The Running Dream (Draanen)

                                                           

Draanen, Wendelin Vann. The Running Dream. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2001. ISBN 9780375896798

Sixteen year old Jessica is a runner. Running makes her feel alive. She first fell in love with running in third grade and never once waivered in her fanaticism for the sport.  After a record breaking track meet, Jessica’s school bus is in an accident her leg is amputated. Jessica must now learn to carefully maneuver through a world that was once so familiar. Life’s ordinary routine becomes a monumental task and going to school is suddenly terrifying.  Jessica no longer feels whole and worries that others only see what she is missing. With this new perspective, Jessica becomes friends with Rosa, a girl in her class with Cerebral Palsy, who changes her life. With the help of family and friends, and especially Rosa, Jessica slowly learns to reclaim her self-confidence, purpose, and love of running.

Critical Analysis

Jessica is a strong, independent female character whom faces and overcomes many obstacles through the course of the book. Draanen has presented a realistic look at the grieving process for Jessica’s loss of her leg and track dreams and aspirations. When Jessica initially loses her leg she feels as if her world is crashing down around her, and turns to unhealthy coping mechanisms.

With time Jessica comes to accept the reality that her leg is gone and begins to refocus her life. She learns to climb stairs and eventually returns to school. She is surprised to realize that many students are enthusiastic upon her return and acknowledge her excitedly. Other students, however, seem to ignore her or appear uncomfortable around her. When Jessica is told to sit in the back of the room next to Rosa, a student with cerebral palsy, Jessica suddenly feels guilty. Just as students were ignoring her, she too had once ignored Rosa. Draanen is careful to give Rosa’s character a personality that helps the reader see her beyond her disability. Rosa is insightful, smart, and witty with her own aspirations. A strong friendship develops between Rosa and Jessica as Rosa tutors Jessica in math. Jessica’s guilt fades and she comes to realize that Rosa, like her, is a girl who wants others to see them for more than their disabilities.

Draanen provides incredible detail that helps the reader understand Jessica’s journey from her swollen, scarred “stump” to decompression socks, and the incredible amount of work that goes into creating a useful prosthetic. When Jessica finally gets her prosthetic leg, she must deal with the accompanying reactions to the leg including the, “guys being wowed and the girls being revolted.” However, this struggle does not take away from Jessica’s joy at being able to once again walk. Although Jessica’s life seems to be getting easier, she still faces struggles both unique to her situation and universal to teenagers. Jessica worries about the cost of her medical bills, fears that no boy will ever like her, and worries that her leg is the reason no boy has asked her to prom. At the same time, she worries about making good grades and fights for increased independence from her parents.

Eventually, Jessica feels freed with a running leg. As she builds up strength and endurance, Jessica decides to give a gift back to her friend Rosa by pushing her wheelchair in a ten mile race. “Team Rosa” consists of Rosa, Jessica, and several friends who participate in the ten mile race with the goal of bringing awareness to individuals, not disabilities. By the end of the book Jessica too seems to have overcome her fears of being different and freely changes from her walking prosthetic to her running prosthetic in public. She is now used to the rhythm and sound of her new running, “whing, woosh, wing, woosh” and has an optimistic outlook on life.

Awards and Review Excerpts

Schneider Family Book Awards

YASLA Best Fiction For Young Adults

Booklist: “readers will truly feel what it’s like to walk (or run) a mile (or 10) in Jessica’s shoes”

Publisher’s Weekly: “Van Draanen sensitively conveys Jessica's struggles”

School Library Journal: “Readers will cheer for Jessica's recovery and be reminded to recognize people for their strengths and not overlook them because of their disabilities.”

Connections

Read other stories where teenage characters face obstacles and deal with their own disabilites.

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. ISBN 9780316013697

Draper, Susan M. Out of My Mind. ISBN 141697170X

Hershey, Mary. The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California.

ISBN 1595141502

Zimmer, Tracie Vaughn. Reaching for Sun. ISBN 9781599900377

Read other books by Wendelin Van Draanen.

Draanen, Wendelin Vann. Flipped. ISBN 9780375825446

Draanen, Wendelin Vann. Runaway. ISBN 9780307975973

Draanen, Wendelin Vann. Swear to Howdy. ISBN 9780440419433

Habibi (Nye)

                                             

Nye, Naomi Shihab. Habibi. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1997. ISBN 0689801491

On the verge of entering high school, Liyana feels that everything is just as it should be. She knows the ins and outs of her neighborhood, loves spending time with her grandmother, Peachy Helen, and has just experienced her first kiss. Then her parents announce the biggest change of Liyana’s life. Her family is moving away from everything that Liyana has ever known. They will be leaving her mom’s hometown of St. Louis, Missouri to live just outside of her dad’s hometown of Jerusalem. Once there, she is overwhelmed by her father’s large Arab family and the many lingual and cultural differences she encounters. She is shocked with the reality of the ongoing violence between Jews and Arabs in the city. With time, however, Liyana begins to appreciate the rich history and culture of Jerusalem and begins to approach life with familiarity and hope.

Critical Analysis

Habibi is a culturally rich novel that addresses the unique cultural experience of a teenage girl born to an Israeli father and an American mother as she transitions from life in the United States to life in Israel, or as her father “Poppy” still refers to his homeland, Palestine. Liyana knows only her father’s stories of his homeland and family when they take off on their journey.

The reader learns along with Liyana many of the cultural differences between the United States and Israel. Her friends back home had names like Jackson and Claire, but her friends at school in Jerusalem had names like Sylvie and Atom. In the United States, only her father called her “habibi” and her mother and grandmother called her precious, but in Israel many members of her Arab family used the term of endearment “habibi” or “habibti”. Liyana is also conflicted when she learns of many of the conservative expectations such as not wearing “inappropriate” shorts or wearing the friendship ring given to her by her American best-friend because the ring is seen as a distraction. It is also common for her older uncles to wear “kaffiyehs” on their heads and her older aunts to wrap their heads in long scarves.

