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Title: Henry's Freedom Box

Author: Ellen Levine

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: Jan 1, 2007

Plot Summary: Henry Brown's dream of freedom seems farther away when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. Henry grows up and marries, but he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do: He will mail himself to the North. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry finally has a birthday -- his first day of freedom.

Critical Response/Analysis:
This is based on a true story from the Underground Railroad. The story is told using language and descriptions of the ordeal of life in slavery that are appropriate for elementary and middle school students.  The story of Henry's journey to freedom makes history come alive and could be utilized for a study of the Underground railroad or support a student's understanding of slavery in the United States.  This book could provide a starting point for students to discuss point of view and begin to ask questions about the stories we learn and do not learn about in school.

Connections:
Henry Box Brown is a historical topic I have taught in my 7th Grade U.S. History classes as we study the different experiences of slaves offering a different perspective from the life of a slave on a southern plantation.  One activity to make this story come even more alive for students is to use masking tape and tape off the size of Henry's box on the floor in the classroom.  Students can then sit in within the tape and imagine Henry's experience of being mailed to freedom. The writing activities that students could be instructed to use are numerous and could produce more authentic as well as practice different types of writing.

Awards:

2008 Caldecott Honor Book

2008 Notable Children's Books

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Title: Rose Blanche

Author: Christophe Gallaz

Illustrator: Roberto Innocenti
Publisher: Creative Paperbacks
Publication Date: Feb 2, 2011

Plot Summary: During World War II, a young German girl's curiosity leads her to discover something far more terrible than the day-to-day hardships and privations that she and her neighbors have experienced.

Critical Response/Analysis:
The story of Rose Blanche witnessing the effects of World War II on her hometown and the people who live there provide students with an alternative point of view of this famous historical event.  The author paints a variety of scenes that have historical relevance as well as staying true to the innocence of a young girl. This text as a work of Historical Fiction: brings history to life as the author places a fictional character in real times and places.  The book could be selected for use in the classroom to offer students discussion opportunities about emotional toll that war has on children and the adults in their life.

Connections:
In my 8th grade history class, we study World War II during the Second Semester.  As I review my unit and lesson plans year to year, I review books in order to select texts that will engage students, spark a deeper interest in the historical time period, and offer greater insight into those stories that are overlooked.
Rose Blanche could be read to encourage students to question the impact of this historical event on the people living in a war zone. Historical fiction text provide endless writing and discussion practice for students as well as interdisciplinary research projects,

Awards:
* Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration
* Mildred L. Batchelder Award
* American Library Association Notable Children's Book
* The  Boston Gobe Horn Book Honor
* Bratislava Golden Apple Award

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Title: Saturdays and Teacakes

Author: Lester Laminack

Illustrator: None
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2004

Plot Summary: In this poetic memory, a young boy rides his bicycle every Saturday up and down country roads until he reaches his beloved Mammaw’s house. While she picks tomatoes, he pushes the lawnmower through the dew-wet grass. Afterwards, he always helps her make teacakes from scratch, and the best part is eating the hot, sweet cakes fresh from the oven.

Critical Response/Analysis:
The story of the young boy who rides his bike to grandma's house reflects life that could conceivably happen to real people in the real world.  I have vivid memories of traveling to my own grandma's house and remember using a particular set of descriptive words when explaining how I knew I had almost arrived.  This style of historical fiction does not reference a specific historic event or real persons but does include facts about social history like how characters live, eat, play, and what conflicts they must resolve. Saturdays and Teacakes will take children on a journey allow for living vicariously through the characters to experience the love of family.

Connections:
The author draws inspiration from his own childhood memories growing up in Heflin, AL, to write this story. He re-creates nostalgic scenes, carefully bringing the memories to life by describing the sunny kitchen, the crunch of gravel under bicycle wheels, and the sweet aroma of the cakes. The illustrations of watercolor paintings glow with light and idyllically capture the world of yesterday. Older readers may enjoy sharing this book with their grandparents, and teachers might incorporate it into lessons about writing descriptive memoirs.

Awards: None to date.

