Books That Address Diversity That Should Be In The

Library Media Center

Rules
By: Cynthia Lord

One chapter book that I feel should be in every school library media collection is Rules written by Cynthia Lord. This is a story about a young girl, Catherine and the obstacles she and her family face with an autistic family member, David. David’s disability along with his social awkwardness embarrasses Catherine in public, so she creates a set of rules for David to follow. Through out the story, each chapter is a titled with a new rule. Catherine greatly cares for her brother but is torn between her love for him and her anger of his disability. Catherine longs to be accepted by her peers and battles with accepting Davis as her special needs brother. Catherine gets a new perspective on her situation with David, after meeting a young boy, Jason, who is nonverbal and in a wheelchair. Catherine is able to communicate to Jason by special word cards. She even creates her own cards to share with Jason. Soon they build a strong friendship in which Catherine learns valuable life lessons about acceptance and understanding differences.

I feel that this book should be in every library media center because of the diversity it addresses and how it teaches valuable life lessons. I think this book could be very relatable to middle grade students because they can relate to Catherine’s feeling of longing for acceptance. This book addresses diversity by exposing readers to different disabilities. I think it is important for students to be exposed to different disabilities because it creates an awareness of and empathy for disabled individuals.

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
Written By: Ellen Levine
Illustrated By: Kadir Nelson

This is an inspirational picture book that should be apart of the collection at every library media center. This book, with its outstanding illustrations, follows the real life of Henry “Box” Brown and his escape from slavery. As a child Henry was taken away from his mother and sold to tobacco factory. As her grew older, Henry married another slave and together they had three children. Sadly, Henry is forcibly separated from his wife and children and desperately watches as they are solve into the slave market. Heartbroken and hopeless, Henry enlists the help of abolitionist doctor and mails himself in a packing crate “to a place where there are no slaves!” It takes over one full day for Henry to arrive at the address of the doctor’s friends’ house in Philadelphia. Through out Henry’s travels, the illustrator does a wonderful job at depicting the conditions Henry went through in the tiny wooden box. The story does not go on to tell about Henry’s life as a free man or if he was ever reunited with his family. However, the story stills provides the reader with valuable insight into a determined and resourceful man.
I think that this book is a great resource for young readers. The book is able to address diversity for a younger audience. This book exposes readers to the conditions and obstacles that many slaves faced trying to find freedom. I think this book would be a crucial resource to have to open up discussions about the Underground Railroad.

Critique of The Bracelet

By: Yoshiko Uchida

Illustrated By: Joanna Yardley

This story takes place in 1942 after the outbreak of war with Japan when the United States imprisoned thousands of Japanese-American citizens. The story follows a young Japanese-American girl who is sent away with her family to a prison camp. Before her family leaves for the camp, her best friend gives her a bracelet. When the family arrives at the prison camp the stable they have to stay in is empty and dirty. The young girl reaches for the bracelet to give her courage and finds that it is missing. Her mother helps her search the grounds of the camp for the bracelet but they can not find it. The next day the young girl opens her suitcase and finds a red sweater that reminds her of past memories. She realizes that she does not need a bracelet to remember people and places that she loved and left behind. Her mother tells her, “Those are things we carry in our hearts and take with us no matter where we are sent” (Uchida & Yardley, 1993).

I liked how Uchida and Yardley used simple text and colorful but soft illustrations to expose young readers to a dark event in American history. Through the portrayal of the main character Emi, the reader is able to understand the devastation that these families felt as they were forced to leave their homes and friends behind. I teach at a very diverse school where many of the families have come from different countries. I think some of the students in my school could relate to this story because some of them have had to leave their family, friends and homes behind. This story also sends an important message to young readers about the insignificance of material possessions.

Other books Written by Yoshiko Uchida include:

Journey To Topaz: A Story Of the Japanese-American Evacuation
The Best Bad Thing
Happiest Ending
Birthday Visitor

Critique of John Henry

By: Julius Lester

Ilustrated By: Jerry Pinkney

Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney have turned the African American folk ballad into an inspirational story about a man named John Henry. The author notes in the beginning of the story that even though numerous people have tried to prove the actual existence of John Henry, it is not certain that this man existed. The author goes on to state that the figure of John Henry achieved his place in Americana through a novel, John Henry (1931) by Roark Bradford (Lester & Pinkney, 1994). This story begins with the birth and instantaneous growth of John Henry, “He grew and he grew and he grew. He grew until his head and shoulders busted through the roof which was over the porch” (Lester & Pinkney, 1994). Through the text and the illustrations, the reader gets a clear picture of how fast John Henry grew. The story proceeds on to talk about the events that take place where John Henry proves how big, strong and fearless he is. At the end of the book, John Henry decided to take on a steam drill to break through a mountain. On one side of the mountain, John Henry used his hammers; on the other side of the mountain, the railroad boss used the steam drill. After a day, John Henry met the steam drill and had covered a mile and a quarter through the mountain, while the steam drill had only gone a quarter of a mile. John Henry walked out of the tunnel, smiled, closed his eyes then fell to the ground and died.

