African American Literature- BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD

Bibliographic Data

Bryan, Ashley. 2003. Beautiful Blackbird. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780689847318

Brief Plot Summary

Based on Zambian folklore, a group of colorful birds ask Blackbird which is the most beautiful. Blackbird iterates that beauty is inside, but still adorns each with a bit of black designs after the birds insist.

Critical Analysis

(Scissors used in creating this type of art)

The illustrations bring this title to life. The birds fill the page with color and shapes. They are created with cut pieces of paper. At the beginning we see pairs of scissors. Although it is two-dimensional the size of the shapes create depth.

(Blackbird is large indicating that it is closer than the other birds)

The text of this book is lyrical and musical, similar to spoken word. Lines rhyme and repeat.

“Oh beautiful black, uh-huh, uh huh

Black is beautiful, UH-HUH!”

In this story the color black is the most beautiful. All the birds want to be like Blackbird. Blackbird is not only beautiful on the outside, but also inside. Perhaps some who identify themselves as black would find pride in this message. He reiterates that the birds’ beauty is inside and stresses that each has its own identity by saying that the Ringdove doesn’t act like him, eat like him, or dance like him.

The reader knows this tale is Zambian from the information on the dust jacket. It is an adaptation of the tale. Though the dust jacket also claims that the birds were jealous in this story there is no indication of that emotion in the artwork.

Strengths of this title are the positive messages of beauty and identity. It is great for a read aloud because of the rhythm and the brevity.

Awards & Best Books

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004 Bank Street College of Education

Capitol Choices, 2004 The Capitol Choices Committee

Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004 H.W. Wilson

Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 H.W. Wilson

Choices, 2004 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, 2004 NCTE Children's Literature Assembly

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2004 National Council for the Social Studies

Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2004 Winner Illustrator United States

Review Excerpt(s) (from Horn Book, SLJ, Booklist, etc.)

“Bryan employs boldly colored, cut-paper artwork to dramatize the action. The overlapping collage images fill the pages with energy as the songlike responses of the birds tap out a rhythm punctuated with ‘uh-huhs.’” - Julie Cummins (Booklist, Jan. 1, 2003 (Vol. 99, No. 9))

“The rolling language and appealing illustrations make this a must.” - Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2002 (Vol. 70, No. 23))

“Bryan's lilting and magical language is infectious.” - Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)

Connections

As suggested by Smolen and Oswald, try a choral reading together with students (Smolen and Oswald, 2011).

Another great suggestion from Smolen and Oswald includes passing our cutouts of colorful birds and having students decorate them with pieces of black construction paper (Smolen and Oswald, 2011, p.105).

African American Literature- THE FIRST PART LAST

Bibliographic Data

Johnson, Angela. 2003. The First Part Last. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9780689849220

Brief Plot Summary

New York teen, Bobby struggles to take care of his infant daughter while trying to complete high school.

Critical Analysis

Manning and Baruth note that many African American children are brought up in family structures different from children in other cultures (2009). Bobby’s parents are divorced. He lives with mother and occasionally visits his father or appeals to him for help.

His own relationship with Nia is complicated. They are separated while he cares for his daughter Feather on his own. When Mr. Phillips confronts Bobby about sleeping in class Bobby mocks and muses over the lifestyle he assumes Mr. Phillips has,

“He probably drives a jeep, and his girlfriend and him have been engaged for two years. They probably laugh at the same jokes and plan to have two kids and go to Disneyland in the summer” (Johnson, 2011, p.44).

The reader can tell that he feels a sense of otherness and perhaps shame being in the type of relationship he is in with Nia.

Many cultural markers sprinkle the storyline (names, hairstyles, language). Bobby’s friends are K-Boy and J.L. One of the sitters for Feather, Jackie tosses her beaded braids and they click when she moves (Johnson, 2011, .p45).

Language is another cultural marker in this book, “Nia’s parents always treated me good” (Johnson, 2003, p.18). That last quote showed how in conversation Bobby modified his verb with an adjective. He also casual cussed and said “hangin’” instead of hanging. Often his streams of consciousness are run on sentences.

