The Complete Kwanzaa: Celebrating Our Cultural Harvest

The Complete Kwanzaa: Celebrating Our Cultural Harvest

Written by: Dorothy Winbu Riley

Upper Elementary, Junior High, and High School Grades

"Celebrated between December 26 and January 1, Kwanzaa gives African Americans an opportunity to reunite with family and friends, and pay tribute to their rich cultural heritage. More than just a holiday guide, this book gives an inspirational explanation of the seven principles of Kwanzaa."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.aakulturezone.com/kidz/abc/kwanzaa.html

Chanukah Lights Everywhere

Chanukah Lights Everywhere

Written by: Michael J. Rosen
Illustrated by: Melissa Iwai

Elementary Grades

“One crescent moon glows in the sky. Two headlights shine through the window. . . . On each magical night of Chanukah, a young boy and his sister count more lights shining all around them! Join them as they discover what it means to celebrate Chanukah in a world filled with so many other lights.”

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/hanukkah/hanukkah.php

The Legend of the Poinsettia

The Legend of the Poinsettia

Written and Illustrated by: Tomie dePaola

Elementary Grades

"In this legend from Mexico, a little girl, Lucinda, is proud to help her mother weave a new blanket for the Baby Jesus to be used in a Christmas procession. But when Lucinda's mother takes ill, Lucinda tangles the yarn and is unable to complete the blanket. Feeling she has ruined Christmas, Lucinda is reluctant to go to the procession until a mysterious old woman appears from the shadows and tells Lucinda, "Any gift is beautiful because it is given. Whatever you give, the Baby Jesus will love because it comes from you." Nervously, Lucinda grabs an armful of weeds, which she brings into the church. As she prays, the weeds open into dazzling red flowers that decorate the altar."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=67

My Chinatown: One Year in Poems

My Chinatown: One Year in Poems

Written and Illustrated by: Kam Mak

Elementary Grades

"Chinatown -- a place of dragons
and dreams; fireflies
and memories

Chinatown -- full of wonder
and magic; fireworks
on New Year's Day and a delicious
smell on every corner

Chinatown -- where every day
brings something familiar
and something wondrously new
to a small boy

Chinatown -- home?

Kam Mak grew up in a place of two cultures, one existing within the other. Using extraordinarily beautiful paintings and moving poems, he shares a year of growing up in this small city within a city, which is called Chinatown."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://free-reading.net/index.php?title=Introduce_Vocabulary:_My_Chinatown:_One_Year_in_Poems_%28Mak%29

Nadia's Hands

Nadia's Hands

Written by: Karen English
Illustrated by: Jonathan Weiner

Elementary Grades

"In Nadia's Hands, a young Pakistani American girl worries about what her classmates will say when they see the intricate designs painted on her hands as she prepares to be the flower girl in her aunt's wedding. But as she participates in the traditional ceremony, Nadia learns to appreciate the beauty of her hands -- and the richness of her heritage."

Boyd's Mill Press

Online Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehndi

Hiromi's Hands

Hiromi's Hands

Written and Illustrated by: Lynne Barasch

Elementary Grades

"Growing up in New York City, Hiromi Suzuki missed spending time with her father, a sushi chef who worked long hours in the family's Japanese restaurant. So one day when she was eight years old, Hiromi begged her father to take her to the Fulton Fish Market, where he bought fresh fish. Hiromi was fascinated by what she saw and learned; by the time she was thirteen, she was ready to take the next step. She asked her father to teach her to make sushi. Little did Hiromi realize that her request would lead her to the forefront of a minor culinary revolution, as women claimed their place in the once all-male world of sushi chefs."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.leeandlow.com/p/hiromi.mhtml
http://www.sushi-academy.com/pages/article/newyorktimes.html

New Clothes for New Years Day

New Clothes for New Years Day

Written and illustrated by: Hyun-Joo Bae

Elementary Grades

"Young children will connect with the Korean little girl in this imported picture book who dresses up to welcome the New Year. Simple words and inventively composed pictures depict each step in donning the elaborate, traditional costume, from the wrapped and tied "rainbow-striped jacket" to the silk pouch that brings good luck. Bae's delicate illustrations move smoothly between depictions of mishaps as the child wrestles with troublesome accessories and grand, wordless portraits, often incorporating traditional furnishings and ornamentation that demonstrate pride in cultural heritage. This makes an inviting addition to lunar New Year offerings, which frequently focus on Chinese celebrations."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.familyculture.com/holidays/korean_new_year.htm