Once in Jerusalem, Liyana learns more about the cultural differences and conflicts within the city itself. Most everyone within the city walls is bilingual and Liyana must attend classes with kindergarten students to learn Arabic. Liyana and her family explore the Arab and Armenian areas of the city but avoid the Jewish sections. The most difficult part for Liyana is witnessing instances of hate between Arabs and Jews.

However new and difficult, life in Jerusalem is also wonderful. Liyana learns the shared experiences between all who live in the old city. Nye uses poetic language, sprinkled with Arabic words, to describe the sights, sounds, and smells of the area as Liyana experiences and falls in love with the places, people, and things of Israel. She experiences the Dead Sea, “prickly with salt”, tastes a wide array of Arabic desserts including “katayef”, learns from her grandmother “Sitti” who tells stories of angels, and most of all falls for a Jewish boy named Omer who has olive skin the color of her own and “smell[s] of the sun.” As Liyana and Omer grow closer, they learn similarities and differences between the Arab and Jewish cultures, such as traditions for mourning. Nye’s beautiful descriptions add depth to the story help the reader experience Liyana’s Jerusalem. In the end, both the reader and Liyana will come to appreciate and love her new home and hold onto hope for a true peace in Jerusalem.

Awards and Review Excerpts

ALA Notable Children’s Books 1998

Jane Addams Book Awards 1998

Booklist: “steeped in detail about the place and cultures”

Kirkus Reviews: “unique, short-story-like chapters and poetic language”

Publisher’s Weekly: “Nye's climactic ending will leave readers pondering, long after the last page is turned”

School Library Journal: “readers will be engaged by the characters, the romance, and the foreshadowed danger”

Connections

Pair this novel with poetry written by Naomi Shihab Nye.

Nye, Naomi Shihab. A Maze Me: Poems for Girls. ISBN 9780060581893

Nye, Naomi Shihab. Fuel.  ISBN 9781880238639

Nye, Naomi Shihab. Honeybee: Poems & Short Prose. ISBN 9780060853907

Read a novel about two teenage girls working together to leave Ethiopia and reach Sudan despite their religious differences that have historically brought hate.

Kurtz, Jane. The Storyteller’s Beads. ISBN 9780152010744

In Our Mothers’ House (Polacco)

                                                                         

Polacco, Patricia. In Our Mothers’ House. New York: Philomel Books, 2009. ISBN 9780399250767

Patricia Polacco’s In Our Mothers’ House narrates the story of a girl and her family with illustrated pages and vivid descriptions portraying the distinct personalities of both her mothers, Marmee and Meema, and of her younger siblings, Will and Millie. She shares many of the happy memories with her parents and siblings and later their experiences visiting home again as adults with children of their own.

Critical Analysis

Polacco has created an ideal family in her picture book, In Our Mothers’ House. Memories are shared by the narrator, including the adoption of each of her younger siblings and the joy their arrival brought. Her siblings and mothers are described so that readers feel they can know each character, including Marmee the organized list maker and Meema the sewer and cooker. Picturesque scenes from the family are reminisced upon including the family working together to make gnocchi, build a tree house, and host their annual block party. Beautiful imagery describes the scenes such as the dinner parties where the family “never measured words” or the time when their mothers wore dresses for the first time and “floated down [the stairs] like shimmering swans.” Even difficult times, such as when the family came down with the flu are described as joyful memories when “they touched my face and wiped away my tears” and the illustrations show family wreathed in smiles while cuddled in bed.

Mrs. Lockner, the disapproving neighbor, is the only negativity that seeps its way into the pages. Mrs. Locker glares at the family when they trick-or-treat, won’t let her children sleep over, and storms over to the family during a block party and announces “I don’t appreciate what you two are!” Many younger audiences will not understand why Mrs. Lockner is so angry. The characters never directly address the problem, beyond Meema saying that Mrs. Lockner “is full of fear” and “doesn’t understand us.” Adults sharing this book would find this an apt opportunity for discussion.

In Our Mothers’ House is filled with exuberant, detailed illustrations that demonstrate the family’s love for each other inside of their full, cozy home. The illustrations are exuberant in their joy, perhaps to the extreme, except for the dampening frown of the family’s neighbor, Mrs. Lockner. The pictures display the diversity of the family members, from the chocolate brown skin, and tight, curly hair of the narrator, to the peachy skin and vibrant orange hair of the youngest child. During the block party, the diversity of the neighborhood is celebrated with images of sushi brought by the Yamagakis and hummus brought by the Abdullas. The illustrations beautifully capture the mothers as they age gracefully throughout the book, displaying their softened bodies and creased faces.

The book ends with the mothers passing way, but their memories being celebrated by their children and their own families in the same house once shared together.

Review Excerpts

Booklist: “this portrait of a loving family celebrates differences”

School Library Journal: “This gem of a book illustrates how love makes a family, even if it's not a traditional one.”

Connections

Read some of the other books by Patricia Polacco.

Polacco, Patricia. Chicken Sunday. ISBN 9780698116153

Polacco, Patricia. Babushka’s Doll. ISBN 9780689802553

Polacco, Patricia. Thank you, Mr. Falker. ISBN 9780399257629

Polacco, Patricia. The Keeping Quilt. ISBN 9780153052125

Read other books that celebrate non-traditional families.

Downey, Roma. Love Is a Family. ISBN 9780060393748

Newman, Leslea. Mommy, Momma, and Me. ISBN 9781582462639

Richardson, Justin. And Tango Makes Three. ISBN 9780689878459

Simon, Norma. All Families are Special. ISBN 9780807521755

Uncle Peter's Amazing Chinese Wedding (Look)

                                        

Look, Lenore. Uncle Peter’s Amazing Chinese Wedding. Ill. by Yumi Heo. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006. ISBN 9780689844584

PLOT SUMMARY
Jenny is a young girl in a very bad mood. Her favorite uncle, Uncle Peter, is getting married and she is afraid that she will no longer be his “special girl”. In an attempt to prevent the wedding, Jenny gets a little mischievous. Despite Jenny’s intentions, the wedding continues and even Jenny can’t help but get caught up in the fun. In the end, Jenny decides that Uncle Peter’s marriage is worth celebration.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Lenore Look has written a playful book about Jenny, a young Chinese-American girl, as she experiences her Uncle's wedding. Exquisite metaphor and rhythmical qualities make this book ideal for reading aloud. Cheerful sentences, like "I am the jelly on his toast, and the leaves in his tea" will make readers smile and will stick in their heads long after the story's conclusion.

