The Seven Chinese Brothers

The Seven Chinese Brothers

Written by: Margaret Mahy
Illustrated by: Mou-Sien Tseng

Elementary Grades

"In colorful language well suited to a story of ingenuity and valor, Mahy presents the Chinese folktale about brothers with amazing powers. Although the broad outline is the same as The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop, illustrated by Kurt Wiese (first published in 1938), Mahy's stirring retelling is very different from and just as good as the earlier effort. She has elaborated on the story, spicing it with more action and adding ironic humor. Replete with striking character portraits, the Tsengs' dramatic watercolors evoke the Orient and provide authentic, historical details."

Publisher's Weekly Review

Coolies

Coolies

Written by: Yin
Illustrated by: Chris Soentpiet

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"When the western line of the transcontinental railroad joined the eastern line at Promontory Point, UT, in 1869, the engraving commemorating the event left out an important group of workers-the Chinese. Derisively called "coolies" by their white overseers, these refugees from Southern China came to California desperate for any work that would help them feed their starving families back home. This picture book, cast as a story told by a modern Chinese grandmother, transforms the familiar ethnic slur into a badge of honor."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://cprr.org/Museum/Chinese.html
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/lesson_plans/lesson01.htm

Good Morning China

Good Morning China

Written and Illustrated by: Hu Yong Yi

Elementary Grades

"Enhanced with a foldout and animated illustrations, a day-in-the-life of a community in China is captured in this beautiful presentation of its people, places, and special happenings. Pictures and easy-to-read text portray the activities and routines of Chinese people on a typical morning in the park, with a fold-out page showing everyone in the park."

Publisher's Review - Roaring Book Press

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China

Written by: Ai-Ling Louie
Illustrated by: Ed Young

Elementary Grades

"Yeh-Shen," a Chinese version of Cinderella tale contains many familiar details - a poor over-worked girl, a wicked stepmother and stepsister, a magical helper, a king in search of a wife, and a lost shoe. But while Cinderella is simply handed gifts from her fairy godmother, Yeh-Shen earns her wishes through kindness to a magic fish. This one change makes a big difference in the ethical tone of the book. It also makes the reader feel much more sympathetic toward Yeh-Shen, who seems to deserve every bit of good fortune she gets.

The illustrations greatly add to the book's charm. Ed Young's style is striking and unique. There's a misty, ethereal quality to his art that makes everything look as if it were taking place in a dream - which is just perfect for the book."

Amazon.com Review

China's Bravest Girl: The Legend of Hua Mu Lan

China's Bravest Girl: The Legend of Hua Mu Lan

Written by: Charlie Chin
Illustrated by: Tomie Arai

Elementary Grades

"A simple rhyming text keeps the pace brisk in this adaptation of a fifth-century Chinese legend about a young woman who goes to war to save her family's honor. Hua Mu Lan's father has no eldest son, and so the faithful daughter decides "For love of her elderly father / she will dress in warrior's clothes, / walking and talking like a man, / so no one ever knows." Hua Mu Lan's "courage wins the day," and a "hundred battles," earning her the rank of general and the Emperor's highest esteem. Arai's jewel-toned paintings accurately portray the life of the period, and margins depicting a Chinese screen contain an inset of text in Chinese."

Publisher's Weekly Review

Yummi and Halmoni's Trip

Yummi and Halmoni's Trip

Written by: Sook Nyul Choi
Illustrated by: Karen Dugan

Elementary Grades

"Yunmi's grandmother went to New York City to take care of her while her parents worked, and charmed Yunmi's classmates during a class trip. Now Halmoni is taking the girl back to Korea for a memorial celebration of her late husband's birthday, and it is Yunmi's turn to feel like an outsider. Halmoni, who was so isolated and lonely in New York, is greeted by a large and loving family. Even her cat and dog welcome her back. Yunmi's cousins act as tour guides to the sights of Seoul, and the girl helps prepare Korean dumplings for the picnic at Grandfather's grave. At the memorial, worries overwhelm her. Halmoni seems so happy here that she may not want to return to New York. Not surprisingly, the woman reassures her American granddaughter, "We're lucky because we both have two families." This gentle, predictable story is more an introduction to Korean customs than a plot-driven narrative. Realistic illustrations of Yunmi's family, framed with borders suggesting Korean fabric design, add greatly to the book's appeal. Dugan's carefully composed paintings, glowing with color, convey the warm affection between granddaughter and grandmother."

