CODE TALKER: A NOVEL ABOUT THE NAVAJO MARINES OF WORLD WAR TWO by Joseph Bruchac

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

Plot Summary
Ned Begay gets sent to boarding school where he is taught that all things Navajo must be forgotten, especially his language. However, World War II begins, and Ned joins the Marines where his sacred Navajo language is in dire need. He learns that his language is needed to send messages in code throughout the war, and his experiences as a code talker and fighting in the conflict with Japan are revealed.

Critical Analysis
Ned Begay recaps his story as a Navajo code talker in World War II to his grandchildren.  Although the account is fictional, it is a well-researched story that brings to life the racism the Navajos had to face in America at the time and the obstacles they had to overcome. These Marines were heroes, yet their story had to be kept secret for many years after World War II. The account rings true because the reader learns there is good and bad in everyone. Yes, the Navajos were treated badly in their own country. However, not all whites are portrayed as evil just like in real life there are good and bad people. Ned makes many Marine friends, Navajo and non-Navajo, whom he comes to love and respect and vice versa. Also, although America is fighting Japan, one realizes that the Japanese were not an evil people. Many wanted the war to be over. It was a select few who kept the war going which caused many lives to be lost, including a huge number of Japanese. Ned himself has a shocking revelation of realizing how much the Japanese resemble his people. He realizes that they are people just like him as the war progresses, and the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki move him deeply.

Any good work of historical fiction is thoroughly researched, and Bruchac did his research for this novel. An author’s note explains how he had conversations with his own relatives who served in the war. Since Bruchac is not of Navajo heritage, he consulted Navajos on their culture, especially actual Navajo code talkers. Recommendations for further reading about the Navajos, World War II, and code talkers are also given.

I like how Bruchac incorporates the Navajo culture throughout the book. Navajo words are used, and their meanings can be gathered from the surrounding text. When an important code is revealed, it is shown first in Navajo and then in English. Although seeing it written out in Navajo interrupts the flow of reading, I like how it signals that something crucially important to the war effort is being revealed. Bruchac also incorporates Navajo ceremonies that would naturally occur. Ned goes through the Blessingway ceremony before enlisting in the Marines so that he would be kept safe from harm throughout the war. Another element that I love is the respect and love for family within the Navajo culture. Ned enlists in the Marines only after asking his parents for permission. This novel is wonderful and will give any Navajo a sense of pride for the sacrifices their ancestors have made for America.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• Best Children's Books of the Year, 2005; Bank Street College of Education

• Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, 2005

• Notable Children's Books, 2006; ALSC American Library Association

• Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2006; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS

• YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2006; American Library Association

• 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."

• Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices: The horrors of discrimination and the harrows of battle are never minced in Bruchac’s honest novel.

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

• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: " . . .this is a book about victory, not victimization; the focus is firmly on the resiliency and grace of Native America in the most trying of times."

Connections

• Bruchac offers a bibliography of resources that can help one learn more about the Navajos, World War II, and code talkers. Delve into a couple of these resources.

• Other books by Joseph Bruchac about Native Americans:

          Geronimo. ISBN 0439353602
          Our Stories Remember: American Indian History, Culture, & Values Through 
          Storytelling. ISBN 1555911293

• Other books with different viewpoints on World War II:

          Bass, Karen. Summer of Fire. ISBN 9781550504156
          Ruby, Lois. Shanghai Shadows. ISBN 9780823419609
          Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. ISBN 0375831002

RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Bibliography

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2001. Rain is not my Indian Name. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0688173977

 Plot Summary

Rain loses her best friend, Galen. They have been friends since early childhood, and he is gone at the age of thirteen. The story covers Rain’s journey from the night of her best friend’s death through her recovery of dealing with his death. In addition, Rain must deal with life in general which includes political controversy around a Native American summer camp, growing up without a mother and with a father who works overseas, an older brother dealing with an unexpected pregnancy, and losing the friendship of the only other person besides Galen that she trusts with her secrets.

