The Star Outside My Window - Onjali Q. Rauf

 

The Star Outside My Window - Onjali Q. Rauf

Bibliography: 

Raúf, O. Q. (2022). The star outside my window. Delacorte Press.

Plot Summary: 

Ten-year-old Aniyah and her little brother Noah find themselves living in foster care after the sudden disappearance of their mom, but with her life in disarray, Aniyah knows just one thing for sure--her mom is not gone forever.

Critical Analysis:

This book isn’t about what happens as you’re living in an abusive situation, though it does touch on elements of it through Aniyah’s memories of it. Instead it’s more about the impact it has, the lives it shatters, the trauma it causes and the confusion as to what and why it happened that those that have survived it are left with. There’s a definite naivety to Aniyah and her lack of understanding of what has happened to her which just adds to the empathy and sadness we as readers feel for her, as well as the other children in the story.

Although domestic abuse is the overarching theme for this story, it’s definitely not the only one. New beginnings, friendship, family, even astrology. The friendship element and the bonds created between the four main characters is so lovely, and to me, it’s written in a way that we don’t even necessarily know it’s happening. That is part of the reason this book is also filled with so much joy too. Despite the inexcusable things these children have experienced, they come out the other side and begin to get their lives back on track and for me that’s the main message to take from this book. There is a way out, there are people that can help, and no one is alone.

Obviously the credit has to go to Onjali Q. Raúf for creating such an important book and her beautiful telling of a tough story, a story that could actually help a lot of people.

There is so much more I could say about this book but I won’t, other than go and grab yourself a copy and read it. It may be aimed at children, but I think it is for any age, old or young.

Review Excerpt: 

Publishers Weekly

Raúf doesn’t sensationalize her characters’ painful back-stories, instead focusing on their healing.

Kirkus Reviews (starred reviewed)

Deeply moving. [Raúf] brings to life an age-appropriate narrative about painful topics, giving her characters power and agency.

Connections:

Foster Care & Orphans

Family Violence - Physical and Emotional Abuse

Overcoming Adversity

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country - Atinuke

 

Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country - Atinuke

Bibliography: 

Atinuke, & Feddag, M. (2021). Africa, Amazing Africa. Candlewick Press.

Plot Summary: 

Discover the exhilarating diversity of the African continent in storyteller Atinuke'ss kaleidoscopic nonfiction guide to the people, flora, and fauna of all fifty-five countries. A Nigerian storyteller explores the continent of Africa country by country: its geography, peoples, animals, history, resources, and cultural diversity. The book is divided into five distinct sections South, East, West, Central, and North and each country is showcased on its own bright, energetic page brimming with friendly facts on science, industry, food, sports, music, wildlife, landscape features, even snippets of local languages. The richest king, the tallest sand dunes, and the planet&;s largest waterfall all make appearances along with drummers, cocoa growers, inventors, balancing stones, salt lakes, high-tech cities, and nomads who use GPS! Atinuke's lively and comprehensive introduction to all fifty-five African countries a celebration scaled to dazzle and delight even very young readers evokes the continents unique blend of modern and traditional. Complete with colorful maps, an index, and richly patterned and textured illustrations by debut children's book artist Mouni Feddag, Africa, Amazing Africa is both a beautiful gift book and an essential classroom and social studies resource.

Critical Analysis:

The colorful Africa, Amazing Africa by Atinuke is a fun way to get familiar with African geography. Atinuke and Mouni Feddag present each African country with a short description and illustrations. Southern, eastern, western, central, and northern countries are grouped regionally with a hand-drawn map for reference. The wording is concise and straightforward, but also playful, much like Atinuke’s series of books about Anna Hibiscus. Each section I read made me curious to learn more!

This informative book is a reminder of how large the world really is. I recommend reading it with Serengeti: Plains of Grass by Leslie Bulion and Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A. Nivola.

Review Excerpt: 

Booklist

In her first nonfiction work, Nigerian storyteller Atinuke (Too Small Tola, 2020) presents the beautiful diversity and contrasts of a continent of more than a billion people.

Kirkus Reviews

The text is lively and engaging, concisely conveying the astounding richness of history and culture that make the continent of Africa so exciting to explore. Small wonder that Atinuke can make a nonfiction book every bit as fun to follow as a storybook. Readers will leave this volume full of new, amazing views and eager to discover more about the familiar and unfamiliar territories covered here.