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Title: John Henry An American Legend

Author: Ezra Jack Keats
Illustrator: Same as Author
Publisher: Dragonfly Books
Publication Date: May 12, 1987

Plot Summary: John Henry was born with a hammer in his hand. When men started talking about laying railroad tracks across the prairies and deserts, and right through the mountains, John Henry knew he and his hammer had to be a part of it. Then came the day when a challenge was announced: Who could dig a tunnel through a mountain faster—John Henry and his hammer? Or a steam drill?

Critical Response/Analysis:
John Henry is an example of a legend, most likely passed down through word of mouth. Since it was published during the Civil Rights era, the legend was an empowering history of how strong African Americans could be. Like most legends, John Henry has a simple plot with a clear moral and little character development. John Henry is depicted as a strong, powerful force of nature that was a a driving force in this story.

Connections: Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read.  It all started in 7th grade when I first read Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes.  The combination of a fictional story woven into the Revolutionary era featuring real historical events and people fostered a love of reading to experience the past.  My own childhood experience can further support the idea that a purpose of literature is to cultivate wonder among students.  One way to integrate John Henry into a classroom could be to analyze this story as it relates to the era it was written about and the era it was published in.  Analyzing this legend could be used as a powerful tool in teaching and learning about the Civil Rights Movement. Another way to incorporate this text is to compare the not book of John Henry and the Disney film of John Henry. Students would examine the book and the film to see how the legend has evolved and been changed to the needs of the times. The students would have a chance to analyze the change in the John Henry story and compare to see if the moral has remained the same.

Awards:

1994 Parents' Choice Gold Award

1995 Boston Globe Horn Picture Book Award

1995 Caldecott Medal  Honor

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Title: 28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World

Author: Charles R. Smith,
Illustrator: Shane W.
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: Jan 13, 2015

Plot Summary: Each day features a different influential figure in African-American history, from Crispus Attucks, the first man shot in the Boston Massacre, sparking the Revolutionary War, to Madame C. J. Walker, who after years of adversity became the wealthiest black woman in the country, as well as one of the wealthiest black Americans, to Barack Obama, the country's first African-American president.

Critical Response/Analysis:
The author Charles R. Smith designed this book to be used for Black History Month, and wanted to highlight people, events, and legislation connected to the historical experiences of black people in America.  The number 28 is significant to the concept of this book since February has 28 days and this is the month Black History has traditionally been the focus of in schools.   Smith wrote a 28-day collection of poems, written in his rhythmic rap style, for young readers to learn about black history.  The historical subject matter of this text is an excellent example of the sources for historical fiction: facts and imagination.

Connections:  This book would be a wonderful addition to a history teacher's collection of children and young adult literature to share with students throughout the year beyond the month of February. Many history teachers are making efforts to acknowledge the stories of
those who have been left out of particular accounts of history while finding ways to share these forgotten voices with their students..  Students are now able to experience the past by reading about the conflicts, the suffering, the joys, and the despair of those who came before us. I see enormous potential for incorporating this book into my own classroom and working with students to write their own rap-style poems expressing the historical impact and significance of people, events, legislation, and more.

Awards:

2016 CLA Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts

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Title: Between the Lines

Author: Nikki Grimes
Illustrator: None
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books / Penguin Young Readers
Publication Date: 2018

Plot Summary: Darrian dreams of writing for the New York Times. To hone his skills he enrolls in Mr. Ward’s class, known for its open-mic poetry readings and boys vs. girls poetry slam. Everyone in class has something important to say, and in sharing their poetry, they learn that they all face challenges and have a story to tell—whether it’s about health problems, aging out of foster care, being bullied for religious beliefs, or having to take on too much responsibility because of an addicted parent. As Darrian and his classmates get to know one another through poetry, they bond over the shared experiences and truth that emerge from their writing, despite their private struggles and outward differences.

