"Sophia's War" is for the freedom of all (Week 6: Historical Fiction Children's Selection)

“Yes, it is hard to discover a truth. But it is much harder to be unable to do anything about it."--Avi

 

   For this week’s children’s selection, I chose to read Sophia’s War: A Tale of the Revolution. Avi’s centers around a young girl named Sophia who is experiencing the events of the Revolutionary War in New York City. Her father and her brother are on the side of the patriots, and she concurs with their belief. In the beginning of the story, she witnesses an event that will forever shape her world, the hanging of Nathan Hale.

     Following the hanging, the British solders begin quartering in her home. Her brother is missing, and her father is injured. So, Sophia needs to find work to help at home. Because she knows how to read and write, she finds employment. However, after a few years, she is recruited to be a spy for General Washington. She discovers the treachery of a high-ranking military officer in the continental Army. Time is running out though, and she must try to stop the plot herself.

     I enjoyed this book. I liked that it showed ways that women helped out during the war. It was fast-paced, and full of historical events. This book allows the reader to understand the fears, motivations, and bravery early patriots had.

In the Classroom

     This book would be an excellent read for 5th graders, before, during, or after learning about the Revolutionary War during Social Studies. Students could use this book to provide some background knowledge prior to the instructional unit. If used after the unit, the students could use the unit to provide background knowledge for the book. I can envision a fifth grade teacher using this as a choice for a literacy book club. Groups could read historical fiction books, like this one, and give a presentation to the class.

"I'm Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter", but I am perfectly me. (Week 6: Hispanic/Latino YA Selection)

“I don’t understand why everyone just complains about who I am. What am I supposed to do? Say I’m sorry? I’m sorry I can’t be normal? I’m sorry I’m such a bad daughter? I’m sorry I hate the life that I have to live?”-- Erika Sanchez

 

   In Erika Sánchez’s novel, I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Julia becomes unsure of the world around her after the sudden death of her sister. She struggles with the grief of knowing that compared to her sister, Olga, she is a disappointment to her mother. While exploring Olga’s room, Julia discovers that her sister may not have been as boring as she thought. She sets out to discover the truth about her sister as she struggles with doubts about whether she will be able to get into college. Her mental health has gotten worse since Olga's death. 

    Julia wants to get into college to escape her community. Her family resides in the south-side of Chicago. Her neighborhood is riddled with crime and drugs. Her home is infested with cockroaches. Her father works in a factory, and her mother cleans houses for rich people. Julia just wants out. 

    I really enjoyed this book, although it was difficult to hear some of the content. It glossed over some of the more mature events, but still managed to display the emotions of the main character. I’m sure some of her feelings regarding her culture are similar to those of other first generation American teens. She feels like she is too Mexican for the world, but not Mexican enough for her mother or the rest of her family.

In the Classroom

    This novel is appropriate for juniors and seniors; however, I would not recommend it for classroom whole group use, because of some of the events. Julia and her friends engage in drinking, drug use, and sex. Additionally, there is a suicide attempt and discussion about a rape. I could see this book being an independent or small group choice, if students are mature enough to handle the content. In all honesty, may students have experiences and home environments like Julia’s, and they deserve to be acknowledged and explored.

The "Firekeeper's Daughter" has her own identity (Week 5: Native American YA Selection)

"There are some who can go anywhere because they always know the way home."--Angeline Boulley   

For this week’s Young Adult selection, I wanted to choose a book that I have absolutely no preconceptions about. Angeline Boulley’s Firekeeper’s Daughter is the enthralling tale of  Daunis Fontaine. Daunis is an 18 year old hockey player torn between two worlds. Her mother is the daughter of a wealthy French family and her father is a member of the Ojibwe tribe. Because her father was not included on her birth certificate and her father died when she was seven, Daunis is not a full member of the tribe. Due to the death of her uncle and the stroke of her grandmother, Daunis choses to defer her enrollment at the University of Michigan and instead attends a smaller college to be close to her mother. Her friend Lily is thrilled to be able to have more time with her. A new member of her brother’s hockey team, Jimmy moves to town and forms an instant connection with Daunis. Everything is going well until Lily's ex-boyfriend, Travis, tries to win her back. Travis, the science prodigy, is struggling with addiction to crystal meth. When Lily refuses he advances, Travis kills her and then takes his own life. 

