The Wild Book

Engle, Margarita. (2012). The Wild Book. Boston: Harcourt Publishing Company.   

Hardback | $16.99 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0547581316 | 133 pgs | Juvenile | Ages 8 & up

Fefa has trouble with reading – in fact, she has dyslexia. She has a very difficult time in school and she hates to read out loud in class. Her classmates make fun of her for this. Her mom finds a way to help her overcome this. She gives her a blank book and tells her to fill it with words. Her mom compares the book to a garden. She tells Fefa to sprinkle the words across the clean white pages of her wild book. Fefa does her best and begins to tell the story of her Cuban family.

Fefa is 10 years old at the beginning of the story. She lives with her parents and 10 siblings. The story is set during a difficult time in Cuban history, which is actually based on the real life of Engle’s grandmother. Yet despite the difficult times and struggles all around her, Fefa overcomes not knowing how to read or write. She starts off slow – it is not a race. She eventually goes on to share about all the things around her – from the flowers and the beauty in nature to the violence and kidnappings that happen around her. It is through her words that she tells an amazing story and a story that will help her family get through the difficult times ahead.

Engle’s novel is a first person narrative written in poetic form. This book is recommended for public and school libraries that serve Latino children or children who struggle with dyslexia. It may provide children who have difficulties reading and writing with the inspiration to continue to work hard and pursue their education. Engle tells a brilliant story about everything that she sees – so anyone who enjoys reading about nature or the beautiful countryside would enjoy reading this book. This book provides the reader with insight about other cultures and for that reason it is highly recommended for all ages of readers to enjoy.

Award-winning Cuban-American poet Margarita Engle wrote The Wild Book. This book won several awards listed below, which can be seen at http://margaritaengle.com/allbooks.html.

·      Kirkus Reviews New & Notable Books for Children (March 2012)

·      2012 Staff Favorites at Teaching for Change's Bookstore at Busboy and Poets

·      2013 Mock Belpre from Reforma Heartland Chapter

·      Horn Book's Guide to 2012 Notable Novels in Verse, in honor of National Poetry Month

·      2013 Bankstreet's Best Children's Book of the Year

Margarita Engle has a connection to Cuba because her mother’s hometown is Trinidad. Though her father was born in Los Angeles, California, she spent her summers in Cuba and much of her extended family was from Cuba. Engle received the first Newbery Honor ever awarded to a Latino. She has written many other award winning young adult novels in verse. Engle enjoys writing about Latin America and also animals. 

The Mighty Miss Malone

Curtis, Christopher Paul. (2012). The Mighty Miss Malone. NY: Wendy Lamb Books. 

Hardcover | $15.99 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0385734912 | 320 pages | YA Fiction

Imagine being at the top of your class. Imagine being the brightest kid in school. Imagine not having a care in the world because after all, you have the best big brother in the world and a wonderful mother and father who take care of you. Then everything changes. Imagine jumping in a boxcar to go in search of your father in an unknown city. Imagine living in a shantytown and sleeping on the ground. Imagine having a piece of fabric as your front door. Imagine having every tooth in your mouth cause you pain and agony but not having the money to fix it. Most of us cannot even imagine wearing the same article of clothing every day, let alone the rest of these realities, which Deza Malone experienced alongside her family during the Great Depression. The Great Depression both tore her family apart and brought her family closer together, but the journey was a difficult one.

Deza tells the story of her family’s struggle through a difficult time in our history. It was a difficult time for any family during the Great Depression, but it was especially hard for African American families.  Finding work was not easy. Having enough to eat was unlikely. But Deza was determined. She had a love of learning and it was clear to all who knew her that she was going to be something in the future. Her brother could sing better than anyone in town. Her incredibly selfless mother did anything to support her children and family.