The protagonist defies numerous stereotypes. Bobby’s family is well-traveled, many pictures in exotic locales despite being lower income. Most importantly he is strongly against giving up on being a single father or asking for help. He takes accountability for the circumstances he brought on himself although he does have some hiccups. He does get thrown in jail while ditching school to spray paint public property, an activity he has partaken in before.

Overall I think this book has a positive message about an unfortunate situation. It stresses strong character by Bobby doing what is right. It defies stereotypes and is a deep, emotional read.

Awards

Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2004 Winner Author United States

Georgia Peach Teen Readers' Choice Award, 2004-2005 Winner Georgia

Green Mountain Book Award, 2006 Winner Grades 9-12 Vermont

Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, 2005 Finalist United States

Michael L. Printz Award, 2004 Winner United States

Society of School Librarians International Book Awards, 2003 Honor Book Language Arts Grades 7-12 Novels United States

Volunteer State Book Award, 2006 4th Place Grades 7-12 Tennessee

Best Books

Booklist Book Review Stars, Sep. 1, 2003 American Library Association

Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2003 American Library Association

Booklist Top 10 Black History Titles for Youth, 2004 American Library Association

Capitol Choices, 2004 The Capitol Choices Committee

Children's Literature Choice List, 2004 Children's Literature

Choices, 2004 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005 H.W. Wilson

Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2004 H.W. Wilson

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2004 National Council for the Social Studies

Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, June 16, 2003 Cahners

Recommended Teen Books, 2003 Bank Street College of Education

School Library Journal Book Review Stars, June 2003 Cahners

Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 The H. W. Wilson Co.

Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2004 Supplement, 2004 H.W. Wilson

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2004 American Library Association

YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2004 American Library Association

YALSA Teens' Top Ten, 2003 American Library Association ; Nominee

YALSA Teens' Top Ten, 2003 American Library Association ; Winner

Young Adults' Choices , 2005 International Reading Association

Review Excerpt(s)

“There's no romanticizing. The exhaustion is real… But from the first page, readers feel the physical reality of Bobby's new world.” - Hazel Rochman (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2003 (Vol. 100, No. 1))

“Johnson manages to convey a story that is always complex, never preachy. The somewhat pat ending doesn't diminish the impact of this short, involving story.” - Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 1, 2003 (Vol. 71, No. 11))

“Each nuanced chapter feels like a poem in its economy and imagery; yet the characters—Bobby and the mother of his child, Nia, particularly, but also their parents and friends, and even newborn Feather—emerge fully formed.” - Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly)

Connections 

Teaching Guide for The First Part Last:

http://wildgeeseguides.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/first-part-last.html

The teaching guide lists several discussion question and activities. One of my favorites is one in which the students write a letter to Nia describing what Feather and Bobby are going through. This activitiy brings in creative writing skills and recall.

Angela Johnson audio on her African-American protagonists:

http://www.teachingbooks.net/slideshows/johnson/Protagonists.html

International Lit- A TIME OF MIRACLES

Bibliographic Data

Bondoux, Anne-Laure, Y. Maudet, and Kenny Holcomb. 2010. A Time of Miracles. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN: 9780385907774

Brief Plot Summary

Koumail’s story begins at 7 years old in Caucasus during the nineties. It is a time of war and for him and his guardian, Gloria, it is a time of poverty. They are refugees making their way to France, but the connection between Gloria and Koumail is not what he thought all of these years.

Critical Analysis

Anne-Laure Bondoux is native to France making this title international literature.

Although Koumail’s culture and background is ambiguous we do know that he speaks Russian. Gloria, his strong female protector, tells him that he is a French boy rescued from a train wreck as a baby. He lives a transient lifestyle exposing him and readers alike to an amalgam of cultures, Muslims, Gypsies, Africans, and many others. Often times his friends do not speak the same language as him. We also learn about his culture of a being refugee, though each refugee’s story is different there are parallels of loss and suffering. After all common ground is why he ends up with Prudence Wilson, a fellow refugee.

Gloria and Koumail have great depths of character. They are certainly not portrayed as offensive stereotypes. The many cultures encountered in this book are also respectfully portrayed with great humanity and depth. When Koumail initially encounters the gypsy children it was during a fistfight, but Hoop Earring becomes a good friend who teaches him about survival. Only when the characters refer to Koumail’s ultimate destination, France, do people address it as if they know very little about it, which is exactly the point. France is safe place far from the war.

