Dizzy in Your Eyes

Mora, P. (2010). Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems about Love. Alfred A. Knopf.

ISBN: 978-0375843754

Plot Summary:

Beloved children's book author and speaker Pat Mora has written an original collection of poems, each with a different teen narrator sharing unique thoughts, moments, sadness, or heart’s desire: the girl who loves swimming, plunging into the water that creates her own world; the guy who leaves flowers on the windshield of the girl he likes. Each of the teens in these 50 original poems, written using a variety of poetic forms, will be recognizable to the reader as the universal emotions, ideas, impressions, and beliefs float across the pages in these gracefully told verses.

Also included are the author’s footnotes on the various types of poetic forms used throughout to help demystify poetry and showcase its accessibility, which makes this a perfect classroom tool for teachers as well as an inspiration to readers who may wish to try their own hand at writing.

-Amazon

Analysis:

Pat Mora’s says her collection of poems about love is written like a song with four movements. It takes you through all of the stages and forms of love. Her book includes notations about the form of the poetry. Together, the poems loosely weave a story. 

Some clues about the cultural background of the work are hidden throughout the book: Mariachi Fantasy is whimsical verse about a shiny cholla. Valentine to Papi is memory sweet with emotion. Conversation / Conversación and Spanish show the author finding comfort in language. Oda a las maestras is printed in both English and Spanish.

This collection of poems moves through themes of love without being sticky or schmultzy. Yet it honors the depth and intensity of love in it’s various stages. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who like to play with words and expression.

Book Reviews:

"The poet's voice is multifaceted: tender, humorous and joyful but also profound ... The author employs an extraordinary diversity of poetic forms." 

--Kirkus Reviews

"Peppered with Spanish, the selections define the emotion in countless ways...Teachers in need of a fresh new avenue for teaching poetic form...and teens in search of a broader definition of love will find it here." 

--School Library Journal

Connections:

This book has examples of several forms of poetry. These can be taken out of context easily and examined, or the work could be studied as a whole.

Awards:

 El día de los niños / El día de los libros, 2013-2024, Selection, 2014

Américas Award, 1993-2023, commended

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5361.

The Surrender Tree

Engle, M. (2008). The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom. Henry Holt and Company (BYR).

ISBN: 978-0805086744

Plot Summary:

It is 1896. Cuba has fought three wars for independence and still is not free. People have been rounded up in reconcentration camps with too little food and too much illness. Rosa is a nurse, but she dares not go to the camps. So she turns hidden caves into hospitals for those who know how to find her.

Black, white, Cuban, Spanish―Rosa does her best for everyone. Yet who can heal a country so torn apart by war?

Using the true story of the folk hero Rosa la Bayamesa, acclaimed poet Margarita Engle gives us another gripping, breathtaking account of a tumultuous period in Cuban history.

-Amazon

Analysis:

I had no background knowledge of the tumultuous Cuban history of slavery and concentration camps before I read this work, but the story written in verse was captivating. Rosa, our main character, has reached folk-lore status as a healing witch. She is both feared and revered by many, but as you get to know her she is a determined nurse that never gives up. Exhaustion, desperation, disease and betrayal are always present, but her determination to help and heal carry her through. Rosa hides in the forest and in caves where she treats the wounded, no matter their background. She learns how to use native plants to heal the sick and wounded. Eventually Silvia comes into the story and Rosa is able to pass her healing knowledge on to her. The story is a history lesson where we learn about the people of Cuba. Slave owners, slave hunters, farmers, Spanish and American conquerors, and nomadic refugees all wander the forest, victims of constant wars. We learn that some Cuban slaves are dark-skinned and some are Chinese. The story follows our characters over the course of three consecutive wars for independence from Spain. Engle’s poetry is beautiful and sad as it portrays Cuba’s struggle for freedom. I recommend the audio version, hearing this poetry read aloud adds to it’s beauty.

Book Reviews:

“Engle writes her new book in clear, short lines of stirring free verse. Caught by the compelling narrative voices, many readers will want to find out more.” 

―Booklist, Starred Review

“Hauntingly beautiful, revealing pieces of Cuba's troubled past through the poetry of hidden moments.” 

―School Library Journal

“Young readers will come away inspired by these portraits of courageous ordinary people.” 

―Kirkus Reviews

Connections:

While this book has examples of courage and perseverance, it is also a glimpse into history that many may not be familiar with. 

Awards:

Newbery Honor Book, 2009

 Pura Belpré Medal for Narrative, 2009

Bank Street - Claudia Lewis Award, 2009

Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year, 2009

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5361.

Carmela Full of Wishes

de la Peña, M., & Robinson, C. (2018). Carmela Full of Wishes. Penguin Young Readers Group.

