Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron

Title: Nappy Hair

Category: Multicultural

Author: Carolivia Herron

Publisher/Year: Knopf Books for Young Readers / 1997

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Pages: 32pp

Summary: The setting is at a family picnic and the youngest girl is getting all kinds of comments are her hair. It is written as mostly dialogue showing the African tradition fo "call and response".

Comments: It is a cute book with beautiful pictures of a girl with the biggest curliest hair you've ever seen. Children wil love listening to and looking at the book.

Classroom Application:
Lexile: AD200L
Age: 5-10 years old
Because it is written in a dialogue format it would be a great Read Aloud!

The Bracelet by Yoshiko Uchida

Title: The Bracelet

Category: Multiculural

Author: Yoshiko Uchida

Publisher/Year: Puffin / 1996

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 32pp

Summary: Emi and her family are sent to live at an internment camp in Montana during World War II with other Japanese-American families. Her best friend from her home in California sends a bracelet with her to always remember her. She loses the bracelet in all the shuffling around the are made to do. She is upset at first but realizes she doesn't need a bracelet to keep her friend's love and memory with her.

Comments: What a sweet, sweet story! All ages would love to read this book!

Classroom Application:
Lexile: 710L
Age: 5-10 years old
This is a great look at what others experienced during World War II, even living in the United States. It could work within a history lesson. It could also just be a great story of friendship.

The Bat Boy and His Violin by Gavin Curtis

Title: The Bat Boy and His Violin

Category: Award Winner

Author: Gavin Curtis

Publisher/Year: Aladdin (1998)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Multicultural

Awards:

• Coretta Scott King Honor (1999)

Pages: 32pp

Summary: Reginald is a boy who loves to play the violin but his dad thinks it's a waste of time playing a "fiddle". Reginald goes with his dad, who is the coach of a team in the Negro National League, to the baseball games to help as the bat boy. He soon starts playing the violin during the game and the team improves and is unstoppable throughout the season. Will they win their last big game with Reginald's musical help?

Comments: A really cute book about a boy who can love music more than sports. The boy is persistant and confident in his talents and dreams even when his dad teases him about it.

Classroom Application:
Lexile: 700L
Age:  5-10 years old
This is a neat look at the Negro National League right before they disbanded and the black and whites played together. It would be neat to use during a study of the Civil Rights.

Encounter by Jane Yolan

Title: Encounter

Category: Reconstructive Text

Author: Jane Yolan

Publisher/Year: Sandpiper (1996)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 32pp

Summary: A young Taino Indian boy tells the story of Christopher Columbus arriving to America. He is kidnapped with others from his tribe but escapes and tries to warn others as he finds his way back to the village.

Comments: I highly recommend this book. The story is refreshing and causes you to think about historical events in a different way.  It is beautifully illustrated as well.

Classroom Application:
Lexile:
Age: 6-12 years old
A great way to teach that every story has two sides. This is an excellent match for a social studies or history class. It is also available in Spanish and could be used in Spanish class ("Where is San Salvador") Read it on Columbus Day even!

The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse

Title: The Cats in Krasinski Square

Category: International

Author: Karen Hesse

Publisher/Year: Scholastic Press / 2004

Genre: Historical Fiction

Awards:

• PSydney Taylor Book Awards Honor Book - Older Readers (2004)
• ALA Noteable Book for children (2005)

Pages: 32pp

Summary: A young Jewish girl living in Warsaw during World War II has escaped the Ghetto and is living her with older sister. She is trying to sneak food back into the Ghetto to those stuck there but the Gestapo has heard about what she is doing and has the dogs waiting to catch her. Her friends help her collect all the cats from Krasinski Square that used to be others' pets. The cats jump out of the baskets and the dogs run away after the cats.

Comments: This is a wonderful story based on real event that author read. It has great illustrations and is an excellent way to tell children about some of the horrific things that happened back then.

Classroom Application:
Lexile: 990L
Age: 7-18 years old
Obviously a great book to study when learning about World War II and the Holocaust. It is an act of bravery that many children would understand.

Goodnight iPad by Ann Droyd

Title: Goodnight iPad: A Parody for the Next Generation

Category: Content Specific

Author: Ann Droyd (aka David Milgrim)

Publisher/Year: Blue Rider Press / 2011

Genre: Science Fiction, Picture Book

Awards:

• New York Times Best Seller (2011)

Pages: 32pp


Summary: This is a parody on the 1947 book Goodnight Moon. The house of full of gadgets and gizmos all buzzing and chirping. No one is going to fall asleep with all that racket. The little old lady is fed up with it and so she starts to take all the gadgets and get rid of them so everyone can go to sleep.

Comments: This is a creative way to convey a message of the need to power down. I think there are some details that might be inappropriate (like the bunny peeing, or the Eminem lyrics) but overall it is a cute book.

Classroom Application:
Age: 5 -18 years old
A fun challenge would be to take a classic children's book and make a parody of it. A fun Read Aloud for tech class!

Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill

Title: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Category: Award Winner

Author: Laban Carrick Hill

Illustrator: Bryan Collier

Publisher/Year: Little, Brown / 2010

Genre: Biography

Awards:

• Corretta Scott King Award Winner (2011)
• Caldecott Honor (2011)

Pages: 40pp

Summary: Dave is a slave that knows how to make pottery. Most slaves were not allowed to do skilled work. Dave also knows how to read and write which is rare. He inscribes poetry on his pottery and dates them. His made thousands of pieces and was well known as a good potter because he could make such strong and large pottery.

Comments: I really like this book it is poetic and yet informative as well. It tells of an amazing man and his talent.

Classroom Application:
Accelerated Reader: Level 6 (0.5 points)
Lexile: AD1100L
Age: 8-18 years old
The back of the book is full of information and facts that could be used when teaching about slavery.