Week 5: Children's Native American Literature

 Fry Bread

By Kevin Noble Maillard 

  

    Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard is a heartwarming children's book that celebrates the rich cultural  tradition of fry bread within the Native American communities. This poetic book describes the ingredients, preparation, and the communal sharing of fry bread with the help of vibrant illustrations created by Juana Martinez-Neal. Each page highlights how fry bread is more than just food; it represents Native American history, culture, and resilience showing how fry bread serves as a symbol of family, heritage, and survival. The authors narrative draws a deep connection between food, identity, and cultural heritage, celebrating the diversity and richness of Native American cultures. I love how the author notes the recipe at the end of the book providing deeper insights that invite readers to experience making the fry bread themselves. 

In the Classroom:

    Fry Bread, is an excellent addition to a classroom library because of it's rich and engaging way to introduce students to Native American culture and history. Having this book in a classroom library encourages inclusivity and diversity, promoting a deeper understanding as well as appreciation of different cultures among students. Some activities that can enhance its educational value can include organizing a cooking activity where students can make their own fry bread, providing a hands-on experience that will connect students directly with the cultural content of the book. Additionally, you can hold a class discussion of students own family food traditions, drawing the connections that's depicted in the story. The classroom discussion can also be turned into a writing activity. By integrating some of these activities, I can create a dynamic and interactive learning environment that will help support and celebrate diversity and foster a sense of community. 

YouTube Read-Aloud:  

Week 5: YA African American Novel

A Long Walk To Water

By Linda Sue Park 

     A Long Walk to Water, intertwines the true stories of two young people from Sudan, set decades apart. The first narrative follows Nya, an eleven-year-old girl in 2008 who makes the daily trips to fetch water for her family, highlighting the harsh realities of scarcity and survival in her village. Her daily trips, consist of two dangerous journeys per day. The second story, is set in 1985, following the journey of an eleven-year-old Sudanese "Lost Boy," named Salva Dut from the Dinka tribe is displaced by the civil war. Forced to flee his village, he embraces a grueling journey facing threats from rebels, wild animals, and harsh environments, all while suffering from starvation and thirst. He also faces extreme loss, this includes being forced into dangerous waters by rebels, witnessing first hand a crocodile attack and a young boy being shot while he was on Salva's back. Salva's resilience and determination first lead him to a refugee camp in Ethiopia, but the camp was later disbanded, forcing him to move again. Where he travels to Kenya, where he spends several years in the Kakuma and Ifo refugee camps. Later, he resettles in the United States in 1996, where he then gets adopted. Years later, as an adult, he returns back to Sedan, advocating to help build wells, bringing clean water to villages, which includes Nya's story. Her life is transformed when Salva's organization drills a well in her village, providing not only clean water, but also hope for a better future. Because of Salva's efforts, Nya no longer has to make the daily life threatening journeys to access water. Through these parallel stories, the author, highlights the themes of survival, perseverance, and life-changing power of access to clean water, showcases the profound impact of how important humanitarian efforts are on communities in need. 

  

Related Text: 

In the Classroom: 

    A Long Walk to Water is an excellent addition to the classroom library as it offer students an engaging way to understand global issues such as the impact of war, the struggles of refugees, and the importance of access to clean water. I would advise older students read this text, as it deals with tough and grueling loss. This book also provides a relatable entry point for discussing the broader humanitarian issues as well as developing empathy. Since this book is based on true events, it may be more interesting to students. An effective activity that can be done in the classroom can include having students research and present on water scarcity in different parts of the world, comparing their findings to the abundance of clean water in America. This can then lead to a rich discussion on how Americans often can take access to clean water for granted, fostering a deep appreciation for this essential resource we need to survive, and encouraging students to think about how they can contribute to global solutions, such as supporting clean water initiatives or conserving water in their daily lives.  

Week 4: Children's Book (Graphic Novel)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 

by Jeff Kinney

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid, is an all time classic! Don't you remember the "cheese touch?" I can remember this graphic novel series being a hit throughout elementary and middle school. This humorous novel written by Jeff Kinney is presented as the illustrated journal of main character, Greg Heffley, a middle school student whose navigating through the trials of adolescence. Through Greg's own perspective, this graphic novel captures his daily life struggles with family and friends, and sometimes the embarrassing situations he encounters. Greg's reflections provide a relatable and entertaining look into the challenges of growing up, followed by his humorous misadventures of a typical "wimpy kid" trying to fit in and find his place in the world. 

