Imogene's Last Stand ... Girl Power!!!

Author: Candace Fleming
Grade Level: Elementary
Awards:
New York Public Library 100 Books For Reading and Sharing Title
2009 Horn Book Magazine -- Starred Review
2010 Black-Eyed Susan Award - Picture Book nominee
2011 Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award -- Picture Book nominee
2012 Bluebonnet Award -- Children's nominee
2012 Monarch Award -- Grades K-3 nominee 

When I think of inspiring female characters in children's fiction literature, Imogene is one character that sits at the forefront of my mind. Little Imogene is absolutely delighted when she discovers that an old abandoned house is filled with historical knick-knacks. She and her dad work hard to clean it up and open up a historical society in her little rural town.  Unfortunately, the mayor has other plans!  After hard work and determination, this little firecracker sets out on a mission to save the historical building. Filled with references to monumental individuals from history, as well as inspiring quotes, this books will have young readers rooting for Imogene and clamoring for more history books! 

           As Imogene announces, 

                        "You must do the thing you think you cannot do." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Reviews: 

Starred Review, The Horn Book Magazine, November/December 2009: "With a light touch, complemented by Carpenter’s breezy illustrations, Fleming introduces rather than stresses these issues, making room for more thoughtful discussion but never requiring it"

Publishers Weekly, October 5, 2009: "Imogene’s passion and comedic perseverance inspire"

Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2009: "Fleming peppers the text with famous quotes that add a layer of historical depth to the story"

Booklist, July 1, 2009: "Fleming’s sense of small-town space is impeccable; Carpenter’s pen-and-ink art enjoyably scribbly; and the historical facts and quotes that bookend the story are just the thing to get new Imogenes fired up."

Lit-tivity: 
Teacher's Guide CLICK HERE

Additional Sources: 

Author Website 

Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang

Author: Gene Luen Yang

Grade Level: YA
Awards: 

• National Book Awards Finalist, Young People's Literature 2013
• Booklist Top 10 Religion and Spirituality Books for Youth 2013
• School Library Journal Best Books of the Year 2013
• 2013 Los Angeles Times Book Prize (YA Lit) Winner

Gene Yang brings together his unique graphic novel style with historical fiction.  This two part series for young adult readers will entice reluctant readers and encourage them to learn about a time, and perhaps a place that they don't know much about. China, 1898, foreign missionaries and soldiers bully and rob from the Chinese peasants, but Little Bao plans to put an end to it! 

What do you want readers to take away from Boxers & Saints?

"I hope readers are inspired to look into the actual historical event. The Boxer Rebellion doesn't get all that much attention on this side of the Pacific, but it still resonates in modern China. The Boxer Rebellion, and all the events of China's Century of Humiliation, still weighs heavily on their foreign policy. As China grows economically, as China and America's relationship evolves, events like the Boxer Rebellion will gain importance in Western history classes.

I also hope the books encourage readers to look at both sides of every conflict. The Internet age has brought about a blossoming of exaggerated righteous indignation. I've certainly been guilty of it. Maybe some of that will dissipate if we learn to look at both sides with compassion." (Yang, NPR BOOKS, 2013)

Lit-Tivity: Teacher's Guide CLICK HERE

Additional Sources:
Official Trailer: 

Interviews with the author: 

My Brother Charlie

Author: Holly Robinson Peet, Ryan Elizabeth Peet

Grade Level: Elementary

Awards: 

• Best Children's Books of the Year, 2011
• Choices, 2011
• Comstock Book Award 2011

A delightful and colorful story about twins and living with autism. 

"Charlie has autism. His brain works in a special way. It's harder for him to make friends. Or show his true feelings. Or stay safe." 

His big sister highlights all of the incredible things CAN do!  He knows all the names of the presidents and plays the piano better than anyone else. This book is filled with positivity and shines a light on autism for young readers. 

The endnotes highlight some basic details about autism. This story is an important addition to any elementary school library.

