Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. SPEAK. New York: Farrar Strauss Giroux. ISBN 9780374371524
SUMMARY:
The book starts out at the beginning of Melinda's freshman year in high school. Something happened during the summer that makes it difficult for her to go back to school because the girls who were her friends will no longer talk to her. She feels like an outcast because of the way the others at school treat her. It is not until about half way into the book that the author reveals exactly what happened to make others treat Melinda as they do. This is where we find out that there was a drinking party and Melinda called the police. Others are angry with her for calling, but what they don't know is that Melinda was a victim of rape at the party. Melinda does not talk about it until she finds someone; Mr. Freeman, the art teacher, in whom she can begin to tell her secret. Eventually, the truth about that night surfaces as she is able to "speak" about it. The reason she is finally able to speak comes from the Andy, the senior boy who raped her at the party, attempting to rape her again.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
SPEAK has a powerful lesson that teenagers could learn. Readers will be sympathetic to Melinda because most readers have probably been through a situation of feeling like an outcast in their own school. Date rape or party rape might even be topics that teenagers have heard about. The characters are believable in the realistic fiction story. Melinda is likeable and the situations certainly will hit home with many. Students, parents and teachers should read this to get a sense of what some teenagers go through. A good picture of what adolescent life can be like with hurt, isolation and ultimately moving out of the hurt.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST EDIOR'S CHOICE: BOOKS FOR YOUTH, 1999 - ALA; United States
YALSA BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS, 2000 - ALA; United States
BOOKLIST - "In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers."
VOYA - This extremely well-written book has current slang, an accurate portrayal of high school life, and engaging characters."
CONNECTIONS:
ART - Have students pick objects out of a bowl just as Melinda's art class did in the novel.
RESEARCH - Groups can do research on different topics. Examples: Date rape, Womens' rights, Sexual assualt.
GUEST SPEAKER - Invite speaker from Rape Crisis Center to give information and local agencies who are available.
Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. SPEAK. New York: Farrar Strauss Giroux. ISBN 9780374371524
SUMMARY:
The book starts out at the beginning of Melinda's freshman year in high school. Something happened during the summer that makes it difficult for her to go back to school because the girls who were her friends will no longer talk to her. She feels like an outcast because of the way the others at school treat her. It is not until about half way into the book that the author reveals exactly what happened to make others treat Melinda as they do. This is where we find out that there was a drinking party and Melinda called the police. Others are angry with her for calling, but what they don't know is that Melinda was a victim of rape at the party. Melinda does not talk about it until she finds someone; Mr. Freeman, the art teacher, in whom she can begin to tell her secret. Eventually, the truth about that night surfaces as she is able to "speak" about it. The reason she is finally able to speak comes from the Andy, the senior boy who raped her at the party, attempting to rape her again.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
SPEAK has a powerful lesson that teenagers could learn. Readers will be sympathetic to Melinda because most readers have probably been through a situation of feeling like an outcast in their own school. Date rape or party rape might even be topics that teenagers have heard about. The characters are believable in the realistic fiction story. Melinda is likeable and the situations certainly will hit home with many. Students, parents and teachers should read this to get a sense of what some teenagers go through. A good picture of what adolescent life can be like with hurt, isolation and ultimately moving out of the hurt.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST EDIOR'S CHOICE: BOOKS FOR YOUTH, 1999 - ALA; United States
YALSA BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS, 2000 - ALA; United States
BOOKLIST - "In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen's struggle to find acceptance from her peers."
VOYA - This extremely well-written book has current slang, an accurate portrayal of high school life, and engaging characters."
CONNECTIONS:
ART - Have students pick objects out of a bowl just as Melinda's art class did in the novel.
RESEARCH - Groups can do research on different topics. Examples: Date rape, Womens' rights, Sexual assualt.
GUEST SPEAKER - Invite speaker from Rape Crisis Center to give information and local agencies who are available.
RULES by Cynthia Lord
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. RULES. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439443822
SUMMARY:
Twelve year old Catherine is growing up with the challenges of being an adolescent, but she also must learn to deal with her younger brother David who is autistic. Catherine loves her brother but also experiences feelings of impatience, frustration, embarrassment and protectiveness towards him. As she tries to deal with David's behaviors she creates rules to help manage his behavior. Catherine also meets another person who is handicapped at the clinic where David goes for therapy. Jason, is in a wheelchair and talks using cards that he points to for communication. As she becomes friends with Jason, Catherine struggles with her own thoughts about what friends and others will think of her having a handicapped friend.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The characters in RULES are ones that every young child can relate to or learn from. Catherine is presented with challenges that most kids experience at sometime in their lives. David is a character that some will relate to and some will not. David's autism is a condition that seems to be more and more in the news these days. Jason, a wheelchair bound character, might be a character that others identify with or sympathize with. The setting is in modern day America and could be any place in America. The setting seems to be timeless so it makes this story a good one that will withstand time. The theme is mostly about compassion and understanding people with disabilities. Also, important is the concept of accepting those with disabilities.