Critical Analysis

This story is about loss and dealing with death. Rain goes on an emotional journey throughout the story of learning how to live without her best friend. Other issues are explored in addition to loss such as living in a small town prone to gossip, being in love for the first time with your best friend, handling others’ perceptions of a mixed race heritage, being Native American in a town that is majority white, and living in a non-traditional household. Rain deals with all these issues one day at a time, and although full resolution is not achieved at the story’s end, there is the promise that Rain will get through her troubles just fine.

Cultural markers abound in this story. Rain is of mixed race; she is Muscogee Creek-Cherokee and Scots-Irish from her mother and Irish-German-Ojibway from her father. Those who do not know her usually assume that she is white. However, Rain tans fairly quickly. The story is full of insights about Rain’s Native American culture that may make readers curious to learn more. For example, Rain hesitates in buying a dreamcatcher because they are a fad with so many inauthentic ones out there. She groups them with being associated with fakelore. However, when she sees how beautifully handcrafted the one that Dmitri’s mother made is, she changes her mind and purchases it. Another culturally authentic moment that stands out to me is when Rain’s Aunt Georgia is being interviewed by the Flash for the newspaper. The Flash wants to know more about the wild-rice harvest, which is an Ojibway tradition. Aunt Georgia does not feel comfortable talking about another tribe’s traditions to an outsider and so politely tells the Flash to contact a tribal member if he wants more information about it. Rain explains that the harvest may have spiritual importance and this is Aunt Georgia’s way of telling him to not inquire. This moment also makes it apparent how each tribe is distinct with its own traditions and stories.   

As an avid reader of adventure tales, I find this story slow. However, I did find myself curious as to whether Rain would overcome her grief and was able to relate to many of the issues explored throughout the story. In fact, many readers will relate to the issues that Rain faces. I recognize that the goal of the story is not to entertain but to reveal certain aspects of everyday life. I can appreciate that, and I have to admit that this is the first book I have read about Native Americans in a modern context. This fact alone is refreshing!

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• Oklahoma Book Award, 2002 Finalist Children/Young Adult

•  Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers & Storytellers Award, 2001

•  Kirkus Reviews: "Tender, funny, and full of sharp wordplay, Smith's first novel deals with a whole host of interconnecting issues . . ."

• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: "Unfortunately, Rain’s story does not come into focus quickly or clearly enough. Two short chapters introduce and then kill off Rain’s best friend/boyfriend; after that, the complexities of the local backstory make it difficult for the reader to put together the big picture, in which issues of friendship and family are explored through fragmented views of interrelated plots. Still, Rain’s observations are appealingly wry, and readers who stay with her until these themes are fully developed will find food for thought in this exploration of cultural identity."

•  VOYA: "A quick and easy read that will appeal to preteen and young teen girls, this novel is especially suited to ethnically mixed, Native American, or reluctant readers."

 Connections

• Cynthia Leitich Smith has a presence on the Web. Check out her website for more information about her, the books she’s written, as well as information about other authors and books at http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/.

• Rain is not my Indian Name is full of details about Rain’s heritage such as her mother’s tear dress and the Ojibway wild-rice harvest. Research some of the cultural elements mentioned throughout the story. There is so much to discover! To get you started, the following websites may be of interest.

          Wisconsin Historical Society. “Wild Rice Harvesting.” 

          http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-025/.

          Cochran, Wendell. “The Cherokee Tear Dress Facts.” 

           http://www.yvwiiusdinvnohii.net/Cherokee/WendellCochran

          /WCochran0102TearDressFacts.htm.