Readers will experience and learn the meaning behind many Chinese wedding traditions, including a tea ceremony, the gifts of "hungbau" and gold jewelry for luck, and a bed-jumping ceremony for fertility. Special foods, such as "wedding soup" and "long-life noodles" are featured as an important part of the wedding. Readers will also learn about how these wedding traditions have changed over time. Although this book will provide an education for those unfamiliar with Chinese wedding traditions, it never becomes laborious. The focus of the story remains on Jenny and her emotional turmoil. In the end, readers will rejoice with Jenny as learns that she is no less loved and decides to join in on the fun.

Illustrations of oil, pencil and collage add whimsy and joy to the story while adding to the cultural identity of the text. The excitement of the wedding is perfectly captured, along with the sour, somber expressions of Jenny. When Uncle Peter drives to pick up his bride from her house, Jenny is shown sulking in the back seat of the car while everyone is wreathed in smiles. Throughout the story Chinese symbolism is displayed in the background. As Uncle Peter and Aunt Stella share their first kiss, symbols of luck like red cloths and pairs of birds float behind them.

The illustrations show diversity in appearances among family members and wedding attendees. A variety of hair textures, skin tones, and clothing styles are the perfect backdrop for a modern Chinese wedding in the United States. The groom's tuxedo stands in contrast to his bride's traditional red silk dress and many of the children's shorts and t-shirts.
　
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist- “universal emotions about family and change”
Kirkus Reviews- “Children of any culture will accept with pleasure Look's invitation to witness this distinctive iteration of a universal life event.”
Publisher’s Weekly- “a standout because of its appealing narrator”
School Library Journal- “A delightful invitation to learn more about Chinese traditions.”

CONNECTIONS
Read other Look has written about Jenny.
Henry’s First-Moon Birthday. ISBN 9780689822940
Accompany Uncle Peter’s Amazing Chinese Wedding with a chapter book perfect for read alouds.
Lin, Grace. The Year of the Dog. ISBN 0316060003

Learn about weddings in other cultures through these picture books.
Ammon, Richard. An Amish Wedding. ISBN 9780439259408
Bunting, Eve. My Mom’s Wedding. ISBN 9781585362882
English, Karen. Nadia’s Hands. ISBN 9781590787847
Jackson, Ellen. Here Comes the Brides. ISBN 9780802784681
Soto, Gary. Snapshots From the Wedding. ISBN 9780698117525

Grandfather's Journey (Say)

                                          

Say, Allen. Grandfather’s Journey. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1993. ISBN 0395570352

PLOT SUMMARY
Allen Say expertly uses beautiful illustrations and thoughtful text to weave together a story based on his grandfather’s life. This biographical story begins with his grandfather’s journey from Japan to the United States as a young teenager and recounts his travels across the country. The story then follows his grandfather’s eventual return to Japan with a wife and daughter. As time goes on, Say gives the reader glimpses of his own time spent with his grandfather in Japan. In the end, Say seems destined to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps as he too sets off for the United States as a young man and truly comes to understand his grandfather’s constant longing to belong fully to both countries and cultures simultaneously.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Grandfather's Journey is a simple, unassuming story of a man who's heart belongs to two very different countries. Say manages to make a large impact with the combination of expressive, thoughtful illustrations and carefully chosen words.

There are surprising few words in the picture book dominated by intense artwork. Say's simple sentences carry intense emotion and multiple layers of meaning that may not be immediately recognizable to younger audiences. In the story, the bombing of Japan in World War II is eluded to. The resulting devastation of the bombing and the bombing’s impact on separating Say’s grandfather from the United States is all expressed in one sentence. Say expresses so much sorrow when he writes, "Bombs fell from the sky and scattered our lives like leaves in a storm." The story in not written in a traditional linear format, but instead works to convey the story of a man and family stuck between two cultures.

The book's Caldecott winning artwork is enchanting. Illustrations look like individual paintings, often juxtaposed across the page from each other in order to tell their own story. For example, at the beginning of the book a black and white portrait of Say's young grandfather in traditional Japanese dress is next to a full-color painting of his grandfather on a steamship, wearing much too large "European clothes". The grandfather's comfort in the first picture is contrasted by the second picture which expresses both the adventure and unfamiliarity. Besides the contrast in Western style clothing and traditional Japanese clothing, there is a large contrast between the landscapes of the United States and Japan. Each painting demonstrates the individuality of each person, culture, and country.

AWARDS
1994 Caldecott Winner

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Reviews- “Lovely, quiet- with a tenderness and warmth”
Publisher’s Weekly- “a very personal tribute to his grandfather and a distillation of universally shared emotions”
School Library Journal- “Splendid, photoreal watercolors”

CONNECTIONS
Pair Granfather’s Journey with its natural continuation, the story of Say’s mother’s immigration to Japan.
Say. Allen. Tea with Milk. ISBN 9780547237473

Study the role of illustrator and author, with a specific focus on Allen Say. Some of the following books will provide specific insight into Say’s own work and life and other books will delve into the world of artists, authors, storytellers, and illustrators everywhere.
Say. Allen. Drawing From Memory. ISBN 9780545176866
Say. Allen. Emma’s Rug. ISBN 9780618335237
Say. Allen. The Ink-Keeper’s Apprentice. ISBN 9780756968113
Say. Allen. Kamishibai Man. ISBN 9780618479542
Say. Allen. The Sign Painter. ISBN 9780395979747

Pair with another story of immigration, told through graphic novel.
Tan, Shuan. The Arrival. ISBN 9780439895293