Wanting Mor

Wanting Mor

Written By: Rukhsana Kahn

Junior High and High School Grades

"Jameela and her family live in a poor, war-torn village in Afghanistan. Even with her cleft lip and lack of educational opportunities, Jameela feels relatively secure, sustained by her Muslim faith and the love of her mother, Mor. But when Mor dies, Jameela’s father impulsively decides to start a new life in Kabul. Jameela is appalled as he succumbs to alcohol and drugs, then suddenly remarries, a situation that soon has her a virtual slave to a demanding stepmother. After she’s discovered trying to learn to read, Jameela is abandoned in a busy market, eventually landing in an orphanage run by the same army that killed so many members of her family. Throughout it all, the memory of her mother sustains her, giving Jameela the strength to face her father and stepmother when fate brings them together again. Inspired by a true story, and set in a world far removed from that of Western readers, this powerful novel reveals that the desire for identity and self-understanding is universal."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/wanting_mor.htm

Whale Snow

Whale Snow

Written by: Debby Dahl Edwardson
Illustrated by: Annie Patterson

Elementary Grades

"Filled with joy, this tale about a loving family and a caring community is something all youngsters can understand. Amiqqaq is home with his grandmother when fat flakes begin to fall. She refers to the precipitation as "whale snow," which occurs when a whale has given itself to the people of their Alaskan village. Soon Amiqqaq's father comes in to announce the kill, and then takes the boy to see the great beast. Before long, Amiqqaq begins to understand the true spirit of the whale, as members of his community come together to celebrate and prepare its different parts for use. The author has included notes about the Iupiat culture, a list of words in Iupiaq, and a link to a Web site where readers can access the story written in that language.

Although infused with the colors of winter, the illustrations create a sense of peace and warmth. Patterson's characters acknowledge the strengths of modern culture without giving up traditional ways: Amiqqaq's father rides a skidoo, but also wears the traditional parka, and villagers dress in various combinations of jeans, parkas, and warm boots. An intriguing glimpse into another culture."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
**this link contains a downloadable readers theatre script on the left side of the page**
http://www.debbydahledwardson.com/whale_snow_89219.htm

The First Tortilla: A Bilingual Story

The First Tortilla: A Bilingual Story

Written by: Rudolpho Anaya
Illustrated by: Amy Cordova

Elementary Grades

"The First Tortilla is a moving, bilingual story of courage and discovery. A small Mexican village is near starvation. There is no rain, and the bean and squash plants are dying. Jade, a young village girl, is told by a blue hummingbird to take a gift to the Mountain Spirit. Then it will send the needed rain. Burning lava threatens her, but Jade reaches the top of the volcano. The Mountain Spirit is pleased. It allows the ants in a nearby cave to share their corn with Jade. The corn was sweet and delicious and Jade took some back to save the village. Jade grinds the dry corn, adds water, and makes dough. She pats the masa and places it on hot stones near the fire. She has made the first tortilla. Soon the making of corn tortillas spreads throughout Mexico and beyond."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?pag=3&bookID=00000718

The Farolitos of Christmas

The Farolitos of Christmas

Written and illustrated by: Rudolfo Anaya

Elementary Grades

"Richly colored full-page paintings show a lovingly individualized Chicano family that is part of a New Mexico community in the open landscape under the starlit winter sky. Anaya's upbeat story, first published in a magazine in 1987, focuses on Luz, a young girl whose father, wounded in World War II, hasn't come home yet. Her sick grandfather is not strong enough to cut the logs for the traditional luminarias (small bonfires), so Luz and her Indian friend Reina from a nearby pueblo find a way to make farolitos (lighted candles in paper bags weighted with sand) to light the way for the Christmas pilgrims. The Spanish words are a natural part of the narrative (they're explained in a glossary at the back), and if the plot's contrived (Dad returns home just in time), the image of the path of light is touching and beautiful."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://gosw.about.com/od/artscraftsandshopping/a/luminarias.htm

