Books on diversity

I chose two books to read that address diversity and that I feel should be in every library media center. The book in chose that would appeal more to younger readers is called Shades of Black by Sandra L. Pinkney.


This book is written for young children and celebrates the different characteristics of African Americans. The book focuses on unique features such as the different shades of skin, the various colors of eyes, and several different textures of hair. I think the writer and photographer did a great job of celebrating the culture and it would be great for African American children to read in order to remind them that they are special and they come from a culture worth celebrating.

The book I chose to read for older children is Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle.



This book explores the controversial issue of homosexuality and tells the story of two girls who are exploring their own personal sexuality. I think this needs to be in every library media center because it sheds light on something that young people are almost never comfortable talking about, even if they have no issues with their sexuality at all. Also, it represents a population of young people who are struggling to find someone to confide in. Maybe after reading this book they will build the confidence to at least have a conversation with an adult about questions they might have or how to face the reality of who they are.

Dragon's Gate by Lawrence Yep

I was so glad that I chose this book to read because it is one I think I can get boys interested in. It is always tough to get boys to read things in class, much less read things in class and enjoy them. However, this book has two things going for it when it comes to appealing to boys: the main character is a boy and is going on an adventure and it is historical fiction which is always good. The boys always seem to want to learn about things that really happened.
While I did not really have any way to connect to this book personally, Yep does a great job of describing the hardships that the Chinese faced during the Civil War while trying to build the transcontinental railroad. To my dismay, I discovered that the Chinese were basically treated as slaves and forced to work in horrible conditions and overcome seemingly impossible odds.
I also enjoyed watching the relationship between Otter and his adoptive father, Uncle Foxfire. I think their relationship exemplifies what a lot of young people experience today and that is learning to depend on adults in their lives who are not necessarily their biological parents.
Overall, I would say this is a good read. It is not overwhelmingly suspenseful or action-packed, but it does contain valuable lessons on trust and determination.

Other books by Lawrence Yep include:
The Serpent's Children
Mountain Light
Dragon's gate
The Traitor
Dragonwings
The Red Warrior
Child of the Owl
Sea Glass
Thief of Hearts

To Be A Slave by Julius Lester

Wow! What an awesome read! I have never been so ashamed of our country's past as I was after I finished reading this book. The fact that this young man was able to so articulately describe his family's past and the pains, trials, and tribulations that they had to overcome is absolutely breathtaking at times. This quote from the books pretty much sums up the idea that slavery is something we all need to be made aware of so that we never come anywhere close to repeating it:
"When I think of slavery it makes me mad. I do not believe in giving you my story, 'cause with all the promises that have been made, the Negro is still in a bad way in the United States, no matter in what part he lives. It's all the same. Now you may be all right; there're a few white men who are, but the pressure is such from your white friends that you will be compelled to talk against us and give us the cold shoulder when you are around them, even if your heart is right towards us."
The thought that people still feel this way literally makes my stomach hurt. I guess I need to realize that these tragedies in history have an effect that will probably never completely go away.

Other books by Julius Lester include:
The Folksinger's Guide to the 12-String Guitar as Played by Leadbelly, co-author with Pete Seeger, 1965 
Look Out, Whitey! Black Power's Gon' Get Your Mama, 1968 
Search for the New Land, 1969 
Revolutionary Notes, 1969
Black Folktales, 1969 (Grove Press)

International Literature

A Journey around Australia by Alison Lester is worth reading just to look at the illustrations. I have seen pictures of Australia and have viewed the scenery on television, but these illustrations seem to add a bit more color and life to the great Down Under.
This is a story of a family and its travels around Australia and it is an easy read for most children I would say over the age of 6 or 7. Again, the exposure to this culture is great for the little ones because they are able to create a schema about the world outside of the United States and how other people live differently than we do.