This cataclysmic event throws Daunis into a federal investigation about a new batch of crystal meth that may involve her tribe and community. How far will Daunis go to solve this case and save future generations from drug addiction?

Firekeeper’s Daughter captivated me from the beginning. I don’t know much about Native American cultures, but this book filled in some gaps for me. Both of Daunis’s heritages play a central role in the story, allowing the reader to understand her motivations and the heartbreak she feels when she is torn between them. 

In the Classroom

I often struggle to suggest young adult books for older students, because I know that parents are extremely particular when it comes to their student’s exposure to adult topics. This story contains sexual content, rape, death, and violence. Because of these themes, I recommend teachers use caution when assigning this book. With that being said, I recommend this book for students in 11th grade and up. This is a great story for students to read after they have developed knowledge of historical treatment of Native Americans. The characters discuss boarding schools and the perspective of elders of the practice. A teacher could assign a synthesis essay of the historical treatment of Native Americans and the modern day impacts utilizing the book as a jump-start.

"Honeysmoke", such a lovely color

 "She sees her color written in the clouds, in the tree leaves, and on the grass"-- Monique Fields

For this week’s children’s book selection, I chose to read and review Honeysmoke by Monique Fields. Simone is a young girl who is curious about her skin color. She realizes that her color is different from her parents. Her mother, who is black, tells her that a color is just a word. When Simone asks her white father if she is black or white, her father responds that she is a little of both. Simone decides to ask her friends at school and each has a different answer. She tests out different colors on her skin and none are her color. Simone draws a girl using pink and brown; she isn’t pink and brown. While thinking about her parents, she notices that her mother is brown like honey and her father is white like smoke. She decides to combine the two to create her color: honeysmoke. 

I love this book for many reasons. The first reason is that this children’s book contains a mixed protagonist. When I was growing up, I had not read a single picture book whose protagonist was biracial; so, I did not see myself reflected in the stories I read. Yesenia Moises’ illustrations are truly joyful and celebrate the characters in the story. The idea of race is handled in such a manner that the reader can infer that even though people are different, we are all mostly the same. I believe that many students will identify with finding their color, because no children are completely white or black; rather, all people are some combination of many colors. 

In the Classroom

I love this book for students in elementary school at any grade level. It is short and can jumpstart many conversations about identity. In my first grade classroom, I would follow this story with a self portrait activity. Students could each create and name their own color. Students could explore human skin palettes and color wheels to find the shade that more closely matches their skin. Then I would have students use Crayola Colors of the World materials or chalk pastels to create their color and name it. I would have students create their self-portrait and write about what makes them unique.

How to become a "Legend": (Week 4: Graphic Novel YA Selection)

"You take it all one day at a time. You try to walk in the light.""-- Leigh Dragoon

    I was so excited to read Leigh Dragoon's graphic novel adaptation of Marie Lu’s novel Legend. I read the original novel around ten years ago, and I still regularly think about it. I will attempt to write this blog entry ignoring the original novel.

The dystopian graphic novel, Legend takes place in The Republic an area that was once known as the West Cost of the United States. The Republic is divided into sectors, some wealthy, some poor, which are under absolute control of the government and riddled with plagues. Children are given a test that determines their mental and physical aptitude and are placed into jobs. Children that do not meet the minimum standard are sent to labor camps.

    The tale follows the point of view of two characters, June and Day. Day is a boy in the impoverished Lake Sector. He fails his test and finds himself in a laboratory where he receives injections. After falling ill, he finds himself in a pile of bodies; the laboratory employees thought he succumbed to his illness and he was able to escape. For his families safety, he stays away from them, but attempts to help them through criminal activities which leads him to infamy. Five years later, his younger brother, Eden develops the plague; so, Day attempts to steal plague cures from a government facility where he runs into Matis Iparis, a military officer.

    June is a prodigy from the wealthy Ruby sector, she is the only person to receive a perfect score on the Republic’s test. This does not stop her from getting suspended from school after scaling a building. Her world changes when she is called to a medical facility and informed of the death of her brother, Matis. She is assigned to investigate the crime and vows to track down and punish the person responsible, Day. She goes under cover where she meets Day, by chance. However, he does not seem like the cold-blooded murderer the Republic makes him out to be.