THE DREAMER by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Bibliography
Ryan, Pam Muñoz. 2010. The Dreamer. Ill. by Peter Sís. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439269704

Plot Summary
Neftalí is whimsical, likes to collect things, loves to read and write, and daydreams of great adventures at every possible moment. His father is overbearing and does not like the things that Neftalí loves. To Father, these things are pure nonsense, and he will do everything possible to ensure that his children become doctors or businessmen. Is Neftalí capable of holding on to his dreams and living his own life instead of crumpling under his father’s overbearing and forceful nature?

Critical Analysis
The Dreamer is beautiful and captivating. It is hard to describe. It is part poetry and part historical fiction with a whole lot of whimsy in between. The story centers on Neftalí and follows his story from childhood into adulthood. Neftalí is the sweetest kid that any parent could wish for. He is smart, loving, and kind. Then, there is Father. He is the opposite of Neftalí. Father is overbearing and tries to control everyone, Mamadre (Neftalí’s stepmother), brother Rodolfo, sister Laurita, and the town of Temuco. Readers can identify to the situation of being forced into being what someone else wants one to be.

In between the story of Neftalí and his family are Neftalí’s musings, his fantasy world. Neftalí has an interest in nature and life. The sound of rain dripping on his roof enthralls him, he collects rocks and bugs, and the rarely seen wildlife in Chile, such as the chucao bird, amazes him. Sometimes Neftalí’s musings come in the form of a narrative, other times it shows up in poetry, and sometimes a simply yet beautifully drawn illustration captures them. Two pages can be filled up with just the sound of something, such as the dripping of rain. A simple word or phrase that interests Neftalí may show up repeated or in big print. Sometimes, a picture of something fanciful appears, like Neftalí riding the back of a rhinoceros beetle. Or, the story may just describe a musing, such as Neftalí imagining a perfect goodbye between himself and his first love, Blanca. All methods of storytelling evoke emotion and keep the story interesting.

The book itself is a feast for the eyes and the imagination. All text and illustrations are printed in beautiful forest green. The illustrations are simple and either illustrate a part of the story, show one of Neftalí’s musings, or illustrate a poem that expands on an idea within the story. There is a love of nature throughout the story, and the green print and simple illustrations expand on this theme nicely.

A couple of cultural markers stand out to me. The chucao bird can be found in Chile. Like the story, it is small. The following website has a picture of it along with its call: http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=411401. The plight of the Mapuche, the indigenous peoples of Chile, is incorporated into the story. The first chapter sets the place as Temuco, Chile. There is a nice picture of the country of Chile at the start of the first chapter. The story goes on to be very descriptive of the natural environment that surrounds the town of Temuco. Finally, the language itself sets the culture. Spanish words are encountered throughout the dialog and narration. Neftalí’s stepmother is addressed as Mamadre, which seems to be a mix between mamá and madre. There is also much formality between adults and children. However, this may be due more to the time period of the early 1900s than the culture itself.

I feel that this book is one unique and beautiful read. It is a lovely story that is thought provoking as well as inspirational. My only concern is whether young people will be drawn to this book. It is thick and has much depth. Young readers, such as ten and eleven-year-olds may need a little push to try it. However, I do think children will read it once they give it a try.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts
Pura Belpre Award, 2011

Booklist: "This book has all the feel of a classic, elegant and measured, but deeply rewarding and eminently readable."

Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices: "Ryan’s writing is beautiful, full of imagery suited to a story about a boy becoming a poet, while illustrations by Peter Sís feature a delicacy and strength suited to Neftalí’s character."

Kirkus Reviews: "The illustrator's trademark drawings deliver a feeling of boundless thought and imagination, suggesting, with whimsy and warmth, Neftalí's continual transformation of the everyday world into something transcendent."

Library Media Connection: "Well written and engaging, this book would be best suited for sophisticated readers who can empathize with Neftali's relationship with his father and his comfort in writing."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: "While the considerable length contrasts with the fairly young-aimed text, the story is a readable blend of fiction and biography."

VOYA: "The Dreamer should readily appeal to both genders, as well as young and old alike."