In the Classroom: 

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid, is an excellent addition to a elementary or middle school classroom library because of it's relatable characters and humorous storytelling, making it engaging for students. The diary format and illustrations make it accessible and appealing to reluctant readers, which could foster and encourage a love for reading. The book's themes of friendship, family dynamics, and trials of growing up provide opportunities for discussion on personal development and social skills, making it a valuable tool for literacy and social-emotional learning. 

    This graphic novel can be utilized in various ways to enhance student's learning. One activity could involve a character analysis where students select a character from the book and create a character profile that details their traits, motivation, relationships, and growth. This will not only help improve comprehension but will also encourage critical thinking about character development. Another activity that could be utilized is focusing on diary writing, where students can emulate Greg's style by writing their own diary entries about a memorable event or challenge they've faced. This specific exercise can foster creative expression and help students in practicing to write in a personal narrative format. Overall, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, will provide an enriching classroom environment by promoting literacy, empathy, and creativity among students. 

Week 4: YA Novel (Graphic Novels)

 Hey, Kiddo

By Jarrett J. Krosoczka

    This graphic novel was full of emotion that personally pulled on my heart strings. It's hard to think that children have to go through life facing so many adversities. Especially dealing with the absence of parents. This novel deals with some hard topics and has mature language embedded throughout the book. This deeply moving memoir explores the complexities of family, addiction, and resilience. Through the vivid illustrations and storytelling, Krosoczka recounts his tough childhood, that's marked with his mother's heroin addiction and his father's absence. Raised by his grandparents, Jarrett navigates through the challenges of early childhood and adolescence that's mixed with some humor, but mostly heartache. This graphic novel captures the authors life journey finding his place within the world, as he discovers his passion for art, and comes to understand the true meaning of family. Hey Kiddo, is an honest depiction of growing up in a broken yet resilient family, offering a feeling of hope and healing. 

In the Classroom: 

    Graphic novels are effective to use in the classroom because they combine visual elements with text, which provide context clues that support vocabulary development and comprehension, making challenging content more accessible. The graphic novel, Hey, Kiddo belongs in any middle school or high school classroom library because of it's relatable portrayal of overcoming adversity. This memoir dives into the authors life, marked by his mother's heroin addiction and his grandparents' efforts to provide him a somewhat stable upbringing. This book opens a window into understanding life's complexities of family dynamics and addiction, but also emphasizes the strength and resilience in order to navigate through such challenges. In the classroom, Hey, Kiddo can be a powerful tool for fostering empathy about difficult subjects. A related art activity could involve students creating their own graphic novel or art piece of a challenging time they've faced and how they overcame it. This therapeutic exercise allows creative expression and helps students process their experiences, ultimately building emotional awareness and fostering resilience.   

I enjoyed watching this interview of the author talking about his book during the PBS Books Festival in 2019. 

Interview: 

Week 3: YA Novel (Boys and Books)

 Where the Red Fern Grows

By Wilson Rawls

    One of my ALL TIME FAVORITES! Where the Red Fern Grows, is a beloved children's novel that is set in the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression era following a young boy named Billy Colman, who dreams of owning his own pair of hunting dogs. Through hard work and determination, Billy finally saves enough money to buy two Redbone Coonhound pups, which he names Old Dan and Lil Ann. 

    Billy trains his dogs to become exceptional hunting partners, and together, they embark on many raccoon hunting adventures. The bond that Billy and his dogs share only grows deeper as they face various challenges and dangers in the wilderness as they hunt with one another. Due to the trios hunting abilities, they become well-known in their community. 

    The story starts to take a turn when Old Dan and Lil Ann protect Billy from a mountain lion attack. Old Dan sustains fatal injuries, and Lil Ann, heartbroken, dies shortly after. Billy buries his beloved hunting partners on a hill, and later a rare red fern grows between their graves, symbolizing eternal love and sacredness according to the Native American legend. 