School Library Journal Review

So Far from the Sea

So Far from the Sea

Written by: Eve Bunting
Illustrated by: Chris Soentpiet

Elementary Grades

"This picture-book account of a fictional family reveals, with gentle dignity, a sad chapter in American history. Laura Iwasaki and her Japanese-American family will soon move from California to Boston, so they are making one last visit to Laura's grandfather's grave, which lies near the Sierra Nevada Mountains, so far from the sea he loved. Before World War II, he was a fisherman. Then, along with Laura's father, her grandmother, and 10,000 other Japanese Americans, he was sent to the Manzanar War Relocation Center. There he died, and his grave is marked with only a ring of stones. The family leaves silk flowers, but Laura leaves her own special memento."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://janmstore.com/aboutus.html

Jin Woo

Jin Woo


Written by: Eve Bunting
Illustrated by: Chris Soentpiet

Elementary Grades
Jin Woo tells the story of David, a young adoptee whose family is preparing to adopt a second child: a Korean baby boy named Jin Woo.

Like many children expecting a new child into the family, David has some concerns. But his parents assure him that the love they share with the new baby will not diminish the love they have for him. And David bonds with his new brother, ensuring the unity of the newly enlarged family.

This is a good story with educational value. The author brings up some interesting aspects of cross-cultural/international adoption. The easy-to-read text is well complemented by Soentpiet's colorful, realistic illustrations. I recommend "Jin Woo" for both home and classroom."

Amazon.com Review

Favorite Children's Stories from China and Tibet

Favorite Children's Stores from China and Tibet

Written by: Lotta Carswell Hume and Koon-Chiu Lo

Elementary Grades

"Here is a world where humans and animals switch places, a captivating world where magic can be both good and evil. This is the world of Favorite Children's stories from China and Tibet. These unique stories are fresh and charming, filled with humorous insights into Chinese life and culture, including the power and influence of the moon and the importance of festivals. Some tales, such as "Chinese Cinderella," touch on themes we already know, while all of them sparkle with wit and fantasy."

Amazon.com Reviews

Korean Children's Favorite Stories

Korean Children's Favorite Stories

Written by: Kim So-Un and Jeong Kyoung-Sim

Elementary Grades

"This collection of 13 Korean folktales was originally published in 1955 as The Story Bag. Kyoung-Sim's new watercolor illustrations, filled with animals, demons, and resourceful folk, make this edition much more attractive, and the short, straightforward retellings are well suited for independent reading as well as for reading aloud. The handsome anthology will enrich multicultural studies and expand folklore collections."

Booklist Review

My Name is Yoon

My Name is Yoon

Written by: Helen Recorvits
Illustrated by: Gabi Swiatkowska

Elementary Grades

"With subtle grace, this moving story depicts a Korean girl's difficult adjustment to her new life in America. Yoon, or "Shining Wisdom," decides that her name looks much happier written in Korean than in English ("I did not like YOON. Lines. Circles. Each standing alone"). Still, she struggles to please her parents by learning an unfamiliar language while surrounded by strangers. Although her teacher encourages her to practice writing "Yoon," the child substitutes other words for her name, words that better express her inner fears and hopes. Calling herself "CAT," she dreams of hiding in a corner and cuddling with her mother. As "BIRD," she imagines herself flying back to Korea. Finally, she pretends she is "CUPCAKE," an identity that would allow her to gain the acceptance of her classmates. In the end, she comes to accept both her English name and her new American self, recognizing that however it is written, she is still Yoon."

School Library Journal Review

As Long As the Rivers Flow: The Stories of Nine Native Americans

As Long As the Rivers Flow: The Stories of Nine Native Americans

Written by: Paula Gunn Allen and Patricia Clark Smith

Junior High and High School Grades

"Allen and Smith profile nine individuals of Native American or Native American/white backgrounds from the 17th century to the present. Most were raised in American Indian communities, but several were members of families that distanced themselves from Native American culture. Geronimo, Will Rogers, Maria Tallchief, Wilma Mankiller, Michael Naranjo, and Louise Erdrich are among the figures included. The authors believe that identification as Native Americans has enriched the lives of their subjects and enabled most to succeed, in spite of the fact that many had to overcome prejudice to do so. A wide variety of experience is contained in this narrative, and the biographical sketches fill in gaps in American history. Writing from a Native American perspective, the authors express pride and passion in their heritage. Their commitment and fluent prose will involve readers of all backgrounds. A black-and-white photo or drawing of each subject is included."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.nativeamericans.com/BiographiesForKids.htm

Where the Buffaloes Begin

Where the Buffaloes Begin

Written by: Olaff Baker
Illustrated by: Stephen Gammell

Elementary Grades

"Originally published in 1915, this story retells a Blackfoot Indian tale. Curious about Nawa, the wise man's story about the origins of the sacred buffaloes from the center of a lake, fearless young Little Wolf sneaks away in the middle of the night to keep watch over the lake. The text conveys visceral, sensory experiences: "Little Wolf felt the blood run along his body. He clutched at the prairie grass, crushing it in his hot hands." The story unfolds slowly with a few wordless spreads scattered throughout. The story is divided into sections adorned with illustrations of artifacts, such as moccasins, hats, and weapons. The action of the story is conveyed in soft and misty pencil sketches, capturing the dreamlike mood of the story.