One of my favorite parts of the story came at the end with this quote, “Dying ain’t important. Everybody does that. What matters is how well you do your living” (Lester & Pinkney, 1994). After reading this quote, it gave me great insight on how I should not take any day for granted. The story line, along with the exceptional illustrations, provides the reader with an inspirational and historical story.
I think one thing that made this book so appealing was Lester’s use of personification. For example, “Then came the sound of soft crying. Some said it came from the moon. Another one said she saw the sun shed a tear “(Lester & Pinkney, 1994). This is perfect example of the personification found through out the story. I think this story sends an uplifting message to readers about living life to its fullest.

Other stories written by Julius Lester include:
Day of Tear
To Be A Slave
Guardian
Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales
Black Folktales

The Lorax
By: Dr. Seuss

The story starts off with a young boy wanting to know about the Lorax. He goes to the house of the Once-ler where is pays “fifteen cents and a nail and the shell of a great-great-great grandfather snai” The Once-ler then flashes back to a time when there was green grass, truffula trees and all kinds of different animals. As the story goes on the Once-ler describes how he started to cut down the truffula trees to make thneeds. After cutting down some of the trees, a Lorax pops out and warns the Once-ler of the dangers of cutting down the trees. The Once-ler does not listen and pretty soon all the trees are gone because he did plant anymore, along with the animals that relied on the fruit of the trees for food. He also pollutes the ponds and air with his thneed factory. At the end of the story the Once-ler gives the young boy the very last truffula tree seed and tells him “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

The dictionary defines didactic as
containing a political or moral message
tending to give instruction or advice, even when it is not welcome or not needed
After reading The Lorax by Dr. Seuss for the first time I did get the feeling that Seuss was teaching lesson about the human impact on the environment. I think what makes The Lorax didactic is the message it sends about the dangers of pollution and a complete disregard for the environment. The story conveys a moral message at the end of the book when the Lorax vanishes and all that is left is a platform that reads ULESS. The Once-ler then tells the boy, who is standing on the platform, that unless someone cares about the environment, conditions will not improve.
Traditionally, the book’s published by children’s authors were to educate and send moral messages. Today there are still a large number of books that are didactic in nature. However there are also a number of books published with the main purpose being to entertain children. I enjoy reading both kinds of literature to my students. I feel both types have a strong place and purpose in children’s literature.

The Cat in the Hat
By: Dr. Seuss

Even though I had read this book several times, I went back and read it once more. After re-reading the book, I have a clearer understanding of what Dr. Seuss meant when he portrayed childhood through the book, The Cat in the Hat . With the story sticking to simple words and colorful illustrations, I can see why this book is so appealing to young readers.

One contemporary book that has the same tension presented in The Cat in the Hat is If You Give a Moose a Muffin, written by Laura Numeroff. In this book, a moose partakes in the similar antics of the cat. Just like The Cat in the Hat, this book is very imaginative and has an aspect of nonsense and silliness to it. Both books are very entertaining and exciting to read. I can remember my mom reading The Cat in the Hat to me as a young child. I could not wait for her to turn the page and read what crazy idea the cat had come up with. I get the same feeling when I read If You Give a Moose a Muffin to my students. As a class we try and predict what we think they moose is going to ask for next. I think this book appeals to children because of the crazy antics found through out the story.