Read a few books about immigrant experience of other Asian-American cultures through these books.
Korean: Choi, Yangsook. The Name Jar. ISBN 9780440417996
Vietnamese: Lai, Thanhha. Inside Out and Back Again. ISBN 9780061962783

The Year of the Dog (Lin)

Lin, Grace. The Year of the Dog. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2006. ISBN 0316060003

PLOT SUMMARY
Pacy is happy to have two names, her Chinese name and her American name. It isn't always easy for her to know who she is when she is one of the only Chinese-American kids at her school. To make matters more confusing, Pacy thinks she might be Taiwanese-American too, if she can figure out the difference! Pacy decides to make the most of the Year of the Dog by getting “rich”, discovering herself, and deciding what she wants to do when she grows up. It seems like a lot to do in just one year, but the lunar calendar has put luck on Pacy's side.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Year of the Dog is a playful look at a year in the life of an average American girl. The events in the story are all loosely based on the author's own experiences growing up Taiwanese-American in a predominately Caucasian community. The result is a very realistic look at identity amongst first generation Americans and the resulting blend of cultures. Pacy is unhappy when she can't find any realistic books about Chinese or Chinese-Americans in the library. She becomes even more distressed when she is told she wouldn't make a good Dorothy in the school play because she is Chinese, and later is told that she is too Americanized and is more like a “twinky” than a real Taiwanese girl. It takes some careful introspection, and a little help from Mom, for Pacy to accept herself as "neither and both" Chinese and American.

Lin uses Pacy's addition of American M&Ms to the traditional tray of Chinese taffy melon candy at Chinese New Years to symbolize this blending of cultural identity. Both traditional Chinese and American celebrations, such as a Red Egg party to celebrate the birth of Pacy's cousin and Thanksgiving, are important highlights of Pacy's year. Taiwanese and Chinese words and writing are used sporadically and translated throughout the English text, again blending two cultures.

Lin uses delightful imagery throughout the novel, giving significance to Pacy's cultural heritage and helping those unfamiliar with Chinese and Taiwanese traditions and culture to visualize and fully participate in the story. When Pacy decides to enter a writing contest at school she decides to write about herself and her mother's ugly Chinese vegetables- including the ones that look like "warty frogs" and "purple sausages" and cook together to make her favorite soup- one that is like "swallowing a nice warm hug after being in the cold." Later, when Pacy won her first award for the same book she describes the experience as "creamy chocolate in my mouth, a warm feeling melt[ing] through me." Simple sketches also accentuate the text and elaborate on the story. For example, a drawing further details Pacy's dad's careless attitude toward's Christmas and tree decorating. Short stories told by Pacy's mom are added throughout the story as humorous looks at her mother's life that teach Pacy about her cultural background and the experiences of immigration.

The Year of the Dog is a fun novel that is perfect for reading aloud. It is a humorous novel that will produce elicit rounds of laughter while being completely relatable. It is both familiar and exciting to a cultural outsider- filled with both the universal experiences of childhood and the unique experiences of Taiwanese-Americans.

AWARDS
2006 Asian Pacific American Librarian Association Honor
2007-2008 Texas Bluebonnet Award

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist: “something new for today's young readers”
Kirkus Reviews: “This comfortable first-person story will be a treat”
Publisher’s Weekly: “an autobiographical tale of an Asian-American girl's sweet and funny insights on family, identity and friendship”
School Library Journal: “A lighthearted coming-of-age novel with a cultural twist.”

CONNECTIONS
Visit the author’s website, GraceLin.com, for book trailers, recipes featured in books, author history, coloring pages, and other activities to accompany this book.

Read the other novels written about Pacy.
Lin, Grace. The Year of Rat. ISBN 9780316033619
Lin, Grace. Dumpling Days. ISBN 9780316125901

Readers who enjoyed The Year of The Dog may also enjoy reading:

Yee, Lisa. Good Luck, Ivy! ISBN 9781593693565

Jingle Dancer (Smith)

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Jingle Dancer. Ill. by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 2000. ISBN 0688162428

PLOT SUMMARY

A young girl name Jenna longs to participate in the jingle dance at an upcoming powwow, but does not have the tin jingles needed for her dress. Inspired by the traditional Muscogee Creek story told to her by her Great-aunt Sis, Jenna does not lose hope and sets out to collect the necessary four rows of jingles. Slowly, she respectfully asks to borrow just a few jingles from each of the strong women in her life. With the help of others, Jenna is able to “bounce-step” in the place of women who are unable to participate and merrily joins the jingle dancers!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jingle Dancers is a modern day story of a girl belonging to the Muscogee and Ojibway nations. The illustrations depict mainstream, suburban life. Jenna wears jeans and t-shirts, lives in a suburban home, and watches television. She also eats honey on her fry bread, listens to Muscogee stories, attends powwows with her family, and dreams of being a jingle dancer just like her grandmother! Jenna watches videos of her grandmother dancing and practices her “bounce-steps” as she dreams of wearing the special garment filled with rows of “singing” jingles. Throughout her journey to collect enough jingles, Jenna continues to demonstrate how many American Indians hold on to traditions from the past but live in the present. and 

Cynthia Leitich Smith carefully uses language throughout the story to invoke images of American Indian stories and traditional powwow sounds. For example, as Jenna moves from house to house collecting jingles, the time of day is announced through phrases such as when “Sun caught a glimpse of Moon” and “as Sun arrived at midcircle.” Important sensory language helps place readers in Jenna’s world and continually emphasizes the importance of the number four when her heart beats in rhythm with the powwow drums, “brum, brum, brum, brum” and the jingles on the dresses sing “tink, tink, tink, tink.” Author’s notes and a glossary help the reader further understand the importance of jingle dancing and the symbol of four in many American Indian cultures.

