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Summary:

The book Come With Me by Holly M. McGhee is about a little girl who is frightened by everything she hears, sees, and feels about the outside world. She wants to be a part of making the world a better place, so she turns to her parents for guidance. They help build her bravery and confidence by encouraging her to perform small acts of kindness. This inspires the little girls to take action on her own. Her parents support her decision, allowing her to discover her own importance in the world and the impact she can make at such a young age!

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Topic: Fear of the Outside World

This book demonstrates how a child may feel when they hear scary things that are going on outside of their home and outside of their control.  However, the author does a great job of exploring ways to overcome these fears by:

1. Encouraging children to ask their loved ones questions.

2. Demonstrating ways we can overcome our fears.

3. Building relationships/connections with our communities.

4. Exploring ways in which you can find your worth and purpose in the world around you.

5. Second-Person Point of View

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Analysis: Sims Bishop's Categories

In Come with Me, Holly M. McGhee shares the story of a young girl who is surrounded by negativity and challenging circumstances. As the story unfolds, she learns to rise above these difficulties and treat others with kindness and fairness, regardless of the negativity around her. Through the lens of Sims Bishop’s “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors” construct, this book serves as a mirror for students who have felt fearful regarding similar experiences or have had trauma in their own lives regarding the dangers of the outside world and a window/sliding glass door for students who are not from the United States or live in a more dangerous part of the world  It illustrates how, despite the negative influences surrounding her, the girl finds the courage to make a positive impact and embrace her power. As Sims Bishop explains, “When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read, or when the images they see are distorted, negative, or laughable, they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in the society of which they are a part” (p. 10).  Come with Me offers a powerful reflection for students facing hardship, showing them that they are not devalued by their circumstances and that they, too, have the strength to make a difference in the world.

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Analysis: Authenticity

This book authentically portrays how students might see negative events unfolding around them and the complex emotions those situations can create. It offers realistic strategies for students to navigate these feelings and make a positive impact on their surroundings. As Short (2019) notes, “As readers engage with characters in these story worlds, they develop emotional connections and empathy as well as knowledge about a global culture” (p. 2). Holly McGhee does a great job at capturing the genuine emotions students may experience when confronted with difficult situations, while also providing practical ways for them to process those feelings and take meaningful action. This makes the story especially relatable and accessible to young readers.

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Analysis: Representation

To ensure diverse representation across a teachers classroom library teachers must make sure they have books available that represent every single one of their students. According to the article, Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors "Our classrooms need to be places where all the children from all the cultures that make up the salad bowl of American society can find their mirrors." (Bishop, p.2, 2019). This book is able to relate to students who hear or see scary things that are happening in the world around them or their lives. With this book teachers can expand on the ways this book mentions on how to navigate these fears and find light at the end of the tunnel.

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Additional Resource: #1

The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Brittany Winn Lee tells the story of a boy who struggles with overwhelming and complex emotions. Struggling to understand and manage these feelings, he initially attempts to suppress them. As the story unfolds, he learns to recognize the meaning behind his emotions and discovers healthy ways to cope with and express them.

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Additional Resource #2:

The Breaking News by Sarah Lynne Reul tells the story of a young girl who notices her community being deeply affected after seeing news on television. Uncertain of how to help, she learns in class what it means to be a good helper. She comes to understand that while she may not be able to make a huge impact all at once, small acts of kindness can create meaningful change. As she starts making those small differences, she discovers that they can add up to something much larger. The book explores themes of community, resilience, and hope with an authenticity that will resonate with readers of all ages.

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Letters to Families:

Dear Families,

We find it very important to represent all of my students in the classroom.  As an educator, it is our job to make sure each and every child feels included and safe at school.  One way we can accomplish this goal as a teacher is through literature.  We will be conducting a read-aloud of the book Come With Me by Holly M. McGhee.  We believe this book represents each one of the students in the classroom because it discusses the potential fear young children may have regarding the outside world and what they hear.  We want students to know that this is okay, but that we are also brave and we can do things to make this world a better place whether it’s with our classmates, our family, our community, or even ourselves!  We are committed to empowering each of your students to be the best they can be and we want to thank you for allowing us to do this through literature.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions!

Best regards,

Miss. Dasho and Miss. Kush