According to the author bio, Baker is an English author who spent "a great deal of time" with the Blackfoot Indians. The style of the illustrations is reminiscent of anthropological or archaeological drawings. A note at the conclusion of the story offering contextual details about the Blackfoot and the artifacts presented in the story would be a welcome addition, as well as acknowledgment of the fact that this is no longer the way of life for Native Americans."

Amazon.com Review

Caldecott Honor Book, 1986

When Clay Sings

When Clay Sings

Written by: Byrd Baylor
Illustrated by: Tom Bahti

Elementary Grades

"Pieces of broken pots are scattered over the desert hillsides of the Southwest. The Indians there treat them with respect -- "Every piece of clay is a piece of someone's life," they say. And the children try to imagine those lives that took place in the desert they think of as their own.

Clay has its own small voice, and sings. Its song has lasted for thousands of years. And Byrd Baylor's prose-poem as simple and powerful as the clay pots, sings too."

Publisher's Review - Simon and Schuster

Awards:
Caldecott Honor Book, 1973

The Girl Who Loved Horses

The Girl Who Loved Horses

Written and Illustrated by: Paul Goble

Elementary Grades

"For most people, being swept away in a horse stampede during a raging thunderstorm would be a terrifying disaster. For the young Native American girl in Paul Goble's 1979 Caldecott-winning masterpiece, The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses, it is a blessing. Although she loves her people, this girl has a much deeper, almost sacred connection to her equine friends. The storm gives her the opportunity to fulfill her dream--to live in a beautiful land among the wild horses she loves.

With brilliant, stylized illustrations and simple text, Paul Goble tells the story of a young woman who follows her heart, and the family that respects and accepts her uniqueness. Considering how difficult it is for some communities to allow friendships to grow between people of different cultures, this village's support for the girl's companions of choice is admirable. Goble's bold paintings reflect this noble open-mindedness. The young horse fanatic of the house will joyfully add this book to his or her collection. Children are passionate people; they will relate."

Amazon.com Review

Awards
Caldecott Award, 1978

Web Resources:
http://monet.unk.edu/mona/contemp/goble/goble.html

The Desert Is Theirs

The Desert Is Theirs
Written by: Byrd Baylor
Illustrated by: Peter Parnall

Elementary Grades

"You may think of the desert as a harsh, dry place where no one would ever want to live -- but think again. The Desert People know, and so do the animals. Both love the land and, "share the feeling of being brothers in the desert, of being desert creatures together." Byrd Baylor's spare, poetic text and Peter Parnall's striking illustrations lime the sky, stone and sand of the desert in this haunting book"

Publishers Review - Aladdin Books

Awards:
Caldecott Honor Book, 1988

Web Resources:
http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/desert/deserttg.html

The Forbidden Schoolhouse: The True and Dramatic Story of Prudence Crandall and Her Students

The Forbidden Schoolhouse: The True and Dramatic Story of Prudence Crandall and Her Students

Written by: Suzanne Jurmain

Junior High and High School Grades

"Jurmain has plucked an almost forgotten incident from history and has shaped a compelling, highly readable book around it. In 1831, Prudence Crandall opened a school for young white ladies. When asked by an African American teenager if she might join the class, Crandall, whose sympathies were with the abolitionists, agreed. So begins a jolting episode in which Crandall turned her school into one for girls of color, and is both tormented and sued by the citizenry of Canterbury, Connecticut, who wanted no part of African Americans in their town. Writing with a sense of drama that propels readers forward (and quoting the language of the day, which includes the word nigger), Jurmain makes painfully clear what Crandall and her students faced, while showing their courage as they stood up to those who tried to deter them. Printed on thick, snowy stock and including a number of sepia-toned and color photographs as well as historical engravings, the book's look will draw in readers. Children will be especially pleased by the appended material, which includes an epilogue that tells what became of the principals, as well as source notes for the many quotes."