Illustrations play an important part in helping readers step into Jenna’s story.  Watercolors relay the warmth and sincerity in Jenna’s relationships with her grandmother, cousin, great-aunt, and friend. Varying skin tones, hair styles, and clothing choices show the individuality and diversity of members in the Muscogee and Ojibway nations. They also interweave elements of western design and clothing with accurate accents from Jenna’s heritage. Beautiful regalia worn by Jenna and her fellow dancers in the ending pages are accurate, as carefully explained by Smith in the author’s note. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist: “The colorful, well-executed watercolor illustrations lend warmth to the story.”

Kirkus Reviews: “A useful portrayal of an important cultural event in a Creek girl's year.”

School Library Journal: “will give some readers a new view of a contemporary Native American way of life”

CONNECTIONS

Read about Shannon, a real modern day Ojibway dancer.

King, Sandra. Shannon: An Ojibway Dancer. ISBN 9780822596431

Learn more about Powwows with this introductory book.

Boyden, Linda. Powwow’s Coming. ISBN: 9780826342652

Read about other traditional dances found in a variety of American Indian cultures. 

Denny, Elizabeth. Jenneli’s Dance. ISBN: 9781894778619

Savage, Leah. Niimiwin: Everyone Dance. ISBN: 9780982087060

The Birchbark House (Erdrich)

Erdrich, Louise. The Birchbark House. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 1999. ISBN 780786814541

PLOT SUMMARY

The Birchbark House is a thoughtful depiction of Omakayas as she goes through a pivotal year in her young life. Set in 1847, Omakayas is an eight year-old girl of the Ojibwa. The reader follows her through the four seasons as her family creates a birchbark house by the lake, prepares for the coming winter, moves into their winter home in town and suffer through hunger and sickness. Finally the book concludes with Omakayas finding spiritual and physical healing.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Birchbark House is the beautiful story of Omakayas, a strong spirited child who deals with typical childhood woes. Her older sister does not pay her enough attention, her younger brother is annoying, and she hates her chores. However typical as this may seem, Omakayas is far from average. She has a special gift: she can converse with a bear, her spirit guide! 

Through the course of the story, Omakayas and her family experience the effects of white settlers moving west. She learns first hand of the devastation and death brought through English settlers as her family contracts “the scratching disease” or smallpox. 

Through the course of a year, Omakayas experiences great loss, learns of her terrifying past, and comes to understand her future. With the help of the strong women in her life, Omakayas learns to quietly listen as “dizzy spells” pass over her. She comes to understand that when she listens closely she is able to gain information from her spirit guides that will eventually assist her in healing others.

Through Omakayas, Erdrich is able to weave together a picture of what daily life was like for the American Indian Ojibwa people in the 1847. Edrich explains that she uses information found in her search for information about her own heritage to give vivid descriptions of Omakaya’s life. The reader learns through Omakayas of the tedious tasks of scraping hides to create the materials necessary for “makazins” and of drying berries to flavor winter soups. The reader also experiences with Omakayas traditional Ojibwa stories as they are orally passed to her from her father “Deydey” and her grandmother “Nokomis.”

Edrich incorporates poetic Ojibwa speech patterns and language throughout the novel. For example, when Omakayas’ grandmother retells the story of how their island came to be she explains how “Nanabozho blew on Muskrat until he came back to life” and eventually how these actions led to “this earth we are on today.” Words belonging to the Ojibwa language are often defined through the story’s context, but are always included in the glossary and pronunciation guide at the story’s conclusion. By flipping to the glossary, readers can learn that Nanabozho of grandmother’s story is a “great teacher of the Ojibwas.” 

Erdrich has also included small black and white sketches at the beginning of each chapter and periodically throughout the text. Younger readers will find the illustrations helpful in visualizing unfamiliar scenes. For example, the image of Omakayas scraping a hide with a new tool given to her by her father will help reader’s understanding of the laborious process. Another image demonstrates Omakayas’s sister’s new outfit sewn by their mother, while other illustrations show the variety of clothing styles and appearances of her father and his friends. All of these images provide critical additional information to the reader as they may be reading of unfamiliar settings, clothing styles, and ways of life.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publisher’s Weekly: “Against the backdrop of Ojibwa cultural traditions, Omakayas also conveys the universal experiences of childhood.”

School Library Journal: “deftly drawn characters, relationships that ring true, and fascinating details about the daily life of the Ojibwa”

Kirkus Reviews: “a novel that is by turns charming, suspenseful, and funny, and always bursting with life.”

CONNECTIONS

Continue reading books in Erdrich’s Birchbark House series:

Erdrich, Louise. The Game of Silence. ISBN 9780064410298

Erdrich, Louise. The Porcupine Year. ISBN 9780064410304

Erdrich, Louise. Chickadee. ISBN 9780060577902

Learn about modern members of the Ojibwa people by reading these books:

Bial, Raymond. The Ojibwe. ISBN 9780761408635

King, Sandra. Shannon: An Ojibway Dancer. ISBN 9780822596431

Learn more about the legends of Nanabosho by reading books by Joseph McLellan, available through Oyate.com. 

McLellan, Joseph. Nanabosho and the Woodpecker. Ill. by Rhian Brynjolson. 1989.

McLellan, Joseph. Nanabosho: How the Turtle Got Its Shell. Ill. by Rhian Brynjolson. 1989.

McLellan, Joseph. Nanabosho, Soaring Eagle, and the Great Sturgeon. Ill. by Rhian Brynjolson. 1994.