While listening to the audio version of the book, I found it enjoyable to hear the voices of the characters and especially the voice of Ms. Almasy and Catherine. I got totally absorbed in the story as I listened and found that I did not want to quit. I read some of the book and listened to parts of it and thought that I preferrd listening to reading.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXERPTS:
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2007 - Honor Book United States
NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOKS, 2007 - ALSC American Library Association, United States
BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS - "Readers with sympathize with Catherine's struggle to explain the world to David throug his beloved rules and her frustration at his demanding, embarrassing behaviors and his garnering the majority of parental attention."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability,"
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Middle-grade readers will recognize [Catherine's] longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences."
CONNECTIONS:
Research Autism and living with autism. Websites:
http://www.autism-resources.com
Guest Speaker-Invite a doctor or specialist to talk to students about autism.
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. RULES. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439443822
SUMMARY:
Twelve year old Catherine is growing up with the challenges of being an adolescent, but she also must learn to deal with her younger brother David who is autistic. Catherine loves her brother but also experiences feelings of impatience, frustration, embarrassment and protectiveness towards him. As she tries to deal with David's behaviors she creates rules to help manage his behavior. Catherine also meets another person who is handicapped at the clinic where David goes for therapy. Jason, is in a wheelchair and talks using cards that he points to for communication. As she becomes friends with Jason, Catherine struggles with her own thoughts about what friends and others will think of her having a handicapped friend.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
The characters in RULES are ones that every young child can relate to or learn from. Catherine is presented with challenges that most kids experience at sometime in their lives. David is a character that some will relate to and some will not. David's autism is a condition that seems to be more and more in the news these days. Jason, a wheelchair bound character, might be a character that others identify with or sympathize with. The setting is in modern day America and could be any place in America. The setting seems to be timeless so it makes this story a good one that will withstand time. The theme is mostly about compassion and understanding people with disabilities. Also, important is the concept of accepting those with disabilities.
While listening to the audio version of the book, I found it enjoyable to hear the voices of the characters and especially the voice of Ms. Almasy and Catherine. I got totally absorbed in the story as I listened and found that I did not want to quit. I read some of the book and listened to parts of it and thought that I preferrd listening to reading.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXERPTS:
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2007 - Honor Book United States
NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOKS, 2007 - ALSC American Library Association, United States
BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS - "Readers with sympathize with Catherine's struggle to explain the world to David throug his beloved rules and her frustration at his demanding, embarrassing behaviors and his garnering the majority of parental attention."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability,"
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Middle-grade readers will recognize [Catherine's] longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences."
CONNECTIONS:
Research Autism and living with autism. Websites:
http://www.autism-resources.com
Guest Speaker-Invite a doctor or specialist to talk to students about autism.
CALAMITY JACK by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrations by Nathan Hale
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Hale, Shannon and Hale, Dean. 2010. CALAMITY JACK. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781599900766
SUMMARY:
CALAMITY JACK is a follow up to RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE. In this graphic novel,Shannon and Dean Hale tell their own version of the fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalk. The first part is telling the original story in which Jack is a schemer who tries to help make his mother's life better. Jack makes a plan to go to Blunderboar's house because he, the giant, damanged Jack's mothers store and refused to pay for the damages. Jack schemes to steal the giant's goose. Here is where Jack buys the magic beans and is able to climb the beanstalk to get to Blunderboar's house. In the events that happen, Jack kills one of the giant's henchmen while cutting down the beanstalk. This makes the giant angry and he vows to get back at Jack.
Jack flees the city and meets up with Rapunzel. In this part of the book, Jack and Rapunzel go back where they find out that Blundergoar has taken over the city, kidnapped his mother, and is terrorizing the people. With action packed adventure, Jack teams up with Rapunzel to set things right in his own town.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This graphic novel is well illustrated and beautifully told. It was everything a graphic novel for children should be and more. It used the old fairy tale retelling but had a completely new spin that wasn't worn out. Students will enjoy reading it and following the adventure as Jack pursues the giant. It also will keep students' attention with Jack's mischevious nature. A great graphic novel that will be fun for both students and adults.
AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST GREAT GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR TEENS, 2011 - American Library Association, United States
YALSA - A 2001 Great Graphic Novel
KIRKUS - "Rapunzel's fans should not fear: This volume, though told from a male perspective, has all the pluck and verve of its predeccessor. Readers will relish their gleeful mix of fairy tale, adventure and romance."
VOYA - "Fans of the previous book will be happy to see this new installment, which should handily graner new fans as will."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "This Western/steampunk/fairy tale combo is paced full of adventure, is loads of fun, and has broad appeal for all readers."
CONNECTIONS:
Compare and Contrast this tale to other fairy tales.
Research steampunk and draw some personal creations.
Hale, Shannon and Hale, Dean. 2010. CALAMITY JACK. New York: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781599900766
SUMMARY:
CALAMITY JACK is a follow up to RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE. In this graphic novel,Shannon and Dean Hale tell their own version of the fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalk. The first part is telling the original story in which Jack is a schemer who tries to help make his mother's life better. Jack makes a plan to go to Blunderboar's house because he, the giant, damanged Jack's mothers store and refused to pay for the damages. Jack schemes to steal the giant's goose. Here is where Jack buys the magic beans and is able to climb the beanstalk to get to Blunderboar's house. In the events that happen, Jack kills one of the giant's henchmen while cutting down the beanstalk. This makes the giant angry and he vows to get back at Jack.
Jack flees the city and meets up with Rapunzel. In this part of the book, Jack and Rapunzel go back where they find out that Blundergoar has taken over the city, kidnapped his mother, and is terrorizing the people. With action packed adventure, Jack teams up with Rapunzel to set things right in his own town.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This graphic novel is well illustrated and beautifully told. It was everything a graphic novel for children should be and more. It used the old fairy tale retelling but had a completely new spin that wasn't worn out. Students will enjoy reading it and following the adventure as Jack pursues the giant. It also will keep students' attention with Jack's mischevious nature. A great graphic novel that will be fun for both students and adults.
AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST GREAT GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR TEENS, 2011 - American Library Association, United States
YALSA - A 2001 Great Graphic Novel
KIRKUS - "Rapunzel's fans should not fear: This volume, though told from a male perspective, has all the pluck and verve of its predeccessor. Readers will relish their gleeful mix of fairy tale, adventure and romance."
VOYA - "Fans of the previous book will be happy to see this new installment, which should handily graner new fans as will."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "This Western/steampunk/fairy tale combo is paced full of adventure, is loads of fun, and has broad appeal for all readers."
CONNECTIONS:
Compare and Contrast this tale to other fairy tales.
Research steampunk and draw some personal creations.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Rodzina by Karen Cushman
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Cushman, Karen. 2003. RODZINA. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618133518
SUMMARY:
Karen Cushman writes this historical novel that tells the story of a 12 year old Polish American girl who boards an orphan train in Chicago with fears about traveling to the west and a life of unpaid slavery. Rodzina was young girl who had lost her whole family. Her 2 brothers were burned in a house fire, her father died while he was working and her mother passed away from fever. Rodzina lived on the streets of Chicago until an orpan agency picked her up. The novel is set in a time when Orphan Trains took orphans from cities in the east to find homes in the frontier lands out west during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Rodzina finds that the families interested in adopting her only wanted her for working, not as a daughter.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
RODZINA is and excellent historical fiction book probably best suited for upper elementary to middle school students. It tells good story and gives the imaage of the hardship, loneliness, fear and stuggles of orphaned children. It also looks at the history of the Orphan Train and the unwanted American children during the late 1800's. There is information about the origin of orphanages, orphan trains and a bibliography of resources for students to use as reference. This makes this selection all the more credible.
AWARDS/REVIEWS/EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST TOP 10 HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUTH, 2003; ALA United States
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE CHOICE LIST, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
*CHILDREN'S LITERATURE- "The skill and finesse we have come to expect from Karen Cushman weaves a rich and powerful tale of self-discovery, and untimately, hope. The reader will find a detailed history of the orphan train and other similar efforts to 'rehabilitate' orphaned and unwanted children in the back of the book."
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION- "This historical fiction novel is filled with the atmosphere of the late 19th century: Industrial Chicago, Indian relations, mail order brides, and more."
THE LORGNETTE- HEART OF TEXAS REVIEWS - This is an excellent choice for sixth grade and up. History and other social studies teachers can use this book for report material. Girls will love the strong heroine."
CONNECTIONS:
*Discussion: Orphans and what happened to them during the time period. How are orphans treated differently now than they were back then?
*Discuss the history of the Orpan train.