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book

Written and illustrated by: Yuyi Morales

Elementary Grades

"Winking and nodding as she goes, a Latino grandmother will charm readers as she charms Death Himself in this original counting-cum-trickster tale. When skeletal Senor Calavera appears at the door, Grandma Beetle bids him wait while she sweeps ONE house ('UNO'), makes TWO pots of tea ('DOS'), grinds THREE pounds of corn for tortillas ('TRES'), and so on, culminating in a festive birthday party at which Senor Calavera finds himself guest number TEN ('DIEZ'). As Grandma, round and brown, with sparkles in her eyes and gray hair both, bustles about, the expression on Senor Calavera's sugar-skull face grows more and more hilariously impatient -- but by party's end, he's departed, leaving a thank-you note promising to be back for Grandma Beetle's next birthday. Lit with dancing lines and warm colors, Morales' illustrations enhance the appeal of this winning story even further."

Kirkus Starred Review

Online Resources:
http://www.yuyimorales.com/just_aminute.htm

Los tres cerdos / The Three Pigs: Nacho, Tito y Miguel

Los tres cerdos / The Three Pigs: Nacho, Tito y Miguel

Written and illustrated by: Bobbi Salinas

"This book offers a spicy retelling of the familiar tale of the three little pigs. In this version, they are named Nacho, Tito, and Miguel. They eat fresh tortillas and roast corn. They cook green chile stew (recipe included) and prefer to dress in zoot suits, cowboy hats, and guayaberas (a traditional men's shirt). The landscape they inhabit is definitely Southwestern, as are their speech patterns. Violence has been toned down from the original folk tale. Although the wolf still dreams of eating the pigs ("Chicharrones and carnitas sound good!") the most violent scene shows the wolf getting bowled over by a runaway barrel. The excellent illustrations are entertaining, intelligent, and witty, offering lots of visual jokes and cross-cultural references to the likes of Elvis Presley, Frida Kahlo, and Cesar Chavez. This book is meant to be read out loud. Aside from the recipe for green chile stew, it also offers costume ideas for classroom plays, a glossary, and biographical notes about the author."

Publishers Weekly Review

Online Resources:
http://www.riverabookaward.info/page/Salinas,+Bobbi

My Land Sings: Stories from the Rio Grande

My Land Sings: Stories from the Rio Grande

Written by: Rudolfo Anaya
Illustrated by: Amy Cordova

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"This collection of stories has elements of both Mexican and Native American folklore. Anaya has included five of his own stories and retold and enhanced five traditional tales. Filled with ghosts, devils, and tricksters, these cuentos are suffused with the beliefs of the peoples in the Rio Grande region. Because of the predominating Roman Catholicism of those who settled the area, the pieces have strong elements of that religion in them as well. The tales are divided into categories such as rogues and rascals, enchantment, animals, and riddles; some are humorous, while others teach a lesson. The latter is represented by the author's story "Sipa's Choice," in which a young leader and his people are metamorphosed into golden carp because the young man failed to respect the traditional ways of his father. Anaya champions the reading of a good book or listening to a folktale as an opportunity to insert one's own experiences into the story and, hence, to nurture the imagination. This appealing volume will add diversity to folklore collections."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.gale.cengage.com/free_resources/chh/bio/anaya_r.htm

Los Gatos Black on Halloween

Los Gatos Black on Halloween

Written by: Marisa Montes
Illustrated by: Yuyi Morales

Elementary Grades

"A cat's green eyes stare out from the book's cover. Inside, there are more of los gatos--as well as las brujas (witches), los fantasmas (ghosts), and los esqueletos (skeletons looking like they have come from a Dia de los Muertos celebration. The pithy, rhyming text tells a frightening, if familiar, story. The ghosts and ghoulies are off to a Monsters' Ball at Haunted Hall, and though there's plenty of scary stuff around, the guests are most frightened by the children who come knocking at the door for trick-or-treat. Montes' evocative poem deserves exceptional artwork, and Morales obliges. Her soft-edged paintings glow with the luminosity of jewels, and her witches, werewolves, and corpses are frighteningly executed. Therein lies what may be a problem for preschoolers. These fiends aren't particularly kid-friendly; they are dead-eyed, Day of the Dead folk who scare. For slightly older children, however, this spookiness is what Halloween is all about. The Spanish is neatly integrated into the text, but for those who need clarification, a glossary is appended."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.marisamontes.com/GatosBlack.htm