Learn facts about the Ojibwa people at this website:

American Indians for Children. “Ojibway Fact Sheet.” http://www.bigorrin.org/chippewa_kids.htm 

Code Talker (Bruchac)

Bruchac, Joseph. Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two. New York: Dial Books, 2005. ISBN 0803729219

PLOT SUMMARY

Ned Begay is just a young child when he is sent away from his family and Navajo reservation in order to attend a boarding school. There he is expected to learn the ways of white men in order to protect his people and reassure others that the Navajo will “always be friends of the United States.” While at boarding school, Ned faces harsh prejudice, but still manages to excel in his studies. Once World War II begins, however, Ned begins a new journey. He joins the marines and enters the war where his Navajo customs and language are no longer ridiculed, but praised and much needed. This historical novel uses the fictitious character, Ned Begay, to tell the story of how courageous Navajo marines fought for the United States while staying true to the traditions and values of the Navajo.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In Code Talker, Ned Begay orally narrates his story with the reader. He brings the reader into his life, referring to the reader as one of the “grandchildren” and often reminding the reader of what and how “we Navajo” see and do things. The tale provides vivid, sometimes brutal, but always accurate descriptions of his life and World War II. When he is first sent to boarding school he describes having his hair cut off as feeling “naked and ashamed.” Later, he describes the experience of war and is honest about how some struggled with coping. Begay explains how “war is a sickness that must be cured” and “is a time out of balance.” 

Many Navajo traditions are introduced through the natural course of the story, such as placing pollen on one’s tongue in the mornings and Blessingway Ceremonies. The meshing of Catholic and traditional Navajo religious beliefs are explored by Ned Begay, as are differences in experiences for Navajo during Ned Begay’s youth and for the Navajo youth of today. 

The complex and beautiful Navajo language is presented throughout the novel. Ned Begay recounts the harsh punishments by his teachers for speaking in Navajo. Later, Ned explores the joy, healing, and pride that slowly returns to him as he is encouraged and praised for using his primary language in order to pass secret codes through the American armed forces. The reader learns how not everything can be directly translated from English into Navajo and vice versa. The reader also learns how Navajo is a complex language, and how Navajo men and women from different regions have different dialects, making the work of code talkers even more difficult. As Ned Begay narrates he provides translations for words like “Nihima” (our mother) and “Na’ats’oosi” (mouse) without ever patronizing the reader.

Code Talker is a fictional, war time book that provides factual history on the contributions of Navajo marines in World War Two and on Navajo culture while entertaining readers with its captivating storytelling.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist: “Readers who choose the book for the attraction of Navajo code talking and the heat of battle will come away with more than they ever expected to find.”

Kirkus Reviews: “With its multicultural themes and well-told WWII history, this will appeal to a wide audience.”

School Library Journal: “Bruchac's tale is quietly inspiring.”

CONNECTIONS

Learn more about Navajo Code Talkers through a collection of photography.

Kawano, Kenji. Warriors: Navajo Code Talkers. ISBN 9780873585132

Learn about World War II through the eyes of Japenese Americans.

Mochizuki, Ken. Baseball Saved Us. ISBN 9781880000199

Uchida, Yoshiko. The Bracelet. ISBN 9780698113909

Read other books for young adults written by Joseph Bruchac.

Bruchac, Joseph. Hidden Roots. ISBN 9780557711680

Bruchac, Joseph. The Heart of a Chief. ISBN 9780141312361

Bruchac, Joseph. Skeleton Man. ISBN 9780064408882

Bruchac, Joseph. The Return of Skeleton Man. ISBN 9780060580926

Accidental Love (Soto)

Soto, Gary. Accidental Love. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt, 2006. ISBN 9780152054977

PLOT SUMMARY

Marisa, a 14 year-old hispanic girl from the wrong side of town, makes major life changes after a chance encounter with Rene, a cute nerd. Marisa had always been a tough “homegirl”, but inspired by Rene, Marisa begins to spend more time studying and works on controlling her temper. Her parents even allow her to bend the rules and transfer to Rene’s school for a better education. Marisa begins loosing her extra weight, increases in self confidence, and sets new goals for her life once her and Rene become a couple. However, after Marisa and Rene are separated and Marisa must return to her derelict school, Marisa decides the changes she made were ultimately for herself and would remain a part of her regardless of where she is or who she is with. Accidental Love is a humorous, coming of age story in which a young girl experiences first love and in the process discovers who she is and where she is headed in life.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Gary Soto has created an authentic, ethnically rich novel for young adults in Accidental Love. Marisa’s life is filled with language, food, and style that represents her Latino and American heritage. Her story manages to both represent and break many stereotypes, especially those of the Mexican-American culture. 

Marisa, her family, and Rene, like many bilingual speakers, use a mixture of languages throughout their day. Marisa’s mother asks, “How are you, mi’ja?” using a Spanish term of endearment. Throughout the novel emotional responses of any kind are often a mix of language. Marisa affectionately calls her boyfriend “my precious nerdito” and later angrily yells in English, but throws in a sprinkling of mild  Spanish curses. Marisa’s language is somewhat rough and improper, but her boyfriend Rene Torres, provides a glaring contrast with his extensive vocabulary and well phrased sentences.

Spanish is also used in the book when an English equivalent does not adequately describe the situation. For example, Marisa’s original school is being described as filled with “cholos,” or Latino gang members, and Asian and White students who use Spanish words like “mi jefita” to fit in with the majority. Soto has created a novel that, while written in English, may prove somewhat confusing to those unfamiliar with the Spanish language. In such cases the glossary of selected spanish words and phrases will be much appreciated by the reader.

Marisa and her family eat albondigas, a traditional Mexican meatball soup, have enchilada’s on Wednesdays, and use tortillas to eat their refritos. However, she and her family also indulge in American classics, such as lasagna, chocolate ice cream, powdered donuts and barbecue potato chips. Food becomes an important part of Marissa’s struggle when she decides to lose weight. Marissa deals with food cravings as she forgoes junk food and decrease portions of her favorite foods, including her favorite cheesy enchiladas.

The clothing and styling differences of Marisa and Rene represent their differences.  Rene tends to dress in a “nerdy” way, wearing high-water “pantalones” and white socks to school. Rene’s meek look appeases Marisa’s parents, but  is slightly embarrassing for his girlfriend. In comparison to Rene, Marisa dresses more like a gangster, wearing “brown lipstick and teased hair.” This look causes Marissa to feel judged occasionally, specifically by Rene’s mother. 