International Literature

 

I Live in Tokyo by Mari Takabayashi gives a detailed account from a child's perspective about what it is like to live in downtown Tokyo. I particularly liked this book because it reminded me of one of my childhood best friends who was originally from Japan. She moved here because her dad's job was transferred to Kentucky. I imagined that this must have been how her life was.
The book is great because it describes different festivals that come through the streets throughout the year and it gives a detailed description of all of the different festival activities and what they represent to the Japanese culture.
This is a great way to expose American children to a world that most of them will probably never see in person.

International Literature

The Butter Man by Elizabeth Alalou and Ali Alalou. This book is a wonderful read and really sheds light on the privileges that American children sometimes take for granted. The main character is going through a tough time with his family because there is little food in the house. His mother suggests that he go out and wait on the butter man in hopes that he will give the boy some butter to spread on his bread which is what he gets to eat for one day.
The boy becomes distracted by all of the people passing by and is able to temporarily forget about the hunger pain in his belly. His grandpa also passes the time until his father gets back with more food by telling his stories about his childhood in Morocco.
This is an endearing story and is a great read!

Awards for children's books published in other countries

Two awards that are given each year to an author from another country are the Pura Belpre Award and the Batchelder Award . According to the ALSC, "The award is named after Pura Belpre, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. It is presented annuarly to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth."













The Batchelder Award is given to an American publisher who publishes a book that was originally published in a language other than English. The book also has to be originally published in a country other than the United States and translated into English and published in the United States.

Children's books produced as feature films: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

    

Surprisingly, I had never read this book or seen the movie version of it, so I looked forward to both from the beginning of the course. All I can say after reading the book and watching the movie is that I now understand why so many people fell in love with the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The book seems to take place in a very short period of time, but the element of fantasy is very entertaining and I can see how children would love reading about a world full of chocolate, candy, and suspense. The movie has basically the same key characters as the book, but a lot of them have strikingly different appearances compared to how they are described in the book. For example, in the book Veruca's mother is described as a fat ugly blonde woman, but in the movie she looks more like a model or a trophy wife as she is skinny and very attractive.
The best part about the story whether you are reading the book or watching the movie is the fact that the underdog comes out on top. This is an inspiring book that teaches children about how a fair rewards system operates and that sometimes the person who deserves to win actually does!

Children's books produced as feature films: James and the Giant Peach

  

I was so excited to do the comparison of this book to the movie because I could actually remember reading this book as a young child and I absolutely loved its imaginative edge. I was also delighted to find that there are a number of similarities between the book and the movie. Obviously the basic story line is the same, but the way events happen throughout the book are carried over in a strikingly, yet more adventurous way in the movie.
The negative attitude James has toward his aunts in the book is still there in the movie, but I felt much more sympathy for the James in the book because of the fact that he was an orphan. This was still true in the movie, but for some reason I was easily distracted by the exciting animations and fantastical creatures that come to life in the movie. I guess what surprised me is the fact that I had imagined all of the animal characters in the book to be more like humans, and when I saw them come to life in the movie, their characters did not match the picture I had created in my mind while reading the book.

Children's books produced as feature films: Stuart Little

  
When I first read the prompt for this particular topic, I could not think of many children's books that had been made into feature films, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there are so so many books that fit into this category. The three I chose to read in order to compare them to the film are Stuart Little by E.B. White, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.
Stuart Little the book and Stuart Little the feature film are much, much different. The main difference that I noticed throughout both the book and the movie was the fact that Stuart has a totally different personality in the book compared to what it is in the movie. In the book, White portrays him as a quiet kind of character who doesn't want to bring attention to himself, but who is very humble and appreciative to his new family who has so graciously welcomed him into their home.
The movie, Stuart Little portrays Stuart's character in almost the exact opposite manner. While Stuart is still very thankful for having been adopted from the orphanage and given a place to live, he is much more outspoken. For example, the battles he has with the cat and the competitive edge he is given in the movie are simply not there in the book. Also, Stuart is cruising around in a vehicle as if he thinks he is "hot stuff," but in the books he was never given such characteristics.
I think both the book and the movie are very entertaining and have a lot to offer to children of all ages, even adults in a lot of cases, but to say that the movie was based on the book would be a lie (except for the fact that the main character is still a mouse of course)!

