Never Forgotten: Patricia C. McKissack

Never Forgotten

Author: Patricia C. McKissack
Illustrator: Leo & Diane Dillon
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books
Publication Year: 2011
Brief Summary: Using lyrical, free verse, this book tells the story of a young boy who is kidnapped in West African and sold into slavery.

Awards, Honors and Prizes:

• Coretta Scott King Book Award, 2012′ ‘ Honor Book’ ‘ Author’ ‘ United States’ ” ‘
• Skipping Stones Honor Award, 2012′ ” ‘ Multicultural and International Books’ ‘ United States’ ” ‘undefined
• Booklist Book Review Stars , Sept. 1, 2011 ; American Library Association
• Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 2011 ; American Library Association
• Booklist Top 10 Black History Books for Youth, 2012 ; American Library Association
• Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2011 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
• Choices, 2012 ; Cooperative Children’s Book Center
• Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 1, 2011
• New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2011 ; New York Public Library
• Notable Children’s Books, 2012 ; ALSC American Library Association
• Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, August 8, 2011 ; Cahners
• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, September 2011 ; Cahners

Ideas for using this book in classroom or library and/or brief notes on curriculum connections/content learning standards/Common Core, etc.:

• Language arts: discuss poetry and different kinds of poems.  This book is made up of a compilation of lyrical, free-verse poems.  What are some characteristics of these types of poems?
• Social studies: discuss slavery and how it affected the people in Africa and the families.  How did the father and mother in the story feel when their son was taken away?  How did they try to get their son back?
• Art: study the artistic style used in the book.  What do the illustrations tell you about how people felt?
• Discuss blacksmithing and why this trade is honored and respected?

Special features included (if applicable) — index; timeline; author’s notes; further reading; etc.  Author’s notes about slavery and blacksmithing, legends about hurricanes, etc.

Accessed at: Capilano Library

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The Story of the Milky Way: Joseph Bruchac & Gayle Ross

The Story of the Milky Way: a Cherokee Tale 

Author: Joseph Bruchac & Gayle Ross
Illustrator: Virginia A. Stroud
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Publication Year: 1995
Brief Summary:  This traditional Cherokee legend explains how the Milky Way came to be.
Awards, Honors and Prizes:

• Aesop Prize, 1996′ ‘ Accolade’ ” ‘ United States’ ” ‘
• Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for PreK-Grade 6, 1997 ; National Council of Teachers of English
• Children’s Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001 ; H.W. Wilson

Ideas for using this book in classroom or library and/or brief notes on curriculum connections/content learning standards/Common Core, etc.:

• Discuss folktales, legends, and pourquoi tales…what does this legend explain?  Read alongside with other stories that explain stars, constellations, or other aspects of nature.
• Why was corn so important for the people in the story?
• Read other books about Cherokee culture and customs.

Special features included (if applicable) — index; timeline; author’s notes; further reading; etc.  

Accessed at: Capilano Library

Doña Flor: Pat Mora

Doña Flor: A Tall Tale about a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart

Author: Pat Mora
Illustrator: Raul Colon
Publisher: Knopf
Publication Year: 2005
Brief Summary: Dona Flor, a respected, well-loved giant lady, sets out to protect her friends from a ferocious puma, only to find out the secret behind its big roar.
Awards, Honors and Prizes:

• Golden Kite Award, 2006′ ‘ Award Book’ ‘ Picture Book Text’ ‘ United States’ ” ‘
• Pura Belpre Award, 2006′ ‘ Honor Book’ ‘ Author’ ‘ United States’ ” ‘
• Pura Belpre Award, 2006′ ‘ Winner’ ‘ Illustrator’ ‘ United States’ ” ‘
• Children’s Books 2005: One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2005 ; New York Public Library
• Children’s Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson
• Notable Children’s Books, 2006 ; ALSC American Library Association

Ideas for using this book in classroom or library and/or brief notes on curriculum connections/content learning standards/Common Core, etc.:

• Discuss tall tales — what are they?  what are their characteristics?
• Discuss the Spanish words in this book.  Study Mexican-American culture.  Taste tortillas and other foods authentic to this culture…if possible, have students research and bring to share.  Arrange for a field trip to watch fresh tortillas being made.
• Find pictures of adobe and pueblo.  Study this style of architecture.
• Art: younger kids can make a “trumpet” by rolling up a piece of construction paper.  See how your sound is amplified.
• Science: study how sound is amplified/changed.

Special features included (if applicable) — index; timeline; author’s notes; further reading; etc.   

Accessed at: Capilano Library