Biographies To Savor

        Visit Alyson Beecher on Wednesdays for Non-Fiction Picture Books at Kidlit Frenzy.  From Alyson and others, you will discover terrific nonfiction picture books!

         If ever we need the integrity and beliefs of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, that time has come. How fortunate I am to have read these two biographies of her recently. 

          Jonah Winter highlights the prejudice that Justice Ginsburg has faced all her life, sometimes even as a justice! Illustrations help highlight important events through her life that were unjust, yet this woman resisted and persisted when she could to clear away discriminatory practices, to ensure women's equal pay, to combat discrimination against African Americans, to fight for the right of gay couples to marry. There is a glossary and additional information in the back matter. For students just beginning research into the Supreme Court or of Justice Ginsburg's life, this is a great beginning text. 

          I've known of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg all my life and celebrated her victories and opinions, but this book offers so much more information. Her life full of dissenting for equal rights will both surprise and please children who first read this history, and hopefully will inspire them to discover more about the inequality that has been part of our history and is still happening today. There is added back matter that gives more information about Justice Ginsberg.

         There are so many stories of immigrants trying to get to America, and often they are about a flight to save lives, wanting to stay, but needing to go. Michelle Brisson tells Hedy's story with love, for Hedy is her mother! There is some sadness because Hedy had to say goodbye to a cousin, knowing that she will not survive. There is underlying tension caused by pieces that show Jews are being discriminated against, like Hedy's father, a jeweler, being named "the king of the Jewish diamond dealers." And there is the decision that has to be made for Hedy to travel alone after her parents and brother leave because of lack of a ticket. Other problems arise like the plans for the boat that was to take them to America was canceled because the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. They lost that money too. At the back, there are family photos showing Hedy young, then older with her family in America and a map of their long travels to escape. El primo Ramon's illustrations in muted grays and browns with a hint of color create the effect of a long-ago story. They're serious, but not alarming. This will be a good book to introduce the plight of those fleeing the Nazis. 

A Fabulous Reading Week

              Visit Jen at Teach MentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to discover books you'll love! Thanks to Jen, Kellee and Ricki who share so much from their own reading lives and support this meme, too.

                                

                      tweet #IMWAYR

        

           I've read lots of picture books this week, will share a few favorites. I'm still reading Evicted, have started a book for a coming book club, and completed one arc I enjoyed.

      Thanks to Candlewick Press, I have had the pleasure of reading M. T. Anderson’s most recent story, a scathing commentary that’s wildly sci-fi but attacks the real ways of society today.  The VUVV have arrived on earth and many welcome it, believing that their advanced knowledge of technology will save everyone. And the teen artist, Adam, believes it, too. But most lose their jobs to this new tech, and with no money coming in, people on earth begin to live without things they used to think were always going to be there, like clean water and good food. The VUVV can make anything (think 3-d printers) but it costs a lot more, and slowly Adam begins to realize that he must do something to save himself and his family.

       Each chapter centers around a painting Adam does, and some is high-tech, holograms, etc., but as the chapters progress, Adam’s paintings reveal what is important to Adam. Despite the continuing gloom in the story, it does end with hope. The book will be a favorite of older teens who love Anderson’s witty comments on our own lives as they did with Feed.

          No matter which picture book below you choose, it seems that most are about people helping others, having fun, taking care to celebrate life and our world. Each one can be a celebration!

       I love the illustrations showing lots of feelings, and foremost, patience and love from the dad.  Jabari’s face when he is feeling the surprise and when he comes “up” with a splash makes one smile just like Jabari. For anyone who has a child with some fear, this is a book to have. For anyone with a class in which it’s a good goal to discuss doing scary things, this is the book to have.

Celebrating Always

       Celebrating with Ruth Ayres and others today. Come visit to see how wonderful it is to celebrate all the delights of the week! 

    

      Congratulations on this wonderful coming book, Ruth!

      What a week of sadness in Texas! I've written about it more than once, trying to find some goodness in this weather tragedy and there are things to celebrate about those who have stepped forward, or have done the jobs they were meant to do but as heroes who possibly slept less than ever. They continue to help as do many everywhere.

      Except for the concern of those who have met such tragedy, I had a good week with visits and bookstore work, writing and reading. My usual good days! The grand-girls spent Friday with me because they had the day off from school. Most of the time was spent in performance! They created a few song and dance shows for me with new performance ribbons and an old plastic toy microphone I have. BTW, this mike was used often in my classroom, no matter the pretending, even my middle schoolers loved it! 

      My son called this am to firm up the plans for a ticket he was sending to come visit them later in the month! I am excited!

Poetry Friday - It Could Happen

      Poetry Friday is hosted today by the wonderful Kathryn Apel from down under with lots of happy pictures of kids creating. Thanks, Kat! You can find her blog HERE!

        I know that you know many sites available for giving to help the people in Texas after this terrible weather tragedy. So many have posted those sites, and many have already given what they are able. I imagine we will be helping for a long time. 

        No matter how much humans try hard to live lives with joy and good will, some are slapped down and must find a way to rise and take a next step. I am touched when I see the pictures of people helping in every way, sometimes very tough ways, or people in shelters smiling to get their meals although they're wading through water because their shelter has flooded. I have a poem from William Stafford that I feel connects to us in this time. I hope you see that having a meal, even knee-deep in water, is what he's writing about.

It begins:

Yes 
It could happen any time, tornado,
earthquake, Armageddon. It could happen.
Or sunshine, love, salvation.
It could you know. 

Read the rest HERE.

Research Motivation

        Visit Alyson Beecher on Wednesdays for Non-Fiction Picture Books at Kidlit Frenzy.  From Alyson and others, you will discover terrific nonfiction picture books!

     I've been on a wonderful trip to view the eclipse, hence no post last week, but I've scrambled since in order to finish and share this longer non-fiction, fabulous book. Some of you have shared it, and that's how I discovered it! Thank you!

INQUIRY, RESEARCH, QUESTIONING