Caldecott vs. Newbery Award

According to the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), "The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children." 
To me, both of these awards are very prestigious and highly sought after in the world of children's literature and children's publishing companies. While the Caldecott Award was created for illustrators and the Newbery Award was created for distinguished American literature for children, both are equally important. 

Coretta Scott King Award book

Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers is the Coretta Scott King Award winning book I chose to read. The first thing that caught my attention about this book is that it is written by Walter Dean Myers, the author of Monster. I read Monster a few years ago in a desperate pursuit for a novel that might appeal to low-level boys in one of the English classes I was teaching at the time. I found great success with this novel due to the fact that it was written in the form of a screen play and it was written in a language that these particular students could understand and even relate to.
While Lockdown was a very enjoyable read for many reasons, its intensity level was nowhere near that of Monster. I do still think that it would be a good book to read in class for boys because the main character is a boy and readers are able to see inside his thoughts and analyze the changes he goes through as a teenager who is on the brink of going down the wrong path.
This type of the story is always one of my favorites because it tells how an underdog can overcome the circumstances he is placed in and rise above them to become a better person. This book addresses diversity because it shows life from several different perspectives. Reese is able to explain those perspectives in a surprisingly honest way considering his age; however, his experiences in life have challenged him in ways that force him to grow up quick. Reese is able to show the reader what is it life growing up around crime, gangs, and questionable situations. The foil of his character is seen in the elderly people at the nursing home and how they challenge him to keep his composure in order to avoid going to prison.
I would definitely recommend this book to all young adults. No matter where you're from or who you hang around with, there is something to be learned about overcoming the odds in this book.

Newbery Award Winners

The two books I chose to read that were either Newbery Award winners or Newbery honor books are Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins and The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.
                 

My favorite thing about Criss Cross is the title and how it so genuinely reflects the way the characters throughout the story are criss crossed throughout each other's lives. The book is a great way for young teens to connect and realize that the discoveries of life are often found in ordinary, everyday occurrences.  I also liked how the format of the chapters was varied throughout the novel. One chapter was even written in the form of haiku poems.
One thing I did not like is that there was nothing really exciting that happened to keep the reader interested. I did appreciate the honesty the author used to create the story, but at the same time it was not able to keep my attention at times. The main reason I enjoy reading is that it allows me to become interested in another world, but this world was even more uneventful than my own:)
I was able to relate to this book because it reminded me of my middle school days when girls and guys took turns having their time in the limelight; their time to "be discovered."

The Graveyard Book was almost entirely opposite in terms of being able to keep my interest. This book is based on fantasy and allows readers to connect with characters on a literal and figurative level. Nobody Owens' characteristics throughout the novel sort of remind me of my own as a child who grew up basically raising myself. I would often find myself searching for clues to my past as I was raised by people other than my parents for the last part of my childhood.
I loved how the writer was able to make the book come full circle as Nobody was able to come back to his old house where his entire family was killed when he was a baby and have a battle with Jack (the murderer) in order to seal his fate.
I have never been much of a fan of fantasy, but I have to say that I was able to get into this book because of it was relatively based on realities that children face. The fantastical nature added flair to the story line and in a way helped Nobody cope with the difficulties he faced of being a foster child who often felt unwanted and unloved.

Casey at the Bat by Ernest Thayer

I have to admit that I fell in love with this book immediately because of the drastic increase in sophisticated vocabulary and rhythm due to the poetic form the story took on. However, I can see how young children could easily become frustrated because there are so many words and concepts that might not be easily understood.
Another reason I liked the book is because it built a sense of suspense and hope. It taught the readers that you should never be arrogant or offer a spirit of poor sportsmanship through Casey's attitude as he stepped up to the bat.It's funny that I read this book tonight because my my school just finished playing in the state championship baseball game, and sadly they were not able to come away with the win, just like Mudville.
I know that most people like happy endings to stories like this one (including me), but sometimes the reality is that you just can't win them all. Hopefully this will build character and strength in readers to never give up.