    Leigh Dragoon’s adaptation provides clear explanations of the story through the succinct dialog and thoughts of the characters. The illustrations by Kaari bring the story to life with action packed scenes and expressive pictures. The graphic novel is done very well and fleshes out the story nicely. This is the first or four novels in the collection.

In the Classroom

    This graphic novel has many depictions of violence and some depictions of death. Because of this, I would recommend this graphic novel to 10th graders and up. The story explores the question of how much power is too much power, as well as, security vs. freedom. It would be a great back drop for students to explore this question through a student prepared debate over the topic. Some of the actions of the Republic mirror the actions of the Nazis during WWII; I think that Legend would provide a fictional context to explore these actions and identify parallels and differences.

"Study Hall of Justice" or study hall of just us? (Week 4: Graphic Novel Children's Selection)

 "I hope the cafeteria food is as good as Alfred's cooking."-- Derek Fridolfs

This week’s children’s selection comes from my daughter’s collection of graphic novels. I mentioned the topic to her and she quickly gathered four books. Of the four, I chose to read is Study Hall of Justice (DC Comics: Secret Hero Society #1). Derek Fridolfs’ graphic novel explores the life of a young Bruce Wayne as he begins the school year in a prestigious school, “The Ducard Academy”. However, he immediately discovers that something is not quite right about this school. He witnesses a flying girl, clowns, and ninjas within his first week of school. Bruce has trouble fitting in with students and living up to the expectations of his teachers. The students bully him and the teachers seem to only want students that are hateful, thieves, or conniving

     Soon, he meets a boy named Clark and a girl named Diana. Clark is hesitant to become friends with them, but he soon warms up. The three form a group, the Criminal Investigation Unit, to figure out what is happening in the school. The devise several plans to accomplish their goals. Their attempts to fit in and restore fairness and justice are thwarted when Clark loses his Student Presidential campaign to Lex Luther and Diana fails to make the cheerleading squad. Bruce also discovers that Clark and Diana are not who they appear to be. This causes the group to fracture. Will these special children be able to find out what is happening at this school? Will they be able to repair their friendships?

     This graphic novel is very cute. I was able to chuckle at the subtle display of Diana and Clark’s superpowers. Nguyen’s illustrations truly bring the story to life and provide dimension on the colorless pages. While this book is cute, it has not made me a fan of graphic novels, but I see their value. 

In the Classroom

     First and foremost, I will be bringing this book into my classroom library next year. I do not have a great collection of graphic novels, but I think my students would enjoy exploring the illustrations and attempting to read some of the dialog bubbles. I would recommend this book for students in third through fifth grade. Teachers could choose to keep it in their library for independent reading. This book does not require a lot of background knowledge to be enjoyable. Knowledge of Wonder Woman and Superman may make it easier for readers to understand the subtle comedy this book provides. However, it may be equally as enjoyable to view them as Bruce does. I would recommend using this book to study genres of literature. A teacher could use page 47 to teach how to navigate the dialog in graphic novels. After student study this structure, teachers could assign students to create vocabulary cartoons in another subject area.

"Ender's Game" or isn't it? (Week 3: Boys Books YA Selection)

“Fiction, because it is not about somebody who actually lived in the real world, always has the possibility of being about oneself.”--Orson Scott Card

        This week’s selection, Ender’s Game, was selected due to an act of serendipity. This year, my reading goal was to begin tackling the Good Reads 100 Books You Should Read In a Lifetime List (linked below). While I was searching for a piece of writing geared toward boys, I received a notification on my Libby App that my hold on Ender’s Game was ready. I had previously watched the film adaptation of this book, so I had knowledge of the main events, characters, and themes.