Children’s Books Produced into Feature Films

1. Horton Hears A Who
By: Dr. Seuss, 1954

Movie By: 20th Century Fox Animation, 2008

This is a classic Dr. Seuss story about one brave elephant and his determination to keep the “Whos” safe because “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” The story begins when Horton the elephant, hears a small speck of dust talking to him. The tiny speak of dust is home to a city called “Who-ville” populated by the “Whos.” The major of “Who-ville” asks Horton, who can only hear him, to protect his town from harm. While trying to protect the speck of dust, the other animals in the jungle, who can not hear the “Whos,” torment Horton and take the clover that the speck of dust is on. Horton finally finds the clover again, but the other animals, Vlad Vladikoff, the Wixkersham Brothers and the Sour Kangaroo cage Horton. Horton tells the “Whos”, that unless that are hear by the other animals, they will be boiled in “Beezelnut Oil.” The “Whos” find anything they can to make noise, but it is not enough. The major of Who-vile searches for anyone left in the town and finds a very small who named JoJo. JoJo’s loud “YOPP”, was the final addition that the “Whos” needed to make the other jungle animals hear them. After hearing the “Whos”, the other jungle animals vow to help Horton protect the tiny town.

I had not read the book in a while, so I decided to re-read the story first, then watch the movie. I thought overall, the movie kept pretty much to the plot of the book. However, I did notice a few expected differences between the book and the movie. The most obvious difference between the two was the movie’s addition to the “Whos” of “Who-ville”. In the book, the author focuses mainly on Horton. However in the movie the viewer is introduced to the major of “Who-ville” and his family. The movie also shows the major’s only son to be JoJo, the young who, who saved “Who-ville.” The book makes no mention of this relationship. Another difference between the movie and the book is the addition of the character Morton. In the movie, Horton has a small mouse friend named Morton, who plays a major part; however, the book does not mention this character at all. I think the addition of Morton and the focus on the Whos, enhances the story. Both the book and the movie send a powerful message of treating people with respect.

2. Because of Winn-Dixie
By: Kate Dicamillo, 2000
Movie By: 20th Century Fox, 2005

This story is about a young girl, Opal, and her big, ugly, happy dog she calls Winn Dixie. After moving to a new town with her preacher father, Opal finds the dog in a local supermarket and brings him home. After much pleading, she convinces her father to let the dog stay. She names the dog Winn Dixie after the supermarket she found him in. Because of Winn-Dixie, the preacher tells Opal ten things about her absent mother, one for each year Opal has been alive. Winn-Dixie becomes more than just a dog to Opal, he becomes her best friend. Winn-Dixie is better at making friends than anyone Opal has ever known. Through Winn-Dixie, Opal makes several unusual friends in the new town she lives in. Opal spends the summer collecting stories about her new friends, and thinking about her mother. Her new friends include the town librarian, an ex-convict that works at the local pet store and enchants the animals with his guitar and the town “witch” who relieves Opal of much sadness left by her mother’s abandonment seven years earlier. She teaches Opal that the most important thing is not to judge people by their past, but by what they are doing now. Through Winn-Dixie and her new friends, Opal learns to let go of the heartache left by her mother.

After watching the movie, I was pleased to see that the movie followed the story line with few discrepancies. One discrepancy I did find was that the movie did not follow the same sequence of events that the book did. Although all the characters were portrayed in the same way in the movie, the book did a better job of describing the relationships that Opal formed with the characters. Another change that the movie made was when Opal asked her father to tell her things about her mother. In the book, Opal’s dad listed ten things about Opal’s mother. In the movie Opal’s dad describe her mother but did not list ten things including that she was an alcoholic.
Overall, I feel that this is an exceptional bookand movie for young readers. Both the book and the movie teach valuable lessons about friendship and forgiveness.

3. The Polar Express
By: Chris Van Allsburg, 1984
Movie By: Warner Brothers Entertainment, 2005

The book, The Polar Express, is one book that I look forward to reading to my students each year. I enjoyed looking at the rich colors of the illustrations which I feel make the book so special. This is a story of a young boy who boards a magical train during the night of Christmas Eve. The train is called the Polar Express and takes the boy and the other passengers on board to the North Pole. When the train arrives at the North Pole, the children see all the elves in the center of the city ready to send Santa off. The conductor informs the children that this is where Santa will give the first gift of Christmas. The children make their way to Santa’s sleigh where is picks the young boy to receive the first gift of Christmas. The boy chooses a bell from his sleigh and puts it into the pocket of his robe as the elves cheer Santa off into the night. Later in the train, the boy realizes his robe has a hole in it and the bell has fallen out. When one of the other children suggests looking for the bell, the train suddenly lurches forward as it started back to the children’s houses. The next morning, the boy finds a small present with the silver bell and a message from Mr. C inside.