A unique theme of this story is the lesson that bonds do not have anything to do with knowing names, knowing what someone looks like, or even knowing the truth. This controversial theme will surely encourage debate and thought from readers. Koumail’s own name is in question. He refers to many people by a distinctive characteristic (Hoop Earring) yet is very close to them. He doesn’t know what Gloria’s brothers look like, but they are important figures in his life as he recites stories of them throughout his lifetime. Fatima does not ever see what Koumali looks like since her eyes are closed, but their goodbye was heartbreaking. Finally, knowing the truth does not matter. Koumail’s past is a mystery because it is a lie, but it is one told out of protection. Gloria and Koumail comfort one another with the line, “There’s nothing wrong with making up stories to make life more bearable” (p.75)

Awards/Best Books

Mildred L. Batchelder Award, 2011 Winner United States

Choices, 2011 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Kirkus Book Review Stars, October 15, 2010

Notable Children's Books, 2011 ALSC American Library Association

Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, November 8, 2010

School Library Journal Book Review Stars, January 2011 Cahners

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2012 American Library Association

Review Excerpt(s)

“Bondoux creates indelible scenes of resilient children who, like Koumail, find strength in painful memories.” -Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Dec. 15, 2010 (Vol. 107, No. 8))

“It is a painful and complicated journey, but the real theme of the power of love and devotion is woven into every page.” -Sharon Kelly (Children's Literature)

“A beautifully cadenced tribute to maternal love and the power of stories amid contemporary political chaos.” -Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, October 15, 2010 (Vol. 78, No. 20))

Connections

Bondoux’s Official Website (must translate for English)

http://www.bondoux.net/

Along with reading this book conduct a geography lesson of the region. Have students select news articles of the regions and summarize them.

International Lit- HELLO, BABY! by Mem Fox

Bibliographic Data

Fox, Mem. 2009. Hello, baby! Ill. by Steve Jenkins. New York: Beach Lane Books. ISBN: 9781416985136

Brief Plot Summary

The reader playfully asks a child if they are various animal babies. The story lovingly concludes that the child is the parent’s treasure and indeed the baby is.

Critical Analysis

True to Mem Fox’s style Hello Baby has several early literacy skills to practice, truly a strength of this picture book. It is optimal for ages 0-5 although older children would surely show insult at the assertion of being a baby.

Two types of rhyming questions repeat through the story:

“Are you a (animal and action)?”

“Perhaps you’re a (animal and action).”

Rhyming is a story helps develop phonetic awareness in children. The repetition builds anticipation for the verses that follow and ultimately the ending.

Another early literacy skill Hello Baby develops is vocabulary. Children will learn not only vocabulary of animals, like the word gecko, but also verbs not in everyday conversation, like twitching.

(great vocabulary)

Each page features Jenkins’ close up illustration of the animal and a full body silhouette. His style is consistently simplistic, similar to a logo, except the colors are dimensional textures.

(Observe the silhouette)

(Jenkins’ textured illustration of a zebra)

The loving ending of this book concludes with the question: “Are you my treasure?” and the reassuring answer, “Yes!” A faceless illustration of hands reaching for each other surely brings emotional depth into print motivation, another preliteracy skill.

There are no cultural markers in this title. However, Mem Fox is an Australian author qualifying this title as international literature.

Awards/Best Books

Charlotte Zolotow Award, 2010 Highly Commended United States

Children's Catalog Supplement to Nineteenth Edition, 2009 H. W. Wilson Company

Choices, 2010 Cooperative Children's Book Center

Kirkus Book Review Stars, April 1, 2009

Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, February 2, 2009 Cahners

Review Excerpt(s)

“Vivid swaths of color and texture capture elephant wrinkles, crinkly gecko skin and even warthog whiskers. Fox's original language offers equally strong depictions of wildlife.” - Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2009 (Vol. 77, No. 7))

“Fox's newest has all the marks of a lap-sit classic.” - Publishers Weekly

“Handsome paper collage art captures the menagerie of creatures, boldly presented on white backgrounds, while the deceptively simple text makes the most of a few well-chosen words.” - CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2010)

Connections

Illustrator, Steve Jenkins Official Website

http://www.stevejenkinsbooks.com/

Information about this title via Mem Fox’s official website

http://memfox.com/gossip-behind-mems-books/hello-baby-illustrated-by-steve-jenkins/

Read other books by Mem Fox like Hattie the Fox if you want to continue a theme of animals as it takes place on a farm and features repeating text. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes if you want to continue on a baby theme.

