Running The Road To ABC

Running The Road To ABC

Written by: Denize Lauture
Illustrated by: Reynold Ruffins

Elementary Grades

"The joy of learning shines through in this lyrical, freewheeling tale of a group of Haitian children on their way to school. Leaving at dawn, these barefoot students race through the countryside and town to their school to learn to read and write another letter, sound, word, line, and page in the "great and beautiful books on the Road to ABC." The text flows along with the youngsters, evoking the sounds of the early morning and the shapes of the varied terrain over which they travel. Details of the town with its bread sellers and horse tamers provide another memorable backdrop to the children's passage. This rhythmic, richly descriptive account of a "day in the life" of these young Haitians takes readers into this activity as they follow along."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://playonwords.com/blog/2009/12/08/teach-diversity-lesson-plans-for-running-the-road-to-abc/

Where There Is No Name for Art: The Art of Tewa Pueblo Children

Where There Is No Name for Art: The Art of Tewa Pueblo Children

Written by: Bruce Hucko

Elementary Grades

"The Pueblo Indian children of northern New Mexico straddle two worlds. They participate in traditional dances and play video games; they paint airplanes and horses, basketball stars and sacred kivas. This book portrays the lives of Tewa Pueblo children through their own drawings, paintings, and words, complemented by their humorous and thoughtful commentary about living in a changing culture."

Publishers Description

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

A Rainbow at Night: The World in Words and Pictures by Navajo Children

A Rainbow at Night: The World in Words and Pictures by Navajo Children

Written by: Bruce Hucko

Elementary Grades

"Using their words and their paintings, 23 Navajo children, ranging in age from 5 to 13, share views of home and family, daily activities, and myth and culture. Cathlena, age 8, tells of Water Ox, a mythological creature who makes trees grow; Steward, 12, depicts an evil Navajo chiindi; 8-year-old Trista writes and paints the story of round dancing at a pow-wow. The illustrations aren't simply isolated examples of children's art; rather they make visible connections between communal values and specific aspects of Navajo culture and life. Photos of the young artists appear alongside their work. Hucko, who served as the children's "art coach," supplies background and guidance to help children better understand and relate to the pictures and text. An unusual collection that will be welcomed by both students and teachers, particularly those interested in art, myth, and history."

Booklist Review

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

This Same Sky: A Collection of Poems from Around the World

This Same Sky: A Collection of Poems from Around the World

Written by: Naomi Shihab Nye

Junior High and High School Grades

"An award-winning multicultural compilation of poetry introduces more than 125 poems from sixty-eight countries around the world, many translated into English for the first time, and offers glimpses of similarities across people despite cultural differences."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/naomi-shihab-nye

When the Shadbush Blooms

When the Shadbush Blooms

Written by: Carla Messinger and Susan Katz
Illustrated by: Daniel Kanietakeron Fadden

Elementary Grades

"My grandparents’ grandparents walked beside the same stream where I walk with my brother, and we can see what they saw. Today when a Lenape Indian girl ventures to the stream to fish for shad, she knows that another girl did the same generations before. Through the cycle of the seasons, what is important has remained: being with family, knowing when berries are ripe for picking, listening to stories in a warm home. Told by Traditional Sister and Contemporary Sister, each from her own time, this is a book about tradition and about change. Then and now are not so very different when the shadbush blooms. Includes afterword about the culture and history of the Lenni Lenape (formerly known as the Delaware Indians)."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://www.whentheshadbushblooms.net/
http://www.lenapeprograms.info/news/new_book.htm

Blue Jasmine

Blue Jasmine

Written by: Kashmira Sheth

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"When 12-year-old Seema, her sister, and parents leave India for Iowa City, she is surprised to receive a farewell gift from Mukta, a poor classmate. In the U.S. Seema makes friends but she struggles not only with American English and customs but also with Carrie, a classmate who mocks her. As Seema copes with Carrie, she regretfully recalls how her classmates had made fun of Mukta. A serious family illness pulls Seema's family back to India for a short stay and a chance to visit Mukta. Returning home to Iowa City, Seema realizes, "like an airplane attached to two shimmering wings, I was attached to two precious homes." Filled with details that document an immigrant's observations and experiences, Seema's story, which articulates the ache for distant home and family, will resonate with fellow immigrants and enlighten their classmates. A glossary of terms and expressions is appended, but most of the Gujarati words can be understood in context."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://kashmirasheth.typepad.com/my_weblog/blue_jasmine/index.html
*Scroll down to the bottom of the page to download pdf teachers guide**

Rickshaw Girl

Rickshaw Girl

Written by: Mitali Perkins
Illustrated by: Jamie Hogan

Elementary Grades

"Ten-year-old Naima longs to earn money to help her poor Bangladeshi family, but her talent in painting traditional patterns, or alpanas, is no use. While considering whether she could disguise herself as a boy and try to drive her father's rickshaw, she wrecks the vehicle and its painted tin sides on a test-drive, threatening the family's sole livelihood. Her solution is to steal away, disguised as a boy, to a repair shop and offer her services painting decorations on the rickshaws. She is surprised to find that the owner is a woman. When Naima reveals herself, she is hired on the condition that her father will keep bringing her for training at the shop, so that her paintings will help the business. The future looks bright for the girl and her family. Short chapters, well-delineated characters, soft black-line pastel illustrations, and a child-appropriate solution enrich this easy-to-read chapter book that would also appeal to less-able middle school readers. The rich back matter includes an informative glossary of Bangla words, plus a valuable author's note that explains the process of microfinance and its results for poor women in rural markets."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.mitaliperkins.com/rickshaw_girl.html