Connections:

Geography - Africa

Africa - Social Life and Customs

Author Interview with Atinuke

Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II - Lia Levi

Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II - Lia Levi

Bibliography: 

Levi, L., Mason, J., & Notini, S. (2022). Just a girl: A true story of world war ii. Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

Plot Summary: 

The author recalls her experiences coming of age in Fascist Italy during World War II as she, along with her sisters, hid in a convent where she tried to come to terms with her new life while longing to be "just a girl."

Critical Analysis:

Throughout the book, Lia sees herself as a "Jewish girl." It is her Jewishness that marks her. Her life is turned upside down and inside out because she is Jewish. Every single change--all of them damaging and devastating--is because she (and her family) were/are Jewish. But by the end of the book, by the end of the war, she can be JUST A GIRL. She no longer has to be labeled and defined. She can just be herself.

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I do think books about the second world war, and specifically books about Jewish experiences during the second world war, should be written for ALL age audiences. There are plenty that are appropriate (you could even argue necessary and important) for middle school audiences on up. There are fewer books written for elementary audiences, in particular for third to fourth graders.

I thought the book had a good, strong narrative. I felt it was gentle at times. But it was definitely straightforward as well. It didn't paint it as a lovely-lovely glorious time. It didn't shy away from the harshness of the times.

Review Excerpt: 

Kirkus (starred review)

Lia’s young voice is perceptive and heartbreakingly vulnerable as she recounts her steadfast, even cheerful, acceptance of the changes in her life amid the insanity around her. A remarkable, powerful young readers’ adaptation of an award-winning World War II memoir.

Booklist (starred review)

A quiet Jewish Italian child uprooted by war proves resilient in this endearing illustrated memoir...This account is neither rose colored nor naive, but it also doesn't focus unduly on the pain of Lia's Holocaust experience. [An] excellent step beyond Peter Sís’ Nicky and Vera (2021) for sensitive readers and gives voice to an underrepresented nationality among Holocaust survivor stories.

Horn Book Magazine

The quick, deft storytelling is that of a gifted, experienced narrator...Lia’s impressions of her different schools, new friendships, and the conditions war brings about speak to children’s interests.

School Library Journal

Heartbreaking and sweet… Levi’s story is perfect for young children who want to learn more about the Holocaust, but aren’t ready for the more horrific details. An excellent addition to elementary memoir and World War II collections.

Connections:

Jewish Children in the Holocaust

Adaptations from Italian

Personal Narratives/Autobiographies

Koala Lou - By Mem Fox Illustrated By: Pamela Lofts

 

Koala Lou - By Mem Fox Illustrated By: Pamela Lofts

Bibliography: 

Fox, M., & Lofts, P. (1992). Koala Lou. Association for the Blind of Western Australia.

Plot Summary: 

A young koala, longing to hear her mother speak lovingly to her as she did before other children came along, plans to win her distracted parent's attention.

Critical Analysis:

This brightly illustrated realistic rendering of the Australian outback appears to be the story of the way completion brought a mother and daughter together, but proves to relay a much deeper insight on parent-child relationships. Koala Lou is a sweet and juvenile koala whose mother expresses her affection for the young koala each day throughout her infant years. As Koala Lou grows older she beings to venture off and explore the world on her own, developing new philosophy’s and a new sense of self as many young readers experience in their late childhood/early teen years. Yet each time Koala Lou leaves the home the family shares her mother whispers her affections for her daughter. As time passes the their koala family grows larger leaving less time for Koala Lou’s mother to spend with her eldest daughter. Lou begins to lose faith in her mother’s love and decides through competition she can earn back her affections. Koala Lou’s decision to compete for her mother’s affection illustrates a complex many children experience when dealing with a divide between loved ones; if I prove I am the best, if I prove I am worthy, I will redeem adoration.

Review Excerpt: 

Horn Book

In a gentle tale set in the Australian bush, Koala Lou wants to win the Bush Olympics. A good choice for story hour, bedtime, or reading aloud.

Publisher's Weekly

Fox's books send out positive messages to children about the wonders of being human: Koala Lou celebrates the eternal love of a mother for her child without the sentimentality of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever .

Connections:

Australian Culture

Mother & Child Tale

Literature Guide to Koala Lou

Booked - Kwame Alexander

Booked - Kwame Alexander

Bibliography: 

Alexander, K. (2022). Booked. Andersen Press.

Plot Summary: 

Twelve-year-old Nick loves soccer and hates books, but soon learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams.

Critical Analysis:

Wow, Kwame, you did it again! Booked was un-be-liev-a-ble!

