Night Boat to Freedom

Night Boat to Freedom

Written by: Margot Theis Raven
Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis

Elementary Grades

"Drawing on accounts in the Slave Narrative Collection, compiled during the 1930s as part of the Federal Writers' Project, Raven presents her story from the viewpoint of Christmas John, 12, born on Christmas morning and raised on a Kentucky plantation by Granny Judith, who was captured as a child in Africa. One night Granny Judith asks him to row a young slave across the river to freedom in Ohio. Christmas John is scared, but he helps the slave and many others escape.

Finally, it becomes too dangerous for him to stay on the plantation. Granny Judith wants him to leave, but how can he leave her behind? The older mentor is as tough as the young boy, and Lewis' beautiful, unframed double-page spreads depict the bond between them, including their heartbreaking farewell embrace. The close-ups filled with the richly colored details of Granny Judith's dyed quilts are in stark contrast to the pictures of the night sky and black water, and the shadows of the runaways in the woods. Words and pictures work perfectly together, making sound from silence and light from darkness."

Booklist Review

Web Resources:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/snhome.html

Armando and the Blue Tarp School

Armando and the Blue Tarp School

Written by: Edith Hope Fine & Judith Pinkerton Josephson
Illustrated by: Hernan Sosa

Elementary Grades

"This poignant picture book narrated by a young boy is based on a true story of a New York City teacher who set up a school on a blue tarp spread on the ground near a garbage dump in Tijuana, Mexico. Armando works all day with his father in the foul-smelling dump, picking through trash, "some to sell, some to use." He begs his parents to let him go to the blue tarp school, and at last, his parents allow him to attend in the afternoons. Clear, unframed, double-page pictures in watercolor and ink with thick white outlines show the children on the tarp in the midst of the noisy colonia (neighborhood) and also the bond between the boy and his teacher.

When a huge fire burns the neighborhood, Armando's picture of the fiery night is printed alongside the story in the newspaper, and people send money to build a real schoolhouse. A lengthy final note fills in the facts and includes photos of the teacher and the pupils at the school now. Without melodrama, Armando's story shows what poverty means and the hope that things can change."

BOOKLIST

Web Resources

http://www.bluetarpschool.com/

Clara & Senor Frog

Clara and Senor Frog

Written by: Campbell Geeslin
Illustrated by: Ryan Sanchez

Elementary Grades

"Sawed in half? Rabbits pulled from hats? These are tricks, just magic tricks, and Clara knows them all. But on a visit to a rich gringo's house, she spots a picture of a watermelon, done by a famous artist. The painted fly on it looks so real, Clara swears she saw it move. At last, real magic! Soon Clara discovers her own artistic abilities and she paints as if from a dream orange cats with silver wings and shells that open up like flowers. This beautiful, original story is peppered with Spanish words, features a character reminiscent of Diego Rivera, and vibrant illustrations that evoke the essence of Mexican art."

Publishers Description

The Faithful Friend

The Faithful Friend

Written by: Robert D. San Souci
Illustrated by: Brian Pinkney

Elementary Grades

"Clement and Hippolyte are handsome, sharp-witted, and as close as brothers. When Clement falls in love with enchanting Pauline, he bids Hippolyte to join his quest to court her, and the two friends set out toward danger and adventure.

Pauline is ward of the mysterious Monsieur Zabocat -- a plantation owner reputed to be a quimboiseur, a wizard -- and, defying his wishes, Pauline joins her new fiancé and his friend on their trek home. But the fruited fields and forests they traverse hide dark forces plotting to destroy the couple...and one night -- Tam! Tam! Tamtamtam! -- the distant sound of a drum lures Hippolyte into a deadly trap that forces him to choose between his friend's safety and his own.

Robert D. San Souci and Brian Pinkney again combine their talents to bring to life a West Indian folktale that draws upon African, European, and South American traditions and imagery. The result is an extraordinary tale of romance, intrigue, and incomparable courage in which the truest of friends remain faithful to the very end."

Publishers Description

An afterword gives valuable information about the origins of the tale, and a glossary with pronunciation makes reading aloud and/or telling the tale a real pleasure. This excellent title contains all the elements of a well-researched folktale, and convincingly conveys the richness of the West Indian culture.