Downtown Boy

Downtown Boy

Written by: Juan Felipe Herrera

Junior High and High School Grades

"Juanito Paloma, his mother Lucha, and his elderly father Felipe, are a tiny family who, after years of working in the fields of California's Central Valley, move to San Francisco's Latin Mission District to live with relatives. Juanito longs to be in one place, rather than "going, going, going," and pines for the love of his often-absent father. This family story of growing up Latino will resonate with readers of all backgrounds."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3035
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/books/review/Burt2-t.html?_r=2&oref=slogin

My Very Own Room/Mi propio cuartito

My Very Own Room/Mi propio cuartito

Written by: Amada Irma Perez
Illustrated by:

Elementary Grades

"I woke up one morning in a crowded bed in a crowded room," begins this warm bilingual story of a young Mexican American girl's search for her own space in an overflowing house. Because the eight-year-old narrator shares a room with five brothers, she climbs trees to find quiet and longs for a room of her own. Behind a flour-sack curtain, she finds a storage closet with possibilities: "I imagined it with my own bed, table, and lamp--a place where I could read the books I loved, write in my diary, and dream." Working together "like a mighty team of powerful ants," the family moves the closet's contents to the back porch and helps the girl create her own room. The naive-style, tropical-colored paintings, reminiscent in places of mural art, illustrate the frustrations of too-little space, the tenderness between the girl and her mother, and the family's loving resourcefulness within the cheerful chaos. An excellent choice for libraries in Hispanic and migrant communities, this book will resonate with all young ones growing up with limited space and resources."

Booklist Review

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

A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Ines

A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Ines

Written by: Pat Mora
Illustrated by: Beatriz Vidal

Elementary Grades

"This attractive picture-book biography introduces Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz--Mexican child prodigy turned renowned seventeenth-century scholar and poet. After teaching herself to read at age three, Juana Ines studied at the university in Mexico City and then at the viceroy's palace, where she earned a national reputation for her vast knowledge. Finally, she became a nun, devoting her life to poetry and study. Children will enjoy Mora's inspiring, anecdote-filled account of a Latin American woman who loved learning during a time when few women were educated."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.patmora.com/book_pages/sorjuana.htm

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

**This book has been nominated for the National Book Award**

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice

Written by: Phillip M. Hoose

Junior High and High School Grades

"In Montgomery, AL, in March 1955, 15-year-old Colvin refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. She was arrested, and although she received some help from local civil rights leaders, they decided that the sometimes-volatile teen was not suitable to be the public face of a mass protest. Later that year, Rosa Parks sparked the famous bus boycott. Colvin was left with a police record and soon faced the additional problems of an unwed pregnancy and expulsion from school. In spite of those troubles, she consented to be named as a plaintiff in the court case that eventually integrated Montgomery's buses. Thus Colvin played a central role in the city's civil rights drama, but her story has been largely lost to history. Hoose, who had been curious about the often-unidentified teen who first defied bus segregation, persuaded her to tell her story.

His book puts Colvin back into the historical record, combining her reminiscences with narrative about her life and the tumultuous events of the boycott. He includes background about segregated Montgomery and places Colvin's story into the context of the larger Civil Rights Movement. The text is supplemented with black-and-white photos, reproductions of period newspapers and documents, and sidebars. While virtually all students know Rosa Parks's story, this well-written and engaging book will introduce them to a teen who also fought for racial justice and give them a new perspective on the era, making it an outstanding choice for most collections."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2009_ypl_hoose.html
http://www.philliphoose.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/curiouscity/3307702101/

Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon

Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon

Written by: Susanna Reich
Illustrated by: Raul Colon

Elementary Grades

"This picture-book biography tells the story of Jose Limon, who became a legendary figure in the history of American dance. Reich punctuates the scenes of Limon's childhood in Mexico with sensory details, especially sounds: the "TRILLIA-WEET! TRILLIA-WEET!" of his grandmother's canary singing; the clicking heels of flamenco dancers; the cries of "Ole! Ole! Ole!" at the bullfight; and his mama's bedtime lullaby: "SORA-SORA-SO, SORA-SO." Later, Reich shows how the rhythmic sounds from Limon's childhood became inspirations for movements expressed in his dance.