Connections

• This book is fictional but based on Pablo Neruda’s childhood. Learn more about Pablo Neruda from these websites:

The Nobel Foundation. "The Nobel Prize in Literature 1971: Pablo Neruda."

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1971/neruda-bio.html.

Academy of American Poets. “Pablo Neruda.”

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/279.

Poetry Foundation. “Pablo Neruda.”

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/pablo-neruda.

Guibert, Rita. "Pablo Neruda, The Art of Poetry No. 14."

http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/4091/the-art-of-poetry-no-14-pablo-neruda.

• The Dreamer deals with many sophisticated issues such as overbearing parents, finding solace through an artistic outlet, and the mistreatment of indigenous peoples. Discuss these issues and any others that are presented within the story.

• The story is interspersed with thoughtful questions that are meant for reflection, such as, “ Which is sharper? The hatchet that cuts down dreams? Or the scythe that clears a path for another?” Take time out to reflect on a few of these.

BURIED ONIONS by Gary Soto

Bibliography
Soto, Gary. 1997. Buried Onions. San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Company. ISBN: 0152013334
 

Plot Summary
Nineteen-year-old Eddie is a Mexican American living in a poor section of Fresno, California. A City College dropout, Eddie tries to walk the straight and narrow by seeking an honest job. However, the odds are against him, and it is a struggle to stay out of trouble as well as alive. With his cousin, father, two uncles, and best friend all dead, can Eddie make an honest life for himself?

Critical Analysis
Fresno, California is a tough area to live in. Although the book was written fifteen years ago, recent demographic reports still show that Fresno has a high crime rate, higher than state and national rates (CityRating.com 2012). Therefore, Eddie’s story of being a victim of the “onions” of sorrow, bad luck, and poor surroundings in his neighborhood is believable. Although the book lacks a solid plot, it is engaging in that one does not know what will befall Eddie next. He is a good kid, always running scared out of his wits, and rightly cautious of all things. He is trying to escape Fresno and get a chance at a better life, and we follow his journey of trying to discover a way out. However, it seems as if everyone, even his loved ones, is preventing him from doing so. His aunt wants him to avenge her son’s death by shooting the murderer, he gets accused of stealing his boss’s vehicle, and his mother tries to set him up with a girl who already has a child.

Soto writes strictly about Mexican American life in Fresno. Eddie identifies himself as Mexican on the second page, and the culture unfolds. Eddie describes the brown skin of those in his neighborhood. Characters have names such as Juan, Belinda, Angel, José, and Jésus. The mixture of the Spanish language into Eddie’s storytelling and the dialog between characters is natural. There is a glossary of terms at the end just in case the reader cannot understand the meaning of the Spanish words from the contextual clues or lack of.

This story may not be for everyone. Derogatory language and violence abound. Also, it is bleak, but what I like about it is that it rings true. I have relatives who speak about the same mala suerte that Eddie talks about. It’s not bad luck. Sometimes the environment prevents the best of people from having a good and decent life.

Reference
CityRating.com. 2012. “Fresno Crime Rate Report (California).” CityRating.com. Accessed October 15. http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/california/fresno.html#.UHy_ba47T6k.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 1998 - American Library Association
• YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 1998 - American Library Association
• Booklist: "The "buried onions," which Eddie imagines as the underground source for the world's tears, pervade the tone and plot, but the unvarnished depiction of depressed and depressing barrio life is as important as the positive images of Latinos Soto has created in his other works."
• Kirkus Reviews: "A valuable tale, it's one that makes no concessions."
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: "The conclusion is swift and somewhat ambivalent, but Eddie is a character with whom readers will empathize as they alternately grieve and hope for him."
• VOYA: "Buried Onions is Soto's best fiction yet."