American Library Association Review

Awards:
Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Award, 2006
Orbis Pictus Award, 2006

Web Resources:
http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=2127&q=302260

Maritcha: A Nineteenth-Century American Girl

Maritcha: A Nineteenth-Century American Girl

Written by: Tonya Bolden

Junior High and High School Grades

"Born free in a nation stained by slavery, where free blacks had few rights and rare respect, here was a girl determined to rise, to amount to something." In this captivating biography, Bolden introduces Maritcha Reymond Lyon, born in the mid-1800s into a family of free blacks in Manhattan. Lyon found fame as a teenager in Providence, Rhode Island, when she sued the state to gain admission to the all-white high school--the only high school in town. Bolden's succinct text focuses on Lyon's growing-up, and the attractive spreads feature well-chosen archival photographs and engravings that offer a fascinating glimpse of Lyon's world of "New York City's striving class of blacks." Lyon had a distinguished family, and Bolden shows how its members inspired her to succeed against formidable odds, even when she felt that "the iron had entered my soul." Bolden supplements quotes from Lyon's accounts with extensive research and enthralling detail, and the result is both an inspirational portrait of an individual and a piercing history about blacks in the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries--subjects rarely covered in books for youth. An author's note describes Lyon's adult achievements and lends insight into Bolden's research. Notes and a selected bibliography conclude this powerful volume."

Booklist Review

Awards:
Coretta Scott King Honor Book, 2006
Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book Award, 2006

Web Resources:
http://www.tonyaboldenbooks.com/maritcha_a_nineteenth-century_american_girl.html

Africa is Not a Country

Africa is Not a Country

Written by: Margie Burns Knight
Illustrated by: Anne Sibley O'Brien

Elementary Grades

"The authors narrate the experiences of children at play, at school, and at home, and use realistic illustrations to explore the cultural, environmental, ethnic, and social diversity of the 53 countries that make up the African continent. They explain that in Rwanda, refugee children (many of whom have been orphaned) are making pictures of war, while in Kenya, two children race to school, dreaming of one day becoming professional runners. From vast deserts with camels in the North to lush agricultural lands in Central and Southern Africa, the widely varied terrains are described as well. At the back a small note on each country fills in facts about geography, currency, population, etc."

Booklist Review

A Wreath for Emmett Till

A Wreath for Emmett Till

Written by: Marilyn Nelson
Illustrated by: Philippe Lardy

Junior High and High School Grades

"A Wreath for Emmett Till is a sophisticated and thought-provoking poem written by Connecticut's poet laureate and award-winning poet Marilyn Nelson. This book combines emotion, history, and social commentary to bring the life and death of Emmett Louis Till back to our nation's consciousness. Emmett Till was a fourteen-year-old African American boy murdered in 1955 in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at or speaking to a white woman. Though two men were tried for the crime, they were acquitted; no one has been convicted for Emmett's murder. In 2004 the U.S. Justice Department reopened the case based on new evidence brought to light by two documentary films.

With beautiful language that turns chilling at times, Nelson asks readers to face the atrocity of lynching and its role in our nation's history. Her poem calls readers to bear witness and speak out against such hatred and violence. A Wreath for Emmett Till invites readers to explore its layers for meaning, symbolism, and connections between past, present, and future. This powerful work lends itself to group discussion, individual study, teaching extensions and activities, and further research."

Publisher's Review: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Awards:
Coretta Scott King Honor Book, 2006

Web Resources:
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/readers_guides/nelson_wreath.shtml#about

Harlem

Harlem

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

Written by: Walter Dean Myers
Illustrated by: Christopher Myers

"Walter Dean Myers's songlike poem relates the story of a group of people who settled in New York City, hoping to improve their lots in life, only to discover that racism could still keep them from achieving success. Well-known Harlem landmarks, such as the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater, are mentioned, as are famous African Americans, like Langston Hughes and Joe Louis. The pain of discrimination is made abundantly clear through Myers's forceful, often bitter words. The pride and determination of the people of Harlem are also demonstrated, as is their at times overwhelming despair. The bold collage and ink drawings complement the text well."

School Library Journal Review

Awards:
Caldecott Honor Book, 1997

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales

Edited by: Nelson Mandela

Elementary Grades

"Mandela states in the foreword, "It is my wish that the voice of the storyteller will never die in Africa-.," and he has chosen 32 traditional tales for this handsome oversized volume. While nearly half the selections have their origins in South Africa, the rest represent some of the continent's most cherished tales and come from Botswana, Swaziland, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and other sub-Saharan countries as well as a single selection from Morocco.

Each story is introduced with a short provenance or source note, and a frontispiece map matches each tale with its geographical area. Told by a variety of storytellers and folklorists, or gleaned from previously published sources, the tellings vary from literary to contemporary. The book also provides a showcase for 18 illustrators, mostly from South Africa, who contributed one full-page illustration per story. This is a rich collection that would provide depth and breadth to any classroom study alongside the many single-tale picture-book editions readily found on library shelves."

