability to add humor to every situation keep these books in tweens' hands, her harsh honesty reveal obnoxious prejudices (homophobic). However, I believe that she is not as harsh as she tries to present herself. Attempting to look cool through cruelty, humor, and apathy, she very briefly mentions some nice actions which she chooses not to harp on about because that's not what people really want to read.