Nick Hall LOVES soccer! His world revolves around it. He and best friend, Coby, play travel soccer, FIFA online, and watch the pros play on ESPN. Unfortunately, the opposite can be said for reading. Nick despises it! He is forced to read books in English like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and doesn't want any part of it. Plus, he is forced to read a dictionary of weird words which was written by his father, a linguistic professor. Then, there's Mr. MacDonald, AKA The Mac, a former Grammy-winning rap producer turned school librarian whose goal is to get a book into Nick's hands.

Booked has middle school drama, girl crushes, parent issues, bullies, and a lot of great references to modern culture. Beautifully written in typical Kwame-style, this book will have you laughing, crying, and wishing for the best for all the characters. I cannot wait for Booked to be released so everyone can read this!

Review Excerpt: 

Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

Alexander skillfully juggles verse styles to realistically capture Nick's humor and smarts, passion for soccer, and vulnerability when being bullied, having surgery, or facing his parents' troubled marriage. Emotionally resonant and with a pace like a player on a breakaway...

Horn Book (starred review)

Alexander understands reluctant readers deeply, and here hands them a protagonist who is himself a smart, reading-averse kid who just wants to enjoy the words that interest him on his own terms. With accessible poetic forms and engaging formatting, Booked ’s pages will be turned swiftly and enthusiastically.

Booklist (starred review)

Middle-school readers and their advocates will surely love Alexander’s joyous word play and celebration of reading.

School Library Journal

Newbery-winning poet Alexander once again brings to life a novel in verse that equally captures the rapid-fire excitement of a soccer match and the palpable pain of a young boy whose family is falling apart. Another winning goal for Alexander and middle school readers alike.

Connections:

Racial Discrimination & Prejudice

Multi-leveled lesson that goes with the graphic novel

Book Trailer to help persuade students to want to read

Big - Vashti Harrison

 

Big - Vashti Harrison 

Bibliography: 

Harrison, V., Worthington, L., & Bedford, D. (2023). Big. Picture Puffins.

Plot Summary: 

The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning creator Vashti Harrison traces a child's journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. With spare text and exquisite illustrations, this emotional exploration of being big in a world that prizes small is a tender portrayal of how you can stand out and feel invisible at the same time.

Critical Analysis:

Big by Vashti Harrison is a beautiful and empowering picture book that tackles the issue of body shaming in a way that is both relatable and heartwarming. Through the eyes of a little girl, we see the journey of how being "big" suddenly becomes a negative thing in society's eyes, and how that can affect a child's self-image and self-worth.

But this book is not about despair or self-pity. Harrison's message is one of self-love and acceptance, regardless of body size or shape. Her illustrations are stunning, and add another layer of depth to the story. As a parent of a young child, reading Big with my daughter was a touching experience that brought up important conversations about body positivity and self-esteem.

I particularly appreciated how the book doesn't shy away from the topic of body shaming, and instead uses it as a starting point to teach children the importance of loving and accepting themselves for who they are. Harrison's message is clear: bodies do not define us, and being "big" can be a source of pride and strength.

Overall, Big is a must-read for parents who want to teach their children the importance of self-love and acceptance, especially in a society that can be cruel and judgmental. Harrison's beautiful artwork and inspiring message will leave a lasting impression on both kids and adults alike.

Review Excerpt: 

Kirkus (starred review)

Bestselling creator Harrison has produced another classic that belongs on every child’s shelf—this is one that will nurture little ones and help them to see the beauty in themselves.... A healing balm with the power to make the world a bit kinder.

Booklist (starred review)

This emotionally and socially resonant picture book stands out with its exceptional strength, beauty, and grace.

School Library Journal (starred review)

This book resonates with a potential emotional impact that is immense....This inspiring and highly relatable title could be used with readers of any age to discuss topics of body image and self-love.

Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

[An] ode to big self-love... Full of important truths about adultification and anti-fat bias, Harrison’s deceptively simple telling tenderly offers the self-affirming beliefs that kids are kids in any body and that it’s okay to take up space.

BookPage (starred review)

Straightforward enough for even very young children to understand and appreciate, but with a vital message for adults too, Big is one of the year’s most exceptional picture books.

Horn Book (starred review)

The text is spare but pointed; Harrison’s emotionally powerful, pink-hued illustrations focus on her protagonist’s inner ­experience... This book offers readers an opportunity to remember that we all deserve love and respect—no matter what size we are.

Connections:

Author Talk with Vashti Harrison from PBS Books

SEL, identity, growth, self-acceptance

Vashti Harrison book tour sites. Would be good to have a talk in person to know more about the background of the book and more about her. 

