Fourth grader, Donavan is looking forward to Heritage Month at his school. Every year, kids can bring in a person that will share something special about their heritage and it seems that everyone, including his sister Nikki, has someone lined up for the event. Donavan, however, is preoccupied with a few of his own dilemmas. At school he is having trouble with his math class and at home he is having trouble adjusting to his Uncle Vic who lost his legs while serving in the military. While Donavan's father attempts to teach him a few strategies for solving math problems, Donavan works on overcoming his discomfort around Uncle Vic. In the process, Donavan discovers that solving math problems doesn't have to feel horrible and realizes that he's not the only one with reservations about his Uncle's new way of life.
Showing posts with label African-Americans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African-Americans. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Donavan's Double Trouble
DeGross, Monalisa (2008). Donavan's Double Trouble. Grade 4-6.
Fourth grader, Donavan is looking forward to Heritage Month at his school. Every year, kids can bring in a person that will share something special about their heritage and it seems that everyone, including his sister Nikki, has someone lined up for the event. Donavan, however, is preoccupied with a few of his own dilemmas. At school he is having trouble with his math class and at home he is having trouble adjusting to his Uncle Vic who lost his legs while serving in the military. While Donavan's father attempts to teach him a few strategies for solving math problems, Donavan works on overcoming his discomfort around Uncle Vic. In the process, Donavan discovers that solving math problems doesn't have to feel horrible and realizes that he's not the only one with reservations about his Uncle's new way of life.
Fourth grader, Donavan is looking forward to Heritage Month at his school. Every year, kids can bring in a person that will share something special about their heritage and it seems that everyone, including his sister Nikki, has someone lined up for the event. Donavan, however, is preoccupied with a few of his own dilemmas. At school he is having trouble with his math class and at home he is having trouble adjusting to his Uncle Vic who lost his legs while serving in the military. While Donavan's father attempts to teach him a few strategies for solving math problems, Donavan works on overcoming his discomfort around Uncle Vic. In the process, Donavan discovers that solving math problems doesn't have to feel horrible and realizes that he's not the only one with reservations about his Uncle's new way of life.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Story of friendship in 1926 South Carolina
Fuqua, Jonathon Scott (2002). Darby.* Grades 4-6. 
Set in 1926, nine-year-old Darby Carmichael lives in Marlboro County, South Carolina where racial tensions are high. Her father owns a store and is a farmer who employs black sharecroppers. One of Darby's good friends is Evette, the daughter of a sharecropper. When Evette tells Darby that she wants to be a newspaper editor, Darby begins to have writing ambitions of her own. Evette helps Darby with her first newspaper article for the local paper and after that Darby is a local celebrity, but when Darby begins to observe and write about the racial inequality and tension in her town, some citizens are less than thrilled. Unfortunately, her family becomes targeted by a group of whites that disagree with Darby's opinion.
This is a great story about a young girl who is not afraid to speak the truth, no matter the consequences. Great book for a book club or classroom read-aloud.
*NPL does not own this title.
Set in 1926, nine-year-old Darby Carmichael lives in Marlboro County, South Carolina where racial tensions are high. Her father owns a store and is a farmer who employs black sharecroppers. One of Darby's good friends is Evette, the daughter of a sharecropper. When Evette tells Darby that she wants to be a newspaper editor, Darby begins to have writing ambitions of her own. Evette helps Darby with her first newspaper article for the local paper and after that Darby is a local celebrity, but when Darby begins to observe and write about the racial inequality and tension in her town, some citizens are less than thrilled. Unfortunately, her family becomes targeted by a group of whites that disagree with Darby's opinion.
This is a great story about a young girl who is not afraid to speak the truth, no matter the consequences. Great book for a book club or classroom read-aloud.
*NPL does not own this title.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Latest book club read
Codell, Esmé Raji (2003). Sahara Special. Grades 3-5.
Sahara, a fifth grader, knows that she is going to be a writer. She already has some stories in the library (hidden behind some books), but her school counseler thinks that she needs special education. After Sahara's letters to her father are confiscated and put in the principal's file, she stops doing her homework and is taken out of her regular classroom. But, when her mother demands that she is taken out of special ed, Sahara returns to her classroom and is pleasantly surprised with the arrival of a new teacher. Ms. Pointy, is not your regular teacher, she has bright lipstick, wears outrageous clothes, and teaches strange subjects. Her unique teaching style may be all that Sahara and the other students need in order to gain self-esteem and overcome their individual fears.If you would like to join the Online Book Club for 3-5 graders, call the Needham Children's library: 781-455-7559 ext. 204.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wonderful historical fiction novel!
Rinaldi, Ann (2007). Come Juneteenth. 246 pages. (Grades 5-7).
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, but it took two and a half years for Texas slave owners to inform their slaves for fear of an uprising. Fourteen-year old Luli has grown up during the Civil War alongside Sis Goose, a slave who was raised as Luli's sister. The girls tell each other everything, but when Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, Luli is forbidden to tell Sis Goose that she is free. When Union soldiers arrive in Texas, Sis Goose learns that she has been free for over two years. Her trust in Luli is broken and she is forced to run away with a Union soldier, which results in a devastating tragedy.
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, but it took two and a half years for Texas slave owners to inform their slaves for fear of an uprising. Fourteen-year old Luli has grown up during the Civil War alongside Sis Goose, a slave who was raised as Luli's sister. The girls tell each other everything, but when Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, Luli is forbidden to tell Sis Goose that she is free. When Union soldiers arrive in Texas, Sis Goose learns that she has been free for over two years. Her trust in Luli is broken and she is forced to run away with a Union soldier, which results in a devastating tragedy.
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