The couple’s look mirrors their stereotype breaking relationship. The female, Marisa, is the stronger and tougher of the two and protects Rene from teasing and abusive situations. In the end, the couple teaches each other how to be better versions of themselves, not for the other, but for themselves. Rene learns to stand up to his bullies, including his own mother and Marissa learns to control her anger. This change is represented, once again, in clothing. By the end of the novel Rene is wearing modern jeans and blue socks while Marissa begins wearing red lipstick and a dress!

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist: “With humor and insight, [Soto] creates memorable, likable characters.”

Kirkus Reviews: “fresh and fun”

Publishers Weekly: “Soto accurately depicts popularity and stereotypes in high school, while conveying a melting pot of cultures.”

School Library Journal: “warmhearted, humorous novel”

CONNECTIONS

Read other novels by Gary Soto:

Soto, Gary. The Afterlife. ISBN 9780152052201

Soto, Gary. Jesse. ISBN 9780590528375

Soto, Gary. Taking Sides. ISBN 9780152046941

Variety of novels where young teenagers make important decisions and discover who they want to be:

Lipstyle, Robert. One Fat Summer. ISBN 9780060238964

Munoz Ryan, Pam. Esperanza Rising. ISBN 978-0439120425

Schmidt, Gary D. Okay For Now. ISBN 9780547152608

A Gift of Gracias (Alvarez)

Alvarez, Julia. A Gift of Gracias: The Legend of Altagracia. Ill. by Beatriz Vidal. New York: Alfred A. Knoff, 2005. ISBN 9780375984822

PLOT SUMMARY

A young girl named Maria becomes part of a miracle when she dreams of a lady clothed in stars. Following the mysterious lady’s advice, Maria and her family plant seeds of oranges while giving thanks to God. The seeds grow into orange trees at an unimaginable rate, producing an abundance of fruit that saves her family from financial ruin. An image of Our Lady of Altagracia later appears on a blanket, from which she continues to perform miracles for Maria and her family.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A retelling of the Our Lady of Altagracia legend, A Gift of Gracias is set in Spanish colonized Dominican Republic. Maria and her family live on a farm, where all attempts to grow traditional Spanish olives are failing. When her father suggests that the family may soon be leaving their home to live in the city, Maria begins to cry into a bowl of oranges. Vidal’s beautiful paintings of the farm’s magnificent, lush landscape leave the reader with little doubt as to why leaving would be such a sad prospect for Maria. 

Later that night, an old family friend, Quisqueya, appears in Maria’s dreams. His dark, weathered face is contrasted next to the youthful, pale face of Maria as he tells her to plant orange seeds. In her dream they plant the seeds together, giving thanks. Soon a beautiful, unearthly women appears to them. She radiates light, both through her aura and her starlit robe as she tells Maria what to do next. Vidal’s paintings portray Our Lady of Altagracia very traditionally, staying true to images found across the Dominican Republic and displayed in Catholic churches.   

After Maria wakes up she quickly relays her dream to her family. Quisqueya, already familiar with the legend of such a lady, and her family quickly agree to the plan. The miracles continue even after the trees produce an abundance of fruit. Maria continues to receive dreams of the future, including images of their oranges selling in a vibrant, diverse marketplace, filled with light skinned Spaniards wearing European styled clothing and dark skinned Tiano Indians wearing vibrant robes. 

The story also explains how other countries have differing images of the Virgin Mary, based on how the Virgin appeared in their country. 

Alvarez intertwines beautiful imagery and Spanish words into her story. Cognates are used throughout the story, such as Mamá and Papá. More challenging words, such as bandidos are placed in italics. Context clues give adequate information to the reader without being patronizing. Powerful imagery adds depth and entices the senses. Oranges are explained as smelling “sharp and fresh” and Quisqueya’s face as “glow[ing] like an indoor sun”. The combination of Avarez’s flawless integration of Spanish and descriptive imagery, when paired with Vidal’s layered, warm paintings create a stunning retelling of a tradition very close to the heart of many Dominicans.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist: “this talented team evokes an enchanted, sun-kissed world where dreams, and gratitude, bear fruit.”

Publishers Weekly: “author and artist make dreams-come-true seem possible”

School Library Journal: “Vidal has painted colorful, yet warm illustrations that add depth to the story.”

CONNECTIONS

Read other books emphasizing the importance of thankfulness.

Bucchino, John. Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks. ISBN 9780060516338

McCourt, Lisa. The Most Thankful Thing. ISBN 9780439650830

Mora, Pat. Gracias/Thanks. ISBN 9781600602580

Polacco, Patricia. Thank you, Mr. Falker. ISBN 9780399257629

Scotton, Rob. Splat Says Thank you! ISBN 9780061978746

Wilson, Karma. Bear Says Thanks. ISBN 9781416958567

Read a few stories with Our Lady or The Virgin Mary.

Heffernan, Eileen. Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto: shepherd of Fatima. ISBN 9780819811554

Lovasik, Lawrence G. Our Lady of Lourdes. ISBN 9780899423913

Milligan, Bryce. Brigid’s Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story. ISBN 9780802852243

Mora, Pat. The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe. ISBN 9780375868382

dePaola, Tomie. The Lady of Guadalupe. ISBN 9780823404032

dePaola, Tomie. Mary: The Mother of Jesus. ISBN 9780823410187

Dizzy In Your Eyes (Mora)

Mora, Pat. Dizzy In Your Eyes: Poems About Love. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. ISBN 9780375843754

PLOT SUMMARY

Dizzy In Your Eyes is a collection of poems by Pat Mora that explore the intricacies of love. A teenager’s love for self, family, pets, and especially a romantic other are explored through 50 poems. Various poetic forms, both familiar (e.g. haiku and free verse) and unfamiliar (e.g. vinanelle), are explored in Mora’s Spanish infused collection.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Love is a universal theme that is very familiar with poetry. Mora has used poetry to explore the meaning of love in its vast variety of forms. Poems cover mundane topics, such as weekend plans, to very special memories, like the first time successfully asking a girl out. 