        As is usually the case, this book is so much more than the film adaptation. It allowed me to dive into the mind of three child prodigies in a dystopian, war-torn future. The novel gave me the perspective of Ender and his siblings, Peter and Violet as they explore a world, in which, these youngsters are truly never given a childhood. Ender is the third child born to his family, in a world where families are only allowed two. His older siblings were prodigies but were not quite right for the government’s military training program; so, the government authorized his parents to conceive Ender. Ender is teased in school for being a “third” and is ridiculed by his envious brother at home. Ender is selected to participate in the academy when he is six, because the powers that be consider him the only hope humanity has in it’s galactic war against the buggers. The buggers are an alien species that attacked Earth some time in the past.
        Ender is thrust into the academy where the instructors turn the students against him, in order to build character. However, Ender proves himself and soon becomes a leader among the younger students. He rises through the ranks at an unprecedented speed and leads his team through a variety of war games. Older students are threatened by Ender’s success and hold disdain for the young boy. This culminates in Ender being forced to engage in mortal combat with another student. Finally, Ender graduates from the academy and goes to Command School. In command school, Ender leads teams in a series of games where they engage in simulations of battles with the buggers. Through these games, Ender learns more about the buggers fighting style and colonies. Finally, the day comes when Ender prepares for his final game at Command School. He leads his team to victory destroying all of the buggers; after which, his mentor shares that he hasn’t been playing a game since he arrived at Command School. To Ender’s horror, he discovers that he has been sending real soldiers into battle and has driven the buggers to extinction at the tender age of eleven.

        I love this story, because through the lens of fiction we can delve into the world of a child soldier. It also explores the danger of granting the government too much power. Through this story, we can truly explore whether the ends justify the means.

In the Classroom

        This is a book that teachers must take care with, because of the heavy themes, violence, and course language. This book could be used in an eleventh or twelve grade class and would pair nicely in a social studies classroom. Students could read this story while exploring the societal implications of the Patriot Act. After the study, students could write an essay on how governments balance security with personal freedoms. Additionally, ELA teachers could explore this book following a read of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. They could compare the texts and explore how the author’s choice in characters affected the story. Mature students could use this book as a springboard to investigating real world examples of child soldiers; “there are an estimated 250,000 child soldiers in the world today in at least 20 countries” (Their World, 2022).

References

Their World. (2022, August 4). Child soldiers. Their World; Global Business Coalition for Education.

https://theirworld.org/resources/child-soldiers/#:~:text=difficult%20to%20return.-

Good Reads List

https://www.grantlibrary.net/uploads/4/5/5/6/45565029/goodreads_100_books_you_should_read_in_a_lifetime.pdf

Can we escape the "Dinosaurs Before Dark"? (Week 3: Boys Book Children's Selection)

“So let’s not tell anyone,” said Annie. “Dad won’t believe it,”-- Mary Pope Osborne

    This week’s selection for children’s literature is the first book in the beloved Magic Tree House series, Dinosaurs Before Dark. This book is a fantastic introduction to the series and provides readers with an action pack, fast paced adventure.

    The story begins when Annie climbs up the ladder of a treehouse she discovers, despite the hesitance of her older brother, Jack. He quickly follows her and is in awe of the book collection contained in the tree house. Jack finds a book about dinosaurs and a book about their hometown, Frog Creek. He touches a picture of a Pteranodon in the dinosaur book; suddenly, the children are transported through time to the Cretaceous period.

    The children see a real Pteranodon and are able to touch it. Jack notes his observations of the dinosaur in his notepad. The children encounter a triceratops and an Anatosaurus; Jack checks the book for facts about them and continues to write his observations in his notebook.

    The children are horrified when they cross paths with a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The children run to the treehouse to escape the dinosaur, but Jack discovers he has left his backpack containing his notepad and the books; they need the books to get back home. Jack runs to retrieve his backpack and returns to the treehouse only to find that the Tyrannosaurus is standing between him and the ladder. A Pteranodon allows Jack to climb on its back and flies him to the treehouse. After Jack touches the picture of Frog Creek and making a wish, the pair are transported back home.

In the Classroom

    I use this book as a whole group read aloud after recess to allow my students a smooth transition back to the classroom setting. The chapters are short, and the story is engaging with some illustrations; my students love the entire series. I generally read one or two chapters at a time and ask my students to summarize what we have read prior to each read. It is an excellent book for students to make and check predictions; to facilitate this, I read the chapter title and ask my students for predictions prior to the read.

    This is usually the first chapter book I read aloud, because I want my students to know that they can read chapter books. Some students find longer texts intimidating, but after they hear me read it, they notice that the language in the book is not out of their reach. Sentences in this book are short and utilize language most of my students are familiar with. This series is in my library at the beginning of the year, but does not really get used by the students until after I read this book. This is a great first chapter book for readers to dive into to make longer pieces less intimidating.