Roots and Blues

Roots and Blues

Written by: Arnold Adoff
Illustrated by: R. Gregory Christie

Elementary Grades

"Through poems and poetic prose pieces, acclaimed children's author Arnold Adoff celebrates that uniquely American form of music called the blues. In his signature “shaped speech” style, he creates a narrative of moments and joyous music, from the drums of the ancestors, the red dirt of the plantations, the current of the mighty Mississippi, and the shackles, blood, and tears of slavery. Each chop of the ax is a beat, each lash of the whip fashions another line on the musical staff. But each sound also creates the chords and harmonies that preserve the ancestors and their stories, and sustain life, faith, and hope into our own times."

Product Description

Online Resources:
http://www.arnoldadoff.com/

Forge

Forge

Written by: Laurie Halse Anderson

Junior High and High School Grades

Award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson have delivered an equally thrilling novel to follow up her National Book Award Finalist book Chains with Forge. Readers can pick up right where Curzon and Isabel left off at the end of Chains as they escaped from Revolutionary New York City in the middle of the night. After their escape, Curzon and Isabel take different paths with Curzon becoming a soldier at Valley Forge. He later meets up with Isabel after his master has captured him forcing him to leave the army to become a servant again. This novel details the treacherous living conditions soldiers at Valley Forge faced during that harsh winter. Halse-Anderson also discusses how many black soldiers fought in the Revolution with the hopes of gaining their freedom when the war was over. Curzon is a well-developed character that students will be able to relate, especially those who are interested in black soldiers serving in the war. Female students will connect with Isabel and the determination she possess in spite of the struggles she faces being torn from her family. This book will have a follow-up story as well which readers (including myself) will be eagerly waiting for!"

Jennie's Review

Online Resources:
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Forge/Laurie-Halse-Anderson/9781416961444
*Readers guide at bottom of the page*
http://madwomanintheforest.com/historical-forge/
http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/links/index.html

Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States

Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States

Written by: Lori Carlson

Junior High and High School Grades

"Carlson follows up Cool Salsa (1994) with another bilingual collection of poems that appear in both Spanish and English. Included are many well-known writers, such as Gary Soto and Luis J. Rodriguez, who appeared in the first volume, as well as emerging poets. Divided into loose categories--language, identity, neighborhoods, amor, family moments, "victory"--the poems often speak about the complex challenges of being bicultural."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2005/09/author-interview-lori-m-carlson-on-red.html

Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States

Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States

Written by: Lori Carlson

Junior High and High School Grades

"As hot as jalapenos and as cool as jazz, this collection serves up "ingles con chile" and Spanish that "you feel in the blood of your soul." Lyrical, traditional poems share space with street-smart free verse, and works by the likes of Sandra Cisneros and Gary Soto are juxtaposed with entries from lesser-knowns. Illustrating the "beat and pulse" of generations of U.S. writers of Latin American heritage, the poems are presented both in the original and in translation; poems making use of both languages are easily accessible to English-only readers by virtue of an appended glossary of Spanish terms."

Publishers Weekly Review

Online Resources:
http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2005/09/author-interview-lori-m-carlson-on-red.html

Tap-Tap

Tap-Tap

Written by: Karen Lynn Williams
Illustrated by: Catherine Stock

Elementary Grades

"The journey to market is long, and eight-year-old Sasifi wants to take the "tap-tap"-the brightly painted bus that is the principal mode of public transportation in Haiti-but her mother tells her that they do not have enough money. At the market the child does an excellent job helping to sell oranges, and her mother rewards her with a straw hat and a few coins. The girl chooses to spend them by treating herself and her mother to a tap-tap ride home. As they speed down a road, Sasifi's hat blows off. It is rescued, however, and all ends well. Lively storytelling and illustrations make this an appealing if predictable picture book."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.karenlynnwilliams.com/guide.html

The Color of My Words

The Color of My Words

Written by: Lynn Joseph

Upper Elementary, Junior High Grades

"Sometimes you have no control over what will happen next, as I discovered the year I was twelve years old. . .

Ana Rosa is a blossoming young writer growing up in a poor seaside village in the Dominican Republic. At twelve, she finds herself faced with turning points that will make up who she is--watching her brother's search for a future, learning to dance and to love, and finding out what it means to be a part of a community.

But in a country where words are feared, Ana Rosa must struggle to find her own voice and the means for it to be heard. Gradually she learns that her words have the power to transform the world around her-celebrating what is most beautiful on her island and transcending even the most unthinkable of tragedies.

This debut novel from poet Lynn Joseph is a lush and lyrical journey into the landscape and culture of the Dominican Republic. The Color of My Words explores the pain and the poetry behind what it means to be part of a family, what it takes to find your place in the world-and what it feels like to write it all down."

Online Resources:
http://www.learner.org/libraries/engagingliterature/voices/lessonplan.html

Diez Deditos and Other Play Rhymes and Action Songs from Latin America

Diez Deditos and Other Play Rhymes and Action Songs from Latin America

Written by: Jose-Luis Orozco
Illustrated by: Elisa Kleven

Elementary Grades

"Singer-songwriter Jose-Luis Orozco has assembled a collection of finger rhymes and other action songs from Latin America. Including favorites such as "The Wheels on the Bus" as well as folk songs from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries, Diez Deditos is a treat for the eyes, ears, and fingers. Lyrics are presented in both English and Spanish, and easy-to-follow musical accompaniment and diagrams for the corresponding actions are also provided. As in the companion volume De Colores, bright collage illustrations by Elisa Kleven complete the appeal of this fun-filled book."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.begintoread.com/articles/reading-with-activities.html

De Colores and Other Latin American Folksongs for Children

De Colores and Other Latin American Folksongs for Children

Written by: Jose-Luis Orozco
Illustrated by: Elisa Kleven

Elementary Grades

"Fiesta-bright folk art accompanies songs from locales ranging from Argentina to the Dominican Republic. Complete with music and lyrics in both Spanish and English this bilingual collection of Latin American folk songs for children is truly a musical treasure. Each of the 27 songs is presented with background notes; lyrics in both Spanish and English; simple arrangements for the voice, piano, and guitar; and suggestions for group sing-alongs and musical games. Gathered from Spanish-speaking countries but including two of Orozco's own songs, the compilation is a programming gold mine. Included are songs for special occasions ("La pinata"), counting songs ("El chocolate"), and animal songs ("La arana pequenita"--"The Eensy, Weensy Spider" in Spanish!). There is even a handy subject index to locate appropriate songs. The book is a delight for the eye as well as the ear."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/projects/ninos/songsrhymes.html

Grandfather’s Story Cloth/ Yawg Daim Paj Ntaub Dab Neeg

Grandfather’s Story Cloth/ Yawg Daim Paj Ntaub Dab Neeg

Written by: Linda Gerdner and Sarah Langford
Illustrated by: Stuart Loughridge

Elementary Grades

"Chersheng starts to feel distant from his beloved grandfather, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Their bond is strengthened, however, when his mother gives him a story cloth made by his grandfather that represents his life as a Hmong hill farmer in Laos and his time in a refugee camp in Thailand before coming to America. A beautiful book which bridges the generation gap between children and the elderly."

**This is a bilingual book written with English and Hmong with an informative afterword written about Hmong culture**

Online Resources:
http://www.hmongculture.net/