    This touching tale is about the enduring bond between a boy and his dogs, and the ways in which they shape one another's lives. This novel explores themes such as determinations, loyalty, love, and the pain of loss that Billy endures as he has to say goodbye to his two best friends. 

In the Classroom: 

    Where the Red Fern Grows is an excellent book to use in the classroom due to its rich themes, historical context, and engaging narrative. Students can learn about life during one of the most difficult times in American history by reading this narrative, which takes place during the Great Depression. The main character, Billy, exhibits determination, hard work, and loyalty, making the book a great tool for discussing values and character development. Furthermore, the realistic depictions of rural life and the Ozark Mountains improve students knowledge of geography and natural history.

    In order to create a cross-curricular activity that combines literature with history, students can research the Great Depress and its impact on rural America, like the town the story takes place in. Students can present their research, drawing connections between the historical context and events from the book. This activity will encourage critical thinking and helps students to understand the socio-economic background of this story. 

A mapping activity can also further enhance students learning experience. Students can use maps to locate the Ozark Mountains and trace Billy's adventures with his hounds. This will not only improve students geographical skills but also help them to visualize the setting of the story. By integrating history and geography with literature, these activities can provide students with a holistic learning experience that deepens their understanding and overall engagement with the book.

You can also have students compare and contrast this text with the book and movie titled Old Yeller by Fred Gipson.

YouTube Audio book (All 20 Chapters Included): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf278sK9m1pkDFrvQNAgHWAOcouMqTUxX

WATCH THE MOVIE! Compare Text VS Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXhPrQbZQgQ

Week 3: Children's Book (Boys and Books)

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from The Underground Railroad

By Ellen Levine

    Henry's Freedom Box, is a children's book that is written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This book tells the true story of Henry "Box" Brown, an enslaved man who mailed himself to freedom in a wooden crate from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1849. This book details the early life of Henry, the heartbreak of becoming separated from his family when they are sold, and his daring plan to escape from slavery. With the help from abolitionists, Henry endures a long journey in a cramped box, ultimately emerging into freedom. This story highlights the themes of courage, resilience, and the quest for freedom. 

In the Classroom: 

    Henry's Freedom Box, is a great addition for any classroom library because it provides a powerful and accessible entry point into discussions about slavery and the fight for freedom. The story of Henry "Box" Brown is both harrowing and inspiring, offering students a personal perspective on the historical realities of slavery that individuals endured and the lengths they went in seeking liberty. This book aligns well with curriculum goals in social studies and language arts because it supports the development of empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of history. On a final note, the vivid illustrations complement the poignant narrative, making the historical content engaging and relatable for young readers. 

    Classroom activities inspired by Henry's Freedom Box can include creating timelines of Henry's life, which will help students understand the sequence of events and the historical context. Students could also engage in creative writing by composing diary entries from the perspective of Henry or letters from abolitionists that helped Henry escape from slavery. Students could also write about what they think Henry's voyage may have been like. Introducing reader's theatre is also a great strategy to implement during these type of historical stories being presented to help students connect to the text on a different level. Additionally, discussions and projects that relate to the Underground Railroad and introducing other freedom seekers like Harriet Tubman can expand students' knowledge and encourage further exploration of this critical time period and turning point in history. 

    

YouTube Read Aloud: 

Week 2: Children's Book Diversity Theme

 Where Are You From?

By Yamile Saied Mendez

   "For kids everywhere"

  Where Are You From? is a Children's book written by Yamile Saied Mexdez and illustrated by Jaime Kim. This book is so beautifully illustrated, the pictures are captivating and paint a real picture of cultural heritage. This story is centered around a young hispanic girl who is repeatedly asked the question, "Where are you from?" by friends and others around her. 

    The young girl is unsure how to respond to their repeated question, so she turns to her Abuelo (grandfather) for some guidance. Her Abuelo takes her on a very poetic journey through their heritage and family history. He describes to her of the rich and diverse cultural background that defines her identity. He tells her about the pampas, mountains, animals, and the sky of their homeland. He emphasizes to her that her identity is shaped by various elements, including those who came before her, the places where her ancestors lived, and the love and strength that has been passed down through the generations in their family. 

 

    In conclusion, this book conveys an important message teaching children that identity is multifaceted and where each person comes from is not just about geography, but also history, culture, and family bonds.   