International Lit- MY FATHER’S ARMS ARE A BOAT by Stein Erik Lunde

Bibliographic Data

Lunde, Stein Erik and Kari Dickson. 2012. My Father's Arms Are a Boat. Ill. By Oyvind Torseter. New York: Enchanted Lion Books. ISBN: 9781592701247

Brief Plot Summary

Father reassures his son on a sleepless night discussing the passing of the mother amongst other topics.

Critical Analysis

The characters of this story are a father and a son who seem to live alone in a spacious house. Though this plot takes place in Norway our characters could be from a number of places. They do not exhibit too much vocabulary or customs unique to Norway, besides the father planning to cut down a “big spruce.” The child does recall his grandmother told him that red birds were dead people. The red birds appear to be animals of the region.

(The large and spacious home)

It looks as though the culture of this piece is consistent with contemporary times in Norway. They have toys littered around the house. Records rest besides the couch. Cups appear to be mass produced. There’s a light switch by the door. These are indicative of current times.

(Records, cups, and a switch are clues for what time period this takes place)

This story is an example of imagery poetry. It vividly describes a home during a Norwegian winter. Complementary to the text, illustrations feature a snowy night of quiet animals. The house is minimalist and dark, a metaphor for the family. The mother’s death is like a quiet and dark winter.

(Dark and minimalist house)

Readers are inclined to trust the authenticity of this work as it is translated from Norwegian. It even won the Norwegian Ministry's Culture Prize for the Best Book for Children and Youth. Clearly this must be a literary piece that is a respectful representation of an aspect of Norwegian culture.

This is subtle and dense for a picture book. It also focuses on serious topics that are uncomfortable for most to talk about. Despite that, the intended audience is 3-6 years old. We also know that the grandmother is deteriorating from only two lines:

“She told me that when we were at the old people’s home. She can hardly talk, but I knew what she meant.”

The author tackles the subject matter with heartfelt reassurances, especially when we see the birds snacking on the bread at the end of the book.

(The birds eat the bread just as the father assured his son)

Torseter’s illustrations are of a unique style. Three dimensional paper models appear to be photographed. Sometimes the foreground is blurred giving the setting visual depth. His choice of color creates a mood of cold and quiet desolation. The negative space also contributes to the mood of this story.

(Observed the blurred foreground creating depth)

Awards/Best Books

Mildred L. Batchelder Award, 2014 Honor Book United States

2014 USBBY Outstanding International Books List

2009 Norwegian Ministry's Culture Prize for the Best Book for Children and Youth

2011 German Children's Literature Award

Kirkus Book Review Stars, January 1, 2013

Notable Children's Books, 2014 ALSC American Library Association

Review Excerpt(s)

“The striking, paper-cut-out illustrations add an unforgettable touch to this poignant tale of love, loss, and comfort. Highly recommended.” -Midwest Book Review (Children's Bookwatch, January 2013)

“They seem grounded in reality, yet they are dreamlike, giving the impression one has been privileged to see someone else's memory.” -Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2013 (Vol. 81, No. 1))

“It depicts the pain of the loss in the father and son clearly, but also shows how the two find comfort in each other.” -Lisa Colozza Cocca (Children's Literature)

Connections

After reading this book, show pictures of animals of Norway. Take this opportunity to share nonfiction titles about the climate and other information about the region.

Read other Mildred Batchelder Award winners such as Bathing Costume: Or the Worst Vacation of My Life. Discuss or complete a writing activity speculating why these books won this honor.

Follow this title with another similarly diorama-esque You Are Stardust by Elin Kelsey. Then have students create dioramas of their own stories.

Read this title with Uncle Monarch and compare how the families talked about death, particularly in reference to the animals in each story.