The plot thickens after Deza’s father, who spoke in alliterations on a regular basis, could not find work, and after a near deadly fishing trip accident on Lake Michigan, he left his family in search of work in his hometown of Flint, Michigan. He said he would send for them. It was just that times were so tough on the family financially that holding on to this hope was so incredibly hard. Deza, Jimmie, and her mom set out for Flint and that is where the story takes us deep into the struggles of this family. This is a must read for every young reader. I absolutely loved how the realness, the vividness, the struggle, and the loyalty of the family were portrayed. I believe that readers can learn a lot from this story – Deza approached things with an open mind, even in the face of difficulty.  It was wonderful just how much this family supported one another when they had to leave their home with only what they could carry in three blankets. This story about the love between the Malone family is powerful and will tear at any reader’s heart strings.

Newbury Medal and Coretta Scott King award-winning children’s author Christopher Paul Curtis wrote this book to teach about history and provide us with a phenomenal young female character to admire.  This book was nominated for the 44^th NAACP Image Award.  Curtis has won awards for his other titles including The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, Bud, Not Buddy and Elijah of Buxton. This book would be useful for multicultural programming and should be placed in every public and school libraries. To view the official website of Christopher Paul Curtis, please visit: http://www.nobodybutcurtis.com. If you would like to watch an online classroom cast interview with Christopher Paul Curtis in which he talks about The Mighty Miss Malone, please visit this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGEEJfi0fsI

American Born Chinese

Yang, Gene Luen. (2008). American Born Chinese. New York: Square Fish.


Paperback | $16.95 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0312384487 | 240 pages | YA Fiction, Age 12 & up

Jin Wang moved to a new school in the third grade.  His teacher introduced him as a new student from China, but Jin is from San Francisco. Sigh.There was an Asian girl in Jin’s class and the students all thought they must know each other. Sigh again. When another new student named Wei-Chen came to Jin’s school, the teacher again introduced him as though he was from China, although Wei-Chen is from Taiwan. A third, but not the final sigh. These three Asian students endure quite a bit. They have to deal with some cruel bullies at their school. This is just a snippet of the stereotypes that exist and are shared throughout this story.

The next character we meet is named Monkey King. He is the most powerful monkey on all of the earth. (In real life, he is Yang’s favorite fictional character and one that he read about throughout his childhood.) The problem is Monkey King doesn’t want to be a monkey – people laugh at him like he doesn’t belong. He is upset because he is a King after all and just wants to be considered an equal. He tries to change his appearance, become something he is not, and has to learn a few hard lessons along the way. The last character we meet is Chin-Kee. His poor cousin Danny who lives in America has to endure his yearly visits. I say endure because Gene Luen Yang writes Chin-Kee to represent the most outrageous of stereotypes that people have against Chinese people. Chin-Kee turns out to be someone you would least expect. Danny isn’t who you would expect either. Finally, Wei-Chen is someone else too! Jin learns some lessons and any reader should appreciate how difficult it is to be an American Born Chinese. 

This amazingly intertwined graphic novel does a great job connecting these three story lines. It is done in a symbolic way and you won’t find out until the end of the story. All of the characters in the story have trouble with their position in life – they all feel they want to change to belong or be accepted. The situations that each one found themselves in are stereotypical and show how much Americans judges other culture groups.

This book would be useful for every library that is seeking to break down the stereotypes and to appreciate others for their cultural differences and heritage.  The repetition of stereotypes is evident of the discrimination and stereotypes Asians who live in America experience. This book would be useful for all libraries whether or not they have diverse patrons because it is a story that reminds us all that many different types of people came to America and live in America. We need to be exposed to literature such as this so we can all learn to accept and appreciate cultures for their differences.

Author Gene Luen Yang won several awards for this graphic novel including the 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Winner, 2007 Eisner Award Winner - Best Graphic Album – New, and it also was the first graphic novel to be nominated for the National Book Award in 2006. He has been publishing comics since 1996 under the name Humble Comics. To learn more about Gene Luen Yang and his work, please visit his website at http://geneyang.com. 

Donovan's Big Day

Newman, Leslea. (2011). Donovan’s Big Day. Berkeley: Tricycle Press.  

Hardcover | $15.99 | ISBN-13: 978-1-58246-332-2.  | 32 pages. | Age 4-7 yrs.