School Library Journal Review

Awards:
Aesop Accolades Award, 2003

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys

Written by: Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard
Illustrated by: Earl B. Lewis

Elementary Grades

"The youngest and the only girl in a family with five boys, Virgie works hard to convince everyone she is old enough, strong enough, and smart enough to attend the school set up by the Quakers for recently freed blacks in Jonesborough, TN. By the end of summer, she has convinced her family that she can make the seven-mile walk to board at school each week and willingly handle the job of "learning to be free." The story is a superb tribute to the author's great aunt, the inspiration for this book. Howard crystallizes each of the family members, setting the protagonist snugly in the midst of annoying but loving brothers and wise parents. A note provides more information about the school and family in this story."

School Library Journal Review

Awards:
Coretta Scott King Honor Book, 2001

Uptown

Uptown

Written and Illustrated by: Bryan Collier

Elementary Grades

"A young boy provides a particularly inviting, personally guided tour of his uptown home, New York City's Harlem. The Metro-North railroad, chicken and waffles, shopping on 125th Street, the Apollo Theater, jazz, and summer basketball games at the playground are all part of his neighborhood's charm. As in Hope Lynne Price's These Hands (Hyperion, 1999), Collier's evocative watercolor-and-collage illustrations create a unique sense of mood and place. Bold color choices for text as well as background pages complement engagingly detailed pictures of city life."

School Library Journal Review

Awards:
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner, 2001

Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan

Brothers in Hope

Written by: Mary Williams
Illustrated by: Gregory Christie

Elementary Grades

"Through the fictionalized first-person account of one boy, Garang, this moving picture book tells the big story of children at war. Driven from his village home by the soldiers, Garang treks with other boys nearly 1,000 miles across the border, first to Ethiopia, and later to Kenya. He finds shelter in refugee camps, but many other refugees die along the way. Williams tells the story directly, without sensationalism or cover-up, and Christie's powerful acrylic paintings show the long lines moving across desert, forest, and savannah, as well as the special bond between Garang and a younger boy he adopts and the aid worker who helps him reach America. Williams' notes fill in facts. For teens interested in the subject, suggest the adult book They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky, by Alephonsion Deng (2005)"

American Library Association Review

Awards:
Coretta Scott King Honor Award for Illustration, 2006

Web Resources:
http://www.leeandlow.com/books/26/hc/brothers_in_hope_the_story_of_the_lost_boys_of_sudan

Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book

Jambo Means Hello: Swahili Alphabet Book

Written by: Muriel Feelings
Illustrated by: Tom Feelings

Elementary Grades

"This book gives introduction not only to the letters of the alphabet, but also to another language and culture. Each of the twenty-four letters (there are no q or x sounds in Swahili) is represented by a Swahili word, a clear phonetic pronunciation guide, and an explanation of how the word fits into African life. Gorgeous pencil and ink illustrations help give young African-Americans a glimpse of their heritage. A map of Africa showing the countries where Swahili is spoken is also included."

Publisher's Review - Penguin Books

Awards:
Caldecott Honor Medal, 1993

Web Resources:
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-africa/janjur/index.html

A Negro League Scrapbook

A Negro League Scrapbook

Written by: Carole Boston Weatherford

Elementary and Junior High Grades

"An engaging overview, richly augmented by archival photographs. Weatherford's text covers a great deal of ground, with a summation of the history of the Negro Leagues and sections on the pitchers, hitters, utility men, various teams, and so forth. Each topic is briefly covered on a spread of text with black-and-white photos and full-color realia designed to look like a scrapbook. Topics are introduced with a few lines of verse. Beginning with a thoughtful foreword by Buck O'Neil, the book is especially successful in conveying the significance of the Negro Leagues to the black community, and in detailing the realities of segregation."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:

http://www.caroleweatherford.com/baseball.htm
http://www.nlbpa.com/

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Written by: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson

Elementary and Junior High Grades

"This lyrical text describes Harriet Tubman's spiritual journey as she hears the voice of God guiding her North to freedom on that very first trip to escape the brutal practice of slavery. This is a moving portrait of one of the most inspiring figures of the Underground Railroad--a woman who would take 19 subsequent trips back South without being caught."

Scholastic Book Reviews

Awards:
Caldecott Honor Award, 2006
Coretta Scott King Honor Book for Illustration, 2006

Web Resources:
http://www.tracievaughnzimmer.com/Moses.htm

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins

Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins

Elementary and Junior High Grades

Written by: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by: Jerome LaGarrique

"Set in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960, this picture book tells a story of desegregation from the viewpoint of one little girl. Growing up in the South, Connie understands that there are places where she and other African Americans can and cannot eat, drink, swim, and use the bathroom. But after Dr. King visits the local college chapel to preach and her older siblings become active in the NAACP, she also knows that her people are working for change.