Connections

• Other books by Gary Soto:

          Jesse. ISBN 015240239X
          Summer on Wheels. ISBN 059048365X
          The Afterlife. ISBN 0152047743

• Poems by Gary Soto:

          Partly Cloudy: Poems of Love and Longing. ISBN 9780152063016

• Short Stories by Gary Soto:

          Baseball in April and Other Stories. ISBN 015205720X

DIZZY IN YOUR EYES: POEMS ABOUT LOVE by Pat Mora

Bibliography
Mora, Pat. 2010. Dizzy in Your Eyes: Poems About Love. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780375843754
 
Plot Summary
Pat Mora puts together a book of poems about all types and aspects of love: teenage love, love of oneself, love of parents, heartache of divorce from the children’s perspective, and many other topics concerning love. The poems are ordered according to the cycle of love: falling in love, heartache and healing, and falling in love again (Mora 2010, 3). Various poetic forms are explored, and definitions are given for each style. In some cases, there is an explanation of why a certain style is used.

Critical Analysis
Pat Mora’s collection of poems that covers many topics, which include falling in love, divorce, parents, dancing, singing, adoration, old age, and much more, all come back to the central theme of love. This poetry book is organized according to the cyclical nature of love: falling in love, heartache and healing, and back to falling in love again (Mora 2010, 3). Various poetic styles are explored, such as free verse, tercet, couplet, villanelle, tanka, and so forth, with explanations of each style. Some of these explanations and forms may be difficult to understand, but this does not take away from the beauty and message of the poetry. The poems are easy to relate to and apply not only to young adults but to adults as well. Some of the poems will remind one of a distant memory or feeling, while others may apply to some present circumstance. There is something for everyone here. For example, “Weird” captures the fascination a teenager has with a new love. Whereas, “Grandma’s Joke” is about a grandmother reminiscing about proposing to her husband. Many moments and feelings are captured in each poem.

The language used in each poem is reflective of the poetic style. This variance in style and language causes the book to be an exploration of poetry as well as love. For example, “Revenge x 3” is written as a tercet and rhymes. “To-do List” is a numbered list, and a humorous one at that. Another aspect to the poetry that adds to its richness is Pat Mora’s use of the Spanish language. The interchangeable use of Spanish and English throughout the book is a solid cultural marker. The use of Spanish varies and is dependent on the poem’s message. The poem “Spanish” specifically identifies the Hispanic American culture. It explores the difficulty of learning English in school and missing the ability to speak Spanish all the time. “Valentine to Papi” uses the forms of address, Papi and Mami, to mark the culture. It is about an adult daughter reminiscing about dancing with her father at a wedding ten years ago. Not all the poems contain cultural markers, but I feel that this rings true to the theme of love. Love is not culturally specific. For example, “I Can Dance” contains no cultural marker, but it does not have to because it is about the joy of dancing where no one can see. This is universal.

I love this book of poems. The author’s note may be misleading in that it may lead the reader into believing that all the poems deal with teenage love. This is not true. The book is much deeper than this and explores many more facets of love. There are visual graphics as well. There are patterns on the facing page of each poem that at times follow the poem’s message. However, these are so understated that I feel that they just add slight visual interest. The collection can stand on its own without the graphics.     

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature, 2011 - Commended Titles
• Booklist: "The tight structures intensify the strong feelings in the poems, which teens will enjoy reading on their own or hearing aloud in the classroom."
• Kirkus Reviews: "A must read for lovestruck teens, whether they're poets or not."
• Library Media Connection: "Add this if your poetry section needs a little extra something."
• VOYA: "This collection may be used to stimulate young adults to attempt their own poetry and could easily be employed as a classroom tool."