*Read THE MIDWIFE"S APPRENTICE
Cushman, Karen. 2003. RODZINA. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618133518
SUMMARY:
Karen Cushman writes this historical novel that tells the story of a 12 year old Polish American girl who boards an orphan train in Chicago with fears about traveling to the west and a life of unpaid slavery. Rodzina was young girl who had lost her whole family. Her 2 brothers were burned in a house fire, her father died while he was working and her mother passed away from fever. Rodzina lived on the streets of Chicago until an orpan agency picked her up. The novel is set in a time when Orphan Trains took orphans from cities in the east to find homes in the frontier lands out west during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Rodzina finds that the families interested in adopting her only wanted her for working, not as a daughter.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
RODZINA is and excellent historical fiction book probably best suited for upper elementary to middle school students. It tells good story and gives the imaage of the hardship, loneliness, fear and stuggles of orphaned children. It also looks at the history of the Orphan Train and the unwanted American children during the late 1800's. There is information about the origin of orphanages, orphan trains and a bibliography of resources for students to use as reference. This makes this selection all the more credible.
AWARDS/REVIEWS/EXCERPTS:
BOOKLIST TOP 10 HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUTH, 2003; ALA United States
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE CHOICE LIST, 2004; Children's Literature; United States
*CHILDREN'S LITERATURE- "The skill and finesse we have come to expect from Karen Cushman weaves a rich and powerful tale of self-discovery, and untimately, hope. The reader will find a detailed history of the orphan train and other similar efforts to 'rehabilitate' orphaned and unwanted children in the back of the book."
LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION- "This historical fiction novel is filled with the atmosphere of the late 19th century: Industrial Chicago, Indian relations, mail order brides, and more."
THE LORGNETTE- HEART OF TEXAS REVIEWS - This is an excellent choice for sixth grade and up. History and other social studies teachers can use this book for report material. Girls will love the strong heroine."
CONNECTIONS:
*Discussion: Orphans and what happened to them during the time period. How are orphans treated differently now than they were back then?
*Discuss the history of the Orpan train.
*Read THE MIDWIFE"S APPRENTICE
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Larson, Kirby. c2006. HATTIE BIG SKY. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385733137
SUMMARY:
This book is about a 16 year old girl named Hattie Brooks. Hattie is an orphan l who lives with her aunt and uncle in Iowa in 1918. She inherits a homestead in Montana and travels on her own to claim the land. It is winter time and she has to learn to survive alone in bad conditions and try to figure out how she will build a fence on the homestead and grow crops so she can keep the land. She has less than a year to complete the task. This book also confronts the prejudice agains her neighbor, a German American farming his own land during World War I. When reading the book, it makes you feel as if you are right there with Hattie. The book includes letters that Hattie writes to her best friend who is in Europe fighting in the war.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This is a heart warming Newberry Honor Book that tells of the historcial period during World War I. When you read the book, you feel as if you are right there with Hattie. This makes the book feel authentic as Larson uses wit to describe the struggles and joy of a common homesteader during World War 1. This historical novel portrays as a young woman struggling and facing terrible odds as she tries to build her own homestead. The effective way the author incorporates articles Hattie wrote for a newspaper and letters she wrote to a friend adds to the credibility and historic value of the book.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXCERPTS:
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2007 Honor Book, United States
YALSA BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS, 2007 ALA, United States
TOP 10 WOMEN'S HISTORY BOOKS FOR YOUTH , 2007 BOOKLIST, United States
*BOOKLIST "Writing in figurative language that draws on nature and domestic detail to infuse her story with the sounds, smells, and sights of the prairie, she creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters."
*CHILDREN'S LITERATURE "This well-researched and gripping novel firmly places its lively heroine in loneliness and debt on her rugged uncle's land claim."
CONNECTION:
Use this book to introduce to discuss the concept of settling the frontier and homesteading. Discuss the struggles of pioneer life.
Larson, Kirby. c2006. HATTIE BIG SKY. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385733137
SUMMARY:
This book is about a 16 year old girl named Hattie Brooks. Hattie is an orphan l who lives with her aunt and uncle in Iowa in 1918. She inherits a homestead in Montana and travels on her own to claim the land. It is winter time and she has to learn to survive alone in bad conditions and try to figure out how she will build a fence on the homestead and grow crops so she can keep the land. She has less than a year to complete the task. This book also confronts the prejudice agains her neighbor, a German American farming his own land during World War I. When reading the book, it makes you feel as if you are right there with Hattie. The book includes letters that Hattie writes to her best friend who is in Europe fighting in the war.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This is a heart warming Newberry Honor Book that tells of the historcial period during World War I. When you read the book, you feel as if you are right there with Hattie. This makes the book feel authentic as Larson uses wit to describe the struggles and joy of a common homesteader during World War 1. This historical novel portrays as a young woman struggling and facing terrible odds as she tries to build her own homestead. The effective way the author incorporates articles Hattie wrote for a newspaper and letters she wrote to a friend adds to the credibility and historic value of the book.
