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.

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.

Hiroshima No Pika by Toshi Maruki

Title: Hiroshima No Pika

Category: Reconstructive Text

Author: Toshi Maruki

Publisher/Year: HarperCollins / 1982

Genre: Historical Fiction, Picture Book

Awards:

• Jane Addams Children's Book Award (1983)

Pages: 48pp

Summary: Hiroshima No Pika is about the experience of a woman, her husband and daughter when the Atomic Bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

Comments: It is a powerful book recounting the experience from another point of view: a survivor. The paintings in the book contribute to make the story even more sad and scary.

Classroom Application:
620L
Ages: 13 - 18 years old
It would generate a lot of questions about World War II and the use of the Atomic Bomb. I think it should be read to give a different perspective when studying about World War II. There are two sides to every story.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Title: The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963

Category: Class Novel

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Publisher/Year: Yearling / 1995

Genre: Multicultural, Historial Fiction, Young Adult

Awards:

• Coretta Scott King award (1996)
• Newbery Honor (1996)

Pages: 210pp

Summary: This book share a collections of stories told from young Kenny's point of view. Kenny lives with his family in Flint, MI in 1963. His older brother Byron is continually getting into trouble and the family finally decides to drive down to Alabama to let Byron spend the summer with his grandmother to shape him up. There are some near fatal incidents that happen while they are in Alabama that forever change Kenny, Byron, and the rest of the family.

Comments: The family is very fun and goofy and the stories are entertaining. It is a great read. I found myself laughing out loud through the book. There are lots of issues addressed in the book, like bullying, friendship, and identity.

Classroom Application:
Lexile: 1000
Age: 10-14 years old
Topics to explore when reading the book:

• Character development
• Theme 
• Word Choice
• Civil Rights 
• Bullying
• Friendship
• Identity