Connections

• Pick a poetic style and try writing an original poem in that style.
• Find other poems written in the poetic styles showcased in this book.
• Other collections of poems about love:

          Soto, Gary. Partly Cloudy: Poems of Love and Longing. ISBN 9780152063016
          Grimes, Nikki. Hopscotch Love: A Family Treasury of Love Poems.
          ISBN 0688156673
          Holbrook, Sara and Allan Wolf. More Than Friends: Poems From Him and Her.
          ISBN 9781590785874

JOHN HENRY by Julius Lester, Ill. by Jerry Pinkney

Bibliography
Lester, Julius. 1994. John Henry. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0803716060

Plot Summary
This book is a version of the African American folktale that has been told and sung for generations. John Henry is a gentle giant born from ordinary parents. He is strong and fast. He wins a wager against the meanest man in town, finishes building a road smack through a boulder, and hammers faster than a steam drill straight through a mountain during the building of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad through West Virginia.

Critical Analysis
John Henry is an African American folktale so well known within the culture, that when my husband saw the book, he automatically recited, “John Henry was a steel driving man.” The illustrations play an important part in this story. John Henry is known for building the railroad. The illustrations set the time frame for this. It is immediately established that this story takes place in the West. The text confirms this later in the story, that it takes place somewhere around West Virginia. These are the days of the Old West, the Wild West.

The entire story is culturally authentic to African Americans just because it is a folktale specific to this culture. The text remains true to the story, and the illustrations bring it to life. Like every child imagines, John Henry is big, strong, and kind-hearted. He enjoys his work and using his strength to help others. His labor is hard and manual, so he sings to keep his spirits up and to make his work go quickly. This singing while working comes from days of slavery and is preserved in this story. The clothes worn by the people are those donned by the working class. They are the dusty and well-worn apparel commonly known to be worn in the Wild West. A time where people had to work from dawn to dusk just to survive.

I like this story not only for the illustrations but also because of the message given in the text. “Dying ain’t important. Everybody does that. What matters is how well you do your living.” The tale can be told in poetry or ballad form, and this is what I found myself missing. Ballad or poetry form always instantly grabs children’s interest as well.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

• Aesop Prize, 1994
• Randolph Caldecott Medal, 1995 - Honor Book
• Booklist: "Pinkney's dappled pencil-and-watercolor illustrations capture the individuality of the great working man, who is part of the human community and who has the strength of rock and wind."
• Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices: "Julius Lester's uses of anthropomorphism and anachronism mark the story with his own distinctive flair as a skillful storyteller for contemporary children."

Connections

• There are many versions of John Henry and speculation of whether he was a real man. This website provides more information about this: http://www.ibiblio.org/john_henry/.
• Try reading more African American folk tales:
  Hamilton, Virginia. The People Could Fly: The Picture Book. ISBN 9780394869254
  Hamilton, Virginia. When Birds Could Talk & Bats Could Sing: The Adventures of Bruh Sparrow, Sis Wren, and Their Friends. ISBN 0590473727
  McGill, Alice. Way Up and Over Everything. ISBN 061838796X
  San Souci, Robert D. The Hired Hand: An African-American Folktale. ISBN 0803712960
• Other books by Julius Lester:
  Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story. ISBN 0803717873
  Let's Talk About Race. ISBN 0060285982
  Sam and the Tigers: A New Telling of Little Black Sambo. ISBN 0803720289
  The Tales of Uncle Remus: The Adventures of Brer Rabbit. ISBN 9780803702721
  

HEART AND SOUL: THE STORY OF AMERICA AND AFRICAN AMERICANS by Kadir Nelson

Bibliography
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780061730740

Plot Summary
African American history ranging from 1565, the time when Africans first step onto North American soil, to present day, with the election of Barack Obama as the first African American U.S. president, is presented in this twelve chapter book written in a narrative style told from the point of view of a grandmother recounting her family’s role in history. Beautiful oil paintings of historic people and moments complete the story. A timeline, bibliography, and index are also included.

Critical Analysis
This history book is a wonderful resource about African American history for ages starting around eight. The text and beautiful oil paintings throughout the book are accurate. The illustrations show historical figures, such as Martin Luther King Jr.; moments, such as slaves on a slave ship to America; symbols, like the burning cross used for intimidation; events, like the march on Washington; occupations, such as a Tuskegee pilot; and everyday people throughout history, like the sharecropper. The illustrations of known historical people look just like the real life person. The ones of everyday people show the varying skin tones, hair textures and colors, and facial features that can be found in African Americans all over the United States. The paintings evoke feelings of pride, sadness, strength, unity, and love.

The pictures can stand on their own in any renowned gallery of art. There is no doubt that Kadir Nelson is an accomplished artist. What is also evident is his frank storytelling of a history that is hard to talk about and share with others. His historical facts are true, such as the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I and II, the Civil Rights Movement, etc. The text is so intriguing because the facts are not sugar coated. It explores the harshness of slavery and how being treated unequally can destroy a person. Nelson does not paint a picture of all Caucasians being evil and wanting all African Americans to be subservient. Nelson paints a balanced picture showing the good and bad of all people. For example, slavery was profitable to the north and south. There were many people who did not want it abolished, but there were enough people who did. Nelson explains these delicate issues in a balanced, fair, and well-researched manner.

There are times in the text where the adult reader is aware of explanations of why certain historical events occurred. I feel that these explanations are presented through careful research. Also, it is natural for these explanations to occur because the history presented in the text is told from the point of view of an elderly relative recounting her family’s history. For example, Nelson states that World War II sparked the civil rights movement. This may not be found on a timeline marked with a precise date. Nor is it a hard-core fact. However, research, personal accounts, and exploration of the time period is why many accept this statement to be true. Children may not pick up on this distinction. Therefore, adults may want to show children how to recognize these explanations and how to do their own research to decide for themselves whether they agree with the author or not.

The book reads easily. One can read it straight through because the narrator is telling the story of her people to a young relative. The narrator has a laid-back southern dialect that may ring true to some readers that carries the recounting of historical events along smoothly. Everything is recounted in chronological order. Readers may also use the book as a resource for research. There is a timeline and index to aid in this.

I personally like this book and plan on sharing it with my oldest child, who is eight. I had no idea how to teach her about our people’s history properly, but I think this book and some discussion will do the trick. Also, the paintings are so beautiful! I find myself flipping through the pages just to look at them. This is the first time I’ve seen such art in one place that truly shows the beauty, hardship, and victory of my people.

Awards Won & Review Excerpts

•  Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2012 - Illustrator Honor Book
• Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2012 - Author Winner
• Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2012 - Recommended Book
• School Library Journal's Battle of the Kids' Books, 2012 – Nominee
• Booklist: " . . . powerful, accessible history which will find wide circulation in both schools and public libraries."
• Kirkus Reviews: "This intimate narrative makes the stories accessible to young readers and powerfully conveys how personal this history feels for many African-Americans."
• The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: " . . . it’s the powerful imagery that ultimately makes this essential to the American History collection."
• VOYA: "The topics are not new, but pulling them all together in one comprehensive historical stream feels fresh and helps the past come alive. History has never been taught so clearly. This would be an excellent book to share with teens who think they are not interested in history. Gazing at the stunning pictures and reading about the fascinating historical details written in such a straightforward yet powerful manner should cure anyone of historical apathy."

Connections

• Check out a few of these websites dealing with African American History:

          University of Illinois Board of Trustees. “African American History For Kids."
          http://urbanext.illinois.edu/bhm/historyforkids.html
          PBS Kids. “African American World.” http://pbskids.org/aaworld/index.html
          Time Inc. “Black History Month.”
          http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/black-history-month

• Interested in Kadir Nelson’s art? There is more on his website http://www.kadirnelson.com/.
• Other award winning books written and/or illustrated by Kadir Nelson include:

          Jordan, Deloris. Salt in his Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream. ISBN
          0689833717
          Nelson, Kadir. We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. ISBN
          9780786808328
          Shange, Ntozake. Ellington was not a Street. ISBN 0689828845