When her brother's friends sit down at a dime-store lunch counter that refuses them service, their act of peaceful protest starts a wave of similar demonstrations that brings better times to their community and throughout the South. An author's note gives background information about the events in Greensboro that year. Simple and straightforward, the first-person narrative relates events within the context of one close-knit family. Though rather dark, the well-composed, painterly illustrations show up well from a distance. A handsome book for classroom reading, even for middle-grade students."

Booklist Review

Web Resources:
http://www.caroleweatherford.com/freedom_lesson_plan.htm

Remember: The Journey to School Integration

Remember: The Journey to School Integration
Written by: Toni Morrison

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"This unusual blend of archival photographs, historical background, and fictional narrative brings to life the experiences and emotions of the African-American students who made the tumultuous journey to school integration. Dramatic, mostly full-page, black-and-white photographs make up the bulk of the book. An introduction sets the scene, and factual pages, consisting of several sentences, are scattered throughout. They explain the significance of the events, the trauma of racial conflict, the courage and determination of African Americans and their supporters, and the importance of remembering and understanding. With poignant simplicity and insight, Morrison imagines the thoughts and feelings of some of the people in the pictures. The wrenching, inspiring autobiographical school integration memoirs of first-grader Ruby Bridges (Through My Eyes [Scholastic, 1999]) and Little Rock Nine high school junior Melba Pettillo Beals (Warriors Don't Cry [Washington Square, 1995]) offer greater immediacy and convey a powerful message for future generations about the need for understanding, self-awareness, and self-respect."

School Library Journal Review

Awards:
Coretta Scott King Author Award, 2005

Beautiful Blackbird

Beautiful Blackbird
Written and Illustrated by: Ashley Bryan

Elementary Grades

"In Beautiful Blackbird, Bryan has adapted a folktale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia. His rhythmic and often-repeated “black is beautiful, uh-huh” message of self-acceptance and tolerance emphasizes that beauty comes from within.

“Bryan’s vividly colored, silhouetted birds using simply-cut paper collage combines with the rhythm of the lively text to offer a satisfying read aloud,” Jeter said. “’Beautiful Blackbird’ incorporates all the colors of the rainbow, adding to the message that there is room for all of us to fly together.”

American Library Association Review

Awards:
Coretta Scott King Award Book for Illustration, 2004

Peaceful Protest: The Life of Nelson Mandela

Peaceful Protest: The Life of Nelson Mandela

Written by: Yona Zeldis McDonough
Illustrated by: Malcah Zeldis

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"This easy-to-read but engaging biography introduces the life and deeds of one of the 20th century's most important leaders. Born the son of a Thembu chief, Mandela spent 27 years in a South African prison before becoming the "first elected black leader" of that nation. McDonough focuses more on Mandela's early years and the development of his political beliefs than on his later life and briefer role as president. He is presented as a resolute student and family man who was determined to fight apartheid. Facts are stated simply, and the drama of his life comes through without sentimentality or rancor.

Zeldis's brightly colored folk-art illustrations reflect her subject's life and struggle with candid simplicity. When the illustrator depicts Mandela reclining in the cramped quarters of an unusually tiny jail cell, she clearly portrays both his physical discomfort and the greater injustice of his imprisonment. A hand-drawn map of South Africa appears on the endpapers. A worthwhile addition for all collections in need of accessible introductory biographies."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.anc.org.za/people/mandela.html
http://www.nelsonmandela.org/index.php

Martin's Big Words

Martin's Big Words

Written by: Doreen Rappoport
Illustrated by: Bryan Collier

Elementary Grades

"A brief biography of Dr. Martin Luther King uses memorable words from his speeches to highlight important moments in his life. Large type and arresting collages draw the reader’s attention to Dr. King’s powerful statements. Bryan Collier grabs the reader’s emotional attention with collages made from watercolor, torn paper, and photographic images. each illustration powerfully and passionately interprets the big words spoken by Dr. King. Beginning with the strong, striking cover portrait and stained glass end papers, he conveys a reverential feeling in his art, which causes the reader to pause and think about the meaning of Dr. King’s important words."