This is wonderful story about believing in the spirit of Christmas. While I read the book each year to my students, I also let my students watch the movie, The Polar Express. I think the movie does a wonderful job of staying true to the story line of the book. The movie depicts the rich illustrations found in the book. The illustrations come to life in the movie though a form of animation. The movie does extend the plot of the story and adds a few extra characters, but this only enhances the story line. I think the book and the movie are equally captivating and engaging for people of all ages.

Caldecott/Newbery Award
What is the difference?

Both of these awards are given each year to talented and inspiring individuals to recognize the outstanding work in the area of children’s literature. The Caldecott and Newbery awards are the most prestigious American children’s book awards. The awards are given out to books published within the previous year that meet specific criteria. However, the criterion is different for each award.

The Caldecott Medal is awarded yearly by the Association for Library Service to children, a division of the American Library Association, to an artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. It was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. The following is a list of criteria, provided by the American Library Association that must be met by a book in order to qualify for the award:

The book must be published in English in the United States during the preceding year.
The illustrations must be original work.
The artist must be a citizen or resident of the United States.
The book must be considered for the artistic technique employed; pictorial interpretation of story; appropriateness of style of illustration to the story; delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting mood or information through the pictures; and recognition of a child audience.
The book must display respect for children's understandings, abilities, and appreciations.
The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media for its enjoyment.
“Caldecott Terms & Criteria". American Library Association. 2008. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottterms/caldecottterms.cfm. Retrieved on 2009-06-28.

The Newbery Award is given also given out yearly by the by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. This award has been given out since 1922 and was the first children’s literature award given out in the world. This award is named in honor of John Newbery, an 18th century children’s book publisher. The following is a list of criteria, provided by the American Library Association that must be met by a book in order to qualify for the award:

The book must be published in English in the United States the previous year.
The author must be a citizen or resident of the United States.
The book must be considered for its theme, presentation (clarity, accuracy and organization), plot, characters, setting, and style.
The book must relate to a child audience.
The book must contribute to literature.
The book must stand alone and not as a part of a multimedia presentation. Association for Library Service to Children. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyterms/newberyterms.cfm. Retrieved on 2009-06-28.

I think that book of these awards are equally important. They both honor extremely talented and motivated individuals that strive to create enriching and inspiring works for children.

Corretta Scott King Award

Elijah of Buxton
By: Christopher Paul Curtis
2008 Award Winner

This story is told from the perspective of young boy. Elijah, who was the first child born free in Buxton, Canada, a settlement formed by runaway slaves just across the border from Detroit. In the first chapter the reader learns that Elijah Freeman is famous for two things. First, he was the first child born free in the “Elgin Settlement at Raleigh in Canada West” (better known as Buxton). Second, when he was a baby he got sick all over the famous Frederick Douglass. Through the story Elijah struggles with being described as “fragile” by his parents and others on the settlement because he tends to be very sensitive. He works hard at trying to convince people that he is ready to be a man. The first part Elijah tells stories and about the residents of Buxton so the reader can have a clearer understanding of the people and the place where they live. By the end of the book Elijah get a dangerous chance to prove that he is no longer fragile. Elijah’s friend Mr. Leroy has finally save enough money, with the help of a generous donation, to buy his family out of slavery in the south. Mr. Leroy gives the money to another former slave, who promises to go to America and find Mr. Leroy’s family. After a couple of days being gone, Mr. Leroy and the other residents of Buxton find out that the former slave has run off with the money to Michigan and has no intentions of buying Mr. Leroy’s family out of slavery. Devastated and enraged, Mr. Leroy calls on Elijah to help him track down his money and the former slave who stole it. Elijah goes with Mr. Leroy, telling no one but his best friend, in search of the former slave but in return finds out what he is made of.

I can definitely see why this book won the Corretta Scott King award. This was the first book I have ever read by Christopher Paul Curtis. He is such a master at portraying different emotions through his characters. Curtis does an outstanding job of engaging the reader with the subject of slavery through a child’s perspective. I was amazed to learn about the historical elements of the Buxton settlement.

The author of the story addresses diversity through out the book. In the beginning of the story the Elijah learns and tells about slavery at a distance, knowing only what he hears from his parents and the other residents. At the end of the story Elijah experiences first hand the horrors of slavery when he accidently runs into five slaves who have been retaken by slave catchers. At first I found this book hard to read because of the dialect it was presented in. However, once I became used to the language, I realized it had a huge impact on the historical relevance to the story. Many times when I read books about slavery, the perspective told is about finding freedom. This book gives an important and interesting history about the slaves who found freedom and the obstacles they still faced even when they were finally free.