Critical Response/Analysis:
Realistic Fiction texts focus on real-life social and personal issues. The easygoing prose and relevant storytelling will make the reader feel an array of emotions.  The story is told through multiple perspectives, high school students each with their own goals and aspirations who are battling emotional wounds because of their personal situations at home. Our main perspective comes from Darrian, a Puerto Rican student who lives with his father and dreams of writing for The New York Times. Through his eyes we get a glimpse of the other students in his class, how they view themselves versus how he views them. This was an interesting dynamic between the characters. Most of the time, people have a different perception of themselves despite what people on the outside may see.  The characters deal with issues our youth deal with today: single parent family, parent’s goals for you verses your own, foster care system, parents in jail, just being a brown person at the wrong place at the wrong time. How does a person, despite the odds being stacked against them, peruse their dreams and become something better, something greater? I think this is the most profound question the novel asks and it worth asking again and again. Not everyone is given the same opportunities to succeed and until that disparity is challenged, we have to guide our students to make the right decisions and help them discover who they are in this world.

Connections: In the development of readers, teachers strive to create life long readers in their students who will develop the skills to be lifelong readers knowing that occurs at different times for upper elementary to middle school. In my own experience with reading, my willingness to read for the "love of reading" did not come until I was in college as an undergraduate.  I was drawn to works of historical fiction and enjoyed reading series because the characters became friends. The authors voice was comfortable, and their style engaged me. As with many young adults books, Between the Lines is a follow up to Grimes' Bronx Masquerade. As a teacher, she models her own writing process-free-write, share, poem, and presenting ideas of how to run a writing workshop in the classroom.

Awards:

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults

YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2019

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Title: Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices

Author: Paul Fleischman
Illustrator: Eric Beddows
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: June 18, 2019

Plot Summary: A collection of irresistible poems that celebrates the insect world. Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. The poems resound with the pulse of the cicada and the drone of the honeybee. Eric Beddows′s vibrant drawings send each insect soaring, spinning, or creeping off the page in its own unique way.

Critical Response/Analysis:
A two-voice poem is written in two columns. Two students read the poem, and each chooses a column to read. When there are words that appear on the same line, the students read those words in unison. Two-voice poetry can be used in any subject area, but it’s especially effective when students are studying similarities and differences or harmony and discord. It allows for a dynamic blend of monologue by and dialogue between the two voices.  This style of poetry satisfies a child's natural response to rhythm and creates a kind of music of its own along with imagery.

Connections: The poems are written to be read by two people at times in unison, at others times taking turns.
Each poem is a brief and manageable length so that children should have no problem being able to read it fluidly after some practice with a partner. The vocabulary included is simple and easy to read, but the skill and reading level required to read in unison and follow both ones own part as well as their partner creates a unique reading challenge for students. The need for proper rhythm, meter and both effective elocution and enunciation in order to preform these poems make the book an excellent choice for any poetry unit.

Awards:

1989 Newbery Medal

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Title: Honey, I Love

Author: Eloise Greenfield
Illustrator: Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2016

Plot Summary: To one young narrator, it's the simple things that mean the most, like sharing laughter with a friend, taking family rides in the country, and kissing her mama's arm.

Critical Response/Analysis:
This poem evokes many different feelings and reminds all of us about the simple things in life that mean the most, like sharing laughter with a friend, taking family rides in the country, and kissing her mama's arm. This is a beautiful and rhythmic poem about all the things a little girl loves in her life.  The illustrations are endearing and warm while helping bring the words to life. All children will be able to relate to at least one thing described in this book. I found the repetition to be appropriate because it was not overwhelming. This format was different then most poetry books, and it reveals how simple poetry can be.

Connections:
This book by Eloise Greenfield at its core invites readers to celebrate the simple joys of loving and living. The story comments on life and dimensions that are meaningful to children.  This could be used in a poetry analysis lesson providing great examples of repetition and rhyme.  Students could practice reading with a partner to experience the stresses and pauses in the language that set up the poems rhythm. Students could work to develop their own original poem in the same poetic style about things in life they love. Next, students could participate in a poetry reading to present their writing to the class. The classes' poems could be published together and shared with the school and community.

Awards:

Recognition of Merit Award

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Title: The Most Beautiful Place in the World

Author: Ann Cameron
Illustrator: Thomas B. Allen
Publisher: Yearling
Publication Date: May 25, 1993

Plot Summary: Juan lives in Guatemala, a place of stunning beauty and grim economic reality. Abandoned by his mother, Juan lives with his grandmother and shines shoes. He passionately wants to attend school, but fears Grandmother will say no. Finally gathering his courage, he is surprised when she not only agrees to send him to school but also chides him about the importance of standing up for himself.