American Library Association Review

Awards:
Coretta Scott King Honor Book, 2002
Orbis Pictus Award Winner for Outstanding Nonfiction, 2002
Caldecott Honor Book, 2002

Web Resources:
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=92

Moon Rope/Un Lazo a la Luna

Moon Rope/Un Lazo a la Luna

Written and Illustrated by: Lois Ehlert
Translated by: Amy Prince

Elementary Grades - Bilingual

"In this imaginative take on an ancient Peruvian tale, Fox persuades Mole to climb with him on a grass rope he has braided and--with the birds' help--hitched to the moon. Fox trains his sight upward and is not seen again except by the birds, who claim they can spy him in the moon still. Mole, nervously looking downward, falls; the birds carry him back to earth amid the jeers of the other animals, and to this day he prefers his solitary tunnel. Simple though it is, this retelling emphasizes its timelessness as a story: on one hand there is the insatiable desire to transcend earthly bounds; on the other, the fear of the unknown. Ehlert's characteristic, highly stylized cut-paper figures, in deep, vibrant colors that are used to set off the evanescent silver of the fox, rope and moon, capture the myth's magic and dexterously suggest its pre-Columbian origins. The book's bilingual text provides valuable material for the ever-growing audience for multicultural children's books."

Publishers Weekly Review

Web Resources:
http://bookwizard.scholastic.com/tbw/viewWorkDetail.do?workId=1257324

The Bossy Gallito

The Bossy Gallito

Written by: Lucia M. Gonzalez
Illustrated by: Lulu Delacre

Elementary Grades - Bilinigual

"This hearty Cuban folktale brings a multicultural touch to storytelling. Set in Miami's Little Havana, this book tells the tale of a bossy rooster on his way to his uncle's wedding. Using both Spanish and English text, this book is ideal for bilingual classrooms and offers a simple introduction to the joy of learning another language. Included is a glossary, and author and illustrator notes regarding the background of the story which can prompt discussions about different countries and their traditions of storytelling, and can lead to a larger discussion about how the world's diverse cultural heritage (food, language, dress) makes living in it more interesting. The big, bold color illustrations add even more humor to this endearing tale."

Scholastic Book Reviews

Awards:
Pura Belpre Honor Book, 1996

Calling the Doves

Calling the Doves
Written by: Juan Felipe Herrera
Illustrated by: Elly Simmons

Elementary Grades - Bilingual

"Calling the Doves is poet Juan Felipe Herrera's story of his migrant farmworker childhood. In delightful and lyrical language, he recreates the joy of eating breakfast under the open sky, listening to Mexican songs in the little trailer house his father built, and celebrating with other families at a fiesta in the mountains. He remembers his mother singing songs and reciting poetry, and his father telling stories and calling the doves. For Juan Felipe, the farmworker road was also the beginning of his personal road to becoming a writer."

Children's Book Press

Tomas and the Library Lady

Tomas and the Library Lady
Written by: Pat Mora
Illustrated by: Raul Colon

Elementary Grades - Available in English and Spanish

"Tomás and the Library Lady is the story of a Mexican American boy named Tomás during one summer in Iowa and the impact that a kind librarian and a multitude of books had on his life.

The story is even more affecting when we realize it is a fictionalized account of one summer in the life of a real person. An afterword reveals that the story is based on the childhood experiences of Tomás Rivera, a migrant worker whose desire to learn led him to a career as a writer and educator. He died in 1984, while serving as the chancellor of the University of California at Riverside."

Children's Picture Book Review

Awards:
Texas Bluebonnet Master List Title, 1999-2000

Web Resources:
www.patmora.com

Dona Flor

Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Woman with a Great Big Heart

Written by: Pat Mora
Illustrated by: Raul Colon

"A charming tall tale set in the American Southwest. Doña Flor, a giant, is a benevolent presence in her pueblo. While at first kids teased the young and large Flor, she quickly became an asset to them, whisking them off to school when they were running late or making tortillas big enough to be used as rafts on the river. The action starts when a puma is heard howling in the vicinity; the villagers are terrified and even Doña Flor can't find it. The animals know where the gato is so she follows their advice and the situation is delightfully resolved."

School Library Journal

This book is a great read aloud story to use with students who will pick up on the Spanish phrases intertwined in the story.

Pura Belpre Honor Book, 2006

Web Resources:
www.patmora.com

The Upside Down Boy

The Upside Down Boy
Written by: Juan Felipe Herrera
Illustrated by: Elizabeth Gomez

Elementary Grades - Available in English and Spanish

"Juanito is bewildered by his new school, and he misses the warmth of country life. Everything he does feels upside down. He eats lunch when it's recess; he goes out to play when it's time for lunch; and his tongue feels like a rock when he tries to speak English. But a sensitive teacher and loving family help him to find his voice and make a place for himself in this new world through poetry, art, and music.

Juan Felipe Herrera's playful language and the colorful, magical art of Elizabeth Gómez capture the universal experience of children entering a new school feeling like strangers in a world that seems upside down—at first."