Web Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=1738

Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis

Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis

Written and Illustrated by: Robbin Gourley

Elementary Grades

"Edna Lewis, the granddaughter of an emancipated slave who founded Freetown, Virginia, grew up to become a famous chef of southern cuisine. Inspired by Lewis’ childhood, this debut children’s book by an artist and cookbook author celebrates the growing seasons and the irreplaceable pleasure of fresh food shared with family."

Booklist Review

Web Resources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/14/national/14lewis.html?_r=1

Francine

Francine

Written by: Karen English

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"Francie lives with her mother and younger brother, Prez, in rural Alabama, where all three work and wait. Francie's father is trying to get settled in Chicago so he can move his family up North.

Unfortunately, he's made promises he hasn't kept, and Francie painfully learns that her dreams of starting junior high school in an integrated urban classroom will go unfulfilled. Amid the day-to-day grind of working odd jobs for wealthy white folks on the other side of town, Francie becomes involved in helping a framed young black man to escape arrest -- a brave gesture, but one that puts the entire black community in danger. In this vivid portrait of a girl in the pre--Civil Rights era South, first-time novelist Karen English completes Francie's world using lively vernacular and a wide array of flesh-and-blood characters."

Publishers Description

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese

Written by: Gene Luen Lang
Illustrated by: Lark Pien

Junior High and High School Grades

"Graphic novels that focus on nonwhite characters are exceedingly rare in American comics. Enter American Born Chinese, a well-crafted work that aptly explores issues of self-image, cultural identity, transformation, and self-acceptance. In a series of three linked tales, the central characters are introduced: Jin Wang, a teen who meets with ridicule and social isolation when his family moves from San Franciscos Chinatown to an exclusively white suburb; Danny, a popular blond, blue-eyed high school jock whose social status is jeopardized when his goofy, embarrassing Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee, enrolls at his high school; and the Monkey King who, unsatisfied with his current sovereign, desperately longs to be elevated to the status of a god. Their stories converge into a satisfying coming-of-age novel that aptly blends traditional Chinese fables and legends with bathroom humor, action figures, and playground politics. Yangs crisp line drawings, linear panel arrangement, and muted colors provide a strong visual complement to the textual narrative."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://humblecomics.com/
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18328964

He Forgot to Say Goodbye

He Forgot to Say Goodbye
Written by: Benjamin Alire Saenz

High School Grades (strong language)

This novel is the second young adult novel from author Benjamin Alire Saenz which follows the lives of several high school aged characters as they navigate through cultural and social issues in their El Paso, Texas neighborhoods. It would appear Ramiro Lopez from “Dizzyland”, a working class Mexican-American barrio, and Jake Upthegrove from the upper West Side of El Paso would have little in common. A tragic twist of events including the drug related death of a family member bring Ramiro and Jake together creating an unlikely friendship that flourishes in spite of the cultural differences that exist between both characters. What transpires is a well-written novel that shows how family, culture, and social class barriers can be broken down allowing adolescents to break free of some of the stereotypes that exist in society. The author of this book uses strong and conversational language high school students will identify with. Adolescent readers will be drawn to the “realness” and relevancy of this book.

Jennie's Review

Habibi

Habibi

Written by: Naomi Shaihab Nye

Junior High and High School Grades

"When fourteen-year-old Liyanne Abboud, her younger brother, and her parents move from St. Louis to a new home between Jerusalem and the Palestinian village where her father was born, they face many changes and must deal with the tensions between Jews and Palestinians."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://litplans.com/authors/Naomi_Shihab_Nye.html

19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East

19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East

Written by: Naomi Shihab Nye

Junior High and High School Grades

"Beginning with a work inspired by the events of September 11, Naomi Shihab Nye brings together 60 of her poems in 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East including "Different Ways to Pray," "The Palestinians Have Given Up Parties" and "Football." Many of the poems, which focus on the Middle East and the Arab-American experience, have appeared in previous collections; others are published here for the first time. An excellent way to invite exploration and discussion of events far away and their impact here at home."

Publishers Weekly Review

Online Resources:
http://www.pbs.org/now/classroom/poet.html

Sitti's Secrets

Sitti's Secrets

Written by: Naomi Shihab Nye
Illustrated by: Nancy Carpenter

Elementary Grades

"When Sitti, an American girl, goes to visit her grandmother in her small Middle Eastern village on the other side of the world, they don't need words to understand each other's heart. "A thoughtful, loving affirmation of the bonds that transcend language barriers, time zones, and national borders."

School Library Journal