When civil war in Mexico leads to fighting in the streets of their town, Linon's family flees to the U.S. In elementary school, laughter at his poor English fires his determination to succeed. As an adult, he moves to New York City, discovers his passion for dance, and works hard to become a dancer and choreographer. Sensitively written and beautifully illustrated, this picture book offers a soaring portrayal of achievement."

Booklist Review

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

Hip Hop Speaks to Children with CD: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat

Hip Hop Speaks to Children with CD: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat

Written by: Nikki Giovanni
Illustrated by: Alicia Vergel de Dios, Damian Ward, Kristen Balouch, Jeremy Tugeau, and Michele Noiset

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"In this slamming cousin to Poetry Speaks to Children (2005), editor Giovanni states, “Poetry with a beat. That’s hip hop in a flash,” and she goes on to link hip-hop to grand opera and present a capsule history of African American vernacular music. This features a wide-ranging selection of 51 entries, plus a CD with new or previously released recorded versions of 29, some with music. The poets range from Langston Hughes and W. E. B. DuBois to Kanye West, Mos Def, and Queen Latifah. In keeping with hip-hop tradition, many of the selections are self-referential; others take on a variety of topics, from Gwendolyn Brooks’ celebration of “Aloneness” to James Berry’s inspirational “People Equal.” Calef Brown’s “Funky Snowman” is more about medium than message: “Turn up the music / with the disco beat, / when you’re in the groove, / you don’t need feet.” Similarly, on the CD, some presentations are straight readings, and others evoke jazz, rap, pop, and field- or pulpit-style chanting."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/620000062/post/1460033146.html

Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship

Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship

Written by: Nikki Giovanni
Illustrated by: Bryan Collier

Junior High and High School Grades

"Our 16th president is known for many things: He delivered the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address.He was tall and skinny and notoriously stern-looking. And he also had some very strong ideas about abolishing slavery, ideas which brought him into close contact with another very visible public figure: Frederick Douglass. Douglass was born a slave but escaped in 1838 and became one of the central figures in the American abolitionist movement.

This book offers a glimpse into the unusual friendship between two great American leaders. At a time when racial tensions were high and racial equality was not yet established, Lincoln and Douglass formed a strong bond over shared ideals and worked alongside each other for a common goal."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:

http://teachingwithpicturebooks.blogspot.com/2009/09/lincoln-and-douglass-american.html

Rosa

Rosa

Written by: Nikki Giovanni
Illustrated by: Bryan Collier

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed.

Award-winning poet, writer, and activist Nikki Giovanni’s evocative text combines with Bryan Collier’s striking cut-paper images to retell the story of this historic event from a wholly unique and original perspective."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonplans/bookfairs/currconnection/rosa.htm
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/video.jsp?pID=1640149541&bcpid=1640149541&bclid=1557820329&bctid=1688353958

That's Not Fair! / No Es Justo!: Emma Tenayuca's Struggle for Justice/La lucha de Emma Tenayuca por la justicia

That's Not Fair! / No Es Justo!: Emma Tenayuca's Struggle for Justice/La lucha de Emma Tenayuca por la justicia

Written by: Carmen Tafolla and Sharyll Teneyuca
Illustrated by: Terry Ybanez

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"This handsome picture-book biography in English and Spanish relates the struggle of Mexican American farmworkers in the early twentieth century through the perspectiive of Emma Tenayuca, who became a labor activist. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, in the early twentieth century, Tenayuca was shocked by the gross inequality around her, comparing her comfortable home to the extreme poverty of the many families of factory and farmworkers. As a smart, kind teenager, she spoke in public about the plight of the pecan shellers in the factories, and at 21, in 1938, she led 12,000 workers in a strike that forced factory owners to raise wages. Co-authored by the late Tenayuca’s niece and one of the activist’s friends, the story is heavy on exclamatory messages. Yet the stirring, unfamiliar chapter in labor history and the humanitarian efforts of Tenayuca herself will intrigue children, who will also like the bold, mural-like illustrations, which show a child confronting suffering and growing up to make a difference."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.houstonculture.org/hispanic/tenayuca.html

El Juego de la Loteria

El Juego de la Loteria

Elementary Grades

Written and Illustrated by: Rene Colato Lainez and Jill Arena

"A young boy is going to Mexico to visit his grandmother, and he is concerned. After all, she speaks very little English, and his Spanish is vestigial. His mother assures him that all will be well and that he will come home speaking Spanish. His insecurities begin to vanish when he discovers his grandmother's job. She is a canta in a lotería booth, a game similar to Bingo. However, in place of numbers, there are cards with pictures on them, matching the pictures on the board. His grandmother calls out a rhyme that corresponds to each picture, and the boy is caught. He wants to know those rhymes. His grandmother is only too happy to teach him, but only if he will teach her English. The prose flows easily in both English and Spanish."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loter%C3%ADa

The Holy Tortilla and a Pot of Beans

The Holy Tortilla and a Pot of Beans

High School Grades

Written by: Carmen Tafolla

"Readers will be rewarded by the wisdom, wit, and hope in these 16 short stories. The selections range from the mystical appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe in "The Holy Tortilla" to the haunting yet empowering story of a victim in "The Stuff to Scream With." Other stories include the importance and power of cultural heritage in "Inheritance"; a frisky housewife and doubting husband in "Federico and Elfiria"; and the strong sense of community in "Black Leather Lu." What all of these stories have in common is the optimism that comes from taking emotional risks and forming relationships with family, friends, and community. Most of them take place in San Antonio and are peppered with Spanish words and phrases, giving the stories an authentic feeling of place. A well-organized glossary is provided. This collection will be sought after by both teens and teachers looking for strong characters and an eloquent voice in Chicana literature."

School Library Journal Review

Online resources:
http://www.wingspress.com/book.cfm/91/The-Holy-Tortilla-and-a-Pot-of-Beans/Carmen-Tafolla/

Does My Head Look Big in This?

Does My Head Look Big In This?

Written by: Randa Abdel-Fattah

High School Grades

"Australian 11th-grader Amal is smart, funny, outspoken, a good student, and a loyal friend. She is also a devout Muslim who decides to wear the hijab, or head covering, full-time. The story tells of her emotional and spiritual journey as she copes with a mad crush on a boy, befriends an elderly Greek neighbor, and tries to help a friend who aspires to be a lawyer but whose well-intentioned mother is trying to force her to leave school and get married. Amal is also battling the misconceptions of non-Muslims about her religion and culture. While the novel deals with a number of serious issues, it is extremely funny and entertaining, and never preachy or forced.

The details of Amal's family and social life are spot-on, and the book is wonderful at showing the diversity within Muslim communities and in explaining why so many women choose to wear the hijab. Amal is an appealing and believable character. She trades verbal jibes with another girl, she is impetuous and even arrogant at times, and she makes some serious errors of judgment. And by the end of the story, she and readers come to realize that "Putting on the hijab isn't the end of the journey. It's just the beginning of it."

School Library Journal Review

Online resources:
www.thisiswhereineedtobe.com/pdf/The_ID_Project.pdf

When I Was Puerto Rican

When I Was Puerto Rican

Written by: Esmerelda Santiago

Junior High and High School Grades

Available in English and Spanish

"Esmerelda and her seven siblings live in a corrugated metal shack in Puerto Rico. She is uprooted as a result of poverty and her parents' quarreling and suffers blows to her ego from their expectations of her. The girl goes to New York, where her grandmother lives, and must rely on her intelligence and talents to help her survive in an alien world in which being Puerto Rican is not advantageous. Her story rings true and will be an inspiration to YAs forced to make their own way in a sometimes hostile environment."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/puerto/