Children's Book Press

Awards:
Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, 2001-2002

Poetry by Francisco X. Alarcon

Poet Francisco X. Alarcon has a collection of bilingual poetry books celebrating the seasons. His books incorporate vignettes and stories told from the perspective of his Mexican-American upbringing.

Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems - Pura Belpre Honor Book, 1998
From the Bellybutton of the Moon and Other Summer Poems - Pura Belpre Honor Book, 2000
Iguanas in the Snow and Other Winter Poems - Pura Belpre Honor Book, 2002
Angels Ride Bikes and Other Fall Poems

My Name is Gabito

My Name is Gabito: The Life of Gabriel García Márquez/Me llamo Gabito: la vida de Gabriel García Márquez

Written by :Monica Brown
Illustrated by: Raúl Colón

Elementary Grades

"This luminous picture book describes the Colombian author's childhood and influences. Brown does a wonderful job of articulating García Márquez's complex literary style (called magical realism) in a way youngsters can grasp. Even better, she shows how his imagination was nurtured and encouraged from a very early age by the things around him."

School Library Journal

Pura Belpre Award for illustration, 2008

Web Resources:
http://www.monicabrown.net/books/index.html

Frida: Viva la Vida! and Cesar Si, Se Puede!

Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life!
Written and illustrated by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand

Upper Elementary/Junior High Grades

"Frida: ¡Viva la vida! Long Live Life! uses lyrical free-verse poems which comprise the heart of a well rounded biographical work for older children. The poems, written in impassioned first-person voice, follow the arc of Frida Kahlo's life from birth to death. The opening birth poem and the closing death poem set a tone of self-determination firmly placing her in history, in her family and in her country."

Publisher Review

Pura Belpre Honor Book, 2008

Web Resources:
http://www.fridakahlo.com/

Cesar Si, Se Puede
Written by: Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Illustrated by: David Diaz

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"The life and times of César Chávez are vividly re-created in this collection of poems. Where most biographies stick to the facts of what a person did, this one also touches on the man's character and values. Children will learn about Chávez, but, more importantly, they will learn the important lessons he taught, and they will be able to apply them to their own lives. The lyrical language describes events and paints evocative pictures to which children will relate. A glossary and translation of the Spanish words used, a concise well-written biographical essay, and famous Chávez quotes are appended."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:

www.chavezorganization.org

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale
Retold by Carmen Agra Deedy
Illustrated by Michael Austin

Elementary Grades

"Martina is 21 days old and ready to give her leg in marriage. With the help of her Abuela's shocking advice, she interviews a cast of unlikely suitors to find her true love. Deedy's lively and humorous retelling of this classic Latino folktale sparkles with wit as well as aspects of the Cuban culture."

Publishers Description

Pura Belpre Honor Book, 2008
Texas Bluebonnet Nominee, 2009-2010

Web Resources:
http://www.beautifulmartina.com/

Snapshots From the Wedding

Snapshots From the Wedding

Written by: Gary Soto
Illustrated by: Stephanie Garcia

Elementary 1-6

"There's nothing like a wedding, and this book about a wedding is not quite like any other. Soto takes readers to a Mexican American nuptial, and young Maya, the flower girl, is the lens through which the action is seen. The language at times is quite sophisticated. Children who have been involved in a family wedding will easily draw comparisons to this story. A glossary provides readers with definitions of words in Spanish used throughout the text. The three dimensional shadow box illustrations add a unique element to this book"

Booklist Review

Awards:
Pura Belpre Honor Book for Illustration, 1996

In My Family

In My Family

Written and Illustrated by: Carmen Lomas Garza

Available in English and Spanish - Elementary

Taken from the introduction of In My Family: "When I was growing up, a lot of us were punished for speaking Spanish. We were punished for being who we were, and we were made to feel ashamed of our culture. That was very wrong. My art is a way of healing these wounds."

This is a very touching auto-biographical story told in pictures of how the author dealt with cultural issues related to growing up in a Mexican-American community in Texas. If you loved her first book, Family Pictures, you'll love sharing more of the stories and images that remain so vividly in Carmen's memory, and that have influenced so much of her art.

Winner of the Pura Belpre Honor Book, 1997
Texas Bluebonnett Master List, 1997-1998

Family Pictures

Family Pictures
Written and Illustrated by: Carmen Lomas Garza

Available in English and Spanish - Elementary

"Family Pictures" is the story of Carmen Lomas Garza's girlhood in Kingsville, Texas: celebrating birthdays, making tamales, finding a hammerhead shark on the beach, picking cactus, going to a fair in Mexico, and confiding to her sister her dreams of becoming an artist. These day-to-day experiences are told through fourteen vignettes of art and a descriptive narrative, each focusing on a different aspect of the traditional Mexican American culture she experienced.