ISBN: 978-0399549045

Plot Summary:

When Carmela wakes up on her birthday, her wish has already come true--she's finally old enough to join her big brother as he does the family errands. Together, they travel through their neighborhood, past the crowded bus stop, the fenced-off repair shop, and the panadería, until they arrive at the Laundromat, where Carmela finds a lone dandelion growing in the pavement. But before she can blow its white fluff away, her brother tells her she has to make a wish. If only she can think of just the right wish to make . . .

-Amazon

Analysis:

Carmela Full of Wishes is a sweet story about family and dreams. The earth tone cut-paper illustrations are eye catching and sweet as Carmela follows her brother down Freedom Boulevard on her scooter. The big brother / little sister dynamic is so relatable. The brother is irritated as she fidgets with her bracelets and wishes he could run his errands alone. Carmela wants his attention so badly, but her sharp words and glares do not convey the message. The brown-skinned characters they pass along the way are seen working in fields and selling goods. As they go about their errands we learn more about their life. Their mom works in a hotel and their dad, who used to get work by standing in the parking lot of the home improvement store, is not living at home because he needs his papers fixed. Carmela is clutching a dandelion in her fist as she rides, trying to decide on a birthday wish before she blows the fuzzy petals into the wind. She falls and the flower is smashed on the ground, unwished. Her brother scoops her up with tenderness that leaves her wishing for nothing. 

The writing combined with the movement in the illustrations makes this book a beautiful representation of the importance of caring for the people we love. 

Book Reviews:

 "The award-winning team behind Last Stop on Market Street portrays Carmela’s Spanish-speaking community as a vibrant place of possibility, and Robinson’s acrylic-and-cutout spreads introduce readers to street vendors, workers in the fields, and sweeping views of the sea. Sensitively conceived and exuberantly executed, Carmela’s story shines."

—Publishers Weekly, starred review

 “Full of rich details, sharp and restrained writing, and acrylic paintings that look textured enough to rise off the page . . . Another near-perfect slice of life from a duo that has found a way to spotlight underrepresented children without forgetting that they are children first.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Connections:

This is a fantastic book about relationships and family values from a child’s perspective. For an extension activity, you could read this book and have your students discuss what they wish for and why.

Awards:

Newbery Medal, 2016

Caldecott Honor Book, 2016

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book, 2016

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5361.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

Sánchez, E. L. (2019). I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Random House Children's Books.

ISBN: 978-1524700515

Plot Summary:

Perfect Mexican daughters do not go away to college. And they do not move out of their parents’ house after high school graduation. Perfect Mexican daughters never abandon their family.

But Julia is not your perfect Mexican daughter. That was Olga’s role.

Then a tragic accident on the busiest street in Chicago leaves Olga dead and Julia left behind to reassemble the shattered pieces of her family. And no one seems to acknowledge that Julia is broken, too. Instead, her mother seems to channel her grief into pointing out every possible way Julia has failed.

But it’s not long before Julia discovers that Olga might not have been as perfect as everyone thought. With the help of her best friend Lorena, and her first love, first everything boyfriend Connor, Julia is determined to find out. Was Olga really what she seemed? Or was there more to her sister’s story? And either way, how can Julia even attempt to live up to a seemingly impossible ideal?

-Amazon

Analysis:

Erika Sánchez has written a powerful narrative that reflects the experience of Mexican immigrants in the United States. The opening lines draw you into a tragedy that is the catalyst for the rest of the story.  Our main character, Julia, is grieving the death of her sister, Olga. Their parents left Mexico before the girls were born, but since they crossed the border into the United States it’s been anything but easy. Hard physical labor and long hours keep a roof over their heads, but their roach-infested apartment is an indication of the poverty they cannot escape from. They lean on their family and community, but Julia dreams of a different life. She wants to go to college and become a writer. She is always compared to Olga, who was content and obedient…a perfect Mexican daughter. After Olga’s death, Julia is on a quest to learn who her older sister really was. The answers she finds unsettle her perceptions of her family and their past. With the help of friends, a good teacher, and eventually a counselor Julia begins to make peace with the tragedies that have devastated her family. 

Sánchez offers a view of Mexican-American culture through the eyes of our teenage character. Julia’s Catholic upbringing, her quinceanera, a visit to her family in Mexico, and other cultural markers and traditions make the story feel authentic. Sánchez includes many sensitive themes in her writing. Alcohol, sex, violence, depression, anxiety, suicide, death, and strong language all make appearances in the narrative. I found her treatment of these topics to be real and representative without being overly graphic. That being said, I would recommend this book for mature readers.