When Sophie Gets Angry- Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang

There were two things I liked most about this book. The first was that it was very realistic and any child, or adult for that matter, can relate to the frustrations that Sophie experiences. Second, I liked how the language in the book was much more sophisticated than the other Caldecott Award winners I have read. The author uses metaphors, alliteration, and other language devices that young children probably have not been formally introduced to yet, but they can still appreciate them for adding literary merit to the book.
The illustrations are very vibrant and even created a sense of humor (for me at least). The sense of exaggeration is a little much for me as an adult reader, but I can definitely tell how children could relate to things like Sophie getting ready to explode like a volcano.
This book makes me think of what I used to do as a child when I would get mad or upset about something, and ironically it was very similar to what Sophie does in the book, so I was able to relate to her on a personal level. Sometimes you just have to go outside, take a deep breathe, and realize that the world will go on!

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

I learned a valuable lesson about children's literature from reading this book. The simpler; the better. I love how kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, something that small children can definitely relate to. It describes how children have to learn about new concepts that are presented to them through worldly objects on a daily basis.
My favorite aspect of the book is how kitten is rewarded at the end. She has a horrible run of back luck, but she is able to see how her hard work and persistence pays off in the end.
I was not a big fan of the illustrations as they were very simple and in black and white, but they were able to convey the fact that the story takes place at night, which is a key part of the story line.
This book made me think of how my childhood best friend and I used to sit outside on summer nights looking up at the moon and trying to find the face of the man in the moon. We used to psych ourselves out into thinking that we saw a witch crossing the moon...just using our imaginations I guess:) It was nice to reflect on those times.

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkey

The best thing about this book is that it teaches children the trait of humility. The lion is traditionally known as the king of the jungle and he is usually ruthless and eats anything in his path. However, the lion is accidentally awakened by the mouse and for some reason the lion pardons the mouse's life. Later, the lion is trapped by poachers and the mouse returns the favor by getting together an entire group of mice to chew the ropes and free the lion.
This book teaches children to interpret the story on their own because there are not words to accompany the illustrations and readers have no idea about what kinds of traits the lion and the mouse possess. The book also teaches that each and every person has something important to offer to his fellow friend (no matter size or strength). The cover of the book sets this viewpoint straight because one side is dominated by a picture of a lion and the other is equally dominated by a picture of a mouse.
It also teaches a lesson of friendship and sends the message that two totally different "people" can be friends despite their differences.
The illustrations provide intense details of the African Serengeti.

Flotsam by David Wiesner

This book is probably one of the most imaginative children's books I've ever read. It has no words and requires the reader to use his imagination in order to determine exactly what the story is about by looking at the detailed illustrations. This is one of my favorite parts about the book because there will always be a slightly different interpretation from the reader about the young boy's thoughts, feelings, reactions, etc. It is obvious that the boy finds an underwater camera and develops the film, but we don't know how he feels about it. It is left up to the reader to decide.
The illustrations are very colorful, detailed, and they present underwater ocean creatures as human beings in several different ways. I think this is great because it allows children to use their imagination and give ocean creatures personalities and character traits of their own.
This would be a great read for any child who has the ability to look at a picture and describe what is going on. It would be great to use in the classroom because you could have students write their version of the story and then compare them with other students in the class.

Caldecott Award Winners

The books I chose to read that were either Caldecott Award Winners or Honor Books are:
1. Flotsam by David Wiesner
2. Casey at the Bat by Ernest Thayer
3. When Sophie Gets Angry- Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang
4. The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkey
5. Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

Welcome to my blog!

Hello everyone! This is my reading journal blog. I will be posting comments about the different books I am reading for one of my LME courses throughout the semester. I hope you enjoy! I like to put faces with names, so I am attaching a picture of my family. I hope you all will do the same!