Piecing Me Together - Renee Watson

Piecing Me Together - Renee Watson

Bibliography: 

Watson, R. (2018). Piecing me together. Bloomsbury.

Plot Summary: 

Tired of being singled out at her mostly-white private school as someone who needs support, high school junior Jade would rather participate in the school's amazing Study Abroad program than join Women to Women, a mentorship program for at-risk girls.

Critical Analysis:

In the story, the main character Jade goes to a private school or a scholarship. Like many children who to go to similar schools on scholarships, she felt alienated. Eventually she meets a close friend, Sam and they begin a very warm friendship.

The overall theme of this reading is a coming of age story. In the story, this young woman of color slowly comes to a realization of how power, opportunity, education and the impact of peers have on her development. As she puts everything in perspective, she feels confident enough to speak out on different matters.

As I’ve said before, I love books where women with a strong personality and are not afraid to take leadership on controversial issues. This is one!

Finally, is the issue of her art. Her willingness to share her work and her art grows as she becomes more confident. Eventually, Jade is able to stand up against those who are willing to make a joke about it.

From a personal perspective, I went to school with people who had more economic and social advantages than me. Therefore, I was able to relate to some of the struggles that Our main character had throughout story. I struggled with my family, different friendships and feeling inadequate before the expensive clothing the others wore and I could not afford.

The book has won many awards and it’s very easy to understand why.

Review Excerpt: 

Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

Jade’s narrative voice offers compelling reflections on the complexities of race and gender, class and privilege, and fear and courage, while conveying the conflicted emotions of an ambitious, loyal girl. Teeming with compassion and insight, Watson’s story trumpets the power of artistic expression to re-envision and change the world.

Kirkus (starred review)

Through Jade's insightful and fresh narration, Watson presents a powerful story that challenges stereotypes about girls with 'coal skin and hula-hoop hips' who must contend with the realities of racial profiling and police brutality. . . . A timely, nuanced, and unforgettable story about the power of art, community, and friendship.

School Library Journal (starred review)

This unique and thought-provoking title offers a nuanced meditation on race, privilege, and intersectionality.

Booklist

A balancing act between class, race, and social dynamics, with Watson constantly undercutting stereotypes and showing no fear in portraying virtues along with vices. The book’s defiance of a single-issue lens will surely inspire discussion and consideration.

Connections:

Prejudice and Racism 

Book Discussion Questions about find your Voice from American Library Association

Author interview with Renee Watson

John Henry - Julius Lester and Illustrated by Jerry Pickney

.

John Henry - Julius Lester Illustrated by: Jerry Pickney

Bibliography: 

Lester, J., & Pinkney, J. (2009). John Henry. Paw Prints.

Plot Summary: 

Retells the legend of the African-American railroad builder who raced against a steam drill to cut through a mountain.

Critical Analysis:

Julius Lester’s “John Henry” is a tall tale that tells the story of African American folk hero John Henry. The most prominent rhetorical device Lester employs in his tale is the use of hyperbole to over exaggerate the great accomplishments of the esteemed legend John Henry. In addition to his of hyperbole, Lester makes use of personification, repetition, alliteration, and onomatopoeia to enhance the story of John Henry.

I think this historical tall tale would be a great read in the classroom and could be used as an introduction to more complex rhetorical devices, as there is quite a lot going on in this story. Additionally, I think this could be used to supplement an American history lesson. Not only can “John Henry” be used to teach content, but it can also be used to challenge children to identify the moral of the tale and then make generalizations about society.

Pinkney's illustrations are wonderful, really couldn't ask for a better treatment of John Henry. I love that there are some notes at the beginning about the origin of the story and the source materials used that way older readers can read more if they so choose.

“John Henry” would be a perfect book for upper elementary students, as it can initiate dialogue about complex issues in a way that is appropriate and respectful.

Review Excerpts:

Booklist (starred review)

This is a tall tale and heroic myth, a celebration of the human spirit . . . The story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exaggeration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and the natural world. 

School Library Journal

Another winning collaboration from the master storyteller and gifted artist of Tales of Uncle Remus fame.

Publisher's Weekly

A great American hero comes fully to life in this epic retelling filled with glorious, detailed watercolors . . .  This carefully crafted updating begs to be read aloud for its rich, rhythmic storytelling flow, and the suitably oversize illustrations amplify the text.

Connections:

Cultural Representation Reflection - John Henry

Scholastic Study Guide with other Folktale options.

African American Folklore

Book Reading narrated by Samuel L. Jackson