Sea-like Celadon

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A Single Shard

by Linda Sue Park

published by Yearling, 2001

Summary: "An orphan boy in a twelfth-century Korean potters' village... lives with Crane-man under a bridge, barely surviving on scraps of food. All of that changes when Tree-ear sees master potter Min making his beautiful pottery."


Strengths: This beautifully written book tells a lot about Korean culture and life in Korea in the twelfth-century. The friendship and bond between Crane-man and Tree-ear is apparent through their conversations and discussions of meaningful messages, such as taking things one step at a time. The messages of the problems with pride and the benefits of facing challenges is seen. The journey of Tree-ear as he works for Min and learns about making pots is also very fascinating. Tree-ear is a good character to whom readers can relate because of his optimistic and curious nature.


Concerns: The treatment of Tree-ear and Crane-man before Tree-ear begins working for Min may be a concern to some readers. The presence of death in the novel is also a concern.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book is appropriate for ages 10 and up. Children would enjoy reading this on their own and teachers might read it to children in grades 4 and up. Teachers could use this book to examine Korean culture or the time period in which this book took place. The author's note at the end of this book provides a lot of useful information and the interview with the author is also very informative and interesting.

The Trip of A Lifetime

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963

by Christopher Paul Curtis

published by Delacorte Press, 1995

Summary: "The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963."

Strengths: This book involves many emotions, as the characters add humor and the story has sad elements. Through this story, you learn a lot about the time period and the effects of racism. The themes of friendship, family, bullying, and acceptance provide important messages. This book is extremely well written.

Concerns: This book involves violence, racial slurs, and swearing.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This story would be an excellent book to discuss the Civil Rights Movement. Children aged 10 and up would enjoy this book.

Touching the Hand of Lincoln

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Pink and Say

by Patricia Polacco

published by Philomel Books, 1994, NY

Summary: "Say Curtis describes his meeting with Pinkus Aylee, a black soldier during the Civil War and their capture of Southern Troops."

Strengths: Students can identify with the characters because of their young age, their dreams, and their friendship. I love the illustrations with beautiful strokes and lines. There is an excellent message of helping others and of history. I also like the connection that the author has with the story in the book.

Concerns: This book needs to be read to or by age appropriate students. There are many sad elements, including death and children having to carry a gun. There is also a religious element in the book, which some parents may not want their children learning.

Classroom Use/Other Concerns: This book is excellent for developing vocabulary, such as the word marauder. Teachers can include this book in lessons on the Civil War and slavery. This book is appropriate for ages 9 and up.

True Bravery

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Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

published by Dell Publishing, NY, 1989

Summary: A story of bravery, friendship, and family in Denmark during World War II.

Strengths: This very moving novel provides insight into the life of Danish citizens when the Nazis invaded. Readers can relate to the young girl, Annemarie, as she learns more about the problems Ellen, her friend who is Jewish, faces. The story is written in a captivating way that makes the reader want to continue reading. Re-reading this book after a visit to Denmark and Sweden provided me with a different perspective on the landscape as Lowry exquisitely describes it. Lowry provides insight into a lesser-known region affected by the Holocaust and shares stories of the courageous and compassionate people.

Concerns: The story has a sad overtone, as should any book taking place in the Holocaust.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: Children aged 10 and up can relate to the characters in this book. This book would be an excellent tie-in to a social studies unit on the Holocaust.

Underpraised Heroes

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Windflyers

by Angela Johnson

illustrated by Loren Long

published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, NY, 2007

Summary: The Tuskegee Airmen are introduced through the stories of a boy's great-great-uncle who loved to fly.

Strengths: This book has beautiful illustrations, especially of the sky and clouds, which is where the main focus of the book is. The story is fun and is not too straightforward, while sharing an important part of history. Children can relate to the story because it is told by a child. The uncle's passion for flying and his sacrifice for our country is clearly depicted.

Concerns: The story had some sad moments, such as when the reader discovers that not all of the Airmen made it home. However, it is written in such a way that this may not affect young readers. Readers may also be slightly confused that the narrator introduces the main character as his great-great-uncle, but later he just calls him just "Uncle".

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This story could be an introduction to war and to African Americans in the war effort. In addition, this book would be a fun way to introduce a writing prompt in which students can share a story from their own family. Children aged 5 and up would enjoy this book.

True Bravery

picture from amazon.com Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

by Ellen Levine

illustrated by Kadir Nelson

published by Scholastic, NY, 2007

Summary: This book tells the true story of Henry "Box" Brown as he takes a heroic journey from slavery.

Strengths: Beautiful illustrations taken from a variety of perspectives with excellent texture connect with the easy to read text to tell this fascinating story. This book creates many emotions and makes the reader relate and empathize with Henry. I was brought to tears of sadness when Henry's family was sold and tears of happiness when he reached freedom. I like that the story shows how Henry grew and changed throughout his life.

Concerns: The topic of this story may be upsetting for younger children, especially when Henry's family is sold. I also want to know what happens after Henry becomes free!

Classroom Use/ Other Comments: This book could be used as an introduction to slavery and the Underground Railroad. Ages 7 and up would enjoy reading this book or having it read to them.