Additional Sources: 


A heartwarming, honest and open discussion between author Holly Robinson Peete and her  son, RJ, who is living with autism.

Persepolis

Author: Marjane Satrapi

"If people are given the chance to experience life in more than one country, they will hate a little less. It's not a miracle potion, but little by little you can solve problems in the 'basement' of a country, not on the surface. That is why I wanted people in other countries to read Persepolis, to see that I grew up just as other children do."— Marjane Satrapi 

Grade Level: YA
Awards: 

A New York Times Notable Book
A Time Magazine “Best Comix of the Year”
A San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times Best-seller

This graphic memoir of a young girl growing up in Iran is brave, bold, and memorable. It tells the story of a young girl growing up in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution, the effects of the war with Iraq and the horrific toll it takes on the people of this country.  Marjane Satrapi has given readers, young and old, a gift.  We need this story, and so many other diverse books to ensure we are never reliant on a "single story" to represent a culture or community. 


Lit-Tivity: 
Pictures Tell the Story: Improving Comprehension With Persepolis


Additional Sources: 

Persepolis: Challenging Perceptions Beyond the American Lens

Persepolis, the movie, nominated for an Academy Award for best animated feature film. 

Interview with the author, Marjane Satrapi.

 

Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection

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Author: Various
Grade Level: Middle School
Awards: 
2010 Maverick Award
2011 Aesop Prize for Children’s Folklore
2011 Eisner Award Nominee


This graphic novel includes twenty-one traditional stories by Native American storytellers.  The end of the book includes a detailed biography for the authors and illustrators. The editor, Matt Dembicki, wanted this compilation of graphic trickster tales, "to be authentic, meaning they would have to be written by Native American Storytellers." For each contribution, editor Matt Dembicki paired an artist with a Native American storyteller, including tales from tribes across the United States. The result is a visual collection of authentic Native American tales, told by authentic storytellers. 


Lit-Tivity: 
Using Comic Book Legal Defense Fund which provides ways to teach with graphic novels, alignment to CCSS, and discussion guide at Using Graphic Novels in Education: Trickster 


Additional Sources: 

For more Native American stories check out Debbie Reese's article in School Library Journal

SLJ's 2013 Focus On "Resources and Kid Lit about American Indians"

Interview with Matt Dembicki exists at NPR 

 Listen to Joseph Stands With Many performing the story “How Wildcat Caught a Turkey” (which appears in this book).

Long Way Down

 

Author: Jason Reynolds
Grade Level: YA
Awards: 

• Newbery Medal Nominee (2018)
• National Book Award Nominee for Young People's Literature (2017)
• Odyssey Award Nominee (2018)
• Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Young Adult Literature (2017)
• Edgar Award for Best Young Adult (2018)
• Michael L. Printz Award Nominee (2018)
• Coretta Scott King Award Nominee for Author Honor (2018)
• Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Poetry (2017)
• NAACP Image Award Nominee for Youth/Teens (2018) 

The power of words. The art of prose....

Articulated and constructed masterfully by Jason Reynolds. To connect deeply with the author, on a different level, consider listening to the audio version of this book.  This book will invite deep discussion, perhaps ending with a classroom discussion of the power of these words, “You Coming?” This book can offer great access and insight for young and old alike in our fight against gun violence ...we need action, and starting the conversation with young learners is critical. 

Lit-Tivity:

Reading Group Guide 
Author Website  

Chato's Kitchen

Author: Gary Soto

Grade Level: PreK-2
Awards: Pura Belpre

In this lively and colorful story, reader's are invited into Chato's kitchen.  Here Chato the cat prepares a delicious feast.  Readers will take a journey through the kitchen filled with cultural foods.  A glossary of Spanish words, colorful illustrations, topped off with a mischievous cat who is looking for a main course to add to his side dishes.


Lit-Tivity:
Listen to the Audio Book on www.getepic.com
Chato's Kitchen Discussion Guide