This picture book intended for young readers, ages 4-7 years, goes through Donovan’s entire day and all the important things he must do on his parent’s wedding day.  Donovan begins by waking up in the morning and he gets out of bed before being yelled at because he realizes he must be well behaved and must be helpful too. He has to feed the dog and clean up after himself after breakfast. He has to wash up and also get dressed up in some fancy clothes.  These are all usual tasks and he has no problems doing them.  He has to keep special care of a small satin box on the inside of his jacket pocket. He has to behave in his Uncle’s car and sit between his cousins without causing any problems. He is very excited once he arrives at the ceremony and runs inside to see everyone.  He knows he must talk to all the grown ups and greet all the guests.  Finally, he walks down the aisle and quietly listens to the ceremony. He is the ring bearer at the wedding of his two moms.

Newman’s picture book treats this big wedding day like it was any other wedding day. While reading and going over the activities of Donovan’s Big Day, you do not get the feeling that it is any different to have two brides who are getting married. All the activities of the day are exactly the same. There is still a lot for Donovan to do and he knows how important his job is. The book teaches a young boy how to be a ring bearer. It is important for a kid at this young age to not feel different or judged. At this young age, kids do not need a book about how it is okay to have two moms that get married or how it is okay to have two dads in love. They need a book just like the rest of the kids – a book that simply tells a story while showing a family’s love. It was cute that it was Donovan’s job to “kiss the brides” at the end of the story. Donovan had a big role to play and he does exactly what he has to do. It didn’t matter who was getting married – it was only important that Donovan was there and that he has two parents who love him.

This juvenile picture book would be useful in any library or community with a lot of same-sex marriages or unions. This way the children in these families would be able to see how their families are the same as the other families. Ultimately, this book is about family and the love within. Donovan’s Big Day was nominated for the 2012 Rainbow Book List and that list can be accessed here: http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/953.

Leslea Newman is the award-winning author for Mommy, Mama and Me and Heather has Two Mommies according to the front cover of Donovan’s Big Day. Newman has been earning awards for her writing for quite a long time.  She has won awards for her picture books, novels, as well as for several poems that she has published.  For more info about her publications & awards, please visit http://www.lesleakids.com/publications.html. For more information about Leslea Newman, please visit her official website at http://www.lesleakids.com/aboutleslea.html. 

The Junkyard Wonders

Polacco, Patricia. (2010). The Junkyard Wonders. 1^st Edition.  New York: Philomel Books.

Hardcover | $13.11 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0399250786 | 48 pages | 6-9 years           

Tricia wanted to stay with her Gramma and her dad in Michigan. Her mom and dad agreed, but only for a year. Her classmates were different but Tricia could not figure out how. Then Mrs. Peterson, the teacher, entered and read the definition of genius. She said everyone in that room was a genius. But then she referred to the class as “The Junkyard.” Tricia was upset to be in this class of misfits. She didn’t want to be labeled as “special.” Why did this keep happening? Other kids in her school made fun of the “Junkyard Class” and treated them differently. But at least Mrs. Peterson was engaging. Each student joined a “tribe.” The students would work together on projects throughout the year in their tribes. They even wore special badges on their shirts that said they were a member of the “Junkyard Wonders,” but kids on the playground made fun of them for this. Then their teacher took them to the junkyard.  Their teacher said to look at things for what they could be, not for what they were. 

The children in Tricia’s tribe found an airplane – sure it was cracked and broken apart but they wanted to fix it up. All the tribes were working on their creations all year.  There was going to be a fair to showcase the creations. Tricia’s tribe wanted their plane to fly from the school rooftop. They had a few bumps along the way, but they did install a motor and launched it from the roof. It flew straight up into the sky; the children were so proud of their accomplishment.