Book Reviews:

“Alive and crackling—a gritty tale wrapped in a page-turner. ”

—The New York Times

“A timely and must-have account of survival in a culturally contested world.”

 —SLJ, Starred

Sanchez paints an evocative portrait of a Mexican American family, effectively capturing bicultural tensions. The depiction of Julia processing her losses is hauntingly memorable and noteworthy in its authentic representation of too-rarely-written-about culture. Sanchez paints an evocative portrait of a Mexican American family, effectively capturing bicultural tensions. The depiction of Julia processing her losses is hauntingly memorable and noteworthy in its authentic representation of too-rarely-written-about culture.

–Horn Book

Connections:

This book, for mature readers, shows how professional counseling can help people cope with depression and work through trauma. 

It could also promote discussion about family dynamics and relationships.

Awards:

Tomás Rivera Book Award, 1996-2024, Winner, 2018

 YALSA Teens' Top Ten, 2003-2023, Winner, 2018

 International Latino Book Awards, 2000-2023, Second Place Winner, 2017

 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, 1996-2023, Finalist, 2017

 SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2010 - 2023, Selection, 2017

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5361.

I Have a Dream: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

King, M. L. (2012). I Have a Dream. Schwartz & Wade Books.

ISBN: 978-0375858871

Plot Summary:

On August 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, Martin Luther King gave one of the most powerful and memorable speeches in our nation's history. His words, paired with Caldecott Honor winner Kadir Nelson's magnificent paintings, make for a picture book certain to be treasured by children and adults alike. The themes of equality and freedom for all are not only relevant today, 50 years later, but also provide young readers with an important introduction to our nation's past. Included with the book is an audio CD of the speech.

-Amazon

Analysis:

Kadir Nelson has created a masterpiece of art that illustrates Martin Luther King Junior’s famous speech. He artfully depicts scenes from the speech itself; the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool, and the Washington Monument. The real beauty is found in the realistic depictions of people in the book. The colors he uses are rich and expressive and often painted against a white background. The speech is printed in its entirety on the last pages of the book, and a CD containing the official recording from the March On Washington is included with the book. This is a lovely book that evokes a stillness, an awe, when you open it.

Book Reviews:

“A glorious interpretation of a bedrock moment in 20th-century history.”

― Publisher’s Weekly, 2012

“An award-winning artist captures the passion and purpose of this most notable 20th-century American speech in beautifully realized oil paintings…. A title for remembrance and for re-dedication to the dream.”

– Kirkus Reviews, 2012

Connections:

 This is a wonderful introduction to Martin Luther King Junior and his message. This could be read aloud with students or shown alongside the included recording. 

Awards:

Indies Choice Book Award, 2016

Coretta Scott King Book Awards, Illustrator Honor, 2013

SLJ Best Books of the Year, 2012

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5361.

Minty

 

Schroeder, A. (2000). Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman. Penguin Young Readers Group.

ISBN: 978-0140561968

Plot Summary:

They called her "Minty."

When she grew up, she became Harriet Tubman, the courageous and heroic woman who helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad. But she was just a little girl for a while—and this is her story. Minty, short for Araminta, was a feisty and headstrong young slave, whose rebellious spirit often got her into trouble. She told stories to her doll, released animals from traps, and, above all, dreamed of running away. And when her father began to teach her the skills necessary for escape, she listened carefully, and learned. . . . 

-Amazon

Analysis:

Minty is a fictional account of Harriet Tubman’s childhood drawn from historical records. The cover of the book seems dated, in fact the book was published in 1996. I was wary at first, but when you open the pages, the illustrations are detailed and expressive. Jerry Pinkney made the story come to life, especially in the carefully drawn faces of the characters. This book is carried by Schroeder’s depiction of the harsh reality of slavery and the fierce independent soul of young Harriet. Violence and injustice are markers in the book but there are threads of kindness, community and the power of the human spirit. Schroeder depicts field slaves and house slaves and their inhumane treatment on the plantation, some disappearing “down the river” never to be seen by their friends and family again. It is a difficult task to be true to the ugliness of slavery and still make the story palatable for children. The author and illustrator complement each other in this accomplishment. Minty’s strong spirit and  perseverance are an incredible example for all of us.

Book Reviews:

Rich with melodrama, suspense, pathos, and, of course, a powerful vision of freedom. This exquisitely crafted book resonates well beyond its few pages.

―Kirkus Reviews

 Alan Schroeder's moving story never strays from what is possible in this fictional biography of the life of young Harriet Tubman. Jerry Pinkney's full-color paintings are rendered in pencil, colored pencil and watercolor. Light and dark dance across the pages of this 11 3/4 x 9 3/4" book as he skillfully and beautifully brings his vision of Minty's story to life.

― Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Connections:

Because Minty is about a child in slavery, it is a book that lends itself to discussions about bravery, perseverance, coping skills, community, etc. 

Awards:

Coretta Scott King Award

An ALA Notable Book

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5361.

Piecing Me Together

Watson, R. (2017). Piecing Me Together. Bloomsbury USA.

ISBN: 978-1681191058

Plot Summary:

Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she's ever going to succeed. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And Jade has: every day she rides the bus away from her friends and to the private school where she feels like an outsider, but where she has plenty of opportunities. But some opportunities she doesn't really welcome, like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for "at-risk" girls. Just because her mentor is black and graduated from the same high school doesn't mean she understands where Jade is coming from. She's tired of being singled out as someone who needs help, someone people want to fix. Jade wants to speak, to create, to express her joys and sorrows, her pain and her hope. Maybe there are some things she could show other women about understanding the world and finding ways to be real, to make a difference.

-Amazon

Analysis:

Renée Watson perfectly captures the voice of our young African American character, Jade. She is an artist, but her mother will remind you she is also a scholar. Her tone is acutely teenaged, at times childish and innocent and in the turn of a page astoundingly mature. The story includes themes of poverty, race, and relationships. Jade lives in a poor area of Portland, but she is able to attend a private school across town on scholarship. This opportunity divides her from her friends and as the story evolves she feels like she lives in two worlds but doesn’t feel at home in either. The word ‘opportunity’ plays a role in the narrative. Jade has been given many, but she is starting to see these as ways that others are trying to ‘fix’ her. She walks a careful line with gratitude on one hand and defensiveness on the other. One such opportunity happens when her school asks her to be part of a mentorship program for young black female students called Woman to Woman. She is paired with a mentor who seems to be learning right alongside Jade about being true to who she is. This book has themes of inter-racial friendship, poverty, brief police brutality, and other racially significant elements. Jade carries herself with dignity and you see her character develop as she gains confidence in who she is. This is a thoughtful read that gives you hope for the future.

Book Reviews:

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

- starred review, School Library Journal

"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." 

- Booklist

Connections:

This novel is a good springboard for discussion about our American culture and how we can support and understand one another better.

Awards:

NPR’s Best Books of 2017

A 2017 New York Public Library Best Teen Book of the Year

Chicago Public Library’s Best Books of 2017

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2017

Kirkus Reviews’ Best Teen Books of 2017

2018 Josette Frank Award Winner

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5361.

Garvey's Choice

Garvey’s Choice

Grimes, N. (2016). Garvey's Choice. Astra Publishing House.

ISBN: 978-1629797403

Plot Summary:

Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading—anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life changes. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself, and a way to finally reach his distant father—by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports.

-Amazon

Analysis:

Nikki Grimes writes a novel in verse that truly sings. Her chosen poetic style, Tanka, is rhythmic and flowing. The simplicity of the verse does not reduce the depth of its meaning. Garvey, a young overweight African American teenager, is facing a world where he doesn’t fit. Name calling and teasing are regular markers in his school day. His one close friend, Joe, is always there for him. But when Garvey joins the chorus, he discovers new friendship that expands his world. The novel includes elements of family dynamics, mostly between Garvey and his father. Garvey is not athletic and his father struggles to find other ways to connect with him. The book explores themes of racial identity, self-esteem, and building confidence in yourself. The writing is hopeful and smart, but touched with realism that gives the characters authenticity. You can read this book in written verse or graphic novel form.

Book Reviews:

Garvey can't quite live up to his father's traditional expectations of masculinity. He would rather sing and ponder space travel than undertake any athletic endeavor. But a chance chorus recital presents a turning point for their relationship: "I stand before the mirror, /smiling at a boy/whose frame is familiar/but changed, unfinished-all me." Using tanka, Grimes expertly crafts a family life that is deeply intimate yet inviting-a story of small but powerful transformations.

School Library Journal, 2016

Garvey is an overweight boy tormented by name-calling at school: "lard butt, fatso, Mister Tubs." His life changes when his best friend suggests he join the school chorus. Employing the Japanese poetic form of tanka, Grimes reveals Garvey's thoughts, feelings, and observations; the spare poetry is a good vehicle for a young man's attempts to articulate the puzzle that is his life.

Horn Book, 2017

Connections:

This is a great book to introduce the topics of self-awareness and courage. It could also be introduced as a study in poetry. Students could sample Nikki Grimes writing and then try writing their own Tanka poems.

Awards:

ALSC Notable Children’s Books, 2017

Junior Library Guild Selections, 2017

Lee Bennett Hopkins Award

CMSCL Best Books, 2016

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5361.