A Book or Two: Children's Literature Reviews

Find a perfect children’s book to share or read, and information on new, classic, and favorite children's literature, reviewed by university professors, teachers, librarians, graduate students, and teachers-to-be! Browse A Book or Two by title, genre, or topic! HAPPY READING! This is a closed site, to prevent inappropriate postings. You won't be able to add your own comments. Communication should be sent to the site organizer, Dr. Deb Marciano (dlmarciano@valdosta.edu).

Showing posts with label Civil Rights. Show all posts

10/20/14

Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down

AUTHOR: Andrea Davis Pinkney

ILLUSTRATOR: Brian Pinkney

PUBLISHER: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers PUBLICATION DATE: 2010

AWARDS: Jane Addams Honor Book Award

GENRE: Non-Fiction, Picture Book READING LEVEL: 4^th grade

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Set February 1, 1960 in Greensboro, NC at the Woolworth lunch counter, 4 African American college students staged a peaceful protest as they came in to order coffee and a doughnut—this was during a time where Blacks were segregated. This book highlights a defining moment in the quest for racial equality.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Research a person/event who w contributed to racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement, and write a one-page summary about that person/event. Must share with the class.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Ashley January, Valdosta State University ECSE

11/22/13

I Have a Dream

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Kadir Nelson
PUBLISHER:Random House Children's Books
PUBLICATION DATE: 2012

AWARDS:School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
GENRE: Non-Fiction
READING LEVEL: 3rd-5th grade
BRIEF OVERVIEW: I Have a Dream is the famous speech that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave right before he was assassinated. Kadir Nelson puts beautiful illustrations behind the words of Dr. King's famous speech.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: This would be a perfect book to read during Black History Month. Discuss with students how things have changed because of men like Dr. King. Have students write a speech on something that they want to be changed at their school.
REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Kacy Flesher; VSU
LABELS: Dr. Martin Luther King, Civil Rights, Non-Fiction

11/20/13

Freedom Summer

AUTHOR: Deborah Wiles

Illustrator: Jerome Lagarrigue

PUBLISHER: Aladdin PUBLICATION DATE: 2005

AWARDS: Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe new talent award for Jerome Lagarrigue; Ezra Jack Keats / New York Public Library award, best new picture book writer of the year, and best new illustrator, 2002; Simon Wiesenthal “Once Upon A World Award”; Junior Library Guild Selection; Notable Book in the field of Social Studies, National Council of the Social Studies; Oprah Winfrey Book Club for Kids Selection  Children’s Literature Choice List

GENRE: Historical Fiction

READING LEVEL: 2nd-4th grade

BRIEF OVERVIEW: This is a story of two friends, one is black and one is white. John Henry (black) can’t do everything his friend can. They spend the summer together and join to support the Civil Rights Act.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Put yourself in John Henry’s shoes. Describe a situation when you weren’t treated fairly and tell how that made you feel.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Lauren Baker, Valdosta State University

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Doreen Rappaport/Bryan Collier

PUBLISHER: Jump at the Sun

PUBLICATION DATE: October1, 2001

AWARDS: Caldecott Honor (2002) Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrator Honor (2002)

GENRE: Nonfiction

READING LEVEL: 3rd-5th grade

BRIEF OVERVIEW: The story of Dr. King's life and how he handled segregation.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: The students will write how they would feel if they were not allowed in particular stores and restaurants.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Alicia Evans- Valdosta State University