Mora shows her strength when she uses poetry to tell stories, breaking free of some of the more rigid poetic forms. These poems evoke rich and authentic emotions. The pure essence of secret joy is expressed in “Back Then” when Mora writes “I’d feel like I’d swallowed a slice of sun.” Once again, in “Kissing” Mora perfectly captures the moment. In a tense scene at home after a father catches his daughter kissing a boy Mora writes, “Dad and I tangled in silence.” 

The theme and format of the collection is universal to all cultures, although many of its poems speak directly to Hispanic culture. For example, “Mariachi Fantasy” references the passionate musical groups traditional to Mexico as it creates a playful image of a cactus “letting all his inside feelings rip”.  The poem “Spanish” looks into one teen’s love for their native language and loss when they are unable to hear and speak it. This poem will feel familiar to many individuals who have been in the lingual minority, and even more so for those whose primary language is Spanish. The idea of language providing “comfort, una frazdo” will be impactful for those who can fully embrace Mora’s use of metaphor. 

Spanish is utilized throughout the collection in a variety of poems, with one poem, “Ode to Teachers” being presented in both Spanish and English. In the touching poem, “Valentine to Papi” Spanish is only used as a tribute to the fact a girl never grows out of love with her father, her “Papi.”

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus Reviews: “The poet's voice is multifaceted: tender, humorous and joyful but also profound”

School Library Journal: “a glimpse into the last remaining innocence of the teen years”

CONNECTIONS

Read more poetry by Pat Mora.

Mora, Pat. This Big Sky. ISBN 0590371207

Mora, Pat. Yum! Mmmm! Qué Rico!, Americas' Sproutings. ISBN 9781584302711

Mora, Pat. Confetti: Poems for Children. ISBN 9781880000854

Mora, Pat. Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers. ISBN 9781584302353

Mora, Pat. My Own True Name: New and Selected Poems for Young Adults. ISBN 9781558852921

Read another poetry book that explores a variety of poetic forms.

Janeczko, Paul B., ed. A Kick in the Head, An Everyday Guide to Poetic Form. ISBN 978-0763641320

Read other poems for teenagers told from the viewpoint of teenagers.

Franco, Besty. Falling Hard: 100 Love Poems by Teenagers. ISBN 9780763648398

Marcus, Kimberly. Exposed. ISBN 978-0375866937

Ochoa, Annette Pina, Betsy Franco, and Traci L. Gourdine, eds. Night is Gone, Day is Coming: Stories and Poems by American Indian Teens and Young Adults. ISBN 0763615188

Sones, Sonya. Stop Pretending, What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy. ISBN 0064462188

Feathers (Woodson)

Woodson, Jacquline. Feathers. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2007. ISBN 9780399239892

PLOT SUMMARY

Feathers opens with Frannie explaining her confusion over Dickinson’s description of hope as a “thing with feathers.” Over the course of the book, however, Frannie begins to understand hope as a multifaceted thing. She feels hope in the white child that shows up suddenly at the all black school she attends in the 1970s. She feels hope in her much admired older brother who perseveres through peer rejection because he is deaf. She feels hope in her best friend who holds fast to her faith in God despite poverty and disappointment. Finally, she feels hope within her own family as together they face their mother’s new pregnancy after miscarriage. In Feathers Frannie comes of age as she discovers the importance of having, experiencing, and holding on to hope in the everyday.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jacqueline Woodson’s beautifully written book is the story of keeping hope despite life's setbacks and circumstances. 

Frannie, the book’s main protagonist, is a sixth grade girl that is well loved by her family. Although she wishes for some of her best friend Samantha’s gracefulness or the “dark, pretty skin” of her father, Frannie is pleasantly self-assured for her young age. 

Frannie’s family is tested when her mother finds out she is pregnant. Scared that her mother will have another miscarriage, Frannie begins to obsess over everything that could go wrong. It is with the support of her family, however, that Frannie comes to understand how to let go of her worry and see “each moment” as a “thing with feathers.”

The 1971, post segregation New York setting influences the culture and language of Feathers. The Black Panther's impact can be seen when Frannie’s brother picks his hair into an afro and makes the "Black Power sign." Students in Frannie’s classes “jive” and call each other “cat” and “my brother.” Although segregation has ended, students that are white live and go to school on one side of town, and students that are black live and go to school on the other side. 

The new student, Jesus Boy, causes a disruption to the status quo when he shows up to Frannie's school one January morning. He is hard to place into a category and this troubles his fellow students. He appears white, but identifies himself as black. Frannie is immediately drawn to the new boy at school, but others are not as immediately accepting. His arrival poses the question of what it means to be black and how one lives in two worlds (black/white).

Like Frannie, Jesus Boy is hearing and can sign American Sign Language. Sean, Frannie's brother, is deaf and communicates primarily through sign language. When Sean is approached and rejected by teenage girls because he is deaf, he expresses a desire to be like Frannie and Jesus Boy. He sometimes wishes that he too could cross into both worlds (hearing/deaf).

Feathers is a insightful novel that delves into the human desire for belonging and the need to hold onto hope.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

BookList: “Woodson tells her story with immediacy and realism”

The Horn Book: “Woodson deftly, even lyrically, weaves some large ideas through her story”

Kirkus Reviews: “Woodson captures perfectly the questions and yearnings of a girl perched on the edge of adolescence”

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review: “Woodson's novel skillfully weaves in the music and events surrounding the rising opposition to the Vietnam War, giving this gentle, timeless story depth”

CONNECTIONS

Read everyday poems told from a child’s point of view, from celebrated poet Greenfield.

Greenfield, Eloise. Honey, I Love. ISBN: 9780064430975

Read another child’s perspective of the same historical time period in One Crazy Summer.

Williams-Garcia, Rita. One Crazy Summer. ISBN: 9780060760908

Read about two friends and their summer following desegregation in the South in Freedom Summer. 

Wiles, Deborah. Freedom Summer. ISBN: 978-0689878299

Read about one boy’s experience of going with his deaf father to meet famous African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson.

Uhlberg, Myron. Dad, Jackie, and Me. ISBN: 9781561455317