This inspiring true story about Polacco’s childhood is one that celebrates the differences and diversity of all children. It reminds the readers about the important value of the “special” kids in our schools and communities. They are not just throwaways; they are not just pieces of junk, but they are each individually wonders and actually “geniuses.” Her character illustrations of the smiling faces are spectacular. Polacco has created a teacher that is inspiriting and creative and one who can reach children with special needs. Children should be encouraged for their potential and the possibilities of things they can become – after all Polacco herself was one of these students who struggled in school and had a learning disability.  This book would best serve public and school libraries alike where young children can read and remember that each student and child is to be valued for their uniqueness and individual talents and skills. 

Telling stories runs in Patricia Polacco’s family. She didn’t start writing until she was 41 years old, but since then she has become an award winning author and illustrator. Polacco was born and raised in Michigan and after living for a few years in Florida her family moved to California. She did not have the best grades in school – she really struggled with reading and math. She lived in California for 37 years and during that time she decided to start writing down stories she heard as a child and of course she used her own creativity for her artwork. She returned to Michigan where she intends to open her home for writing seminars and story telling festivals to celebrate children’s literature. She does all of her own illustrations in her studio and to produce one book takes her about a year and a half.  For more about her work, please visit her official website at: http://www.patriciapolacco.com. 

Pink

Wilkinson, Lili. (2009). Pink. New York: HarperCollins Publisher.

Paperback | $16.99 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0061926549 | 320 pages | YA Fiction

Where does Ava fit in? Ava is brilliant, but doesn’t feel challenged at her school. The boys are immature and are constantly cursing at each other. She wears all black clothing every day and has dyed her hair black. Her girlfriend, Chloe, has perfect skin, always has a floppy paper book in her hand (or a cigarette,) and thinks school is a complete waste of time. Ava is the brightest in the class without even trying, but she wants a change. She is happy with Chloe as her girlfriend, though she is surprised Chloe picked her.  Ava really just wants to branch out on her own. She doesn’t want to feel like a nerd just for turning in her homework. She applies to Billy Hughes School for Academic Excellence and gets a full scholarship. Everyone seems perfect there. Chloe is not happy she left her. Things are about to change.

Ava’s parents are professors at the local uni and are glad that their daughter is not “normal.” They encourage her to be progressive and don’t mind that she is a lesbian. But they start to worry when Ava begins to change while attending Billy Hughes.  First, Ava dyed her hair back to its normal color and she started to wear “pink.” She believes her new school is the perfect place to “change” and try out more than a new wardrobe.  She wants to try out a new personality and maybe even a new sexual preference. She always thought she wanted a boyfriend.  Her new friends (nicknamed the Pastels) want her to try out for the school musical. She fails miserably but because they want to set her up with Ethan (a handsome lacrosse player who is in the play) she joins the Crew. Crew turns out to be full of freaks and her new friends worry that she is in this group. Ava tries to balance the demands of her new friends, while surviving in the Crew.  All this time, she still has a secret girlfriend in her old life back home. After a lot of time and effort, Ava becomes a contributing member of Crew to the musical. She even kisses Ethan at one of the Cast parties. She is confused about her own desires, and she begins to think she is smearing the lines of trust and betrayal with her new friends at her new school.  Then Chloe shows up at the school musical.

Ava is a teenager, so figuring out her wardrobe, her academics, her future plans and her sexuality is all part of the territory, but things really get complicated once all of these worlds collide. What will she decide? Will she come out? Will she hide behind her new appearance? What will her new friends or the Crew think of her being a lesbian? More importantly, will Ava learn to be comfortable with who she is? Ava’s story in Pink allows for teens to stand in her shoes and anyone reading the book can see that trying to figure out the answers to these questions that teens ask themselves is no easy task. This book would be useful for all school and public libraries looking to provide a diverse array of materials for young readers. Many teens struggle with the same thoughts that Ava does. We learn through her story that Ava had to experience life to really figure things out on her own.

Lili Wilkinson won several awards for Pink, including the Highly Commended Barbara Jefferis Award, Stonewall Award Honor Book, Amelia Bloomer Listee and Rainbow Room Listee. (http://liliwilkinson.com.au/books) An interesting fact about Australian author Lili Wilkinson is that her mother is Australian author Carole Wilkinson, best known for her work on The Dragon Keeper.