In The Classroom: 

    Where Are You From? would be a lovely addition to anyones classroom library! This beautifully illustrated book represents diversity and culture by addressing the complexity of where one person may come from, beyond just geographical location. By depicting the main character whose seeking to understand her identity through the wisdom of her Abuelo (grandfather), this story emphasizes the importance of family history and traditions in shaping us into who we are. This story can help students with diverse backgrounds, helping to see their own self in literature. 

    This book is suitable for students that are 4-8 years old, ideally for elementary school students. Activities that can complement this book in the classroom can include creating family heritge projects where students can share stories (poster board), and artifacts (show n tell) from their own backgrounds. It would be a fun idea to even bring in a guest speaker for students that shares a different cultural background sharing information of their heritage. This could also be a cross-curricular activity with history. Another engaging activity could be drawing or writing about a specific place that feels significant to them, helping them to understand the personal identity that we all have. Since this book is very poetic, older students could be introduce to poetry and conduct their own poems about who they are and what makes them who they are. 

YouTube Read Aloud: 

Week 2: YA Novel Diversity Theme

The House On Mango Street

1984

By Sandra Cisneros

"You can't erase what you know, you can't forget who are."

    The House On Mango Street, is a very touching, sad, and poetic novel that follows a young Latina girl named Esperanza Cordero who grows up in the Hispanic quarter of Chicago. Esperanza was named after her great-grandmother, also named Esperanza, who was a wild woman that was forced into a loveless marriage by her father and spent the rest of her life looking out the window. Symbolizing the lost dreams and unfulfilled potential that she once had. The young girl, Esperanza, draws strength from her namesake's story, promising herself not to let her own life be forced in the same way. The story unfolds through a series of small illustrative sketches of the challenges and aspirations of Esperanza, her friends, family, and her community. She is completely aware of her socio-economic status and the limitations that is imposed on her by the environment she was placed in. Throughout the story, she observes the lives of her friends and neighbors, who have each contributed to her understanding of identity, gender roles, and cultural expectations. For example, in the chapter "Manova Writes Poems," expresses the relationship between a young girl whose a year older than Esperanza, married and has children that faces abuse from her husband. Throughout the novel, we see many woman facing abuse from men whether they knew it was happening or not. Esperanza's family moves into a house on Mango Street, which, despite being an improvement from their previous homes, still falls short of her own dreams for a better life. She dreams one day of owning her own house, symbolizing her desire for independence and self-determination. As she becomes more mature, she becomes more determined to break free from the cycle of poverty and maltreatment that defines her neighborhood. The story ends on a hopeful note, with Esperanza planning to move away from Mango Street to pursue her dreams, but promising to return for those who cannot leave. 

    

In the Classroom: 

    The House on Mango Street, is a great choice for the classroom due to its rich poetic language and touching themes. Its use of poetic lines and imagery provides a gateway for students to explore literary devices and themes in a relatable context for students. In the classroom, you can introduce students to poetic themes such as identity, community, and the power of storytelling through discussions and analysis of the book. One activity could involve analyzing parts from the novel for poetic devices such as metaphors, similes, and symbolism, overall encouraging students to identity how these elements enhance the meaning and impact of the text. In order to introduce poems and imagery to students, I would begin by selecting from the story that vividly depict scenes or emotions. I would then lead a discussion on the use of imagery in literature, asking students to identify descriptive language that appeals to their five senses and creates vivid mental images. Next, I would introduce examples of specific poetic devices like previously stated: metaphors, smilies, and personification, using examples from the story to illustrate how these poetic devices enhance the imagery and deepen the meaning of text. Finally, I would encourage students to apply what they've learned by writing their own descriptive passages or poems inspired by themes in the novel. This interactive approach fosters critical thinking, literary analysis, and creative expression in students while fostering an appreciation for poetry and imagery. On a final note, acrostic poems are a great activity and way to introduce poetry to students! 

    I love to be outdoors! This week while reading I chose to listen to a couple of audiobooks while enjoying being outside. We got so much rain this week our creek was up higher than normal so my husband and I decided to go try to catch some catfish. While we fished, I listened to some audiobooks, hence why I am wearing headphones. 

YouTube Full AudioBook: