Grandfather Counts

Grandfather Counts

Written by: Andrea Cheng
Illustrated by: Ange Zhang

Elementary Grades

"Helen has to adjust to changes in her household when Gong Gong, her grandfather from China, comes to live with her family. Gong Gong can't speak any English, nor can Helen speak Chinese. So it's difficult for them to communicate. Worse, she has had to give up her back bedroom, so she can no longer watch the passing trains from her window. But Helen soon learns that Gong Gong is also a train watcher, and the two find they can enjoy counting the cars together, in both English and Chinese. Several Chinese words, including the numbers one to eight, are naturally incorporated into this moving story of a bicultural, biracial family."

Publishers Description

Online Resources
Classroom Guide for Book Use:
http://www.leeandlow.com/p/counts_tg.mhtml

Salsa Stories

Salsa Stories

Written by: Lulu Delacre

Elementary Grades

"This compilation of stories provides excellent insight into a variety of Latin American cultures and traditions. Characters come from places as diverse as Argentina, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Peru, and Mexico in this entertaining reverie of family traditions and the good old days."

Críticas Starred Review

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

The Best Beekeeper in Lalibela: A Tale from Africa

The Best Beekeeper in Lalibela: A Tale from Africa

Written by: Cristina Kessler
Illustrated by: Leonard Jenkins

Elementary Grades

"A traditional Ethiopian tale describing one girl’s attempt to challenge society’s
views of women and their roles, and her quest to be the best beekeeper in her village."

Online Resources:
http://www.cristinakessler.com/Books_8.htm

Buffalo Hunt

Buffalo Hunt

Written by: Russell Freedman

Elementary Grades

"As in his other acclaimed pictorial histories, Newbery Medalist Russell Freedman brings a lost world vividly to life for young readers. In accessible text full of fascinating details, he describes the importance of the buffalo to the way of life of the Great Plains Indians, paying particular attention to their various hunting methods, and the uses found for each part of the animal. He then moves on to the devastation caused by the gradual encroachment of white settlers, whose ferocious, firearm slaughter of the animals brought the species to near-extinction."

Scholastic Book Review

Online Resources:
http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-literature/Mabey.html

Navajo: Visions and Voices Across the Mesa

Navajo: Visions and Voices Across the Mesa

Written by: Shonto Begay

Junior High and High School Grades

"Begay presents a very personal view of contemporary Navajo life in this picture-book collection for older readers. Pairing 20 of his paintings with original poetry, Begay moves from the spiritual aspects of Navajo life through personal childhood memories into striking present-day images, concluding with an affirmation of continuing life and rebirth. Although his poetry especially speaks to the ongoing struggle of living in a "dual society," his paintings are firmly rooted in the Navajo culture. His work is not angry or sentimental; there is an honesty and straightforwardness that allows his readers/viewers insight into his world-view. The variety of images reflects the complexity of life that many contemporary Navajo face. An excellent addition to poetry and art collections."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://shontogallery.com/
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSLANavajoPoetryCulture36.htm

Pink and Say

Pink and Say

Written and Illustrated by: Patricia Polacco

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"This a story of interracial friendship during the Civil War between two 15-year-old Union soldiers. Say, who is white and poor, tells how he is rescued by Pinkus (Pink), who carries the wounded Say back to the Georgia home where Pink's black family were slaves. In a kind of idyllic interlude, Pink and his mother nurse Say back to health, and Pink teaches his friend to read; but before they can leave, marauders kill Pink's mother and drag the boys to Andersonville prison. Pink is hanged, but Say survives to tell the story and pass it on across generations."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=975
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/acquiring-vocabulary-through-book-170.html

The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons

The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons

Written by: Nancy Bo Flood

Elementary Grades

"For the Navajo people, the new year begins in October, when summer meets winter. The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons follows the Navajo calendar, and provides poetic descriptions of the many sights, sounds, and activities associated with each month. In November, there are string games and stories; in April, planting of corn, beans, and squash; and in July, rodeos and monsoon rains. Follow Coyote through the year, and explore how the Navajos observe the rites and passages of each month."

Publishers Description


Online Resources:
http://navajopeople.org/