AWARDS/REVIEW EXCERPTS:
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2007 Honor Book, United States
YALSA BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS, 2007 ALA, United States
TOP 10 WOMEN'S HISTORY BOOKS FOR YOUTH , 2007 BOOKLIST, United States
*BOOKLIST "Writing in figurative language that draws on nature and domestic detail to infuse her story with the sounds, smells, and sights of the prairie, she creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters."
*CHILDREN'S LITERATURE "This well-researched and gripping novel firmly places its lively heroine in loneliness and debt on her rugged uncle's land claim."
CONNECTION:
Use this book to introduce to discuss the concept of settling the frontier and homesteading. Discuss the struggles of pioneer life.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Williams-Garcia, Rita. c2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York: Amistad. ISBN 9780060760892
SUMMARY:
This book is about Delphine, an eleven year old and her two sisters, Vonetta and Fern. The girls live with their father and grandmother in Brooklyn. In the summer of 1968, they find themselves traveling to Oakland, Califronia to spend part of their summer with their mother against their wishes. As the girls try to get to know their mother and why she abandoned them, they find out quickly that their mother did not really want them. She sends them to a Black Panther Day Camp to keep them out of her way. Cecile, the mother, works with the Black Panthers and through Delphine we learn aboutthe Black Panther movement of the 1960's and 1970's.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Rita Williams-Garcia writes this story that tells of the revolutionary movement in California in the late 1960's. It is told from the perspective of 3 black teenage girls. The story is powerful and the characters believable. Readers will love the girls and gain insight into this period of history from a different point of view. The story will leave you with a good feeling inside yet also give you a better understanding and give you things to think about. The time and place are well defined and the characters are strong. It is an insightful look into a segment of American History that is seldom explored.
AWARDS/EXCERPTS:
CORRETA SCOTT KING AWARD, 2011 Winner Author United States
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2011, Honor Book United States
SCOTT O'DELL AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION, 2011 Winner United States
*KIRKUS Starred Review - "The depiction of time is well done, and while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults, their resilience is celebrated and energectically told with writing that snaps off the page."
* VOYA - "The historical details sprinkled throughout the book do not seem forced; rather, they lend authenticity to the settings, and the protrayal of the Black Panthers breaks with the harsher stereotypes."
CONNECTIONS:
*Discussion about being a homeless teenager. What do you think it would be like to be homeless? What do you think the challenges would be both away from school and at school?
* What did you learn about the Black Panther movement? Research articles written about Black Panthers.
Williams-Garcia, Rita. c2010. ONE CRAZY SUMMER. New York: Amistad. ISBN 9780060760892
SUMMARY:
This book is about Delphine, an eleven year old and her two sisters, Vonetta and Fern. The girls live with their father and grandmother in Brooklyn. In the summer of 1968, they find themselves traveling to Oakland, Califronia to spend part of their summer with their mother against their wishes. As the girls try to get to know their mother and why she abandoned them, they find out quickly that their mother did not really want them. She sends them to a Black Panther Day Camp to keep them out of her way. Cecile, the mother, works with the Black Panthers and through Delphine we learn aboutthe Black Panther movement of the 1960's and 1970's.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Rita Williams-Garcia writes this story that tells of the revolutionary movement in California in the late 1960's. It is told from the perspective of 3 black teenage girls. The story is powerful and the characters believable. Readers will love the girls and gain insight into this period of history from a different point of view. The story will leave you with a good feeling inside yet also give you a better understanding and give you things to think about. The time and place are well defined and the characters are strong. It is an insightful look into a segment of American History that is seldom explored.
AWARDS/EXCERPTS:
CORRETA SCOTT KING AWARD, 2011 Winner Author United States
JOHN NEWBERRY MEDAL, 2011, Honor Book United States
SCOTT O'DELL AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION, 2011 Winner United States
*KIRKUS Starred Review - "The depiction of time is well done, and while the girls are caught up in the difficulties of adults, their resilience is celebrated and energectically told with writing that snaps off the page."
* VOYA - "The historical details sprinkled throughout the book do not seem forced; rather, they lend authenticity to the settings, and the protrayal of the Black Panthers breaks with the harsher stereotypes."
CONNECTIONS:
*Discussion about being a homeless teenager. What do you think it would be like to be homeless? What do you think the challenges would be both away from school and at school?
* What did you learn about the Black Panther movement? Research articles written about Black Panthers.
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