Critical Response/Analysis:
Ann Cameron's story represents the essence of realistic fiction as it reflects a story that can happen to real people living in our world today.  Children who are in the process of understanding and coming to terms with themselves would be drawn to read this book.  Access to education is a privilege enjoyed by children and young adults in the United States.  Juan's relationships with his family members along with his desire to attend school portray the realities of life that will help children develop an authentic understanding of human problems and relationships.

Connections:  Thinking about the definition of realistic fiction as a reflection of life either lived today or in the past. I think this book would be a great resource to support ELL students who are learning English because of the short, simple sentence structure.  The teacher should consider the challenging content since it discusses topics such as is poverty, child abandonment, love and family approval, trust, in addition to themes of hope, love, family, education, self-esteem.  This book would allow for students to participate in book discussions or respond to journal prompts as a processing activity.  Examples of writing or discussion prompts:  What is your most beautiful place in the world? Why do you think Juan’s mother abandons him? Why does grandmother’s family say she cannot go to school? Why is work more important than education at times? When is education more important?

Awards: None to date.

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Title: Please Excuse this Poem: 100 New Poets for the Next Generation

Author: Brett Lauer, Lynn Melnick, and Carolyn Forche
Illustrator: None
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: Mar 10, 2015

Plot Summary: One hundred poems. One hundred voices. One hundred different points of view. Here is a cross-section of American poetry as it is right now—full of grit and love, sparkling with humor, searing the heart, smashing through boundaries on every page.

Critical Response/Analysis:
This collection of poems
are written with a youthful power that can be heard clearly.  The poems make you feel a feeling which will draw in young adults who are experiencing many feelings at this stage of their life. Poetry is very personal and this will offer students a wide variety of subject matter to explore and select poems that reflect their current mood of life.  This anthology draws upon many sensory images of sight, sound, touch, taste or smell as young adults are exploring and processing the world around them using the lens of modern culture.  In addition, the "About the Poets" section in the back shares little bios on each one with links to their websites and Twitter handles, along with their answers to a list of questionnaire prompts.

Connections:  This collection of poems contains some strong, intense topics including profanity that teachers will need to consider when evaluating the appropriateness for use with students in the classroom.  Young adults experience a wide range of emotions as they are coming to terms with themselves and the world around them.  The graphic details found within the poems provide a perspective on the pain, suffering, and internal conflicts of humankind.  Teachers will need to consider  the graphic nature of the poem's subject matter and provide a safe discussion environment for students to share their thoughts and ideas as well as encourage students to express their teenage experience using contemporary poems style.

Awards: None to date.

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Title: She Persisted: 13 Women Who Changed the World

Author: Chelsea Clinton
Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: May 30, 2017

Plot Summary: Throughout American history, there have always been women who have spoken out for what's right, even when they have to fight to be heard. In this book, thirteen American women who helped shape our country through their tenacity, sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience are celebrated for their persistence.

Critical Response/Analysis:
Chelsea Clinton introduces tiny feminists, mini activists and little children who are ready to take on the world to thirteen inspirational women who never took no for an answer, and who always, inevitably and without fail, persisted.  This nonfiction book shows readers that no matter what obstacles may be in their paths, they shouldn’t give up on their dreams. Persistence is power.  The ideas and features of this nonfiction text will foster a reflective inquiry in children and young adults as well as support a vivid learning experiencing. The author's clarity of presentation and use of appropriate language for the intended audience will fully engage the reader into the lives of the chosen women.

Connections:
Realistic fiction can be defined as imaginative writing that accurately reflects life as it was lived in the past or could be lived today.  The list of real women selected for this book will provide children with role models of how to overcome problems or challenges that they may experience throughout their life. The actions and decisions of the real women will help children to process and come to terms with themselves as well as their own potential. Students could engage in a book discussion about other real people who serve as inspiration to the world. In addition, students could develop a collective list of criteria for evaluating the actions of real people both past and present in small groups then present their work to the class. The whole class could vote on a collective list of actions, qualities that could be used in character analysis. An anchor chart could be designed and posted in a prominent place in the classroom for student reference throughout the school year.

Awards: Nonfiction- Nerdy Book Club 2017